Chapter 2: Explanation Time

"What's going on here?" asked Mike. "Nothing", Mary and Danny said in union. "That usually means something is going on." "No it doesn't," said Danny. "Yes it does." "No, it doesn't." "Maybe there is but you can't tell Ed about this. Got it?" said Mary. "I can't keep a secret if I don't know what that secret is." "Then, we don't need to tell you anything!" "But, I could tell Ed that I found you two together in the same room, where's there been some kissing." "You have to promise not to say anything!" "Danny, I give you my word." "Why, don't you to go talk, while I make some coffee." "Sounds great, babe," said Danny as he planted a kiss on her forehead. "Babe?" asked Mike. "I'll explain in there."

"So you guys had, um, last night, while you were trying to pack up?" "Yup." "Here's some coffee, guys." "Thanks." "No problem, Danny." "So are you guys in love?" "Yeah," said Danny as he looked at Mary whose face had just grown a smile. "Well, I'll be back at 3:00. Be packed by then. And no fooling around!" "Okay," said Danny as he let out a laugh.

Danny led Mike to the front door and when he closed it he turned to Mary. "That turned out okay, didn't it?" "Do you really love me, Danny?" "Of course." Danny kissed Mary once again but this time no one came through the door.

"I'd guess I'd better go pack." "I'll help you." "Alright." Mary started to walk back to the bedroom, but Danny stopped her. "What?" Danny picked her up and carried her to his bedroom and gently laid her down on the bed. "You're so beautiful in the morning." "Thank you." Danny kept gazing into her eyes until Mary suggested they better get to work.

3:10am

Danny once again heard a knock on the door. "That's Mike." Danny went over to the door and opened it. "You guys ready?" he asked. "Yeah," said Danny as he looked at Mary who had tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'll go get your bags, Danny." Danny went over to Mary and gave her a hug. "It's okay, baby." "I know, I'm just gonna miss you so much." "I'm gonna miss you too." Mike came back with Danny's bags and asked if they were ready. Danny resentfully said yes.

On the drive over to the airport, Danny kept glancing at Mary. Mary would do the same, and Mike would just shake his head. But they had a huge surprise waiting for them at the airport.

Airport, 3:45am

"We're here," said Mike as he pulled up to the main building. "I'll go get my bags." "I'll help." "Thanks, Mike." "No problem." "I'm just going to go inside for a bit. Anyone want a coffee?" "I'll take one." "Me too."

Coffee Shop

While Mary was in line to get coffee she could have sworn she'd seen Delinda, her boss's daughter. She never disliked Delinda, but she was always jealous of her. Delinda had gotten to Danny first. But now maybe she'll be jealous of me for a change, thought Mary.

Just Outside The Coffee Shop

Hey, isn't that Mary?" asked Delinda. "Yeah," answered Sam. "Why is she here? I didn't tell her about the party." "Why not?" "Because she's so tight with Danny. She'd be crying the whole time." "Oh."

A few minutes later Mary came back with the coffee. "Thanks, Mary. "Your welcome, Mike." "So did you guys date before last night?" "No," said Danny not wanting to talk about the first time he was shipped out to war. Mary just stared at him.

"Flight 626 to Great Britain, now boarding," said the loudspeaker above them.

"That's the plane before mine. We better start hedding down to the lobby." "Okay," said Mike.

The friends started to walk towards the lobby, when all their co-workers came out.

"Surprise!" they all shouted at once. "Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no," said Danny not wanting a surprise party. "We just wanted to say good-bye, before you left," said Delinda. Delinda gave Mary a suspicious look. Danny also gave the same look to Mike. "Hey, I didn't know about it!" Danny kept staring at him. "Well, maybe a little." "So, Danny, where were you last night? We tried to have a farewell party for you but Mary said you weren't home." "I was at my dad's saying good-bye, and then I had to go home and pack." "Oh." "Excuse me everyone. I'll be right back." Danny walked away but first he pulled Mary aside and whispered into her ear, "Meet me at the coffee shop."

A few seconds later Mary wandered off to go meet Danny. "What is with those two?" asked Delinda. "What about them?" asked Nessa. "What they're doing. Mary never came back after we sent her out, they both arrived together, and now they both leave at the same time, after Danny whispered something in her ear." "I didn't notice anything," said Mike trying to defend his friend's secret relationship.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" asked Mary. "What did I do?" "Delinda can figure out anything especially whose in a relationship and whose not." "So..." "You do the math, Danny. I couldn't get you last night, we arrived here together, and we left almost at the same time!" "Oh." "Yeah. Hopefully, she hasn't told anyone yet."

"So daddy, do you think anything's going on between them?" Delinda asked her father, Big Ed Deline. "I don't know but if there is something going on, I need to know about it. Delinda, watch Mary while Danny is away. See if she's heartbroken. Mike, watch Danny until he leaves. Everyone else, make sure we don't see them kissing." "Sure, Ed," said Mike not knowing what to do.

an: thank you everyone for your reviews. Now please can more people review!

Jimmy: We're all special Jimmy. Oh and your new name, very confusing!

Angel Trigger: Thanks, I'll try to post lots of long chapters!