Old Ghosts

An Alleycat Crew Short

The bar was half-lit and half-empty, which was exactly how Kash liked it.

A tough job behind them, a few bruises still tender, and a bottle of something strong between him and the rest of the world. Calynn had slipped off to grab them food—he’d offered, but she insisted, saying he looked like he might actually melt if he stood up.

So Kash nursed his drink, trying to relax. For once, there were no alarms, no debts, no double-crosses. Just the quiet hum of a local tavern on the edge of nowhere.

Then a voice slipped through the noise behind him—smooth, familiar, and far too dangerous.

“Well, if it isn’t the infamous Captain Smith,” she said, her tone sharp and sugary at once.

Kash froze. The sound of her voice sent a chill up his spine. He turned to look for Calynn but instead found… her.
There she was—Rhea. Same dark eyes, same half-smile that always spelled trouble. Seven years hadn’t dulled her spark… or his memory of how spectacularly things ended.

“Rhea,” he said flatly, setting his glass down. “You’re still alive.”

“Don’t sound so disappointed.” She slid onto the stool beside him, uninvited but comfortable. “You always did have a soft spot for lost causes.”

Kash chuckled, though it came out dry. “Guess I finally learned my lesson.”

“Have you?” Rhea leaned closer, perfume faintly sweet with a sharp edge. “Word is, you’ve got quite the reputation. No crew, no cause, no chaos. Just results… for a hefty price. I didn’t think you had it in you.”

“People grow,” Kash said evenly. “Some of us, anyway. What do you want, Rhea?”

“Maybe a drink. Maybe you,” she said with a sly grin. “You always were a good bad habit.”

“Haven’t we tried that enough?” Kash asked, annoyed.

“Maybe it’ll work out this time,” Rhea replied too sweetly.

“Who’s this, beloved?” Calynn’s voice was calm, polite… but sharp and perfectly timed.

Rhea blinked, thrown off. “Beloved?”

Kash turned toward her, and his expression softened immediately. “Hey, Baby Girl… is that my sandwich?”

Calynn raised an eyebrow, holding up the plate. “You mean our… sandwich?”

He grinned, completely unfazed by Rhea’s stare. “Figures.”

Only then did he gesture casually between them. “Rhea Talven, meet Calynn Smith. Calynn… Rhea.”

“Smith?” Rhea repeated, eyes narrowing. “Are you two—”

“Sharing everything including a ship?” Calynn asked sweetly, sliding onto Kash’s lap like it was the most natural thing in the world. “Naturally.”

Rhea blinked, processing, her grin faltering. “Oh. I see.”

Calynn tilted her head, fingers tracing the collar of Kash’s shirt. “Do you?”

Rhea hesitated, then slid off the stool, her voice suddenly brittle. “Always knew you’d settle down someday, Kash. Just didn’t think it’d be so… domestic.”

“Life’s full of surprises,” Kash said dryly.

“Apparently,” Rhea muttered, tossing a few credits on the counter before stalking off toward the exit.

Calynn waited until the door hissed shut before leaning in and murmuring, “Old flame?”

Kash exhaled through his nose, his smirk softening into something closer to fondness. “Old ghost.”

Calynn smiled faintly. “Well, she won’t be haunting you anymore.”

“No… not anymore,” Kash smiled, his hands gliding around her waist. “Thanks to you.”

“Do I get a reward for keeping you safe from ghosts?” Calynn asked, her eyes smoldering.

“What kind of reward?” Kash murmured, his hand sliding up her back beneath her shirt.

Calynn smirked, snatched the sandwich from the counter, and took a slow bite. “Another sandwich.”