Mary sits in the living room, anxiously twisting the ring around her index finger. She's trying to keep herself calm. She's been on edge since the brawl between Amber and T-Bag. She's never seen a fight like that before. Sure, she's seen shoving matches with the men (and women) Amber used to bring home on occasion, but that's nothing compared to what went down before.

She shifts nervously on the couch and glances down at her ring. It has a twisted sliver band with a gleaming red gemstone in the center. It was a gift from her mother for her 10th birthday. It had belonged to Amber's grandmother who passed it down to Amber's mother, who then passed it down to Amber herself. So, she figured she'd pass along the "tradition."

Mary is so transfixed on the ring that she doesn't hear someone entering the living room, only noticing when a hand touches her shoulder.

She jumps to her feet with a squeak and whips around.

"Oh, it's just you," Mary says, relieved to see Lincoln.

"Yea, just me. I didn't mean to scare you."

She shakes her head with a smile. "It's fine. Is everything alright?"

"Everything's fine. I'm just taking a break. We haven't really gotten the chance to talk."

This is way more nerve-wracking than Lincoln thought it'd be. He's not sure how to talk to her about all of this.

Mary, on the other hand, is absolutely ecstatic! There are so many things she wants to ask him.

"How did mom and him meet? What was she like before she was pregnant with me? When did they fall in love? Does he still love her? She loves him...He has to love her..."

Her thoughts are running wild but before she can ask anything, Lincoln speaks up.

"I don't expect you to be okay with all of...this...It's pretty crazy. But eventually, we have to talk about this. So, whenever you're ready..."

She stares at him for a few seconds before shaking her head. Lincoln figures that's his cue to leave. He turns to head back to the garage but stops when he feels a small hand wrap around his wrist.

"I uhm...I'm happy you're here. With me and my mom...Don't let her leave again," Mary begs.

"I'm not going to-"

"There has been a breaking development in the double homicide prosecution of Lincoln Burrows Jr. Due to the sudden disappearance of crucial blood evidence, the Cook County District Attorney's Office had no choice but to drop all charges against the 16-year-old. Burrows is scheduled to be released from the Klipton Detention Center in Kingman, Arizona, where he's currently being held, tomorrow morning."

Lincoln pulls his arm free from Mary's grasp and rushes out of the living room, despite her calling after him. She felt a pang of jealousy in her chest but she tries to ignore it as he leaves.

"Keys to her car, where are they?"

"What's going on?" Michael asks.

"They're releasing LJ. I have to go get him," he replies as Sucre tosses the keys to him.

"You can't do this, Linc. We're five minutes away in there!"

Michael rushes down the hallway to him with Amber close behind, blocking his path to the front door.

"We've been five minutes for four hours."

"Just give me some time. Be patient," Michael begs.

"You think I give a damn about the money?"

"What about your other kid, huh? What about Mary? You're just going to leave?" Amber asks.

Lincoln remains silent.

"We have come 1,500 miles across country. We have made it this far."

"Then I guess this is where we part ways," Lincoln mutters, refusing to look Amber's way.

He doesn't want to hurt her but Mary has her mother and LJ needs his father. Amber would do the same if it was Mary, but he's not about to call her out on her hypocrisy.

Lincoln looks up when her hands rest on the sides of his face.

"I know I won't be able to talk you out of this, so I have a favor to ask."

"Anything," he says, placing his hands on her hips.

Her eyes glisten with tears and she takes in a shaky breath.

"Take Mary with you."

"What?!" Lincoln and Michael say in unison.

"Please. We don't know how much longer this could take. And if the cops catch up to us here, I want her to be with you. I trust you with my-our daughter. Please, Lincoln," she pleads.

His grip on her hips tighten and he pulls her closer to him, resting his forehead against hers.

"Okay."

She pinches her eyes shut and the tears spill over as she buries her face into his shoulder.

"Thank you," she whispers.

She knows that she'll see Mary again but that doesn't make it any easier for her. That's her babygirl and she is going to love, miss and worry about her until she draws her last breath.

She pulls away from Lincoln when she hears Mary call out for her.

"Let me talk to her first."

Lincoln nods, still in shock at her request.

Amber leads Mary into the living room and sits down on the couch with her. She holds Mary's hands gently in her own.

"You know I love you, right?"

"You tell me all the time," Mary whispers, "what's wrong, mama?"

"I need you to...to do something that you're not going to like."

"Worse than diggin' a bullet out of you?"

"I need you to leave with Lincoln. He's going to get his son and I think it'll be best if you go."

Mary is silent for a while, studying her mother's face. "You're kidding?"

"No, I'm not. And this isn't up for discussion. You have to go with him, baby."

"But why?"

"Because you will be in more danger if you stay."

"And how do you know?!"

"I just fucking do!" Amber snaps, startling Mary.

Amber sighs and kneels in front of her.

"I wouldn't be asking you to do this if I thought there was a better way to keep you safe...so please...just do what I've asked..."

Mary nods, trying to be strong for her mother. The tears overflow when Amber places a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Okay...okay...Come on, sweetie," Amber whispers, holding out her hand.

They walk hand-in-hand outside, Mary giving Michael a hug before settling into the passenger seat of the car.

"Please, listen to your father."

Amber has to admit, it sounds weird coming from her mouth. After all, she never thought she would end up with Lincoln again and having him find out about Mary.

Mary's nose scrunches up and Amber immediately puts her hand up.

"Just...behave...And knock it off with the bullshit."

"What bullshit?" Mary questions, narrowing her eyes.

"Okay, first of all, no swearing. Second-"

"You swear all the time!"

"Second! Lighten up with the sarcasm. You'll just annoy him," Amber huffs.

"And you don't do that?"

She glares at Mary who is staring at her mother innocently.

"You do know that you're kinda being a hypocrite. You do everything that you're telling me not to do."

Amber sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"I'm not saying never do it. Just not now. You have to learn when to keep your mouth shut," then Amber mutters, "so do I, apparently."

"Figure that out on your own?" Mary gibes, raising an eyebrow.

"The fuck did I just say, kid?"

Mary snorts and smirks at her mother.

"I love you, mom," Mary says sweetly.

Amber kisses Mary's forehead. "Love you too, babygirl."

She shuts the car door and softly smiles at Mary before standing next to Michael and Lincoln.

"You guys can still come with me," Lincoln says.

"No, I...We can do this," Michael reassures.

"And if we can't?" Amber questions, crossing her arms.

"Then we still meet up with Linc, exactly where we planned."

"Bolchi Booze." Lincoln murmurs.

"Christ, Lincoln. Bolshoi Booze," she says shaking her head.

"Shut up, I got it."

"Do you even remember how to get there?" she stresses.

Lincoln glares at her and she puts her hands up to surrender.

"Thursday night, six o'clock," Michael takes in a shaky breath, "it's our last shot. If we're...If we do this right, we're gone forever."

Lincoln shakes his head. "Lot of ground to cover in three days."

"Nobody likes a pessimist, Linc," she sasses.

"Shut up," he repeats, a smirk evident on his face.

It fades when he looks towards Michael and pulls him into a hug.

"You'll be okay, brother," Lincoln whispers.

They haven't always been close, that much is true. But everything they have been through has brought them closer together. Although, from the outside looking in, it sometimes seems more like a burden than a gift. But neither of them want it any other way.

"Awh, that was sweet," she teases when they break apart, "do I get a hug too or-mmph!"

His lips crash into hers, warmth radiating off of them. His hands cradle her face and she wraps her arms around him, their bodies pressed together. She pulls away when Michael clears his throat.

She looks down, messing with the fabric of his shirt.

"Oh, now you're quiet?" he teases.

"Yea," she whispers.

He holds her hands gently and she gazes up at him.

"I have to go," he says quietly.

She nods, smiling sadly. "I know. Take care of yourself. And Mary."

"Always. Stay safe, you two."

Lincoln gives them both one last look before getting in the car, Amber waving to Mary as they leave.

"So..." Mary begins, breaking the silence. "You and my mom are a thing now?"

Lincoln raises an eyebrow at her then looks back to the road.

"I...guess we are."

"Cool. Can I give you some advice?" Mary asks.

Lincoln chuckles. "Do I have a choice?"

"Not really. Anyway, you two should actually, yknow, use condoms now. This shit shouldn't happen again."

He drags his hand down his face. "Christ, you are just like your mother."

"Hm, so I've heard."