Chapter 9

Get mine, get yours

A/N: A short chapter this time, I needed to set up the things for the next chapter. I expect it'll be one with several surprises. On another note I have my next project already sketched out; it'll be Alec at his finest!

Jondy looked at the petite woman next to her and couldn't help but smile. Gem had showed up at her door a few minutes before the party was scheduled to start with an outfit and had blackmailed Jondy into coming. When Jondy was honest with herself she admitted it hadn't taken a lot of convincing, she really needed to relax and have some fun. The fact that Biggs never came to parties didn't factor into her decision of coming at all. 'Yeah right' she snorted at herself, but with a shake of her head she pushed out her traitorous thoughts and headed straight for the dance floor which was only sparsely occupied. This didn't bother Jondy, she actually preferred the dance floor like this so she would have plenty of space to move around.

Sensing Gem behind her they both swayed to the music completely in tune with each other. Soon however people started joining them and Jondy was where she was normally , in the middle of a crowd having a great time. In the middle of a turn she could feel the hairs in her neck stand on end and she quickly scanned the crowd for that one face she didn't want to see. She couldn't see him so she shook it off and went back to dancing.

On the edge of the floor, in the shadows Biggs felt his chest constrict when he saw Jondy move around to the beat of the music. As time went on just watching her from a distance wasn't enough for him anymore. He needed her by his side, he needed her so bad it ached and he chastised himself for his weakness. Biggs had never needed anyone, he relied only on himself and that suited him just fine. His body wouldn't listen to him however, it clamoured for Jondy, for scent of her skin, the sound of her voice. He felt ill at ease at this party however but Alec had convinced him to come, something about being out of character to convince her.

His unease was surmounted by his feelings of inadequacy. He needed Jondy even if he didn't want to need anyone, but what about what Jondy needed. This night made it obvious for him again how much he didn't fit in with her outgoing personality. Shoving all those feelings aside he focused on his strategy, his goal was to talk to Jondy alone tonight and he was determined to achieve that goal. As all his subordinates could attest to, when Biggs set a goal for himself he would always be willing to do whatever it took to reach it.

Tonight that meant to do something surprising and out of character, when he saw Alec nod at him he made his move. As he headed out of the shadows for the slender form in the middle of the dance floor he heard the music change. Stopping behind the shape he had memorized in his dreams he paused to take in her scent and waited, he knew she was aware of him. He wanted her to turn to him, come to him on equal footing. Slowly Jondy turned on her heels and came face to face with him, with a look of surprise on her face. He drank in her features hoping she would not turn away from him again. Leaning in closer while holding out one hand for her, he whispered.

"Will you grant the wish of a dying man?"

Jondy gave him a lengthy perusal and said "You don't look like a dying man to me." At the same time she placed her hand in his and put her other hand on his shoulder. Biggs pulled her close, overjoyed at his success and the sensations of holding her in his arms. He placed her hand on his chest and covered it with his own, slowly moving to the beat of the music. Biggs brought his head down to her face and whispered softly, letting his breath caress her cheek. "I've felt like a dying man without you."

Jondy buried her face into his chest so he wouldn't see the smile that was tugging on the corners of her mouth. She knew with feminine certainty he had only come here to be with her and that before the night was over she would have to refuse him again. That kind of happiness wasn't for her but she so desperately wanted it that she couldn't refuse right there and then even though she probably should have. She chastised herself for letting him get this close to her. Biggs could sense there was something going on, that she wasn't all there with him and he prayed she would let him close enough to see what was wrong. This time he wouldn't let his ego get in the way, he was going to find out what was wrong.

Max was watching them from across the room and mentally sent her sister some strength, when she looked at her mate she caught him looking extremely pleased with himself for a fleeting second. Something dawned on her and she stepped out in front of him, blocking his view of the dance floor.

"Something you want to share?"

"No, Maxie, I have no intention of sharing you with anyone." Smirking he laced his arms around her and planted soft kisses all over her face till she was soft and pliable in his arms. Confident that he had distracted her he signalled over her shoulder at Zane. Max put her cheek on her chest and listened to the soothing thump of his heart. She knew he was up to something and somewhere in the back of her mind was the nagging feeling he was keeping something from her. But right now, safely in his arms she couldn't care, besides she had ways of making him regret not letting her in on his little plan.

Content she purred in his ear telling him she was going to visit the bathroom, sliding her hands across his chest in a tender goodbye. Alec mock-scowled as she walked away from him and he sought refuge behind a table. She was going to pay for that before the night was out, he smiled as he considered various forms of revenge. Meanwhile Jondy and Biggs were still floating along to the beats of the music, blissfully unaware of all the things around them.

On her way back from the bathroom Max bumped into Syl and Krit who were clinging to each other like lovesick puppies.

"Do you two ever come up for air?" Syl leaned back in Krit's arms and cocked her head while saying.

"Hey Maxie, if it bothers you look the other way. I think you can find somewhere interesting to look. And eh tell his lordship over there thanks for knocking some sense into his second. It was about time that guy did something for her for a change." Smiling at the idea of Alec as a lord, somehow even the thought of him in tights didn't make him look ridiculous.

"Look Syl, not that it's any of my business but shouldn't we respect her decision?"

"Honey if we'd done that you'd still be lusting after your man instead of taking him home. And secondly he needs some time off before I do something I'll regret."

Max knew something was coming but she had to ask. "Don't you mean before he does something."

"Maxie, sweetie, if that man doesn't get himself laid and soon he's going to drive us all insane with his drills. I am not about to let that happen, after all I, "She stole a glance a Krit, who'd remained silent during this exchange, "we have a company to run. Now shoo because we have a part to play in this operation." Syl winked as Krit swept her off her feet and carried her to the entrance, 'accidentally' bumping into Jondy along the way.

That jostle reminded Jondy where she was and shook her out of her reverie. She look up and Biggs and he caught her look at despair before she looked away. Jondy took a tentative step back, Biggs who was afraid she would run away from him now proceeded with extreme care. Very slowly he slid one hand from behind her back and took her hand in his. Very gently he whispered.

"Jondy, let me help you. Do you want to go?"

Jondy just nodded and Biggs steered her off the dance floor to one of the more secluded tables with one hand on her back. But when they got there Jondy looked at him and spoke in a soft voice laced with regret.

"I think I want to go home instead. I'll see you tomorrow morning when the first group from DOD arrives."

"All right I think I'll go as well."

Jondy gave him a feeble smile, she should have known he wouldn't let her get away so easily. It had been so much easier when he didn't know how she felt, now she had to tell him they would never be like Max and Alec, of Syl and Krit or any of the other happy couples on the base.

She didn't know to tell him they couldn't be together, not the way he wanted to without telling him the whole story. But how would he view her after he knew the whole story, she could face the possibility that he would condemn her for her actions that week, so long ago yet so close to her mind. Absentminded she walked to her apartment where she noticed the door was ajar, before she could react to it she was pushed aside and Biggs strode in casting glances about to identify the threat. Jondy waited out in the hall way knowing in her present state of mind she'd be more of a hindrance than a help. When he came out however he looked a little ashamed and that made him seem years younger.

"Uhm Jondy I think some people saw us tonight."

Intrigued by his statement and confused to it's meaning she stepped into her apartment to find it was glowing by the light of endless candles. She sighed, apparently her siblings didn't understand the meaning of the word no, she shook her head and spoke to Biggs without looking at him.

"It's alright, I sort it out with them tomorrow. They mean well but they just don't understand what.." Her voice faltered and she closed her eyes, hoping he would let it go. She felt relieved when she heard the click of the door closing but that relief was short-lived when she felt Biggs stepping close behind her. She shivered at the thought of what was coming next. Immediately Biggs' hands were upon her arms rubbing them gently.

"Are you cold?"

Jondy shook hr head but the feeling on his hands rubbing her skin made her shiver again, she could feel her body betraying her, wanting him despite her history. Jondy knew she shouldn't do this but it felt so good to be held by him, his scent filled her nose as she leaned back into his embrace. She felt his hands still rubbing her upper arms, the movement softening to a caress then halting altogether. Biggs stood still and waited, then he heard it; very softly Jondy mewed, he felt it more than he heard it. Thrilled he pulled her closer to him and his hand slipped under the fabric of her top. Relishing the feel of her soft skin he nuzzled her neck and murmured her name. Jondy moved her head, rolled it across his shoulder to give him better access to his neck. For a moment she gave in to her instincts let him soothe her and slowly a warmth spread from where they were touching. Quickly Jondy turned in his arms and buried her against his neck. Biggs kept one hand on her back rubbing in slow circles, while his other hand crept up her side to come to rest on her nape holding her against him with the softest of caresses. Soon that wasn't enough for him, he wanted to taste her so he lowered her. With his one hand he loosened her hair from the knot and sent her hair tumbling down her back.

Running his hands through it he moved it aside so he could reach that special place where her neck joined her shoulder. There was no sign of the mark he made there before and he felt an overwhelming desire to put there again. Top make it visible for all to see, he kissed her there, first softly then with an open mouth, sucked and nipping at the skin. He drew back and felt a possessive pleasure at seeing the red mark he made again. The need to taste threatened to over power her so he took her chin between her thumb and forefinger and lifted her face to his. Without looking in her eyes he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her thoroughly. Jondy could feel the desire awakening in her again but she wasn't worried, not while they were still dressed. She opened her eyes when he drew back and looked at him with such faith that Biggs was amazed. It brought him out of his haze and he pulled his hand from underneath her shirt. He leaded her to the couch and looked at her.

"This is not what I intended, Jondy. I was going to apologize." He smiled ruefully. "Doing exactly the same thing as what I apologizing for doesn't help does it."

Jondy couldn't help but smile at this. "There no need to apologize, we're both adults, "she swallowed before she continued, "I didn't stop you did I."

"And I would have stopped if you had. You're right, a no means no however you say it." Biggs sounded anxious when he spoke again. "You believe that don't you, that I would've stopped I mean."

Jondy nodded, and gave him a sad smile, she trusted him with her life. But that didn't change anything. She watched the man sitting beside her and allowed herself to dream for a moment of what it would be like to claim him as her own. When she saw his lips move she realised he was still speaking and she came out of her reverie.

"I know I've been harsh sometimes but I couldn't help it, I didn't want to feel this way. I didn't know how to deal with emotions, I still don't. I don't understand this Jon but I know that when you're avoiding me like you have been I go almost insane with worry. Please don't avoid me anymore, tell me what I need to do to fix it and I'll do it."

Biggs finished looking at her intently, waiting for what she would say. The next words coming out of her mouth would tell him whether he could fix whatever was going on. Then he could plan a strategy. Alec had told him that if he did something out of character it would surprise her into letting her guard down and giving him a glimpse of what was going on. As the silence stretched however, Biggs began to doubt his strategy and started to feel frustrated. Maybe he'd had it all wrong, maybe she didn't really want him, maybe her cycle was just coming up and she'd do this, no he dismissed that thought before he even finished it. He knew Jondy cared for him, he felt their connection so why was she still silent.

He wanted to speak, urge her to tell him, but he couldn't find the words so he waited, he waited till the silence almost became unbearable. He lowered his head in defeat and felt like retreating into himself all the while cursing Alec for giving him such bad advice, right then he could hear Jondy's soft voice penetrate his haze of self-doubt.

"Just, just hold me."

Biggs was concerned with how grave her voice sounded, if he was Alec he'd known some light-hearted thing to say to lift her spirits but he wasn't Alec so he did what he asked for nothing else. Slowly stroking her hair he could feel Jondy's breathing evening out and her body going slack against his. He knew she'd be uncomfortable waking up on the couch still dressed for a party so her picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. Feeling slightly in over his head he managed to undress her with emotional detachment and find a shirt for her to wear. When he moved in to cover her with a blanket she grabbed his arm and purred his name. He waited till she was soundly asleep before retreating out of the room.

Making his way in the dark down the stairs he could hear the party winding down nearby. He was still smiling to himself when he opened the door only to find it was blocked. He pushed a little harder and heard a distinct grunt followed by a feminine chuckle. Biggs tried the door again and found himself confronted with a grinning Gem and Zane who was rubbing the back of his head.

"What the hell are you doing out here man, why aren't still up there?" Zane pointed towards Jondy's door as he spoke and he sounded sincerely surprised. For the second time that night Biggs cursed Alec and his plans, now he would need to explain his actions to someone who was more protective of Jondy than an older brother would be. This is not how he had intended the night to turn out. He bit out.

"Jondy's asleep so I'm going home.. Now if you don't mind?"

"Yes, frankly I do mind, didn't she ask you to stay?"

Despite his need of keeping his business his own, he answered him. "Not that it's any of your business, but no she didn't, she was already asleep when I left."

Zane looked honestly puzzled by this, he was tempted to ask the man whether he was sure but somehow that didn't seem like a good strategy at the moment. While he was still thinking of what to say Biggs made a move to walk around them. Quickly Gem sidestepped into his path and scowled at him.

"Are you sure, because if you screw up it'll be twice as hard to convince her to let you in."

Impressed be her nerve, Biggs stopped and actually considered what Gem was saying. Jondy had asked him to hold her, which he had done but then she'd fallen asleep, something that was still very puzzling for him but he figured she must've been tired. It was still strange though because he could never sleep with others moving around in his apartment. When he didn't answer Gem pressed the matter.

"Did she ask you to leave before she went to sleep? Or did she fall asleep while you were still there?"

"How do you know that? That she went to sleep while I was hold," he paused then reformulated what he was going to say, "while I was still there."

"Well then." Gem gestured back up the stairs as though that explained everything. When Biggs didn't move she sighed, some men could be so dense.

"Biggs, do you sleep when others are still using your apartment? Would fall asleep unless you trusted the person present completely?" Without waiting for a response she gestured back up the stairs and walked back to Zane. Without another word for Biggs she linked her arm with the tall blonde and winked at him.

"Walk me home?"

Biggs considered her words for a moment then headed back in and softly shut the door behind him.

A/N: The most wonderful thing has happened! I know how the story is going to end. I dreamt it last night and got up early this morning to write it. In the next chapter the people from DOD show up and Luke finally has those runes translated. Stay tuned!