Celebrating The End of the Beginning
Taking her out to celebrate taking down Harron Tavus was one thing. Toasting to that and the few weeks downtime they were granted was only natural for soldiers, no matter their rank. But talking her into a few drinks within an hour was something totally different.
It was a good thing that Elaraseen that Tarrazet was not holding her own. Although she had went out to the cantatas with the crew before, after thinking about it, Aric never did see her drink. After three Fuzzy Tauntauns in rapid secession, the Lieutenant was not doing well. Rounds were being brought by the crew to toast the Havoc Squad CO and her accomplishments. She felt it bad form not to drink their offerings. The thing about Fuzzy Tauntauns though is they are so fruity you can not tell there is alcohol in them and to top it off, they are laced with a narcotic to boot! As fast as she put them away, this had the makings of going south quickly! "Blasted it!" Aric mumbled as he slammed down his own empty drink glass.
"Who the hell thought it was a good idea to give the LT Fuzzy T's?" Aric growled to the group.
A private from General Garza's outfit sheepishly stepped up and admitted he brought her the first one. "To be honest Sargent, she said she picked it because she the name was cute and well... I didn't know she... well... she is just so…." Looking at his feet as if he would find the answer there. In a whisper saying " She is just so... her."
Sniffing dismissively, Aric could smell the attraction from the kid for his CO. That did nothing more than piss him off that much more. He understood what the kid was saying though, not that he agreed with it. The LT. was way out of his league both in rank and, as the kid said, just being her. Sighing "Just go, before the whole of Havoc comes down on your ass private!"
Elara offered to bring her back to the Thunderclap and tend to her, but he took it upon himself to be her second and that meant watching out for her, even off duty. Especially off duty planet-side, as she was quiet naive when it came to civi's. He has been, after all, at her side since the beginning. Plus, Aric thought, it would do Elara good to socialize more. Make more friends and contacts in the Republic. He would hate to make her leave as she knew a few of the Generals crew here.
Aric was quite shocked Tarrazet could even stand by the time shuttle got to the port, much less be able to walk almost halfway to the ship. He could smell the narcotic called Buzz on her, there was that much in her drinks. Damn bar tender will hear about it tomorrow.
They had a few detours inside the port: some blaster in a window that caught the LT's eye, some armor colors she wondered how it would look in use. Oddly though, nothing very girly or feminine. One thing he knew about her, the LT was not high maintenance. He seen that during the weapons check a few weeks back.
He got her almost to their landing pad before her legs decided they were done. Again he wondered how much Buzz was put in each drink since she was still conscious, just losing feeling. Had to be more Buzz than alcohol, cheap way to save money. Good thing it was him that brought her home. Elara would have had a hard time taking care of this.
He swooped her up in his arms like she was nothing. He never really thought of how small she was, until now. Slightly less than the average human female. Being pressed up against his 6' 5" Cathar frame though just made her look all the slighter. She couldn't weigh much more than the armor and gear she carried around with her. He would make note to see if there were things he could stock for her that weighed less.
She was talking about the tactical advantages of some of the armor they had passed on the way back to the ship. With her head resting on his shoulder, her warm breath was hitting a sensitive spot that most Cathar have on their necks. The more she talked, the more distracted he became. By the time he got the door to the ship open, he was just agreeing to almost anything she had to say. Although he had no clue to what was being said, he was not following the conversation very well with her being pressed this close much-less the conversation being a little rambled in her current state.
Once on the ship he was unable to unlock the captains quarters. Even C2 was unable to get the door open. Next best thing was he got her to couch in the common room. He tried to loosen her basic uniform without being improper, but it's not like it was loose on her. In doing so, he realized he never seen her in street clothes when off duty. Kinda curious... Grinning to himself, maybe he should have checked her locker closer after she teased about secrets and all. Chalk that up to a missed opportunity.
After getting her settled, it didn't take her long to slump over, curl up and be fast asleep. Aric was relieved that she did not feel the other side effects of the drinks, at least so far. He did instruct C2 to bring a small container, towels and maybe things to clean a mess with. Just in case.
Looking down at her small frame laying on the couch began to elicit other feelings. No, not just began, being honest with himself. But tonight he being forced to acknowledge them. Some were pure base male, he blamed most of that on tonight, but looking at her softness, delicateness, some feelings were overwhelming protectiveness. She's still just a kit, no matter her rank and mission accomplishments he thought. Probably why he took on the roll of her second when all this started.
"Aric" The sleep hazed breathy whisper of his name was almost inaudible, even to his hearing. She has never said his given name before and he quite liked the sound of it coming from her lips. He knew she was drawn to him in some fashion, her scent told him as much, but this was his CO and he respected that. Plus, she was very open when she flirted with that damn spook Balkar recently.
But, now that he started to acknowledge the directions of his feelings, the only solution he could come up with would be putting in for a transfer. Havoc was a force unto itself and would only grow stronger. He would make sure there was a suitable replacement for her weapons NCO before he leaves. With Tavus taken care of, now would be the best time to leave. Mission objective was taken out, that was why he was here to begin with. Leaving now, before this distraction, or attraction goes too far would be a good move. He'll contact General Vander once leave is over. Maybe the position on Ord Mantell was still open.
Retrieving his bed coverings from his bunk, he covered her up. Smiling to himself and tucking the stray lock of hair behind her ear he was able to smile at this simple moment. Her hair was as silky as thought it would be. "Damn it" pissed that he is letting his mind wander. Now trying to recount how many Corellian Whiskeys he had himself. This was not like him.
Ice blue eyes fluttered open at the light touch of his fingers that slid across her face as he brushed back her stray locks. "Shhh You're back on ship, get some rest." That came out a lower timber than he intended, becoming heavy with unwelcome desire. It is what it is.
"What the hell is wrong with me!" Scolding himself under his breath and standing up. Fantasizing over his CO is the last thing he needs to be doing, drinking or not. Yep, the sooner he puts in for that transfer the better.
Her intoxicated smile lightened her face as she tried to focus on his face blinking her eyes over exaggeratedly. Weakly reaching out towards him and almost as if she could read his mind she whispered "Aric, don't ever leave me..." and with that, she snuggled deeper into his blanket, took a deep sniff in, almost like scenting him and exhaling a soft moan. Then, that was that, and she drifted back off to sleep.
And that being that, stopped him dead in his tracks. It had to be the drink talking. She surly did not mean that the way he took it.
He did know one thing though. When this pya'ri vixen/munyoz finally figures out her effect on people, she was going to become a force to be reckoned with. She inspired people around her. She drew devotion from all those under her command much less the admiration of those ranks ahead of her. Beyond that, she drew lust from the men she so innocently flirted with and after tonight, he thinks a few women too if his senses were right. He knew now that he needed to get out of her way before he gets caught up in that vortex that going to be all her.
Growing frustrated with the war of feelings inside his mind he trotted off to PT room to let off some energy. But that moan, he thought. Her scent and the warmth of her breath. He couldn't help but replay them all in his head. Blending them together. Wondering what the moan would sound like coming from her while underneath him. Her breath ragged from spent desire on his neck. The warm sweet musky scent that is all her own. Her silken hair spread over his pillow.
"Blast it to hell." he yelled, punishing the weight bag for his thoughts. Lost in thought, he started leaving bloody marks where he punched bag, his knuckles worn raw. Trying to recall the last time he had sex, it had been since Ord Mantell. That will need to taken care of while on leave. It had to be that, THAT was the reason his mind was going where it was, at least he hoped it was.
Tomorrow they leave for Nar Shaddaa, one can find anything, and anyone, there. For now though, with the ship empty from all but her, he would tend to himself in the fresher.