"Meditations"
by Sirra Xanye, Jedi Knight

Location: Forest around New Plouton
Date: Eos 11, 4ABY

***

The three of them had misjudged how long it would take them to get through the thick trees and undergrowth of the forest. This was their fourth night in the wilderness, and while the supplies would last them several more days even without supplementation, they all looked forward to finding their way to their destination.

Eyes closed, breathing slow, consciousness focused inward, Sirra's mind ranged back over memories long submerged into the subconscious while her senses kept alert for anomalous sounds, smells, even feelings, in the forest around her. She didn't allow the chill of the early morning to affect her concentration as she thought back over the years.

In her mind, she skimmed over her recent history - the past few days, weeks, months, even the years since she had lost her Master. The years of her apprenticeship, as a Padawan, were indelibly marked in her mind, every lesson her Master had given her remembered in her every action and thought.

The lessons she had learned before that, the lessons of a noblewoman, lessons of style, manners, responsibility, and, yes, duplicity, were remembered as well, but their impact was lessened. She was no longer the woman she might have been, no longer a member of the nobility of what considered itself one of the most noble species in all the galaxy. Her Master had seen to that.

She knew that she hadn't had the same training as she might have had. Less than two decades of training in the Jedi philosophy, use of the Force, and physical skills, would have made her barely ready to be given the mantle of a Jedi knight, but she had already been on her own for several years.

She also knew that her education hadn't been purely orthodox, but she believed that her Master had been right. Why classify a universal force - the Force - as light or dark? How was any one use of the Force inherently good or evil? Just as a blaster could be used for good or ill, so were the utilities of the Force.

Of course, using the Force in anger, in passion, could lead one to greater and greater heights and eventually abuses, and that was dangerous to experiment with. She had, under her Master's supervision, felt the power of what the orthodox Jedi called the dark side, and it was sweet. The dark side flowed through the body like liquid fire, energizing and filling the body with power. It was a heady feeling, and she could understand wanting to feel that again. That was the danger of the dark side. But individual uses of the Force? They couldn't have any inherent goodness or evil in them.

Sirra could feel the forest awakening around her, could feel her companions nearby. It was time to go. They hoped to make it to their destination today, and it would be a long day for them all. She rose smoothly and broke the silence of their campsite. "Time to go." The three of them were moving through the trees a few minutes later, the place where they had rested for the evening showing no trace of their presence.

---

"Heartfelt Proposals, Part 1"
by Kallia Brael
Keeve Zenarr [NPC+]
Yelara Neerou
and Dargus Kandran

Location: Dargus' Cruiser
Date: Eos 11, 4ABY

***

Kallia slipped into the hangar bay where Keeve was going over his pod one final time before it was loaded onto the shuttle. She approached slowly, admiring the determination on his face, the extreme focus of making sure everything was perfect. The set of his jaw and the steady gaze as he inspected all the readouts and each of the gaskets was beyond sexy. She knew that if he looked at her with that look, she'd come close to melting. It truly is amazing, she thought, how a look that isn't supposed to have any sexual connotations can have such a deep effect.

"Hi there," she said as she walked closer. "I haven't seen much pod racing before, but those engines appear to be quite powerful. How fast can it go?"

Keeve looked over his shoulder at Kallia and grinned. "As fast as I want it to go." He straightened up from where he was bent over the control pod and turned to regard Kallia. "So, you've opted the equadi for everyday use, I see. I approve."

"It's comfortable," she said with a smile. "Yelara didn't like it at first until I showed her how easy it was for her to get her hands on me in it too. I don't think she approves of us, but when we're together I've been able to get her mind off it. I'll have to change before we go to the race though."

"Oh, so you have decided to come, even after the protest Yel made?"

"I just reminded her what happened last time she went off to a pod racing match and left me all alone on the ship."

Keeve chuckled and slipped his arms around Kallia's waist. "Clever."

Kallia smiled. "I think she and I are going to have to have a very long, private talk. We can't go on like this; it's going to tear us apart."

"She's just being stubborn," Keeve told her. "She's far too used to always getting her way, especially with Dargus. He spoils her to no end and she likes it." He kissed Kallia tenderly. "Don't give into her. She needs someone to deny her once in a while."

"Well, then it'll do her some good to see me down on the planet to cheer you on during the race," Kallia said. She smoothed a hand over his chest and smiled. "Maybe we can celebrate together after you win."

"We can even have a pre-victory celebration if you like. That would really piss of Yel."

"Oh, I think a pre-victory celebration would be wonderful," Kallia said as she slipped her hand back down his chest toward the front of his pants. "And, I would gladly wear this equadi down to the planet with you if I wouldn't burn myself to a crisp in the desert."

"Wear something else," Keeve said. He reached down and opened the front of his pants for Kallia, giving her more room to maneuver. "I don't want you to look like a slave when you're down there. You'll be on my arm, acting as my chosen. Therefore, you'll dress accordingly." He made a show of visually sizing up Kallia's proportions, then nodded approvingly. "I think leather will suit you just fine."

"Oh," Kallia purred as she slipped the equadi open, "leather suits me very much. You should have seen me before. All I ever wore was leather. I can even look the part of the deadly warrior chosen for you, if you'd like. A lightsaber and blaster at my hip, and a wicked gleam in my eye. Let everyone know that you've got a Jedi watching out for you...among other things."

"And scare the competition?" Keeve grinned and moved his hands to Kallia's breasts. "I like that idea. You'll have to do that for me."

"I like the idea very much too," she said. "It's amazing what kind of team we make together, isn't it, Keeve? I like how good we are for each other." She reached into his pants and pulled out his erection. "Oh, and this is very good for me too."

Keeve made a sound halfway between a laugh and a moan. "I'm glad you like it." He smiled slowly at her. "Now, prove it to me." He motioned his eyes toward his shaft. "Go on."

Kallia smiled and slid herself down his body until she settled on her knees before him. "This is for luck," she said, and then slid him into her mouth.

Keeve chuckled deeply as Kallia obeyed without protest; just what he was looking for in a woman. He hadn't found that in Shiv, but still, he would not have traded her fire and obstinacy for anything, that is if he truly had her. Kallia was a suitable replacement for now, but only in the physical satisfaction she gave him. No one could provide a perfect substitute for his Maeren.

As Kallia pleasured him in the middle of his pod's holding bay, Keeve made no effort to dismiss the workers moving about, though they barely paid attention to what was happening. Only when their future Empress strode regally into the bay did their interest seem to pique. All who passed gave her a short bow, but they made themselves quickly scarce as that characteristic expression of rage they had come to know so well crossed her face.

Yelara's thin, flowing dress streamed behind her as she stormed toward Keeve and Kallia. The grin Keeve gave her as he saw her approach fueled her anger, and when he tangled his fingers in Kallia's hair and thrust his hips abruptly towards her face, Yelara's fury spilled over. "What the hells is wrong with you!" She gripped Kallia's arm and roughly pulled her to her feet, leaving Keeve's erection exposed to the air in the bay. He missed the warmth of Kallia's lips immediately, but not once did his smile falter.

"There is nothing wrong with me," Kallia snapped. "Now, unless you plan to finish what I started, let go. I'm just giving Keeve a little luck before his race today."

"Can't you do that in the privacy of his room?" she asked, barely controlling her voice. "Kallia...don't do this."

Kallia felt her anguish twisting within her. She glanced at Keeve, and then back to Yelara. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "It was just...just the moment. He was here, and...I didn't even realize anyone else was around." She looked to Keeve. "Let's go somewhere more private," she added.

"No, that's alright," Keeve said as he began stuffing himself back into his pants. "Go have some quality time with your girlfriend. I've got some final adjustments to make on the pod." He winked at Kallia, gave Yelara a smug grin, then returned his attention to his pod.

Yelara narrowed her eyes at Keeve. She really had to have a talk with Dargus about his arrogance. "Kal," she snapped. "Follow me." Yelara whirled around and began her march out of the repair bay.

Kallia started after Yelara, settling her clothing back in place as she walked. It took some hurrying, but she did manage to catch up to her lover.

"I can't believe you," Yelara rasped the minute they stepped out into the corridor. "Are you deliberately trying to anger me?" She threw a scathing glance over her shoulder at Kallia. "Are you!"

"No," Kallia snapped back. "Keeve and I were talking, and one thing led to another. I'm doing what I'm doing because that's what I felt like at the time, not to try to stir your emotions."

"Well, that's precisely what you're doing, and half the time, you don't even seem to care." Yelara sighed sharply and rounded the corner of another corridor, hastening her pace as she did. "I don't know why you're doing this, Kal. I don't know why you're being like this. You're acting like one of Dargus' bloody slaves."

"I guess considering how much time you spend in his bed you'd be the one to know," Kallia retorted. "What do you expect me to do, Yelara? Wait in the room with the babies for you? Wait for you to return to me after you've gone to Dargus? I get to be wild and crazy with Keeve, and it doesn't matter. It's just sex, and I'm sorry it bothers you."

Yelara halted and spun around to regard Kallia. "It bothers me when you make a fool of yourself like you were in there. Haven't you any pride left?"

"So having sex with Keeve there in the hangar is foolish? Making a fool of myself? So, sex outside of the bedroom where other people can see you is now taboo? Is the problem that I'm having sex with Keeve, or that I'm more daring with my sex with Keeve, or is it something else?"

"It's that you don't care about how servile you look!" Yelara hollered. "You submit to his every desire! You act like those slave girls Dargus administers drugs to in order to ensure their compliance. You don't care that you are becoming the opposite of who I fell in love with! I loved Kallia Brael, the strong Kallia Brael who would never have abandoned her pride by going down on a man in a flight deck full of people. I don't know this Kallia. I don't love this Kallia!"

"What pride, Yel? Do you truly believe that it's degrading to suck a man's dick? I was enjoying myself as much as he was. I was having sex with him because I wanted to, not because he wanted me to. I'm only docile with him...because that's what he likes. When you're with Dargus, do you ever give him what he wants? Or do you just demand whatever you want out of him and give nothing back. I didn't abandon my pride by going down on him anymore than I would if I were to go down on you right here and now. Of course, I think I'd enjoy going down on you much better than him. Your screams of pleasure are beautiful."

"Well, I hope you remember them well," Yelara said, "because if you continue acting like this, you'll never hear them again." She pulled up the hem of her dress, then petulantly stormed off again.

Kallia hurried after Yelara. "You don't say something like that and then walk away," Kallia said. "How do you want me to act, Yelara? How should I act so that you'll let me in your bed again? Tell me how to act!"

"Not like that!" Yelara replied. "Not like a stranger!"

"Fine," Kallia snapped. "I get it! You go to the fucking pod race and I'll be waiting for you in our room!" With that, she stormed away toward the room that they shared together.

"You don't get it!" Yelara shouted back at Kallia. "You stubborn bitch! You don't understand anything!"

Kallia stopped suddenly and turned back to face Yelara. "I didn't," she said softly. "But, I do now. I'll have my things moved out of your room. Perhaps I can stay with Keeve until he gets bored of me, and then maybe Dargus can drop me off at a planet somewhere nearby."

Yelara laughed wryly. "Fine. Do whatever the hells you want. In fact, why don't you go join Keeve in the repair bay? I'm sure he's already missing his toy." She then stalked off again, not stopping for anything this time, though she knew she'd regret it once she reached Dargus' quarters.

Kallia went directly to the room she used to share with Yelara and changed out of her equadi and into a pair of tight leather pants and vest. She pulled on her boots and strapped her weapon belt low onto her hips. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror and then gave a quick order with the girl who'd been watching Yara to have her things, along with Yara moved to a vacant room. With that, she strode back out and headed for the repair bay.

Keeve was bent back over his pod when she returned. She flashed him a grin and moved to watch him checking the systems once more. "Miss me?"

"Definitely," Keeve drawled. He made no attempt to hide the fact that he was meticulously appraising her outfit, but mostly the curves of her body contouring the leather. He shifted fully around to face her and casually leaned back against his control pod with arms folded across his chest. "How did things go with the wife?"

"Perfect," Kallia said. "Well, if you consider breaking things off to be perfect. She thinks that I'm too docile with you and that I have no pride because I enjoy going down on you regardless of who's watching. She thinks I'm no better than any of Dargus' slaves."

"Maybe you are," Keeve said with a shrug. "Does it matter?"

"Does it matter to you what Maeren thinks of you?" She pushed away from the pod and moved to stand in front of Keeve. "It matters what she thinks, but I can't just wait for her to come to my bed after Dargus has finished with her. I'm still me, and if she can't accept that, then...then I don't know. I still love her, but I won't stop being who I am because she doesn't like it. I'll blow you whenever I want, even if it's in the middle of a repair bay full of techs. I think she believes it's some sort of degrading act that no woman should ever have to perform unless she needs to beg for forgiveness."

"Yelara's gotten far too stodgy recently. Don't know what it is." He chuckled as he hooked his finger into Kallia's pants and pulled her into his embrace. "I like who you are, Kal. Don't you even think about changing."

"I won't," she said with a smile. "Though, I think it may be best to try to avoid places where Yelara will be when we do things she won't approve of. I have to live here, and I don't want to do it with the woman I love, who happens to share Dargus Kandran's bed, hating me."

"And if she does, will it really matter?" Keeve pushed a loose strand of hair behind Kallia's ear, then kissed her brow. "You've got me, right? What more do you need?"

"And, if you manage to get back together with Maeren," Kallia said, and put a finger to his lips before he could argue. "You're an attractive man, and if she has half a brain, she'll realize that. It could happen, Keeve, and what if it does? I have no illusions that you'll keep me around if she comes back in your life."

Keeve gently wrapped his hand around Kallia's and eased it away slowly. "She won't," he said quietly. "It can't work. I'm here, she's down there. She's in love with my mother, and she won't give her up. Which means, you're in luck."

"And, we'll see how lucky I am if I prove to be right," Kallia said. "But, until that happens, we'll make the most of it. Now, are you done with this oversized rocket? I think I want to give you some attention."

"Who am I to argue with that?" Keeve chuckled as he pulled Kallia with him behind the podracer, and allowed Kallia to pay as much attention to him as she liked.

***

The room was quiet, giving Dargus a perfect chance to go over the flood of reports that had come in over the last day. And, with Yelara out checking over Keeve's pod, he wouldn't have to listen to her constant complaints about Kallia. He bit off the growl that started as he heard the door sliding open. By the time he'd turned to see Yelara storming into the room, he'd composed his face into a charming smile. "Problems with Keeve?"

"Try Kallia," she spat. "Can you believe what she did? The flight deck...sucking off Keeve!" Yelara planted her hands down upon Dargus' desk angrily. "Has she no shame?"

Dargus looked around and then back up to Yelara. "So, what happened? Did she bite him or something?"

Yelara narrowed her eyes at Dargus. "Screw you, Dargus." She shook her head and testily pushed away from his desk to pace the room. "I told you not to patronize me. Haven't I told you that before?"

"Yelara, I honestly don't see what the problem is. She wanted to suck him off, so she did. Please tell me what the fucking problem, and stop assuming that I know. I do not know what the problem of Kallia giving Keeve a blowjob is, even if it's in the repair bay."

"Of course you wouldn't know. That sort of thing is probably normal to you. Well, it's not to me, alright?" She sighed peevishly and looked over her shoulder at Dargus. "And don't lose your temper with me, Dargus. I come to you for comfort, and this is what I get. Thanks a lot."

"You came to me raving," Dargus said. "And, that sort of thing is normal to me, though that's changing. You were with me before and you know what it was like. Me and my people could take whichever woman we wanted, whenever we wanted. I don't think it was that way with her. She's taken to him, and she willingly gives herself to him whenever she or he wants it, even if they have a crowd watching. How can I make it better, my love?"

"I don't know," she admitted. She slowed her mad pace until she was finally stopped at the center of Dargus' room. "Kallia is prepared to take up residence on the next planet we come by. I love her, but I don't know what's happening to her."

"Have you tried talking to her?" Dargus asked. "You won't find out what's happening to her if she doesn't tell you."

"I have tried," Yelara said irritably. "She just starts shooting off the recriminations, telling me it's all my fault. She doesn't even think she's doing anything wrong! I'm with you, so she gets to be with Keeve. That's what she thinks."

"But, you don't agree with that," Dargus said. "So, you're with me, what does she get? To stay home with the babies?"

"Gods, now you're siding with her...again! She gets me, okay? That's what she gets, and if she's not content with that, then maybe she should just go!"

"Maybe that would be best for her," Dargus said with a shrug. "I'm not siding with her, Yelara. But, can you imagine what she must feel? You're telling her that she gets you when you're not with me, and that she should be happy with that much of you. I didn't realize you were so arrogant. I knew there was a reason I loved you. You don't want her to be with anyone else, but you're free to be with whoever you damn well please. Me, Shiv and Lerrah, Keeve, any of the guards you take a fancy to. Do you see where someone might have a problem with that? I never pegged you as a hypocrite, but now I'm certain."

Instead of lashing out at Dargus, hurling curses and insults at him, Yelara slowly lowered herself into the nearest chair and stared blankly at her feet. She never knew Dargus was so insightful, and certainly never knew how blind she truly was. "That's not how she really feels...is it? She knows I love her, even if I can't be with her all the time. She knows that, right?"

"She may know you love her, but she also knows she's second. She knows she's second when you're here with me, and she knows she was second when she was with you and Liam. She knows you love her, but she knows that you tell her it's not alright for her to sleep with anyone but you while you're slipping into bed with someone else. How would you feel if you were told to remain faithful while your lover slept with someone else?"

Yelara raised her eyebrows at Dargus and gave him a wan smile. "I know how I'd feel," she replied. "It's happened twice. With you...with Liam. But...I don't really mind that she's with Keeve. I just wish that...she wouldn't degrade herself like she does. I can't bear to see that."

"How is she degrading herself, Yelara? Is it the blowjob? That she does it in public? That she's willing to do what she can to please him?"

"Yes! And no!" Yelara sighed. "It's that she submits to him so easily and readily. It's that she'd do anything he wants, no matter how disgusting it is. That is not my Kal."

"Yelara, what has Kallia done with him so far that's been so disgusting? Or is it that you're afraid she will. In the end, if you want to keep her, you will need to talk to her. She needs to know why you've placed her second. She needs to know why she must share you with others. Seeing the way she looks at me, I have a feeling that the thought of you sharing yourself with me disgusts her. You can't expect her to be your perfect Kal when you can't be her perfect Yelara."

"I never said I was perfect," Yelara said curtly. "And I don't expect her to be either. I just...want her to be how she used to be. That's all."

"You know if she's strong around Keeve, he won't want anything to do with her," Dargus said. "He was at wit's end with Maeren because she also had a stubborn, willful side that he couldn't tame. I think he purposefully forgets that now, but... Talk to her, Yelara. Before we go down to the planet, take her somewhere secluded and private and talk to her. Don't yell at her. Talk. Find out what she's thinking and feeling, and you let her know what you're thinking and feeling. You both are saying less than you feel, and it's going to tear you apart. Normally, I wouldn't say anything like this because I'm a selfish bastard, but I know if I don't push you back to her, it'll end up not only destroying you, but us as well. Which I guess is partly selfish, but I want you happy too. A happy woman is a better lover."

Yelara laughed dryly. "It always comes down to you, doesn't it?" She rose from where she'd ensconced herself in the sofa and approached Dargus. "I'll talk to her," she conceded reluctantly. "And I'll try not to yell." She slipped her arms around his waist and smiled. "But I can't promise anything."

"You know, you don't have to talk to her," Dargus said with a sly smile. "I mean, you could just stay with me, and I'll keep you all to myself. It'll be nice to not have to worry about the competition anymore."

"Oh, but the competition is what makes things interesting." Yelara grinned at Dargus as she reached up to give him a gentle kiss. "You know, you're very good for advice," she mused. "I might just make you my permanent confidante. You'd get to listen to all my problems, and my whining.... Doesn't that sound wonderful?"

"It sounds extremely wonderful depending on how you thank me for my advice," he said with a grin. "Now, are you going to thank me now, or after you've talked to her?"

"I'd better go now while I'm still level-headed, and while your sound advice is still fresh in my mind." She kissed Dargus again tenderly. "Thanks. It makes it easier to love you when you're this caring towards me."

"Sometimes, I'll say things like that, and feel I need to go roll around in the muck to keep my image intact," Dargus said, adding a wink for effect. "If I keep playing the good guy, I'm going to destroy my reputation, you know. But, for you, it's well worth the trouble. Come back to me soon...unless she needs you; then come back when you can."

"I will." Yelara caressed Dargus' cheek lightly, then departed his quarters far less angry than she had entered. She hoped she could remain as calm as she was now, especially when she arrived at the repair bay and was reminded of Kallia kneeling before Keeve.... Yelara shuddered at the thought alone.

---

"Heartfelt Proposals, Part 2"
by Kallia Brael
Keeve Zenarr [NPC+]
Yelara Neerou
and Dargus Kandran

Location: Dargus' Cruiser
Date: Eos 11, 4ABY

***

When she did walk through the doors of the bay, however, she was surprised to see Keeve and Kallia actually behaving, and Kallia clothed entirely. She sat in the control pod of Keeve's racer, while he was crouched down, tuning up the control linkage. A satisfied smile touched Yelara's lips. Talking...they were only talking. If only they could have done that from the very beginning....

"Kallia," she called out softly as she neared the vehicle.

Kallia turned at the sound of Yelara's voice. She didn't smile, but the mix of emotions that passed over her face showed that her feelings for Yelara were as strong as ever and that what had happened between them was causing her pain. She slipped out of the pod and stepped over to stand near Yelara. "Hi," she said softly.

Yelara smiled slightly, wanly. She couldn't think of anything to say, even though so much had to be discussed. There was, however, one thing that came easily to mind. "Kallia.... I love you."

Without a glance back at Keeve who was watching them with a smirk, Kallia flung herself into Yelara's arms. "Oh gods, Yel," she whispered, "I love you too!"

"I'm so sorry," she said hurriedly. Yelara kissed Kallia's cheek desperately, then tightened her embrace. "I don't want to fight about this anymore. I can't. It's tearing us apart and I don't want that to happen. It hurts too much."

Kallia didn't have to look back at Keeve to see the mocking sneer on his face; she could feel it through the Force. "Let's go somewhere," she whispered. "We...we need to talk, my love. Oh gods, we need to get this straightened out."

"Desperately, Kal. I'm not going to lose you over this. I won't." She stepped beside Kallia with her arms still wrapped around her waist, and began leading them out of the repair bay. "I shouldn't have said all those things," she said. "I was so...upset, I had no idea what I was saying."

Kallia gave her seductive smile. "Well, I know a few ways you can apologize," she said. "And, I think I have a few things I need to apologize for as well."

Yelara laughed softly. "Kal, we're supposed to be discussing things." Slowly, Yelara's lips curled into a mischievous smile. "Though, who says we can't do that while we apologize?"

Kallia laughed softly. "We'll probably get better talking done if we're not sucking and kissing, but it does sound very nice."

"Come on then. Let's go to our room, and we'll have a little time together before we go to the planet."

"Oh," Kallia said. She chewed her bottom lip for a moment and sighed. "Before we get in there, just so you're not surprised, I moved my things out to a spare room, but I'll have everything brought right back!"

"Everything?" Yelara asked incredulously. "Were you that mad at me?"

"I thought you were that mad at me," Kallia said softly. "But, I think we're on our way to being better though. I think we'll be fine now, but we still need to talk. I think...I think there's a lot to be said."

Yelara nodded solemnly. "Like...how my being with Dargus bothers you?"

Kallia nodded slowly. "Yes," she said. "First there was Liam, and now there's Dargus. I should be happy to have any part of you, but is it so wrong to want you all to myself?"

"No, it isn't wrong," Yelara admitted. "Sometimes I wish it was just you and me, too, this way we could spend all our time together. But then I remember the time we spent apart, and I realize that any time I have with you is a blessing."

"Yes," Kallia whispered. "I feel that same way, but then I think about how we spend our time apart. I feel like you're not mine anymore. I feel I get to borrow you from Dargus when he doesn't need you. I feel like I'm just sitting around pining for the woman I love, waiting for her to come back to me. That's partly what being with Keeve was for, so I don't feel so lonely or abandoned. He helps me forget that the woman I love is sleeping with the man I hate."

"I know," Yelara said quietly. "I can only imagine how that's eating you up inside, my love. That's why...I think I'm going to have to learn to be fine with you and Keeve being together. I want you happy, Kal. I don't want you to suffer because of me."

"I'll try not to be so...open with him," Kallia said. "But, every night we can be together, I'm going to do everything I can to prove to you that you're the only one I will ever love and the only one I ever want to be with. I know we can't get married or anything like that, Yelara, but if we could, I would want to with you."

"It would be nice," she sighed. "But we don't need that, not to love each other." She brushed her lips against Kallia's cheek as they made their way towards their room. "And I do love you, Kallia Brael. Please, let's not fight again."

"No more fights," Kallia whispered, then she grinned. "Keeve keeps referring to you as my wife. I have to admit that, but I do like the sound of it. I don't know if there's anywhere we could, but if it's possible, I want to. We don't need it to love each other, but I want people to know I love you that much. I do want to marry you, Yelara."

Yelara looked down at Kallia in amusement. "You really wanna do this, don't you? You want to become Mrs. Kallia Neerou."

"Being Kallia Neerou would make me the happiest woman alive," she said with a wide grin. "But, we'd have to get married in leather."

"Oh, my favourite," Yelara moaned. She stopped Kallia and pulled her into a kiss. Once it ended, Yelara gazed into Kallia's eyes and smiled slowly. "So why don't we?" she asked casually. "Why don't you marry me, Kallia Brael?"

"I will, Yelara Neerou," Kallia said. "I will marry you. I will be Kallia Neerou. So, do you suppose Dargus will let us go on a honeymoon together if we promise to come back?"

"Does it matter?" Yelara laughed and if she could have, she would have lifted Kallia into her arms and swung her around and around. "Oh gods, I love you so damned much, Kal." She kissed her lover ardently and slipped her hands under her vest in anticipation of what would no doubt transpire in their room.

Kallia deftly popped her vest open for Yelara and returned the kiss feverishly. "When can we do it, Yelara? I don't think I can wait. Oh, what kind of wedding? Small or bigger? Oh! What about Orinth? Oh we'll have so much to do!"

"We can start planning right away," Yelara said quickly before pressing her lips to Kallia's again. "Tonight. In bed." She lowered her mouth to Kallia's breasts and ravenously suckled them. Together, they stumbled towards their room.

"It's going to be so beautiful," Kallia purred. "Oh gods, Yelara, I've never been happier. You make me happier than I ever thought I could be! Now, get me into our room and fuck my brains out!"

Yelara snickered from where her face was pressed between Kallia's breasts. Looking over her shoulder to guage where they were, and noticing they had already passed their room, Yelara quickly swung Kallia around and pushed her towards the door. The moment their feet stepped over the threshold, Yelara pushed Kallia to the ground and proceeded to devour every inch of visible flesh, in full view of Leshie's nursemaid.

Getting out of the tight-fitting leather wasn't easy, but Kallia managed it with Yelara's help. Thankfully the young woman didn't try to intrude on their private display, though she did enjoy the show. No one could ever say that Mrs. and (the future) Mrs. Neerou lacked any passion whatsoever. The woman could only gape at moments while Leshie kicked his little feet and squealed as his mommies made their apologies.

***

Both now clad in similar leather outfits, a happy Yelara and an even happier Kallia strolled lazily into the flight bay. They paid attention to no one as they walked but each other, and the contented grins fixed to their faces elucidated the reason they were both glowing so brightly. Yelara chuckled softly as she pushed a wisp of brown hair out of Kallia's eyes, then returned her hand to Kallia's.

"Oh gods..." Keeve said wryly. "They've made up, Father."

"It's my fault," Dargus groaned. "If this affects my relationship with Yelara at all, I will toss Kallia right out of an airlock. I know you've been enjoying yourself with her, but I can't have my future empress ignoring me."

"And I can't have my whore ignoring me," Keeve retorted. "But from the looks of it, they're going to be difficult to separate now." He clamped his hand down upon Dargus' shoulder and smirked unpleasantly. "Thanks a lot, Father."

"Oh, I'll work at Yelara to see if I can get her alone for a time. That'll give you some private time with Kallia. One thing you have to admit, they look very nice in that leather. Perhaps drugs are an option."

Keeve twisted his head sideways to gaze at Dargus. "You wouldn't.... Yelara would murder you if she found out."

"She hasn't figured it out about the clones yet," Dargus said with a wicked grin, "so I'm not certain she'd figure out if her precious darling is all doped out."

Keeve chuckled lowly and patted Dargus' shoulder companionably. "Eventually, I could just move Kallia into my room. Then Yelara would never see her."

"That sounds like a wonderful idea," Dargus said. "I'll make sure Kallia gets special drinks at the race today. She'll be very pliable for you when you're done."

"And Yel?" Keeve asked. "She'll be suspicious, of course. She'll know something's going on."

"Oh, don't worry, my son," Dargus said with a grin, "I'll keep her nice and distracted. It won't be long and she won't even care what happens to Kallia."

"Good. She really has become a meddling bitch." He smiled. "No offense."

Dargus couldn't help laughing. "It's been so long since I've gotten myself inside of Kallia," he said with a shake of his head. "Maybe some night, after Yelara's asleep I can find my way to your room to share a taste. I remember that she was very sweet indeed."

Keeve stepped back and shrugged. "Of course. What kind of son would I be if I didn't share?"

"I hope it'll be soon," Dargus said with a wide smile. "I hate waiting." He suddenly shifted his manner as Yelara and Kallia drew close. "Why hello there. Don't the two of you look happy. I take it everything has been worked out?"

Yelara giggled and threw her arms around Dargus. "Everything's perfect now." She kissed him then squeezed him tighter. "I must thank you again after the race."

"Well, if you feel that you must thank me, perhaps you can thank me on the way down. We can go slow if you'd like. You've made love to each of us here, perhaps we can make it a group outing."

"Very nice try, my love, but I don't think so." Yelara kissed him again, then stepped away. "Now, are we leaving?"

"Yes," Dargus said with a gesture toward the shuttle. "Keeve's shuttle has been loaded and we're ready to go. Right this way, ladies."

Yelara slipped her arm through Kallia's and smiled at her fiancée. "Ready to see the desert, my beloved?"

"I am," Kallia said as she met Yelara's gaze dreamily. "It's been awhile since I've been there, but I'm hoping the circumstances will be better this time. Though, last time I was there I brought Kael to the Temple. That turned out quite nicely, if I do say so. The kid is damn good."

Yelara nodded in ready agreement. "We really must visit him again soon." She looked up at Dargus and smiled sweetly. "Only to say hello, of course."

"Wouldn't that be a coup," Kallia said with a grin. "Sneaking into the Jedi Temple to take a tumble with one of the Padawans."

Dargus grinned. "Oh, I like that idea very much," he said. "There were a few very attractive women there, to be sure."

"I'm sure there were," Yelara quipped. She threw her chin haughtily in the air and patted Kallia's hand. "Come, my dear. Let's leave these brutes behind and find a nice, quiet spot on the shuttle." With Kallia on her arm, Yelara strode towards the docking ramp.

Kallia raised her chin to match Yelara's and actually managed to contain her laughter. "Oh, though, if we were to do any of the girls there, I think Dani would definitely be the one. Kael was much fun, and his new girlfriend is quite sexy. Oh, we may have to plan a few trips."

"Or a lot." She grinned at Kallia and added, "I'm thinking a lot."

"Oh, I definitely agree," Kallia said with a laugh. "That can be a gift to ourselves. I wonder if I should tell Kael the baby is his. I don't know if it is, but I think he might like that. Whatever the case, I think we can soften him up for the news."

Yelara snickered. "Harden him up, you mean?"

"Oh definitely," Kallia said with a giggle. "Maybe that can be part of our honeymoon too!"

Keeve glanced at Dargus quizzically, then shifted his eyes to the two women ascending the ramp. "Honeymoon?"

"I don't like the sound of that," Dargus said. "Unless she's talking about our honeymoon. Oh, this definitely has to stop."

"So?" Keeve smiled at Dargus. "Stop it."

"Oh, it will stop," Dargus said, a wicked smile twisting his lips. "Tonight, I will make certain it is stopped and for good. I will not have my woman stepping above herself, and she will not be marrying another person, let alone a woman."

Keeve smiled his admiration for Dargus. "These women.... So headstrong nowadays. It's no wonder Maeren is the way she is. She's only got women like Kallia and Yelara to look up to and emulate."

"It's worse than that," Dargus said with a knowing smile. "She's now back with Kaysa learning her ways."

Keeve's jaw clenched at even the mention of his mother's name. "If I had a choice, that would change." With a querelous gait, Keeve tramped up the ramp.

"Oh, if you don't mind upsetting Shiv a little," Dargus said with a grin as they entered the shuttle and looked for seats away from the women, "I'm certain we can arrange a reunion."

Keeve shook his head sullenly. "No. Father, I don't want to see Maeren again."

"Very well," Dargus said with a sigh. "We really need to find a way to get you to snap out of this angst you're drowning in. Perhaps this pod race is exactly the thing."

"You thought Yelara was just the thing, and Yelara thought Kallia was just the thing," Keeve said. "Nothing will snap me out of it. It only helps me forget for a little while."

"How about Kallia all the time mixed with some pod racing?" Dargus asked. "And, I have not yet heard you complain about Yelara's technique. Now, we'll see what we can do, or I will put you back with that girl to get a fucking smile on your face."

Keeve laughed weakly and sank down into his seat. "I'm on it, Father." He sighed and gazed wistfully out of the viewport. "Just a little more time and it'll be alright again."

Dargus put a hand on Keeve's shoulder. "A little more time it is," he said with a smile. "I do want you to know that I am proud of you. You're definitely the man I had hoped you'd be, and one I am extremely proud to call my son."

Keeve gazed up at Dargus then bowed his head reverently. "It's an honour to be your son, Father."

"Aww...look at that, Kal," Yelara whispered. "If I didn't now what they were truly like, that would be an almost touching scene."

Kallia glanced over to where Dargus and Keeve sat together. "Yes," she said softly. "It gives the illusion that their hearts aren't cold, black, and prickly. It gets hard to keep reminding yourself what really lies beneath their quiet demeanors and touching display."

"Keeve's not as far gone as Dargus yet," Yelara noted. "Though, I fear he's quickly becoming just like him."

"Is there anything we can do?" Kallia asked. "I mean, do we dare even try to keep Keeve from that?"

Yelara sighed and shook her head. "It's pointless. He already thinks women are good for only sex and serving men. He wouldn't listen to us. That Maeren girl was lucky she got out when she did. He would have crushed her spirit eventually."

"Then maybe we should do what we can to make sure he never gets close to her again," Kallia said. "I think he's a lost cause too. If I don't roll over when he wants me to, he gets upset."

"Remnants of his childhood," Yelara explained. "I'm not afraid because I know you can handle yourself, but he's violent, like Dargus can be, no matter how pathetic he looks now."

Kallia nodded. "Well, he'll learn soon enough that he can't raise a hand to me," she said. "If he does. Yel, I don't know if we should be here now. Maybe we can find a way away."

Yelara shifted sideways to face Kallia and covered her love's hand with her own. "Kal...what do you mean? You want us to leave Dargus?"

"I don't know," Kallia whispered. "It's just...I think we could be so much happier if we just took the babies and went somewhere else. I doubt it could happen, but we'd be free of their domination."

"We're not being dominated," Yelara said softly. "Kal, we still have choices and freedom. And we're happy now, right? You're happy aren't you?"

"As long as I'm with you," Kallia said with a smile, "I'm as happy as I've ever been. Happier, in fact. So, we'll be fine. And, if I don't like what he's doing, it's easy to fix."

Yelara giggled. "Oh, I'd really like to be there when you do that. If you succeed, you can try it on Dargus next."

"I'll make sure to invite you," Kallia said with a grin. A gentle rumble went through the shuttle as the repulsors kicked in, and then it lifted off from the flight deck. "Next stop, Tae'Karada. Do you think he has a chance of winning the race?"

Yelara looked across at the seat being occupied by Keeve. The fierce brown of his eyes and the firm set of his jaw made the answer to that question obvious to Yelara. "Oh, he'll win," she said with a small grin. "And we can help him celebrate after."

Kallia smiled. "I think he'd like that," she said. "Well, I'll be in the booth with you to cheer him on. Though, he told me I may have to hold my breath if the Hutt's around."

Yelara grimaced and reflexively covered her mouth with her hand. "Even at ten feet away. Oh it's a disgusting creature. We should get booths at the other side of the stadium."

Kallia visibly shuddered. "Oh, I do hope so. How can Dargus--?" Suddenly she grinned. "Well, perhaps he can stand being around him because--" she grabbed at her crotch "--he's practically one of them."

Yelara and Kallia's wild shrieks of laughter filled the cabin and led Keeve and Dargus to wince in pain. Dargus still hadn't been let in on the joke she and Kallia had shared since their days on the shipyards, and they wouldn't divulge it to him now.

Both Father and son shook their heads and turned their attention away from the commotion, hoping the shrill pitch of their women's voices wouldn't shatter the viewports and depressurize the cabin. Keeve doubted, however, that even an absence of breathable air would shut them up.

Dargus sighed to himself, at once both thrilling and hating the idea of controlling Yelara more. Too much time with Kallia, and it would be necessary. Oh well, he told himself, a day at the race would clear things up. He turned his attention out the viewport while the shuttle dropped toward the planet, the planet that would soon be his. Life was good.

---

"Not the Best of Days"
by Symm Ruus Dunn

Location: Dunes around Thanatos
Date: Eos 11 to Eos 12, 4ABY

***

In the middle of an endless sea of dunes, scrub, and lizards was a collection of rock spires where Symm holed himself up for the early evening. According to his notes that he studied earlier, the speeder patrol should be passing by just after midnight. He had set the traps in hours earlier and Symm just hoped that they worked. He hadn't set traps like that since Dympas. He hoped they worked better this time. He was the only freindly that could die if things went sour.

As Symm slept, memories of those fateful days ran through his mind. He remembered the young Twi'lek that no one befriended but himself. He remembered the screams when that poor young kid mistakenly ran smack into a nest of Uncellian Vine dragons. Symm winced as he remembered the screams; almost audible in the desert winds. Then he was jolted awake.

Those are repulsor craft! he realized and pulled himself up into the fire position he had prepared earlier. Sighting through his rifle scope, he spotted two bikes riding as flankers on either side of a command speeder.

They were moving way too fast to stop in time before the sand erupted in front of them. One of the bikes braked a bit too hard and sank the front control vanes into the sand and tumbled end over end until finally coming to rest in the sand, neither the bike nor rider moving. The other bike swerved away from Symm's position and controlled his deceleration better and so came to a stop slowly alongside the command speeder.

Damn damn damn! Symm swore under his breath. Symm quickly took aim at the power conduits and coupling junction for the transmitter on top of the speeder. Squeezing off one shot, he didn't wait to see the result. Rolling to the right, he sunk quickly down the sand trap into the cave below. It was just big enough for two people to crawl on hands and knees downward into the center of the rock. Symm ignored the small insect which sped across the back of his hand as he made his way to the second firing position. When he slowly pushed his head into the light, he saw the speeder moving slower than before, right at his spire. The bike was out of his sight. In the distance Symm could barely make out two specks circling in the air.

Pulling his rifle up into a firing position, he sighted through the scope and noticed that he had either missed or the shot didn't visibly damage the supposedly frail communications antenna on top of the command speeder. As he concentrated on a second shot, his attention was stolen when a tramp speeder raced over the nearest dune and screamed to a halt. It pulled to a stop and when the door opened, a full combat squad of Stormtroopers hustled out into perimeter positions.

Realizing that shooting at anything would be suicide at this point, Symm backed down into the rock and went to his exit site. Not willing to bolt out of the small hole, Symm peeked out and noticed to his chagrin the other speeder bike. The scout was scanning the rocks to the left of the exit and Symm knew that his hiding place would be found.

Symm leapt out of the hole, his rifle held level at his hip. Symm shot three times, knowing that accuracy from that position would be horrible, but not having the time to bring the rifle up to his shoulder. The Imperial scout reached for his hip holstered blaster pistol and had it halfway up when two of the three rifle flechettes struck him in the left shoulder and left thigh. Spinning down, the scout managed a desperation shot with the blaster and, like most desperation shots, it wasn't pretty but it worked.

Symm grunted as he felt the burn of a blaster bolt wash over his side and he almost fell to the side were it not for his forward momentum. He kept running. Symm didn't know exactly where he was going or if anyone was chasing him. He just ran. His flat run had turned into falling down dunes and stumbling up them when Symm turned and looked at the two specks he had seen earlier.

He saw them before he heard them. Two atmospheric TIE-Fighters swooped down and strafed the area, missing the fleeing Symm widely, but making a hell of a lot of noise and pulling around for another pass. Symm knew this was the end. He sank in exhaustion to his knees and awaited the end.

At that point, through the haze in his eyes, he saw the TIEs straighten up for a second pass when one of them jerked suddenly into the path of another and both of them had to pull up severely before tangling up and impacting the ground. Symm got up, all the while marveling at the luck of it, and found renewed strength to continue. He picked his rifle up and quickly made his way over the next dune. There, he saw to the northwest sat a small village, and to the southeast was a command and tramp speeder making their way slowly over the dunes.

Symm made his way towards the town and just before he reached the first hovel, he noticed several blaster marks and explosion holes in the walls of all of the houses. Something had happened here recently. A small gleam caught his eye as he staggered to the first house. On the ground, in front of the ruined doorway of the small home was a cloth doll with shiny glass beads in for eyes. Symm smiled and collapsed into the shadow of an empty and crumbling house.

---

"Infestations"
by Jemul, Droid Trader

Location: Droid Haven - Yelldon, New Plouton
Date: Eos 11, 4ABY

***

Jemul was hungry. For some reason, his food stores were depleting quicker than normal. Jawas were lean, and eat in proportion to their negligible mass. Someone or something was stealing his food! Only small quantities were missing, but since Jawas ate less, the missing scraps were quite noticeable.

Listening carefully, Jemul heard a noise along his store's south wall. It wasn't a very big noise, so the Jawa businessman wasn't sure what to think. Examining the wall proved another frustration. Except for a three inch wide hole at the bottom, there weren't any gaps.

Jemul pushed a storage box up to the opening, hoping this small action would be enough to solve the problem. It brought him four days free of trouble, but then one of the cleaning droids found a new hole gnawed in the boards, this time on the east wall.

"Plooga Sasn!" Jemul cursed, momentarily reverting to Jawaian. He ripped an optical cable out of the parts bin, stuffing it into the hole. It was dark and hard to focus, until he slanted light into the opening. And when at last he could see, it looked like a Killia Pig! Jemul had heard of the local equivalents, named Beeja rats, but he had not seen them until the camera caught them chewing up kernels of brown rice.

Jemul tried in vain to persuade the rats to leave. But growing numbers the family of rats were content to nest in Droid Haven's walls. The Jawa contemplated a moment, then called Fuzzilla. He would need protection to survive an excursion to the Yallder district, where many seedier things could be purchased. He was sure to find some type of poison to rid him of the rats infesting his shop. With luck, he wouldn't have to buy more food until the end of the month.

---

"A Much Needed Vacation, Part 1"
By: Merrick Braston
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat-Braston
Zale Tregat

Location: Zale's Private Transport
Date: Eos 11, 4ABY

***

Having first owned the spaceport, then marrying the man who now owned it, Kaysa was surprised how rarely she'd actually stepped foot into it. Even though she was there now, her visit would be so brief it would be as if she'd never even been there at all. That didn't bother her, though; it was far too loud there for her nerves, but she had to remain there at least a little longer, just long enough to give her star a proper farewell.

"Oh, are you sure you can't come, Shiv?" Kaysa pouted playfully. "It won't be the same without you there."

"I wish I could," Shiv said with a sob. "I've never been to Coruscant. If I don't stay for the dancing, Weibran will fire me. Maybe after I've been there for a little bit, I can take some time off and we can go again. You can find all the good places to shop this time, and then we can spend all our time there together next time." She suddenly flung her arms around Kaysa again. "Oh gods, I'm gonna miss you!"

Kaysa returned Shiv's embrace with just as much emotion and kissed her girl's cheek and lips fervently. "We won't be gone long. I promise. And I'll bring you back something nice and expensive."

"Ooh, I like the sound of that," Shiv said with a giggle. "And, make sure Merrick and Zale each bring me something expensive too. And, I'll do a special dance at the Palace, just for you. And, Merrick's been teaching me things...like how to write songs." She grinned at Kaysa, giddy with her secret knowledge. "So, perhaps when you return I'll have a surprise for you too!"

"I can't wait." Kaysa kissed her star lovingly, then held her even tighter. "I love you, Shiv. Please be careful while I'm away. And don't let Weibran pressure you into anything, okay?"

"I won't," Shiv said. "No sex until you get back. So, you'd better hurry."

Kaysa smiled warmly at her love then kissed her brow. "I'll be back before you even know I'm gone." Giving Shiv one final squeeze, she pulled away and stepped back to Merrick's side.

"If the transport weren't on a schedule," Merrick said with a sigh, "I'd suggest we all go off together and have lunch and spend a little more time together. She'll be fine, my love."

Kaysa watched as Lerrah came up to comfort Shiv, which gave Kaysa some comfort herself. "She will be fine. It'll only be a week, right? What could possibly go wrong in a week?" Kaysa grimaced and looked up at Merrick. "Okay, everything could, but it won't, right?"

"No," Merrick said with a smile. "I have a feeling things are going to work out much better this time. We'll have a great time away and she'll do some great dancing here. And, just imagine how much she'll miss you while we're gone, and what kind of welcome home you'll get."

"I already know how enthusiastic a welcome I'll get," Kaysa said. "And I can't wait." With a kiss blown in Shiv's direction, Kaysa backed towards the landing ramp with Merrick. "We'll see you soon, Shiv! Take care of my girl, Lerrah!"

"I will!" Lerrah called, waving. "Have fun!"

"Bye, Kaysa," Shiv called, one arm wrapped around Lerrah's waist, but the other waving frantically at her two loves. She giggled as Merrick gave them a bow. "Have a great time! And, buy yourself something really expensive too!"

"I'm sure Merrick will," Kaysa said with a sweet smile for Merrick. They turned and started up the ramp, with Kaysa still waving vigorously at Shiv and Lerrah. She felt warm tears surge to her eyes as they moved farther away from their girl, and Kaysa sobbed quietly once they'd entered the ship. She wept even louder as the ramp began retracting and the door slid closed, blocking Shiv completely from view. "Oh, Merrick!" she wailed, and threw herself into his arms.

Merrick held her close, kissing the top of her head and stroking her back. "It'll be alright, my love," he whispered. "And, it won't be too long before we'll be doing this with her. They'll be fine. They're careful, and Zale has half his security staff devoted to watching them."

"He did last time too and Dargus still got to her." Kaysa whimpered and ran the back of her hand across her nose. "I'm just gonna miss her, that's all. I wanted to get away with my girl, just once."

Merrick kissed her. "How about next time, just you and Shiv go. I think the two of you would have a great time out there. You can pile into the Stiletto, and go. I think you and her deserve some time together. You haven't had much just to you and Shiv. You deserve this."

"We haven't had much either," she reminded him, still sulking. "This will be like our little getaway, with Zale tagging along of course."

"Well, I'm sure he won't mind if you and I get some time alone if he and you get some time alone too," he said. "I think that'll be alright."

"Of course it will be." She looked up at her musician and kissed him lightly. "I can even help you write a song. Wouldn't that be nice? As long as I don't sing, though."

"Your singing is actually improving," Merrick said as they began slowly walking back to the stateroom that would be theirs for the journey. "And, I would love to collaborate on a song with you. I think I would like to collaborate on a song with you, and make that the feature of my next album, maybe even name the album after that as well."

"Oh, you don't want to do that, my love. I've never written anything before. I won't be very good at it. I just want to gain firsthand experience in the process of song writing."

"Then, you shall," Merrick said with a laugh. "And, don't sell yourself short, my love. I won't have you saying you're not good until we've tried it out. Then, if it's true, I'll let you say it, but not before. And, I happen to think that I won't be letting you say that."

Kaysa gazed quizzically at Merrick, then snickered. "You're insane, Merrick Braston. But I've always known that. You fell in love with me, after all, didn't you?"

"Every day since I've known you," Merrick said. "I love you more than I ever have before, Kaysa Braston."

"You like me now because I'm docile and vulnerable," she teased. "That's the Kaysa you like. Zale likes the aggressive, neurotic Kaysa, I think."

"I loved that Kaysa too," Merrick said. "I love you because you're you. And, I think of you more as stable and unfluttered, as opposed to docile or vulnerable."

"But you fell in love with the insanely paranoid Kaysa, didn't you?" she asked. "I mean...she was alright too, wasn't she? So, say, if she happened to show up again, you wouldn't mind...right?"

"I would love her just as much as I do the stable and unfluttered Kaysa," he said. "No matter which Kaysa you are, I love you, my dear. You are my inspiration and my muse. And, I'll love you in whichever guise you come to me."

Kaysa giggled and flung herself into Merrick's arms as they walked, almost sending both tumbling to the ground. "I love you, Merrick. You make me feel so wonderful and perfect and carefree.... I hope I make you feel just as good."

"You do," Merrick said as he kissed her. "You make me realize what love is supposed to be like, what truly sharing my heart and soul with another is supposed to feel like. I never thought I'd find that again, but then there you were. I can still see you watching me, cigarra smoke curling around your face as you gazed up at me while I played. I knew I was coming down to talk to you as soon as I was finished."

Kaysa smiled bashfully. "And I knew I wanted you to the moment I stepped into that club. I also knew you weren't like the other men, that I didn't want to use you like I did others. I wanted more and now I have it." She slowly brought her lips to his and kissed him tenderly. Whenever she was with Merrick, she knew that for once in her life, she had done something absolutely right.

"I love you, Kaysa," Merrick said, his eyes bright with the joy he felt at having her in his life, in his arms. "Let's go find our room, and ask Zale to go get us some drinks. I think I would like to just lie on the bed with you in my arms, watching the stars go by."

Kaysa smiled dreamily at her husband. "And I'll make you forget all about your little crush on Zale."

Merrick grinned. "Oh, I look forward to that," he said. "Anything to get my mind off that two-timing, no good, seductress stealer." He chuckled. "I really wish I had a holorecording of the look on his face when Arrista jumped on him last night."

"You should've seen the look on your face," she said. "I hope you don't wear that same expression when I'm doing that to you!"

"Well, when it's you, that's where I want to be, so I better not look like that. I'm just thankful she was experienced enough to know not to bite down. Last night, Shiv told me that she almost came over to show Arrista how it was done. Instead, later when we went up to the room, she demonstrated for Lerrah. It was a rather surreal experience."

Mention of Shiv put a damper on Kaysa's mood, and with a whimper, she buried her face into Merrick's chest. "Can't we just go look at the stars now? I miss my girl and they usually remind me of her."

"Come on, my love," Merrick said, and started back toward their stateroom.

Zale was laying back on the bed when they arrived. He quickly hopped up. "I wasn't sleeping," he said quickly. "I was just checking it to make sure it was comfortable enough."

"And I guess you were warming it up for us as well?" Kaysa rolled her eyes at her strange, foolish husband and led Merrick towards the bed. "Be a good husband and go get us a couple drinks, will you, Zale?"

Zale raised an eyebrow and then chuckled. "Very well," Zale said. "Should I take it slowly or are you very thirsty?"

Kaysa plunked herself down onto the bed and folded her hands behind her head. She gave Zale an impish smile. "Make it snappy, Tregat. Me and my mistress are thirsty."

Merrick slipped onto the bed next to Kaysa and waved Zale away. "Yes," he said. "Stargazing works up a thirst, now hurry, man, before we are required to punish you for your tardiness."

Kaysa giggled and rolled over into Merrick's embrace. "I just love it when you're all pompous. Now kiss me, my prima donna."

Merrick did just that, filling the kiss with passion and need. There was no feeling he loved more than having Kaysa in his arms, just holding her to him while they lay together. How he wished every moment of his life could be filled with this.

After the kiss ended, Kaysa sighed happily and curled up against Merrick. She glanced over her shoulder at Zale and frowned playfully at him. "Are you still here? Off with you! Shoo!"

"I'm going," Zale said with a chuckle, then slipped out the door.

Once he was gone, Merrick smiled. "Ahhh, much better. I don't like it when he just watches us like that. He makes me so nervous."

"Oh, you liar," Kaysa teased. "You enjoy being the center of attention. You wouldn't have become a famous musician if you didn't." She planted a quick kiss upon Merrick's cheek, then rolled over onto her stomach to gaze out of the viewport at the head of the bed. "Look! There's Tae'Karada. I think I can still see Shiv waving at us."

Merrick glanced out and laughed. "You know, I think you're right. Isn't that Lerrah trying to tug her back to that silly swoop of hers?"

"Why, I believe it is!" Kaysa chuckled and wriggled closer to Merrick to lay her head upon his shoulder. "I really do need this vacation, Merrick," she said quietly. "I think this will be good for finally allaying all my fears. If Zale's men could find Vrax, it would all be over, but knowing he still might be out there just still scares me."

"Zale's people are still looking for him," Merrick said. "I'm sure it won't be long until they find another lead. For now, it's very possible that he's fled the planet, possibly even gone back to Dargus. Next time he shows his face in the city though, Zale will have him."

"Like he did last time?" Kaysa turned her face into Merrick's shoulder and suppressed a shudder. "He was brutal, Merrick. He brought home men to take me and they did. I screamed so loud, I thought my lungs would collapse. It was bad, Merrick. It was so bad..."

"He caught us off-guard last time," Merrick said. "He won't do that again. And, if I get my hands on him..." He shook his head. "I hate living in fear."

"I know," she whispered. "But, we're happy now. I just wish we could be that way all the time without Dargus Kandrans or Vrax Draydges ruining everything."

Merrick slipped his arms around her and kissed her throat. "I think we'll have to take more of these vacations until they are caught. This time out and alone is very nice, very liberating."

"It is. I've even been thinking that we should move away from Tae'Karada altogether." Kaysa turned her face up towards Merrick's and smiled. "Would you want to do that, Merrick? Someday, would you want to just escape all that and find another planet to live on?"

"I would be happy to," Merrick said. "It's a nice planet, but I'd rather be happy and safe. We not only have the problem with our own personal enemies, but the Empire and the New Republic are turning Tae'Karada into a warzone."

"Yet, we stay. But why?" It didn't take long for Kaysa to answer her own question, and with a rueful nod, she replied quietly, "Zale. He's worked so hard and so long to build up his syndicate, and if he left Tae'Karada behind, he'd lose his hold."

Merrick nodded. "Maybe we can get another home nearby. Something that's only a few hours away through hyperspace. It'd be a home away, but we'd still be close. I've heard there's some very nice property on that planet Riga."

"We could go there on weekends," Kaysa said, her face lighting up with excitement. "We could just...get away from everything and relax in our other home. Do you think we could? Do you think that'd work, Merrick?"

"We definitely could," Merrick said with obvious excitement. "And, it's so close, we could even go there during the week if we wanted. I mean, both Shiv and Lerrah have ships. Zale and I are rich enough to afford fleets of ships. We can definitely do this, and no one else needs to know!"

The door suddenly opened, and Zale walked in carrying a bucket of ice and a bottle with three glasses. "Tamtria fruit punch," he said. "Who wants some?"

Kaysa turned her head towards Zale and with a giggle, raised her hand. "Merrick has a wonderful idea. Have a seat and he'll tell you all about it."

Zale brought the glasses and bottle of punch over to the bed. He took a seat on the edge and began pouring out glasses for each of them. "I'm going to assume this isn't a song idea, but something more practical."

"Songs are practical!" Kaysa exclaimed. She rolled over onto her back and took a filled glass from Zale. "Now, let Merrick speak."

Zale listened to the plan, nodding as Merrick explained it. "I think that's a perfect idea," he said. "I think we'll need some commuter ships, designed specifically for those short hop trips, though both Lerrah's and Shiv's can definitely handle those trips. Where do you get this brilliance from? You do realize I'm going to have to sneak you off someplace once Kaysa's asleep, don't you? Have you ever done it in a closet Merrick?"

Kaysa gave an exasperated sigh and set her drink down upon the nightstand heavily. Stubbornly, she crossed her arms over her chest. "Would you like me to leave so you two can have some time alone?"

Merrick quickly took her hand into his. "No, we would not, and Zale certainly isn't leading me into any closets. Now, if he can't behave himself, he's going to have to go check with the pilot soon too."

"When does he ever behave?" Kaysa quipped sourly. "Now, Mr. Tregat, do you truly like the idea or don't you?"

"I do," Zale said. "I think it'll also get us away from some of the problems of Tae'Karada, which is a very good thing."

"And it was all Merrick's idea," Kaysa added proudly. She patted Merrick's knee and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "And now that he's told you his idea, you can be gone again. Love ya, Mr. Tregat!"

Zale looked at the two of them then shook his head and laughed. "I'll be up in the cockpit checking on our progress. If you need me for anything, just use the comm. And, if you need more drinks, I left the whole bottle." With another laugh, he started toward the door. "Enjoy yourselves."

Kaysa sat up straighter. "But...wait!" she cried out. "Zale...you're forgetting something." At his quizzical look, Kaysa turned her cheek to him and tapped it with her forefinger.

Zale smiled at Kaysa and then strode back to the bed. He bent reverently over her, and then pressed his lips to her cheek. "I love you," he whispered, and then glanced over to Merrick and puckered his lips once more.

"Oh no you don't," Merrick said as he placed a hand between his and Zale's faces.

Kaysa helped Merrick defend himself by pushing on Zale's chest, though he wasn't even budging. "I love you too, Zale Tregat, but I won't for long if you don't leave poor Merrick alone!"

"Okay, okay," Zale said as he backed away. He wasn't laughing, but his eyes definitely indicated that he was about to. "Now, you two have fun in here, and I'll be back in a bit. I want to make arrangements with our cook for a nice, pleasant dinner for three."

"Nothing with tafta nuts, though," Kaysa mentioned to Zale before he could escape. "Merrick's allergic." She caressed Merrick's cheek affectionately. "Aren't you, my sexy little musician?"

"Yes," Merrick said and looked back at Zale with doe eyes. "No tafta nuts or I'll swell up to the size of Weibran the Hutt."

Kaysa giggled and wrapped Merrick in a playfully protective embrace, going so far as pressing his face into her bosom. "See? Gets all sensitive just talking about it."

"Fine, fine," Zale said with a laugh. "No tafta nuts. I'll see you two later. Now, try not to destroy anything in here while I'm away. I have to sleep in here too you know."

"We'll be good," Kaysa assured him in a sing-song voice. She stroked Merrick's hair, gave Zale a little wave, then returned her hand to petting Merrick's head. "Okay," she whispered to him. "Zale's gone. You're safe again, my love."

"Thank you," Merrick said, unburying his face from where Kaysa had pulled it against her chest. "Sometimes, that man becomes the strangest being in the universe."

"But have you noticed that it's only when he's around you?"

"I have," Merrick said with a sigh. "Do you suppose he's trying to drive a wedge between us? He knows how you feel about his advances toward me. I don't know. Maybe he's just strange."

An expression of perplexity furrowed Kaysa's brow. "Do you really think that's what he's trying to do? He couldn't be, Merrick. Not Zale. He wouldn't."

"You're right," he said. "Maybe it's just an awkward situation for him, and it's the only way he knows how to deal with it. I'm sure it's nothing."

Kaysa's smile returned and she kissed Merrick gently. "Come on. A little stargazing will keep the paranoia in check."

"Yes," Merrick said with a soft laugh. "I want you in my arms, Kaysa," he said. "I want you as close as you can get, our bodies touching, and our hearts beating together. Can we do that?"

Kaysa pressed her hand to Merrick's cheek, then raked her fingers through his hair. "We can do that," she told him. Her eyes locked with Merrick's, the steely grey of his suddenly so hypnotic. "I think I'm ready for that. We don't have to go too far, but that sounds fine."

Merrick lay back on the bed facing the viewport and looked at Kaysa. "I think I want to do more of this with you, just gazing at the stars. We spend too much time worrying; we need more relaxation time."

"I think we can arrange that," Kaysa replied. She reclined upon her stomach onto the bed and focused her eyes on him instead of the stars. Her fingers lightly brushed against his back, tracing its curves and ridges. "Merrick..." she whispered into his ear. "Do you really wanna look at the stars?"

Merrick glanced at Kaysa and smiled. "Not really," he said. "I think I'd rather look at you, my love." He slipped one arm over her back, and leaned forward to kiss her.

Kaysa shifted closer to Merrick as their lips tangled, until her body was pressed lightly to his. She kept assuring herself that she was ready for this, that she had no need to be afraid of Merrick, and it was working. Her hands caressed his back, getting reacquainted with the strong muscles and contours, and finding in their strength, comfort. "It's okay," she told him with an encouraging smile. "You can touch me too if you want. I'm not scared, Merrick."

Slowly at first, Merrick let his hands explore her body, touching gently. "I love you, Kaysa," he whispered as he brought his hands gently to her chest. He let his lips trail kisses down onto her neck.

"I know you do," she said, her voice quivering slightly. Kaysa craned her neck to the side to allow Merrick's lips more room, and sighed as their warmth left trails of fire along her flesh. She let Merrick touch her where his hands chose to, and she in return allowed hers to begin undoing Merrick's shirt. "I've missed you, Merrick," she whispered. "When I'm not holding you, it just feels like we're drifting apart."

"I never want us to drift apart," he said. "I love you, Kaysa. I always want to be here for you. I always want to be ready to hold you when you need me." He let his hands slip under her shirt, but made sure he was moving slowly. He didn't want to push too far too quickly.

"That feels nice," she said, almost relieved. She gently pushed her breasts into Merrick's hands and sighed. "I love you too, Merrick. So much and so intensely." Once his shirt was undone, she slid the fabric away and kissed his chest. "Don't tell Zale," she whispered between kisses, "but sometimes, when I'm with him, I can't help thinking about you."

Merrick laughed softly as he gently started pushing Kaysa's shirt up with one hand while continuing to caress her breasts with the other. "I promise I won't say a word," he whispered. "If it would make any difference, I'd marry you all over again, Kaysa. Oh gods, I love you so much."

Kaysa giggled. "If you did marry me again, would that mean I'd have three husbands?" Feeling uninhibited and carefree again after being afraid for so long, Kaysa helped Merrick out by pulling her shirt fully off and depositing it over the side of the bed. The moment it touched the floor, Kaysa loosely wrapped her arms around Merrick's neck and kissed him deeply.

"I've missed you so much," Merrick whispered once the kiss ended, and then lowered his lips to her chest. While he alternated his kisses between her breasts, he slid a hand down along her thigh.

Kaysa felt the urge to flinch away from Merrick's intimate touch, but instead, she slung her leg over his waist and guided his hand beneath her skirt. Her breathing came shakily, but the smile touching her lips assured Merrick that she wasn't afraid. "Your touch is still electric, you know that?"

"And, so is yours," Merrick said as he slid his hand up along her thigh. Just touching her thigh was amazing for him. He could feel his pulse pounding away in time with his heart. He could feel tears brimming in his eyes over the joy of being able to be with Kaysa again. His fingers brushed over her mound, and he heard her suck in a sharp breath, but it was coloured by pleasure not fear. He brushed his fingers over her mound again, savouring the touch through the thin panties she wore.

"That's nice," Kaysa breathed. "Your-- Your hands are so gentle, Merrick." She let her own hands fall to the waist of his pants and her trembling fingers worked at undoing them. Kaysa looked up at Merrick, laughing softly. "I-I can't stop shaking. But don't stop. It's okay." She kissed him lightly. "I'm just nervous, that's all."

Merrick reached down and took both of her hands into his. He then raised them to his lips, kissing each one gently, and then brought them back down to his pants. "I understand," he finally said.

"I knew you would." She smiled warmly at him. "You always do." Still smiling at Merrick, and trembling far less than she was, Kaysa deftly unbuttoned Merrick's pants, then drove the zipper down. She looked down at his groin, and giggled at the large lump pushing against his underpants. "You missed me, I can tell."

"Very, very much," Merrick whispered. "And, from this dampness down here, can I take that as a sign that you missed me as well?"

Kaysa bit back a large grin and nodded. "Do you think you could help me take care of that?"

"Oh, I definitely think, I can, my love," Merrick said. He then took the waistband of Kaysa's panties, and slowly drew it down over her hips and down past her knees.

Kaysa's breathing quickened slightly, but the smile she wore never left her lips. She moved her hands to Merrick's and curled her knees in towards her to help him remove the garment completely. Once it was off, she chuckled and flung them off the bed to join her top. "Your turn, my love," she said. "Now, don't be shy." She began pushing down Merrick's pants and kissed him tenderly. "It hasn't been that long, has it?"

"It hasn't," Merrick whispered, "but it certainly feels like it has." He slid his pants over his hips and quickly had them off and onto the floor with Kaysa's. "Oh, you know, I think he remembers you."

Kaysa's smile faltered slightly at the sight of Merrick's erect organ. Vrax had used his to inflict extreme torment and suffering upon her, but this was Merrick, her sweet musician. He would never hurt her. He couldn't. With a gentle whimper, Kaysa embraced Merrick tightly and closed her eyes against the tears. "Make love to me, Merrick," she whispered. "I need to feel safe again. I need to know everything's okay now."

Merrick gently eased Kaysa back down onto her back and slowly moved himself to make love to her. His lips never left her skin, kissing her soft flesh as he positioned himself to slowly enter her. Once he was ready, he looked into her eyes, and kissed her once more. "I love you, Kaysa," he said again. He then slowly started pushing himself inside, being as gentle as he could.

At first, Kaysa's body went rigid and the tears fled quickly from her eyes, but as Merrick's hands caressed her cheeks, and her hands explored his back, eventually she relaxed. She allowed Merrick to enter her fully, and to assure him she wasn't going to shrink away in fear, she brought her legs up around his waist and kissed him deeply. "It's okay," she whispered to him. She kissed him again, more forcefully and needfully, then pushed her hips forward into his. "Oh gods.... It's all okay, Merrick."

Tears shone in Merrick's eyes as he looked into hers. "It's all okay," he echoed, and then slowly started making love to her. There had been many beautiful feelings in his life, but not a single one could compare to the one just now. Kaysa's smile, the love in her eyes, the feeling of their bodies so close, nothing could compete with that. "Oh gods, I'd forgotten how good it feels to be with you." He kissed her once more and then laughed softly. "I'd forgotten how well we move together."

"You'll never forget again. I promise, Merrick." Kaysa moaned gently and felt a broad smile stretch her lips. Every horrible memory Vrax had left her with faded the longer she and Merrick held each other, the longer their bodies remained as one. Eventually, he would be banished from her mind altogether. "This is good," she sighed. "Oh gods, Merrick... How could I have been afraid of this?"

Merrick only smiled as they continued to make love, happy to have Kaysa in his arms once more. He felt as if the world were lighter, less oppressive now that he could touch his wife without her flinching, or worrying if he would ever touch her again.

---

"A Much Needed Vacation, Part 2"
By: Merrick Braston
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat-Braston
Zale Tregat
Deez and Aron [NPC]

Location: Zale's Private Transport
Date: Eos 11, 4ABY

***

Zale Tregat strolled down the corridor of the luxuriously appointed transport. It was seldom that he actually used the vehicle, especially since he rarely left Tae'Karada. But, it was nice this time to be able to get out in it with Merrick and Kaysa. He would have preferred to have more time with Kaysa alone, but what could he do when she had two husbands?

Dinner was nearly ready, and he'd told Jak, the cook, that he would go get the others. He was wondering what they could find so interesting about stargazing as the door to the private stateroom opened, and then he saw exactly what the interest was. The sheets were a mess, twisted, and piled everywhere. There were piles of clothes everywhere, including a shirt hanging from the light fixture in the middle of the room. Sprawling in the middle of the bed, looking quite content, were a very naked Merrick and a very naked and satisfied looking Kaysa. They were gazing at each other and didn't appear to have heard the door open. He recognized the look in Kaysa's eyes, he'd seen it often enough when she looked at him. However, this time there was something more. He clamped down on the jealous feelings of Merrick getting more than he was. Take that route, and you'll only do harm to yourself...especially in these close, confined quarters.

"Well, well, well," he finally said. "I was going to tell you that dinner is almost ready, but I see that you've already eaten."

Kaysa sighed happily and lazily shifted her gaze towards Zale. "Oh, Mr. Tregat, you should've seen it. Merrick was absolutely enchanting. Now I know what you've been bragging about all along."

"Really," Zale said with a raised eyebrow as he moved to sit on the bed. "You've been showing your special tricks for just me to Kaysa? I bet she doesn't get the full effect from when you're with me. You want to watch, Kaysa? I think you'll like this part."

"Oh, I don't think so, Zale." She shifted further into Merrick's embrace and grinned at Zale. "That's not going to work anymore. I think Merrick's proven that he's all mine. I'm afraid you'll have to find someone else to bend over for you."

Zale raised an eyebrow and nodded. "So you won't let him bend over anymore? That was the fun part," he said while waggling his eyebrows at her. "So, I take it you're feeling more like yourself again?"

Kaysa sat up and rested her back against the headboard. She stroked Merrick's hair idly as his head fell into her lap, and sighed. "I'm feeling much better. Everything's almost normal again and I feel so happy."

"That's great," Zale said with a smile. "I'm very happy to hear that. We've all been really worried. I guess this little getaway was just what you needed."

Kaysa grinned and slipped one arm around Zale's neck. "It was pretty great.... Now all I need is to find some time alone with you. Then everything will be perfect." She kissed him tenderly.

"Maybe after dinner we can send Merrick off for some drinks and we can have that time," Zale said with a smile. "For now, you might want to track down your clothes. Dinner should be ready in about fifteen minutes."

"No, Tafta nuts?" Kaysa asked.

"No Tafta nuts," Zale said with a smile. "It's Torallit fowl with an ishten sauce. Very good stuff, so you don't want to miss it."

"Well...I did work up an appetite." Kaysa nodded decisively, kissed Zale, then hopped off the bed to retrieve her clothes. "Merrick, you coming?"

"Already did," Merrick said. "Twice."

Kaysa laughed and playfully slapped his bare leg. "Stop making Zale jealous and get up. Dinner's going to get cold." Satisfied that Merrick was sufficiently admonished, Kaysa sought out her panties.

"Over there," Zale said, pointing to the small undergarment peeking out from beneath Merrick's pants. "Only twice? I didn't realize you were so out of shape, Merrick. Twice? Have you apologized yet?"

Merrick looked up at Zale and chuckled. "She seemed satisfied enough with twice."

Kaysa squealed with delight as she snatched up her panties, happy to find that they hadn't been torn in the heat of passion. She slipped them on easily, then moved off to find her top. "Oh, Merrick, I think I found your underwear here." She held up the white undergarment for him, then stretched the elastic waistband back and flung them in his direction.

Merrick deftly caught the underwear, and used it to give Zale a quick salute before putting it back on. He looked around. "Where'd my...ah, shirt!"

Zale watched them both for a few moments before shaking his head. "I'll meet you in the dining room," he said. "I need to make sure everything's ready."

"Zale, wait!" Kaysa hurried up to him, pinching her skirt closed from behind. She grinned up at him, then turned. "Zip me up?"

"Of course," Zale said with a charming smile. He put his hands to the skirt and zipped it as Kaysa requested. Before stepping away, however, he sensuously ran a hand along her spine. "Anything else I can do for you, my love?"

Kaysa looked over her shoulder at him and arched slightly as his fingers brushed against the small of her back. "Not right now," she replied silkily, "but maybe after dinner."

Zale smiled and kissed her cheek. "After dinner then," he said. "You two finish up in here, and I'll be in the dining area. Just come on over when you're ready."

"We'll be there soon." Kaysa turned and gave Zale a proper kiss upon the lips, then lightly slapped his rear and scurried away before he could return the favour.

With a laugh, Zale slipped out the door and down the hall, leaving Merrick and Kaysa alone.

Once Zale was gone, Merrick shook his head. "I think he was trying to seduce you, my love."

"I know," Kaysa said with a shrug. "But I refuse to be treated like some sort of prize in the obvious competition he was having with you." She moved into Merrick's embrace and kissed him softly. "I won't be with him when he's like that. Maybe later though, just so he stops pouting."

Merrick returned her kiss and smiled. "I refuse to let him bait me into a competition. If he wants to compete, he can do it somewhere else. And, I get worried when he's like this. When you're with him later, be careful. I know he's rougher than I am, and I don't think rough is what you need right now. Make sure he goes slowly and doesn't push. If not, I may have to be in here with you, just to make sure he behaves."

"He'll be gentle. If he gets too excited, I'll tell him to take it easy." She smiled lovingly at Merrick and cradled his cheek in her hand. "I love you, Merrick. You're always looking out for me, and taking care of me.... I'm glad I have you around."

"I'm glad to be around," Merrick said with a smile. "Come on, let's get your shirt on before your breasts pose too tempting a target for my affections. Zale seemed very insistent that we be out there for dinner, and it just wouldn't do if I were to take you back to the bed and ravage you because you were topless."

Kaysa held up her hands in submission and stepped away from Merrick. "Forgive me for having such tempting breasts. But, I will cover them if you wish." She folded her arms over her chest, using each hand to conceal one breast. "Better?"

"Much better," Merrick said as he wiped a hand over his forehead in feigned relief. "Now, are we ready to go?"

Kaysa held up one finger, then skipped towards the bed and swiped at her top lying on the floor beside it. Quickly, she pulled it down over her head, backwards though, but still covering her breasts, then she scampered back to Merrick's side. "Okay, ready," she said with a nod.

"I think you have a little...um, that doesn't look quite right, my love," Merrick said with a laugh. "Would you like a little help with that?"

Kaysa gave Merrick an enticing, crooked smile and nodded her head slowly. "From you?" She raised her arms above her head. "Of course."

Merrick stepped forward, and started helping Kaysa to get her shirt on correctly. "Now, it's a good thing you have me along here, or you might not even be able to get dressed. Though, now that I think about it, that doesn't sound so bad either."

Kaysa pushed her arms through her sleeves again once the top was turned around. "We should just walk around naked from now on. Much easier for frequent sex."

"I have no problem with that," Merrick said with a laugh. "And, I have a feeling that Shiv will support the idea one hundred percent."

"We shall comm her later and pitch it to her." She slipped her arm through Merrick's and kissed his cheek. "Now, escort me to dinner, Mr. Braston. Zale will probably be pouting right about now, so we don't want to be any later."

"No, we don't," Merrick said with a grin as they started toward the door. "I just hope he doesn't start holding his breath. I hate it when he does that. Gets all blue. It's sad really."

Kaysa laughed as she and Merrick stepped into the corridor and strolled in the direction of the dining cabin. She gazed up at Merrick with adoration, wondering how she managed to luck out by finding someone like him. However she pulled it off, she was glad she did. "You're amazing, Merrick," she said softly. "If I ever do anything to push you away, I'm a fool."

"And if I ever let myself get pushed away," Merrick said with a smile, "then I'm a bigger fool. I imagine Zale will get quite upset if we're too affectionate during dinner, won't he? Do we dare risk it?"

"I'm not holding back for anyone, Merrick," she replied passionately. "Not even for Zale." Proving just that, Kaysa pulled Merrick aside before they reached the door of the dining cabin and kissed him deeply, not caring who witnessed it.

Merrick slipped his arms around her and held her close while they shared their moment outside the dining room. Once they finished, he smiled at her. "You know, I think I believe you now. Though, I think I may need some more evidence to be certain."

"Very nice try, Braston," Kaysa chided playfully, "but if Zale comes out looking for us, he'll be angry. Though, that doesn't mean we can't play while we eat."

"Good point," Merrick said with a grin. "Come on before he can start turning blue." He took her by the hand and led her through the door into the dining room.

"Ah, there you are," Zale said looking up from a datapad. "I was ready to send out a search party."

"No need," Kaysa said with an airy hand gesture. "We just followed this wonderful smell and found our way." She bent forward and greeted Zale with a kiss, then straightened up again to inhale more of the pleasant aroma wafting through the room. "I don't smell a trace of Tafta nuts. Perfect!"

"Very good," Merrick said. "I would have had to doubt your motives if there were Tafta nuts here."

Zale chuckled. "I wouldn't dream of harming my beautiful wife's second husband."

"See that you don't," Merrick said with a laugh. "You know I can kick your ass now."

Zale grinned. "I still want to know how that happened."

Merrick's only response was a wide grin as he selected seats at the table for himself and Kaysa.

"Does it matter how it happened?" Kaysa asked. She settled into the chair Merrick had slid out for her, then thanked him with a gentle caress to his cheek. "The matter's settled anyway," she went on. "You really are going to have to mend that broken pride of yours sometime, Zale."

Zale chuckled. "Let's see you tossed over a table by an apparent wimp, and not have your psyche scarred." He looked at the two of them and grinned. "You're beaming, Kaysa. I'd say the answer to 'Was it good for you?' would be a definite yes in your case. You are truly beautiful, especially when you're this happy."

Kaysa smiled graciously at Zale and reached across the short distance separating them to brush her fingers over his hand. "That's not the only reason I'm happy, Zale. It's just...this time away is such a relief for me. Everything seems so optimistic now."

"It does, doesn't it," he said. "And, it will be from now on. Our new home, the new home on Riga. We're going to make a good life for ourselves now. We're going to have happiness like we've only been able to dream of so far. I think we're definitely turning a corner."

Kaysa laughed wryly. "Another one? Oh, I really hope we aren't forced to turn anymore corners. I think we've done that enough for one lifetime."

"I'll drink to that," Zale said with a shake of his head. "So, when we get to Coruscant, do you have any idea what you want our itinerary to be? There are some places I'd like to look in on...and a few I'd like to avoid."

"I don't really know Coruscant," Kaysa replied. "So, anywhere you two choose is fine with me." She gasped suddenly and clapped her hands together. "Do they have beaches? Oh, we have to all three of us go to a nice beach."

"They don't, unfortunately," Merrick said. "The planet is all one big city. However, I think we'll have plenty of time. I know there are some oceanic planets out here. How would you like to go to a planet that's just one big beach?"

Kaysa turned her attention to Merrick and gave him a beaming grin. "Can we?" She moaned happily as she hugged herself and ran her hands up her arms. "I miss feeling the sun on my bare skin. We have to go to a beach. Please?"

"Consider it done," Zale said. "I think we'll need it after Coruscant. We can grab suits there. They have no real places to swim, but you can buy swimwear. Unless you don't think we need them."

Kaysa grinned at Zale, while narrowing her eyes suspiciously. "We are going fully clothed if you're not careful, my naughty thinking husband. Now, who's serving us?"

"Aron and Deez," Zale said with a grin. As if on cue, the two men who were common fixtures outside Zale's door stepped into the room, each looking quite prim and proper.

Deez pushed a cart with several trays of food on it, while Aron brought around a bottle of some bubbly punch that Kaysa had commented she liked last time she was at Zale's office.

"Very impressive," Merrick said with an approving nod to Zale. "Are you trying to get used to the life that comes with that mansion the two of you found us?"

Zale only grinned as Deez stopped to tuck a napkin under his chin.

"I think I could get used to this," Merrick continued. "Perhaps we could get foot massages after dinner."

"Not on your life," Aron grumbled, though he was still smiling. He presented the bottle to Kaysa for her approval.

"Very nice," Kaysa commented. She brushed her fingers against Aron's hand and smiled. "My favourite. Thank you, Aris, I'll have a glass of that."

"Aron, ma'am," the young man said as he poured her a glass of the drink. "I must say that you are looking quite lovely this evening. Though, it may jeopardize my career with Mr. Tregat, I would be remiss if I did not say that you and Mr. Braston make quite a striking couple."

Kaysa raised her eyebrows and nodded. "Really?" She shifted her gaze to Merrick and smiled. "I think Aris is very observant, don't you, my love?"

"Quite observant," Merrick said with a wink at the young man. He looked at Zale who was watching the whole affair with a smile of his own, but he also had a playful fire in his eyes.

"I should toss the whole lot of you out the airlock," Zale said with an imperious gesture of his hand. "I could become a pirate here in my little pleasure ship. I might need a few laser cannons, but the spacelanes won't be safe. I'll board ships and take all their women away with me. And, I'll start with this little lady right here. Haul her over my shoulder, and take her back to my cabin to have my way with her." He grinned at Kaysa. "Gently, of course, my dear."

Kaysa jokingly sneered at Zale. "Of course. But, I will be your alpha, right? The alphas get all the best clothes."

"Of course," Zale said. "All the best for my alpha. And, if he's good and lets me have my way with him, perhaps I will even allow Sir Merrick to have some time with you. Would you like that?"

Kaysa nodded rigorously and bounced happily in her seat. "Oh, you'd do that for me?" She kissed Zale's cheek quickly, then Merrick's. As Deez leaned over to set down her plate, she managed to plant a kiss upon his cheek as well. She grinned at the blush that coloured his face. "Zale, you have to get these boys a nice, beautiful woman who can cure them of this bashfulness. I really can't walk around naked in front of them if they're going to always blush!"

"Oh, we'll promise not to blush," Deez said quickly, and Aron echoed the sentiment.

Zale chuckled. "I've been trying to find a woman who'd be willing to go with these two, but they all want too much money for these jokers."

"That can't be," Kaysa said with a feigned expression disbelief. "They're so handsome...and willing." She gave each a sultry smile. "Well, don't worry, boys. When we return to Tae'Karada, the three of us are going to a bar and I'm going to find each of you someone who can plant a smile on your faces just as big as the one Zale gets when I--" She chuckled throatily. "Don't want to make Zale blush now, so I'd better stop there, boys."

"Oh, we don't want that," Merrick said with a laugh. "Did you know when Zale gets embarrassed, he giggles?" He glanced at the glare Zale was giving him and grinned. "And, did you know he hits really hard when he gets angry?"

Kaysa laughed and patted Zale's hand soothingly. "Maybe you just don't know how to handle a man like Zale, Merrick, but I do. When he gets angry with me, we just make love, isn't that right?"

Zale grinned again, and then nodded to Deez and Aron. "It's true. I think one of the best things with Kaysa, and only one mind you, is making up after a fight."

"Hey!" She slapped his hand and stubbornly turned her back to him. "I'm more than just a sex toy. Merrick thinks so...right?"

"Much more," Merrick said. And, then sang, "She sets the stars spinning in the sky. My heart sings to know she's mine."

Zale shook his head. "Show off."

"Not a show off," Kaysa told him. She gazed dreamily at Merrick and sighed. "A romantic."

Merrick gave Zale a victorious grin and slipped his arm through Kaysa's. He then slipped his fork onto Kaysa's plate and picked up a couple leaves of the salad with it and raised it to her lips. "My beautiful wife," he said.

Kaysa smiled fondly at Merrick, then took the fork between her lips and pulled the lettuce into her mouth. As she chewed, she smoothed her hand over Merrick's cheek amorously. "Mmm.... It tastes even better coming from you, my love."

"Aron, I think we'd better cancel the dessert for tonight," Zale said. "It's far too sweet in here already."

Kaysa turned her head and promptly stuck her tongue out at Zale. Retracting it again, she turned to Merrick and kissed him upon the cheek. "Don't worry, my love. I still appreciate you, even if Zale doesn't. I think he's just sad because you're not feeding him too."

Merrick's lips twisted into a mischievous grin. "I think your other husband would like some attention, my dear," he said. "I think he's sad because I'm not feeding him. Just think how happy he'll be if we both feed him."

Kaysa gasped excitedly and whirled around in her chair to face Zale. "Would you like that, my love?" She wrenched the fork from Merrick's grip and stabbed at a leaf of lettuce. "Open wide!" Kaysa giggled as the fork sailed towards Zale's mouth; she hoped he opened in time to avoid getting poked by the tines.

Zale kept his mouth resolutely closed until just before the fork and leaf of lettuce reached his lips. At the last moment, it popped open to accept the morsel of salad. As Kaysa pulled the fork away, he let his lips play sensuously along the utensil.

Next to Kaysa, Merrick shivered. "Oh my, is it getting warm in here?"

Kaysa's exuberant smile softened and took on a desirous quality as she watched Zale, mesmerized by his treatment of the fork. When it was finally cleared of his lips, she blindly set it down and took up another leaf of lettuce between her fingers. "Still hungry, Mr. Tregat?"

"Famished," Zale said, but his eyes never left hers.

"Well, here." She dangled the leaf before his mouth. "This should hold you until dessert." Barely a smile touched her lips now, but the lustful gaze she watched him with gave her statement an entirely different meaning.

Zale snaked out his tongue and caught the piece of lettuce and drew it back to his mouth. "I think it will," he said, though there was a faint, playful growl in his voice as he did so. They gazed at each other for a few moments before Zale finally smiled and looked up at Deez. "I think it's time for the main course."

---

"A Much Needed Vacation, Part 3"
By: Merrick Braston
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat-Braston
Zale Tregat
Deez and Aron [NPC]

Location: Zale's Private Transport
Date: Eos 11, 4ABY

***

Kaysa continued to watch Zale from beneath her thick, curling lashes as she brought each of her fingers between her lips, and in turn, sucked the tangy dressing off them all. She chuckled low in her throat at the hungry grin Zale was giving her. He really was sexually deprived after all.

While Deez and Aron went around the table, serving portions of food to each of them, Merrick slid a hand onto Kaysa's thigh. He leaned close to brush his lips over her throat. "Since you'll be with Zale for dessert, I guess that means you're mine for the main course." He then let his hand slip down between her thighs.

Kaysa bit her lip to stifle a soft moan and gently pushed her hips forward against Merrick's touch. "Definitely yours, my love," she whispered, slightly breathless.

Merrick looked up and noticed that Zale was glaring at him. "Don't worry," he said with a grin. "You'll get yours. And, you know how much better dessert is than the main course anyway. Now stick that lip back in before you get it in your soup." He then turned his attention back to Kaysa. "Would you like some punch, my love?"

Kaysa shook her head quickly, letting a small whimper escape as Merrick's fingers brushed more deliberately against her mound concealed beneath her undergarment. "Main course," she breathed. "Just the main course, my love."

Merrick smiled and slipped the undergarment aside. "Main course it is," he whispered as he slid his fingers inside her. Using one hand to pleasure her and the other to manipulate a fork to feed them both, Merrick displayed just how dexterous his talented fingers were.

Kaysa wasn't too interested in eating while Merrick captivated her with his artistry. Still, she parted her lips when the morsel of fowl came towards them, and bit down upon it with a whimpering moan. She crushed the table cloth in her hands and spread her legs wider to give Merrick better access, which he took advantage of. A louder moan travelled up from Kaysa's throat after she swallowed the fowl, and with a large, ecstatic grin, she said, "Best main course I've ever tasted."

"You'll love the dessert," Zale said as he swirled the bubbling drink around in his cup. "Large, black, and drizzled with yummy goodness."

Kaysa laughed huskily, then jerked forward and gasped at the sensation suddenly arising from Merrick's deft fingers. "Oh gods," she groaned. That Deez and Aron were still in the room didn't bother Kaysa, but that Merrick hadn't already thrown her onto the table and made love to her, did. "Is it...is it possible to have-- Oh gods... Dessert and main course at the same time?"

Zale's grin widened to nearly consume his whole face. He slipped out of his chair and moved immediately to Kaysa's side. While Merrick was working at her throat and mound, he took over with her lips and breasts. "I think it's definitely possible. I always hated waiting for dessert anyway!"

"Me too," she said with much effort. "Oh, definitely me too." With a sharp gasp, she arched against the chair. One hand flew to Merrick's shirt, which she gripped tightly, and the other clamped down on Zale's shoulder for support. She closed her eyes and surrendered to the sublime emotions both men were evoking in her, a surprising change from being afraid to merely have someone touch her in even a slightly intimate manner. Now, it was no longer an issue. "You two," she rasped. "You're very...bad."

"Oh we are," Merrick whispered as he slid from his chair down to rest between her legs. "You get some dessert too, my love."

Zale had deftly opened Kaysa's shirt and slipped his hands inside to the supple flesh of her breasts. He loved it when they all got rambunctious, especially at the dinner table.

Kaysa raked her fingers through Merrick's hair, then grabbed a handful of it and pushed his face towards her mound. Just the feel of his warm breath brushing against the sensitive area sent a shudder of delight running through Kaysa and almost pushed her to the brink. But, she held on, especially since she was enjoying immensely what Zale was doing to her breasts. "I love you both.... Oh gods... You've both been practicing."

Merrick mumbled something unintelligible, and Zale chuckled. "Who needs to practice when you inspire such hedonistic desire? You bring out the best in us."

Kaysa groaned as she tried to speak. "I wasn't-- Not a moment ago." She managed to open her eyes and look directly at Zale. As she held his gaze, she stroked his cheek tenderly. "Don't compete over me. I love you both. Please..."

As she gazed into Zale's eyes, there was a hint of guilt there. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "Never again." He kissed her, passionately and the depth of his apology was mingled with his love for her. "I promise."

Kaysa sucked in shallow lungfuls of air, but remained focused on Zale, the pleasure being of little importance for the moment. She supported his chin lightly upon her fingertips, then kissed him softly. "I'm glad. I hate feeling like a possession...like Rennor made me feel. Don't do that to me again."

"I never want to hurt you," Zale said. "I promise I will do everything I can to keep from hurting you. I promise, Kaysa." He kissed her. "I love you, so much."

"I know," she whispered. She fought back a moan, then laughed breathlessly. "But just in case... Do that thing with my breasts again and prove it to me."

"Consider it done," Zale said as he lowered his mouth to first one breast and then the other.

Merrick was quite happy where he was, and from the moans coming from Kaysa, he knew he was doing his job admirably. He knew Zale was contributing, and the thought did bring a smile to his face. Perhaps the three of them could make this awkward arrangement work after all.

Kaysa was rendered incapable of doing anything but moan, clutch at the table cloth, and enjoy; with as skilled as Merrick was, it was easy enough to do that. She knew it wasn't going to take much more to satisfy her, but she held back for as long as her body would allow. "Oh, Merrick...you're beautiful," she groaned. She slipped her arms around Zale as he suckled her breasts and held him tightly to her. There was no more postponing it now, so Kaysa simply let go.

Her cry was resounding and intense, and her body reacted with just as much intensity as she crushed Zale to her chest and arched almost clear of the chair. One hand found Merrick's hair, and again she tangled her fingers in it. Her thick cries of pleasure seemed to extend for a prolonged amount of time, only ending when Kaysa's body sagged back against the chair and her rush of ecstasy passed. Too exhausted to move, all she could do was laugh weakly and gaze dazedly at the stars visible through the viewport. She wished Shiv could have been there, but she had a feeling her girl heard her clearly enough from where she was.

Only the sound of heavy breathing filled the room until finally the silence was broken by a gasp followed by, "Oh my."

Kaysa giggled softly, and managed to turn her head towards where Deez and Aron were standing, faces flushed red and Deez looking quite abashed. As she looked down at the damp spot on the front of his pants, it wasn't difficult to figure out why. "Oh, Deez," she said with a large grin. "I didn't know you cared."

The young man gave her a sheepish smile and chuckled. "Well, it was...wow. You three are-- impressive." He glanced down at his pants and laughed again. "And, I didn't touch a thing!"

"Are you sure Aris didn't?" Kaysa raised a questioning eyebrow at Aron. "Is that why you two are always without a woman? You'd rather be with one another?"

"No, ma'am," Aron said, looking quite serious as he stood as he usually did outside Zale's office. "We have been saving ourselves for you, ma'am."

Kaysa's other eyebrow shot up, and a surprised grin curled her lips. "Is that so? Well, come on then." She crooked her finger at them and bid them closer. Once they were near enough, she puckered her lips at them.

Aron was the first to lean in for Kaysa's kiss. They'd watched her so often, flirted with her so often; it was quite a victory in their minds, since each had developed a crush on the boss' wife, to be offered the chance to kiss her, on the lips no less. Thankfully, Aron was a good kisser.

Kaysa didn't reserve anything and kissed Aron with as much passion as she would Zale or Merrick. She ran her hand down his cheek as their tongues twined, then finally pulled back before he too blew his load. She smiled at him and held his gaze for a lingering moment, before turning her attentions to Deez. "Don't be shy now. It won't hurt."

Deez stepped forward, a lustful look in his eyes as he slowly lowered his face toward Kaysa's. The anticipation was clear on his face, and it was obvious that despite his earlier accident, he was still quite able to perform.

And when Kaysa gently locked her lips with his, he was given the opportunity to prove it. Surprising even her, Deez's kiss sent a tingle through Kaysa that became centred between her legs. At first, they kissed with little passion, but once his tongue began its expert dance within her mouth, she could no longer hold back. Winding her arms tightly around his neck, Kaysa pulled him in closer and kissed him more deeply. She had no idea how he could still be without a woman; once they returned to Tae'Karada, she'd have to spread the word about how good a kisser he was. She didn't think he'd be long without a woman after that. After her head grew light and her breathing heavy, Kaysa finally pulled back and stared at Deez with surprise. "Where the hells did you learn to do that?" she asked with a grin teasing her lips.

Deez grinned and felt his cheeks go red. "I learned watching you and Mr. Tregat, ma'am."

Kaysa nodded slowly, then allowed herself an enticing smile. "Well keep it up. I might just have to test you again later."

Deez grinned and his cheeks went even darker. "I look forward to it, ma'am. And, I think that Mr. Tregat's descriptions of your kisses don't do them justice."

"Zale talks about me?" She shifted her eyes sidelong at him and smiled inquisitively. "What else does he say?" she asked Deez, still focusing her gaze on Zale.

Deez grinned and glanced back at Zale. "Well, he says you're the most amazing woman he's ever met, that he never thought he'd find a woman that made him look forward to each day. Since he met you, I don't think I've ever seen him quite so...alive and happy. One day I even heard him singing inside of his office. It was right after you'd walked out of there that day wearing only that long coat and a smile."

"He was singing?" She feigned an expression of shock for Zale. "Did you pick that up from Merrick?"

Zale grinned and raised an eyebrow. "He's not the only one who can sing, you know. Though, I'm not nearly as good, when the mood strikes me."

"Maybe I can get you to sing for me tonight." She gave him a suggestive wink, then regarded Deez and Aron again. "Well, I thank you boys for such a special treat." She giggled as she patted Merrick, still kneeling at her feet, upon the head. "You too my little pet."

"Any other time you need our assistance, ma'am," Aron said, "you just let us know. We're happy to help you however we can."

Merrick grinned and ran his tongue along her slit one more time. From beside her, Aron could only watch and shake his head. "Oh wow," he said as he and Deez slipped back to their places.

Kaysa gave her two new favourite boys a little wave, then shook her head in mock disapproval at Merrick. "Mr. Braston, it isn't polite to start eating before everyone else is seated. For that, you're going to bed without dinner." She slid her chair back, moving away from Merrick's ravenous tongue, and rose. After readjusting her panties and the rest of her clothing, she tossed her hair back and said haughtily, "Now, who will escort me to my bed chambers?"

"I will," Deez chimed in quickly, and Aron slapped him in the side.

Zale chuckled and stepped forward. He extended a hand to her, bowing gravely as he did. "I will accept the honour of escorting you to your chambers, my lady."

Kaysa gracefully slipped her hand into Zale's and inclined her head at him. "I accept." She smiled at him to dispel the air of formality they had achieved, then looked over her shoulder at Merrick. "You've had your turn, musician. I think Zale wants me to himself for a while. Are you going to stay here with Deez and Aron?"

"I've got some ideas for a song," Merrick said with a grin. "I was going to stay out here and write. Maybe they can even listen in and make sure I'm making sense with the lyrics."

Kaysa kissed Merrick lovingly, then moved her lips to his ear. "Thanks," she whispered in appreciation of the time alone he had voluntarily given she and Zale. "I'll make it up to you tomorrow."

Merrick returned her kiss, and then met her gaze. "I look forward to it," he said softly. "Have fun, my love. And, if you need anything, just use the comm. Maybe after I've got some work done on the song, the three of us"--he included Deez and Aron with a nod--"can bring you in a little bit of actual dessert. But, if you want the whole night with him, just let us know and we'll keep ourselves busy out here."

Kaysa trailed one finger down Merrick's chest. "I think I could go for a little dessert later. Just ring first."

"Will do, my love," Merrick said. "Now go make your other husband feel special again. I'll take care of things out here."

"Okay." She kissed him again, then patted his chest lightly before starting off with Zale. "You have me all to yourself all night. Gonna make the best of it?"

"I hope to," Zale said with a loving smile as he slipped an arm around Kaysa's waist. "But, it all depends on what we want. This is our time together, right? Not just for me."

"Definitely. I figure Merrick had a spin, so you'd want yours." She smiled impishly at him. "Am I right?"

"It's not because Merrick was with you," Zale said. "Well, not entirely, not any longer. But, I just want to be with the woman I love, the woman I feel complete with."

"Yes, I imagine it wasn't as fulfilling when I wouldn't share my body with you," she teased. "Now, everything really will be complete."

"I have loved you more than I've ever loved another person," Zale said. "And, the incompleteness was only because I wasn't able to express my love for you. It's more than just about bodies, and you know it. You know that when we make love, it's practically a transcendental experience. I think you just like making fun of me, and I'm going to make sure you pay for that once we're alone." He gave her a playful swat on the rear.

Kaysa yelped and stumbled forward. "Hey!" She feigned a scowl at Zale, then petulantly tugged her hand free of his and folded her arms across her chest. "Well. We'll see about that, Mr. Tregat." Jutting her chin high in the air, Kaysa strode forward ahead of Zale.

Zale stifled a laugh and quickly followed after Kaysa. "We will see," he said. "So, how will you want it this evening, Mrs. Braston?"

"Hmm..." She grinned over her shoulder at Zale. "Surprise me. You can think about it while we're in the shower."

"Oh really," Zale said with a smile. "While we're in the shower, do I also get to bathe you? I've missed doing that."

"If that's part of the surprise," she replied, leaning attractively against the open doorway, "then yes."

Zale slipped forward and took Kaysa into his arms. "Then that's part of the surprise. Come on, my love, our shower awaits." With that, he lifted her into his arms, and adjusted until she was lying comfortable against his chest.

"It was a good idea to go on a vacation," Kaysa murmured as her fingers played with a strand of Zale's braided hair. "I think I needed this. We all did."

"I agree completely," Zale said as he led them into the refresher. Unlike most starships, no expense had been spared on the refresher. There was a large tub with adjacent shower. A variety of soaps rested next to an array of bottles filled with salts and beads and oils and lotions. At Kaysa's raised eyebrow, Zale grinned. "Would you care for the bath or the shower, my lady?"

Kaysa gave him a beaming smile. "Bath please!" She giggled and kicked her feet excitedly as Zale set her down upon the edge of the tub and moved to activate the tap. As the water began to flow, Kaysa selected one of the bottles of oil and popped the lid off. "Did you plan all this for me?" She sniffed at the fragranced oil and sounded her approval with a contented moan.

"The tub was here before, but all of this"--he indicated all of the oils and soaps--" was added this morning. I figured if we were going on a vacation, the love of my life would want some luxuries. The fabulously wealthy deserve to be pampered, and I intend to see that you are."

"And I imagine I will be." Kaysa squealed as she upturned the bottle of oil and drizzled its contents over the shallow pool of water rising in the tub. "Oh, Zale, I so love you. You're almost as romantic as Merrick is."

"Don't let him hear that," Zale said with a chuckle. "He thinks he's got the romantic angle covered in this strange relationship we have while I've got the dark, brooding warrior angle. But, you make me realize just how much I want to be a romantic. I've never felt this way before, Kaysa. I never thought I would care this much for another person, but I do." He was silent for a moment while he absently churned the water with a hand. "I've been thinking about going legitimate."

Kaysa shifted her gaze from the remaining droplets of oil dripping from the bottle to watch Zale curiously. "What do you mean?" she asked softly. "You mean...you want to give up Antorial?"

"No," he said with a smile. "I'd make it a real company, doing real things. I think I've been good as a crimelord, but it puts us all in danger. I don't want that for us anymore. I don't want to hurt us anymore than we already have been. Maybe a little smuggling on the side, but nothing bad. Things that help people, not hurts them."

"But...you've never really done anything to hurt innocent people, Zale." She slid along the edge of the tub, closer to Zale. "You only go after the criminals, right? Besides, it wouldn't change anything. We'd still be in danger even if your business was legitimate. It's the spaceport Dargus Kandran wants and that has nothing to do with your status as a crimelord."

"Well, I think Dargus Kandran will always be our enemy no matter where we are or what we do, but I think moving to Riga will help lessen his influence. I guess I just want to have a more legitimate front. Maybe not completely legit, but some legitimate operations. I don't know if I could give it all up completely. Do you think I do good things?"

"Well..." Kaysa chewed her lip pensively. "You've helped rescue Shiv, and your men are always watching us, protecting us. Those are good things." She lowered her hand into the water where Zale was submerging his fingers, and gently slipped her hand into his. After raising it to her lips, Kaysa gave his hand a tender kiss. "You're a good man, Zale," she told him sincerely. "And you have a good heart. That's all that matters."

"Thank you," Zale said. "I love you so much, Kaysa. Have I thanked you enough for tricking me into marrying you? I think that's the brightest moment of my life."

"That was almost the scariest for me!" She laughed and kissed his hand again before rising from the tub's edge. "You can thank me again once the tub is full." With one smooth motion, Kaysa gripped the hem of her shirt and slipped it off over her head. She grinned at him enticingly and added, "You can thank me twice if you're able."

"Oh, I think I'll definitely be able," Zale said with a grin. "I remember that night about a month ago. Was it six times?"

Kaysa's cheeks reddened and her smile became bashful. "Five and a half. Did you want to see if we can make it to the 'six' mark?"

Zale chuckled. "I think we should try for seven if you're feeling up for it," he said. "It'll be a longer wait for that dessert, but I think the wait will be worth it." He stood to be able to kiss her, and then started slowly removing his shirt. "How's that sound?"

Kaysa smoothed her hands over his bare chest. "It sounds like my poor Zale has been missing me." She kissed the hollow of his neck, then gazed up at him. "Never again," she whispered. "I promise."

"And, I promise to do my best to not get jealous of your time with Merrick," Zale whispered back. "It's hard to watch the two of you together sometimes because of how beautiful and in love you two look. I feel that I'm missing out, but all I really need to do is remember the times like now when I'm with you; then I know that we're both your loves and we should work at loving you, not fighting over what love we can take away from each other. It definitely doesn't work that way."

"Not at all," she affirmed. "If you start competing over me, neither of you will get any part of me." She smiled sweetly, and with contrasting aggression to belie her gentle facade, forced open Zale's pants. "Now, is that bath quite ready yet, Mr. Tregat?"

Zale glanced down into the tub and smiled. "Looks like it's ready to me," he said with a grin. He slid a hand down to the catch on her skirt, and expertly unclasped it and started the zipper down. "I think you're really going to enjoy this, my love."

"I know I will. We haven't done this in a while." She stepped forward out of her skirt and into Zale's arms. Her hands pushed down his pants, while her lips pressed tender kisses to his chest. "I think I'm going to really enjoy this vacation, too."

Zale lifted her into his arms, kissing tenderly at her throat while she kissed his chest, and then stepped into the foamy water of the bath. He slid gently down into the water until they were both nearly submerged. "I plan on giving you a beautiful night tonight," he said. "I believe we've started this vacation off right, and it only gets better from here. Now, hold still, my love; it's time for me to bathe you."

Kaysa rested back against Zale's chest and closed her eyes as his hands lathered soap across her stomach and breasts. She hadn't thought it possible that she'd find serenity from someone's touch so soon after her trauma, but she had found it at Merrick's hands, and now Zale's. If the beginning of their vacation was any indication of the joy they could expect throughout the rest of it, Kaysa definitely wanted to get away more often.

---

"Racing the Gauntlet, Part 1"
By: Dargus Kandran
Yelara Neerou
Kallia Brael
Keeve Zenarr [NPC+]

with Jadda the Hutt

Location: The Tae'Sollar Gauntlet, Tae'Sollar
Date: Eos 11, 4ABY

***

The trip from the ship in orbit to the planet was fairly quick. Dargus and