Disclaimer: This is a work of non-profit fan fiction. These characters are not my creations, but what wonderful creations they are. Anne owns all the copyrights. You could sue me but you wouldn’t get much. Oh, and the song belongs to John Denver. (I think.)

Characters: Daniel and Armand

Warnings: None

Spoilers: QOTD and TVA, just to be safe.

Author’s Note: For those of you who read “Another Suitcase in Another Hall”, this is sort of a “kindler, gentler” version of that scenario. For those who didn’t read it, well…you didn’t miss much.*g* Again, I am inspired by a song.


[Daniel’s POV]
**************

“Here you go, sir. You’ll be boarding at Gate H7. Have a nice flight,” the tired-looking woman behind the Delta Airlines counter said as she handed me my ticket.

Mumbling my thanks, I grabbed my carry-on bag and walked over to where Armand was looking through travel pamphlets. He glanced up at me and then went back to learning about the merits of fly-fishing in Montana.

“Thinking about taking up a new hobby?” I asked with a grin.

“Maybe.” Armand was staring so hard at the brochure I was surprised it didn’t burst into flames. It was only about the third word he’d said since we’d left the Night Island. I was beginning to regret asking him to accompany me to the airport. Perhaps it would have been better if we’d said our goodbyes at home.

Oh well, I thought, too late now.

“I need to hike it over to my gate. You comin’ with?”

Armand sighed and placed the brochure back in the kiosk. “Yes.”

We walked in silence to the small waiting area and found a couple of empty seats. I glanced at my watch. “Should be boarding soon.”

Armand picked up a magazine and started to flip through it. “I don’t know why you won’t take one of our planes, Daniel.”

“They’re your planes, Armand.”

“I bought them for us.”

“Whatever. Look, I told you I just wanna do this on my own. I don’t want to be dependent on you. I just need to spread my wings, as they say. You can understand that can’t you?”

Armand mumbled something unintelligible.

“What?”

“Nothing, Daniel.”

I ran my hands through my hair. I didn’t want Armand to be angry with me for leaving. It was just something I had to do. I wished he could understand my need for independence. I had every intention of returning; I just needed to be on my own for a while. I wanted our parting to be peaceful and amicable, but it was shaping up to be just plain awkward. If only I could find a way to make him smile, to lighten the mood a little…

Impulsively I grabbed the magazine from Armand’s hands and tossed it on the floor, causing him to give me a startled look. I ignored it, pulling him up and into my lap and wrapping my arms around his waist. Armand was so caught off guard that he offered no resistance. I looked him in the eye and began to sing…

“There’s so many times I’ve let you down
So many times I’ve played around
But I’ll tell you now they don’t mean a thing
Every place I go I’ll think of you
Every song I sing I’ll sing for you…”

Armand pulled my hands from around his waist.

“Don’t,” he said as he stood up and looked away. So much for making him smile. Just then a voice came over the loudspeaker.

“Delta Flight 626 to New York City is now boarding at Gate H7.”

I rose from the chair and slung my bag over my shoulder. “That’s me.”

Armand was standing with his arms crossed, studying the floor as if it held the secret to the universe. I stepped in front of him and reached out to tilt his chin up, forcing him to meet my eyes. I was momentarily stunned by the sorrow I saw there.

“Hey. I won’t be gone forever. I’ll be back. I promise,” I said as I leaned in to kiss him. He allowed me a small peck before moving away.

“Are you sure you have everything you need in there?” he asked pointing to my bag.

I sighed. “Yes, Armand. You know I like to travel light. If I need anything I can pick it up somewhere later.”

Armand nodded. “Will you…will you call me in a few days and let me know you’re okay?”

I wished he wouldn’t try so hard to hang on to his stupid pride. “Yes, I’ll call you. Now are you gonna hug me goodbye or not?” I didn’t wait for an answer, I just grabbed him and held on tight. To my relief, he didn’t try to resist, but wrapped his arms around me and squeezed gently. I felt a lump rise in my throat and in an unsteady voice I started singing in his ear…

“So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you’ll wait for me
Hold me like you’ll never let me go
Cause I’m leavin’ on a jet plane
I don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go…”

I kissed him again and this time he didn’t pull away.

“I love you,” I whispered against his mouth. I was on the verge of tears and I fought desperately to hold them back. It became even harder to do as I watched a solitary crimson tear wind its way down Armand’s pale cheek.

“Te adoro, Daniel.” He cupped my face with his hands and stood on tiptoe to kiss me on my forehead. “Addio, mio bello ragazzo.”

He always switches to Italian when he’s emotional. It was one of the many things I was going to miss about him. I let my eyes travel over him, committing every inch to memory, as if there was any way I’d ever forget even the smallest detail. I tugged on one of his auburn curls, wrapping it around my finger, wanting to imprint the feel of it onto my skin. I took a deep breath, knowing that if I didn’t walk away at that moment then I never would.

“See ya later, boss.” I took a few steps backward and then pivoted and walked toward the gate. I got about halfway there before I turned around and looked back at him. He looked so forlorn standing there. I had to try one more time to make him smile. I started singing very off-key and at the top of my lungs…

"Now the time has come to leave you
One more time let me kiss you
Close your eyes and I’ll be on my way
Cause I’m leavin’ on a jet plane
I don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go”

It worked. People were watching us and Armand looked extremely embarrassed. But he was smiling. Not one of his patented smirks, but a real smile. Now, I don’t make a fool of myself in crowded airports for just anyone. But that smile was worth it. I knew I would carry the memory of it with me for a very long time.

I left the terminal and boarded the plane, wondering what the future would hold and hoping that when I was ready to come home, Armand would be there waiting with open arms.

***************
The End.