Five Times
The Third: A Comforting Kiss.
"You've been spending too much time with Commander Tano," Gree announced, grumpily.
Barriss merely smiled, resting her hands on top of the white sheet pulled up over her belly. She was much stronger today, and a med droid had removed several layers of bacta soaked gauze from her chest an hour ago. The thin medicenter gown was pulled tightly around her. Her dark hair was plastered around her cheeks and neck, in need of a washing. She lay against stark white, firm pillows, and accepted his worry with gentle amusement.
"Master Unduli has already chastised me for my recklessness as well as commended me for bravery. There is no need for you to scold me too." Her mild smile deepened into something a little mischievous. "And I did get us all out. There is little point in wondering what could have changed the past. The present is here. I am alive, you are alive, and I promise not to run off in the future." Gree looked mollified, but Barriss added, with a playful grin, "Unless I need to run off."
He frowned at her for several seconds, then relaxed a bit, sighing as he saw the teasing look in her eyes. He turned slightly, making note of the grey curtain drawn around Barriss' bedside. He edged several inches closer, and some of the formality about him faded. Barriss' expression grew serious in turn, seeing him move between Gree the Commander and Gree her friend.
He pressed his lips into a firm line, reached out with a hand. It hesitated halfway to her, then moved the rest of the way, fingers lightly caressing the edge of the pattern of diamonds on one cheekbone, then down to cup her cheek. She leaned into it for a moment, reassuring him of her health, of her wholeness.
The kiss came slowly, Gree stopping, uncertainly, to hover twice on the way down. He placed his mouth on hers, lingered only long enough for her to feel reassured by the warmth of him, then withdrew. His voice came out low and rough. "You could have been killed."
"And if I did not take action, you could have been," she replied evenly, her voice equally low but softer. "I appreciate your concern but do not question my reasoning."
His face did not darken with anger, but with embarrassment. He was a dark shade of red within moments. "Don't risk yourself on my account."
"I am a Jedi, it is my duty." She placed her hand on top of his, pulled it from her cheek with a squeeze. "And I may choose to risk myself for whomever I like."
She returned his look of worry with one of unwavering certainty. He closed his eyes for a moment, sighed, and smiled at her. "Thank you, Commander."
His fingers slid away from hers, and she returned her hand to its resting place, folded with her other one on her abdomen. "You are welcome, Commander Gree," she told him, her voice returning to a more normal level.
"Get well soon," he said.
"I will," she replied.
He unclipped his helmet from his belt, slid it over his head, and left her there to heal.
It's always Ahsoka's fault. She's such a bad influence. XD
This takes place shortly after Chapter 2. See? Barriss lives!
~Queen