"Back Together"
by Talara Sorenne
Keeve Zenarr
and Kimara

Date: Vadris 13, 5ABY
Location: Jedi Safe House

***

Talara and Zari separated from Liam Zaneth once they were back at the warehouse where the Jedi were located. Zari gave her friend a quick hug, and then hurried off to find Master Brael, who had been watching over Kellin. Left alone, Talara sought out Keeve. As expected, she found him in the room they'd been sharing. His arms were around Kimara who appeared to be wearing an outfit borrowed from one of the Jedi.

They looked up as she stepped through the door. She saw the relief in Keeve's eyes when he saw she was unhurt. "Both Zari and I made it back. Once she checks on Kellin, she and Master Zaneth are going to try to find Dev. We ran into some trouble, and Zenarr Inc got a bit shot up. I don't know who they were, but they attacked us after we got Zari some of the clothes we'd stashed there. But, we made it."

Kimara, whose eyes seemed to be red from crying, smiled at Tala. "Thank you for coming for us, Tala," she said. "It was a big, stupid risk for you to go there, but thank you."

Talara grinned as she slowly approached the bed. "Keeve told you to say that, didn't he?"

Keeve smiled wanly. "I did not, but she's right. It was impulsive and reckless."

"It worked," Talara said. "And without me, you would have needed an army to get inside. Still, it's beside the point, but he shouldn't be bothering us again."

"Maeren's still in there," Kim said. "He has her dancing, and then working the back rooms." She'd told Keeve before Talara arrived, but they hadn't been able to come up with a plan to get Shiv out of there.

"He kidnapped her too?"

Kim shook her head. "I think she went there for a job, and somehow they tracked her back to the house and us. They were looking for you and Keeve."

"If she's there willingly," Keeve said, "then I don't see a reason to interfere. If that's the life she wants to lead...." He shrugged.

"She is still your wife," Kim said. "I still think we should rescue her, even if she doesn't want it."

Keeve cocked an eyebrow at Kim. "We? You are not going anywhere, except to a safer house. We all could have died tonight. I'm not risking you again."

"Fine," Kim said. "Someone has to rescue her. She may have done something very stupid, but she's still part of our family."

He sighed. "Maybe the Jedi can help. Do you think they will?" This to Talara.

"I think they will," Talara said. "I'll talk to Master Darr in the morning. I think Kim should stay here with the Jedi. It's probably the safest place she could be on the whole planet. She can stay in here with you tonight, Keeve. I'll see if I can get another room."

"No you won't," Kim said. "If I'm sleeping in this bed, so are you. I think it should be big enough for all three of us."

"All three?" Keeve asked nervously. "Are you sure?"

"We've done it before," Kim said. "Our bed at home was bigger, of course. Anyway, what would you prefer, Keeve?"

"I don't know," he exclaimed defensively. "You were the one to suggest it. I'll sleep on the floor. I don't mind."

"You are impossible," Kim said as she rolled her eyes. "You have a relationship with both of us, you've slept with both of us in the same bed before, and now you want to sleep on the floor? Keeve, I will never understand you or the way you reason through things."

He smiled proudly. "My mysterious nature is what keeps you interested."

"Oh, it does," Kim said with a mischievous grin. "And, sometime within the next twenty-four hours, I want some time alone with you. You have to tear my borrowed clothes off and have your way with me."

Looking abashedly between Kim and Talara, Keeve could only chuckle helplessly. "Maybe I will sleep on the floor after all..."

Kim shot a look in Talara's direction, then nodded in Keeve's direction.

"Keeve, you don't have to," she said. "Share the bed with us, or I can find another room for the night. You deserve the time with Kim, so you should at least have that."

"Nah," he finally relented, "we'll sleep together. It's warmer that way." Groaning in exertion, Keeve raised himself from the bed and rotated his arm to work out a kink. "I'm going to shower. Maybe the heat will ease the knots out of some of these muscles."

"Okay," Kim said as she leaned close to him and kissed his cheek. "I'll be waiting for you here." (OOC: actually he's now standing)

Keeve stroked her cheek briefly before departing for the shower, grateful for a chance to be alone and let down his macho front. Every muscle ached, reminding Keeve that he was falling out of shape. So it was with much effort and many hisses of pain that Keeve shed his clothing and readied the shower.

As he did so, the door opened and Talara slipped inside the refresher. She gave him a guilty smile and thought about turning around, but stopped herself and stepped forward toward him. "Kim thought you might want some help with those muscles."

"Then why didn't she come in herself?" He tested the water with his hand, and instantly missed the automated shower system in his home as the scalding liquid singed his fingers. Keeve grumbled, enjoying nothing about that night.

She came to stand by his side and worked at the faucet, trying to adjust the temperature to perfect. "She didn't say," Tala answered. "There. That should be good."

"Thanks," he murmured and turned as she did so they now faced. "And I mean that for everything. I know I fought you on it, but if you hadn't been there tonight...I wouldn't have been able to do it myself."

"We were a good team," Talara said. "I didn't realize you could shoot a blaster so well. I'm glad we got them back okay, and I'm glad we sent a message to Reinrich. I hope, except for getting Maeren out of there, it's all over now."

"Yeah," he sighed and again tested the water. With a sound of approval, Keeve shook off his hand and regarded Talara once more. "Well...that's for me. You watching?"

"Would you object if I joined you," she asked as she pulled her top up over her head. "I figure if I'm going to give you a massage, it'd be best if I'm in there with you."

Keeve smiled quizzically. "So...Kim sent you in here to do this?"

"She didn't exactly say 'Go take a shower' with him, but she thought I might be able to help work out the soreness in your muscles, I guess. She didn't really say." Since he hadn't voiced any objections, she kicked out of her boots and slipped out of her pants.

Although not opposed to taking in Talara's nakedness, Keeve raised his hand to halt her. "So...Kim's out there and you want to do...what, exactly, in the shower?"

"Just giving you a massage," Tala said. "I think she expects us to do more, though. But, I just want to help you feel better and not achy. I'm afraid if we did anything that Kim wants us to be doing in here, you'd be aching more."

He grinned. "Well, we don't know about that, do we?" Lightly, he traced the slope of Talara's shoulder with his fingertips. "I think I can handle you," Keeve told her.

"Think so, do you," she said as she slipped into the shower after him. "We'll just have to see now, won't we?"

***

Hair damp and mussed as if he'd combed it only with his fingers, Keeve stepped out of the refresher with just a towel wrapped about his waist as a pretense of modesty. Behind him, Talara followed, appearing quite pleased with herself, even if Keeve's face was as non-expressive as usual. Though, his features did register some emotion - namely surprise and anger - as a flash of white darted past him, forcing Keeve to stumble out of its path. As he steadied himself, the white blur resolved into Hope, who sat calmly at the foot of the bed, seeming to watch Keeve quizzically in his efforts to remain upright. He scowled at reisacat and secured his towel before it could drop to the ground. "Not funny," he growled to the cat.

Hope mewed happily and then bunched herself up, then leapt up onto the bed and sauntered up where Kim sat. As Hope nuzzled her way into Kim's lap, Kim was expectantly watching Kim and Talara. "So, how was the shower?"

With a shrug, Keeve turned to the dresser, mumbling, "It was just a shower..."

"That doesn't sound very well at all," Kim said, then shot a glare in Talara's direction.

"I gave him a massage to work out the aches in his muscles," she said. "I didn't think it was a good idea to give him more."

"You two are no fun at all," Kim said with a shake of her head.

"Well what did you expect?" Keeve asked. "Knowing you're in here, listening and hoping for something to happen, that we'd let it happen?"

"I suspect that even when I wasn't in the other room, you don't let anything happen. I don't know. I just thought that the two of you, after the way you started, would express your feelings for each other more. I just sort of hoped that it would be similar to our relationship. I guess, I'm not really sure about all of this. I am very happy that the two of you have each other, and that I have you. But, I don't really know. I'm not explaining myself well. You do love each other, right?"

"Sure," Keeve allowed, and spied Kim over his shoulder, sensing a deeper motivation to her questions than mere curiousity. Sighing, Keeve moved to the bed and seated himself beside Kim. He covered her knee with his hand. "Is this about what happened? About the abduction? Because if you're afraid something's going to happen to you and you won't be able to be with me...then don't. Even if something does happen to you, I'll be fine on my own, Kim. You don't have to worry about me."

"Oh, it's not really that, though there is some concern. I mean, I love you. We're supposed to be getting married, and I want to be with you. I can't only be with you because you have Talara too. I don't want someone else, just so you know. But, I guess since you have Talara and me, and we have only you, I thought maybe the three of us should be closer. I don't know if you want that or Talara wants that. I mean, do you want us each to be your separate lovers, or should we be a family together."

Keeve laughed uncomfortably, eyes shifting hastily from Talara to Kim and back again. "I...hadn't thought about that. I mean, Tala and I haven't....you know. Is this something we need to decide now?"

Kim grinned. "Well, I guess not now, but we can think about it at some point."

"You just want to get me into bed," Talara said.

Kim's grin widened as she said, "I hope you don't have a problem with that." Talara blushed.

"So," Talara said, happy to change the subject, "the Jedi have an operation coming up soon. I don't know the details, but I'm going to ask if I can join them."

Rolling his eyes wearily, Keeve muttered, "Here we go again... You just aren't content unless you're facing danger, are you?"

"I want those alien creeps off this planet so we can have a normal life," Talara said. "If I can contribute any small part to that, I will. The sooner we have our lives as our own again, the happier I'll be."

"And the happier I'll be if I'm there to protect you," Keeve countered. "Is that what you want?"

"If you want to go," Tala said. "It could be very dangerous since it will be against the Jau."

"Dangerous for me but not for you," he interpreted. "If you go, I go."

"Okay," Talara said. "But we have to stick close to each other. I want to be able to watch your back, and I want you watching mine."

Keeve nodded stiffly. "Agreed. But first we need all the details. I'm sure there's a meeting we haven't been invited to...so we have to find out when and where that is."

"Yes," Talara said. "We should be getting details soon. I'll let you know as soon as I know, but I suspect one of the Masters will announce it in one of the morning briefings."

"Then until then...." Yawning mightily, Keeve reclined on the bed, hands clasped behind his head, and closed his eyes. "I'm going to sleep. If you two want to talk or shower or...whatever, then go right ahead."

"I think I do need a shower," Kim said. She was silent for a moment, glanced between Keeve and Talara, then finally said, "Will you come with me, Tala? It'd be nice to have someone to talk to."

Talara smiled and slid off the bed. "Sure," she said. She moved around the side of the bed and gave Keeve a kiss. "We'll be back soon."

With that, both women disappeared from the room to shower. They returned a half hour later, talking softly to themselves and trying to keep their giggling quiet so as to not wake Keeve, who was sprawled atop the bed snoring audibly.

Kim and Talara looked at each other and grinned. Kim moved to the room's environmental controls and shut down the lights as Talara let her towel fall to the floor near the bathroom. They both padded to opposite sides of the bed in silence. Kim left her own towel behind as she slid in on one side of Keeve while Talara took the other. Snuggling against him, both were able to feel a little bit of contentment, a slight moment of peace, as they forgot about the bad things that waited to happen outside of that room. For now, they were together, with the one they cared for.

Silently, as the three slipped deeper into sleep, a small white form crept up to the top of the bed and there snuggled in above Keeve's head. The day had been a very bad one, but in the end it had turned out for the best.

---

"Playtime"
By: Kallia Brael
Yelara Zaneth
Yara Brael

Location: Yelara's Hospital Room, New Plouton
Date: Vadris 13, 5 ABY

***

The door to the room opened slowly, revealing the edge of the bed just beyond. As the door opened further, the expectant face of the bed's occupant came into view. In the doorway, Kallia Brael stepped just through the doorway. She was dressed in leather pants and a belted tunic. In her arms, her little girl leaned against Kal's shoulder watching with large brown eyes.

There was a hesitancy in Kallia's movements, but she pushed on. "May I come in," she asked.

Yelara's voice caught in her throat as she replied, "Yes...of course." She gestured to the chair positioned next to her bed, meant for visitors. This, however, was one visitor Yelara had been anxious to receive.

Kallia moved to the chair beside the bed. She shifted Yara in her arms so that the girl would be able to sit comfortably while she and Yel had a chance to catch up.

Yara, on the other hand, had other things in mind. She pointed at the woman now sitting across from her mother, and exclaimed, "Yawa!"

Unable to suppress her grin, Kal added, "I think she remembers you."

Yelara chuckled. "She has a better memory than I do. That's youth for you, I suppose."

"Some days it's very hard to keep up with her," Kallia said as she ruffled Yara's hair. "Liam said that the surgery was a success, that you'll be walking again in no time."

"Yes. I'm making great progress." Head bowed, she stared at her legs, half-exposed by the folded-back sheets, and wondered when the day would come. "I've missed out on a lot since awakening...and have neglected those people closest to me. And I'm sorry for that, Kallia."

"I understand," Kallia said. "Things have been a bit hectic for everyone. I'm glad we have this chance now though. So much has happened. I don't know if you knew, but I had twins. It was a bit of a bad situation, when I was on Dargus' ship. One is Keeve's and the other is Dargus'. It's very rare, supposedly, but they're beautiful. Keeps me very busy."

"I'd like to see them some day," Yelara told her warmly. "I'm sure they're both as beautiful as Yara."

"I'm sure you will," Kallia said. "I have a holo of them if you want to see. Yara gets to be the big sister with them. I think she's beginning to understand more about it, but she's very cute with them."

Yelara's eyes glowed with joy as Kallia showed the holoimage. "They're exactly like their mother," she whispered. "Which is lucky...considering their mother is beautiful."

Kallia blushed. "Thank you," she said. "When the three of them are all together, they can be a handful, but they're worth it. Do you think Yara and Leshie would like to play together again?"

"I do. I can tell he misses her - he always mentions her. Maybe, when I'm finally home, you can drop her off for the day."

"Yes, that would be very nice," Kallia said with a smile. "We should take them to one of the parks too. I think they would enjoy that."

"As would I," Yelara added, watching Kallia significantly. "I know things can't be as they were...but we should at least be friends, Kal. I'd be hurt if we couldn't be."

Kal reached out her hand to Yelara. "I'd like that very much," she said.

It felt natural how perfectly Yelara's hand fit into Kal's, but she refused to delude herself - things could never be as they were. Life had moved far beyond the point where they had been lovers, but there was no grief in the realization. They were friends, still, and as long as Yelara had Kallia in her life, there would be no sense of loss. Smiling, Yelara said casually, "I've gotten pretty slender, haven't I? Liam says he doesn't mind, but I'm sure he prefers the voluptuous type."

"If you'd like, I'm sure a few girls' nights out will get you your figure back," Kallia said with a wide grin. "For everything you've been through, you look great, Yel. If there's anything I can do to help out, just name it."

"Well..." She played with a lock of her hair, frowning in distaste. "I have no idea what to do with it. I haven't the time to style it, and I'm sure it's always a mess.... You could help me make it look nice, for Liam."

"I think I might be able to," Kallia mused as she shifted her chair closer to the bed. "Do you have a brush?"

"In the top drawer," she answered, pointing to her bedside table. As Kallia proceeded to retrieve the brush, Yelara watched her, smiling fondly. "I should probably cut it," she mused, while Kallia moved to seat herself upon the bed. Yelara shifted slightly, offering Kallia better access to the back of her hair.

"I like the length," Kal said a she began pulling the brush through Yelara's hair. "I think I might be able to put a little wave in it. That should give it a little more body." She shifted Yara in her lap as the little one was trying to climb over to the bed to visit.

"It's lost all of its curl," Yelara lamented, holding out her arms to Yara. The young girl leaned into her embrace and Yelara pulled Yara onto her lap. She looked in envy at the child's ringlets. "I guess this is what you have to expect from old age."

"Old age? Bah," Kal said with a laugh. "You have to be out of your thirties to even be considered older, and you haven't even reached your thirties. I've got three years on you, my dear, and I'm definitely not old."

"Definitely not," Yelara agreed softly, studying Yara with longing. "I feel old, Kal. It's as if I've lived more in my short years than someone twice my age. I'm tired...."

"You've been through a lot," Kal said. "Once you get active again, once you have a chance to chase after Leshie, I'm sure the feelings will pass. You've been confined to a bed for so long, I'm sure that feeling is normal."

She smiled wanly. "I'm lucky I haven't gone insane. Leshie and Liam have helped keep me grounded and happy. And now that I have a friend again" --she patted Kallia's knee significantly-- "I know I can do this."

"I know you can too," Kallia said as she covered Yel's hand with her own and gave it a squeeze. "It's so good to see you again."

"I'm sorry I waited so long to see you. I was afraid you'd be hurt."

"Things have been very...strange lately," Kallia said. "I haven't completely put my mind around some of it, but I think I've adjusted. Keeve has helped a lot in taking care of the girls when I needed some help. It's been nice to have something close to a family. It'll be nice to have our families together again. I think they're a little young to be Leshie's friends now, but I hope, in time, Mari and Sari can be."

"Adorable names," Yelara declared fervently. "I'm sure Leshie will love them. Why not bring them to visit Liam at the apartment? He won't mind."

"I think I would like to wait until you're there too," Kallia said. "That way, you get to see Leshie making his new friends."

"I'd like that." She smiled. "How's the hair coming along?"

"I think it's coming good," Kallia said with a grin. She reached over and got a hand mirror from the same drawer that had held the brush. "See for yourself."

With mirror in hand, Yelara inspected her hair from every possible angle, growing more delighted by the moment. Finally, she laughed and embraced Kallia. "It's the nicest it's been for months. Thank you."

Kallia leaned around Yel to look at her daughter. "How does Aunt Yelara look?"

"Yawa wook goo!"

"You pass," Kal said with a laugh. "And you're very welcome."

"I hope it lasts for Liam's next visit," she fretted. "I want to look nice for him. He hasn't been with a woman for ages and I should at least give him some pleasure."

"Everything will be perfect," Kallia assured her. "But, if you know when he's going to stop by and you want me to get here before him to help you with your hair, let me know. I'll happily do that."

"Could you...bring me a dress, too?" she asked hesitantly. "I'd like to surprise him."

"Definitely," Kal said. "I think I still remember your size too."

She watched Kallia coyly from beneath her lashes. "Yeah? As I recall, we were barely clothed in our time together."

"Oh, I remember that time in the shower," Kal said with a low chuckle. "We did have some good times, didn't we?"

"We did," Yelara answered wistfully. "But...everything's too complicated now to recapture that. Maybe friendship would be easier for the time being...."

Kallia nodded. "As nice as it might be, I think you're right. Plus, once you're out of here, you and Liam will be catching up and spending time together. I don't want to cause any strife between you. But, I will always be here as your friend, that is for certain."

"I don't have many of those right now...so that'd be great." She smiled ardently at Kal and clasped her hand. "After going through so much, we've returned to where we began - as friends. It's ironic...but not at all sad, despite what we've lost. I hope you can be happy, Kal."

"Of course I can," Kallia said. "I'm happy to be back in your life, to have a friend I'd thought lost, and to know that despite all the darkness right now, there's at least some light within it."

"And she's got great hair," Yelara boasted, fluffing her curls playfully.

"Indeed she does. I think Liam will be very happy to see you all gussied up for him. I'll have to find you a really nice dress too. Something without straps, I think."

"It's the least I owe him," Yelara admitted. "After how I treated him...and he still stood by me. I can never thank him enough for that."

"I'm sure just having you here again, being able to see you smile -- and smile for him -- is plenty thanks for him. Though, I know that seeing you walking again, the two of you playing with Leshie together, will make him happy enough to forget anything bad that's ever happened."

"Then do you think you can help me with that, too?" Yelara folded back the covers to reveal her slender legs, made extremely so through underuse. She gazed up at Kallia imploringly. "You think you could walk with me? The doctor says I need to practice and I haven't had enough today...."

"I can," Kallia said with a smile. "If you need some help with a physical regimen to get you back in shape, I'm happy to help you. At the Temple, there are a few of the Jedi who might be able to help too. I think I would recommend Talara though. She's actually conducting a training program for the Jedi to help them in the fight against the Jau." She extended her arm for Yelara to take. "But, I would be very happy to help you get your strength back."

"Thanks," she answered softly. With Yara perched on the bed, watching intently, Kallia helped Yelara to her feet. Although she was shaky, Yelara could now stand, though she dared not release her hold on Kallia for she feared collapsing if she did so. She smiled, despite the exertion, as, step by shuffling step, Yelara covered a small portion of her hospital room. Breathing heavily, she laughed at having made such progress, and leaned into Kallia for support as she rested. "See?" she enthused. "I'm better already. I'll be home in no time."

"The more you do it, the easier it'll be," Kallia said as she helped Yel turn around for the trip back the other way. She let her friend take a few more breaths, wait for a few more moments, and then they returned. Yara watched with large eyes intent on seeing how well her namesake did. If she had been on the floor, she would have very likely showed Yelara exactly how it's done as only a toddler could.

Although it seemed hours to Yelara, she was up and about for brief minutes before slumping against Kallia and asking to be taken to bed. "It's harder than it looks," Yelara gasped, clinging to Kallia's tunic.

"It'll get better," Kallia said as she helped Yelara back over to the bed, lending more of her weight and placing her arm around her friend's waist for additional support. "As long as you can do a little more than the time before, you're making progress. Before you know it, you'll be as good as new."

She nodded resolutely and instinctually kissed Kallia's cheek. "Thank you. I'd really like for you to visit often...if you wouldn't mind."

"I will," Kallia said with a smile. "If it's alright, I can bring the other girls to visit too, maybe. I don't think the doctors would like it if I brought all three, or even two, but I could probably bring them each for a visit."

"That'd be great." Yelara sighed, finally regaining her wind. "You won't stay away too long?"

"Definitely not," Kallia said. "if you'd like, I can come back tomorrow. I'll bring Mari if she's feeling up to it. And, Yara will have to stay behind and help Zari watch over Sari." The little girl beamed proudly as she looked up from removing her shoe.

Yelara laughed and couldn't resist sitting on the bed to scoop Yara into her arms for an enthusiastic kiss of the child's plump cheek. Yara giggled. "Please promise Yara can visit again, though. I'd love to see the new babies, but Yara's too adorable not to see."

"Of course," Kallia said with a wide grin. "I love Mari and Sari more than I can ever express, but Yara will always be my special girl. I'll happily bring her back around to visit Aunt Yelara once you've had a chance to meet Mari and Sari."

"Then it's agreed." Yelara embraced Yara tenderly, smiling up at Kallia. "Thanks for coming. I won't keep you any longer. But it was a great relief that you wanted to see me."

"I'll come back again soon," Kallia said as she gathered up Yara and helped her get her shoes back on. "I think I might be able to bring Mari by tomorrow if that's alright. Maybe we can do another walk around the room to build up your strength."

"Wonderful," Yelara whispered fondly. "Goodbye, Kal...my friend."

"Goodbye, Yelara," Kallia said as she hefted Yara into her arms. "Say bye bye to Auntie Yelara."

The toddler flapped a hand and exclaimed, "Byebye Yawa!"

Yelara laughed with sheer mirth and waved at the child until both mother and daughter had fully left the room. Despite being once again alone, Yelara was still in a good humour as she lay down to rest. All was becoming as it had been before the tragedy that was her death and resurrection, and it gave Yelara hope that life would return to normal soon enough.

---

"Supple Compensation"
By: Minn Starcrash
Reinrich Tas

Location: 'Nocturnal Delights', New Plouton
Date: Vadris 13, 5 ABY

***

The lights of the bulb were subdued, barely even noticeable as someone walked past. Adjustments had to be made for the Jau, and Nocturnal Delights had made them. With the citywide curfew, the decision had been made to not close, but to rather appear closed. And so as long as people were discreet, they could enter the club and enjoy the many pleasures that awaited within.

Minn Starcrash entered through the front door. She wore a large, billowing cloak against the chill air outside, but it also served to hide the weapon swinging from her belt. She approached the guard standing within, before the transparex doors that gave anyone in the lobby a good view of what was happening within. He was a Twi'lek who had had one of his hands replaced with an artificial one. She eyed him as she came to stand before him.

She drew her hood down so he could see her face, and his eyes widened in surprise. He had not expected a pretty face to be hidden by a cloak. With a smile, she let the cloak fall open enough for him to glimpse the bare skin of her navel. "I'm here for a job," she said. "I heard this is the place if you want to dance."

The Twi'lek gave her a slow, wicked smile that spoke of all the things he'd like to do to her.

To seal the deal, Minn added, "I promise to give you a special dance once I'm hired."

His mechanical hand closed over the door, and he opened it for her. "Welcome to Nocturnal Delights," he said. "You'll want to use the door in the back wall. That'll take you to the boss' office."

"Thanks," Minn said with a wink as she slipped through the door. The cheerful demeanor remained as she ventured across the dance floor in case cameras were watching her. She had to resist the urge to draw her weapon and remove the hands that reached in for a grope.

She made it to the door, and slipped through to the safety beyond. The office she sought was through a bit of a twisting corridor, but she managed to find her way. She knocked once, and then pushed the door open.

The dour expression fixed on Reinrich Tas' face was alleviated somewhat by the sight of his visitor. Sunken in his chair, he sat up straighter and welcomed her inside with a smirk and a brief wave. "Isn't this a treat. Did Hes'tar send you to cheer me up?"

"No," she answered. She let the door close behind her as she moved further into the office. "I am looking for information. Earlier tonight, two girls left here. I lost track of them as they turned toward Vendra. I need whatever information you can give me. Who they are, where they went. Anything."

"So you're not here for a job?" Reinrich grumbled in irritation. "Then why should I help you? Don't waste my time."

"Because if you don't help me," Minn said with a smile that seemed to light up her eyes. She moved forward until she stood just before him and the way she moved brought to mind the way a cat moved. Not a small, reisacat, but the large predators that prowled the wilderness of many worlds. "I will take out my frustrations by killing you slowly."

Reinrich's leering smile returned at the better vantage he'd gained of Minn's figure. "I have a little something else in mind other than death, if you're up for it."

"I'm sure you do," Minn said as she gave him an appraising look. "Give me the information I seek, and I'll consider it."

"Right," he scoffed. "I've heard it all before. Do you think I'm an amateur, young lady? That I'm so easily swayed by an attractive woman?" Reinrich leaned back in his chair comfortably. "If we make a deal, however, then I wouldn't be opposed to telling you what you want to know."

Minn shrugged and her cloak fell back to pool at her feet, revealing the tight-fitting outfit she wore that left her stomach bare while hugging every other curve she possessed. Swinging from her belt was the hilt of an elaborately styled lightsaber. "Name your terms, and I'll name mine."

Reinrich chuckled deeply. "I think you know mine. If not - a hint: you won't require that charming outfit you're wearing."

Minn tugged the zip holding her top closed down. The top split open revealing her breasts to him. "So, we have some fun together," she said. "And, when we're done, you tell me what I want to know. And, then we part ways, and if I need more information or you need more fun, we arrange another deal."

Reaching out a hand towards her, Reinrich crooned, "That's the idea. Shall we?"

With a shrug, Minn let her top fall back to land on her cloak. She leaned into his touch. She had little experience in the so-called arts of pleasure. There had been a few times with her master, and a random man here and there, but overall, her attentions had been focused on doing her work. She did, however, know the value of letting off steam, and if this was the only price she had to pay for the information she needed, it was a small one to pay. And, it meant not leaving a trail of bodies behind her. She reached out one hand to his chest, and the other slid down to the front of his pants. "I imagine this job has its benefits," she purred.

"It does," he drawled. "Shall I show you?"

"Please do," Minn said. As their bodies came together, she found that she didn't have to feign much of anything. He was as good with his body as a man whose nightclub catered to the pleasures of the flesh should be expected to be. As the rest of her clothing and his found its way onto the floor, she gave herself over to their coupling and even managed to forget about her mission for just a little while.

***

Thankfully Reinrich Tas enjoyed the benefits of his position as proprietor of the club, to the point where his office was probably the nicest suite of rooms in the place, complete with a full refresher. Their activities hadn't stayed just at his desk as they'd nearly broken his couch and then found their way to the bed he kept in the back. Finally sated, he'd collapsed back into the satin sheets with Minn sliding down to his side.

She'd excused herself from him as he dozed to make use of the refresher to clean herself up. Her hair was damp when she emerged but the large, fluffy towel had done its job to dry the rest of her fully. She let it fall to the floor, allowing him to watch her as she gathered her clothing.

"So," she said as she slipped into a black, frilled undergarment, "my information."

"Right down to business, hm?" Reinrich sighed serenely as he admired those areas of Minn's body still uncovered. "Don't you want to rest up for the next go?"

"Give me good information, and I'll give you a go for free," she said with a coy smile. She pulled on her top, but left it unzipped. She draped her leather pants and belt over a chair as a sign of her good faith.

Reinrich linked his hands behind his head in a casual repose, taking in the view. "Now, which two girls would you be talking about? Most of my staff are women - you've got to narrow it down for me."

"A blonde and a brunette," Minn said. "Probably about my age. Both very pretty. And Force-users. I imagine you don't have many of those in your employ."

"None, in fact." His smile was sly. "Why should you be interested in two women? One man not enough for you?"

"A woman can do things to a woman that no man ever could," Minn said with a teasing grin. "Or so I've heard. Though my reasons for tracking them down have nothing to do with what I do or don't want to do with them in bed. Actually, until you mentioned it, I hadn't even thought of them in that context. It is their ability to use the Force that I'm interested in."

"It's too bad then," he sighed, "that I haven't the slightest idea where they are. I had them captive for a time, but their meddling friends barged in and released them. They could've made me a lot of money."

"What are their names," Minn asked. "And where did you capture them? Depending on my master's needs with them, perhaps I can return them to you once I find them."

He cocked an eyebrow. "Alive?"

"If you wish," Minn said.

"You would take my desires into consideration?" he asked with contrived humility. "I'm honoured." Then, he grinned. "I'll take the brunette. You can do what you like with the blonde."

Minn laughed. "As long as my master has no need of her, once I am through with her, she is yours," she said. "And, I think I can find some use for the blonde. She isn't as powerful as the brunette, but I think she'll suit my needs just fine. Now, their names?"

"Zari Zathmir and Talara Sorenne," he answered perfunctorily. "They were living in New Plouton, but my guess is they've moved on."

"Zathmir and Sorenne," Minn echoed, rolling the names over on her tongue. "I think I know where to begin looking for them. You've been very helpful, Reinrich Tas."

"And you" --his eyes roamed over her body-- "you've been...a delight. Visit me again. You won't regret it."

"If the next visit is anything like tonight, then I believe you're right," Minn said. She took her pants from the back of the chair and began putting them on. "What sort of arrangement have you made with the Jau to allow this place to keep operating?"

Reinrich smiled enigmatically. "Maybe I'll let you in on the secret the next time you visit my bed."

Minn smiled seductively. "I can't wait," she said. She took a seat in the chair her clothing had been draped over and pulled on her boots as she watched him. "I'm sure you have enough entertainment here that you won't miss me until I return."

"And I'm sure," he riposted, "you wouldn't care if I did. Though to prevent that...." Reinrich sat upright in bed, smiling wolfishly. "You could work for me. Then you'd always be close to my bed."

"I don't think my master would appreciate that," Minn said, her smile enigmatic. "Besides, I have no desire to dance in front of a room of crowded, salivating men, or take part in what happens in the back rooms. I like control."

"You'd only have to dance for me," he informed her. "If you'd like, you can try to wrest control from me. That would be an enjoyable challenge for you."

"My master would not appreciate giving my loyalty to another," Minn said. "Though, I will return. Don't know when, but I will."

"And you'll tell me when you find the girl?"

"I will make a point of stopping by and telling you once I know," Minn said. "Hopefully it will be very quick."

Reinrich chuckled knowingly. "I'm flattered...but not fooled. You'll be back when it suits your needs."

"Yes," Minn said with a laugh. "Though, I'm sure when I get here it'll suit your needs as well." She gave him a wave and headed for the door. "See you soon, Reinrich Tas."

It was a delight to follow Minn's swaying hips until she was out of sight. "A fortuitous meeting, to be sure," he sighed and closed his eyes to dream contentedly of Talara's return.

Minn laughed softly to herself as she wended her way through the club. There were fewer people here now which made her passage through the dance floor easy enough. She was in such a good mood, she stopped briefly to enjoy a dance before moving on.

"Leaving so soon," the Twi'lek asked with a lecherous gleam in his eye.

Minn kept on moving to the door even as she turned and gave him a shrug. Moving easily backward, she said, "Sorry, didn't get the job. The boss said I should practice my moves, so maybe I'll be back." She gave him a wink, then backed through the doors and out into the night.

She laughed as she started down the street, pausing only long enough to retrieve her gear from where she stashed it. Putting the encounter in the club behind her, Minn focused on the task ahead of her. She'd had her fun and now it was time to work.

---