Cairo had opened her mouth to reply to Tec, going to voice she understood and was grateful for his help....but didn't have time.

She smiled as Rusty walked back in, but couldn't think of anything to say...

Rusty smiled as Dravin walked off to explore on his own. Rusty was the same way. He smiled at Tec as he re-entered, then he slowly walked around the ship.

"Wow...you cleaned her up nicely Cairo. She looks great..."

Rusty stopped, turning to Cairo, and thought to himself, So do you. He smiled at her, then thought harshly on himself when he remembered Tec was a Jedi, and probably heard him.

"Cairo...I wanted to ask you...to stay here and help Rena with the infirmary, and assist in any technical doings here while Tec and I are gone. Can you please do that for me?"

Tec grinned at Rusty and then said, "Hey, I know plenty already." Cairo, he likes you too. Trust me, I know. See if you can come along, it could help. Then to Rusty, he said, Rusty, let her come! I know you like her, so let her come along, besides, you need the support she can give you that some of us can't.

Cairo couldn't talk back, she didn't have any Force abilities...but...

"Ya know, Rusty. If I know my Aunt Rena, she can take care of things just fine...and Malloy and Han should be perfectly fine without me. And...besides...it would...be kinda boreing here...without you."

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Oh don't blush...please sweet minions of xendor, don't let me be blushing!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Rusty smiled, playfully pretending he didn't understand

"So...if I'm correct, you're saying...you'd...miss me?"

Rusty thought to himself again...2 years...2 long years...and Cairo likes me? Wow...I never thought I'd find someone else...

Tec flashed a knowing grin at Cairo, hoping she understood it and said, "If you need anything, I'll be talking to Jerusha." Then to Rusty, he whispered as he passed him on the way out, "Let it go man; she'll be good enough for you and more." and he walked out of the room grinning wildly and hoping the two would get together, he wouldn't be able to stand it if they like each other so much but Rusty blocked her out because of his past...

Rusty stopped Tec before he exited.

"One more thing, Fireheart...we need to make a stop on Naboo as well."

He let Tec continue on, before turning back to Cairo. He sat down in the pilot seat, punching up the sensor controls.

"Wow...not bad Cairo...not bad at all. As a matter of fact, I doubt [b]I</b could have done better. All that has to be done now is to recalibrate them...there's a program I wrote to this thing somewhere in the ships sensory logs that will calibrate them for us, based on old data...hmm..."

He searched the console, until the words "Auto Calibration" appeared. He blushed slightly, smiling at Cairo.

"I guess you are not the only one who knows a thing or two about these old girls. As for the trip...I'd like you to join us. I just told Tec that I need to stop on Naboo as well...to go to the Jedi Temple. I'm no longer a part of that Council, but I need to speak with them. It would be nice if you would accompany me. I'd like to talk to you more...the ship will finish recalibrating her sensors. Just let her be while this program runs. I need to go talk to Malloy about the shipyards that are being built. He should be somewhere in the hangars."

Rusty stood, brushing Cairo's hair out of her face, then rested a hand on her shoulder.

"Go get yourself cleaned up, and come find me."

He smiled as he exited the ship and went off in search of Malloy.

ooc: Hey, it might be working Cairo!! lol.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Dravin stopped wondering around the hangar and decided he'd go out into one of Dellalt's forests and meditate for a while. He stopped by the Defender to give Cairo a message.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"If Rusty comes by here before I'm back. Could you tell him I'm out in forest?"

(((ooc: gotta play catch-up for a bit...bear with me, boys.)))


Cairo didn't know what to say about if she would miss Rusty or not....of course, she would....but she couldnt seem to make the words come out.

Cairo caught Tec's grin and flashed her inherited Solo smirk right back. She followed Rusty up to the cockpit and leaned agianst the doorframe as he checked out the console...she had moved back when he started to walk out...
Then he brushed her hair back and smiled...

She was still motionless and blushing and smirking wide when Dravin walked in, "What?" She snapped out her day-dream long enough to respond to the padawan that she'd tell Rusty where he was. After Dravin left, Cario bolted out of <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> the Defender<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> and to her quarters...

A little while later she came back out: Her hair was unruly, as always, but clean and some-what neat.
Her face and skin were clean and clear of motor oil and smudges.
She had on dark, form-flattering pants;
a loose, white, partially un-button dress shirt;
a colorful sash around her waist---as was Bormean fashion; and, of course, her rugged black boots.
She had a suitcase of extra clothes and stuff in one hand, and her toolcase in the other.

She slug the suitcase strap over her shoulder and toted the toolcase along as she looked for Rusty...it didn't take long to happen upon him...