Brought the Stars to You (11 page)

She nodded, doing what was instructed of her. Honestly, it had all
been such a stressful evening, and sitting was a long awaited relief.
She felt her pulse slow and her mind ease as she tried to get
comfortable and breathe in deep. She looked over at Kieren, frowning
as she wondered if she had a choice in letting him do it. She should
have taken the gun from him and done it herself to spare him that
anguish.

The time it took to get the ship out of the atmosphere and to a
safe distance where they could jump out of the system didn't take
very long, though with the thoughts that roiled in his mind, it
seemed to take an eternity.

Finally he arose from his seat, the pair on their way out of the
system as he turned and came back to her. Calling upon a lifetime of
training, he was calm and had only a warm smile for her.

She looked so helpless to him, he thought. On the run, sitting out
of place in the back of his ship in only a night gown and heels. He
crouched and slid onto the bed that also served as a bench to sit
beside her. Rubbing his chin and mouth a moment he then reached out
to touch her shoulder, smiling reassuringly, "How are you,
Ardanna? Did... did he hurt you in any other way? I have supplies to
treat most any minor wounds, and if he did anything else... we can
head for a sector with good medical assistance."

She shook her head slowly, "No, Kieren. You interrupted him,"
she said softly, not meeting his eyes. "He was just getting
started." She took in a breath, closed her eyes and felt the
bile rise in her throat before she swallowed it down, "That's
what happens to people without emotions," she said, her voice
heavy with sadness. "He didn't do it out of hate. Or malice. Or
anger. He did it because he could afford to and get away with it. He
did it because he feels nothing for me, or anyone."

Any doubts he had about her philosophy in the past, and how it
conflicted with the teaching of the
Fiato
, vanished then. He knew her
to be right, and hated bitterly that he ever bought into a philosophy
that taught otherwise.

"I never should have doubted you, Ardanna. You... you were
right about it all." He leaned in and carefully hugged her,
wrapping both arms about her and squeezed softly. "You'll never
be a slave to anyone else ever again, I swear that to you. With every
ounce of passion I have in me, from a life of repression, I do swear
to defend you from now forward."

She was pleading with herself not to cry, trying to remain strong,
but as he wrapped his arms around her she couldn't help but sob,
"It's fine, Kieren. I'm fine," she swallowed again. "It
could have been worse. I still have my worth." It had been so
fully ingrained in her that her virtue was something so dear to hold
on to, it relieved her to still have that tiny stretch of flesh. "He
didn't even want that," she said with a pause.

The subtleties of sexuality were lost on him. He didn't fully
understand what she meant or why she said it, but knew it somehow had
to do with her upbringing. Squeezing her a little firmer, his thick
hair rubbed against her cheek and
tentil
. "He was a cold,
emotionless monster, Ardanna... he wanted nothing any healthy normal
person should have." Even with the man dead, he felt the bite of
rage against him for what he did--what he tried to do--to her.
"You're free now. Free from him, free from captivity. Free to
live your life as you wish."

She closed her eyes against his nuzzle, inhaled deeply, her face
betrayed the fact that she was deep in thought. She hadn't really
thought of freedom, never really even wished for it until he had
shown her and told her of all she was missing. She stroked his arm
lightly. "I'm so sorry you had to get involved. Did... did
someone give you my message?"

"No. What message, Ardanna?" he raised a hand, stroked
his fingers over her face lightly, brushed away the lingering
moisture of tears with gentle caresses. She had always seemed so wise
and mature to him. He thought of her as so much more than him in so
many ways, but here she sat, wounded and unsure of herself,
completely lost in a galaxy she had little direct knowledge of.

"That I was called away, and that I'd see you tomorrow,"
she said sadly. "I didn't know I was going to be called away
until we were dressing." She paused, "How did you know
where to find me?"

"They sent another woman out who said you were busy. She
tried to entice me to pay for dances, but I wasn't interested,"
he stated plainly, and her shoulders relaxed slightly. Clearing his
throat he continued, "Last night I... I had a vision. My
training with achieving balance warned me of what was to happen to
you, Ardanna." He frowned at first, but then smiled, looking
happy and emotional, "I was guided to you, to save you. To be
with you."

"Guided?" she tilted her head to the side, her eyes
flicked over his to try to study for meaning in that. "I wish
you didn't have to see me like that."

"I am only sorry you had to be in that position, Ardanna,"
he paused, "The Balance guided me to you. Helped me save you. Do
you know what that means?"

Most of what she had gleaned from their conversations had been
broad strokes; emotionless soldiers with power, no attachments. It
wasn't a terribly pretty picture, and she had often spent time
wondering how such a group could craft someone with such kindness and
compassion.

"It means what we're doing is right. My teachers were all
wrong. All wrong about the nature of the galaxy and The Balance.
Emotion does matter, it is right." His eyes moved over her
pretty blue face, studied her as he swelled with love for that woman.
With a clearing of his throat, he slowly rose away, "There's a
washroom to clean up back here," he said, pointing.

"Is it bad?" she asked, fear evident in her voice.

He smiled reassuringly, shaking his head. "A shallow cut...
he was only getting started as you said." He extended his hands
to her, "It shouldn't even scar, I don't think. But I thought
you might like to clean up the blood and such more thoroughly. I
was... in a rush."

"I'll do that."

Helping her to her feet, he moved out of her way and pressed a
button, causing the bathroom's door to slide open, revealing the
small space within, tightly compacted but with all she might need.

Kieren knelt down and began to sort through one of the containers.
Fiato were austere people and rarely had much in the way of
possessions, especially when travelling, but what little he did have
he wanted to use to help her.

She took a few moments, soaking a cloth and lightly draining away
the rough lines of drying blood, cleaning herself off to a more
manageable state before redressing and returning outwards. She took a
breath in before speaking softly, "Kieren, if you spent all your
cash in the club... I can pay you back, once... once all this is over
with."

His brows furrowed as he pulled something out of the box and rose
up, "Pay me back? Don't be absurd. I paid for time with you, and
I got it. And it was worth every credit."

"It's just," she looked down, sadly. "Well,"
she paused, "You're... on the run. We... the whole Union might
be looking for us. And.. everything costs cash. Everything," she
looked at him, "I... don't want you to have to go broke because
of helping me."

Laying his bundle down on one of the cot-like travel beds, he
turned towards her, a smile upon his face, "I'm already broke,
Ardanna, really." He laughed softly at that, quickly explaining,
"I'm a
Fiato
. We don't really... accumulate wealth as such.
Well... we can, and some do, but most of us are known for our very
simple living. When we need money," he shrugged his shoulders
beneath his heavy robes lightly, "we get it."

"But... how?" she asked, her voice low, filled with
confusion, "I don't understand," she continued. "You
spent nights with me. I know how much you paid. How is it possible
for you to get that much, that quickly?"

"Well," he paused, realizing he wasn't quite fully
accurate there. Wetting his lips, he looked aside, "That was
different, Ardanna," he said softly. "The Order sent me on
a mission, and I... well, they were covering expenses. So...
truthfully, in that case they were covering it."

She looked relieved, suppressing a grin as new worries struck her,
"I see. Will they... be upset?"

Turning away, he lowered his head a bit, trying to busy himself
with looking at some of the controls on the console before him, "They
ordered my return a few days ago, actually. I took a final withdrawal
of cash, a large one... which I assumed they'd believe was needed for
the return trip. But I dare say they will have--or will soon--cut me
off entirely if I don't report back."

"I see. Will they be able to shield us from the Union?"
She knew the answer before he spoke it, her gaze drawn to the floor.

Placing his hands upon the back of his seat, he squeezed it a
moment. With a shake of his head he responded, "They won't do
anything for us, Ardanna. If I return they will take me before the
committee and have me judged. And for trying to help you they will
find me unfit and maybe even strip me of my powers."

"What are we going to do?"

He hung his head before noticing the sadness in her voice. Turning
back around, he moved towards her, "Don't be fearful," he
said softly, his male voice reassuring, a smile upon his lips as he
brushed his hair back from his face. "I am not helpless. You saw
a glimpse of what I can do back there, didn't you?" He meant it
reassuringly, but the reminder soured him for a moment, "Well,
it's but a small bit. I can protect us. Provide for us." His
mood did elevate again with those last words; he sounded almost eager
to do those things for her.

She looked up at him and, though she obviously wanted to believe
him, she was still filled with fear and doubts, "Where could we
go, Kieren? We'll need cash for... everything, won't we? For flying
this, for..." she frowned deeper. "For food, for shelter,"
she looked up at him, "Is... is there a place I can entertain on
my own? Keep the cash?"

"Yes," he said, slightly deflated at her unease, "There
are many such clubs throughout the galaxy, of course. But... you
don't have to do that. There is always work for a man of my skills
and abilities. Fiato Masters are revered throughout the galaxy for
our unparalleled prowess."

She could feel that she hurt him, and she hated it. She swallowed,
"I'm sorry, Kieren. I just hate that I put you in this situation
and now you want to take all the responsibility for getting us out of
it," she frowned, looked towards him, "I just want to make
things right."

Her words did soothe him--or his ego--and he smiled to her again,
"Of course." Brushing a hand back over his hair, he looked
towards the floor, pondering.

"In the club you had the advantage in the situation over me.
But out here in the wider galaxy," he smiled to her
reassuringly, "I possess the greatest knowledge. It's only fair
after the wisdom you gave me I take some time to help you." He
rose back up and smiled widely to her, "It won't be forever.
But... for now, you can relax. And know I will protect you and keep
you well."

She looked at him as he stood, watching him so carefully,
entranced by his every movement for a while before she nodded.
"Kieren," she paused, looking up at him once more. "Just
know that if you need a large amount of cash... I'm sure you can find
a buyer on a market. I'm still untouched. There are buyers; buyers
that will be kinder to me, alright? So... if we're in a tight place,
just, let me help, alright?"

He smiled at first, glad to hear her suggestion, though when she
continued his smile began to turn to a frown. "Sell... you?"
He said, not that he fully understood what she meant. "That's...
unconscionable, Ardanna!" He blinked in shock, "How could I
do that? Ever? How could I sell the only person I've ever loved?"

Her nose crinkled upwards in her confusion, her head tilting to
the side, not sure what he was talking about. "Not like that,"
she said slowly, her expression softened at his declaration of love,
smiling at him for a brief moment before continuing. "My
virginity... I'm still intact," she finished, "It would
just be a night, and, well, you could be body guard if that made you
more comfortable. And you could pick the buyer. Establish rules. Make
sure I'm safe."

Lifting his gaze back to her, he continued to blink away the
wetness in his eyes, "What?" It took him a moment to fathom
her meaning, but his brows furrowed all the same, "Ardanna..."
he said, trailing off, "even that..." his words were
breathy, soft. He was stunned by the proposition, taken aback by his
need of this woman.

Reaching a hand up to rub his chin and mouth he looked to the item
he pulled out, "I... I don't have much in the way of items or
clothes on board here. But... I do have a spare change of clothes. My
robes might make due for now to keep you comfortable, and..." he
trailed off, trying to keep his thoughts straight.

"There's a thermal blanket if you wish it, it's intended only
for heating someone up after exposure to extreme cold and such, but,"
he stopped.

"I'll be fine. Luckily they left me my nightgown," she
said, tugging on the light yellow fabric, letting it ripple softly
against her skin. She stared at him for long moments, the silence
thick between them, "Will you be sleeping?" she asked,
looking towards the controls, then at him curiously. She wasn't sure
if one needed always be paying attention or not.

"Don't worry. I'll rest when I need to. You just worry about
your own sleep and recovery." He smiled at her quite genuinely,
taking only a brief look over her body before feeling a twinge of
guilt at it--strange, he thought, he never did before.

"And the nightgown will be fine for here, of course. But when
we do make a landing, you should probably cover up with my spare
robes," he said this with a good-humoured smile, "and a
spare pair of shoes. Those," he said, looking to her heels,
"will not serve you well in most situations."