A/N: Mad thanks to the TWO people who decided to leave me a review. You have no idea how much I appreciate it...as for the rest of you: just thanks for reading.

Here we go...

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As I stepped into the next galley, Latricia was getting a cup of coffee ready.

"Hey, need any help?" I asked her.

"No, I can manage," she answered, then as soon as she did, a call button went off.

Glancing at the chart, I saw that it was someone in first class. Looking back at Latricia, I grinned.

"I'll get it, don't worry. Then I will leave you to work. Rich wanted to speak to me," I explained.

"Sure, he just wants to 'talk'," she teased, as she set down the coffee and cup, then used air quotes around 'talk'.

I snorted softly. "This isn't the mile high club, 'Tricia," I laughed, then headed to the passenger who called.

From behind me, I heard Latricia also laugh softly.

"What can I do for you?" I asked the man who pressed the button as I deactivated said button.

"I could really use some alcohol," he said.

"All right," I chuckled. "What would you like? We have a full bar, so pick your poison."

"Okay...I'll have an Appletini and one of those little bottles of vodka," he answered, lifting up his hand and holding his thumb and index finger about an inch apart.

"I'll be right back with that then."

I walked back to the lounge, and thankfully Bill was there, wiping down a glass.

"Hey, Bill," I smiled at him.

"Hey, Jo. What's up?" he answered, setting the glass down.

"Could I get an Appletini and a small bottle of vodka?" I asked. "It's not for me. It's for a passenger." I added, grinning.

"Sure. It'll just take a second," he replied, getting out a glass and the drink supplies he needed.

Bill ducked behind the counter and picked up the small bottle of vodka, placing it on top of the counter, then went around collecting ingredients for the martini. When he was done mixing, he poured the contents into a glass, setting it on the counter, also.

"There you go, Jo," he said, picking up the rag again.

"Thanks a lot, Bill," I said, then picked the glass and bottle up off the counter.

Carefully, so as not to spill any of the drink, I made my way back to the guy in first class.

"Here you are, sir," I said, once I made it there, holding the drink out to him.

"Ah, thank you," he said, taking the drink from me and setting it on his tray table, then took the bottle from me, also.

After he paid for his beverages, I headed to the flight deck. I knocked on the door and a split second later, Rich opened it, practically pulling me in and closing it behind me.

"Rich? Are you all right?" I asked, furrowing my brow, reaching up to place a hand on his cheek.

"I don't know, Jo. I just..." he paused, looking at the floor, then back up to me.

What I saw in his eyes startled me. I don't think I've ever seen him so...uneasy. He was always so confident, so sure of himself.

I brought my other hand up to his face.

"What's wrong?" I asked, stepping towards him.

"I-I...Am I doing the right thing with this search?" he asked in a whisper.

Taking my hands away from his face, I walked around him, then pulled him with me to the right of the deck. Opening the door to the pilots' sleeping 'closet', I made him sit on the cot next to me and took his hand.

"Yes, Rich, you are. Just think: if James went missing, wouldn't you do the same thing?...Not that he would go missing to begin with, but if he ever did," I said, looking him right in his gray-green eyes.

He sighed heavily as he put his head on my shoulder, wrapping an arm around my waist. Leaning my head against his, I brought my hand up, and rested it on the back of his neck.

"I would do the same," he said into my shoulder.

"I know you would. I know," I said softly.

Rich lifted his head, and looked at me for a moment, then kissed me soundly.

"Are you okay now?" I asked when he pulled back, slightly out of breath.

He nodded, then rested his head back on my shoulder.

"To be honest...I don't know how I'd get through this if you weren't here with me," he mumbled.

"You would have. I have no doubt about it," I replied. "Besides, you know what they say about great men?"

"What do they say?" he asked, not lifting his head.

"They say that behind every great man, lies a great woman," I grinned.

Rich let out a small chuckle as I felt his breath on my neck, then he lifted his head.

"And who, exactly, are 'they'?" he asked.

"Got me. Probably some feminists or something," I answered with a shrug. "Or some Greek philosopher. How should I know?"

He laughed, then kissed me again.

I felt better when Rich laughed, it was a clear sign that he was regaining control and confidence.

Standing from the cot, I glanced down at Rich as he stood, also. He stared at me before I threw my arms around him in a hug, and rested my head under his chin. His arms snaked around my shoulders as he held me against him.

After a moment, there was a constant ringing of the service phone. Pulling away from Rich, I looked over to Lars, who picked up the phone.

"Rich," he called over to us.

Dropping my arms from around Rich (and his arms from me), I watched him as he walked over to get the phone.

"Do you want me to go?" I asked softly.

"No, not yet. Stay here," he said, just as softly.

Rich took the phone from Lars and spoke with whoever was on the other end. I saw him get a chill, then lift his right arm to rest across his chest (supporting his left arm) as he stood there.

I grinned, then went over to their closet and took out his navy blue pilot jacket.

Once he hung up the phone, he brought a hand to rub the bridge of his nose with a sigh. He looked over at me and I held out the jacket to him. With a quick grin, he took it from me and put it on.

"Miss Pratt is demanding to speak with me again," Rich said to both Lars and I. "You can get back to the passengers now, Jo." He said as he turned to me.

As we both walked to the door, I stopped Rich before he went for the handle. He looked at me curiously, and I grinned as I took a step towards him; reaching up, I fixed his tie, then just before I dropped my hands, he took them in his own and kissed the knuckles on both my hands (being wary of my rings).

"Thanks," he said.

"You're welcome."

Rich then opened the door and we both walked out. He went down one side of the plane while I went down the other and into the galley.

Once in the galley, I poured myself a cup of ginger ale just as Latricia walked in, sighing with relief.

"Everything all right?" I asked her.

"Yeah, they're just getting really antsy," she replied, taking my cup out of my hands and taking a drink.

"I could imagine...just having to sit there without being able to get up to even pee," I said, taking my cup back from her with a grin.

"You got that right," she agreed, also grinning.

"You know what? Take a break, I'll deal with them for a while. You deserve it after I leave you with them to...never mind. You just deserve a break," I said.

I didn't want to tell her that Rich felt uncertain a few minutes ago.

"What were you going to say?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing. Forget I was going to say anything," I said, tossing the empty cup in a trash bag.

"Jo..." she warned.

I sighed; I could trust her. "Fine. You can never retell this to anyone. Ever."

"I won't. I swear."

We stepped closer together and I lowered my voice. "Rich just wasn't feeling to sure about this search."

"Is he okay?" she asked, her own voice low.

"Yeah, he's fine now. I think he just needed to let it out, you know?"

Latricia nodded. "All too well."

"All right. Enough of this. Take a break, I'll deal with the people," I said, stepping back, and returning my voice to normal levels.

Just as I shooed Latricia away (and she went to go sit in her flight attendant seat), a call button went off, so I went to go see what they wanted. Since she just wanted some water, I got it, and gave it to her. As I handed her the cup, my attention was taken back to the galley.

"Joanna, may I speak to you, please?" Rich said, being professional since there were passengers around.

"Of course, Captain," I said, smirking slightly, then turned back to the woman. "Excuse me."

I walked to the galley to see what Rich wanted. Latricia was standing with him.

"Did you tell Latricia to take a break?" he asked me.

"Yes, she's been taking care of passengers while I've been with you. I was just letting her get off her feet for a while," I replied, not looking away from him.

"I see," he said, then turned to Latricia. "Five more minutes."

"Yes, sir," she said, while I rolled my eyes behind Rich's back.

He then looked back at me. "Got it?"

"Aye, Captain," I grinned.

Rich rolled his own eyes, then walked passed us to the flight deck.

Latricia and I laughed quietly, until another call button went off; this time in business class. Latricia went back to her seat, while I went to the passenger.

A/N: Good? Bad? If you let me know what you think, I'd be greatful.