Forever and a Day (35 page)

With the smallest move, Xander turned sideways as Joel’s punch sailed past his face. His look surprised her, it was calm and there was almost a smile at the corners of his mouth. Then she saw a flash of his arm and hand. Joel suddenly spun around Xander like they were dancing, next thing Joel’s feet were out from under him and sailing upwards, striking the ceiling with a clatter. Joel was suddenly on the floor on his back and with the fastest move she ever saw, Xander had flipped Joel over on his belly and had Joel’s arm in some kind of cradle hold while kneeling calmly next to a splayed out Joel.

Time sped back up along with her rapidly beating heart as she heard Xander talking calmly to Joel.

“Mr. Miller, please calm down sir.”

Joel screeched out, “Fuck you! Let me go! I want off this fucking plane!”

Halo heard Xander’s voice lower an octave and became intensely commanding, “Mr. Miller. You will relax or you will be injured, this is for your own and the rest of the passenger’s safety. Calm down now.”

Joel ignored him in his panic filled state. She watched as he started yelling then Xander seemed to bow towards Joel and Joel let out a squeak of pain. He sounded like a little girl and she almost felt sorry for him.

“Mr. Miller, I will be putting you in handcuffs per the Captain’s orders. If you do not comply I will have to incapacitate you.” With one hand, she watched as he smoothly had the cuffs out of his back pocket and had Joel’s locked wrist cuffed. “Now, please slowly place your other hand behind your back.”

She watched Joel began to yell again and Xander bowed towards him a little deeper and she heard Joel’s sharp intake of breath. Xander quickly came back up and Joel flopped his other hand behind himself.

“Thank you Mr. Miller.” Xander had him cuffed and he leaned down towards Joel’s ear, “Mr. Miller I am going to help you stand up now, you are doing well so please continue to remain calm. Ready, sir?” She saw Joel nod once and Xander easily hauled him to his feet.

Joel turned his head and gave Xander an ‘eat shit and die’ look, then hissed at him, “You are so fucking fired. I will make sure you never work in LA again.”

“I figured as much Mr. Miller. I’m sorry that your decision will delay your production, I hope you will be able to find quick replacement. Now please, let me help you back to your seat, sir.”

Halo was on the verge of blurting out her response to Joel when Xander met her eye and shook his head slightly at her. She nodded to him as she caught the most evil and vile look Joel directed at him. She smiled, as she knew that Xander also realized that every day of delay would cost the production tens of thousands and he slyly let Joel he knew as well.

She watched as Xander straightened out Joel’s shirt and sat him in his window seat then heard him speak softly to him, “I apologize if I hurt you Mr. Miller, it wasn’t my intention.” Joel gave him a glare and turned to look out his window as his leg began bouncing.

Xander sighed and returned to Teuila who placed a gentle pat on his arm, then turned to address the passengers. “I want you all to gather your belongings and head back to the seating over the wing. You sir, Doug is it? You will sit by the emergency exit door. Xander will do the same on the opposite side from you. Now if you would all head back starting from the back row.”

Halo watched as Xander leaned towards Teuila’s ear and whispered something. She patted his arm, nodded and smiled then looked towards her.

Xander came up to her with a concerned look on his handsome face, “I’m sorry I had to do that to your friend… maybe the Captain’s plan was better?”

She smiled at him, “No need to apologize! You did what was needed, and quite impressively I might add.” She saw him blush and she almost giggled. Here this man was calm in intense situations and a simple compliment from her sends him blushing… she liked that.

“Ah, ok? I uh, asked Teuila if you could be seated next to me… I—I mean if you still would like me to?”

This time she did giggle and placed her hand on his arm, his warm skin felt so good she thought and quickly cut that feeling short, “Of course I want to still sit next to you, silly! I’ll grab my things and head back.” She saw his blush turn deeper then he pointed to her seat.

“Don’t forget your phone… oh! That reminds me…”

“Thank you, and what?”

“I have plastic Ziplocs in my suitcase that we can all put our electronics in. I’ll go get them after I see to Jorgen.”

She dallied at getting her things as she watched Xander with Jorgen. He tried to wake him then he tried to pull the man out of his seat and suddenly stopped and held his back. She ran up to him. “Xander are you ok?”

“Yeah, I should have gotten someone to help.” He smirked

Without thinking, she put her hand on his back and he quickly stiffened. Her heart jumped as she pulled her hand away and looked up into his eyes, “Is that what I think it is?”

“Uh yeah… it’s the Captain’s, his idea, not mine.” He gave her an unhappy look and a shrug.

“Well, I feel safer that you have it.” She smiled and returned to her belongings then back she went and heard him call out to Jorgen once again.

“JORGEN!” He yelled into the big man’s ear. There was no response, he sadly shook his head and felt the man’s pulse. He sighed and turned to see Joel staring at back him.

“Don’t even think of leaving me here like you are going to do with that fat fuck.”

Xander walked around the seat and sat down next to Joel. Their eyes met and Xander held Joel’s gaze for a long moment, not backing down. “May I call you Joel?” He did not wait for an answer, “Good. To answer you, no I wasn’t planning on it. Like hell if I am going to trust you though.” Joel sat quiet staring at him.

Xander leaned back in his seat and looked down at his fingernails. Without looking at Joel’s beady gray eyes, he spoke, “You know Joel? I really don’t care if you hate my guts or that I’ll never work in LA. I do this acting thing mostly for the fun of it… otherwise? I simply don’t give a shit. Am I clear?”

“Yep.”

“The Captain just wanted me to come up and knock you out cold. I didn’t think it was fair. All we needed was you having a concussion or missing teeth if we make it out of here and end up floating for a while.” He turned to Joel and was greeted with a sneer, as he expected. He leaned close enough to smell Joel’s acrid breath, “Make no mistake here. If you endanger or get anyone hurt with your antics? There will be dire consequences, I fucking promise you. Am I clear?”

“Crystal.”

Xander chuckled and smiled, “Glad we are on the same page then!” He sat back in his seat and gave Joel a bigger smile, “Not that you give a rat’s ass what I think, but man to man? When I take you back there, you should apologize to everyone… say you were anxious and lost it for a moment or something. Or whatever, or don’t say a thing.” He reached over and quickly unclasped Joel’s belt.

“Advice noted.” Joel said with only a hint of a sneer.

Xander stood him up then got his bag and walked behind Joel towards the back. Everyone looked up and quieted when they saw Joel approaching.

Joel paused with a glance back at Xander, “Hey guys, sorry I was such a jerk. I don’t know what happened, I guess I lost it. I promise I will make it up to each and everyone one of you… I swear.” He got smiles and consolations from everyone.

Xander placed him in front of David and Sarah and buckled him in, “I’ll take these off soon.”

“You better.” Joel demanded.

Xander looked to the back of the plane where he had spied his suitcase as he stuffed poor Henry’s body into the aft lavatory of the plane. He squeezed by Teuila in the aisle then said he would be right back. He unlatched the cargo webbing, unzipped his suitcase, dug around, and found his lucky pocketknife. He quickly stashed that in his pocket and pulled out the big box of Ziploc bags. He saw his solar charger and grabbed that too as well as his favorite jacket. Coming back, he stuffed his items into his carryon as Halo watched him silently. He gave her a nod, stood back up, and got everyone’s attention. 

“Hey, listen up please! I have a box of Ziploc bags here, Halo if you would please hand out one to everyone and you can seal up your phones or small devices. Please keep them securely on you, like in your shirt or pocket.” He looked at Teuila, “And if it’s ok with Teuila maybe one at a time everyone can go back and get a sweater or jacket?”

Teuila nodded, “Good idea.”

Xander went up to David and spoke with him. Shortly both men were with Jorgen and they each had an arm.

“One, two, three, pull!”

“Xander, I don’t think even with Doug or Pete helping we can get him out.” David said panting.

Xander dropped his head sadly, “Ok David, thank you for trying, head on back.”

Xander watched David leave and he leaned down to Jorgen’s ear and choked out, “I’m so, so sorry big guy.” He bounced his head on the big man’s shoulder and then about jumped out of his skin when he felt a soft hand settle on his neck. He spun and saw a tearful Halo trying to smile at him through quivering lips.

“I—I’m sorry. We can’t budge him. I don’t know what else to do… the Captain said leave him and concentrate on who we can save. I’m so sorry.” He looked away from her with glassy eyes.

“Xander, look at me please.” He glanced towards her blinking. He watched as she laid her delicate bruised hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “I will tell his parents you did what you could to try and help him.” She sniffed and wiped her eyes.

He gave her what smile he could and nodded, “Thank you Halo.” A long pause ensued then with an exhale, he broke the silence, “I should report to the Captain…”

She nodded and with a silent parting look at Jorgen, she went back to her seat.

Halo watched Xander come hurrying back with a metal yellow box in his hand. He came up and stood by Teuila who was going over the emergency water landing procedures for the third time and making sure they all had their life vests on. She saw them speak briefly and addressed them all.

“If something happens to the Captain, he wants you all to follow Xander’s instructions when we land like they were his own. He made a mention of this in his pilots log and the cockpit voice recorder so should any one of you not abide, you will be brought up on charges. He reminds us all that we will have to work together. I will be helping the Captain with the controls for our landing. Good luck to you all.”

Halo watched as Teuila gave Xander a long hug. She followed it with a quick kiss on his cheek and whispered into his ear then she was off up to the cockpit.

Xander blushed then cleared his throat and addressed the passengers. “The Captain wants me to remind you of the successful landing a few years ago on the Hudson River. They didn’t have nearly as much time to get ready as we do and they all made it out. He also wants me to tell you all that there will be a great deal of turbulence and noise as we start to land.” He held up the yellow box, “This is called an ELT it is the distress beacon. The antenna goes here and you press this button to activate it. I will be giving this to the first person headed out to the raft. If something happens to me get this to whoever is able—this is paramount to get out into a raft and working. Any questions?”

Halo looked around and saw everyone shake their head no, with anxiety all over their faces. She smiled to him as he looked to her. “Could one of you come up to the galley with me please?”

Joel grumbled, “I would, but I’m kinda tied up.” Xander leaned over to him.

“I’ll see if I can find the key…”

“What the fuck?” Joel exclaimed angrily then Xander held up the key.

“When I get back.”

Halo stuck her hand up, “Hey! I’ll help.”

He nodded and motioned her to follow him up to the galley. Once there he began unlatching the food carts and cabinets, “Could you help me get some water and food in a carryon or two, and maybe something that may be helpful if we are in the water for a day or two?”

“Thinking ahead, I like that. You got it.”

“Thank you Halo. Can you see if anyone is up to donating his or her bags too? Oh, I noticed Sarah is wearing high heeled pumps…”

“Oh my, not good for a blow up raft is it? I’ll handle things up here Mr. Superman.” She smiled and gave him a wink.

If I’m Superman, she’s my Kryptonite he thought then chuckled, “Me in red underwear and blue tights? Uh no.”

She gave him a once over and nodded, “Hmm… I think I like the idea!”

Xander felt his cheeks get hot and nervously replied, “Ok… moving on!” He motioned his thumb towards back of the plane and she giggled with a nod.

Halo watched as he spoke with Sarah and she went back towards the baggage. She looked around the galley then went back and spoke with JJ and Doug who donated their bags after they took some of their personal items out.

Going back up she started putting as much water and food in one bag, then the other she started cramming anything she thought they could use on the raft. By the time she was done, both large bags were so full she had a hard time zipping them back up.

Xander came up the aisle, checked on Jorgen then hurried up to her. He looked down at the bags and chuckled, “Wow, did you pack the sink too?”

“You know us girls, we can never make up our minds when it comes to what to bring!”

“I see that!” He smiled and reached down and hefted a bag up, “Wow! I think you do have a sink in here! I’ll strap these in the seats here, if we have time we can get them.”

“How much longer do you think?” She asked quietly.

“I’ll check with the Captain then I’ll join you?”

“Of course!”

She went back to her seat and buckled up. She noticed the Emergency Beacon stuffed tightly in the seat pocket in front of his seat. Then Xander came jogging back.

“Everyone, we have maybe ten minutes. If we happen to be separated the Captain says to do all you can to head east. I guess there are compasses in the rafts. Ok then, I would like everyone to practice opening and closing his or her seatbelts without looking. So you can get used to it.”

“How the hell can I do that?”

Xander walked up to Joel, “Remember what I promised you.”

Joel nodded and Xander leaned him forward, un-cuffed him, and gave him a hard look.

Xander went back to Doug and JJ, “Doug, when we begin to land I want you to only put one hand on top of your head. The other you keep ready to pop open your belt, your hands could get hurt with both on your head and I hear those doors are heavy so be prepared.”

“Yes boss. Mind if I hold my girls hand?”

Xander smiled at him, nodded and turned to a nervous looking JJ. He looked right into her eyes, “I promise I will look after Halo. I will do everything I can to keep her safe. Ok?”

JJ managed a smile, “Of course you will. I never had a doubt about that Xander.” She turned to Doug and back to him, “We both want to thank you for saving us.”

“Well, we aren’t out of this yet. When we get to Pago, you can buy me a drink. How’s that?”

Doug and JJ both chuckled, “You got it!” JJ smiled, then looked over to Halo who was watching them, “I think my boss is getting nervous…”

Xander nodded and stood up, then moved over to David, Pete and Sarah and spoke with them briefly. When he was done, he sat down next to Halo, and let out a long exhale.

“Hey Mr. Mystery man, how are you doing?”

“Oh, hanging in there.”

“Well you are doing a good job; I see you are a natural leader type.”

Xander laughed, “Oh I don’t really think so, just trying to help.”

“I’m happy you are here… oh! I put the plastic bags in your carryon. You might want to put your electronics in the bags, you do have a lot of stuff in there.”

“Oh crap. Thank you!”

She watched him pull out his bag and began gathering his things and bagging them up.

“What’s that?” She pointed.

“My solar chargers for cell phones.” He showed it to her, “One time a few years back I was on a… oh.” He paused at the memory then continued, “An outdoor shoot that started really early and ran late. I made some friends that day with these.”

“I bet! So where were you filming?” She probed.

“I, uh… it was in Portland.”

“Portland? That’s where you are from right?”

He caught himself swallowing hard, “Yes, just outside.”

She saw his nervousness but she began looking into his green eyes and she lost her train of thought, “What do you think our chances are?” She asked quietly and watched his face as he replied.

“Very good. I won’t let you down Halo.”

Halo watched his lips as he spoke his words with confidence. God, she wanted to kiss him right then and there. He was so close she could see the fine lines in his sumptuous lower lip as he spoke softly to her. It could be a thank you kiss, a good luck one, or something! Hell, she saw Teuila kiss his cheek!

She knew the truth, he wasn’t hers to kiss and hers would be different from Teuila’s, but after everything he did for her? Would not just one soft, gentle kiss be acceptable? Did he not deserve at least that? She knew the answer, her heart felt as if it fell and it hurt at the realization that her only chance passed by like smoke on the wind as Xander quickly looked up the aisle.

It was Teuila shouting back to them to get ready.

“Xander!” Halo whispered into his ear.

He turned quickly to her, met her eyes and saw a multitude of emotions swirling in that sea of azure blue, “It’ll be ok, I’m right here.”

“No… I have to know something!” Halo urgently asked.

“Uh… go ahead.”

“I know we have met before! I never forget a face, and I definitely wouldn’t forget yours!” She said hurriedly.

Wouldn’t forget mine? Oh shit, he thought. If they died, he did not want her going to her grave with knowing he turned his back on her. He sighed, how to word it… “Halo, I wish I would have met you before today. It would have meant the world to me to have gotten to know you. I don’t want to sound corny or weird…” The plane began to bounce around and he quickly looked out through the window and saw the choppy ocean slowly coming up at them as the sole engine’s whine decreased.

“Xander! What?” Halo urged, “Please?”

Xander began speaking fast, knowing they did not have much time, “I’m sure you hear it all the time. I—I think you are the most amazing and beautiful woman on the entire planet. Every time I look in your eyes, I just—just…”

They all heard Teuila scream out, “Brace! Brace for impact!”

They both bent over and she peered deep into his eyes, “What, Xander? What about my eyes?” She urged and grabbed his hand and squeezed.

He looked at her with his emotional flood gates thrown wide open, his affection was written all over his face, “Halo, I could live forever and day in them…” He held her little hand and she squeezed back hard. Her beautiful eyes showing part fear and part something else he did not quite understand…

Xander felt the plane judder hard as he saw a small tear form in her eye. He so wanted to kiss it away and make her feel better. He knew that in his heart and soul he would gladly die a thousand deaths for her if it made her safe. Sarah’s scream brought him to and he heard JJ stifling her crying. The plane began to bounce around and yaw left and right, as the Captain seemed to have difficulty holding her steady. The turbulence was pounding the plane and it sounded like it was going to fall apart. He knew they were almost to the water.

Suddenly he felt the deceleration as the nose came up and the whine of the engine decreased. Without a second thought, he reached over and pulled Halo close, covering her with as much as his body he could. He felt her trembling begin to calm as she wrapped her arm around his leg.

Through all the banging, rumbling and shaking he wished that he could stop time for just a few minutes and enjoy the ecstasy of feeling her arm around him, holding him tight. For a blink of an eye, he was in heaven.

The plane’s tail hit the waves with a clatter and the jarring pulled him from his bliss. “Hold on Halo! I’m right here, hold on!” She squeezed him so tight he was surprised at her strength.

Suddenly the nose slammed down and hit a wave. The plane bounced off the water hard, jarring their bodies in their seats. Sarah began screaming again and he heard Joel cursing in his girlie voice as the plane came down hard on the water. The engine cut out and the plane began skidding over the surface of the water, vibrating the cabin so hard he thought his teeth were going to fall out. He felt the jet tilt towards the tip of the wing and his heart sank; the plane was going to cartwheel. Miraculously the plane only continued to skid sideways. With a huge lurch that pushed them hard forward against their seatbelts, the plane came to a bobbing stop.

He immediately looked at Halo, “Are you ok?”

“Oh my God, are we stopped?”

“Yes! Are you ok?”

“I’m good!” She exclaimed.

Xander unbelted and stood up still holding her hand, “DOUG! The door now! Is everyone ok?” He scanned around and saw that Sarah was crying, everyone else was pale faced and wide-eyed looking around.

Teuila came running back out of breath, “Xander! The Captain! He’s hurt worse, the—the impact on his back!”

“I got him!” He called out and looked down to Halo. “Be careful when you go out!”

“Oh hell no, I’m waiting for you. No arguments. Go help the Captain!” She ordered.

He gave her a long look then handed the ELT Emergency Beacon to Teuila and ran up the aisle.

Halo watched calmly as Teuila instructed Doug on how to get the raft deployed. Suddenly she remembered the bags from the galley. She looked up the aisle and saw Xander half dragging and carrying the Captain. He placed him across from Joel and rushed to help. Teuila handed the Emergency transmitter to JJ and told her she was first.

JJ visibly trembled as she held the ELT to her chest and looked to Halo who gave her a motion to get going. Then she was out on the wing and was immediately thrown off balance by the bobbing wet wing. Doug got her stable and she got in the raft, still clutching the ELT to her chest.