"Which job is it?" Michelle asked.

" Director of Operations at CTU, Langley offices." Tony looked down at his hands which were interlocked and resting on his lap. "I sent in my application this morning."

Michelle stared at him. They always spoke to each other about these kinds of things, about any decisions before they made them. The first 2 years of their marriage were built on this principal of sharing and honesty. And yet he'd sent in the application already without even a mention of it. She abruptly stood up and walked into the kitchen to get herself a glass of water, just to give herself a moment to breath. Just an extra moment to think.

"Michelle?" Tony called from the living room. She didn't answer, and so he came to the doorway and leaned on the door jam. "Michelle, I thought maybe you could apply for a transfer to Langley as well."

Michelle pulled the water jug out of the refrigerator, filling her glass. Her mind raced, and without meaning the harsh tone, she snapped, "It doesn't seem as though I have a choice now, does it?"

Tony's lip pulled upward in a wince. "Come on, that's not true. It's not like I'd go without you."

Michelle slammed the glass down on the counter. "Well, you might have to, Tony. I don't have the same credentials you do, I don't have the same years of experience, and I'm not as good as you!" Her hands flew to her face to cover the sudden tears. "God damn it, Tony...I can't just pick up and leave."

There was a moment of silence, stretching between them.

"Michelle..."

She looked up at him, at the contrite expression on his face, and felt the familiar guilt.

She hated fighting with him - they were both too good at it. Both sensitive, both too ready to be the guilty one, to take the blame for whatever passed between them. Angry feelings turned to hurt feelings too quickly. She hated it when it was like this.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I was just...surprised. I thought you would talk to me about something like this before...." She walked over to him and put her cheek against his shoulder, hiding her face in the crook of his neck. He put his arms around her and hugged her close, kissing the curls on top of her head.

"No, you're right, I should have talked to you," Tony said. "It just happened so quickly, they were on the phone and asking for my info, so I did it, I sent in the papers." He sighed into her hair, his breath warming her scalp. "And I wouldn't leave without you. You are a good agent, Michelle, better than most. What you don't have in experience you make up for in ability. They'll want you. And if they don't, they're fools."

Michelle smiled against his shirt, happy at her husband's kind words, but the knot of worry wouldn't go away. Her smile faded when she thought that as sweet as Tony's words were, the reference of a superior-turn-husband would probably not lend her much credibility when it came to transferring to Langley. Langley was the top of the ladder, and first pick on ever agent's list. The competition for job positions was fierce. That Tony was even contacted to apply indicated their strong desire for him to have the job.

She suspected no such job awaited for her.

"I...don't have to work for CTU, you know," she said, lifting her head to look up at him. "I could just come with you, and try and find another position somewhere else. Or just take care of the house and stuff."

Tony smiled at her. "What, you'd be a housewife? Honey, you can't even cook."

She scowled and stepped back in mock-anger, pushing away as he laughed at her. Tony grabbed her again as she twisted, and pulled her to him, her back against his stomach. He kissed her neck from behind, murmuring reassurances to her.

"Don't worry, Michelle. It'll be alright. Things always turn out for the best."

She sighed, wanting to believe him, but it just didn't feel right. She didn't want to be the one that got left behind.

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