Salvation

Prologue

"I can't believe you were able to get us a direct flight from Florence to New York." Amy says.

"I'm just that great, I guess."

Tony and Amy board their flight to JFK International Airport and wait for the plane to take off. They get settled in their seats, Tony letting Amy have the one closest to the window.

"It feels like I just got here, I'm not ready to leave yet." Amy says.

"Yeah, I know."

Tony pauses a moment, looking at Amy and smiling.

"What is it?" She asks.

"When you first came here, did you ever think we'd end up like this?

"Ummm... No. I never expected this but I don't know. I guess if I'm honest, I may have expected something to happen because I mean, why else would you ask me here, ya know? It's an odd thing to ask a "friend," you barely know, to join you on a work trip. But I never, ever thought we'd end up as involved as we are."

"Me neither."

Tony leans in for a kiss but gets interrupted by someone bumping into his seat and immediately sits up, worried someone will recognize him and realize he's with someone other than his wife. Amy laughs and rolls her eyes.

"Paranoid much?" She jokes.

He gives her an annoyed glance and looks around the plane, acting concerned.

"Switch me seats." He says.

"What?"

"Switch me seats! I don't want to be spotted."

"Fine, I'll move but you're Anthony Hopkins, chances are you've already been spotted."

They swap places and Tony lays his head back, trying to relax a little bit.

"You okay?"

"Yes, thank you."

"You're welcome but... why do you fly commercially instead of privately? I know you must have the money to charter a plane."

"I don't know. I guess it keeps me humble." He laughs. "I think it'll be good to be back in the states, get back to normal life and have a break from traveling for a bit. What are you going to do when you get home?" Tony asks.

"Oh I don't even wanna think about it yet but I gotta unpack, do laundry, get everything ready to go back to the office."

Amy pauses and starts nervously chewing her lip as she stares off.

"What's the matter?" Tony asks.

Amy sighs and rests her head back against the seat.

"I also have to explain to my family where I've been the last month."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"They don't know anything at all about us?"

"No. They thought I got an assignment from the newspaper to write about... I don't know, something in Florence I guess. They have no idea that my being here has nothing to do with my job and everything to do with you."

"An assignment from the newspaper? What's your job again?"

"Are you serious?" She asks.

Amy sighs in frustration and turns away from him.

"Amy, I'm sorry. I know you're a writer. I guess I just had a mental block with the paper, that's all."

Tony starts pulling her crossed arms apart, trying to get her to look at him. He tries rubbing her shoulders, nuzzling her neck, but nothing works. Then he reaches around and tickles her side. She looks at him, shocked, almost offended and then starts laughing at the goofy smile on his face.

"Keep your filthy hands off of me." She says, trying to hold in a laugh.

About that time, the flight attendant makes the announcement that the plane will be taking off soon. He goes over the procedure and protocols for the flight and then they take off.

"So, tell me, sir, since all you had was a mental slip, what's my job?" Amy asks.

"Aren't you an editor? I think I remember you complaining one day about how this one writer had lousy sources or something."

"Close! I'm a junior editor."

"And you work for a big paper in D.C., right?"

" Well, I actually work for a mid-size newspaper outside of D.C.. I do write some, mostly I edit the staff writers' work."

"And I already know from how you talk about your writing that you love it."

"Yep I do. It's what I've always wanted to do."

"I'm happy for you. And I'm happy that we've cleared up this little senior moment of mine. I'm really sorry.

She laughs, "It's okay, I promise. Are you excited to start back on Hannibal?"

"Yeah, I guess. I'm looking forward to just getting on with it. It's different this time around and I'm anxious to know how it will feel."

"With Julianne, you mean? Instead of Jodie?"

"Yes. I know she'll be great, but you know, it's a different sort of movie. I'm not sure how it will turn out."

"I know you don't need me to tell you this but you're both in the top tier of people in your craft, so trust me, it will be great."

Tony chuckles and gives Amy a kiss on the head.

"Thanks. So, your family. Do you think they'll be upset when you tell them the truth?"

"I think in time they'll be more upset I lied to them than they will about the reason I lied."

"They probably have every right to be."

Surprised at what Tony just said, Amy sits up and looks at him.

"I tell ya, it's not even 7am and you're already working my nerves, mister."

"Oh, come on, I just meant they're your family, they have a right to feel the way they do about you not exactly being truthful with them."

"I'm sorry, I'm just anxious. If I had told them the real reason, I would've had my mom over there, following me around to make sure I was okay. Would you have wanted your mom to do that?"

"No, but my mother knows I'm a grown man and I do what I want."

"Yeah, well, there ya go. You're a grown man, not a woman. Nor are you the only sister of a family full of brothers, that they all feel the constant need to protect."

"Would it make things easier if I came with you to tell them? That way they can meet me and see I'm not some dirty old man?"

"God, no! Don't get me wrong, you're great and I know they'll love you once they warm up to the idea of you, but if you came with me to tell them, Mom would give you the 3rd degree so bad it would probably scare you off."

Tony laughs, "Alright then."

"It means a lot that you asked though."

"Of course, I don't want you to have to do it alone."

"Just be there for me after. I'll definitely need you then."

"Always."