SARA

2 days later

Sara excused herself, and pushing her chair back from the table, she headed for the Ladies room. Alex watched her walk away, her backside reminding him that work could indeed sometimes be fun. He continued to watch her until she turned a corner and was no longer in sight. He then casually pulled his pen from his pocket, and unscrewing the cap, he dumped a small round pill into his palm. Glancing around to make sure he wasn't being observed, he then just as casually dropped the small pill into Sara's coffee. He stirred it as it quickly dissolved leaving no trace of its existence. He then put Sara's coffee back in its rightful place. A few minutes later Sara, back from the Ladies room, pulled out her chair to sit down. When Alex, ever the gentleman started to rise from his chair, Sara motioned for him to remain seated. Alexander Mahone then watched intently as Sara smiled at him and lifted her drug laced coffee to her lips.

Sara sat across from Alex listening to his soothing voice.
This was their second date, and so far everything was going well. Before leaving the bar the night they had met, Alex had asked her for her phone number. Sara, unsure at the time, but also unwilling to hurt his feelings after he had been so kind to her had given it to him. She had been surprised when Alex called the very next evening asking her to go to dinner. She had been even more surprised by the small thrill that shot through her at the invitation. Sara had told herself it was just that she didn't want to be alone. But sitting across from him now, she found herself wondering if maybe there wasn't something more?
Being with Alex seemed to soothe her frazzled nerves, to make her feel relaxed and less anxious. She took a sip of her coffee and settling back she giggled as he continued his funny story about the dangers of being an office supplies salesman.

MICHAEL

He sat outside the restaurant, waiting impatiently for Sara and the man to come out. Michael had been watching Sara on and off for the last 2 days. On this night he had been about to leave his vigil outside her apartment when a man had pulled up in a dark car. Michael had sat forward in his seat in curious alarm as the man had gone into Sara's apartment. He had fought the urge to rush to the door and demand to be let in for the few minutes it took for Sara to exit with the man. The man's features having been obscured by the shadows had left Michael with no clue as to his identity. Now, Michael sat tapping an anxious beat on the steering wheel, as he waited for what seemed to him like hours, but was probably only an hour and a half at the most. He couldn't stop the rampant thoughts from monopolizing his mind. Who was this guy, and how long had Sara known him? Was this someone new? He put his head in his hands trying to fight the urge once again to go and claim what was his; what he wished was his.

He was telling himself to just wait, when a laughing Sara emerged from the restaurant followed closely by her date.
Michael watched heartbroken at Sara's apparent happiness. He took a deep breath and was about to start the engine and leave when the man she was with stepped into the glow of the street lamp. Michael froze when he saw a face he very much recognized from his newspaper clippings. Michael watched with dread as Alexander Mahone took Sara's hand and smiled at her laughter. Then, his heart pounding and his mind racing as his hands clutched the steering wheel tightly Michael watched as Mahone opened the car door for Sara and helped her in. Taking a deep breath Michael started the car and waited. When Mahone pulled on to the road, still Michael waited. He watched the clock waiting. When 3 minutes had passed Michael swiftly pulled away from the curb and headed in the direction of Sara's apartment.

Michael pulled up to the curb a block away from Sara's apartment.
He knew that he had to keep at a safe distance. He knew that if Mahone saw him it would be a disaster. His blood boiled as he watched as Mahone opened Sara's car door for her and escort her to her front door. "Don't let him in, Sara", said Michael to the empty car, his voice sounding desperate even to his ears. He pounded the steering wheel in frustration as he watched Mahone follow Sara inside. She shut the door and that left Michael with only his imagination.

What was she doing? She couldn't have known him long. "Sara, come on"! He said pounding the wheel again. He rubbed his hands over his head and then leaned back in the seat. He tried reasoning with himself, telling himself that Mahone was an FBI agent, an FBI agent who wanted him.
If Mahone is trying to get to me through Sara, he told himself then she is only good to him alive. Michael had read and reread the news clippings so many times he knew them by heart. He knew that Mahone had been under suspicion of using undue force, especially where David Apolskis was concerned. David had been handcuffed when Mahone brought him down.

Michael still felt sick whenever he thought about Tweener.
He felt he should have helped him more. But the truth was, Michael's
family came first. They always came first. And getting the money from Westmoreland's stash had been the only way he could help his family; to make a life for them in Mexico. So why then, he wondered now, am I not in Mexico with them? The answer was simple. With Sara it was different. When it came to Sara none of the rules applied.

He swung the car door open and stepped out, quietly shutting it.
He walked casually towards her building, and around the side.
He needed to find a window. He had to see what was going on in there.
He crawled under the window and standing up, he pushed his body flat against the side of the building. He then turned his body slightly to allow himself to see inside. He watched, his breath catching in his throat as Sara smiled at Mahone. God, she was beautiful! He couldn't take his eyes off her.

He watched as she ran her hand through her glossy hair and leaned forward in anticipation of what Mahone might say next. He forced himself to look at what he could see of Mahone, which wasn't much, since the man was sitting in a chair with his back to the window. Michael couldn't help it when his eyes were drawn back to Sara. He watched as Sara's mouth moved but he couldn't hear what she was saying. She always spoke so softly. He knew his being there was dangerous, but he also knew leaving wasn't an option.

Michael stood watching her smile, wondering if she would ever again smile at him like that. Suddenly she got up and went into the kitchen. When she was out of sight Mahone stood up and turning, he walked towards the window. Holding his breath, hoping he wouldn't be seen, Michael slid his body along the side of the building into the shadows. He then slid down to a couching position to wait.