p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif, 'GNU Unifont'; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Ar'alani got through her surgery with minimal invasion and complications, paving the way for Linnia's career path. She would, however, be staying on the Vigilant for a time to monitor Ar'alani's recovery. She was given an officer's suite in the Med Bay to stay in and a clearance code for the entire bay. She wanted to be flattered, to let herself think that she really was a superior doctor than the rest, but in reality, she was using her gut. It was something unheard of in Chiss medicine, decisions were made by machines and tools, and then the mind, and Linnia did it in reverse. But that was the human in /She checked in on Ar'alani the day after her surgery, Vanto's new translator installed on her questis. She knocked, and Ar'alani was seated upright with her questis in her /"How are you feeling?" She asked, pulling the sheet away from her leg to observe /"Much better." Ar'alani said, still looking a little /"Good."br /She was still getting used to the appearance of bruising and discoloration on blue skin, especially the different shades of blue, and touched around it to check for any fluid buildup or /"Do you believe I'll walk alright for the General's ball this time next week?"br /She nodded, "I believe so, as long as you rest." she half smiled, "A ball? That sounds fun."br /"You're going, aren't you?"br /Linnia shook her head. "I wasn't invited."br /"Well you are now, I'll send it to your questis. I'll become general. I'd be honored to have you there."br /Linnia smiled. "I would be honored ma'am."br /"It concerns me that Thrawn didn't tell you about it."br /"Ma'am Thrawn hasn't talked to me in days." She /Ar'alani's eyes narrowed. "I see." She stared at her another beat before turning her leg. "Should that pucker be there just before the stitches?"br /Linnia pulled another pair of gloves on and turned her leg. "it should disappear as the stitches do, but I'll monitor it."br /Ar alani nodded. "I still cannot believe you kept Thrawn alive."br /Linnia blushed and shrugged. "It was a lot of luck. He injured things I could field treat with the supplies we had."br /Ar alani stared at her. "You sell yourself short. Ezra Bridger told me of your efforts, your kindness."br /She shrugged again. "I do what I can in this life ma'am."br /She smirked, and it vanished, a strange fear in her eyes. "Can I confide in you, doctor?"br /Linnia /"I fear I may not pass my physical exam."br /Linnia leaned against the counter. "Why is that?"br /She pursed her lips. "My heart. I've been thinking of seeing a doctor but, once it's documented…"br /Linnia /"Admiral, I'd be happy to take a look." She looked at the chart. "I need to use the scanning apparatus for a complete look, why don't we do that today as a post-op precaution, yes?"br /Ar'alani smirked. "thank you doctor."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif, 'GNU Unifont'; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"They did the scan, and Linnia listened to her heart. It was immediately apparent that something was wrong. "I'm going to look at these scans overnight. Sleep on it."br /"It's that bad?"br /Linnia sighed, "I think so. I think it's a valve blockage, but I want to look at the scans again, at leisure, to be sure."br /"What is the next step?"br /Linnia crossed her arms. "I'd do another scan, targeted to see which valve. If it's blocked I'd need to operate."br /Ar alani closed her eyes. "Surgery cannot go undocumented."br /Linnia shook her head. "I can do a lot of things without machinery but heart surgery is not one of them. I can also advise and aid recovery but a specialist is needed for heart surgery."br /Ar alani sighed. "I would like to stay with you for my recovery."br /Linnia blinked. "With all due respect ma'am, why me? I'm new to Chiss medicine."br /Ar'alani smirked. "Dr, with what I've heard and seen of you, I know I can trust you, and that you'll make the best calls you possibly can. Trust goes a lot further than anything to me."br /Linnia nodded. She /"Pull the trigger, let's get it treated."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif, 'GNU Unifont'; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"-br /Thrawn entered, Ar'alani finishing a cup of caff. She had her leg elevated and wrapped, but she had a series of monitors on her chest and arms, oxygen capsules attached to her /"What's happened?"br /She smirked. "No hello?"br /"Something else has happened, are you not recovering as expected?"br /She shook her head. "Dr. Remda has found a clogged valve in my heart. I'll be going into surgery again."br /Thrawn sat, his face, as always, /"Linnia will do the surgery?"br /"She isn't, but she'll be assisting and will be managing my recovery."br /Thrawn pursed his /"Therefore she will be on the Vigilant for a while, with you, while we prepare your ship."br /He looked up, his heart /"3 weeks on the Vigilant then the Imperative is yours. A brand new cruiser."br /He shook his head, "Admiral, that is absurd ,I just returned from perceived exile-"br /"I'll be General soon, and I don't care. Letting you go was the biggest mistake of Bakif's - and my own - career."br /"Bakif probably wanted me out of his hair."br /"No, he regret it until the end. You're too smart for that, Thrawn. You'll save the Ascendency from itself."br /He shook his /She pointed to the table off to the side and he grabbed the box. She handed it to him and he opened it. His /"He kept them, and I this."br /She handed him another box, and in it was a few final letters and his files from /"That's a month to get your crew, any of which would be delighted to return to you. To get your second, your doctor." She stared at him. "She turned down the university to care for me. Imagine what she'd do for you?"/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif, 'GNU Unifont'; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"He was ordered uniforms, a questis, he met with officers and contacted some he had in mind for his command. His ship was to be up and running in the next two weeks, and he had a lot to do, a lot to prove he was again worthy of command. He spent days pouring over maps, articles, and updates on the Chiss and their movements and the movements of their companions and adversaries. He interviewed, called, and developed his plan, wanting to ensure the strongest team he could. He was able to secure Samakro, to his surprise, and a few others he'd had in the past. Days passed, but he knew he was getting his ship together, his life and career, to be better for Linnia and for the Mitth. After all this time, after wondering and waiting and pining… maybe it would be a /But he couldn't /He rose, making his way down the hallway and across the ship to Eli's quarters. He knocked, and after some scrambling the door opened, Eli rubbing his /"Thrawn?"br /"May I?"br /He brushed past Eli, not waiting for an answer. Eli flicked the lights on, /"What's wrong?"br /"Can we discuss something?"br /"Of course."br /He sat on Vanto's couch, his head in his /"I've made a critical error."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif, 'GNU Unifont'; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;""So you've taken her on a few romantic vacations and everything and still haven't even hinted at how much you love her?"br /Thrawn sighed. "I did not know. I did not think I would ever get her here, and I was unwilling to stay in the empire forever, therefore, I didn't humor the idea. You have been here two years, you see what the chiss are like-"br /"She's not chiss, Thrawn."br /"But I am. I'm chiss, and I do not know what I'm doing. I don't know if I love her as a human would."br /"You don't. You love her like a chiss. You're loyal to her, you honor her. You want to be with her, right?"br /Thrawn searched his face. "Yes."br /"Then tell her that. Tell her as Thrawn, a Chiss. Stop trying to relate your feelings to human feelings."br /"She will not want to have to spoon feed me the instructions to our relationship, she will tire of my ineptitude-"br /"At the General's Ball I would at least say something. She'll be wrapped up in her recovery after that and offers will come in. She's capable of making her own decisions and weighing the risks."br /"And for that she will reject my companionship. I am not worthy of lifelong partnership, not with my-"br /The /He checked his questis. It was that night. He hadn't talked to Linnia in almost 2 weeks? Where had the time gone? He'd been so focused on the ship…br /He looked at /"I forgot about the Ball."br /Eli stared at him. "You didn't ask her? You went to every officer's ball with the woman in the Empire and you forgot her out of the gate here?"br /Thrawn stared at him, his hope /"Now she will not."br /"It doesn't matter if she does or doesn't, you need to talk to her, for your own peace of mind. You're driving yourself nuts. Besides, I think she's been waiting to hear it for quite some time."/p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif, 'GNU Unifont'; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Thrawn slept on Eli's couch, agonizing over what he had said, both about Linnia and the ship. He was going to lose her, and in place of nervousness was urgency. She has the perfect mixture of circumstances that were perfect for leaving Thrawn behind. First thing in the morning he head to Linnia's, rushing past Eli and pulling his shirt on before slamming the door /He rushed to her room, banging on the /She opened it, her questis in her hand. "Oh, hi Thrawn."br /"I'd be honored if you would attend the ball with me." He /She pursed her lips. "It's tonight, Thrawn. It's fairly last minute."br /He searched her face. "You have a dinner companion?"br /"Yes. Lakytta asked me the day of the invitation. I held out a few days but-"br /Thrawn sighed, "I apologize, I did not mean to insult you with my delay."br /She crossed her arms. "You don't have to apologize, but being asked six hours prior feels a bit last resort to me."br /He shook his head, "No, that is not it at all. I am sorry-"br /She interrupted. "Thrawn, I have to get ready, but I'll see you there, ok?"br /He looked down. "Of course."br /She closed the door, and he clenched his teeth. Stupid. He'd agonized, assumed, and lost. He'd known Lakytta had been making eyes at her since she'd arrived, why didn't he jump at the opportunity, sweep her up and claim her for his own once and for all? He'd spent years dipping his toes in the water, daydreaming and hoping and wishing, and here she was on Csilla with him, and he'd let her get swept up by some other./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif, 'GNU Unifont'; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;" /p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif, 'GNU Unifont'; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"He called a few more potential officers before he too readied for the ball, pulling on his reinstated medals and officer's jacket. He found himself thinking of when he and Linnia had gone together during their time with the empire. They'd had a great time, and that was when he'd truly begun to admit to himself his feelings for her. Now, she was with another on his home /He went down alone, ignoring the check in and heading into the ballroom. The ceiling was a windowed open view of space, chandeliers to the sides and over the tables. Ar'alani was at the reserved table, a red form fitting gown on, relishing in her very hard earned promotion. Eli was seated beside her, and Thrawn sat beside him many eyes on his apparent reinstatement. A waiter brought him a glass of wine and he nursed it, watching the /"I really get the image of the great Thrawn now."br /Eli said, gesturing to the medals. Thrawn blinked. They would have to be re-earned, along with his /She finally walked in on Lakytta's arm. He was wearing his finest, his long hair pulled back and hanging down his back. His hooded eyes were glowing in the dim ballroom in silent pleasure. Linnia was wearing a floor length, sea foam ball gown. It brought out the green of her eyes. The sparkle of the gown glittered in the candlelight, the clip of jewels holding her curled hair back glimmering in tandem. She looked stunning, and was turning heads of men from across the /Thrawn felt his face heat up. That could've been him. He'd worried about chasing her away with his words, the things he said. Instead he'd lose her for the things he didn't say. His inaction had chased her into the arms of another. He scowled. He thought himself so smart. Here he was alone, the woman he was so madly in love with on the arm of the Chiss' finest /He clenched his /He was done playing games. He didn't care anymore what the outcome may or may not be. He needed to grab her and tell her everything, needed her to know just how much he needed her, before he lost her like Thrass, his sister, even Vanto, to a degree, was taken from /He rose, but sat down again. He wouldn't embarrass Lakytta. Depending on her response, he could embarrass himself as well. He scowled, swirling his drink. Did she have any feelings for lakytta? He wasn't exactly the person to ask. Eli nudged his /"Go talk to her."br /He frowned. "She is with the doctor."br /"So? You're saying hi not asking for her hand in marriage."br /She smirked and he rolled his eyes, straightening his jacket and rising. He slid past others, excusing himself, and bowed his head to lakytta in greeting before turning to /"Good evening."br /"Good evening." She returned, glancing up at him before returning to her /A song came on, and he offered her his hand. "Care to dance?"br /She stood, allowing him to guide her to the floor. He took her hand in his, the touch of her hand on his shoulder /"Thank you."br /She frowned. "for what?"br /"For the dance," he explained quietly. "I'm sorry. About the ball. It was not my intention to be negligent."br /"It's not just that." She said, "it's all this stuff you have going on. The ship, the position, and you haven't told me any of it. I thought we were a team here."br /He hadn't /"Linnia-"br /A hand was on his shoulder and he turned. Lakytta, with a challenge in his /He bowed his head and stepped aside, sourly watching her hand transfer to lakyttas /"We'll talk later?"br /She didn't reply, being swept off by lakytta. He returned to his seat, watching her smile and laugh with /"Struck out?"br /He nodded, elis hand on the back of his chair. "I'll throw my hat in the ring."br /Thrawn looked up at /"Subtly."br /Eli intercepted the following song, and Thrawn watched with a pounding heart. What the hell was Eli doing? They talked through the entire dance, seemingly engaged in a meaningful conversation. She hugged him at the end and returned to her table, readying for the /"What did you say?" Thrawn asked as Eli /"I just softened her up a bit for you to talk to her tomorrow. Once and for all."br /Thrawn nodded. He had to./p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif, 'GNU Unifont'; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;" /p
p style="border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15.12px; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif, 'GNU Unifont'; vertical-align: baseline; list-style: none; margin: 1.286em auto; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: #2a2a2a;"Thrawn went to the med Bay the following morning. He went to the desk, clearing his /"May I please see Doctor Remda?"br /"Do you have an appointment?"br /Thrawn pursed his lips. "No."br /"You'll have to make one."br /"I assure you, she will see me if there is a small gap in her schedule-"br /"I'll make you an appointment for one."br /He sighed but took the appointment, sitting in the waiting /His leg was bouncing, his heart hammering in his chest so hard he took continuous 'calming' breaths to no avail. He wiped his clammy hand on his pants and watched the time on his Chrono. Ten /He looked over at the woman, blissfully unaware at how sick he was making himself. He looked back at the floor. What was the next step? He wasn't sure regardless of her reply. He wasn't cut out for companionship...br /"Sir?"br /He looked /"She'll see you now."br /He rose, following the assistant back to Linnia's temporary /He entered and she looked up with a half smile. "Just a sec."br /He watched her tap away on her questions, the cheunh flowing through like her native language. His heart was pounding, but his resolve was clear as crystal. She looked over at him, her light eyes searching his /"What is it you need?" She /"I needed to speak with you." He swallowed, his stomach in /Her face fell and she came around the desk to sit beside /"Is something wrong?"br /He shook his head, "No, no."br /She tilted her head. "Then what is it?"br /"If I told you I wanted you, would you have me?" It was nearly a whisper, and it echoed again and again in his mind, waiting for her reply to fill the /She stared at him, her lips parting, and Thrawn tensed. He knew for certain this was a rejection he couldn't /He wasn't sure how it happened but they were connected, lips mashing into lips. He was hitting her with his teeth, his arms fumbling, but she was close, warm, and her skin was on his. The only sound that accompanied him was their breathing, their lips desperately searching one another. He craved it, the warmth of her hand on his skin. He wanted to pull her against him and never release her, the pressure of her body against his /Anything the Chiss wanted or needed was seen as a liability. Love, relationships, family, intimacy, all of it was buried beneath pride and competition, turning the Chiss culture to cold emotionless beings as frozen as Csilla itself. Thrawn himself ignored it all, until the humans. They had such passions, such wild abandon for things they felt strongly about, dying and loving and living far more intense, rewarding lives than the Chiss. Perhaps they'd changed him because now he didn't care what he looked like, he just wanted. He couldn't get close enough to her. His stomach rested against her and he wanted nothing more than to eliminate the obstacle, feeling more of her skin on /"Thrawn." She whispered and he pulled her tight against him. She kissed his neck, making him groan. "Touch me." He whispered desperately. "please, please just keep touching me."br /She ran her hands over his back, pulling him closer. His questis buzzed and they froze. He checked his /"I have to be on the bridge." He said, his voice quieter than he /"Ok." She whispered back, their foreheads touched together. "Come see me when you're off."br /The statement held so much weight he nearly laughed. "Of course."/p