A/N: Hey! I've been putting this chapter off because it makes me sad… But the other day I randomly thought of a way to end it that would be good enough for me.

Thanks for the previous reviews!

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing. Again. Gah, I need some stuff!

Take it Easy (Love Nothing)

Chapter Three: Nothing Gets Crossed Out

Pain. Separation. A long journey. An even longer mission. It's desperately needed. The consequences if she refuses: everyone she has ever known and loved—dead. And he's in the center of the crowd, a look of disappointment and agony etched in his handsome features. With shock, she realizes that fate is cruelly sparing her so she has to watch the deaths of her friends, students, and lover while she remains physically unharmed, only to suffer from the loss of their lives. Then, everything goes dark—everything, that is, except their crimson blood. The two colors begin to swirl, slowly at first, but then faster and faster until she finally gives in and opens her mouth to scream the one name that can always bring her comfort. But her breath catches in her throat and all that erupts is a strangled cry and she begins to choke—

When she regained consciousness, Ryn Falken was coughing loudly in the central hall of the Academy, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. She attempted to recall what she'd been doing. There had been a meeting; she was on her way back to her room when a sharp pain in her skull caused the room to spin into a vision. She shakily pressed a hand to her suddenly clammy forehead.

A pair of footsteps echoed throughout the room as a man ran towards her. The Jedi felt his strong hands grasp her shoulders. "Ryn! Ryn, you okay, hun?"

His voice was so kind and sweet. She didn't deserve it, not unless she could save him. The Master mumbled something about using inappropriate nicknames in public and turned to leave, but stumbled as soon as she moved her weak legs.

Instantly, he caught her. "Looks like I get to act freely in public anyway," he grinned at her as he shifted her in his arms. "C'mon, sweetheart, we're going to your room."

She started to protest, "Atton, I'm quite fine if you would just let me…" Ryn trailed off as she realized she wasn't fooling anyone, not even herself. So she just snuggled in his arms, relishing the fact that this odd situation had allowed them to make even the slightest of physical contact. Gently, Atton carried her through the Academy as she thanked the Force they weren't between classes so people wouldn't stare. The mentally exhausted Jedi allowed herself to wrap her arms around his neck and slowly breathe in his scent of worn leather, sweat, a woodsy soap, and just a hint of juma. He'd occasionally find a way to sneak some in. He was, after all, a smuggler by nature.

Finally he entered her quarters. The Exile toyed with the idea that he may release her then, but he just sat on the bed with her still captive in his arms. He rested his chin on her head and she still grasped his neck for support. They sat in silence for a while, and Ryn secretly planned her escape. Her pilot would never let her go alone; now that he'd seen her nearly faint in the central hall, she wouldn't be out of his sight for a good time. A tiny sigh escaped her.

"I'm not leaving 'til you tell me about it," he announced finally to confirm her suspicions, planting a kiss on the top of her head.

She decided to play dumb. "About what?"

Frustrated, he pulled away to give her a hard look. "You know damn well what: the vision."

"How do you know I wasn't just feeling faint?" she retorted.

"Sweetheart, give me a little more credit than that," he grumbled. Suddenly, his face became soft, tender. "Do you remember our first time together? Back on the Hawk?" He touched his forehead to hers and slowly nuzzled.



Ryn closed her eyes, brought the occurrence out of her memory, and smiled at the thought. "Yes," she whispered. But for all she looked like a blushing girl, her mind was working fast. She knew where he was going with this. The young Jedi had been troubled with a vision and he'd… comforted her. He was going to use this memory to suggest that she talk about what she'd seen today. But she could use this to her advantage as well.

Ryn took a deep breath and looked up at him through her lashes. "I believe you taught me a few things that night," she smiled coyly. Carefully, she removed one hand from around his neck and placed it on his cheek while the remaining hand slid to entwine in his hair. "Atton," Ryn murmured as she used her hand to tilt his mouth down to meet hers.

She used every dirty trick in the book. Her mouth teased, nibbled, sucked, and nipped on his until they were both ready to shed the remaining scraps of self-restraint they'd been carrying since joining the Academy.

When the immensely passionate kiss ended, he blinked, speechless. "Wow. You…uh, learned pretty well, huh?" His brows were raised and his eyes were bright and excited. "I…I thought you said no funny business in your room."

"Tonight's different," she said truthfully, hoping he couldn't see the way her eyes were filling with tears. "This is all too serious, Atton." She hated herself for using his desire like this. It wasn't fair to him, not at all, but maybe it would save him in the end. Ryn decided to push away the guilt for now. It was their last night; she may as well bloody enjoy it.

She should've left as soon as he was asleep. But Atton's strong arms were still wrapped around her body, holding her close to his hard yet comforting chest. It was almost as if… he knew. Ryn supposed she shouldn't be surprised; he had the uncanny ability to read her accurately, even before his training as a Jedi. As horrendously cliché as it sounded, it was like they were made for each other. Every part of them meshed so perfectly together that she found it hard to subtract herself from the equation.

I have to leave. And that requires a plan. The galaxy's counting on me, Ryn told herself stubbornly. But she made no movement. The Exile only hid under the covers like a stupid little child, not the brave Jedi she had to be so she could get through all of this in one piece.

She knew damn well what was scaring her so badly. The year on Dantooine had carved a wonderful etching in her mind and she didn't want to let it go. The pride of teaching the Younglings and the peace of the planet soothed her greatly in a time where she almost felt insane. More than anything, Ryn didn't want her mind to go back to the crumpled form it had been in shortly after Malachor. Besides, the companions she'd befriended during her travels were now her fellow staff members and in her own way she loved them all—especially the one whose naked form was currently in front of her.

Frustrated, Ryn fought against the lack of focus. She needed to do this, no matter how doubt was clouding her. Feebly, she tried to think about the task ahead instead of the magnificent specimen of male that was also lying before her. Suddenly she clenched her eyes and jaw shut; no more of this. After the galaxy was destroyed, who would really give a damn if she ended up with Atton or not? She was being selfish.

Ryn let out a tiny sigh as tilted her head up to look at her lover. How could someone as perfect as her Atton not be worth it? He was better than good. If she could save him, she'd do it, no matter the cost. And maybe, she lied to herself, after it's all over, we can find each other, and everything will be like it is now...

With the sharp pain of reality, she realized this could be the last time she set eyes on him. Selfishly, the woman savored the moment, trying to absorb everything into her memory. Atton's dark hair was slightly wind-tousled; they had left the window open. His face was beautiful as usual, with just a hint of stubble peppering his jaw. Against her better judgment, Ryn allowed her eyes to move downward to memorize the muscled arms and chest.



When she had memorized all that was possible about the moment, her entire body ached as she thought about leaving the man she loved so much. Those sunny days they'd spent in each others' arms… laughing, kissing, and generally wasting time… His wonderfully crooked smile that still managed to send shivers of happiness down her spine… All that would be gone.

She let it sink in, and when she was done, she carefully sealed the thoughts away for further grieving. Now was the time for action. She noted with worry how closely she was entwined with her pilot. One step at a time. First, I have to make sure he doesn't wake up when I leave. Carefully, she pried one long finger off of her. Alright, I'll just remove a little bit at a time. In the meanwhile, I can plan. And so she would think through one aspect of her plan perfectly, until only the ridiculous possibility of a pack of one-eyed swoop-biking gizka could possibly faze her plan. Then she would remove another of Atton's body parts from her. A step of the plan. Another removal.

It continued for over an hour until she was completely disentangled from her former Apprentice. At this point she wiped her teary eyes and fished in the pockets of her robes. Finally she felt the tube shape she was searching for. It had been a gift from Mira, given to her so long ago that she'd almost forgotten about it…

"Catch." The red-haired huntress tossed a small object to Ryn.

Automatically, she snatched it out of the air. It was a small tube of… "Lip gloss?" Ryn nearly laughed. "Uh, no thank you, I don't think I'll need this anytime soon," she blushed ferociously as an image of the man that lounged in the Hawk's cockpit came in her head unwarranted. What an odd time to think about Atton, she mused. She still hadn't admitted her feelings for the scoundrel.

"It's not for the pilot, if that's what you're thinking," Mira teased. "Unfortunately, he needs to be conscious so he can fly this piece of junk."

Ryn opened her mouth to protest the first part before her red face could give her away, but she soon closed it. "Conscious?" She looked down at the stick of gloss in her hand and read the label: Kiss of Death. "Hold on, what exactly is this stuff?" her eyes narrowed.

"Hey, calm down, Jedi," Mira said quickly. "The label's a bit too dramatic, actually. It'll just knock you out for a bit."

"Great. So if I ever need someone to be incapacitated I just offer them a makeover," she snorted in return.

"It's more useful than you think. But if you ever use it on your lips, just be sure not to let your tongue touch it," she warned.

The Jedi Exile cocked an eyebrow. "Why would I ever use it on me?"

Mira shrugged. "Dunno. Just have a feeling about this."

Thanks, Mira, she thought sadly as she carefully applied the substance to her lips. It smelled sweet, almost sickeningly so. Then she waited for a few seconds, knowing that her lover would jerk awake once he realized she was missing from his warm embrace.

Sure enough, he bolted up with a start, eyes wide and bare chest heaving. Ryn resisted the urge to cringe at the sight of her pilot so disturbed. What would happen to him? "Atton?" she ventured gently.

"Ryn," he managed through heavy breathing. "I… I dreamed you were… gone."

She wanted so badly to run to him and declare that she'd never leave him. But that was a lie. So instead she just stood there, concentrating on not biting her shining lip.

"Baby, don't go away, come here." His voice was husky, as if he knew it was going to happen and needed to dissuade her.



Ryn silently obeyed and crossed the room to where he sat up in bed. Gently, she rested one hand on his shoulder, used the other to tilt his face up so it was inches from hers, and gave him a weak smile. "Atton, I love you. No matter what happens, I'll always love you."

"I love you too, but what's wrong?" he asked, wiping away a tear from her cheek. He looked fearful, bordering on anger or suspicion. "Sweetheart, what's going on?"

"I… I'm not sure," she said truthfully. Then she slowly kissed his mouth, more tears coursing down her face as he eagerly absorbed the sweet poison, completely unaware that she was destroying their relationship with a kiss. She felt a shiver go through his muscles and then, he fell back onto the bed.

"Goodbye," she whispered as she climbed out the window to enter a freezing night and a lonely life.

Ryn considered herself lucky to have managed to give the droids the order to lift off before retreating to her quarters. Then, carefully, like slowly pouring out a pail that was filled to the brim, she allowed her grief to trickle past the barriers she had just placed. And with that came the steady trickle of tears, too.

She wasn't quite sure how long she sat on her cot that first night in the Ebon Hawk. It wasn't like she particularly cared, either. For the longest time the woman allowed herself to drown in her sorrows… until she heard a voice.

"Need a hand?" It was soft, gentle, and loving. Most importantly, it was reserved just for her. She ventured to look up and saw Atton standing in front of her, offering his gloved hand. The startled Jedi Master foolishly allowed herself to believe that it was her pilot and shakily reached out a hand to grasp his. But as soon as she moved, he disappeared—in his place stood HK-47.

"Huh?" she sniffled pathetically.

"Repetition: Master, I asked if you require any assistance," came the metallic voice of the assassin, so unlike her beloved smuggler.

"I don't think anyone can help me right now," Ryn muttered sadly, looking down at her shoes.

"Agreement: Of course, Master. It is just as well, for I doubt the salty liquid coming from your eyes would benefit my hardware." HK made a half-turn towards the door before pausing. "Attempted Comfort: Master, I do hope you feel better soon."

Ryn looked up and smiled at the protocol unit. "Thank you, HK. But this situation is… difficult for humans. I'm not sure this is going to go away very quickly. So you'll probably just have to deal with it for a while," she explained apologetically.

"Farewell: Of course, Master. Goodbye, Master."

A/N: Well, that's it! HK's my favorite because he's such a douche…lol. There are two alternate endings that I may write and post separately… What do ya'll think? Oh, and I was also considering merging Doors and this to make one big story, but A-I'd lose all my precious reviews, and B-There's a huge gap in between. I think I'll just continue this one separately. I may change the name though, because eventually I stop using Bright Eyes for inspiration.

Hopefully it'll take me less time because… I actually have a plan! Oo Oh, and no more summer school! Now I have BAND rehearsal/camp! Whoo! (sorta)

lol, well, thanks for reading and please review!