“Thank goodness for Suriya,” Gin said. She and Maren shared a glance. “She might have been off her rocker, but she made the right call about Captain Matthews.” Gin sighed. “I know she tried to stab you and everything, Maren, but I wish she hadn’t died… like that.”

“Me, neither. She didn’t deserve it. I don’t think we could find a single person in the galaxy who deserves it.”

They were silent while they sipped their water. Gin finished hers first and stretched out of her seat. “I’m getting another bottle. You guys want one?”

“Hmm.”

“Yeah, that would be good, thanks.”

As Gin rummaged through the cupboards at the back of the room, Maren felt something brush the back of her hand. She glanced down and saw Saul’s hand had drifted near hers. A smile crept over her face as she responded by entwining her fingers with his, feeling a pleased tingle spread through her chest at the way his calloused fingers melded against hers perfectly.

Gin slammed the cupboard door closed. “There aren’t any bottles here, so I’ll get some from the lounge area. It should be far enough forward in the ship to be safe.”

“’Kay.”

Maren waited until Gin had left the room before looking at Saul. He’d been watching her, and she felt her breath catch in her throat. He might not speak much, but his eyes were capable of communicating novels’ worth of emotions. She felt as if she could melt into them as they spoke to her about his affection for her and asked a gentle question.

“Yes,” she answered him, feeling a thrill run up her spine at the idea. “Yes, whatever happens, we’ll stay together.”

Saul’s smile crinkled his beautiful eyes. It was a heartfelt expression, and Maren thought it must be capable of heating her heart more than any flare could. He inclined his head towards her, and she rose to meet him.

Their lips touched. Saul’s hands found their way up to tangle in her hair and caress her back as she half crawled out of her chair to press against him, her own fingers exploring the muscles over his shoulders and the crook of his neck. His lips were gentle as he explored her mouth, and Maren felt herself melting into his embrace, her body on fire, her mind shorting out as her hands began seeking more of his body to touch.

Then the door behind them slammed, and they pulled apart, both breathing heavily and wide eyed as they glanced back at Gin. She was examining the handful of bottles, packets of food, and blankets she’d scavenged from the lounge area, and Maren couldn’t tell how much she’d seen.

“I took a look at the system reports while I was back there.” Gin sank into her chair and tossed the bottles of water to her companions. “It’s pretty nasty. The rear landing gear, especially, were damaged.”

Maren cleared her throat, aware of how red she’d turned.

Saul had relaxed back into his chair, but he was smirking as he watched her out of the corner of his eyes. “Is that so?”