"I can't do this anymore," Vickie muttered as she looked across the "mess hall" as they had come to call it at Thayer watching Becki from the shadows. He wasn't lurking, it looked like he'd just suddenly showed up at the wrong place at the wrong time. Since they had returned, Becki's temper had become shorter and Thayer was much more recluse. "It's gone too far."
"What has?" Rich asked as he leaned down to kiss the top of her head.
She leaned her head back so he could kiss her on the lips. "Just something I should have taken care of a long time ago." She stood and hugged him. "Wish me luck."
"Good luck." He watched her walk out before returning to the kitchen.
Vickie kept to the back halls, hoping no one had seen the direction in which she was traveling. It was taking much longer than she'd really expected, but soon she appeared at Llessur Atner's chamber doors.
One of the new ladies-in-waiting answered the door. "Greetings, Captain Boyd," she said formally. "Lady Atner has been expecting you."
Expecting me? Why? This information was quite unexpected to her. She stepped in and waited for the young girl to escort her to Llessur.
Llessur smiled when she saw Vickie. "Ah! Captain Boyd, it is so wonderful to see you!" She stood and actually moved around her desk to hug her.
Vickie was even more taken aback. "Lady, I appreciate the warm welcome, but..."
The older woman stepped back and looked confused. "But what?"
She sighed. "Perhaps we should sit down."
Now Llessur was worried. She led the Jedi to the sitting room. They sat across from each other. One of Llessur's ladies brought in a tray with tea and cookies and poured a cup for each.
Vickie took the cup politely. "Thank you." She looked down into the swirling steam from the tea contemplating her words.
"Please," Llessur said with a wave of her arm, conducting Vickie to speak.
"Lady, I know this isn't exactly what you want to hear, but I must say it." She paused and took a deep breath. "I quit."
The silence was deafening. "You what?" Llessur finally asked in a harsh, quiet tone.
Vickie looked at the floor. "I cannot continue the ruse. It's hurting me as much as it is hurting them. I'm not even sure why I agreed in the first place."
She frowned and her brow furrowed. "I see."
After more silence, Vickie looked up at the Queen Mother. "Madame, I really am sorry. I have enjoyed getting to know you. You are a wonderful person. However, I can no longer with a clear conscience attempt to keep Thayer and Becki from being happy together. I was wrong to think I could in the first place."
Llessur looked past the Jedi, her mind racing. She waved her hand after a few moments. "You may leave."
Vickie stood and bowed. "I do hope you will forgive me, Lady." Turning, she exited the room.
She waited until she heard the far doors close before she threw her teacup against the wall. "Lying little... I cannot believe she is backing out!"
Suddenly, several ladies appeared in the door. "Is everything all right, Madame?" one asked.
"Clean up this mess. I have some things to do." With a huff, she stormed from the room, leaving three very confused ladies in her wake.