This Is Your Captain Crashing

Sand In My Lungs, Glass In My Heart

Izzy relaxed in the First Class seat she had claimed for herself, almost melting into it with how calm she was. Cucumbers rested on her eyes as she had the chair as far back as she could get it, and simply let the cushions take her away to a dream world. Next to her was Eva, with Owen and Noah across from them. All four of them were relaxed and enjoying their break.

Which was surprising, considering both Team Chris and Team Amazon were expected to share First Class.

You would think it'd be crowded and tense, but surprisingly it wasn't. First Class was big enough that the whole cast of season one could fit in here plus the three newcomers, so everyone was able to fan out and get up to their own things.

Courtney, Gwen and Cody were sitting in chairs further down, the girls both reading and the geek napping; Heather, Sierra and Alejandro were all at the drink bar, the fangirl and Queen Bee chatting quietly as the Spaniard let his eyes wander about the whole space, taking in his competition; Tyler was gone, but everyone knew he went into Economy so he could join Beth in mourning Lindsay's unfortunate elimination.

And then there was Merida, who was lying on the couch staring up at the ceiling. She couldn't do much of anything because she had a really bad feeling about today. The cloudy skies from Newfoundland had followed them, and it filled the princess with a sense of dread.

And it was all centred on Izzy.

Merida sat up, her nerves screaming in opposition. But she needed to move, and right now she needed to get something to drink. So she made her way over to the bar and asked for a simple glass of water. As she waited for her drink, Alejandro, who she happened to sit next to, gave her a curious look.

"Hola, Senorita", the Spaniard greeted. "I don't believe we truly got to introduce each other, no?"

The princess shrugged. "Not much to say. Chris gave us both the run down back in Halifax."

"He did, but we've been competing tirelessly so we never had much of a chance to simply... talk. As competitors, as fellow passengers, as friends."

Merida scoffed. "I wouldn't call us friends, you bastard. Izzy told me what happened in the Amazon, and whenever you kick the hornet's nest, you face the wrath of the whole swarm."

"Which is why I'm trying to correct my mistakes", the Spaniard said in a sad tone. "I greatly misjudged my actions, and let my own personal feelings of Owen cost us the challenge, and the trust of my team."

"You've still been winning challenges just fine." When the princess got her drink, she took it from the bartender with force and took a sip.

"That's because we share a common ground. But I'd like to genuinely repair the good relations we all had." The young man looked over at the relaxing Izzy discreetly. "Plus..." He lowered his voice to a whisper. "I'm worried about Izzy."

"Who isn't?" The princess said, unfazed by his words. "She's been in a rut long before this season, and me and the others have been trying to help her the best we could. So if you plan on weaponizing it, forget it."

"I wouldn't ever dream of doing such a thing", Alejandro said in a hurt tone.

"Yeah, sure." The princess grabbed the Spaniard's necklace and dragged him closer to his face. "I'm around people who are usually a lot slimmer than you, but are a lot less obvious. Everyone here might be under your thumb, but I know who you are. So don't test me." She pushed him away, leaving the young man in silent shock.

He looked at her, his expression neutral. "My apologies, Senorita. I didn't realise you were this... aware."

"More than you think, robot boy." The princess walked off, leaving the Spaniard in utter confusion. Merida released a sigh when she felt she was far enough, and sat down in an empty seat on the opposite side of the walkway.