A/N: How to explain my recent absence? Easy, I was on Christmas vacation! (For future reference, if you don't receive any updates in a while, please check my author's profile. I do have a family and a job to worry about.)

Paying Debts

Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Girl


"Are you happy right now?"

"Yes, I am."

Two bodies, one bed. Aerrow breathed in and out of his nose as he tried to make as little noise as possible. The selfish part of him wanted Piper to fall asleep, right here and right now, as she lay down beside him and relished the quietness of his room. He wanted to know how it would feel to watch her sleep; to be next to her as she closed her eyes and her breathing mellowed into an easy pattern.

It was a challenge to be alone together like this without the other guys noticing, but he took every opportunity that presented itself. It didn't make sense, they saw each other all the time and yet he craved to be the center of her attention. Heaven only knew how long he'd been feeling this way, and how hard he had to hide it.

Piper murmured something unintelligible and curled her body inwards just a little bit more. Thinking she might be cold despite the sunshine, he shuffled closer and laid an arm over her body and around her back. She started to close her eyes.

"Mm, thanks."

The Sky Knight had difficulty swallowing the lump in his throat.

Do you know what it felt like? It felt like someone latched a small fishing hook deep within his ribcage and tugged on it whenever he anticipated her arrival. And when Piper was near, she'd stand next to him and the tugging increased in intensity until it became a pulling. Sometimes it would get so bad he thought an imaginary hand was really trying to push out his heart until he admitted his feelings and said something.

But it wasn't like that anymore. The desperate tugging was still there, but it stopped immediately when she smiled at him, when she laid a hand on his arm, when she spoke his name. As if her presence had the power to reach through his clothes - he imagined she placed her hand upon his bare chest and massaged his bruised skin with the intention to heal.

He whispered, "Piper?"

No reaction, she'd fallen asleep. Gently, he shook her shoulder and waited for her orange eyes to open. Nothing. A sad sort of smile appeared on his face; he had so many things to worry about recently and he was amazed at the amount of time he spent with her.

The Condor was still lost and Stork was navigating through the strange, bright mist as best as he could. The Sky Council expected their arrival on Terra Atmosia anytime soon, and he still had to deliver the Dark Ace to them. Finally, there would be justice. And maybe, after that, he could be serious with Piper. That is, if she wanted to.

The Sky Knight watched his First Officer as she slept peacefully.

Aerrow wondered how long their luck would hold out.