laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Sounds from the forest outside woke Cymbrecia to the night. Waving gently like the long robes of a ghost, the drapes danced with the seabreeze and didn't abate the soreness in her jaw. How did she get in her room? The last thing she remembered was watching....

She pushed herself up, threw the blanket aside and raced out of the room. Turning to the right, golden light poured out of the living room and through the opening in the den below her. "Kiryk," she called as she raced downstairs, then rounded the banister to note two familiar females sitting on the couch to the right that bordered the kitchen. She stopped in her tracks as Ilana approached, smiling.

"How you feeling, honey," hazel brown eyes looked into hers and suddenly Cymbrecia felt lost.

"Okay," she replied quietly as her 'aunt' hugged her tightly. For a moment she felt safe, just like when she and Kaliman used to visit Ilana, Alrek and Dara when they were younger.

"Good," Ilana replied in a motherly tone, then kissed her on the forehead. The older brunette backed a step as Dara hugged Cymbrecia also.

"Where are the guys," she finally asked and quickly noted the happy smiles turn somber. A reaction that made her heart sink and she felt angry tears well.

"We took care of them," Ilana stated. "I'm sorry."

"S**t," she replied quietly as the echo of the gun battle earlier returned.

"I'm just glad you're alright," Ilana hugged her again. "Any idea who did this?"

Vision now clouded, she closed her eyes and nodded. "Yeah." They allowed her some time to grieve and walked her to the kitchen. She remained in Ilana's arms as Dara made her something light to eat, then brought it to her as they sat in the dining room. Not feeling like eating much, she picked at it as they quietly waited.

"You can come with us," Ilana finally broke the silence. "You're apparently not safe here any more."

Blue eyes looked up at the one stable thing in her sordid life. As much as she wanted to, there were still some things to tend to. "Not yet. My boyfriend should be back in a few days. I'd like to wait for him to get back first."

Ilana leaned back in her chair. "Okay," she nodded and suddenly Cymbrecia grew nervous.

* * *

Three days later, Cymbrecia worked on one of the cleaning droids which had broken down again. It was time to make a run to Marcino, apparently. Wiping sweat off her brow, she sat atop a small stool and thought about the beach and water that was calling her name. Ilana and Dara had already gone out for a swim and she agreed to join them once this was done.

As she replaced the servo into the small area it was meant for, she heard the familiar sound of a repulsor engine arrive, then wind down. Fingers worked faster as she pressed to finish the task, hoping Kiryk had finally returned home. Light poured in from the open garage door, but she remained hidden behind a large toolbox and a long workbench covered with tools and other assorted cans, parts and ripped packaging as footsteps approached.

"Hey," Kiryk's familiar voice called and she glanced up and to the right to notice the one she had longed to see again.

"Hey," she straightened and smiled. "Everything go okay?"

He nodded and glanced to the droid, it's side panel missing and revealed it's confusing mass of machinery and wires. "Yeah, got another contact for the future and a little more spending money." Brown eyes looked at her. "How you doin'?"

"Fine," she sobered, then went back to finish tightening the screws. Once done, she returned the panel to the supporting frame and latched it down.

"Good," he crouched at her side and placed a hand on her right forearm. "I'm sorry about the other day. I just didn't want you to get hurt, that's all."

Blue eyes glanced at him as she flicked the 'ON' switch to the droid and nodded. "You hungry?"

"Starving," he stood as she rose and returned her tools to their places in each drawer of the tall box. Shadows walking towards the front of the house prompted her to lean to the left and notice Ilana and Dara. Both dressed in shorts and tanktop, their presence also stiffened Kiryk's demeanor.

"Who the hell is that," he asked defensively.

"Friends."

He looked at her and his returned grip on her forearm tightened. "You serious? Get rid of them."

Cymbrecia turned to him as she shoved the drawer closed. "No. This is my house too."

"Bulls**t. I paid for this place with all the money from the bank heist. You're here because I want you here. Deed's in my name, babe."

"You must be Kiryk," Ilana greeted and they both looked to the mature females now standing at the end of the bench.

"You're just leaving," Kiryk stated coldly. "We're talking here. Pack your s**t."

"Kiryk," Cymbrecia scolded.

"You'll first be taking your hands off of my neice," Ilana replied, her hazel brown eyes narrowed as she stepped closer. "Understand me?"

"Ilana, it's okay."

"No, it's not okay," the ex-assassin returned, eyes still locked with Kiryk's.

"I don't know who you think you are, but I run things here, b***h." With a flash of movement, Kiryk's jawbone crunched and he collapsed to the floor in a heap.

"Come on," Ilana's smooth voice directed as Cymbrecia looked down at the man she had wanted to spend her life with, blood slowly pooling near his lips onto the dark grey, permacrete floor. "Anyone that treats my niece that way isn't deserving of you. Now let's go."

Cymbrecia couldn't believe the turn of events, even though she was pissed at him for what he had helped do to her crew. A conflict of emotions roiled in her mind. She sighed and looked up to Ilana as Dara moved around and stood in full view, then glanced down to the man.

"He made you watch as his friends killed your crew," Ilana reminded. "You can't stay hooked to this dirtbag. He's only using you and when it comes down to you or him, you're out. And I can't stand by and let that happen. I won't. I made your father a promise and I intend to keep it."

Brow furrowed, Cymbrecia didn't remember any promise. "When did you promise anything to Dathan?"

"I meant your real father."