Home » The Archives » Chapter 9 » Regrouping and Recouperation
| Re: Regrouping and Recouperation [message #216 is a reply to message #215] |
Mon, 23 July 2012 15:18   |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma:
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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(Saturday, Aug 11, 6 a.m. Wichita, Kansas/ Sunday, Aug 12, 11 p.m. Tracy Island)
As the rays of the sun glowed just above the horizon, Heather's taxi pulled into the parking lot. The door was held open for her, and the little that she had she carried on her left shoulder; a medium sized leather bag hung from her right hand. The cabbie offered to carry everything to wherever she wanted to go, but she shook her head. She paid him handsomely, and then walked slowly towards the hangers. Her slip-on pumps tapped against the cement. Stopping briefly, she stared for a moment and then walked a little faster. Her Jet Star sat just outside of her hanger.
"That's strange. I was planning to do that myself." Reaching Blue Streak, she opened up a hatch and stowed her luggage, making sure to leave plenty of space for Tin-Tin's luggage. "She'll need more room than I will." The vase she received her flowers in from Scott she put in a cubbyhole in the pilot's cabin.
The sun rose further, highlighting the silent airfield. The smell of cut grass permeated the air, tugging her around her aircraft. She walked out towards the field until she reached the edge of the parking area and stepped into the grass. Heather wanted to remember everything she saw. Now, knowing the Tracy family's secret, she began to wonder if she'd ever come back. A yellow feathered meadowlark chirped nearby. I'll miss Aunt Jennie most of all. How long will it be before I see her again?
Turning around, she walked towards the airfield's terminal near the control tower. Walking in, she discovered a roomful of pilots, Richard, Langely, and Blake. Richard walked over to give her a hug and pushed an envelope into her hands. "What this? Am I getting all my vacation pay in cash now?"
"If we did that," said Ken. "We'd have to bring out armed guards and send a couple of stealth bombers out as your escort--" This had everyone laughing. "We'll be sending all your pay by direct deposit. Before you leave, make sure we get your new address. We all heard about what happened to your house, and wanted to pitch in and help."
Richard gave her a hug. "Ken and I were the ones who brought out your plane. We got here early so we could surprise you."
"But how did you know when I was coming? I came at the crack of dawn!" Heather asked in surprise, her prairie accent flavoring her words. "That means y'all came before the crack of dawn."
"Well, knowing you as well as I do--" Rich grinned, eliciting a few whistles. "I figured you'd try to get out of here without saying goodbye. Especially knowing that the Control Tower has to be open at this time to do its recalibrations. I did the checks on Blue Streak, but feel free to double check me."
"I assure you I wasn't trying to sneak away, and I'm going to miss all of you," she said sadly as she went through and hugged everyone who was there, including two other women pilots.
"We collected the funds before we knew you were going to pilot for Jeff Tracy. By the way," said Ken. "Scott Tracy called to check on you. He asked to have a transfer put in for you and we took a chance to tell him what happened to you. Hope you don't mind."
"Not at all, Ken. I appreciate it." Heather smiled, thinking of the flowers sent to her. She'd been surprised to find them in her room along with the card. Speaking of sneaks, she thought. I hope Dr. Tracy is doing all right. I'll have to check with Scott when we get there to see how she's doing. Everyone must be worried sick. Even if Mother does drive me nuts, I'd be worried sick, too.
After she'd made her final goodbyes to everyone and she'd given her new address, Richard walked out with her to her plane. In the cool of the dawn's light, Richard gave her one last hug. They both turned to observe another cab drive through the security gate. "You know, I'd always thought it would be you and me for a long time--" Richard said with a trace of a frown.
Sighing quietly, Heather looked at him with fondness. "Well, you had umpteen number of chances. I figured you didn't at least offer me the pleasure of a date, because I beat you so badly at poker!"
Richard laughed. "Well, y-y-yeah," he agreed reluctantly. "No man likes a woman to clobber him that bad, I guess. I did get over it though." With further thought, he admitted, "Eventually."
The cab they'd spied earlier pulled out and Richard observed a green-eyed Far Eastern beauty he could have melted all over the cement for. Noticing his attentions wavering, favoring Tin-Tin, Heather swatted him. It figures. I'm just 'one o' the guys'. Shaking her head, she whispered, "So sorry. She's taken."
"Figures!"
Turning his attention, she insisted, "Richard, keep the organ donor flights going. Don't be afraid to hire someone new, and for Pete's sake; make sure you at least offer to take her out. More than likely she won't beat you at poker."
"Okay, okay! I will. Won't be the same though."
As the cabbie brought up Tin-Tin's luggage and set it next to the Jet Star, Heather introduced her. "Tin-Tin, this is Richard Tate. He is--was--my partner for the organ donor flights."
With a delighted smile, Richard offered his hand which Tin-Tin accepted, and gave her a firm handshake. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Richard," she said in a silky voice.
Noticing that Richard hadn't let go of Tin-Tin's hand and was staring into her eyes, Heather rolled her eyes and smacked her hands together twice. "C'mon, Richard! We've got to go!"
"Oh--uh--yeah. See ya' round," he said. "Don't be a stranger, lady."
"I won't, Richard. I'll miss you." As Tin-Tin joined Heather, she raised her eyebrows causing Heather to raise hers in response. After Heather stowed Tin-Tin's luggage--which was as light as hers--they climbed into the Jet Star, strapped in, and Heather touched the button that would cause the Blue Streak's canopy to slide forward and lock into position. "And into the wild blue yonder we go," said Heather with finality.
Checking her instruments quickly and finding them properly set, she started up the engines to warm them. When the engines quickly roared to life, Heather could see Richard's hair blowing up from the winds caused by the Jet Star. She gave him a hearty wave. Moments later, she taxied up to the beginning of the runway. "Blue Streak to Control Tower," she radioed in after slipping on her headset. To her surprise, Ken answered.
"This is the Control Tower. Go ahead," answered Ken.
"This is NGC-3524 requesting permission for takeoff."
"Permission granted, Blue Streak. Be careful and have a nice flight."
"Roger that, Control, and thank you."
Heather guided the plane quickly down the runway. Dropping the flaps on the wings, Heather and Tin-Tin soared into the fresh morning air.
Post by AmandaTracy on 1/11/2007 7:26 PM
  
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