"Good morning Mr. Scofield." Sara said as she entered the exam room reviewing Michael's file.

"Morning Doc." He replied as she sat on her stool with the tray of insulin and needles. It had been two weeks since the escape and Michael was better but the spark he had before was still not back.

"How are you feeling this morning?" she asked as she looked at him.

"I felt a little light headed this morning but breakfast fixed that one." He told her trying to keep the conversations light. It was even true. Since the escape he hadn't been sleeping well, partially due to his new cellmates snoring partially because he couldn't sleep at all anymore. He'd been lucky, Westmoreland was his new cellmate. A few days after the escape Westmoreland's celli had paroled and he's used his pull to be put in with Michael; partially because he could see his sorrow and partially to keep from getting a new fish.

"Really? Is everything ok?" Sara asked pulling Michael back to the present.

"Huh? Oh, yea, it's the new celli, still getting used to him." Michael told her as she tested his blood.

"Well, your blood sugar is a little high, which might be what did it." She told him making a note on his chart. "So, is there anything new going on in Gen Pop?" she asked hoping he would catch her insinuation as she filled the syringe with insulin

"No, nothing yet." Michael answered, catching her meaning and looking down.

"I'm sorry." She empathized. "It's probably better that way. Besides, with your behavior you'll be out in two and a half years. Then you can find him." she tried to be optimistic.

"Well, I may be out sooner than that." He told her as she gave him his insulin.

"Oh?" she asked not sure whether she like where this was going. "You're not going to do anything stupid? Are you?" she asked praying he wouldn't.

"No, don't worry." He assured her with a chuckle. "No, my attorney is working on an appeal. She thinks that if it goes well I could have my sentence reduced by at least two years and I could be out pretty soon." He explained with hope that it would happen.

"I hope it works." She told him honestly as they finished. "See you tomorrow." She said as they both stood to leave.

"Scofield you got a visitor." The guard said as he left the exam room.

"Well by all means, let get going." He said as the guard led him to the visitation area but then stopped short. "Wait I thought you said I had a visitor?" Michael asked in confusion.

"You do, in the council room. It's you lawyer." The guard said as he let Michael into the room where Veronica waited.

"Michael. How are you?" she asked as she hugged him.

"I'm good." He answered then whispered during the hug, "Have you heard from him yet?" when she didn't answer he released the hug.

"I have some information I'd like you to review." She said as she sat, then handed him a stack of paper. "Please read over it for the appeal. Especially page 9." She said with emphasis. Michael skimmed the pages until he reached page 9 where he saw a letter from Lincoln and looked up at Veronica in question.

"Is it going ok?" he asked pointing to the paper "You know the appeal?" he said hoping she would catch his meaning.

"Well there's some new information in there that might help. Did you know about this, before?" She asked and when he didn't answer she knew. "I see." She said then cleared her throat.

"Look, Veronica, there's a lot that you don't understand." He tried to reason.

"Michael I do understand. This was why, wasn't it?" she asked and then watched as he nodded his head slightly. "Then your lucky it happened the way it did." She tried to say with compassion. "I've already spoken with the judge. She's willing to reduce your sentence." Veronica said changing the subject. "But there are conditions."

"I'm listening." Michael answered, suddenly anxious to be out of Fox River forever.

"She has agreed to reduce your total sentence to a year and a half, with parole after 9 months, if you agree to a few terms." She began as she opened a note pad. "First, if you care convicted of any crime of equal or greater value you must agree to serve that term in full in addition to the remainder of this term she is waiving. Second you must agree to volunteer as a mentor at the Chicago Youth Center in the Youth Crime Prevention Program for the 9 months taken off your sentence by parole. You must also specifically mentor LJ. That wasn't all just the judge's idea." She said rolling her eyes. "If you can agree to these terms, then the judge has agreed to consider the appeal." Veronica told him and then watched for his reaction.

Michael didn't know what to say or think. He knew that this was a good deal. He knew that he would be stupid not to take it. But his head was a mess. Nothing made sense. "I need to think about it." He finally said.

"WHAT? WHY? Michael, he's gone. And he's not going to come back. There is no reason for you to stay." Veronica tried to reason. She was exasperated. "Read it." She said pointing to the papers that sat in front of Michael. "I got it yesterday." She said as Michael took the paper out.

Michael,

I know you're probably pissed at me right now. You made this possible and we left you. But it was for your own good. I talked to V, she said you could get an appeal and get out. Even without an appeal you could be out in two years. I couldn't let you ruin your life any more than you already have, not for me. I don't deserve that. All I've ever done is let you down but you're still there anyway. That alone is more than I could ever deserve, but I couldn't let you ruin the rest of your life. We're safe and out of site. Abruzzi knows some people and is going to help us find out the truth, he owes you that much. He said that if you ever need anything to get in touch with him. He's in you debt forever. Sucre sent for Maricruz and she got here two days ago, he told me to thank you.

I'm sorry for leaving you. It's better this way. You deserve a better life than this. When you get out take care of LJ. Keep him clean. Don't let him turn out like me. V doesn't know how to get to me; it's safer for her that way. If you need to get in touch with me, call Maricruz. Sucre said he left her number hidden in you cell. Take care of yourself. Get out alive, for me.

Just have a little faith

L

p.s. Take the appeal.

When he finished reading Michael looked up at Veronica and said "I'll take the deal." He then stood to leave.

"Thank you." She said as she came to hug him. While she did she slipped something into his pocket and whispered. "They said you might need it." Michael looked confused but slipped it up his sleeve anyway. When he reached his cell again he pulled it out and saw that it was a bottle of PUGNac with a note inside.

This should last for a while. I'll bring more when it runs out. – V

And Michael smiled.