"Trash. Trash. Trash. Oh, there's a keeper." Grey said outloud to himself as he sorted through his belongings, dividing items between boxes and a trash can.

"Hey, where are you off to in such a hurry?" asked Drake as he rapped on the frame of the open door to announce his presence.

"John! Hey!" Grey smiled at the sight of his friend. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard you were dismissed from the service. There were no explanations given. You could have let me know what happened. It's not every day a friend of mine gets tried for treason."

Grey looked at his friends worried expression, and then at his watch. He was surprised to see it was after midnight. "Shit. I'm sorry John. I lost track of time. I wanted to call you for dinner so we could talk. I've been here packing ever since I got out of the hearing."

"Well, I know a place not far from here that's still serving."

Grey smiled. "Ok, let's do it."

They arrived at the all night diner where they were the only patrons. The waitress seated them at a booth in the rear of the diner. They placed their orders and waited as the waitress walked out of earshot.

"Ok, Grey, what happened with the hearing?"

"Well, to summarize, I was cleared of all the charges against me."

"That's great! I knew you'd get things straight."

"I really have you to thank. If you hadn't delivered that evidence to the president, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"Yeah, you owe me big time," Drake said with a grin. "So why the dismissal from the service and why are you packing?"

"Part of the evidence required reexamination of what happened in Colombia with the Phoenix platform. They decided I was unreliable, withdrew my promotions since and banned me from any government service. Without a job, there's no reason to stay here. So, I'm retiring up to my cabin."

"Damn. I can't believe they did that to you." Drake sat speechless for a moment. "You know, I can always use your help with my business."

Grey smiled. "I knew you'd make that offer. Thanks," Grey said as the waitress came with their orders.

Grey realized he was hungrier then he thought as he took a bite of his sandwich.

Drake seemed to hesitate after finishing his first bite.

"Grey, I've never pressed you about Colombia, but what happened to cause all this?"

Grey swallowed hard. He had wanted to tell John for years, but was always afraid that John would think he was crazy. Even with what had happened recently he wondered if his friend would question his sanity.

"I wasn't exactly held prisoner that entire time."

Drake gave him a surprised look. "Oh?"

"I was only a prisoner for a few days before I escaped with someone I had literally run into in the jungle. When I worked my way back to the Phoenix crash site, it was after the detonation occurred. I found the remains of Susan and one other team member."

Drake could see the pain in Grey's eyes. "It's ok, you don't have to...."

"No, please let me tell you what I can," Grey said as he reached for his drink. "After finding Susan, I didn't have the will to go on. Geheran, the one I escaped with, helped me. He took me to his home and helped me get past loosing Susan and find renewed purpose to life. I spent over a year with him before returning home."

"I'm sorry, Grey," Drake said sympathetically. "You know, that doesn't sound like a major security risk. They blackballed you for that?"

"It was more for who Geheran was than the act itself. What you delivered to the president proved what I told the committee about him."

"Well, regardless, he got you home," Drake grinned. "Maybe one day I'll get to thank him for saving me the trouble of rescuing your ass."

Grey laughed. "Maybe."

"So, what happened to that chick?"

"Huh?"

"The cute sounding woman who helped you trash my jeep. What was her name? Nikki?"

"Oh, Nicia. Sorry about the jeep. What was the damage?"

"Total. What did you do? Get in a fight with a flamethrower?"

Grey winced as he remembered what Meran had said about Nicia letting loose with the plasma cannon. He realized she must have caught the jeep with the blast.

"Ouch. Sorry. Did you give it a decent burial?"

"Yeah, I'll send you the mortician's bill," Drake joked. "But hey, you're avoiding my question about Nicia."

Grey smiled as an image of her flashed in his mind. "Funny you should ask. I didn't know at the time, but she turned out to be Geheran's daughter."

"Woah, I bet that was a surprise."

Grey remembered when he made the connection and the unpleasant thought that Sheral was dead. Thankfully it turned out she wasn't.

"Yeah, it was."

"Too bad she couldn't stick around?" Drake said faking depression. "We're still throwing you a retirement party at the office. You could have brought her."

Grey could tell John was nosing around for info. "Maybe I will," he grinned.

"Heh, I knew it," Drake said as he slapped his hand on the table, startling the waitress and the customer that came in shortly after them. "It's about time you found someone. I'll definitely have to meet the woman who cleared the ice water from your veins."

"Don't worry, I'm certain you will. She'll be around for a while."

"Great. Where's she staying?"

"My cabin," Grey said plainly.

Drake gave him a sly look.

"Ok John, grow up," Grey said shaking his head. He looked at the time. "Well, I'd better go back and get some sleep. I'll be running my stuff up to my cabin tomorrow."

"Need a hand?" Drake offered.

Grey thought a moment. There was no telling how he would find the place. It was unlikely, but he didn't need John to walk in on a band of wolfish alien beings in his home.

Grey pulled out a few dollars to cover his meal and left it on the table. "No, I can manage. Though, you're welcome to come up for the weekend. I should have everything settled by then."

"Ok, bud. I'll see you this weekend."

"See ya then," Grey said before walking away from the table.

As he walked past the booth containing the diner's only other patron, he glanced casually at the dark haired woman seated at the table.

The woman peeked over the top of her menu at the same instance Grey was looking toward her and quickly averted her eyes as Grey continued past and out of the diner.

Grey turned his sport utility vehicle off the main road and headed down the gravel road toward his cabin. As the cabin came into sight, he looked over the exterior. Everything seemed quiet. He got out of his SUV and headed towards the back. Dry leaves crackled under his feet as he walked around the side of the home to the rear porch. He looked out over the lake and smiled contentedly. He took a deep breath, inhaling the pine and other woodland scents that filled the air. He relaxed as he let the breath out.

"This is how we were meant to live," Grey said aloud to himself.

"It reminds me of home," came a gentle reply from behind.

Grey turned to see Nicia standing in the doorway. Her clothing seemed extra casual, revealing her light and feathery gray fur through a white sleeveless top and to his surprise a pair of his shorts. Then he realized the top was his too.

Nicia noticed his eyes looking her over.

"I hope you don't mind my borrowing these. I didn't come prepared for an extended stay," she said shyly, not wanting to admit she also liked having his scent on her.

"No that's fine." Grey grinned, "But, no holosuit? Isn't that a bit risky?"

"We can only use the webs for a few hours at a time. Plus, the sensory distortion fields they create makes your fur crawl. Besides, Nersal installed a scanner to detect anyone approaching. It will alert us to anyone entering this valley. Plenty of time to conceal ourselves," Nicia said with a smile.

Grey smiled as Nicia moved closer.

"Besides, it takes away from this," she said as she embraced him.

Nicia broke the hug with a kiss on Grey's cheek. "Welcome home, Grey-che."

"Thanks," Grey replied with a kiss on her short muzzle.

Nicia returned his kiss eagerly.

"So where is everyone?" asked Grey after breaking for air.

"Nersal and Sheral are in the transport. Your sister is trying to learn more about your people by watching video transmissions."

Grey chuckled to himself as he pictured Dariena turning into a couch potato during her stay.

"Let's get you unpacked," Nicia said as she slid beside Grey and slipped her arm around his waist, leading him back to the front of the cabin.

Grey placed his arm around her in return, smiling as they walked together.

Grey and Nicia sat on the porch looking out over the lake, taking a short break after unloading his SUV.

"Well, I should head back for the rest of my things."

"Take me with you?" Nicia asked.

"It's not a very exciting trip."

"But, it's with you and that's enough for me." she replied with a bright smile.

"Ok, go change while I go tell Dariena your going with me."

Grey followed Nicia inside and headed toward the basement while Nicia went upstairs to change clothes and get her holosuit.

Grey could hear the television on and tiptoed down the steps hoping to surprise Dariena. Once in the basement he could see the couch, but no trace of Dariena. He started to peek around the corner and jumped when a pair of hands grabbed him from behind.

"Gotcha," Dariena said with satisfaction.

Grey turned to be greeted with a short scarlet muzzle displaying a wide grin.

"Just once, I want to be able to sneak up on you," Grey said, disappointed.

"It will never happen," she boasted as she ran a finger from the base of her ear upward along its length. "Not with these."

"Yeah, I know. I was just coming down to...."

"Tell me you were taking Nicia with you to get the rest of your things." Dariena smiled as she waved her right ear, letting it flop forward and spring back to its normal erect state to remind him of her sensitive hearing.

Grey took a playful swat at her ears. "Eavesdropper."

"Hey, it's not intentional," she said, giving him a quick hug. "Go have fun. I'll let Sheral know where you've gone."

"Thanks, sis," Grey said with a smile before turning and heading back upstairs.

"Hey, bring back food," she called up after him in an afterthought.

As Grey made walked into the main room, Nicia was already waiting, dressed in her standard SDF jumpsuit and jacket. She didn't wear her sidearm, but he briefly wondered if she was unarmed. As always, she looked beautiful.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Yes," she said with a pleasant smile.

Nicia followed Grey out to the sport utility and got in. A few hours later they were back at Grey's apartment in Washington. Both were eager to get out and stretch.

They headed up the stairwell to Grey's apartment. The light in the hallway beside Grey's door had burnt out leaving the hallway in darkness.As Grey grabbed the doorknob to unlock the door, the knob started to turn freely. He could hear the sound of movement within his room. Grey extended his arm protectively towards Nicia, forcing her to step backward away from the door.

Grey reached into his jacket out of habit and quickly realized that for the first time in years he was unarmed. He looked toward Nicia.

Nicia silently gave a relaxed shrug as she spread her jacket open to show she was unarmed as well.

Grey stared at Nicia, wondering how she could be so casual about the situation. Armed or not, he was determined to find out who was in his apartment. He moved to the hinge side of the door and pressed his back against the wall. He reached over and turned the knob and gave the door enough of a push to send it swinging open slowly. Grey did a quick peek around the corner but couldn't see anything or anyone in the pitch black apartment.

Nicia stood with her hands in her pockets as she watched Grey with her head cocked. She leaned in from the other side of the door and looked into the room.

"It's all clear," she said, looking back to Grey with a smile.

Grey relaxed slightly. "I was certain I heard someone," Grey said as he stepped into the room.

"You have good instincts.You did," Nicia whispered into Grey's ear as she followed him into the room.

"What?" Grey replied, turning towards her as all the lights came on at once.

"Surprise," sounded a chorus of voices.

"Hi." Grey said through a fake smile.

"We knew we'd never get you into the office for your retirement party, so we brought the part to you," Drake's voice called out from somewhere behind the crowd.

Grey moved through the crowd receiving congratulations and best wishes from his coworkers as he smiled and thanked his way through the crowd toward Drake's voice. Nicia follow close behind.

Grey leaned back and whispered to Nicia through clenched teeth and a fake smile. "You knew about this didn't you?"

Nicia smiled proudly.

"Grey," exclaimed John as they came face to face, "and this must be Nicia."

Grey gave a quick introduction. "John, this is Nicia. Nicia, you remember John."

John smiled as he offered his hand to Nicia. "Nice to finally meet you. Good work getting him here."

Nicia smiled as she shook his hand.

"How did you manage this?" Grey asked as he looked back and forth between them.

"Your phone rang early this morning. When your answering machine picked up," Nicia said as she began pointing to John, "someone was calling my name telling me to pick up. I was curious who knew I was there, so I did."

"Sometime, somewhere, I'll get both of you for this."

Nicia knew his threat was in jest, but he clearly wasn't happy. "Grey, I'm sorry. I thought the support from your friends would be good for you."

The holosuit concealed her body language, but he could see the sincerity and affection in her bright green eyes.

"Oh, Grey's never been much of a people person," John teased.

"Well, you two probably would like to talk between yourselves." Nicia smiled at Grey. "I'm going to have something to eat and meet some of your other friends."

Grey watched as one of the office secretaries quickly started a conversation with Nicia. "Oh, I think I'm going to regret this."

"Relax," John said, "I'm sure she'll get along."

"I'm not worried about her getting along, just what everyone's going to tell her about me."

John laughed as more well-wishers started talking to Grey. After a few hours the party slowly broke up leaving Nicia, John and Grey remaining. They had cleaned the apartment and loaded most of what remained of Grey's belongings into his SUV.

"We'd better get going," Nicia said as she picked up the last box of things to go back with them. "I'll be back after I run these down to your vehicle."

"That's ok. Save yourself a trip back up." Grey said, "I'll be down in a minute."

"I've never thanked you for everything you've done for Grey," Nicia said, turning to Drake. "Neither of us would be here if weren't for your help. Thank you," she added as she kissed Drake on the cheek, producing a surprised look from both Grey and John.

"Well, Grey's always been there for me," Drake said, turning toward Grey with a big grin. "He owes me big for this one."

Nicia smiled as she turned and headed down the hall.

"She's cute. Not what I expected, but sweet."

"Oh, what were you expecting?" Grey remained focused on Nicia as she looked back to wave before heading down the stairwell. His expression retaining a soft smile.

"Brunette maybe," John grinned. "I wouldn't have expected gray hair. She looks young though. Mid twenties?"

"Yeah, about that," Grey said, taking into account the differences between Human and Trephyn lifespans.

"Still, very nice," John said as he watched his friend's entranced expression. "You're serious about her, aren't you? She know?"

Grey smiled as he turned to John. "Yes, to both."

"What a way to retire. No more life and death situations and a hot babe to occupy your free time with. You are truly lucky, my friend."

"I know. Thanks for the party," Grey said as he turned and shook John's hand. "But don't ever do it again."

"Ok, I won't," Drake grinned knowing Grey enjoyed himself. "This weekend still on?"

"Yep. See you then," Grey replied and headed off to catch up to Nicia.

"Your friends are nice. I enjoyed talking with them," Nicia said as they drove.

Grey briefly glanced at Nicia to smile. "I deny anything bad they might have told you about me."

Nicia smiled in return. "No. They all think very highly of you and will miss your presence."

"I'll miss a few of them too."

Nicia placed her hand over Grey's and began stroking the back of his hand affectionately.

He looked at her in surprise. It wasn't the action that surprised him, but the feeling of her hand on his. It felt like her, not the normal sensation her holosuit provided. The soft suede texture of her fingers on the back of his hand felt wonderful. He could also feel some of her fur tickling his hand.

"I think you have a problem."

She smiled. "No. The sensory distortion field uses the most power. Turning it off extends the operational time of the holosuit."

"How long?"

"Forty-eight without. Eighteen with."

"You should have warned me."

"I didn't want to take you from your friends. Besides, I have enough power to last the trip home. When we get to an isolated stretch of road, I can turn it off and it will start recharging."

"Your safety is more important than my socialization." Grey squeezed her hand gently. "Next time, warn me about anything like that."

Nicia smiled pleasantly as she looked at Grey before breaking into a yawn.

"Tired?"

"Yes. I would normally be getting up right now back on Synac."

Grey knew from experience how hard it was to adjust back to Earth's time zone. He had been back a week and had already adjusted while Nicia had only spent one night off the transport to adjust.

"There's a lever on your right that tilts the seat. Take a rest. We have a few hours ahead of us."

"How can you keep going?" Nicia asked as she reclined the seat.

"I've always been a light sleeper. Do you remember what I said that first time we woke up together at John's house."

Nicia smiled as she rested with her eyes closed. "You asked if I was comfortable."

"No, not that," Grey laughed softly. "I meant what I said about getting more than six hours of sleep."

"Oh," Nicia said softly as she began to drift.