Think Twice

Chapter 10

            He jumped to his feet and headed out of the room. He didn’t like being vulnerable. And whether they were going to have to learn to trust each other or not, he wasn’t ready to let her in. As it was, she slipped past his defenses way too easily, and he was going to have to do something about that. 

            He appreciated that she cared, it was a welcome change, but he couldn’t stand her endless questions. This was going to be a long exile if he didn’t find a way to shut her up occasionally. After what he went through to rescue her, he didn’t want to just abandon her somewhere. Though admittedly, the idea had appeal.

            He’d be faster alone. Stealthier. He could disappear easier. He could hop ships without having to explain everything all the time. But knowing Sidious... nowhere would ever be safe, no matter how careful he was. His master had eyes and ears everywhere. Which meant, his only hope lay with her. 

            He turned around and leaned back against a crate when he felt her in the doorway. He crossed his arms waiting for her inevitable questions to start up again. But to his surprise, she didn’t say anything. She looked as though she wanted to but she somehow managed to restrain herself. He looked her over. She didn’t look like much. He could feel her power, but it was muted again. Not like it had been in the cave. She had so much potential, but the Jedi order had held her back. 

            “Here’s the deal, Snips,” he said finally. “We’re now fugitives. There’s nowhere to go that’s going to be safe. If we’re going to change that, we have one hell of a fight ahead of us. You need to decide if you’re up for it.”

            “I am,” she said simply. “All I want is you to be straight with me. No lying, no tricks, no manipulation. Do that, and you’ve got yourself a partner.” 

            He raised his eyebrow at her. She was serious. Why had he expected her to get cold feet, or beg to get off this crazy ship? Probably because that’s what any normal person would have done. But she wasn’t normal. He’d known that from the first time he’d met her. She had the eyes of a Jedi, but the soul of a survivor. And survivors, do whatever it takes. She hadn’t even asked him to stop being a Sith. That was probably the most surprising aspect of her terms, because that wasn’t very Jedi-like. 

            “No lying, no tricks, no manipulation,” he repeated, putting out his hand. She studied him for a moment and then she came forward and shook it. So, this was it? He was on the run with a Jedi. Not at all what he’d imagined a week ago. Her hand was warm and soft in his, he liked the way it felt.

            She let go and walked over to one of the crates and pried off the lid. “There might be useful stuff in here,” she said. “Supplies we could use or goods we could sell for credits.”

            “Now you’re thinking like a pirate,” he smirked.

            “Nope, just a desperate person trying to survive.”

            “Same thing,” he muttered. “Pirates just have more fun doing it.” He opened the crate he’d been leaning on and started digging through it. It was full of useless garbage as far as he was concerned. He moved over to the crate next to her. 

            “How did you...” she started.

            “No,” he interrupted. “You’ve reached your question limit for the day. Besides, it’s my turn.”