Chapter 23 – Topsy Turvy
[AN: "Teacup" is the nickname Vacy's given to Risha. On account of she's such a dainty, delicate thing, don'cha know.]
Vacy trudged up the ramp to the Wonder. The hike back to the outpost had been excruciating, and the trip from the outpost back to Anchorhead hadn't been a lot better. The taxi rates were extortionate – and they weren't even covered! Granted, the thing went fast enough that it picked up a good breeze, but the hot, dry air had chapped at her skin. She wasn't sure if the crustiness she felt was sand or dried sweat, but either way, it was miserable.
"I hate Tatooine. I hate this stupid planet," she said out loud. She'd thought it to herself quite a few times on the ride to Anchorhead, but hadn't wanted to open her mouth and risk choking on sand. Besides, it wasn't like the taxi droid would have had anything useful to contribute.
"Welcome home, master. Oh – goodness! You look positively dreadful," came the concerned tones of the ship's protocol droid.
Her eyes narrowed as she passed it. She tried to stay away from its proximity sensors as much as possible; for some reason it seemed to think that any being who wandered past wanted to converse with it. "Thank you for that observation, C2. Ever so helpful," she grumbled in reply as she made her way up the hall. She frowned when she looked in the lounge and saw no one… but then Corso probably knew it would take her a while longer to get back, and he'd been a bit banged up. He might've stopped by the medbay to bandage the worst of it and then headed to his bunk to rest a bit.
She ducked her head into the cargo hold. "Hey, Teacup," she called over to Risha. "You seen Riggs?"
The curvy mechanic looked over her shoulder at the spacer, shrugging carelessly. "Last I was aware, he was following you around like he always does. What, dare I hope you left him behind?" she asked with a smirk.
Vacy scowled. "Not intentionally. We split up, and he had the speeder, so I kind of figured he'd be back already."
Risha narrowed her eyes, peering at Vacy suspiciously. "You let him have the speeder," she echoed in disbelief.
"Well – yeah. I mean, he always revs the engines until they whine, which drives me nuts, but I figure I'm not the one riding with him, so I'll just try not to think about it. But he should've been here by now." She frowned softly.
The human's full lips pulled back into a slow, impish smile. "Well, well," she replied with a chuckle. "So that's your story. Here I thought the reason you always drove was so you could sit in his lap and wiggle up against him."
"Oh, please." Vacy rolled her eyes. "He wishes."
Leaning back against her console (but careful not to touch any of the controls) Risha smirked. "I just bet he does," she murmured under her breath. But when she noted the sudden glare that earned her from the captain, she shrugged again. "So if you weren't on the speeder with him, who was?"
The smuggler looked down at her thumbnail, frowning a bit. It was going to take weeks for her cuticles to heal, given that she just couldn't countenance using kolto to speed it up. Stupid planet. "Oh, just one of the slaves we freed. Some twi'lek. I dunno, she was all upset and stuff, might've been injured. She just kind of gave me these big eyes like she had no clue what I was saying, but Riggs shows up and hey, insta-buddies. Felt like a right cucker saying 'tough shizz, we're heading out, you're stuck here,' and I figured she'd be better off with him than with me."
Risha folded her arms across her chest and just stared at the spacer until the Mirialan looked up at her again. "Seriously, boss? Seriously?"
With a chuff of frustration, Vacy put both hands on her hips. "What?" she snapped back.
"Riggs rescues a girl – excuse me, I bet he called her a 'lady,' didn't he? – from slavers, they head off together, alone, and you're wondering why he didn't get back before you?" She shook her head incredulously. "There is no way you're actually that dense."
"Oh," she said, the annoyance quietly evaporating. "I – no… that makes sense." She frowned, nodding slowly. "I just… it didn't…" She shook her head, as though to clear it. "Spose I'll head back in and let the sheriff know, then. Um. If he gets back, let him know I'm all right. I mean. If he asks." She turned and slowly made her way back down the hall.
Risha peered after her. "Sure thing, boss," she murmured thoughtfully.
As the spacer shuffled through the enormous terminal again, memories swirled around her. She didn't even notice the dirty looks she got from those she unthinkingly brushed past.
Corso reached up with his other hand, and brushed the tips of his fingers along the curve of her jaw. "Nothin's changed for me, Captain," he whispered in reply. "I still want you, now an' always."
Seems like 'always' is a lot briefer than I'd thought it'd be, she reflected bitterly. Looking around, she let out a sigh, then pressed the lift commands that would take her to the main floor of the spaceport.
It hadn't been that long since Nar Shaddaa. Was it really that easy to forget about her? Not that it mattered, really. It just kind of stung the pride. That was all. Really.
Vacy exited the lift, looked around, and then made her way toward the main exit. Besides all that, it was good for him to find someone else. Someone more suited to him, to who he was and what he wanted out of life. Hadn't she been telling him that since they'd first met? Repeatedly? She closed her eyes, her shoulders drooping. "Ah, blast it, Riggs… you're such a good man. And some day, you're going to make some lady real happy." She looked at him once more, smiling sadly. "I hope she knows how fortunate she is." And with that, she turned, heading off the bridge.
But he caught her by the elbow, turning her toward him. His eyes showed his hurt and confusion. "Vacy - how can you kiss me like you did not two minutes ago, and then go an' act like there's nothing between us?"
Her treacherous heart fluttered, and Vacy reached down with her mind and crushed the sensation flat. She lifted one shoulder casually. Carelessly. "I told you not to fall for me. I'm sorry, Farm Boy… that's just the kind of girl I am."
[AN - From "Drunken Gunplay"]
She plodded out of the spaceport, squinting into the glare.
"Well hey, there y'are! The great hero!" Sheriff Encott waddled up to her, sweating profusely.
"Yup, that's me," Vacy replied, forcing a tired smile. "I kinda think those slavers are gonna be scrambling for a bit. If there's anyone who could be sent to that warehouse, it wouldn't be too much trouble to round up the last of them."
He nodded, reaching up to clap her on the shoulder. "I'll sure do that. We've even had a few of them prisoners turn up here with a wild story about a lone woman who took on all the Twin Suns. You won't ever hafta buy your own drinks again!"
She looked off toward the cantina, not really listening to the rest of what he said. "Thanks. My ship's in hangar D42. Go on in and talk to Risha, she'll handle the arrangements." With that, she turned and headed down the steps and around the path to the cantina.
It hadn't taken long to get used to pausing upon going inside, to let her eyes adjust to the dimmer lighting. But this time, she noticed a change in the sound as well, and as her vision cleared and focused, she realized that just about everyone in the room was looking her way.
With a muttered curse, she headed up toward the bar and nodded toward the large Nikto, who was already headed her way. "What'll you have?"
Vacy looked up – and up – and up. "Whatever you've got that's strong enough to set me on my ass," she replied with a smirk.
"Not only gorgeous, but classy as well," he chuckled, winking back at her. "First round's on the house." He set a short, thick mug in front of her and poured liquids from several bottles into it.
She looked at him thoughtfully for a moment, then arched a brow. "Why don't you pour one for yourself as well?"
He paused, and a slow smile pulled at his mouth. "Well now I'm not supposed to be drinking while I'm tending bar."
Vacy picked up the mug and drained it at a single go, then thumped the mug down, clenching her teeth to keep from wincing at the burn. She leaned forward a bit, arching her back in invitation. "Oh really. Well how soon do you get off?" she purred. And if he doesn't take that hint, I've completely lost my touch.
A dark twinkle glimmered in his eyes, and he bent down almost nose-to-nose with her. "I'm not sure… but I think I'd like to find out," he murmured back. Standing again, he glanced around, then lifted a hand to one of the curvaceous young women threading past the tables out in the main seating area. "Liria, cover for me? I've gotta head out for awhile."
Liria glanced at Vacy as she approached. "All right," she said, walking around behind the counter. "But we're square now, Tooke."
Vacy didn't wait for them to finish talking, just made split-second eye contact with the bartender, then turned and headed for the back of the cantina where she'd seen the stairwell to the second floor. When the bartender rounded the corner, she grabbed him by his belt, pulling him against the wall and pressing against him. He started to say something – maybe – she didn't much care, stretching up to slant her mouth against his. His hands were knobby and rough as he yanked her shirt up and reached beneath it, cool against her warm skin, and she sighed in satisfaction, her body moving against his.
"We can – go upstairs – if you want," he murmured between hungry kisses.
She rolled her hips forward, felt his hardness, heard him groan, and it sent an answering throb of desire between her own legs. "Don't care," she breathed, rocking again. What did it matter if she'd be walking out through whispers and catcalls? Wasn't like it was a secret anyway. She parted her lips, tongue flicking out to taste him, stroke him.
Just make me forget.