The first day of tournament matches ended, which was followed by more feasting, drinking, and celebrating.  Tork was busy dealing with bet payouts.  Match winners were talking and bragging about their victories.  Nick was still soured over the violence, but he had to admit the atmosphere was upbeat.  He wanted to talk with Izi again, but she was back with her Andorian friends.  Nick wasn’t going to join the festivities, so he decided to go back to his rented cabin.

“You’re leaving so soon?”

Nick stopped and smiled when he heard the bright voice of Mara behind him.  He would never tire of hearing it.  He turned to face her.  “I figured I’d spend a quiet evening looking at the stars.”

“And miss all this?”  Mara made a sweeping motion with her arm.

“I guess I’m just not the party type.”

“Well if that’s the case, maybe you could walk me back to my cabin.”

Nick had to force himself to not drop his jaw at what it seemed Mara was actually saying.  “Um, sure.  Okay.  I could do that.”

Mara giggled.  “It’s this way.”

=======

Mara’s cabin was on a short side path that branched off the main one that went through the middle of the settlement.  It was somewhat isolated by scattered trees.  A nice and quiet place to stay.

“So tell me more about the security business you and Izi work for,” said Mara.

“There isn’t really much to say.  We get hired to do jobs and we do them.”  Nick was nervous, so Mara’s question helped settle him.

“Tell me about one.”

Nick and Izi didn’t go that far in creating their cover story, so he had to make up something.  “Well, there was this one time a rich businessman was having a birthday party for his daughter…”

Before Nick could finish his made up story, he heard the sounds of someone approaching quickly from behind them.

Mara cried out.  “Trevor, no!”

As Nick was turning, a hammer-blow punch sent him sprawling to the ground.  Stunned, he could taste blood in his mouth.

“What are you doing, you jerk!”  Mara was livid.

“I told you to stay away from her,” said Trevor as he pointed at Nick.  “I won’t warn you again.”

“We’re not together anymore!  You don’t own me!” said Mara.

Mara’s anger grew and her voice was so loud, several people passing near the side path stopped to watch.

While Nick’s head was clearing, all he could do was listen to the two argue.  Words grew heated until Mara issued a warning.

“I swear, Trevor, if you don’t stay away from me, I’ll cut your throat.”

Trevor scoffed and glared at Nick.  “You’ve been told.”  He gave Mara a hard look and strode back up the path.

The group of people watching had grown and they cleared aside to let Trevor pass.

While Mara composed herself, Nick was able to stand.  She looked at him, a horrified expression on her face.

“Nick, I’m so sorry.”

Nick was a mix of emotions, from anger to humiliation.  He wanted to leave even more.