Saturday morning Michael shared the news regarding the divorce with Sara over breakfast. As expected, she was ecstatic. Her mind immediately turned to the wedding and he'd shared with her the information on the bed and breakfast he'd found on the Internet the previous night. Sara agreed it was perfect.

They talked about setting a date. Michael was thinking spring so that all the flowers would be in bloom but then the question became what about his parole. Would they let him leave the state for a honeymoon? Doubtful. Since his release they'd been keeping him on a pretty tight leash.

His parole wouldn't be over until the end of June but they weren't sure they wanted to get married in July. Heat and humidity could be unbearable in Chicago then and they both agreed an outside wedding would be ideal.

At ten Lincoln, LJ, and surprisingly Jessica arrived to help move Michael's things. It was obvious Jessica was still a little wary of Michael but she was trying. They spent the better part of the day boxing Michael's things and hauling them over to Sara's apartment.

By six everyone was exhausted but they were finally done. Only a few large pieces of furniture had been left. Duplicates of things Sara already had. It was decided they'd call the local women's shelter and see if they could use them. Until then, they would were safe where they were.

Everyone was starving and the guys decided to go get pizza and bring it back leaving Sara and Jessica to find places for the last of Michael's things. Sara had been watching Jessica all day. Whenever Michael was in the room she would go on alert, he would leave and she would visibly relax. Sara decided this was the perfect time to approach the subject. "Well Jessica, you've now spent a whole day with all of us. What do you think?"

Jessica held the last of Michael's books in her hand. "Everyone seems nice. It's obvious you all love LJ and he loves all of you."

"But?" Sara prompted.

Jessica gave a tentative smile, "But, this whole thing…it still makes me nervous."

"You mean Michael." It wasn't a question.

Jessica sighed and placed the book on the shelf. She made her way to the couch and sat down. Sara stopped what she was doing and took a seat beside her. "I'm sorry," Jessica said. "I know he's your fiancé."

"Yes he is. But there was a time when I was very angry with him. Before I understood what he did and why. Before I knew what kind of man he is." Sara sighed. "Jessica there's probably nothing I can say that will make everything all better. You'll either choose to get to know LJ's family, including Michael, or you won't. I can't change that. What I can tell you is that Michael is a good man. He'd do anything for the ones he loves. That is why he went to prison. Did everything."

Jessica smiled. "You sound like LJ."

Sara smiled back. "LJ is a very smart young man."

"Yes, he is." The emotion in her voice clear.

"You love him don't you?"

"Is it that obvious?" Jessica asked.

Sara laughed, "Only to someone who's been there."

They both shared a knowing smile. Sara stood and walked back over to the box she'd been unpacking. Then she heard Jessica ask, "How did you do it? I mean…I've been doing some research. How did you overlook everything he's done?"

"I didn't. I don't. Michael isn't perfect Jessica. He's made mistakes and he, more than anyone knows it. The problem is you are looking at a list of facts and people aren't just facts. Look behind the facts and find the reasons, the person. Everything Michael did, he did to save his brother."

"I know." Jessica said. "I tried to do what you said. Look behind the facts. I talked to LJ and he told me about Panama. I can't believe he had to go through that. And you. I want to understand. I do. I just don't know how."

Sara stopped what she was doing again and turned back to Jessica. "If you really want to try, the first thing I would suggest is to talk to Michael. Not about what happened, but just talk to him. Get to know him a little. I promise you, you'll be surprised.

After a moment Jessica nodded. "Thank you again Sara."

Voices in the hallway grabbed their attention. The guys were back and all thoughts turned to food.

~

Closing the door on their guests, Michael and Sara headed to bed. It'd been a long day. Each took their turn in the bathroom and climbed into bed. Sara slid over to Michael and he wrapped his arms around her, tucking her head under his chest he placed a soft kiss on her temple.

Sara's hand rested against Michael's chest. Her mind drifted to the t-shirt he was wearing. It was short sleeve so the tattoos on his arms were showing, but she wondered why he was wearing a shirt at all. Wondered if he would ever feel completely comfortable in his own skin again.

As she lazily traced the outline of his tattoo though the thin t-shirt her mind began to wander to Jessica. The girl was obviously smitten. Sara could relate. She remembered her first few meetings with Michael in the infirmary. The looks, the flirting.

She had to give Jessica credit though. The young woman was really trying, her coming today proved that. Sara'd been even more impressed when Jessica had taken her up on her suggestion and tried talking to Michael at dinner.

Michael lay contently holding Sara. He'd been ticking off the things in his head he needed to get done tomorrow when he noticed Sara seemed to be deep in thought. Bringing his hand up to brush his fingers across her cheek, "penny for your thoughts?"

Sara looked up and saw she had his full attention. She leaned up and placed a soft kiss on his lips and then rested her head back against his shoulder. "I was just thinking about Jessica. She's a nice girl. I like her."

"I like her too. LJ seems to be happy."

"I know," Sara smiled.

Michael felt Sara smile but he was waiting for the "but". When she didn't continue he promted, "but?"

She smiled again, "But…" She wasn't quite sure how to say this but since they'd agreed on honesty she decided to be direct. "You make her nervous Michael." She heard him sigh.

"I know."

Although he hadn't moved, Sara could feel him distancing himself mentally. She raised up a little and brought her hand up to cup his face. Meeting his eyes she whispered, "don't." Sara waited for the look in his eyes to tell her he was back with her and then she continued, "We talked today, Jessica and I." She paused. "I think she'll be ok, given a little time." Sara settled herself back down into Michael's embrace.

He brought his hand up to run his fingers though her hair. "I noticed she was trying to talk to me during dinner."

Sara nodded. "She'll be ok," Sara said. "She loves LJ and she'll do it for him."

Michael smiled. "Did she tell you that?

"She didn't have to. The signs were all there."

Michael chuckled, "What signs?"

Sara smiled into his chest. "The signs of a girl in love of course."

"Ahhh." He said, like that explained everything.

With this they fell silent again for a few minutes. Then he heard her say, "Michael?"

"Hmm?"

"I talked to Katie on Saturday at lunch. About us. The wedding." Sara felt Michael stiffen at her words. She'd been trying to find a good time to bring this subject up all week. She hadn't found one. Unconsciously she rubbed her hand against his chest to sooth him. Sara took a deep breath and continued. "She wants to talk to you. Get to know you a little." Sara glanced up at him. "I want her to be there when we get married. She's one of my best friends and she's willing to try."

Michael heard the unspoken words. Katie still didn't like him but since her friend had agreed to marry him…

She continued, "We're having lunch Saturday at Benny's again. Will you come?"

"You want me to have lunch with the two of you? Why?"

Sara's face broke out into a huge grin. "Because she wants to meet the real Michael Scofield."

Michael couldn't help but smile. "The real Michael Scofield huh?"

"Yeah. I want her to get to know the smart, funny," her voice dropped and her hand began to move against his chest again, "sexy, sensitive man you are."

"Is that so?"

Absentmindedly her hand trailed down to his stomach. "It is." Her hand slid up under his shirt and her fingers were now making tiny circles on his stomach. "Will you have lunch with us?"

Sara didn't appear to know what she was doing to him. He was tired but his body never had any trouble responding to Sara's touch. It took him a moment to find his voice, "Sure."

He was so tired. He hadn't done this much physical labor since breaking out of Sona. Sara's hand wasn't going any lower; it was just there and that was enough. He was getting anxious for her touch in other places. Places lower. Distracted by her hand, he almost missed her next words, "Why do you wear your t-shirt to bed?"

"I'm sorry?"

Sara's hand stopped what it was doing and she pulled away a little so she could see his face. "Last night and then again tonight you've worn a t-shirt to bed. Why?"

He looked away from her and closed his eyes.

When Michael didn't answer her she continued, "Honesty remember. We promised no more secrets." When he remained quite, "I've seen your tattoo Michael." Then she smiled, "In fact, I've explored it in great detail." She saw a faint smile cross his lips and hoped she was getting though whatever barrier he was trying to erect between them. "So why wear the shirt? I miss feeling your skin under my hands when I hold you."

Finally he spoke, he eyes still closed. "I'm sorry."

"Michael don't apologize, just tell me what's wrong."

Opening his eyes he met hers. "It's not you," He sighed. "I guess I really don't know why I do it anymore. At first it was to keep them hidden from prying eyes in Fox River, then it was to keep me hidden while on the run, when I was finally released it was…well shame I guess. And now? Now I guess it's just…habit." Michael reached up and caressed her cheek. "I didn't know it bothered you."

Michael always took everything to heart. She hadn't wanted to upset him; she just wanted to know what was going on. So to lighten the mood she said with mock surprise, "Well of course it bothers me. You wearing clothes at all bothers me." With that she broke out into a smile and he laughed.

He was still smiling, "Are you saying you prefer me naked Dr. Tancredi?"

She loved when they shared this type of flirtatious banter. "Well…I might be convinced to allow you a minor piece of clothing but…" Before she knew what was happening Sara found herself on her back with Michael hovering over her.

"But what doctor?"

Sara could feel him pressing against her stomach and the look in his eyes took the words right out of her mouth. Instead of answering, she reached up and pulled him to her.

End Chapter Notes:

Ok well you've read 25 chapters now and I've gotten all of one review. I know this isn't an action packed PB fic but I know I have some readers out there so please take a few seconds, show me some love and leave a review.