Unlikely Connections, chapter 2
Unlikely Connections
Tony/Michelle
PG - NC-17
Summary: What if Michelle was never involved with CTU? What if she had a completely different life and then along comes an agent who turns her life upside down?
Chapter 1
Michelle’s eyes widened when they stepped out of what she thought at first had been a closet. Well, it was a closet but it was also an elevator. She glanced to her side and for the millionth time that morning wondered just what the hell was going on. Tony didn’t look at her as they walked ahead and he didn’t seem a bit phased that they’d just rode down an elevator that was a closet.
She pulled the package closer to her side. Last week she’d been a normal housewife and mother just visiting the train station. Now...she didn’t even know where they were. Agent Almeida had explained as much as he could without “giving too much information.” He said he’d been as forthcoming as he could be. Yeah well, it wasn’t enough for Michelle. So, she had picked up her leverage from her kitchen counter and calmly told him he wasn’t getting anything from her until she knew exactly what the hell was going on.
Now she kind of wished she’d just shoved the package at him and pushed him out of her door.
That’s not what happened though. Forever stubborn, Michelle had stood her ground even when Agent Almeida had gotten, well all agent-y on her. It was a stalemate so he’d done the only thing he thought would convince her he wasn’t a threat; he brought her to CTU.
Tony lead her through security, smirking while watching her get the once over. At least this time she wasn’t in her night clothes. He had to admit, even with thugs chasing him he couldn’t help but notice she’d apparently been in a hurry that morning since she hadn’t dressed. Oh yes, he’d noticed. He’d noticed a few things about Ms. Dessler.
Michelle followed Tony down a long hall after getting her guest pass from the security station. The guard seemed to be surprised Tony was even asking for one. Once they turned the corner she realized why. If she thought the room where the closet, er, elevator was impressive it was nothing compared to where they were now.
“Welcome to the bullpen. This is the center of the facility and where I report to.” He turned and pointed to a glass office raised above everything else in the middle of the room. “That...would be my boss. You asked for proof, well here it is, Ms. Dessler.”
Michelle just shook her head. She didn’t actually think he’d show her anything like this. Honestly she thought the whole thing was a ridiculous pick up trick. Ridiculous, but unique. She would have given him that. No, he definitely wasn’t trying to just get a date.
As she took everything in, a woman with short, dark hair came up to them and approached Tony as she spoke. “Scarecrow, Mason wants to know if you’ve gotten--dear Lord you’ve brought her with you.” The women sized each other up. The other agent was dressed similar to Tony; typical clothes you’d see on anyone. They just looked a hell of a lot more expensive than what Michelle could ever afford. The female agent gave her a smug look but her tone was pleasant. “I’m Agent Nina Myers. You must be Ms. Dessler.” Michelle took the hand she offered. “Yes, uh, yes...that’s me.” Still a little flustered she dropped Nina’s hand and kept looking around.
Nina couldn’t help the look she gave Tony. Oh she’d definitely tease him about this later. Bringing a housewife into CTU. He must really be desperate for a date if he’d had to resort to this. She hadn’t even said anything before Tony was already warning her. “Stop. Don’t even start.”
“What? I didn’t even say anything.”
“No, but you were going to.” Nina rolled her eyes at him and smiled at them both.
“Mason wants you in his office, now.” She looked at Michelle. “He’s gonna love this.” With that the female agent walked away and Michelle watched her go back to work.
Tony looked down at Michelle and smiled at the look of wonder on her face. It’d been years since he’d been affected by the place. Too much had happened in the years he’d worked for CTU for him to feel anything close to what Michelle was experiencing. He hated to break the spell she was under but if he made Mason wait any longer his ass would be in a sling.
Michelle felt Tony gently take her by the arm and lead her toward the stairs that went up to the glass office in the middle. “You said this was your boss’s office?” She took the stairs ahead of him, package still tucked closely.
“Yeah. George Mason, deputy director.” Tony tried to keep his eyes on neutral territory but he couldn’t deny he might have snuck a few glances at her figure going up the stairs. Her assets were having more of an effect than he realized since he nearly bumped into the back of her when she stopped near the top of the stairs.
Michelle was nervous. There was no other way to describe it. He’d been telling the truth. She really hadn’t thought any further than laughing in his face when he couldn’t produce what she’d asked for. But this... She quickly turned to Tony, looking down at him. “What the other agent said...I hope I didn’t get you into some kind of trouble.”
They stared at each other for just a second but it was a meaningful second.
“Nah. Don’t worry about it. Mason is more bark than bite.” He smiled up at her and accepting his words she smiled back. “But, let’s get in there before we do get bitten.” He nudged her forward and she took a deep breath as she pushed against the large glass door.
Mason started yelling before he’d even turned all the way around. “Where in the hell have you--” His tirade stopped as soon as he noticed Michelle.
Tony took the opening. “George, meet Ms. Dessler. And as you can see, she’s brought something for us.” He gestured toward the package but Mason just kept staring at Michelle.
Mason looked around like he thought he had to be the only person seeing this. “Almeida...you brought her here?!”
Before Tony got a chance to answer, Michelle cut him off. “Why does everyone keep saying that? I mean, you’re secret agents. I get that. But honestly, you ride to work in a closet. I can’t possibly be that intimidating.”
Tony tried. He really did. But he couldn’t help the snort that came out. Apparently Ms. Dessler had a bit of fire in her. Glancing at her as he composed himself again, he thought that could either be a good or bad thing.
Mason glared at Tony but when he turned his eyes to Michelle they were kind. “Ms. Dessler, I’m sorry for having you involved in this. I thought I was sending my best agent on an assignment but obviously it was too much for Scarecrow to handle.” He ended by glaring at Tony again. Almeida just rolled his eyes. George was such a drama queen sometimes. Mason extended his hand offering her a seat and she took it. Tony leaned against one of the glass walls of the office, his boss’s words not affecting him at all.
“There’s no need to apologize, sir. I mean, it’s not Agent Almeida’s fault I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
George smiled at her. “Honestly, Ms. Dessler I think you might have been at the right place at the right time. If it wasn’t for you that” he nodded at the package “would be in the hands of some not so nice people.” Tony couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Mason smiled?
“Still, I’m very sorry for having worried anyone or gotten Agent Almeida in trouble. I just didn’t know what to do with it when I couldn’t find the man he’d asked me to give it to.”
“Trust me, Almeida is always in trouble.” He slowly made his way around the desk and carefully reached toward the package. “May I?”
“Oh, yes. Sorry.” She sheepishly handed it over to him. She couldn’t help noticing the look of relief on his face once it was safely sitting on his desk.
“Thank you, Ms. Dessler. You’ve done a great service to your country without even knowing it.”
Michelle smiled at him. “Too bad it doesn’t pay well.” She laughed and looked between the two men. A light bulb seemed to go on over Mason’s head at the same time Tony started to look worried.
“So, you’re unemployed then?” George went back to his seat and pulled out a file, flipping it open. Michelle blushed. “I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t mean for it to sound like I was asking--”
“No, no. No problem. Actually I think I could help you. It’s the least we could do for what you’ve done for us.” He never looked up from the file but pulled another sheet over and quickly scribbled something on it. “Scarecrow will escort you to HR. Just tell them I sent you and hand them this.” He offered the paper to her and she gingerly took it.
“I don’t think I’m really the agent type, sir.” Tony snorted again and turned to look out the glass at the people below. Michelle was a little hurt by his demeanor. She had no idea why.
“Oh it’s nothing like that, Ms. Dessler. We have a number of places open that I think you’ll fit after what I’ve seen so far. Just let them know any skills you have and we’ll find something for you.” Michelle could tell by his tone the conversation was over.
A little dazed she stood to take her leave, Tony already opening the door for her. “Thank you sir.”
“Thank you, Ms. Dessler.” He held it in long enough for her to make her way down the stairs but as soon as she was out of eyesight he gave Tony’s glare an evil grin.
Tony/Michelle
PG - NC-17
Summary: What if Michelle was never involved with CTU? What if she had a completely different life and then along comes an agent who turns her life upside down?
Chapter 1
Michelle’s eyes widened when they stepped out of what she thought at first had been a closet. Well, it was a closet but it was also an elevator. She glanced to her side and for the millionth time that morning wondered just what the hell was going on. Tony didn’t look at her as they walked ahead and he didn’t seem a bit phased that they’d just rode down an elevator that was a closet.
She pulled the package closer to her side. Last week she’d been a normal housewife and mother just visiting the train station. Now...she didn’t even know where they were. Agent Almeida had explained as much as he could without “giving too much information.” He said he’d been as forthcoming as he could be. Yeah well, it wasn’t enough for Michelle. So, she had picked up her leverage from her kitchen counter and calmly told him he wasn’t getting anything from her until she knew exactly what the hell was going on.
Now she kind of wished she’d just shoved the package at him and pushed him out of her door.
That’s not what happened though. Forever stubborn, Michelle had stood her ground even when Agent Almeida had gotten, well all agent-y on her. It was a stalemate so he’d done the only thing he thought would convince her he wasn’t a threat; he brought her to CTU.
Tony lead her through security, smirking while watching her get the once over. At least this time she wasn’t in her night clothes. He had to admit, even with thugs chasing him he couldn’t help but notice she’d apparently been in a hurry that morning since she hadn’t dressed. Oh yes, he’d noticed. He’d noticed a few things about Ms. Dessler.
Michelle followed Tony down a long hall after getting her guest pass from the security station. The guard seemed to be surprised Tony was even asking for one. Once they turned the corner she realized why. If she thought the room where the closet, er, elevator was impressive it was nothing compared to where they were now.
“Welcome to the bullpen. This is the center of the facility and where I report to.” He turned and pointed to a glass office raised above everything else in the middle of the room. “That...would be my boss. You asked for proof, well here it is, Ms. Dessler.”
Michelle just shook her head. She didn’t actually think he’d show her anything like this. Honestly she thought the whole thing was a ridiculous pick up trick. Ridiculous, but unique. She would have given him that. No, he definitely wasn’t trying to just get a date.
As she took everything in, a woman with short, dark hair came up to them and approached Tony as she spoke. “Scarecrow, Mason wants to know if you’ve gotten--dear Lord you’ve brought her with you.” The women sized each other up. The other agent was dressed similar to Tony; typical clothes you’d see on anyone. They just looked a hell of a lot more expensive than what Michelle could ever afford. The female agent gave her a smug look but her tone was pleasant. “I’m Agent Nina Myers. You must be Ms. Dessler.” Michelle took the hand she offered. “Yes, uh, yes...that’s me.” Still a little flustered she dropped Nina’s hand and kept looking around.
Nina couldn’t help the look she gave Tony. Oh she’d definitely tease him about this later. Bringing a housewife into CTU. He must really be desperate for a date if he’d had to resort to this. She hadn’t even said anything before Tony was already warning her. “Stop. Don’t even start.”
“What? I didn’t even say anything.”
“No, but you were going to.” Nina rolled her eyes at him and smiled at them both.
“Mason wants you in his office, now.” She looked at Michelle. “He’s gonna love this.” With that the female agent walked away and Michelle watched her go back to work.
Tony looked down at Michelle and smiled at the look of wonder on her face. It’d been years since he’d been affected by the place. Too much had happened in the years he’d worked for CTU for him to feel anything close to what Michelle was experiencing. He hated to break the spell she was under but if he made Mason wait any longer his ass would be in a sling.
Michelle felt Tony gently take her by the arm and lead her toward the stairs that went up to the glass office in the middle. “You said this was your boss’s office?” She took the stairs ahead of him, package still tucked closely.
“Yeah. George Mason, deputy director.” Tony tried to keep his eyes on neutral territory but he couldn’t deny he might have snuck a few glances at her figure going up the stairs. Her assets were having more of an effect than he realized since he nearly bumped into the back of her when she stopped near the top of the stairs.
Michelle was nervous. There was no other way to describe it. He’d been telling the truth. She really hadn’t thought any further than laughing in his face when he couldn’t produce what she’d asked for. But this... She quickly turned to Tony, looking down at him. “What the other agent said...I hope I didn’t get you into some kind of trouble.”
They stared at each other for just a second but it was a meaningful second.
“Nah. Don’t worry about it. Mason is more bark than bite.” He smiled up at her and accepting his words she smiled back. “But, let’s get in there before we do get bitten.” He nudged her forward and she took a deep breath as she pushed against the large glass door.
Mason started yelling before he’d even turned all the way around. “Where in the hell have you--” His tirade stopped as soon as he noticed Michelle.
Tony took the opening. “George, meet Ms. Dessler. And as you can see, she’s brought something for us.” He gestured toward the package but Mason just kept staring at Michelle.
Mason looked around like he thought he had to be the only person seeing this. “Almeida...you brought her here?!”
Before Tony got a chance to answer, Michelle cut him off. “Why does everyone keep saying that? I mean, you’re secret agents. I get that. But honestly, you ride to work in a closet. I can’t possibly be that intimidating.”
Tony tried. He really did. But he couldn’t help the snort that came out. Apparently Ms. Dessler had a bit of fire in her. Glancing at her as he composed himself again, he thought that could either be a good or bad thing.
Mason glared at Tony but when he turned his eyes to Michelle they were kind. “Ms. Dessler, I’m sorry for having you involved in this. I thought I was sending my best agent on an assignment but obviously it was too much for Scarecrow to handle.” He ended by glaring at Tony again. Almeida just rolled his eyes. George was such a drama queen sometimes. Mason extended his hand offering her a seat and she took it. Tony leaned against one of the glass walls of the office, his boss’s words not affecting him at all.
“There’s no need to apologize, sir. I mean, it’s not Agent Almeida’s fault I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
George smiled at her. “Honestly, Ms. Dessler I think you might have been at the right place at the right time. If it wasn’t for you that” he nodded at the package “would be in the hands of some not so nice people.” Tony couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Mason smiled?
“Still, I’m very sorry for having worried anyone or gotten Agent Almeida in trouble. I just didn’t know what to do with it when I couldn’t find the man he’d asked me to give it to.”
“Trust me, Almeida is always in trouble.” He slowly made his way around the desk and carefully reached toward the package. “May I?”
“Oh, yes. Sorry.” She sheepishly handed it over to him. She couldn’t help noticing the look of relief on his face once it was safely sitting on his desk.
“Thank you, Ms. Dessler. You’ve done a great service to your country without even knowing it.”
Michelle smiled at him. “Too bad it doesn’t pay well.” She laughed and looked between the two men. A light bulb seemed to go on over Mason’s head at the same time Tony started to look worried.
“So, you’re unemployed then?” George went back to his seat and pulled out a file, flipping it open. Michelle blushed. “I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t mean for it to sound like I was asking--”
“No, no. No problem. Actually I think I could help you. It’s the least we could do for what you’ve done for us.” He never looked up from the file but pulled another sheet over and quickly scribbled something on it. “Scarecrow will escort you to HR. Just tell them I sent you and hand them this.” He offered the paper to her and she gingerly took it.
“I don’t think I’m really the agent type, sir.” Tony snorted again and turned to look out the glass at the people below. Michelle was a little hurt by his demeanor. She had no idea why.
“Oh it’s nothing like that, Ms. Dessler. We have a number of places open that I think you’ll fit after what I’ve seen so far. Just let them know any skills you have and we’ll find something for you.” Michelle could tell by his tone the conversation was over.
A little dazed she stood to take her leave, Tony already opening the door for her. “Thank you sir.”
“Thank you, Ms. Dessler.” He held it in long enough for her to make her way down the stairs but as soon as she was out of eyesight he gave Tony’s glare an evil grin.