Smuggler's Run (Garret)

[Linn O'Conner]

For Linn, it felt good to be on a ship that wasn't clanging and changing and threatening to break down at any moment. Garret's ship was smooth and felt new. She liked it. She had left Garret in the cockpit a few moments ago to try and get used to the new surroundings of a different ship. Linn ran her fingers along the cold metal and smiled. This could turn out to be an interesting trip.

[Garret Treborn]

The smuggler finished the calculations for the jump to lightspeed. His gloved hand went up to the lever and he pulled gently back on it. The stars became a blur. Garret sat back in his pilot's chair. His ship was safely on its way to Tatooine. Perhaps, after he arrived, he would find some answers to the many questions that he was asking himself.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn felt the jump to lightspeed and let herself rock a little along with it. She looked back over her shoulder at the back of Garret's head as he sat in the cockpit. He looked comfortable and in his element. Linn walked back to the entrance and leaned on the wall behind him, listening to the deafening silence and watching the calmness of the man in the chair. Linn liked just being here. Not speaking necessarily, but just being there.

Linn watched the back of Garret's head for a long while. A few strands of his hair fell over the back of the chair, and Linn found that she wanted to touch them to see if they were as soft as they looked. She shifted her weight and watched the blur of stars out the window, letting out a small sigh.

[Garret Treborn]

Garret heard the young bounty hunter enter the cockpit. He remained silent, staring out the window. The stars streaked past as the YT-1300 hurdled through hyperspace.

Garret found himself wondering what he and Linn were going to do once they arrived on Tatooine. He knew what they had to do, but was unsure of the methods that would be used. Were the two of them going to walk straight up to the Hutt and request access to the data? That wouldn't work. The Hutt would recognize him and in all likelihood, kill him on the spot. And it seemed unlikely that Linn could go to the Hutt by herself. The smuggler ceased his musings. Surely Linn would have something planned by the time they arrived on the planent.

Garret heard Linn sigh softly. He wondered what she was thinking about. She was an interesting woman and he found that he rather liked her. The fact that she was a bounty hunter did not dissuade him in the slightest. He was greatful at her for believing him. Even more so for agreeing to come with him to Tatooine to find the answers he so desperatly sought.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn had stood there for a long while, looking at the stars, and considering saying something. But she didn't. She didn't want to break the silence. Linn had done that too many times, and every time had ended very poorly. She sufficed to watching what she could see of Garret's face. Quite a bit had happened in the last few hours. They had exchanged many words, not all of them quite friendly. Even still, Linn found herself liking the man more and more. It was a feeling she hadn't felt in a long time.

Linn brushed away some of her hair and set her mind to considering ways of getting the security data that the Hutt had been guarding so fiercely the last time she'd been in his presence. She hadn't even been allowed to see them. Linn doubted whether the man who had committed the crimes actually resembled Garret when seen up close. Linn shook her head and walked over to sit in the cockpit chair next to Garret. She pulled her knees up to her chest and laid her head back, closing her eyes and shivering in the cool of the cockpit.

[Garret Treborn]

Garret's head turned slowly as Linn took a seat in the co-pilot's chair. Every time he gazed at her he couldn't help but marvel at her beauty. Her body shivered visibly and, instinctively, his hand flicked on the heating unit that he had installed. He realized that he had become rather cold as well and repressed a shiver of his own. It was always cold up in space.

The long silence continued to grow and the smuggler found himself wondering who should break it. Garret and Linn were both still trying to sort out the events that had transpired that night. It had been quite a bit take it at one time. Finding the right words was difficult. Thus, the reason why neither of them seemed eager to speak.

His eyes hadn't left the bounty hunter and he continued to think about her. He longed to know more about her, but was afraid to ask. She didn't seem all to eager to want to delve into here past. And for good reason, no doubt, he thought to himself. He resigned to just looking at her and wondering what would come next.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn could feel the man's eyes on her and she yearned to look over and search his eyes to find out what he was thinking about, to lose herself in their depth. But she could not. Could bring herself to look at him. She did not know why, but she knew that his eyes would find hers and not let her go until they had found out every bit of her, searched her every area that was raw and aching.

Maybe Linn wanted that. Maybe she wanted to let him inside. Wanted to tell him everything that had happened. No, she thought. She could not. Linn could see Garret out of the corner of her eye. Could see him shift in his seat. He was looking at her, she knew, and it felt as if his gaze itself was causing her stomach to flip and her cheeks redden. But it couldn't be...could it?

For a moment, Linn wondered if she shoulde speak. Wondered if she should shatter the serene silence that had fallen between them. A silence that could have been mistaken for awkward, but was understanding and gentle. As if a pact had been made between them without words. An soft understading that could easily be put into play or eliminated with a simple look.

Linn shifted again, this time so that she face Garret, but did not look at. Just watched the stars streak by outside, sighing quietly, and continuing to regard the man beside her with gentle awareness.

[Garret Treborn]

Garret continued to recline in his pilot's seat with his head swiveled to look at the young bounty hunter. The young woman had adjusted herself. Her body was now facing towards the smuggler. However, her attention seemed to be on the streaking stars outside of the cockpit window. Garret wondered if perhaps her attention wasn't really on the stars.

Garret wasn't by any means an expert on the matter, but it seemed apparent that Linn was reluctant to allow anyone to get to close to her. She avoided making eye contact with Garret. Was she afraid? Afraid that she might slip and open up to him? What could he do to make her more willing to open up? The answer was easy. Talk to her.

"I'm glad you decided to come with me. The trouble that I would have on my own could not be measured." His voice cut through the silence.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn nearly jumped out of her skin at the soft voice of the man beside of her. In truth, it was not loud, or commanding, but it was sudden, and sudden words always startled her. She let the shiver that crept up her spine subside before inclining her head towards Garret, letting him know that she heard him. She wanted to say that she would've done it any time. Wanted to say that she was really happy to be with him. But the words seemed to be caught in her throat, neither willing to be swallowed back, nor be said.

Linn opened her mouth, trying to force the words out...but no, she could not say them. They were too personal. Weren't they?

Linn swallowed hard, looking back out at the stars. "You're welcome..."

[Garret Treborn]

Garret thought it rather apparent that Linn wanted to say much more then that. Why didn't she? That, was a question to which the smuggler did not know the answer.

"Why...did you decide to help me?"

Garret rather thought he knew the answer to this question. Hearing the words spoken from the mouth of the bounty hunter would help him.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn could tell that Garret knew she wanted to say other things. He seemed to have that sixth sense. Linn did not move or say anything for a long moment. How could she tell him what it was she was thinking, without letting out too much. She considered for another moment, then sighed quietly.

"Because..." she began, almost with finality, as if that word would explain everything. And she could not force herself to go any farther. She was sure he could tell, just by looking at her. But she didn't know how to say it to him. Her tongue and lips would not form the words. What was wrong?

[Garret Treborn]

Garret stared at the young bounty hunter, waiting for her to continue. Why would she say nothing more?

The smuggler swiveled his char so his body was facing Linn. Leaning forward, he extended his hand and placed it gently on her shoulder.

"Please...you can tell me," he said quietly.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn shivered, but not from the cold. She trembled under his fingers, and to her it felt violent, but she did not know if Garret could feel or see her shake.

Linn opened her mouth to say something, but, by itself, her jaw closed, independent of her commands. Her eyes automatically found his and she slumped forward, succumbing to the shivering that had clenched her chest, letting her eyes close. She felt defeated, tired, like she might fall asleep and never wake up again. All the years of her life seemed to come crashing down on her, and all because of one man.

Why him? Why was he so special, so different? Of anyone she'd met, why couldn't she say anything to him? It was as if her body simply would not let her.

Linn swallowed, slowly opening her eyes and raising her gaze to meet his again. Her trembling would not cease. There seemed to be something wrong with her tongue. She blinked her eyes and begged him to understand with them.

[Garret Treborn]

Garret felt the young bounty hunter tremble under his soft touch. Was she cold? Even he had to admit that the cockpit was rather chilly. Perhaps she was trembling from his hand being on her shoulder. The smuggler was unsure. He was sure of only one thing. Linn couldn't find any words to speak. He had witnessed her failed attempts to utter something. Her mouth would open and then immediately shut again.

Garret looked deeply into the eyes of the bounty hunter. He could tell that there was a struggle going on inside of her. But, what the struggle was he couldn't say. Without realizing it, he leaned in to kiss her.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn found herself slipping forward towards him, not immediately seeing that he was leaning towards her too. Her mind that had been racing before, was on fire now, trying to make sense of what was going on.

But as much as she tried to understand it, nothing would come to her. It was as if any logic left in her had been absorbed by the gentle touch of the man sitting in front of her.

And this was all she was able to think before she felt his lips touch hers.

[Garret Treborn]

Linn's trembling ceased almost immediately after their lips made contact. Thoughts exploded like thermal detonaters inside the head of the smuggler. Was he in love with the bounty hunter? He was beginning to really think so. Ever since meeting her in the bar on Coruscant, Garret had felt something. This time, the feeling was more profound then ever.

After several moments passed, Garret and Linn slowly pulled away from each other. He looked once more into her eyes. He could tell that she felt the same about him. The smuggler smiled at Linn and said nothing. Perhaps the bounty hunter would now be able to speak something to him. He hoped that it was so.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn was numb. Her thoughts and logic were slowly beginning to come back to her. Every thought that had passed through her mind about the smuggler chased around in her head, swirling and joining, so she could not separate them anymore.

When they both sat back a little, Linn saw Garret smile. She wanted so badly to return it, but his kiss had left every nerve ending in her body on overdrive. Her body wasn't obeying her commands. Linn could see a look in the man's eyes. One she had not seen in all the time they had spent together. And it conveyed to her that he felt everything she was feeling.

[Garret Treborn]

Garret was content to just look at Linn while she sorted out the thoughts that undoubtedly swirled around inside of her head. His body was tingling and his heart racing. There was no word to describe the ammount of joy that he felt. He hadn't been this happy in a long time. In fact, the smuggler didn't even remember the last time he had felt so good.

Garret realized that his hand was still on Linn's shoulder. He gently removed it without taking his eyes off of her.

[Linn O'Conner]

When Garret took his hand off her shoulder, it was as if someone had shut off the lights. Her lips still burned and her fingers were still numb, but his touch was no longer there. Linn was confused. Did she love this man? Did she want to love him?

Yes, was the only answer that could possibly answer those questions. But did he feel quite that strongly about her? Linn let her eyes drop down to stare at the floor, and for a moment just let her heart settle itself. Sitting here and not saying anything seemed wrong. But getting up and leaving seemed even worse. What was she going to do next? What was Garret going to do next?

[Garret Treborn]

Garret watched as Linn's gaze traveled to the floor of the cockpit. He found himself wanting to know all of what she was thinking. Their feelings were mutual, although they had yet to be spoken aloud. What was going to happen next? Would they be able to be together?

Those questions and more arose in his mind. He wished that he knew the answers to them. Such was not the case, however, he was left with nothing but what he thought and hoped. That was something the smuggler could not settle for. He had to know.

Reaching out his hand and placing it underneath Linn's chin, he lifted her head gently and brought her gaze back up to meet his.

"Linn...I love you."

[Linn O'Conner]

The words washed over Linn , making her feel breathless and full of breath at the same time. Love. He had said he loved her and there was nothing else she had wanted him to say. His eyes held everything and Linn realized that if she had looked, she would have found it faster than his voice had said.

Linn had a million words chasing through her mind, a million things she wanted to say, all of which would convey to the man how much she loved him. But none would come out. There was too much of it. So Linn smiled, letting her eyes close, and allowing his words to continue to wash over her. Then she looked at him and opened her mouth to say what she had been trying to the entire time.

"I love you."

[Garret Treborn]

The smile that spread across the face of Linn warmed the heart of the smuggler. He had yearned to see it return to her face. The corner's of Garret's mouth curved upwards into a smile of his own.

Garret watched as the mouth of the bounty hunter opened slightly. Linn echoed the three words that Garret had spoken. Emotion flooded the smuggler, and he knew, that no matter how long he lived, nothing would ever compare to how he felt now. Garret's smile widened and he resisted the urge to whoop at the top of his lungs.

Garret found himself unable to come up with anything to say. He racked his brain for the right words but none revealed themselves. He was left gazing contentedly at the young bounty hunter.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn could see the happiness in the smile and eyes of the smuggler. Linn could barely contain herself. She wanted to either laugh or cry, but her body could not decide which one. So as she chuckled a little, her eyes glistened with tears. Linn did not know which one to settle on, but it didn't matter.

Linn found that she and Garret were once again sharing each other's gaze as they had so much this past evening. But this time it was not because either expected the other to say something. They were just happy.

Happiness. It had been something Linn had known very few times. But now was one of them, and she knew she had never felt like this before, and now that she had Garret, she was not going back.

[Garret Treborn]

Garret fought back tears of his own, but he did join in with Linn's chuckling. It was apparent to him that a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders. He was glad to see her smiling and laughing once again.

The only two people that Garret had ever loved prior to Linn were his parents, and they had been dead for several years. He would not let anything happen to the first person he cared about in years.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn wiped hurriedly at the tears that were clouding her vision. She had decided that she preferred to laugh than cry. Linn felt as though the air that had been heavy and rather awkward all the time before, was different. She did not know how, but it was different.

Linn could count the people she'd truly loved on one hand. And they were all as close as a brother or a sister. But what she felt towards Garret was not something she'd ever felt before. And the impact of it made her begin to tremble. She sighed, clasping her hands together, attempting to make it unnoticable.

[Garret Treborn]

Garret reached out with both of his hands and closed them around Linn's. He squeezed gently. He leaned in closer and gave her a reassuring smile.

The smuggler didn't know what else to say. He wasn't sure if there was anything left to say. The three words they had each spoken held so much. What he though they needed was time to organize all their thoughts. Yet, at the same time, he didn't want to be away from Linn.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn felt Garret take her hands and she took a deep breath letting her mind begin to grind to a halt. Everything had happened so quickly that she felt they both were a little shocked in its wake.

Linn let her eyes fall to the floor again as she let her mind begin to refile everything that had spilled out during the last few moments. She let her eyes close.

[Garret Treborn]

Garret sat silent and motionless. He was content to be in her company. While Linn was thinking about things, the smuggler took the time to get his own thoughts in order.

[Linn O'Conner]

It seemed an eternity before Linn could find her tongue. But did she want to say anything? Was anything really necessary? Linn turned her head and continued to watch the stars streak past the window, looking as if they were not going by very fast. She watched them for a long while allowing Garret to gather his thoughts as well as she finished gathering her own. She did not know who would be the first to speak.

[Garret Treborn]

Garret joined Linn in staring out the cockpit window after he had reorganized his mind properly. Countless numbers of stars streaked by as the YT-1300 hurtled through hyperspace. The silence lengthened as the two continued to stare out the window.

[Linn O'Conner]

It was then that Linn saw the ship out the window. It was just a glimpse but it was there and it mean looking. She was out of her seat and looking out the window in two heartbeats, trying to see it.

"Did you see that, Garret?" she asked, looking at him over her shoulder. "It looked like it was prepping to fire."

[Garret Treborn]

Garret's YT-1300 transport was yanked violently out of hyperspace and he pitched forward. He hit the control panel with such force that it knocked the wind out of him. He heard another crash and turned to see what had happened to Linn.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn was thrown to the floor with the force of the YT-1300 being pulled out of hyperspace. The ship went slightly sideways, pitching a bit, and Linn slid down the slant. She grabbed the cockpit chair for support.

"The heck--" was all Linn got out before she saw the other ship come into view again. She looked to Garret who had slammed the control panel. "Are you alright?"

[Garret Treborn]

Garret could only manage a nod as he made preparations to counter the attack. He ignored the pain in his chest and concentrated on the task at hand. And that was staying alive. The shields were up now on the freighter. Garret was lucky that the pirates had not gotten in any hits while his shields were lowered. He managed a few quick words to Linn.

"Buckle up. Things are going to get rough."

[Linn O'Conner]

That didn't sound good.

Linn had only had to manuever herself through eight or nine battles. All very small in comparison to pirate battles. Linn managed to pull herself into the co-pilot's chair, strapping in quickly, and bracing herself for the battle ahead.

[Garret Treborn]

Once Linn was safely strapped into the co-pilot's chair, Garret began to take evasive action. The attackers had landed a few blasts to his rear deflector shield, but it reamined intact. He took the YT-1300 into a series of dips and side rotations. By now he knew that he was being attacked by 2 vessels, both of them patrol ships and undoubtedly piloted by pirates.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn could feel Garret rolling the ship and dodging. She was being thrown against her restraints and they were cutting into her collar bone. She knew there was probably little she could do but she asked anyway.

"Can I do anything?"

[Garret Treborn]

"If you're up to it, I could use a gunner. I can steady the ship out long enough for you to get into a seat. I have a few volleys of proton torpedos, but they're no good unless the shields are knocked down first."

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn nodded.

"Tell me where to go and I'll help as I can."

[Garret Treborn]

"The gunner's chair is up the ladder near the entrance to the cockpit."

Garret leveled out the freighter and lowered twin guns he could operate from the control room. He fired a volley of shots at the patrol ships to keep them occupied while he was steadied out.

"Go!"

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn was up and gone as soon as the word fell from Garret's mouth. She found the ladder and went up it, finding the gunner's chair and strapping in quickly. Linn pulled on her communication set and scout. She was quickly able to target the closest patrol ship and fired.

"I got him."

[Garret Treborn]

Garret began another series of rolls and dips once Linn had confirmed that she was strapped in. The bounty hunter reported a hit on one of the patrol ships only moments later. Checking his control panel he saw that the left deflector shield on the ship had been completely wiped out. Now was his chance to blast one of the buggers into space dust.

Garret quickly locked on to the patrol ship and fired a volley of proton torpedos at the damaged side. The ship exploded into millions of tiny fragments. There wasn't any room for celebration yet. One of the patrol ships still remained and Garret's YT-1300 was sustaining moderate damage.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn swivled the gun to targer the next ship. IT was darting back and forth and it took a moment for the target to lock on. She fired, missing. Fired again, missed.

"I'm having a hard time with the next one."

[Garret Treborn]

Garret thought for a moment. He had an idea of how they could successfully drop the shields of the last patrol ship. He looked at the coordiantes of the ship and then strung off a long line of different ones.

"On my command fire at those coordinates."

Garret fired at the last patrol ship using the lasers he operated from the cockpit. By firing in small bursts he directed the ship towards the coordinates he had given to Linn.

"FIRE!"

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn reacted immediately. She fired several times praying that they made contact.

They did and Linn smiled wide.

"Got it."

[Garret Treborn]

Garret grinned and a moment before he fired his last volley of proton torpedos, the patrol ship jumped into hyperspace and disapeared in the blink of an eye. The smuggler let out a sigh of relief and leaned back in his chair. He called out to Linn that it was okay for her to come down. Immediately he made preparations for their re-entry into hyperspace.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn took off her communication and targeting set, turning and climbing down the ladder. She composed herself then walked to the door to the cockpit and leaned on it.

"Nice flying, Cowboy."

[Garret Treborn]

Garret turned in his chair and smiled at Linn. He was greatly relieved that they had survived the attack.

"Excellent shooting."

If the pirates had been seeking to destroy them, they would have surely succeeded. Their goal, however, was only to cripple the freigheter. Thankfully, thought the smuggler, they had not been successful.

He motioned for Linn to be seated. Turning back to the control panel, he did a check to see how much damage he had sustained. The whole rear deflector shield was gone and he had sustained a few blasts to the armoring. His other shields had sustained damage but none of them were down.

[Linn O'Conner]

"Anything big?"

Linn strode over and sat down next to Garret leaning nearer to him to look at the gauges and read outs. She could see the the rear deflector was down completely and the armor was weaker in some spots than others. Linn sighed. They's have to repair somewhere.

[Garret Treborn]

"I'm not seeing anything to threatening. The plating on the back got beat up a bit, but it's still fully intact. Some of the other shields are low as well. I think it would be wise to land somewhere and make repairs. It is unlikely we will encounter another attack, but I would rather play it safe. What do you think?"

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn shrugged.

"It would probably be safe. I would land."

[Garret Treborn]

Garret nodded his head and looked at his read outs to see what planet he could land on that was close by. After a few moments he saw that the closest inhabited system was just over one parsec away. He recieved the coordinates from the navicomputer and began the short journey through hyperspace.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn could see the read outs over Garret's shoulder and could see that he had found somewhere to land. Linn did not know the system, and she hoped it would be easy to get on there.

Linn settled into her chair, feeling very warm and comfortable, and laid her head back for the trip.

[Garret Treborn]

A short time later, the YT-1300 freighter emerged from hyperspace. The planet they were to land on was visible out of the cockpit window.

Garret went through the routine landing procedures upon entering the planet's atmosphere. He was cleared and allowed to land in the designated docking bay.

The freighter slowly descended towards the surface of the planet and Garret found himself wondering how much the repairs would be. His funds were unusually low and he could not afford any extensive repairs.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn felt the soft landing and tried to think back to the last time she'd landed with such ease...she wondered when the last time was she'd actually had clearance to land.

Linn felt tired, yet energized, and she was ready to stretch her legs again. She yawned a little, standing and looking outside. It was dark here. She looked over her shoulder at Garret.

"Where are we?"

[Garret Treborn]

"My ships computer identifies it as Dasarian. Come on, let's get the repairs started. I want to be off this rock as soon as possible."

Garret made his way, with Linn following behind him, to the ships hatch. He punched in a few numbers and it slid open with a loud whoosh. The ramp extended to meet the ground and the two made their way off the freighter. A droid was waiting for them at the bottom of the ramp.

"I need light repairs made to my YT-1300. The plating in the back is damaged and some of the shields are gone."

Without reply, the droid hurried off to fullfill Garret's request.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn followed behind Garret, looking around her as they made thier way down the ramp. Linn vaguely heard Garret giving instructions to the repair droid. It smelled funny here and she really wanted to leave as soon as they could. For a moment, Linn stood, just taking in the surroundings. She nodded.

"Dasarian, eh? Great...just great..."

[Garret Treborn]

Garret looked back over his shoulder at Linn. It would seem that this was not the first time she had been on the planet. Her words suggested that she had past grievances on Dasarian.

"You've been here before then?"

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn looked at the man. It was true she had spent some time here when she had been younger. It had not been pleasant. She nodded.

"Yeah. For about fifty-three hours on my fifteenth birthday," Linn cringed. "I hope the locals have changed in four years."

[Garret Treborn]

The droild returned with the crew it would require to make the repairs. Garret estimated maybe half an hour tops until completion. He turned back to Linn.

"It's not likely you'll have to find out. The repairs shouldn't take long. We'll be back into space inside half an hour I expect."

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn nodded, looking up and around her, pulling her cloak tighter around her.

"Good. I never have liked it here."

[Garret Treborn]

****************

Garret's YT-1300 freighter was traveling through hyperspace once more. The repairs had been made even quicker then he had anticipated. He was greatful for the speed and efficiency of the mechanics. The smuggler had not wanted to tarry to long on the planent.

Despite his greatfulness, Garret was in a sour mood. His funds had been depleted to almost nothing after payment had been transacted. He sat in the pilot's chair staring into nothingness as he contemplated his problem regarding lack of credits.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn could tell Garret was unhappy. She, in turn was unhappy, and so sat quietly in the co-pilot's chair watching the stars streak by once again and feeling like they were back at the beginning of thier journey again.

[Garret Treborn]

Garret glanced over at Linn, who was staring out the window of the cockpit. By the expression on her face, it appeared that his negative mood was effecting her. He immediately discarded his negative emotion. He would brood upon his dilemma at a more opportune time. Nothing could be done about it at the current time and it seemed futile to dwell on it.

He turned to Linn and spoke. "I never got around to asking you what befell you on Dasarian in your past. A run in with the inhabitants of the planet," he said, venturing a guess.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn looked over at Garret, then turned back to staring out at the stars. She flicked a bit of hair over her shoulder and crossing her arms.

"A...friend and I went there for a job. I was mostly there to refine my skills. Not a day into it and we were attackted by some of the locals who didn't want visitors. At fifteen it was pretty overwhelming," Linn shook her head. "My friend was the reason I'm not dead now."

[Garret Treborn]

Garret felt a rush of gratitude to the person that Linn spoke off.

"Is this friend still alive?"

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn let her eyes drift along with the stars out the window. She chuckled sourly, smiling grimly. Linn glanced at Garret out of the corner of her eye.

"No," she said bitterly, letting horrible memories flow over her. "He died. A long time ago."

[Garret Treborn]

A grimace passed over the face of the smuggler. He seemed best suited to making people recall the worst moments in their past. This was something he did not wish to do.

"I'm sorry to hear that and even more sorry to have made you recall those memories."

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn shook her head, laughing, this time not forced.

"I started it. Don't worry."

[Garret Treborn]

Garret nodded graciously in Linn's direction. He lapsed into silence once more and continued to gaze out the cockpit window.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn closed her eyes, laying her head back on the seat. She wanted to sleep, or anything to get rid of the awkward silence that fell between them. Linn wanted to watch Garret. She wanted to take his hand and just hold it.

But she turned her face away from him, hiding the pained expression that passed over her face from the man beside her.

[Garret Treborn]

Garret sighed and looked over at Linn. Her head was resting on the back of the chair and her eyes were closed. He unsuccessfully tried to pull his gaze from her.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn could feel Garret's eyes on her, but she could not bring herself to look at him. She opened her eyes, tried to turn her head to him, but she could not, could not bring herself to meet the man's eyes. Why couldn't she? She could not put her finger on it.

Instead, she turned her head as far as she could and was looking out the window again, desperately trying to look over at Garret.

[Garret Treborn]

Garret watched as Linn's head turned more away from his gaze. He placed his hand on Linn's.

"Is something troubling you?"

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn's breath caught in her throat suddenly. She shut her eyes and shook her head. Linn knew that she was feeling the silence pounding down on her, and that it was having an odd effect on her.

"No," she breathed, still looking at the stars.

[Garret Treborn]

Her assurance made the smuggler feel better, but he was certain something was effecting her. He refused to pry, however. Garret lifted her hand to his mouth and he kissed it gently.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn's entire body shivered involuntarily at the touch of the man's lips to her hand. Her fingers went cold, but she did not move. Linn continued to stare out the window, her brow furrowed.

[Garret Treborn]

When she furrowed her brow, it was made apparent to the smuggler that Linn was definately troubled by something. Either that or she was thinking deeply of something unknown to him.

Garret began to caress the hand of Linn with soft, gentle strokes. It was a gentle reminder to her that she could tell him anything. He would not pry into her affairs if she wished them to be left alone.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn felt Garret's hand run across her knuckles and wrist and shivered at the heat crawling up her arm. Without knowing it, she entwined her fingers with his. Linn turned her face to his and finally met his eyes. Linn was worried about something. She did not know what, but something inside of her told her to cling to Garret for dear life because something was going to happen to them once they arrived at Tattooine.

Linn blinked a few times to make sure was was actually looking at the man in front of her. To make sure she had not dreamed him up.

[Garret Treborn]

Garret welcomed the entwining of his and Linn's fingers. He smiled warmly at her. The expression that she wore on her face was a troubled one, however. He disliked seeing it and longed to know the source. He shrugged inwardly and thought to himself that if he could not know why she was troubled, then perhaps he could make her think of more pleasant things.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn watched Garret, her brow still furrowed. She let her eyes drift to the floor, and she felt her hand become a little limp in his. She tightened it, shivering again. He was smiling at her, and once again she found that she really wanted to return it. But she could not think of anything but keeping hold of the man's hand.

[Garret Treborn]

The silence was metaphorically killing the smuggler and he couldn't stand it any longer. Leaning in for the second time since their journey had begun, he kissed her.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn's face barely turned up to his before she felt the man's lips touch hers. Her mouth tingled as if it had been the first time and Linn's eyes fluttered closed.

Her mind was on fire again and she could not stop her heart from beating harder. She was terrified Garret would hear it.

[Garret Treborn]

Garret's senses tingled and he continued to lock his lips with Linn.

[Linn O'Conner]

This kiss was longer, and deeper than the first, and Linn willed it to be deeper. She leaned into the man's kiss, her hand slowly reaching up to be placed on his neck. Linn had never felt these feelings before, but she liked them.

[Garret Treborn]

Heat and passion swept through Garret's body like wildfire. He followed Linn's example and placed his hand on her neck. Both Garret and Linn were now leaning heavily into each other. Garret didn't want the kiss to end.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn laced her fingers through Garret's hair, letting herself be oversome with emotion. She felt Garret's hand gently wrap around her neck and sighed a little, her eyes fluttering. She could feel heat rolling off of Garret's cheeks and smiled a little, deepening the kiss.

[Garret Treborn]

Garret closed his eyes and they remained in that position. He had the distinct feeling that this was to good to be true. The feeling was well known to him.

He would allow nothing to befall Linn during their time on Tatooine. If he lost her now, he was certain it would be the end of himself. He repeated to himself that nothing would happen to her.

Garret inhaled deeply, taking in her scent and allowing it to wash over him.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn could barely keep her senses under control. They were running wild. She heard Garret take a breath and she slightly changed the position of her lips on his.

But Linn could still feel a bug in the back of her head, screaming at her that she was going to lose this man. That something was going to happen.

Linn brought her other hand up and placed it on Garret's shoulder. If it was up to her she would never turn back from the way she felt now.

[Garret Treborn]

The new contact pleased the smuggler. He could now feel one of her hands on his neck, and the other, on his shoulder. Garret smiled inwardly and if he were not otherwise occuped, would have done the same outwardly.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn had finally let herself do whatever happened to come naturally. She readjusted herself, letting the hand that had been wound in Garret's hair to fall back to his shoulder.

[Garret Treborn]

Every small move and adjustment that Linn made was recognized by the smuggler. Garret loved her. He had known her for only a short time, but he had never been more sure of anything in his life.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn's body was tingling, as she gently pulled away from Garret, taking a deep breath without opening her eyes. She was happier now than she had ever been in her life. Linn let her hands slip down Garret's shoulders to rest on his forearms.

Linn lowered her head and opened her eyes to stare at her hands.

[Garret Treborn]

Garret's eyes remained closed for a few moments after Linn gently pulled away. He felt her hands move down to the lower part of his arms. His breathing, after a few moments, slowed to a regular pace.

The smuggler opened his eyes and found Linn staring at where her hands met with his forearms. Happiness and warmth continued to flow unchecked through his body and he would have prefered it no other way.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn's entire body felt like it was on fire. She was merely staring at her hands. Linn let them slip down to Garret's hands and rest inside them. It was then she realized that his hands were bigger than hers. Of course, she suspected she'd always known it, he was a man, but it was also now that she realized how well thier hands fit together.

Linn smiled, letting herself cool off a little and allowing her breath to come evenly again. Intense emotions were coursing through her, and she knew she loved this man.

[Garret Treborn]

Garret's heart returned to a normal, steady pace. He allowed his fingers to close around her small, soft hands. The smuggler now smiled outwardly, for he was not otherwise occupied.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn smiled down at Garret's hands as he closed them around hers. Linn looked up a little so her eyes were level with Garret's chest.

"Garret," she all but whispered. "I love you," she said almost as if she had just realized it. She shook her head, looking up at him. "I'm sorry."

[Garret Treborn]

"Don't be. It will be a sad day indeed when I tire of hearing that. I love you too, Linn."

He gave her hands a gentle squeeze.

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn smiled inwardly, but could not bring herself to smile at him. A weight was on her shoulders, and she feared it might be on his as well. She felt the man softly squeeze her hands and she wondered whether she should tell him of the horrible feeling she had been having.

[Garret Treborn]

Garret sensed that something was on the mind of the bounty hunter once more. He wondered if he should try persauding her to confide in him. Shaking his head slightly from side to side he decided against it. If she felt the need to tell him, then he would allow her to do so. But he told himself that he would not stick his nose where it might be unwanted.

[Linn O'Conner]

******

Linn stretched gratefully as the ship slowly touched down. Landing on the outskirts of their destination seemed to have been the best course of action. Keeping as low a profile as possible.

Linn squinted in the evening suns that still burnt at this hour. Linn's eyes swept the landscape. It had been a few days since she and Garret had left Coruscant and Linn was glad to be there and to be getting ready to start the investigation that had driven them there. She continued to look about in the heat of the suns of Tattooine.

[Garret Treborn]

Garret stood at Linn's side surveying the landscape of the planet. The smuggler saw nothing but sand in all directions. Sand dunes rolled on and on. They seemed to be endless.What a wretched planet he thought.

The walk into town would be a long and grueling one under the scorching suns of Tatooine. Neither of them was looking forward to it in the slightest. Perhaps the company of one another would allow Garret and Linn to traverse the planet without to much difficulty.

He turned his head in Linn's direction.

"What spaceport are we on the outskirts of?"

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn looked around and at the sillhouette of the spaceport in the distance. She knew that they were on the outskirts of Mos Eisley, but she was not sure where the Hutt they were looking for was in relation to their current position. She tilted her head towards Garret.

"Mos Eisley," she said, then looked at him. "This isn't going to be a pleasant ride."

[Garret Treborn]

Garret silently agreed with her. Both of them had to be ready for everything and anything. There was no telling what could possibly befall them while they were on Tatooine. The smuggled sighed outwardly. The sooner they began, the sooner it would be over. He beckoned Linn to follow him, and they both set off for the spaceport.

[Linn O'Conner]

*********

The Mos Eisley spaceport was just like Linn remembered. Just like it had been when she had come to get her new job.

Smelly and dirty.

Linn pulled her cloak around her and glanced around with distaste. She did not think it would be wise to march right up to a Hutt demanding security data with no warning and no cover. The Hutt would recognize her immidiately, and if he had looked at the security data enough, he would Garret as well.

Linn took a deep breath and sneered as she heard a fight going on nearby. Carefully, and discreetly, Linn took Garret's hand and pulled him into a small alley between two buildings.

"We're here, now we need a plan," she said quietly. "I doubt a Hutt is going to be happy when the bounty hunter sent to kill you brings you in alive, with any news except, 'I wanted to kill him in front of you'."

[Garret Treborn]

Garret glanced at the entrance of the alley to see if anyone had seen them slip away. In a spaceport such as Mos Eisley, drawing attention to oneself was a unwise decision at best. Many would regard it as being incredibly foolish. Once Garret was sure that they had nothing to worry about, he turned his attention to Linn.

The female bounty hunter was correct with her statement. A solid plan would have to be thought out beforehand. Running with blasters drawn into the dwelling place of a Hutt would be a very poor choice.

"Do you have any ideas?"

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn knew very well that the Hutt in question was very precise in his security. Linn began to relay all the information she knew to Garret.

"He has well-armed guards at any and every entrance, so it isn't like we're going to sneak in. He has a common room where all of his lackeys can hang out with him, and then he has private quarters, as well as a prison a little ways walk from the actual 'palace' as he calls it.

"I know of two entrances that could be possible to get at in between guard shifts. One is on the north side and the guards seem to get pretty sloppy. One is on the east side and he has only posted one guard there.

"As far as I can tell, we have two choices: try our hand at knocking through and stealing the data for ourselves. Or, find a way to get in and get out with the data underneath his nose."

[Garret Treborn]

"I trust your judgement more then my own in this situation."

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn snorted a sort of half laugh. She looked around them, brushing away sand that had settled in her hair. She was going to be honest with herself. If it was up to her, she would rather just go in, al guns blazing and blast the place to bits.

But the was the bounty hunter speaking.

"I don't think he'll respond well to seeing you alive and kicking..." Linn chewed her bottom lip in consideration. She knew where the data was at in general. But, she wanted Garret as far from danger as she could get him. "If we could have some sort of diversion, his attention, and the guards attention, will be drawn to it instead of who's breaking into his vault."

[Garret Treborn]

Garret listened intently to the bounty hunter. He ran his fingers through his hair to release sand particles that clung to it. It left him looking slightly disheveled.

"What do you have in mind?"

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn watched as Garret ran his hand through his hair, making him appear hot and bothered. But the wind ruffled it right back to the way it had been just a moment before. She pulled her own fingers through her own tangled hair and blinked away sand that decorated her eyelashes.

"My thought," she said, hoping that he had this all figured correctly. "My thought is that we get something big and bad to happen in or around his common room. So then, the other of us will slip in and out virtually unnoticed."

[Garret Treborn]

Garret squinted to keep the sand from blowing directly into his eyes.

"We can figure out the details later. When would be a good time to pull this off?"

[Linn O'Conner]

Linn watched Garret thoughtfully. Night time would, of course, be better for a silent slip in and out. But Linn knew they probably would not be able to get in then because of the guards.

"Midday," she said, still considering. "In three days. There is an important Hutt holiday then and he'll have all his drinking buddies with him and if we're lucky, the guards will have gotten in on it too," Linn finished this statement with a wink.

[Garret Treborn]

Garret smiled and nodded his head in agreement. It sounded like a solid idea to him. All that remained was to pull it off. A task that would prove to be very difficult. However, Garret felt confident that Linn and himself could pull it off.

"Then it's settled. In three days we make our move."