I stood before Worth, grinning down at him as he sat at the tables. He looked dejected from reality and has been ever since his party.

"Worth?" I say his name, and he looks at me. "I would like to ask you an amazing question. It's something I think you'll really like."

He doesn't even change his facial expression. Just no life in his eyes or anything. It was kind of disturbing since he always looked content and strong before. This is the first time where it looked like the time was getting to him.

Even though by technicality still...he's not supposed to really be here.

"What is that?" He says finally, still no life in his voice.

"Do you...?" I drift, and he waits for me to ask. Except...now I felt like now wasn't the time. "What's wrong?"

Worth's eyes softened on me, and I see him just rest his head on his arms on the table. Now I couldn't see his face like he was intentionally trying to hide it from me.

I remember in training...that when an inmate sees a family member they usually are reminded of what they are missing. That usually can set them back and mess with their flow. Is that what's happening here?

It didn't seem like he would be set back in such a way though when I was at the party. Despite how bitchy Micah was, I just can't imagine anyone being set back by someone like that... Except that is his older brother so...you never know.

"He gets to leave, and I'm stuck here. I was used to this and fine with this until I saw him and it just pisses me off." Worth sat up fast, his hand clenched as it hit the table hard. "What he says can just really anger a person, and he knows just how to hit where it hurts. Except he's like a father to me, I have to honor that. He's done a lot for me so..."

Worth chuckles, banging his hand on the table a couple more times before looking at me fully. He was grinning though, but it wasn't the same.

"What were you going to tell me? Is it the surprise I'm supposed to be looking forward to-?"

"You said once that you can roam freely around here and you're not charged yet, right?" I found myself interrupting him.

He frowns, nodding.

I end up tossing the trustee shirt over the counter, looking at the clock.

"My shift ends in a few minutes. When it does, come to me okay? Right when I exit out, follow right behind." I kind of...order of him.

He just looked at me now. His eyes lowering now as he smiled, only to nod.

I rush over to the counter as I put his trustee shirt in my bag of stuff. I'll give that to him when my plan goes into motion.

As I was waiting for the clock to tick faster somehow, I didn't hesitate once when I saw the other CO begin to come in. When I grabbed my things I saw Worth get up and walk towards me.

The female CO seemed to think he was going towards her as she began to greet him. Only for him to walk past her and I grin at him, the both of us just walking out together.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing?!" She shouts in a panic, but I didn't stop. I actually walked right in front of Worth to make sure no one tried anything.

That's when I go into intake, going through the list of names by alphabetical order until I found Worth's bag of civilian clothes. When I turn around he was already right there, looking at me.

"Change into your old clothes. Just put your jail uniform into here and when we come back you can just switch out." I say simply.

Worth takes it, but not before letting his eyes linger on me a little bit. I see him remove his shirt, handing it to me and I look away awkwardly.

We were both men, but he is making me feel self-conscious. I must know his workout routine or something because it's on a whole other level, his body, I mean.

"Wanna touch me?"

I flinch, looking at his face as he pulled his pants off. I shook my head shyly, smacking the side of my head shyly.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't be staring like this."

"It's fine, if it's you staring you could do it as much as you please. Your eyes are very..." He drifts, chuckling as he just puts his clothes on now.

Once I put away his jail uniform, I have him follow me towards the exit. Ignoring all of the officers who were either saying stuff or looked at us crazy.

We were so close to the exit, and I glance over my shoulder up at Worth. He grinned at me and I grin back-.

"Officer Nate what is going on here?"

I sneer, hearing the Chief sound like he was about to cry.

"What does it look like I'm about to do?" I end up questioning him, walking around Worth as I stand between the both of them. "Worth and I are going on a little break from this place."

"You can't do that!" Chief exclaims.

"Why not?"

"Because he is a prisoner!" He snaps in frustration, shaking his head like that should've been obvious.

That's when I look at Worth's wrist and saw the lack of a wristband. The irony wasn't missing on me as I face back forward at Chief.

"He has no wristband, therefore no charge. He's in here, technically, under false pretenses. You all are keeping him here illegally at this point and this could be a hefty lawsuit if someone was to just something." I say to the Chief, his eyes widening on me. "So you either let me do this, or...you never know. We'll be right back, got it?"

I still stood before Worth, glaring down at the Chief as I waited for him to say something.

"How long?"

I smirk, turning around as I put in the code to leave as the doors begin to open.

"How ever long I want to be, we'll be back I said." I tell him with a smile, going right behind Worth as I push him out.

I wait for the doors to the whole prison to close, and once they do I sneer.

"How irritating." I mutter under my breath and I rush to my car. "We need to get past these barbed wire fencing before the Chief tries something - Worth?"

I saw Worth looking out at everything, standing in his normal civilian clothes. He looked absolutely mesmerized by the sun setting and I grin.

I rush back over and grab his arm, rushing him to my car now. Once I unlock it and we both were in, I started the car and was fast to drive to the exit. Putting in the code and the doors open, I didn't even wait for it to go all the way over as I sped out.

Just to be doing that, it made me laugh as I look in the rear view mirror and saw the prison disappearing in the distance. It was literally in the fucking desert so the things close to hear were just a McDonald's, Target, and a gas station. It's pathetic really.

Oh, forgot to mention the motels. Can't forget about those heaps of junk.

"You really did it."

I look, seeing Worth looking only at me.

"Yeah I did. You didn't think I could?" I raise my eyebrow and he couldn't help but shake his head no. "It's okay. What they're doing is illegal. They really don't have a choice. It's like what they all say. I am paid to be a professional snitch. I will gladly rat them out, they're not my friends. It'll be easy for me to do."

Driving to the McDonald's, I park so that he can go inside and experience it that way. I bet he's already been, but just since it's been a couple of years. Why not?

When we get out I could tell he was looking forward to it. I kinda was too because I haven't been to McDonald's in a bit.

"What did you usually get?" I ask him as we go inside.

"I would get a lot. A crazy amount because I just could. Lots of fries, lots of chicken, a burger, two drinks. I can't wait!" Worth exclaims and I smile at his excitement.

Getting in line, I saw him just looking up at the menu with so much anticipation. Almost like he was a little kid wondering how much he can get away with getting.

Oh...I forget.

"You can get anything you want," I inform him now, his eyes widening on me in amazement, "Go all out."

"Don't have to tell me twice!" He rushed up to the counter, and he was already ordering.

Baffled me as when I thought he was done, he got more! I wasn't complaining though because I know it's probably been some time for him. Not probably, it been some time!

This is the least I can do if I can't get him out of that prison to be a free man. Not as if he already isn't one.

By the time he finished ordering, the bill was already up to twenty dollars which is kinda rare at McDonalds. I saw him filling up his cups with the drinks he wanted. Paying now, I go over beside him and get that spicy Sprite.

"I can't wait." He says excitedly, looking at me as he held his two drinks. "I like their Sprite and orange HIC. It's the best in my opinion."

"I agree. When was the last time you've been here?"

"I mean..." Worth chuckled, drinking some of his drink. "Before I went to jail, I never really went there. The one that was near where I lived wasn't all that good. So it's been actually five years since I've eaten it genuinely."

"Oh, well, this McDonald's is amazing. Or I might just be saying that because there's not a lot of other options..." I drift, causing him to snort. "I don't think so."

When I hear my name be called, we rushed over to get our food. His excitement was highly contagious as he held his three bags of food and I'm here with my one bag.

"Where do you want to eat this?" I ask him, and he shrugs. Stuffing his face with fries already, I could imagine where that would be...where we'd eat.

We go to the car and I decide where we can eat. Driving to a place quite a distance from everything that allowed us to feel like we were really away from reality. I'm the middle of nowhere...but I knew where I was.

Going outside with him, we just were eating. Looking at the sky in peace, I enjoyed this. Even if there was no talking. The fact that we could just eat and enjoy each other's company was truly enough.

How could this not be enough? Enjoying good food with your friend?

"Nate?"

I look at him, seeing him looking forward. Only to look at me now and grin.

"Thank you Nate, for all of this." He breathes, and I smile.

"I had to after seeing how sad you looked in there. It's really sad...your circumstances. I can tell you want to go by some word and I don't know what that is, but whatever that is, it's keeping you here clearly. I can't make you leave because you're kinda choosing to. I don't know what's going on right now, and I don't know if I ever will! I just know...I don't want you to suffer anymore than you have to." I explain to him, sighing as the sky was starting to get dark. "You got McDonald's, brag about how 'Officer Nate' paid for it too. They'll eat that up!"

I chuckle at myself, drinking some of my Sprite now. When I set it down on the ground I look back at Worth.

He was still looking down at me, his eyes so kind. I watch him lean over some and I wondered what he was doing at this point. What was he thinking?

"Worth what's on your mind?" I ask him now as his face was a few inches from mine.

"You...you're on my mind." He confesses.

I smile because he was so kind. How could I think someone like this was a horrible person? I'm happy I know the truth now.

"Well, you're on my mind too. I'm happy you can feel relieved. A new time to relax and to just...be happy." I drifted as his eyes changed entirely.

He was closer now and I saw him looking at my lips. I looked at his too, but I became shy as I look back up at his eyes. Except he wasn't shy at all when his hand suddenly cradled my face, startling me.

"Oh...um, can I? I mean, may I?" He pulled his hand off, and I nod. When he puts it back I chuckle at his shyness.

Was this...what Fay was talking about? Does Worth...have a crush on me?

"Do you like me?" I found myself asking outright.

I saw his eyes widen, not saying anything yet. Until that look calmed and he wasn't showing anything. Just leaned towards me and our lips were so close. These nerves kicking in as I pull back fast, blushing.

I looked at him in shock because we were so close to a kiss and...I didn't try to stop him. That altogether had me pulling away from him. It was nothing else but that.

The look in his eyes was pure disappointment.

"Worth-."

I hear my phone go off, and I he pulled away himself all the way. That said a lot as I answer the phone.

"What?"

"When are you coming back?" I heard the Chief question me hurriedly.

"I said we'll come back when we come back! Why are you all up on my ass? I wasn't lying, and don't try to imply that I am either." I snap.

When I look at Worth he looked emotionless. Standing up as he was already going to the car and I sigh, great.

"We're coming back now, happy?" I sneer, not waiting for his response as I hang up on him. When I do I grabbed my drink and go back to my car.

Once inside, I look at Worth and saw him just looking forward. He didn't look at me at all.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing, let's just go back so that you don't get in trouble." Is all he says, and I already knew he was probably upset that I didn't let him kiss me.

It wasn't even that I hated it...I honestly...didn't mind. I was just so taken aback that it was even happening that I pulled away. I've never even kissed a guy before.

Considering he didn't want to kiss the others when they insisted...why would he want to kiss me? I guess it's a little different... I can say it's kinda awkward now. More on his end than it is on mine.

I know I didn't pull away because I didn't want to kiss him. It took me aback and I just subconsciously yanked back. I hope he doesn't overthink...knowing him though, he might be.

Even when we got back, he was quick inside as the Chief was already waiting.

I wasn't able to ask him once more what's wrong as Chief held me back. That look of relief on his face was irritating.

"Where'd you two go? You were gone for some time."

"We went places."

"What places?"

I ignore him, going around him as I try to catch up to him. Except he wasn't even in the change out room anymore and I went towards the pod I watch over.

Just when I get in that hall I saw Worth already walking over.

"Worth, hey!" I call for him, running over before he can get inside. I grab his arm, causing him to look down at me. "I can tell something is wrong, are you going to tell me before you have to go in there?"

He looked back forward, chuckling as he shook his head.

"No...I have nothing to tell you," Worth sighs, pulling his arm out of my grip, "Don't worry."

"I am still worried."

"Well," the doors to the pod began to open, and he looked forward, "don't be."

With that, he walked inside and I saw the female CO glaring at me. I roll my eyes at such a thing even though what I wanted to be focused on was what could be bothering Worth.

It's kinda obvious, but like I said. Never know with him.

...unfortunately.

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