Look Whose Coming to Dinner

Jaya and Tyran were walking to the door of the Peters' home. Tyran was holding a bottle of wine and in Jaya's hand was a gift for Rachel. It was obvious that Jaya was nervous. It had been awhile since she'd had an intimate dinner with friends and she really didn't know the Peters' all that well. But she did enjoy their company and that of their daughter's.

"Come on, they don’t bite." Tyran laughed as he coaxed her to the door, setting off the sensor.

It didn't take long for Joshua to open the door. "Hey! Thought it might be you two," he smiled.

They could smell the cooking food as they entered and it smelled wonderful.

"Come on, come in," he said. "Have a seat. Dinner should be ready in about twenty minutes," he said. "At least that's what the cook said!"

"It'll be done in twenty minutes!" Lara laughed from the kitchen.

"A home cooked meal, nice.” Tyran smiled. "Lara? I have the wine you asked me to bring!" He said walking to the kitchen.

"So how have you been ?" Joshua asked.

"I can't complain," Jaya said. "Oh, this is for Rachel . . ." She looked around, but didn't see the little girl.

Joshua smiled. "She's in her room playing. She gets a little nervous when we have people over. Rachel! Rachel, come here, honey!"

Suddenly, Rachel's eyes peered out around the hallway corner. She then smiled and giggled as she hid again.

"Come on, Rachel . . . Jaya has something for you," Joshua laughed.

Jaya smiled as Rachel showed herself. "A present?" she asked softly, her eyes bright.

"Yeah," Jaya replied with a smile of her own. "I hope you like it . . ."

Rachel went to her and took the box. As she unwrapped it, she found the doll she'd been wanting. "Daddy! Daddy, look! It's the Ice Princess!"

"I can see that!" Joshua laughed. "How did you know she wanted that?"

Jaya shrugged her shoulders. "I guess I sometimes just know these things."

Suddenly, Rachel took Jaya's hand. "Come play with me!" she smiled, dragging off Jaya to her room, Jaya's eyes dancing with delight.

Tyran grinned. He knew Rachel had wanted that doll since he last baby-sat for her. She kept drooling at it, in front of the toy store. It was typical for Jaya to remember things like that, he thought.

"Well, seems like Jaya's made a new friend," Joshua laughed.

"Yeah, I just hope she still likes me, now I didn’t bring her anything."

Joshua laughed. "She still loves you and you know it!"

"What's going on?" Lara asked as she exited the kitchen, taking a small break as everything cooked.

"Nothing much. Rachel got her doll, her ice princess." Tyran grinned.

"Oh my goodness! Tyran, did you do that?" Lara asked with a smile and laugh.

"Don't look at me. She got the idea from me, but the doll comes from Jaya."

"And I take it Rachel dragged her into her room to play?" she asked.

"Of course," Joshua replied.

They laughed.

"Wanna see my other dolls?" Rachel asked.

"Of course! I'd love to!" Jaya replied as she watched the little girl begin pulling out dolls from a toy chest. Several others sat on shelves. Rachel went on to talk about all her dolls. Jaya wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else . . .

"Would you play dolls with me?" Rachel asked.

"Sure!" Jaya replied.

Rachel gave her several dolls and began to make up a story. Jaya followed along.

"I think Jaya’s got to be playing with Rachel." Tyran smiled when Jaya didn’t return. "I just need to know what I can buy for her for Christmas, so I won't buy something you did, or that she already has."

"Well, there are a few things that we know she wants and haven't gotten for her yet," Joshua replied.

"Yes, like that Barbles holographic program," Lara replied. "And a stuffed kitten . . . Though we really know she wants a real one, but we're not sure she's ready for that responsibility. And there are a few other dolls and a doll house . . . Her list could go on forever if you let it," Lara said.

"I’ll buy her a few things.” He promised. "And so will Jaya, no doubt.”

Joshua looked at Tyran and smiled. "I bet she will . . . She really does love kids, doesn't she?"

"Oh yes, she does." He replied with a smiled.

"So was she raised in a large family or something?" Lara asked out of curiosity, merely trying to get to know Jaya better.

"Uh, ask her that yourself. She’ll love to have something to tell you at the dinner table." He said grinning, hoping his decoy worked.

Lara smiled. "Well, dinner is just about ready. Might as well start heading to the table,” she said as she got up. "I have the wine chilled and ready for opening."

"I'll go get Rachel and Jaya," Joshua said. He then looked at Tyran. "Want to come and see what those two are up to?"

"Yes please." He grinned and followed Josh upstairs, though he knew the way. He’d been there often, playing with Rachel.

As they drew closer to Rachel's room, they could hear the laughs and giggles of the girls as they played dolls and came up with silly things . . . Suddenly, the guys each peered in through the door jam and saw Rachel and Jaya sitting on the floor surrounded by dolls.

"Well, kids, it's time for dinner," Joshua finally announced, pushing the door all the way open.

"Daddy . . . Can't we play just a little longer?" Rachel asked.

The smile on Jaya's face was priceless.

"Sorry, honey, dinner's almost ready and we should eat while it's warm."

Rachel sighed.

"I'll help you pick up," Jaya said.

As they quickly picked up and headed out of the room, Joshua watched as Rachel took Jaya's hand.

"I want to sit next to Jaya at dinner," she said.

Jaya smiled.

"Hey, what about me? Aren't you my friend anymore?" Tyran playfully looked semi insulted.

Rachel giggled as she let go of Jaya's hand and went to Tyran and hugged him. "I love you too," she said. "But I want to sit next to Jaya."

"It's a girls thing," Jaya grinned.

"I thought so . . . I should have bought her that doll." He teases.

Jaya laughed as they headed to the table. Soon dinner was served and everyone was eating the wonderful roast Lara had prepared with all the sides.

"This was my great, great, grandmother's recipe . . . I think," Lara smiled. "It's been handed down through the years, but no one is really sure how far back it goes."

"Well, it's delicious," Jaya replied as she took another bite and then a sip of her wine.

"So where are you from, originally?" Joshua asked.

For a moment, Jaya grew quiet. "From Tanzaria . . . I'm . . . Tanzaran."

Joshua noticed the change in her. "You were there during the attack last century?"

Her green eyes met his as she tried to conceal the pain it brought up for her. "Unfortunately yes . . . I lost my family during that time. But, that was the past and here's to the future," she said as she lifted her glass.

"To the future." Tyran said smiling and took a sip of the wine. It matched perfectly with the food on the table.

They all talked more as they enjoyed dinner, Rachel absorbing everything Jaya said. Finally when the last bite was eaten, Lara cleared dishes and then looked at her daughter.

"It’s time for Rachel to have her bath and get ready for bed," she said.

"But, momma, I want to stay up!" she said.

"Sorry," she replied. "We need to get you in bed."

"Can Jaya read me a story?" Rachel asked, her eyes sparkling.

"Do you two mind sticking around for a bit?" Lara asked.

"Not at all, Lara." Tyran said and saw Jaya brighten further at his response. "I wanted to talk a bit with Josh anyway."

Rachel took Jaya's hand and the women all walked back to Rachel's room.

"You know, I have never seen Rachel take to anyone as fast as she's taken to Jaya . . . Well, except maybe yourself. But usually Rachel's a little more reserved . . . Well, you know," he said as he picked up his wine glass and headed out into the living room with Tyran following.

"She must sense how fond Jaya is of her. I’m just her babysitter." He grinned.

Joshua laughed. "Yeah, okay, babysitter! But there is something about Jaya. I can feel it, in the way she looked at Rachel . . . A sort of lightness that comes over her."

"She is so fond of children. She loves them all, but especially Rachel. Besides she knows what the little lady likes, while I often have no idea. I mean, do you see me play with dolls?"

Joshua laughed. "Not usually," he said. "But I do have to say Jaya really does intrigue me."

"So you know why I love her, huh?" He grinned.

Joshua grinned. "So when do I get to hear about Jaya Bourne?" he asked. "I know you know more than you're telling me. There's a lot of speculation about her at the space port. She leaves every so often . . . comes back . . . Never runs out of credit . . . People have guessed she's everything from a merc to a corporate type. So what's the real deal?" he asked curiously.

"I want to hear those rumors. More details, friend… more details." He said calmly with a smirk.

"Well, usually, you get a sense about people as they come into the space port based on their looks, luggage . . . whatever. But Jaya's like a puzzle. We only ever see her leave with a single bag . . . only occasionally does she come back with more. She wears an array of different clothes - and yes, a lot of the men that work at the port notice," he laughed. "But her mood always seems reserved on those trips, when she's getting ready to leave . . . and her moods are always different when she comes back . . . So some people thing she's a mercenary for hire, which isn't uncommon in these parts. Others think that she works for some big corporation, making deals and not all of them work out. Others just think she's independently wealthy and that she leaves to make sure her assets are where they should be . . . Those are the main ones I think. So what *is* the real deal? Are you going to tell me?" he asked as he spilled his wine a bit. “Damn . . .”

"Careful, that’ll leave a nasty stain. And no, my friend, I’m truly sorry, but I’m not allowed to tell you anything.”

"Not allowed?" Joshua said as he raised an eyebrow. "That's an odd way of putting it." He smiled. "What is she? A spy?" he laughed.

"Maybe." Tyran said calmly. "You know I am sometimes."

"Ah, so maybe she's in your field?" he asked.

"You could say that," Tyran replied.

"Ah! Very interesting," he smiled. "It could explain a few things then . . . Don't worry, I'll let the rest of the guys keep puzzling over her. I won't say a word."

"Good and you know what the word, classified means, Josh."

He nodded as he sipped his wine. "Well, maybe one day you can fill me in on all the details."

"Yeah, one day I will, when Alec lets me."

"Deal," he smiled.

A little while later, Lara came into the room. "Rachel's already for bed and Jaya's reading her her favorite bedtime story."

"Good, that saves me from Princess Supernova tonight." He smiled.

"She doesn't have children of her own at all?" Lara asked with surprise.

"Uh." He looked at Josh. Who could feel the classified was for that part of Jaya Bourne as well...

"Nope," Joshua replied. "In fact, I was asking him about her. But apparently she just doesn't have family . . ."

"That's just strange . . ."

"What is?" Joshua asked.

"She knows things only a mother would know . . . Someone who doesn't have kids wouldn't know it . . . Well, whatever her story, Rachel adores her," she replied with a smile, though she was still puzzled.

"I’d like to tell you everything. But there’s a large sign on it, called Alec, and it says *classified*. One day we’ll be able to tell you, but not right now."

"Classified?" Lara replied with surprise. "She works for Starfleet? The Federation?"

"Even that’s classified, Lara," Tyran replied.

Suddenly, Jaya entered the room. "Are you guys talking about me?" she smiled, though she could sense questions in the air.

"Yes, Miss Classified.” Tyran said with a smirk.

Concern flickered in her eyes for a moment, but she never lost her smile. "So you're all trying to puzzle out the enigma that's me, huh? Good luck!" she laughed.

"Yeah, that's what we hear," Joshua replied back with a laugh himself.

They talked for awhile longer, until it was time to call it a night.

"We'll have to do this again sometime," Jaya replied.

"I think Rachel will insist on it!" Lara smiled.

As they said their good nights, Tyran and Jaya walked into the night hand in hand.

"They really are a nice family . . ." she said.

"They sure are. I love going to them. I hated not to be able to tell them about you though. Josh understands the word classified however.”

"Well, maybe one day I can actually tell them the truth . . ." she said softly. "But it's probably better the less they know. The less danger they'll be in . . . and I don't want to put any of them at risk . . . Especially Rachel," she said softly. "God, I loved spending time with her."

"You miss your own child... don’t you?"

Jaya was quiet for a moment. "I miss Emmy every day . . . But being with Rachel . . . gave me some of that back . . ." she said as she smiled softly, though unshed tears misted her eyes for a moment.

"If we ever marry, I want us to have a child, probably more than one."

Jaya smiled. "Like I would say no?" she replied as she kissed him. "After I finish my task, I'll finally be able to have a normal life again . . ."

"Maybe even before it, Jaya. Life’s too short. Who knows what’ll happen tomorrow."

"Well . . . I can't exactly stop the Dark Shadow if I'm pregnant," she replied with a slanted grin. "Can you imagine me waddling around with a pregnant belly trying to do my job?" She laughed softly at the image.

"No, but we can get married.” He said tenderly. "*That* won't stop you from hunting him down."

"True . . ." she said as she caressed his face. "It's something to think about . . ."

For the first time since she had lost David and Emily, she was actually seeing a future beyond the Dark Shadow . . . Before, she saw nothing . . . Only more darkness. Now the future seemed alive with possibilities.

"I’ll ask you officially.” He smiled. "Not now, but at some point when you won’t expect it."

She laughed. "That will be quite a day," she said as she kissed him again. "I love you . . ."

"And I love you." He smiled as they walked home, under the light of the stars.