Mea and Yousef used the gym for a little over an hour together before they were finally both worn out. The treadmill and bowflex wasn't exactly a state of the art weight room, but it was plenty for their purposes. They spoke little of the mission, Yousef instead dominating the conversation by barking at Mea to increase her reps, to run faster, add more weight...<br/><br/>After she couldn't take anymore, she called a halt to the exertion.  Panting, she slapped Yousef on the back, a tired smile on her face. "You always knew how to push me, Tank."  She flicked her towel over her shoulder, wiping at her brow, which dripped heavily down into her eyes. Her lashes were spikey and wet, as was her hair.  "I'm going to use the shower in the cabin first. Don't worry, I won't use up all the hot water."<br/><br/>She flicked a farewell gesture behind her shoulder as she exited the gym, then strode still breathless towards the head.  After her shower, she mechanically forced down four boiled eggs with Tabasco and finished her gallon of water before finally settling in one of the four beds to sleep. She read scripture for a few minutes, writing notes in a small notebook she kept with her Bible, before her eyelids got too heavy to hold open any longer. She shut the lamp off on the ceiling, then tucked a pillow between her knees. She was asleep nearly as soon as she pulled the comforter over her head.<br/><br/>The next morning, Mea was woken by an unfamiliar hand on her shoulder. Sitting straight up out of bed, she swept her hand under her pillow, groping blindly for a knife until her eyes focused on the flight attendant's shocked face in front of her.<br/><br/>"Oh, Christ. Sorry. Um...what's going on?"  The stewardess cleared her throat, color slowly beginning to return to her cheeks. "Um, we've reached New York, Ma'am. Would you like some coffee?" Mea pushed hair out of her face, shaking her head. "No, thank you, water is fine. The guys..?"  The flight attended nodded, smiling pleasantly. "Yes, they're being roused now."<br/><br/>"Good, okay. That's fine. Thank you."  Mea slid out from the warmth of the comforter, swinging her bare legs over the edge of the bed.  She stretched luxuriously, then plucked a robe from where she laid it over the edge of the mattress, sliding it over her shoulders for modesty's sake. She slept in men's boxers and a military green tank, but that didn't mean she wasn't in a team full of men who were away from anything even remotely female for sometimes months at a time.<br/><br/>She groggily made it to the head, gratefully before the guys bombed it with their morning routine, relieved herself and brushed her teeth. After dressing, she returned to the cabin where the beds had been replaced back under the bench seats, and their breakfast was waiting. Mea made swift work of an egg white omelet and sliced fruit, and two pieces of wheat toast with real butter-a luxury for the diet-obsessed Major.<br/><br/>Mouth still full of eggs and toast, she fetched her bags down out of the luggage rack, unzipping it so that she could check her gear. She was still chewing when she strapped on her utility belt and swung the backpack over her shoulders.<br/><br/>"Good morning, folks, this is your captain speaking. We'll be reaching New York in about ten minutes. The weather is hot and sunny, so don't forget that sunscreen." Mea rolled her eyes at the cheesy dialog, sitting down in one of the window seats to get comfortable for landing. This was always the worst part, the anticipation before battle. Her stomach was nervously jumping, making her feel tense, and she wasn't even in Atlanta yet.<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>