Fiona sat quietly watching Michael fix some archaic household item that Maddy would unknowingly be abandoning in a few short hours anyway.
"I don't know why they would just decide to leave for a vacation and up and go immediately." Madelyn Westen complained loudly. "Are you sure he's not in some kind of trouble?"
Michael's hands stilled, he pulled back slowly, setting the screw driver on the table. Fi starred at it as Westen's voice rumbled out soft and low.
"He's not in trouble Mom. I am." Fiona closed her eyes.
"Wha-?"
"I sent Nate away, it wasn't safe." He took a deep breath. "Jesse's going to be here in a few hours. I want you to leave with him, without complaint."
"You're sending me to Disneyland." She growled, Fiona wondered when the theme park had become a euphemism for going into hiding. It fit though. "How many times do I have to prove to you that I don't need to be shuttled off while you guys make one of your infamous 'last stands'? I'm staying Micha-!"
"Not this time. This time you go." He interrupted. "This time you just trust me when I say it's different and you go when Jesse says to go."
"Fiona, will you explain to him that-." She opened her eyes at met Madelyn's, not bothering to swat away the tears. The older woman's eyes softened before flickering with fear.
"You need to go with Jesse." She whispered, nodding sadly. "Please, just go with Jesse."
"What about the two of you? What about Sam?" She asked softly.
"We're going to end this." Michael said calmly, Fi watched his fingers clamp down on his mother's shoulder. Maddy's eyes never left her own. Fiona sniffed, before shaking her head quickly. Michael's mother's gaze followed the scattering tears as they landed on her dinning room table. "Mom?"
She tore her gaze away and turned to Michael.
"I'll go with Jesse." She whispered. Her son nodded, swallowing against the lump in his throat before pulling her into his chest. She studied him when they parted, before he sniffed and looked away. She turned towards Fiona, cupping her hand under the younger woman's chin and pointing her face towards hers. Madelyn smiled softly, using her thumb to swipe away tears from Fi's cheeks. "You two stick together." She told them drily, her eyes shifting between them.
"Always." Michael forced the words out as his mother's hand fell away and she disappeared into the bedroom. He reached out to Fiona and she took the hand he gave her. "We better go."
…...
Sam looked up from the drivers seat of the nondescript black rental car when the Charger pulled down the hill towards him. He got out slowly, watching his friends do the same. Fiona looked more defeated then she had yesterday. In the Chargers head lights he could see her eyes examining the gravel road. Michael's gaze was strong and steady, drilling into Sam's own. He extended the bulky envelope towards him.
"You get what we needed?" Sam asked gravely.
"Should be." Michael sighed. "If it's not enough for Pierce then I don't know what would be."
"Okay then." Axe tucked it under his arm and extended the keys to his vehicle and looking at Fiona.
"Be careful Fi." He whispered, she squeezed his upper arm, still never raising her gaze as he walked past him and climbed into the passenger seat. Sam had barely turned back to Westen before he found himself in a unpredicted embrace.
"Thanks Sam." He exhaled.
"See you soon Mikey." Sam answered painfully. Westen clapped his hand down on his friends back before backing up with a nod. Axe watched his best friends back as he headed towards Fiona.
"I hope your right about that, Sam." He told him stiffly, giving him a quick glance before closing the car door behind him.
Axe walked wordless back to the Charger, willing down his emotions as he watched the road through the rear window until he could head south on the outer road. He watched as the rental car headed north towards where Michael and Fiona were about to put things in motion.
"Damn it. I hope I'm right too Mikey." Axe muttered to himself.