hehe, since this fic was finished long ago, i can go ahead and say we're approx halfway thru lol! hope u like where this story is going so far!
She knew exactly where he had disappeared to.
When Sara awoke the next morning in Michael's bed, she reached over to place her hand on his arm to wake him….and found an empty space.
He had done exactly what he'd said he would do. He turned himself in.
She confirmed this when, after rubbing the blur out of her eyes, she saw a very familiar origami flower sitting on his pillow.
She carefully unfolded it and read the message that was written in perfect cursive within:
"See you in Fox River."
Tears threatened. He would be in prison for a VERY long time now, and when she went back to the States to resume her job as the prison doctor, she would have to act like nothing had ever taken place between them.
She would have to completely forget the previous night.
Closing her eyes to try and gain composure, rebellious liquid fell down her cheeks as the memory mocked her:
"I'm glad you decided to stay the night. Coming all the way to Panama just to turn around and go back would be an annoying waste of time."
She smiled at him for the first time that night. They sat on the edge of the shore, the stars just beginning to appear as the sun made its final descent.
"A waste of money is more like it. But I figure Fox River can handle one day without me. I was in need of a vacation anyway…"
He stared at her while she spoke, and she felt a chill run through her when the tide came up to hit her legs. When she pulled them back quickly, she saw him move closer out of the corner of her eye.
He was leaning in towards her, a grin playing on his face.
"Wanna go for a swim?"
He was nearly nose to nose with her now.
She shivered and shook her head.
"The water's pretty cold, Michael."
His hands were on her waist now…
His eyes narrowed and his grin widened.
"I know."
Her breath caught and water engulfed her as Michael pushed her into the ocean shallows, careful not to submerge her head.
Sand and saltwater covered her clothes, but she was too busy shaking to care.
Teeth chattering, she sat up and glared at him.
When a laugh ripped from his throat, she sprang forward to knock him down.
The water rose and fell around them as Michael pulled her forward to kiss her…
She had let go that night. She had given in to what she wanted most and opened herself to him.
She had never been so content as she fell asleep against his chest….
And now it was over.
Climbing out of bed she looked at her watch, noting that it was still early.
No sound was made in the house. She was certain Lincoln had no idea his brother was gone.
She would have to wake him, and endure the panic attack she knew was sure to come.
And then she would leave. She would go back to work, and find him sitting in her infirmary, just like before.
Flirting with her, just like before.
A convict and a patient, just like before.
But unlike before, she would know what could have been between them, if he was not a prisoner in a penitentiary .
She would know what it was like to feel him kiss her, to feel his lips trailing down her skin and his hands memorizing every aspect of her form.
She would know what it was like to truly be WITH him, in every sense, romantic and sexual.
And chances were, she would never experience that with him again.
Fifteen years is a long time to wait…