Michael sat at the bow of the yacht, with his legs over the edge and leaned his arms against the rail. They had picked up Veronica and LJ and was now heading back. Lincoln was teaching LJ to navigate. He could hear their happy voices. Veronica went down below to explore the yacht's interior spaces. Michael got a bit startled when Veronica sat down beside him.

"Hey."

"Hey Vee."

"Nice boat. It was sweet of you to name it after your mother. I think she would have liked it."

"Thanks. Yeah, she told us so many stories how it was spending her summer holidays out on the open sea when she was a child. Unfortunately we only did sail together once before she died."

"Did you buy it with the DB Cooper's money?"

Michael turned his head and raised his eyebrows. "Come again?"

"Don't look so surprised. Lincoln told me of course. Not only did you break him out of a prison no one ever broken out of before. You solved a 30 year old mystery on the side as well. DB Cooper has eluded the authorities, the FBI, the police, hell everyone for decades. I bet he was happy to be on the outside, giving you that kind of money?"

"Well, he was a real nice man. He isn't really a bad person. I enjoyed our talks."

"That's why you didn't turn him in like you did with Abruzzi."

"Yeah, I figure he had paid for his crimes already. All he wanted was to see his daughter and live a life in peace. And no, it wasn't his money that paid for this boat. I bought it before, I know they would freeze all my money and accounts, so I better use most of it before that."

"You had that kind of money to spare? This boat must cost a fortune?"

"Well, I did have a good year last year, but I had to sell all my stocks too. I planned it so we would have this boat and money to live on the first years or so. I was hoping for Westmoreland's money, that would have been enough for us to be set for the rest of our lives. Now it will buy us some plot of land that we can build our houses on and our scuba shop."

Both of them were silent for a while before Veroinca spoke up again. "Why didn't you tell me what you were planning?"

"I know you wouldn't approve of it and would have tried to stop me. I couldn't let you do that, as the time was running out for waiting that you would do the legal way. Using the law to exonerate him. They were going to execute him, Veronica. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't do anything in my power to prevent it."

"Of course I would have stopped you, it's a crazy and dangerous plan. You could get yourself killed and Lincoln too in the process. But now..." Veronica turned her head and looked at Lincoln. "Now I am pretty happy you did and succeeded. If I only knew then what I know now, what we are up against. I could have started sooner digging into it. Maybe I would have made more progress by now then."

"Don't blame yourself, Vee. Even I thought he was guilty at first. Then we figured out he was set up, but could never imagine at this scale. Why Lincoln, why did they choose him?"

"I have no idea, if we only know that. That would be an important piece in the puzzle, I think. How did you even come up with the idea of breaking him out of prison? It's insane. Risking your life, your freedom, risking ending up in prison yourself if you failed or become a fugitive if you succeeded."

"He is my brother, the only family I have left. I love him. I couldn't just stand by and watch him get executed. I would risk everything to save him. What about you? I could say the same thing to you. They almost killed you, Vee. They blow up your apartment. You are risking a lot too, coming here, still digging on Lincoln's case."

"Same reason, I love him too. I can't stand still and do nothing while they are killing Lincoln either. Talking on the phone wasn't enough anymore, I wanted to see him, be near him. So it was a perfect opportunity when LJ was going down, to just join him on the trip."

"You are most welcome, Vee. Linc is going to be so happy. He hasn't been talking about much else. Just look at him, it was a long time I saw him like that."

They both turned their heads and looked at Lincoln and LJ. They were laughing, big smiles on both of their faces.

"Yeah, it´s a big improvement since the last time I saw him. He was really burdened with the death sentence."

"Yes, the last week in Fox River when LJ was accused and wanted for killing his mother, he was a wreck before he got your note that LJ was safe."

"I can imagine."

.

They arrived home and they arranged the sleeping accommodation with LJ sleeping on the couch, Veronica takes Michael's room and Michael sleeping on the boat. Two days later they were having dinner at the restaurant.

"What do you think, Michael?"

Michael looked out over the water and didn't noticed Veronica asked him something.

"Michael! Michael, didn't you hear me?"

"He is usually thinking about Sara, when he has that look on his face. He has done that a lot." Lincoln said.

"Who is Sara?" Veronica wondered.

"The prison doctor." Lincoln answered when Michael still hasn't noticed they were talking to him.

Veronica touched his shoulder and when Michael turned his head, she said, "Michael, tell me about Sara. Lincoln said you were thinking about her."

Michael gave his brother an angry gaze. "What is there to tell? When I finally meet a woman that interests me, I have to lie and withhold stuff from her. She was a key in my plan."

"That sounds definitely like a story. Please Michael, I want to hear."

"Yes, I want to hear also, uncle Mike." LJ chipped in.

"I had done research of all medical personnel when I was planning the escape. So I went in with the plan to be flirtatious with the women and if I got one of the men I would be the perfect buddy. Because I needed to be in the infirmary and needed to be left alone a few minutes now and then. I didn't expect Sara to be so sweet, so easy to talk to, beautiful of course. I was instantly attracted to her and I couldn't be myself. Now I'm on the wrong side of the law and will never have the opportunity to get to know her better."

"How do you know? Have you asked her?

"No, of course not. When was I suppose to do that? By the way Sara, when I break out of here in a couple of days, will you come visit me at my secret hideout place where I'm gonna flee the country to? I could buy you that dinner I promised you."

"When you put it like that, I take my question back, it was pretty stupid." Veronica said smiling. Lincoln and LJ laughed at that.

"But you said dinner. So you did ask her out before or?" Veronica continued.

"I did when I was flirting with her. She thought I was gonna get killed as I spent so much time in the infirmary, besides my daily insulin shot. I had a couple of injuries, some self-inflicted, some not part of the plan. So I said I would take her to dinner when I got out of there alive."

"Insulin shots? But you are not a diabetic." Veronica frowned.

"No, I know. But I had to pretend to be one in order to be in the infirmary regularly."

"Isn't that dangerous, to inject insulin if you don't need it?"

"In the long run yes, my research told me it wouldn't cause too much harm in a short period of time and I used an insulin blocker drug too."

"How did Sara react to the flirtation? Did she like it?"

"Well, it depened on what kind of mood she was in. Some days she flirted back and other days she was all professional. We had a few moments when I thought I could sense she felt something more than just patient and doctor, but nothing were said or done from either of us."

"Why don't you write her a letter, explaining that you did what you did to save your brother. Tell her that you aren't a criminal, you just did this one criminal act. Tell her you think about her and want to see her again."

"I... erh..." Michael began.

"I'm sure I can dig up her address for you, Michael, if that's the problem?"

"I have the address already, thanks Vee though. That's not the problem. She told me inmates use to flirt with her and I got the sense of she would never go out with a prisoner. Even a prisoner that serves their full time sentence and get released from prison, so I don't see her starting a relationship with me. I'm just another con to her and a fugitive. What kind of future could we have? If she even like me, that´s a big if."

"But if she does, don't you think she would like to know you like her too? That it is a chance to be together. You shouldn't decide for the both of you before knowing what she wants. I know it's dangerous and risky, but maybe Sara thinks it's worth it to come visit you. Maybe she thinks like I do, a little chance is better than nothing. I don't regret coming here." Veronica took Lincoln's hand in her and smiled at him. Lincoln leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss on her lips.

"You are a remarkable woman Veronica, one of a kind. There is no one like you. You are tougher than anyone I know. Linc is a lucky guy to have you. Sara isn't like you, Sara is different."

"I agree, you are all that Veronica and I am truly the lucky one to get another chance." Lincoln added to the conversation.

"I agree too, the way you cleared my name, that was awesome." LJ chipped in.

"Thank you gentlemen for the kind words. I don't think you would fall in love with a woman that isn't close to perfectly balanced between beauty and mind. A woman that works in a male maximum security penitentiary isn't a wuss, but strong and brave. If she feels the same as you, there is a way. You could make all the security arrangements as I did to come here."

"Veronica, this is different, believe me. Sara isn't just a prison doctor, she is the daughter to the governor Frank Tancredi. I think he will have a lot to say and do, if he found out his daughter not only know where two known fugitives are, but are romantically involved with one of them."

"Ah. I see. That was one very important piece of information you didn't tell."

"Yeah, sorry."

"I still think she should have a say in it. Write a letter, I can post it when I get back so the postal stamp don't give your location away. Whatever she chooses to answer or not, you get an answer and know for sure. You can write she is more than welcome to contact me if she don't trust your words, I can be your character witness."

"Thanks Veronica. I will think about it."

.

Later that evening Michael was lying on some cushions on the sun deck thinking about what Veronica said. Writing Sara a letter, would that be a good idea? How would Sara react? How by the book is she? Would she turn him in if she knows where he is? So far he has been thinking of how he feels for her and if she had any feelings for him, that he forgot that there is another crucial little detail in play.

He may not have actually robbed the bank, but he did escape from a prison and fled the country which make him a fugitive. Would she even answer him? Would she believe him? Would she allow any contact between them, such as more letters and phone calls? That is a lot of would she.

The part of the harbour that Michael have his boat is a pier for three other yachts, but now his was the only one in port. It was so quiet at this hour from the normal activity in the mornings when the fishermen were going in and out on the other side of the harbour. The only sounds to be heard was the water gentle clucking against the hull of the boat.

Michael heard footsteps and some wooden boards creak. He rose and peered out into the dark to see who it was. His body relaxed when he recognized the familiar figure approaching.

"Uncle MIke, are you here?"

"Yes, LJ. What are you doing here? Has something happened?"

"No, nothing like that. Everything is fine. It just seemed like dad and Veronica wanted to be alone by the looks they shared. I have been hearing dad snore these days, either he snores very loud or the walls are not that thick. I didn't really want to stick around to see which it was and risking hearing any sounds that I can't get out of my head. So I wonder if I could crash here with you on the boat?"

"I see. Of course you can, you can take Linc's cabin, it's empty."

"Thanks, uncle Mike." LJ climbed on-board.

"It was a good call to leave the bungalow. I would say it's both. Both thin walls and my brother do snore very loudly."

LJ grinned at that.

.

The rest of Veronica's stay went on with exploring the close historic sites and nature wonders. Michael and LJ stayed behind and let Lincoln have more time with Veronica before she would leave for home. They always meet up and have dinner together, all of them every evening. On the last day when Veronica was packing her things, Michael came by the bungalow.

"Hey. I thought about what you said and I decided to take your advise this time." Michael handed her an envelope.

"What is this?" Veronica turned it over and saw Sara's name and address. "Ah, you wrote a letter?"

Michael nodded his head. "I have been thinking about every moment we had and I got to know if she feels anything. If there is any chance we could have contact, I need to know. I also took your offer upon that she could contact you if she wants, putting your contact information in the letter."

"I hope she does, I would love to meet the woman that caught your eye."

"If that happens, I think you are gonna like her, I'm sure of it. I just hope she will answer me."

"If she does contact me, I will make sure she knows there is a way to see each other."

"Thanks Vee."

"Anytime Michael."