The next few days were miserable for her, Durxan and Sasha made sure of that. Durxan scoffed her lack of knowledge during class. Sasha mocked her during all waking hours, effectively shoving her relationship with him in her face. Little impish clones of them haunted her sleep.

"Ms. Azura, the population of Abanol?" She could practically hear Durxan smirk.

"Ninety million?" Azura sighed.

"Ha! Abanol is a toxic wasteland. There are no inhabitants."

"And when are we going to use this information?"

"Sit down, miss, or you'll get another time out session."

She plunked down on her seat. She'd give anything to pummel him into the ground. This is the Rebel Alliance, not preschool! She crossed her arms. Perhaps joining wasn't such a good idea…

Azura sat alone during lunch. Sasha had captured everyone else's attention. She was over the top, outgoing, and terribly prissy. She grated on Azura's nerves. Azura feared her nerves would start fraying. A crowded table off to the side was wear Sasha and all her puppets, including him, ate. She was practically draped all over him. Sasha loudly squealed at something he said. That arrogant, annoying man! She seethed quietly, hoping for an opportunity to set him straight during her free time. Luckily for her, she found the perfect moment.

There he is. The bounty hunter was playing a dull card game with a few other obnoxious males. He fits in quite well. Azura casually walked towards the table and tapped his shoulder.

"I need to talk with you."

His face lit up, though Azura wasn't sure why. Is he amused? She tugged him towards her room, which was currently deserted. She closed the door securely behind her and whirled to face him.

"Why do you even hang out with her?!" she demanded.

"Who?" he asked, feigning ignorance or innocence.

"You know who!" She paused suddenly. "You're jealous, aren't you?" Azura cockily raised an eyebrow.

He smirked playfully. "Yes. I am. And for a while, I was afraid I was the only one."

Azura was taken aback by his confession and then by the latter statement.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" She placed her hands on her hips.

He smiled. "You should know. I'm very patient."

That was all the explanation he gave before leaving in his typical, abrupt manner.

Azura massaged her throbbing temples as she glanced at another flash card. The words seemed to blur together. Durxan, claiming she needed to catch up, was giving her, no one else, a large exam. Azura blinked rapidly and pressed her forehead onto the card, as if that could imprint it in her memory. She groaned and glanced at her Chrono. 0415. She leaned back in her chair and glanced at the ceiling before forcing her gaze back down to the table. She stifled a yawn and rubbed her bleary eyes. I have to… hurry. Only 45 minutes till I have to go do stuff. Her thoughts became groggy and incoherent. She pushed the chair back and strode out of the library. A drink from the cafeteria would do her good. She saw the bounty hunter walking her way, but kept her gaze focused in front of her. She still avoided him. The memories were too bitter for her. He had quietly asked to meet with her alone a few times, but she ignored him like she always did. He was terribly persistent.

As Azura passed him, she was surprised. He didn't even ask to meet with her in private. Something inside her felt disappointed that he'd given up on her, but she shrugged it off. Azura gasped as she was suddenly lifted into the air. A broad, muscled shoulder dug into her stomach. Before she could start thrashing, the world went pitch-black.

"He did not just knock me unconscious!" she thought out loud.

She heard a low chuckle. "No, he didn't," the voice assured her.

With a tiny 'click' a light blinked on. She was in a janitor's closet. He set her down.

"How dare you!" she cried indignantly.

"I wanted to talk with you alone."

"You said you were patient."

He smiled. "What can I say? You bring out the best in me."

She blushed furiously as she noticed their close proximity. Far too close.

"I-I said I don't want to talk with you!"

"I respect your wishes, but give me a moment."

Hoping he would be caught off guard, she rushed to the door. It remained in place as he splayed his palm against it, effectively keeping it shut.

"If you respect my wishes, then let me out!"

"In a moment," he insisted.

She yanked on the door knob. It didn't budge. Stupid, old-fashioned doors! When are they going to upgrade these? Her thoughts were cut off as she realized how intensely he was watching her. He leaned towards her. Azura quickly stepped back. He followed her. She was about to put more distance in between them when she ran into the wall. With her back pressed against the wall, he ventured closer still. Her body trembled and her knees buckled.

"Let. Me. Out," she demanded adamantly.

He gave her a small smile as he leaned closer. Her body trembled harder. I shouldn't be reacting to him like this! His aura of power frightened her.

"Stop or I'll… scream."

"Patience. I just need a moment," he coaxed, completely at ease.

"I'm going to," she threatened.

"Don't."

She inhaled deeply.

"You won't like the consequences," he warned.

She opened her mouth and prepared to belt out the loudest scream she could muster. She was suddenly stopped as his mouth covered hers. His warm lips were gentle, but firm. He drew away quickly. Azura could hardly swallow. Heat engulfed her body. She grimaced. Why did I let him use me like that? She shivered with anger as well as fear.

"Don't touch me," she hissed.

She saw something reminiscent to regret flicker in his eyes.

"I warned you."

Azura clenched her fists as scalding tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision. She ducked her head, refusing to meet his gaze.

A Rodian approached her. His eyes perused her body. A promising grin split his face.

"You sing like a lovely, little bird."

Azura murmured her thanks before walking to the backroom for her meal. She thought no more of him. She finished her meal and walked to her room. The hallway was so quiet. She could feel fear seep through her, but dismissed it as a childish, irrational fear. Her room was dark. She blindly felt for the light switch. She drew back, as if burned, when she felt a warm piece of cloth instead.

"Tell me, little bird, have you ever been captured before?"

His voice seemed to grate on her ears. She gasped sharply and turned to open the door. It was locked. Fear paralyzed her, electrifying her body with terror. She felt something grab her from the darkness. She squealed as a firm hand clamped over her mouth. She clawed and slashed viciously at the blanket of darkness surrounding her. Her efforts were rewarded with a low hiss of pain. He grabbed her. She could feel fury pumping through his arms and legs as he pinned her. She felt drowned in her own utter helplessness. She turned her face to the side as he covered her neck with his hot lips. It felt as though they were scorching her skin. She flinched as she felt his hand tracing her hips. He seemed so consumed with her. She remembered his unblinking, large eyes, a physical trait all Rodians shared. She yanked her wrist from his grip and blindly scratched the space in front of her. She touched a wet, globe-shaped object. He fell off of her, gasping with pain and muttering curses. Azura ran to the door and unlocked it. She fled down the hallway and locked herself in the storage closet. She was found and forced out the next day. After all, she had a song to sing. Azura tried to explain what had happened. They offered apathetic, sarcastic smiles and told her if she wanted her next meal, she'd sing.

The memory was over in a flash. Azura shuddered. She had just been sold as a slave. She hadn't yet grown accustomed to servitude.

"Azura?"

A gentle voice emerged through her thoughts. She flinched.

"Don't."

It almost sounded like a sob. She pushed against his broad chest and stepped past him. A mop handle caught her feet and she raced to meet the floor. Her fall abruptly stopped as he caught her wrist and pulled her back up.

"Azura."

"I don't want to talk to you. Please, leave me," she begged.

"No, Azura. I need to know."

She wondered how his voice could be so stern and soft. She tried yanking her wrist from his grasp to no avail. Her chest heaved. She held in her sobs. She'd cried far too much within the past few days.

"Know what?"

"Why do you hate me?"

She pulled again. "Let me go."

He simply looked at her. She pulled harder. She tried unwinding his hand from around her wrist.

"Let go!"

She yanked harder and even tried kicking. He captured her other wrist and pulled her close to him. She could feel his chest emanating warmth, they were so close. His warm breath blew a few stray strands of hair on her face. She refused to meet his gaze, watching the floor instead.

"Azura."

His nagging, yet gentle voice demanded her attention. She wouldn't give it. He brought her wrists together and held them both in one hand. He gently grabbed her chin and forced her to meet his gaze.

"Azura," he repeated, willing her to reply.

She shut her eyes. A look of pain crossed her face. "Let go."

"Azura, I have to know."

Her eyes fluttered open. "Why? Why must you know?"

"It's important to me, Azura," he whispered tenderly.

Her gaze slid to the side. He pulled her against his chest. His nose tickled her ear. She let out a tiny gasp and squirmed uncomfortably. She didn't like being so intimately handled. She felt his lips softly graze her slender neck. Her face heated. She summoned enough courage to meet his gaze. His hazel eyes twinkled. He knows! He's trying to make me feel like this.

"Stop," she whispered, breathless.

"Alright, let's make a deal."

He paused.

"I'm listening," she prompted.

"You answer my question and I let you go."

"This isn't a negotiation! It's an interrogation."

He smiled slightly. "Perhaps."

"What if you just release me and both of us forget what happened?"

"What if I don't want to forget?"

She swallowed as blood rushed to her cheeks.

"Azura."

His eyes seemed so pure and sincere. His gaze held her captive.

"Why do you hate me?"

He seemed pained to say it.

"Because… if you had-" She stopped suddenly as she contained her tears and sobs. "If you-you hadn't pulled that stunt and all, Eva would be alive."

Her chest gently heaved as she tried to subdue her sobs. His grip tightened as he held her closer. His other hand stroked her hair. Azura furiously wiped away her tears and tried pushing away from his chest. He let his grip loosen. Slightly.

"Because," she continued. "How you're using me to get what you want."

He gave her a perplexed look.

"You wanted information? Well now you have it. Let me go," she sobbed.

"Very well," he whispered.

His withdrew his arms and stepped back. The air seemed cold in contrast. She shivered. Suddenly, she felt his warm hand rubbing her arms. Her trembling increased. She swatted his hands away and ran out of the closet, utterly humiliated. No one had ever seen her without her defenses. No one had even gotten past her defenses, but somehow, he'd found the chink in her armor.