Flight Of Destiny

Being a travel agent occasionally has its perks. One of them is 75% off airline tickets. The only way Ally could afford to be sitting in first class on flight 482 from New York to Los Angeles. She started flipping through a Time magazine waiting for take off.

She mindlessly fastened her seat belt and read straight through the emergency instructions. Before Ally knew it, they were in the air. She glanced over to see who was sitting across the aisle from her, but all she could see was a well-tanned hand holding up the Wall Street Journal. She stifled a yawn; planes always made her so sleepy. Sleep seamed like a good idea. She unfastened the belt, turned her coat into a pillow and stretched out.

"Excuse me Miss, we will be serving lunch in a few moments, "the attendant said.

Why couldn't she just leave me sleep? I really wouldn't have mined if I didn't eat some rubber chicken, she thought and sat up.

"Well, good afternoon sleeping beauty!"a deep voice said.

She turned around to see the most beautiful man she'd ever laid eyes upon. He had dark blonde hair, emerald blue eyes, the most adorable dimples, a dazzling smile and the cutest little cleft on his chin.

"That would make you prince charming"

"Thank you,"He replied

Oh God, I said that out loud! I could just die of embarrassment she thought, but what a smile.

"So, do you often sleep on planes or were you just really tired?"

"Planes make me very sleepy. I can't help myself. I would have slept all the way to L.A. if the stewardess hadn't woken me up."

"Well I'm glad she woke you up then. It's a lot more fun talking to someone who is awake. Mind if I join you."

"Be my guest,"She said with a smile.

"We haven't met. I'm Jax Jacks and you are?"He extended his hand to her.

"Ally McComb pleased to meet you. Jax is a rather odd first name?"

"Well it's more a nick name. I never liked my first name so everyone calls me Jax."

"Now I'm curious, what is your real first name?"Ally asked teasingly, "It can't be all that bad or can it?"

"Jasper"

"I like it, Jasper it suits you, rugged, rare and dazzling"

"Why thank you, funny it doesn't sound so awful when you say it. What brings you to L.A.?"

"My cousin Liz's wedding is on Saturday. She asked me to do the readings. What brings you to L.A.?"

"Business and a little R&R."

The stewardess brought them grilled chicken with snow peas and roasted peppers. For airplane food it wasn't bad.

"So what do you do for a living?"she asked

"I own a multinational conglomerate, J&J Jacks. My specialty is acquisitions."

"Ah, a corporate raider. Are you any good?"

"Very, How about you?"She looked like she could be a model he thought.

"I'm a travel agent."

"Corporate or leisure?"

"Both actually and I'm very good at it to answer your next question."

He laughed. Jax was fascinated with her. She had a great sense of humour was very smart and looked like an angel. They talked the rest of the way to L.A. Ally learned he had an older brother named Jerry, who worked for the company when he wasn't searching out adventures around the world. He grew up in Australia and Alaska. He was married once but his wife was blown up in a mining accident several years before. He met another girl and proposed to her but she broke his heart. He hadn't dated since. Ally found that hard to believe, any sane women would give her right arm to date him she thought. He loved sports and liked to travel. The more they talked the more fascinated Ally became with him. She had to thank that stewardess for waking her up. Too soon the plane was beginning its descent to LAX.

"Will you have dinner with me tomorrow? Ally"

"I'd love to Jasp, sorry Jax," she replied

"Tell you what, for you I will drop my no first name law. You can call me Jasp to your heart's content."He found himself saying

"Why do I get the feeling that this is a rare privilege?"

"Because it is," he said and flashed her a perfect smile.

"Well I'm honoured"

"You should be! You are about to tread where no living sole has ever been permitted to go."He gave her a devilish grin.

"Hmm, I like the idea of being the first. It's rather fun." She shot him a mischievous look. Ally could feel herself getting lost in his eyes. She wanted to touch his face, taste his lips and kiss that adorable cleft. She was imagining what kissing Jasper would be like when he interrupted her daydream.

"Here's my cell number. Call me tomorrow around two and we'll make plans. Where can I reach you?"

"Oh, I'll be staying with Liz, here's her number."

The plane landed and Jax waited for Ally to gather her things so they could walk through the terminal together. They chatted about lost luggage. They walked out of the security area. Ally was hoping that Liz would be late as usual so they could talk a little longer. No such luck, Liz was on time for a change.

"Ally, Ally oxen free!"

"God, I hate it when she calls me that!"she moaned.

"I think it's rather cute," Jax said.

Ally shot him the evil eye and stuck her tongue out at him. He laughed. Liz came forward and gave Ally a big hug.

"Congratulations Liz, I hope you have a wonderful wedding day. Ally don't forget two o'clock." Jax said.

"I won't Jasper, I promise."

He gently lifted her hand and softly kissed it. Their eyes locked and they both felt a surge of energy shoot through their bodies. "Until tomorrow Ally'"he said in a sexy voice.

"Bye Jasp"She said sweetly.

She watched him walk away. What a terrific body he had. The man was perfect: gorgeous, built, intelligent, charming and sweet. God definitely broke the mould after he created Jasper Jax.

"Who was that stunning man Al?" Liz asked

"What, Oh Liz hi. You just had to be on time for once in your life."Ally said sarcastically

"I thought I'd surprise you, "Liz said a little hurt "Who was that hunk?"

"Jasper Jacks. He sat across the aisle from me and we started talking and hit it off. He asked me to have dinner with him tomorrow night. Of course I said yes. Sorry I snapped at you. I was just hoping he'd wait for you with me."

"I understand, who would blame you for wanting more time with him. You are forgiven my child," Liz smiled and waved her hand in front of Ally's face to absolve her of her sins. "Say 10 Hail Marys and pray I don't have a nervous breakdown before Saturday"

"Don't worry Liz, Craig already knows you are a nut case and he's still marrying you>" Ally retorted.

"You wicked little brat, I'll get you for that. Ally, Ally oxen free!" Liz laughed and playfully kicked her cousin in the rear. "Let's get out of here."

Jax finally arrived at his Malibu beach house. The traffic from LAX had been incredibly heavy. He wondered if Ally had made it to her cousin's house yet. Maybe I'll call to see if she's in yet he thought. He just wanted to hear her voice again. He decided not to call. He didn't want to seem desperate. Jax unpacked and went downstairs hoping the housekeeper had time to stock the fridge. She had, so he made himself a sandwich, grabbed a beer and went to sit on the patio. The sun had just started to set casting a golden hue on the beach. Jax's thoughts drifted back to Ally. When he first noticed her sleeping peacefully across from him, he thought she was the most adorable creature he had ever seen. Her golden hair was pulled up in a ponytail, her slender body curled up on the two seats. When she woke up, he couldn't resist calling her sleeping beauty because that was precisely what she was. She had the palest blue eyes, long lashes, a cute little button nose, an easy smile and a flawless complexion. Ally didn't have a touch of make up on. She was so unlike every other women he ever dated. In fact, this gentleman didn't prefer blondes. Both Miranda and Brenda had been brunettes. But there was something about her that drew him to her. He found her irresistible.

Jax started trying to remember their conversation. He realized that he had done most of the talking. He couldn't believe how much he told her. He told her about his last trip to Paris, his last 3 acquisitions, going after Cruise Port shipping, (the reason he was in L.A.) growing up in Australia, Jerry, Miranda and a bit about Brenda.

"Ally's definitely got me under a spell. I actually told her she could call me Jasper. I don't even let Lady Jane call me Jasper. I'm also sitting here talking to myself."

What did he know about her? She was a travel agent, grew up in Boston and her parents still lived there. She was an only child and went to Harvard. Planes made her sleepy,

She didn't like red wine. She went to Aruba on her last vacation and spent two months in Paris after College. He wanted to know a lot more about her. When she was telling him about Aruba, he wondered what it would be like to ravish her body with kisses. He said yes to a question he didn't hear because he was slowly kissing her throat in his mind.

He watched the sun disappear into the ocean. He really should go over the notes for his meeting tomorrow he thought. He got up, went inside, opened his notebook computer and sat down at the dinner table. He started checking figures and calculating his offer to Cruise Port"s owner Richard Walker. His thoughts drifted back to Ally. Where was he going to take her for dinner? It had to be special, intimate, romantic and memorable. Jax started listing restaurants in his head but none of them met all his criteria. Just when he was going to give up and think McDonald's he had an idea. He called his chosen restaurant to make the arrangements. I hope Ally likes this, he thought. He started yawning and decided to get some sleep. He could always finish his review in the morning.

Jax woke up around 7:30am and went for a run before taking a shower and changing into a dark grey Hugo Boss suit. He had some breakfast while he finished reviewing his notes. He glanced at his Rolex. It was 9:30am. He wondered if Ally was up yet. He decided to give her a call. He picked up his cell phone and the business card that Ally had scrawled Liz's number on and dialed.

"Hello," Liz said

"Hi, Liz, Is Ally there. It's Jax"

"I'm pretty sure she's still asleep. She never gets up before ten unless she has to"Liz replied

"Ok, I'll try her later. Don't mention I called. I want to surprise her"

"Mention what?"Liz asked

Jax laughed, "Good answer Liz, talk to you later"

He flipped the phone closed and smiled. Ally really was a sleeping beauty. He checked his voice and e mail and called his assistant V. It took a while for him to realize that V. would be the perfect assistant. When they first met, she was very irritating and always seemed to be wherever he went. He took her job as a Sheriff's deputy to seriously and wouldn't let him out of her sight. She locked them in a storage room once when he had an important meeting to get to. Then they were involved in a plane crash and Jax found her to be rather nice, loyal, friendly and very capable. When she lost her job and almost drove Mac out of business as a waitress, he hired her as his assistant. They also shared an intense dislike for their first names. Jax had been trying to figure out what her name was for two months. He tried bribing it out of her and he snatched her purse once but was caught before he could look at her ID. When they were stuck on the island, he had an idea

what it was. They had been talking about Constellations and she said she wished her parent's weren't interested in the planets and stars because they wouldn't have come up with her name. They had been at the beach house month later looking at the stars and V. said she could never live up to her name. Jax knew her name had to be Venus. The look on her face when he said, it confirmed it. He only called her V. when he felt like teasing her. V. called him Jasper to get him back. V. was one of his dear friends. She didn't have anything major to report so they talked for a while and hung up. It was 10:30am by then.

"Ally must be up by now,"He said out loud and dialed the number again.

"Hi, Liz, It's Jax again. Is sleeping beauty up yet?"

Liz smiled to herself, "Umm, I don't think so it's still very quiet up...wait I hear her muttering profanities at my cat. Sigmund must have woken her up. I'll get her."She put down the phone and went half way up the steps."Als, stop abusing my poor Sigmund. It's 1030 and about time you got your lazy butt out of bed. Beside there is a phone call for you, pick it up,"She yelled

Jax heard everything she said and laughed. It reminded him of many a morning's conversation with Jerry.

"Yeah she's up now, just give her a second,"Liz laughed

Jax heard the extension pick up. Ally yawned into the phone, keeping her eyes closed to shut out the brightness of the sun. "Hello,"she said groggily.

"Good morning, sleeping beauty. I didn't think you would ever wake up," Jax said

"Good morning, prince charming, no need to worry I set my alarm for 1:55 so I'd be up in time to call you."Ally said smartly and continued,"I'm sort of on vacation and I enjoy sleeping for as long as I possibly can. In fact, I was in the middle of a delicious dream when the cat from hell jumped up on my head and started howling at me."

Jax laughed quietly to himself, picturing the scene in his head."A delicious dream you say, who was it about?"Jax teased

"Wouldn't you like to know?"she purred

"I'll find out anyhow. In fact you will tell me yourself. I can be very persuasive when I want to be." Jax boasted.

Ally thought about her dream and the method of persuasion she'd like Jax to use on her but she was having too much fun playing their little game. "Really, your corporate raider tactics of intimidation might work on business men but I'm not in the least bit scared of you Jasper Jacks. And unless your methods of persuasion include Chinese water torture or sleep deprivation..."

Jax laughed softly."My methods are much simpler and far less painful. When I want to familiarize you with them, believe me you'll know it,"he said enticingly,"You may even enjoy it."

The anticipation of Jax's methods left Ally feeling very warm. She got up to open the window and let some cool air in.

"Ally are you still there,"Jax chuckled

"Oh I'm still here and I'm still not telling you about my dream. Frankly, I'm not sure you are man enough to handle it."She purred again

Her voice was driving him to distraction, he couldn't remember how this conversation even got started.

"Jasper are you still there,"Ally chuckled

"What? Oh yeah I'm still here, the...the other phone just rang hold on a second"Damn she caught me he thought. I hate losing even to someone as beautiful as Ally."I'm back"

"Phone call you say...funny. I didn't hear a ring. Sorry Jasp but I just won round one. I do believe you've just met your match Jasper Jacks. This is going to be fun."She said suggestively.

"Fun indeed, All right, I'll acquiesce this battle to you but you will never win the war my sweet."Jax stated confidently.

"Please, I could win this war in my sleep! Ally replied arrogantly. "But don't worry I'll be gentle after I capture you." She teased

"Why do I get the feeling that being your prisoner would be quite a pleasurable experience?"he said sweetly

"Because it will be,"Ally whispered sexily.

Game, set, match to Ally, Jax thought. Losing will probably never be so fun. He glanced at his watch wondering if he had enough time to take a cold shower. It was 11:0. He had to be across town in 20 minutes. "Ally as much as I've enjoyed this, I have to run my meeting starts in 20 minutes and I'm 25 mins away. Call me beautiful."

Ally but the phone down and began to blush. She couldn't believe the way she had talked to Jax, teasing him, purring, adding fuel to the fire that simmered between them. Did I really say I'd be gentle she thought. And I whispered it would be pleasurable. What was I thinking? Ally knew what she was thinking she just couldn't believe how a man she'd known for less than 24 hours could elicit such a response in her. He's cast a spell over me she thought. Not that she minded. Jasper Jacks excited her more than any man she had ever met and she loved it. She went downstairs to get something to eat. Liz was waiting for her in the kitchen.

"Well that was a rather long conversation. What did you talk about?" Liz asked.

"Methods of persuasion actually"she couldn't help grinning

"Really, sounds rather boring. You are strange, cousin dear."

"The conversation was actually very stimulating" Ally said with a wicked grin.

Liz wondered why she looked like the cat that just ate the canary. "Hurry up and eat I want you to help me shop for my attendants gifts. Where is Jax taking you?"

"I don't know I have to call him at 2pm"

"Ok I'll bring my cell phone because we will more than likely still be shopping"Liz said.

Ally inhaled some cereal, threw a pair of jeans and a sweater on and left for the mall with Liz.

Ally hated mall shopping more than anything in the world. She avoided them like the plague, but here she was being dragged around in her version of hell. She kept giving Liz suggestions to hurry her up but Liz rejected them all.

"How about gift certificates for some CD's,"Ally tried again.

"No, too impersonal" Liz responded,"Maybe I can pick out CD"s for each of them though."

Great another hour and she will probably change her mind again and leave empty-handed Ally thought. It was 1:40pm.

"Tell you what Liz, give me your cell and I'm going to get a drink and call Jax while you check out the CD's. I'll meet you in front of the record store in 30mins. OK?" Ally said in desperation.

"Sure, tell Jax I say hi," Liz answered.

Ally tried to remember where she saw the food court. It had to be downstairs she rationalized. On the way down the escalator she glanced into a store and noticed a dress almost the same colour as the one she was wearing to the wedding. She went to examine it. Her dress was much nicer but she liked the silk wrap tossed around the dummies shoulders. She went inside. The store had a wall full of silk wraps in a rainbow of colours. She found the one to match her dress and was trying it on. The sales girl approached her.

"Hi, we also have a wrap in that colour that has a chiffon overlay."

"Really, my dress is chiffon over silk. Can I see it please?"

The girl brought it to Ally. It was a perfect match to her dress."I'll take it , here's my credit card" The wrap cost $97 with tax but Ally didn't care because she loved it. She checked her watch it was ten to two. She just had enough time to get a drink and find a quiet spot to call Jax. She dialed the number and the phone rang at two exactly.

"Hi Ally, What are you up to,"Jax answered.

"My, we're mighty confident, aren't we. You'd be looking quite silly if it wasn't me,"she laughed.

"You didn't answer me,"Jax whined "What are you doing?"

"I'm under going torture with Liz. I've been in this bloody mall for hours. I can't even remember what civilization looks like anymore,"Ally whined back.

"You don't like shopping? Jax asked in shock. He never met a woman who hated shopping before.

"I don't mind shopping. It's malls I hate and their artificial environments, Muzak and piped in air. Malls are created to make getting from point A to B as difficult as possible. So you end up buying more, getting tired and thirsty and have to go get a drink. We become the white lab mice trying to make it through the maze to the store. Sorry, malls really tick me off" Ally apologized.

"No need, I feel the same way myself," Jax replied.

"So did you make it to your meeting on time?" she inquired.

"I was about 10 minutes late, luckily Richard was running late himself, so I was there when he came out. I think it went well, I didn't sell him on the spot but he's definitely interested."He answered.

"That's good, so where are we going tonight?"

"Sorry, it's a surprise. I promise you the food is great, the settings perfect and the waiter is very charming."

"Fine, give me an idea of what to wear then. Should I break out my tiara?"Ally joked.

"Yes and the crown jewels." He teased back "No dress casual"

"I can handle that. What time?"

"Well if you give me directions to Liz's I thought I'd pick you up at 5:45ish"

"Sounds good to me."Ally answered She gave Jax directions.

"Does Liz have a lot of plans for you this week?" he asked.

"Not that I know of. The rehearsals Friday and well Saturday is the wedding. Other than that I'm free. I planned on sleeping it away, but if you have a better idea..."

"I have a million ideas that are a lot more fun than sleeping," Jax boasted

"But are they as satisfying as a good night sleep?" Ally teased.

"Ally"Jax said softly"not only are they more satisfying but I guarantee you'll never forget them as long as you live."

"Never forget them as long as I live? That's a big promise Jasp." Ally said seriously.

"Not really, I never make a promise I don't intend to keep."

"Well if you pass my first date test Jasper Jacks I'll hold you to that promise."Ally said sweetly."I better go and find Liz, if I ever want to get out of here. See ya at 5:45."

"Until then, Good bye"Jax replied. Pass a test eh? Good thing I'm a quick study he thought.

Ally went back to the record store to discover Liz had only bought herself a CD. She wanted to choke her.

"What did you buy Al? Show me."

Ally showed her the wrap. "They had other silk ones but I loved this one." She said.

"Hey did they have any in seafoam green?" Liz asked.

"I think so why?"

"The girl's dresses are seafoam, that's what I can get them."

"Now that's a good idea Liz. Let's go now." Ally laughed.

Liz bought a wrap for each girl and had them gift wrapped. Ally was thrilled to finally be leaving the mall of doom. They made it home just before 4pm.

Ally took a shower and decided what to wear. She tried curling her hair but the curls wouldn't hold. She tried to curl it under at least but as soon as she brushed it they disappeared. Of all days to have a bad hair day she thought. She tried one more time and in frustration ended up just pulling it back into a ponytail. She put on navy tights, a navy velvet body suit and a short pleated navy skirt with green and white plaid. She grabbed her navy blazer in case it got chilly and slipped on navy flats. She applied some mascara and lipstick and checked her reflection in the mirror. Not bad except for the hair she thought as she put on some of her favourite perfume called True Love. She headed downstairs.

"How do I look, Liz?" she asked.

"Cute Al, you remind me of a Catholic school girl, especially with the ponytail." Liz responded.

"So in other words I look like a 12 yr. old, thanks cousin dear!"Ally moaned.

"No you look at least 16."Liz teased "Maybe if you're lucky Jax has a fantasy about school girls."

"Thanks a lot Liz." Ally laughed.

The door bell rang. It was exactly 5:45pm.

"Answer it Al, it's for you."Liz said.

Ally suddenly got nervous. "Well you're closer and it is your house." She said. Liz had already walked away from the door. Forcing Ally to get the door. She opened it. Jax looked incredible. He had on faded jeans a blue shirt and a navy blazer. From behind his back he produced a beautiful bouquet of long stem champagne roses.

"Wow, you look great Ally, these are for you."He said simply.

"I love them Jasp, thank you. How did you know these were my favourite flowers?"she asked.

"I have my ways."He teased.

Liz, Ally thought."Just let me give these to Liz to put in water and we can go."

Ally went into the kitchen, kissed Liz on the cheek and asked her to put them in water."Don't wait up for me Lizzie."She said and flashed her a grin.

Jax thought Ally looked incredible. He had only guessed that underneath her baggy sweatshirt was a great body. Now with the short skirt and the top that clung to her every curve, Jax knew she had a killer body. He also really loved her hair. He had always been a sucker for ponytails.

"Lets go!"Ally said.

Jax had a limo waiting for them. Ally was impressed.

"I like your hair Ally."Jax said.

She laughed,"Please, my hair wouldn't behave so I shoved it into a ponytail."

"I really like ponytails though."

Ally made a mental note of this. "Liz told me I looked like a Catholic school girl."

"Impossible, I never met a school girl that looked as great as you,"Jax said and gave her a mischievous grin.

Ally couldn't tell where they were going so she gave up. Jax asked her about Harvard. So she told him about here four years there and getting into med. school, then deciding she didn't want to be a doctor.

"Were your parents upset?"

"My mom understood, my Dad was disappointed, he had dreams of me taking over as chief of staff at Boston General when he retired. It took him a little while to come around but when after I sent them on a 14-day cruise really cheap all was forgiven."Ally answered.

The car stopped. Ally found herself in front of a beautiful beach house.