Chapter Text
You look away. You have to. The eyes are glittering, hard and cold as glass. A smirk is mutating into a sneer. You can feel your palms beginning to grow clammy. Discreetly, you push one into your pocket, and pull out a tissue.
"All rise!"
You stand, as does Rey and Finn. Both are standing with you, supportive, strong. You are trying to ignore the small group seated at the opposing table. Again, that smile, that smirk. Careless. Carefree.
"Please be seated. Who will speak first?"
"I will, your honour." The tall blonde amazon, stunning in a cream and lemon suit, rises to her feet. "I would like to protest this. My client dated the alleged victim. If he went to her house, he was invited there. If he was in the same restaurant, he took her there, with her consent. If he went to her workplace-"
"Objection!" Poe is on his feet, crisp anger under an immaculate suit. "Your honour, my client did not give the defendant her work address. He chose to go there!"
"Sustained." The judge nods. "Ms Phasma, perhaps you might spend your time putting your client under cross examination. May I remind you that this is not to be an evisceration of the plaintiff's lifestyle choices. This is not a discussion about how she conducts herself. This is a court of law, focusing on a charge of stalking with malicious intent. It is your client's behaviour that is under the microscope Ms Phasma, not the woman who brought the charge."
You glance at him. He is perfectly calm, immaculate in a black suit with a crisp white shirt. The sight of it makes you shudder. Its a replica of what he wore when you met. A hidden message? Or a taunt? As your eyes meet, you see the viper. Shuddering, you turn away, knowing he is victorious in his smirk.
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"Oh, I'm sorry!"
There is a splutter of disgust as the tall redheaded man faces you. He is wearing a crisp black suit, with a shirt that was a pristine white...until half your latte went over it. He glares at you unpleasantly as you hand him a paper napkin.
“Thank you,” he almost spits, aggressively wiping at the spreading stain. You blink. “I could pay for the dry cleaning?”
At this, he looks at you. “What?”
“I could pay for the dry cleaning.” You mean it. His expression begins to soften. “Well...thank you.”
“No problem.” You hand him a piece of paper. “Put your dry cleaning in, and ring me when you have. I'll pay for it and-”
“How are you going to get it back to me?” he interrupts. You pause for a second. “I could meet you here.”
“Or I could meet you for dinner.”
This is so unexpected that you're not sure whether to believe him. “Are you-”
“Its a rare person who offers to do something for someone these days.” He's smiling, although you notice it doesn't quite reach his eyes. “How about I meet you at Gordano's at 7...tonight?”
The speed of this surprises you. Tonight you had arranged to meet Rey and Finn for pizza, but you suspect that they would be encouraging of you going. “All right. I'll meet you there. Who do I ask for...?”
“Armitage. Just ask for the table booked by Armitage.”
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"Why did you agree to meet my client for dinner?"
"I thought it was a nice gesture. I thought it was his way of making amends for being so rude, when he saw I wanted to help him."
You hear a slight snort. You turn and your eyes briefly lock with Hux. He is calmly drinking water, puts the glass down, and sneers.
"Him being rude? Did you or did you not tip a cup of coffee over him?"
"It was an accident! He was standing in my way and-"
"Objection!" Poe is on his feet. "Your Honour, my client should not be subjected to this-"
"Over ruled."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Are you sure I can't tempt you with dessert? The chocolate mousse here is excellent." He takes a sip of red wine. "Made with real Belgian chocolate."
You swallow. "I - "
"Tell you what. Let's order one, and share it." He's looking at you. "I get the impression you're worried about calories."
You blush, slightly. "Well, when you put it like that..."
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to embarrass you." He takes another sip of wine.
"No, its just-" you hesitate. He is so confident, so good looking, that you feel your excuses sound pathetic and paltry. "I should really get home."
He looks at his watch. "It is nearly 10pm, fair enough." He smiles. "I can take you home. Then maybe...lunch tomorrow?"
"I...have plans for tomorrow," you say. "I have a gym session booked, plus I need to get my nails done, and also go food shopping." You reach for your own wine glass. "Plus, I'm meeting a friend of mine for coffee tomorrow."
"So...no time for me then."
Is he joking? Its hard to tell. You put your glass down. "No, its just that, I do - "
"Its fine." He's smiling. "I'm joking. I would love to see you again. How about tomorrow evening?" he leans over, and takes your hand. "Come to mine. I'll cook."
"I...." you pause. "How about Sunday? I could meet you in the park. We could...walk."
He doesn't withdraw his hand. "Sunday sounds good. It'll get me away from First Order." He smiles again. "I'm a little obsessive about my work. I have been known to go in at weekends."
You nod. "I see."
"But Sunday...yes. 3pm?"
"Yes."
"Excellent. I'll settle the bill, and we can leave."
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"He sounds...intense."
You look at Rey. You're both clad in your gym kits, sitting in the cafe. She is drinking a cappuccino, you opted for a latte. You nod. "He is, a little."
"What's his name?"
"Armitage."
"First or last?"
"First."
Rey frowns. "He sounds...interesting. As thought he's not going to give up." She smiles at you. "I mean, he wanted to cook for you tonight? Clearly he wants company."
You look at your mug. "Well, going to his place, it would have been..."
"Second date." Rey nods. "You're allowed. Really."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"So you invited the plaintiff to your house?"
"Yes."
"What happened?"
"She refused. I let it go."
"You did not pressure her to go?"
"No." He smiles. "I accepted it graciously."
You suck your breath in. Yes, he did accept it...but that made you feel guilty.
"When did you next see her?"
"On Sunday."
"The day after you invited her to your house and she refused?"
"Yes, that's right."
"And did you suggest this, Mr Hux?"
"No." He looks at you, calmly. "She did."
"So, the person who has accused of stalking her, actually asked you to meet her?"
"Yes."
At this, you can feel your anger starting to rise.
"So, you were invited to meet the person who claims to be the victim?"
"That is correct." He smiles again. "And I did warn her to be careful. She was giving me a mixed message."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sunday is pleasant. You walk, you talk, you eat ice cream.
The following day, Rey comes into the Staff Room, looking puzzled. "There was a delivery of these flowers to reception." She looks at you. "They're for you."
Puzzled, you open them. Inside a long, slim silver box is a bunch of flowers. Tiger lilies. Their heavy perfume immediately scents the air.
"Who are they from?" Rey asks, her eyes aglow.
You check the card. "They're from...Armitage."
"Wow, he must be impressed!"
You look at her. "Rey. I never told him where I worked."