Emily wrapped her hand around his and said "yes", at the same time Finn again asked, "Are you sure about this?" It seems this amazing woman before him still had the ability to read his thoughts. Her grey eyes shone as he lifted her hand to his lips.

"When we get there, I'll find you a plane to St. Lucia or someplace safe. You know...to wait for me." Finn dared not add more. It would be easy to ensure her the mission would be quick and safe. But he didn't want to lie. Not to Emily. The truth was he had no idea how long it was going to take to find and deal with their target. Days. A week. 

Worse, what his team was about to do was anything but a walk in the jungle.

"Let's figure that out when we get there," she suggested as the plane made its way down the runway and into the air.

It was so simple to agree. Emily made it feel like anything was possible. Or maybe he only wanted it to be.

Holding her hand as they took flight, Finn's stomach lurched for more than one reason. As she snuggled against his shoulder, he noticed Emily was shivering. Was she scared?

Trying to offer comfort, he took her hand in both of his, rubbing it to reassure her. Her fingers were cold. In fact, her lips were looking a little blue. As he put his arm around her, he felt the dampness of the material of her thin coat. A strange panic rose from the pit of his stomach. It had been raining. Did she get soaked on her way to him?

"I think we should concentrate on getting you into some dry clothes."

"Picked up the habit of carrying around an extra set of women's fatigues have you?"

"No, I would never..." it took him a moment to realize she was teasing him. Oh, how it felt good. This was his Emily, joking, light-hearted.

"Calm down Captain." She tugged playfully at his shirt. "I think this would do nicely. Camouflage is not really my colour. But at this point I will take anything as long as it is dry."

Finn reached under his seat to release the stored duffel bag, undid their seat belts and led Emily towards the back of the plane. Beige and black cartons of supplies were stacked into neatly formed rows, strapped down in netting to stop them from shifting during the flight. Finding a secluded aisle, he guided Emily in there. Out of his bag, he pulled potential items for her to wear. They decided on a t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. Both of which were going to be way too big on her.

"Beggars can't be choosers," Emily laughed. She stood there looking at him expectantly. He stared back. "Um, do you think you could turn around?"

"Right, of course." Reluctantly he let her out of his sight. Taking up a stance he protectively guarded the space to give her privacy.

With the lull of action, the doubt of bringing her along started to creep in again. This was foolish. He let emotions cloud his judgement and now Emily was flying right into the path of danger. What had he done? Was it to late to turn the plane around? Could he convince the pilot to land in St. Lucia first to get her off the plane? He ran scenario's in his head, dismissing them all.

Finn jumped when he felt Emily touch his arm.

"Are you okay?" The concern lacing her words caught his attention. Hating himself for it, a part of him relished the apprehension on her face. Pushing the ill thoughts from his mind, Finn assured her he was fine.

What he saw before him took his breath away. Used to Emily's recent plain sometimes stodgy attire often giving him the impression she was trying to fade into the background, he admired her transformation. It was possible this look was better than the green dress from the club.

He wasn't sure how she had done it, managing to make the clothes adapt to her. His oversized t-shirt was pulled into some kind of knot accentuating her small waist. She had made the pants wearable by rolling the waistband down to sit on her hips, exposing a band of creamy white skin around her stomach. His hand ached wanting to run his fingers across that skin. The rolling action was repeated on the legs of the sweats above her ankles. And the best part, she had let down her hair. Long auburn locks fell softly, framing her small heart-shaped face. She was cute. Sexy. Hot.

Finn licked his lips. And tried to suppress a groan.

"I guess that's a vote of approval," she mewed after a moment of letting him stare at her.

"Oh, Emily," was all his brain could conjure up as the blood in his body channelled south.

She tilted her head slightly and smiled.

His smile.

It fried his brain and he could not resist anymore. Stepping forward, he directed them back into the secluded aisle. His hands found her waist, sliding them along the soft exposed skin. Closing his eyes he relished the  moment. He wanted more. Tugging at her waist, he bent forward and placed his forehead against hers, breathing in everything that was Emily.

As she encircled her arms around his neck and twirled her fingers through the ends of his hair shivers raced down his spine. Emily answered his earlier cry with "Oh, Finn." The sound of want in her voice urged him on. Soon he had her pinned against the wall of the aircraft. Brushing his hands slowly up her body, he buried them in her hair. Silky strands slipped through his fingers. 

Tilting her face towards him, Finn sealed his lips on hers. Slowly, gently at first. Similar to the kiss they shared on the ground. It felt right. Kissing her was everything. Wanting more, he increased the intensity. A hungry, needy kiss trying to satisfy the starvation they both felt.

It wasn't enough. It would never be enough. He could never have enough.

The kiss tried to soothed the ache. It reached down inside of Finn. Down to the spot where he had barricaded up his heart all those years ago, beating on those walls with jackhammers. The fortifications cracked. He moaned with ... relief... enjoyment. Emily was here wanting him. No, loving him. 

Finn didn't want to break from this, but there were other parts of her he was anxious to kiss, to touch. Every inch of her in fact. Rediscover her.

He pushed her hair back and began tracing soft kisses down her neck. At the same time, his hands found their way back to Emily's waist, eager to explore the exposed skin and more. She whimpered in appreciation of his efforts.

Delighting in her response, Finn's body came alive with the feel of the vibrations on her throat. Excited his actions could once again illicit the encouraging sound from Emily. He tugged at the knot of the t-shirt and slipped his finger under the tight cotton, moving them up towards more hidden treasures.

"Finn," she whispered. When his lips found her collar bone, Emily repeated his name, pleading. "Finn... We can't do this." Her hands found his biceps and he felt her tender request to push him away.

For a moment, he froze. Doubt flashed across his raw nerves. Did Emily not want him? The thought threatened to crush him.

Once again, Emily read his mind, bracketing his face in her delicate hands and kissed him. Passionately.

"No, my love, we can't do this now," she whispered, through lips barely leaving his. "Here. There are people...." Her lips slipped further away as her forehead nestled against his. She was breathing heavily as heat radiated off of her.

He comprehended her words, nodded his understanding but could not let go. For a few moments, they breathed in sync, just enjoying the touch of each other, trying to master control over their physical and emotional desires. Emily rubbed her thumbs in a circular motion on his temples helping Finn's heart slip from slamming to stuttering. Slowly, painfully, he removed his hands from her waist and placed them against the wall behind her.

As Emily stirred to shift away, it was his turn to plead. "Not yet." He huffed. "I....need a minute more." Struggling between his mind and his heart, he willed himself not to put his hands back on her body. Not to take her, right here, right now, people be damned.

"We have all the time in the world."

Those words decided his internal war. Yes, Emily would be his. Forever. Finn wanted her, but it didn't have to be only like this. If this was the only option, he would have taken it. His heart settled at the thought it was not. They would be together from now on. She would not leave him again. Once he got this damn mission over with, they could be together however and whenever.

Thoughts of the mission and the danger it brought with it acted as a cold shower. Breaking skin on skin contact, he found the will to recede away from the love of his life. Finn stepped back and looked at Emily. Her face was flush, lips slightly swollen from their passionate kisses. His shirt loose and baggy on her, the knot having lost all tension from his explorations.

"You've come undone," Finn pointed out as he moved towards her to retie the knot.

"You have no idea." She grinned but held up her hand to stop him from touching her and starting the whole situation over again. "You are a little ruffled as well, sir," she teased back. Laughing, they both straightened out their outfits.

It felt so good to laugh. Like he hadn't truly laughed in ages. Like Emily made it possible to feel again.

"You can't go out there looking like that." Finn pulled a long-sleeved zip-up hoodie and handed it to her. "Here, wear this. It'll keep you warm."

"Among other things." Emily's eyes twinkled again. Silver stars lighting up his life.

As they left their secluded hideaway and made their way back towards the crew, Emily slipped her hand into Finn's. His heart soared.