trace_of_scarlet

The pilot's door opened and a familiar messy golden head poked out, her helmet in one hand; Martin smiled, a little shy but happy. "Hi, Kaidy."

She grinned back at him, pushing herself off from the doorway to jump down to him. "Hullo, Red," she said, giving him a distracted kiss. "Shan't be a second - need to see Jude's all right."

Somewhat bemused, he allowed himself to be led to the bulky dual-rotored heli-jet sitting primly on the lakeside. The door opened as they approached but no-one emerged; Kaidy clambered up instead.

"Yep, it's Milliways," he heard her say. "Coming for a drink?"

The unknown pilot pulled her helmet off to reveal a flushed, good-looking face and a dark ginger buzzcut. "Aye, go on," she said, sounding grumpy but resigned. "Get my legs, will you? T'bloody things've broken out of the straps again, and I can't reach 'em."

Kaidy leant further inside and dragged forwards what looked like a large, bulky metal suitcase, which the two of them opened together to produce what looked like a set of brass-and-clockwork bones. The redhead - Jude, presumably - saw him looking and frowned blackly; Kaidy turned, followed her gaze to Martin and hastily leant back out.

"Martin, love, could you go and get us a cuppa each?" she asked. "We won't be a moment. Two sugars for Jude, three for me."

"Oh!" He nodded, smiling awkwardly. "Yes, of course."

Since Jude, at least, clearly didn't want him around for the time being, Martin took the hint and took his time getting the drinks from the bar. When he did return, it quickly became apparent that several other patrons had been less able to resist the mild novelty of a plane and a helicopter landing outside the bar: he could see Jude (now with the metal skeleton strapped to her legs and waist like a combination of splints and prosthetic limbs) and Kaidy at the centre of a small knot of people, while others were wandering around inspecting the aircraft curiously. A tall, muscled man with scarred arms was lighting Kaidy's cigarette for her; Martin knew it was stupid, but he couldn't help letting his shoulders slump as he heard the stranger say something that made her laugh. He hung back, suddenly uncertain and out-of-place, but a moment or two later Kaidy looked up and smiled as she saw him.

"Hey, Martin, come and say hello," she called to him. "There are some more pilots for you to meet!"

At that he hurried up, happy and heedless of the tea he was spilling as she draped an arm around his skinny shoulders and grinned at him before turning back to the muscled man.

"So, Atton, have you met my Captain Crieff?"

And it's sort of a follow-on from this. Well, maybe. In one universe.

Kaidy sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Martin, darling, if I am going to argue with you, I am absolutely not doing so whilst sober. Get me a double of my usual, would you please? Tell Bar to charge it to my tab.”

He’s uneasy, but he obeys – although he keeps glancing back to that slumped yellow head, afraid she’ll vanish back to the city like an alley-cat. In the end he only looks away for long enough to pick their drinks up from the bartop, and yet it is still long enough that all he sees is a flash of golden hair before the door slams shut behind her.

“KAIDY!”

When he reaches their table, of course, it is far too late: the only trace of her is a note scribbled on a napkin and a lingering trace of cigarette smoke and perfume, hanging on the air like the final note of a song.

Red, love,
Sorry to run out on you like this, but duty calls and spending all evening with you was far too tempting. Imagine the damage to my reputation if I lost my nerve! DON’T WORRY ABOUT ME AND DON’T FUSS. Have a drink on me, then kiss some gorgeous blonde and pretend she’s as attractive as I am!

She has signed it with the name Katherine Hawkins and a kiss, the scarlet lipstick-print neat as a first-class stamp. Martin sinks down into the chair she has left behind and, although he stays there for some time, she does not return.