Corso saw the expression on Ryli's face as he rounded the corner and took in the scene. Damiar was bleeding out, but Corso realized there was no part of him that cared. He looked at Ryli. She was covered in blood, a knife in her hand and her expression was blank, like she wasn't there. She was terrifying. He had no way to escape the realization of why she'd been so good at her job. He actually ducked out of her sight for a moment, shaking. His eyes caught up to his brain and he realized her clothes were disheveled, torn. That place of rage in him surged up and the relief that the man was bleeding out on the floor was vicious.

He turned the corner again. Ryli's face slid away from blank to present to fearful. Her shirt and pants were ripped open, bloody and Corso's breath caught, terrified that he'd been too late.

"Did he touch you?" he said, louder than he intended.

Ryli's face changed as she saw him and she smiled hesitantly, "Just kissed me a few times. Touched me, but not-"

Corso stood looking down at the body, breathing hard. There was a part of him that wished the man weren't dead yet. Ryli crossed to him, standing a fair bit away from him. Doesn't want me to get blood on myself. Corso gazed at her, afraid for her, a bit afraid of her and so in love with this deadly woman that his breath caught.

She caught the look on his face and her face fell. She turned away, but Corso crossed to her and reached through the ruined clothing to try to cover her up a bit more. He got blood all over his hands, but he got her shirt to cover the ripped pants. Ryli moved his hands away and searched the room, finding the rest of her knives, laid out in a fashion that must have meant something because she shivered before she picked them up. No sign of her jacket.

Corso kept a hand on her; shoulder, her hand, waist, whatever worked as they walked out together.

Ryli's shirt kept flapping open in the breeze and she wasn't making much headway in keeping it shut. Corso stripped off his own shirt and pulled it over her head.

"Thanks," she said softly, biting her lip. Her eyes keep going to my chest. He blushed slightly, but caught the feeling before it passed and ducked into an alleyway quickly.

"Everything okay, Captain?"

"You looked so shocked," she said quietly. "When you saw us."

"I was so worried that he'd... That I was too late..."

"I would have killed him in time." Her voice was steel.

Corso reached down and took her hand, ignoring the fact that they were both bloodstained.

She cleared her throat, "So, ah, how'd you find me?"

"Beat it out of one of the thugs who tried to stop me."

She looked at him, "Really?"

"You were kidnapped," he said softly. "Of course I did." He looked around, "Can I please get you home now?"

She nodded silently, seeming still upset about something. Of course she is, Corso scolded himself. She just killed her abusive ex-lover.

He put an arm around her shoulders and got her back to the ship. Her clothing was pretty much ruined, he decided, so when they got back, he stripped it off of her and got her into a shower. She didn't try to stop him, but she wouldn't look at him either. Finally, he reached into the shower and scrubbed her down, soaking his clothes. He got his hands clean also. It seemed like the wrong sort of time to take advantage of her being naked, although he couldn't stop his involuntary reaction.

He pulled her out of the shower and dried her off, she wasn't talking or looking at him. He was starting to get scared.

While he had her in the towel, he tried to get her to look at him, but she was avoiding his eyes. he finally caught her chin in his hand and forced her face up.

"Ry?" he said softly. "What's wrong?"

Her eyes were wide, scared. She didn't see him. Corso picked her up into his arms and carried her to her bed, where he just sat, holding her. Is this shock? thought Corso. Is there something I can do? He slid her down into bed and tucked the covers around her, walking out to the holoterminal.

He carefully made the only call he could think of.

Guss Tano's face flickered into view, "Corso Riggs! How are you? How's the Captain?"

"Ah, that's why I'm calling, actually. Guss, do you know anything about taking care of someone in shock?"

"Yeah, yeah I do. Why?"

"I think the Captain's in shock and I need some help." Someone handed Guss a drink with a paper umbrella in it and he thanked them.

"Shock should wear off, within the next two days at least, but she just needs to be kept comfortable. Maybe help her relax, drink something hot. Make sure she eats." Corso nodded. Someone called Guss from off screen. "Corso, you want me to come meet up with you?"

"Thanks, but I'll just call and update you."

Guss frowned. "If it persists longer than a few days, get her to a professional, okay?" The Mon Calamari sounded worried.

"I will, I promise Guss. Thanks."

Guss nodded and Corso cut the connection.

He managed to fix some hot tea for her and carried it into her room. She was curled up, her hands around her knees, but she looked up when he entered, he noticed with relief.

He ran his hand up to her face, looking into her eyes intently. "Ry?" he murmured.

"Corso," she blinked. "Are you staying?"

He was confused. "I wasn't planning on going anywhere. What do you mean?" He placed the tea down carefully and got on the bed, pulling her onto his lap. After awhile she started to cry and he just held her, feeling helpless.