A little Caci and Jimmy for Y'all... BTW, his name is James West fore the Buffalo Soldier... Psych! Just Wanted to sing "Wild Wild West" as I Revised LOL

Wicki-wicki-wild

Wicki-wild

Wicki-wicki wild wild West

Jim West, desperado

Rough rider, no you don't want nada

None of this, six-gunnin' this, brother runnin' this

Buffalo soldier, look, it's like I told ya

Any damsel that's in distress

Be outta that dress when she meet Jim West

okay okay... Sorry on to the Story...Enjoy.~S.K.

Fourteen

For a long while, she merely sat there, curled up on the couch, the phone cradled against her chest. Every so often she would press the caller id button, watching the familiar name blink at her, just to prove it had really happened.

J West. 415 930 1101

She traced the letters and numbers with a trembling fingertip. It was like being inside a dream, really. She didn't feel like moving, or thinking.

She just wanted to savor the simple pleasure of lying here outside the cloud of despair that had cloaked her for so very long. It hadn't really sunk in yet.. not really. She was just caught between a wild hysteria, and a need to hold this feeling to her and breathe in it's rare and special fragrance.

Jimmy. Her lips shaped the name, for so long banned from her speech. She curled around the phone again and started crying helplessly.

She had no idea how long she laid there, before the phone sent shocks through her as it rang softly again.

Cecilia's eyes went anxiously to the display, not wanting it to change.

And, as though obedient to her heart, it didn't.

She pressed the button. "He… hello?" Greedily, she wanted to hear him again.

"Cec?"

"Yes."

It was noisy, where he was. "Bout to get on an airplane.. I.. "

She started counting the hours. "Which one?" She was aware, suddenly, of Jade's voice in the background, and a warmer, lighter, tone answering. "I'll meet you."

A rustling of papers. "All right.. won't be there till damn near Dawn.."

"I don't' care."

"Ceci.. I.. something I need to tell you.. I'm not.."

'Jimmy."

He stopped speaking.

"Whatever it is… can wait." Cecilia wished she could simply crawl through the phone, and out the other end. "I just want you here."

"I… I want to be there." His voice was rough and strained. "I gotta go on."

A fumbling sound, and soft, muffled voices. Cecilia simply closed her eyes and waited. Then a lighter, richer tone came down the line.

"Mother?"

She had to breathe a few times before she could answer. "Yes."

"He's taking my plane, going to a private hangar in white plains."

Oh, Of course. "He's really there?"

Jade got very quiet. "He's really here."

The hot tears spilled over her eyes again, and she stifled a sob. "Okay… Alright."

"Gulfstream…1822." Jade murmured. "Mother… he's had a tough time. He got messed up pretty badly. There're a lot of scars."

She had to run that through her wildly scattered mind a few times before she understood what her daughter was saying. "You think I care what he looks like?" She gasped.

"No." Jade's voice came back, warm, and positive. "But I think he does."

"Oh." Cecilia moaned. "No… no… I just want him here." She started crying again.

"I know." Jade sighed audibly. "Plane is taxying." A pause. "If you need anything… let us know."

Ceci quieted a bit. "All right." She closed her eyes for a long moment, tasting the bittersweet irony. "Thank you, Jade."

There was a very lengthy silence. "You're welcome." The words finally came back to her, low and subdued.

Jade slowly closed the call, and leaned her head against the cold glass, staring out into the darkness at the retreating running lights of her gulfstream 650. Tori leaned next to her, the brunette's sigh fogging the glass lightly.

"Boy. What a night." She turned and regarded her Wife. "Are you okay?"

"Still in shock, I think." Jade murmured. " I can't believe what just happened."

Tori rubbed her eyes and stifled a yawn. "I think your dad's in total shock…I put a blanket around him on the plane, and told the steward to keep an eye on him." She smiled up at Jade. "I'm so glad for them, though."

"Yeah." Jade watched the plane disappear with a faintly wistful look.

"Wish we could be there to see them get together." Tori sighed. "It makes me feel great thinking about dad being happy."

Jade watched the tears well up in Tori's eyes, to be quickly brushed away, and she reached out to capture one of the brunette's hands. "You know he really likes you."

Tori didn't answer, visibly holding back her emotions. Finally she cleared her throat. "You and he have taught me so much… " She had to stop, putting a hand to her mouth, then went on. "About what love is."

Jade stepped closer and pulled Tori's head into her shoulder, sliding an arm around her back. "We.. taught you that?" She whispered, in an amazed tone, as she stroked the soft hair. "C'mon… let's go home." and they headed toward their cars side by side.

Outside, a rumbled of man made thunder rolled overhead as a plane shot it self skyward, heading east.

He was twenty minutes into the flight before he remembered, way too late, that he hated flying. He clutched the soft, blue blanket around his shoulders and slowly turned his head, regarding his surroundings with some surprise.

Well I'll be darned. He thought regarding his daughter's apartment in the sky.

"Sir, can I get you something to drink?" The steward smiled kindly at him coming from the Galley on the plane.

"You got any warm milk?" He muttered, surprised at how cold it was in the plane.

"Sure." The steward disappeared

James peered out of the window at the darkness, then let his head fall back against the leather seat. Least there was room up here. He stretched his long legs out towards the bulkhead and tried not to think about exactly what he was doing.

"Here you go." The steward put a napkin down at his elbow, and settled a steaming cup into the holder between the seats. "Your daughter is quite fond of warm milk herself so we always have it. We're working on a little snack right now… it'll be out shortly."

"Mhm." James decided on a grunt, as he picked up the cup and sucked gingerly at the warm milk. Tucked under his knees he could feel the soft warmth of the leather bag Tori had given him, full of god only knew what stuff the sweet kid had picked out.

Frankly, he was scared to look.

James sighed. Hell. He was scared, period. But like in battle, now that he was committed to the action at hand, the fear was fading, replaced by an odd mix of fatalistic acceptance, and anticipation.

After all this time, in less than three hours he'd walk off this damn plane, and she'd be there. She might not like what she found, but she'd be there, and he'd get to see her and…"

He sipped at his milk shakily. The voice on that phone haunted him.

Hadn't known whether to spank his kid, or kiss her for that. James found a tiny smile somewhere. Based on Jade's expression when she'd come outside, she hadn't known either. Well, better to act now, and apologize later, wasn't that what you taught her? Got that whacked up side your head this time, boy.

Maybe it'd been the right thing… hell, maybe that's what he'd been hoping for when he went looking for his kid, trusting her judgement more than his own.

And wouldn't it just kick her butt to know that?

"Sir, if you' d let me put this down for you?" The steward was holding out a piece of linen, and a tray.

Chow was not an option. James started to protest, then just pulled the arm tray out, figuring it was better to let the damn thing go. He could ignore it until they got the picture and…

The smell of warm chocolate hit him.

He blinked. "What is that?"

"It's a warm brownie, with some vanilla ice cream, and hot fudge drizzled over it." The steward responded efficiently. "Here's your silverware.. if you need anything, give me a buzz."

"This what you people consider a snack?" He rasped.

The man smiled. "No sir.. but it was requested by your daughter in law." He glanced over his shoulder.

Why that little brown eyed son of a biscuit. "Thanks." He locked his jaw as that tiny, offhand but so characteristic bit of kindness caught him by surprise, and started him off again. He picked up his spoon, and tasted a bit of the fudge, then rubbed his eyes.

Damn kids.

The phone rang, just as she was about to leave. Cecilia hesitated, then picked it up, checking the number and frowning. "Yes?"

"Ceci.. hello… how are you darling?" Elli's voice sounded cheerful and pleasant as usual. "Don't' forget our card game tonight, hmm?"

Ceci looked at her watch. "Elli, it's five in the morning!"

"Yes but I was up, and I know you hardly sleep…" the cheerful voice stated in the other end.

Cecilia sighed. "Well… I won't be there." She replied quietly. "I've got something I need to do."

"What? But darling… you promised… when did this come up? We spoke yesterday."

"I know. I'm sorry." A pause. "I got a call last night… it's just something I have to take care of."

"But.."

"Elli… good bye." Cecilia put the phone down and picked up her keys, smoothing the soft, blue fabric of her shirt down and gazing at herself in the mirror before she closed her eyes, and turned, going to the door and through it, into the dark night that brought exciting scents of night blooming flowers to her as she moved through the heavy air.

Strange. She'd never noticed them before.

The drive to the airport was a dream, of oncoming headlights, and streetlamps, until she'd reached the parking lot and got out, her legs already shivering and weak.

She closed the door and leaned against it, waiting for her heart to settle. Then she straightened and made her way towards the terminal. It was quiet inside, only a few flights still waiting to come in, and most of the shops and stands were closed.

Cecilia got herself a bottle of ice tea from the one snack shop open, and found the gate, settling into a chair right next to the window. Outside, she could see a long expanse of mostly deserted tarmac, only the occasional working truck speeding past, it's lights blinking as it made it's way around the landing areas.

After a minute, she got up, and went to the desk. "Excuse me."

The clerk looked up. "Yes, ma'am?"

"Is this flight coming in on time?"

A smile "Yes ma'am.. it's ten minutes early, as a matter of fact."

Ceci took in a breath, and released it. "I'm waiting for someone… could you possibly tell me if… if they're on the plane?"

The clerk glanced around. "Ma'am... It's a private plane they don't generally fly empty.. "

"Private… sure..." she shook her head, remembering her daughter was richer than any of her family's old money.

The terminal was almost empty. "It shouldn't be long. " The clerk looked around again. "Has it been a long time?"

Her tongue felt numb. "Yeah…." She managed to force the sound out ."Never thought I'd see him again."

A clattering of keystrokes, and the clerk scanned the monitor, the greenish reflection showing against his glasses. Then he smiled. "There are three people on the plane. 1 passenger, the pilot and a steward. "

Ceci held on to the counter, afraid she'd fall if she let go. "Thank you." She waited a moment, then walked back to her seat, and sank down into it, leaning her head against the window. Her eyes focused on a spot nearby, where the nose of an airplane would surely soon come.

The only thing left to do now was wait.

His ears started to pop. James tore his eyes away from the passing clouds, outlined eerily against the running lights of the plane, and swallowed, recognizing the decent. Sure enough, a few minutes later the fasten seat belts light went on, and he felt his breathing start to increase.

"Sir… we've begun our initial decent into the greater New Haven area.. we estimate being on the ground in about fifteen minutes or so.. and another ten minutes for taxing, so that puts us at the gate about ten minutes early. Please fasten your seat belt, and enjoy the rest of your flight."

Twenty five minutes. James closed his eyes, and folded his arms across his chest. All these damn years, and it comes down to twenty five damn minutes. He fastened his safety belt, and tried to take deep breaths, hard when his guts were tensing up as though he were thinking of jumping out the damn plane before it landed.

He thought it would last forever, but before he realized it, the loud grinding noise of the gear being lowered sent shivers through him, and he looked outside to see the lights of the city flashing by past the plane's long wings.

A thump, then the engines reversed, whirling up to full speed in order to slow the big plane down. James found himself staring out the window, his eyes finding the terminal lights and fastening on them.

It took minutes of a slightly bouncy motion, then the plane turned it's nose towards the welcoming bays of the terminal, and selected one, where dark figures were standing, guiding it in with flourescent wands.

And then the plane stopped.

James unhooked his belt, and reached between his knees, pulling the soft leather bag up and into his lap. He waited a bit for his heart to stop racing, but it didn't, so he pushed himself to his feet and held onto the seat back, hoping his knees wouldn't give way and send him sprawling over the carpet.

He went on automatic then, as the airplane door opened inward, allowing a gust of damp, musty smelling air to enter. The steward gave him a smile as he walked past, turning the corner and heading down the stairs, his heartbeat pounding so hard he couldn't even hear the airport sounds around him.

He could see the terminal ahead, through the door.

Just a few steps away.

Ceci stood, as the plane bounced to a halt, and theoval door opened, Stairs extending to meet the ground. She pressed her hands against the window, and watched the airport staff get themselves ready, then the aircraft door opened. She could see only a small square of light there, but her eyes never left that, as first uniformed bodies passed.

Then, for a split second, an outline flashed through that single square of light, and her breathing stopped.

Just that one glimpse.

Just that one second.

And she knew.

Hand over hand she moved down the line of chairs until she was near the entrance, gripping a pillar just to hold herself up as she watched him approach.

And then, he was there.

Filling the doorway, a dark blue sweatshirt draping the tall, broad shouldered body, it's hood framing a scarred face whose eyes flicked over the room, then found hers.

She was lost all over again. She never remembered walking those last few steps, only that his eyes never left hers, and she only stopped when her hands touched a warm, living body that had existed only in her dreams for seven long years.

A soft gasp left her lips. "Jimmy."

The gentle blue eyes searching hers teared up. "Hey there, pretty lady."

It was too much. Her knees buckled, and he caught her, and she fell into an embrace whose feel, and scents overwhelmed all of her defenses.

She was so small, and so light. James kept his eyes closed, and just savored the feel of her against him, her heartbeat thrumming against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her and let his heart come home.

At last.

Ceci had her head buried in his chest, and was holding onto him for dear life, her body racked with sobs, so he took the short route and simply lifted her up, cradling her as he walked over to a secluded area that was quiet, and empty.

Then he sat down, and dropped his head down until he could breathe in her scent. Her hands stroked his chest through the fabric and he pulled her closer, letting his sense of time drift away as he felt his face tense into a strange, and unpracticed expression.

A smile.