Aberrant: Stargate Universe - Familiar Strangers in a Strangely Familiar Land

[z-Wakiki Izumi]

"Oh, I do it, Aradia," he assured the younger woman with a grin that betrayed that he was aware of innuendo. "And the ladies love it. I get up on stage and they just start screaming..."

He shrugged and took a sip of wine. "If you have talent, you have it. I can do things other than rap." A smirk crossed his lips, and then he was singing, "And I swear/ By the moon and the stars in the skies/ I'll be there/ I swear like the shadow that's by your side/ I'll be there/ For better or worse, 'till death do us part." He'd been looking at Yseult to this point; it was natural, but he still felt like he was doing something wrong. He turned his gaze to Aradia and finished the chorus, "I'll love you with every beat of my heart/ And I swear." He let his lovely baritone voice fade away; if he was embarrassed to have been singing or making a scene, he didn't show it.

"But do you know what I really remember about that trip?" he asked with a chuckle. He looked at Aradia as he sang, "Runaway train never going back/ Wrong way on a one way track/ Seems like I should be getting somewhere/ Somehow I'm neither here nor there."

"Oh, god," Olivia laughed. "We did play that song endlessly, didn't we?"

"Only all the time," Wakiki laughed, glancing at Yseult. His eyes were starting to hurt from all the bouncing around, and dinner hadn't even started yet. You are in the one kind of position every man claims to want until he's there. Only in this case, you have your sister who's pushed you toward Aradia before, while being friends with her... Fuck this, it's Olivia's day, and I'm going to focus on her.

"So, kid," he asked, turning to her, "how's that book coming?" She immediately shot him an appalled look and Wakiki asked, "What?" as he struggled to figure out what he'd screwed up now.

[Aradia McConnell]

Aradia's lips parted slightly in surprised as he began singing, and she tried to ignore the fact that he had been singing mostly to Yseult. She also tried to ignore the little skip in her pulse as Waki turned that look on her at the end, but wasn't quite as successful at that. At the mention of Runaway Train though, Aradia burst into a peal of laughter, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Wakiki's confused exchanged with Livy was briefly (but mercifully) interrupted by the waiters, and the group paused long enough to place their orders for appetizers as they were being served bread and salad.

[z-Olivia Jenings-Izumi]

When the waiters left, Olivia sighed. "You're one of two people who know that I'm writing a book," Olivia said softly, her expression embarrassed. "I wasn't ready to start talking about it yet."

"Why not?" he asked, quirking his eyebrow. "The bit you sent me was fuckin' fantastic - pardon my language, ladies."

"I just wasn't ready yet," Olivia said, frowning at him. "I just... was keeping it to myself for a bit longer."

Her brother stared at her and then shrugged. "You know, saying, 'Don't say anything about this' would be helpful. Ya gotta tell me these things, kid."

"Don't call me kid," Olivia said, but her lips were quirking.

"Hey, I am your big brother," he grinned.

"By two months!" she replied before a laugh cracked her attempt to remain serious.

"Three, Livy, three... July to August, August to September, September to October." He winked at her and said, "A quarter of a year is all I need to be your big brother."

[Rorx]

Gwyn finishes a mouthful of salad before chipping into the sibling fight , "Huh, I knew a couple of twins who had the same argument over about 10 minutes. Don't worry Olivia, if you don't want to show the rest of us your book until it's finished we'll just have to wait in anticipation. However, I can't guarantee that you won't get questions from time to time. Given how well you write something as boring as some of our reports, any fiction you write will knock peoples socks off."

While he talks he refills his glass, and anyone else who wants it within range.

With a smile he continues, "Having said that, I don't think the Big Brother thing is really appropriate when it's her birthday?"

[Yseult Sierra]

"... For better or worse, 'till death do us part."

The words struck a chord of guilt within Yseult, and plucked hard. She froze with the song strumming in her head, barely retaining her grip on her wine glass, face a pale, crystallized mask. Her heart beat was so loud in her ears, she wondered why everyone didn't seem to hear it. Oh François...

When Wakiki's attention turned to Aradia, then to his sister and her book, Yseult slid from her seat as discreetly as she could. Both Damien and Ryan turned to her with concern, but whatever she said to them, it kept them in their seats, eyes following her.

Her stride to the women's room was stiff and precise, though those who saw may have believed it was caused by the height of her stilettos.

In the bathroom, Yseult made her way to stall, and sat down. Her arms wrapped tight about herself, she bit her lip hard to keep from crying with the grief and guilt playing counterpoint to the cursed melody.

"... For better or worse, 'till death do us part."

[Omar]

Omar was on his 4th beer by the time the server brought his fruit-laden salad. He was not trying to get drunk, but enjoyed the hoppy flavor of the IPA they served here. Because of his nova physiology, he would need several cases of the stuff before it began to affect him.

He listened to Dr. Sierra describe her credentials and realized that she would be the perfect person to research replication of his eufiber. It was even better that she had already volunteered to do it, though her visions seemed to be for medical rather than appapal interests. Either or both would be profitable. She got up and left abruptly before he could ask her his question.

[Mr Fox]

Cam could see that there were undertones to a lot of the conversation, but being unfamiliar with the history involved wasn't really sure what it was all about. What he could tell though was that Wakiki was going to make a very big mistake if he didn't pay attention to the young specialist, Aradia. Cam thought that if he had a chance he would give Olivia's brother a nudge in the right direction. Yseult was too fragile right now to appreciate the attentions of a man, perhaps especially if that man succeeded. Cam thought she needed a little more time before jumping back into the dating pool. If her husband and family were dead it might be one thing but with them still alive she had to be in some serious conflict right now. He shook his head in wonder at the crazy situations that the Artifact and the secrets of the Stargate program created.

He dug in when the bread and salad arrived at the table. He still had a filet mignon coming but with his increased metabolism he had no worries about not being able to finish his meal and have a desert too.

From her opposite side he asked, "So, Olivia, what's this book about? As good as your lectures are I'm sure it must be great."

[Adrian Moss]

Caine smiled at the model comment. If that was all he that they were then the secret of the SGC was safe. Somehow he doubted that was the case. Artists tended to be creative thinkers and that could make life ... interesting.

The book was an interesting twist, though Damien had to wonder what the material could be about. He couldn't wait for his turn to read it and hoped to hell Olivia didn't have any IOA problems getting it out there to the acclaim she had certianly earned.

Yseult leaving bothered him, but she went were no man dare go. He worried about what could be going through this time, her body language had been so tense when she left. It wasn't the first time and a good assumption was it was her vanished lifestyle, lost husband and children. That would be a long time in mending that wound. She couldn't be rushed.

When Cam spoke up, Damien looked up from his salad and said,

"Yes, tell us about this book. Either that, or we can beg your brother for one of those cherished childhood stories that should never be told."

[z-Olivia Jenings-Izumi]

Olivia flushed, even as she shot her brother a quick look of irritation. Her expression seemed to say, "See, this is what I was trying to avoid." But she managed a smile as she turned to Cam and Damien and said, "It's an alternate history exploring what would have happened had aliens arrived in Granada in 1486. I'm having them support Muhammed XIII in his efforts to regain the throne of Granada from his nephew, Muhammed XII, who was also known as Boabdil. Instead of falling in battle against Boabdil as he did historically, Muhammed XIII is victorious. The aliens, in exchange for being allowed to settle among the Moors of Muslim Spain, help him conquer all of Granada. While the book ends- Er," Olivia stopped and smiled. "I shouldn't say that. But the ongoing impact that would have on history are fascinating, including the ramifications on the rule of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Who," Olivia said excitedly, becoming animated, "were the people who founded Columbus' expedition to America, the same year that they secured Boabdil's surrender. So immediately, you have an impact on the New World." She shook her head, her eyes bright and an excited expression on her face. "It's a fascinating time in history, and I love messing with it."

She glanced around the table and looked sheepish. "That makes me the most boring person ever, I think."

[Rorx]

Gwyn looked back up from his food as Olivia described the basis for her book and her self-deprecating comment at the end. "Not at all Olivia. Alternate history has a fine tradition, although it is frequently lumped in with the science fiction in most book shops. Eric Flint is doing a series with other guest authors set in Europe starting in 1632, during the Thirty years war, with the premise of a whole section of somewhere in the US getting transplanted to somewhere in Austria I think it is. SM Stirling has writing several as well from memory. So you are in good company Olivia, and I would expect yours to run rings around them once it is released."

With a smile he turns to see both Olivia and Damien, "Perhaps you could get Daamien her to act as your agent. I'm sure he could convince a publisher to take a serious look at it, even a sample chapter would get think hooked enough to sign you up."

[Adrian Moss]

"I would be happy to support such a product," Damien says bombastically then winks to Olivia.

"One thing I was wondering about was the exploration of diseases. I mean, what would happened if the Aztec and Incan civilizations hadn't had to be fighting off the aspects of both disease and foreign conquest. Had the Mexican's beens stronger ..." he lets that trail off.

"Anyway Mr. Izumi thank you for bringing this to our attention. It can give a new aspect to our afternoon training sessions. You realize that your sister heads up a whole training regimen for the rest of us. She's our instructor and she does a hell of a job - which should be of no surprise to you."

[Yseult Sierra]

For the next several moments, Yseult stroked the wedding ring sitting between her breasts with a thumb, then released a long, shaky sigh. She click-clacked her way to the mirror, appraising herself. She was surprised that her eyes were still dry. She touched up her hair and make-up, straightened her shoulders--ignoring how her breasts strained the fabric--and made her way back to the private table, hips swaying.

She gave everyone a polite, if reticent, nod, as she slid gracefully into her seat. She felt a small pang of envy upon hearing that Olivia was writing a book; she looked down at her hands, the hands of a surgeon, though she couldn't draw for the life of her; she was a scientist who had written dozens of reports, yet even she found them dry.

She hid herself behind her wineglass, and crushed the envy beneath a mental heel. It wasn't worth the effort. She almost made herself believe it.

[Omar]

Omar saw Dr. Sierra return and moved over to where she sat.

"Excuse me, Dr." Omar said, leaning down, his voice lowering to not alert the table. "But may I have a word with you over by the bar. It is about an idea I have concerning my eufiber." He tried to make his approach as innocuous and non-threatening as possible. "It will only take a minute."

"Or if you would prefer, we can have the discussion here."

[Yseult Sierra]

"Non, non, the bar is fine, Monsieur. I would like to hear more of this eufiber, and I'm sure the technicalilites would just bore those here," Yseult said, turning her head around and up to look at the enormous man. He aroused no strange feelings like Damien or Ryan did, or even Olivia, and another excuse to escape that, even for a moment, was welcome.

She refilled her glass of Pinot Noir, made her excuses, and then took Omar's proffered arm. She glided gracefully to the bar, her impressive heels adding an unconscious strut to her gait. She kept her chin high, and if she noticed the leers of other men in the restaurant, she didn't acknowledge them.

She sat on a bar stool, crossed her nylon-clad legs, and focused her odd, turquoise gaze on the huge Iraqi. "What is your idea, Monsieur? I may have some as well."

[Omar]

Omar sat at the stool next to her and ordered another beer. His large frame and handsome features stood out amonst the crowd at the place. Few were as large, or as imposing a figure as the 6'8" Iraqi. After they were situated, Omar introduced his proposal to her.

"Dr. Sierra" Omar finally chimed in. "With your background, you should have the qualifications I need to conduct research towards a commercial endeavor that I wish to undertake." He had her attention, he hoped.

"I am looking for someone to replicate my eufiber for use in the aparrel, medical and other industries. It will be a time consuming and difficult task, but one in which I am confident of your abilities." Pausing to take a sip of beer, Omar grinned at the Doctor. "What do you say Yseult? Are you interested? Any questions?"

[z-Wakiki Izumi]

At first, Wakiki was amused by his sister's embarrassment, but as her coworkers pressed her for details, he felt bad. Livy hated this kind of attention. Time to save her.

"So, Livy's got her book - what are you doing these days, Aradia? Can you still ride with the best of 'em?" He looked at her with complete interest, a much easier task with Yseult at the bar. Now that she wasn't around, he could even feel bad that her beauty was distracting him from a reunion with an old friend and his sister's birthday celebration. That regret would last only until Yseult came back to the table; Wakiki was many things, and honest with himself was one of them. Blonds pushed buttons he had no defense against. Blond Asians were something else again. And Yseult - there was no matching her attractiveness, all other factors aside.

[z-Olivia Jenings-Izumi]

As Wakiki turned his attention to Aradia - not realizing he was trying to turn the table's attention away from her - Olivia told Damien, "Thank you, but unless you have ties to the publishing industry you've never mentioned, then I should seek an agent. You'd be fantastic at it were you already in the industry." Olivia smiled and took a sip of wine. "I'll just contact my last agent and ask him for a reference to a fictional agent. Murry is a good agent - he'll help me out. He felt bad about how my last publication ended."

[Yseult Sierra]

Yseult's full lips turned down slightly at the mention of a commercial venture, though she kept her expression otherwise open and responsive. Before answering, she took a long sip of her red wine, composing her thoughts.

"Monsieur Khudikias, I would relish the challenge of unlocking the secrets of your Eufiber, and I hope I still may, but you misunderstand the nature of my contract with the SGC, and most likely yours as well. Any scientific discoveries or new technologies we develop will be the property of the US government. We will earn nothing from this but the credit and a thank you for a job well done. I am not even sure about the credit considering the NDA we signed."

Yseult sat back, her vivid turquoise eyes piercing as she appraised the 'Nova' from a parallel dimension. "If I may ask, if you want to make money, Monsieur Khudikias, why do you work for the government? The private sector is far more lucrative."

The Tok'ra claimed to have the Tuar'i's best interests in mind, but they were terribly reluctant to share their technology with the SGC. Yseult also had another concern about them as well, but now was not the time to dwell on that. Is Omar Khudikias another alien claiming to have our best interests in mind as well.

[Ryan Hawke]

Ryan smiled and just listened as the others spoke around him, his only concern when Yesult abruptly left, and returned, where he'd rose to seat her again. Then She and Omar had gone to the bar to discuss Eufiber.

He looked to the others, Like Cam he had begun hitting the bread and his salad.

It was truly nice to sit back with good friends.

[Omar]

"You misunderstand. My eufiber was not discovered during my time with the SGC, nor was it developed here." He wasn't sure how much she knew about him and his past.

"I have owned this suit for over 110 years. It is my property and not subject to the rules put forth by the SGC. It is as 'alien' as I am to this place, but it is also a human created product." Omar knew that the SGC could not really stop him from profiting off his own property. "I would though need authorization to release it for commercial use. I do not anticipate SGC putting up any barriers."

"As for why I am in government work." He drained his beer and nodded to the bartender for another. "I have known threats to earth before and have tirelessly fought them. The SGC gave me the opportunity to continue my quest to protect earth...even if it is an alternate one." Omar smirked and leaned back a little, chuckling. "They would also have locked me up if I had told them no."

"But seriously, I have been wealthy before. I have been a statesman, who ruled over large swaths of the planet. I have changed histories and negotiated treaties. Of all these things, protecting earth from its enemies has been the most satisfying." He leaned forward a little. "I used wealth as a tool to change the path that mankind traveled on a liftime ago. It can accomplish many amazing things if put to work in the right areas...like research. How would you like to conduct research...independant of the SGC? These things take money."

[Yseult Sierra]

"Please monsieur, keep your voice down," Yseult said quietly, leaning closer to the giant, even though it was the last thing she wanted to do. This man is either insane or a Goa'uld. If his claims are true, then he could be an even bigger menace. Why did the SGC give him a position of authority?

"You may have owned this eufiber for some time," Yseult raised a brow questioningly, "But any process I, you, or another SGC member, or any government employee, develop to recreate it will belong to the US government. I suppose you could try to have the private sector recreate it, but considering its nature and NDA that was signed, I very much doubt the SGC would allow that. As a side note, since it possesses a... an animate quality, it too will have to undergo decontamination when you leave the secured zone."

Yseult took a deep breath and another sip of wine. "While it is true that independant research takes money, it is also true that it is also usually to make money. Government research in the long-term tends to help many more. Furthermore, so far, the SGC seems to have," Yseult leaned even closer, her voice a whisper, "the best interest of the entire world at heart."

Yseult got up to leave, straightened her dress, and finished her wine in one long gulp. "As for your other claims, I do not wish to insult you, so I will keep them to myself. Good day, Monsieur."

Yseult sashayed back to the private room, her eyes full of questions and concerns, but by the time she reclaimed her seat between Damien and Ryan, she had quenched them beneath a serene gaze.

Or so she hoped.

[Ryan Hawke]

Ryan nodded seeing Yesult return, hoping things had gone well as they would all have to serve together on SG2-3. "Welcome back Doctor. I'd suggest trying the salad, they got everything exceptionally fresh. It's a good warmup for what's coming."

He chuckles "...and probably the healthiest thing being eten tonight."

[Aradia McConnell]

Aradia shrugged slightly, and a flicker of sadness crossed her face.

"I don't know.. I haven't been on a horse in six months. I mean, I'm sure I haven't lost it that fast.. it is something I've been doing my whole life, you know? But.. things are a bit different now, I guess. Not a lot of horseback riding at a military base. But hey, at least Dad would be proud, right?"

She slip was such a small one, she didn't even realize she'd made it. Wakiki had assumed, even if she couldn't tell him what she was doing, that surely her Dad knew she was in the military. Why on earth wouldn't her father know? He had assumed that perhaps her Dad had talked her into the position for some reason or another. He couldn't imagine Ari joining for any other reason.

[Yseult Sierra]

"Please, call me Yseult, Majeur. And I will try some of the salad, thank you." She offered her new team leader a brief smile, but her eyes were distant, staring off to someplace far away.

She spent a few moments eating her salad, then poured herself a new glass of wine. She missed it, and her improved metabolism let her consume much more with little effect.

Finally she turned to Ryan Hawke, and faced him directly, her unnatural turquoise eyes meeting her team leader's for the first time.

"Later," Yseult's eyes flicked to Wakiki, then back to Ryan. "I want to know everything you know about Omar Khudikias."

[Ryan Hawke]

Ryan nods calmly, noticing that she actually looked him in the eye. "Of course Yesult."

Things must not have gone so well then.

He privately wondered what could have been said and if this would cause strife in the newly reorganized team.

[z-Wakiki Izumi]

This was all wrong. The twist of worry that had been slowly building in Wakiki's gut now exploded into a full-on knot. The thread of conversation slipped away from him as he stared at Aradia, frowning.

He'd been ignoring Yseult - politely, by letting Aradia take all his focus - but now he looked across the table at her. Though at the time he hadn't thought about it much, he remembered her stricken look as she'd left the table. He turned and gazed at his sister, at everything that he believed had happened to her that she'd never told him about.

He looked at the mostly quiet man to Olivia's left, who was the most normal person here. Then there was the model, sitting across from Livy, who was simply the most attractive man Wakiki had ever seen. The big guy one the other side of her was big only relative to Wakiki, because the guy at the bar was huge. And then there was Gwyn, who had slept so little on leave that Wakiki was convinced he was on stimulants.

And of course, there was Declan's eyes. Suki had cried when she'd tried to describe them to her: "terrible mirrors, empty of anything alive, like a monster."

Something was going on here, and it was all wrong.

To poor Aradia, it seemed as though she'd told Wakiki a personal remark about her father, only to have him stare blankly at her, then at Yseult, and his sister, and around the table. The normally gregarious man was very, very quiet for far too long. Suddenly, he leaned over and whispered, "Can I drive you back to your base? Please?"

[Aradia McConnell]

Aradia looked at him curiously, unaware of what was causing such a change in personality. She nodded though, more than happy to pass on a ride back in a van with probably at least one or two inebriated specialists on it - she hadn't had a lot of experience yet with how quickly their metabolism processed alcohol or any other type of mood-altering chemicals. She assumed that Livy would be joining them, and was looking forward to a quiet ride back with her two good friends.

She murmured a quiet "Sure" back to him, just as the waiter showed up with their appetizers, and set about taking their orders for their main courses. Aradia started the round of ordering, choosing one of the larger seafood platters the restaurant offered and requesting a Caesar salad on the side.

[Adrian Moss]

When Yseult asked Wakiki Izumi about Omar, things were spiralling out of control for Caine. Why ask Wakiki? What knowledge could he have on this matter?

"Yseult, are you okay?" Damien whispered, putting a hand on hers. "Did Omar do something inappropriate?" His voice was full of concern and worry.

That was the best word he could come up with. Sure, Yseult was beautiful, but Omar was screwed on pretty tight. Maybe he was screwed on too tight.

"Do you want me to get you out of here?"

[z-Olivia Jenings-Izumi]

Olivia allowed herself a small, secret smile as Wakiki asked Aradia if he could give her a ride; she hoped that meant that her brother had realized what a great girl she was. The hope that her brother could be happy was an important one for her, but if it made Aradia happy, too, so much the better. Olivia had always thought they'd be good together.

She caught sight of Yseult's pensive expression and Damien's request, and she hid another smile. That was Damien, to a 'T'; concerned and responsive, always ready to inconvenience himself for a pretty woman. Pleasantly, there wasn't a flare of jealously, which was good - Olivia had enough to be jealous of Yseult for already.

Still, it would have been nice to know that someone else at the table - beside her brother, naturally - was so concerned for her, that they had a special eye for her. Twenty-eight and alone. Not what I saw when I was twenty.

Click to reveal.. (Flashback)

"So what do you think you'll be doing in five years?" Liv asked, her voice curious.

"What, this a fuckin' job interview?" Vinny groused, looking up from his meal.

Liv shrugged. "Just curious." She looked at him. "Something to talk about besides the build and sex while we eat."

She wasn't sure he was going to answer; then he dug back into his food and grunted, "Same fuckin' thing I'm doing now, darlin'. Ain't getting a degree like you."

"Right," Liv said, a little sorry she'd asked. There was no self-pity when spoke, only the steady tone of someone who knew their lot in life. He looked at her again and his gaze was intense. "What?"

"I'm fuckin' done," he said, pushing the last forkful in his mouth and swallowed, almost without chewing. "Come on, get your ass finished so we can clean up and get to the fun."

Liv grinned at him and quickly cleaned her plate, then followed him to the sink. There, they teased each other while they cleaned until they crashed into the bed together, laughing and already flushed with desire. After, as they lay together in the dark room, Liv heard Vinny ask, "What about you, darlin'?"

"What about me what?"

"Where will you be in five years?"

Liv picked out his eyes in the dark, sorry that the shadows hid them from her. He sounded interested, which was weird. With only one more night after this one left, she was a bit startled by the personal interest. "Hard to say," she hedged. "With my degree... probably a reporter's job somewhere, hopefully making my name. I'd love CNN or something like that." It was difficult to guess where she'd be then and there was only one thing she was sure of: she liked where she was right now, very much. "But know what I'd love more?"

"Hmm?" he perked up, catching the coy note in her voice. She whispered her desire in his ear, and with a deep chuckle, he said, "Got that right here." As his hand guided hers in the darkness, Liv knew that she was happy, here and now. And that's all you can expect in life: to be happy here and now.

Olivia smiled sadly at the memory of that naive child. She wasn't that girl, not anymore.

But, god... she wished she could be.

[Yseult Sierra]

Startled, Yseult almost dropped her glass of wine when she felt Damien's hand on her own, and heard his words of concern. I guess you didn't hide you worry well enough Yseult.

She leaned away from Ryan and in close to Damien, whispering just as softly. "He did not do anything inappropriate, but I do have some serious concerns about who he is, where he comes from, and the claims he has made."

She looked between the team leaders on either side of her, then came to a decision. "I think we need to know everything we can about Omar Khudikias," she said to both. "We should share all we know and I think we should go to General O'Neill as well, to find out why he is allowed to be part of the SGC."

"Thank you for your concern Damien, but it can wait till after dinner. We will be able to talk more freely then as well."

[Adrian Moss]

Damien nodded. There were some positive things he could say about the big Iraqi, but there was also a whole host of things he didn't know. He know more about the so called 'Novas' - New People which seemed to be the Specialists in his reality. They also seemed to be different, behaved differently, and were used to being treated differently. Kyria was a clear que to that.

What had Omar said? Had he announced some of that self-confidence that came across as narcisistic. It was little surprise that Omar considered himself superior Specialist to the rest of them. He had experience, but so far from what he'd heard about and read, he was not all that superior to the other combative Specialists out there. Maybe that had something to do with it.

"Okay Yseult, I'm here when you need me. I think I may know what's going on as well."

[Omar]

WIth a look of consternation, Omar downed his beer and turned back towards the table. He wondered what he said that seemed to trun the doctor away. I though they were all briefed about my past? He wondered. By the time he took his seat, Dr. Sierra was already engaged in conversation with Damian. He rationalized that maybe she was like that- flighty. It wouldn't be the first hyper-intelligent being he knew with a limited attention span. He would speak to her again, at later time.

Omar looked over at Olivia and grinned at her. "Happy birthday Olivia. I hope your night is going well?"

[z-Olivia Jenings-Izumi]

Jolted out of her pity party, Olivia smiled at the big man. "Yes, I am having a good night! Having my friends, and my brother here makes this one of the best parties I've had in a while. It beats Kiki Nass hands down." There were several groans and chuckles at the mention of the infamous bar fight. Even Wakiki laughed - and Olivia glanced at him sharply. Why would you find that funny?

Wakiki just gave her his 'I know I'm guilty but you love me too much to really punish me' smirk.

[Rorx]

Gwyn smiles at Olivia and stage whispers across to Ryan, "Did you remind them about the candles for the desert?"

Whilst waiting for the reply he get's a waiters attention to order some champagne for a toast.

[Ryan Hawke]

Ryan nods in answer to Yesult. "We will."

He smiles when Olivia brightens up the mood some and when Gwyn asks his question he nods. "Of course I did."

[Yseult Sierra]

Yseult nodded in thanks to the two Team Leaders, then focused back on the festive dinner, doing her best to avoid thinking about Omar without seeming to. She ordered the orange chipotle wild boar and another bottle of wine, her eyes hidden behind ehr lashes at the servers surprised stare.

"Bonne fête Olivie, I hope your wishes comes true," Yseult said with a warm smile.

[Rorx]

When the champagne arrived it was quickly served to everyone and Gwyn stood to make a toast, "Happy Birthday Olivia, and thank you for inviting us to join you. Don't worry we only expect to be here for the next twenty or thirty no matter what you do in the future."

[Adrian Moss]

"Here, here! To family and friends and friends as close as family. To all we have survived and all that we have yet to explore. To Olivia."

[Ryan Hawke]

Ryan joins the toast. "To all that and more."

[Mr Fox]

Cam raised his own glass in concert with the others. It was nice to be among a group of people like this. They were all of them different as could be but united to one purpose and that made all the difference in the world.

"To new friends, and to Olivia, Happy Birthday."