[b]Chapter 19[/b]
"What?" Chloe asked from her seat in the back of the Jedi Star Cruiser, an irritated Brady glaring at her from across the way.
"Nothing." He said crossing his arms across his chest, thankful for the fact that Obi-Wan had offered to drive so that he would not be able to be alone with Chloe.
"That's not nothing face. So, either stop staring at me or say whatever it is you're thinking. Because I am sick of this silent treatment you've been giving me every since we took off.
"It's just that I get it now. I was right." He hissed still glaring at her
"And what were you right about Master Black."
"That something is going on between you and that.that.you know I'm so mad I can't even think of anything good enough to insult him with. He's supposed to be your elder, a respected Knight, and he takes advantage of you; breaks his oath. What kind of man is that?"
"I could say the same thing for you." She spat out disgusted. "Because you sure took advantage of me in that kitchen."
"That was different." He said his face softening. "You mean something to me. He's just using you."
"Oh and you are so sure of that. What he's told you at one of your sleepovers? My business is none of your business. I think that we've been over it enough for you to realize that, unless I have to beat it into your brain to get you to understand." Chloe said.
"Oh, I love it when you get violent." He said standing up and crossing over to where she sat, glancing up only to make sure that the door between them and the cockpit was still closed. "Does he like it when you show your true colors? Does he know who you really are? Or is he just fascinated that someone almost half his age is interested?"
"Stop." She said inching further away from him as he slid down the seat, trapping her between himself and the wall. "Obi-Wan is a good man. A nice man. I like nice men. While you are nothing more than a scoundrel."
"Yeah, well maybe you need a scoundrel in your life." Brady said placing his hand on her thigh.
"Never." She said watching as he leaned across her, hand still on his thigh, his lips slowly attempting to land upon hers. "No." She said jumping up, watching as his face fell against the wall. "I will not kiss you."
"Too late. Because if I remember correctly you were kissing me in the kitchen." He said sliding down the rest of the way on the seat, lying on his side while his hand supported his head, amused as she paced back and forth.
"You kissed me." Chloe said stopping to stare at him.
"Well you weren't exactly trying to fight me off. That is unless it was your tongue was trying to push me away."
"You're a pig. So, what's with the attitude change? Early this evening your were all 'Your amazing Chloe.'" She said mockingly. "And now you're behaving as some Lathario."
"Let's say; I've gained some perspective."
"Such as?" She asked crossing her arms across her chest.
"You want me just as much as I want you." Brady said his eyes burning into her.
"I don't want you." She scoffed.
"You're just confused. Obi-Wan is just a distraction, something that kept you busy until I get along. Think about it. He's not a long-term thing. You think that he would leave the order for you?"
"That's not what I want. I can still be with him and be a Jedi."
"You're just fooling yourself Chloe. You want the whole galaxy. Obi- Wan is too honorable to give it to you. He's not going to break his vows. Right now it may seem like he would do anything for you, but when it comes down to it; he'll choose the order."
"And so would I." She said trying not to let his words sting her.
"No you wouldn't. You would give everything up for love. And now that I know what I am missing in my life, so would I. Right now if you asked me to, I would throw down my blade and cloak and leave the galaxy to Obi-Wan's more than capable hands."
"Then that shows you how much you think you know. Because I would never leave when the Council needed me. And with Ani and my sister missing, I wouldn't even consider it a thought. And I am appalled that you would even think it."
"That's not what I meant." Brady said standing up, realizing what he had implied.
"No you've made everything abundantly clear. So, you won't be shocked when I walk up there to Obi-Wan. Because I don't want a scoundrel in my life. And if I did, it would never be you."
"This isn't over." He said watching her walk up to the door that had blocked them from Master Kenobi.
"I know. And that's the sad part." She said watching him drop back down sitting, then opened the door and walked into the cockpit, letting the door shut behind her. Bracing herself between the two seats, she watched as Obi-Wan navigated the ship. "I thought you hated flying." She said sliding comfortably into the seat next to him.
"Well it's not as bad when I am the one doing the piloting." He said smiling up at her.
"Well how about you take a break and let me take over." She suggested, her face turning into a scowl as he burst out laughing. "What? I'm a good pilot. I can get us from point A to point B in one piece."
"I'm not denying that." He said still chuckling.
"So, I'm a little unorthodox." She said shrugging.
"I think reckless would be the word I would use."
"I've got some of the hottest maneuvers anyone has ever seen. Remember that one mission coming out of Wild Space onto the Corellian Run? No one else stood a chance."
"Yes and Ani, your Master, and I could not eat lunch for a week." He said cringing at the thought.
"Oh poor baby." Chloe said reaching over to stroke his dirty blonde hair. "Now let me take over."
"No."
"Come on, it helps take my mind off of things, and I really need to." She pleaded, sticking out her bottom lip.
"Your sister?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Among other things." She said trying not to let her thoughts betray her.
"Okay then. I don't think I can deny you that." He said relinquishing the controls as Chloe took over the ones in front of her, the ship immediately lurching back as the accelerated through space.
"So, where does Master Windu feel Yoda and my sister are. Because I can honestly say I don't feel either of them, or Ani."
"The dark side is becoming stronger. It's hard to read much of anything. I would barely be able to read you and you're right next to me."
"Right." Chloe said slowly, hoping that he would not test to see if that were true.
"He thinks that The Separatists have now opened operations in Bastion in the Tingel Arm."
"That's on the other side of the galaxy." She exclaimed, pressing faster with the new information, causing Obi-Wan to brace himself against his seat. "So, do we have any other information?"
"It seems that Count Dooku wants the Republic army turned over into their control. And is trying to gain leverage by kidnapping one of the council members and one of the most favored senators. And knowing once that Senator Amidala was gone, Ani went off on his own. So, of course we'll have to rescue him to."
"You don't give him enough credit Ben."
"What? He's rash and impulsive and doesn't listen to anything he's told." He rationalized.
"Some would say the same of me." Chloe said staring ahead.
"That's different."
"Why? Because we make out?" She spat out bitterly.
"Chloe." Obi-Wan said taken back.
"I'm sorry. I don't know what I'm saying." [i]Yes you do. Brady got to you once again, and all of the things he said are beginning to make sense.[/i]
"I understand you're under great stress. But speaking of which, well sort of, did Brady say anything about him walking in on us before, in an embrace ?"
"I can honestly say that he never mentioned anything about you and I kissing." She said shortly, aware of the fact of how worried he was that Brady might know something.
"Good." He said releasing a breath of air.
"Yeah." Chloe whispered under breath, becoming irritated, finally deciding that something needed to change fast. Reaching out for the control panel, Chloe held down the com button. "Better fasten up Master Black, it's going to be a bumpy ride." Glancing over she saw Obi-Wan grip the edges of his seats, and she couldn't help but smirk. He hated the way she flew, but it was one of the few things that made her feel truly alive. With a smile still playing on her lips, she gently flicked on the hyper- drive, and in the blink of an eye, they were just a flash in the sky.
"What?" Chloe asked from her seat in the back of the Jedi Star Cruiser, an irritated Brady glaring at her from across the way.
"Nothing." He said crossing his arms across his chest, thankful for the fact that Obi-Wan had offered to drive so that he would not be able to be alone with Chloe.
"That's not nothing face. So, either stop staring at me or say whatever it is you're thinking. Because I am sick of this silent treatment you've been giving me every since we took off.
"It's just that I get it now. I was right." He hissed still glaring at her
"And what were you right about Master Black."
"That something is going on between you and that.that.you know I'm so mad I can't even think of anything good enough to insult him with. He's supposed to be your elder, a respected Knight, and he takes advantage of you; breaks his oath. What kind of man is that?"
"I could say the same thing for you." She spat out disgusted. "Because you sure took advantage of me in that kitchen."
"That was different." He said his face softening. "You mean something to me. He's just using you."
"Oh and you are so sure of that. What he's told you at one of your sleepovers? My business is none of your business. I think that we've been over it enough for you to realize that, unless I have to beat it into your brain to get you to understand." Chloe said.
"Oh, I love it when you get violent." He said standing up and crossing over to where she sat, glancing up only to make sure that the door between them and the cockpit was still closed. "Does he like it when you show your true colors? Does he know who you really are? Or is he just fascinated that someone almost half his age is interested?"
"Stop." She said inching further away from him as he slid down the seat, trapping her between himself and the wall. "Obi-Wan is a good man. A nice man. I like nice men. While you are nothing more than a scoundrel."
"Yeah, well maybe you need a scoundrel in your life." Brady said placing his hand on her thigh.
"Never." She said watching as he leaned across her, hand still on his thigh, his lips slowly attempting to land upon hers. "No." She said jumping up, watching as his face fell against the wall. "I will not kiss you."
"Too late. Because if I remember correctly you were kissing me in the kitchen." He said sliding down the rest of the way on the seat, lying on his side while his hand supported his head, amused as she paced back and forth.
"You kissed me." Chloe said stopping to stare at him.
"Well you weren't exactly trying to fight me off. That is unless it was your tongue was trying to push me away."
"You're a pig. So, what's with the attitude change? Early this evening your were all 'Your amazing Chloe.'" She said mockingly. "And now you're behaving as some Lathario."
"Let's say; I've gained some perspective."
"Such as?" She asked crossing her arms across her chest.
"You want me just as much as I want you." Brady said his eyes burning into her.
"I don't want you." She scoffed.
"You're just confused. Obi-Wan is just a distraction, something that kept you busy until I get along. Think about it. He's not a long-term thing. You think that he would leave the order for you?"
"That's not what I want. I can still be with him and be a Jedi."
"You're just fooling yourself Chloe. You want the whole galaxy. Obi- Wan is too honorable to give it to you. He's not going to break his vows. Right now it may seem like he would do anything for you, but when it comes down to it; he'll choose the order."
"And so would I." She said trying not to let his words sting her.
"No you wouldn't. You would give everything up for love. And now that I know what I am missing in my life, so would I. Right now if you asked me to, I would throw down my blade and cloak and leave the galaxy to Obi-Wan's more than capable hands."
"Then that shows you how much you think you know. Because I would never leave when the Council needed me. And with Ani and my sister missing, I wouldn't even consider it a thought. And I am appalled that you would even think it."
"That's not what I meant." Brady said standing up, realizing what he had implied.
"No you've made everything abundantly clear. So, you won't be shocked when I walk up there to Obi-Wan. Because I don't want a scoundrel in my life. And if I did, it would never be you."
"This isn't over." He said watching her walk up to the door that had blocked them from Master Kenobi.
"I know. And that's the sad part." She said watching him drop back down sitting, then opened the door and walked into the cockpit, letting the door shut behind her. Bracing herself between the two seats, she watched as Obi-Wan navigated the ship. "I thought you hated flying." She said sliding comfortably into the seat next to him.
"Well it's not as bad when I am the one doing the piloting." He said smiling up at her.
"Well how about you take a break and let me take over." She suggested, her face turning into a scowl as he burst out laughing. "What? I'm a good pilot. I can get us from point A to point B in one piece."
"I'm not denying that." He said still chuckling.
"So, I'm a little unorthodox." She said shrugging.
"I think reckless would be the word I would use."
"I've got some of the hottest maneuvers anyone has ever seen. Remember that one mission coming out of Wild Space onto the Corellian Run? No one else stood a chance."
"Yes and Ani, your Master, and I could not eat lunch for a week." He said cringing at the thought.
"Oh poor baby." Chloe said reaching over to stroke his dirty blonde hair. "Now let me take over."
"No."
"Come on, it helps take my mind off of things, and I really need to." She pleaded, sticking out her bottom lip.
"Your sister?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Among other things." She said trying not to let her thoughts betray her.
"Okay then. I don't think I can deny you that." He said relinquishing the controls as Chloe took over the ones in front of her, the ship immediately lurching back as the accelerated through space.
"So, where does Master Windu feel Yoda and my sister are. Because I can honestly say I don't feel either of them, or Ani."
"The dark side is becoming stronger. It's hard to read much of anything. I would barely be able to read you and you're right next to me."
"Right." Chloe said slowly, hoping that he would not test to see if that were true.
"He thinks that The Separatists have now opened operations in Bastion in the Tingel Arm."
"That's on the other side of the galaxy." She exclaimed, pressing faster with the new information, causing Obi-Wan to brace himself against his seat. "So, do we have any other information?"
"It seems that Count Dooku wants the Republic army turned over into their control. And is trying to gain leverage by kidnapping one of the council members and one of the most favored senators. And knowing once that Senator Amidala was gone, Ani went off on his own. So, of course we'll have to rescue him to."
"You don't give him enough credit Ben."
"What? He's rash and impulsive and doesn't listen to anything he's told." He rationalized.
"Some would say the same of me." Chloe said staring ahead.
"That's different."
"Why? Because we make out?" She spat out bitterly.
"Chloe." Obi-Wan said taken back.
"I'm sorry. I don't know what I'm saying." [i]Yes you do. Brady got to you once again, and all of the things he said are beginning to make sense.[/i]
"I understand you're under great stress. But speaking of which, well sort of, did Brady say anything about him walking in on us before, in an embrace ?"
"I can honestly say that he never mentioned anything about you and I kissing." She said shortly, aware of the fact of how worried he was that Brady might know something.
"Good." He said releasing a breath of air.
"Yeah." Chloe whispered under breath, becoming irritated, finally deciding that something needed to change fast. Reaching out for the control panel, Chloe held down the com button. "Better fasten up Master Black, it's going to be a bumpy ride." Glancing over she saw Obi-Wan grip the edges of his seats, and she couldn't help but smirk. He hated the way she flew, but it was one of the few things that made her feel truly alive. With a smile still playing on her lips, she gently flicked on the hyper- drive, and in the blink of an eye, they were just a flash in the sky.