Chapter 25- Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice aka Lightning Never Strikes Twice

Night came quickly on the island Danni had nicknamed Storm Island. In her opinion that's exactly what it appeared to be. Twigs were strewn about and trash littered the place they were calling shelter. Not to mention it seemed to bring on a storm of bickering among the Technos gathered there until boredom sent them spiraling into sleep.

"Do you think there's a camp on the other side of this place?" she asked the only other person awake besides Josh.

"It used to be a prison camp," he was referring to the whole island, "but we shut it down just before Mega's fall. Too many inhumane things were occurring here," he glared at Josh in the darkness.

Danni could feel Josh tense at her side. She glared at Dragon, but Mega spoke before she could. "So your sister is checking all the islands her boyfriend might've ended up on? Why not just phone ahead to your other Techno buddies on the islands and ask for the guy?"

Dragon's jaw tightened. He didn't know why it bothered him so much to be having this simple conversation with this man. Mega had never done anything wrong to him, and he always admired the guy as a leader before things went south. Could It be I'm Jealous, he thought. The guy spent a lot of time with Danni.

"He's a virt, for one. Tribe leader's do not associate with those of low standard, and two, if my sister wants to haul you all over the world in search of a man, you'd better appreciate it. She saved your life!"

Mega fell silent, but Danni didn't feel him easing and neither was Dragon. She could cut the tension with a knife.

"Enough you two," Danni spoke before Dragon could open his mouth to gloat, "Why don't we try to get some sleep."

Dragon stood going to the other side of the small shelter, "Good idea."

"I wonder what that was all about," Danni whispered, sitting with her back up against the wall now. Josh settled beside her, already having grown wary of the chair.

"You really don't know?" Josh said with a hint of skepticism in his voice, "How long has the guy been pursuing you?"

"Two years," she answered then paused," Wait a sec, you don't think he's…jealous, do you?"

He laughed, "It's plausible, you do spend all your time with me."

"But you're my patient, I am dedicated to getting you back on your feet. Besides, after my last relationship I think I am better off alone."

"If what they say about me is true, nobody is better off alone. I could've used someone to soften this heart of mine."

"You're not a bad guy Josh."

"I was. I don't want my memory back if I was the monster I dream about."

"You keep saying that, but what about the good you did, and Tai-San?"

"Tai-San is just a name I remember."

"Same here," Danni scrunched up her nose. She had never had any quarrel with Tai-San she just didn't have a good feeling about the other woman, especially when it came to her taking control of things with the Chosen.

"You knew her?" he asked.

"I don't think anyone really knew Tai-San."

"Oh."

She yawned, "Josh, listen to me. We all have ghosts. Everyone has done something they're not proud of, but we learn to live with that. We can only learn from our mistakes."

He nodded though he was sure she couldn't see, the room was completely dark now, "You're tired you should get some rest."

"I mean it," she said stubbornly fighting her heavy eyelids, "Look at the opportunity you've been given to turn things around."

"I'll try doc."

Satisfied she shut her eyes and soon she was asleep. But the man beside her remained awake. Josh was afraid to close his eyes in fear of being reminded again of his role as Mega. He didn't want to have that nightmare again. Not tonight.

~0~

Trader and Amber were using one another. They both knew it and they both ignored this fact. But Trader knew what Amber didn't, they were falling in love.

This hadn't occurred to him until he found himself thinking of her more than May. He loved spending time with her and BJ. His heart sang whenever she entered the room, and when she smiled at him he was sure he could hear angels sing.

He laughed at his cheesy thoughts. But that was the way he felt. He hadn't felt that way in a long time. Amber woke something up in him; the will to live. He'd gladly trade in being a sleazy trader for Amber.

"He's seeing someone on the island, I just know it! But who?" Amber was going off on a rant.

He suddenly remembered she was talking, and it made him angry. Not at her, but at Bray. Amber deserved to be happy.

"Why do you continue to hold out hope for this guy?"

"He was the first man I ever let inside. The first cut is always the deepest, like you and May you know?"

"No I don't know. May wasn't my first love and now I'm convinced it was just lust with she and I."

"Oh," Amber paused, "But Bray, he's the father of my son. I'll always love him."

"That doesn't mean you have to be in love with him."

"I know. A part of me just can't let him go, that is why I need to know who he's seeing."

Trader sighed heavily, "Amber…"

"It's insane I know!"

"Yes it is! Amber has it ever occurred to you to just move on? I mean lightening never strikes the same place twice!"

"What? What does that mean?"

"It means he's no longer interested in you. He struck your heart once but he's moved on so it's not going to happen again. Goodness woman you need to move on!" he stood up abruptly.

She was staring at him in amazement at his bewilderment, "Why are you mad?"

He shook his head calming down, "Come find me when you figure it out," he bent over, kissing her cheek gently.

She watched him leave with a sad and confused face, "I wonder what's got his island briefs all in a bunch!" she blurted after he had gone.

~0~

The Guardian had been lying low on Fleur Isle. It wasn't out of fear that he'd harm anyone, but out of respect that he had harmed them in the past. He didn't want to cause any alarm. He was completely reformed. Or so he hoped he was for his life's sake!

"How did you get out of Techno clutches?"

He looked up from the water at the edge of the pier to see Tai-San. Yesterday's storm had come and gone and the sun once again shone bright, even if it was still cold.

"Ladies first."

"I ran away."

"Something you're good at."

"At least I'm not some crazy nut!"

"Says the woman who doesn't believe in marriage yet was married twice?"

"Mega and I were never officially married."

"Well congratulations you managed to break another heart."

"I hear you broke a heart or two all on your own."

"All water under the bridge now. Why did you really come out here Tai-San?"

"She's coming."

He stiffened, "She?"

"Yes, Kyra is coming. I am not one-hundred percent sure Jaffa, but I did have a homing beacon."

"Where is it now?"

"Destroyed by Lex but not before I turned it on."

"You stupid woman!"

"You have lived this long."

"Sorry to disappoint you, but she's not looking to kill me."

"What would she need you for then?"

"The Technos needed you for your photographic memory and peace instilling ways like they needed me for my mind."

"So what you're saying is you're not crazy?"

"I don't know. I saw things no one else saw. Was I crazy or am I a seer? The Technos wanted to use me to find out…"

Tai-San stopped him, "You said saw, as in past tense?"

"Every since the last island, I haven't had a vision. I only dream. Dreams are a natural occurrence."

"Dreams hold meaning too."

Jaffa didn't want to talk about his dreams. Especially not with her so he changed the subject, "Does Ram know his understudy and replacement is coming?"

"No. But he knows about the homing beacon and he thinks there's a chance they can find our location."

"Well Tai-San if she does happen to locate Fleur Isle, I am glad I am the one who won't be taking the fall for the storm. Now if you'll excuse me. I must be on my way."

"It was nice chatting with you too Jaffa," a hint of bitterness to her tone.

He responded to the tone and not her words, "The feeling is mutual."