Joshua Peters entered the Starlight Inn and headed to his usual spot at the bar. He saw Tyran and smiled.
"I'll have my usual," he said.
"One beer and some peanuts," Tyran teased while he made a Teralian cocktail for his friend. "How's life at the space port, Josh?"
"Busy!" he replied. "I swear, every day we get busier. Serenity sure has come a long way."
"Oh yeah, that I know. Any new people at your docks? And is there anything left of my old shuttle?"
He laughed. "You're shuttle's still there, though I can't guarantee it'll fly. And there are new people in and out all the time... It's hard to keep up."
"I am interested; do you know someone named Jaya Bourne? She has a shuttle at dock Delta 243."
He was quiet for a moment. "Pretty red-head?" he asked as he tried to remember the face that went with the name.
"Yes."
"Ah yeah... She's hard to miss," he smiled. "A killer body, the red hair and... I think she has green eyes. Really bright green eyes. She came into town about three weeks ago, I think. Somewhere around the beginning of the month. She rents a space for her own shuttle."
"That's who I meant. My new girlfriend. But I need to know a few things I'm sure you can find out for me."
"Girlfriend, huh?" Peter smiled. "You do have the touch. So why are you asking me? Can't you ask her?"
"I want to know when her birthday is. I want to surprise her."
"Ah, I could probably find that out. Of course, if it's in July you'll have to wait a whole year before you can surprise her," he smirked.
"Then I'll make it a delayed surprise party." Tyran grinned.
Joshua laughed. "Okay, I'll let you know tomorrow what I find out."
"Then you'll get your usual on the house."
"That'll put a smile on my face," he replied with a smirk.
The following evening Joshua Peters came back in. "I've got some good news for you," he said to Tyran. "Looks like you won't have to wait as long as we thought you might to surprise that girlfriend of yours."
"Well, tell me what you know, and you'll get a drink on the house," Tyran said while he started whipping it up.
"Your girl... Her birthday is on the 27th. She's going to be 126 years old. I didn't know she was Tanzaran."
"I knew, my friend. And what will my age be next year?" He grinned.
"Yeah, yeah..." he replied. "You make me feel like I'm a baby or something," he laughed.
"Compared to me, you are still a child." He smiled and handed him his drink. "This means I have four days to throw her a party."
"What did you have in mind?" he asked with a conspiratorial grin.
"A surprise party. I happen to know her favorite band, and I would like all my friends to meet her, that includes you and your lovely wife, and bring your daughter too. Jaya loves children."
"Sounds great to me! Just let me know when and where and I'll make sure Lara and I are there with Rachel."
"Here in the bar. I'll close it for the occasion. I'm sure Danayal will want to be here. And Sandra..."
"You know enough people to fill this bar and then some!" Joshua laughed.
"No problem. In the 300 years I've lived here, I've made many friends. I'll invite them all."
"That's going to be some party," Joshua smiled. "I'm looking forward to actually meeting Ms. Bourne. She looked like quite a lady. Of course, she must be for you to be taken with her."
"Yes, or for me to ask her over for a cozy night together... The party will start at 19:00 hours."
"That might be a little late for Rachel," he said. "Ah well, I'm sure she can stay up late for one night."
"Or I can start an hour earlier. I will ask others to bring their children as well."
"Great!" he smiled. "I'm sure that if this Jaya loves kids, that'll make her day. So is there anything else I can help you with?" he asked.
"Yeah, check if my shuttle still flies. And if not, lend one to me."
"You've got it," he smiled. With that he finished his drink. "I'll see you later, Tyran," he said as he got up from the bar.
"Later, Josh," Tyran chuckled. His shuttle hadn't been flown for at least a 100 years, though he did maintenance.
Jaya was in her backyard having spent two hours in her workout room. With an iced tea in hand, she took a seat on the porch swing and just took a breath in, relaxing her body.
"Hello, honey." Tyran who had told her he'd have to work all day was suddenly there leaning against her fence.
Immediately a smile lit her face. "Hello," she replied back as she got up and went to him. "I thought you had to work," she said.
"I have a break, and I want to show you a gift I bought for you. I have it at the bar. I can't be gone too long."
"A gift?" she replied intrigued. "Hmmmm... Well, do I have enough time to shower and change clothes? I certainly don't want to go there looking like this," she replied as the perspiration was evident on her workout gear.
"You have 15 minutes."
"That's all I need," she smile as she headed back into her home. "Make yourself comfortable," she said flashing him a brilliant smile before vanishing inside.
He grinned and took a place on the swing. She wouldn't know what happened to her. That much he did know.
Within 15 minutes she was showered and dressed. Her outfit accentuated her body, though it was something she didn't give much thought to. But the black of the pants and shirt complemented her aura of mystery.
"Very good! Come on, you'll like it." He dragged her off.
The bar was completely decorated to the hilt with streamers and balloons. The children were playing and looking at the many snacks, her favorite band was hidden behind a curtain on the podia.
"Now why would you get me a gift?" she asked with a smirk as they neared the bar.
"Because I love you, Jaya, that's why." He opened the door and had her enter. The bar seemed dark and deserted.
But Jaya could feel the presence of many. But before she could complete her thoughts the lights came on and many people shouted "SURPRISE!"
Jaya was completely awestruck. "Oh my god..." she said smiling. "This is... all for me?" She turned and looked at Tyran.
"I see no one else named Jaya whose birthday is today." He smiled. "These good people have all been my friends for years, and I wanted them to meet the woman stealing my heart," he explained.
She smiled and immediately kissed him, to the hoots and whistles of several of Tyran's friends.
Tyran smiled broadly. "And here is my present, so you will always remember me." He handed her a small box from a jewelry shop. "Open it."
As she opened the small box, her mouth fell open. "Wow..." she replied, "This is beautiful." Inside was a gold necklace. A single golden hoop held a diamond suspended in the center, making it look much like a star alight. Starlight, she thought. Just like the Inn. She again turned and kissed him. "Thank you." With that, she immediately put it on.
"I thought you'd like it. I know you'll keep it always, to remember me by. So I'm with you, wherever you go," he whispered in her ear, and kissed her.
"I will keep it with me... always..." she replied, caressing his face.
"So, Tyran, are you going to introduce us formally to your girlfriend or what?" a male voice from the crowd asked in a teasing manner. After all, they were all there to meet her and celebrate her birthday. They wanted to see the woman who had managed to steal Tyran's heart.
"Ah, impatient as always, are we, Louis? Or are you just jealous I found her before you did?" he teased back and smiled at Jaya.
Jaya laughed. Tyran immediately began introductions. So many faces... and she remembered them all, with their names. For a little while everything was just a blur of smiling faces, names and friendly words of welcome and birthday wishes.
"Well, now we've all greeted each other, kids, where's the cake?" he yelled to the back, he had left the children in the kitchen, under leadership of the oldest girl, Bethany. They were decorating the cake.
"It's almost done," cried out a young girl's voice. "We just have finish it!"
"Alright, you have ten minutes!" he grinned and started to serve drinks to his guests.
Less than five minutes and a parade of children were coming out with a very large cake, helped by a couple of adults to carry the monstrous pastry. It was frosted white and accented with pink frosting, topped with several exotic flowers around each of the layers.
On the very top layer there were even a bunch of lit candles.
The kids started singing Happy Birthday and was eventually joined in by all the adults as the cake drew nearer to Jaya. She was astounded by it.
"These are the handsome and smart sons and daughters of the people here. Kids, introduce yourselves. Tell her your name and your age, and whatever else you wanna tell her." He smiled.
A sandy blonde stepped forward. "I'm Bethany Keylard, I am 13 years old, and I like swimming. Those are my parents," she said pointing to a Klingon and Human couple. Bethany was half Klingon. "Quapla." She smiled.
"Quapla," Jaya smiled. "It's nice to meet you, Bethany," she replied. "Tell your parents they're lucky to have you."
There was something sad in her visage for a moment, but it vanished as she looked in the faces of all the kids. They were all so precious.
Several more children introduced themselves.
When Rachel Peters came forward, Jaya almost held her breath. She knew the little girl was six...
"Hi," she said softly. "I'm Rachel. My mommy and daddy are right there." She pointed to Joshua and Lara. They both smiled at their little girl. "I'm six."
Jaya's eyes misted. "And what are your favorite things?" she asked.
"I like dollies and kitties," she smiled.
Jaya leaned in conspiratorially and whispered, pretending no one else was suppose to hear. "So do I, but don't tell anyone. It's a secret."
Rachel giggled and wandered off to her parents.
"Time to blow out the candles and make a wish!" Joshua Peters said as his arms went around his daughter so he could lift her up.
Jaya looked at Tyran and then at Rachel. She closed her eyes knowing her one wish in the entire universe would never come true. But she blew out all the candles in one breath any.
"You're for sure gonna get your wish now!" said a ten year old boy she remembered as having introduced himself as Jarrod Tanner.
She smiled at his youthful innocence and hoped it wouldn't diminish too soon.
"Thank you," she said with a smile.
"Well, kids, if you line up neatly, you get cake." He smiled when the children did what he said quickly. They'd practiced.
Each child loved Tyran, he was full of jokes, and when they had problems, they loved to talk with him. He handed each child a large piece of cake, after starting with Jaya. She was his guest of honor, after all!
Jaya ate as she watched the kids. She couldn't even remember the last time she'd had a birthday party... The last time had been in another life.
"Do you like it?" Tyran laughed and seemed happy and at ease, talking with everyone.
"This is great," she replied with a smile. "I haven't had or been to a party in a long time. This is more than I would have dreamed of." Her green eyes sparkled as she spoke.
Tyran was very pleased. The people there were having a good time. "I have more surprises for you too," he said after the cake. "Fred, you arranged this for me, will you announce them?" he asked to a man standing close to the stage.
"Of course!" he smiled. For a moment, he looked behind the curtain to see if everyone was ready. Then without further hesitation he looked out at the crowd. "As a special engagement for Jaya's birthday we have a special band here to play some of her favorite songs. Here is Nova Doubt!" As he reached the end of his introduction the curtained opened on one of the hottest groups in the Alpha Quadrant.
"Happy Birthday, Jaya Bourne!" the lead singer, Gigi Steffanos said, as she smiled and waved toward Jaya and Tyran.
There were three other members of the band and she was the only girl. It emphasized her petite frame and platinum blond hair. Immediately she started singing their hits one by one.
Tyran looked at Jaya's face, just to see if she could believe what was happening. He was rewarded with her gaping mouth. She looking like she was dreaming when the music began to play.
"How did you arrange this?" she asked with surprise.
"Simple. The lead singer came here often, when she was around Bethany's age." He smiled.
"So you two go way back," she smiled as she took his hand.
"Yes, she came to talk to me. Her parents didn't want her to play music at home, so the band came here, and well. When they got famous they didn't need me any more I guess..."
"Doesn't look like they've forgotten you!" she replied. "Come on, let's dance!" She got up and pulled him to a section of the floor where others were dancing as well.
Tyran smiled and started dancing with her. He was quite good, but he wouldn't have cared if he'd been horrible, since he was dancing with Jaya.
She also sang the songs as they were played. She knew them all.
Finally, after an hour's worth of music, the band called it quits to at least get some drinks. Jaya leaned into Tyran and kissed him.
"Have I thanked you yet?" she asked. She smiled as she kissed him.
"Yes, with your smile. How about some champagne?" he suggested.
She smiled and nodded. "Sounds like a good time for some."
"Hey!" Gigi greeted as she hugged Tyran. "Long time no see! So this is your special girl! Cool! I'm Gigi. Tyran and I have been friends for a long time!" She smiled and laughed.
"He was telling me," Jaya replied with bright eyes. "It's very nice to meet you. I love your music."
"Thanks!" Gigi replied. "It's always gratifying to hear." She smiled. "So what can a girl get to drink around here? The musicians are thirsty!" Her voice was playful and it was obvious she was enjoying the party as much as everyone else.
"Always exaggerating... I still see you standing on that same stage with the same people. Then you were just 12, and you wanted to be famous, and always hoping I had some cola for you behind the bar. But tonight it's champagne!" He pointed at the bar where Danayal and Sarah were serving drinks.
"Cool! I see you're serving only the best! Hey guys! Over here! Champagne!" With that, she kissed Tyran's cheek and went to drag her band mates to the bar.
"I don't think this night could possibly be better," Jaya said as she wrapped her arms around Tyran's waist.
"Wait until we're alone, honey," he whispered in her ear.
She raised her brows playfully and kissed him.
After another couple of hours the crowd began dying down. The first to leave were the parents with their kids. It was well past the children's bedtimes, but Jaya had been so happy to see them. To be around children again. To merely hear them laugh and see young smiling faces. It warmed her heart and broke it all at the same time.
After that, everyone else eventually trailed out. The last to leave was the band. Gigi embraced Tyran one more time. "You gotta keep in touch more often. We all miss you, you know! Without you where would we be?"
"Still playing in the basement at your father's shoe shop and him yelling about it being only noise." He kissed her on her cheek. "You're always welcome here, Gigi. You and the others."
She smiled brightly and then turned to Jaya. "I already know you have to be a very special lady to nab him. Take care of him," she said.
"I'll do my best," Jaya replied, her eyes sparkling.
"Take care! We'll see you again soon! I'll put it in the schedule!"
With that Gigi and the rest of the band left leaving only Tyran, Jaya, Danayal and Sara.
"Well, Tyran, since the bar is closed, we'll call it a night as well. See you later!" Danayal said.
"Yeah, tomorrow you have the late and early shifts," Tyran said.
"We know that... have fun!" Sarah smiled and they both left.
As they were left alone, Jaya leaned into him and kissed him again.
"Well, we have to walk a bit now," he said. "To the spaceport."
"We do?" she asked. "So the night's not over yet?"
"Not by far. Not for us. I have a day off tomorrow, so we better use the time we have." He kissed her.
She fell into the kiss and then into step beside him as he lead her to the space port. There, his shuttle was waiting for them.
"This is mine. It hasn't flown in awhile, but they assured me it was still air worthy as long as I don't go off planet."
"So you're taking me somewhere on Serenity," she replied playful. "Very intriguing."
"Yeah, a secret spot." He opened the shuttle so she could enter.
They walked in and he guided her to the co-pilot seat.
"This really is an antique," she replied with a smile. "And antiques are very valuable." She winked at him.
"Thank you, yes, they are." He fired up the engines and they flew off into the starry night. "But I think I want to buy a new one."
It didn't seem to take them long to get where they were going, but she also knew that her mind was occupied pleasantly and that always made time fly.
He landed on a small island, with a beautiful white beach, that the full moon reflected on and a starry night was over them. "So what do you say?"
"Oh my god... This is beautiful!" she said as she gazed at everything.
"My special place. I haven't shown it to anyone in quite some time. How about us, spending a special night here." He leaned into her, and taking her breath away with a kiss.
"I think that would be a nice end to this day," she replied. "This really has been the best birthday I've had in a very, very long time." She caressed his face, letting her fingers run through his hair. "What would I do without you?" she asked as a seductive smile crossed her lips.
"You would be in that big house, feeling lonely and wondering about your life," he said and kissed her again. They rolled in the sand shortly after.
"I certainly wouldn't have much of a life, would I?" she said, gazing into his eyes, shining in the moonlight.
"No, you wouldn't."
He melted into her embrace as they made love under the stars...
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