Klaas had been trading books all night, using contacts at traders across the quadrant to track down the volumes he wanted. He decided to stop for now and get a drink. The morning's sun streamed through the window lighting up areas of the shop. He went to a replicator and got some peppermint tea. He didn't normally drink the stuff but he wanted a change for once. He heard the door open; turning he saw a woman entering the shop in a rather corporate uniform.
"Closed, Closed 24/7, go to a proper bookshop." Klaas snapped making a showing gesture.
"Package for a Mr. Carmichael." She replied handing him a metal cased box.
"Okay, you're lucky this time." He took the package and did a quick iris scan on her PADD. She turned to go. "You didn't send this through a transporter did you?"
"Never, Sir." She replied as he opened it. He checked the item inside and waited for her to leave.
He lay back in his chair and turned to some news. There didn't seam to be much. UFP forces were leaving occupied Cardassia, Federal parliamentary elections were starting, Klingons applying to the UFP despite riots on Quonos. The Security ministry was going to send more Federation presence to this side of the Briar patch to combat crime and alien aggression and something about assassinations. The article made unusual reading, People being killed by the 'Black Tiger' and 'Dark Shadow'. Unusual names, who on earth calls themselves 'The Black Tiger?! Klaas thought sipping his tea.
Suddenly, the door chimes sounded again, and a tall, auburn haired woman came in. As she saw him, she smiled, her green eyes, sparkling.
"Hi, Klaas," said Jaya Bourne as she walked in and started perusing the shelves. "How's business going?" She asked with a smirk, as she stopped her browsing to look at him momentarily.
"Annoyingly well, if I didn't know better I would say someone had been advertising this place. All I wanted was to sit around books all day." Klaas put his mug down and dusted off his burgundy red shirt sitting up. "Jaya, you still interested in that Minoan Book?"
"Of course!" she smiled, her voice expressing her enthusiasm. "I've wanted it for so long, is there any doubt?" She laughed, as she forgot about the books on the shelf she was looking at. She then headed straight up to the counter.
Klaas was a tad taken aback. He reached into the metal case and produced a very old tattered book, the spine worn down so you could hardly read the title. "It's not in the greatest condition, but considering its age it's in rather good nic. The inside has survived quite well for a first edition too. Consider it a late birthday present." He said handing her the book. "Took some time and trading to track it down but I have a lot of friends in high places."
Jaya was completely shocked. "Birthday present?" she smiled as she took the book and looked at it. "Oh my god . . . I can't even begin to thank you enough!" The delight in her eyes was bright as she immediately began leafing through the pages. "Is there anything I can do? Pay for . . . shipping or something?" she laughed completely thrilled with the gift, knowing how much it was worth, even in its current condition.
Klaas smiled and leaned back in his chair again. "No, don't you worry about that. I came upon a little gem that made all this possible. Did you have a nice birthday by the way; sorry I've been very busy the past few weeks.
"Actually I did! Tyran threw me a surprise birthday party. Sorry you weren't there . . ." she replied. "He even arranged for one of my favorite bands to play. I couldn't believe he'd pulled that one off! And then after that, he took me in a shuttle to this little island . . . It was too dark to see a lot, but it was so nice . . . Romantic . . ." she smiled, her eyes sparkling with the memory. "Anyway, so yes, I had a very good birthday. And this makes it even better!"
"I'm glad. I remember when my last girlfriend threw me a party. She wasn't very good; she invited her new boyfriend, though she didn't know that until they got drunk... Anyway, I hope your works been nice to you an all, not too stressful?"
She smiled. "It has its moments," she replied. "But all in all, it's been pretty good. Very few disasters I couldn't divert . . . So, how about . . I order us some lunch in?" she asked. "My treat! It's the least I can do for this fabulous book! And it can be our own little belated birthday celebration!"
"I would like that," Klaas said smiling. "I think I can give myself a long lunch break. I have short hours."
She laughed softly. "Good! What are you in the mood for? I could go for just about anything."
"Oh I'll take whatever's going; anything from English to Chinese. How about Indian?"
"Sounds good! Or how about Moroccan? I know of a place not too far away that will actually deliver. Or we could even go there! It's in walking distance," she replied.
"Cool, okay. When?"
"How about now?" she replied. "Its lunch time . . ." she smiled.
Klaas glanced down at his watch. "So it is, Okay then." He grabbed his jacket from his chair. "Let's go"
As they walked out of the store, Jaya held the book in her hand tightly. "I think you'll like this place. There's murals on the walls and each booth is like its own little tent and . . ." The door shut behind them as they headed off to the restaurant.
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