Windows of Opportunity [part 2]
How Vic and Julien got to know each other
part 2 of a longer story that I will probably never finish, part 1 can be read here (it's super old and it shows...)
A few days later Julien was busy filling out reports. He was so focused on his work and the data files on his desk that he jumped a little when a shadow fell over him.
He looked up to see the bounty hunter looming over him, hands on his hips, insolent grin on his tattooed face. Once again the man had managed to sneak up on him without making any noise, despite his heavy armor.
Julien exhaled and tried to act like the Imperial Officer he was. “Yes?” he heard himself say, voice higher than he would have liked. He cleared his throat. “Can I help you?” he quickly added, in a more professional tone this time.
The bounty hunter just kept smirking. He was probably enjoying this, making a young lieutenant sweat. He’d been going in and out of the Admiral's office all week, and it wasn’t the first time Julien had caught him looking.
Julien had always tried to look busy and melt into the background. However, another perhaps suicidal part of him had sometimes considered engaging the bounty hunter in a conversation. Who knew, perhaps the man could be convinced to part with some … juicy details about his client, the admiral?
The hunter finally spoke up, supporting himself on Julien's desk with one dirty hand. “Now that you're asking, maybe there is something you can do for me.”
The deep voice sent a shiver down Julien's spine. He had no idea what the man could possibly want from him, but he tried to keep calm. Perhaps this was the chance he had been waiting for.
At least this time the bounty hunter didn't seem particularly angry. However, he still made no move to tell Julien what he wanted, he was just looking... no, not looking, staring, and Julien felt distinctly uncomfortable under the attention.
Damn, he could feel the blood starting to rush into his cheeks. He hated that he blushed so easily.
The hunter's smirk widened and Julien got a little angry. There was a voice in his head telling him to stand his ground. He was the son of an Admiral, from a proud imperial family, winner of the golden nebula award, best of his year at the academy. He would not let some dirty bounty hunter make fun of him...
Julien gathered all his courage and got up from his seat... which didn't really help: he still only came up to the man's chest. Now he felt even more silly and very small. His cheeks were burning. Great.
“Just tell me what I can do for you... sir,” he pressed out, determined not to lose face in front of a ruffian like that. He just wants to embarrass you, he told myself. He wouldn’t dare to hurt you. At least that's what he hoped.
Julien held his breath when the hunter reached into his pocked, but the man only pulled out a little data chip. He shoved it over the desk before he turned and left the office without a word.
Julien stood frozen for a few minutes. As soon as he could move again, he sank back into his chair, heart still beating in his throat. It took him a few minutes to work up the courage to examine the object on his desk.
His jaw dropped, along with the data chip.
There was the name of a cantina and a time later this day. A little note:
Perhaps I can give you what you want. Vic.