For once the long delay is not my fault - my beta reader (ie, husband) has been lazy lately. As always and ever, your reviews are greatly appreciated.

Chapter Ten – Stranded

Aeryn growled and slammed her hand of cards down, scattering them across the table. "Pazaak is a stupid game," she pouted, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at Atton's bemused smirk.

"Pazaak," he announced as he gathered up the cards, "is neither a game, nor stupid, sweetheart. It's an art form. And it's only stupid if you don't know how to play," he teased with a wink.

"Oh, please, it's nothing but chance!" Aeryn protested in irritation. "And aren't you supposed to be a gentlemen and let me win a hand or two?"

Atton grinned broadly as he leaned across the table toward her. "I'm not a gentlemen. And you don't strike me as the kind of woman who would appreciate that anyway." Aeryn shrugged noncommittally, even though he was right. Atton leaned back again and mimicked her shrug. "Hey, nobody's forcing you to play." Mischief shone in his eyes as he looked pointedly over her shoulder and whispered, "You could always go 'meditate' with granny over there."

Aeryn scowled as she glanced at Kreia, who sat motionless in the far corner of the room, supposedly deep in her meditations. In the nearly two weeks the three had spent locked away in the small apartment, Aeryn had learned practically nothing of use about the mysterious woman. Kreia never spoke to them unless she was directly addressed, and even then her replies were as short as possible. Every attempt to learn more about their bond had been met with cryptic answers and half-truths, and Aeryn was completely fed up with the woman's presence. The only thing Kreia seemed willing to do with her was meditate, an exercise Aeryn had always had little patience for.

"I'll pass, thanks," Aeryn muttered as she turned back to her companion. Lowering her voice she asked, "I never thought I'd say something like this, but am I the only one who feels like the blind woman is always watching me?"

Atton chuckled, but there was an undeniable anger in his eyes as he responded, "Yeah, she's watching alright. Watching and waiting. I just wonder what she's waiting for." He frowned and gazed down at the cards he was turning over idly in his hands, but Aeryn could see his jaw tighten and she wondered what he was holding back.

Aeryn nearly jumped out of her skin as a hand gripped her shoulder. Turning to stare up into Kreia's milky gaze, Aeryn suppressed a shudder as the old woman intoned, "Someone approaches."

Atton and Aeryn rose as the door to their apartment slid open, revealing a grim-faced Lieutenant Grenn. "Oh that is not a good look," Atton muttered for Aeryn's ears only. "That's not the face of a man about to happily send us on our way."

Rolling her eyes at what she hoped was merely an exaggeration, Aeryn forced a smile at Grenn. "Good afternoon, Lieutenant. I sure as hell hope you have good news for us."

"Depends on how you look at things I suppose," Grenn replied blandly. "Our investigation has led us to the conclusion that you are not responsible for the devastation that occurred on Peragus. All data indicates that the miners were either dead or dying when you arrived…or were currently incarcerated." He paused to give Atton a hard look, and the scoundrel managed to look sheepish, before Grenn continued, "The destruction of the planet itself seems to have been just as you said: an accident. So, it is my duty to inform you that all charges against you have been officially dropped."

With an explosive sigh, Aeryn released the breath that she had not realized she'd been holding. She gave Atton an "I told you so" look, to which the scoundrel shrugged, still looking skeptical, and in the next beat, his suspicions were confirmed.

"However," Grenn's tone caused Aeryn's stomach to lurch, "the Republic is requesting that you remain on the station for the time being. A ship is being sent here to pick you up."

Aeryn stared at him in silence for a moment as she digested the words. "But…" she finally started to say with a little hesitation, "we're not under arrest anymore…right?"

"That's correct. But for whatever reason, the Republic has taken an interest in you and has asked me to convey their sincere desire that you await their arrival." Despite his words, Grenn's tone gave the distinct implication that he was giving her an order and not a request.

It must be Carth, Aeryn realized. Revan set up my meeting with him, and he must have feared the worst when the ship never arrived….

"I understand, Lieutenant," Aeryn conceded with a nod. "Thank you. Now, where can we get back our gear, and resupply the Ebon Hawk?"

-

Aeryn groaned and let her head fall against the tall countertop with a resounding thud, even as Atton shouted, "WHAT? It's stolen? How is that even possible!?"

Without bothering to lift her head, Aeryn listened to the droid's vague explanation. "Apologies. I am afraid there is no further information regarding the Ebon Hawk. The matter is being investigated, and all possible leads are being followed."

I'm willing to bet there aren't any leads. Finally looking up at the droid, Aeryn asked, "So what are we supposed to do now? Just sit around and hope the Telosian security force can track one ship to where ever in the galaxy it's been taken!?"

"The ship could not have left the planet," the droid corrected. "Our sensors would have detected it. It is believed that the ship has been taken to the planet's surface."

Aeryn was too surprised to hold on to her animosity. "The surface? I thought the surface of Telos was uninhabitable."

"Most of the surface is, indeed, unsuitable for organic life forms. There are, however, several places on the surface known as 'restoration zones' in which a stable environment has been reestablished. It is believed your ship has been taken to one of these locations."

Aeryn pondered the information as Atton interjected, "Well, that doesn't sound so hard. How many restoration zones are there?"

"There are currently ninety-four zones in operation."

Had she not been so frustrated, Aeryn would have laughed at the look of mixed annoyance and shock on Atton's face. "This is ridiculous," he muttered as he stalked out into the hallway.

Aeryn spent a few more minutes gleaning any information possible from the droid, then led Kreia into a side room to gather their weapons and other confiscated possessions. Atton was waiting for them outside when they emerged, leaning his back against the wall, a dark scowl on his face.

"So…what are you thinking right now?" Aeryn ventured as she handed him his gear.

"That you have the worst luck in the galaxy," he muttered without meeting her gaze. "And I'm amazed it hasn't gotten us killed yet."

Feeling uncharacteristically offended by his remark, Aeryn lapsed into sullen silence as they began the walk back toward their apartment. Though they had not known each other long, Aeryn had grown attached to the scoundrel, finding in him comfort and much-needed comic relief from Kreia's constant enigmatic presence…a presence that she was stuck with for the time being.

The more she thought about it, the more irritated Aeryn became until she finally said, "You know, you don't have to stay."

Startled out of his brooding, Atton paused mid-stride, before he continued to walk and demanded, "What? What are you talking about?"

"There's nothing keeping you here," Aeryn said with a frown as she struggled to keep eye contact with him. "The Republic is coming for me, not you, and you have no loyalty to me. You can leave whenever you want, Atton."

Atton's jaw tightened at the word "loyalty" and as she finished speaking, his hazel eyes were stormy with hidden emotions. "You're right," he said harshly. "It's not like I owe you anything. We helped each other off Peragus, so we're even. I'll just get the rest of my things and catch the next transport out of here."

Surprised by his venom, Aeryn watched Atton as he strode ahead of her, but she was stopped from following by Kreia's firm grip on her elbow. "Let him go," the old woman said quietly. "He has no place in these events, and it would be best if we parted ways with him now."

Aeryn felt torn down the middle. As she frowned down at the former Sith Lord, one she was bound to in some unnatural way, it became hard for Aeryn to know what was best. If he follows me, he will be in more danger. Just like everyone I was ever close to, I will only endanger him more. Maybe Kreia is right….

As the two women reached the apartment, Atton was already coming out the door with a small pack slung over his shoulder. He shifted uncomfortably as he said, "Well…it's been nice knowing you. I…uh, well, I hope things get easier for you."

"Um, yeah," Aeryn said, feeling equally awkward, not sure if she was supposed to be upset with him, or if he was angry with her. "I…well, thanks Atton…for everything. I don't think I'd be here if it weren't for you." She swallowed the lump that formed in her throat, chiding herself for being emotional over a person she hadn't known for more than a few weeks, especially since it had been her idea that he leave.

Aeryn's words seemed to remind him that he was supposed to be mad, and straightening up, he shrugged with a forced nonchalance. "Hey, sweetheart, it was nothing. Forget it ever happened." His eyes were dark and guarded. "I have to go if I'm going to catch a transport today. Maybe we'll meet again sometime." Without waiting for her to respond, and completely disregarding Kreia, Atton shrugged past them and strode out of the door.

-

"And you are certain he is gone?"

"Yes. He was carrying a pack and looked angry. I don't believe he'll be back."

"This is quite the risk…if you're wrong about her, we will be dead. You've already revealed too much."

"Well, that's your opinion. I think this is worth the risk, and I stand by what I've done. We don't have much choice here anymore."

"Yes…is she alone now?"

"No. That old woman is still with her. I don't trust her."

"Well, like you said, I don't think we have a choice. We can't wait forever…we might never get her alone."

"I agree. We should wait until the changing of the guard, though."

"Agreed. I will contact you in three hours."

"Acknowledged." Closing the Comm channel, Mission instinctively pulled her cowl lower over her eyes as she slid from the shadows across the hall from Aeryn's apartment. Safe and anonymous among the residents of the station, Mission patiently awaited her orders.