1 Chapter 5—

Trauma.

That had to be the reason for what had happened between she and Ganner Rhysode outside in the firelight. The trauma of the crash was causing Analee to act in a way that was vastly different from her usual, levelheaded self. Yes, she decided, that was it… trauma.

Why else would she so wantonly kiss a man she had only just met? It wasn't logical--- but had it felt wonderful! Analee's lips tingled at the mere memory of the Jedi's tender kiss. He was a man who knew just how to use the sense of touch to perfection. Why, if it hadn't been for the baby kicking when he did, she might have made an even bigger fool of herself than she already had. How would she ever look him in the eye again?, she wondered. Am I missing Tahmis's attention so much that I cling to the first man who shows me an ounce of kindness?

Analee made her way to the back of the passenger cabin and tried to settle into her seat for the night. After vainly shifting several times, she accepted the fact that she would probably get little sleep. Between her awkward size, recurring backaches, and the embarrassment she was suffering from the incident with the all too handsome Jedi, she merely hoped to get a few minutes of shuteye before morning.

Leaning her head back, her mind immediately drifted to thoughts of Ganner… how kind he'd been since the start of the trip… how he confided in her about the suspected sabotage… and of course, how warm and strong his lips had been as he pressed them to hers time after time. These contemplations led Analee to a baffling question. She knew why she had kissed him, but what had his reason been for kissing her?

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The night was torturously long for Ganner. He thought he would at least get a few hours of shuteye, but it apparently wasn't in the cards. Wondering what to do about Analee and the long hike to the nearest settlement had him in a quandary, and, before he knew it, the first faint rays of dawn were peeking through the treetops and the local wildlife was astir in its endless cycle of daily survival. Today, the human inhabitants would be in the same boat.

He knew that for her own good as well as that of her unborn child, Analee should not try to make the trip. As close as she was to giving birth, the physical exertion could be dangerous for the both of them. And so the Jedi had made a decision that he hoped would be acceptable to all. He would stay behind with her and the still unconscious passenger while the two pilots would lead the remainder of the refugees to the nearest town. Ganner had already plotted out the course the group should take and readied their available provisions. His inability to sleep had not been a total waste.

Soon, others began to trickle out from inside the ship, yawning and stretching, trying to get motivated to face the day. Ganner inconspicuously watched the boarding ramp for a sign of a certain rounded female as he busied himself with stoking the cooking fire. The refugees would need to eat a hearty meal before striking out on their journey. As anxious as he was to see her, it was for conflicting reasons. First off, he wanted to apologize, but another part of him was desperately curious to see if she seemed as effected by their shared kiss as he felt. Again, he almost felt guilty for thinking such a thing considering her situation, but something about her intrigued him and not thinking about her was simply impossible.

A tiny tingle traversed his spine, and he turned to see Analee descending the ramp. Despite the circles under her eyes, she still managed to radiate an indescribable feminine beauty to which Ganner was being drawn like a moth to a flame. She stopped at the bottom and placed her hands on her lower back, arching it in an attempt to stretch out the kinks. Only the Jedi seemed to notice her nearly imperceptible wince of pain. Without even realizing what he was doing, Ganner found himself directly in front of the mother-to-be.

"Sleep well?" he asked almost sounding timid, if that was possible for him.

"Sleep? Those seats are not quite conducive to that particular pastime, I'm afraid," she replied jokingly. Keeping it light between them might be best, she told herself. Unfortunately, she made the mistake of looking up into his ice blue eyes, and, in spite of the cool color, only warmth shone there. Analee quickly looked away and an instant silence went up between them like a durasteel wall. Finally, after several painstakingly awkward moments, the silence was broken.

"Analee," Ganner began and again her gaze met his, "I'm sorry. I—"

"No," she interrupted. "I'm the one who should be apologizing." She took a deep breath and glanced around before continuing. "I don't know what came over me to make me act as I did last night. I've never done anything like that before! Maybe it was the trauma of the crash, or my fluctuating hormone levels, or---"

"Or my undeniable sex appeal?" Ganner interjected with a half grin and a wiggle of his eyebrows.

Analee chuckled and her tension eased. "Um, yeah, sure… whatever you say, Jedi Rhysode. But whatever the cause was, I shouldn't have been so forward, and I promise you it will never happen again." She stood straight and looked him boldly in the eye. She meant what she said. At least, that was what she kept telling herself.

Ganner paused and studied her face for a moment.

"Never's a long time, Analee."

He meant it to sound like a lighthearted bit of teasing, but instead it came out low and husky and very suggestive. Analee could tell by the look in his eyes that he was no longer joking. Then suddenly, the feel of his hand brushing ever so gently across her cheek confirmed that he hoped she would someday break that promise. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she tried to push away the feelings he stirred within her. She loved the feel of his touch but hated that it could never be anything more.

Just then, the co-pilot, Syir, appeared and needed to speak privately with Ganner. He excused himself from Analee's presence, and, as he walked away, she thought she might faint. She hurriedly found the boulder from the night before and sat down to regain her composure. How was it possible that this man had so quickly gotten under her skin? Of course he was amazingly attractive, but there was more to it than that. She had never been one to be hung up on physical appearance. Something about Ganner Rhysode was beckoning to her very soul.

Just then, the nerves in her stomach began to churn. She ducked behind the big rock and retched up anything and everything that had been in her stomach.

'I thought this part was over months ago!' she exclaimed to herself.

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"Everything is going to be just fine!" Ganner practically had to shout over the myriad voices objecting to his plan. He had gathered all of the passengers and the pilots together outside the ship and explained what was going to happen. Unfortunately, most of the others weren't so convinced that the plan was a good one. They weren't taking to the idea that the Jedi sent to protect them would not be traveling with them across the planet.

"Jondar and Syir are fully armed and very capable of protecting you out in forests. You'll have plenty of supplies---"

"Ganner," came a tug on his sleeve. He stopped and turned to see Analee standing behind him. The pilots continued to reassure the pilots while Analee pulled the Jedi off to the side.

"They're right, you know," she stated simply. "You have to go with them. They need you."

Ganner studied the woman in front of him, so selfless and giving. He'd never known a female quite like Analee. "But what about you?" he asked with a slight smile. "I know you're a nurse, but do you plan on staying here and delivering your own child?" A little chuckle slipped from his lips and by the look on her face he knew instantly that she wasn't going to laugh along with him.

"Don't patronize me, Jedi Rhysode," she stated firmly, her fists clenching at her sides. After all she'd been through over the past day, the last thing she needed was this. Only moments before she had thrown up for the second time in less than an hour and the pain in her back was gradually increasing from dull to something a bit more with each passing moment.

"Analee, I didn't mean to—"

"Please, don't," she interrupted. "I understand that you may feel a certain responsibility towards me after all we've been through, but I would be unforgivably selfish if I let you stay with me instead of insisting you go with the group. I'm sure one of the others would be just fine to leave behind."

She waited for his response while he glanced back and forth from the group to Analee several times as if contemplating what he should do. Although she truly preferred to have Ganner stay with her, her conscience would never let her live in peace if she let him know that. Ganner took a deep breath, patted her on the shoulder and returned to the group. Since he was taller than practically everyone else, he easily got their attention.

"If everyone will just listen to me, please!" he asserted. The small crowd quieted and waited to hear what the Jedi had to say. "As you all know, our ship was sabotaged, which is why we've ended up in the present situation." Frightened murmurs spread throughout the gathering before he continued. "Now, the pilots and I have discussed the options, and we all agree that the best choice for all of you," at this he glanced back at Analee, "is to stick with the original plan." Groans went up before the last word was even out of his mouth.

He cleared his throat for one last statement. "Considering someone intended this crash to happen, we can be sure that the saboteur will be coming to check out his handy work. It's best if you all get started right away. Gather only what you can carry. Stick together, and may the Force be with you." Ganner turned around to see Analee staring dumbfounded at him, her mouth agape.

"You didn't listen to a word I said, did you?" she asked.

"Of course I did," he answered with a grin. "Every single word."

"And you're still staying?"

"What does it look like?" he added with a sweep of his hand. "I am wholly at your service, m'lady." Ganner bowed gallantly and took Analee's hand placing a chaste kiss across her knuckles. She couldn't help but smile. After all, it was what she really wanted.

Ganner was pleased to see her smile. The stress was taking its toll on everyone, especially her, he could tell. However, it would only add to her misery if he told her that it was best he be here to face whomever happened to show up. Perhaps one of the pilots might have been able to take on the Peace Brigade to protect Analee, but if it was Vong that came, he's the only one that would stand a chance.

The Vong… just the word dredged up the terrible memories of the last months. The things he'd seen and experienced related to the monsters were ones he'd rather forget. And just the thought of them getting their savage claws on Analee and her child made the anger swell in his chest until he could feel his heart pounding in near rage.

No, he'd not let the Vong near Analee and her baby… not if it was the last thing he'd ever do.