The day had been long and rough.  Being a new girl in the Vast Empire Army was not easy.  Xylonia eagerly made her way to the local bar for some rest and relaxation.  She had changed out of uniform into her usual loose cargo pants held up with a belt, a black wife beater, old banged up brown leather jacket, brown scuffed boots, and the two necklaces she always wore.  One necklace was intricate and beautiful, a silver key with wings adorned by gears and gems.  The second necklace was just a small piece of dented metal hanging from a plain chain.  She wore her deep red hair down around her shoulders.  She pulled the door open and stepped inside.  Music drifted in her ears as looked around.  Several others were already getting their break from a hard day’s work.  Lights danced about a small stage where dancers moved to the music.  People were laughing and talking loudly to be heard over the music.  Cigar and cigarette smoke drifted about the dimly lit room in a lazy haze.  People cursed their luck as they lost playing sabacc. 

    Xy found an unoccupied table surrounded by plush chairs and couches.  She plopped herself down.  Immediately a waitress was at her side.

“What’ll it be honey?” 

    Xy waved her hand in displeasure, “Whiskey, double, leave out the honey, thanks.”

    The waitress frowned and took off to put in the order.  Xy put her hands behind her head and leaned back enjoying the soft couch she had planted on.  She watched the other people around the bar and wondered what kind of lives they lead and what brought them into the military.   

OOC:

Ok, sorry this is a sad short start but just wanted to get something up to get the ball rolling.

Xy gestured to the various seats at the table. 

"Sure, have a seat." She leaned over to whisper so the men at the nearby table wouldn't be able to hear,"But did it ever occur to you that maybe I sat at the only empty table next to a bunch of intoxicated robust men for a reason?"  She winked and gladly took the shot from Jack.  She raised it in a toast, "Name's Xylonia, you can call me Xy for short, or Whiskey.  It's practically my middle name."

Xy threw back the shot as the waitress brought over her double order.  She looked over at the table of men who were still debating on going over to chat.  Xy raised a finger and waggled it beckoning one of the men, or any of the men, from that table to come over.  The men grinned and started talking among each other excitedly. 

Jack gave Xy a strange look and wondered what exactly was going to happen.  Xy nodded to Jack with a wicked grin on her face. 

"You'll quickly learn that I find trouble wherever I go, and I like it."

Finally after a few minutes, one of the men mustered up enough courage to head over to the ladies' table.  He stood across the table from Xy, his hands in his pockets and a cocky smug smile sat on his face.

"You called?"

Xy returned the man's cocky smile and threw her elbow down on the table with her hand open.  She looked up at him with sultry blue eyes. 

"Arm wrestle me."  Was all she stated, grinning.

The table of men rang in chuckles and the man turned towards his friends smiling.  They all encouraged him to do it.  So, he sat across from Xy and took her feminine hand in his thick calloused digits.

Jack leaned back and tried to hide her smile.  She was looking forward to seeing what kind of trouble Xy meant.

Xy nodded to the man, "Loser drinks this," she held up the double shot of whiskey she hadn't touched and set it back down gently.

The man's grin widened thinking it would be easy to beat her and get a beautiful new girl plastered and back to his bunk.

Jack leaned in on the action, "I'll ref. Ready? In three, two, one!"

Xy and the man started their wrestling of arms and though he thought he would instantly win, he was surprised to find the woman fighting his muscular arm.  Their arms had not budged but were trembling as they fought eachother.  He raised an eyebrow at her, impressed.  He put more effort into it and Xy was able to match him.  After watching his facial expression turn confused, Xy threw his arm against the table.  Hoots and whistles exploded from the table where he originally came from.  He stared at her a moment dumfounded, and then he grabbed the shot and threw it back. 

"Alright, you need to at least tell me your name!" he stated rather surprised still.

She winked at him and then threw a wink at the table.  "Call me Whiskey boys.  Now, who's next?  Oh waitress, we're gonna need more shots!"

Why did you come here John?  You know how hard it is for a man such as yourself to get drunk. John quietly thought to himself as he ate a late night snack.  Much to the consternation of the bartender, the young veteran wasn’t in much of a mood to drink, even if the man realized that it would probably take a good portion of his alcohol stock to get the bio-enhanced Cadian at something that could count as inebriated.  Sighing a bit as he finished off a rather decent sized burger; John turned to the bartender and finally decided to get some liquor in his system.

“I’ll have a glass of Vernors and Rye if ya have it.”

“What the hell is Vernors?”

“Fine, then I’ll have some Rye and Schweppes then.”

Lamenting at the fact that the bar didn’t sell his favorite non-alcoholic drink, something that he himself got addicted to when he was a mere cadet in the Cadian Shock, John couldn’t help but wonder why he was at the pub yet again.  Although he wasn’t much of a drinker, he knew that sometimes having just a small bit of alcohol in his system helped him sleep at night.  And yet, that same shit has made the nightmares even worse when it didn’t do its damn job. 

“…Now, who's next?  Oh waitress, we're gonna need more shots!”

"How about me, eh?" 

Was that Lightrays voice?  Feth I haven’t seen him since he was reassigned!  Looking over towards a table, currently occupied by two girls and now Kilroys old squad-mate, John couldn’t help but reminisce a bit as he watched two of ‘em get ready for another game of arm wrestling.  After watching the three for a bit, John finally decided that he should join in on their fun and went towards their table.  Although he was dressed in casual Rhyzan attire, which had some modifications that were quite popular amongst those on the Cadian continent, John still had the inkling that most people at the bar thought the pouches on him held liquor flasks; which was true but in this case, the flasks actually filled with his sweet nectar of the gods, in case he had a hankering for Vernors….Just in case.

“Mind if I join in as well?  Name’s John, but you can call me Kilroy.”

As all that commotion was going on, over at one of the sabacc tables, a tall, old Mandelorian was feeling rather brave. The day for him started with attempting to find his friend, a stormtrooper in one of the big name squads. However, on reaching the barracks, he discovered that the friend was not there. He came to the bar hoping that he could see his Imperial, but to no avail. Rather than be bored waiting for him, the Mandelorian simply went over to a sabacc table and began to play for fun, to keep him occupied. Unfortunatly, his old pirate instincts came back, and soon was deep in the game with a thousand credits in the hand pot and ten thousand in the sabacc pot.

The wide brimmed black stetson perched on his head hid the strands of grey that were beginning to creep into his dark hair. A few wrinkles on his face showed his age of fifty anyways. He felt right at home in his weathered trench coat, the color turning grey with age. A single gold ring graced his right hand on his ring finger, reminding him of a love long left behind on Mandelore. His thoughts turned back to a day in the past, a day that changed his life.

You will be my boy's bodyguard, his friend, his fairy Mandelorian godmother so be it.

He remembered the old man's voice, croaking, but still retaining authority.

Keep him safe. He's my legacy.

"Hey, gramps! Wake the hell up!" yelled the biggest trooper at the table. That knocked the Mandelorian out of his trip down memory lane, and made him quite cross. "I am awake, you imbicìl." He curtly responded.

The trooper grunted and took a swig of some unlabeled brown alcohol out of a cloudy green bottle. The other two who were playing as well sighed and began to show their hands. "Ha!" one of them laughed. "-22!"

"Oh yeah? 22, beat that!" the other one replied. The big trooper grinned widely as he laid his hand down. "Pure fucking sabacc!" he called as he put down the cards. The Mandelorian tossed his hand down without batting an eye. "Idiot's Array."

The big trooper fumed. "No frakking way! You cheated!"

He stood up abruptly and stormed over to the Mandelorian, who calmly stood up to confront him. "What's your name, old man?"

"Why do you want to know that?" he asked, hand resting on the shoulder on the big guy, obviously irritated. "So I know what to put on your tombstone, jaggoff."

The Mandelorian smiled and squeezed his hand, fingers digging into several pressure points. "Enriko Chiffre. Now let me collect my credits and you can resume drinking your beer."

He dropped down, Enriko's hand still on his shoulder squeezing until the man was fully down on the ground. The Mandelorian then calmly stepped over him and pocketed the credits before grabbing a gin and tonic from the bar and sitting at Xylonia's table. "Well, that was fun. Must tell Heliwer when I find him. If I find him. Anyways, my turn to match the chica."

His arm went up and her slender fingers slid between his. As she began to apply force, he smirked and matched her, pound for pound. Their arms shook with the effort, and it became clear that it was to be a war of attrition. A war that Enriko rarely lost. After a few minutes, he slammed Xylonia's hand down on the table. "Too bad. Your pretty, and pretty good, but that gets you nowhere when you're dead. A round on me."

OOC:

Ladies and gentlemen, Heliwer's best friend and Mandelorian Eriko. All typed up on my iPhone too. And yes. I did look up sabacc on wookeepedia and use the rules.

The waitress brought drinks to every one, she slid one in front of Dusk. He picked it up off the table. Swishing it around in the glass. Eh, I shouldn't. Well, what harm could one drink cause? He downed the shot in a quick gulp, he felt it burn all the way down. He coughed a bit as he wasn't used to the taste of liquor.
“I think I’m gonna dance.” Xy said getting up.
When she got there Jacen was immediately transfixed. The sway of her hips. The movement of her arms. "Beautiful." Dusk whispered to no one in particular. Obviously he wasn't the only one who thought so. The rookie from the original table moved in on her. He grabbed her in a tight embrace and began kissing her neck, his hands getting a bit too friendly. Removing his trench coat and hat, Dusk stood.

He approached the drunken fool from behind. Rose had tried to break free but had failed, she looked around pleadingly. Dusk slid behind the drunk. "Care to switch?" He asked calmly.
"Frak off, moron." The man replied and went back to Whiskey.
"No, frak you" Dusk grabbed the man, spun him around, and punched him in the face, dropping him. "No one, touches one of my squad mates. Especially her."
The table the man originally came from let out a cry of displeasure. "Hey, what the frak?"
Ignoring them Jacen turned toward Xy, were she had fallen. "Here," He said, offering his hand. She grabbed his fore-arm and he pulled her to her feet.
"Thanks," She said with a slightly rattled tone.
"You gonna pay for that!" One of the older members of the table yelled. He gripped a bottle and moved towards the two.
"Come at me bro!" Dusk yelled back extending his wrist-blade.

OOC:

It took a little while, but guys. We have ourselves a BAR FIGHT!

Jack grabbed her whiskey glass before a drunk moron tripped and fell into the table. She downed the amber liquid then grabbed Whiskeyrose's elbow and pulled the red head against her chest.

"Hey baby."

Xylonia blinked and looked like she was searching for the words to say back to the blond woman holding her. Jack cut off any attempt by holding the slender woman tighter and nailing some drunk with a punch to the jaw.

"You can let me go you know."

Jack smirked, knowing full well the alcohol was effecting her judgment and not caring. "Why in the seven hells would I want to do that beautiful?" She twisted slightly and landed a solid side kick in another mans chest. "You are the damsel, I'm making sure you stay out of distress."

Xylonia brushed some hair out of her face with some measure of agitation. "This is not keeping me out of distress."

"Okay you got me." Jack grabbed an empty ale glass and tossed it at a trooper, and fist pumped when it hit him in the forehead. "I just wanted to cop a field. But I'm kinda protecting you." She spun Xy to her other arm and punched the same trooper with a left hook. "Admit it, you don't hate it."

The rest of their table companions had taken up fights around the bar. The single fight had sprung into a full out bar brawl. It was only a matter of time before a brass showed up and ruined the fun. Jack had to admit she was enjoying herself far more than she expected to. These stormtroopers knew how to have a good time.

The bar was still remarkably in decent shape. Only two tables had been over turned and a handful of glasses broken. It looked like the liquor behind the bar was still intact and as far as Jack was concerned the after party was the most important thing right now.

The dancers were cowering behind the railings leading upstairs to their quarters. It amused the young trooper that the women would rather stay and watch the fight then adjourn to their very safe rooms upstairs.

Jack slammed into the bar still holding Xy. She must have been backpedaling faster than she realized. "Hey barkeep, mind a refill."

"You are insane. And I don't need to be blasted protected, let me go dammit."

The bartender ignored her but Jack found a half full glass of ale and chugged the glass until she could see a wobbly version of the world through the bottom of the glass.

Jack blinked suddenly indecisive about her next move, then she looked at a pair of fairly angry gray eyes a few inches from her face. "Aww damn sorry." She held up the empty glass. "Did you want some? I can find another hang on."

Xy facepalmed.

Xylonia couldn’t stand being hostage in the slimy worm’s grasp.  A shudder of disgust was rolling down her spine when she saw a familiar face behind the scumbag.  “Care to switch?” Dusk calmly asked in his always smooth as cream voice. 

    “Frak off moron.” The groping man commented as he commenced to slide his hand under her shirt.  It felt as though worms were slithering across her taught belly.  Xy scrunched up her face into even more of a repulsed look.

    “No, frak you.” Dusk grabbed the man with a large hand and turned him around.  The hooligan’s rough grip on Xy sent her sprawling to the floor.  Her shining grey eyes looked up at Dusk towering over her and the other man.  Dusk’s massive stature dwarfed any man.  The anger in Dusk’s eyes and the tightness of his jaw brought a strange feeling to Xy.  Woa.  Dusk is seriously pissed off.  I don’t think I have ever seen him look like that, not even on our last mission.  While his one meaty paw held the man by his shirt, Dusk threw back his fist balled into a massive brick and punched the asshole square in the face. He dropped like a sack of rocks.  “No one, touches one of my squad mates. Especially her.”  Several cries of “Hey, what the frak?” rose from the table of heathens. 

Dusk ignored them and was completely focused on her.  He extended his arm to her, “Here.”  Suddenly moved by his protectiveness of her, she slowly placed her delicate hand on his large and muscular forearm.  She gripped it gently searching his face for him to give something away.  He easily pulled her to her feet.  Speechless, she was finally able to stutter out, “Thanks.”  No one has ever done anything like that for me, well except for Reg, but this was different.  Still looking into his eyes, she squeezed his forearm extending her gratitude. 

“You gonna pay for that!” one of the gentlemen from the table headed towards them gripping a bottle maliciously.  Out of the corner of her peripheral vision, Xy could see one of the men already had made his way around to flank them. 

“Come at me bro!” Dusk yelled as a wrist blade extended from his free arm with the slight sound of metal moving against metal. Xy kept a hold of Dusk’s firm forearm.  As he engaged the man with the bottle, Xy placed her other hand on his forearm and used it as leverage.  As the man behind them emerged from the shadows to punch Xy, she lifted herself off the ground and kicked him in the knee with one leg and used him as a wall and walked up him to kick him in the jaw with her other foot.  Dusk felt what she was doing and spun with her so she could keep a hold of his arm.  The other man tried to hit Dusk with the bottle he was holding, but Dusk’s reach was far greater and Dusk stabbed him in the throat with his wrist blade.  Blood sprayed in a half circle and Xylonia swung around sending her kick into the man’s nose.  He went flying backward onto a table which broke. 

Dusk glanced at her with excitement in his eyes.  Xy seemed to have sobered up and was no longer frail or helpless.  The man Dusk had punched staggered to his feet and attempted to tackle Dusk from behind.  Her blue eyes saw him coming so she twirled herself inward into Dusk’s arms, bringing his forearm with her.  Standing chest to chest with Dusk, she held her fist out under Dusk’s armpit and the man’s face connected with it.  He got a grunt out before he was sent flying backward unconscious.  Another loser came up behind Xy, but before Dusk could react, she threw her leg backwards and up with her knee at a perfect 90 degree angle.  Her steel-toed boot connected with the man’s jaw.  A loud crack resounded off the walls as he dropped to the floor.    Dusk looked into Xy’s eyes for a moment, surprised and impressed at the same time.  She took a deep breath making her bosom rise against his chest with an exhilarated smirk on her face.  She exhaled a girly sigh before turning around to face two more enemies of the four surrounding her and Dusk. 

One man shattered the end of a bottle against the bar and made at Dusk’s throat with it.  While Dusk fended him off and commenced to bloody the man’s face, Xy found herself facing three.  Two of the men distracted her with broken bottles of their own while the third grabbed a chair ready to break it over her.  A metal fist connected with his face just as he was about to swing the chair down.  As the chair fell onto him and broke, Xy grabbed one of her confronter’s wrists snapping it backward as she spun pulling his arm over her shoulder.  She threw out her hip bone into the man’s side and commenced to pull him over her, slamming him hard onto his back.  She turned 180 degrees without missing a beat throwing out her arm with two fingers extended.  They rammed into the man’s Adams apple ad the razor edge of a bottle lightly scratched her throat before falling to the ground and shattering.  The man dropped instantly.  Xy felt one more presence and spun again to defend against the new threat.

Heliwer was standing there.  She smiled, relieved.  “Hey”

“Damn woman,” he chuckled, “How much trouble can you get in?”

“Dunno.  Want me to try and get in as much as possible?” She teased.

“Don’t make me tie you up sweetie.”  He grinned.  Xy raised an eyebrow.  Oh boy. “So, what do you think?” He asked flexing his new arm.

She shook her head. Really? At a time like this. “Hmmmm. Arm’s ok.  How about you scruffy, and me go beat up some assholes?” She thought that fighting was a good distraction right now.  Heliwer nodded in agreement.  Dusk was fighting a man with his wrist blade arm, but watching Xy and Heliwer.  Before heading over to the tables where more assholes awaited lessons, Xy slid up to Heliwer and said very clearly with her eyes shining silver, “Do not ever call me sweetie again, or I will cut off your manhood and shove it so far down your throat  you’ll wish you were a jawa.”

As she was running towards the tables, Jack threw an arm around her and pulled her to her chest, “Hey baby.”  Oh no, not now… Jack fended off several brutes while attempting to sweet talk Xy in a drunken state.  Jack stumbled to the bar to call for more drinks pulling Xy along with her. 

“You are insane.  And I don’t need to be blasted protected, let me go dammit.” Jack chugged a whole ale and offered to get more for Xy. 

Xy heard the sound of a blaster and shot her eyes towards the tables.  She saw Dusk under one as he shouted, “Whiskey, Jack, GET DOWN!”  She didn’t need to be told twice.  Grabbing Jack, she pulled Jack with her as she dove for over under a nearby table.  A fireball erupted over the bar.  Xy scrambled to her feet quickly watching Dusk dive off a table into a nearby brawl.  She ran towards the ball of fighting men and slid at the last second on her side.  Xy’s curvy figure erupted between Dusk’s spread legs.  She threw a scissor kick upward into the groin of the man directly facing Dusk.  As he grabbed his groin, buckling over in pain, Dusk punched him knocking him out.  Dusk grabbed Xy’s forearm with his free hand and she grabbed his forearm at the same time.  He threw her out and she pointed her steel toes.  Her boots connected with another man’s forehead, dropping him and the knife he held.  Dusk grabbed her other arm and started spinning as fast as he could.  Xy kept a tight grip on his flexing forearms and kept her toes pointed.  Her feet connected with the circle of men, knocking them all out.  When no one was left standing, Dusk slowed his spin and gently lowered Xy.  She grabbed the ground with her feet, standing gracefully.  She found herself facing Dusk, both still embracing the other’s arms.  Her eyes started turning silver to green.  They were both breathing heavily from the rush.  She threw her head back and let out a light-hearted laugh.  “That was one of the most enjoyable things I’ve ever done.”

Xy stared at Heliwer for a brief moment watching him drink from the bottle.  Her eyebrows were furrowed in anger.  She slowly stood.  "Yes, I think you're handsome, but now I also know that you're a dick."  She slapped his cheek hard making her hand sting. Her voice was straight and hollow, "I am not some THING to be won in a war, and I am definitely not your sweetheart so I recommend you stop calling me that real quick."  She started to head towards the doors to leave the bar.

"Hey, don't you want your whiskey, Whiskey?" Heliwer chuckled. The slap seemed to have not fazed him at all.

She looked over her shoulder giving him a cold glare with silver eyes, "No.  I think I've had enough to drink tonight."  She pushed the door open and walked out letting it slam shut behind her.  As the door shut she began to run.  Everything started to blur as tears filled her eyes.  Finally the realization of everything that had happened that night was sinking in.  She rubbed her neck where the man had licked and kissed it.  She felt filthy.  Her legs ran faster as her emotions escaladed.  The door creaked open, slammed shut, and was followed by footsteps echoing behind her.  "Xy! Wait up!"

She didn't know who followed her, but she didn't care at that moment.  She punched the wall as she ran cracking her knuckles.  I can't believe he had the nerve...  Soon, she found herself at the entrance to the gym.  She stepped inside and picked up a roll of tape.  She started hastily wrapping her hands as tears flowed freely.  I need to stop thinking. Her white teeth ripped the tape and she tucked in the loose ends.  She took a stance in front of a punching bag and started hitting it as hard as she could.  Her left hand was already screaming from punching the wall.  I must've busted a finger or something. I don't give a frak.  Pain is good right now.

Slow easy footsteps entered the gym and there was silence as she took out her anger on the bag.  Sweat started beading on her bare shoulders, neck and arms.  Her maroon hair stuck to her forehead.  The bag swung around wildly and when it came back to her, she kicked or punched it.  A familiar tall figure walked behind the punching bag and held it.  "Let it all out," Dusk said softly.  She gritted her teeth thinking about what she needed to let out.  She went all out on the bag.  He held it firmly so she could unleash all her rage.  It was easier to hit harder and faster with the bag being still.  As she continued to throw everything she had at the bag her crying grew audible and turned to a final loud scream as she hit the bag as hard as she could with her broken hand. 

Spent, she slid to the ground in a heap of sweat and tears.  Dusk got down on the floor beside her and wrapped his arms around her.  He did not say a word; he just let her let it out.  And she did.

Xy's face was solemn.  The man that part of her anger was directed at was holding a gun next to his head.  He had said it wasn't loaded, but the very sight of it disturbed her.  She went to the door and whispered to Dusk, "I think I better talk to him.  You know, get him out of this trench.  I'll be alright."  She slowly shut the door after Dusk nodded and told her that if she needed him that he wouldn't be far.

Xy very carefully and slowly walked over to Heliwer on the couch.  "May I sit?"  Heliwer looked at her.  His icy eyes were surrounded by red.  He seemed shocked by the question, and then he nodded yes.  She slowly sat right next to him.  She watched him carefully, unsure of his state of mind.  She gently placed her hand on his hand holding the gun.  She gently pushed down on his hand.  "Please, put it down." She looked at him with pleading eyes. "Please?" 

He swallowed a lump in his throat and let her push his hand down.  She gently removed the gun from his hand and set it on the coffee table. She let out a sigh of relief.  She took his hand in hers.  "Heli, I'm sorry.  I just..." She thought hard about what words to use.  "I'm not Dusk's girl."  Heliwer looked at her as if she was bluffing.  "but, I'm not your girl either.  We just met."

He let out a rough sigh to try and hide the pain. "You can go; I don't need your pity."

"I'm not pitying you fool.  You're my squad mate."  She squeezed his hand lightly.  "I do like you.  I consider you a friend."  He remained silent and stared at her hand in his.  She bit her lip in worry, unsure of his thoughts. "Frakkin hell.  I'm even attracted to you.  But the thing is..."  A tear swelled up and slowly rolled down her porcelain cheek.  "Before I joined the Army, which was just a month or so ago," her lips started to quiver and she had to close her eyes to focus, "my love was killed.  My first love, right in front of me."  She cleared her throat trying not to break down.  She had already broken down once tonight. She didn't want to again.  "My point is, I am going to need some time before I see anyone, no matter who it is.  I don't even know if I want another relationship.  But I do know that if you disappeared, my world would be a little colder."  She watched him so see if she was getting through to him.

He let her finish talking before warmly wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close to him. She instinctively rested her head on his chest, able to hear his breathing becoming more regulated and his heartbeats more relaxed. They simply sat there together for a matter of about five minutes before he gently kissed the top of her head and stood up. "Even if the gun was loaded, no way I'd kill myself." His voice was stronger now. "I gotta get revenge on the bastard who killed Helena. I've gotten close, but close won't do it. Need to kill him face to face so he knows who he will be waiting for in Hell."

Heliwer chuckled a little. "Aw frak. I keep breaking my rule about women: don't get close to em, don't lettem gett close to ya. I wanna try and avoid another situation where they're gone and I'm not, but at the same time I need to forget about the bad things in the past."

Slowly he walked over to the door and opened it, an anxious Dusk waiting for him. "She's alright. Go comfort her." The young trooper squeezed by and sat next to Xylonia while the sergeant stood outside with Enriko, the two of them sharing a smoke.

"You worry me sometimes, amigo." The Mandelorian grumbled.

"Sometimes?"

"Well, all the time then."

He started to feel better and poked his head into the apartment. "Hey, I feel like bantha poodoo for the way I treated ya both. Anyway I can make it up to ya? Buy ya dinner?"

A slight smile lit up her rather beat up looking face.  Her eyes had dark circles around them and the insides of her eyelids were rimmed in red.  She was relieved that Heliwer seemed in a better mood.  She looked at Dusk and motioned her head to the door and Heliwer, “Let’s go.  I’m starving now that I think about it.”  She stood up and walked out the door brushing against Heliwer as he held it open for her and Dusk.  After Dusk stepped out the door, Heliwer shut it and locked it.

    “So, where should we eat?  You guys pick since I’m the king of the asshats tonight.” Heliwer chuckled slightly.

    Xy rubbed her bare arms and cringed, “I don’t care, but I want to take a shower first, so how about you guys pick and I’ll meet you there after I get what’s left of that slime ball off me.”

    Dusk nodded understanding what she meant, “How about that one place that’s actually not too far from the Drunken Imperial?  I think it’s called Pilot’s Diner?”

    Heliwer shrugged, “It’s up to you swe –“He cleared his throat and coughed to hide his flub, “uh Xy.”  He nervously watched her hoping she wouldn’t notice.

    She did notice but kept a poker face so she wouldn’t give away that she caught it.  He’s hurting inside.  He may not be showing it now.  But knowing what he’s gone through, I know he’s still hurting.  I’ll let it slide, just this once.  “That works for me.  I’m just going to go use the showers at the gym so I don’t have to go all the way back to my apartment.”

    Dusk and Heliwer both shifted uncomfortably.  “Uh, do you want one of us to go and stand guard? Y’know outside the gym?”  Dusk asked timidly. 

    She rolled her silvery eyes.  I don’t need babysitting.  Well, I guess after what happened earlier they don’t want to risk it. “I’ll be fine.  I’ll be as quick as a swoop bike and in the restaurant shortly after you guys.”  She smiled warmly to comfort their fears and gave them both a gentle squeeze on the shoulder.  She started jogging to the Gym.  She respectfully nodded to Enriko as she passed him and mouthed “Thank you” to him as she jogged past. 

    She reached the gym quickly.  Grateful it was only minutes away, she headed into the ladies locker room and found her private locker.  Limber digits twisted a combination lock and with a punch to the bottom, it swung open.  She gathered her toiletries and undressed.  As she held the sweaty clothes in her hand, she debated burning them.  Her head shook to shake the bad memories away.  It’s just in my head.  I shouldn’t burn perfectly good clothes just because… She stopped thinking about it and dropped the clothes in her hamper bag.  She wrapped her curvy ivory body in a towel and headed to the showers.  As soon as she stepped into the stall, hot steaming water hit her body at the perfect temperature.  The water flowed over her shoulders and down her scarred back.  Closing her eyes to wash her mind of the repulsive memories, she cleansed her mind and body.  After she washed her hair, she stepped out of the shower and dried herself off.  She quickly dressed, grateful she always had spare clothes in her locker.  Simple dark denim hip hugging jeans that flared out just slightly over her boots and a tight, but comfortable t-shirt covered in a print of tools and gears never felt so good.  She quickly combed her wet hair and threw it in a quick pony tail.

    After she locked everything back up, she ran out of the gym towards the Pilot’s Diner eager to fill her belly with a warm meal and her wounded heart with some good company.

Therex watched the red head from earlier saunter back to the bar through the window of the restaurant. As the waitress came to his table Therex waved a hand, dismissing her. Grabbing the deck of cards off the table, and headed for the door. On the way out he bumped into Dusk. However keeping his head down, he remained unnoticed. Still with his head down, he suddenly heard a voice scream out, "HELIWER! HEEEEELP!" and was punctuated with a scream.

  Looking up, Therex saw the red-head being dragged down a back alleyway. Picking up his pace, Therex slid down an adjacent alley and stood at the end of it waiting. As the first person came around the corner, Therex stuck his foot out, sending him tumbling to the ground. Ducking under a fist that was swung randomly, he brought up his leg and caught the brute between the legs.

  As he fell, Therex pulled a gun out of the drunken man's belt and fired two shots at another man already reaching for his gun. The last drunk merely slumped forward and sighed. When he hit the floor, Therex saw the hilt of a knife sticking out of his back. Connected to the hilt was a large arm.

  Following the arm, Therex locked eyes with Dusk. Instantly recognizing him, Therex jumped back and let him finish. Dusk twisted the knife and pulled it out. Before he could say anything, Therex pulled his trench coat tighter around his body and started back down the alley. A large hand caught him by the throat and lifted him into the air.

  "Wanna explain what you were doing down here?"

Grains of grit from the pavement covered Jack's lips. She tried to lick them away then almost vomited from the taste of cement. Spitting and cursing under her breath she looked up to see a man gripping Whiskey from behind. She was fighting against the mans arms as he tried to carry her away.

Jack tightly closed her eyelids trying to squeeze the dizzy pain out of her head. Drinking so much that she couldn't walk wasn't a past time for her. She knew better than to incapacitate herself when she was alone, but with squadmates around Jack felt safe. That feeling of false security was over now.

There was more yelling and the pounding of footsteps all around her head. A loud thud near her arm motivated Jack to finally lift her head and attempt to open her eyes again.

Xy was on the ground scooting away while the thug held Therex by the throat. Heliwer and Dusk were looking down concerned at the two women as they fought off drunkards of their own. It always amused Jack how it was the jerks that seemed to always travel in packs.

"Xy? You okay?" Jack managed to croak out the words, but she couldn't be sure if they were intelligible or not. 

The blackness of unconsciousness engulfed Jack, she could feel the release of her fragile hold on the world around her. She didn't know how long she laid there on the pavement but as she came to the noise around her had subsided. 

Jack slowly climbed to her feet then stumbled falling against the restaurant window. Dusk appeared next to her holding her hand to steady her into an upright position.

"Thanks mate."

Dusk nodded and went back to watching Heliwer and Xylonia with a scowl. They were heading back towards the entrance of the restaurant, Jack didn't remember where they were or how they got there other than a vague feeling of leaning on Xy.

Out of nowhere another man ran up towards them. He checked the drunk on the ground then looked at the rest of them. Therex was unfortunately the closest and he grabbed the chiss by the shirt and slammed him against the wall.

"Come on really?"

Blue eyes flashed in her direction then with a grunt Xi jumped to her feet and grabbed the back of the man holding Therex.

The thug dropped Therex and started reaching to get the woman off his back. Jack walked as straight as she could towards the rodeo and tapped the man on the shoulder. It threw him off for a second and got him to look at her, that was all she needed. It was long enough for her to nail him in the jaw with a right hook, sending him staggering enough for her to grab the rabid woman off his back and into Heliwer's arms.

"I think you two were going to dinner ya?"

She smirked and winked at the man. "Wanna dance?"

For a little while the restaurant was silent to Xy as she watched Heliwer.  She couldn’t stop thinking about what it felt like to be in his arms.  Stop it.  How would Reg feel?  He’s not here anymore…  But, it’s too soon. Her face was blank as she reasoned with herself.  Thoughts of Reg and her emotions were battling a war within her and she felt miserable.  Heliwer’s voice pulled her from her thoughts, “Xy? Hey, you alright in there?”  He was looking at her very intently.  “Maybe we should take you to a doc, get your head looked at.” 

    She blinked out of staring into space and turned her eyes onto his.  She was about to speak, but the way he was looking at her made her forget what she was going to say.  Her lips moved trying to remember the words.  Those penetrating icy blue eyes bored into her depths.  Jack and Dusk both leaned in on the table, focused on Xy now too.  “Yeah, maybe you got hit harder on the noggin than you thought,” Jack looked as concerned and alert as a drunk focused on a game of sabacc. 

    Dusk nodded, “Yes, I think we should take you to a doc, or maybe Karash.”

    Xy shook her head breaking the spellbound gaze with Heliwer.  “No.  I’m fine.  I’m just a little shaken up.  It’s been one hell of a night.  I just am really sick of being the damsel in distress ok?  I’m a hard ass and should be able to take care of myself.”  She discreetly pressed her leg against Heliwer’s and slid her hand onto his knee.  He was warm, and she needed some comfort.  She refused to admit she was weak at that moment, but she knew she could lean on Heliwer for some inner strength.  As she knew he would, Heliwer remained silent, giving nothing away. 

    Dusk eyeballed her warily, “You sure you’re ok?”

    Xy nodded and managed a smile. “Yes! Let’s change the subject, I hate talking about myself.”  She looked at the blue skinned, red eyed man sitting next to Jack.  “So, who are you?  Thanks for stepping in and helping.  I appreciate it.  I’m Xylonia Rose.”  She extended her hand across the table to the man. 

    He carefully took her hand with his blue hand and shook it gently with a firm grip.  “I’m Therex.”  He shifted somewhat uncomfortably. 

    Jack nodded to Therex, “I’m Jack.”  He nodded in return, still looking as though he was sitting on something sharp.

    Everyone relaxed a little more then and indulged in multiple conversations with each other.  While the others were chit-chatting, Xy turned to Heliwer and asked him a question with a glimmer of excitement in her eyes and voice, “So, you have a ship?  You know, I am a mechanic.  I love engines and speed.  Nothing excites me more than going fast and the smell of engine grease.”  Her hand was still on his knee, her leg pressed against his.  She was already feeling so much better; she wished she could sit there with him for a very long time.

Feeling he was a bit awkward at the table after Therex and Jack left. He stepped outside, passing the waitress a couple of credits for the coffee. Pulling out his comlink, Dusk opened a channel to his assistant droid. "Three-pee-oh, you there?" Dusk asked.
"Yes sir, I am. Do you need somthing?" The doid quickly responded.
"Yes, patch me through to the imperial data banks."
"Right away sir." The droid fell silent for a second. "Ok sir, your patched through."
"Thank you Three-pee-oh. You can shut down for the night, I doubt that I'll be needing you again tonight."

Bringing out his data-pad, he accessed the files that had recently appeared on his pad. So, what has Therex been up to lately? Dusk pondered looking over squad reports that had been released. Not that busy. Eh, what can you expect?

He went to the side of the building and found an access ladder. Climbing to the roof, he sat on the edge. Looking over the building around, he admired the cityscape. Sighing, Dusk brought out his data pad again and accessed his messaging system. He typed up a message to one of his old friends, seeing if he was currently deployed or not. The reply came in a few seconds, No, I'm not busy. Why? I actually was about to head out for a walk.
Eh, just wanted to see if you wanted to hang out for a little, catch up. Not much.
Sure, were you at? Horse asked.
It's called Pilot’s Diner, you heared of it? Dusk replied.
Yeah, it's not that far. I'll see you soon. Troy ended the chat.