Michael stepped out of the shower, wrapped a towel around his waist, and took a deep breath of the steam filled air. Three months since his release and it was something he was still getting used to. Simple things like being able to take a shower or brush his teeth whenever he wanted were still a novelty. He walked to the mirror, wiped the steam clear and began to shave.
His second time being locked up in Fox River had been very different than the first. The new warren had insisted on him being brought back there instead of being sent to Statesville. He had wanted to prove that he could succeed in keeping Michael inside where Pope had failed. Extensive searches of his cell and himself had been demanded every week. And the CO's? Although none of them crossed the line, which he figured was due to fear of the new warden, most of the CO's that had been there when he had escaped made sure he didn't receive any leniencies. He was always relieved when one of the new CO escorted him and he didn't feel manhandled so much.
The other difference the second time around was that he didn't have the focus the escape gave him. His L.L.I. took in everything around him and many nights made it difficult for him to sleep. He had thought about asking for something but being in gen pop…, that didn't seem like a good idea. If he had learned one thing the first time around it was that you had to be alert at all times, even at night. But he had made it one day at a time by trying not to get overwhelmed by the activity around him and find details to focus on.
Turning his face from side to side Michael checked to make sure he hadn't missed anything.
He took another deep breath, stepped out of his bathroom and into the bedroom of his small apartment. He was running later than he had planned. He hadn't been expecting to get called into John's office. When his boss had told him about his parole officer calling, the first thing that had popped into Michael's mind was that something had happened and he was getting sent back. His second thought had been of Sara. She had been through so much with him, for him. He couldn't ask her to wait again. He wouldn't. More than anything else he wanted her to be happy.
He knew his boss had been aware of his nervous reaction to the mention of his parole officer. John had been quick to reassure him it had only been a check in call and nothing to be worried about. He liked John as a boss. He had been straightforward with him from the start and now that he thought about it, John had probably been just as nervous getting that call as he had been hearing about it.
Michael took a look around his bedroom. It wasn't much, but after living in a cell it was more than enough. Linc had found it for him once his release date had been set. It was in the prefect location. Sara, Lincoln and LJ were all within a ten-minute drive. Thinking of Sara reminded him he needed to hurry. He had spent the last few days planning this evening. He wanted everything to be just right for her.
Since his release he had been keeping his distance. He knew it and he knew she knew it as well. He hadn't meant to put distance between them exactly. He certainly hadn't meant to hurt her but he knew he had. He just hadn't felt right asking her for anything more until he had gotten himself back on his feet. She deserved more than that. He had known getting a job would be difficult with his criminal background but until that hurdle had been crossed he wasn't about to ask anything else of her.
Michael walked over to his closet and selected his nicest suit and tie. The suit was dark blue. He had bought it specifically for his job interviews wanting a new suit to start his new life. His hand stilled as it found the tie. The tie had been a gift from Sara. It was blue as well, however, the design was the same color as his eyes. She had given it to him right before his first interview. For luck, she said.
Michael began buttoning his shirt and watched as his inked chest disappeared. Grabbing his tie a smile lit his face as he remembered Sara helping him put it on for that first interview. Not that he had needed help. He had put so many ties on over the years, but he had loved the feel of her figures brushing the skin at his neck. Since he had been holding himself at a distance from her the moment had been a sweet torture.
He thought back to last weekend when he had stood outside Sara's door and asked her to have dinner with him. The confusion on her face was evident before he had explained. He had been so happy when she'd said yes; he had hardly been able to contain himself. Michael had smiled all the way back to his apartment that night and had a hard time falling asleep.
He finished adjusting his tie and grabbed the jacket from its hanger. He had high hopes for tonight. He grabbed a small velvet box from his dresser and placed it discreetly in his pocket. With one last look around the room he snatched up his keys and headed out the door.