Cognitive Dissonance

Chapter 12: Cognizance

Let the hate flow through you.

Jason mouthed the words with Palpatine next to Rachel as they picked up on the scene from when he woke up. "Fucking knew it," he whispered right after. Although it was barely audible, she was able to still pick up on it.

"Of course you would," she commented, testing the waters if they are still on speaking terms. "I would what sunshine?" he asked, turning his head to face her. He wore a smile but Rachel can tell it wasn't the same one he had in the morning. This one seemed cautious.

"Know the lines Palpatine will say," she replied, nodding towards the tv. "I don't know you much but if you have an opinion on how Star Wars should be viewed, I suppose I can assume you know it by heart," she justified.

"You also had an opinion on how we should view it," Jason reminded. "True. But you said you had a reason I won't understand," Rachel pointed out. "That's pretty much what avid fans would say to beginners."

Jason found himself chuckling at her response. Not every avid fan acts like they are more informed than anyone when it comes to things they devotedly follow. In this case however, he can understand how his words might have sounded like to her. Even if he meant it in earnest and not because he was imposing he was more knowledgeable.

He decided he would not ask her, despite the curiosity she sparked in him, why she sighed in relief just a second ago. At least that's what her action looked like to him. He won't ask her because it might ruin whatever unspoken truce it is they currently have.

It is true that he had no intention of sharing with her his horrors but whether she likes it or not, she unknowingly shared hers to him. While he might not have the exact details of what actually happened to her, he was still sure of one thing. Rachel Roth has her own demons that she's fighting. To him, that was enough reason to at least continue keeping the peace between them while he could still manage to safeguard it.

"I'd love to refute that, but I'll let it pass for today," Jason answered with a wink before he brought his focus back on the movie. "Fucking Palpatine's stuff for nightmares, isn't he?"

"I can't believe I was to comment you're back to being nice," Rachel commented without much thought. "You miss good guy Jason already?" Jason replied turning to her once more. Amusement written on his face.

For fucks sakes Rachel!

"Did I say that aloud?" she asked feigning innocence. "What d'you think sunshine?" he asked getting more entertained by the minute. He can see the color crawl on her cheeks and it's definitely a beautiful sight.

"I told you I'd be rude again," Jason reminded her again, going back on track. He can tell she's getting more embarrassed and he didn't want her to feel any more awkward than she already feels so he drived the conversation back to its premise. Who knew he would ever be considerate of someone?

"You said to give you a few days," Rachel threw the reminder back. "Oh, fuck, I did. Didn't I?" Jason acknowledged as he clapped a hand on his leg. "I'm sorry miss Roth, but I guess I'm just bad like that."

"You aren't!" Rachel blurted out. She surprised even herself that she immediately covered her mouth to stop herself from saying more. "And you know me more than I know myself?" Jason challenged, one eyebrow raised. This conversation is proving to be more exciting than Star Wars.