Illuminating the Darkness

[Jake Daniels]

Business; that was what today was about. For weeks Jake had been getting trained by the galaxy's best swordsmen and swordswomen. A weapon from an old time, Daniels knew that for a moment he was a minnow in a sea of sharks. His personal call, a request for training had been sent out to the far reaches of the galaxy. A plea from a Knight who was lost in a new time. A yearning for the concept of normalcy that had yet to return. A desperate grasp to once more be what he had been; a feared sword of the force. While some had outright ignored his request; other seemed inclined to help the man. Two had answered his call. Two had taken the time to show Jake what they could do. A third responded with the offer to train Jake in the ways of Form III, known to most as Soresu. The man couldn’t pass up the opportunity. That's why Jake was on the planet of Serenno. A plnet covered in thick forest and large swaths of water, the people of the planet lived in population pockets. These pockets of modern civilization were planted in moderately sized cities in the middle of cleared out land. The typical means of transportation between these cities were speeders over tree tops or along very narrow paths on the ground.

In the city of Senqa, Jake sat quietly. Cornerstone Café was where the Knight was supposed to meet his contact. Dressed in business casual attire, he didn’t stand out. The only thing he carried was a wallet. Everything else, his lightsaber included, had been left in his hotel room. In an aluminum framed chair with wood paneling, Daniels adjusted himself quietly. It wasn’t the most comfortable piece of furniture. In his hands was a newspaper, which he had folded in such a way that he could see the people around him while his eyes casually glanced over an article on interplantery political movements. Around him life seemed good. Families strolled around. Many walked into and out of the various stores that lined each side of the street. Speeders raced up and down the roadways however for the majority of people; this wasn’t a big issue. The people of Serenno seemed patient. It was quiet and almost quaint.

“Sir?” A waitress asked as she walked up to Jakes small table.

Daniels peeked up from his newspaper.

“Is everything ok?” She asked.

Jake gave a polite smile, “May I get another refill?”

“Absolutely.” The woman said lifting an empty coffee mug from the table.

Daniels turned his attention to the sound of a young boy’s laughter. The boy held a simple green rubber ball. About the age of four or five, he bounced it off of the red brick sidewalk. One bounce. Then another. The Knight glanced at the childs parents; a younger couple. Just by looking at them, Daniels could see they held the same love for their son as their son now held for the ball. It was the same love Jake had once held for his own boys. Quietly Daniels gave a glance at his surroundings. His contact was now late. Jake didn’t do late. He was punctual. Late meant something went wrong. Late meant things weren’t going to plan.

His icy blue eyes returned to the newspaper. In all of the One Sith, Jake Daniels was a Knight like no other. He held a sense of honor that many claimed to have but very few showed. They would kill for the simple joy of it. They would conquer lands, enslave populations, and do as they wished with captives. They were cruel, even amongst themselves. Jake, however, displayed really none of it. He was Sith for one simple reason; he was raised in the darkness. Yet he held very important rules when it came to how he acted. The man didn’t harm unarmed people. Regardless if they were man, woman, or child. Regardless their age or species, if they did not raise a weapon towards him, Jake ignored them. Children though; they were especially important to the Knight. He would go out of his way to protect them; something many other Sith wouldn’t do.

“Andrew?” The voice of the childs father shouted. His tone was a tone no parent wanted to use, a tone no parent wanted to hear. It was of pure panic.

Jake glanced up to see the boys Mother and Father frantically look around. The instinct to protect a child, the same instinct that served him with his own children kicked in. He came to a stand and started looking around.

“Andrew!” The boys mother let out a desperate unmistakably pained scream.

Jakes then heard the sound of a speeders horn. He saw the green rubber ball bounce into the street, then get smacked around by passing speeders. The boy then emerged from between two parked speeders. Right into traffic he went. Right on his tail was Jake. The Knight had rushed forth and into the street. Snatching the boy with both arms, Daniels was forced to jump back and turn to avoid being hit by a passing vehicle. Unfortunately the man wasn’t fast enough. His right elbow was smacked by the vehicles side mirror. Gasps were heard as it looked like the boy would be dropped. Jake remained firm in his grip.

Daniels handed the boy off to his waiting parents before turning his attention back to the street. Stepping back out into traffic himself, the man raised his good arm so oncoming vehicles saw him. The other was held close to his body. The limb was in pain. Just by the feel the man knew he had either fractured a bone in the elbow, or it was broken outright. He couldn’t move the joint at all. Leaning down, the man palmed the boys rubber ball and walked back onto the sidewalk. Handing the ball to the boy, Jake rubbed his hair affectionately.

“Are you ok?” The Father asked.

Jake lied, “I’ll be fine. Just keep a closer watch on him next time.”

“Thank you.” The mother replied.

Daniels turned his attention back towards the café. His contact still hadn’t arrived. This had been a complete waste of time. Irritated and needing to get some form of medical attention, Jake decided it was best to simply pay for his drinks and leave. He never got the chance. As he approached the café an explosion originating from inside the building ripped outwards. The Knight was flung several meters away from the wave of energy that shattered every window of every vehicle and building along the block.

Jake bounced off the side of a parked speeder, his neck whipping violently. With a thud, the man fell to the curb of the street and remained motionless. He was conscious, albeit barely. His ears rang. He could see the panic sweep through the people around him. The young family he aided were rushing away, child in arms. Many others scurried about. He felt the heat of the flames of the café. In the distance he could already hear the sound of approaching emergency vehicles. They were fast. Jake then glanced backwards. He could see nothing but a large crater in the building where the café had been. Everything inside and out was either scorched black or blown away completely.

Shoving himself up and into a seated position, Jake leaned against the very vehicle he had been crushed against. Trying to collect his thoughts, the man wanted to get up. His body prohibited this. Even though instinct said to get away, to find safety, his body simply couldn’t muster the strength. Most people that tried to kneel beside Jake were waved off. The Knight ushering them to help the more critically injured. How hurt he was? Jake didn’t know but the man wasn’t a callous individual. He knew there were others in more need than he. He’d wait for them to receive attention before accepting any himself.

[member="Evangeline Cross"]​

 

[Evangeline Cross]

“Take my hand!” came her voice through the thick cloud of dust and debris swirling above the injured man’s head. The sound had the effect of a little church bell, ringing out like a call to prayer through the flames of a would-be hell. Senqa was burning.

“Take my hand!” She repeated, and this time it was not a request. The smoke was beginning to clear now, and when it did, the injured man would see the figure of Evangeline Cross standing above him, one small hand outstretched.

Evangeline was not dressed for battle. Those long, brown robes—so distinctive of her role as a Jedi—were folded neatly in a drawer miles from the café district. In their place, and for perhaps the first time in a long while, Evangeline wore clothes of her own choosing—a flowing two-piece set of white that might have been lovely for an afternoon tea but that was quite ill-suited for combat. Evangeline had not planned on dodging explosions today.

Explosions were stock occurrences in the course of regular Jedi business, but Evangeline had not come to the lush planet of Serenno for business at all. On the contrary, Evangeline was here for friendship.

Hallmar Dane, her late Master, had made many friends during his expansive career traversing the stars, but none quite so strong as his friendship with Adita Yani. Adita was an aged woman, snaggle-toothed and good-humored, whom many Serennoans revered as a great healer. She lived in a little hut on the far outskirts of Senqa, deep within the forest, and had nursed Master Dane back to health on more occasions than Evangeline would ever know. His death left a gaping hole in Adita’s old heart; she had sent for Evangeline as soon as she heard the news.

That was months ago, before the Jedi Council deemed it safe for Evangeline to travel farther than the walls of their hallowed Temple. ‘The Sith who killed your Master has not finished his job,’ the Council had warned. ‘And he will not stop until he finds you.’ ‘Let him,’ Evangeline had replied. And so the Council yielded. ‘You will be safe on Serenno, for now, but reveal your identity to no one,’ one of the older Masters had counseled Evangeline as they watched her board a speeder, rocketing off into the sky.

Evangeline had barely been on the planet for a full afternoon when the café blew. It happened in a flash. One moment, she was smiling, purchasing a bundle of shimmering moon flowers from a street vendor to take back to Adita’s hut. The next moment, a hideous premonition had washed over her body like a wave. Something terrible was coming, and that sacred energy—the Force—desperately wanted her to know about it before it did.

Too late—whoosh!—an explosion!

Fire and shattered glass. Everywhere.

It took a moment for the market-goers to register that their beloved Cornerstone Café now lay in pieces around them—and with it, the bodies of their fellow Serennoans. Chaos arose from the ashes as quickly as the flames. Sirens wailed from every direction.

Evangeline briefly longed for her lightsaber, stored safely away with her Jedi robes in Adita’s hut. She had obediently hidden them upon her arrival as the Council had advised. Such distinctive articles would have surely given away her identity to the curious eyes of the locals, but those articles might have also saved their lives now. People lay around her dying, and Evangeline was unarmed to defend them.

But there was no time to think. Evangeline could only feel.

Reaching out into the pulsing energy field binding the horrific scene together, Evangeline felt pain. The corporal pain of those who were injured. The guttural sound of hearts splitting open as others watched their loved ones die in their arms. The fear of the medics as they arrived in droves, leaping out of their wailing speeders and praying that their supplies would be enough to piece the shattered bodies and the shattered lives back together.

Evangeline, dear-hearted girl that she was, felt it all. But she felt nothing and no one as much as she felt the presence of the injured man who lay crushed against the parked speeder—the man above whom she now hovered like an angel emerging from the dust.

When he looked up at her, he would see a girl who resembled just that—some sort of wild angel, gamine and slim, covered in ash from the café’s fallout, the crowning glory of her long, dark curls now a tangled mess as it spilled over her shoulders and down her back.

“Take my hand,” She murmured one last time, the cultured accent of her voice softening as it issued past her rosebud lips, her eyes imploring his own.

Those eyes—deep brown, almost violet, and large enough to resemble almonds—gazed down at him now with enough gentleness for him to know that he was safe, but with enough authority to tell him that taking her hand—and coming into her arms—was not an option.

“Trust me.”

[member="Jake Daniels"]​

 

[Jake Daniels]

“Take my hand!”

Jake just barely heard the first command. A voice as delicate as that of a feather dancing on the wind. His eyes did not look to the originator of the voice; instead they remained focused on the cafe. Jake was limited in what he felt with the force. Since awakening, he had struggled with his limited connection. That meant he could barely register another force sensitive, if at all. He felt the pain of today though. The force screaming out as the emotional tidal wave of grief, shock, fear, and even anger swept over almost everyone. Those feelings were fueling the predator that was the man. The Warrior in Jake wanted to go hunt for the culprit. To find the person responsible for so much agony. That in there laid the problem. The Sith Knight was simply too wounded to do anything. He was an injured animal. The problem with injured animals was that they lashed out in unpredictable ways. That was something Jake nearly did when her second command came.

“Take my hand!”

The same voice. A rigid, forced tone that held an aura of authority caused Jake to snap his attention towards the woman. The air was starting to clear; the dust literally beginning to settle. This allowed first responders to move through the area more quickly. Yet as fire fighters, police officers, and paramedics rushed towards the cafe and the more critically injured; Jake simply stared at the woman. Her command, that second order for him to take her hand. That had almost caused the Knight to lash out violently. The instinct of a tormented Sith. Jake didn't like being ordered to do anything. He obeyed one and only one. Yet even though the man was as stubborn as an old blood hound he understood the gravity of this situation. The cause of the explosion was unknown. Jake assumed it was a set up. His mind already jumping to the conclusion it was his contact. What happened if the attack wasn't over? Jake couldn't possibly defend himself. Not in his current state.

“Take my hand!”

Then her third command. More forceful than the first yet softer than the second. She was resolute in her order however. he woman wasn't going anywhere. She was determined to help. Jake needed it. Her eyes though; the large almond shaped browns had a strangely reassuring appearance.

“Trust me.”

Oh she had to use that word. Jake trusted no one. Not out of some cliche' ideology that Sith don't trust anyone just because that's how Sith are. His reasons were sound. He trusted no one simply due to the fact he always ended up hurt. The Jedi. The Sith. His Master. Everyone eventually hurt Jake. Yet looking up at the woman, her reassuring eyes both pleading with and commanding the man; his gut screamed at him that in this moment he could extend a bit of trust her way. Reaching up with his good arm, Daniels was pulled to his feet. A pained expression crossed his face as he straightened his back. At least he felt all four of his extremities; even if that feeling was just aches and pains. Any feeling was a good feeling in this case. Jake did what he could to adjust his weight. The woman was significantly smaller than him in terms of mass. The Knight was nearly two hundred pounds; she couldn't have weight more than a hundred? In his eyes; she was simply tiny. Slowly Jake and the woman began to steadily make their way down the street.

"We need to get off the street." Jake said through a series of small whooping coughs. The mind of a warrior was truly fighting to emerge. Jake wasn't concerned about getting medical attention, it was to hide and wait. To disappear so that whomever may have targeted him wouldn't find the Knight.

His right arm remained tucked against his body. His left wrapped around the back the womans shoulders. Ever few steps his knees buckled, his head throbbed and he nearly lost his balance. Yet she was there. She kept the man standing. The man took peeks around. Though they walked away from the scene, the sight of the injured didn't cease. By now many, most critically, were being rushed by on the first batch of stretchers and gurneys and into waiting ambulances. The scene of so many injured. The smell of the smoke. The momentary flashes of embers on the air. hey taunted his psyche', tormented his mind. Senqa was now like the near two dozen battle fields Jake had found himself on in his youth. Wherever he went; hell seemed to follow. They made it two blocks, perhaps three, before Daniels knees couldn't walk anymore.

"I can't go on. We need to stop."

[member="Evangeline Cross"]​

 

[Evangeline Cross]

Evangeline was small but sharp of mind. What she lacked in stature, she compensated for in mental acuity; the girl was an observant little thing. Standing a scant two inches over five feet tall, she did not have trouble estimating that this man had nearly a full foot on her in height and was twice her size in mass. Of course, outsizing Evangeline was not a difficult accomplishment, but she knew that physically supporting a man this size would require smart maneuvering on her part.

She also knew that drawing too strongly on the Force for aid was out of the question. Part of the reason she came to Serenno in the first place was to more or less hide, to bide time while the Council tracked down her Master’s assassin—the Sith who would kill her, too, if given the chance. Overreaching into that sacred energy field would open a potential connection between her and any other Force sensitive creature in Senqa. Too far in and she would paint a giant target on her back if her worst suspicions were true—if that the explosion that rocked the Cornerstone Café was meant for her, if the Sith had tracked and followed her to Serenno.

But there was no time to worry. Not now, not yet.

The man needed her help—this man whose pull on her had been so strong that it had snapped her to attention from the across the street, from across the dust and rubble, past all the other injured and wounded who were now being tended to by medics. Perhaps this man had drawn her in simply because he was turning away anyone who tried to help him, and he clearly needed the help. Perhaps—and this seemed more likely—it was something else. Evangeline might have paused to wonder at this had she not already been reaching for his hand, pulling his large body into and against her small frame. She was stronger than she looked.

“We need to get off the street.”

“I know,” She said, clear voice almost muffled from where her crown of dark curls peeked out from beneath the crook of his heavy arm. More and more, Evangeline was starting to feel like a moving target. The sooner they got out of sight—the sooner they hid—the better.

They began their trek to safety.

Each time the man stumbled, Evangeline broke his fall, placing her body between him and the ground, her small hands splayed steadily against his broad chest. Here and there she murmured quiet iterations of, “You’re alright,” and “I’ve got you.”

One block. Two blocks. Two-and-half—the man suddenly stopped, knees buckling. Evangeline felt his body refuse to take another step.

“I can’t go on. We need to stop.”

Evangeline nodded, tightening her embrace around his thick torso to support his crumbling weight as her large eyes tapered like that of a feline’s, swiftly scanning the perimeter for any sign of refuge. Restaurants, shopping centers, even a cantina here and there—those wouldn’t do. Too busy. By now, the rest of Senqa had gotten word of the mass explosion at the café in the marketplace, and the bustling parts of the city were even more abuzz than usual. She needed somewhere hidden.

Seconds passed.

There! Something caught her eye, nestled on the corner of a sleepy back-alley, behind a coffee shop but far removed from the jostle of the main thoroughfare. It had all the appearance of a small inn. Evangeline wasted no time.

“Here—lean on me. Not much further.”

Evangeline summoned the reserves of her strength and supported the man the rest of the way, surreptitiously glancing over one shoulder before they crossed the threshold of the inn. The back-alley was empty. No one would see them enter.

The old innkeeper, having heard of the incident at the café a few blocks down, barely contained his surprise at receiving business at such a desperate hour, but he quickly procured a room for Evangeline and the man, grumbling a bit about ‘young people’ as he ambled away. Evangeline shut and locked the door behind the innkeeper. She and the man were alone now. There was silence.

Slowly, gently, Evangeline began to move, twisting her light body to lay the man down in the center of the room’s large bed. She did not pause for an instant. Locating a meager first aid kit from a drawer, then positioning herself on the bed at the man’s side, Evangeline quietly surveyed him. Dusky gaze swept from the injuries on his neck—whiplash—down the curve of his shoulder and back—severe lacerations and bruising—and then to his oddly angled arm—clearly a fracture or a break.

Evangeline paused, thickly arched brows furrowing as the soft bow of her lips pursed.

“You’re badly wounded,” She murmured. The truth was that he was worse off than she had realized, and her heart ached. Evangeline was empathetic to the core.

Not one to dwell, however, she swiftly retrieved supplies from the first aid kit and repositioned herself on the bed at his side. Her eyes were gentle, but her voice was firm.

“This might hurt, but you must be still.”

Evangeline delicately draped herself over him, a long curl tumbling down one shoulder, small hands setting to work with antiseptic. She knew the first touch would sting and braced herself for his reaction; one hand dabbed his neck with the sterile swab, moving through the collar of his shirt to his shoulder and down his back, while the other hand tenderly cupped his head, both holding him in place and providing comfort.

“Shh,” he might have heard her whisper more than once, pausing every now and then to brush her soft fingertips across his forehead, almost instinctively, like a little mother. “You’re safe now.”

[member="Jake Daniels"]​

 

[Jake Daniels]

The Eternal Apprentice wasn't used to this. In all of his decades as a Sith Apprentice, then later Knight, the man had been trained to simply accept quick aid or not aid at all. This meant if a broken bone couldn't be immediately healed, then so be it. A mission was too be completed before anything else was done; broken bones and all. That had been what make Jake so dangerous. The people he hunted for his Master were never prepared to see a man come right back after them once they had thought he had been defeated. He was tough. He was stubborn. Yet he found himself in a predicament. He was allowing someone to aid him. Why? Jake may not have had the body of an agile twenty year old but the man could still hold his own; perhaps more so than in his youth. Broken bones, achy muscles, and all. He would be bringing a hell upon whomever attacked the cafe the likes of which they would have never seen before. That was the truth about the man known to many as Darth Gravis. He was karmic in a sense. He repaid debts. Such as this woman whom was helping him here and now. He'd find a way to repay her. Only her repayment would not include a blade to the face. That special gift was being reserved for the attacker.

She reassured him with each stumble and every step. The words of reassurance were words Jake hadn't heard in a very long time. While the city was in a state of panic, while so many wondered what happened, this young woman was helping an aged relic. Why? Why Jake? Even when Jakes body refused to move, refused to go any father, the simple words she uttered as she herself served as his support, his rock, caused his legs to take one step. Then another. Though they entered a back alley, Daniels spotted where this woman was headed. There was an inn, a small one. She was stronger than she looked. Jake had to give her that. She was also quick whited. How many others would have missed this little spot in their search for safety? Jake would have, that's for sure.

He stood silent as the woman asked for a room. Had the man protested Jake would have been forced to compel the man. Drawing on the force in his state? Not too much of a good idea. Yet the instinct of self-preservation was simply too strong. He would do what he had to do to survive. Fortunately nothing needed to be done. The elder simply gave them a room, then muttered something about young people before leaving. Had Jake not been in so much pain he would have laughed. He hadn't been called young in a very long time. After she, as Jake thought, pretty much slammed the door on the old smart-mouth, the woman aided Jake to the bed.

Like a cloud. That's what the rooms mattress felt like. Though the man twisted slightly as his body continued to protest its current state, even Jake had to savor a moment where his head body wasn't acting like a wrecking ball against a speeder. To Jake, the mattress was heaven. As he glanced over and watched the woman, remaining ever silent, he saw his proverbial ash covered Angel grab a first aid kit.

“You’re badly wounded,” The thought of retorting 'No sh!t.' had crossed his mind. Yet for some unknown reason the man kept his tongue from spewing the sarcastic insult. That oddly didn't take a lot of self-control. Simply put, Jake may have had the urge to say something rude, yet with her, he simply didn't want too. “This might hurt, but you must be still.”

When the woman placed herself over Jake, which was a bit much. When the touching started Jake stiffened. He didn't like being touched. A horrible self-conscious trait about his views on his own body were kicking in. He was scarred. Thirty percent, perhaps more since awakening from cryosleep five months earlier, covered the clothed portions of his body. Saber burns, knife wounds, small arms fire, and actual burns. You name it, Jake probably had a scar for it. Many though had been left by his Master. Lady Silencia's lessons had been simple. If Jake couldn't avoid her attacks how would he avoid an enemy? Jake had been taught the hard way. The Knight learned though.

She dabbed the antiseptic around his neck and color bone but with the way Jakes right arm was angled across his torso, he insured she had no access under the front of his shirt. That didn't mean she didn't have access anywhere else. The woman, with the touch of a patron saint, lifted Jake so she could begin the process of cleaning the back of his neck. One of her arms however cupped his head. Even as she slid a hand down beneath the back of his shirt to tend to scrapes and scratches there. Even as his body was rigid with nerves at such attention, Daniels allowed his head to be cradled.

“Shh,” then he felt her fingertips gentle play across his forehead. His nerves, no matter how heightened they wanted to be, were having their edges dulled like a chef’s knife carving bone. “You’re safe now.”

That wasn't true though. He understood why she said it. She needed to keep him calm. It was working. Jake wasn't safe however. He never would be safe. Whether physically or mentally; the galaxy would continue to perversely torment every aspect of the man’s life. All he could do really was give it a swift kick in the arse in return.

He looked up into the tender and highly emphatic eyes of the woman. He wanted to get up, to fight, to hunt. In the quaint and secluded in, in the private quiet of their now shared hotel room, the gaze they locked, icy blues to deep brown, Jake didn't know what to say. She was right. He was badly hurt. Yet as he stared into the caring eyes of a woman he did not know, Daniels didn't feel his pain.

"My names," he paused for a very slight moment as he debated giving her a true name. Everyone called him Darth Gravis. Yet if he was revealed to be Sith, then he might be blamed for the attack. John Douglas. Michael Pennyworth. Gregory Alito. Any would have sufficed. Any would have been believed. Yet he gave a name only seven in the galaxy knew. He gave a name he had allowed only one person thus far to call him, "Jake. Jake Daniels."

His left hand gently lifted to his forehead where he wrapped his rugged fingers around her own. They were soft, gentle, and as if silk to the touch. Her second hand though remained where it was. Tending o the wounds to his shoulders and back. She was touching parts of his body only one ever had. If she felt the scars that marred his one pristine frame or not, they were something Jake didn't want to explain. Not right now anyway.

"Thank you." Jake said, giving the woman a glance before wincing in pain. "Not to sound incredibly rude but can I ask, why me? Why'd you help me and not the others as I was signally everyone else to do? If you go now I'm sure there are others you can help."

Jakes elbow throbbed. Glancing down, the man could see it was swelling. The sleeve of the shirt was now stretched as his arm expanding in all direction like a balloon receiving air.By comparison, his left only two thirds the size of the right. The swelling confirmed the break. The thought of dislocation in the elbow was now gone. He needed to either get a cast on it pronto or be submerged in bacta. There was no way Jake was going to wear a diaper and float in a vat of water. A cast it would be.

[SIZE=11pt][member="Evangeline Cross"][/SIZE]​

 

[Evangeline Cross]

Silence. Evangeline had always been a quiet child, and she had grown into an equally soft-spoken young woman. However, her internal life—the narrative of her mind—was rich. Evangeline’s mind was constantly working. Now, in the quiet of their refuge, her mind launched into overdrive. She finally had time to think.

What had happened in the café district? Who was responsible for that vicious attack? Would Adita worry when she didn’t return to the hut tonight? Had the Council been alerted? What would she do now, where would she go—where would they go?

Evangeline might have paused as the word ‘they’ reverberated inside her head. She breathed deeply, holding herself as still as the fresco of an angel for a moment, gazing down at the man through a fan of thick lashes before her hands resumed their delicate work. Yes, it was ‘they’ now. Evangeline would not leave the man’s side, not until he healed.

He was older, Evangeline estimated, judging from the roughened texture of his skin beneath the whisper of her fingertips. Her skin was like a baby’s in comparison—soft, unmarred, smooth olive illuminated by tinges of pink. He was easily twice her age, but calculating the double of nineteen still rendered the man quite young, at least relatively.

But the man was scarred. Twisting, jagged marks covered what Evangeline could see and feel of his body, and she strongly suspected that his clothes concealed infinitely more marks just like them. Evangeline did not find them unsightly—quite the contrary. Her sharp brain was forming a different question for every scar, intrigued by the stories that they must have told, but she refrained from asking them. Instead, one large question surfaced in their place: who was this man?

The warmth of her dark eyes ventured to curiously lock on the frigid blue of his own, like a summer day exploring the dead of winter. He seemed to read her mind.

“My name’s . . . Jake. Jake Daniels.”

It was a simple but profound offering: his name.

Evangeline smiled. It was her gift to him in return, and the first time he would see the full rosebud of her lips bloom.

“Mine is Evangeline,” She replied, greeting the unexpected but welcome embrace of his large hand around her own with a tender, reassuring squeeze of her small fingers. The other hand still dabbed lightly along his shoulder, stopping in the crook of his neck. “Evangeline Cross.”

There. That would be enough for the whiplash, bruises, and lacerations—at least for now. Evangeline still thought he needed a thorough cleanse under running water to remove the remainder of the ash that was caked into his smaller scrapes, but as she lifted herself from the bed to fetch a glass of drinking water from the washroom, she almost jumped—her reflection in the mirror indicated that she was the one who needed to park herself under a stream of running water. The white two-piece set that she wore was filthy, covered in dust and even a small smattering of dried blood here and there, and her exposed midriff bore small scrapes and a few superficial lacerations of her own. That crown of long dark curls was hopelessly tangled, and it took more than a few splashes of water to remove the ash from where it had smeared across the high structure of her cheekbones. She would draw a warm bath later. For now, her full attention was reserved for the man—for Jake.

She returned to his side on the bed, quietly slipping one hand beneath his head to cradle him once more, raising the glass to his lips for him to drink.

“Thank you.”

Evangeline beamed down at him but said nothing, too distracted by the wince of pain that flashed across his hardened features. Her thickly arched brows furrowed in concern. How she longed to summon the Force to soothe his pain, to speed the healing. Perhaps if she did not reach too far inside that sacred energy field, if she only summoned the absolute bare minimum of its power, perhaps her Force sensitivity would remain undetected…

…but his voice cut through her thoughts, like a call to arms.

"Not to sound incredibly rude but can I ask, why me? Why'd you help me and not the others as I was signaling everyone else to do?”

Evangeline paused, her eyes never leaving his own as she placed the water glass on the smooth steel of the bedside table. Until now, she did not know the answers to his questions—questions she had been silently asking herself from the moment she first took his hand.

And so it was with the faintest touch of surprise that she suddenly knew exactly why she had chosen him above all the others:

“You needed me.”

A warm sensation prickled down her spine as those words tumbled past her lips. Evangeline suddenly felt very strange, as if some bizarre déjà vu had briefly washed over her body, before she internally shook it off. Maybe she was just cold.

“Besides—it was foolish of you to turn away the other medics,” Evangeline continued through the glimmer of a smile, her tone far more good-humored than scolding. “I don’t give up so easily.”

She set about to resume her work on his injuries, but before she could, he dropped one last sentence that made her freeze:

“If you go now I'm sure there are others you can help."

Evangeline could not venture outside the inn, not yet, but she could not tell him why. If her worst suspicions were correct, there was likely a target on her back that the Sith assassin had barely missed when he shattered the café. Evangeline was not in the business of getting herself—or those around her—blown up. Not again.

All those people were dead.

The full weight of the afternoon hit her heart like a punch to the gut. For a moment Evangeline faltered, thick lashes coming to fervently kiss the tops of her cheeks as she closed her eyes, regaining her composure.

“It’s too dangerous,” was all she said in response, deep eyes melting his once more. “We’ll stay here tonight and move tomorrow morning, but only if you’re able.”

That was that.

Evangeline was almost thankful for the distraction when she glanced down and noticed the sizable swelling of his right elbow, hinged at an awkward angle, growing larger and more swollen by the minute.

“I need to see your arm,” She murmured softly, almost cautiously, knowing that this part would hurt him the most. “May I?”

She motioned to his shirt. Either the whole article was coming off, or she was going to split open his sleeve in order to access the injured appendage. It was his choice.

[member="Jake Daniels"]​

 

[Jake Daniels]

The afternoon had taken a toll on the woman. As Jake watched her close her eyes, he didn't need to draw upon the force to sense her emotional state. She, like he, was felt the pain everyone else did. Daniels simply lay in the bed, quiet as he observed thick lashes fall. The woman was trying to keep composure. Why though? Most civilians would have lost it. That's how Jake remembered people acting in situations like this. Why didn't see? When she reopened her eyes, Jake listened to the stiffness of her voice as she once more commanded the Knight. It was too dangerous to go out. They'd be staying the night. Then they'd be moving in the morning.

Every red flag went off in Jakes mind. This was a dangerous decision. In a situation like this a team was only as strong as its weakest link. Jake had a busted arm. That made him lame. The lame were supposed to be left behind. If she ran now perhaps she would escape whatever knew hell was inevitably going to come. Looking at Evangeline Cross, the woman with an authoritative nature she seemed too young to be allowed to possess, Jake knew it would have been like talking to a brick wall. She wouldn't leave him; regardless as to what he was going to say. They'd stay the night. He'd give her that... but in the same room?

She wanted his shirt off. Motioning towards it, Jake wasn't left with much options. The shirt was the only one he had on Serenno. The clothing in his hotel were that of his robes. There was no way he'd be walking around in those. Still, removing his shirt? In front of her? Jake held a sense of modesty but not because he was overly shy. His body was simply too scarred to be looked at. Even he hated seeing it. Years of war and abuse from those closest to him had laid waste to an otherwise fit physique. This was starting to make him nervous. He tensed as she cautiously moved her hands towards him.

"I..." Jakes voice trailed off. Her eyes. The man once more found himself in a momentarily locked gaze. Only once before had a woman looked upon him with such a reassuring peace. That expression, the concern, the willingness to help, it started to pull down the walls inside the man. "...OK." His muscles loosened and the man pulled himself up.

Evangeline helped to hold the swollen arm. She pulled it away from Jakes torso far enough that the man pulled free his neck tie and set it casually on the nightstand. He then began to undo every button with his left hand. His eyes momentarily passing over the untanned portion of his ring finger. Weeks earlier he had finally accepted the loss of his wife. Still it was something he didn't talk about. Not yet at least. The most important thing? He was moving on.

Once he unbuttoned the shirt, Evangeline helped to free the left arm. Now came the hard part. Though Jake felt a throbbing pain as the swelling took effect, it was nothing to the feeling of pulling a stretched sleeve over the break. He could feel he coming. The shout of agony as both he and Evangeline did what they could to try and limit the amount of pain he felt.

"Evangeline, wait." Jake protested as he caught his breath. Sweat now beaded down his face, leaving lines as the salty water washed away bits of the ash and soot that had covered it. Taking a bed pillow, Daniels bit down on it and then nodded. Through the pillow a muffled, "Do it."

She pulled the shirt one one, Jake pulled his arm the other. The man screamed into the pillow. "Oh sweet baby on a sunny beach, that hurts a good one." His comment was nearly incoherent gibberish as he simply let out a completely random expression. The man very rarely swore. He may have thought internally with swears but he wouldn't allow them to escape his lips... for the most part. Sometimes he encountered someone who did deserve a good verbal beat down.

Evangeline Cross was not one of those people.

Jake glanced at the arm as he rolled back onto the bed. Pressed once more against his torso, he stuck the pillow under his head. It was bad. He couldn't even see the elbow bone anymore. If the man had any hope of a simple sling and some acetaminophen taking care of this, it was now gone. The arm needed decent pain killers and a true cast. Both of which he knew how to get.

"I know someone who can help us; well three people actually." Jake replied. It was his turn to be the reassuring one. Evangeline had thus far treated him with kindness. She explained everything she did before she did it. The Sith Knight would return the favor. "They're a small shipping crew that I have been helping out in my spare time," nice way of not outright lying about what they were, "they brought me to Sorenno and should be at the spaceport. One of the items they ship," key word used instead of outright saying smuggle, "are medical supplies. Among them is anti-inflammatory medications and cast kits."

Glancing at the nightstand, Jake spotted a holo. The difference between it and a telephone was its design. Instead of a receiver to be lifted, there was a small flat disk on top with little blue lights. On the front was a number pad and next to that was a tiny little camera. He typed in a digital access code to the specific spaceport and landing pad. The holo lit up but simply hummed a low tune as it tried to connect. It was here that Jake remembered he was not in his shirt. His entire torso and both arms were exposed. That meant every scar that could be visible now, was. Taking the pillow that had been under his head, the man sheepishly placed it over his chest.

"You're safe!" A voice loudly proclaimed. "So uh... I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

Jake snapped his attention to the holo; having again locked another gaze with Evangeline. On it was a small blue holo-image of Twi'lek woman. A hand on each hip and an irritated look on her face.

"Here we thought you were on Serenno to meet a contact. Now I find out you are in an Inn room with a pretty little thing." There was a sass to her tone; one Jake had unfortunately become acquainted with, "When we heard about the explosion at the cafe' we thought you were hurt, in a hospital, or worse."

Jake moved slightly in the bed so the camera on the holo could show the swollen arm.

The sass that had been in the voice wavered when Rania realized the truth, "Oh Lord. You are hurt. How bad?"

"Scratches, bruises, a broken arm. I need you, Umako, or Cody to meet me at the Inn that should be displayed on this message. I need a cast kit and as many meds as you can carry. I have to get the swelling down." Jake explained. In this moment Jake realized something. The Smuggling Crew wasn't allowed to call him Jake. They called him by the Darth name his Master had given him. He could not nor did he want Evangeline learning that name. After today she didn't need a revelation that she was tending to a member of the galaxy's most feared Empire. "Tell Cody that Jake needs the good stuff."

Rania caught the hint immediately. She wasn't a fool, "Ok... Jake." He could see her smirk at that one. "The problem is Serenno has Senqa completely closed down. No one can get in or out. The earliest the roadways or airspace will be open is tomorrow at dawn. You're going to have to hold out until then. Do you have your personal effects with you?"

She was asking about protection; his saber.

"No. I'm not in my motel. Thats on the opposite side of town." Jake replied.

"Ok," Rania again smirked and decided to use this opportunity to prod some more, "so... who's the cute little lass on your bed."

"A friend. She saved me." Jake replied.
"Uh huh. Oh I bet she did." Rania said with a playful bit of sass.

"Goodbye Rania." Jake replied.
"Wait!" Rania shouted, "One more thing!"

Daniels stopped himself from shutting the holo off, "Yes?"

"Remember, when playing Doctor always use protection. Hey shouldn't she know you're a snor..." The holo suddenly shut off as Daniels left thumb found the power switch.

He huffed and rolled back into the bed, "I am sorry you heard that. I work with a shipping crew... not necessarily a mature shipping crew. That ever so subtle one was Rania Ulaq. If you ever need anything, she knows how to find it."

Jakes attention turned back to his arm, "If we have to hold out until morning, any chance this place has ice?"

[member="Evangeline Cross"]​

 

[Evangeline Cross]

The moment Evangeline motioned toward his shirt, she almost wished she hadn’t. She could feel a warmth rising up her slender throat, threatening to fill the apples of her cheeks with the baby pink glow of a blush that had haunted her since she was a child. It was a silly trait, one she had trained herself to repress as she had grown into womanhood, and she did well to repress it now.

Even with her blush pushed away, Evangeline knew what it had signified. She had never been in this position with a man before. To be sure, her Master had been around this man’s age before his untimely death. She and her Master had spent countless nights in close proximity with each other, but somehow, this was different. Evangeline had never felt unsettled by the sight of her Master the way she she felt unsettled by the mere thought of the sight of Jake Daniels now.

Suddenly, she felt quite small. Young. Inexperienced. Naïve.

Overwhelmingly, she felt idiotic. The man’s arm was broken and nearly twisted half-way around the axis of his elbow. And she was worried about propriety.

Clear your mind, girl. Think.

In an instant, Evangeline was all business again. Without further thought or hesitation, her slim hands began to work in concert with his own, catching little buttons that he missed, reaching around to help support his weight as they worked together to free his left arm. Then came the hard part.

Evangeline’s deep eyes fell heavily on his injured limb, curled so oddly against his chest. The thought of uncoiling it pained her for him, but she was not weak. She would do what she had to do. Her gaze brushed against his own, equal parts sympathetic and dutiful.

“I promise to be as quick as I can.”

“Evangeline, wait.”

The girl obeyed, staying her hands as he grabbed a pillow and bit down, hard. Evangeline nodded. Good.

“Do it.”

It was over in an instant. A mangled sound erupted from the man’s chest, ripping through Evangeline to the core. It was the sound of an angry, wounded animal, and for a moment, she might have been afraid. But only for a moment.

Evangeline would not stand for his suffering any longer. Something akin to primal instinct drove her now—drove her headfirst into that sacred energy field which she had promised she would not touch while on Serenno. The girl was a rule-follower, through and through, but in the heat of the moment, she felt there was almost nothing she wouldn’t do to assuage his pain.

For him, Evangeline would reach out into the Force. It was a shallow, careful reach, drawing enough power to send reassuring waves of dull warmth throughout his body and into his arm as she caught his fall back onto the bed, but not enough power to be detectable. Jake would only feel slightly more comfortable now as she cradled him, would only feel slightly more calm, his bone-splitting pain now softening to more of a leaden echo as she helped slide the pillow back between his head and the gentle curve of her lap. It seemed she could provide him with some hope after all.

Their eyes met. Evangeline offered him a smile.

“You did well,” She soothed, knowing full well that there was more to be done. The man needed more medical attention than she could currently provide, but she prayed that the soft waves of energy she had summoned were enough to slake the brunt of his pain for now.

"I know someone who can help us; well three people actually. They're a small shipping crew that I have been helping out in my spare time. They brought me to Serenno and should be at the spaceport. One of the items they ship are medical supplies. Among them is anti-inflammatory medications and cast kits."

Evangeline struggled. The more strangers she encountered on Serenno, the more her chances of attracting unwanted attention skyrocketed. She could not express this to the man without giving away her identity, however, and so she merely nodded her acceptance. The dear girl was young and quick to give him her faith.

Moments later, the holo was humming.

It was during these scant few seconds that Evangeline was able to take in the full force of his body as it lay exposed beneath her modest gaze. Weathered skin was stretched over the rugged terrain of his sizable sinews and ligaments, which were cut as if from fine marble. Just as she had imagined, the muscled swell of his chest bore the same scars as the remainder of his body, trailing all the way down his sternum to the washboard of his navel. Some of the marks were rounded—the insignia of blaster fire. Others were slender, more rectangular—the calling card of some kind of saber or blade. Still others bore unique shapes all their own—waved lines, crescent moons—from weapons Evangeline had never encountered even in her worst dreams. The most unique mark was the one on his left ring finger—one pale circle. That one was not a scar, but it did not escape her astute observation.

Evangeline thought he was beautiful.

It was an innocent thought, a sweet and genuine one, born out of one human’s appreciation for another. Evangeline suddenly felt the childish urge to trace the outlines of his scars with her fingertips, to kiss each whitened lesion with the soft lips of a little girl trying to make the hurt all better—but alas—it was just an unchecked thought, a transient urge in a wave of youthful emotion that she swiftly attributed to the tumult of the day, pushing it to the back of her mind. The sound of a woman’s voice over the holo brought her back to earth. Jake had covered himself with a pillow.

The conversation that ensued between the Twi’lek—Rania was her name—and the man was almost enough to re-conjure the blush in her cheeks that Evangeline had worked so hard to dispel. She did not need the reminder of what she must have looked like, perched there on the bed like a little cat, nearly wrapped around the giant lion of a man whom she barely knew. Her senses were already heightened enough to the awkwardness of their entanglement.

Instead of acknowledging it, however, Evangeline chose to respond with humor.

“I’m sorry to make her so jealous,” She lightly replied, not missing a beat. “I hope she still brings your supplies tomorrow.”

Tomorrow seemed a long way off now, even as the sun began to set beyond the sleek window of their little room. The man needed ice for that arm. He needed a lot of things, Evangeline was sure—food, a bath, sleep.

She thought for a moment. “I’ll be back,” She said, sliding the man gently off her lap, a woman on a mission. When she returned, her arms were full: a bucket of ice, a basket of bread and fruit, spare linens.

“It’s not much, but it should help,” She murmured, wrapping a handful of ice in one of the linens before using the other to tie it firmly in place against his elbow. One long curl fell down her shoulder to skirt against his skin as she leaned over him, dusky gaze giving him one last sweep for any other need she could have missed.

She paused as she remembered the dust and ash that was still caked in the more superficial scrapes and lesions across his body. The same dust and ash that still covered her from head to toe, that was caked in the scrapes and lesions across her midriff and back. Thick lashes lowered as she searched for the words.

“ . . . when you’ve eaten and feel strong enough, it would be wise to wash away the rest of the dirt from your wounds. There’s a bath in the washroom. You’ll feel much better.”

Dark eyes met frigid blues. Silence.

[member="Jake Daniels"]​

 

[Jake Daniels]

“I’m sorry to make her so jealous,” Evangeline playfully replied. “I hope she still brings your supplies tomorrow.”

Jake could not help but smirk at Evangelines comment of making Rania jealous. It seemed that now was opportune time to explain what she might or might not see tomorrow when the crew showed up. They were much like Jake. Their moods determined their action. For Jake, a passive mood meant he didn't want to punch someone in the face. For the smuggling trio, a playful mood meant they were playful with one another. In public or in private. It didn't matter. Jake had seen a bit more than he truly ever wanted too on some occasions when they'd been on Honoghr.

"Trust me when I say there is no worries about making her jealous. She already has her hands full with two men. That trio shares a very unique companionship with one another. I could explain it but it'll be funnier if you found out like I did. Even if Rania did want some of this," Jake jokingly motioned to his frame, "I highly doubt she could handle it."

What the hell did Jake just say? Did he really make a joke about intimacy with a woman he hardly knew? The man was forty-two. A Widower. A grieving father. A man bound in servitude to his wife's mother; his Master. He was well out of his prime and perhaps double this womans age. He had to think straight. Jokes about this sort of stuff wasn't appropriate; especially when he was still tending to an untreated broken arm.

“I’ll be back,” Evangeline said. Jake helped slide his body off of her lap. To be quite frank; Daniels didn't like it. It had been so long since he actually felt the tenderness of the woman, he let out a quiet but protesting whimper. As she silently walked towards the door, Daniels blues watched. Yes; even with a broken arm the man still snuck a peak.

Evangeline had a frame. In the silence that filled the room, Jake simply watched her walk. She had curves; appealing ones at that. Her skin was soft and supple; free of any blemishes. He admired her as she had surprisingly admired his. When she took in the sight of his numerous scars, the woman didn't turn away in disgust like other had. She showed a caring concern for them. He deeply respected the woman for it. She held a maturity that was rare in the galaxy. That's what made Evangeline Cross.

She was beautiful, smart, undaunting, and stubborn. Oh yes. She was stubborn; perhaps as much as Jake. She gave orders and by her tone the man knew they were unwavering. If he protested, she would stand her ground. In that sense he felt they were very much alike. As she body disappeared out of the rooms door, Jake perked a brow as he stared at her lower back; his face flushing slightly.

Hey; he may have had a healthy respect for her but it didn't mean he wasn't still a guy. Jake closed his eyes and tried to pull on the force. He could have sworn that earlier he had felt it; a soothing effect. Had he inadvertently drawn on it earlier and not realized it? It helped. Perhaps he could do it again. He searched on the pull, trying desperately to find any sense of the soothing nature he felt, yet in the void of momentary darkness he felt none. The man had never been trained to sooth; to only hurt. How then had he felt the soothing touch of the force earlier?

When he heard the door nob turn, Jake shut his connection to the force, dulling it as much as he could. When he used it, the force served as a beacon. Like the yellow breaking through the fog of a distance lighthouse's glow. This nifty little trick was one he had recently relearned on Honoghr. One he had been taught many years prior by his Master. Its what made him deadly. If you couldn't feel Darth Gravis, you would not see him when he struck.

Evangeline returned caring a bucket of ice, a basket of bread and various fruit, along with spare linens. He hadn't been much of a eater as of late, often times Umako's crew having to remind him to actually stop and fuel up, yet right now his stomach cramped and gargled. The man was hungry.

“It’s not much, but it should help,” She said.

His attention turned from the food and to Evangeline whom hovered over the man. She had taken ice and placed them in the spare linens. Setting them against his arm, Jake winced in pain. The pain suddenly vanished as a lock of her curled brown hair brushed against him. Ok, he couldn't help it. As she was leaned over, Daniels tried to avert his gaze. He couldn't. He failed. The man took a quick peak and just as he felt his skin begin to flush, his body begin to respond, she pulled away. The Knight let out a long held breath he realized has yet to be released.

“ . . . when you’ve eaten and feel strong enough, it would be wise to wash away the rest of the dirt from your wounds. There’s a bath in the washroom. You’ll feel much better.”

There was the ordering again. The stubbornness in her voice that seemed as though it was daring Jake to challenge her. Oh she was going to get one now. Daniels may not have been what women imaged a chivalrous man to be. He was though. This would be one of those moments in which he would put it on display. Pulling himself up, Jake was helped to his feet. His next action was unexpected. Reaching down, the man wrapped an arm against Evangelines backside, lifted her and pulled her close. Yes he winced in pain. No he didn't make a sound. Her frame pressed against his left side, careful to not push against the still awkwardly held arm. Now off her feet, her entire weight supported by Jakes left arm, the man carried her the few steps to the bathroom. Quietly he set her down and took a step back.

Lifting a finger to silence any protest, he pointed to the shower, "You're just as dirty as me. My arm needs time for the swelling to lower before getting in," it really didn't. Jake was pulling that completely out of his arse, "and it's always ladies first. If you protest, I'll scrub you down myself." There was no joke in it. The man would do it. Before turning back towards the bed, Jake gave one last order, "The door stays open." Even if she fought him on everything else; that was the absolute rule he would not ever waver on. Safety. That was truly the reason for this. If anything happened in the bathroom or out in the actual room, both needed to hear it. "We will eat together," he emphasized that word, "when we are both washed and cleaned."

Jake grabbed the televisions remote, simply sat on the side of the bed and turned it on. He listened as she turned the shower on. It was here that Jake noticed a mirror in the room, just next to the television. The mirror reflected at a perfect angle the bathrooms and of course the bathrooms reflected everything within. He tried; truly he did but even in his peripherals the man could see the disrobing of sunkissed and ash covered skin. His skin flushed. His body responded and the man let out a small noise as he adjusted his body. When he finally did give a full peak to the mirror the only thought the Knight could think was that she was beautiful.

He found himself staring a bit too long. He again cleared a suddenly tense throat and glanced around. 'Oh crud.' The man thought. There was a new problem. One that he didn't think even Evangeline thought off. Neither had a change of clothes. Jake once more placed a call towards the landing platforms.

'Well hello Jake.' Rania said appearing as a little blue holo-image. 'Everything ok?'

"Yes." Jake replied. "I need you guys to bring me something else tomorrow as well."

'Couple cigars? Orange Juice?' Rania joked.

"I need a change of clothes. A pair for Evangeline too." Jake explained ignoring the crude joke.

'On a first name basis already I see? Evangeline. How exotic and oddly proper sounding. Where is your little Evangeline at the moment?' Rania asked tauntingly.

"She's in a shower. I'll be in one in a bit. We're filthy from today. Our clothes are too soiled to be worn two days straight." Jake explained.

'Oh yeah, I bet you two did get dirty.' Rania laughed, 'Ok Jake. I'll bring your both a fresh clean pair of clothes. See you in the morning. Enjoy shower time!'

"Separate shower time." Jake corrected.

'Rig...' Her image vanished again as Jake shut it off. His skin flushing at her joke.

Daniels turned back to the hotel room. The other issue? Sleep arrangements. The solution was quick and oddly simple. Whether or not Evangeline would like it was another issue unto itself. She wouldn't have a choice in the matter though. Oh tonight was going to be an awkward one. Jake found his seat on the side of the bed again, turned his attention back towards the television. A news program having been on and discussing the days events. Jake quietly waited for his turn in the bath; his left hand now helping to press the ice pack against the injured limb.

[member="Evangeline Cross"]​

 

[Evangeline Cross]

‘Our Evangeline is the worst sort of tyrant,’ her father used to say, ruffling his only daughter’s head of dark curls. ‘She is a sweet one. Makes you feel like agreeing to anything.’

That was more than ten years ago, long before Master Dane had landed on their little farmstead on Naboo and whisked Evangeline away into the life of the Jedi. The words still rang true, however—Evangeline, though a woman now, was as stubborn as ever. When she told the man he ought to bathe, she thought that would be the end of it. She was already preparing to turn and busy herself with some other task, in fact, but paused at the sight of the man rising from the bed. He was approaching her. Standing at full height, towering directly above her slight form, Evangeline registered that he was even larger of a man than she previously thought.

She opened her mouth to speak. Probably to coax him back to bed, but it didn’t matter. He was closer now—wait, what was he doing? Evangeline furrowed the thick arches of her eyebrows as she saw him bending at the waist, quickly recognizing what was about to happen, but it was too late! The man had scooped her up and thrown her over his shoulder like nothing more than a ragdoll. He was carrying her to the washroom. Evangeline suddenly remembered why children were taught to be wary of strangers.

The girl began to squirm. “Excuse me,” She retorted from where she was perched in his arms, briefly wondering if now was an appropriate time to reveal her Jedi status with a swift round-kick to his skull, but she mercifully refrained. “Put me down.”

The man quietly obliged. As she regained her footing, Evangeline drew herself up to his chest, standing right beneath his chin, looking up at him with the narrowed eyes of a petulant kitten as if she stood seven feet fall as opposed to a scant two inches over five. She again opened her mouth to speak, to protest, and again he silenced her—this time with his finger pressed squarely against her lips. Evangeline glowered, but the effect was really more of a pout.

"You're just as dirty as me. My arm needs time for the swelling to lower before getting in, and it's always ladies first. If you protest, I'll scrub you down myself."

“That won’t be necessary,” Evangeline replied rather quickly, wrapping her small hand around the finger he had pressed to her lips and lowering it away, the sensitivity of her youth peeking through her typically calm demeanor. It seemed the man had found one of her buttons and wasn’t afraid to push it. Evangeline was relenting.

“Very well,” She said, eyes glinting with what appeared to be reluctant, stifled appreciation, but before she could turn and disappear inside the washroom, he dropped one closing remark that made her freeze.

“The door stays open.”

Evangeline arched an eyebrow. It took a long moment for her to register the meaning of his words—safety purposes, naturally—but although she understood, she did not approve. If the man was capable of flipping her over his good shoulder and carrying her across the bedroom . . . there was no telling what else he could do. Evangeline might have cursed herself for being so naïve, but something told her she could trust the man. Even so, her guard was up now, and she would make one thing very clear:

“No peeking,” Evangeline ordered, the dusky gaze of her eyes boring into his own with the utmost seriousness. She turned and disappeared into the washroom.

“We will eat together when we are both washed and cleaned,” she heard him emphasize outside the door.

At that, the girl poked her head out for the briefest moment, clutching a linen against her chest. “No. Peeking.” Then she was gone, cracking the door behind her for good measure. He would hear the turning of a faucet and the pleasant tumble of water beginning to run.

Evangeline undressed. One article, then another, and another. Each one dropped to the floor in a piled mess. Aching muscles, petite curves, the scrapes and lesions from the explosion that decorated her otherwise unspoiled, baby-like skin—all were set free in an instant. She lowered herself into the warm water.

Oh, that felt good.

Steam filled the small washroom like a pleasant fog. She scrubbed her body clean of the dirt and ash until the soap bubbled high in the large tub. Dipped her head back and ran her fingers through the thick tangles of her dark curls. Smiled, sharp brain dulled by the warmth permeating her bare skin—for once, too tired to think. Closed her eyes. Simply breathed.

Evangeline could have luxuriated there for hours, but in reality, it was only minutes. She rose from the tub like Venus from the sea, steam swirling as soap and water trickled pleasantly down her shining body. Looking around, she saw her dirty clothes hanging on a rack and immediately frowned. She would have to maneuver one long white linen into something akin to a flowing dress, wrapping it around her body and tucking it in tightly—hoping for the best. Very well. There was work to be done.

When she emerged from the washroom, Evangeline might have glowed. With the ash cleared away, the smooth olive of her skin would shine as if illuminated from within, tinges of fresh pink giving color to the apples of her cheeks. Water still soaked the crowning glory of her hair, dripping from the soft ends of her curls and onto the floor. She looked upon the man, still lying there injured and dirty on the bed, with an expression that lay somewhere on the spectrum between self-consciousness towards her state of dress and curiosity towards him.

“I believe it’s your turn,” She ventured, breaking the silence.

It took only a few awkward tries for her to help the man from the bed, guiding him into the washroom and sitting him on the edge of the tub. Evangeline, still feeling somewhat self-conscious, threw herself into the task at hand. All business.

“How are you feeling?” She asked, her back turned to him as she ran a sponge under the sink, lathering it with soap. Inhaling deeply.

Breathe, girl. You can do this. The man needs you.

Evangeline rung out the sponge a few times before turning back to him, kneeling gently by his side and setting to work as she listened to whatever he had to say. Her small hands worked as delicately over his body as they did when they first treated his wounds, drawing him close as she moved the sponge in slow circles against his chest, over his shoulders and down his back, taking special care around the scrapes and bruises, gingerly handling his broken arm.

“Lean back,” She said quietly, twisting the faucet in the tub and coaxing him backward, supporting his weight and running his hair through the surging water. With his body stretched backward, Evangeline might have noted the pleasant ripple of the sinews beneath his skin—sinews strong enough to kill her, if he so chose—but she immediately removed her gaze as quickly as it had come. All business.

When she brought him back up from the faucet, Evangeline pushed his wet hair back from his forehead and smiled--but then remembered herself. Abashed, she swiftly rose, wasting no time in fetching him a spare linen.

“I’ll give you your privacy,” She said, avoiding his eyes as she slipped past him and out the door, disappearing into the bedroom in a glimmer of white linens and shining skin.

[member="Jake Daniels"]​

 

[Jake Daniels]

“I believe it’s your turn,” the words snapped Jake from his attention on the television. Reports had been scarce. Authorities were not releasing any information on the bomber. All that was certain was it being a preset timer. They did not believe it to be a suicide attack. For Serenno this was a big deal. A bombing in a cafe. The entire city was shut down as Authorities were now searching for any and all witnesses to the attack. “How are you feeling?” The way she asked slightly raised Jakes nerves. She cared for his health. He could tell. She was uncomfortable though. That he didn't need the force to tell him. Jake believed he made her uncomfortable.

"The ice is helping. The throbbing stopped. After we eat I'll take the bit of aspirin in the first aid kit. It will be enough until morning." Jake replied. He had a funny feeling it wouldn't. He however wouldn't admit it to her. Earlier she had emerged through the smoke like a Guardian Angel; there for his saving. Now... she looked simply radiant. Linen wrapped around her frame which did little to conceal any portion of her figure; though it did its job keeping more personal areas covered.

As she lathered a sponge up, Jake began stripping down. He kicked the shoes off first. Using his left hand he removed both socks and gently tucked them into the shoes. The man then stood, unfastened his belt, unzipped his pants and simply let all of his clothing fall. Before she completely turned, Jake climbed into the tub. 'Oh sweet baby heavens!' It felt good. She had the temperature of the water perfect; it was hot. His legs, his torso, everything wanted to cry out in joy at the feeling.

"The last time I had a bath this good... was at home. No offense to pilots and their ships, but they do not compare to being able to just sit and soak." The man quietly said as Evangeline began to wash his frame. The tenderness of her touch, the closeness of her body, the affection she showed. It was oddly alluring. It was then that Jake knew he had to change his thoughts. What he was feeling and thinking weren't appropriate. Not in this situation. Yet this woman, the odd pull of admiration he could feel for it, it wasn't normal. What exactly was it? "Oh I did call Rania again. I asked her to bring us a change of clothes when they arrive in the morning. She said she has some stuff; might not exactly fit you but it's something. Least they'll be clean."

“Lean back.” Evangeline said. This hurt and it hurt a lot. Jakes elbow splashed against the hot water, which caused the throbbing to continue. Yet, even if she tried to hid her gaze, Daniels did not she was admiring the physique; if only out of respect for a man whom took care of his body when it came to fitness. When she finished with his hair, the woman let a smile slip as water dripped down his face before vanishing out of the bathroom. She returned with fresh linen for him. Oh that was going to be interesting.

“I’ll give you your privacy.” Jake watched as she left the bathroom. Her clean, bright skin only heightened in its appeal by the additional of pearl colored cloth that wrapped her. He wished she hadn't left.

Jake didn't stay much longer. Even with the bathroom door open. Even being able to hear Evangeline as she scurried about the room, Jake didn't feel right. Today had been a complete bust. The man had arrived to be trained by a Master of Soresu. Instead there was a bombing at their meeting place. He gets saved by a beautiful Gem; a Gem he now believed he made uncomfortable. Even though Jake wasn't alone... he still felt like he was. Not wanting to dwell on his own thoughts; only knowing that there was going to be absolute hell to pay for the attacker at the cafe. It wasn't a matter on if Jake got hold of the attacker; it was a matter of when. The Galaxy would learn why even Jedi Masters had a degree of respect for the Knight.

When he finally emerged, a linen was simply wrapped around his waist; just tight enough to not fall yet loose enough to not restrict his walking. He did what he could to dry himself. His back remained wet however. In a hand he held a towel, a quietly raised it with pleading blue eyes. The expression that they had been sharing as of late; the look of authority and demands, even if just respectful demands, was gone. His eyes held nothing but a simple question, 'Please?'

Evangeline helped dab his back dry. She assisted in adjusting his ice pack and the pair each found a seat at the table. Evangeline had set up the food evening. A couple of pieces of bread and some fruit. As for the atmosphere, it started off in silent tension. Jake wanted to speak. He just didn't know what to say. To him he had caused his little Gem, the woman whom he owed a great deal too, a great amount of uneasiness. He may have been Sith. He just wasn't a complete arse.

"Thank you, again." Jake said finally breaking the silence as he took his first bite of the bread. "For everything. The save today. The arm," he wiggled it slightly and winced with a grin in pain. A chuckle escaped his lips, "ok wont do that again. Thank you for your help in the bath. Just..." he paused ever slightly as his gaze left hers, "thank you for everything. I will admit that I am glad I waved off the other people offering aid. If I am to speak honestly. I do not know how I can repay you but I give you my word. I will." If there was one thing about Jake Daniels; the man always kept his word.

Jake watched as Evangeline quietly ate. The man pacing himself to match her speed. As a Commander of the 62nd Marine Light Infantry, Jake had been trained to eat fast. Civilians found it rude. Soldiers found it necessary. Jake would follow social construct in the privacy of this room. "There is this great little restaurant that is known for its fusion foods in Garang, the capital city of Dantooine. Its called Aroma Borealis." Jake chuckled, "They are known for taking any two types of food from any two different planets and creating a masterpiece. I've never eaten there but I know people whom have. They gave it glowing reviews. I just never had the time. Perhaps, when this is all over, I might take you there?"

When his eyes fell onto the bed, which brought up another awkward topic that needed to be addressed, "As for sleeping arrangements, we will share the bed. There's a comforter and a sheet." He stopped himself. Instead of just saying how things were going to be, perhaps he could not be a bossy. "I mean if you wanted to share the bed. If not I can sleep on the floor or a chair. Otherwise, I was thinking you could sleep under the sheet and comforter. I'll sleep on top of the sheet but under the comforter. Again, if that is ok with you?”

'That could have been smoother.' The man scolded internally.

[member="Evangeline Cross"]​

 

[Evangeline Cross]

​“Thank you, again.”

Evangeline, who had been staring into her bread as if it contained the meaning of life as opposed to trace flecks of mold, suddenly looked up. Those dark eyes were wide, still hesitant, but as gentle words of gratitude rolled forth the man’s deep chest, she began to visibly soften. Her dusky gaze was melting into the warmth of a smile—slowly at first, then all at once like the pouring of honey.

“I was simply doing my duty,” Evangeline replied, trying and failing to conceal how she glowed at his praise.

Duty.

Evangeline suddenly coughed, nearly choking on her bread as she realized that civilians are not prone to throwing around words like duty.

Silly girl. Don’t get distracted.

The man appeared to have a softening effect on her brain.

“—my duty in that anyone would have done the same,” Evangeline swiftly recovered, at least somewhat smoothly, taking a dainty sip of water before busying herself with her food, suddenly appearing quite interested in her bowl of fruit.

Another silence settled over the unlikely dining partners. Evangeline, venturing to lift her thick lashes from where they lay like wings on her cheeks, stole a glance or two at the man—and each time she did, she was strangely gratified to note that he was watching her as well. It felt like a little game between two children, and a welcome diversion from the heaviness of the day. Evangeline felt the ghost of a smile prodding at her lips, and this time she did not try very hard to conceal it.

"There is this great little restaurant that is known for its fusion foods in Garang, the capital city of Dantooine. It’s called Aroma Borealis," Jake chuckled. "They are known for taking any two types of food from any two different planets and creating a masterpiece. I've never eaten there but I know people who have. They gave it glowing reviews. I just never had the time. Perhaps, when this is all over, I might take you there?"

It was here that Evangeline paused, lowering her last morsel of bread to rest on the plate as she held his gaze, not quite knowing how to respond. A restaurant with a man—that was something new. Of course, so was sharing a hotel room with a man. And bathing a man. And eating dinner with a man in nothing but a thin bath linen. Evangeline might have laughed at the absurdity of it all, but instead, her smile merely brightened. Lighting up her whole face.

“Perhaps you will,” She replied, almost playfully popping her last morsel of bread into her mouth, before furrowing her thickly arched brows in mock seriousness. “But I must warn you—you’re dealing with a simple farmer’s daughter. I don’t know if my modest tastes could keep up with your refined appetite.”

Evangeline was teasing him, of course.

Just as quickly as the joke tumbled forth her lips, however, the urge to yawn slipped in right behind it. She did her best to suppress it—but with the soothing aroma of soap still fresh on her skin, and with food now warming her little body, the girl suddenly felt the weight of the world fall on her shoulders. She was exhausted.

Her sleepy eyes looked to the bed. She realized the problem before he even mentioned it.

“As for sleeping arrangements, we will share the bed.”

Evangeline opened her mouth to protest, but he was already explaining.

“There's a comforter and a sheet. I mean if you wanted to share the bed. If not I can sleep on the floor or a chair. Otherwise, I was thinking you could sleep under the sheet and comforter. I'll sleep on top of the sheet but under the comforter. Again, if that is ok with you?”

Any protestations that Evangeline was preparing to unleash chilled in her throat. He was kind. Evangeline felt it deep in her chest. Looking across the table at him now, she saw a man who—even while injured—was large enough to crush her with his bare hands but somehow appeared more vulnerable than she had seen him that day. His goodness dulled the edges of her doubts.

And she was so very tired.

“Come to bed,” was all she said as she rose from the table like a little queen, gifting him with a quiet smile that showed the softness of her command. “Tomorrow will be much harder than today.”

That was that.

If a blush rose in her slender throat when they fell into bed at one another’s side, Evangeline did not care. She knew her mind would awake in a bashful frenzy once the sun rose, after it had rested and could fully appreciate the awkward implications of their proximity—but for now, her body ached. Let a herd of banthas share the bed with her, as long as they were quiet. In her heart of hearts, though, she knew she would choose the man’s company over theirs without a second thought.

The bed felt like heaven.

Evangeline curled up under the sheet and comforter with unguarded sweetness. The bath linen she had wrapped so tightly around her petite curves and valleys finally fell away from the limpness of her tired body, still concealed from his eyes as she pulled the blankets close. The glory of her dark curls splayed around her head like a wild crown, and she briefly relished in discovering that they still smelled of fresh soap. Inhaling and exhaling deeply. Eyes closing. Smiling.

She might have given all the impression of a sleeping angel had she not slowly opened her eyes, pushing through the thick haze of sleep that had washed over her in a glow, resting her cheek on the back of her hand as she regarded him with tired but curious eyes.

“May I ask where you are from? And what brought you to Serenno?”

[member="Jake Daniels"]​

 

[Jake Daniels]

“Perhaps you will,” the words caused a flutter in a heart that was normally closed off to any and all, “but I must warn you – you’re dealing with a simple farmer’s daughter. I don’t know if my modest tastes could keep up with your refined appetite.”

‘She didn’t say no!’ The man gleefully thought.

Jake blushed and he laughed. He could tell by her tone and expression that she was teasing. She was modest, the man would give her that, but a farmer’s daughter? That was honestly hard to see. Jake honestly couldn’t envision it. In his mind he saw her as a diplomat or a nurse. Working farm land? With how soft her hands were. Nah… there was little chance. It was here that Jake's attention fell inward. The momentary joy he held at her acceptance of the invite brought about an unseen concern; how had she so easily managed to break through his defenses? The man was known for being a closed off loner. Unaffected by threats and actions, yet sitting across from Evangeline, hearing her speak, it actually warmed up the dark oblivion of loneliness that ate away at the mans soul.

As he noted Evangeline beginning to finish her meal, Jake grabbed the small first aid kit. Grabbing a packet of the aspirin, the man tore the packet open with his teeth, placed both pills in his mouth then quickly drank down the water in his cup. That was one thing he was not going to forget tonight. The pain meds. Morning honestly couldn’t come quick enough. Fortunately Evangeline was becoming the perfect distraction from a pain that would have brought men unaccustomed with it to tears.

“Come to bed,” he watched as she rose from her seat. Jake didn’t move at first but the reassuring smile helped to ease the anxiety that was slowly building, “Tomorrow will be much harder than today.”

She was absolutely right about that.

Jake allowed Evangeline to get comfortable in the bed first before he found his own spot. As promised, he was above the sheet; their two frames now forbidden to one another by nothing more than the thinnest of fabrics. This was wear Jake and Evangeline differed however. While she held the blankets close to her frame, Daniels simply lay the comforter over his own. He didn’t tuck nor pull. The most private of areas was covered. When he flipped off the side lamp, the room now only lit by the glow of a television screen. Jake was content. Evangeline had admired his body of scars. He didn’t like the way he looked. He really didn’t. Yet he wasn’t going to make a scene. If she could stand them see them; perhaps he for one evening he could as well.

While she lay, her hair all about in a dreary mess that did nothing but heighten her appeal, Daniels rested in a slightly elevated position. His arm pressed against his body, the man’s eyes simply watched over her. This woman, this Evangeline Cross, had been pulled into the chaotic nature of this galaxy. The woman, fearless and stubborn to all hell, assisted someone that honestly deserved to die. Jake believed that. He shouldn’t have been here. Not now; yet he was. Evangeline did what she didn’t have to. Jake would do what he must. His debt to her was going to be repaid when he removed the head from the body of the bomber at the café.

The moment his eyes left hers, the moment the pain in his arm began to rise to an uneasy level once more, Evangeline moved. Adjusting herself so that a rosy cheek rested on her hand, the woman spoke quietly, “May I ask where you are from? And what brought you to Serenno?”

Darth Gravis would have lied to this woman. He would have told anyone else anything else .He would have openly confessed to being Sith, not care what the hell she thought, and done what he wanted when he wanted. It wasn’t that Jake couldn’t be him. Its that he didn’t want to be him. Not with Evangeline. For some reason, the same reason that was causing his skin to flush and his heart to beat just a bit faster when she spoke, the man wanted to simply protect her. Even if that meant protecting her from the complete truth. Evangeline's question managed to take his mind off his arm as memories flooded back to him.

“I am from Dantooine. Born and raised. Parents were school teachers. Haven’t seen them in a very, very long time.” So far no lie… technically. “They passed awhile ago.” Again no lie. Jake had been taken away by Samara Galloway when he was sixteen years old. He had gone from Jedi to Sith, where he was trained to recognize and serve just one family; the Shamalains. Not once had the man ever gone back to check in on his parents. Not once had he even bothered to send them a communication. That was one of his greatest regrets. A byproduct of a dark life that, in some parts of his soul, Jake wished he’d never encountered. As of late all his life had led to was being betrayed and abandoned. As he had abandoned his parents; his Master had abandoned him.
Kharma was truly a b!tch.

“I was there recently but didn’t have time to check in with any other family that might still be around.” Odds were, after centuries, the Daniels line nearly died off. Jake, from his understanding, was the last of his family. “As for why I am on Serenno, I was meeting a contact who was supposed to help me with a job.” Now Jake was borderline lying, “but is appears he didn’t show. I was going to surprise Rania and the crew with the potential of a quick smash and grab.” There was the lie finally. He didn’t like the feeling it left in the pit of his stomach.

“It’s a beautiful planet. Not one I was familiar with before arriving. To be honest…” Jake's ears picked up a new sound. So subtle it almost went unheard; almost. Her nostrils flared slightly with each breath, the sound like a subtle breeze through prairie grass. Quiet, relaxing. Glancing down, Jake noticed that Evangeline had dozed off. A smile crossed his face. She deserved a good rest.

Jake turned his attention back towards the news program on the television. While reporters continued to be on the scene, just blocks from the Inn, Jakes mind could no longer focus. Without Evangeline talking, without her charm to keep him distracted; the pain returned. His arm screamed at him; preventing his own intimacy with sleep. The ice pack had helped to keep the swelling down but the aspirin hadn’t touched the pain. Still the Sith Knight remained stoic. He refused to move in fear of waking the little gem beside him.

As the quiet began to set in, the muted television still on, Jake sat in complete silence. His eyes may have focused on the television, taking notice of some grainy surveillance images but his mind wandered. For a quarter century he had served his Master and her family with unrivaled loyalty. He had hunted, killed, and protected with nothing more than a simple command to do so. He married the only woman whom had ever taken it upon herself to see deep into the heart of the otherwise angry warrior. He had two sons with her. All of them were gone. Yet here he was, on a distant planet, with a busted body, sharing a bed with a woman whom he was dangerously finding appealing.

Then he felt the first trickle of tears as they came from his eyes. Like the start of a spring time creek after the first snow melt, the flow just continued once it started. The man swatted a few away, yet they just continued. Taking part of the comforter the man dabbed at his face. It was no use. It wasn't necessarily the pain of his arm that caused the tears; it was a simple but devastating feeling.
Jake Daniels was just lonely.

Then Jake was kicked. The man glanced over. Then a second but gentler kick. Evangeline's face grimaced, an expression of surprise or anger. t was hard to tell which with the rooms dim lighting. Then the young maiden began to murmur. The words low and hushed. Was she having a night terror? Sweat beaded on Evangeline's forehead within seconds as her arms slowly began to move about. Her expression became one of pain, as she turned slightly showing her own set of tears that escaped out of her tightly closed lids. Wiping away his own, Jake turned the side lamp back on and placed his left hand on Evangeline's shoulder.

“Evangeline?” Jake asked with a gentle shake. Nothing happened. The woman was still in her dream.

Adjusting his body, Daniels slide his arm completely under Evangeline's neck and pulled her close. She was moving a bit more, her speech increasing in tone. Jake knew the pain of night terrors. He would ensure she knew someone was here for her.

"Evangeline?" Jake asked asked again as he gently rocked her body. A couple oof more kicks from the woman. His voice stiffened, "Wake up. Come on, wake up. It's only a dream. Nothings going to hurt you. Not here. Not now. Just wake up for me... you're safe."

​

[member="Evangeline Cross"]​

 

[Evangeline Cross]

The bedroom faded into starry oblivion.

Evangeline was falling. Down, down, down, through a pitch black abyss, until suddenly she landed softly on a bed. It looked quite different from the bed in the little inn on Serenno. Evangeline felt sure she had seen it before, but she could not remember where.

She was not alone.

Out of nowhere, or so it seemed, a shadowy figure approached her from across the hazy room. The figure was tall, with the formidable outline of rigid, finely cut muscles that gave away its status as male. Evangeline felt a pang of intermingled anticipation and fear.

The figure lowered himself to the bed, crouching low like an animal and stalking forward on all fours, the mattress creaking beneath his weight as he loped toward Evangeline, hunter towards prey. Evangeline felt her limbs become heavy as she tried to lift them and leap away from the bed, but all she could manage was a meager shuffle on her back across the sheets, facing the figure with wide eyes. For a moment she could not breathe.

The shadow man was getting closer. Evangeline was powerless.

When he fell upon her, she gasped for air. It was not unpleasant. Pinned between his arms, underneath his weight, she felt their bodies collide. Lips upon lips, skin upon skin.

Evangeline realized the shadow man was Jake Daniels.

Your destiny. Destiny.

A strange voice echoed through the room but was swiftly drowned out by a crack of lightening that split the bed in two. Jake began to smolder, flames billowing from his body as Evangeline looked on in horror.

Evangeline blinked her eyes and the smoldering man was no longer Jake. The Sith who killed her Master now burned in front of her eyes, but he did not cry out in pain. A sick, twisted smile curled at the corners of his devilish mouth, seeming to almost enjoy the flames, taunting Evangeline.

The girl was overcome. She felt her lungs release an incoherent cry as she flung an outstretched palm toward her lightsaber, calling the sacred weapon into her hand and plunging the ignited blade into the Sith’s belly.

But the Sith was no longer there. The shadow man had transformed again.

Evangeline stood, shaking, grief rupturing across her face as she stared into her Master’s eyes, her own lightsaber run clean through his body. His cold, gray lips parted. She heard his voice.

‘My own padawan . . . why did you let me die?’

Evangeline screamed.

She suddenly felt the bed beneath her once more. This time, it felt real. The terrible dream had mercifully ended.

“Evangeline?”

The girl whimpered, her voice still misty from the deepness of slumber, thick lashes squeezed tightly against the tops of her cheeks lest she open her eyes and find her dying Master lying at her side, having followed her back to reality. “I’m sorry . . . I’m so sorry . . .”

Those smooth legs jerked—once, twice, maybe a third time—her little body attempting fight or flight, even through the chains of sleep.

"Wake up. Come on, wake up. It's only a dream. Nothing’s going to hurt you. Not here. Not now. Just wake up for me . . . you're safe."

Evangeline’s eyes flew open. Her body jolted as if rising from the depths of a drowning pool, chest rising and falling heavily from beneath the sheet that she clutched with shaking hands. As she breathed—mind clearing, fully awakening—the girl became acutely aware of the beads of moisture that covered her bare skin like crystals—sweat intermingled with tears—and it took her a moment to remember where she was, and to remember the identity of the man sharing her bed.

Jake was cradling her just as she had done for him hours earlier. His kindness cut through her like a knife.

Evangeline felt small. So small. Anguished. Tired. Confused.

In a moment of trust, and of vulnerability, her head came to rest squarely against his chest. She inhaled deeply. His arms felt like safety. She wanted to bury herself there and get lost until the sun came up. She wouldn’t have minded if it never came up at all.

But that was not the way of the world. Evangeline, ever a practical creature, gently pushed herself away from the man’s body, collecting her dignity as she rubbed away tears that still shone in her deep eyes like stars. She was a sensitive thing, but she was not weak. Her gaze found his.

“I . . . apologize,” She murmured, not quite knowing what to say. “I should have warned you. I’m . . . a vivid dreamer.”

That was one way to put it.

Evangeline ventured a small smile into the darkness, but it was clearly feigned. “I would gladly trade it for snoring.”

It was a weak attempt to lighten the mood, to change the subject, to distract from the questions she knew were brewing in his head. Questions she would not know how to answer. Her mind was still reeling from the dream—and from his role in it. She internally shook that memory away, but she knew it was one that would haunt her later. The confusion, the pain--it was all too much.

There was a moment of silence, then:

“I lost someone very important to me, not very long ago,” She gently offered, turning her eyes to him once more, hoping to slake his curiosity for the moment. “I relive it almost every night. And every night I think, ‘Maybe it will be different this time.’”

She shook her head, closing her eyes and running her fingers through the length of her dark curls, which seemed even wilder than before. The Serennoan moon filtered in through the window, casting a pale glow across her gamine features as she smiled--a genuine smile this time, with more strength.

“It’s silly of me. Childish, really.”

It was here that Evangeline abruptly paused, eyes widening and mouth falling open as she suddenly lifted herself from the bed, propping herself onto one side to face Jake as horror crossed over her face.

"I fell asleep while you were telling me your story," She exclaimed, aghast at her own manners. To Jake, it might have seemed humorous. "For that I deserved to have bad dreams."

Evangeline lowered herself back onto the bed, clearly displeased with herself and almost pouting. It was a sweet sight, even a humorous one, and a welcome change from the heaviness that had overtaken the bed that had become their safe haven.

[member="Jake Daniels"]​

 

[Jake Daniels]

[SIZE=9pt]Evangeline was devastated by her dream. No man needed the force to see that. Whatever she nightmare she encountered, it tore away at her. This was no ordinary night terror; this one was based on something. Jake wanted to know what. He wanted to continue to comfort her, to even protect her from the nightmares of her past. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I… apologize,”[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] Evangeline spoke as if trying to find words to explain herself, [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]“I should have warned you. I’m… a vivid dreamer.”[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] Jake smiled at that. She wasn’t the only one. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Do not think you ever have to apologize to someone like me.” [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Jake replied. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]His momentary smirk faded when he saw the force one she gave,[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] “I would gladly trade if for snoring.” [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]It was then that Jake decided he was going to press and see what happened. What dared invade her mind and disturb the Gem’s dreams? He understood she was trying to lighten the mood but both of them were now wide awake. There was no turning back. Jake was about to politely press her for specifics when Evangeline beat him to the punch.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I lost someone very important to me, not very long ago.”[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] Her gaze met his once more. Behind the almond shaped browns Jake could see the pain she tried to hide. It didn’t work. Jake knew that look. He had that look. [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]“I relieve it almost every night. And every night I think, ‘Maybe it will be different this time.’”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“It’s silly of me. Childish, really.”[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] Evangeline was trying to brush it off. Jake wasn’t about to let her. Not when she dropped a bomb like that. Not when it was literally the exact same thing Daniels himself was going through. Perhaps she felt as Jake did? Perhaps Evangeline was just as lonely as the man she currently shared a bed with? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Jake was taken slightly aback at her next statement, [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]“I fell asleep while you were telling me your story. For that I deserved to have bad dreams.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“No one ever deserves to suffer in their dreams.”[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] He said with a smile of his own. The mood lightened; for the moment. Jake was about to suck all of that out of the room. Evangeline needed to know she wasn’t alone in what she felt. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“To be honest Evangeline,” [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Jake started before pausing. He had to push himself, a nice swift kick to the internal arse, to get the rest of the statement to come out. As he spoke the man looked at the untanned skin on his left ring finger, [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]“for me, I recently lost my family. To the galaxy, I lost them centuries ago.”[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] That was such an odd thing to say. Yet it was the absolute truth. Jake knew he had to explain, [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]“About four and a half centuries ago a terrorist released a plague called Gulag on the galaxy. I was helping to lead research into the plague to try and find a cure. I failed. The core worlds, then the mid-rim, all of them became infected. Planet after planet was simply consumed like ivy claiming a forest. Me and the bravest group of men I ever had the honor of knowing,” [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Jake referred to the men under his command in the 62nd,[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] “kept on fighting to find a cure. We failed. Everyone failed. Scientists couldn’t find a way to beat it. Politicians couldn’t find a way to use their wealth to survive it. It was absolute mayhem. While traveling, at the time, Hutt space, I received word my family had become infected. On Honoghr, where I resided then and currently stay now, the plague arrived when a refugee ship crash landed. It devastated everything.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Jake paused as he took a hard gulp. His voice choked up. His eyes wanted to tear up, he could feel it, yet the man did what he could to keep the emotions in check. [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]“I arrived just after the first deaths occurred. I failed in my quest for a cure. The native sentient species known as Noghri, that served my Wife’s family, were shredded by it. Entire clans and villages wiped out almost overnight. I was forced to stand back and watch as my two sons, Romano and Lysander, along with my wife Cerusia gradually worsened. They managed to hold on longer than most. Like everything else; it eventually claimed them too. I wanted to die with them. My Wife had other plans. She, along with her Mother, had convinced the men with me to save me; against my orders. After I buried my Wife and Sons, they struck. fought… fought to die… yet the men, as loyal to my wife as I was, sedated me.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I tried to fight the sedation, pleading with them, screaming at them to let me out of the cryotube they had set up. No man should outlive his children. No man should outlive his wife. Yet, even though they understood what I wanted, they were keeping their word to the recently deceased.” [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Jake explained.[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]"I woke up five months ago on Dantooine. I was stowed away in a small cave on my home planet. I was in disbelief when I was told by Medical Officials that I had been in there for over four centuries. Of course my mind was still thinking the plague was active. In my mind I just buried my wife and sons. It took a few months for the truth to sink in. They had been laid to recent centuries ago. I needed to let them go and move on; as my Wife had wanted. Reluctantly, I have.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]That was a lot to take in. Jake did what he thought he would. The room became heavy in emotion once more, even after Evangeline had tried to liven it up and change topics. He wasn’t done however. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Jake gulped,[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] “I say this because I have night terrors as well. Mine are from a time long since past but I do know the feeling Evangeline,” [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]Jake glanced over at the woman, [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]“I know your pain.”[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] He did. Jake didn’t tell this story out of pity. He didn’t tell it out of sympathy. He told it because… he wanted[/SIZE] to. He wanted to let it out. Evangeline made him feel safe. Something he hadn't felt in so very long. Finally he could just confess the truth, though not the entire truth, to the woman beside him.

[SIZE=9pt]“You probably have heard this time and again before but perhaps it’ll be different hearing it from me. Those we’ve lost are gone in the physical world but they live on,”[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] Jake gently placed a finger towards the area of Evangeline’s heart, [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]“in here. We never stop loving who we lost. My wife and my children will always be a part of me and who I am. We just have to find our way in continuing to live on… to accept and to move on.” [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Ok even Jake thought that was a bit too deep; especially for a knuckle head like him.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I’ll be honest. My curiosity is peaked. Would you care to share whom you lost? It might help just to talk to someone?” [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]By now his left hand had taken her own. His thumb gently rubbed the back of her hand in slow, steady circular motions. It wasn’t much at all. The man could give way better massages but hopefully even this simple gesture would help to dull a pain the pair now knew the other now had. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]A pain the pair knew they now shared. [/SIZE]

[member="Evangeline Cross"]​

 

[Evangeline Cross]

All things considered, if Jake Daniels were going to casually let the bomb drop that he was—oh, you know—four centuries old, the best individual to take the news would have been someone like Evangeline. Jedi, and those like them, believed in magic and miracles by virtue of believing in the Force. In her short career, Evangeline had seen incredible things.

But she had never met a human who was, technically speaking, four hundred years old. Other species—Wookiees, for example—were known to grow that old. But not men.

He was right. It was a lot.

Evangeline fell silent, her deep eyes wide but calm as she breathed in the fullness, and the miraculousness, of his story. A normal girl would have burst into laughter, accusing him of lying, or—in the alternative—burst into tears or cowered in fear. Evangeline, of course, did none of those things. She simply took her time, processing every piece of his incredible puzzle, fitting it all together in her mind. The whitened circle around his left ring finger made sense now.

It was unbelievable, yet she believed every word.

“I . . .” She started, searching desperately for the words, shaking her head gently as she gazed at him in awe. “I have never heard of anything like that before. Not even in the legends. I—I don’t know what to say.”

Her gentle eyes wandered freely over him now, too stunned to conceal their exploration, as she slowly registered that this man, this body—this beautifully scarred and marked body—walked the stars when the history she only read about in her childhood lessons was still being written.

Suddenly, Evangeline had a million questions. She asked none of them. The pain radiating from his heart was too strong, and she knew it all too well. Emotion washed over her, painting her delicate features with profound strokes of empathy.

“. . . I . . . I cannot imagine. I cannot imagine the burden you’ve had to bear,” She ventured softly, mere words utterly failing in the face of what he had just revealed. “Jake . . . I am so sorry.”

When Evangeline said she was sorry, it was different. It had none of the superficial effect of the ‘I’m sorry’ that most people liberally threw around without much meaning. When Evangeline said she was sorry, her words were steeped in the tenderness of her heart. She knew her words couldn’t change things. She knew her words couldn’t make it all better. But she offered them to Jake for him to do whatever he pleased with them. She only prayed that they brought him comfort. Comfort she knew he hadn’t felt in…centuries.

Her little hand melted into his much larger one. Evangeline glanced downward, marveling at his fingers, momentarily feeling as though she were being touched by a relic of the past. As his thumb began to gently knead the back of her hand, however, Evangeline had a very different thought. This man was no relic of the past. He was real. He was here. His skin was as warm and alive as her own.

Evangeline felt a blush rising. The touch of his hand reminded her of her dream.

Focus.

Inhaling deeply, Evangeline offered the man a sweet, though tentative smile. She squeezed his hand. “How can I follow a story like that?”

The girl had more than just a sense of humor—she had a sharp wit. Evangeline was stalling. How could she reveal her loss to him without revealing everything else? Even if she did open herself up to him, did she really want to relive the pain? The awful night terror that had awoken her mere minutes earlier had done a fine enough job of that. Evangeline wasn’t interested in going back down that road tonight.

But for Jake, she would.

“I . . . I spent the first six years of my life on Naboo. I was born there, the only daughter of a farmer. I had three older brothers.”

Evangeline paused, almost laughing.

“They loved me, tormented me, protected me. I would have followed them anywhere.”

Her smile slowly faded.

“I haven’t seen any of them in years. I left Naboo just before my sixth birthday. There was . . .”

Evangeline trailed off, searching for words. Here’s where the truth got dicey.

“. . . a very well-respected teacher who wanted to take me under his wing. Teach me . . . healing, philosophy, that sort of thing.”

No lie there.

“It was hard for my parents to let me go, but they loved me too much to hold me back. I traveled everywhere with my teacher, learned many things. He—he was the one who raised me.”

Evangeline swallowed, steeling herself against the emotion that twinged at the fringes of her heart. Lowering those thick lashes, then lifting them. Locking Jake with dark eyes that held a mixture of emotion and steely resolve.

“He was like my father. He was killed, only months ago.”

Her features were almost stony now, frighteningly still.

“It was . . . a rival of his. A former student who was jealous, unstable. Not totally sane. I saw it happen.”

It was here that Evangeline almost broke. It was not dramatic. She did not cry. She simply leaned in—cautiously at first, like a lamb leaning into a lion—and then settled herself against his chest. Closing her eyes. Inhaling deeply. It felt just as good as it had the first time he had pulled her close.

“I miss him. I wish I could have saved him, the way your wife saved you.”

[member="Jake Daniels"]​

 

[Jake Daniels]

Evangeline explained she had never heard of anything quite like Jakes story. It was honestly hard to believe. There were mornings that Jake woke up and wondered if this was all just a long cruel dream. Those same mornings he would lay in bed, staring up at his ceiling, and simply ponder if he’d ever wake up. The day would ultimately carry on and much like it Jake had too as well. He let out a soft smile when she stated she didn’t know what to say. Really, there was nothing to say. There was nothing she had to say. The fact that Evangeline was willing to listen to something so absurd it had to be true; that was enough for Jake. Truly, it was.

The Knight did note that the woman was scanning his body, as though she were an archaeologist relishing the sight of worn ancient statue. Perhaps she wanted to know the stories behind the scars. Perhaps Jake was willing to tell her. He didn’t remember every single one nor how he got them, but the big ones? Oh yeah, the man remembered the stories behind those.

Evangeline seemed to have trouble finding her own words. Jake put her on the spot. Here he again felt something a Sith shouldn’t; guilt. That was an emotion that would have had him lambasted should it have ever been seen or felt. Yet Evangeline was bringing about emotions from Jake that the man was supposed to so easily hide away. Why, with this woman, did they emerge without hesitation? When she finally spoke; it didn’t come off as an obligatory response to what Daniels had unloaded upon her. The man had essentially backed up a dump truck, threw the hatch open, and laid it all out there on her front lawn. The proverbial ‘Hey! I just met you. This is crazy. But here’s my story; please don’t call me crazy.’ He most assuredly did not expect the same in return. When Evangeline finally spoke and as she spoke, Jake took in every word that escaped her supple lips.

The first thing? He wondered if it were physically possible to actually put his own foot in his own mouth? Perhaps if he twisted his knee in a new angle? The reason he thought this? He was wrong; she was a farmer’s daughter and raised with a decent amount of brothers. Three? Holy hell. How’d she survive that? A farmers daughter? He still had trouble seeing it. Jake had always pictured denim, cowboy boots, and plaid shirts for a farming girl. Yet here she was; tough yet feminine. Strong yet soft. Dominating yet submissive. It appeared his perceptions of females in a farming family were way off.

Then she brought up Naboo. Centuries prior that had been home to the Jedi Order that Jake had served while a Padawan under Samara Galloway. The same order that left him for dead when he had been taken by Lady Sullen and given away like a prized heirloom to Lady Silencia. Jake did what he could to keep his composure. He had always hated Naboo because of that. With Evangeline sitting on the bed beside him it was now clear that not everything that came from the planet was bad. It did bring him a beautiful little Gem after all.

As she told her story about being taken from her parents at a young age by a mentor that was to teach her, many questions perked in Jake's mind. The questions ranging from who the man was specifically to why take such a young child were shoved aside as Jake could see the emotion swirling behind glossy almond shaped eyes. Then she explained that he died, just months earlier. The way she said it brought a small shiver up Jakes spine. It was blunt. It was direct. There was no emotion to it.

“It was . . . a rival of his. A former student who was jealous, unstable. Not totally sane. I saw it happen.”

That statement broke the silence that had filled the room for a brief moment. He could sense some emotion to this line. Then he watched as she slowly came to him. His arm extended outward to embrace the oncoming delicate frame. Her head met his chest, his heart skipping every other beat or so as it thumped loudly against his chest.

“I miss him. I wish I could have saved him, the way your wife saved you.”

Daniels remained silent. His hand intertwined with her own. Her wrapped it around her as best he could; both hands resting just under her chin. His fingertips gently played with strands of her dark, soft locks. Still Jake didn’t speak. This was Evangeline's time. This was her moment. She deserved his utmost attention; not that she could ever lose it. Now the only thing that filled the room between the two was the massive amount of unspoken emotion. The pain they both felt. The love they both shared for those they lost. Unbeknownst to either; something else was happening between them. With time; they’d see it. For now that special something showed itself in the caring way in which Jake looked upon Evangeline. He simply couldn’t feel the pain anymore.

“I know you do.” Jake whispered. There wasn’t anything more he could say. All he knew Evangeline needed right now was to know someone was there. Jake was that someone.

As his watery blues stared down at Evangeline, Jake made an internal promise. He was going to kill her mentor’s murderer. He would bring a true closure for Evangeline in the only way the Knight knew how. Jake would hunt this man down. Jake would then end him. Nothing more to it.

Body to body. Chest to head. Hands clasped. Fingers interlocked. Neither body moved for the remainder of the evening. Jake's heart continued its elevated beat at her close proximity. Though he could do what he needed to keep the blushing at a minimal, there was still other aspects of physical response he couldn’t control. Heart beat was one of them. The rest were kept at bay. Here on Serenno, in a small hotel room, a man held a woman in simple embrace. The silence was the perfect conversation as they shared close and intimate proximity to one another.

As night began to give way to dawn, Jake's attention turned towards the window when a silhouette quietly walked by. His eyes shot to the door. His guard went up. This was when the man finally rose. Gently getting up, he leaned in and placed a kiss on the top of Evangeline's head. That was unexpected, even to him. Quietly he placed a finger to his lips then wrapped his lower half with the linen from the night prior. He stalked to the door. Tip of toes carefully touching the carpet. The trained Sith, the Soldier of resolve, was like a cougar stalking prey. He wouldn’t let anyone outside know he was there.

That was until he heard, “Are you doing that creepy tip toe thing you do when you don’t realize me or the boys are in your house?”

Jake rubbed the bridge of his nose, double checked the peep hole, then opened the door. He used his body to block the small opening, his injured arm hidden from view. He glanced past an all too familiar face. He saw nothing. No one. The area around the hotel seemed oddly quiet. There was no one else but his new guest around. Good.

Rania tried to peek over Jake's shoulders. Though she was tall for her species, even the hunter green Twi’lek couldn’t completely see over the mass of chiseled muscle. Before Jake could say anything, Rania slid under his left arm and entered the room. Her eyes fell upon the beauty in the bed. A smile crossed her face. “This is so odd!” Rania explained. “Jake shared bed with a woman! I haven’t seen him share it with anyone.” Rania paused as she caught her breath, “This is just so freaking odd!” Even Rania blushed at the sight; a small hint of rose appearing on her cheeks. A well worn piece of marble that was Jake. A beautiful pearl that was this young lady. The contrast was striking.

“Rania.” Jake's voice warned. She was treading thin water.

“She’s cuter than she appeared on the holo.” Rania said with a childlike cheer. Ruffled hair, messy bedding, apparent that both slept in close proximity to one another. “We didn’t properly meet last night with old Mr. Grumpy Pants not introducing us. Hi! I’m Rania!”

Jake rubbed the bridge of his nose again. If he understood anything about Evangeline, it was that she liked privacy. She liked modesty. Having a person she didn’t know bouncing around the room probably wasn’t how she wanted to start her morning off.

“Rania.” Jake said a second time catching the Twi’lek's attentions.

When Rania turned she finally fell to the injured arm, “Oh hell. It’s worse than I thought. Come here.” There was a sudden change in Rania’s demeanor. The momentary bout of joy at seeing this scene had vanished. In its place was the tactical thinker. Jake sat on the edge of the bed while Rania shuffled through the duffel bag. She pulled out a small cardboard box. Tearing it open, the Twi’lek set the materials on the bed. A bright pink cast wrap, what appeared to be a cotton and plaster cast material, and cotton padding.

“Can I get your help? Pretty please with a cute little cherry on top?” Rania asked Evangeline. Jake removed the ice pack, allowing it to simply fall into a waste bin. Rania took a closer look at the limb, concern crossing her face. “I’ll cast this but we’re going to need to replace the cast later as the swelling subsides.”

Evangeline lifted Jakes arm which caused a whimper from the otherwise stoic man. Yeah that hurt. Any movement to it set off a firestorm of pain that was near paralyzing. Jake needed to get his mind off of this, “Did you bring the clothes? Pain medications?”

“Yeah, yeah I brought them. Jake has his set. Evangeline has her own. I only had one set of clothes that I think would fit.” Rania said glancing at Evangeline, “I do apologize. My other clothes would have just fallen off of you… gosh you’re such a cutie.” She looked at Jake, “How in the heck did you of all people have such good luck?”

“Rania.” Jake warned a third time.

“Fine. Party pooper. Evangeline has her own little bag in my duffel. It has some new hygiene products like toothpaste, deodorant, the works. Girls have to look out for one another!” The cheer returning to her voice, “For Mr. Grouch I brought your own little bag too. Toothbrush, paste, your cologne and your deodorant. I also… brought some orange juice. Thought you two might need it.”

This was so damn embarrassing. Rania just couldn’t run out of jokes could she? What she asked Evangeline next caused the man to want to curl up in a ball and die, “So, we have a wager on the ship. How is he? Kooky and wild? Dominating? Submissive? Between us girls… I mean. Ignore him. What’s he like?”

"Someone shoot me." Jake said as he buried his face in his left hand.

Rania laughed, "Didn't you learn it's rude to interrupt a conversation between ladies? Now sit here, hold still while we finish, and let us talk.."

​

[member="Evangeline Cross"]​

 

[Evangeline Cross]

“. . . mmmph.”

Evangeline’s voice was a hazy, incoherent murmur—nothing more than a purr, really—as she felt Jake’s large body begin shift from slightly underneath her small frame. During the night, when she had finally slipped into a mercifully dreamless sleep, the girl had unconsciously burrowed herself into the man’s chest. As he began to exit the bed, so did (what she considered to be) her pillow. She slept soundly with the warmth of his skin and the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath her cheek. His absence was very displeasing to the little Gem. Her brows were starting to furrow as a frown began to form across those sleepy, rosebud lips.

When a kiss fell on top of her head, seemingly out of nowhere, that frown softened.

“Where are you going?” She might have murmured, but the words came out as a hoarse whisper, her eyes still squeezed tightly shut. Evey was tired and only just beginning to wake. Her body felt like it had been beaten with a durasteel pipe—and then hit by a speeder, for good measure. It ached in places she didn’t know could ache. It even hurt to think.

As she gingerly lifted her lashes, the first sight that met her misty morning eyes was the striking, linen-clad figure of Jake, pressing a finger to his lips for her to be silent. Evangeline did not need that injunction. She wasn’t a morning person, never was. Master Dane had berated her about it almost daily. ‘You sleep as soundly as a little cat,’ He would say over breakfast, to which Evangeline would respond with a dead pan stare that silently screamed I’m not awake yet.

Inhaling deeply, the girl summoned the power to lift her body to a seated position, making quiet little whimpering noises as she went to stretch her arms above her head, awakening her body. She stopped almost as quickly as she started, however, realizing that the linen she had worn like a dress had slipped away during the night. Dark eyes instantly widened, and her hands clutched for the bedsheets, pulling them up to her chin. Evangeline was very awake now. She felt all the self-conscious awkwardness that she had been too tired, and too steeped in emotion, to feel at bedtime. She briefly wondered if Jake had seen her body last night, or just now. She wondered if she had snored, and if so, was it loud? Did she have peculiar sleeping habits? She wouldn’t have known. This was the first time she had ever shared a bed with a man.

Stop.

Evangeline re-focused. For a moment, her thoughts were spiraling downward into the internal nervousness of a nineteen-year-old girl. But it was just for a moment. Evangeline breathed, a slow calm flooding away the fear. She was just in time for collecting herself, too—there was a voice outside the door, and it was oddly familiar.

Rania!

The Twi’lek descended upon their room like an emerald storm. Even Evangeline’s Jedi calm could not dispel the panic of a young woman whose privacy had just been invaded. As she pulled the sheet even closer to her body, gripping it tightly beneath her chin, Evangeline couldn’t help but like Rania. The energy that flowed from the Twi’lek was infectious and good. She had a well-intentioned heart and, undeniably, she also spoke her mind.

“This is so odd!” Rania exclaimed, announcing herself as she burst through the door. “Jake shared bed with a woman! I haven’t seen him share it with anyone.”

Evangeline swallowed the rush of a rising blush that tore its way to the surface of her baby-like cheeks.

“This is just so freaking odd!”

Evangeline cocked an eyebrow, looking pointedly to Jake. “Is it?”

She was gratified to hear Jake growl out a warning. “Rania.”

“She’s cuter than she appeared on the holo.”

At that Evangeline smiled, responding with humor. “I like this one, Jake. Let her talk.”

“We didn’t properly meet last night with old Mr. Grumpy Pants not introducing us. Hi! I’m Rania!”

Evangeline—despite her discomfort at, you know, being naked—remained ever the diplomat, allowing her smile to gently brighten her whole face, shining its full warmth onto Rania. It was a genuine smile. Evangeline suddenly realized how much she wanted Jake’s friend to like her. It was an odd feeling.

“I’m glad to meet you, Rania. Jake spoke very highly of you. I’m Evangeline,” The girl replied, extending one small hand to shake Rania’s while the other hand held onto the bedsheet for dear life. “I cannot thank you enough for coming all this way to help us.”

Business moved swiftly from there. Evangeline wrapped herself in her little makeshift linen dress, scurrying away to the washroom to change into the spare clothes before returning to help Rania dress Jake’s wounds. As they worked together on the man’s arm, Rania chattered away in true form, dropping comments and observations that pressed Evangeline’s blush trigger more than once—but none quite so badly as:

“So, we have a wager on the ship. How is he? Kooky and wild? Dominating? Submissive? Between us girls… I mean. Ignore him. What’s he like?”

Evangeline almost choked, dropping the scissors she was using to cut tape for the elbow cast, scarcely hearing anything other than the rush of blood (and rosy pink color) to her cheeks as the metal clattered to the floor. The girl seized the excuse to duck away and collect herself, quickly dipping downward to retrieve the fallen utensil as a million thoughts hurtled through her head, approximately half of them being images from the dream last night that she had hoped to forget. Flashes of Jake’s rippling body covering her own. The meeting of lips. Fingers interlocking, then squeezing. Too much.

When Evangeline rose, her cheeks were aflame, and her thick lashes refused to lift from where her gaze had locked onto the task at hand: cutting tape for the elbow cast.

“I—I wouldn’t know,” Evangeline managed, internally groaning at the weakness of her response. Silly girl.

Seconds passed in thick silence. Evangeline’s mind worked overtime, flurried thoughts flying at breakneck speed but none of them actually registering as anything coherent. As she and Rania finished Jake’s cast, however, Evangeline could not help but venture a glance up at Jake, dusky eyes timid and discreetly curious. At this point she did not know what being so interested meant. No amount of smarts could inform her inexperience, or her innocence. She looked away.

Fortunately, it was at that moment that the awkward trio was interrupted by a short knock at the door.

[member="Jake Daniels"]​

 

[Jake Daniels]

[SIZE=9pt]Rania was proud of herself. The question caught Evangeline completely off guard. When the young lady disappeared onto her hands to fetch the fallen scissors, Rania remained kneeling before an equally embarrassed Jake. His skin was hot, but this time not just his elbow. His cheeks were a burgundy red as the man continued to gently shake his head in outright disbelief. His chest, the massive spread of muscle, seemed to blush too! It was simply too bloody cute![/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Jake glanced at Rania and mouthed a word, ‘Please, stop?’[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Rania shook her head, ‘The boys are going to just love this!’[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Before Jake could warn her otherwise, Evangeline rose. Her cheeks as red as Jakes. Rania’s pleased with herself grin seemed etched in cement. Nothing at this moment was going go remove it. Even when Evangeline gave the sheepish of responses to her still unanswered question.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I-I wouldn't know.” Evangeline muttered. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]As the seconds passed, a heavy silence claimed the room. Rania and Evangeline continued to work on Jakes bandage. The passing, the first layers of plaster wrap, followed by the bright pink cast wrap. There were other colors Rania could have chosen from; she just so happened to think pink would be funny to use with Jake. It’s not like the man had a choice or anything. Jake, with a quick glance downwards and towards his side, locked eyes with the little Gem. When she looked away, so did he.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]This momentary eye lock wasn’t lost on the Twi’lek who decided to have a bit more fun, “I bet he’s a playful lover.” She said as she slapped the end of the cast tape. “Spontaneous, romantic, animalistic, all wrapped up in one.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Then another knock was heard at the door.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Jake looked at Rania.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Rania looked at Jake, “I came alone. Cody and Umako are still at the landing pads. They’re doing ship searches for suspects.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Coming to a stand, linen still wrapped around his frame, Daniels walked towards the door and glanced through the peephole. Just outside stood a human male. The analytical nature of Jake, the Warrior in him, sized the man up almost to a tee. He stood fight feet eight inches in height. His build was lean but fit. The two-button two piece suit he wore indicated authority but it was the mans right breast that drew Jakes attention. Unlike the left side of his jacket which seemed to hold to the body, the right was slightly pushed out. A tell-tale sign of a weapon in a holster. Then Jake saw the aged Inn keeper come right into view. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Glancing at Rania, then Evangeline, Jake very slowly opened the door. Like he had with Rania, the man kept his injured arm out of view. His demeanor changed. The muscles rippled and tensed as he used the massiveness of his frame to block anyone from seeing into the room. This time he ensured no one could slip under him like Rania had.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Icy blue eyes stared down his newest guests, “Good Morning. My names Detective Eidos.” The man flashed a little golden plague with an identification card. The name and badge number were a match on both.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I really don’t care.” Jake replied coldly.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]The tenderness in his voice that he held for his little Gem was gone. The playfulness, now extinct. His tone was one of anti-authority. A tone that was subtly warning the world to tread very carefully with this man.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Rania knew that tone and even she changed. She took a seat a bit closer to Evangeline, her guard shooting up; her dark green eyes staring at the massively scared frame at the door. Jake wasn’t a threat to her or the boys. He’d never really raised a hand towards them; sure he gave his little Sithy threats whenever they bugged him but that’s as far as it went. She and Jake both knew a truth even if Jake refused to admit it; they were a family now. That tone though… it reminded her of Ambria. It reminded her of that fight[/SIZE] and just what Jake was capable when the man was pushed. Scary and alluring. Man and Monster. He was a loner

[SIZE=9pt]The Detective seemed taken slightly aback by the response. He ignored the rudeness of it and continued, “Several witnesses placed an injured man being helped away from the scene by a young woman. A family of three stated the injured man saved their son just minutes before the bomb went off. We checked with local hospitals and there was no one that matched the description of this man nor the woman with him. That was until the Inn Keeper here called us this morning when we put out a request to the public to report any suspicious activity. Can I see your other arm?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“No.” Jake replied.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Sir, I’m going to have to insist. Either you can answer my questions or I can get a search warrant while and thus making this a lot more sticky of a situation.”[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] The Detective replied.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Jake weighed his options. He could so easily reach out in the force and knock the Detective unconscious; but then Evangeline would see what he was. He liked the way she looked at him. She didn’t look at him like a freak. She didn’t judge him. With her Jake felt normal. With her Jake felt… different.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]This was where Rania and Jakes close friendship shined through. As Jake turned his back and walked from the door, the Twi’lek came to a stand. Jake grabbed Rania’s duffel, set it on the bed beside Evangeline. There was no way of hiding any of it modestly so Jake just sorta let his linen fall to the floor. Rania came to a stand between Jake and the Detective. Her tall but thin frame doing what it could to keep Jakes scared body from view. Evangeline had the full show though.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Nice cast.”[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] The Detective remarked. “Break it yesterday?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“No. Bar fight. Me versus a dozen bikers. They won’t be riding anymore.” It was shocking at how fast Jake could give a sarcastic remark.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]When the Detective tried to peek, noticing what he thought were dozens of scars on the mans back, Rania moved in step to block him. That’s when Detective Eidos gave Evangeline and Rania his attention.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“And you must be the young woman that was seen helping him.”[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] Eidos remarked as he looked at Evangeline. “No one mentioned a Twi’lek.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Rania said nothing. She simply stared at the Detective.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Jake slid his pants on first, as best he could with one hand. With only his left hand, he clasped the button.He followed this up by sliding on his socks and the new boots Rania had brought him. When it came to the shirt, Jake motioned for Evangelines help. She slid the shirt over the cast arm first before bringing his head through and finally the other arm. As she tugged down on the clothing, Jake couldn’t help but appreciate her frame in tight little outfit.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Was he caught glancing at Evangeline? Who cared. The man liked what he saw; he couldn’t hide it. His skin flushed again. When he finally finished dressing, the man patted Rania on the shoulder. She went to sit back down with Evangeline.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Let’s start from the beginning. Can I get your names?” [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] Detective Eidos asked.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I’m Robert Talzin. That beauty right there is Aiza Talzin, my wife,” Jake said glancing at Evangeline, “that Twi’lek over there is my mother Dorris. We are celebrating our honeymoon before you arrived.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“You’re celebrating your honeymoon, in a run down motel, with your newly wed wife and your mother in the same room?”[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] Detective Eidos didn’t believe it. Yet the way Jake spoke; nothing in his tone, absolutely no trace of it, could be deciphered as a lie. This man was one hell of a liar. “And your arm?” Eidos asked.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“As I said. A bar fight. Someone looked at my wife the wrong way. I didn’t like it. They’re friends jumped in. I managed to hold them all off. Unfortunately a barstool cracked my elbow. Still kicked all their arses though.” Daniels replied. Years of experience had helped the man be able to pull stories out of thin air in a moments notice.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Uh huh.” [/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]The Detective said. He slowly began a walk around the room. His eyes noted the discarded the ice pack in the trash bin, the towels and linen strewn across the floor. He also spotted the freshly opened cast pack. Damn, this man was a good liar.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Jake walked back to Rania’s bag, grabbed the anti-inflammatories she had brought and sat at the small side table. He positioned himself at just the right angle that should this Detective prove to be a threat, Daniels would be at Evangelines side in a flash. He popped open the child proof top with his teeth, something that caused Rania to cringe. He set two pills on the table, crushed them with a slam of his hand. Rania rose and handed Jake a cup of water, where Daniels swept the meds in and stirred with his finger. Then he drank.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“That’s an interesting way of taking your medication. Addicts often do the same thing.”[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] Eidos remarked coming to stand in front of the rooms door again.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“It’s also how military people are taught to take meds. In a pinch, break the pill so the body absorbs it faster. In case you forgot,” Jake waved his arm, “I have a busted arm right here.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“You’re military?”[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] Eidos asked.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Oh crud. He was but he didn’t tell Evangeline that. Without losing a step Jake replied, “No but I have friends that are. With how often I break a bone they taught me their trick.” Ok that wasn’t a complete lie. His Men had taught him that trick.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Listen,”[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] Jake heard the Detective talk but a glimmer just down the ways from his room caught his attention, “lets pretend that you didn’t just lie to me.” Jake came to a stand. He knew that glimmer. Sunlight on glass. “She’s not your wife,”[/SIZE] Jake gave that comment a remark, though it was gut instinct. Not forced. No lie. Just natural.

[SIZE=9pt]“Not yet.” Jake said, all while he took several steps towards the Detective.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Rania’s eyes widened and she gave Evangeline a shocked looked. Even she didn’t expect that kind of a response from Jake. She mouthed with, ‘Not yet?’[/SIZE] She smiled. ‘Wow!’

[SIZE=9pt]Jake suddenly charged the Detective. The shot hat been fired. A beam of red energy punched into the back of the Detective whom had drawn his weapon on a charging Jake. In a fluidity that served as a revelation that there truly was more to Jake Daniels than he had initially let on, the Knight took the pistol from the hands of the falling Detective. Rania fell with him, checking for any signs of life. Jake knew there wasn’t.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Jake fired off two shots directly towards the gunmen, who ducked behind a speeder. Both shots missed their mark. A second shot came from the outside as the gunman prairie dogged, jumping up to fire, then heading back down.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“How many?”[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] Rania asked.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“One.” Jake replied. He checked the energy cartridge in the pistol. He had eleven, maybe twelve shots left.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“What’s the plan?[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]” Rania asked.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I cover. You and Evangeline go down the opposite way. Stay low. Move fast.[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]” Jake replied.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“We’re not leaving you.”[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] Rania protested. The golden rule they’d followed for five months; no one was left behind.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“I’ll be right behind you. Just go.” The emotionless arsehole tone that Jake had with the detective was now gone; in it’s place was that of the caring Jake that Evangeline had grown to know over the past night. “I promise. The moment you two are gone, I’m coming.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“Where are we going?”[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt] Rania asked.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]“My hotel. I have something there that will help us. You know where it is?” Jake replied. His lightsaber. The man needed to get to it. At this point he didn’t care of Evangeline knew. She was in danger. He was going to protect her.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Rania simply nodded. She knew what was there.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]Jake rested his head against the pistol. He closed his eyes. He paced his breathing. He was doing what he could to control the anger. If Evangeline was going to learn that he was Sith, it wasn’t going to be because his icy blues turned to a fiery hellish red. When he finally reopened them, with his nerves in check, Jake stepped outside the room and began firing towards to the gunmans location. The signal was there.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=9pt]It was time for the women to run.[/SIZE]

[member="Evangeline Cross"]​

 

[Evangeline Cross]

Evangeline might have breathed a sigh of relief when the sound of knuckles brusquely rapping against the door distracted from any further comments from Rania. The Twi’lek’s lusty suggestions had crawled underneath Evey’s skin, pitched a tent, and would probably camp out there for a while. The girl, though wise and strong, was still only nineteen. She was sensitive.

The humor within the tiny room extinguished as another knock sounded from outside. The fine hairs on the back of Evangeline’s neck prickled as she felt the energy around them tighten and tense. Jake looked at Rania, Rania looked at Jake. Evangeline glanced back and forth between them with dark, serious eyes. Like Jake, she was trained to be tactical in the face of the unknown, and she had already begun to strategize. She didn’t know how she would protect both the man and the Twi’lek without her lightsaber or without giving herself away. But she would sure as all try.

As Jake loped towards the entrance, Evangeline sat back down on the bed. Her small hands folded neatly in her lap, and she straightened her back to attention. She all but held her breath when Jake opened the door, that shiny sheet of steel slowly disappearing into the doorframe with a whoosh. Evangeline craned her neck to see who stood there, but Jake’s massive frame blocked all sight. She heard a voice.

“Good Morning. My name’s Detective Eidos.”

A detective? Not good.

Evangeline immediately began scanning the perimeter for escape routes other than the door. The window could work, she thought, but her attention snapped back to Jake the second he spoke.

‘I really don’t care,” He said coolly, not missing a beat. Evangeline’s brows furrowed. She did not recognize the tone that had overtaken Jake’s voice. His voice sounded rough, gravelly and sharp, the kind of voice that would sound at home in a seedy cantina, that could make an offhand joke after killing a man without second thought or hesitation. The kind of voice that younger men would follow into battle. It was frightening and thrilling, and Evangeline found that she did not dislike it. She and Rania exchanged a glance as Rania took a seat at her side.

“Several witnesses placed an injured man being helped away from the scene by a young woman. A family of three stated the injured man saved their son just minutes before the bomb went off. We checked with local hospitals and there was no one that matched the description of this man nor the woman with him. That was until the Inn Keeper here called us this morning when we put out a request to the public to report any suspicious activity. Can I see your other arm?”

“No.”

“Sir, I’m going to have to insist. Either you can answer my questions or I can get a search warrant while and thus making this a lot more sticky of a situation.”

Throughout this exchange, Evangeline had to concentrate on modulating her breathing, heartbeat on the rise as fight or flight settled in. She had calmed herself now as her sharp mind began to work. The more attention they got, the worse off they were—especially when that attention came from the authorities. She silently cursed their luck and the crusty old innkeeper who had brought this man to their door.

Evangeline’s thoughts were dashed away the second Jake let the linen drop. The fullness of her lips parted fractionally as her breath caught in her throat. She immediately averted her gaze, turning her cheek to him and staring hard at the floor. She had seen him, and he was beautiful.

There was no time for bashfulness, however. The detective was getting bolder. He and Jake exchanged a few more choice words before the detective stole a peek around Rania’s shoulder, his beady eyes coming to rest hungrily on Evangeline.

“And you must be the young woman that was seen helping him,” He said, pausing to slowly look her over before turning his attention to Rania.

Evangeline ignored him, sparing him only the stoniest of glances. Right now Jake needed her, and the detective was a mere annoyance in the way of her concentration. Evangeline had risen and met Jake in the middle of the room the moment he had beckoned for her to come. She stood small underneath him, the crown of her dark curls barely brushing past the middle of his chest, as her hands worked tenderly over his body to pull the shirt over his exposed skin and scars, standing on her tip toes to reach.

There. All done.

She looked up at him and was internally pleased to catch that he had been looking at her, too. Warmth flooded her body, and she suddenly felt very strange. It was not unpleasant.

The grating voice of the detective brought her back to earth.

“Let’s start from the beginning. Can I get your names?”

Jake was quick.

“I’m Robert Talzin. That beauty right there is Aiza Talzin, my wife,” He said smoothly. Evangeline’s heart did a somersault. She could not keep the ghost of a smile from illumining her lips. This was a game she would not be hard-pressed to play.

She watched calmly as her make-believe husband and the detective exchanged a round of verbal volleys. Her confidence in Jake was growing by the minute. She had never seen him in action before, and she liked what she saw. She appreciated people who thought quickly on their feet. Meant Jake would be able to keep up with her.

Evangeline paused at the way he ingested his meds, though. Any Jedi would have recognized the military way of doing things. It caught her off-guard, and when he explained it away to the detective, Evangeline herself wasn’t totally certain whether or not Jake was lying anymore.

Unfortunately, the detective seemed to share her sentiments.

“Listen,” He said, cocking an attitude. “Let’s pretend that you didn’t just lie to me. She’s not your wife.”

Evangeline glanced to Jake from where she was perched on the edge of the bed, and she could not quell the tidal wave of pride and emotion that swelled over her body from the inside out when all Jake replied was, “Not yet.”

Her eyes were full of quiet light as they shone upon Jake's leonine figure, watching him stalk forward, but any glimmer of a smile that she wore disappeared as quickly as it had come. A hideous foreboding had swept over Evangeline and replaced any vestige of the warm fuzzies. Every molecule in the energy field around them was screaming at her to beware. Something was coming.

Zing! Blaster fire!

A flash of red energy streaked across the threshold and burned a hole through the detective’s heart. Evangeline knew he was dead before he fell. She also knew more shots were coming.

There was no time to think or talk. While Jake and Rania discussed what they should do, Evangeline was already moving. Her lithe frame had moved and twisted its way up to the height of the window sill. She crouched there like a little cat and studied the outdated lock system. Within seconds, she overrode it and turned her attention back to her companions from her high perch, sunlight radiating in behind her from the open window.

“This way,” She interrupted, ignoring their startled expressions if they were in any way shocked that this seemingly delicate flower of a girl had muscled her way up so far on the wall unassisted. If Jake had questions later, she would cover up her skills by citing her farmer’s daughter upbringing and three older brothers. Jake wasn’t the only one who could weave a convincing tale.

“And toss me a blaster.” That was directed toward Rania. Evangeline wasn’t stupid. She knew the Twi’lek had more artillery on her than she revealed.

The Twi’lek obliged. Evangeline caught the blaster easily. She wasn’t a physically gifted fighter, but she was a smart one. Squeezing one eye for aim and lifting her arm, she let one shot rip from where she stood on the smooth window sill, gratified as the red streak of light whistled cleanly past the open space beside Jake and tore through the open door, meeting its target.

Dusky eyes fell on the man who had moments earlier played the role of her husband. She looked at him the same way she did at the café. No room for questioning. She wasn’t leaving without him by her side.

“Jake,” She coaxed, voice somehow both tender and commanding. “It's time to go.”

[member="Jake Daniels"]​