49

The walk back to the Starla was a little morose, but she couldn't think of anything to say that would make him feel better and so she kept quiet. This had been just as unpleasant as she'd expected, if not for the same reasons as she'd thought. Still, she didn't regret being there. If anything, she was glad she'd been there for him, even if she wasn't sure her presence had helped much at all... She was startled from her thoughts when he suddenly spoke up.

"Nothing worse that coming to the realisation that your parents were right." She turned around and looked back at him. "Can't stop thinking about Rona... My folks always said she'd come to no good in the big city. And there she is, a stooge for some spice smugglers..."

She bit the inside of her cheek, not knowing what to say. "You'll probably hate me for saying this, but she is capable of making her own choices, you know." He opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off. "For what it's worth, I think you got through to her. She won't be there forever."

His shoulders sagged as he sighed heavily. "I wish I believed that. It's not like I didn't see it coming. 'Doctor Hope'… I just didn't want to think that was really who Rona had fallen in with. That's what I get for trying to see the best in folks…"

She so wanted to wipe that frown off his face. "Come on, who's gonna be there to cheer me up if you get all mopey?" She threw him the best smile she could muster at the moment, and considering how good she was, well… She felt the smile reach her eyes just at the thought.

"Captain, I'd do a lot worse than work for some spice smugglers if it'd put a smile on your face." She felt relief, at his playful tone. He continued, more seriously. "I don't plan to stop giving anyone the benefit of the doubt. If I trust the wrong guy, maybe I get hurt. But if I'm too scared to help someone who really needs it, who knows how many people will suffer?" She paused, taking in his words. Typical Corso. "And for what it's worth, Captain, I could never hate you."

She pretended to roll her eyes, but took no care to hide the smile on her face as she took the lead once more, towards the hangar.


"Hey, how did it go?"

Liling sent a glare at Risha, but before she could say anything, Corso answered. "It could have been worse. Let's just say, not that good." He sounded weary, but nowhere near as depressive as before.

"Oh, well…" the auburn-haired woman said.

"Did Bowdaar come back yet?" she interrupted. "I have entries for the Galactic Museum."

"He called to say he'd be back in a bit. But the museum? That's so unlike you, Captain." Risha japed at her.

"Hey! I do, like artifacts; I just like them that much better when I can sell them, is all," she quipped back. Just because Risha was right didn't mean she could laugh at her. "Actually, I think you should go. I mean, it's your kind of thing, right?"

The other woman frowned in suspicion. "How did you get those anyway?"

"Long story short: shanjaru," she replied. "So, interested?" She saw the hesitation on Risha's face, and decided for her. "Here you go. Get ready for when Bowdaar comes back." She smiled and walked past them to her chambers.


"What is wrong with this woman?" Risha looked over at Corso, but the mercenary seemed lost in his thoughts and she gave up. Ugh, always making me go out…


Once inside her room, hatch door shut in privacy, she let herself fall back onto her bed, staring at the ceiling. What was it with Coruscant and dead parents, anyway? This was also where she lost her brother and Corso found his cousin. How very funny. I am laughing myself sick. Not. She rolled over, so that she was on her stomach, and closed her eyes. She was slowly drifting into a slumber when she was jolted awake by the intercom.

"Captain, can I speak with you for a moment?"

Go away, Corso, she thought. She stayed quiet; maybe if she just ignored him… But then, his crestfallen face was still too clear on her mind and with a sigh, she stretched her arm to unlock the sliding door.


"What do you want?" she asked, sounding tired, voice slightly muffled.

He took a step inside and glanced around the dim room to see her sprawled on her bed, head in her pillow, boots still on -though he saw that she took care not to let them touch the sheets. "I, uh…Did you want me to come back later?"

She rolled onto her side, supporting her head with her hand, finally looking at him. "Just say what you want to say, or get out."

She sounded…moody. And for a moment, he almost lost his nerve. But he didn't leave. Instead, he took a deep breathe. Nothing hard about it, I can do this. "About that dinner voucher, Captain. I was wondering…"

"I'm sorry it didn't work out, but you can keep it. Invite someone, go by yourself, sell it, it doesn't matter." She rolled onto her back, an arm slung over her eyes.

"Actually, I wanted to ask you to come with me...I mean if that's okay…" He stood there as the silence between them stretched; and stretched… He was starting to wonder if she was pretending to be asleep -and what he should do if she was, when she sighed.

"Corso, I don't think I'm such good company right now…" she sounded tired, but it was more than that. There was something…sad in her voice and that made all his anxiousness evaporate away. He didn't know why she was this upset when by all means, he should be the one moping. But he wasn't letting her wallow all by herself.


A/N: Thank you, Clicketykeys! Your lovely reviews really keep me going! :D

And to anyone lurking, thanks for reading! ^^;