The clock on the cement wall in the infirmary finally said 4:35. Sara was out the door as soon as her last patient was escorted back to his cell. She almost skipped to her car. In spite of the heavy clouds threatening rain hanging low in the sky, Sara felt as light as a helium balloon. She imagined that if she did break into skip, her feet might actually leave the ground.

She pulled up to the corner of Rose and Jackson in the center of the city at 5:05. Late. The traffic had been nastier than usual. She could feel the muscles in her neck tightening like a screw as she searched for an open parking meter. Finally, a block and a half away from the mysterious appointed corner, she found a spot and zipped in.

The meter was jammed. Sara groaned aloud as she tried to free the quarter someone else had abandoned in the slot. She thought about just leaving the car there for a few minutes while she ran to the corner, but a cop was parked in the next intersection. She glanced at the cop, then back at her meter. The red word 'Violation' loomed prominently. She kicked at it childishly and felt tears stinging the back of her eyelids.

The hair on the back of her neck suddenly stood on end and she knew immediately he was there, watching. She looked up to find his eyes fastened on her from across the street, a playful smile lighting up his face. She returned the smile with helpless devotion, but then remembered the police car that sat so closely by. Sara nodded her head in the direction of the cop, and then slowly slid back into her car behind the driver's wheel. She looked across the street to Michael.

That was all the encouragement he needed. He crossed the street and slipped into the passenger seat so quickly she barely had time to register that they were at long last together again.

"I'm going to get us away from here, I'm thinking," she said without preamble. Sara pulled out of the spot and drove away at a sedate pace, breathing easier when it became apparent they had not attracted the officer's attention. Soon they were several blocks away. Sara found herself driving in large, lazy circles around the city center.

"Sara, you look…amazing," Michael breathed in that throaty way that always fogged up her brain. She glanced over at him, smiling self-consciously, as she drove.

"Are you okay, Michael? You weren't injured in the escape, were you?"

"No, doc, I'm fine. I've missed you, Sara."

"Where are you staying?"

"Probably not a good idea to discuss that."

"More secrets, Michael?" Michael noted with a sinking heart that Sara sounded hurt already.

"I'm sorry. I don't want to keep anything from you, not ever again. But I'm not alone. Lincoln and Veronica are with me. We have an agreement not to say anything to anyone about our location. Sara, can we go somewhere and talk?"

"My apartment might be under surveillance. It wasn't a secret that you and I were… closer than we should have been."

"How about we pick up some takeout and go somewhere outside the city? I really want a chance to explain things, Sara. I hated myself every time I lied to you. There's so much I want to tell you."

"Why, Michael? There's nothing more I can do for you, you must know that by now." He didn't miss the cynicism in her response, and he worried that he might lose her.

"I'm not looking for anything from you, except your understanding. And your company," he added wistfully. She smiled at him and his heart untwisted a little. He had a new mission, now that Linc was safe, and the object of that mission was sitting next to him.

Less than an hour later, the two of them were perched on a rock in a local park, eating spring rolls and sesame chicken in great hungry mouthfuls. Michael couldn't keep his eyes off the red-haired woman beside him.

"You're more beautiful than I remember," he said somewhat incoherently as he chewed a mouthful of chicken.

"Well, you're just as much of a flatterer," Sara teased him. The brilliant grin she wore belied her accusation. "When are you going to tell me everything?"

Michael put down his fork and container and swallowed with a huge gulp. For a second or two he looked at her, and she was sure he was about to start talking, when a strange light bloomed in his eyes. In one lightning quick movement, he was suddenly right there. He reverently cupped her cheeks with graceful fingers and his lips crashed onto hers with uncontained passion. Sara couldn't help but respond. She curled her hands around the back of his neck and pulled him into an eager embrace. Only gradually did they part, both reluctant to give up the others' mouth. Breathing heavily, Michael leaned his forehead against Sara's as if it was the only thing holding him upright.

"I swear, I'm going to tell you whatever you want to know. This was not an attempt to distract you. I promise. You have to believe me. I just couldn't… I had to…"

"I know," she agreed dreamily.

"Amazing," he whispered against her lips. He eventually managed to pull himself back to a safer distance even though every pore in his body was screaming with disappointment. Sara had also scraped herself together and was now sitting cross-legged on the rock, her arms hugging herself as if to contain her need, watching him with gentle adoration.

"Michael, I want to hear what you have to say. But before you say anything, know this. I'm already on your team. I'm confused, and I have questions, but I'm no longer hurt. Not by you. I know you would never consciously hurt me."

Tears sprang into his eyes and Sara felt her own tears spring forth in response.

"Thank you for believing in me," he choked out. "Thank you."

It was well into the dark hours of the morning and much had been said by the time the two decided to call it a night. Sara tried not to yawn, but gaped in spite of her resolve. Michael helped her up and wrapped his arms around her to keep her warm as they walked with reluctant steps to the car.

"Can you drop me off at the corner?" Michael asked, rubbing her arms with his hands and standing as close to her as he could. "I left my car there."

"Okay… when will I see you again?" She asked plaintively.

"Soon, I promise. I don't think I can go long without seeing you again." He pulled her into an unhurried hug, both savoring their last few precious minutes together.

It was almost dawn when Sara dropped him off. She sat and watched him walk away until he reached his car. Her heart became heavier with each step he took away from her. With a sigh, she turned the key in the ignition and drove off slowly, reluctantly, wondering how long she would have to live on the day's memories before they could see each other again.

As she rounded the corner and left the city center, a dark sedan moved in behind her, just far enough behind that she wouldn't notice. She didn't. She didn't know she was being followed to her apartment in the dark of night.