Chapter 18

Garrett slept for most of the ten-hour flight. The first-class passengers were served unlimited cocktails, snacks, and meals, and also had access to movies. A screen lowered near the galley and the movie Speed was shown. Garrett didn’t bother to watch it, but Aaron seemed to be enthralled. They had handed out headphones so you could plug yourself in to hear it.

Using a small pillow, Garrett reclined the seat and rested, but his mind was working overtime. As he tactically planned the next two weeks in his mind, Garrett visualized the day-by-day court procedures. He knew them well.

Ms Ginsberg would bring the evidence to a judge. The judge would convene a grand jury. Probable cause would be established. Suspects would be named and subpoenas would be issued. One by one the conspirators would be called in with or without lawyers to either cooperate, testify, or get indicted.

Slowly the truth would be uncovered as more suspects flipped on the top man. And that man, the one Garrett wanted to see in jail the most, was David Jordon, Director of the CIA.

Yes, others will be implicated in the graft scheme, the illegal arms deals, the plotting with US enemies for cash, but Garrett had a particular interest in confronting the director.

Oh, yes.

He wanted to stand face to face with him to look into his eyes when Garrett revealed he knew what they had done. They had framed an innocent man. That he had not killed Aaron as ordered. That Aaron was alive and able to testify against this traitor.

That was the moment Garrett was waiting for.

Feeling Aaron shift on the seat beside him, Garrett realized the film had ended. His lover removed the headphones, and in a darkened cabin, with the shades pulled down on the portholes, Aaron closed his eyes and tried to sleep.

Small blue blankets and tiny pill-shaped pillows were available. Once Aaron had spread the tiny blanket over himself in the cool fuselage Garrett slipped his hand onto Aaron’s leg, hidden. Aaron peeked at him, smiled tiredly, and closed his eyes.

Garrett sighed deeply as the cabin around him went quiet with only one or two overhead lamps still lit for the passengers that wanted to read or work.

Exhaustion hitting, Garrett fell asleep.

~

Aaron stirred from a deep slumber to the pressure in the plane changing and making his ears pop. He felt groggy and stiff and sat up in the reclining chair.

Stewardesses were serving coffee to the first-class passengers.

Aaron folded the small blue blanket and righted the seatback. Garrett opened his eyes and looked around the small space.

The stewardess, seeing they were awake, asked, “Would you like coffee?”

“Yes, please.” Both he and Garrett nodded.

Garrett tucked the pillow he had used into the seat pocket and stretched his back, his arms over his head. He then pulled his tray table down.

Aaron smiled at him. “How are you?”

“Good. I’m good.” Garrett squeezed Aaron’s knee and reassured him.

They were served coffee and the stewardess asked, “Would you like French toast or scrambled eggs for breakfast?”

Aaron smelled the food cooking in the air. “French toast.”

“Same.” Garrett shook a small packet of powdered creamer into his steaming cup of coffee.

She nodded and walked off.

Aaron slid the window shade up and looked outside. Ocean. They were flying over the Pacific Ocean.

Garrett blew on the hot coffee and attempted to sip it.

“Can I ask you something?” Aaron shook a packet of sugar into his cup and stirred it.

“Yes.”

“What happens next?” Aaron whispered.

“The Attorney General makes a decision to file charges based on the evidence.”

Aaron held the coffee, which was way too hot to drink. “What part will I play?”

Garrett took another sip from his cup and replied, “Well, if they plead guilty, nothing. If they take it to court, then you’ll testify.”

“And keep hidden until I do?”

“Look.” Garrett tried to turn on the seat to face him. “You’re Brad Houston. You live with me. Nothing is going to happen to you.”

Aaron wished he was as certain as Garrett was. “How long will we be in Hawaii?”

“I’m not sure. When I contact Ms Ginsberg, I’ll see what’s going on.”

The stewardess brought over two trays of food.

Aaron sat back as a hot breakfast was served. French toast, a fruit cup, a gray sausage, a sealed orange juice cup, a similar sealed cup of water, and containers with butter and fake maple syrup. Plastic utensils and napkins were provided.

Garrett peeled the foil back on the hot food and tore open the plastic holding the fork and knife.

Aaron took a bite of his food and asked, “And then what?”

Garrett poured maple syrup on the toast and sausage. “Then what, what?”

“After. After the court… thingy is done. What happens to me?”

Garrett shrugged as he chewed. “You’ll be free. Free to do as you choose.”

Although it was said to make him feel good, Aaron felt a pit of worry in his gut. Free? Meaning, you’ll kick me out? Time to get rid of me?

He stopped asking questions because the answers were making him ill.

Garrett focused on the food, and the conversation came to a halt.

~

Once on the ground at Hawaii’s largest airport, Garrett easily located the puddle-jumper that would take them to Maui.

Their bags were sent on through without their assistance.

While Aaron browsed the few tourist shops, Garrett scanned the occupants of the waiting area. Families. Couples. Nice.

The short flight was less than an hour.

Aaron returned with a plastic bag, indicating he’d purchased something. His grin was silly.

Garrett didn’t even ask.

They boarded the smaller plane, and this one didn’t have a first-class area. So? They sat together on the side of the plane with only two seats, while the opposite side had three.

Garrett let Aaron take the window again, since he appeared fascinated with flying. Garrett had done so much flying for the military and his government work, that the novelty had worn off.

Aaron stuffed the store bag into an overhead bin and kept grinning at him.

“What are you up to?” Garrett fastened the seatbelt.

“Nuthin’.” Aaron giggled.

A quick run-through of the safety precautions were given and then the plane began its drive to the runway.

Although the flight was short, it was rough. The wind here made the plane shift, bounce, and veer wildly enough that some of the passengers held their barf bags on their laps, while others sounded as if they were on a roller coaster, gasping and making other noises of distress.

Aaron grabbed his leg and dug his nails in.

“Hang in there. We’re fine.” Garrett rubbed Aaron’s arm.

After the landing, the passengers cheered the pilot, who no doubt had done this trip hundreds if not thousands of times.

They deplaned and a tiny airport was a few feet from where the plane halted. There was a set of stairs to the tarmac, but no internal gate.

Once inside the terminal, Garrett let Aaron wait for their luggage at the conveyor belt while he rented a car.

He kept scanning the crowd for trouble, but there wasn’t any. Why should there be? He had done his job, according to plan, Aaron was supposedly dead, flying as Brad Houston, and there was no way for the director to know any of this in advance.

Car keys in hand, Garrett had rented a 1994 convertible Chevy coup. Red.

When he returned to Aaron, he had all three bags at his feet and his smile was wide.

Garrett carried his guns and suitcase while Aaron walked with him, rolling his bag to the lot where their car was waiting.

“Ha!” Aaron appeared to approve of the sporty wheels.

Garrett opened the trunk, and they loaded the suitcases, and the plastic shopping bag, and climbed in. Garrett opened the ragtop and headed to the hotel.

The sunshine, the ocean air, the palm trees, views, and sandy beaches, well, hello paradise. This is just what we need .

~

Aaron felt the wind in his short blond hair. His sunglasses on, he felt like a movie star in a romance film. If he just forgot their reality, he could really have fun.

Garrett drove the Honapiilana Highway along the coast. Within minutes they arrived in Lahaina. He pulled into a parking lot and parked the sweet convertible near a lobby. The air was cool, in the 70s and the breeze made it very comfortable.

“Wait here.” Garrett left the car running.

“You bet, boss.” Aaron grinned happily.

While Garrett took care of their room rental, Aaron looked around the hotel grounds. It wasn’t on the beach, but right across from it. A grassy area with tall palm trees led to a pool with lounge chairs and what looked like a tiki bar for drinks and snacks.

The hotel seemed to have two different areas, one with a towering building with small balconies and another that had villas, with apartment-like units.

Garrett returned and sat back down, then drove around the tall building to the apartments. Aaron said nothing.

His lover parked near the front door of a one-level apartment. He shut off the car and hopped out.

Aaron did as well and helped him with their items. Garrett unlocked the door and inside was a spacious apartment with a full kitchen, patio, bedroom, and living room.

It was decorated in beige and white and very nice. Airy without being gaudy.

Garrett brought his guns and bag to the bedroom.

A ceiling fan was over the bed, just like in Garrett’s home.

Aaron left his bag and opened the plastic shopping bag. He held up two Hawaiian shirts, brightly colored, with macaw parrot designs in reds, yellows, and greens.

Garrett spun around and when he saw it, he laughed loudly.

“When in Rome… or in this case, Hawaii…”

“You’re insane.” Garrett winked at him and then sat on the bed and picked up the phone on the nightstand.

Aaron’s smile fell because he knew what he was doing.

After the long flight, Aaron wanted to shower. He placed the shirts on the bed after snapping off the tags, and sat to remove his shoes.

“Ms Ginsberg, please. Garrett Finnigan.”

Aaron took off his shirt and inspected the bathroom. It was large, white, and had towels and other amenities. He opened Garrett’s suitcase and removed their shared toiletry bag.

“Yes, ma’am. Here is the phone number of our hotel and our room number…”

Aaron closed his eyes and had to stop pretending this was a vacation with his boyfriend. In reality, it was a hiding spot for a material witness.

“Yes, ma’am.” Garrett seemed to be listening to Ms Ginsberg’s information.

Aaron sat on the foot of the bed and waited, getting upset once more. He felt dread. Until this was over, if it ever was, he knew that sense of being ill at ease would linger.

“Yes, ma’am. I understand.”

Aaron sighed heavily.

“Goodbye.”

Aaron waited.

Garrett spun around towards him. “I need a shower.” He took off his clothing.

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?” Aaron stood and dropped his shorts and briefs to the floor, because he needed one too.

“The AG said he has enough to indict. He’s convening a grand jury, and the director will be notified of the probable cause in an arrest warrant today.” Garrett left his clothing on the floor and entered the bathroom.

Aaron held his stomach and then stood at the bathroom doorway.

Garrett turned the water on, his hand under the spray. “Are you joining me?”

“Is it okay?”

“Sure it is.” Garrett stepped into the tub and pulled the curtain closed.

Aaron entered the shower with him, and they washed under the refreshing spray.

Garrett used a small bar of soap provided by the hotel, unwrapping the paper. “Aaron? You’re fine. Things are proceeding as planned.”

Nodding, Aaron wetted down and wished Garrett had other plans. Like asking him to be his boyfriend. Like asking him to live with him, like… forever.

~

Garrett certainly understood Aaron’s anxiety. But that’s why they were here, to alleviate it. Other than flying away from Washington DC under an assumed name, Garrett didn’t know what else he could do to assure Aaron that he was safe.

Seeing Aaron’s expression, his unhappiness so obviously displayed, Garrett took the soap from him and washed Aaron’s back for him. “You’re okay. Stop worrying. We’re in Maui for God’s sake.”

Aaron nodded, his posture slumped.

Garrett washed his lover’s back and shoulders, then his ass. When he moved a soapy hand into his lover’s crack, Garrett’s cock responded, engorging.

He drew closer to Aaron under the water spray, and then ran the head of his cock up and down that slick crack.

Oh, lover… don’t be sad. We have each other in a private apartment in Maui for at least a week. Let’s enjoy the hell out of it.

Aaron peered over his shoulder at him.

“Up for it?” Garrett asked.

“Yes.” Aaron bent over and braced his hands on the white tile wall.

Garrett used a lot more soap and then eased into Aaron’s tight body. “Oh, fuck, yes.” He slipped in and out and then reached his fingers around to Aaron’s cock, which wasn’t hard yet. While he pumped gently into Aaron’s ass, Garrett fondled Aaron’s cock and balls. “I got ya. I got ya.” He knew Aaron needed comforting, reassuring.

Aaron’s dick began to respond to the stimulation.

Garrett was glad it was. He focused on pleasing them both, Aaron with a hand job and himself with a good fucking.

Closing his eyes, resting his cheek on Aaron’s upper back, Garrett jerked him off in time with his thrusts. Aaron’s body became tense, and he gasped.

Garrett knew he was close, and so was he. He stood straighter and stared at the sight of his crimson dick inside Aaron’s puckered rim. He came at the sexy view. While in the throes of a climax, he jerked Aaron off vigorously and the handsome man came.

Their whimpers echoed in the wet tile walls.

Garrett pulled out and caught his breath.

Aaron washed and then gave Garrett use of the spray. Once he’d cleaned himself, he shut the taps and Aaron opened the plastic curtain, grabbing towels.

“Now I need another nap,” Garrett said as a joke.

Aaron kept quiet, stepping out of the tub and drying off.

Garrett didn’t know what else he could do for Aaron. You’d have thought he’d be grateful. That he was doing enough. More than enough.

Just when Garrett was about to get annoyed, Aaron gazed into his eyes. “Thank you. I love you so much.”

Any misgivings Garrett had melted away. He pulled Aaron into his arms and said, “We have now. Let’s enjoy the hell out of it.”

“Yes. Let’s.” Aaron smiled through teary eyes.

Garrett cupped the back of Aaron’s head and kissed him.

~

After the shower they dressed in their Hawaiian shirts, shorts, and flipflops. Aaron waited as Garrett locked up his guns in a small safe, and then they exited the apartment and had a look around.

Wishing they could hold hands, Aaron didn’t even dare to try it. But, man, it would be so nice. Straight couples all around them were. He was envious of their freedom.

It was unfair. But… life in 1994. Hell, same sex couples couldn’t even get married.

They walked on the stiff green grass and Aaron realized tiny toads were hopping around on it, and on the trunks of the trees were lime green geckos. It was magical.

Strange birds called from the palm trees, and brightly colored hibiscus and other flowering plants and trees made the area truly paradise.

They crossed the street and right there was the beach and ocean. Families, surfers, bodyboarders, and loving couples laid out on towels or bobbed in the water.

Garrett took off his sandals and waded into the water.

Aaron did too. It was warm. Tepid.

They stood still, staring at the endless horizon and the natural beauty.

“Can you imagine living here?” Aaron asked.

“Yes. I can.” Garrett spun around and seemed to be surveying the restaurants and shops along the highway. “Let’s keep exploring.”

“Okay.”

They put their flipflops back on and walked along the roadway to the tourist spots. The restaurants had open patios facing the beach and ocean waves.

Garrett entered one and they were shown a seat on a raised balcony-like dining area. It was outdoors with no windows or screens to inhibit the view.

Handed menus, supplied with sweet fruity cocktails, Aaron sipped a drink while staring at the ocean, and had to pinch himself to make sure it wasn’t all a dream.

What if?

What if he and Garrett stayed?

What if they never returned to the mainland?

Would anyone care?

And then, Aaron looked at Garrett. The stern military man. The professional. He would care. He had a feeling Garrett wouldn’t rest until he knew justice had been meted out.

Aaron wasn’t so sure he needed that.

What he really needed was peace… oh, and an amazing man named Garrett Finnigan.