Aerrow leaned back into one of the many chairs scattered across the bridge as Piper rolled up multiple scrolls spread across the bridge table, the scrolls flaking at the edges slightly under Piper's touch. Piper fell back into the chair next to Aerrow heavily, letting the chair sink.
"Now we just have to follow the plan." Piper shifted her gaze to Aerrow, annoyance filling her eyes.
"Aww come one Piper," Piper huffed in frustration. The only thing we should worry about is getting the crystals off the Cyclonians." Piper nodded slowly while she ran the plan through her mind once more.
"As I said, as long as everyone follows the plan we'll be fine." Piper scanned the bridge looking for the other members of the squad, she saw Stork standing at the controls, his eyes fixed on the horizon. Piper turned her head to see Finn picking his nose.
"Finn! Stop that," Finn looked at Piper for a few moments before shrugging his shoulders and turning his attention back to his nose. "You're such a pig!" Piper looked away from Finn the sharp shooter, her eyes filled with a mixture of disgust and annoyance.
It's only human to clean something that's dirty." Piper placed a hand over her mouth, stifling a laugh. "Except my room." Piper groaned letting her hand fall to her side.
"Don't worry about him Piper," Aerrow whispered while placing a hand on Piper's shoulder. Piper let a defeated sigh escape her lips as her shoulders slumped.
"Incoming!" The squad members on the bridge jumped at Stork's words. Aerrow ran to the front window, his eyes frantically scanning the horizon for any signs of danger. A small red ride caught his eyes.
"A skimmer?" Aerrow tilted his head to the side in confusion.
"The Postman!" Aerrow jumped at Finn's outburst. Shaking his head at the Sharp Shooter the Sky Knight headed for the bridge.
Aerrow grabbed the pile of letters off the post man, nodding in acknowledgement as the Postman flew off.
"Is there any fan mail for the Finnster?" Finn reached for the letters but Aerrow pulled them out of reach as he begun to sort through the mail.
"Junko, here's one for you." Aerrow Looked over at the wallop as excitement filled his eyes.
"That's the new Crazy Cooking magazine, well it should be." Aerrow handed the package to the joyful wallop before looking at the next package.
"Stork. Here is your magazine and a letter from the scouts." Aerrow held out the package and the letter waiting for the Carrier Pilot, Aerrow's eyes fixed on the next package. After a few more moments of waiting Aerrow looked up at Stork. "Umm Stork. What's wrong?" The merb quickly jumped back.
"You never know what diseases could be on those things, I'll need to grab my bacteria spray." With that Stork ran back to the bridge.
"Ok…" Looking back at the next package Aerrow sighed softly "the next is for Finn."
"Sweet," Finn tore the collection of letters out of Aerrow's hands before bringing the letters toward his nose and breathing deeply. "Ahh fan mail, I love fan mail." Aerrow stepped away from the Sharp Shooter quietly before looking at the rest of the packages.
"Five for me," Aerrow continued flipping through the letters. "Piper here's one for you." Piper looked up from her heliscooter to see a small letter in front of her, the blue paper surprising the young navigator.
"Thanks Aerrow." Piper smiled lightly as she took the letter out of her leader's hands, inspecting the envelope. Piper tilted her head as she caught sight of the tidy hand writing on the front, with a small shrug Piper ran her finger nail under the seal. Piper felt her confusion grow as she pulled out sunset coloured paper with waves running along the bottom. Carefully Piper unfolded the paper to be greeted by beautifully written words. Slowly Piper's eyes scanned the writing. Aerrow looked over at Piper as he opened another letter, jealously bolted through his body as he caught sight of Piper's shaded cheeks.
"Hey guys check this out." Aerrow jumped as Finn's voice cut through his thoughts. "I think Piper has a secret lover." The mocking tone in Finn's voice caused Piper's muscles to tighten. "Come on Piper show us." Finn began reaching for the letter in Piper's hands.
"No Finn it's mine." Finn rolled his eyes as Piper's voice hung in the air.
"Aww come on, can't you at least tell us one or two lines." Finn looked up at Piper his eyes wide and begging.
"No. I don't know what girls see in you." Piper folded the letter up carefully, her eyes never leaving the Sharp Shooter.
"Finn you may want to leave her alone now." Junko squeaked softly, knowing Piper was going to hurt Finn if he didn't back off. Finn sighed and began walking toward Junko. As the Sharp Shooter reached the Wallop Finn slung an arm over Junko's shoulder casually.
"I have an idea you hold her and I'll get the letter." Junko shook his head at his buddy's words. Aerrow placed his letters on his skimmer seat, his anger reaching boiling point.
"Guys stop it!" Four pairs of eyes swung to the leader, shock shading the air. "It's Piper's letter and she can do whatever she wants with it." Aerrow took a couple long breaths "You can't read it unless Piper wants you to. Understood?"
"Ok, ok we'll back off." Finn held his hands up defensively. For now Finn silently added. I'm not going to rest until I read that letter.
Later that evening Aerrow ran his hand through the locks of crimson on his head. Jumping slightly as he noticed the soft light shining through Piper's doorway. The Sky Knight approached quietly, careful not to scare the young Navigator. Aerrow paused at the doorway, taking a silent breath Aerrow brought his fist up to the door frame.
"Come in." Called out a sleepy voice. Aerrow rested against the door frame casually letting his eyes rest on Piper's slouched body, her hair ran down her back like silk curtains.
"Can't sleep?" Piper straightened her back quickly before slouching back over her work desk.
"No it's not that. I just need to finish something," Piper's eyes scanned the sunset letter that had everyone on the condor guessing. After a few moments Aerrow took a deep breath, getting rid of all uncertainty.
"So you really do have a secret lover?" Aerrow felt his mouth run dry as the words left his mouth. Regret washed over the Sky Knight as Piper sighed. Piper turned her gaze to Aerrow as she started to stand, she walked to the door frame poking her head into the hallway. When Piper was certain no one was near she nodded slightly.
"Yes. Finally." Piper sighed as she re-entered her room. Aerrow clamped his teeth over his tongue, afraid he may say something to offend his best friend. As the last of Aerrow's jealous thought left his mind he allowed himself to speak.
"Congratulations. Now I think Stork is the only one that hasn't gotten one. But I think its only a matter of time." Piper nodded slowly in agreement.
"I couldn't stop laughing when Raddar got one filled with chicken feathers." The young Storm Hawks chuckled slightly at the memory. "So Aerrow how many have you got?" Aerrow scratched the back of his head quickly.
"Two, the first from Victoria and the second" Aerrow paused for a moment waiting for the name to come to mind. "Ah that's right, it was Sara."
"I guess I'll have to congratulate you." Piper said in a teasing voice. Aerrow pushed Pipier playfully.
"Hang on, I think Finn got more than me! "Piper smiled as Aerrow looked down the hallway.
"It was only a joke, remember." Piper nudged one of Aerrow's arms lightly.
"I know Pi." Smiling Piper sat on her little stool. "So what's the name of Mr Mysterious?" Piper huffed in frustration as she shook her head.
"No idea, but he seems like a nice guy." Aerrow smiled lightly.
"I'm sure he is. Do you know where it's from?" Piper quickly reached for the envelope
Why didn't I think of that before? Piper turned the envelope over in her hand, catching sight of the same text. "Here it is, his writing is shaky, he must be shy."
"What do you think you will write back?" Piper froze as uncertainty washed over her.
"Umm… I don't know, I haven't really thought about it. Maybe… Well I will thank him and say that he was really sweet." Piper begun tapping her fingers on the table at her side.
"Are you going to mention that you're going out with me?" Piper looked at her side table, concern filling her body.
"I should, but I don't think I should." Piper looked up at Aerrow, regret filling her body.
"Why?" Piper cringed at the hurt in Aerrow's voice.
"Because whoever sent this letter is clearly shy. It would've taken a lot of courage for him to write this. Then when he gets a reply he would be shattered to find out I'm going out with my Sky Knight. And what would the council think, isn't couples among squad members forbidden." Piper fixed her gaze on the small letter that lay on her side desk.
"Your right it is forbidden, but it hasn't affected our roles." Aerrow walked toward piper placing his hands on her shoulders lightly. He shifted once hand under Piper's chin, lifting it slightly. Aerrow lowered his head letting their lips brush.
"What if I was the secret lover?" Aerrow whispered.
"Aerrow," Piper giggled. "I know it's not you."
"Oh really, what tells you that?" Aerrow smiled down at Piper playfully.
"The writing in this letter is far too neat to be written by you."
"What do you mean by that?" Aerrow felt his smile turn to a grin "Don't make me tickle you again." Piper jumped off her stool, taking Aerrow by surprise he began to stumble back.
"Aerrow don't!" Piper continued to back off as she noticed the challenging look in Aerrow's emerald green eyes. "Aerrow please don't you know-" Piper was cut off by the overwhelming urge to laugh, the young navigator placed a hand over her mouth to stifle the laughter. Aerrow and Piper fell on the bed as Piper struggled to contain her laughter. "Aerrow please stop," Piper mamged between breaths.
"How's that Sky Knight of yours?" Aerrow said in a joking tone.
"Aerrow please," Piper grabbed Aerrow's wrists "stop I need to breathe." Aerrow pulled his arms back letting Piper catch her breath.
"Are you ok?" Aerrow placed a hand on her arms lightly.
"I'm fine." Piper looked into Aerrow's eyes again, panic washed over her as she saw the cheeky look in Aerrow's eyes. "Aerrow?" Piper begun backing away from the Sky Knight "Aerrow please don't!"