So this was how it felt to fly first class on a commercial airliner. It wasn't bad, Nick had to admit as he took a sip from his glass of champagne. They weren't crowded three or four across as they were in the cheap seats. Up front, their seats completely reclined. A passenger could fall asleep to the smells and sounds of the islands, then arrive refreshed in Tahiti the next morning.

As they had boarded the flight in LA, the island music had played over the speakers to greet them, while the female flight attendants had worn white flowers in their hair. It made him long for exotic places that smelled so wonderful. Even dinner had been quite the culinary experience, with both Polynesian and French specialties. He had "savored" airline food in the past, but nothing like the meal he had eaten a few hours ago. Everything so far had been pretty damn nice, including Suzette, one of the flight attendants in first class. She had caught his eye, and he smiled at her as she poured more champagne into his glass. "Thank you." He was rewarded with another smile. He had a feeling he was going to enjoy this vacation very much, and it was starting well with the plane ride.

Rachel murmured next to him, her seat extended to its full limit so she could sleep. She quieted as she shifted into a new position. He grinned, shaking his head. How did she manage to fall asleep so fast. His security radar was still on, due to the late hour, so his seat was only partially back. Considering that someone else, someone he didn't know, was flying the plane, he wasn't doing too bad.

He looked slightly behind him to the other side of the plane where Derek and Alex were. Her seat in the same position as Rachel's, and her back was to Derek as she slept. Nick noticed the older man watching her as he pulled the blanket up to cover Alex's shoulders. As he turned back, his eyes met the ex-SEAL's and he smiled. Nick returned the smile as he nodded to the precept. Would this trip push the couple's relationship to a new level?

Or a further, higher level, he should say, since Alex had kissed Derek when she had spotted him outside the castle that night. She had screamed his name, and Nick had watched as she ran into the precept's arms. Rachel had hugged him before they turned to see the other couple kissing. He had been somewhat startled by the sight, especially since Derek had his arms around the young woman and was certainly kissing her back. Rachel had grinned and pulled him along to where they were, and the older man was soon bombarded with questions from him, and hugs and kisses from Rachel.

What would it mean to all of them should Derek and Alex have an affair? How would Rachel take it? He knew that Alex would be very happy, but would the Darkside go after her? Derek had lost so many of those he loved. Would he be able to handle it should he and Alex become involved, and then she was killed? Would any of them? After all, Derek's women didn't tend to have long, healthy lives. It would kill Derek or at least take all the life out of him. Or what if he or Derek somehow failed to protect her?

He shook his head. They couldn't live their lives that way, in fear that evil would take those they loved. Would he have given up his relationship with Julia had he known it would end the way it did? No, he treasured the time he had spent with her, and the former SEAL hoped that one day he would find someone else to love.

How would London feel about it? Nick smiled, imagining Devere's face. The old guy would pop a vein. Maybe he should help their romance along for that reason alone. London obviously wouldn't like it, not wanting precepts to get involved with members of their House. But Derek had never been one for following the rules. He had followed this one, however...

It would be great to see them happy, though. Alex had loved Derek for some time, and he knew the other man had feelings for his assistant. Derek likely didn't want to become involved with a member of his House. Nick remembered that the man wasn't too thrilled when he and Julia had started to become serious, and even less so when the couple had had a fight. But they all had managed to muddle their way through.

He was overlooking another scenario. What if it ended badly? What would happen if one of them wanted to continue the relationship, while the other wanted to end it? And what would it be like if they got married? Would Derek ever have a wife and kids like Sloan? Nick was secretly pleased that Megan didn't end up as Derek's wife.

Guilt stabbed at him as he recalled returning to San Francisco and learning of her death. He was off on an assignment when Megan had died and Derek had been kidnapped. Alex later told him that Horton had called Megan a bad influence on Derek, and the younger man had secretly agreed before the precept had entered. The precept had looked tired and drawn. He knew Derek had a great deal of his own guilt, feeling responsible for her death because of her involvement with him. The Darkside had planned to have Derek kill Alex and then himself. But the precept had resisted Horton's brainwashing, only pretending to be under his influence. Nick wondered if he would have the strength to do that. Would he have the right stuff to be a precept one day?

He knew Derek already thought so, having given him his Legacy ring the night they planted the C-4 near the portal. Stunned couldn't begin to describe what he had felt. The man believed him worthy to be a precept. And thought of him as a son...

"Ladies and gentlemen, could I have you attention, please?" Rachel stirred and raised her seat. "We'll be serving breakfast shortly." And shortly it was. It wasn't as lavish as dinner had been, and his seat mate had let him finish hers. They had each gone to the rest room to freshen up, and he was ready to get off this thing. He peered out the window and saw several islands in the dawn's approaching light. Which ones were those? He'd have to ask...

"May I have your attention once more, ladies and gentlemen." Suzette stood at the front. "We'll be landing at Faa'a International Airport in Papeete in about 15 minutes, and I wanted to pass these out to the ladies." She picked up a white flower from a basket. "Let me first tell you a little about our lovely island flower. This is the tiare blossom, the national emblem of Tahiti. You'll notice it on the tail section of each plane of Air Tahiti, and we even have a national holiday to celebrate our tiare."

Nick saw her hand Rachel one and a small clip. "You should be aware that there is a special meaning when you wear one in your hair. If a vahine, a woman, wears it behind her left ear, it means that her heart is taken by a tane, a man. But if she wears it behind her right ear..." Suzette pointed to the one she was wearing. "That means her heart has yet to be taken." Her eyes met Nick's and she smiled. His grin grew larger. He was definitely going to see if this lovely lady would be available to somehow join him for dinner in Bora Bora.

Rachel put hers behind her left ear. David would be happy to see it, Nick knew, as she winked at him. Suzette moved over to Alex and handed her one. He saw the young woman hesitate. Would she put it behind her left? The former SEAL knew damn well that her heart was taken. He was surprised when Alex put it behind her right. Nick smiled, noting the look on the precept's face. "Go, Alex," the young man whispered. "Let Derek have some competition while we're here."

The chimes rang, announcing their imminent arrival at the airport. Seats were raised and belts buckled. "Isn't that beautiful," Rachel said, gazing out the window. Damn, he was running out of time to ask Suzette. Maybe it was better if he didn't. Would she be able to join him while he was on Bora Bora?

The wheels bumped on the tarmac as they landed, and the slow ride to where they would disembark began. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Tahiti." Soon the plane stopped and they gathered their things. "Be careful of the overhead compartment," Suzette said, standing next to him.

"Listen, would you..." He began before he felt something in his hand. "That's my phone number," she said. "Call me and maybe we can have dinner or something while you're here." He grinned as she walked over to help Alex.

A few minutes later, Nick stood at the top of the stairs. The heat of the sun warmed his face, and he knew it was going to be a beautiful day. As he gazed down at his friends, he saw young women in Tahitian dress place leis over Derek's head, then Alex's. Taking a deep breath, he could smell the tropical flowers. A huge smile lit his face.

"Welcome to paradise..."

End part 6