Michelle Dessler

Michelle Dessler
24 character
Reiko Aylesworth as Michelle Dessler
First appearance	Day 2 – Episode 1
Last appearance	Day 5 – Episode 1
Portrayed by	Reiko Aylesworth
Days	2, 3, 4, 5
Other Appearances	24: The Game
Information
Significant other(s)	Tony Almeida

Michelle Dessler is a fictional character played by Reiko Aylesworth on the television series, 24. She was one of Jack's closest and most trusted allies at CTU as well as one of his closest friends outside of work. The character first appeared in the second season of 24 as an Internet Protocol Manager in the Los Angeles Branch of CTU and a love interest of Tony Almeida. In subsequent storylines, she is seen to have held positions as Chief of Staff and Acting Special Agent in Charge at CTU Los Angeles, and Associate Special Agent in Charge at Division.

Michelle obtained her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at the University of California, Davis, and began her career at the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Computer Security Division, and DARPA's High Confidence Systems Working Group, before being hired by the Counter Terrorist Unit, Los Angeles branch.

Michelle makes her first appearance in the second season (Day 2) as the Internet Protocol Manager at CTU Los Angeles working with Chief of Staff Tony Almeida, to assemble the strategy for the terrorist threat. While credited as a recurring character rather than part of the main cast, Michelle nevertheless appears in every episode of the second season. After Jack Bauer is recruited to help with the imminent nuclear terrorist threat, she is tasked with preparing him for an undercover operation to find the nuclear bomb. Later, when Jack warns of an imminent bombing of CTU, she and Tony lead the evacuation of the building when the bomb detonates.

Michelle and Tony rebuild CTU to continue their operations. Upon Jack's return, Michelle disobeys CTU Director George Mason's direct orders and allows Jack to leave and aids his mission with Nina Myers and successfully discovers the people who possess the nuclear bomb. After Michelle realizes that Mason is dying of radiation poisoning, Mason opens up to Michelle about his regrets, which encourages her to admit to Tony that she would like to start a relationship with him. Tony reciprocates and they agree to go out if they get through the day alive.