Hi all! After the sad but wonderful final episode of Burn Notice I had to write something to ease the withdrawal. So I wrote a 30,000 word story in a week. I didn't know I had it in me!
Hope you enjoy!
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Fiona's body crashed hard into the water, but all she could feel was the heat from the gigantic explosion behind her and Michael's hand grasping hers. As the water closed in around her head, she struggled towards the surface. She felt Michael pulling her up and a wave of relief washed over her.
They were alive.
When James had pulled out that dead man's switch, a part of her had wanted to wrap herself in Michael's embrace and give in to their fate. But it couldn't be their fate, not after the last seven years, not after all they had accomplished and suffered through together. Not now that he had finally, consciously, chosen her over everything.
And so she had run, her hand attached to Michael's like two opposite charges. They would either make it out together or not at all.
And we did make it out, Fiona assured herself, hardly able to believe it.
She turned her attention back to the man whose pull she had only a year ago tried to escape. He was a step ahead of her, and having reached the point where he could stand, scooped Fiona up into his arms and made his way to the beach. Fiona was reminded of another time that her lover had carried her in just this way, years ago just after he had killed his ticket back to his old job, in order to save her life. Looking back, she had to admit that maybe having Michael choose her over everything else wasn't really a surprise at all.
Michael and Fiona finally reached the shore, far enough away from the explosion that they didn't have to worry about law enforcement catching up with them just yet. Michael collapsed from exhaustion, Fiona draped over his body, both breathing heavily. They lay like that, holding each other the way they had longed to on the rooftop after Michael had pulled Fiona up the side of the building when her climbing gear had failed.
Michael had risked his own life to save her that day. Not only had he performed a superhuman feat by pulling both her and his own weight up ten stories, but his rope could have easily snapped under their combined weight, sending him along on a deadly fall that was meant only for her.
Lying in his arms, thinking of how much she owed to the man beneath her, she couldn't believe she had tried to settle for anyone else. She had thought she could move on, but she had only proved once again that she couldn't put anyone before the love of her life.
Fiona felt Michael beginning to sit up, and managed to roll of of him, not fully recovered from the running and swimming that had saved their lives.
She looked up into the blue eyes that she knew so well, and once again said a prayer of thanks that they were alive.
"We're dead." Michael said, a smile creeping slowly across his face.
Fiona sat up quickly and looked at her surroundings, then back at Michael. "Do you know something I don't?" she asked cautiously.
"I mean, everyone thinks we're dead." Michael clarified.
Fiona rested her head against Michael's wet chest. "I suppose they do, but as soon as they see us breathing I think they'll figure out we're not."
"This is our chance." Michael was grinning now.
"You mean your chance," Fiona gritted out, "to go back to your CIA job." She began to extricate herself from Michael's now stifling embrace.
"No," Michael continued, looking at her a bit shyly, "I mean our chance, to start over, somewhere else...together."
Fiona stared up at him, her jaw slack, not yet daring to believe what she heard.
"If you want," Michael hastened to add, "I just thought, now that everything's over, you might want to - but if you don't -"
Fiona cut him off with a hard kiss. "Of course I want to run away with you Michael, that's all I've wanted since our first dance." She looked down at her fingers which she was twisting anxiously. "But how do I know you mean it this time? I can't survive losing you again."
"Fi, look at me." Michael tilted her chin until her eyes met his own. "I've always wanted to be with you, I just couldn't before, because there were so many threats on my life, both our lives. But soon everyone will think we're dead. This is what I've been fighting for. Are you with me?" Michael had put his entire future in Fiona's hands. All he could do was wait for her to crush him, or save him one last time.
Tears streamed down Fiona's face, and she couldn't do anything but nod her assent and fall into Michael's arms once again. Michael could barely contain his smile. Suddenly his face fell as he remembered something, someone.
"Charlie!" he exclaimed. "What do I do about Charlie? He's my responsibility now."
Fiona looked at him incredulously. "Well, I don't know what you're going to do, but I'm going to get my nephew and take him with me wherever I go."
Michael hadn't thought he could love the woman before him any more, but he had been wrong.
"Fi," he breathed out, "will you really - do you think we can - raise him?" He could barely believe those words had come out of his mouth.
Fiona raised her eyebrows. "It's not about what we can do, Michael, it's what we will do. We are all Charlie has left and we will not abandon him."
"What about Ruby? What if she gets clean and wants him back. We can't take him away from his mother."
Fiona looked at Michael sadly. "You missed a lot these past few months, Michael. Ruth won't be asking for her son. It turns out she never did much parenting. I think Nate was the only one who took care of Charlie. Once Nate died, Ruth used to leave Charlie at his daycare for days at a time. The daycare provider said that she would have refused to take him, but she was afraid what would happen if she didn't. Ruth never once tried to get custody of Charlie, and refused to visit when Madeline offered."
"Oh." Michael was overwhelmed with the information and felt guilty that he hadn't been keeping better track of the goings on in his own family.
Fiona, reading the guilt in his eyes entwined her fingers with his once again and reassured him. "You had a tough year, we all did. Let's just focus on getting Charlie and ourselves out of the country and you can make it up to us after we're all safe."
Michael gave a short nod and stood, pulling Fiona to her feet as well. The former spy and his girlfriend walked hand-in-hand to a nearby parking lot where they hot-wired an old forest green sedan. They drove to the pre-planned meet up point, an abandoned boat house three miles away, trying not to dwell on who would be missing.
When they arrived, they were relieved to see Sam opening the door for them, his eyes red and teary, looking at them as if they were ghosts.
"Mike? Fi? You made it!" He gave both of his friends huge hugs, his body nearly shaking with the shock of seeing people he believed to have died.
"When I saw the building blow I thought for sure you were gone."
"After all these years you still doubt my abilities," Fiona said loftily but with a twinkle in her eye.
"Have you heard from Jesse?" Michael asked anxiously.
Sam's face fell and he shook his head. "No word yet, but I don't think he'll risk calling after our phones were tracked. James may be dead, but there are other people out there who support him, who knows who might take over the organization. What's the next move, Mikey?"
Fiona's head shot up, glaring daggers at her boyfriend. Michael put a hand on her shoulder appeasingly and answered Sam with one word, "Nothing."
"Nothing Mike? You mean, you're done? Finally?"
Michael smiled softly at Fiona, letting her explain.
"Michael and I are going to take Charlie out of the country." She barreled on despite Sam's look of shock. "Everyone will think we died in the explosion that James set off, and you and Jesse can claim that Charlie was lost in the explosion at the safe house."
"Do you feel comfortable lying for us Sam?" Michael asked. "I don't know how much trouble the CIA will give you, but considering you helped take down James, I think you and Jesse will be fine."
Sam smirked. "I've done a hell of a lot worse for you, brother."
"So you'll help us fake our deaths?" Fiona asked, grinning.
Sam answered with a smile. "I thought you'd never ask."
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The next ten minutes were spent planning out the logistics of getting two adults and a child, who were supposed to be dead, out of the country without raising any red flags. They figured their best bet would be to drive up north where no one would know them, and try to pay someone off to transport them under the radar.
Just then there were three rapid knocks on the door and Jesse walked in, carrying Charlie on one arm and an overstuffed duffle bag on the other. Charlie looked like he had fallen asleep in the car, but as soon as he saw Michael he was wide awake and smiling.
"Uncle Michael!" he shouted, running over for a hug. Michael swept the little boy up in his arms, trying to hold in his tears.
"Where's Grandma?" Charlie cut right to the chase. Michael's breath caught and he looked towards Fiona, unable to speak.
"She's in Heaven, Charlie. She saved us all and now she's in Heaven." Fiona felt her cheeks becoming wet with tears.
"Daddy's in Heaven. Did Grandma go to visit Daddy?" Michael nodded and hugged Charlie again.
"Will she be back for my birthday party?" Charlie asked with hope in his eyes. He had to wait a minute for an answer, as none of the adults around him seemed to know what to say. Jesse finally brushed away a tear and spoke.
"No, Charlie. Grandma has to stay in Heaven. But she'll watch over you, and you can talk to her whenever you like." The rest of the team gave Jesse grateful looks. Having lost his mother early in life, he was perhaps best qualified to explain things to Charlie.
Charlie looked thoughtful for a moment, then said, "Am I gonna live at Heaven now too?" Fiona sucked in a breath, glancing at Michael. What if Charlie didn't want to live with them?
"No Charlie, you're going to live with me and Fiona. Is that okay?" Charlie smiled and nodded and both Michael and Fiona breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm hungry!" Charlie announced to the room, jumping down from his uncle's arms. "Can we have hot dogs tonight?" Michael and Fiona looked at each other, then at Jesse who was already shuffling around in the large bag.
"Uh, looks like we have Goldfish, applesauce, a couple bananas, graham crackers, and, um, five milk boxes."
"Milk boxes," repeated Fiona, "won't those spoil?"
"Nope, I had one myself when we were at the safe house. They're nonperishable."
Michael turned his attention back to his nephew. "Do you want any of that stuff?" he asked doubtfully.
"I want Goldfish and Graham crackers."
"How do you ask?" Sam interrupted.
"Please?" added Charlie. The other adults in the room turned towards Sam, impressed with his parenting skills.
"Maddie always used to make him use his manners," he said shrugging. Fiona made a mental note to remember and use all of the parenting techniques she had observed during her weekly visits to Madeline's house.
Once Charlie was settled in front of his makeshift dinner, Sam announced that it would be wise for Jesse and himself to leave, so they could deal with the fallout from the day.
"Do you still have your fake IDs from last year?" he asked Michael.
"They're in the loft in a portable safe. It's hidden behind a false back in the cabinet under the sink," Michael informed him.
"Great, I'll go to the loft now. Be back for you in an hour Jess?"
"Why don't you let me go Sam? It'll give you a chance to say goodbye. Besides, you'd be too tempted to pick up beer on the way back." Jesse tried to lighten the mood as he headed out the door.
Sam turned to face his two best friends, trying to ignore the painful lump in his throat. Michael was the first to speak.
"Is there anything I can do for you Sam? I doubt the CIA will go easy on you and Jesse. You can come along with us." Fiona nodded her agreement.
"Thanks," Sam responded, "but I don't want to leave Elsa. And if we disappear at the same time you supposedly died, it'll look pretty suspicious. Jesse and I will be fine, don't worry."
Michael didn't look entirely convinced. Fiona seemed to sense this and turned to look into his eyes before speaking in a calm tone.
"You can't solve every problem, Michael." She seemed prepared to go on, but Michael cut her off.
"I know Fi," he said quickly. "I'm done fighting. I have what I want now and I'm not risking it, ever again." He took her hand in his and smiled at the surprised but pleased look on her face. They walked over to the table, where Charlie was finishing up the snacks that were serving as his dinner.
"Can we color?" Charlie asked.
"Sure thing, Charlie," replied Sam. He went over to the bag to retrieve the crayons and coloring books as Michael and Fiona settled in chairs at the rickety old table.
"I'm gonna make a picture for Grandma," said Charlie, starting to color in a picture of a Triceratops.
Michael, Fiona, and Sam sat watching the little boy color, helping occasionally when asked, but mostly enjoying each other's company.
When Jesse walked through the door a half hour later with a small safe and an armful of Michael and Fiona's clothing, Charlie was just starting to rub his eyes and yawn.
"I think it's time for you to go to bed Charlie, suggested Fiona gently. "Why don't you say goodbye to Mr. Sam and Mr. Jesse. You're not going to see them for a long time."
"Do I get to sleep on the couch? Grandma always lets me."
"Sure," said Fiona. "Now say goodbye, sweetie."
Charlie did as he was told and gave both Sam and Jesse big hugs. Michael walked Charlie over to the couch and lay a blanket over him. Then he followed his friends to the front door of the beach house.
"Well, I guess this is it," Sam said, his voice cracking. Jesse swallowed hard.
"Let's not say goodbye." said Fiona, "How about, see you soon?"
"Works for me, sister."
"We'll see you soon," repeated Jesse.
"As soon as it's safe to contact you we will, I promise." Michael added. "It might take a while, but eventually this will all blow over and we won't have to worry about anyone looking for us."
The team stood in silence for a moment, until Michael spoke again. "I want to thank all of you for everything you've done for me over the years. I never meant for it to be your battle..."
"Say no more Mike." Jesse said, knowing Michael was struggling through his speech. "We were fighting for a good cause, and I don't regret it."
Sam nodded his agreement and reached out to give Michael a bear hug and a pat on the back. "You have my numbers, call if you need anything." He then turned to hug Fiona; Jesse followed suite. Finally, with red-rimmed eyes, Sam and Jesse walked out the door.
Fiona let out a small sob, and Michael embraced her tightly. After the tears slowed to a stop Michael began to set up a makeshift bed on the floor in the living room. He dragged an old mattress from one of the bedrooms and draped it in dusty sheets he found in the linen closet. Then he moved to stand beside Fiona, who was watching Charlie sleep.
"Do you think we can do this?" she asked softly. Michael looked at her, concerned.
"This isn't your responsibility Fi. I'm sure I could manage by myself. You should live your own life, don't worry about me." His voice was thick with obvious emotional pain.
The pain turned physical as Fiona grabbed him by the arm and yanked him into the adjacent bedroom. From the look in her eyes he assumed it was because she was worried Charlie might wake up when she was in the middle of murdering his uncle. Michael began to raise his hands in self-defense, expecting a blow. Instead, she spoke in a dangerously low voice.
"After all these years you still don't get it. We are in this together. When have I ever left you on your own? I tried, God knows I tried. This past year I tried harder than ever before, but I still couldn't walk away. I couldn't choose anyone over you, and I'm done trying. I'm in this no matter what." She turned to storm out of the room but Michael caught her upper arm and stopped her.
"Fi, I'm sorry I just - it sounded like you were having doubts about raising Charlie, and I didn't want to force you into anything."
Fiona's face softened but her voice was still firm. "I was there for Charlie from the day he was moved to Miami. Sometimes it hurt to look at him, because he reminded me of you. But I never turned my back on him and I won't start now. Charlie is ours now, and don't ever question that again."
Michael felt humbled. He knew he didn't deserve Fiona, but he swore to himself that he would spend the rest of his life trying to earn the love that she gave him so freely.
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Later that night, Fiona woke to a strange noise coming from behind her head. She was still wrapped tightly in Michael's arms, as she had been when she had gone to sleep, but for some reason the body behind her was shaking. She heard the noise again and this time realized that it was a sob. She wiggled herself around so that she was facing Michael and gasped when she saw tears streaming down his face. Michael was sobbing harder than she had ever seen him before, harder than when he had visited her in prison and even after Nate had died.
He tried to hide his face from her but she cupped his cheek in her hand, peppering kisses all over his wet face. When he had gained a bit of control over his emotions she said simply, "Your mom?" He hesitated for a split second before nodding an affirmative.
"I miss her too. She was the strongest woman I've ever known." Michael nodded and shed a couple more tears.
"But there's something else going on with you, isn't there?"
Michael still didn't speak but the look on his face said it all. He was looking at Fiona with the most guilt-ridden expression she had ever seen. And his trembling hands held her waist gently but firmly, as if he were afraid she would turn to smoke if he let go.
"You're thinking about the roof." It wasn't a question. Michael's head fell in shame and she swore she could feel the regret radiating off his body.
"I already told you, you saved me, end of story."
"But I almost didn't. Why didn't I pull the trigger sooner? If you had died..." He couldn't go on.
Fiona sighed. She was getting tired of Michael's pity parties, but she understood his need for reassurance after the tumultuous year they had all experienced.
"I won't pretend to know what was going through your head Michael, but I think you were probably seduced by James and his entire organization. And I can't say I blame you, he offered you power, money, Sonya...everything."
"YOU are everything. I'll never forgive myself for doubting it, even for a second."
Fiona stared pointedly into his eyes. "I forgive you, Michael. We were both guilty of doubting our relationship this past year. I don't know about you, but I will never make that mistake again."
"Me neither Fi."
"That's right you won't, because if you do I'll kick your ass."
As the couple drifted off to sleep, Michael felt the boulder of guilt on his chest lighten just a bit.
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Thanks for reading, please review!