Come Fly Away With Me

Bumping Into An Old Friend

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are beginning our decent into Dulles.  Please wait until the plane comes to a stop, the fasten seatbelt sign is turned off and we have secured the aircraft before moving about the cabin. Welcome to Washington DC."
Maya gently placed her hand on Carina's thigh and leaned over.
"Babe, time to wake up."
Carina stirred but didn't open her eyes, instead snuggling her head into Maya's shoulder. Maya smiled and kissed the top of her head as she repositioned Liam who was also fast asleep in her arms. Turning her head, she looked to the seats across and one back from her where Vic and Mason were deep in conversation, holding hands casually and completely oblivious to everything around them. Directly across the aisle from her, Maya chuckled at the sleeping Travis, his head back and mouth slightly opened, while next to him, her mom was staring out the window. The slight turbulence of descending through the clouds was enough to wake Travis who glanced around as he wiped the small puddle of drool from the corner of his mouth.
"We're here already? I was just in the good part of my dream."
Maya chuckled and nodded her head at her mom.
"When we land can you take Liam and change him while I talk to the contact about Mason?"
"Of course sweetheart. Do you want me to take him now?"
"No, he's still asleep and I'd rather he stay that way until we are on the ground and off the plane. Nobody wants to hear a screaming baby."
Next to her, Carina finally opened her eyes and stretched, glancing out the window at the quickly approaching ground. As the tarmac got closer, she reached for Maya's hand and held it, waiting for the bump and screech as the airplane slowed and began its taxi toward the gate. Maya tugged on her hand and leaned over.
"Do you know that when we took that first vacation to LA and you wrapped your arms through mine and held on to me like that, it was the very first time I knew I wanted to always make you feel safe?"
Carina smiled shyly.
"Take offs don't worry me as much any more, but the landings are always going to be when I need to feel your touch Bambina."
Maya smiled as they kissed twice, feeling the plane jerk to a halt at the gate. The flight crew moved to open the door as the passengers all began to gather their things and make their way off the plane. Maya handed Liam to Carina and stood to grab their luggage from overhead as Travis and Mason did the same. Katherine stepped out of the row, followed by Carina and the slowly waking up Liam who was beginning to fuss. Handing Travis the diaper bag, Maya motioned for him to follow as she turned to Mason and Vic.
"Let's hope this agent that Lord knows isn't a hardass. I really am just not in the mood to get into a pissing match. All I want is to get it sorted and get us all to the hotel, I need to hit the gym and go for a run."

The hotel gym was quiet and practically empty when Maya entered. Her wish had been granted as the agent Detective Lord put them in touch with was an easy going guy who made the entire group feel at ease. He assured Maya that he would take care of everything for both Mason and getting her mom's passport and everything else in order. On the ride over to the hotel, Liam had been fussing after the long plane ride so Carina and Katherine had offered to take him for a walk so he could get some fresh air. Travis, Vic and Mason were going to go hang out by the pool before everyone met back up for dinner. Maya had called Andy, letting her know that they had all landed safely. Their call had been cut short as Maya had heard the klaxon sound and Andy had to go. It had been bittersweet to hear the familiar sound while being on the opposite coast, but Maya had reminded herself this opportunity was amazing for all of them. Setting her water jug, phone and towel down on a bench, Maya did some quick stretches before stepping onto the treadmill. Starting it up, Maya drag stepped the pad twice before she stepped on and started a light jog. She was about five minutes in when she heard a voice behind her.
"Maya? Is that really you?"
Stepping to the sides of the treadmill, Maya turned around and her eyes went wide as a smile spread across her face. She hit STOP on the treadmill and jumped off to hug her old friend.
"Katie? Oh my GOD! It's been forever!"
"What are you doing in DC? Last I heard, you were in Seattle."
"It's a long story. But what are you doing in DC? Last I knew, you were in Hawaii."
"That's a long story too. When did you get in and how long are you staying?"
"We just landed earlier. We'll be here for a few days before we head to New York for about a week and then it's off to Italy and it's non stop from there."
"Ok, your story definitely sounds way more interesting than mine! And who is this 'we' you're talking about? Wait, is that...is that a wedding ring? Maya Bishop, did someone finally domesticate you?"
Maya blushed and shrugged.
"Her name is Carina Deluca and she's amazing."
"Deluca? So it seems that you DO prefer Italian after all! I know you were chasing that French girl in the village, but you always had your eye on the Italian hurtler, what was her name?"
"Oh wow, Daniella...holy shit, I haven't thought about her in YEARS! Have you kept in touch?"
"Just here and there, mostly in the newsletters where I keep up. But if I get super curious, I run checks on certain people."
"Checks? Katie...did you become a cop?"
"Ha! Worse than that, I'm with the FBI."
"Wha-what? Holy hell, how long?"
"It's been about as long as you've been with SFD. I did a lot of soul searching after London, just like you did. I have to admit, I was kind of bummed when we fell out of touch, but I know, shit gets busy and life moves on."
"Yeah, I'm sorry about sucking at keeping up. It was tough and honestly you were the only one who I tried to stay in touch with but my dad was a real dick about confiscating my phone. I finally just decided to give up trying. I wasn't in the greatest headspace and I repressed a ton of shit for a long time."
"Eyes forward Bishop, ehh? I mean, it served you well during the games. But it sounds like not so great personally."
"Yeah, like I said, it's a helluva story. But enough about all that shit, my dad isn't part of my life anymore and honestly I'm so relieved. I've got a beautiful and amazingly talented wife, we adopted a son and she's pregnant with our twins right now."
"Maya! I'm speechless! Ok, we DEFINITELY need to get together for dinner and drinks! I need alllll the details! What are you doing tonight?"
"Let me check with Carina and see what we can switch around. I'm so happy to have run into you Katie, and I want to hear all about your life! Let's share numbers and I'll text you later."
The women exchanged phone numbers and hugged again. Maya held the hug for an extra few seconds and Kate squeezed her harder before letting go. Maya looked at her friend and smiled.
"I didn't realize how much I've missed you Katie. You were always such a true friend and I don't think I ever told you how much I appreciated you. Tell me, did you end up with that Swiss javelin thrower? You guys were pretty hot and heavy."
"Haha, no, Ingrid and I didn't last. She went back home and got married. She's got a nice investment banker husband and three kids now. I dated here and there, but nothing serious. Not until I met Lucy a couple of years back."
"Lucy? Oh now hang on! You need to spill this one too!"
Maya's phone buzzed and she looked down at it and frowned.
"It's Carina. She's back from her walk with our son. Listen, I'm not kidding Katie, we are getting together tonight, I need to hear EVERYTHING!"
Maya grabbed her stuff and waved to her friend as she jogged out of the gym. Kate smiled and waved back before dropping her stuff on the bench and climbing onto the treadmill Maya had been on, hit RUN and smiled at the reunion she'd just had.