"Visitors and Vulnerabilities" The Players: Paul Nighman, Jessalyn Valios, Gree'Shah Introduction While Paul and Jessa did "sleep" in this morning, eventually she -did- return to her duties, leaving Paul free to explore Yavin's forest. So unlike the jungles of Mandalore, Paul found that traipsing through the flora to be bother invigorating and reassuring. The afternoon was mostly spent tramping about, taking only brief cursory glances at the ruins here and there, noting their locations and purposes for now. Finally, he goes to his ship to get a few things to take back to the base. He is only slightly surprised to find Jessalyn on the tarmac, but he does not expect her to entertaining an Ewok visitor. ************************************************************************ You head west, and the squat grey landing platform slowly looms into view. Remote Landing Pad - Yavin IV This is a large, grey platform with black burn marks that could only be made from ship's engines. At the far north of the platform, there is an entry ramp leading to a set of blast doors which have long since corroded and are blocked by a cave-in of the mountain into which they lead. Surrounding the landing pad is a ten foot high, hi-voltage fence. All around you are the forests of the planet, and you barely are able to catch glimpses of ancient stone structures hidden deep within the foliage of the lush jungles. -=-=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=-=- => Jessalyn => Gree'Shah => STARFIGHTER: Ghtroc Class 720 Freighter -- Chui Ieusi => STARFIGHTER: SubPro Ilyrian Gnat -- Hawk's Wing => IGNews Terminal (NR) - Yavin IV -=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=- est leads to Civil Offices - Yavin. outh leads to Control Tower - Yavin IV. ast leads to A Small Clearing. orth leads to Ancient Roadway. Breaking through the line of trees, the Corellian emerges, breathing slightly heavily and looks like he's been walking for some time. His clothes have bits of leaves and pollen on them, grass and dirt stains where he must have kneeled to look at something, and his eyes are bright with exertion. He ambles toward his ship, slowing as he spots Jessalyn and an unexpected Ewok. Gree'Shah: The most distinguishing factor about the .8 meter tall individual before you is fur. Lots of brown fur. His face consists of two large black eyes, a small pink nose, an impressive array of needle sharp teeth, and more fur. The brown blends to black at the center of his face. The clothing he wears is nothing more than a forest green hood. Two holes in the top allow his bear like ears to protrude as they constantly twitch. He slings a backpack made of unknown animal hide upon his shoulder. An axe and several wooden shafts are tied along side the backpack. -=-=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=-=- => Vibro-Axe => Spear -=-=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=-=- => Gree'shah's Backpack Noticing the discarded treasures on the tarmac, Jessalyn moves a little closer and starts placing a few of them into his dropped backpack. "You're ready to go, hmm? How did you get here anyway? Can you tell me?" she asks casually, flicking her green gaze toward the little furry creature. A piece of a hydrospanner catches Gree'shah's interest and he grabs for it. Picking it up, he holds it between him and Jessalyn. Again, he tilts his head to one side. "Fixitool," He declares succinctly and deposits it in his backpack. "No flyshipa here. Chui Ieusi flyaway." Approaching casually, Paul smiles at the sight of the redhead hunkered down by the furry personage, and altering his course slightly, he heads toward the unlikely pair, catching pieces of their conversation, such as it is, as he draws nearer. She sinks back on her heels and purses her lips, still not getting the gist of what is being said to her. She frowns and rakes a hand back through her hair before she senses Paul's approach. Her face lights up, and turning to look over her shoulder, she shrugs helplessly. "I don't know where he came from." The movement of the larger human abruptly grabs the furry creatures attention. He drops another of his trinkets to the tarmac - but luckily the bag wasn't in his hand this time. With both free paws, he grips his spear and swings the business end around to meet Paul's advance. Ears flattening, nose twitching, and chest puffing outwards, Gree'Shah drones a fierce, low, rambling growl. Stopping short, a touch surprised at the aggressive behavior, Paul offers his hands out openly ... and slowly. "Whoa fella ... hang on there .... I'm just coming over to say hello to my ... ah, to Jessa here," he notes, his head tilting over in her direction. For once, the Corellian regrets the fact that he decided that Ewok wasn't worth picking up .... _Never make -that- mistake again ..._ he muses, offering a reassuring smile to the small furred soul, hoping it will be taken as a sign of friendliness and not aggression. Gree'Shah looks at you for a moment. "It's all right, Gree'shah, he's a friend!" Jessalyn insists earnestly, waving her hands at the defensive Ewok and trying to keep her cool. "He won't hurt you. He's my friend." "Frend? Lut Skywakkerfrend?" Gree'Shah sniffs the air gingerly. "Hea killa Imp-E-reals?" The Ewok glances in askance at the kind female. One of his ears perks up which causes some discomfort. Fighting the urge to scratch it, he clenches his paws more tightly around the spear. "Ah, friend of Luke's yes," Paul replies carefully, hunkering down to the Ewok's level. "But I didn't kill any Imperials ... least none that I -know- of," he adds thoughtfully, a smirk curling his lips. He glances over at Jessalyn, his eyes quirking curiously. "So where did your fuzzy friend come from anyway?" Jessalyn swings her gaze back and forth between Paul and Gree'Shah, her hands falling to rest on top of her thighs. "I don't know where he came from," she mutters to Paul under her breath before she renews the friendly smile and says, more loudly and in a brighter tone, "We're both friends of Luke's yes." Steadily, with a hunter's hand, Gree'Shah hold the spear still before him. "Noah killa Imp-E-Reals, noah frend Skywakker," He demands. _Ooops ... wrong answer,_ Paul realizes too late. Clearing his throat, Paul glances at Jessalyn and considers informing the Ewok that she hasn't either ... but then again, that isn't something he -knows- for a fact ... and he isn't willing to get her in trouble along with him either. "Ah, I wasn't on Endor, so I couldn't kill Imperials," he tries to explain. "But I helped Luke Skywalker fight evil dark Jedi's?" he tries hopefully. "I helped save Luke Skywalker's life?" Perhaps it's an exaggeration, but it is not without some base in truth. Finally, the ear wins. He has to scratch the errant part of his body. The flimsy, furry ear flaps around as the small paws dig into the flesh. Gree'Shah nearly sighs with relief and gives in. "Ooota," He dismisses Paul with a final scratch. "Safa Lut, killa Troopas, samu thnnnga." The little guy seems almost equally relieved he didn't have to poke this tall human, besides, there are still some treasures spilled on the tarmac to collect. Gree'Shah lowers the spear and extends the paw (the one he used to scratch with) in the human greeting ritual. Showing more than a little relief, Jessa shoots Paul both a scolding and affectionate look before she begins assisting the Ewok in his attempt to reclaim the dropped items. Lifting the ball of twine off the tarmac and placing it in the backpack's pocket, she grins at Gree'Shah. "How did you get here?" she asks him again. "Friends? Human friends? Fly here?" Breathing a slight sigh of relief, Paul is grateful that he didn't have to either try to save his hide or hurt the furry creature which now extends it's paw in a sign of friendship. Reaching over without hesitation he takes that suspect appendage, shaking it formally and reminding himself to touch nothing. "Thanks," he murmurs. "Please to meet you," he adds as he draws his hand away, poking his chest with an untainted finger. "Paul Nighman," he informs the Ewok somberly. "Skyspits. Ship flya froma sand and..." Pausing, Gree'Shah looks up to see that Jessa and Paul probably aren't looking for the Father's Tale, so tries to summarize the story. "Chui Ieusi flya heer. I walka thru forresta, Chui gona." With a grunt, he cinches the backpack closed tightly. "I think we're stuck with him," Paul surmises from the simple tale, his brow cocking at her scolding expression. The young red-haired Jedi chuckles at Paul's understatement, and she pushes herself up to her feet, folding her arms and peering down at the little castaway. "Sand...? Perhaps he was on Tatooine? And stowed away here? I don't have a clue..." she sighs, shaking her head and tossing her wild mane over her shoulder. "And I certainly don't know how to baby-sit an Ewok," she adds under her breath. "Do you think he's hungry?" "Fooda?" Gree'Shah asks. He tosses the sack over his shoulder and gathers his spear up in a walking stick stance. Some how, he reaches into a small belt pouch and withdraws a piece of brown, dried, meat? offering the strip to Jessa. Glancing back over at the Ewok, Paul considers it's tools and it's spear. "Is there much game in the forest?" he queries lightly. "I really don't think you're going to have to "take care" of him ... I think you'll find him more than capable of doing so himself ..." He glances up over his shoulder at Jessalyn, the idea of her babying an Ewok bring a snide grin to his lips, which he manages to subdue as he turns back to the creature before him, smiling at the offer made to Jessa. "See, what did I tell you?" he remarks smugly. "Looks like he's going to be taking care of you." Jessalyn returns Paul's remark and expression with a smirk, but smoothes her expression into sweet, placid lines as she kneels down in front of Gree'Shah again and accepts his offering, if only because she doesn't want to be impolite. "Why thank you! And here I was about to offer you something to eat myself." Gree'Shah nose twitches maddeningly again. "Eata good." He rubs his stomach in a soothing fashion. As it makes its never ending trek across the landscape, the breeze ripples his fur. "Now look what you've started," Paul murmurs archly, rising up to his feet again, towering over the little Ewok. "You'll have him sleeping at the bottom of your bed in no time at this rate." He peers down at the Ewok, asking, "Are you staying long? Traveling? Walkabout? Spirit quest? Why you stop here," he queries, pointing to the earth beneath their feet, "on Yavin?" Jessalyn gets to her feet to stand next to Paul, frowning slightly though there's a certain amount of humor in her gaze as well as she pockets the treat and folds her hands in front of her, hoping that the great Dr. Nighman, archaeologist extraordinaire, can make more sense of her unexpected little guest. The demeanor of the human brings another growl to his throat. Gree'Shah steps tepidly between the two humans. "Gree'Shah isa warryor to killa troopas. Maku tella Gree there is troopa need to killa." He grips the spear with both hands but doesn't lower it - just yet. Glancing over at Jessalyn, Paul settles himself down by the Ewok again. "So you're here to fight? But this isn't the right planet," he tries to explain. "The troops ... Luke Skywalker's troops are on Kashyyyk ... the Wookiee homeworld?" After a pause, in case the Ewok isn't familiar with the work "Wookiee" he adds, "Chewbacca's people? Large furry Ewok types?" "Wookiee? Blixa havu frend wookiee. Him die fighta Imps," Gree'shah pounds the butt of the spear onto the tarmac in emphasis. "Maku leva fora skyspits. Leva Gree' heer," He shrugs. Jessalyn frowns slowly, her lips pursing as she listens to conversation going on between the two of them, moving to stand behind Paul. "He wants to join the army?" she murmurs disbelievingly, glancing down at Gree'Shah. "You want to join the army? They're.. they're not here, I'm afraid. Paul is right." Sighing deeply, Paul explains, "You see ... this base is a place to -fix- things ... not fight things. The New Republic army is based on Kashyyyk now ... your friend's homeworld." He glances up at Jessa uncertainly and then shrugs. "If you want to fight, you need to go to Kashyyyk first .... if this Maku made a mistake and isn't coming back to take you there, I can fly you there?" Paul offers in solution. Gree'Shah shrugs again. "Blixa let Gree'Shah fighta. Taku to Blixa?" he asks hopefully. A beam of light from a star is caught in his luminous eyes and reflected in a brilliant glimmer. "Blixa? Is that a person or a place?" Paul asks, his legs cramping from his awkward position. He has the feeling that this might take awhile, so he shifts, folding his long legs beneath him so that he sits cross-legged on the tarmac. "Where exactly -is- Blixa?"" Blowing out a frustrated breath, Jessalyn glances over at Paul, arching a brow. "I really don't know how we'll ever find whoever it is he's looking for," she sighs quietly. Pursing her lips, her green eyes drift down to the little furry being again and she crouches in front of him, peering into those bright eyes. Her voice takes on a calm, lilting tone, "Where is your friend? Blixa? What world...?" "Chui Ieusi," Gree'Shah points skywards. With a jerk, he turns his face towards the woods. The breeze carries a scent on its tips, and his nose works overtime in an effort to identify the source. He holds statue still while sniffing the warm wind. Just as quickly, the scent is gone. He turns back to the patient couple. "Not mettr. Goa Kashyyyk." The toothy smile returns to his face. Paul observes the furry guest with a smile curling his lips. He glances up, not knowing if Chui leusi is a planet or a star or a god or simply a person .... but he's determined to research the answer out if it is any of the first three. Nodding, Paul replies, "Okay, Kashyyyk I can handle ... I know where that is. When?" "Tvo suns," Gree'Shah decides. "Maku no baka tvo suns, go ta Kashyyyk." He nods once in a human custom he seems to have picked up. His ears swivel to a more comfortable position and his nose slows its pace down somewhat. Pondering the irony that only moments ago she sent a shuttle off bound for Kashyyyk, Jessalyn sighs and assumes Paul's position on the tarmac, folding her legs in front of her and peering with some consternation at this little furry puzzle. "What's this Chui leusi, you think?" Eyes widen slowly, Gree'Shah snorts a single, derisive grunt. He glances about the tarmac - from where he is to the Ghtroc Class Freighter on the opposite side of the tarmac. The familiar lines of the freighter bring a slow - if puzzled - smile to his face. He points to the distant ship. "Chui Ieusi." "Guess it's the ship that brought him," Paul murmurs softly, and at that his eyes widen slightly. "Yeah ... yeah it -is- a ship. I've -seen- it before ... I think on Kichnar," he realizes, smiling at Jessalyn as he makes the connection. Cocking his head to one side, Paul leans on one arm, elbow against his thigh. "I'm guessing two suns is Tatooine ... that would explain the sand comment earlier too ... but that's a guess at best." Leaning forward, Paul pats the ground to get the Ewok's attention once again. "Kashyyyk now? Tonight? Tomorrow? Jessalyn draws up one knee, fascinated that Paul has solved the puzzle, and shocked that before now she didn't even realize there was an unfamiliar freighter parked on her landing pad. Wondering who it belongs to, she swivels her gaze between the ship and Gre'Shah, stifling a tiny smile. Gree'Shah looks from one to the other. Then he casts a glance towards the Chui. Then back to Paul. Back to Jessa. Indecision to say the least. "Latu," He decides finally. His sack begins to slide off his shoulder and he hefts it back into position. "Ooota Lut Skywakkerfrend," He chimes to Jessalyn. "Ooota Lut Skywakkerfrendtoo." _Skywalker friend number two .... well, it isn't the most elegant of names_ Paul muses to himself, but he can deal with it. "Later," he echoes with a nod and a realization. Turning to Jessalyn, Paul murmurs, "Ah ... just thought of something? I don't suppose anyone's had a chance to look at my hyperdrive?" Turning her head to gaze between the two of them, Paul's question brings her somewhat back to reality and she smiles rather sheepishly at him. "Well... I -did- tell them to take their time," she reminds him quietly before clearing her throat. "I'll have someone look at it this afternoon, I promise." Gree'Shah enters in a code and enters STARFIGHTER: Ghtroc Class 720 Freighter -- Chui Ieusi Gree'Shah has left. As the Ewok gets up and heads into the forest, Paul stares after it for a moment before shrugging, smiling at her defense. "Fair enough ... I told you to after all." Leaning close to her, Paul brushes her lips lightly with a kiss, murmuring. "I thought I would go for a run ... get some exercise ..." Hugging her knee to her chest, Jessalyn smiles at the small kiss and nods her head slowly. "Not a bad idea. Did you get to do any exploring?" she asks quietly, leaning back a bit so that she can get a better look at him. "Some," he admits with a wicked grin. "Of course I got off to something of a late start today, but that was my own fault," he murmurs slyly, eyeing her mouth for a moment before his eyes connect once again with hers. "I found the temple, but the light was going, so I figured I go in for a closer look tomorrow." Emitting a soft chuckle, Jessalyn nods her head and smoothes back her hair with one hand, trying to make it stay within its clasp as the breeze wafts across the landing pad again. "Maybe I'll even be able to go with you," she says, smiling, and somehow reluctant to move from this pleasant spot beneath the stars. "You're most welcome to ... although I should warn you I'll probably be going over it with a scientific eye ... could be awhile." He stretches out his legs, rising up from the tarmac, offering a hand down to Jessalyn. "Shall I just catch up with you later after my run?" he queries lightly with a smile. Levering herself up with the aid of his hand, Jessalyn smiles slightly and glances into the forest, sliding her hands down into her pockets. "Unless you just want to have someone go along with you," she replies lightly. "Some people would rather be alone when they exercise. Like a... meditation." Shaking his head, Paul chuckles. "No ... when I meditate, I need someplace quiet and still. Exercise is just exercise," he explains. Jessalyn shrugs her shoulders and bites on her lower lip, finally grinning at him and reaching to wrap her fingers around his elbow. "Why don't I follow along then. It's been a long time since I've had a chance to run away from all this for a while and explore the forest." Nodding Paul's hand covers hers for a moment. "Sounds good ... I'm just going to change clothes," he explains. "I found a fairly nice clear path while I was walking today ... should be safe even at night." He gazes at her for a moment, wondering if she has had the -need- to run away from all of this. Leaning forward he covers her mouth once again, this kiss a little more lingering than the last, before drawing back and promising, "Be back in a minute." He turns, walking toward the _Hawk's Wing_, and disappears inside. She takes the moment of solitude to walk slowly around the landing pad, gradually the following the path he took toward the Hawk's Wing and wrapping her hand around the landing pylon as she gazes off into the distance, the harsh floodlights of the landing pad glinting off her hair. It doesn't take very long, the door to the ship sliding open to allow Paul to descend. He's clad more lightly. Shoes that look more like modified hiking boots are on his feet, comfortable black sweatpants cover his legs. It's a warm night, and the Corellian fully expects to get a lot warmer, so he wears a sleeveless dark blue shirt. His hair has been pulled back again, tightly bound into place by the silver clasp ... all save the one lock. Smiling at Jessa, he starts stretching out lightly, even though his muscles are still warm from his earlier exertions. If she hadn't noticed before, Paul seems slightly more muscled and fit than he had been on Palanhi and Calamari. There is a sharper leanness to his form, muscles more defined. Smiling at him as he comes down from the ship's ramp, Jessalyn's eyes take note of the changes not only in his clothing but in his general appearance. She can't help but wonder at that -- or be attracted to the lean, muscular body that goes along with that wild, loving personality. Her lips curl slightly and as he stretches out for the run, Jessalyn removes the jacket worn over her uniform, revealing her bare arms, and drapes it across the ship's ramp. She then removes her blaster holster, placing it down as well, and stretches her arms over her head, not even thinking that in the time that has passed and with the intensive physical training that goes along with becoming a Jedi, her physique has changed as well. Glancing up and over, Paul ambles over to Jessa, smiling at her as she stretches. The changes in her body have not gone unnoticed either. While still smooth and sleek, her strength the previous night had pleased him as much as her weakness. Beneath that smooth exterior were muscles strong and lean. Touching her arm, Paul wonders at the strange pleasure he gains just from physical contact with her. "Ready?" She feels the strange spark resulting from the contact as well, and she can't help but keep her gaze fixed upon his for a long moment after he's touched her arm. Finally, Jessa shakes it off and gestures towards the path leading into the underbrush. "Quite ready," she affirms, starting off right ahead of him, her clasped hair swaying across her shoulders like a pendulum as she jogs into the forest. Following her at first, Paul keeps up easily, and pulls ahead slightly toward the path that he had discovered today. Most likely it's been carved by people with the same idea. It tends toward open breaks in the trees, the light of the stars illuminating the way. The ground beneath their feet is smooth and even ... a good surface to run on no matter what the conditions. As they move along in tandem, Paul can feel the rush of blood in his veins, the need for running and keeping in shape more important to him since Mandalore, and by this point, actively necessary. If he leaves off for even a day, he starts to feel the effects of the lapse. He looks over toward Jessa as they run together, admiring her form and lithe movements. Perhaps it was Jessalyn who had helped to carve out this path; she doesn't mention it, but she seems to know where they're headed in any case, following him without really looking at him, her eyes riveted to the trail. The starlight glistens off the sweat on her arms and chest, a few stray strands falling limp with moisture over her forehead. But she doesn't struggle for breath at all, nor does she get tired as the pace speeds up and they move deeper into the forest. Jessalyn heads towards a clearing faintly visible to the east. Jessalyn has left. You head toward the clearing visible to the east. A Small Clearing This small area, amidst the thick foliage and fauna, seems almost too perfect to be natural. Totally circular, tall Massassi trees rise up all around you in barricade fashion. Although the deep blue Yavin skies are totally visible now, the supple vines and thick moss slowly weaving up the trees threaten to block even that from view. The base of the clearing is carpeted with a thick layer of a mixture of fresh and dried leaves. -=-=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=-=- => Jessalyn -=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=- ast leads to Underbrush. est leads to Remote Landing Pad - Yavin IV. Sweat beads his forehead, a light film covering Paul's arms and chest. After about thirty minutes of this continual running, the Corellian can feel the burn in his legs, his breath growing more labored, but not uncomfortably so. Reaching up he flicks a damp swath from his eyes, following Jessalyn now as they venture past the points he was familiar with. As her focus is clearly elsewhere, Paul remains silent, with only the sounds of their tread and the noises of the forest to accompany them along the way. Though her skin is damp and flushed from the exertion, Jessalyn still keeps control of her breathing as she maneuvers her way along the path, but gradually she realizes that he must be feeling fatigued, and she turns her head, trying to discern his features in the dim light. "Ready to rest?" she calls out, already slowing down her steps and moving to lean her hand against a wide tree trunk covered with twining vines. Drawing up to her, Paul slows as well, breathing hard. "Sure," he rasps casually, noting her control and shaking his head slightly in what must be embarrassment. Leaning against a tree, Paul reaches up to wipe his brow, concentrating on getting his breath under control, his legs tingling as he comes to a stop. Resting her back against the tree, Jessalyn takes the moment to sweep her damp hair back and secure it into its clasp on the back of her head, unable to keep the tiny smile from meeting her lips as she watches him. She then crouches down against the tree, stretching out her back and thigh muscles, and reaching her arms out almost sensuously in front of her, pleasantly surprised at the amount of control her new abilities have given her over her body, and how instead of fatigue she feels the sustaining energy of the Force in her muscles. He doesn't understand the smile that crosses her face, and as he watches her, it becomes clear that she isn't even winded. Scowling slightly, he turns his head up and away to look at the stars, muttering softly, "You're not even feeling it, are you?" _Oh, yes,_ she thinks automatically, _I'm definitely feeling it_. Her eyes slide shut and she smiles very slowly, a long sigh leaving her lungs, her body filling with that wonderful energy the more she concentrates. At length, she murmurs just loud enough for him to hear, "Feel what?" _Nope ... not at all_ he muses, not understanding the flare of annoyance that darts through his system. "The run," he replies simply, turning to look into the forest, which conveniently places his back to her. Her heightened senses make it easy for her to pick up something different in his emotions, and Jessa opens her eyes to stare at his back, feeling an odd stab both of alienation and guilt. She fights off both, however, and raises up from her crouched position, walking over and touching his elbow from behind. "It's quite invigorating," she says lightly, trying on a smile. As he stares at the trees, scowling, he strikes at himself silently. _This isn't a competition he reminds himself. _You're not here to -prove- something to her ... _ but with that comes the niggling realization that he is trying to prove something to himself ... and is clearly failing. With this comes the unhappy recollection of Mandalore and squinting he raises up one hand unconsciously to touch at his side, now finally healed properly. As Jessa's hand touches his arm, he sighs, still not quite ready to turn and look at her, but feeling the bitterness flow away slowly. "Yes .... it is that," he agrees absently. She can't help but wonder what she has done wrong, and why someone who before was so eager to touch her at any opportunity won't even look at her face now. Wondering if he feels belittled because a woman can be better than him at some things, she presses her lips into a thin line, silently refusing to let herself be less than what she is, for anyone. But she tries to relax and tell herself that can't be it at all, and her fingers are gentle on his arm as she gazes solemnly up at his profile. "Something you wanna tell me, Paul?" she murmurs sadly. Turning his head and his gaze, Paul feels a stab of regret, as Jessa looks up at him, a mix of emotions on her face. But this is still all too new ... the pain, the frustration, the guilt ... and this relationship. Shaking his head mutely for a moment, he tries to find a way to tell her something, to not shut her out. Finally, inadequately, he manages, "Maybe someday .... but not now." Jessalyn can accept that, and she smiles slightly, her fingers sliding around his upper arm gently as she nods her head, still tilted up to better meet his gaze. "When you're ready," she murmurs, feeling a myriad of pain and emotional scars behind his hesitancy, and knowing she can help -- but also knowing she can't pry. She can't force him. "I'll be ready to listen." Covering her hand with his own, Paul matches that gaze for a long time, probing emerald with hazel. He can't bring himself to tell her that he may never be ready ... or that when he is, she may no longer be there to tell. He simply bobs his head in acceptance, his eyes conveying the gratitude for the offer she may never see come to fruit. Without even knowing why, Jessalyn feels her eyes start to tear up, and she bends her head, ashamed and not wanting him to see them. She simply tightens her grasp on his arm, inhaling a long ragged breath and letting her body lean against his side. Her reaction is unexpected and sharply felt as she sags slightly against him. His hands shift to take hold of her shoulders, not pulling her away from his side, but poised, as if thinking about pulling her back so that he could look at her more closely ... see if that telltale shine portended tears or not. "Jessalyn?" he rasps in the darkness, hands squeezing gently. "I'm sorry ... I didn't mean to upset you ...?" She blinks rapidly to clear her eyes, forcing away the sadness and not letting herself get so... involved. It's none of her business. She moves gently away, still touching his arm but no longer resting her weight against him. "I'm quite all right," she assures him easily, flashing her usual smile and grateful for the dim light that hides her eyes. "Just a bit tired, too, I guess." The Corellian may not be a Jedi, but he's no fool either. Despite her assurances and smile, he can sense that something is wrong. Kicking himself for being such an ass and bringing this about, he firms his resolve to tighten his defenses ... to keep himself under strict control. Denial has always been Paul's strong suit, and offering Jessa his hand, he replies softly, "Well, then maybe we should head back and get some rest." His corresponding smile is easy and light. Slipping her hand into his, Jessa nods slowly, the smiling facade slipping only slightly as she turns and begins to walk at an easy pace back through the forest the way they came, fighting the horrible guilt she feels for wanting to pry, and damning her sensitivities that make her so aware of it. She keeps her fingers laced tightly through his as she guides them slowly back toward the clearing that opens up upon the landing pad.