Tyran slept deeply and didn't wake up until close to midnight, long after Dominic had left. He felt perfectly fine, just a bit tired.
Jaya had finally fallen asleep beside Tyran. She was never in a deep sleep. It was all part of her profession. But she was sleeping, though had only just drifted off.
Tyran didn't have the heart to wake her. Silently he got up and tip-toed to the kitchen. He was starving!
Jaya felt the lack of a presence in her bed and opened her eyes slowly. She noticed Tyran wasn't there. She got up and wandered the house. She finally found him in the kitchen and smiled as she saw him eating.
"Glad you're feeling better," she said softly running a hand through her auburn hair. She still looked tired, but happy.
"I feel hungry." He said gulping down a large mug of tea with milk and sugar. "I feel like I haven't eaten for a day or so. Not far behind the truth, I guess."
She laughed. "Nope, not far from the truth at all. What would you like?" she asked as she went to him, giving him a peck on the cheek.
"Chicken in curry sauce, rice and chicken soup for starters, with some wine... or no -- better not have alcohol. I have no idea what Dom shot me with."
"Penathamine," she replied as if it were second nature to know. "It was designed to kick up the body's immune system to knock out the virus in record time."
She replied before she thought much about it. Then she just sort of looked at him with surprise before going to the replicator. It wasn't long before she returned with food for him. She then went and poured herself some tea and rejoined him at the table.
"How did you know that? And no excuses, the truth. I'd rather hear that from you... or I find it out another way. Paperwork in magazines can't get classified." He said calmly while putting a large portion of the food on his plate.
"What are you talking about?" she asked. "Classified?"
"Classified, yes... Christianna..." He suddenly showed the copy he'd made of her picture.
Her green eyes widened in shock. "Where did you get that?" she asked softly as she picked up the photo and looked at it, swallowing hard as strong emotions welled up within her.
"I saw you looking at it; I made a copy on your scanner. Their names are David and Emily Avante, and I suspect you're Dr. Christianna Avante. Nowhere is there a picture of her. But I have my ways of finding one."
Tears misted her eyes, as her gaze never left the photo. "They died..." she said quietly. "Killed... 6 - almost 7 years ago. An explosion..." She then turned her eyes to Tyran. "Christianna Avante is Dead!" She grabbed her tea and headed outside to the porch swing hardly being able to contain the pounding in her chest and the pain that coursed through her.
"Jaya." He came to her. "Tell me the truth, are you her? Under a new identity? Save me the trouble of digging through at least 10 years of medical journals at Dom's."
She sighed and was quiet for a moment. "In a different life I was... Dr. Christianna Avente," she said softly. "But I wasn't lying when I said she died. She did die that day... October 11, 2379."
For the first time ever, he saw a tear trickle down her cheek, but just as quickly, she wiped it away, trying to steel herself from her own emotions.
"You didn't die. A part of your life maybe, but not you, no matter what you say. And if I know how to find your picture, Don saves everything... better send someone from Starfleet intelligence by. It took me awhile to figure out who would do something like this."
"They know about you already," she replied.
"Huh, they do? Figures, since I work for them sometimes. And I worked for them regularly long ago, before I came here. I quit my job because I married Susette. I didn't want to put her in danger."
"They pressed the point with me that I was putting you in danger. They're right," she said softly.
"I like danger." He said calmly. "I'm not afraid; I know a trick or two, myself. I'm a bit rusty, but that's nothing a refresher course couldn't solve. Tell that to the guy in charge."
She smirked and then leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder.
"I was also told to expect to be sent out again next week. I swear there is no rest for the wicked. Not ever."
"I know. I worked for them sometimes. No better place than my bar to find criminals with a large mouth bragging about their crimes you know."
"Well, you won't find anyone like the Dark Shadow or the Black Tiger in there bragging. The one thing he and I have in common is that we both know that keeping silent is the only way to survive in this business. Reputation is everything. No words are needed when the news becomes your resume."
"That's not entirely true. You find them in dark corners where no one sees them, negotiating. So don't get cocky. I even had the Dark shadow in the Starlight Inn, less than a year ago. Only Starfleet was too slow to take action."
She looked at him, surprised. "He was here? Negotiating a hit?" It was a meeting she'd never been informed of. She could have had her chance to take him down.
"Yes, but when I contacted intelligence they said they were busy with something more important. It had something to do with the Romulans."
She sighed and ran her hands down her face, her frustration showing.
"I don't suppose you know who you spoke with... I know it was a long time ago."
"As a matter of fact I do. His name was Thomas Jefferson McGregor, and he worked on Starbase Deep space nine as a mechanical engineer with the rank of Lieutenant."
"So you were never forwarded to Starfleet Intelligence?" she asked.
"No. Although they know me as an informant, someone stopped me." He sighed. "And now I happen to know that the murder took place. I just don't understand why they never came over to arrest those two."
"The Dark Shadow has a lot of informants of his own," she said softly. The more worrisome thought was if he knew who she was... But she doubted it. There had been few photos taken of her over the years and anything that could be accessed by computer was deleted or access was denied. But even if he did know, she knew it wouldn't mean anything. Just that he had broken her when he'd killed her family, turning her into another version of himself, filled with anger and hate. Wanting revenge. What did it really matter if he knew who she was, she thought.
Her mind was racing with different thoughts, but the most prevalent was that Tyran could be in danger. And she could have placed him in greater danger by meeting him and falling for him.
"Just know I can take care of myself," he said sensing her concerns. "I've seen all the scum of the universe in my bar now."
She nodded. "Including me," she said. "You've seen the two greatest assassins in the quadrant. But how did you know it was him? There are no photos of him... at all."
"I know it was him. I've read many descriptions I've gotten from intelligence. From a man named Alec Conklin."
Her eyebrow rose. "You know him?" she asked.
"Yes, I know him. I told you I sometimes work for them. He's my contact."
"Except for the one relay that didn't put you through?"
"Yes, that's when that Lieutenant didn't put me through. He probably thought that I was a joker, since my codes were 400 years outdated."
She was again quiet for a moment. "If you ever see the Dark Shadow again, contact me immediately," she said. "I don't think he'd risk coming back to your bar, but you never know. Especially if he finds out I'm here."
"And you think I won't call Starfleet Intelligence? But I can also call you." He replied.
"This is my job," Jaya said, not going into more detail.
"I know that. And next time you have to leave, just say Alec is sending you someplace. Then I only have to keep a lookout on the news to see when you'll be back."
She smirked and kissed him. "All right," she replied. "I love you."
She was exhausted and it was evident in her eyes. She could also feel her nerve endings around her injury start to ache.
"You're in pain. Maybe you'd better go to bed. And then I'll head home. But I promise you I won't work until tomorrow. I just need some time alone."
She reluctantly nodded. "I'll take something for the pain," she said, barely able to drag herself off the porch swing.
This concerned him. "I think it's my turn to call Dominic to come over and take a look at you." He went inside and tapped the comm system. "Dom, if you're there, this is Tyran. I think something's wrong with Jaya. She's in pain. Can you come?"
A sleepy voice replied he'd be there shortly.
Within minutes Dominic arrived and scanned her.
"You seem to have aggravated your injury," he said. "Need I recommend that you take it easy for at least a few days? In fact, you might not want to go into that training room of yours -- at all. I gather that's how you did it."
"A girl has to keep in shape," she replied with a smirk.
"Well, not for the next two to three days," he replied. "And it looks like you haven't had much sleep. All your electrolytes are off. How about you start with a good night's rest?"
"I've worked on less," she replied.
Dom looked at her and then at Tyran. "She's as stubborn as you, isn't she?"
"I am not stubborn!" Tyran said innocently.
Dominic laughed. "Yes, and I'm not a doctor."
At that Jaya laughed as well.
"All right, I'll take your advice, kind sir," she replied.
"Good, I'm also recommending that you alternate heat and ice on the area. It might help some. But go easy on the pain medication and if you need something for sleep I can give it to you."
"No, I'll be fine," she smiled.
"Is it all right if I go home now?" Tyran said gazing at her. There was still concern in his eyes. But he liked the privacy of his own small place at times. And he just wanted to rest.
Jaya smiled and nodded. "I'm just going to bed anyway," she replied.
"Good to hear," Dominic said. "Now if you're both through with me, I'm going back home and back to my bed." He smiled as he excused himself.
Jaya got up and grabbed one of the pain killers and some water.
"Careful, and remember I love you. But now I need to go home. You know, you never did come to my place. I know it's small, but it's nice." He kissed her.
She smiled. "I will. Goodnight, Tyran," she said as she embraced him once more.
With that, he left. Looking up at the stars, he whistled a melody. One he'd heard long ago...
Almost as soon as Tyran had left, Jaya crawled into her bed. The weariness was in her bones. She shut her eyes and was asleep almost before her head touched the pillow.
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