Deep in Solomon’s Mine

[Jaron Lesan]

The lightsaber, it was supposed to be the extension of its user, the most important possession a Jedi had. To lose one’s lightsaber was to lose their life. Everything Jaron had ever been told about protecting and keeping his lightsaber flooded through his mind. What Jaron had never told Dianah on the day she had seen his destroyed while protecting his life was that if had been his first. Metus’ daughter had already felt bad that she had destroyed it, and he wasn’t going to make it worse.

The fact did reamin that Dianah did owe him a lightsaber. Jaron wasn’t going to settle for just any lightsaber though. He needed a crystal, and then he was going to lock himself away and craft a new one. It was always the test of force user, and bladesman, to build and construct their own lightsaber. Judah has taught Jaron the old ways in regards to this, and Jaron would not take any other.

Sincd Dianah owed him, Jaron left her a message to meet him at his ship. The stealth ship had been a prototype the First Order never made any more of. When Jaron left them, he’d kept it. Like any good Corellian he knew how to fly it himself, and while the First Order has given him a pilot, he hadn’t needed one. Jaron was fine with flying his own missions now.

Once again, Jaron was dressed in all black. He knew what Dianah likely would think about his color choice, but it was simple, all he owned was black clothing. If she wanted to see him in other colors, that would require a shopping trip, and Jaron considered himself too practical to need a shopping trip. Today what they needed were crystals, because why shoukd Jaron he the only one to benefit. Dianah would hunt for her own crystal too, and she would have something part of her as well.

Jaron was sitting on the loading ramp of his ship. It was fueled and ready to go. All that he was waiting on was Dianah to arrive.

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

Sanctuary Rock loomed in the distance, getting closer and closer by the minute. When the message had appeared on Dianah's screen she couldn't contain the giddy excitement that bubbled up inside her. On top of getting to see Jaron again they were going to go on a Crystal hunt, which was something she rarely did. It paid to be Metus' daughter as most of the time the parts she needed were simply retrieved and brought to her, no questions asked. But this time it would be something special. Dianah had the freedom to chose her own crystal as well as help Jaron find one to replace the one she had broken. There was still a keen sting in her soul whenever she remembered that moment. Though she was still unaware of just how personal it was it still crushed her to think she had been reckless with his belongings.

The bulk of his ship was parked in the centre of the clearing he called home. It held a fond familiarity with Dianah as not to long ago she had Jaron had completed a stealth mission on Arbra. It was soon to be Confederacy territory which only added to the comforting presence it projected. Her own ship flew low and came to a stand still a few feet away from Jaron. Dianah had no time to waste so she skipped her usual good bye to her driver, exchanging it for a hasty wave.

In moments she was rushing down the ships ramp toward Jaron.

She was wearing a black outfit and had on a simple leather chest piece that would provide some protection for her if they got into trouble. By her side she had her trusty lightsaber. But save those things all she brought was herself. Dianah didn't feel the need to be in anything but her original form around him now. He was more of a friend then someone she wanted to hide from. Her thick curly hair had been scrapped up hurriedly into a pony tail to keep the worst of from her eyes.

It filled her with joy seeing Jaron waiting on the loading ramp looking extremely miserable, as his resting face always was. Dianah giggled to herself when she came to a stop in front of him.

'Hello, you. Were you getting bored of waiting for me?'

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

The descending ship kicked up dust, and whipped the wind about Jaron’s face. His eyes closed to a smallish squint as he brought his forearm up to his face to mitigate the damage the dust could cause. He stood to his feet as Dianah approached, the same stoic expression on his face as their last meeting. It took every bit of willpower he had to not rush to her and scoop the girl into his arms. Not that he would have been able to anyway. The outfit she was in, and the armor she wore was enough to accentuate her figure. Jaron couldn’t say he wasn’t pleased with what he saw.

“Absolutely miserable,” he said as he crossed his arms over his chest. Nodding with his head toward the interior of his ship, he smirked. “There is some tea inside, and she’s already to go. Gonna head on up so I can see what that armor does for your backside?”

There was the banter again. It was always so natural between them, and while their friendship was also defined by the chase he had so eloquently stated that he intended to run, the banter had been there from the first time her feet stepped onto Sanctuary Rock. The trip had been a simple mission that both Jaron and Dianah had complicated quickly. Between her eagerness to show her worth to Metus, and Jaron’s impulsive curiosity, they had done more than what they had been tasked with.

His arms finally readhed for her as he drew her in for a hug. Every moment a part was torture, and that was because of the vision. All Jaron could wonder is if it was her behind that door. He still had not been able to let go of what he saw to the point that things could just happen as they would. The vision replayed over and over in his mind when it was not occupied with other things.

“C’mon, Dantooine is waiting. I’m after something specific...”

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

A smile spread over her lips. It was good to see him again. His cheeky banter held something buried deep away. Dianah knew for a fact he couldn't get that vision out of his mind because she couldn't either. It hadn't been her vision per-say but it had been a vision she was party too. In fact, they both seemed to be adamant that she was the one behind the door, though neither of them had dared to say it out loud yet.

'Well well well, listen to you being throwing cheek. Alright, but bare in mind this is the backside of a Goddess. Be prepared for your eyes to melt out of their sockets if you look too long.'

Her arms found his and she embraced him back tightly. A small but content smile spread to the corners of her lips. There seemed to be some magnetic energy between them both. When she finally slipped into his arms it felt like she had always belonged there. She rested her head against his chest to listen to the steady beating of his heart. It grounded her and for a moment she left all her troubles behind. She was just Dianah and he was just Jaron. No titles or signatures or responsibilities to be heard of. They were here for fun and to spend some quality time together.

'Dantooine, huh? One of the places I haven't actually visited yet. Let's get going my miserable cyar'ika.'

She peeled herself away from his grasp and headed up the landing ramp first for his own personal amusement. The promise of tea was stuck firmly in her mind so that's where she headed first. The cup was steaming and the soothing liquid inside made her close her eyes as she inhaled. A spark of an idea passed over her dark eyes. It seemed like the perfect chance to ask and Jaron was definitely the perfect teacher. He had a way of making her feel confident, even when she made mistakes. With a mischievous grin, she turned to face him.

'So, are you going to teach me how to drive this thing?'

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

“Or instead I will fall at your feet and worship the ground you walk on... Either way you’re still a goddess,” he teased in return.

Her retort carried the weight of hus vision as well. Odd. Jaron had not thought it would be a thing she would keep stored inside her, but there was enough of a hint to the tension it created between them peeking up in the air again. It disappeared when they hugged, which was clearly more than a friendly greeting. They could not remain in the embrace forever though, and soon she was walking up the ramp.

His eyes dipped below below her waist.

“By the Goddess it is so divine!”

Jaron laughed as he followed her inside the ship and closed it up on the way back to the lounge. The water for tea was hot, the caf was fresh, and while Dianah went for her tea, Jaron grabbed his larger than normal mug of caf. He’d been sleeping less, and only slept well when he knew she was there. Jaron would not admit it, but because he cared for her, he was concerned. That concern had kept him awake some nights.

When he saw the light in her eyes, Jaron immediately crossed a look on his face which asked “what now?” Her mind was on something, and it didn’t take long to vocalize it. She wanted to fly.

“I don’t know if my miserable disposition will make me a good teacher, cyare...” Jaron replied with smirk and smile in his eyes. He was proud of himself for that one. “I will get us out of the atmosphere, and I will land... but yes, if you want to learn we can spend time getting you aquanted with the controls. It’s um... one of a kind so...”

Jaron didn’t mean to sound like he was worried, but it was his only ship, and one he couldn’t replaced.

“We will have plenty of time though. Dantooine is a good distance away. You’ll be putting up with me for a few days before we get back to Arbra. You’re stuck with me now...”

He winked a headed toward the cockpit with his mug in hand. This time his walk was for her benefit.

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

'I rather like that better. I think you'd look rather attractive worshipping me... But I might be a little bias.'

A sweet laugh sounded from her throat when he threw his compliment to the wind. She didn't grace him with a reply, just a small wiggle of her hips as she stepped up into the depths of the ship. She couldn't imagine Jaron without the banter now and she doubted he could imagine her in a similar light. It felt as easy as breathing. The words tumbled from her lips before she even had time to think about them.

'Your miserable disposition has never stopped you before. Both in teaching and in your relentless chasing.'

The next words he followed with earned him another tinkling laugh. It seemed it was the same no matter where you went in the Galaxy.

'Boys and their toys.'

She tutted loudly.

'Your ship might be one of a kind but so am I. I'm sure we'll get along just fine.'

With their chosen drinks in hand they made their way to the cockpit of the ship. She didn't let his cute attempt at being alluring pass her by. But she thought better of goading him on. A sly smile brought her lips upward. He was getting too big for his boots already and she enjoyed the playful act of pretending she didn't want him.

The cockpit was big enough for two, thankfully. But his comment earlier made her think he wasn't too keen on the idea of her flying his ship. Dianah didn't take lightly to no as an answer. Even if it was wrapped in softer words. She always got what she wanted and today would be no different. The fact that it was Jaron made it so much easier. So, when he sat down to take a seat behind the controls, she followed suit. Except instead of sitting in the seat beside him, she sat herself neatly on his lap. Before he could protest she spoke quickly.

'I won't touch anything, I promise. I'll be a good girl. Just let me watch.'

She followed this by raising her hands up next to her head by way of proof that she meant what she said about not touching anything. Though she doubted there would be any protest from him. Once she had settled her frame comfortably against his she sang out in a lilting voice.

'What are we waiting for? Let's go!'

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

“You would discover you do not know what worship really is...”

Okay so that comment may have been trying to hard, but Jaron still enjoyed it. Thanks to Dianah, Jaron had opened his life to people once more. It was a thing that he had avoided because people simply hurt him. They hadn’t done so purposefully, but simply because Jaron had been searching for so long he had allowed himself to become two attached. Dianah should have never been allowed past his defenses, yet here she was, someone he was chasing, someone he wanted in his life, someone he hoped was the one in his vision.

He ignored her quips about boys and their toys, but could not ignore what she did. Jaron had just barely sat his mug on the center console when Dianah sat on his lap. His eyes looked over to the empty co-pilot seat and sighed. She had certainly beaten him at this game. Not only could he not say no, but he didn’t want to. She was on his lap, settled in nicely. It was nice, something he wanted. Her body was soft, and her smell intoxicating.

“Here, you might as well handle the controls as I do. Get a feel for what it’s like.”

Jaron flipped the switches to fire up the engines. The familiar cough and whir of the gears turning over as the engine started brought a smile to Jaron’s face. As the engines came to life the control yoke began to vibrate. He could feel it in his biceps as he put the ship into gear and pulled back on the yoke. With a strong pull, Jaron got the ship off the ground and pointed the ship toward the stars. The atmosphere was fun to get out of, the shake in his arms got worse until they finally cleared the clouds. Once in space everything went still immediately.

A small chuckle left his lips as he let go of the controls.

“Alright, cyare, take it for a spin...”

[member="Dianah Vrorae"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

As usual, she had won. If there was one thing she knew above all else it was how to get her way. Metus was a glaring testament to that fact. She gracefully tucked her hair to one side exposing her bare neck. It was wild and would likely get in Jaron's eyes once they started to exit the atmosphere. Her hands slipped over his, resting gently on top of them. Every movement he made, she made too. She could feel every tendon in his hands working quickly to bring the ship to life.

'I knew you wouldn't be able to say no.'

A quick peck on the nose was his reward. It left a hint of her pink lipstick on his skin.

The shake of the ship leaving the atmosphere was something she treasured highly. Dianah had come to associate it with crazy adventures and she was right to do so. Underneath her Jaron's forearms strained and shook violently with the force of driving upward. She tilted her head back with child like laughter. Above the black space and twinkling stars of the universe drew ever nearer.

All of a sudden his hands slipped out from under hers and she had full control of the reigns. A squeal of excitement left her lips. She was giddy at the chance of being able to fly for herself. With little no idea of how it worked she dove in. The ship lurched horrifically to one side and then to the other. At some points it even threatened to tip itself upside down. But she wasn't put off at all. Her brows were knitted together in concentration as she pulled and flicked at various things across the console.

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

“Don’t let it go to your head young lady,” he replied after she gave a little peck on his nose.

It was true, he wasn’t going to confirm or deny it. There was no use in either as they both knew it was true. Saying no at this juncture wasn’t wise anyway. Learning to fly was a skill everyone should have in their toolbox. Dianah would be better learning with a tutor rather than through an emergency. In truth, Jaron was happy to help, until she flipped the ship.

His coffee went all over the place and his favorite mug shattered. Yup that was going to happen, and it did.

“You spilled my caf!”

He protested with mock hurt. It was replaceable, all of it was, and it had happened at his own doing before. She’d likely lost her tea as well. Still, Jaron let her fly the ship about a bit more, loathe to have her off his lap. The time did come when his hand went back on the yoke, and his fingers worked at the flight computer to input their coordinates.

Once the destination was logged, Jaron made the light speed calculations, and punched them in. Pulling back on the throttle, Naron launched the ship, the familiar streak of stars gliding across their view as they sped up. The autopilot was activated and Jaron stood up out the seat, picked Dianah up and setting her on her feet as well.

He nodded toward the rest of the ship and grinned.

“Ready for the tour. I wanna show off my baby...”

[member="Dianah Vi'Dreya"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

Dianah thrusted her chin up in the air, making herself look as regal as possible. There was no way in hell she could fly anything like Jaron's ship. It was likely she wouldn't be able too for a long time, if ever. Still, she couldn't help but squeal with childlike glee. The ship rocked back and forth like it was still a primitive ocean going vessel. It was fun, until the whole thing flipped completely. Then it got amazing. Everything felt oddly light for a moment. Her stomach jumped up into her throat. But she pressed on with her innocent laughter and continued to smash buttons wildly on the console.

'I owe you one mug then. Or perhaps you'll trade it for a kiss instead?'

When he lent over to type the coordinates in and switch the autopilot on she couldn't help but feel a little sad. Her expression turned slightly sour and she looked up at him with big puppy dog eyes. For added effect her lower lip dropped and quivered softly.

'Will you let me go again soon?'

Dianah turned in his lap to face him properly, stretching her legs out over the side of the chair. One of her hands stroked the side of his cheek gently, coming to rest on the underside of his chin. Her deep brown eyes locked onto his and she gave him her best and cutest pleading look.

He swept her from her feet and made her feel like a Princess. She almost didn't want him to put her down. In his arms she felt like she was made of air. Her frame fit neatly into his arms in the same way tailored clothes are fit exactly to the wearer. Even though it was for a few short moments it all felt a little surreal. A soft smile played on the corner of her lips as he spoke. Taking her hand in his, she couldn't help but let the cheeky response escape her tongue.

'Now, are you talking about me or the ship?'

[member=Jaron]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

Jaron grinned at the suggestion of a kiss for the mug. It wasn’t like he needed another one, and he was pretty convinced that he needed more of Dianah’s kisses. He answered with a nod and a cheesy waggle of his thick eyebrows. If she was going to kiss him then it was in her court. While Jaron would normally have made his move with her by now, her suggestion had made him want to ride it out for a bit, and see what she would do.

She wanted to fly again, and Jaron felt his stomach knot up in the inside. What she needed was time on the simulators, but Jaron didn’t own one. Again, Jaron had to nod because he wasn’t going to be able to say no to her, even if he wanted to.

“When we get closer to Dantooine I’ll pull her out of lightspeed and let you have a go...”

Jaron led her down the corridor, back toward the lounge where they had been. Did he mean the ship or Dianah? Jaron chuckled at the thought.

“Now why would I introduce you to my ship like she was my buir or something? Unless that of course is an admission that you’re mine?”

He smirked as he walked through the lounge and turned down the left to where the training room was. The open area looked rether
plain, save for a weight machine in the back right corner. The floor was padded, the walls were as well, and the room smelled like a gym, one heavily used. Yes, Jaron was constantly working out to maintain his body at the peak of physical perfection. His philosophy had always been the force was not an excuse for laziness. If the force could enhance his natuaral ability then he wanted to be the best he could be with out it.

“The gym... where I like to work up a sweat... sorry... I didn’t realize it would smell like it either... maybe I should have starred the tour with the bedrooms instead...”

[member="Dianah Vi'Dreya"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

Oh boy could she see right through his game. It made her grin unreservedly. She had to hand it to him, his attempts were more than admirable. The few men that had tried had given up by now. It was a favourite pass time of hers, actually. Dianah would call it a pass time but it was really a test of honour and determination. When she was very young she made a promise to herself to find someone who would chase her to the ends of the Galaxy. So far Jaron was doing pretty well. But she still wasn't going to let him win that easily.

Dianah leaned toward him with the prettiest expression on her face. One hand reached up to stroke through his hair admiringly. Her wide eyes locked onto his as she slowly moved closer. They flickered to a close just as she was reaching his lips. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her skin. He was very tempting and it almost spoiled her plan. But she was determined to make him run. Just as the very edges of their lips met she pulled away with a sly smile.

She followed him through the lounge and into a training room. His next words were met with a sugary giggle.

'That would mean that you win... No. I won't admit I'm yours. Not until you admit to being mine first.'

The gym was typical for a man like Jaron. It wasn't dissimilar from the training rooms in Sinner's Well. Except for her brothers. He liked a clean room with nothing and nobody in the way save for his target. It was nice to see he kept himself in good shape though.

'I doubt it will smell any different in there.'

Her voice was laced with sarcasm and amusement. A teasing laugh followed shortly after. Her hand found his and laced their fingers together softly. She tugged him gently in the direction of the next room.

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

She acted as though she was going to kiss him, and Jaron prepared himself for it. He’d intiared everything up to this point, and the fact she was now, well that was a sign things were going in the right direction. The edges of her lips barely brushed against his, and then she pulled away.

“Ooooooooooohhhhhh you’re good,” Jaron retorted as a sultry look stretched across her face.

Dianah was not as coy as she pretended to be. She knew exactly what she was doing, and it wasn’t going to discourage, nor dissuade the Dark Jedi Knight.

It seemed his comments had yet to find her at a loss for words, or willing to concede something. However, perhaps she had backed herself into a corner. Jaron just smiled as they moved toward the gym. He contemplated giving in to her so soon and early in the game, but his confession was said to come with one of her own. It was a roll of the dice, but Jaron was certain that even her banter was honest.

“Admit what we already know... yes, considering I flew well into unkown space to find and chase you, it is safe to say that I am indeed yours.”

There was something about saying it out loud that made it, heavy. It wasn’t heavy in a bad sense, just that there was a weight to his honesty. The weight of something so true that it could stand on its own without anything else was a powerful thing, and it was that weight with which Jaron spoke. It made the gym comment seem, well lack luster, but he’d said it anyway.

His eyes rolloed at her tease about the bedrooms, which of course were the next place they were headed. Jaron pointed out the medical bay, small as it was on the way, but where they ended up were the bedrooms. There were only two, and with how long it had been since Jaron had a pilot, only one showed any sign of use or claim. The other room, the door remained open, it was empty, save for a bed, with a folded sheets on top of it.

“I knew I was going to forget something...” Jaron cursed under his breath. “It seems I forgot to finish getting this room ready. I suppose I’ll need to finish it... the only other room that is ready is mine... and well... I promise this not some ruse to convince you to simply share my bed with me.”

Not that Jaron hadn’t thought about her in that way. It would be a lie if he denied that she stirred those types of feelings and desires within him. He walked into the room and started to finish the job he had started before. They would need sleep before arriving to Dantooine, and unless she truly wanted to be with him, Jaron was going to show her the respect she deserved. Jaron was not going to assume anything.

[member="Dianah Vi'Dreya"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

If you had say Dianah wasn't surprised by his words, you would have been wrong. For weeks now they had been bantering back and forth, just toeing the line labelling it all. It wasn't an official question on her part, nor was it a serious declaration on his. But it was all laid out on the table now. She was aware from the off she had him wrapped around her little finger. But it was nice to have some confirmation. There was no escaping the definite shift to the nature of their relationship.

Dianah didn't let it phase her. There would be time to think about it all later. For now she simply enjoyed the pleasure of his company.

They took a slow wonder around the small ship. It wasn't much of a tour but there was a small, well stocked med-bay. She didn't have any interest in anything medical but it was good to know it was here. Next were the bedrooms. There was only one room with it's door wide open revealing little to nothing in the way of furniture or decoration.

His words had a heavy implication. Whether he meant them too or not, it was there.

It made her laugh. It wasn't a mocking laugh or even a playful one, it the soft laugh of a timorous woman. It was perhaps the first inkling of a delicacy in the thick armour of her bubbly personality. Both hands went to her cheeks instinctively, to cover a genuine blush. She made a mock show of pretending to be embarrassed by it all.

'Mr Lesan, I don't believe you for a minute. You're practically imploring me. I can feel it from here.'

She walked over to the bed to help him pull the sheets tight against the mattress. It wasn't through lack of wanting him that made her stay on her own that night. She wanted him very much. It was that very fact that had her tossing and turning all night with the temptation to sneak next door. But this cat and mouse game wasn't over just yet.

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

Jaron just smiled. There were so many words at the edge of his tongue to refute what she had said. All of them would cover up the truth. Dianah was right. Whether Jaron had purposefully left the bed unmade as ruse to get her into his was not the issue in her words at all. The real issue was the fact that his desire was palpable. Was he imploring her to join him, was the desire so strong that she could feel him practically begging her to relieve the tension by spending the night with him? Intentional or not, he could not deny it. His mind would not let him let go of the fact it was her behind the door in his vision, even if he had not opened the door to be sure.

He just nodded and offered a sheepish smile which would only confirm she was correct, and shoot the tension so high that neither of them would sleep.

Jaron did not sleep. Of course he tried to rest, but it would not come. His mind was so focused on the fact she was just across the hall from him. All he had to do was open the door and surprise as he had when he kissed her at first, and then again in the Jedi temple. She seemed to like it when he displayed a masculine authority and just took what he wanted. At the same time, Jaron could not bring himself to it. There was something which held him at bay. There was respect he had for her, and her father, but it was more than that, it was something much deeper. Perhaps it was a knowing. Jaron wanted to know with the same assurance that she had. The cat and mouse game was fun, and it would continue, but it also had Jaron backed into a corner.

He spent his night working out until the early hours of the morning. By the time DIanah would emerge for a much less impressive breakfast than what he had served last time, Jaron would be sitting at the table nursing his third cup of caf. His hair was wet from the shower he had taken after his second cup, and he was studying a map of the Dantooine geography. A swipe of his hand made the holo image change to a topography of the planet, and then he zoomed in on the cave of interest.

His eyes met hers, almost knowing she had not slept that well either, and he stood to pour her a cup of caf. They were torturing each other with this game they were playing, and yet Jaron said nothing. It was going to begin for another round as soon as one of them opened their mouths, or soon after.

"This is the cave where we are headed. My next crystal needs to make a statement about who I am... I am neither Jedi or Sith, and I am not sure I am a Dark Jedi anymore either. That vision would have me carry two red sabers, but that is a future I cannot possibly know yet. There are so many questions I have about it, and I cannot get it off my mind."

For a moment Jaron thought he should just stop talking, but he didn't. She had already gotten him to admit that he was hers, why not admit everything... why not admit he wanted it to be her behind that door, and that he wanted her to be the woman that stood with him and his son. Jaron kept talking in his mind, but the words did not flow. He offered Dianah the cup and placed a small kiss on her forehead.

There was only one thing he could manage to say about all of it.

"I have not been sleeping because of it..."

[member="Dianah Vi'Dreya"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

The dull glow of fluorescent ship lights disturbed the mass of sheets and hair that was Dianah. She twitched under the safety of her white blanket. The sound of the shower in the distance told her Jaron was already awake. He was an early riser. She remembered back on Arbra, even after completely exhausting himself by using two complicated force moves at once, he was still fresh as a daisy in the morning. It was obvious to point it out but Dianah was not a morning person. Sleep had eluded her most of the night so the thought of leaving bed now was deplorable. But there were pressing matters to attend too. Namely the call of a steaming hot shower and something to fill her grumbling stomach.

The water from the shower had turned from a downpour to a steady drip. It was this that finally convinced Dianah to get up. She slid from the sheets and pressed her feet against the cold metal floor. After gathering up her things she set herself on a slow, lumbering course to the bathroom.

There was nothing like a warm shower to wash away the grogginess of exhaustion. By the time she had finished she was in a considerably better mood but the black rings under her eyes screamed of her troubled night. Dianah let out a heavy sigh and attempted to tame the mass of hair that was causing a puddle to grow under her feet. It would take forever to dry. It soaked up everything and refused to release it to anything but the laborious process of evaporation. Not wanting to cover Jaron's entire ship with water, she settled on piling it up and securing it with a few pins to the top of her head.

When she finally emerged clad in yesterdays outfit, Jaron was sat at the table with breakfast already laid out. Dianah couldn't help but smile at him when he stood to pour her a cup of the sweet smelling stuff. It was like he was reading her mind. The food was too tempting to resist for long, so she picked away at it as he talked. Most of what he said passed by her in a sleepy haze, but the mention of his vision made her body tense imperceptibly. It wasn't an awkward topic. It was just that it came tied with a lot of heavily implied promises that she was sure neither of them were ready to make out-loud just yet.

'Every future is a future you cannot possibly know. I firmly believe it's impossible to correctly predict the future. Every little choice you make, no matter how big or small, changes the course of the future in ways you couldn't even imagine. It's a fools errand looking for answers in the future.' She paused to look up at him. 'But, if it's answers you need, we can find them. Together.'

Her fingers wrapped around the warm mug and soaked in the heat hungrily. The pressure of his lips on her forehead made her smile gently. Her mouth opened for a fraction of a second, as if she was going to add something. But, it seemed it was all she had to say on the subject. Her mind couldn't help but wonder what questions he wanted answers and without a definite answer asking questions of her own seemed too risky. Which part of the vision plagued him the most? Was it really just the sabers or was it that blasted door as well? There was something in her that screamed out the possibility of it being both. Dianah couldn't ignore the beats her heart skipped in her chest. She couldn't ignore the butterflies that fluttered heavily in her stomach. She reached out and rested her hand on top of his.

'It's been making me restless too.'

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

They both wore the signs of ragged sleep on their faces. It seemed that something was plaguing them both. Jaron could only wonder if admitting he was hers had been the wrong thing to do, but it had not dissuaded her from their little game. The only change had been his comment about the bed sheets, that he had not denied her claim that he was begging her to be with him. Still, as his mouth had opened up to greet her that morning, it was the last thing he wanted to bring up.

She huddled her hands around the mug in a similar fashion as he did when thinking. Jaron's brain was fuzzy from a lack of sleep, but something she had admitted made his mind suddenly seem so sharp, but defensive at once. Without even thinking, Jaron opened his mouth, something that might get him into trouble.

"What about that vision could possibly keep you...."

Jaron stopped speaking suddenly as his mind caught up to his mouth. His eyes went wide at the sudden realization as to what could have been keeping her awake. His vision had involved a woman, and he had let her see the vision. Was it possible she had the same questions eating at her as he did.

"Oh..." the word came at the sudden realization before Jaron went back to staring at the dark liquid which bore his reflection back up to him. He looked like chit.

The cat and mouse game had gone back to awkward silence. One of them had to say something about it otherwise the rest of the trip was going to be like this... awkward and silent. The danger was making it more so, but the more they said nothing, the more he could feel the tension rise. The tension was simply a result of the logical answer to the question he was dwelling on. Of course she was wondering if she was the woman behind the door, just as he was, and wanted it to be.

Jaron sighed as he looked up at her. If anything, Jaron had always been honest with DIanah, and if there was ever a time for it, the time was now. She could reject the notion outright, and it would settle many things, or she could accept it, and it would still settle many things. Either way, the truth was what they needed, because the truth was often what broke the chains that bound people.

"So you keep wondering if it is you too, then?"

His admission came in the form of a question followed by a sip of his caf. Jaron swallowed the liquid before continuing.

"Because I do... if you must know, the reason I did not sleep last night was because I could not help but wonder if it is you, and I keep finding that is exactly what I hope to find when the time comes..."

Was Jaron rushing this, maybe. He felt he needed to though. The banter, it would be back, their last awkward moment had not been the end of it. It would simply add even more weight to the banter, and it was no surprise he was chasing her. Jaron did not see how this could hurt, but rather only confirm what she already knew. Jaron wanted her, and now it was clear he would not rest until he succeeded.

[member="Dianah Vi'Dreya"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

Dianah didn't want to look up from her cup of caf. The fingers of her free hand trailed slowly around the mugs porcelain rim. At first he didn't quite catch her drift but the slow realisation dawned on him and cut his sentence short. The faint, genuine blush that had made a brief appearance last night began to creep slowly back onto her cheeks. For a few minutes the silence was deafening. She wanted to take her hand away from his but she didn't want him to feel like she was recoiling.

His heavy sigh broke the quiet, though not by much. She could feel his gaze on her skin and she knew he was getting ready to say something big. Something that would change the course of the future for the both of them. He would either feel the same way or he wouldn't. Dianah had spent the past few weeks carefully preparing herself for both eventualities. She didn't know when they would come to light, but she was ready either way. That was nearly the entire reason behind the spirited banter. If something went wrong there was every chance he would never return.

It was a complicated game of pushing him away and then seeing how long it would take him to come back. Some might have thought it cruel. But for her, it was necessary. The only forms of love Dianah had been party too thus far was from her fathers many dalliances. But every woman Dianah had ever seen came and went far too quickly and loudly for her liking. To top it all off her brother Ivum, who she loved and was loved by very deeply, had left her without a word. It was safe to say she didn't have a high opinion of it all.

But it didn't feel like the time for games anymore. It was getting real now. It wasn't a playful tension in the air as it had been before. It was deep and serious. They both wanted an answer that only the other could provide. After his loud sip of caf Dianah finally drew her eyes up from her own cup. When she set them on him they weren't playful or filled with her exuberant personality. They were wide and filled with a nervousness that only a young woman in the throws of her first endearment could have.

'I feel the same way. I don't just hope it, I want it. More than anything else in the entire Galaxy. I want it to be me.'

[member=Jaron Lesan]

 

[Jaron Lesan]

Her answer seemed to take an eternity. Jaron could only think he and made the wrong decision by saying anything to her. It was the natural reasoning of any man hay had laid his feelings on the table hoping that the person across from him felt the same thing. Her hand stayed on his hand, which was a reassuring sign at least. Had she pulled away it would have certainly seemed like a rejection.

Jaron couldn’t even think of drinking his caf to fill the silence. His stomach was in knots now, and anything would make him feel like he had to vomit. It was already close to that.

In reality, the wait was not an eternity, or any longer than a few seconds. Feelings had a way of stretching out the time. What was real was the amount of tension in the room, especially as she spoke. Jaron had wanted to hear those exact words, but he was not aware it was only going to make the tension between them thicker. It was as if they came with an expectation, as though they needed to stop what they were doing and act on those words.

His eyes stayed focused on hers before he moved to close the distance between them and kiss her. It was passionate, and he only broke for breath, and tell her what she needed to know.

“I am not a good man, and I cannot promise I will ever be. I won’t fawn over you like some innocent school boy taken by his first crush. What I will do is chase you, and I will ensure that you never have to search for another to make you happy.”

Jaron paused then looked at her.

“I’m going to kiss you again, and this time I am not stoping. Dantooine is still several hours away...”

His lips found hers found hers, hungry and wanting.

[member="Dianah Vi'Dreya"]

 

[Darth Miseria]

The kiss was heavenly. It brought the tense atmosphere crumbling down around them like an old building on its last legs. Dianah couldn't help the temptation of wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer. Even though it was only their third kiss it felt as natural as breathing. He tasted exactly like she remembered, caf and breakfast food. It made her smile sweetly against his lips.

When he pulled away the smile on her face remained. A lilting laugh followed. He might make a pretence of not fawning over like some unruly teenager but she could see right through him. He did fawn and so did she. Dianah pushed herself from the chair to settle in his lap like she had done before. She slipped into his embrace like a tailored glove. Like she was made to be exactly there.

'Jaron. First of all there's nothing wrong with fawning. I happen to be quite a fan of it myself. Secondly, I think you mistake me for some other girl. I don't want a good man.'

She lent in to press her lips against his again. Her fingers gently trace the chiselled outline of his jaw. His deep brown eyes were utterly captivating. For a second she was totally and completely lost in them. They were filled with a powerful longing and the frustration of a game gone on far too long. Her own eyes reflected the same back at him.

'I want a wicked one.'

At his next words, she said nothing. Jaron had barely finished his sentence when their lips moulded together again with a desperate lust.

[member=Jaron Lesan]