FF Installment - 2

This is a continuation of my last FF installment here:

http://blueoriontiger.xanga.com/731846867/a-simple-friend-from-far-away/

I decided to skip his "talk" for the moment and move onto what I would like for them to do, and may finish that part at a later time. Until then, here you go!

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Janeil’s apartment had been his respite for him for everything. From learning to fly with Mr. Grumman, to hiding off the streets when being a data copier, and now that he was discharged out of the UEA, respite from the outside world.

“You certainly are a good housekeeper,” Sophia noted. She couldn’t help but to notice how clean everything was. It had been virtually untouched since he was gone.

The studio apartment didn’t have much of anything except a kitchen, a bed and what appeared to be remnants of a large computer terminal in the corner. The lights were off, save some bright ambience that shone through the windows that made the rooms glow with a pale white light.

“That’s Haley’s doing,” Janeil shrugged off his jacket and let it drop on the bed, sitting on the edge of it. He patted besides him for Sophia to sit. “She cleaned up the place before I enlisted and everyone went their ways.”

“You never told me much about that, you know.” Sophia took his hint and came besides him, taking her fingers and brushing a few strands of hair out of his forehead. “I know you spent an entire evening talking to me about what you did with the UEA. But your past life….it’s so mysterious to me.”

“I guess we’ve never had much quality time together,” Janeil admitted. “Yet we’re close like how we are now.”

Sophia nodded, looking down at the slightly dusty floor. “Do you miss them? Whoever these people were?”

“Yes, I do.” Janeil looked at her. “Those people were there for me. Always were. Now I wonder if I’ll see them again.”

Silence followed for a few seconds. Sophia moved her mouth to speak, trying to come up with the words.

“Janeil…I’d like to ask a favor of you. I’m glad you’re here and think you’ll be all right, but…” Sophia shook her head slightly. “I don’t know how to explain it.”

“What happened? Something back where you came from?”

“Well, yes, sort of.” Sophia’s eyes shifted nervously.

“Sort of? What do you mean sort of? Where are you talking about?” Janeil asked point blank.

Sophia pinched a bit of her apron with fingers and fiddled with it, exhaling softly. “I’ve…been to other worlds.”

“What?” Janeil was surprised. “You told me-“

“I told you the truth.” Sophia butted in defensively. “I never traveled in a spaceship before. But I went to other worlds a different way.” Her eyes looked away from him. “A type…of doorway.”

“Doorway?”

“It’s a door that opens up to many other doors and lets you go to many other places. I can explain more, but I don’t want to burden you with too much information.” Sophia glanced sideways.

“Well, I’ll give you that much for the moment. But what’s the favor?”

“I have a friend that’s missing. She’s been gone for several months now and I have no idea where’s she’s gone. I hardly have any clue to where she might be and I would like some help to find her.” Sophia’s face fell as her voice lowered. “She’s indebted to me because I saved her life.”

“I see…is it dangerous?” Janeil asked.

Sophia gave him a disappointing look. “Are you going to back out if it is?”

“Maybe not. I just need to know what I’m dealing with.”

“There may be dangers. I don’t know what kind. It could be an army, it could be a monstrous creature. I don’t know. But it could be dangerous.”

Sophia reached out and took his hand. “Please…you’re the only person I trust here. And you have the knowhow and the technology of an advanced civilization.”

Janeil didn’t say a word. “I see…I want to help you. I care for you, and I know you do too. The only two things that I’m wondering about is if you’re telling the truth and not trying to trick me, and the fact that I need to recuperate before taking off on something like this.”

“I actually had a suggestion for that.” Sophia started to stand to her feet, walking to a window with her arms folded. “My friend who is missing; her aunt owns a nice place somewhere. I’m sure she’ll let you stay awhile to heal; she’s experienced in the healing arts.”

“Well, it would be like a vacation,” Janeil mused.

“I suppose you could say that.” Sophia looked at him, her assertive and curious expression returning to her face.

“So… I’m guessing the doorway thing is there? I’ll need to figure out how to get us back there.”

“There’s a doorway here on Earth. I’ve never used it to come here, but I know where it is.”

Janeil shook his head a little. “I’m just having a little hard time believing all of this, it needs to sink in a little.”

“It’s all right, I know.” Sophia walked back over to him. “Why don’t we get some rest? We can start out in the morning.”

“Rest is a good idea. We just have to, um…” Janeil looked back at the bed.

“Oh!” Sophia’s face blushed. “I see…I’ve never shared a bed with you like this before…but you don’t quite have anywhere else to sleep, do you?”

Janeil slid off his boots and emptied his pockets on the floor next to the bed. Sophia started to unlace her shoes as well, placing them besides his own.

“Do you want the closer side?” Janeil started to pull the covers away. “I usually don’t care which side I sleep.”

“I don’t mind.” Sophia clambered into the bed, sinking into the mattress with a soft sigh, tugging her skirts so that they were around her decently before pulling the covers up to her chest.

“Okay.” Janeil didn’t have to bother much with anything else; the electric was off, and he had locked the door. He took his glasses off and put them on the bedhead. “Good night.”

Sophia rolled over to face him. “Good night to you too. Have some pleasant dreams, okay? You’re not alone with a horde of giant insects wanting to tear you to pieces.” She touched his cheek before snuggling into the bed and closing her eyes.

Janeil could still feel her touch lingering. Trying to smile, he closed his eyes to sleep.