A/N: Hey all...anyone. Here's another chapter.

FYI: I'm watching the Stanley Cup Finals (hockey...game 5) right now and my Penguins are losing, my man Marc-Andre Fluery (goalie) got pulled, and the game isn't being called well AT ALL, so I'm REALLY pissed off. If there are any mistakes, that's my excuse.

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The next time I woke up, it was because there was an odd feeling on my thigh. Cracking open an eye, I looked down and saw Rich tapping my leg lightly with his fingers. Opening both eyes, I tilted my head down (with much effort considering my neck was stiff) to see Rich staring back at me, head still on my lap.

"I was wondering how long it would take you to wake up," he said, stilling his hand movement.

"How long have you been doing that?" I asked groggily, bringing a hand up to rub my eyes.

Rich sat up slowly, then looked at his watch as he rested against me.

"About five minutes," he answered.

"And why did you decide to wake me up?" I asked, yawning.

"Because, Love," here, he kissed my cheek, "we're descending."

"Oh, good...and how long did it take us to get here?"

"I'm not sure. I fell asleep, remember?"

"Yes. Did you sleep well, by the way?"

"Yeah, better than our last night with Bridgette and Dave," he said, then sat up from against me, only to tilt his head back down to kiss me.

"Well, that's good to hear," I grinned, still sleepy, after Rich pulled back.

Throughout the plane, I heard the crew groaning and saw arms stretching. I glanced out of the window to see what I could see.

The United States. New York. Family...I wondered if my brother was doing all right with his drawings and paintings. He was my younger brother (by three years), so I tended to worry about him at times.

I sighed softly as I looked back to Rich.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing, just wondering if my brother is doing all right," I answered, grinning to emphasize that I was okay.

"He's a very good artist, from what I've seen, and I'm sure he's doing well," Rich reassured, nuzzling his nose on my cheek. "You worry way too much."

"So what if I do? He's my baby brother, and my son is my son. Like you said: I should worry about him," I retorted.

"All right, you win," he chuckled.

"At least I can win without cheating," I smirked.

"Ooh, touché," he said, then kissed my cheek again.

A few minutes later, the jet touched down and we were permitted to deboard. Once we got off the jet, we walked along the tarmac and into the airport. The crew split up going in different directions until they had to get onto the 747. Rich had been told, by the pilot of the jet, that our flight was going to be delayed an hour more so we could all walk around for a bit.

Rich and I were walking around the little shops when I thought of something.

"Oh, I meant to ask you earlier, but you feel asleep...what did you have to give to the agents?" I asked, shaking a snow globe.

"Carson gave me his gun before I got off the 474. I didn't want to have it in my possession, so I gave it to the FBI," he replied, taking the snow globe from me, and staring at it.

"Oh," was all I could say. The thought of Rich having that sort of weapon on him didn't worry me much…at least it was out of the hands of Carson at the time.

Rich put the snow globe back on the shelf, where I got it from, then we continued to walk around.

After the hour was up, Rich and I headed to the gate where our flight was scheduled to be. Just as we were walking to the plane, Latricia came out of nowhere, and walked with us.

"Hey…where'd you come from?" I asked, as she fell into step on my other side.

"Over there," she pointed to a coffee stand. "Ready to go home?"

"Most definitely. Only about eight more hours, though," I said, sighing.

I felt Rich squeeze my hand, and I looked up at him, grinning ever so slightly.

When the three of us got onto the plane, Latricia left Rich and I, saying she was going to toss her bag somewhere. Rich then turned to me, bringing his hand up to my cheek.

"In just a few hours, we'll be home...with James," he said softly, half grinning, then ran his thumb over my cheekbone.

"I know," I replied, nodding once.

I tilted my head up, as Rich tilted his down, for our customary kiss.

"See you soon," he said, removing his hand from my cheek.

I nodded again as we turned to go our separate ways.

Walking into the small galley in between first and business class, I spotted Latricia, sneaking a drink of coffee already.

"Starting early, eh?" I asked from behind her.

She jumped a little, then turned around. "Did you have to sneak up on me?"

"Of course," I grinned, evilly.

"Right...I needed caffeine. The nap on the jet wasn't enough to satisfy and left me more sleepy," she said.

"Just wait until you have kids. You won't know the difference between night and day," I said...from experience.

"I'll take your word for it...mom," she teased, nudging my elbow.

"Oh, very funny," I laughed.

After Latricia finished her coffee, we stood in our positions for when the passengers boarded.

Once the passengers were allow to board, I kept an eye out for anyone I'd want to dump something on. I was hopeful when a woman on a cell phone came my way, but was disappointed when she pulled the phone away from her head to say hello.

It looked like I was going to have to behave, again, this time...sigh.

As soon as the passengers were seated and ready for take off, Latricia and I took our seats, and strapped in just as Rich and Lars rolled the plane into the short lineup.

It had stopped snowing, but some still remained on the ground, so a few flights had been cancelled, depending on where they were going.

In the air, Rich said his normal speech, and I couldn't help but laugh out loud. Latricia looked over to me with a confused look, but I just shook my head and waved my hand, dismissing it. At the correct height, Rich and Lars turned off the seatbelt signs, and the clicking sounded throughout the cabin. Latricia and I moved to the galley and was soon joined by Elias and Fiona to serve drinks.

"Where's Katerina?" Latricia asked Fiona.

"She said she wasn't feeling too well, and asked for me to help," she explained.

"Did she really look sick?" Latricia asked.

Elias and I gathered drinks for our cart, while the other two spoke, but I kept an ear open to the conversation.

"Yeah, she was looking slightly green, actually," Fiona replied.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Latricia nod, but she looked suspicious. I stepped over to her.

"Search her out later. I think it sounds a little odd, too, but serve the passengers first," I said quietly to her.

She nodded, then I moved back to my cart. Elias and I wheeled the cart to the aisle.

"Dumping anything?" he asked, leaning over the cart.

"Nope," I sighed. "Not yet, anyway."

"Rats," he snapped his fingers.

Grinning, we moved the cart, and served the passengers their drinks. I had two requests for alcoholic beverages, so once the non-alcoholic drinks were served, and Elias and I returned to the galley, I went on a hunt for Bill. When I found him, he mixed the drinks, then I delivered the drinks to the two passengers. Returning to the small galley, I grabbed two cups and filled them with coffee...for Rich and Lars.

Latricia came into the galley and looked at me as I readied the coffee.

"I'm going to search for her now," she said, then turned.

"Tricia, wait," I stopped her. She did stop and turned back to me. "Wait five minutes and I'll help you."

"All right, but make it a quick five," she said.

"I'll do what I can," I said, then picked up the cups of coffee.

Carefully walking to the flight deck with the coffee, I leaned my back against the door, then knocked with my heel. Seconds later, Rich opened the door, letting me in.

"Coffee?" he asked, taking the proffered cup from me.

"Coffee," I confirmed, grinning. "You have to remember that Sharon will give you tea as soon as you walk in her door...and that stuff is better than the crap we have on board."

"That is true," he agreed, then took a sip of the coffee.

I walked over to Lars and gave him his coffee.

"Danke, Jo," he said.

"Bitte schon."

Turning back to Rich, I blew a lock of hair out of my eyes.

Rich chuckled as he set down the cup next to his seat. He then stepped up to me, putting an arm around my waist, while the other reached up and tucked the mutinous hair behind my ear.

"Thank you, Captain," I said softly.

"You're welcome, Love," he replied, then bent down to lightly kiss me.

"I can't stay long. Latricia needs my help," I said, once we parted.

"Why? What's wrong?" he asked, slightly concerned.

"It's nothing we can't handle. Don't worry about it," I said, putting my arms around his neck. "Just a lazy attendant, we think."

Rich rose an eyebrow. "Keep me informed. We don't need laziness."

"I will, sir," I replied, then kissed him again before dropping my arms from around him.

"I'll be back later," I rose my voice so Lars could hear me also. "If you need anything...well, you know what to do."

Turning to the door, I opened it, and left, closing it behind me. I then headed back to the galley, where Latricia was waiting for me. Fiona was there, also.

"Can we go now?" Latricia asked me, impatiently. "Fiona will cover for us."

"Yeah, let's go," I responded. "Any ideas to where she might be?"

"I have a hunch."

"Then lead on."

And she did. We walked through business class, through coach, and to the back of the plane, into the last galley, where there were some bunks for the crew to nap in. We heard giggling, whispers, and kissing noises behind one of the curtained bunks. Latricia and I looked at each other, sighed softly, then we both cleared our throats.

The sounds ceased and the curtain to the bottom bunk was pulled back slightly, revealing the heads of Katerina and Eric.

"Shit," Eric cursed quietly.

"You're damn right 'shit'. Get out here," I said sternly, but not raising my voice.

While the two climbed out of the bunk, Latricia put her hands on her hips and looked at them angrily, while I crossed my arms over my chest and frowned at them. The two then stood in front of us with their hands behind their backs, looking as if they were little kids caught stealing a cookie before dinner.

"What the hell do you two think you're doing?" Latricia asked them...no, demanded of them.

I put my hand on her shoulder to shut her up, while the two sputtered a response.

"All right, shut up," I said to them. "This is getting reported to the airline. You do know that, right?"

They nodded, looking at the floor.

"And you realize that your jobs are now in jeopardy?"

Again, they nodded.

"What do you have to say for yourselves?"

They looked at each other before Eric looked at me. "What about you and the captain?"

"What about me and the captain?"

"You're always with him..."

"He's not alone on the flight deck, Eric. And the reason I'm 'always with him', as you put it, is NOT because he's my husband, but because it's my job. I serve the pilots, keep them awake, so you, and all these other people, can live to see another day. We keep work and play seperate, so to speak."

Eric's shoulders slumped as what I said sank in.

"I think we should prevent this from happening again," Latricia said from my left, calmer now.

I nodded. "I have an idea. I may seem childish, but it'll probably work." I paused for the tension to increase for the two. "Eric, you will be up in first and business classes with us. Katerina, you will be in coach under the watch of Patty. You can speak with each other, but your conversations WILL be short. You will continue with your duties as attendants and serve the passengers. And if this happens again, you can kiss you jobs good-bye, and will be reported immediately to the captain. Am I understood?"

"Yes. Crystal clear," Katerina said after sighing.

"Yes. Understood," Eric answered.

"Good. Eric, go with Latricia. Katerina, stay here for a moment," I instructed.

Eric walked away with Latricia right behind him. I think I scared Katerina into not moving because when I went to call Patty back, then looked back at the girl, she hadn't moved anywhere.

"Patty, could you keep an eye on Katerina for the rest of the flight? Had a bit of an issue," I asked the mid-aged woman when she came into the galley.

"Sure. May I ask what happened?"

I then went on to tell her the situation between the two and the arrangements I had made.

"Okay, no problem," she said, smiling, once I had finished my explanation.

"All right. I'll see how things are later," I said, then left the two to go back to business and first classes.

As I was about to walk completely through the galley in between coach and business, Elias stopped me. Turning and walking out of the aisle, I saw that Bill was there too.

"What are you guys doing?" I asked, bringing a hand to my forehead.

"We heard you snap Eric and Katerina into actually doing work. Good job," Elias said, giving me a thumbs up.

"What?" I asked, looking between the two.

"Those two have been at it when not needed every time we fly. You should have seen them in the hanger in Newfoundland," Bill said.

"I'm glad I didn't. I had other things on my mind," I replied.

"Your son?" Elias guessed.

"Yeah."

"Anyway," Bill said, getting back to the conversation. "Are you really going to report them?"

"I have to. They weren't doing their jobs. I'm going to suggest that they be members of different airlines, then they can't fool around, instead of being fired," I answered.

"When?" Elias asked.

"I'm not sure. It depends on what happens when I get home. Possibly the morning after I get home, I'll call the airline," I answered.

"Do it as soon as you can. I don't know if I can stand them making out much longer," Bill said.

"I'll do what I can," I said. "Now, get back to work." I grinned, then walked out of the galley and through business to the galley in between business and first class.

Leaning against the wall, I brought my hands up to rub my eyes as I took a deep breath. As I thought about the situation, I realized that it could have turned ugly if I wasn't as calm as I had been.

Latricia walked into the galley just as I lowered my hands.

"Jo, you all right?" she asked.

"Yeah. Fine," I answered, forcing a grin.

"You handled that very well. I think I would have ripped off their heads."

"That's why I stepped in."

"Good thinking, then."

Latricia grabbed a plastic cup and filled it with water, then handed it to me.

"Thanks," I said quietly, but didn't drink, just stared down into the cup.

"Jo? Are you sure you're all right? You look a little pale," Latricia asked, from across the galley.

"Yeah, I'm..."

I didn't get to finish my sentence, and I guess I wasn't okay...I passed out.

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A/N: Well, that's gotta suck, don't ya think?

I'm going to go back to yelling at the TV now...maybe the next game won't be so bad...