Sinners and Saints

Sinners and Saints Chapter 23 - He's Not My Boyfriend

“The Calvary is on its way,” I tell Butch when I come back in, throwing him a bag of crackers and another water, “But I need to have a serious talk with you right now.” 

Butch tilts his head and eyes me, “Is this a ‘get ready to pray’ speech?” he asks. 

“No,” I chuckle at him, “This is a ‘A lot of very strange and impossible things are about to happen very soon but you have to trust me’ speech,” I tell him, “We are going to land safe and sound, Butch.  We are going to take every one of these people off this plane to meet their families.  All I need you to do is have Rick talk you through the landing and trust me that I’m taking care of the bomb and it won’t go off.  And not to ask a lot of questions about the how’s and why’s.” 

“I’m a soldier, Claire,” he tells me, “I’ve been trained not to question authority.” 

“I’m not your CO,” I tell him back, “I’m a mortgage underwriter, for God’s sakes.  You have no reason to trust me.  But all that said, I am the best option for getting us out of here alive.  And that means that you’re going to see and hear some freaky shit that I don’t have time to explain.” 

“Like why your phone works?” he asks me. 

“Exactly,” I tell him. 

“I guess there’s not much of a choice,” he tells me, “I do believe that you’re trying to save us.  Do what you need to do and I’ll worry about the navigation.” 

“Thank you,” I smile and call Matt back, “Drake’s on his way to you,” I tell him when he picks up, “Did you find a bomb expert yet?” 

“Yeah,” Matt tells me, “Meet Bill.  Bill, say hello to Claire and Butch.”  A non-committal grunt sounds through the speaker. 

“He’s not much of a conversationalist,” Matt quips, “Have you figured out what you’re going to need?” 

“Two more of these magic phones,” I tell him, “We’ll need one to transmit pictures and two for communications.  High-powered flashlights, warm clothes, gloves and whatever Bill gives us.” 

“Oxygen,” Butch adds, “The air is too thin up here – you’ll pass out.” 

“Um,” I tell him, “Remember that conversation we just had about a lot of weird things are about to happen?”  He arches a brow at me, “We won’t need oxygen.  We’ll be fine.”  

He stares at me in disbelief and then shakes his head, “I don’t want to know,” he mutters and turns back to the controls. 

“Ok,” Matt replies, “I’m going off to get that stuff for you.  How’s your battery holding up?” 

“It’s getting pretty low,” I tell him after I look at it, “Make that three phones – just in case.” 

“Got it,” Matt says, “Hang up to save as much charge as you can.  When Drake gets here we’ll call you back.” 

I hang up and rub my hands over my face.  

“Hell of a day, huh?” Butch grumbles. 

“Is it just one day still?” I chuckle mockingly. 

“Well, it’s probably into the next one by now,” Butch points out to the night sky surrounding us, “Why don’t you catch a power nap while we have a few minutes of down-time?  One thing you learn as a soldier is that you grab your sleep whenever you can.” 

I nod and tilt my head back, letting my eyes close.  “I’ll just rest my eyes,” I tell myself.