Title: Heart's Debt

Author: Tabitha R. Jones (me in other words)

Fandom: The Tribe

Pairing: Jay/Pride (possible others as the story progresses.... if you don't like slash, please don't read!)

Disclaimer: I do not now nor have I ever owned the Tribe or its characters. They are all the property of Cloud 9, and I am just playing in their world.

Rating: This chapter, PG-13. Future chapters? Probably R!

Summary/Genre: Action/romance/slash/drama (come on, it's the Tribe...). Jay and Pride are troubled by something-- could it be a desire for hot man lovin' with each other?! ^_~ 816 words for part two.

Archiving: Ask me first. Also, I will be posting it to FanFic.net and to my LiveJournal.

Comments: Yes, please! But be gentle, it's my first fic in years! ^_^;

*********************************************************** Episode 2

Salene sat in the food court, sipping a cup of hot tea. She looked up as Pride entered and smiled.

"Welcome back," she said, expecting a cheerful greeting.

"Hey," Pride grunted, immediately crossing to the kettle and checking it for hot water.

Salene gazed at him across the room, worry playing across her cherubic face. Was Pride acting.... distant? She shook her head slightly and went over to him.

"There's some hot water left if you'd like some tea," she offered, "Or are you hungry?"

"No, tea's fine," said Pride laconically, "All I need is a good cup of tea." He distractedly toyed with a tea bag.

"Well, let me help you," Salene smiled, moving closer. She brushed against his arm in the close quarters of the kitchen and her smile deepened.

"Sal, I'm perfectly capable of making myself a cup of tea!" snapped Pride, "I'm not an invalid!"

Salene stared at him for a moment, eyes wide with shock. She tossed down the spoon she held and stalked out of the kitchen just as Cloe appeared in the doorway. The younger girl glanced nervously from Salene to Pride, unsure of what had happened. Pride sighed heavily and looked away, unable to meet Cloe's questioning eyes.

"Is... everything all right?" she asked meekly, transfixed by Pride's profile. She gave herself a mental kick, reminding herself that she was seeing Ved. Besides, there was no sense in getting worked up over Pride now that he was obviously with Salene.

"Everything's fine, Clo," said Pride, intently concentrating on making the perfect cup of tea, "Nothing to worry about." Pride hoped his voice sounded even enough. He knew how quickly gossip spread among the members of the Mallrat Tribe- what one of them knew, it was a sure bet the others would know right after.

Cloe smiled at Pride sympathetically, "Things a bit rough with Salene?"

Pride stirred his tea absently, unsure how to answer the younger girl. Before he could even come up with an answer, she spoke again.

"Well, I'm not about to get in the middle of anything, but if you need someone to talk to..." Cloe trailed off, then smiled again, hoping she didn't sound too bold, "You know where to find me." With that, she left the kitchen, leaving Pride alone with his thoughts and his tea. Once Pride was certain she'd left, he sighed heavily again and rubbed his temples. Things were only going to get rougher in the next twenty-four hours.

*-*-*-*-*-*

Ebony sat in her room, quietly contemplating a sheaf of papers when a knock at the door disturbed her concentration. She rose to answer it, then smiled broadly as Jay entered the room.

"Well," she said, "I wasn't expecting you until much later."

Ebony moved closer to Jay, slipping an arm around his waist, "Not that I mind at all, really." She paused, waiting for a kiss. To her surprise, it didn't come.

"Just came by to see how you were," said Jay, "And to ask you to help me with one of these bandages. It's come loose, I think." Jay turned away, deftly avoiding Ebony's encircling arm, and pulled off his shirt.

Stung over the cold greeting she'd received, Ebony composed herself and immediately set to checking Jay's dressings. She allowed her gaze to linger on his smooth pale skin and chiseled chest while she worked. Once the bandages were adjusted, she smiled up at Jay, a twinkle in her eyes.

"That should hold you," murmured Ebony, "Are you sure you just came for my nursing skills?" Her hand trailed down Jay's arm, and she leaned closer to him, ready to brush her full lips against his smooth skin. Jay suddenly stiffened and pulled away. Ebony's eyes widened in shock and surprise.

"Actually, yes, I've got to get back to work," he said in clipped tones, "I'll be missed." Jay pulled his shirt back on, then gave Ebony a perfunctory peck on the cheek. "Another time, maybe." He strode from the room, leaving a stunned Ebony in his wake. She watched him go, too surprised even to speak. Finally, she flung herself back into her chair.

"Now, just what was that all about?!" she asked herself, still staring at the door in disbelief. "If I didn't know better, I'd swear he was acting distant... as though..."

Ebony shook her head to clear it, her long braids swinging, "It can't be possible. Who could he be with besides me?" She paused, racking her brain, insecurity playing across her beautiful face. Finally, she leaped to her feet and grabbed her jacket.

"Well, I'll soon get to the bottom of this!" she thought as she hurried out of the room. There had to be a reason Jay was acting so oddly, and Ebony knew she'd find her answers if she just engaged in a little stealth- and a little spying!