Michael slowly came awake. He felt very relaxed and didn't really want to wake up. Although his eyes remained shut, he could feel the sunlight on his closed lids. Reluctantly he reached over to check the clock on his bedside table. When his hand found nothing but air, he forced his eyes opened and realized this was not his bed. Michael sat up quickly and looked around taking in his surroundings.

It was then that he heard the shower going in the other room. He relaxed and leaned back against the headboard. He closed his eyes again and allowed the sensations of the previous night to come flooding back to him. He had spent the night with Sara. Opening his eyes again they fell on his discarded pants that were now lying at the end of the bed. He hadn't dreamed it then. He had really asked her to marry him and she'd said yes. He had felt the warmth of her love last night and it was still vibrating through him this morning. His gaze drifted over to the closed bathroom door. With a last glance at their discarded clothes from last night, he tossed the covers aside and went to see if she needed any help in the shower.

~

Michael and Sara finished their shower together and after getting dressed, made their way to Sara's kitchen to find some breakfast. Both were rather hungry so Sara pulled out eggs and bacon from the refrigerator. They worked side by side and Sara enjoyed his presence.

They took their time with their meal and enjoyed each other's company. They were cleaning up when Sara glanced at the clock on the wall. Eleven thirty.

Michael turned from loading a plate into the dishwasher and noticed the tension in Sara's features. Concerned he asked, "Everything alright?"

Sara went back into motion and finished clearing the table as she spoke. "Yes. Everything is fine. I just didn't realize how late it was." Sara smiled and then as the memory of why it was so late came back to her, she blushed.

"Do you want me to leave?" Michael asked.

"No," she rushed to say. "I mean…I don't want you to leave Michael. It's just…" Sara sighed. "I'm supposed to meet Katie for lunch in a half hour. I can call and cancel."

Michael's eyes left hers as he looked down at the floor. Katie was another part of Sara's life he had messed up. They had been best friends when Sara had worked at Fox River. When Michael had been sent back, he had seen Nurse Katie during his re-entry examination. She had been…well for lack of a better word, cold. He understood why. In her mind, he had destroyed her friend's life. Since he was no longer going to the infirmary everyday for shots, he rarely saw Katie after that for the eighteen months he had been locked away.

He knew Sara had ran into her one day in the prison parking lot after she had visited him and that they had been trying to rebuild their friendship ever since. He also knew that he was a subject they tended to avoid.

Michael brought his eyes back up to meet hers and closed the distance between them. "No. Don't cancel," He allowed a small sparkle to light his eyes and a small smile played at his lips. "I was supposed to meet Linc and help him with some home repairs today anyway."

Sara wasn't fooled for a moment. She had seen the guilt that had rushed over him the minute she had mentioned her lunch with Katie. "Michael it isn't a big deal. I can call her and cancel. We can get together next Saturday."

"No," Michael said firmly and then he softened, "Please go. Besides, I have been busy with my new job the last two weeks and it will be nice to spend some quality time with my brother."

"Ok. If your sure."

Michael gave her one of his award winning smiles. "I am." He took this moment to lean in and brush his lips against hers reminding her of everything they had done since walking into her apartment last night. He pulled back and reached up to move a piece of her hair that had fallen back behind her ear. "Do you want me to pick you up tonight?"

After he had moved the out of place hair, Michael's hand had remained on her face. She leaned into his touch and briefly closed her eyes. "No, that's ok. I can drive myself tonight since you will already be there anyway." Sara turned her head toward his hand and placed a small kiss on the inside of his palm. "I'll see you tonight?" It was both a promise and a question. Sara had spend so many nights lying in bed by herself and she was determined that would be a problem she was not going to face again anytime soon.
Michael understood and nodded his agreement. They finished in the kitchen and quickly made their way out of the apartment. With a final goodbye at Michael's car, they went their separate ways.