Michael's exhausted mind wanted to block out the sound of breaking glass but ever since he learned the truth about his brother's innocence and his subsequent stay in Fox River, his sense of self-preservation instinctively kicked in. He jerked upright, a little disoriented, forgetting for a moment where he is right now. All traces of sleep disappeared when he saw Sara's ashen face staring blankly at him as if he was a ghost.

"Sara…." He said softly,

Sara felt faint, she just stood there watching him. She didn't say anything, her throat suddenly became dry, no words came out, she just simply stared at him. Then she began to sway and world went blank.

"Sara?" Michael frowned as he noticed that Sara pale face and her continued silence. He started to stand up when she fell, directly into his arms. He laid her gently down the couch and ran to the kitchen to get some wet towels and a glass of water. He raced back immediately and took her in his arms, cradling her next to his heart, painfully aware that she was naked underneath the flimsy satin robe she had on. Every nerve ending was heightened to the point of breaking. He buried his face in her hair and closed his eyes willing his body to stop, he couldn't afford to loose his head tonight. After a few minutes, Sara began to stir.

She felt so safe and warm, there was something familiar with the soothing touch, she used to dream about it during the first three months. "Michael…" she whispered softly, it was then that she remembered whose touch it was and she bolted.

Michael held her firmly locked in his arms. "Stop it Sara." He whispered softly as Sara thrashed.

"Let me go Scofield." She warned him. "Or else I'll scream like a damn banshee."

Michael reluctantly let her loose. She jumped off him and faced him. Her emotions seesawed from anger and pain for her heartbreak, humiliation from being used, surprise that he had the guts to sneak in, relief that he was ok , joy because he was here and back again to anger.

Michael watched as Sara's face mirrored her inner turmoil, he flinched inwardly when he saw the first three. He stood there watching her patiently, bracing himself for what's to come.

Sara bit her lip and took deep breaths. "What do you want Michael?" she asked him up front. "Money, food…what?" her heart was racing. She can't stay in close proximity with him. There's just too much sexual tension, an undeniable attraction between them that she turned around and started back towards the kitchen. She noticed her hands were shaking so she stuck them inside the pockets of her robe.

Michael took his cue and followed her, keeping a safe distance between them.

"Sara…I don't know where to start." Michael began. They stood at opposite sides of the kitchen counter.

"As I said before, you don't have to explain anything to me." Sara looked at him directly in the eyes.

Their eyes locked and Michael answered. "And as I have said before but I want to."

Sara looked away, automatically began making coffee. "Are you hungry? Would like some dinner?" she asked changing the subject, needing to focus on something else besides him.

Michael understood and smiled. "Yes, I would like to have dinner with you." He answered quietly.

Sara nodded, keeping her head down. She got another glass from the cabinet and poured Michael some wine. "Sit down and make yourself at home. I'll start dinner." She motioned to the stools as she slid the glass towards him. "I'll go change first." She blushed as she looked down and saw that she was still in her robe. She walked out quickly and went straight to her bedroom. She closed the door and leaned on it.

"Michael's back." She said to herself. "God help me, Michael's back in my life again."

Shaking her head, she decided to steel herself from whatever havoc Michael's presence will play on her heart and mind. She changed into a pair of jeans and an old turtleneck. She combed her hair and discarded the idea of using any make at all. She combed her hair back and tied in a ponytail. She looked at herself in the mirror and said. "Here we go again." And went back out.

Michael looked up as Sara walked in. Even in the simplest of jeans and sweats, she managed to take his breath away. He gave her a smile but Sara looked away. He sighed and contented himself in watching her work. The room was quiet save for the sounds that Sara made as she bustled around the kitchen. She didn't notice that Michael found her AV unit and switched it on, it was only when she started plating the food that she heard the distinctive sound of music.

Saying nothing they both ate without preamble. Sara ignored him as she began to read a medical journal. It was halfway through the meal that Michael decided to break the silence himself.

"Sara..how are you?" he asked, his eye piercing through her.

"I'm ok considering everything that had happened." She answered without looking up.

"I know that saying sorry isn't enough for what I did…." Michael implored but Sara cut him off.

"Damn right it isn't." she snapped. This time she looked straight at him.

"Do you know what happened to me? DO YOU?" she said tightly. "Thanks to your ingenious plan of saving your brother, people got hurt, lives were risked. I understand your need to help people Michael, believe me when I say that. But what did I ever do to you?" she paused. "I made a mistake in believing that you were different, that somehow you were someone I thought I could get through. I was wrong. I was a pawn, a fool." She got up and dumped her plate on the sink and kept her back turned.

"Can I say something?" Michael asked her quietly. He got up and started towards her.

"What is it? What can you possibly say that would make me trust you again?" Sara challenged as she whirled around to face him.

Michael placed his plate down and took his time. "I knew who you were before I came to Fox River, you were a backup plan in case anything goes wrong. But what I didn't count on was the emotional entanglement that would take place."

"Huh!" she scoffed. "Welcome to the world Michael. For someone like you, you can be so stupid at times." She pushed him back and stalked out.

Michael wanted to pound his fist in exasperation. "Sara please…" he followed her.

She was in her bedroom looking for her purse. "I don't know why you came here Michael and I don't wanna know."

Michael shook his hand and determinedly closed the bedroom door. Sara was so busy looking for her purse she didn't notice. Michael grabbed her arms gently and pulled her towards him. "This is why I'm here, why I haven't slept for months, why I wanted to forget everything I had planned." He replied tightly before swooping down and claiming her lips for a kiss that shattered everything within them.