Log Date:
	3/14/97

Log Cast:
	Paul Nighman, Shenner, Jessalyn, Vermillion, Luke

Log Intro:
	The news that Luke plans to stay on Palanhi to confront Sabbath
alone has caused some dissension among those who have taken shelter on
the _Black Dragon_; Shenner and Jessalyn have both argued with Skywalker
about this intention, and Amylynn has argued on Luke's behalf. Only
afterwards did Shenner apologize to Luke, anxious to do her part to
keep everyone working together -- more or less.
	It is during her apology to Luke that Shen reveals to him that
Grathix had expressed interest in employing Paul Nighman, and that Paul
is an 'obtainer of rare antiquities'. Interested in seeing whether he
might work with both Paul and Grathix on the task of tracking down
some mysterious artifacts, Luke has gotten Shenner to introduce him
to Paul... and Paul himself has been invited onto the _Black Dragon_
for his own safety....

----------
Paul_Nighman comes into the Starport from Starport Road.
Paul_Nighman has arrived.

Shenner can be spotted pacing fretfully in front of the _Black Dragon_, 
  scowling anciously to herself.

A loud chirruping noise goes off and Paul pauses a moment. "Hold on a sec, I 
  need to check this."

Artoo shuts off with a faint warble.

Jessalyn comes into the Starport from Starport Road.
Jessalyn has arrived.

Shenner can be spotted pacing fretfully in front of the _Black Dragon_, 
  scowling anxiously to herself.

Paul_Nighman arrives looking much better than last you saw him. 
  He is washed, clean shaven, and wearing fresh clothes ... a light tan tunic 
  shirt with an open collar to mid-chest with dark brown pants and a leather 
  jacket slung over one shoulder. Across his chest is hanging is traditional 
  leather bag, and in his left hand he carries another larger bag of luggage. 
  He looks like he's been rushing a bit, his expression pleasantly harried.
Paul_Nighman pauses and then hunkers down, dropping his jacket and pulling his 
  satchel from across his chest. "I've been waiting for this for awhile now, 
  hold on." he murmurs.

Jessalyn strolls into the starport, her arm locked in Paul's. She glances 
  towards the Dragon and smiles as she sees Shenner there, though a look of 
  worry crosses over her eyes as she notices the girl's fretful pacing.

Shenner pace, pace, pace pace pace pace. Shenner, in fact, paces with a 
  vengeance. Only when she comes round on another pass through the furrow 
  she'd be wearing with her pacing if it were taking place on something softer 
  than tarmac does she spot Paul Nighman and Jessalyn Valios coming into the 
  port -- and only then does she look abruptly relieved, and hurry over.
Shenner cries, "Where the _kark_ have you two been, anyway?"

Paul_Nighman looks up and grins at Shenner. "Jeez girl, relax, we're okay ... 
  I just had a little run in with some much needed sleep." He opens up his 
  computer terminal and hits a key.

Jessalyn holds up a quieting hand to Shenner, shaking her head. "Calm down, I 
  just went to get Paul..."

Shenner shifts from foot to foot, and says grudgingly, "I thought you were 
  gonna be here yesterday, is all... I got worried."

Paul_Nighman looks up at Jessalyn and takes her hand kissing it regally. "You 
  care, you really care," he teases. The computer chirps again.

Something bleeps faintly on one of the nearby ships.

Jessalyn blushes only slightly, then grasps her hands behind her back. "What 
  are you doing, Paul?" she asks, glancing around nervously.

Paul_Nighman turns to Shenner. "I'm sorry to have worried you ... it was a 
  circumstance that was beyond my control." He hits a key and begins to 
  download a list of potential references - texts on the theories of Jedi 
  artifacts, their debated existence, and the sites of digs currently occuring 
  in official channels on Mandolorn. He frowns slightly. "I'll have to check 
  with Tallah and see if he can get me the "unofficial" dig list." He grins to 
  himself.

Vermillion steps down the ramp from the Recluse Shadow.
Vermillion has arrived.

Shenner's face stays somewhat crinkled at the two grownups, as she squints 
  critically at Paul -- this, a Paul who sounds rather more familiar to her. 
  Then, she half-smiles and nods to him, saying to Jessalyn, "He's gonna have 
  his nose in a book all the time, now. So c'mon, y'all, the _Dragon_'s 
  karkin' dull with nobody on it and we gotta get ready to go."

Paul_Nighman cocks his head and looks up. Seeing Vermillion, he taps a few 
  keys and then gently closes the computer up again. "That should keep you 
  busy for awhile he murmurs."

Paul_Nighman
The Corellian, Paul Nighman, is in his late twenties, 6'2", with a lean, rangy 
  build. His arms are long and well muscled, with scars and nicks 
  crisscrossing them.. His hands are similarly large and strong, laced with 
  thin scars. He has a rugged and good looking face, with a cleft in his chin. 
  He is generally a little on the unshaven side - the five o'clock shadow look 
  - unless he has made a distinct effort to tidy himself up. His skin has a 
  natural tanned hue. His eyes are expressive, hazel, with a green burst of 
  color at the pupils. His hair is light brown with gold highlights, and there 
  is one unruly swatch that has a tendency to fall over his brow. His voice is 
  deep, warm, and gravelly. He usually has a rather distracted expression, as 
  if he were somewhere else entirely. His usual attire includes a light beige 
  shirt with a v-neck collar, which he wears with the sleeves rolled up to 
  just below his elbows. Over that he wears a vest/jacket in medium green with 
  dark brown trim and black lining. Tan breeches mold his legs and a brown 
  leather belt adorns his waist. He has tall brown leather boots, and only 
  those with the most discering eyes can tell there is a knife concealed in 
  his right boot. Hanging from the belt and strapped to his left thigh is a 
  blaster holster, equipped with blaster.
Paul is looking especially well rested and tidy. He has a different shirt on, 
  one that opens to mid chest and is tan. He has forgone the traditional vest. 
  He is clean shaven for a change. He has a distracted expression on his face 
  for the most part, and keeps checking a computer terminal pad that 
  occasionally chirrups at him.

Jessalyn
        Rainforest green eyes return your gaze, followed by a brilliant smile 
  that lights up the features of this slender woman. Humor and compassion 
  shine in those green eyes, and her face is pale with wide cheekbones. 
  Shining dark red hair falls in unruly silken waves around her shoulders.
She is wearing a loose, black velvet tunic which scoops low beneath her 
  startlingly white throat. The tunic is belted at her narrow waist and the 
  full sleeves end just above her pale slender wrists. Your eyes are drawn to 
  her best feature, upon which she wears a pair of tight, dark green pants 
  tucked into knee-high black leather boots, both complementing the best pair 
  of legs in ten parsecs.

Vermillion
A tall, broad shouldered human male with wolfish blue eyes and long crimson 
  hair pulled back into a ponytail, which falls to mid-back. His features are 
  rugged and handsome, with arching eyebrows and high cheekbones. He is well 
  tanned and a two day growth of light red stubble graces his firm jaw. He is 
  wearing a white turtleneck and heavy silver boots which sound noisily as he 
  walks. Around his waist is a silver partitioned belt with an octagonal 
  buckle. He wears a long black jacket with deep pockets which nearly touches 
  the ground. Over his shirt is a shiny silver chestplate showing only a few 
  scratches and one noticeable scorch mark. A spurious lock of red hair 
  partially covers one eye. His look is aloof and smug as he smokes a cigarra 
  that seems to be an ever present extension of his warm hands.

A soft shooshing sound can be heard as a ramp lowers on a nearby freighter, 
  oddly enough, the same one the bleep was heard from. Vermillion clanks down 
  the ramp, a trail of bluish smoke following him. One eyebrow is curved deep 
  over a wolfish eye, the other one is round and clear and.. focused on 
  Nighman. He smiles predatorily.

Jessalyn turns to Shenner, smiling, and grasps her shoulder briefly. "Yeah, 
  I'm nervous around here. Let's get back on the ship..." she trails off as 
  she hears the sound of a ship's ramp lowering and turns her head to 
  investigate its source.

Paul_Nighman stands up, his gaze wary. He leans over to put the computer back 
  in his satchel and stands up, swinging the bag at the same time over his 
  shoulder and across his chest. He smiles warily at Vermillion and nods 
  politely, but it is obvious that he does not like the look in Vermillions 
  eyes.

Next to Jessalyn, Shen glances in the direction in which the older woman's 
  attention diverts... as well as Paul's. She speaks up with, "Well, you two 
  comin' or not? Gotta get this droid on board anyhow, and I don't think I can 
  move him."

Paul_Nighman looks down at Shenner and looks up at Vermillion again. "Yeah 
  kid, sure." he replies distractedly. He turns to Jessalyn and says, "I 
  wonder what this is about?"

"You look severely rested Mr. Nighman." Vermillion drawls. His voice is 
  somewhat raspy today, maybe from the smoke churning out of his mouth as he 
  speaks. The smile remains, over perfectly white teeth like the dried bones 
  on a skeleton. "Wouldn't be heading off planet would you?" he asks, as 
  casually as he can manage. He squints toward Jessalyn, a glimmer there 
  perhaps.. of recognition, then maybe not.

Jessalyn seems to have lost any ability to speak or even move. If one were to 
  notice her complexion, it would seem suddenly white. Her gaze riveted to 
  Vermillion, she responds neither in glance or in voice to the other two near 
  her.

Shenner's stance shifts, as the redheaded man draws to them; the kid frowns 
  darkly. "C'mon, Paul, let's get outta here."

Paul_Nighman raises an eyebrow at that. "Well, severely isn't quite the word 
  I'd use. I should hope that I am well rested ... after all, I am on 
  vacation." He stretches slightly. "As for leaving, well I still have to wait 
  for The Bolt to return before I can do any _real_ traveling." He looks down 
  at Shenner and shoots her a look. He looks back up at Vermillion. "I'm just 
  here visiting," he finishes obscurely.
Paul_Nighman looks down at Shenner. "I owe you another lesson, don't I?" he 
  says, trying subtly to divert Vermillion.

Jessalyn's breathing has grown erratic, and she stares at Vermillion, 
  seemingly oblivious to Paul and Shenner.

Paul_Nighman glances up at Jessalyn and his eyes narrow. He lightly touches 
  her arm in a soothing gesture. "Didn't you want to show off the Dragon to 
  me?"

"Yeah," the kid pipes in ready agreement. "A tour, then you gotta show me 
  those new chords, Paul."

Vermillion eyes the little one through a cloud of smoke, which one gleaming 
  eye burns through. The cigarra pulls wetly from his lips. He turns back to 
  Paul, "I see." he says before peering oddly at the other woman, "Problem 
  Miss?" he drawls out. His words smooth as cream.

Paul_Nighman turns to Vermillion. "So if you'll excuse me, I have a previous 
  engagement." He looks back and forth between Jessalyn and Vermillion, his 
  expression confused and suspicious. He takes Jessalyns arm and squeezes it 
  tightly. Swinging his leather jacket over his shoulder he asks her, "Shall 
  we go in?"

Growing even whiter, Jessalyn shakes her head slowly, biting her lower lip to 
  keep it from trembling. Her fingers dig into Shenner's shoulder. She 
  responds to Paul only by vaguely nodding her head.

Paul_Nighman shakes Jessalyn's arm, his voice insistent. "Jessalyn? Jessa!"

Shenner scowls at the look on Jessalyn's face, then carefully loses the scowl, 
  and says casually, "Yeah, c'mon, Aunt Jess, let's go." She, too, tugs at the 
  pale woman.

Paul_Nighman follows Shenner's lead and gently begins to draw Jessalyn away, 
  giving Vermillion a seemingly friendly wave. As the move out of earshot, he 
  whispers, "Jessalyn! What's the matter? You look like you just saw Alora?"

Vermillion moves after them, casually, but his chrome boots thud with each 
  step. He says nothing, but only watches the woman with Paul. His eyes now 
  mere blue slits.

Jessalyn's lashes flutter over her eyes as she comes back to awareness, 
  peering between Shenner and Paul as they lead her towards the ship. "Just.. 
  just get us out of here! Where's Luke?"

Paul_Nighman 's eyes remain focused on Jessalyn's face, unaware of the fact 
  that they are being stalked.
Paul_Nighman picks up their pace. I don't know, I haven't seen him since last 
  night."

Shenner, with Paul's assistance, gets Jessalyn back to the _Dragon_'s ramp, 
  muttering, "Everybody keeps runnin' off..."

Jessalyn nods her head again, then stops at the bottom of the ramp to glance 
  nervously back over her shoulder at Vermillion, swallowing hard.

Vermillion is taking long strides now, he moves with ominous purpose. One hand 
  brushing back his duster to reveal a shiny black blaster. A click as the 
  holster hidden there relinquishes it's grip. The blaster comes into view. A 
  single red light blinking faintly on it's side, indicating to all who know.. 
  that it is indeed armed.

Paul_Nighman pauses and turns around to see what Jessalyn is looking at. He 
  notices that Vermillion has followed them and lays a hand on Jessalyn's arm. 
  "Get inside the ship." he growls, and then heads off torward Vermillion.
Paul_Nighman sees Vermillion's blaster come into view and lays a hand on his 
  own.

Jessalyn stands in place, frowning deeply, and watches Paul stalk towards 
  Vermillion. She takes Shenner by the shoulder and hisses to her, "Get inside 
  the ship, and see if you can find Luke!"

Shenner issues a low oath, whirling as Paul strides back off. The kid's hand 
  ducks under her vest, to the lighter, battered weapon there, and she hisses 
  right back, "He ain't in there!"

Paul_Nighman approaches Vermillion carefully. "Something you forgot to tell 
  me?"

Jessalyn's eyes go wide as she sees Shenner's blaster, and she shakes her head 
  vehemently to the younger girl. "Don't even think about it, Shen! Get in 
  that ship." She gives her a good shove up the ramp.

A loud -crack- as a bolt from Vermillion's blaster strikes off the ship, not 
  three feet from where Jessalyn stands. A faint curl of smoke comes out of 
  the barrel while Vermillion clangs heavily forward, "Step back Paul. This 
  don't concern you." his cigarra clenched vehemently in his teeth.

"The hells I am," Shenner snaps back, and immediately adds, "_You_ get into 
  the ship!"

Paul_Nighman glares viciously and pulls out his blaster. "The hell it doesn't 
  you bastard!" and lets off with a shot, which snaps the blaster out of 
  Vermillion's grasp.

Jessalyn yelps as the blaster bolt erupts near her, and she whirls, her 
  blaster in her hand and eyes blazing.

Vermillion arghh's clutching at his wrist and rubbing it painfully. He turns 
  his glare upon Paul, rising to his full height and charging the man. A soft 
  -snick- from his left forearm and a double edged blad comes into view from 
  some type of device in his sleeve. "Now it -does- concern you bookworm." he 
  approaches him quickly, throwing his weight into a punch with his left hand. 
  A punch directed at Pauls side, led by the stilleto blades.

Letting out a startled yelp of warning, Shenner skitters sideways, bringing 
  her blaster to bear -- but Paul's in the way, and she can't help but just 
  holler the man's name and hope he moves...

Jessalyn groans with helplessness, one hand gripping the landing ramp's 
  support, the other one holding on faithfully to her blaster. "Paul!" she 
  cries out as she sees Vermillion lunge towards him.

Paul_Nighman doesn't see the blades right away, just Vermillions attacking 
  form. He dodges and then lunges forward, trying to catch Vermillions arm 
  before it has the chance to make impact. Instead Vermillion's left hand 
  connects with Paul's right side, the force of which brings them both down on 
  the ground, the blades driving into Paul with the Vermillions full weight. 
  Paul lets out a loud snarl of pain and pushes Vermillion off of him. 
  Planting his foot on Vermillion's chest, he heaves with all of his might, 
  sending Vermillion scrabbling backward. Paul rolls up to his feet, a little 
  slower than usual, and fires again, striking Vermillion in the right arm. 
  "That's Mr. Bookworm to you, you asshole!" Paul drops to one knee, clutching 
  his lower right side, his right arm extended with blaster, which shakes ever 
  so slightly.

Vermillion is blown backwards with the blast, landing with an oof on the 
  ground. He quickly recovers, but his right arm hangs limp. Panting as he 
  reaches his feet he hisses out, "Mandalore buddy.. Mandalore.." an evil grin 
  before he clangs away, disappearing into the Recluse Shadow.

Shenner yelps again as the two men clash -- and her line of fire keeps having 
  Paul in it. As Vermillion's wicked blades drive into Paul's side, and Verm 
  himself goes scrabbling backwards at Paul's shove, the kid pumps off a shot, 
  but misses wide.

Paul_Nighman frowns, his now visibly shaking arm dropping to the ground. He 
  pulls his left hand away from his side. It is covered in blood. "Oh shit" is 
  all seems to be able to say. He looks up to where Vermillion has gone to. 
  "Mandalore ... that bastard." he murmurs.

Vermillion has left.
Vermillion steps up the ramp to the Recluse Shadow, and enters the ship.

Jessalyn finally moves from her frozen spot and rushes to Paul's side as she 
  holsters her blaster. "Paul... Paul, are you all right?" Her green eye rove 
  over him, expecting him for damage as she crouches next to him.

Shenner whirls, aggravated at her missed shot -- then horrified at the sight 
  of Paul still kneeling there, with significantly more red visible on his 
  person than there ought to be. "Holy karkin'.... Paul!" She scurries to him.

A gentle whirr builds to a roar, as the Recluse Shadow hovers then shoots 
  skyward.

Paul_Nighman drops to a seated postion, watching the blood leak out of his 
  side and onto the floor. "My new shirt," he whines softly.

Shenner holsters her blaster, and scowls worriedly -- it's evident to _her_ 
  that Paul is not very all right. "Yo, Paul, c'mon, can you move?"

Paul_Nighman blinks at Shenner and lifts a bloodied hand to his forehead. "Uh, 
  yeah I think so ... get my stuff inside, that's more important," he growls, 
  but his voice sounds thin and the puddle of blood on the deck grows steadily 
  larger.

Jessalyn grasps one of Paul's arms and nods to Shen, indicating his other one. 
  "C'mon, let's get you inside. Maybe some of those medkits Amylynn brought 
  are still around."

Paul_Nighman leans forward to get onto his hands and knees and then pauses 
  there, catching his breath. He gets his legs under him and lifts up with a 
  jerk.
Paul_Nighman makes it to his feet, but weaves back and forth, his color 
  draining to pure white.

Shenner helps Jessalyn hoist Paul upright, staggering a little under the man's 
  weight.

Jessalyn grunts with the effort of supporting Paul, letting one of his arms 
  drape over her shoulders. "Easy, Shen. C'mon, just get him inside," she says 
  quietly as she leads them slowly up the ramp.

Paul_Nighman says, "I'm okay, I'm okay, get my stuff ... it's my stuff that's 
  important." His eyes look a little glazed and he carefully turns torward the 
  ship, oblivious of the helping hands."

The helping hands in question are not, however, oblivious. Shenner helps get 
  the wounded Corellian up the ramp, not commenting as Paul's blood starts 
  soaking her own clothing.
   
[Jessalyn and Shenner help the wounded Paul into the ship....]

You walk into the Crew's Quaters on the ship
Crew's Quarters--Black Dragon
These crew quarters are a place for the crew only. This is where they relax 
  and sleep, as well as other various tasks that may be necessary.
Obvious exits:
Main Corridor <Port>  

Paul_Nighman walks in from the Main Corridor of the ship.
Paul_Nighman has arrived.
Paul_Nighman looks at you for a moment.

Jessalyn walks in from the Main Corridor of the ship.
Jessalyn has arrived.

As quickly as she can get him to move, Shenner helps Jessalyn get Paul in 
  here, urging him, "C'mon, pal.... down you go. Let's go, Paul..."

Jessalyn eases their hurt friend to the nearest bunk they can get to, and 
  glances at Shenner. "Look at those medkits, see what you can find."

Paul_Nighman groans softly, reaching for a bunk. "Did you get my stuff? 
  Where's my stuff?" He begins to sit up, his eyes widening with horror and 
  anger. "You didn't leave it on the tarmac, did you?" He tries to sit, 
  obviously thinking about standing. "I gotta go get it ... anyone at all 
  could steal it!"

"We'll _get_ it, mellow out!" Shenner says sharply, even as she starts 
  ferreting through the supplies in the room. "A few things here, Jess, not 
  much, Amylynn could tell you better 'n' I, but here's one kit..." This is 
  thrust to Jessalyn, as Shenner promises, "I'll be right back, I'll get 
  Paul's stuff."

Paul_Nighman presses a hand against the open wound, his expression clearing 
  some.
Paul_Nighman nods gratefully. "Thanks Shen," he manages gruffly.

Shenner bursts out of the room, then, as fast as she can go....

Jessalyn takes the kit from Shenner and sinks down on the bunk next to Paul, 
  fumbling through it's contents. "Paul, how badly are you hurt?" she asks 
  softly.

Paul_Nighman looks down at the blood seeping through his fingers. "Not sure 
  ... think it goes almost all the way through ... sure as hell feels like it 
  does."
Paul_Nighman turns to Jessalyn. "Just hand me something to pack against it ... 
  I'll be fine," he growls, his voice very low.

Jessalyn frowns, and pulls out a tube of antibiotic cream. She seems uneasy 
  and looks at you with a small frown. "Uhm.. take your shirt off?"

Paul_Nighman sighs and begins to ease off the sleeves slowly, his face 
  grimacing in pain from time to time.

"Just lay back," Jessa says gently as she opens up a sterile cloth and dabs at 
  the blood. She frowns as she inspects the wounds closer. "Paul.."

As he gingerly removes his shirt, you can see other scars as well across his 
  lower back and left side. They are well healed now, but impressive looking. 
  He hisses out a sharp breath as he pulls the shirt all the way off.

Running footsteps coming back down the corridor signal Shenner's return; a 
  moment or two later, she appears, face intent and urgent, but bearing Paul's 
  belongings carefully held away from the blood streaking her clothes. As she 
  strides back into the room, she does a doubletake at the sight of the 
  shirtless Paul.

Paul_Nighman leans back, balling up the shirt and pushing Jessalyn's hands 
  away. "That's alright, I don't need a nurse ... I just need to get some 
  pressure on this to stop the bleeding, that's all." The bunk beneath him is 
  now becoming rather red.

Jessalyn hisses, "Damn it, Paul. I'm not going to let you bleed to death. As 
  she cleans off the blood, she rubs some of the cream over the exposed 
  wounds, wincing as still more blood spills out. She fumbles for a bandage 
  and applies it securely, applying enough pressure to help stop the bleeding 
  somewhat.

Paul_Nighman winces. "Ow! Stop that ... no don't bother with the damn cream 
  now just apply pressure, Ah! Jessalyn, _please_" he growls and pushing her 
  hands away more firmly. "That hurts!"

Shenner shakes herself slightly, then hastily sets Paul's possessions on an 
  unoccupied bunk and turns back to the adults. "Well, of course it hurts, you 
  just got your side poked open! Don't be such a baby!" the kid puts in, 
  coming up behind Jess.

Paul_Nighman glares up at the kid. "I'd like to see you take it this well," 
  and he clenches his teeth, releasing a hiss at Jessalyn's adminitrations. 
  Releasing a sigh of defeat he turns to Jessalyn. "I suggest we wrap a 
  bandage all the way around my torso to keep the pressure at a maximum," he 
  murmurs.

Jessalyn growls, "If you'd stop fidgeting, I'd do that, Paul!" She nods to 
  Shenner once as she grasps the roll of gauze and starts to unwind it around 
  him. "Lift up," she says more gently.

Paul_Nighman hisses as he tries to sit up gingerly, leaning against the 
  bloodied bunk for support. He stares up at Shenner. "Well, I got him too 
  y'know," he growls sullenly.

"Yeah, and he's an asshole and I don't care if _he_'s bleedin' all over his 
  cockpit now," Shenner says, curtly, tone somewhat at odds with her worried 
  eyes. After a bit, she adds, "How not okay are you?"

Paul_Nighman tries to smile at Shenner, but his face is still tense and white. 
  "I've had worse," he says lightly.

Jessalyn secures the bandage around Paul and sits back, wiping the blood from 
  her hands, just now noticing that they are trembling. Her eyes seem 
  unfocused, as if her thoughts are elsewhere.

Paul_Nighman looks at Jessalyn. "Are you okay?" he asks in gravelly tones. His 
  arms begin to shake, his right hanging as if it was almost useless. "I gotta 
  lie back," he murmurs, trying to ease himself down with one arm.

Jessalyn moves a pillow beneath Paul's head, not answering his question. "Just 
  rest," she admonishes, and stands to her feet, pacing across the room.

Shenner frowns at Jessalyn's distraction, then steps forward to help Paul lie 
  down. "Here. Lemme help."

Paul_Nighman breathes a little easier once he is lying down. He closes his 
  eyes and swallows hard. "Jessalyn," he says, "thank you ... did a very good 
  job." He turns to Shenner. "You too kid." His eyes look a little less 
  focused than they did before, as the adreneline runs out and the shock 
  begins to settle in.
Paul_Nighman shivers slightly.

Jessalyn frowns and sinks down onto her own bunk. "He just needs rest," she 
  tries to offer comfortingly, but the words sound hollow, and she looks down 
  at her hands in her lap.

Shenner mutters, "Got a bad feelin' about this. Where the kark is Amylynn?" 
  Then, more loudly, she asks Paul, "Look, pal... I don't know squat about 
  first aid... are we missin' anything?"

Paul_Nighman blinks. "Who are you talking about, the grandmother's cat?" he 
  queries, his voice sounding a little weaker. He shivers again. "Is it 
  getting cold in here, or is it just me?" he asks idly.
Paul_Nighman turns to look at Shenner. "I think I'm going into shock kid ... 
  keep me warm and don't let me fall asleep." he murmurs.

Shenner blinks, then whirls to seize a blanket off the nearest bunk. She 
  settles down on the bed beside Paul, tucking the blanket over his frame, and 
  says firmly, "Keep you awake? How? Talk to you? Help me out here, pal!"

Jessalyn watches worriedly as Shenner attempts to help Paul, but she doesn't 
  move or say anything. She glances at the door every now and then, her hands 
  wringing in her lap.

Paul_Nighman blinks muzzily. "I don't know anything ... talk, music, read to 
  me ... whatever. I don't know what you should do, I'm just making this up as 
  I go along." His eyes drift shut and he lets out a deep breath. "Jessalyn? 
  You're awfully quiet ... what the hell went on back there? What did I walk 
  into the middle of?" His eyes open with a snap. "He was after you, wasn't 
  he," Paul demands, turning to look at her.

Shenner looks back at Jessalyn herself, brow furrowed.

Jessalyn runs her hands over her thighs, not looking back at Paul. "I -- I 
  don't know why he's here. I don't think it was because of me..."

Paul_Nighman 's eyes narrow. "But it was you that he shot at," he insists, 
  "and it was you that was looking like you'd just bumped into Alora again 
  .... and he said that this had nothing to do with me when I tried to counter 
  him." Paul lies back and lets out a deep sigh. "Jessa, I'm too tired to play 
  a cat and mouse game right now ... who is he to you?"

Jessalyn scoots back on the bunk, drawing her knees up and wrapping her arms 
  around them. "He's nothing to me," she replies. "Just someone I had the 
  misfortune of... walking into one time."

As long as Paul is alert and talking, Shenner takes a moment to frown down at 
  her bloodstained vest. The girl grimaces and starts shrugging out of it.

Paul_Nighman stares at the ceiling. "Great, well that tells me alot." He turns 
  slightly to look at Shenner, wincing slightly with the effort. "Shit, I'm 
  sorry Shen ... if you need something in the meanwhile, check my bag ... I've 
  got extra shirts and stuff in ... there ..." His voice starts to trail off, 
  his eyes closing again.

Shenner turns back to Paul, and frowns at him. "Hey, stay alert, pal! No 
  dozin' off till Amylynn gets back, you hear?"

Paul_Nighman opens his eyes but stares at nothing. "Whooz Amylun," he asks, 
  his voice slurring slightly. He shivers despite the blanket.

"She's a medic, Paul -- she's the one who got Solo to us," Shenner says, as 
  clearly and firmly as she can manage. Not liking the way his expression is 
  growing vaguer, she reaches to his shoulders, to jiggle him a little. "Stay 
  awake, okay?"

Paul_Nighman looks at Shen, his gaze still somewhat unfocused. "You okay kid? 
  You didn't get hurt or nothin' did ya?"

Shenner smiles crookedly. "Nah, I'm okay. I'm okay. You want me to read to you 
  or somethin'? Not like your books'd make a helluva lotta sense to a street 
  rat."

Paul_Nighman shivers again and his gaze moves to the ceiling. "Nyah, I don't 
  want to hear that crap now." he mumbles. "How about some music? Something 
  spritely though, no slow love ballads or anything like that." He turns his 
  gaze back to Shen, his hair falling over into his eyes. "I'd like that," he 
  sighs, smiling gently. His color seems better than it was.

Shenner smiles uncertainly. "Well, uhm. You want guitar or flute?"

Paul_Nighman considers for a moment then replies, "Either will do, you pick 
  it."

Jessalyn seems relieved that the subject has been dropped, and lets her head 
  lean back against the wall, the muscles around her eyes flinching at some 
  unknown thought.

Shenner rises, shaking Paul's shoulder once more for good measure to make sure 
  he stays awake. "I'll go get my guitar. You stay awake now, okay?" She 
  pauses, waiting for him to confirm. "Okay?"

Paul_Nighman nods. "Yes doctor Shenner, I'll stay awake."

Shenner nods, shortly, and hurries out of the room.

Paul_Nighman waits until Shenner is out of the room. Then he tries to look 
  torward Jessalyn, but stops when it starts to hurt. "Well, Jessa, you never 
  answered my question." He pauses for a moment, considering the ceiling 
  again. "I think I've earned an answer, don't you?" he asks.

Jessalyn shoots Paul a glance. "Look, Paul. I have been honest. I don't even 
  really know who he is, except that he's a... a cruel and brutish man who 
  shouldn't be trifled with," her voice wavers, threatening to turn into sobs.

Paul_Nighman groans softly, his face turning away.

Jessalyn glances over at the sound of Paul's moan, anguished at his pain. "I'm 
  sorry for snapping. I just don't know what else to tell you. I .. I saw 
  him.. mutilate a man. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. And I only 
  barely managed to escape."

Paul_Nighman sighs, his chest rising and falling with the effort. "It's not my 
  pain," he replies, his voice tired. "It's yours. I feel like every time I 
  talk to you, all I ever seem to do is cause you trouble and open old wounds, 
  over and over and over again." His voice lapses. "Maybe I should take a vow 
  of silence," he mulls idly. His face remains turned away from Jessalyn.

Jessalyn rakes her hands back through her hair. "I'm all right, Paul. I needed 
  to tell you those things. And about Vermillion." She frowns, rising from the 
  bunk and going to touch his shoulder. "I'm sorry. Let me see if I can find 
  Shenner. She's much better at cheering up than I seem to be."

Paul_Nighman turns his head to look at Jessalyn, his expression confused and 
  frustrated. He pulls his left arm from under the blanket and lays it atop of 
  the one on his shoulder. "Just seeing you makes me happy," he admits with a 
  hint of struggle in his voice. "I don't know why, I don't know if I want to 
  know why ... but there's something about you that resonates within me, like 
  we were twins or something ... I dunno," he falters, his voice dropping 
  along with his eyes. "I just feel so comfortable with you and then so 
  completely awkward ... it's just, well difficult." He sighs and lets his 
  hand slip away. "Don't go," he says, his eyes flashing up to hers and then 
  back away, "well, unless you want to or need to ..." Paul looks extremely 
  uncomfortable with his confession.

Jessalyn looks slightly startled, but not shocked, and she offers a small, 
  kind smile. "Paul... I... I don't know what to say." She also seems 
  uncomfortable, as if she's not certain of the source of these confession. 
  "But I'll stay with you, if that's what you would like." She settles onto 
  the bunk next to you, looking down at her hands quietly.

Paul_Nighman looks flushed and embarrassed, but he remains quiet, staring at 
  the ceiling. After a long while he says, "You know, somebody should paint 
  murals up there or something ... this is boring."

Less quickly than she'd come in with Paul's belongings, Shenner arrives at the 
  hatch, toting her guitar with her. "You still awake, Paul?" she says 
  briskly, by way of announcing her presence.

Jessalyn looks somewhat relieved at the interruption and leaps to her feet, 
  going to Shenner and whispering to her.
Jessalyn whispers, "Did.. did you see Luke anywhere?"

Paul_Nighman nods and rubs his eyes with his left hand, now caked with dried 
  blood. "Yeah, I'm still awake ... I think I'm gonna be okay," he replies.

Shenner blinkblinks at Jessalyn, then shakes her head. The kid then glances 
  off over to Paul and frowns at him. "Ick," she proclaims, at the look of his 
  hand. Fetching the medkit, she starts rummaging through it, looking for a 
  clean cloth or a rag or whatever she might find to help clean Paul up a 
  little.

Paul_Nighman looks confused at Shenner's pronouncement. "Huh?" Then he looks 
  at his hand and says, "Oh."

Jessalyn leans against the wall, watching quietly. "Tell me if there's 
  anything I can do..."

"I'm afraid my hand is going to be the least of what will need cleaning up 
  eventually. Don't trouble yourself Shen, it's only blood." This from Paul.

Shenner lifts both her eyebrows, and says shortly, "Humor me, Paul. Besides" 
  -- and she takes his hand in both her small ones, scrubbing off the caked 
  blood as she does -- "it'll keep you awake."

Paul_Nighman blinks at Shenner and gives her a warm grin. "Okay, do with me as 
  you will," he replies. "My body is yours." His eyes glint and he winks 
  suggestively at Shen.

Jessalyn smirks as she listens to Paul's teasing, and she goes to her own 
  bunk, opening the satchel on top of it and pulling out a smaller bag. From 
  it she fetches a hair brush and begins to run it through the tangled mass of 
  waves, crinkling her nose as it pulls through the thickness.

Shenner gapes at Paul's mischievous offer, and for a few moments, she 
  struggles for words before settling back into a murk. "Just you watch your 
  mouth, Paul, or I'll clonk you on the other side of your head this time," 
  she says gruffly, as she gets his hand looking mostly normal again.

Jessalyn sets the hairbrush onto the bunk for a moment as she bends her knees 
  to pull the boots off of her feet. Tossing them with a clunk onto the floor, 
  she sits cross legged on the bunk, retrieving the brush, and running it 
  slowly through the shining dark red hair.

Paul_Nighman chuckles, the sound rumbling in his chest pleasantly. "Did I ever 
  show you the scar from the first time," he teases lightly. "Boy is it a 
  doozy!"

"Musta slipped your mind," Shenner drawls, squinting at Paul critically.

"Here," he murmurs obligingly and turns his head, pulling his hand from her 
  grasp. He reaches up and pulls back the hair on the left side near his 
  temple to expose a long ragged scar hidden beneath it.

The girl pauses, and blinks, leaning closer. Involuntarily, she starts to lift 
  a hand to the place Paul shows her, before frowning and stopping herself.

Jessalyn coughs discreetly from her place on the bunk, looking uncomfortable. 
  "Uhm... I think I'll.. go do a systems check in the engine room," she 
  mutters, grabbing her boots and pulling them on again.

Shenner asks, bemused, "I did that?"

Luke walks in from the Main Corridor of the ship.
Luke has arrived.

Paul_Nighman allows his hand to drop back to the blanket. "Okay, I'm gonna sit 
  up now," he announces, and just take a look at the bandage and see how much 
  bleed through there is."

Jessalyn is sitting on a bunk away from Paul and Shenner, pulling on her 
  boots, with a look on her face that says she's ready to escape this scene.

Shenner squints at Paul's head again, then nods, distractedly, sitting back 
  from him. "Well, if you want, pal, just don't knock yourself loopy, okay?" 
  She doesn't notice Luke's arrival.

Paul_Nighman nods at Shenner. "You sure did," he replies, pulling back the 
  blanket.

Luke steps in, his expression casual until he notices Paul, "What happened?" 
  he says, features appearing suddenly surprised. He glances at Jess and 
  Shenner.

At Luke's voice, Shenner looks up and says, nose crinkling in annoyance, "Paul 
  got jumped."

Paul_Nighman looks up as he gingerly sits up. "I had a run in with this guy 
  called Khaj, aka Vermillion as I've just learned."

"Luke!" Jessalyn looks relieved, but she doesn't move from her spot on the 
  bunk. She does, however, toss the hairbrush back into the bag and smile 
  widely.

Luke turns, strangely enough and looks at the door sideways as he replies, 
  "Jumped? You mean.." he squints at Shenner, "Who Shenner? Khaj?" he finds a 
  seat next to Jess on the bunk, hesitating momentarily, "Is he alright?"

Paul_Nighman examines the bandages carefully. There has definitely been some 
  serious amount of bleeding and seepage, but the bandages are not completely 
  soaked through. He nods as if satisfied and leans against the bulwark.
Paul_Nighman says, "Who Khaj? Dunno ... gave him a blast to the arm tho'.""

Jessalyn glances at Luke from the corner of her eye. "I don't know why he was 
  here, or why he attacked us." Her hands tremble in her lap and she has to 
  consciously try to still them.

Luke looks at Jess, placing a hand on hers, "You alright?"

Shenner turns to Luke, saying, "Redheaded guy. Blue eyes. Smoked. Don't know 
  what his name was, but he stuck blades in Paul!" To the blade victim in 
  question, she then peers back, and adds, "Maybe you better lie back down 
  now?"

Jessalyn squeezes Luke's hand and gives him a grateful look. "I'm all right. 
  I'm not sure about Paul though."

Paul_Nighman nods but remains upright. "Hey Shen can you see if there are any 
  painkillers around somewhere ... I could use some about now ..." He looks at 
  look, his expression more serious. "I think he could prove to be trouble for 
  us."

"He's ok though.. right Shenner?" Luke asks again, stretching a leg out. "We've 
  had enough trouble here." looking to each person in turn, "You should all 
  leave first thing in the morning." he seems noticeably saddened by this, but 
  firm in his request. Muttering he adds, "We've stayed too long already.."

Paul_Nighman frowns. "I'll be fine," he replies, dismissing his wounds 
  lightly. "Now you're sure that you want us to go without you?"

Shenner shrugs to Luke. "Ask him, not me, I ain't no medic. Amylynn oughtta 
  look at him, as far as I'm concerned." At Paul's request, though, Shenner 
  starts ferreting through the medkit, peering at each item still contained in 
  it, and looking for anything labelled as appropriate for soothing pain.

Jessalyn watches Luke's face carefully, remaining silent, and apparently 
  struggling with something as she presses his hand between both of hers.

Luke stands, letting his hand slip out of Jess's and moves toward the other 
  bed, "Let me see where you're wounded Paul."

"Okay," he replies hesitantly, "but it's all bound up ... it's deep, but I'm 
  sure it will be just fine."
Paul_Nighman says, "I wouldn't suggest removing the pressure bandages just yet 
  either."

Jessalyn murmurs, "I put some antibiotic ointment on it, and wrapped it to 
  stop the bleeding..."

Shenner comes up with a little vial of something, frowns at it, then hands it 
  out to Paul. "Howsabout this? It's got directions on it..."

Luke sits on the edge of the bed, next to Paul and eyes the bandage. "Stab 
  wounds?"

Paul_Nighman nods mutely. "I'd say about three inches deep, maybe three blades 
  total?"

Shenner lowers the hand she's got holding the vial of medicine, waiting to see 
  what Luke does, her brow furrowed slightly.

Luke inhales a breath, moving his eyes up from the wound to look at Pauls 
  face. He takes off his left glove and drops it to the floor. "Paul, just 
  relax." he says placing his left hand on Pauls right shoulder. Luke's eyes 
  close as he lets out the breath. His movements still as he empties his own 
  mind of thoughts, calling upon the Force.

Jessalyn's eyes go wide, and she glances at Shenner, looking uncomfortable. 
  She picks up a pillow and hugs it tightly against her chest, swallowing hard.

Paul_Nighman tenses at first, but then takes a deliberate breath, his chest 
  rising and falling with the effort and he lets his muscles relax. He stares 
  at Luke's closed eyes.

Shenner blinks, then outright stares at Skywalker, her eyes going round.

Paul opens his mouth and says randomly, "So Luke, watch your back cause this 
  Khaj guy or Vermillion or whoever the hell he is might come back and he 
  knows about ..." Paul's voice trails off and his eyes widen. The lines of 
  pain that have etched his face since he was brought in seem to soften and 
  ease.

Shenner forgets to blink, as she looks first at Luke, then at Paul, and back 
  to Luke again. It doesn't take much to realize that the Jedi must be doing 
  something, and more than a little awe shows itself in the girl's features.

To any force cognitive being, attuned with the Force well enough to actually 
  feel the energy being called upon, one might sense an amber light, glowing 
  on Luke's left hand, with harmonic ripples, mirroring that light wafting 
  around his figure. This energy seems to gather and flux, collecting near the 
  hand and seeming to fill Pauls body in gentle soothing waves. Lukes voice 
  breaks through this, "Good.." almost as if he is speaking to himself.. Soon, 
  Paul is bathed in the golden energy. Luke's breathing, one might think has 
  stopped completely. In fact it is laboriously controlled to the point that 
  it is nearly non-existent. He sits motionless.

Paul_Nighman expression turns to one of astonishment tinged with alarm. His 
  breathing eases, and the tension that had characterized his figure dissolves 
  slowly.

Jessalyn's breath catches in her throat, and her arms tighten around the 
  pillow. After a moment she lowers her gaze, unable towatch any longer.

Luke blinks his eyes open, jerking back his hand as if he had been shocked. A 
  smile plays on his lips, "How's it feeling?" he asks quitely, letting out a 
  breath.

Paul_Nighman stares at Luke with huge rounded eyes. He lets out a tentative 
  breath and then another. "Shit." he whispers. His eyes focus on Luke's and 
  his expression changes to one of confusion. "I feel ... I feel fine." He 
  blinks and tentatively moves a little bit. His eyes fasten onto Luke's, 
  burning with a question. "Why? Why did you do that?"

Shenner, still gaping round-eyedly, finally blurts, "Um... well, uh, you 
  wanted a painkiller..." This, evidently, is directed to Paul, though the 
  kid's green regard is locked on Luke.

Though not looking directly at him, Jessalyn's focus is riveted on Luke, and 
  she exhales a pent-up breath, a strange yet fulfilled look reflecting in her 
  eyes.

Luke takes one last deep breath exhaling noisily, "The Force permeates every 
  living thing Paul." he answers distantly, "A Jedi can manipulate this 
  energy, use it for constructive purposes.."

Paul_Nighman shakes his head. "I didn't ask you _how_ you did it ... I asked 
  you _why_ you did it." His eyes focus on you as if how you answer is of 
  vital importance.

Luke smiles as if the question seems silly, "Well.." he looks at Jess, "That 
  is why I did it."

Jessalyn rests her chin into the pillow, smiling back at Luke with a knowing 
  look.

Paul_Nighman looks up at Jessalyn and then back to Luke, his expression 
  confused and then fades to a strange sort of detachment. "Oh." he replies. 
  "Thank you."

Shenner puts in, "So... you fixed him?" She barely breathes this, to Skywalker.

"You'll still need to have that wound taken care of." Luke says, glancing at 
  the wound and the small bloom of red blood showing through the bandage. He 
  turns to Shenner, "No. I didn't fix him. I gave him a way to control his 
  pain for awhile."

"Oh," Shenner murmurs, then, with an effort, shakes off her awe and stands. 
  "Well, uh, I guess I still oughtta ask. You know much about first aid? 
  'Cause I sure don't... Paul, are you still cold?"

Paul_Nighman lies back slowly, aware that although there is no pain, the wound 
  is still susceptible to damage. He stares at the ceiling, his face 
  impassive. He considers Shenner's question. "No Shen, but better not to take 
  chances." He carefully draws the blanket up around his chest, lying back 
  against the pillow.

Luke frowns a bit upon Shenners statement, as if this thought hadn't occured 
  to him, glancing back to Paul, "Paul do you trust me?" he asks.

Paul_Nighman continues to stare at the ceiling, as if he is uncertain of his 
  answer. Finally, he replies, "Yes."

During the conversation Jessalyn has picked up her hairbrush and resumed 
  running it through her hair, almost distractedly, not looking at the others.

"Shenner's right. We'll have to do something about that wound also." Luke 
  replies, "Shenner?" he half turns from his seated position.

Shenner pipes up, "Yeah, Luke?" Her response is immediate; clearly, the kid's 
  decided that Skywalker is in command of the situation.

Paul_Nighman says, "It will heal on it's own and in it's own time." He sighs. 
  "Please don't put yourself out any further on my account, Luke.""

Frowning at the wound, Luke says, "Help me get the bandage off. Jess?" he 
  turns in the other direction over his shoulder.

"Hmm?" Jessalyn turns her head, startled at the sound of her name.

Paul_Nighman shakes his head. "I don't think that's a good idea right now, 
  it's bound to start bleeding again, and I've already lost a lot of blood."

Shenner steps up beside the bunk readily, but does pause at Paul's uneasy 
  expression. She murmurs gruffly to him, "Uhm... I trust him, too," and 
  offers Paul a crooked smile.

Luke answers Paul quickly, "I'm not put out. This is what I do." he turns to 
  Jess once more, "Um.." looking around the room, "Yeah.. there. Bring those 
  sheets over." he adds, pointing to a stack of linen on a shelf.

Jessalyn blinks, but does as requested, rising and gathering a stack of sheets 
  and bringing them to Luke.

Paul_Nighman looks at Shenner, his face remote. "Yeah." He stares at the 
  ceiling again. "I find it hard to believe that you have enough time to run 
  around doing this kind of thing ... really, it isn't necessary ... I'll be 
  fine, you've done great as it is."

"Just lie back. Close your eyes." Luke replies, gently. "Jess.. careful with 
  those sheets, you'll need to watch the bleeding.. Shenner.." Luke takes a 
  breath, "Take the bandage off."

Shenner nods to Luke, still keeping an eye on Paul's face, nevertheless. The 
  kid sits down feather-light on the bunk beside him, and asks, shyly, "Hey, 
  pal, lean over here and let me do this?"

Paul_Nighman doesn't move, doesn't talk, doesn't even look. He lies their 
  completely placcidly, and only the occasional flicker of emotion in his eyes 
  indicates what he is feeling.

Jessalyn nods to Luke as she unfolds one of the sheets, watching Shenner 
  carefully. "Paul, this is what friends do," she says in a soothing voice, 
  waiting patiently.

Luke sighs at the man, "Really.. it'll be quick Paul, you won't feel a thing." 
  he gives Shenner a look that might mean -talk to him-.

Paul_Nighman looks at Shenner and Shenner only. "For you kid, anything" he 
  murmurs and leans over as bidden.

Shenner catches Luke's glance, then smiles lopsidedly at Paul and starts 
  unwinding the bandage from around his middle. "That a fact, pal? And after I 
  clobbered you on the head and everything."

Paul_Nighman nods, his eyes now on the floor. "After you clobbered me and 
  everything." His voice is light and almost distant.

Luke nods to Jessalyn, "Ok." he removes his other glove and tosses it next to 
  the first. On the floor.

The girl focuses on her appointed task, looking a trifle nervous as it puts 
  her quite close to Paul's shirtless torso -- especially when she has to tug 
  him gently to sit up a little so she can get the rest of the bandage off. 
  "This, uh, this mean you'll be my slave for life if I belt you again?" she 
  says in rough casualness, trying to hide her wince as scarlet wells up out 
  of the slashes in the man's side.

Jessalyn leans forward, watching with a wary gaze as Shenner removes the 
  bandages. Using both hands she dabs at the oozing blood with the sheet, 
  folding it carefully to catch as much of it as she can. "He should be 
  someone's slave, I think," she says lightly to Shen, giving her a quick wink.

Paul_Nighman stares Shenner in the face, his eyes quite direct and serious. 
  "Sure, why not?" he replies. "It's not like that isn't the norm for me 
  anyway."

Luke takes one or two deep breaths, holding one deeply. His eyes close once 
  more, both hands placed on either side of the two wounds. His left hand 
  moves over to trace lightly at each one in an ever decreasing circular 
  pattern. At first there is nothing, then quite simply, the flesh closes in 
  on itself, leaving first one, then two small star shaped scars. Luke exhales 
  the breath slowly, eyes still closed as he places his palm over both of 
  them, then retracts them.

Jessalyn nearly cries out with shock and stumbles backwards, staring at Luke 
  with huge green eyes, still holding the blood-soaked sheets.

Shenner pauses, hands full of bloody bandage, and stares in half-comprehending 
  bemusement back at Paul -- completely missing, this time, Luke's actions. 
  She attempts a smirk. "Well, hey, I'm a street rat, what would I know about 
  havin' my own slave anyway?"

Paul_Nighman doesn't react at all, just stares at the floor. "Thanks," he 
  finally murmurs softly, his tone detached.

Luke opens his eyes with difficulty, sighing out, "He's still wounded 
  internally.." letting out a breath and looking suddenly exhausted he adds, 
  "..but he'll heal faster now."

Paul_Nighman nods in acknowledgement of Luke's words. "I'll make sure I take 
  it easy the next few days." He eases backward again, lying down against the 
  pillow. His left hand idly rises and traces the new scars curiously.

Shenner jerks slightly at Jess's cry, then at Luke's ever so slight slump. 
  Appearing shaken somehow, the kid moves to start cleaning up, gathering the 
  bandage and the sheets and rolling them up with her bloodstained vest, as 
  well as Paul's own soaked shirt. "I'll get these in the clothes hatch on the 
  refresher," she offers lowly.

Luke stands, so Paul can have some room and collects his gloves. He moves to 
  the other bunk and slumps into it in a seated position before pulling them 
  on again.

Paul_Nighman follows Luke with his eyes, which narrow as he takes in Luke's 
  strain. "You didn't have to do that, really." he reiterates. His expression 
  softens slightly, like he was trying to keep up a brave front, which final 
  crumbled a little. "Are you alright?" he asks Luke.

Shenner is simply a quiet presence for a few minutes as she cleans up the room 
  -- though without the bulk of her flight jacket and vest, a slightly jarring 
  presence simply due to the difference in her apparent size. The kid moves 
  off long enough to load the clothes hatch on the refresher unit, before she 
  comes back, and tries to figure out what to do next... and perhaps which of 
  the two men she ought to look at first. "Rest time for everybody, maybe," 
  she chimes in.

Luke smiles, working on the last glove and flexes his fingers into it, "I'm 
  fine Paul. The question is.. are you?" he settles into the corner of the 
  bed, one shoulder on the wall, still seated with one knee propped up. He 
  places a hand on it, "You said you trusted me but.." his gaze flickering 
  toward the other man across the way, "..yeah I'm fine." he finally says with 
  a smile.

Paul_Nighman turns back, his face flushing slightly. "Good, I'm glad. I'm 
  fine, like I said so before." His face screws up a bit. "Well, I'm better 
  than I was but not fine, like you said, there are probably still interior 
  damages ... I'll be careful just in case." He blinks and stares once again 
  at the boring ceiling. "What does trust have to do with it." he asks 
  lightly, his tone deadpan.

Shenner chews her lower lip, then pads to her guitar. The girl claims the bunk 
  it'd been leaning against, plops the guitar into her lap, and begins tuning 
  it, very quietly.

Jessalyn goes back to her own bunk, somewhat unsteadily, and sinks onto it, 
  rubbing her temples with her fingers.

"There is nothing to fear here." Luke answers indirectly.

Paul_Nighman blinks and his expression blanks for a moment. "What?"

Luke half closes his eyes, "Oh.. well I asked you if you trusted me, because 
  it's difficult to do when someone doesn't fully trust the person." he 
  wearily lets out a breath of air, "I just wasn't sure if you really did. Do 
  you?"

Paul_Nighman takes a long time to answer Luke. When he finally does, he frowns 
  thoughtfully. "Trust is not something easily given or received. In general 
  it takes time to get to know someone before you can trust them. So in that 
  respect, no, I don't trust you. However, I have instincts about the type of 
  person you are, testimonials from others," his eyes darting to touch lightly 
  on Shenner and Jessalyn," and your own actions, which seem honorable. So, 
  based on this I can also answer yes."

Shenner keeps making little adjustments to her guitar's strings, and keeps 
  their sound pitched under the conversation, so as not to interrupt. But the 
  girl's gaze flicks between the two men as they talk.

Jessalyn rolls her eyes and chuckles softly. "Trust Paul to never be able to 
  give a straightforward answer. You two have something in common, Luke."

Paul_Nighman flashes Jessalyn a look, but cracks a smile, the first since Luke 
  started helping him.

Luke smiles faintly, "Yeah I can understand that. I appreciate your honesty. I 
  wouldn't expect you to trust me right off anyway." he turns his smile into a 
  grin to Jess.

Shenner can be seen to brighten a bit, herself, at the shift in expressions.

Paul_Nighman sighs as if deliberately releasing a weight that he's been 
  holding. He stares at the ceiling for the umpteenth time and says, "May if 
  it were just blue ... or speckled," he muses aloud.

Luke chuckles tiredly.

There comes a gruff tenorish chuckle from Shenner. "If you're bored I can play 
  for you," she puts in. "Like you, uh, wanted, earlier."

Paul_Nighman smiles at Shenner and nods. "Yeah, I would like that alot, if 
  you're still willing. After all, it doesn't matter if I fall asleep now." He 
  gives the kid a fiercely affectionate expression.

Luke takes a queue and slides off the bed, "I'll just go give the ship a once 
  over." he notes off hand while walking toward the door.

Paul_Nighman calls out, "Luke wait!"

Luke turns at the door jamb, one hand resting on it, and raises both brows as 
  if to say 'yes?'

Shenner smirks but not unkindly. "Well, I meant that for everybody, but if 
  y'all think my playing's that bad..."

Paul_Nighman looks up. "I just wanted to say Thanks again ... and get some 
  rest yourself, okay? You have a lot on your plate coming up." His expression 
  is concerned with a hint of care in it.

Luke looks from Shenner to Paul before uttering softly, "No it's alright. He 
  doesn't need me in here gawking at him. You play for him Shen." he smiles, 
  then answers Paul, "Thanks Paul." he exchanges a wordless nod before jabbing 
  the door panel and moving through it.
Luke walks into the Main Corridor of the ship
Luke has left.

Shenner resettles the guitar, then looks up at Jessalyn, and asks her, "Uh... 
  you wanna hear me play, maybe?"

Jessalyn glances at Paul and Shenner, looking uncomfortable. "I.. uh.. I think 
  I'm gonna go check the systems in the engine room." She rises, tossing the 
  pillow back onto the bunk, and hurries to the door.

Paul_Nighman grins at Jessalyn's departing back and then flashes a more 
  lascivious grin at Shenner. "At last ... we're alone ..." he intones 
  meaningfully.

Shenner starts to voice a protest as Jessalyn scurries off, then flashes a 
  look back around to Paul, blushing scarlet. But her voice is steady as she 
  parries, "Yeah, well, don't get any clever ideas, pal. You want a song, or 
  what?"

Paul_Nighman coughs lightly. "Don't worry, I'm too feeble to threaten your 
  virtue right now," he quips, but there is a hint that perhaps later .... 
  "Yes," he adds, "a song or whatever else you'd like to play would be fine."

Jessalyn walks into the Main Corridor of the ship
Jessalyn has left.

"You just remember, you met my blaster already," Shenner retorts, but not 
  hostilely. She strums a few chords. "Somethin' fast, somethin' slow?"

Paul_Nighman shrugs amiably. "Something good" he retorts gently, his eyes 
  closing slowly.

A breath, inhaled, and Shenner releases it on, "Welcome to a moon-filled night 
  of strange and wondrous sails...." The round she'd sung for you before. This 
  time she sings it more softly, strumming its melody at a slower tempo 
  through the first verse.

Paul nods along with the beat at first, keeping with the tempo. After a bit he 
  slows down, his head stops bobbing. He shifts slightly, pulling his arms 
  from under the blankets, which slip down to the point of the injury. His 
  eyes remain closed and his breathing deepens slowly. As his face relaxes it 
  softens, looks younger and less at odds with the world.

Shenner looks up as she plays on, and sings her way through the second verse 
  -- twice. After the second time through that verse she stills the guitar, 
  and pads closer to you, still singing softly, back onto the first verse.

Paul_Nighman seems to be sleeping deeply.

Shenner trails her voice off into silence, finding herself standing there 
  staring at the sleeping man, transfixed. Then, with an effort, she shakes 
  herself, and moves to tuck the blanket back around him, before returning to 
  her guitar, and the task of singing the wounded Paul into a peaceful, 
  healing slumber.

[End log.]