The drive to the Orleans regional airport turned out to be the most uncomfortable road-trip she'd ever taken. With Sylvana squeezed between the two Frenchmen in the back seat of the SUV, Reine could almost feel the woman's gaze boring a hole into the back of her head. At least on the plane she could put several rows between them, and she breathed a sigh of relief when - after forty-five minutes - they pulled up to the gate marked "Chartes Privées."

Following a quick check of their identifications, the guard let the car roll through and drive all the way up to the designated spot. A few minutes later, a sleek, white jet taxied from the runway before coming to a final stop just twenty-feet away.

After the roar of the engines ceased, the door of the plane flipped downward revealing the stairway. A uniformed man stepped aside and let a young woman with fiery red hair emerge.

"Morgan! Did you know she was coming?" Reine beamed at Max, but opened the car door before he could answer.

Meeting the smiling girl at the bottom of the steps with a lengthy hug, she pulled away when another familiar figure appeared in the opening. Wearing his trademark dark suit, Mal had to duck to pass through the low door. His face was expressionless as he took the stairs two at a time.

Reine heard the third passenger's voice before she saw the figure.

"Alhamdulillah! Finally, we can get some fresh air," the girl exclaimed before stepping into the sunlight.

"Noor!" Reine yelled as she left Morgan behind and ran up the steps.

The young woman squealed with delight and met her halfway.

"Oh, Rennie! I was so afraid you wouldn't want to see me. I don't expect you to ever forgive me, but-" she lamented, but Reine pulled her into a tight embrace.

"I'm so happy that you're here. That's all that matters." She smiled, letting go of her friend.

Noor reciprocated the gesture before her eyes widened. "Your hair. You've gone blonde on me and I . . . I love it!" She caressed a lock on Reine's shoulder with a giggle.

"Ahem. Ladies, if you'd care to resume the reunion on-board . . .," Mal interrupted. He was holding Sylvana by the arm and waiting at the bottom rung.

"Are we all going together then?" Reine called down to Max who'd also left the car and was approaching with their bags.

He stepped around Mal and began ascending. "Yes, darling. We're just taking on some fuel, and then we'll be on our way."

"Darling?" Noor smirked before pulling Reine inside the aircraft.

It was the same jet she took back home after Gabe's death, but being surrounded by friends now tempered those painful memories. As with everything else Max owned, this plane was also pure luxury. From the tan, leather seats that comfortably accommodated eight passengers to the polished wooden trim work that accented the cabin, travel couldn't get any more stylish.

Noor led her to a group of four seats where Morgan joined them.

"Kenzie couldn't come?" Reine asked as the redhead sitting across from her buckled her seatbelt.

Morgan laughed. "Ya didn't think I'd leave wee Amara with those two barmy blokes, did ya? I wouldn't trust Mikey and Dodger with Frankenpuss let alone a five year old. But when the boss man called yesterday to bring your friend over, I decided to come along to see how you're doing. So, how are ya holding up, ducky?"

"Oh, still somewhat in denial, I guess." She glanced at Max two seats in front of her. The move didn't escape Morgan's attention.

"Wait a minute! You two?" She gestured, pointing her finger between them.

Reine's face flushed, and she shook her head emphatically. "No, no. Not at all," she lied, becoming even more flustered when she caught Max watching her. Needing to change the subject, she turned to Noor. "Uhm, so you're living with Mal now, huh?"

"More than that. We're engaged!" The girl flashed a large diamond ring on her left hand. "I've been dying to tell you, but - well - it didn't seem appropriate so soon after -"

"Yeah, no. It's okay. I'm really happy for you. Congratulations, sweetie." Reine smiled and hugged her friend once again. "But it was kind of fast, don't you think?"

Noor raised an eyebrow. "Don't go all mom on me, Rennie."

"Fine, show me that rock," she relented, grabbing Noor's hand and pulling it toward her. "Holy cow! Well, I do have to hand it to you, Mal," she addressed the young man sitting across from Max. "You obviously know your bling, but if you hurt my friend, remember I know people who can hurt you back."

Max's deep laugh rang through the cabin. With his back to her, Mal just raised his hand in affirmation. "Point taken," he said.

"Oh, I almost forgot." Noor pulled her enormous designer purse into her lap and began rummaging through it. "Sorry I didn't get a chance to wrap it, but I had to pack in a hurry." She handed Reine a pair of orange socks decorated with white figures.

"Am I missing something here?" Morgan looked on with confusion.

Noor smiled. "Novelty socks are kind of her thing. I don't remember you having these yet."

Reine unfolded the footwear. "Ghosts?"

"Yeah, I thought they were cute. Plus I wanted to get something . . . uhm, thematically appropriate? You know, eternal life and all. These were the closest I could find."

Now it was Morgan's turn to laugh. "Oh my God! That's hilarious. Excuse me, I think we're about to head out, and I need to find a drink before takeoff."

"Did I say something wrong?" Noor furrowed her forehead while watching the woman head down the narrow aisle toward the back of the plane.

Reine lightly touched her hand. "Not at all, sweetie. Morgan's great, but she can be a bit blunt. And being immortal . . . well, it's . . . it's our reality. Ghosts, on the other hand-"

Noor pulled away and threw her bag on the floor. "Yeah, right. Got it. I'm still trying to learn all your rules and stuff."

"No, it's my fault. Maybe I should have told you myself, but believe me keeping this a secret from you was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. How did you take it when Mal told you, anyway?"

The girl finally smiled again. "Well, naturally I didn't believe him at first."

Reine cleared her throat and lowered her voice to a whisper. She knew Mal would still hear her, but she wanted to appear discreet. "And you're okay being with someone who'll outlive you by centuries?"

"Are you seriously trying to depress me? Enjoy the moment, Rennie," Noor said as she leaned forward and kissed her friend on the cheek.

"Aren't you all just lovey-dovey?" Sylvana broke her silence from the last row. "Carpe Diem. Blah, blah, blah. Forgive me if I lose my breakfast."

"Shut up, you cow, or I might just consider throwing this scotch in your stupid face." Morgan strode past her without missing a beat. "But then again, it is eighteen-year-old Glenfiddich so it's too good to waste. You're lucky I'm too lazy to go back for some ice water."

The intercom cut off anything Sylvana may have tried to say in response. Ladies and gentlemen. This is your captain, and I'd like to welcome you on board for the second part of our journey today. If you'd take your seats and fasten your seatbelts, we're going to start preparations for takeoff. Our trip should last just under two hours, so relax and enjoy the flight.

Reine's flight was anything, but enjoyable. The subtle bounces of the relatively light craft played with her already sensitive stomach, and she spent most of the time either with an airsickness bag or crouched in her seat practicing breathing exercises.

The girls accepted her explanation of routine motion sickness and didn't question her state any further. Only Max - with the obvious look of concern every time she passed him on the way to the toilet - knew the real reason behind her extreme nausea.

As promised, the aircraft landed in the North Sea town just a few minutes before noon and quickly taxied to a spot in the small, regional airport. Two cars were already waiting for them. Mal and the Frenchman who'd accompanied them swiftly took Sylvana away in the first, while Max escorted the girls to the second.

"The trial isn't until six tonight, so you ladies have all afternoon in Bruge to spend as you wish," he said, handing the last piece of luggage to the driver.

Noor and Morgan were already seated in the back of the car, but Reine stopped at the door. "What about you? You're not coming with us?"

"I'm afraid not. Not immediately, anyway. I've been asked to personally pick up a somewhat reluctant Council member, so I have to make a quick detour to Riga."

Reine frowned. "Latvia? Will you get back in time?"

"Don't worry. Morgan will take good care of you." Max gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "I'll be back when you need me."