Disclaimer: Don't own these people characters, nothing!
AN:HUGE THANKS TO JESS FOR HELPING ME OUT! #AlganPartnersInCrime Yo! You are the homie!
Sitting back after the seat belt sign had been turned off, Alan glanced at the beautiful woman seated beside him. It had been pure luck that had brought them to share the same flight, but he did wonder why she had missed her first flight. She didn't seem to be the kind of woman to miss appointments. She seemed to be very stable, and from rumors in the industry she was very dedicated to her work. Some said too much, but perfection was a goal they all worked for in their trade if they loved their craft. Granted, he didn't know her and making assumptions of others really wasn't something he liked doing, but he hoped to change the distance between the two for more than just one simple reason. It was more than the fact that she was Megan Follows, Canada's golden girl, and that having a good business relationship with her would no doubt broaden any opportunities for your career. He wanted to know the real Megan, the one she seemed to hide behind a coy smile and raised eyebrow. There had to be more to her than her long career in the public eye. If he so happened to form…more with her along the way, well that couldn't be a bad thing at all now, could it? She was a very beautiful woman, after all, and he hadn't ever heard anything negative against her. He supposed he would just have to find out for himself. She was currently starring out the window, looking very deeply in thought with her lips drawn into a hard line. What was it she pondered?
Clearing his throat he pulled his carry-on into his lap and searched inside for his phone. Pulling it out his hand also touched something else as well. Pulling the other item out he found it was a bag of Skittles. Shaking his head he realized Logan must have dropped them in the last time he had been over. He had taken him to the game and Logan always stuffed lots of the sweets into every nook and cranny of everything. The kid had a serious addiction to sugar which he had acquired from his dad; something his ex, Logan's mom, had always hated. Tearing them open, he now had a semi-good reason to interrupt Megan's thoughts.
"Could I interest you in some Skittles? I have this horrid addiction which I passed onto my son, Logan, and he has become my enabler for this flight it seems."
Coming out of her trance she realized Alan was speaking to her. A bit embarrassed that she had been so caught up in chastising herself that she had checked out of her surroundings for the last few minutes, she took him up on his offer with an apologetic smile and popped a few of them into her mouth. She had always loved Skittles since her children had gotten her addicted as well.
"You'll have to thank your son for being both of our enablers it seems. Ever since my kids were babies, they have been my favorite. Sugar is a weakness of mine."
Smiling fondly back at the man beside her, she took a moment to admire 'Mr. Eye Candy'. Why did he seem even more handsome when he was this close to her, offering her Skittles? He seemed so…normal. Different from a lot of the men she had met in the industry. Most were all over her from the start, trying to impress her with their history in the business, but Alan seemed…comfortable and at ease. Yes, he had changed his flight plans, but that was probably just a friendly gesture to try and make nice with a coworker. Most Canadians knew of her connections and that probably had a bit to do with it as well yet he hadn't asked for anything from her…yet.
"I'll have to remember that, Megan."
Popping some Skittles into his own mouth he grinned back at her. He would have to thank Logan later for being his absent wingman.
"Other than enabling his old man, he's actually a pretty good kid. He loves sports, especially hockey, and he's pretty tall for his age. He might even outgrow me."
Relaxing back into his seat he offered her more Skittles, which she accepted easily now as he had her full attention.
"You have children as well?"
Smiling and popping a few more skittles she smiled proudly as she answered.
"I have a son and a daughter. Lyla is twenty one and my baby, Russell, is nineteen. They both outgrew their mother very early in life. It did help that someone in the house could reach the top cabinets without needing a stool though."
Glancing up and down Megan with a quick eye, so as not to make her nervous he agreed. She probably did need a stool. Her petite form wasn't a bad thing at all though. He bet in some areas it was pretty nifty. Mentally shaking himself, he returned to more daytime thoughts.
"I'm sure it is pleasant to have someone to get whatever you need for you from that top shelf. My ex is having a hard time with dealing that her baby is outgrowing her. I'm just satisfied that he's healthy and happy, plus it's one of the few traits he received from me. He has quite a lot of his mother's good looks in him."
Smiling at his statement she looked down at her lap. She couldn't believe that the good looking man in front of her didn't share any of his looks with his son. She found Alan to be quite attractive, obviously. Looking back up at him amusedly she met his eye when she spoke.
"I'm sure you had something to do with the good looks as well. Russell was smaller like me when he was younger and he looks more like me I think. Lyla always took after her father except maybe my eyes, but I was afraid he had been cursed with my short stature. It was silly, but mothers worry over the simplest of things at times."
Thinking for a moment at her words, he didn't think it was silly at all.
"Fathers can be the same crazy way. It's just all about striking the right cord in us men."
Pulling out his phone he searched for a good picture of Logan.
"I'll show you mine if you show me yours."
Wait…he wanted to show her his…what for what, exactly? She was so confused and she could feel her blush rise to her cheeks. For goodness' sake, he couldn't mean what she thought he meant at all. He wasn't THAT type of guy…was he?
"I'm sorry, show you my what?"
Finding the picture he liked he turned to find her blushing. Oh, she had thought he had meant… Grinning at her and already loving the way her mind worked he couldn't help carrying on with her a bit more. She was just so cute when she was flustered. He'd have to remember to make her blush more often now that he knew she was a blusher.
"Your gems. Don't I get to see them as well? I know I only have one, but I figured yours are kind of a package deal, Megan."
She was going to hyperventilate. He carried pictures of…that on his phone? And he was going to show her HERE? And he wanted HER to show him her…
Watching the wheels turn in her mind as her thoughts played out across his face he winked at her. Before he burst out laughing openly or she got up and made to spend the better part of seven hours in the bathroom hiding from him, he put her out of her misery and turned his phone around so she could see the picture of his son on his screen.
"Oh, yeah, my children, of course that's what you meant. Alright."
Turning to give herself a moment to compose herself she dug through her own bag for her phone and scrolled through her pictures to find one she loved of the three of them together before switching phones with him and sitting back to study the son of the man beside of her who supposedly had none of his father's good looks.
"You know, I think he favors you a lot, Alan. He's a very cute kid. How old is he? Around twelve?"
Putting on his glasses before looking at the picture on her phone he answered slowly as he enlarged her picture to get a better look of their faces.
"Thanks, but don't tell my ex that. She is adamant he is her made over, and he's actually ten. His height throws everyone off."
Studying her picture, he was a bit perplexed that her daughter hadn't inherited more of her mother's features. Her eyes were similar, but they in no way sparkled like the woman seated beside him. Her son looked more like his mother for sure, but they both towered over Megan, with Lyla being almost the same height as her brother. Exchanging their phones back he let his hand brush hers before commenting again.
"They're beautiful kids. I bet their father is proud."
Scrunching her nose at his mention of her children's father, she replaced her phone in her bag.
"He's never been a huge part of their lives. Our relationship was less than happy most of the time. My children were totally worth that blunder in my life though."
He totally understood that sentiment.
"Our kids are always worth it."
Turning at the sound of the stewardess asking for their drink orders he waited for Megan to order a ginger ale before ordering water for himself.
Noticing the look that the much younger woman gave Alan, she suddenly felt a bit of something she didn't quite want to name in this moment. She didn't have any claim to the handsome man beside of her, especially since they would be working very, very closely on this project. They were playing a married couple for goodness' sake. Shaking the thoughts from her head she reminded herself she didn't want another relationship…didn't she? At least that's what she kept telling herself.
That feeling that she wasn't claiming that she felt grew stronger however, when the young woman brought their drinks back and giggled when she handed Alan his water. Why did it bother her so much? As she took a sip of her ginger ale and sat back pondering she decided to test his reaction. Arching her eyebrow at Alan as soon as the young woman moved on she decided to be the one to tease him for once. Turnabout was fair play after all.
"Already charming all the young ladies I see, my King? Barely left the airport and already can't help yourself, I see."
Smiling charmingly back at her after taking a long cool drink of his water he vaguely wondered if he had the same effect on her. Puffing out his chest he tested out his take on the character of the King.
"Well, one doesn't see a King every day, wife. I'm sure she was just taken in by my aura, strong as it is."
Busting out laughing at Alan, unable to contain her fit of giggles she felt so much lighter than she had before. Leaning her head on her fist as she leaned toward him slightly she wondered how much of what she had seen from the man beside of her was the real Alan and how much was the actor. He was certainly a charmer, but was he actually ever truthful about his motives?
"If you don't mind I do have a question for you, Mr. Van Sprang. Why did you change your flight plans? You certainly didn't have to, I'm barely an acquaintance."
Clapping his hands together once, he rubbed them together nervously under her questioning gaze. He hoped she didn't think he was some kind of psychotic male who was only after certain aspects of her. He did have some pretty good game according to the fellas back home, but that wasn't exactly what he wanted here.
"I suppose I do have a confession to make. I have admittedly been a huge fan of your work since I saw you in Hockey Night when I was around thirteen, so I've followed your work down through the years. I, of course, saw the Anne movies that you are so famous for and my…obsession with your stage work is in my opinion unrivaled. I, Miss Follows, am your number one fan. I honestly couldn't believe it when I found out we were on the same project! I enjoy acting, but I don't find myself to be all that great of an actor. I'm more into the craft because I love to act, but you are simply phenomenal. When you called I couldn't let the chance to fly with one of my admitted crushes and favorite actresses pass me by, now could I?"
Smiling warmly at her, he really hoped he had set whatever fears she might have at ease.
"I promise I am not some crazy fan girl who will pester you with questions and steal that straw you are sipping on to forever have an object that has touched your lips though. I'm cool."
Sitting back, he tried to look uncomfortable, squirming a bit to try and make her laugh. A little humor never hurt any situation and he decided he loved making her laugh.
Listening intently to everything he had to say she had watched him with a careful eye the entire time, noting the sincerity in his eyes. When he started playing the tortured fan, she couldn't help but letting the laughter that bubbled up at his act escape her lips. He was every bit the pleaser of others. It was really very sweet that he would try to put her at ease.
"Well, Alan, if it is my straw you want, I'll gladly let you have it once I'm done with it. As for any of my roles, including Anne, I can assure you I am quite different from all of them."
Happy to have succeeded once again at making her laugh he took a sip of his own water while he watched her talk. She was really beautiful when she gave him a genuine smile.
"Oh, I am sure that is true. I would rather get to know Megan, the woman more than Megan, Canada's gem."
Pausing a moment he wondered if he should say what was coming naturally to his mind. Living in the moment as he usually did, he threw caution to the wind.
"I hope your boyfriend didn't object too much to you flying across an ocean with a man you had barely met. I could always tell him I was a perfect gentleman if there was ever a problem."
At his not so subtle attempt to find out her current relationship status, she found herself genuinely charmed. Here in front of her was an attractive, successful actor who could have an interest in any woman he wanted yet at this moment he was putting his full attention on her. She hadn't been as flattered by a man in a long time. Smiling and sipping on her drink she all but purred at him when she spoke.
"Oh, I don't think I'll have any sort of problem with that. Tell me, Alan, what would you like to know about Megan, the woman?"
What didn't he want to know about her? He supposed starting small was a better idea. Slow and steady was always the best way to go, so he started out simply.
"Well, Megan, the woman, why did you miss your flight this morning?"
The way he rolled her name off his tongue was so sexy, but the groan that escaped her lips was out of exasperation of herself rather than the warmth that filled her when she heard him speak. Sitting back in her seat she let a small tight smile touch her lips when he raised an eyebrow at her reaction.
"My power went out and I forgot to use a backup last night. I am always so prepared and I just…I hate when I make mistakes. I can only imagine what everyone who hears of my blunder will think."
Shaking her head at her own stupidity, she looked back out the window in frustration.
"They'll all be too busy doing their own damn jobs to have any time to think of us arriving a few hours later. Don't sweat it."
He didn't want her worrying over something she couldn't control. Life was unpredictable sometimes. Patting her arm reassuringly, he tried to get her to see some logic.
"Shooting doesn't start till tomorrow. True, you won't have much time for jet lag, but I'm sure you can handle it. In a week even you will have forgotten your mishap. I don't know about yours, but the shooting schedule looks pretty grueling."
Taking his hand, even surprising herself at her bold move, she squeezed it thankful for a friendly face for once before releasing it as she sighed heavily.
"Thanks. I just really hate messing up. The way our family ran when I was growing up there wasn't ever an excuse for anything that went wrong. You get the job done no matter what, so I'm a bit tough on myself when I screw up and can't fix it immediately, and yes the shooting schedule does look pretty hardcore."
She hated even thinking about the shoots. It wasn't the acting in front of the cameras that she hated, just the waiting in between. It could be so long and if you were working with low grade actors that couldn't get the correct feel for their character, it took even longer.
"Well the way I see it, you fixed it. There hasn't been any rewrites or huge problems created, so relax. You'll need your energy to keep up with the schedule. Mine is bad enough, but for you with makeup, hair and wardrobe, I'm sure it is even worse.
He couldn't even begin to imagine what time she would have to be on set every morning. He had to be on set by six and she surely had to be there way earlier. A lot went into period dramas, especially for women.
"I might have enough time for a short nap if I can get through customs quickly."
She was going to be dead on her feet by the time the shooting day was done. Chuckling at the thought of her falling asleep on her feet, she nudged him gently with her arm.
"Do me a favour and poke me if you catch me nodding off on set?"
"I, as a gentleman, would never poke a lady without her permission, but since I have it I'll keep an eye out for you."
Smirking at her he made a suggestion.
"You know you could try to take a nap while we fly. The seats recline and as the seat behind you is empty, I don't think anyone would mind. If the empty seat gives you any guff I could always punch it out."
Deciding that a nap was probably a good idea if she could fall asleep, she reclined her seat back a bit and pulled her feet under her, turning her head toward him as she tried to relax.
"My hero. I'll have to find some way of repaying you."
Smiling up at him when he turned on his side to see her face better, she was feeling more comfortable with him all the time.
"As tomorrow will be exhausting, I'll have to try to sleep."
Turning more on her side, she laid her arm under her head before shutting her eyes, still feeling his eyes on her face.
"You have complete poking permission."
Letting his laughter escape his lips, he laid his own chair back and tried to also get comfortable. A few hours of watching her sleep couldn't be a bad thing could it? He decidedly loved the spicy side to her sense of humor. That would be fun to play off of.
"I'll remember that, Megan. I'll extend you the same permission as well. Poke me whenever you feel I require it."
Both of them finally fell asleep after a while as hard as it was. They were both listening to each other breathe and although Megan found it nice, she was also a bit unnerved by it. It wasn't that she didn't find it sweet or wonderful to have met someone, she just wasn't sure if anything it could ever be. She had been burned so many times in the past and for the most part she had been happy just doing her own thing for a few years. Slipping off to sleep with those thoughts on her mind, she was very, very perplexed when she started waking up with his arm wrapped around her abdomen, just high enough to be off her hips and just low enough not to brush her bosom. Her head was under his chin and from the sound of his breathing he was still asleep. This was very much a predicament. She was comfortable, but what would he think when he woke up and found her…here? Trying to move away she was surprised when he only pulled her back to him in his sleep. It seemed this would be where she was staying for the meantime. It wasn't such a bad place to be.