The warm air of an early Los Angeles spring washed over the green, grassy field. Bright rays of sun broke through the thin layer of afternoon clouds. The air was thick of popcorn, hotdogs, and competition. Cheers and shouting could be heard for several blocks; capturing almost everyone that passed by. A local high school band sat just off to the side, while the vendors worked their way through the stands. Players in red and blue uniforms littered the field, sharing words until game time. The roar of the huge crowd started to hush slowly as a man in a blue uniform and a woman in a red one approached the temporary podium on the pitchers mound. The man spoke into the microphone while the woman stood just off to his right.

"Excuse me. Excuse me, if I could have your attention please," he said speaking to the quieting crowd. "Thank you. My name is Jonathan Hart, my wife Jennifer and I want to thank you all for joining us to help celebrate this very special occasion. As you all know, today is the grand opening of the Max Brenner Memorial Park, an-"

The crowd roared stilling any further words and Jonathan motioned to Jennifer for her to give it a try.

With the exception of a few whistles, the crowd quieted as Jennifer stepped up and spoke into the microphone. "I believe that the Max Brenner Memorial Park is more then just a dedication to a man. This park is symbolic of Max, of what he taught, of what he represented, and of ha-"

Again, the crowd roared forestalling any further words. Jennifer shrugged at Jonathan, it was clear that neither one of them were going to get to deliver the speech they had prepared.

He gave her a confirming nod and she spoke again, "Let’s play ball."

At that - the crowd exploded.

The couple fell into step together as they made their way to their respective dugouts to get ready for the game.

Jennifer glanced up at Jonathan and saw that he was brandishing a mischievous smile.

"Ready to get beat?" He teased.

Jennifer raised an eyebrow, "My, you sure are full of yourself aren’t you?"

"Any reason I shouldn’t be?"

"Don’t get too big of a head Mr. Hart, I’d hate to have to take you down a few notches."

"You’re the only one who can darling." He conceded before placing a quick kiss on his wife’s lips and heading towards the blue team dugout.

"And don’t you forget it." Jennifer replied before making her way to the red dugout.

Eleven innings and several bruised ego’s later, the Harts’ and all but of a few players were sitting in a local bar toasting a victory, or mourning a loss. However, both teams were celebrating the successful opening of the Max Brenner Memorial Park.

Jonathan Hart was sitting at the bar having a conversation with the bartender when a slim arm was draped across shoulders, and the familiar weight of his wife was leaning against his side. The bartender nodded his hello and goodbye to the couple and made his way to some waiting customers.

"Come to rub it in?" Jonathan asked before taking a sip of his drink.

Jennifer withdrew her arm and took the seat next to her husband, "No, I think you learned you lesson."

"Yes ma’am I believe I did."

Jennifer leaned over and punched him in the nearer arm.

"What?! What’d I do?" He asked.

"I can’t believe you tried to cheat." She admonished.

"Hey, if you ain’t cheatin’ you ain’t tryin’, right?"

"Oh that’s a lovely attitude darling, and very nice English by the way. You know, I don’t think you learned your lesson after all."

"Does that mean you’re going to gloat now?" He asked.

"No," Jennifer picked up his drink and took a sip, "It means that when we get home, I’m going to have to teach you in a way that you’ll understand." She said seductively.

Jonathan became very, very interested, "I see," he said slowly. "I think it’s only fare that I warn you ahead of time, I am an extremely slow learner."

Jennifer leaned forward on the bar and began to circle the rim of Jonathan’s drink with her index finger. She looked up through long lashes and made eye contact with her husband, "Well that’s good darling, because I am a very… slow… teacher." The last three words were long and drawn out.

There was fire in her eyes, but Jonathan couldn’t help his gaze from falling down to her lips. The way they moved and formed words was enough to make him dizzy. And the last three: very, slow, learner. The way she said those just plain made it hard to breath. And why was it suddenly so hot in the bar? He forced his eyes to travel back up his wife’s face. They made eye contact again, but he noticed a small smile playing at her lips and his eyes sunk back down. The small smile was interrupted by a soft, pink tongue escaping to slowly, so very slowly, moisten the wine red lips. Jonathan felt his mouth fall open, but for some reason his brain was unable to send the message to his jaw to close. The small smile returned, only this time it grew to a larger smile, and then a soft laugh erupted.

"Don’t drink too much Jonathan. I’d hate for it to impair your … learning."

That said, she took his drink that she had been circling with her finger, pushed off the bar, and headed towards the table were several other players from her team were gathered.

Jonathan quickly called the bartender and ordered a tall glass of ice water. And then another. And one more for the road – cause it was defiantly time to go.

Jennifer was sitting with her teammates, most of which happened to be Hart Industry employees, as was the blue team. She kept an eye on Jonathan while engaging in the group conversation. She almost choked on her drink when she him down his third glass of water. Someone asked her if she and Mr. Hart would be joining them in the impromptu pool tournament that was being established. She was about to decline, knowing full well that her husband had no intention of staying very much longer, when the man in question approached the table and asked her if she was ready to leave. Jennifer, like her husband, was also more then ready to head home. The couple circled the bar giving their goodbyes, and were on their way home within minutes.

During the drive home, at what could only be considered warp speed, Jonathan kept glancing over at his wife. Jennifer was sitting with her eyes closed and her head resting back against the top of the seat. ‘God she’s beautiful.’ He thought. ‘After all these years, she still drives me wild with nothing more then a few words. Even now, wearing a dirty baseball uniform, no make up, and sporting a wind blown hairdo, she is without a doubt the most gorgeous woman I have ever laid eyes on. I wonder if she has any idea what she does to me?’

"You know darling, you really should be watching the road more. Especially when we’re so close to breaking the sound barrier and all." Jennifer said without moving or opening her eyes.

"Huh?" Jonathan asked startled from his musings. She hadn’t moved or spoke in over fifteen minutes; he had thought she was asleep.

Jennifer opened her eyes and turned her head towards him, "You should probably slow down, it will make it easier, and safer, to try and stare."

‘Oh she knows, she so knows.’

"Besides, I was think- " Jennifer was interrupted by the car phone.

"Don’t answer it." Jonathan said quickly.

"Why not?"

"Because it’ll be Stanley, or Deanne, or your editor. Whoever it is, or whatever they want will keep us from getting home." He said seriously.

"Darling, it could be important."

"No. Whatever it is can wait a few hours."

Jennifer smiled, "A few hours?"

The ringing stopped, and Jonathan breathed a sigh of relief.

"You see, I told you it could wait. And yes, a few hours. At least." He said and winked at her.

Jennifer smiled and was about to respond when a pair of ringing phones forestalled it. Both of their eyes fell onto the twin gym bags sitting in the middle of the front seat between them.

"I told you it was important," she said and started to search for the phone in the nearest bag. When she finally found the phone, she withdrew it from the bag and answered the call, ‘Hello.’

‘Oh hello Stanley, how are you?’ Jennifer asked into the phone. Jonathan looked at her and was shaking his head ‘No.’

‘What? Oh, well yes he’s right here, we were on our way home.’

Jonathan shook his head again, only this time in defeat.

‘Of course, we’ll be right there. Goodbye Stanley.’

Jennifer hung up the phone and turned to Jonathan, "Darling."

He sighed deeply, and audibly, before hooking a U-turn towards Hart Industries. Some days it didn’t pay to be the boss. "What’s wrong?"

"Stanley says he’s having some real difficulties acquiring Galaxy Incorporated. Apparently, some big business tycoon out of New York wants them too. And quite badly."

"Did Stanley happen to mention what they want it for? Are they going to save them, or are they going in for the kill?"

"The latter, I’m afraid." She answered.

Jonathan tossed his wife a wistful glance, "We can’t have that."

Jennifer smiled at him, "No we can’t."

"Well, they say anticipation enhances the experience."

"Let’s just hope that we don’t have to ‘anticipate’ too long." She added.

Jonathan nodded and navigated his way to Hart Industries, and to the matter that required his immediate attention. He was even more determined to get Galaxy Incorporated now. He didn’t care what anyone said about anticipation, whoever came up with that little gem wasn’t married to Jennifer. He groaned inwardly, ‘Yeah, anticipate this.’

It was going to be a long day.

Almost three thousand miles away from Hart Industries and Los Angeles, Sidney Cambridge, owner and founder of Dominion Enterprises was reading the latest report of how the acquisition of Galaxy Incorporated was coming along. It was not good news, and the president of the very large, very powerful company was not pleased. Sidney was livid when the news that Hart Industries was redoubling their efforts to acquire the company.

Cambridge couldn't understand why Jonathan Hart wanted the dying company. Hart was very successful, and usually dealt with the best of the best, as did Sidney Cambridge of course. But Hart wasn’t the type to acquire a dying company, take it over, and then kill it. Cambridge was, but Hart wasn’t. If done properly, a well-executed kill would reward the hunter, in this case Sidney Cambridge, with a most handsome profit.

A short time later, Cambridge became aware of the reason that Mr. Hart, of Hart Industries wanted the dying company. The Boy Scout was not only going to save and resuscitate the injured prey, he was going to make it stronger, larger, and more formidable. He was going to make it part of the Hart family. Well, not if Sidney Cambridge had anything to say about it. The dying Galaxy Incorporated was a fast and easy way for Dominion Enterprises to make a pretty penny. And Sidney Cambridge loved pennies. Pennies, dimes, dollars, marks, francs, yen, pesos or pounds, it didn’t matter. If it was currency, it was for Cambridge. And if it went against Cambridge, it became ill fated.

It was well after midnight when Jonathan and Jennifer left Hart Industries and began making their way home. Jonathan expected it to be a long day, but he didn’t imagine it lasting this long. Jennifer sat dozing in the passengers seat and Jonathan continued to mill over the days events in his mind. It was brought to his attention that the business tycoon who was making a play for the same company as Hart Industries was Sidney Cambridge, of Dominion Enterprises. Dominion Enterprises. He knew that Jennifer couldn’t get over that name, and her comment when she heard it ran through his mind, "Dominion? As in power, and control, and dominance? I wasn’t aware that there were any Nazi’s left." She was torn between disbelief and disgust.

Jonathan Hart knew of Sidney Cambridge and Dominion Enterprises, the two had never gone head to head, but Jonathan was very aware that Sidney Cambridge rarely lost. So rare in fact, he couldn’t remember hearing about a loss. Cambridge was known to be merciless, harsh, extremely intelligent, and had liquid nitrogen for blood.

Jonathan turned the car onto Willow Pond Road and shook his head in an effort to clear out all thoughts of Cambridge, the Dominion, and everything business. Right now, his focus was on a very fast shower and some much needed sleep. There was going to be plenty of time for thoughts and decisions tomorrow.

Wherever she was - it was warm, soft, and very comfortable. But it wasn’t quiet, her mind was hazy, and whatever the noise was – it seemed to be getting louder, and louder. The noise started to push the haze aside and her mind was slowly clearing. She opened her eyes, but shut them quickly at the blinding light. She tried again, this time blinking to get used to the bright light. And then the haze was gone; she was in her nice soft bed, with Jonathan’s warm body wrapped around her from behind. And it was very comfortable. But there was still that awful noise which she belatedly identified as the alarm clock. An evil alarm clock that read half past six. A half groan, half cry escaped her lips, she freed an arm that was trapped beneath Jonathans’, and reached for the clock. She thought briefly about grabbing it and throwing it across the room, but opted instead for the off button, silencing what sounded like a screaming banshee sitting on her shoulder.

‘It can’t be time to get up yet.’ She thought, ‘Please, please, please. Please say it isn’t time to get up yet.

She groaned again and several thoughts fleeted through her mind, ‘Coffee… it’s going to be cold outside of the blanket… strong coffee… I have to pee… strong black coffee… why isn’t Jonathan up yet… I’ll just chew on some coffee beans on my way to the bathroom.’

Jennifer sighed and accepted her fate; she grabbed the edge of blanket and flung it off. She had slept in one of Jonathan’s pajama shirts and a blast of cool air hit her legs. ‘Ah! Really, really cold outside of the blanket.’ It was then that Jennifer decided, ‘I really dislike Mr. Sidney Cambridge.’

With that, she stood up, grabbed Jonathan’s robe, and put it on quickly. Hers seemed to have disappeared sometime throughout the night, and it was much too cold to look for it now. She had caught a small nap while Jonathan drove home last night, so she decided to give him a couple of extra minutes of sleep. So after a quick stop in the bathroom, she made a beeline downstairs to the coffee maker.

Ten minutes and a cup of black coffee later she was back in her bedroom with the same remedy for her husband. It took some work, but Jennifer finally got him out of bed and into the bathroom. And by 7:30, the couple was back in the car and en route to Hart Industries for what would most likely be another long day of intense business dealings.

It took many hours, many decisions, and many pots of coffee before Jonathan Hart and his board of directors were satisfied with the results. The outcome was still uncertain, but they had done all they could for one day, and the prospects of them being successful looked good. All they could do now was wait to see what Sidney Cambridge would do next.

Jennifer Hart was sitting in the ‘big chair’, the one that her husband usually occupied as the head of Hart Industries. He however, was sitting in the seat across from her, the one reserved for visitors. He looked tired, no, tired was an understatement. He was exhausted. He was reading the latest projections from Stanley, and Jennifer noticed that he kept shifting his shoulders. She rose from the desk and abandoned the large pile of files and folders in front of her. She decided that they could wait until tomorrow.

She circled the desk and stood behind her husband. She rested her hands on his broad shoulders and began to knead the tight and knotted muscles she knew she’d find there.

Jonathan leaned his head forward slightly, granting her better access and as a gesture of thanks. "Oh, thank you darling," He groaned, but continued reading.

Jennifer worked on the tight muscles in his shoulders for several moments before breaking the silence, "Don’t worry darling, no matter how ruthless Sidney Cambridge is, he’s no match for you."

"I appreciate the vote of confidence, but we haven’t won yet. We still have a lot to do if we want to secure Galaxy Incorporated." He replied.

"We’ll get them, we always do. And it’s always because you’re a brilliant and astute business man."

Jonathan smiled, "When this is over, we’re going away for a few days. Just you and me, and a desolate cabin somewhere in the woods."

Jennifer slid her arms from his shoulders to around his chest and hugged him, "I can’t wait. But in the meantime, why don’t we cut out of here, grab a late dinner, and then get some sleep?"

"That’s the best offer I had all day," he said as he tossed the folder onto his desk and stood. He turned around and took a moment to embrace his wife, "I love you."

"And I love you," she replied as she returned the hug. After a minute or so, she pulled out of the hug and snagged his hand pulling him behind her, "Come on."

Jonathan let his wife lead him out of the office that they had spent the last twelve hours in. He was more then glad to be calling it quits for the day, but not thrilled that they had to do the same thing again tomorrow.

Later that night Jonathan was awakened by the telephone, ‘Hello,’ he said in a groggy voice into the phone.

*Jonathan Hart?* Asked a heavy masculine voice.

‘Yes?’

‘Yes?’ Jonathan asked.

-click-

Jonathan hung up the phone and sunk back into bed. He was furious. Business was business, and it wasn’t always friendly. But to call him at home, and to threaten him, it infuriated him to no end. He couldn’t believe the impudence of Sidney Cambridge. Cambridge was already sitting way at the top of the Fortune 500, and he had to call and threaten him over more money.

Jonathan realized that his fists were clenched and he forced himself to open his hands. Jennifer chose that moment to roll over and drape herself across him. He felt a long, thin leg entangle with his, a slender arm now lay on his chest, and Jennifer’s head worked its way into the crook of his neck. Jonathan could feel her warm breath washing across his neck. The warmth and comfort of his wife’s body drove the anger and frustration from his mind instantly. He wrapped his arms around Jennifer and rested his chin on top of her head. Jonathan could smell the soft fragrance of her hair and he inhaled deeply. It didn’t take long at all before he was asleep again.

"Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Hart!" Beamed Stanley Freisan. "I knew we could do it."

"Thank you Stanley, your help was absolutely instrumental in securing Galaxy Incorporated. We couldn’t have done it without you." Replied Jonathan.

"Absolutely Stanley, we couldn’t of done it without you." Added Jennifer.

Stanley Freisan, Jonathan’s long-term faithful employee didn’t just blush, he turned a crimson red at Jennifer’s compliment, "I … ah … ah … th-thank you Mrs. Hart, I was happy to do what I could. It was nothing. No! I mean it was something, it’s just that I … I …-"

"It’s all right Stanley, we understand," interrupted Jonathan. "And I have one more favor to ask."

"No problem Mr. Hart. Whatever it is you can count me. Anything I can to do to help, you just name it. It’s no problem at all. You just say what you need and I-"

"Stanley," Jonathan interrupted again, and he saw Jennifer try to smother a smile. He knew too well that her presence caused the usually brilliant Stanley Freisan to go completely brain dead. "All of the major issues regarding the Galaxy acquisition have been taken care of, there are only a few minor ones that need to be wrapped up. Jennifer and I have small trip planned, and I wanted to know if you could handle the rest of the deal?"

Jennifer raised an eyebrow at her husband, ‘Trip? What trip?’ she thought.

"Of course Mr. Hart. I’m sure that there won’t be any difficulties. You can consider the deal closed. You can put a fork in it, because it’s as good as done. Call th-"

"Thank you Stanley," Jonathan interrupted yet again. He knew that if he didn’t, this conversation would last longer then the trip he had planned with his wife. "You’re really doing us a great favor." He grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair and turned to Jennifer, "Shall we darling?"

She nodded and started for the door, "Thank you Stanley, we are very grateful. See you later."

"I’m leaving the place in good hands. Goodbye Stanley." Said Jonathan as he followed his wife out of his office and by Deanne who was working at her desk.

A series of muted thumps and a loud crash came from the office soon after the couple exited. Jennifer covered her mouth with both hands to try and keep from laughing. Deanne rolled her eyes, while Jonathan closed his eyes and shook his head.

"Deanne," he threw over his shoulder as he followed Jennifer to the elevator, "You’re in charge."

She just nodded as she watched Mr. and Mrs. Hart disappear behind the elevator doors.

There were some days when it didn’t pay to be the boss’s secretary.

As soon as the elevator doors were closed, Jennifer erupted with laughter. The look on poor Deanne’s face was absolutely priceless.

"I hope you realize that that was all your fault." Said Jonathan.

"Poor Deanne," said Jennifer in between her laughs. However, her mirth was halted when she remembered what Jonathan had said in his office, "What trip?"

He favored her with a boyish grin, "I promised you a desolate cabin in the woods, remember?"

Jennifer tilted her head and she thought back, "But darling, we only talked about that… not even three days ago. Not only is it extremely short notice, but we’ve been so busy. How did you even manage to plan something?"

The elevator came to a stop and they stepped off, "I have my ways." He said mysteriously.

"So what do you have planned?"

"Like I said, a desolate cabin in the woods."

"Yes I know, but I also want details, an itinerary." She said as she slid into the passenger’s seat of their car.

Jonathan smiled, "Yes dear. We are scheduled for take off in about 5 hours, where the two of us will then fly to a small airfield. Far enough outside of the city for us to not be bothered. There is a jeep waiting for us at the airfield. As soon as we load our bags, we have about an hours drive to a desolate lakeside cottage that is ours for the next 96 hours. There are no phones, no fax machines, no computes, no business decisions, and no one to bother us for miles. What do you think?"

"I think it sounds wonderful, but, are you sure you can afford to be away right now?"

"I am very sure. So, let’s go home and pack, and then we’ll have some lunch before heading out to the airport. What do you think?"

"I think that you are the most wonderful man that I have ever met, and I am very happy to be spending my life with you," she said looking at him lovingly. "And you know, if we pack quickly, and make it a light lunch, we might be able to start this romantic getaway of yours a little early."

Jonathan glanced at his wife, "A very light lunch indeed."

"You’re fired," Sidney Cambridge’s voice was a low menacing growl. "And so is everyone else who helped you to fail in obtaining Galaxy Incorporated. Get your things, and get out."

The terrified man dipped his head in acknowledgement and fled the office. He was very aware that saying anything meant certain death.

Sidney Cambridge pressed a button on the telephone that rested on the majestic desk, and few seconds later a burly looking man entered the office.

Cambridge looked at the bear of a man, "Is it taken care of?"

The man broke into a feral smile, "Yes," he answered in a deep voice. "The first part anyway."

"Jonathan Hart was warned, and he decided not to listen. Mr. Hart is either very brave, or very stupid. I don’t care which one it is. I have built a powerful dominion that people know to avoid by reputation alone. All one has to do is mention Dominion Enterprises, and they know instantly that any competition, any resistance, would be futile. Mr. Hart’s little maneuver has compromised that. I cannot allow this defeat to go unanswered. I have to retaliate and show anyone who might dare to follow Mr. Hart’s example that anyone who dares to go against me… will be destroyed. Not ruined, I seek nothing less then total destruction, on a professional, and personal level. I am going to take Mr. Hart by both ends of his life and work my way to his center until there is nothing left." Sidney turned to face the other occupant of the room, "You are the only one I trust completely. However, I will take over the second phase of the plan personally."

"I’ll let you know when it’s time to initiate the second phase."

Sidney Cambridge nodded, and the large man dipped his head and exited the office, leaving the very angry business exec alone to finish masterminding the destruction of Jonathan Hart, and Hart Industries.

"Jonathan," Jennifer called from the shower. "Darling can you answer the telephone?"

Jonathan Hart was lying on his stomach with his head pillowed on his arms. He was tangled among twisted bed sheets, courtesy of an afternoon of making love with his beautiful wife. Just a preview of what was to come over the next four days.

The phone rang again, ‘If this is Stanley, they’ll never find the body’, thought Jonathan as he rolled over and reached for the phone.

‘Hello?’

It was a woman.

‘Yes?’ He asked.

‘Yes.’ Jonathan answered in a curt tone. He was no mood to deal with the sore losing Sidney Cambridge.

Jonathan wasn’t expecting that one but recovered quickly, ‘No that’s all right, it won’t be necessary. The experience was hardly traumatic.’

‘Good day.’ He hung up the phone and reclined back against the pillows.

"Who was that darling?" Jennifer asked as she came from the bathroom towel drying her hair. "Stanley’s not having any difficulties I hope."

"No, no, every thing’s fine. Are you all packed?"

"Yes I am, and yes you are too. So if you can drag your lazy butt out of bed within the next couple of minutes we might have time to grab some lunch." She said as she returned to the bathroom to finish her preparations.

‘Well, if I still have a couple of minutes… then I may as well relax a little longer’, he thought. His thoughts fell to Hart Industries, and how it seemed to be requiring a lot more of his personal attention lately. He’d been toying with the idea of hiring an exec that could handle just about any business matter in his absence. Someone as intelligent as Stanley, as efficient and capable of Deanne, but also as capable and cunning in business as himself. In fact, someone from personnel a delivered a couple very impressive résumés to him just this morning. Maybe it was time. But he’d think about that when he got back.

The next four days were going to be spent on nothing but relaxing and Jennifer. And some relaxing with Jennifer. Maybe he’d even catch a fish.

Jennifer’s voice broke through his musings telling him that he had better get moving if he wanted to make it on time. Jonathan left his thoughts in the bed as he got up and made his way to the last modern shower that he would see for 96 hours.

The small plane and its only two passengers were right on course and set to land in approximately thirty minutes. Jonathan sat in the pilot’s seat manning the helm, while Jennifer; sitting in the passengers seat, took in the scenery and continued to tease her husband.

"The fish did not weigh five pounds, it was barely five inches long." Said Jennifer.

"I’m telling you darling, Max had it weighed on the pier and it was exactly five pounds." He answered back.

"Jonathan, the fish was no more the five inches long. If it weighed five pounds, it wouldn’t have been able to swim. It would have sunk to the bottom of the ocean."

"Okay, so maybe it was four pounds."

"It looked like you caught someone else’s bait."

"You don’t believe that it weighed four pounds?"

Jennifer shot him a doubtful look, indicating that she didn’t.

"Alright then," He said. "I’ll bet you that sometime over the next four days I catch another fish. One so big that… that you will be beguiled by my manliness."

Jennifer laughed and reached over and cupped Jonathan’s cheek with her hand, "You are so cute."

Jonathan leaned his cheek into her hand, "Are you beguiled yet?"

"You’re corrigible too," she laughed again and withdrew her hand as she sat back in her seat. "Now keep your eyes on the road."

Jonathan was about to respond but was interrupted by what sounded like an engine stalling. A quick glance to his left confirmed that it was indeed the sound of an engine stalling.

"What was that?" Jennifer asked, the worry evident in her voice.

Jonathan’s eyes locked onto his wife’s and he spoke firmly, "Darling, our left engine just failed, I need you get on the radio and send out a mayday. And make sure that your belt is as secure as it can get."

Jonathan continued to fight with his now one engine plane while he read off the their exact coordinates to Jennifer. It didn’t matter however because she couldn’t get a signal on the planes radio no matter what channel or frequency she tried. Things were getting very bad, very fast.

"Is your belt secure?" he asked.

Jennifer nodded, "Yes, is yours?"

"It is. Darling, I can’t get the engine back. We’re losing altitude rapidly, and picking up speed. Parachuting at this speed is out of the question, there’s no airfield in site, and we can’t radio for help."

"What do you want me to do?" she asked.

"I want for you to make it through this landing with me." he answered seriously.

Their eyes locked and tears rolled down Jennifer’s cheeks. There was so much she wanted to say to her husband at that moment. But there was too much to say, and no time to say it. "I love you … so much." She said, her voice barely a whisper. She closed the short distance between them and touched her lips to her husbands.

It was a chaste kiss, soft and gentle. But with a wealth of significance behind it. Both felt, and understood its meaning.

After the kiss ended Jonathan pulled back, "You are my whole world."

Jennifer nodded and steeled herself for the inevitable while Jonathan turned his attention to getting them down in one piece.

Jennifer unconsciously reached over and grasped her husband’s arm while he fought hard to keep the plane as level as possible. Her full attention was on the rapidly approaching tree line in front of her.

The next few minutes seemed to move in slow motion. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Jonathan fighting hard with the controls. The treetops were getting closer and closer; Jennifer cried out when she was tossed hard against her restraining seat belt as they hit the first series of trees.

There was a small break where the tree line dropped from their path for a short distance before it climbed back up. As they were passing through the small clearing Jonathan threw his arm out protectively in front of Jennifer, trying to help brace her for the next impact.

The second impact was no less severe then the first and the small plane was bounced and tossed like a raft tearing through white water rapids. Jonathan felt the plane tilt forward and a quick glance showed that they had hit a down slope and were heading for a large grass field littered with large trees.

The plane cleared the slope and it hit the ground with a deafening crash and began to skid directly toward a large tree that rested directly in their path.

Jonathan could see Jennifer was slumped forward, her head lolling back and forth with the motion of the plane and he tightened the grip he had on her, preparing for the next impact.

A final glance upward confirmed that the plane would be stopping with the help of the tree and Jonathan tried to brace himself. He felt the plane jerk, and heard the sound of metal twisting and tearing before everything went dark.

Continue on to Part Two

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