A permanent blush had settled upon Mira's cheeks and as she sat down in the copilot seat she cradled her head and glared down at her lap. "I have never been so embarrassed in my entire life."

Not only had they been yelled at by Olmark, the normally friendly disposition of the senator having been replaced by burning rage as he told them just how close he was to lose his senator seat, not to mention how their project was up in the air in the senate...their fate so uncertain that even Atton had grimaced at the odds.

Then there of course had been the small journey to the space port...

Mira had wished nothing but to sink through the floor at the looks...and comments...aimed at them. People had recognised them, that much was sure. Of course it was no surprise, they had been plastered all over the news...in the entire galaxy apparently. Mira had forced herself to look at it, fortunately the recording hadn't caught all...and much had been blurred by the censors...it was still a horrible thing to see though.

"Did you hear them? Cat calls and...the insults! I just want to die..." Despite her boots Mira still felt the spit from a rodian woman on her boot as if it was acid. She had spat at Mira, Mira! The disgust and anger emanating from some had been horrible, the desire from others had been even worse! Some had...leered at her! Leered at a jedi! It was unthinkable!

Sitting down next to her Atton shrugged. "Oh I heard them, though you got the worst of it, I even had a few guys pat my back in encouragement." Damn double standard jerks... "A little unfair if you ask me." He spoke Mira's mind while deft hands moved to get the ship Olmark had supplied them with online. "Still, don't worry too much, stuff like this is forgotten in time."

"I highly doubt that." Mira muttered, feeling a little relieved as the ship hummed into action. Soon they would be off this horrible place...of course the news reached beyond Coruscant...but she didn't want to think about that right now. "I won't be able to show my face in years!"

"Well see it like this: now you're the most desired woman in the galaxy."

Mira blinked an looked over at the man, trying to discern if he was joking or teasing, his face was carefully neutral however and gave nothing away as he continued to fiddle with the controls. "Um...how is that?"

"Well, you're already a beautiful, tough and rebellious woman...every guy's dream." Mira rolled her eyes at him, but he still kept his face neutral. "And before no one could touch you...now that you've disproved that you're basically available...but with that extra hint of taboo that's even more of a turn on."

The laugh escaping her was short but sweet, easing the headache that had begun to form around her temple. "Ah? So you're saying that you're sleeping with the most desired woman in the galaxy? I knew you would somehow turn this to a compliment to your own ego."

"It also means I have to guard you like a hound." Atton's face finally split into the familiar grin as he turned to look at her, the ship slowly easing off the landing pad. "I hope you don't mind a jealous boyfriend?" A snort escaped Mira. "What?"

"Oh nothing...just thinking that you're not exactly boyfriend material." Mira snorted again, the title odd on her tongue. "You're more of the sleeping around type." Before Atton could voice his protest she quickly added. "Don't even think about it! I'll beat you within an inch of your life if you go after any other woman!"

Atton's chuckle was relaxed, soothing. "Oh I wouldn't dream of it."

Leaning back against the chair Mira closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation of the ship moving up towards space and pressing her downwards. "Of course you wouldn't, I'm too much woman for you to handle anyway."

"Sure is." Glancing over Mira found the man smile inwardly. She couldn't help but reach out with her sense, to see if he was just joking around with her. The worry she felt was weak, something suppressed by mind-blocks. The overall feeling however was...contentment, calmness, even happiness. Mira blinked, he seemed far more at peace then...well...ever. "Finding something interesting?" He smiled at Mira's frustration of getting caught. "Or are you already bored?"

"No, I'm just a little surprised." She muttered, withdrawing her feelers. A content Atton...had she really done that? "You're an odd specimen, you know that right?"

"It's part of my undeniable charm." Atton shot her a smile that sent a warm feeling down her gut. "I'm also extremely good looking and sweet, all for the sake of the ladies of course."

"Not to mention that you have a lot of...stamina." Mira played along, her face hurting with the wide smile she now sported.

Leaning closer to her even as he casually steered the ship out of the atmosphere, Atton's eyes sparked with amusement. "Oh? Is that an offer? Because...I think the auto pilot on this bucket is quite effective..." He let the words hang between them, an offer making Mira wet her lips. Force, after all frustration she had been through today it would be good with a little...damn that man!

"Just steer the ship." She forced herself not to run her hand through Atton's hair as she slapped the back of his head. This was not the time to be intoxicated by that man again...even though...no! As if she hadn't gotten into enough problems already...she could barely control her libido by such a small thing apparently. Mical did have a point... "And stop being so charming."

Sensing her changing attitude Atton shot her a quizzing look before returning to steering the ship into a position where they could jump to hyperspace without being any trouble for the constant traffic surrounding the heart of the republic. "You shouldn't think about it too much you know..."

"Really? I find that thinking about a problem and how to handle it usually helps you in the long run." Mira growled, her good mood evaporating. "Thing is, I'm not experienced in handling these sort of...situations, I guess the exile would but..." Both her and Atton made a face at the thought. "...but I sense that Mical could be a little...difficult."

"Especially since he hates my guts." Atton noted.

"He doesn't hate you, he merely dislikes you."

"Oh I think he's past that now."

"Well...yeah, okay, maybe." Mira admitted, grimacing at the memory of Mical's fury. "But come on, the trial as he called it, will not only be with him and us, it'll involve Visas and Bao-Dur as well." She grimaced yet again, the thought of relying on Visas for support not the most pleasant of thoughts. "They...well I'm not sure how they'll react, probably better then the blonde though."

"No doubt, oh Bao-Dur will tease me to no end..." Atton groaned, as if it was more important then the coming trial! Mira shook her head, reminding herself of Atton's odd mind. "What do you think they will do to us?" There, a slight hint of fear, he was worried after all.

"I really don't know..."