Jai opened the door unthinkingly in reply to the knock. Jackson's work knew she was staying here, so she didn't think she had any reason to hide. But a Soul stood in the doorway, looking at her like she'd been slapped. It didn't bode well.

"Jai Brown," she said bravely, putting out her hand, wishing she hadn't worn quite such a tight tank top today. Or maybe a bra.

"Hungry Flame," the Soul said, shaking it after a second, "I was after Jackson but…" she half turned to go.

"He's just gone to the shops. He'll be back in a second. Come in."

Jackson liked to keep his work and play strictly separate, but Jai knew who Hungry Flame was. She didn't think Jackson would be too pleased if Hungry Flame said she'd been impolite.

"Coffee?"

And that's how Jackson found them a few minutes later, sitting at the kitchen table in silence, sipping at their cups to fill it. He looked from one to the other and felt this was not good, the two of them together. He waited outside til Flame came to him, and shut the front door behind her. This way he was more comfortable.

"Sorry, I should've called first," Flame muttered, sitting on the steps to the tiny garden.

"What is it?" he asked shortly, still ridding his mind of the concept of his work and play together.

"Alex has gone into the Soul-free zone," Flame said steadily.

"Why?"

She sighed and looked away. After a minute she shook her head, and stood up to go, but he caught her arm.

"Sorry. Alright, just talk," he said.

"He went in a while ago. There's no contact of course, and…"

"You're worried about him." Worried for his life, or worried he wouldn't come back this time, Jackson wondered.

"You haven't heard anything?" she asked, anxiety making her eyes shine.

"Everything's been very quiet after the last bunch of arrests."

"Right. Ok." She looked away again, her shoulders despairing.

"Look, I'm going to go back in there. I could keep an eye out for him."

"An ear out? An ear out would be good."

"You don't want me to look for him?"

"Maybe. I don't know. I'd send Bhask in, but…"

"How's he doing?"

"Well as can be expected I suppose. No, he's alright."

"You still going to try and tell me Alex isn't involved in anything?"

She grimaced, staring at her hands, and eventually spoke. "He was trying to set up a ceasefire."

A perfect cover story, Jackson thought. Alex could get away with talking to any Zone warlord on that pretext. With a Soul jury anyway.

"Guess that's pretty much blown out of the water then," he muttered, "Sorry."

"Actually, with Sanderson's group gone, there's a good chance it could go ahead," she glanced at him and he could see the hope in her eyes, "They were the sticklers."

"You seem to know a lot about this."

She ignored him. "I think people are getting sick of the constant violence too. It's a good time to try for a ceasefire, just on that basis."

"How does this help me find Alex?"

"You're a Seeker."

"Really."

"Shut up. If I tell you where he's gone, it could endanger his contacts."

"Only if his contacts are criminals."

"You see my problem then."

"So, you are going to protect criminals, Soul-killers, so as not to endanger a non-existent ceasefire, when Alex's life could be at stake."

She stared fiercely at her hands.

"This doesn't sound like you, Flame."

"Just forget it." Her voice was husky as she walked away.

"Wait." He was never good with tears, especially in a woman. "If I find him, what do you want me to do."

"Ah… just tell him… remind him he made a promise."