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pg | second season, 6-7 AM




She knew there was a possibility they were under surveillance, but it was unlikely. It wasn't like they could do any damage from in here.

And she highly doubted they were concerned about them committing suicide.

His hand was warm and somehow that seemed wrong. This whole day seemed wrong. She couldn't quite believe that twenty-four hours ago, she had been plain old Michelle Dessler, loyal and competent CTU employee, and now she was Michelle Dessler, accused traitor. Locked up in a holding cell with her former co-worker, then boss, and now co-conspirator.

She squeezed his hand and he looked up. In his face, she saw emotions she had never seen there before - defeat and resignation.

It made her want to cry. This whole day made her want to cry. She thought of her brother and that almost made her want to take Tony up on his offer to accept all the blame for their actions. Almost. In the back of her mind, she couldn't help thinking that Jack would pull this off and save the day. Jack would succeed and the world would go back to normal and they would be heralded as heroes, not treasonous criminals.

Jack had to succeed. This couldn't have all been for nothing.

She leaned into him, brushing his lips with hers ever so slightly. The events of the day had left an almost foul stench on his skin and clothes. She was sure she smelled bad too. When no one came barging in to tear them apart, she applied more pressure, wrapping her arms around his torso. He returned the kiss with some violent emotion - she wasn't sure which one. Love? Lust? Desperation? Anger? Fear?

Did it matter?

His hands were still warm and it still felt wrong.

She clung to him like he was her one lifeline, instead of the man who had possibly helped her sign her own death warrant. She kissed him as if, through this one kiss, he could somehow rescue her. She kissed him as if she could live in that kiss and never have to face the outside world again. She kissed him as if that kiss could stop the clock from ticking.

It was futile and she knew it.

(fin.)

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