16.
It took them almost four more days to reach Japan. The weather had been bad, and the reverse currents strong enough to slow them down. They stayed on the ship until nightfall, when they disembarked quietly.
Like they had found a car at Starling Airport, one was waiting for them here. Two sailors helped them stow the crates in the trunk and they were off without a look back. They exited the port area without encountering anyone. Oliver set a course through the GPS and took the road. Nola always enjoyed documenting her travels, and she was sort of sorry she couldn't take pictures. This voyage had taught her to be stronger, both physically and mentally, she supposed those were the memories she would take home.
Little by little, the smell of the port, saturated with oil and metal, dissipated, but the smell of the sea remained. They drove through the city and it was kind of a shock to Nola's sense of smell to find civilization again. Cars and people. Concrete and asphalt.
They turned on the highway, leaving the city and tunnels for open air and hills. The night was warm and the air filled with the smells of nature, despite the traffic.
« Too bad we can't stop for some Shinrin Yoku. »
Oliver turned his head and looked interrogatively at Nola.
« What ? »
« Shinrin Yoku. Literally forest bath. You walk into a forest to relax, you don't keep track of time, you just unwind. »
« You'll have all the time you want for that on Lian Yu. It's covered with forests. »
« Cool. »
« You know I don't count on coming back to Starling City. »
« I kinda figured that out. »
« You plan on staying with me for the next five years ? It's how long I was there the first time. »
« I'll stay as long as I can smell the black hole. After that, I'll find a way back. »
Nola found a radio station that play American pop music and turned the volume low but audible. They stopped a first time to answer nature's call and snack, but were back on the road quickly. She offered to take the wheel but since she had no previous experience of left side driving, Oliver declined. She turned her head to look at the landscape and had a passing thought that all interstate roads looked alike at night.
The road was monotonous and soon Nola drifted and fell asleep. Oliver made sure his speed was constant and his driving even. He didn't want to be pulled over by cops since neither of them had visas.
Around two in the morning, he stopped at a gas station, filled his tank and decided he needed a nap. Nola had stirred in her sleep when he had slowed down, but not woken up, so he lied down on his seat, set his internal clock to one hour and closed his eyes.
Nola woke up slowly and stretched to ease her aches. Oliver was asleep at her right and she looked at him for a minute. In high school, he'd been a bit soft around the face, with a haircut that didn't suit him. Now his shadow of a beard and short brush cut made him look tough and unyielding. And so handsome. But it was his eyes that had captivated her lately. The blue-grey pools that had forgotten how to smile.
She sighed and looked around. They were parked in the back of the lot, near the trucks. Two persons equipped with lamps, obviously security, were checking if everyone was okay. She shook Oliver's arm and he woke up at once.
« What ? »
« Over there. Police or highway security ? »
« I don't know. »
« If we leave right now, they're gonna chase after us ? »
« Or have us arrested at the next toll. Wait, Japanese police wear blue. Those men wear green. Maybe rest stop security ? »
« Can they ask for our papers ? »
« I hope not. »
Oliver looked at Nola.
« There may be a way to avoid embarrassing questions. »
« What way ? »
« By being caught in an embarrassing situation. »
Nola looked uncomfortable.
« I see. »
« I have a fake ID, but none for you. »
She shook her head in disbelief.
« Of course not. All right, I can play a prostitute. »
« Not prostitute, girlfriend. I'm an American sailor stationed in Okinawa, I'm on leave and you came to visit. »
« I like that plan better. »
The men were approaching, they had to act quickly. Oliver moved his seat all the way back. Nola took her jacket off, opened her blouse showing her bra and straddled him.
« You're okay with the plan ? »
« A lot more than being sent back to the US or worse, in jail. »
Oliver put his hands around Nola's waist, she placed hers on his shoulders and bent over. Their lips touched, lightly at first, and the kiss deepened. And they both forgot why they were making out.
*****
Oliver let his hands roam over her back, savoring the softness of her skin. Nola pressed herself against his hard body, letting his taste and scent submerge her. She felt him grow hard against her and she moaned softly when he scraped her neck with his teeth. They looked at each other with desire and kissed again, hard. Nola pulled on Oliver's t-shirt to feel his skin against hers.
*****
The rap on the window had them both jump in surprise. It took them a second to remember where they were and why they were in this situation. Nola slipped back to her seat and buttoned back her shirt while Oliver rolled down the window. He said a few words in Japanese, that had the security guards laugh. She was out of breath, aroused, but also mortified. One kiss and he could have had her here and now.
« So, Russian and now Japanese ? Looks like you picked up some skills lately. I mean, I can speak French but not that fluently. »
« Well, I never mastered French. »
« Madame Lebon would be crushed. »
Oliver laughed and shook his head at the memory.
« She tried her best. »
They exchanged a smile, wiping out the last remnants of unease.
An hour later, they stopped in a small roadside motel. After their encounter with law enforcement and still a long road ahead, Oliver preferred taking a nap in a safer place. The room had only one bed, so he offered it to Nola and settled on the floor.
« Ollie, don't be stupid. It's the last time we're able to sleep in a real bed, at least for the foreseeable future. We can share. I promise I won't seduce you. »
« All right. Thanks. »
They laid down on the covers, keeping their distances. But when Oliver woke up a few hours later, they were in each other's arms, like they did when they were a couple. He didn't move, enjoying the feel of her against him. When she had left him and gone back to her place, he had missed her more than he could have imagined. He had been in love with Laurel for years, but she had chosen Tommy over him. And finding Nola had soothed his soul and opened his heart.
She had seen past the playboy image he wanted to give the world. She had discovered many of his secrets and he didn't need to pretend around her. And he was sorry he'd lost all that. When she had refused to let him leave without her, he had thought she would give up, especially after seeing the journey he'd planned, but she had stuck with him, whatever the cost. She'd become tougher and stronger without losing her warm personality. He thought about how much he wanted to make love to her and felt her stirr. And when she opened her eyes, he kept his desire in check and smiled at her.
« Hi. »
« Hi. »
Nola hadn't seen Oliver's smile for a while and felt her heart skip a beat. She had a vision of her pulling his head down for a kiss and a morning snuggle, but she resisted the impulse and rolled over.
« I'm going to do something I haven't done in what seems like forever. »
She foraged in her backpack and went for the bathroom.
« I'm gonna take a shower. »
Oliver rolled on his back and closed his eyes. He had been very close to bending over and kissing her. He missed their morning cuddles, when everything was quiet, light was dim and they were alone in the world.
The scream made him jump, grab the knife hidden in his jacket and run to the bathroom.
« Nola ! »
But when he entered, there was no one in sight, and he just heard the sound of the shower.
« Nola ? »
She pulled the curtain enough to show her face. He hid the knife from view.
« What ? »
« You're okay ? What was that ? »
« Oh, nothing. You know what, you go to Lian Yu on your own, and you come back for me in five years. I'll still be in the shower. »
Oliver shook his head with a smile.
« I'll go get breakfast. »
« Thank you ! I'm not sure there'll be hot water left when you come back, though. I plan on emptying their boiler. »
He turned around and left the room.
« I need a cold shower anyway. »
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