Chapter 3

Right on schedule, Dr. Muinepe was waiting for Lee in the lobby of the hotel along with two constabularies to escort the men to the airport. Dr. Muinepe carried a small carry on duffle bag, slung across his chest. Lee helped him with his larger suitcase when he noticed the older man limping. "Dr. Muinepe, are you alright?" Lee asked.

"Yes, yes, I'll be fine," he replied. "I slipped on my way out of the dig last night and twisted my ankle. I just need to take it slow if that's okay."

Lee shifted the suitcases and said politely, "I can take your other bag if you'd like. It's no problem."

Dr. Muinepe smiled then leaned in close, "No chance, son. This is my discovery and I'm not letting anyone but the Smithsonian get their hands on it."

Lee laughed loudly as he replied, "I can understand that. It's like my wife when she bakes for one of the boys bake sales at school. From her hands to the co-ordinators and no one else's."

The men put their conversation on hold while they were whisked through the international security checkpoint. Lee flashed his badge along with the two officers escorting them. Without incident, the men moved to their terminal to wait for their boarding time.

They found seats close to the gangway and sat. "Dr. Muinepe, would you like a cup of coffee while we wait? It's a long flight back to DC," Lee asked.

"Coffee would be perfect. I'll be honest, I'm a bit nervous about this flight. It's longer than I've ever traveled before" he admitted.

Lee stood, checked with the officers and quickly found a coffee shop nearby where he purchased four large coffees. He was just about to hand out the coffee when he heard a loud screech followed by a small body barreling into his legs from behind. He almost lost his balance when two little arms wrapped tightly around his knees. The four cups tumbled onto his shirt, soaking him in the hot liquid. He straightened himself up and looked behind to see a little girl about three years old crying loudly and a young woman running toward them. "Ella! I told you to stay with me! You can't run away like that. Look! You bumped into this nice man…" the woman scolded her, but stopped when Lee slowly turned and she saw the coffee spilled across Lee's shirt. "I'm so sorry, sir. She gets so excited when she sees the planes. I think she thought you were her grandfather. We are just waiting for him to arrive. I'm so so sorry."

Lee just looked down at his clothing, a scowl on his face. He couldn't say anything, he was so angry, but he knew it was only an accident so he thought about what Amanda would do. Instead of snapping at the child, he simply bent down to get on eye level with her and said quietly, "Ella, I think your Mommy is waiting for you over there. Now be a good girl and go hold her hand, okay?"

Ella released him and ran toward her mother smiling. She immediately reached up and said "Momma, hand pwease." Lee stood and nodded in the young woman's direction as he surveyed the damage to his clothing. He debated if he had enough time to change when the stewardess announced they would be boarding any time.

He approached the check-in desk and asked if he would be able to change immediately upon boarding. The stewardess swept her eyes over him and leaned forward to whisper in his ear, "I'll even let you use the private area reserved just for us."

Lee turned on the charm and smiled back, "I would appreciate that very much… um, Rebecca."

She smiled back again as she took the microphone and announced that first class passengers could begin boarding. Lee turned back to get his suitcase and help Dr. Muinepe hobble toward the plane. "You have a way with the ladies. How does your wife feel about that?" he teased.

"My wife knows she's the one I come home to," Lee replied as they slowly made their way through the vestibule.

On the plane, Rebecca guided Lee to a secluded area reserved just for flight staff and before he could close the door she pulled him close and kissed him soundly on the lips. Lee gently pushed her back and slipped into the small bathroom to change. He glanced in the mirror before leaving the room and saw a smear of pink lipstick on his chin. He wiped it off using his stained shirt and shoved it back in his bag before exiting. Rebecca was waiting for him outside with a smile to escort him back to his seat.

Dr. Muinepe laughed as Rebecca trailed her fingers across Lee's shoulder as she sauntered away. "You have an admirer," he said when she was out of earshot.

"Yes, it appears I do. My stepson would be having a field day right now," Lee said with a smile.

"How long have you been married?" Dr. Muinepe asked, attempting to make conversation.

"Not too long but long enough that my wife and I are renewing our vows next week. We eloped the first time so now this time we can celebrate with everyone, including her boys," Lee said cryptically.

Dr. Muinepe narrowed his eyes and studied Lee for a moment before replying, "Two boys? It sounds as if you have your hands full." Lee laughed loudly drawing looks from the stewardesses walking by.

The two men settled comfortably in their seats, once the emergency speech had been given by the stewardess, and they prepared for the long flight ahead of them. The plane took off from Port Moresby Airport on time, however, about three hours into their flight the captain made an announcement. "Attention all passengers, this is your Captain speaking. Hurricane Peke has formed off the coast of Hawaii. We maybe in for a bumpy ride. Please keep your seat belts fastened at all times. I'll give you updates when I receive them from the National Weather Bureau," the voice on the speaker proclaimed.

Lee leaned toward Dr. Muinepe and said, "I hope this doesn't delay our landing at LAX. I'd like to get home sooner rather than later." Dr. Muinepe nodded in response, his face having lost all color with the mention of a hurricane.

Ten minutes later, the first wave of turbulence rocked the plane. Dr. Muinepe grasped the arms of the seat, his knuckles white as he stared wide eyed in fright at the stewardess moving through the aisles checking on all the passengers. "Sir, please relax. The captain informed us he is going to try to head further south and fly around the storm.," she patted Dr. Muinepe's shoulder as she spoke.

"Will that delay our landing?" Lee questioned.

"It will, but it will be safer that way," she explained. "The captain will make an announcement soon, just try to relax."

As Dr. Muinepe exhaled, trying to soothe his nerves the plane bounced again. "Easier said than done, young lady," he groaned between clenched teeth.

"Thank you," Lee dismissed the stewardess with a nod of his head. "Dr. Muinepe, tell me about the discovery you made. Maybe it will help take your mind off of things," Lee suggested.

As the plane banked further southeast around the storm bands, Dr. Muinepe went into great detail about the pottery and bone fragments they had found indicating the presence of an advanced civilization on the island much earlier than anyone estimated. His grip relaxed the longer he talked and two hours later, the captain announced they were heading north once more toward the California coastline. Everyone on the plane cheered in response except Lee. As the stewardess passed by once more, he caught her elbow and asked, "How delayed are we?"

"As of right now, the Captain estimates about three hours with no additional setbacks. The airline has been alerted," she answered with a smile.

"And our connecting flight back to DC, will there be another one soon?" Lee questioned.

"I can check on that, sir," she replied as she moved away toward another traveler.