Disclaimer...Again, see Part 1

Forbidden
Part 5

//If we had this night together
If we had a moment to ourselves
If we had this night together, then we'd be
Unstoppable//

//"Unstoppable" The Calling//
When her father's voice did not boom across the comm
system, Mirax began to relax minutely. When the Skate
was not blasted into spacedust, she began to feel
confident that Wedge truly had planned his theft
carefully. She had never thought of Wedge as a
strategist, but it seemed that perhaps he did have the
gift. Not that she would ever admit that to him…

They remained silent as the Skate made a quick jump
through hyperspace, each casting uncertain glances to
the other. Wedge's confidence never seemed to waver,
which allowed Mirax to settle into her chair and enjoy
the view, which did not include the starlines blazing
past the viewport.

He was handsome, no denying that. With sharp features
that were softened by his dark hair. And a confidence
that, if possessed by anyone else, would have been
arrogance surrounded him, illuminated him. His
intensity was almost blinding and impossible to deny.
But why deny it? She was in love with him. No matter
how much she denied it, that fact would not be
changed. But that knowledge did not ease her doubt.
Did he feel the same way about her? //If he didn't,
why would he go through all of this? If he just
lusted after me, why not just sneak into my room?//

Their flight took them to a small planet that was
tinted in shades green and tawny gold. Mirax caught a
brief glimpse of windswept grasslands as the Skate's
landing lights washed over the gently rolling plain.
//What is he planning…// But her "abductor" remained
silent, focusing on settling the ship gracefully onto
the sod. As soon as Wedge finished the last of his
checks, he offered her his hand.

She wanted to make some sort of comment, disguise her
sudden shyness with sarcasm, but could not find the
words. A blush crept over her cheeks as his fingers
brushed against hers. His confidence slipped for a
moment, showing her an uncertainty that matched her
own. That glance steadied her, showed her that Wedge
truly did care for her.

They exited the Skate in silence, pausing for a moment
as Wedge picked up a box hidden behind his seat. She
followed him slowly, trying to quell the sudden wave
of nervousness that fluttered through her stomach.
Wedge paused halfway down the ramp, the lights from
the ship sliding over his dark hair, illuminating the
features she had memorized what seemed like ages ago.

But somehow, he seemed different. Wedge…but not
quite…Wedge. The same lines defined his face, but he
seemed to be a different person. The flutter of
nervousness threatened to become an entire squadron of
TIE fighters. She almost bolted back into the Skate…

Then he smiled…

That smile put her completely at ease. It was such a
welcome, mundane sight that Mirax knew that things
would be all right. She was certain that her father
would vaporize them when they returned to the
Crossroads, but at least they would die together.

If Wedge noticed her moment of panic, he seemed
unaffected by her uncertainty. Instead he made a
grand production of inspecting the area near the
Skate; looking up at the sky, carefully checking the
ground, looking over his shoulder to make sure she
wasn't waiting impatiently behind him. Finally he set
the box onto the sod and began unpacking.

A brightly patterned blanket was unfurled and settled
onto the ground. Another blanket was placed atop the
box. "In case it gets cold," he explained as he keyed
the Skate to power down.

The lights faded slowly, allowing the night to creep
around them. The stars and twin moons above washed
the plains with a faint silver sheen. Shadows and
light mingled into a world that she rarely ever
experienced. Planets, even solid ground not made of
metal, was a rarity to her. As was the man standing
beside her. The man who had suddenly went from best
friend to…to what? Potential lover? Was that what
they both wanted? If that was what was meant for
them, why was this moment so confusing? Why did it
feel like they had just met instead of knowing each
other for a lifetime?

She shivered, trying to find words to dispel the
nervous tension growing between them. //Stop
thinking, girl. You're starting to scare yourself…//

She ALMOST yelped when he suddenly bowed low to her,
like some courtier from Coruscant. "I'd offer you a
dance, Mistress Terrik, but there's no music. And I
think I'd trample your feet."

She smiled, taking his arm as he escorted her to the
blanket. "So the nerfs didn't teach you to dance?"

He gave her an innocent look that she knew he was
about to con her. "Actually the nerfs did teach me to
dance. Why do you think I'm so horrible at it?"

"Ugh…I stepped right into that one, didn't I?" She
settled herself onto the blanket, catching him off
guard by slipping her hand around his wrist and
pulling him down beside her.

He pretended to glare at her indignantly. "Are you
ever going to get tired of dragging me around?"

"Nope," she grinned. "I love having you around."

Love…The word seems to linger in the air. Mirax felt
Wedge grow still beside her as he slowly absorbed the
word. "I…I love having you around too…" She watched
him intently for a moment. He seemed almost
disappointed by her words. Turning away from her, he
began rummaging in the box. Guilt and worry began
nibbling at the back of her mind. Maybe she should
say something more…more..affectionate…//Maybe you
should just quit being a coward and tell him the
truth!//

"I…um…packed some food…Thought you might like a picnic
or something…but I'm too nervous to eat."

The words jarred her out of her self-reproach. And
made her realize he was just as nervous as she was.
She glanced at him sidelong and smacked his arm
lightly. "The great Wedge Antilles nervous? Oh
please…that's impossible."

He ran a hand through his dark hair. Mirax found
herself again fantasizing about the feel of his hair
against her skin. Swallowing hard, she glanced away,
hoping he hadn't noticed…and paradoxically, hoping he
had noticed her excitement. A little flash of
disappointment whispered through her as he spoke.
"I'm not that great Mir. I'm not going to become
anything important."

"Don't be so critical of yourself, Wedge. You are
destined for greatness…"

He leaned forward, brushing his fingertips across her
cheek. "Sometimes, I think you're the only one that
sees that in me."

He was so close…not just physically, but
mentally…spiritually. Her breath hitched for a moment
before she felt herself plunging forward. Excitement
bubbled through her veins, evaporating away what
nervousness remained. This moment felt too good…too
right…for it this to be the wrong choice. She wanted
him…Wanted him so much…

His lips burned against hers, causing her to gasp.
His tongue flicked against hers, teasing,
tormenting…Oh Gods, he tasted so good. Her hands
crept up to his hair, fingers flexing as the softness
of it brushed against her skin. Vaguely, she realized
his arms were around her, pulling her tight against
his body….Somehow, her dazzled brain realized HE was
reacting to HER just as strongly as SHE was reacting
to HIM. Her courage found her, giving her the daring
needed to spring forward, causing Wedge to fall
backwards.

Pulling her atop him…Just as she hoped…

There was a moment of confusion, then she was settled
comfortably against him. He stared up at her, hands
resting on her hips as he gave her a bemused look.
"You know, I had been planning on taking things slow."

Should they go slow? It would give her time to think.
Time to give herself a thousand excuses why she
should not love this incredible being that was such a
vital part of her life. Time to say "no" when she
truly wanted to say "yes." Which would lead to a
lifetime of regret…A life without Wedge Antilles…

Leaning down, she kissed him softly. "Do you want to
stop?"

His hands slid under her shirt, gliding over her
stomach. "No…I just didn't want you to do something
you might regret later."

She stiffened, glaring down at him, then began
wiggling against him. When he groaned, she gave him a
wicked grin. "Will you regret it in the morning,
Antilles?"

He caught hold of the waistband of her trousers and
rolled her onto her back. Suddenly they were only a
breath apart, their bodies molded against each other.
Mirax felt herself begin to tremble…Oh Gods…

"Will you regret it, Terrik?" For a moment it seemed
that the entire Galaxy centered around the man in her
arms. "Would you regret loving me?" He held himself
absolutely still above her. His eyes shadowed, the
darkness and his mood, veiling his thoughts from her.
"Do you love me?"

"Does it matter if I do?" The words spilled out of
her before she had a chance to stop them.

He rolled away from her, stretching out beside her.
Staring up at the sky, acting as if she didn't exist.
"Wedge…I…" Gently, she touched his shoulder, cursing
herself as he twitched away from her. "Wedge,
please." He ignored her, focusing on the stars above.
Anger growled through her voice. "Dammit, Wedge this
isn't easy for me. I'm scared and nervous and I…"

He turned his head, staring intently at her face.
"You what, Mir? Was this all a game to you? You just
wanted to see how frustrated you could make me?" He
turned back to the stars. "If that was what you
wanted, you did a damn good job of it."

Her fingers moved lightly over his shirt. Again his
muscles twitched against that touch. "Wedge, I…I…"
//Admit the truth, Terrik or you really will lose
him.// "I'm afraid I'm going to lose your
friendship."

His voice was low, masking all emotion. "Is that all
we are? Friends?"

"I…I…" Why did this have to be so difficult? "I want
us to be more than just friends. But I don't want to
lose you." The words jarred against the ache that was
building in her throat. "I love you. I can't stand
the thought of losing you just because of a kiss that
I probably shouldn't have…"

Suddenly he sat up, pressing a finger against her
lips. "Shhh…" The words stopped, as did her jumbled
fear. "Whatever we do, or don't do tonight…Whatever
happens, we will still be friends. I promise."

Her lips quirked beneath the pressure of his finger.
She almost…ALMOST…gave into the urge to run her tongue
over his skin. Instead, she pulled away, tilting her
head to one side as she studied him. "You know, women
usually ask about love in this situation. Not men."

He chuckled and stretched out on the blanket; Mirax
settled next to him, curling up against his side.
"Most men don't have to deal with your father. Do you
REALLY think I'd risk becoming a living target for
Booster if our feelings were nothing but lust?"

Mirax chuckled and snuggled closer to Wedge. "He'd
only maim you…"

"Maiming…you almost make that sound fun." His fingers
lightly traced a path down her back, sending pleasant
tingles down her spine.

Words faded away, leaving only silence and the
nerve-wracking comfort of love unspoken. No…not true
silence, Mirax realized. The world around them was
filled with noises. It was starling how loud silence
could be. The soft sighs of the world around them.
The slight hiss of the winds that occasionally
whispered through the valley. The faint whooshing
sound of blades of grass rasping against each other.
She had been to Corellia many times, but never to its
wilds. She sat up on one elbow, looking down at
Wedge. "Is this what it was like? Quiet and loud at
the same time?"

He gave her a lazy, wistful smile. "The best nights
were like this. The air was warm and soft. The grass
moving quietly in the wind. The stars seemed close
enough to touch." A quiet sigh escaped him. "Out
there," he gestured up to the sky. "You forget how
beautiful the stars are. They become like…" He
shrugged. "Walls, I guess. You just don't pay
attention to them anymore."

Mirax chuckled, trailing her fingers over his chest.
"Then suddenly you realize that there's something
incredible out there but you were just too blind to
notice it."

His lips twitched as he fought the urge to grin.
"Something like that."

She leaned down, brushing a soft kiss against his
lips. As she pulled away, he captured her face
between his hands, cupping her jaw gently. "I love
you, Mirax."

She thought those words would frighten her, make her
want to run away from her dearest of friends. Instead
they made her want to get closer to him. Made her
want to never leave him. "I love you too, Wedge
Antilles."

His kiss was soft and warm, far more erotic than the
ones they had shared during their games. His lips
glided across hers as his hands slowly began
unbuttoning her shirt.
She reveled in the taste of the man she now knew that
she loved. She could still taste his passion in that
soft kiss, but there was something richer that added a
never experienced. She couldn't name it. Couldn't
define it…But it was there, filling her senses,
steadying her fluttering heart. "I need you, Mir," he
murmured before he began nibbling on her throat.

The last button fell open. One eyebrow quirked
upwards as he slid her shirt down her shoulders.
"Plain white cotton? I thought you'd be more of a
lace or silk type of girl…"

She lightly batted his hands away, working the clasp
of her bra. "We were supposed to be working on the
Skate. I wasn't really planning for you to see my
underwear." Mirax paused, ignoring the nervousness
that whispered through her as she felt the cotton fall
away. //What if he doesn't like how I look?//

"Is the rest plain white cotton?

"What?" The question shook her from her nervousness.
"The rest of what?"

"Your underwear. Are your panties plain white cotton
too?"

//That annoying nerf!// "Why don't you look and see?"
she shot back.

He grinned, sliding his hands up her sides, sliding
beneath the cotton, gently easing her bra from her
skin. "I plan to…" He looked up at her innocently
while gently teasing her breasts. "//IF// you want me
to show you how imaginative I can be." He watched her
thoughtfully, waiting for any sign of uncertainty.
"Do you want to see how imaginative I can be?"

"Yes…" She would have been annoyed by how breathless
her voice sounded, but the sensation of his fingers
dancing over her skin drove away any thoughts of
pride. Especially since Wedge seemed to be determined
to show her how imaginative he could be…

# # #

He was amazing. The words did not do him justice, but
Mirax knew none that could describe him. Gentle and
sure, sweet and luxurious as he slowly but steadily
drove her to delicious madness. The intensity of his
passion seared through her soul. Captured her heart
and demanding that she love him with an intensity that
matched his own.

And she did love him. If she could not deny it as
they watched the stars, it was impossible to deny it
as his hands and lips exquisitely memorized every
detail of her body.

She could not get enough of him. Each taste, each
touch, made her want him even more. Her desire for him
went far beyond simple cravings, beyond the exquisite
hunger that ravaged her senses.

Passion and pain blended for a moment, then the
intensity of those velvety eyes ensnared her. The
feel of him wound its way through her senses,
eclipsing every thought, stilling every doubt. Her
world coalesced into the maelstrom of fire that seemed
to devour her with every touch.

She felt like she was falling, being swept into
something more exquisite than she imagined possible.
She had been right…She could drown in that intensity.
But she didn't…His passion carried her upward, driving
her beyond her simple fears, until she was sure she
touched the stars above…

# # #

"Love you." Mirax wasn't sure who had spoken those
words. She felt like she was floating above her body.
Warm and safe and relaxed. She didn't THINK it had
been her. She wasn't even sure she was able to make
noise, let alone speak…

The last few minutes came rushing back. A blush crept
over her cheeks. //Correction, I CAN make noise.
Thank the Force we weren't at the Station!//

"Love you too," a muffled voice answered. Since she
felt Wedge's lips brush against her neck, she decided
she must have spoken first.

Slowly, he lifted his head a few centimeters. A
concerned look crossed his features. "Did I…er…Did
you…" He took a deep breath and shakily raked his
hand through his hair. "Did I hurt you?"

"No, Wedge…" He gave her a doubting look, causing her
to sigh and wrap her arms around him. He shifted, a
bit, allowing her to breathe more freely. "Okay…It
hurt a little bit, but it was worth it."

Wedge nodded, smiling almost shyly at her before
reaching for the virtually ignored picnic box. He
caught hold of the discarded blanket and wrapped it
around them. The wind tickled their exposed skin.
She shivered. Wedge pulled the fabric tighter against
their skin before relaxing against her. Idly, she
rubbed his shoulder, amazed by what had just happened.
//Wedge…me…Me and Wedge…// She couldn't help smiling
at the memory. //He was right…He IS imaginative…//

Vaguely, Mirax wondered if her father had realized the
Skate was missing…and the consequences of that theft.
A huge yawn interrupted her thoughts. //Later…we'll
deal with it later…Together…// The thought was a
comfort, as was the warmth of the man beside her, both
seducing her into peaceful dreams.

# # #

From one of the maintenance corridors, Booster watched
his daughter exit the Skate. She stood in the hanger,
tapping her foot impatiently as she waited for Wedge.
"Hurry up," she whispered.

"Or what?" he countered. She winced as his voice
echoed through the space.

"Be quiet. Someone might catch us!"

Wedge gave her appraising look. "I could catch you."
"Could not," she countered, bouncing on the balls of
her feet.

"Could too."

She hopped forward, giving Wedge a quick kiss. "Catch
me if you can."

Booster smiled as the pilot lunged forward, pretending
to chase after Mirax. They circled the Skate once
before running past the corridor, never noticing the
being that had been watching their game. Booster
smiled at their antics, knowing that Mirax couldn't
have chosen a better protector…

Not that the girl needed someone to protect her…

She had found a rogue, but a good one. The thought
was a comfort, one that would keep him alive when
CorSec finally did catch him…

Of course, they wouldn't have to know he approved of
the match right away. It was best if he let them fret
a little. Let them think he wouldn't agree with their
choice. If Mirax thought he actually liked the
situation, the girl might be stubborn enough to end
things before they even got started. But if he let
them THINK that what they were doing was forbidden,
then things MIGHT work out as he hoped…

After all, what is forbidden is always the most
tempting