Checkmate: Chapter 2

So, at this point of my disaster I've kissed Jeena, been kicked out of her room, and I am now on my way to the Commander's Christmas party. Alone. Without Jeena. And it's all my fault.

END: At the party

"It's good to see you here Rallen." I was immediately greeted by Commander Grant.

"Good to be here sir," I said distractedly, desperately searching for a familiar face.

"Ah, but where's Jeena?"

"Uh... She's in the nose powdering her bathroom..." I wandered off into the crowd at that point (I think it would be smart for me to say that Grant wouldn't mind or even remember our encounter that night).

As I wandered through the crowd searching for faces I tried to not let my mind wander. But wander it did, to thoughts of Jeena and thoughts of how wonderful the horrible moment in her room had felt. At last I saw a familiar face.

"Professor Wright! How are you enjoying yourself?"

"Oh I'm doing fine, Rallen. How are you?" he spoke with his usual cheerfulness, but seemed distracted.

"I'm fine," I lied, "are you sure you're alright? You look distracted."

"Oh," he seemed to just notice, "there's just a lot of exciting stuff happening in the lab and I want to get back to it soon."

"Something exciting? What is it, can you tell me?" I was grinning with excitement.

"Sorry Rallen, you'll just have to be patient. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to grab some free food and head back to the lab."

"Bye." I nearly growled the word at him.

With Wright gone, I was left to wandering the party again, but this time my thoughts were occupied with thinking about the lab. I found a comfortable spot to sit on a bench and tried to itch at something under my glove. My whole plan for this year's party was to complain about how boring it was. Without anyone to complain with it actually was boring. I sat, picking at parts of my uniform, and then I heard her.

"...that's really nice."

She was having a conversation with Professor Wright on his way out. I suddenly felt a flare of anger, not at Wright (although maybe partly), but at the fact that I had successfully forgotten her. Now here she was, in front of me, and what could I do but look. She looked distracted and worried, but no less beautiful. I felt a bizarre longing for her, and tried to shake it off, but to no avail. And then she was moving. And then I was following her. Every once and a while she would stop and strategically talk to people before moving on. On these occasions I would stop as well and watch her (not considered stalking at all).

This went on for an hour or so and never once did I get tired of trailing her. The whole time she had been talking she was twisting her index finger through her hair, a sign that I knew to mean that she was uneasy. When she was done talking I stepped just a little closer and she turned around. And there we were, facing each other. To me it felt like the whole crowd had stilled and I knew that I was staring into her eyes too intensely. A good five seconds after contact she broke away and sprinted to the nearest balcony. I of course followed her.

When I reached her on the balcony she didn't even turn to face me.

"Hey," I said, "aren't you cold?" It was cold and had started to snow lightly. I was in my NPP uniform, but she was just wearing a long sleeve shirt.

"I'm fine." She was shivering and still refused to turn toward me.

And then I knew that it was my moment, and I had to seize it if I wanted anything possibly good to happen.

"Look," I said fiercely, "I know I felt something back there in your room and I'm pretty damn sure that you felt something too!"

"Rallen-"

I put my hand on her shoulder, closing in the distance between us.

"Jeena..." there was no time for hesitation, "... Jeena, I love you."

And then I kissed her again, and if I thought the last time were amazing, it was nothing compared to this kiss. This kiss was long, and deep, and filled with love. I felt a jolt of electricity run up and down my spine. I pulled her closer and continued the kiss. She responded more. And then (unwillingly) I had to come up for air.

"Oh Rallen," she breathed, "I love you too."

This time I embraced her and was rewarded with a soft kiss.

"Jeena..." I was lost for words; I hadn't planned this far ahead.

"But Rallen," she started, "do you think you're ready for this? A relationship I mean."

"Please," I said smiling cheekily, "I was born ready!"

And there we stayed for the rest of the party, keeping each other warm.

And now I have her. Checkmate.