Shada ran back to her quarters as quickly as she could. She sank heavily onto her bed, her face in her hands. She'd done it. She really had done it. It had taken only a few days and already she'd destroyed the one place which had felt like home to her in a very long time. She was certain that Karrde wouldn't tolerate her punching a commanding officer. Of her punching him.
Sighing she stood up, stared at the door longingly and began to pack her few earthly posessions. There wasn't much to pack. A sad, tired smile etched itself onto her face as she remembered Aves' gracious offer to take her shopping. Now, it'd never happen.
She took her flighsuits from the cupboard. Last but not least, she picked up her trusted blasters and strapped them to her waist. She sank down onto the bed again. Where would she go now ? Where the kriff could she live in peace... and not punch her boss for making a perfectly reasonable observation. While Shada had run down the corridors she had realised that she'd overreacted to Karrde's little disapproval. Shada winced. She'd sure hit him hard. She flexed her hand. It was starting to hurt, badly. She'd have to pick up some ice from the cantina on her way to the docking bay.
Shada hoisted the bag onto her shoulder, gave the room a last farewell look, and opened the door. She came face to face with Karrde who stood uncomfortably, hand ready to knock, on her doorstep. Shada yelped and dropped her bag. Stang, she was easily startled, she berated herself.
Karrde fidgeted uncomfortably, while staring intently at his shoes. Since when did the oh-so-cool captain fidget. Something had to be seriously wrong. Shada regarded the captain expectadly.
Karrde carefully lifted his gaze onto Shada. She noticed the white bandage which surrounded Karrde's nose. They stared at each other in total silence. Shada moved slightly forward, her hand slowly lifting to touch Karrde's poor nose. Guilt engulfed her. How could she have done that to him ? Something was seriously wrong with her.
Karrde noticed Shada's guilty look and lifted his own hand to his beaten nose. He winced when the pain assaulted him, yet again. Quickly he let his hand fall to his side.
« Karrde, I'm so sorry » Shada whispered softly. So softly, that Karrde would've missed it had he not been standing so close to her.
« It wasn't completely your fault, Shada. » Karrde hastily interrupted. « I'm partly to blame too. I said something I obviously shouldn't have. [i] I [/i] 'm sorry. »
« I over reacted. I... » She stopped when she noticed Karrde staring at her bag in her feet.
Karrde looked at her startled. « Where are you going ? » He demanded slightly panicked. He stepped forward and took Shada's arm in his. « Where are you going ? »
Shada suddenly found the corrider extremely interesting and stared at it inbtently. « Away ? » she said avoidingly.
« Away, why ? »
« Oh, Karrde, surely you must understand why I cannot stay. I hit you. I hit a commanding officer, my employee..you. » Shada cried. « It was wrong and still I did it. I should go.» Shada bent down to pick up her bag. Karrde quickly bent down and picked it up for her. Shada looked at him irretably. « Give it to me, Karrde. Don't make this any harder than it already is. Give me my bag. »
Karrde shook his head vehemetly. « No. [i] You [/i] are not going anywhere until we talk. Understood ? Nowhere. And that's final. »
« Karrde. » She said warningly.
« No, Shada. I'm the Captain and I will [i] not [/i] accept your resignation because of some small disagreement we had. We're human too. Humans disagree with each other. It happens. It's over. End of story. Do I make myself clear. » Karrde said his voice determined and firm. A small smile played on his lips. « No running away, no apologies, and most importantly will you go to Jade's wedding with me ? »
Shada stared at him wide-eyed. « What ? ! ? Come again ? ! ?»
Karrde sighed mock tiredly. « Will.. you.. go.. to.. Jade's.. wedding... with.. me ? Or should I say Skywalker's since soon she'll be a Skywalker. Maybe I should... » Karrde babbled on, smiling and watching intently at Shada who was staring at him like a simpleton.
« Let me get this straight. I punch you, you ask me to... a wedding ? Are you sure you're allright. Maybe I should call the medics just in case. » Shada mumbled. « Do you feel feverish, ill in any way ? » she asked Karrde.
Still smiling, Karrde took her comlink and waited for her answer. « Yes or no ? Jade sent me a weddingcard and it said avec, so I figured, who better to come with me than my trusted second-in-command. Not only does she know the inner workings of politics, she can also pack a mean punch, so I should be safe from any possible attacks.» Karrde said, his eyes twinkling mischievously.
Shada blushed at the mention of her punch. She still doubted Karrde's mental condition, but she wouldn't run away. Not anymore.
« Karrde, I'd be honoured to attend the ceremony. » Shada wrinkled her forehead in thought. « I'll just have to go dress shopping first. When is the big occasion ? »
Karrde looked at her warmly, bringing a slight blush onto her cheeks. He chuckled and the customary twinkle was back in his eyes. « In three weeks. The rest of the crew have leave that day and most will be at the ceremony. » Karrde chuckled again. « Jade had a large fan base at this ship. Larger that I think she even imagined. She was their spirited daughter, friend, confidant, their comrade-in-arms. It's not easy to fill her shoes. » Karrde looked at Shada warmly and patted her shoulder. « But you're doing nicely. Very nicely indeed. »
He turned on his heels and marched down the corridor, whistling like a schoolboy. Shada stared after him, debating with herself wheter or not to call the paramedics, just in case it was serious or contageious. Shada smiled at herself. Karrde would never cease to amaze her. She picked up her bag which Karrde had placed on the floor. She walked back into her quarters and unpacked. Maybe everything would be allright from now on. Maybe it really would.