A/N: A little bit more fluff for you, with a tiny angsty bit, just to ease you all back into it... I've had a bit of a wicked idea for something which will happen in a couple of chapters time, or possibly even the next chapter, so consider this your warning! By the way, I am just like Howard when it comes to flying – I'm such a wimp!

Thanks for your continued support:)

xxxx

"Vince... are you sure you want to come?"

Vince looked up at Howard from his position on the sofa, where was sorting out his passport and money. "Howard, I want to be there for you, but if it's going to be a problem... I don't want to 'cause any hassle for you. I don't mind hiding out of sight in the hotel room, I just want to be there for you when you come back at the end of the day, so you've got someone." He looked down at the floor sadly.

Howard sat down next to him and pulled him into a hug, kissing the top of his head. "I know, little man. I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable, that's all. And you don't have to hide away all day – go shopping, see the sights.

"How can I shop when you're -"

Howard cut Vince off by putting a finger to his lips. "Stop worrying – it'll be fine. Now, come on, the taxi will be here in a minute. You got everything?"

Vince offered him a small smile. "Yeah."

xxxx

Howard shifted from foot to foot nervously, his hands clasped tightly together.

"What's wrong?" Vince asked, frowning at him.

Howard let out a trembling breath. "Oh, you know, just... flying."

Vince took hold of his arm. "Sorry, I guess I assumed you'd gotten over that."

"Nope. When I first went over I went by ship. I only flew back here because I couldn't wait to get to you. I was terrified. I think the stewardess thought I was some kind of mentalist, the way I kept gripping the arms of the seat."

"You mean, you got on a plane just for me?" Vince looked at him wide-eyed, adoration lighting up his features.

Howard looked at him shyly. "It was worth it." He looked up at the TV screen above them and saw that the number for their gate had come up. "Come on then."

Vince slid his hand into his partner's. "You'll be fine – I'll look after you."

xxxx

Now Vince was with him, Howard didn't actually feel that bad. They were half way into the flight, and he was sat comfortably reading a book, one hand idly playing with Vince's hair. The electro boy himself was slumped against him, fast asleep, as he had been for the past two hours.

The plane jolted suddenly, and Howard jumped, accidentally hitting Vince with his shoulder, rudely waking him up.

"What going on?" he said, sleepily, not sounding at all happy at being disturbed from his peaceful slumber.

"Sorry," Howard said, his voice high and strained as the plane continued to lurch.

Vince noticed he was gripping the arms of the seat, and he reached out and took his hand. "Hey, it's all right – just a bit of turbulence."

Howard closed his eyes and breathed deeply. "Just a bit?" he said, through gritted teeth.

There was a 'ding', and the seat-belt light came on.

"Great," he muttered, face an unflattering shade of pale, as he belted up. "God, I feel sick."

"You're not gonna be sick."

"We're going to die."

"We're not gonna die."

"Oh, my God! The world is on its side – why is the world on its side? Look! Look out the window! Oh, no, don't... don't look. Bad idea."

"The world isn't on its side – the plane is."

"What?!"

"Howard, you have got to relax. We're fine, the plane is fine. Besides, I told you I'd look after you, didn't I? Nothing bad is going to happen – I promise."

"Is the plane still on its side?"

Pause.

"No. Oh, no... wait... yeah, it is."

"My head's spinning."

"You're fine."

"No, I'm not, I'm not fine. I'm panicking. I'm panicking and -" he was abruptly cut off by Vince kissing him hard on the mouth. He pulled back after a few seconds, leaving Howard looking slightly dazed, a bit of colour creeping back into his cheeks.

"Feeling better?"

Howard gave him a dopey smile. "I think so. Could you do it again though, just to make sure?"

Vince grinned.

xxxx

Vince clutched Howard's arm, half asleep, as they walked out of the airport. Howard was pushing their luggage (which was really mostly Vince's luggage, as Howard only had the small holdall he'd gone back to London with) on a trolly towards the car park.

"Here we are," he finally said, as they reached his car, which was an old, red Ford Mustang.

"Cool car," Vince said, approvingly, running his hand along the side.

Soon they were pulling out into the early evening traffic, windows rolled down to let in the cool breeze, which was mostly to help keep Howard awake as he drove.

"Is it weird, driving on the other side of the road?" Vince asked.

Howard gave him a side-long glance and a smile. "You get used to it. Can you reach into the glove box and grab my sunglasses?"

Vince opened it up and shuffled things around. "You've got a lot of crap here."

"It's all necessary."

"Hmm. Here you go," he said, handing the shades over so Howard could shield his gaze from the setting sun. "What's this?" He picked up a key-ring, which was actually a photo-fob of Howard and...

"What's what?" Howard said, glancing at Vince's hands. "Oh. I'm sorry, Vince – I didn't even realise it was still in there," he apologised, sounding guilty.

"S'ok," Vince said, quietly, turning the fob over in his hand. He held it for a second, then placed it back in the glove box. He didn't want to see Jenna's smiling face – it only served to remind him of the mess that Howard was in.

"Vince?"

Vince turned and looked out of the window, biting down on his lip to stop the tears that were welling in his eyes.

Howard pulled the car over. "Vince," he said again, leaning over and taking hold of his hand. "I really didn't know. Honest."

Vince sniffed. "It's not that."

Howard thought for a moment, then nodded in understanding and said, "It made it more real."

"Yeah," Vince said, and then he turned and flung his arms around the Maverick's neck, holding him tight. "It'll be all right, won't it?" he whispered into his neck.

Howard kissed his cheek and stroked his hair. "Of course it will."

xxx

"Wow, Howard – have you seen this view?"

Howard wandered over to join Vince by the large window in their hotel room. It was dark now, and the lights of the city were twinkling brightly, bathing New York in an orange glow.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

"Stunning," Howard replied, his voice husky, and it was then that Vince noticed he was looking at him and not the view. He blushed prettily, inhaling deeply as Howard put two fingers under his chin and tilted his head up, leaning in for a kiss.

It was a perfect, text book romantic moment – which was spoiled a few seconds later when Vince yawned widely. He blushed even more. "I'm so sorry!"

Howard chuckled. "Don't be, we've had a long day. Come on, time for bed."