His meeting with Maria went surprisingly well. Surprising for him. His friends could have told him he'd do fine. Though Arthur would have picked 'brilliant.' They walked back down stairs together and she questioned him about his plans.

"Is there someone you can stay with while you're still visiting me, Martin?"

"Probably." She didn't like his answer.

"You're going to need someone to support you through your therapy, Martin, when you've found someone, I'll sign your paperwork."

When he returned to his room he was surprised to find Catlin waiting for him with everyone else. He hugged her for a long time.

"I finally got work off to come down. Douglas said you saw a psychologist today. How did it go?"

"It was alright." He explained that he'd be in therapy for a few weeks and would need someone to stay with.

"Martin, I would have you at my place, but I don't know if I could be there often enough." Catlin said frankly. Carolyn chimed in, "I'm afraid I'd have the same problem, Martin. I think I'd put too much stress on you about coming back to MJN." Arthur tried not to look depressed about not having Martin stay with them; he simply said, "Douglas," holding back his pleading tone.

"I feel like I'm supposed to say, there are no easy answers, but actually, there are. And it involves your boyfriend, Carolyn" She glared, "Your man that you know. I'm single, I've got no children at home and I have no obligations outside of MJN. Martin could stay with me and come along as a passenger, just till he's ready to fly again." Douglas laid out his plan smoothly.

"Are you suggesting I make Herc my pilot?" Carolyn demanded.

"Not at all. I'm suggesting you make me your pilot and you make Herc your first officer till you decide he's a berk and send him off to Swiss Air."

"Martin?" Catlin mediated the question.

"Could I still run Icarus removals?" He asked timidly, Douglas heard hope in his voice.

"Of course, if you felt up to it."

"I think," he moved cautiously into the decision. "I think that could work."

"I could absolutely get Herc to stay." Carolyn confirmed her support.

"You're sure?" Martin asked hopefuly

"He wouldn't dare refuse." she asserted. Catlin looked relieved.

"I'll go tell Maria." Martin smiled for the first time that week. Before he got out the door Arthur had a question, "So Skip's still going to come on flights, just as a passenger, not the Skipper?"

Martin nodded, hoping not to disappoint him.

"Brilliant!"

All the paperwork was signed. Carolyn was already off to talk to Herc. Catlin and Martin said their goodbyes in the lobby.

"What do you plan to tell Mum?" it still troubled him.

"I won't." Catlin answered, "Unless you want me to."

"Just tell her I'm taking a break from flying, getting my bearings." Catlin nodded and smiled.

"Come and visit me on the weekends, Martin, stay in touch." He hugged her and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you for everything, Douglas. I really don't know where I'd be without you." she surprised him with a hug and kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you this weekend, Martin."

The car ride to Douglas' place was quiet for a long while.

"Dumbledore." Martin suddenly said.

"What about him?"

"Brian's of Britain."

"I thought his name was Albus."

"I think there's a "Brian" in there somewhere."

"I think there is. You can have it." Douglas accepted with a grin. A few more moments in silence.

"Douglas." he asked again.

"Martin." the first officer replied patiently.

"I don't know if I want to be just a passenger. I still want to come on flights, but I don't just want to sit back and serve food." He explained frustratedly

"You want to be on the flight deck." Douglas guessed.

"Sort of." Martin didn't quite know how to say it, "I don't know that I could take on any big responsibilities just yet, but I still want to do something,"

"You still want to be a part of the crew."

"I'd want to be, something like a flight consultant." Martin explained, " I don't want to fall out of practice." He waited for approval.

"So I'd say something like, 'We're approaching the airfield at Tunisia with a 7 knot cross wind, which runway would you take?" Douglas tested his theory. Martin nodded.

"Something like that." They parked.

"What you're describing Martin is an apprentice. But since you're already a qualified pilot and have little use for a apprenticeship, I'll let you call it a flight consultant." Martin let out a little puff of a laugh.

Martin set his things in the guest bedroom and Douglas went to make dinner. Martin offered to help, but Douglas protested, "My treat tonight. Turn on the telly if you like." He called from the kitchen. A few seconds later Martin called from the living room, "You were watching Pride and Prejudice?" And Douglas turned bright red.