Disclaimer: I do not own Prison Break (I wish I did!).

Saturday morning

It was early November but the air was still a little warm and it felt more like October. Michael was supposed to be at Lincoln's at 9:30 am but it was 9:30 and he wasn't on his way yet. He had woken up just before 9:00 and after a quick shower went to the Starbucks a few minutes away from his apartment.

It's when he was waiting in line to get served that he saw her for the first time. If he had to explain what she looked like he would say that she was beautiful, no doubt about that. However, she was not beautiful like models appear, somewhat artificial and pretentious. No, this woman was different. He did not know her but he knew that she was different. She was beautiful but in an understated kind of way. Michael was not an expert in makeup but if she did wear makeup it was subtle and only highlighted her natural elegance. Yes, that was it! She was elegant. Even for a Saturday morning stroll to Starbucks. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a leather jacket on top of a green sweater. Her clothes were not flashy, yet they were tasteful and fitting her body perfectly. Her hair was done in a loose bun that said "it took me thirty seconds, yet I still look good". There was something else about her. Intelligence? Confidence? Independence? Maybe a mix of all these qualities? He did not want to look at her too much (hell, he did not want to pass as a stalker) but he could not help it. She was hypnotizing! She seemed to sense eyes on her and looked in Michael's direction and saw him. These eyes, wow! She had never seen eyes like these. So blue, so piercing. Not in a creepy way though. But definitely intriguing. Michael looked away and tried to focus on the muffins behind the glass. The line was long this morning, she thought. She would not admit it but she was an addict. A Starbucks addict. She always told herself that she should make her breakfast more frequently but she often ended up one bloc away from her apartment ordering a latte and something to eat. Usually it was only during the week, on her way to work, but this morning she felt lazy and decided to go to the coffee shop. She turned around and realized that the place was particularly busy. She looked at the line for the other cash register wondering if her line was the only one not moving fast and noticed the man's eyes on her once again. She briefly held up his gaze and then looked away. She sensed herself blush a little bit as their eyes met. Where was she? In high school?! Blushing because your eyes meet a stranger's eyes? Finally, it was her turn to order. Michael's turn came up too and he ordered a hot chocolate and a chocolate chip muffin (yes, he had a sweet tooth!). "For here or to go?" He did not answer. He was trying to hear what the beautiful woman next to him was saying. "So, for here or to go", the cashier repeated a little louder. "For here", he answered suddenly, not completely sure why since he was already late. "You have to talk to her", a little voice in his head told him. Easier said than done when you are shy like Michael was. It was not that he could not talk to women, he wasn't that shy, it was just that he did not know how to start a conversation with a stranger, regardless how beautiful she was, or maybe the fact that she was beautiful made it harder for him? "Think, Michael, think! You're supposed to be smart, find something!" As he moved to the side to wait for his drink, he realized that she had moved to the side as well and was next to him, literally next to him. She looked around again to examine the place. He followed her gaze and saw that there was only one table available. His hot chocolate finally in hand, while the beautiful stranger was still waiting, he surprised himself by saying very naturally (god, he hoped he sounded natural and not totally lame): "do you want to share the last table?" She looked at him, confused. Was he talking to her? All of a sudden, Michael realized how bold and so out of character he had been to ask her to share a table. "We can just sit down, divide the table in two and pretend we're alone. I mean, it would be a shame to spend your breakfast standing while there is a chair available". She would normally not accept an invitation like this but there was something about him that made her forget her usual reservations towards strangers. "Ok, no talk, divide the table. I can do that", she replied. Michael hardly contained his joy. That was a small victory.

Michael gallantly offered her to pick her seat before sitting down himself on the other chair. He was about to start eating his muffin when his eyes fell on the magazine that someone had left on their table. Marie Claire. Then one headline caught his attention: "5 questions to ask on a first date". "Interested?" the stranger asked while pointing at the headline he had just read. "No, no", he lied, "I am actually curious to see what they say the first signs of menopause are." He indicated another headline without batting an eye. "You know, it's important. From a medical point of view". He suspected that she knew he was lying so he was trying to be funny. Her little laugh let him know that he had succeeded. He laughed too, relieved that she had not found him totally weird. They remained silent for a minute or two, eating and waiting for their drink to cool down a bit all the while eyeing the magazine cover from time to time. Sara noticed that he was wearing a faded pair of jeans, hiking shoes and a warm dark blue hoodie on a gray tee-shirt. Simple. Yet he managed to look good, she thought. Very good.

Looking back at the magazine, she said: "well, I am curious to know what they suggest to ask on a first date!"

"Now that you are mentioning it, it could be interesting", he replied with a smile.

She opened the magazine and found the article:

"So, first question: what do you do? Second, where are you from, or, a variation, where did you grow up? Third, what's your favorite memory as a child? Fourth, do you want children? And, finally, where do you see yourself in 10 years?"

"Hum…" he said with one eyebrow cocked, not appearing in the least convinced.

"You don't think that these questions are good?" she asked him.

"I think some are terrible questions for a first date, others could be phrased differently".

"Ok, I am listening".

Michael found himself very self conscious suddenly and took a few seconds to collect himself, then he started: "So, first question: what do you do. If I tell you that I am an engineer, it does not tell anything about me, except maybe that I am somewhat good at maths and physics, which is highly irrelevant on a first date in my opinion."

She looked doubtful so he added: "You don't believe me? Then tell me what you do!"

"I am a physician", she replied.

"You being a physician tells me you have a strong knowledge of the human body but what else really? You could be a plastic surgeon only in it for the money. Or you could be a paediatrician doing volunteer work with homeless populations. You see, what that would tell me is not much and could be far from the truth. What I would like to know on a first date is why you chose to do what you do and what you like about it, maybe even what you don't like about it. Then I would feel that I know you a little bit more. Otherwise, you can simply send me your cv and we don't need to meet."

"You have a point", she conceded with a slight smile and an interested gaze. "What else?"

"Well, where you are from or where you grew up could lead to your family and I don't think that's a good topic for a first date".

"Why not?"

"For starters, because on a first date, I would be more interested in talking about you than your family. Also, you never know what kind of dysfunctional family the other person grew up in so it might not be the safest topic of conversation".

"Hahaha, I guess you're right! It could lead to awkward moments and that's not the best idea on a first date. Next question…"

"Don't you find it a little too direct to ask if you want children on a first date? I mean, would you ask it before or after you have ordered your meal?"

"Ok, it is direct but isn't it what women reading Marie Claire would like to know? They are not teenagers, dating for the sake of it. At some point, you don't want to waste any time on someone who is not on the same wave length as you in that respect, you know? And I guess it's more efficient to know it sooner than later? I agree, asking the question could be weird so that would be on my list of questions that I would never ask on a first date but still would like to know the answer."

"Ok. What else would be on your list then? You have me intrigued now."

"Hum, I don't know, why are you single or, a variation, can you tell me about your previous relationships? And, do you have a criminal record?"

Michael almost chocked on his beverage. "Are you speaking from personal experience?"

She laughed. "No. But admit it, it could be useful to know that the person you are having a date with doesn't have a restraining order against his or her ex and isn't a stalker."

"When you put it like that… Hum, full disclosure, I am not a stalker and I have no criminal record!"

"Hahaha, good to know! So, what do you have against your best childhood memory?"

"Again, who says I had a nice childhood? I could have had a terrible childhood and asking me to highlight one good memory could prove difficult or could just make me think about all the crap that I had to endure, which wouldn't put me in a good mood for a first date."

"Was your childhood that bad?" she asked, on a joking tone.

Michael did not answer, averted her eyes and quickly moved on to the next question, trying to sound lighthearted. "Final question: where do you see yourself in 10 years? Seriously, are you on a date or looking for a business partner?" She laughed out loud at his latest words. He continued: "Where do I see myself in 10 years? What am I supposed to answer? Happily married with two kids? Bald and fat?" She laughed again. "There is no way to know. So there is no point asking because the only answer you will get is whether or not I can bullshit my way well enough to get a second date. Because that's the goal of your first date - determining whether or not the person deserves a second date."

He stopped and she looked at him, half amused, half intrigued. "Ok, you defended your thesis well. So what would you suggest to ask on a first date besides the questions that you already proposed?"

"Well, I would ask you what your favorite place in town is and why. I would ask you what you did the last time you were on vacation. I would ask you what you like to do when you don't work. And last but not least, I would ask you what your favorite ice cream flavour is".

"What does my favorite ice cream flavour have to do with anything?" she quipped back.

He looked at her and taking a very serious tone he said "Everything! It has everything to do with it. You need to be "ice cream compatible". That's one of the secrets of a successful relationship."

She smiled at his feigned expert statement and continued: "Please enlighten me…" She paused, realizing that she did not know his name.

"Michael. My name is Michael" he said, understanding exactly what her sudden hesitation meant.

"Sara", she answered back.

"Glad to finally know your name, Sara", he said with a smile. Their eyes locked for a short moment.

"Likewise, Michael. So, I was going to ask you to enlighten me and tell me what exactly you mean by "ice cream compatible" and what the secrets of a successful relationship are. Well, according to you…"

Her tone was teasing and he answered in the same manner. "Well, it's simple: if we have the same favorite ice cream flavour, we are not compatible."

"Oh no? Why not?" It was totally ridiculous but she wanted to know where he was going with that.

"No, absolutely not. You see, if we have the same favorite ice cream flavour, we are always going to fight for the bigger bowl of ice cream or the last scoop, which will inevitably lead to disaster. On the contrary, if we have different favorite ice cream flavours, and even better, if we don't like each other's favorite, there is no problem. No fight. Pure bliss. And that's why ice cream is important!" He finished with a big smile, proud of the way he had ended his argument.

Sara chuckled and asked: "Ok. And besides ice cream, what are the keys to a successful relationship?"

"Well, communication obviously and…" He paused for a bigger effect and then added almost nonchalantly: "Sex. You can't have a good relationship without good sex".

Sara laughed out loud once again and, without skipping a beat, she asked him: "quick question: the ice cream, it's before or after sex?"

"Hahaha, it depends, I guess".

The conversation continued, easily flowing from one topic to the next, and they were both laughing when Sara heard her phone ring. "Hi Dad! How are you?" she answered cheerfully. Michael could hear the other person on the line, Sara's father: "Where are you, Sara? I have been waiting for you for 15 minutes."

"What? What time is it?" She looked at her watch and cursed: "Shit! Sorry, Dad. I had not realized it was so late. I am at the Starbucks near my apartment. I am going to try to catch a cab and be there as soon as I can." She hung up, looked at Michael and got up. "Sorry, Michael, I have to go. My father…"

She did not finish her sentence and Michael said while getting up too: "No worries. It's getting late and I should go too. I usually don't have a car but I have my brother's truck today. Do you want a ride somewhere?"

She normally would not accept a ride from strangers but was Michael still a stranger to her? Probably not anymore. Not after talking to him for nearly three hours so she answered: "that would be very nice, thank you".

They exited the café and Michael showed Sara the gray truck that was parked in front of them. "I was lucky when I arrived this morning, a car was leaving."

"Well, not so lucky", Sara said mockingly, pointing at the ticket that was on the truck's windshield.

"Oops!" He quickly took the parking ticket and, remembering their previous conversation, added with a wink: "Don't worry, I am going to pay it right away! So, where are we going?"

"Do you know Vinnie's?"

"The restaurant? On Roosevelt?"

She nodded. "Do you know how to get there?"

"Yes."

Michael started the truck and they made small talk until they reached their destination. Michael found a parking spot in front of a theatre not too far from Vinnie's. They both looked at the big signs indicating that Jaws was showing that night.

Sara started to talk first: "Have you ever seen it?"

"Yes, my brother made me watch it when I was a kid. It got me traumatized for years!"

"Hahaha, I know. I was afraid to swim in the ocean for a long time afterwards".

"I only took showers afterwards. No more baths for me." He sounded genuine, as if still frightened at the idea of having a shark in his bath.

Without thinking further, she asked him: "do you want to go and watch it tonight?"

"Are you asking me out on a date, Sara?" His eyebrow was raised, his look inquisitive.

"No, no, absolutely not. I am merely offering you the opportunity to face your fears. You know as an adult." Nobody was duped but they pretended otherwise. "So what do you say?"

"I don't know… Do you think they have popcorn?"

"Popcorn?"

"Yes, you know, so that I can get a big bag and hide behind it if necessary?"

"I am sure they have popcorn", she retorted.

"In that case, yes, I'll go with you. I can't pass up on a wonderful opportunity to face my fears!" He looked at her intently while he was saying the last sentence.

Sara tried to remain cool and said: "Alright. 7:30 then? That should give us ample time to buy popcorn and find good seats, you know, near an exit, in case it's too much for you to handle."

Ha, the banter was fun. "7:30 is perfect."

"Listen, it is highly unlikely but in case the hospital calls me, you should give me your number". He obliged and she sent him a text. It simply said "It's Sara :)". When they had confirmation that the message had been well received, Sara said: "Thanks for the ride, Michael. I'll see you at 7:30."

"You are very welcome. And yes, 7:30."

Sara exited the car promptly and waved goodbye. Michael took a few seconds to think about what he could write back and then typed something. Sara who was walking towards the restaurant still had her phone in her hand and read Michael's text: "Are you sure they have popcorn?!" She chuckled.