Return Flight

Rated: PG
Category: V, A
Spoilers: Season 8
Archiving: I'll send to Goss. and Ephem. Yes to those who have 
archived me before. Others, please ask so I know who has it.

Disclaimer: All things X belong to FOX/1013 and lots of other people 
who aren't me.

Author's Notes: Just a little something I cooked up at the 
laundromat. Thanks to jeri for beta.
_____

I watch as the rain runs in tiny rivulets in the gravely parking 
lot.

I can't sleep. Not tonight. Now when I know I'll be seeing you in 
less than 12 hours.

I tried calling last night but got the machine. You must have gone 
out to dinner, or to your mother's house.

I glance at the clock. 3 am. My flight leaves at 7:45. I'll be home 
by noon, and away from this conference.

I know it's only been 5 days, but it feels like so much longer. I 
miss falling asleep with you in my arms; I miss tucking our son into 
bed.

Grabbing my suitcase I run out of the hotel lobby to meet the taxi 
that just arrived. I'll be early for my flight home, but it beats 
sitting here.

~XxX~

People started slowly trickling into the terminal at about 6:30. I 
barely noticed. I've spent the morning reading: my notes from the 
conference, the early edition of the LA times, the book you bought 
me before I left.

Finally they announce boarding for my flight.

~XxX~

I glance out the window as the plane gently touches down.

Paying little attention to the flight attendant's announcement to 
remain seated I reach forward to grab my bag from under the seat in 
front of me.

Once the plane is stopped at the gate, I wait as patiently as I can 
for the crowd ahead of me to clear out so I can make my way down the 
aisle and to the terminal where I know you'll be waiting for me.

I hear the low buzz of the crowd before I emerge.

Looking for you my eyes stop when I see him.

Captain Perry. I walk toward him slowly, knowing it's bad news.

"John, it's Luke." There's no pretense as he leads me away from the 
crowd. "He went missing sometime last night."

=30=

Sorry for the use of what could be thought of as trickery. But...I 
hate giving away the ending in the headers!