A/N: OH MY GOSH I AM SO SORRY YOU GUYS. I know it's been a year, really, I didn't forget about this. I mean, things just got pretty hectic in my life, and you know it happens. Never had any time to write. Nothing's been updated in so long. Jeez, I'm really sorry. I promise I will not wait another year to update this. Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed and has still stuck with this! Also, I apologize in advance, this chapter is shorter than the others, and there may be some grammar mistakes, but it's 3:15 AM and I just don't feel like waiting another day to proofread it.
Disclaimer: Don't own anything, just wish I did.
He was almost afraid that if he blinked, she would vanish.
Fearful that if he let go of her, she would evaporate.
Nervous that if he didn't put all of his energy into taking in the moment, it would just be another hallucination.
Yet as Larry Daley stood still, arms wrapped around the long lost pilot, he knew that it was no illusion. It was all real. Amelia Earhart was really there, her slender frame leaning against his body, hugging him tightly. He could feel breath tickle his ear as she rested her chin on his shoulder. When they finally pulled apart, he could see her deep blue eyes were shining with joy.
His smile widened at the sound of her voice.
"I never thought," she started.
"Me neither," he smiled.
"And yet here we all are!"
The pair turned to see Lauren still leaning on one of the crates, looking expectantly at Larry.
"Right. Amelia, this is my niece, Lauren. Lauren, Amelia."
They both dipped their heads politely.
"Charmed to meet you, Miss Lauren."
Lauren smiled. "Likewise."
A jarring, crashing noise brought them all back to reality, and Lauren was quick to make the first move.
"I don't want to have to be the buzz-kill, but we need to move."
Larry nodded. When Amelia glanced at him quizzically, he shook his head slightly.
"I'll explain later. We need to get to Air and Space."
With that, they took off at a sprint, dodging the newly awakened exhibits.
Stepping out of the Smithsonian Castle cautiously, Larry checked around to be sure that the coast was clear.
Suddenly at his side, Lauren commented, "I think we're good."
"Would you stop doing that?" he yelped, unable to keep himself from jumping.
His niece grinned in return and set off at a brisk pace toward the Air and Space museum. He glared at her momentarily, but Amelia smiled and took his arm, leading him after Lauren. The trio continued across the path without any problems.
Still leading the way, Lauren's steps slowed as they entered the building. She turned around as she walked, taking in the entire room. Her eyes flew from planes to spaceships to the crews running them.
Larry smiled and opened his mouth to address her, but was cut off by a booming voice over the loudspeaker.
"ALL STATIONS READY FOR TAKE OFF?"
"Not again!"
Larry brushed by Lauren who then swiveled around to see where he was going.
Running over to the main desk, he grabbed the mic and commanded, "Nope, sorry, still no-go for take off. Please power down and decommission all units. This is a no-fly zone."
His order was met with groans of disappointment, but the loud roar of engines died throughout the room.
He let out a sigh of relief. Lauren walked over to where he was standing, giggling when she saw Flight Commander Johnson shaking his head.
"Damn, another failure," he kept muttering.
"Buzz-kill," she said as Larry glanced over at her.
"Yeah, well, I guess we're even."
"Touché."
Larry smirked slightly at that and turned away, scanning the room for his pilot friend. "Where's Amelia?"
Lauren leaned to the side, looking past him.
"She is currently decommissioning slash turning off slash powering down sla-"
"Lauren."
"In the big red plane, relax."
Larry followed his niece's gaze to Amelia's 'Little Red Bus'. Striding over, he stopped and leaned on the side of the plane. Amelia was seated near him in the doorway of the plane. She let her legs swing over the edge as her fingers gripped the metal ledge.
She glanced at Larry as he approached.
"You can be quite the buzz-kill, you know, Mr. Daley."
Larry smiled and nodded. "So I've been told."
Amelia looked up at him, and his smile faded as he stared back at her. He was so lost, so entranced with her blue eyes, and she couldn't break away from his blue-green gaze either.
Long seconds passed before the sound of Lauren's voice snapped them out of their trance.
They both turned their focus to Lauren. "What?"
"What now?" she repeated.
"Oh right uh, listen, Amelia, how do you feel about crossing the Atlantic again?" Larry inquired.
Standing up, she placed her hands on her hips, "Hootin' daises, I thought I'd never get a second chance!"
Lauren scrunched her features at 'hootin' daises', but Larry, used to Amelia's unique vernacular continued, "It could be dangerous."
Determined, she returned, "I should be so lucky to be doubly thrilled."
Lauren grinned.
"Amen to that. I like your girlfriend, Larry."
A/N: As always, please review!