Chapter 18

Ganner Rhysode sat quietly meditating, trying to dull the pain. It was a technique he had learned as a child, one that required nothing but strict concentration--and not the Force. It was far less effective than techniques used by Jedi, but at least it took his mind away from the cuts and gashes on his body that were beginning to burn from infection. This technique required him to think about something--anything--other than what he was going through at that moment in time. Of course, he had chosen to think of the one thing that had been filling every moment of his waking hours for the past weeks--Jaina Solo.

It was strange, he considered, how this whole thing had played out. Why, before this mission, he and Jaina had simply been friends--flirtatious ones, but he was like that with every woman he knew. But there had always been something different with Jaina, he realized now; something deeper, more meaningful in his actions towards her. He'd always had a thing for the brash young woman. And then suddenly, without even realizing it, she'd fallen for him, too. It had happened so quickly that it was quite overwhelming. His heart ached for her presence right now, and his body ached for her touch. And to think--they had only just admitted their desires a few nights before...

Ganner awoke from his daydream to the harsh voice of one of his captors. "Someone to see you, Jedi. Get up!"

He unfolded his legs and tried to stand, but his body was weak from fatigue and undernourishment, so he slid himself to the front of the cell. With the Force, surviving this treatment would have been no problem; without it, he was like any other human being.

The person he saw walking towards him, however, made all the strength suddenly return, even if it was only in his mind. For seeing her again made him remember why he needed to be strong--she was going to get him out of this.

Jaina was more simply dressed today, in a white dress reminiscent of those her mother used to wear. Her hair was down again, and Ganner longed to run his fingers through it. Over her dress, the young Jedi, who smiled as she saw him sitting there, wore a large navy cape--and Ganner was certain she had something under it.

"Hey there," she said, and Ganner noticed the pain in her eyes when she saw the state he was in. "You hanging in all right?"

"Thinking of you gets me through the night," he replied, flashing one of his smiles and making her blush.

Jaina slipped her hand into a fold of the cape and pulled out a large brass key. "They're letting me come in," she noted, and she undid the lock. "I complained about your treatment, and they said that if I had a problem, I could deal with it and they didn't want to be bothered. Although they did up the security...it seems they don't really trust me," she added, smiling.

Ganner smiled in return and she knelt next to him and brushed his cheek with a kiss. "Here," she said, taking out a medpac from another of the cape's large pockets. "Let's get you cleaned up." She gingerly cleaned and dressed his wounds, and already Ganner felt stronger. She had also brought him some food-- "To make up for that mush they're probably feeding you," she said. "I hope this is enough."

"Just seeing you is enough," Ganner said, shifting his position and patting the ground next to him. "How much time do you have?"

"Another twenty minutes," she replied sitting down next to him, leaning against the cold wall of the cell.

"So...any thoughts?" he responded, eyes twinkling, taking her hand and kissing it.

"Master Rhysode, what do you take me for?" she laughed.

"I meant about the situation, but now I know where your mind is!" he smiled, and leaned forward for a kiss. Jaina pulled back slightly, and he stopped. "What is it?"

"Nothing, I just...we need to figure out how to get you out of here," she replied, trying to change the subject.

"I know," he said. "But that's not it. What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. Mat and Jacen--they're here."

"Here?" he said looking around.

"In the city, I mean. They sensed our presence and found their way here."

"That's great," he responded, but knowing, even without the Force, that there was something more to what Jaina was saying. "They can help you."

"Yeah," Jaina replied, her voice distant.

"Jaina, what is it?" Ganner pressed, looking into her eyes.

Jaina snapped out of whatever thought she was having and smiled at the handsome Jedi. "Nothing," she replied, caressing his cheek and kissing his lips lightly. "They can help me."

"That's what I just said," he thought, but then he let it pass. Her mind had wandered; that was all. He leaned his head on her shoulder. "Any new developments?"

"Lehada's out trying to figure out what the hell this city is trying to hide," she said, "and my brother's hiding away somewhere, looking for parts for the ship."

"Ever the focused one, that Jacen Solo," he mumbled, smirking.

"I have to say, Ganner, that I am stumped. I don't know what is going on here, why they're trying to hide it, and why they won't let you go!" she said, frustrated.

"Easy, Jaina. The answers will come in time," he replied.

"You sound like my uncle," she muttered, but then laughed. "And that is something new for you!"

Ganner laughed loudly, and shook his head, "Ah, Jaina, that is why I love you."

She froze suddenly, looking at him questioningly. "You love me?" she whispered.

Ganner considered what he had just said, what this could mean to both the young woman sitting so vulnerably next to him, and to himself. He didn't really know what to say, so he simply kissed her.

It was the kiss that said it all.

Thanks again for reading, and I hope you're enjoying my story! Please review if you have the time--I appreciate your feedback. If you have any questions or want an email when this story is updated, my new email address is alliemunroe321@hotmail.com. Thanks again!