Hearts Are Meant To, Chapter 25
By Knight Mara
A/N: This is a relatively short chapter. The next chapter is very long, though, so it evens out.
Genna and Luke walked swiftly down the empty corridor toward the officers' lounge with Wedge right behind them. Genna couldn't help but feel a deep sense of unease about this whole plan, even if she had been the one who thought of it. It was too rushed for her tastes, too chancy. Yet, they hadn't had much choice. Laire was getting impatient now, and they had to act quickly. She only hoped that her haste wouldn't cost them their lives.
She felt a sudden tug on her hand where Luke held it and was stunned for a moment when he pulled her into a small kitchen area, telling Wedge, "Excuse us for just a minute." As soon as the door had shut behind them, he took her face in his hands and pressed his lips to hers. The suddenness of the action surprised her, as did the unmistakable heated passion that seemed to be rolling off Luke in waves. They remained pressed against each other for what seemed like an eternity, until the need to breathe pulled them both apart.
Genna grinned self-consciously, a warm blush darkening the soft brown skin of her cheeks. Trying to gain some semblance of control over herself, she quipped, "Don't tell me your going to spout one of those 'This could be our last moment together' lines."
Luke shook his head slightly, his light blue eyes never straying from her own. "Nope." He kissed her lightly.
"You're that confident in this plan, then?" she asked when her lips were free to speak.
Luke chuckled slightly, kissing her again. "Nope," he murmured, deepening the kiss once more.
Genna found her arms circling his back as she pressed against him, her fingers grasping his soft hair. She tried to speak between intermittent kisses. "Then why . . .did you . . .leave Antilles . . .out there alone . . .in the hall?"
"Trust me," Luke replied, speaking between kisses as well. "He doesn't . . .want to watch this." Luke pulled away slightly, planting a light kiss on her forehead. "Besides, I just wanted a moment to tell you how much I care about you," he said softly. "I want you to know that no matter what happens, I . . .I think I love you." He dropped his gaze, awkwardly staring down at the floor.
Genna stared at him, speechless. Her body seemed to tingle, even as every muscle seemed to suddenly weaken at his words. They were just words, she told herself; though she knew it wasn't true. They were somehow more, leaving Genna staring wordlessly into Luke's blue eyes while her body didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. Instead, on impulse, she pulled him to her, holding him as tightly as she could as her chin rested on his shoulder, his hair tickling her nose. She never wanted to let go. She blinked unexpectedly blurry eyes, surprised to feel tears run down her face. So she'd opted to cry, she mused to herself, evoking a laugh. Great, now she was doing both.
She felt Luke's hand rub her back, his gentle touch causing her to tremble as she squeezed him tighter. Force, she didn't want to go! She didn't want to walk into that room and face uncertainty with both of their lives in the balance! She wanted to stay with him, here, where she felt safe for the first time since she'd left Alderaan. Her heart willed it, even though her head knew they both had a job to do. She released her hold on him, and stepped back, looking into his eyes once more. She saw deep concern in them.
"What is it?" he asked. Clearly, he was alarmed by her tears.
She quickly brushed them away. "Nothing, it's just—"
There was a knock at the door. "Uh, guys," Wedge's voice called from the other side. "I don't wanna know what you're doing in there, but time is of the essence."
Genna watched as Luke sighed in resignation and opened the door. A very impatient Wedge Antilles stood on the other side, looking at them in annoyance.
"Are you two finished?" Wedge asked.
Luke nodded. "And I think we found the perfect spot for you to wait for us. Hang out in here and close the door. If you hear anything, or if we haven't come out of there by 0130, contact Narra."
"Where's the lounge?"
Luke pointed down the corridor. "There, on the far end."
Wedge gave an affirmative nod. "Just hope I'm not too far away." He gripped Luke's hand. "Good luck, boss." The Corellian's eyes held deep sincerity. And worry.
Genna shivered involuntarily at the sight, a feeling of unworthiness creeping up on her. Every bit of elation she'd felt at Luke's stammered confession evaporated. What right had she to Luke's heart? He was so well liked, so talented, so vital to the Rebellion. And what was she? A woman plagued by the suspicions of others since her arrival, who swore revenge against an Empire that still held her captive. She didn't deserve his affections, his love. He had been right all along; she was bad luck. If it hadn't been for her, he wouldn't be in the mess he was in now. Laire would have already been captured. Or would he? She bit her lip in frustration, as she watched him exchange a few words with Wedge. Things were too confusing now to see anything clearly. When this was all over, she'd have time to think about it.
Think about what? Giving him up? Denying her heart? Could she really do that? Would it hurt him as well? Too many doubts swirled in her mind, leaving only one clear thought. No matter what, they had to succeed in this. For Luke's sake.
"Ready to go?"
Startled by his question, she looked into his expectant gaze, her random thoughts buried as she hardened her resolve to do whatever she had to do to make sure he got out of this unscathed. "Yes, I'm ready."