1 Chapter 4---

The stranded refugees decided to sleep on board the wrecked ship. Ganner and the pilots had checked and rechecked the vehicle inside and out to make sure it was safe. While it would provide shelter, it wouldn't do much else. There was no way The Galactic Gem would fly again without major mechanical work, and considering they were smack dab in the middle of nowhere, the chances of getting the ship fixed were slim to none--- and 'slim' had crashed and burned right along with the shields and thrusters.

After discussing the results of their investigations with each other, the Jedi and the pilots all came to a similar conclusion--- someone had indeed sabotaged the ship. Ganner couldn't help but think that whoever was guilty would eventually come looking for the Gem in order to ascertain his mission's success. Therefore, he and the pilots decided it would be best to get help as soon as possible. The plan was to gather as many supplies from the ship as they could and set off in the morning for the nearest settlement. If the whole group stuck together and followed the coordinates the co-pilot was able to gather before the navigation systems failed completely, then all forty-three people might have a chance at survival.

Forty-four, Ganner corrected himself. Analee's child made it forty-four.

Night had descended suddenly, blanketing the planet Tridel in an inky darkness. The air was clear and brisk allowing the distant stars to shine sharply on the shipwrecked group, which sat fairly close to a campfire that had been started to fend off the chill. Several people had ventured outside the transport to check out their surroundings or get some fresh air. Ganner had recruited a few of the other men to take turns keeping watch through the night, even though he knew he most likely wouldn't fall asleep at all. He knew from experience that making the refugees feel like a team right from the start would be key in surviving this ordeal.

The Jedi strode around the encampment, as any good leader would do, making sure everyone was holding up under the pressure. A few people were softly weeping, no doubt feeling hopeless despite his assurances they would make it. Most had families with them to provide the comfort they needed, but not everyone had someone.

Ganner spotted Analee sitting on a large rock on the opposite side of the fire and his heart sank. There she was, an attractive, intelligent, kind woman with so much to offer… and she was alone. It just didn't seem right to him.

Analee watched the handsome Jedi make his way to her place on the big rock. When his eyes had caught hers across the campfire, the friendly smile on his face told her he'd be coming over soon. He walked so confidently, yet something still seemed to be weighing heavily on his broad, straight shoulders. She was curious to find out what his burden was and to learn the origin of that nasty looking scar on his face. Most people would have had that blemish fixed as soon as possible, but Ganner hadn't. Why?, she wondered. It was merely one of the many questions about this man that she wanted to answer.

He stopped when he reached her, and she scooted over to make room for him on the boulder. "It's starting to get cold out here. Maybe you should go inside," he suggested.

"I'm okay," she replied. "Besides, I had to get out of that stuffy place for a while. It's bad enough my body temperature is higher than normal with my pregnancy, but throw in a bunch of stressed out people in a small enclosed space and I could barely breathe!" She laughed lightly and he couldn't help but smile.

"Well, at least let me give you my cloak," he insisted as he undid the clasp and smoothly wrapped it around her shoulders. "There," he declared softly when he was finished. "Got to keep that little one warm," he added with a wink.

Analee looked up into his face where shadows from the flames were dancing across his rugged features. "Thank you," she whispered unable to tear her gaze away from his. When he smiled back, her stomach did a little flip, and she quickly averted her eyes grateful for the darkness to hide her blush. Who was this man, and why was he being so kind to her? Tahmis had always been kind, but her insides had never quivered like they did when Ganner Rhysode simply smiled at her.

"So, what happens next?" she asked, quickly changing the subject. "Obviously, we're not going to fly out of here."

"That's for sure," Ganner replied jokingly. His grin faded as he continued to speak. "Analee, I'm going to tell you something. The pilots and I didn't want the others to know just yet, but I trust that you'll be able to handle this. Plus, I may need your help."

Her curiosity was piqued. "Of course. What is it?" She turned her body toward him on the rock as he leaned in closer and lowered his voice.

"The ship was sabotaged. Someone wanted us to crash."

"Wh—what?" Analee gasped trying to comprehend the implications of his words. Be calm, Analee, she told herself.

"The pilots and I found clear evidence that foul play was involved here. Although we're lucky to be alive, I'm not convinced that whoever did this won't come back to check out his handiwork."

"This… this is awful!" Analee exclaimed quietly shaking her head in disbelief. "What are we going to do? We have to get these people to safety as soon as possible." Ganner grinned again. He wondered if she realized that she had used the word 'we' twice as if she and he were partners. It wasn't exactly a horrible idea, he conceded. She had already proven how capable she was even in her 'expectant' state.

Ganner went on to explain the plan he and the pilots had decided on earlier as Analee listened intently. When he finished, she nodded her head once in agreement. "Yes, it's a good plan. We have to get these people out of here. And you say it may take about a week by foot to reach the nearest city?" Ganner nodded. "Oh," Analee muttered and then let her eyes drift to the fire.

"What's wrong?" Ganner asked. She simply shook her head and bit her bottom lip. "Are you crying?" he said. He couldn't bear to see a woman cry. He reached over and tenderly turned her face to look at him. She was struggling against the tears, but he could tell they were about to win. Gently, he pushed a lock of hair away from her face. "What's wrong, Analee?"

She didn't know if it was the stress of the past day, the heartache of the last several months, or just her hormones, but she couldn't hold back any longer. She felt the lump form in her throat and the first tear trickle down her face and all was lost. As soon as Ganner saw the first tear, he pulled Analee to him in a comforting embrace. It was just a reflex, he told himself, but holding her felt so right.

"There, there. It's going to be okay. I promise," he said. He heard her laugh through the sobs. "I mean it. I'm going to make sure you and your baby are safe." At the mention of the word 'baby', Analee began a new round of sobs. "Won't you tell me what's wrong? People are starting to look at us funny." Indeed, the few passengers who were finding refuge by the fire did happen to be casting sideways glances at the couple. He took a hand from around Analee and waved at the others. "She's all right. Everything's fine. No need to worry." The onlookers finally went back to their own business and began going on board the ship. Luckily, they realized the woman needed some privacy.

Ganner returned his attentions to the very distressed female in his arms. Oh, he'd held damsels in despair before, and knew that comforting them could prove to be quite enjoyable. He gave himself another inward kick for thinking that way. Analee was different. Besides the whole pregnant thing, there was just something about her that he couldn't quite put his finger on. She was no super galactic fashion model, but she still exuded femininity and beauty like no woman he'd ever known. And having her here in his arms weeping was almost too much for him to take. He just had to know what was wrong so that he could make it all right, which he was bound and determined to do for her. He'd made his promise and he was going to follow through.

Gently, the Jedi pulled her away from his chest and wiped away some of her tears with his thumbs. He had no idea the unsettling effect such a small yet intimate gesture was producing on Analee. The touch of his strong hands sent a tiny shockwave through her body.

"Now tell me what's wrong," he demanded softly.

Analee sniffed a couple of times and wiped away a few new tears before he had the chance to touch her again. The way he was making her feel was dangerous.

"You said it may take a week on foot to reach the city."

"Yes?" he replied with a questioning look.

"Well," Analee sighed before continuing, "my due date is in a week. In fact, the baby could come at any time now." She watched his dimly lit face as the reality of her words finally registered a hit. He was speechless. "I thought I'd be safe on some refugee world by the time it happened. I never expected this." She paused as her eyes welled up again. "Ganner, what am I going to do? I don't think I can make the trip."

Sithspit!, he cursed. She's going to cry again. Before he even realized what he was doing, he had his arms around her holding her tightly against his chest. No wonder she was crying. Force, he almost felt like crying, too.

He smoothed her hair and patted her back as she proceeded to weep until no more tears would come. "Don't worry, Analee. I'll think of something. I promise." Again, he heard her laugh into his chest.

"All these promises," she said straightening up and wiping her cheeks again. "You don't owe me anything, Jedi Rhysode. In fact, I should be thanking you. You've been so kind to me and my baby." She glanced down at her stomach and began caressing it tenderly. "He likes this. It relaxes us both."

"You keep saying 'he'. Is it a boy?" Ganner asked.

"I think so. I just have that feeling. Mother's intuition again, I suppose," she added with a sweet smile.

"That's much better," Ganner said.

"What is?" Analee replied with a half smile.

"Seeing you smile instead of cry. You're much prettier that way." He reached over once again to push that rogue strand of hair behind her ear for a second time, oblivious to the chaos running rampant inside Analee. Had he just called her pretty? And his touch… it nearly made her swoon.

Get a hold of yourself, Analee!, she commanded. You will not act like some lovesick girl over a man you just met!

Despite the strict orders coming from her brain, the rest of her simply wasn't paying attention. She stood up and faced the Jedi still sitting on the rock. "Going back inside?" he asked.

She nodded and started to leave, but something told her not yet. She turned back to Ganner and asked, "May I thank you?"

He looked a bit confused, but answered, "Sure."

Analee leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his forehead feeling him tense beneath her. He hadn't been expecting this. Then, she slowly placed another kiss on his unmarred cheek and felt his hands reflexively wrap gently around her. Next, she moved to the other side of his face and pressed her soft, warm lips to his scar. She heard his quick intake of air and was compelled to follow the trail of skin from its beginning to its end.

Ganner had never been so totally caught off guard by a woman like this before. Her tender kisses were sparking a flame in him that he wasn't sure should even be there, but it definitely felt good to be burned by lips like hers. Feeling her mouth touch his scar, a mark he knew was unattractive to most, only solidified his belief that Analee Garsone was a woman like no other. She didn't flinch or shy away from his ugliness, but seemed almost to pay reverence to him with such a gentle kiss.

He felt her come to the end of the mark, and didn't want it to end. Would she stop kissing him? He decided he didn't want her to, so in one quick move, he turned his head and captured her mouth with his before she could pull away.

Now, Analee was the surprised one. It took a second before she understood what was happening. Ganner had taken the next step and kissed her full on the mouth. At first, she was frozen by the shock, but as his warm, full mouth kept pressing to hers in kiss after sensuous kiss, she couldn't help but respond in kind. Her hands snaked around his neck and her fingers found the hair at his nape. Never had she been kissed quite like this. Everything else just seemed to drift away leaving only them and their need for one another.

One swift kick snapped Analee out of her dream world.

"Ow!" she exclaimed jerking up and away from a breathless Ganner.

"Wh-what?" he jumped up from the boulder. "Did I hurt you?" Analee nearly laughed out loud at the look of distress on his face.

"No, no, not you. Him," she said pointing to her extended belly.

"Oh," Ganner replied, suddenly tongue-tied and embarrassed. For once, he didn't have any suave words to smooth on her.

"It's just as well," she added, avoiding his gaze. "I need to go get some sleep." Smiling weakly, she headed for the boarding ramp.

"Good night, Analee," Ganner called after her.

She turned to him and smiled. "Good night, Ganner." Then she was gone.

Ganner plopped back down on the rock, stunned. I just kissed Analee… and she's pregnant… with her dead husband's baby. Is it wrong that I enjoyed it so much?, he asked himself silently. He had enjoyed it…way too much for his own good. Thoughts of her logically led to thoughts of her unborn child, which was due to arrive anytime now. Despair crept into his mind. If she couldn't make the trip to the city, what would she do? He couldn't leave her behind. He wouldn't leave her behind.

He had several hours before dawn to think of something, but even after trying for a couple of hours, all he could think of was Analee and the feel of her lips on his. He sighed as he stretched out beside the dwindling fire.

This was going to be a long night.