You have your moments. Not many of them, but you do have them.
Princess Leia Organa
As Selene made her way from the Finalizer's training rooms back to the Evenfall, her mind was completely occupied with thoughts of what happened between her and her Co-Commander.
She should feel some kind of remorse, shouldn't she? She was quite sure on the list of very bad things you should not be doing and, if you do, you will need to repent until eternity, banging Armitage Hux, and even worse liking it, was definitely somewhere in the top spaces.
Instead of regretful, she could not help feel strangely relaxed for the first time in days. Oh, the wonderful effects of good sex. She needed to make sure he never found out how good or he would become unbearable smug. It was probably because it had been some time for her, she thought. The last guy she had shared a bed with had been one of Tay's lab assistants during an uncomplicated fling last summer. Kriff, she was clearly working too much.
When she entered the Evenfall, unfortunately the first person she ran into on her way to her quarters was Khendrik. She felt a slight panic at the sight of him. Hopefully, she did not look more disheveled than a little training would account for.
The grey-eyed captain only raised an eyebrow at her and smiled. "You look like the Tooka Cat who ate the Bulabird. Good training session?" Selene could not help smiling back cheekily. "Oh yes, really satisfactory."
He gave her shoulder a small pat, his face thoughtful. "Well, sometimes some physical exertion is just what you need. You were a little tense the last days."
"Mmmmh" Selene pressed out, trying not to burst out laughing. Oh stars, her sworn protector would spontaneously combust, if he knew what exactly she had been up to and with whom. "I'm going to shower." She gave him a quick wave, before ducking into her quarters, intend to not run into anyone else.
She slipped out of her clothes and turned on her shower. As the hot water cascaded over her body, her thoughts returned to her Co-Commander. How burning desire had coursed through her, when he had finally given in and kissed her, how his weight had felt on top of her and how pleasure had transformed his face, making him appear much softer, his green eyes bright. While the passion had not really surprised her, she had after all seen enough of his temper to know the cold demeanor was nothing more than a façade, there had been a tenderness here and there that was a little unsettling. Or was the unsettling part that she had actually liked that?
When her fingers brushed the stele on her throat, Selene suddenly did feel unease after all, its weight much heavier from one second to the next. Even if she tried to ignore the implications, this was an unforeseen complication.
As she tried off her hair and readied herself for bed, her thoughts raced. If it was morally okay to blow up someone for the greater good, was it then wrong to sleep with him before doing so? It could not be both, couldn't it? Because killing someone was surely the worst thing you could do to him, wasn't it? What meant it was a morally grey area and she could not be blamed for being unsure what to do.
Besides, she did not even had an opportunity to plant that virus, yet. Although she might not have tried very hard until now. And there was the fact that they might all die on this mission and the question, if she was really prepared to go through with it, might never arise.
Stars, was she actually trying to find a loophole that allowed her to continue doing this? She thought of the feeling of his body against hers. She definitely was.
Despite her occupied mind, the Zi'daya heir had a good night's rest. She was not really surprised, when she awakened to find a message from Hux on her comms that he was held up and would come directly to the morning meeting. An obvious excuse to avoid being alone with her. But then she had seen the beginnings of panic on his face, when she had left him yesterday. He had probably spent the whole night bemoaning every one of his beloved First Order regulations they had broken in excruciating detail.
Even if it irked her a little herself, that she bothered, she dressed rather nicely in a white blouse and flowing yellow skirt. When she entered the meeting room, Hux' gaze immediately found hers, as if guided by some shared awareness between them. For a moment, a dozen emotions flashed in his eyes, longing, confusion and regret among them, before he was able to hide his feelings behind a look of cool professionalism again.
If she had any illusions that the strange attraction between them would fizzle out, after giving in once, they would have died then and there. If anything, she felt even more on edge than ever before, as she sat down next to him, her body achingly aware of every inch of distance between them. Her Co-Commander kept his gaze intentionally straight forward, seemingly ignoring her presence after a murmured greeting. The way he swallowed hard told her she was not the only one affected, though.
Selene could barely concentrate on the meeting, only adding her opinion, when it was unavoidable. "Fuel has been running low. We need to schedule in a supply run as soon as possible," Major Tark's comment made her listen more intendly to what was being said. He glanced on the starcharts the Zi'daya had provided. "According to your maps the closest possibility is at Lexus planet. Anything else would mean a detour of at least two days."
Rine, one of her technicans, nodded slowly with a glance at her. "That is a Hutt controlled planet. But we have refueled there before, yes. We have an agreement with the local Huttese representive."
Kriff, Selene thought, she did not really want her Co-Commander anywhere near that planet. Venya mining station, where they were mining adamantium, was in that sector. And her agreement with the Hutts did not only include fuel supply, but also military protection. Two facts that were directly violating their arrangement with the First Order. Not to mention that Trilla Nemase Orlia was an unpredictable ally at best and having her and Hux in the same room would be a recipe for disaster.
"Do you now?" Hux raised one eyebrow in surprise at her. "I would not have thought you wanted to have anything to do with those criminals. Didn't you wreck one of their properties one or two years ago?"
"There are not many refuel possibilities out here," she explained matter of factly. "And it does only require minimal contact."
Blast it, why did he have to be so attentive to details? He had noticed there was something she wanted to hide about the mining station as well. She had to get him of that case.
As the discussion turned to the logistics of contacting administration on Lexus to organize a supply ship, she slowly let her leg slide against his under the table. The effect was more successful than she could have hoped for, his whole body tensing up violently. Green eyes met golden ones in a breathless moment. Selene felt herself transported back to the way he had looked at her in the training room yesterday, desire blazing through her again. Oh, blast all the consequences; she wanted him too much to not pursue this.
The rest of the meeting passed in some kind of haze. Hux immediately stood up, when it was concluded and vanished through the door. He was obviously caught up in some illusion that he could ignore what happened, if he avoided talking with her long enough. In a cute way it reminded her of her school days. Not that she would let him get away with it.
As she got up herself, intend to go after him, she did pause for a moment. While yesterday could be seen as a one-time slip-up, what she planned now was a lot more deliberate. Did not mean she could stop herself from doing it, though.
When she reached her Co-Commander's office, the anteroom was empty; Selene remembered having seen Mitaka still in discussion with Elodia, as she had left the meeting room. That served her quite well, since she did not want to give Hux any opportunity to wiggle out of this by pretending he had another meeting.
She knocked on his door only once, before entering. Under any other circumstances the wide-eyed look he gave her, would have made her laugh. Who would have thought that she had the ability to make General Armitage Hux of the First Order so nervous?
"We need to talk," she said, letting the door slide close behind her and leaning against the wall next to it. Hux' face was that of a man resigned to his fate. "Yes, I know." He took a deep breath, before schooling his features into indifference. She could see some fissures in his mask though. His hand fiddling with his datapad, his posture just a little too stiff even for his standards.
"About yesterday's indiscretion…"
"Indiscretion?" she interrupted him. "You mean the fact that we had sex? Sorry, I don't understand it, when you talk like an old spinster from the Core Worlds." She waved her hand. "Go on."
His eyes narrowed in annoyance, a slight blush on his cheeks. "As I wanted to say, you surely agree that our behavior was completely unprofessional and…"
Selene grinned. "Unprofessional? Well perhaps, yes. But you have to admit it was also gloriously good."
His blush deepened. "That is completely irrelevant. We just can't…"
"Of course it's relevant. We would not be doing it again after all, if it had been abysmal."
"Doing it again?" his voice was incredulous. "That was a very unfortunate error in judgement that will definitely never happen again. Do you even realize how many regulations we have broken?"
She kind of stopped listening at that point. It seemed he was adamant to return to that tense professional relationship they had before. Uggh, the man obviously had a thing for tormenting himself. Well, it definitely was time to teach her Co-Commander a little lesson, then. Oh, she would really enjoy this.
The fact that Selene did not get angry at all, as he explained to her, why they could never let a mistake like yesterday happen ever again, should have probably warned Hux. Actually, her eyes had turned a little vacant, as he talked, so he trailed off. "Are you even listening to me, Selene?"
"No, not really," she said and pressed the door panel to his office, without even turning around, locking up the room.
"What do you think you are doing?" he asked, his voice a lot more unsure, than he liked.
"Making sure we are not interrupted," she was utterly calm, as she regarded him. "Do you remember, when I told you, you would know, if I ever use my womanly wiles on you?" Something wild flashed in her eyes then, a fire that made him freeze in his chair, spellbound by the fierce look on her face. She pushed herself off the wall, slowly making her way through the room, her steps deliberate and her eyes never leaving his.
Hux should have told her to stop this, but it took all of his willpower to not reach for her, desire burning so violently in his veins that it nearly drove him mad.
Selene bend over him, all of her movements excruciatingly slow. Still maintaining eye contact, she licked her lips, making his breath studder. When she crossed the distance between them and pressed her mouth to his, his hands grabbed the armrest of his chair hard. His resolve not to participate in the kiss, held exactly as long as it took for her tongue to flit against his lips. His mouth opened for her and she seized the opportunity, deepening the kiss.
Selene kissed like she did everything else, he had learned by now, going all in without taking any prisoners.
For long minutes, the only thing he felt was her hot mouth on his, him drowning in her sweet taste. Then she moved back a little bit, her lips leaving his. She tilted her head, as she regarded him, her golden eyes still burning and an unsettlingly amused expression in them. So far, the only place where they had touched had been their lips. The leather of his gloves groaned in protest at his hard grip on the armrest, but he had refrained from touching her. Barely.
"I guess you are unaffected then?" she commented.
"Completely unaffected," Hux answered. Although, he realized the rough tone of his voice told quite a different story.
She smiled. So wild and challenging that he knew he was in trouble.
And then she dropped to her knees in front of him. "Selene, what are you…" Before he could even finish his sentence, she had very expertly opened both his belt and his trousers. Blast it, she was efficient. But she was not really planning to… Her wet mouth closing around his cock answered that question for him. "Oh stars above…" His head went back at the sensation.
He needed to stop this. They were in his kriffing office after all and this was definitely not turning their relationship professional again. But every time he wanted to hold on to that thought, she would do something with her tongue that was surely illegal in a dozen starsystems and instead of telling her to stop a breathless moan escaped him.
Soon his pleasure had reached a point, where it overtook everything else. And then Selene suddenly did stop. Hux looked down at her in a near panic. She would not be that cruel to teach him a lesson, would she?
Without thought his hand, that somehow had found its way from the armrest into her pale hair, tried to tug her back. She raised an eyebrow at him. "Still completely unaffected?" she asked.
"Fine," he ground out desperately. "You win. But please don't stop now."
"Oh yes, a little begging might convince me to continue," she grinned.
One little please was not really begging, he thought and he definitely would not do so, but thankfully, she seemed already convinced, her clever mouth returning to his groin.
Only now, Selene's touch was less playful and a lot firmer. After five minutes, Hux completely forgot his resolve not to beg, his moans a lot louder than he would have thought possible, pleading with her and the stars and some Arkanisien sea deities, he did not even thought he remembered.
After ten minutes, he would have given her sole command of the Finalizer and told her all the First Order's secrets, if she had asked him to. She had an impressive talent to bring him close to the edge and stop at the last second, letting him catch his breath, only to do it all again. He was not sure, if he thought her to be the most amazing or the most terrifying woman in the whole galaxy.
When she picked up the pace, he realized she did not plan to stop this time. Hux tugged at her hair again in warning, but she only swatted his hand away, obviously resolved to see this through to the end. He came hard with a groan of her name on his lips, his body nearly lifting of the chair.
When he could breathe again, he became aware Selene had gotten up from her knees and was leaning over him. Her golden eyes watched him with an expression that was very self-satisfied. She trailed her fingers through his hair, her face softening imperceptively. "Oh, I so enjoy making you come undone," she murmured.
He stared at her flushed cheeks and bright eyes with more than a little awe. Then he dragged her closer for a soft kiss that made her smile. For a moment, she leaned against him before stepping away.
"I have to go. I am already late for my maintenance meeting," she said, unlocking the door. "And don't worry; you can pay me back next time." With a sassy smile and a wink, his Co-Commander was out of his office, leaving him more confused than ever.
He should be ashamed how easily he had given in again, Hux thought, but instead he was still floating on a wave of euphoria after one of the most intense orgasms of his life. Part of him began to wonder, if it was really such a bad idea to continue doing this.
Then doubts began to whisper in his head. While there was no denying that there was an overwhelming physical attraction between him and Selene, they still clashed on nearly everything else. He still could not trust her at all. And he knew quite well he was a little too susceptible to her touch. If he kept sleeping with her, there was a considerable risk she would use this against him at some point. But perhaps it would be worth that risk…
Becoming suddenly aware that he still had not closed his trousers and belt, he quickly made himself presentable again. He did not even know, when he had his next meeting.
As the General stepped into his office's anteroom, the way Lieutenant Mitaka stared at him and blushed furiously told him that his office was by far not as soundproof as he had thought. Kriffing Kuat engineering. Commenting on the topic would only make it worse, though. He would have to rely on his aide's discretion. And probably be more lenient towards his entanglement with Miss Brentiss in the future.
"What are my next meetings, Lieutenant?" he asked.
Mitaka blinked for a moment, before having a look at his datapad.
"A holo call with Allegiant General Pryde in half an hour, sir."
Hux nearly rolled his eyes at that. Talking with his superior was the last thing he needed today. Since he had been quite stingy with any information regarding the Victorinox, Pryde had become suspicious in their last meetings.
For a moment, he imagined the expression on the old git's face, if he just told him the truth, when he asked him again, how he got along with his Co-Commander. Something along the lines of "Well, she came into my office and pleasured me with her mouth this morning, so I suppose splendidly." Unfortunately, that would be political suicide.
"And then an inspection of the C hangar with Major Cadwick and Commander Sa'onserei in the afternoon." Mitaka mentioning his Co-Commander made Hux heart beat a little quicker. So he would actually see her again today. Damn him, if he knew how to deal with that.
Selene quickly walked through the corridor leading to the elevators to the C hangar. She was late for her meeting with Major Cadwick and her Co-Commander, still not completely used to the size of the Finalizer.
She could not help a smug smile on her face, as her thoughts turned towards Hux. The way he had been at her mercy this morning had been more than a little satisfying. Actually, she had been surprised how desperately he had begged for her touch. It seemed she was even better than she had thought. Her lips twitched. She could definitely get used to this. Although she did hope, she had successfully gotten him off this ridiculous path of self-denial. It might turn out a little bit frustrating for her, if not.
A soft ping indicated the elevator's arrival. When the doors opened, her eyes widened at it already being occupied by none other than the General himself. She noted that he had tamed his hair again, after she had thoroughly disheveled it earlier. His black uniform was impeccable as well. Only his eyes betrayed him, as she stepped into the elevator, lighting up with desire at the sight of her.
"General Hux," she greeted him very properly.
"Commander Sa'onserei," he answered, giving her a sidelong glance.
Selene watched the elevator's doors close in slow motion. "Major Cadwick wanted to discuss with us what to do…"
She never got to finish the sentence, because the moment the doors where closed, he grabbed her and pressed her against the wall. Her surprised gasp was swallowed by his lips descending on hers forcefully. Well, that answered her question, if he planned to hold himself back any longer.
His kiss was quite passionate and she kissed him back enthusiastically, savoring his taste, as his mouth opened over hers. One if his hands palmed her breast and she pressed herself against his hard body, her need a sudden ache in her own. "Blast it, Selene," he murmured, his green eyes intend on her face, as he slid his thigh between her legs, lifting her up a little against the wall. The exquisite pressure exactly where she wanted it, made her moan, her hands burying into his hair, as she dragged him towards her for another wild kiss.
The ping of the elevator arriving at its destination, made them both look towards the door in shock. "Kriff," Selene cursed. Letting go of each other, they both hectically tried to righten their clothes.
The opening doors revealed an already waiting Major Cadwick. The surprise turning to definite disapproval on the Major's stern face, made quite clear she had immediately realized what they had been up to.
"Major Cadwick," Hux' voice was more composed than anything she would have managed. As she looked at him, she realized what had most likely tipped the Major off. Her Co-Commander's hair was in complete disarray from her touch, the red strands going in every direction. She tried to mouth it to him behind the Major's back, as the older woman turned towards the hangar after greeting them with a raised eyebrow. He quickly patted at it, but she had to stifle a laugh, when she saw it defied all his attempts to tame it.
The next hour was one of the longest in her entire life, Major Cadwick going through every single item from the Victorinox, wanting their decision, if it should be sent to Ellesmee for a more thorough analysis or go into storage, while her Co-Commander's green eyes never left her. Although she could probably be accused of fanning the flames, since she did use every opportunity, when the First Order officer turned her back, to brush against him or give him a cheeky smile.
"That should be all," Major Cadwick finally concluded with a look at her datapad.
"You can go ahead to the elevators, Major." the General said, his eyes still on his Co-Commander. "I want to show the Commander something regarding the hangar doors."
"The hangar doors," the older woman's voice was very dry. "Indeed." Her expression, when she left, was censuring enough, that Selene felt a little like a naughty school kid.
"I fear Major Cadwick is not happy with our behavior," she commented, as Hux grabbed her hand and dragged her farther into the hangar.
"She probably thinks I am misusing my position to seduce you," he pulled off his gloves, throwing them on one of the nearby supply crates without looking. "And while she somehow really respects you, I have the feeling she never liked me."
His hands warm on her skin even through the thin material of her blouse, she leaned into him, as he drew her closer. "Oh, how can she not, when you have so many obvious virtues?" Selene laughed. "Now, what is so interesting about the hangar doors?"
The feeling of his lips trailing over her neck, made her sigh softly. "Nothing, there are just no surveillance cameras over here," he murmured, before grazing her earlobe with his teeth and teasing along the golden leaves adorning her ear tip with his tongue. It made her squirm against him, her breath already unsteady.
"Oh, I wanted to do this for some time," he whispered, obviously satisfied with her reaction. He breathed in audibly himself. "This is such a bad idea, you know that, don't you?"
She turned around then and looked up at him with an excited smile. "Actually, I think it is a brilliant idea." Hux' lips twitched. "Of course, you do." He kissed her again though, his tongue tangling with hers.
Desire urging her on, she led her hands wander over his chest, searching for the buttons of his uniform jacket. To her chagrin she did not find any and she growled in frustration. "Concealed button border," he chuckled and straightened for a moment to undo them himself, throwing the jacket to the floor with a lot less care, than she would have thought possible. She only got a few seconds to touch him through the black undershirt he wore underneath, before his lips returned to hers and he walked her backwards to the supply crate, hefting her up and sitting her on top. He stepped between her legs then and started to open the buttons of her blouse one by one.
She led herself sink back slowly until she was sprawled on top of the crate, very aware of his heated gaze, when he realized that she was only covered by a thin, lacy bra underneath her blouse. The sensation of his lips on her throat slowly travelling lower made her eyes close in pleasure. She did not protest, when he dragged her bra down, on the contrary, she could not help her body rising up slightly, eager for more of his touch.
Fortunately, Hux obviously got her message, because his lips immediately caressed one breast, while his hand cupped the other. Selene could not stop a breathless moan from escaping her, when his tongue started to tease her nipple. It should not be the last she uttered in the next minutes, as he worshipped first one and then her other breast thouroughly, a wild pulse starting to beat between her legs.
After a while, his lips began to wander lower over her stomach, making her squirm a little in anticipation. He hesitated for a moment, still a little uncertainty mixed in the desire she saw in his eyes, when she looked at him.
"Please, tell me to stop, Selene," he murmured against her skin. "Because I don't think I can otherwise."
What? Certainly not. "Don't you dare stop now," she answered and tugged on his hair intend to get him to continue. When he started to pull up her skirts and let his lips wander over her now exposed thigh, she realized where exactly this was going and she amended a little. "I mean, you don't have to…"
"Oh believe me, I want to," the intense hunger on his face, as he pushed down her panties, convinced her he more than meant that. She should probably just lean back and enjoy this.
When his touch skillfully played along her skin, making her shiver in want, but never really going where she needed it most, she suspected he was trying to pay her back for this morning. Well, she would not let her pride get in the way of her pleasure now.
"Stars, please Armitage, stop teasing," she gasped. "Mmm, eager, aren't we?" he hummed against her skin and then his mouth closed over her core, her head going back wildly, as her fingers dug desperately into the crate. Oh kriff, she should have known he would be good at this, she thought giddily, as he teased her relentlessly, attentive to every small reaction. Embarrassingly soon she was so close to completion that pleasure tingled along her whole body.
Suddenly she realized she wanted him inside her for this. "Stop," she ground out. The flush on his face and his wild hair nearly made her giggle, when he stared up at her in disbelief. She sat up and reached for him, dragging him closer. "I need you." When her hands went for his belt, he finally seemed to understand what she meant and a wild grin flashed over his face, transforming it completely. "Your wish is my command."
She would have complimented him on the speed he did drop his pants and his boxers with then, but he did not pause, immediately pulling her to him with his hand on her hip and entering her in one smooth thrust, making her gasp. As close as she had already been, it was enough to push her over the edge, her climax sending waves of pleasure through her body.
When she opened her eyes again, it was to Hux holding himself very still and watching her with a look of such piercing want on his face, that it made something in her heart clench. "Kriff," he groaned. „You are so beautiful, Selene." And then he did start to move, one hand grabbing her thigh, while the other closed possessively around one of her breasts, his deep thrusts driving her wild, as the pleasure was nearly too much, so quickly after having come undone for the first time.
"Oh stars," she was dimly aware, she was moaning loudly, without any care for where they were, but she could not stop herself, her whole world only sensations now. "Selene," Hux ground out. "You have to be more quiet. We are in a kriffing hangar."
She took his hand then and raised it to her mouth, sucking one finger in to keep herself from crying out. Hux' head went back at the gesture and the rhythm of his thrusts became unsteady. When he groaned and spilled inside her, the feeling pushed her over the edge again as well, the pleasure even more intense this time.
The Finalizer even had impeccable hangar ceilings, Selene mused after having stared at them for some time afterwards with a blessedly blank mind. Then she became aware of that kriffing crate digging uncomfortably into her backside. "Ouch," she murmured.
A strong arm immediately dragged her against a firm male body, her partner's warmth engulfing her comfortably. She leaned her head on his chest with a sigh. Mmmh, this was nice, she thought. His lips wandered over her temple in a soft caress.
"Did you know, you always switch to Zi'daya, when you are close to coming?" Hux murmured lazily, his elegant fingers playing with her hair.
She could have countered that he tended to give her very tender kisses in the afterglow, but she had a suspicion he did it unconsciously, so she refrained.
"Really? And aren't we smug about it?" she just said with slightly narrowed eyes.
He only chuckled at her tone and for a moment, she was taken aback by the look on his face. All relaxed and contend. It took years away from him.
She should not be doing this, she realized. Sleeping with him was bad enough. Cuddling afterwards. Now, that was madness.
As she buried her nose in his shirt, breathing in his scent, she resolved to get up in a few seconds. Or at least in a minute or two.
The sudden alarm from the ship's speakers made both of them flinch.
"General Hux, Commander Sa'onserei please report to the Command Bridge immediately!"
"Kriff," Selene cursed, looking around hectically for her comms. She finally found it on the floor next to the supply crate and bent down fishing for it. Ten missed messages from varying members of her crew.
The last one from Briseis made her scrunch up her face in worry. Blast it, it seemed Trilla had somehow found out she was onboard the Finalizer and now wanted to see her. The Hutt was disturbingly fond of playing games for her own amusement and she loved doing so with Selene unfortunately.
The Zi'daya glanced over at her Co-Commander inconspicuously. He had already dressed again and frowned at his own comms, clearly having some missed messages on it as well. Now, how could she prevent him from accompanying her to Lexus without raising his suspicions?
"There seems to be a problem with the fuel. The fuel ship has stopped supplying after some orders from Lexus."
Selene started to bottom up her blouse again, trying to keep her tone unconcerned. "Trilla can be difficult. She probably just wants to coerce more credits out of us. Just let me handle it, I have dealt with her before."
"Perhaps a little reminder, who she is dealing with now, is in order then," the General's green eyes were all cool business again. "I don't fancy paying those criminals any more credits than absolutely necessary."
Wonderful, Selene thought, really concerned now, the last thing she needed was Hux threatening her Huttese ally with the might of the First Order because he thought she overcharged.
His eyes turned a lot softer, when he looked at her. "I fear your hair is even a worse mess than mine." He tugged on her destroyed braid. Selene unbraided it quickly and tried to comb through her locks with her fingers. Giving up after only tangling it more, she just twisted it into a messy bun at the back of her head. She never wore her hair like that, but she would have to hope it did not register as unusual.
"Blast it, we will have to go to the bridge straight away, don't we? Before they sent out a search party."
She gave Hux a quick once over trying to decide, if he was presentable enough.
On anyone else the small things like the slightly wrinkled uniform jacket and the unruly hair would not be so bad, but as stiffly impeccable he always looked there was a marked difference. Her fingers swiftly straightened a few lines, but any keen observer would surely notice.
"Don't worry," her Co-Commander said with an amused twitch to his lip at her fussing. "if anyone seems suspicious, we just chastise them for something trivial and give out a demerit to divert their attention. That always works."
Masir's hazel eyes lightened up in joy as they fell on Briseis, who had entered the A hangar, casting her gaze around, as if searching for someone. Glancing around himself to see, if the coast was clear, he leaned in for a welcome kiss, she granted him with a small smile. "You're searching for me?" he asked with a smile of his own. The last days had been blissful, the two of them using every possible excuse to spend time with each other. Time that mostly passed with her in his arms, her lips more often than not pressed to his.
"Unfortunately not," she answered. "I can't find Selene anywhere. We have a problem with the fuel supply and she is not answering her comms. That kriffing Hutt always wants to deal only with Selene, she has some kind of obsession with her."
"Mmh, I have not seen her since the morning meeting to be honest."
"You will probably be lucky in the C hanger, I just had a meeting with her and the General there, " a cool voice commented. Major Cadwick had passed them on their way to the corridor and obviously heard what they were discussing. "Although I would advise you to wait a little or else they might be still occupied."
"What?" Brieseis' turquoise eyes widened in shock, clearly understanding the insinuation behind the words in the same way he did.
The Major just looked over her shoulder and raised an eyebrow. "And tell Khi'sheko I want my winnings. I actually picked today on his little bet."
Disbelief quickly morphing into anger flashed over the Zi'daya pilot's face. "Not going to do something reckless, my ass. I am going to wring her neck this time," she grumbled.
When Briseis immediately started towards the elevators to the C hangar, Masir had to jog to keep up with her, his voice turning concerned.
"Do you really think, this is a good idea?" He tried to caution her. He did not fancy being sent to sanitation indefinitely, because he had interfered with Hux getting it on with Sa'onserei.
"Do you know, what exactly she is probably doing?" Briseis ground out, as they entered the elevator and she hammered on the buttons, her face still fierce.
"Mmh, yeah you know, they are both adults and…"
But it seemed she was not prepared to listen to him, as she left the elevator the second the doors opened at the hangar level.
The sound of a woman moaning quite loudly made Masir's eyes widen in astonishment. It seemed he had been wrong after all, when he had said that Hux did not know how to treat a woman like Sa'onserei. As Briseis' dash ended suddenly at a corner leading deeper into the hangar and he saw her eyes widen in surprise, he swiftly stepped up to her. Even though the scene before them made him blink for a second as well, he was quick-witted enough to put his hand over the blonde Zi'daya's mouth keeping her from saying something. While he could appreciate the way Sa'onserei looked like topless, he could definitely have done without catching his General with his pants down.
"Interrupting now would be just cruel," he murmured into Briseis' ear and swiftly dragged her back to the elevator. Her eyes flashed dangerously at him, although she did not fight him. He just hoped they did not make any sound, but then he had the feeling their two Co-Commanders would not even have realized it, if the Finalizer exploded around them.
The moment he let go of her back in the elevator, Briseis rounded at him, her eyes narrowing in annoyance, when she saw the look on his face. "You actually think this is funny, don't you?"
Masir tried to wipe the amused grin of his face, but to no avail. "Catching Mister Prim and Proper at bending his Co-Commander over a supply crate in the hangar?" He chuckled. "That is more than a little hilarious, yes."
Briseis very obliviously did not see any humour in the situation. "That is my best friend he is bending over a crate. Stars, what in the blazes of the universe is she thinking?"
Masir laughed. "To be honest I am not sure there is a lot of thinking involved." As he saw that there was real concern on the blonde Zi'daya's face, he tried to reassure her.
"I mean, I can understand that you are not thrilled, but underneath the prickly exterior Hux is actually not so bad."
"Not so bad? Compared to who? Emporer Palpatine? Darth Vader? A Huttese crime lord?" Brisei's expression turned completely incredulous. "The list of atrocities that man has committed is longer than I even want to remember."
The obvious disdain in her voice made a cold unease settle in Masir's stomach. After all he had flown countless missions under Hux' orders that she clearly counted among the General's crimes. He suddenly remembered Opan's cautioning words that the Zi'daya's allegiances might not be as firmly on the First Order side, as they had hoped.
When Briseis had hesitated to turn their relationship more intimate, he had thought it was mostly an issue of trust, since they did not know each other that long. But what, if her reluctance had been triggered by something completely different? As one of Sa'onserei's closest confidents, she would surely know, if there were any plans to double-cross them.
"You mean crimes he has committed for the First Order in this war?" he said softly, watching her reaction carefully.
It was why he saw the flash of caution in her eyes, before she gave him a very carefully neutral answer. "Even in a war there are limits to what one should be prepared to do in order to win."
"Mmh," the captain felt dread rise up in him. He could not get himself to ask the question that was pricking at his mind. And are we on the same side of this war?
Because what would he do, if her answer was not what he wished for?
"Do you think that has been going on for some time?" he inquired, changing the topic.
Briseis shook her head. "It definitely wasn't a week ago." She gave him a playful smile, leaning closer. "Although I have to admit I was a little preoccupied myself the last few days."
"I wonder with what." Masir let his hand wander into her blond locks, tipping her head up to him and claiming her lips in a very thorough kiss. As he indulged in her warmth, a part of his mind though could not stop the first whispers of real worry going through it.
"Princess Selene, how wonderful to see you again." The dark eyes of the elaborately dressed human male on the holo screen lightened up considerably, as she and Hux entered the Finalizer's command bridge. "Her excellency will be ecstatic that you will grace our drab halls with your bright presence again."
"Mekat" Selene inclined her head in greeting. The good-looking middle-aged man had been Trilla's aide for some years now and she actually liked him. He was one of the few, who was able to curb the Hutt's fondness for manipulative games at least a little. "As much as I would love to, I fear we are somewhat pressed for time. We are on an important mission."
"Ah, you know my mistresses fondness for you, your highness." Mekat gave her an apologetic smile, his heavily khol-lined eyes blinking slowly. "I fear she will insist on at least a short visit, before you leave again." What meant they would get no fuel, if they did not indulge Trilla's whims. "The company you keep has made her very curious." Mekat's eyes slid to her Co-Commander.
Selene threw a glance at Khendrik and Shima, who had been talking with the aide, while everyone had waited for her and the General. Perhaps she could convince Hux that it would be sufficient, if she quickly went down to Lexus with her crew on her own?
"Fine, only a short visit, though."
Mekat's smile turned brilliant at her acquiescence. "If your mission by chance has anything to do with the missing ships in this sector, we might even have some interesting information for you."
Kriff, now it would be nearly impossible to keep Hux from coming with her.
After they had signed off, she turned to him, still adamant to try her luck.
Before she could say anything though, Lieutenant Tosla stepped up to them and saluted sharply.
"We have already prepared you command shuttle, General."
"Perfect," Hux made a prompting gesture towards the corridor. "Shall we, Commander?"
Stars, why did they have to be so damn efficient at the First Order? She had hoped to get at least a few minutes on the Evenfall to freshen up, before they went planetside.
As they made their way to the hangar, Khendrik and Captain Opan joining them after a short discussion, who would go to Lexus with them, she commented softly. "You don't have to accompany me. I am sure you have more important things to do, than making nice with one of the Hutts."
Hux' green eyes narrowed for a second, as he regarded her.
"I don't trust the Hutts. They are criminals, every single one of them. The galaxy would be a much better place without them. If the Order was not caught up in that irritating conflict with the Resistance, we would have dealt with them long ago."
Selene frowned. "While I do agree that their propensity for slavery and crimes is unfortunate, I do think genocide is taking it a step too far." She gave her Co-Commander a stern look. If she could not keep him from coming with her, she did not want him to completely ruin her relationship with her Huttese ally. "We actually rely on that fuel supply quite often, so I would be thankful, if you could keep your opinion to yourself. Do you speak Huttese?"
"Of course not." Hux glanced at her incredulously. "As I said, the Hutts are criminals and the Order only teaches the languages of civilized people."
"Fine," Selene interrupted him. "I think it is better, if I do the talking then. Trilla can be difficult and she does not like the First Order any more, than you value her people. Don't let her provoke you, though, she is quite fond of playing games."
The expression on the General's face turned annoyed. "I am capable of being diplomatic, you know," he grumbled.
"Like you were with me?" she nearly answered, but refrained. Considering their tumultuous relationship, this was perhaps not the best example.
As Selene's eyes fell on the sign for a restroom, she gave the three men a short nod, before ducking inside. "If you would excuse me for a moment."
She had to do something about her hair at least. Trilla was too attentive to go down to Lexus looking like this. When she saw herself in the restrooms mirror, her eyes widened. Stars, her hair was a fright. And there was still a distinctive flush to her cheeks, that did not seem to go away. She glanced up at the sound of the door opening a few seconds later.
"Brie…" she greeted her friend, who was entering the restroom with a strangely composed expression on her face, with a smile.
"Trilla wants to see you," the blonde pilot commented. Stepping up behind her, she reached for Selene's hair, starting to untangle it. "Let me do this, you are only making it worse."
"I know," Selene answered Briseis' first comment. "We are actually going down to Lexus now."
Her friend started to subdue her hair in a tidy braid again. "Ouch," Selene complained, Briseis tugs on the pale strands more than a little harsh. There was a peculiar look in her turquoise eyes, as she met hers in the mirror. "You will have to be careful," she commented. "Trilla might let something slip concerning Venya station and you surely don't want Hux to know about that."
"No, definitely not." The last thing she wanted, was for the Order to get its greedy paws on their adamantium. Pryde would be ecstatic, if he had that kind of additional funds at his disposal.
Briseis finished the braid, putting her ribbon back around it at the end. She raised an eyebrow. "All done. You should tell Hux to keep his hands out of your hair next time, though."
Oh, kriff.
Selene was finally able to read the emotions in her friend's eyes. Disapproval and anger.
Before she could answer, Briseis was out of the door, leaving her with her racing thoughts. However her friend had found out about her little tryst with her Co-Commander, it had not sounded, as if she was just suspecting it. She would have to deal with this, when she came back.
When she joined Hux and the others at the Command shuttle, she noted the General's hair was a lot more orderly again as well. It seemed same as her, he had used the time to fix it.
On their way down to the planet, she could not keep herself from warning her Co-Commander a few more times to not let the Hutt provoke him. She was strangely nervous about this. After her third comment, Hux snapped at her in obvious exasperation. "I am not completely incompetent, Selene."
The casual use of her first name, made Captain Opan throw a curious glance at them. Stars, if they were not more careful, the whole ship would soon know, there was something going on between them.
Selene looked out of the shuttle's viewport, as they neared their destination. The Huttese buildings sprawled over a hilltop between lush vegetation, the elegant structure looking more like a palace than an outpost at the edge of the galaxy.
"That isn't just a backwater outpost," Hux commented, his eyes thoughtful. No, it wasn't. And most of it had been built in the last three years. Their alliance had not been to Trilla's disadvantage.
As they left the shuttle, Mekat already waited for them at the landing field, his silken clothes even more striking in person.
"Your Highness," he greeted her with a bow. "General Hux."
His expressive face turned apologetic. "I fear her Excellency is a little nervous about your company, Princess Selene. I will have to insist on only one person accompanying you inside."
Selene opened her mouth, intend on using that opportunity to finally get rid of her Co-Commander, but he beat her to it with his answer. "Then I will come with you."
When he saw her glance back at Khendrik, whose face showed his discomfort with this development, he raised an eyebrow. "I am sure I am capable of ensuring your safety."
The heat and high humidity were oppressive, as they walked to the impressive double doors leading inside the building, the cries of some local avian creatures sounding in the air every now and then. Like all Hutts Trilla had a preference for warmer climates, probably a reminder of her homeplanet, and had selected a planet to inhabite accordingly.
"Your highness?" Hux asked with an amused twitch to his lip, as they followed the aide through opulent corridors, the marble floors and golden inlays on the walls speaking of the owner's obvious wealth. Selene shook her head. She had tried in vain to get Trilla and her court to call her by her name. She gave her Co-Commander a cheeky smile, though. "Careful, I might insist you call me by my title as well. I can imagine a situation or two, where that might be fun."
He just scoffed and looked around with a frown. "I did not know, smuggling was quite that lucrative." As he realized what exactly the golden pictures on the walls depicted, his eyes widened a little. Selene grinned at his expression, glancing at the very explicit depictions of members of species all over the galaxy in very imaginative versions of intercourse.
"Is that even anatomically possible," Hux murmured at one picture, a blush on his cheeks. She laughed. "Well, I am flexible enough…" He gave her a wide-eyed look.
Selene leaned closer and murmured. "One last remark. Trilla is actually not fond of the fighting pits. She likes to watch a different sort of performances."
"What?" her Co-Commander sounded more than a little scandalized.
Stepping through another set of impressive, wrought double doors, they had reached the courtyard in which the Hutt held court. Selene noted that guards where posted between the golden columns that lined the courtyard. That had not been the case on her other visits. It seemed having General Hux on her planet really made Trilla nervous.
Taking in the state of dress or more precisely state of undress of most of the court's members that sprawled on colorful cushions on the floor, Selene thought she and Hux were definitely overdressed. The Hutt herself throned on an immense mountain of golden cushions at the end of the room, her slug like body an intense lilac color, a silken red cape draped over her. Small yellow eyes regarded them with a shrewd intelligence in them, her wide mouth grinning.
Kriff, Trilla looked, as if she was planning some kind of mischief.
Three male slaves kneed next to the Hutt presenting various fruits and beverages to her, their naked bodies only covered by some golden paint, while a blue and a rose-colored Twi'lek girl were enthusiastically kissing on a raised platform. At least they were still scantily dressed, Selene had walked in to a lot more raunchy scenes on the Hutt's court. She saw the revulsion in Hux' eyes, as he took everything in. Well, at least you could not accuse Trilla of not following a theme.
"Her Excellency, the wonderful, the magnificent Trilla Nemase Orlia, daughter of Gara, daughter of Shella," Mekat introduced their host with a deep bow.
"Princess Selene," Trilla's laugh made her whole body shake, as she greeted her in Huttese. "What a marvelous day, when the bright star of Ellesmee is gracing us with her presence."
"Trilla," Selene smiled at the Hutt indulgently. "It is good to see you again. I hope you are well?"
"Mmmh, only the common aches. You know I am not getting younger," the Hutt patted her belly. To Selene's knowledge, she was not older than three hundred years and in her prime for her species. Those yellow eyes turned curious. "But I am more interested in your news, princess. You keep interesting company nowadays." Her gaze turned to her Co-Commander.
"If we could switch to Basic?" Selene interjected. "The General is unfortunately not proficient in your language."
"Mmh," Trilla's expression, as she did so, indicated that she knew the Order's stance on her people quite well. "General Hux of the First Order. Your reputation precedes you." Her tone made clear that had not been a compliment.
"Your Excellency," Hux' own voice was cool, but at least he inclined his head politely.
Suddenly the Hutt's eyes widened in surprise and she took a deep breath. With a slight unease, Selene remembered having read that the Huttese species had a very keen sense of smell and taste due to their origins on a swamp planet full of poisonous plants. There was no way Trilla could have smelled on them, what they had been doing earlier, was there?
Her words were not showing, if there was any truth to that rumour, though.
"Now, how has it come to pass that you are travelling on a First Order ship, princess? Are the Zi'daya now part of the First Order?"
Selene kept her face carefully composed, knowing she would have to tread carefully here. While the Hutts would accept a temporary alliance with the Order, anything more permanent might endanger their own arrangements.
"A temporary alliance for a mission. We have both been affected by some disappearances here in the Outer Rim. You have not noticed anything unusual by chance?" The Hutts were one of the oldest species in the galaxy so it could not hurt to ask.
"Ah," Trilla's eyes lightened up in interest and she sat up straighter. "So we are not the only ones then. We lost the crew of two ships in the last month. One had my nephew on board." Her eyes closed for a moment in obvious dismay. Selene knew the Hutts had few children and were quite protective of them. "A young Hutt on his first trade run for the family. His loss is felt keenly."
"I am sorry," Selene said softly. "You said you only lost the crews but not the ships themselves? Have you found anything on board? Any information could help us find out who might be responsible for this."
"Only a few drops of blood that match with no known species in this galaxy." Trilla's face showed pained pride."It seems Garo did get at least one hit in. I can give it to you, if you want."
"That would be very helpful," Selene answered truthfully.
"As for who is responsible. Some of my court seem to think the 'Cold One's' returned."
"The 'Cold One's'?"
"Oh. An old Huttest tale to scare the children. You know the deal. If you don't do your daily mud bath the 'Cold One's" will come and suck out your soul. My mother was very fond of telling it." Trilla gave them a wide grin. "I was quite the unruly little Huttling."
Selene glanced at Hux. That did sound a lot like, who they were searching for.
"As you can imagine taking care of this threat, will be in the best interest of everyone in this sector." The General's voice was unfamiliar smooth. "However, we do need your fuel supply, if we want to continue our search."
The Zi'daya heir nearly gave her Co-Commander a surprised look. He really was capable of being diplomatic.
"Of course, General Hux. I am very happy to help you, now that we are getting to know each other. After all Princess Selene's friends are my friends." Trilla gave a sign to Mekat. "Resume the delivery."
"Before we continue our wonderful little chat there is something else." The Hutt stared at Selene intensely. "Something private. If you could step closer, dear princess. My eyes are not, what they used to be."
Wondering what her ally was planning now, Selene humored her and stepped up to the mount of cushions. Trilla's short arm moved quicker, than she would have thought possible, her hand closing around her wrist and drawing her closer swiftly. The Hutt's yellow eyes held sly cunning as her long tongue slid out of her wide mouth and slowly glided over Selene's neck.
Despite the wet sensation making her shudder in revulsion, Selene quickly threw a look at Hux, moving her free arm in a reassuring gesture. And just in time, as the way her Co-Commander's hand was playing with his uniform sleeve told her he had already reached for his hidden blade. She was quite sure Trilla did not want to harm her. This was only part of one of her games.
Indeed the Hutt let out a husky laugh after a few moments, her eyes glittering in unconcealed glee at being able to unsettle her human guests.
"So my nose has not deceived me after all. You taste of sex and pleasure, princess."
She glanced at Hux for a moment before turning to Selene again, switching to Huttese. "I have to admit I am more than a little surprised. I would not have thought your tastes run into that direction."
The Zi'daya took a deep breath, the Hutt's unsettlingly intense scent of musk filling her nose. Blast it, it seemed the rumors about a Hutt's superior senses of smell and taste had not been exaggerated after all. She needed to play this very carefully, if she did not want to give her mercurial ally any more ammunition against her than necessary.
"Oh believe me, he has some unexpectedly useful skills." She gave her a deliberately sassy smile. "I just had to make clear, who is giving the orders." An insinuation that she was just using the General for her own means was definitely something the Hutt would understand.
Trilla 's guffawing laugh made half her court giggle as well, the Hutt smacking her lips in amusement. "So, as so often the men of your species are the same underneath it all, no matter how well they play at being prim and proper. So easy to control, if a beautiful woman spreads her legs for them." Those yellow eyes turned shrewd. "Don't worry, princess, your little secret is quite safe with me." What meant she would bandy this information all over the galaxy, if it served her own goals. "We all like to dip into dark waters from time to time, don't we?"
Her Co-Commander's green eyes had narrowed in annoyance by now, him not being able to follow their conversation, but clearly aware of the topic.
Well, not her problem, if he was too arrogant to learn one of the galaxy's most widely spoken languages.
Trilla waved one of her slaves closer, a slim dark-haired girl that did not look older than sixteen. "Mira, please show the princess, what we found on our ships." As Selene followed the girl to one of the doors, that led deeper inside the palace, the Hutt levelled her gaze on Hux. "Only her though, I don't want the First Order crawling all over my property."
Armitage Hux felt a twinge of unease, as his Co-Commander left the courtyard with one of the Hutt's slaves, the way Selene's eyes met his with a hard look in them for a moment, very clearly indicating that she wanted him to behave, while she was away.
Although she seemed confident she could trust the Hutt, he did not like leaving her out of his sight without any backup.
He was already more than a little vexed that they had obviously talked about him without him being able to understand a word. Perhaps the Order's stance on the Huttese language was not the wisest after all. As much as it disgusted him, the Hutts still had a sizeable influence in the galaxy.
The Hutt's small eyes glittered between her lilac folds of flesh, as she regarded him from her perch atop that mountain of pillows. She lazily picked up a fruit out of the bowel one of the kneeling slaves presented to her, biting into it, so that the juice ran down her wide lips.
"So how is it going General Hux? Has the First Order finally been able to defeat the Resistance?"
She grinned toothily. "Or are all two hundred of them still at large?"
"The conflict with the Resistance is proceeding satisfactory," Hux answered coldly, not deigning to react to her provocations.
"Mmm, and still you, the First Order's most renowned general, are out here on a mission, instead of leading the charge against them. A curious decision by your Supreme Leader."
Trilla's tone indicated she knew his precarious position in the Order quite well.
"Although, you could have made a worse deal. All tangled up with one of the most beautiful women in the galaxy. There will be countless men, who envy you."
Kriff, so she had really concluded that he and his Co-Commander had been intimate. And he did not have a clue, what Selene had said to her earlier. Knowing her it had probably been something completely inappropriate.
"I am not in the habit of discussing my personal life with criminals," the General ground out, his annoyance making his voice harsh.
The Hutt's smile was derogatory. "You should be careful General Hux. The princess may fuck the monster out of morbid curiosity, but don't expect to be taken home to lie cozy in front of the hearth."
His fury at that creature calling him a monster made him forget to moderate his own words. "You are aware that there is a resurgent class stardestroyer under my command in your orbit?"
Trilla practically crowed. "Oh, now that is how I know the First Order. So quick to resort to threats." Her eyes turned piercing. "I hid a mark, didn't I?" She laughed mockingly. "Oh, isn't that touching. You really have a weak spot for our bright princess, don't you, General? Sadly, I don't think someone like you will ever be more than a dirty little secret she has sullied herself with for her."
Her cruel words affected him more than he should have let on, the sickening doubt that there was some truth to them stoking his ire even more.
"You wretched creature, I should order this whole planet to be bombed immediately."
His threat made a few of the guards that had been lining the courtyard take a step closer, more than one hand straying to a blaster. Kriff, that was escalating quickly. He might have made a mistake in letting her get to him. Hux tried to reign in his temper.
"Now, there is only one problem," the Hutt sat up straighter, her slug like body moving in waves. "Your stardestroyer is all up there… and you, General, are here all alone."
Before he could answer, Selene reentered through the door she had left through earlier with quick steps. Her golden eyes widened, as she took in the tense atmosphere.
"Princess, I hope you have found what you are looking for." Trilla's voice was jovial again, as she addressed her. She inclined her head, as if in deep remorse. "I fear I will have to rethink that fuel delivery, though. Mekat, tell our captain to stop the supply to the Finalizer," she had turned to her aide.
Selene stepped up next to Hux, her gaze full of disbelieving anger, as she met his for a moment. She summoned up a questioning look for the Hutt.
"I thought we had an agreement, Trilla? I did not expect Gara's daughter to go back on her word."
"We have an agreement, my dear." The Hutt's eyes were narrowing dangerously. "This does not include, whoever you are sleeping with this week. And I do not take kindly to threats from the Order's slavering hounds."
The General made a move to reciprocate her newest insult, but Selene grabbed his arm and stepped closer to him. "Stop it and let me handle it," she hissed at him. She turned to the Hutt again.
"Fine, we will pay you double." His Co-Commander gave their host an insincere smile. "And I apologize for any inconvenience my Co-Commander may have caused you." When he wanted to protest, her fingers bored into his arm quite painfully and she murmured under her breath. "We need that fuel."
Trilla laughed, obviously quite amused by their little display. "It seems you do have him under control quite well." She winked. "Now, don't be too strict with him later."
Before he could fire up at that, Selene gave a regal nod in parting, clearly intend on getting him out of here as quickly as possible. "Your Excellency, I fear we have to leave. As always, it was a pleasure. May the stars guide us back together soon."
The Hutt inclined her head as well. "Oh yes, this has been quite the pleasure indeed. I think I did not have so much fun in a long time. May the stars guide you, princess. And good luck on your mission, you will surely need it." She leaned back into her cushions. "Metak, please lead our guests back to their ship."
As her aide indicated for them to leave with him through the open double doors of the courtyard, she added one parting remark. "I would be inclined to give you the fuel for free, you know." Her voice turned into an unsettling mixture between an invitation and a taunt. "If you two indulged me with a little performance."
"Keep walking," Selene murmured to him, when he tensed up in outrage at the immoral offer, her grip on his arm forceful. It was quite impressive, how she managed to hiss at him with barely moving her lips. She looked back at the Hutt over her shoulder with a wink. "You know me Trilla, I am just a little too shy for that."
"A pity," the Hutt's jeering laughter followed them on their way back to their ship.
Selene kept her temper in check, until they had reached his command shuttle and said their goodbyes to the Huttese aide, although Hux saw in the way her eyes flashed and she pressed her lips together that she was quite incensed. Not that he wasn't angry himself. She had basically let that creature mock him for her amusement.
"Have you been successful?" Captain Shi'seko's questioning look turned concerned, as he took in both their annoyed faces.
"We have secured the fuel delivery and I got my hands on a very interesting blood sample." His Co-Commander passed a small container to the Zi'daya captain, before turning towards Hux, her catlike eyes narrowing furiously. "No thanks to you, though. Can't I leave you alone for five kriffing minutes without you threatening to blow up a planet?"
"Not here," he ground out, taking her by the arm and leading her into the small private cabin in the rear of the shuttle. He was quite sure she did not really want to have that discussion in front of her bodyguard and Opan.
"If you had heard, what she said to me you would not be surprised at all. That creature…" he started, when they were alone.
Selene shook her head in disbelief. "I warned you, Armitage, that she was going to provoke you. Why did you let her?"
He stared at her. "Provoke me? That went far beyond that. Did you hear what she just proposed to us?"
Selene sighed. "Rhea give me strength. She always does that when I come here. It is just one of her games."
"Oh, how many men have you brought here then?" Only after the words had left his mouth, he realized how that question sounded. Blast it, the Hutt's insinuations had definitely messed with his mind.
"None so far," his Co-Commander raised an expressive eyebrow. "And after today's experience I will certainly refrain from doing so in the future." She shrugged. "I guess she would have provided someone. She knows I would never indulge her, though."
How could she be so kriffing casual about all this? He still could not get the way the Hutt and her court had laughed about him out of his head. He had always hated it, when people made fun of him.
"And what did you tell her about me behind my back? That you have me all wrapped around your little finger? Very smart telling that criminal, that we are…" he trailed off. Actually, they had never gotten to talk about what the kriff they were doing.
"That we are what?" The Zi'daya's face showed clear frustration with him. "She had already smelled you on me. Denying it, would have only made her more aware of the fact that we don't want that information to get out. Believe me, we would have paid more than double for that fuel then. Under the circumstances, telling her that I am only using you, was the wisest move. Or should I have told her we are madly in love?" She scoffed with a sarcastic look on her face.
Something about the way she said it, made his anger flame up again. "And aren't you trying to manipulate me, Selene?" He stepped closer to her, so she had to look up at him. "Do you really think me so stupid that I do not realize you tried to keep me from coming here with you? What is your real relationship with the Hutt? You have some other kind of business deal with her, have you not?"
Her golden eyes turned very cold then, but not before he saw unease pass through them for a second. She was hiding something from him.
"Even, if that were true. Why should I tell you? Don't deceive yourself into thinking that you have any kind of right to my secrets now, only because we fucked a few times."
What a way to put him into his place. With that icy look on her face, nothing reminded him any more of the passionate woman, who had practically melted at his touch earlier.
Her words were so similar to the taunts the Hutt had hurled at him, that he felt a strange nausea settle in his stomach. It made him lash out at her in turn.
Bending close to her ear, his tone turned more than a little menacing. "Don't worry, I don't ask out of some misguided sentimentality. I just want to remind you that you have an agreement with the Order regarding this sector. And I am sure you do not want to find out what happens, if you break it."
He had actually planned to leave her with that, but being so close to her, made him long for her warmth again. Just a small reassurance that she still wanted this. Indeed her breath hitched quite satisfactory, when he leaned forward to let his lips wander along her neck towards her ear. He knew this was one of her weak spots by now.
"You are not really threatening me at one moment and then trying to feel me up the next," Selene's voice was furious, though, and she gave him a disbelieving look.
"Now, don't play coy," he added a hint of teeth to his caress, making her shudder against him. "I remember quite well, how you begged me to take you in the hangar."
He moved his mouth to hers, his lips insistent. For a moment, she opened up at his touch and her tongue tangled with his wildly, then there was a very sudden pain, as her teeth bored into his lip. He tasted his own blood, when he let go of her quickly and made a step backwards.
"Do not seek to take more, than I am willing to give, Armitage," her eyes sparked fire at him, as they regarded each other, both breathing heavily.
Hux put a gloved finger to the small wound on his lip, a few drops of blood clinging to it.
Before he could react, there was a loud banging on the door.
"You have to come quickly." There was real urgency in Captain Shi'seko's voice. "There has been a distress signal. Venya mining station is under attack."