Phase 1 - Funds and Ship.

[Rekha Kaarde]

[SIZE=12pt]Rekha stood downstairs once again her life was turning but she was in a better place. But this thing she had to do, there was no putting it off it would nag her until her dying days if she did not.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]But. There was someone that she felt the over whelming need to explain things to but he was asleep right now the long day had once again drained away his energy. She had been sleeping in his cot for the last few weeks, she couldn’t bear being alone. He had said more than once there was a room there was a room, but each night she had managed to convince him to let her stay while he took the floor.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]But now she stood in the diner downstairs something else she had done since the first night get up, come down and stare out the windows. tonight she held a recorder. [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt][member="Dekkan Fray"], “[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]Sooo here I am its somewhere around 3 in the morning you probably noticed the dirty cup each morning but were too kind to ask me what I was doing. Or maybe you just had enough things in your own life happen that you were able to let me be so that I could think. A few days ago an old friend found me here[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]. “ Found, yeah that was about it he stumbled across her and how the frell that had happened she would never understand. Rianna would say it was the force, Arianna would say it was fate, what Rekha thought was it was destiny. Different words, same meanings.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“I’m still working for whatever HK has for me, but you remember that first night when we touched on love lives. There is someone in my past that I have to find he holds the keys to my heart Dekkan. And me being the fool that I am when opportunity comes up saying hey we can find him. Well, I have to look” look or die trying she thought.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]“I am in debt to you, but you have earned my lifelong friendship and loyalty, you need something, I’m here as fast as I can. I’ve grown quite fond of you, and a few more weeks here and” Rekha smiled, “use your imagine I’m sure you can figure that out”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Rekha picked up an old jar, “I’ve left the last of my tips for the girls, they were always sweet to me, and I hated knowing I was cutting into their income.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Rekha looked down, “I’m scared Dekkan, I don’t admit that to too many people” truth was she missed having someone like Rafe to talk to, someone older experienced and not afraid to tell her where it was at, and when she was being a screw up. “ I could be in for a worse stomping then when I showed up in the diner except this won’t be so much physical as emotional.” Her green eyes kept looking at some far off place. So many words she felt she needed to say to him.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“But Jon is my soul, my heart and yeah that’s a lot of romantic gibberish that I don’t usual say, but Jon is my ONE. I will be back, I owe you. Don’t change Dekkan, and man you deserve love as much as anyone else, stop putting up these walls.”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Greg had made the arrangements after withdrawing what funds he had to get them on a transport back to the one place she didn’t want to go. Coruscant. [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]She was waiting on the steps of the diner for [member="Gregory Gray"]. Destiny was feeling a bit bitter today.[/SIZE]

 

[Gregory Gray]

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]


Gregory arrived on time as was his habit. He saw Rekha waiting out front and tried to smile encouragingly but it felt forced even to him. He picked up her bag as the taxi speeder he had arranged pulled up and threw their carryalls in the back hatch; then climbed inside with her.

As the driver pulled away he turned to her and said, “I have an economy cabin booked on the Ferryboat Liner to Corellia. I’ve made alternate arrangements from there.”

From Abregado-Rae one had to circumnavigate the core to reach Coruscant and Corellia was actually nearer than their ultimate destination. This actually made it easier for Greg to make some of the arrangements he required for this endeavor to have any chance of success.

He gave Rekha a warning look glancing at the driver that let her know he would provide more information when curious ears weren’t present. Continuing in a safe vein, he added, “I think you’ll like the Ferry. They are relics, but, they hearken back to a day when space travel was a glamorous adventure for the rich and famous. It has observation decks, bars, nice restaurants, even a casino if you feel inclined to try your luck.”

Their next stop was the small shuttle that would carry them up to the space station orbiting Abregado-Rae that serviced larger vessels for which making landfall was untenable. A stewart showed them to their small cabin, which had bunk beds, a desk and holovision, and a small refresher compartment.

“I’m sorry we have to share a cabin. I can entertain myself in the lounge when you need privacy.”

Greg stowed their bags and looked the cabin over for surveillance devices. He didn’t expect any but you could never be too careful.

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

[member="Gregory Gray"]

"Thanks Greg, I might need some privacy like a descent shower, and clothes" She had been able to buy a few but she always felt like she needed something else. "This is great, we should be able to pass quite unnoticed through most of this." She shook her head and then looked at Greg, "Promise me something you won't do a bonehead thing that makes me want to smack you, ok?"

She walked a few steps ahead of him. She looked around the cabin, "this is great. Um..one bed. So we sleeping with a pillow between us Gregory?" She smirked at him. No it wasn't the first time they had been alone and they were going to be alone a lot. And she knew that each time she touched his arm he looked at her with puppy dog eyes. Sometimes she melted inside at them, and other times she wanted to smack him and say Snap out of it!

"How long before underway, and how many days Greg" She sat down and looked at him. She was needy at the moment, she needed a hug and words of encouragement, but she didn't want to hurt Greg. It would kill her to hurt him.

"I can find you a nice girl if you want Greg..." She tried to get him to laugh this time.

Then she felt the sadness creeping on her...phhhhh...she looked up, "Do we have a shot at this Greg, or...is it my pipe dreams?" He would answer her truthfully now.

 

[Gregory Gray]

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]


Greg realized Rekha was trying to put on a brave face and lighten the mood. He owed it to her to go along and offer his two bits.

“CORSEC SAIC’s NEVER have bone headed plans,” he told her emphatically. Then added in a teasing voice, “it’s just that sometimes expectations exceed execution.”

He walked over to their fake porthole, looked it over and shrugged in a why bother manner. “Well about those showers, if there’s ever a spot you can’t reach…” He left the implied offer implied; knowing fully she understood and also knew he was teasing her.

He started to ask her if she really knew any good girls when he saw the sad puppy look creeping back in. He shook his head in resignation and took her into his arms, giving her the hug she seemed to need.

During the embrace, he tried to answer her question. “I really don’t know, Rekha. It’s a big galaxy. We will work any leads we come across to their ends, but, consider what you should be expecting if we do find him. His body was pretty much destroyed in the explosion and, as far as I can tell, only the machines kept him alive. What will we find? Will he have any of that Burke intelligence left? Will he remember you? Now, next year or ever? Do you want to find him if he’s a vegetable and the family is hiding him away from everyone?”

He paused a moment to let those questions sink in before continuing. “It’s not too late to decide it’s not worth the price, Rekha. To answer your other question, we have a five day run to Corellia. You need to know by then or we are committed.”

He gave her a tighter squeeze and a kiss on the forehead before adding, “You know I’ll support you whichever you decide.”

He opened the door and was stepping outside when he added, “Hey, Sis, do whatever girly stuff you need to do and meet me in the lounge in 30 minutes. We can watch debarkation from the observation deck.”

To the confused look on her face he explained, “Calling you Sis makes it easier to hug you without getting a boner.” He quickly closed the door to avoid potential flying objects.

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

She was laughing now not at him but just how he was so so dramatic for a guy. "My showers, my word Greg you are a frisky guy today" She gave him a grin that told him I'm playing, and its been so long since I've been able to, gratitude for him finding her and helping shined from her eyes.

He was hugging her he seemed to always know when she needed one just by looking at her and for those few moments she clung to him desperate for contact, familiar trusting contact the kind that made her thoughts...

"I need him Greg, he's in my blood now and I don't know that I'll ever be right without knowing without seeing him, and" she turned her face into his shoulder, holding on to him now, "what if he doesnt' want me anymore? What if he's found someone else, and loves someone else, and....god Greg...I'll just die." Rekha was clinging to him she needed the comfort, she dropped her hands she knew it was unfair to him to do this, but she just didn't know what to do with all these emotions twisting inside of her, it was so much easier when things were turned off.

He pulled away and was headed for the door, when he chirped at her about boners she laughed and grabbed something to throw. Just as he closed the door and there she was alone. It was really quiet now.

It was dangerous for them to be alone like this as much as her heart belonged to Jon and how she longed for him every day she couldn't help it that when Greg hugged her she wanted to hold on longer. He wasn't Jon, but he was warm, loving, caring...Rekha fell back on the bed.

You're gonna die Kaarde that's all there is to it.

Rekha thought of something laying there that she could go back to her real name now if she wanted, with the charges cleared from Kelada it was very possible. But Kaarde was such a great name.

Rekha rolled over and looked to the bags that Greg had dropped. If he were Jon they'd have not left the cabin for five days.

What if Greg was right? She had come into this with rose colored glasses thinking everything will be fine you know he'll see me I'll see him and everything is back to where it was...but. What if it isn't...what if...she couldn't think about it anymore, she headed into the shower trying to let the heat of the water take away her cares, her fears.

When she was done, she dressed in one of the few things she had and headed up to oberservation, she looked around for Greg. There he was leaning, so relaxed so damn.......REKHA!!! she caught herself.

Gonna have to do something about that..."Hey, hotshot, got a drink/" She walked over to where Greg was standing, and then looked around. "So how many numbers have you collected while I've been gone?" She looked over in a side long glance.

[member="Gregory Gray"]

 

[Gregory Gray]

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]


Greg took a step or two away from the cabin and stopped; looking both ways to assure himself no one was coming or watching. He quickly adjusted his pants and sighed with relief. Perhaps he hadn’t called her ‘sis’ soon enough. And she was so damn warm!

Feeling he was now more presentable to the public, he walked on to the lounge and picked up one of the free rum punch boat drinks; quickly throwing away the umbrella before Rekha saw it and questioned his manhood. But then maybe she would understand. If they were going to drink on the house, she would have to get use to umbrellas herself.

He made a slow circuit of the massive lounge, sizing up the crowd and was amazed. It seemed what they said about these old Ferrys was true – it was most definitely a geriatric cruise liner. He felt out of place enough without some of the old ladies giving him looks that made his skin crawl and solved any problems he might still be having with his trousers.

He found a place to stand out of the way of others that were strolling and exploring the ship and leaned against the wall. He was relieved when he saw Rekha come into the room and waved at her to attract her attention.

“Numbers?” he asked her. “Look around, girl. You are the youngest woman in the room by at least 3 decades!” He looked around again himself and corrected, “Ok, make that 4.”

“And some of them look at me like I’m on the buffet. Glad you finally showed up to protect me. If you’ll notice, some of the old biddies look like they want to throw you out of an air lock. Course they could be afraid their husbands will be chasing your skirt all over the ship.”

He shook the ice in his glass sadly, empty. “Shall we grab a couple of drinks and head up to the observation deck?”

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

Rekha looked around, "Yes they are drooling aren't they" She arched a brow and nodded to several of them, "he's available for dancing tonight" She said to them as they passed grinning real big she turned back to him. "So a drink"

As if fate would have it a tray came by with glasses with little umbrella's, Rekha scooped up two, and handed Greg one so that his hands would not be empty, "You know why do they put umbrellas in drinks. They are paper so its not going to keep water out, they are tiny they don't cover the glass, and most times they are just tossed away, so..why do it?" Rekha contemplated the glass for a moment then unceremoniously plucked the umbrella from the glass and threw it.

They walked slowly up towards the observation deck, "you know Greg this isn't so bad, I'm sure we've both been on worse" She sighed lightly as she looped her arm into his so that he didn't have to worry about her getting lost. She wouldn't keep going on about Jon though he was first in her thoughts she could tell from looking at Greg that he looked pained every time she said something. Was it because he felt like he had failed her? She wasn't sure but she didn't want to cause him pain.

"Do you think we will ever grow this old" She looked at the others around them. She hoped to grow old one day, but she wasn't sure what that journey would be like.

[member="Gregory Gray"]

 

[Gregory Gray]

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]


“I don’t know, Rekha. I’d like to think so, but, something tells me our lives are a lot different than those of our shipmates.” Especially for him if he was going to continue traipsing across the galaxy whenever this woman wanted to find somebody, he thought to himself.

“Let’s grab a couple of forward recliners to get a good view of the show when we jump to hyperspace,” he suggested leading her in that direction. The ship was pulling away from the space station, accelerating out of the system to the first jump site as they found a two-seater and made themselves comfortable.

They were on their third or fourth drink when they reached the point clear of the system safe for the old ship to make the jump to hyperspace. To Greg, it felt like any other jump, but, watching it under the large plexiglass observation dome was a unique experience. “Wow,” was all he could say when everything blurred and turned into the familiar swirling kaleidoscope of colors. He put his arm around Rekha’s shoulders letting her curl up next to him and watched the galaxy flow by.

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

Rekha curled up into one of the observation chairs her eyes transfixed on the sky above her. One of the places she had always felt at home at ease here in the infinite space nothing could hold someone back there was nothing but gravity to worry about, and the occasional pirate or two. But then she knew a few pirates didn't she.

She could hear Greg next to her talking about something but her mind was not there her mind was looking up at the darkness that looked back at her. Green eyes reflected on the dome to stare at everyone there as if they were the intruders of her personal space.

"I need to find a way to one day get the Midnight Star back" she said to no one, more for herself to give her purpose and goals.

The little out of the way places she had been her whole life until she had arrived on Coruscant and once again had a mentor to help her out, and look what she had done to that dream. It lay in ruin.

She could feel that building up of the ships engines the gentle thrumming sound that started deep in the bowels of the ship and radiated upwards till only the very sensitive could feel it.

She glanced over at Greg, he seemed as lost in the vista before them as she was, and they had five days on here. "So in my new fancy duds that you brought along for me, is there a swim suit cause I haven't swam in months"

She thought about [member="Dekkan Fray"] just then and what he said about the people of Coruscant being rather spoiled. If her worry at this moment was swimming then she would have to admit to being someone that was spoiled. But was she someone that forget about others, she hoped not.

She sighed and went back to watching holding her breath it was there she could feel it it seemed to start at the center of her being and slowly coalesced outwards she felt her breathing pick up, "oh god" she could feel herself rising up to look to the sky and then the brilliant lines streaked past, "Ohhhh!" She crashed back smiling, "I have missed that" then she curled up next to Greg. He was her protector at the moment.


Realizing what this could look like she pulled back staring at him. "Your a devil Gregory" she inched back to her side.
[member="Gregory Gray"]

 

[Gregory Gray]

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]


Greg really hadn’t thought about whether or not Rekha should curl up next to him. It just seemed appropriate at the time and felt damn good… as long as it lasted. For her to react that way, maybe she was more tempted by him than she wanted him to know. An interesting thought, but, one that would lead nowhere. As much as he’d like to rip her clothes off and have her there on the observation deck; he would only do anything like that if she was his emotionally as well as physically and that seemed like a lost cause.

“I didn’t pack a swimming suit. I just didn’t think we would need one. I’m sure I can buy one in the ship’s store.” He glanced up and down quite obviously and asked, “and what size would that be?”

A stewardess passed by, offering another round of drinks which were gratefully accepted. She gave Greg an extra warm smile as she handed him his drink and remarked that she’d be back by again if they needed anything else. She was blonde, about 5’5 and stacked. Greg whispered to Rekha after she left, “Sis, if you’re going to pimp me out to anybody please let it be her instead of great-granny back there.”

He drank most of the drink in one long pull, sighed contentedly, and lowered the back of his recliner a couple of notches helping him assume the position those several drinks were leading him to. Sad fact of the matter, the drinks and that little warm contact with Rekha were having an effect on him. Maybe after he put sis to bed he would look for the little blonde and… promptly started snoring.

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

[member="Gregory Gray"]

"I haven't been able to do anything that felt normal. Can we splurge on one Greg, please I'll pay you back for it promise." She did something she hesitated on for she didn't want him hurt she reached over and touched his arm. "It would mean a lot to me to begin to feel like me again" Her words were emotion filled the green in her eyes flashed a brilliant emerald for a moment.

Rekha saw the stewardess come by giving Greg that little come look me up smile. Rekha found herself arching a brow as the woman walked away, "Sis huh," Rekha looked after the blonde, "Didn't realize you liked the bimbo look Greg." Rekha glared after the woman. Rekha leaned back again thinking about the woman. Was that what he really wanted, she looked again in the direction the blonde went.

She wanted another drink, she motioned for a couple of more. Grabbing the little paper umbrella that really had no purpose she threw it to the floor and began in slurp down the drink, it was cold, sweet and after three more she was numb.

She was staring at the sky, well what could be the sky. "You know Gregory" she said his name with a hard G. "If I had not met Jon, I probably would not have met you. BUT. If I had met you first..." She turned her head to look at him, "things would probably be different." She took a deep breath, the kind that drunks take when they are trying not to be emotional.

"I would curl your toes" She laughed, "you'd never ever forget me. course...I will never ever forget you, or the way you look without your shirt, or the way your eyes crinkle when you smile..." She snuggled down this time by Greg. She looked up, "Forgive me of all my bad habits" She kissed his cheek, then his chin. And stopped looking him in the eye, "I think I feel sick"

 

[Gregory Gray]

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]


“Bimbos are people, too, Sis,” Greg responded to Rekha’s taunt about liking the Bimbo look. He was amused at her reaction to his seeming interest in the waitress. Was Rekha the jealous type? That could be some fun information to have.

“We can each get a swimming suit if you want, Rekha. We have five days to kill and we might as well enjoy the time. So… do you want me to pick out your suit?” he offered innocently, all the while imagining five days of watching Rekha strut around the pool in a minimalist suit of his choosing.

Greg’s eyes followed the waitress as she circulated admiring how certain parts of her bounced as she moved along. His attention was brought sharply back to Rekha when she said how things may have been different had they met first. A kiss to the cheek and chin seemed promising – bad habits he was enjoying – then she turned green.

“Yeah, these overly sweet rum drinks will do that to you.” He fished a wedge of lemon out of his glass and handed it to her. “Bite into this and see if it helps.” So much for enjoying those bad habits of hers.

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

Sheepishly she took the lemon putting it to her lips she quickly bit into it feeling the tart taste fill her mouth. She sat there a bit watching Greg watch her, and then the bimbo, she took the lemon away, "If you're gonna bed the bimbo just go do it and get it over with." Rekha got up putting her arms out for balance, she quickly stuck the lemon back in her mouth.

She didn't need to watch him flaunt his attentions all over the bimbo besides what the frak should she care for. She had definitely drank too many too fast but why was she upset, was she truly upset with Greg, or was she upset at thinking that Jon could be doing the same things. She shook her head, she didn't know geez five days on this boat..she was gonna die she knew it.

She was headed for the railing the lemon was helping and not helping. She had forgotten to tell him yes she wanted a suit, and now he wasn't going to pick it out, lord knows what he would pick out. She laughed as she stood there holding onto the railing now looking at the streaks of light going past, which were not helping her stomach. And she had just left him there.

What the frak was wrong with her.

[member="Gregory Gray"]

 

[Gregory Gray]

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]


Greg watched Rekha with equal parts amusement and concern. Boy, she really didn’t like the idea of him entertaining himself with the little waitress, and, she seemed to be an angry drunk. Or maybe that was just the way she tried to conceal her emotions. He did think that if she stood there and watched the panorama of hyperspace much longer that she would be very sick.

He stood and followed her to the front of the observation deck. He put a steadying hand on her shoulder and offered, “Let me help you back to the stateroom, Rekha.” Seeing how wobbly she was he amended, “On second thought, I should just carry you back.”

He scooped her up in his arms; one under her back and one under her knees with her head resting on his shoulder. He carried her back to their shared room and as he was laying her down on her bunk whispered to her, “You’re going to be all right, Rekha. I’ll take care of you.” After a short pause he added even more softly, “I’ll always take care of you.” He kissed her lightly on her cheek, covered her with a blanket, and slipped away quietly.

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

He thought he had been quick enough but she in the fog of her mind was quicker she reached out grabbing the edge of his shirt. "Don't go" it wasn't that she wanted sex she wanted companionship. Her fears were escalating all the what ifs in the galaxy she could see happening and she hated being afraid. She hated being afraid alone worse.

She tugged on his shirt again. "You shouldn't care" her words slurred, "I'm bad news, look at all the horrible crap that my Jon has gone through." She reached up with her free hand to rub her face, "I never deserved him. He always deserved better than me. I told him so"

The alcohol was an enemy and a friend. It could release her inhibitions loosening her tongue but it also amplified her fear. "Aiden too. Look what I did to him" she rubbed her eyes now trying not to cry, "no wonder he's forgotten me, you should to" she let loose the edge of his shirt.

"Bimbo would probably be a better choice anyhow" She just knew in that moment she would always be alone. That life was for those who earned it. Deserved it. Not for bar maids, or waitresses. Successful honest people loved and married the same like old stand by Camilla what's her face. God she wanted to crawl away and die.

She rolled over pulling her knees into her chest "I'm so stupid" she mumbled. "A nobody." A sad drunk she had always been. She hated herself for being so weak for loving so much and hurting those she loved.

She looked back, "I don't want to be alone Greg, please. Stay. " the words were nearly strangled as she said them. Inside she would know why he would leave. She couldn't stand the thoughts ravaging her mind. The alcohol would wear off and all the reasons she faulted herself would once again be pushed to the dark.

[member="Gregory Gray"]

 

[Gregory Gray]

[member="Rekha Kaarde"]


Greg was surprised to find himself pulled back to Rekha. He put his hand on her shoulder as he listened to her self-deprecation, reproach and recrimination.

“Aww, Rekha…” he said softly. “You’re a person that’s really very hard to forget.”

He lay down behind her and put an arm over her, finding and holding her hand while giving her a little squeeze to assure he was right there sharing the physical connection of spooning.

He gave her a kiss on the back of her neck and continued; “Now you relax. I won’t go anywhere. Sleep off that cheap rum and when we wake up in the morning I’ll take you to the pool and show you off to the old geezers.”

He trying to relax her by teasing but he never budged. He wouldn’t leave until she told him to go.

 

[Rekha Kaarde]

She snuggled into the blanket her speech still all slurred, "nnoosss nnoot" She didn't know which thing he had said that she was refuting. She understood that he said he wasn't going anywhere.

"tanks Greg" she closed her eyes and then in a small little voice much like a child, "i hate rum" She drifted to sleep. In her sleep where she no longer could control what thoughts entered her dreams she began to twitch. The bombs on Coruscant were coming after her, she could feel herself sliding down the wall in her bedroom covering her ears. Shaking her head her head shook as she slept.

Then she had to get up and run, run down the stairs she only has her pajamas and her ewok slippers on, the sound is getting louder the high whine what was it, and then as she got to the main floor of the Lucky Lady the windows blew in knocking her back onto the floor, then Rekha cried out. She opened her eyes panting damn dreams she thought..oh god its a dream its a dream...breath breath...dammit. She had hoped being with Greg would have given her enough security that the dreams wouldn't come. She had suffered from them for weeks now.

She could still feel Greg there, it was ok. They were on the ferry heading to Corellia. It was ok..it would be ok.

[member="Gregory Gray"]