“How could you have done that, gone off after Steve, if you loved me, I thought for a split second. Were you to love me as you said, you would never have taken that risk, and without speaking out to me! As soon as these thoughts crossed my tormented mind, for that’s the state I was in, tormented and half crazy, so make allowances please, I instantly banished them, horrified that I could think something like that! When you cut the line that day, I was left in a turmoil of emotions. Love, hope, yearning to reach you as soon as possible, fear, total and absolute anxiety for your safety. It took all Paul’s cynicism to stop me from going mad.”
He paused for a moment then went on.
“And then the long journey to you. I wasn’t afraid for us, you know. All I wanted was to get to you. To hold you, to finally claim you as mine. To feel this love for real, not just these kind of virtual declarations of feelings and love over the phone. Yesterday, when I saw you there by the trees, gun at the ready, willing to die in order to protect Yuki, Nin and Alice…” His voice was hoarse with emotions; and I reached out to stop him but he shook his head.
“No, let me say those things; you have to know. Please, Lia. I knew then and there that I had never before and would never again love anyone as much as I do you, Lia. You are not only brave, but utterly good, selfless. How could I not love you? Lia, please, for my sake, stay alive.”
His voice finally broke.
“Shssh, hush, it’s okay. I am here and I will never ever leave you. How could I! You are my life! Josh, do you hear me?”
I pressed him close to me now, needing to feel him with every fibre of my body. I hadn’t know the extent of his struggle, the way he’d been tormented by not knowing what had happened to me, us. And I felt guilty, for a moment, but then love took over.
He lifted me up in his arms and looked at me, his eyes blazing with love and desire. He slowly lowered me to the ground, lying down beside me. I reached out for him and pulled him close, down on me.
Words were no more needed as we kissed. Tentatively at first, then ever more ardently. Showing each other what words couldn’t express. Our bodies fit perfectly, it wasn’t awkward as I had once thought, being naked in his arms. We moved in harmony, each reacting to the need of the other, naturally. It was more than I had every dared dream of. Making love with Josh there underneath the trees by the brook. More than anything.
When we came up for air, later, much later, I felt shy again, for a moment. But he wouldn’t let me. He sensed my feelings just as I did his, without saying a word. It was as if we’d been connected in another way.
“I never meant this to happen today.” He whispered after a while, winding a strand of my hair around his finger, looking down on me with this happy, fulfilled look.
“You are so beautiful, Lia!” He touched my necklace, his necklace, and whispered. “When I made this, thinking of you, dreaming of our life together, of our love.”
Bending down, he kissed me tenderly and we forgot the world around us. But it couldn’t last. We had to wake up to reality; after all, the others were waiting for us. Laying in his arms, feeling blissfully happy and utterly content, I tenderly caressed his face and finally had my say.
“This couldn’t have happened in a more perfect place or a better time. I love you Josh, more than words can say! And I will forever be grateful for that gift of togetherness we were granted today.”
He wouldn’t let me finish my sentence but bent down to kiss me fervently. I gladly obliged and pulled him down on me. With a low moan, his eyes full of desire and love he locked his lips with mine and showed me again, how much he loved me. This time we weren’t in a hurry. And we already knew the other a bit and responded to each other’s moves and needs as if one. Nothing awkward or strange. He was mine. I was his. And there was no holding back as we made love once more, each relishing the other to the full. I cried out his name when we reached the pinnacle together and he buried his face in the hollow of my neck after having collapsed with one last thrust on me. Bliss, utter bliss and happiness engulfed me and I could have lain there forever.
“Do we really have to get back to the others?” Josh asked dreamily after a while.
Still caressing his face, our bodies intertwined, I answered wistfully. “I am afraid we have to. Before they’ll send out a search party.”
The thought of Paul’s sarcastic comments which I was sure we’d have to endure, made me feel embarrassed and self-conscious again. I even felt myself blush. Never before had I given more of myself, exposed myself more toward another human-being than now, today, here with Josh. His love for me, my love for him. It had altered me just as it had altered him. And I felt myself literally radiating happiness. Everyone would see. Ugh! Why couldn’t we be allowed some more time alone?
“You are lovely when you’re embarrassed. Thinking of Paul and what he’ll say?” Josh smiled at me tenderly.
“How did you know?” I exclaimed in surprise. “Am I that easy to read?”
He laughed and got up, pulling me up with him. “No, I just know Paul. He’ll never let a chance to tease me slip by.”
Seeing my horrified expression, he kissed me again. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t let him this time. But I guess we’d really better get going now. Before they come searching for us.”
Grabbing his cloths he walked toward the little brook.
“Let’s see how cold this water is, shall we?”
With a splash he dived into the rather shallow water and after a short moment of hesitation I followed. It was wonderful, cool and refreshing. I dived down under completely and when I came up, he was there to embrace me. After the heat of before to feel his cool naked body on mine was utterly sensual. Finally he pushed me away with a sigh. “Really Lia, we’ll never make it to the others if you insist on teasing me like this.”
Laughing happily I accepted the rebuke and we strode ashore and got dressed. And after one last passionate kiss we finally headed toward the airport and the others.
Still, we were holding hands and every now and then we would glance at each other, overcome with what we had just experienced. Josh pressed me close whenever he feasibly could and I didn’t object. It was utter bliss.
But when we got out from among the trees and approached the open stretch of the road toward the airport, we sobered up a bit and moved more carefully, monitoring our surroundings.
“Where’s this place where that plane is parked?” Josh wanted to know when we got to the boundary of airport facilities.
“Just over there, it’s not far, you can already see the hangar. There, it’s the one painted red,” I gestured to a tall hangar about 100 metres from us.
We quickly crossed the open space and I showed Josh the side entrance.
As we entered we saw everyone crowded around the plane, discussing something. But their heads turned unisono as we entered and I felt myself blushed violently. Really! I would have to work on this stupid habit! Self-conscious and suddenly very shy I tried to pull my hand from Josh’s but he was having none of it. He whispered a short “Be brave!” squeezed my hand and strode forward confidently, basically dragging me along.
When I finally dared lifting my gaze, only Paul’s eyes seemed to mock us. Rob and Winter were beaming at Josh and then at me; while Yuki and Nin smiled happily first at me and then at Josh. As if we were their performing monkeys and had done just as expected. Alice bounded forward and jumped into Josh’s arms. He had to let go of my hand now to catch her from falling.
“Finally!” Paul commented sarcastically, glancing at his watch. “It’s already almost two! We were considering.” But a punch from Nin, Nin of all people!!, effectively shut him up.
And of course it was Alice who eased the tension with her innocent question. “Did you have some alone-time with Lia, Josh?”
I felt myself turn crimson while everyone else, Josh included, burst out laughing. He hugged Alice close and kissed her on her nose. “You are such a sweet one, little tiger! And, yes, to answer your question,
Lia and I needed some alone-time. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Will she now also have a baby now, like Yuki?”
Wow! My little sister in full action! I wasn’t the only one to be stunned by this. Josh looked over at me rather helplessly.
It was Yuki who saved us this time.
“Really Alice, this is hardly an appropriate question.” She gently scolded.
She came forward and touched Alice caressingly, effectively taking the sting out of her remark. Alice wasn’t in the least bothered by this reprimand. She merely twisted in Josh’s arm to have a closer look at me.
“Will you, Lia?”
I rolled my eyes and stuck my tongue out at her. “That’s all the answer you deserve, kitten.”
She giggled and put her arms around Josh’s neck, pecking a kiss on his cheeks. I swear, if he been able to blush, we’d seen a nice crimson on his face now. And good for him!
“Enough talk about today’s favourite couple, please.” Paul cut in. “May I kindly ask you to turn your collective attention to other, more pressing matters. No pun intended, mate.”
He grinned at Josh who just raised an eyebrow as a warning to his friend.
“Anyway.” Paul continued, utterly unfazed. “We were just discussing how and when to transport the goods down here, load that plane. It’s simply perfect by the way. And take off. I opt for tomorrow morning; everybody else for tomorrow night. What’s your opinion on the subject?”
We stepped closer, Yuki striding to my side and taking my hand.
“Are you alright?” She whispered in my ear.
“Never better!” I beamed at her, still a bit shy to show my feelings, my happiness.
“Good! Now I can finally be happy, too!” She sighed in reply and squeezed my hand affectionately.
Wow! And Wow again! How did I deserve such love and devotion, such consideration, such friendship?
Meanwhile Josh had been shown the inside of the plane and he was apparently very impressed.
“You’re right, Paul. It really is perfect! I never dared hope for something like that. We’ll be able to load quite a bit and still easily make it over the Mediterranean and way down toward Kenya. This plane is a real gem!”
“Yeah, yeah, that much is clear; but what do you think about take-off time?” Paul was urging him.
“Why, you and Nin are the pilots here. What are your arguments?” Josh gestured for Nin to speak first.
Nin bowed his head a bit self-consciously and said. “We still haven’t packed our things. And I guess that will take us some hours. And then we’ll have to bring them to the cars and drive down here. Another two hours at least I reckon. But that’s not my main argument. I think that to take-off in the evening will be safer than in the morning. We need light to cross the Alps. If we head out toward 19:00 tomorrow night, we should have the advantage of flying the first stretch over the Alps on sight and the rest under cover of darkness. I think that’s safest.”
“Seems fair enough to me.” Josh replied. “How do you mean to counter these valid arguments, Paul?”
“I just want us to get out as quickly as possible, that’s my main point. And I’d be easier to fly this bird during the day; on sight. After all, there won’t be any navigation systems to guide us. You can all pack during the night. And while you’re doing this, Josh, Rob and I can start transporting things down here. The sooner we are ready and leaving, the better. Of course, it would be better to fly under cover of darkness. But on the other hand, isn’t that exactly what they would be expecting us to do? While flying in broad daylight would seem like the craziest scheme possible. And therefore we’d be perfectly safe, because they would all assume that we must be some of them?”
He sure sounded convincing. But I didn’t like his scheme much. It seemed too risky, by far.
But before anyone could answer, we suddenly heard the sound of approaching cars!
We all froze for what seemed an eternity, and then collectively wheeled around, frantically searching for cover.
In the back of the hangar boxes and crates of different size and make were stacked creating a kind of wall that blocked off the section behind them from view. We all headed that direction. Winter, Yuki, Alice and I were pushed in the centre behind the pile, Nin and Paul prepared to watch on the right, and Josh and Rob positioned themselves on the left. I clutched Alice tightly to my side and motioned for her to remain silent. Josh quietly touched my arm and we exchanged a glance, each reassuring the other that we were there, ready for whatever would come.
Everyone had their guns ready. If need be, we would fight. But hopefully they wouldn’t detect us, wouldn’t even come in the hangar. After all, why should they. And they had no reason to think we were here. Or had they? Whoever they were!
But they did come straight to our hangar!
We’d only just pulled some boxes into place so that we’d be better hidden from view when the front gates of the hangar were pushed opened and two cars drove in.
For a split second of utter terror, I thought they had heard us and were coming straight for us.
But to our all utter relief they stopped their cars alongside the plane and several men hopped out.
“Didn’t I tell you that there was a plane down here we could use for this?”
When I heard the man’s voice I froze and clutched Alice even tighter. Pete!
Josh must have felt my movement, because he shot me a worried glance. I shook my head to signal that I was okay. But I had started shaking and Josh could see it. Damn!
If Pete was here, so surely, would Chris, maybe even Steve. They had talked about him after all, that day down by the river when they had killed those four people.
Josh touched my arm now, questioningly, looking worried and anxious. I shook my head and mouthed a silent ‘It’s okay’. He didn’t look convinced. But I couldn’t explain anything now and we needed to pay attention. I quickly touched his arm, patting it to calm him. He smiled his crooked smile and then turned back to observe what was happening.
“I see what you mean.” It was Chris who’d answered. He had gotten out of the car and strode toward the plane now. Clearly, he was enacting the ‘big boss’ act, strutting around as if he were God’s gift to nature, swaggering and generally giving off the air of one in charge and enjoying himself.
Apparently, he liked what he saw, because after a quick look inside the plane, his verdict was. “It is perfect. The boss will like it. They are coming in from France today night and want to leave around ten tomorrow morning. We have to get everything ready. Fuel her up and carry in the boxes of supplies, will you boys. Hurry up.”
“What’s the hurry, Chris? We have all day and we’ve got the supplies in the car here with us, haven’t we?” A third man replied.
“Where’s the boss heading too, anyway? That they need supplies for three weeks, water included?” Another man joined into the discussion.
“That’s none of your business.” Chris barked. “Just get that plane ready for the boss to leave when he chooses to do so.”
None of the men contested his orders and we heard car doors being pulled opened and the sound of boxes being dragged and lifted.
Paul, who had the best view on the party, turned toward us and held up seven fingers. So they were seven. I quickly glanced over to Yuki. She was staring at me wordlessly, terror in her eyes. I still held Alice very close. She was so brave. She clung to me, but didn’t utter a sound. I held out my right arm to Yuki and she clutched my hand fiercely. Nin shot us a quick look, his eyes lingering for a moment on Yuki, but she nodded for him to leave her be and pay attention. Winter had crouched down next to Alice. She seemed tense, but confident and her calm reassured me. She quickly smiled at me before concentrating hard on the scene playing out in front of us, gun at the ready. Josh, too, made sure that we were alright, his gaze holding mine for a moment. I was glad that we were in this together, that he stood next to me, that I didn’t have to face Chris and his lot alone this time
.
The men were carrying boxes and crates from the cars into the plane. Two of them had gotten into the plane and were stacking things in there. Everyone was huffing and puffing, everyone except for Chris, that is. He leaned against one of the cars, lightening a cigarette and commandeering everyone else around.
Just now, he shouted at the man who’d ask about the reason for loading the plane.
“You, go and get the fuelling-truck in here. And hurry up, will you! I want everything ready and pronto.”
But the other man, Pete, was apparently not willing to play along. He laughed deridingly and said. “C’mon mate, we all know that the boss will be heading east for a holiday of some kind. With his entire entourage. And, after that fucked up operation in France they are welcome to leave, if you ask me. His been a pain in the ass ever since he got promoted, hasn’t he?”
“You’re not supposed to talk about the boss like that! You bloody idiot! You’ll land us all in trouble.” Chris again. This time a lot less boastful and commandeering. In fact he sounded positively pathetic now, a bit like a frightened rabbit. Just like the little shit-head and bully he’d been all along.
“Why? Who should rat on us? You?” Pete asked scathingly. “You haven’t exactly struck me as the brave man, recently, have you! And if I remember the way you made fun of the boss some weeks back. Headquarters might be interested to hear, don’t you think?”
“Hush, shut up now!” Chris was almost pleading with Pete.
Strange! Why didn’t he challenge Pete? After all, that had been a barely veiled threat. Clearly Pete was questioning his authority and was seemingly getting away with it. Strange. The last time I had seen them, Chris had been very much in charge. Something must have changed. He didn’t seem to be as high up in their hierarchy as before.
“You knew the boss before?” Another voice chipped in. “I mean, before he was boss?”
All the while they were talking they carried boxes from the cars into the plane. This looked like provisions for a mayor expedition.
“Sure, we did.” Pete answered with a grunt. “He was no boss then. Nowhere near was he. He got elected provincial delegate just because he could give them information on some of our enemies.” He sneered. “And he didn’t do anything special, just rat on his so-called ex-girlfriend and her family.”
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