In Marrakesh, Morocco, American Evan Bonner, living in a squalid one room flat, is contacted by United States embassy representative Fitzgerald. Accompanying Fitzgerald to a roof top café, Evan, a Vietnam War deserter for the past four years, declares that he has tired of life on the run and is committed to turning himself in. Stating that he is willing to take the consequences for his actions, Evan requests to leave immediately. Fitzgerald informs him of a flight the next day from Casablanca to Paris, with a following day connection to New York. As the men depart later, they run into American model Deirdre McCluskey, photographer Ron Kesselman and fashion editor Barbara Newman, who know Fitzgerald and inform him that they will be departing Marrakesh the next day. Later at their hotel, Deirdre tells Ron, her former boyfriend, that she refuses to accompany him on a photo-shoot in Sahara and is returning to New York and their young son Marcus. The next day on the train, Deirdre and Barbara spot Evan and Deirdre wonders if he has any marijuana. Deirdre approaches Evan and is taken aback when he admits he does not smoke pot. When the train breaks down, Evan and Deirdre walk around a small village while the train is being repaired, chatting awkwardly and discover they are on the same flight to Paris. The journey resumes and later at the airport, Deirdre and Barbara watch with curiosity when Evan is taken for private questioning by passport officials. Later onboard the plane, after Deirdre asks him some veiled questions, Evan reveals his situation, surprising the model, who asks why he is allowed to travel without security. Evan explains that he is on the honor system, then describes how he left the battlefield in Vietnam and initially escaped to Bangkok before being sent by a peace organization to Moscow. There he gave interviews speaking out against America’s involvement in Vietnam, something he now acknowledges as unwise. Later, he proceeded to Sweden, a haven for many American deserters, and received humanitarian asylum. Eventually tiring of the cold weather and the limited opportunities open to deserters, Evan went to Marrakesh where he gradually concluded that his anti-war protest had done nothing to change the situation. Deirdre admits to having once participated in a peace march, but was disconcerted by the organizer’s use of her fame for publicity purposes. When Deirdre asks if Evan can take advantage of the recent amnesty program, he reminds her that he deserted while in active service and that his actions in Moscow will surely be held against him. Flustered, Deirdre says that Evan was brave to take a stand on a dubious war, but Evan points out that he has broken the law and, although frightened, accepts that he will likely be imprisoned. Upon reaching Paris, Evan asks if he might see Deirdre later. Although attracted to him, Deirdre hesitates about involving herself with Evan, but encourages him to see as much of Paris as he can and recommends a popular dance club. Evan takes a cab into the city with the women, who are staying at the lavish Hotel de Crillon, and takes his leave of them. That evening, Deirdre restlessly refuses Barbara’s invitation to go to an art show opening, but later changes her mind. While Evan wanders through the Louvre museum, Deirdre mingles unhappily with guests at the art gallery and becomes uneasy when a contingent of Vietnamese men, in Paris for peace talks, arrives. Eventually arriving at the club that Deirdre recommended, Evan is reluctantly about to accept a drink from a young woman, when he sees Deirdre and joins her. Acknowledging their mutual attraction, Deirdre insists that should anything occur between them, she accepts that they will go their separate ways in the morning. The couple then ambles through the city, visiting Notre Dame and other sites. Deirdre, who had told Evan earlier about Ron and Marcus, relates her mixed feelings on motherhood, as she loves her soon dearly, but grows restless if she stays too long at home. Over dinner, Evan reveals that although he had some romantic encounters over the years, no one is willing to stay with someone constantly on the run. Discussing his family, he admits that his parents know of his actions and while his father is relieved, his mother is disturbed by the effect his court-martial will have on the family’s reputation. When Deirdre inquires why Evan let himself be drafted, he acknowledges that four years ago he was younger and uncomfortable with challenging authority. His war experiences, where many soldiers were callous about their victims, while others sought refuge in drugs, made him increasingly cynical and then distraught when he was forced to kill an enemy soldier. The couple walks down the Champs Elysée and arrive at the hotel where they make love. The next morning on a walk, Deirdre asks Evan what would happen if he did not continue to New York and offers to stay with him if he chooses to remain in Paris. When Evan remains unresponsive, Deirdre then suggests that she go to New York to retrieve Marcus and join Evan anywhere he decides. Although touched, Evan tells Deirdre that she has no real understanding of what she is proposing and then dismisses her hope that the amnesty offer could apply to his circumstances. After telling Deirdre that living “on the lam” erodes couples, Evan asks to be alone and walks in the direction of a nearby police station where a long line of people wait. Joining him, Deirdre asks about the line and Evan explains the people are immigrants making a regular check-in and says being illegal allows for no such security. Back at the hotel, Evan changes his flight to a later departure and Deirdre insists on joining him. On the plane later, Evan explains that once he arrives in New York he must turn himself in to the Federal Office after a set time and says he has enough time to meet Marcus and her parents. In New York, Evan has lunch with Mrs. McCluskey and the three-year old Marcus, then walks with the boy and Deirdre to the park. Deirdre suggests that Barbara’s husband, a lawyer with political contacts, might help Evan, but he refuses. Increasingly distressed, Deirdre says she does not know if she can be patient during the proceedings against Evan and admits she has fallen in love with him. After a final embrace, however, Evan bids farewell to Deirdre and Marcus and sets off to the federal building to turn himself in.