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It's much appreciated!!
This one has to be dedicated to Something Not So Normal. I think you'll see why….
Chapter 29: More Than Friends
Alex and Jack walked down the hallway to leave Fox River, when Alex's phone rang. He checked the caller ID and sighed irritably.
Jack stepped back into the entry way to give Alex some privacy.
"Yeah?"
"Get to Ebert Park," ordered Kim, "I've got men on Scofield and Burrows."
"Ebert Park?" asked Alex in disbelief.
"Scofield set up a meeting with the target we're surveilling."
"What in the world is Scofield doing in Chicago?" asked Alex, still skeptical.
"You're asking why the deer walked into your crosshairs? Just take the shot, Mahone."
"Yeah…we're on it."
"Oh, and Alex? Franklin."
"We're using Franklin to help us find Scofield…"
"Yeah…we don't need him for that anymore. What we do need is a death without questions."
Kim hung up on Alex.
Jack glanced back and saw Alex slowly put his phone back into his pocket. She saw the look on his face and walked quickly back over to him.
"What is it?" she asked, genuine concern in her eyes.
"Scofield and Burrow are here…in Chicago. Ebert Park. Kim says we don't need Franklin now."
Jack's eyes filled with dismay.
"So now we have to…?"
"Yeah."
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Alex and Jack walked into the room where Franklin was sitting behind a table. He stared intently at the laptop in front of him, but glanced up when he heard them come in.
"Alright, look," he said, holding up his hands, "It's nothing yet, but I'm sure he'll hit me real soon, okay?"
Alex sighed and stared at the floor. He hesitated, but then took a steadying breath and began to speak.
"You know, if I were in your situation…everything you've done, every decision that you've made…I'd have done the same thing."
Franklin saw the look in Alex's eyes and the fear in Jack's. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"You're a good man," continued Alex, "A good father. There's, um, been a change of plans. And it looks like we're not going to need your help after all."
Franklin sighed, "So, you found Scofield?"
"Our colleagues are getting pretty close," replied Jack.
"So…I guess you can set me free then?" said Franklin as he held out his cuffed hands.
Alex smiled slightly, but looked away and shook his head.
Franklin's face fell, "Of course not."
Jack did not know how much longer she could keep her composure. This poor man had done so much to save his family and now it was going to be in vain. With a jolt, Jack realized how much she and Franklin were alike. The irony hit her like an electric shock.
Alex walked over to the chair near Franklin and slowly sank down into it. Jack leaned up against the wall and fought to keep herself calm.
"You and me," said Alex, "We had a deal, right?"
"Right."
"I get your wife released, take care of your daughter's health…and you get me Scofield."
"But…you're getting him yourself, you just said that."
"I know, I know. I just want you to know that…I'm going to keep my promise to you and I'm going to help your family. But I'm going to need your help too."
Alex began to look upset and agitated. Trying desperately to hold back his emotion, he began to speak faster and faster.
"And this is something you're not going to want to do and I don't want you to do it but I need you to do this and if you don't I will have D.D.'s medical care stopped, I'll have Casey arrested, and I'll hate myself and it'll make me sick, but I swear…I will ruin their lives! Don't make me…"
Jack had to look away quickly as emotion overtook her.
"Man, what are you saying to me?" asked a very confused Franklin.
"Later today, you'll get a package in your cell. It's from me and I need you to use it, okay?"
Alex stood up to leave.
"Okay, but what's in it?" asked Franklin.
Alex paused, but did not reply. He continued walking to the door.
"Hey!" called Franklin, "What's in the package?"
Alex lightly touched Jack's arm to get her attention. She glanced up at him with watery eyes and turned to follow him out of the room.
"What's in the package!?"
"Just use it," muttered Alex, "Or you'll wish you had."
"What's in it? What's in the package!?" Franklin yelled, beginning to panic.
Alex and Jack kept walking and did not stop until they reached their car.
"I hate this, Alex," said Jack as she wiped her eyes with her sleeve.
"I know," whispered Alex. He leaned over and brushed a tear from her cheek, "I know."
Jack gazed at him sadly but forced a slight smile.
"Everything will be okay," said Alex.
Jack just nodded while Alex tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Jack, I…"
Jack looked at him with concern.
"What? What is it?"
"I…I love you," he said finally, his eyes sad and longing, "I love you Jack…I do."
Jack's eyes widened in shock.
"R...really?" she whispered hoarsely.
Alex smiled, "Yeah, really."
Jack smiled back and blushed, "I love you to, Alex," she said quietly.
Alex's entire face brightened. With a sudden impulse, he closed the gab between them and kissed her. He let his hand trail through her hair as he pulled away.
"Let's go and finish this, okay?"
Jack nodded, still in shock.
"Yeah…yeah, okay."
Alex gave her one long, loving look, then turned back and threw the car in drive. They peeled out of the parking lot and onto the road.
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Ebert Park
"I was out cold," said an older gentleman with an ice pack on the side of his face, "I don't know where they went."
"And it was their idea for you to meet them here?" asked Jack, skeptically, "In the middle of Chicago?"
"Yeah," replied the man, irritably.
"Oh man," muttered Alex as he turned and walked away. He flipped open his cell phone and dialed a number.
"Mahone?" asked Kim.
"Brought us in too late, they're gone."
"Then find them," snapped Kim.
"Let me get this straight," said Alex, slightly amused, "The brothers come back to the city that's fifteen miles from the prison they escaped from. Why would they do that?"
"Maybe because the President's in Chicago to make a speech and they're up to something," replied Kim, sarcastically, "Which is why we need to find them."
Alex laughed, "And of all the people, they want to meet with someone from the attorney general's office."
"Your point?"
"Burrows is innocent."
"Wow!" exclaimed Kim, sarcastically, "You're good Alex! As advertised! No one's truly innocent. You of all people should know that."
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