Miss Me?

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

"Sweetheart." Kurt leaned into Jamie, whispering into her ear so that none of the guards could hear him. "You promised I wouldn't be getting arrested again."

It wasn't her fault of course...at least Kurt didn't think so, but the entire situation was to him a bit ludicrous. If indeed they were getting arrested it would mark the second time that he had been placed in cuffs on Naboo, also the second time it had been done so on purpose.

He frowned slightly as the guards surrounded them, one in particular pointing his blaster in The Couriers face. "We'll come along. Just put down your blasters."

Kurt didn't like it when people pointed weapons at his face.

He liked it even less when they pointed them at Jamie. It was perhaps a bit silly given she would better defend herself then he ever could, but Kurt has a chivalrous streak he couldn't quite put down.

 

[Jamie Pyne]

The only response that came from the blonde was a generous sigh. "Yes, Captain Brack." Jamie turned to Kurt and took his hand. "Come, dear. It would seem the Captain here wishes a moment of our time in private." In an instant Kurt would notice her tone and demeanor shift from the bubble-headed girl she typically was to what one could more associate to her type of upbringing. "I do ever so hope you've been well, Captain. I've not seen you since the last gala." The man notably in charge led the two from their ship with guards pulling up the rear into the large dome shaped building beyond the docking bay.

Once inside the guards dispersed and left the three alone in what looked more akin to a conference room than a jail cell. Brack closed the door and stood, blank faced at the two for an entire minute. Jamie herself remained quiet and still as well. Finally the silence was broken by a raised brow, the stern face falling slightly away. "You want to explain what you two were doing in a ship that was reported stolen over five years ago, Pyne?"

The girl placed one hand over the other in front of her, taking up an incredibly innocent sounding tone. "I do apologize, Captain. My friend and I found ourselves stranded on Spira and a man who operated a repair shop kindly offered to allow us the use of this vessel, as it had been abandoned for quite some time, isn't that right, Mr. Meyer?" She turned to Kurt, smiling. "I do ever so apologize for the trouble, Captain."

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

Kurt perked an eyebrow, frowning slightly as the tone of Jamie's voice changed. It was odd to him, something that he wasn't used to, and in truth didn't like. The voice, her posture, the way she held herself was decidedly...not like her.

It was as though Jamie had put on a mask. A very pretty mask, but one that hid everything else good.

Kurt didn't like it. "Yes."

The Courier finally said when he was prompted to speak. The room didnt look very much like a jailcell, but it was still rather off putting. For some reason he'd imagine arriving on Naboo to something far more open. A frown pulled at his lips for a moment and then he shifted slightly.

Maybe he just had bad luck.

 

[Jamie Pyne]

Brack's eyes shifted between Jamie and Kurt curiously, as if in his head concocting some kind of assumption between the two without saying a word. It was obvious what he was thinking, though she withheld any comment on the subject. "Well it was stolen. Now I know it wasn't you, for obvious reasons, given that you would have been, what, 13 when that ship disappeared? However, that being said, my guards will and are going to conduct an investigation on board." The blonde nodded along. "Of course, Captain. You must perform your duties. We understand and applaud your efforts to ensure this mystery is resolved swiftly."

Jamie looked to Kurt once more and smiled. "If there is anything at all myself or my friend can do to help please do not hesitate to ask. We'll be staying at my family's estate." The large man exhaled and shook his head. There wasn't exactly much he could do. "Very well. Please ensure that you are available for questioning once my men have concluded their investigation. The ship will remain impounded until we have completed our work."

Stepping to the side the man opened the door, allowing the two to exit. "As you wish, Captain. Anything to help. Come, Mr. Meyer, we must be on our way."

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

On Tatooine, that last part meant 'We're going to come break your legs later when there's less people around'. Kurt decided not to mention that to Jamie as they passed through the door and moved into the hall beyond, stepping quickly, but not running, towards the overall exit.

He glimpsed half a ray of sunlight, excitement dawning on him for a moment.

While the guard had been questioning them Kurt's mind had already shifted to exactly how he and Jamie would get out of there. Unlike her, he didn't quite trust the justice system, and he was perfectly willing to go on the lamb if that's what it meant. Of course, those ideas were all ridiculous, and as they finally made their way out of the building and into the sunlight, Kurt realized just how stupid it all would have been. He frowned for a moment, looking at Jamie who simply shook her head.

He took the symbol for what it was, and moved alongside her.

They walked for a few more minutes until eventually they stepped into what looked like an art district. "So..." Kurt began quietly.

 

[Jamie Pyne]

Jamie beamed ear to ear as the two stepped out of the building and into the sunlight of the morning. There was a noticeable spring to her step as she walked hand in hand with Kurt along the sidewalk, nodding to folks they passed by. It was as if those last thirty or so minutes hadn't happened, shrugged off in the face of pleasant sights and smells and sounds, accompanied by Kurt. The guards would do their duty, search the ship thoroughly for leads, traces of clues, and likely view the ship's flight data before they called for Kurt and Jamie to return. If they repossessed the ship Jamie wouldn't likely care all that much, though perhaps she would feel sorry for Kurt who wanted to keep it.

All in all, if that was all they lost she wouldn't complain. Better to lose a ship than sit in a jail cell, right?

"So?" She repeated, unsure of what Kurt was exactly looking for. The tone of his voice suggested it was intended to be a question, though Jamie wasn't exactly sure what he was wondering.

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

It was clear that all the horrifying scenarios that had run through Kurt's head hadn't even found their way into Jamie's most distant thoughts. He looked at her for a moment, frowning, then shaking his head as he finally realized that it didn't matter.

"Nothing, babe." If she wasn't worried, there was no reason for him to be either. "What do we do now?"

His arm slipped around her. "Your house? Or do we want to show me around a bit?"

In truth, he didn't care about either option. He'd let go of the anxiety that he had been feeling a few days ago, deciding that if he could fly against entire Sith Squadrons he could take on a few Naboo Royals. Of course, a part of him was still nervous as all hell, but he decided he would ignore that fact.

For now.

 

[Jamie Pyne]

There was a tilt of her head that followed a curious look on her. "Nothing? You sure?"

The estate belonging to her family was still a ways away from where they were. If the two walked it would take the better half of the day to make it from the royal hanger, through the city, and to her family's estate. Not that Jamie would complain, as she thoroughly enjoyed seeing the vendors every day and taking in the incredible smells of fresh foods.

"Well, would you like to see the city a bit first? Or get introductions out of the way?"

The blonde leaned against a holo terminal used to greet tourists and gave a look around. "The city center is that way." She said, pointing forward. "There's more than plenty to see there, and it's the quickest way to get home from here. Though-" Her eyes wandered to their surroundings. "If we want to spend some time exploring there's plenty to do. The city is split into four major areas." Jamie held up a finger to count off each district. "There's the art district here in the north, entertainment to the east, and commerce to the south. The west side is kind of what's considered the eclectic district. It's like a merging of dozens of cultures where you can find almost anything." She smiled, that area was always full of interesting people and items for sale. "My family lives more towards the southwest on the outskirts of the city."

The main road they were on would lead straight to the center of the city.

"This road takes you to the heart of Theed. There's always new vendors in the commons selling things from all over the galaxy there."

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

That was a lot of options.

He frowned for a moment, trying to piece together all the words that Jamie had thrown at him. She had pretty much given him the option of seeing all of Theed if he so wished, a task that would likely take a day and a half and mean he'd avoid seeing her parents for quite some time. Of course Kurt had seen quite a bit of Theed before, having come here twice already. The City however had always been shown to him from the back of a Speeder Cab or through the eyes of a simple guide.

Jamie would see it all differently. "What do you think is best?"

The question was a silly one. In his mind, Jamie would want to go home. That was what he would want to do after being gone for so long, he would make an immediate b-line back towards the Farm to introduce Jamie to his mother and father.

Of course, Tatooine was also a lot less beautiful then Theed.

"I'm just..." He trailed off for a moment, looking up at some of the buildings. "I'm just glad to be here with you."

 

[Jamie Pyne]

"I'd really like to show you around." She started, "Though, if I came back and didn't go straight home first my parents would kill me. So I think we should go there first." With Jamie's luck she would be wandering around the city and bump into her parents who would immediately scold her for not doing exactly that. That wasn't the way she would like to start this trip, so it was likely in everyone's best interests to visit her family first, get settled in, and then go wander through Theed.

"Me too." The blonde smiled at Kurt's comment, leaning up to kiss him.

"Let's find a taxi then. Walking would be nice but it will take most of the day if we don't stop for anything."

Taking her boyfriend by the hand she led him down the street, taking a couple of turns where necessary and out into an open area with a dozen or so speeders waiting to pickup passengers, mostly tourists.

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

He ran his hand through his hair. It was really only after she'd made her decision that Kurt realized he'd much rather prefer walking around Theed for another three days. A frown pulled at his lips for half a moment, but after a second he finally let out a long sigh. "Alright."

Kurt paused.

"Let's to meet the parents." He should have brought his uniform. "But if they bring up the whole 'kidnapped our daughter' thing, I'm out."

He hadn't really kidnapped Jamie, in fact, he hadn't done any such thing in any sense of the word, but the suspicion would probably be there. After all, what were the odds that he would stumble upon the same girl that he'd been accused of kidnapping? Probably astronomical given just how big the galaxy actually was. He supposed that it was some 'will of the force' type thing, at least that's how he'd rationalized the whole ordeal. Of course Jamie's parents might see it as something entirely different.

Kurt was just a poor farmer after all.

Not very fitting for someone like Jamie.

 

[Jamie Pyne]

Jamie could hear the hesitation in Kurt's sigh. The memory of his initial meeting likely springing back into his mind at the mere thought of it. "Hey." Jamie leaned forward, kissing his cheek. "I promise it won't be that bad."

She wasn't about to let him get arrested again, that much she was sure of. "They really are good people. After all, they raised me, and I'm half decent. I think, anyway." There was a small smile to reassure him that it would be alright. "But they'll take some getting used to. The way they speak and all that isn't quite the norm for places outside of this kind of society. It took me a long time to separate myself from that and only use the social elite tone when necessary."

Looking around the blonde noticed a passing cab as it approached from the opposite direction and gave a waive to flag it down. "It will be fine. Awkward at first maybe, but they are very kind people. They travel to planets facing the aftermath of war and famine to bring relief aide. They might be a bit abrasive but they don't do it for the money. They genuinely want to help others." Placing a hand on his cheek she turned his head gently so that they were looking at each other eye to eye. "Just be yourself. You don't have to meet anyone's standards but mine. And you already do that."

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

Help others?

For some reason that statement made him feel small.

She hadn't meant it in that way of course. Jamie knew very well that Kurt was not only self sufficient, but incredibly skilled in what he chose to do. He was a talented pilot, a crackshot, and half a dozen other things that he could list, but for some reason what she had said made him think that her parents wouldn't see him that way. They wouldn't see the Double Ace, they wouldn't see the man who'd thrice won the Boonta Eve classic, they would just see a poor farm boy that needed help.

Was that worse or better?

He considered that for a moment, keeping his expression blank. Eventually he broke out into a smile, his lips turning up as he tried to mask the thoughts that ran through his mind. Jamie was here, she was at his side and she was his. That was what mattered.

Nothing else. "Okay, let's go."

He said as his hand wrapped around hers and he gave her a small squeeze.

 

[Jamie Pyne]

"Okay!" Ahead, near the end of the street and just in front of a large building were a few waiting taxis. The art and entertainment districts were popular tourist attractions, so one could typically find transportation easily enough anywhere around. That made things convenient, since it was rather warm, and as much as she enjoyed the weather, arriving home covered in sweat for the first time in months wasn't her ideal way to make an appearance.

The blonde waived towards one of the speeders that promptly started over towards the two, eager for taking a fare.

"It's only about thirty minutes from here. Shouldn't take too long. After we're settled we can come back if you want. That is if my parents don't take up the whole afternoon talking."

She said it as a joke, though it wasn't out of the realm of possibility. They did love to socialize.

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

He tried not to let nerves get to him, or depression, or any other kind of emotion really. His mind instead traveled back to Tatooine. It was an odd place to go, but a safe place to go. He thought about the tournaments that he'd won, the trophies that he'd earned, all the accomplishments he'd had there. It was a small comfort to think about.

When faced with titans of nobility and wealth...he was glad to have some small success to counter them with.

Perhaps his championships wouldn't mean much, perhaps his service to the Navy wouldn't either, but at the very least he could wear them like a badge of honor. Something that could make him stand up a little straighter, something to give him a little support. That, along with Jamie at his side, would be enough, or so he thought as they slipped into the speeder and took their seats. Jamie made some directive to the driver, Kurt leaning back and closing his eyes for a moment.

A warm hand slipped around his own, his eyes opening to find Jamie smiling at him.

Kurt pressed a small peck against her cheek, reassuring her that he was fine.

 

[Jamie Pyne]

The low rumble of the speeder's engine hummed as the two sat behind the driver, gazing out at the city she had grown up with for eighteen years. It was odd, for some reason everything felt new now. Perhaps it was because she was filled with renewed excitement to show someone relatively unfamiliar with Naboo the ins and outs of the city and countryside. There was ever so much to do and see it wouldn't be possible to see or do everything with the time they had, but there were a few places she could show him that were notably special to her.

If Kurt was nervous, he sure didn't show it on the surface. To Jamie, everything was swell. The taxi ride itself was relatively uneventful. The driver was a quiet native that played some melodic upbeat music as he took them towards the city limits to the address provided by his passengers. As the speeder traveled up a modest hill the peak of Jamie's family home could be seen reaching out above the trees. Large cylindrical towers of white and gold overlooked the valley below that led into Theed.

The homestead only appeared taller and grander once they arrived. A large fountain sat smack dab in the middle of the parkway, complete with a statue that portrayed first recorded member of the Pyne family. Three small steps led to a massive twelve foot tall golden archway door that served as the main entryway of the mansion. Dozens of trees and beautiful flowers were perfectly trimmed and landscaped to perfection around the front courtyard. It was truly surreal. "Well, this is it!" She said to Kurt with a bright smile on her face after paying the taxi driver.

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

"Yeah, I remember." He said to her with a smile, though in truth it looked more like a smirk then anything else. The last time he had been here things had not ended all that well for Kurt. The memory was an odd one, thought not the worst that he had. Certainly there had been things he'd rather have happened, but...well getting arrested was most definitely not his favorite. Either way he pulled himself out of the Taxi, stepping up beside Jamie to look up at the manor.

As he looked at it he couldn't help but be reminded of the Hutt palaces back on Tatooine.

And odd comparison. "So..."

"Do we ring the doorbell?" Kurt asked slowly. "Walk in?"

He was still a little bit afraid of getting tackled even standing where they were. Part of him was wondering if Jamie's parents had set some kind of security alert for him, though that was completely ludicrous given that she had called them after her disappearance and he had actually been let out of prison once his innocents was proven. Nevertheless he found that the back of his neck began to sweat slightly as they meandered their way closer to the building.

It wasn't too late to run.

 

[Jamie Pyne]

"Oh. Right." Somehow Kurt's last visit slipped her mind again. She hadn't quite remembered that he had already been here once before. "Why would we ring the doorbell to my own house?" She gave Kurt a strange look, one eye raised and a head tilt that gave away the impression that she thought he was being overly silly. "Come on, you." The girl led Kurt up the pathway and to the door, placing a hand against its' biometric lock pad. With a smile looking at Kurt the audible click of the lock released, allowing her to gently push open the door that opened to the massive foyer.

As the door closed lightly behind her and automatically locked again Jamie shouted, her voice echoing off of the cathedral ceilings and expansive room, carried throughout the mansion until it dissipated in the distance.

"Mother! Father! I've returned home!"

For a moment the girl wondered whether or not they would even recognize Kurt. It wasn't as if he spent a whole lot of time in their presence, though perhaps that time was memorable to them. Then again, they were about to find out. From what sounded like the theater room the girl heard the slow patter of footsteps making their way towards the two. Jamie's posture adjusted slowly, in a clear and calculated manner. More than likely the result of constant reminder by one or both parents. Her left hand held on to Kurt's lightly as the two parents appeared at the balcony overlooking the foyer below where at the base of the stairs Jamie stood hand in hand with Kurt.

"Jamie Rose Pyne!" Her mother shouted.​

As the older woman rushed down the stairs, barely holding onto the banister she grabbed hold of the girl and practically torn her from the ground in an embrace. Jamie nearly lost her breath as she looked over the shoulder of Melinda, to her father, Torlen, who was curiously eying Kurt. The look he was giving off was one she had seen before. It was somewhere between recognition and confusion. Though if he had figured it out, he hadn't yet given it away.

Great...The middle name is out. One more thing for Kurt to tease her over.

"Hi Mother. It's wonderful to see you." She started, returning the hug, though hesitated on the whole you remember Kurt, right? "This is Kurt, my sweetheart."

The woman paused, almost entirely ignorant of the fact that Kurt was actually standing right next to Jamie. Then it came, the scrunched nose, the squinted eyes, as the woman searched her memory for this man.

"You were that boy who came here months ago, are you not?" There was a slightly accusatory tone to her voice, though not exactly harsh, more so on a don't you dare lie to me level. But before Kurt had the chance to answer for himself, Torlen spoke up as he descended the stairs to join the rest. "His name is Kurt, darling. Didn't you hear the girl? He is her sweetheart. It looks like our little girl is growing up." Jamie cringed, her father's words were embarrassing. Her middle name was embarrassing. She felt the heat begin to grow on her face.

[member="Kurt Meyer"]

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

Rose? Sweetheart? Those were two things he'd yet to hear from Jamie. The Courier tried his hardest to keep his face straight, his eyes locking on those of Jamie's mother.

For a moment he felt like time itself slowed to a crawl. He didn't think, not really at least, but instead he lived through a thousand different scenarios of what could and would happen. Among them were classics such as throwing up on the floor, yelling something incoherent about Tatooine Podraces, simply grabbing Jamie and making out with her, and of course simply turning around and walking out of the front door as though he were simply a robot programmed to do nothing.

Of course, none of those happened, but it was nice to think about for a moment.

"Yeah." Kurt said almost too informally, his native reflex pulling him to speak to Jamie's parents as though they were old friends.

That was how he had always dealt with tense situations. More then once it had come back to bite him in the ass, like during his court martial, but it was an instinct that was born of Tatooine. The Hutt's had always found it charming, other racers had found it disarming, and the smugglers that he'd ran around with so often had found it perfect to get along with. It was Kurts knee jerk reaction to feeling surrounded and pressured, something that he was feeling in abundance right now.

"I kidnapped your daughter." He choked on the words, half coughing as he finished them. "Kidding...of course."

Going well so far.

 

[Jamie Pyne]

Jamie's eyes flashed to Kurt. A long, hard glare. If she could communicate with him without words she would likely have said WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT?!

Unfortunately, she wasn't gifted with such a talent. Or, maybe fortunately for Kurt, she wasn't. On the other hand, Melinda immediately released Jamie and took a far greater interest in Kurt than she had only moments before. "It IS you! The one who showed up immediately after our little girl disappeared and we had exhausted ourselves searching for her!" The woman turned back to Jamie, almost defensively taking her hand. "Is this man taking you against your will? Tell me right this instant Jamie Rose! He'll rot in a prison cell for the rest of his life if he's harmed you in any way!"

Surprisingly her father remained quiet. It seemed he either understood his daughter better than her mother, or he simply wanted to see how things would play out here.

"Mother, relax." Pulling away slightly she returned to Kurt's side before he would have the opportunity to dash out the front door in a frantic retreat. "It's nothing like that."

Her hands came to rest on his arm and shoulder. "Why don't we sit in the sun room and talk?" Without waiting she began to walk through the central corridor and turn right towards the room she'd suggested.

[member="Kurt Meyer"]