Xanthee sat alone in her private chamber of the large ship later and admired her ring while reflecting on her thoughts. It was quaint and delicate, while still holding an air of power around it. The band was made of gold so thin and fine that looped and weaved in intricate threads to form a sturdier base for the beautifully-cut shining diamond that was inlaid with two smaller diamonds that almost seemed to be guarding it set on either side. From there, she looked at the other ring held snug between her hand and her new engagement ring; a small and fairly battered band of white gold with no stone. It had no pattern to it, no engraving, no sentimental message of eternal love printed on the inner side for the wearer to read at whim and sigh over the romanticism of it all. It was simply a solid band of uniform silver metal, rather low karat, the circumference of which was probably the same as all the woven pieces of the new ring she admired so. But somehow, the lackluster halo was the one that held her heart.
She was startled out of her daze as Char lightly knocked on her door and entered. She looked up at him, actually appreciating his presence as much as she hated to admit it to herself, and smiled at him. The longer she was around him, the more she came to like him. He was very handsome in his own way. She realized one day that she just hadn't tried to see it in him before; her mental prejudices were set to high. Once she tried to get to know him and see him for who he was, he was just as loveable for her as Wolf. However, something within her simply wouldn't let go, and she winced and rebuked herself mentally every time she danced away from or turned from him coquettishly.
Char advanced across the room to her, embarrassed that he was smiling like an idiot but not making any effort to change it, and went to hug her. He saw the expression on her face change and she took a step back, and Char nearly lost his nerve. But as he finally reached her side, she stood firm. Grinning wider, if it were possible, he swept her up in his arms and buried his face in her hair, making her giggle and him chuckle. It'd been nearly three weeks, and he hoped with each waking breath that she'd open up to him. He had felt uncomfortable the first week, as she had obsessed in her private chamber about her lost love and cried herself to sleep. He had listened in, to ensure that she was safe and did not try anything rash because he cared so deeply for her already. When he'd told Jarok about it, he had acted very upset and taken the shuttle; probably wished to get home sooner. It stilled worried him though. Now though he felt embarrassed to broach the subject with her that he had access to see or hear any area of the ship he chose. All the rooms were wired through security cameras to a screen hidden in a wall in his room, and he could hear or watch any area at any time. It was very handy when dealing with criminals and the like. He just couldn't stand the thought of her thinking him a pervert, and so hadn't been able to bring himself to tell her yet. Soon I will, I swear. He put her back on her feet.
"Xanthee dear, I uh…have something I want to confess." Oh Goddess, am I really doing this now? I am such a fool! What is it about her? He thought, gulping. "I…well; maybe it'd be better to show you. It's time for you to learn more culture whatever anyhow, eh?" He chuckled at his own stupidity, not believing his own actions.
"What today Char? Haven't I got everything down?" She'd been studying everything she could find on the ship's computer, and Char had filled her in on most the rest. She couldn't imagine what else there was to learn, and that made her worry deeply about the remaining three weeks of the journey. What will there be for he and I to do when it's just us…not even Jarok anymore? She shuddered at the thought, but followed him, becoming increasingly uncomfortable as he led her to his bedroom. "I…uh… I…what do you have planned for today Char?" Her face flushed as heat flooded her body. She fought to maintain control and beat back the arousal that entered her unexpectedly. No, I'm not ready to feel that way about him yet…but…why not? What do I have to lose? She studied his profile as he carefully unlocked the door, unaware of her sudden resolve.
"I just…have to show you something Xanthee. I know we haven't known each other very long, but it's important to me," he said, tugging at his collar.
"I agree. I think. Yea, I do." She followed him inside and shut the door behind herself, watching as he busied himself with something on his nightstand.
Char busied himself with finding the remote for his screen with his back to her, trying not to show his discomfort at not having told her about his secret vigilance earlier. Suddenly he froze as he felt soft hands lift the bottom of his long t-shirt and sensual kisses following his spine. In complete shock, it took him a moment to realize that his shirt was in a heap on the floor and Xanthee was pushing him back towards his bed, kissing his chest now. "What…wait…what are you doing Xanthee?" He screeched without meaning to, thrown off by her sudden change in behavior.
Xan blushed and froze. "Isn't this what you wanted me in here for?"
He started laughing loudly. "No! Of course not. Not until you feel ready. I…I have something else I need to show you. He reached over and flipped on the view screen, showing her the galley and her own bedroom.
She looked on with shock as he showed her. "You…you bastard! You pervert! You've been watching me haven't you?" She turned abruptly and slammed him against the wall with all her weight, catching him off guard. "You total slime-bag!"
"No, no, it's not like that! I swear! I swear to you Xan, I haven't. It…it has sound too! See?" He turned on what he had recorded the first night by accident of her crying, and her grip on him slowly loosened. "I was concerned about you, wanted to make sure you were ok…" he said sullenly. He saw her eyes shine and how she refused to let the tears form, rubbing them away before they could fall naturally.
"You…you cared that much?" She whispered.
"Uh-huh," he mumbled in response.
She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him sweetly yet passionately. "You are worthy Char, so much more than worthy. I'm so sorry I've been so obsessed with something I couldn't change. I don't see how I can possibly deserve you, in a universe this vast. Please understand," she said after she had broken away from him. She soon kissed him again, enjoying the feel and taste of him, the thought of his familiarity playing in her mind. She pushed the thoughts away desperately, trying to love him as he deserved.
"I don't deserve this," he whispered, sweeping her up in his arms again, enjoying the feel of her body against his and the seeming lightness of her. "I wronged you, I'm willing to wait until you're sure you're ready, don't feel pressured. I don't want to pressure you." Char enwrapped her in his arms and sat gently on the bed, cradling her against him like that for hours until they both fell asleep.