Disclaimer: I don't own anything except my thoughts .

AN: Sorry for the long hiatus. I have work and real life stuff but the story isn't dead! Thanks to my Algan partner in crime, Frankie!

Megan woke to the sound of the stewardess calling for all passengers to gather their belongings, only to find Alan's arms wrapped tighter around her body and her head buried into his chest. His breathing was steady, but panic hit her immediately at the sudden realization. They had slept together on a plane in each other's arms. They were barely acquaintances yet they had felt comfortable enough to…be held by the other. Nothing more, but how long had it been since she had been held by a man without any other implications?

Stewart hadn't been the type to want to cuddle, so it had been a rare event and almost always initiated by her in their relationship. Had she been the one to cuddle closer to Alan? Had it been out of pity for her he had decided to hold her? Was he even aware of their current state? So many thoughts flooded Megan's mind as she tried not to move for fear of the unknown. She knew they had to get going, but what could she say to him? He was her costar for God's sake! Could they have been in a more awkward position? The answer to that question made her blush as she tried not to squirm. She didn't know if it was the musky scent of his cologne, or just him, but he was way too sexy and inviting at the moment. And maybe she was simply a desperate woman in need of some attention from anyone kind enough to look her way?

Hey, thanks for letting me use your chest as my pillow, and for keeping me warm. You smell amazing by the way. Don't change a thing.

Rolling her eyes at the direction her thoughts were taking, her heart almost stopped when he began to wake up and his hands started patting her back and waist. His nose was nuzzling in her hair behind her ear, causing chills to run up and down her spine. If they hadn't been before, they were both now well aware of each other's bodies.

Alan had woken up slowly to the feeling of Megan halfway across him. Had he pulled her over to him? Her leg was laying over his and her head was on his chest. He wasn't sure she had even been awake at first until he had heard her breath catch as he inhaled the scent of her shampoo.

Something mixed with coconut in it?

Whatever it was smelled too irresistible to not examine closer, but he couldn't tell if she was shocked or appalled at his behavior. When Megan turned her face up to his, he was nose to nose with the most beautiful hazel eyes and pink lips he'd ever seen in his life. He could feel her breath on his face, as he was sure she could his, and his eyes went back to her lips in a seeming pout now. Her tongue came out and brushed along the bottom, enticing him. He knew if only he turned his head slightly to the left and moved the tiniest bit forward, he could taste those lips of hers.

Before he knew it, his actions were following his thoughts, and his lips were slowly pressing against hers. It was barely a kiss, more a brushing against each other that didn't last but a couple of seconds. Still, both were affected by it more than they wanted to admit. Megan moved back first to try to put some distance between them but was stopped by his strong arms still encircling her body. Her hand began stroking his face with the back of her fingers even as she watched his eyes warily. He seemed so gentle, so different to her, but hadn't they all when she had wanted them to be that way? She had a tendency to see what she wanted to, as all people do.

Please don't hurt me.

I won't. Please trust me.

His eyes were whispering to her, pleading with her to give him a chance, but should she? This was new, extremely quick, and yet felt so different. He had come out of nowhere at a time when she had sworn off men. A woman didn't really need a man…most of the time. Admittedly there were times, especially on cold and lonely nights, when the realization hit that her children were adults and that she wanted a man beside her. It would be nice to have someone, but who the hell kissed for the first time on a plane with people all around them?

Me, of course, and who knows what he'll think should come next. Should I be appalled at that idea, or welcome it willingly? It is against my rules, and it could be awkward after…or it could be great sex, and I could end up attached and clingy. He could be in a relationship. What if he's a cheater like Stewart was? I did say men weren't to be trusted, but…he is awfully handsome. Maybe it's worth the risk?

People were clearing the plane pretty quickly, and Alan was still holding her close without even bothering to say anything. He seemed content to stay there watching her watching him. They needed to go. Whatever this thing between them it wouldn't be sorted out here, and she wasn't going to be able to make her mind up anytime soon.

"Alan, we need to…"

Her voice broke him from his own ponderings as he realized they would soon be the last people on the plane if they didn't get a move on. Letting her move, he grabbed his backpack and waited for her. Making sure they hadn't left anything behind, Megan tried not to feel self-conscious as he followed her out. She swore she felt his eyes on her…everything, but surely he wouldn't be observing her that closely.

When they both got to the baggage claim, the awkward silence between them lifted and they both started speaking at the same time.

"Alan-"

"Megan-"

"I'm sorry I-"

"Don't be-"

Megan's whole face was as red as her hair used to be and they both laughed at the insanity of the situation. Alan was transfixed by the sound of her laughter. It sounded like the bells they rang at Christmas in the cathedral where he took his son, and he knew if he was given the chance he'd worship her the same way he worshipped in that church…except much more frequently. When she cleared her throat for him to go ahead with whatever he was going to say, he reached out to catch a lock of her hair that had fallen across her right eye. He didn't want anything blocking her out from him.

"I didn't mean for our first kiss to be quite so public, Megan."

Megan's eyebrows arched up at him and she couldn't hide her surprise. He had thought about kissing her? It hadn't been a random gesture?

"You didn't? What did you imagine?"

She hated that her voice seemed higher than usual to her ears, and she cleared her throat to try and cover for the excitement he surely heard.

"I had imagined dinner and dancing first."

Megan almost laughed out loud at his bold, sure statement. It was time to knock Mr. Eye Candy off his throne of assuredness.

"What if I can't dance?"

"Well, I…"

He hadn't really thought of that. He had imagined she could dance, and it would have given him a chance to hold her close again, but if she couldn't then they didn't have to. He'd do whatever she wanted to do.

"…There is a pub the cast of The Tudors used to go to when I was here. They have a live band, usually from the area, but you don't have to dance…if you would like to go, I mean. We could just talk and sit and have a drink…if you drink. Not that you have to drink either, but you might get thirsty, or already be thirsty."

Her eyes were sparkling up at him, and he was stuttering over his words. He stood blabbering on like a schoolboy over his first crush, but he simply couldn't stop himself.

Megan couldn't stop herself from playing off his words.

"Oh I am usually very thirsty, Alan."

The images that simple statement brought to light in Alan's mind should have been outlawed. She had dropped her voice as if they were speaking of the most intimate of subjects, but Megan was sexy without even knowing or trying. He had to be imagining the way she seemed to be leaning in closer to him. Maybe he had been the one to lean in?

"So…after all of this talking and sitting and drinking, maybe even a dance or two, then what? Is that when you had expected the kissing to start, Mr. Van Sprang?"

Alan grabbed first his bag and then Megan's when it came around, but neither was choosing to move away from the baggage claim.

"Do you have any idea how hard it is not to kiss you right now, Miss Follows?"

The playfulness between them changed with his words. The air was thinner and there was a dark undercurrent that tingled through her. In truth, she wanted him to kiss her, but that would show neediness. Men hated that in women from her experience.

"I can't say that I do. I don't often kiss myself."

Alan could have easily crushed her against him in that very moment and never have let go. He wanted to taste her mouth, to really taste her.

"What a pity you'll never know the thoughts you stir with just a look."

She had already become a need to him. He needed her more than he could imagine, making him strangely alert to everything about her; the way she breathed, her stance, her teeth biting her bottom lip. He needed to taste that lip. His hand went to her mouth before he even realized.

"Can you stop doing that? I can't do it to you and its pure torture to watch."

Megan gasped and released her lip immediately. She hadn't even known she was doing it. Did it really arouse him that much? He thought her…alluring? There was darkness in his eyes that made her belly ache. She had to get to work before she ended up somewhere with him for a few hasty moments that would turn into a huge mistake after. This couldn't…wouldn't happen now, if anything happened ever. This wasn't a game she needed to be playing, and the risks were too high.

"I…I need to get to work."

His eyes just kept staring into hers as he spoke, neither wanting to look away as they silently spoke of things they were both unsure of. Anything past this moment might break whatever spell had been thrown over them.

"Yes you do, Megan."

When his arm brushed hers as he turned her gently toward the door, sparks flew. Megan moved to grab her bag only to see Alan rolling it along with his own. He told her to go see if any cabs were out front. Thankfully, a few were already parked at the exit so it didn't take long to have her bag loaded and the cabbie ready to take her where she needed. Alan turned to go to find one for himself when he heard Megan call out to him. Before he could answer her lips were on his and her hands on his neck. Dropping his case he pulled her tighter to him and once again brushed her hair back from her face. She melted to him so easily, and he couldn't resist when she parted her lips to him. His tongue gave her a long, slow lick as he finally got his first taste of her. The little moan from her throat drove him crazy, and he had to remind himself that they were on a public sidewalk with people around when she began nibbling at his bottom lip. Both pulled away longing for more, Megan feeling brave and emboldened by her take charge actions, and Alan already counting the minutes until he could see her again.

"So dinner and dancing? Can we make this a date or did you just want to kiss me?"

Alan's hands remained on her hips, and she had to admit she liked being held by such strong arms.

"I wanted both."

Megan liked the way his voice sounded like a growl. He seemed a very determined man, and she was discovering how much she liked that trait. She needed someone who knew what they wanted.

"Then it seems you'll have both, but perhaps towards the end of the week? My shooting schedule is pretty busy until then, and I doubt I'll be much fun with jet lag."

"We'll make it Thursday or Friday then. We'll both be less likely to fall asleep on the other…again. You should probably get going. Don't you have an elaborate sixteenth century gown to be sewn into?"

"Don't forget about the damn wigs they'll have me in. My head will be aching for months."

Giving her hair a tug he let her go with a shrug of his shoulders.

"I'll have to find some way to relieve your ache, Miss Follows."

Blushing, she raised her brow as she curtsied to him.

"My hero."

With that they both got into their individual cabs, Alan headed for his motel and Megan for the location shoot as they both reminisced upon the interesting turn of events.