Disclaimer: I do not own Prison Break in any way. If I did I can assure you there would be no hiatus and we all wouldn't be suffering major withdrawals right about now...
A/N: Soooo sorry about the long wait between chapters, hope you all haven't forgotten. It's midnight now but I wanted to get this up so I could wake up to your opinions (hint, hint). It was christmas today, and christmas is exhausting. :S Anyhoo, MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! Without further ado...
Chapter Ten
All this feels strange and untrue The anger swells in my guts
And I won't waste a minute without you
My bones ache, my skin feels cold
And I'm getting so tired and so old
And I won't feel these slices and cuts
I want so much to open your eyes
Cos I need you to look into mine
Open You Eyes – Snow Patrol
Michael observed the fear that had multiplied in Sara's eyes at the sound of Kellerman's voice. Realization dawned on him as he felt her nails dig deeper still into his arm, causing blood to run out over his heavily tattooed forearm.
As he felt her clinging to him, he looked from Paul to Sara, then back to Paul. His eyes connected with hers and the look in Sara's stare was one of sheer terror. Michael's memory flashed back to her injuries he'd seen the night before, the bruises, the cuts, and the look of sadness on her face; all hints that she had been in pain and afraid for her life. He felt something inside him snap.
All of a sudden, he finally realized how it was possible for his father to murder another human being, because, right now, in this moment; Michael wanted to kill Paul Kellerman. But not only did he want to kill him; he wanted him to feel the pain and terror that she felt. He wanted to hurt him, to damage him, as much as he'd damaged her.
The look of cockiness on Paul's face enraged Michael. The arrogant son of a bitch was smug and clearly enjoying Sara's fear; the woman he had only days ago tortured and nearly murdered.
Kellerman saw something change in Michael's eyes, and surprisingly, it managed to scare the shit out of him. Sure, he hadn't exactly expected a welcome wagon, but the look in Michael's eyes was fierce; it was the epitome of rage. Kellerman's cocky grin faltered and he attempted to take a small step backwards.
Lincoln was watching the whole exchange warily. It didn't take a genius to understand the looks passing between Michael and Kellerman, not to mention the fact that Sara appeared to be frozen in shock. The tension in the room was palpable.
Sara was in fact, rooted to the ground in shock. Minutes earlier she'd been marginally happy for the first time in weeks, with the prospect of the boys finding someone that may be able to help exonerate Lincoln, and thus bring down the conspiracy, and now…now she was petrified, and justifiably so. It had been foolish for her to let herself become lost in Michael's presence, and push the reality of their situation to the back of her mind, that much she knew. But still, the last person she expected to see when she felt so safe with Michael, was Lance.
After what seemed like an eternity, but in reality only took place in about 30 seconds, Michael lunged at Paul. His first punch connected with Paul's jaw, sending him flying back against the wall, his back making a large thud on impact. Even though Michael was pretty sure he'd heard one of Paul's ribs crack, Paul managed to stay upright, wavering slightly but keeping his ground.
However, Kellerman only had a few seconds to catch his breath as Michael was on him again. His fist connected with Paul's jaw several more times, sending blood rushing from the battered man's nose and splattering onto the already dirty carpet.
By now, Lincoln was yelling at Michael, trying – and failing – to pull him off of the former agent. Though in reality he knew Michael must have a damn good reason to have flown into such a rage, he still knew they needed Paul if they ever wanted to stand a chance at exposing the conspiracy and bringing those involved down.
Sara was still standing frozen in the doorway, a look of panic painted on her face. She watched in terror as Michael threw punch after punch at Paul, all connecting solidly on the man's bloody face.
"MICHAEL!" Lincoln bellowed, frantically trying to pull Michael off of the bloody man before them. "You're going to kill him!"
At Lincoln's words Michael spun around to face him.
"GOOD!" Michael screamed back at him, turning his face to Lincoln as he pushed Kellerman back against the wall. Paul's back connected with the bricks and he slid down to the ground so that he was propped up against the wall.
"This son of a bitch," Michael continued furiously, "tortured Sara." Michael stood in front of Paul, but with his head turned to face Lincoln.
"He drowned her." Michael stated as he kicked Paul in the ribs.
"He electrocuted her." He continued as his boot connected with Paul's stomach, causing him to groan in pain.
"He almost killed her." Michael finished as he turned his attention back to Kellerman, sending another kick spiraling into him.
"Michael, we need him," Lincoln tried to reason, his pleas falling on deaf ears as Michael continued to abuse Paul, who was now cowering on the floor in agony.
Coughing back blood, Paul turned on the floor to face Michael and Lincoln, his face contorting into a twisted smile. Unable to fight back physically, he decided to hit Michael where he knew it would hurt.
"Oh, you should have seen her scream as I held her head underwater," he sputtered, wiping some blood from his swollen chin.
"She cried for you, for her life. It was pitiful." He laughed.
His words only enraged Michael further, and he sent another assault of kicks into the man's stomach.
Paul was on his back on the floor as Michael's boot connected with his side, causing several more ribs to crack.
Lincoln continued to try to stand between Michael and Paul, as Michael circled Paul, throwing a kick or two into him along his way.
Finally, Michael felt someone grab his arm, and he turned around angrily, panting heavily, the physical exhaustion setting in. His rage dissipated as he realized it was Sara. Amongst the midst of the attack he'd completely forgotten she was there. His main concern had been inflicting as much pain as humanly possible on Paul.
She stared at him evenly, the fear having drained from her face to be replaced by determination.
"We may need him, Michael." She told him calmly, her hand still gently holding onto his arm. Her touch calmed him down. She was okay. No matter what Paul had done to her, she was okay.
Sara's interruption surprised him. Michael knew she was right, and even though every cell in his body was telling him to finish Paul off, he backed away. Sara however, remained.
She took a few steps towards Paul and placed a foot on his chest.
"Hi Lance." She smiled sweetly, applying pressure to the fresh iron burn on his chest.
Kellerman winced in pain as she pushed her foot down further on the fresh sore. Finally, Sara turned her foot on his chest, grinding the burn with her shoe. She felt the newly healed skin tearing and sending waves of pain through his body. The last thing Kellerman saw were Sara's unwavering eyes as his world went black and he slipped into unconsciousness.
A/N: So, as you can see, I really want Paul to suffer some pain. lol. After the whole, "It's okay...you're okay" after he drowns Sara, and is then all nice and drying her hair before he dunks her back in... (shudder). Eeep, creepy. Anyhoo, I think Michael's anger is understandable to a degree. Eh, let me know what you think. :D