"You back so soon Linc?" The guard outside Michael's hospital room asked, smiling cordially as Lincoln approached.

"Yeah…just went home to shower and pick a few things up for Michael." Lincoln informed him, handing over his shopping bag for the guard's inspection.

"Sweats, t-shirts, boxers…" the guard said as he picked through the bag. "What's this?" he asked, pulling what looked like a tangled mess of medal rings and bars from the bag.

Lincoln shrugged.

"Some sort of puzzle. My son's girlfriend picked it up for him. She thought he might like it."

"Oh yeah." The guard replied inspecting it more closely. "My wife got one of these as a gift from her friend a few years ago. We never have managed to solve one it. And believe me…I've spent hours trying."

Lincoln smiled as he took the tangled mess of medal back and placed it back in the bag.

"Yeah well…I'll have Michael put it back together for you before I leave and you can spend hours working on this one. How's that sound?"

The guard laughed.

"You really think he'll figure it out that quick."

Lincoln smiled.

"Abolutely. But let's just keep that between us. OK. My future daughter-in-law would be crushed if she found out. She's hoping this thing will keep him happily distracted for hours."

The guard laugh.

"Will do." He replied, playfully slapping Lincoln on the back as Lincoln headed into the room.

Michael was asleep when Lincoln walked in which didn't surprise him. His brother had been in the hospital two days now and most of that time had been spent sleeping. The doctors insisted this was the best thing for him. While tests had shown no indication of any permanent damage to Michael's heart, his doctors were still concerned about him. Lack of sleep and food coupled with the persistent mental stress and anxiety had done a number on Michael's system and they insisted it could be weeks before Michael returned to full physical strength. Which is why they refused to release him and have him returned to Prison. Luckily, no one in the DOC had fought them on this and for that Lincoln was grateful.

Lincoln set his bag on the floor and began pulling out the clothes and other items he had brought and placed them neatly in the drawers of the small table beside Michael's bed. He then began tacking some new photos of Veronica, along with a note from Mrs. Tamworth, on the corkboard above Michael's bed. He had just finished tacking the last picture to the board when Michael began to stir and opened his eyes.

"Linc?"

"Sorry buddy." Lincoln whispered. "I didn't mean to wake you. Go back to sleep."

"No. It's OK." Michael replied groggily as he struggled to sit himself up. Lincoln helped him by using the remote to raised Michael up and then helped him adjust his pillow so he would be seated more comfortably.

Michael glanced over at the clock, which read 3:00 pm then turned his attention back to Lincoln.

"What are you doing back here?" He asked, rubbing his tired eyes.

"I told you I was coming back." Lincoln replied.

Michael sighed.

"You don't have to be here all the time Lincoln. I'm fine."

"I know that." Lincoln said with a smile. "The doctor's say you're doing much better."

"Well…then why are you still here?"

"Because I wanna be." Lincoln insisted.

Michael chuckled.

"I'm not going to win this argument. Am I?"

"Nope." Lincoln laughed and then took a seat in the armchair beside the bed. "So…I got some good news."

"Yeah? What's that?" Michael said, yawning as he stretched his aching arms out over his head.

"Durst's meeting with the DOC is set for tomorrow."

"Really?" Michael replied, sounding more surprised than excited as he lowered his hands back into his lap.

"Really." Lincoln confirmed. "This is it Mikey. You're gonna be home in a few days.

Michael said nothing. He gave his brother a weak smile, then looked down and began picking nervously at his fingers.

"Michael. Did you hear what I just said?" Lincoln asked.

"Yeah Linc. I heard you."

"Well, you don't look too excited about it." Lincoln pointed out.

"That could be because I'm not." Michael stated matter-of-factly.

Lincoln shook his head in disbelief.

"What?"

"I'm not excited Linc." Michael repeated. "I'm terrified."

"What…What are you talking about? Michael, we have been waiting five years for this." Lincoln exclaimed. "You can finally relax and…"

"Relax?" Michael scoffed.

"Yes. Relax." Lincoln insisted. "You don't ever have to go back there Michael. You're free."

"Maybe I want to go back." Michael replied calmly. "At least I know what to expect there.

Once again, Lincoln shook his head. He was lost for words. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Honestly Linc…" Michael continued. "What the hell do I have to look forward to out there besides a life of infamy and rejection. I mean…look at me."

Michael threw his tattood and scarred arms into the air.

"Who the hell is going to want me for anything?"

"Michael…" Lincoln began.

"And what about the families of all the people that died because of me and what I did? How are they going to feel knowing that I am a free man after serving only five years."

"You didn't kill anyone Michael." Lincoln insisted.

"No I didn't." Michael conceded. "I didn't kill David Apolskis. I just knowingly and willingly involved a nineteen year old kid in a dangerous situation that eventually got him killed. And I didn't kill that guard during the prison riot. I just started the riot that got him killed. And I didn't kill all of those people that T-bag murdered I just…"

"Michael! Stop it! OK! Just stop!"

"I don't deserve to be free Lincoln."

"Well the court apparently disagrees. They sentenced you Michael and you've served your time. It's time for you to start over. It's time for you to have a life again."

"A life? What life?" Michael asked him.

"Listen." Lincoln said, leaning forward and placing a strong hand on his brother's shoulder. "I know it's going to be hard. Believe me. I've been there. I'm still there. But it will get easier. I promise you. In time…people will forget and you and I will get on with our lives."

Michael looked up at Lincoln. But in his eyes, Lincoln did not see a 35-year-old man poised to start the rest of his life. What Lincoln saw in Michael's eyes at that moment was the same fear and uncertainty he had seen so many times in Michael when they were young. It broke his heart and just like in the past, Lincoln did not know what to do to calm his brother's fears. Finally, he said the only thing he could think of…

"We'll get through this Michael. You just have a little faith."

TBC