The evening was remarkably wonderful. Dinner was fun. Even Taa seemed innocently amused by offering Crosshair new things to try. Though still a bit disgusted with Taa's company, Alanja was impressed that at least he did understand wooing and entertaining guests.

"You must try this Jogan Fruit pudding, Miss Rampart," Taa said, holding out his spoon from his dish towards her to personally place it in her mouth. "It is the best thing of the evening."

Under the table, Crosshair's knee pressed firmly against hers as if he would hold her back from it when she leaned forward. Sensing the rise from him, Alanja placed her napkin into her lap to hide her move to push his muscled leg back with her hand so she could reach the spoon. Crosshair mimicked her by putting his napkin on his lap and grabbing her hand on his knee, clinching it just short of causing her pain. His glare almost made her choke on the sweet and sour pudding when she finally got her mouth over the spoon.

"Oh, my," she coughed. Taa looked concerned when she cupped her palm over her lips. Her eyes shot up at him in surprise. "That was incredible!"

Taa's fat face split into a grin as she waved at him for another bite. Under the table, Crosshair still had her hand.

When Taa held the spoon out for her again, to his disappointment, she took it from him this time and turned to Crosshair. She looked deep into his brown eyes, feeling his trepidation as if they were drowning together in the stormy seas of Kamino. She cocked her head to remind him that 'good soldiers followed orders.' His throat bobbed nervously as she put the spoonful of pudding to his tight lips. Slowly, they opened their mouths together as she pushed the spoon into his, closing their lips in tandem.

"Fantastic, is it not, friend?" she said as she gave the spoon back to Taa and dabbed at the corners of Crosshair's mouth with her napkin.

He swallowed hard, never taking his eyes off of hers. "Yes."

The way he said that one word shattered her. It was warm and trusting. A great spark jolted through Alanja. In that moment, she understood nothing, and the control she had been cultivating between them splintered apart. Her insides went tight as his hand under the table still did not let her go.

Realizing she was staring at Crosshair like a fool, Alanja yanked her hand away from his grasp. Attempting to cool her embarrassment, she took a sip of wine and rose to her feet, Crosshair and Taa instinctively standing with her. Both of them were stunned by her reaction. Taa was confused, but Crosshair looked scared, as if he had made a terrible mistake. That look of fear was just short of panic. She could feel it as if he was silently pleading for forgiveness. Alanja and Crosshair's secret games had just stepped over the line with each other.

A server pulled Alanja's chair back with a bow when she said, "I am going to get a little air." As Taa made a move to join her, she held up a gentle hand. "Wait here, Senator, and I will be right back to try the next course with you," she purred. Her head held high, she brandished a sultry smile. "I am sure it will be ravishing as this one."

Though appearing a little disappointed that she was stepping away from him, Taa put on a political grace that fooled no one as he shot a glare at Crosshair. "I will have a bowl of Jogan fruit pudding brought out just for you, Miss Rampart."

Alanja winked at him and replied, "I will try not to feed it all to my handsome escort here."

That made Taa laugh, giving her the breath she needed to break away and make for the balcony. As expected, Crosshair was fast on her heels, pushing back the sheer curtains for her to pass under them. She traced her fingertips along the stone railing and walked out of sight of the other diners and staff.

As far as she could see, the rocky landscape beyond the glittering city lights rolled up into a dazzling array of stars she didn't recognize. She was in unfamiliar territory, both with Ryloth and Crosshair, without anything to guide her way.

Standing rigid beside her, Crosshair ground his fists at his sides. Had the moment at the table unnerved him as much as it did Alanja? Wasn't it just a game? As much as she was glad he followed her, she knew it was just his duty. He wasn't at her side as a friend but rather some kind of deadly servant. The air was so tense that she felt like her chest was under a huge stone weight.

"I didn't mean to embarrass you," she finally apologized. "That was not fair of me to play such games at your expense."

Her words seemed to loosen him up a little. "They were rather nice games," he replied, referring to her toying with him in the past.

She heaved a deep breath. This was still going sideways.

"I like your games," he added with a smirk.

Her stomach fluttered uncontrollably. Crosshair was now playing the games back at her.

"Oh, yeah?" she said incredulously.

He nodded as he sucked at the corner of his mouth as if he had his customary toothpick there.

Feeling completely ridiculous now, Alanja cupped her hands over her eyes.

Enjoying the tit-for-tat, he said, "The good soldiers follow orders look was a particularly nice touch."

Her cheeks burned with humiliation. "You obeyed."

"Good soldiers follow orders," he jibed.

She shook her head. "You win," she laughed, flustered beyond recovery.

He turned towards her then and leaned his elbow on the railing, giving her a smoldering look that she was shocked he could even do with his cold visage. "I know, friend."

"Nala Se said you were smart, that you would outwit me."

"Have I outwitted you, Miss Rampart?"

She fanned her face and bit her bottom lip. "Alanja," she corrected.

Confident that he had dominated the playful competition, he tipped his head and upped the wager between them. "I have something for you, Alanja. A gift."

She moved closer and leaned on her elbow, mirroring his posture. "A gift?" she purred, unwilling to let him win again. "What could you have that I would want?"

Unfazed, he slipped his hand into his trouser pocket and retrieved a small black ring. "It's not much. Clones own very little that people like you would want."

She marveled at the pitch-black metal ring he peered at her through when he held it out to her. He was smirking, drinking in her curiosity with pure delight.

"What is it?" she asked, leaning in closer until she could feel the warmth of his breath on her face. How fascinating that he had chosen a gift for her. That was completely unexpected. Her heart swelled to think of it. Though he was outwardly happy, he tried to conceal his relief she was considering his token. Deep down, Alanja now understood that she had won this strange man completely, their relationship solidifying and their stone hearts racing to hold fast to what was now being woven between them.

With pride, Crosshair said, "A ring from my first scope. The rest of it is gone, shattered in the training that put this little scar around my eye." He gestured at his crosshair tattoo over his right eye. As she peered through the ring, focusing under his right brow, she noticed for the first time that the black ink was covering up a circular scar. Alanja reached up and brushed her fingers over his eye, marveling.

"How awful," she whispered. "I'm so sorry."

He snickered at her. "Could have been worse." He was still playing the game even though she had been spirited away in the novelty of the moment.

Alanja drew her hand away, realizing she had inched closer to him. Swallowing hard, she said, "I would be honored to have such a precious gift, Crosshair." When Alanja held her left hand up, he slipped the ring down her middle finger with a peaceful expression on his gaunt face. That look made that warmth from earlier at the table blossom inside her again as she placed her hand on his chest. She was wrong; he was not playing the game anymore either. They were sharing a crystalline moment of pure affection. She never thought she would ever feel so at peace with anyone ever again.

Satisfied with his victory, Crosshair said, "We should go back inside."

"Yes." She blushed, drawing back before the urge to be even closer overwhelmed her.

The rest of the evening was a flurry of stolen glances between them. As the opera maestro welcomed Alanja and Senator Taa, Crosshair's chest puffed with pride at the introduction of the "Ambassador to Kamino, Miss Alanja Rampart, sister of the Vice Admiral, accompanied by her honor guard, Commander Crosshair."

While the opera crooned on through its three acts, Crosshair's hand found its way to her bare shoulder as he stood over her, warm and welcome. She took his calloused hand in hers and pulled him around into the chair beside hers like she would any other officer.

Behind them in the rear of the opera box, his Elite Squad stood at attention with helmets on like he was as powerful as Rov. Her brother had been right; this time with Crosshair was the perfect respite.