Jaya was just walking down the street... It was already getting dark, but she enjoyed the night, and even near the docks, where there was always a bit of trouble somewhere, she wasn't afraid. No one could touch her and she knew it. No one tried either, sensing what they saw was not an easy mark.
Suddenly, as she headed away from the docks and back toward the city, she noticed someone coming out of a nearby alley. It was a face she recognized and smiled. It would appear, she wasn't the only one that walked around at night unafraid.
"Klaas!" she called out with a smile as she approached him. "Hi there!"
Breathing in the chilly evening air he slung his scarf over his shoulder. He saw Jaya approaching from across the street.
"Jaya Bourne right. What are you doing out here, its not the most secure of places to be at this hour."
She smiled. "Well, I'm not afraid. I actually handle myself pretty good. I was actually heading to dinner, and I wouldn't mind some company, if you haven't eaten yet. My treat," she replied.
"I'm sure you can." He glanced up and down the street quickly before continuing. "I would love to have something to eat, just on my way to get something myself."
"Then definitely join me," she replied. "I know of this fantastic Italian restaurant not far from here."
"I love Italian." He walked with her down the road towards the city.
It didn't take long for them to reach the restaurant and take a quiet booth toward the back. Jaya did have a tendency to pick darkened areas out of habit.
"So what were you doing out there at this time of night?" she asked with a smile.
"Oh, taking in the nightlife, seeing the stars, seeing the city in a different light. Besides, I don't sleep much and my bed is rather uncomfortable." He said playing with the table candle. "More places should have candles you know. They give of a beautiful light don't you think. And what were you doing out here?"
She smiled as she watched him. "Going to dinner," she replied. "I didn't feel like replicating anything at home. I like the evenings too."
He smiled back then looked around for a waiter. The restaurant was rather small and quiet. After grabbing the attention of one who ran off to serve someone else he looked back to Jaya. "So what do you do exactly? Work with Starfleet?"
She smiled. "No, more like... independently wealthy... for the most part," she replied. "Though I do have employers that require my assistance every now and again."
"Rich family?"
There was a flicker of sadness in her eyes, but then smiled. "Sort of," she replied. "It's money that's been handed down to me. It allowed me to purchase a house here, with plenty left over. So I end up with a lot of extra time on my hands."
"So what do you do? Other than wader round back alleys and have dinner with bookshop owners?"
She laughed. "I'm an advisor," she replied. In a lot of ways she was. "And you, have you always owned a bookshop?" Her green eyes sparkled.
Klaas leaned back in his chair and stretched slightly, still no waiters. "Lord no, last few years I've spent in Tokyo. I did a few advanced courses there, didn't quite know what to do when I finished so I hung around the place till I left, well got kicked out. I wanted to find somewhere quiet and out of the place, but still with some amenities so I found this little place, nicely cut off . Wanted to find something to do so I started a bookshop, though I rather buy them than sell them."
"You really love books, then!" she replied. "Yeah, I really like Serenity. It's definitely off the well beaten path, but it seems to be getting busier."
Finally a waiter came to the table. "Sorry for the inconvience. Ah, Jaya, what will it be tonight for you and your friend?" he asked.
"Well, I'll take the shrimp linguine," she said, "With a glass of white wine."
"Very good, and for you, sir?"
Klaas scanned down the menu. They also seamed have not use complicated names for everything he though. "Something simple. Some Spaghetti Bolognese with some dry white wine. Please." They handed the menus back and the waiter returned to the kitchens.
Thunder crackled across the sky above audible though the single pane windows, Klaas looked towards across the restaurant to the windows. The streets had got much darker and rain began spitting against the windows. The muffled sounds from the kitchens merged with the flowing water of the street. "Always nice to get away from the replicator isn't it"
"I certainly enjoy going out," she replied. "Though sometimes it's nice to cook too. I'm not great at it, but I haven't killed anyone with it yet. But I suppose there's time." She laughed.
"My cooking's about the same, been known to cook the odd meal but not something you would make a life from. I can cook a few Bajoran dishes, ever tried any?"
"Hasperat," she smiled. "I enjoyed it once when I was there. It's been awhile since I've been to Bajor. I never learned to make it though."
"It's surprisingly easy, depending on which recipe of course. So when were you on Bajor? Holliday?"
She smiled. "Not exactly. I was there a couple of years ago on one of my... consults..." she replied. "I was only there for about three days."
"Yes you said you were an advisor, anything in particular or general confusious?" He said leaning forwards smiling.
She laughed again. "Probably the latter. I help with... security issues mostly," she replied.
"Security issues? Like guarding buildings, safes and all that?"
"More like dealing with people," she said, suddenly wondering if she'd said too much. "Safety is paramount, you know."
"Oh I completely agree." Klaas smiled as the waiter dropped off the drinks and he took a brief sip of his wine. "So you spend a lot of your time advising people. Any hobbies?"
"Of course! As you know, reading is one of them and I enjoy a good holo program. I also meditate and practice Martial Arts. I've even been knowing to draw and write on occasion," she replied. "What about you? Do you have other interests besides your books? Though I have to say, I was very impressed with the quality of books you have."
"Oh various things. Good music. Old military history, archaeology, psychology, philosophy. Used to do some Yoga and meditation myself but haven't had much time with setting up my new shop and all. Lots to do."
"I can imagine," she replied with a smiled. "I also enjoy archaeology. It's been an interest of mine since I was a little girl. Anything dealing with ruins and ancient history always gets my attention."
"Oh I love classical history. The Greeks and Romans to name but a few. I spent most of my holidays visiting ruins across Europe. And of course went on a dived to the Atlantis site when they found that statue down there.
"I've been to Santorini and have viewed the ruins there on numerous occasions. I've been fascinated with the Minoans since I was first introduced them. I was very young at the time. But I've also been interested in the Greeks and Romans... also the Egyptians... also the Falinites and a few other civilizations across the quadrant," she smiled.
"Ah yes, Ancient Vulcan sites are fascinating, and the preserver sites though Starfleet has go them under tight supervision, near impossible to visit them."
Soon, their dinner was brought. "Well, sometimes if you're lucky you can get in." She sipped her wine. "By the way, have you been to the Starlight Inn yet? It's not too far away. It can get a little rough sometimes, but I can guarantee you the best drinks around."
"What do you mean rough exactly?" he said tucking into his food.
"Well, the owner gets all types. Most people are pretty friendly, but there have been bar fights before. The first night I went there, some guy put his hand on my... Well, anyway, he won't be doing that again," she laughed.
"You can take care of yourself then?" He said smiling. "Sounds good, where is it?"
"A couple of blocks North and East," she replied. "I know the owner quite well." Her green eyes sparkled.
After finishing eating they paid and left. Stepping out the door the rain was still roaring down almost hail. Water was flowing down the street. "Got an umbrella?" Klaas asked, the rain drowning out his voice. He reached inside his jacket and removed a hard plastic cylinder, pressing a button at its base it expanded into a large umbrella. "Which way?"
"That way," she smiled as she got under it out of the rain.
As she lead them, they walked through a couple of alleys. They were dark, but not completely. Soon, they were back out on a street once again and not far was the sign of the Starlight Inn.
Walking in, she immediately saw Tyran behind the bar going to him. She leaned over it and kissed him.
"Whose your friend?" Tyran asked with a smile.
"His name's Klaas Carmichael," she replied. "He runs the new bookstore."
"Ah! That one that has the closed sign in the window?" he smiled looked at the man with Jaya.
"Even you know where it is!" Klaas said smiling. "Pleasure to meet you Mr.--"
"Tyran," he replied. "No last name. What can I get you to drink?"
"Have any Bordeaux 2269?"
"Yeah, I do. Let me get it," he replied.
The noise of the bar was getting quite loud, but not enough to drown out regular conversation. There were several people playing the games spread throughout the bar.
"When is Danayal showing up?" Jaya asked.
"He should be relieving me any time now," Tyran replied.
"Good! Then you're mine for the rest of the night!" she grinned as Tyran opened the bottle and poured a little for Klaas to try before pouring a full glass.
Klaas took a few sips. "Ahh, superb. So, how did you two meet?"
"Oh, sorry, guess I forgot that story," she smiled. "When I came in here that first night and I had that encounter with the gentleman and his friendly hands, I met Tyran."
"Oh, that man you slammed on the table?" Tyran laughed as he filled Klaas' glass. "I remember that. I haven't seen him in the bar since. I think you scared him."
"Well, he deserved it," she replied. "Anyway, since that night Tyran and I have been an item, right?"
"Yes," he replied, not admitting more, but smiling brightly.
"You're lucky" Klaas replied.
For a moment the attention was drawn to the screen in the corner of the room. A news presenter was talking about something, sound muffled slightly by the murmur of the bar.
"-eaking news, 3 people have been killed in a Lled corp storage depot. They have been identified as the E'tag brothers. Three Klingons charged with rape 3 months ago but were released due to lack of evidence. We will bring more information as we get it. Police are still at the scene-."
Klaas made a quiet tuting sound. "Told you it wasn't safe round there" he said to Jaya. "Well thanks for the wine; I must be off to rename the shop. How much do I owe you?"
"As a friend of Jaya's I'll make it on the house," he replied.
"Why thank you." Klass said smiling "I'll come back tomorrow hopefully." He gave a quick nod as he left the bar. The rain had stopped yet he still raised his umbrella as he strolled down the moonlit street.
As Jaya watched the news broadcast they flashed a map of where the murders had happened. It was near where she had run into Klaas.
God, we could have had some trouble... she thought, going through her mind trying to remember if she'd seen anything out of place.
"What are you thinking about?" Tyran asked as he handed her a Terkailian sparkler.
Suddenly Danayal walked in and she smiled. "You," she replied and what I'm going to do with you tonight?"
With that, he quickly handed over his apron to Danayal, came around the bar and kissed her.
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