Flexing her arm muscles the Twi'lek bent down and touched her right foot. Holding the position for the count of ten before switching to the other foor. The pull on her leg muscles felt good.  Streaching was always the part of the warm ups.  She learned long ago that not warming up tended to cause more pain and longer recovery. Longer time hurt is less time prepearing

Saphira, had taken the liberty of leaving her squad and being on her own. Sense  leaving the academy she felt it not important to stay with them all the time. It was harder being around them anyway. Standing up, she leand back and pulled herself into low acrobatics. Testing and making sure she was mobile. The room itself that she was in was just that. A basic training room for whatever purpose.

There were a few basic weapons on tables. Nothing to elaborate. Mainly vibroblades and other weaponary similar to that. A few  durasteel chairs were off to the side. Other then that the room was bare.

"At least it's peacefull"

She muttered, thinking back to the academy where rooms like this were used as a social gather. It was hard to train on ones personal time. Even though the rules clearly stated that rooms such as that were to used for acadamy time only.

Standing, Saph pulled her headtail back and placed her footing to a basic stance. A deep breath as she closed her silver eyes and went into the first forms of her martial arts. Hands stricking out in sharp blocks as she concentrated with the slow piviotal movements of her kicks. Each one articulated and gracfully preformed as well as anything else she did. It was relaxing, she found to let her energy flow threw the kicks. She remembered the first time she took down an older opponent in the ring. Broken his nose when he failed to block  her tornado kick.

Saph pulled her arm back, about to go into a strike when she heard movment behind her. Snapping her head towards him, she almost jumped in suprise. Looks like I'm not the only one that wakes this early. Standing straight she relaxed her form, looking at him closly. Damn.. what is his name... Her mind went blank for a moment, sifting threw the list of names compleating  the unit she was in.

"No, it's fine Jersh. There is plenty of room for two."  Her  voice pooled out calmly. While she had little regard for others, Saph did recongise the need for training and honing skill. Much of her  old academy days was spent as much. Watching  others fool around with  parties and other nocturnal nonsense.


Stepping asside she moved to the far end of the room, silver eyes only looking at him for a moment. Perhaps he thought that coming in here bare chested would have had an effect on her. Inwardly, she grinned, for she had no notion of frolocing around  with the opposite sex in any way. For all she cared the man could have walked in nude, but he wouldn't get the best response to that. A grin swept across her face.

"You don't have to go. I'm normaly up this early if not earlier everyday."

Her voice lowered, as she stiffled a yawn. Rolling her right shoulder to pop it. Well there was no need not to let him know her scheduale. Considering that if she was here there was no reason why he shouldn't be able to work out either. Giving him her back she resumed her stance, firmly planting her feet back on the grouns as her pace picked up into the diffrent forms, aware that for the moment he was watching her.Watch all ya want pal She thought, twisting her waist and jumping into a roundhouse kick, landing on the balls of her feet and finishing with a sweeping ground kick.

"You need another word saying you can stay or are you going to stare at me all morning?"

Saph smiled to herself, taking a hand to her brow  to feel the pulse beating in her wrist. She found it strange that she herself didn't leave the room to head back to her quatrers. At least there she would be alone until it was time for chow.If I do that then I will never get my training in for the day Thinking to herself, before roilling her self to lay on her left side. Head streaching back as  her left arm reached for her left foot and held it for a moment.

Silver eyes rested for a moment on Jersh. Watching his movments with clean procision. Saphira found herself intrigued towards him. Not in  the sense for a romantic way, but more with what he was doing. Hard muscles had to be trained and kept up to stay like that. I doubt he even takes steroids to keep those Almost lazily she rolled up into a crouched position before standing.


Catching his words she almost froze.She too heard that phrase before. "Strength is the key to passion." Replying back to him before  running at him. Her eyes intent on the table  to the wall as she jumped and summersaulted to the ground. Comming up into a roll before  reaching out and swiping one of the vibro swords on the table. Almost instantly she twisted her body and flung the sword like a dart  across the room. A cool wooshing sound follwed by a twang as it inlodged itself into the far wall. Had someone been standing there  it more then likley would have taken them out from the midsection.

"hmmm I need a better target.." Her voice purred, with a hint of malice as she brushed past Jersh, walking like a huntress  towards it's prey as she reached out and pulled the blade from the wall. The mere fact that she managed to inlodge it  into the steel wall was a great feat. However the blade was slighty bent now.

Saphira heard the faint click of metel to boots. Spinning her head towards him she watched him retrieve another blade off the side of the table. Saph watched him for a moment. Walking closer towards him as she balled her left hand into a fist and rotated it. Feeling the air release in the joints a poping sound was heard.

The idea of a spar was refreshing. Perhaps he would give her something to offer. A real challenge for a change. "If you can handel me.." Her voice wisped, eyes flashing challengly as she came closer. Holding up the blade he would see it was bent and to her usless for the moment. A damaged weapon was a danger, even in a spar.

Reaching him, the female slowly took the tip of the blade and placed it ever so gently on his right shoulder, trailing it slowly down his chest  and back up to the top of his shoulder. Not cutting into the skin, as she looked him in the eyes. "It has been a long time sense I have truly streached my traning.." Her voice purred to a whisper. Taking the blade off she walked idly past him and  placed the usless weapon down. Hand reaching for another, identical to the other as the last remaining blade she turned to face him.

"Would you like to wadger anything. Say a duty or  are you afarid?" Almost chuckeling she walked back past him again and kicked her foot out to knock his feet from under him. Her body already  acting in motion as she stepped to side with a passion and pleasure gleaming in her eyes.

The female noted something about the way he had started to look. Saph only ignored it  for  whatever he ment or saw was probably  his past haunting him. It made no diffrence for the battle they were about to do.

They both stepped back, slight pain creasing her arm as her eyes flickered to the blood flowing and then back to Jersh. Watching  intently as he tasted the blood from his blade. A pool of warmth spread threw her body and to her core. Watching him she realised he was much like her. Carnal desire for the fight and blood.Intresting..

"You would be suprised at what else is sweet." Her voice running milky soft. The words ment to  go in many directions as she rushed  at him.  Bringing her elbos  close she pivoted her  feet and slashed towards his right shoulder. Jersh blocked, a loud metal clang rang in her ears. The vibration running up her arms as she spun, released one hand fromt he blade and  elbowed him in the  stomach.

Jersh stepped back, slighty winded, before spinning his blade countercloskwise. Licking his lips he growled,  stepping foward with a horazontal slash towards her head. Smiling to herself, Saph leaned back, feeling the breeze of the blade over her face. As if in slow motion she rose back up and slashed at his own arm. Still in full swing he couldn't do much about it. Her own cut draped a thin line. A few drops dripped off her own weapon as she  stepped back for a moment herself. This time she took the blade to her lips and so very slolwy licked clean his blood without cutting herself up.

"Strong.. Slightly sweet but I must say one of the best that I have tasted in an opponent" She replied, reaching back to rub her shoulder. I wonder what he is thinking.. No matter I guess. He is good. This is very refreshing  Saph noted her breathing was lightly heavier. Good,  a real challenge was something she overly enjoyed.  Saph suddenly felt a cool rush hit her skin. She found herself starting to open up towards him, more then just say average respect towards her team. Not love or lust, but then again she was new to many things. Shaking her mind clear she  pressed her walls down harder once more.

"Do you yield?"


Breathing hard as she snarled back at him. His words caressing her skin gently. However Saph didn't take to lightly to him pressing himself on her. A low growl came from her throat.

"Never." She snapped back and slammed her head forward to smash it against his nose. Instantly he let go. Saph moved, slammed her knee up to hit him barley above the groin. Jersh buckled forward slightly as she twisted her hands free of his. "Noone touches me.." She hissed and pushed him foward to get out of his way. However her skin still tingled where he touched her. The feeling not unwelcoming, but never-the-less Saph was unsure herself.


Jersh smiled, enjoying the pain for a moment and thanking the maker that she missed his jewels. The pain wouldn't stop him. It was mere pleasure that he found someone that he could possibly claim as an equal to in battle.Glade she's on our side.. Hell I'm glade shes in our squad He thought before standing straight. "Impressive.." He muttered, and part of him partially wondered why she didn't like that he touched her. Much like his own past she too looked as if it were interesting or painful.

"You haven't seen nothing yet." Saph replied, placing her feet firmly down. Holding her stance in a waiting position as she took in slow cool breaths. Grinding her teeth, the female licked her lips, tasting the sweat that was starting to bead off her body. Giving him a defile look in her eyes one  could almost see her muscles tense, ready for action against her red-skin. The black flamed marks that covered her body only added to her look. Jersh looked at for a moment, mind clicking on what to do now. Things are really starting to heat up. Saph said she's here every morning. Looks like  I will be too.

"No one touches you?..."But..... I just did, didnt I?".

He rounded her,  saph could feel his eyes on her like prey. Both were growing tired but to Saph the games where just starting. "One of the few who have... I'll get over it." She hissed and struck out at him once more. Jumping up she  angled a snap-kick  to his side.

Jersh smiled, caught her foot and pulled foward  towards him. Saph fell to the ground, her back hitting with a thud. Air whooshed out of her, but didn't slow her down. Using her other leg she kicked up at his arm and then rolled. Knocking his hand away as she intangled her feet in his  in the attempt to knock him over  as well.  "Getting tired?" She teased.

Jersh smiled once more, his hand being knocked awy but jumping back  from her  attempt to have him fall. "Not in the slightest." Panting back as he watched her roll  back up into a crouch. Her eyes blazed with fire. "Good. Else I would think you were not a true opponent." Licking her lips  as she came at him again. Her movements aided to her feet as she moved to the balls to stay on the top of her game. Archign close she  snapped her hand out in a punch and  moved to the side to elbow him once more. Jer slammed his arm down, blocking her attemped and kicked  her feet loose.

Balance unevend Saph fell back but placed her hands back into a gymnastics roll and came back to a ready position. "Is that all?" She snarled.He's very good. Saph found herself starting to enjoy this to an extent that she felt a bond start to form. Saph never felt anything towards anyone other then persay comrad. Even when she was at the academy she stayed to herself.

Alater had been watching for nearly the back half of the fight. His body, though still a little injured, and would never be back to full capacity, was feeling better now. He had taken to pushing himself more and more, and had nearly torn muscles because of it recently. He had been furthering his training to include his new claws, which were still in the works.

The blade, the cursed flaming blade, slid across Alater's scales again. Its burning marks would never heal, eternal reminders of his struggle for life. Around him he saw his squad mates dealing with their own foes, but Alater had no time to help him. Saving them from this monster was his own concern, and so he turned back. Those cold red eyes stared at him, and their Dance began again.

Alater snapped out of it and stepped from the shadows. He wore only a loose robe tied around his waist, the shoulders hanging down. The fight he saw, was coming to a close. As Jersh lost conciousness, Saph continued her charge,  but Alater whipped out an arm and turned her around to face him.

"No." He muttered as he stared into her eyes, only to recieve a crazy look in return. She started to whip a hand out at his head, but he caught that one too.

"I said no." He stated, a deep growl in his throat.

Jersh awoke to the pain in his side and looked down at the synth-flesh that was covering his poorly tended wound from the previous mission. He could not stand bacta tanks and decided he would heal at a more natural rate. The thought of floating in a tank, utterly helpless, the very idea made him shudder with a feeling of weakness. The blood began to seep out from the torn synth-flesh and it was obvious from the amount that the wound had torn open yet again.

He looked up  to see Saphira hovering over him and for just a single moment...... he thought he saw something in her eyes and her face. If he didnt know better... he would say...... concern? Jersh shook his head, he had to be imagining things.... there was no  way in all of hell that such a thing could be true. Jersh noticed then another presense kneeling next to him and saw Alater kneeling next to him with an empty stim injector in his hand. He sighed and rolled his eyes, sitting up while stifling a groan.

Jersh slide his hand over his chest, hoping to hide the wound from the two, but mostly Saphira. He must not let her know just how much he may have worsened the wound by training so seriously with her. He leaned back against the wall and decided to try to distract them from his movements with a conversation.

"So you decided to  come out of hiding have you?" Jersh grunted to Alater and then turned his gaze onto Saphira. He tried to think of some snappy line but nothing came to him for a long time. His gaze drifted across her stomach. "Are you alright?" he said, a strange tone in his voice...... he didnt even recognize it himself.

Saphira watched as Alater left them alone. She had a feeling he had enjoyed all that, as she turned her attention back to Jersh. This wasn't her thing, being alone with anyone unless it was a fight.

"Overgrown lizard.." She muttered, walking over towards Jersh but keeping a distance away from him. The smell of blood reached her nose, flaring it like a preadotor. Jersh caught her comment and chuckled. "He means well." As if that ended it all. Saph crossed her arms. "You need  Medical."


Saph stated, taking a few steps closer as Jersh looked at her funny. "What makes you think that?" He asked, keeping himself composed. "You may lie with words.. but the smell of blood and a re-opened wound dosen't." Licking her lips she came closer to him, her eyes appreciative that he was trying to be stong.He must have sythnetic flesh over his wounds from the mission She stated to herself.  Mabey she was getting soft,or mabey it was the last mission but she also didn't need a comrade to pass out. 

Doc would kill me

She thought again as Jersh shrugged. "It's not that bad." Saph snorted. Now he was sounding like her from when Doc had to banadge her wound up. Even though his body was sideways she could see a slow trail of blood  running down and then drip to the floor. Without even thinking about it she finsihed the steps between them and  spun him to face her. A cool but strange look on her face as she went into training mode from school. Even though Doc was the expert they all knew enough to manage themselves or group if the need to arise to help each other.

"I dislike Bacta tanks myself.. but Damn Jersh.." She hissed with concerne as she pulled his hand back and placed hers against him to stop the blood.

Listening to his words she continued to press against him. Her eyes looking up into his face as he seemed lost into the past. The flow of blood slowly stopped as he spoke to her once again. A jolt of something she never felt when down her spine.Why do I care? She thought. "You still fought well. I am not disapointed. You fought still with a wound and I respect that.."

Almost feeling sorry that she made him fight, saph bit on her lower lip. The cool shade of her eyes lightening  in a softness not many ever would see as his hands placed softly on her.. "I.. Well you are a comrade. Family, as what was drilled  into my brain. I can't let you bleed out. Doc would probably give me fresher dutie for a month." 

She was suprised that she let him keep his hands on hers. Warm and rough but almost relaxing to her. Jersh almost went into shock as he laid his hands on her.She's not taking out my manhood.. that's positive. He thought, thinking back to the spare when she said she wanted no one to touch her. Thinking it was probably because he was hurt and she felt responsible for it.

"We need to get you fixed up..." Saph replied into his thoughts. Pulling her hands away from his chest. Almost idly she took a finger and scraped the  still wet blood trail and stuck her fingers in her mouth. Jersh looked at her for a moment, a pleased look spreading across his face. Pulling her fingers out she tilted her head at him. "Is something wrong, that you have to stare at me like that?" She asked, still not moving from where she was. Saph wasn't about to let a teammate  walk around injured while not in battle

OUt of a sense of duty?Perhaps, as she watched him grow weaker and utter words making him  feel more then he was at the moment. Her mind said one thing as her gut told her another. Saphira indeed had strange habits but it was all due to who she was  from birth. 

Still she didn't reply to his statement if there was another reason. Saph herself didn't know and couldn't really answer regardless. Course if she  knew the answer she probably wouldn't tell him either. When he asked for help, Saph obliged. EVen herself a true fighter knew when they needed help.

Her arm went around his back as he placed his over her shoulders. Hitting her headtail she hissed slighty  and pulled it up to drap over his arm. The one down side of her species with it being so sensative. Saph normaly could in a way tune it out but she was tired even though she herself hid it. "You are not pathetic.. At.. At least I don't think so.." She added the last part as a whisper.

Jersh couldn't believe what he heard comming from her lips.No.. she wouldn't say such a thing. I'm just to tired.. that's it. He thought telling her where to go in case he lost conciousness again.

"Sorry Jer.. I'm taking you to the med bay first." Her voice rippled to him, this time he only grumbled as she lead him into the bay. Instantly he was taken into better hands and subdued into a bacta tank withen minutes. A droid analising him shortly came back to her.

"He will be fine in a few hours. We did find a serious infection  from the wound. Had he not been seen he would have gone to far to be healed." The mechanical buzz of it's voice rolled over as Saph nodded to him.  She didn't even go up to the tank to lookat him before she headed out to make a report to Doc.


Time lapse.....



Jersh opened his eyes to find himself laying on a medical bed. Feeling much better then he had sense the mission. A droid rolled over and beeped at him. Flinging his hand away he looked down on his chest and saw he was healed.

"Afternoon  Sir.."

The medic droid poped up and soon after Saphira. Her face relaxed as she crossed her arms over her chest as the droid  told him what was wrong.

"Your comrad will walk you back to your room. I suggest you relax for the rest of the day." It replied and rolled away. Saph pursed her lips as he looked at her.

"No need to say anything.. lets go. I hate being in these places for any reason." She replied and helped him up. He still needed support to walk as legs were still weak from the effect of the tank. Jersh again thought he was being pathetic but didn't utter the words towards her. Once they reached his room saph helpe dhim inside. Not even a foot inside he lost his balance and fell into Saph, pinning her to the side of the bunk as she tried to hold him up.

Saph  froze for a moment as he fell against her. If it wasn't for th efact that he was injured she would have  beat the hell out of him for the close proxcimity.  Yet at the same time it didn't seem to bother her. Making her even more awkward in the first place.

"No need to say your sorry. It was an accident" She replied, lokin gint his eyes as she nudged him gently. Not enough to knock him off but so she could pull her lekku loose. Jersh blinked for a moment, suprised as well for the current event of things.

"I guess you saved my life." He replied. Saph only nodded to him and looked in the room.


"You do the same as I with the decorations." She dryly said, pressing her hands to his shoulders to lift him up and off her finially.

"I never saw the reason to place anything on the walls.  Anything of value I keep hidden." He replied, trying to keep a conversation going so she would stay. Saph only nodded before loking at him.

"You compleatly I don't get.." She said out of the blue her face softening farther towards him.Her mind fought against him for a moment.Damn you.. I don't need this.. She thought, standing so he could have the bed.  Jersh regarded her for a moment. "What don't you get?"

"Everything.. and Nothing.." She spout back, narrowing her eyes for a moment. She was so confused and yet at the same time he made  her think more on her emotions. Saph at first told herself it was because he was a comrade and great fighter. However even the medic told her she didn't have to stay or take him back. Yet Saph did anyway. Why? Well she coulnd't  even answer that herself.

She was slightly annoyed with herself. Here she was in the room trying to make sure he was fine and she was feeling like a compleat idiot. Damn it  Saph. This isn't like you. What you need to do is just get up and leave. He's fine now and will heal

Saph  talked to herself for a moment, trying to think on what was the best situation. Jersh, broke into her thoughts again. "No.. you didn't do anything wrong."


"I do still owe you something for your victory"

He whispered, almost un-audable as she blinked a few times. Saphira was by far at least a fair person. Watching him for a moment more as she placed her palms aginst her legs. "You don't owe me anything.. It wasn't really a fair fight with your injury.." Her voice paused for a moment, lekku twitching for a moment. "You should rest. I have some Spec training I need to do anyway. Doc's orders." Jersh only nodded. When it came to work  training it was something to be honored. "It's not you. ok? I'm not running. I just need to go before I get it. Be a not so good thing to get in trouble disobaying orders so soon." A small smile creased her face as if hinting more at who she was. With that she turned and left the room, hips swaying side to side with ease.



TIME LAPS









Once again it was early morning as Saph made her way to the same training room. This time taking the liberty to  have a punching bag set up in the middle. Her eyes looked  to the ceiling, the blades still there from the day before and noone had bothered to remove them. Well best get going


She thought to herself, going directly into an array of streaches and low gymnastics. Today though she decided to sprt a better outfit. Gym shorts and a sports bra. Both in  the color of silver.Making her eccentric tattoo's and color of her skin dance out even farther. Her stomach was still very sore from the punch earlier. Nothing she couldn't handle, but all her other training clothes put to much pressure on it.Yea.. keep telling yourself that She thought, arching her back to streach the stomach.


After a few moments, she stood and walked over to the bag. Letting loose her agression as she went  into warm up kicks. From basic snap kicks all the way to a round-house/ The thwaping sound of her punches echoed around in the room.

Saphira felt a set of eyes watching her fromt he doorway. She ignored it for a moment as she  exacuted a heavy roundkick, followed with a right arm swing. The bag fell over to the floor as Saph sighed.Still not the same She thought, spinning her head around to notice Jersh once more.

"Feeling better I suppose?" She asked, reaching her arm over her head and the other to pull on the elbow to streach out that muscle. She was breathing lightly, eyes blinking at him as she felt his eyes soak her in. Jersh felt he was ignored for a moment and somethign must had been on his face for her next reply. "I could hear your footsteps.." She replied, giving him the answer as she relaxed her arm and rotated the shoulders.

Jersh stepped into the room.This time hitting his hand on the keypad to lock the door behind them. No way was he going to let another squad mate come in and ruin the fun again. Jersh started to feel himself relax again. The feel of battle growing with each step he took closer to her. Saph, on the other hand stood in a relaxed stance but he wasn't fooled. If she wanted she could strike out at any given point and not even be breathing hard.

"I still owe you for yesterday's match Saph." He replied, crossing his arms over his chest. Saph pursed her lips, feeling the cartalige and bones pop gently in her shoulder as she stopped rotating it.

"I told you. It wasn't a fair fight. You were injured. You owe me nothing." She replied dryly, giving him her back as she returned to the bag and begain t lift it back up. Her brow frowning as she forgot how heavy it was. SOmetimes she forgot her own strength. Regardless it only took her a moment to stand it back up.