Love, Tears, and Second Chances I

Posted on Thu Aug 18th, 2022 @ 1:48am by Princess Royal Giana Orsini & Major Sacha Lavigne
Edited on on Thu Jul 13th, 2023 @ 7:08pm

Mission: Historiae Terrae Et Imperii
Location: Mars
Timeline: Date 2371-06-13 at 1215
3546 words - 7.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Giana was bored. Terribly, terribly bored.

She had never been surrounded by so many aliens wanting her attention and then of course there were just more men in general gravitating toward her now that rumor had started to circulate that she was now more actively looking for a husband. Who started those rumors she wasn't sure, but she was none too pleased about them. It made her life even worse. The only bright spot right now had been her talks with CJ to launch her Bella Gia style brand. Clothes, cosmetics, perfumes, jewelry - it would become a lifestyle to the young women of the Empire. At least that was the hope.

A sigh passed her lips as she walked along with her guards. She had decided to take a bit of a break to browse what Mars had to offer as far as styles and fashions to see what she could... borrow... for her own ends. There were so many people here all hoping to just see a glimpse of the Imperial family on this historic occasion. It was tiresome. Still, it never once showed on her face where her pleasant public smile had been plastered since she got here. Her knee length off the shoulder light pink dress hugged all her curves in the right places and the paparazzi were having an absolute field day. She stopped outside one of the shops and was immediately swarmed once more like the queen bee of a hive.

Sacha had spent the last few weeks since he'd been returned to Terra pushing pencils behind a desk. It was his worst nightmare and he made sure everyone around him knew it, especially his superior officers. A shabby apartment in Paris because of his obstinate refusal to go back to his mother's mansion, a few evenings on the town followed by some delightful lovemaking with some delightful faceless women, more than a few bottles of wine and spirits, and all he had to show for it was an attitude worse than when he'd started. The General listened to him when he said he needed a change of scenery. The man was off to Mars and he decided to take Sacha with him.

Major Lavigne happened to be in the shopping district closest to the Martian Complex looking for a few pairs of decent boxer briefs. He'd gotten there several hours ago, still in his marine service uniform, and had gotten his shopping done in the first half hour. From there, he stopped by a local bistro where he had a meal more expensive than he could reasonably afford and spent the next hour talking with the owner, an aging former trophy wife with tons of money and an appreciation for a man in uniform. He took her number, but had no intention of using it. From there, he exited onto the street and saw the swarm of citizens and paparazzi alike. In the center, he caught a glimpse of Princess Giana. He raised his eyebrows.

“Princess Giana! What do you think?”

“Princess Giana, are you seeing anyone lately?”

“What do you think of the Romulans, princess?”

“Princess, look here!”

Voices tried to draw Giana’s attention but she was an expert at ignoring them and focusing on what she was doing. Of course now and then she would pause and give a smile and wave, but otherwise didn’t engage. Eventually, she tried to move along, but someone from the crowd grabbed her by her arm. It wasn’t a violent act, just someone being over eager and trying to get her attention. Giana gave a startled cry and stumbled. The guards reacted, but the crowd did too. Everyone was just trying to be helpful, to catch Giana and stabilize her but just making it worse. Giana ended up pressed against the building, her pleasant face having given away to one of distress as the two imperial guards tried to calm the crowd that was now turning on itself while also protecting Giana.

Without taking time to think about what should be done next, Sacha took several hurried strides across the street, not stopping his momentum even when he reached the edge of the crowd. His adrenaline had started and his brain was no longer working outside of tactics. He shoved a woman hard enough that she fell down and rolled a bit, and then he started cutting through the crowd quickly, using both arms to push himself through. When some people, who complained, saw he was an Imperial Marine, they backed up instead of pushing back on him.

Giana was still pressed up against the window of the shop looking like some sort of trapped animal. She barely noticed the crowd starting to part until the uniformed officer broke through and headed toward her. Her eyes found his face and immediately her mouth opened. “Sa-“ She caught herself before she spoke his name in public. With Sacha’s interference, the guards were able to calm and disperse the crowd with very little violence, though the people only really spread out, never truly staying far.

Clearing her throat, Giana smoothed her dress. “Thank you… Major.”

Sacha noticed her face, slowly calming from fear of the admittedly upsetting experience. He noticed her curves in her pink dress. He responded with a salute with a disciplined and rigid start and a more relaxed end as the corners of his mouth rose.

"Ma'am." he said, his voice inflected upward almost like a question. He was aware he was being watched, and while he didn't want to arouse suspicion about him or for Antonius to see his face in a paper standing next to her, he could hardly help himself. "You are a long way from Rome or Rio. Perhaps you are looking for an escort to show you the way back?"

Giana cleared her throat slightly and made sure her hair was not out of place as she looked at Sacha. "I... mm... if you have no other duties, Major, I would welcome the company of a gallant officer such as yourself." The smallest of smiles tugged at the corners of her lips. She knew he would want to laugh at her describing him as gallant.

Sacha’s lips moved sideways, his attempt to prevent a laugh. He was handsome and strong, so the pictures were being taken of him as well.

“I think I can fit that into my duty shift.” He said, turning and offering her his arm. As gallant as he could be. He had learned, since they were teenagers, to pretend at decorum. But, in his mind, he was already striping her of that dress. “But perhaps the Martian Compound is a better destination.”

"Perhaps." Giana said with a polite, staged laugh. Stepping closer to Sacha, she linked her arm with his easily and the guards fell in line on either side of them. "Lead the way then, Major. Tell me, when were you stationed here?"

“I’m here with my superior officer for the Conference. There’s lots of military officers and diplomats running all over.” He answered as a paparazzo popped up next to him and snapped a picture of his face. He fought the urge to stick his camera down his own throat. “Serving the Empire takes me all over the place. This is one of the safest and nicest.”

"Is it?" She asked curiously and glanced at him. "Even with all the aliens and the influx of people who have come here to see the aliens? It seems like a lot of people in one small area to be truly safe."

“The military has this place well secured despite all that.” He said with a gesture toward a passing marine vehicle. “I’m marine police by training. We know how to keep things locked down.”

He leaned in then, giving her a professional looking expression but speaking quietly enough that no one would hear.

“This is the part where I pull my cock out for the cameras to show the might and prowess of the Imperial Military, right?”

Giana's eyes widened just slightly and the corners of her lips twitched several times in her barely contained amusement. She drew in a slow, deep breath to steady herself and spoke again. "Well, I am very glad that we have you and the marines here to watch out for our safety, Major. Wouldn't you agree, everyone?" There was a murmur of agreement from the crowd.

“And we’re all honored to have a princess like you, ma’am. Intelligent, strong, and incredibly beautiful.” He said, looking between her and the crowd who cheered much more loudly. He looked Giana in the eyes. “It’s an honor to be with you here.”

Even as he spoke, his eyes were disconnected from his words, searching her beautiful features and tracing the contour of her dress. With his eyes, he indicated that he had locked on to her. And once Sacha Lavigne locked on, he wasn’t leaving until he got what or whom he wanted.

“You inspire us all with your talent. Your speech, your fashion…the skill with which you ride..” he said, pausing for a full three seconds before adding. “Horses, of course.”

"Oh you all flatter me." She said and gave a charming laugh, though now when she looked at Sacha, her eyes were harder. It was a warning not to push it. They were in public. Very in public. Her family was here. Her father was here. While she was very fond of Sacha, Giana wasn't about to let him humiliate her. She flipped her hair back over her shoulder and looked around with a sigh. "I do prefer Earth, I must say."

As soon as he saw the hardness in her eyes, he knew he'd reached the line. He really did enjoy stepping over lines, but he was not going to do that Giana when people were watching. He gave her a look that signaled his satisfaction.

"The greatest world." he confirmed, his response dry. He'd had all the fun he could reasonably have in this situation and wanted it to end. He wanted the cameras gone as well as the crowds. He turned to the gathered throng, his face serious. "In order to protect the princess's safety, you are hereby ordered to disperse immediately. Failure to do so will result in your arrest."

He was bluffing. He couldn't arrest anyone and he was hardly sure if the Imperial Guard would do anything he said. It was a totally insulated command structure that reported directly to the Emperor. He put on a good show and hoped it would work.

Luckily for Sacha, these were common people and not familiar with the inner workings of police, guard, and military. They saw a uniform and that was all. A few of them looked around at each other as if they weren’t entirely sure how to proceed, but eventually they did start to disperse until finally they were alone with just the guards.

“I do like it when you get authoritative with people.” Giana finally chuckled after everyone was away enough from them.

"I used to be a lone wolf, but the Marines have given me an appreciation for giving orders." he said, happy to be alone with her save her guards. Their presence was an issue, of course, and he didn't exactly expect them to be discreet if anyone were to order them to tell what they know. "I like to call the shots every now and then. I give as good as I take."

“Yes, you do.” Giana shook her head a bit and smiled at him. “I was wondering if I was going to see you again. You left so suddenly.”

"That's my style, mon cher." he said with a wink. "Unless I have a good reason to stay. You have been quite busy with Edward Frederickson, and I have had my...prospects." he said, easily and without pretense. His tone was relaxed and light, as usual. His selection of the word prospects was diplomatic at best. They had been beautiful women at the right place and the right time, none of which gave him even the slightest desire to be serious. "But, to calm your troubled mind..here I am, flesh and bone."

Giana’s expression did sour slightly at the mention of his other conquests. She understood it and didn’t demand loyalty from anyone she was seeing, but she also didn’t like to hear about it. Knowing was enough. She crossed her arms and turned away from him then. “So you are. Well if you’re too busy with your prospects, Sacha, far be it from me to stop you.” She gave him a dismissive wave.

"Mon cher, you drive me mad with jealousy, searching for a husband you don't love." he said, still easy, taking a step toward her, but only one. "Don't be upset with me for keeping myself occupied." It hadn't been a command, nor had it sounded like one, but he wasn't begging either. It was a statement of fairness and reason. "When you pout those lovely lips like that, it makes me think you want me all to yourself."

“I’m not upset I just don’t want to hear about it.” She scoffed and turned away fully now. “Just like you wouldn’t want to hear the things I’ve been doing.” His words did nothing but make her pout further, it seemed, and she took a few steps away.

"I know what you've been doing. They rattle off the guest list at all the parties and events and court on the news when I'm eating my morning cereal." he said, standing his ground peacefully. She tended to get childlike when she was upset. A life as a princess would do that to a woman, and he didn't blame her for it or mind particularly. Sacha took people in stride. Live and let live. "Do you remember when we were younger you took me on your 'girls trip' to the Palace on Luna? Katerina Tristmonde wouldn't stop flirting with me and you glued her mouth shut while she was asleep?"

He smiled to the back of her head.

"That was...fucking sexy, Gigi." he said, and then shrugged. "I didn't care about her. I cared about you and you only. You, on the other hand...you cared about me and Edward. I was the one who drove you crazy; the one who you wanted, dare I say, in every way. Edward was a shithead, and you couldn't choose." he sniffed as if he had a bit of a runny nose. "Now, here we are, yes? Should a man not learn his lessons, mon coeur?"

Giana would have laughed, even felt that surge of happiness and joy. She almost turned to him with a smile on her face and had just lowered her arms when he continued. She felt like he had slapped her in the face. Finally she turned back to him and frowned. "I am not going to apologize for that, Sacha. I was young. I had a man who made me laugh and smile, I had another who made me smile and would do anything I asked of him without hesitation. If you can't understand why I couldn't choose between that..." She wrapped her arms around herself defensively. "Then you don't know me."

"Well, this is a lovely visit, no?" he asked, rhetorically. Then he fell silent for several seconds. It wasn't so much that he was thinking than he was looking at the bustling street and the people passing by. He looked back at her and spoke matter-of-factly. "This pouty thing is cute, but it's not what I'm here for; it's only funny when it's directed at others. I don't want your apologies; I don't give a fuck about that. I'm not doing anything you ask without hesitation unless I want to do it; that's bullshit. I'm not a slave. You can't want that because its stupid and sad on his part. You want a man. A real one, with balls. It's an easy decision. Clear as crystal. The man who's a slave or the man with balls. The slave; the balls."

"I'm not asking you to do anything you don't want to do. I'm just asking you to not tell me about all the penny whores you've fucked!" Giana raised her voice slightly, but thankfully for her not loud enough to be heard. "Unless you just want to hurt me. It's not like I can help what you hear on the news Sacha. Since when did you fucking start watching that anyways?" Her pouty face was now giving way to anger. "You're right, Edward doesn't have any balls. But you know what he does have? He loves me. He tells me that. Even if I don't say it back. He adores me. You've never said that. Not once in all these years."

He didn't say he only listened to the morning news for information about Court. He didn't say he was looking for any single glimpse at her. He didn't tell her how much he loved her, because he didn't see what good it would do. In the end, Giana kept her options open. He wasn't going to give her his heart to break. She would have to earn that by esteeming him as a man. If she couldn't she wanted a comedian-fuck buddy. He was ready and willing, but the rules would be different.

"And what would happen if I did, Giana?" he inquired, furrowing his brow, a natural response to the tenseness of the conversation. He was still calm. He generally was. "Would you fall into my arms and say you loved me too or would you just add me to the list of men who fawn over you and ask you to bottle your farts for them?"

Giana's shoulders dropped and she looked to Sacha, her anger gone and replaced with barely contained tears in her beautiful eyes. Her life was nothing but a joke to him and it would never be more than that. All she wanted was to have someone love her. Her. Not the simpering love the masses gave her or the blind and weak devotion Edward showed her - sure that had its charm, but it was like having too many sweets. It became sickening after a while.

He could see very clearly right away that she was going to cry. Instead of going over and immediately comforting her, he realized that she was in public. If he knew anything at all, it's that the most loving thing he could do for her in this moment is get her out of line of sight with the shoppers, most of whom were standing, watching, and taking pictures of them from a distance. Sacha turned around and looked at the head of her protection squad.

"Captain, get the car over here right now." he said decisively, pointing to the ground as he said so. He needed this man whom he had no authority to command to do as he said immediately. "And I swear to you, if it isn't over here before she drops a single tear, I'm going to kick. your. ass."

"O...kay..." The man replied and seemed genuinely confused about what was going on, but he lifted his arm to speak into the communicator to summon the car. Imperial guards were just bright enough, but they were known more for their devotion, secrecy, and brutality.

Giana turned away then, feeling very cold suddenly and found herself actually shivering as she worked to keep herself together. She turned to one of the nearby shops and moved to the window to "browse" and conceal her face as best she could.

Sacha stood with the guard, not daring to approach her. There was no telling how any conversation or physical contact might set her off. The royal car pulled up, a black limousine of modern design. The nearby guard went to open the door and Sacha went over to the window where Giana was "browsing". He grabbed her hand tightly and started to walk to the car, hoping she was docile enough right not to just follow him without being difficult. One could never tell with her.

Giana followed him, her tears still remaining pooled in her eyes by some miracle. She stopped before she got in and turned to look at him, she was angry and hurt. Taking a deep breath, she spoke in as level a voice as she could manage. "Because I love you, Sacha, I'm not going to say a word about this, but you need to figure out a way to leave before my father finds out. He's going to. He's not going to be happy. He might not love me but gods above he is not going to react well to this scene of his daughter nearly being made to cry. It isn't going to go well for either of us, so go." With that, she got in the car and closed the door.


TBC