Disclaimer: Burn Notice and its characters are the intellectual property of others.

Sea and Change

She kept her gaze on the horizon searching for signs of his return. The light was quickly fading. It had been a long day. A long terrible day and she was bone weary. A squeeze of her hand brought her thoughts back to the present as she looked down at the little boy beside her. Charlie's eyes had the haunted look she knew all too well. Her thoughts drifted to a time all those many years ago when she knew fear, when the world around her was in constant flux. She drew strength then from her father's gentle assurances. Now, it was her turn to pass along the lessons learned from him. A smile crossed her face as she gently lifted the toddler, settling him on her hip.

"Sam, can you grab the binoculars in that bag?"

"Sure thing, sister." Sam fumbled through the bag she indicated. It was clearly hastily packed and typically Fiona. A few items of clothing, extra clips of ammunition, some cosmetics, duct tape, even a Welcome to Miami snowglobe. He finally found the binoculars and passed them to her.

"Uncle Michael will be here soon", Fiona said as she placed the binocular cord over Charlie's head. "See if you can spot his boat. When we see it, we'll go down to the beach and take a ride on the sea."

Charlie grappled with the binoculars. His tiny hands were unable to support their weight so Fiona kept them level. He tried to focus but soon turned his glance back to Fiona.

"Can I drive the boat?" These were the first words he had spoken in hours and eased a bit of the pain in her heart.

"As long as Aunt Fi doesn't drive! You didn't pack any Dramamine!" quipped Sam as Fiona glared at him before answering Charlie.

"That's a question you'll have to ask your Uncle Michael but I think we can convince him." She leaned her head closer and winked conspiratorially. A small smile appeared on Charlie's face and he turned his attention back to searching for the boat.

"Fi." Sam caught her eye and nodded his head as he caught sight of a boat in the distance. Fi scanned the water, following his gaze, and watched the boat slowly approaching the shore. She met Sam's eyes then quickly looked away as her throat tightened.

"Looks like its show time. I'll get Jesse." Sam put a hand gently on her shoulder and headed toward the place Jesse was staked out on lookout duty. Fiona acknowledged this statement with a nod of her head and held onto Charlie a little tighter. This was all happening too fast, yet time was of the essence if this plan had any chance of success.

Just hours before, they had laid Madeline to rest next to her youngest, Nate, the sadness nearly overwhelming all of them. But now was not the time to grieve. The empty coffin beside her had set a plan in motion, a plan that required immediate action.

Michael may have negotiated an "early retirement" with the CIA, a new identity, a release from their demands, but there were some obstacles not as easily remedied.

Charlie. His closest living paternal relatives were now "deceased" and the courts would ultimately decide his fate. Michael had made a promise and he intended to keep it. Charlie would not be brought to the Florida Department of Children and Families the morning following his grandmother's funeral as directed. He would be on his way to a new life, a life with Michael and Fiona.

The boat grew larger with each passing second. Michael managed a weak smile when Charlie let go of the binoculars and began to wave. Fiona set him down, returning the lenses to her bag just as Sam and Jesse cut through the trees. Charlie began to inch toward the water. Fiona remained stationary, soon flanked by the two men she regarded as her dearest friends. She felt their presence but her eyes were locked on Michael and the little boy anxious to greet him, lost in thought about the future.

Sam's booming voice cut the mounting tension."It's about time, Mike. I was beginning to think I was gonna miss happy hour."

"I would never let that happen, Sam." Michael broke into a sincere grin as he reached the shallows.

"Better throw a couple of bucks our way just in case." Jesse moved from Fiona's side catching the line Michael threw toward him. "I'm gonna have to listen to him gripe about it all the way back to Miami."

Fiona broke her reverie as Michael stepped into the water, walking toward them. He reached Charlie first, "Hey. You ready?" Charlie stared at his uncle and nodded. They both turned to Fiona as Sam and Jesse began to put the bags into the boat.

The smile left his face. "And you, are you ready to do this?" Michael saw the worry in her eyes. It seemed that he always managed to complicate her life despite his best intentions. "Fi, if there were any other way..."

"There isn't." Fiona shook her head. Options had been discussed and discarded. They both deserved a fresh start. But as her eyes darted toward her friends, she had underestimated how difficult this parting would be.

Michael followed her gaze, reading her thoughts, his feelings echoing her own. His voice barely a whisper now, "You could stay... I'd understand...You've already given up so much-"

"-And I damn well expect a lifetime of you remembering that." Fiona raised her eyebrows and gave him a look that he knew so well. Then, their smiles erupted.

"You two can get all lovey-dovey after you shove off." Sam moved back toward his friends, growing increasingly serious. "Everything's on board, Mike."

He turned to Charlie. "You be good. Always listen to Fiona. She's usually right about stuff." Sam let out a heavy sigh. "Can't believe I'm actually saying that..." He looked at Fiona. This woman who he once regarded as a "complete psycho" had become his sister.

"It's been real, Tinkerbell." Sam's eyes rolled toward Michael. "Try to keep him out of trouble."

Tears welled in Fiona's eyes, "He better keep himself out of trouble- or I'll shoot him!"

"That a girl, Fi! Uh, better not let Charlie hear you say that." Sam made an attempt to cover Charlie's ears.

Michael chuckled and nodded in agreement. "Point taken." Then became somber, "Sam, I don't know...", not being able to continue.

"Stay safe, brother. Take care of your family. I don't want to have to hunt you down and kick your ass if you don't."

"I promise."

Jesse looked at his friends, knowing it was time to say goodbye, not really knowing how. These two had become a part of his family. He embraced both feeling a bit misty eyed.

"Be good to each other. And take care of that little man. He needs you."

Turning to Charlie, he continued, "Charlie, my man, high-five!" Charlie gladly complied. "Let's get you into that boat. Jump on!" Jesse leaned down and Charlie climbed onto his back. Jesse and Charlie approached the boat and the piggyback ride ended as Charlie was safely deposited in the bow.

Michael took Fiona's hand and together with Sam walked toward the water's edge. Words were no longer necessary, or possible. A last awkward hug and Fiona climbed into the boat, settling herself near Charlie. Michael followed right behind, starting the engine quickly. The boat began to move toward the sea. The first step of the journey leading to their future. The two figures on the beach grew smaller with each passing second. Charlie waved at his "uncles" until they disappeared from view. Fiona turned her head to look at Michael. She was surprised by what she saw- a man no longer torn, a man who finally found what he was searching for, a man at peace. Michael stared back, a smile on his lips, and ratcheted up the speed. A new life had begun.

Sam and Jesse watched silently until the boat and their friends were no longer visible, the darkness descending around them.

"Mojito time, Sam."

"You buying?"

"Yeah. I'm buying."

Sam slapped Jesse on the back. "In that case, it may be time for multiple mojitos."

They turned away from the water headed for Miami and home.