The Virtual Season - Episode Eight

Healing the Breach

By

Blue Raven

Teaser

Krace yawned and stretched. He had gotten in late last night, hours after Audra was already sleeping. Of course, she was used to going to bed without her workaholic husband. That pattern was established well before Krace had become part of the equation. She saw 'Daniel Kelley' more now than when he had still been alive. Shaking his head at the human's foolishness in not recognizing what an amazing woman he had married, Krace finished unloading the dishwasher and loaded in the breakfast dishes.

He made a circuit of the house, making sure that everything was neat and where it should be, before returning to the kitchen and pouring himself a glass of water. He drained it without pausing for breath, drawing most of it into his lungs, closing his eyes and enjoying the sensation. Almost like going home.

Grinning, he recalled the first time Audra had found him breathing water. Of course, she had not known that he was doing anything of the sort and was horrified to find her husband lying in the bathtub, underwater with his eyes closed. In spite of her growing distaste for the man she was married to, she had been genuinely worried, so Krace now only did it when she was not around. He was very careful not to worry this remarkable human he found himself with.

Audra had been shocked by the change that had taken place in her 'husband', not entirely trusting it at first. Krace was not sure when or how, but he had fallen in love with Audra Kelley, and it showed in his behavior. He spent only his requisite 8 hours at his day-job, kept his work as a courier to a minimum, did most of the house-work, and even talked her into teaching him how to cook. Trying to, at least. He was getting there, but it was slow going.

Smiling, he pulled a clean glass from the cabinet and filled it with ice and lemonade. In spite of the early hour, it was already quite warm. He carried it out to her, kneeling next to her.

"Those are beautiful," he remarked of the pale blue forget-me-nots she had just planted. They were the precise shade of her eyes, the exact color of the glaciers on Nodul. Smiling, he displayed the glass.

She wiped the sweat from her forehead, leaving a smear of dirt. "Oh, thank you, Daniel," she said, smiling shyly and accepting the glass.

Krace smiled and licked his thumb, wiping away the dirt as she drank. "Am I to take it from all of the work you're putting into the garden that you've decided not to accept the Seattle job?"

She looked startled. Not too long ago, Daniel had told her that if she went to Seattle, it would be alone. "You know I hate flying," she temporized, no longer entirely sure where he stood.

"Then I'll hold your hand the entire way," he offered, smiling and extending one of his hands.

"You would come with me?" she asked, startled.

"I hate my job in Chicago. You hate my job. Nothing to keep me from getting a new, better, one in Seattle."

Audra stared, amazed. In spite of her dislike of Chicago, she had, honestly, been kind of indifferent to the Seattle offer, only mentioning it to Daniel in the first place to try to rouse him from some of his apathy towards her. Like the threat of divorce, it had not worked. But something had, because now he was the kind of husband every girl wanted. And he wanted to go to Seattle. With her.

Krace wanted that very badly, in fact. And it was not just that Seattle was cold, damp, and not, as far as he knew, a home to any of the fugitives. He wanted his life to be with this woman, his new life. A life devoid of anything even remotely criminal. He had learned his lesson on Sar-Top, and again more forcefully his first time on this planet. When he had asked Daggon to take his life-force it had, quite honestly, been a bit of a relief.

Finding himself on Earth again as a consequence of the second escape left him horrified and more than a little desperate. Finding out that Zin was still trapped in the vault had offered him some hope of leading a normal, law-abiding life, but nothing had changed. Haag gave the orders instead of Zin, but things were otherwise the same. He was still expected to commit crimes at the bidding of his superiors or die for disobedience and he was still hunted by the Tracker.

He had nearly turned himself in when he had realized that nothing was going to change. Only Audra had prevented that. By the time he had realized that 'business' was carrying on as usual, he was already in love with the human. So he had done as ordered, every time, to buy himself one more day with her. But every time it got a little harder, wore on him a little more. Something was going to have to give very soon, one way or the other.

"Time to get proactive," he muttered reflectively.

"What, Daniel?"

"Nothing, honey. Mind if I borrow the car later? I need to go visit an old friend…"

End Teaser

Act 1

Mel juggled her grocery bags as she reached into her purse for her keys, only to realize that her keys were not in her purse. They were sitting on her front seat, glittering in the sunlight and taunting her with the fact that she had locked herself out.

"Damn," she muttered, shaking her head in disgust. "Now I'm going to have to call Cole to come…" She trailed off, the mention of Cole giving her the beginnings of an idea. "Hey…"

She smiled and nodded, looking around to make sure she was alone in the parking-lot. Ascertaining that she was, she shifted both bags to her left arm and moved her hand in front of the lock. A quiet snick told her that she had been successful in unlocking the door, Cirronian style. She laughed triumphantly as she opened the door, wondering if it qualified as Breaking and Entering with your property. She did not care one bit, though. She was learning to use real-world applications of this particular ability. Cole would be so proud.

"I'll never need car-keys again," she laughed, unlocking the back door in the same way and putting the bags inside.

The drive home was punctuated by occasional short laughs from Mel, who was flushed with her success. She climbed out, grabbed her groceries, and, on general principle, locked the car door using her powers instead of her keys.

"Someone's in a good mood," Gail observed as Mel walked in with her bags.

"Great mood," Mel replied smiling. "Good day."

"It's not even noon yet," Gail pointed out. "Oh, and this gentleman wants to talk to you."

Mel looked up, startled. She had not even really been paying much attention and had not even noticed that the bar had customers. Gail was indicating a man in his early forties, well-groomed and dressed in a suit. Probably a salesman of some sort.

"Let me just get these groceries upstairs and I'll be right with you," she told him.

"Thank you." He smiled and nodded.

Mel carried the groceries upstairs and quickly put away those items which needed to be refrigerated or frozen. She left the rest on the counter and returned to the bar.

"Yeah, how can I help you?" she asked the man, approaching him.

He rose. "You're Miss Porter?" he asked softly.

"Yeah." She nodded.

He glanced from Mel to Gail. "May I have a word with you in private, Miss Porter."

Mel frowned uncertainly. "Um…"

"Five minutes, please," he said, his voice almost pleading.

Mel shrugged and led him to one of the couches along the far wall. "How can I help you, mister…"

"Kelley, Daniel Kelley."

Mel nodded. In spite of behavior that she knew should have her on-guard, she found herself liking this man. "What can I do for you?"

"If you could give a message to Daggon, I would be in your debt."

Mel recoiled, reaching into her back pocket for her Collector, forgetting that Gail was still in the room.

Krace winced away, startled. "Please, my name is Krace…"

"Krace?" Mel stopped and stared up at him. "The Nodulian?" she whispered, staring at him, wide-eyed.

He nodded. "Has… has Daggon spoken of me?"

She nodded cautiously. "You saved his life."

Krace sighed and nodded. "I need to speak to him." He produced a business card and handed it to her. "Will you please have him call me?"

Mel stared at him as she accepted the card. He was as nervous as hell, and she could hardly blame him. Why would a fugitive contact Cole like this? Why was he making contact now? And like this? Through an intermediary? Scared of being Collected at the outset, probably.

"Cole should be back by noon. I'll give him your message then. Or you can wait," she offered. She would not have extended the invitation to any other fugitive, but this was Krace. He had saved Cole's life at great personal risk and that earned him Mel's grudging respect.

He shook his head and rose. "I promised my wife I wouldn't be long."

Mel stared. Wife?

"I'm available at the cell-phone number 24 hours a day," he said before turning on his heel and leaving.

Mel stared after him, clutching the card, stunned.

"Mel?" Gail asked softly, circling the bar and approaching her. "You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I have," she whispered, rising and starting towards the stairs. "Tell Cole I want to see him when he gets back," she muttered distractedly, her mind reeling with the implications of the brief interview. "Tell him it's important."

"Um, right." Gail frowned uncertainly, wondering what the nice man had said to upset Mel so much.

"That took awhile," Audra said absently, looking up from her book as Krace entered the living-room again.

"He wasn't home."

"Everything okay?" she asked, setting the book aside and rising. He had been acting strangely lately, and not just today. His entire personality had undergone a radical change, a 180.

"Everything's just fine, sweetheart."

She hesitated, then nodded. "If you say so."

"Hungry? I can burn you some lunch," he offered.

"Mmm… How about if we order pizza?"

He smiled and nodded. "Sounds good," he said, giving her a quick peck on the cheek.

"You aren't in any trouble, are you, Daniel?" she asked abruptly.

"Why would you think that?" he asked cautiously.

She put her hands on her hips. "Daniel, come on. Midnight phone-calls. You vanishing for hours at a time, coming home without saying a word about where you've been. Your entire personality changing completely… What am I supposed to think?" she demanded.

"That work's finally gotten to be too much and Seattle will be good for both of us?" he suggested gently.

"Is it another woman?" she asked quietly. She had suspected as much for years, but had never before had the courage to ask.

"Never," he told her with quiet assurance.

She looked up into his eyes and saw the truth of his statement. "Are you sick? Is that what's going on?"

He shook his head firmly. "Okay, so maybe my lungs aren't exactly working like they should be, but I promise you it's nothing serious."

"You'd tell me if it was, right?"

"Of course I would, sweetheart." He smiled down at her. " I just need a clean break, and Seattle can be that. For both of us. A new beginning. Think about how wonderful that could be for both of us. We'll have a second honeymoon and start over."

"I'd like that." She nodded slowly, allowing herself to hope. "What do you want on your pizza?"

"Anchovies," he replied. The little fish reminded him of a Nodulian delicacy.

She made a face and shook her head at this newly acquired taste of his. "Fine, I'll order two pizzas."

"Sorry." Krace shrugged apologetically.

Mel alternated between sitting on the couch lost in thought and pacing the living room lost in thought until Cole got home.

"Gail said you wanted to talk to me?" he asked as he entered the living room. He frowned at the look on her face. "Mel? Is something wrong?"

"Krace was here," she said, looking up at him. "He said he wanted to talk to you."

Cole frowned at the thought of any of the fugitives approaching Mel on her own property, even Krace.

"What did he say he wanted?" he asked, sitting next to her on the couch and giving her throat a reassuring caress.

She shrugged. "To talk to you."

Cole frowned, a little confused. His mind, normally more than capable of focusing on one thing at a time, was chasing itself in circles. It was not just the bad memories, either. By approaching Mel like that, Krace had given them both a very unwanted reminder of exactly how vulnerable and exposed they both were.

Part of him was as angry at the Nodulian as if he had attacked Mel instead of simply asking her to convey a message to Cole. But Krace had saved his life, at great personal risk. What Cole simply could not comprehend was why Krace should try to get in touch with him now. A trap, perhaps? But that seemed unlikely. Krace was a courier, not well-suited to that sort of work. A bid for amnesty seemed more likely, but why? Krace must have known that he would be low on Cole's list of priorities. Waiting would have made so much more sense. Cole shook his head in confusion.

"Are you okay?" he asked Mel gently.

She nodded. "Yeah. I mean, I was a little shaken when he just casually announced 'oh, by the way, I'm a fugitive', but…" She shrugged. "I don't know, Cole. It's Krace. He saved your life." She smiled at him. "For that I owe him."

Cole smiled back, strangely touched. "What do you think he wants?"

"I don't know." Mel shook her head. "I think the only way you're going to find out is to talk to him."

Cole nodded, accepting the business card she was proffering. "Should I call him now?" he asked.

Mel nodded. "I think you should. He seemed so anxious, like he couldn't even believe that he was here, doing this." She shrugged.

He nodded again, walking into his war-room. He did not want the call to be traced, so he planned on routing it through his computer and bouncing it off a few satellites. He smiled at Mel as she joined him.

A female voice answered. "Hello?" the voice came over the speaker-phone.

Cole blinked, startled and glanced at Mel, who shrugged. "Is Daniel there?" he asked. "Daniel Kelley?"

"Yeah, hang on. I'll get him."

"He mentioned something about a wife," Mel offered quietly.

Cole nodded and waited until the phone was picked up again. "This is Dan Kelley."

"Krace?"

"Daggon?" Krace's voice was hushed. "Thanks for calling. Hang on." There were a few moments of silence, then Krace came on the line again. "Sorry, don't want Audra to hear."

"Audra?" Cole repeated.

"My wife… Um, Kelley's wife."

"You mean Kelley's widow?" Mel cut in.

There was a long silence on the line, followed by a sigh. "Yeah, that, too. Daggon, are you still there?"

"I'm here."

"We need to talk."

"About what?"

"In person. Please?"

"How do we know you're not setting him up?" Mel demanded.

There was another sigh. "You don't. And I don't know that I'm not walking into a quick Collection by asking to meet him. Which I figure makes us just about even."

"What do you want, Krace?" Cole asked softly.

"A few minutes of your time, some serious conversation. Face to face, no weapons, no other fugitives." He paused for a moment. "You can pick the location if that makes you more comfortable."

Cole looked at Mel, who shrugged helplessly.

"Can I call you back?"

"Yeah, sure. When?"

"Five minutes."

"I'll be waiting."

Cole hit the button to break the connection and looked up at Mel. "What do you think?"

Mel shrugged. "It feels funny."

Cole nodded. "I know it does, Mel, but I can't help trusting him."

Mel nodded. "Maybe if the location were right…"

Cole nodded. "Somewhere deserted, so I could know he was alone…"

"With me as backup." Mel nodded.

Cole did not bother to argue with her over the issue of backup. She would come along whether he liked it or not. "Of course, three people meeting in a normally deserted area could raise questions."

She nodded. "Somewhere with lots of people," she suggested. "They wouldn't want to try anything in plain sight."

Cole considered for a moment, then nodded. "Yes. And somewhere with many escape routes."

"Every escape route for us is also one for him," she pointed out.

"It's either that or face walking into an ambush, Mel." He shook his head. "I won't risk that with you."

Mel sighed and nodded. "Okay. Where did you have in mind?"

"The mall."

Mel started to protest, then realized that it really did make a lot of sense. Lots of exits, lots of people, nowhere, really, for a bunch of well-armed fugitives to hide.

Cole sighed and dialed.

"Daggon?"

"Yes." Cole sighed. "Can we meet tonight?"

"When?"

Cole looked at Mel, who shrugged and said, "Six. In the food-court."

"How does that sound, Krace?" Cole asked, adding the name and location of the mall in question.

"Um, sounds just fine. Nice, safe, neutral location…"

"That's why we picked it," Mel informed him flatly.

"Right. Um, I'll see you then, Daggon."

"Yes, Krace." Cole nodded. "We'll see you then."

End Act 1

Act 2

"You think he'll show?" Mel asked quietly, shifting uncomfortably.

"You already asked that, Mel," Cole pointed out, smiling faintly at her nervousness. "He'll be here."

"And how many of Zin's men will he bring?" Mel muttered.

"I don't think he would betray me, Mel. He saved my life."

"There he is, Cole."

Mel pointed towards the man who had just entered, hand-in-hand with a pretty, young woman with copious amounts of black hair spilling down her shoulders. He murmured a few words to the woman and tenderly kissed her cheek before releasing her hands and watching her walk off. When she was out of sight, he turned his attention to the food-court, searching. Seeing Mel and Cole, he started towards them.

Cole rose at his approach. "Krace." He took the Nodulian's hands. "I never did get a chance to thank you."

Krace smiled shyly and stared at the ground. "I saved your life, you saved mine. We're even, Daggon." He took a deep breath and glanced at Mel. "Hello again, Miss Porter."

"Hi," she said in a cautious voice, still not entirely comfortable trusting him completely.

He regarded her uncertainty, not entirely sure of her place in the equation. If the things people said about her were true, she was as big a threat, if not a bigger one, than Daggon himself.

"Will you sit down?" Cole offered, gesturing towards a free chair.

"Um…" Krace nodded and quickly slid into the chair, pulling out his inhaler. "Thank you."

Cole waited for him to take several puffs, then silently offered him a glass of water. "Mel said you wanted to talk to me?"

"I, um… I was hoping that I could convince you not to come after me…"

Mel and Cole both stared at the Nodulian with wide eyes, stunned.

"I know, I know, but… I hate this life. Carry this piece of contraband from point A to point Z just because some Orsusian says so." He shook his head. "I hate it and I want out. Audra got a job-offer in Seattle…"

"Audra?" Cole repeated.

"My wife. Um… Daniel Kelley's wife. He hesitated before admitting. "I love her and she loves me."

"She loves Daniel Kelley," Mel contradicted him.

"She hated Daniel Kelley," Krace told her. "She loves me." He looked from Mel to Cole. "I'm asking you for a second chance," he told Cole quietly.

Cole blinked, startled by the impassioned appeal. "A second chance?" he repeated.

"You want Cole to let you run free?" Mel translated.

"I want a second chance," Krace repeated quietly. "I know I probably don't deserve one, but…" He shrugged as he trailed off for a moment. He looked at Cole. "Seattle. Have you heard about this place? It's cold, it's wet, it's paradise for a Nodulian. And… and none of Zin's people operate there."

"So you'd have the monopoly?" Mel scoffed, folding her arms over her chest.

"I don't want to be a criminal! Hell, I didn't want to be one when I was one," he told Mel. "It didn't take much for me to realize that it was not the best life. But now…" He looked at Cole. "I want to have a life with Audra. An honest, law-abiding, normal life with a wife and children and a house in the suburbs. Have you ever been to the suburbs, Daggon? They're amazing! Everyone's so nice! Neighbors call each other by name and spend time together and…"

Cole and Mel were both staring by now.

The Nodulian shrugged defensively. "Well, I'm sorry. For me that happens to be a big deal."

"I know," came Cole's quiet reply.

Krace and Mel both stared.

"You saved my life, Krace and I am grateful for that, but… Recapturing the escaped prisoners and returning them to Sar-Top is my duty. You know that. But for now, I will think about it."

Krace nodded. "That's all I can ask, I guess. Thank you for your time." He extended his hand across the table in the human gesture, shaking Cole's. Sighing, he rose and left.

"You think it's a trick?" Mel asked quietly after he had gone.

"I don't know, Mel."

"Let's find out," Mel suggested.

"How?" Cole asked.

"Follow them."

Cole shrugged and nodded, rising with her.

"When he was going on and on about the suburbs, and you said you understood what he meant," Mel began, coming to a stop as Krace did and turning to stare at a display-window.

"Krace grew up in… you would call a 'ghetto', I think, or maybe 'slum' or 'project'…" Cole kept an eye on the Nodulian out of the corner of his eye, watching as the Nodulian gave the human woman a gentle kiss on the cheek and a pat on the backside that drew a laughing protest. "He saw being a courier as a way of rising above those circumstances." When Krace and Audra started moving again, they resumed following him.

"Oh." Mel nodded. "Well, his circumstances have obviously improved," Mel observed as he and Audra detoured into Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

Cole stared at her blankly.

"I could decorate my entire bedroom for the price of a set of sheets in this place," Mel murmured as they walked in. She grinned and shook her head at Cole's perplexed expression, hushing him as they shadowed the couple.

"Blue and green?" Audra said, shaking her head.

"I happen to like blue and green," Krace replied.

"Since when?" Audra laughed.

"It'll match the city," he appealed, grinning.

"Why not something brighter? You used to love bright colors."

"And you, my dear, have always preferred subdued ones. Light blue, ocean-mist green," he tempted.

"Well, it would make a nice motif, I guess…"

"That's the spirit."

"Two-fifty for damned sheets," Mel muttered, shaking her head.

Cole did not know much about exchange rates, but if Mel's tone was any indication that was an awful lot. They continued circulating through the bedding section so as not to draw attention to themselves, always staying within earshot of Krace and Audra.

"Thirteen-hundred for a comforter?" Mel hissed, shaking her head.

Even Cole knew that was a lot. "Their combined income must be large."

"Or he's still up to his old tricks," Mel suggested.

"If this were new income, I think the wife would be questioning it more," he pointed out, shaking his head.

Mel nodded. He was right. "Or at least more excited."

"Sea-foam green? Are you sure?" Audra was asking.

"If you don't like it--"

"Daniel, do you like it?"

"Yes. It will match your eyes." He smiled and kissed the tip of her nose.

She shrugged and shook her head, conceding defeat. "Powder-blue and sea-foam green it is. We're going to have to get rid of all our old bedding…"

"We'll donate it to Goodwill," he said, shrugging. "Call it a new start. Everything, sweetheart. I want it all different and all done to your taste. No more of this stark, retro-industrial nonsense…" Krace shivered.

Audra turned to face him, her expression suddenly serious. "Okay, pal. Who are you and what have you done with the real Daniel Kelley?" she demanded with mock severity.

Krace slid her arms around her and whispered. "I'm actually an alien named Krace who's inhabited his body in the wake of a prison-escape."

"Smart-ass," she laughed, giving him a gentle shove. "Um, let's sleep on this"

"Sleep on the bedding?" he laughed. "Cute."

"Nodulians," Cole muttered from a nearby display, shaking his head.

"In fact, why not just wait to buy all this stuff until we get to Seattle?" she suggested. "Save on the moving."

"Good call, Audra. Hungry? We can drop by the food-court?"

"Not if you're going to order the raw fish again." She made a face and shivered. "How you can eat that is beyond me."

"Call it an acquired taste."

"Yeah, but who would want to acquire it?" she laughed, sliding her arm through his and steering him out of the store.

"Mel, what is 800 thread-count?" Cole asked.

"800? You're kidding?" She shook her head. "Come on, Cole. We're supposed to be trailing the love-birds."

Cole frowned. "You… want to go to the pet-store?" he asked, confused.

Mel closed her eyes and counted to ten. "Krace and Audra…"

"Oh, yes, Mel. Food-court. Can we get ice cream? I like ice cream."

Mel smiled and shook her head, amused at how child-like he could still seem at times. "Since you've been a good boy all day, I guess you can have an ice cream cone." She laughed at the confused expression on Cole's face. "Come on."

"What did you want, Cole?" Mel asked as they approached the counter.

"Cookies and cream."

"I don't think so," Mel said, shaking her head firmly. "You know what happens when you--"

Cole frowned. "Please, Mel? It's only a little chocolate, and cookies and cream is my favorite. It makes me feel so good…"

Mel spun to face him, ignoring the bemused look on the cashier's face. "You know what it does to you. We are supposed to be shadowing a fugitive, Cole. This is not happy-hour!" she hissed

Cole sighed. "You pick something, then. I don't know any other flavors that don't have chocolate…"

"Um, a small cookies and cream in a cone and a double-dipped French Vanilla in a cup with caramel sauce," Mel told the cashier, firmly ignoring the wounded-puppy look Cole was giving her. She handed Cole his, sighing when he regarded it dubiously. "Just try it, Cole. You might actually like it."

"I like cookies and cream," he pointed out.

"No," Mel said firmly. "Not on-duty, and preferably not at all." Mel stalked to an empty table, muttering under her breath about 12-step programs and interventions.

Cole sighed and followed her. He took a small bite, sighing. It was good, but not as good as the cone full of cookies and cream that Mel was currently devouring. He eyed her reproachfully, annoyed at not being able to join her in enjoying what would always be his favorite flavor.

"Cole, there are literally hundreds of different flavors of ice cream out there that don't have chocolate," she sighed as he continued regarding her with that wounded expression that only he could manage. "We'll find one you like," she promised gently.

"I miss cookies and cream, Mel," he sighed.

"I know you do, Cole," she sighed sympathetically, covering one of his hands with hers. She threw what was left of her ice cream into a trashcan near their table. "If it helps, I'll give it up, too, okay?"

"You don't have to do that, Mel," he sighed.

"No, but I want to." Mel closed her eyes, momentarily regretful. "It's not fair for you to be exposed to that kind of temptation all the--" She trailed off. "Where'd he go?" she asked abruptly, looking around.

Cole looked around, too, alarmed. He was relieved to spot Krace a few moments later. "There…" He pointed to where Krace stood, arms wrapped around Audra's waist, whispering into her ear.

They hurried to the escalator, climbing on a few steps after Krace and Audra. Krace, who was not unmindful of the fact that they had been following him since their conversation steered Audra into Barnes and Nobles and promised to meet her in the music section just as soon as he got a few books on Seattle. Smiling and nodding at the wisdom of that, Audra wandered over to Classics.

Krace moved quickly and easily came up behind Cole and Mel. "You're following me." It was no question.

Cole nodded.

Krace sighed. "Look, you want to, that's fine, but could you be less obvious about it? You'll scare Audra."

"You really love this woman?" Cole asked softly.

Krace nodded. "Yes, Daggon, I really do." He sighed. "Look, no matter what you decide, I'd appreciate it if you could keep her out of this, okay?"

"She has a right to know," Mel pointed out.

"Yeah, she does, I'm just not ready…" Krace sighed deeply and looked from Mel to Cole and back to Mel. "And I will tell her. Just… not yet."

Having seen 'Daniel' circle in the opposite direction from the one he had said he was going, Audra followed, curious. She had seen the man and woman more than once tonight. And now her husband was talking to them in hushed tones, asking them to keep her out of 'this'. Whatever that meant.

Her earlier suspicion that Daniel was holding out on her was confirmed in that moment and, with a sigh, she walked straight to the Music section.

End Act 2

Act 3

"Who were your friends?" Audra asked when he joined her in the music section a few minutes later.

"Friends?" he repeated, smiling and trying to look clueless.

"The man and woman you were talking to." Audra sighed. "Daniel, you are in trouble, aren't you?"

"Baby, no." He shook his head. "Promise. No trouble at all. Promise."

"You used to be a great liar, Daniel." Audra shook her head and turned her back on him. "What happened?"

"You would prefer if I went back to lying all the time?" he asked, irritated.

"What do you think? I'd prefer if you'd tell me what's going on in your life!" she snapped.

Krace hushed her quickly, aware that her raised voice was turning heads. "Okay, Audra, honey, you're right. A lot has changed with me. But I don't want that to upset you. I want you to be happy. That's all I want."

"Daniel, I need answers."

"And I will give them to you, sweetheart just…"

"Not yet. You keep saying that." She shook her head, frustrated. "At least tell me about those people?"

"At home?"

She sighed and nodded. "Home. Now…"

"Okay." He nodded. "Let's go."

***

"He does love her, Mel," Cole said simply, shrugging.

She was pacing the living room and he was sitting and watching. She was so beautiful when she was angry.

"That does not necessarily make him a changed man, Cole," she pointed out.

Cole sighed and nodded. "I know, Mel, but I believe that he had already changed when he rescued me…"

Mel sighed and nodded, sitting down next to him. "He took a bullet for you, Cole, and I know that not many criminals would do that for a cop." She shook her head. "But…"

"But he is still a criminal." Cole nodded. "What do you think I should do?"

Mel nodded. "What indeed?" She sighed deeply.

Cole shook his head in confusion. "I believe that Krace's intentions are honest. And he did save my life. But my duty is clear. This conflict is very confusing."

"You aren't the only one who's confused." She touched his shoulder gently. "The only thing I know is that, if it weren't for Krace, you wouldn't be a part of my life now." She moved her hand from his shoulder to his throat, then slowly brought it to rest over his heart. "That thought makes me feel empty."

Cole smiled a little shyly and covered her hand with his own before returning the gesture. They sat in silence for several minutes, hands over each other's hearts.

"What should I do, Mel?" he asked finally.

"I don't know…"

Cole sighed and nodded. So confusing…

He shook his head. "I just don't know," he whispered, giving a defeated sigh.

"I'd say to sleep on it, but…" Mel shrugged helplessly.

Cole nodded. "Your species, the humans, they have a saying that every coin has two sides…"

"Yeah, Cole." Mel nodded. "This is definitely one of those situations. He's done a lot of bad in the past, a lot of good more recently… But is it a permanent change?" She sighed. "I don't think there's an easy answer to this one, Cole. You're going to have to give it a lot of thought, one way or another. But… I'm here for you. I'll support whatever decision you make." Realizing that their hands were still resting over each other's hearts, she gave his chest a little pat.

"Thank you, Mel." Grateful for that, he released a gentle pulse of energy through his hand, into her chest.

Mel gasped and closed her eyes, smiling and putting her head back, enjoying the warmth and love engendered in that simple gesture.

Cole smiled at her radiant expression, holding his hand over her heart for a few more seconds before reluctantly pulling away. He could tell by the state of her life force, and his own, that things would have gotten distracting rather quickly if he had not pulled away. Mel was obviously aware of the same thing because she withdrew her hand just as quickly and stared at her lap.

"I'm here for you, Cole, no matter what you decide. Or just if you need a sounding-board, someone to talk to or think out loud at."

He smiled. "Yes, Mel. Having you in my life has made things so much… smoother, more pleasant."

Mel grinned up at him, shyly. "I should…"

"Get to bed," Cole agreed, nodding.

"Wake me if you need to talk."

"I think I'll just look at the stars for a little while," Cole told her, nodding towards the telescope. He would spend the night meditating and looking to the stars, and in the morning he would discuss things with Mel some more.

***

Krace watched Audra pacing, sighing. "Please, Audra, don't. Just sit down." He rose and gently wrapped his hands around her shoulders. "Sit down and I will tell you all about it."

She stared him in the eyes, sighing and nodded. "Okay." She sat down on the couch, but inched away when he sat next to her. "Tell me."

"My name's not Kelley, it's Krace. And a long time ago I did some things that I'm not very proud of." He sighed. He was going to tell her everything, except for the most important thing. He could only pray that she would understand. "I was in prison for a long time."

"Oh, my God," she whispered, covering her mouth. "You escaped?"

He nodded. "Yeah, I did. And I tried to build a new life for myself, but it didn't work. The man you saw me talking to tonight was a cop. He caught me. I escaped again, and built a new identity. This time with you."

Audra kept one hand firmly over her mouth and used the other to brush the tears off of her eyes.

"Thing is, I never expected that I'd fall in love with you, but I have. So I went to that man to ask him to leave me alone." He shook his head. "I hate being a criminal, Audra, hated it when I was one."

"Are you still committing crimes?" she managed in a shaky voice.

He shook his head quickly. "No, and that's why I want to get out of town." He paused for a moment. "You changed me and now I not only want out, I have a reason. And that man I was talking to tonight, he can get me out."

"I think I'm going to be sick," she whispered, rising abruptly.

Krace followed her into the bathroom and held her hand, not sure what else to do for her. "I'm so sorry, Audra," he whispered when she was done, sitting on the floor and rocking the sobbing woman.

After several minutes, she composed herself enough to look up at him and whisper, "Did you ever kill anyone?"

"No! God, no, Audra!" He shook his head quickly. "I was a courier."

She nodded, a little relieved. "Why didn't you tell me, Daniel?"

"I've wanted to for so long, but… I wanted you to love me. But… You have a right to know."

"And this cop can… get you out of this life? Honest living?"

He nodded. "If he agrees to. I took a risk going to him. He might send me back to prison, but I did not want to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder, either."

Audra nodded slowly. "Do you really love me?"

"Yes, Audra." He nodded. "With all my heart."

She slowly nodded. "Then we'll get through this together. One way or another."

"Thank you." He helped her to her feet. "Do you want me to sleep on the couch tonight?"

She hesitated, then slowly nodded. "I think it might be best. If you don't--"

"It would be for the best," he agreed, nodding. "Sweet dreams, sweetheart."

***

Cole stared into the telescope for hours after Mel went to bed. His thoughts were completely chaotic. One second, he was sure that he should allow Kres to walk free, the next, he was even more sure that he should just collect his life force and have it done with. Then he would remember the look in Krace's eyes when he interacted with Audra, the love there, and his certainty would fade again. By morning, he had realized what Mel saw in pacing. He was surprised that he had not worn a path in the carpet. Trying to take his mind off of things, he cooked breakfast for Mel.

"Have you decided yet?" she asked as she ate.

Cole sighed and shook his head, not really tasting his food. "I'm not used to seeing the universe in so many shades of gray, Mel. Two years ago, there would have been no question. Krace is a criminal. He was sentenced to a term on Sar-Top and should be forced to complete it."

"But he also saved your life," Mel said, playing Devil's Advocate.

Cole nodded. "And I do not know what to do, Mel. What do you think?"

"Cole, I have no idea." She shook her head, pushing her plate aside and taking his hands. "He saved your life, and I'm grateful to him for that. If it were me, I'd let him walk. But I'm not a cop, either."

Cole nodded slowly. "So I'm forced to chose between doing my job and doing what is right. Collecting him or letting him be free," he sighed deeply.

"It can't be easy."

"It isn't."

Mel nodded and frowned sympathetically. "I'm here for you, whatever you decide."

"I appreciate it, Mel, because this is the hardest decision I have ever been forced to make."

Cole stared down at his plate, no longer hungry in the least. Krace had given him his life, was now asking him to return the favor. But given a second chance, would he use it? Or would he just start committing crimes once he arrived in Seattle? These considerations worried him, but most troubling to the Cirronian was the matter of whether or not he even had another choice than to collect the Nodulian.

End Act 3

Act 4

The human legal system was wise to demand 'the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth', Krace reflected as he woke up. He had told Audra the truth and nothing but the truth, but he still needed to tell her the whole truth. He had planned to eventually, but now he was beginning to wonder at the wisdom of such a decision. Shaking his head, he quickly inhaled several glasses of water and started cooking breakfast.

Wrapped in a pale gray robe and wearing a pair of mismatched slippers, Audra half-staggered into the kitchen, a few minutes later, roused by the smell of the food. Krace approached her and tucked her hair behind her ears so that he could see those eyes, the color of the glaciers on Nodul, then gestured for her to have a seat at the kitchen table.

Two large, thick Belgian waffles and bacon quickly followed coffee, orange juice, and a buttered English muffin. He pulled the syrup out of the microwave and handed it to her with a caution that it was hot, then turned to find the pecans he had diced earlier.

"You know, if you didn't do this most mornings, I would swear that you were just trying to get back into my good graces," she yawned after several sips of coffee.

He shook his head. "I… I just… I'm sorry I upset you. This… my way of apologizing." He shrugged.

"Well, apology accepted, Daniel. I want to get through this with you. You're still my husband."

That sent a stab of guilt through Krace. He closed his eyes, wondering if she would believe the whole truth even if he told her. But it was as Daggon's mate said. Audra had a right to know. Everything.

***

"So what are you going to do?" Mel asked as Cole stared at the dossier on the screen. Krace's dossier. He had already gotten his address out of the phone book.

"Talk to him, I guess," Cole told her, sighing. "Play it by…" He glanced questioningly at Mel to help him complete the phrase.

"Ear. Play it by ear," Mel supplied, frowning. "Do you want me to come?" she offered. "Moral support?"

Cole nodded and lightly touched her throat. "I'd appreciate it very much, Mel."

"Let's roll," Mel said, picking up her car keys.

"What do you think I should do?" Cole asked as they drove.

Mel sighed. "Same answer as yesterday, Cole. I just don't know what to tell you."

"If you were in my position? If the choice were yours, Mel? What would you do?" he asked.

Mel sighed. "If I were in your position, I'd take his life-force. But… if the choice were mine, I wouldn't."

"I don't understand, Mel…" He shook his head, confused by the seeming contradiction.

"If it had been my life he saved, then I'd probably take his life-force." Mel shrugged. "But it wasn't mine, Cole, it was yours. I think I'm too close to the issue to make an unbiased decision."

"If you're too close Mel, doesn't that mean that I'm too close as well?"

"Probably." She sighed and nodded. "But it's not like you can hand the case off to another Tracker."

Cole sighed and nodded. "Maybe I should flip a coin," he muttered bitterly.

Mel gaped at him. "Tell me you're joking?"

"Of course I am, Mel. Sarcasm. I've been practicing," he said with some pride.

"Ah." Mel nodded and grinned. "Here's the address. Do we just… go up and knock on the door?"

"That is the accepted way of gaining entry into a residence that is not your own, Mel."

"Let's get this over with," she suggested, ignoring his second stab at sarcasm that morning.

They could hear Audra's shouts half way up the front walk. "What do you mean you aren't bloody human?"

Mel's eyes widened slightly. "Something tells me this just got interesting," she muttered.

***

"What do you mean you aren't bloody human?" Audra demanded again, loudly.

"Just that, Audra. I'm just… not."

"You say that like it's the simplest thing in the ruddy world!"

He shrugged defensively. "For me it is."

"No, this can not be happening! I am not married to an alien!" She looked up at an insistent pounding on the front door. "Splendid! The neighbors probably called the police when they heard the shouting…"

"What are you going to tell them?" he asked softly.

"What? Afraid I'll turn you in?"

"More afraid that they'll haul you off in one of those… straight-jackets!"

Audra stared until she realized that his concern was genuine. She nodded, squared her shoulders and walked to the door. "Yes?" she inquired cheerfully. Her cheerfully demeanor faded immediately. "Daniel, it's him…" She moved quickly into the living room, sinking onto the couch, her face pale.

"Come in, Daggon. Miss Porter."

"Sounds like we're interrupting your moment of truth," Mel remarked.

"Yeah, well, it isn't going too well anyway. So much for honesty being the best policy. She hates me now."

"No," came a soft voice from the living room. "I don't."

Krace turned, stunned. "Audra?"

"You should have told me a lot sooner, but I don't hate you. How could I?" She rose, shaking her head. "Come in, both of you, please. I think… if no one minds, I want the whole story now."

Cole nodded. "I think that would be best. Go ahead, Krace."

"Thanks, Daggon." Krace walked over to Audra and gently dried her tears. In a quiet voice, he told her the entire story from his first criminal activities as a child to the second escape. He concluded with, "I never want to be a criminal again. I want you to have my children, Audra, and I want them to be able to be proud of their father like I was never proud of mine. So I sought out Daggon."

"You could have just run," Cole noted quietly. "You must have known that you were very low on my list of priorities."

Krace nodded. "I knew. I needed a clean break, a fresh start."

Cole looked from Krace to Audra. "I came here not really knowing what I was going to do," he began. He saw Krace steel himself for what was next. "Audra? Mrs. Kelley?"

She looked at Cole, startled. "Yeah."

"How does he treat you?" Cole asked gently.

"Like bloody royalty," she said softly. "He's everything I always dreamed of in a husband." She glanced at Krace, looking a little confused. "Except that he isn't human."

"Believe me when I say that really isn't a big deal," Mel suggested gently. "I know that from experience."

Audra nodded slowly. "I hated Daniel. I think I'm falling in love with… Krace."

Cole nodded. "Then I'd say it's obvious what has to be done."

End Act 4

Tag

The airport was crowded as people got over their fear of flying again. Krace and Audra blended into the crowds of travelers just as Mel and Cole blended into the crowds of well-wishers.

"It's a two-bedroom apartment," Krace explained to Cole. "We're going to get to know each other before we decide anything, but, I really think we have a chance."

Audra nodded confirmation.

Cole nodded and smiled. "I'm glad for you."

"We both are," Mel agreed.

Cole smiled at Krace. "Seattle will be like a paradise for you. I hear it's cold and wet all year."

Krace laughed. "Guess that means you two won't be visiting much?"

Cole laughed and shook his head. "No, Krace, not if I can help it."

The Cirronian embraced the Nodulian holding him tightly for a few moments, before releasing him and resting one hand gently over his heart.

Krace looked up at him, shaking his head. "I don't know how to thank you for this."

"The best thanks would be for you to keep traveling this path you have started down."

Krace nodded. "Nodulians have a… belief about saving the life of another."

Cole nodded. "Cirronians as well. It makes us brothers. You've risen above what you were, Krace. Be happy. Be at peace."

Mel smiled. "You'll be safe in Seattle," she promised Audra.

"Are you sure? Zin? Haag?"

Mel nodded. "I'm sure. Cole's got connections, and they think Krace has been apprehended. No one's going to think to look for him. You'll be safe."

"Thank you." Audra hugged Mel.

"Audra, we should go," Krace told her. "We're supposed to be in line two hours before the flight leaves."

A last round of hugs were exchanged and Krace and Audra got into line. Cole and Mel stood arm in arm watching them go, wondering. Neither doubted that Krace would go straight, or that he and Audra would eventually be very happy together. What they wondered about was their own future. Thrown together by chance or fate, but held together by a bond that ran deeper than love or friendship ever could, the two Cirronians were compelled to fight, to live or to die, for two solar systems. And for each other.

The End

RavenKat

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