Hi guys! Hope you enjoy this new chapter! The plot thickens is what this chapter reminds me of. Pretty please review, and the next chapter will be here soon. Stay healthy and well. There's some cursing (have you met Linc) he swears like a sailor. Jewelie PS: Thank you Beach, Dawn, Fanclaire, Rubyblue for the reviews makes my heart happy and keeps me inspired to write. Oh, and Beach I fixed that last chapter it was to OOC

Chapter 7:

As they walked out into the warm sunlight Linc put his arm around Michael's shoulders and they talked. "Do you think you brought enough stuff in your bag to keep you busy?" Mike looked up at his brother and smiled, "I really hope so, but I'm just going to most likely read and get ready for school to start." Linc laughed, "How'd I end up with such a geek for a brother? Mom used to have to force me to do my homework and ugh read a book! Forget it." He rubbed Michael's upper back laughing as Mike glared at him. "Hey, reading is a great escape from our own realities, and I find it fascinating." He defended himself. Lincoln smiled and the bus came a minute later and Linc paid as they got on.

Michael didn't want to sit down and gave pleading eyes to Lincoln. "Then stand Michael, you have to hold on to the pole though." Linc sounded annoyed, but if he could stand that was fine with him. Michael smiled and held on as the bus sputtered forward and soon Linc dinged their stop. The weather warmed up and a warm wind greeted them as the doors opened. They walked in silence and soon the construction site was in view, "Michael, tell me what's expected of you today?" Mike tried his hardest not to roll his eyes, Linc was treating him like he was a child and it annoyed him. "Gee, I don't know Linc, don't run in the streets with cars?" He answered sarcastically.

Linc immediately stopped walking, gripping Mike's arm tightly, "We just had a discussion this morning about your attitude, didn't we?" Linc looked pissed off and Michael shook his head yes quickly. "Can the attitude Mike, you're in enough trouble, got it?" Linc looked at Mike he looked exhausted, "I'll repeat this again, not a threat a promise. You misbehave and I'll beat your ass in front of the crew. I don't care if you'll be embarrassed, now where are the welts on your ass?" Michael felt tears pooling in his eyes, "On my, on my thighs." He whispered out mortified. "Good, so I can beat your ass, but I gotta tell you Mikey, I'd like not to. So, you're going to take a nap," Michael whined and Linc grabbed his bicep harder shaking it, "No, no fit, it's happening. Jose has a truck and you'll lay in there and go to sleep when we arrive. Then, you'll do the work you brought and stay where I can see you. Got it?"

Linc's voice was soft with an edge to get Mike's attention, but he wanted to make sure he knew the rules. If he took a nap now the heat wouldn't be that bad and hopefully, Mike would wake up with a new attitude. "Yeah Linc, and I'll be good today, I'm just tired." Linc smiled, "Oh I know Mikey, tired and cranky as hell." He rubbed his brother's hair and patted his back gently, "Remember, you're grounded so don't get any ideas about disappearing." Mike wanted to tell him Kim lived nearby so he might see her, but he worried Linc would forbid him from talking to her, so he kept quiet.

As they approached the construction site the guys waved at them and Linc introduced everyone to Michael. They all knew the kid, but there were a couple of new guys who didn't. As Linc's boss, Jerry, approached them he laughed. "Ah Michael, you get in trouble?" Michael's face radiated heat off his cheeks because he was embarrassed, "Yes sir, I'll stay out of the way and won't bother anyone." Jerry laughed again, "It's fine kid, don't sweat it and hey I might have a project for you to do." Mike wanted to roll his eyes because Jerry loved free labor, but he had a book to read. He felt Linc's hand grab and gently squeeze his shoulder, "Yeah Jer, whatever you need Michael doesn't mind helping out a little."

Jerry rubbed his gut and smiled, "Thanks Lincoln, they need you on the third floor today." He smiled his teeth stained with coffee and crooked. Lincoln squeezed Michael's shoulder a little harder, "Just let me know when you need my help sir, I'll be in Jose's truck when you need me." Jerry took the toothpick from his pocket putting it in his mouth nodding and walked away. Michael always got the creeps from Jerry, but he was nice enough and Linc let go of his shoulder. "Alright Mike, help Jerry when he asks and stay out of trouble. Don't need me, but if you do, I'll be on the third floor. I can see Jose's truck from there, so unless you have to piss or help Jerry, don't go anywhere. Got it?"

Michael looked miserable but looked at Lincoln, "Okay Linc, is it ok if I sleep in the cab of Jose's truck? The bed already is flooded with light," Linc smiled, "Yeah, yeah, but don't touch anything that isn't yours." He pointed his index finger at Mike's chest walking away and winked at him. Mike sighed and walked to the silver truck opening the cab door. Luckily the truck's back seat was empty and just long enough for Mike to fit comfortably. The back had velvet feeling cloth seats and Mike used his backpack and sweater as a makeshift pillow. It was oddly comfortable, and his eyes were heavy. Within minutes he fell asleep and dreamed of pancakes. He suddenly heard banging and he woke up gasping, looking around if those were gunshots.

Then he heard laughing and it was Lincoln and Jose hitting the truck roof to wake him up. He was on his side but rolled over getting up and yelped, which made Jose laugh harder. "Yeah, laugh it up Jose," Mike answered annoyed that he was being made fun of. Linc lightly tapped his friend's chest, "Hey Mike, we're going to grab some tacos from the stand down the street. Want to go?" Linc asked sounding gentler than usual. Linc felt bad that Jose laughed at Mike, but he also didn't want Michael sitting in the truck all day. "Oh, how late is it? Is it lunch already?" Linc laughed, "Yeah bro, you've been asleep this whole time, lucky for you because there are only a few hours left before we get to go home."

Michael smiled at that and rubbed his eyes getting out of the truck. His stomach growled loudly begging for tacos, "I'll come." They started walking towards the food truck. The weather was warm but still, a breezy 80 degree's and Jose was making jokes to Lincoln. As they laughed Mike scanned the streets to see if Kim happened to be walking by. No luck, but as they approached the taco truck, he saw two girls laughing, and eating tacos at the park bench. His heart started beating faster and his palms became sweaty. It was Kim, and she looked beautiful. Linc turned around to get Mike's order and saw that he looked nervous and as he followed his gaze he saw why. He smirked, "Mike, what do you want to eat?"

Mike without even looking at him said three carnitas tacos and a water. Linc loved this taco truck it was 75 cents a taco, and he got Mike 4 tacos since he knew his brother could eat. They waited a few minutes and Mike stared at the table still to see if Kim would look his way. Linc grabbed the foil-wrapped paper plates nudging Mike's shoulder, "Here's your food geek, why don't you go sit with your friends." Linc was feeling generous considering Mike was grounded, but this was the first time in a very long time Mike looked happy. Michael grabbed his plate, "You sure Lincoln?" He made sure to turn his attention to his brother and Linc smiled. "Yeah, go and have fun." Linc winked and Michael smiled walking up to the table. "Oh, hey Kim." He forced out before he lost his nerve. Kim looked up and her smile got brighter, "Mike! Oh my god! How are you? Jasper said you were grounded for sneaking out."

Michael laughed, "Yeah, I'm actually here with my brother for lunch." He looked Linc's way nodding. "Ah, cool, cool, sit-down Mike, you can eat with us if you'd like." She smiled. Michael smiled but internally he dreaded sitting and made a mental note to not scream out. He put his food down first and kept smiling as he gently sat down immediately scooting forward on the bench. It relieved some of the pain, and he was able to keep his smile and not wiggle around. Kim twirled her hair and giggled as Michael explained how he had to go with his brother to work because he was grounded.

He was starving so he ate his food while Kim talked about school and all the teachers she hated. Time seemed to go by quickly and he kept running his tongue over his teeth in hopes there was no cilantro stuck in the crevices. "Mike…" He heard Linc call for him and turned his head as his brother called him over. "Sorry Kim, I have to go, but I'll be around all week, so maybe, I'll you know, see you….around." He blushed. Kim smiled, "I hope so, here," she grabbed his hand gently as he stood up and wrote her number down with a pen. "Call me, if you want." He stood there dumbfounded until he heard Linc whistle loudly, "Michael Scofield move your ass." Linc sounded pissed, so Michael tugged his hand away, "I will, bye Kim." He threw his plate away and reached Lincoln in a minute. There was no way in hell he wanted Linc to swat him in front of Kim, "Sorry, I um, well she just…." Jose laughed loudly, "Kids in love."

Linc had a scowl on his face, "Kids about to get his ass swatted, when I call you Michael, you move. Got it?" Michael nodded, "Yeah, I'm sorry Linc." They started walking and Jose told jokes and suddenly Linc lifted Michael's hand, "Phone number huh?" Michael smiled, "Yeah." Linc laughed and they kept walking to the construction site and Michael went back to the truck. Linc waved bye, and eventually, Jerry came over with a box of cables. "Hey kid, can you do me a favor and roll these up? They're all tangled together, and I don't got time to fix'em." Michael felt annoyed with Jerry. He never paid him but just asked "favors" when Michael was around.

Michael sassed back, "I don't have time either." Jerry was taken aback by Mike's attitude, and it made him feel awkward. "Oh, okay kid, no problem." He abruptly left, taking the box with him. He saw Linc coming towards him and knew he was in for it. He felt guilty because Linc had been so nice to him during lunch. "Linc I," Mike started but Linc just opened the door of the truck and stood behind it with Mike. He spun Mike so he was facing the street and swatted him hard. Michael lost his breath and expected another swat but was swung to face Linc's blazing angry eyes, "When Jerry asks you to help him, you say yes sir. You do not I repeat, do not give him lip, and embarrass me. You'll put down 5 on your list Michael and you will find Jerry and apologize. Do you get me?"

Michael sucked in a breath letting a tear escape, nodding yes and he was grateful Linc tried to swat him with some privacy. "I'm, I'm sorry Linc." He managed to whisper out. Linc wiped his tears away and hugged him. "We're having a good day, don't ruin it with attitude okay." Mike hugged Linc back, "I'm sorry Linc, I'll go find Jer and apologize." Linc let him go, "Good, we're almost out of here, just a couple more hours, okay?" Michael looked into Linc's eyes they were softer, "I'm sorry Linc." Linc gently rubbed his shoulder, "I know Mikey, still write down 5, then go find Jerry."
Mike expected people to be staring, but no one was around, and he went to go find Jerry. He saw the man in his office trailer and knocked walking in, "Hey Jerry, I'm sorry I was rude earlier." Jerry smiled, "It's okay Mike, must be crappy being stuck here, but you know if you work makes time go faster ya know." Mike nodded and Jerry got up finding the box, handing it to him. Jerry brushed up against Michael and it made him feel uncomfortable, so he turned rushing out the door. "I'll get these back to you when I finish them." He yelled behind himself, and he placed the box in the back of Jose's truck.

He started to roll the cables and made a mental note to watch out for Jerry and try not to be alone with him. Jerry was acting sleazier than usual and soon the day was over, and the cables were neatly rolled. Jerry came grabbing the box and thanked Mike as Linc walked up. "How'd that go?" Linc asked. Michael grabbed his backpack from the back of Jose's truck, "It was fine, I got the cables done, but Linc." Michael hesitated to say anything, but he knew better than to keep anything from Linc, "Yeah Michael, what is it?" Before he could say anything, Jose walked up, "Hey guys, see you tomorrow." He started his truck and drove off as they waved bye. "Jose is a dick, he coulda offered us a ride home," Linc grumbled as they started walking towards the bus stop. "What did you want to tell me Mike?"