A/N: Okay, so I know some people may be getting a little bored with this, and hoping for drama. I just wanted to let you know that I've been kinda planning each chapter, well at least, planning what will happen in each chapter, and the main purpose of this story is to follow the thoughts and feelings of both Michael and Sara post fall finale. That said, although this chapter is a little on the fluff side, I think you'll find the next one quite satisfactory with respect to the action. Anyhow, please, please, please review. Even if it is criticism. Seriously. :) Enjoy!
Chapter Nine
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathing
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathing
Hold on to me and, never let me go
A short while later, Michael and Sara had pulled into a small diner. They hadn't spoken much since Michael had told her about his father; but it was a comfortable silence. As always, verbal speech was unnecessary; they seemed to be able to speak volumes with only their eyes.
Now, they sat across from each other in a smooth booth hidden in the corner. They'd both already placed their orders and were now just waiting for their food to arrive. Earlier, Sara had nibbled on some food Michael had thought to bring, and it was all she had eaten since the Kellerman incident. Needless to say, she was starving.
Her thoughts were brought back to the fact that she could feel Michael's legs lightly resting against her own under the table. The subtle contact gave her so much unexpected comfort. Any time either one of them shifted in their seats, their legs would brush even more against each other, and they were occasionally shooting each other small smiles.
As if on cue, Michael sat slightly forward in his seat, causing his legs to slightly enclose her own. She couldn't quite believe how much she enjoyed the feel of his strong legs against her own. Her thoughts were interrupted by the waitress arriving with their food. She eyed her pancakes and bacon and eggs hungrily. And once again, neither of them spoke; they were much too involved in their meals, though the contact between their legs still remained.
"Oh god," Sara moaned in pleasure.
Michael raised his eyebrows at her, and she blushed.
"Sorry, it's just that…it may just be my extreme starvation talking, but these are seriously the best pancakes I've ever eaten." She replied, smiling brightly despite the circumstances of the morning, of their situation in general.
He grinned at her in return, and replied, "They have lumps of flour in them."
"Whatever." She laughed. She seriously couldn't believe the light heartedness of the atmosphere, considering the events that had transpired that morning. Nevertheless, she wasn't complaining. It was nice, and necessary, to have a few moments of silliness to break up the pain and drama that had become their life.
After several minutes, Sara had eaten far more than her stomach could handle, and it protested accordingly. She leaned back into her seat, her hand resting on her stomach.
"You okay?" Michael asked, clearly enjoying her predicament.
"I'm a Doctor, you'd think I'd know to pace myself," Sara groaned.
"And you'd think you'd be neater…" Michael joked.
"Huh?" She asked, slightly confused.
He motioned to the corner of his mouth, "You've got a little something.."
She nervously licked her lips, attempting to remove the smudge.
"Here," he murmured softly, leaning forward over the table, his finger making contact with the corner of her mouth, gently wiping off a small amount of syrup that she'd missed.
Their eyes connected, and neither could bear to look away. Michael remained leaning forward in his seat, their legs involuntarily interlocked, and his hand lingering on her chin. They were both too caught up into each others stare to even realize the position they were in. All thoughts of her stomach had drifted out of Sara's mind; her only thoughts were on the man whose lips were just now only mere inches away from her own.
Michael began to inch closer, just as the waitress returned with their bill, swiftly destroying the moment. Michael smiled at her and leant back into his seat, offering the waitress a small thank you, even though he was silently cursing her for the interruption.
He had no idea what had almost happened. It seemed that even in the midst of all the chaos and the conspiracy, Sara simply made it all melt away. When he was that close to her, he could think of nothing but how he wanted to kiss her, to touch her, and he was almost certain she was thinking the same thing.
Shit. Sara wondered to herself. What the hell was that? She was barely able to stand as Michael paid the bill, still weak from their close encounter.
They walked together out of the diner and towards the car. Their arms gently brushed against each other with every step, and Sara felt the electricity sweep through her with every touch.
She laughed nervously as she got into the car, Michael taking his place in the driver's seat next to her.
"So how far away are we now?" She inquired, trying to keep her thoughts on something….appropriate.
"No more than an hour," Michael replied, his arm subtly touching hers.
True to his word, in just under an hour they were pulling up outside the hotel where here had left Lincoln and Paul earlier the previous night. Michael made his way around to Sara's door, opening it for her; had it been another time, under other circumstances, she might have giggled at his act of chivalry.
She followed him up to the door, and he again subtly placed his hand on the small of her back as he knocked on the door. It was the subtle glances and touches that passed between them that drove her crazy. The brief moments of contact that she secretly wished would last so much longer.
The door opened and they were greeted by Lincoln. Relief washed over his face as he saw Michael and Sara – both in tact, standing at the doorway. He nodded hello to Michael, and offered a polite greeting to Sara.
"Sara," he welcomed her warmly, and also a little awkwardly.
She smiled and offered a small smile and a, "hi Lincoln," in reply.
All the while, Michael was watching Sara intently, and his brow furrowed when he saw her look past Lincoln's shoulder. He noticed her expression change from one of nervousness to one of shock, terror, and fear. Immediately, he became worried as he watched the blood rush from her face, turning her complexion ghostly pale.
He felt her hands grab his arm, and her nails dug into his skin, drawing blood. Confused, Lincoln stepped out of the doorway, giving Michael a clear visual of the object of Sara's distress; the man who called himself Agent Paul Kellerman.
As Kellerman became even more visible to Sara, her nails only dug further into Michael's arm, though the pain was the last thing on his mind and he barely winced. He was slowly piecing together the strange interaction that was taking place.
Kellerman didn't falter; he took several steps towards the doorway, before offering Sara a welcome greeting.
"Sara! Didn't think I'd be seeing you again so soon!" He spoke cockily, knowing it was a suicidal move, but figuring that the truth was going to come out anyway.
A/N: Okay, so as you see, fluff followed by drama. And let me tell you, Michael is not going to go easy on Kellerman. And for that matter, neither is Sara; the man is in for some much deserved paaaaaaaaain.
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Until then, audios!
