Funny Finding You Here

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

Kurt shrugged, or as much as he could.

"It's not about the race, or the credits." Yes, he likely could have spent the next ten years winning race after race and getting rich, but that's not what Kurt wanted. If he wanted to be rich he would have stayed on Tatooine, worked for the Hutts as a racing icon and cashed in when he was twenty five. That would have been easy, simple, and relatively safe, but it wasn't what he wanted. A big part of his life was freedom, a bit part was wanting.

"It's about the feeling I get when I win. The thrill. The rush I experience." He tried to explain, though he was finding it difficult. "It's like...it's like spice."

Had Jamie ever done spice? Probably not, but she'd likely heard of it. "You take that first hit, and it's great. You keep going, and going, and then it runs out. So you take another hit, then another hit, then another hit, but it's never quite as good as that first time, and it never will be. I don't want to take another hit of spice."

 

[Jamie Pyne]

True. She'd never done spice, or any other type of illicit, illegal drug. Hell, she had only drank once or twice and even then it was under the supervision of her parents at a gala where it was something to be expected of those present to share in a toast or five. "Okay. If you say so." If that's what he wanted, that's what he wanted. She wouldn't push him to go back to that life if he truly wanted to fly around the galaxy, be a nobody, and run shipments for Sif. It wasn't for her, and she'd likely abandon the job entirely the moment she had enough credits, or the freeze on her accounts were lifted.

She settled on to her back, looking up at the ceiling. The humming of the ship's engines ringing through her ears. She smiled at nothing in particular, just the peace of space travel, having nothing pressing to worry about, the next chapter in a book, the next party she'd have to attend, or the next test she'd have to pass in order to appease her family. It was relaxing, really. She knew that once she reached Cartao that it would all change, and she'd likely be tested far more than she had ever been before, but at least that was for a purpose. At least it would mean something. Yea, she looked forward to that. She'd prove she could do good for the galaxy, more so than anything her parents could do on Naboo. Much more.

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

Simplicity was joy, at least for Kurt.

While Jamie would seek the grand and the good, he would do what he always did. A smile crossed his own face. Even if she didn't understand, even if no one really understood, his life was still his own. That was what mattered to him, that he could make his own decisions, that he wasn't chasing something fleeting and untouchable, and most importantly, that he lived. That was enough for him, for now at least, and he couldn't see any change on the horizon.

They still had a few hours remaining until they reached Byblos.

The Messa was fast, but even this ship took a few hours to get places. The path from the trade station to Byblos was mostly clear, only two jumps being required in order to reach it. Luckily the autopilot had already taken care of that during Jamie and Kurt's latest...tussle in the sheets, and now they were well on their way to Byblos itself. If the Pilot had to guess, it would be three or four hours before they made it back, plenty of time to still get some sleep.

His arm slowly slipped over her stomach, hand curling at her waist as he pulled her into a resting embrace.

 

[Jamie Pyne]

There it was. That soft, gentle touch of his. The feeling of his arm around her belly caused her to instinctively wiggle herself a bit closer to his warm, comfortable body. She remained happily on her back, her own fingertips moving to dance lightly atop of his hand. Jamie imagined for some time a life like Kurts, carefree and simple. It did have a bit of an allure to it she could admire. To never have to worry about anything except one's self. Even more than that though was the feeling she had now, the feeling of closeness, the idea of waking up next to someone you could depend on and care for each and every day. That was something she wanted. She hadn't realized it until now, her mind clear and calm.

Jamie wanted to feel cared for and about by the person she slept and woke with each day. The very thought of it made the muscles in her face tense, flashing a great, big smile. It excited her, thinking about what a simple feeling it was, and how much it suddenly meant to her. Despite that, she kept her silence. She closed her eyes. She wanted him to get some bit of sleep before they reached Byblos. After all, she did tell him that she wanted him to sleep with her so that he didn't have to sleep out on a chair. She hadn't done a very good job of keeping up with that offer.

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

Kurt would catch some sleep. Just because he kept to an odd cycle didn't mean that he couldn't grab rest when it was offered. That was something that he had learned in the Navy, get sleep whenever it was offered to you. It was also nice to have a tiny heater next to oneself, especially when the ship was usually cold enough to warrant the use of a second blanket. He slept well, though his dreams were filled with half a dozen oddities that he could never have remembered.

Eventually however, the hours rolled by, and the alarm went off.

His eyes snapped open almost immediately, his gaze falling on Jamie beside him before quickly shifting towards the clock on his nightstand.

Just as he had sent, the alarm went off exactly two hours before their arrival. That would give Kurt time to contact Sif, talk to byblos authorities, and of course make arrangements for everything else. Plus it would let him shower and maybe eat something. he doubted that it would take long to get Jamie settled, but he wanted to be prepared just in case.

 

[Jamie Pyne]

The alarm caused Jamie's eyes to strain to keep closed, trying her best to pretend she hadn't just been woken by the sound. She wasn't so good at waking up once she'd fallen asleep. In fact, she was constantly nagged for oversleeping by her parents back home. Nearly every single day she was late to whatever she had to do. It was her mom's biggest pet peeve. Even at 18 she had still not outgrown this trend. In fact, it had only gotten worse as time went on.

She felt Kurt shift in bed, turning off the alarm, bringing peace and serenity back to the girl's ears. As he stood her hand slipped away from his. She remained quietly laying down, not wanting to admit to herself that soon they would part ways. The closer they got to Byblos the more nervous she got about the entire thing. The moment he left the room she sat up, folding her legs and tugging at the blankets to pull them closer to her. Her head rested in the palms of her hands, leaning down towards the bed, her fingers rubbing her forehead. She searched her mind for answers, demanding them from herself as to why she had allowed herself to get so attached to someone like Kurt after just one evening. It made no sense at all. She felt embarrassed for herself. Ughhhhh. She pulled on her hair and thrust her head back down onto the pillow, kicking with the heels of her feet against the bed.

You're such an idiot. You did this to yourself. She hated the voice in her head so much.

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

Kurt managed to pull some clothes from his closet before leaving the room, hopping into the sonic shower before quickly quickly getting dressed and making his way to the cockpit. Things went rather quickly from there. It didn't take him long to check all of the Messa's systems and ensure that everything was alright. From there he called up his company headquarters, quickly explaining the situation. He was lucky enough to get one of the more friendly dispatchers, and they placed his class through to one of the vice presidents of the company.

The VP quickly explained what he would have to do, and how he'd have to do it.

"Well, that was easy." Kurt said to himself, hanging up the holo-call. Apparently all he really had to do was take Jamie to HQ, sign her up for the job, vouch for her as an employee and she would essentially get the exact same deal that he did. It was rather nice really, and since Sif was fronted by Vanir Technologies she would have a pick of the ships she could use. He let out a whistle, thinking about just how easy all of this was. Briefly Kurt wondered if the company actually made any money or was just used as a giant advertisement for Vanir Technologies.

He wouldn't doubt if the latter was true.

A shrug carried over his shoulders, and quickly he would return back to the center of the ship.

 

[Jamie Pyne]

After about twenty five minutes or so of self-loathing, Jamie finally mustered up the energy to get out of bed and go find Kurt. The girl turned on the light to the bedroom, scooping up her clothes one by one and dressing. Her eyes were slightly puffed and mildly burning from the tears that she'd wept over the past half hour. The back of her hands wiped the corners of her eyes, making sure there was no evidence still of any watery liquids that had run down her face while he was gone. The last thing she needed was for him to ask or wonder why she had been crying like a child.

Truthfully she wasn't even certain as to whether or not there was an appropriate answer that wasn't entirely selfish or self-serving. Jamie tossed her hair and pulled at it, trying to make it look somewhat presentable so that she wasn't such a hot mess. Once the girl was satisfied she could pass for decent she opened the door and strode towards the central room. She found Kurt there, and stood by the entry way, her hands holding onto one another just in front of her. She spoke quietly, their eyes catching one another. "Hi." One simple word. That was it.

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

He smiled at her, a more relaxed version of that charming smile she was already so used to.

"We have about an hour and a half before we get there." His voice was smooth, kind. "I talked to everyone there, so we basically just need to sign you up and you'll be set from there. I'll help you with all of that of course, though it shouldn't be too hard."

It really shouldn't be. Kurt had managed to sign all the documents inside of thirty minutes, though his had been somewhat more lengthy due to...past complications. He smiled slightly at the memory, stepping closer towards Jamie with that same smile on his face. All thoughts of the past were forgotten for now, his days of pod-racing, war, they were placed aside so that he could focus on his current life, the future. It was how Kurt worked.

No use thinking of the past.

 

[Jamie Pyne]

"Okay." About as simple a response as one could give.

Jamie flashed a brief smile as he made his way closer to her. It faded as quickly as it came, and rather than validate his movement towards her she circled around and made her way to the couch they had violated enjoyed together. Warm air puffed up her cheeks the moment she dropped herself on to one of the cushions, expunged through her lips with anxiousness.

"That sounds good." She pulled her legs closer so to take up only a single portion of the furniture, sitting on her feet.

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

He could sense her trepidation, see that something was bothering her. It didn't take a genius to figure out what it was. Kurt might have been a fool at times, but he wasn't an idiot. His eyes set on her, and for a moment he simply watched her walk away towards the couch. He waited a moment, his thoughts racing. Nerves were likely fraying within her, an anxiousness growing about her situation. Everything had changed for Jamie within the span of a week, and now she was facing an even greater change.

Slowly, Kurt walked over to her.

The Pilot placed himself directly ahead of her, slowly squatting down so that he could look her in the eyes.

He offered her that same smile, the relaxed, almost happy expression that he had carried after their first little romp on the couch. It was one not of satisfaction and smugness, but general chirpiness that could only be displayed by someone like Kurt.

 

[Jamie Pyne]

Jamie's eyes stared off towards the wall for a moment, before slowly following the floor, up to Kurt as he knelt down beside her.

It was as if he was trying to reassure her some how that everything was going to be fine, without saying a word, that smile of his being the silent words he spoke. Oh how she hated that. It was infectious. It gave her butterflies and forced her to smile despite her feelings and worries. It infuriated her that such a simple act would tear her from the self-loathing going on inside her head.

She tried relentlessly to subdue the smirk on her face, looking away from him so she didn't have to see it. "Stop that." She didn't want to smile. It wasn't going to be a happy time very soon. At least not for her. She didn't want to feel better, only to have it torn from under her again, when she knew this whole thing was her fault for letting him in, and returning the affection. Her hands pulled at her ankles to pull herself closer towards the back of the couch, still averting her eyes.

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

Kurt frowned slightly, though the smile quickly reappeared on his face.

It wasn't mocking of course, couldn't be, not now. Instead it was that same simple expression, the one might find on a loyal golden retriever. He didn't want Jamie to fear, he didn't want her to be afraid of their parting or what would happen after. The past was always the past, and although their time together had been short, it was something that would effect the future. To Kurt, he simply wanted to look ahead, always look ahead at what was coming.

"Come on." Kurt said as he extended his hand and gently placed it on her knee. "It'll be alright."

His neck slowly craned so that he could look at her eyes again, that same smiling expression holding firm.

 

[Jamie Pyne]

Oh gosh, no. No. Don't do it Jamie! Don't.....Ugh.

A single tear formed in her left eye as she turned to look at Kurt. The moment he said it'll be alright, as if on cue, it rolled down her cheek. You're such a baby.

"Sure." She said, breaking into an unintended laugh at the silly look on Kurt's face, as if he knew the future and everything simply worked out just fine. For a moment she wished he hadn't seen her there on the station. It wouldn't have been this complicated. Now her mind was racing at the same speed the ship was traveling, except where the ship had a destination, her mind didn't. She didn't know what to say or how to act in this situation. Not only was she light years from home, but she was entirely alone with not a single person to turn to, and the one person she did have was about to bail on her in about an hour.

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

Kurt smiled.

It was a sad, almost rueful smile.

He stood up and gently leaned forward, kissing her forehead and wrapping his arms around her in an embrace. He partially understood where she was coming from, what was wrong. Perhaps she thought that he was abandoning her completely, that she was now entirely alone in this vast galaxy. In part, she was right, but Kurt was not the time to simply run away. He might have wanted to live, he might have been a scoundrel and a rogue, but he didn't run. "It will be alright."

Kurt said again, his tone more stern this time, serious.

His hands looped around her, and he pulled her tightly against himself. There wasn't really any words that he could say to make her immediately feel better, he knew that, but at least he could hold her, he could reassure her, and he could comfort her until the very last minute.

"You'll be okay." Kurt reaffirmed again. "You'll do this, you'll make your way to Cartao, you'll train, and you'll become something great."

 

[Jamie Pyne]

Jamie wiped away watery trail from her face before returning the hug from Kurt. She embraced him tightly, her arms wrapped around his neck at the shoulders.

"Do you promise?" Now that was a loaded question for him. She wasn't even certain whether or not she'd like the answer, even if he said yes. It was impossible to keep such a promise.

If she had met him before Keira, Jamie would have simply abandoned any idea of becoming a Jedi, of leaving Naboo to train herself. She wanted to stay by his side and see the galaxy herself. The problem was that she'd already committed to her training. She'd mentally committed herself to train, to become something of a Jedi, even if that was not what Keira was, or was offering to become. She was committed to helping in whatever capacity she could. That was what truly hurt the most, that she knew she couldn't turn away from this path, despite what had happened earlier.

"I'm just....Afraid I guess. Of so much."

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

His hand gently ran through her hair. "I do."

He didn't know much about the galaxy, at least not compared to Jedi Masters, Chancellors, or anything of the sort, but he knew Jamie well enough. The two of them had hardly spent a day together, but that day had been filled with so much talk and conversation that he was confident in his answer. She was strong, he knew that. Strong enough to go through training and succeed in it, strong enough to walk through all paths of life and make it.

"I know." Kurt said, his arms slipping away from her as he crouched down to look her in the eyes again. "But that's okay."

"They'll tell you that fear is bad. They'll say that it will stop you, stall you. They'll say that fear is the killer, but it's not. It's a hurtle that you have to overcome, it's a step wider than the others, but it's still a step, you just have to be willing to take it." Those were the words his father had told him before his first race, his first victory.

He still remembered them well.

 

[Jamie Pyne]

His touch was far more reassuring than his promise that things would be alright. Perhaps behind all of that bravado there was someone much more warm, someone she had helped bring to the surface during the time they had spent together. The person beneath the visage was the person she wanted to hold on to. Maybe it was selfish of her, but she was jealous of Kaile. She didn't know exactly what their full relationship was like, if they'd ever hooked up or that sort of thing. But the idea that she shared this space with him made her just a little jealous. She likely saw more of that warm inner side of Kurt than most.

"I'll try my best. There's still so much I don't understand about this whole Force thing." She held out her hand, focusing her mind on the small lamp on the end table beside the couch. For a moment she tried lifting it with the Force. She tried, and she tried. It didn't move an inch. She scoffed at her inability, turning her focus away from the object. "Sometimes it works, other times I can't do it at all."

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

Kurt shrugged.

"Can't help you there, darlin'." Thick Tatooine drawl pulled at his tongue. "I know next to nothing about the force."

That was certainly true. Kurt had worked with them during his stint in the Navy, but he'd only ever seen a Jedi use the force once and that had more been a display of...well thought. It had been an odd feeling, as though the mans words had instilled loyalty and hope within everyone on the flight deck. A friend of Kurt's had later explained that it had been some kind of Jedi Mind trick, battlemeditation he had called it. Kurt still didn't quite understand it, nor how it worked, but that was about all he knew.

"But, I'll help you practice any way you need." His smile returned, calm, patient, willing.

 

[Jamie Pyne]

The girl laughed at the darlin' bit. Back home whenever someone would use that term it was usually followed by a sarcastic insult. So many different dialects for the same Galactic Basic language. It was interesting to her to hear how other folks spoke. Jamie shook her head and shrugged, there was too much running through her mind to focus enough. She simply wasn't going to be able to show off what little she could sometimes do with the Force.

"It's alright...I don't think I will be able to do it right now."

[member="Kurt Meyer"]