Part 2

Everyone arrived at van access on time and they were now winging their way to Hawaii. As on their previous trip, Mentz and Davenport sat together going over the security measures. North and Petrosian had paired off. Jace and Nahla were totally immersed in each other, still unable to believe their good fortune. Sherry and Travis sat together toward the front of the plane. They had been flying for a while when Travis broached the subject of Michael.

"I guess Michael's not too happy about this trip," he said.

Sherry shrugged. "He's not thrilled, but he understands."

Travis noticed the ring on her finger. "Amani Jensen is engaged, right?" he said as he pointed to the ring.

Sherry nodded. "Yes, she is. In fact, she got engaged the last time she was in Kauai."

"Same time you and Michael were engaged," he sighed and looked away. He was sorry he had brought the subject up now.

She nodded and smiled. "Yes. It was wonderful. And I can't wait to show you all of the places I discovered. I love it there. I wish I could stay forever."

Travis watched her face as she talked about the island. Her fascination with the place was obvious. He was glad she had the chance to go back. And he was glad he was along this time. "I'm looking forward to seeing it. You make it sound like paradise."

"That's exactly what it is," she answered him. "Well, as long as you don't come down with that miserable virus." She told him everything she remembered about her last visit to the island and the places she wanted to show him when they arrived.

"And the chance to feel normal and free again," he added, "is what I'm looking forward to."

Sherry sobered. "Listen Doc. I know how you feel, and you're right. You will have some degree of freedom, but this is still a Section-sanctioned mission. We're not simply off on vacation like normal people. It may feel like that at times, but you can't forget that it's just an illusion. We still have all the normal security procedures and surveillance."

Travis sighed and nodded. "I know. But just to be away from their constant interference will seem like heaven."

She smiled. She had felt that way the first few times she had been 'let out.' "You're right, just don't let it go to your head," she warned. "Petrosian and North will be quick to pull us back if we get carried away and forget why we're there. Not to mention the fact that Madeline wants weekly progress reports." Petrosian was watching them from his seat farther back in the plane. He turned to North. "Do you know vhy they sent him?" he asked as he pointed in Travis' direction.

North nodded. "Yes. He's going to be the technical consultant on her book. She wants to do a psychological thriller this time."

Petrosian nodded and grinned. "But you know vhy they really sent him along, do you not? You do not believe that is the only reason, my dear."

"Of course not. I know about Operations' plan to use Travis to break up Michael and Sherry. It won't work."

"Ve vill see," he stated and then dropped the subject.

Not too far out from the airport, Sherry called them all together so that Davenport could brief them on the security measures. Then in no time they had landed and were waiting for Mentz and Petrosian to return with their car.

As they disembarked from the plane, Nahla took one look at the limo and shook her head. "Wow! You get this kind of treatment all the time? Boy, did I ever get into the wrong department!" Everyone laughed as they piled into the limo. Once the baggage was stowed, Mentz took the driver's seat and they were off.

The trip to the resort and villa was a much more pleasant one than last time since Sherry wasn't under the gun, facing a major deadline. She and North pointed out spots of interest along the way and they discussed things they had discovered on their last visit. It seemed to take almost no time before they were pulling up at the resort. Petrosian got out to do his thing with the resort manager. It took a bit longer than Sherry thought was necessary, but she didn't give it much thought. She was too happy to be here with her friends.

Once Petrosian was resettled in the car, they finished the trip to the villa. The car stopped and Travis and Jace reached for the car handles.

"Wait, guys," Sherry warned them. They both stopped and looked at her questioningly. "We have to wait until Davenport and Mentz do the security check."

"Should we be worried?" Jace asked.

North shook her head. "No, but it's their job to keep her," she said as she threw her thumb in Sherry's direction, "as well as the rest of us, safe. We don't expect trouble, but you never know who might find out the reclusive Amani Jensen is here and want to catch a glimpse or an autograph or something. We can't have people knowing who she really is." That explanation seemed to satisfy them. The door swung open and Davenport gave them the all clear. Everyone piled out and looked around at their
temporary home.

"It's lovely," Nahla commented. "I can see why you wouldn't want to leave." Sherry let them take in the sights for a few minutes and then herded everyone inside. "Okay, let's get inside and see about room assignments. Then we can do a little exploring or swimming or whatever after lunch." The men took care of retrieving the luggage as the three women made their way inside. Sherry threw open the doors and windows to let the breezes waft through the house. She roamed around, reacquainting herself with the place. She noticed the house was a bit different from their previous visit. Upon further inspection, she realized that a room had been added downstairs, a den or office. Walking upstairs, she noticed that another bedroom had been added as well, which was a good thing, because the room assignments were giving her a bit of a problem.

Heading back downstairs, she saw the guys make the first trip in with luggage and head out for the next load. They simply flopped everything down inside the door. Sherry laughed. "Typical men." Then she grabbed her bags and headed back upstairs. "I'm taking the same room," she called downstairs. Her room overlooked the lake and the beach. A few minutes later, Nahla and Northstar followed her upstairs with some of their bags. "Should we go ahead and pick, or wait for the guys?" North asked. Sherry walked out of her room. "Well, I'm guessing you and Petrosian will want to room together again. Nahla, you and Jace going to share?" she asked. Jace was just coming up the stairs and heard the question. He stopped behind Nahla and waited to hear her answer.

Nahla looked around to see who was behind her. Her face turned beet red, but she nodded. "Yeah, I think so." Jace smiled and nodded. "I agree," and then he planted a kiss on her lips, which only made her blush all the more.

"Okay, so that leaves two rooms and three guys. We'll put Davenport and Mentz together and give Travis his own room. That work for the rest of you?" Sherry asked as the other men trudged upstairs with more bags. They nodded in agreement.

"Okay then. Mentz and Davenport, which room do you two want? Last time you took the room right across the hall from mine. You want to do the same this time around?"

Davenport decided that he and Mentz should still have the room opposite Sherry's, then the others made their picks. Nahla and Jace took the room next to Sherry's and Travis took the one beside the guys. That left North and Petrosian with the new room, which was slightly separated from the others. Once the luggage was stowed, everyone headed back downstairs.

"I'm gonna set up my office in there," Sherry said as she pointed to the new den. Davenport and Mentz set about configuring the security and getting surveillance set up. Travis offered to help Sherry get her office fixed up.

"Okay, then it looks like the rest of us get lunch duty," North said as she herded Nahla, Jace and Petrosian into the kitchen. Once lunch was over, Sherry finished setting up her office with help from Nahla, Jace and Travis. When that was done, everyone was at loose ends.

"I'm going down to the lake," Sherry announced. "Anyone want to come?" Nahla, Jace and Travis all decided to join her.

"Don't forget security," Petrosian warned her. Sherry sighed. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay, guys, come on. We're going down to the lake." The small group set out for the lake. As Sherry led them around it, she told them about some of the other places she had found on her previous visit.

"The water is so blue. I can't wait to go swimming," Nahla exclaimed. Jace put his arms around her and kissed her forehead. "I can see where we will be spending most of our time," he teased and winked at her.

"Works for me," Nahla said "as long as I can get one of the guys to slather me with suntan lotion." Jace growled in mock anger, "You had better not let any of them touch you, woman. I will be the only one touching any parts of that body. Is that understood?"

Nahla turned bright red and slapped his arm. Sherry laughed. "Oh, I see Jace is the caveman type. I don't know Nahla, you might want to trade him in for Davenport or Mentz."

"Hey Sher, you just keep out of this, okay? I don't need you filling her head with any more ideas! Just because you can't decide between your men ..." Jace joked but then realized what he had said and it was now his turn to be totally embarrassed.

"Oh, sorry," he muttered. Sherry smiled. "Don't worry about it. It's not the first time I've heard it, and I'm sure it won't be the last." After a few moments of awkward silence, Sherry smiled. "I think I'm gonna sit right here for a while and enjoy the warm sun. You guys feel free to keep exploring if you want."

Nahla and Jace exchanged glances and then Nahla said, "I think we'll keep exploring. Anything we should know before we wander off?"

Sherry shook her head. "Not really. Just don't wander too far. Let me talk to Davenport first." Sherry motioned Davenport over and explained their plans. "Shouldn't one of you go with them?" she asked.

Davenport shook his head. "You are our primary responsibility. We are to maintain contact with you at all times."

Sherry nodded. "I know. One of you can stay. But there are five of us here. Certainly we can spare one of you for a little while. I'd feel better if one of you went with them." Davenport gave in. He told Mentz to shadow Nahla and Jace and he stayed behind with Sherry and Travis.

Once the others were on their way, Sherry sat down next to the water. Travis sat next to her. They stared out over the lake for a few minutes and then she turned to him. "What's bothering you?"

Travis smiled. "Hey, I'm supposed to be the shrink, remember. Who said anything's bothering me?"

Sherry smiled back at him. "You forget, Doc, I know you very well."

Travis shook his head. "No, I haven't forgotten anything," he said quietly and the mood turned serious. Sherry was almost sorry she had made that statement. She knew where his thoughts were and she didn't want to deal with that right now.

Finally, he looked around and then asked, "Do they go everywhere with you?" indicating Davenport with a point of his thumb.

She nodded. "Yes. At least one of them is always with me. You get used to it eventually. And they're quite good at being discreet and keeping their distance."

Travis nodded. "I'm not sure I'd ever get used to it. I mean, what if you want to be alone?"

Sherry laughed. "Didn't you read the Section Handbook when you arrived? I distinctly remember a paragraph in there that states 'You are never alone unless Operations says so. Don't forget it.'"

Travis grinned, knowing she was trying to lighten up the mood. "They must have left that part out of my handbook. I know I never saw it. If I had, I would have told them thanks, but no thanks."

They both shared a small laugh and then simply spent time talking about anything and nothing. It was a very relaxing way to spend the late afternoon. Travis watched her face as she laughed and smiled. He hadn't seen her so relaxed in a long time.

"This place is definitely good for you," he commented.

"I know," she said and then sighed. "Guess it's time we head back. North will have a cow if she gets stuck cooking again. I'm sure she and Egran will want to spent some time together away from the house." Travis stood up and took her hand to help her to her feet. Sherry was slightly surprised at what his touch did to her, even something as simple as taking her hand and helping her stand. She decided, however, to ignore it and immediately dropped his hand once she was standing. They walked back to the house in companionable silence.