Slowly, Jessica came back from the land of sleep, a smile slowly starting to tease her lips. The warmth she felt was unaccustomed, yet welcomed. She turned over in Michael's embrace and faced him. Although barely awake himself, he smiled. "Hey," he said softly.
"Hey yourself." She wrapped both arms around him, once again forgetting her troubles. Briefly, though, she thought of how she was going to explain this to Jeff.
You don't, a voice said in her head.
What? Who said that?
I did, the voice came again. Michael's voice, through the Force.
She laughed out loud. She had heard of this through her training. When two Jedi Knights were in love, they could feel each other's feelings. But, that was two Jedi Knights. Michael wasn't a Knight, he said so himself. You lied to me those years ago. Why? The knowledge was like a sledge hammer. But, yet, she knew, she had known the whole time.
Easy. It was trust.
Something we both have little of... Jessica added.
Actually, we do. We trust each other. He kissed her softly at first, but then the kiss became deeper, more passionate, as if he was assuring her of his love. Although he had only been onboard for a few days, and of those he spent two with Jessica, he was completely in love with her. Strange the way things turn out. It was almost as if it was--
"Our destiny," she finished aloud for him as she pulled away from him.
"Exactly," he said. He smiled at her, and she smiled back. This was the woman who had finally convinced him of what he should do with the rest of his life. Always keeping her emotions hidden, never letting them out. And yet, he brought them out. He sighed happily, his mind made up. Buried deep in his mind where Jessica couldn't find out, was a burning question. Would she marry him?
The door to Jessica's quarters suddenly chimed. For a split second, they almost panicked, but it ended in silent giggles. So, who cared what they did. After all, they were consenting adults, and it was no one else's business. But, Jessica knew for some reason it should be a secret, and leapt up from the bed. She flung on her robe, almost tripping over clothes that were strewn about.
Stay there, she commanded silently to Michael, a hint of regal bearing showing its face.
She walked into the living room, and smoothed down her hair. She opened the door to see Jeff standing there, a stern look on his face. "What is it," she asked, wondering if he knew.
"There's quite a large fleet here. Smuggling fleet; I believe it's Michael's." He stood there, no emotions toying with his face. He was so glad that they actually could get rid of Michael. He didn't care about releasing him, he just wanted him to go away. Michael would never let him live his parents' death down. And that was something he'd been trying to do for sixteen years.
"Okay. I suppose we should let him go then. I'll go down to his quarters and tell him." I'm not being too quick, am I? she thought. She was rushing him off, but he didn't seem to notice.
"Yes. I'll go to the bridge and wait there for you, Admiral." He then stalked off, seemingly preoccupied.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Jessica went back into the other room. But, the relief passed as she realized Michael was going to leave. And probably never come back. The words came, yet almost painfully. "Jeff said there's a fleet here for you. You can take a shuttle out and get back to your life, I suppose."
She tried to close herself off to him, but to no prevail. After all that happened in two days, he would leave. Just like that. He would go back to his world, and she to hers. He would be getting drunk in cantinas, going home with anyone, just like a smuggler. She would be doing paper work, war games, just like a good admiral should.
"Don't think that, Jessica. I would never do that to you. Never," Michael whispered in her ear. He took a deep breath. Now for the words that he longed to say, but didn't know how, or just when to say them. "I love you."
He turned her to face him. "I want to hear you say it. I know you love me, but I want to hear you say it. Please Jessica, don't close me off."
She shook her head. He loved her, and she loved him. But what was she afraid of?
Being hurt, he said to her mentally.
She locked he gaze on his, the momentary anger at her having her mind read passing. "I love you too," she said finally. And that will have to do, she thought.
"No, it won't. I'm coming back. I will be back for you, and when I do, I want to marry you."
This time, her eyes widened. None of the Jedi training she had could prepare her for what he wanted. Nothing in the entire galaxy. Yet, she wanted it as badly as he did. And she would accept his proposal. Nothing but him mattered anymore. Nothing at all. She grabbed his hands, holding them in hers. She nodded, not saying anything, for her vocal chords were locked up.
Michael kissed her warmly once more, than began to put on his clothes. "Come on, " he said, "Better not keep them waiting."
Jessica smiled at him. "Of course not."
Jessica and Michael made their way to the bridge, both high strung and nervous. Yet, they calmed each other by their mental telepathy of words. Once to the bridge, Jessica suggested they hail Michael's ship. His ship, the Dreadnaught Black Knight, was close enough to the Dark Force to blow it to pieces, provided if its shields were down. The holo comm buzzed, and Jessica strode over to it. She stepped onto the plate, and hit the transmit/receive button. She stared at the holo before. A woman, long brown hair in a braid, emerald green eyes, short, yet trim. "I am Admiral Jessica Darken of the Star Destroyer Dark Force. What can I do for you?"
The holo of the woman glared back. "You know what you can do! Give me back my brother!" She shouted.
Brother? Jessica glanced at Michael questioningly. She opened her mind to him, not wanting him to explain to everyone. The mental voice came, said My older sister, Jade Darkrider.
"Jade?" Jeff whispered. It had been so long since he'd seen her.
Jade's holo glared at Jessica, then at Jeff. "It figures. You and your damned Empire." Obviously, Jade wasn't too happy to see Jeff.
"Nice family reunion . . ." Jessica muttered. "Michael is on his way now. Please, leave after he is aboard." She turned to Commander Rajahlintz. "Please escort him to the docking bay and give him a shuttle."
"As you wish, Admiral."
Jessica stared after Michael as he walked away. He stared back, trying not to be obvious. I love you... Jessica whispered in his mind.
And I you. Remember, you said you'd marry me! He called at her, and smiled.
Jessica smiled, then, and stepped off the holo plate. Today was actually starting to look good. Very good indeed.
