***

Canard ached all over from the tight grip of the worm. He slowly became aware of something lying across his chest. It wasn’t a heavy, or an uncomfortable something, but a something none the less. He weakly raised his head to look.

It was a someone. A small blond someone. A small blond someone who appeared to be curled up by his side, arms and head on him, sleeping.

A thought fluttered through his foggy mind, but he dismissed it. Couldn’t be her, Wing says she’s gone.

The girl stirred, and turned to him, bleary eyed. One look at his open eyes, and suddenly she was kissing him frantically, moaning with what sounded like relief.

Canard, not having the strength to push her off, wondered why Jadestar Flashblade was lying on top of him. He waited patiently till she took a breath.

"Are we dead?" he asked. She blinked.

"I thought you were gonna be, but you aren’t." she murmured, latching back onto his face. He waited again. "What’s the matter?" she queried, looking confused.

"Please don’t do that."

"Do what?"

"Sit on me and kiss me." he said pointedly. She slid off with a small smile.

"You had no problem last night." she teased suggestively. Canard’s eyes widened, and he forced himself to sit up.

"What?!"

She looked at him, worried. "I think you hit your head or something. Wanna go home?"

Canard rubbed his head. "Where’s home?"

"The same place it always is!"

"Let’s get something straight here. This is not real, is it? This is a dream, right?"

"Huh?"

"No offence, but they tell me you’re dead. And even if you aren’t, we aren’t … together. Plus, I should be in Dimensional Limbo or Starland."

She stared at him. "Canard, what are you talking about?"

He shook his head. "I’ll explain later. Let’s go."

She looked at him critically. "Can you walk? Because I can’t carry you."

"No," he muttered, looking at her skinny frame. "You can’t."

She helped him up, and they slowly made their way ‘home’.

***

Canard collapsed onto the bed, exhausted by the walk/shuffle to the old apartment. He opened one eye, and was startled to see Jadestar getting changed. He quickly rolled to the side. "What are you doing?" he asked, when he heard her combing her hair. He glanced at her, and blinked in shock at her clothes. "Why are you wearing that?" he wanted to know with obvious distaste.

She finished with her hair, and hunted for her make-up. "I’m going to work."

"In that? A leather miniskirt?"

She still didn’t turn around, but she did grant him a look via the mirror. "You brought me it."

"I brought you that?! Take it off!" he ordered.

She glanced at her watch with a sultry smile. "I guess we have time for a bit of fun." She reached down and slipped off the skirt.

"What the…stop! I didn’t mean it like that!"

She turned around, skirt around her ankles. "Well, what do you mean?" she asked, perplexed.

Canard was careful not to let his eyes stray below her neck. "I mean, put the skirt back on, and then go find a t-shirt and a pair of jeans, then go get changed in the bathroom."

She looked upset as she hunted on the floor. "You don’t want me anymore?"

A wave of multiple realisations swamped him. "Oh puck…" Dimensional worms, gateways...this isn't my universe...He chose his words carefully. Who knew what else could be different? "No, of course I want you. But let’s save it for another time, hey? Now, go get some decent clothes on."

She nodded quietly, and went into the next room. "Does this mean I’m not working tonight?"

"Remind me what it is you do again, please."

She poked her head around the wall. "You know. I, uh, seduce Saurians."

Canard threw up.

She fetched a bucket of water, and started scrubbing up his mess, wearing a very tight set of clothes, though to Canard’s foggy relief it at least covered most of her. "Are you gonna be OK? I don’t like it that much either, but the shape-shifters aren’t so bad, and it keeps us fed."

"It’s disgusting."

She put her hands on her hips, and stood up. "It was your idea!" she exclaimed hotly.

Canard moaned inside himself. "What kind of a monster am I?" he muttered.

She looked thoroughly chagrined. "Oh, Canard, you aren’t." She got onto the bed and snuggled into him. He was too depressed to push her away, and she slid her arm around him. "You’re perfect. You saved me from *them* and I can do whatever you want. Including," she went back to cleaning the floor. "Getting us money."

He sat up. "Jadestar, we’re going to play a game, OK?"

Her face brightened. She knew the ‘games’, and she always enjoyed them. "What are the rules?" she purred. "Normal ones?"

Canard was confused. "What are the normal ones?"

She winked at him, and dropped the broom with a clatter. "None."

"Oh, for…" Did this girl think of anything else?! "This is a new game. We pretend I have amnesia, and you answer all my questions. Got it?"

Jadestar sat on the bed, cross-legged, and shrugged. "OK."

"Good. Where are we?"

"Our place."

"Are we married?"

"No."

"Are we going to?"

"I want to, but you haven’t said anything." she answered quiet casually.

"Uh huh. Where’s Wildwing and Nosedive?"

She stiffened. "I don’t know, and I don’t care."

"Why don’t you care?"

"Why should I care? I was sick of it, and I’m not going back. You promised.."

"Of what?"

She looked at him beseechingly, but he made her go on. "Of being used."

Canard had to work hard to stop his face moving into a look of disgust. "How did we meet?"

"You lived next door, and you stopped them one night." Admiration shone brightly from her eyes. "Then you brought me here. You said that you’d never let them near me again. And you haven’t."

"What do I do?"

"Huh?"

"What’s my job."

"You help the Saurians out sometimes."

Canard blanched, and deciding to finish the game. "Do you love me?" The question was frank.

"More than anything. I’d die for you." she breathed, making Canard uncomfortable.

"Well, thanks." Canard forced a smile.

"My turn. Do you love me?" Her look reminded him of a puppy, and Canard wondered if it was wise to continue the charade. But he needed her.

"I do." he said in a low voice. She smiled happily, and curled up next to him. He let her stay there, and she shivered with delight.

"Are you sure you don’t want to…?"

"No."

"OK." She closed her eyes, and he listened to her breathe. What am I going to do?