Very new muse, I blame others, I have no idea what I'm doing.

[either_ors]

Lady, you are making the mother of all mistakes...this is coming from a former double agent.

I worked both sides of the Imperial fence and I can tell you've got some strength, but do you really think you can manage me?

Wrong.

The only right answer is no, but I'll make you a deal. See, I'm a sporting woman by nature so how about you go study some of my life. There's lots of holos out there about me, and some info files I'm sure floating around. You get caught up on those and then we can talk.

I know you know Leia, talked to her here in the head space, but I'm nowhere near the politician or diplomat she is and I'm not jedi. This isn't going to be easy, I'm like Coruscant, no one's really sure just how deep it all is or just what you'll find down there.

So we work and play nice and you'll understand why Jan Ors is a name others respect.


Most of the time.

Ok, some of the time.

Respect or get buried, I give options.

Comments

[either_ors]

Damn right you should, I'm probably the best shot you know.

[She wasn't alive because of her looks, brains and skill all wrapped up in that package too.]

No one's asking you to pretend, it's been too long Kyle.

[sulon_jedi]

Probably? I seem to remember you blasting some TIE Bombers off of me, through Nar Shaddaa traffic, no less. You're the best shot I know from a blaster to a proton torpedo.

[He grinned at her]

I never gave up hoping you'd make it here. It's...strange. But that's our stock in trade, isn't it?

[either_ors]

I have some marketable skills, and you keep me in practice. Someone has to watch your back.
[And she wouldn't have it any other way, but Kyle, you're getting scruffy. She grinned and toyed with his beard]

Hope is what we have. I might not be Force sensitive like you, but I have my own faith; most of that centers around two things; doing what's right and you. If keep on that course I'll always make it home.

[sulon_jedi]

[Her familiar touch feels better than anything he can imagine, really. But he wouldn't be him - they wouldn't be them - if he didn't have a little fun with her statement]

You certainly do. You could be the universe's only espionage agent who moonlights as a theater dancer and mechanic.

[And oh, he'll brace for the inevitable punch in the arm for that one]

You've kept me on the right path just as much as the Force ever has - more, even. If it weren't for you I'd still be an imperial soldier - probably a dead imperial soldier.

[either_ors]

[She doesn't think of herself as predictable, more reliable. That punch is a sharp one right in the shoulder.]

I did what I had to along the way, I've even flown the 'Crow a time or two and that's worse than either of those jobs.

[Hit him where it hurts, his ship]

You were meant for more than that, I saw it in you almost from the first moment. So maybe we can accept that we're good for each other and work on making that a more permanent arrangement.

[sulon_jedi]

[He laughs, even though he rubs his shoulder, in a certain amount of pain. And he winces at the reference to the old Crow]

I still miss that ship. One day, we have to go back to Ruusan and get her in working order again.

[Her next statement, however, takes him thoroughly off-guard]

Wait a minute - I must be hearing things in my increasing old age. Correct me if I'm wrong, Jan, but that sounded an awful lot like a proposal.

[either_ors]

[She packs a punch, but she's a fighter, always has been.]

This time you pay. I've sank enough into that ship to retire.

[Well look at that, caught the jedi by surprise. This was getting good for her ego, but she waved off his statement casually]

We talked about things happening someday, one day when things weren't looking like we could die any time. But...come to think about it I haven't been shot at in weeks.

[sulon_jedi]

[He took her hand when she stopped waving it.]

We did. And the way our lives go, things will keep happening. But Luke's got me roped into teaching - meaning that, for the first time in a long time - nobody is actively trying to get me killed.

[He stepped closer, his free hand touching her cheek]

So would you do me the honour of insuring I wind up a contented old man?

[An old private joke between them, reversed in this case]

[either_ors]

So you'd settle for me trying to kill you?

[Half hearted joke that fell flat; she swallowed when he stepped closer and touched her cheek. He knew she wasn't weak but he was still so gentle with her. ]

I thought that's what you'd do without me.

[sulon_jedi]

[He was because, in the end, life hadn't been gentle to either of them. They worked in a very hard line of work that exposed them to near-constant danger and harshness. This was the only part of his life that could ever have been described as 'soft' - likely hers, too. Thus, he saved his tenderness for her.]

I was misinformed back then. But I'm considerably smarter these days. And I know not to let you slip through my fingers, Jan.

[He smiled at her for a long moment, then tilted her head back to kiss her]

[either_ors]

[The galaxy was an immense and wild place and; parts of it or at least the population there of, would rather see you broken than breathing. They'd found sanctuary with each other and that shelter from the outside in each others arms. It made them good together in battle and out of it.]

Oh, so you think-[The thought never got much further than the snarky tone when he cut off her wit with a kiss. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she kissed back just as sweetly. It was a long moment before she retreated enough to breath.]

Well, if you put it like that...

Yes, Kyle.

[sulon_jedi]

[He smiled, and nodded quietly]

We'll figure out the ideas of when and where - I seem to recall that I still owe you a vacation to the beaches of Spiza, for a start - but I just needed you to know that...

[He shook his head. Not good with words like this. He used them so rarely]

You've kept me alive, inside and out. My life without you in it just isn't worth thinking about.

[either_ors]

[She hasn't let go yet, not fully. Fingertips played idly along the collar of his tunic. She nodded and smiled to mention of that long over due vacation.]

It works both ways you know. I've depended on you and you haven't let me down. I can't even imagine my life without you in it.

It would entirely too quiet and boring.

[sulon_jedi]

[He laughs, nodding]

What fun is just going around not facing down unspeakable things, saving the galaxy from peril, and then getting paid handsomely?

But first? A nice, long vacation. So far away that even Luke can't find us.

[either_ors]

You're right, I could do with some boring for a while.

[Long vacation, time alone, away from everyone that wasn't bringing them food or drinks...this was a solid plan.]

Can we leave tomorrow?

[sulon_jedi]

[He grinned all the more, nodding]

I've got no pressing appointments. And if we move quickly enough, we can get away before the universe figures out we've made a run for it.

[either_ors]

Remember when we were smuggling? What if this time we smuggle ourselves? We'd be long gone before the council could even think about wondering where you were.

[sulon_jedi]

[He laughs, heartily, and nods]

I like this plan - here's hoping they don't scramble part of the fleet to look for us, though.

[He pauses]

On second thought, they sent us after the Arc Hammer with just the Moldy Crow - I think we can manage to disappear.

[either_ors]

Worst case we use my clearance, claim it's a classified run and get out as fast as the ship can take us.

[sulon_jedi]

[He chuckled fondly]

You're just full of plans today - I'm taking this as a sign of enthusiasm and not just a desire to break some rules on the way.

[either_ors]

[puzzled frown]

...it can't be both?

[sulon_jedi]

[He grinned at her, and nodded slowly]

Well, I knew I loved you for a reason. Among many.

[either_ors]

Because I'm a brilliant, capable and strong woman; and it doesn't hurt that I'm beautiful. Now that I think about it I should compliment you on your taste.

[sulon_jedi]

I think you're understating all three categories, but I think it covers the basics.

[He winks at her]

That and I'm fairly sure you can kick my hindquarters like a concussed nerf.

[either_ors]

Always good to have your basics covered.

[She smiled back at the wink]

Oh I know I could, if I needed to.