The Loch Ness Syndrome: Zed's Fishing Trip

Part 2: Under Loch & Key

It was a long flight to Scotland and getting up that early after a long night of rushed packing didn't make it any easier on the groggy agents.

Delia wandered down the isle to her seat, she had to stop periodically and apologize to the other passengers as she bumped into them. "Sorry 'bout that. Watch your head. Coming through. Gross hat. Look out I can't stop. Running on zero caffeine. Excuse me."

Finally she reached her seat and collapsed next to R. "Hey partner. Don't suppose we get complimentary pillows or anything on this flight?"

The disguised JeeDangian glanced over at her with sleepy eyes. "If they did I'd be out right now."

"I'm not so sure you aren't," Delia smiled, waving her hand in front of his weary looking face.

R gave her a tired smile. "Let's catch some Zs."

"And our seats should be just up here!" an all too familiar cheery voice exclaimed from somewhere down the isle.

"Oh no!" Delia gasped.

R turned and saw a disguised Zeeltor coming down the isle, followed by Zed and what looked like it might Yazmine in a human suit. "I didn't mean those Zs!" R groaned.

To their EXTREME DISPLEASURE the two scientists sat behind them and Zed sat in the seat in front of R.

Delia closed her tightly, "Please tell me that Zeeltor didn't just sit RIGHT BEHIND ME!"

R looked back and moaned, "Okay I won't tell you."

"Isn't this a lovely way to travel?" Zeeltor asked his assistant who he'd generously given the window seat.

"It's very nice." Yazmine agreed. Nervously glancing out the window she added beneath her breath, "Wonder how long we'll spend flying over the ocean?"

"Oh quite a few hours I believe." Zeeltor replied as if she'd asked him directly.

Yazmine gulped and leaned back in her seat, "Grreeeeaaaattttt."

"What's wrong?" Zeeltor puzzled as he looked at the shivering alien, "I thought you'd be excited about getting the opportunity to study the Loch Ness Monster."

"Oh I am excited," Yazmine admitted, a serious look crossing her face, "but haven't you forgotten one important detail?"

Zeeltor seemed to be in deep thought for a moment, "What might that be?" he finally asked.

"Zeeltor---" Yazmine choked out, "I CAN'T SWIM!"

With a light hearted chuckled he took her hand in his. "Nothing to fret over." he assured her, "It's easy to learn and I'll be right there if you need help."

Yazmine smiled in spite of herself, that did make her feel a little better. Somehow Zeeltor always knew just what to say. "Thank you."

"Any time." he smiled.

Across the isle Jay was snoozing against the window, a bit of drool running down the glass. Kay was in the isle seat reading over some local folklore about the monster (who was actually an alien).

******

Midway over the Atlantic Ocean the plane hit a bit of turbulence. The pilot came on to announce to the passengers that it was nothing to worry about while the stewardesses took the opportunity to rest their feet after a long flight of walking up and done the isle.

"OW!" Jay yelled as his head was smacked forcefully against the window.

"Consider that your wake up call Slick." Kay said, handing him a tissue to wipe his face with.

Jay grumbled something about how airplane travel was the most annoying means of getting around. "We'll be there before long Jay," Kay assured him, "just order some coffee and get the kinks out of your neck."

Jay looked up as a hot stewardess passed by their seats holding a pot of decaf. "Kay my man," Jay smirked, "that's not such a bad idea."

Kay glanced over at the stewardess Jay was admiring and shook his head. "Remember Val." he warned.

"Val's not here now is she?" Jay grinned, "And what she doesn't know, can't hurt me!"

R was in a bit of a tight spot while Jay was debating over whether or not news of his flirting with the stewardess would get back to Val. Zed had dozed off and reclined his seat back so far that he was practically lying in R's lap!

Delia thought this to be very amusing. Zed even increased the hilarity of the situation by opening his mouth slightly and snoring. R was surprised that Delia's snickers alone didn't wake Zed.

"Well?" he asked, "What do I do?"

"Relax," Delia chuckled, "we've only got a few more hours to go."

"HOURS?!" R gasped.

A sly smile spread over Delia's face, "You know, I think I put my camera in the compartment just above us."

"Don't even THINK about it!" R warned as Delia reached for the latch.

Yazmine was practically in Zeeltor's lap as the plane flew over the vast ocean. He didn't seem to mind though.

She lifted her head off his shoulder, her cheeks flustered and smiled shyly up at him, "Sorry if I'm invading your space here."

"No problem." he replied, placing his arms gently around her.

"This is really sweet of you, you know."

"Anything for a friend."

Yazmine's blush deepened. "Y-you think of me as your friend?"

"Of course," Zeeltor nodded, "and one of my closest ones too."

Upon hearing him say that she threw her arms around his neck and squeezed him tightly. Getting closer than she'd ever dared to before.

"My," Zeeltor beamed, his own cheeks reddening, "aren't we affectionate today?"

Yazmine released him from her firm hold and turned her head away, "Sorry." she muttered.

To her surprise he merely put his hand on the back of her head and laid it down on his shoulder again, "No harm done."

Happily she sighed and put her arms around his shoulders. Zeeltor was secretly wishing the ocean would spontaneously grow larger.

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