Project Boussh: Just One Kiss
by Vickie Boyd

Pash looked out over the battlements. Ever since he landed on this 
island, he had spent so much time here. The sun shone overhead warming 
his body, yet his heart was cold. He had stayed away from Vickie ever 
since her return. Of course, he hadn't seen her either. She had been 
debriefed by Sci and Tycho along with Wedge and Quiara. Soon, they would 
have a plan of attack.

He sighed and leaned against the rock.

"Hey Red."

He turned around to see Vickie walking towards him. He swallowed hard. 
What was he going to say? How did he actually feel?

"You know, I was kinda figuring someone would be excited about my 
return." She turned around and leaned against the wall. "Guess I was wrong."

He looked at her wide eyed. "I... I'm excited, really."

She grinned and shook her head. "No, you're hung over. I heard about the 
Bantam Squadron."

His head dropped. "Yeah, well, Thayer was the one who allowed us in the 
cellar."

She laughed. "Right, a man blaming someone else for his drinking." She 
wrapped an arm around his shoulder and squeezed. "I wasn't born 
yesterday, you know."

His shoulders slumped into her arm. He felt her squeeze harder. This was 
really hard. Why was she doing this to him? He felt so confused. "I..."

She turned to face him, a sweet smile on her face. "Yes?"

Those green eyes. They just pulled him in. He reached a hand out to 
touch her face. Leaning forward he placed his lips lightly on hers. He 
felt her tense and almost pull away. Then he felt her arms wrap around 
him and pull him closer. She returned his kiss fully.

When they parted, she lowered her head. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

His arms dropped to his side. "I'm the one who should be sorry. I..."

She placed a finger on his lips. "Sh, don't. It happened. We can't 
change it. I have been through a lot in the last few days. It's been 
really stressful. I crashed landed, got caught by Stormtroopers, had 
dinner with Thrawn and kicked Erisi Dlarit's ass. Then again, she kicked 
me pretty hard too."

He took her hand and lightly kissed her fingers. "I know, and I'm sorry 
you had to go through all that. I missed you, more than you will ever 
know. But it can never work. We're from two different places. We're two 
different people. You're married and..." He stopped. "And I only wish I 
was married to you."

She traced his chin with a finger. "I know. In another time and another 
place." She looked at him with a sad smile for a moment more. "Let's go 
inside. I'm hungry. Sci wouldn't let me eat until the debriefing was 
finished."

He smiled and took her hand, tucking it under his elbow. "Well, let me 
show you to the kitchen then."



Mirax scooted back around the corner. Pash and Vickie passed by without 
noticing her. She watched them walk down the hall and shook her head. 
"Oh boy. He needed to find someone, but a married woman? You'd think he 
has been hanging around with Wes and Hobbie." She moved off down the hall.


"Really, I saw it with my own eyes." Mirax sat huddled with Winter, 
Iella and Tyria.

"Think he's still seeing the character in her," asked Iella.

Mirax shrugged. "Funny thing is, she returned the kiss."

Winter shook her head. "You know, I had always hoped he would find 
someone, but..." She shrugged. "I hope he doesn't get hurt."

"So do I," the other three women said simultaneously.

"Hope who doesn't get hurt," Corran asked as he walked up to the table.

The four women sat up quickly. "No one dear," Mirax replied.

He looked at his wife with a pout. She looked back. He looked even more 
pathetic.

"Don't Mirax," Iella said. "Don't give in."

That just made Corran try harder. He poked his lip out and saddened his 
eyes even more.

Mirax groaned. "Damnit. It was Pash. We were talking about Red."

His brow furrowed. "Why would he get hurt?"

She rolled her eyes at him and turned back to the women.

Corran turned around and walked off. It wasn't long before he figured it 
out. He had to find one of the two before something actually happened.



Vickie sat under the ball cockpit of the TIE-Avenger she had flown from 
the _Admonitor_. It was the quietest place she could find to meditate. 
She had just sat down cross legged when a shadow fell over her.

"You and I need to talk," Corran said.

She sighed. "I was about to meditate. Can't it wait?"

"No." He dropped down to sit before her. "What happened between you and 
Pash?"

Her eyes snapped open and looked at him intently. "What do you mean?"

"You must have done something that was noticed. Mirax said..."

"Mirax saw?" Her hands went to her face. "Oh no. It was an accident, 
really."

"So, what happened?"

"I, well, we kissed. It just happened. We've both been through so much 
and... it happened."

"You kissed him? But, you're married. Why did you do a thing like that?" 
His voice began to rise in his agitation.

*Shush. You are going to attract unwanted attention like that.* Her eyes 
bored holes into his. When she had his undivided attention, she 
continued the conversation telepathically. *He kissed me. Yes, I 
responded and I shouldn't have, but...* She trailed off. Her chin 
touched her chest as she sighed.

Corran reached out to lift her head and look into her eyes. *But what?*

A look of pleading covered her face. *I have always wondered what it 
would be like. I couldn't stop myself. I'm sorry. I've probably hurt 
Pash, but I'm not sorry I did it. You just can't imagine what I've just 
been through.*

He held her chin, still looking at her. There was something different. 
He couldn't quite put his finger on it. True, she had grown quite strong 
in the Force these past few days, but that wasn't it. It was something more.

His comlink beeped. "All Terran and New Republic members please report 
to the audience chamber for mission briefing."

Corran sighed, pushing himself to his feet. "I think that's our cue. 
Mind if we continue this discussion later?"

She shook her head as she allowed him to help her up. "Not at all."