FlyAway *18*

-18-

    Chris slumped against the railing outside of Zach’s condo, peering across the dark street at the blurred lights of the pub. She saw a dark figure standing there, watching them, so she smiled faintly and waved at the stranger. The way he held himself was sort of familiar; it was a military thing, she thought. Zach took her upper arm tightly, and she called out to the strange man in salutation.
    “Good night, sleep tight, don’t get eaten!” she cackled, stumbling along behind her friend.
    They emerged onto a dark staircase and made their way, giggling, until they reached his door. He unlocked it carefully and led her inside, bringing her into a dark bedroom in the back of the condo.
    “You can sleep here,” he said, his words slurring slightly. “I don’t mind. I’ll set my alarm for… eight?”
    “Eight is… yeah. Okay.” She fell onto his bed and kicked her shoes off.
    “Are you sure you’re comfortable?”
    “No…” She shifted and then pulled off her jeans, dropping them on the ground right by her shoes. Chris smiled at Zach and pulled the covers over her bare legs. “That’s good. Thanks, Zach. Good night.”
    He followed suit, pulling off his shirt and changing into a pair of lounge pants. He crawled into the queen-sized bed next to her. She narrowed her eyes in the dark and scooted away from him. For some reason, the man outside was imprinted in her mind.
---
    Where had he seen her before? She had called out to him in the dark, and she was obviously drunk. Her voice, though, had sounded so familiar even through the alcohol. Aaron leaned on the railing, and then decided that he was going to find out who she was before that guy took advantage of her while she was in this vulnerable state.
    He trotted across the street, tucking his cigarette behind his ear. The man had left the downstairs door open, so he jogged up the steps to the only door there. It must lead into the man’s condo.
---
    “Zach,” Chris mumbled, her eyes drooping. “What are you doing?”
    “I’m cold,” he replied, sliding his arm around her waist and drawing her back toward him. “You’re warm. Easy.”
    “Zach, just get another blanket or something…” her voice trailed off and she started to fall asleep.
    A sudden loud, rapid pounding rent the air, and her eyes snapped open. Zach groaned and sat up, peering out his bedroom door and out into the living room. He glanced apologetically at Chris and stood to see who was there so late at night. She stood, not really noticing that she was just wearing panties and her tee shirt, to follow him.
    Zach pulled the door open, groggily, and Chris was shocked to see the man from across the street. Her eyes swam with tiredness and alcohol; it was hard to tell who he was. His hair was short, spiky, and black. He had a small scar on his lip, as though he’d once had a piercing, but perhaps was forced to remove it. But his eyes… They were a deep, dark blue that grabbed her attention and made her lose her breath. She knew him.
---
    “What do you want?” the kid asked, annoyed.
    “My name is Lieutenant Dawson, I’m with the United States Air Force. I… I know her,” Aaron replied, lamely. He couldn’t think of anything else to say.
    The kid’s eyes narrowed. “Can’t it wait?” He glanced back at the woman, his eyes hungry. Her long, pale legs were bare, and she wore a simple pair of striped blue underwear. “We’re a little busy.”
    The girl didn’t seem to realize what her friend--or lover--had said. Her bright eyes were locked on his. He thought he had placed her, but… it was impossible. It couldn’t be her. It had been years, and--
    “She’s drunk, kid. And you’re not,” Aaron growled, suddenly. “What exactly were you planning?”
    “Aw, hell. I had a few drinks, man. It’s none of your business, anyway. I’m of legal age. So back off. Go back to your bar, leave me and the girl alone.”
    “I don’t think so.” He looked at her and smiled softly. “It’s been awhile.” Her eyes were blank, and she didn’t reply.
---
    It couldn’t be Aaron. He had been shipped away, and--did Zach just imply that he wanted to sleep with me?
    “It’s been awhile,” the blue-eyed man said, cheerily. She couldn’t think of what do say, and he looked disappointed.
    “See, she doesn’t know you,” Zach said, throwing his arm around Chris’ shoulders and going to shut the door. “Good night.”
    Dawson stuck his foot in the door, cocking his head to the side. “Give her a chance to think. She’s drunk, remember.” His eyes floated up to hers, and for a moment, she knew. “I know it’s you. I can’t… I can’t believe it, kiddo.” Dawson shook his head and swallowed, peering into her eyes for some sign of recognition. “It’s me, Crystal. It’s Aaron.”
---
    “It’s me, Crystal,” he finally said, desperately. “It’s Aaron.”
    “She doesn’t know anyone named-”
    “Aaron… Oh, Aaron!” She tried to step forward, but she ended up stumbling and falling.
    He caught her, helping her stand as best he could. She was light, just like he remembered, and still very small compared to him. He was well over six foot, and she was still barely five and a half feet tall. But, God, she was beautiful, just like he remembered. Even more so, if that was possible.
    “Crystal, sugar,” he whispered, hugging her tightly. “I never thought-”
    “Hey, man, get outta here!” Zach stepped up and took Chris’ arm. “She’s staying here tonight, so go somewhere else!”
    “Since you were obviously not going to take good care of her,” Aaron replied, furiously, “-then why don’t you just go get her things, bring them to me, and I will take her.”
    “But you-”
    “Zach. Do it, please,” Chris managed to say, slinging her arms around Aaron’s neck. He picked her up, bridal-style, and felt her small body shuddering against him. He held her tighter, trying to reassure her, until her friend returned with a pair of dark jeans and shoes. “Thank you, Zach. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    Zach slammed the door, and Aaron turned to go down the steps, carrying his prize in his arms. When they reached the bottom, he helped her into her jeans, picked her back up, and smiled softly. He whispered in her ear, “See? I told you you’d end up back in my arms.”
---
    Chris passed out on the walk. When she woke up, it was a few hours later. Darkness still reigned outside, but she was in a bed somewhere. A warm, comforting body was next to her, cushioning her head and protecting her in a loving embrace. Her bright eyes were open, and moonlight fell in from the window across the pale chest rising and falling beneath her.
    It was hard to really remember what had happened. It was choppy, at best. Zach had brought her to his house, they’d been getting ready to go to sleep, he’d tried to get a little frisky… Then… Her savior had come, in a blue uniform, with a scar on his lip like a monument to change. But, had she dreamt that?
    She sat up, slowly, and looked around. It appeared that she was in a hotel room, and a rather nice one at that. The large bed was big enough for three or four people, but she and this man were the only ones occupying it at the moment. Her eyes roved up his perfectly chiseled body--she assumed it was from the military training--to his full, tantalizing lips, his straight, narrow nose, high cheekbones, and his big, beautiful eyes.
    His eyes were open.
    She yelped quietly and clapped a hand to her mouth. Those familiar, loving blue eyes softened and he sat up, wrapping his arms around her. She felt safe, in a way she’d forgotten she could. Chris closed her eyes and let herself be drawn in by that embrace. She took a deep breath and smelled his signature scent. Her hand found its way up into his thick, unruly hair. It felt the same, even after five years or so. Tears slipped down her cheeks, and one of his large, callused hands came up to wipe them away.
    He caught her chin and tilted her face so that she could look into his eyes. Her bright teal irises were sparkling with love and shock, and tears still brimmed and took the long spill down. Aaron brushed her hair back from her forehead, cupping her cheek and slowly leaning toward her.
    His lips pressed against hers, hesitantly at first, and then with more force and passion. The sweet, simple kiss made her shudder and sob, but she never broke away from him. Her arms looped around his neck and her lips danced with his, playing little lovers’ games after all the time they’d spent apart. He pulled away from her and she saw that his face shone with tears, as well. Nothing needed to be said; they simply lay back on the bed together, holding each other tightly. It said enough; it said ‘I won’t ever let you go.’