David sat down in his airplane seat, rubbing his hands along his forehead. The uncomfortable material supporting him was beginning to itch his skin, and his shirt was sticking to the back of his sweaty neck. In the back of his mind, he became aware of the distant humming of the engines. But otherwise, David was off in his own world, desperately searching his brain for answers. This usually easy task was put to the test as soon as David heard his roommate utter a name, a name that sparked an interest that David could not place.

"Ronnie," David muttered, shaking his head. What did it mean?

Suddenly, there was a clanking noise, and a yell. David looked up, broken out of his reverie. A heavyset, balding man was standing next to David's seat, holding his head. His bag was lying below him, its contents spilled out into the alley. Many people were around him, asking if he was all right, or trying to help him clear his things off the floor.

"Sir? Do you need some help?"

"Here, let me get this for you…"

"Oh my, that looks bad… do you need a band-aid? I have one in my fanny pack…"

"Should I touch those, sir?"

David sunk lower in his seat, watching the man turn around to stare at everyone, a mad, slightly drunk look in his dazed eyes. He sat down in the seat next to David, amid the chatters of the onlookers. With difficulty, he grabbed his suitcase and threw it into the compartment above him.

"I don't need your bloody help!" he finally cried. The people trying to help looked slightly taken aback, and ambled back to their assigned seats, eyeing him as if he were a dangerous animal. The man guffawed loudly at their expressions, and sank back into his seat, turning to look at David, who promptly pretended to read a magazine, holding it very close to his face. He didn't need any extra attention right now… he was just fine, thank you…

"And who are you?" asked the man, apparently ignoring David's silent plea. Reluctantly, he put down his magazine and opened his mouth to speak.

"Let me guess!" cried the man, interrupting David's attempt to speak. "Hmm… you couldn't finish college because you have mental problems and the school didn't understand you. So, now you're going home to be ridiculed and lectured by your insane parents."

David raised his eyebrows. "Not –"

"You totally screwed up. I understand - it's nothing to be ashamed of, son." He stopped, and appeared to be thinking. "Wait, that was me!" He began to laugh loudly, causing the passengers to turn their heads his way. He rolled his eyes at them. "Mind your own businesses, you stuttering dimwits!" The people glared at him, and returned to their own conversations, some shaking their fists angrily; that just made the man laugh harder. David, embarrassed, tried to return to his magazine, but the man pulled him into discussion again.

"Hey kid, seriously, what's your name? This is a long ride, and I hope for some tête-à-tête between us. Sounds fun, eh?"

David looked around, but no help came. He smiled halfhearted. "My name's David, and yeah, that sounds great."

"Of course it does!" the man said, laughing. David grinned uncertainly. Suddenly, with a loud slap, the man hit his forehead with the palm of one of his broad hands.

"Imagine that!" he cried. And, to the annoyance of the flight attendants, he began to slap himself repeatedly on the head, laughing loudly. David looked around, moving away from the man. Before he could move far enough to pretend he wasn't listening, the man held out his hand and shook David's.

"Hello David! Dave! Can I call you Dave?"

The man looked so determined to do this that David just shrugged. "Sure."

"Okay Dave… doesn't that have a nice ring? Anyways, my name is Leonard. Just call me Leo!"

"Sure," David said, not sure of what else to say to that. The man looked at him strangely.

"Cat got your tongue, Dave? It's sure this, sure that…why, hello little lady!"

David flushed in embarrassment as one of the flight attendants walked over to their row. She knelt down next to them, folding her skirt under her legs.

"Excuse me mister… you are disrupting the passengers. Could you please keep your voice down?" The lady lowered her raised hand, as if to emphasize her point to a hearing-impaired citizen. Leo scoffed.

"How can I disrupt them if we haven't even lifted off yet? Speaking of which…" he looked at the lady; "when are we leaving? Some people – like me - don't have all the time in the world. See, there's a little thing called time frames… heard of them?"

David's eyes darted from the lady to Leo. The lady glared at Leo, gritting her teeth. When she spoke, her voice was that of venom.

"Yes, sir, I have heard of time frames. And, if you want to discuss departure and arrival times, I suggest that you talk to the captain. If not, I would advise you to keep your voice down and leave the flying to the expert."

With that, she walked away, her shoulders slightly hunched in anger. David heard her mutter distinctly, "just three more years, just three more years…"

Leo turned to David happily. "So, Dave, what do you do for a living?"

"Well, I -,"

"Wait… actually, maybe I should tell you what I do first. See," – Leo leaned close to David –, "I am a fugitive from prison trying to escape from the cops by moving to California. Shhh… don't tell anyone."

David just stared at the man as the plane went into its ascent, wondering if this man really was mad, or just enjoying himself. It seemed strange to him, yes, but to Leo, maybe it was just funny. David shrugged. As long as he didn't hurt anyone, Leo was an okay guy. At least he was interesting. Taking a deep breath, David decided to take a leap of faith.

"Hey, Leo, do you need gum?" he asked, holding out two pieces. Leo grinned brightly, and David could only smile too. There wasn't anything wrong with Leo, he realized, he just didn't have any friends to confide in. David gave him the gum, and Leo threw them in his mouth, chewing slowly to savor the taste.

"Thanks man!" Leo called, leaning back against his chair and sighing. He closed his eyes, and opened them quickly, reminding David distinctly of a very alert, hyperactive puppy.

"So, what do you do? For a living?"

"Well, I…" David braced for an interruption, but was pleased when Leo didn't say anything; "I'm in college now – at Harvard." – he added, with an ounce of pride. Leo nodded his approval.

"Why are you on a plane, if I may ask?" Leo blew a bubble, and popped it with a stubby finger.

Suddenly, a wave of emotions crashed into David, making his head spin. He felt his hands begin to shake uncontrollably, and he took a deep breath for the second time.

Lizzie… Hillridge… Lizzie…

"I – uh," David began, head throbbing painfully, "I-I have business t-to attend to." Now it was Leo's time to look at David strangely.

"Wait… I thought you said you were in college, right? Why do you need to go anywhere?"

Lizzie… Hillridge… Lizzie…

"Y-yeah, I-I mean, that's where you go to school." David grabbed his head, and his heart nearly jumped out of his chest. Just thinking of her face, her beautiful features… David coughed, and Leo slapped his back.

"Hey Dave, are you okay?" Leo asked with concern. He looked at the ceiling of the airplane, chewing his gum – if possible – even slower. "You know, I can tell we both have problems. I'm not into that whole spill your guts thing, so I won't ask you for any info. Just remember Dave, the glass is half full…"

Despite himself, David had to chuckle. Leo laughed along with him, shifting his weight to lay back further into his chair. For a second, David relaxed; he not at all tense. He was just… happy. That was what he needed, he thought, he needed to be more like Leo - always thinking positive. With that comforting thought echoing endlessly in his head, David Gordon leaned his head back and drifted into a deep, passive sleep; a soft smile playing across his handsome face.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

"G-Gordo? W-why are you here?"

"You looked really upset, Liz; I couldn't just leave you like that."

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

"Hey Dave, you awake? We have turkey, roast beef, or, uhhh… Dave?"

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

"T-thanks… but I don't really know what to say…"

"All I want to know is why you're upset. I can do my best to help you – I'm not completely worthless!"

"Of course you're not."

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

"Okay then. How about turkey? Everyone likes turkey!" Leo laughed; "I'm so desperate that I'm talking to myself! Ha, ha."

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

"So…?"

"R-Ronnie b-broke up with me! T-there was another girl… s-she's probably prettier than me, more f-fun to be with…!"

"No, she's not. No one is prettier or more fun than you, Lizzie."

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

David awoke with a start, to the delight of Leo, who promptly pushed David's sandwich towards him.

"Here you go, buddy. I didn't know what to get you… I mean, it was a tie between turkey and roast beef, but I realized that turkey was probably more popular, so I…"

But, David wasn't listening. It couldn't be… his dream was a memory, but did it mean something? Could it be?

Ronnie? The Ronnie?

David ran a hand through his hair, still ignoring Leo, who was chatting away happily, eating his sandwich with pleasure. David had heard of very amazing coincidences, but this… he looked up at the ceiling and smiled. It was a miracle – that was how to explain it. He put his hands behind his head and grinned happily. Leo, who had finished with his sandwich, prodded David in the shoulder.

"Hey Dave, you gonna eat that?" he asked, pointing to David's untouched sandwich. David nodded, and his stomach grumbled. Leo looked slightly disappointed, but he grinned all the same. David felt his spirits soar, and he began to eat his food. Just then, the flight attendant walked past their seat. Leo smiled brightly at her.

"Enjoying the flight?" he asked. The lady scowled and walked on, emitting a little sigh of annoyance.

Suddenly, a voice echoed throughout the airplane cabin.

"Flight attendants, please report to your stations."

David righted his chair, and put up his tray in anticipation. He waited eagerly for the captain's voice again, telling them when they were going to land. He held on to the sides of the chair, heart beginning a pounding frenzy. His mind asked questions over and over again. What will you say? How will you act? Is Lizzie even still there? This last one bothered David the most, but, he thought, breathing deeply, she probably didn't go anywhere. She had always said that California was her true home, and she didn't want to leave.

David looked out the window and felt his head begin to pound.

"Brace for landing."

With a slight bump, the plane landed and began to speed down the runway. David was pushed back against his seat as the captain began to brake, and Leo's seatbelt was straining against his large stomach. David held on to the sides on the chair tightly; his knuckles turned white. When the large vehicle finally stopped, adrenaline and emotions rushed through David's veins, paralyzing his senses.

"Here we go again," he whispered, heart pounding frantically.

Thanx to everyone who reviewed the last chapter… ^_^ I luv all of you! Awww… so sweet. Anyways, I should have the next chapter up soon; I got a really good, new keyboard in my room, and I'm using it right now *cough* too much *cough*. Ha, ha.

*hehe* did you guys like Leo? He reminded me of me, so, yeah… *blink* whatever. He was fun 2 write. AND HE'S MINE! More stuff w/ him in the next chapter – if you guys are wondering what's up with him, then you just wait. He's there for a reason – seriously.

Anyway, thanx again, and please review! ^_^

Oh, and Happy Independence Day!

And everyone else not living in the US, have a wonderful, fantastic day! I'm giddy! Yay.

Luv and kissez =

Tic-Tac  ^_~