Author's note - sorry about the delay with smallville. Still working out the kinks. But I've got a lot of ideas for flight 29 down. Or at least one chapter worth. So, be patient. And enjoy. Hopefully this story can last for quite a while more. And please check out my myspace. SERIOUSLY. http://profile. like he's in a coma," Beaver commented, lounging beside Melissa. Melissa's butt was sore from sitting on the ground for so long but she didn't want to leave Jackson's side. When he woke up, she wanted her face to be the first he saw. After a scuffle with Rodney Beaver had resided back to Jackson's room. "Dude, this pound cake is like my god right now," he said as he took a bite.

Melissa allowed a grin. Beaver was a good guy but she wasn't sure how to react to him. Everybody that was on that plane, even though they weren't her 'crowd' they were still her people. Beaver was Jackson's. This is who Jackson chose to affiliate himself with so she knew Beaver had to be more than okay. But this didn't solve her problem. She didn't know how to talk to him. It took her a long time and a lot of necessities to talk to Jackson in an easy way. She still had problems.

But Beaver wasn't Jackson. He revealed a lot more to Melissa, and everyone really. When he was in pain or bored or whatever, he showed it quite a bit. He was a very mellow guy. "You gonna eat that?" Beaver asked, eyeing Melissa's untouched pound. He licked his wrapper before discarding it.

"No," Melissa said, handing the pound cake to him.

"You sure?" Beaver asked, taking it from her hands. "Cause you know what that red head chick is preaching. Don't eat what you don't need, right? But I really need a pound cake. My mental capacity is at stake here."

Melissa revealed a grin. "It's okay, Beaver. Eat the pound cake."

Beaver shrugged, unwrapping the pound cake. "Who am I to argue with that? I'll accept your wishes." He took a bite. "So, you're Jackson's love interest, huh?"

Melissa almost gagged on the spit she was currently swallowing. "What?"

"Yeah," Beaver murmured nodding. "Jackson's a fucking loser." Melissa cocked an eyebrow. "I dunno what your situation is," Beaver added quickly. "But…I just assumed…y'know…you two were…am I out of line?" He asked suddenly.

"No," Melissa murmured. "I just…He's really…contemplative. He doesn't usually share his…I guess his thoughts or feelings. I don't know…I'm not sure how he feels about us. But he knows how I feel."

Beaver nodded, swallowing his large bite. He made a gagging nose before swallowing it completely. "Yeah," he agreed. "He's been like that ever since I met him. We were like what…ten?" Beaver nodded as though he agreed with himself. "It's something that happened to him. He told me once that when you say things out loud, like how you feel and if you're proud of yourself, it's like you're giving people permission to judge you. You don't want to seem proud because not everybody's proud of you. And those that aren't are more outspoken. Nobody likes being made fun of. Some major shit must've happened to him. I mean, I know some of the stuff but…he's a secretive guy."

"He's a loyal friend though," Melissa murmured. "The only kind I want."

"So you want me too, huh?" Beaver asked, winking at Melissa.

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"Put that back," Daley said loudly.

Beaver jumped at the sudden noise, spinning around to see Daley blocking the only exit. "Jesus Christ woman! Can't you walk louder or maybe you can adopt this really heavy breathing."

"Put that back you little pig," Daley repeated, snatching the pound cake from Beaver's hands. "There's only one pound cake per person. You've already had yours."

"Dude, it's a little square. No need for a heart attack, sparky," Beaver told her, as he tried to grab the pound cake back.

Daley moved her hand out of his reach. "If I have to put a lock on these containers, I will," she threatened.

Beaver gasped loudly. "You wouldn't dare."

Daley gave a short laugh. "Don't even tempt me."

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Jackson jerked awake with a loud intake of breath. Melissa quickly rose to her knees. "Jackson?" she asked. The cloud of confusion quickly evaporated from his eyes. "Jackson, are you okay or…"

Jackson slowed his breathing relatively quickly, relaxing suddenly back against the bed. "I'm fine," he mumbled.

"You've been asleep for like eighteen hours, Jackson," Melissa told him. "I think okay's pretty much gone now."

"I guess the stress and lack of food and sleep really caught up with me, huh?" Jackson chuckled brightly.

"Jackson. Beaver said something about…" Melissa stopped abruptly as Beaver ran into the room shutting the door quickly behind him and then leaning against it.

"You little pig!" Daley shouted through the door. She pounded on it with a fist. "There's more people on this ship then you! Hope you enjoy that pound cake because that's all you're eating today."

"Bite me!" Beaver shouted back.

"Don't tempt me you little chipmunk," Daley retorted.

He turned around to face Jackson and Melissa when he heard her retreat. "What's up sleeping beauty," he asked brightly.

Jackson stared hard at Melissa before glancing up at Beaver. "Did I miss something?"

Melissa and Beaver shook their heads and answered no in unison. "I find that hard to believe," Jackson murmured. He stretched. "I'm starving."

Beaver's eyes lit up like a child's on Christmas morning. "Brilliant. Here's what you do, buddy. Just go in there to get your meal. And give me your pound cake." Beaver paused. "I mean, if you want to…right?"

Jackson shook his head. Several memories were flooding his mind. He wanted to contemplate what his dream really meant and what he felt about his reactions to it but Beaver's presence was overpowering. It was like old times between them. Beaver was hyperactive and calm at the same time and at times Jackson couldn't resist the urge to smile and even laugh.

He rose from the bed stiffly and stretched again. "Do you want anything Melissa."

Melissa face flushed. But how many times had Jackson asked her this before. A hundred, she answered silently. Ignore it, it didn't mean anything secretly. "Just some water." Jackson nodded and left promptly.

"Boy is this love tense," Beaver asked happily, dropping down onto Jackson's bed. "And boy is this bed hot."

"He said he loved me," Melissa told Beaver quickly.

Beaver was quiet for a minute before asking, "Say what?"

"In his sleep. He said he loved me. In his sleep," Melissa explained. "What does that mean?"

"Do I look like Yoda?" Beaver asked. Melissa's eyes dropped. "I'm just kidding, kiddo. People don't lie with they're asleep. Well they do…in a bed…but…y'know what I mean."