Blind Promises

10. Taking Off

"Damn, she saucy. You keepin' this one?" Rich elbowed Liam and grabbed the water. Liam flushed, he couldn't know they were alone, Rich chuckled, "Oh yeah, she's gone, sorry, bro. She's following Mahoney around at the moment."

He sighed, "Rich, I've known her for sixteen hours and the thought of being away from her is something I'm not willing to put effort into. It's a good thing I don't have to. Take it how you like."

"Ouch, son, you're gonna ruin your reputation talkin' like that."

Liam laughed, "Not my reputation! What would I do without it? Come on, give Coop a bottle, he's bored."

Rich handed the dog one of the bottles of water and he proudly carried it through the hanger and out to the comfortably sized plane. Gwen was standing at the bottom of the steps waiting on them, her smile for Cooper was beautiful. It was a shame Liam couldn't see it, he took out his phone and took a picture of them just in case, he hoped her smile turned out as bright as it was in person.

He had a memory card full of photos just in case one day Liam could see them. He lived with the guilt of losing the rest of the team, he wouldn't risk the regret of letting Liam miss out on his life if his vision did return, there was a good chance. Any chance was enough for him. He'd keep taking the pictures as long as he could, and it looked like he had a new subject to add. Gwen loved Liam's dog, and by the way she looked at Liam, it wouldn't be long before she was hooked on him, too. Rich knew his job just got exponentially more difficult. He was surprised that Mahoney hadn't assigned a LT to the mission but at this point there were reliance issues to take into consideration. If he was switching out the flight crew, he must know more intelligence than he was letting them in on. Rich would have to give it more thought, there would be time, he had a feeling hours would be spent on this plane.

"What's everyone waiting on, an invitation? Get your butts on that plane and settled in, I have a few things to go over with you and then we'll get you in the air." Mahoney fussed after them. Rich climbed the steps and Gwen followed, she wasn't doing a very good job of allowing Coop do his tasks but he could tell she was trying. She kept looking back to make sure he didn't need assistance, "Coop knows how to guide him up steps and I already told him how many to count, he's fine."

"Shut up, Rich," she actually stuck her tongue out at him. The little imp stuck her tongue out. Aw, nah, this was not going to do. He whispered after her, "How long has it been since you've had a good ol' fashioned turnin' over the knee?"

Gwen's light hazel eyes flashed a wicked glance, "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Know what?" Liam asked.

She laughed and Rich wondered if she'd lay him bare, "He's trying to get me to tell him if I'm afraid to fly or not."

Complexity, he liked that in a woman, if he could just keep her out of trouble and safe while managing to do the same with Liam, he'd be satisfied. "What? Would I do something so ill intended as tease you about your fear of flying?"

"I'm going to nap now, let me know what is going on." Gwen flopped down in a leather seat by the window. He took down a pillow and threw it at her, she glared but held on to it. He'd find a blanket in a few minutes after the crew had been switched.

He was still edgy over this change of plans. Liam sat beside her, Mahoney took the seat directly in front of him, the jet was a luxury model, first class, it wasn't because of what they knew but because of who Liam was. Two Army yahoos wouldn't rank accommodations like the jet they were in but for the Halstad name. Liam thought little of it, but he'd learned to stop fighting it not long after things went FUBAR, Rich was never more grateful. He shook his head before he joined them across from Gwen.