Bankor

She shrugs. "Then she has to make a decision. I've told her before that she'd be better off not attached to me, so hopefully in favor of the Jedi."

"Hmmm." Niall said. He studied Luth, his grey eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

Finally, his lips quirked. "What about me? You think I'd be better off not attached to you, too?"

She chuckled and looked over at him, looking a little sad. "Sometimes. I'm not a good person."

Niall smiled, but it had a sadness to match hers. "I see. I rather thought you'd say that."

Gently, he shook his head. "I suppose Arali and I just see it differently." He sighed. "You deserve to be happy Luth. And you know I'm speaking objectively. I can't be biased; you shot me, remember?" He gave her a smile.

"I guess you do... You two have a lot of hope in the world and other people," she replied with a warm smile. "Thank you, Niall. I just... don't think that's possible."

"Hmmm." Niall said. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "I'm guessing that Arali and I are of similar minds on this matter. I've known enough Jedi to know that they'd say you should let go of your past. It's good advice, really."

"Easy for them to say," she grumped. "They didn't exactly help."

"Well..." Niall spread his hands. "It's me saying it, now. And Arali, I imagine."

He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully, looking at her. "I admit, I'm not entirely sure why I trust you as I do, Luth. But I do. And I hope you trust me, too."

She smiled and reached over, taking his hand and squeezing it. "I trust you, Niall."

Niall turned his hand over. His was warm and pleasantly dry, not at all rough. He was clearly a man who took good care of his hands.

Gently, he squeezed her hand in return, his thumb brushing against her thumb. "Then trust me on this." He said, smiling but serious. "Perhaps... we can talk about it more, after all this."

She nodded a little bit, watching his thumb move. "Yeah... Let's do that."

"Okay." Niall said, smiling.

Gently, he disengaged his hand from hers. "We can keep talking in the meantime, of course. Just... we'll schedule that one. For sure."

"... Maybe we should schedule it sooner rather than that far out," she said. "Whatever you have to say, I feel like I'll need to hear it soon."

"Oh?" Niall's brows drew down. "Of course. Any time."

He gave her a concerned look. "Is there something specific you're concerned about? Or just..." He waved one hand vaguely around. "The war? I suppose that's enough."

"Yeah... Something like that," she agreed.

"Okay..." Niall gave her a curious look, but no more information seemed to be forthcoming.

He gave her a shrug and a smile. "Of course. Perhaps in a few days from now. We can make meeting up a regular thing. I'd like that."

She smiled and nodded. "I like that idea."

Niall's lips quirked. "I'd hoped you might."

He stirred his food for a minute. "Is there any chance you'd reconsider the offer I made two years ago? Work under me, instead of under SIS?"

"Depends on how things go here," she admitted. "I think being attached to me would be bad for you."

"Hmmm." Niall's lips quirked. "I don't know. Attachments seem alright to me."

He gave her a gentle nod. "Well... think about it. I still think it would be a good place for you."

"I think you're right... I just... Well, maybe," she replied with a sigh and a nod.

"Mmm." Niall gave her a sympathetic look, then went back to stirring his food.

After a few bites, he gave her a wry smile. "Credit for your thoughts?"

"Honest or polite?" She asked with an amused look.

"Hmmm..." Niall's lips quirked. "Let's go with honest. Not that I don't value politeness, but I think honesty is more important."

"Sometimes I'm sad we're both attached because I have a huge crush on you," she replied with that same amused smile. "Though it's also good, because I wouldn't want to put you through that."