~*~
"Pardon excusez-moi, mademoiselle," a refined and jovial voice pulled the woman out of her light nap. Bright azure eyes stared drowsily at the flight attendant. She blinked once then twice before she responded in a smooth, cultured American accent. "Yes?"
"I'm sorry to disturb you, mademoiselle. You had requested to inform you the hour before we land in New York?" The petite woman held her breath as she apologetically spoke in French.
The woman furrowed her eyebrows, grasping what was going on around her. She smiled at the woman and spoke, "No it's alright, thank you." The flight attendant happily continued to move down the wide aisle assisting other passengers. The woman pushed the shade up the window and stared out. It was still dark but the moon reflected off of the Atlantic Ocean and in the distance she knew the city that never sleeps waited for her arrival. Or rather someone was waiting for her.
"Welcome home, Faith." She sighed as she realized the reason she was returning to New York in the first place.
. It's me.
Two simple words that got her hoping on one of the fastest flights to New York from London: British Airways' Concorde jet. She glanced at her watch. It has been nearly three hours since her very brief conversation with Ian ended. A lot could happen in three hours she thought. With a sigh she unfasten the seatbelt and got up from her seat. She opened the overhead compartment and pulled out her one carry on bag she brought. Faith headed for the back to use the restroom. As she slowly approached she could hear two voices whispering, verbally quarrelling. Both parties soon stopped their heated conversation when they felt her presences. Faith paid no attention and entered the restroom.
Immediately she lowered the lid from the toilet and placed her bag on top. She unzipped the bag, pulled out a set of clothes, hanging them from the hook on the door, and set the bag on the floor. Faith began to undress replacing the outfit she had on with the one that was hanging. First she put on black slacks and a black silk sleeveless turtleneck top. Then she sat on the lid of the toilet and pulled on black high-heeled boots. She got up and faced the mirror. She pulled out a smaller bag containing her toiletries. She grabbed the brush and began combing out her long dark- blonde locks, tightly drawing it back into a bun. Faith stared at her reflection and began straightening her outfit. The choice of color had somehow enhanced her appearance giving her a more mystic physique. The creamy color of her skin and hair was a definite contradiction to the darkness of her clothes. Yet what stood out the most were those hauntingly icy cerulean eyes. Her mirror image stared back and Faith actually shuddered at her own image. 'Get a hold of yourself, Faith. Concentrate and focus. Ian needs you now.' She took a deep breath while turning on the faucet and quickly splashing her face with cold water. The chill from the water awakened her senses. She closed her eyes, took in another deep breath, and reopened her eyes. Faith watched in the mirror as her posture changed, her attitude changed, and the fear that was in her eye was gone. She was ready or almost.
As she inhaled she could faintly smell caffeine. "Coffee. Must need coffee. Then I'll be ready." She grinned as she stuffed her clothes and toiletries into the bag before slipping on her long black leather coat. She unlocked the door and slipped out of the restroom. 'Damn! Looks like I'll be having more then just coffee.' Faith stared at the pair. It was the same ones that had been arguing earlier. Deciding that maybe wasn't the best time to ask Faith was about to turn and leave. That was until the man grabbed the arm of the female fight attendant.
"Let go of my arm," The attendant demanded.
"Don't think so darlin. Not until you give me what I want."
"I told you I'm not interested. Now let me go." The flight attendant tried to pull her arm away but he wouldn't let go. Instead he increased the pressure of his hold.
"I don't think you understand." He warned, roughly pulling her towards him.
"I understand perfectly. You can't take no for an answer so instead, just because you're rich, you can push people around like some bully. You're just a fucking asshole!"
A bit surprised by the flight attendant's bold comments and attitude, Faith grinned and nodded her head in approval. But soon her grin faded when she seen the man raise his hand, ready to strike.
"Why you fucking whor."
"Excuse me I hate to interrupt this lovely tryst," Faith grabbed the man's arm, painfully twisting it behind his back, and slamming him against the metal cabinets. Still speaking, not once pausing. "But it's obvious that the woman is not interested. Now if you'd be so kind and apologize to?" Faith turned to stare at the woman.
"T.. Tasha.." The woman was barely able to answer as she stared wide-eyed.
"Right. Now if you apologize to Tasha then I'll let you go." Faith waited for an answer.
"I ain't going to apologize to no one you crazy bitch!" It wasn't exactly the response she was looking for, so Faith did the next best thing. With her free hand she grabbed the back of his head, pulled back, and slammed his face against the metal cabinet. She let go and even before his body hit the floor he was unconscious.
Tasha's mouth hung open and her eyes were about to pop out of her head. She couldn't believe what just happened. She turned her attention to the mysterious woman clad only in black. Faith was smoothing out her clothes when she heard a loud gasp. A male flight attendant had shown up. He spoke over a hand that was barely covering his mouth, "Oh my God Tasha, sweetheart what happened? Are you alright?" He questioned his feminine voice laced with shock; the hand that was covering his mouth was now dramatically laid against his chest. Eugene waved his other hand in front of her face. Tasha never answered.
"Its my fault actually." Faith finally spoke up. Eugene barely contained the scream as he heard the low raspy voice. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you."
"No, no it's quite all right. I just didn't see you standing there." Eugene pressed his palm over his racing heartbeat, trying to regain his composure. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to scream like that. So how is it this was," He waved a hand over the unconscious man, "your fault."
"Well I was hoping to get a cup of coffee when I happen to see this gentleman," she pointed at the man, "coming on to your friend here. She refused his offer, he got angry and was about to become violent, so I decided to intervene." Faith calmly recapped what happened. Eugene quickly closed his mouth and turned to Tasha.
"Is this what happened, Tasha?"
"Yeah that's exactly what happened." A bit surprised and confused about the whole situation. Grateful that this was her last flight and that she was finally moving to New York. She didn't have to worry about putting up with assholes and mysterious people coming to her rescue. They stood there in an uncomfortable silence until the soft moans coming from the body broke the tension. It was Faith who first spoke.
"So about that coffee?" She asked nonchalantly.
"Coffee?" Both attendants stared at each other dumbfounded. "Oh the coffee, right. Its not quite ready but I'll have Eugene or myself serve you a cup when it is."
"Thank you. I'm in seat 11." Faith picked up her bag and turned to walk away.
Two sets of eyes watched as the mysterious woman walked down the aisle back to her seat. "That's one strange woman. So what do you think she does for a living? I bet she's spy or an assassin or something." Eugene's voice was filled with excitement as he tried to guess what 'passenger eleven's' career is. It was a fun game they had made up to pass the time during flights.
"Eugene I swear your imagination just goes wild sometimes. I bet the next think you're going to say is that she's some kind of missing heiress or princess or something." Eugene just rolled her eyes. He turned his attention towards the not so unconscious man.
"Whatever, come on help me get prince charming back to his seat. Then you can deliver the 'coffee' to Ms. Mysterious," Eugene playfully lowered his voice, "over there. Though I'm still betting she's some kind of spy." They both laughed not realizing Eugene wasn't far from the truth. Gratefully they lead the semi-conscious man back to his seat without further incident. And Tasha was already on her way to the back by the time Eugene secured the man in his seat.
She filled the cup with coffee and headed back to the front. Faith paid no attention to Tasha as she served her coffee. She didn't turn to address the flight attendant's presence; she merely tossed a, "Thank you," over her shoulder not tearing her gaze from the window. "You're welcome, ma'am." Tasha quietly replied as she shrugged and made her way to assist other passengers.
Faith watched; as the lights of the city were growing brighter as the mass silhouette of New York broaden. She glanced at her watch, "half an hour more," she said. Faith carefully picked up the cup of coffee and took a cautious sip. The heat of the liquid smoothly flowed down her throat. The warmth from the coffee quickly began to spread throughout her body. Taking another sip she sank deeper into her seat, letting her body relax a bit. Enjoying the small respite for she didn't know what to expect and she knew it would be awhile before the next reprieve. "Trouble, always there when you need it," Faith jokily said as she downed the rest of the tepid coffee.
Perhaps it was the caffeine finally kicking in, the anticipation of the plane landing, or the adrenaline rush from the previous encounter that made Faith apprehensive. 'So much for relaxing.' She turned her eyes to the opposite side of the plane. She grinned as she spotted the man from earlier. Recalling how easily it was to incapacitate the burly man. She flexed her hands and stared at them. It was too easy she thought she needed a worthier opponent. Faith made sure to always stay fit, never letting her skills perish but instead flourish in time. Well he was conscious now and he watched that flight attendant, Tasha. He continued to watch until his gazed locked with icy blue ones. Immediately he snapped his head forward and completely avoided both Faith and the flight attendant.
"I still got it. Ian would be proud," Faith beamed. Remembering hazel eyes that held a lot of intensity. How the intensity of those eyes bore into his enemies' soul immobilize them on the spot like some serpent memorizing their victims. Or how soft and innocent they could be, "I hate that damn lost puppy look."
"Excuse me?" The voice broke into Faith's thoughts; she blinked a few times then turned her attention to the person standing besides her. Her eyes widen as she stared into the same hazel orbs. Faith jerked her head back slightly to fully look at the flight attendant, Tasha. Wavy russet hair pulled back into a braid, with a few sun kissed locks lying lazily against her face. Fine dark eyebrows arched above those same intense eyes. A petite nose, full lips, and high cheekbones all adorn the small frame of her face. So much like Ian.
"Do you by chance have any sisters or.brothers?"
"I.uh.excuse me?" Tasha stammered from the sudden question.
Faith finally found her composure and began to apologize, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable and stare like that. Its just that you look like," Tasha raised her eyebrows. "Actually you just remind me of someone I know, that's all. Forgive me I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable."
"No its okay," Tasha said with a small smile. "I'm an only child actually." Faith nodded her head.
An uneasy pause came over them until Tasha spoke. "Well...um the Captain has turned on the seatbelt sign. So if you could bring your seat to an upright position and fasten your seatbelt we'll be landing shortly." Faith looked at her watch again. Just fifteen more minutes until they landed. "Right, thank you."
Tasha had never wanted to leave so quickly before. But for some reason her body didn't want to cooperate. "Are you finished with this?" Faith glanced at the empty cup and nodded. Tasha picked up the cup but still didn't move. Faith noticed that she hadn't left and so she stared at her in confusion.
Tasha leaned in and spoke, "I.um just wanted to..um.thank you for what you did earlier with that gentleman." Faith smiled, "It was no problem but you're welcome." Faith could see relief flash in Tasha's eyes. 'Eyes that were so much like Ian's. Ah, let it go Faith. Come on you gotta concentrate.'
"Well I hope you have a pleasurable stay in New York, Ms?"
"Faith, the name is Faith. And you're Tasha, right?"
"Natasha, Natasha Marion. Thank you again not only for the help earlier but for making my last flight interesting."
"Last flight?" Faith wondered.
"Yeah this is my last flight working. I actually quit and I'm moving to New York. To pursue a better career I guess."
"All this traveling is getting boring?" Faith amusingly asked.
"That and it's a bit exhausting at the same time. I want to settle in a permanent place for once." Surprisingly Faith fully understood. For years having to travel from place to place. Not a place to truly call home.
"Well I wish you the best of luck, Natasha Marion."
"Thank you," they shook hands and Tasha left.
Faith had a nagging feeling about Natasha Marion. But now wasn't the time to think about it so she pushed the thought aside and concentrated on the situation at hand. That is to find Ian Nottingham and hope it wasn't too late.
"Pardon excusez-moi, mademoiselle," a refined and jovial voice pulled the woman out of her light nap. Bright azure eyes stared drowsily at the flight attendant. She blinked once then twice before she responded in a smooth, cultured American accent. "Yes?"
"I'm sorry to disturb you, mademoiselle. You had requested to inform you the hour before we land in New York?" The petite woman held her breath as she apologetically spoke in French.
The woman furrowed her eyebrows, grasping what was going on around her. She smiled at the woman and spoke, "No it's alright, thank you." The flight attendant happily continued to move down the wide aisle assisting other passengers. The woman pushed the shade up the window and stared out. It was still dark but the moon reflected off of the Atlantic Ocean and in the distance she knew the city that never sleeps waited for her arrival. Or rather someone was waiting for her.
"Welcome home, Faith." She sighed as she realized the reason she was returning to New York in the first place.
. It's me.
Two simple words that got her hoping on one of the fastest flights to New York from London: British Airways' Concorde jet. She glanced at her watch. It has been nearly three hours since her very brief conversation with Ian ended. A lot could happen in three hours she thought. With a sigh she unfasten the seatbelt and got up from her seat. She opened the overhead compartment and pulled out her one carry on bag she brought. Faith headed for the back to use the restroom. As she slowly approached she could hear two voices whispering, verbally quarrelling. Both parties soon stopped their heated conversation when they felt her presences. Faith paid no attention and entered the restroom.
Immediately she lowered the lid from the toilet and placed her bag on top. She unzipped the bag, pulled out a set of clothes, hanging them from the hook on the door, and set the bag on the floor. Faith began to undress replacing the outfit she had on with the one that was hanging. First she put on black slacks and a black silk sleeveless turtleneck top. Then she sat on the lid of the toilet and pulled on black high-heeled boots. She got up and faced the mirror. She pulled out a smaller bag containing her toiletries. She grabbed the brush and began combing out her long dark- blonde locks, tightly drawing it back into a bun. Faith stared at her reflection and began straightening her outfit. The choice of color had somehow enhanced her appearance giving her a more mystic physique. The creamy color of her skin and hair was a definite contradiction to the darkness of her clothes. Yet what stood out the most were those hauntingly icy cerulean eyes. Her mirror image stared back and Faith actually shuddered at her own image. 'Get a hold of yourself, Faith. Concentrate and focus. Ian needs you now.' She took a deep breath while turning on the faucet and quickly splashing her face with cold water. The chill from the water awakened her senses. She closed her eyes, took in another deep breath, and reopened her eyes. Faith watched in the mirror as her posture changed, her attitude changed, and the fear that was in her eye was gone. She was ready or almost.
As she inhaled she could faintly smell caffeine. "Coffee. Must need coffee. Then I'll be ready." She grinned as she stuffed her clothes and toiletries into the bag before slipping on her long black leather coat. She unlocked the door and slipped out of the restroom. 'Damn! Looks like I'll be having more then just coffee.' Faith stared at the pair. It was the same ones that had been arguing earlier. Deciding that maybe wasn't the best time to ask Faith was about to turn and leave. That was until the man grabbed the arm of the female fight attendant.
"Let go of my arm," The attendant demanded.
"Don't think so darlin. Not until you give me what I want."
"I told you I'm not interested. Now let me go." The flight attendant tried to pull her arm away but he wouldn't let go. Instead he increased the pressure of his hold.
"I don't think you understand." He warned, roughly pulling her towards him.
"I understand perfectly. You can't take no for an answer so instead, just because you're rich, you can push people around like some bully. You're just a fucking asshole!"
A bit surprised by the flight attendant's bold comments and attitude, Faith grinned and nodded her head in approval. But soon her grin faded when she seen the man raise his hand, ready to strike.
"Why you fucking whor."
"Excuse me I hate to interrupt this lovely tryst," Faith grabbed the man's arm, painfully twisting it behind his back, and slamming him against the metal cabinets. Still speaking, not once pausing. "But it's obvious that the woman is not interested. Now if you'd be so kind and apologize to?" Faith turned to stare at the woman.
"T.. Tasha.." The woman was barely able to answer as she stared wide-eyed.
"Right. Now if you apologize to Tasha then I'll let you go." Faith waited for an answer.
"I ain't going to apologize to no one you crazy bitch!" It wasn't exactly the response she was looking for, so Faith did the next best thing. With her free hand she grabbed the back of his head, pulled back, and slammed his face against the metal cabinet. She let go and even before his body hit the floor he was unconscious.
Tasha's mouth hung open and her eyes were about to pop out of her head. She couldn't believe what just happened. She turned her attention to the mysterious woman clad only in black. Faith was smoothing out her clothes when she heard a loud gasp. A male flight attendant had shown up. He spoke over a hand that was barely covering his mouth, "Oh my God Tasha, sweetheart what happened? Are you alright?" He questioned his feminine voice laced with shock; the hand that was covering his mouth was now dramatically laid against his chest. Eugene waved his other hand in front of her face. Tasha never answered.
"Its my fault actually." Faith finally spoke up. Eugene barely contained the scream as he heard the low raspy voice. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you."
"No, no it's quite all right. I just didn't see you standing there." Eugene pressed his palm over his racing heartbeat, trying to regain his composure. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to scream like that. So how is it this was," He waved a hand over the unconscious man, "your fault."
"Well I was hoping to get a cup of coffee when I happen to see this gentleman," she pointed at the man, "coming on to your friend here. She refused his offer, he got angry and was about to become violent, so I decided to intervene." Faith calmly recapped what happened. Eugene quickly closed his mouth and turned to Tasha.
"Is this what happened, Tasha?"
"Yeah that's exactly what happened." A bit surprised and confused about the whole situation. Grateful that this was her last flight and that she was finally moving to New York. She didn't have to worry about putting up with assholes and mysterious people coming to her rescue. They stood there in an uncomfortable silence until the soft moans coming from the body broke the tension. It was Faith who first spoke.
"So about that coffee?" She asked nonchalantly.
"Coffee?" Both attendants stared at each other dumbfounded. "Oh the coffee, right. Its not quite ready but I'll have Eugene or myself serve you a cup when it is."
"Thank you. I'm in seat 11." Faith picked up her bag and turned to walk away.
Two sets of eyes watched as the mysterious woman walked down the aisle back to her seat. "That's one strange woman. So what do you think she does for a living? I bet she's spy or an assassin or something." Eugene's voice was filled with excitement as he tried to guess what 'passenger eleven's' career is. It was a fun game they had made up to pass the time during flights.
"Eugene I swear your imagination just goes wild sometimes. I bet the next think you're going to say is that she's some kind of missing heiress or princess or something." Eugene just rolled her eyes. He turned his attention towards the not so unconscious man.
"Whatever, come on help me get prince charming back to his seat. Then you can deliver the 'coffee' to Ms. Mysterious," Eugene playfully lowered his voice, "over there. Though I'm still betting she's some kind of spy." They both laughed not realizing Eugene wasn't far from the truth. Gratefully they lead the semi-conscious man back to his seat without further incident. And Tasha was already on her way to the back by the time Eugene secured the man in his seat.
She filled the cup with coffee and headed back to the front. Faith paid no attention to Tasha as she served her coffee. She didn't turn to address the flight attendant's presence; she merely tossed a, "Thank you," over her shoulder not tearing her gaze from the window. "You're welcome, ma'am." Tasha quietly replied as she shrugged and made her way to assist other passengers.
Faith watched; as the lights of the city were growing brighter as the mass silhouette of New York broaden. She glanced at her watch, "half an hour more," she said. Faith carefully picked up the cup of coffee and took a cautious sip. The heat of the liquid smoothly flowed down her throat. The warmth from the coffee quickly began to spread throughout her body. Taking another sip she sank deeper into her seat, letting her body relax a bit. Enjoying the small respite for she didn't know what to expect and she knew it would be awhile before the next reprieve. "Trouble, always there when you need it," Faith jokily said as she downed the rest of the tepid coffee.
Perhaps it was the caffeine finally kicking in, the anticipation of the plane landing, or the adrenaline rush from the previous encounter that made Faith apprehensive. 'So much for relaxing.' She turned her eyes to the opposite side of the plane. She grinned as she spotted the man from earlier. Recalling how easily it was to incapacitate the burly man. She flexed her hands and stared at them. It was too easy she thought she needed a worthier opponent. Faith made sure to always stay fit, never letting her skills perish but instead flourish in time. Well he was conscious now and he watched that flight attendant, Tasha. He continued to watch until his gazed locked with icy blue ones. Immediately he snapped his head forward and completely avoided both Faith and the flight attendant.
"I still got it. Ian would be proud," Faith beamed. Remembering hazel eyes that held a lot of intensity. How the intensity of those eyes bore into his enemies' soul immobilize them on the spot like some serpent memorizing their victims. Or how soft and innocent they could be, "I hate that damn lost puppy look."
"Excuse me?" The voice broke into Faith's thoughts; she blinked a few times then turned her attention to the person standing besides her. Her eyes widen as she stared into the same hazel orbs. Faith jerked her head back slightly to fully look at the flight attendant, Tasha. Wavy russet hair pulled back into a braid, with a few sun kissed locks lying lazily against her face. Fine dark eyebrows arched above those same intense eyes. A petite nose, full lips, and high cheekbones all adorn the small frame of her face. So much like Ian.
"Do you by chance have any sisters or.brothers?"
"I.uh.excuse me?" Tasha stammered from the sudden question.
Faith finally found her composure and began to apologize, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable and stare like that. Its just that you look like," Tasha raised her eyebrows. "Actually you just remind me of someone I know, that's all. Forgive me I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable."
"No its okay," Tasha said with a small smile. "I'm an only child actually." Faith nodded her head.
An uneasy pause came over them until Tasha spoke. "Well...um the Captain has turned on the seatbelt sign. So if you could bring your seat to an upright position and fasten your seatbelt we'll be landing shortly." Faith looked at her watch again. Just fifteen more minutes until they landed. "Right, thank you."
Tasha had never wanted to leave so quickly before. But for some reason her body didn't want to cooperate. "Are you finished with this?" Faith glanced at the empty cup and nodded. Tasha picked up the cup but still didn't move. Faith noticed that she hadn't left and so she stared at her in confusion.
Tasha leaned in and spoke, "I.um just wanted to..um.thank you for what you did earlier with that gentleman." Faith smiled, "It was no problem but you're welcome." Faith could see relief flash in Tasha's eyes. 'Eyes that were so much like Ian's. Ah, let it go Faith. Come on you gotta concentrate.'
"Well I hope you have a pleasurable stay in New York, Ms?"
"Faith, the name is Faith. And you're Tasha, right?"
"Natasha, Natasha Marion. Thank you again not only for the help earlier but for making my last flight interesting."
"Last flight?" Faith wondered.
"Yeah this is my last flight working. I actually quit and I'm moving to New York. To pursue a better career I guess."
"All this traveling is getting boring?" Faith amusingly asked.
"That and it's a bit exhausting at the same time. I want to settle in a permanent place for once." Surprisingly Faith fully understood. For years having to travel from place to place. Not a place to truly call home.
"Well I wish you the best of luck, Natasha Marion."
"Thank you," they shook hands and Tasha left.
Faith had a nagging feeling about Natasha Marion. But now wasn't the time to think about it so she pushed the thought aside and concentrated on the situation at hand. That is to find Ian Nottingham and hope it wasn't too late.