"Crossing A Line: Pt. 8" By Liayso, PG-13
Title: Crossing A Line: Part 8
Author: liayso
Pairing/Characters: Michael/Sara
Category: Het
Rating: PG-13
Summary: To further their relationship, they have to cross the line that seperates them.
Author's Notes: Set during and after Ep. 15: “By the Skin and the Teeth.” AU after that. You probably read this over at prisonbreakfic.net, but I'm just posting this here as well
Michael’s eyes fluttered open at the sound of the swing set creaking. He sat in one of the seats and his mother was gently pushing him from behind.
“Mom?”
“Hello Michael,” she smiled. “It’s been awhile.”
“Yeah.”
“How are you feeling, Sweetie?”
“I miss Sara.”
“I know. You’ll be able to see her soon though.”
“I know, but after that...”
“Michael, don’t be such a pessimist.” She stopped pushing him as he gained enough momentum to swing by himself and sat in the swing beside him. “It’s not how I raised you.”
Michael nodded and faintly smiled. He dug his feet in the ground to stop and look at his mother. She reached over and rubbed the back of his shaven head.
“Savor every moment you spend with her tomorrow night. Let it last you as long as the two of you are apart, until the two of you can be together again.”
Michael only nodded and his mother smiled at him. She stood up and moved in front of her son. She leaned down and planted a kiss on the top of Michael’s head.
“In the mean time, I will act as the bridge that will connect you to her and her to you. No line will keep you apart from her ever again.”
---
Sara sighed as she sat in one of the swing seats of the playground. A week had passed since the night of the breakout and here she was, waiting for him. It was late, around midnight, and Sara could clearly see the city lights of Chicago over the tops of the trees in the park.
A thousand thoughts ran through Sara’s mind. Did Michael escape safely? Was he okay? Will he be able to keep the promise he made to meet her here tonight?
The answer was yes.
Sara felt the chains of the swing she sat in shake as someone from behind grabbed them. She turned her head and saw the one person she’s been longing to see the whole week.
“Michael...”
“Hi,” he said meekly.
Sara moved slightly to stand up from the swing, but Michael gently pushed down on her shoulders.
“No, sit.” He gripped the chains again and began to pull the swing back. “I’ll push.”
Sara smiled playfully and Michael gave her back a gentle shove.
“Are you okay?” she asked as she swung in the air.
“I am now,” Michael said with a grin. “What about you?”
Sara nodded. “Yes. The plan worked on my part. No one suspects that I helped.”
“Good. I’m glad.”
“My father wants me to leave Fox River now more than ever.”
“Can’t blame him,” Michael gave her one more push. “So are you going to leave Fox River?”
“Most likely.” She gave him a small smile. “It’s not the same without you anymore.”
Michael returned her smile with one of his own. He then moved in front of Sara to face her.
“What are you up to?” She asked as she kept swinging.
Michael opened his arms wide. “Jump.”
“What?”
“Jump. I’ll catch you. I promise.”
Sara giggled and shook her head. “You’re crazy!”
Michael chuckled with her. “Yes, crazy for you. Now jump.”
Sara gave him an incredulous look, but then smiled. In one swift motion she leapt from the swing and fell into Michael’s long arms. He wrapped them tightly around her body and pulled her close.
Michael leaned his face down near hers. “I told you I would catch you.”
Sara smiled at him and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a deep kiss.
“Mmm...I’ve been waiting all week for that,” Michael happily moaned against her lips.
Sara laughed and stepped back slightly. Michael looked down into her eyes. They were twinkling with playfulness. Suddenly she jumped up on the balls of her feet to plant a quick peck on his lips.
“Tag! You’re it!” And with that, Sara spun on her heels and began running towards the playground equipment.
“Hey!” Michael laughed and ran after her.
Sara ran up the plastic coated steps of the playground and began dashing for the winding slide at the end. Michael was only a few steps behind her. She made her way to the slide, laughing all the way. Michael looked to the left of the slide entrance and saw a pole going down to the sand. Deciding it would be quicker he reached for it and slid down. Sara whirled down the winding slide and was surprised to see Michael down at the bottom waiting for her. She shrieked in fits of laughter as he grabbed her wrists playfully and pulled her up to her feet and into his body.
“Looks like you’ve caught me again, Mr. Scofield.”
He smirked down at her. “Looks like I have.”
She grinned back up at him. “So what are you going to do now?”
“This.”
Michael brought his lips crashing down onto hers. He gripped her waist tightly and lifted her up, spinning the both of them around. Sara laughed against his lips. He then set her down back on her feet once again and leaned his forehead on hers.
Sara smiled. “That was fun.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed that.”
The two of them stood in the sand, holding each other, enjoying the intimacy of being close together. Michael pulled away slightly and grinned at her.
“So...” he began, “you wanna ride the merry-go-round?”
---
Michael and Sara laughed, ran, and played on the playground like they were little kids again. Soon they made their way back to the swings, happily exhausted. Each of them sat in one of the swing seats, side by side, holding each other’s hand.
Sara let out a content sigh. “I had forgotten how much fun playgrounds could be.”
“Me too,” Michael replied, his eyes never leaving their joined hands.
She smiled at him and then let out a little yawn. It was really late.
“You tired?”
She nodded. “Just a little.”
“I’ll take you home then.”
He stood up from the swing and pulled her up to her feet. He wrapped an arm around her waist and she leaned her head on his shoulder. They began walking out of the park together and headed to Sara’s apartment.
“How long do we have before you have to go?” Sara softly asked.
“I have to meet back with Linc at five,” Michael checked his watch which read “1:34 AM.” He sighed. “We have only a few hours.”
Sara nodded and they continued walking. Once they reached her apartment, Sara dug into her jacket pockets for her keys. Once she found them she unlocked the door, stepping inside. Michael closed it behind him. Sara threw her keys on the counter and reached for Michael’s hand, gripping it softly as she led him to her bedroom.
Once they were in her room, Sara let go of Michael’s hand and threw herself onto her bed. She patted the spot beside her and Michael slowly climbed in next to her. Sara snuggled close to him and looked up into his eyes.
“I just want to sleep...” Sara began, “is that okay?”
Michael smiled and nodded. “It’s just fine.” If they were to go any further than this, then he might never leave.
Sara smiled and her eyes fluttered close. Michael reached over to her bedside table where her alarm clock lay and set it to go off at “4:00 AM.” He then wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close to him. He kissed the top of her head.
“Goodnight Sara.”
“Goodnight Michael.”
---
Sara’s alarm clock beeped loudly and annoyingly exactly at 4:00 AM, ruining their blissful nap. Sara moaned.
“Did you have to set it so early?”
Michael chuckled and leaned over to shut it off. He lay back down with Sara and kissed her softly on the lips. “Sorry.”
Sara reached up and kissed him again. “It’s okay,” she said with a smile.
Michael smiled back at her and rolled back onto his back. Sara soon climbed on top of him. The tips of her hair tickled his chin as she leaned on his chest.
“So what do you want for breakfast?” she asked softly stroking the side of his face with her hand.
Michael turned his head and planted a kiss on her palm. “What can you make?”
“Pancakes, eggs, sausages...”
Michael lifted his head to kiss her gently. “Sounds delicious.”
“Okay.” Sara quickly pecked him on the lips and climbed off him. She headed towards her kitchen to make them breakfast as Michael rolled off the bed and headed to the bathroom.
When he emerged from the bathroom, he found Sara at her stove cooking. He came up behind her and encircled her waist in his arms, kissing the side of her face.
“Anything I can help with?”
Sara raised an eyebrow. “You can cook?”
Michael grinned sheepishly at her. “I can pour orange juice.”
Sara chuckled. “You do that then.”
“Okay.” He gave her one quick kiss and let go, heading towards her refrigerator.
He pulled out a carton of OJ and raided Sara’s cupboards for a couple of glasses. As he poured it into their cups, Michael couldn’t help but smile at how normal all this felt. It was like they had woken up together like this a thousand times. He didn’t feel like a fugitive on the run. He was just Michael and she was just Sara. And they were together.
“Breakfast is ready!”
Michael turned to see Sara come up to the table with two plates of food. He took one from her hands and thanked her with a kiss. Michael cut off a piece of pancake with his fork and stuck it in his mouth. Sara watched him eagerly.
“Well?” she asked, tentatively.
Michael chewed and enjoyed every bit of that piece of pancake.
“Marry me.”
Sara laughed and smiled.
“Why are you laughing? I’m being serious,” Michael said with a wide grin.
Sara only blushed and began digging into her own food. The two ate while happily chit-chatting, intentionally avoiding the topic of Michael’s inevitable departure. Once they were done they brought their dirty dishes to the sink and then Michael pulled Sara into him. He led her to her couch and laid down upon it, pulling her on top of him. Their lips found each other in a long kiss.
“I don’t want you to go,” Sara whispered softly to him.
“I don’t want to leave,” he whispered back.
They had a little less than half an hour left with each other and they spent it holding each other and kissing. Soon the time came and Michael pulled Sara to his chest closer than ever and held her tightly, not wanting to let her go.
“Sara, I’ll always be with you. Just think of our moments now, of last night at the park, and of all those times back in the infirmary and I will be with you.”
Sara nodded and her eyes began to tear up. Michael kissed those tears away.
“I love you,” Sara whispered, her tears now flowing freely.
Michael did his best to kiss them all away. “I love you too.” He leaned his forehead upon hers. His own eyes began to moisten as well. He didn’t want to leave her.
Sara reached up and kissed away his tears like he did hers. She trailed her kisses down his face until she reached his lips, which she captured with a force that was filled with all her love, her happiness and her sadness, her joy and her grief, with all of her soul and being.
“Wait for me?” Michael softly asked, barely above a whisper as he stroked her hair.
“Always,” Sara replied, taking his hand into hers and pulling him into a hug, “as long as it takes.”
Michael wrapped his arms tightly around her, clinging to her, afraid to let her go. But he knew he had to. This was even worse than during the breakout because he knew it would be a long while before the two of them could be together again. He gave her one final kiss. Sara whimpered sadly against his lips and the very sound broke Michael’s heart.
“I promise I’ll come back to you,” he said softly as he held her.
Sara nodded and tightly squeezed his body in their hug before letting go. “I know.”
Michael kissed the top of her head. “Until we meet again.
Sara sniffled slightly. “Until we meet again.”
And with that, Michael left her apartment. Sara slowly closed her door behind him and slumped against it. She began to cry.
---
“Dear child, please don’t cry.”
Sara looked up from her seat on the swing and was face to face with Michael’s mother once again. Her gentle blue green eyes looked at her with concern. Sara sniffed. The dark haired woman pulled the crying woman up on her feet and enveloped her in a hug. She gently rubbed Sara’s back to soothe her sobs.
“I know you miss him,” she cooed, “he misses you too, very much.”
Sara only continued to sob into her shoulder.
“Just keep in mind that once this is allover, nothing will ever keep the two of you apart ever again.”
Sara nodded against her shoulder and pulled slightly back to look up at the woman. Michael’s mother saw two wet streaks running down Sara’s face. She gently wiped them away.
“Come now,” Mrs. Scofield said, leading Sara to the park bench, “I’ll tell you some funny stories from Michael’s childhood.”
She grinned down at the auburn haired girl.
---
Months passed while Michael and Sara were apart, but neither wondered if the other was okay. Michael’s mother would cross over into their dreams from time to time to assure one that the other was all right and thinking of him/her. She would relay the things they wanted to say and she would tell Sara about Michael growing up.
Sara laughed at the latest story Michael’s mother told her. She was working late one night, so it was just Michael and Lincoln at home. And Lincoln had already fallen asleep. Michael needed a clean pair of underwear, so he tried to work the washing machine by himself.
“When I came home I found Michael in the garage, covered head to toe in soap bubbles! I was too busy laughing to be angry at him! It was quite the sight to see!” She giggled as she sat in the swing.
Sara laughed with her and smiled. “Does Michael know that you’re telling me all this?”
Michael’s mother had a mischievous smile upon her face. She pushed off with her feet and began swinging. “Nope!”
Sara smiled at the swinging woman. She enjoyed spending time with her in her dreams. It made the separation from Michael a whole lot easier to bear. Looking at her, Sara realized that Michael had inherited his mother’s kindness, her humor, her playfulness, her eyes, as well as her smile.
“Oh!” The swinging woman planted her feet into the sand. “I can’t believe I almost forgot to tell you!”
“Tell me what?”
She grinned at Sara. “To meet Michael here tomorrow night!”
Sara’s eyes widened in surprise and happiness. “He’s coming back? They found enough evidence to clear their names?”
The dark haired woman nodded. “Yes.”
Sara stepped up to her and hugged her.
“Thank you.”
“What are you thanking me for, Sara?”
“For everything,” Sara said.
Michael’s mother smiled down at her. She was happy that Michael had found her. She knew her son would be in good hands.
“Sara,” she softly said, “it’s time for me to cross back over to the after life. I won’t be able to see you guys anymore.”
Sara nodded in understanding and sadness. She hugged her once more.
Michael’s mother smiled. “You and Michael take care of each other now, you hear?”
She smiled back at her. “We will.”
“Good.” She tucked back a strand of Sara’s hair behind her ear. “I’ll tell your mother ‘Hi’ for you.”
“Thank you.”
Michael’s mother nodded and smiled.
“Goodbye.”
---
The night air was cold against his face, but Michael paid no heed to it. He was finally going to see Sara. After months and months apart he was now going to be able to hold her, touch her, and kiss her. He hoped his mother had told her to meet him there tonight.
He stepped onto the playground area and saw a woman sitting in one of the swings. It was Sara. His heart was overjoyed at the sight of her. His mother had kept his promise. The minute he stepped into the sandbox, Sara turned her head, sensing him.
“Michael...” she whispered, standing up from the swing.
“Michael!” Her face broke into a wide grin and she began running towards him.
Michael opened his arms as she flew into them with a force that knocked them both down to the ground. They laughed as they fell into the soft sand with Michael on his back and Sara on top of him. Michael smiled up at her and gently tucked her hair behind her ear. Without warning, Sara leaned down and captured Michael’s lips in a deep kiss full of all the longing and love she felt for him the past few months.
When she finally pulled apart from his lips, Michael grinned up at her with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes.
“So I’m guessing you don’t want to go one round on the merry-go-round, huh?”
---
The sun’s bright rays spilling in through her bedroom window woke Sara up from her peaceful slumber. She stirred in her bed and reached over to the spot next to her, but found it bare. Sara slowly sat up, holding her bed sheet up to her bare chest.
“Michael?” she softly called out.
Sara looked around the room and found a red origami flower on the pillow where Michael should be. She picked it up and smiled, remembering fond memories. Her senses began to kick back in and suddenly Sara smelt sweet aromas coming from her kitchen. She slipped the sheet from her body and began searching her bedroom floor for her underwear. It was strewn across the floor next to Michael’s T-Shirt. She picked up both articles of clothing and slipped them on. Picking up the origami flower from her bed, she headed out to the kitchen.
She found Michael, clad only in his boxers and his jeans, standing at her stove, with a spatula in hand. She came up from behind him and smiled.
“You’re cooking.”
Michael turned to face her and smiled back. “Yeah. Lincoln taught me how to make blueberry pancakes while we were on the run.”
Sara strode up to him and he wrapped an arm around her waist. Michael kissed the top of her head as she leaned into him, breathing in his musky scent which was still strong from last night.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked her.
“Yes, very well,” she murmured happily.
Michael chuckled and took the origami flower from her hands. He brought it up to her face and tucked it in her hair, behind her right ear.
She smiled up at him. “So I guess I’m pouring the orange juice then, huh?”
“Yup.”
The two of them bustled about the kitchen, preparing breakfast as if they did this many times before together. Once breakfast was done and eaten, Michael flipped on the television and pulled Sara onto him as he fell back onto the couch, much like he did a few months earlier. The news was on.
“...has received a grand amount of evidence proving Lincoln Burrows, the man accused of murdering Vice President Caroline Reynold’s brother Terrence Steadman, to be innocent of the crime. An exact court date to review all the new evidence hasn’t been set, but it is a pretty safe bet to say that he will be a free man.”
Sara smiled down at Michael.
“...As for Michael Scofield, Burrows’ brother as well as the mastermind behind the Fox River breakout, it has been speculated that he would receive a reduced sentence if he were to turn himself in since the whole thing was to save an innocent man.”
Michael looked up at Sara for some kind of reaction. “Sara...”
She turned to face him and smiled. She gently kissed him on the lips. “I’ll wait some more if I have to,” she said, “but after that, I’m never letting you go!”
Michael smiled up at her and pulled her into another kiss.
“Good, ‘cause I don’t want you to.”
Author: liayso
Pairing/Characters: Michael/Sara
Category: Het
Rating: PG-13
Summary: To further their relationship, they have to cross the line that seperates them.
Author's Notes: Set during and after Ep. 15: “By the Skin and the Teeth.” AU after that. You probably read this over at prisonbreakfic.net, but I'm just posting this here as well
Michael’s eyes fluttered open at the sound of the swing set creaking. He sat in one of the seats and his mother was gently pushing him from behind.
“Mom?”
“Hello Michael,” she smiled. “It’s been awhile.”
“Yeah.”
“How are you feeling, Sweetie?”
“I miss Sara.”
“I know. You’ll be able to see her soon though.”
“I know, but after that...”
“Michael, don’t be such a pessimist.” She stopped pushing him as he gained enough momentum to swing by himself and sat in the swing beside him. “It’s not how I raised you.”
Michael nodded and faintly smiled. He dug his feet in the ground to stop and look at his mother. She reached over and rubbed the back of his shaven head.
“Savor every moment you spend with her tomorrow night. Let it last you as long as the two of you are apart, until the two of you can be together again.”
Michael only nodded and his mother smiled at him. She stood up and moved in front of her son. She leaned down and planted a kiss on the top of Michael’s head.
“In the mean time, I will act as the bridge that will connect you to her and her to you. No line will keep you apart from her ever again.”
---
Sara sighed as she sat in one of the swing seats of the playground. A week had passed since the night of the breakout and here she was, waiting for him. It was late, around midnight, and Sara could clearly see the city lights of Chicago over the tops of the trees in the park.
A thousand thoughts ran through Sara’s mind. Did Michael escape safely? Was he okay? Will he be able to keep the promise he made to meet her here tonight?
The answer was yes.
Sara felt the chains of the swing she sat in shake as someone from behind grabbed them. She turned her head and saw the one person she’s been longing to see the whole week.
“Michael...”
“Hi,” he said meekly.
Sara moved slightly to stand up from the swing, but Michael gently pushed down on her shoulders.
“No, sit.” He gripped the chains again and began to pull the swing back. “I’ll push.”
Sara smiled playfully and Michael gave her back a gentle shove.
“Are you okay?” she asked as she swung in the air.
“I am now,” Michael said with a grin. “What about you?”
Sara nodded. “Yes. The plan worked on my part. No one suspects that I helped.”
“Good. I’m glad.”
“My father wants me to leave Fox River now more than ever.”
“Can’t blame him,” Michael gave her one more push. “So are you going to leave Fox River?”
“Most likely.” She gave him a small smile. “It’s not the same without you anymore.”
Michael returned her smile with one of his own. He then moved in front of Sara to face her.
“What are you up to?” She asked as she kept swinging.
Michael opened his arms wide. “Jump.”
“What?”
“Jump. I’ll catch you. I promise.”
Sara giggled and shook her head. “You’re crazy!”
Michael chuckled with her. “Yes, crazy for you. Now jump.”
Sara gave him an incredulous look, but then smiled. In one swift motion she leapt from the swing and fell into Michael’s long arms. He wrapped them tightly around her body and pulled her close.
Michael leaned his face down near hers. “I told you I would catch you.”
Sara smiled at him and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a deep kiss.
“Mmm...I’ve been waiting all week for that,” Michael happily moaned against her lips.
Sara laughed and stepped back slightly. Michael looked down into her eyes. They were twinkling with playfulness. Suddenly she jumped up on the balls of her feet to plant a quick peck on his lips.
“Tag! You’re it!” And with that, Sara spun on her heels and began running towards the playground equipment.
“Hey!” Michael laughed and ran after her.
Sara ran up the plastic coated steps of the playground and began dashing for the winding slide at the end. Michael was only a few steps behind her. She made her way to the slide, laughing all the way. Michael looked to the left of the slide entrance and saw a pole going down to the sand. Deciding it would be quicker he reached for it and slid down. Sara whirled down the winding slide and was surprised to see Michael down at the bottom waiting for her. She shrieked in fits of laughter as he grabbed her wrists playfully and pulled her up to her feet and into his body.
“Looks like you’ve caught me again, Mr. Scofield.”
He smirked down at her. “Looks like I have.”
She grinned back up at him. “So what are you going to do now?”
“This.”
Michael brought his lips crashing down onto hers. He gripped her waist tightly and lifted her up, spinning the both of them around. Sara laughed against his lips. He then set her down back on her feet once again and leaned his forehead on hers.
Sara smiled. “That was fun.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed that.”
The two of them stood in the sand, holding each other, enjoying the intimacy of being close together. Michael pulled away slightly and grinned at her.
“So...” he began, “you wanna ride the merry-go-round?”
---
Michael and Sara laughed, ran, and played on the playground like they were little kids again. Soon they made their way back to the swings, happily exhausted. Each of them sat in one of the swing seats, side by side, holding each other’s hand.
Sara let out a content sigh. “I had forgotten how much fun playgrounds could be.”
“Me too,” Michael replied, his eyes never leaving their joined hands.
She smiled at him and then let out a little yawn. It was really late.
“You tired?”
She nodded. “Just a little.”
“I’ll take you home then.”
He stood up from the swing and pulled her up to her feet. He wrapped an arm around her waist and she leaned her head on his shoulder. They began walking out of the park together and headed to Sara’s apartment.
“How long do we have before you have to go?” Sara softly asked.
“I have to meet back with Linc at five,” Michael checked his watch which read “1:34 AM.” He sighed. “We have only a few hours.”
Sara nodded and they continued walking. Once they reached her apartment, Sara dug into her jacket pockets for her keys. Once she found them she unlocked the door, stepping inside. Michael closed it behind him. Sara threw her keys on the counter and reached for Michael’s hand, gripping it softly as she led him to her bedroom.
Once they were in her room, Sara let go of Michael’s hand and threw herself onto her bed. She patted the spot beside her and Michael slowly climbed in next to her. Sara snuggled close to him and looked up into his eyes.
“I just want to sleep...” Sara began, “is that okay?”
Michael smiled and nodded. “It’s just fine.” If they were to go any further than this, then he might never leave.
Sara smiled and her eyes fluttered close. Michael reached over to her bedside table where her alarm clock lay and set it to go off at “4:00 AM.” He then wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close to him. He kissed the top of her head.
“Goodnight Sara.”
“Goodnight Michael.”
---
Sara’s alarm clock beeped loudly and annoyingly exactly at 4:00 AM, ruining their blissful nap. Sara moaned.
“Did you have to set it so early?”
Michael chuckled and leaned over to shut it off. He lay back down with Sara and kissed her softly on the lips. “Sorry.”
Sara reached up and kissed him again. “It’s okay,” she said with a smile.
Michael smiled back at her and rolled back onto his back. Sara soon climbed on top of him. The tips of her hair tickled his chin as she leaned on his chest.
“So what do you want for breakfast?” she asked softly stroking the side of his face with her hand.
Michael turned his head and planted a kiss on her palm. “What can you make?”
“Pancakes, eggs, sausages...”
Michael lifted his head to kiss her gently. “Sounds delicious.”
“Okay.” Sara quickly pecked him on the lips and climbed off him. She headed towards her kitchen to make them breakfast as Michael rolled off the bed and headed to the bathroom.
When he emerged from the bathroom, he found Sara at her stove cooking. He came up behind her and encircled her waist in his arms, kissing the side of her face.
“Anything I can help with?”
Sara raised an eyebrow. “You can cook?”
Michael grinned sheepishly at her. “I can pour orange juice.”
Sara chuckled. “You do that then.”
“Okay.” He gave her one quick kiss and let go, heading towards her refrigerator.
He pulled out a carton of OJ and raided Sara’s cupboards for a couple of glasses. As he poured it into their cups, Michael couldn’t help but smile at how normal all this felt. It was like they had woken up together like this a thousand times. He didn’t feel like a fugitive on the run. He was just Michael and she was just Sara. And they were together.
“Breakfast is ready!”
Michael turned to see Sara come up to the table with two plates of food. He took one from her hands and thanked her with a kiss. Michael cut off a piece of pancake with his fork and stuck it in his mouth. Sara watched him eagerly.
“Well?” she asked, tentatively.
Michael chewed and enjoyed every bit of that piece of pancake.
“Marry me.”
Sara laughed and smiled.
“Why are you laughing? I’m being serious,” Michael said with a wide grin.
Sara only blushed and began digging into her own food. The two ate while happily chit-chatting, intentionally avoiding the topic of Michael’s inevitable departure. Once they were done they brought their dirty dishes to the sink and then Michael pulled Sara into him. He led her to her couch and laid down upon it, pulling her on top of him. Their lips found each other in a long kiss.
“I don’t want you to go,” Sara whispered softly to him.
“I don’t want to leave,” he whispered back.
They had a little less than half an hour left with each other and they spent it holding each other and kissing. Soon the time came and Michael pulled Sara to his chest closer than ever and held her tightly, not wanting to let her go.
“Sara, I’ll always be with you. Just think of our moments now, of last night at the park, and of all those times back in the infirmary and I will be with you.”
Sara nodded and her eyes began to tear up. Michael kissed those tears away.
“I love you,” Sara whispered, her tears now flowing freely.
Michael did his best to kiss them all away. “I love you too.” He leaned his forehead upon hers. His own eyes began to moisten as well. He didn’t want to leave her.
Sara reached up and kissed away his tears like he did hers. She trailed her kisses down his face until she reached his lips, which she captured with a force that was filled with all her love, her happiness and her sadness, her joy and her grief, with all of her soul and being.
“Wait for me?” Michael softly asked, barely above a whisper as he stroked her hair.
“Always,” Sara replied, taking his hand into hers and pulling him into a hug, “as long as it takes.”
Michael wrapped his arms tightly around her, clinging to her, afraid to let her go. But he knew he had to. This was even worse than during the breakout because he knew it would be a long while before the two of them could be together again. He gave her one final kiss. Sara whimpered sadly against his lips and the very sound broke Michael’s heart.
“I promise I’ll come back to you,” he said softly as he held her.
Sara nodded and tightly squeezed his body in their hug before letting go. “I know.”
Michael kissed the top of her head. “Until we meet again.
Sara sniffled slightly. “Until we meet again.”
And with that, Michael left her apartment. Sara slowly closed her door behind him and slumped against it. She began to cry.
---
“Dear child, please don’t cry.”
Sara looked up from her seat on the swing and was face to face with Michael’s mother once again. Her gentle blue green eyes looked at her with concern. Sara sniffed. The dark haired woman pulled the crying woman up on her feet and enveloped her in a hug. She gently rubbed Sara’s back to soothe her sobs.
“I know you miss him,” she cooed, “he misses you too, very much.”
Sara only continued to sob into her shoulder.
“Just keep in mind that once this is allover, nothing will ever keep the two of you apart ever again.”
Sara nodded against her shoulder and pulled slightly back to look up at the woman. Michael’s mother saw two wet streaks running down Sara’s face. She gently wiped them away.
“Come now,” Mrs. Scofield said, leading Sara to the park bench, “I’ll tell you some funny stories from Michael’s childhood.”
She grinned down at the auburn haired girl.
---
Months passed while Michael and Sara were apart, but neither wondered if the other was okay. Michael’s mother would cross over into their dreams from time to time to assure one that the other was all right and thinking of him/her. She would relay the things they wanted to say and she would tell Sara about Michael growing up.
Sara laughed at the latest story Michael’s mother told her. She was working late one night, so it was just Michael and Lincoln at home. And Lincoln had already fallen asleep. Michael needed a clean pair of underwear, so he tried to work the washing machine by himself.
“When I came home I found Michael in the garage, covered head to toe in soap bubbles! I was too busy laughing to be angry at him! It was quite the sight to see!” She giggled as she sat in the swing.
Sara laughed with her and smiled. “Does Michael know that you’re telling me all this?”
Michael’s mother had a mischievous smile upon her face. She pushed off with her feet and began swinging. “Nope!”
Sara smiled at the swinging woman. She enjoyed spending time with her in her dreams. It made the separation from Michael a whole lot easier to bear. Looking at her, Sara realized that Michael had inherited his mother’s kindness, her humor, her playfulness, her eyes, as well as her smile.
“Oh!” The swinging woman planted her feet into the sand. “I can’t believe I almost forgot to tell you!”
“Tell me what?”
She grinned at Sara. “To meet Michael here tomorrow night!”
Sara’s eyes widened in surprise and happiness. “He’s coming back? They found enough evidence to clear their names?”
The dark haired woman nodded. “Yes.”
Sara stepped up to her and hugged her.
“Thank you.”
“What are you thanking me for, Sara?”
“For everything,” Sara said.
Michael’s mother smiled down at her. She was happy that Michael had found her. She knew her son would be in good hands.
“Sara,” she softly said, “it’s time for me to cross back over to the after life. I won’t be able to see you guys anymore.”
Sara nodded in understanding and sadness. She hugged her once more.
Michael’s mother smiled. “You and Michael take care of each other now, you hear?”
She smiled back at her. “We will.”
“Good.” She tucked back a strand of Sara’s hair behind her ear. “I’ll tell your mother ‘Hi’ for you.”
“Thank you.”
Michael’s mother nodded and smiled.
“Goodbye.”
---
The night air was cold against his face, but Michael paid no heed to it. He was finally going to see Sara. After months and months apart he was now going to be able to hold her, touch her, and kiss her. He hoped his mother had told her to meet him there tonight.
He stepped onto the playground area and saw a woman sitting in one of the swings. It was Sara. His heart was overjoyed at the sight of her. His mother had kept his promise. The minute he stepped into the sandbox, Sara turned her head, sensing him.
“Michael...” she whispered, standing up from the swing.
“Michael!” Her face broke into a wide grin and she began running towards him.
Michael opened his arms as she flew into them with a force that knocked them both down to the ground. They laughed as they fell into the soft sand with Michael on his back and Sara on top of him. Michael smiled up at her and gently tucked her hair behind her ear. Without warning, Sara leaned down and captured Michael’s lips in a deep kiss full of all the longing and love she felt for him the past few months.
When she finally pulled apart from his lips, Michael grinned up at her with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes.
“So I’m guessing you don’t want to go one round on the merry-go-round, huh?”
---
The sun’s bright rays spilling in through her bedroom window woke Sara up from her peaceful slumber. She stirred in her bed and reached over to the spot next to her, but found it bare. Sara slowly sat up, holding her bed sheet up to her bare chest.
“Michael?” she softly called out.
Sara looked around the room and found a red origami flower on the pillow where Michael should be. She picked it up and smiled, remembering fond memories. Her senses began to kick back in and suddenly Sara smelt sweet aromas coming from her kitchen. She slipped the sheet from her body and began searching her bedroom floor for her underwear. It was strewn across the floor next to Michael’s T-Shirt. She picked up both articles of clothing and slipped them on. Picking up the origami flower from her bed, she headed out to the kitchen.
She found Michael, clad only in his boxers and his jeans, standing at her stove, with a spatula in hand. She came up from behind him and smiled.
“You’re cooking.”
Michael turned to face her and smiled back. “Yeah. Lincoln taught me how to make blueberry pancakes while we were on the run.”
Sara strode up to him and he wrapped an arm around her waist. Michael kissed the top of her head as she leaned into him, breathing in his musky scent which was still strong from last night.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked her.
“Yes, very well,” she murmured happily.
Michael chuckled and took the origami flower from her hands. He brought it up to her face and tucked it in her hair, behind her right ear.
She smiled up at him. “So I guess I’m pouring the orange juice then, huh?”
“Yup.”
The two of them bustled about the kitchen, preparing breakfast as if they did this many times before together. Once breakfast was done and eaten, Michael flipped on the television and pulled Sara onto him as he fell back onto the couch, much like he did a few months earlier. The news was on.
“...has received a grand amount of evidence proving Lincoln Burrows, the man accused of murdering Vice President Caroline Reynold’s brother Terrence Steadman, to be innocent of the crime. An exact court date to review all the new evidence hasn’t been set, but it is a pretty safe bet to say that he will be a free man.”
Sara smiled down at Michael.
“...As for Michael Scofield, Burrows’ brother as well as the mastermind behind the Fox River breakout, it has been speculated that he would receive a reduced sentence if he were to turn himself in since the whole thing was to save an innocent man.”
Michael looked up at Sara for some kind of reaction. “Sara...”
She turned to face him and smiled. She gently kissed him on the lips. “I’ll wait some more if I have to,” she said, “but after that, I’m never letting you go!”
Michael smiled up at her and pulled her into another kiss.
“Good, ‘cause I don’t want you to.”