Late Tuesday night Sara got a call from LJ saying Jessica had just received a call from her parents and they should be there by noon tomorrow. Apparently Jessica asked to meet her parents by herself, which LJ was not happy about. "Why won't she let me be there with her Sara?"
"I don't know." Sara tried to sound comforting. "Maybe she just wants to do this on her own." They'd talked for a while longer but Sara still felt his sadness over the phone. Unfortunately there was nothing she could do. It would be time soon enough for everyone to come together and support Jessica but for whatever reason she wanted to do this one on her own.
~
At twelve thirty Wednesday afternoon, Tom and Megan Rice pulled up outside of their daughter's dormitory. They hadn't been here since they'd dropped her off back in late August but for some reason it seemed different to them now. For some reason, it seemed like shadows and secrets were hiding here they hadn't seen before.
Jessica had been watching for them to arrive from her window. When she saw their car pull up, so many emotions flooded through her. She was happy to see them again she did miss them, but she was also very scared. Scared because they had the power to take so much away from her if the next seven days didn't go well. She'd told LJ she wanted to meet them on her own but now she doubted that decision. Closing her eyes she tried to feel him next to her, his arm around her. Opening them again, she saw her parents getting out of the car. Taking a deep breath she turned from the window and made her way to greet them.
By the time she made it out of the building her parents were halfway up the sidewalk. Seeing her they smiled and she closed the distance. Her mom enveloped her in a tight hug. "How are you baby?"
"I'm good mom." She said muffled in her embrace. Turning, "Hi dad." He reached for her and she fell into his arms as they pulled her close.
Greetings complete her dad said. "Were a little later than we planned. Your mom saw an antique shop about an hour ago and insisted we stop. You know how she's been trying to find a matching candle stick for the one your niece broke."
"Yea I know dad." She smiled. "Did you have lunch?"
"No and I'm STARVING." He dad said.
"Your always starving dad." Both she and her mom gave a chuckle. "I haven't eaten yet either, the cafeteria is still open if you want to get something."
Her mom put an arm around her. "That sounds just lovely dear. Lead the way."
After each got a try of food, they took a seat at one of the far tables and began to eat. After a while, Jessica could tell her mother wanted to say something. She just had that look on her face. "What mom?"
Her mom just gave her a knowing smile. "I'm surprised LJ isn't here that's all."
"Oh." Jessica said. "Well he's…"
"Are you two not together anymore?"
"Yes we're still together. I just…I just wanted to meet you by myself."
"Oh." Her mom said sounding a little disappointed.
Jessica took a deep breath and looked at her parents. "Are you even going to give them a chance?"
They both stopped eating and looked at her but it was her mom that finally answered. "Of course we are dear."
Jessica gave a skeptical look back to her mom.
Focusing again on eating her mom asked, "So what are your plans for the rest of the day? Do you have class?"
Apparently her parents had tabled the subject of LJ's family for now. "Yes. I have my first final at three."
"Your ready?" Her dad asked.
"Yes. More than ready."
Her dad just nodded.
"So what about tonight? Any plans?"
Jessica swallowed. "We can do anything you want. I could take you to see some of the sights."
"Jess we're here to see what your life is like. We can see the sights this weekend or when your in class. What would you normally be doing tonight if we weren't here?" When their daughter didn't answer, "Jessica? Did you hear me?"
"Yes dad."
"Well?"
"LJ and I would be going over to Michael and Sara's for dinner."
She saw her parents physically stiffen. But it was her dad who finally spoke. "Well then…do you think it would be ok if we tag along?"
Jessica didn't know if this was better or worse but… "I don't know dad. All I can do is ask." This actually got a smile out of her dad.
After lunch, her parents left her at the dorm while they went to check in at their hotel saying they'd meet her again at six thirty so they could go with she and LJ to dinner. At Michael and Sara's. Jessica's heart was filled with anxious dread as she made her way to her exam.
When she opened the door to Willard Hall, she saw LJ leaning against the wall waiting for her. As soon as he saw her his face lit into a smile that she couldn't help but return. He pushed himself off the wall and she went to him.
Wrapping his arms around her waist, "Hey beautiful." He whispered in her ear.
"Hey." She sighed as she breathed him in. Pulling back a little, "I didn't know you were coming."
"Had to wish my girl luck on her first final." He smiled as he brushed her hair out of her face. Jess took a deep breath and smiled but it didn't quite meet her eyes. "How'd everything go?" he asked.
"Ok. But…"
"But?"
"They want to come with us tonight."
"You mean to Uncle Mike's?"
"Yeah."
She said it so low he almost couldn't hear her. "Why?"
She shook her head. "I don't know. They said they want to see what my life is like and asked me what I'd be doing if they weren't here. Then…then they said they wanted to come. Do you think it'll be alright?"
LJ looked up at the clock and saw Jess only had a few minutes before the start of her exam. Leaning down, he gave her a soft kiss and pushed off the wall grabbing her hand. "Don't worry about it." He said as he walked her down the hall. "I'll call Uncle Mike and let him know there will be six for dinner instead of four." He stopped outside of her door.
"LJ…" she started but he put a finger to her lips to stop her.
"Worry about your exam, not this." Removing his finger he kissed her again. "Good luck." He said as he moved away and she stepped inside.
Walking out of the building LJ pulled out his cell and began to dial his uncle. Half way through he stopped. Maybe he should call Sara instead. She reacted way better to surprises than his uncle and Uncle Mike would probably take the news much better from Sara than from him. Decision made, he dialed the number to the hospital.
~
Sara had switched her day off for the week so they wouldn't have to rush to make it to meet with Ron Keller tomorrow night. She had just finished up with a patient and was walking by the nurse's desk with one of the PA's stopped her. "Dr. Tancredi you have a message." She said handing her a slip of paper. "He asked to have you call him back right away if you could."
"Ok. Thanks." Sara said taking the paper from the young woman. Looking down she saw it was LJ and wondered why he'd be calling her. Knowing Jessica's parents were arriving today, she hoped things hadn't broke down that quickly.
She was still contemplating the reason why LJ was calling her at the hospital when Mary slid up beside her. "Hmm. You aren't cheating on that gorgeous man of yours are you?" She giggled.
Sara gave a little chuckle of her own. "Not a chance." Reaching for the phone across the desk, she began dialing LJ's cell.
"Sara."
"Hey LJ."
"Thanks for getting back to me."
"Sure. Everything ok? You don't usually call and leave messages for me."
"Well there's kind of a situation…with Jess's parents."
Concerned. "What kind of situation?"
"They want to come with us tonight. To your apartment. For dinner."
"I see."
"Anyway…I don't think Jess felt she could really tell them no and I was going to call Uncle Mike, but I know how he is and I thought maybe it would go over better coming from you…instead of me." When Sara didn't say anything in response, "Sara?"
"I'm here LJ. I'm just thinking. Your right. Your uncle is not going to take this well I don't think although he has occasionally surprised me."
"So you'll call him and break the news?"
Sara let out a tense and tired laugh. "Well not the highlight of my day but yea. I'll call him."
"Thank you Sara. I owe you."
"No you don't. I just hope we're able to make a good impression for Jessica."
"I'll make sure we're not early."
"That will help." They disconnected the call and Sara quickly dialed Michael before she was called way. The day had been rather quite but in a hospital one never knew.
Michael must have seen the hospital come up on caller id because he answered. "What's wrong?"
Sara laughed. "What makes you think something's wrong Mr. Scofield? Aren't I allowed to call you at work?"
He sighed audibly. "Of course you are. Sorry. So to what do I owe the pleasure of hearing your voice Dr. Tancredi?"
He was smiling now, she could tell. She tried to sound as upbeat as possible, "LJ just called and they want to still come over for dinner tonight."
"Oh. Well that's great. I thought with her parents in town she'd be spending time with them."
"Well she will. Jessica's parents want to come with them for dinner." Michael didn't respond. After what seemed like an endless number of minutes she began to worry. "Michael? Are you still with me?"
"Yeah." He paused. "It's just…I thought we were all meeting them on Saturday. At Linc's."
"I thought that too but apparently not. Are you going to be ok with this?"
"I'll be…fine. You'll be…"
She knew what he was asking. "I'll be there. I'll see if I can duck out a few minutes early ok."
She heard him sigh again. "I love you."
Smiling. "I love you too."
As the call ended Sara noticed Mary was watching her. "Every thing ok?" she asked.
Sara ran her hands over her hair and down her ponytail. "Let's hope so."
~
LJ arrived showered and dressed nicer than usually at Jessica's dorm just after six. In the lobby he called up to her room to let her know he was there. Standing on the opposite end of the room, he waited to the side for her. When she came down, he noticed she'd also taken a little more time with her appearance for tonight's dinner. Not that she didn't usually look stunning, but she'd changed out of her casual jeans and shirt into a spring sundress and sweater.
Jessica was so glad to see him. Her parents had called about an hour ago and let her know they were settled into their hotel and had given her the number. They weren't due to arrive for at least another twenty minutes so she was grateful for the little bit of time alone she and LJ would have. Coming in for a hug, she gave him a quick kiss. "Why didn't you just come up to the room?"
"Oh no. Not with your parent's here Jess. There are enough bad marks against my family as far as they're concerned. I'm not giving them another reason not to like me."
"They like you LJ." She said softy still not releasing him.
Instead of commenting he said, "So I talked to Sara and they'll be expecting us at seven-thirty. I told Sara I'd make sure we weren't early so…"
"So we need to stall a little. Mom and dad will be here at six-thirty."
LJ's hand's snaked up her back. "Maybe we can take a walk around the campus. It's a nice night."
Jess closed her eyes as his hands reached her shoulder blades and moved back down her back to her hips. "That sounds good."
LJ was lost in watching her. And when she opened her eyes he saw that spark of heat behind her lids. He leaned in and took her bottom lip into his mouth and began sucking on it. She let out a little whimper and leaned into him even more and he deepened the kiss.
They hadn't moved from their spot when they heard aggressive coughing sounds coming from a few feet away. LJ pulled back and looked up to see Jessica's mom and dad. His heart sunk to somewhere where his stomach was supposed to be and his mind began cataloging where his hands currently were and where they'd been in the last few minutes and he dropped his hands down to his sides. He was pretty sure they'd stayed on her back and shoulders. Pretty sure. They moment Jessica saw her mom and dad she stiffened and LJ felt even worse.
Seeing her mom and dad, Jessica understood why LJ's body had all of a sudden become like stone. She removed her hands from his shoulders but didn't step away. Instead she slipped her hand into his before taking a deep breath and turning to her parents. If the looks on their faces were any indication, they didn't look happy to have found their daughter kissing her boyfriend. Well maybe making out with her boyfriend would be a better description.
"Hi." She said trying to sound upbeat to defuse the situation. Looking down at her watch she saw it was six twenty eight. Had she and LJ really been kissing for almost twenty minutes? Apparently.
"Hello Jessica." He dad said.
Ignoring his tone, "We aren't supposed to be over at Mike and Sara's until seven-thirty since she doesn't get off until late so we thought maybe we could all take a walk around campus first. They're adding on to the rec center and building a new admissions building you may want to see." Her dad and mom didn't say anything, but they didn't object either so with her hand securely in LJ's she led them all outside.
~
Lincoln hadn't talked to Sam since Saturday evening when he'd dropped her off. By the time he'd gotten home that night his emotions had continued to over power him. LJ hadn't come back from dropping Jessica off yet for which he was glad. He'd went into the bathroom for a long hot shower, hoping the steam would clear his head. It had helped but only slightly. By the next morning, his anger had dissipated slightly but he still couldn't quite put a voice to all the emotions he was feeling. Finally after getting nowhere in his own head he'd decided he needed to talk to Sam.
When LJ had called him this afternoon saying plans had changed and he and Jess along with her parents, he could only imagine how that was going to go over, were having dinner with Michael and Sara he knew this was the night for him to go see Sam. Now he was parked outside her house having second thoughts. He was not a touchy feely kind of guy who easily talked about how he was feeling and the subject of Vee was especially one he didn't like or want to talk about but on some level he knew it was only naturally for Sam to want to know about her. It wasn't until he looked at the clock on the console and realized he'd been sitting there for thirty minutes that he forced himself to move.
As he stood in front of her door every muscle in his body was telling him to run, to just get in the car and walk away from her. Did he really want to do that? No. Before he could over analyze the situation anymore he rang the doorbell.
Sam had just been cleaning up after dinner when the doorbell rang. Her friend Theresa had said she might drop by with some new recipes she'd found so Sam hadn't bother to check to see who it was before opening the door. Seeing Lincoln her heart clutched in her chest as it dared to hope.
When she answered the door all air left Lincoln's body. He'd missed her. Had it really only been four days? It felt like much longer. It took him a moment to register she'd said his name. "Hello Sam. Can I…can I come in?" She took a moment then stepped back to let him in. "Thank you." He said as he moved inside.
He heard the door close behind him and he turned. She stared at him for a moment and then turned to walk into the kitchen. Following after her, he paused in the doorway watching her as she finished up. It wasn't until she put the last dish away that she turned to face him wrapping her arms around her waist, but she still didn't say anything. She was waiting on him and he guessed he couldn't blame her after the way he'd left. Taking a deep breath, "Vee is…was…" He closed his eyes and swallowed. "What did Sara tell you?"
"It doesn't matter." Sam said with determination.
He was going to argue but looking at her he knew she was right. He needed to decide if he wanted them to have a future and if he did HE needed to tell her about Veronica. After a few more long moments, "Veronica and I grew up together and started dating in high school." He paused and caught Sam's eye. "I fell head over heels for her."
Sam said nothing but the look she gave him was encouraging so he continued, "She went away to college and some things happened…I did some things." He sighed. "We fell apart and went our separate ways." Leaning his head back against the door jam, he closed his eyes and ran his hands over his shorn head. "When Michael got himself thrown into prison with me, he got her to look into my case and we…reconnected. My feelings for her had never changed."
She was happy he was sharing with her but she could see the tension coursing through him in the telling. His eyes remained closed and his hands were now clenched at his sides. "She was trying to help us. Help me. And it got her killed." He paused again and she almost thought he'd finished then he said, "I was on the phone with her when it happened. When they shot her." Sam couldn't help it, she gasped.
Hearing her, he opened his eyes and they connected with hers. Moving toward him she stood only inches away looking up at him. She was almost afraid to touch him she could still feel the tension, the pain radiating off him, but she needed to. Placing a comforting hand on his arm and he didn't flinch away, "Thank you." She whispered. "Thank you for sharing her with me."
"I don't…"
"I won't ask you to talk about it again if you don't want to." She saw some of the tension leave him. "Would you like some dinner?" she asked. He nodded so she went to go fix him a plate.
~
Sara arrived home at seven twenty and found Michael, still in his full suit and tie, cleaning the living room. "Michael what are you doing?" He straightened and gave her a look that said 'you know what I'm doing'. Sara shook her head and set her purse down before crossing the room. Standing in front of him, she pushed his suit jacket off his shoulders and through it on the couch. Then she reached for his tie.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
She removed his tie and threw it with his jacket. Then reached up and unbuttoned the fist two buttons of his dress shirt. "This is dinner, not a business meeting." Patting down his collar she stepped back to have a look. "Better." She said. "Just needs one more thing." And before he could open his mouth, she pulled his lips to hers and gave him a slow heated kiss. When she pulled back, both were breathing harder and color had returned to his cheeks. "Definitely better." She purred.
He didn't have a chance to respond as the doorbell rang announcing their evening visitors. Michael grabbed his jacket and tie and disappeared into the bedroom while Sara got the door.
Sara was greeted by four rather weary faces. Moving back from the door she invited in her guests. "You must be Jessica's parents. I'm Sara. It's good to finally meet you."
Jessica's dad put his hand in the one Sara extended. "I'm Tom and this is my wife Megan." He paused for a moment. "Your Sara Tancredi?"
"Yes." Just then Michael walked back into the room and almost silently walked up beside her placing one hand protectively on her back.
Before Michael could introduce himself, "You must be Michael Scofield." Tom said without emotion.
"Yes." Michael said.
Sara watched as Michael extended his hand to the gentleman and Tom reluctantly took it. Even without looking at Michael's face she knew what she would see. All but his eyes would present an emotionless face. She however, could feel the tension in his fingers as they pressed against her and she leaned into them a little to offer him some comfort.
They all moved to the couch as Sara went to order their normal Chinese for dinner. It had become sort of a tradition. Ordering double their regular order, she asked to have it delivered so none of them would have to go out and pick anything up.
The food arrived twenty minutes later, which was a welcome relief since conversation had been strained to say the least. Sara and Jessica had set the table. They all gathered round and began to dig in. Sara was surprised to hear Michael be the first to speak up. "So how'd your exam go today?"
Jessica looked up from her plate of noodles. "Really good. There was only one question I wasn't sure of so I'm hoping for an A." she smiled.
"What was it? The one you didn't know." He asked.
"It was a word problem of course." She smiled sheepishly. "I knew we'd gone over a similar one but my mind just went blank for some reason. I was hoping to ace it with all the studying we've been doing but…"
"An A will be a fine accomplishment Jessica. You should be proud of yourself."
"I didn't expect less." He smiled back.
Her parents had been watching this exchange between their daughter and the infamous fugitive. From the smile her daughter returned to the man in question it was clear she was glad she'd made him proud. Jessica noticed her parents had been watching the exchange. "Normally when we come over on Wednesday nights Michael helps us study before Sara gets home. He's amazing at explaining complex things."
"You help them study?" Jessica's mom asked.
Michael concentrated on his plate before finally answering. "Yes."
Her mom didn't comment but her face showed she was trying to connect this information with the picture she had in her head of this family. Finally she turned her attention to Sara. "You're a doctor right? Do you have a practice here in Chicago?"
"No. I work at Chicago Memorial."
"Really? How long have you been there?"
"Two years." For a second Sara thought about skirting the issue but decided against it. Trying to avoid the elephant sitting in the room wasn't going to help anyone. "I've worked there since shortly after we came back to Chicago."
The woman visible paled. Nothing was said for the longest time until her dad spoke and apparently her comment had opened the door of discussion wide open. Tom asked Michael what kind of job he had now that he was out. Michael explained he was working again as a structural engineer.
The remaining dinner followed this same course. Tom or Megan would ask a question and one of the four would answer. It wasn't clear to Sara when they finally left if the evening had been a success or a disaster. They seemed to like the fact she was a doctor and working for a reputable hospital but they seemed less sure about Michael. Most of his answers led to more questions since they didn't seem to be satisfied with the answers he was providing.
Sara stood in the bathroom brushing her teeth for bed. She was exhausted yet again. There had been so much going on lately in her life it seemed to be draining all of her energy. When she came out of the bathroom she stopped in her tracks. Michael was sitting on the bed staring off into space and she felt her pulse quicken.
She walked over and stood in front of him and his eyes came back into focus as he looked up at her. She expelled a sigh of relief. When she saw the question in his eyes, "Are you ok?" she asked.
"Yea. I was…I was just thinking." He reached out his hand and squeezed hers comfortingly. "Are you done?"
It took her a moment to realize he was asking if she was done in the bathroom. "Yea. I'm done." He stood, walked into the adjoining room, and closed the door. Sara stood for a minute. The look in his eyes had reminded her of the time in Ad Seg and it worried her. Had tonight's questioning bothered him that much? Glancing over her shoulder she looked at the closed door. Maybe she'd been imagining things. Walking over to her side of the bed, she slipped under the covers to wait for Michael.
~
The four arrived back at Jessica's dorm around nine thirty and Jessica's parents reluctantly said their goodbyes. They hadn't been thrilled LJ wasn't leaving at the same time they were but in the end they didn't have much choice after Jessica had kissed each on their cheeks and said goodnight. The young couple stood in the parking lot and watched the taillights as they moved down the deserted street.
Once the lights disappeared, "Let's walk."
"Now?" LJ asked.
"Yea." She smiled up at him.
LJ couldn't help but smiled back. "Sure."
Hand in hand they walked around the campus. Almost the same route they'd taken earlier with her parents. They crossed over the concourse, past the new admissions hall and made their way down to the gym and football field. As soon as they past behind one of the concession stands, Jessica stopped walking. "Jess?" he asked as he turned back towards her. When she didn't answer he stepped closer trying to see her face more clearly in the darkness.
Once he got close enough however, Jessica's lips found his and before he knew it he was pressed up against the block building. Her arms were around his neck and her body was pressed solidly against his. She felt so good and her light sundress didn't hide her curves from him. No one was around so he took advantage of their seclusion and allowed his hands to roam up her back, under her sweater to caress the bear skin underneath and then slid his hands down to her hips. He pulled her closer, pressing her into him.
Finally she broke the kiss that had both their chests heaving. She didn't go far, instead placing small kisses to his neck before resting her head on his shoulder. "Not that I'm complaining." He said once he could speak again. "but what was that for?"
Hearing her laugh he felt her breath warm on his neck. "I love you LJ."
His hands slid up her back and he hugged her to him. "I love you too Jess."
Neither moved until he felt her shiver. The temperature was dropping and the sweater she was wearing wasn't providing enough warmth. "Let's go back." He felt her shake her head. "Jess your cold. I don't want you to get sick."
"If we go back, you'll go home and I'm not ready for that yet."
LJ sighed. He wasn't really ready to leave her either, even though he knew he'd see her tomorrow morning. They had an exam together at ten. "Neither am I. But we need to go back." He pushed against the wall and she didn't resist. Keeping his arm around her, they detoured though the center of campus and headed back to her dorm.