Chapter Four

At first, she didn't recognize them. After all, they both had loss a sickening amount of weight and had shaven the thick, dark hair that was a trait for the men in their family.

They now looked like deer caught in the headlights. Not sure of which way to turn, or how to react. It was an uncompromising situation for all three of them. But asHailey turned to talk to the blonde a sudden rage developed in Lincoln. She shouldn't be there- he didn't teach her to be like that. And he'd be damned if he was going to let her stay that way-- defiling herself in front of disgusting men. He wasn't going to stand for it.

"Hailey…" His voice was stern and unwavering. Like the way it use to be when her or Michael would get into trouble when they were younger.

She recognized that voice. She began to tremble as she looked down once again at the two men sitting at the table in front of her. Now their faces were clear to her.

She tried to cover herself and then tried to wipe the newly arriving tears from her eyes. Her glances switched quickly between them. And then to the floor.

"What are you doing here?" It was Michael. She wasn't looking at him--she could tell just by his voice. She had missed that voice; the smooth, yet soft tone that could comfort her in the most desperate situation. She felt him drape his button-down shirt over her shoulders. But when he touched her arm she pulled away.

It was all rushing back to her now. The reason she was in that godforsaken hell hole, the reason she had lost her job, and more so, the reason she had lost her faith.

"Don't touch me!" Her bottom lip quavered as she spoke. Her tone was harsh and she didn't intend for it to be taken any other way.

"Hayley." Lincoln took a step forward but as he did so, she took two steps back.

"Get out of here." Her voice was barely above a whisper now. She hadn't planned for this. When she had found out that Michael had lied to her and gotten himself locked away she had figured she would never seem either of them again. This was all too sudden.

"Don't do this, Hail." Michael grabbed for her arm again.

"No! Get off!"

"Hey, do we have a problem here?" It was the bouncer. Michael stepped back.

"No touching the girls. Or I'll have to kick you out." He didn't seem to really care, however. He walked away and went behind the bar to pour himself a drink.

"What's going on here?" The blonde looked confused, "I thought you two were retarded."

"Can you give us a second?" Lincoln asked. She shrugged and left.

"We need to talk." Michael pushed.

"You lied to me." Tears fell down her cheeks, "You told me you were on a business trip."

"I was protecting you."

"That's bullshit! I expected this from Lincoln, but you? You were all that I had left." She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, "How could you do something so stupid? You risked your life to save him--- but he killed a man, Michael."

"No, he didn't."

"Is that what he told you? And like he's never lied before?"

"I didn't murder anyone, Hailey." Lincoln locked eyes with her.

"I fell for enough of your bullshit when I was little. I forgave you every time you got yourself locked up for doing something stupid But I can't do it anymore. I saw that video, Lincoln. You killed that man."

"That video was rigged!" He barked, louder than intended. His sudden outburst, caused her to jump.

"Veronica is trying to clear it all up right now. I didn't kill anyone. He was already dead when I got there."

"But you were going to kill him?" She questioned.

"I didn't have a choice."

"Much better, Lincoln."

"He threatened my son."

"There could have been a million better ways to handle it." The tears that were still falling were full of anger, "I can't forgive you anymore."

"You don't mean that." Michael stated calmly. She looked like a small child in front of them now, rapped up in his long, buttoned down shirt. She had an innocence about her. One that definitely didn't belong in a strip club.

"Hey, you two are on T.V." One of the ladies piped up from the corner. Lincoln turned and walked closer, trying to get in better earshot of the Television.

"Lincoln Burrows and brother Michael Scofield are still on the loose. Police are warning not to approach these men, as they may be armed. The reward has been raised again to $80,000 for their capture or any information leading to their arrests. If you have any information please call…"

Lincoln turned back to them, his face unnaturally pallid.

"We have to get out of here."

Michael nodded. They couldn't stay. And he couldn't believe he had been so naïve as to think that they could actually get away with hiding out in town. The truth was he had wanted to come back and he knew it would be good for Lincoln. But he never weighed the possible risks. Their hometown was going to be one of the first places the police would look. And with the reward skyrocketing, not just the FEDS would be chasing them down.

Hailey eyed the T.V. once more.

"Why did you two even bother to come back?" She didn't want an answer. In all honesty, she knew they probably didn't have one.

"We'll be back. I swear to you." Michael touched her upper arm lightly, letting his thumb rub comforting circles over the fabric.

She shut her eyes tightly and bit her lower lip. She wanted to be mad-- hell, she wanted to be outrageously pissed, but it was inevitable. Her heart ached as she heard those words.

She opened her eyes once more to meet with the icy blue orbs that were staring back at her, "B-be careful." Was all she could say.

Lincoln walked forward first and rapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly. He knew it could be months or maybe years before he would see her again.

When he pulled back, Michael was right there to fill the void. He laced his fingers through her hair and held her close, trying to hold back his own tears.

"You don't belong here." He whispered.

"I know."

He held her for few more seconds before sirens were heard in the distance.

"You two better get going. You can take the back door." She rapped the oversized shirt even more tightly around herself, as if it had suddenly gotten cold.

"We'll see you soon." Lincoln kissed her head. And before she could respond they had fled.

this chapter took a little while because I decided to take the story on a different route but it should be much better this way.