Chapter Ten

Jaina and Ganner continued on the next morning, which proved to be as uneventful as the day before. They took turns slashing down the underbrush, not saying much at all.

"Well, this is exciting," Jaina commented as the trekked along.

"Hell yeah," Ganner replied, slashing another branch down. "I'm beginning to wonder why no one settled this damn planet. It's not hard to slash down this stuff."

Jaina shrugged. "I don't get it either. I mean, every other planet in the universe has stuff growing on it. Why did the human race skip this one?"

Ganner smiled. "Well, it's not to say the place isn't settled. I mean, there are apparently millions of life forms--many of which are probably human or something to that effect. But you're right--there's got to be something useful on this moon."

"Maybe," Jaina replied. "Or maybe it is just one big rock. If there are no resources, nothing to make money off of, who'd want to develop it?"

Ganner turned to face her. "Point well said."

Jaina gave a little bow. "Thank you, Master Rhysode." She smiled. "How much longer 'til we reach civilization?"

Ganner shook his head. "No idea. From our calculations, we figured about six days, right? Unfortunately it's only been two."

"Unfortunately?" Jaina teased. "Are you sick of me already?"

"Now Solo," he winked, "You know I could never get sick of you." Something in what he said made Jaina's heart do a little leap, but she was confused as to what. She and Ganner had always had a rather flirtatious relationship, but that was it. So why did her heart just jump?

"You alright?" Ganner asked. Jaina hadn't realized she was staring into space.

"Oh--I'm fine!" she said quickly, snapping out of it. "Just daydreaming of you," she smiled.

"They always do," he said, smiling and turning back around. "They always do."

* * * * *

They pair had been walking for several more hours when they heard the large boom of rushing water that meant only one thing--a waterfall.

"Ooh, this should be fun," Jaina muttered, sarcastically. They had come to a clearing on the top of a hill, through which Jaina could see a waterfall at least two miles high. "Plan?"

"Hmm," Ganner said. "From where I stand, we have two options."

"Shoot," Jaina replied.

"Number one--walk another four miles out of the way downstream, climb down that cliff over there, and swim through the river, which looks like it's got some rough rapids."

"Oh, fun!"

"Or number two--see those rocks over there?" He pointed off in the distance upstream. "I think we might be able to get across them to the other side. That way's only about a mile or so out of the way."

"I choose option two, captain," Jaina said, saluting Ganner and clicking her heels. Ganner laughed loudly and motioned for her to follow him.

"Right this way, then," he answered, and she followed him out of the clearing to the riverbank.

The large boulders were a little farther away from each other then they would have liked. And then there was the fact that they were covered in some sort of slimy green algae. Plus, the water seemed to like to crash down on the rocks, making them extra slippery.

"Ok," Jaina said. "I think we can make the jumps. Just be careful not to slip off."

"Got it," Ganner said, preparing to leap onto the first of the large, brown boulders. He sprung into the air, and with a little help from the Force, he landed on the first rock a few meters away. This rock was flatter than the others were, so he had no trouble standing upright on it. The next rock looked slightly more menacing.

"Careful," Jaina said, who had sprung up and now stood behind him. "That one looks evil."

"Yeah," Ganner said, readying himself. It was also a lot farther away. Taking a deep breath, he leapt into the air, and landed on the edge of the rock. Gaining his balance, he turned around. "Your turn, Solo."

They continued along the vast expanse of the river for a good fifteen minutes before they realized that they were only about half way across. Jaina sighed, standing close behind Ganner, her shoulder pressed up against his back. Ganner turned to question her, but as he did, he lost his footing. He let out a little yelp as he fell headfirst into the water.

Jaina's instincts took over and she quickly reached out with the Force to steady him, but it was too late. He was already immersed in the water. Trying to help him, she noticed a very angry look on Ganner's face as his head came to the surface. Suddenly, he was standing up.

"The water's only a meter deep!" he bellowed, throwing his hands in the air. "All that jumping for nothing!"

Jaina started to giggle, and hid her smile behind her hand. "What are you laughing at?" Ganner questioned, raising a eyebrow. Jaina was now laughing uncontrollably. The look he had had on his face when he came up was, well, priceless, and she couldn't get that out of her head.

"I...I'm...sorry..." she managed to get out in between her laughter. She now had tears in her eyes from laughing so hard.

"I don't see how it's funny," Ganner said, approaching the rock. Although the water had appeared to be very rough, it really was no challenge to the Jedi to walk upstream.

"It's not," Jaina said, gaining her composure. She held out her hand. "Here, I'll help you up."

"Oh no," Ganner replied, shaking his head. "I'm not leaping if I don't have to. Come on, into the water."

"No way!" Jaina shrieked. "I'm not getting wet."

"Oh yeah?" Ganner responded, leaping up and hooking his arm around her waist. He pulled her quickly down into the water next to him, laughing hard. Jaina's head popped up, her hair a wreck from the water, a very evil gleam in her eye.

"You shouldn't have messed with me," she smirked, pouncing on him and taking him under water again. They both came up after a moment for a breath, and Ganner grabbed her wrists and held them behind her back.

"You shouldn't mess with me," he smiled as Jaina struggled to break free. "I could dunk you again so easily..." Jaina squeaked, and he laughed, letting her go. She turned to face him, putting her hand on her hips. Ganner just smiled again, and leaned forward to brush a piece of purple water lily out of her hair. His large, strong hand gently removed it from her brown, messed up ponytail. Jaina followed the motion of his hand with her eyes, and her heart skipped again. "There," he said softly. "Shall we continue?"

Jaina simply nodded, and waded across the river behind the Jedi, wondering exactly what was going on inside her this time.