FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Jack stumbled through the doorway to the shop, groaning as he heard the all too familiar music playing. Very old, classical music. He banged his hand on the frame of the craft that sat suspended in the shop.

"Dammit Abbey, it's too early for that stuff!"

From inside the craft he could hear her voice.

"Never too early for the classics Jack!"

Jack slipped into his oil stained suit, speaking over the music that was playing from inside the vehicle.

"Can you turn it down, at the very least? Having a bad morning here."

The music was turned down, and from a hole in the frame of the vehicle, out swung Abbey. She landed on the grating with ease, and gave him a smile, sliding up her goggles as she wiped her hands on her suit.

"Lost another one right?"

Jack nodded.

"Bad week, so far."

Abbey went around the shop, looking for various tools she needed, absent mindedly picking a few up with her black fur covered tail.

"You always say that Jack."

"One of these times it's going to be a good week. Can't have bad without good."

Abbey tossed a few tools into her many various pockets before returning back to her task, clambering into the inner workings of the vehicle. She poked her head out once more, giving Jack a smile, baring her sharp canines.

"You can have a lot of bad before you get to the good Jack. Just like this damn car. And the good ain't so worth it! Wanna see why?"

Jack looked over the damaged vehicle.

"I'll make a bet with you. Five credits says it's the frame."

Abbey slid her goggles on and wiped her short black hair, revealing a small strip of red through it that she so often liked to dye.

"Okay then partner. 5 it is."

Jack slid his goggles on, checking for all of his various tools.

"Ready to get down and dirty?"

Abbey turned up the music once more, laughing as she did it.

"You know it!"

Jack sat in the only clean corner of the shop, over at a little table, as Abbey wandered over with two trays, and set them down on the table. She sat cross legged on her chair, and began absent mindedly playing with her tail as Jack picked up the sandwich from his tray. He looked over to the mangled vehicle sitting up on their workspace, shaking his head as he started into his sandwich. Abbey reached over and patted him on the shoulder.

"I told you didn't I?"

Jack simply nodded, speaking after sending down the first of his meal.

"Whoever crashed that did a reeeal number on it."

"I don't think it fits into our job category. We're getting into electronics now. We reshape the metal and put new parts in. We should give the boss shit and go for a raise."

Jack shook his head.

"He knows what we do. He doesn't have the money though. Nobody does around here."

After Abbey had finished inspecting her hands, she too started into her meal. Jack looked across the table as she chewed away at her food. Her yellow eyes were quick to catch on to his, as she raised her dark eyebrows to him. Jack smiled.

"I know what you're thinking. Don't you say it."

Abbey finished off her food as a smile graced her features.

Jack shook his head.

"You'd better not say it. I'm warning you."

Abbey finished off the last of her chewing, before bringing her hands up to her face, scrunching it up to do the best impression of the boss that she could.

"Dammit Jack, they keep fucking taking all my damn money!"

She wobbled her hands on her cheeks to simulate his own flabby cheeks, before wiping her hair back and making a motion of straightening out a tie that he so commonly did. Jack couldn't help but laugh. She didn't have the Human facial features to pull it off, but her own version of it was always too funny. And, in response, Abbey laughed too.

Jack leaned back on his chair, still smiling as he chewed away at his lunch. Everything was always tight here. But Abbey always had a way of making things funny. He spoke after finishing up.

"You know you don't have the facial features to pull off the boss right?"

Abbey nodded.

"But close enough though. Only a 1% difference between me and you! And you can't get his voice down like I can."

Jack nodded.

"Got me there champ."

The two finished up their lunch quietly, both glancing peeks over at the ruined vehicle in their shop. They'd have to find some way to fix the damn thing to some capacity. That was pretty commonplace around here. The whole station was a mess. And they had to get the car out of here soon too. There was always more broken and bent machines to repair. And usually, they were far more important than a simple vehicle.

They'd find some way around it, that was for sure.

Jack was fiddling with some wires on the inside of the vehicle as Abbey casually worked alongside him, disassembling some key parts that were smashed up. She turned back to him in the cramped space, shining the light she held with her tail on him.

"You think if I slip this new piece in here, and you do some old slapstick job we can get the connection going again?"

Jack scratched his head.

"Maybe. But I'm no engineer. This crap is more complicated than it looks. I only know a few tricks to help with wiring of this type. But we can try it."

Jack lifted up his goggles, and brought his face closer to Abbey as he looked over her furred shoulder.

"You've got your work cut out for you. That's going to be a bitch to get out."

Jack pointed to the various bent out of shape, crumpled parts. Abbey shook her head, before knocking him on the shoulder.

"Maybe for you! Who's the arm wrestling queen of the scrap shop!?"

Jack rolled his eyes.

"That would be you, Abbey."

She patted her black furred arm for emphasis.

"You're damn right too. May not look like it, but I'm packing more guns than even the big man himself!"

"What, you mean when he was younger? Cause all I see now is fat and a bald head.."

Jack chuckled at the notion.

"I'm calling you Flabby Abbey from now on."

Abbey raised up her own goggles, giving him a look.

"Oh don't you dare tell anybody else. I'll have to beat you up!"

"Oh don't worry miss flabby, my lips are sealed."

Abbey punched him in the shoulder lightly.

"Dick."

Jack closed the shop door up for the evening, sealing it up tight and locking everything down. Abbey wandered back into the garage bay, holding her hands on her hips. She tapped her foot, and kept her tail down her side as she waited. Jack finally noticed her and caught the look on her features.

"What?"

"Why you gotta do this to me Jack?"

"I didn't do nothing. Nope. Not me."

"That's my point! That guy comes back for his car and you leave me to explain everything to him?"

Jack nodded as he wandered back to his usual spot, and started sliding out of his work suit. He looked over at Abbey, who was now in the process of doing the same. He smirked as he said it,

"You're the only chick in the shop. It's the rule among guys. There's always a level of some distrust between the mechanic, and the guy with the broken vehicle. If his vehicle breaks after the mechanic fixed it, there's blood in the water. But you! That's different. Did you see how uncomfortable that guy looked?"

Abbey hung her head.

"He looked pretty damn gender challenged."

Jack walked over to Abbey as she clambered out of her own suit.

"A big, strong, furry woman with supposedly more guns then even the old man walks out of the shop holding a wrench that she used to pull out a bent hunk of shit. You telling me you wouldn't feel a little bit out of place?"

Abbey tossed her suit onto her chair at the table, brushing her hair back, wiping the grime away to reveal that all too familiar red strip.

"Nope."

"Oh that's bogus and you know it."

"Not as bogus as what you did."

"Hey, at least if his car goes on him, he's not going to give you shit."

"He'd better not. He's the one that wrecked it in the first place."

Abbey stretched her arms before walking past Jack, looking a little livelier as she walked past.

"Watcha doing tonight Jack?"

"The usual."

"Trying to make it big?"

"You know it."

Abbey, although normally easy going with him, for the briefest moment, lost the spark on her face as she crossed her arms.

"You should remember what I told you this morning Jack. It's not worth it. You'd be better off saving up than going for the big win."

"I'll get it someday Abbey, just you wait. When I do, I'll be taking a damn long vacation from here."

Abbey turned around, and headed out the door.

"Okay then "champ," let's go get our day's pay from the boss."

Jack collapsed into bed, staring out through the blinds of his small window, to the station traffic outside. He closed them down with a lazy wave of his hand, and clutched a pack of ice over his eye. He sighed as he leaned his head down on his pillow. He looked over to the miscellaneous pile of things on his small bedside table, and reached out to the device. He tapped a few numbers in and waited while the connection was formed. Abbey's voice showed up eventually, obviously riddled with sleep.

"Who's calling?"

Jack spoke into the comm line.

"I almost had it Abbey."

"Jack, you give me shit for playing wake up tunes in the morning. This right here, is why I play wake up tunes in the morning."

"I almost had it. I was right there."

"So what happened?"

"I lost it all."

There was a visible sigh on the line.

"No, don't worry, I'm coming in tomorrow. We've got too much work to do right now. Besides, it's not so bad. One of the big bouncers knocked me out in one punch."

"Dammit Jack. You've got to quit going there. It's a trap."

"One of these days it's going to spring on them instead."

"Not if it springs on you first."

Abbey sighed.

"Jack, take the day off."

"What?"

"Relax and take some time off. I've got our section covered tomorrow."

"Abbey, it's no problem. Really, I'm fine. I'll be in tomorrow."

"Ok Jack, you do what you want. Good night."

"Night, Abbey."

Jack set his ice pack down briefly, tightening the knot that held his bundle of various wrappings together that now held his arm in place. He'd do what he wanted dammit.

Morning came to and Jack stepped into the shop to the sound of morning old classics once more. As usual, another scrap heap of a vehicle was suspended in gravity tethers, and from under the vehicle Jack could make out Abbey's black fur covered tail as it swung lazily back and forth. Jack grabbed his suit, and carefully tried shimmying into it, but eventually settled for leaving his tied arm hanging out as he wrapped up his loose sleeve. Checking to make sure he had all his tools, Jack bent down to the floor, looking under the vehicle to see Abbey fiddling with some components. She spotted him, and set her tools down as she slid her goggles up and turned down her music. An expression crossed her face when she saw Jack's eye, and inevitably, his arm. Abbey pulled herself out from under the vehicle and stood up. She crossed her arms as she watched him.

"Jack. What's this?"

"Me showing up for work, like I said."

Abbey approached him, wiping her hands off on her suit.

"No Jack, your arm. You said you only got knocked out."

"That was after I got my arm snapped like a twig."

Abbey sighed, baring her canines as she threw a wrench onto the floor.

"Dammit Jack! You might as well not even have showed up at all! Look at yourself! You're useless in the shop now!"

Jack attempted a shrug.

"Hey, just because I don't have a tail to substitute for an arm doesn't mean I can't use what I have. I'm here right? You may not have an extra pair of hands but at least you've got one."

Abbey wiped her face off, eventually cracking a smile. She reached out, tapping him on his other shoulder with her fist.

"I don't know why I put up with you Jack."

Abbey walked past, wrapping her tail around Jack's free hand for emphasis.

"Come on. You do shitty work taking care of yourself. Let me see if I can take a look at it."

Jack was tugged along over to the only clean spot in the shop as Abbey pulled up a chair close to Jack's, and the two sat down. It didn't take long for Abbey to get through the hastily cobbled together bundle, revealing the extent of the damage. She sighed as she looked it over.

"Doesn't look like you actually snapped anything Jack. Just fractured."

Jack looked down at his arm.

"They cheat Abbey. Rigged games. You're about to win big and then you lose all of it."

Abbey started wrapping things up again, in a much softer manner then Jack ever did, making sure to cushion things as much as she could.

"I know Jack. They're crooked and they practically own the station. They suck in money like a black hole. So why do you keep going there?"

"I have to win sometime. Even if the odds are stacked."

Abbey shook her head.

"Who broke your arm?"

"The same big guy that knocked me out."

"Why do you keep fighting Jack? I can understand going back there. You're addicted. But when you lose, you just leave."

Jack shook his head.

"I'm not addicted Abbey. It's just.... not fair. Things shouldn't be that way."

Abbey looked up from her work, watching Jack through her yellow eyes, almost like his, but still very much distant.

"A lot of things shouldn't be certain ways Jack. This station's a mess. The car I'm working on is a mess. And your arm's a big mess. All three of those things could be avoided if somebody just used their damn heads!"

Abbey punched him harder in the shoulder this time, standing up and sliding her goggles back down. She held out a hand to Jack.

"Come on. It's a busy day ahead. I'll need a hand from you."

Jack smiled as he took her hand and Abbey easily pulled him up to his feet.

Sure enough, Abbey was right. The day was busy, another frantic hustle to repair the influx of scrap that kept coming in with no end in sight. Jack did end up putting himself to good use, and in general, the day was good. He was never one for being down if Abbey was around. But as Jack stood at the entrance to his home, the earlier spark of the day quickly vanished. Among the complex shamble of haphazard structures erected that made this apartment complex, Jack was no longer a resident, it seemed.

Upon arrival, his small cramped garage didn't respond to his aging vehicle, and on inspection, he found out why. The bills had finally caught up with him. His home, and everything inside, now belonged to someone else. There was anger and hate, at the sudden loss of it all. And now, as Jack's legs hung over the railings outside his home, there was despair as he drank away a meager bottle of something from his car, as he tossed it over the edge and watched it fall down to the streams of vehicles traveling below.

At first, Jack wanted to call Abbey. But, at the moment, he didn't have the means to do so anymore. If he could just talk to the manager of the complex here..... maybe even pay him to get back inside his own home..... Jack checked his pockets, and found only a few credits left. That was enough. He had to try. Even if he didn't get anything big. Just enough to get his stuff and maybe a meal for the night. Jack pulled himself up to his feet, and stepped into his aging car, closing up the door. His vehicle started with a few bangs and rumbles as power flowed through it once more, and off he went, joining the streams of various vehicles down below in the skyline, all headed to somewhere on the station. Jack knew exactly where he was going.

Abbey greeted the various other members of the shop as she made her way down to her and Jack's section of the shop for the day. Walking along the outside of the hub, as she finally made her way over to her garage, she found the door, opened and unlocked. From inside she could hear music playing, already. Jack must have shown up early for once. But as she stepped through the doorway, the sight she was greeted with was anything but nice.

Lying in the corner of the shop, surrounded by miscellaneous cans of random alien alcohols was Jack. Half conscious, and now looking even worse off than before. His simple bindings cross his arm were gone, and he looked more beaten than ever. Abbey threw her stuff to the floor, baring her canines as she shouted.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS!?"

Jack roused, only slightly as Abbey stormed over through the pile of trash towards Jack. As Jack struggled to stand, Abbey grabbed him by the scruff, and pulled him to his feet, pushing him up against the wall. Jack was more than awake by this point, as Abbey's features contorted to that of being legitimately angry as she bared her fangs at him and shouted.

"Really Jack! What is this supposed to be!?

Jack shook his head, trying to find the right words.

"I lost it.... I lost it all Abbey. It's all gone......"

Abbey knew Jack was a fighter. The man couldn't hold his temper back when it showed up. But she'd never seen him like this before. She shook him on the shoulders, frowning visibly, but lowering her voice.

"What's gone Jack?"

"Everything......my home.....my car...... s'gone."

Jack, in his half awake, half drunken state clumsily brought one of his arms up, wrapping it across Abbey's neck. The man set his head down in a brief silence, before weeping. Abbey's grip lessened on Jack, as she let him go, watching as he slid back down to the floor with no protest. She stood, taking it all in, before scowling once more. She picked up Jack by the scruff, looking him right in the eyes with her own set of similar, yet distant eyes, baring her sharpened fangs once more as she spoke.

"I don't know why I do this Jack. You're a friend. But you can be as dense as a sack of shit sometimes!"

Abbey was careful of Jack's arm as she hoisted him over her shoulders, the drunken man showing no protest. Abbey pushed through the pile of garbage before making her way back to the door. She considered carrying Jack to her own vehicle in a better manner, but she shook her head. This embarrassment might help him get in line. First she'd have to see what all of his ramblings were all about though.

Jack came back to things, as little sounds made themselves apparent. He realized, these weren't the noises he was accustomed to. This wasn't his home. The bad dream was still very much a reality. Jack opened his eyes slowly, to a ceiling as a fan spun slowly in the darkened room. There was some light, coming through one lone window barricaded with blinds. Jack stayed still, groggy to everything for the meantime. This place was familiar, but he couldn't place it right now.

As if somebody was giving him an answer, Abbey found her way into the picture. Jack shook his head to correct his vision. Abbey was casually traveling along on the ceiling swinging from arm to arm as she went, draped in nothing but a simple towel. She passed on by without a second glance, headed elsewhere to another part of her small home. Jack remembered now. She was a fan of climbing. Said it was a good way to keep in shape and it was a little thing that appealed to her. And it was easy to afford too. Sturdy enough bars bolted or welded onto the ceiling, everywhere, so that she could travel all over her home in that fashion.

Jack leaned up now that she had passed, rubbing his eyes, and feeling the all too familiar feeling of having been out for a few days. His eyes were sensitive to the light, and suddenly, his head ached. It was all too much for him at the moment, so he laid back down on the old couch he now apparently called a bed. Abbey swung along the ceiling and spotted him. Without much discrepancy, she let go from her purchase and landed on the floor nearby, coming to land near the couch where she stood over jack. Jack couldn't see much of her face in the shadows, but could tell from the way she held herself that she was still agitated. It was a new look for her though. He wasn't used to seeing her under nothing but a towel. Abbey leaned down on the couch, watching Jack as her tail swished about absent minded.

"You lost your home Jack."

Jack tried to speak, but found it preferable to stay quiet. Everything felt dry. He simply nodded.

"You can't tell me that going out and gambling away all your money didn't get you this Jack. Money's hard to come buy here. But not that hard."

Abbey leaned down more, simply watching him. Right now that wasn't something Jack needed. He kept his eyes on hers straight and true. If he looked down, she'd probably flip the couch on him. Now was the time to speak.

"I'm sorry. I came home, and it was over like that. I had some money, and I figured if I could just get a little more......"

Abbey shook her head.

"You could get out of trouble."

Jack sighed.

"I just wanted to get back inside, grab things of mine and leave. I won. For once. But it wasn't enough."

Abbey leaned even farther down, as Jack focused on her eyes. He really was between a rock and a hard place now. He'd never noticed it before under all her work gear, but Abbey boasted a gracious figure for an evolved primate. Now wasn't the time to piss her off.

"So when that failed you just off and got yourself drunk? And you were going to set up bunk in our damn workplace?"

Jack shook his head.

"It wasn't like that, not at first! I was looking, thinking of where to go, and then I just found myself over there."

Abbey reached one of her lightly furred hands out, slapping Jack square across the cheek. Jack clutched the side of his face.

"Ow goddammit!"

Abbey frowned as she stood up back to her full height.

"You need to snap out of it Jack! Why didn't you just call me!? Five minutes tops you would have been in the same place you are now without the humiliation of me dragging your sorry ass through the shop!"

"I don't know. I couldn't get to my phone inside my locked down house."

Abbey sighed, putting her hands on her hips.

"Everybody and their grandmother has a phone here Jack."

Abbey stalked off elsewhere in her dim home, leaving Jack to merely rest on the old couch. But that didn't take long, as after only a few minutes, Abbey came swinging along the ceiling, and now set herself beside Jack, except this time hanging upside down.

"There's one rule in my house Jack. You can do whatever you want here, so long as you don't break anything. But there's one condition."

Jack looked over as Abbey was casually hanging there in her fresh pair of clothes, keeping her shirt from flipping by crossing her arms.

"What's that?"

"If I catch you gambling under my roof, I'll personally beat your ass myself. You can do whatever you want with what you make. But NO gambling."

Abbey held out one of her hands, watching him with still fierce intent.

"Deal?"

Jack had never had something like this happen before. But, as he thought about it, it was a pretty obvious choice. Abbey wasn't so bad to live with. He could be worse off. He could avoid gambling right? Jack nodded, reaching out and taking Abbey's hand.

"You've got yourself a deal miss flabby Abbey."

Abbey sighed.

"I can tell I made the right choice already Jack."

Saying something and actually doing it became something else for Jack. The first few days were rough. He was bored. Irritable. Needed something to do. Thankfully, Abbey was always there. Although he was doing a piss poor job of keeping his money, he wasn't gambling it away and getting into fights. At the end of every day, he found something to do with Abbey. Most of the time, he ended up taking her out of the house. She was a homey person, and in that regard, something good was coming out of all this for the two of them. But it was such a routine thing for him that it was a struggle. Every day became one long waiting line. But regardless of how long every day was, days turned into weeks, and weeks into a month.

And, eventually, Jack found a new routine. One he could even begin to call fun. And eventually, all the irritableness, and the agitated waiting came to an end. One day, Jack realized that he hadn't gone and gambled anything away in a month. He hadn't even stepped foot near the residence of the grand casino at all. And he felt like he didn't need to. He wasn't making huge amounts of money like he could potentially make, but, looking on it all, he didn't seem to mind. Abbey was happy to provide a home, and the two of them always had something to do. Jack thought about things. Maybe it was time for a celebration.

Jack hauled out the last piece of a smashed up engine with Abbey, letting it slide out onto the workshop floor, when he looked at the clock. Break time. Jack slid off his goggles and stretched, as Abbey did the same, catching on to things. She looked over to Jack with a smile.

"There we go, today's not so bad right? We're making good time on this old heap!"

Abbey reached out, tapping Jack on his shoulder lightly, now a custom of sorts between the two. Jack returned the favor.

"You know it partner! Haven't had anything this smooth in a long while. Feels good doesn't it?"

The two sat down in their usual corner, and were both content to just lean back in their chairs for the entirety of the break. Jack took the time now since there wouldn't be much later. He looked over at Abbey, who was casually leaning back in her chair.

"Hey, miss flabby. I think you're forgetting something."

Abbey raised her eyebrows.

"Oh? And what would that be?"

"You and me have been having so much fun that you didn't even notice I haven't stepped foot anywhere near that shitty old casino for over a month."

A smile graced Abbey's features, showing off a hint of her canines.

"So you did! You'd better not have been doing anything behind my back, I swear Jack!"

Jack held his hands up, stained in black from his work with the engine.

"Clean as I could get Abbey. I think we ought to have a celebration tonight champ."

"What've you got in mind?"

"Oh I dunno. We could go out. Or maybe just stay at your place, order something from there."

Abbey began nodding along.

"Stay up late and watch movies?"

Jack nodded.

"No classics though. We gotta watch something new for once. Deal?"

Jack held his hand out, to which Abbey took it in her own strong grip.

"You've got yourself a deal mister."

Abbey slid her goggles back down, before standing back up again, as Jack did the same. That was easy enough. Now all they had to do was get through the rest of the day.

Jack simply laid back on the couch with Abbey as the end of their night finished, enjoying the quiet moment while it lasted. Jack looked out at the shuttered window, and spotted the now familiar, small green plant sitting in a pot. Abbey was intently watching the credits roll on the end of the film as Jack nudged her.

"Hey, where'd you get that plant?"

Abbey smiled.

"You've been here this whole time and I didn't tell you about that little bugger?"

"You sure didn't."

"I bought it a few years back. It's native to our home world."

Jack raised his eyebrows.

"What do you mean by ours? You were born far off, a hell of long ways from where I was."

Abbey shook her head, watching Jack.

"You dope. It's from our original home world. You know, the one we both came from. That old, lost world. I think they called it Earth. Or Terra. Something like that."

Abbey stood up, casually jumping up to the ceiling and taking one of the many handholds she had bolted onto her roof, casually swinging on over to the little plant, wrapping her tail up around it as she came swinging back over. She dropped the plant into Jack's lap, falling back down onto the couch beside him.

"That little plant shares some common genetics between me and you. I know it's from our home world."

Jack held up the pot, eyeing up the small green plant. He chuckled.

"Not very pretty is it?"

Abbey scowled.

"It's a tough little plant. Survived a really long time, all the way until people like me started talking with people like you."

Abbey patted her arm.

"Besides, he may not be pretty, but he's got the balls were it counts!"

Jack smiled, watching the features of Abbey's face as she smiled back at him. Her distinct features, so different from his, but in some strange way, familiar. Jack leaned back against the couch once more, passing the plant back to Abbey.

"You know, I never thanked you properly Abbey. You could've just beat the shit out of me and kicked me out onto the street."

Abbey punched him on the shoulder.

"Oh, come one, don't be so dramatic! The only people I'd ever beat up are the repeat offenders who can't drive and keep showing up on our doorstep."

Jack smiled.

"No, really. I trashed your workspace up, made you look like a fool dragging my sorry ass around through the shop, and now I'm taking up room in your house when there's not enough space as it is. Hell, I almost knocked that plant off the window one night when I was pissed drunk."

Abbey's eyes darted back and forth, stopping on Jack's, and he knew she was thinking about something. Abbey reached forward, putting a hand on his shoulder, slowly sliding it up higher alongside his neck.

"You know Jack, I don't mind the space. It's...... cozy."

Abbey pulled back, before jumping back up onto the ceiling and making her way around the place, returning her plant up to the only spot where it could get any decent light in her small home.

"Anyway, it's getting late. We've got a lot of shit to do tomorrow. We should do this again in another month though. Two month's sober party?"

Jack looked up at Abbey as she hung from the ceiling with ease.

"30 days isn't very long you know. It goes by fast if you're having fun."

Abbey hung from the ceiling casually, smiling.

"Goodnight Jack."

Jack watched as she easily swung her way around her home, before disappearing into her room. Jack shut down everything for the night, before sitting down on the couch, taking one last look at the odd plant she kept.

"Night Abbey."

Jack tossed and turned in his sleep restlessly, falling into the quiet lull of barely dozing off, before rousing once more. Eventually, it seemed like a fruitless effort, and Jack sat up. His eyes traveled across the darkened house until he found himself looking out through the shuttered windows. That was fantastic. Judging by the light of the station outside, it was still relatively early in the night. Jack stood up and stretched, looking about the darkened house. There wasn't much he could do without making too much noise. And now that he was up, he didn't want to try going back to sleep.

Jack looked out at the passing traffic outside in the dim light of the station. It was never too late for a walk. Jack grabbed some warmer gear, tossing it on himself, before heading over to the front door. Hoping against hope that the old machinery would work without making too much noise, Jack pressed his hand up against the panel and watched as it slid open with little protest, the cold, nightly air of the station greeting him. Jack took one last look at the dark interior of Abbey's home, before stepping out.

The pulse of the station at night was relaxing for Jack, as he walked amongst all the crowds of various species as they mingled back and forth, some having just begun their shift of work, opening up shops and so on, while others, were very much like him. For this station's advanced age, and the apparent lack of upkeep by those that owned it, it had a very old world charm to it that Jack always enjoyed. Despite the fact that most were poor here, crime wasn't much of an issue. Everyone on board this old heap of trash was in the same boat. So it was only fair if everyone tried their best to work together.

But, as Jack walked amongst the bustling crowds, shoving his hands into his pockets as he passed through a particularly cold part of the station, as he looked upon all the bright neon lights and steam in the air from shops and people on the streets trying to keep warm by burning fires, he realized he wasn't quite right in that sentiment. And in his absent minded wanderings, he found himself wandering down a familiar path.

Soon enough, Jack found himself facing an all too familiar sight. Not far off from where he stood, glittering in the distance with all of its bright neon and attractive lights, was without a doubt, the largest money producing business on the station. Jack stood off in the distance, watching the crowds at the front entrance, passing to and from the place, and suddenly, he was uncomfortable. Jack rubbed his fingers, finding something in his pockets to roll around in his grip as he walked closer to the casino.

He was getting closer now, becoming a part of the crowds of various beings headed up the steps to the entrance, when he stopped. He looked up to everything, before shaking his head. What would the use be? He wouldn't gain anything. But.... At the same time, what if he did? What if, just this one time?

Jack continued on through the crowds, making his way up the steps, before he found himself faced with an all too familiar face. A huge bouncer, a heavily augmented human cyborg, dressed in the standard fancy business suits that so many of the staff wore. The hulking man looked down as Jack approached through the line of beings passing through, smiling. He raised one of his massive cybernetic arms to his glasses, sliding them down a notch as if he was verifying what he was seeing. He spoke, his voice thick with clear intent.

"Well, long time no see Jack. Here to cause trouble again since I tossed your ass out on the street?"

Jack stood tall, but kept his hands in his pockets, as he finally realized what he was doing. What about Abbey? All that time he'd spent with her, it suddenly felt like if he took another step he was stabbing her in the back. It wasn't the fear of having her upset, no, it was the fear of disappointing her. Jack looked up to the bouncer.

"Where's your boss?"

The man scrunched his eyebrows.

"I'm sorry, when did you get to call the shots around here?"

Jack slid his hands out of his pockets.

"Look asshole, where's your boss? I want to have a good, long talk with him, here and now. Take your fancy fucking tin can ass in that fucking casino of yours and go get him."

The man cracked his neck, as he began pulling the sleeves up on his heavy augmented arms. By this point, the crowds around Jack started pushing back. This scene had played out all too often, either involving Jack himself or many others. Except, this time, Jack hadn't lost anything. Tonight, he wanted to win something. But it wasn't money. The bouncer held his arms up as they increased in muscle mass as he stepped towards Jack.

"You must be damn stupid boy. I've beaten your ass before just like all the others who thought they could leave here and take a piece of it with them."

Jack simply shrugged as the giant of a man approached him.

"Bring your best shot tough guy. I'm not going anywhere until I see the man pulling your strings."

Jack raised his fists up, knowing full well that he wouldn't win. He wouldn't win a fistfight with this bouncer, at least.

Abbey woke up to find an empty home in the early morning light of the station, as she began casually going about her morning business. She knew Jack wasn't much for an early morning person, but there had been a few times when he'd shown up earlier than she normally had for work. So she simply went about her normal routine as usual. But, now that Abbey had shown up at work, and found the shop still locked down, completely absent of Jack and any activity whatsoever, the first thing she did was worry.

But, then she realized what was happening here. Baring her fangs as she swore, Abbey pushed past her shop space and began storming through the halls, the other various mechanics on the way giving her plenty of space. They'd seen that face before. Before long Abbey found herself at her car, as she started it up. The gravity pads underneath it giving rise to flight as the engine hummed with power, Abbey backed out of the maintenance hub, stepping on the accelerator as far down as it would go.

Jack lay on his back on the street, before a kick to his ribs rolled him over as he spit out more blood. Over top of him stood the imposing bouncer.

"Had enough yet? Are you gonna take your sorry ass and get outta here?"

Jack managed a smile.

"Not in your dreams princess."

Another kick to the ribs sent Jack sliding across the ground. The bouncer stepped over Jack, hoisting him up by the shoulders in his powerful arms, looking Jack square in the face.

"Look, I've been kicking your ass out here for a few hours now. You're not leaving me much choice. If you don't fuck off, I'm going to step things up."

Jack smiled, making sure to cough up blood across the huge man's uniform.

"Oh so you decided to stop tickling me?"

The bouncer held Jack with one hand before punching him square in the cheek, sending him sprawling onto the ground. The man was about to step over to Jack when a voice rung out, calm and collected.

"That's quite enough of a beating today, I think. Go back to your duty, and clean yourself up. This man is so very determined to see me without simply calling first. I think it's time I returned the favor."

Jack looked over with blurred vision, to an elegantly dressed man in an obviously high class suit, sporting a gold trimmed cane. The man was quite advanced in age, sporting white hair across all fronts, trimmed short, but despite this, had a youthful face that looked like it was 50 years younger. The man had a quaint smile as he stepped past his bouncer, coming to stop not far away from Jack.

"Well, here I am Jack. You called, and I answered. What is it that you deem so important to tell me on this fine night?"

Jack only sputtered up blood and a few teeth, to which the man stepped away, clearly wanting to avoid such things on his fine apparel. The man tapped his cane on the floor.

"My my, how impolite. I guess if you aren't up for words, then I will simply have to talk the part. For starters, why are you here tonight, Jack?"

Jack spit more blood out, trying to speak.

"I came here, to tell you..... that you're an asshole."

Jack smiled as the man sighed visibly, before stooping down to Jack.

"And why is that Jack?"

"You're a god damn crook. You and all the other higher up businesses in this place. You're stealing money out of everybody's pockets like a black hole, letting this place fall to pieces."

The man held a hand out, sweeping it across the crowds in the distance.

"Look at all those people Jack. Is it stealing when all of them line up willingly for it? No Jack, these people aren't as bad off as they seem. In fact, it only seems to be you. This old station still manages despite the fact that we supposedly "steal money like a black hole."

"It's stealing when you rig your games! You've got everybody trapped and you know it!"

The aged man stroked his white trimmed beard, tapping his cane as he stood up once more.

"I wouldn't call it a trap Jack. Everybody here can leave whenever they want. They're just inherently too selfish to. A lot like you Jack. You talk as if we're a blight on this station. If we were such a blight, then why has no one stood up yet? Ah, then that must mean we're not, and everybody here seems to know this except you."

"How do you know so much about me? Why do you keep using my name!?"

The man smiled.

"I watch everyone Jack. Anybody who's ever stepped foot onto my premises. And I know you Jack. You're selfish. Always wanting more. What you have just is never good enough is it? You'd throw everything away just to have a chance to have more. In fact, you did throw everything away."

Jack tried to stand, but didn't have the strength to anymore.

"Who are you to tell me who I am!?"

The man chuckled.

"Who are you to come here, on my own property, and call me, an "asshole?" Why, a thief even."

Jack spit in the general direction of the man, watching as he stepped back, so clearly intent on keeping his shoes clean.

"I beat you. You're crooked as they come. You entrap people, wind them up, and take everything, and you don't even care enough to keep this place running! I work every day to keep buckets of scrap metal barely running, and what do you do!? You take and you take. You're just a piece of trash, Human garbage is all. And I beat you at your own game."

The man's features changed to one of displeasure, as he tapped his cane once more.

"No Jack, you never really did. In fact, I'd wager that tonight you came here for other reasons. It was only after your flight or fight response kicked in that you decided otherwise. But, tell you what, I'll make you an offer tonight. All or nothing Jack."

The man smiled as he opened up one of his palms, and holographics sprang to life. The man moved his fingers as he began shifting through numbers. The expression on his face was something that suddenly unnerved Jack. His smile was cold and fake, having no real happiness behind it. The man tapped his cane once more as he stooped down, holding out his hand to Jack.

"All or nothing Jack. Right here, in the palm of my hand, is the collective sum of everything you've ever spent on my premises. It is quite a large number. Enough to buy yourself a new life if you wanted. But, I think, let's make it really special. This sum of all your wealth hit the lucky numbers Jack. You're now a very, very rich man. All you have to do, is hit accept."

In the palm of this man's hand sat the sum of all the money Jack had ever spent here, and more. Jack went over the money, losing track of how many zeros where contained. He shook his head. It wouldn't be fair. All the progress he'd made, whisked away at the press of a button. But, with that amount of money, he could go anywhere. He could buy anything. He could take Abbey anywhere with him too. Anywhere at all. They could just pack up and leave, today, this afternoon even.

But Jack suddenly pictured that ugly little plant Abbey cherished so much, and then the small house it sat in. Her home was small. But it was hers. And she was happy with just that. She was happy with her haphazard assortment of bars and grips she had welded onto her ceiling. Happy with all of her old second hand furnishings. And Jack realized, he was happy with that too. He looked up to man, in his high class suit, and his age reduced face that bore all the signs of a man who had great wealth and even power. Jack smiled.

"No."

The features of the man before him distorted to an expression of disdain, as he closed his hand and simply stood up, sighing.

"Oh ho hum Jack. It looks like you really did win."

The man suddenly lashed out with his cane across Jack's side, making him curl up in pain.

"Enjoy your victory for however long it lasts Jack. Please, don't come here ever again."

The man turned on the spot and started walking away.

"Security, we have a problem. Please, take the garbage out will you?"

Jack had heard that. That was code. And then it hit him. All or nothing. Jack rolled over, trying to stand.

"You really are a piece of shit you know that!?"

The man kept walking, as the bouncer he had met before stepped outside and began walking towards him. Jack was in serious trouble now. He couldn't even stand up at the moment. The bouncer's arms activated once more as synthetic muscle tissue swelled, and the man cracked his neck, stepping casually past his employer with a smile. The crowds of beings in the distance only watched. Jack pushed with what little he could muster, propping himself up into a sitting position.

"So I'm garbage am I? You're here to sweep me under the rug?"

The Bouncer stepped forward casually, picking up Jack by the neck with ease. The giant of a man held a truly wicked smile.

"The boss say's you're a danger to the place. Wouldn't want you coming here one night in a drunken mess and setting off a bomb or something now would we?"

Jack spit in the bouncers face. The man simply continued to smile.

"You're a real piece of work you know that? I think I'll miss you. But I've got to make this one special. How about all your bones first?"

Before Jack could do anything, the man took one of Jack's hands, and with careful precision, grabbed his smallest finger first and twisted it backwards. Jack screamed as it was bent backwards completely, snapped like a toy, before the bouncer increased the grip on his neck, choking him.

"Easy there pal. We've got quite a long ways to go. Wouldn't want you making a fuss for the whole thing now."

The Bouncer grabbed another finger, when somebody shouted from off in the distance.

"HEY!"

The Bouncer paid no mind until the voice shouted once more.

"HEY ASSHOLE, I'M TALKING TO YOU!"

Jack looked onwards as the Bouncer turned. Standing out from the crowds was Abbey, still clad in her stained work jumpsuit. The Bouncer spoke briefly, turning away.

"This isn't any of your business."

Abbey strode forward as Jack tried to say something to her. She had no idea who she was dealing with. Pulling a wrench from out of one of her many back pockets, Abbey hefted it in her hands as she took aim at the Bouncer who suddenly snapped another finger of Jack's. Taking aim, she threw it with all of her strength and watched as it impacted on the back of the Bouncer's bald head, staggering the man. Jack was dropped promptly, as for the first time, Jack had ever seen the man flinch.

Abbey broke off into a full charge at the staggering bouncer baring her fangs as she let loose a primal scream. She crashed into the bouncer as he was trying to stand upright, and knocked the huge man onto the ground at Jack's feet. Jack clutched his broken fingers as he grit his teeth, but spotted the wrench laying nearby. He reached out weakly as Abbey started laying into the Bouncer. By now the man had recovered and caught both of Abbey's fists in his hands.

"You want some too bitch!?"

Abbey leaned closer, baring her fangs, but spoke quietly as she stared directly into the bouncer's eyes.

"I'm going to kill you for touching him."

Abbey wrapped her tail around the man's neck, and tried squeezing, but found it did little good. This man was a security cyborg through and through. Just because she couldn't choke him didn't mean she could snap his neck. As she struggled with the man's arms, she brought her legs forward, and gripped the side of his head in her feet. She began twisting as hard as she could, and suddenly felt the man give way in his grip over her as genuine fear crossed his face.

Abbey slipped her hands free of his as she wrapped one of his arms around her own. She grasped his other free arm in her tail as she pushed down on the Bouncer with her legs and pulled with her arms. The man yelled out as synthetic muscles and wiring began to snap and break, and Abbey let out another primal scream as she ripped off one of the man's arms completely. Jack clawed his way forward, yelling out as she continued to beat the man relentlessly.

"Abbey! ABBEY! Snap out of it!"

The face that greeted Jack as Abbey turned to face him was something he wouldn't soon forget. In her eyes, and across her features, was something ancient and primal. But on seeing Jack, the fire in her eyes burnt out, and she was Abbey again. She left the Bouncer where he lay and headed over to Jack.

"You idiot! What were you doing coming out here by yourself!"

Jack stayed propped up on one arm weakly. The only thing he was capable of at the moment was smiling. Abbey hung her head down low.

"You wipe that shit eating grin off your face Jack! We need to get you out of here!"

Abbey was in the process of picking Jack up when the suited man appeared once more, having casually stepped down the steps of the entrance to his casino, and now tapped his cane on the ground briefly, before clapping.

"Oh bravo Jack, bravo. And to you too stranger. I must say this whole affair is quite something."

Jack spoke through more blood as Abbey hefted him over her shoulders.

"Leave Abbey. We need to leave..... now."

The suited man stepped closer.

"Oh I don't think you're going anywhere just yet Jack. And neither is your friend."

Abbey turned on the man, watching him with held back aggression.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't do to you what I just did to your hit man over there."

The aged man simply smiled.

"By all means, feel free to do so if you wish."

Abbey suddenly put Jack back down on the ground and took a step forward as the man raised a hand, halting her.

"But before you do, listen to what I have to say. You may beat me, or you might even walk away. But it doesn't matter. I will personally hunt you down to the ends of this station, wherever you are, wherever you run. Jack took a deal with me, and now he's cheating me out of it. On this station, this house, my house, always wins Jack. And to you as well, Abbey."

The man held a look of contempt across his features, before Abbey suddenly leaped forward and knocked him to the ground, pinning him. Abbey bared her fangs.

"I don't think you know who you're talking to. I won't ever give up on that man no matter dumb he can be some days. And don't you think for a moment, that I would ever give him up for anything. Not money, or power. Most of all, not for anybody the likes of you!"

Abbey curled her fist up into a ball and struck the man as hard as she could, knocking him unconscious on the spot without a word. Abbey stood up, and walked over to Jack, who was as wide eyed as the crowds watching not far off as the whole spectacle came to a close. Jack struggled to stand, and Abbey helped him up. All she could do was smile as she hauled him up to his feet.

"Come on Jack, you're not leaving this place on my shoulders. You're going to walk out of here on your own two feet. You deserve to."

Jack was unsteady, almost completely having to be dragged along, but he did put the effort in to shuffle his feet, one foot in front of the other. He wasn't even proud of what he'd rejected earlier. The words he'd heard Abbey speak were enough for him alone. They said everything. And as Abbey helped him stumble into her car, before he passed out, he knew this was what being happy was.

Jack's eyes shot open as cold water splashed over him, and then quickly became warm. Jack looked up to the ceiling to see the familiar patchwork of bars and grips above him. He was laying on his backside in Abbey's bathroom, in her bathtub to be precise. Warm water was filling the tub slowly, helping Jack to relax. Straining himself, he looked over the tub to see Abbey swinging along in a hurry, carrying miscellaneous things in her arms as she worked upside down. Jack set his head back in the tub, as Abbey swung over. She spotted him as he stirred, and simply hung from the ceiling for a moment, dropping her things on the floor.

"You had me worried Jack. Don't you ever pull a stunt like that again."

Jack smiled, chuckling even, as he realized that he was so sore that even laughing was pushing it.

"I've passed out all the time before. Same for fights. You know me Abbey."

"Except this time you really pissed somebody off Jack. That security borg wasn't playing around when I found you. What the hell did you do?"

Jack smiled.

"I didn't do anything. I mean, I wanted to. I went for a walk, and I just sort of ended up over there. But I got to thinking about things, and I realized, I didn't need it. I just wanted to let the boss know how much of a sack of shit he was. Bring him down a notch."

Abbey crossed her arms as she hung from the ceiling.

"Did I ever tell you, that you've had some really bad ideas before?"

Jack continued to smile, nodding.

"You know you love me for it."

Jack couldn't help but notice that Abbey couldn't hold back a blush before she started moving around again.

"Look Jack, we don't have a lot of time. Not enough to get you to a hospital. I need to patch you up, and we need to leave."

"Leave? Leave to where?"

"We need to get off this station. That man, whoever he was, doesn't play around. And he's not going to forgive either of us anytime soon for making a mess of things."

Abbey straightened herself out before dropping down to the floor. She turned off the water before coming to rest on the side of the tub.

"Give me your hand Jack."

Although Jack didn't notice until now as he raised his hand up, it was still mangled badly. Abbey took it slowly in her hands as she inspected it. She shook her head as she started pulling things over with her tail from the pile of stuff she'd dropped on the floor. But on looking back at Jack, she smiled.

"You know you'd probably be in a worse off state than you're in now if I found you in that casino right?"

Jack smiled, and started to say something when Abbey bent both of his fingers back down to a normal resting position. Pain shot up Jack's arm as he covered his mouth and kicked up water in the tub. Abbey held his hand steady as she started working on it, watching over Jack as she did.

"Sorry Jack. It hurts less if it's a surprise."

Abbey did her work quickly as Jack kept his mouth shut tight and occasionally kicked out in pain, as he stifled his shouts of pain. Abbey put a hand on his shoulder to steady him.

"I'm no high class doctor but I know my way around shop injuries, thanks to you. You taught me just about everything I know."

Jack watched Abbey's eyes as they would periodically dart between watching what she was doing and then look back over to Jack. He remembered what she had said, not long before he had passed out. And he could see it in them. He could see how much she cared. For someone with features far from his own, yet vaguely familiar, Jack could read her like a book. Abbey gave him a smile as she pulled back.

"There. Got your fingers in a splint and wrapped up for now. You going to be okay with the rest?"

Jack nodded. It didn't feel like anything else was broken. Just like he'd been sucked up into a turbine and tossed around for an hour or so. But at the moment, Jack wasn't really concerned with any of that. He was still watching Abbey as he slid his hand free. She took notice of it and crossed her arms.

"What?"

Jack smiled.

"It's nothing."

Abbey continued to frown, but leaned down closer.

"I know that look of yours. That's not nothing Jack."

Jack rubbed the back of his head as he leaned back into the water surrounding him.

"You know I heard what you said right?"

"Said what exactly?"

Jack smiled once more, gesturing with his one good hand.

"Come here. I'll tell you."

Abbey leaned forward.

Jack gestured again.

"Little closer. Don't want anybody to hear it right?"

Abbey laughed.

"You're so full of shit Jack!"

Abbey had pushed herself close enough that Jack reached up and pulled her forward, setting her off balance, bringing her over the edge of the tub and into the water over top of himself. Abbey splashed onto Jack spreading water around, as she struggled, laughing, but remained half serious at the same time.

"Dammit Jack! We don't have time for this!"

Jack put a hand up to her cheek.

"Well, miss flabby, if you'd stop squirming, I could tell you what I heard. But by all means, keep making a mess of your bathroom floor."

Abbey stopped, leveling her yellow orangish eyes with Jack's, sighing.

"Is this better?"

Jack brushed his hand across her head, pushing back her sopping wet hair, revealing her telltale red stripe that she was so fond of dyeing into place. Jack smiled.

"Much Better. Now I can tell you what I overheard!"

Jack eased forward slowly, putting his lips up to Abbey's, keeping just short of hers. Abbey stared intently at him, frozen on the spot as Jack spoke in a barely audible whisper.

"You didn't actually say it. But it was enough. So I'll say it for you. I love you."

_ _

At the release of those small, ever so short words, Jack felt something leave him. A weight that no longer felt heavy. But at the same time, as Abbey stayed frozen, in those critical moments, one small pang of fear and doubt crossed his mind, before Abbey rectified things. She blushed, the tips of her fangs revealing themselves as she smiled, returning the hushed voice.

"God you're such a dope."

_ _

Abbey closed the gap between the two, sealing her lips with Jack's. Hundreds of millennia had changed Abbey's ancestors into the species they were today. The vast distance in time kept Humanity and the loosely referred to "evolved primates" far apart and distinct from one another, but so very close at the same time. And to Jack, there was no distance anymore. Here and now, Abbey and himself was all there was. And then, it was broken. Abbey pulled back, her features taking on a strange light, as she realized that things were different now. She spoke quietly, gently even.

"Jack. We need to go."

Jack shook his head.

"I've waited too long to do a lot of things Abbey. Pay my rent. Stop pissing money away. Tell the world to fuck off."

Jack smiled.

"Tell you I love you. Show you."

Abbey started to rise.

"Jack, there's no telling how long we have until that man sends somebody after us."

Jack held on to one of her arms.

"I don't care. I just want to be here with you. This right here, is the only thing going on right now. Everything else can wait. And you can blame me for it if you want."

Jack pulled Abbey down, and received no resistance from her as he kissed her once again. By now, the two had been completely submerged or splashed with water, causing each other's clothes to stick to their bodies. Abbey had since removed her dirty jumpsuit in favor of the simple clothing she now wore, which betrayed her form to Jack almost completely, outlining everything in full. Jack had never considered Abbey anything else until now, nor had he ever truly looked at her for what she was. Through the now clear material of her shirt, Jack could see everything.

For the most part, Abbey had a furry or hairy exterior, one which she constantly trimmed to keep short and smooth, but over her chest, stomach, and waist she favored keeping things completely bare, and it was the only major source of skin to see apart from her face, hands, and feet. And through this, Jack could suddenly appreciate a side that Abbey was one to keep largely hidden. As with all evolved primates, Abbey was much stronger than a normal Human even with cybernetic augments, and it showed on her physique. She wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty, could be as crude as Jack was, and was to many others, off putting in her masculinity. But underneath it all, she was still very much a woman. And it was entrancing to Jack. It was beautiful, and funny as well. It was something he couldn't help but tease her for. Jack pulled his lips apart from hers, her fangs grazing his lips with one last futile attempt to remain in contact. Jack spoke with a smile.

"Abbey. I can see your boobs. Guess I can't call you flabby anymore. Maybe, gunshow instead."

Abbey laughed, wrapping her arms around Jack's neck.

"You never did grow up did you? By the way, I can feel your dick in your pants hotshot."

Jack wiped his hand across Abbey's short red streaked hair, sliding it down her neck.

"Well, got me there champ. Guess this is a little awkward."

Abbey smiled, deliberately pushing herself up close against jack.

"It's only awkward when you don't want it to happen."

Abbey slid even further against Jack, pressing the wet material against herself even more.

"I don't mind if you look at my boobs Jack. That's why I show everything off there."

_ _

Abbey made a deliberate motion of pressing her hips against Jack's.

"How about you Jack?"

_ _

Jack smiled.

"I don't mind. I don't mind at all."

Jack pulled Abbey close, starting up another heated session as his lips made contact with hers once more.

Although Jack, and by extension Abbey, were both caught in a tumultuous trap amongst each other, as years' worth of affection released itself as they tossed and turned, yearning to touch each other and feel what had been for so long, merely a silent longing, Abbey was right. And Jack knew it. All that really amounted was the awkward removal of each other's shirts, and the heated exploration that came with it. But both realized that the more time they spent here, the less time they might have together in the future.

And with some measure of sadness, a still crept over the two as they began hurriedly packing things. Jack had little to pack, and Abbey kept things small as well. But Jack could tell it was something she did not do easily. Second hand, slummy, and worn down or no, this place was her home. And eventually, it came time to say goodbye to things. Jack stood at the door, a pack filled with things on his back as Abbey reached out to the little plant that she kept. Picking it up and placing it in her bag, Abbey looked over to Jack and nodded. Time to go.

If Jack was ever thankful for one thing about this station, it was that it wasn't very big on security. Catching a flight to another world was easy. All one had to do was pay. And with some fortune, Abbey's own savings and Jack's combined would be able to get both of them off this station. So as they passed through the immense crowds of the local space port, Jack couldn't help but lighten the mood, as he stared up at the lowered docking ramp of the huge craft before him. Tapping Abbey on the shoulder, Jack smiled.

"Hey, remember how I told you one day I'd take a long vacation from this station?"

Abbey's hands found themselves at her hips, as her tail swished back and forth.

"Not exactly what you hand in mind though is it?"

Jack smiled.

"I never told you, but I always wanted to bring you along with me. As long as you're here with me, it's always a vacation."

Abbey tapped Jack on the shoulder with her fist, smiling.

"I hope you don't start singing songs to me. Where'd all this romantic stuff start coming from? Why didn't you take me out on dates a few years ago?"

"Guess you just needed to show me your boobs first."

Abbey waved him off, cupping her hands around her mouth as she laughed. Jack was about to say something else, when he spotted it. A blue dot that had painted itself against the back of Abbey's head as she walked onwards. Jack lunged forward, knocking Abbey to the ground as a lance of superheated energy passed through his shoulder. Others in the crowd saw it happen, and in a chorus of human and alien tongues, the single word, "sniper" was uttered. In one flash, the crowds boarding the looming starship panicked, and began fleeing in all directions.

Jack rolled off Abbey, yelling in pain as he clutched his arm.

"SON OF A BITCH!"

Abbey was back onto her feet as she tried to help Jack up as the crowds surged forwards.

"Jack!"

Jack waved her off as he stood.

"It's okay, I'm fine! Run! Stay in front of me!"

Abbey looked into Jack's eyes, and knew what they were going to do. There was no time to say anything, as the crowds fled in all directions, causing a domino effect as some fled upwards on the ramp while others scattered, knocking others over in their wake. But nothing needed to be said. Abbey knew it, and Jack did too. Giving her one last smile before Abbey broke off into a run, Jack put everything in him to run behind her and keep up, throwing his pack behind in the process. Behind him, Jack heard a scream as another lance of energy impacted off target, causing him to push himself further to give her cover. The wound in his shoulder burned hot, and felt like it was continuing to spread like fire, and it took everything Jack had to stay on his feet and keep moving upwards with and against the surging crowds. He would never stop. Abbey was worth all the trouble. Worth any pain along the way. He'd let more than just his house, his job, and his old life go for her.

He'd let his vices crumble at his side for her.

He'd stare down at men who were his better for her.

He'd move mountains.

And build bridges.

And if he had to, he'd let it all crumble to ruin too.

Epilogue

An aged man in a clean suit tapped his foot on the floor absent minded, as he crossed his arms. The look across his features was one of clear disdain.

"Your services have always come highly recommended. This is, most disappointing."

Another man, standing tall in the shadows of the office, looking down from out of the windows to the station outside, spoke with a rough voice, immediately countering back.

"I don't ask questions. But I don't go in without intel either."

The aged man leaned back on his desk, his eyebrows raising.

"Intel? Intel is not required for two simple minded mechanics!"

The man in the shadows shook his head.

"You said these two were simple. But you didn't say they had help."

The aged man stood up from his desk.

"Impossible. They're just two lowlifes. No one would help them here."

"I took two shots. The first was blocked by the man, the fast son of a bitch. The second was off. The third never happened because there was interference. I was jammed. Static flooded my optics, burnt out my equipment. You said they were just two lowlifes. You never said they had a god damn AI watching their backs."

The man in the shadows turned, facing the aged man as he stood tall, silent in part due to protest, and refusal to believe what had been said.

"Tell me, how many Anchor Cores do you have operating on this station?"

End