The Force Won't Save You (Lesbian Story)

Chapter 35

Chapter Thirty-Five

Briar's legs carried her down the stairs of her living quarters, her bare feet echoing off the tiled floor. She hadn't slept a wink, her eyes heavy and impossibly dry. Trilla had dutifully slept next to her in bed, but both had made sure to not have even the slightest skin-to-skin contact underneath the sheets.

On her way to the kitchen, Briar was stopped when a knock was heard at the front door. The commander opened the door before the impatient person could bang on it again, finding Alexis with a smirk on her face. "Hey! You didn't come see me after you got back from Nur!" The woman blissfully stepped through the entryway, Briar not having the heart to silence her giddiness.

Alexis moved towards the kitchen as Briar lagged behind her, glancing up the stairs. "Come on!" Alexis shouted from the kitchen, pulling Briar away from her loathing. She wasn't going to apologize to her wife for caring about her wellbeing, she'd done nothing wrong. It was Trilla's turn to own-up to her mistake and bite the bullet.

The kettle was slammed over the eye of the stove, hearing a burner power on as she rounded the corner to the kitchen. Alexis was sitting on the black marble countertop, her legs crossed as she watched the burner glow red. Without glancing toward her friend, Alexis spoke, "I heard about your demotion. At least we'll get to spend more time together?" Alexis raised an eyebrow, hoping her statement would not hurt the fragile woman leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed.

Briar pulled her eyes to the floor, taking a deep breath as she attempted to find the right words. Briar wasn't excited to spend more time with Alexis. She wanted to remain at the table with the Emperor's Inner Circle, not plan and carry out mundane missions.

"Alexis, I finally had a shot at doing something more than give out orders. I achieved what anyone in the Empire would kill to get the chance to do, and now I'm not even getting recognition for it. I'm hurt." Alexis nodded, her face falling as she glanced down at her lap.

"I understand. You did a lot and have nothing to show for it. How about, while Trilla is on her mission, we celebrate? Kandra and Scora can come too." Briar could see the sparkle in her best friend's eye. She knew Alexis only wanted to help in any way she could.

The commander nodded, chuckling softly. "Yeah, that would-"

"Miss Cert, what is your ass doing on my clean countertop?"

Briar's shoulders tensed at the sternness of her wife's voice behind her, moving out of the way so the two could have a staring match. Trilla was fully dressed in her uniform, her cape draped over the arm of the couch.

Alexis slid off the counter with a sly smirk, pulling the kettle off the burner as it began to whistle. "Trilla! My favorite Inquisitor!" The woman exclaimed, pouring the water into two mugs. The Inquisitor scoffed, shaking her head.

"Miss Cert, you know exactly one Inquisitor and that is me. Your favoritism has no meaning." Trilla spoke, moving to uncap a travel mug. She still hadn't acknowledged Briar's presence in the room. What hurt more, was the fact that Alexis had Trilla's attention - Briar was many planets away from them. She knew her jealousy was misplaced, but that didn't stop the pain in her chest.

The Grand Inquisitor poured the water into the mug, placing a tea bag into it and setting a timer. Alexis spoke up, noticing the heaviness in the room. "Oh come on, I thought we were closer than that. You married my best friend! Please, call me Alexis." Alexis held out her hand as if she were being introduced to the woman for the very first time. A smirk ghosted Briar's lips as she watched Trilla glance down at the hand extended out towards her.

Trilla lifted her gaze again, waiting for Alexis to retract her hand. "Gotcha, too cool to hang out with this now, huh?" Her best friend feigned, grabbing both mugs from the counter. "Come on, Briar. Us lowly troopers still have shit to do too." Alexis pranced back into the living room with the two cups.