THE FLIGHT
Two days passed since the meeting. Dean, as well as the others, secured fake identifications, papers, and alibis just in case things went south. Dean and Bill were waiting in the JFK International Airport Terminal, waiting for the other three. Looking over his papers, he skimmed over his story:
NAME: Hoover, Jeremy
Date: 18/10/10
…
REASON TO TRAVEL: Family Funeral
…
DESTINATION: Dublin, Ireland
"Jeremy Hoover," Dean repeated his new name to himself. He liked the ring of it.
"There they are," Bill said exasperatedly, "Finally!" Dean swiveled his head, there they were. Desmond was wearing the same clean, white hoodie he wore days before while Shaun was dressed preppy as usual. Dean glanced over them, as his eyes jumped directly to Rebecca. She wore a nice grey blouse that matched the hair clip that brushed her bangs out of her heart-shaped face… Before she stood up and spoke out to help Dean, He wouldn't have given her a second glance. Now, though, she radiated with an attractiveness that he couldn't quite put his finger on. Was it her sad-looking eyes that seemed to be tired of all the fighting? Or maybe it was her slight smile whenever she spoke to him?
The 12:45 flight to Dublin is ready to depart
"Well," Shaun clapped his hands together, "that's enough dilly-dallying for now." He took point and speed-walked towards their flight. Bill patted Dean's shoulder, adjusted his travel bag, and followed Shaun's lead.
Dean shoved his hands into his pockets, sorting his thoughts. When they got to Dublin, they'd find their contact, Mr. Matt Donahue, and escort him to Canada in exchange for important papers. Suddenly, he felt a tug on his arm as Rebecca wrapped her arm around his. He blushed slightly and looked her in the eye. It felt right, very right, but he was confused.
"Didn't you read your papers?" Rebecca nuzzled to his chest, "I'm Mrs. Jacqueline Hoover!"
Dean felt his face become very hot. He scanned the line ahead of them to keep his mind off of things. In front of him was Shaun and Desmond quarreling about something, and to his right he heard Bill flirting with a hostess. He strained his eyes, activating his Eagle Vision. His friends shone blue, and just ahead of them, he saw an air marshal, glowing red, disguised as a hippie backpacker. An odd patch of grey suddenly bobbed through the otherwise navy blue crowd, disappearing around the corner… Dean didn't think much of it, as the line ahead of him progressed.
Finally on board, Rebecca was seated next to Dean in the center row. Bill and Desmond were seated elsewhere in the compartment while Shaun, somehow, ended up in first class. The flight attendant was giving the usual pre-flight speech as the last of the passengers filed into their seats. Reclining in his seat, Dean rested. He felt Rebecca's hand slip into his, fingers between fingers. She rested her head on his shoulder and smiled. She was good at acting. Really good. For the first time in a while, he was at ease with himself.