The Pilot's Holiday

The Pilot's Holiday Part 10

Chapter 10

*Charles and Lacey*

Charles slowly turned towards Lacey. "Lacey, tell me you went to Flight School. Tell me you did not risk the career of my best friend AND the lives of these people because you THINK you can fly!" There were strong hints of anger in Charles' voice. Anger in himself for his part in what happened. Anger at Lacey for putting every single person on the flight in danger. Lacey shrugged her shoulders and sighed. "Fine. I never did. But I don't need to. I'm naturally gifted. I made it through high school and two years of college without studying or anything. So I don't need Flight School. I am Lacey Daniels! Greatness in human form!"

Charles shook his head. "No Lacey, this is so SO different from high school and college. You need an actual license to even be in here! At the very least, you need to have earned your wings and even then you need to be in here with someone who has their license! You....owww you." Charles' emotions started to the better of him and he had to calm Hinduism himself down and focus on the task at hand. He couldn't let his thoughts about how he failed his best friend and put his own job in jeopardy for someone who lied to him cloud his mind. Making sure everyone was safe is all that matters to Charles. He took a deep breath and released it.

*Carol*

Carol couldn't believe that Lacey was in the cockpit. Paul, who was helping look for a place to land the plane, was just as shocked to hear Lacey was in the cockpit as a co-pilot. "Guess we know why Charles did what he did." Carol started to piece it together herself. "Lacey had been trying to get in there because she thinks you, Carol, had only made it because of your looks. Despite me and the others telling her it was because you worked for it. I didn't think she'd get to Charles. Not to this extent." As angry as Carol was, she could not think about it now. She pressed the button to talk to Charles. "Nevermind how you got in there Lacey, Charles, we need to make sure these people land safely."

Paul tapped Carol on the shoulder and showed her the closest landing place. "Ok Charles. Interstate Highway 40. They're clearing the roads now. It's the best shot at landing without crashing." A voice crackled through the radio. "Why a highway? Planes can't land on a highway Carol. And people swear you're smart." Carol wasted no time in replying. "Because Lacey, out of every five mile of highway, at least one mile is straight in case a plane needs to make an emergency landing. You would know that if you ACTUALLY cared about being a pilot." Carol took a second to regain her composure. Much as she didn't like Lacey right now, she had to instruct her on helping land the plane with Charles.

"Charles. Establish a high-key point at 1,000' AGL downwind and abeam to the touchdown point."

"Alright. Done. Now operating at idle speed."

"Ok. Good. Lacey? See the lever marked 'Landing Gear'? Your only function right now is to wait until I say pull it. Do NOTHING else until I say so. Is that clear?"

"Fine. Whatever little Ms. I get what I want." Lacey remarked.

"Charles, now turn onto the base leg to be able to conserve or dissipate altitude to reach the desired landing point. You're almost there."

"I can see the Interstate now. It is clear. Adjusting altitude to align with the landing site.

"Charles, set the flaps to thirty degrees. Lacey, be ready.......NOW!"

With that, Carol and Paul could see the plane making its way to the landing area. "Charles. Charles, is everyone ok? Did you land safely?" Carol asked with panic in her voice. Hoping everyone was alright. Charles replied back on the radio: "Yeah. We are all good over here." "Good! Stay there. We need to have words Mr. Martin and Ms. Daniels" Paul barked. The radio went silent. Carol knew Paul was upset and so was she to be honest. There were still so many feelings to resolve. At least now she didn't have to wonder why Charles put her career in jeopardy. Now she could look him in his eyes and he would see how much pain he has caused her.

They arrived at the landing area while the passengers were being helped off the plane. Fortunately, no one was hurt. Charles and Lacey exited the plane making direct eye contact with Carol and Paul. After every passenger was safe and heading to their destination, Charles rushed over to the two of them while Lacey took her time. "Carol! Carol listen. Look, I am so sorry! I did not know Lacey didn't-" Carol punched him in his stomach. Tears swelled in her eyes. She struggled to find the right words but all that came out was "How could you?! How! We were friends!" She turned her attention towards Lacey who was trying to sneak away.

"And you! You fucking-" Carol had to be restrained by Paul. "Ok ok breathe now Carol. Breathe." Paul took deep breaths and slowly moved his arms from Carol. There was a moment of silence and calm. It was cut short when Carol struck Lacey in the face with her fist. Connecting with her jaw. "You endangered the lives of everyone on that flight. For what? Because you THINK you are better than me? If you want to be better than me, then you have to work twice as hard just to be half as good. You have had everything given to you and I had to work just to get noticed."

Carol raised her fist to strike Lacey again but held back. She stepped back and let Lacey stand up. Paul stood in front of both of them. "Mr. Martin, you're fired. Clear out of here immediately and your locker will be emptied. You are also hereby grounded. No airline will have you. You are dismissed." Carol's eyes locked with Charles' but she couldn't look at him too long. The hurt and betrayal was still fresh. Charles made his way to his feet and uttered the words "I'm so sorry Carol" before stumbling away. Paul then turned towards Lacey. "Ms. Daniels, you are fired as well. You are also under arrest for reckless endangerment and operating a vehicle without a license." Two officers appeared behind Lacey and cuffed her as she was read her rights. She shouted over them "I DON'T DESERVE THIS!! I AM LACEY GODDAMN DANIELS! I AM GREATNESS!! YOU'RE ALL JUST JEALOUS!!!"

Carol waved Lacey away as the cop car drove away. While she was still hurting she did feel like she accomplished something by helping to land that plane. "So, how are you feeling? You're practically a hero now. Well we know you are. To everyone else, Mr. Martin landed that plane and he is the hero. I imagine that won't last long as the media will find out he's been grounded and why." Carol let out a sigh and hugged Paul. "Thank you. For actually coming to see me and talk to me instead of assuming what Charles said was true. Paul smiled. "No problem kid. You finish out your Holiday and come back when you're ready. We'll be waiting for you, Captain Carol Scott."

Although she was already a Captain, it did sound nice to have acknowledgment. She had fought so hard and gave everything she had to be here. To be a Captain. She suffered through all the racial slurs, the doubters and even friends becoming enemies. Still she held her head high and smiled at the sound of Captain Carol Scott.

As she was about to respond, her phone went off. This time it was a text from Maria:

"Hola mi amor. I know things got hot and heavy but we never talked. So if you're free, call me so we can talk and see where things go. Adiós hermosa."

"Well, looks like you have a choice to make Captain." Paul smirked and walked away. Carol looked at her phone. Thinking about what to do. On the one hand, she had unfinished business with Marcus as he had to explain himself. She knew one side of the story but wanted to hear his side. Where he was coming from and honestly if he still has feelings for Maria. Marcus is nice and could see a future with him. She thought about what that life would be like. On the other, Maria gave her a night like she hasn't had in years. The passion was still very much still there. She could see things going far with Maria. Carol went back and forth over who to call. After a few minutes of thinking and weighing her options she dialed the number.

"Hey, so you said we need to talk."

The End