AN: The survivors, Vola and Nicha & Flynn are my own creation, everything else belongs to Lucasfilm...
From Scratch
Chapter 16
Jacen stopped just short of Vola, glancing back over his shoulder to find Tenel Ka stretched out beside the pool. He smiled slightly before turning back. "Vola?"
She turned, "Yes, Great One?"
He sighed inwardly. She didn't sound as if she was going to stop calling him -that- anytime soon. Fame was overrated. He leaned against the wall. "What's your connection to your companions? I know it seems a little strange for me to be asking, but you don't look as if you've been rejected by the gods."
Vola turned, her back to the wall so she could keep an eye out for dangers and talk to him at the same time. "I wasn't," she admitted. "My mother wanted me to join the shapers when I was young, but I don't handle pain well at all." She looked at her feet for a moment before looking back up. "I refused to have the ritual tattoos done on my face because they hurt. I was cast from society almost ten years ago."
Jacen studied her objectively. She was a lovely little thing and had an occurrence rare for Yuuzhan Vong. Her nose. It was slender, slightly arched and bent, but intact. Her features were slanted exotically and her hair fell just past her shoulder, pulled back with a long piece of fabric. Her eyes were gold with a hint of violet. He smiled. "And yet you found your way here?"
She nodded. "Flynn found me."
He thought he detected a hint of a blush on her cheeks and glanced across the room to where Flynn was standing, still on guard. "You like Flynn?"
Vola nodded shyly. "Yes, Great one. He has been kind to me."
Jacen suppressed a smile. So, the alien was smitten with a human. At least it pointed to the Yuuzhan Vong having some kind of emotions beyond fanaticism. "We're finished here, do we go back the way we came?"
"Oh no!" she shook her head. "No, Great One, the passages are a network of mazes, pitfalls and traps, you could easily get lost, or worse!"
"Shall we collect Nicha and Flynn then?" he changed his tactic, "And maybe the three of you can see about getting us out of here?"
Vola nodded, looking beyond him to Tenel Ka. "Does She of flame have what you came for?"
He nodded, turning slightly to look at her. Tenel Ka stepped closer, stopping at his side, and she nodded to Vola. "We do."
"Good." Vola did one last check of the tunnels she was looking at before heading into the grotto. Nicha was on her feet, already walking towards Flynn, and the trio caught up with her as they reached the leader.
Flynn didn't turn as they approached. "Have what you came for, man?"
"I think we've got enough to tide us over for awhile." Jacen looked around the grotto. "Nice place. I don't suppose you know of a swimming hole?"
Flynn laughed. "That's almost everyone's reaction. Yes, there's a swimming hole, we're headed that way and have to pass it on our way back to the surface. By the time we get to it, it should be about time to make camp, a good a place as any."
"Sounds great," Jacen looked around one last time before Flynn began walking. He frowned. The man hadn't turned, was there a reason for that? He shook it off as being paranoid and waited until Nicha followed Flynn. Tenel Ka fell into step beside him, and he could feel the tension rolling off her. Her confession hadn't really solved anything in her mind; she was thinking clearly, but did it really make sense? He sighed softly, watching her out of the corner of his eye. She was distracted; he could tell by the way she was pausing fractionally before taking a step. Matching his stride to hers, he kept pace. What was she thinking about?
"Something on your mind?" he asked softly, bending his head slightly towards her as they walked.
Her chin came up sharply and she glanced at him. "Much," she admitted. Her gaze went to their two guides in the front and he understood. Nothing she would say around them. Admitting to anything, even a simple need for assistance was one thing with people you trusted. It was something else when dealing with strangers.
He nodded his understanding. "Later then?"
She nodded once, sharply, but didn't say anything else. She was going to be difficult. He sighed softly. Hopefully when they camped for the night, he'd have a chance to speak with her. They traveled for several hours, taking a quick lunch break around a small pond before continuing on. They passed a mess of different rooms, most old living quarters long abandoned. The sound of creatures scurrying through the dank passages echoed off the walls as they moved further from the grotto. The light source was dim, mostly patched of glowing moss, but allowed them to stay on their feet.
Jacen paused as they came to an intersection. Flynn turned right, what Jacen felt was east, and he frowned. He had the distinct feeling they were being led deeper into the planet's under city than need be. "Flynn."
Flynn stopped, glancing over his shoulder. "Yeah?"
"Where are we going?"
He finally turned and Jacen got a good look at the smirk on his face. "Where you said you wanted me to take you. The swimming hole is this way. Don't tell me you think I got you lost, Jacen."
Jacen shrugged, "It just seems like we're traveling down an awful lot when we want to reach the surface."
"Hey man, I'm just taking the way I know. There's an exit this way, about eight hours from the swimming hole, but if you just want to go straight up be my guest. Those warriors looking for ways to gain glory prowl the upper levels."
"In other words this is the round about way?"
"Something like that. You're more than welcome to go straight up with those lightsabers of yours though."
Jacen glanced at Tenel Ka. If they wanted out, they could, but it would involve fighting their way out. She shook her head. "We will continue with you, Flynn," she told him solemnly.
Flynn looked at her curiously. "Man, doesn't your chick ever smile?"
Tenel Ka's lips flattened in a firm line and Flynn stepped back under the sudden, intense scrutiny of her gaze. "I am not a 'chick'." She told him flatly.
Jacen placed a hand on her shoulder, "I'd suggest you show her some respect, Flynn," he offered dryly. "She's a very powerful Jedi Knight and she has remarkable restraint, but you're pushing her patience."
Tenel Ka shrugged his hand off. "I speak for myself."
Jacen shrugged, stepping back, and met Flynn's gaze.
Flynn held up his hands as if in surrender. "I... I'm sorry, Tenel, I swear, I-"
"My name." She said succinctly, "Is Tenel Ka. Do not think to shorten it."
Flynn stumbled, almost going down, but managed to catch himself on the wall. "I'm sorry, Tenel Ka. I won't... I uh... I won't do it again."
She held him in her gaze for a moment more before nodding sharply. "See that you do not."
Flynn spun and almost ran through the halls towards their next destination. Nicha was close behind him, seeming to have thought better about confronting the warrior woman, and Vola laughed. "She of flame, I have aptly named you. You are truly a warrior."
Tenel Ka said nothing, simply followed Flynn and Nicha. Jacen chuckled softly. She of flame. After that confrontation, he was inclined to agree with Vola. It was a fitting nick name for Tenel Ka. A little different, perhaps, but then so was she. He stepped into the tunnel to follow her, Vola taking up the rear guard, and quick stepped until he reached her side.
She glanced at him. "I fight my own battles. Do not presume to speak for me."
"My apologies, your highness," he said softly, "I was simply trying to make sure you didn't tear a strip off our tour guide."
She didn't say anything and Jacen lapsed back into silence. So much for communicating. The tension level between them was climbing, he could feel it as if it were a tangible thing, and didn't have a clue how to snap it. Would she listen to reason? Probably not after that confrontation with Flynn... and that wasn't even because of what Flynn had said. She'd been lashing out indirectly at him; Flynn had just been in the way. At least, that's how it seemed.
Tenel Ka didn't look at Jacen as she walked behind a fleeing Flynn and Nicha. How dare he! How dare he speak for her, especially after what she'd told him! She was silently fuming, a part of her trying to rationalize her outburst, yet knowing she shouldn't have taken it out on Flynn. But wasn't she blowing this out of proportion? She almost paused in her step. Was she really angry with Jacen about speaking for her or was she simply grasping it as a reason to snap? If she was honest with herself, she was simply looking for a reason to push him away. She didn't like feeling this vulnerable; this exposed. She swallowed with difficulty. She was simply making it harder on them both. He didn't deserve this and neither did Flynn. Though, snapping at him had been fun; he was a coward at heart and wouldn't stand up in the face of danger.
Jacen walked quietly beside her, the pressure between them fairly humming with its intensity. Every step she took, every step closer to where they'd have to camp for the night, her shoulders tightened. Her head began to ache as the muscles in her neck clenched painfully. If she survived this trek intact, she'd be amazed. Intact? She almost frowned. She hadn't been intact since Jacen had come back into her life. She was already breaking to pieces. Her control was intact, but what good was it?
She placed one foot in front of the other, not really paying attention to her surroundings. She trusted Jacen to watch out for her, even though her instincts screamed at her she couldn't afford the time for introspection. Yet her heart and mind insisted. She had to think now, to sort through everything, because this was the only time she'd have. In a few short hours her guides would tell them it was time to make camp and she'd be expected to share a bedroll, a bed, with Jacen. The thought was enough to make her freeze.
What would he expect from her when they did? Would it have something to do with that datarod she'd found? Would he run his hands down her back as he had before? Igniting fires and flames she had no chance of fighting? Would he kiss her? The very thought sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine. Would she be able to resist him if he asked for more? She wasn't sure. An image formed in her mind. One of strong male arms wrapped around her waist, a muscled chest pressed against hers, skin sliding against skin... she shook her head violently to get the image out of her mind. Where had that come from?
"Something the matter, Tenel Ka?"
She glanced at him, suddenly realizing she'd been shaking her head as if in denial of something terrible. Heat flooded her cheeks but she met his gaze squarely. "No. Nothing."
He looked at her skeptically. "Are you sure? Flynn says we're almost to our campsite."
The heat drained from her face. "Already?" she looked around, seeing that Vola had joined Nicha and the two were arguing softly about something. Flynn was nowhere in sight, but that didn't mean he wasn't around. "Are you certain?"
Jacen nodded, stopping, and let Vola and Nicha move further ahead as he grabbed her arm to hold her back. "What's bothering you?"
She glanced down the passageway. "Much. But we cannot talk here."
He glanced both ways, certain they had little time before one of their guides discovered their absence. "Tenel Ka, I want you to know that no matter what they expect, I won't do anything you don't want me to."
She swallowed hard. "That is what frightens me."
"Wha-"
"Something the matter, Great One?"
They both looked up as Vola's voice cut him off. Jacen wanted to pull his hair out with frustration. What had she meant by that? He bit his lip to keep from asking and managed to find a smile. "Nothing, Vola, lead on."
He looked at Tenel Ka but she couldn't meet his gaze as they continued towards the area they'd make camp that night. Her last words chased each other around in his head and the conclusion he drew was startling. Had she meant she wouldn't resist him? He hoped not. He was already pushed to the limits of his control, beyond them. Holding her in his arms for the night had the potential of driving him over the edge but if she... he shook his head. No. He couldn't let things go that far, not until they spoke their vows. He owed her that much. Dragging his thoughts back to the present he stretched out with the Force and searched for their guide. Better to keep his mind off the coming night. Soon enough they'd have to deal with it. Getting stressed out before the fact wasn't going to help.
They stopped in an area of small, interconnected rooms, one of which sported an open pool in a lichen-covered alcove. A small waterfall acted as a shower, the pool extending into the room below and, from the look of it, underwater a ways. There was only one way in. Flynn pulled a curtain from the far end of the waterfall, the fabric wet and heavy, before he hung it over the entrance. "You can swim in there, man," he nodded towards the pool.
Jacen looked around, curiously. The Pool wasn't the only room with only one exit. There were two smaller rooms, one with the ceiling half caved in and blocked, which could be used as sleeping quarters. Nicha was kneeling in the main room, building a fire while Flynn dug through the rubble in several places. Vola stood watch. Flynn looked up as Jacen removed his pack and made to lean it against one wall. "You and Tenel Ka can have that room," he waved Jacen towards the one room that held a semblance of being a bedroom. "We wouldn't want to intrude."
Jacen didn't dare look at Tenel Ka as he lifted his pack with one hand, "Thank you." He replied simply and carried it towards the room Flynn had indicated. He pushed the twisted door completely out of the way and deposited his pack by the entrance. The room was damp, covered by a soft coating of moss thanks to the closeness of the waterfall.
"Jacen."
He turned as Tenel Ka ducked into the room, lifting his hands. "Can I take your pack?"
She swallowed hard, her eyes darting about the room before she nodded reluctantly. He pulled it quickly from her shoulders and placed it next to his before turning to face her again. She was standing several feet from him, her gaze scanning the room. Without thinking of the consequences, he slid his hands under her hair, placing them on her shoulders and gently began to knead the tight muscles. She froze under his hands. "Relax," he urged her softly.
"I cannot." Her words were a whisper.
Jacen could feel her trembling. He glanced behind him, finding their companions otherwise occupied, and bent his head, his breath feathering across her cheek. "Why? You've been alone with me for days. We've been alone before and nothing has happened."
Her head fell forward, exposing her neck as her hair fell on either side of her shoulders down her chest. She made a soft sound of half-pleasure, half-protest. "That was different."
"How?" he leaned forward more, stepping closer so that there was little space between them. If he inhaled too deeply his chest would brush her back. The nape of her neck was tempting and he fought the urge to place a gentle kiss on her soft skin.
"I had not... We were not... Jacen." She gasped as his hands stilled for a moment, sliding slightly down over her collar bone.
"Yes?"
She lifted her head, which felt incredibly heavy, and looked back, over her shoulder into his brown eyes. "Please?" she whispered softly, her voice holding a tortured note he'd never heard.
His gaze dropped to her trembling lips before he met her gaze again. "Please what?"
She shook her head mutely, unable to speak and Jacen was startled to see panic rising in her eyes. He released her immediately, his hands reluctantly sliding from her skin and falling to his sides. He was shaking as badly as she. He took several steps back, putting some distance between them and closed his eyes. What had just happened? He inhaled deeply, forcing himself to calm down, before opening his eyes.
Tenel Ka had slid to the ground, her back to him, her shoulders hunched forward in a protective posture. He frowned, his forehead creasing in concern. He'd never, ever seen her take that kind of posture before. "Tenel Ka?"
She didn't move for a long moment before her back finally straightened and her shoulders came back. She rose gracefully to her feet and faced him. "I wish to swim."
"Tenel Ka, we-"
She held up her hand, stopping him. "Do not. There will be time to speak afterwards." Too much time.
Jacen sighed softly. Fine. She needed time, and space, to relax and he could appreciate that. He could do with a little space himself. Space in a cold pond preferably. He nodded to her went to the door, blocking any field of view with his body.
"What are you doing?"
"Giving you privacy to change. Hurry up, they're cooking something that smells delicious over that fire of theirs."
Tenel Ka looked cautiously at his back before crossing to her pack and pulling her sleeping suit from it. It could double as her bathing suit. If they lit a small fire in their room... she swallowed hard, stopping her thoughts. She couldn't think about it, her reaction to having him so close just now should have been proof enough of that. A rigorous swim would help expel some of her restless energy. Or so she hoped. Putting her back to Jacen, she stripped quickly, changing into what she could swim in and turned. "I am finished."
He looked back at her over his shoulder, his eyes widening. "You're not..."
"I am."
He turned, glancing to where Flynn was deep in discussion with Nicha about something, before crossing the room to her. "No, if Flynn sees you in that..."
"He will not touch me," she told him seriously. "He is afraid of me."
Jacen chuckled, gently grasping one of her braids in his fingers and rubbing it between his thumb and forefinger. "I don't mean to be jealous. I just don't like the thought of him seeing you in that. However, I suppose you have to swim in something."
She nodded once, stepping away from him as her skin tingled in a reminder of his touch. "We will need a fire to dry ourselves," she told him, ever practical, yet only grabbing it as an excuse. "Is that possible?"
"I'll have Nicha build one while we swim."
She nodded again. "Very well. Would you like me to block the door?"
"Unless you'd rather watch?"
She felt heat crawling up her neck. "I would not." She spun on her heel and marched into the doorway.
Jacen's smile died. Good thing she hadn't said yes. He stripped off his pants, leaving his shorts underneath and kicked off his sandals. The moss was soft, spongy beneath his feet. "Done."
She simply glanced at him, nodded once, and entered the main room. Jacen hurried to join her, pointedly ignoring the looks they were getting. "Nicha?"
"Yes Jacen?" she fairly purred the words, her gaze looking him over hungrily.
"Could you build a small fire in our room? We'll need to dry our clothing after our swim."
She arched an eyebrow. "Just throw them out here, we'll spread them out and you can be comfortable."
He almost screamed. Insufferable woman, she was looking for a way to out wit him. "That would work, but the room is damp and sleeping on wet ground has never appealed to me. Please?"
"Just do it, Nicha."
She glared darkly at Flynn before retuning her smile to Jacen. "No problem, sugar."
"Thank you." He followed the path Tenel Ka had taken towards the large pool, his mind already skipping ahead to that night. This was going to be interesting.
From Scratch
Chapter 16
Jacen stopped just short of Vola, glancing back over his shoulder to find Tenel Ka stretched out beside the pool. He smiled slightly before turning back. "Vola?"
She turned, "Yes, Great One?"
He sighed inwardly. She didn't sound as if she was going to stop calling him -that- anytime soon. Fame was overrated. He leaned against the wall. "What's your connection to your companions? I know it seems a little strange for me to be asking, but you don't look as if you've been rejected by the gods."
Vola turned, her back to the wall so she could keep an eye out for dangers and talk to him at the same time. "I wasn't," she admitted. "My mother wanted me to join the shapers when I was young, but I don't handle pain well at all." She looked at her feet for a moment before looking back up. "I refused to have the ritual tattoos done on my face because they hurt. I was cast from society almost ten years ago."
Jacen studied her objectively. She was a lovely little thing and had an occurrence rare for Yuuzhan Vong. Her nose. It was slender, slightly arched and bent, but intact. Her features were slanted exotically and her hair fell just past her shoulder, pulled back with a long piece of fabric. Her eyes were gold with a hint of violet. He smiled. "And yet you found your way here?"
She nodded. "Flynn found me."
He thought he detected a hint of a blush on her cheeks and glanced across the room to where Flynn was standing, still on guard. "You like Flynn?"
Vola nodded shyly. "Yes, Great one. He has been kind to me."
Jacen suppressed a smile. So, the alien was smitten with a human. At least it pointed to the Yuuzhan Vong having some kind of emotions beyond fanaticism. "We're finished here, do we go back the way we came?"
"Oh no!" she shook her head. "No, Great One, the passages are a network of mazes, pitfalls and traps, you could easily get lost, or worse!"
"Shall we collect Nicha and Flynn then?" he changed his tactic, "And maybe the three of you can see about getting us out of here?"
Vola nodded, looking beyond him to Tenel Ka. "Does She of flame have what you came for?"
He nodded, turning slightly to look at her. Tenel Ka stepped closer, stopping at his side, and she nodded to Vola. "We do."
"Good." Vola did one last check of the tunnels she was looking at before heading into the grotto. Nicha was on her feet, already walking towards Flynn, and the trio caught up with her as they reached the leader.
Flynn didn't turn as they approached. "Have what you came for, man?"
"I think we've got enough to tide us over for awhile." Jacen looked around the grotto. "Nice place. I don't suppose you know of a swimming hole?"
Flynn laughed. "That's almost everyone's reaction. Yes, there's a swimming hole, we're headed that way and have to pass it on our way back to the surface. By the time we get to it, it should be about time to make camp, a good a place as any."
"Sounds great," Jacen looked around one last time before Flynn began walking. He frowned. The man hadn't turned, was there a reason for that? He shook it off as being paranoid and waited until Nicha followed Flynn. Tenel Ka fell into step beside him, and he could feel the tension rolling off her. Her confession hadn't really solved anything in her mind; she was thinking clearly, but did it really make sense? He sighed softly, watching her out of the corner of his eye. She was distracted; he could tell by the way she was pausing fractionally before taking a step. Matching his stride to hers, he kept pace. What was she thinking about?
"Something on your mind?" he asked softly, bending his head slightly towards her as they walked.
Her chin came up sharply and she glanced at him. "Much," she admitted. Her gaze went to their two guides in the front and he understood. Nothing she would say around them. Admitting to anything, even a simple need for assistance was one thing with people you trusted. It was something else when dealing with strangers.
He nodded his understanding. "Later then?"
She nodded once, sharply, but didn't say anything else. She was going to be difficult. He sighed softly. Hopefully when they camped for the night, he'd have a chance to speak with her. They traveled for several hours, taking a quick lunch break around a small pond before continuing on. They passed a mess of different rooms, most old living quarters long abandoned. The sound of creatures scurrying through the dank passages echoed off the walls as they moved further from the grotto. The light source was dim, mostly patched of glowing moss, but allowed them to stay on their feet.
Jacen paused as they came to an intersection. Flynn turned right, what Jacen felt was east, and he frowned. He had the distinct feeling they were being led deeper into the planet's under city than need be. "Flynn."
Flynn stopped, glancing over his shoulder. "Yeah?"
"Where are we going?"
He finally turned and Jacen got a good look at the smirk on his face. "Where you said you wanted me to take you. The swimming hole is this way. Don't tell me you think I got you lost, Jacen."
Jacen shrugged, "It just seems like we're traveling down an awful lot when we want to reach the surface."
"Hey man, I'm just taking the way I know. There's an exit this way, about eight hours from the swimming hole, but if you just want to go straight up be my guest. Those warriors looking for ways to gain glory prowl the upper levels."
"In other words this is the round about way?"
"Something like that. You're more than welcome to go straight up with those lightsabers of yours though."
Jacen glanced at Tenel Ka. If they wanted out, they could, but it would involve fighting their way out. She shook her head. "We will continue with you, Flynn," she told him solemnly.
Flynn looked at her curiously. "Man, doesn't your chick ever smile?"
Tenel Ka's lips flattened in a firm line and Flynn stepped back under the sudden, intense scrutiny of her gaze. "I am not a 'chick'." She told him flatly.
Jacen placed a hand on her shoulder, "I'd suggest you show her some respect, Flynn," he offered dryly. "She's a very powerful Jedi Knight and she has remarkable restraint, but you're pushing her patience."
Tenel Ka shrugged his hand off. "I speak for myself."
Jacen shrugged, stepping back, and met Flynn's gaze.
Flynn held up his hands as if in surrender. "I... I'm sorry, Tenel, I swear, I-"
"My name." She said succinctly, "Is Tenel Ka. Do not think to shorten it."
Flynn stumbled, almost going down, but managed to catch himself on the wall. "I'm sorry, Tenel Ka. I won't... I uh... I won't do it again."
She held him in her gaze for a moment more before nodding sharply. "See that you do not."
Flynn spun and almost ran through the halls towards their next destination. Nicha was close behind him, seeming to have thought better about confronting the warrior woman, and Vola laughed. "She of flame, I have aptly named you. You are truly a warrior."
Tenel Ka said nothing, simply followed Flynn and Nicha. Jacen chuckled softly. She of flame. After that confrontation, he was inclined to agree with Vola. It was a fitting nick name for Tenel Ka. A little different, perhaps, but then so was she. He stepped into the tunnel to follow her, Vola taking up the rear guard, and quick stepped until he reached her side.
She glanced at him. "I fight my own battles. Do not presume to speak for me."
"My apologies, your highness," he said softly, "I was simply trying to make sure you didn't tear a strip off our tour guide."
She didn't say anything and Jacen lapsed back into silence. So much for communicating. The tension level between them was climbing, he could feel it as if it were a tangible thing, and didn't have a clue how to snap it. Would she listen to reason? Probably not after that confrontation with Flynn... and that wasn't even because of what Flynn had said. She'd been lashing out indirectly at him; Flynn had just been in the way. At least, that's how it seemed.
Tenel Ka didn't look at Jacen as she walked behind a fleeing Flynn and Nicha. How dare he! How dare he speak for her, especially after what she'd told him! She was silently fuming, a part of her trying to rationalize her outburst, yet knowing she shouldn't have taken it out on Flynn. But wasn't she blowing this out of proportion? She almost paused in her step. Was she really angry with Jacen about speaking for her or was she simply grasping it as a reason to snap? If she was honest with herself, she was simply looking for a reason to push him away. She didn't like feeling this vulnerable; this exposed. She swallowed with difficulty. She was simply making it harder on them both. He didn't deserve this and neither did Flynn. Though, snapping at him had been fun; he was a coward at heart and wouldn't stand up in the face of danger.
Jacen walked quietly beside her, the pressure between them fairly humming with its intensity. Every step she took, every step closer to where they'd have to camp for the night, her shoulders tightened. Her head began to ache as the muscles in her neck clenched painfully. If she survived this trek intact, she'd be amazed. Intact? She almost frowned. She hadn't been intact since Jacen had come back into her life. She was already breaking to pieces. Her control was intact, but what good was it?
She placed one foot in front of the other, not really paying attention to her surroundings. She trusted Jacen to watch out for her, even though her instincts screamed at her she couldn't afford the time for introspection. Yet her heart and mind insisted. She had to think now, to sort through everything, because this was the only time she'd have. In a few short hours her guides would tell them it was time to make camp and she'd be expected to share a bedroll, a bed, with Jacen. The thought was enough to make her freeze.
What would he expect from her when they did? Would it have something to do with that datarod she'd found? Would he run his hands down her back as he had before? Igniting fires and flames she had no chance of fighting? Would he kiss her? The very thought sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine. Would she be able to resist him if he asked for more? She wasn't sure. An image formed in her mind. One of strong male arms wrapped around her waist, a muscled chest pressed against hers, skin sliding against skin... she shook her head violently to get the image out of her mind. Where had that come from?
"Something the matter, Tenel Ka?"
She glanced at him, suddenly realizing she'd been shaking her head as if in denial of something terrible. Heat flooded her cheeks but she met his gaze squarely. "No. Nothing."
He looked at her skeptically. "Are you sure? Flynn says we're almost to our campsite."
The heat drained from her face. "Already?" she looked around, seeing that Vola had joined Nicha and the two were arguing softly about something. Flynn was nowhere in sight, but that didn't mean he wasn't around. "Are you certain?"
Jacen nodded, stopping, and let Vola and Nicha move further ahead as he grabbed her arm to hold her back. "What's bothering you?"
She glanced down the passageway. "Much. But we cannot talk here."
He glanced both ways, certain they had little time before one of their guides discovered their absence. "Tenel Ka, I want you to know that no matter what they expect, I won't do anything you don't want me to."
She swallowed hard. "That is what frightens me."
"Wha-"
"Something the matter, Great One?"
They both looked up as Vola's voice cut him off. Jacen wanted to pull his hair out with frustration. What had she meant by that? He bit his lip to keep from asking and managed to find a smile. "Nothing, Vola, lead on."
He looked at Tenel Ka but she couldn't meet his gaze as they continued towards the area they'd make camp that night. Her last words chased each other around in his head and the conclusion he drew was startling. Had she meant she wouldn't resist him? He hoped not. He was already pushed to the limits of his control, beyond them. Holding her in his arms for the night had the potential of driving him over the edge but if she... he shook his head. No. He couldn't let things go that far, not until they spoke their vows. He owed her that much. Dragging his thoughts back to the present he stretched out with the Force and searched for their guide. Better to keep his mind off the coming night. Soon enough they'd have to deal with it. Getting stressed out before the fact wasn't going to help.
They stopped in an area of small, interconnected rooms, one of which sported an open pool in a lichen-covered alcove. A small waterfall acted as a shower, the pool extending into the room below and, from the look of it, underwater a ways. There was only one way in. Flynn pulled a curtain from the far end of the waterfall, the fabric wet and heavy, before he hung it over the entrance. "You can swim in there, man," he nodded towards the pool.
Jacen looked around, curiously. The Pool wasn't the only room with only one exit. There were two smaller rooms, one with the ceiling half caved in and blocked, which could be used as sleeping quarters. Nicha was kneeling in the main room, building a fire while Flynn dug through the rubble in several places. Vola stood watch. Flynn looked up as Jacen removed his pack and made to lean it against one wall. "You and Tenel Ka can have that room," he waved Jacen towards the one room that held a semblance of being a bedroom. "We wouldn't want to intrude."
Jacen didn't dare look at Tenel Ka as he lifted his pack with one hand, "Thank you." He replied simply and carried it towards the room Flynn had indicated. He pushed the twisted door completely out of the way and deposited his pack by the entrance. The room was damp, covered by a soft coating of moss thanks to the closeness of the waterfall.
"Jacen."
He turned as Tenel Ka ducked into the room, lifting his hands. "Can I take your pack?"
She swallowed hard, her eyes darting about the room before she nodded reluctantly. He pulled it quickly from her shoulders and placed it next to his before turning to face her again. She was standing several feet from him, her gaze scanning the room. Without thinking of the consequences, he slid his hands under her hair, placing them on her shoulders and gently began to knead the tight muscles. She froze under his hands. "Relax," he urged her softly.
"I cannot." Her words were a whisper.
Jacen could feel her trembling. He glanced behind him, finding their companions otherwise occupied, and bent his head, his breath feathering across her cheek. "Why? You've been alone with me for days. We've been alone before and nothing has happened."
Her head fell forward, exposing her neck as her hair fell on either side of her shoulders down her chest. She made a soft sound of half-pleasure, half-protest. "That was different."
"How?" he leaned forward more, stepping closer so that there was little space between them. If he inhaled too deeply his chest would brush her back. The nape of her neck was tempting and he fought the urge to place a gentle kiss on her soft skin.
"I had not... We were not... Jacen." She gasped as his hands stilled for a moment, sliding slightly down over her collar bone.
"Yes?"
She lifted her head, which felt incredibly heavy, and looked back, over her shoulder into his brown eyes. "Please?" she whispered softly, her voice holding a tortured note he'd never heard.
His gaze dropped to her trembling lips before he met her gaze again. "Please what?"
She shook her head mutely, unable to speak and Jacen was startled to see panic rising in her eyes. He released her immediately, his hands reluctantly sliding from her skin and falling to his sides. He was shaking as badly as she. He took several steps back, putting some distance between them and closed his eyes. What had just happened? He inhaled deeply, forcing himself to calm down, before opening his eyes.
Tenel Ka had slid to the ground, her back to him, her shoulders hunched forward in a protective posture. He frowned, his forehead creasing in concern. He'd never, ever seen her take that kind of posture before. "Tenel Ka?"
She didn't move for a long moment before her back finally straightened and her shoulders came back. She rose gracefully to her feet and faced him. "I wish to swim."
"Tenel Ka, we-"
She held up her hand, stopping him. "Do not. There will be time to speak afterwards." Too much time.
Jacen sighed softly. Fine. She needed time, and space, to relax and he could appreciate that. He could do with a little space himself. Space in a cold pond preferably. He nodded to her went to the door, blocking any field of view with his body.
"What are you doing?"
"Giving you privacy to change. Hurry up, they're cooking something that smells delicious over that fire of theirs."
Tenel Ka looked cautiously at his back before crossing to her pack and pulling her sleeping suit from it. It could double as her bathing suit. If they lit a small fire in their room... she swallowed hard, stopping her thoughts. She couldn't think about it, her reaction to having him so close just now should have been proof enough of that. A rigorous swim would help expel some of her restless energy. Or so she hoped. Putting her back to Jacen, she stripped quickly, changing into what she could swim in and turned. "I am finished."
He looked back at her over his shoulder, his eyes widening. "You're not..."
"I am."
He turned, glancing to where Flynn was deep in discussion with Nicha about something, before crossing the room to her. "No, if Flynn sees you in that..."
"He will not touch me," she told him seriously. "He is afraid of me."
Jacen chuckled, gently grasping one of her braids in his fingers and rubbing it between his thumb and forefinger. "I don't mean to be jealous. I just don't like the thought of him seeing you in that. However, I suppose you have to swim in something."
She nodded once, stepping away from him as her skin tingled in a reminder of his touch. "We will need a fire to dry ourselves," she told him, ever practical, yet only grabbing it as an excuse. "Is that possible?"
"I'll have Nicha build one while we swim."
She nodded again. "Very well. Would you like me to block the door?"
"Unless you'd rather watch?"
She felt heat crawling up her neck. "I would not." She spun on her heel and marched into the doorway.
Jacen's smile died. Good thing she hadn't said yes. He stripped off his pants, leaving his shorts underneath and kicked off his sandals. The moss was soft, spongy beneath his feet. "Done."
She simply glanced at him, nodded once, and entered the main room. Jacen hurried to join her, pointedly ignoring the looks they were getting. "Nicha?"
"Yes Jacen?" she fairly purred the words, her gaze looking him over hungrily.
"Could you build a small fire in our room? We'll need to dry our clothing after our swim."
She arched an eyebrow. "Just throw them out here, we'll spread them out and you can be comfortable."
He almost screamed. Insufferable woman, she was looking for a way to out wit him. "That would work, but the room is damp and sleeping on wet ground has never appealed to me. Please?"
"Just do it, Nicha."
She glared darkly at Flynn before retuning her smile to Jacen. "No problem, sugar."
"Thank you." He followed the path Tenel Ka had taken towards the large pool, his mind already skipping ahead to that night. This was going to be interesting.