I'm really, really sorry I haven't updated in a while. I've been working like crazy and I've had a hard two weeks. I hope it was worth the wait. Thank you to all who reviewed and please keep telling me what you think! P

Chapter Five - Mariana

"Beck! Beck! Wake up! We're here!" I woke up as Travis tried to scrabble his way across me.

"Hey. What you doing? Sit down, the plane is going to land." I said tiredly.

"I know, but look." Travis pointed passed me as I pushed him back ino his seat. I looked out the window to my right and the air left my lungs. There it was. The beauty of Brazil captured in an aeroplane window. It was late evening and the sky split dramatically into shades of red and purple. There were acres of fresh green trees and the glittering, clear, meandering river flowing slowly through it all.

"Wow, Travis. I didn't think you'd appreciate a nice view."

"View? What you talking about? Just look at those legs!"

My head turned back round again and just beside the window was a raven-haired air hostess bending to wrap a blanket round an old man. I shook my head and slapped his head lightly. He started laughing.

"You're such a horny little kid."

"And you're such an old man! Nice view! What, are you fifty?"

I was not fifty! I wasn't even thirty five! I swallowed and my eyebrows drew together. I was still young, wasn't I? Wasn't I!

I knew I had him anxious inside, debating if he was still cool. Ha ha! I yawned loudly and clipped on my seatbelt feeling the plane dip slightly. I shifted my ass in my seat. It was going numb. The plane journey had been long and boring. Beck had slept most of the way and I ended up building a fort with the mashed potatoes we got at dinner. Well, they say they're mashed potatoes, but I swear it was like playing with semi-dried cement. I had been on so many planes that the landings and take-offs never bothered me now. I glanced down at Beck's hands. Knuckles white and fingers tensed as he gripped the arms of the seat. Could it be that Mr Beck had a weakness? This opportunity was too good to miss.

"Something's wrong." I stated.

"What? What do you mean?" He demanded. I stiffled my laugh and played along.

"I just saw that air hostess whisper frantically to the pilot. See, right through there." I pointed to the door where the pilot was. "We're dropping too. Way to fast." I started jerking my seat.

"What's wrong?" A wide-eyed Beck shrieked. I shook my head sadly and shrugged.

I looked out the window and twisted back to face him quickly. I stared hard at him, water collecting in my eyes as I resisted blinking. Of course this all added to the terrified vibe I was sending out as Beck misunderstood it for actual tears.

"What's wrong?" He whispered again. He didn't even notice that everyone else on the plane was sleeping or talking quietly. I guess he was just in such a panic. His face was a picture! It was at least five shades paler than normal and a vein repeatedly pounded in his forehead.

"The wing...Part of it...Part of it just fell off!" He leaned across me, his massive shoulder pinning my chest to the seat.

"I don't see anything!" He squeaked.

I couldn't hold it. It was erupting. I could feel it surfacing. Laughter roared from my mouth. My chest and tummy hurt like hell, but I couldn't stop. Beck first thought I was hysterical, but then like a growing flame, redness spread up from his neck and flooded his cheeks.

"This is your pilot speaking. We will be landing very soon. Everything appears to be normal and the local time is now eight nineteen pm. We hope you enjoyed your flight with us and wish you a pleasant stay in Brazil. Thank you."

"I'm actually going to kill you." Beck growled quietly. I was paralysed with laughter. My whole body was shaking.

"Death is too good a punishment in fact." He leaned into my ear and squeezed my knee in a killer grip. My giggles died away almost instantly.

"You're going to wish I had killed you by the tme I'm finished."

I swallowed and glanced at him out the corner of my eye. The pain in my knee was agony, but still he held on. It was a joke! Surely he would laugh it off? I mean, come on! Then it hit me. If it was one thing that Beck lacked, it was a sense of humour. Oh God...I was done for.

I was excited to see them. Travis and Beck. It hadn't been very long since they had left Brazil, but still Travis and I had known each other for months and ever since Beck had left I had felt strangely hollow inside. My town had worked together at an alarming rate and I even had my own bar built again. The people had set up little stalls and had began trading with nearby towns and cities. People started fishing and hunting. Everything was thriving and everyone seemed content.

I couldn't believe it when I had received a call from Beck saying he was at the airport with Travis. It was pleasant suprise! I drove as fast I could to greet them and bring them back to my town, but as I climbed into my jeep I realised that something bad must have happened to make them both come back so fast.

"Mariana." Beck smiled and kissed my cheek. He looked good. He smelled like cinnamon and his shirt rippled over his muscular frame. I blushed slightly. I was so happy to see him. It took me by suprise how much I had missed him. I tucked my tousled black hair behind my ears and smiled.

"Where is Travis?" I asked. Beck turned his head.

"Oh, he'll be coming soon."

I frowned. There, weaving between the crowds of people a young man, bag hung around his shoulders and panting frantically.

"I made him carry everything." Beck explained with a grin and took my elbow in a gentle grasp, leading me towards the exit.

"Should we not help him?"

"Nah. He'll be fine."

I looked back and watched as Travis - red faced and exhausted gave Beck the finger.

"Move Travis" Beck yelled, not even turning round. I laughed softly. Welcome home boys.