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Spoilers: I don't think so
Disclaimer: I did not create these characters just borrowing them
Title: Overtures of Friendship
"Chiana! I have told you before you DO NOT use my Prowler." Aeryn didn't exactly shout, but that made it all the more forceful.
"Because it's yours, right?" Chiana was all defiant defensiveness.
No reply.
"And I'm just a Nebari tralk . . ."
Aeryn crossed her arms patiently.
"And you're a high and mighty PeaceKeeper . . .?" Chiana said. Anything to provoke a response.
"Because, " Aeryn said, tone in neutral, "it is the only ship we have with any weapons."
"I needed it." Chiana said, eyes wide.
"Chiana "
"The only working transport was out "
"Hmmmmm . . ? " Aeryn arched an eyebrow.
"And I can't fly Crichton's pod."
Aeryn gave a little grunt, and let the other girl go on with her verbal squirming.
"It was URGENT, Aeryn." Chiana said.
"You could have asked!" Aeryn said, exasperation creeping in now.
"And you'd have said 'Yes'?" she asked defiantly.
They both knew the answer to that.
Chiana went on in frustration. "They were very good at teaching you to fly, and to shoot, and all that commando stuff. It's a pity they didn't teach you about people!"
Aeryn's face showed a flash of anger, to dissolve instantly into puzzlement.
"Aeryn," Chiana went on patiently, as if to a small child. "I couldn't ask, because I knew you'd say 'No'."
* * * * *
Aeryn skipped the next commerce planet visit. She had a headache.
"Here " Chiana said when she returned, holding out a gift. "I bought it for you - It's to say sorry " she burbled on - "About the Prowler "
Aeryn was obviously enjoying the other's discomfiture.
"You've fixed it? Yes? " Chiana asked with a tilt of her head.
"The Prowler's fine," Aeryn relented, suppressing a smile. She took the heavy pendant. "But I - " Her brows twitched together in a question. "But I don't - "
Too late, Chiana realised her error. "Frell," she breathed. 'Aeryn personal adornment what was I thinking? She doesn't even show her comms badge. Give a gift you'd like yourself Chi! WHAT a good idea!' she congratulated herself. Trying to cover up her confusion she turned her most disarming, innocent face on Aeryn and ploughed on. "Pretty, isn't it? It opens up. You could put something in there . . ." she petered out. Blue-grey eyes met black and for a frozen moment there was silence, as they both wondered what keepsake Aeryn could possibly put in a locket.
The young Nebari was forced to wonder if being outlawed by their respective races truly was all they had in common. Needless to say the question had never worried the dark haired soldier.
Chiana turned to leave. "Oh well . . ." she shrugged.
"Thank you," a still-puzzled Aeryn said quietly to her retreating back.
Aeryn flipped the locket open. Empty. She laid a hand on her Prowler's sleek hull the damage had not been great. She patted it, almost fondly. Her long fingers turned the locket over and over unconsciously. Chiana had thought she would like this gift . . .
Chiana paused in the doorway for a microt and looked back at the lone PeaceKeeper. As she walked down the corridor towards her quarters there was less than the usual spring in her step. "Frell," she said to herself quietly, "that could have gone better." She sniffed defiantly, and gave herself a shake and a single tear fell.
W
(guider)
Jan 2002
Feedback always welcomed
