A/N: This story was something I started before the summer finale. And I also had writers block... lol. It's a spinoff from what happened in the Ep. "Friends Like These" :)

Michael arrived back at the loft long after the sun went down over the horizon. It had been a horrible day to say the least.

After all the chaos with Strickler and Barry, Michael had had a tough time getting in touch with Fi. Unfortunately, he couldn't talk to Sam or Maddie about it. Michael would have had to explain himself to his mother and Sam would have sat there saying 'I told you so, didn't I, Mikey'. And it bugged the hell out of him that she was ignoring him. However, even though he didn't want to admit it, she had a reason to be upset with him.

He made a mistake. He knew that. He was sorry. But what the hell could he do? He had to protect his loved ones. If getting his job back meant that all his enemies stayed away from his family, then so be it. But Fi didn't understand that. Can't you see I'm doing this for you?!, thought Michael.

Michael opened the door to the loft and immediately went over to the kitchen to retrieve a yogurt from the fridge. He paused for a moment. "Ah, what the hell?" said Michael, taking a cold beer from the fridge as well. "It's not like this day can get any crappier."

He walked over to his favorite green leather chair, which had been duct taped back together due to Agent Bly's rampage a while back. It was still his favorite nonetheless. Sinking into the chair, Michael opened the beer and took a long swig of it before he set it down near his feet.

As Michael ate his yogurt lazily, his mind was on overdrive. He wondered how things between him and Fi had come to this—her leaving Miami. When she had told him, he was surprised of course. But he realized that he also felt hurt and betrayed. Fi was the only few people he trusted, and now, she was leaving for Ireland, probably never coming back.

Michael sadly finished up his yogurt and tossed it in the trash from where he sat. Leaning over, he grabbed the cold beer and took another long swig. He just wanted to drown his sorrows. He wanted to forget everything that had happened over the past 48 hours.

You're a goddamn piece of work.

Fi's angry words haunted him. He did it for the job. There wasn't any other option. Doesn't she know I'd never hurt her?, thought Michael. I'd do anything to keep her from any harm. Anything! But even with Michael's adamant apologies, she was still mad at him. And now, she was leaving Miami.

Michael was brought out of his musings by his blackberry. He reached for the phone from the pocket of his slacks and looked at the caller ID before he answered.

"Yeah, Sam?"

"Hey, Mike. Just calling to check up on you and see how you're doing."

"There's nothing to check up on, Sam. I'm fine." Michael took another swig from his beer.

"You sure, Mike? The ways things have been the last couple of days—"

Michael cut him off. "Sam, I'm fine."

"Aw, c'mon, Mike! Don't give me that crap! I know you. These last couple of days have been hell for you. I know—"

A little irritated, Michael tried to interrupt him. "Sam—"

"—you're upset about Fi leaving Miami. And she should! She was right."

"Right about what?!" Michael was angry that his best friend was turning on him. Instead of helping him, Sam was taking Fi's side and giving him a lecture.

"For a super spy, you're not very smart, Mike. What do you think? Your burn notice! You've been after it for so long that now that you've come so close, you'll do anything to get it," said Sam disappointed.

"I'm doing it for you guys, too. If I don't, my enemies will go after the people I love the most. What can I do?!"

"Mikey, we all want you to be happy. We do. But you're not seeing the whole picture here."

"Getting my burn notice lifted and going back to serving my country to keep you guys safe. That's not the big picture?"

"No, it's not. You're only seeing a small part of it. That's why you haven't been able to understand why Fi's leaving Miami."

"What are you saying Sam?"

"I'm saying that the slap you landed on Fi yesterday was the last straw, Mike."

"I'm not following."

"Fi's madly in love with you, Mikey. I can even see that. But you're putting your job in front of everything else that should be more important to you."

"Sam? The bottom line, please? I'm tired of avoiding the real issue here." He was frustrated. He didn't need this talk right know.

"The point is she doesn't want you to leave Miami… and her. You did that to her once before back in Ireland. I'm certainly not Fi, but I believe she's doing this to save herself from the hurt. So she's leaving Miami before you have the chance to."

It hit Michael like a ton of bricks. "Sam, I'll call you back."

"Where ya going, Mike?"

"I, uh, need to do something…"

"Could it be something to do with Fi?"

"Maybe…"

"That a boy, Mikey," Sam said. Michael could hear the smile in his voice.

"Sam?"

"Yeah, Mike?"

"Thanks."

"I've always gotcha back, Mike."

Michael hung up and put his phone back in his pocket. He hastily changed from his fancy dress shirt and slacks into a polo shirt and jeans. Once he was finished, he quickly walked out the door into the cool Miami night and ducked into his Charger, intent on setting things straight with Fiona.

I have no idea if I'll finish this :/ So, this might just be it... If I get any inspiration, I might... but even if I don't intend to finish it, I'd some feedback :)