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I closed her eyes, pressing my forehead against the wall as a tear slid down my cheek. The thought of Lincoln being moments away from his death, the fear and helplessness Michael must have felt ... it was just too much.
- I'm so sorry, Michael. I wish I could hug you. I can't imagine what that must have been like.
- It was... - Michael's voice trailed off, and for the first time, it sounded like he might break. - It was worse than anything I could've prepared for. We got more chance.
I nodded, even though he couldn't see me. - I just..feel awful, Michael, - I whispered, voice cracking. - you had to watch your brother go through all that.
- just knowing you're here ... helps, - Michael replied, his voice softer now. - I didn't want you to see that.
- I wish I could touch you, - I whispered.
- me too, but tomorrow's another day, - he responded. - I will see you tomorrow. You should get some sleep and not stay up reading that book, - he mused with a chuckle. - I love you, Emma
I smiled. - I love you too.
- 'night, - he whispered moving to go to bed, but I called his name again.
- Michael? - I whispered. He moved back.
- Yeah?
- I can't wait for the day I can fall asleep in your arms, - I whispered.
He smiled, imagining such a thing. - I would really like that.

It was another cold day in Illinois. Snow covered the ground, and the frost air nipped at the skin. Michael was behind me.
- we're still going through the infirmary and we're still gonna do it from the guards' room. It's just the in-between that's gonna have to change, - Michael announced.
We jumped right back into the escape and I was excited, but getting exhausted and tedious from it all. I just wanted out of there.
- wait a minute, why are you changing the plan, man? Were already through to that room beneath the infirmary.
That's all we gotta do is get through that pipe and we're home free, - C-Note said, coming up to Michael.
- there's a reason they replaced it with a 12-inch pipe, Darwin, people can't get thorugh it. The only way we're getting into that infirmary is from beneath. Were gonna have to find another way, - Michael stated, eyes landing on the title, 'Fox River Asylum'.
- The psych ward? - I whispered.
- It's the only building that shares a sub-surface line with the infirmary.
- are you telling me to get to the infirmary we gotta go through the whack shack? - T-Bag exclaimed, getting close to Michael, me and C-Note.
- unless you got a better idea, - Michael hummed.
- and there's a sub-surface line that runs from the guards' room to the psych ward? - Westmoreland asked.
- sort of.

- whoa, whoa, what do you mean 'sort of? - C-Note scoffed.
- we can go into that hole in the guards' room. About 40 yards up Route 66, there's a grate that'll get us halfway there, - Michael explained how the plan was suicide as they would have to be above grounds. However, when he explained the grate was below them, people were not a fan. C-Note particularly thought the plan sucked.



The dull hum of the prison echoed around them as I stood in the corner of the communal showers, holding up a small mirror. I had my back to the wall, watching Michael as he carefully adjusted the mirror in my hand so he could see the intricate web of tattoos sprawled across his back. His focus on was intense, eyes darting to specific marks on his skin that represent the pipes and vents leading to the psych ward, his next target for the escape. I could watch him topless for days, just admiring.
- you're staring, - he whispered as his eyes focused on the mirror.
- i can't stare at a masterpiece now? - i said. - especially one as handsome as this.
Michael flickered his eyes to me and see me smirking. - If only I can return the favour, pretty girl, - he mused. Michael went back to focusing on the tattoo. - The pipe system beneath the psych ward is... well, it's complex. It'd be real easy to get lost, - he stated as he examined his tattoo.
- how complex?
- very. When they built this place in 1858, the pipes were lead. A century later, they discovered lead was a health risk. So they went to copper, - he explained. - They never removed the lead pipes. Cost too much. There's thousands of yards of the stuff still down there. And then a few years ago, they switched to industrial plastic. - Michael looked at me and seeing that i was already watching him. - Again, it was cheaper just to lay it over the old stuff. If I make a wrong turn down there tonight, I won't make it back by count, - he told me.

I raised an eyebrow, leaning in closer, pretending to be absorbed by his meticulous description of the plan. I knew how focused Michael could get, but there was something undeniably attractive about his intelligence. As he continued speaking, my gaze flickered from the tattoos to the strong lines of his back, the way his muscles flexed as he moved. A sly smile spread across her lips.

- this escape plan, - I started, - as much as I love your devotion, it doesn't sound as sexy as me being very naked in the shower.
Michael paused, his lips twitching in the hint of a smirk, but he tried to stay focused. - Em ... you promised to help me.
I took a step closer, hand brushing lightly against his arm as I moved, - and I hate being alone, - I whispered. I got on my tip toes and pressed a kiss to his jawline before moving to behind his ear. - I can imagine all the things we can do in the shower...all the positions.
The corner of his mouth curving up in amusement. He glanced at me, his blue eyes locking with mine.
- Is that so? - he asked, voice low.
- mmm-hmm, - I replied, inching even closer. - Wouldn't want to get all wet.. by myself. - His gaze flickered over, the tension unmistakable. He knew what I was doing - distracting him but damn, it was working. And maybe, he needed this distraction, too. His hand found my waist as I leaned into him, lips hovering close. - I can't wait when I fuck you, - he whispered in my ear.
- didn't you already? - i whispered in his mouth. But he seems to ignore my question.
- I can just imagine the pretty noises come from you - I smiled, kissing his lips. The kiss was heated, full of passion as they fought for dominance.

But before we could lose themselves completely, the door to the shower creaked open. Footsteps echoed across the tiled floor, cutting through the tension like a knife. I pulled away instantly, backing up to see Bellick. Michael's body tensed immediately, his instincts kicking in as he shifted in front of me.




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Longer ep!

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