A hard knock rattled on the door after the comm beeped, but Alanja ignored it. She was so sleepy. Maybe Rov would just go away and let her skip the pleasantries with Senator Taa if she didn't answer.

Beep.

The hard knock came again. Still, Alanja ignored it. "Five more minutes, Rov," she whined, letting sleep lull her away again.

Knock. Knock. KNOCK!

When she gave no answer, the hiss of the bedroom door sliding open jolted her awake. Bleary-eyed, Alanja shielded her vision from a tall, trim man in a gray officer's uniform outlined in light from the parlor. His arms were at his sides, ready for a fight.

"Oh, no, Rov," Alanja gasped; the sunset was gone, replaced by twilight. It was night! "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to doze off."

At the sound of her voice, he relaxed and stood up straight with a snort of agitation. The officer cleared his throat, his tone strained. "Time to go, Miss Rampart."

It was not Rov.

Crosshair's piercing, brown eyes instantly went from harsh scorn to open discomfort, his throat bobbing when Alanja blinked at him, and recognition played across her face. Clutching the velveteen blanket, Alanja let out an embarrassed laugh that only made him more uncomfortable. She hoped that the dim light hid her red face. Clearly, he, too, was caught off guard. No doubt, Crosshair had expected to greet her as he was used to, alert and prepared with some sort of sly wit, but instead found her indisposed.

She sat up, confused by his appearance. He looked magnificent and as prim and proper as any officer in a dress uniform, if not a bit more dashing. Few officers had the impressive, sleek physique of an athlete like Commander Crosshair. Though Crosshair was technically an officer like any other, Alanja had no idea that clones were allowed to wear such attire. Was he going to escort her this evening looking like this?

She smacked her lips, still a bit lost in his magnificence. "You startled me, friend," said Alanja breathlessly. Her entire being ached seeing how incredible the commander looked, feeling for the first time that there was more hope for him beyond just a sharpshooter and squad leader. He bore the air of a great man, and it stung her confidence in their friendship, making her feel foolish to have ever thought Crosshair could remain her pet forever.

The tiniest smirk tugged at the left corner of his thin lips. Alanja's chest swelled with warmth at his hint of satisfaction. She had waited for weeks on that star-destroyer to see him, and being in his presence surprised her with how glad she felt to gaze upon him.

He furrowed his brow when she just kept staring at him. "Are you well, Miss Rampart?"

She bit her lips, too captivated. No. Alanja felt like she would throw up. But yes, she thought breathlessly. She was enthralled with joy. "I am well," she stammered. "Your self?"

Uncomfortable with her lack of haste, he said, "They're waiting."

She shook her head to try and clear it and shoved the blanket aside. "Of course. Of Course."

Alanja slid off the edge of the bed, fighting her skirts; they tangled around one of her slippers. She grunted with irritation and yanked on her twisted foot as she tumbled forward.

Instantly, Crosshair covered the distance between them. He grabbed her by the shoulders to stabilize her, and her hands snapped around his arms just under lean, taunt biceps. It was the first time since the infirmary that she had been so close to him. A longing to embrace Crosshair just as she would Rov trembled in her grip on him.

Alanja quickly quelled her inner shock over such a strange desire as he sat her back on the end of the bed and knelt down to free her foot. Her hand twitched, resisting the urge to stroke the right side of his head, where he was now scarred from his fight with Clone Force 99 on Bracca. The inhibitor chip was no longer there. Her chest heaved. Alanja had made that happen for him. Every move he made since then was of his free will, even this where his dutiful hands gently unwound her skirt from her slipper.

How had her fondness for him nearly overcome her so easily? Her heart raced like a school girl with a crush. Alanja knew that feeling too well, and she needed to destroy it. She had felt that growing infatuation for two other men. Both of them were now dead. Her husband and Marjin.

Not allowing the thoughts to continue, Alanja heaved another breath and swallowed hard, letting her hand fall to her side instead of caressing him.

His hands lingered on her ankle a little too long. Crosshair's brow furrowed, and a fascinating look of concern peered up at her.

No. It wasn't concern; it was fear?

Again his throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, and his long fingers flared out wide, releasing his grasp on her. Had he noticed how she had thought better of touching him?

"Are you well, commander?" she quipped, deflecting her stupidity.

Rigid, he straightened to his feet, looking everywhere but at her.

Yes. Crosshair did notice.

She blew out a frustrated sigh that ruffled him further. This was getting worse by the second.

Making sure her feet were clear of her skirts this time, she hopped up and swished her dress back down into its rightful place. Her stomach fluttered at how close she stood to him. Even after she resolved to quash the irrational feelings, a desire to put her arms around him and steal a secret embrace still startled her. Shock rolled over Alanja when an absurd hope that he would put his arms around her rose up in her until her fingertips tingled with anticipation.

His voice stilted, he said, "Miss Rampart?"

She laughed and straightened his collar. "Miss Rampart? Did you forget my name so soon?"

He grimaced, cheeks flushing as if he suddenly realized that he was so close to her that her hands were drifting down his shoulders. "Alanja."

"You look dashing, my friend," she complimented to see if she could make him turn anymore red. "I've missed you."

Crosshair looked like he was holding back a snide remark he was keeping in reserve for if she made him any more uncomfortable.

Like a moth to the flame, she couldn't resist their game. "Did you miss me?"

Standing proud, he peered down at her with disdain.

A chuckle leaped from Alanja, more for herself than for him. "There's no shame in admitting you're happy to see me, CT-9904."

Indeed, she was not the only one feeling so overwhelmed. Crosshair narrowed his gaze, hiding behind a crumbling wall of contempt. He hated being called CT-9904. "Crosshair," he corrected.

"Oh, yes. That's right," purred Alanja, battling her smoky lashes at him like she did at the landing. "Well, Crosshair, I am glad you are glad I'm here."

The flex in Crosshair's jaw made her laugh again. Deflecting her, he said, "They're waiting."

Unable to resist, she replied sweetly, "You're dashing this evening. Where have you been hiding this fancy uniform? You should have worn it to dinner with me all this time." Alanja picked a piece of fuzz from his shoulder. "I can't believe you kept this from me."

He snorted and stood aside for her to pass him. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw his head dip with a tiny, embarrassed smile. Crosshair was happy to see her too.

Alanja rolled her shoulders back, craned her head up high, and glided into Rov's office, where he, Taa, and Howzer awaited her. Rov nodded, and Taa looked hungry, while behind them, Captain Howzer's lips parted wordlessly as he looked between Alanja and Crosshair. She had to see what that look was about. Would he be as enthralled with her kindness towards Crosshair as the clones on the shuttle?

Alanja took a small step back and slid her hand into the crook of Crosshair's left elbow. Yes, Howzer was no different than the other clones. He was positively stunned. The clones were no different than real men, it seemed; only most of them were still little boys deep down in search of affection. Even Crosshair was hard, cold, and mean on the exterior but guarded vulnerability at his core.

Beaming, Alanja's confidence in her ability to charm oozed out over the men in Rov's office. This was going to go very well for her and Rov. Though Alanja was spending the evening with Senator Taa, tonight's introductions would be pivotal as Rov established the Empire's gracious hold on Ryloth.

Trust was why she was brought to Ryloth. Rov was a hammer, and she was a warm blanket to swaddle. Together, they could accomplish anything, perhaps even peacefully quell the resistance here to the Empire.

Suddenly, Alanja felt the pride she shared with Rov when they were young. The ache of past regrets was melting away. Her gaze drifted to her brother. He stood proud with his hands clasped behind his back with a knowing look on his face that made the back of her throat tingle with delight. Masterfully, Rov had executed his plan for her.

A lump formed, and she tried to swallow it as she blinked away a bit of moisture in her eyes. Like he promised after her husband died, Rov had come back for her even after she had screamed at him to never speak to her again. 'I don't deserve you, Rov Rampart,' she thought. 'No one does.'

Forgiveness passed between them, and Alanja felt whole again for the first time in years. Alanja's love for her big brother burned in her chest. Rov had won, and he knew it, just as he promised.

Smiling, her voice sweet, Alanja said, "Shall we depart?"

Taa nodded, then babbled something polite and gestured for them to proceed with him. Outside of Rov's office, ES-02 and the others of Crosshair's squad fell into step with them.

However, the high of Alanja's victory with Rov, Captain Howzer, and Commander Crosshair was short-lived. Immediately, the tension between Alanja and ES-02 flared when the soldier saw Crosshair in his officer's uniform. Though ES-02 said nothing, Alanja felt the soldier's hatred and bitterness grow. Crosshair had been right. Marjin had poisoned the ES Unit. Perhaps by showing how much Alanja trusted Crosshair and his friendship, she could assuage ES-02's concerns tonight.

When Alanja opened her mouth to begin her acts of camaraderie with Crosshair, Taa butted in. "We are going to have the most delightful evening," chimed Taa as he waddled at Alanja's side. "There will be delectable delicacies of Ryloth and so much beautiful music."

Though she was repulsed by him, Alanja replied sweetly, "I am so excited to experience it all, Senator. Your people and culture are magnificent."

She thought she saw ES-02 cringe at her words, but it was hard to tell while the woman wore her helmet. Crosshair openly sneered, but Taa, so consumed with himself, gave no sign that he noticed.

Alanja had quite an interesting evening ahead of her.