Sorry for the late update!
Work has been INSANE this week so I've kept pretty busy. That and I've been racking my brain for a good ending to this story. I like to know what's going to happen so I have a goal to work towards.
I know what I'm going to do in the end so I'm ready to begin the season three segment of the story!!
Thank you very much to Something Not So NormalSkylinebabe, and Syraka for reviewing!!!!
AUTHOR'S NOTE: The season three part of the story is not going to be as "by-the-book" as season two was. I've changed a few things, although the very basic and main parts of the storyline will remain the same.
Chapter 41: Never Too Late
Lincoln and Jack had scoured the city but could not find Sara. Jack suggested they check with the American Embassy. Lincoln agreed and hailed a taxi…
A couple hours later…
Lincoln ran into the American Embassy in Panama City with Jack close behind. He ran up to the clerk behind the counter.
"Please, Michael Scofield, what have they done with him?" he asked, desperation in his gaze.
"Hold on one moment," said the clerk calmly as she typed away into her computer.
She paused for a moment and read what came up on her monitor. She frowned and glanced back at Lincoln.
"I'm very sorry to tell you this," she said, solemnly, "But Michael Scofield has been placed in SONA."
"SONA?" asked Lincoln, confused, "What the heck is SONA?"
"A prison," said the lady, "Only the worst of the worst are sent there. The prisoners rioted so badly that the guards pulled out and let them fend for themselves."
Lincoln's face went pale with shock. Michael was back in prison, and from the sound of it, not just any prison.
Jack approached the counter, fear in her eyes as she gazed pleadingly at the woman.
"What about Alexander Mahone?" she asked, voice trembling, "Do you have any records on him?"
The lady hastily typed the name into her computer. She paused for a moment, and then glanced back at Jack.
"I'm afraid Alexander Mahone has been placed in SONA as well," she said, genuine sadness in her eyes, "I'm very sorry."
Jack's expression changed from a look of relief, to one of panic. At first she was thrilled that he was not dead, but then the seriousness of him being in that prison dawned on her.
"How…how bad is it?" she asked, "That SONA place…how long are their sentences?"
The lady's sad gaze only deepened in despair as she glanced between Lincoln and Jack.
"Look, what goes in there, doesn't come back out," she murmured, "Unless…unless it's dead. Honestly, it's probably best if you forget about them and move on with your lives. I've seen people who come to visit their friends in SONA and it never goes well…for any of them, prisoners or not. It's not worth the pain."
Lincoln's head shot up, eyes filled with anger.
"Never," he snarled, quietly, "Michael is innocent. He won't stay there forever."
The lady frowned in disapproval.
"I'm sorry, but it's too late..."
Now Jack's eyes flashed with fury.
"No…it's never too late…"
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Lincoln stormed out of the embassy, Jack on his heels. For a moment the bright mid-day sun blinded her. Then, she saw Lincoln walking down the stairs that led up to the embassy.
"Lincoln, wait!"
Lincoln whirled around suddenly, nearly causing Jack to run into him.
"What?" he snapped.
"Lincoln, we have to do something…"
"We?" asked Lincoln, incredulously, "We aren't doing anything."
"Lincoln!" yelled Jack, as he turned to walk away, "Listen to me!"
Lincoln turned and glared at her.
"Look, we both have people in there that we love," said Jack, her eyes betraying her fear and uncertainty, "If we work together, maybe we can do something about this."
"Oh yeah, like what?"
Jack hesitated, "I…I don't know right now, but we'll come up with something…we have to. Please, Lincoln. It's no use hating each other and working separately. There's power and safety in numbers."
"I don't know if I can trust you," retorted Lincoln.
Jack looked down and nodded in understanding.
"I don't blame you," she muttered under her breath, "But for now you're going to have to…for Michael's sake."
Lincoln's jaw tightened and he sighed with resignation.
"Okay, fine," he said, reluctantly, "But you'd better not try anything if you know what's good for you."
"Fair enough."
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Lincoln checked them into a nearby hotel in Panama City. Jack had gone out to get some groceries and other supplies. A couple hours later, she knocked on the door.
Lincoln looked through the peephole and then opened the door.
"Got everything?" he asked.
"Yeah, I got it all," said Jack, stepping into the room and laying down several bags.
A couple bags had food, shampoo, and other necessities in them. The other bags were darker and heavier. She reached into one and pulled out a laptop.
"It's a good thing I decided to travel with cash," she muttered.
She and Lincoln had put together all the money they had and managed to have enough to buy what they needed. They set aside the rest for other necessities they may need in the future.
"How'd you afford a laptop?" asked Lincoln in surprise, "That wasn't on the list."
Jack smiled slightly.
"Pretty easy to do, surprisingly," she said as she plugged it up, "I just managed to find a guy selling them illegally for an obnoxiously low price."
Lincoln sneered and shook his head.
"What else you got?" he asked.
"Two cell phones, two chargers, two handguns with ammunition, and food," replied Jack.
"Good," said Lincoln, nodding in approval.
He watched Jack set up the laptop and plug up the cell phones to their chargers. He noticed that her hands were shaking and her eyes appeared to be puffy, as if she had been crying.
"You alright?" he asked, gruffly.
Jack glanced up at him.
"Yeah," she said quietly, "I'm fine..."
"Liar."
Jack smiled slightly, "Not much good at it am I?"
Lincoln shook his head, a smile playing on his lips.
"Look," said Jack, stepping away from the laptop, "What I said back in the woods…I meant it. I really am truly sorry for all I did. I didn't want to hurt anyone…kill anyone. I hated every minute I worked for The Company. I'll always regret it. You and Michael are some of the greatest men I've ever had the privilege of meeting. I hope that eventually, you can forgive me and maybe even learn to trust me. I don't mean you or your brother any harm…not anymore. I want to make this right. I really do."
Lincoln nodded, "Yeah…me too."
Jack smiled sadly at him.
"But, how in the world are we going to do this?" asked Lincoln, "Is it even possible? I mean, who are we trying to kid here? It's SONA…the worst prison in the world. Maybe we can't do this…"
Jack's eyes flashed with a sudden violent passion.
"Don't you ever say that!" she said, with feeling, "Of course we can do something! Lincoln…Michael Scofield is in there! He escaped from Fox River. He did it once, he can do it again. Don't lose faith, not now. It's not too late to save them. We are not going to back away from this…not without a fight."
Lincoln could not help but smile at her sudden outburst.
"You really love him, don't you?" he asked.
Jack froze, eyes beginning to cloud with worry and fear again.
"Yes," she said, growing very quiet, "I really do."
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