Connor

"Wow, isn't it beautiful?" whispered Risa, as they stepped out of the junky old jeep and surveyed the area.

"Well, that would be a word I would use to describe you. Now if you said 'isn't it just like home.'" His voice drops back into a regular tone.

"Oh, I know you love it too, even though the heat can be a pain."

"Lets go, I want to see how much of the place survived, and if Hayden took good care of it while we where gone."

They walk, and roll, over to the Admiral's old jet. Its wings still hand at terrifying angles, but it's been repainted and the doors have been replaced. They step inside, and instantly a cool blast of air hits them, a big difference to the boiling hot sun outside.

Hayden is sitting at a small table, a cup of coffee nestled in his hands, talking to another unwind. When he sees them, his face breaks into a huge grin.

"So, the Akron AWOL is back, with more stories to add to his growing list of greatness." He laughs when Connor punches him. "Just kidding," his face turns more serious, "so how was life at the harvest camp?"

In response Connor shoves out his arm and turns up his wrist.

"No," Hayden breathes

"yep." Connor pulls his arm back, hiding the mark neatly with his other wrist. Changing the subject, he asks "so how did life go on here?"

"Good!" Hayden exclaims, "We've got it all back in working order, and we're even working on refurbishing new airplanes for our new arrivals."

"We've got more unwinds coming already!" Connor exclaims, "I thought, I mean, I didn't think, I mean… wow."

"Yeah, I know." A whole plane load arrived the day after you left. It looks like the admiral has this all scheduled out for the next few years. Oh, speaking of the admiral, he called and wants you to call him back when you have the time. But first, let's go look at the new and improved Graveyard."

"So how's life in a wheel chair?" Hayden asks as they survey the new planes and people walking by.

"It's better than spending the rest of my life with an unwinds backbone."

"True true, here's the mediplane, we'll have to install a ramp for you, but you'll be back on business as soon a possible."

Risa grins, "Great."

"Hayden checks his watch, we're due for another plane anytime now, lets head back to Admirals, and then you can come and check on them."

"Cool, we need to get out of the heat for a while anyways, until we get used to it again."

They walk slowly back to plane, saying hi to the unwinds who stop to stare and point, already, Connor bets, rumors will be flying around the Graveyard. The hot dust poufs around their feet with each step, as they walk silently for a while. The pressure of all the unsaid things weighs on Connor like a sack of flour. But now is not the time to say them. He swallows down the words that leap into his throat, and turn to watch Risa as she pushes herself along.

Risa

I can see Connor watching me. He's just waiting for me to get tired so he can swoop in and be a hero. But I chose this chair for a reason. My legs may get all weak and skinny, but my arms aren't' going to. Plus it's a good core workout.

I can tell form Connors eyes that he has something on his mind, but unfortunately, Hayden is here, so he'll have to hold it. The plane is just a few yards away. The only problem is, it has stairs. So Connor carries me up while Hayden grabs the wheelchair.

"One thing is for sure," says Connor as he sets me down in my chair with a huff, "is that we are going to have to get some ramps around here."

Hayden nods, and then cocks his head. "I think I hear the plane coming in. you two stay here, and I'll come and get you when I need you."

We nod back, and he sprints off out of the plane.

I ask before Connor can even begin to talk. "What's on your mind?" I ask and sigh.

"When are we going to tell them? I can't hold it in forever."

I know instantly what he's talking about. "Just let it be, plus, they'll find out when I start to show, it'll be fine." He leans in for a kiss, and at that moment, we hear the crash.