AN: Thanks to my brother for the name of the "Han Solo" class.
From Scratch
Chapter 9
Tenel Ka's head came up sharply as she heard Jacen scream, feeling a sudden surge in the Force. "Jacen!" she pushed herself from the bed and bolted from the room, heedless of the fact that she'd been kicking him around a couple of minutes prior. Damaging Jacen for stealing her away was her job; nobody else was allowed to. She dashed through the small corridors, approaching the cargo bay. She could feel Jacen's Force signature on the other side of the closed doors. She palmed the switch, the doors sliding open and fell back as a large human body slammed into hers, the doors quickly shutting behind them.
She caught him reflexively. "Jacen?"
He was shaking and she looked at him confused, wondering if he'd been scared out of his wits. He lifted his head and she dropped his weight against the wall as she saw he was grinning like an idiot.
"What is so amusing?"
He was laughing softly, "Take a look for yourself if you dare."
She glared at him, her annoyance with him coming back full force as she realized he wasn't in any kind of danger. Tilting her head haughtily, she palmed the doors open again. A large, black shadow was crouched in the doorway. She narrowed her gaze on it and palmed the lights. The glowrods ignited quickly, and Tenel Ka stared down at the animal chained just inside the cargo bay door. Sturm. One of Talon Karrde's pet vornskrs. Her lips thinned as it crackle-purred. "Why is it here?"
"I thought you weren't talking to me." She spared him a cold glance and Jacen realized he should probably stick to answering her questions. Probably, it didn't mean he would. "What? I can't be cheeky when I find someone's decided to interfere with my plans?"
"You told someone what you planned?"
Jacen grinned, "I asked my dad. He's the only person I know to successfully kidnap a member of royalty and live to tell the tale. Not just live, but he married her too."
"Your father aided you?"
Jacen laughed. "Kidnapping Royalty 101 by Han Solo." He winked at her. "It was very beneficial!"
She said nothing, simply stared at him and Jacen rolled his eyes, "Relax. You should really make the best of this situation."
"I am not amused."
"Obviously." He stepped around her and knelt in front of the vornskr who was watching them. Reaching out a hand he gently rubbed the creature behind the ears, empathically greeting it and convinced it, slowly, that it should take a nap. The animal's head drooped after a few moments before it settled itself comfortably and dozed off. Jacen stood only to receive a look from Tenel Ka. "What?"
"You are injured."
Jacen glanced down, seeing two rows of sharp gashes in each of his shoulders. The vornskr had jumped on him when he'd opened the door. They were slowly oozing blood and he shrugged, ignoring them. "They're just scratches. I'll heal in a couple of days."
"You are bleeding." She pointed out, "You need medical attention."
Jacen shrugged, looking around the cargo bay. Other than the vornskr, it seemed quiet enough. Whoever had played the prank had been Force Sensitive. The shield hiding Sturm's presence had been Force created, only dissipating when he'd opened the cargo bay. He had a couple of ideas who'd left the 'gift' but didn't want to jump to conclusions. The biggest question was how they'd gotten Karrde to agree to leave Sturm. He frowned suddenly, kneeling again by the sleeping vornskr and gently checked beneath the spiked collar. There. He pulled a small cylinder from the folds of its skin and checked it. A datarod. "Tenel Ka, do you have a data pad handy?" he asked absently, not looking at her.
Tenel Ka looked down at her dress. Right. Like she had somewhere to keep it. "It is in my other dress." She told him dryly.
Jacen paused, looking up at her in surprise. "Did you just make a joke?"
"I do not joke."
"Oh, but I think you did."
She watched as he got to his feet and took a step back. She didn't want to be near him; if she was she wasn't sure if she wanted to knock some sense into his skull or kiss him senseless. Both options sounded appealing. "I did not. I am not speaking with you."
His lips twisted in a quirky grin. "Really? Sounds are coming out of your mouth directed at me, I thought that was considered talking. Of course, there are better uses for one's tongue."
Her eyes narrowed and Jacen suddenly felt the daggers of her gaze again. He mentally scratched off that line. Don't mention better thing to do with one's mouth when Tenel Ka was in a bad mood. She'd likely bite him just to make him squirm. 'Course, that was rather tempting, maybe he would suggest she bite him. Without a word, she turned on her heel and walked away.
Jacen chuckled softly as he followed her, leaving the vornskr sleeping in the cargo bay. Tenel Ka checked the one of other three rooms on the ship, finding a galley and dining area. She stepped inside, looking around before taking a seat at the table. Jacen continued past, leaving her to her thoughts as he went to scrounge up a datapad.
Tenel Ka covered her face with her hand and rubbed her temples. Frustrating, infuriating man! The vornskr's claws could be infectious and she didn't want to have to nurse him back to health. She paused in her thinking. The injuries hadn't fazed him. Neither had her boots to his chest, thigh or temple. She thought back to his explanation about being held by the Vuuzhan Vong more than two years ago. Could it be possible that the... what had he called it? The embrace? Ah yes, the embrace of pain had rendered him immune to physical pain? No, that couldn't be right, but then why hadn't he been affected when her normally powerful kick could injure her strongest warriors?
She shook her head, frustrated, trying to clear it. Jacen was getting under her skin, had been there for a long time, and it was only getting worse. She couldn't stay on this ship with him, not un-chaperoned, and expect to be able to stay in control. Surely there was some way out of this. She was angry with him, she could admit that much, but anger could quickly turn to passion if she let it. Her lips thinned. She wouldn't let it. She couldn't. Mentally shaking the thoughts away, she focused on the bigger problem. When her security force found her gone, they'd start an investigation.
When it was found she'd been kidnapped her people would consider it an act of aggression. With Jacen acting on his own, with no rank within the New Republic, they'd be screaming for his death. She had to find some way of escaping both Jacen's plan for her and the call for his death. Neither, no matter how much she wanted the first, was something she could allow.
"Deep thoughts?"
Her head came up and he sat across from her, sliding a datapad onto the table. "It is none of your concern."
He sighed. "Look, I'm sorry I resorted to drastic measures, but you weren't listening to me. I know you hate my guts for doing it."
"I do not hate you."
He rubbed her jaw, which was still aching from her earlier punch. "Your actions would suggest otherwise, or do you only punch the men you love?"
"I do not-" she cut herself off, narrowing her eyes. He was trying to draw her out of her irritation. She couldn't let him. "Have you nothing better to do?"
"Nope." His grin was almost impish, "The computer has our course locked in so I'm completely at your disposal."
Lovely. Just what she needed. A half naked Jacen Solo to tempt her. Tenel Ka closed her eyes, suddenly hoping that she'd open them to find all this a really strange dream. She'd be back on Dragon's Fury reprimanding Jana for bugging her to find a consort. The upside of this, was that Jana wasn't going to be around any time soon to bother he about the matter. She opened her eyes to find Jacen staring at her. Nope. Not a dream. Lovely. She was trapped on a two man spaceship, sharing a room with the man who'd had her heart since she was a girl, a vornskr in the cargo hold and no way of knowing where they were headed. Could this day get any worse?
Jacen lifted a hand and tapped the datapad in front of her. "Are you at all curious who sent a vornskr along for the trip?"
"I had no intention of taking a trip." She reminded him pointedly.
"Fine, be snappish and cranky, see if I care." He rose to his feet. "You know, the Tenel Ka I remember wouldn't be acting like a spoiled little princess that was suddenly denied her allowance. She'd be thinking of ways to make the best of the situation and turn it to her advantage."
He stepped out, her jaw working once before she snapped it shut. Since when had Jacen acquired a spine of durasteel? She blinked, her gaze dropping to the datapad but not seeing it. He was right, as much as she hated to admit it. She -was- acting like a spoiled brat. Had she really sunk so low that she'd allowed her society's rules and regulations to corrupt her to their way of thinking? Did she truly think everyone, men especially, were beneath her? Was that why she was treating Jacen the way she was? She swallowed hard, suddenly forced to face the truth.
She was no better than her grandmother. Tenel Ka had allowed the war to warp her outlook on life. She'd allowed herself to enjoy the many creature comforts and privileges her status allowed. She'd allowed herself to believe that she was superior to everyone else. She felt sick. She leaned her head against the wall behind her, her eyes closed, and slowly thought back to her actions at the Celebration. She'd treated Jacen as little better than a slave, as if he'd already been her consort. She'd told him she couldn't chance the possibility of civil war to have her own pleasures. That much was true, the greater good had to come before her own desires, but did that give her the right to treat him like dirt? She shook her head firmly, opening her eyes.
No, it didn't. And starting now, as mad as she was about being spirited away, she and Jacen would be on civil terms. She had an apology to make. She rose to her feet, her hand encountering the datapad and lifted it, casually glancing at the display. She froze, the name at the bottom of the note fairly jumping out at her. Jana. Jana had known what Jacen planned and hadn't warned her. She quickly scanned the note.
Jacen.
Surprise! I know you said you wanted to do this on your own, but a few words to the wise. I put some of the Queen Mother's things in the crate next to the loading doors. You might find them handy. The vornskr is Talon Karrde's pet, Sturm. He was fed before we put him on board this evening, but there's a crate of food opposite from where he's chained. You can drop him on Obraski if you need to; Karrde will have a ship there.
Queen Mother, I realize you'll probably read this, and I'm sorry it's come down to this. Jacen Solo is an excellent choice for a consort but he told me you have refused him. I cannot understand why. Please forgive my rash actions, I only wish what is best for you. To see our monarch happy, we, the Royal Hapan entourage, would welcome a man in your life. Slave or equal, after many years of war we wish you peace and happiness; Jacen, I believe, is the key to this.
Jana
Tenel Ka's hand clenched around the datapad. Jacen had enlisted her most trusted aid's help! She wanted to throw something, to scream at him for scheming behind her back. How dare he go around her to enlist Jana's help? And Jana. Jana was going to be fired, then strung up in the center of the Fountain Palace courtyard and flogged! The nerve, trying to force Tenel Ka to choose -her- choice in consort, no matter how accurate.
She stalked from the room, finding Jacen's Force signature in the bedroom and opened the door with a flourish. She stopped on the threshold. He was laying on his back, his feet crossed, his chest bare, on the top bunk. It was at her eye level and she swallowed hard, the fire running through her veins turning from angry to passionate in half a second. Her head spun from the sudden conflicting emotions and she slammed the flood gates closed. Her simmering anger remained, but Jacen's eyes were closed, his breathing even.
It figured he would be asleep so she couldn't yell at him. Not that she ever yelled. She stepped forward, making her decision in a split second, and slapped the datapad down on his trim stomach, trying not to notice the ridges that were there even in sleep. The man was all together too distracting with his rippling muscles.
Jacen's eyes opened with a start as the datapad smacked into his stomach. He turned his head, meeting her gaze. "You know, I think I'm going to have to give you lessons on the proper way to wake me up. You never do it right."
"Explain."
"How to wake me up? Well, it involves your lips and mine and maybe a hand or-"
She slapped a hand on top of the datapad, cutting him off, "This."
He looked downwards and his eyes suddenly sparkled. "That happens when you get too close. Surely you know your basic human anatomy-"
Tenel Ka was too angry to be embarrassed by his comment. "The datapad, Jacen. Explain. Now."
Jacen pushed himself to his elbows, "Ah, I see you've read it. Did you like Jana's comments?"
"If you do not explain..."
"You'll what?" he challenged, "Treat me like a slave some more? Sorry, Tenel Ka, that routine is old. Maybe if you asked for something nicely every once in awhile instead of acting like you're above everyone I might be more cooperative. Now, if you'll excuse me, I was in the middle of a really good dream."
Her jaw dropped, shocked, as he tossed the datapad over her shoulder to the shelf and then turned his back on her. She balled up her fist and hit him square in the kidney. She heard a sharp intake of breath and pulled her arm back to nail him again when he suddenly turned and rolled off the bunk. Unable to move, he dropped down on her, driving her to the floor where he pinned her. His eyes were no longer laughing as his body lined up hip to hip with hers. His legs twined with hers in a quick movement, immobilizing her.
"Do you think this is funny?"
"I think you need to be taught a lesson." She spat.
"Careful, Tenel Ka, your emotions are showing. Wouldn't want to give me the idea I make you lose control, would you?"
Her eyes blazed, her features set in a mask of barely controlled fury. "Release me."
"What did I say about orders?" he asked, pinning her hand above her head and her left arm to the ground. His touch wasn't bruising, but it was firm. His face was centimeters from hers, his body stretched across her like a living blanket.
"You will do as I say."
"Try again, Princess."
She glared at him, moving her body in a wave-like fashion that could dislodge just about anyone. Jacen, however, wasn't just anyone. All the move did was drive home exactly how muscular his body was. Her dress, and his shorts, was all that separated them from being skin to skin. Her breath caught in her throat as desire slammed into her like a freight hover-train and her head suddenly came forward, her lips slamming onto his in a hard, angry kiss. Jacen, frustrated with her in turn, didn't even try to soften the kiss. He simply angled his head and returned it as hard and violent as hers.
Tenel Ka tasted blood as their lips slid against one another, her teeth cutting into her lip. She didn't care. She was furious with him. She tugged on her arms, trying to free them and then changed her tactic by throwing her weight to one side quickly. Jacen rolled, dragging her with him, their lips still connected, taking her overtop him, only to continue rolling until her back hit the wall. Her right arm now trapped by gravity, she arched into him, trying to get him closer and move him away all at the same time. She let her fury show in her kiss.
Jacen could feel her inner struggle, the battle raging against passion and anger. He knew Tenel Ka was dangerously close to losing that vaunted self control. Served her right. He released her hands, grabbed her around the waist and rolled again until he lay atop her. He expected to be smacked or punched as he pulled his lips away from hers, his eyes blazing with fire. He wanted her, wanted her so badly his entire body was aching, demanding he simply take her until they were both sated. He couldn't. Not yet and not like this.
Tenel Ka looked up at him, her eyes pools of molten silver. She could see what he wanted in his eyes, he didn't hide it, and she knew the same must be reflected in hers. But she wasn't free to indulge in that desire. Whoever she chose as her consort would be her first and only regardless of how much she wanted him. She fought to catch her breath, their gazed locked as if in battle, neither able to look away. Slowly, she moved her hand and pressed it against his chest.
Jacen untangled himself from her and rolled off, quickly gaining his feet. He offered her his hand and she accepted it, rising to her feet. "I have not forgiven you."
"I know."
"I may never forgive you."
"I knew that before we started this journey, Tenel Ka."
She nodded once. "Good." She turned her back on him, going to the door and paused, looking back. "Jana?"
"What about her?"
"How did you gain her help?"
He shrugged, "I told her the truth."
Tenel Ka nodded once and then left the room, headed for the galley. She was hungry and since Jacen would probably be going straight back to sleep she was on her own. That was fine with her. She still hadn't forgotten Jacen's earlier words; it was time she started acting like the adult she was. She had two choices. She could act like some spoiled brat or she could face this challenge like any other one in her life. Opening the food storage unit, she made her decision. She was going to face this like any other challenge. And then she was going to make Jacen Solo pay for it.
Jacen couldn't get back to sleep. His blood was humming with energy, his body tense from his encounter with Tenel Ka. What a woman. He shook his head, sliding his hands behind it as he stared at the ceiling. She was such a volatile package of control and passion. One minute she could be looking at you impassively, deciding to tear your head off and trying to analytically find the most economical way, the next she could be tearing your clothes off. He frowned. If she tried to tear anyone's clothes off but his, he'd lock her away. He chuckled. As if he had the heart to do it.
He stretched out with the Force, pulling it to him and wrapping it around himself as he fell into its waiting grasp. He could feel Tenel Ka's presence, carefully shielded, as she made herself something to eat. He could feel the mind of the sleeping vornskr in the cargo bay. Outside he could feel nothing except the emptiness of space. Slowly, he focused himself back towards his body, molding the Force into a healing power that could heal his injuries. They didn't hurt, but he didn't want to deal with them for the duration of this trip. That, and Tenel Ka seemed to take some kind of pleasure in watching him suffer. He'd heal just to be contrary and not allow her the satisfaction.
Tenel Ka entered the bedroom over an hour later, having spent most of it finding something to eat and then working through a rigorous calisthenics routine. There wasn't much room in the tiny galley/dining room but it was enough so that she could do stretches and strength exercises by bracing herself against the walls and climbing them. It had helped burn off some of her energy, but not nearly enough. The kiss she'd shared with Jacen remained on her lips; she could still taste him, and it distracted her to no end. She didn't look at the bunk on which he slept as she stepped inside. She turned her back immediately, heading for the closet. The bag in the bottom had been re-closed and she swept it up. There was a small refresher with a sonic shower next to the bedroom and she quickly went to make use of it.
She returned several minutes later, her hair tired in their warrior braids and dressed in a two piece suit of armor that was made for sleeping. She glanced at Jacen as she was replacing the pack back in the closet and froze. He wasn't breathing. She looked at him carefully, noting the concentration on his features and sighed softly. He was in a healing trance, no wonder he wasn't breathing often. As she watched, his chest moved almost imperceptibly. He was alright. She got to her feet and forced her muscles to relax. Starting with her neck, she slowly uncoiled the tension from her body until she sat on the floor, stretching out her legs. The slow routine gave her time to think. Why was she drawn to him? No, wrong question. When had she not been drawn to him? Never. She almost grimaced as she bent double, touching her forehead to her knees. Why, now, when she was dead set against leading him into a life she knew he'd detest, did he fight her? Why couldn't he accept this gracefully? She knew why. Because, on some level, she belonged to him. She always had. But wasn't it her duty to rise above her personal wants and needs? To search for the appropriate answer to each of the consortiums needs and find the best one? Jacen, to her way of thinking, would certainly satisfy her personal needs and desires, but would be totally unsuited to the needs of her people. That was why she couldn't let him win this. It was the reason she had to keep fighting.
She glanced up at the top bunk, his tanned elbow the only part of him that was visible, and shook her head. She didn't want to fight him, regardless of how exhilarating, how stimulating, it was. He had no right to take her away from her people when the chaos of the war's end would be sending them into turmoil. They'd need her now, more than ever, and she wouldn't be there. How could he even think to try and pull her away from her responsibilities? She sighed softly, almost inaudibly, and pushed herself to her feet. Her questions and concerns could wait until later. For now she would sleep, and hopefully her control and objectivity would have returned when she woke. Sliding into the bunk, she pulled the covers to her waist and closed her eyes.
Tomorrow, Jacen was going to have some explaining to do.
From Scratch
Chapter 9
Tenel Ka's head came up sharply as she heard Jacen scream, feeling a sudden surge in the Force. "Jacen!" she pushed herself from the bed and bolted from the room, heedless of the fact that she'd been kicking him around a couple of minutes prior. Damaging Jacen for stealing her away was her job; nobody else was allowed to. She dashed through the small corridors, approaching the cargo bay. She could feel Jacen's Force signature on the other side of the closed doors. She palmed the switch, the doors sliding open and fell back as a large human body slammed into hers, the doors quickly shutting behind them.
She caught him reflexively. "Jacen?"
He was shaking and she looked at him confused, wondering if he'd been scared out of his wits. He lifted his head and she dropped his weight against the wall as she saw he was grinning like an idiot.
"What is so amusing?"
He was laughing softly, "Take a look for yourself if you dare."
She glared at him, her annoyance with him coming back full force as she realized he wasn't in any kind of danger. Tilting her head haughtily, she palmed the doors open again. A large, black shadow was crouched in the doorway. She narrowed her gaze on it and palmed the lights. The glowrods ignited quickly, and Tenel Ka stared down at the animal chained just inside the cargo bay door. Sturm. One of Talon Karrde's pet vornskrs. Her lips thinned as it crackle-purred. "Why is it here?"
"I thought you weren't talking to me." She spared him a cold glance and Jacen realized he should probably stick to answering her questions. Probably, it didn't mean he would. "What? I can't be cheeky when I find someone's decided to interfere with my plans?"
"You told someone what you planned?"
Jacen grinned, "I asked my dad. He's the only person I know to successfully kidnap a member of royalty and live to tell the tale. Not just live, but he married her too."
"Your father aided you?"
Jacen laughed. "Kidnapping Royalty 101 by Han Solo." He winked at her. "It was very beneficial!"
She said nothing, simply stared at him and Jacen rolled his eyes, "Relax. You should really make the best of this situation."
"I am not amused."
"Obviously." He stepped around her and knelt in front of the vornskr who was watching them. Reaching out a hand he gently rubbed the creature behind the ears, empathically greeting it and convinced it, slowly, that it should take a nap. The animal's head drooped after a few moments before it settled itself comfortably and dozed off. Jacen stood only to receive a look from Tenel Ka. "What?"
"You are injured."
Jacen glanced down, seeing two rows of sharp gashes in each of his shoulders. The vornskr had jumped on him when he'd opened the door. They were slowly oozing blood and he shrugged, ignoring them. "They're just scratches. I'll heal in a couple of days."
"You are bleeding." She pointed out, "You need medical attention."
Jacen shrugged, looking around the cargo bay. Other than the vornskr, it seemed quiet enough. Whoever had played the prank had been Force Sensitive. The shield hiding Sturm's presence had been Force created, only dissipating when he'd opened the cargo bay. He had a couple of ideas who'd left the 'gift' but didn't want to jump to conclusions. The biggest question was how they'd gotten Karrde to agree to leave Sturm. He frowned suddenly, kneeling again by the sleeping vornskr and gently checked beneath the spiked collar. There. He pulled a small cylinder from the folds of its skin and checked it. A datarod. "Tenel Ka, do you have a data pad handy?" he asked absently, not looking at her.
Tenel Ka looked down at her dress. Right. Like she had somewhere to keep it. "It is in my other dress." She told him dryly.
Jacen paused, looking up at her in surprise. "Did you just make a joke?"
"I do not joke."
"Oh, but I think you did."
She watched as he got to his feet and took a step back. She didn't want to be near him; if she was she wasn't sure if she wanted to knock some sense into his skull or kiss him senseless. Both options sounded appealing. "I did not. I am not speaking with you."
His lips twisted in a quirky grin. "Really? Sounds are coming out of your mouth directed at me, I thought that was considered talking. Of course, there are better uses for one's tongue."
Her eyes narrowed and Jacen suddenly felt the daggers of her gaze again. He mentally scratched off that line. Don't mention better thing to do with one's mouth when Tenel Ka was in a bad mood. She'd likely bite him just to make him squirm. 'Course, that was rather tempting, maybe he would suggest she bite him. Without a word, she turned on her heel and walked away.
Jacen chuckled softly as he followed her, leaving the vornskr sleeping in the cargo bay. Tenel Ka checked the one of other three rooms on the ship, finding a galley and dining area. She stepped inside, looking around before taking a seat at the table. Jacen continued past, leaving her to her thoughts as he went to scrounge up a datapad.
Tenel Ka covered her face with her hand and rubbed her temples. Frustrating, infuriating man! The vornskr's claws could be infectious and she didn't want to have to nurse him back to health. She paused in her thinking. The injuries hadn't fazed him. Neither had her boots to his chest, thigh or temple. She thought back to his explanation about being held by the Vuuzhan Vong more than two years ago. Could it be possible that the... what had he called it? The embrace? Ah yes, the embrace of pain had rendered him immune to physical pain? No, that couldn't be right, but then why hadn't he been affected when her normally powerful kick could injure her strongest warriors?
She shook her head, frustrated, trying to clear it. Jacen was getting under her skin, had been there for a long time, and it was only getting worse. She couldn't stay on this ship with him, not un-chaperoned, and expect to be able to stay in control. Surely there was some way out of this. She was angry with him, she could admit that much, but anger could quickly turn to passion if she let it. Her lips thinned. She wouldn't let it. She couldn't. Mentally shaking the thoughts away, she focused on the bigger problem. When her security force found her gone, they'd start an investigation.
When it was found she'd been kidnapped her people would consider it an act of aggression. With Jacen acting on his own, with no rank within the New Republic, they'd be screaming for his death. She had to find some way of escaping both Jacen's plan for her and the call for his death. Neither, no matter how much she wanted the first, was something she could allow.
"Deep thoughts?"
Her head came up and he sat across from her, sliding a datapad onto the table. "It is none of your concern."
He sighed. "Look, I'm sorry I resorted to drastic measures, but you weren't listening to me. I know you hate my guts for doing it."
"I do not hate you."
He rubbed her jaw, which was still aching from her earlier punch. "Your actions would suggest otherwise, or do you only punch the men you love?"
"I do not-" she cut herself off, narrowing her eyes. He was trying to draw her out of her irritation. She couldn't let him. "Have you nothing better to do?"
"Nope." His grin was almost impish, "The computer has our course locked in so I'm completely at your disposal."
Lovely. Just what she needed. A half naked Jacen Solo to tempt her. Tenel Ka closed her eyes, suddenly hoping that she'd open them to find all this a really strange dream. She'd be back on Dragon's Fury reprimanding Jana for bugging her to find a consort. The upside of this, was that Jana wasn't going to be around any time soon to bother he about the matter. She opened her eyes to find Jacen staring at her. Nope. Not a dream. Lovely. She was trapped on a two man spaceship, sharing a room with the man who'd had her heart since she was a girl, a vornskr in the cargo hold and no way of knowing where they were headed. Could this day get any worse?
Jacen lifted a hand and tapped the datapad in front of her. "Are you at all curious who sent a vornskr along for the trip?"
"I had no intention of taking a trip." She reminded him pointedly.
"Fine, be snappish and cranky, see if I care." He rose to his feet. "You know, the Tenel Ka I remember wouldn't be acting like a spoiled little princess that was suddenly denied her allowance. She'd be thinking of ways to make the best of the situation and turn it to her advantage."
He stepped out, her jaw working once before she snapped it shut. Since when had Jacen acquired a spine of durasteel? She blinked, her gaze dropping to the datapad but not seeing it. He was right, as much as she hated to admit it. She -was- acting like a spoiled brat. Had she really sunk so low that she'd allowed her society's rules and regulations to corrupt her to their way of thinking? Did she truly think everyone, men especially, were beneath her? Was that why she was treating Jacen the way she was? She swallowed hard, suddenly forced to face the truth.
She was no better than her grandmother. Tenel Ka had allowed the war to warp her outlook on life. She'd allowed herself to enjoy the many creature comforts and privileges her status allowed. She'd allowed herself to believe that she was superior to everyone else. She felt sick. She leaned her head against the wall behind her, her eyes closed, and slowly thought back to her actions at the Celebration. She'd treated Jacen as little better than a slave, as if he'd already been her consort. She'd told him she couldn't chance the possibility of civil war to have her own pleasures. That much was true, the greater good had to come before her own desires, but did that give her the right to treat him like dirt? She shook her head firmly, opening her eyes.
No, it didn't. And starting now, as mad as she was about being spirited away, she and Jacen would be on civil terms. She had an apology to make. She rose to her feet, her hand encountering the datapad and lifted it, casually glancing at the display. She froze, the name at the bottom of the note fairly jumping out at her. Jana. Jana had known what Jacen planned and hadn't warned her. She quickly scanned the note.
Jacen.
Surprise! I know you said you wanted to do this on your own, but a few words to the wise. I put some of the Queen Mother's things in the crate next to the loading doors. You might find them handy. The vornskr is Talon Karrde's pet, Sturm. He was fed before we put him on board this evening, but there's a crate of food opposite from where he's chained. You can drop him on Obraski if you need to; Karrde will have a ship there.
Queen Mother, I realize you'll probably read this, and I'm sorry it's come down to this. Jacen Solo is an excellent choice for a consort but he told me you have refused him. I cannot understand why. Please forgive my rash actions, I only wish what is best for you. To see our monarch happy, we, the Royal Hapan entourage, would welcome a man in your life. Slave or equal, after many years of war we wish you peace and happiness; Jacen, I believe, is the key to this.
Jana
Tenel Ka's hand clenched around the datapad. Jacen had enlisted her most trusted aid's help! She wanted to throw something, to scream at him for scheming behind her back. How dare he go around her to enlist Jana's help? And Jana. Jana was going to be fired, then strung up in the center of the Fountain Palace courtyard and flogged! The nerve, trying to force Tenel Ka to choose -her- choice in consort, no matter how accurate.
She stalked from the room, finding Jacen's Force signature in the bedroom and opened the door with a flourish. She stopped on the threshold. He was laying on his back, his feet crossed, his chest bare, on the top bunk. It was at her eye level and she swallowed hard, the fire running through her veins turning from angry to passionate in half a second. Her head spun from the sudden conflicting emotions and she slammed the flood gates closed. Her simmering anger remained, but Jacen's eyes were closed, his breathing even.
It figured he would be asleep so she couldn't yell at him. Not that she ever yelled. She stepped forward, making her decision in a split second, and slapped the datapad down on his trim stomach, trying not to notice the ridges that were there even in sleep. The man was all together too distracting with his rippling muscles.
Jacen's eyes opened with a start as the datapad smacked into his stomach. He turned his head, meeting her gaze. "You know, I think I'm going to have to give you lessons on the proper way to wake me up. You never do it right."
"Explain."
"How to wake me up? Well, it involves your lips and mine and maybe a hand or-"
She slapped a hand on top of the datapad, cutting him off, "This."
He looked downwards and his eyes suddenly sparkled. "That happens when you get too close. Surely you know your basic human anatomy-"
Tenel Ka was too angry to be embarrassed by his comment. "The datapad, Jacen. Explain. Now."
Jacen pushed himself to his elbows, "Ah, I see you've read it. Did you like Jana's comments?"
"If you do not explain..."
"You'll what?" he challenged, "Treat me like a slave some more? Sorry, Tenel Ka, that routine is old. Maybe if you asked for something nicely every once in awhile instead of acting like you're above everyone I might be more cooperative. Now, if you'll excuse me, I was in the middle of a really good dream."
Her jaw dropped, shocked, as he tossed the datapad over her shoulder to the shelf and then turned his back on her. She balled up her fist and hit him square in the kidney. She heard a sharp intake of breath and pulled her arm back to nail him again when he suddenly turned and rolled off the bunk. Unable to move, he dropped down on her, driving her to the floor where he pinned her. His eyes were no longer laughing as his body lined up hip to hip with hers. His legs twined with hers in a quick movement, immobilizing her.
"Do you think this is funny?"
"I think you need to be taught a lesson." She spat.
"Careful, Tenel Ka, your emotions are showing. Wouldn't want to give me the idea I make you lose control, would you?"
Her eyes blazed, her features set in a mask of barely controlled fury. "Release me."
"What did I say about orders?" he asked, pinning her hand above her head and her left arm to the ground. His touch wasn't bruising, but it was firm. His face was centimeters from hers, his body stretched across her like a living blanket.
"You will do as I say."
"Try again, Princess."
She glared at him, moving her body in a wave-like fashion that could dislodge just about anyone. Jacen, however, wasn't just anyone. All the move did was drive home exactly how muscular his body was. Her dress, and his shorts, was all that separated them from being skin to skin. Her breath caught in her throat as desire slammed into her like a freight hover-train and her head suddenly came forward, her lips slamming onto his in a hard, angry kiss. Jacen, frustrated with her in turn, didn't even try to soften the kiss. He simply angled his head and returned it as hard and violent as hers.
Tenel Ka tasted blood as their lips slid against one another, her teeth cutting into her lip. She didn't care. She was furious with him. She tugged on her arms, trying to free them and then changed her tactic by throwing her weight to one side quickly. Jacen rolled, dragging her with him, their lips still connected, taking her overtop him, only to continue rolling until her back hit the wall. Her right arm now trapped by gravity, she arched into him, trying to get him closer and move him away all at the same time. She let her fury show in her kiss.
Jacen could feel her inner struggle, the battle raging against passion and anger. He knew Tenel Ka was dangerously close to losing that vaunted self control. Served her right. He released her hands, grabbed her around the waist and rolled again until he lay atop her. He expected to be smacked or punched as he pulled his lips away from hers, his eyes blazing with fire. He wanted her, wanted her so badly his entire body was aching, demanding he simply take her until they were both sated. He couldn't. Not yet and not like this.
Tenel Ka looked up at him, her eyes pools of molten silver. She could see what he wanted in his eyes, he didn't hide it, and she knew the same must be reflected in hers. But she wasn't free to indulge in that desire. Whoever she chose as her consort would be her first and only regardless of how much she wanted him. She fought to catch her breath, their gazed locked as if in battle, neither able to look away. Slowly, she moved her hand and pressed it against his chest.
Jacen untangled himself from her and rolled off, quickly gaining his feet. He offered her his hand and she accepted it, rising to her feet. "I have not forgiven you."
"I know."
"I may never forgive you."
"I knew that before we started this journey, Tenel Ka."
She nodded once. "Good." She turned her back on him, going to the door and paused, looking back. "Jana?"
"What about her?"
"How did you gain her help?"
He shrugged, "I told her the truth."
Tenel Ka nodded once and then left the room, headed for the galley. She was hungry and since Jacen would probably be going straight back to sleep she was on her own. That was fine with her. She still hadn't forgotten Jacen's earlier words; it was time she started acting like the adult she was. She had two choices. She could act like some spoiled brat or she could face this challenge like any other one in her life. Opening the food storage unit, she made her decision. She was going to face this like any other challenge. And then she was going to make Jacen Solo pay for it.
Jacen couldn't get back to sleep. His blood was humming with energy, his body tense from his encounter with Tenel Ka. What a woman. He shook his head, sliding his hands behind it as he stared at the ceiling. She was such a volatile package of control and passion. One minute she could be looking at you impassively, deciding to tear your head off and trying to analytically find the most economical way, the next she could be tearing your clothes off. He frowned. If she tried to tear anyone's clothes off but his, he'd lock her away. He chuckled. As if he had the heart to do it.
He stretched out with the Force, pulling it to him and wrapping it around himself as he fell into its waiting grasp. He could feel Tenel Ka's presence, carefully shielded, as she made herself something to eat. He could feel the mind of the sleeping vornskr in the cargo bay. Outside he could feel nothing except the emptiness of space. Slowly, he focused himself back towards his body, molding the Force into a healing power that could heal his injuries. They didn't hurt, but he didn't want to deal with them for the duration of this trip. That, and Tenel Ka seemed to take some kind of pleasure in watching him suffer. He'd heal just to be contrary and not allow her the satisfaction.
Tenel Ka entered the bedroom over an hour later, having spent most of it finding something to eat and then working through a rigorous calisthenics routine. There wasn't much room in the tiny galley/dining room but it was enough so that she could do stretches and strength exercises by bracing herself against the walls and climbing them. It had helped burn off some of her energy, but not nearly enough. The kiss she'd shared with Jacen remained on her lips; she could still taste him, and it distracted her to no end. She didn't look at the bunk on which he slept as she stepped inside. She turned her back immediately, heading for the closet. The bag in the bottom had been re-closed and she swept it up. There was a small refresher with a sonic shower next to the bedroom and she quickly went to make use of it.
She returned several minutes later, her hair tired in their warrior braids and dressed in a two piece suit of armor that was made for sleeping. She glanced at Jacen as she was replacing the pack back in the closet and froze. He wasn't breathing. She looked at him carefully, noting the concentration on his features and sighed softly. He was in a healing trance, no wonder he wasn't breathing often. As she watched, his chest moved almost imperceptibly. He was alright. She got to her feet and forced her muscles to relax. Starting with her neck, she slowly uncoiled the tension from her body until she sat on the floor, stretching out her legs. The slow routine gave her time to think. Why was she drawn to him? No, wrong question. When had she not been drawn to him? Never. She almost grimaced as she bent double, touching her forehead to her knees. Why, now, when she was dead set against leading him into a life she knew he'd detest, did he fight her? Why couldn't he accept this gracefully? She knew why. Because, on some level, she belonged to him. She always had. But wasn't it her duty to rise above her personal wants and needs? To search for the appropriate answer to each of the consortiums needs and find the best one? Jacen, to her way of thinking, would certainly satisfy her personal needs and desires, but would be totally unsuited to the needs of her people. That was why she couldn't let him win this. It was the reason she had to keep fighting.
She glanced up at the top bunk, his tanned elbow the only part of him that was visible, and shook her head. She didn't want to fight him, regardless of how exhilarating, how stimulating, it was. He had no right to take her away from her people when the chaos of the war's end would be sending them into turmoil. They'd need her now, more than ever, and she wouldn't be there. How could he even think to try and pull her away from her responsibilities? She sighed softly, almost inaudibly, and pushed herself to her feet. Her questions and concerns could wait until later. For now she would sleep, and hopefully her control and objectivity would have returned when she woke. Sliding into the bunk, she pulled the covers to her waist and closed her eyes.
Tomorrow, Jacen was going to have some explaining to do.