Rude Awakening [Nallia]

[Syravari Elik]

Noticing her tense in his arms, he chuckled. "You're catching on quick. Too bad you're not free to run either business, but we'll have to find someone that can run at least one. I met a girl named Molly that's up for running the brothel, so think she'll be great for that end. And she doesn't take any shit, knows most of the gang leaders and key people in the area. Kind of perfect for the job, really." He thought about the first time he and Molly had met and knew she was a tough one, though very dependable when it came to money. "Have to at least try her out in the spot of madame anyway. For the casino, that's going to take some time to find the right person that I can trust. Never been to Cloud City before. I'd even bring someone in from home if I thought I could, but don't think that's an option. They're all too busy pirating like us. Few of them would be able to sit in one port long enough." Though he could definitely think of several that knew gambling well enough to fit.

Sighing, he relaxed more and let their time together be the focus instead. "What do you think of the crew so far?"

[Nallia Oberon]

Nallia let out the breath she was holding. She had feared his anger at her butting in once more. As he mentioned her staying behind, she was glad it was in the context that it wasn't going to be possible. She had a moment of thought that he would send her there to wait out while he went on jobs he worried she wouldn't do well on. She was gratified she was wrong.

"I am sure whoever you choose will be great. I can't see you picking someone just because they can mix a drink or smile at a woman." She laughed and relaxed against him once more. Being in his arms was a nice way to relax, despite the fact it was going to be another short time.

She ran her hand absently back and forth over his chest. "I like them. The girls are great. Already told me I'm to go shopping when we are done with this deal." She laughed because she remembered that shopping was something he believed she should do more often, himself. "And I promised I would let Bethany help me pick out something other than more t-shirts and denims." She couldn't imagine herself in anything else but her leggings and one-size-too-big shirts. She wasn't sure what he would think of her in anything else, either. The last thing she wanted him to see her as was overly done like a harlot. "Apparently make up is supposed to accompany the shopping list as well. We compromised in that I agreed to eye coloring and lip stain. But the rest, I don't see a need for. Do you?" She was asking almost rhetorically. She couldn't imagine coming into the dining room with makeup and a dress on and everyone going gaga over it. Every time she pictured herself like that, they were all laughing at her. It wasn't a pleasant thought.

[Syravari Elik]

He began imagining her in other clothes and though he loved her simpler style, she would look amazing in a more elegant dress whenever they did visit a nicer club or restaurant. "You don't need any makeup," he mused aloud as she rested against him. "It's nice during certain events, but not much. Mom used to say less is more when it came to that. She pushed that thought on her girls too."

He yawned and did his best to not fall asleep here in the tub, though being this comfortable it was becoming harder. "Probably should dry off here shortly and get to bed," he grinned. "Hate to drown in my own tub," he chuckled.

[Nallia Oberon]

Nallia laughed thinking of her and Syra discussing makeup. It seemed odd yet normal, somehow. She wasn't exactly sure why or how, but there was a comfort settling between them that she wasn't sure how to handle. Closing her eyes, she smiled. “I can't imagine finding myself at such obscure events.” She mused. “But I will still get the lip and eye stains. Will make for interesting lessons with Bethany if nothing else.”

When he mentioned possibly drowning in his tub, she shifted to sit up beside him and laughed. “And I think we are shriveling up, too.” She held a hand up to show the pads of her fingers all pruned from the prolonged water exposure. Leaning over and kissing him, she then stepped from the tub, dripping wet reached for a large bath sheet and wrapped it around her before smiling to hand him one. “I'll go warm up the bedroom.” She winked and moved out of the room.

Once in the bedroom, she adjusted the heat and turned down the covers. Drying off, she sat on the edge of the bed and started brushing her hair. Her long bare back was to the bathroom door and she was absently humming a tune she had heard at dinner in the other room that night from the entertainment music Syra often played.

[Syravari Elik]

Letting the water drain from the tub, he pushed himself up and stepped out from the tub. Drying off while standing on the large throw rug, his eyes followed her from the bathroom and at moments while she crossed the doorway. Moving to the sink, he combed his short hair and then moved toward the entry to the master bedroom, hitting a switch which turned out the many candles situated around the room. Listening to the familiar tune now being hummed, he felt his adrenaline rush again as she sat there brushing out her long, brown hair. Moving around to the opposite side of the bed, he slid under the covers and continued watching her. Though he had never been truly in love with anyone before, it was becoming painfully obvious that this feeling was a great indicator. The only down side to all this would be that Nallia's life could be in danger should one of his enemies find out about the Grosetto's chef. Measures were going to have to be taken to ensure that never happened.

Grinning at her as she finished brushing her hair and soon finished, he raised the comforter and sheet as an invitation and then settled in with her, laying on his side as he wrapped his arms around her. Kissing her one last time, passionately, Syravari left his eyes closed as he drifted off to sleep.

[Nallia Oberon]

Laying against his side, Nallia tilted her head to kiss his neck and snuggled back into his arms. Fitting there seemed natural now. She couldn't have imagined in a million galaxies that she would have trusted a man like Syravari, much less come to care for him this much. She did know that she would have to treat lightly. If she distracted him, became a liability, or began to get underfoot, she would have to see it and leave... she knew it was never going to come from him.

**
The middle of the night, her sleep broken every couple hours worrying she was oversleeping, she managed to rise and have trouble falling back asleep. Slipping from his loose embrace, she got dressed in boots and jeans, and her tshirt. She had a jacket hanging in the hall before the cargo bay if she needed it. Her knife went to her boot and her hair up in a ponytail. She went to the kitchen to start the coffee and get things ready for breakfast.

Once the hot stim drink was done, she headed for the cockpit to bring the pilot a bit of early refreshment. She also brought him some toast on a plate with a couple different scoops of jam and butter. "Morning... I hope everything is going all right." She mentioned, taking a moment to look out the front of the ship into the stars. She had often looked out at similar scenes, but on the ship, moving, it seemed so different. Like watching a perpetual star shower.

She had a few moments before the others woke. Deciding to keep a hold of her bold streak, she moved to sit in the co-pilot chair, she pulled her heels up on the seat and wrapped her arms around her legs. "Is everything going ok? I mean, nothing seriously wrong last night?" She wasn't sure why she was asking. After all, it wasn't like there was anything she could do besides wake Syra if there had been. And surely if it was that severe, chances are they would have been interrupted last night.

"Thanks," the pilot said and took the drink, setting the small tray on the jump seat behind him. "Nah, everything is fine," he added after glancing sideways at her. She had never asked before and he was hesitant to say anything. So the best idea, just shrug. "I'll be buzzing the boss shortly. But no worries." He winked and went back to sipping his stim drink. If she wanted to sit here in silence, who was he to stop her?

Realizing there was someone else who hadn't gotten stimcaf, Nallia murmured a good bye and headed back to the kitchen. Fixing one more cup, she set off towards the cargo hold. Everyone was still sleeping, the guard would need something to refresh them, whoever it was, and she wasn't going to ignore him.

As she came to the end of the walk, and glanced down into the hold, a smile lit her face. "Someone order some stimcaf?" She called to the man she saw sitting on a crate sharpening his knife. Brannoc looked up and saw her and the smile that lit his face made her smile brighter.

"Morning, little minx. What are you doing out here?" He set the knife down on the crate and hopped off to take the steps two at a time. "You shouldn't be in here, you know?" His eyebrow rose in mock reprimand.

"I am not in the cargo hold. Technically I am in the hallway outside the cargo hold." She knew she was picking, but she needed to know she could walk down here and not crumble under the thought of the 'cargo' in the other room just down to her right. There was silence in there so she assumed they, like the others on the ship, were still sleeping. "I couldn't sleep. So I made coffee. Thought you may want some." She held out the offered cup and tried to look innocent.

Brannoc took it and smiled. "You are gonna have the boss killing us both. You know that, don't you?" He laughed but leaned on the wall, clearly not planning on inviting her past the point she had already come.

[Syravari Elik]

Eyes fluttered open and Syravari stretched, then lay on his back as he sighed. The master bedroom completely quiet, it took a moment to focus in on the fact that he was alone. So that's what that felt like, he mused. Typically he was the one escaping the room early, but it seemed that he had been over tired after all. Pushing himself up, he noticed that her side of the bed was nearly made which meant for some reason she couldn't sleep. Glancing to the chronometer at the bedside table, they had only an hour before they arrived on Cloud City which quickly put the pirate back into business mode.

Getting dressed, he then let the droids tend to the room as he headed for downstairs for the kitchen. Hearing the girls within, he pushed the door open to see only the regular three. "Hey," he greeted and moved to the bowl of fruit on the center island.

"Morning, boss," Bethany returned, handing him a cup of stimcaf. "Sleep well?"

Nodding, he took the cup and a piece of fruit. "Yeah. Seen Nallia?"

"Think she's touring the ship, delivering caf to Tomas and the others," Sabrina informed. "Been up a while though."

"Hmm," he ate and turned from them, taking his quick breakfast with him as he continued up to the bridge. His mind racing again through the various things that would have to be offered to Customs and bribes paid, he soon arrived at the bridge to see Tomas preparing for their exit from hyperspace.

"Hey Cap," the pilot greeted distractedly as his copilot joined them and soon claimed his own seat. Tapping the intercom button, "Crew, two minutes out."

Everyone knew what that meant as Syravari continued sipping his caf and waited.

[Nallia Oberon]

Nallia was laughing with Brannoc a moment before heading back to the kitchen when the two minute warning went up. Realizing she was and the others needed to get to work, she took Brannoc's coffee as he headed back into the hold and she high tailed it back to the kitchen. Seeing the ladies there, she nodded and blushed at the laughs and snickers. But then it was all business once more.

She was told they weren't making breakfast this morning, but they weren't to leave the kitchen till Syra gave the all clear, either. Nallia guess that had it not been for her, the other ladies wouldn't be locked behind the kitchen doors with only the dining room to escape to. That room was locked to the hallway as well. With the two rooms, the women could maneuver and relax without risk of being attacked or cornered if the 'cargo' decided to run amuck.

Nallia was sitting in the dining room with Bethany, the other two were in the kitchen tidying up with the prospect of relaxing in Cloud City for a bit before heading out again. The ship had landed about fifteen minutes prior and Bethany had told the girls it would probably take an hour or so to get all the cargo off. As they sat at the table nibbling breakfast for themselves, Nallia watched Bethany watch her and finally she shook her head and smiled. "What is it? Did I grow a second head or something?" There was a hint of teasing in her voice, but underlying it, and much stronger, were worry and fear.

Before the poor girl could panic even more, Bethany shook her head and smiled patting her hand. "No, nothing is wrong. And no you haven't grown two heads. But I see what is happening between you and the boss and I worry for you both. This is the first time he didn't spend the whole night pacing the floors like he was the only one capable of standing watching, with cargo this precious in the hold. Don't spin his head, Nallia. We love you, you know we do. But if he loses that edge because of you, bad things could happen to not just him but the rest of us as well. Just please be careful." Without another word the woman rose and headed into the kitchen.

Nallia ground her jaw trying to fight back the tears. The crew was happy for her and Syra, they had all said so. But now, because he chose to sleep instead of pace for two days, she was maybe not such a good thing.

Without thinking, Nallia silently unlocked the passageway door and closed it behind her. She decided perhaps being in her own room was safer for everyone. Not the one she shared with Syra, but her own bunk room. She hadn't moved all her things out yet, so it wasn't like she was moving out on Syravari, but she didn't want to be around anyone right now and her room seemed the safest and best bet. Rounding the corner she headed for the hall where her bunk room was. She wasn't paying any attention to the hall or anything around her.

[Syravari Elik]

Strolling from the open ramp to the stained tarmac, lit by encircling luma lamps within the flooring, Syravari glanced toward the distant entry to the hangar, passed the squat refueling stations. The air smelling of tabanna, oil and burned in grease, he was becoming used to this atmosphere and wondered if he could ever survive anywhere else. Nallia had changed many things in his life and though he hadn't said the 'L' word yet, it wasn't too far distant. Steel-blue eyes turned to the open cargo door and he noticed Brannoc glancing over the regular cargo as if tallying what was to be dropped off and which crates to be kept. He and the others working with him had become experts at this life, he mused.

"Cargo and manifest," the Port Authority official called out as the hard soled footsteps approached.

Turning, Syravari handed the uniformed man the flimsiplast credentials and waited.

Perusing the information, the dark haired human glanced to him and then back. "Says here you're a private freight company. Not contracted to anyone right now?"

"No."

Nodding, he continued his scrutiny. "I'll need to tour the ship."

Stepping aside, Syravari swept his right arm wide toward the ramp, then followed the man aboard and knew at some point in the visit he was going to have to pay this man for some supposed infraction. Money was always exchanged this way for a host of reasons, one of those being that the official was a Black Sun employee looking for other avenues for more. Just like everyone else, it seemed.

Through many ornately decorated rooms they moved until reaching the main hallway which would soon lead them to the cargo bays. "Seems you've come by some money," the man stated, turning to Syravari. "Inherited?"

"Earned."

"Ah," he nodded, then turned and continued toward the facing doors which would lead them to either cargo bay. "Well, you've done well for yourself. And with a large crew as well, which can't be cheap." Stopping at the port side cargo door, he turned to it and reached for the access button. "Hope I don't find anyone aboard here that's got a warrant on them. That would be unfortunate."

"You've got their ident cards there."

"I do," he continued and began his descent into the small sea of crates and barrels. "Just hate to have you lose any profit on this run because someone didn't get their past taken care of." Brown eyes scanned the contents of medium grey as they walked among the well organized items. "Be amazed how often I have to surprise someone with the past of a crewmember that the captain thought he knew well enough. Happens all the time."

"If you don't have anyone on my crew that's got a problem, then just get this over with. I have a lot to do today."

Grinning wryly, the official knew he was getting beneath Syravari's skin already. "And this cargo, where'd you come by it?"

"Everything's on the manifest." Read it, dumbass.

As they talked, Brannoc and Tomas joined them and both had impatient looks on their faces, glancing between their captain and the intrusive inspector. Soon, their tour emerged back out in the hangar and the official handed the manifest and other forms back.

Taking them, Syravari hoped that this was it and he could move on to more important things. "We done?"

Nodding, the official turned to leave. "Everything's been taken care of. Have a nice day."

About damn time. Heading back into the ship's starboard cargo bay, he heard the approach of a cargo skiff and turned to recognize Tanner and his men aboard it, dressed as loaders. Time to get to business, he mused.

"Anything about that inspector's visit seem odd to you," Brannoc asked as the skiff's approaching engines grew louder.

"Yeah, but until I know why not going to worry about it."

Nodding, the trusted lieutenant let it go. "Copy that."

"Well, well, well," Tanner grinned and dropped down to the tarmac. "Great to see you, my friend." Green eyes motioned to the cargo's door which was now folded out to be a floor. "Permission to come aboard?"

Motioning with his head, Syravari glanced to the men and possible weapons which he noticed several with shoulder holstered pistols. "Just you for now, then they can help you escort the cargo out."

"Not a problem," he replied and followed to the hidden compartment. "How many did you get?"

"Twenty." Touching the button, he held out the stun baton in his right hand as the door opened to reveal the Oku now all eyeing them in fear.

"Oooh," Tanner smiled as he stepped in and perused the merchandise. "You've done it," he laughed. "Never thought I'd see one of them, but here they are."

"Twenty a head. They're healthy, medical droid's report is here as well."

"Don't doubt you," Tanner said as he crouched and eyed several of the larger males, their muscle tone lean and agile. "I have several buyers already eager to get theirs," he stood again and nodded. Backing out, the low grunts and whimpers from the slaves unnerved no one. Reaching out his right hand as he returned to the door. "Deal."

[Nallia Oberon]

Nallia had been in her room when the pacing got to be too much. She wasn't a child, or a fragile woman of pleasure to be coddled in packing webbing and protected from every little bump and scrape. If she was going to be Syra's lady, or at the very least, a member of the crew, she needed to show her spine.

Slipping on a clean pair of tight black leggings, her boots slipped back on with knife tucked discretely out of sight, she donned her tshirt and a button up over the top of it. It didn't occur to her that the over shirt was one of her boss's. She pulled her hair back in a pony tail and, after palming her door shut, headed for the cargo bay. She reached the top of the rails and saw Syra and another man head for the cargo room under the ramp she stood over. The secret compartment was one she was aware of, but had never seen anything in before. Syravari had showed it to her before his disappearance when he was showing her around the ship.

Brannoc glanced up as the she appeared on the railing. Syra had passed beneath her already and apparently hadn't seen her. As Tanner glanced over the prisoners, Brannoc came up behind his boss and whispered so Tanner wouldn't hear, being so close to the whimpering aliens. "Just to let you know, a certain little nexu is peering over the railing. She hasn't come down, doubt she will, but thought you should know." He then stepped back to guard the door and his boss' back as Tanner came back to them.

[Syravari Elik]

Nodding to Brannoc's warning, Syravari kept Tanner and his men in his sights first and foremost, hoping that none of them decided to take the cargo instead of paying for it which wouldn't end well for the intruders. Glancing to the brunette on the stair, Tanner smiled as he addressed the pirate captain. "You certainly have an amazing talent for finding attractive help," his brown eyes then fell back to Syravari. "I take it she's not for sale?"

Head canted lightly to the left as his stone cold expression remained. "Twenty a head for them in the room, no one else. Got it?"

Right hand raised defensively, "Understood. Had to ask." Turning to his men awaiting his command on the skiff, he motioned to them. "Have yours unlock them and I'll get this all taken care of."

"Not seeing any money yet."

Reaching into his jacket pocket, Tanner produced a credstick which Syravari immediately evaluated for the correct amount, then nodded. Taking it, he backed as Brannoc and the men began unlocking the Oku and soon watched over Tanner's men who then escorted the white furred aliens from the ship. Moving back to the base of the stair, Syravari handed Nallia the credstick. "Go ahead and put that in the account, then we'll get everyone paid."

[Nallia Oberon]

Nallia felt the man's gaze up at her crawl over her skin leaving behind a feeling she had no desire to explore further. She grit her teeth to keep from rubbing her arms as if to wipe him away. A breath of relief slipped past her lips as she heard Syra cut him off quick with his wish for more than the cargo. She squared her shoulders as the men finished talking and Syra approached her with the credstick. Not wanting to give the other men any cause to make trouble, she merely nodded. "Yes, Sir." She let her finger absently brush his as she took the stick and moved away. Thankfully it was small enough that the gesture wasn't obvious.

Moving to the office, she had the nagging suspicion the order had been given to get her away from the prying eyes of the others as they offloaded the cargo.

**

It was sitting at his desk, her mind working over numbers as she looked over the books, that he would find her when he came in. She had remembered he had said there was a balance for her to draw from from before she had been left on Drifter's. For the first time, just out of curiosity, she chose to look at that balance and her open shock was evident on her face. Surely it was a mistake. The balance, even before this trip was split up, was more than she could have imagined owning in a whole lifetime, much less merely as pocket change. Her hand was on her mouth to keep the gasp of surprise from leaking into the hallway as her eyes shone on the edge of tears. Surely it was a mistake...

[Syravari Elik]

Shaking Syravari's hand, Tanner smiled as the last of the Oku were loaded aboard his skiff. "Pleasure doing business. Looking forward to seeing what else you can get me."

"Need anything in particular?"

"Nah," he shook his head and took a step away, retrieving his hand. "Surprise me."

Steel-blue eyes turned toward the personnel skiff as he nodded. "Alright, see what I can do." Backing as well, he let Tanner leave his ship, then reached up and tapped the button to close the open cargo ramp and as the servo motors whined in protest, he moved to the stair as Brannoc and the others joined him. "Have the droids clean that room, then we'll take some down time here for a few days. Have some business to attend to."

"Sounds good," Tomas replied.

Brannoc cleared his throat, "One of those shit himself quite a lot, so sanitizing this whole cargo bay's probably going to be a good idea."

Nodding, Syravari knew the droids would handle the dirtier part of this job, so left it to them as he made his way toward his office. Entering, he saw Nallia's face as she sat in his chair and smiled at her as he moved to the whetbar. Mixing himself a drink, he made her one as well and carried them to his desk, setting hers on the black leather mat. "What's wrong," he asked, then took a sip.

[Nallia Oberon]

Nallia bit her lip and dropped her hand as Syra entered. Seeing him pour the drink, she moved out of his chair and reached for the one he poured her. Taking a rather long slow draw from it, she coughed and looked at him shaking her head. "I think there is a mistake, Syra. There is a huge balance in my account. I know I didn't have that much when I came here. The credstick I gave you from my tips on the station were barely a 10th of that. How in the all the stars..." she still had trouble wrapping her head around it. "Where did it come from? I mean, I think it's an error we need to fix before you dole out the others' credits for this job."

Since she hadn't been part of the loading, or feeding or anything else, it was more or less settled in her head that her cut this time, if she got one, wasn't going to be much. After all, she merely did as she always did, fixing meals for the crew. "I mean, I didn't look at the balance before you left, so I am thinking maybe when you were gone, extra money was moved. I just don't want you to think I moved it and I am sure I can't think of who would." She took another long swig and realized as she coughed hard once more that the two fingers of amber liquid were gone. She set the glass down on the bar and moved to stand by the couch. Her look back up at him was one of utmost concern. He had asked her to look over the books and she had. Everything had seemed ok, but then this... this made her wonder what other slips she may not be aware of. Not wanting to accuse anyone, she quickly added, "I mean, I am sure it was a slip up by whoever was or is doing your books till now. I highly doubt anyone would seriously want to steal from you, much less give it to me on purpose."

The only thing that went through her mind was someone was possibly framing her. But no one on the ship fit that description. Was there someone else, doing the books, who was onboard perhaps when searching for Syra, who may have done it to hide money till they could reach it? Whatever it was, she wanted Syra to know right away. He needed this money for his venture.

[Syravari Elik]

Taking his sip, he lowered the glass and then laughed at her surprise. "You've been part of this crew now for several months, so that's all yours." Watching her concerned face was priceless as he knew she had never seen this kind of money being an indentured servant to a dirtbag. "No one would ever do this behind my back, you and I are the only ones with the passcodes for this account." His brow raised to accentuate his point, then he downed the rest of his drink. Sitting, he placed the empty glass on the desk and then tabbed over another page to the payroll. "Here's everyone's salary," he began, then pointed to hers as the head chef and accountant. "That's your monthly salary."

Fifty thousand a year was a lot of money for most anyone aboard a yacht that also pirated and slaved, but his business had been very lucrative for a very long time.

Sniffing, he sat back, hands upon the ends of the arms of the chair. "You ever decide you've had enough of this life, your money goes with you and I'll help set you up wherever you want," giving her the option of leaving at any point, he now also tested her resolve of remaining with them. Now was that moment in their relationship where he discovered whether she was in this for the long haul or just another ship passing in the night.

[Nallia Oberon]

She couldn't believe it. It wasn't a mistake. She was... well she was rich. But somehow even that word seemed to pale with the idea of the immense amount of credit she had. When he pointed to the others, she shook her head. They all had incredible balances. Most were larger than hers, but she guessed longevity was part of that. She leaned on the desk, her knees brushing his as he sat at his chair. "I didn't know. I figured you needed the money for the new place. I don't have a need for all that Syra. You can take what you need and want to get the business going." She didn't want him doing something he didn't want to because he was short money while she had no clue how to spend even the generous monthly salary in a whole lifetime.

Her bottom lip slid between her teeth as he leaned back and offered to let her go. "Do you want me to go?" Her body froze like a prey sensing a predator. Few people could find a true stillness. They moved, constantly, even when at rest. Syra was like that. But he was a predator. Even at rest, sitting there in his chair watching her, she could sense the coiled creature in him. It wasn't something she feared, rather she felt protected and wanted. But she knew, no matter how hard she tried, she wouldn't be like him. She would have that utter stillness that could make her blend into a wall even in brilliant yellow attire. "Did that man, Tanner, want me on his ship?" Her voice choked. If given a choice, she would say no. She had been bought and sold before, without a choice. She never told him. She also knew sometimes 'business was business'.

Without realizing she said it out loud, a soft whisper parted her lips as knuckles went white beside her hips as she gripped the desk as terror slid through her. "I want to stay... with you..."

[Syravari Elik]

"Club's taken care of," he relayed, shaking his head and realizing firsthand how much she had been neglected all these years, before they met. Almost sad, really. Her query met with a furrowed brow, not having said or done anything to relay such a thought and he watched her as she continued asking about Tanner, then he heard her answer whispered as if a secret which slipped out.

Reaching for her, he drew her into his lap knowing he had found the one and though he still hadn't said the words, he had a feeling that his actions spoke volumes. "I said, if you wanted to go," he grinned. "I've given you access to the money aboard this ship without concern, which means you've already proven yourself and had I thought otherwise, you'd never lasted this long with us." Wrapping his right arm around her waist, Syravari drew her in closer and reached up, kissing her on the chin. "Tanner or any other bastard ever thinks that I'm letting you out of my sight's got another thing coming. In fact, I'd burn him down if he ever tried to take you or anyone else from this ship without my consent." Brow raised to accentuate his point, though within his steel-blue eyes raged a fire that he had been born with.

Mom called it protective instincts.

[Nallia Oberon]

She watched the range of emotions on his face as she spoke. Whether it was because it was her, or she was getting better at reading him, she didn't know. She suddenly realized that he was closed and guarded with others around. Was he open like this when one on one with the others? Smiling, she decided it didn't matter.

When he pulled her into his lap and assured her no one was taking her away from him, she relaxed against his body. He said he'd protect them all. As she looked into his eyes she saw his possessiveness. But it was different than she'd seen before. Then another word came yup mind... Protective. He was protective of his crew, and of her.

Without another word, she caresses his cheek and kissed him. It was full of everything she couldn't put words to...the money, the position she held the ship, the feelings she had for him.

After a long moment she pulled back, ran her fingers thru his hair and smiled. "Well, boss," she laughed, "since I have plans to stick around and harm anyone coming after 'you' as well...what now?"

The mission was done, at least this one was. As her own possessive eyes stared back at him, she wondered where life would take her, and him, next.

[Nallia Oberon]

Duplicate

[Nallia Oberon]

End of thread