Grey pulled into the parking lot of an all night convenience store.

Nicia stirred from her rest. "Home?" she asked drowsily.

"No, just stopping to pick up a few things. I'll only be a few minutes."

"Want me to come with you?"

"That's ok, Nicia-che, stay here and nap," he said as he leaned close, planting a quick kiss on her cheek.

Nicia smiled in amusement at Grey's expression and his affection. She watched as headed into the store before relaxing back in her seat.

Grey entered the store and grabbed a small cart. The man behind the counter gave a short nod. Grey responded in kind before turning down one of the aisles.

He looked through the meager selections on the shelves. He wandered around the store for a few minutes deliberating what to get. He knew Trephi preferred a diet of fresh foods. Anything fresh was out of the question in this store. There simply wasn't anything. The next best choice was some of the canned fruits and vegetables. He cleared the shelves into his cart and headed to the register. On the way to the register he picked up a few other snacks to his own liking.

The man at the counter gave him an odd look.

"There a storm commin?" asked the grocer as he began running one can at a time over the register.

"Unexpected group of vegetarian house guests," Grey replied with a grin as he watched the grocer monotonously scanned and bagged each item.

Grey didn't pay attention to the sound of the door chimes and the two men that entered the store. One remained by the door while the other approached the register. Grey realized there was trouble when he heard the distinct sound of a shotgun action being worked.

"Empty the register old man or this guy gets it," ordered the gunman as he pointed the shotgun toward Grey.

Grey thought about what John had said about not having to worry about life and death decisions anymore. He laughed inwardly at the irony. Now he has a couple of kids waving guns in his face.

"Someone commin," said the man by the door as he stepped back out of sight.

Grey turned in time to see Nicia opening the door.

"Nicia, no!" Grey cried out as the second gunman turned to point the gun inches from Nicia's face.

Nicia's hands moved instinctively, grabbing the gun and pulling it down away from her unprotected face. The gun fired into her chest. The material of her uniform jacket easily stopped the bullet from penetrating. Her holosuit flickered from the impact, briefly revealing her true form.

The man stood in shock as he wondered if what he had just witnessed was real.

Nicia retaliated against her attacker with a deep growl as she stepped to the side and wrenched his arm around forcing him to bend over. With a quick turn she brought her knee up into his face, flipping him backwards to the floor, unconscious.

The man with the shotgun turned to see his partner hit the floor. Grey reacted quickly, grabbing the shotgun and twisting it toward a safe direction before it discharged. With a hard pull he tore the gun from the man's hand. In a fluid motion he brought the butt of the gun back into the man's face, dropping him to the floor.

"Nicia! Are you ok?" Grey shouted as he rushed to see if she was wounded.

"Fine," Nicia replied rubbing her breast, "just bruised."

"Damn quick!" commented the grocer. "Never seen anyone fight like that. You two sure laid those boys out flat."

"Thanks," Grey said as he headed back to the counter, gathering the gunmen's weapons and setting them beside the register. He grabbed one of the sacks of groceries and handed it to Nicia. "I'll be out with the rest."

Grey turned back to get the remainder of the groceries from the counter.

"Hey, you can't leave. The cops will want to talk to ya."

Grey didn't have the time to stick around to wait for the police to fill out their reports. Nicia's holosuit would also run out of power soon if he didn't get her alone so she could start it recharging.

"Look, we're in a hurry," Grey leaned closer to the grocer and spoke in a hushed tone, "and my friend and I really can't be seen together."

"Oh, I got ya," the man said with a wink. "I was young once. You don't want yer old lady finding about that young one there."

"Yeah." Grey blinked incredulously, thrown by the man's words. "Something like that."

Grey pulled out a wad of bills and laid down on the counter enough to cover the groceries plus a little extra. "That should cover these," he said as he picked up the last sack of groceries and headed out.

Grey started the SUV and pulled back onto the highway. He held Nicia's hand tightly as they drove.

"I'm not going to try to run away," Nicia teased as she wriggled her fingers.

"Sorry," he said while forcing himself to loosen his grip.

"You're trembling."

"I guess the adrenaline rush hasn't worn off yet," he said, forcing a smile.

"Pull over," she demanded in a soft voice as she turned off her holosuit.

"Why," he began to question before Nicia cut him off.

"Just pull over."

Grey veered onto the shoulder and slowed to a stop. He put the car in park and turned to face Nicia.

"Now, what?" he asked.

Nicia leaned over and placed her arms around Grey, hugging him close. In return, Grey's arms immediately went around Nicia, holding her close as he buried his face in the soft fur along her neck.

"It's all right. I wasn't hurt," Nicia said as she kissed Grey's neck.

"I know," Grey said as Nicia's caresses brought out a soft sigh. "It's not easy seeing someone you love get shot in the chest."

"I remember," was all she said.

Grey realized it wasn't long ago that Nicia had seen him gunned down.

Grey hugged Nicia close. "I forgot all about that."

"Is your life always this interesting?" Nicia asked playfully in an attempt to lighten the mood.

"Funny," Grey grinned. "I was just thinking what a magnet for trouble you are."

"Everyone who's coming, let's go," Grey yelled before heading out the front door.

Nicia and Sheral were close behind.

Dariena remained in the kitchen. She stood precariously on a counter top, putting away the groceries Grey brought home last night into a high cabinet. Nersal came through the room just as the phone began to ring.

Nersal paused in front of the ringing phone.

"Well, don't just stare at it. Pick it up."

Nersal gave Dariena a objectionable expression before reaching for the receiver.

"Yes?"

"Hello?" came a surprised voice. "Is Grey there?"

"No," Nersal replied and hung up the phone.

"I don't believe you just did that," Dariena said as she looked at Nersal in awe. "I think you're supposed to be a little more friendly."

Nersal acknowledged her with a grunt as he headed out of the kitchen to catch up with the others.

John arrived at Grey's cabin just as the sun was setting behind the mountains to the West. Everything looked quiet. He peeked through the garage window as headed to the front porch. Grey's SUV was missing. It wasn't his style to leave so many lights on in the main house when he was out. John knew Nicia was staying with Grey. It was possible that Grey ran out for a short time and left her there. Though, the harsh voice that answered the phone earlier left John worried.

He went to the front door and entered the code Grey had given him into the keyless entry system. The latch opened with a faint click, John pushed the door open slowly. He listened carefully as he scanned the room looking for anything or anyone out of place.

He entered to room silently and moved from doorway to doorway. He could hear the television on in the basement. He headed cautiously down the steps. The only light he had to see by emanated from the television in front of the couch,

"Gotcha," Dariena had started to say as she grabbed John from behind.

Dariena's tone changed to a string of Synacian curses as she felt John grab her arms and start to throw her forward. She landed painfully upside down, her feet hanging over the back of the couch.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" demanded John as he tried to identify the figure that had attacked him through the darkness.

"You first," she said rolling back and planting a foot into John's gut. She followed her assault, reaching out to grab his leg as he tried to catch his breath. Dariena punched upward into his face as she pulled his leg out from under him.

John fell backward, striking his head on the last step. A few minutes later he regained consciousness. His head hurt terribly. He looked around to find a young redhead sitting over him. He idly wondered how such a petite woman could pack such a punch.

Her blue eyes regarded him cautiously. She held his handgun loosely but he noticed the safety was off and the hammer cocked.

"So," Dariena said expectantly.

"Who are you?" John asked.

"As I said before, you first. What are you doing sneaking around?"

"I was invited here."

"Who invited you?"

"Grey Sanborne, the guy who owns this place. Now where is he and who are you?"

Dariena continued to stare at John, her expression remaining unchanged.

"Grey is a good friend of mine. He didn't mention anyone coming tonight."

"Well, I was supposed to come tomorrow but I decided to come a bit early. I tried to call but someone hung up on me."

"Oh," Dariena said sheepishly, "you must be Grey's partner."

"John Drake. And you are?"

"My name is Dariena," she said as she decocked John's gun and held it out for him. "Sorry about the mixup, but you really shouldn't go sneaking around like that."

John took the handgun from her and returned it to its holster.

"You shouldn't be grabbing people in the dark," John scolded facetiously, "you could get hurt."

"I though you were Grey. He tries to sneak up on me but I always catch him first. Anyway, I'll try to remember your advice," Dariena said with a teasing smile. "Oh, how's your head?" she said in an overly dramatic tone. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

"Uh huh," he grunted as he gave Dariena a wry smile. "So, how long have you known Grey?"

"Quite some time, but it's been about..." Dariena paused to calculate the difference in Earth years. "four years since I last saw him."

Drake found that date particularly interesting. It was another reference to Grey and the Phoenix incident.

"Really? How did you two become acquainted?"

Dariena realized Grey must not have ever told John about his trip to Synac.

"It was an impromptu decision to team up, but we worked well together," Dariena smiled. "He needed a translator and I needed some moral support. We helped each other and developed a close relationship."

"Funny, I've never heard Grey mention you."

Dariena gave John another indomitable smile. "That's ok. He never mentioned you too much either."