Michael parked his car in front of her apartment. He moved quickly to once again open her door for her. When she didn't immediately get out he offered her his hand, which she took. She stood but didn't release his hand so he reached from behind and closed the car door.

They walked into her apartment building hand in hand. The security guard nodded hello Sara nodded back. She could feel Michael tense a little beside her. Sara knew this was a gut reaction to when he had been on the run, always trying to be inconspicuous. A few weeks after his release they had been at the mall trying to find him a new suit for his interviews. He hadn't wanted to wear the same one he had for his trial, which she understood. It was then he had confided in her that it was times like these he missed his baseball cap. She was sure this was another one of these times.

When the elevator door closed behind them she felt him begin to relax again but now her nerves were starting. Once the elevator doors opened to her floor and he walked her to her door she knew what would happen. She would open the door and he would begin to say goodnight. But tonight she was going to change things. She had a plan and she was going to stick to it.

The elevator doors opened to her floor and they both stepped out. When they reached her door she released his hand, found her keys, and opened the door. But instead of turning back to face him as she usually did, she pushed the door open wide and headed straight for her kitchen.

Michael was left at the door not quite knowing what to think. Ever since they pulled up to her apartment she had be acting a little weird. He couldn't quite put his finger on it. She had held tightly to his hand ever since he had offered it to her. Not that he minded. It was just different. Now instead of the usual goodnight ritual they had at the door that always left him feeling content if not sometimes a bit frustrated, he was standing in her open doorway alone watching as she retreated into her kitchen. After a few seconds, he saw her peak her head back around the corner, "Would you like something to drink? I can put some coffee on?"

It took another second to register that she was inviting him in. Although he had been in her apartment several times before, they had always ended their evening outings together at her door. Tonight was different, however, on many levels. This was a date and it wasn't uncommon to be invited in for coffee after an evening out. So Michael stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

He was only halfway to the kitchen when Sara emerged. "The coffee is on. It should be ready in about ten minutes." She headed to the couch and sat down so he followed suit.

Sara wasn't quite sure what to do now. She had gotten him to come inside so she could mark step one off her list. The question was what to do now. Thankfully she was saved from coming up with an answer. Michael was sitting beside her on the sofa and was suddenly looking more nervous that she was.

"Sara I'm sorry this evening didn't go exactly as I planned. I wanted it to be perfect for you."

"It has been a lovely evening Michael."

He gave her a shy smile and took a deep breath. "Sara there was something I wanted to ask you tonight, but…well, you know."

Sara smiled back. Yes. She knew he was referring to the reporter that had interrupted the end of their meal but things had turned out fine, better than fine in her opinion.

Michael reached into his pants pocked and felt the small velvet box. "Sara…" Just then his cell phone began to ring. His head was spinning. Who was calling him now?!

His cell rang a second time and still he didn't answer it. "Are you going to get that?" Sara asked.

Pulled out of his thoughts, he released his hold on the box and pulled out his cell.