"We need to go," Alice's voice broke through the circle of comfort Michael's arms provided for Sara.

She lifted her head from Michael's shoulder and looked toward the other woman. Lincoln had already begun packing their few items into a duffle bag.

Sara nodded, but didn't take her arms from around the man who's head was still buried in her shoulder.

Michael hadn't released her since their first contact.

He had embraced his brother while still holding on to her, and while it had given her such comfort , at the same time it bothered her.

She could tell he wasn't physical injured; she had scanned his body quickly for any signs of bullets or knifes wounds, but the relief she had felt was as great as her concern now.

All his injures weren't physical, Sara released a ragged breath. Before this ordeal was settled she knew she'd be wishing they were.

Michael lifted his head from Sara's body; he sucked in a frayed breath. "Where?"

Sara blinked; she had completely forgotten Alice's statement.

Michael's hand ran down her side, resting at her hip. She shot him a quick glance, the touch wasn't as sexual as it seemed. It was for comfort.

But for whom Sara didn't know.

"A safe house I've already prepared. It will have everything we need to start our trip out of the country." Alice answered quickly, wiping down the nightstand for fingerprints.

"You already have a safe house?" Michael asked suspiciously.

Alice turned back to him, "It isn't specifically for you….I was planning to use it on another mission. But since it fell through and I'm here now, we're going to use it." Alice gave him a hard glare. "Is there a problem with that, Mr. Scofield?"

Sara griped his forearm and sent Alice a glare. "There's no problem. We've all had been through a lot and had a long day, let's just go."

Alice turned back, shaking her head in annoyance. "Fine-whatever…we still need to leave."

"I'm ready." Lincoln said suddenly, emerging from the bathroom, zipping up the bag in his hands, "Hey Alice-did you park the car in the front or back?"

"Back. The keys are under the seat. Why don't you take your brother and Sara down-I'll finish with the room and be right down ," Alice suggestion over her shoulder.

Lincoln sent Michael a weak grin, "You ready to blow this joint, little brother?"

Michael slipped an arm possessively around Sara's waist, "Let's get out of here."

She knew it wasn't going to be happily ever after. She knew that he wouldn't be the same person. He would be scarred…different. But as Sara sat in the back seat in the middle of the SUV, her hand resting under Michael's on his thigh, she thought it could be different.

He was holding her…hadn't let her be a completely foot from him since they were reunited. But he still felt miles away, still locked in that hell.

"Are you alright?" she whispered, hoping he would turn his face from the window.

"Fine." He didn't move his head.

Sara sighed, and contented herself with studying him. She could see bloodstains that were obviously not his. She could see mud caked onto his clothing.

She leaned forward and tapped Lincoln gently on the shoulder with her free hand.

"Do you have any water?"

"Sure," he reached into the duffle bag and pulled a bottle of water.

Sara pulled a dry napkin from her pock and twisted the cap off the bottle.

"Michael, turn to me. You're lip—" she started holding the open bottle between her legs.

He pulled his hand from hers. "Not now," he muttered.

"Michael-it looks pretty bad." She used her free hand to touch his cheek.

"Not now, Sara!" Michael snapped, turning his head quickly. "Just leave it alone!" He glared at her hard for a moment then turn back.

Lincoln stared in the review mirror at his brother, and then sent Sara a sympathetic glance. He gave a light shake of his head, implying to leave him alone.

"He'll be alright for now, Sara." Lincoln leaned over the back of the seat. "When we get to Alice's safe house you can give him a full work over." He added lightly.

Sara forced herself to met Lincoln's eyes. "Right," she sighed.

Moments later Alice jerked open the door to the Pale SUV and stepped in without a glance at the two passengers. "Sure you don't want me to drive?"

Lincoln smirked, "I think I can handle it."

"Didn't cross my mind that you couldn't," Alice muttered as the engine roared to life. "Just thought I would be driving since you have no clue where we're going."

"And you can't tell me?" he sent her a charming grin, "Use that pretty mouth of yours and give me directions."

"Watch it," Alice warned, strapping herself against the seat.

Lincoln made a sound that could have been a snort or a laugh, "Consider it watched."

Sara leaned against the back of the middle seat, her hands knit tightly together on her lap.

She suddenly regretted pushing Michael….he wasn't making any contact now. Before, at lest, he had insisted on holding her. Now he was blocking her physically too.

She turned slightly to look at him. His exhausted body sat rigged on the seat, his spine barely touching the back of the seat, his one hand taping anxious against his knee while the other tapped the against the arm rest.

Sara forced herself to return her glaze to the front of the vehicle.

She didn't want to pressure him…

He needed time…he needed to come to her of his own free will….She wouldn't-

"Where's your seat belt?" His hoarse voice said suddenly, pulling Sara out of her thoughts.

Sara jerked her head toward him, "What?"

"Your seat belt," he looked at her waist, "These roads are rough-"

"Oh," Sara lowered her eyes to the seat. "I guess it's tucked under the seat." She looked back up at him; his eyes were focus on where the belt would be. "Michael-I'm sorry…I'm making you uncomfortable-"

"Move over an inch," He ordered softly, ignoring her statement. He shoved a rough dirty hand under the back of the seat and dug for the belt. Seconds later he pulled it up. "Here,"

He used his left hand to wrap around her waist and move her back toward him. With his other hand he clamped the seat belt securely around her waist.

"There," he sighed contently, turning back to the window.

Sara took the opportunity to clutch his hand. "Michael I'm sorry-"

Michael gripped her hand tightly almost painfully and swore harshly, "Forget it, Sara. We don't have time for it."

Sara flinched; his chopped words broke her heart. He had hurt her before, used her to break out of a prison, every action he took to bring his plan together inevitably lead to more pain, but he had never hurt her like he did just then.

Before, Sara realized, before Sona he had been someone else…. But this was after Sona…. Sara closed her eyes against tears and leaned against the back of the seat.

"I need a map…a cell phone and a sheet of paper. If you can find any type of phone book I'll need that as well." Michael said as he entered one of the rooms in the safe house Alice had lead them too.

Lincoln had told Michael to take Sara up stairs and calm her down. Michael had done as he was told but not for Sara or even himself. He needed time to form plans.

"Michael you need to let me have a look at you." Sara spoke gently, stepping up from behind him and laying a comforting hand on his arm.

He brushed off her hand quickly and stepped forward. "I'm fine, I need to work out what were going to do."

"Let Alice and Lincoln deal with that," Sara replied quickly.

Michael turned on her angrily, "I'm not letting Alice 'deal' with anything."

"I understand you don't trust her. She's not exactly my favourite person either but—" Sara stared at him, still unnerved by his temper, by the anger the roared throughout his body.

Every time she touched him she could feel the rigid muscles, the anger soaked deeper into him.

"But nothing, Sara. We can't trust her and it's as simple as that." He snapped glaring at her.

"Fine…but she's still trying to help us." She tired again, desperate for any form of reason between them.

"Did she tell you that?" He turned his back toward her.

"Yes, but also Jane sent her."

"So you believe a woman you've never met before?" Michael shook his head, his exhaustion apparent in his eyes.

Sara watched his shoulders slump gently; the anger…the paranoia was finally driving him to exhaustion.

"No. Lincoln trusts Jane, you trust Lincoln and I trust you there for I trust Alice." Sara sighed gently. She couldn't return his anger…she wouldn't. That's what he wanted. That's why he was pushing her so hard. He wanted her to fight with him…he wanted her to blow up and blame him. He wanted her to hurt him….She refused to give him that release.

Sara lifted her eyes from his body to the back of his head as it shook gently as if mocking her logic.

"Can I please look you over now?" She took a single step that brought her close enough to touch his shoulder

"I'm fine." He answered.

"Michael," She could feel his blood pulsing under her hand.

"God damn it, Sara just get what I told you!" He swore suddenly, turning on her.

She dropped her hand from his arm in a reflex. His movement, his words scared her.

She watched a flash of regret post over his face.

"Don't be…I guess I'm in the way," she mumbled, suddenly feeling as if she had been wrong about him. Maybe it had been too much…maybe he would never-

"Sara I'm sorry." He sighed…. she could hear the last of the anger bleed from his voice.

She kept her eyes focused on over his shoulder. "You've been through a lot and I'm pressuring you."

She heard him release a heavy sigh, "Sara," he lifted a hand and placed it carefully on her forearm. Sara froze under his arm…it was too gentle…too fragile. She was suddenly afraid to move for fear he'd remove his hand. "That's not true…either way it doesn't excuse being cruel to you."

"No, it doesn't." she trained her eyes to him and gave him a small smile, "But I understand."

"I wish I did." He tightened his hold on her; taking another step he brought them inches from each other. "Every moment I was in there I thought about you. It drove me crazy because you were always on the tip of my mind…. I somehow connected you to any thought. And now that I'm out," Michael stumbled over his words. Sara could see the emotion building in his voice. "I'm being insensitive to you."

"It's my fault…this whole thing is because I shot that agent…You went to that place because of me." Sara spoke quickly.

Michael lifted his eyes to hers. He gave a firm shake of his head. "Sara I made a choice to protect you…"

"And look where that got you. In an even worse situation then Lincoln got you." She gasped, feeling tears swell in her eyes.

"I don't blame you." He stated firmly… "I don't."

"You are…" she sighed, lifting a hand to run under her eyes. "You do and that's ok….I know you're angry with me and you have every right—this is all my fault."

Michael tightened his grip on her arm; he lifted his free hand to her chin. "You think I'm angry with you?"

"Well aren't you? It's because of me," Sara whispered.

Michael cut her off angrily. "Sara I'm furious with myself for leaving you! I'm furious with my brother for not getting you the hell out of here, for trusting some woman with both your lives."

"Michael,"

"Lincoln doesn't think things out. He doesn't consider every angle. I have to take over and get us out of here. I couldn't really protect you before but…but I'm here now and I'm going to protect you. Nothing will harm you…ever. I promise you." He told her savagely…his hand holding her arm tightly.

"Michael…." Sara sighed calmly.

"Tell me you believe me, tell me you trust me." He dropped his eyes to hers. He lowered to his tone.

Sara's eyes fell to her feet. She wanted to believe that Michael was furious with her and Lincoln for trusting a stranger. But every time she looked at him she seen the damage of her crime, she could only imagine his true feelings.

"Let me look you over." She lifted her eyes to him.

Michael hand dropped in surrender. He gave a heavy disappointed sigh.

"Lift your shirt," she muttered.

"I'm going to get us out of here." He vowed quietly, still staring at her as if she the only thing he could see. "We're still going to sail off into the sunset…just give me time."

Sara blinked back tears. She wanted to believe him…she so desperately did. But how could she have a happily ever after with the man who endure hell because of her?

"Give me more time, Sara. Please." He begged, silently wrapping his arms around her waist.

Sara sobbed suddenly, letting go of all her emotions. She buried herself into his chest and wound her arms around him.

He hated when he did to her. He hated lying to her. He hated knowing that he couldn't guarantee her happily ever after. He couldn't even guarantee her tomorrow, much less another chance at life.

Michael pried himself from the bed where he had fallen asleep next to her. She had sobbed in his arms for twenty minutes until finally giving into sleep. Completely forgetting about waiting to look him over and for that Michael sent a silent pray of thanks. He wasn't ready for that just yet.

He stared down at her sleeping form for a moment. In both prisons he had dreamed of her. Dreamt of seeing her like this….seeing her in his bed fast asleep. He had dreamt of another life for them. In one prison he plotted and planned on how to have that life. In the other he plotted and planed to end his life quickly, just to give her peace.

Michael tore his eyes from her figure, he couldn't stay here. He bent forward, placed a heavy kiss on her forehead then moved back. He had to go; there was work to be done.

Michael approached Alice with a heavy step. "Did you get everything I asked for ready?"

"Yes." The woman answered looking up from him.

"Where's Lincoln?" Michael asked, looking around the small dining room.

"Sent him up to get some shut eye," Alice stepped off the stool she was on. "Sara?"

"The same," Michael answered quickly.

"Ready?"

Michael looked back at the steps that lead to the two people he loved most.

"Yeah."