"The Merits of Flying"
By LadyCleo
AU – How the movie should have gone. Andrew interrupts the moment before Mia and Nicholas kiss. Mia/Andrew all the way and inspired by frankiebaby's "A Royal Duty." If you like – review as encouragement.
Chapter Two
The world had blurred outside the window, flying by with ease as the car glided smoothly over the back roads of Genovia. Mia kept her gaze fixed on the scenery, her mind wandering aimlessly over the events of the past week. Just like the picture outside her window, everything had flown by and little seemed now to make any sense.
Andrew let his eyes flicker briefly over the silent girl beside him. He frowned but kept his mouth shut, focusing his energy on guiding the car. They had been driving silently for an hour with no destination or stop in sight. Yet, despite the mileage that they'd put between themselves and the palace, Andrew just couldn't shake the feeling that this plan was not helping either of them sort anything out.
Spotting a turn off, Andrew slowly turned the car towards it. The paved road ended abruptly, jostling the car as it moved onto the rough, jutted dirt road.
"I suppose you have a plan in mind?" Mia squeaked in shock as the car bounced over another rut.
Andrew shook his head in response, "No plan, no destination – wasn't that the plan."
"Yes, well," Mia started to say, clinging to the door as the car bounced down the road, "on this road we're for sure going to get a flat and end up hitchhiking back to the palace. I don't know about you, but I don't want my face plastered over the news with the headlines reading 'Princess bums a ride on local tractor.'"
"That sounds amusing, and it wouldn't hurt." Andrew countered with a grin.
Mia snorted and Andrew pulled the car off the small road. Killing the engine, he swung the door open and climbed out into the sunlight. A soft breeze rippled the grass, sunlight framing the open fields.
"Wow, it's gorgeous." Mia slammed her door and walked around the car, leaning against the warm hood she took a deep breath. "I bet you wish you had your camera."
Andrew shook his head and leaned back against the car next to her. "I don't think my camera could do this justice."
Silence settled over the pair. Neither spoke for a long moment, the world just floating by them as the sun slowly began its long descent behind the distant landscape.
"Andrew," her voice startled him for a second. He turned to look at the woman beside him, "have you ever been in love?"
"Once, maybe- in primary school. I suppose it all depends on what you call love?" Mia turned her head towards him, an eyebrow hiking up into her hairline. Andrew laughed, dropping his eyes towards the dirt beneath his feet he continued. "There are so many different definitions of love it hard to categorize it. Love as a passion, love as dependence, love as an emotion that can't be described. Take for example, do I love photography: yes, I suppose I do. I enjoy being around it. There are times when I get frustrated with the process, but that doesn't deter my enthusiasm. Or do I love flying- most certainly. There are times when it becomes difficult, but I persevere, I don't abandon it- I couldn't imagine living without flying. I suppose that's what I would call love, something you don't want to live without despite the difficulties it can bring you."
Mia sighed, her arms crossing across her chest as glared at the picture in front of them. "Well that doesn't help me. The way you describe it Love is something you're comfortable with, isn't there more to love that just being- just being comfortable."
His eyes flickered restlessly over her face. "Mia, I don't have any of the answers to life or love, but let me tell you what my father once told me: Love is a lot like flying – you both have to put in an equal amount of work. You have to know what you're doing, but the plane has to do its part and be adequate. You take care of the plane; it'll take care of you. You have to love and respect it, or everything will crash and burn around you." Mia didn't respond and Andrew turned away. "Everyone has a different perspective on what they want out of love, Mia. The way I or my father see loves is going to be vastly different from the way any other person can see love. There is no right or wrong answer. I mean, I suppose it's silly comparing love to flying-"
"Do you love me, Andrew?"
The silence hung heavy in the air. Andrew felt a lump form in his throat. Did he love her? He wasn't sure of the answer. Was there potential for love, of that he was sure. But could he honestly answer yes to that question right now- Mia turned towards him, her eyes searching his. The lump in his throat grew twice its current size. "Would it make it easier for you if I answered yes?"
Mia turned her face away from his and Andrew continued. "I can't lie to you, Mia. I don't exactly know how I feel about you right now. You are a smart, beautiful woman. I'm amazed at everything you've done and accomplished. Could I love you? Bloody hell – yes, I could. Over time, there is no doubt about that."
Andrew stepped in front of her, his hands coming up to gently grasp her shoulders. "I know you have a difficult choice and I know I'm not helping you in this manner– but if you can't put your heart into this marriage than don't. It won't work. In the end we'll only be unhappy and it'll hurt Genovia more than you realize."
Leaning forward he placed a soft kiss on her forehead. Fingers gently stroking her arms he smiled down at her, "Do you love Genovia enough to learn to love me? I don't know, but I'm willing to try."
"When are you going to start acting responsibly? You cannot just disappear without a word. You both have duties and responsibilities."
Andrew wasn't quite sure how to respond to an angry queen. He'd never pissed off royalty before and receiving a berating from a monarch was an entirely new experience. To be entirely truth, he wasn't sure what was worse: her angry but controlled tone, or the resounding ring of disappointment in her voice.
Mia on the other hand seemed to be taking the situation in stride. "Do you think I plan for this kind of stuff to happen? I lost it. Sometimes you just lose it."
"You can't afford to lose it. Other people lose it. We're supposed to find it. People look up to us, and we're held to higher standards of behavior. Can you try to grasp that concept?"
Andrew glanced briefly over at Mia and froze, her entire body language seemed to be swamped down- as though a heavy burden had just fallen down to her shoulder and was entirely too much for her to handle. Steeling his shoulders, Andrew stepped forward, drawing attention to himself. "Your highness, I must take the blame for this-"
The results seemed to be immediate as Clarisse turned her attention on him, "Honestly, Andrew, I expected more from you. As future consort I had hoped that you could help guide Mia through the difficulties ahead, not enable any foolish antics and go gallivanting through the countryside." Tirade complete and energy drained, Clarisse let out a disappointed sigh. "Both of you try to get some sleep. Mia, you'll want to look fresh for the parade tomorrow. Good night."
Andrew remained in his place for a second, staring after the retreating queen. Unsure of whither to stay or to leave, he turned his face towards the silent Mia.
"I will say I think the concept is grasped. My execution is a little elusive." Mia dropped down to the couch and picked up Fat Louie, silently stroking the animal.
Andrew shrugged his shoulders, "You are young, things aren't supposed to get easier until you've reached a certain mark." Andrew paused, than dropped down to the couch beside her. "It's just a little harder when you're in the public eye and everybody expects so much from you- I don't think anyone told you that being a Princess or a Queen for that matter would be easy. And if they did, let me assure you- it was a lie."
A small chuckle slipped past Mia's lips as her head dropped down to rest on his shoulder. "So, what's next: lose the crown jewels, drop kick a parliament member, or maybe just land flat on my face? Which sounds fun to you?"
"Well, there is the parade tomorrow. I think that if you try hard enough you can make a blunder of that as well. Maybe spook a few horses, or one of my favorite parade blunders, forget to salute the marshal." The grin stretched across his lips as he stared down at the woman beside him.
Mia lightly punched his shoulder, "Don't curse me. I'm already unlucky enough."
"I'm teasing." Mia rolled her eyes. "What, never heard a Lord tease before?" Reaching out he picked up her hand, fingers entwining with hers. "I'm sure you'll do a splendid job. Just have a little faith in yourself and follow you heart."
"You sound like a cheesy Disney movie. What happens if I don't, do you promise to try and take the brunt of the blame and face off with an angry and disappointed monarch again?"
"Certainly," Andrew assured with a curt nod of his head. "Now that I've got my first time down, I think I can handle a second. Though that may be a bit tricky tomorrow, it's rather difficult to take the blame from the stands. Does your grandmother believe in supernatural powers – we can tell her that I used my telepathic abilities to spook the horses." Mia turned a questioning glance to him. "I am not yet apart of the Royal Genovian family, therefore I am not yet apart of the Parade. I believe that takes place after nuptials, not before."
Mia pulled away from him, her spine stiffening as she took back her air of confidence. "Well that's got to go, as future consort you have every right to be just as humiliated and paraded as I do." Dropping the cat to the floor, Mia stood and grinned down at Andrew. "I do need someone to take the blame, after all a princess can only take so many beatings in one week." Spinning on her hells Mia stormed off on a mission.
Andrew chuckled as he leaned back against the couch and glanced down at the cat. "I suppose that means the wedding is still on, for now."