Chapter 2

They settle into a routine of almost daily phone calls, scheduled in around each other's work commitments and need for basic human things like sleep.

Nick marvelled at the way minutes turned into hours and flew past without notice while they talked about everything and nothing.

He told her about his work and all the petty dramas they'd had with the most recent reshuffle (that intern'd barely been there three months before promotion) and she told him about her son and his studies (pre-law in Michigan – it was hard with him living so far away).

He felt at ease with her, like he could tell her anything without fear of reproach or judgement. He felt relaxed in a way that he hadn't around another human being for a long time. And it had all started with the plane ride home.

Of course, he'd harboured feelings for her before then, but after she awoke with no memory of the screech-in, he thought perhaps he'd been reading more into their relationship than what was actually there.

Despite the moments when he could have kissed her (should have… would have kissed her if he were a bolder man), Nick found his courage failed him every time. And so it was that he returned from Dover Fault with nothing but a beautiful picture and a longing in his heart.

He'd forgotten all of his own anguish the moment he'd noticed her crying on the plane.

Uncertain as to the cause (her son? New York? Leaving Gander behind?) and even more uncertain as to what he could possibly say to make any of that better, Nick had settled for putting an arm around her shoulder. He'd always been better without words.

He felt her lean into him, seeking comfort in the warmth of his chest and he tentatively pressed a kiss to her forehead.

She pulled back and for a moment everything froze as their eyes met. Her gaze was uncertain, pupils flitting back and forth between his, trying to discern his intentions perhaps?

God, she was beautiful. As he stared, captivated, her eyes flickered down to his lips – just for a moment – before they were edged with a steely determination and before Nick knew it she had wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him towards her, pressing her lips into his.

For a moment, it was like the fish all over again. Nick was frozen, too shocked to react.

All he could feel was Diane.

Diane's lips.

Pressed against his.

Diane's lips halting, slowly retreating.

Uh oh… wake up, Marson!

Nick turned his head, opening his lips slightly to return her kiss. He tightened his arm around her shoulders, slowly stroking a thumb back and forth across her back. His other hand came to rest on her leg, just above the knee and by god it felt glorious.

Eventually they broke apart, foreheads resting against each other and smiling shyly.

"Hello," Nick said.

"Hello yourself" Diane giggled.

"Where did that come from?" he asked.

"Oh honey, I've been wanting to do that since before the screech-in"

"You have?" Perhaps he hadn't been dreaming.

" Well, sure! Anyway, I just thought you missed another chance there so I…well, I helped a little"

"Ha! Gosh, I was quite hopeless wasn't I?"

"I did think you might have made a move up at the Dover Fault" she nudged him teasingly. "Or were you too caught up in the scenery?"

"You were all I looked at. I didn't really care about Dover Fault at that point"

She gasped softly, moved by his sudden candour. The most beautiful, gentle smile spread across her face.

He couldn't believe his luck. He took a deep breath to steady his nerves before turning in his seat to face her better.

"Well, perhaps I can make amends for those missed opportunities," he said. He slowly slid a hand across her cheek before pulling her close and pressing the softest, gentlest kiss to her lips.

He tried to convey everything with that kiss – his shy affection for her, his admiration, his desire to make something of this fledgling yet firm connection they shared. It amazed him and terrified him in equal parts how strongly he cared for her after such a short time.

He must have shown all of that pretty damn clearly because something made Diane gasp and in that moment it was like something in him snapped.

He opened his mouth further and deepened the kiss, his tongue darting out to taste her lips. He tightened his arm around her shoulders and could feel the entire length of her torso pressed against his chest. The hand that had found its way back to her knee now slid higher up her thigh, as she hooked her ankle around his.

He could feel her chest rise and fall with every breath, and the taste of her coupled with that warmth pressed up against as much of his body as he could manage given their current seating arrangement – well, it was a heady mix.

Nick could feel himself falling for her and falling fast.

One hand was tangled in her hair and he shivered with delight as her fingernails teased over the delicate hairs at the back of his neck.

They were so caught up in each other that neither noticed the flight attendant clearing her throat and it was only after the sound of sniggering had penetrated their subconscious that they thought to stop and pull apart.

"I'd offer you a hot towel, but I don't think you'll need any help in that department" the flight attendant said primly before moving onto the next row of seats.

Both Nick and Diane blushed and looked bashfully at each other before clearing their throats and straightening up a little, Nick taking the opportunity to subtly readjust himself. Things had gotten a little more… exciting than he'd anticipated.

It wasn't long before they were wrapped around each other once more. They didn't seem able to keep their hands off each other. No one else on board seemed to mind too much – there were enough vacant seats that they were given a wide berth and besides, who could really begrudge them finding happiness when so much of the rest of the world was in turmoil.

Back in his flat, it is memories like these that help Nick get to sleep. They help to make Diane feel a little closer when his bed is suddenly too empty, his flat suddenly too quiet.

In those times when he feels alone, he thinks of Diane and counts the hours until their next phone call. On one such occasion, he rolls over in bed and notices the disposable camera on his bedside table. The one with the pictures of Gander. Of Dover Fault. Of her.

He smiles and sleep comes more easily tonight.