If The World Was Ending

Elizabeth’s green eyes narrows as she looks up at the small TV screen on the wall in front of her in the semi-empty airport waiting room. She hardly listens to the blond newscaster that was reporting the latest news to read the small writing scrolling along the bottom of the screen. ‘Cure Cybertech to continue with its Free Vaccine Campaign in rural Africa despite unconfirmed reports of side-effects.’ It was not uncommon to have the company she works for in the news. Cure Cybertech was a leading Pharmaceutical company in America that specializes in manufacturing generic and cost-effective vaccines for the debilitating diseases that lays waste to 3rd world countries. They are also a giant when it comes to revolutionary medical advancements and treatments. With the world health organization supporting and promoting Cure Cybertech’s initiative they are the forerunners to eradicating life threatening diseases. Especially since they have made their vaccines freely available. Elizabeth shifts uncomfortably on the grey plastic chair as she tugs on the neck opening of her cream sweater and wishes she had tied her hair back into a braid. Elizabeth checks her watch it was already after 1 pm, her boss was late. They are supposed to travel to South Africa and investigate an incident at one of Cure Cybertech’s medical facilities in the Western Cape. Her boss, Dr Laura Kramer was a leading scientist at Cure Cybertech’s Research and Disease department and also an awarded epidemiologist.    Shane Stone stands with his hands shoved into the pockets of his black pants, he was not happy, he was supposed to be on his way home. Frustrated he runs a hand through his raven black hair that was a bit longer than the standard military crop. He has been watching Elizabeth for the last five minutes studying his new assignment. Her dossier only had the necessary information and the small photo attached did not do her any justice. He was actually slightly annoyed that she was so pretty, her long red copper hair hugging her shoulders with the snug fitting sweater promising a curvy body. He would have preferred the initial image he had conjured when he had first heard about this job. Shane reaches for his sunglasses that are tucked into the breast pocket of his commando vest, covers his eyes and then purposefully strides towards Elizabeth.   Elizabeth’s eyes catch the huge man dressed in black commando gear, with the unmistakable logo of Cure Cybertech on his shoulders, and black sunglasses walking towards her. Elizabeth tries to keep her focus on him, pushing down the unsettling feeling of intimidation that his muscled form was evoking. She finds herself pressing against the back of her chair the closer he gets. Elizabeth swallows nervously.  He has got to be the most attractive man she has ever seen, her eyes greedily taking all of him in. That he was there for her was undeniable since the only other people in the waiting room were an elderly couple, and the fact that he has stopped in front of her.   “Miss Elizabeth Van Rooyen I presume?” he drawls and Elizabeth nods sheepishly. “Shane Stone,” he introduces and removes his sunglasses, stretching his large hand out towards her. Shane’s eyes watches as her hand nervously moves to grip his, his hand swallowing the softness of hers into his. He almost staggers backwards when she looks up and her emerald green eyes locks onto his, his brown eyes darkening at the unmistakable instant attraction between them.   Elizabeth pulls her hand out of his and she subconsciously wipes her hand on her brown pants, trying to rub off the feel of his hand. The spark she had felt when their hands had touched has surprised her and her palm was still tingling. “Dr Kramer has been delayed unfortunately and I have been sent to accompany you,” she hears Shane informing her. “Is she all right?” Elizabeth asks concerned as she stands up, her action forcing Shane to take a few steps backwards. “Yes, Dr Kramer will be taking a later flight.” Elizabeth nods frowning, her faint freckled nose twitching. Elizabeth jumps as her phone suddenly pings in her pants pocket and she reaches for it, noticing that Shane was also reaching for his. “Our flight is boarding” he says returning his phone to his vest pocket. Elizabeth turns around to grab her travelling bag. Together they make their way to the boarding terminal of their flight.   Elizabeth stands silently next to Shane as they wait for their turn to go through the controller. Her boarding pass held firmly in her hand. She was trying to calm her nerves and ease the painful knots in her stomach. Elizabeth has flown several times before, but somehow this one was starting to feel very different. She would love to contribute it to the man next to her, but this was something else, foreboding almost. And truth be told the twenty hour flight from New York to Cape Town was going to be challenging enough, sitting next to a man she has found herself almost immediately attracted to. The only thing that was counting in her favor was that Cure Cybertech did not allow fraternizing between its employees, no matter what department they worked for. Elizabeth steels a quick sideways glance and immediately looks away when she finds Shane staring at her. Why was he staring at her?  Elizabeth’s mouth was suddenly very dry and when they moved forward to hand over their boarding passes, she could hardly return the stewardess’s friendly greeting.   Shane walks behind Elizabeth as they start down the walkway and eventually up the stairs into the plane. They were guided to the their aisle seats and he graciously allows Elizabeth to sit next to the window, he prefers the aisle seat anyway than being claustrophobically stuck between a window and the flame haired woman which he was finding extremely desirable. He feels guilty being subsequently caught staring at her. Shane closes his eyes as he leans back into his chair, but opens them again when he hears the frustrated groans coming from Elizabeth. He watches for several seconds as she struggles to get her seatbelt fastened, her hands shaking.   Elizabeth’s eyes widens as she sees the large hand covering hers, the touch heating her cheeks. Shane moves her hands away from her seatbelt, leans over and with both his hands fasten it for her. His left arm was pressing against her stomach and the sensation was intensifying the heat in her face. Shane’s eyes drifts to her face. “Are you okay?” he asks quietly, his breath caressing her jaw. “Y…yes, I…just don’t…like flying,” Elizabeth stammers, avoiding his gaze. Shane nods and shifts back into his seat and Elizabeth exhales the breath she was holding. She had not lied, she really does not like flying, but she has to admit that Shane’s presence was only adding to her flying stress. The best will be to just ignore him as much as possible and avoid any and all touching. Several minutes later the airplane was finally taxing down the runway to take off. The first initial speed build up was still manageable and Elizabeth closes her eyes, but once the plane starts to lift off the ground,  Elizabeth grabs hold of her armrests. Shane looks down at the hand gripping his arm tightly and then looks at the pale Elizabeth next to him. Even terrified she looks gorgeous, Shane sighs, pressing his head into his seat as he closes his eyes. This was going to be a very long flight.