The two continue their bantering work relationship but become perhaps all the more synchronized since their personal relationship has progressed. Almost immediately after Michael realizes Jane and Rafael are getting together, he starts up a sexual relationship with Nadine. Michael's dismissal of Jane's feelings and lying to her about his dealings with Petra put a strain on their relationship, which leads to the ending of their relationship. Michael is supportive of Jane's abstinence and her work towards becoming a teacher. He has been dating Jane for 2 years and understandably has his own feelings about Jane's pregnancy. As Detective he has shown that he will do anything to keep his loved ones safe – even if that means cutting a few corners along the way. The show opens with him and his partner Nadine Hanson hunting down the elusive Sin Rostro, "The Man Without a Face" – a known drug lord. He seems to have trouble letting people in, despite coming from a loving and caring family, as seen when he doesn't tell Jane about his past, which could also indicate that he has low self-esteem, thinking he would lose Jane if she knew of his past mistakes. Michael is tenacious in his work, perhaps with a thirst to prove himself following his criminal youth. Though Michael survives wounds, he is presumed dead of an aortic dissection 9 months later. Sin Rostro becomes a defining figure in Michael's life, as she kidnaps Jane's newborn, kills his former partner, Nadine, and eventually shoots Michael. Michael eventually became a detective and worked in homicide, being assigned to the Sin Rostro case. This was a wake-up call for Michael, who then worked to clean up his act and, ironically, trained as a police officer. After getting arrested, Billy took the fall so Michael wouldn't go to prison (as he was 18 and Billy a minor).
When he was young, Michael used to steal cars and sell the parts for profit, with his younger brother, Billy.
Until this happened, Michael worked as a homicide detective in Miami, Florida and was married to Jane Villanueva. He has lived in Montana under the name Jason for 4 years, after being presumed dead following the abduction and suffering amnesia as a result of electroshock.