Chapter 14

Going Home

The tourist in the boat motored by without giving Elissa and Alex a second glance. The two of them bobbed up and down in the frothy white wake left by the motor.

Elissa shifted her weight and floated on her back.

Alex raised an eyebrow. "You know here probably isn't the best spot for a relaxing drift."

Elissa closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. "I don't care anymore. I'm too tired to care." She replied in a low voice. "Besides, we're relatively close to shore. We'll wash up eventually."

"Wouldn't you rather attempt to swim than wash up in around six hour's time?" Alex asked but stopped as the sound of an engine caused him to turn around. As he did so he saw MI6's luxury yacht slowing down beside them with Valerie Pine behind the wheel. "Need a lift courtesy of Alan Blunt?"

"Definitely," Alex replied, "What! Blunt is alive?"

Elissa opened her eyes and began to swim towards the metal ladder.

"Yeah, Gracy didn't shoot Blunt. He shot the phone out of his hand then locked him in the closet. Not very smart. But by that time he was too busy trying to get everything done quickly so he could get back to the submarine." Valerie explained as she helped the two on board.

By now Elissa and Alex had changed into a set of clothes that Valerie had provided them with and were headed back to the mainland.

Elissa was laying on one of the sun beds on the bottom deck underneath the control deck. She was dressed in a white halter neck bikini top with aqua hibiscuses on it. The white contrasted beautifully against her tanned skin and almost blended in with the snow white cover on the sun bed. She wore a pair of faded denim mini shorts that had been turned up.

Having earlier expressed her feelings of exhaustion, it was no surprise that Elissa had drifted into a light sleep.

Alex was sat on the middle deck and facing out onto the sea as it rushed passed in a wash of turquoise, aqua, cerulean and sapphire.

He leaned back in the chair and allowed the cool sea-breeze to ruffle his hair as the yacht motored on, the streamline shape of the vessel cutting through the water with ease.

Alex wore no top instead he wore a pair of baggy knee length white surf shorts with a blue cord waist tie to tighten them.

He could see land approaching on the horizon and knew it wouldn't be long till they would go their separate ways. If he were to estimate a time it would probably be in the next twenty four hours. It was only as he was thinking about this did a sudden wave of emotions course through him.

He couldn't believe he was thinking it but he felt in someway attracted to Elissa both physically and mentally.

He looked down and saw that she was now awake and leaning over the prow of the boat. Her sleek black hair dancing around her as the wind caught a hold of it, her tanned skin glistening in the afternoon sun, her enviable physique and looks, and her natural charm and grace.

He was surprised he had not noticed earlier. However, maybe he had. In between the constant bickering and sarcastic remarks he was pretty sure he had felt that spark before.

"OK guys! We're nearly there. As soon as we reach land we're headed for the jet and we should be back in London at 08:35 this evening."

"That soon?" Elissa asked. Alex was slightly taken aback as she appeared beside him.

"Yeah. The military is providing us with a faster jet." Valerie said as she slowed down to weigh anchor.

"The car's still in the same position you left it Elissa." Valerie gestured to the black Mercedes parked on the other side of the street. "However...I'm driving this time."

Elissa smirked as she recounted on how foolish her and Alex had been over the past couple of days. It was quite amusing when she thought about it. It would make a good comedy. She told herself as she climbed in the front seat next to Valerie.

Alex was silent as he climbed into the back and before he knew it Valerie had lowered the roof.

"Wait. This model isn't a convertible." He said suddenly.

Valerie smirked. "No the original Mercedes version isn't. But the MI6 version is."

Alex shrugged. "I should've known."

"When we arrive back in the UK. You will be taken to MI6 headquarters where Alan Blunt wishes to speak to you. After that you will be free to go." Valerie said as she revved up the engine.

Elissa slid on a pair of designer sunglasses. "There is no going free when you work for MI6 and ROC." She commented.

Alex nodded. "I second that."

Hours passed and London was getting closer and closer. Alex felt very tired and so did Elissa by the looks of it. She had drifted to sleep and her head fell onto his shoulder. Her silky black hair fell across her face. At first he was uncertain about what to do, but he soon came to and lifted a hand and pushed her hair back softly behind her ear. She stirred slightly and she slipped and fell across his lap her head narrowly missing the window. Alex flinched and slowly and as carefully as he could, tried to lift her back up. However, just as he was about to Elissa's eyes opened and she sat up suddenly. She blushed though it was hardly noticeable under her tan.

"Umm. Sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep on you." She said nervously. "Umm. How long was I out for?" She added.

"Not long. Only a couple of minutes." Alex answered slightly embarrassed.

Elissa allowed some strands of hair to fall like a curtain in front of her face to hide her ever reddening cheeks. "Alright, thanks." She said quietly. She then looked around and saw Valerie beginning to put her coat on and added to her prior speech. "Oh, how long left till we l-"

"Ladies and gentlemen this is your captain speaking. On behalf of the crew I would like to thank you for flying with us and hope you had an enjoyable flight. We ask you to remain in your seat until the seat belt sign is switched off and the aircraft is completely stationary. Good day."

"Never mind." Elissa murmured as she pulled on her light jacket and gathered her bag from underneath her seat.

When the aircraft stopped moving Elissa unbuckled her belt and stood up to stretch her legs. She opened the overhead storage locker and pulled out her bag along with Alex's and handed it to him.

"Feel good to be going home?" Valerie asked as she saw Elissa's eagerness to get off the plane.

Elissa smiled. "Hell yeah. I've been dying to see my boyfriend for ages. And to get back with the cheerleading team for the big basketball game on Friday. You should come. I'll get you front row seats." Elissa smiled.

"Might just do that." Valeria nodded. "Are you coming along Alex?"

"Well I haven't been formally invited-"He began trying to get out of seeing Elissa with her boyfriend.

"Alex you should. You know loosen up a little. I can get you tickets." Elissa said excitedly.

"Umm. Ok then. Yeah I'll go." Alex answered with a fake smile plastered to his face. Great. Alex thought to himself. Now I gotta go watch her with her boyfriend and the whole time I'll be envying him. Now I'm starting to think I'm not looking forward to going home.