Page 2 of Forever Flustered

“Who. Is. This?” Elijah bit out pointedly, already unlocking his computer to see his emails populating as they loaded on the screen… and paused. He straightened up, hesitating, as all the pieces began to click together.

“Reaper – the man who held that seat before Piranha ever did, and I’ve got Thumper beside me. Now, if you are done focusing on the little details, let’s talk about the biggest threat to this plan right now – time.”

“Why is time a threat?”

“Because it’s a long flight to Yonder – and your brother met someone yesterday. I need you to drop the ego, quit playing games, and listen to the big boys who orchestrated most of what’s about to happen,” the voice said evenly, and that arrogant tone was still present, just not as snide as before. “You’re taking a chance at missing your brother getting married if you don’t hurry… or if you drag your feet – because let me tell you, nobody gets out of this unscathed… not even your brother.”

Yonder.

His brother’s final words replayed in his mind once more…

“I’m going to go visit my former wingman…”

Sidewinder had told him while handcuffed to a chair by security for insubordination – and to prevent him from doing any further harm to his career. The Air Force had given him a path, a home, when they both didn’t really have one to return to – so no, he wasn’t going to let his younger brother self-implode any further. Not if he could help it.

“He lives in some little Texas town called Yonder and…”

“Oh man,” Elijah had scoffed at the idea of his brother going there – especially after Piranha had told him about all of the previous pilots visiting and returning married. Rubbing his forehead, he frowned. He didn’t believe her, but obviously his brother had fallen for that bit of malarky - and he’d said as much to his brother’s face.

“I heard about that whole thing from Piranha. I don’t think you are cut out for marriage material or…”

“I’m suspended. I get it. Do your douchebag-duty that you enjoy ever so much… but do not judge me. You don’t know what I’m cut out for or capable of – nor have you ever given me a chance in my entire life. Permission to leave, sir.”

Bode/Sidewinder had yelled at him, losing his temper once again. His brother was so prickly, so defensive; he wasn’t sure any woman would put up with him or his attitude… and the childish display before him had been proof of that as Bode rose to his feet, taking the chair up with him because of the handcuffs.

“I’d salute, but I can’t right now. I mean, I could, but I think giving my commanding officer the middle finger while in handcuffs after being suspended is a bit much – even for me. Who knew – I actually have limits. Can you believe that?”

His brother was going to give him the finger.

Yeaaah, things did not go well for them during their last conversation - heck, during any of their conversations. Reconciliation felt so far away during that moment that Elijah didn’t even speak as Bode had stormed out – chair, handcuffs, and all. That was not one of his prouder moments… and not one he would forget anytime soon.

The voice on the phone was still talking.

“Tell them it’s a family emergency,” Reaper was saying to him on the phone. “And hurry because Paradox is a ordained minister and this usually happens pretty fast. Trust me – I married my wife after meeting her on a three-hour flight.”

Elijah closed his eyes as his mind screamed in denial mixed with his sense of duty. He had so much to handle here, so much to take care of, still dealing with his parents, plus getting his footing with the new team.

Ha.

His new team that had just found out that you could talk down to your supervisor publicly - thanks to Bode. This meant that others would be testing the boundaries that his own brother had so carefully annihilated with his foul mouth during a meeting… but it was his brother.

His only brother.

If he ever wanted to have a relationship with the one person who he’d always tried to protect and somehow failed, Elijah needed to make the first move knowing how stubborn Bode could be… and if he missed the wedding because of work?

Bode would never let Elijah forget it.

“I’m on my way.”

Less than twenty-four hours later, Elijah was walking through a small airport in Tyler, Texas, with his rucksack pulling on his shoulder, and spotted two men in Air Force dress uniforms waiting. One was standing there with brownish-black hair and a pair of aviator sunglasses perched on his nose – a nose that he was obviously looking down upon the rest of the earth with that cold expression. He was standing beside another guy who looked approachable – like a favorite uncle or dad…

Not that I ever had one, Elijah thought bitterly, but if I did – it would be nice if they were friendly and didn’t immediately turn to whuppin’ some kid’s butt the first chance they got, like my own dad used to do. Been there – done that – and I could pass on that ever happening again…

“Archangel?”

“In the flesh,” Elijah replied simply. “I assume you are Reaper and Thumper?”

“You’re late – and yes.”