Jaya was in her backyard. She had set up a target and had several daggers with her. She was dressed warm since the air was a bit cool and crisp. Autumn was definitely in the air.
As she threw a dagger, it hit the target, almost dead center. She took another and threw it, also making its mark . . . She continued until all seven were embedded in the target. She then walked over and began pulling them out for another go around. She was always trying to keep her skills sharp and that took practice, practice, practice.
Suddenly someone was behind her. She hadn't heard the soft footsteps, but she felt a slender hand on her shoulder.
For the first time in ages, she didn't react violently to a surprising touch. Instead she smiled, sensing who it was. She turned to Tyran, her eyes meeting his.
"Hello, there . . ." she said.
"How are you?" He kissed her gently and smiled. "I have an extra day off," he said. "But I have to go to court tomorrow first..."
"Why?" she asked.
"Danayal..."
"What? Why?" she asked with concern.
"Do you know why he works in the bar and isn't in some Starfleet job?"
"I never thought to ask," she replied softly.
"I'll tell you, but not out here; somewhere more. private. I think you have the right to know. After all, you're as much family as he is."
She smiled at that. "Well, why don't we go inside . . . There's plenty of privacy there."
"Agreed." He smiled and walked inside with her. His green eyes took in the view of her living room when he sat down. "What I tell you can't leave this room. Alec, Dom and Joshua know, but no one else. I'll be able to explain it easier if you just ask me questions..."
"So what is it about Danayal? Is he in some kind of trouble?" she asked, wondering if she could pull some strings and help him out of it.
"Yes, he was... Danayal was a thief and a drug addict."
She arched an eyebrow, though wasn't terribly surprised. It wasn't uncommon for people to have sorted pasts, filled with things they would have done differently.
"By saying was, I am assuming he's really turned his life around . . It seems he has to me," she replied.
"Yeah, I met him when he was 14. That was 7 years ago. He was heavily addicted to drugs. He broke into the bar, to steal latinum strips."
"And I take it you caught him," she replied with a smirk.
"Oh yeah, I caught him, and I took him in. He was skinny, easy to grab... he didn't want to talk about why he'd done it at first, but later, when I called Alec, he did. He was scared to go to prison... and he had a good reason for that, since he'd escaped a youth correctional facility. I felt sorry for him, but Alec had taken him back there."
As she listened to the story, she was surprised. She'd had no idea that Alec had been involved. "So what happened after that? I mean, obviously something did. Danayal's now working at the bar and he seems to be very healthy and happy for a young man."
"Alec told me a little more about the boy. He told me Danayal was an orphan, found in a garbage disposal container near a Chinese restaurant. He was adopted by people who had done it for a status symbol, and he was very unhappy there."
Jaya was stunned; not that she hadn't heard about things like that before, but they had always enraged her. Injustice or abandonment of children was something she could not abide.
"Hence the use of the drugs to dull the pain . . ." she replied.
"Yeah. at school he met a few older boys who gave him that stuff. Of course they asked for the money later... A classic pattern..."
She sighed and shook her head. "Well, it looks like he's gotten his life back together now, so why the court appearance?" she asked.
"The boy was given a chance at my place, for good behavior. While he was at the facility I visited him often and then decided to take him into my home. I made him go to school again... I paid his debts with the Ferengi... but because he helped with several burglaries and was in so many fights, he was placed under a court order, until he turns 22. So he has to prove to the court that he's put his life on the right track."
"And that's what this court appearance is for? To prove that he's turned his life around and that he's going to continue to follow the right path?"
"Not exactly . . . I was going to ask them to lift the court order, but now I can't."
She gave him a puzzled look.
Tyran sighed. "You know how he's living with me at the moment? Last month he was caught with drugs in his system. Needless to say, he was given house arrest . . . Limited movement . . . Increase in drug testing . . . Well, his court date for this incident is tomorrow. He has to prove that he's gone back to the straight and narrow . . .and he has many people watching over him. I know Alec will be there . . . But I was hoping that maybe you would come tomorrow."
"Absolutely!" she replied. "Though I don't know how good my word is going to be. But anything I can do to help and I know Alec' support will really carry weight."
"Alec was the one who got it done, who brought Danayal to me. He works in the bar because he's too restless for school... and he likes it." Tyran smiled. "Alec said a year later he didn't recognize Danayal anymore... He changed that much."
"You gave Danayal a purpose . . . A home . . . Someone who genuinely cares about him . . . And he's responded to that," Jaya replied softly.
"I treated him as my son... he left my house when he was 19, when he rented a room, with a kitchen and bathroom not far from here. But he often stays at my place. He still has a room here, as you know. That's his. I never go in there, unless he asks me to, since it's his private place."
"That's great," she smiled. "I'll do whatever I can to help him stay on the straight and narrow." she smiled as she caressed his cheek. "After all, we're all family, aren't we?"
"Yes, we are..." He kissed her, smiling. "And I have a surprise for you. Can you come to my home tonight? I promised Josh to watch little Rachel."
Her eyes brightened. "I would love to help you watch her," she replied. There was also a softness in her eyes as she spoke about the little girl. Rachel was her favorite out of all the children, though she loved each and every one dearly. But Rachel was the most like Emmy in appearance and personality. It was always like having a bit of Emmy back . . . remembering what it was like to have a child.
"I thought you'd like it. You see, I promised Danayal I would spend a little time with him tonight. He's very nervous about tomorrow. He can't even decide what to wear . . . Anyway, I hoped that I could possibly leave you an hour alone with her. Josh said it would fine."
"I would love it!" she smiled. "I love Rachel . . . she's so sweet . . and her eyes sparkle like jewels when she's excited. Have you noticed that?"
Words that a mother would use to describe a child, he thought.
"She looks like Emily. I compared her to the photo you have. That's why you love her so much, true?" He smiled gently.
"Well, I love Rachel for Rachel, but yes . . . being with her, is like being with Emily for just a little while . . ." she said with a bittersweet smile.
"One day, we'll have children ourselves. I know now how to raise a teenaged problem child and I would love a little tyke of my own."
"And I think . . . that would be wonderful . . ." she replied as she kissed him.
He smiled. "But for now, I'll settle for a pet." He said calmly. "I want a cat."
"We'll have to go look for one together," she smiled. "Maybe one for me and one for you." Her green eyes sparkled.
"You want a cat? But you have to take care of it, and you're often not here... I suppose it means I'll have to do it, huh?" He said with a grin.
She giggled softly. "Would you mind terrible? It would be good to have a companion in the house with me. . . Since you can't always be here either," she laughed and poked him playfully.
"I wouldn't mind. But I suggest we take cats that like each other, from the same litter, so I can take yours home when you have to leave again."
She nodded and caressed his face. "Good idea . . ." she replied.
Suddenly her personal comm chirped. She sighed. "Speaking of leaving . . ." she said as she answered it. "Hello . . . Yeah . . . Yeah . . . When? Okay . . . I'll be there. Send the file. I'll review it before I leave. Bye." With that she closed the channel and sighed. "Looks like I'll be leaving again tomorrow . . "
"Can you still baby-sit tonight?" He asked, but his look soured.
"Yes, I can still baby-sit tonight . . . I'll still be able to go to court too if you need me. I don't have to leave until later in the day . . . My job won't take me too far this time."
"Where is it this time then?" He asked and sighed. It would mean he wouldn't sleep much. He was always worried sick when she left.
"Catawan III," she replied. "Should only take me a day to get there . . at the most."
"I know, I've been there before... bring me some of that Teraksan candy."
She laughed softly and kissed him. "I will, and maybe a doll for Rachel . . " She paused for a moment. "I know it's hard not to worry . . . But I will be fine . . ."
"I know, but that doesn't stop me from not sleeping at night, my love. I'm sorry."
"Don't be . . ." she replied. "I understand. Not exactly like my job is the safest around. But I will come back . . . I promise you." She kissed him again.
"You better keep that promise," he said as he relaxed in her arms and thought life couldn't be better.
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