Chapter Text
Martin sighed in to his pillow, checking the clock. It's red digital numbers shone dimly, showing it was 2:00 AM. The captain groaned. He had a round trip to Charlotte, North Carolina, USA in the morning. Carolyn had insisted that they did it, saying they would gain a profit from the man who needed it done.
She added it was just him and his granddaughter riding, along with their cargo. At least they would have less passengers to worry over. He rolled over to look at the ceiling. His pale blue eyes traced the ceiling's paint design. He was 32 or so (Martin couldn't keep track these days) and was unmarried, spending half his days without pay, driving a van to make up for that, and playing flight simulators for relaxation.
What the bloody Hell was he doing with his life? He rarely felt appreciated, and was always thought to be first officer. He was insecure and teased. He ruefully recalled his trip to Cremona with the actress Hester. She wasn't the kindest. It stabbed his heart even now just thinking about the way she had sneered at him. He had tried so hard to please her, too. Martin ended up sniffling his way to sleep, feeling hopeless. A lost cause. He awoke at 7:30 AM, drowsy but functional. He felt a rush of adrenaline as he remembered his plans for the day. Martin jumped up to throw on his uniform. He admired himself in the mirror before scarfing down a quick breakfast. By the time he was done, he realized he had just enough time to get to work 10 minutes early. Satisfied with this steady record of punctuality he had been keeping that week, he drove his van to work.
• M • J • N •
"Looks like clear skies for the six hour flight." Remarked Douglas.
Martin kept quiet.
"I wonder how pretty Mr. Weiss' granddaughter will be. You're still young. Are you going to chat the bird up?" Douglas pressed on.
A blush broke out on the ginger's freckled cheeks. Arthur entered the cabin and handed Martin and Douglas their coffees.
"Good morning! Mum says we should take off soon, Martin. She's getting rather impatient. Wonders what the hold up is."
"Well, supreme commander, why don't you let him know?"
The captain shifted in his seat uncomfortably, checking everything. He gave Arthur a thumbs up after a few seconds of frantic head turning.
"Why isn't he talking?" Arthur looked at Douglas quizzically.
"I jinxed him."
"Oh, Douglas! Skipper, Skipper, Skipper!"
"Thank you!" Exhaled Martin, sipping his coffee, "Tell your mother we're ready!"
With that, Martin began the take off.
"So, your answer?" Douglas asked as soon as Arthur bounded off.
"You know how I am with girls...And who said our client's granddaughter was of my age or anywhere close? I assume she's just a bit over ten at most!"
"No, no, 24 or 25." Douglas answered, gesturing to a paper in between them.
It showed the passengers' information. (Came in handy once when a man had a heart attack on their plane. Well, sort of.) Martin glanced at it.
"Consider the fact that American women love Englishmen, and I'm pretty sure any woman would appreciate a man in uniform."
"...Really?"
"They also like height. You lack that."
Martin huffed. This would be a long flight of arguing and Martin breaking down if it wasn't for Arthur's pop ins.
"I call this one my Mystery Bag Special!" He exclaimed, holding out a plastic bag full of smaller opaque ones.
"Why? The only bagged snacks we occasionally have are peanuts and pretzels. Like every other airline. How is that a surprise?" Douglas drawled.
"Well...You reach in and grab one, and the only way to know exactly what's in it is to open it! I've marked out their labels!"
"Right. You do realize the bags are color coded, yes?" Asked Martin.
"Oh. Good point, but the passengers won't know the differences!"
The pilots groaned, telling Arthur to busy himself elsewhere.
• M • J • N •
They parked GERT-I at the small airfield off the outskirts of Charlotte before finding a hotel. At this rate, Martin didn't see why they shouldn't just sleep on the vessel. They would save money. Then he remembered the comforting bed and warm showers that awaited him in the hotel. He stepped out in to the cool air with his crew. He had been to Boston before, briefly, but decided he liked Charlotte more. It was prettier from an aerial view, and seemed more inviting.They had a taxi take them to the nearest motel. It was decent, although not the most gorgeous. It would do. He would be sharing a room with Arthur even though Douglas and Carolyn both had their own rooms. Carolyn said it would save her money, and that she needed someone to keep an eye on her boy. Grudgingly, Martin allowed it, for he had barely any money himself. Luckily, Arthur was keen on watching American television quietly as Martin drifted off to sleep. He dreamed of tomorrow's return and their female passenger. What if she did fancy him, and he found her likable? That would be a gorgeous episode of events...