Dialogue from sims with Alison and Vickie

They arrived at the apartment building shortly thereafter, he exited the cab, then helped her out. "Well, now to see which of us has the quicker draw," he quipped as they headed for the lift.

She held up an empty hand, the other with the briefcase. "I'm not armed."

He pulled his spare blaster from inside his jacket, "Okay. Here."

Saunders caught the blaster as it was tossed to her, and checked to be sure the charge was set on stun. At his questioning glance, she told him, "Well, It wouldn't do for me to *actually* vape a former patient, would it?" She offered him a sweet smile.

Hobbie chuckled, "True. I don't think my salary would afford me this fancy apartment alone, either," he led her to the lift.

She just shook her head and chuckled, tucking the blaster behind her back and into the waistband of her full skirt.

They rode up to his floor, and the lift's doors opened. He lead her down the hall to his door. "Now, to see if he's actually here," He slid in the keycard, then pulled it out and palmed the door open.

Saunders peeked in, "Not on the couch...."

Hobbie moved in and checked Janson's room, "Not here either. Hn, I wonder where he is?"

She stepped inside the apartment and let the door close behind her as she shrugged. "Well, let's see if we can't pick out a holo then."

He went over to a cabinet by the holovision and opened it up, showing her a large collection of holofilms. "You have your choice, M'lady."

"Oh goodness..." she set the borrowed blaster on the caf-table. "I wouldn't know where to begin," she lamented as she moved over to sit in front of the cabinet.

"So, what do you like then? Drama, Comedy, Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Horror..."

She shuddered, "Not Horror," she frowned.

"Okay. Not Horror.... So what do you like?"

"Pretty much everything else," she shrugged and continued looking.

"Do you want to laugh or cry? Gimme a hint here," he grinned.

She looked over her shoulder at him, her eyes twinkling. "Both?"

He scratched his head, "Well.... I can probably find that." He closed his eyes and reached in, grabbing a random holo. "Ooo, this is a Loran/Starflare one."

"Which one?" she turned to look at him expectantly.

"Uhm..." he read the title, "Jungle Flutes."

Jungle flutes was an action/drama holofilm. The husband was captured by Rebels, and his wife, Starflare, and son, Loran, went undercover to get him out.

"I love that one! Let's watch that one," she grinned.

"Okay," Hobbie put the holo into the player, and went to go sit on the couch. He patted the seat beside him. "You going to sit?"

"Oh!" She got up and moved to sit beside him.

She sighed after a moment, "You know..." her voice trailed off.

"What?" he put an arm around her shoulders.

"Have you ever noticed that holos you liked when you were young, just seem...." She shrugged.

"Not as big?"

"Wrong."

"Oh, you mean the whole 'Rebels are the bad guys' type thing."

She nodded.

"Yeah, but the acting's still decent."

Saunders smiled, "Yes it is...." She moved a little closer. "We can pretend it's reversed."

"Of course," he dropped his hand to her shoulder and held her tightly to himself.

"You know, I was going to be Wynssa when I grew up," she said laughingly.

He looked down to her, "Well, I'm glad you aren't."

"Why's that?"

"Because I'd have a hard time dating Wedge's sister."

She turned to look at him, "I beg your pardon?"

Hobbie suddenly realized what he'd said and went evasive, "Shh, it's starting."

She didn't turn to watch the film, still looking up at him, "What did you say?"

He sighed in resignation, "I said I'd have a hard time, because it'd be like dating Wedge's sister, or something."

"That doesn't make sense," she sighed and returned to watching the film. She had heard what he said the first time, and his defensiveness seemed to confirm it. She filed it away in her memory, crossed her arms, and set full attention to the flick.

He held her closely, "Don't worry," and kissed the top of her head.

As the drama unfolded, she leaned up against Hobbie as he held her close, eventually putting her head on his shoulder. Occasional silent-tears fell from her eyes, but she did not cry. "You know," she let out a shuddering sigh and attempted to lighten the mood during a particularly heavy scene. "I still can't believe you know The Face."

"He's a good man."

"I'm glad he's on our side now." Saunders lifted her head a moment as she heard footsteps coming down the hallway towards the door. "Did you hear something?"

"Hm?" Hobbie looked to her.

Muttering could be heard outside the door followed by a soft thud, like a bag hitting the door gently.

Hobbie groaned quietly, "Must be Wes."

The door opened and two big brown bags with legs entered.

Saunders leaned forward and said in a conversational tone, "Now. What did I do with that blaster?"

"Here," he played along and handed it to her from the caf-table. "I'll let you have it."

Janson placed the bags down on the kitchen counter then ran a hand through his hair. "I'm interrupting again, aren't I?"

"No, you aren't. We're just watching a holo."

"Oh.... Okay. I just went to the store and got us some supplies. Let me put them away and I'll leave."

"No, you don't have to. It's your apartment too. I'll just take Talitha home."

"Nah, I need to take a walk anyways." He rustled around in the kitchen, putting what he'd bought away.

Saunders dropped the blaster and gasped. "I forgot about that part!"

Janson looked up at the movie, and tried to keep from laughing as he kept putting food away.

"What?"

She shook her head, and put the blaster back on the caf-table, then sat back down. "It's nothing."

"While I'm in here, anyone want anything?"

Hobbie got up and went to the kitchen to talk to Janson quietly. "You don't have to leave. Things aren't going so well tonite anyway."

He looked up at his friend, his face a bit serious. "I'm not going to make it any better right now."

"Are you okay?" the Ralltiirian asked with conscern, putting a hand on the Taanabian's shoulder.

He nodded and lowered his voice, "Just ran into Face. He says it's nothing, but they lost contact with Siee the other day. He says it's normal for people undercover to lose touch for a few days, but I'm worried. He'll let me know if something more happens." Janson shrugged, "Just being the upset brother again."

Saunders had pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes while watching the film. Then something struck her as not quite right. She noticed the low voiced conversation happening in the other room, and looked toward the kitchen worriedly.

"Oh sith, I'm sorry. I hope they hear from her soon. If you need anything...." He looked worriedly at his best friend.

He sighed, "I'm sure she's fine... and she'll yell at me for worrying if she finds out. Let me go, I don't want to bring the mood in there down."

"Alright, but comm me if there is any news."

"You'll hear me screaming," Janson smirked and patted Hobbie on the shoulder, then grabbed his jacket and headed for the door. He smiled at Saunders, "'Evening, Doctor."

"'Evening, Wes," she looked at him worriedly.

He turned to Hobbie, "Oh yeah... check the 'fridge. Brought home something special." He turned, and Saunders watched worriedly as he left.

She looked up at Hobbie, confusion registering on her features. He went to the 'fridge and smiled. "Good man," he turned and moved out to the living area.

She sighed and leaned back into the couch to watch the very end of the holoflick, dabbing at her eyes sadly. He moved to sit beside her, and she sighed as the ending credits rolled. "But I still love that holo," she said quietly.

He hugged her. "Good. Want to watch another?"

She turned slightly to face him, then looked over to the chrono. "Uhm, sure, but just one more - it's getting late," she sounded uncertain.

"You know.... You could just stay here tonite."

"I suppose so," she smiled slightly.

"Wes brought dessert," he told her as he wrapped his arms tightly around her.

She raised her eyebrows, "Oh?"

"Yeah. Have you ever had cheesecake?"

She shook her head, "That sounds awfully funny though. I have this still-holo of a cake made from cheese-slices."

"It's not like that at all, and it's great. Let me bring a piece and we'll share it.... So you can try it."

She nodded and pulled away. "Alright."

* *

Janson pulled a blanket out of the speeder's trunk, put up the roof and turned on the heater and radio. He curled up in the backseat of the speeder after pulling a still-holo of Alycen from his glovebox. He sat there, just staring at it.

* *

Hobbie soon returned with a slice of creamy cheesecake and a single fork.

"I see you boys need to go shopping."

"What do you mean?" he asked as he sat down beside her.

"Well, either that, or do your dishes," she nodded to the single fork and half smirked.

"You mean we can't share?" he smirked back.

"Now, did I say that?" she smiled at him sweetly.

Hobbie handed her the plate, "Here, I'll go find another fork," he stood.

"No you wont," Saunders picked up the fork, took a piece of the cake onto it, and held it out to him.

He leaned down to eat the piece from the fork. "Are you sure?"

She bit her lip slightly as she lowered the fork back to the plate. Looking up at him, she nodded silently.

* *

Janson put the still-holo away, and curled up. "Treat her good, Hobbie.... You'll miss her when she's gone." It had been over a year now....

* *

Hobbie dropped to his knees and took the fork, putting a small bite on it for her. He held it out, "Your turn."

She leaned forward slightly and took the fork in her mouth. She slowly pulled away, the fork leaving the delicious, creamy cheesecake in her mouth. She closed her eyes and sighed, letting the taste melt on her tongue.

He watched her, his jaw falling slightly open. He cleared his throat, "So... what do you think?"

She opened her eyes to look at him as she swallowed. "Oh yes, this... is good."

"Well, what about this?" he leaned forward to kiss her softly, her eyes fluttered shut as she leaned into it.

"Even better," she whispered as they broke apart.

He took the plate and set it on the caf-table. "Let's see if I can improve on that," he moved forward and cupped her cheek in his hand as he kissed her. She brought a hand up to cover his. He carressed her face as he pulled her closer to him.

She let out a low sigh and slipped her other hand up to touch his face. With his free arm around her back, he began to pull her towards him, down to the floor. Shuddering slightly, she pulled back a moment, "Uhm...."

He looked up at her from where he was now seated on the floor. She blushed lightly and nodded toward the bedroom opposite Jansons.

He let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Ah," he climbed to his feet and helped her to her own. She leaned against him.

Kissing her nose, he swept her off her feet, carrying her into his bedroom. Kicking clothes out of the way, he lay her down on the bed. "Sorry about the mess. It normally isn't like this, I promise."

Saunders reached up to pull him down, nose to nise. "What mess?" she asked just before she kissed him.

He moved to lay atop her as he returned the kiss fervently. "Stay the night with me, Talitha," he asked after they broke breathlessly.

"But I have nothing to wear tomorrow," she smirked. "I used my emergency clothing I have stashed, for today," she whispered teasingly.

He growled in frustration and sat up beside her, then got an idea. "Quick, take your clothes off. I'll go throw them in the wash, and they'll be clean in the morning."

She just looked at him.

"What?!" he grinned as he stood and stepped back to give her room.

She sat up on the bed, and unconcernedly began to unbutton her blouse.

Hobbie's jaw fell open as he watched Saunders undress. He shuddered as stripper music started playing in his mind.

She stood and untucked the blouse from her skirt, and nonchalantly tossed it onto the bed. Without looking at Hobbie, she slipped off her full, long skirt, and crouched slightly to pick it up off the floor and put it on the bed with the blouse. She slipped off her lacy-black panties, and full-bosomed brazierre, and put them onto the pile. Picking them up, she walked over to where Hobbie was now standing.

He stared at her, his jaw still hanging loosely.

"Well, where's the laundry?" she looked at him as though it were perfectly normal to be standing there, holding her clothing before her, nude.

"Uh.... Uh...." He stood there in shock.

Saunders snapped her fingers before his eyes. "Derek? You know... The laundry, where you clean clothing?" She looked at him curiously.

He blinked then took her clothes and rushed from the room. "I'll be right back."

She turned and looked around the room, picking up the various articles of clothing, creating a pile off to the side.

"Okay, they're washing," he returned a few minutes later and looked at her. "What are you doing?"

"Uhm, waiting for you to return?" she moved to sit on the bed, and pulled the pillow over to hold before herself.

"Oh, okay. Well it seems I have you at a disadvantage. I should even things up." He stripped quickly and jumped onto the bed beside her.

She looked over at him and chuckled slightly, still holding onto the pillow. He grabbed the pillow from her and tossed it to the side, pulling her to him. She yelped, but he stopped her mouth with a fervently passionate kiss.

* * *

The next morning, they lay asleep beneath the covers, Saunders's head pillowed on Hobbie's shoulder. Waking up, he looked down at her, still not quite believing it had happened... again. He kissed the top of her head.

*

Janson yawned and rolled over, slowly waking up in his speeder. He sighed, "This is ridiculous, I'm going home." He slowly got out of the speeder, and stowed the blanket away, then headed back to the apartment.

* *

She stirred slightly and yawned. "What time is it?" she asked without opening her eyes.

He looked over at the bedside chrono, "0730."

She sat up quickly, the sheet dropping to her waist. "Oh no! I have to be at work in half an hour!"

Hobbie sighed. "Okay, let me go get your clothes."

"I'll come with you," she slipped out from beneath the sheets.

As he walked toward the laundry-room, Hobbie yawned and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. She followed him, stretching out tired muscles.

*

Janson slid his card in the reader, then took it out as the door slid open.

"Morning, Wes," Hobbie said groggily.

The Taanabian walked inside, and tossed his jacket onto the chair. "Hi Hobbie, I..." Then he looked up and saw the two walking, nude, across the apartment. "Oops!"

She yelped and jumped to hide behind Hobbie.

Janson blushed, "I did it again, didn't I..." he looked down to the floor.

Saunders started giggling from where she stood, semi-hidden behind Hobbie. Suddenly the Ralltiirian pilot realized that neither he, nor the woman behind him, had any clothes on. "Uh, no. Just going to get her clothes from the dryer," he started backing towards the laundry-room with her behind him. "Sith...."

The Taanabian grabbed up his jacket and tossed it over his head. "I'm just going to my room then...."

She laughed and turned, running to the laundry. "I'll get my clothes."

Janson walked to his room, but took a sneak peek at the young woman from beneath his jacket before closing the door behind him.

"Sorry Wes," Hobbie called through the door before heading back to his room to dress.

She quickly found her clothing and slipped it all back on. Soon she re-entered the living room and locating her briefcase, she set it on the caf-table. "Derek, do you have a brush I can borrow?" she asked as she attempted to untangle her longer than waist length hair with her fingers.

He returned from his room, fully dressed, carrying a brush. "Here."

She took the brush and began untangling her hair, "Thanks."

"I'm really sorry about that. I thought that he would have come in sometime during the night."

Saunders blushed then shook her head, tossing her hair over the other shoulder to work at it. "Don't worry about it."

He watched her finish brushing her hair, and begin to create a single braid to toss over her shoulder. "So.... How about dinner tonite?"

"Sound's lovely," she smiled up at him.

"I'll pick you up at the usual time, then?"

She nodded, then looked over at the wall chrono. It was 0800. "Oh sith!"

"You want me to take you to work?"

"That'd be great," she nodded as she grabbed her briefcase.

Hobbie found Janson's keys and borrowed them. "Come on, we'll take Wes' speeder."

"Okay," she turned at the door to call back, "Thanks for the cheesecake Wes!"

Only snoring was her reply.

She shrugged and nodded to the door, "Let's went."

Hobbie quickly brought her to the psychiatric hospital building, stopping the speeder at the front. "Do you want me to come up?"

She shrugged, "I don't think there'll be a problem, your call."

"Well, you can probably get there faster without me. I'll see you tonight," he leaned over, hoping for a kiss.

As the door shut, the glovebox banged open. Saunders leaned through the window and took a still-holo into her hand, "Who's this? She's very pretty." She looked at him questioningly.

"Sith," he whispered. "Thats.... Alycen."

"Let me guess. Married, messy divorce, disappeared?" she recalled the conversation she had had with Janson the morning previous. "I knew it," she whispered to herself.

"Uh, you could say that, but not with Wes."

"I know," she told Hobbie quietly.

"Yeah, well..." he took the still-holo and hid it back in the glovebox.

Saunders leaned in to give him a quick kiss, "1830, don't forget."

"How can I forget when I'm coming to see you?" he kissed her again for good measure.

She pushed him away with a laugh, "Alright. See you then!" she waved jauntily then turned and went into the building for work.

Hobbie smiled and waved. Once she was safe inside, he drove off.

* *

It was 1835 when Saunders finally finished her work. She looked over at the chrono. Well, he's allowed to be a few minutes late. She went over to the 'fresher and washed her face, then she unbraided her hair and brushed it out, letting the waves fall prettily down her back. She went back into her office to wait, pulled out a bookdisc for her datapad, and began to read.

1840 came and went, as did 1900.... 1930.... 2015.... 2100, and still no sign of Hobbie. Finally, at 2150, she packed up her things and headed for the transport.

When she got home, she dropped her briefcase just inside the door, and tossed her jacket onto the chair. She made her way to her bedroom, and quickly changed into an old scrub-suit she had taken to sleeping in. As she braided her hair, her eyes wandered over the holos on her desk.... She finished up and sighed, climbing into her lonely bed. She huddled with a pillow in her arms, and cried herself to sleep.

Why do they disappear? was her last conscious thought.

*******END*******