Homeplot: On a Jet Plane

[missingthekeep]

Sean's not sure what to think. Since waking up in their Washington hotel room yet again that morning, he's been in a perpetual state of unease that has nothing to do with the absolute reaming that is no doubt in store for him in London. He's half-tempted to suggest just going on the lam with Meredith for however much longer this lasts, but for now, he spends his time fidgeting in his cramped economy seat on the plane (maybe he'd been on something of a spending spree, but the tickets had been booked on their behalf), playing with a tiny, empty scotch bottle.

"Least all yer paperwork went through without a hitch," he says, looking over at Meredith with a cheerfulness that, vague unease aside, remains pretty genuine after the events of the last day. Maybe they should have gone back by now, maybe there's more to this than they initially thought, but whatever they're facing, they're still facing it together.

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[drownondryland]

"You and me both," Meredith says dryly. "Doesn't mean I want to see you back there again." She's sure the same holds true in reverse, though it's not like most of the times she's been hurt have been her fault.

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

Holding back the urge to point out that he could say the exact same thing to her, Sean just sits back and watches her, his tone as mild as ever. "It's nae as if I do it on purpose."

[drownondryland]

"I would hope not," Meredith says, glancing pointedly at his shoulder. "I just like it better when not every patient on my list is you, that's all."

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

"Ah, but ye're so good at fixin' me," Sean says, with a false innocence that hopefully doesn't undercut the fact that he means it. There's no one else that he'd trust more to patch him up.

[drownondryland]

"I am," Meredith agrees, nodding. There's no doubt in her mind about that. However long she's been away from hospital work, she's still good at what she does, as much as anyone can be with so little to keep their hand in. "But you know I'd rather not have to." It was a relief to turn him over to someone else the other day, even if that's not entirely true, even if she'd rather be sure it's being done properly and therefore by her. She just doesn't trust she'll always be steady enough for it.

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

Sean's smile doesn't fade, but he nods anyway, gives in for now. "I know," he says softly. "I'd rather ye nae have to, as well."

[drownondryland]

"Can we try to avoid it when it's not absolutely necessary?" Meredith asks, leaning toward him, her head lolling against the seat. It's not like she thinks he gets hurt on purpose, like he hasn't just been taking care of her; she just doesn't want to go through it again.

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

"We dinnae already do that?" Sean asks, raising an eyebrow almost suspiciously.

[drownondryland]

"Well, I would hope so," Meredith says dryly, "but it still felt worth saying." It's not like she gets into that kind of trouble (much) or like it's avoidable when it happens (by much, anyway).

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

"Fair enae," Sean says, but the odd look he gives her doesn't go away immediately. He sure as hell doesn't just go waltzing into these situations of his own accord. "Guess it's happened enae times now ta be worth the reminder."

[drownondryland]

"And I'd rather it not happen again," Meredith says, then manages a bit of a smile, brow raising slightly. "At least before — you know. I just think it wouldn't make for much of a honeymoon if you've been shot or stabbed or whatever too recently."

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

"Now there's a convincin' argument," Sean says, once more on the verge of laughing, just from the mere mention of what's in store for them. "If anythin's liable ta get me ta think twice, it's the thought o' havin' ta keep from givin' in t'ye fer too long."

[drownondryland]

"Giving in," Meredith echoes, laughing incredulously. "I'm not making you do anything you don't want." If she's honest, that always does seem to be one of the more difficult aspects of the healing process, but then, that seems to be in part because the circumstances of why they're healing usually make her want to turn to their default response to trouble.

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

"Exactly," Sean says as if this should be self-evident, laughing in turn. "If'n I didnae want it, then holdin' back wouldnae be much of a problem, now would it?"

[drownondryland]

"Giving in," Meredith says again, then shakes her head, grinning. "It wouldn't be, no, but it is. I'd say that's something we should work on, but I don't wanna."

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

"Why on earth would we wanna?" Sean asks, genuinely befuddled for all that he's still teasing. Some days, that's the only thing he can get right, after all. What is there to work on?

[drownondryland]

"I don't know, any time I think of a reason, it's entirely stupid," Meredith says, grinning. Sometimes she thinks they still act like teenagers, but what's so wrong about that? She likes that she can never get enough of him, that a couple years together hasn't made things less exciting or whatever it is other people wind up complaining about as the years roll on.

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

"Figgered as much," Sean says brightly, as pleased by that as anything else. "I mean, it's nae as if we're hurtin' anyone by it."

[drownondryland]

"Not a soul," Meredith says, then makes a face. "Except you know how suggestible I am when it comes to sex and now I'm thinking about it and that is not a good idea. Especially since it's not like we have a hotel waiting for us, since we're turning fugitive and all."

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

Sean makes a noise that falls somewhere in between amusement and embarrassment, but he recovers quickly. "Keep yer voice down, will ye?" he teases, although he finds himself doing just that anyway. "What, ye ne'er wanted ta join the mile high club?"

[drownondryland]

Meredith makes a face, convinced she's not being that loud (and that it's not like the topic isn't apparent). "I wasn't planning on it, no," she says. "Cramped spaces, keeping quiet, everyone knows what you're doing. And even if I would, you wouldn't."

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

"That is correct, aye," Sean says with an air of smugness. "I've made a lot o' concessions where ye're concerned, but there have ta be some lines."

[drownondryland]

"And one we agree on, no less," Meredith says, almost laughing. "Imagine that." The lines are rare, but those are rarer still. "Is that a first? I think it might be."

[missingthekeep.livejournal.com]

"Ye know somethin', I think ye may be right," Sean says, feigning an impressed look. "Here's hopin' it's nae all downhill from there."

[drownondryland]

"It probably is," Meredith says, though it comes out somehow cheerful, since she doesn't believe it for a minute. "All complacency and agreeing on things. Where's the fun in that?"