Log Date: 6/18, 6/19, 6/20/97 Log Cast: Li Hua (NPC), Paul Nighman, Shenneret Veery, Jace Raven (NPC), Alex Raven (NPC), Gillian Raven (NPC), Chelsea Raven (NPC), Rachel Raven (NPC) Log Intro: Paul Nighman has been allowed to leave the medical center after three days' worth of unsuccessful treatment, but only after his doctor has entreated Shenner to keep a hand on Paul - and to get him to take his prescribed medication. The idea of hounding Paul in this fashion alarms the girl, as does Paul's reaction to the mention of "side effects" of the medicine in question. But Shenner agrees to do what she can. Li Hua has agreed to ferry Paul and Shenner to the home of another friend of Paul's, Jace Raven, who will allow Paul to borrow a ship long enough to get to Caspar and find out what has happened to Marcus Crowley - Paul's friend to whom _he_ had loaned his own ship, the _Quasar Bolt_. And so, Li, Shenner, and Paul leave the medical center.... ---------- Clambering in, Li powers the skimmer up and pulls out. Paul sits in the front with her, the wind whipping her hair back, long and fluid, his, short and frantically. Their conversation comes back to Shen in bits and snippets. An address, somewhere beyond the space port, a terse update as to his condition and cause, and idle banter about their school days. When Li lets it slip that she still plays ... now with the Corellian Symphonic, Paul turns to her with a look that is impressed and miffed. "What?!" He growls a bit before muttering something like, "And you were challenging me?" Li gives him a quick and affectionate smile. "And I would have whupped your butt," she replies tartly. Interested by this notion of challenges between musicians, Shen grins to herself and listens in as best she can with the wind and the motion of the skimmer interfering with the conversation from the vehicle's front. Half her attention remains on the city as they flit through its streets, as this is her first view of Coronet at such a speed, and she finds herself mentally marking off where everything she is, building herself an interior map. _I like this place,_ she realizes suddenly, then smiles bemusedly at herself as she tries to figure out where _that_ unbidden thought came from. The speeder passes the spaceport and heads out of the city, back into familar looking woods. It occurs to Shen that they ran parallel to the university, and therefore, these woods probably -are- the same ... only they're on the other side of them now. They pull up finally, to a pleasant, modest little house. Paul's conversation with Li turned into direction giving for the last few minutes, punctuated occasionally with a casual laugh or comment about Corellia, development plans, and something about a conservation act. Bringing the speeder to a halt, Paul turns as the door of the house bursts open, three children rushing out in a noisy explosion, from the middle of which appears a Corellian man, who gives the speeder's occupants and cheerful wave and calls out "Paul!" before he shouts to the scattering children, "Hey, who let you all out of your cages?!" The kids squeal in delight and begin running across the yard like wild animals, stalking and pouncing on one another. As the speeder draws to a halt, Shenner blinks, and stares in unvarnished surprise at the children, momentarily forgetting anything else around her. Something about the tranquil little scene strikes her oddly in the gut, and even as Paul moves to get out of the craft, Shen follows him more slowly. The man heading toward Paul is probably the plainest looking Corellian Shenner has ever seen. He is a shorter man, rather on the thin side, but with wiry corded muscles that show that despite his size and build, he's anything but a weakling. There is something very odd about his right arm - it seems to bow out in a curve. His black hair is touseled and softly curly, and his eyes are dark brown and warm. The most appealing thing about him is his face - not in how it looks physically, but the fact that his character shines out from it - friendly and relaxed, with a touch of mischeivious frosting. It is obvious that Paul is taken by surprise as the man doesn't just shake his hand or slap him on the arm, but gives Paul an honest to goodness hug, which he manages to reciprocate somewhat awkwardly. If the man takes notice or offense, it is impossible to tell. Turning to Li and Shen he simply chirps. "Hi!" Paul does somewhat more formal introductions. "Jace, this is Li Hua Tsuma, you remember, from school? And this is my friend and right arm, Shenner Veery. Shen? Li? This is Jace Raven." Still rather startled at the sight of three apparently healthy, happy, and _LOUD_ children frolicking in front of the house, Shenner starts when she belatedly catches her name uttered. "Huh? Oh... hiya," she blurts, sheepishly. That Jace Raven is indeed a less than handsome Corellian brings up instant sympathy within her -- as much as Paul's helped her trust Corellian men, or at least _one_ Corellian man, her mind still instinctively links 'handsome Corellian men' with 'trouble in spades'. Jace Raven might be plain of feature, she thinks, but on a planet where attractive men are the norm, this one stands out. And her introductory grin is wide with genuine approval. Jace shakes Li's proffered hand and gives Shen an equally cheerful grin. "Excuse me," he mumurs politely, before turning back to the yard of shrieking children and bellowing in a voice five times his size, "Atennn-shun!" The squealing children rush over to their father, forming a short and somewhat crooked line, their hands raising to their heads in salute, though they giggle despite themselves. Saluting them himself, he drops his arm to his side. "At ease!" he snaps sharply, and the kids drop their hands. "Troops, this is Paul, Shenner and Li Hua ... Paul and Shenner are going to be our guests tonight, so no sneak attacks or water balloons, or you'll be court martialed." The kids giggle again and turning to the others, Jace points to his children one at a time. "These are my growths ... the doctor told me I should have them removed, but now that they're not attached, well, it's worse than herding cats." The children begin to meow and hiss, until a side glance from their father has them covering their mouths and giggling again. Pointing to them one at a time, he introduces the ragged bunch. "Alex," a seven year old and a carbon copy of his father except for the arm, "Gillian," five years old and a flaming redhead of a girl, "and Chelsea," the four year old with blonde hair, looking extremely precocious for her age. Seven, five, and four years of age; all of those are numbers that seem to Shenner to be utterly bizarre when attached to human beings. The human beings in question still captivate her attention, as she ponders if she can recall when _she_ was that small... and if she wants to. She crooks a grin down at the little ones, completely fascinated, not only by their sizes, but also by their lack of fear -- not an unusual thing on Corellia, but with these small ones, it strikes Shen, it is not a mannerism to adopt, but rather, simply a way of Being. "We ain't gonna be nudging 'em outta beds, are we?" Shen speaks up, meaning to address the children's father, but staring at the children as she speaks. Jace laughs out loud at that and the children echo him till he stops laughing and leans over, considering them seriously. "Not a bad idea, thanks Shen. Okay, guys, you have ten minutes to pack up your stuff and move out." He folds his arms while the kids consider him for a moment uncertainly. Alex and Gillian frown at him and then at one another, then turn, running, for the house yelling, "Momm-mmmmmmm!" Chelsea stands her ground, placing her hands on her hips and proclaiming, "NO!" Laughing, Jace leans down and picks her up, depositing her easily on one hip. She leans against his shoulder, wrapping her little arms around him, her legs locking to his waist. "Mommy's going to beat me now, isn't she?" he asks the blonde bundle, to which she replies, "Yes." Watching the two older children scurry off, Shen smiles in bemusement, before snapping her attention back to the older people present. "Our stuff," she blurts suddenly, turning to hasten back to Li's transport. "I'll get our stuff..." The door of the house opens to reveal a blonde slightly plump woman with short straight hair and a round appealing face. "Jace Raven, did you -really- tell those kids to pack up and move out?" Jace carefully deposits Chelsea on the ground and whispers to her, "Quick kiddo, run interference for me." The girl gives her daddy a puzzled look. He rolls his eyes and says, "Go bug Mommy." That the girl understands, and she takes off for her mother. Jace rises and pretending he didn't hear her says, "What's that honey? Hold on, I gotta be all husband like and lift the heavy things." Winking to Shen he says, "Okay, what all is yours?" as he draws close to her and speeder and peers at all the boxes and luggage. "Uhm, the two guitars, that carisak, that satchel..." Shenner points out these things, as well as the rest of Paul's own personal items and the Mandalorian artifacts. She reaches for her own guitar case and carisak, slinging the latter's strap over her shoulder and hoisting the former up into her arms. "Cripes," he gasps, "All this?" Glancing over his shoulder at Paul, who doesn't move to help them, he considers him for a moment before turning back to Shen. "Uh oh," he comments, "Paul's after my wife ... guess I'll have to kill 'em ... pity too, nice guy. Hold on, I'm going to get a lift from the back - will take everything in a lot faster," and with a brief touch on Shen's shoulder he turns away, heading around the side of the house. Looking vaguely overwhelmed by this bubblingly enthusiastic man, Shen glances at Paul and Li, as well as Jace's arrived wife, smiling crookedly. "Uhm." The wife is currently chatting softly with Paul, Chelsea clinging to one of her legs, and Li Hua standing next to them, listening in. If opposites attract, then Jace and his wife are the photo opportunity. She is a rather sweet demur looking woman, speaking in soft tones, her face a picture of contentment and ease. At Shenner's noise, she smiles, touching Paul's arm lightly and walks over to the girl. "Hello there," she offers is well modulated tones, "I'm Rachel, and you must be Shenner. Sorry about the chaos ... there's only one of me and four of them." She gives Shen a smile, not as vibrant and energetic as her husbands, but just as welcoming. Shen grins sheepishly. "Yeah. Shenner," she answers, feeling a little bit more at ease. "Big, uh, family you got here..." As Jace turns the corner, Alex now tagging along with him, the woman just smiles a little oddly and replies, "Well, I love my husband." The man in question draws nearer, leaning over to drop a kiss on his wife's lips, and not a casual peck that a husband with three kids might giver his sweetheart in random afection, but a genuine kiss. She responds shyly, highly aware of the fact that they have company. Drawing back, she smiles at him brightly. Jace grins, glances at Shen and shrugs unapologetically. "Why don't you all head inside and rest, me and Alex can handle the rest." Li, who has been softly talking to Paul leans over and drops a kiss on one of his cheeks before turning to Jace. "I'll help you ... cause I need to get back to the Inn anyway ..." "If y'all say so... uhm..." Still clinging to her own guitar and carisak, Shen glances to Paul for support, before adding, "Thanks...! You too, Li..." Paul catches the look, but is uncertain of what it portends. What he is certain of is the instability of his legs. Apparently Li and he just said their goodbyes, because he turns and makes his way, carefully, into the house. Rachel's eyes are sharp, and hurrying along, she catches up with Paul leaning close to him and pointing out the house, making some comment to him about it, but she uses the opportunity to touch his arm, making contact just in case. Jace grins at Shen and then at Li, "Go on in Shen, after all, you're our guest tonight. Li and I are more than enough for this task." Alex looks up, affronted. "And mee-eee!" Looking down at his son, he rubs the kids hair until is pretty much standing on end. "And Alex," he agrees. Li offers her hand and her smile to Shen. "It was nice to meet you, take good care," she adds, "of both of you." Shenner smiles to Li, and flicks a grin to Jace and Alex, too. She then turns to follow Paul and Rachel into the house, and strives to suppress a brief surge of jealously as Rachel is the one to hover at Paul's side. _Down, girl,_ she orders herself sternly. _He's got other friends besides you!_ Into the house, then, Shenner strides, carrying her belongings with her. Having gotten Paul seated comfortable, Rachel turns to find Shenner with her stuff. She turns to Paul and Shen, uncertainly. "Ah, I'm afraid that there is only one guest room ... so we can put all of your belongings there, but if you would rather, I'm sure we can have one of the children give up their room for the night?" Not knowing what their relationship might be, she is hesitant to make any assumptions. Nervous in this strange house, nervous around such a large and obviously happy family, Shenner's first instinct is again to defer to Paul. Still standing, she glances down to him, in the chair where Rachel's gotten him settled. "We've, uh, managed with one bed before," she begins, unsurely. Her uncomfortable demeanor and uncertain words makes Rachel wonder what -is- the relationship between this woman and her husbands old friend. There have certainly been no loving touches, or shared looks. In fact, she isn't even certain that she has seen one even talk to the other yet. However, Rachel is nothing if not a perfect hostess, and while her mind digests this information, her demeanor lets none of this on. Paul glances at Shen, knowing how this makes everything sound, which is, awkward and fraught with implications. "We'll be fine with one bed," he assures Rachel, "We wouldn't want any of your kids to think their father might actually be telling the truth." He leans his head back onto the chair, his mind still whirling with the recent events, as well as the implications of Li's words to him, their welcome here ... it's all just a little intense, he rationalizes, I'll feel fine in a minute. Shen eyes Paul for a moment, unsurprised to find him looking strained. She turns back to Rachel, though, and asks hopefully, "If you can just show me where to put my stuff... and if we can get somethin' to eat, maybe, for Paul?" "Of course," she responds immediately. Paul raises his head in protest. "I'm fine, I don't need anything to eat," he murmurs. "Nonsense, you're as white as a sheet ... besides, it's almost dinner time." Gesturing to Shen, she nods her head gracefully, "This way." [And later, that night...] Stretching out on the bed, Paul rubs his eyes tiredly and pats his stomach contentedly. Good food and good company, he ruminates to himself. _Surprising, but good_ The house is quiet now, the children finally off to bed. At first he had feared that they would never cease their running about, but dinner proved him wrong, as each child behaved extremely well, making small commentary and telling occasional stories, but all within reasonable volume. Alex was a smart kid, into mechanics like his father, and unlike his father, interested in sports ... long distance running. Gillian was obviously the artistic one, with her paint streaked arms and flamboyant gestures. Chelsea was the brain, the youngest and in Paul's opinion, the most savvy. It's hard to tell at that age, but the way she watched everything that went on, and the few comments she made clinched it for him. Rolling over onto one side, Paul considered the whole family for a moment. He didn't understand why he'd been so shocked ... he had heard that Jace had married, had kids ... the whole nine yards. Still, the sight of his old school friend had shocked the hell out of him. Jace Raven used to be a pretty quiet kid - sure he was silly with his friends, but with the rest of the world he was reserved and withdrawn ... a geek. Now he was this vivacious personality, at complete ease with himself and everyone. The idea that the man had spawned these children, and was a father - a true father - to them still shocked him, though it shouldn't. Jace was ... is a good man. Obviously Rachel and Jace were very much in love, and after three children and nine years of marriage, that was something in Paul's opinion. While he did not want Jace's life, he couldn't help but find himself a little envious of the man's obvious happiness. Perfect wife, perfect kids, perfect family, and a recent promotion to First Mechanic at the spaceport, the perfect job. Shenner, coming into the room on cat feet, sits down on the edge of the bed, and reaches to kick off her boots. Her gaze rests on Paul's streched-out figure for a moment, and she smiles a little, still bemusedly pondering the night spent observing Jace and Rachel and their children. Shenner speaks up, "They always like this, huh?" "I wouldn't know," he replies thoughtfully, turning his head to look at Shenner. "I haven't seen Jace in ten years. Things are quite different now than they were then ... he hadn't even met Rachel back then. "Oh." Shen looks down at her feet, as she swings one restlessly for a moment or two, before she returns Paul's look. Her brow is furrowed, but she's smiling a bit, sheepishly. "Paul... y'know... this is... the first time I ever seen... kids. I mean... in a family. In a house. Yah know?" Tracing a pattern on the bedcovers with one finger, Paul continues to observe Shen. "Me neither," he murmurs, stifling a small yawn. "So, what do you think? You like it?" Shenner admits, "I ain't exactly sure... it's.... weird." The girl glances at the closed door for a moment, ponderingly, before turning her gaze back to her reclining companion. And she quirks her head a bit. "I guess we oughtta crash..." Shenner adds softly, "You had a real long day. How you feelin'?" Raising up on one arm, Paul considers probing a little further, but Shen's question changes the direction of the conversation. "Okay ... a little tired I suppose, mostly just out of sorts - there's been too much going on lately, y'know? I can't tell if I'm coming or going these days." Deciding not to get sidetracked, he leans forward. "What do you mean, weird?" The girl blushes a little, though she doesn't look away. "Oh, I dunno, I... it's like... well, those kids, they have a mother _and_ a father, and... they got a place to sleep and food and clothes, and... well, you know?" She rolls her shoulders in a rueful shrug. "Never seen what it's... like." Shenner murmurs, "They're... kids." She sounds amazed, marvelling. With a rueful grin, Paul comments, "Well, that is supposed to be the default standard, although I think this family rates an "excellent", not an "average". At her astonished tone, Paul is harshly reminded that Shen has never had a childhood and to a certain extent, never will. Not the way a child experiences one. She might have some of the same experiences, but they'll be different ... biased ... tainted. "Yeah," he replies, "they sure are." "Never got to be a kid," Shenner murmurs quietly, as if reading Paul's thoughts, looking more or less in the direction of the bed's headboard. "And now I gotta figure out how to be a grownup all of a sudden. And a... woman, at that. Eesh." She smirks, and leans over to dig her nightclothes out of her carisak. Not knowing how to respond to that, Paul rolls over to stare at the ceiling. _She needs a role model, not some Corellian man confusing her left and right_ he chastises himself. Taking in a deep breath, Paul let's it out slowly before saying, "Guess I can't be of much help in that department, huh?" "'Less you got a _much_ better disguise technique than I do," Shen answers roughly, wryly, "you ain't exactly a girl, no..." She looks up again, smiling a bit. "I'll figure it out eventually, pal. Don't get yourself worried about it." Wondering if -he'll- be able to figure it out, Paul turns once again to look at Shen. Their conversation, well, interaction, from this morning comes to mind, and his brow crinkles. "Just be yourself," he advises, "gender isn't important really." Trying to decide if he should pursue that abandoned tangent or let it just stray off, Paul runs an uncertain hand through his hair, murmuring unsteadily, "Uh Shen? ..." Shenner straightens a little, her nightgown in a pale crumpled roll in her hands. "Yeah?" "Ah, about this morning ... what we were talking about ... it seems like we're constantly being interrupted these days, and you were about to say something when Dr. T'shallat came in?" His voice winds about uncertainly, not embarrassed, but a touch fretful. "Do you want to finish ... what we were talking about?" Shen stills, taken by surprise that Paul actually remembers what had passed between him and her before the doctor had come in on them. And what Paul had said then -- 'You're one of the most important people in my life' -- comes back to her now. Swallowing, she says huskily, "Yeah, sure... if you want... you got more you wanna say?" "Well, you were about to say something ... I thought ..." _-Do- I have anything else to say? Good question?_ Paul realizes that this isn't something he can be washy about, so he sits up carefully, considering the child-woman before him. _What more is there to say? What more do I -dare- to say?_ Looking plaintive, now, Shenner murmurs, "I guess I was... kinda fruck, pal... you were... sorta out of it, you know?" Her hands fidget with the gown she's gotten out, but she doesn't look away from Paul. "But... you're important to me, too... I mean, we're friends, right?" "I'm sorry I upset you," he replies carefully, sounding like a broken holodisc with his constant apologies lately. "And yes, we are friends," he replies firmly, with gaze direct and unwavering, wondering to himself how much she is keeping to -her-self. "'Sokay... I-I mean, the doctor musta been usin' pretty strong stuff on you, you talkin' about roses and everything..." Shen grins weakly. With a slight frown, Paul shakes his head, "Well, pretty powerful, but most drugs don't alter who you are really ... I mean, you're still yourself despite its influences. I guess I'll just have to find you a rose and we'll do a comparison to prove it to you." Shenner wrestles between a blush and a smirk, her hands fidgeting more with the rolled-up gown. "If you say so... still kinda think you musta been thinkin' of some other redhead." The smirk wins. That hit its mark, and Paul has to physically restrain himself from flinching. He was thinking of Jessalyn too, he recalled his memories mixing. Still, as he recalled, Jessa smelled of Yavin roses and felt like the softest cotton sheets, not rose petals. "I know a lot of redheads," he replies tartly. "You could be right ... " He covers his discomfort in humor. "Shall I test my theory out now that I'm in full control of my facilities?" he asks her, ever the obliging gentleman. Shen blinks, sitting very still now; even her hands rest quietly where she's gripping the robe in her lap. Her eyes widened a bit, she murmurs, "Well... wouldn't... wanna hafta wonder about it, I guess..." Eyeing her curiously, and wondering if he has any idea what he is doing, Paul shifts to his hands and knees and crawls over the bed from where he was sitting to the edge where Shen is. Settling back down on his knees, he sits beside her and reaches out with one hand to draw it along the side of her cheek, testing her texture thoughtfully, as well as her reaction. Her mouth curves up a little on the side of her face that Paul touches, and a small tremor makes the smile a trifle shaky. "So... uhm... whaddya think?" There is a dark quick thrill at the tremor which he silences, caressing her cheek for one more moment before drawing his hand away slowly. "Definitely rose petal soft," he confirms, cocking his head to one side. "I'll have to prove it to you sometime." Shenner blushes, and answers, "Oh... well..." Her voice goes huskier, and for a moment she drops her gaze, as she adds, "I... guess you were payin' attention, then..." _And you did know what you were saying... oh kark..._ "Is there a problem with that? After all, I am a scientist ... I'm trained to pay attention ... or is it something else? Would you prefer that you had skin like sandpaper," he queries with a touch of teasing. Instead of drawing back, he stays just where he is, still watching and gauging her reactions curiously. Shenner smiles a little. "Nah...." Her gaze remains on Paul's. "I shoulda guessed you'd, uh, notice stuff. Bein' a scientist and all." Paul nods, leaning back slightly. "Years of field work," he confirms with a grin. Several different lines come to mind, all intended to flatter and suggest. _Must be the Corellian in me_ Paul muses to himself. _An inborn inclination to woo women_ And then, just because he can't help himself, he finds that he leans forward to touch her cheek again. "Course, even a scientist can have a biased opinion, better re-check my data, correlate my results." His thumb graces her cheek, while his other fingers stroke along the underside of her jaw. _What are you doing?!_ his mind squeals. Shenner's eyes shiver delicately closed for a moment, then open again, and she manages another lopsided smile. And abruptly, she gives a throaty chuckle. The shiver he half expected, the chuckle he didn't. Leaning in a bit closer, Paul smiles mischeviously at the redhead before him, "What's so funny?" "We're, uhm... flirtin'," she murmurs lowly, blushing. The grin grows positively wicked. "We are," he replies in a amber smooth tone. His hand trails down the length of her neck and slides to her nape, toying with the hair there. "Hmmmm, but you don't like flirting," he teases her coyly, "so I guess I better stop." Shenner swallows, and murmurs, "I... don't... much see the point of it, like I said before... you know?" To prove a point or let it drop? That is the question. His fingers tease the back of her neck as he tries to decide. "Ah yes, no point at all, I quite agree," he replies amiably. Shenner wets her lips, and breathes, "I just... wonder about... stuff you say sometimes, I guess..." as her head leans into the hand behind it. "What stuff?" he probes curiously, feeling a reaction building up as her head grows heavy against his hand, at the touch of her tongue to her lips. _This is ridiculous,_ he chastises himself, _I -just- got out of the hospital!_ "Like... when you mean when you say things like...." Shen pauses, struggles for a moment to look casual, and at last finishes softly, "... that I'm one of the most important people in your life." Pausing for a moment, Paul looks into Shen's eyes soberly. "Well, in comparison to most and coming from me, that really isn't saying much I guess, but it is true .... you are very important to me. You've had a profound and influential impact on my life." His brow crinkles thoughtfully as he cocks his head to one side, his hand stilling its movements, but still supporting her neck. The girl seems quite happy to sit there letting Paul's hand remain where it is; she smiles again, sheepishly, the right side of her mouth quirking upwards. "Thanks," she whispers. "That... means a lot to me." "You're welcome," he replies simply. Nothing else seems to require saying. "Any others?" For a fraction of an instant, Shenner looks uncertain, before she plasters on another crooked grin and looks somewhere in the vicinity of Paul's collarbone as she answers softly, "That'll do for now..." Paul lets his hand drop slowly from her neck, stroking along her back before stopping to lean against the mattress. "Alright," he murmurs affably. Leaning forward he drops a light kiss to her cheek. "I owe you one," he murmurs before leaning back "What're friends for?" Shenner answers huskily, her smile widening a little. _Good question_ Paul realizes with a small start, _ ... and one I haven't considered seriously before ..._ Paul used to think he was something of a loner and a hermit, but recent times had proven him wrong. Friends from the past, even a few he hadn't considered really "friends" before, were suddenly there for him, supporting him, being, well, friends to him .... as if they always had been. Despite the fact that he had made little effort to stay in touch with these people, they still considered him to be a good friend. They deserved more from him. "You're right," he tells her with a small smile. He then leans back and rolls over. "I'll just use the bath, be right back," he assures her as he rises from the bed. One arm stretches out to touch the wall, as his balance is still not quite functioning, but the gesture is casual, and as soon as he feels confident enough, he drops his arm and heads for the door. Shenner readily allows Paul to get up, then rises herself, moving to change into her nightgown as long as he's out of the room. Feeling a slight rattling at her chest, though, she pauses, touches her pocket -- and remembers what she'd put there. "Uh... Paul?" Pausing at the doorway, Paul casts a glance over his shoulder. "Yeah?" Shenner reaches a slender hand into her pocket, and pulls forth the little vial that Dr. T'shallat had given her. Looking uncomfortable, though she keeps her gaze on her tall friend, she begins, "I... gotta funny feelin' you're gonna tell me to chuck this in the nearest recyler. You wanna tell me why I'm gonna do that, first?" Shifting his gaze from her to the vial and then back again, his expression mutates from pleasantly curious to actively displeased. "I don't like pills, period," he states outright. "Can't be bothered to remember to take the damn things ... and those," he notes with a jabbing finger, "will make me just as sick as the damn parasite ... I'll take my chances." Shen doesn't exactly wince at the shift of Paul's mood, though a proto-wince flickers for a moment across her features. She blows out a breath, inclines her head, and says lowly, "Okay, pal... sorry. Didn't mean to tork you off." Guilt, a sharp stick of it pokes Paul in the conscience. His shoulders sag a little and with a sigh he walks over to Shen and reaches out with one hand for the bottle. "No, -I'm- sorry ... had no right to snap." She places it in his hand, but does not release her own from it, yet. "It's okay," Shenner says immediately, then she pauses, her face suddenly shifting, looking tired. Strained. Her voice is smaller as she murmurs, "I... been worried about yah, but I ain't gonna treat you like a baby or nothin'." "If you want me to, I'll take this stuff," he acquiesces somberly. "You don't have to babysit me, Shen. I'm a grown man, I've taken care of myself this long. It's not your job to sit on me, so it's okay ... just ... just don't worry too much, okay? I can't take the guilt." Shenner looks down at her sock-clad feet. "I'll try, but it's hard..." _'Cause I care about you...._ "Just wantcha to not be sick, so I don't _hafta_ worry.' _But these pills are gonna make me sick, and then you'll worry ... but if I don't take them, then you'll still worry_ Caught in a Catch-22, Paul can only repeat his question, phrasing it a little more directly this time. "Do you want me to take these?" The girl looks up again, earnestly replying, "I want you to not be sick. But I don't know nothin' about this... parasite thing they said's in you, and I don't know nothin' about whether this stuff" -- and she waggles the hand holding the medicine -- "will help or not. It's what I get for bein' a karkin' stupid street ra -- for... not knowin' much." Shenner sighs, fretfully, glancing away a moment, and going on hastily to try to cover her momentary slip of the tongue, "If it was me, I dunno, I-I'd probably see if the stuff helped for a coupla days, and if it didn't do nothin', well, screw it..." Sitting down heavily on the edge of the bed, Paul holds up the bottle before Shen. "You're not stupid," he interjects sharply, her attempt at covering her slip failing miserably. "You just don't have the facts ... there's a difference, learn to recognize it." Shaking the bottle till it rattles, Paul explains. "These are to try to keep the parasite from coming back. It is Dr. T'shallat's belief that the remission is a fluke and only temporary. If she's right, then taking this will help forestall that eventuality. If she's wrong, then I'm taking it for no good reason." Clenching the bottle in his large palm, he drops his hand to his thigh. "Regardless of right or wrong, this medication has some possible side effects that won't make me sick, exactly, but will make me -feel- and perhaps even -act- sick." His gaze drops to the bottle and then raises back up to Shenner. "So, if it will make you feel better to know that I'm taking the stuff, then I'll take the stuff. Otherwise, I'll take my chances." "Don't think my opinion's the one that matters here," Shenner mutters, once more inspecting her feet. "You shouldn't decide this just to make me feel better." _This is going nowhere, fast_ Paul growls inwardly, and his patience for this kind of back and forth, passing the buck game has reached it's limits. Standing up, he hands the bottle to Shen. "Then if you have no opinion, I won't be taking the medication," he announces, settling the matter once and for all. Shen doesn't argue. She simply nods, takes the bottle, and realizes belatedly that she's still holding her nightgown. "You, uh... were gonna go to the refresher... you still wanna go first?" Not happy with how that conversation didn't go, Paul just nods. "I'll only be a minute," and with that he turns and heads out the door without another word. _Not stupid, huh?_ Shenner thinks to herself fiercely, as Paul leaves the room. _Then why the hells did you blab your big mouth at him? Shoulda known tryin' to tell him stuff like that'd make him mad..._ Glowering at herself, Shenner changes clothes, pausing only long enough to eye the bottle and consider whether she really is going to chuck it into the nearest recycler. Something she cannot identify in her mind forestalls her, though, and at last, she simply slips the vial into an inner pocket of her carisak. It really is only a brief minute before Paul returns from the refresher. He walks in, his face impassive and unreadable. Sitting on the edge of the bed he begins to remove his boots. "All yours." The girl is changed by the time Paul returns; she bobs her head mutely, pads off, and in not too much more time is back again herself, face washed, expression quiet. Upon her return, Paul has gotten partially undressed. He had the brilliant idea of borrowing some sweatpants from Jace, so for a change of pace, he can actually sleep a little more comfortably. Tired of fretting over what might or might not upset Shen, he changes to please himself tonight - sweatpants is the only thing that he wears. He is just turning down the bed as Shenner enters back into the room. His gaze flickers up to see who it is, and then back down to his task. Shen doesn't interrupt. She offers a wan smile, waiting for Paul to finish, willing to let him claim whatever side of the bed he wants first. Crawling in on the left side, farthest from the door, Paul slips inbetween the sheets with a satisfied sigh. "Get the lights before you get in?" he asks, as they are on her side of the bed. Drawing a pillow close, he wrestles with it until it conforms to the shape that he wants. The room obligingly darkens, before the girl's slight weight joins Paul's on the bed. She takes a moment to settle, before winding up lying there on her back, still quiet. Paul closes his eyes, concentrating on falling asleep, and having the expectation that it will be harder than he thinks. However, his body has other ideas. The day has been entirely too taxing, and his body begins to remind him of all of the abuses that it has had to suffer, and in retaliation, it shuts down promptly. Within a few minutes, with his right arm under the pillow, his back to Shen, he falls sound asleep, his body releasing the tension of the day. Shenner feels a small pang at Paul's turning away from her as he drops off, and scowls at herself in the darkness of the room. _Get over it,_ she orders herself. _He's a friend, a really good and nice friend, okay fine so he thinks you're pretty and says stuff like how you're all rose-like and everything, so what? He's Corellian, for cryin' out loud, it's words, don't mean nothin'.... don't mean nothin'...._ It is without much enthusiasm for her own argument, however, that Shenner closes her eyes. And it takes her a lot longer than it does Paul to finally drop off into sleep. [End log.]