Jaya awoke with Tyran by her side once again. She loved the feel of him there, but today there was a stillness... a quiet understanding that today she'd have to leave. She only hoped she'd be able to return... That was always the hope.
Tenderly she reached out and caressed his face as he slept.
He did not wake up from her touch. Instead, he felt an itch at his cheek, and he rubbed it with his hand.
She giggled softly, and then leaned forward to kissed him.
Now he did open his eyes. "Morning already?" he said with a smile, as he answered her kiss.
She responded, part of her wishing it wouldn't end. "Yes... and today's the day... Business calls."
"I know that. How long will it be, before you grant poor lonely Tyran with a visit again?"
"I should only be gone a week. Two at the most," she replied. It was in her eyes that she didn't want to go.
"Couldn't you say no?"
She sighed and rolled onto her back, staring up at the ceiling. "I wish I could... But I can't. It's a locked in deal with my employers. And it's something I need to do. Partially for myself as well... It's hard to explain."
"Try me," he said calmly, listening.
She felt safe with him. From the moment they'd met there was that connection between them and she relished it. She wanted to tell him.
She turned again to look into his eyes. "There's someone... I..." she sighed, knowing she would have to stay silent. "I really can't tell you... I'd probably be jeopardizing you if I did."
"Fear and danger is a part of life. If you survive the Borg, everything else is just a minor problem."
"Yeah..." she said softly as she caressed his face again. "But I just found you. I don't want to risk losing you," she replied. The depth of the seriousness in her eyes was startling.
"You won't lose me that easily. I am not planning to get myself killed by anyone."
"You don't know the people I know," she said softly, kissing him. "Now, I think there are better uses of our time, since it'll be a while until I come back."
"Oh yes, and I have the day off. I wanted to be able to wave goodbye."
She smiled. "I want to make sure the rest of this day is so memorable you won't be able to think of anyone else until I come back," she giggled as she kissed him again.
"Who says I will think of someone else?" he said calmly with a smirk. "I'm not like those men, that jump from one pretty face to another."
She laughed. "I know." she kissed him again. "It's been a long time since anyone has made me feel this alive. I am so going to miss you."
"So will I. It's been a long time since I found myself being so intimate with someone," he replied kissing her.
"I guess we do have a lot in common..." she said softly as she caressed his face, running her fingers through his sandy colored hair.
"Yes, we do," he replied softly.
She kissed him once more. "I'll be counting the minutes until I can come back."
"So will I. I'll be lonely without you, honey," he said kissing her again.
She returned the kiss and allowed her feelings to take over. This was the last time they would kiss or touch... or be together for two weeks... and there was always the possibility she would never be able to return. But she tried keeping that from her mind. She didn't want anything to ruin the moment.
Finally he broke the kiss. "Not that I don't like this, but I am hungry."
She laughed. "And what are you in the mood for?" she asked, not really wanting to move from his embrace.
"Something simple, croissants, cheese..." he replied.
"I think I can handle that," she smirked as she slowly retreated from his arms. "Care to join me in the kitchen?" she asked as she slipped on her robe.
"You bet." He grinned and rolled off the bed. Then he got on his feet and followed her. He didn't bother to dress.
She laughed softly as she felt is arms go around her waist from behind as she grabbed the fresh cheese she'd bought the day before. She had to replicate the croissants. She then got them juice and they went to the table. She smiled as she looked into his eyes, started eating her own breakfast.
"I'll be heading out to New Edinburgh," she said. She didn't know why she was telling him. It was more than she told most people. But something inside her wanted him to know where she was going. Just in case she didn't come back.
"I see," he said sipping from his juice. "So I know where to start looking, if you do not show up here again," he said with a slight smile.
She smiled slightly, but it was tinged with concern. He deserved more than her, she thought. In her work there was always the possibility of not returning. It was how things had been from the start and she had accepted that. But now... she knew she had to go and do what she needed to do. Somehow, she would come back here and nothing was going to stop her.
"I see you're concerned. What's on your mind, my dear Jaya?"
"My work... It just places me in a precarious position. I just..." she sighed and looked into the juice glass she was holding. "You deserve better than what I can offer you."
"Is that really what you think?" His green eyes locked with hers. "I think I do deserve you, Jaya. I think you were placed on my path, because destiny wanted to see two lost souls happy. And if that time is short or long, is up to the same destiny."
She gazed at him and smiled softly, caressing his face. "Maybe you're right," she replied. "I guess that means we have to enjoy the time we have."
"Yes, that is what my wife always said, and she was right. Just enjoy what is granted to you, and never be afraid of death, because that will spoil your life's joy."
"I'm not afraid of death," she replied as she kissed him tenderly. "Only of losing you." She smiled. "I suppose we'd better finish up. I need to get to the space port and prep my shuttle for launch."
"Yes, you must." He sighed and got on his feet. He helped her clean up the table and do the few dishes. Then he went to the bathroom to take shower and dress.
She joined him in the shower, but just as quickly she was out getting dressed herself and making sure her bags were packed... that she had everything she needed.
He smiled as he watched her, but he could also see her workout room. Eyeing the wall where a large survival knife had been displayed, he noticed a space. It wasn't there. He also noticed a phaser and a phaser rifle missing. "Say, where is that knife?"
"In my bag," she replied matter-of-factly as if it were perfectly commonplace to carry weapons around.
"What are you planning to use the phasers for?" he asked innocently.
She paused for only a moment, finally looking at him. "Protection," she replied.
He raised an eyebrow. "Against?"
"People who may want to do me harm," she replied, refusing to answer further.
"Who? What people? And why?" he asked softly. There was an aura of safety and trust around him.
She wanted to tell him... She wanted so much to share her life with him... every detail, but she couldn't. All she could do was try to make justifications. "Just people... There are bad people everywhere, you know?"
"I do know, yes," he said. "Just be careful, will you?"
She smiled and kissed him. "I always am," she replied. "Let's go."
It didn't take them long to reach the space port and she had an opportunity to show Tyran her shuttle before she began the prep. Before she was ready to take off, she went to him, her arms twining around him naturally, as if they had always been meant to be there. "I'll miss you."
"I will miss you even more. Please be ever so careful. Come back to me." He kissed her passionately.
For the long kiss, she was lost in him. As they drew apart, she caressed his face. "I'll be careful... and I'll come back. You'd better go," she said softly, wishing she herself didn't have to go.
"I'll wave you off. I won't leave until you've launched," he said sighing.
"Okay..." Reluctantly, she watched him exit the shuttle and walk a safe distance away. She got her clearance, took one last took at Tyran and set the shuttle in motion, leaving behind the first place she'd wanted to call home in a long time.
Tyran saw her shuttle leave and kept watching. He saw it get smaller and smaller as he continued to stand in place until there was nothing left for him to see.
Finally he walked back to the bar, hoping to see her again soon.
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