Teaching Respect.

By C S Sinclair.

Chapter Twenty One.

Author's Note:

Hello there! Now, this may seem like a terrible tease, but this chapter isn't nearly finished. But it's been a while and I wanted to show anyone who is interested that I am most definitely still working on this story. So basically, keep faith and I promise I won't let you down.

Anyway, on with the story… I'll get back on it, as soon as I can.

Sucking in breath sharply, Xu winced as the bruise on her forehead throbbed again. At least the pain seemed to be receding; her fall during the fight had not been too serious, after all. But the jolt had knocked her out of her reverie… back into the reality of her situation.

Even as she considered this, the aging truck shook violently again as if to underscore this, its old plates and gears straining audibly as it forced itself up the mountainous terrain. The Dollet military usually valued a degree of elegance, so this vehicle was likely foreign, one of the cheaper Galbadian models, maybe.

What was certain about it, was that it offered very little protection or comfort. The air at these altitudes often dipped below freezing and although Biggs had insisted on draping his overcoat around her, it was still extremely cold in here.

Not that she would feel warm anyway. Without Jin, the world was desolate and miserable. She needed to get this all sorted out quickly and get back to her; then they would both know that warmth that only the other could give them.

Her wistful smile became another pained wince, as the truck violently clunked its way over a ridge. She wasn't entirely sure her side was healed yet either, but it reminded her of Jin and the sweet way she would fuss over it…

'Do you want some water, ma'am?'

Annoyed at this disruption, she glanced over to see Wedge holding out a canteen to her. He looked pale and drawn – this whole thing had obviously been very hard on him.

'I mean even if you're not thirsty, you could maybe rub some on the bruise. My mam says… well… never mind' he tailed off, his arm slackening and withdrawing his offering sadly.

Xu sighed lightly and inclined her head to catch his gaze.

'No I'm alright – but thank you anyway' she said, with as reassuring a smile as she could be expected to produce under the circumstances.

He grinned with relief, before realising there still wasn't really much to smile about. Nodding awkwardly, he looked down at his feet.

Xu shook her head and leaned back against the wall. The rumbling and shaking was actually rather soothing, she found.

And there was no point in getting too angry now; he may have thrown in with the wrong people, but this wasn't Wedge's fault. No, that honour belonged to… she could barely believe it.

Because it was one thing to know a person, a family member at that, was the kind of person capable of this, but to actually see it, to have proof of it… What was her father thinking? How could he really have ordered something like this?

Well, she'd have a few words to say to him about this, for sure. But if he or any of them thought she was going to waste her time raging and assigning blame now, they were much mistaken. All she could think about was how she needed to get back and make sure her students and friends like Quis and Nida were alright…

But of course, even that only came and went, as strongly as she felt about them. Because if she was honest with herself, she just wanted to think about Jin. She felt her body constricting with pain, as she remembered her girlfriend lying there, reaching out for her.

And when she thought of all that blood from Jin's leg, where she'd been shot…

Xu blinked back tears in her eyes and clenched her hands in mute agony. It felt like there was a gaping hole in her body, where Jin had been torn away. The thought she could… No, she refused to even contemplate that thought. Jin was alive – she knew she was.

And when she got her back, Xu mused nestling against the wall and forcing herself to be calm, she'd baby her and love her so intensely, she'd forget all about this tragic episode. They'd be right back to how they'd been the night before.

Rapturous, blissfully incredulous that life could be so wonderful, as they cuddled each other to sleep, contented and complete in each other's gaze.

'Ma'am, I just wanted to say…' a voice suddenly cut in.

That's it, she took it all back, Xu thought furiously – she would kill him now…

'I just wanted to say that I… I really… I mean I would never have…' Wedge stammered, not seeming to notice her initially murderous look, which soon softened at his harmless fumbling for words.

'It's okay, really' she assured him, wincing again slightly as the truck drew to a stop. 'I know you wouldn't have shot Jin.'

Doors slammed and she could hear the sounds of dozens of people nearby – sounded like she was home. Sure enough, the back door to the truck was thrown open at that point, revealing in the weak light, the all too familiar sight of her family's estate.

Standing back, Biggs motioned for them to come out. Squinting as her eyes adjusted to even this low level of light, Xu looked over and saw Wedge was still sitting. He was lost in thought, a look of confusion on his face, which shined in the pale light streaming in.

'If you knew, then why did you come with us?' he asked, as Xu rose.

Looking over, she offered him a hand and pulled him up.

'Because even though I was absolutely sure you weren't someone who could do something like that, I'd never take any chances with Jin's life' she replied.

His mouth fell open, eyes lowering in utter contrition. Patting him gently on the arm, she led the way out. Jumping down from the truck, she looked about, taking stock of her surroundings - it had been some time since she was last here.

Wedge disembarked at her side, still very quiet.

'I wish... Ma'am...I...' he tried, but Xu shook her head and lifted his chin up.

'She means everything to me, Wedge and they're using that' she explained in a calm but firm voice. 'I don't blame you, but I hope you'll think about that, if you're planning to keep on helping them' she finished, giving a shrug to show that it was up to him to show the world what kind of person he really was.