"Information Exchange"
By: Kylas Thoamis
Laedra Vorrel
Liam Zaneth

Location: Yallder District, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 10, 4 ABY

***

Liam and Laedra sat together in the speeder as it hurtled off toward the destination they'd arranged with Kylas. They had spent time earlier in the morning meditating, and then held a meeting of those that unofficially formed the Council. It was agreed that the time to stop hiding had come, and Liam and Laedra had convinced the others that it was time to make the public aware that the Jedi were back.

"I am glad they agreed with us," Liam finally said as he glanced at the robes Laedra wore. Similar to his own, though lighter in colouring than the brown and tan fabrics he wore. Both wore the traditional attire of the Jedi, and their lightsabers hung openly on their belts. "It feels good to go out here dressed as I am, undisguised." He grinned. "It's almost as if I have passed my trials already."

"In time, I believe you will be ready to take them," Laedra replied, grinning. In the Temple, they discreetly showed their affection for each other, but when alone, they more freely conveyed their feelings. She had been resting her hand upon his knee throughout the entire trip, and now that they had confronted their feelings for one another, doing so didn't overwhelm her as it had before, although it still managed to fluster her. "Would you like to take your Trials soon?" Laedra asked. "It would truly be a test of how far you've come in your journey from the dark side."

Liam smiled and covered her hand with his. "I'd like that," he said. "I feel that I'm ready, or at least very close. Perhaps in the coming weeks, we'll have enough of us to be able to do it right."

"Which brings up another point. We should begin searching soon for more Force sensitives. It would be preferable if we could acquire some children, but I believe that is highly improbable. The Empire may have fallen, but I believe people will still be wary about revealing to others that their children bear the gift." Laedra smiled at Liam and added, "In time, though."

"Once we can rebuild our reputation, they may come to trust us more. And, those we can detect, perhaps we can approach their parents and they will see that we are not what the Empire made us out to be."

"Well, we're certainly making a good first step towards that. But, do you think, coming out as we are, that we will be met with much resistance and disdain? I have no desire to fend off a lynch mob comprised of New Plouton civilians, Liam."

"Neither do I," Liam said with a frown. "Though, let us hope this planet's complacency extends to the Jedi as well. I think we will meet some resistance, but hopefully it will be minimal. If they don't like us, we'll become good at running away from mobs."

Laedra laughed and nodded her head in unequivocal agreement. The speeder finally emerged from the enshrouding forest and began its trek toward the outlying city. Although their excursions into town were becoming more frequent, Laedra hoped they weren't arousing suspicions among his lover and wife. She knew their actions were immoral and wrong, but as of yet, they had done nothing that could be construed as adulterous. They merely enjoyed each other's company, and although their feelings exceeded those characteristic of friendship, Laedra was confident that they had yet to do anything overly shameful.

She glanced sideways at Liam and smiled, and receiving the same from him, she laughed softly and shifted closer to him. "After our meetings, perhaps we could do some shopping. The garden in the courtyard is coming along beautifully, and Kael wanted to plant some ivy. I believe the walls would look magnificent accented in green foliage."

Liam nodded. "A very good idea," he said. "And, it will also give us some additional cover from anyone looking for us, if they make it that far." Liam pulled into the parking structure and shut down the engines. He hoped that Kylas had received the message from the courier droid he'd sent out and would meet them at the bar as had been specified.

He popped open the canopy and they both slid out of the speeder. A glance at the bar brought a smile to Liam's face. "This will definitely be an interesting meeting," he said as he looked at the peeling walls and dirty patrons standing outside.

"I certainly am glad we came armed." Laedra instinctually rested her hand upon the hilt of her lightsaber and nodded to Liam. "Let's go. I hope this is a very brief meeting."

"I can't imagine Kylas will have much to say," Liam said. "Though, perhaps a large percentage of it will be 'I told you so.'" He looked around, and then started off toward the bar with Laedra at his side. "I must wonder, since he knew about Dargus being alive, if he wishes us to join him in a quest to go after Kandran."

"It seems suspicious," Laedra said with a frown. "How could he have known such a thing? You didn't even sense him, Liam, and I would have expected you of all people to detect even the scantest trace of Dargus' presence. Are you certain this man is a Jedi, Liam? It almost seems to me he draws from powers more sinister."

"I can't be certain," Liam said. "I have only heard a little about him, from Kael and then in my travels. But, how he knew about Dargus' return is one of the things I intend to find out when we talk to him today. Be wary; it is likely that Kylas could be working for Kandran."

"Then we could very likely be walking into a trap, Liam." Laedra slipped her fingers tightly around her hilt and exchanged a look with Liam that was a furtive agreement to watch the other's back if they did encounter trouble. It was unnecessary, for she knew Liam would protect her without a second thought, and she him, but Laedra found confidence in Liam's eyes, which was precisely what she needed in that moment.

They pushed open the swinging double doors of the establishment and stood in the doorway as they made a quick sweep of the interior with both their eyes and the Force. The inebriated patrons hollered and grumbled irritably as light from without filtered into the darkly lit bar. She imagined most within would prefer not to have their faces clearly illuminated at the risk of being recognized by an associate to whom they were indebted, or one whose path they had crossed and would prefer not to cross again. "I sense nothing out of the ordinary," Laedra informed Liam. "What about you?"

"I sense nothing," Liam said. "At least, nothing directed at us. Come, let us find seats so Kylas may find us."

Laedra and Liam started for a vacant table near a particularly menacing looking Nikto, as she recalled from her many studies in xenobiology. The entire roomful of eyes scrutinized them as they moved, and Laedra saw many weaving their hands beneath their coats to presumably place their concealed weapons within reach if they gathered enough courage to confront two armed Jedi. "Perhaps next time you could ask this Kylas man to arrange a less dangerous meeting spot," Laedra muttered as she settled into her seat.

"Good idea," Liam said. "Maybe this is just payback since Kael wouldn't bring him straight to see me. The way Kael described the conversation, the man sounded like a street corner prophet with all of his sermons and prophesies."

"Kael was wise not to lead him back to the Temple if that is the case." Laedra almost negligently placed her arms atop the grimy, tacky table, but she avoided doing so at the last minute only thanks to Liam's quick reminder. She smiled her gratitude, then continued, after placing her hands safely upon her lap: "What I don't understand is how he knew to ask for you, Liam? You say you do not know this Kylas person?"

With a smile, Liam slipped a hand onto Laedra's lap and took her hand. "I don't know," he said. "The only things I could think of is that Dargus sent him after me, or he knows someone who knows of my conflicts with Dargus. Whatever the case, we'll get the answers from him." He looked around. "I hope, at least. I still sense no danger, and let's hope it stays that way."

"I agree. Although no one in this room would provide much of a threat in combat, I would not feel too confident if a fight broke out in such cramped quarters." Laedra kept her eyes scanning the room, but let her guard down for a moment to glance at Liam and smile. "Don't worry, Liam Zaneth. I'll protect you."

Liam grinned and squeezed her hand. "And, I you," he said. "Fortunately Kylas chose a place where we won't have too long a trip to get to Raxis." He slipped his hand out of Lae's and glanced around again. "Punctuality doesn't appear to be Kyl--"

Before he could finish, they both sensed it. And, then the doors swung open to reveal a man with dark hair and clothing who scanned the room with a trained eye. It didn't take long for his eyes to settle on Liam and Laedra seated in their booth, and start in their direction.

"Show time," Liam said quietly.

Kylas saw his "friends". He walked to the table and sat down. "No need to be nervous." He looked at them. "I have come about Dargus Kandran. I heard about the party, the fall of the Empire - a most promising development," he spoke aloud. He beamed brightly as his voice lessened in tone. "I want to know everything you know about Kandran, and I want to know where he is."

He looked directly at Liam. His smile faded. "He took someone from me, and I want both of them back. I'm tired of living outside of the world. I tried to be the complacent, quiet observer on the outside looking in. I want in. I'm not a true Jedi as such, I have taken my Trials but as of late I have ignored my teachings because of what has happened. I want Kandran's head, pure and simple. I want my child and fiancée back. And I would like to request that I join your cause. I don't care if you like me or trust me, I really don't care what you think, but I want to make sure that Jedi are trained and raised by the Code, the proper way. And that no one kidnaps them and turns them to the darkside. Too many of us have had to suffer that, wouldn't you agree, Liam? Or is it Kace? I seem to be confused on what you call yourself nowadays."

"Shouldn't be too difficul," Liam said with a frown. "It's been Liam Zaneth since mid-Saris last year, and that hasn't changed." He glanced at Laedra and then back to Kylas. "So, let me see if I understand this correctly... You want us to help you find and kill Dargus Kandran because he stole your fiancée and child. You really don't care if we trust you, in fact you really don't care what we think, but you want to work with us anyway." Liam leaned forward. "Does that about sum it up?"

"That is correct, and I'm not here to beg. If you want help, I'll help. If you say no, then I'll leave and you won't have to hear from me, but as far as things go, I'm sick of all this skulking in the shadows, being hunted. I'm tired of being the hunted, I'm tired of listening to lies. If you want my help straight up tell me, if not, then our business is concluded." He looked back at the man before him with a straight and even face.

"We no longer skulk in the shadows, Kylas," Liam said. "As you can see, we both are wearing traditional attire and our lightsabers are in full view of anyone who wishes to look. We came here at your bidding, and we do seek to deal with Dargus Kandran. However, I am not certain, given your emotional state, that an alliance is in the best interest of the Jedi Order."

Laedra placed her hand atop Liam's beneath the table to help him maintain his calm. "Kylas, we understand that Dargus Kandran must be stopped, but you yourself said you would like to return to the old ways of our Order, and yet you came here to ask us our help in killing a man out of vengeance." Laedra paused and her gaze flitted to Liam, but she focused again on the young man before her and sighed. "We would like to help you in retrieving your fiancée, but I'm afraid we can not aid you if murder is what you seek. The Jedi have a false reputation they must shed, and performing acts in cold blood will only give credence to the lies the Emperor has manufactured about us."

"If you do wish the help of the Jedi Order, Kylas," Liam said, "there will need to be guidelines and rules to be followed. You will need to rein in your emotions and follow the Code you wish us to follow again. Are you willing to work within the rules we'll lay down for going after Kandran, Kylas?"

"Well that's a little presumptuous of you, I mean you're a fine one talk. Tell me, how is Yelera doing? Oh...right I remember, you cheated on Elisia with her. Tell me, Liam, how many lovers do you have now? Hmm...you're a fine one indeed to talk about roping in emotions." He looked at Liam, his face a blank slate and his mind focused on his task. "I am willing to follow the Code. If a Jedi ignites his lightsaber, he must be prepared to take a life. If he is not so prepared, he must keep his weapon at his side. I have no emotion, I have a goal. I have no ignorance, I have knowledge. I came to ask to join you in facing an enemy we know nothing about. I have no passion, I have serenity. For the first time in my life, I have that. I will not let the darkside destroy what little we have left. And I have seen Death a thousand times over and in it I only see the Force."

He looked at Liam with a smile. "You want to be mindful of the living Force, then you must be able to sense that the Force guides us. I am tired of emotional outbursts, I am tired of fighting pointless battles. But I am also tired of being pushed into seclusion. If I join, we return to the old ways entirely, which means, Liam, we all have to make certain sacrifices. Are you willing to make them?" He looked at Liam

It took every microgram of emotional control to keep Liam from rolling his eyes at Kylas' impassioned outburst. The pointed jabs and insults would not find purchase today, and he would not go after the man's baiting. He knew there was nothing he could say that would get through the embittered, irrational shields Kylas had erected around himself. The man was in obvious pain, but, like a wounded sebrecat, was thrashing about so fiercely that friend and foe would be struck by razor sharp claws. Though, it seemed that Kylas was specifically lashing out at Liam, trying to find a weak point to exploit.

Liam cast a glance at Laedra and then sighed. He pushed his chair back and gave his companion a nod. With that, he stood. "If, when we go against Kandran, we find your fiancée, we will send her to you, Kylas. May the Force be with you."

Laedra looked between Liam and the man, but knowing her place was by Liam's side, she followed his example and rose as well. "Kylas," she said gently, "I don't begin to understand the pain you are going through right now, but this quest you've set yourself upon will fail if you don't quell your rampant emotions. I am not saying you won't succeed in killing Kandran and rescuing your fiancée, but in the end, you will lose yourself to the dark side if you are not careful. I would like to help you." She glanced up at Liam and added, "And I believe Liam would too, but we need to know that if we ally ourselves with you, we won't risk everything we're striving to accomplish. We can not willingly side with a man who will, in the end, sully our names along with his by doing something against our ideals and beliefs." Laedra sighed and fixed her gaze firmly on Kylas. "If you find Kandran, you will kill him, will you not?"

Kylas smiled. "Finally I find the Jedi, not some band of frightened children who can wield power." He looked at Laedra. "No, my friend, I have no intention of killing Kandran. The Force will deal his fate in its own time. A jedi never attacks, only defends." He stood and looked at Liam. He laughed. "Surely you think me a mad man by now, an angry knight who lashes out at the world." He lowered his mental barriers, his face cleared and calmed. "I needed to know for certain if you had the control of a Jedi Knight. Your Padawan was stubborn and arrogant. Ignorant of the future as well. I had to know for myself if the one who teaches him is the same."

Kylas looked at both Knights. "I must know one thing... The Jedi Order, do you intend on finding new students more than just one padawan, or do you plan on skulking in the shadows?" He looked at Liam. His face showed no emotion as there was none, and his mind was at peace. "Because if you are trying to do what I think you are, a sullied name will be the least of your worries. The code teaches us to defend, not judge or play god, but create an atmosphere for justice to flourish in and let common folk deliver Justice as they see fit."

He looked at Liam and then to Laedra. "I'm only concerned with getting my child back. If Elisia is lost to darkness I will try to bring her back to the light side because I love her, but if it is the will of the Force that I am to lose her. There is nothing I can do. But what of you Liam? What will you do when you confront Dargus, because when the time comes rest assured it will be you. Will you raise your lightsaber with intention to take a life?" He nodded, reading Liam's face. "No, you will not. You are Jedi. You will make the right choice. I hope." He extended his hand to Liam. "You have my support and the use of a Hunter class vessel at your disposal."

Liam glanced at Laedra and then back to Kylas. "Elisia is your fiancée? She's not with Dargus. She's currently in one of the hotels in the Yesdol district. I put her there the other night when she came to me for help at the party." Things were suddenly making more sense, and he had to wonder where this turn of events would lead. Elisia hadn't mentioned Kylas, nor had she mentioned Dargus. Liam had sensed some duplicity in her, but couldn't pin it down. Though, now it appeared as if she may be working for Kandran, or with him. But was that forced or not? "I can give you the address if you'd like."

"That would be a appreciated, but if I were you, I would not return to that hotel. Dargus may have used that to set a trap." He looked at Liam. "I will arrange to meet with you in a few more days if that is all right. I plan on checking this hotel out and getting Elisia if at all possible. Kandran may try and stop me."

"You caution the two of us from going, but have no qualms about going there alone," Liam said with a raised eyebrow. "If you do go there, be careful. As you said, he may have set a trap. And, if he knows about your relationship, I would surmise he expects you as well. We will be in contact, Kylas. May the Force be with you."

"As well to you Liam and Laedra. May the Force be with you." He bowed and with that he turned and left. As he left, he sent a small message to Liam: *Good Luck.*

Liam glanced toward Kylas and frowned at the mental intrusion. Once Kylas was completely gown, the frown turned into a scowl but disappeared quickly. "Next time I encounter that man, remind me to have my mental defenses firmly in place," he said as he stepped away from the table.

---

"New Direction"
By: Raxis L'Ygr
Laedra Vorrel
Liam Zaneth

Location: Yallder, New Plouton; Windsor Hotel - Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 10, 4 ABY

***

Liam and Laedra walked out of the bar and into the cool Yallder air. Liam led them a short distance away where he closed his eyes and focused himself. "I think that went better than I expected," he said. "Though, I really don't think we're in a different position than we were. I don't know what we can do." He opened his eyes and looked at Lae. "We can't stop him from going without causing a fight, but I don't believe this is a situation we can just push ourselves into. Though, perhaps if we are wary, we can make sure Kylas doesn't do anything to jeopardize his own life or anyone else's."

"He does seem a little...convoluted, Liam. He spoke of helping rebuild our Order, yet in his eyes was an insatiable blood lust for Dargus Kandran." Laedra sighed and shook her head ruefully. "We can not afford to have people like that bearing the title of Jedi. It will make our reintegration into society that much more difficult."

"I agree completely," Liam said. "The entire time he was in there, his mental stability seemed to be held by only a thread. I fear at what could cause that to snap." He looked around at their location and then back to Laedra. "I think that he will require watching. Most people who see a lightsaber will assume Jedi, and we don't want his actions to come back to us. I don't want to, but there may be a future time when the Council may need to intervene, for the Order's protection."

"I agree, if not for our safety, but for his as well. His behaviour seems reckless. He has no idea what he'll be up against if he confronts Dargus Kandran."

"Exactly," Liam said. "It also concerns me that Elisia could be working with Kandran. Perhaps we will need to investigate that later, but for now we must go meet with Raxis. I think we will have to talk about what transpired here today later on, after some meditation. We will certainly need guidance from the Force."

"Much guidance," Laedra added with a heavy sigh. The two reached the speeder, which was surprisingly still intact, and hopped inside. Liam fired up the repulsors and hit the thrusters to send the vehicle speeding off towards Yesdol to meet their next appointment for the day.

***

Laedra and Liam walked gingerly down the ostentatiously decorated corridor of the Windsor hotel. Living in modest and nondescript hostels for almost 15 years, and then her scantily decorated chambers at the Temple, Laedra was hardly accustomed to such luxurious decor. "Perhaps you should wait outside until I've had a chance to inform him of your presence," Laedra said quietly. "I don't want to alarm him, and if he sees you, he might feel betrayed and revolt."

"I understand," Liam said with a smile. "I'll move a few meters down the hall until you let me know it's alright to come in. Hopefully this one will be easier to deal with than the last."

Laedra laughed gently at Liam and smoothed a hand along his cheek to try and ease the lines of tension upon his brow. "Believe me, Liam, compared to Kylas, speaking to Raxis will be a much welcome break."

Liam covered Laedra's hand with his own and smiled. "Fighting against Dargus Kandran would be a welcome break from that insanity," he said. "But, I will gladly accept talking with Raxis." He brushed his lips against hers. "Let's hope he doesn't mind me being here. I don't think the manager likes me skulking in the hall."

"Well, I would like to see him try to protest and force you out." Laedra smiled at Liam and pulled away. There were matters to attend to and there would be time to share affection after they'd completed their duties. "I won't be long," she said before starting down the corridor.

Raxis' door came into view within moments and Laedra rapped on it lightly. She glanced at Liam, giving him a reassuring smile, then focused upon the door again.

It was a few moments, but the door hissed open to reveal Raxis sitting at a table with a broken down blaster upon it. Looking up, he gave a coy smile and nod at Laedra as he put down the component he was cleaning. There was a slightly more positive tone to his features since she'd last met him.

He scratched his arms that were bared by his black tank-top and stood. "Didn't think you'd show, Laedra," Raxis said, as he extended his hand in a shake. As always, he had a blaster slung low on his right hip and his utility belt, but also had a new mapping device strapped to his forearm.

Laedra exchanged the traditional human greeting with Raxis, then withdrew her hand and clasped both in front of her. "I said I would return, Mr. L'Ygr, and I also believe I'd given you reason to trust my word. So...I have returned."

"With luck it was when I was here..." Raxis replied with a grin. "I've been out with my crew for the while making a few plans. I'm feeling great now. How are you?"

"I'm...fine," Laedra replied with a smile. "You do look much changed from the last time we spoke. Frankly...what happened, Mr. L'Ygr?"

Raxis lit a cigarra and shrugged slightly. "Not sure, really. Life's a little different when you forgive yourself, and when friends do it too."

"Well..." Laedra sighed and searched the floor for something to say, but it appeared now Raxis didn't require further guidance. "I am glad you have found your focus again, Raxis L'Ygr. If you need any assistance in the future..." She smiled and gave him a short bow. "Congratulations, Raxis L'Ygr."

"Focus? I've far from found my focus... I've just found myself happy lately because I finally have my friends again. There is something I wanted to talk to you about other than asking if you still planned to teach me, however," Raxis replied.

"Oh?" Laedra raised a brow inquisitively at Raxis, then stepped forward. "Before we begin... I've brought someone with me, Raxis - a friend. I value his wisdom and I trust him. Will you allow him to join us in this discussion? He is a Jedi, like myself. He can be trusted."

Raxis nodded and shoved a second chair clear from the table with his foot, and took a chair facing away from the windows to watch the door. He crooked his neck to one side to feel it pop, and dragged off of his cigarra while watching Laedra. It was a silent answer, and he accepted her request by waving his hand towards the two unoccupied chairs.

Laedra nodded her acknowledgement, then turned towards Liam and smiled.

Liam Zaneth appeared in the doorway. His face was neutral, though his nearly-iridescent eyes scanned the room. As he expected, he found no danger waiting for him there. He turned his focus to the room's other occupant and offered a half smile. With a nod, he moved to stand next to Laedra.

"Raxis L'Ygr, this is Liam Zaneth." Laedra looked between the two men, and could only think to smile.

"It is good to meet you, Raxis L'Ygr," Liam said with a slight bow to the man.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Liam..." Raxis began. "Please, seat yourselves and tell me what it is you wish to speak about to begin. I'm assuming I would have never seen Laedra again had not either the two of you had something to discuss."

Taking initiative, Laedra stepped into the room, Liam by her side, and sat upon one of the offered chairs. "He knows all about your situation, Raxis. I explained it to him as accurately as I could. We are here mostly about your Force sensitivity." Laedra paused and looked to Liam beside her. "Liam, more than anyone, knows what dangers lurk for someone like you," she said, once again focusing upon Raxis, "one who has just discovered their abilities, and who might attempt to use them or hone them on his own."

"I wouldn't know how to even if I tried, Laedra," Raxis began. "Besides, I wouldn't use a gun I didn't know how to shoot. It doesn't mean I'm not interested." Raxis let out a slow sigh of cigarra smoke and then looked back to the two. "I'd probably kick myself for not learning when I had the chance. You can't just deny what you are, can you?"

"The difficulty with the Force is that as we become set in our ways, it becomes more and more difficult to learn to use the Force. The older one is when he begins to use the Force, the greater the danger of succumbing to the dark side. If you do desire to explore some of what you have inside you, then we'd like to offer ourselves as guides to keep you on the right path, to keep you from falling into darkness."

"I don't really understand, Liam. Wouldn't someone have stronger values at an older age?" Raxis replied.

"It is really going to depend on the person," Liam said. "Though, most people do not have the discipline required. Feelings of frustration or anger, fear or doubt, a Jedi Knight is trained to avoid these emotions and therefore is less likely to fall prey to them. But, a man such as yourself hasn't received such training, such discipline. You freely feel whichever emotion is invoked in your life. If I were to suddenly stand up and draw my blade and come to strike you down, I have no doubt that you would defend yourself. But, what would your feelings be? Fear, doubt, anger? Those are the emotions that lead to darkness, and it is difficult to separate an adult from those types of reactions and emotions. It is not impossible, but the road is long and full of trials. In the days of the Old Republic, you would not have been trained because of your age. Few students were accepted past the age of two years, after which moulding them to the path of the Jedi would become more risky."

"Sounds complicated to a point, Liam." Raxis rubbed his chin. "For instance, if you were to stand and draw I would draw as well...it's an indifferent moment. Once it comes to a life being taken it must be business, because there's no way to kill a man with emotion without it being murder."

"The point is moot," Liam said with a grin. "Perhaps you would respond differently if a man were to try to kill you. But what about a thug on the street trying to steal your credit chip? Or, confronting someone who had seriously injured a friend or loved one? In general, when a person is confronted with adversity, their reactions tend to run toward emotional darkness: anger, fear, and the like. And, it is for that reason, that adults are seldom sought for training as Jedi Knights."

"True..." Raxis began. "However, there's an odd twist. I'm going to note ahead of time that this is not the situation, but say I was an avatar of all that was good. Millions of lives lived happily under my protection, and if I were to die they would inevitably cease to live. If I were to simply draw a blaster on a Jedi, would the Jedi act in the mind of the children or in protection of themselves...even if it meant that their death would succeed the lives of millions?"

"The will of the Force would guide the Jedi in his actions," Liam said. "If you were to simply draw a blaster on a Jedi, you would most likely only be disarmed. The Jedi are guardians, and protect the peace of the Galaxy. And, death is a last resort. Besides, there are other means to handle threats." With a smile, Liam held out his hand, and Raxis' blaster jumped from the holster and into the open palm.

Raxis nodded with a smile and winked. He pulled a blaster off of his lap and placed it on the table. "There are many angles, Liam." Raxis smiled. "But yes, you are correct...and no, I wasn't aiming it at you." Smiling, Raxis turned to look at Laedra, to see what she was doing, for she'd been so quiet all this time.

He was met by her warm, green eyes and a gentle smile. "We are not trying to force you into anything, Raxis. We are not saying that you must abandon all emotions or even your present way of life. We are merely saying that we wish to give you the tools required to avoid the path of darkness you so eagerly seemed to turn your back on. Liam is not saying you will attempt to use your powers intentionally to do harm, but you are aware of what lies within you now, as does the dark side. It knows you exist, and the moment you consciously or subconsciously call upon the Force, it will be there, waiting for you. If it seeks an opportunity to strike, it will, and it will eventually consume you if you are not careful. I said I would help you follow a path other than the one you've been treading upon. I'm merely trying to keep my promise by helping you evade what might someday thrust you back into the life that has caused you so much heartache."

"Odd you should mention that," Raxis smiled. "I've decided on what it is that I'm going to do."

A moment of anxiety rocked Laedra's otherwise steady emotions. She feared for what new scheme Raxis had devised, especially considering he was the man who detonated a bomb beneath Weibran the Hutt's colossal throne. She smiled at any rate and asked, "And what would that be, Mr. L'Ygr?"

Raxis lit a cigarra and rested back in his chair, taking a moment to scratch the Imperial insignia tattooed onto his bicep. "The Empire has fallen, and without a doubt the rebels will be around to clean up," Raxis began. "However, the Empire employed hundreds of bounty hunters that are now going to be hungry for work if the Empire's funding towards the guild is cut off. This means the crime families are going to flourish, and new ones will grow off of the money made from the Empire."

Raxis took a pull off of the cigarra and looked to the two. "Keeping in mind that system security forces are a joke and often corrupt, and the rebels are going to be busy cleaning up the Empire...who's going to protect the systems from the assassins, hunters, and mobsters?"

Laedra glanced furtively to Liam, then returned her gaze to Raxis. "If I have deduced correctly...that would be you, would it not, Mr. L'Ygr?"

"Would it be you?" Raxis replied.

"One of our more tedious tasks is searching for more of our kind. But protecting the city will certainly be another of our duties," Laedra said slowly. "However, since we are still in such small numbers, we are limited to merely the nearest reaches of this continent presently. You plan on offering your services to a larger populace?"

"Well, I understand the need to protect the city, but to ensure the area clear of the threat of assassins, hunters, and crime bosses under the Empire's control someone is going to have to weed through them. I'm assuming that the Jedi Order doesn't know the names, faces, or reputations of these people. If we open our doors to rebel soldiers and rebel supporters, we could have quite the army to protect the people on the outer rim."

"Perhaps until the new lawful government assumes control in the vacuum created by the Empire's death," Liam said. "If the Republic is once again reformed, I would think that the protection of Core and Rim worlds would fall under Republic jurisdiction."

"Still it would be reactionary. Everyone knows that the system based security can only respond to crime as fast as it is committed. Let me assure you that getting around the security forces is simple, whether they're bought off or eluded. I should know, I myself often used my skills to gain illegally off of the Empire itself. How could you expect Republic or Imperial jurisdiction to be able to sniff out crime without actually knowing how to work within the syndicate?" Raxis said with a grin on his face. "Either way you look at it, the crime families will find a new way. If families like the Hutts are to be stopped, it will have to be through someone who also isn't held down by the bureaucracy of Republic, Imperial or, dare I say, Jedi."

"You will find a bureaucracy within any organization, but at its heart it is to uphold the ideals of the organization. There will be gaps and loopholes in any governmental body, but that is for the leadership to address. What you propose is taking the law into your own hands, and it is as illegal as any of the crime families' activities. You must know that the Jedi Order would not be able to support you in such an endeavour." Liam glanced at Laedra, and then back to Raxis. "That said, I understand the situation, and your method will get results where it would otherwise be endlessly debated in a council."

"Don't take that to mean we will not be willing to help you with your Force training, if that is something you wish to pursue," Laedra said. "But if what you are proposing is a sort of...vigilante justice, I'm afraid we are forbidden from aiding you."

"I never said that the Red Dragon Society existed..." Raxis nodded. "But if it does decide to form, understand that they'll be willing to fight alongside the Jedi when the attempt to take back the system from the Empire happens. They will assist with leading security forces to the crimelords while supplying them with evidence that will ensure that they actually do serve for their crimes. They will assist the public by returning the food and credits that have been stolen from them. They will definitely prefer to not kill, but will need to defend themselves if necessary...and self defense, my friend, is not murder. Either way, you know who to contact if you have questions about their whereabouts or need to speak with them."

Raxis, was obviously speaking in code and choosing to not hide what he was doing. He rested back into his chair and, looking at the two cordially after giving his short speech, nodded. "Your thoughts?"

Liam nodded. "It does sound like you have the populace's best interests at heart," he said. "And, I do hope that we will be able to aid each other as we can. While our numbers are still small, it would be nice to have backup in areas where the Jedi may need them in the future. Our reputation has suffered, and we have much to rebuild after the Emperor."

"He is correct, Mr. L'Ygr. And I for one believe you will do only what you think is right, but we must be certain what you think is lawful and just does not go against our principles, if we are to aid you, that is." Laedra looked to Liam, then to Raxis with a smile. "I believe I would like to observe closely this plan you have devised to bring order to Tae'Karada. Before we do participate, we must be certain it does not contradict our beliefs. And I'm sure if we are confident that you and your fellow champions of order and justice are acting within the bounds of our principles, we would be glad to give you all the aid you require." Laedra placed her hand upon Liam's leg and looked to him with a significant smile as she squeezed it gently. "We both would be honoured, wouldn't we, Liam?"

Liam smiled and then nodded. "Definitely," he said. "We will not stand in your way as long as your group -- should it come to pass -- stays on the correct side of things. However, I would be remiss if I didn't also request that you defer to the rightful authorities when necessary. Above all, though, stay safe. The galaxy is in turmoil and will be so for a little while longer. And, it sounds like Admiral Tarkin is trying to seize control for himself, so there will be danger there as well."

"Would the two of you like to meet the team?" Raxis said with a smile.

"I wouldn't mind that." Laedra gazed sidelong at Liam with a half-smile and prompted, "Liam?"

"I think meeting the team sounds like a good idea," Liam said with a nod.

"Very well," Raxis began. "Let me tell them what's going on, and we'll set up a meeting as soon as possible."

"That sounds like a workable plan," Liam said. "I'll provide you with a commcode for a message drop I have in the city, so you can reach us."

Raxis nodded and slid his datapad across the table to them. "Go ahead and put it in there for me, and I'll contact you as soon as we're ready. Also, if any rebel supporters you know of are looking to do just that we'd be happy to bring them aboard."

Liam picked up the datapad and added the commcode. "We'll make sure to send any who would support your cause in your direction. Though, what will the best means for them to contact you be?"

"Through one of my commcodes," Raxis began, as he tapped a button on the datapad. "It'll download after your data does. It's not my name, but be assured it's me. Just try and speak in innuendo."

Liam smiled. "I understand," he said. "And, we'll be as discreet as possible in our dealings."

"I give you my word on that, Mr. L'Ygr," Laedra added. "If that is assurance enough for you."

"Well alright," Raxis said with a grin, knocking on the wooden table a few times. "Expect to hear from my clients within a few days."

Laedra smiled in acknowledgement, then nodded to Liam. The two rose from their seats and gazed down at Raxis. "We will be meeting again soon, Mr. L'Ygr," Laedra said. "But before we go, please...I want you to consider what we've told you about your Force abilities. If you need further guidance on the matter, we would be honoured to help you."

"I already told you," Raxis nodded, "I would be very grateful."

"Then we shall keep in touch about that as well." Laedra smiled at Raxis, then extended her hand to him, as he had done to her earlier. "I am glad you have decided to take charge of your life, Raxis L'Ygr."

Raxis stretched his arm out and stood, shaking the hands of the two with a smile. "You two take care of yourselves."

"You too," Liam said. "And, we'll talk to you soon. It was good to meet you, and I hope your actions find success. May the Force be with you, Raxis L'Ygr." He stepped to Laedra's side and nodded. "Ten credits says when we get to the lobby, the person behind the counter glares at us."

Raxis chuckled and walked them to the door. He sighed out a thin line of cigarra smoke, and patted Liam on the back. "Of course he'll glare," Raxis muttered. "It's doubtful that the two of you are running a prostitution ring and he's making nothing off of your presence here."

Laedra looked stunned for a moment, then laughed and stepped out with Liam. "We'll reassure him that the immaculacy of his hotel is safe from our depravity."

Liam laughed. "Well, we are signed in as visitors to your room, so he may come around asking for a cut into your business. Perhaps you should tell him to talk to the Jedi Temple. We will see you soon, Raxis." With Laedra at his side, he started down the hallway.

Laedra called back, "May the Force be with you, Raxis L'Ygr."

"Aye, may the Force be with you two as well," Raxis said as he waved at the two. "We have a lot of work to do."

---

"Waking Dream, Part 1"
By: Merrick Braston
Maeren "Shiv" Shivral
Zale Tregat
Keeve Zenarr [NPC]
Tel [NPC]

Location: Merrick and Shiv's apartment -Yesdol, New Plouton; Yesdol Central Medical Centre - Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 10, 4 ABY

***

His red, flowing cape trailed behind him as he coasted through the air at breakneck speeds atop the sleek, blue hoverboard beneath his feet. The blonde-haired, exquisite maiden hollered out his name while struggling against the confining grip of the evil fiend, Merrick. "I'll save you, Shiv!" He swept past them and scooped Shiv up into his arms. His foot flattened against Merrick's chest and sent him plummeting over the edge of the skyscraper.

"Oh, Keeve," the beautiful maiden breathed, "you're my hero." Sailing across the pastel sky, Keeve pulled his maiden into a firm embrace and kissed her passionately, while they headed into the Tae'Karadan sunset together.

From deep in her own dream, Maeren Shivral stirred. Fleeting pulses of pleasure radiated from her breasts, making her squirm slightly in bed. She giggled softly and opened her eyes, expecting to see a very frisky Merrick suckling at her breast. What she saw instead surprised her, to say the least. "Keeve," she whispered sleepily. "No milk in there, Keeve." His arms were wrapped around her waist, and his mouth was firmly latched to her right breast while he sucked and kissed it as if he was... Shiv really didn't want to think about what was going on in the boy's mind, but he had to stop before...before he managed to get her really turned on.

"Keeve, sweetie," Shiv said, trying to gently pry his mouth from her nipple. "That feels very good, but...but you shouldn't be sucking on my tit." She giggled, and rolled away from his mouth.

"No," he muttered sleepily while groping blindly at the air, searching for his lost maiden. "Don't go too far... Merrick the evil monster will get you." He sighed deeply and clutched at the pillow made warm by Shiv's head. "I have to protect you..."

"You can protect me without sucking on my nipple, silly boy," Shiv said. "Come on, come up and kiss my lips. Or something. Just, protect me without sucking. And, Merrick the evil monster is asleep in the other room, so he won't be trying to get me yet."

Keeve groaned as his eyes flickered open and the dream vanished, but the maiden didn't. He looked up at Shiv with a grin. "Good morning, Auntie Shiv. It's too bad I had to wake up. I was having a nice dream."

Shiv couldn't help giggling. "I noticed," she said with a grin. "I was having a pretty nice one too. How'd you sleep, sweetie?" She leaned down and gave him a kiss. "Do you like your new bed?"

"I love it, especially with you sleeping here with me." Keeve wrapped his arms around Shiv's waist and nestled his head against her stomach. "You were so warm and soft... We should sleep together every day."

Shiv grinned and reached down to brush her fingers over his slender back. "I think that'd be very fun," she said. "We'll be best friends, and we'll make things here perfect for us. And, you'll always be happy. Some nights, either Merrick or Kaysa may want me to stay with them, but I promise to spend as many nights as I can with you. And, maybe sometimes when they want me with them, maybe I can sneak in here with you when they're asleep."

"Or I can sneak in there with you," Keeve suggested. "Either way, I'm not letting you out of my sight, Auntie Shiv. No one's going to hurt you again."

"My brave little hero," Shiv said. "I know with you around, no one would even try. You'll scare them off before they can even get close. And, if they do, they'll be soaking in bacta for a month."

Keeve kissed Shiv's stomach, then sat back on his haunches. "If I'm going to protect you, I think I'll need some breakfast first. Will you feed me, Auntie Shiv?"

"Of course, I'll feed you," she said. "What would you like for breakfast, sweetie? I'm not the best cook there is, but I think I could make you a good breakfast."

"I'll have anything you can cook." Keeve hopped off the bed and moved behind Shiv. "I have to walk behind you so I can keep my eye on you," he said as he began pushing her by the rear.

Shiv laughed as she started out toward the kitchen. "I think you just like to look at my butt, you silly boy," she said. "Can I at least stop to put on a shirt?"

"If you want." Keeve halted, then moved alongside Shiv. "I'll escort you, just in case Moronic Merrick's awake."

Shiv giggled as they stepped down the hall to her room. Once inside, she opened one of her drawers and pulled out a large t-shirt. She slipped it over her head and pulled it down. "There, now I'm ready to make you a breakfast fit for a hero."

"A hero like me," Keeve added with a proud grin. He slipped his hand into Shiv's and led her along straight-backed and with a majestic gait...or as close to one as a ten year old could pull off. "Are we going shopping today, Auntie Shiv? You said we were. You promised."

"I know I did," Shiv said. "And, we are. And, I was thinking after we go shopping, we could also go to the beach like I mentioned last night. Would you like that, Keeve? We could play in the water, and build things in the sand. And, it would be lots of fun."

"Yes! I've never been to a beach before, Auntie Shiv! We don't have them on Bespin. Oh, this is going to be so exciting!" Keeve slid into the nearest chair at the small, circular table and watched Shiv as she rummaged through the refrigeration unit. "Moronic Merrick isn't coming, is he?"

"You don't want him there?" Shiv asked. At the vigorous shaking of Keeve's head, she grinned. "Then it will just be you and me." She started pulling breakfast ingredients and setting them out on the counter. Once it was full of boxes and sacks and other assorted containers, she glanced at Keeve. "So, which do you want? We also have some pikra sausages and gam'ron bacon if you want."

"Hmm...I need something to make me big and strong for you, so gimme some sausages, Auntie Shiv." Keeve swung his feet idly beneath the table and looked around the room. "Auntie, if Kaysa wakes up, will I have to move out and live with her?"

Shiv grinned as she started pulling out the sausages. "Of course not," Shiv said. "She lives here with me and Merrick. So you'll stay in your room right next to mine. So, you'll keep living here with me."

"Good," Keeve said with a deep sigh. "I can't protect you if I'm not here. I would feel very worried about you if I had to move away, Auntie Shiv. Very, very worried."

"Well, you won't have to worry, because it's gonna be all four of us living here together. And, maybe Zale too if we can convince him to move in. Kaysa didn't want him moving in until after you were here, because she didn't know if he'd like kids. Though, I think he likes you a lot."

"He spanked me," Keeve stated casually. "But you spanked me too and you like me...so maybe he does like me." He grinned mischievously and swung his legs more rapidly. "Moronic Merrick doesn't like me. But that's okay. I shouldn't have painted his face, but he looked better with a moustache."

Shiv giggled. "He looked very silly. Though, you shouldn't paint his face. That song I sang to you last night, he wrote that for Kaysa. He wrote another one for me and Kaysa, and I can sing that one for you later." She dropped a few links of sausage in a pan, and pulled out a small tray of beebleberries. "How would you like beebleberry flatcakes?"

"You can make those? Wow, Auntie Shiv, you can do anything!" Keeve gazed up at her longingly, watching her every movement and taking in every bounce her hair made when she moved. "No more painting Moronic Merrick as long as you keep singing those songs."

With a grin, Shiv started singing the song that Merrick had written for her. Inside, she hoped she was getting the flatcakes right. She'd made them last week for Merrick and Kaysa, and they'd turned our alright. But, she was always hit or miss in the kitchen. Today, she really hoped was a hit day. She started ladling the mix onto the large flat cooking surface. She looked up at Keeve and grinned. "Just a few minutes more," she said before resuming the song.

"I don't mind. As long as you keep singing. You have a nice voice, Auntie Shiv. I feel like I could go to sleep again right now." Keeve tried to pick up the song at the chorus and began humming along with Shiv, rather off key and loudly.

Like mother like son, Shiv thought with a grin. She checked the flatcakes again and let out a cry of victory as she served them up on a plate to Keeve. "There you go, sweetie," she said. "Everything you could ever want to put on flatcakes is right there, and some sausages. You'll be big and strong before you know it."

"And then you can exercise with me too!" Keeve swiped his fork and stabbed the sausage with it. "Soon, I'll be just as big as Zale and everyone will be afraid of me. Then the bad men won't be able to hurt you...and maybe I'll protect Kaysa too." He chomped down on the tip of the robust sausage and tore off a large mouthful. "And then," he added in a voice obstructed by food, "she won't get stabbed again."

"Oh, you are definitely the hero around here," Shiv said with a grin as she served herself some food. "And, if you get nice and big and handsome, then we can start exercising together, sweetie. And, you'll protect all of us from all the bad men, and everything will be perfect." She sat down next to him, and started working at her flatcakes.

Keeve watched her thoughtfully as she sliced into the flatcake and said, "I think if I'm going to be exercising with you soon, I should watch you and Merrick again, just so I can learn for when you and I do it. I think that's what I'll do."

Shiv coughed, nearly choking herself and sending a piece of flatcake across the kitchen. "Oh, I don't know if that's a good idea," she said once she downed a glass of juice. "I-- I think you've still got some time yet. Your body still has some changes to go through before you can exercise like that. So, you probably have another two or three years. Once you get closer...closer to being ready, then you should start watching."

Keeve frowned and pierced the sausage aggressively with his fork again. "I am not too young! I was big enough to rescue you from the bad man, so I'm big enough to watch you exercise too!"

"Oh, Keeve, sweetie," Shiv said. "That exercising, that's...that's sex. And, it's not right to watch other people having sex. It's private, and personal." She sighed. "If I get you a holorecording of people having sex, that'll be good to learn from for when you're body's ready. Would that be okay, sweetie? And, I'll promise to have sex with you when you're ready...and...and I'll always let you see my breasts."

Keeve pushed the sausage around in his plate as if his appetite had fled completely, but after a moment of picturing Shiv's breasts, he perked up instantly. "Okay, Auntie Shiv. No more peeking." He nibbled on the end of the sausage happily and added, "Boy, I can't wait to have sex with you, Auntie Shiv. That'll be so fun!"

Shiv giggled and blushed. "It will be," she said before shovelling in a mouthful of flatcake. Kaysa was going to kill her. But at least puberty would give her enough time for Keeve to forget, or for him to decide on some other girl. A few years after that though, she thought, then he'll be really cute and probably a complete charmer. She grinned at the thought. Still, there was a few years reprieve before she'd have to worry about that promise.

After completing his meal in complete bliss about what was to come in the future, Keeve pushed away his plate and sat back in his chair with his arms clasped behind his head. "Can I watch you bathe again, Auntie Shiv? Or at least let me watch you dress. I won't tell Moronic Merrick," he said with a conspiratorial wink.

Shiv watched Keeve for a moment, her fork hovering just before her lips. Unable to help herself, she grinned, and then popped the morsel of food into her mouth. "Sure," she said. "I'm just gonna take a shower though, and just a quick one. And, then we can go do that shopping. And, as long as you're a good boy, you can watch me shower and get dressed."

"Oh, I'll be a good boy, Auntie Shiv. If I'm a bad boy, you won't play with me anymore, then who will I have all this fun with?"

Shiv pushed her plate away and grinned at Keeve. "Exactly," she said. "Now, let's get going. First a shower, and then we get dressed. And, after that we're gonna go buy you lots of stuff, including a swimsuit."

Keeve slid out off the chair and scurried behind Shiv's to pull it out for her. "My mommy said to always be a gentleman and not a little devil. I try to be both."

Shiv giggled and slipped off the chair. "Thank you, sweetie," she said. "And, I think you do a wonderful job at being both." She took his hand and led the way toward the bathroom. "I know mommies and daddies don't like little devils, but sometimes it's too much fun. And, being a kid's about having fun."

Once they got into the refresher, Shiv started the water in the shower and pulled off the shirt she'd put on earlier. She dropped the garment to the floor, and stepped under the spray. It felt wonderful and refreshing like always, though having an attentive audience on the other side of the shower door was slightly disconcerting. As she began to wash her hair, she put it out of her mind. She'd always been an exhibitionist, and even when her audience was a ten year old, she didn't mind. And, besides, it wasn't just any ten year old, he was Kaysa's son.

"Does Moronic Merrick get to watch you shower?" Keeve asked as he stood before the shower door with his face practically pressed to it. "Do you like him as much as you like me?"

Shiv grinned. "Sometimes we shower together," she said. "But, he doesn't watch me very often. And, I love him, but it's a different kind of love than my love for you, sweetie. He's really a beautiful, wonderful man. Just like you're a wonderful, sweet little boy. And, I know when you get bigger, you're gonna be a beautiful wonderful man too."

"And then you'll love me and shower with me too, won't you? I'd really like that, Auntie Shiv."

Shiv grinned at him through the steaming-up glass. "Of course, I will," she said. "I think it'll be lots of fun."

Keeve cheered triumphantly and danced around in a tight circle. "Auntie Shiv is going to exercise with me, and shower with me, and one day, have sex with me," he chanted. "And Moronic Merrick will be banished forever!"

Shiv giggled as she pulled down one of the small cloths to clean herself with. The bath the previous night had washed away most of her encounter with the brute outside, but this morning she wanted to make sure it was all gone. She hoped Zale fired whoever let that creep so close. His people were supposed to be watching them, but someone wasn't watching very closely. "You are an excitable little boy today," she said.

"You get me excited, Auntie Shiv," Keeve said as he wound down his little dance and watched her again. "I have so much fun with you. I wish you could be my mommy, and not Kaysa, that way I could stay with you forever."

"Well, it's a good thing I'm not your mommy though," Shiv said. "If I was your mommy, we wouldn't be able to do all the things together. Mommies can't have sex with their sons. And, you will stay with me forever. Me and Kaysa are staying here together, and you can always stay with us too."

"I know," Keeve said with a shrug. "And even if she tried to take me away, I'd make her bring me back to you. No one could keep me away from my Auntie Shiv. No one."

With a grin, Shiv washed the last of the soap from her body, and shut off the water. "And, no one could take my sweetie away from me," she said. "Could you hand me that towel there? Or did you want to dry me again?"

Keeve's only response was an excited giggled. He tugged the towel off the rack and rushed to Shiv's side, holding the large, white towel open for her. "I can do it for you, Auntie. I'd do anything for you."

Shiv grinned and stepped forward so he could dry her off. "You're such a wonderful boy, Keeve," she said. "And, I think I'm going to really like having you around to take care of me." She got down to her knees so he could dry her off. "And, now you can do my hair, too."

"Gladly!" And that is just what he proceeded to do, taking gentle care in not pulling it inadvertently. "Do you go to school, Auntie? My mommy said I was already far too smart for my own good, but she sent me there anyway because she said she'd go insane if she had to stay home with me all day."

"I went to school before I left home, but I haven't since then. That was four years ago. I learned more just living than I would have in school. But, school is good until you're about sixteen, then I don't think it's really all that important. You've pretty much learned all you can from them, and then life teaches you the rest. I don't know if Kaysa will want you to go to school or not, but if she doesn't you can stay home with me here."

"Oh, I'd like that," he said as he moved the towel to her back and shoulders. "I could stay home with you, and you could teach me to paint and sing and have sex. I think I'll ask Kaysa to let me stay home."

Shiv giggled. "Well, we can paint and sing," she said. "But, your body's not ready for sex yet. Though, when it is...then I can teach you."

"You will? Oh, yay!" Keeve hopped about until he was in front of Shiv, then he threw his arms around her and kissed her lips ineptly.

Shiv giggled and kissed him back. "Now, you have to promise to be patient," she said. "We have to wait for your body, and I don't want you to get your hopes too high yet. But, when you're ready..."

"Oh, I will be ready, Auntie Shiv. I'll make sure I am." Keeve moved the towel to Shiv's breasts and paid special attention to drying them. "Moronic Merrick won't be happy about not being able to exercise with you anymore, but I'll make sure he doesn't hurt you. He won't stand a chance against me as your protector."

Shiv giggled. "Merrick has never hurt me," she said, "so I don't think we'll have to worry about him at all. And, I like exercising with Merrick." She kissed keeve and smiled at him. "Would you be jealous if I was with both of you?"

Keeve frowned sourly and nodded his head. "You're my girlfriend, Auntie Shiv. You can't be anyone else's. Isn't that how it works?"

"Usually," Shiv said with a smile. "But, we're not usual here. Merrick's also my boyfriend, and Kaysa's my girlfriend, and Moril could be too. We share each other because we don't want to pick one to love over all the others. We love each other very much, and we're all okay with sharing each other. I love you, Keeve, but I also love Merrick too. And, I promise to always be here for you, but I have to spend time with him too. It doesn't mean I love you any less. I have to give my love to all the people I care for, you especially." She gave him a kiss. "It's very important that I can express my love to the people I love, sweetie."

"Well...as long as you're expressing it to me too." Keeve smiled and announced proudly that he was done. "Now I can help you dress, Auntie."

Shiv smiled and stood up. "Of course you can," she said. "Let's go find something for me to wear." She led the way into the bedroom. "Do you want to pick something for me, sweetie?"

"Yes!" Keeve sped into Shiv's bedroom and started raiding her drawers. "I think you would look best in red, Auntie. I think it goes with your hair." He pulled out a thin, red top that appeared to be the same size he wore and displayed it to Shiv. "You're wearing this."

Shiv giggled and took it from him. She looked at it skeptically and then pulled it on. As expected, it was extremely tight, clinging to her body like a second skin. It only came down to a few centimeters below her breasts, breasts she was thankful weren't any larger or the top wouldn't have fit at all. "How's this?"

"Perfect," Keeve commented with a large grin. He rummaged through the drawer again and pulled out a pair of earthy green pants with pockets aplenty. "This matches," he said as he handed them to her.

She took the pants from him and looked them over. "No underwear?"

Keeve looked perplexed for a moment, then asked, "What for?"

With a laugh, Shiv pulled on the pants. "I think we're almost set," she said. "We just need to get me some shoes, and you some clothes to wear."

Keeve nodded rigorously and flew out of the room with a whoop and a cheerful holler. "I wish I could wear my superhero pajamas! Then everyone would be afraid of me."

Shiv followed, grabbing her boots on the way. "We'll get you some new superhero pajamas today," she called after him as she entered his room. He was already digging for clothes and Shiv moved to sit on the edge of his bed to watch. As she sat there, she pulled on her boots.

"We're gonna have a good day, Auntie Shiv," Keeve said as he tugged off his pants. He giggled and tossed them at Shiv. "And I won't even bite anybody."

"Good for you," Shiv said as she caught the pajama bottoms. She folded them and set them on the edge of the bed. "We have lots of things to get you, and a beach to visit. I haven't been to a beach in forever."

"Then it'll be like the first time for both of us." Keeve put his feet into the pants and hopped up and down to pull them up into place. "I don't know how to swim though, but you'll teach me, right?"

"Of course I will," Shiv said with a giggle. "Before long, you'll be the best swimmer there. Now get your shirt and we can go get you a new hoverboard."

Keeve obeyed Shiv and pulled on a shirt with the picture of a swoopbike printed on it. He marched over to Shiv's side and offered her his arm. "All ready, Auntie."

Shiv lifted up Keeve's shoes. "Can't go without these," she said, and then proceeded to pick up his pajama top to fold and place on the bed.

"I hate shoes," Keeve muttered while grudgingly slipping them on. "My feet get hot."

"What if we get you some sandals when we're out?" Shiv asked, and then grinned. She leaned down close and whispered, "I hate them too. They're icky, and I'd rather wear none."

"Then from now on, we'll go everywhere bare foot." Keeve kicked off his shoes then bent down to pull off Shiv's. "No more shoes for us!"

Shiv grinned and sat down so Keeve could remove her boots. Once they were gone, she stood up and held out her hand to him. "Come on, Keeve, let's go on a shopping spree."

"Anything you say, Auntie." Keeve took her hand and pulled her with a jerk out of the room. "See ya, Moronic Merrick," he hollered at the top of his lungs. "I'm going on a date with my girlfriend!"

Shiv giggled. "I really should go let him know what we're doing," she said. "So he doesn't worry. And, then you and your girlfriend can get out of here and buy lots of things."

"Oh, he'll be fine," Keeve assured her. "He'll be sleeping all day anyway. He won't even know we're gone."

"I really should let him know though," Shiv said. "If he wakes up, he'll worry. And, it's the responsible thing to do." She started back toward the bedroom door where Merrick was sleeping.

Keeve grimaced and stood impatiently by the door. "Well...don't invite him. He's not allowed."

"Don't worry, sweetie," Shiv said and gave him a kiss. "I'm just telling him we're going, and it is just you and me. No one else. Okay?"

"Oh...alright." Keeve gave Shiv his biggest smile then slapped her on the rear. "Go on."

Shiv giggled and slipped into the room. She approached the bed and slid up until she was straddling Merrick. She lowered herself until her face hovered above his and she gave him a kiss. "Wakie, wakie, Merrick," she sang.

Merrick's eyes opened and he looked up at her with a smile. "Hi," he whispered.

"Keeve and I are going out," she said. "We have some shopping to do, and then we're gonna go out to the coast. But, I plan on making it all up to you tonight. Promise."

Merrick grinned as she rocked against him. "I'll be waiting," he said. "Take my cred chip. You'll need some money, and I don't want you lifting someone else's like you did last time. I love you, Shiv."

"I love you too," she whispered and kissed him again. "I'll see you tonight."

They shared a longer kiss, and Shiv slipped off the bed, grabbed Merrick's cred chip, and returned to Keeve, closing the door behind her. "Ready?"

"Of course, Auntie Shiv." Keeve hit the keypad on the door panel and stood aside to let Shiv pass first. "Goodbye, Moronic Merrick. You can go back to sleep now!"

"Goodnight, kid," came the muffled cry from across the apartment.

Shiv giggled and hurried out into the hall. "Come on, my little hero," she said. "We've got a lot of walking to do. And, maybe we can get some more frazzies today. Maybe at the beach."

"Beebleberry frazzies, remember, Auntie?"

"Of course, I remember," Shiv said with a grin. "That's the only kind worth having." She took Keeve's hand and led him down the stairs and out into the city. "What do you want to get first?"

Keeve grinned at Shiv and said, "A beautiful flower for my beautiful girlfriend. That's what I want."

Shiv looked down at Keeve and grinned. She could feel a blush covering her face and going right down beneath the neckline of her shirt. "Oh, that's so very sweet, Keeve," she said. "Oh, you are definitely going to have charm when you're older. Oh man. No girl is going to be able to resist your charms, especially me."

"Good," Keeve said with a grin, just as his hand closed over Shiv's rear. "I'm gonna have to steal you away from Moronic Merrick one day, so I better start now."

Shiv giggled and wriggled out of the way of Keeve's groping hand. He certainly was incorrigible, and she knew when he was older she was in serious trouble. Together, they started off in search of the flowers Keeve wanted to find, and then on to the other purchases they'd have to make for the day. There was so much to do.

***

Zale Tregat stared at the faces on the datapad in his hand. He'd easily picked out Shiv's attacker. He was the only one Zale didn't know. But the disturbing thing was that his file listed signatures from himself, Moril, and Tel. He'd asked Moril, and his assistant hadn't known anything about the man, and was surprised to see his name on the man's file.

From a secure connection in one of the offices in the hospital, Zale made connections with both Tel and Moril. "We have someone on the inside who put this man in, and made him look legit. Or, someone on the outside with computer skills like you wouldn't believe. We need to find out who it is, because they're using Antorial to get close to Shiv. And, if they can get close to Shiv, they can also get to Keeve and Kaysa. This hole needs to be closed immediately."

Zale had already told Moril about what had happened, and it'd taken nearly a half hour to get his assistant calmed down again. "We'll find out who it is," Moril said, "and we'll teach them about the rhis'kara."

Tel laughed. "Very few survive having the skin removed before being left in the desert," he said. "But, I think it's a fitting punishment for what they did. I'll put security into lockdown mode. And, I'll scramble our best slicers into the system. And, I want full systems diagnostics."

Zale frowned. "You think it could be someone inside? One of ours?"

Tel shrugged. "I don't know what to think, so I'm operating in paranoia mode. Suspect everyone, and you're more likely to catch the unexpected."

Zale nodded. "Good idea," he said. "Well, gentlemen, let's get to work."

---

"Waking Dream, Part 2"
By: Merrick Braston
Maeren "Shiv" Shivral
Keeve Zenarr [NPC]

Location: Tarkayze Beach - Daneria; Merrick and Shiv's apartment - Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 10, 4 ABY

***

Merrick's gonna kill me, Shiv thought for the sixth time since she and Keeve had left New Plouton. They'd stowed all of their purchases back at the apartment, and started out immediately for Daneria, named after one of the high princes. It was a small coastal town with some of the best beaches around. With Keeve still clutching around her waist, Shiv tried to find a place to park the swoop she'd bought back in the city. It took a bit, but she'd finally convinced him to hold around her waist, and not her breasts. With the distraction his hands were causing, it would have only been a matter of time before she crashed into something.

She finally found a spot, and they pulled their large pack from the back of the swoop. It was filled with towels and other necessities of playing on the beach. Keeve was already in his swim trunks, and Shiv had put hers on under her clothes. She held out her hand for Keeve and started toward the large expanses of sand nearby. "Come on, sweetie," she said. "Let's go lay out our blankets and then I can teach you to swim."

"Oh, wow!" Keeve's eyes were large spheres and his mouth was agape as he gazed out upon the glistening, pristine water that seemed to meet the sky far off in the horizon. "This is a beach, Auntie Shiv? If I swam all the way back there, I could touch the sky!"

Shiv grinned and kissed the top of his head. "You'll have to wait until you're an expert swimmer before doing that," she said. "But then we can swim out together and touch the sky."

"Then let's get started!" Keeve strode onto the shifting sands with his hand in Shiv's, all at once awed, but very cautious of any who came near his girlfriend. "Can I drink the water? Are there fish in it? How deep is it? Will it burn my eyes?"

Shiv giggled as she found a spot to lay out their towels. "You are full of questions, aren't you? The water is all salty, and not good to drink. And, I think there's lots of fish. Near us it's not going to be too deep, but farther out it gets pretty deep. And, I don't think it will burn your eyes. At least the last time I was in water like this, it didn't. When you get thirsty, just let me know and I'll get us some waters. They have a little hut over there where they sell food, including beebleberry frazzies."

"Oh, frazzies-- Oh...my..." Keeve's head shifted side to side as he watched woman after topless woman pass before his eyes. "Oh, Auntie Shiv...did they forget their tops? They're...they're showing their boobies."

Shiv watched Keeve's face with delight as he couldn't make up his mind where to look. She reached down, and grasped the bottom of her shirt and pulled it over her head, adding herself to the limitless number of topless women on the beach. "They didn't forget," she said. "That's just the way they do it here." She unfastened her pants and stepped out of them, tossing them onto the towel with her shirt. She adjusted the skimpy bottom that really only covered the one place in which Keeve had taken no interest -- for which Shiv was eternally grateful. "So, swim first? Or frazzies?"

Keeve turned his dreamy gaze towards Shiv, upon whom his attention became fully focused after taking in what he saw. "Auntie Shiv...did you forget your top too?" he asked with a grin.

Shiv returned his grin, and kissed his forehead. "Nope," she said. "I didn't forget." She snapped the waistband of her bottoms. "This is all that came with it. I hope you don't mind."

"Oh, I don't mind at all." Keeve's curious smile became a leering grin as he fixed his eyes upon Shiv's chest, longing to nestle his face between her breasts. "You're much more beautiful than those other women, Auntie Shiv. And your boobies are much nicer too."

Shiv giggled and felt herself blushing. "Thank you, sweetie," she said. "I like my boobies, and I think they're very nice too...as far as boobies go."

"Oh, they are." Keeve shot Shiv a wink and wriggled closer to her. "I can buy us the frazzies if you want, Auntie. Just so you don't have to get up."

"Okay," she said, and fished in the pocket of her pants for the money. She handed him a small handful of money and gave him a kiss. "I'll watch you from here. If you need me for anything, just wave."

Keeve nodded his head, then planted another kiss upon Shiv's lips. Feeling invigorated with confidence and pride in having such a beautiful girlfriend, Keeve jumped to his feet and strode away with his head held aloft. Once he approached the vendor selling frazzies, he looked back at Shiv to make sure she was alright. "Uh huh," he said with a pleased smile upon seeing Shiv devoid of companions and unwanted visitors.

"What'll it be, young man?" the vendor asked.

"Two frazzies - beebleberry," Keeve replied. He slapped the handful of credit chips atop the vendor and grinned at the man. "I'm getting one for my girlfriend. She's laying down right over there." Keeve cocked his head in the general direction of Shiv.

"Oh...the cute blonde one?" The man laughed and handed Keeve the frazzies. "Looks like she's a popular one. Enjoy the frazzies, kid."

Keeve nodded at the man slowly, and turned his gaze back to Shiv with a quizzical frown. Popular? It all became quite clear to Keeve what the man had meant once he saw two tall, well-built men crouched down near Shiv, conversing with her and definitely staring at her breasts. Keeve grumbled under his breath and marched over to them irately. He stood behind Shiv, holding two purple frazzies in his hand and watching the men with a seething glare. Keeve cleared his throat deliberately loud and waited for the two fiends to notice him and move on.

"We've got a place right across the street over there," one of the two men was saying. "It's got a great view. Be even better with you there."

His friend glanced up and saw the kid glaring at them, and nearly laughed. "My sister's got a nice little girl. Maybe your little pal can go have some fun with her, while the three of us slip up to my place, and we can get to know each other better."

Shiv glanced between the two men and then to Keeve. "Thank you, sweetie," she said as she took her frazzie from him. She turned back to the two men with a sultry look and started sucking on the frazzie as if it were something much different than a dessert on a stick. She could see that she was getting the two guys all worked up and smiled inwardly. "I think I'd rather stay here with Keeve," she said as she ran her tongue along the underside of the frazzie. "He's better company than the two of you are. Besides, I've got another girlfriend and boyfriend at home who wouldn't like me going home with strange guys." She slipped the frazzie back into her mouth and smiled. "I think you boys better move along before you burst."

They both gave Shiv hateful glares, and then marched awkwardly along the sand, trying to conceal their arousal from Shiv's display.

With a wild grin, Shiv turned back to Keeve. "Oh, this is a wonderful frazzie, sweetie. And, I'm glad you got back, cuz I didn't think I'd ever get rid of those guys."

"Well," Keeve said as his good humour returned, although he managed to scowl one last time at the two men. "I came as fast as I could." He settled himself beside Shiv and added, "They're lucky they left when they did or they would've ended up with my teeth marks on their ankles."

Shiv giggled. "That would have stopped them," she said. "Though, we might have been kicked off the beach for that. Though, it's good they left when they did, because they were about to pop out of those skimpy little suits they were wearing." She giggled. "Whatever you do, Keeve, never wear a swimsuit like that...they look really silly."

"I'll only ever wear what you want me to, Auntie." Keeve made Shiv's shoulder a headrest as he suckled on the purple frazzie. He watched as a liquefied droplet of the purple treat trailed down her forearm, and with spontaneous, yet customary frivolity on Keeve's part, he lapped at the stream of liquid and giggled. "Don't want you to be sticky."

"You're just like a little reisacat," Shiv said with a laugh. "Though, your tongue isn't quite as rough as theirs are."

Keeve grinned at Shiv and emitted a low growl before licking the rest of the frazzie juice from her arm. "I'm your reisacat, Auntie." He purred and rubbed his head against her arm.

"Oh and a cute little reisacat you are," Shiv said as she ran a hand through his hair, stopping to scratch behind one of his ears. "Maybe we should get a little pet reisacat. I've never had a pet before, and I think a little reisacat would be perfect in the apartment."

"I wasn't allowed to have any pets when I was a kid because I was sick a lot. I had to have an operation, you know." Keeve sucked on the end of his frazzie happily, then added, "But I'm all better now. So, I think I want a reisacat. We should get one."

"Maybe tomorrow," Shiv said with a grin. "We can go pick one out together, and then we can take care of it. And, we can think of a name, and it'll be so much fun. I think we will be good for a little reisacat. We'll just have to make sure no one's allergic before we let him or her run all over the apartment."

Keeve grimaced and said, "I bet Moronic Merrick is allergic. He'd purposefully make himself allergic just so I couldn't have one, and all because I thought he looked better with a green moustache..."

Shiv giggled. "I don't think he'd be just because of that. If he was really upset, he would have spanked you too. But he didn't. Please try to be a little nicer to Merrick. He's really a nice man, and a wonderful musician. All those songs I sing, he wrote those. And, all that money we spent today, that was his."

Keeve squirmed as if even the thought of being nice to Merrick made him antsy. "I...won't paint him anymore," he complied unwillingly. "And...I'll...not call him Moronic Merrick to his face anymore. Is that enough, Auntie Shiv?"

"That'll be good," Shiv said with a smile. She gave him a kiss on the end of the nose. "And, you don't have anything to be afraid of. No matter how much I love him, he'll never come between you and me."

"Good," Keeve said with a nod. He looked up at Shiv with a smile and tapped his lips with a sticky finger.

Shiv laughed. "Oh, you incorrigible little beast," she said, and then gave him the kiss he was demanding.

Completely contented now, Keeve sighed and lay down with his head in Shiv's lap. He stared up at the blue sky spotted with fluffy, white clouds and sighed at the warmth provided by the sun upon his face. "This is much better than Bespin," he mused. "And with you here, it's the best."

"Despite the problems, this is a very beautiful planet," Shiv said. "I've heard that even the desert is beautiful. I think I'd like to visit the desert someday, just to see it. Maybe we could go. We can probably come out here a lot. We can get some good suntans, and be great swimmers."

Keeve sucked on the empty stick that once held his frazzie, then tossed it aside onto the towel. "Let's learn now then," he said as he sat up. "Promise I can hang on to you?"

"Promise," Shiv said. She stood up and brushed sand away that had managed to find it's way onto her skin. "Come on, sweetie. Let's go see how good you swim."

"I think I'll impress you," Keeve replied as he jumped to his feet. He took Shiv's hand and looked up at her with a grin. "One day, Auntie Shiv, I think I'm going to marry you. That way, I can always watch and protect you. Then we can have our own reisacat...or two."

Shiv could only stare at Keeve for several moments, before her face broke into a smile. "Then I'll be the luckiest girl in the galaxy," she said. "And, that sounds very nice...I think it'll be a nice wedding, and we can have beautiful little reisacats." She kissed the top of his head as they started down toward the water.

"Then I'll be the luckiest boy in the universe because I'll be married to the most beautiful woman ever." Keeve yelped and jumped back as water lapped over his feet unexpectedly. His arms instinctively went around Shiv's waist and his head to her stomach. "I won't drown, right?"

Shiv grinned and wrapped her arms protectively around him. "I won't let you drown, Keeve," she said. "What kind of girl would let that happen to her future husband?"

Keeve stared out at the large expanse of water, then up at Shiv. Once he saw her sparkling brown eyes smiling down at him, his confidence returned and he stepped back. "I can do this, Auntie. We can do this together."

"Of course we can," Shiv said with a wide grin. "Come on. The first part of learning to swim is getting into the water."

With trepid steps at first, Keeve followed Shiv deeper into the water. Once he was certain he could safely go farther without the ground disappearing from beneath his feet, Keeve laughed and splashed down into the water. His head submerged for a brief moment, then came upon again with Shiv being the first thing his eyes found. "Come on, Auntie Shiv. Go under. It's just like taking a bath!"

Shiv pulled her hair back away from her face, and then dunked herself under the water. When she came up again, she could hear Keeve's laughter next to her. "The beach is fun, isn't it? Would you like to come lots more?"

"With you, Auntie Shiv?" Keeve sprang forward and latched onto her waist. He kissed her naval, then looked up at her with a grin. "Always."

"Then we'll have to come out here lots and lots then," she said. "I'll bring my pad to do some sketches, and we can get wonderful tans, and swim. And, it will all be so much fun. And, we can have all the beebleberry frazzies we can eat. And, we'll be able to ride back and forth on our new swoop."

"And being so fast, no one can hurt you, Auntie Shiv. And with me by your side," Keeve added with a wink, "no one will even try."

Shiv giggled and gave him a kiss. "So, are you ready to learn to swim, my superhero?"

Keeve stepped back and placed his hands dignifiedly upon his hips. "Auntie Shiv, as long as you're around, I know I can do anything."

Shiv smiled. "How about if I move right over here, and you try to swim over to me?"

"Okay," Keeve said, "but not too far." He stood with his arms above his head, watching Shiv for the signal. Once she nodded her head, Keeve plunged into the water and once he surfaced, he began wildly kicking his legs and thrashing his arms to keep afloat. He didn't seem to be going anywhere, but he certainly created quite a disturbance in the once calm waters. After swallowing far too much salty water, Keeve planted his feet onto the ground and coughed out the excess water. "How'd I do?" he asked Shiv.

Shiv giggled, and patted his back to help him get the water out. "That was a wonderful start," Shiv said. "Here, let's try again...but this time, move your arms like this and you'll go farther." She showed him the motion, and soon, he was swimming toward her, and around her, and all over the place. And, each time he got better, Shiv couldn't help giggling and praising his progress.

***

After the swimming and sun, and a stop at a small restaurant near the beach, Shiv and Keeve had finally managed to get back out onto the road toward home. Despite Keeve's pleading, Shiv had put her shirt and pants back on for the ride back home. It wasn't long at all before she was pulling the swoop up in front of the apartment. "Hey, sleepyhead, we're here."

Keeve raised his head from where it had been resting against Shiv's back, and looked around groggily. "Already?" He yawned quietly and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "I wish we could've stayed there all day, Auntie Shiv."

"Maybe next time we can stay the night," Shiv said. "I think we could sleep there on the beach, and have a little fire to keep us warm. I think that would be lots of fun." She climbed off the swoop and scooped Keeve up into her arms. "Time to go upstairs, heavy boy."

"You're so strong, Auntie," Keeve muttered sleepily. His head fell upon her shoulders and his lips nuzzled against her neck as they made their way up to the apartment. "Auntie Shiv, can we go straight to bed? I'm tired..."

"Of course we can," she said. "I'm gonna tuck you into bed, and then I need to go visit with Merrick for a really little bit of time. And, then I'll be right in again. Alright? I promise I won't be long, sweetie."

"I trust you," he said with a sigh. "Just don't be too long..."

"I promise," Shiv said, and gave him a kiss on the forehead.

She managed to get the door open despite carrying Keeve. She carried him all the way back into his room where she quickly went through the bags of new purchases to find the brand new pajamas like the ones that were ruined the previous night. "Here we go," she said. "Your new pajamas."

Keeve mumbled nonsensically, and lethargically began tugging at his clothes. "My new ones. I like my new ones."

Shiv smiled as she watched Keeve, then she stepped forward to help him get undressed. "You had a big day," she said. "I bet you'll sleep good tonight. And, I'll be back in soon so you can curl up against me. Here you go." She picked up the bottoms to his pajamas and helped him into them. "You look perfect in these."

"Uh huh." Keeve blinked sleepily and swayed against Shiv. "Can I have another frazzie tomorrow? A...a beeble...beebleberry one."

Shiv quickly grabbed the pajama top before Keeve fell completely asleep. "Of course you can," she said. "We'll get you a beebleberry frazzie when we go to the park to ride our hoverboards." She helped him up into the bed and pulled the covers up. "I'll be in soon, sweetie. Good night." She gave him a kiss and smiled. "Today was a fun day."

"It was," he muttered. "Thank you...Auntie." He nestled his head against the soft pillow and sighed as slumber wrapped itself around him. "I love you, Auntie Shiv."

"I love you too, Keeve," Shiv said with a smile.

Once he was sleeping soundly, she slipped out of the bedroom and went out in search of Merrick. She found him in his bedroom with a baitar and a new song in the works. "Hi, stranger," Shiv said with a grin.

"Hi yourself," Merrick said with a grin as he put the baitar aside. "So, you ready to keep that promise?"

Shiv stepped forward with a large grin. "I'm always ready to keep that promise," she said. As he removed all the papers he'd been working with from the bed, Shiv slipped the second-skin of her t-shirt over her head and let it flutter to the ground.

Merrick set all of his notes on the floor next to the bed and turned back to Shiv. "Oh, that's a sight I've missed."

With a salacious grin, Shiv popped open the top button of her pants and moved forward slowly, and sexily. Merrick wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, kissing her hungrily. Shiv managed to slide her pants down over her hips, and Merrick helped push them all the way down. She took his hand and pulled him with her toward the bed. "Come on, Merrick, time to get reacquainted..."

***

Evil Merrick was carrying the enchanting maiden away, kicking and hollering out his name. Keeve brought his swoopbike around to pursue, but something was holding him back, some nagging urge that was far too powerful to ignore. He watched as Moronic Merrick and the maiden sped farther away in their speederbike, but the urge was much greater than his need to rescue his maiden. Keeve turned the swoopbike around and veered off in the other direction, searching desperately for somewhere to relieve himself.

"Stupid water," the boy muttered as his eyes flickered open. He rubbed them and blinked to adjust them to the lack of light in the room. Even in the thick darkness, Keeve noticed Shiv's absence beside him. After he made a trip to the refresher, he'd seek out his girlfriend.

He slipped out of bed, holding his groin and pressing his legs together before the overwhelming urge caused him to forego the toilet altogether and just make a discoloured stain upon his carpet. If he wasn't so preoccupied with holding in all that water he'd had at the beach, he would have grumbled and complained about Moronic Merrick monopolizing his girlfriend's time. He'd teach him a lesson or two...once his bladder was empty.

Keeve pushed through the door of the refresher and wasted no time in dropping his pants and filling the pristine, clear water with his bodily waste. He sighed and closed his eyes as he let it flow, but even amidst the incessant sound of his urine splashing down into the toilet water, Keeve made out what sounded like a man in pain. He was groaning and breathing heavily, but where was he? Keeve craned his head around to pinpoint the origin of the noise, and as the flow of urine ceased and his movement was unrestricted by the need to direct his aim into the toilet bowl, Keeve turned fully around.

He slowly and carefully pulled his pants up from around his ankles, staring in puzzlement for a long moment. He never noticed the second bathroom door before, and was certainly surprised and pleased to realize it led straight into Moronic Merrick's bedroom. Even more convenient, he thought, was that it was fully unlocked and wide open to the source of the groaning and panting.

Keeve crept towards the opening, but hid himself behind the wall to avoid being seen. It took a moment to gather enough light into his eyes to get a clear, defined image, and even then he couldn't quite make out what he was looking at. Shiv was on top of Merrick, who was obviously not in pain judging from the smile on his face, but it didn't look like the regular exercise routine. Her face was at his groin and she had her mouth around what his grandmother called the "naughty part", sucking on it like she had the frazzie at the beach. She was moaning too and Keeve could only guess that it was because Merrick tasted like beebleberries, for she'd had the same reaction to the frazzie. He wanted to call out to them and ask Shiv why she was taking so long to get into bed with him, but decided to watch the unique display and study in case Shiv wanted to do the same to him one day.

Shiv moaned as she continued to pleasure Merrick. After a day of denial following an aborted attempt at lovemaking, their bodies were responding beautifully together. She knew if she continued much more of what she was doing, she'd surely be getting a treat.

"Your turn," Merrick rasped, and tried to pull himself away from Shiv's greedy mouth. Finally she let go, and he helped her move over onto her back, where he climbed between her thighs.

As his tongue brushed against her mound, Shiv let out a cry of delight. "Oh gods, yes," she whispered. "Oh, just like that you beautiful hunk of musical manliness."

Merrick stopped and looked at her.

"Keep going," she said with a giggle. Without hesitation, he did. It didn't take much to get Shiv writhing uncontrollably on the bed. The only sounds she could make were a variety of gasps, moans, cries, and more of all the same. She would have to give Keeve a big kiss later for giving her this time with Merrick.

Keeve cocked his head to the side and watched with increasing puzzlement. Shiv was smiling and obviously enjoying herself, but he couldn't understand what Merrick was doing to cause her so much bliss. He'd never really studied the area between her legs before, but obviously there was something there that was key to her happiness. Keeve endeavoured to find out exactly what that was during their next bath.

Shiv let out a shrill cry as she pulled Merrick tighter against her body. The words she was crying out were incoherent, but all gave the distinct impression that she was truly in ecstasy. The cries seemed to grow louder as Shiv's back arched off the bed, and became one long, bliss-filled scream. Finally Merrick stopped and she collapsed against the bed. "Oh gods I needed that," she said with a giggle. "Now, get over here and fuck me."

Merrick couldn't help laughing and climbed up next to her. They kissed for several minutes while he repositioned himself on top of her. Shiv let out a loud gasp as Merrick slid inside her.

"Oh, that feels so good," she purred. Their pace was slower this time, and instead of the frantic cries of earlier, her moans and purring coos matched the pace of their lovemaking. "I love you, Merrick. Oh you're so good to me." She giggled and looked into his eyes. "Today, Keeve said he's gonna marry me."

Merrick chuckled and removed his mouth from her breast. "Did he?"

Shiv smiled and let out another moan. "He did. And, he got me a flower. You've never gotten me flowers."

Merrick laughed, and then kissed her. "Do you want me to get you flowers, Maeren?"

Shiv giggled and gave him an innocent look. "Though, I don't know if you could ever match Keeve's charm."

"Well, I promise never to bite you."

"Hey," Shiv said with another giggle. "Sometimes, biting's nice."

Merrick laughed. "You're pretty taken with him, aren't you?"

"He's the sweetest guy, Merrick. I know he's still really young, but he's a great friend already."

"And, he has a huge crush on you, a crush I'm sure you're doing nothing to discourage."

Shiv giggled. "Why would I want to discourage my future husband," she said. "Now, shut up and make me scream."

Keeve gave a start as Shiv did just that. He was about to run into the room and tackle Merrick for hurting his girlfriend, but then Shiv's laughter replaced the cries and Keeve continued to conceal himself behind the wall, knowing she was alright. They were exercising now, but Merrick was on top this time. Keeve paid careful attention to everything Merrick was doing, especially if he was supposed to do that with Shiv when he got older. In fact, his birthday was coming up in a few months. He knew he was going to have to become very good, very fast.

---

"Waking Dream, Part 3"
By: Merrick Braston
Maeren "Shiv" Shivral
Zale Tregat
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat
Keeve Zenarr [NPC]

Location: Yesdol Central Medical Centre - Yesdol, New Plouton; Merrick and Shiv's apartment - Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 10, 4 ABY

***

Zale sat at Kaysa's side holding her hand again. He'd talked to Tel and Moril earlier, but no progress had been made on finding out how Shiv's assailant had infiltrated his organization. He raised Kaysa's hand to his lips, and held it there. "It's Dargus, I know," he whispered. "The guy told Shiv as much, but...but how did he get in? There's a leak somewhere, and we're not finding it. Someone's very good at covering their tracks, and...and we have to look harder."

He kissed Kaysa's cheek and brushed a hand over her forehead. "Come back to me soon, Kaysa. I need you here with me. And, Keeve needs you, even though Shiv's taking good care of him. You'd be surprised how good she is with the boy. It's very cute. They went to the beach today. They're probably back by now, but they were both very excited." He sighed and held back the emotions warring under his calm facade. "I love you, Kaysa. Please come back soon."

The words reverberated in her mind, but their meaning was lost amidst all the confusion and muddle. The voice itself was familiar, but she was too tired to search her memory and pick out the name to match the deep, resonant voice. She lay still with her eyes closed while her insensate body began to awaken and join her mind again, a mind that had been functioning and aware, yet completely disoriented for so long.

It had been frustrating to think and hear her own voice, while unable to make her body respond to her wishes and vocalize her thoughts. It was rebelling against her and afraid to feel anything lest it be that searing, gruelling pain again. Now, though, it was slowly and trepidly heeding the urgings of her mind. She continued to coax it to life while giving it assurances that there would be no more agonizing pain once it awoke. The struggle to convince it was tiring and difficult, but soon, she felt her fingers and the tingle of blood flowing through them. There was a gentle breeze too that washed over her body, and then the voice. She knew it...but still no recognition.

Her body got ahead of itself and tried to move, but a gentle stirring of pain flared and she began to panic that it would retreat again, afraid to go on any further. She protested and reassured it that there was nothing to fear, and as she did, she vaguely heard her own voice sounding in her ears, and felt it rising in her throat. Nothing but a gentle moan, but enough to know that her internal self was slowly recombining with her physical being. Soon...so very soon, and so close. Stay with me, she whispered in her mind. Just trust me and stay with me.

If his own voice hadn't stopped, Zale would not have heard the soft moan from the bed next to him. He opened his eyes and looked up. She looked different...ever so slightly, but there was something. "Kaysa," he whispered. "I'm here with you. I'm not leaving, never leaving. I love you, Kayse. I'm not going to leave you...ever."

There it was again, and somehow closer. The more fully her mind awakened, the louder it became and clearer. Who was it? She knew who, but her lips refused to form the name. Frustration was rising within her and her body tensed. Gods, why couldn't she call out to him? Her fingers curled into fists, or at least she was trying to make them do that. Whether they were obeying her wishes...she wasn't sure. She tried to call out the name again, but only another moan escaped. Please, she said desperately in her mind, don't leave. I'm here. I'm trying...please...

Zale leaned closer to Kaysa, kissing her forehead, cheeks, and then finally lips. "I'm here, Kaysa. It's alright, my love. It's alright." He kissed her again as he slipped one hand into hers.

Gods...I can't... Kaysa's body began to tremble with the effort to keep a hold of the incipient consciousness she had achieved. She wanted to open her eyes, to reassure Zale that she was alright... If only she could say his name or squeeze his hand, but her body refused to match the actions her mind was beseeching it to perform. Zale...gods I love you, but...I don't know if I can.

Her hand spastically tightened around Zale's, but the effort to flex the muscles was too exhausting. She released and sighed mentally. Just let go, Kayse, she told herself. Just let go and try again later. It's okay. There's time. Kaysa listened to her voice trapped within her mind and abandoned the struggle. Zale would have to wait to see her brown eyes smiling at him again. Just a little while longer, my love...

"It's alright, Kaysa," Zale said softly. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here when you open your eyes. I'm not going away. I'll be here, my love. I'll wait until the end of time if I need to, but I'm not leaving you."

No...no, Kaysa, you can't leave him like this. Don't let him suffer anymore...don't let any of them. You have to tell him...remember? Kaysa's body jerked and she gasped for air. She had to tell him-- What? Dargus had said something... Kaysa's body tensed and flinched violently in the bed. Her muscles stiffened and her hand closed around Zale's again tightly. Blood...so much blood. And the taste...

Kaysa groaned and shook her head listlessly. He'd stabbed her which meant she wasn't there to protect Shiv or Merrick, or warn Zale. Open your damn eyes, Zenarr. Open them and tell him! Kaysa's breathing grew rapid and frantic. Her eyes twitched and her eyelids fluttered opened and closed. She moaned and tried to open her mouth to say his name - grab his attention and warn him - but only groans and gentle whimpers escaped.

Zale leaned close, his hand gently caressing her cheek, soothing words leaving his mouth to ease her struggle back to consciousness. "It's gonna be alright," he whispered. "Kaysa, I love you so much. Just a little more, and you're here again. Come back to my arms again. Come back to me, and we can make a good home for us and Keeve." He kissed her. "Come back to me, Kaysa, my dear love."

Kaysa felt her mouth moving and heard vocalizations escaping, but couldn't yet control what came out and shape them into distinct words. Her breath came sharply from her nose and her body jerked with uncontrolled movements. Brown eyes flickered open again, but a thick mist prevented anything from coming into focus...except those black, impenetrable spheres she'd fallen in love with.

Her lids threatened to close over her eyes again, but with fierce determination she struggled to keep them open. "Gods..." she breathed, her voice but a croak. Kaysa groaned again and blinked rapidly to dissipate the fog. "Zale... Wh-- Gods..."

"Shh," Zale said, hushing her gently. "It's alright. You're safe now, Kaysa. You were hurt, but the doctors...they're making you all better." He kissed her, and felt his resolve cracking. He sat back and looked at her, his eyes glittering wetly until a tear spilled down his cheek. "You're awake," he whispered.

Everything was still confusion and awry thoughts and sights, but he'd said she was awake so it had to be true. Her throat felt parched and as if it would begin bleeding if she tried to speak again, but she had to. She had to keep her hold on consciousness. "Zale... It's Dargus... He's here... A mask...his face. Gods...he's here..."

He signalled for the nurses. "You're safe," he said. "We're in a hospital, Kayse. You were hurt, by Dargus. He...he was there, and he stabbed you. But, Shiv and Moril found you in time. And, we got you here. He's...there's something about him, Kaysa. He's...he had a laser sword, like in those stories."

"Gods...keep him away..." A glint of light upon a tray by her bedside caught her eye, but her addled mind interpreted it as something more sinister and with a cry she jerked upright in the bed. "He had a dagger! Oh gods...oh gods, Zale! His face... She won't know. Shiv won't know when he comes!"

Zale carefully held her. "She knows," he said. "He found her before you; he frightened her. She's safe though, Kayse. She's safe." He knew not to tell her about last night though. Not yet, at least until Kaysa was thinking more clearly. "He's gone now...went back to whatever cesspool he lives in. I've got people watching us. We're safe, Kaysa. We're safe now, and he's not gonna hurt you again. Not ever again!"

Kaysa's body quivered and felt so weak, but in Zale's arms, she knew she would be protected and safe. "He wanted... He's not done yet. The spaceport... How could I have been so stupid?" Her voice cut out as sobs escaped her lips. All of it was her fault. She'd deserved to be stabbed, especially for what Dargus' wrath would bring next upon those she loved. "Zale...he's got someone... They-- They're watching you. I can't...can't remember..." She clenched her eyes shut and searched for the name, the one Dargus had implicated as being his ally, the one to bring down Antorial Industries. "There's someone... Gods, Zale, she's...she's with him, but... I can't..."

She? Zale frowned. "I know there's someone on the inside, or suspect it. Moril and Tel are searching now. But, she? I'll have to let them know. But, we're okay now. I've got my best people looking and protecting." Zale kissed her gently. "Everything's going to be okay. We'll get him, and whoever he's got working with him. And, we'll make him pay, Kaysa. We'll make that bastard pay."

"No," Kaysa whispered as she pulled away. "No. It's done, Zale. I'm...I'm done playing this game with Kandran. You do what you want...but leave me and Shiv and Merrick out of it."

Zale nodded and took Kaysa's hand. "Then it's done," he said softly. "I'll just protect us. You, Shiv, Merrick...and Keeve."

Kaysa sighed and nodded her head. Slowly, she stopped and remained absolutely motionless. "Keeve... What day is it, Zale?"

"It's the tenth of Niothe," Zale said. "And, Keeve arrived yesterday." He smiled. "He's a cute kid who ended up with your wild streak."

"Shit," Kaysa muttered. "What the hell did I go and do that for? Gods..." Kaysa covered her face with her hands and sputtered quiet, yet vulgar curses. "I should've left him on Bespin."

Zale laughed softly, and did his best to comfort and console Kaysa. "He's safer here where we can watch him than he would be there," he said. "Besides, he's a cute kid when he's not hip deep in mischief. And, he's really taken to Shiv. I think they're gonna be best friends, and I think you've got yourself a permanent, and free, babysitter for him."

The door suddenly opened and three nurses swarmed into the room to begin checking on Kaysa. One of them moved to the head of the bed to look her over, while the other two began monitoring the equipment. "It's good to have you back with us, Mrs. Tregat," the closest nurse said. "Your vitals are very strong, which is very promising after what you've been through. Would you like for me to have some water brought in for you?"

"Yes, thank you," she replied. "And can you get these damn tubes out of my arm?" The nurses continued buzzing about around her, and she shooed away more than one hand holding a device of some kind meant to tell them something that Kaysa thought should have been quite apparent: She was awake and in a suddenly irritable mood. "Zale, when can you get me out of this place? I wanna go home."

Zale glanced up at the nurse. The woman nodded and turned to Kaysa. "The doctor will want to keep you here at least one more night for observation," she said. "Though, I believe with a bacta session tomorrow, you should be fit to go home tomorrow afternoon."

"Bacta? I'm gonna-- They're gonna--" Kaysa looked to Zale helplessly, then finally nodded her head. "Okay. But Zale... I don't want anyone visiting me here, especially not Keeve. I don't...want them seeing me in here, like this. They can wait until I come home."

"They were here yesterday," Zale said. "And...and you know both Merrick and Shiv are going to be upset that they weren't commed immediately when you opened your eyes. They wouldn't leave your side until I sent them home with Keeve yesterday, and that with much protesting from Shiv."

"They don't need to be here," Kaysa said firmly. She slapped away another hand and glowered at the nurses. "They don't need to be reminded of what happened...even though I don't exactly remember everything that happened."

Zale nodded. "Alright then," he said. "And, since you don't want them here, you get to tell them that when you do get out of here. Unless you're planning on lying to them and telling them you just woke up..."

Kaysa pursed her lips tightly to suppress an especially scathing invective, but finally took out her annoyance on the nurses. "Get out of here! I'm awake and I'm fine. Can't you fucking see that?!"

The nurses stopped and turned their gazes to Kaysa. Each had a look that conveyed, "Oh really?" They glanced at each other, shrugged, and then left the room without a word.

Zale moved toward one of the chairs in the room, and took a seat, keeping his eyes on Kaysa but saying nothing.

"Stop staring at me like that," she said tightly. "I have the right to reject visitors if I want. In fact, I'm this close to having you kicked out of here."

"Fine," Zale said, then stood and headed toward the door. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Kaysa sighed and looked away. She saw all the machinery by her bedside, monitoring her vitals, then laughed dryly. Yep, you're alive alright, Zenarr, she thought sourly, but it probably would've been best if you'd stayed asleep a while longer. At least then, you would have had no choice but to keep your mouth shut. Kaysa sighed again and curled up into a tight ball. She clenched her eyes shut just as the door closed behind Zale. He didn't understand. He didn't understand anything about pride and how she needed it to keep herself from crumbling completely.

Kaysa mumbled silent curses and curled up even tighter. "What--?" She reached down between her legs where she felt a sudden cold stickiness. When she brought her fingers back up, her breath caught in her throat and her body began shaking violently. She threw back the covers and looked down at her gown, where a dark red stain was spreading. "Oh gods... Zale! Zale! Oh gods! No! Zale!"

Zale turned back and felt his heart leap into his throat. He rushed back into the room and forward to Kaysa, pausing only briefly to hit the button next to her bed to call the nurses back. "Oh gods, Kaysa," he said.

Immediately, the room was filled with the nurses that had been there previously, and a large man who Zale recognized as the doctor who'd been treating Kaysa. He exuded an air of calm as he quickly set to examining Kaysa.

"It's the baby, isn't it?" she whispered desperately to the doctor. "It didn't-- The baby...it's--"

"Lie back, Mrs. Tregat," the doctor urged gently. "Just lie back and let me have a look."

Zale felt the colour drain from his face as he looked up at Kaysa's face, the fear in her eyes. Baby? For a moment the room was spinning, and then Zale found himself leaning heavily against the wall for support. Oh gods, his mind cried out, over and over.

Kaysa only heard her voice sobbing and pleading with the doctor to tell her something - anything. Only fragments of the doctor's conversation with the nurses processed in her mind. The large spot of blood on her gown and spreading onto the bed was all that consumed her thoughts. That was all that was left of the child she would never know. Gone...so soon. It was all but confirmed by the doctor as he shook his head gravely. Kaysa cried out in anguish and clutched at the doctor's coat. "No...no. But...there's a chance... I mean...there has to be a chance."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Tregat. The wound you were inflicted with caused extensive damage," the doctor said, his voice maddeningly bereft of emotion. "We'd hoped the bacta treatment would have made it possible for you to carry the baby to term, but... I'm sorry." He turned to one of the nurses and silently conferred with her.

She nodded and moved to Kaysa's side to begin removing the top cover of her sheets stained with blood. The blood was all she had left her poor, sweet baby now and with a shriek, Kaysa pushed the nurse away and clutched the covers to her chest. "Go away. Go away! Leave me alone with my baby!"

After one last look over Kaysa to make sure she was in no more danger from her wounds, the doctor looked to the nurses and nodded. Silently they filed out of the room, leaving Zale and Kaysa alone there.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered. She rocked gently with the sheets cradled in her arms and nestled against her cheek. Her tears were soaked up by the fabric, just as her blood had been, and for but a moment, she wished they would somehow give renewed life to her baby and the chance it deserved, but had been deprived of by Dargus Kandran. "Why did it have to be like this," she sobbed. "Why-- I'm so sorry."

Zale could only watch, and it was only by force of will that he managed to keep his eyes open rather than closing against the tragedy he was witnessing. He slid down the wall to the floor where he lowered his forehead to his knees and let out the long breath he'd been holding for what seemed like hours.

"I wanna see my baby," Kaysa said quietly. "I need to see him." She looked towards Zale, who was still and quiet, a demeanor that conveyed his shock and pain clearly. Kaysa whimpered and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Her feet touched the cold floor below, but when she stood upon them, her weakened legs were unable to hold her up. Kaysa crumpled to the ground and sobbed. Everything seemed so hopeless now. She was beginning to wonder why she'd even bothered to fight to stay alive. But then, she remembered Keeve and knew seeing his face again was good enough motivation for now. "Zale," she whispered as she reached out a hand to him. "I need to see him. Please..."

Zale slid closer to Kaysa and took her hand. He kissed it, silent tears falling where his lips touched. "I'll have Shiv and Merrick bring him," Zale said. "They'll bring him here to you, my love."

"I'm sorry," Kaysa said - was all she thought to say. "I should've told you... If I'd told you, you would've been able to protect us both. You could've forbidden me from going to the party." Kaysa trailed a finger along Zale's tears and groaned piteously. "I did this... I did all this to us. It's my fault, Zale. Don't cry. It's me...all me."

Zale looked at her and cradled her face in his hands. "It wasn't us, Kaysa," he said. "It was Dargus Kandran. He's the one that did this to us. He's the bastard that invaded our lives, and hurt us. And, if he ever tries to get close again, my entire organization is going to rain down on him like a thousand hells."

Kaysa nodded her head in anguished silence. She couldn't tell him that no matter what assurances he gave her, she would take the blame and bear the guilt. Dargus may have driven the dagger in her, but that moment was merely the culmination of all her scheming and lies, starting from the first day she decided to con Rennor out of his fortune. She imagined he was smiling down at her with his satisfied, smug grin. And she deserved it along with everything she suffered. But Zale didn't, and neither did Shiv or Merrick or anyone else close to her. She'd end this soon, even if she had to go behind Zale's back to do it.

***

Back in the apartment, Merrick and Shiv had switched places and now she was swaying on top of him with increasingly loud moans and cries of pleasure. Merrick had to keep reminding her to try to be quiet before they ended up waking Keeve again. Each time, Shiv would grin, clamp a hand over her mouth, and keep going until she thought she had everything under control and brought her hand down again. By the third time it'd happened, she was giggling furiously. She leaned forward and kissed him passionately while his hands shifted from her hips to her breasts. "We are naughty," she said, and then kissed him again.

Keeve had lost track of how long he'd been standing there, gazing intently and with awe. Shiv and Merrick hadn't stopped exercising since he arrived, but he realized it was probably why they were both in such good shape. He knew, after watching this, he wouldn't be able to get back to sleep, but he didn't think he wanted to once Shiv came to bed to sleep with him. He wanted to stay awake and ask her many questions, and perhaps try some of what Merrick had tried on her, just for practice.

Shiv suddenly cried out and arched her back. The pure ecstasy she was feeling was clearly evident in her cries. Merrick too let out a cry, and after a few moments of pure bliss, their cries mingling, they both sank back to the bed with Shiv on top. She made a soft cooing sound as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her lazily. "Oh gods that was beautiful," Shiv said with a giggle. "You really know how to give a girl an orgasm."

Orgasm... Keeve made certain to remember that word so he could ask Shiv if he could give her one the next time they bathed. He wasn't quite certain if they were finished exercising yet, and half expected them to begin again, when a loud chirping sounded in the room. Keeve receded deeper within the shadows as Merrick reached over to the nightstand and fumbled with something he couldn't make out in the darkness.

"This is Merrick," Merrick said into a small box on the table next to the bed.

"Merrick, it's Zale..."

"She's awake," Shiv said, scrambling over the top of Merrick to get closer to the comm. "Kaysa's awake, isn't she?"

There was a wry laugh on the other side, and then Zale said. "Yes, yes she's awake." There was something else in his voice that made Shiv worry, but she said nothing.

"We'll get Keeve dressed and bring him right down there," Shiv said before Merrick could say anything. "We'll be there in...in ten minutes. No, fifteen."

Zale laughed. "Okay," he said. "They're just getting things cleaned up in her room right now. She wants to see her baby."

"Of course she does," Shiv said with a giggle. "I'll bring Keeve and Merrick too."

Zale laughed even louder. "See you soon," he said, and then the comm went dead.

"Well, don't just lie there," Shiv said, smacking Merrick's bare chest with the back of her hand. "Go get dressed. I'm going to wash up a little bit, and then go get Keeve dressed. And, myself too." With that, she hopped off the bed and scurried toward the refresher.

Keeve emitted an inaudible yelp as Shiv came rushing towards the doorway. He remained frozen in shock for a moment, then scampered towards the other door leading into the hallway. His escape was a flighty one and frantic, but he managed to make his way into his bedroom, and back into his bed without Shiv noticing.

After calming his racing heart and settling his breathing, he remembered what had been said. Kaysa was awake. She was awake and he would have to see her. That meant he couldn't sleep with Auntie Shiv for a long while yet. Keeve grimaced and threw a pillow angrily across the room. He was beginning to think he should've killed Kaysa when he had the chance. But there was still time, especially if she came between him and his girlfriend. With a grin, he closed his eyes and feigned sleep in case Shiv came in. Once he was through with Kaysa, she would wish she had never awakened.

It was a several minutes later when Shiv did enter his room, and sat down on the bed next to him. She wore a long skirt and tank top, and her hair looked as if it had been quickly brushed. "Keeve, sweetie," she said softly as she brushed a hand over his forehead. "Wake up sweetie, we need to go to the hospital to see Kaysa. She's awake now." She brushed tears out of her eyes, and stifled the giddy laughter welling up inside of her. "Oh Keeve, we get to go see Kaysa."

Keeve moaned groggily as if he'd been sleeping for hours, then slowly opened his eyes. "Auntie Shiv?" He yawned for effect then sat up with his back to the headboard. "Kaysa's awake? Wowie."

Shiv grinned. "She's awake, sweetie," she said. "Zale just contacted us to let us know. Come on, let's get you dressed, and we can go see her." She slipped off the bed to find him some clothes to wear.

Keeve followed Shiv and from behind, he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the small of her back. "Can't we go tomorrow? I'm very tired, Auntie."

Shiv giggled and turned around. "She wants to see you, sweetie," she said. "And, I really want to see her. It won't be long, and then we can come back and go to sleep. And, you're really going to like her. She's a beautiful, wonderful person...and I love her very much."

Keeve sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "Fine. But you promise to sleep with me when we get back?"

"I promise," Shiv said, and then gave him a kiss. "Now, let's get you dressed. And, then we can hurry to the hospital, and see her."

With sluggish movements, Keeve changed from his superhero pajamas into pants and a t-shirt. Keeve turned back to face Shiv, and as he did, he couldn't help his gaze from falling to her crotch. He wanted to touch it and find out what had caused Shiv so much happiness there, but she was probably too excited about seeing Kaysa to play with him. "Okay...I'm ready, Auntie Shiv," he said with a sigh.

"Come here, sweetie," Shiv said as she pulled him into a big hug, and then kissed him. "As soon as we get back, we'll climb into bed and go to sleep. And, if you want, I can tell you a story."

Keeve nodded morosely and put on his best pout. "Alright, Auntie." He placed a kiss on her stomach through the shirt, then smiled up at her. "Let's go before Moronic Merrick wakes up."

Shiv giggled and took Keeve's hand. "He's already awake," she said. "He's probably out waiting for us already. Come on, it won't be so bad. You'll be with me the whole time."

"Then I'll be the happiest boy ever," he said with a grin. He slipped his hand into Shiv's and forgot all about how disappointed he was that they couldn't leave Merrick behind. But what brightened his mood was knowing that Shiv was going to be sleeping with him tonight, and soon, exercising with him. "I love you, Auntie Shiv."

"I love you too, Keeve," Shiv said. "Now, let's go meet your mommy."

Keeve strolled happily along with Shiv, not bothering to mention that Kaysa wasn't his mommy and that he didn't care who she was, he wanted to be only with his girlfriend. They moved into the living area and Keeve saw Merrick start forward to take Shiv's hand. Keeve moved in front of her and raised his hand in a halting gesture. "You walk behind us, Mor-- Merrick. I get to walk in front with my girlfriend, not you."

Merrick glanced between Shiv and Keeve, then at Shiv's half smile and nod, he conceded. "Alright," he said. "I'll walk behind you. The view's really better back there anyway."

Shiv gave him a playfully wounded look, and then giggled. "Come on, Keeve," she said. "Let's go visit Kaysa and Zale."

Keeve strode proudly with his girlfriend on his arm, and the fiend Merrick lagging behind them where he belonged. At the lift, Keeve stepped aside and like the gentleman he was, let Shiv enter first. He narrowed his eyes at Merrick and stuck out his tongue before following Shiv inside. Not giving Merrick a chance to step in, Keeve hit the panel and watched the door begin closing while Merrick scrambled to jump inside before it completely closed.

Merrick barely managed to get inside the lift before the door closed on his arm. He tried not to glare down at Keeve, but with the defiant look the boy was giving him...it wasn't very easy. He took a deep breath, counted to ten a few times, and then let out the breath. This is only the second day, he thought. And, he's going to be here with us for the rest of our lives. Shifting slightly so he could lean against the wall for support, the realization of the torment that awaited him became clear in his mind. Dear sweet gods, it's Kaysa's child and he's latched himself to the wildest nymph in the galaxy. Keeve's wild nature could only get worse. How will any of us survive? he thought before the doors of the lift opened up and the little demon led Shiv triumphantly out of the lift. With a sigh, Merrick started after them. His only thought was: I am so very dead.

---

"Dysfunctional Reunion, Part 1"
By: Merrick Braston
Maeren "Shiv" Shivral
Zale Tregat
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat
Keeve Zenarr [NPC]

Location: Yesdol Central Medical Centre - Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 10, 4 ABY

***

"But Mrs. Tregat, you haven't eaten in three days--"

"I said, I'm not hungry," Kaysa reiterated slowly and curtly.

The nurse sighed sharply and picked up the tray. "Fine," she said tightly. "If you do get hungry, just buzz one of the other nurses." The blonde-haired woman turned with an almost apologetic smile to Zale that clearly expressed how sorry she was that he had gotten stuck with such a stubborn wife, and that she would gladly take Kaysa's place if the position ever became open.

Once she left the room, Kaysa resumed her silent vigil of the dim stars outside her window. Her bloodied sheets and gown had been replaced, yet still, the smell of blood permeated the air. She kept her arms clutched around her stomach, even though there was no longer anything there to protect. The thought itself drowned the night sky in a pool of welling tears, but she refused to shed them, for her sanity and to spare Zale's feelings as well. He didn't need to see her crying, not when he was on the verge of tears himself.

Kaysa pulled her knees up towards her and lay her cheek upon them. How had it come to this and could she ever move on? No matter what she did, how hard she strived to turn her life around, only despair and struggle appeared on the other side. "I hate my life," she muttered. "Should've just drowned in that damn bacta tank..."

Zale stepped forward and smiled warmly. "If you'd drowned in there, who would be the one to convince Shiv to keep her clothes on, Merrick to stay out of bar fights, and me to give Moril a raise?"

"Well," Kaysa said with a sigh, "perhaps I can write it up in a will, this way none of you would ever forget."

Zale sighed and nodded. "Yeah," he said and sat in one of the chairs. "I guess that would be for the best. It wouldn't really be much of will though...since I own everything of yours. But, you could put little...sentimental and insubstantial things in there. I'd probably have to find a new wife." He glanced out the window. "Though, Merrick has been looking at me funny lately. I guess I could always go in for a lifestyle change. Maybe then he'd write a song for me too."

Kaysa chewed her lip to force back a smile, but it pushed its way out and consumed her face. She looked away to keep Zale from noticing, but the gentle shaking of her body by laughter was something she couldn't conceal. "He has expressed an interest in you, although he's tried to deny it."

"Really?" Zale asked with a raised eyebrow. He made a show of being deep in thought. "You know, this may just work out. Keeve can go with Shiv and Moril, and then me and Merrick. The possibilities are endless." He glanced over at Kaysa and grinned.

"That settles that, then," Kaysa said as she looked to Zale with a smile, "I guess you should call that hot little nurse back in here and let her dunk my head in a vat of scorching hot water like she's been meaning to since I woke up. Then you can have everything you've ever desired without your annoying wife getting in the way. Perfect."

Zale stood and started toward the door, but stopped before reaching it. He turned around and looked at her. "Before I go through with this...is Merrick as good as you are in bed? I'm a Shac'Tae master, I can't just settle for anyone now."

"I don't think so, Mr. Tregat," Kaysa chided. "A lady is not supposed to kiss and tell. I guess you're just going to have to be brave and give it a try...if you truly want him that badly, of course."

Zale nodded. "Well, I guess I'll h