Back in the T.V. room…
"Could someone clue me in?" Aldo asked.
"Dad, that's Sara Tancredi", Lincoln told the elder Burrows.
"Really!? That's her?" Aldo asked astonished. He had no idea she would be so easy to find. He had already started thinking about finding her after the news of her father, but here she was. Could their luck really be changing?
"Yes, and her father did not commit suicide. He was murdered", Veronica added.
"Just like they did mom", LJ piped in to his dad.
A look crossed Lincoln's face that Veronica knew all too well, the look of regret, the look of remorse, the look of a man in emotional despair.
"I know what you're thinking Link and you need to stop", Veronica stated coming up to him.
"I should have just accepted it, instead of fighting it. This would not be happening right now. Too many people have died V."
"Link, this still would be happening. It's not about you. It's about me", Aldo chimed in.
"What?" Link asked closing his eyes, unsure if he wanted to hear this.
"They want me, Lincoln. They've done all this to flush me out into the open. It's how they work. They knew I would not let my son die, knowing he's innocent. I couldn't do it Link. I had to stop the execution. I know you hate me, but I love you and Mike with all my heart and that's why I disappeared in the first place, to keep both of you safe. We will fight this and we will win."
"But at what cost, dad? Too many people are dying and for what? Is it worth it? What are we fighting for?" Lincoln asked angrily.
"We are fighting to make things right. We are fighting to take the company down so this will stop and they can't do this to another family. We are fighting to do the right thing".
Lincoln lowered himself to sit on the arm of the couch, so tired of this mess.
"I'm not sure how much fight I have left dad", he said, sounding totally defeated.
Veronica walked up to Link, positioning herself between his legs. Her arms went around his neck to hold the back of his head.
"You listen to me. You have to fight. You have to make things right again. LJ needs you. Michael needs you. I need you. If you don't care enough to fight for yourself, then do it for us."
A tear fell from her eye as Lincoln pulled her to him in a loving embrace.
"I need you too V. All of you".
"Then don't you dare give up on me", she said into the warmth of his chest.
Back in the bathroom…
They stayed like that for who knows how long as Sara let it all come out and Michael simply held her as it happened. He buried his nose into her hair as he whispered things into her ear. "Shh…" "You're safe" "It's going to be okay" and the most important one for her, "I'm here". When her sobs finally slowed, he moved onto his butt, leaning his back against the wall for support. She came down with him, settling between his legs, and her back still to him, leaning and holding onto his arm. He used his other hand to brush back hair from her face.
After hearing things quiet down and upon Lincoln cluing him in, Aldo walked towards the bathroom, to check on the young couple. He noticed Sara sound asleep, clutching his son's arm, her frame still racked with an occasional, involuntary sniffle.
"Is she going to be okay?" Daddy Burrows whispered.
Michael looked up to his estranged father with tears in his eyes. "I don't know", was all he could say.
"I'm so sorry for all of this Michael", Aldo started out.
"Look, can we do this tomorrow? We all need some sleep."
"Sure son. You know where you are staying?"
"Yeah, upstairs, third door on the left right?" Michael asked.
"Yup, and Link, Veronica, and L.J. are right across the hall from you and in case you need anything I'm at the end of the hall".
"Thank you", Michael replied, truly meaning it.
"Your Welcome. Do you need any help?" he asked referring to the sleeping Sara.
"No, I got it. Good night dad".
Aldo Burrows turned and smiled at the sound of his kid calling him dad. He'd waited so long to hear those words and it made his face shine. He could only hope he could live up to the word now and keep his family and their loved ones as safe as he promised too.
Michael didn't want to move her, but knew if he didn't they would both be sorry in the morning.
"Sara?" he whispered trying to wake her as gently as possible. It was then that she started talking in her sleep and made his blood boil.
"Why are you doing this? I don't know anything. Please don't do this."
He closed his eyes in emotional turmoil, trying not to blame himself for what ever she had been through.
"Sara, it's Michael. You're safe, but we're on the bathroom floor. We need to go up to bed", he soothed to her, brushing back her hair, allowing her to wake up slowly and take in her surroundings.
"Michael?" she questioned sounding so unsure of herself.
"I'm here", was all he said. She lifted herself up off his arm and turned to face him for the first time since they had entered the bathroom. He pushed himself off the floor and then held his hands out to her.
"C'mon. Let's go get into a nice, warm bed". Sara allowed herself to take his hands and be pulled up.
He continued to hold one of her hands with one of his as he stopped to pick up her dropped bag and held it, then led her to the bedroom they would be staying in. It was rather cozy, homey looking. There was a large king sized bed in the middle with night tables and lamps on each side. They had a bathroom attached to their room and two closets, his and hers, with clothes that actually fit.
"Where did all this come from?" Sara asked astonished.
"Jane, my dad's assistant, is amazing. When Link and I got here, she went out shopping for clothes. I told her I hoped to be seeing you and she bought for you too, in case you came. I'm really glad you're here", Michael finished.
"Me too", Sara said and turned with a shy smile.
"There should be some pajamas in there if you want to get more comfortable."
Sara looked in the closet and found a tank top and a pair of pajama bottoms. She took them and went to the bathroom to change. She noticed her dressing on her stomach was getting a little damp from drainage from the burn. She would have to remember to change it tomorrow. She washed her face and brushed her teeth, feeling better she left the bathroom.
She walked out to see Michael clad in a pair of flannel pajama bottoms and nothing else, although his tattoos certainly made it look like he was wearing a shirt. Sara had to stop the thoughts going through her head, realizing they were still very much in danger and not some love struck teenagers. Michael had pulled the covers down and was waiting for her.
"You want right or left?"
"Neither", she answered shyly.
"Um okay…I'm not sure what that means," he answered.
"I want the middle", she paused and then added with a whisper, "with your arms around me".
"Are you sure?" he asked, not wanting to be too forward.
"Positive".
Michael climbed into the bed and laid on his side opening his arms to her. Sara laid down so her back was to his stomach and he wrapped his arms tightly around her, placing his face in her neck.
"Is this okay?" he asked.
"Perfect", she replied, tangling her arms and legs with his and letting herself relax. She needed to feel as close to him as possible. She needed to feel his safety. She'd crawl inside his body and disappear if that were possible.
"Good night, Michael".
"Good night", he answered, reaching up to turn off the light and they both fell into a very peaceful sleep.