"Ready for this squirt," Nathan asked.
"I would be if my brother-in-law wasn't crashing my big adventure," Nikki said.
"Not my choice, doctors without borders is sending me to Kenya. I had requested the Middle East," Nathan said.
"This is my adventure, no hovering," Nikki said.
"We'll be so busy we'll hardly see each other," Nathan promised.
"No hovering let me do this," Nikki said.
"You'll be with the teachers I'm with the doctors but if you need anything you find me," Nathan said.
"Owen told me," Nikki said, "if something goes wrong or I get sick, get to you as fast as possible. And stop looking at me funny."
"Sorry with your hair like that and your massive pack you look so much like your sister," Nathan said, "how did you learn to do your hair like that?"
"Teddy," Nikki replied, "she showed me. She said it would hold until we get to camp . She said she could put it up like this and it would hold for two or three days on the battlefield. Meghan taught her."
"Shed be proud of us," Nathan declared.
"Moms nervous," Nikki said.
"She always was dropping us off at the airport," Nathan said.
"Next," the woman at the counter called.
Nikki walked up to the counter and took her pack off. It was the type of bag you would use for multi day hikes and was stuffed with everything she would need for four months away. The bag was black and teal and stuck up above her head. She had been thankful for Teddy's expertise and experience in helping her pack. Placing her bag to be weighed on the counter she tightened and secured all the straps.
"Nicole McRae," the woman said.
"Yes," Nikki replied, "I'm with the global teachers initiative."
Nikki passed the woman the letter with her passport.
"So this is a humanitarian bag with no overages for being 90 pounds," the woman said.
"Thank you," Nikki smiled, "it's everything I need for four months."
"Have a good trip," the woman said, handing over nikkis passport, documents and ticket.
"Thank you," Nikki smiled walking towards where the rest of the family was waiting.
Owen handed over Nikki's black and teal day pack that matched her big pack and would clip onto the big bag when needed.
"I'm ready," Nikki smiled.
"You are," Evelyn said, "I'm going to miss you darling. My last baby to fly the nest."
"It's only four months mom," Nikki said, "I'm traveling with one brother."
"I know you are," Evelyn said.
"It's not helping," Owen said.
"I'm so ready for this we've been planning it for over a year," Nikki replied.
"Nikki," Julie yelled.
"Jules," Nikki called back.
"Hunt, Altman, Riggs," Jordan greeted.
"Williams," they echoed.
"Nikki is going two," Jordan asked.
"She is. I think she convinced Julie," Teddy said.
"Altman, Jules said you helped her plan what she needed, shop and pack," Jordan said.
"It was fun," Teddy said, "I wish someone had known how to help me pack for my first tour."
"It was hard finding good gear like the water canteens," Jordan said.
"We relabeled ours for Nikki," Teddy said, "nothing was good enough quality. She has two of mine and two of Owens."
"I'm worried Jules is so innocent," Jordan said.
"I'm meeting doctors without borders for the four months in the same camp," Nathan said, "I'll look out for her."
"Chaperoning early 20s teachers," Jordan said.
"It's time for me to go make a difference again," Nathan said, "it's just a coincidence I'm with this group. I've been asked not to hover and give her space. But I'm there if anything happens or they need anything."
Julie having checked in asked, "should we go to security."
"You go ahead," Nikki said, "I need a minute."
Julie walked away with her mom And uncle to say goodbye and go through security.
"Mom," Nikki said, "it's time for me to go."
"I need a good hug," Evelyn said.
"I know," Nikki said, hugging her mom as tight as possible.
"Go be safe, have fun and make a difference," Evelyn whispered, "I love you darling. See you in a few months don't forget to write to me. You're going to do amazing things darling. I love you so much. Come home to me safe."
"I will," Nikki promised, " I love you mom."
Nikki hugged Allison next crouching down to squeeze her niece as tight as possible.
"Auntie Nikki you're squishing me," Allison whined.
"You need four months of hugs now," Nikki whispered before whispering the words Meghan had always left her with, "be good and take care of grandma for me . I'll see you when I get home and I expect hugs. I won't be gone long see you soon. I love you."
Nikki had changed one word from mom to grandma but it worked.
Standing up she took Amber from Teddy and hugged and kissed her other niece.
Owen wrapped Nikki in a bear hug, "okay squirt you're off on your big adventure. You're ready for this. Have fun and be careful. Go save the kids from illiteracy."
"I will," Nikki replied, "be good and take care of mom for me. It's your turn to stay here and take care of mom, she needs you. Love you Owl."
"Love you two squirt," Owen whispered.
"I don't get a hug," Teddy teased.
Nikki hugged Teddy, "of course you do. Take care of them for me."
"I will," Teddy promised, "go have fun and write to me. We'll be waiting with hugs and a bubble bath when you get home. Love you."
"Love you," Nikki whispered.
"One more darling," Evelyn said.
"Mom I can do this," Nikki said, "I love you. I'll let you know every step of the way and write as much as I can. I promise. I love you. Don't worry about me. I will come home."
"I know you will," Evelyn said.
"I'll look out for her," Nathan promised, "we need to go."
"We do," Nikki agreed.
After one last round of quick hugs Nikki walked to the security checkpoint.
"Mom no tears," Owen said.
"My last baby is going to save the world," Evelyn sniffled.
"She'll be okay," Teddy said, "she's going to teach and do what she does best. It's not a war zone."
"It's not," Evelyn acknowledged.
"She looks so much like Meghan like that," Owen said.
"She does," Evelyn agreed, "it's time for Nikki to have her adventure and to shine. It's Nikki's turn."
"Trade the black leggings and hoodie for a uniform," Teddy said.
"How did she learn to do her hair like that," Evelyn asked.
"I taught her," Teddy said, "it's time for Nikki to save the world."
"It's going to be good for her," Evelyn said, "but I'll miss her."
"It is," Owen agreed, "mom it's only four months and she has a job lined up for September so she'll be back."
"She will," Evelyn agreed, "mid august."
Through security Nathan asked, "Are you sure about this?"
"I've never been more sure of anything. Now stop being my big brother," Nikki said.
"I'll try," Nathan agreed.
"No try Nate," Nikki said, "I've got this. I'm ready, it's my turn to fly."
"I'm just here to work," Nathan agreed.
Nikki joined the others from the cohort she had been working with since the previous April. They had been meeting and planning for this day for a year. The team of new teachers in matching shirts and hoodies chattering happily and full of excitement and big plans.
"Attention," Dr. Eberly the program coordinator and their faculty advisor called.
They all stopped chatting and went into their team cheer.
Nathan groaned, soldiers were enthusiastic but this group of 16 teachers was something else.
"Okay I know we're excited," Dr Eberly said, "We've been planning this for a year. Joining us on our travels will be Dr. Nathan Riggs. Our next 72 hours getting to our destination will be grueling. Try to sleep on flights and in vehicles when you can. Please be aware of your surroundings at all times and keep your belongings with you or with a trusted friend. While we are traveling please direct any medical concerns to Dr. Riggs."
Nathan introduced himself, "I'm Dr. Nathan Riggs I'm a Cardiothoracic and trauma surgeon currently co chief of cardio at Grey Sloan. I'm also Nikki McRae's brother-in-law so have been hearing about all of the preparations for the last year. I spent 7 years with the army as a surgeon and this is my 5th trip with Doctors without borders. I know most of you this is your first humanitarian trip if you have any questions don't be afraid to ask."
After everyone had food and coffee someone brought out a small portable speaker and they all began to sing, the songs that had pumped them up all year.
"Dr Riggs is everything alright," Dr. Eberly asked.
"I am," Nathan said, "please call me Nathan."
"I'm Kristen," Kristen Eberly replied.
"It's nice to meet you," Nathan said shaking her hand, "have you done this before?"
"This is my 8th trip with this program," Kristen replied, "you know Nikki."
"Her whole life," Nathan said, "both her siblings are quite a bit older."
"She talks about an older brother," Kristen said.
"Meghan was captured in action a few years ago," Nathan said, "Nikki was 14, she's 22 now. She'll turn 23 over there. I have birthday cards from her mom, brother, sister in law and our nieces."
"Meghan was your wife," Kristen guessed.
"Fiance," Nathan said, "it was almost 8 years ago."
"You're still close to her family," Kristen said.
"I am," Nathan said, "Nikki is my baby sister. I went to high school and college with her brother Owen. I saw Nikki the day she came home from the hospital as a baby. She's 17 years younger than me and 14 years younger than her sister."
"You miss Meghan," Kristen observed.
"I do," Nathan said, "what about you? Do you have someone?"
"My husband used to do this with me," Kristen said, "he passed 5 years ago."
"I'm sorry for your loss," Nathan said, "I know how hard it is."
"I'm sorry for yours as well," Kristen replied.
"Are they always this excited," Nathan asked.
"This is called teacher candidates," Kristen said, "they become a family in our year together. Nikki and Julie williams are the twins."
"I served with Julie's dad and uncle," Nathan said, "Nikki and Julie met after Nikki lost her sister and Julie lost her dad in a group for teens going through the same thing. They're roommates."
"One reason they're the twins," Kristen said, "attached at the hip."
"They have been since they met," Nathan said, "their moms had a hard time seeing them go today."
They called the flight to board and Nikki ended up in the seat beside Nathan, well squished between him and the window.
"Selfie," Nikki said, "send it to mom and show we're okay."
"Sure," Nathan agreed to the selfie.
Nikki snapped it and posted it to their family chat for her mom, Owen and Teddy.
She curled up against the window shielding her phone from Nathan and quickly typed an email,
Dear Meg,
I know I haven't written in a while. It's getting harder to write regularly. You'll want to know I'm a teacher now, a real teacher. I passed my teachers license and finished the courses for my bachelors of education with an A average. I have a job for the fall at a small STEM focused middle school where I did my practicum. I'm teaching sixth grade math.
I've attached a picture of Nathan and I. we're on a flight to Hethrow, then to Rome and finally to Narobi where we're going to drive for 8-10 hours to a camp where I'm going to teach refugee children with a group from UW and Nate is working with Doctors Without Borders. As much as I'm telling him I don't need or want him here that I can do my adventure and change the world on my own I'm glad I have a big brother coming with me. All these years he's still my brother. I still miss you. I wish you could have been at the airport today to say goodbye and give 4 months worth of hugs to. Don't worry Owen will take care of mom for us. It's his turn to do my job, Teddy and their girls will help him. I'll try to write while I'm away.
All my love always,
Nikki / Squirt
"Who are you texting," Nathan asked.
"Don't laugh," Nikki said.
"Never," Nathan agreed.
"I still email Meg," Nikki admitted, "I know it's been 8 years but I want her to know what I'm doing and that everyone is doing well."
"I emailed last night," Nathan said.
"I sent the picture," Nikki said.
"Good," Nathan said, "almost time to take off."
"We're doing this," Nikki said, "I will save the kids from the evils of illiteracy."
"You will," Nathan said.
The plane began to taxi down the run way.
"I hate take off," Nikki said.
"Hold my hand," Nathan said.
"I'm okay it's quick," Nikki said.
At Evelyn's they smiled at the picture.
"She's grown up," Teddy said, "that was hard watching her go."
"My last baby," Evelyn said, "next we'll be watching the girls go."
"20 years yet," Teddy said.
"Nikki is 22," Evelyn said.
"She looked pretty confident," Owen said, "she was ready."
"She was excited," Evelyn said, "she's going to do great. She'll email and call when she can."
"She will," Teddy said, "she's excited and happy."
"She's going to love it," Owen said, "she has Julie they go as a team."
"They're going to the same school in the fall," Evelyn said.
"Attached at the hip since they were 17," Teddy said, "it will be hard when they get back. Julie moves out."
"Jeff moves in," Owen said.
"Where is Julie going," Evelyn asked.
"Living with Andrew," Teddy said, "it's time. They've gotten each other through the worst moments of their lives. Now they get their big adventure together."