3 – The Slip Up

Jamie pulled her lone suitcase from the crew cab of Saul's truck and extended the handle so she could roll it behind her. She studiously set her purse around its handle and pulled them together around his truck before she and Saul quietly began the trek from the parking structure to the airport entrance.

"You're taking this protective, gentleman thing a bit far. With airport security these days, you really can't walk me but a few feet into the building anyway." She knew harping on it wasn't going to change his mind, they'd argued about it since he turned into the parking structure rather than dropping her off curbside.

"Nope, I'm not. If I had a little sister, I know your brother would do the same."

"Overbearing brothers and their flyboy buddies," she grumbled to herself.

"What was that, James?"

Jamie took a deep breath and resigned herself to being treated like the weaker sex. "Nothing."

They walked through the automated doors into the air conditioned airport. Jamie had already checked in online and her suitcase was regulation size to be brought with her as a carry on. They moved through the ticketing area and on to the security point before Jamie slowed her pace. Seeing a couple of unoccupied benches off to the right, she pulled her suitcase to a stop next to one of them to be out of the way.

"Thank you for lunch and for bringing me to the airport, Saul."

"You don't need to thank me. It's what friends do for each other." He looked hard at her and Jamie had no doubt what was coming next. "You're going to call me next time you're in town, right?"

Jamie nodded her head affirmatively, although internally a bit reluctantly. She wasn't sure seeing Saul each time she was in Vegas was such a good idea. She'd only fall harder for the oaf, and how embarrassing would that be if he ever guessed.

"I promise In-N-Out next time you're here."

Jamie allowed herself to grin, "Deal."

They heard an announcement over the P.A. system. Although it wasn't for her flight specifically, she checked her cell phone and noted that the boarding time was fast approaching and she still needed to get through security.

"I gotta go, Flyboy."

He shook his head in reprimand for calling him names, before pulling her in for a hug. "Stay safe."

"I will, although you're the one with the high risk job." She hugged him a little tighter, giving herself a few extra moments to enjoy his embrace.

"We have safety training for our jobs though." He pulled back and gazed down at her.

He looked so serious and something else that eluded her. Maybe it was just concern, but it touched her for a moment. "I'll be careful." She'd meant to say it with a bit more sarcasm in her voice, but she was still held captive by his gaze and couldn't shake the need to reassure him. With her eyes still trying to convey her promise, she slid her arms around to his back to give him one last hug. As the small distance between them diminished she found herself lost in a kiss rather than a hug, but the shock of it was slow in seeping into her addled mind.

It wasn't until a loud noise startled them apart, that reality finally hit her and she suddenly realized she'd been kissing Saul. "Ummm," she moaned in a bit of a panic, stepping away from him. She retrieved her fallen purse and set it back on top of her suitcase before tipping it slightly and began rolling it away from Saul and toward the Security check a few feet away.

Jamie handed her ticket and I.D. to the woman in uniform before allowing her gaze to look back at Saul who had moved the few feet with her. The worry in his eyes sent her into a bigger tizzy and she just wanted to get out of there. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, her eyes conveying just how sorry she was for kissing him.

"Can you just wait for a moment," he asked her.

Jamie accepted her ticket and I.D. back and was grateful to see only a few people unloading their pockets at the conveyor belt at the end of the roped off gauntlet meant for longer lines and busier times at the airport.

"I'm going to be late for my flight," she said by way of excuse, stepping into the roped area.

"Jamie, please."

She hated the pleading she heard in his voice, but the idea of sticking around and trying to explain to him why she'd suddenly kissed him was enough to keep her moving away from him at a steady pace.

"I'll call you later," she promised, her need to flee overwhelming her.

"Jamie," he said more gruffly this time and she was sure it was only the stern look from the security attendant that kept him from following after her.

She slowed her departure and turned toward him. "I can't," she pleaded, hoping he understood, before picking up her pace and leaving him behind.

After securing her seat belt on the plane, Jamie turned her head toward the window, her eyes not actually seeing the scene beyond her window. She discreetly wiped at a tear she felt slipping down her cheek and closed her eyes, hoping to keep any other wayward tears from escaping.

She wished she could turn off her reeling mind. What must Saul think of her? Evan's love struck little sister? God she hoped not, but what else could he think of her. He'd looked pretty mad at her for not staying to talk with him too, but the panic had kept her moving away from him.

Jamie Lorne heaved a sigh when she heard the alert sound on her computer announcing that she had new incoming email. She resisted the urge to read it, sure it would be from Saul. In the three days since she left Las Vegas, she'd gotten four phone calls, about that many texts and three emails from him. She hadn't answered his phone calls, which was probably why he'd resorted to the texts which she also refused to even look at.

The emails were harder to ignore and left her more embarrassed by her behavior in the airport. She wasn't ready yet to respond to any of his emails, but she knew she was running out of time. Jamie reluctantly clicked on the email tab and was startled to notice the newest one wasn't from Saul, but rather from Evan.

From: Major Evan Lorne, Peterson AFB

Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2007

To: Jamie Lorne

Subject: Thanksgiving early?

Hey sis,

Any way we could talk you into Thanksgiving a few days early? I can pay for Mom's ticket or ticket change if it's already been bought. Not sure if you'll be in town or if Stew will be able to make it, but it might be the best we can do for this holiday season. Tuesday, just 2 days early, is pretty close though.

Jennifer says it doesn't have to be Turkey and all the fixings. She's even suggested we eat out at a restaurant to avoid causing too much of a commotion when we're there. I know, right? Crazy talk. It isn't Thanksgiving without a turkey. That would be like Easter without the ham.

Tell Stew I'm really sorry to do this to him. Hopefully he can get the time off. Tell him if he can't to not stress it too much. I'm sure you'd have mercy on him and do Thanksgiving again on the actual holiday… wouldn't you little sis?

See you in a few days,

Evan

Jamie heaved an audible sigh, her head falling back as she stared at the ceiling. She closed her eyes for a moment, hoping to reign in her racing mind. Looked like she was going to have to answer one of Saul's emails whether she was ready or not. She steeled herself with a deep breath and scrolled up to the first of the three emails he'd sent and began rereading each email.

From: Major Saul Stewart, Nellis AFB

Sent: Saturday, November 10, 2007

To: Jamie Lorne

Subject: Sorry

Is this just a little bit childish, James? Can't you pick up the phone so we can talk? You can't leave it like this.

I'm sorry… that's what I'd say if you'd just give me the chance. I really do regret what happened, and how it must have made you feel if your running and hiding is any indication.

Please call me. Email me. Text me. Something. Anything. I just need to talk to you and know everything is going to be okay between us.

Saul

Nothing like seeing in print he regretted her kissing him. She felt the familiar blush rising in her cheeks.

From: Major Saul Stewart, Nellis AFB

Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2007

To: Jamie Lorne

Subject: Seriously!

Jamie,

Can't you at least answer this email? Even just a short hello so I know you will eventually talk to me again.

Saul

She should have answered that email. Even if it was just to say that she wasn't ready to answer his emails yet. She scrolled down to the last one she'd received earlier in the day.

From: Saul Stewart, Nellis AFB

Sent: Sunday, November 12, 2007

To: Jamie Lorne

Subject: Don't make me come up there…

My dad used to yell that up to me and my buddies when we were getting too rowdy.

In this case it means that I'll come up there if I need too. Don't think I won't, James.

Saul

Jamie sat up a little straighter and adjusted the laptop screen. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, but words just wouldn't come.