Stretch Limousines

A/N: Hello, fellow Salex-shippers. I was going to wait to post a longer chapter but decided to half it and post this section now. Here, the long-awaited meeting between our very own Princess and Seal takes place – let me know if it lived up to your expectations!

Enjoy, and don't forget to review!

Disclaimer: Do I even have to go through this?

Alex POV

Somewhere in the air near the Hudson River

The flight time from Moscow to New York JFK is approximately nine and a half hours, during which I have slept for a grand total of zero hours, minutes and seconds. I can never sleep on planes, especially not now, when I am scared shitless and nervous as hell (my wedding a.k.a. impending doom may have contributed slightly to that.) I've probably put away my own weight consuming peanuts and champagne, an odd taste combination which I seem to be craving. Listen, I am stressed, so don't you start with me.

For the majority of the journey I have been staring out of the windows, watching the world fly by underneath. I see the world around me; where everything is so much larger in scale and importance than I am, turn into tiny specs of color, shape and movement. I feel like a giant, watching over human life, trivial specklets running around like ants. And although I am so much larger than everyone else, I feel small and insignificant, a pawn in the grand ol' chess game that is the corporate business world, being played between my father's company Zetrov and my soon-to-be mother-in-law's company Oversight.

Kristina, the petite flight attendant comes and gently taps my shoulder, pulling me straight back down to earth with a thud (no pun intended – going back down to earth right now would be a little more than inconvenient, considering we're currently flying over the Hudson river).

'Miss Udinov, the plane will soon be arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport. I've been instructed to tell you that a certain Mr. Pierce will be waiting for you to pick you up. You're baggage will be transported directly to your accommodation.'

She gives me a smile and then returns to her seat in the Cabin Crew's area.

I thank her politely and then proceed to stow away my table and return my seat to the upright position before letting my mind wander over to Ms. Pierce's son, Sean. What will he be like? Is he a willing participant in this debacle or has he been given no feasible alternative? And, don't forget, what does he look like? Is he smart, or funny, or mildly tolerable to be around? I mean, for crying out loud, I am marrying the guy. A girl's gotta know these things.

At this point, I can't say that I don't care, but I definitely don't know.

Arrivals Gate, John F. Kennedy International Airport

Now, I am officially lost. I don't mean 'lost' in an abstract 'I am a lost soul, save me, oh lord' way. I mean 'holy freaking shit where the hell am I, who are all these people and where the fudge am I supposed to go?' That would be a slightly more apt description for my precarious current mental state at the moment.

My look of confusion is swiftly replaced by one of curiosity as two burly security guards, armed to the teeth (just kidding, they only have 9mm guns) escort me through the long queues. At this fast pace, I get through Customs and Immigration relatively quickly, seeing as I am bumped to the front of the lines (to the great chagrin of my fellow, sleep-deprived, irritable travelers). Following the stamping of my passport, I am taken to the exit, towards the limousine stand outside.

Where someone is waiting. A male someone. A tall, dark-haired, brown-eyed, very muscular someone.

'So here she is, Alexandra Udinov, in the flesh. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, under the circumstances,' he says, and I can swear that I see his eyes are almost twinkling.

I open my mouth to speak, only to find my throat dry and incapable of uttering a word. I gulp. 'Lovely to make your acquaintance,' I reply, keeping my eye level and my gaze straight. If this man is who I think he is, I am going to be every inch the steely businesswoman. 'You seem to know exactly who I am,' I continue, 'but I'm afraid I don't quite know who you are.'

The corner of his mouth twitches ever so slightly, briefly alluding to a smile. 'I'm sure we'll get to know each other very well, Miss Udinov,' he says, with a hint of amusement. He then opens the door of the black stretch limousine, gesturing inside. 'I am Lieutenant Commander Sean Pierce, but you can call me Sean. Shall we?'

A/N: So, how was it? Drop a review and let me know what you think. Suggestions, criticisms, advice and PMs are all welcome.

Until next time, Salex-shippers.