"I tracked you down," Calla explained, stroking green plastic of the chair she was sitting in, in the corner of the small apartment, "It wasn't easy, took me all day. Honestly, I almost gave up before I found your place." She looked around the apparent before saying, "Kind of cozy, really."
"Thanks," Neal said, not moving from his spot or taking his eyes off the young assassin, "Did someone put a hit out on me?"
Calla chuckled then stood up as she said, "I'm not sure if I mentioned it, last time we met, Neal, but I don't take jobs on Earth. On a recent job I learn of something going on in your neck of the woods that I thought Jack would want to know about. " She was now within inches of Neal. "And I thought, as long as I was in town," She put her arms around his neck, "I'd come see if you wanted to pick up where we left off."
"I need to stop you right there," Neal said, backing out of the embrace, "Remember how you said we were free to pursue relationships with other people?"
"Yes," Calla said, not sure if she liked where this was going.
"Well, I'm pursuing another relationship," Neal replied, "with a co-worker."
"So?" Calla responded.
"So?" Neal repeated, "I'm in a committed relationship. A serious one. So we can't...you know. Look, I'm sorry you came all this way for nothing."
"It's alright," Calla said, "I understand."
"Really?" Neal said, grateful he hadn't incurred her wrath, but still wondering why not.
"I mean, don't get wrong, I like you," Calla said, "But I have my pick of other guys. You are by no means my only option."
"Okay, I get the point," Neal said, then trying to change the subject, said, "So what was so important you come a couple of billion light-years to talk to Jack about?"
"Just thought he would like to know," Calla said, putting her hands on her hips, "There's a hostage situation that goes from the Byzanthum galaxy to your own back yard that's going on its twelfth year."