Chapter 25 – Icebergs

[AN: I'm not really happy with this title, but it does at least allude to the idea that most of what's going on is below the surface. Suggestions welcome! I'd love to change to something I like better! *g*]

With a long, tired sigh, Vacy sat down heavily in the captain's chair. She knew that Risha was right – overriding the security controls in the way she'd suggested was incredibly risky. And the truth of the matter was that it really wasn't necessary; sure, she might earn some bragging rights, but it wouldn't shorten their trip by all that much.

She reached up and unwrapped the band that kept her dark hair up in the high ponytail she always wore. Her scalp prickled as her hair fell about her shoulders, and she sighed again as she ran her fingers through her loose, wavy hair. She also knew that she had no right to be upset with Corso for making eyes at somebody else. Goodness knew she'd tried six ways from the starport to get him to realize she wasn't the settling-down sort she knew he wanted. In all fairness, she ought to be happy for him. And relieved, she reminded herself.

So why did she feel so disappointed instead?

Even though she'd tried to warn him that if he didn't get over her he'd wind up hurt, she had to admit that the attention had felt kind of nice. She wouldn't have told him, because she didn't want to encourage him when it wasn't going to work out, but it was quite gratifying to have someone think you were absolutely wonderful.

Am I really that awful a person? she wondered. That I'm so selfish and vain as to throw a fit because he's found someone else, even though I'm not interested in him that way myself? The guilt that settled low in her chest made it a good bit easier to ignore the slight twinges of uncertainty at the edges of her consciousness.

Besides, that twi'lek – what had she said her name was? Kyla, that was it – she seemed nice as well as pretty. And Corso had gotten back safely (eventually, anyway) so it wasn't like it had been some trap to kidnap him and take him to the Empire where he'd be brainwashed into serving as one of their mindless thugtroopers. Or back to Ord Mantell, turned in for the bounty there. Or to Rogun. Although if Kyla had been one of Rogun's hunters, surely she would have targeted both of them. Unless that was simply the opening gambit, and there's a far deeper plan at work…

Vacy stood, running both hands through her hair in frustration. It was simply preposterous; there was really no reason to think that Kyla was a bounty hunter. No capable hunter, no matter how devious, would put herself in such a vulnerable position. She'd had neither weapons nor armor, and furthermore, there was no way she could have known that the two of them would be coming after that group of slaves.

No, the truth was much simpler. Kyla was exactly what she appeared to be – a helpless victim who'd developed a crush on the handsome man who'd rescued her. And of course when he'd gotten them to safety, she'd helped him out of his armor and gently cleaned and tended to his wounds. Maybe even wiped his armor down so it was all shiny again.

She had to remind herself to quit clenching her teeth. There isn't anything a bit wrong with any of that. Or with … anything else that might have gone on. And of course, that thought was immediately followed by several mental images of just what might have gone on, each one more athletically challenging than the last.

Folding her arms over her chest, she paced up to the transparisteel port, looking out at the workers in the hangar – some unloading cargo, others scanning for contraband, and still others just milling about. Honestly, it's silly to imagine that he'd go on mooning after me anyhow. He's a grown man, for goodness' sake. It's unusual enough that –

"Uh, Boss?"

Risha's voice reminded her that she wasn't alone on the ship, and Vacy pulled on an expression of mild disinterest, looking over her shoulder. "Problem, Teacup?"

The smirk that nearly always graced her full lips broadened a bit. "Oh, not from me," she replied in her typically wry purr. "But Mouse gave me all the details – you know, about your heroic rescue of those helpless captives? It seems like that's the sort of thing that deserves a bit of celebration. Isn't there a cantina out in that little excuse for a port?"

Vacy looked back out the viewport quickly. Hopefully Risha wouldn't notice the warmth that spread across her cheeks. "Yeah, I think so. Not much to speak of."

"Still, it's something. And while the Wonder is a delightful ship – I know I've busted my tail to get the best output possible from the engines we've got, though if you wanted to invest in some upgrades I certainly would not complain one bit – I've got to say that of late, the social aspect has been a bit… strained." One hand went to her hip. "A person might think that there were some problems aboard."

It would have been difficult to miss a hint that direct. Vacy turned around and arched a brow at her mechanic. "And here I thought you said there were no problems."

Risha arched a brow right back at her. "I said there weren't any from me, Captain. So what's the deal?" The tension thickened around them until she added, "Are we heading in to Anchorhead or just moping around here all night?"

Clearly, she knows more than she's saying. She watched Risha's features carefully, but soon realized that her own unsettled emotions made it difficult to read anything, not to mention Risha's skill at keeping her expression neutral. "Sounds like a good idea. Better than nothing, like you said," she replied after a bit. "Why don't you round up Corso, and I'll go tell Bowdaar." Stars only know what I'll end up saying to the Farm Boy if I wind up alone with him. Not a good idea right now.

Risha smirked again, and Vacy again wondered just how much the secretive woman had figured out. But as she turned to go, all she said was, "You're the boss, Boss."