Homecoming by IRIS


	Jessie finished rinsing the last of the lunch dishes and handed it
to Jonny to dry.  They had given Mrs. Evans the day off, since Dr. Quest
and Race were at a convention and Hadji wasn't due back from Bangalore
until tomorrow. 
	"Tomorrow," Jessie thought to herself, smiling excitedly.  Hadji
had been gone for over a month on official business, and she missed him
terribly.  She closed her eyes for a moment, picturing his face, the way
his eyes always shone when he looked at her.  Jessie returned to reality
to find Jonny watching her with a grin. 
	"Bet I can guess what you're thinking about," he said teasingly. 
	Jessie smiled and pretended not to know what he meant.  "I was
just thinking that it's such a beautiful afternoon,I think I'll go and do
some reading outside." 
	Jonny raised an eyebrow.  "Good idea.  I'm going to go make some
repairs on the Questor." 
	"Okay," said Jessie, heading to the library to find a book. 

	A few minutes later Jessie stood on the cliff overlooking the bay,
watching the waves breaking against the rocks.  Far below she could see
the Questor docked at the small pier.  Jonny was tinkering with something
on the deck, with Bandit at his side.  Jessie waved, then turned to find a
comfortable place to lie down.  She kicked off her shoes, letting the cool
grass tickle her bare feet as she made her way to a small knoll.  Flopping
onto her stomach, Jessie propped herself on her elbows and opened her
book. 
	But after several unsuccessful attempts to concentrate, Jessie let
the book slip from her grasp and cupped her chin in her hand.  She watched
the few clouds rolling lazily across the sky, absently twirling a strand
of hair around her finger.  Turning her gaze back to the ocean, Jessie let
her thoughts wander. 

	The airport taxi reached the end of the secluded drive and pulled
to a stop in front of the large compound.  The young passenger got out and
retrieved his bags, waving as the cab drove away down the hill.  He stood
still for a moment, breathing in the cool summer air before entering the
house. 
	Hadji closed the door behind him and looked around.  It was good
to be home.  Nothing had changed in his absence; the Quest compound was
nothing like the bustling palace in Bangalore. 
	"Hello," he called, knowing that his family was not expecting him
until the next day.  "Jessie?  Jonny?"  He knew that Race and Dr. Quest
were gone, but his friends should be around somewhere.  Hadji walked
through the house and stepped out the back door. 
	By now it was nearing sunset, and the bright afternoon light had
begun to fade.  Looking around, Hadji finally spotted a flash of red high
up on a hill near the cliff's edge.  His heart beat faster in
anticipation. Jessie! 

	Hadji practically ran up the hill, but when he saw Jessie he
stopped, feeling the familiar bittersweet ache in his chest.  She was
curled up in the long grass, fast asleep, her book forgotten beside her. 
Smiling at the picture she made, Hadji settled onto the grass by her side. 
She seemed even more beautiful than he remembered, with the dying light
shining on her face and kindling her fiery hair.  Hadji reached out to
brush a stray lock from her face, and she stirred in her sleep, murmuring
his name with a smile.  He laid his hand on her shoulder gently, and her
eyes fluttered open. 
	Jessie woke from her dream to find Hadji smiling down at her,
silhouetted against the setting sun.  "Hadji?" she whispered uncertainly,
thinking she was still dreaming. 
	"Hello, Jessie," he said softly.  "I decided to come home a day
early." 
	She blinked up at him.  "You're really here?"  He nodded. 
	"I was dreaming about you!" Jessie exclaimed, fully awake as she
sat up and wrapped her arms around him.  "I missed you so much!" 
	Hadji returned the embrace eagerly, stroking her hair.  "I missed
you too, Jessie," he said huskily.  He drew away and looked into her
luminous eyes, and she raised her face to his.  He kissed her tenderly,
then sighed with contentment as they parted. 
	"This is why I had to come back early," he said grinning.  "Now I
wonder that I ever left at all." 
	Jessie giggled and let her head rest against his shoulder.  "So
how was your trip?  Full of exciting meetings and treaty signings I'm
sure." 
	Hadji smiled wryly.  "It was not the most relaxing trip I've ever
had, but we did manage to solve all serious problems and make several new
alliances that I hope will be very beneficial for everyone."  He sighed. 
"It is a shame that these things always have to take so long." 
	"Well, at least you got to spend some time with your mother," said
Jessie comfortingly.  "How is she doing?" 
	"She is well," replied Hadji, "and sends her love to you and the
rest of the family.  Actually, she is the one who encouraged me to come
back early. I missed you so much, I was driving myself and everyone around
me crazy!"
	Touched, Jessie snuggled closer in his arms.  "But how did you get
back?"
	"Ah, that is one of the perks of being a sultan.  I simply
requested an earlier flight, the airline was happy to comply, and here I
am." 
	"Here you are," repeated Jessie, leaning forward to kiss him
again.  "I like here," she smiled. 
	Hadji laughed and returned her kiss warmly.  "Here is good," he
said. "Here is definitely good." 
	They sat in contented silence, arms around each other, and watched
the sun setting the waves aflame as it sank beyond the horizon.




	Okay I know that was lame, but I had a sudden need for smoochies. 
: ) Plus, no writer is truly an HR until she has written at least one fic
involving a sunset.  Hope you liked it it sure gives me a happy!  Oh, and
don't forget to check out the illustration for this story at Wendy's
awesome Eraser Dust JQ Art Gallery!