Scene 7 – All In

That got Corso to stand up. "Captain, I don't think this is a good idea. You're not… at your best."

Vacy glanced over her shoulder. "It's a game of sabaac, Riggs, and the stakes are clearly in our favor." She looked back to Darmas, turning her head to plant a soft kiss on the palm of his hand. "I think that balances out the fact that I got myself toasted before getting the invite here. Besides. Just a friendly card game, right?"

Dark eyes sparkling, Darmas led her over to the table, and when he pulled out her seat and tucked it in behind her, she absolutely beamed at him. He looked over at Corso, brooding on the sofa, and grinned. "Watch and learn, kid."

But it seemed that Darmas might be the one learning something as the game progressed. It wasn't that Vacy played particularly well; she just seemed to draw better cards. She won some hands, lost others, but her point tally grew steadily, as Darmas saw his dwindling. And win or lose, she celebrated each hand with a "woohoo!" followed by a wee nip from her bottle. Darmas would just roll his eyes and occasionally chuckle.

It wasn't quite an hour later when Darmas frowned slightly, looked over at Vacy's point stack, then at his, and shrugged. "All in."

Vacy tilted her head. "Really? Y'really think so? Because…." She looked at her points, then at his, then at her cards. "Because I think I got this. I think Imonna kick your booty." She leaned forward, wiggled her eyebrows, and double-tapped her point tally. "All. In."

Corso was immediately on his feet again. "Captain, you can cover that bet! Y'don't hafta go all in."

Vacy shook her head emphatically. "No way, Riggs. I got this." She clicked to reveal her cards. "Mr. Pollaran, I do b'lieve these add up to minus twenty-three," she said, folding her hands together.

Corso crossed the room to stand behind Vacy and gaped at the cards, then let out a "Woohoo!" that put all of her earlier cheers to shame. "I take it back, Captain. Damn that was good!" He clapped her on the shoulder and grinned cockily at Darmas.

For his part, Darmas sighed and shook his head. "Well played indeed, Captain Fiorst. Of course – now correct me if I'm wrong – but I don't think it's possible to tie this hand, given the cards that have already been played." He clicked, revealing his cards, one at a time.

Twenty-three.

Vacy's jaw dropped, her mouth forming an 'o!' of abject surprise as she stood up and leaned over to look at the cards. She let out a low whistle. "Well… that finishes me off, then, Mr. Pollaran." Looking up at Corso, she shrugged. "Guess you were right, Riggs; I didn't need t'do more'n cover that. I thought I had a sure thing." She shook her head, and looked over at Darmas with a quiet smile. "Thank you, Mr. Pollaran, for showin' me the error of my ways – and espesh'ly for doin' it in a way that din't hurt more'n my feminine pride."

Darmas stood as well, making his way over to stand beside her. "And now, my dear, about the terms of that wager…" And he looked from Vacy to Corso, a very distinct lack of welcome in his expression.

Corso's eyes narrowed. "I think maybe we should have that table examined," he grumbled.

Vacy gasped as she felt Darmas tense up beside her. She took a single step toward Corso and jammed her index finger against his chest – glad that he'd left his armor in the locker as well. "Mr. Riggs, your conduct is inexcusable. You will apologize to Mr. Pollaran immediately."

But Corso only continued to stand silently, glaring at Darmas.

Taking a slow breath, Vacy closed her eyes and turned back to the older man. "Mr. Pollaran, will you please excuse me for a minnit? I am so, so very sorry. I shall return 'mmejitly." Darmas nodded, forcing a smile, and Vacy turned back to Corso.

"Riggs? You will follow me," she said crisply, and like lightning her hand flashed out and she had his pinky finger and she was twisting and his arm was turned around and pain shot past his elbow and shoulder and right up between his eyes, and his breath pulled in with a sudden hiss.

Without another word, Vacy began to push him out toward the foyer. The C2 unit was there and very thoughtfully cleared the holo for them, but Vacy stopped just inside the doorway and let go.

"Captain, I can't just leave you. Don't ask me to – please," Corso murmured, his voice hoarse.

Vacy shook her head. "Riggs… I'm not asking." She held his gaze for a long moment as they stood there, inches apart without touching. "If I don't keep my word, what does that say about me? I just – I have to have my honor. So if I am your Captain… you'll go."

"Thanks for throwin' my own words back at me. I didn't even think you'd remembered I'd ever said that." He sighed, then nodded. "Means that much to ya, does it?"

She nodded in reply. "But it isn't just that. I swear to you, Riggs. I swear on the Wonder – I know what I'm doing. I need you to trust me right now."

His shoulders drooped in defeat, but he nodded. "I do… Captain. And I want you to know – I'll wait for you." With that, he stepped through the doorway.

She took a step away. "Thank you, Riggs. I understand."

And it killed him to see it, but he couldn't seem to move as he watched Vacy turn and walk over to Darmas without once looking back.

A moment later, the holo flickered back into place, and he couldn't see them anymore.