Inspired by 3 Doors Down "Back To Me" ————————

The secretary, who Aja had finally learned her name was Amy, had a love of listening to music while she worked and since the music played via the in house system, Aja would hear whatever was playing. She didn't bother shutting off her speaker to her office as it was nice background noise.

This particular day, she was sitting at her desk going over some papers Teddy had her reading before she signed them, when the melody of the song caught her attention enough to be listening when the singing started. Aja paused in her reading to listen to the lyrics.

"I have poured out my heart, and laid it right here for you, and I've tried so hard that's the best that I can do. Please understand I am not who I was."

She found that the singer made her think about her and Tristan. She put her chin in her hand while she stared out at the ocean, letting the lyrics speak to her.

Tears forget, that's more than I can do, 'Cause they don't wash away all the things that we've been through, I've put behind me my share of the shame. We could call villains but it's all in vain. You used to be all that I had, now you're just not what I need. I've got to get over you and I know, Then I can get back to me. Being honest with herself, there was no one to blame for what was going on with her and Tristan now. It was just that too many years had passed since he died. She became her own person. Back then, her family was Tanner and the crew. Then Tristan became her family, when he was gone, it was the first time she had to figure out what she was going to do on her own.

All of my life I've waited hoping, wanting you to see me the way that I am. But now I know, that I'm not alone. Someone understands. Padriq seemed to get who she was now, or at least he seemed to be trying to. Not that Padriq would ever be accused of over thinking anything. He didn't complain that she carried weapons, liked to do a lot of things herself and he had given up trying to change the way she dressed.

It wasn't that Tristan was complaining about who she was, but he definitely wasn't used to her being the one making big decisions on her own. She never really did when they were together the first time. Tanner usually made the big choices for them. Back then she was just coming into her own then, and with Tristan's help after Tanner passed on, she started learning how to deal with a life without a tangible link to her past.

Then, when Tristan died, she had to learn to do it mostly on her own. Rico was there, and the crew. But her and Rico got each other through the loss of Tristan. Little by little, Aja became a force to be reckoned with. She trained hard and got stronger bit by bit, day by day.

"You used to be all that I had, Now you're just not what I need. I've got to get over you and I know, Then I can get back to me. You've got to know that. You used to be all that I had, Now you're just not what I need. I've got to get over you and I know, Then I can get back to me. Then I can get back to me, (Then I can get back to me) Then I can get back to me."

She knew shortly after Tristan's return that they weren't who they used to be. That time had changed her permanently. She no longer "needed" a partner. She could get along fine on her own. To her own amusement, she realized that now it was a matter of wanting one.

And that someone was Padriq. For all his crazy half baked stunts, she found that it fit who she was now. They were ying and yang. Balancing, without over-powering.

When the song ended, she turned back towards the desk, another song started up and Aja tried to get back to work. But she found herself too distracted by the previous thoughts, so she got up and walked down the hall to Tristan's office.

She leaned in the doorway and watched him working at his desk. His sandy blond hair falling slightly in his face. He looked so focused on whatever it was he doing, probably the spread sheets she found too mind numbing boring to bother with. Tristan seemed to have an easier time with them and had taken them up for her.

"Hey." she said finally, making him look up at her.

"Hey, yourself." he said setting his pen down, giving her his full attention. "Taking a break?"

"Something like." Aja didn't move from the doorway, not that she needed to stay in the doorway, it just felt comfortable being there for moment. She shifted slightly. "Been thinkin actually."

"I could tell." Tristan said and exhaled slowly. "It's been twenty some years, but I know when you've got a lot on your mind." His work was pushed aside, and his figure rolled back in his seat, "What's on your mind, Aja?"

"Us. This place. You. Being back." she listed them in no particular order and shifted again. "I know, you had no control over leaving or even returning...it's what makes it all so ..." she paused looking for the appropriate words. "Complicated. But we're getting to a weird place now...and I don't think it's good fer either of us."

Tristan nodded a little, he folded his hands and propped his chin on them. "What do you suggest?"

"An amicable split." she said without hesitation, as she looked at him carefully. "We just aren't who were back then."

"Amicable split?" He couldn't help but rub his chin at the thought. "And what do you suppose I do?"

"Do?" she repeated a little puzzled then got what he was aiming at. After all, she did know the way the man thought. "Same as you've always done. Work here." she smiled. "You started this place. I just....enhanced it." she grinned. "No reason to break up a winning team like we have now just because we aren't going to be married anymore."

"I see. I suppose I could talk Trevor into housing me for a while at the lair and work on making a home here. I had my eye on a forest get away before I died, was going to make it a second home for us. I believe I might pursue that again." He admitted.

"It's not like you need to move out immediately." she smiled and stepped further into his office. "Ain't like the house is so tiny we're constantly going to be tripping over one another." thinking about the large manor they both lived in and she ambled around his office idly as she spoke. "If it's really that uncomfortable fer ya, I can always stay on the Breeze or there's yer parents place." she paused with a grin. "Not that either of us ever cared fer the decor of it." Aja chuckled recalling how they both felt like Shangri-La felt more like a museum than a home. "but, it's there."

"Of course, I have too many things collecting dust at the house." He said with a bit of a tease, then chuckled. He listened as she spoke, then nodded. "My parents house" It could work. I'll see what I can do to making it home, but with time. There is no rush is there?"

"No." she said instantly then smiled at him. "No. Jist been thinking about us for a while is all. And I know," she paused and looked at him seriously. "I can see you've been feelin it too. That we aren't as connected as we once were. Time has changed us both." she sighed a little thinking about the way they were different than they were back then. "I know we hate ta give up on anything. But I think we both can agree that we're more friends now...that what we had has gone." she shook her head. "No one to blame. No big trauma. Jist what is."

"I'd agree, I had hoped that twenty years really wouldn't have caused any difference. But, the more I spent time with you, I had to admit that...the connection I had with you wasn't there." He gave a small smile to her. "At least we tried and that is more than can be said for many."

"We did." she smiled and perched on the corner of his desk near him, reaching out to touch his face gently. "You always will be my first great love." she let her hand drop then the smile not leaving her face. "But, I'm not that same girl. Yer a different man now. And I think we can still work together without all the drama."

"One never gets over the first person they love, I know that. I'll always love you Aja, but it's quite possible for me to love you as a friend." He leaned in a little and smiled. "There won't be any drama Aja, it might just make us a better team."

"Was kinda hopin ya'd feel that way." she smiled then it dropped a little as she thought about the next thing she wanted to talk about. Not that subject matter was troubling, just how Tristan might react to it. "There is the matter of a certain pirate who I'd like very much ta see." she raised a brow a little and watched Tristan carefully. "Without you punching him out if at all possible." she gave a small grin, but this was a tricky thing to bring up to an ex husband no matter the circumstances.

"Would it be a certain pirate that I owe thanks to for my return to the land of the living?" He asked curiously.

"The same." she smiled. "He's not given up on me." she shook her head lightly. "Which I find kinda amazing considering anyone else would've been up ta here.." she raised her hand to her head as an indication. "with the constant blockades to a decent shot at seeing where the relationship went on its own."

"I won't stand in the way of that." He said warmly. "Persistence is a trait I think we both can admire. Stubbornness as well." He lifted a hand, a smirk on his face," But allow me to have some fun before I fully give my blessing?"

"Yank Padriq's chain a little?" She started to grin a little wickedly. "Uh...ok." she laughed. "I owe him one ya see fer a bit he pulled a while back involving him replacing all my usual clothes with dresses." she smiled wider then. "I think ya givin him a .." she made air quotes. "hard time..." Aja dropped her hands. "about dating yer "wife" jist might repay him for that bit of shenanigans."

A healthy chuckle left him as he listened. "So, his persistence..." He smiled to her," It's really what you want to be happy then yeah?"

"I think..." she started carefully choosing her words on the subject. "that I'd like very much to see where this goes. If I am able now to put someone else in this life with me that can be the partner I need..want. Without feelin like I'm losing who I've become in the process." she looked at Tristan then seriously. "Ya remember back then, the way I always though that relationships were about power?" She watched him nod. "I always thought it was about the control. That one always had to give it over to the other." she then looked at Tristan with a smile. "Till I met you...and now...I've made this life. I like, this life." she smiled. "I'd jist like ta share it with someone...who never knew that other girl."

"I wish you the best of happiness." He said warmly. "He better give it, or I'll have to pay him more than a playful visit."

"Ya'd have ta stand in line." she grinned at Tristan. "That part of me that took care of myself got a lot stronger in yer absence." Aja laughed a little. "There's been one or two men over the years, that learned da hard way not ta screw with me."

He nodded softly," Then I suppose I'll enjoy waiting in that line if I find he's hurt you, however..." his eyes locked with hers, his smile growing," from what I hear, his persistence and determination means he won't fail at making you feel like yourself and a bit more."

"Maybe so." she smiled easy enough. "Least the chance will be there ta find out." she paused again looking at him fondly. "Same goes fer you ya know." she nudged him lightly. "Yer a hella attractive man, if ya date bimbos though, I might jist whack ya upside yer head. Ya deserve better than some tramp. You deserve a good woman who can appreciate all that you are." Aja paused again. "Maybe, give ya the family that ya wanted...that we never got around ta making."

"We shall see what comes my way." Tristan chuckled a little. "Aja. One thing." He stood and made his way around his desk to her. His hands moved to her shoulders and gripped them gently for a moment. "The next time you find time for that pirate, be careful, the Post is rather pesty."

"Eh. I know." she laughed. "Rikki reads da gossip column ta me every time it comes out."

He winked, "I'd say, let's give the Post something they can't resist."

"Like we haven't already?" She grinned. "Most of RhyDin can't figure out what da hell is going on with my love life." she chuckled. "I sort of like it being a bit of a mystery." she laughed a little. "Padriq definitely made it a bit more interesting when he proposed again in front of Eless." she grinned. "I think she was about ta faint!"

He chuckled. "Proposed again, eh' Well then, I think that I have one more duty as your husband."

"Ex." she grinned. "Gotta get used ta sayin that or yer new prospects might vanish before anything starts." she gave him a wink.

A laugh left his lips," New prospects." the chuckle continued. "We shall see."

"Aw don't even give me that." Aja grinned up at him. "Ya know ya got the sexy swinging. Don't even play like ya don't know." they seemed to be returning to their familiar habit of teasing one another, like they used to back when it was just friends. "I'm gonna have ta run background checks on "em. Make sure they ain't jist interested in yer wallet." she grinned. "Sexy *and* rich' Oh yeah, yer gonna be beatin" em off with a stick!"

He nudged her while he laughed out," Careful, I might just have to remind Padriq that he's not untouchable only because he's nesting with the boss."

That made Aja laugh. She smiled up at Tristan and shook her head a little.

"Don't forget royalty too." it was one of the things she didn't mention much, but found with teasing about certain things, it came in handy.

"Like you ever let that bolster your status." He grinned.

"I don't." she chuckled. "But it doesn't hurt sometimes when out and about dealin with certain people to have the .." more air quotes with her fingers. "royalty aspect ta toss inta da deal." she smiled. "It's not like he's ever cared about that. I honestly think he fergets sometimes that it is a part of my life...simply because I don't mention it."

"I think he just sees you as Aja Bird, young, beautiful, smart, and trouble. Which is probably why he's so addicted to you." That was the truth, but....a tease as well.

"Or he could be just crazy." she grinned. "But I like that about him." she paused then and looked up at Tristan. "So...we're good" All nice adult and civil like?"

"Did you want me to kick and scream like a little girl and demand that you be mine and only mine?" One brow rose.

"No." she laughed. "Jist makin sure we're both ok with the way things are gonna be from now on. That it all feels fair ta both sides."

"It feels more than fair Aja, it feels reasonable, responsible, and the right thing to do." He kissed her brow and sighed. "Just do me a favor."

"And that would be..?" she smiled up at Tristan and kissed his cheek fondly feeling a little relieved it had gone fairly smooth.

"Keep smiling, be happy, and if you need anything, come see me. My door will always be open." Tristan smiled.

"Same goes fer you." she said with a grin. "And don't worry about da town." she waved a hand. "I'll tell Bob and Ed of the Historical society, it'll spread around rather quickly that we're jist fine as friends and that we're still gonna be runnin da ship yards as partners." she grinned. "Rikki, of course, won't be too surprised. He'll roll along with it as he's done with mostly everything else involving me." she laughed then grinned at him. "I would caution warnin my sis if yer plannin on taken him out as yer wingman though."

"I'll warn her. As best as I can." He chuckled. "But something tells me that Rico isn't much up to wingmanning any more, after all, he's got a Bird on his hands."

"Well, it's more if Rico goes out..." she grinned thinking of what normally happened when Rico went out. "there's someone to make sure he don't shoot Albie in da ass with da darts." she laughed thinking about her son's reactions to a drunken Rico. "Ajia knows you two go way back. Or she should by now." Aja patted Tristan on the arm then moved past the current conversation to that of the business. "Oh yeah...I finally learned the secretaries name, by the way. Since ya seem ta have a knack fer keepin the office help, I'll leave that in yer hands."

"You know....Amy is kinda cute." He grinned," Might not need to drag Rico out just yet."

"Jist don't get us sued. Teddy will kick yer ass fer makin more work fer him." Aja laughed and turned for the door. "I'll give him a call, let him know he can stop diggin up marriage law stuff. We'll have the papers drawn up fer partnership instead." she leaned again in the doorway. "Make sure everyone is covered."

"Perhaps we should make Rico, Ajia, and your Pirate partners as well" Make it a family business." He smiled.

"Rick's been a partner fer years now." Aja said and glanced over her shoulder towards his office. He of course, wasn't in it. She looked back at Tristan then. "He jist never makes a big deal out of being co-owner. He prefers da crew seeing him the same as they always have." Aja then thought about her sister. "Not sure what Ajia would want in that aspect. Have ta get "er out of da barn ta talk ta her about stuff." Aja paused thinking about Padriq in reference to the yards. He did have his mind set on a construction business now and it seemed to suit him just fine. "And let's jist see where me and Padriq work out to before we start talking about that."

"Very well. The papers can wait however, I think we need a drink. Yes?" He was already moving for his jacket.

Aja glanced at her watch, surprised to realize that it was lunch time already. She nodded a little and smiled at Tristan. "Drinks after work would be good."

"We could swing by Rhy'din tonight if you like, invite Padriq too." He smiled," I think you might be quite eager to break the news."

"And take all the fun out of ya screwin with him first?" She grinned at him. "Like I would deprive ya of yer fun."

"Oh I'd screw with him before you broke the news. I'd make sure of that." He winked and held the door open for her.

"Of course." she chuckled. "We can hatch a plan over lunch." she said stepping into the hallway and heading for the stairs that would lead to the first floor. "Maybe we invite Bob and Ed ta lunch too. They get a first hand peek that we're ok with things?"

"I don't mind eating with the H.S. it might be enlightening." He chuckled, following her down the stairs.

"Sounds good." she commented then waved at Amy. "Amy, we're at lunch. Jist hold da fort fer an hour."

"Will do." the chipper secretary said with a smile. Aja grinned at Tristan as they got outside.

"She's awful perky, Tris." she teased. "Maybe jist a fling?"

"I can have a fling then?" He chuckled, "That's awfully risky."

"You can have whatever ya want." Aja laughed. "Just sayin. She's waay perky. Never knew ya ta like that too much."

"I don't, but....if I can have whatever I want, then tonight I'm going to bathe in jelly." He chuckled.

"Oh fer da love of Zeus." Aja laughed. "Please tell me yer gonna do that at yer parents house...so I don't have ta listen ta Maria complain about da clean up."

"I think we should let Maria complain." He chuckled. "It's refreshing some times."