Tales of Pabu
Part Four: Two Years Later
The Return
1.
Tech found Omega and Jewel down on the beach making sandcastles.
"Daddy!"
The girl, nearly two years old now, stood and ran toward him on chubby legs, a big grin on her face. He scooped her up in his arms and kissed her cheek.
"Hello, my Jewel," he said. The girl's light brown skin was covered in sand; there was even some clinging to the light curls of hair that blew around her face. "Are you having fun with Omega?"
"Mega," she said, pointing to Omega, who stood and brushed herself off.
"Hi Tech." His sister had grown taller, and her blonde hair was braided and fell down to the middle of her back.
"Thank you for watching her, Omega," Tech said. He and Phee had needed, well, some alone time together, and Omega was a willing babysitter.
"Anytime," she answered. "We make beautiful castles together, don't we Jewel?" she asked her, lightly tapping the girl's nose with her finger. Jewel giggled.
"See Daddy?" Jewel pointed to their sand creation. A crumbling mountain with seashells and sticks and pebbles sticking out of it loomed up from the sand.
"That is the most unique sandcastle I have ever seen," Tech said, smiling at his daughter. The girl beamed with pride. Her eyes, much like his own, gazed up at him with something close to devotion. Tech once again felt his heart squeeze tight as he looked at his child. He loved her more than he could ever have imagined.
"I have news," he told Omega. "Crosshair has returned."
"Crosshair! Where is he?" she asked excitedly.
"Probably making his approach now." They looked up at the flawless Pabu sky. And there, in the distance, a ship approached the landing pad at the top of the village.
Omega began to run, then turned toward them. "Are you coming?"
"Yes, but at a slower pace." Omega could run for miles without getting breathless. He remembered a time when he could do that, as well, but it had been some time since he'd run up mountains.
"I'll tell him to wait for you," she called back, running toward the docks and the winding road that led to the landing pad.
"Well, my Jewel," he said, adjusting her in his arms as he began to walk after Omega. "Are you ready to meet Uncle Crosshair? He is a little grumpy, but you will get used to that."
"Gumpy."
"Yes, very gumpy. But I am sure you will like him very much anyway."
2.
Crosshair entered Pabu's atmosphere with mixed feelings, to say the least.
He had done well for himself, finding mercenary work on Pantora, and then making contacts from there, making sure those who needed to know were aware of his work. It was a short leap from there to bounty-hunting, and he'd taken pride, as well as some pleasure, in hunting down the marks for his clients. His success rate was nearly flawless, and word of his skills grew; the jobs got better, and the money more plentiful. He worked for anyone who paid well, which included individuals and corporations, gangsters and criminal overlords.
But he never worked for the Empire. That would be ill-advised, considering he was a known fugitive. Clones belonged to the Empire; that much they had made clear. But even if that weren't so, he'd never give them the privilege of his business. The most despicable crime lords were preferable to Imperial scum.
But as his work and reputation grew, he thought of Pabu and what he'd left behind there. His brothers, and his sister. Senn. The only family he ever knew or had. And…. he had missed them. Just a little. All right, maybe more than a little, although the work had kept him occupied. But now he was between jobs for a bit, and he thought he'd check in with them. Just to let them know how he was doing, and to see how they fared.
And…. Senn. Senn had occupied more space in his mind—and heart—than he had expected. Crosshair had needed time and space alone, to be the only one in his own head. He'd had that, and he'd come to find that Senn was still there. After two years, it was clear that his lover had not used the Force, or whatever ability he had, to make him feel the way he did. He'd searched his heart and had concluded that whatever feelings he had, were his own.
But…it had been two years. Longer than he had expected. Did Senn still feel the same way? Had he taken another lover while he was gone? Crosshair had no intention of staying on Pabu anyway or leaving his new profession, so maybe it didn't matter.
And yet, it did matter.
He landed his new ship, the Precision, a YT-series light freighter he'd bought with his new earnings, and sat at the controls for a moment, steeling himself. Then he took out a toothpick, put it in his mouth, and walked down the ramp on to the landing pad.
As he emerged, he saw Hunter standing a distance away with his arms crossed. Of course, he thought. But he found he was glad to see him.
"Crosshair," Hunter said as he approached. "It's good to see you, brother," he added, as they clapped arms together.
"And you."
Hunter eyed the ship behind him. "Nice ride."
Crosshair glanced back at it. "That old thing? Just something I picked up on Corellia."
"Things are going well, then, I take it?"
"Very well."
"I'm glad." He sounded sincere, and Crosshair supposed he was. "How long are you staying?"
He hesitated. "It depends."
"On what?" But it looked like Hunter knew the answer.
Crosshair shrugged. "On how long it takes before I wear out my welcome."
Hunter laughed. "Well, you've got a few people who have been waiting to see you." Crosshair thought maybe Hunter would mention Senn, but he didn't, so Crosshair didn't, either.
"Crosshair!"
"Here comes one, now," Hunter said, turning to see Omega running toward them. The girl was always running.
Was that really Omega? Stars, she was growing up. Nearly a woman. Her long braid swished behind her; blonde wisps fell out around her face, which had thinned out, losing its childish roundness.
"Hey kid," he said, as she came up to him and embraced him. He felt her breasts against him, and he quickly ended the hug, slightly appalled at how she had grown and changed.
"I missed you," she cried, grinning ear to ear. "I've missed our sniper practice. But I've been practicing on my own, and I'm getting better!"
"Good."
"Can we practice together again?"
"Give him a moment to breathe, Omega," Hunter said. "He just got here." Crosshair didn't miss the quick scowl that flashed across Omega's face, then disappeared just as quickly.
"I'm just excited to see him, Hunter."
"Sure, kid, we can practice while I'm here," Crosshair said. Was there some contention between them? Whatever it was, Hunter had the good sense not to reply.
A low whine alerted them to an approaching speeder. It held Wrecker at the wheel with Tech in the passenger seat with a child in his arms. Ah yes, his child. He'd almost forgotten.
"Hey Crosshair!" Wrecker called. "About time you came back." The big man jumped out of the speeder, an old, dilapidated thing that looked slapped together with mismatched parts.
Wrecker wrapped him in one of his bear hugs. "Where have you been?" he asked, finally setting him down.
"Making a living," Crosshair replied.
"Hey, me too! I use the speeder to give people rides up and down the mountain."
"Lucrative." Crosshair's voice dripped with sarcasm.
"Oh, I don't charge anything," Wrecker added. Crosshair rolled his eyes. "I found Tech and Jewel on the way up."
Tech approached with the child in his arms. "Crosshair. Good to see you." He held out a hand, and Crosshair shook it. "This is my daughter, Jewel." He turned slightly so the girl was facing him.
The child was beautiful, even Crosshair could see that. She looked up at him with Tech's eyes, as if awestruck.
"Say hello to your Uncle Crosshair, Jewel," Tech prodded.
The girl raised a tiny, chubby hand and gave a little wave. "Gumpy," she said.
Everyone chuckled. Crosshair raised an eyebrow at Tech.
"I might have warned her you were a little grumpy," Tech explained.
"Well," Crosshair said, leaning forward and whispering conspiratorially to the girl, "He's not wrong, kid."
She giggled and grabbed his nose.
"That is not polite, Jewel," Tech said, pulling her away.
But Crosshair's heart was already won; though, as always, he'd never admit it to a soul.
3.
Tech invited him back to the house down by the beach that he shared with Phee. Crosshair was itching to find Senn, but he agreed. He hadn't seen his brothers in two years, after all. And part of him was nervous about seeing Senn.
So they all piled into Wrecker's speeder—Crosshair, Tech and Jewel, Hunter and Omega—and spiraled down the mountain. The place hadn't changed much, though he saw a few new buildings and some repairs. There were some old faces he remembered, and many new ones. The Empire was not finished forcing people from their homes, and probably wouldn't be any time soon.
Phee greeted them at the house. "Hey, Toothpick," she said. "The place has been way too cheery without your glum face." She took a fussing Jewel from Tech, who went into the kitchen.
"Happy to balance things out," he replied.
They settled in the common room and Tech brought out cups and a bottle of something. Ugh, hopefully not more of that sweet stuff, he thought. He had a sudden thirst for SirsKeegan grog to burn down his throat. It made him think of Senn, so he tried to put it out of his mind.
Everyone took a cup and Phee started pouring. Omega claimed a cup of her own, and Hunter glared disapprovingly. "Omega," he warned.
Omega scowled at him again and looked about to retort, but Phee interrupted.
"Oh, let her have a cup, Hunter. I'll water it down if it makes you feel better. We're celebrating the return of her wayward brother, after all."
Omega shot a triumphant look at Hunter, who sighed but said nothing, relenting.
Interesting.
Crosshair went to take a sip, but Tech raised his cup. "To family," he said. Everyone raised their own cups and repeated it. They drank. It wasn't sweet, thank the stars, but it certainly wasn't as strong as the grog. A kind of dry, fruity wine. Acceptable.
"To Crosshair!" Omega cried out her own toast, and everyone smiled and repeated it, to Crosshair's dismay. It was embarrassing. But it felt good, too.
"Tell us about your work, Crosshair," Omega demanded. For someone who had been the target of several bounty hunters, she was eager to hear about his own bounties.
"Yeah, tell us, Crosshair," Wrecker said, gulping down his wine.
"There's not much to tell," he lied. "I get hired to find people, I find them and get paid when I bring them back."
"Dead or alive?" Omega prompted.
"Mostly alive," he teased. There had been several targets he was instructed to terminate. Scum, all of them, so he had no qualms about following through. But Omega didn't need to hear about those.
"I assume you're not part of the Guild," Hunter said.
He nodded. "I operate…beneath the radar," he replied. "As a clone fugitive, I can't join the Guild, or I risk Imperial detection. There are both advantages and drawbacks to this. But at the end of the day, I get the job done."
"No doubt," Hunter commented, smiling.
He spent some time telling them about a few of his jobs, one taking him to Jakku in search of a spice smuggler who had stolen from the Pykes (never a good idea), and another that found him on Elphrona searching for a target who owed money to a loan shark from Tatooine.
"It sounds exciting," Omega said, hugging Jewel, who had crept into her arms with a tattered Lula in her hand. Omega's voice sounded wistful.
"It's interesting," Crosshair told her. "It suits me."
They chatted for a while longer until Hunter told them he was meeting Shep and had to go.
"I'll drive you up," Wrecker offered, and they both took their leave.
Omega soon followed, saying she told Lyana she'd help her fix her boat, which needed some engine work.
"I'm getting good at fixing things," she told him.
"Due to my thorough and comprehensive instruction," Tech reminded her, taking Jewel off her hands.
"Obviously," she said, a little flippantly, and kissed Jewel on the forehead.
"Mega," the child whined, reaching for her.
"I'll see you later, Jewel, at dinner. You'll be at dinner, won't you, Crosshair?"
"Possibly." It depended on how the afternoon went. And who he was with.
Omega sighed, knowing Possibly meant Probably not. "Fine. Bye."
Phee cleared the cups and brought them to the kitchen. When she came back out, she took Jewel from Tech's arms. "Come on, baby, let's let these two catch up for a bit."
The child fussed, clearly not wanting to leave her father's arms. "I will play a game with you later, my darling," he told her, and that somewhat mollified her.
When they were alone, Crosshair said, "She's lovely, Tech."
Tech smiled. "She is…. the center of our lives. The star we orbit."
Tech speaking in metaphor? Will wonders never cease? "No more little ones to add to the collection?" If they could have one miracle, why not more?
A shadow crossed Tech's face. "Phee and I decided not to have more children. Jewel's birth was difficult. Well, more than difficult. They both almost died." He took a long sip of his wine at the remembrance.
"Died?" Crosshair set his cup down.
"There were…complications. Phee nearly bled to death, and the baby…" Tech didn't finish his sentence and drank again. "Luckily, Dr. Xo was able to save them, despite our medical facilities not being up to date. But it was…. harrowing."
"Makes cloning seem like a breeze."
"Yes," Tech agreed. "More efficient. Simpler. But—not that I would have Phee go through such an ordeal again—there is something about the inherent danger of birth that makes life more precious, in my opinion."
"If you say so." After a beat, he said, "You look good. Much better than the last time I saw you. You're…doing well?"
Tech glanced sideways at him. "I was wondering when you were going to ask about him."
"I'm asking about you."
"I am doing quite well. And we both know it is because of Senn."
Crosshair swirled what was left of his drink in the cup. "I'm glad he's helped you."
"We talked everyday for quite some time. Then every few days, then once a week. It is about once a month now. The nightmares have become less frequent. No panic fits since that night." He drank. "He has a gift. And he has become a good friend."
"I'm glad." He hesitated. "Does…is he…?" He sighed.
Tech put a hand on his arm and smiled. "Go see him, Crosshair."
4.
He'd taken his leave and walked down the spiral road toward Sea Foam Lane. Several times he saw Wrecker in the speeder going either up or down the mountain, and every time Wrecker called, "Hey Crosshair, want a ride?"
"No," he replied, every single time.
"Okay, see you around!"
He walked the familiar path down to the beach, up the stairs, and down the lane that led to Senn's rooms. He slowed as he approached the door, unsure, then berated himself for being such a coward and strode forward.
He raised his hand to knock when the door suddenly opened.
Senn stood in the doorway, as beautiful as ever. His hair was longer, but his blue eyes still dazzled as he stared at Crosshair in disbelief. "It is you."
He flicked his toothpick away. "Did you miss me?"
"You're gone for two years, not a word, nothing, and you ask me that?"
Crosshair said nothing, his heart unraveling. There had always been the possibility that Senn would be angry at him for being gone for so long and move on.
"I….needed to be alone," he finally said.
"And were you? Alone?"
Crosshair realized Senn was asking him if he'd had any lovers while he was gone, the same question he'd had about him. "Were you?"
A sardonic smile played upon Senn's lips. "I asked you first."
No. There had been no one, nor had he been interested. There had been plenty of opportunities, with women, men, and everything in between in his travels. But something held him back, and he knew it was the young man standing in front of him now.
"There's only ever been you, Senn."
Senn stared at him, looked away, then back, as if struggling with something. He suddenly put his hands on Crosshair, pulled him inside, and shut the door.
"You bastard," he flung at him. Then kissed him, hard, urgent. Crosshair pulled him close, reveling in his touch, his scent, the feel of his mouth, his breath on his neck.
"I didn't know if you'd ever come back," Senn uttered between kisses. "I didn't know if you hated me."
"Hate you?" His hands roved over Senn's body, under his shirt, down his pants, eliciting a groan. "Why would you think that?"
"You were gone," he panted, as Crosshair started pulling his clothes off. "So long."
"I'm here now, aren't I?" He pushed him down onto the couch and began undoing his belt. "And I'm going to fuck you."
5.
And he did, for quite some time, until darkness fell, and they lay slumped in each other's arms.
"Oh dear," Crosshair said wearily. "We missed dinner."
"I think they'll figure out what happened."
"Yes." After a moment, he said, "Thank you."
"You don't have to thank me for what we just did, Cross."
Crosshair playfully slapped him on the shoulder. "Not that. For helping Tech. For saving him that night. I never thanked you."
"You don't have to. But you're welcome. I know you love him. We all do." He raised himself on an elbow. "It took him nearly six months to tell me what actually happened on Tantiss. And then not everything. There are some things he'll never tell." He shuddered. "They're monsters, Cross."
"I know." He had cause to know. Not just from being on the receiving end of their monstrosities. But for being one of them, once. He had committed atrocities, too. And so there were some things he would never tell, either.
"You don't have to tell me," Senn murmured, putting his head back down on his chest.
It still startled Crosshair, the way Senn did that. It would be annoying if he wasn't also grateful that at least someone understood him and didn't judge.
"Where did you get this?" Senn's finger ran along a scar that snaked down the side of his chest, from his shoulder to his hip.
"Ah, that," he said, glad to change the subject. "That's from a Trandoshan's claw. We were wrestling for my rifle as I tried to bring him in for a client."
"Looks like he won that one."
He smiled wickedly. "Wrong. Had to drag his body back to the ship, injury and all. Could have used Wrecker that day. He was heavy."
Senn considered him. "You're in your element out there, aren't you?"
"You can read my mind, what do you think?"
"I don't read minds, Cross."
"So, what do you do?" He kissed his neck and ran his tongue along his ear.
Senn sighed. "I sense feelings…sometimes…can influence them."
"Are you influencing me now?" His hand snaked down Senn's body and stroked between his legs.
"No," he gasped. "You just find me irresistible."
"Hhmm-hmm."
"But I do know," he said, turning to sit up and then straddling him, "that you're avoiding my implication."
"Which is?" He grasped Senn's hips and pushed his own upwards. What had he said again?
Senn leaned down, bringing his lips close to his. "That you'll leave again."
Ah yes. Being in his element and all that. "But I'll always come back," he said, running his fingers through Senn's hair. "I'll always come back to you. If you want me."
"I'll never not want you, Cross." Senn ground his hips against his.
"But?" He gripped tighter.
"Don't stay away so long. Please."
"Deal."
"Cross…"
"Hmmmm?" He was getting tired of words already.
Senn brought his lips to his ear. "There was no one while you were gone," he whispered. "There never will be."
Crosshair kissed him, and Senn moved in earnest above him, and then there was no more speaking for a while.
6.
Senn woke in the middle of the night. He sensed Cross sitting up as if to get out of bed.
"Where are you going?"
"Getting something to drink. You're thirsty work," he said, smirking. He moved to get up.
"Wait," Senn said, sitting up. "I want to show you something."
"Right now? I'm dry as sand."
"Just watch." Senn took a breath, held out a hand, and concentrated. A pitcher of water and some cups stood on a table in the next room, just visible in the low light of the bedroom. The pitcher shook a bit, then rose and tilted, pouring some water into one of the cups. It settled back down on the table gently, and the cup began a journey across the room, into the bedroom, and into Senn's waiting hand.
He handed the cup of water to Cross, whose mouth had fallen partially open as he watched. "Here you go."
"Thanks," Cross answered, and drank down the water in thirsty gulps. He wiped his mouth on his arm and regarded Senn thoughtfully. "Someone's been practicing."
He smiled, half-embarrassed. "I had a lot of time on my hands."
"I'm impressed."
"You're not angry?"
"Why would I be angry?"
"I don't know," Senn admitted. "After what happened with Tech….I kept it from you, and I'm sorry about that. And I was afraid you thought that I was….influencing you. With the Force. But I wasn't, Cross. You know that, don't you?"
Cross put the cup down on the side table near the bed and turned to him. "I do know. While I was gone, I wasn't sure. But as time passed, I realized that whatever I was feeling, it came from inside me. It was the most genuine feeling I've had in a long time. Well, besides rage."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"It is." Cross gazed at him intensely. "Can I ask you something?"
"Okay."
Cross leaned back on the pillows, his hands behind his head. "Can you make me a Force-sandwich? Because I'm starving."
Senn laughed, more heartily than he had in a long time. "I'll see what I can do."
7.
Omega took aim, adjusted the scope, and then took her shot. The wooden arm of the target moved, and a few splinters flew off. For the fourth time.
She emitted a noise of frustration. "It's this damn wind," she complained.
Cursing now? Something was definitely up with this kid. "You have to compensate for it," Crosshair reminded her. Again.
"I know," she said, kicking the sand. She lifted the rifle again.
Crosshair raised his hand. "Break."
"I'm ready!"
"Break." He pointed to the ground. "Sit."
She sighed dramatically and plopped onto the sand.
He sat down beside her. "All right, I'll bite. What's up with you and Hunter?"
"I don't know what you mean," she answered flatly.
"You've been at each other's throats since I got here." Used to be, the sun rose and set with Hunter.
She scowled for a moment. "He won't let me do anything!"
"Like what?"
"Anything!"
"Like drink wine?"
"Not just that," she pouted.
"What then? Out with it." He wondered if it had anything to do with the boy he'd seen her with the last time he was here. But he hadn't seen the kid in the few days he'd been back.
She looked out at the sea. "I love Pabu, Crosshair. I really do. And I appreciate the sacrifices the others have made so I can be here. So I could have a 'normal' childhood. And it's great. But…"
"You're bored." He thought he was starting to get the picture.
"Yes!"
"You're not meant for a normal childhood. Or life."
"Exactly! You get it, Crosshair. Why can't Hunter?"
He considered his words carefully. "Hunter takes his responsibilities seriously. The moment he took you from Kamino, you became one of them. The most important one."
"I get that. But I'm not a child anymore. I need to be out there, Crosshair. Doing something. Phee said she'd take me on some treasure-hunting trips when she's ready again, when Jewel is older. But that could take forever." She grabbed some sand and sifted it through her fingers. "I mentioned finding Echo and helping him on his missions. But Hunter forbade it. He forbade it!" She threw sand down angrily. "I could find Echo on my own, if I wanted to." She glanced sideways at him. "If I could find someone willing to take me off-world."
"I'm not taking you off of Pabu behind Hunter's back."
"But Crosshair—"
"No."
She looked away, her face flushing with anger. Were her eyes filling with tears? The whole time on Tantiss, with danger and heartbreak everywhere, he never saw one tear. Only determination.
Well, shit.
"Look, I'll talk to him. Okay?"
She surreptitiously wiped the tears away and looked at him. "About me finding Echo?"
"Not that. Echo would just march you back here, knowing Hunter would want it. I was thinking of something else." Stars help him, he had an idea. But he didn't know if Hunter would go for it.
"What?"
"I'm leaving for my next job in a week. It's not bounty-hunting, just a simple delivery of goods to Nal Hutta. I take on those jobs sometimes to make some extra credits between bounties. Maybe—maybe—he'll let me take you with me."
Her eyes lit up. "Really?"
He held up a finger. "No promises. If he says no, that's it. But I'll try to convince him its…a good idea right now."
"Oh, Crosshair, thank you!" She threw her arms around him. "It'll be such fun!"
"Don't thank me yet."
8.
"No," Hunter said, shaking his head. "It's too dangerous, Crosshair."
He'd found Hunter later that day supervising the building of some new docks. He'd convinced him to take a break and they sat down in the shade under an awning.
"For a simple delivery? I told you, it's not a bounty."
"And what are you delivering?" he asked suspiciously.
This could be the tricky part. Crosshair shrugged. "Just some food pellets, a few medical supplies, building materials. Some weapons," he added casually.
"Weapons? What kind?"
"Does it matter?"
Hunter gave him a look. "Yes."
Crosshair could lie. But he wouldn't. Because Hunter would find out, anyway. He sighed. "A caseload of thermal detonators, a few pulse rifles. Maybe some disruptors."
"Disruptors?" Hunter nearly rose from his seat. "Are you out of your mind? Even the Imperials outlawed those."
"Which makes it extremely profitable to deliver them to those who are willing to pay."
"So you're a smuggler now, too?" Hunter couldn't hide the disgust in his voice.
"Call it what you want. The point is, if you don't let Omega do something other than frolic in the sand here, she's going to leave anyway. Without your permission, and with you not knowing where she is. This way, at least you'll know, and I'll be with her. I'll protect her with my life, Hunter. I don't have to tell you that, do I?"
Hunter sat back in his chair, exhaling. "No. I know that, Crosshair. I just wish…"
"That she wasn't growing up?"
Hunter offered a half-smile. "That. But also, that she could just be happy here. Safe."
Crosshair pointed a finger at him. "You all made her what she is. Don't complain about it now."
"I guess you're right. How long will the trip be?"
"No more than two weeks. A trip to Savareen to pick it up, then to Nal Hutta for delivery. Simple."
"Where have I heard that before?"
Crosshair grunted. "Well?"
Hunter was silent for a minute. Then: "Fine. But I have a list of rules from here to Coruscant."
"I'm sure you do." But he smiled.
9.
Omega made her goodbyes as if she was leaving for a year. She danced around the landing pad, powerfully excited to be doing anything at all.
"I'll miss you, Jewel," she cried, lifting the girl out of Tech's arms and kissing her cheeks.
"Mega," the child said, pulling at Omega's hair. "Bye bye."
"Ouch!" But she laughed and handed Jewel back to Tech. "Bye Tech."
"You've read all the data I provided on Savareen and Nal Hutta?" Tech asked her, adjusting his glasses. "And the specs on Crosshair's ship?"
"Yes, yes." She hugged him. "I'll be fine, I promise." When she looked up, she saw Hunter some distance behind him, leaning on a post. She hesitated for one moment; then she ran to him and embraced him in a fierce hug.
Crosshair saw them exchange a few words; when Hunter looked over at him, Crosshair nodded. Omega skipped back over to him.
"Ready."
"Say goodbye to your Uncle Crosshair, Jewel," Tech said.
The girl looked up at him. "Bye Gumpy," she said.
He zoomed in close to the girl's face. "Bye sassy-pants."
The girl laughed hysterically.
"Good luck, Crosshair," Tech said. Then, in a lower voice, "Bring her home safe."
Tech and Jewel were walking away with Hunter; as they did so, Senn passed them with a word and a hand on Tech's arm.
"Why don't you go prep the ship?" Crosshair suggested to Omega.
"Sir, yes sir!" She saluted him and ran up the ramp. He rolled his eyes. This might be a long trip.
Senn was smiling as he came up to him. "You've made her so happy."
"It's a gift," he said drily. He flicked his toothpick away. "I thought you weren't going to come up here." They'd said their goodbyes the night before. All night.
"I forgot to tell you something."
"Yeah?" Senn was going to tell him he loved him, and then Crosshair would probably have to say it back. He guessed he didn't mind; it was the truth. "What?"
"Our grog supplier, Zef, left the island last year. Maybe you can take a side trip to SirsKeegan and bring some back."
Crosshair shook his head to keep from laughing. "I'll see what I can do." He strode forward and took Senn's face in his hands and kissed him. "I love you, Senn." There. He said it.
"Hold that thought," Senn said, smiling coyly. "I'll see you in two weeks."
He turned and walked away, and Crosshair watched him until he heard from within the ship, "Crosshair! Let's go!"
"Ma'am, yes ma'am," he muttered and entered the ship. It was going to be a good trip.