Eyrn took a deep breath as she approached the familiar residential dwelling complex she had only weeks ago just been introduced to. Aisell had offered to escort her home, but Eyrn had actually been looking forward the alone time and felt like enough of a burden on the Maris sisters as it was. Not that she wasn’t eternally grateful for her time spent on the farm. Yammanu had helped her clear her thoughts, the warm country air had calmed her, she managed to come out of the whole experience just a little more together.

As Eyrn dug through her pockets for her access card, she felt a buzzing feeling against her thigh, startled at first Eyrn reached into her other pocket and pulled out her Data pad and swipped her finger across the front of the screen to accept the transmission.

“Hello?” Eyrn held the device a short distance from her face, she was still struggling to get use to the fancy alien technology and felt clumsy and dumb when she had to make or receive calls and look up information on the global link.

“Hey, just checking to see if you made it home alright!” Aisell’s voice and face greeted Eyrn with a bright smile.

“Oh, Hey Aisell.” Eyrn perked up just a little, she would never admit it, but she missed Aisell dearly. Eyrn was not used to being left to her own devices and old habits were indeed hard to break. She still sometimes found herself with the fleeting desire to check in, or to make sure she wasn’t going somewhere or doing something she wasn’t permitted to. Which made Aisell’s dotting check in actually a little endearing.

“So, shuttle leave on time?” Aisell asked with more than a hint of concern in her voice.

“A little late, but that’s ok because I was a little late getting there myself, stopped for a drink.” Eyrn shrugged.

“Remember what I said?” Aisell scolded.

“On time means late…yes mother I remember!” Eyrn rolled her eyes.

Aisell chuckled, which ended with a warm sigh. “You find your way to the right complex?” Aisell asked next. “I really wish you’d have let me come with you.” Aisell pressed her lips together in thought as she watched the image of Eyrn roll her eyes from the other end of the Province.

“I think I got it from here Aisell, but I’ll be sure to check with you if I forget how to use the lift, or heaven forbid make a wrong turn.” Eyrn spoke dryly, but with just enough humor to show she wasn’t upset or bothered.

“Ok, I get it. Sorry…” Aisell paused and for a split second almost seemed as if she was about to let things go, but sure enough before Eyrn could mutter another word Aisell broke in. “I wish you had stayed a little longer, at least until I hear from Loona?”

“Aisell…”

“Its really no bother having you here you know….”

“Aisell….”

“Lezah likes having the company you know, and Yammu misses you too…”

“Aisell, I’m fine!” Eyrn broke in breathlessly.

“Sorry.” Aisell winced.

“Thanks, but I just got home now so I should really let you go. Ok?” Eyrn smiled sincerely.

“Right, ok. I will be in touch if Loona calls me ok?” Aisell’s face flashed a look of concern. “And if she calls you….”

“I’ll be nice!” Eyrn rolled her eyes.

“And about Bedra?” Aisell asked, treading carefully.

“Don’t worry about it, we’ll settle things, ok?” Eyrn grinned.

“I don’t like the look of that smile Eyrn!” Aisell scolded.

Eyrn rolled her eyes and sighed as she hovered her finger over the hang-up button. “Goodbye Aisell!”

“Eyrn! Be nice! Remember….”

Eyrn ended the transition before Aisell could finish her call, and was half way to putting her device back in her pocket, when the chime that signaled a long range transition stopped her.

“Oh for Pete’s sake!” Eyrn sighed and wipped her hand over the screen, before she could get two words out, a scolding and tight voice greeted her.

“Well its about damn time!” Isabelle Ibanez snapped, narrowing her eyes into half open slits.

“Izzy!?” Eyrn spoke, baffled.

“Oh, don’t you Izzy me!” Thanks to the wonder of modern technology, Eyrn almost forgot she was in fact talking to somebody the size of her thumb. Izzy looked no different than Aisell Maris just had, it was in fact the more defined and clear image of Izzy’s face she had ever seen.

“I…um…sorry?” Eyrn smiled wyrly and rubbed the back of her neck with her free hand.

“First of all, there is no god damn reason to have an intergalactic communicator-cell phone thinggie on your person if you never intend to keep the damn thing on! Second, you and I need to have a serious talk sister!” Izzy scowled and puffed her cheeks out, as she sometimes did when she was angry or upset.

Eyrn for her part was actually quite happy to see Izzy’s face, secretly she longed to be with her friend but again would never come out and say it. So while Izzy seemed right fired up and livid, Eyrn couldn’t help but smirk a silly and affectionate smile. After all, Izzy was one of her oldest friends.

“Wipe that smirk off your face kid! I have a bone to pick with you!” Izzy snapped, looking possibly more disgruntled than she had before.

“Right, serious…sorry.” Eyrn ran her hand over her lips to rub the silly smile away, in the back of her mind she did wonder why Izzy was so down right livid with her.

“Where the hell do you get off stomping around and throwing a god damn temper tantrum!” Izzy, narrowed her eyes further.

“I…um…wait what? How did you?” Eyrn’s face blushed just a little, betraying her embarrassment.

“I have my sources just never you mind about that Eyrn Fitzgerald!” Izzy retorted quickly.

Eyrn nodded, holding back the urge to smile again, Izzy was always so adorable when she was fired up.

“I leave you two alone for a little whole and look at the mess you’ve gotten yourselves into! Its like your a bunch of little children! Honestly I half expect this sort of stuff out of Darren, but you have a better head on your shoulders Eyrn you just can’t go around blowing off the handle and sulking about like a puppy with her tail between her legs!” Izzy was breathing heavily, her face was red but underneath it all a genuine look of concern.

“Izzy….”

“I’m not done yet! Look, it sucks about Darren I’m just as upset as you! But your no good to him or yourself like this! You have to pick yourself up and snap out of it!”

“Izzy?” Eyrn tried to interrupt again, but Izzy just kept ranting.

“This whole deal blows, but you have an advantage Darren and I don’t! Eyrn you can actually do something about it. You are a person, a free independent person not an animal in a cage like we are. Darren can’t help himself, and that means he needs you. But you’re no good to anyone brooding like a sour apple!” Izzy’s tone began to calm, and a more diplomatic tone took over.

Eyrn kept silent, a calm and expectant look on her face, she decided to wait until Izzy was finished this time before interrupting once more.

“I’m scared too ok? I wish I was there with you and not circling some gas giant a gazillion miles away chasing down cockroaches and bandits, but you are there and you have people who care about you and want to help. Don’t burn every bridge ok? You have to trust SOME of them Eyrn, you can’t go it alone.” Izzy smiled now, a sad but warm smile. “After all, I know a few of you behemoths who arn’t so bad. I’m sure you have a few near by you as well”

“I know.” Eyrn said softly.

“You do?” Izzy quirked an eyebrow and tilted her head to the side.

“Yes, I do.” Eyrn smiled. “I’ve had a lot of time to think, and your absolutely right. Sorry, I’ve been no help to myself or to Darren. But all that is going to change now Izzy.” Eyrn spoke with solid resolve.

“It is?” It was now Izzy’s turn to look and act surprised.

“It is.” Eyrn nodded.

Izzy took a moment to contemplate what was happening, then eyed Eyrn suspiciously. “Well, alright then.”

Eyrn gave her head a shake and curled her lip up into a half smile. “Are you doing well? Are you alright?” Eyrn was very concerned about Isabelle, but didn’t want to embarrass her or patronize her by asking if she was being well cared for.

Izzy rolled her eyes and studied Eyrn’s face for a whole. “Red is treating me well, she’s a good one Eyrn, don’t worry ok? If I was in any sort of bad way you know I would tell you.” Izzy relented.

“I know, right…sorry. You don’t need me checking in on you, I know it’s just…Izzy this place scares me, I’ve no idea how it must feel for you.” Eyrn bit her lip. Izzy was just as vulnerable as Darren, and things had gone so poorly for him. Eyrn couldn’t help but fear for Izzy now.

“Most of the lot here are a good sort, Red is a really sweet girl, she’s clumsy and sometimes she tries to hard. But she’s sweet. Captain Bass is a big softie, and has gone out of his way to accommodate me. He has a sister who’s dating a human, did I tell you?” Izzy perked up.

“You mentioned it, yea.” Eyrn was delaying asking what had been on her mind, and had finally got the courage to let it out, when Izzy cut her off.

“Yes, I want to stay here, no there not hurting me Eyrn, and yes I will let you know the very moment this becomes too much for me.” Izzy smirked. “It’s actually kind of fun Eyrn, I mean space…Eyrn I’m like the first person from earth to ever see some of these places. I’m doing something most people only dream of. I’ll be ok, alright?”

Eyrn nodded. “I guess I just miss you is all…” Eyrn frowned.

“Awww, your growing soft in your old age kiddo! That’s real sweet. I miss you too. Hey, it’s not like we won’t see each other again remember. Red has some short leave coming and she’s just dieing to meet you!” Izzy huffed.

“I’d like that.” Eyrn paused, an uncomfortable thought had occurred to her, and she remembered she hadn’t filled Izzy in on Darren yet. “So the hearing didn’t go so….”

“I know, I know everything.” Izzy said with a downcast tone.

“How? Who have you been talking to?” Eyrn eyed Izzy suspiciously.

“I have no sources.” Izzy winked.

“So you’ve said….”

“And so I will continue to say…but for another time. Red will be back soon and we’re gonna go mess around with her holo deck rations. I’m gonna show her a few moves…poor kid couldn’t defend herself if she tried…aad case really.

“You go easy on her Corporal.” Eyrn laughed, she didn’t want Izzy to hang up and felt a wave of regret at the thought of being alone again.

“You take care ok? I’ll call you again soon Eyrn.

“I’d like that…and Izzy?” Eyrn spoke up quickly.

“Yea?”

“P…please stay safe?” Eyrn whispered softly.

“You know it!” Izzy winked again. “See ya!”

Eyrn watched the screen flash blue as the transmission ended. With a heavy sigh she put her device back in her pocket and pulled out her access card. This next part was not going to be easy.

***

Eyrn stepped into the quiet two bedroom apartment, the automatic door swooshed shut behind her and locked with a click. The lights were off save for one in the far corner near the tower where Degu, Tapp and Darren stayed. Eyen listened for a moment for any signs of life, but the whole place was still and quiet.

Eyrn slipped off her shoes and dropped her back pack, making her way shuffling her feet along the hardwood floor. It was synthetic wood, mostly re fabricated materials but it felt enough like hardwood.

Eyrn had just about reached the couch when a small but unforgettable voice broke the still calm silence.

“Well its about time you showed up!” The small voice was quick and purposeful, bounding with confidence.

Eyrn’s eyes went wide as she immediately snapped her head in the direction the voice was coming from. Sure enough, near the sofa on the human habitation tower stood Koranatappestrina Anghell Rozlan Debborruh, with her hands on her hips, a sour look on her face, and a simple sillken strappy sun dress that fell to just past her knees.

Eryn blinked, rubbed her eyes then looked again. She could hardly believe her eyes.

“Well? Are you simply going to stand there gawking like a fool, or are you going to explain where it is you’ve been and why you didn’t feel it necessary to give us the faintest idea where you’ve been?” Tapp shifted her weight onto her other foot and crossed her arms tightly over her chest. She looked a little tired, sleepy mostly and her long platinum blond hair had been cut short just past her ears. But she was in fact Tapp, live and in the flesh!