Chapter 1
Tess sat down her significantly lighter purse and looked around the run down room that was the result of her inquires. Not having anything better to do she left Millow in the room and headed down to the local market area hoping to find some kind of inspiration for what to do from here. The market wasn't much dusty and crowded but perfect for one looking to lose herself for a few hours.
She was inspecting material for a badly needed new outfit when a sudden commotion down the street caused her to turn around just in time to see a man running straight at her. A moment the man looked up and saw the impending disaster but it was to late for either to do anything as both collided heading ground ward in a tangle of arms and legs. Before she had even realized what had happened, let alone had a chance to recover, a strong hand grabbed her wrist and hauled her to her feet the owner taking off without releasing his grip on her arm and thus dragging her dazed and aching form behind him.
Suddenly he turned down a dark alley, jerking her arm painfully, and around yet another sharp corner. She collided with his backside as he came to an unexpected halt two streets over. The hand holding her spun her around and she found another powerful hand covering her mouth.
Swallowing an urge to scream she fought the restraint. Despite all her fighting she still remained firm in his grasp. A voice whispering in her ear, so close she could feel his breath stir her hair, told her to be still unless she intended to get them both caught. She stilled slowly but remained stiff in his grasp refusing to submit to this indignity.
An eternity latter five men wearing what looked to be the local police colors ran down the ally and past their hiding spot. Another few min. past with no more sign of pursuit and the grip on her wrist slowly began to relax until finally she was set free.
As soon as she felt the pressure release she spun to face her attacker preparing to defend herself. Dark Brown eyes faced her own blue as they stared at each other. He was the first to look away with a shrug and backed up a few step so she could get a better look at him.
He had a boyish appearance, tall, towering well over her own 5'3, with long black curly hair, dust covered from the fall, restrained in a ponytail at the back of his head. He wore a worn homespun shirt and pants along with a silly grin. "Sorry." He apologized in a voice that matched his grin. " I was kind of in a hurry and didn't see you until to late. I hope I didn't hurt you."
He was male. Male and touching her. The knowledge swamped her. Her hatred of everything male rose like bile in her throat. She nearly kicked him, but instead managed, what she thought at least, was a very civil "No I'm fine". She turned her back on him to leave but his voice stopped her "Well can I at least have your name?" he inquired. She thought once again of kicking him or of better yet telling him exactly what she thought of his kind but instead turned once more to leave.
Footsteps followed her departure but she refused to look back, part of her defiant and the other part afraid of what she might see. When the footsteps persisted for anther two blocks she finally turned on him and demanded with more venom then strictly necessary. "Do you always stock the people you knock over or are you making an exception for me?" Her tone caused him to take a step back but he quickly recovered his balance and replied calmly. "I was just waiting for you to answer me." "Answer you what? You should be happy that I haven't called the guard!" she said testily "Your name." he said as if it was the most apparent thing in the world. "If I tell you will you leave me alone?" He nodded and mumbled something about her manners that didn't sound like a compliment. He should comment about his own abominable manners she though to herself but out loud she said simply "Tess." and turned to go.
At about that same moment she heard a muffled shout from down the street "That's him over there, get him!" She turned to see 3 men in the same outfits as before hurrying their way through the crowd toward where they stood. She looked at the man standing beside her and caught his eye for the briefest moment. What she saw there made her forget momentarily that he was male and said hurriedly "Quick this way" and took off down the street reassured when she heard his foot steps following.
Breaking into a run and muttering about how they would probably think they were together so she was saving her own butt not his. She took the back way to the inn where she was staying at and did not stop until she was safely in her room the door slammed shut as soon as he had crossed the threshold, jamming bolts into place.
It took a moment for them both to catch their breaths as she hurried into the little kitchen nook leaving him alone in the bedroom. When she got the courage to return she found him sitting on her bed stroking Millow. Him sitting on her bed as if he owned it, stoking Millow who to all appearances seemed to be enjoying it, the traitor. They waited in silence until sure there was to be no pursuit.
"Chade." His unexpected voice startled her. "Chade" He repeated. "My name is Chade Narseaa and I'm pleased to make your acquaintance." His surprisingly gentle voice, like he was wooing a startled deer, made her stop and look at him again. A soft mouth in a sensitive face covered in dirt with a fresh cut atop his brow. Those brown eyes looked back at her appraisingly. "I'll go get something to wash that with." "What?" it was his turn to be surprised. "That cut." he placed a hand on his brow wincing and with that she turned to leave. She returned wet towel in hand to remove the cat from his lap and hand him the towel, which he promptly used to clean his face.
She waited quietly until he finished. Appraising him-who-would-barge-in-on- her-life. Conveniently forgetting that she didn't have much of a life at the moment. He didn't look like a man that would take advantage of an unwilling woman but you could never be sure and his actions so far weren't reassuring. He finished with the towel and handed it back to her. As she turned to return the towel to the kitchen and get them both something to drink he said "Thank you for helping me" dark eyes still measuring made her feel uncomfortable. Deciding that bluntness was her best defense she asked without preamble "What did you do?" He looked down and away from her. "I have something they want," he said vaguely. "What?" she insisted. "Oh just some plans and papers and such" She should have guessed it, he was a thief. Of course he was male wasn't he.
Resisting the urge to throw him out then and there, and not by means of the door, she stared back at him and stated sharply. "So you're a thieve, I probably should have left you to them, then." and then "Males" she spat out like a curse. "Listen you don't understand!" he said throwing his hands up in an imploring/ defensive position. "Those weren't the local cops they were..." A insistent knocking coming from the door stopped him mid-sentence as a voice commanded "open up in there" They looked at each other as the pounding grew in ferocity until he said "come with me, grab your stuff." at her look he explained "if they find you here with me do you think they'll just let you walk away?" That got through to her. As she hurried to comply he asked if there was any other way out. She pointed toward the window which a short while ago she had contemplated throwing him out. Tossing her pack on her shoulder and grabbing Millow, she hadn't even had the chance to unpack, she followed him out the window.
When they reached the ally below and saw that all was clear she whispered fiercely "Where are we going?" Without slowing or looking back he replied "to the spaceport. I have a ship docked there" Just then they heard a loud crash. The sound of the door giving way she guessed and as one they broke into a run. Rounding the last corner they entered the rundown hanger and ran for the ship.
As soon as she boarded the hatch closed and the ship blasted into the air leaving the earth and their pursuers far behind. As they settled in and prepared for the jump into hyperspace she demanded, "What the hell is going on here?" He looked at her and the unnerved cat as if seeing them for the first time and replied "I work for the Muhic corp." then he added lamely "how would you like a job?" "A little late for that isn't it" she countered.
He was explaining something or anther but she wasn't listening. It had been a long day that had ended with her stuck with a male she knew almost nothing about on a space ship headed away from everything she knew. Her eyes drooped heavily and when he noticed he directed her to the small room that served as the ships only cabin and to a bed that look very inviting then quickly left her alone to return to the helm.
She woke from dreams of bloated corps with a start a few hours latter to realize she was in a strange room with a strange man sleeping on the floor by her bed. Without thinking she screamed, grabbing at the blankets and dislodging a groggy cat from his place at the foot of the bed. Startled the man jumped to his feet brandishing a knife and scaring her farther. She grabbed at the very unhappy Millow and backed into the wall gathering breathe for another scream, when memory came rushing back. That strange man had a name. Chade, and they had just had a very interesting day but this new knowledge did nothing to calm the fear of a man holding a knife like he knew how to use it in her room. Realizing what was going on Chade dropped the knife and stepped toward the wall where a very frightened Tess stood.
His movement caused her to back up even farther against the wall if that was possible and gather her burden of cat and blanket even closer to her chest, which brought an undignified squeak from the offended feline. Changing tactics he spoke soothingly " Easy, Calm down Tess it's just me. Everything's ok, we're away from Antoine. Your safe." His attempt at calming her only brought on her anger and she found herself wanting to hit, kick, and scream at him for scaring her like that but settled for a series of curses that would have had her mother turning in her grave.
That though sobered her immediately. She was alone, well except for Millow, and had no relations to turn to. Stuck with this awful male headed to a place she had never even heard of. All of this realization was too much for her frayed nerves to handle as she finally submitted to the fears she had been holding at bay. As she began to weep, her knees buckled and he swept over to catch her fall and cradled her in his arms rocking her gently. She was aware of warm arms encircled her but this only caused her to cry harder.
When the episode finally passed and she became aware of sitting on the ships floor with Chade's arms around her she quickly straightened up dislodging both cat and man. "I take it you are feeling better." he asked with more sincerity then she believed she deserved after an episode like that. Why she hadn't wept like that in front of another human in years. She blushed. Seeing her blush he looked away and blushed in turn but for entirely different reasons. "Would you like something to eat?" he asked. A nod was all of the response he received but when he bent to recover his knife and left the cabin she followed.
They shared a silent meal of ship rations, which was filling if not entirely satisfying, by the time they finished she had recovered enough to ask " so where are we going exactly?" "A small planet in the Tangor system where we will transfer the information I gathered onto another ship" then not looking at her he commented "If you would like I can drop you off when we get there." His seeming willingness to be rid of her sparked her temper once more. He had no right, no right at all! "I will stay." she replied coldly then though to herself stupid, he gave you a chance to be rid of him and you said no. Stupid. A minute of awkward silence passed until she asked "so how long until we arrive at this planet."
"A few more hours. You might want to get some more sleep. You look like your about to drop" Offended that he would speak so familiarly to her but unable to deny the truth of his words she reluctantly headed back to the cabin and curled up in the bed under all the blankets.
Tess sat down her significantly lighter purse and looked around the run down room that was the result of her inquires. Not having anything better to do she left Millow in the room and headed down to the local market area hoping to find some kind of inspiration for what to do from here. The market wasn't much dusty and crowded but perfect for one looking to lose herself for a few hours.
She was inspecting material for a badly needed new outfit when a sudden commotion down the street caused her to turn around just in time to see a man running straight at her. A moment the man looked up and saw the impending disaster but it was to late for either to do anything as both collided heading ground ward in a tangle of arms and legs. Before she had even realized what had happened, let alone had a chance to recover, a strong hand grabbed her wrist and hauled her to her feet the owner taking off without releasing his grip on her arm and thus dragging her dazed and aching form behind him.
Suddenly he turned down a dark alley, jerking her arm painfully, and around yet another sharp corner. She collided with his backside as he came to an unexpected halt two streets over. The hand holding her spun her around and she found another powerful hand covering her mouth.
Swallowing an urge to scream she fought the restraint. Despite all her fighting she still remained firm in his grasp. A voice whispering in her ear, so close she could feel his breath stir her hair, told her to be still unless she intended to get them both caught. She stilled slowly but remained stiff in his grasp refusing to submit to this indignity.
An eternity latter five men wearing what looked to be the local police colors ran down the ally and past their hiding spot. Another few min. past with no more sign of pursuit and the grip on her wrist slowly began to relax until finally she was set free.
As soon as she felt the pressure release she spun to face her attacker preparing to defend herself. Dark Brown eyes faced her own blue as they stared at each other. He was the first to look away with a shrug and backed up a few step so she could get a better look at him.
He had a boyish appearance, tall, towering well over her own 5'3, with long black curly hair, dust covered from the fall, restrained in a ponytail at the back of his head. He wore a worn homespun shirt and pants along with a silly grin. "Sorry." He apologized in a voice that matched his grin. " I was kind of in a hurry and didn't see you until to late. I hope I didn't hurt you."
He was male. Male and touching her. The knowledge swamped her. Her hatred of everything male rose like bile in her throat. She nearly kicked him, but instead managed, what she thought at least, was a very civil "No I'm fine". She turned her back on him to leave but his voice stopped her "Well can I at least have your name?" he inquired. She thought once again of kicking him or of better yet telling him exactly what she thought of his kind but instead turned once more to leave.
Footsteps followed her departure but she refused to look back, part of her defiant and the other part afraid of what she might see. When the footsteps persisted for anther two blocks she finally turned on him and demanded with more venom then strictly necessary. "Do you always stock the people you knock over or are you making an exception for me?" Her tone caused him to take a step back but he quickly recovered his balance and replied calmly. "I was just waiting for you to answer me." "Answer you what? You should be happy that I haven't called the guard!" she said testily "Your name." he said as if it was the most apparent thing in the world. "If I tell you will you leave me alone?" He nodded and mumbled something about her manners that didn't sound like a compliment. He should comment about his own abominable manners she though to herself but out loud she said simply "Tess." and turned to go.
At about that same moment she heard a muffled shout from down the street "That's him over there, get him!" She turned to see 3 men in the same outfits as before hurrying their way through the crowd toward where they stood. She looked at the man standing beside her and caught his eye for the briefest moment. What she saw there made her forget momentarily that he was male and said hurriedly "Quick this way" and took off down the street reassured when she heard his foot steps following.
Breaking into a run and muttering about how they would probably think they were together so she was saving her own butt not his. She took the back way to the inn where she was staying at and did not stop until she was safely in her room the door slammed shut as soon as he had crossed the threshold, jamming bolts into place.
It took a moment for them both to catch their breaths as she hurried into the little kitchen nook leaving him alone in the bedroom. When she got the courage to return she found him sitting on her bed stroking Millow. Him sitting on her bed as if he owned it, stoking Millow who to all appearances seemed to be enjoying it, the traitor. They waited in silence until sure there was to be no pursuit.
"Chade." His unexpected voice startled her. "Chade" He repeated. "My name is Chade Narseaa and I'm pleased to make your acquaintance." His surprisingly gentle voice, like he was wooing a startled deer, made her stop and look at him again. A soft mouth in a sensitive face covered in dirt with a fresh cut atop his brow. Those brown eyes looked back at her appraisingly. "I'll go get something to wash that with." "What?" it was his turn to be surprised. "That cut." he placed a hand on his brow wincing and with that she turned to leave. She returned wet towel in hand to remove the cat from his lap and hand him the towel, which he promptly used to clean his face.
She waited quietly until he finished. Appraising him-who-would-barge-in-on- her-life. Conveniently forgetting that she didn't have much of a life at the moment. He didn't look like a man that would take advantage of an unwilling woman but you could never be sure and his actions so far weren't reassuring. He finished with the towel and handed it back to her. As she turned to return the towel to the kitchen and get them both something to drink he said "Thank you for helping me" dark eyes still measuring made her feel uncomfortable. Deciding that bluntness was her best defense she asked without preamble "What did you do?" He looked down and away from her. "I have something they want," he said vaguely. "What?" she insisted. "Oh just some plans and papers and such" She should have guessed it, he was a thief. Of course he was male wasn't he.
Resisting the urge to throw him out then and there, and not by means of the door, she stared back at him and stated sharply. "So you're a thieve, I probably should have left you to them, then." and then "Males" she spat out like a curse. "Listen you don't understand!" he said throwing his hands up in an imploring/ defensive position. "Those weren't the local cops they were..." A insistent knocking coming from the door stopped him mid-sentence as a voice commanded "open up in there" They looked at each other as the pounding grew in ferocity until he said "come with me, grab your stuff." at her look he explained "if they find you here with me do you think they'll just let you walk away?" That got through to her. As she hurried to comply he asked if there was any other way out. She pointed toward the window which a short while ago she had contemplated throwing him out. Tossing her pack on her shoulder and grabbing Millow, she hadn't even had the chance to unpack, she followed him out the window.
When they reached the ally below and saw that all was clear she whispered fiercely "Where are we going?" Without slowing or looking back he replied "to the spaceport. I have a ship docked there" Just then they heard a loud crash. The sound of the door giving way she guessed and as one they broke into a run. Rounding the last corner they entered the rundown hanger and ran for the ship.
As soon as she boarded the hatch closed and the ship blasted into the air leaving the earth and their pursuers far behind. As they settled in and prepared for the jump into hyperspace she demanded, "What the hell is going on here?" He looked at her and the unnerved cat as if seeing them for the first time and replied "I work for the Muhic corp." then he added lamely "how would you like a job?" "A little late for that isn't it" she countered.
He was explaining something or anther but she wasn't listening. It had been a long day that had ended with her stuck with a male she knew almost nothing about on a space ship headed away from everything she knew. Her eyes drooped heavily and when he noticed he directed her to the small room that served as the ships only cabin and to a bed that look very inviting then quickly left her alone to return to the helm.
She woke from dreams of bloated corps with a start a few hours latter to realize she was in a strange room with a strange man sleeping on the floor by her bed. Without thinking she screamed, grabbing at the blankets and dislodging a groggy cat from his place at the foot of the bed. Startled the man jumped to his feet brandishing a knife and scaring her farther. She grabbed at the very unhappy Millow and backed into the wall gathering breathe for another scream, when memory came rushing back. That strange man had a name. Chade, and they had just had a very interesting day but this new knowledge did nothing to calm the fear of a man holding a knife like he knew how to use it in her room. Realizing what was going on Chade dropped the knife and stepped toward the wall where a very frightened Tess stood.
His movement caused her to back up even farther against the wall if that was possible and gather her burden of cat and blanket even closer to her chest, which brought an undignified squeak from the offended feline. Changing tactics he spoke soothingly " Easy, Calm down Tess it's just me. Everything's ok, we're away from Antoine. Your safe." His attempt at calming her only brought on her anger and she found herself wanting to hit, kick, and scream at him for scaring her like that but settled for a series of curses that would have had her mother turning in her grave.
That though sobered her immediately. She was alone, well except for Millow, and had no relations to turn to. Stuck with this awful male headed to a place she had never even heard of. All of this realization was too much for her frayed nerves to handle as she finally submitted to the fears she had been holding at bay. As she began to weep, her knees buckled and he swept over to catch her fall and cradled her in his arms rocking her gently. She was aware of warm arms encircled her but this only caused her to cry harder.
When the episode finally passed and she became aware of sitting on the ships floor with Chade's arms around her she quickly straightened up dislodging both cat and man. "I take it you are feeling better." he asked with more sincerity then she believed she deserved after an episode like that. Why she hadn't wept like that in front of another human in years. She blushed. Seeing her blush he looked away and blushed in turn but for entirely different reasons. "Would you like something to eat?" he asked. A nod was all of the response he received but when he bent to recover his knife and left the cabin she followed.
They shared a silent meal of ship rations, which was filling if not entirely satisfying, by the time they finished she had recovered enough to ask " so where are we going exactly?" "A small planet in the Tangor system where we will transfer the information I gathered onto another ship" then not looking at her he commented "If you would like I can drop you off when we get there." His seeming willingness to be rid of her sparked her temper once more. He had no right, no right at all! "I will stay." she replied coldly then though to herself stupid, he gave you a chance to be rid of him and you said no. Stupid. A minute of awkward silence passed until she asked "so how long until we arrive at this planet."
"A few more hours. You might want to get some more sleep. You look like your about to drop" Offended that he would speak so familiarly to her but unable to deny the truth of his words she reluctantly headed back to the cabin and curled up in the bed under all the blankets.