Origami Flowers
This is something I wrote a while ago, Michael/Sara of course. Enjoy. Love to know what you think about it! ~Jen
Sara rolled over to look at the clock and saw it was still the middle of the night. She didn't normally wake up during the night unless the neighbors were fighting or a cat knocked the garbage cans over outside her window. Pulling the covers over her head she wondered what it was that woke her. It was just after three am and now she was wide awake. Realizing she wasn't going to get back to sleep anytime soon she got out of bed and wandered into the kitchen to get a drink. "Maybe a cup of tea will help me" she had a habit of talking to herself, sometimes even her house plants. It made her feel less alone.
Sara grabbed her Northwestern mug out of the dishwasher and filled it with water and put it in the microwave. She looked in the pantry for the box of her favorite tea and realized the last time she used it was two days ago when Katie was over checking on her. She closed the pantry and went to the kitchen table and stopped in her tracks. There in the middle of the table was an origami rose. Sara stood frozen in that spot a million thoughts racing through her head until the microwave dinged and snapped her back into reality. She retrieved her mug of hot water and sat down at the table. She slowly made her tea; never taking her eyes off the flower for fear that it might disappear. She knew who it was from. There was no question about it. But why? Sara sat at the table staring at the flower while she drank her tea wondering why after three months he would try to contact her now. After her tea was gone Sara slowly reached out and picked up the delicate flower. Twirling it around in her fingers she felt a calm wash over her, as if someone was looking out for her Sara got up and put her mug in the sink and walked back to her bedroom. Putting the flower on her nightstand she turned out the light and fell asleep.
----
Each night after that a different colored rose appeared on her kitchen table. On the third night, Sara got curious and hung her Christmas bells on the front door in an attempt to see if that was how he was getting into her apartment. Sara didn’t wake up that night. She concluded it wasn't the front door but probably the patio door. That night she attempted to stay awake and wait up for him. Sure enough every other night she had trouble falling asleep, but that night she fell asleep watching TV in the living room. Michael came in, left his rose and went into the living room to check on her. She looked so peaceful. He gently pulled the blanket off the back of the couch and draped it across her before leaving.
The next night Sara left him a note.
They're beautiful, thank-you.
Are you Ok?
All he left was a rose. Sara now had five roses, red, yellow, white, orange, and pink arranged in a small round vase on her kitchen table.
On the sixth night, Michael entered her apartment through the patio door, knowing just how far to slide it before it made a noise. He walked into the dark kitchen and smiled a little when he saw the vase of roses in the moonlight. Laying another in front of it he sighed slightly. Michael turned quickly to leave and came face to face with Sara.
"Hi"
"Hey" Michael said softly.
Silence fills the room, neither of them wanting to look the other in the eye.
"Thanks, they're beautiful" she said breaking the silence.
"I wanted to make sure you were ok, I .. uh.. I heard what happened." he confessed, finally meeting her gaze. She was leaning on the doorframe, her arms crossed in front of her. If her voice wasn't so calm and reassuring he would think she was mad.
"I'm ok. Uh... how did you know?" she asked looking down.
"It's a long story, I really should get going. Linc doesn't know I've been leaving at night." Michael replied avoiding her question.
“Right, this is where you don't answer my question..." she threw back at him quickly.
"It's just not safe for me to be here for long Sara." he wanted to explain more but didn't want to take the chance that her apartment was bugged.
"Not safe for you?" she asked slowly, "Why Michael, do you think I have cops sleeping in my closet or something?"
"No, that's not it." he said a small smile forming on his face before continuing, "Besides, I already checked your closet."
"All clear?" she asked as she looked into his steel blue eyes as he nodded yes.
"I want to tell you everything," he started, "But I'm not going to be here much longer."
"Oh,” she replied sounding a little surprised and sad, “Where are you going?" she asked.
He hoped she wouldn't have asked, "I can't tell you..." he said quietly.
Sara took a deep breath and rubbed her forehead before opening her mouth. "I would hope by now that you know you can trust me Michael. I think it's safe to say I've already done enough to earn your trust."
"Completely…" he wanted to say more but was cut off by Sara.
"Then why don't you tell me what's going on, cuz I know there's more than just breaking Lincoln out of Fox River. What's going on Michael?" she asked putting her hand on his arm that was now crossed over his chest.
Michael closed his eyes and took a deep breath before speaking, "Ok, but lets sit down."
"Ok" she said turning to follow him into the living room. He sat down on one end of the couch and she on the other. Sara pulled her legs up under her and turned to face him.
"I'll tell you what's going on, but you can't say anything until I'm done, ok?" he said looking her in the eye.
"Ok, go ahead."
Michael told her all about the conspiracy, the Company, and how Veronica and LJ's mom were killed. Sara sat on the couch with a look of sheer surprise on her face. By the time he was done 30 minutes later her jaw was hanging open.
"Are you ok?" he asked when he was finished. He didn't get an answer right away so he moved closer to her on the couch and touched her arm.
"Umm... Yeah I think so" she finally stuttered out, "I knew something was wrong but never would have expected that."
"Welcome to my world. I didn't know about the Company till we broke out. I just thought he was set up." Michael explained.
"So... You have a plan I assume."
"Working on it. Basically we're leaving the country. Heading south, how far south I'm not sure yet."
Sara nodded her head, realizing this could be the last time she would see him. She tried for the past few weeks to tell herself that she had no feelings for Michael Scofield, but now that he was sitting here on her couch her heart was telling her something else.
"Michael, I have to tell you something," before she knew it the words were out of her mouth.
"Sure." he replied.
“I ... Uh... don't really know how to tell you this," she looked down at her hands before she continued, "When you take the job, the first thing they tell you is... uh... never fall in love with an inmate."
Sara glanced up at him and realized he's moved closer to her, almost touching her. Michael reached out and lifted her chin so she was looking him in the eye.
"Sara...” he whispered as he pushed his lips against hers. Sara welcomed his kiss and leaned into him. By the time they came up for air Michael was on top of her on the couch. Suddenly aware of what was happening Michael got up and backed away from her a look of shock on his face, "I'm sorry Sara."
Sara sat up and chuckled a little. "It's ok, believe me."
"Maybe I should be going." he started.
"You don't have to Michael."
"I don't want to drag you into this Sara." he told her, walking back towards the couch.
Sara stood up and stepped closer to him, "I think I threw myself into this when I left that door open Michael."
"I don't want you to get hurt." he replied, putting his hand up to her cheek, "These guys don't play fair."
"Are you saying I need a body guard?" she asked him, putting her hands on his hips.
"It wouldn't be a bad idea..." he replied hoping he knew what she was thinking. He entertained the idea of her coming with them a million times but never thought she would go for it.
"Know where I could get one?" she asked with a small smile.
"Actually, I do. Two in fact. Three if you count a teenager in there" he said as he pulled her in to his chest. Sara laid her head on his shoulder taking in his scent.
"So what's the plan?" she asked.
"Are you saying you want to go with us?" he asked pulling away from her slightly so he could see her face.
"I like road trips" she replied nodding her head yes.
"There are some things I have to set up tomorrow, but we'll be leaving in the next two days."
"Two days? That's it?" she asked
"Do you trust me Sara?" he replied looking into her dark eyes.
"Of course Michael."
"Ok. We’ll go. You stay here and take care of what you need to. You'll hear from me with instructions."
"Is it ok for me to be here alone?" she asked realizing why Michael didn't want her to know too much. If these people knew she left the door open for him they might come after her too.
"You'll be fine. I've been watching you for a while, there's no one out there." he said pointing to the street.
"Where are you going?" she asked looking up into his steel blue eyes.
"I'm not sure yet, but I'll let you know as soon as we're there." he replied as he leaned in to kiss her quickly. "I need to get going, get out of here before it’s daylight. Are you sure you want to do this Sara?"
"Absolutely" she said quickly never taking her eyes off his.
Michael leaned down and kissed her passionately one last time before turning towards the patio door. "You'll hear from me soon."
"Be safe" she called as he slipped out the door into the night.
***
Sara watched the news every night hoping she wouldn’t see Michael Scofield. It took her by surprise how much she wanted to run off to be with Michael, but after all she’s been though he seemed like the safest bet. Every night Sara went to bed hoping that she would hear from them the next day. Sara had a bag packed and hidden in the back of her closet waiting for her to grab it on her way out the door.
One week after Michael left her apartment for the last time, Sara stopped on her way home to grab her favorite drink at Starbucks. Sipping her iced coffee she walked up the steps to her apartment and stopped at the mailbox. She pulled three envelopes out of the box; Phone bill, cable bill and a plain white envelope with no return address. Her palms got sweaty, her heart raced and she almost dropped her drink. This is what she's been waiting for. Sara ran up the steps to her apartment and after unlocking the front door rushed into the kitchen. Taking a knife out of the dishwasher she slit the top of the envelope and pulled out an origami crane. She flipped it over in her hand and noticed writing on the underside of the wing. O’Hare 2473
Sara went to her computer and looked up departing flights from O’Hare. Searching the endless list of flights she finally found flight 2473 left on Friday for Baja. Sara smiled remembering how Michael had mentioned Baja to her once before.
Have you ever been to Baja? Mexico? There’s this great place down there. Twenty bucks a night, hammock on the back deck; beers are fifty cents, twenty five cents at happy hour.
****
Two days later Sara found herself at the ticket counter.
“One ticket to Baja, Flight 2473 please.” She asked the person behind the counter. Sara gave her drivers license and her credit card over to the woman.
“Ms Tancredi, we already have a ticket in your name.”
“Oh.” Sara looked confused.
“There’s a note attached for you.” The woman replied as she handed Sara the ticket.
See you soon.
“Here’s your seat number and you’re all set. Have a good trip.”
“Thank- you.” Sara replied grabbing her carryon and heading towards the boarding area.
****
Sara walked through the terminal following everyone towards the baggage claim area. She stood facing the luggage carousel watching the bags go in circles waiting for their owners to claim them. Sara didn’t notice him walk up next to her. When he reached out and grabbed her hand her head whipped to the side. Two blue steel eyes were shining back at her.
“I’m glad you came.” He said softly.
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” she had a large smile on her face.
Her bag came around and she grabbed it off the carousel. Michael took it from her and carried it out to the car. Lincoln was in the driver’s seat and next to him was LJ.
“Hi Doc.” Lincoln said as Michael opened the door for her.
“Hi Lincoln. You know, you can call me Sara.” She replied sliding across the backset to make room for Michael.
“Ok Do…. Sara. This is my son LJ.” He said ruffling the teen’s hair.
“Nice to meet you” she said from the back.
“Hey.” He said looking back to see the person his uncle had bee talking about for the past week nonstop.
“Alright Linc, lets go home.” Michael said closing the door.
Everyone wanted to know how Sara’s flight was and if she had any trouble. After a short drive they pulled up in front of a hotel. From the parking lot Sara could see between two of the buildings to a deck on the beach.
“There’s a hammock back there, but you have to share.” Michael said taking her hand to help her from the car.
“I just might hold you to that.” She replied chuckling softly.
She followed Michael into a hotel room where he put her suitcase on the bed.
“I’m going to change and I’ll be right out.” She said as she turned towards the bathroom.
Five minutes later she emerged from the room in two piece bathing suit and shorts. She wandered over to the deck where she found the boys. Michael handed her a strawberry daiquiri and she took a small sip.
“Virgin, good call.” She replied taking the fruit off the top of the glass and popping it into her mouth.
Sara walked down to the beach and sat down in the soft white sand. The water so clear and a shade of blue she’s never seen before. There was a long dock and at the end of the dock was a large yacht. The whole place looked just like a postcard. A few weeks ago she’d never have guessed that she’d be sitting on the beach with the two most wanted men in America, and yet nothing had ever felt so right.
“You weren’t kidding were you?” she asked as he sat down next to her.
“Nope, 50 cent beers, 25 at happy hour.” He said raising his glass slightly.
“How long do you plan on staying here?” she asked looking back at the hotel.
“Until we decide to sail somewhere else.” He replied watching her face.
“Excuse me?” she said clearly confused.
“The boat.” He pointed out to the water, “It’s ours.”
She almost choked on her daiquiri. “Are you kidding me?”
Michael smiled as he took her hand in his. “Nope. Where do you want to go?”