Disclaimer: Again all characters, from 'Haven,' and italicized dialogue in the first half of this update are property of Frank E. Flowers.

Warnings: Strong language

Chapter 4

Shy stood there in disbelief, pointing the gun directly at Hammer. Why did he hate him so much?

"I lived to love your sister," he tried to explain, the tears forming over those chocolate eyes. "What was so fucking wrong with that?"

Hammer straightened his form, still keeping his guard up. "Fuck you," he muttered, shaking his head before disagreeing with Shy once more. "That wasn't love."

"What the FUCK do you know about love?! Huh?!" Shy's voice echoed around the empty bar; the ceiling fan spinning overhead, bringing little coolness to the heated debate below. "Do you know what it means to love? Do you? Do you know what it means to look into someone's eyes…someone that you love? Just to fucking look in their eyes."

Andrea's gaze flashed before his mind and for a moment he was lost…lost in her dark orbs…lost in the feeling that was her…. Breathing heavily as the rage surged through him, he asked Hammer again. "Do you?" He then thought back to his fleeting, secretive relationship with her. "She was fucking innocent, man. She was so beau. And she loved me…"

Hammer didn't want to hear it; he couldn't possibly see what his sister saw in the man standing before him. "You fucking embarrassed my family, Shy. My sister had everything before she started dealing wit you!"

"I just saw her being fucked in a toilet!" Shy blurted out, pointing his gun behind him in the direction of where he last saw his love.

"Yeah and who's fault was that, huh?!" Hammer yelled, stepping forward to show his strength.

But Shy's voice overpowered Hammer's and now he was pointing the gun back at its target. "What has she FUCKING got now!? What has she got now?! She's better off now is she?! She's fucking better off!! Being FUCKED in a cubicle?! By some fucking stranger!!"

"Passengers, this is your pilot speaking."

Shy woke with a start, his chest heaving up and down at the memory that crossed his mind. He blinked a few times and noticed how fresh tears rolled down his face.

The pilot's voice continued to blare through the intercom. "We are now preparing to land in Pensacola, Florida at the Pensacola Regional Airport. Make sure you are seated and your safety belts are on. Thanks for flying with us at British Airways and have a wonderful day."

Flight attendants and passengers moved about the cabin, finding their way back to their seats. And all the while, Shy felt alone…scared…lost…lost in a sea of people who he didn't know; in an area that he didn't know.

Clouds sped past the plane as they began to land. He rested his head against the seat and stared out the small window, watching as the blue-green waters came into view. And as he watched…as the clouds' reflections sped across his eyes…the tears slipping down his face….he began to drift away; imagining himself falling… Falling through the sky and never hitting the ground.

"Jordan, love, it's late," Alexis called out, turning off the lights in the back kitchen. "Bobby and Cynthia just left and I think Joe's about ready to call it quits too."

She came up behind her friend who was counting up receipts and totaling up the numbers on a calculator. "So how'd we do?" she asked excitedly, jumping up to sit on the counter's edge.

Jordan smirked, sliding her gaze up to the blonde. "I'd say fairly decent for a day's work."

Alexis smiled brightly and began swinging her legs back and forth with excitement. "Woohoo! More moolah in the bank account."

"But I'm not done though," Jordan laughed, swatting at Alexis as she jumped off the counter. "Go bother Joe or something."

Jordan was sure she heard a snort escape from Alexis' way and grinned. "Wouldn't I ever…" Alexis muttered beneath her breath as she watched the young chef in the kitchen; his biceps moving and flexing as he put away pots and pans.

"What was that?" Jordan asked loudly, loving the sight of her friend jumping around to hush her quickly.

"Shut up!" she whispered through a quiet laugh. "He might hear you!"

"I don't think he needs to hear me, hon." Jordan cocked an eyebrow as she spun back around to count her totals.

Alexis lightly hit Jordan on the arm before walking towards the side door. "Listen you," she started, pointing a finger at her friend in a defiant manner. "Don't work too late, ok? I want you back at the apartment soon."

"Yes, mother, I promise I'll be back in no more than an hour," Jordan sing-songed, laughing as Alexis stuck her tongue out.

"Alright, alright…bye, love!"

"Bye," Jordan replied, giggling as she continued to count away.

And no sooner than she had said goodbye to her dear friend, she heard the familiar heavy footsteps of the young chef. "I'll see you tomorrow, Jordan," Joe called out, waving to her as he opened the door.

She glanced up at him and waved, staring back at the door in amusement as she watched Joe call for Alexis. "Hey Alexis! Wait up; I'll walk you to your car!"

"Well, that should be interesting," she muttered, throwing her pen down and reaching over to turn the stereo on. "Very interesting."

Shy walked along the main drag; hands shoved in his pockets; a fisher's hat on his head to hide his scar. He still wore the several necklaces around his neck and positioned the bandana to wrap snuggly around his wrist. People hardly noticed him as they passed by. And that's how he preferred it.

The 'Paradise Motel' was now his residence. It was cheap and far off the beaten path…the cockroaches and the stains that littered the mattress said it all. This was his life now. This was what he deserved. This was his paradise.

"Ya need to get a job, mon." Kimo's words echoed through his mind. He needed to get a job. There was no way that he could stay here forever; he had to keep moving.

Laughter interrupted his thoughts and he looked across the way to a small parking lot where a couple chatted flirtatiously beneath the starry sky. Andrea's face flashed before his eyes and he immediately looked away. Wait...

He turned back this time, noting a small restaurant built up off the incoming tide. 'Captain Jordan's Eatery.'

Shy turned to face the building fully. Maybe this was it. Maybe this was an opportunity for him to earn some money.

He quickly looked both ways and jogged across the street, not bothering to look in the red sports car that drove by with the laughing young couple seated inside.

Sounds of a beachy tune blared through the speakers wired to the outside of the small wooden building. And as he walked up the platform towards the main entrance, he could have sworn that he heard the voice of a young woman singing from inside.

"Amber" blared through the restaurant as Jordan spun in circles, loosing herself and singing helplessly. She needed to relax…not to mention tidy up. And what better way to do so than listen to your favorite beach station? Not to mention, she loved 311 and this song always seemed to calm her nerves.

She stopped suddenly, facing the long line of the back windows as a shooting star shot out through the night sky. She stayed there entranced by the peace and serenity of that evening; never noticing that the main door had actually opened.

And that's how Shy found her. Never in his life had he expected someone as young or as beautiful as this woman standing twenty feet away from him. He swallowed hard as Andrea filtered through his mind again and a deep sadness seemed to shake him to the core. God, how had it gotten to be this way?

"Holy Shit!!"

Shy shot his head up, noticing how the young woman stumbled backwards; her eyes wide as she stared up at him.

"Oh my God," she muttered, grasping for her chest as if she were out of breath. "You scared the living daylights out of me!"

He stared at her in concern; an apologetic look washing over his scarred face. "I'm sorry."

She straightened up slightly, her eyes never leaving him. There was something about this guy that struck a nerve within her, but she couldn't figure out what it was. He seemed…hollow…

"Um…no, it's fine," she stammered, pushing back her brown locks and quickly walking over to him. "What can I do for you? The restaurant is actually closed right now but –"

"I don't want any food," Shy murmured, doing his best to avoid her gaze.

She eyed him cautiously before rounding the counter, not even knowing that one of her favorite songs was now over and some annoying radio announcer filled the air. "What is it that you want then?"

He made to look up at her and then decided against it. "A job."

Jordan stared harder at him, not knowing what to expect. She'd never encountered anyone like this before, especially someone who was looking for someplace to work.

"I can clean," he continued, his gaze drifting around the small building; noting the Hawaiian flowered lights that lit up the length of the ceiling. "I used to fish and clean them, and…I can cook too."

"What's your name?" She ducked her head slightly, trying her best to catch his gaze from beneath his denim hat.

"Sh-" He paused, catching himself before he finally lifted his gaze to hers, letting her see him only inches away. "Steven. My name is Steven Gate."

Jordan moved back slightly in shock. The wrinkled scar that burned the side of his face was evident to her now. But it didn't frighten her nor did it disgust her. However, the look in his eyes told her the exact opposite.

"I'm sorry," he blurted out. "I shouldn't be wasting your time…" He turned to leave, causing her to immediately snap out of her daze.

"No, wait!" Jordan ran out from behind the counter, catching his arm as he turned around to face her. She had deep sea green eyes, he noted…sparkling sea green eyes…

"I might actually be able to use some help around here," she stammered, slowly smiling up at him. "I mean…well….why don't you come by tomorrow and we'll sit down and talk about your job experience and where it is that I can place you."

There was something about this man that stood before her. The pain and heartache was evident upon his face. And she was certain that scar wasn't something he had been born with. Still…he entranced her somehow…much like the shooting star that lit up the sky only moments ago.

Shy grinned slightly and nodded. "Sure."

"Great," she replied, slowly beginning to back away. "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then."

He made his way to the door before turning back around. "Right…and thank you…uh…"

"Jordan," she stated, a wide smile now spreading across her face. "My name is Jordan."

"Jordan…" he repeated, not missing how his heart seemed to speed up when he said her name. "Have a goodnight." And with that he ducked out of the small seafood eatery and walked back down the platform; his eyes drifting up towards the shooting stars that filled the night sky.