Falling at 30,000 feets

"Don't tell me... you're here for Micheal ?"

Jayden froze mid-step. For a split second, genuine alarm flashed across his face-his eyes widening slightly, his jaw tightening. His lips parted as if he was about to speak, but no words came out immediately. Then, just as quickly, he composed himself-his expression smoothing into something thoughtful, almost casual.

"...Yes," he said finally, nodding slowly as he turned to face her. "He called this morning-said it was urgent, so I took leave to come see him. "

Jane's expression darkened instantly, her hands balling into fists at her sides. Anger flared in her eyes-hot, protective.

"You know how he treated you before," she snapped, taking a step closer. "... why would you even come see him? No-absolutely not. I won't let him use you again."

Without waiting for a response, she grabbed his hand and began pulling him along toward the parking lot, her grip firm but not painful.

"You're coming back with me."

"Hey-" Jayden stopped her gently but firmly, his fingers wrapping around her wrist just enough to halt her movement without hurting her. His touch was warm, steady-grounding.

"It's not what you think," he said, his tone softening as he looked down at her, his eyes warm and reassuring. "He explained everything. Last time... something fell on the floor. He asked me to check it out. That's all...you just misunderstood "

Jane narrowed her eyes, studying him carefully-taking in the way he held her gaze, the slight furrow of his brow that looked genuine. She'd learned to read his expressions over the past few months, and this didn't look like a lie.

"...Really?" she asked, her anger beginning to fade into concern.

Jayden smiled, reaching up to brush a strand of hair from her face that the wind had blown loose. "We grew up together-he was like a brother to me once. What kind of thoughts could he possibly have about me? You just misunderstood the situation last time."

Jane hesitated, her shoulders relaxing slightly. She knew how much Jayden valued loyalty, even to people who didn't always deserve it.

Then she sighed, releasing his hand with a small shake of her head.

"Fine," she said reluctantly. "But still... better safe than sorry. Be careful with him, okay? He's not the same person you knew."

Her voice softened at the end, genuine concern slipping through despite herself. She reached up to adjust his collar, her fingers lingering for a moment against his neck.

Jayden nodded, covering her hand with his own. "I will. Promise."

She turned away, heading toward her car with one last worried glance over her shoulder.

And the moment her eyes left him-

Jayden exhaled deeply, his shoulders slumping slightly as relief washed over his face. He ran a hand through his hair, his expression shifting from calm reassurance to something heavier, more burdened.

Back in his office-located on the top floor of the executive wing, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the entire airport-Jayden's expression had completely changed. Cold. Sharp. Every trace of the gentle man Jane knew was gone, replaced by the focused intensity of someone who held real power.

"Send Michael in," he ordered into his intercom, his voice crisp and authoritative.

Moments later, Michael stepped in, barely closing the door before Jayden spoke again, not even looking up from the stack of documents on his desk.

"Instructor Norman Badwell," Jayden began, his voice edged with barely contained anger. "Repeated harassment of female staff. Abuse of authority. Coercion and attempted assault. I've just received a full report." He slammed a thick file onto the polished wood desk, the sound echoing in the quiet room. "There are multiple anonymous reports dating back six months. Why wasn't he fired?"

Michael didn't look surprised. He'd already heard about the incident in the corridor.

He shrugged lightly as he took a seat across from the desk, leaning back casually despite the tension in the air.

"His aunt's cousin's sister-in-law... is married to your second cousin on your mother's side," he said matter-of-factly. "The family pulled strings to keep him on, said he was 'going through a tough time' and deserved another chance."

Jayden's eyes widened, disbelief flashing across his face before being replaced by pure irritation.

"Absurd," he said sharply, pushing the file across the desk toward Michael. "Blood ties don't excuse predatory behavior. Not in this company."

"File formal charges for workplace harassment and assault," Jayden continued immediately, his fingers steepled as he looked out the window at the tarmac below. "Track down the whistleblowers-offer them protection, legal support, whatever they need. Hire top lawyers to represent them. I don't want a single one of them intimidated into silence by his family or anyone else."

He pushed another thinner file across the desk-this one marked with Jane's name.

Michael caught it easily, flipping through the pages with practiced ease. "Got it."

Then, glancing up with a teasing smirk, he added, "Heroic move... protecting your lover like this, huh?"

Jayden didn't respond. He simply looked away, his jaw tightening slightly as he focused on the aircraft moving across the runway.

Michael chuckled under his breath, standing up and stretching. "Though honestly... that scumbag should've been axed a long time ago. I've had complaints about him from flight attendants and new pilots for months."

"Then get moving," Jayden said, shooting him a pointed look that made Michael raise his hands in surrender.

Michael paused at the door, his playful demeanor fading slightly as he looked back at his friend.

"...What's with you today?" he asked, leaning against the doorframe. "All soft and gentle with Jane-but snapping at me like I owe you money."

Jayden rolled his eyes, then forced a stiff smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Satisfied?" he added, trying to make his voice light.

Michael leaned in, squinting at him dramatically. "Stop that," he said immediately, backing away toward the door. "That smile is disturbing. It looks like you're in pain."

He stood up straight, giving Jayden an exaggerated wave. "I'm leaving. Immediately. For my own safety-and to spare myself from whatever weird mood you're in."

With that, he turned and hurried out, closing the door softly behind him.

Jayden didn't stop him. He sat in silence for a long moment, his gaze fixed on the window as he ran through every possible way to tell Jane the truth about who he really was.

Later that day, Jane walked across the tarmac after her flight to Denver, her cap tucked under her arm as she loosened her tie. The wind tugged lightly at her hair, carrying the familiar smell of jet fuel and hot asphalt as she moved with her usual composed stride toward the crew building.

"Jane!"

She turned, her hand automatically going to adjust her uniform as she saw Norman running toward her-his shirt wrinkled, his tie askew, his face pale and frantic. Tears clung to his eyelashes, tracks of dirt and what looked like dried blood staining his cheeks.

"Jane, please-" he said, skidding to a stop in front of her and pressing his palms together in a desperate gesture. "Please talk to Captain Blackwood for me. I was wrong-I was completely wrong. I was blinded by lust, by my own stupidity. If I had known you were under his protection... I would've never touched you, never even looked at you the wrong way."

Jane's expression hardened instantly, her body tensing as she took a step back.

"What are you talking about?" she said coldly, her voice carrying clearly across the quiet tarmac. "You were fired because you deserved it-because you assaulted me and have a history of harassing women. I won't lift a finger for you, and I certainly won't ask anyone else to either."

But Norman wasn't listening. He fumbled with his phone, scrolling rapidly through what looked like text messages and emails. His hands trembled too much to steady it, and he dropped it once before catching it against his chest.

"My sources-" he stammered, wiping sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, "they said I was fired personally by Captain Blackwood. That I crossed his wife, and he made sure I'd never work in aviation again."

He failed to find whatever he was looking for and shoved the phone back into his pocket, turning to her again with desperate eyes that darted across her face.

"And the only person I've crossed recently... is you."

Jane stilled, her breath catching in her throat as his words sank in. She stood perfectly still, her hands hanging at her sides as confusion flickered across her face.

"...Captain Blackwood's wife?" she repeated slowly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Something... wasn't adding up.