"I hate airplanes." groaned Brielle as they boarded the flight to California. "I can't sleep, I can't hear, I can't eat, I can't go to the bathroom..."

"Why can't you go to the bathroom?" asked Jack as he guided her to her seat beside the window.

"It's scary. What if something happens and I can't reach you?" she said slumping into her seat. "Stuff seems to keep happening to us"

"You know love," said Jack taking his jacket off and sitting beside her. "I didn't mean for you to go to the bathroom alone."

Brielle blushed a deep red at his words. "What do you mean?"

"Whatever you want me to." he said with a small laugh. Brielle realized how much she missed his smile, they hadn't been very frequent the last few hours.

Brielle scrutinized his handsome face. Lines had appeared on his perfect forehead, dark circles under his eyes indicating how tired he was. He hadn't had time to shave and every time she kissed him, she felt a roughness brush against her. He looked much older than his age, as though the stress had mellowed him down.

"Jack?" she said softly after a while.

"Yes?" he said snapping out of his reverie.

"Are you scared?" she asked searching his eyes. His dark eyes clouded over as he looked away. She had hit the bullseye.

"What if my daughter hates me?" he said finally.

"She won't." said Brielle firmly. "She will love you."

"But Brielle, I have no idea how this could have happened." said Jack looking tensed. "I- we always used protection. I understand that condoms are not always 100% effective but I can't believe Claire didn't tell me when she found out."

"Maybe she was in two minds about keeping the baby." said Brielle thoughtfully. "Perhaps she didn't think you needed to know."

"Please fasten your seat belts."

Brielle settled her head down on Jack's shoulder as he closed his eyes for the take off.

***

WELCOME, Mr. S. Willis, Attorney

Mr. S. Willis was the best lawyer in the world. He could solve any case, win any court battle and talk his way through anything.

Well almost anything.

A minor incident (in Axky's words), five years ago (mainly due to Axky's doings), had destroyed Willis's career. His high profile client's wrong doings had been exposed when Axky hacked into his computer. Willis was portrayed by the media as a money hungry shrewd lawyer who, despite all his humanitarian efforts was just a fraud.

In truth, however, Willis had been collecting incriminating evidence against his own client. He planned to hand it over to the court after resigning as a lawyer to his client. His well crafted amd painstakingly laid out plan of over two years was destroyed within a few seconds as Axky, hired by the FBI, gathered the ready information from his computer.

Axky happily escaped the limelight with his cheque, but Willis's position as a lawyer started to be questioned by the media. He even had his license taken away for a few days.

Willis successfully cleared his name in court, within a short time thereafter, given how talented a lawyer he was. His public relations, however, had been permanently damaged. His flourishing business had dwindled down to a few small cases a year.

"Found ya." Axky said as he read the sign on the door and barged in, just as Willis was about to exit. He was a stout, middle-aged man. He was completely bald but sported a thick mustache that curled at the ends.

"Hi there Willis!" chirped Axky merrily as Willis scowled at him and tried to shove him with his suitcase.

"Get out." he said gruffly, fixing his tie. He looked like he was on his way for a hearing.

"I wanted to hire you for a friend." said Axky continuing to block Willis's path. "Please."

"Oh yeah?" snarled Willis. "And I want to be a pole dancer."

Axky stood quite still, trying to picture Willis in a revealing costume and straddling a pole.

"I was being sarcastic." said Willis warily.

"Oh!" said Axky sighing in relief. "Thank goodness."

"Now get out." said Willis irritably. "I have to be somewhere."

"Come on Willis, help us out." said Axky throwing his arms out in frustration. He blocked Willis's path with his body.

"Hell no." said Willis dismissively as he tried to pass. "You've been pestering me for days. Can't you get it through your thick head that no, I don't want to have anything to do with you."

"Please," said Axky loudly.

"I am never helping you young man." said Willis angrily.

"So much hatred for something that happened so many years ago?" said Axky with a nervous laugh. "You can't still be dwelling over that, can you?"

"You hacked into my database and destroyed all my evidence." roared Willis.

"It was an accident, I swear!" said Axky immediately. "I didn't mean to, I had no idea you were representing that scumbag."

"Well I didn't get any credit for exposing the scumbag, now did I?" said Willis harshly. "You took away all my glory and disgraced me. Everyone now thinks I choose to be a lawyer for criminals."

"I'm sorry old Willis." said Axky patting Willis's ample cheeks, with what can only be termed as recklessness. "Help me please? And I promise you'll never see me again."

"Stop that." said Willis smacking away Axky's hand. "Promise me you'll never bother me again?"

"Cross my heart and hope to die." said Axky with an innocent look, keeping his fingers tightly crossed behind his back.

"Fine." said Willis, settling back on his chair. "What do you want?"

Axky sat down and narrated the story of Claire, Jack and their little girl, Victoria. He explained how important it was for Jack to gain custody of his daughter.

"DNA test." said Willis snappishly. "It's the only way to make sure that girl is his."

"Cool." said Axky happily. "Now how do we get Claire to consent for the DNA test?"

"Not my problem." said Willis getting up again and trying to leave.

"Willis, only you can do this." said Axky catching him again. "You're the best lawyer there is."

"That may be true, but my image is tarnished." said Willis bitterly.

"If you aid Dixon Enterprises, we can guarantee a complete makeover of your image." said Axky dragging Willis back to his seat.

"You'll make me likeable by the media again?" asked Willis skeptically.

"Sure. I'll hack into their headlines and edit them myself to praise you if need be." said Axky desperately.

"Okay."

"Please Willis you can't say no---wait what?" Axky was so shocked his hair stood on its end on his head.

"Okay, I'll do it, just to get you out of my hair." said Willis glumly.

"Willis, considering that you are bald that's not an accurate expression." said Axky grinning like his usual self.

"Shut up before I change my mind." snapped Willis as he stood up again. "I'll gather evidence and prepare a case. I'll visit Jack Dixon at his residence tomorrow sharp at 3 pm and discuss it."

"Thanks Willy, I'll take care of your image. I'm awfully sorry." said Axky coming close to hug him.

"Too touchy feely for me son. See ya." said Willis, a grin playing at the corner of his mouth as he finally left the room.

***

Brielle enjoyed a hot bath after dinner as Jack slumped onto the bed, his phone tight against his ear. It was such a relief to finally be back home.

The night sky was brighter than usual, owing to the full moon and the sparkling stars. Jack had missed being in his own room. It was an added bonus that Brielle would be sharing it with him, from now on.

"Thanks Axky." said Jack as he was informed of the Willis visit. "I owe you so many, I've lost track."

"Its okay, Jackie my boy." said Axky happily on the phone. "Just get your girl back and call me to your wedding. I am best man right?"

"Of course." said Jack. "I'll see you tomorrow with Willis then?"

"No can do." said Axky with a sigh. "I have a couple of pending assignments. But Paula can be there with you."

"Speaking of Paula, did everything at the visa office work out?" asked Jack sitting up as Brielle came out wearing a bathrobe, her hair sticking to her face.

"Oh yeah. Paula is a citizen here, she was born in Rodeo, California. Can you believe it?" said Axky excitedly. His tone turned melancholy as he added, "Her dad was American. She went to Thailand for work, after she lost----well, something happened and she had to leave. Anyway, could you take care of Paula for a few days? I'll try to get back as soon a s possible."

"Sure. She can stay at my house. Brielle will be delighted to keep her company." said Jack as Brielle nodded vigorously.

"Cool man." said Axky. "Bye."

"Bye."

Brielle sat down silently, beside Jack and began fiddling with her fingers. Jack looked at her bowed head as she avoided his gaze. She was wearing a skimpy nightgown, her lacy underwear clearly visible. Jack quickly caught on at her attempt to seduce him. He was more than happy to comply.

Cupping her face with his hands he tucked the loose strands of wet hair behind her ears. She was blushing in the half light. He kissed the stone on her ring finger lovingly.

"Brielle?" he said huskily, kissing her full mouth and drawing her close to him.

"Jack...mmm" she said as her words drowned in his mouth. "Are you tired?"

"Not for you." he said as he pushed her gently on to the bed and drew the curtains.

***