A Vacation ... Where?

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Terminology translations: TMO = the people that come pack up your stuff and ship it to wherever you’re going; terminal = terminal leave, or the approximately month off you get before you’re permanently out of the military; and Anakin bought this house here: http://www.utahrealestate.com/549739

------------------------------------------------

Danielle flopped onto the couch and sighed as she looked at the clock for the fourth time.

“I hate waiting for TMO,” she muttered. “These people take forever.”

A small stack of boxes by the front door caught her eye. “I may as well go load those in the Expedition,” she said, making her way through the slightly organized disaster covering the living room. She hefted two boxes onto her shoulders and eased out the front door. “Why is the Expedition’s back door still closed? Dammit, Anakin!” she yelled.

He poked his head out from behind one of her dad’s old gadgets in the garage. “What?”

“Can you please open this door … you know, like you were gonna do before you started fiddling around in the garage?”

“Oh, sorry,” he said, waving a hand at the SUV. The door opened, and Danielle set the two boxes in there. “Now, only five more to go,” she said, turning to head back into the house.

“Hey, you wanted me to remind you to call your parents,” Anakin called.

“Oh yeah. Thanks,” she said with a distinct lack of enthusiasm. “I may as well do that now.” She pulled out her cell phone and dialed.

“Maybe I’ll get lucky and they won’t be – Hi, Mom,” she said. “Yes, I started terminal this week … no, I don’t think I’m going to stay down here … yes, I’ll get the house rented out. How are you and Dad? … that’s great … well, actually, no, I don’t think I’m going to be moving back there … because you know I’ve never been a big fan of California, Mom … No, it’s not because I don’t – Mom … Mom, it’s not like I’m moving to Maine, I’m only going to be living three states away … No, Mother, it’s not because of a guy!” she exclaimed.

“Hey!” Anakin yelped. Danielle glared at him as her mother started again.

“No, Mom, that was my friend Anakin … no, not _that_ kind of friend! … he’s not even _from_ Utah, Mother .. hey, I have to go, I’ll call you when I’m on the road, okay? … Uh-huh, love you too … bye.”

“Well, that sounded like it went well,” Anakin observed sardonically.

“Shut up.”

He burst into laughter. She glared.

“You know, you could actually _help_, instead of sitting out here tinkering with this crap,” she said.

“Sorry. You know how I get around mechanical stuff.” He looked back down at the various objects strewn around him. “I wonder what this went to,” he mumbled to himself as he removed pieces from an old car engine.

“Anakin!” she snapped.

He looked up, startled. “What?”

“Are you going to help me, or not?”

“How does that work?” he asked, pointing at her old go-kart.

“With a key,” Danielle answered icily.

He opened his mouth to reply, then thought better of it. He set the tools down and looked up at her. “What do you want me to do?”

“Can you bring the rest of the boxes by the door out? I’m gonna finish going through the stuff in the kitchen. We can probably bring most of the snacks, but since we’re leaving tomorrow, we’ll have to get rid of the majority of the food in the fridge.”

“So … take out the boxes.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yeah.”

“Got it.” He headed into the house. She pulled the Expedition keys out of her pocket when she heard the moving truck pull into the driveway.

The driver parked the truck and climbed out. “Ma’am, if you can move that-“

“No problem,” she said. “I’ll pull it back by the garage. Will that leave you enough room?”

“Should.”

She nodded and went to move the SUV. A box-laden Anakin walked out of the house as she pulled the Expedition away, and the look on his face made Danielle laugh aloud. She beckoned to him through the window, and he stuck his tongue out and walked over to her.

“Very funny,” he said as she jumped out and opened the back door.

“Hey, the movers needed to be able to back the truck up to the door.”

Anakin looked over at the truck, now backing up toward the house. “Ah.”

“I’m going to go in and make sure everything is off the walls and separated. Can you run to Target and pick up a large cooler so we can keep this milk and stuff?”

“Sure.” He took the keys and kissed her cheek. “Back in a little while.”

Danielle watched him leave, then pulled her phone out again and dialed her realtor.

“Hey Chris … yeah, Mom and Dad want to rent it out again … I’m TMOing today and leaving town tomorrow, just fax all the paperwork to my parents … I think $750 should be more than reasonable, considering the land and the size of the house … okay, I’ll talk to you later.” She flipped her phone closed and headed inside.

Anakin returned with the cooler a few minutes later, and they finished taking everything out to the Expedition while the movers boxed and loaded all her furniture.

“Where are you sending this stuff, again?” Anakin asked.

“Well, I technically have my friend Kevin’s address listed, but hopefully we’ll have a place before then, and we can just re-direct them there,” she answered.

“Ahh. Got it. So, do you want to leave today, instead of waiting until tomorrow?”

“Yeah. No point in staying in an empty house.” She wrapped her arm around his waist. “And I’m driving.”

“I thought I was supposed to be the mind-reader here.”

“Shoulda spoken up sooner, I guess,” she laughed.

*

The second night of the cross-country drive, Danielle tried to sneak up behind him one night as he was tapping away at his laptop. He heard her and snapped the computer closed.

“Dammit, Anakin, why won’t you let me see the houses you’re looking at?”

“Because I want it to be a surprise when we get there.”

“You know, I have to live there … maybe you should let me see it to decide if I like it.”

He rolled his eyes. “I already know if you’ll like them or not.”

“Kind of cocky, aren’t you?”

He grinned. “Always. It’s my best feature.”

Danielle snorted. “So says you. I’m going to go take a shower; I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

He barely hesitated. “Okay.”

She turned, then paused. “Anakin, I ….”

He swiveled his chair around. “Danielle … don’t worry about it. I understand.” He smiled. “Every once in awhile, I realize that what I do has consequences.”

She sighed, then gave him a small smile. “Well … it’s … I mean … you don’t have to sleep in the other bed tonight, if you don’t want to.”

He grinned. “Well, at least I’ll be closer if you have a nightmare.”

She snapped her towel at him. “You!”

He laughed and waved her toward the bathroom. “Go, before you change your mind.”

An hour later, she was stretched across the bed, watching him scrutinize the computer screen.

“Will you _please_ come to bed?”

He looked over at her. “Yeah. I probably should … cause you’re going to let me drive tomorrow, right?”

She snickered. “Yeah, right.”

Anakin pouted. “You’re mean.”

“Yep.” She patted the bed. “Come on.”

He stood, threw off his shirt, and stepped out of his jeans. Looking out the window, he observed, “Wow, there’s a lot more snow here.”

“The Midwest is like that. Hopefully we won’t get snowed in.”

He turned and grinned, then took a flying leap onto the bed. Danielle squealed and rolled out of the way, then sat up and playfully pushed him. “God, you act like you’re four sometimes, Anakin.”

“Well, if they have more fun … then so be it,” he retorted.

Danielle yawned. “Well, I’ve gotta get some sleep, or I’ll never make it through Nebraska.”

He chuckled, and stretched his arm out. She curled up against him and was asleep almost instantly.

*

They’d been at the Salt Lake Hilton for two days when Anakin announced they were going shopping, and then househunting.

Danielle looked up from her book and raised an eyebrow. “Do I get a say in this?”

“Um, well, you can say whether you’re going to come or not.”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine. What are we going shopping for?”

“I need a suit and a nice briefcase.”

“Ahh. Well .. you know, maybe I’ll stay here, okay? I’m really sucked into this book.”

He shook his head. “I’ll see you when I get back.”

*

Anakin strolled through the door three hours later, carrying numerous shopping bags. He deposited them ceremonially on the bed, and cleared his throat to get Danielle’s attention. She looked up and whistled.

He was standing there in a black and white pinstriped suit and a snazzy fedora, complete with feather. He grinned as he saw her eyes widen.

“You like?”

“You bet your ass I like,” she replied with a grin. “You won’t even need your little mind tricks to get the house for a lower price with that outfit.”

He laughed. “I got you something, too. I hope it fits.” He tossed her two shopping bags and beckoned toward the bathroom.

Danielle grinned as she caught the bags and stuck her tongue out at him over her shoulder as she disappeared into the bathroom. He sat on the bed to wait.

“Anakin, this suit is one hundred percent wool,” she called from the bathroom.

“The lady said that would be the best choice ‘cause it’s winter,” he replied.

“And I noticed the price tag has been conveniently removed.”

He grinned. “She said that no man would give a gift to his wife with the tag on.”

“Your _what_?” she shouted.

“I didn’t say you were – she assumed,” Anakin said, trying to stifle his laughter.

He heard bags rustling. “Ooh, and a three-quarter length coat!” Danielle exclaimed.

“Well, I thought the standard-length ones looked funny.”

She pulled something else out of a bag and squealed. “You got me Jimmy Choo’s!”

He jumped up and did a little silent happy dance. “Well … naturally.”

He stopped as she threw open the door and twirled. He applauded.

“I’m impressed, Anakin,” she said. “This fits perfectly.”

He smiled. “I was hoping so. It looks marvelous.” Suddenly he looked around at the other bags strewn on the beds. “Oh! I almost forgot.” He dug through them and pulled out a small bag. Danielle raised an eyebrow when she noticed the company name on the bag.

“Anakin, tell me you didn’t go to Tresor.”

“Well, I was walking through the mall, and saw this necklace sitting in the window-“

“The window?” she exclaimed. “You picked a piece they had in the _window_?”

He looked confused. “Is that bad?”

“Anakin, they put the most expensive pieces in the window!”

“Oh, do they?”

She shook her head. “Never mind, continue with whatever you were saying.”

“Well, I saw this necklace sitting in the window, and I thought you’d like it.” He pulled a long box out of the bag and handed it to her.

She gazed at the maroon velvet box in her hand for a moment. “You know you didn’t have to do this, right?”

“I know,” he said. “But if you don’t like this, I probably shouldn’t show you anything else I got for you.”

Danielle opened the box and stared at the diamond necklace, then looked at him in astonishment. “Anakin … this has to be at least a carat worth of diamonds! I don’t even want to know how much this cost … wait. How much of that other stuff is for me?”

He glanced around for a moment. “Um … well … all of it,” he answered, grinning.

“I … you … Anakin, you don’t have to ….” She trailed off as she saw his smile fading. “Thank you, Anakin.” She hugged him. “I really do appreciate it.”

He wrapped his arms around her. “You’re welcome. Now, since you’re dressed, let’s go househunting.”

She pulled back to look up at him. “Remember, I’m still working on getting a job, so we don’t want the mortgage to be too high, or I’m not going to be able to make the payments.”

Anakin stared at her for a moment. “Right. Payments. Got it.” He took her hand. “Let’s go.”

*

“Now, sir, what amenities are you looking for in your future home?”

Anakin glanced over at Danielle. “Well, Susan, I’d like a house with a sizable yard, preferably with a theater built in, and lots of windows.”

Danielle’s eyebrows shot up. “What?” she hissed.

He patted her leg and turned his attention back to the realtor, who hadn’t taken her eyes off Anakin since they’d walked into the office. “So, do you have anything that might suit that?”

“Of course I do,” she fawned, “would you like to go see the properties today?”

“That would be fantastic,” he answered.

The woman shot a glance at Danielle. “Would you like to follow us?” she asked.

Danielle glared. “I think _we’ll_ follow you,” she answered.

The realtor pouted. “If that is what you’d prefer,” she said grudgingly.

As they walked out, the realtor chatted about the house. “This house is on the outskirts of Salt Lake, so you shouldn’t be much more than a ten minute drive from downtown.”

“When was it built?” Danielle asked.

“In 1927,” Susan answered. “It has a stucco exterior, and while the view isn’t quite as good as one you’d get higher up on the mountain, I’m sure you’ll agree the house itself more than compensates for that.” She opened the driver door on her Escalade. “If you’d like to just follow me, we should be there shortly.”

Anakin nodded and took Danielle’s hand. “Come on.”

As they got in the car, she turned to look at him. “Down in the city?”

He shrugged. “Let’s at least look at it.”

Fifteen minutes later, the two cars pulled up in front of a stucco house in a quiet, tree-lined neighborhood. As Anakin started to get out of the Expedition, Danielle grabbed his arm.

“This house has to be on the market for an inordinate amount of money, Anakin Skywalker. There is no way in hell I’ll be able to afford this.”

“You really don’t get it, do you?” he asked.

“Get what?” she snapped, offended.

“You’re not paying for the house; I am.”

Her jaw dropped and she stared at him. Anakin’s smile faded as he noticed her lips compressing into a thin line. “Is … is something wrong?”

“So let me get this straight,” she whispered angrily. “You’re going to buy me anything I could possibly ever want.”

“Well … kind of. Why do you look so pissed about it?”

“And then you’re going to leave!” she exploded. “You’re going to buy me a house with five bajillion square feet, and leave me to live in it alone! What’s the point? There’s no point in having all this great stuff if I’m alone!” Her voice cracked on the last word and she turned to stare out the window.

Anakin opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, ran a hand through his hair, and sighed. “I have to go back, Danielle. Haven’t we already gone over this?”

She didn’t answer.

“I … look, if I could leave it behind, I would.”

“You’re choosing not to,” she muttered.

“What do you want me to do? Just not show up? Do you realize that all the people I keep in line would tear those worlds apart? Who would run things? Who would make sure that things get taken care of properly?”

“I don’t care,” she mumbled sullenly.

He drywashed his face. “Danielle, it’s not like I’m going to stay gone.”

“Oh, good, so I’ll see you once a year. Or so.”

Anakin threw up his hands in frustration. “I’m going in to look at this house. You can stay here and pout, or you can come in and see if you like it.”

After a moment, she opened the door and got out without looking at him. He got out of the Expedition, stormed around the front of the car, and grabbed her arm.

“At least _act_ like you want to be seen with me,” he whispered furiously. “I’m already tired of this woman throwing herself at me.”

Danielle looked at him, took a deep breath, and took his arm. “I’m sorry.”

Susan hurried over when she saw them get out of the car. “Now, this house has a backyard pool, almost a half-acre of landscaped yard, and numerous amenities inside. Shall we take the tour?”

As they walked into the house, Danielle looked around. “It would cost a fortune to furnish this house, Anakin.”

“Well, if that’s what it takes, then that’s what it takes.”

“Have you asked her how much this house is yet?” she whispered.

“When you’re looking at something like this, you don’t ask how much it is.”

“Ah. I wouldn’t know, I don’t look at bajillion-dollar houses.”

He laughed. “Well, that’s why I’m here.”

“Now,” Susan said as they walked inside, “as you can see, this house is designed in the Mediterranean architectural style – very open, with the house surrounding a courtyard. It’s just over 9100 square feet, and includes an outdoor kitchen, a finished basement, and a poolhouse. The interior is decorated in mostly light colors, and the kitchen – as you’ll see – is a chef’s dream.”

Danielle nudged Anakin. “Perfect for you then, dearheart.”

He made a face. “Leave me alone. Just cause a man can’t cook …. “

She laughed and turned to the realtor. “Susan, the attention to detail with the decorating is beautiful.”

She nodded. “The couple that is selling it has owned it for quite a few years. However, they’ve tired of the winters and have decided to move to California. From what I heard, they both worked in interior decorating.”

Danielle nodded. “It shows.”

Anakin broke in. “Can we see the theater?”

“Of course,” Susan answered. “I believe this is the only room decorated in dark tones, but as with the rest of the house, their taste was impeccable.” She opened the door as they reached the theater room. “Do you like it?”

“I think his grin answers that question,” Danielle replied. Anakin was looking around the room like a kid on Christmas. She poked him. “Ready to go look outside?”

He nodded. “I guess so.”

The trio walked outside as Susan pointed out various features.

“Over there is the outdoor kitchen … and the poolroom … and as you can see, the landscaping here is exquisite.”

Anakin nodded. “What do you think, Danielle?”

She looked around. “I like it.”

Susan began leading them back through the house. When they reached the front door again, the realtor turned. “So, what did you think?”

“Oh, we’re definitely interested,” Anakin said. “What can we get started today to ensure someone doesn’t buy it out from under us?”

Susan smiled. “Well, we can head back to my office, and I’ll get everything going. Would you like to put down the earnest money today?”

“Can we just pay for the whole thing?” he asked.

Susan blinked a couple of times. “Pay for … the whole thing,” she repeated.

“Yes.”

“Sir, not to sound skeptical, but this is a 5.6 million dollar house.”

“Indeed it is, Susan.”

“I … I’ll have to check with my boss,” she stammered.

Anakin smiled. “Well, we’ll go back to your office, and you can do that while Danielle starts signing paperwork. Will that work for you?”

Danielle stared at him in shock, but didn’t say anything.

Susan was already pulling out her cell phone. “Of course, Anakin. I’ll meet you back at the office.”

*

“Tell me again why I just signed everything.”

“Because you’re paying for it.”

“And I got five point six million dollars from where?”

“Me. I put it in your account. Well, that and some extra.”

She swiveled around to look at him. “How’d you do that?”

“Simple. I got your account number, and … convinced the guy to let me deposit it on your behalf. I told him I was a long-lost relative and this was a Christmas blessing.”

She rolled her eyes. “And naturally, he totally fell for it.”

Anakin grinned. “Yes.”

“Man, Susan was all over you, wasn’t she?” Danielle observed.

Anakin rolled his eyes. “I know. I was this close to telling her to get us another agent.”

“I can’t believe you just bought a five-and-a-half million dollar house.”

He chuckled. “Actually … _you_ did, technically. Besides, what am I going to do with the money? I don’t need it.”

“So when can we move in?”

“Thanks to encouraging the woman a bit, we should be able to next week.”

Danielle grinned. “I’ll be so happy to move out of that hotel.”

*

Later that night, Anakin was going through the bags.

“So, you like these, right? Right? Danielle?” He looked up when she didn’t answer.

She was curled up in the armchair, staring out at the falling snow. He moved the bags aside and crouched on the floor next to her.

“Are you okay?”

“Not really. I’m sorry for acting so abominably today, Anakin.”

He gave her a small smile. “It’s alright.”

“Not really. I know that you have to leave. And it shouldn’t matter, anyway.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t matter?”

“Well it’s not like we ever had a hope of a future anyway, Anakin. It’d give an entirely new meaning to long-distance relationship.”

Anakin stood, biting his lip. “I see. Well, knowing you feel that way … I … I’ll see you tomorrow. It’s getting late and I think I’m going to go for a walk before I go to bed.”

She nodded silently. He shrugged into his coat and made his way out of the room.

Danielle saw him come out of the hotel, shove his hands in his pockets, and make his way down the sidewalk.

“Why do I care, anyway?” she muttered to herself. “I mean, come on. It’s not like him having to leave should come as a tremendous shock, Danielle. He told you about that the day you met.” She angrily pulled her shirt over her head, shucked off her jeans, and threw herself on her bed. “And then he leaves, being all emo and shit, like he’s surprised I’m not happy he’s leaving.” She wrapped herself in her blanket. “Whatever. I’m not going to sit up and wait for him to get back.”

*

Two hours later found her staring at the dark ceiling, inwardly fuming at the fact he’d been gone longer than she thought he would and at how quiet the room was. She’d been tossing and turning, thinking he’d get back “in the next ten minutes” for the last hour and a half.

“Dammit, Anakin!” she shouted, punching her pillow. She heard him slide his keycard in the door and pulled the covers up around her chin, feigning sleep.

He opened the door quietly, tossed his coat on a nearby chair, and stripped down to his t-shirt and boxers. Anakin stood by the bed for a moment, looking at Danielle, then sat down on the edge. He gently tapped her shoulder.

“Danielle.”

She rolled over and mumbled something unintelligible.

“I know you’re awake.”

From under the blanket came, “I hate that.”

“I know.”

“Can we not have a serious discussion right now?”

“We can’t avoid it forever.”

“Says you.”

Anakin chuckled. “We’ll see how tomorrow goes. Will that work?”

“Can we at least put it off until after Christmas?”

“What’s today?”

Anakin saw a faint blue glow as she consulted her watch. “It’s the sixth.”

“Twenty-four days, then.”

“Yessir.”

“Okay. Besides, we have to go furniture and Christmas-stuff shopping still.”

She sat up. “Anakin, I’ve never met someone so interested in shopping as you.”

“It’s because of all the interesting things you have here.”

She scooted over. “Are you going to bed?”

“Yes. I walked around for awhile, so I’m pretty tired.”

She patted the bed. “Come on. You’re probably cold.”

He tumbled onto the bed and snuggled up to her. She wrapped her arm around his chest, and one leg around him, and kissed him on the cheek. “Good night, Anakin.”

“Good night, Danielle.”

*

“Are the movers still watching?”

“Yes, Anakin, and if you drop this chest, I’m going to kill you.”

“It’s just some wood.”

Danielle snorted. “Yes – some wood that’s been in my family for generations, and I’m not going to go down as the Smith that broke it.” She hazarded a glance behind her. “They’re gone.”

Anakin lifted the chest out of her hands and Force-moved it down the hallway. “Do you think we got too much furniture?” he asked.

“Well, it only took them five moving trucks to bring it out here … I’d say yes, but it is a pretty big house.”

He looked suddenly uncertain. “Do you like it?”

Danielle tried to suppress the grin, but finally gave up. “I love it!”

He picked her up and swung her around. “Good, because I was starting to worry.”

“We need food; can you finish putting stuff away while I run to the grocery store?”

He nodded. “Yeah.”

She blew him a kiss as she pulled out of the driveway.

*

She walked back into the house, laden with plastic bags.

“Anakin?” she called as she looked around the house. He didn’t answer, and she put the groceries away then walked around the house looking for him.

She was four rooms away from the theater when she felt the bass make the floorboards vibrate. Danielle rolled her eyes and opened the theater door.

Anakin was sitting in the center chair, with the volume on the surround sound turned way up. He saw her open the door out of the corner of his eye and sprang out of his seat.

“What song is this?” he shouted as he walked over to her. “I love it!”

Danielle bit her lip … snickered … and burst into outright laughter.

“What?” he asked petulantly, turning down the music.

Danielle was trying to stifle her laughter, with absolutely no success. Tears rolled down her face and she hugged her sides as she collapsed into a nearby chair.

“What is so funny?” he shouted, stomping his foot.

She took a deep, shuddering breath. “It’s just ….” She hitched in another breath. “It’s the Imperial March.”

“The what?”

She burst into laughter again. “It’s … it’s your theme song in the Star Wars movies.”

Anakin snickered. “Well, that’s entertaining. Hey, speaking of Star Wars, can I watch those?”

She instantly sobered. “No. No, I don’t think so.”

“Why not?”

“Because, Anakin … all they’re going to do is make you mad.”

“I think I’m mature enough to handle it, Danielle.”

Danielle opened her mouth then closed it again. “I really don’t think this is a good idea.”

Anakin stomped his foot. “But I want to!”

She thought for a moment. “Tell you what. You make dinner without ruining it – “

“That is completely unfair. You know I’m really horrendous at cooking.”

“As I was saying … you make dinner without ruining it, and maybe we’ll watch one.”

“One! But there are six of them!”

“Well … six movies and two DVDs of a cartoon.”

Anakin scowled. “Come _on_. At least two movies.”

“We’ll see.”