Here's my sequel to my Left Behind series. Since my last idea didn't go over very well-lol-everyone hated it-I've decided to use my original idea. Please let me know what you think!

Thanks to 'arethesemyfeet' for the beta and handholding! -

7 months after Left Behind

"There you are!"

Sara called from the cabin porch, a light smile tugging at her lips.

Michael turned his head and smiled at her, "You've found me. Now what are you going to do?"

He pulled a hand from under his head and reached for her as he swung in the hammock.

Sara started toward him, trying for an angry expression. "Why is it that every time I need help folding laundry, you vanish?" she stopped a few feet from him then placed both hands on her hips.

"What can I say? Your so good at it, I hate to get in your way." He leaned forward when he saw

she had no intention of joining him and tugging at her arm, "Get on here, it's cold."

Sara released a smile, and followed his order. She lifted herself on to the hammock and slid into his hold. She waited until she felt his arms link securely around then buried her face into the crook of his neck.

She continued her rant with the same playfulness. "I just don't get it you're practically OCD when it comes to dishes, vacuuming, dusting, washing laundry-but give you a basket of dry clothing and you turn into a normal guy." She ended with a chuckle.

"I told you I was a complicated man," he dropped a kiss onto her head.

Sara slid her arm across his chest, "Not so complicated that I can't tell something is wrong."

She felt him flinch under her hold. "Michael, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," he answered quickly.

Sara gave a harsh sigh. They may have been laying together in a hammock, their bodies pressed tightly together but he was still miles away, and it made her ache with longing.

"You've been crying," she whispered into his neck.

She felt him flinch under her hold. "Sara-" he warned.

"And you're wearing a sweater," Sara continued gently but firmly, "You only wear a sweater when you're depressed-"

"Well don't you just have me down pat," Michael snapped suddenly.

It was Sara's turn to flinch and try to move out of his hold. She lifted her body to try to pull off him. An instant later his hands tightened around her pulling her back against him.

"I'm sorry," He whispered harshly into her ears, "I didn't mean that like that. I'm sorry."

Sara accepted his apology silently and retook her place on him; she gave another sigh before she spoke again.

"I'm worried about you, Michael. You get out of bed and pace the room for hours," she could feel his surprise, "How could you think I didn't notice?"

"I just thought you were asleep, you never said anything." He whispered back, stroking her hair back in a silent apology.

"I knew you needed your space…but I can't stay quiet for much longer. I want to help you, I want you to know that I'm here for you." She whispered, tightening her grip on his sides.

"I know, Sara. I do, it's just still hard sometimes…"he buried his lips into her hair. "I don't want to talk about it. There's no point."

"Michael if it's hurting you I want you to talk to me about it," She persisted quickly.

"Why so I can hurt you again? So you can be just as depressed as I am? Some things are

better left inside." He glared into the sea before them.

"Michael," She lifted her head to be able to look down at him. "You need to let me in. This is never going to work if you don't."

Michael turned his head slightly to match her eye line; he studied her for a full minute before giving a reluctant nod. "I just don't want you to think about this stuff, Sara."

"It's better then wondering what's going through your head and knowing I can't help," she stroked his jaw gently. "Michael you've suffered so much-"

"I haven't suffered." Michael snapped, his harsh tone returning. "I haven't suffered nearly as much as my victims."

"Your-?" Sara repeated in shock. "Your victims? Michael what-?"

"Charles, Tweener, Haywire-" Michael spat, his eyes still focused on the distance.

"They weren't your fault, Michael. Stop and think of the good, Benjamin is living happily with his family, Sucre's just as happy with his life." She lifted herself on her hand to look down at him.

"And T-bag, Sara? He's still free?" Michael finally turned his steelely glaze to her.

"What about him? All of his crimes? They're on me."

"Michael-that's not true-" Sara started desperately.

"You know what-" Michael cut her off, "I don't want to talk about it."

She stared down at him, then quickly dropped back down on to the swing. Resting her head on the back of the hammock instead of his broad shoulder.

"I can' t believe I'm going to have to point this out, but I will anyway. Veronica, do you remember her? She was your friend, practically your family. They took her from you.

Your father, a man you never even got to know-they took him. And it's because of them that T-bag is loose, not you. You were trying to save your brother."

"And our baby? You don't blame me for that?" He whispered turning to her.

Sara sucked in a ragged breath. "I've forgiven you, Michael." She whispered tensely.

"Really? Because I haven't forgiven myself, I don't deserve to be forgiven."

She closed her eyes, feeling tears begin their battle against her lids. "Please don't do this Michael. Please." She begged softly.

He turned to her, "I'm sorry,"

"I don't want you to be." She replaced her hand on his cheek. "I just want you to forgive yourself and let go a little. We're finally happy…we finally have a chance for real happiness."

"And I'm ruining it," he supplied sadly.

"No," Sara said quickly, "I just want you to forgive yourself. Let go of the past."

Michael stared at her then gave a weak nod, "I'll try."

Sara smiled and curled herself back into his arms. She released a breath and waited a moment. She knew this topic had been on his mind, she could tell his moods from day one. She wondered why it was so hard for others to read him when for her it was as simple as looking into his eyes.

She breathed in his comforting scent, she felt her entire body relax a little more.

She had followed him into their sanctuary for a reason. Their hammock was literally the

only place they had privacy and lord knew she would need it for the impending conversation.

This would be the perfect moment to tell him…god knew she needed to tell him before it was too late.

"Michael," she whispered into his neck.

"Ummm?" he rested his cheek on her head.

"I have something I need to talk to you about. It's important." She muttered seriously.

How could she possibly tell him this? She was still in shock…

"Sara-"he pulled away to look down at her. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," She assured quickly.

"Then what is it?" he asked.

"I-I've been-" she stumbled.

"MICHAEL!" Lincoln's voice covered her's. "GET YOUR ASS IN HERE! JANE WANTS TO TALK TO YOU!"

Michael looked toward the cabin, then back down at Sara. "Jane?"

Sara shrugged, they had received one phone call from Jane. To tell them that Mahone had been sniffing close to them and to be on guard. She had been their guardian angel to a point. The woman had continued to protect them out of loyalty to their father.

Michael instantly jumped off the hammock, Sara not a foot behind him.

Before they could reach the house he turned. "Wait-what did you need to tell me?"

Sara felt a wave of quilt wash over her, "Nothing. This is more important."

"Afterwards-,"He cupped her face and kissed her gently.

"Jane?" Michael lifted the phone to his ear. "What is it?"

"Michael? Are you alone?" Jane asked quickly.

Michael looked around the kitchen. Sara had followed him in, a concerned expression apparent on her face, LJ was sitting on a stool staring at him and Linc was glaring at him from where he leaned against the fridge.

"Give me a moment." He placed a hand over the phone and started toward the door again.

"I'll be just a moment," he promised before taking another step back out to the sand.

"What is it?" He asked.

"I've placed a few men in your area just as an added protection…"Jane started.

"Ok.." Michael could feel his anxiety rising. "Jane what happened?"

"T-bag."

In that name Michael felt his entire world fall apart. He was the name that hunted him to no end. He was the man that could take everything.

"Where?" Michael hissed.

"Michael-it's not what you think." Jane responded instantly. "He sent you a letter."

Michael felt his entire body stiffen. "What?" He gasped.

"He knows that-" Jane paused,

"He knows what, Jane?" He demanded angrily.

"He knows that Sara's with you. He threatened her and you." Jane finished gently.

Michael curled his hands tightly around the phone until he was sure he'd have permanent indentations. He felt rage course through his body. So many horrible things had happened to Sara.

The list didn't even start with Kellerman's torture, it began with the moment he involved her in the infirmary. The moment he showed her a glimpe of his feelings and then escaped…leaving her to pay for his crimes.

"What did he say?" Michael hissed.

"It doesn't matter." Jane answered. "All that matters is that he said he's coming after you."

"Let him." Michael growled into the phone. "Let the bastered try."

"Michael we can't put the others in danger." Jane muttered. "We've got a tail on him but every time we get close he manages to get away."

Michael scanned the beach before him, his eyes fell on the hammock. He flinched. That swing represented so much. It represented their freedom, their happiness….and most important his love for Sara.

Since the moment he kissed her in the infirmary he had planned on her being here with him in this paradise. Now she was and he wasn't going to let anyone take her again.

"Where can I meet you?"

Michael knew his decision wasn't going to be very well received. In fact he knew this was going to happen. The moment his mouth open and those words left his lips chaos had erupted.

"What the hell are you thinking, man?" Lincoln stepped toward him. "That's fucking ridiculous! What did Jane say?" he shouted.

"It doesn't matter." Michael glared at his brother, careful not to let his eyes wander to

Sara's broken expression. "I have to go."

"Like hell you do!" Lincoln yelled again.

"Lincoln!" Michael yelled back. "Just shut up for five seconds."

He waited until his brother took a step back. "Fine."

"Thank you," Michael glanced around the room. Sara had seated herself behind LJ, her arm resting lightly on the island in the center of the kitchen. "I'm only going to be gone for a few days. Jane needs my help with a few loose ends…"

"What kind of lose ends?" LJ asked innocently.

Michael stared at his nephew. "Just some stuff. It isn't a big deal." He saw Sara drop her eyes to the floor. He could only imagine the abandonment she was feeling.

"I'll come with you." Linc said more calmly this time.

"No-" Michael replied quickly, a little to quickly. Shit, he cursed to himself. Sara was

staring at him suspiciously. "No, Linc…you need to stay here." He glanced at Sara and

LJ. "You need to stay."

"Fine," Lincoln muttered before turning and grabbing himself another beer.

"So when will you be back?" LJ asked looking between Sara and his uncle.

"Shouldn't be more then a few weeks, I really don't know." He took a step toward them,

"Hey it'll give you guys time to work on the house. Maybe your father could do more

then just sit around 'supervising' with a beer in his hand." Michael forced a smile.

LJ grinned at his dad, "I don't think he's capable of anything more then that."

" Shut up kid, I could build that whole damn house by myself if your uncle-"

"Didn't want it to be good?" LJ finished with a laugh.

"Ya know I do remember something about kids having to respect their parents." Linc opened a bottle of beer.

"What can I say? I fell asleep during that lecture." LJ stood and walked to his father.

Michael focused on Sara as his brother and nephew bantered. Her hands were linked

tightly in her lap and her head was still bent.

"Can we talk?" He asked gently taking another step closer to her.

Sara finally lifted her head, her rigid eyes glared back at him. She jumped off the stool

without a word and led him toward their room.

Michael glanced back at his brother before following Sara. He heard his brother give a low whistle as a sign of his imminent doom.

He closed the door behind him and turned to her, she stood in the center of their small bedroom, her arms crossed over herself.

"Why?" She whispered, her voice taut.

"Sara-" he moved toward her. "This isn't a big deal."

"Your going back to the states to 'tie up lose ends', Michael what if you get caught?"

"I'll be fine, Sara." He lifted a hand to stroke her shoulder.

"You don't know that." She stared at him, ignoring his caress. "You don't know what could happen. Mahone's still after us."

"I'm going to be with Jane and her organization. You know how well organized they are. They won't let anyone near me." He took another step, bringing their bodies within

inches.

"If they're so organized why do they need your help?" Sara snapped, glaring up at him.

"Sara," he sighed heavy.

"What's really going on here? You wouldn't just leave like this-"She persisted annoyed.

"Sara, listen to me. It doesn't matter. I'm going to be back in a few days. You have to just trust me." He gripped her shoulders in his hands.

"Your leaving again," she whispered, her voice suddenly childish. "Your leaving again and you expect me to be perfectly ok with it."

Michael flinched. It had been seven months since she had moved in and they hadn't spent a night apart since. They hadn't spoken of the past two years.

Michael had once brought up the subject of his abandonment of her and she had shut him down instantly. She had told him she forgive him but hadn't wanted to be reminded of it.

"This is nothing like before, Sara." He lifted a hand to her cheek. "Nothing."

"You're still lying to me, you're still leaving." She stated looking at him with tears beaming in her eyes. "It's the same."

Michael crushed her to his chest, "No it's not Sara." He whispered into her shoulder.

"Don't go," she pleaded gently. She placed her hands on his back tightly.

"I have too," for you-for our future. He muttered.

"I can't believe this," she whispered angrily. "Your leaving us-me for your guilt."

Michael froze, "What?"

"The look in your eyes when you walked back in. It's the same look you had when we were talking on the hammock. Why ever your running off to see Jane has something to do with your supposed 'crimes'." Sara glared, "And you want to know what really gets to

me about all of this. You place your guilt above me."

"What?" Michael asked in confusion.

"I've always known I was under Linc and LJ in your mind. I've come to terms with that. But what about your guilt is that above junkie Sara as well?"

Michael pulled her away so he could look down at her, "How could you even say that?"

"Because you're leaving again," she whispered, her angry gone only to be replaced with more disappointment.

"I'm coming back, Sara. I swear to you-" He wanted more then anything for her to met his eyes but she seems determined never to look at him again.

"Maybe you shouldn't." She whispered.

Michael jerked as if she had punched him. "You don't mean that," he whispered back.

Sara trained her eyes back to him. "I don't know."

"Sara, this isn't going to break us up. I won't allow it." His fingers dug into her shoulders.

"Just go," she pulled out of his arms, turned her back toward him.

Michael let his arms drop to his side.

"Sara-"

Sara wrapped her arms around her mid drift, "Just go, Michael. No matter what you're going to anyway."

"I have too," he muttered.

"If that's what you want to believe then fine." She walked to their window.

Michael sighed heavily, "Fine." He turned and walked toward the door. "I'll be back in a few days." He paused, waiting-hoping-for a reply. He turned back to her, "I love you."

Sara turned her head to meet his eyes. He could see the tears rolling down her cheeks.

Michael cursed under his breath then reached for the door and swung it open.

"LJ," Michael said harshly, "Give us a moment,"

His nephew look up from his place beside his father in the kitchen.

"Sure," the boy looked at his father before quickly retracing his uncle's foot steps into his room.

"Where's Sara?" Lincoln asked watching his son's retreat.

"Our room. Give her sometime, but she'll be alright." Michael ran a hand over his head angrily.

"Yeah right," Lincoln muttered looking away. "So are you going to tell me what's going

on?"

"T-bag." Michael dropped into a chair. "He knows where we are. He knows Sara's with us and he's made it clear we're his next targets."

"Shit," Lincoln whispered angrily.

"Yeah," Michael studied the saltshaker before him. "Guess he's gotten bored with traumatizing other people…it's my turn now."

"Well let that bastared try." Lincoln growled. "I won't let him within a eye shot of you guys."

"I'm not even going to give him that," Michael said firmly. "Jane puts tail on him but he keeps shaking them. He's toying with me…he wants me to hunt him down and I'm only to eager to comply."

"Are you sure about this?" Lincoln looked at his brother.

"It's better then the alternative." The younger brother glanced up.

"When do you leave?"

"In ten minutes-Jane's sending someone to get me." Michael looked toward the front windows. "I have to get going."

"You should tell Sara-she's probably imagining the worse." Lincoln looked toward the closed door that lead to his brother's room.

"No! That's out of the question. You can't tell Sara, Lincoln. I'm serious. I don't want her to worry. She's been through enough." Michael glared at his brother.

"Dude-she's,"

"Lincoln, I can't do this to her. I'll be back in a few days and tell her everything. I don't want her to know I'm going to go hunt down t-bag. You forget-she knows exactly what he's capable of." Michael stood and began pacing the tiny kitchen.

"Fine," Lincoln agreed with a huff.

Michael turned as a van pulled down their driveway. "I have to go." He grabbed a small bag and started toward the door.

Lincoln stood and followed him from the house.

Michael stepped out to the porch then turned back to his brother, "Take care of her, Linc."

Lincoln nodded at his brother's sincerity. "I will, man. Don't worry."

"I can't lose her again, Linc. I just can't." Michael whispered. "Protect her for me."

Lincoln nodded again, "I will, Michael. Don't worry, just go take do what you have to."

Michael cast a last longing glance toward his room then stepped off the porch and made his way to the waiting van.