4.

When the plane finally touched down in JFK airport, Chris Benoit and Chris Irvine had about an hour to kill before they would have to catch a plane to Toronto. There they would split and head to Edmunton and Winnipeg respectively. However, Terry was having serious doubts that he was going to make his flight in time.

As soon as he had claimed his baggage, he said goodbye hurriedly to his friends and then raced off. He found the check-in desk and rushed up to it only to be greeted by a "Sorry, sir, check-in is now closed."

"No, you don't understand," he panicked, "I have to get home. My other flight was delayed ....."

"I'm sorry, sir, but there's nothing we can do."

"When's the next flight?" he asked anxiously.

"I'm afraid we're fully booked for the next two days ....."

"You have to be kidding me!" he gasped.

"We could put you on standby for a cancellation, but we couldn't guarantee ....."

Terry didn't hear the rest of the woman's statement as he turned away in despair, running a hand over his hair.

"This can't be happening!" he groaned.

Meanwhile, Chris Benoit and Chris Irvine had made their way to get some coffee and were sitting at a little table when Benoit happened to look up.

"Oh shit!" he said, nudging Irvine and pointing across the airport.

Irvine followed the direction of his finger and shook his head, "Poor guy!" he sympathised, "He looks gutted. I'll go get him a coffee."

"If you ask me, he'll want something a hell of a lot stronger than coffee!"

Terry spotted his friends and slowly made his way towards them, dropping into the chair Benoit had pulled up for him.

"Missed it." he explained flatly, placing his folded arms on top of the table and laying his head on them miserably.

Irvine returned and set a coffee in front of him.

"Hard luck, man, that really sucks. What are you going to do?" he asked.

"I have no idea." he said, "If it was just me, it wouldn't matter, but ..... I promised Tammy."

"She'll understand it's not your fault." said Irvine.

"I know but she sounded a bit odd on the phone last time I talked to her, I'm worried about her." said Terry, taking a gulp of his coffee and standing up, "I'd better go call her, she's expecting to meet me at the airport."

Benoit frowned as he watched Terry move away to a quiet corner and pull out his mobile, seeing him quickly dial the number and take a deep breath.

"Come on," he said, hauling Irvine off his seat, "Quick, I've got an idea."

*****