Ok, so it's been forever. I'm here.


After the days-long walk back to where ship was, Jirin once again found himself stunned. Charred metal lie scattered for several meters in every direction. What seemed to be the epicenter of the destruction was nothing more than a small crater, littered with blast marks. He couldn't believe his eyes.
"My ship..."
Lien stayed a few steps behind him, watching. His posture suggested a pain that would have ripped into her even if she couldn't feel it through the Force, almost as plainly as her own feelings. She wanted to make it up to him. She wanted to console him, to hold onto him and bring his mind out of the pain.
And yet all she could do was keep up the deception.
"Maybe someone followed me down to the planet. Perhaps they thought your ship belonged to me and tried to destroy it; to finish the job. It could have taken them even longer to find it. Or sooner. I guess we were lucky not to be here..."
"Yeah," he started, just barely, to come around, "Maybe." She realized she had to keep him thinking, keep him talking. That would help his spirits. And keep him from focusing on other possibilities. "So we're stuck here. I'm sorry, Lien. Sorry I can't get you home."
"Don't be sorry. Really...I'd actually rather be here with you." He looked at her, somewhat surprised, and smiled. She realized that she loved his smile.
"If you don't mind, can we spend the rest of the day here? I'm pretty tired. And I'd like to stay in a place that's at least a little familiar right now."
"Sure."
He propped himself up against one of the few nearby trees and closed his eyes. Lien watched him for a few minutes before stretching out on the ground a few feet away. As she started to drift, she didn't see Jirin open his eyes and look at her. He didn't want to risk staring at her for too long, in case she woke up, but he couldn't help it. Examining her, one thought echoed in his mind. You're beautiful. He allowed himself to be lulled into sleep just as one more thought entered his wearied mind. One thought he couldn't bring himself to tell her. Not yet. Almost...


* * *

They actually spent several weeks in that area. Once or twice Jirin would suggest they try some Force training, but Lien starkly protested. He stopped asking. The more creative side of his mind devised explanations he didn't even want to consider. He had no idea that if he were only to mention these ideas to Lien, her own mind would have confirmed them. He thoroughly enjoyed her company, and grew more and more fond of her every day. Despite their situation, he was happier than he'd ever been. He was also completely oblivious to what plagued Lien.
Not that she didn't share his feelings of joy and fondness. They both did, more than either would ever be able to say. It seemed to her that her hopes for joy had won out. The dread that Jirin might one day discover her secret, that all they had begun to build would be destroyed...it followed her everywhere. Early one afternoon, as winter was slowly making its way in, her joy reached a new peak she dared not imagine. So also did her dread gain that much more power.
They were sitting in silence after a brief conversation about Twi'lek eating habits. She suddenly sensed Jirin grow uneasy, and glanced over to him. His unease showed clearly through his expression. He was deep in thought, so she decided not to disturb him. If he was going to say something, he would do it in his own time. And yet already she knew. She smiled inwardly. She kept herself restrained, just in case she was wrong. But she wasn't.
"Lien...you know I like you. But there's a problem with that." He paused, and she gave him time, while silently urging him on. "There are so many possible meanings for that, and so it's impossible to accurately express the right feeling. More appropriately, I...sorry, this is tough. Okay, I'm gonna do this." She had to keep her smile from blossoming prematurely. "I love you, Lien. You don't have to say anything. You can just think about it, but that's how I feel. I would like to know how you feel, but I'm not in a rush. I feel so content just saying it."
The relief, the joy, the hope. All of those feelings that were so alien not long before flooded through her in a wave that nearly overwhelmed her. "I know. I love you, too."