A/N: They're finally in New York! Sorry this took so long - with the site not letting anyone log in, my beta, the fabulous pink-strawberry-lemonade, couldn't get the doc, and then I couldn't post it anyways. I liked this chapter! It's my longest yet. I'm having a lot of fun with this story. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Unlike Nina, I own neither a car nor anything HoA related. Yeah, it makes me sad, too.

Nina blinked her eyes, getting used to the light outside the airplane cabin's windows. It was mid-afternoon, and as she confirmed the actual time on Fabian's watch, she knew they would be landing soon.

She yawned and moved to stretch—and that's when she realized that she had been curled into Fabian's side, his arm around her. She blushed as she thought, I've probably been like that the entire plane ride! Shaking her head, she smiled. Even though she was kind of embarrassed, she thought it was a nice feeling to have woken up with her boyfriend's arm around her. Better not get used to it. Gran will never let him near my room, much less in it.

Nina froze as she felt Fabian stir. He lifted his head off hers, and looked around. He removed the arm from around her waist as he lifted both his arms above his head to stretch. Once he did that, he seemed to have woken up enough to handle speech.

"How long have we been on the plane?"

Nina did the math, and said, "About 6 and a half hours now. We only have about a half hour to 45 minutes till we land in NYC."

He nodded, and covered his mouth as he yawned. Fabian looked around again. Amber was still curled up in her chair, a mask over her eyes so she could sleep peacefully. Patricia was asleep, her head leant to the side against the window. Alfie was in almost the exact same position as he was in on the train, only this time his long legs were tucked underneath him somehow, at what looked like an unnatural angle. Then he spotted Jerome and Mara.

He nudged Nina's shoulder, and inclined his head to show her where to look. He smiled when she gasped, then let out a soft 'aw', a very-much-toned-down version of Amber's squeals.

"I would've never guessed Jerome and Mara were together. I didn't even know they were friends!"

"Oh, they've been friends for a while—since Mara came here, really. Not the best of friends, but they do talk a bit. From what I've heard Alfie saying, he's liked her for quite some time," Fabian said.

"I would appreciate it if you two didn't talk about me as if I couldn't hear you." Jerome cracked open an eye, mildly surprised that he had been able to go to sleep after all. He glanced down at Mara—whose head was still leaning on his shoulder, her arm somehow had moved to clutch onto his—then over at Nina and Fabian. "I don't talk about you two, so you shouldn't talk about me."

Fabian opened his mouth, preparing to say a sarcastic retort, but figured it wasn't worth it and shook his head, looking away from Jerome. Nina looked between the two, then said, "Someone isn't a morning person," under her breath. It was then that Amber decided to stir.

The blonde rolled onto her back, and stretched her arms above her head, looking simultaneously like a cat and a little kid. She yawned, and pulled her sleep mask off. "Are we to NYC yet?"

"Close. We'll be there soon," Nina answered. She looked back at Jerome and Mara. He had apparently gently woken her, as she was sitting up, rubbing her eyes. Nina could barely miss the slight smile on Jerome's face, and Mara seemed happy as well. They'd make a cute couple, I suppose, she thought. At least, Jerome was nice to Mara when they were together.

"Oi! Travelling American!" Nina's head turned as Patricia's not-so-lovely-I-just-woke-up voice called across the aisle.

Nina thought about saying something like, "I have a name, you know," but thought against it, thinking it best not to anger Patricia in the morning. "Yes?"

"What do I have to do to get some grub around here? I'm bushed!" Patricia crossed her arms.

"I'm not sure. The flight attendants should be . . . around, I guess. We're going to get off soon, anyways, Patricia. We can always get something at the airport or in New York," Nina said. She had looked around for a flight attendant—just to ask, even though she didn't think they offered food on a flight so close to landing—but she couldn't find one. She was partial to waiting until they got to New York; even though she had loved England, and Trudy's food was to die for, Nina was craving some good American food that she hadn't had in so long. "Why don't you wake Alfie, and we'll see what the plan is?"

Patricia grunted, and shoved Alfie in the ribs. He jumped, and about fell out of his seat, but just barely managed to not. He looked around and rubbed his eyes. "Why do people always shove me awake? It's very rude."

"Aww, Alfie! I wouldn't shove you awake! I agree—it's a very rude way to wake someone up."

"Thank you! I'm not the only one who thinks that." Alfie attempted to lean across the aisle to give Amber what was sure to be a very awkward hug, but was stopped by a passing flight attendant. The woman, wearing the navy blazer and uniform, gave him a nasty look that would rival Patricia or Victor's as she passed.

"No, you're not." Amber smiled at him after giving the attendant a weird look behind her back. "If you ask me, that lady is not in a good mood."

Alfie just nodded his head vigorously in agreement.

The attendant, meanwhile, had made her way to the front of the cabin, and was now calling for everyone's attention.

"I wonder what they're going to announce," Mara said, speaking to the general group for the first time since she'd woken up.

"Probably that we'll be there soon—it's almost time we land, according to the itinerary," Fabian answered, looking forwards.

"I would like to call everyone's attention, please," the attendant started. "There's been a minor accident on the runway, and it's going to delay our landing for about another hour. We'll be holding pattern until then. I apologize on behalf of the airline for the delay." The attendant disappeared into the front of the plane as soon as she was finished speaking.

"What? A whole hour? Oh, that's just peachy," Jerome groaned, letting his head fall back to hit the back of his seat.

"They said there was an accident. I hope everything's okay." Mara looked to Nina. "Is the airport we're to be landing at a busy one?"

Nina was thrown off guard a bit. "We're supposed to land at JFK Airport. Yeah, I'd say it's pretty crowded. It's where everyone who comes directly through New York uses, usually. Why?"

"Well, they said there was an accident. I'm just hoping two planes didn't crash or something. That'd be awful!"

"Mara. The lady said a minor accident, you heard her. I'd think they'd make a bigger deal out of it if two planes had crashed!" Patricia rolled her eyes. She was tired, she was hungry, and she just wanted to get off that damned plane!

"There could be a minor crash with two planes! I'm sure it could happen, theoretically," Mara defended herself. She was honestly worried about that—she didn't want anyone to be hurt.

"I'm sure it's okay, Mara. I agree—if two planes had crashed, they would make a bigger deal out of it," Jerome said. He tried to not notice the sly look between Nina and Fabian as she said that, but it was hard to miss. He chose to ignore it, regardless.

"Yeah. Yeah, they would. . . ," Mara muttered. She hoped so, at least.

As they waited, things calmed down a bit, surprisingly. It was obvious that the plane was in a 'holding pattern', or going in circles, as the people who could look out the window kept getting dizzy. Patricia pulled out one of her magazines—this one had a rather intimidating picture of a dark band on the cover, with the promise of 'finding the inner you—how to rebel and stay sane' being inside. Jerome and Mara were talking again, presumably continuing their questioning game from the night before. Amber and Alfie were leaned across the aisle, conversing with each other, much to Alfie's delight. Nina and Fabian were leaning on each other, discussing their plans for telling Nina's Gran that they were going out. No, things were rather relaxing in the plane at that moment. And they'd be off it soon, off to meet and greet America.

"I would like to call everyone's attention, please. We are pleased to inform you that we will be landing in approximately 15 minutes, as the runway has been cleared. Please buckle your seat belts and prepare for landing turbulence. Thank you."

"YAY! WE'RE FINALLY LANDING!" Amber squealed, clapping her hands before fiddling with her seat buckle. "I'm so excited!"

Nina smiled as she buckled herself. "I'm glad, too. I can't wait to see my Gran. And to be on solid land again—that'd be nice, too."

"Oh, definitely," Alfie cut in. "Being in the air is messing with my head. I think it's because it leaves us more vulnerable to Alien abductions. There's no telling if we've already been kidnapped and we just weren't able to tell!"

Fabian looked over at that. "Alien abductions?"

"Yeah! The longer you're in the air, the most susceptible you are. We're on their turf now—they don't last as long on land, so even though we're not safe, we're safer there." He nodded his head, looking as if he truly believed himself.

"Alfie. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there's no such thing as aliens," Fabian said, trying to be gentle.

"Yes there is! You just can't see them. But Jerome believes me, don't ya, buddy?"

Jerome turned around in his seat as best as he could while buckled. "Aliens are as real as you think they are, mate."

"See, he believes me! Cause I think aliens are very real."

Amber looked confused. "How do you know they are?"

Alfie jumped at the opportunity, and launched into a detailed explanation of alien society and how they impact Earth, which Amber seemed to follow—or she was just good at pretending to. Nina decided to tune them out for the time being, focusing first on Jerome and Mara (who were asking each other questions about past crushes and who they were currently interested in—it was rather cute), then on Fabian.

"Nina?"

"Yes, Fabian?"

"You haven't told your Gran yet, have you? I've just realized that."

Nina blushed, and resisted the urge to shuffle her feet (mainly because she had no room). "N-no, I haven't. . . Only because I wanted to tell her in person!" She said, her head snapping back up. "Though, I am a bit nervous about how she'll take it."

Fabian was a bit confused, but he smiled at Nina's shyness all the same. "Why? Does she not normally approve of your dates?"

"I'm not sure. I've never actually had a boyfriend before, or even a date. . ." Nina let her voice trail off. She knew that they would discuss something like that eventually, but she hadn't thought it would've been so soon—or on an airplane right before they were to land in New York.

Fabian blinked, mildly shocked. "I don't believe that."

Nina looked around. "Um. Why not? It's true, I promise."

"Because I don't see how anyone as beautiful as you could not have snagged a date before. Any guy who just passed you by is clearly a fool, and not worth your time."

Nina smiled really big, and leaned over to give him an appreciatory kiss. "You're the best."

Fabian blushed, and continued. "Of course, now that I'm around, they should be passing you by."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Nina smiled at him again.

"Oh my gosh, could you two spare us the mushiness, please?" Patricia snorted, finally having taken notice of Nina and Fabian. Amber turned around, her eyes questioning what was going on; Alfie looked around Amber; and Jerome and Mara turned in their seats.

Nina and Fabian wore similar expressions—their facial color rivaling that of a tomato. They both started to sputter protests, but were saved by the flight attendant calling for attention once more.

"May I have your attention? Thank you. The plane has landed, and you may now unbuckle, gather your belongings, and depart the plane. Thank you for flying with British Airways."

"Ahhhhh!" Amber squealed, all but jumping out of her seat. "We're in New York City!"

It took them a few minutes to go through luggage pick-up, but once they did, Nina rushed them to the front entrance, where people who were waiting for others to get off the plane were.

"Where is she, where is she, where is she?" Nina muttered to herself, standing on her tiptoes, trying to see over everyone.

"Who are we waiting on?" Amber asked, looking around to see if she could find what was going on.

Nina ignored her in favor of continuing her search. It wasn't long after that, though, that they all heard a voice near them call out.

"Nina-banana!"

Nina whirled around at the sound of the voice, her hair flying off her shoulders by the movement. "Gran!" She dropped her luggage where she stood, and ran towards her grandmother. When she reached her Gran, Nina flung her arms around her Gran's neck, and was swung around. "I missed you so much!"

"Aw, sweetie, I missed you too!" Nina's Gran leant back, taking in the sight of her granddaughter. "England's been good to you, I see."

Nina smiled. "Yes, it has. Oh! Introductions." She ran back over to where everyone was standing, and picked up her luggage. "I didn't drop that on your foot, did I, Fabian?"

Fabian chuckled, happy to see Nina so happy to see her Gran. "No, you didn't. Came close, though."

"Sorry." She turned to her Gran. "Gran, this is everyone. Fabian, Amber, Mara, Jerome, Alfie, and Patricia. They're my housemates at school." She had pointed to each person as she said their name, and then looked back to her Gran.

"Well, hello! I'm Rachel Martin, Nina's Gran, as you probably know. I'm sure you're all tired and hungry—"

"Bushed! Where can we get food? Now?" Patricia cut in, standing with one hand on her hip, the other holding her big bag behind her; her carry-on was slung across her shoulders.

Rachel blinked. "What does 'bushed' mean?"

"It means hungry," Fabian supplied, smiling. It reminded him of all the times Nina has asked him to 'translate' British phrases to something she'd understand.

"Ah! Well, then, come on. We can drop your bags off by the cars, and then go walking to find a good hot dog kiosk or a good burger place." Rachel turned around, and started walking towards the entrance to the airport.

"Cars? With an 's'?" Nina asked, suspicious.

"Yes. Think fast," Rachel said as she threw a set of keys at her granddaughter. Nina squeaked as she fumbled around trying to get the keys in her grip. "Come on."

Nina looked at Fabian, her eyebrows knitted together. "I just had a pair of keys thrown at me."

Fabian opened his mouth, but Patricia seemed to be in an interrupting mood. "Great observation, smart one," she snapped as she walked past. Nina just rolled her eyes and followed her Gran, making sure everyone did the same.

"Nina, close your eyes!"

"What?"

"Close your eyes!"

"Okay, okay, they're closed!"

"You, brown-haired one beside Nina whose name I'm afraid I've already forgotten, make sure her eyes are closed!"

"Erm, alright."

They all walked ahead in the parking lot, Rachel insisting that Nina close her eyes, Nina trying to walk with her eyes closed, and Fabian confusedly following the request of making sure Nina kept her eyes closed. Everyone else were behind them, muttering about what was going on, or in Amber's case, gazing at all the skyscrapers and traffic while going "Ooooh!" every five seconds.

"Gran, what's going on?" Nina finally broke down and asked.

"You'll see. Here, press the red button on those keys I gave you."

Nina blinked open her eyes, trying to see what button to press, but her Gran wasn't going to have that.

"No, you have to keep your eyes closed!"

"Then I can't see to press the red button."

"Oh. Well here, I'll press it then." Rachel took the keys from Nina, and mashed the button. A car three spaces down immediately started beeping, its lights flashing. "Open your eyes."

Nina opened her eyes to see a car going off. It was a nice car—a pretty, deep blue, with chrome detailing on the rims of the tires. For a moment, Nina just stood there. But realization soon sunk in, and she gasped, then smiled really big.

"Is that. . . Is that my car?"

Rachel nodded. "Uh-huh. Charlie finally gave out, I'm afraid, so me and Officer Dave pitched together to get you this. It's a Honda Civic EX Coupe. It's even a stick shift, just for you."

"Aw. Poor Charlie. But. . . ! This is so amazing! You and Officer Dave got it for me? And it's all mine?" Nina walked towards the car, as if she could hardly believe it.

"All yours—same conditions as with Charlie. You'll be driving it home."

That stopped Nina in her tracks. "Driving it home? To Arizona?"

"Yes," Rachel smiled. "Now let's pack everything in the trunks and take off for some restaurants, and if you want, shopping. I know you're all jetlagged, but we're in NYC! And we're going to take advantage of it."

"Ahhh! I love you!" Amber squealed, running forward to give Nina's bewildered Gran a hug. "I'm Amber, if you can't remember. And I'm definitely going shopping. But who's Charlie?"

Nina, who was recovering from learning that she was soon to drive practically cross-country, spoke up. "Charlie was my old car—"

"—More like a hunk of junk," Rachel cut in.

"Yes, well, Charlie is what I called my other car, but it wasn't exactly . . . new, if you know what I mean."

"What she means is, it was falling apart, poor thing. It's transmission finally gave out, so we had to get Nina a new one. You have your license with you, right?"

"Of course." Nina started digging in her carry on, and produced a small, thing wallet-like thing, from which she pulled a card. "I always carry it on me—I.D. and all that."

"Wow, Nina, you have your license already?" Alfie asked.

"Yep. I'm already 16, so I've been driving for nearly 2 years. I just couldn't at school, because you know. Different country, it's school, normal reasons."

Rachel walked to the sedan next to Nina's car, and popped the trunk. "Okay, three of you put your luggage in my car, the other three in Nina's, and we'll get cracking!"

Everyone looked at each other and shrugged. Nina opened her trunk, and threw her stuff inside. Fabian, Amber, and Alfie chose to put their things in Nina's car; Jerome, Mara, and Patricia in Rachel's. After that, they closed the trunks, and set off, ready to get something to eat and spend time in the sidewalk jungle that is New York City.

A/N: Ahhh. I hope you guys like it as much as I do. I tweaked some things - in the show, it's said that Nina's birthday is in 95, making her turn 16 this year, given that school lets out around the end of May/beginning of June. If I had gone by that, she couldn't drive, so I made her a year older. She'll be the in the same group, etc, as in the show, though. And Officer Dave - he'll be explained next chapter, promise. :] Amber in NYC is gonna be fun! Reviews make me happy (and write faster, and a better writer). :]

-Zenelia*Sky