Flight

[thefirststark]

The space within the SXF-16 is cramped. Three seats, and room for maybe two suitcases. Ask anyone who flew on the Pan Am clipper ships, and they would say that this is a step backwards. But ask anyone who sat at the controls of the SF-12 Mockingbird or SF-11 Vulture, and he would be thrilled there's room for a co-pilot.

Howard opens the hatch from the outside, leading his passenger aboard.

"Welcome aboard, Helena."

Comments

[timelessinventor]

Helena moved in a pretty interesting set in London, so her stories tend to disprove the theory that Victorians were repressed and boring.

She doesn't run out of stories for quite a while, going from prominent names that Howard would likely know to others who were lost to history.

[thefirststark]

"I remember that name from science class," he says about one person in particular. "I would have never guessed."

[timelessinventor]

Helena smirks. "Oh, the stories I could tell you about him, darling. He was quite the character outside of what I'm certain history said about him."

[thefirststark]

"I am not sure I want to know. Best to leave my illusions alone, at least once in a while." He really has no illusions. War does that. So does being rich in a world where most people are poor.

[timelessinventor]

"Honestly, that is probably for the best." Helena sighs, shaking her head. "Sometimes it is best to cling to the stories, whether or not there is truth to them." She has seen more of the gritty underside of things than she cares to admit.

[thefirststark]

"Especially when they ARE true." He can't help but think of Captain Rogers, of the stories he hopes aren't lost under a layer of SSR secrecy.

[timelessinventor]

"Quite true, darling." Helena smiles, a more subdued and fond smile than the excited ones she's had on this trip, but no less genuine. "There are fantastical stories out there which are true, no matter how false they seem, and sometimes those are the best ones."

[thefirststark]

"I have to tell you about what I saw in the war some time. Even if the colonel wants it keep hush hush."

[timelessinventor]

"Well, I certainly have no one to tell, darling." Helena smirks at him. "I would love to hear some of your stories, whether good or bad."

[thefirststark]

"Back in the Bar. Right now, I think flying is a better option." Especially flying with Helena.

He hasn't done this in far too long.

[timelessinventor]

"Oh, certainly." She grins. "After everything you've taught me, I wouldn't want us to get distracted and fall out of the sky."

[thefirststark]

"I am too good a pilot for that." In fact, he knows at least six places he could land in an emergency between her and the field.

[timelessinventor]

"Oh, I'm certain that you are, Howard. I trust you to get us back in one piece." She's grinning again.

[thefirststark]

"Of course." And he looks out at the thin clouds, and the marine layer over the sea, and at the sun, and at the fuel gauge.

"Hm. Probably time to start heading back."

[timelessinventor]

"Alright." Helena smiles, a bit wistfully. "This is amazing. You have completely sold me on flight."

[thefirststark]

"Then I should give you lessons. Real lessons." The sort when he stops flirting long enough to teach.

[timelessinventor]

"I would love that, Howard. Thank you." She grins, watching things go by under the plane again.

[thefirststark]

He takes full control once again, and steer inland and south, not losing altitude till past the hills. Soon he's on a straight line to the airfield, and radios ahead to let them know he's on his way.

[timelessinventor]

Helena watches him fly, all of the subtle things that he does to keep the plane going where he wants it to go. There's an elegance to what he does that just makes Helena grin. Almost the entire way back, she watches him, and his piloting, the outside almost forgotten.

[thefirststark]

He's vaguely aware of Helena's eyes. She is unlike any woman he's met in a long time.

But the plane comes first and he never wavers in his focus as the plane begins its descent, as the runway comes into view.

[timelessinventor]

She doesn't say anything, as she completely understands things such as these require a good deal of concentration.

As the runway comes into view, she sits back a bit again, trying not to cling to the arms of the seat once again. Her determination only goes so far, and she takes a tiny, shaky breath. It has nothing to do with Howard, just her own nervousness.

[thefirststark]

With the sun at their backs, the SXF-16 touches down and slows. As she does, three cars begin to close the distance. Howard looks back as he feels the motion stop.

"Looks like my welcoming crew is on time."

[timelessinventor]

Helena laughs. "Must be good to have a welcoming committee like that." She relaxes as the plane stops. "Thank you so much, Howard, that was absolutely lovely."

[thefirststark]

He isn't going to tell her that the welcoming crew is there more to inspect the prototype than to check on him. Which is what he pays them for.

"Any time, Helena. And we will do this again, that is certain." He leans over and clutches her left hand. "Only maybe you'll get to land."

If not next time, soon.