Hours later she awoke. Some of the hums from the ship's engine were absent. It clued her in that they were grounded. She walked out of her room and into the main office. DJ was sitting, sipping something hot.
"Finally," he says as he sees her. "I didn't realize you needed that-t-t much sleep, shadow lady."
She sat beside him, peering into the hot drink he was sipping from. It smelled awful.
"You want some?" He asked. When she made a face, he made one back her looking rather indignant, "it-t-t's good for you, ya know?"
Reluctantly, she sipped some and immediately felt a jolt of energy through her. Though she was no longer groggy from sleep, she had an awful taste left in her mouth.
"Now, that you're awake, we can answer the et-t-ternal question," he gestured around him, "Do we want to keep this ship?"
She handed the weird drink back to him, and contemplated the answer. "Well," she began, "We should probably paint it, and I wouldn't mind throwing out or selling some of what's here."
"I'm not-t-t much of a seller, but I'm very good at throwing junk away." He raised his eyebrows, while taking another sip of his drink.
"Mm-hmm," she said skeptically. The way he spoke reminded her that he could do the same to her at any moment, no matter how earnest he seemed with her. Even if he had agreed to be partners, not trusting anyone had kept her alive so far. It was hard to let go of that instinct. Plus, that intensity in his eyes when he looked at her, it excited her but it was also dangerous A part of her was wary that she was being put under some spell, like as soon as he had her he'd be done with her. Maybe that was the past talking, but she still needed to be careful. He seemed to read her skepticism and looked a bit jilted. It was the first time she'd seen him pout.
"What I want to know," he said as he put his arm on the seat behind her, "is are you comfortable living in a place where you were," he paused, seeming to look for the word in the sky, "a-a-a captive?"
She leaned back on his arm, and took the drink away from him, taking another sip. The disgusting flavor was beginning to grow on her.
"The ship is fast," she said feeling the jolt of energy through her, "The design on the inside works. I wanna do whatever's easiest, and makes the most sense. Don't see the need in spending the money on another ship." He put his large hand over hers, taking the drink back from her.
"If that's what you wa-want, shadow-lady," he mused, gazing down into this cup of strange tea. His eyebrow slightly raised, he did not look convinced.
Leaning on his arm, she poked his forehead with her finger. He scoffed, looking at her as she assured him, "It really isn't a problem."
He took a deep breath, as his chest swelled with pride, "I like you more and more each day." Strange, how his two moods switched soft often between a quiet passion, or relaxed kookiness. He had the kooky look about him now. She couldn't take him seriously. Putting the drink down, he appeared a bit conflicted. He was thinking about hugging her, or blowing a raspberry in her face. She really didn't know.
Pretending to be undeterred, she politely grinned and stood up, "For now, can we get off this damn ship for a while? I wanna see what's out there, and I hope you've brought me somewhere interesting."
He conceded, as he stood, clasping his hands together. "I don't know how you'll react."
Her eyes widen as she worries where they've landed. He puts his coat on, and they leave to explore. As the doors to the ship open, they step off and onto what appears to be an extremely dense…smugglers island. It looked like a city built on top of its self. Rooms and houses, piled up on top of each other reaching the sky. It was grimy, yet filled with limelight and neon flashes. They had arrived early in the day judging by the single sun in this system, and the lack of people and ships in the port.
"It's a small world, and a small community of…discrete people. A place where you can sell or dump goods, weaponize your sh-sh-ship, modify it…all for the right price and people look the other way. But m-mainly, it's a port for collecting and selling bounties," he explained
"Is that what you do DJ?" she wondered, looking up at him to take a break from marveling at the city. He was leaning the top of his head forward again, causing his heavy eyes to darken and narrow. Yet, there was an excitement about him, as though he was happy to have her here.
"I'm just a thief, and a slicer. You however, may be good at bounty hunting," he said amusedly with a spring in his step.
"I will do whatever's necessary to survive," she said resolutely.
He laughed at her serious tone, poking her in the forehead as she had done to him, "There's no need to decide that now. We have credits, and a lot to sell, if that's what you want."
"What I want?" She said, "I-I don't know. Maybe to explore?"
He rubbed his chin, "That can also be done, but not before we pay tribute."
DJ lead her to the gates of the port, which were guarded by two aliens she had never seen before. She tried not to stare at them as DJ spoke in a foreign language. They opened the gates, as two more guards met them. DJ handed them each two gold coins. The woman held on tightly to the handle of her energy sword. The two guards didn't seem bothered by her weapon as they lead them forward to a large altar where another alien creature sat on a throne. The woman gaped at the display. The throne looked like melted gold. She could tell this was meant to wow and intimidate and it worked. DJ pulled out a compartment from his jacket pocket and presented it before the creature. There was a moment of nervous tension as the creature opened the contents and pulled out the many jewels inside. The creature let out a booming noise the woman guessed was approval, because DJ spoke in the alien language again and they were lead out and into the city. He handed her a small purse that had a distinct jingling sound at the bottom she recognized as credits.
DJ explained as they started to walk the streets of the small mega city, "The queen demands a portion of the spoils of being here. That's how wealthy this place is. Everyone who-who leaves makes a-a coin, everyone who lands makes a coin. Think of it as being in a private club, and you've just been added."
She frowned at him, "Your name is Don't Join."
"Think of it like permission to pass rather than recruitment." He frowned back at her, putting his hands in his pockets, "It isn't honest, but it's fair. You shouldn't have any t-t-trouble with the place." He yawned. His pace slowed, and she realized he had almost stopped walking.
She turned to face him, "You're not coming with me?"
"Someone had to be awake to guide the ship while you slept. Now that we're here, I can rest," he said, stretching his arms.
The woman felt panic surge through her. She put two and two together. DJ had just paid for her passage in this city, where he said she'd be able to make a living tracking bounties. He had also just given her a bag of currency. Her ears started ringing as she balled her fists at her sides.
DJ noticed this and promised, "I don't normally sleep for v-v-very long."
She looked up at him. Her gaze made him toss his head back in surprise. He was about to respond when she tugged him at the elbow, pulling him into a dark and empty alley nearby. She let go of him, as they stood facing each other, "Look at my face," she asked of him.
He stiffened his posture, and examined her. "You're scared," he replied.
"What do you think I'm scared of?" she sighed exasperatedly.
He crossed his arms, and looked at the ground. He answered reluctantly, "Scared that-that I'm trying to leave you here."
She nodded her head. "You have to admit this is slightly suspect," she insisted.
He took a moment, putting his hands in his pockets and pacing back and forth. "We're partners. I would not have done that un-unless I m-meant it." She felt bad. She knew he needed to sleep, and didn't want to stop him from doing so, but she couldn't ignore what her brain was telling her. If she was wrong, at least it'd be out in the open.
She nodded her head, "My gut tells me you're right. My brain warns me to be careful. I just want to know if you're going to leave." Her voice breaks, as he stops pacing to focus on her. "I want to believe you. I mean, I'm used to being on my own, but I'd rather know now. I can fend for myself."
He takes his hands out of his pockets, and places them on her cheeks, "Of course you can," he said trying to console her. His eyes are that shade of hazel again. She leans into the wall, as he closes the space between them.
He searches her face, and is saddened to see true fear in it. She wishes she could rely on her gut, but this was a lot to take in on such short notice. She looks away from him, as he tries to back away to give her space. His hands start to drop from her face. She finds herself gripping his coat, and pulling him back but still unable to make eye contact again. He obliges, and steps forward again. She puts her hands on tops of his, putting them back on her face as she closes her eyes. She takes in his warmth. She regrets getting him to look at her face; she doesn't want him to see her fear. She was trained to never show it.
"Look at my face," he pleads.
She doesn't respond, keeping her eyes closed and concentrating on his warmth instead. He takes her hand and puts it on his chest. "Please," he says. She feels his heart beating rapidly. She looks up at him.
"Look. What do you see?" he asks.
His eyes are soft. His thick eyebrows upturned. His lips slightly parted. His eyes dart back and forth from her eyes to her mouth, occasionally lingering on her lips. His breathing is matching hers.
She realizes in this moment, whatever is happening between them is about much more than something physical. He cares about her. Truly. She can't understand how it's possible in such a short time, but she's been feeling it in every action he takes, and every look he gives her. In this moment, she realizes she feels the same. The emotion overcomes her, as her training instinctively causes her to suppress it.
"I don't know what it is," she lies.
He gives her a tremulous smile, as it falters. He sees through her lie as soon as she speaks it.
"You do," he says softly. He caresses her cheek. Then taking a shallow breath, he slowly rubs his thumb over her bottom lip. It's rough against her soft mouth. She holds in a shudder. His gaze is welcoming, yet filled behind it something daring. "You know my desires. I could never hide from you."
She nods because it's true. She finally accepts it.
He heaved a sigh of relief, as he relaxed, putting his forehead against hers. Then, he drops his hand absentmindedly, but falters as he realizes it's at her neck. He brushes his fingers lightly around her neck, as they breathe in the same space. It feels as though every breathe she takes in is one he's just let out. It's hot and warms her nose.
His fingers roam to her to shoulder. Pushing her shirt out of the way, he lingers them over her bare skin, tracing them over her collarbone. As she sees him tilt his head to look at the definition of her shoulder. He puts a finger under her bra strap, slapping it to her skin. She giggles, and wraps her arms around his chest. His moves his hands around her neck and waist, as he pushes her into the wall again, hugging her. She enjoys the pressure. He smells like motor oil, and alcohol, and leather. It makes her smile into his chest, as she takes another deep breath of him. She grips him tighter. He moves his fingers along the back of her neck, almost making her knees shake. He lowers his head to her shoulder, breathing her in, as his lips brush up against her neck. Then, a noise from outside the alley causes him to pull from her to look. They drop their hands.
"Why would I leave when I still don't know what you taste like?" He says with his signature devilish grin.
They laugh nervously together. He puts a hand on his brow, "Need sleep. I got a bit-bit carried away." He says pinching his fingers together and squinting one eye.
She shrugs her shoulders, "Perhaps you didn't go far enough.
"I'll keep that in mind for next-t-t time." He says scratching the back of his head. He looks a bit embarrassed. It wasn't a look she expected to see.
He begins to leave, but then stops, "Actually I can st-tay."
"No, you're exhausted," she reassures him. He agrees. After giving her short directions and a briefing on the rules for the place, DJ left to The Libertine though not without first warning her to "Only get into trouble, if you want to."