The Last Call

Participants:

cassidy2_icon.gif coren2_icon.gif

Scene Title The Last Call
Synopsis Tears are nearly shed as Cassidy boards her flight for New Orleans.
Date August 19, 2009

JFK International Airport

Despite the increased airline security, courtesy first of the bomb and now of potential local terrorists and the Evolved in general, JFK International still sees a great deal of traffic. A massive number of planes move in and out of its airspace, and even more passengers arrive and depart by them. The buildings are immense structures of steel and glass, although more horizontally stretched than most in New York, which tend to the vertical mode. It is full of shops, restaurants, and people — always the people, from security guards to travelers, thronging the halls in search of food, souvenirs, and whichever place it is they're supposed to be.

One of the largest airports in New York, the JFK Airport has a large number of airline terminals. Accessible from the subway, the paths from the Jamaica and Howard Beach stations inevitably converge by the Federal Circle past Lefferts Boulevard. At the Federal Circle, located just past the parking areas, one can check in to rent cars, or get access to the Airport Hotel and Cargo Area, as well as the shuttles that run the loop from Terminals 1 to 8.

Naturally security is a lot tighter (though not infallible), so it is suggested that patrons of the airlines arrive two to three hours before their flight. In the waiting area, there are multiple rows of uncomfortable interconnected seats and several monitors that are turned onto the news stations.


The drive to JFK International Airport was a silent one of them, neither detective desiring to voice their thoughts or feelings as to what this separation would do to them. Given the brief trip Coren made to Illinois not too long ago, it's no surprise that the prospect of a full week apart has both of them nervous.

As close as they were on the drive in, thoughts, concerns, and worries from Coren were unavoidably detected by Cassidy. That only served to make Coren more uncomfortable with her leaving than he was in the first place. He's had her in his head for months now; he's used to it and found the silence in Illinois to be unbearable. A full week of that is not something he cares to endure.

Now through the baggage check, Coren sits next to Cassidy an a butt-numbing, molded plastic seat, fidgeting. It's not really like him to fidget, but a whirl of not particularly enjoyable thoughts running through his head as they are, it's hard not to.

"Ah but the temptation is there isn't it?" Cassidy says with a small teasing smile. Her stomach gives another nervous twist as she thinks about the trip and she has to take a deep breath to calm it. Her fingers lace with his and her other hand moves so that his is clasped in both of hers. "I don't know if I can. I really don't know." For a moment her leg bounces a little harder vibrating their chairs a bit.

"Just don't take Liz up on her offer of drinking," Cassidy tries to joke lightly. "I will never look at a Margarita the same again," is admitted lightly, as memories of that night float to the surface, especially when Elisabeth started assigning people Star Wars characters. She almost doesn't realize, as nervous as she is. "I don't want to feel that silence again," she says nervously. "It's so weird. I wanted it gone so badly…. Now I don't want to lose it."

Which only goes to support what Coren's stance had been all along. They'd get used to it. He brings his other hand down on top of Cassidy's so that they each clasp the other's hand. "You can and you will, luv. Be with family for a bit. I'd come with you, but I am positive they're not going to let me have any time off. Worse comes to worst, you catch an earlier flight." It's about all he can offer now, especially as the call comes over the PA system that her flight is now boarding.

Glancing up, Cassidy can't stop the sharp pang of fear, her hands grip his like a lifeline. "Next time you'll go with me right?" She swallows nervously. She's never been scared of flying, but this time she is. "Mom, will probably not like me showing up with a guy as old as she is, but I don't care." She reluctantly starts letting go of Coren's hands. "Besides, after I tell her about my ability and us.. She'll probably want to know who I'm stuck with, for the rest of my life."

And Coren doesn't let go, but stands with Cassidy. It's only happened a few times, but it should come as no surprise when he grips Cassidy in a tight bear hug. "She'll just have to live with it, won't she?" He grips her tight and only when he feels like she can handle it does he finally let her go. "Come on now. I don't want you to miss your flight."

She practically clings to her partner, moving more into the mental communication, Sure I can't stay? She almost sounds younger there for a moment. But then Cassidy closes her eyes and tries to relax, resting her head on his shoulder. Only one week. he can hear her convincing herself. Then never again. Repeating those a few times she finally pulls away from him with a sigh, eyes opening. I'll call you when I get there. Maybe that will help the fact she doesn't have his thoughts in the back of her mind.

There's a lot of back-rubbing as she clings to him, and Coren even stifles a tear. Not so much because he'll miss her — though of course he will — but because he feels so badly for making her leave in the first place. He could let her stay, but doesn't feel it would be right to do so. Of course you can call me. Any time, day or night, I'll be there for you.

The last call goes over the PA and it shakes Cassidy out of anything she's thinking. "Dammit." She glances at Coren and moves to give him a quick, kiss on the cheek, before reaching down to pick up her carry on. "I can do this." Reaching up, Cassidy touches a hand to his cheek. "See you in a week partner." She can't stifle the affection she feels towards the man, before she moves to hurry up and board before her resolve starts to fail.

Coren stands in his long coat for some time after Cassidy has left. After only a few minutes, she goes from there to just a little buzz, and then nothing. Silence all around. Silence only broken by the buzz of his cell phone vibrating on his belt. He reaches into his jacket and answers the phone, "Shelby."

"I hold her life in my hands."


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