Thanks to all those that reviewed. It means a lot that you're enjoying the story so far. I apologize if the previous and the next few chapters appear to be one big, jumbled mess. I mentioned before that I'm new to writing fanfiction, so I've yet to fully get the hang of things. To all the experts reading this, please don't hesitate to offer any advice.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, thus I ask that you treat it as such. All recognizable names do not belong to me. The unrecognizable names and plot however are solely mine.
Chapter 2
Colby headed towards the row of chairs stationed along the glass wall of the airport's departure area. Dressed in the clothes he wore yesterday— his favourite grey Glamour Kills T- shirt, denim jeans and a pair of black Converse— with his hair away from his face in a sleek ponytail he stared unabashedly at the patrons in the wide, sun- lit room. Being in such a public place he usually avoided eye contact with others to lessen the chance of him being spotted by a fan, but he was at the far end of the room, away from the chaos of persons scrambling to check in on their flights.
Quickly becoming bored with the quietness of his immediate surroundings he popped in his earbuds and pressed Shuffle on his phone. Scrolling through his twitter feed he randomly hit the retweet icon when fans mentioned buying his merchandise or supporting him at the SmackDown taping that night. The rhythmic tapping of high heels approaching the almost desolate area where he sat cut through the diminishing guitar chords of Distaste by The Story So Far. Pausing the music, his eyes moved in the direction of the sound which emanated from a pair of leopard print heels heading in the direction of the counter where he returned the stolen luggage, directly across the room from his vantage point. His eyes landed on a pair of shapely calves with the right amount of musculature he liked to see on a female, curvaceous hips and generous backside sheathed in a form fitting pink skirt which ended a little below the knees, and a snug, black turtleneck blouse. She was obviously dressed for work.
"Damn." Was the only thought that came to mind as the young man waited on the glorious moment that the stunning figure would turn around. Listening intently to the conversation between the female and the male representative behind the counter, he was able to pick out a few bits and pieces.
"Good morning… luggage I accidentally… called yesterday…"
"Yes ma'am… some identification… Have a seat please."
So this was the suitcase stealer! "Cassandra….no, Cassidy." was the name he recalled being printed on the tag. "Cassidy Logan." he said softly to himself.
As if she heard him utter her name her eyes immediately landed on the slender man sitting across the room. Leaving the bag with the representative the young woman strolled towards the row of seats, eyes trained on the grey steel seat two seats away from Colby. He heard her engage in conversation with someone over the phone, and from the side of the conversation he was privy to, he presumed the person on the other end was telling the woman to hurry up and finish this business at the airport. Not wanting to eavesdrop any further he resumed listening to his music.
A few moments later his musings were interrupted by a feather- light touch.
"Excuse me, good morning." She said with a timid smile and a hint of professionalism in her voice, "Are you Colby Lopez?"
"Yes. And you're Cassidy…"
"Logan. Nice to meet you." She interjected, extending her hand for a handshake which he readily accepted.
She internally basked at the feeling of his husky voice caressing her ears and the firmness with which he gripped her hand, both resulting in a prickly sensation taking up residence on her exposed skin.
Discreetly, she took in his outward appearance: black hair neatly secured in a ponytail at the nape of his neck, lightly tanned skin, thick eyebrows hovering above big brown orbs, a well-groomed beard and moustache he obviously took pride in, and thin pink lips. Cassie wasn't gonna lie to herself and regard him as unattractive, cause that damn well wasn't the case. He was ruggedly handsome, but she wasn't about to let him know.
Colby also took the time to take in the woman's frontal features. Dark brown hair hung in soft waves just above her shoulder, wide brown eyes framed by thick eyelashes, a broad but cute nose and full lips to which she applied a light shade of pink lipstick. All these features accentuated her warm, brown, oval shaped face.
"Same here. So did you enjoy your time as a criminal? I mean, you did steal my suitcase."
"Oh really now? And how come you're so sure it wasn't the other way around?" Colby retorted with the same amount of humour in his voice.
Laughing, Cassidy continued "No, no. I was one of the last persons to get off the plane, so naturally by the time I got to the carousel my bag — sorry, your bag was the only one there. Our bags look the same and so I saw it, assumed it was mine and left."
"Imagine my surprise when I opened 'my' suitcase and couldn't find anything that belonged to me. I almost went crazy." Colby admitted, unnecessarily smoothing his hair back. Cassie nodded understandingly, having experienced similar feelings last night. The pair exchanged quick apologies and moved on to other topics, finding that the conversation between them flowed much more freely than they expected it to. Checking her simple wristwatch, Cassie jumped from her seat.
"Christ!"
A fretting Colby sprang into action "Are you okay? Did I say something wrong?"
"You're okay. It's just that I have a meeting to get to and it's all the way across town," turning her attention to the counter she added, "and we've been sitting here for almost half an hour and they're not back with the bags. Excuse me."
Colby watched Cassidy strut towards the empty counter and helplessly admired the way in which she did so. She had the gait and proper posture of a model, but he had a feeling that that wasn't her profession. He made it to the counter in time just to see her stepping behind it.
He touched her arm gently, "What are you doing?"
"I'm going for my luggage. You comin'?"
He stammered before replying "I doubt we're allowed back there."
"Well then, you can stay here while I go get my bag." She offered reassuringly before stepping away and heading towards the door she saw the airline representative magically disappear through earlier. A figure appeared in the threshold, blocking her entry. Looking up, it was the man from earlier.
"Miss will you please take a seat. We're not finished processing—"
"Excuse me? It's only two bags that were taken up by accident! What exactly is there to process?"
"Miss, we have strict guidelines to follow in regards—"
"And that's great." She cut in "But I've been sitting here for thirty minutes and have yet to receive my things." Pointing to herself Cassidy added, "Sir I have a job to get to and I'm here right now with you wasting valuable time. Believe me, I like to get paid as much as the next person; something I'm sure you understand, considering how early you're here working."
The representative paused momentarily, then sighed in defeat, "Okay, I'll be back shortly with the release forms which both of you need to sign." He said, glancing over her shoulder at Colby. "Excuse me."
Colby, who stood back quietly watching the scene unfold let out a chuckle.
"Here I was, thinking she enjoyed my presence when she really just couldn't wait to get away from me."
Apologetically, Cassidy turned to face him, "I'm sorry if I made you think that but I really do have to get going."
At the same time Eve's "Tambourine" began playing. After fishing around in her black Chanel tote she removed the ringing phone.
"Hello?"
"Where are you? You're on your way, right?"
"Um, not exactly. I'm still at the airport."
"WHAT! Aren't you aware that you're due to present in an hour? You know the conference is all the way across town and the traffic to get here from the airport is extremely ridiculous—"
"Sophie, look, just calm down. I'll probably get there a bit late but until then I'm gonna need you to do me a favour."
"What now?" Sophie whined.
"If they're calling for me just tell them to go take a break or something, please." Cassidy pleaded.
"You're talking as if these grown people are friggin' kindergarteners! Fine! I'll do it, but you better hope it doesn't come down to that or so help me God–"
"Thanks babe!" she exclaimed as she ended the call, whilst signing the release papers the guy recently emerged with.
As the two headed for the parking lot with their respective bags in tow, Cassidy dialled an all too familiar number. The person picked up on the second ring.
"Lieutenant Commander Newman."
"Pete, it's Cassie. I need you to do me a huge favour. I need an escort."
That stopped the detective in his tracks "An escort? At ten- forty in the morning?" He asked incredulously. "I didn't know those people were on the grind this early."
A blush covered her cheeks at the change in direction of her thoughts. "No you idiot. I'm stuck at the Albany International Airport and I have a meeting all the way across town and I won't get there in time if I drive there myself. I was kinda hoping you could help me out."
"Sure. Where exactly are you?"
"In the parking lot by the main exit. You know, near the taxi stand."
She ended the call as the Lieutenant told her he'd be there in five minutes. She would have forgotten the man walking alongside her had he not chosen that moment to ask her where she was parked.
"Not too far from here. Three more cars down."
They stopped at her rental as she went to pop the trunk and stow the weighty suitcase inside.
"Give it here. I'll handle it." Colby commanded, effortlessly tossing it inside. She expressed her gratitude and went to unlock the driver's side.
"So where are you parked?" she inquired, looking up at him from her position in the driver's seat. Fully taking him in, she began to admire his sense of style also.
"I'm parked right in front of you." Following his gaze, hers landed on a shiny, black Escalade.
"Cadillac. Nice." She leaned over and began pulling papers and leather folders off the back seat.
Colby was impressed. "You know cars."
"I know enough." She replied with a smirk.
He noted the stack of folders she rested on the roof of her car. "You heading to work?"
"Yeah, just waiting for my drive. I'm heading all the way across town and I'm already late, hence why I had to call for backup earlier. I like your shirt by the way, though I have no clue what it's saying."
"Thanks. It's actually saying 'Glamour Kills'." He said pointing to the printed letters, then continued, "That's the name of the brand. I like your outfit too. Looks very… professional."
"Thanks." Cassidy paused and turned in the direction of the approaching sirens. "I hear my ride coming. Nice meeting you Colby. It was nice talking rock bands with you."
"I liked it too. Not many people out there are aware that good rock music exists. We're like the chosen few." He moved to embrace her in a hug which she accepted.
Colby blurted out the next few words without thinking, "Are you on Twitter?"
She replied in the affirmative and switched phones, typing in their respective handles and switched again, just as a grey Camaro stopped in the middle of the driveway from which a tall, medium- built guy emerged.
"Hey. How you doin'?" the plainclothes naval officer asked as he planted a kiss on her cheek.
"Great. I'm riding with you so I'll come back for my car later."
The Lieutenant stepped around the woman, stopping before Colby.
"And you are?"
"Colby Lopez." Colby replied firmly, sensing a challenge.
The officer paused, and then gestured towards Cassie with a slight nod of his head in her direction, "And you know her how?"
Cassie spoke up authoritatively, "Pete, knock it off. We're leaving. Now."
Remembering his true purpose he raised his hands, backing away from Colby.
"I'm sorry about him." She apologized, looking to the ground.
"Nah, it's okay. See you on Twitter?"
"Definitely." She walked away waving, and entered the car just as the sirens came to life.
Colby stood there, watching the car become smaller with each passing second, slowly becoming one with the scenic April morning.
Chapter 2! Again, please review. I look forward to them.