Holding in the sigh of regret that bubbled to the surface, he felt her shift, knowing she was waking up. Soon the warmth of her body leaning on his would be gone and if he knew her as well as he thought he did, heat would flare in her cheeks. She'd stutter an apology and find it difficult to look at him. And if only she would, she'd see the desire he felt for her, a desire which he found more and more difficult to stem, and the reasons why he felt like he needed to all but fading into the background.

Feeling her stiffen, he covertly watched in amusement the way she straightened abruptly, smoothing her hair down before chancing a glance his way only able to bring her eyes up to his neck. "S...s...sorry about th...that, Jack. You should have woken me or pushed me the other way."

"NO PROBLEM. YOU WARM. ME SLEEP TOO. WE SLEEP TOGETHER," he commented with his tongue in his cheek.

Her attention flew to his face where she saw him struggling to maintain an innocent expression, merriment twinkling in his eyes. Stifling a yawn, she blandly replied, "Hmm. Somehow I thought it would be more memorable than that." She batted her eyelashes and smiled sweetly his way.

"FUNNY YOU," he signed, sarcasm written all over his expression. He was about to add more when the flight attendant came by and collected their blankets and pillows, reminding them to fasten their seatbelts and to return their seats to the upright position. When he returned his attention to the woman beside him, she was lost to him, enjoying the growing lights of the island they were quickly approaching.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

"Wow," Sue said as each cheek was kissed before she was released, her eyes darting around before meeting the dark ones before her. Fingering the beautiful lei woven from fresh, fragrant flowers she watched the stranger welcome her to Hawaii. Giving him a hesitant smile, she turned to find Lucy beaming at her.

"I don't know who he is, but you should keep him," Lucy suggested to Sue. "He's cute!"

"Luce," Sue hissed, turning to the young man apologetically. "Don't mind her. She's here for her wedding and is trying to match everyone up."

"Ahhh," he responded with a laugh. "Well, as much as I would enjoy getting to know you better," he replied, lowering his voice to a whisper, unaware of Sue's deafness, "I don't much think the dark-haired gentlemen with you would appreciate it."

Sue blushed prettily and glanced behind her to Jack. "Oh, no, he wouldn't mind. He's a...he's, um...he wouldn't mind," she repeated.

"Well, then," he replied, taking Sue's hand and kissing it softly. "My name is Keoni and it has been an honor to meet you...?" he trailed off, waiting for her name.

"Sue," she supplied, glancing to Lucy to see her fingerspell his name.

"You are nani, u'i, maika'i, Kukana," he told her, smiling as confusion spread across her features. "Nani, u'i, maika'i means 'beautiful' and Kukana is Hawaiian for Sue," he explained.

"Th...thank you," she murmured, looking back to Lucy.

"Don't look at me. I'd spell the words for you if I could, but I can't. But trust me, they sound lovely rolling off his tongue," she winked.

Returning her attention to Keoni, she explained. "I'm deaf, but I read lips. Only your lips say things I don't know how to read," she laughed. "You've already made my trip here a memorable one. Thank you for the beautiful lei."

"You are most welcome," he smiled. "I enjoyed giving it to you immensely," he whispered, kissing her hand once more before releasing her.

Sue had walked several steps when Lucy stopped, turned, whopped Jack on the arm, and then pointed for Sue to turn around. "Your dog is not doing his job!"

Sue looked back to find Keoni waving her way. "A hui ho'u, Sue. It means, 'Until we meet again.' I hope you enjoy your stay on our beautiful island and that love finds you before you leave."

"THANK YOU," she said and signed, waving once more, watching him saunter off to greet some other new arrivals. Turning to link her arm through Lucy's, she grinned. "I think I like it here."