Fancy seeing you here[Complete]

[Allyson Locke]

The offer was appealing; one would be stupid to not think it was. Spencer lay back down on her side as she looked at Ashin, the woman wanted to keep her safe – honorable the Dark Lord was. Her finger tips touched the mark where Ashin had marked her with her blood and Spencer thought deeply about the circumstances. The fear that the galaxy was thrust into was constantly clouding her mind, she would be free of everything on the planet being kept safe. Though the idea of just sitting around and waiting for Ashin to return was something that didn’t sit right with her.

Spencer shook her head softly and bit her lower lip trying to think of an answer that didn’t hurt anyone’s feelings.

“I can’t, I have to be out there fighting and pushing them back. I would go crazy sitting there waiting for you…if I was out there fighting I could help end it faster…I’m still a Jedi and I have to do something…I’ll stay safe as long as you think of me and keep me here…”

Her hand reached out and touched where she had marked Ashin with her blood. A smile crossed her face and it hurt her to reject the offer. Though it was a thought she could dream of and have it keep her warm when she wasn’t able to be held by the older woman.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Ashin's face grew long, and her shoulders hunched. "Aye," she said, "I've spent most of my life thinking that way. I can respect that choice. I can't help but wish you'd reconsider. Force, if you wanted to make it a refuge from the Clockwork invasion, for Jedi or anyone, that would be your prerogative. And that crystal has been known to especially enhance healing powers.

"But you're right. Now's not the time to prepare redoubts. It's time to act. We can hold onto the crystal and keep this plan as a backup."

She got out of the bed, tired of clammy, sweat-soaked clothes and sheets. "This bed needs to be freshened up, and there's a servant droid I can call. I'm tense. Think I'll unwind in here, if you want to join me. Right now I think I just need to breathe." An adjoining room in the suite held a gigantic jacuzzi, which she turned on with a gesture. "Just a few more hours -- that's all I ask. A little time before we go out and save the universe...and talk to the Jedi, whenever you want."

 

[Allyson Locke]

A few more hours, Spencer pondered the time and realized they had been here for a while. She had also been away from the temple for some time. Slipping out of the bed she ran her hands through her hair, she had changed into her undergarments – something fitting for a Jacuzzi atmosphere. Quickly following Ashin she smiled and agreed to the extra time.

“I want to spend every moment with you, for as long as I can.”

Walking up to the water she placed her hand into it, it was warm and she knew it would feel amazing on her tired body. For being young, she had put her body through a lot physically and mentally. The training she had gone through to learn the skills she needed to help assist Ashin. It never really hit Spencer till now of what she had done, either way she didn’t regret it. She was happy.

“Ashin…when you over threw the Emperor…Darren Shaw… the Dark Jedi…he said you were using me why would he say something like that…I know you’re not – but why would he assume that?”

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Ashin toyed with the strap of the sports bra she wore in the water. "Because Darren is a damaged young man," she said, "who has seen far too much of the worst things in the universe. If you look for the bad in someone, expecting to find it, you will. And let's be real, honey. You know as well as I do that I came to that starliner looking for a tool, and I sure didn't keep you around on Mon Calamari just for your personality. I still consider you, well, useful to have around. Lucky. You make my life easier. But it's not a matter of using you if it's just us helping each other, doing things for each other. That's friendship, a relationship, and on some level I'm not sure Darren understands actual relationships. He's a loner and an idealist. He was in love with me for a while, but I rejected him. That might have colored his perceptions.

"And, of course, it looks bad, honey. It looks really bad, from their perspective." Her calf rubbed against Spencer's under the water. "There's no way to change that."

 

[Allyson Locke]

Spencer bit her lower lip as she listened to Ashin, the woman was trusted to be honest and Spencer enjoyed it. Though it didn’t ease the hurt she somewhat felt. Originally she was a tool for the woman and still had her usefulness. A part of Spencer wondered what would happen once her usefulness ran out. She snapped out of her thoughts when she felt Ashin rubbing against her. Smiling she shrugged away everything and moved closer to the woman.

“I understand, I’m sure he wouldn’t enjoy knowing that I’m here. When I first met you I had a feeling I was a necessity and a tool for you. Though getting to know you I want to be more than that. I want to be constantly needed by you.”

She rested her head on Ashin’s shoulder and took a deep breath.

“I don’t want to lose my usefulness…”

 

[Ashin Varanin]

"Oh, honey...I don't measure you by usefulness. I haven't in a good while. If you lost the Force tomorrow, if everyone forgot your name, you would still be you. Still just as interesting, still just as fun, and I would still love you." Water swirled around and between them as she pulled Spencer into her lap and hugged her loosely around the waist. "And that's what I need -- someone I can think about without categorizing and ranking and calculating. Do I benefit from having you around? Of course, but I benefit emotionally. Personally. Not strategically."

She planted a kiss on Spencer's shoulder. "Mm. And if it makes you feel better, less used, just remember that half the Sith Empire thinks I'm weak for keeping you around. I keep you because you're you, not because there's something to be gained."

 

[Allyson Locke]

Spencer nodded feeling relieved. She had been worried her heart was placed in the wrong place, but Ashin was honest with her. Spencer draped her arms around Ashin as she sat in her lap, slowly she brought her head to rest cheek to cheek while she thought about what she was doing and how she felt. A smile crossed her face as she remembered that Ashin had said that she would still love her, which meant that she loved her in the first place. Pulling away for a moment, Spencer let her hands play softly with Ashin’s braids
.
“I love you too, I’ll always love you…”

Being affectionate, she nuzzled again and placed a couple of soft kisses along Ashin’s neck. Everything came so fluid when she was with the woman, thinking about what she had said about being seen as weak disturbed the padawan and she pulled back slightly. A hint of her mother’s language seeped out as she gave Ashin her own pet name.

“Mita’wa, that isn’t a good thing that they see you as weak for keeping me around…I don’t want that to be your image. Is there anything I can do to help it? I didn’t like when you were fighting the challengers after your took your position…it was the worst pain I had ever felt even worse than the ritual.”

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Ashin leaned back against the edge of the jacuzzi, luxuriating. "Mm. That's why I gave you the necklace -- not just so you could be safe if the Jedi ever want to put you on trial, but so you can walk among the Sith and they'll never know it's you. That's one choice. The other is that you could be my consort -- my queen. Let them say what they will. If they take it too far, I'll make them look small and foolish. Aahh...you found a nice spot there, right under the corner of my jaw. Mm."

For a long few moments, it was just warm skin, warm water, and comfortable quiet. She flicked her finger in the general direction of the faucet, and the water began to heat up until it steamed. Now that her relaxation had begun, she turned on the jets, and fingers of water pounded her sore muscles.

"That's how I'll keep them in line," she said absently. "I'll out-think them. I won't need to fight so long as I can play them -- and I can play them. Traditional Sith are...ahh, feth, that's nice...remarkably easy to manipulate. Mm." She sank deeper into the hot water, scrubbing at the mark on her sternum. Tiny bits of excess, dried blood sluiced away, leaving only the mark of Spencer's Blood Trail. Her legs snaked through Spencer's playfully. "I could probably spend the rest of my life in this tub.

"Where shall we go from here? Is it time for you to visit the Republic again - or how do you want to play that? How do you intend to juggle the different parts of your lives, and how can I help?" Her sombre, scarred face cracked in a grin. "Besides the obvious, of course."

 

[Allyson Locke]

Spencer listened and continued to shower Ashin in affection; her hands massaged the woman’s worn muscles. She could feel the tension and gave a bit more pressure hoping to alleviate what was ailing the woman. Still, soft kisses showered the Empress and the gentle massage continued. Spencer pulled away quickly as she listened to what Ashin had to say. She had never imagined her to maybe one day be a Queen, her mind wandered to the idea and she enjoyed the dream. Returning to reality she knew at this point and time she couldn’t do that.

The Jedi knew she would be something that could be used against Ashin, it was better the finer details of their relationship remained a secret for as long as it could.

“You’re so strong…and clever”

As she leaned in for another kiss, the grin cracked the Empress’ face. Spencer stopped and suddenly turned very red from the help she was implying. Despite everything that had already happened, Spencer stuttered and started turn very red from head to toe.

“I-I-I-I sh-hould return to the rep-public. Master Alince is probably wondering where I’ve been…”

Spencer bit her lip as she spoke quietly to the woman.

“I will fondly think about the things you’ve done….with me…”