"The Merits of Flying"

By Lady_Cleo

AU – How the movie should have gone. Andrew interrupts the moment before Mia and Nicholas kiss. Mia/Andrew all the way and inspired by frankiebaby's "A Royal Duty." If you like – review as encouragement.

Unbeated, I've been out of writing for so long so sorry for any typos or errors.

Chapter Seven

The car slipped quietly down the road at a smooth pace, a destination in mind, but no apparent need to hurry. Within the sleek alloy body, Princess Amelia Mignonette Thermopolis Renaldi sat morosely next to her grandmother. She ignored natures' glorious scenery and instead fidgeted with the hem of her skirt. "Why do I always screw things up, grandma?"

"Surely, it can't be this traumatic." Clarisse glanced over at her granddaughter as she spoke, a sad smile twitching across her lips. Mia only shot her back a blank stare, invoking a sigh from Clarisse's lips. "Well, I wouldn't say you always screw things up, dear. Only, sometimes you have a rather different approach to things." Clarisse continued "Take for instance this little fight with Andrew, it's not a 'screw up.' It's a fight. Seeing as how you are both very human, you are bound to come face to face with the occasional squabble. I would be worried if you never fought."

Mia turned away from her grandmother to stare at the scenery, "But it's my fault, it's always my fault."

Clarisse got the closest to a snort a royal queen good, "Nonsense, your both to blame?"

Mia's head whipped back around, "What?" Her face scrunched up as she starred disbelieving at her grandmother.

"First of all, no matter how vindicated the action was, Andrew should not have punched Nicholas. Just as I told you, we can't afford to lose control. What Andrew displayed was simply that, he lets his pride interfere for a moment."

Folding her hands across her lap, Clarisse watched her granddaughter slowly digest the words for a second before continuing. "You on the other hand, dear, showed a lack of tact."

"That's a first," Mia quipped with a moan.

Clarisse hushed her gently before continuing, "As I understand it, Andrew was probably already stinging from his mother's tirade, and I've it on very good account that it was indeed a tirade. Instead of supporting him, you added to his mother's rant. He's a smart lad: I'm sure he had already realized his mistake and didn't need a reminder." Clarisse grabbed Mia's hand. "No relationship is truly perfect, Mia. They're full of emotional roller coasters- even the arranged ones. You're not expected to have all the answers when it comes to this matter, and it will take time to find a balance. But you must have patience and understanding."

"I now that grandma-" Mia's answer was suddenly cut off as the car pulled to a halt outside of a heavily fenced area. The guards at the gate post were dressed in a traditional military uniform. They both waved the car through the gate as Mia furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Grandma, why are we visiting the Air Force Base?"

"I'm sorry, dear. I have a few royal duties to attend to. It won't take long."

The car slipped down along the road in silence, passing the long rows of buildings and barracks. Overhead a jet zipped through the air, curving at a tremendous speed into a soft spin. Mia bit down on her lip and resisted the temptation to bury her face in her hands; she really was in no mood to play the smiling monarch. The car glided to smooth halt near an airplane hangar where several very official looking generals awaited them.

"Come along dear," Clarisse instructed as the chauffer opened the door, "think of it as another training experience." That said the monarch stepped lightly out of the car. Mia groaned, but followed quickly after her grandmother.

"Your majesties," General Ratzenburg beamed with a glowing pride as he saluted his monarchs briskly. The subordinates that lined up neatly behind him followed the example with the same brisk enthusiasm. "I trust you are here to witness our little impromptu air show." The general motioned with a sharp hand towards the sky. "One always appreciates the performance of a superior pilot."

Clarisse and Mia both craned their necks to try and catch another glimpse of the gray object. "Ah, yes, certainly." Clarisse finally agreed as she shifted her gaze back to the men at her side. "That is obviously a very talented man."

The general seemed puzzled for a second; as though he'd missed a cue and was not sure what role he was playing. "Yes- of course, your majesty."

"I should very much like to talk to the young man." Clarisse added amiably, her gaze still fixed on the puzzled General.

Again the general's face crinkled into a bemused expression, he shifted uncomfortable, and glanced at his subordinates, but after a few seconds of awkward silence seemed to finally grasp something Mia did not. "Oh- yes, of course, your majesty. The young man will be landing in only a few minutes, the abruptness of his request only allowed us to free up a few minutes of air time. If you would like to wait in the staff lounge," here he ardently gestured into the airplane hangar before continuing, "I shall have you called promptly when the young man lands."

Clarisse waved off the suggestion, a genuinely satisfied smile creeping across her lips. "That is quiet alright, it's a lovely day and I think I prefer to wait here."

A brisk nod followed by a vigorous salute was the only reply given before the General bowed and departed, subordinates following at his heels. Mia sighed and took several steps back until she felt the smooth warm car stop her. Leaning back against it she glanced back over at her grandmother, "All right, what's up?"

"What on earth do you mean?"

"What's going on, grandma? I highly doubt you drove all the way out here just to praise one pilot for his impromptu air show."

Clarisse appeared un-phased, "It was certainly not a coincidence that we came out here for one pilot. He happens to be a very talented young man. I've heard many great things about his future potential, it's a very rare occasional when you stumble upon such a find. There is certainly no reason not to give the young man a chance to soar, and no reason not to praise him for his sacrifice, willingness to serve his country, and those in need."

Mia let a little exasperated sigh slip past her lips. Turning her head away from her grandmother she watched the ostensibly small jet swoop towards the runway.

"Beside, my dear," Clarisse continued, "I do believe we were in the middle of a very important conversation, one concerning your future relationship with a certain duke." Clarisse moved swiftly forward, stepping into Mia's view and blocking the sight of the runway, she continued the conversation. "Would you care to continue the discussion?"

"What more is there to say? I screwed up-"

"You both made a mistake," Clarisse interjected. "But, mistakes are easily fixed, especially when you make to effort to clear up any miscommunication, or any emotional blurt-age."

Mia snorted in what Clarisse deemed an un-princess like manner, "With the pilot M.I.A. how do you recommend we go about that? Got any more miracles up your crown, grandma?"

"I don't think you'll need a miracle for this little dilemma." Clarisse smiled and motioned towards the distant fighter jet as it touched down onto the runway. "And who says Andrew is missing?"

Mia perked up, the fighter jet taxed towards them, pulling to a smooth halt in its designated parking spot. Several enlisted men scurried over to the jet, climbing up onto the wings the helped the pilot out: a distinctly familiar pilot emerged from the helmet and climbed down to the ground.

Mia glanced over at her grandmother for a long second, not sure of what to do or how to approach the pilot. Clarisse smiled warmly in response and gently nudged her granddaughter in the pilot's direction. "Speak from the heart and everything will be resolved if it's meant to be."

Resisting the smart remark that popped up in her head, Mia moved pushed away from the car and started off towards the jet and the pilot. It seemed to take forever to cross the tarmac and even longer to reach the pilot. Andrew didn't appear to notice her right off the bat, instead he stood alongside the jet, olive flight suit accentuating his lean form as he ran his hand over the wing, giving a final inspection before letting go.

"It's nice a plane," Mia began, hesitating. Andrew glanced over his shoulder at her, a smile drifting over his lips. The silence hung over the pair, neither seemingly prepared to speak at once. Mia shifted awkwardly from one foot to the next: her clothes chaffed against her skin, the neck line constricting, as her palms began to sweat. She was suddenly petrified, the world around him felt smaller then it usually did. "Andrew about what happened this afternoon-"

Andrew turned around, his gaze silencing the words that attempted to escape from Mia's lips. Stepping away from the jet, Andrew let his hand fall gently to her shoulder. "What happened this afternoon-"

"No," Mia interrupted. The fear plummeted through her stomach as she saw his eyes soften. "No, I shouldn't have berated you." Mia countered, with a shake of her head she averted her eyes almost guiltily for a second before fixing them back on his face, "What you said Andrew - I want you know that I would never want you to disappear into the curtain. We're in this together no matter what happens. You're sacrificing just as much as I am, if not more for this marriage."

Andrew frowned, his hand unconsciously stroking her arm. "Mia, I want to-" he paused suddenly unsure of how to continue.

Mia rapidly shook her head, continuing before the Duke had a chance to speak again. "You were right in a way Andrew. I've only seen you as a necessity to the throne. But you're not just a necessity to the throne. I've come to know you as a loving and caring man. I know we can make this marriage work."

"Mia-"

"Andrew," Mia whispered back her hands flying up to grasp at the flight suit. "Why did you agree to marry me Andrew?"

Andrew frowned, his hands slowly dropping from her arms to hang at his side. "I suppose it was in part because you needed me to, in part because you wanted me to, and- in part because I wanted to." His eyes darted away from her face. Looking up, Andrew met her gaze, "Mia-"

"But what if that's not what I want. What if I don't want you to marry me because I need you to."

Andrew frowned, suddenly confused by the sudden shift in the conversation. "But I thought you just-" he trailed off, resisting the temptation to scratch at his temple in confusion.

"Andrew you are possible the most caring, sweetest being that I've ever met. You put others before yourself wholeheartedly. What I mean is-" Mia stammered for a second, "What I'm trying to say is that- What I want to say is that – what you said this afternoon."

Andrew still looked somewhat baffled by the direction of the conversation, "Mia I was angry and feeling irrational. Mother's scolding-"

"No, No," Mia's cheeks hued pink for a second, "before Nicholas showed up."

"Oh," Andrew whispered, the conversation clicking. "Mia, are you-"

"Would you stop interrupting me for a minute?" Her cheeks dropped another hue of red. Andrew's mouth snapped shut as he starred down at her, eyes wide in a slight bewilderment. Taking a deep breathe Mia straightened up, trying to regain whatever dignity she had left. "Andrew, what I'm trying to say, and failing at is that I think I could also be falling for you."

Andrew fumbled for a second as he stared down at the woman before him. "Mia, what are you -"

Taking a deep breath, Mia cut him off. "I want to marry you." She paused, her grip on his flight suit tightening as though she was afraid he'd start backing away. "Right now there's nothing more that I want."

"You don't have to do this Mia."

"I do, I think- I think we may have accidentally stumbled on something great. I kept whining about how I want to fall in love, never realizing that maybe love had already snuck up on me."

Andrew dropped his head down, his eyes avoiding hers for what seemed like a long second as silence settled over them. Mia felt her heart stop, panic tightening every muscle in her body as a thousand different responses filtered through her imagination. But something clicked in Andrew's eyes as he finally looked up, "Bugger," he whispered. Reaching out he gently grabbed her waist, invoking a startled shriek from the princess as he pulled her close. Before Mia could gather her senses, Andrew pressed his lips down to hers gently.

The shock Mia felt was rapidly replaced by the feeling of warmth and relief that his lips brought. Wrapping her arms around Andrew's neck she kissed him back whole heartedly. Her right foot kicked up, hands snaking up to wrap around his neck. Pulling back from him, Mia grinned, "I take that to mean you're in agreement."

Andrew smiled in return, "Decidedly in agreement, your highness."

Note- About one or two chapters left.