Apathy by doc

Summary: Life doesn't always take us in the direction we plan.

Is there such a thing as "happily ever after"? For a couple as complex and divergent as Michael and Fi that course is likely to be neither smooth nor easy. Descriptors such as explosive, unexpected, turbulent, and fascinating are more likely to come to mind! This story is set in the future 5 years after the events in early season 6.

PLEASE READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTES!

AN 1: Just so no one is confused, I'm including a Gaelic legend with this story. I thought it might be fun to have a little ancient Irish folklore to set the stage and parallel both the current and backstory of our favorite couple. I spent days shifting through Irish history, customs and legends to locate the tale I'm currently using. The Gaelic legend I found fit perfectly for my intent, however, if any of you have spent time perusing 8th to 12th century Ireland then you know the country is a mix of Irish, English, Norman and Scottish influences. The Gaelic legend I'm using is actually Scottish. To have the folklore fit with my story, I've embellished extensively, changing/adding names, places, events and details, which do not appear in the original Scottish legend. In fact, at this point I would say "my" Gaelic legend only "loosely" follows the original in theme. So as not to spoil my story, I'll keep the name of the original legend a mystery until the very end.

One other note about the format of my chapters, I LOVE pithy and meaningful quotes and sayings. I tend to introduce my stories and/or chapters with quotes that are particularly poignant. I make an effort to set them off from the actual story itself, but just thought I would mention this particular idiosyncrasy of mine, so no one is confused.

AN 2: Hello everyone, this is my first BURN NOTICE story, but I have written extensively for another fandom. Since most, if not all of you, are unfamiliar with me, I thought I'd let you know a little bit about my writing style. First, I LOVE Burn Notice! It has been great fun watching Michael emerge from the isolated "world of spies" and reenter the "real world" of humanity. Over the course of 5 seasons we have seen him progress from being a very private and emotionally closed-off individual to someone who embraces his family and friends. He now loves and cares about "real people" rather than the "idea of people" as just assets.

Second, I adore Michael and Fi. They have one of the most complex and dynamic relationships in entertainment right now. I find their juxtaposition of personalities enthralling. They both are driven to "right the wrongs," but from totally different perspectives. At first glance they seem so incompatible, but on closer inspection, their core values are very similar, they just go about their solutions in different manners. They "complete each other" to use that worn out phrase. That said, I doubt anything about their relationship is easy. They both have dynamic take-charge personalities, which often put them at odds. They aren't one of your typical romantic TV couples, which is why they are so captivating. Taking all that into consideration, I seriously doubt a long-term relationship/marriage would ever be easy for the two of them. In fact, Michael tried to tell her that from the start of their reunion (i.e. 'Broken Rules'). It is from that perspective this story was written. My previous readers knew to "trust me" in the care of a favorite couple, but since most of you have never read any of my previous works, I'll ask you to do the same. TRUST ME and let the story develop, I promise not to disappoint those of you who adore this "explosive" couple! And yes, the pun is intended.

AN 3: Back to my writing style, I tend to write LONG stories, whether they are one-shots or multi-chapter tales. I love "words," by that I mean, I love to set the stage with evocative language, so the reader is taken right along for the ride with the characters. My favorite works of fiction use the setting to further the emotions and actions of the story. I want to "feel" the approaching storm or delight in the crystal, blue, rolling waves of the sea. My writing style emulates those features I find most mesmerizing. If you like "short and sweet," then I'll most likely lose you somewhere along the way.

AN 4: One last tidbit, I'm a physician. I practice neonatology (newborn intensive care). Since medicine is my life's work and joy, my stories often tend to drift toward medicine, injuries, hospital care, even if it's only a paragraph or two. Lucky for you, only a couple of my previous stories were based around the theme of illness, injury or treatment. I try to venture outside my "normal" world to explore other avenues. The reason I mention this point is that I may use a medical term, diagnosis or treatment you aren't familiar with. If you don't understand a fact related to medicine, please send me a note and I will make every effort to give further explanation. Now, if it's something other than medicine, oh like say weapons, spying, tactical maneuvers, and governmental agencies, I'll put forth my best effort to be accurate, but folks I make no promise to be knowledgeable or precise! In my previous fandom I had experts to help me with specifics related to military protocol, the law and aircrafts…no such luck here, folks! Sorry!

Okay, enough of my rambling. ON WITH THE STORY!

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Disclaimer: I don't own Burn Notice or any of the characters. I don't profit from them for sure, I wish! I just take them out and play with them on occasion before replacing them safe and sound back on the shelf.

Special thanks to Mom, my faithful finder and keeper of all things related to spelling and grammar.

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Apathy

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. – Leo Buscagalia

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Epilogue

Long ago and far away, on a warm fall day, a fair lass strolled through the gardens near Ui Maino in the countryside of Ireland. The sun that day was full and bright, heating the autumn breeze as it scattered the loose ringlets of curls about her forehead. Securing the waist-length tresses back with a cord of golden silk, she lifted her face to the sun and smiled, as its hot rays blushed her cheeks to the color of crimson. Her nose tingled and twitched under the perfumed assault of the delicious floral fragrances surrounding her. A butterfly with gossamer wings flitted through the air, beckoning her further down the path to the rich green forest and the cooling waters of the River Shannon just beyond.

She paused in her leisurely pursuit of her winged-companion to brush her fingers through the fading summer wildflowers. The green carpet of shamrocks, lying beneath her feet, tickled her delicate ankles and spurred her to delight, sending her lithe friend soaring high on a musical gust of laughter. She bent down in search of a lucky clover. Finding none to her liking, she ambled further into the flowered hillside, stopping to inhale the fragrances of periwinkle, cornflowers and Irish Sea aster.

Returning to the trampled path, she spied a couple of large mounds of fairy roses standing sentinel at the entry to the forest. As she bent to study their variegated pink and white petals, she was halted by the most alluring scent. The most magnificent pure white Irish rose stood nary a foot's length from her touch. The bloom was larger than the span of her fingers, and she held her breath, lest she disturbed the bud's fragile petals. It was as white as the marriage garment of a virginal bride on her sacred wedding day. The center petals blushed with the faintest pink of a newborn's cheek, and the smell was of pure heaven. She reached out to pluck the delicate blossom, gently tucking it into the folds of her auburn hair.

In that moment a deep, baritone voice boomed forth, startling her from her reverenced trance, "How dare you pick the flowers and stroll about the forest without my consent for passage!"

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To be continued…