Newer, Better

[Gillian Rel]

There was a stage set up off to the side in Blackwell's new outdoor testing facility. It had been built for such a demonstration, lights and Cameras were already set up. It had been weeks since Gil and Tasha's last talk. Regardless of his feelings, he had work to do, and plans had already been set in motion.

Gil and a fellow slicer had broken into the headquarters of Greff-Timms Industrial and stolen the plans for the PIPE while they had sent another team to sabotage a demonstration by the company of the weapons and spread rumors of the products malfunctioning. Greff-Timms stocks had fallen drastically in the last few weeks.

It had taken no time for the Blackwell scientist to tweak the plans, making it look different enough that it would pass as their version. With buyers trying to return their hardware in droves as confidence in the older model plummeted. Now was their time to strike.

Today they unveiled Blackwell's version of the weapon. They had invited representatives from several major powers in the Galaxy. Gil noted the Mandalorians in the back, eager to see the new hardware at work.

Gil loosened his tie ever so slightly. He wasn't a fan of being at the forefront of things, but to ensure everything went off without a hitch, he wouldn't have missed this for anything. He stood off to the side of the platform as reporters, and prospective buyers alike took their seats, and Tasha took the stage.

Gil smiled as she did so, not sure if she even saw him. One her aids, Emerald certainly did. Gil's smiled widened a bit, and he winked as she followed the CEO on stage.

 

[Tasha Blackwell]

Tasha was adorned in a form fitting suit, a tight blazer and skirt with tall heels. Her fiery red hair was tied up in a high ponytail, and she had long earrings and a bracelet that accented her formal clothing. Her nails were perfectly manicured, and she commanded the stage as soon as she took it. She had no qualms with standing in front of an audience, a leftover from her dancing days.

People began to snap photos at once, but she was entirely unfazed by the bright lights. Tasha smiled as she stood behind the podium, a presentation playing behind her that displayed the mechanics of the new PIPE. Her yellow eyes roamed over the audience, feeling that similar pang of discomfort at seeing the Mandalorians in the back.

“Blackwell Independent Technologies strives to uphold innovation and offer the most cutting edge technology to the public. We pride ourselves in painstakingly perfecting our prototypes and testing every function and process before we ever bring it out before you,” Tasha turned to point at the Holographic model of the PIPE that was spinning behind her, “The new and renovated PIPE is an original BIT production. The parts are all made in-house, and there are no third party sources like had been the case before. The BIT brand adds credibility to a volatile weapon that normally has very questionable origins. BIT has worked very hard to ensure that every bit and part of this model is produced right in our very own facilities. After this demo, you are all free to take a tour of our operations and manufacturing lines.”

Tasha continued to talk, getting into the specifics about the weapon and why it was better and now streamlined through her company. No one would ever guess that this was a dancer in a seedy Nar Shaddaa club, and no one would ever guess she once trained as a Sith. Tonight she was all business and she knew just what to say to make everyone excited about her products.

 

[Gillian Rel]

Gil faded back from the crowd, making his way towards the back of the open area. He never did like being this visible and he wasn't doing anything productive.

His comm device in his ear click. "Sir, one of the outer perimeter guards has failed to check in." the man said to his supervisor. That caught his attention. "Where was is he supposed to be?" Gil asked over the secure channel. He glanced back towards the stage. He could cut the presentation, get Tasha out of there. That is what he wanted to do. Even with a cover story, the whole point of their plan was to seem like their company was the more stable choice to buy their weapon. If they called it off now, it would set them back big time.

He switched his comm device to a private channel with Tasha. "Hey, we might be dealing with something. I'm on it but keep your eyes peeled and if you see anything get the kriff out of there." he whispered.

Gil switched back to the other channel with security and took off towards the last known position of the guard.

 

[Leandros Solus]

Leandros was here as part of a Mandalorian detachment to see the results of a supposed new PIPE, one that was intended to be far more reliable than before. Naturally, any adjustments to the weapons they employed was of great interest to the clans, so it was his job to ascertain the validity of such a claim and place an order for the weapons if they truly lived up to the hype. He had heard of this new Blackwell company emerging in the arms market. They already had gained considerable ground and claimed many new patents. They were a deviation from the norm, and he wanted to see if they, too, lived up to the hype. A reliable arms manufacturer to supply the clans could come in handy.

He was adorned in his armor replete with his usual weapons, save for the PIPE. His beskad and lightsabers dangled from his belt, two QuickDraws sat holstered on his thighs, and a rifle was slung across his back. It wouldn’t do well to go around in public without being absolutely armed to the teeth, and any security who attempted to disarm him was met with firm refusal from the warrior. Nobody was dumb enough to stop him.

From beneath his faceless visor, Leandros watched Tasha deliver her spiel and sell the weapon. He sat in the back with the rest of his retinue and listened to their idle chatter about the woman on stage, smiling beneath his visor at the childish things they went on about. Their presence made the businesspeople around them uncomfortable, even though they weren’t doing anything particularly threatening. He just wanted to buy some new guns; spooking a bunch of suits just sweetened the trip for him.

While Tasha spoke, Leandros idly tapped away at his comm, asking Raz what she wanted to eat for dinner when he returned. He was getting tired of the vegetable medleys she… “made,” and she refused to eat any meat dish he made, so they compromised, and he ate whatever she ate. He wanted to shake it up a bit and take her out to dinner. Something nice. She’d protest, of course, but the promise of food would get her to grump out to a nice restaurant, he hoped.

After he sent his message, Leandros returned his attention to the speech, giddy now that he realized the demo was being projected behind her. The man behind them – presumably a guard of some kind – hustled out from his spot, but Leandros didn’t really care. Events like this always had people running around making sure it ran smoothly. With an inaudible grunt, he pushed off of his thighs and stood up to stretch. A few of the people around him gave him worried looks, but he didn't give a shit. He moved closer to the front of the seating area to get a better look at these beautiful new weapons, earning a few shocked gasps from the journalists and businesspeople alike as the armored Mandalorian stood out like a sore, heavily-armed thumb. He paid their alarm no mind, though; his attention was on that beautiful piece of hardware on stage. The more she went on about its technical specifications and capabilities, the more he wanted it. It was like Life Day for him, and this was the present he demanded to be given.

Outside, one of the guards indeed failed to check in. The man was haphazardly tossed out of sight, his throat cut and a blaster hole bored through his skull. His radio crackled with chatter about his status, but he would no longer be able to answer. The man who killed him skulked through the darkness flanked by several others, each clad in darkened clothing and armed with various weapons. They were here to steal their employer's secrets back and put an end to this affront. The head of the CEO who stole the blueprints would earn his favor and far, far more credits than initially agreed-upon. They just needed to get inside first.

 

[Tasha Blackwell]

Tasha had no idea anything was going on, her focus on the demo. She didn’t notice any guards moving around or anything out of the ordinary. Her focus was the fact that the Mandalorians were eating this up. Whereas before they were milling about and rudely talking in the back, now they were completely quiet and fixated on the demo.

Meanwhile, the group that was moving throughout the facility made quick work of the guards in the vicinity, working to minimize interventions. Tasha had stepped aside to help facilitate the demo, though the man giving the demo was doing most of the talking. She heard Gil’s words come into the earpiece she had on.

Unfortunately, Tasha barely had time to process anything before a blaster went off. She felt sudden, piercing pain directly on her chest and she immediately collapsed on the ground behind the podium. Whoever it was that shot her broke ranks, ditching the plan the group had. They wanted to try and get the glory for themselves, but had done a botched job of it.

Tasha gritted her teeth, clutching at the sizzling and smoking wound. She rapidly gathered the Force to herself to try and mitigate the excruciating and debilitating pain. She could feel herself growing weak as she slumped on the ground, the entire hall suddenly in chaos and commotion.

@Pai-Mike @Raydo

 

[Gillian Rel]

Rounding the corner, to one of the towers that overlooked the new testing facility a guard lay face down, blood pooling from a stab wound. Gil looked up the tower before darting up the closed stairway to the top.

He listened as reports came back the guards weren't finding anything. He had a feeling about this but didn't want to draw everyone to him if he was wrong. He bounded upstairs two or three at a time. As he kicked the door open at the top, he heard the single blaster shot followed by the screams down below.

Gil rushed the woman as she aimed to take another shot at Tasha to finish her off. Gil hit her, knocking off the aim enough to cause it to miss. The female assassin swung a knife at Gil as she dodged backward. He had to at least keep the assassin busy until the others came. They brawled for what seemed a solid minute though had only been a few seconds before Gil had pulled his quickdraw blaster and shot the woman in the leg. As she collpased to the ground, he delivered a kick to her face, knocking her unconscious. "I have the attacker in the east tower." Gil said into his comm device. "Everyone spread out and make sure we don't have anyone else." he added before securing the woman's hands with restraints. Within seconds he was joined by security forces and he left her with them. "I need her alive." he said to the guards before he left her with them and ran down the stairs.

It felt like it took him an eternity to reach Tasha through the chaotic crowd. He pushed his way past several people, kneeling down beside her, purposefully blocking the view from the rest of the towers that would have an angle on her in case there was anyone else was out there. "We need a doctor!" he said infuriated one hadn't already arrived. "Stay with me, Tasha. Help is coming. We got who did this." he said, looking back seeing a medic pushing their way through the crowd.

 

[Tasha Blackwell]

Tasha was still gasping in pain, slumped on the ground and caught completely by surprise. For all her training, she couldn’t have seen this coming. Smoke rose from the wound, and she felt sick. Anger coursed through her, anger she hadn’t felt in a long time. Her eyes were already yellow, and it would be impossible to tell that the Dark Side was surging through her at that moment.

She had to fight to keep from exploding out with the Force and sending a concussive blast that sent everyone flying. The only thing that stopped her was seeing two familiar and piercing eyes. Tasha clutched at her chest, barely hearing the commotion around her. She closed her eyes as Gil spoke, barely hearing his words, “You….might get shot…” Tasha said weakly, slumping to the ground as she lost consciousness.

--​

When she woke up, she heard a familiar beeping of medical equipment. She remembered it last from when she had visited Gil. Tasha had been in medical bays very often when she was actively a part of the Sith Empire, but those days were long behind her now. She squinted awake, looking down to see her chest bandaged up and with kolto salves on it.

Tasha should have expected such a move. It irked her that she hadn’t picked up on any danger. Was she losing her touch with the Force? She looked around the room, immediately spotting a nurse that looked angry. She had her hands on her hips.

“Your pointy eared friend insists on you having 24/7 guard surveillance. We can’t have that kind of intrusion in a hospital,” She hissed, as if this were all Tasha’s fault. The Pantoran could only stare, eyebrows rising higher and higher as the nurse now began a tirade about how she wasn’t paid enough to deal with stupid important people and their stupid important assassins.

 

[Gillian Rel]

He pushed the air from her face, continuing to talk to her as the medic tended to her. Anger that almost felt like it was coming from some other place coursed through his blood. If Tasha died he would find out who was responsible and tear them apart piece by piece. For now, though, his only priority was staying with her.

Guards swarmed the area as guests were ushered out and Tasha was loaded into a medical transport. They had tried to keep Gil out, but 1,000 Mandalorians couldn't have convinced him to leave her.

--​

The last two days had been a blur for Gil. He had arrived at the hospital shortly after Tasha had armed to the teeth along with 3 guards who were likewise heavily armed. The staff had initially thrown a fit about the armed presences but Gil had learned if you threw enough credits at something it usually worked out. No one else had given them any more trouble, except for one overly loud nurse with the bedside manner of Wookie.

He had slip on the chair in her arm and had only just got up to get coffee when he returned to find that pain in the ass nurse chastising the now conscious Tasha. "Her pointy-eared friend is about three seconds from throwing you out the window." he said, venom is tone. "I suggest you do what you came to do and leave." he said, little hint of a request in his voice.

He pulled out his comm device and sent a message to hospital administrator he had bribed "In fact, consider yourself on a three-day suspension." he said looking back up at the furious woman. She sputtered with her next words. Do you want to gamble that I don't have enough credits to get you fired because of your next sentence?" he asked raising an eyebrow. She sputtered one more time and the stomped off without a word.

He sat down, acting like he hadn't spent the last two days worried sick. He knew she would pull through. Tasha was far too stubborn to die, but that didn't stop him from worrying. "We'll get someone with a bit better attitude in here." he said leaning forwards and straightening out the blanket draped over Tasha before leaning back in his seat.

He still had a blaster pistol in holsters underneath each arm and blaster rifle leaning up against the wall behind him. "Can I get you anything?" he asked a moment later.

 

[Tasha Blackwell]

Tasha began to coil the Force around the woman’s neck, just subtly enough to where she’d feel some sort of pressure and think she simply swallowed wrong. The woman began to reach for her throat when Gil walked in, spitting out words that made the woman’s eyes bulge out. Tasha didn’t even have to keep pressing, watching as her face turned purple and red as she mouthed wordlessly, all from the impact of his words.

In the end, she simply stormed off, fuming. Tasha watched the exchange with great amusement, mostly surprised by the pure venom that came from Gil. He was normally a laidback, good natured person despite his inclinations for criminal activities. He looked as if he hadn’t eaten or slept properly, and he tried to play it all off by casually sitting down and focusing on her.

A moment of silence hung between them, and she quietly regarded him. This was the second time he was seeing her not looking her best. She wasn’t dolled up, her hair was a mess, and she was in a ridiculous hospital gown with bandages across her body. Tasha’s eyes followed him pulling up the blanket before he finally spoke.

“I can take care of myself, you know,” That same old Tasha fire was back, even though she was hurt. She looked away, fighting hard not to smile, “So… did you happen to pick up my purse?”

 

[Gillian Rel]

They sat quietly for a moment, the gentle beeps of medical equipment in the background and the hushed hospital noises outside. Gil had been around but had relegated himself to the shadows of the company. It had been a month or so since they had parted ways on that boardwalk. This had already been the most the two had talked since that time.

"Oh I know that," he said dismissively as he took another sip from his coffee. He really was tired, but for now, periodic naps and larges amounts of caffeine were keeping him going. "I was protecting her," he said pointing towards the door. "Besides, caring for you now that you are conscious again...that isn't a task I would wish on even the kindest of nurses," he said with a small smile.

The next question was as predictable as ever, which brought an even wider smile to his face. "Under your pillow," he said. It had been an easy thing to have one of Tasha's assistants fetch the thing and had placed it there under the side of the pillow where she wouldn't feel it. It was the same purse they had argued about while blaster fire had filled the Lusty Lekku. He never quite understood her attachment to the thing, but it was obviously important. "Anything else?" he asked as if he wanted a challenge.

 

[Tasha Blackwell]

Tasha scowled at him, unable to hold it back. She was more clever than this, but somehow he had a way of getting under her skin. He could never just admit that he always had a knack for taking care of her. Tasha opened her mouth to make a quip, but she was more surprised by the fact that he didn’t snap at her about the purse. Instead, he calmly explained that it was already under her pillow.

She reached a hand down and, sure enough, it was there and intact. She even felt around inside and found her saber hilt. Once again, he hadn’t gone through it. Or perhaps he had and didn’t mention anything - he didn’t seem the type that would. Tasha’s gaze lingered on his for a moment, genuinely stumped as he asked if there was anything else.

“Uh...yeah well.. Uh…” It wasn’t often she struggled with words. She blamed it on the meds, “Did we find out who did it? Were the schematics of our designs stolen?” Tasha wanted to focus on business. It was easier to focus on than the exhaustion she saw in him. It was easier to focus on than seeing his tired eyes and the clear signs that he worried about her. It was easier to focus on than remembering the words he uttered when they last parted ways.

As she expected, he hadn’t brought it up again, keeping things entirely professional. She looked at him and wondered where she fit into all this and she didn’t understand her own take on it. Parts of her wanted to open a door she hadn’t known existed till he put it right in front of her. The other parts of her wanted nothing more than to turn away from it. Where was this coming from? Her trust issues? The way she was raised as Sith? Or was it because she wanted to punish him for perhaps wanting him back when she couldn’t have him? Whatever it was, it was far more complicated than simply pretending nothing had changed. And so she did just that. She took the path of least resistance.

“Ugh, I guess now I suppose you think you don’t owe me anymore for saving your ass before,” Tasha laughed as she ran a hand through her messy hair, “Speaking of what I want… a nice, juicy bantha steak. The food here is garbage,” This was hilarious considering she had only been awake to sample one meal so far.

 

[Gillian Rel]

His phone buzzed in a jacket pocket as she pulled her purse out, moving it around in her hands. He pulled the phone out in a moment of silence and glanced down at a report on the companies security. A slight frown appeared on his face before he looked back up at Tasha, tucking the phone back in a pocket. Tasha had never actually given him any authority over the companies security forces, but after the incident, he had talked with enough authority that no one had questioned him when he starting giving orders. Besides, he had enough of his own muscle to do dirty work if needed.

"I caught the assassin before she could make a getaway." he said, "I am assuming this is the doing of Greff-Timms. Their stocks have taken a beating since you announced your plans. They certainly have the motive." he said, giving her another look before continuing. "I'll get a name out of her," he said as a matter of fact. It didn't matter how hard someone was; everyone sang eventually. He hadn't let his men handle it for fear they would go too far, and she would die before they get exactly who had ordered the hit. "What do you want do when I find out who did this?" he asked, his voice cold. He knew what he would do; he had grown up in a world where to burned it all to the ground if someone attacked you. He doubted Tasha wouldn't to be that..forward with retaliation. He wanted to rip the person apart from himself, but would let Tasha make the call.

"I haven't ruled out that no one within the company was involved," he said quietly. For now, his place was here with her, but soon he would get to work and get to the bottom of this. People would pay for what happened.

He took a breath, deflating slightly as some of the edges fell away from his demeanor. He realized it was enough business for the moment. Tasha needed to rest; these problems would wait a day or two. "I guess we will have to see how the dust settles after all of this," he said with a small smile. She would have had a good chance at surviving the attack if he hadn't been there, he had been helpless, so the situations didn't compare. "Though I suspect the scales still tip in your favor, you did save me in laser tag after all." he finished. The picture he had from the night was one of his favorite.

She didn't have to preach to him about the legendarily terrible food of hospitals. "I think I can swing that," he said. "Though I am sure you won't have to worry about the food for long, I haven't seen anything able to keep you down for long. he said, leaning forward and placing a hand on her arm. "I'm glad you pulled through this, Tasha," he said with a tired expression as he ran a thumb over blue skin. After a second, he leaned back and pulled his phone back out. "So what do you want with this steak?" he asked.

 

[Tasha Blackwell]

Tasha thought for a long moment on how she would address the culprits, but he had moved on from the topic. In a way, thinking about exactly how she wanted to manage the politics and the PR was giving her a headache. The comment about someone within the company doing it was a chilling thought, but it wasn’t something she could rule out easily. She came from a lifetime of backstabbing and pushing others aside to get ahead. How could she expect her own staff to do any different?

She was distracted by his words after that, glancing over at him as he mentioned he was glad she pulled through. Tasha felt his hand on her arm, that subtle touch enough to send jolts through her. She hated how he made her feel sometimes, but she was glad he couldn’t sense it in her, “Yeah, yeah, don’t get all sappy on me now, monkey lizard,” She grumbled, though she didn’t pull away from his touch.

When he leaned back, she eyed him suspiciously, “Why are you being so agreeable? Normally you’d throw the biggest fit if I asked you to do something,” She quirked an eyebrow. Their dynamic made no sense to her. They had bickered back and forth, they somehow tolerated one another again, then he admitted his feelings for her, then she completely stood there like an idiot, and now he was back to being completely peachy. It always threw her for a loop.

“Why don’t you get yourself some food too? Company dime,” Tasha grinned, “The least I can do is feed you for helping me out back there,” She wanted his company in whatever roundabout way she could ask for it. Tasha hadn’t forgiven herself for letting him walk away like that, though she still wasn’t brave enough to broach that topic again.

“Do you ever miss it?” She asked abruptly after a moment, meeting his gaze again, “The Lusty Lekku? The people?” And in a quieter voice, “What you had before?”

 

[Gillian Rel]

"Its called bedside manner." he said to her comment about getting sappy. "Which you wouldn't know what it looked like if it slapped you in the face," he said with a chuckle. He liked to think that somewhere, deep inside she appreciated the gesture, even if he knew she would react this way.

He shrugged when she asked why he was acting this way. He didn't really have a great answer, he wanted to, it felt right to act this way. "I'm tired." he said explaining "Give me a good night's sleep and I'll be back to my usual difficult self." he said looking up at her.

"And damn right you are paying for it." he said ordering food through the holonet. He would have someone pick it up and bring it to them. "I can't afford the food we are about to eat on the shitty salary you pay me." he joked. He made plenty of money, both from his work with Tasha, and from working on his own. That didn't stop him from living on his beat up old ship like a penniless trader.

The food was ordered and on its way. He placed his phone back on his pocket and looked up as she spoke again. He managed to keep her gaze when she spoke but quickly looked down at the floor. He thought for a long moment, through the time spent as a hired thug of Cait's, rising through the ranks of the Exchange, falling in love, and then watching it all fall to pieces. "I would do it all again for the people." he said "That was my family...is my family." he said correcting himself at the end. Most of his gang and even a good number of the staff at the Lusty Lekku had followed him, finding employment away from Nar Shaddaa. Gil had helped those where he could.

"The rest of it...." he said thinking for a moment again. "It all seemed so simple at the time." he said eyes still locked on the floor. "I miss how sure I was that I was going to make it." he confessed before growing silent again. "I don't know..." he finally admitted, looking back up at her.

"You? Would you give all this up to go back?" he asked. She had danced by choice, never seeming to need the credits like the rest of them. He was sure that she had made much more credits than he had even as a crime boss. She seemed to enjoy it, as much as Tasha showed she enjoyed anything.

He laughed at the thought. "I don't think I could picture that." he said finally.

 

[Tasha Blackwell]

Ah yes, there he was again. Tasha grinned as he returned to his normal quips. He did look tired and miserable, and it took all that to get him to be agreeable. She reached into her purse and fished out some keys, tossing them his way, “Go crash at my place. I have a pretty comfy bed,” Tasha said casually, “Just don’t steal anything while you’re there,” She knew she would be stuck at the hospital for at least another day or two.

Tasha withdrew back slightly as he mentioned he would it all over again. Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she let it pass, pushing her own thoughts aside. She knew he was mostly referring to his gang....right? She felt like a foolish little girl for allowing herself to get irritated over something like this. What was it that she was doing? Fishing? That’s what they called it. She was fishing for answers she wanted to hear. That never worked with Gil. He always spoke what was on his mind, and he was honest to a fault.

“It was very simple,” She found herself agreeing, “I liked being Sapphire. I had a lot of admirers,” Tasha grinned, thinking of all the wealthy and repeat customers that always demanded for her, “I liked being center of attention. I felt flawless up on that stage,” She paused for a moment, “But ultimately I wasn’t in charge. I like being in charge. I could never give this up.”

Tasha eyed him curiously, “So, you don’t think you can make it? What does making it mean for you? For most it means settling down with a wife, popping out some kids and doing some bullshit job till you retire,” She grinned as she eased back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling, “Perhaps you should give the simple, civilian life a thought.”

 

[Gillian Rel]

He looked up as the keys flew towards him, quickly catching them. He almost groaned at the thought of sleeping in a proper bed but held it together. He had too much work to do. Besides, he wasn't going to leave her here until he was sure she was safe. He still put the keys in his pocket and smiled. "Me? Steal? Never!!" he said, holding a hand to his chest in mock shock.

He felt the slightest change in Tasha as he looked back up after answering her question. She was impossible to read, he usually could pick up on minor things here and there, but it was simply impossible to tell what went on inside her mind.

She had always been the center of attention since they had first met, that had continued to this day. "I wouldn't be surprised if I found out you let yourself get shot to capture the spotlight again." he said, "You should read some of the stories being written..." he teased. The more he thought about it, the more it made sense. Tasha had always been invincible; it wasn't like her to just up and get shot.

He leaned forward, looking back down at the floor as she turned back to more serious talk. "I am not sure what that means anymore," he said. He had never been one for planning long term. He had always lived his life by the seat of his pants, rolling the dice and making it work. "A wife and kids, huh?" he said with a chuckle, shaking his head as he looked up. "Can you imagine me with a kid? That would be a disaster..." he said honestly.

He lay back in the chair, reclining it slightly as he thought about her suggestion. "And do what with my new civilian life?" he asked, also looking back up at the ceiling. It was then he noticed just how heavy his eyes were. "I could...." he said, trailing off in thought. "Sell insurance." he paused before continuing, "Or maybe become an accountant." he continued. He closed his eyes, not necessarily by choice. "Maybe..." he trailed off before he could finish the sentence, snoring softly as he fell asleep.

Within a couple of minutes, the food would arrive, one of Tasha's bodyguards bring it in. Gil didn't stir at the noise.

 

[Tasha Blackwell]

Tasha narrowed her eyes as he implied she got shot on purpose, “Okay, I’m not that bad. Besides, look how miserable I have to look right now. You’ve seen me without make up far too much by now…” She grumbled, thinking about how factually true that was. She was always dolled up, always at her best, even if she slept with anyone. She was the type to get up earlier and re-apply makeup. Gil had seen her sweaty and miserable in her garden, had seen her now in a hospital bed, had seen her drugged out of her mind and everything in between.

She grinned at him as he mentioned kids, “Hey, civilian ladies might like your ridiculous hero complex. Could pass that onto your son,” Tasha shrugged, “Though I feel bad for whatever woman has to squeeze out a mini you with those obnoxious ears,” She began to laugh then, shaking her head. He began to list off civilian careers, and she nodded along, “Yes, or you could..” Tasha looked over at him, noticing that he had dozed off.

Tasha couldn’t help but stare at him in wonder, realizing just how tired he was to have collapsed like that. The guards arrived with the food and they went to wake him, but she quickly shook her head no and dismissed them. Tasha stared at Gil for a moment, noticing how peaceful he looked without all the stresses of his days on his face. She wanted to wake him up and remind him to go to her house, knowing he would be much more comfortable there. She knew he wouldn’t.

Did this claw away at him like it did her? Did he think about this in the back of his mind as they went about their days as colleagues and strictly professional business partners? Did his mind dip into the what-ifs like hers did? Was he dreaming about that now? Or was he dreaming of a what-if where none of this happened? Tasha thought herself very simple and straightforward before this. This added countless layers of complexity that terrified her, more than she would ever admit. As she watched that peaceful face and heard the quiet, deep breathing, she realized he scared her. Scared her because of all the ways he tugged at her mind and soul, the ways he pierced through the walls she had always put up.

Tasha didn’t wake him, looking around the empty room. She used the Force to bring over a set of blankets, her refined skills expertly laying it over him. She also called forth a pillow to gently ease under his head to support him, all without waking him. He would simply believe a nurse had done it, and that was fine with her.

Tasha’s gaze lingered on him for a few moments longer, no smile on her face. He was so close, and yet he felt as if he were a million miles away. There was a chasm between them that she had to leap across, and she was terrified of plunging into the depths on the way. It was simpler to look away, simpler to pull back. And so she did. She returned to her food and quietly began to eat, nursing an ache in her chest that had nothing to do with the gunshot wound.

 

[Gillian Rel]

Three days passed, much of it Gil spent in the hospital. When she could no longer stand him, or he her, he would wait out in the hallway with the other guards.

They still had a product to unveil, so on the day Tasha was being released home. Gil found himself on the same testing grounds where this had all been. He had argued to that they continue the guard but Tasha wouldn't have any of it and he had walked that line long enough to know she wasn't going to budge on that. She was capable of defending herself, the doctors not realizing how capable she actually was. Gil knew though so had agreed to come back and run the press conference.

They had tripled security and brought people in only a moment before the release was about to begin. A short speech was given showing off the innovations in quality and design they had implemented.

The keynote speech was followed directly by a live fire presentation. Gil had all but insisted he got to fire the first shot. He was still a little groggy, still sore from sleeping in hospital chairs the last day but his mind cleared as he approached the stand and picked up the large weapon.

He brought the speeder on the other side of the field into focus through the scope, steadying himself before gently pulling the trigger. There was a sound of a rushing rocket the instant before the echoes of the explosion reached them. The crowd applauded. They repeated this process several times, even letting some of their more valuable customers also try with help from Blackwell staff.

The day ended, a buzz beginning to grow around the product, only tainted somewhat by the news of the attack. Now that this was out of the way, Gil could move on to more important matters, like finding those responsible for the attempt on Tasha's life.

/END