Derek, Scott, Peter and Paul enter the small airport. Peter looks up to the ticket counter and turns to the others. "Wait here I'll arrange the accommodations… Such as they are." He finishes with a scoff. He then strides up to the ticket counter bypassing coach and heading to first class. "Hello how may I help you?" The young man behind the counter asks with a tired smile. "Long day?" Peter asks. "Yes but they all are." The man replies. Peter nods with a friendly grin. "Take a look over there, see the blond man clinging to the dark haired one?" Peter asks gesturing over his shoulder. The man looks. His face falls as he takes in the bruises and cuts on Paul's face. An announcement comes over the public address system and Paul cringes cowering and pressing his face to Derek's chest. Derek does his best to sooth the terrified human while making eye contact with the ticket agent. Scott does the same placing a comforting hand on Paul's shoulder and staring back at the agent defiantly.
"We're taking him home. He's spent the past two and a half years being held against his will. He was tortured both physically and mentally. Whatever the cost, whatever needs to be done. I want the last 6 rows of the plane and immediate boarding. It would be best if it were a plane that did not have an aft lavatory. Anyone approaching him will be met with…resistance from the other two." "Sir I'm very sorry for what has happened to your friend but I can't just…" "Whatever the cost." Peter says leaning forward. "It is imperative he get home as quickly as possible. If there are any fees that I can pay to you and your supervisor to make this happen I will happily pay them...Aaron." Peter says glancing at the agent's name tag. Aaron turns and waves at an older man a few steps away. After a few moments conversation the man speaks. "We'll be happy to accommodate you Mr. Hale." The supervisor says after glancing at Peter's Platinum American Express card. "As for the expedition fees…." "Will 5000 each be sufficient?" Peter says interrupting airily. Aaron's eyes go wide and he sputters excitedly. The supervisor while similarly pleased manages to maintain a bit more decorum. "That would be perfect." Peter nods and pulls his checkbook out and begins writing while Aaron swipes the credit card with shaking hands and rings up the requested seats. "We will need everyone's ID." Aaron finally manages to say professionalism returning. Derek, Paul and Scott approach the counter. "Wow you heard me from all the way over there?" Aaron asks. "My friend was temporarily deafened in an accident a few years back. During his recovery he picked up the ability to read lips." Peter says with a wave in Scott's direction. "I expect given the fee's that one of you…...Preferably you." Peter says gesturing towards the supervisor. "Will escort us to the plane and ensure the crew on board understands our special arrangement." "Certainly. I'll meet you at the gate."
Moments later the group is working its way through the security checkpoint. Paul is looking around anxiously anxiety pouring off the terrified human in waves. Derek, Scott and Peter do their best to keep him surrounded by pack as much as possible. Eventually it is their turn and the TSA agent pauses looking Paul over. "Do…...you require medical assistance?" She asks looking at the trio of men standing protectively around Paul. "I just need to go home." Paul mumbles out not making eye contact and looking fearful. "Traffic accident." He whispers after a few seconds of silence. "Sir I'm…" Paul flinches at the agents authoritative tone and clutches at Derek desperately. "Please." Scott says. "He's been through a lot. The lights, the people, the noise, it's very difficult for him. His ID is valid, he has a boarding pass, you can x-ray scan him twice if you need." Scott gives her his pleading puppy dog eyes. "Have a nice day." She says softly after another critical look at Paul. Eventually they are at the full body scanner. Paul looks at the device and recoils in horror backing against Derek. "No. No! NO!" Paul shouts as panic floods his scent.. "Paul, hey… Hey." Derek says gesturing to the annoyed security agents to wait a moment. "It won't hurt you." Derek says stooping down and looking in Paul's eyes. "Paul please trust me. It's not a cage. You just walk in hold your arms up and you're through. Look. Scott, Peter go on through. Watch them they will be waiting on the other side for you. Paul's breathing hard tears streaming from his eyes.. "It's just like…. Just like…." One of the flashes of memory Derek had seen when he'd been linked with Paul flashes through his mind. A device similar in appearance to the scanner that caused immense fear in the human. "It won't hurt you. Please believe me. Paul we're so close to being through, then we're on the plane. Look." Derek points as Scott goes through the machine holds his arms up then steps through on the other side. "We'll be right here." He says back through to Paul. Peter follows through and then turns whispering something to the agents on the other side. They nod and take a step back. "Come on." Derek urges gently walking Paul up to the scanner. " I have to step back now. You'll need to go in on your own." He says softly. "It's one step closer to getting back to Isaac." Derek says. "Isaac." Paul cries softly. He steps away from Derek and slowly enters the scanner looking around fearfully. "Just raise your arms up sweetheart." The female agent standing on the other side says gently. "It won't hurt you I promise." Paul looking like he will run away slowly raises his arms shaking slightly. The sensor array spins around and the officer ushers him out. "All done sweetie you can come out now." Paul lowers his arms and limps slowly out of the scanner. After confirmation of a clear scan he's allowed to join Peter and Scott. The two keep their distance knowing Paul's discomfort with anyone other than Derek. Paul looks fearfully back at the scanner "Derek?" He asks worriedly his arms wrapped tightly around himself. "I'll be right there." The Alpha says from where he's standing inside the scanner with his arms raised.
"Will he be OK?" The friendly agent asks Derek when he is through the scanner. "He will be, we just need to get him home to his family." Derek says as Paul plasters himself to his side again. "Safe journey." she says before turning to the impatient crowd of people who had been delayed by Paul's fright. The group makes it way towards the gate. Derek glowering at anyone who stares at them. "Ugh Fags.." A guy says to his friend as they are coming out of the Mens room when the pack passes. Scott turns on them. "Hey! Man have not seen you guys in ages!" He puts his arms out pretending to hug old friends while manhandling the men back in the bathroom. Moments later he steps out straightening his shirt and wiping his bloody knuckles off on his jeans. As they approach the gate they see the supervisor from the ticket counter talking to the gate agent. The gate agent appears agitated and to not like what she is being told. "Let it slide and I'll bump you to the head of the vacation bid." The supervisor finally says. The agent considers for a moment before grudgingly acquiesceing. "Gentlemen you're welcome to board, safe journey." The supervisor says gesturing towards the jet bridge.
"Thanks." Scott says with a nod as the group proceeds down the jet bridge followed by the gate agent and the supervisor. With shaky legs Paul steps on board the plane. "Welcome aboard gentlemen!" The flight attendant says brightly. Paul blanches but manages to smile weakly as he looks down and limps past. The group heads towards the back of the plane as the gate agent and ticketing supervisor discuss the situation with the flight attendant in hushed tones. The group occasionally looking back at the passengers. "Do you need to use the restroom?" Derek asks as they pass the mid ship lavatories. Paul shakes his head no and continues on past. Eventually he's seated next to the window in the very last row. It's a smaller plane with a row of two seats down either side with a walkway down the center. Derek steps away to speak with Scott and Peter who have taken up position in the isle seats at the front of the section of seats they have purchased. When Paul turns back from the window and notices Derek gone he whimpers wrapping his arms around himself. "Hey." Derek says rushing back. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have walked away when you weren't looking. I promise that…." Derek stops and turns looking back up to the front of the plane. The flight attendant is pushing one of the food and beverage carts back their way. "Gentlemen." She says. "If there is anything I can get you please let me know. I'm going to block the aisle with the cart so we don't have anyone trying to sit in your area. You know how people tend to move around when they see empty seats." The cart is soon placed sideways blocking them in and wedged between two seats. "Thank you very much." Scott says. "Don't mention it. I hope your friend gets well soon."
Derek sighs and slips in next to Paul. He pulls the human close slipping his arm around his shoulders. "I'm going to be with you the whole way. I'm not moving." Derek says holding Paul firmly. "I love you." He whispers kissing Paul firmly on the temple. "I'm so sorry it took us this long to find you." Paul says nothing looking at the back of the seat in front of him. After a few moments of silence he sniffs sadly grief coloring his already morose scent. Derek takes his hand and squeezes. "Does Isaac..." Paul starts to whisper trailing off. "Does Isaac what?" Derek asks glancing up when an entitled passenger feels the need to try and move the beverage cart. She is quickly dissuaded by Scott and Peter. "Does he still love me?" Paul whispers looking down at his hands. Derek is shocked silent for a moment. "Of course he does. Why would you think otherwise?" "It's just you Scott and Peter." Paul says barely a whisper. "Maybe he thinks….Maybe he decided I was bad enough before….Now that I'm….even more broken. I'm not worth the effort. Not worth finding." Paul clenches his eyes shut as his emotions finally get the better of him and he sobs quietly. Scott looks back at Derek, anguish at not being able to comfort his grieving pack mate clear in his eyes. Peter exhales and closes his eyes.
"Isaac loves you very much Paul. He tried to find you. For a long time. He's sick. Don't you remember?" "Sick?" Paul says looking at Derek in confusion. "Werewolves don't get sick." "You being gone has been very difficult for him. He's not had his mate for over two years." "Wolves can break….can die without their mate." Paul says looking blankly at his hands as he speaks as if repeating a memory. "We just talked about this at the hotel." Derek says with worry. "Serum…..messes me up. Weak, slow, forget things." Paul says. "Do you know anything about the dose or how often it's administered?" Derek asks as the plane pushes back from the gate and beings to taxi. "Every two weeks." Paul says after some thought. "Burns when it happens." Paul says pulling one of his hands from Derek's grasp and reaches over his shoulder and taps where the implant was. "How long ago did it burn?" Derek asks as Paul's eyes begin to drop. "I'm sorry Derek." Paul whines. "Please don't be mad at me." He cries softly. Derek flips the armrest up between them and pulls Paul close as he sobs quietly. "I'm not mad at you. Get some rest. Enough talking for now. We have a long flight." Paul lays his head on Derek's shoulder trembling in his arms. "I tried Derek I tried to fight them. It was so long. I'm so tired….so tired.." Paul's words become mumbles as he finally succumbs to sleep.