Flight #319

F L I G H T #3 1 9

By Mctrip7

Rating: PG-13
Genre: Suspense, Romance, Angst
Archive: Trip!
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Paramount and will not be sold.
Summary: Sorry, T’Pol, but you had your chance!

~~~~

P R O L O G U E

“Damn! I can’t wait to plant my feet on Mother Earth,” Chief Engineer Charles “Trip” Tucker said to Malcolm Reed, Enterprise’s security chief, as he threw his sports bag over his shoulder. My mom’s meeting me in San Francisco and we’re going to my grandparents in Washington. I plan to do absolutely nothing for at least a week.

“Well, I’m going to grab the next flight for London, have some time with my parents and maybe a Holiday on the Continent; but I’m still planning to meet you and the crew in Las Vegas on September 1st,” Malcolm responded.

“Capt’n., where are you headed?” Trip asked as they made their way to the transporter room.

“Heading home. Lots of loose ends to take care of,” said Jonathan Archer. “It’s surprising how many things can go wrong when you’re out of town.”

Sub-Commander T’Pol joined them as they were waiting their turn on the transporter. Archer asked her if she had plans.

“I’m returning to Vulcan, but I will be back before our scheduled departure.”

“Let Star Fleet know when you get back. I’ll check in, too. Maybe I can show you our city, “ Jonathan invited.

T’Pol, in her usual stoic way said “Thank you, Captain, I accept.”

Most every member of the crew was looking forward to going home and some R & R. “See you in September” was the goodbye!

~~~~~~~

CHAPTER I

As she boarded Airline Flight #319, Laurie got that tingling in the pit of her stomach. Flying on Earth was still exciting!

Lieutenant Laurie Layne Clark was anxious to see her family. She had just received her new assignment and, though she hated being gone so long, she could hardly wait to give them the news.

Turning toward Cabin Class, she was aware of a commotion several aisles ahead. Closer inspection told her some children had just spilled their drinks all over the aisle seat - HER seat. The stewardess came running with towels, but it was too late - milk and coke were already soaking in.

Turning to her, the stewardess said, "I'll have to find you another seat. We're already over booked - - you wouldn't consider another flight, would you?"

Laurie was taken by surprise. “NO, my sister is waiting for me in Las Vegas!”

Disgusted, she walked back the way she came. Holli would be getting in from Dallas about the same time she was due from Tacoma. And now this!

The stewardess from First Class had been watching the incident, and as Laurie retreated in her direction, she said "Let me see if I have a place up front.” However, she became involved with her passengers; so Laurie sat down in an empty seat by the isle. The young man by the window raised his head and nodded before going back to sleep.

Finally, the stewardess came back. She looked alarmed and said "Oh, you can't sit there.” At which time the young man mumbled, "It's OK".

Laurie thanked him and started settling in. He nodded and turned his back to her.

Laurie’s heart missed a beat! Was that who she thought it was? It couldn't be!!! She couldn't see his face now with his back to her; but the whiskers and the scruffy hair sure looked about right. Could it be Charles Tucker – Commander Charles Tucker, III. She had seen him one night when she and a group of her friends had stopped for a nightcap at the 602 Club. He was feeling no pain! And, he had actually managed to give a lecture to her class the next day.

She got her book out and tried to read – IMPOSSIBLE. No way could she concentrate on a book. There was still a lot of commotion with passengers getting their seats and stowing their luggage, but her seatmate was sound asleep.

Finally, they were in the air. As he shifted his position, she got a better look - and sure enough, it was Tucker. In getting comfortable, his body slid down in the seat a little and his head rested on her shoulder. Though she knew her arm would shortly be numb, she wouldn't move for anything. He really looked exhausted.

When the stewardess came by, Laurie got a pillow and a blanket. As she retracted the armrest, she guided his shoulders to the pillow. He shifted his weight as he relaxed and she and the stewardess spread the blanket over him. "Sweet Dreams, Trip".

They'd been under way about an hour when there was a terrific jolt and the plane dropped! Things were flying around and people were being thrown to the floor.

Tucker woke up with a start. He was totally disoriented. Laurie said, "It's OK, we're still on course from Tacoma to Las Vegas. I think we hit an air pocket. You look exhausted. Put your head down.”

He looked like he was still trying to figure out where he was. "Who are you? Oh yeah, you're the one that sat down here a while ago, aren't you?”

"Yes, put your head back down and wake up slowly or you'll have a doosy of headache.”

He started to lean toward her when he noticed the jumble of bags and debris in the aisle. “What happened?” He couldn't sit up because Laurie had attached her seat belt to his, so he wouldn't fall on the floor.

The man across the aisle handed Laurie her book as he helped another passenger back to her seat. “Riley’s my name. Your book was under my seat. Are you all Ok?”

“Fine, thanks, must have been an air pocket we hit.”

"Air pockets can be dangerous,” Tucker said as he eased down again, putting his head on the pillow. "I'm a little dizzy for some reason,” he offered.

"How long has it been since you've had a good night's sleep?” Laurie asked.

"Don't remember. It's been a while, though. My name’s Tucker – Charles, but everyone calls me ‘Trip.’”

“My name is Laurie, Laurie Layne; and I’m very glad to meet you ‘Trip.’” (No need to give him the details.)

"Were you visiting your parents?” she asked, though she knew it was his grandparents that lived up this way. She had looked up his bio after the Lecture. There was something about him that just overwhelmed her, even then!

“No, my grandparents,” he said. “I spent a lot of time up here when I was growing up. Nothing like a long hike and an overnight in the woods. The moon is so bright you can read a book.”

“I’m meeting some of our crew in Las Vegas before we have to report in. How about you?”

“I’m meeting my sister there for the week-end and then going home.” He seemed to relax considerably. She loosened the seat belt and Trip sat up. They were really having a bumpy ride now. They could hear soft crying in the distance and clipped orders through the intercom. As the stewardess came by, they asked, "What’s happening?”

She said, “The Captain is ready to come on the intercom now.”

"Ladies and gentlemen, we've experienced some unusual shifting of cargo. We are going to land in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It shouldn't take long for us to correct this and then we will be on our way. We've notified Las Vegas and they will be holding your flights for those heading . . . .”

Down they went again . . . . ! This time Laurie was really grateful for Trip’s strong arms. They lunged forward. His shoulder caught most of the impact on the seat ahead of them.

"What the hell was that? That wasn't any air pocket. We're loosing altitude."

The Stewardess came on the intercom. . "We're going to prepare for an emergency landing . . .”

At the mention of “emergency” the screams started, then the wailing, even some cursing. She couldn't get their attention. With that, Commander Tucker came to life and headed for the mike. She gladly gave it to him and fed him the instructions which his very authoritative voice passed on to the passengers. He got their attention in nothing flat.

“Please take your seats and fasten your seat belts. Put your head down and be sure there is nothing loose moving around. The Captain is very familiar with this territory as he has flown this route for over 20 years. Try to remain calm, especially if the lights go out. The ones on the floor will remain on and you are to follow them to the exits.”

It sounded so simple, but terrifying. By now Laurie had her rosary out and was praying as sincerely as she could. This was for real.

Trip made his way back to his seat with everyone pulling on him to do something. He hesitated when he saw Laurie saying her prayers. "We're really going to need those before we get down,” he whispered in her ear. "There’s a gaping hole in the bottom of the plane!”

TBC

Continue to Chapter 2

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A handful of people have made comments

OMG OMG OMG! save them!!!!!
kool start though, this sounds to be a very interesting story and i'll be looking forwards to the rest of it :D

Terrific story! An emergency not on Enterprise, but just on a plane. That's something new and very interesting. I'm eagerly waiting for the next chapter to come.

Nice beginning. Different but great. Looking forward to the next update.

Wow, Must read more.

Awesome opening!!!!!!!!

Great start! Can't wait to read the next chapter!