Carth searched with an air of terrified hysteria, getting lost because of his frantic search that covered about a block. He sighed and stopped, knowing he'd passed the very same store at least three times. He sat on the bench near the square of plants inserted into the gray, industrial area and rubbed his temples.
"HK is right, you suck with directions." He started at Saleairy's voice so close. He turned and found her standing near the other side of the planter.
"Where did you come from?" Carth said. He got up and before he got any closer, he stopped himself, wringing his hands.
"I was here for all four of your frantic run bys." Saleairy said.
"Why didn't you say anything?" Carth asked, deflated.
"Don't get defensive." Saleairy said.
"I'm sorry." Carth said.
"Don't just cave and give me an apology. You can't get away with that anymore. I want to know why you said what you did." Saleairy said.
"I was upset. I hate seeing Telos like this." Carth said, collapsing on the bench looking defeated.
"I know. There's something else." Saleairy said. She stood up and stretched, clamping down her impatience as Carth looked at her.
"I don't want you to feel my pain." Carth said.
"Carth, don't be such a dunce." She turned from him to keep herself from kicking him.
"What? Isn't it noble to want you to be happy? I don't like it when you feel pain for me." She turned to him and he realized she was struggling not to inflict physical pain on him.
"I don't feel pain for you, I feel pain with you. That implies that I care about you and by asking me not to feel pain for you, you're asking me not to love you." She muttered something nobility and Carth blinked.
"Did you just say that a Gizka has more nobility than me?" Carth peered at her.
"Yes. And I meant it. You hurt me more than anything I've ever felt because you didn't want me to feel pain. Where is the logic?" Her fist twitched and Carth sighed.
"I have communication issues." Carth said. He got up and paced, feeling too vulnerable sitting.
"You're lucky you don't have more 'communications issues' after upsetting me like that. How would communications be missing a few teeth?" Saleairy breathed.
"I am sorry. I just, didn't want you pain to be on my account." Carth said.
"So you inflicted pain instead? All right, I'm done trying to explain why what you did was dumb. I'm just going to ensure you don't do it again." Saleairy said. She got out a small blaster and Carth blinked. She had to be joking. She wouldn't-
"How cute." Carth said. She set it to stun and fluttered her eyelashes at him.
"I'm glad one of us finds the situation amusing for the moment." Saleairy said.
"Saleairy-" Carth kept himself from screaming when she jumped at him. She jumped into him and entwined herself into his frame. Carth opened his eyes and unclenched his jaw when he realized she had been joking. He wrapped his arms around her and she rested her head against his shoulder. She giggled at him sighing in obvious relief.
"Before you forget the absolute terror you just experienced, let me assure you, next time, I will do it." Saleairy said; her voice muffled by Carth's jacket.
"Ah huh." Carth said. He started when he felt the blaster tickle his thigh.
"I could do it this time if you want proof." Saleairy's voice was a low growl.
"I'm fine." Carth's voice cracked and Saleairy laughed.
"So you're going to let me help you through this?" Saleairy asked.
"Yes. I need help." Carth kissed her forehead and she pulled him closer.
"It's probably strange for you to have someone to share your pain with after being alone for so long." Saleairy said.
"Yes, it's nice though. I'm glad you're here with me." Carth kissed her forehead.
"All right, enough with the mushy lovey dovey stuff. We should go to the hotel and figure out what we're doing here." Her kept his arm around her shoulders as they walked towards the hotel.
"Should we pretend to be arguing still?" Carth said.
"Do you want Canderous to go Mandalorian on you? He will." Saleairy said.
"How do you know?" Carth said.
"We had a chat about loyalties." Saleairy said.
"Loyalties? He has loyalties?" Carth asked.
"To me." Saleairy said.
"What did he mean by that?" Carth asked.
"I think he was implying that if I decided to fire you as my manly protector, he'd be a bigger, better stand in." Saleairy said. Carth's mouth hung open.
"Are you, he doesn't think about you like that, oh my God." Carth swallowed and blinked.
"What?" Saleairy asked.
"He said that?" Carth asked.
"He implied it babe." Saleairy said.
"How did he imply it?" Carth asked.
"Body language."
"Body language?" Carth was raving now. "Body language? Does he think that any sane women would want him as her 'manly protector'?"
"Easy there. He offered because it was obvious that if I had my way, you wouldn't be much of a manly protector anymore." Saleairy said. Carth paled.
"He was moving in on you before I was even out of the picture?" Carth said.
"Carth, we were talking about loyalty. Whatever loyalty means to Canderous is beside the point. Loyalty in my standards means that no one can ever replace you." Carth seemed pacified and Saleairy grinned at him.
"What did you mean by that manly protector comment? How could you make me less of a manly protector-" Carth paled again and stopped talking.
"I'm sure HK isn't the only one who would love to see the blaster on stun applied to a choice area babe."