Tika Dane: Cleanup

By: Myst Dragon

Chapter 2

Earlier, Tika had managed to convince Carth to meet her in the cargo hold 'to talk'. She smiled at her thoughts. It will be the first real chance she's had to be alone with him and she planned on taking full advantage of it. She thought about what she would do, as she walked into the Main Hold and saw Bastila sitting on the couch, sipping a cup of tea. The brunette didn't seem much happier than earlier, but she was definitely more awake! "I might as well get this over with." Tika thought to herself, grimly.

"I trust you have a rational reason for not leaving me to the wisdom of the Jedi Council." Bastila's lips were curled down in a bitter expression.

"Do you remember asking me how I managed to stay true to the light? If it was really so easy, or if I was putting up a front." Tika asked her gently.

Bastila was taken aback; at first believing that the red haired woman was trying to change the subject. "Yes, you told me that you just did what felt right."

Tika sighed. "I'm sorry for how I answered your question then. I failed you then, because I didn't answer you clearly enough." She took a seat next to the brunette. "There really is no simple answer, and you must have been confused by them more because of what you felt of Revan's remains through our bond. I try to think about what harm and what good my actions can do, not that I always have time to think about a mistake I might make." Bastila's sour look seemed to momentarily crack at the other woman's joke. Tika smiled, knowing she was getting through to her. "Life is full of temptations to inch to the Dark Side, but I know the poison for what it is and I have anchored myself in the knowledge that there are many people out there that would be hurt if I gave into those desires."

Bastila sighed and looked at Tika with a cocked eyebrow as she sat her cup on the table. "And I wager there's one in particular you have in mind. The Jedi teach that such strong attachments are dangerous."

Tika smirked. "Now that is getting personal. Love has its risks, but it also has its equal if not greater benefits. The council would lock you up, removed from all temptation, except maybe to have you use your battle meditation with a master or two hovering over you. A person removed from temptation cannot truly understand temptation." Tika gently placed a hand on the woman's chest. "I care about you too much to let them force you to live such a sterile life."

Bastila's face reddened. "I don't think this is..."

Tika couldn't help but chuckle. "Relax. I said that I care about you, not that I wanted to make love to you!"

The brunette stood up, her face that of an indignant noble. "That was completely uncalled for! Why, I should..."

Tika managed to stifle her laugh, smiling at her friend. "But you won't. You're too strong for that, and you'll learn to be stronger when you can fully put people over thoughts of pride and power.

Bastila sighed. "There is some wisdom in what you have said." She seemed to stress the word 'some' very heavily as she spoke. "I would like to finish my tea and meditate it. Maybe I can begin to find some clarity in this mess you've thrust upon me."

The redhead smiled. "I wish you luck, and try to block out our bond for the next few ours, it might disturb your meditation."

The younger Jedi looked back at her dryly. "Thanks for the warning."

As Tika walked through the ship she pulled back her hair, leaving only a few stray locks to frame her face. The woman smiled as she saw Carth waiting for her in the Cargo hold. She took a moment, appreciating his strong features and brown hair, before walking in and locking the door behind her. "So, what did you want to talk about?"

"Actually." He didn't notice the hand she'd sent to work on her belt. "I was hoping we could spar. I think I might be getting out of shape." As Tika finished, she gently pulled her robes open and let them fall; revealing a tight fitting, sleeveless undershirt. It was then than Carth noticed just how well her pants fit her. His eyes couldn't help but wander the curves of her body. Her smile made her face seem warm.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with your shape." He caught himself, suddenly aware of just how many people were on this ship. "Don't you think it would better if you sparred with one of the other Jedi?"

The woman cocked an auburn eyebrow. "Oh, so you'd prefer to see me wrestle with Juhani or Bastila?"

Carth barely managed to keep his face from betraying him as images popped into his mind. "You're not being fair."

"Sometimes you just have to accept life's unfair moments." She turned and walked to another part of the hold, using the Force to move the crates out of the way. She turned and began to take off her boots. She looked up and saw that the Republic soldier was still just standing there. "Well, are you just going to stand there looking pretty, or are you going to take off your shirt, jacket, and boots so we can do this?" Tika teased with a playful grin. "I'd take my shirt off too, but that might prove too much of an unfair distraction for you." Her grin turned into a smirk. "Are you afraid of me, Carth Onasi?"

"You want it, you got it! Just remember you asked for it when you lose." He practically tore the items off as he pulled off his orange jacket and shirt, and then began work on his boots. Tika was not disappointed by the sight, as she returned to removing her own boots.

They soon began the match; dodging, blocking, and sometimes exchanging softened strikes. It was almost as a strange dance. The two circled each other, one studying the other. They looked for weaknesses in each other's defense or method of attack. Something seemed to be between the two as the match went on. Carth Eventually managed to circle around Tika and tried to grab her from behind. He realized too late that she was ready for his attempt to grab her and was surprised as she leaned her body deep and low into his and flipped him onto the floor! She quickly moved on top of him pressing down on his thighs with her shins, and using her hands and outstretched arms to press down his arms. She used the Force to cheat a little to hold him down. "Looks like I've got you. Now what should I do with you?" There was something about her playful look that drew the pilot into her eyes. Tika slowly lowered herself, pressing more of her body against his as she went to kiss him. As their lips were about to meet, the door to the cargo hold flew open. On the other side stood HK-47 and Mission, the twi'lek girl's blue skinned cheeks slightly discolored.

The assassin droid looked at them, the varying glow of his red 'eyes' and his posture; being the only thing readable about him. "Statement: We heard noise coming from this room." His gaze focused more on Carth and his voice seemed to have a hopeful ring to it as he continued. "Query: Has this meatbag attacked you, Master? Shall I terminate him for you?"

Tika sighed, grinning dangerously at HK-47. "So, HK, how much do you think your parts are worth on the market?"

"Concerned answer: Master, I believe that the value of my services far outweighs any credits you might gleam."

The redhead sighed once more, her smile becoming more humored as she looked to Mission. She didn't seem to notice Carth's slight discomfort as her chest pressed more firmly against his. "Doesn't a locked door on this ship equate a request for privacy?" She asked with a slight hint of exasperation in her voice. She looked back at the brown haired man and carefully removed herself, sitting next to him with her legs crossed and her chin resting on her hands. She watched him intently, her smile not leaving her face as he hurriedly dressed and left the room. "Do you have something to say, Mission?"

The alien girl's head tails twitched nervously and she gave the Jedi an innocent look. "Uh… Sorry?"