"Full Circle, Part 1"
Liam Zaneth
Yelara Zaneth
Kallia Brael
Yelara Brael
Location: New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Praeda 14, 4ABY

***

The days had passed quickly for Liam and Yelara once they'd moved into their apartment. It was very large, much larger than they were used to. Three of the four bedrooms had been put to use. One of them was already set up as a workshop for Yelara, and another they'd converted into a training room for Liam. The master bedroom was their bedroom. For now, the last room contained nearly a thousand liters of carbosyrup.

Liam left the remotes and new lightsaber in the training room and walked to Yelara's workshop. She was bent over a screen as robotic arms worked behind her on the microcircuity that would serve as the device they'd use against the crimelord. She'd projected having it completed by the eighteenth, and appeared to be on-track to that goal as far as he could tell. They'd contact Oot on the seventeenth, and arrange a meeting with the person who would insert it.

He stood there in the door watching her, a gentle smile on his face. Finally, she looked up and glanced in his direction. Upon seeing him there, her face lit up with a smile. "I just finished testing my new lightsaber," he said. "So, I thought I'd come in and say hello."

"Well, perfect timing. I was just beginning to miss you," Yelara replied. She waved Liam over to the worktable and glanced down at the schematics she'd been working on. "I think it's going really well. My initial tests ran smoothly. The only problem now is I just have to stop revising the plans and trying to make it more perfect than it already is. I don't think I could ever be absolutely satisfied with my work."

Liam slipped his arms around Yelara's waist, careful of her belly. "Well," he said, "perhaps I can distract you from tinkering some more. Would you like to join me in the kitchen while I make us something to eat?"

"For once, Liam, I have to say that I'm not hungry." Yelara laughed as Liam's eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "Yes, you heard me correctly. I've been so consumed with work that I guess it's just driven the hunger away. But I do so love watching you cook..." She kissed Liam quickly on the tip of his nose and diverted her attention away from the schematics for the time being. She took his hand in hers and led him away from the workshop. "So, have you decided on a colour for your new lightsaber?"

As they walked out into the main room of the apartment, he smiled. "Cobalt," he said. "Of the crystals I had available, I think it was the one I liked the best."

As they got to the kitchen, Liam quickly busied himself with preparing himself some lunch. Something light since it would only be him.

"If you get the device done and ready by the middle of next week, I imagine Oot should have it in place by the end of the week. We'll then only have to worry about collecting the data from the thing. If it's as good as we're hoping, we should be out of here in only a month. Maybe less. Though, so far it hasn't seemed all that bad here. I think we should find a place like this on the other side of the--"

Without warning, a knock sounded at the door. Liam glanced up and frowned. Who would be knocking on their door. He wondered if it was Elgryde down the hall again. The woman had brought them a basket of fruit when she saw them moving in, and on their second day in the apartment had stopped by nearly ten times with various things. Good places to shop, advice on how to make the kitchen more efficient, and on and on. It was funny to watch, but it seemed like she was always dropping by unannounced. He glanced at Yelara and grinned. "You want to see what she wants?"

Yelara groaned, but couldn't help laugh at the woman's tenacity. "She probably has advice on what I should be feeding the baby already." She shook her head as she continued to laugh, then sighed deeply. "Fine. Let's hear what piece of wisdom she has to bestow upon us today."

Liam laughed. "If you need to, let her know we're about to eat, and we don't have enough for three," he said. "Just as long as she...doesn't stay. If you have to, tell her we're going to have sex. I don't think she could have any additional advice on that. I mean, we successfully made a baby. We're doing something right."

"I doubt she even remembers what goes where, Liam." Yelara struggled to get to her feet with the weight of her stomach bearing down upon her. Once in a vertical position she leaned on the counter for a moment to catch her breath. "I didn't know carrying a child required so much stamina."

Liam laughed softly, and put down the bread he'd been slicing. "Stay where you are," he said. "I'll get it. I mean, you'll just have to sit back down again, and then you'll need a nap." He started off toward the door. "And, I don't think not knowing which parts end up in which parts would stop her from being an expert."

He reached the door, opened it and was about to say hello to Ms. Elgryde, but quickly shifted gears when he realized she wasn't the person standing on the other side of the door. A young woman stood looking at him. She had a pack slung over one shoulder and a baby cradled in her arms. She wore a long, plain dress and wore her hair pulled back. She looked up at Liam and smiled.

"Hello," she said. "I hope I have the right apartment. The woman down the hall said I would find Yelara Neerou here."

Liam regarded her for a moment, not sure. She was hiding something, he could feel it. There was a sense of something about her, something he couldn't quite place. Finally, he nodded. "Sure," he said. "She'll be here in just a moment."

"Thank you," the woman said, and shifted the baby against her hip.

Liam backed away cautiously, closing the door part way as he did. Yelara looked up as he came into the room. "There's someone at the door for you," he said. "A woman. I didn't get her name." He stretched his mind to one of the lightsabers resting out of sight at the edge of the room and it jumped into his hand. "She asked for you though by the name Yelara...Neerou."

Yelara's eyes were fixed to the lightsaber in Liam's hand for a moment. If it warranted Liam to arm himself, whoever was at the door must have given him an ominous feeling. She looked up into Liam's eyes, which were now glowing an icy blue that only made Yelara more nervous. They'd asked for her by her old name, which was peculiar to her. If the woman was with the Imps, their intel would have known that she'd been married and now went by another name.

She placed her hand upon Liam's cheek and tried to give him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. It's probably no one. If there's any sign of trouble, I'll holler." She kissed him gently and didn't let her smile fade, for his sake, until she had turned away and was heading out of the kitchen. After that, she frowned worriedly. She could have still been wanted by the Imps for her connections to the alliance, but that seemed like a lifetime ago to her.

She supported her back with her hands as she walked. The closer she got to the partially opened door, the less anxious she felt. She no longer felt the tightening in her stomach, and even the child within her womb seemed less restless now. Yelara placed a hand upon her swollen belly as she finally reached the door, and took a moment to put on her most inviting smile before reaching for the door handle and pulling it open.

The first thing her gaze caught was the two most beautiful brown eyes, ones she'd seen in her dreams everyday for almost six months. There was a sadness mingled with a glimmer of joy swimming in them now, but they were just as she remembered them. As what seemed an eternity spent looking into those eyes passed, Yelara let her own eyes wander to the rest of the beautiful face before her. Her vision became blurred by the tears welling up, and no matter how distorted they made the sight before her, every feature of the face still looked the same when compared to the memory of it she had seared into her mind. She wanted to reach out and let her fingers trail across the soft, white flesh, just to make certain she wouldn't disappear as if a figment of one of her dreams and greatest imaginings.

A soft cooing noise broke the prolonged silence and Yelara's attention was drawn down to a small bundle in the woman's arms. The eyes, the nose, the gentle smile were all a perfect likeness of the woman standing before her. Yelara's gaze swept back up to the woman's eyes, and in a voice choked with tears and a tinge of excitement, she said, "Kallia?" She took a moment to let the tears dissipate, then spoke again. "If this is a dream, please don't let it ever end."

Kallia Brael wiped her own tears away and nodded. "Yes," she said, a sob choking the word in her throat. "It's me, Yelara. Something drew me back here, and here you are. I've thought about you every waking moment since I left. I'm so sorry for what happened. I never meant to hurt you. I couldn't bear knowing I'd hurt you so much, the look in your eyes that night... But, when I came back, I felt you here. I had to come see you, to say I was sorry." She swallowed hard and wiped away a few more tears, but it really did no good. "And, to tell you that I still love you."

Yelara's smile broke through the tears as she reached out and ran her fingers along Kallia's lips. She was real, and hearing her voice convinced her of that. The sadness in Kallia's gentle, sweet voice was plainly clear, but her words were ones Yelara knew she should have been speaking to Kallia. She was the one who regretted pushing Kallia away, the one who was sorry for all the harsh words she'd spoken. She refused to accept Kallia's apology, for it was misplaced; she could, however, accept her profession of love.

She wanted to reach out and hold Kallia, but she feared she'd crush the child in her arms with the force of her desperate embrace. She brought her hand to Kallia's cheek and gently wiped away the salty tears. "You've nothing to be sorry for, Kallia. I was the one who pushed you away, the one who said the hurtful words that tore us apart. It was me, Kallia, not you. I'm the one who's sorry, the one who's always regretted what I did." She forced back the sobs that were seizing her voice, ones that became more persistent the longer she stood there and allowed the reality of the situation to sink in. Kallia was back. Kallia was back with a child cradled in her arms. She looked down once more at the child, who was burbling and making noises she knew her own baby would be making soon enough. A warm smile enveloped her lips as she reached down and pressed her hand to the child's forehead. "She's beautiful..." Yelara whispered tenderly. "Just as beautiful as her mother," she hazarded as she looked back up at Kallia.

Kallia smiled again and felt another tear slip down her cheek. "She's very beautiful," she said. "I never expected-- I never thought it would happen. I mean, I was protected and it happened anyway. And, she's the most beautiful thing in my life." She looked into Yelara's eyes. "Though, now she's got competition. Yelara," she said with a grin, and then turned her attention to the infant in her arms, "I want you to meet Yelara Brael."

The sobs she'd been trying to force back refused to be silenced any longer and broke through with a fierce intensity. Yelara looked at Kallia in surprise and gave a laugh that was more a sob than anything. She forced her eyes back to the child in Kallia's arms and wept even louder. Kallia's love for her was expressed succinctly by the fact that she'd named her own child in her sake. She leaned over and kissed Yelara, the other Yelara, then hastily wrapped her arms around Kallia. "Oh gods...gods thank you for coming back to me. I've never stopped loving you, Kal. I never will."

From back in the other room, the muffled sounds of Yelara's sobbing reached Liam. He looked up and wondered why she hadn't called to him. He quickly crossed the distance to the front entryway and stopped suddenly at the sight in front of him. Yelara and the woman were embracing each other awkwardly due to the baby in Yelara's belly, and the one in the other woman's arms. He found himself somewhat bewildered as he looked at them. He stepped closer as they murmured to each other in low tones that his Jedi-enhanced hearing couldn't pick up.

"Is everything alright?" he asked.

The woman looked up in surprise at him, and then back to Yelara. She looked at Yelara with a sad smile. "Would it be presuming too much to assume this is the father of the child you're carrying, Yel?"

Yelara pulled away from Kallia slowly and gave a half nod. Now wasn't the time to go into detail about the child she was carrying. Now wasn't the time to tell her that they might not yet be rid of Dargus Kandran. She glanced back at Liam for a moment, noting the curiousity and concern in his features, then looked at Kallia again. "This is Liam, Kal. My husband." She almost tripped over the last word and looked down at baby Yelara. She couldn't bear to see the anguish in Kallia's face.

Kallia smiled and stepped forward and held a hand out to him. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Liam," she said. "I'm Kallia Brael."

Liam's eyes drifted between Yelara and Kallia, and then to the baby and back. He took Kallia's offered hand. "It is good to finally meet you," he said. "I have heard much about you."

Kallia stepped back from him and glanced to Yelara. "A Jedi Knight," she said with a grin. And, then she shifted her gaze back to Liam. "And a student of Tal Dan."

Liam's eyes glittered with a mixture of joy and remorse. "That is correct," he said. "I never finished my trials with Tal Dan, but that is a long story and not one to be told right now. You two should come inside. Yelara shouldn't spend so much time on her feet. Do you have a bag, Kallia?"

She shook her head. "No," she said. "I have a hotel room a few kilometers away. We got in late last night. But, sitting down would be very nice."

Liam stepped out of the way so the women could move further into the apartment, and then he shut the door.

As Kallia walked, she glanced over at Yelara and grinned. "You still look beautiful," she said. "And, you look very healthy. How far along are you?"

"I'm six months now. Oh gods, Kal, there's so much I have to tell you, so much that's happened." She carefully sat down onto the couch with a soft grunt and smiled up at Kallia as she joined her. "How old's Yelara? She's so beautiful, Kal! Those eyes...definitely yours."

Kallia was beaming as she sat with Yelara again. Her smile wouldn't go away, and she didn't want it to. "She's three months old," she said. "She was a little fussy on the trip back to Tae'Karada, but for the most part she's been a very good little girl. It's such an amazing feeling." She looked up at Yelara and sighed happily. "I never expected her, and at first I wasn't sure. But now? Now I love her with all my heart, and will do everything I can to keep her safe. She's a dream."

"She is... Oh, she's wonderful." Yelara couldn't help but fawn over the child and almost cried with joy as the baby emitted an infectious laugh when Yelara began tickling her stomach. The tears fell again, but they were overshadowed by the happiness Yelara felt. For once, she had everything she'd ever wanted all in the same room. She looked at Kallia with a tender smile conveying the love she still felt for her, a love she didn't feel comfortable expressing in words while Liam was around. He knew of their past relationship, and a part of her worried that he would feel somewhat threatened by her return. She would just have to reiterate to him later tonight while in their bed that her love for him would never wane.

Yelara couldn't tear her gaze from baby Yelara. She truly was as beautiful as her mother. "The trip must have been hard with her," she said quietly. "Is the father with you? Or..."

Kallia glanced down at her child, sighed heavily and then looked up at Yelara. "Dargus was the father," she said. "At least he's gone now. And, even if he weren't, I would do everything in my power, use all of the Force and all my strength to keep Yelara away from him." She traced her fingers over her baby's cheeks and brow. "She's the only good he ever brought into this galaxy."

Yelara's smile diminished quickly and she could feel the blood draining from her face. Without even looking at Liam, she knew the icy glow in his eyes had returned and that he was using all his willpower to keep from punching a hole through the wall. The silence in the room lingered. She and Kallia shared something else, other than their bond, and it was that Dargus may have had a hand in the conception of their children. Unfortunately for Kallia, he had, but for her, there was still a chance her child would be free of Dargus' touch. For Liam's sake and her own, she hoped the child was Liam's.

Yelara looked back at her husband for a moment, and his anger was apparent in the tightening of his jaw. She pushed herself up from the couch and made her way towards him with a gentle smile. "It's ok, Liam," she said softly as she placed her hand upon his cheek. "It's ok."

Liam forced himself to relax. "Every turn we take, and he's back in front of us," he said. "Even in death, we can't escape him." He sighed heavily and leaned back against the counter. "I'm sorry. She's a good person. She'll raise her daughter well, and without Kandran's influence, she'll be a good person too. At least when you look at her, you see none of him there. It is good that she has her mother's beauty."

"And our child will have his father's blue eyes, Liam. I know it." Yelara kissed Liam tenderly and tried to ease his remaining tension with a smile. "You don't have to be here if this is too much for you. You should take a walk, Liam...somewhere isolated preferably with no one around to aggravate you. Do you wanna do that? Kallia and I will be safe here on our own."

Liam looked past Yelara to Kallia, and then back to meet Yelara's eyes. He knew that they needed some time together, and they'd want it without the pressure he would bring. "I'll go walk for a bit," he said. "I saw a place up the street I want to check out. They have the plating I'll need to convert the second cabin in the Kestrel to a room for the baby." He kissed her. "And, when I'm out, I'll cool down."

"Good idea." Yelara led Liam to the door and once out of earshot of Kallia, she looked into his eyes with a loving gaze and said with as much feeling as she could pour into her words, "I love you, Liam. You're my soul." She kissed him deeply and passionately to reinforce that no matter what, her love for him would never pale against the love she still felt for Kallia, a love he no doubt felt emanating from her, especially when Kallia walked through the door.

"Whatever happens," he said, holding her gaze with his own, "we'll be okay." He brushed his fingers against her cheek, and then kissed her again before stepping into the hallway. "I'll bring something back to make for the three of us for dinner. If you find out there's anything that Kallia can't eat or doesn't want to eat"--he tapped the wrist communicator he wore--"let me know." With that, he turned and headed toward the elevators. He glanced back once and smiled at Yelara, a genuine smile filled with is love for her, and the future they would share together, even if it was also shared with Kallia Brael.

---

"Full Circle, Part 2"
Liam Zaneth
Yelara Zaneth
Kallia Brael
Yelara Brael
Location: New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Praeda 14, 4ABY

***

Yelara watched the door of the lift close with Liam inside. With a heavy sigh she turned back into the room and back to the small living area. "Sorry about that. He gets a little upset whenever mention of Dargus comes up." Yelara took a seat on the small sofa across from Kallia and gave her a tight smile. She looked down at her distended stomach then back at Kallia with a steady gaze. "We're not sure if the child's Liam's. I was with them both before I got pregnant."

Kallia nodded. "I understand," she said. "And, I imagine my sudden appearance hasn't lessened the stresses of your pregnancy any. I gather he knows of our past relationship?" At Yelara's nod, Kallia sighed. "I hope my being here won't be a problem, but I couldn't stay away once I felt your presence here. I had to come see you, and find out for myself if what we shared was ended, or if it was gone for good." She watched Yelara's eyes for a moment, beautiful violet eyes she'd dreamed of for all the time she'd been away. "But, I know now that coming back was the right thing, and our feelings are still strong."

Yelara reached over and placed her hand atop Kallia's. Her smile brightened immediately. "My feelings for you have never changed. I've hated myself every day for what I did to you. I was so blinded by all Dargus offerred me: revenge, money...all those things I thought I needed, but now, I realize all I ever wanted really was to be with you." She squeezed Kallia's hand and, looking into her eyes and at her beautiful smile, she could barely resist flying into her arms and kissing her tenderly. "I love you so much, Kal. I love Liam too, which is going to make things very difficult for the three of us. I'm not sure exactly how all this is going to work, but I do want it to. I want you in my life, Kallia. I can't live without you."

Kallia nodded slowly, keeping her eyes fixed to Yelara's. "Whatever it takes to make it work," she said. "I need you, Yelara. My time away was torture to think about you and to think I could never have you again. Only the hope that someday I would be able to see you, to touch you, to share myself with you again, only thinking of being back with you got me by. I don't know how your husband will take our relationship, but whatever needs to be done to make it work, I'll do it."

"We'll make it work, Kal. I won't lose you again and this time, I am going to fight to keep you. I love you." Her gaze dropped into the yawning bundle in Kallia's arms and she laughed softly. "She is a tiny double of you, Kal." Her smile turned into a small frown as she looked back up to Kallia. "I'm sorry you had to go through that alone, Kal. I'm sorry you had to carry the child within you for months without someone to comfort and take care of you. I should have been there...I would have wanted to be." Yelara moved to the couch and sat down beside Kallia with her hand gently caressing her cheek. "I want you here with me while I have my child. I want you here by my side through everything."

"I never want to go away again," Kallia said softly, looking up into Yelara's eyes. "I missed you so much, Yelara." She found herself drawn closer, until finally her lips brushed Yelara's. The touch sent a warm shiver through her body. "I want to be with you always, in any way I can. In every way I can."

"I love you so much, Kallia, and I've ached for your touch for so long, that I don't think I could live without you now." Yelara couldn't resist the pull Kallia's lips had on her own, nor did she want to. She let them touch Kallia's again, and once they did, everything finally fell into place. The missing piece of happiness Yelara had sought finally came to light when their lips touched and her tongue mingled with Kallia's. She felt almost complete now, and when her child was born, she knew she would be fully so.

In Kallia's arms, baby Yelara gurgled, bringing a giggle out of Kallia. She slowly pulled her lips from Yelara's. "Don't want to crush the baby," she said. "I've got something I can put her in for a bit." She opened her bag, and pulled out a small bundle. She set it on the floor and it expanded into a small carrier. She smiled and glanced up at Yel. "I found this yesterday morning. It's the most amazing thing." She placed baby Yelara into the seat and then sat up again once she was sure the baby was okay. "Now," she said, "where were we?"

Yelara smiled expectantly at Kallia and shifted closer. Her fingers meshed with Kallia's thick, brown hair and she leaned over with her eyes closed to take in her sweet scent. She buried her nose into Kallia's hair and smiled as she remembered the day she woke up, after a night of drinking, in Kallia's room. There would be no more drinking for her now, but she knew she wanted to wake up with Kallia's face being the first she saw in the morning... But Liam... Yelara felt her heart being pulled in two directions but being with Kallia now, she didn't want to think about that. She wanted to reacquaint herself with the woman she loved and wanted to make up for all the time they'd missed. "You still smell beautiful," Yelara said softly. She kissed Kallia's forehead gently as she continued taking in her scent. "Your hair is still as beautiful as I remember it...you are still as beautiful."

"You are too," Kallia said as she brought her hands up to caress Yelara's body. She raised her lips again to Yelara's and kissed her lovingly. "You can sniff me as much as you want, though people may wonder...not that I really care." She kissed down Yelara's jaw and then to her throat. "I don't know how I survived without being near you."

"I only survived because I had Liam...and your lightsaber." Yelara cradled Kallia's face in her hands and brought her face up so she could gaze into her eyes. "I felt you...somehow. When I held that lightsaber, I felt you near. But now that I have you, now that I can touch you, I realize nothing could compare to this, to having you here." Yelara kissed Kallia again, clinging to her with trembling hands. She'd yearned to hold Kallia in her arms for so long that being there with her now she realized how foolish she'd been for driving her away. "Oh gods, I'm so sorry, Kal," Yelara whispered as she moved her kisses to Kallia's neck. "I was so stupid... I didn't mean to hurt you."

"You're forgiven," Kallia whispered as her breathing grew heavy. "With all my heart, you're forgiven and more. I shouldn't have left you. I should have fought harder to keep you in my life. I shouldn't have run away. But, with everything, I didn't know what else to do. But we have each other now, and we'll never be apart again. We can start over, or start again." With a little trepidation, Kallia let her fingers brush over Yelara's breasts. She heard herself gasp at the touch, almost as if the touch were too much for her. But Yelara was everything she wanted. She knew they shouldn't go too far, but she couldn't stop herself. She needed Yelara more than anything in life.

The touch seemed almost foreign and startling to Yelara, but once the warmth of Kallia's hands seeped through her clothing and radiated across her breasts, the caress was familiar again and more than welcomed. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes to heighten the sensations Kallia's simple touch was evoking. She placed her hands over Kallia's and pushed her breasts forward into them. She moaned quietly, but smiled as she remembered their first time together and how truly spiritual it felt giving her body for the first time to someone she actually loved. It was the same way she felt everytime she was with Liam.

Yelara opened her eyes as a pang of guilt brought her inhibitions to the forefront. She couldn't take this step, not behind Liam's back, not without discussing it with him first. She couldn't do that to him. Yelara took Kallia's hands into her own and brought them to her lips. She kissed them tenderly, then pressed them to her heart. "I love you Kallia...I want to be with you, but I can't, not yet. Liam..."

Kallia nodded and then leaned forward and kissed Yelara's forehead. "I understand," she said with a smile. "I think that's best. If the three of us are going to be involved in this, then we should make sure to do it honestly and openly. I guess I got ahead of myself. It's been over five months since I've been with anyone, and being here with you now... Your touch is still magic, Yelara. We should go slowly though. We don't want to go too fast and have everything unravel on us. When I go back to my hotel tonight, if the time is good, maybe you can talk to him then. I don't know if it would be good for both of us to be there when you talk to him. He might feel like he's being ganged up on."

"But I want you here, with me, Kallia," Yelara said almost imploringly. "Can't you...can't you stay the night? Please, Kallia, I don't want to be without you again, not even for a moment." Yelara embraced Kallia and kissed her neck and cheek desperately. "Please, stay the night. I can talk to Liam and...and you two can get acquainted with each other... This has to work, Kallia. Please do this for me."

Kallia gazed at Yelara with bright eyes. "How can I refuse? I don't want to be away, and as long as you and Liam are okay with Yelara and I staying here, then we'll do so gladly. I can sleep out here on the couch, unless you have a spare bed. I'd like to get acquainted with Liam. He captured your heart completely, so I am very interested in getting to know him better." She grinned. "And perhaps before you have your baby, I can help you with the tips and tricks to motherhood I've picked up. I think it could all work out."

Yelara pulled away and looked up at Kallia with an excited grin. "Oh would you?! I have absolutely no idea what to do, Kal, and I doubt Liam does either." Yelara embraced Kallia quickly and stood up with some effort. She held out her hands and when Kallia took them, she pulled her up gently. She glanced sideways to the soundly sleeping Yelara and looked back to Kallia with a smile. "Do you think... Can I hold her? I've never held a baby before."

Kallia smiled and then crouched down next to the sleeping infant. She picked her up from the carrier and held her for a moment before standing again. "I think the trip from Tatooine wore her out," she said. "Here, Yelara really meet Yelara." She carefully put the baby into Yelara's arms and took a half step back while she got used to holding her.

Yel's heart raced as she held the small, almost fragile looking child in her arms. It felt awkward at first but after she relaxed a little and stopped worrying about dropping her, Yel actually felt comfortable with Yelara in her arms. She gazed into Yelara's face with complete amazement. She could scarcely believe something so precious and innocent could have come from Dargus' seed. Yel then reminded herself that the baby was also Kallia's, and for everyone's sake, looked everything like her and nothing like Dargus.

She rocked Yelara gently in her arms and could do nothing to wipe the smile from her face. Holding her in her arms, Yel knew she definitely wanted that child she'd been nurturing in her body for the past six months. Day by day, she was beginning to care less whether the child was Dargus' or not, but her fears and anxieties still existed. Now, though, all that mattered to her was that she would be able to see her child's face and hold him in her arms. "She's perfect," Yel said softly. Yel gazed at the perfect bundle in her arms, then looked up worriedly at Kallia. "Did it...did it hurt much coming out?"

Kallia brushed a finger over Yelara's tiny brow. She smiled at her daughter, seemingly lost in fascination. "You're the first person other than me and the nurses at the hospital who've held her." She shifted her gaze to Yel again, her smile still present. "And, it was painful. I didn't use any drugs or anything though. I tried to use the Force to dampen the pain, but toward the end it was more pain than I'm used to dealing with, and a different kind of pain. It was painful. But worth it." She kissed Yelara and Yel both on their foreheads and smiled. "My two wonderful girls. The real test will be to see how she reacts to you holding her when she's awake." Kallia smiled and kissed Yel on the lips, savouring the taste she'd missed so much. "I think she'll love you though."

"Of course you'd say that, your opinion is quite biased." Yel laughed quietly and stroked Yelara's hair. "Did you want to put her in the spare room? When Liam comes home, I can ask him to go to your place with you and pick up things for the baby. I want you here with me, Kal. You and Yelara."

"I want to be here too," Kallia said. "And, I guess if you could watch after Yelara while I'm gone, I could go with Liam and bring some things over. I don't have very much. Money's been very tight since I moved away here. I did get some when I sold my home on Tatooine. You can barely get ten percent of what you pay for it back though. You don't think he'd have a problem with me staying, do you? I mean, I don't want to cause any problems."

"No, of course it won't be a problem! Liam understands our relationship and with the baby, I'm sure he won't mind if you stay here. It would be good for you. I mean, if I watch the baby, maybe you can take a break, go do something fun. I'm sure taking care of a child all on your own must be tiring. You need to relax, Kal." Yel secured the baby in her one arm and brushed her hand along Kal's cheek. "You look so tired, Kal. You need a break."

Kallia closed her eyes at Yel's soft touch. She sighed as she gave herself over to the gentle caress and wished she could curl up with both Yelaras and sleep the beautiful sleep she'd missed for the last six months of her life. When they were together, their time had been too short. They would make up for it now though. "Well, I could use a little sleep," she said. "She sleeps a lot of the time, but she wakes up every couple hours to be fed, sometimes every hour."

"Oh gods, my poor Kallia." Yel kissed Kallia upon the cheek and continued caressing her cheek to soothe away some of the mounting stresses that were definitely weighing down upon her. "You need some sleep, my love. Does Yelara take a bottle? If she does, you can have mine and Liam's bed for a nap and I can watch the baby. If she wakes up hungry, I can feed her. I'm sure it shouldn't be too much for me to handle."

Kallia laughed. "Little Yelara takes a breast," she said. "Which means the being kept up and awake all the time is probably my fault anyway. Even so, I fed her before coming over here, so I think I should have a little while longer before she's hungry. I could lie down for a bit if that won't be any trouble."

"Not at all." Yel carefully lay Yelara back in her carrier and paused a moment to look at the beautiful child again before taking Kallia's hand. "Come on. The bedroom's this way." Yelara glanced at Kallia with a smile as she led her from the living area and through the kitchen. It was tempting, going to a bedroom with the woman she loved, but she'd waited six months for Kallia to return and would wait until she'd spoken to Liam before taking the next step. But oh, was it tempting. "When Liam agrees to you and Yelara moving in, you'll have a bed just as comfortable in the spare room. It's going to be so wonderful having you around all the time."

Kallia smiled as she looked at Yel. "It's going to be wonderful to be here," she said. "I've been dreaming about this since before I left. Now that the time is here, it's better than I ever imagined. I never want to be away from you again, Yelara. And, if anything ever separates us again, I will do everything and anything to get back to you, even if it's only one of us saying or doing something silly."

"Well, I'll make sure I'm not the one to separate us ever again. I was stupid to be suspicious of you, to think you were trying to run my life. The fact was, Dargus was the one doing that all along. The way he manipulated me, Kal..." Yel sighed sharply and pulled Kallia into the bedroom. "I'm so glad Liam and I succeeded in destroying that bastard."

Kallia's eyes went wide at Yel's admission. "You and Liam? The two of you killed him?" She shook her head, obviously awestruck. "That's...that's amazing. How did you manage to get close enough? His security always seemed diligent and paranoid of any threat."

Yelara gave Kallia a sly grin as she sat down on the bed, pulling Kal down next to her. "You're intrigued, I can tell." As Kallia took her place beside Yel, she slipped her fingers through Kallia's and shifted closer to her. "It was an ingenious plan devised by me, of course," Yel said playfully. "The bastard Dargus had me implanted with a tracking device, which I used against him once we managed to have it removed..." Yelara continued the tale, not leaving out anything, not even her honeymoon with Liam on Turren where they most likely set a record for the most sex had during a two week span. She told her about Oot's aid and even went so far as to divulge to her the real reason she and Liam were now back on Tae'Karada. "Quite the adventure wasn't it?"

Kallia laughed. "It sure is," she said. "I'm a Jedi Knight and that's more adventure than I've ever had. Then I guess I owe being able to come back here to you. I heard that Dargus was dead, but no one knew who did it. But when I knew he wasn't here anymore, I decided to come back since this is the only place I've ever felt at home."

"Well, this is your home now, Kal. Liam might not appear akin to the idea at first, but once he gets used to having to share his wife with her female lover, you'll actually find him to be quite pleasant...well as far as dark jedis go." Yelara leaned in and kissed Kallia upon the lips as the urge once again overwhelmed her. She laughed sheepishly as she pulled away. "I've missed those lips. They always did taste so deliciously sweet."

Before Yel could kiss her again, Kallia put up a hand. "Dark Jedi? Liam's a Dark Jedi? He doesn't feel... I mean, his aura isn't typical for one of darkness. I mean, it's fairly bright at that." She looked around and could get no sense of darkness anywhere in the apartment. It made no sense.

"Well, he's not one anymore. I guess he's more of a grey jedi now. But yes, Liam has walked the path of darkness before, but he's changed, Kal." Yelara furrowed her brow at Kallia's uneasiness and squeezed her hand for reassurance. "Kal...don't worry. He's a good man. You believe me, don't you?"

Kallia smiled and then nodded. "Of course, I do," she said. "I mean, I wouldn't think you'd be with a guy that was dark. Especially after Dargus. He seems like a very nice man, and if you married him, he must be even better than that. Turren sounds like it was very nice, and eventful. I'll never think of waterfalls the same again."

Yelara laughed and pulled Kallia into an embrace. "I am so glad to have you back, Kal. And who knows? Maybe someday all three of us can take a trip to Turren and I can show you those waterfalls." Yel's eyes shot open as she quickly remembered something, something she knew Kallia would enjoy. "Wait here." Yel kissed Kallia quickly and rose from the bed. She moved towards the closet at the far end of the room and pushed the racked clothing out of the way. "Don't look!" she called back with her head still in the closet.

As she finally grasped what she was looking for in the darkened closet, she pulled herself out, almost in one piece except for her now dishevelled hair. She turned around to face Kallia with her hands behind her back, concealing the object. "Are you ready?"

Eyes shut tight, Kallia grinned. "I'm ready," she said, not sure what Yel could possibly have for her.

She started forward with the cold, smooth metal resting in her hands. She wasn't certain how Kallia would react to seeing it again, whether it would dredge up unwanted memories or not, but she wanted Kallia to know she'd kept it and cherished it as anyone would a gift from the woman they loved. Yel stood before Kallia with a large smile on her face. She removed her hands from behind her back and held them in front of her with the saber resting in her open palms. "Open your eyes, my love," she said softly.

Slowly Kallia opened her eyes. When she saw the hilt from her lightsaber in Yel's hands, she looked up with a smile. "You kept it," she said. "Oh wow." She ran her hand over the smooth surface. Even after the time away, the touch was familiar, just as Yelara's had been. She took a step closer and brushed her lips against Yel's. "I can be your protector again."

"Two protectors? I'll be untouchable now." She looked into Kallia's eyes and saw vividly the heartfelt joy in them. Yel laughed then kissed Kal lightly upon the lips. "Of course I kept it," she said softly. "It was the only thing of yours I had left, besides the memories, but not all those were good." She looked down at the lightsaber and studied it for a moment. "Will you be using it again?" Her eyes drifted up to Kal's again. "Will you be a Jedi again? Liam does need a training partner. I mean, even if I weren't in my present condition, I am definitely not a worthy training partner for Liam. He tried to train me to use a pike and...well...let's just say everyone's alot safer if I never pick up one again."

Kallia laughed. "Well, I haven't had much training other than getting back in shape after Yelara was born. So, it'd be nice to have someone to train with." She looked at the lightsaber and brushed her fingers across the cold metal of the hilt. "I wouldn't mind being a Jedi Knight again, but with Yelara, I don't know if I can."

"Well, what's stopping you? I mean, if you need someone to take care of her, I'm sure with a little guidance from her mother I would be a good babysitter. Your life doesn't have to be put on hold because of the baby, no matter how much you love her and want to spend time with her." Yel smiled and thrust her hands gently towards Kallia. "Take it. It's yours. You were a good Jedi, Kal. We need people like you, especially now."

Kallia reached out again and took the lightsaber into her hand. She glanced up into Yel's eyes and then smiled. "Then I'll take it," she said with conviction. "As long as I can do both, okay. And, as long as you're in my life I can do anything."

Yel smiled and sighed deeply. "I can't believe you're back, Kal. I never thought... I'm just so glad to have you back. I feel such an immense joy and...it's just so hard to express how I'm feeling right now." She wrapped her arms around Kallia and embraced her tenderly. "Love," she whispered. "Love is definitely what I'm feeling."

Kallia felt her body melt against Yel's. "Me too," she said. "I really hope this works out. For all of us, I mean. I don't want to come between you and Liam. But, I really hope he'll be okay with you and I."

"He has to be, Kal, because I know I can't live without you." Yelara kissed Kallia on the cheek, then tightened her embrace. "Even if Liam doesn't approve of us having a physical relationship, as long as I can be near you, see your face, hear your voice, I'll still be happy."

"Though I really hope he does," Kallia said, "because I need you. It's been far too long. If Liam doesn't approve, we'll have to find a way to convince him." She pulled Yel with her toward the bed. "Will you lie with me for a bit?"

A slow smile spread across Yel's face as she allowed Kallia to lead her; if Kallia asked, Yel would follow her anywhere. As Kallia slipped onto the bed, Yel carefully sat down next to her and reclined back with a sigh. "I didn't realize carrying a child would be so physically exhausting." Yelara shifted onto her side and slid her arms around Kallia. She nestled her head against Kallia's chest and closed her eyes as the familiar sensation of lying in her lover's arms returned. "I want to lay here forever with you, Kal. I almost feel guilty feeling that way. I mean...I'm afraid I'll feel torn between you and Liam, but I know I could never choose. I refuse to."

Kallia smiled. "And, I'll never ask you to choose," she said. "As long as I have part of you, I'll be happy. I don't know how it will work, but we'll have to figure it out. Though, we'll need to talk to Liam. Do you have any idea what his feelings on it will be? I can feel that he loves you, but is sharing you something he would be able to accept?"

Yel thought back to how Liam reacted when he realized he'd have to share her with Dargus. She almost lost him forever because of that. Yel sighed and pulled closer to Kallia. "If it were anyone else, I don't think he'd be able to accept it. But he knows about you and how I feel for you. Maybe because of that, he'd be more...amenable to the idea."

Kallia kissed Yel again and smiled. "I hope so," she said. She stopped for a moment, not sure if she should ask the next question or not. "What about...what about Liam and I, Yelara? I'm not saying that anything will happen, but would that bother you? Or do you think it would lessen any problems or make them worse?"

Yelara raised her head and propped herself up onto her elbow. "What do you mean you and Liam? I don't understand. Are you...are you suggesting that you and he... I mean...I don't understand."

Kallia shook her head and sighed. "I'm not really sure how to say it," she said. "I'm not saying I want to, but if the three of us are living together. And, you have me. What if Liam...what if Liam wants the relationship to be more open than you and me and you and him? I don't know. It's possible he might see something in the relationship as unfair...with you being able to have two loves and with him limited to only one. Maybe we don't even have to worry about it. But, I guess to look at things from his side, you have to think about that too. How would you feel if Liam wanted to sleep with me?"

Yelara tried to keep the apparent shock she was feeling from being physically conveyed to Kallia through her facial expression. She had to admit, she'd never considered such an idea. She remembered how it felt knowing Liam had slept with his student, but it only hurt because he'd done it without her knowledge. This would be with her consent...if she gave it. She turned onto her back and stared at the ceiling while she contemplated the situation. How would she feel if she knew Liam was sleeping with another woman? She wouldn't know until that happened.

Yel turned her head to face Kallia again and smiled gently. "If it comes to that, Kal, I...I guess it wouldn't bother me. But I can't really know for certain unless I'm faced with it. I know he loves me and I know that wouldn't change. I guess it would just be awkward. But I know I wouldn't be jealous because I know that I love you and Liam, and that you both love me."

"We do," Kallia said. "And, I don't want you to try to bury your feelings if it does bother you. Most likely, it won't ever be something we'll have to worry about; but it is good to think about it before." Finally, Kallia sighed and snuggled closer to Yelara. "There's no point thinking more about it now without Liam here, so we should just enjoy each other's company."

They were both quiet for a long moment before, from the other room, the baby started to cry. Kallia sat up and kissed Yel's forehead. "You stay here," she whispered. "I'll bring her in."

"Ok." Yel smiled as she watched Kallia slip off the bed and rush out into the hallway. She hadn't realized Kallia's presence would cause such a change in how she and Liam lived their lives. Yel never thought before about having to share her husband with Kallia, but what if he did want to be shared? Yel sighed and turned onto her side, curling up into the smallest ball she could manage with the load she was carrying in her stomach. Would they all share a single bed? Would Liam want to be with Kallia alone, together in their room, making l-- Yel clenched her eyes shut and shuddered for a moment. The decision would be a harder one to make than she thought even though it concerned Kallia, the woman she loved and not some stranger. She knew she had no reason to feel threatened, but there was a part of her that just couldn't bear to picture her husband with another. Now she knew how Liam must have been feeling when Kallia showed up at their door.

She opened her eyes while awaiting Kallia's return. She did so enjoy being in her arms again and although she knew it might create tension in her and Liam's marriage, she couldn't deny that she wanted Kallia in her life again.

---

"Full Circle, Part 3"
Liam Zaneth
Yelara Zaneth
Kallia Brael
Yelara Brael
Location: New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Praeda 14, 4ABY

***

Kallia returned a few moments later with Yelara in her arms. She smiled at Yel curled up on the bed and watching her approach. "I think she's hungry," she said as she moved back to the bed. She slid to the head of the bed where she could prop herself up. "Do you mind?"

Yel sat up and shook her head. "No, not at all." Yel smiled and stroked the top of Yelara's head gently. She looked up at Kallia with a longing that she knew Kallia was feeling as well. "Can I help?" she asked quietly. Before Kallia could answer, Yel began undoing the top of Kallia's dress, slowly unbuttoning it while keeping her eyes on Kallia's. "I really hope Liam will give us his blessing," she said softly as the final button came undone and Kallia's dress hung loosely open. Her eyes remained fixed to Kallia's as she pushed the thin fabric off of her right shoulder to expose one of Kallia's swollen breasts. She was hesitant at first and searched Kallia's eyes for any sign she was reluctant, but her trepidations quickly faded as she lightly trailed her fingers along Kallia's breast. "You're beautiful, Kallia."

Kallia sighed at Yel's touch. "Thank you," she said. "When you look at me like that, I can't help but feel beautiful." She shifted Yelara in her arms and pulled the fabric of her dress away from the other breast. With a soft moan, she gathered her will and brought her daughter to her breast as Yel's fingers sent shivers through the other. "I don't think she'll mind."

Yel laughed quietly. "I remember a time when I could barely fit into your shirts. I think now, we're about the same size." Yel began feeling less apprehensive and instead was filled with a boldness she'd been wary about allowing herself to feel with Kallia. She knew she still needed to discuss the arrangement with Liam, but she couldn't resist touching Kallia's soft, resilient flesh. Yel covered Kal's breast entirely with her hand and massaged it tenderly. "Do they get sore? I mean...mine already are but, does it get worse?" Yel leaned in closer and brushed her lips against Kal's ear. "Is this helping?" she whispered.

"I don't know if it's helping Yelara at all," Kallia said, "but it's making me nice and warm." She sighed happily. "Sometimes they're more sore than others. None of my old clothes fit me anymore. After she was born, I gave myself a regular work-out regimen and was able to get back in shape quickly; but my breasts are so...so much bigger than I'm used to. There was this man on the transport over who had a conversation with them. I don't think he made eye contact with me once. You should have seen him when I moved them left and right. He was like a trained pet almost." She laughed and brought a hand up to cover Yelara's. "I missed your touch. No one has ever been able to touch me the way you do."

"So you weren't completely alone then?" Yel nibbled gently on Kallia's earlobe while her hand continued cradling her breast. "The weeks following your departure, I had daydreams about you," Yel said quietly. "I dreamed that you were standing in front of me with a gentle smile on your face, but when I reached out to caress your cheek, you were gone again. After a time, I decided the stop trying to think about you altogether, just to save myself some of the pain that came with dreaming of you within reach, but so far out of reach at the same time."

"I was alone most of the time," Kallia said. "The only people I saw regularly were my doctor and then my boss for the fruit stand I was running. And, I wish I hadn't gone, to save you from having to go through that. Well, at least we're back together now."

"And for that, I shall be forever grateful." Yelara moved her lips to Kallia's neck and suckled it while her chin brushed against baby Yelara's soft hair. She laughed quietly and looked down at the child staring up at her with the deepest brown eyes, comparable only to those of her mother. "I didn't think there could ever be anyone as beautiful as you...but looking at her now, I know you'll definitely have to keep your eye on her."

Kallia brushed a finger through her daughter's hair and smiled. "I think she'll have to fend the boys off with a lightsaber," she said. She closed her eyes and slipped an arm around Yel. "If I could spend the rest of my life like this here, I think I would be very happy. My two favourite girls in all the galaxy. I love you, Yelara. Both of you."

Yel's hand slid beneath Kallia's dress to her bare waist. She pulled Kallia closer, careful not to smother the child in her arms, and answered her profession with an emphatic one of her own. "You're the missing part of my soul, Kal." Unable to suppress her desires any longer, she kissed Kallia deeply on the lips. She pryed her mouth open with her tongue and moaned quietly as Kallia's entangled with her own. Touching Kallia again, being with her, brought back all the memories of their happy times together, all the memories she'd been repressing for fear it would tear her heart in two with grief. "I want you, Kal," she whispered breathlessly before her tongue plunged back into the depths of Kallia's mouth.

Careful of the child still nursing at her breast, Kallia returned Yel's kisses with equal desire and need. The feelings of being with her one-time (and hopefully future) lover slammed against her like the tide against a beach. She wasn't sure if it was herself or Yelara, but she heard a moan. It was both of them, she realized. And, it was pure bliss to be with Yelara again. And, where it had all seemed disjointed and awkward, now that she was with Yel again, everything seemed right.

Her lips were aflame with the dormant longing for Kallia she'd been harbouring for so long. The same fire was quickly growing between her thighs and she imagined the same was happening to Kallia. "Is the baby done eating yet?" she asked with an urgency apparent in the heaving of her chest. "I want to lay with you and touch you and kiss you...I just want to be with you, Kal."

"Just a little longer," she said. True to Kallia's word, Yelara finished just a moment later. Once she was finished, she started drifting right back to sleep. "Let me go put her back in her carrier." Kallia quickly rushed out of the room with the baby. She came back only a few minutes later, holding the front of her dress closed with on hand and the skirt up with the other. She climbed back up onto the bed to where Yelara was watching her. She slipped into Yelara's arms and kissed her greedily. "I want to be with you too, Yelara."

"We have to be gentle. The baby..." Yel pushed the thick straps of Kallia's dress completely off her shoulders and began kissing the smooth flesh slowly and tenderly. "Liam and I always joke about traumatizing the baby by having so much sex..." Yelara's cheeks became warm and she looked away from Kallia as she giggled. "I think our children are going to be very confused, having two mothers like that."

"Two mothers who love them and each other very, very much," Kallia whispered. "And, we'll be very gentle. Oh Yelara, I haven't been touched like this since I left. You have no idea how wonderful it feels to be touched again after so long, especially by someone who loves me." She looked into Yelara's eyes and sighed. "Hopefully our children won't be cursed with our sex drives. At least not to where we find out about it."

"Who says it's a curse?" Yelara smiled mischievously as her hands drifted along Kallia's stomach and one dipped into her panties. "We haven't done this in so long. I do miss this, Kallia. I've missed you." She pressed her lips to Kallia's again as her fingers caressed Kal's warm nether lips, which were quivering and begging for her touch.

At the touch, Kallia moaned. "I've missed you too," she murmured. "You have no idea how many times I've lain awake at night dreaming about this moment right now. Your touch is magical, Yelara." She reached down the front of the dress and deftly unbuttoned the remaining couple buttons. Her body was starting to writhe with the gentle touch of Yelara's fingers. "There's a surprise down there for you. Take a look."

"A surprise? My love, I already know what's down there, remember?" Yelara laughed and kissed Kallia again, finally daring to edge her fingers inside of Kal.

Kallia gasped and closed her eyes, her hips rocking downward onto Kaysa's fingers. It had been so long since she'd felt pleasure like what Yelara was giving her that it was nearly too much. "Oh of all the gods, yes," she whispered. "But, there's a new surprise, Yel. Just...just if you look...if you do...don't stop. Oh I love you."

No matter how impassioned Yel was, she was still intrigued by Kallia's surprise. Without ceasing the motions of her fingers within Kal, Yelara pushed her dress open until Kallia's body was fully exposed. Yel smiled upon seeing the most enchanting sight she'd seen in a long while and felt the tears welling up. She stared deeply into Kallia's eyes as she ran her free hand between Kallia's breasts and down to her stomach. "Lower?" she asked softly.

Kallia bit her lip, and cried out softly. "Yes," she said. "Lower." She slipped her hand out and trailed a finger across the swell of Yelara's belly. "Oh gods, Yelara. I don't know how I survived without your touch. I'm never leaving again. I'm yours forever."

"You always were," Yelara replied tenderly. She leaned forward and kissed Kallia's trembling lips. Her free hand slipped between Kal's thighs and eased them apart to give her a view of Kallia's surprise. When Yelara reluctantly pulled her lips away from Kallia's, she glanced down at the luminous flesh of Kal's inner thigh and gasped quietly. The tears she'd been holding back spilled from her eyes as she beheld the small sign of Kallia's love for her. It brought Yelara back to one morning after they'd spent the night with eachother, when they discussed tattoos. Yelara suggested in passing that Kal place one in precisely the spot she was staring at now. What affected Yel the most was the nature of the tattoo: a newly blossomed flower with its petals delicately unfurled. The flower was an ardanian rose - a violet-coloured ardanian rose, violet like her eyes. "Oh...Kal." Yelara whimpered quietly and pulled her hand from Kallia's panties before she embraced her. "I know I wasn't supposed to stop," she said in a thick voice, "but I just needed to hold you."

Kallia wrapped her arms tightly around Yelara and sighed. "That's perfectly okay," she said. "This is good too. I got it shortly after I got to Tatooine, and every time I looked at it I was reminded of you. Though, once I got really pregnant, I couldn't see it very well. But, it was like you were always with me in a way...or a physical sign of you being with me."

"I was with you, Kal. My heart was always with you." Yelara laughed quietly as she settled against Kallia's naked form. "If my movement weren't so hindered by my enormous stomach, I'd be honoured to kiss your rose. Maybe after the child's born, I'll have to do just that." She kissed Kallia lightly upon the lips as her hands freely wandered along her bare flesh. Her breasts, her stomach, her thighs...no place was spared of Yelara's gentle caresses.

Kallia's body writhed languidly against Yel's touch. It felt so beautiful to be caressed and attended. "I wish we could just spend the rest of our lives exploring each other's bodies." She opened her eyes and looked up at Yelara. "I like your hair that length." She let her fingers entwine themselves in Yelara's hair. "I like doing that. You are so beautiful, my rose."

"Remember I told you I didn't think I could get my hair to grow as beautifully as yours?" Yelara pulled her hair fully loose of the tie wrapped around it and let the black curls fall around her shoulders. "I think I managed alright, don't you?"

Kallia nodded. "I think you did," she said. "Your hair is beautiful. It was when it was short, but it is now too. You're beautiful, Yel. I think a lot of it is because you're so happy. I can see it in your eyes and your face, and I can feel it. And, it makes being with you that much more special."

Yelara emitted a short laugh and reclined onto her back. "I am happy, moreso now that you're here. I thought, when I was with Dargus, if I submitted to him, I could find some semblance of happiness with him, but..." Yelara sighed. She'd been foolish then, blinded by her search for vengeance, but she'd abandoned that now, just as she had Dargus; she knew it was the best decision she could have ever made, besides proposing to Liam. "Those times he said he loved me, Kal...I almost believed him. I did so because I desperately wanted it to be true. I mean, I had to give myself some reason for wanting to stay with the brute. I guess I told myself that if I truly believed he loved me, that was reason enough for staying with him as long as I did. I realize how stupid that was, but...that was long ago and I was still just a child. I think I've grown since then."

Kallia shifted onto her side and smoothed the hair from Yelara's forehead. "I think you have," she said. "You're with a man who is good to you and who loves you very much. You don't experience that sort of love and stay unchanged. I think it's a very good thing. And, now that we're free of Dargus, we can breathe easier. Happiness doesn't seem so hard at all now, and I'm definitely happier now than I've been for a long time. Though, every moment since Yelara was born has been filled with the happiness of having her in my life. But, it's much more complete and full now."

"I suppose I'll feel the same way when our child's born...no matter whose blood he carries within him." Yelara held onto Kallia with trembling arms and sobbed quietly. "I couldn't bear it if my child were Dargus'. After everything he put me through...everything he's put us through, Kallia. He doesn't deserve to live in any form."

"I'm sure your baby will be Liam's," Kallia said, putting aside Yel's comment. She knew she didn't mean it entirely, not for Yelara sleeping in the other room. Most days, Kal wasn't consciously aware that her daughter had been conceived with Dargus Kandran. And, if she could help it, Yelara would never know who her father was. "Your child will be as beautiful as his parents, you and Liam."

"I hope so, Kal, I really do." Yelara wiped away the fallen tears and nestled her head into Kallia's bare chest. "It's funny. I mean, I always refer to the child as a 'he', yet Liam and I haven't learned the sex yet. I don't know...I just feel him sometimes. I've even dreamt of him, Kallia and in my dreams, I know that I loved him dearly already. I don't want that to change even if he turns out to be Dargus'."

Yelara yawned and closed her eyes as she listened closely to Kallia's heart beating within her chest. It was a sound familiar to her, whispering to her professions of love. She loved that sound. "Are you tired, Kal? You can have a nap if you like. I think I could use one myself."

"I am," Kallia murmured. "Just closing our eyes and lying here together asleep sounds very nice. Sleeping in your arms will be the nicest sleep I've had in a very long time."

"Oh, but..." Yelara looked up at Kallia and motioned her eyes towards Kallia's very exposed body. "I don't know that Liam would react very well to that."

Kallia laughed. "Good point," she said, and started buttoning the front of her dress up. Once she was decent for Liam's eyes again, she snuggled herself against Yelara. "How's this?"

Yelara wrinkled her nose and shrugged her shoulders. "I kinda liked you all...sexy and nude like that." Yelara laughed gently. The anticipation of finally being able to sleep in Kal's arms again was making it difficult for her to actually fall asleep, but Kallia's soothing touch as she stroked her loose hair was calming her completely. "He has to be ok with this, Kal. He just has to be. I need to be with you."

"I know," Kallia said softly. "If he is okay with us, you and me, I hope we can be open about it. I'd rather openly show my affection for you, and not hide it for when no one is watching. But if that is what we have to do, I can do that." She slowly and sensuously kissed Yelara's throat. "I think it'll all work out. We all want the same thing basically. It'll work out, and we will have each other again."

"What if he doesn't approve of us being together, Kallia? What will we do then? Go behind his back?" Yelara gripped Kallia tightly and shook her head. "I...I don't know if I could do that, Kal. I couldn't betray one person I love to be with the other."

"I know," Kallia said softly. "If he didn't approve, I don't think I could... It wouldn't feel right. When he gets back, you can talk to him. Or we can, if you don't think that would be a problem. And, we'll find out what he thinks. But, he has to. We have to be together."

"I know, Kal," Yelara whispered soothingly. "I know. Let's not think about it now, though. We'll have to wait until her returns. For now, just hold me until we're asleep in each other's arms. Don't let me go, Kal."

Kallia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I'll never let you go, Yelara," she said. "Now close your eyes, my love. I hope you can fall asleep on your own; I haven't learned any lullabies yet."

---

"Renewed Union, Part 1"
by Liam Zaneth
Yelara Zaneth
and Kallia Brael
with Yelara Brael
Location: New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Praeda 14, 4ABY

***

When Liam finally returned home, the apartment was quiet. The bag Kallia had been carrying was resting next to the couch. He glanced into the darkened spare room and saw the baby sleeping soundly. The training room and Yelara's workshop were both empty. He smiled and moved to the main bedroom that he and Yelara shared. As he neared, a sense of foreboding descended on him. With each step, the dread deepened and he wondered if he really wanted to see what lay beyond the half-closed door.

As he reached out a hand and gently pushed the door open, his heart ached at the visions plaguing his mind. As his eyes moved to the bed, relief swept through him when he saw Kallia curled around Yelara, both sound asleep and fully clothed. The dread and fear passed and he knew he hadn't lost his wife in an afternoon of bliss with her former lover.

He moved to the edge of the bed and sat nearest Yelara. He reached out and brushed a hand along her brow, then bent to kiss her lips.

Barely conscious but with an awareness beginning to gnaw at her senses, Yelara encircled her arms around the shadowy figure looming over her. She'd scarcely opened her eyes, and for a moment, she wanted to whisper Kallia's name, but the familiar caress of her lips, even the inexplicable wave of emotions the form was eliciting in her indicated it wasn't Kallia in her arms. Yelara smiled and opened her eyes to see the bright, blue orbs of her husband staring back at her, just as she'd anticipated. "Liam...did you just get back?"

Liam grinned. "Just now," he said. "Looks like the two of you were tired. Did you get all caught up?"

"A little." She glanced over at Kallia peacefully sleeping and smiled warmly. She couldn't believe how she survived so long without her, but holding Liam in her arms now, she knew exactly how she managed that. The true test now, would be arranging a way for all three of them to be together. Yelara looked back towards him slowly and whispered, "Liam, I have to discuss something with you. Can we go into the other room?"

"Sure," he said, offering her help off the bed. He wrapped an arm around her as they moved into the other room together. Once Yelara was comfortably seated on the couch, he took a seat next to her. He had a feeling what was coming next, and it filled him with the same dread he'd felt earlier. "What did you want to talk about," he asked.

Yelara held Liam's hand in order to exude some sort of comfort that would make what she had to say carry less emotional impact than she knew it would. She shifted closer to him and offerred a gentle smile. "I think you know what this is about, Liam. I want Kallia back in my life and...I know we should have her here while we discuss this, but I wanted to hear your thoughts on the matter before we brought her in."

Liam nodded; it was as he suspected. "It's difficult," he said. "As soon as I knew who she was, I knew what was coming. I guess my question is how will this work between the three of us? I am assuming that you and I will still be together."

"Liam, of course we'll still be together! You're my husband, my soul. I love you just as much as I love Kallia and I would never abandon you." Yelara kissed him tenderly, trying to assuage any fears he might still have. "My love, I want Kallia included in my life, but not with the exclusion of you," she said softly. "I merely want to ask you if you could accept Kallia into our lives."

Liam nodded slowly. "I don't know," he said softly. "I can try to see how it will go, but I can't say how I'll feel when I see you and Kallia together. I know I offered this if it ever came to it, but now that the time is here... I will try to be as accepting as I can."

"Liam, I don't want you to be unhappy. Please, tell me the truth. What are you feeling? I have to know."

Liam forced a smile and looked into her eyes. "I don't really know," he said. "I don't think I'll be unhappy. It'll just be strange seeing you happy with someone else, in addition to me. I guess if we can make this work, and there won't be any difficulties with you being with both of us...I guess it will all work out. It's a little difficult to realize that it's actually happening now. How will it work? With the three of us? Logistically."

"Well...you and I will be together...and Kallia and I will be together..." Yelara looked away and blushed as she forced back a smile. "Kallia has expressed...well, she's mentioned something about you and she being together. Well, only if that is something you desire. I mean, we wouldn't want to leave you out of anything and if you wish to be with her..." Yelara laughed nervously. "I guess that's something you and she should discuss."

Liam laughed. "Well, I barely know her, so I think it's too early to say if I want to sleep with her. I guess we can just see what happens, and go from there. Who knows what path this will lead us down or what will happen along it." He brought a hand to her cheek and brushed it gently. "So, how good were you at restraining yourself in Kallia's presence?"

Yelara stifled a giggle. "Not very. I had to remind her to close up her dress before you came home and...well..." Yelara cleared her throat and sobered her laughter, figuring Liam wouldn't appreciate it. "Don't worry. We didn't do anything. It wouldn't have felt right being together behind your back. She opened her dress to feed Yelara. That's all. Shall I go get Kallia so we can talk?"

Liam nodded. "If she's up to talking," he said. "Hopefully the whole conversation will be as easy as ours was."

"Don't worry, Liam, she's a very reasonable woman." Yelara kissed Liam upon the forehead, then labouriously got to her feet. She started towards the main bedroom, looking back at Liam for only a moment before continuing. He appeared superficially to have no real qualms about the entire arrangement, but from the tension in his jaw and the tightness of his smiles, she knew he wasn't exactly excited about having Kallia in their lives. Hopefully once they conversed, Kallia could change his mind.

She quietly made her way to the bed and laughed quietly at Kallia. It was a moment she wished she could have captured forever on a durasheet photograph. As she watched her sleep, Kallia embodied beauty and serenity entirely. She remembered why she fell in love with her now. Yelara could no longer resist and leaned over to press her lips to Kallia's. She was certain, then, that she would do everything to convince Liam to accept their arrangement; she wouldn't rest until he had. "Kallia," Yelara whispered softly. She nibbled gently on her earlobe and giggled. "My love...wake up."

Kallia's eyes opened slowly and she smiled as she saw Yelara hovering over her. "Hi," she said sleepily. "Did you know you look beautiful there like that?" She looked around and noted that the room was darker. How long had they been asleep? "What time is it?" She brushed a hand over Yelara's belly and felt a tingling from the life within. "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine," she said softly. "I'm not sure how long we've been asleep, but... Kallia, Liam's home and I've mentioned what we talked about..." Yelara sighed and tried not to look nervous. "We should talk to him together."

Kalllia sat up a little at that. She felt a wave of tension rise up within her, then drain away. "It's best to do it as soon as possible," she said. "With both of us. You've talked a little to him already? How do you think he was taking it so far?"

"Well, he tried to appear alright with everything, but I could tell he still had some apprehensions. Maybe if you talk with him, you would be in a better position to convince him. He hasn't said no, for my sake, but I know he's not too happy."

Kallia kissed Yelara gently. "I'm sure it'll be alright," she said. "We'll talk to him together, and when he sees the love that we have for each other, and the love you feel for him...he'll want it. And, I guess if we need to, the three of us can get closer." She slid from the bed and held Yelara in her arms for a moment before glancing at the door. "Shall we?"

"I think we'd better." Yelara slipped her hand into Kallia's and pulled her gently along. She led her down the hallway, and for a moment, she almost stopped and turned back. She smiled at Kallia tightly and once they entered the living area, she took a deep breath. "Liam?" she called out gently.

Liam had been sitting on one of the couches staring at his hands while he waited. As his name was called he looked up and stood. He started to open his mouth to speak, but wasn't quite sure what to say. Finally he nodded, and motioned for them to sit while he pulled a chair closer for himself. "I don't really know what to say," he finally said. "It's kind of a...a shock to be put into a position like this. I'm not sure what to think or feel. I know that Yelara still loves me, and her feelings won't change. But, it's not easy to accept that she will be sharing her heart with another. It shouldn't bother me. I knew that you were in her heart first, but...I fear what may happen in sharing her."

Yelara took a seat on the couch, near to where he had pulled up the chair. She wanted to be near him for this; she had to comfort him as best she could through this. She motioned for Kallia to take a seat next to her then peered up at Liam. "You have nothing to fear, Liam. It won't change how much I love you. I wish I could assure you of that."

Kallia took the seat next to Yelara. "Liam, I know this is difficult. I'm in the same position as you. I have to share the one I love with another as well. But if Yelara loves you as much as I feel she does, then that makes the pain of not having her completely to yourself easier to bear. That she loves both of us will not dilute her love, only the time she can share with us expressing that love. But, I'm sure that she will give each of us as much time as she can, and show neither of us more favour than the other. I love her with all my heart, and I couldn't bear to lose her from my heart a second time now that I have her. And, I would not ask you to give up your love for her or her presence in your life. I don't know what the future will hold for our relationship, but I only hope that we both can continue to express our love for her and see where things may lead."

Liam nodded. "I know," he said slowly. "Still, it's difficult. I nearly lost her to Dargus Kandran, and it's hard to shake the fear of losing her here now."

"Liam, we would all be living together. It's not as if you and I would be separated for long periods of time. Even if that did happen, my love for you could never diminish. We're bonded, my love, like the Kestrels. How could I ever bear to be without you?" Yelara sighed and looked to her hands for some inspiration. What could she say to convince him, to reassure him? "I think..." she began slowly, "I think you and Kallia should spend some time alone. Would you like to talk? I mean, I've told you how I feel, Liam and I can find no words that will be able to assuage your fears. Maybe Kallia can."

Liam shook his head and smiled. "I don't think we need to," he said. "But I do think she and I should get to know each other. I don't want to stand in the way of your heart. I think the only way to see if this is going to work is if we just do it." The doubts still lingered in the back of his mind, but Liam recognized them for what they were. Yelara wanted this out of love, and out of love he would accept it. And, through it he would love her more than he ever thought he could before. They would make it work, and through his love for Yelara he knew that to be certain.

Yelara smiled and for a moment, allowed herself to feel some relief. "Good. Um...maybe I should go check on Yelara for a moment and you two can just start breaking the ice with eachother. But I'll only be a moment, not long enough for you two to get at eachother's throats." Yelara laughed nervously and pushed herself to her feet. "You two will be ok, right?"

Liam laughed. "We'll be alright," he said. "Go check on the baby. The practice will do you good."

Yelara stuck her tongue out at Liam playfully, then looked down at Kallia. She ran her hand along her cheek softly, then promptly moved away, leaving them to discuss the future.

Liam and Kallia looked at each other and laughed. "Yelara said that we might be able to train together," Liam said.

Kallia nodded. "I haven't had someone to train with for...well, for a very long time. And, it'll be nice to have someone who can keep up with me."

Liam laughed. "We'll have to see about that," he said. "We can set up the extra room for you and your baby."

"Thank you," Kallia said. "I know it'll be awkward for a bit. If you'd like, Yelara and I can keep our affections less public."

Liam shook his head. "No," he said. "I'd prefer that you didn't. I mean, I don't want you to try to hide it. I think it'll be easier for me to adjust if I see it. When the two of you are intimate...that's different, but affection, you can do that anywhere."

"It's okay, Liam," she said with a laugh. "We won't make love with you in the room. I don't know how we'll work the sleeping arrangements, but I'm certain we'll figure something out."

"We could get a larger bed," he said. "You can have one side, I'll take the other, and we put Yelara in the middle. Then we can share her during the night."

Kallia laughed, but then turned at the sound of a gentle gurgling as Yelara entered with the baby. She smiled as she watched them together. "The ice," she said, "appears to be broken, my love."

Yelara rocked baby Yelara gently in her arms and smiled at the good news. "I'm glad. You can't believe how happy I am to hear that." Yelara moved into the room and held the baby out to Kallia. As an afterthought, Yelara glanced at Liam, then back at Kallia. "Can Liam hold the baby?"

Kallia glanced between Yel and Liam and then grinned. "Of course he can," she said.

Liam's face suddenly went pale as he looked at the baby that would soon be in his arms. "I've never...I mean, I...uh, I've never held a baby before."

Kallia grinned even wider. "Time to learn," she said. "You're gonna have one of your own soon."

Yelara approached Liam with the baby and urged him to take the child into his arms. "It's ok, Liam. I've never held one before today and I'm doing fine. Come on."

He finally nodded and reached out his arms to take the baby. Once he was holding her as Yel had been, he laughed softly. He looked down into Yelara's eyes as Yel and Kal watched on. Without realizing he was doing it, he started rocking her gently just stared in fascination as Yelara looked around with her large brown eyes. Finally she looked up at him and her eyes grew even wider, then she burbled and smiled.

Yelara covered her mouth with both hands, and laughed into them. She looked to Kallia and dropping her hands to her sides, took a seat next to her. "He's going to be a wonderful father, I think. And you'll be a wonderful mother to both your children."

Kallia smiled. "And, I think you will be too," she said. "You're already doing great with Yelara. And, we'll have each other. And, Liam can change diapers. Can you imagine the three of us walking down the street together with our babies? With all the conservative Karadans turning their noses up at our unique arrangement."

"Well, Liam and I don't plan to be on Tae'Karada long enough for that to happen. Once our business here is completed, we'll be moving on." Yelara looked to Liam again and laughed as the baby tried to grab at his nose. "Watch out, Liam. I think she's got a crush on you already."

Liam laughed and put a finger out for the baby to grab onto. "Well, you two have your relationship, Yelara and I have ours, don't we?" He smiled as Yelara tried to pull his finger into her mouth. "I think we'll have enough room on the Kestrel for the three of us and the babies, but it'll be tight. We may need to convert some of the space in the cargo hold."

"I can help you with that once I finish...the other project." Yelara didn't expand on what she meant, for Kallia's sake. She didn't see any reason to get her involved in their clandestine affairs, especially with the child around. "So, Liam," Yelara said, changing subjects, "will you and Kallia be training? I think you two would be perfect training companions. Although, she might give you more bruises than you're accustomed to..."

"We discussed that briefly," he said as he managed to get his finger from Yelara's grip. "I think we're going to have to see who has to keep up with whom though."

Kallia laughed. "I'll try not to bang him up too badly," she said. "Though, if I do, he may need a little tender loving care when it's all over."

"Then I think he'll purposefully run in front of your forcepike if that's the case." Yelara sighed as she looked at Liam, then back to Kallia. "Are we ok then? I mean, this arrangement...are we all okay with it?"

"I think we are," Kallia said with a smile.

Liam looked up suddenly from where the baby was sucking on his fingers and laughed. "What? Oh, yes," he said. "I think everything is...everything is okay now."

"I guess the baby won him over after all." Yelara laughed and slipped her hand into Kallia's. She was actually more confident now that things would work out, but only time would tell with Liam, who she knew must have still been holding back some of the apprehensions he had. "We should all go out one day soon. We can bring Yelara too, but I think we should do something together. That would be good for us I think."

"Is she supposed to...um, I think she might be hungry, Kallia."

Kallia laughed and took Yelara from him. "I think she is," she said. She cradled her daughter in her arms and glanced back to Yel. "I think we should. I don't know the city well, but I'm sure there's lots to do here. And, I think I should go into the other room to feed her."

"Why? I mean..." Yelara stopped abruptly and nodded her head with a bashful smile. "Oh. Right." She kissed Kallia lightly upon the cheek and swept her hand across Yelara's forehead to push away a strand of brown hair. "You can use the main bedroom again."

"I won't be gone for too long," Kallia said, and then gave Yelara a kiss. She looked into her eyes and smiled. "I love you," she mouthed, and then quickly departed for the bedroom.

Once she was gone, Liam looked at Yelara and raised an eyebrow. Without another word, he moved over next to her on the couch and took her into his arms.

"Worried I was gonna ask permission to join her in the bedroom?" Yelara laughed and returned Liam's embrace. "Are you worried, Liam? That you'll lose me, I mean. I know I'm worried about losing you in all this."

He shook his head. "Not worried anymore," he said. "There's a small part, in the back, tucked away. But the rest of me is saying this will work out. And, if you wanted to join her in the bedroom, that's fine. I have no illusions that the two of you won't be making love in the future, just as you and I will. And, it sounds like you already got frisky during the last baby feeding. I think Yelara should eat in peace, and then you can go spend that time with Kallia."

"But I haven't seen you all day, Liam. I want to spend time with you too. I mean, you can cook us something and we can all sit down and have a meal together." Yelara nestled her face into Liam's neck and kissed it tenderly. "The only way you'll get comfortable with the situation is if we all spend as much time as possible with each other."

Liam laughed. "Well, I like the idea," he said. "So, I picked some things up for us when I was out. I should be able to have it ready in an hour. And, then we'll have a whole night together. How does that sound?"

"Thank you, Liam," Yelara said sincerely. "Thank you for making an effort. It reminds why I love you as much as I do now." Yelara kissed Liam tenderly and pulled away quickly. "Oh, just wanted to ensure you don't forget the carbosyrup. I haven't had any all day!"

Liam laughed. "There will be plenty of carbosyrup for you, my dear. Do you know if Kallia likes carbosyrup? I don't want to overdo it if she doesn't. Maybe it should just be on the side. And, you can add what you want. We do have that whole dispenser, plus all of what's in the extra room."

Yelara frowned and nodded her head slowly. "Fine, I'll have it as a side. But you know it tastes better when it's cooked into the food. For our guest, though, I'll suffer...only until I can introduce her to the joys of carbosyrup."

Liam laughed. "Just as long as she doesn't have to apologize to the carbosyrup," he said with a smile.

"I'm sure she will have more respect for it than you appear to have, my love." Yelara laughed and ruffled Liam's hair. "Still hasn't come out, has it?"

"Almost," he said. "I think a few more days. From now on, I will respect the carbosyrup. It deserves better than what it got from me."

"I'm glad you realize that now." Yelara pulled Liam into a kiss and played with the kestrel earring dangling from his earlobe. She pressed her forehead to his and gazed into his eyes. "Forever, Liam. That's what I vowed the day I married you. Nothing will ever stand in the way of us being with each other until the end of time. I just wanted to make sure you knew that."

Liam kissed Yelara firmly and then gazed back into her eyes. "I feel it in my heart," he said. "Forever. I think we can make it work with the three of us, though Kallia and I will need to coordinate when we get you to ourselves."

"Hmm...I think I like being in such great demand." Yelara kissed Liam tenderly, not wanting to pull away, but her stomach had other ideas. "Oh, dear. I think you should get cooking. The baby wants some carbosyrup."

"I'm on it," Liam said with a salute as he slipped off the couch and into the kitchen. "I'm trying something new tonight, so we'll see how it goes. It's supposed to be great with carbosyrup though. And, I was actually thinking of doing a light carbosyrup glaze. It's treban wingsnippers with the glaze, and all of it seasoned with crushed balic and hebre salt."

"Mmm... I am truly glad I married you." Yelara smiled as she pushed herself to her feet. She massaged her lower back for a moment as she began moving towards the hallway. "I'm going to check on Kallia while you cook. I'll ask her if there's anything specific she wants." Yelara blew Liam a kiss as she moved through the hallway and into the master bedroom. She stood in the doorway for a moment watching as little Yelara suckled on Kallia's breast while Kallia wore the most serene smile on her face. She truly was absolutely beautiful. "She seems hungry," Yelara called out gently from the doorway.

Kallia looked up and her eyes brightened at the sight of Yelara. "She is," she said. "I think we rushed her a little earlier, so she's taking her time now. I also checked the time and we were asleep for about three hours, so that could be part of it too." She motioned Yel forward. "How's Liam doing?"

"He actually seems less tense," Yelara replied as she made her way towards the bed. "I think seeing Yelara and holding her helped him make up his mind. He adores her already, I can tell."

Kallia grinned. "I noticed that," she said. "They were getting along really well. We're gonna have to be careful my daughter doesn't steal your husband away. Though, if she does, that'll leave more time for us."

Yelara laughed and sat down heavily upon the bed. "Well, that will still have to be worked out. I mean...it's gonna be all so strange. I think though, in time, it'll all become so natural. You and Liam might turn out to be very good friends, I think. He needs a friend besides me."

"I'd like that," Kallia said. "And, I think everyone needs friends. I will try to be a really good friend to him, Yelara. I like him, even though he hasn't seemed entirely enthusiastic. And, I don't think I exactly blame him. This is a big step, and who knows how it will turn out. But, I think we all care enough for each other that we'll do all we can to make sure it does work out."

"I guess we'll just have to wait and see. We can't force anything, but in time, I think he will come to accept you and Yelara as family." Yel laughed as the tiny baby emitted a belch worthy of a person four times her size. She looked at Kallia with surprise, then back down at Yelara with a gentle smile. "My...that was just... She's quite a girl."

Kallia laughed. "You should hear her when she really gets going," she said. "I think she gets that from Dargus. Though, with her, it's very cute."

"For now... She won't be a hit with the boys if she keeps that up." Yel gently caressed Yelara's head and leaned in to kiss Kallia upon the cheek. "I like having you here. I'm so much happier now, not that Liam wasn't doing a good job of keeping me happy... It's just...I needed you here, Kallia. It makes everything complete."

Kallia looked into Yel's eyes and smiled. "Everything does feel more complete now," she said. "It's like a part of me's been missing since I went away, and it feels like it's back now. When you and Liam leave, there is room for me on your ship, right?"

"Even if there isn't we'll make room, Kallia. We're not going anywhere without you and Yelara." Yel ran her hand through Kallia's hair and gazed into her eyes. Nothing would ever stand in their way again; she would make certain of that. She feared, however, that the obstacle standing in their way might turn out to be Liam. If that happened, she wasn't certain what she would do. "So," Yel said after taking a deep breath, "do you want Liam to fix you anything special?"

"I'm pretty much okay with anything," Kallia said. "Though, really spicy foods seem to upset Yelara a little. So easy spices would make her night, and by extension mine, more pleasant."

"What about...carbosyrup?" Yelara asked casually enough. "I mean, for some reason we have a big supply of it that we're trying to get rid of."

"When I was pregnant, I would have loved carbosyrup, but they don't have much of a supply on Tatooine. Endwa meat stew though, I lived off that. I think I'd like carbosyrup." She laughed. "I guess I'll let you know at the end of the meal."

"Ever tried Endwa meat stew with carbosyrup? I can't get enough of that!" Yelara's stomach began protesting and she looked at Kallia expectantly. "Liam should be done with the preparation soon. Is Yelara done eating yet? We can move into the kitchen and watch him. Liam is a really talented cook. I love watching him."

Kallia glanced down and Yelara had stopped suckling. Her large brown eyes were staring up and Kallia couldn't help a soft laugh. "I think she is," she said. "Maybe we can go watch some big people food being made." Kallia handed Yelara over to Yel and started buttoning up her dress. "Every moment I'm with her, I love her a little more."

"I've only been with her for a part of the day and I already feel myself falling completely in love with her." Yelara rose from the bed with baby Yelara cradled in her arms and walked with Kallia by her side, towards the door. "I hope it's like that with my child... I want to love it more than anything - I already do - but I'm just afraid of...resenting it."

Kallia brushed a hand over Yelara's swollen belly. "No matter what," she said. "I don't think it's possible not to love your own child more than anything, no matter who the biological father was. When she looks up at me like she does, it's impossible to not forget about everything else and just love her. I think it'll be the same way with yours."

"Will you ever tell her?" Yelara asked. "Will you ever tell her who her father is?"

Kallia sighed. "I don't know," she said. "I know my first desire is to say nothing about him. I don't know if that's wrong of me or not, but I think she'll be better off not knowing."

"I...I don't think I could tell our child either if he was the father. However..." Yel paused, gathering her thoughts and realizing how difficult it was to say what she had to say. "I would like him to know. I want him to know what a vile person his father was, if only to prevent him from becoming just like Dargus. I think he has a right to know. It was my mistake, not his and I don't think I could lie to him. It would be a difficult secret to keep and it would only end up tearing Liam and I up inside. I would have to tell the child, even if it would be the hardest thing I'd ever have to do."

Kallia nodded solemnly. "You're right," she said. "At least he's gone now, and can't hurt us any longer. At least he can no longer claim some paternal right, and try to push his way into our lives anymore. I don't think I could bear it if he were still around."

"He still is, though. No matter how much happiness we find, the memory of Dargus will always cast a shadow upon it." Yelara chided herself for turning the mood suddenly somber, but the topic of Dargus would have come up eventually, and no doubt would so many times over in their future. Yelara forced a smile for Kallia and kissed her lightly upon the cheek as they approached the kitchen. "Don't worry. We'll figure it all out."

Kallia smiled and kissed Yelara back. "I have you in my life again," she said. "There is nothing that could make me worry."

---

"Renewed Union, Part 2"
by Liam Zaneth
Yelara Zaneth
and Kallia Brael
with Yelara Brael
Location: New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Praeda 14, 4ABY

***

Yelara's gaze lingered on Kallia, as did the gentle smile on her face, before she looked back to Liam. The aromas wafting from the kitchen were wonderful, as usual, and it gave her pride being able to boast about having a husband who was a marvelous chef. "It smells delicious, my love. What is that?"

Liam looked up at Yelara and Kallia as they entered. "Treban wingsnippers with a carbosyrup glaze," he said. "I've also got a crushed balic and hebre seasoning. And, I've also added a little bit of rhemgre which should add a nice flavour. I picked up a very nice Karadan wine also; at least, the woman at the store said it was one of the best on the planet."

"Wow. We should have guests over more often. Anything to get you cooking like this again." Yelara walked up behind Liam and kissed his nape. "Baby Yelara will have an even bigger crush on you once she's old enough to eat. Who couldn't fall in love with a man who cooks the way you do?"

Liam laughed. "Well, when she's old enough to fall in love, I'll be...well, old enough. Though, I think if we have a son, we're gonna have to watch the two of them." Then he glanced between Kallia and Yelara and grinned. "We'll probably still have to watch them if we have a daughter."

Yelara couldn't help but laugh, and felt her cheeks warming as she looked at Kallia. "Um...let's put Yelara down and we can prepare the table," Yelara said quickly. She handed Kallia the baby and gave the child a kiss upon the forehead. "Maybe later, the three of us can take her for a walk. What do you think, Liam?"

Liam stirred more of the spices in with the wingsnippers. "A walk sounds nice. It'll give the three of us time to spend together, and to get some fresh air. Not to mention it'll be good to get familiar with the city."

Kallia came back a moment later with the carrier for the baby. She set her on the counter where they could watch her and moved to help Yel with the table. "It's nice to be in a home again."

"I'm glad you feel like our home is yours, because it is. You will sell your apartment, I assume? I mean, Liam and I will be happy to provide for you and the baby. Right, Liam?"

Liam nodded. "Of course," he said. "You and Yelara can have the extra room if you'd like. And, once we get back into space on the Kestrel, we can convert space into a room for you. If that doesn't work out, we may have to look into a new ship."

Kallia smiled and hugged Yel, and then moved into the kitchen and looked up at Liam. She almost shied away and offered him a hand, but instead decided to go through with it and gave him a hug. She stepped back and looked at them. "Thank you both," she said. "The time on Tatooine was hard, but right now it all seems worth it."

Yelara felt a pang of relief and joy flood through her as Liam and Kallia exchanged the friendly embrace. Things were progressing faster than she had imagined they would. It only made the future look brighter. She moved between Kallia and Liam, wrapping one arm around each and kissing them. "My two loves... I don't think I could have dreamed for a better life. If only others were as lucky as we are."

Liam laughed. "Well, I'm sure there's someone out there as happy as this," he said. "Though, I imagine our situation here is somewhat unique."

Kallia kissed Yelara as Liam turned his attention back to the food before it burned. "I don't know about anyone else," she said. "But I know I've never been happier than right now."

"There will be many happier times, if you can imagine that." Yelara laughed softly and took Kallia's hand. "Come on. I'll show you where all the plates and utensils are."

Kallia moved off with Yelara. "I guess I can sleep on the couch tonight, and we can get a bed for the other room tomorrow. And, whatever other furnishings I'll need in there. Fortunately, Yelara doesn't need her own space yet, so she can just stay with me for now."

"Perhaps while we're out walking, we can purchase another bed. I want you to get as settled in as you can as soon as possible." Yelara opened the cupboard and pulled out a small stack of plates, handing them to Kallia. "It'll be fun bunking with you again. Remember those late night chats we used to have? Those were fun."

"Just as long as we hold off on all the alcohol," Kallia said. "I remember a few nights that I should remember a lot more than I do." She carried the plates over to the table. Once Yelara was near enough again, Kal lowered her voice. "So, how do we work the sleeping arrangements between the three of us?"

Yelara furrowed her brow and sighed. "I'm not sure," she whispered back. "I think we'll have to take it a little slow. Start with displays of affection in front of Liam - kissing, hugging, caressing - then we can ease into the sleeping together thing. It might be the best way."

Kallia nodded, and then pulled Yelara into a hug. "Like this," she whispered. She slowly planted kisses from Yelara's cheek to her lips and smiled. "And, that?" She hugged Yel close and felt tears welling in her eyes. "I'm so glad I found you again, Yel. Everything's gonna be good now."

"Exactly like that," Yelara said softly as she held Kallia tenderly. "Always like this. Forever." She looked into Kallia's eyes and ran her hand along her cheek gently. She pressed her lips to Kallia's, but didn't kiss her too deeply for Liam's sake. She didn't think he would be ready for that yet.

Kallia pressed her lips to Yelara's ear. "I'm going to need to find time when you and I can spend time together without Liam around," she whispered. "Because I don't know how long I can hold off touching you."

"I guess the swollen stomach doesn't bother you then." Yelara laughed and kissed Kallia again before pulling away to search for utensils. "How's the wingsnipper coming, Liam?"

"Only two more minutes," Liam said, "and then it's on the table. You want to get the wine, Yelara? And, there's a salad in the refrigeration unit if you want to grab it." He pulled the pan from the range and started putting the wingsnipper on plates, making sure that each had a healthy coating of the sauce it was cooked in.

Yelara was somewhat surprised that Liam seemed unbothered by their display of affection. Maybe he was coming around faster than she thought he would. "I'll grab the wine and Kallia, you can grab the salad." Yelara moved to the refrigeration unit and pulled out the salad, handing it to Kallia. "Hey, Liam. Maybe Kallia can help you make dressing for the salad. I mean you can tell her what to do and...well...she can do it." Anyway she could, Yelara was going to make sure Liam and Kallia interacted. It was the only way to get them comfortable around eachother.

Liam smiled and then glanced over at Kallia who was watching them. "We should have everything to make the dressing in the refrigeration unit." He gave her the instructions on how to make the reambra dressing.

Kallia laughed and moved around the counter into the kitchen. "I think I can manage that," she said. "You didn't last as a student of Tal Dan without learning your way around a kitchen. Tal Dan never cooked. He expected his student to do that. Something about discipline, and also choosing a path of health."

"Kallia, how long were you with Tal Dan? I mean, Liam trained with him too and I doubt he trained the both of you at the same time or else you would have already met." Yelara set the wine onto the table and pulled out a chair to take a seat. "What was he like? Was he nice?"

"He was a good teacher, and a very nice man," Kallia said as she brought the dressing to the table. "He was strict when he needed to be and always expected the best out of his student. He died nearly four years ago now. One day, he just never returned. It was strange because I felt his death, knew it happened. I trained with him for nearly eight years. I had to sell my ship when I got to Tatooine; it was named after him. It was difficult, but I think he would have approved. Though he probably would have thought me silly for naming a ship after him in the first place."

"I bet he would have thought it a wonderful idea," Yelara replied in a comforting whisper. She looked to Liam, knowing he was struggling to contain his emotions. The truth would have to come out eventually about what he'd done to Tal Dan, but only he could decide when the time was right. Yelara focused her gaze on Kallia again and smiled. "Did you have fun with him? When did you start training with him?"

"I guess you could say it was fun," Kallia said. "I was thirteen when I started training with him. It was difficult, but it was rewarding. The fun was always when we got to leave our home to go get supplies. The planet we lived on had no supplies, at least not what we needed, so we had to go to a nearby planet to stock up. It was a good time in my life. Though, I never really got the childhood many children get."

"It doesn't mean the one you had wasn't any less of one. I doubt many children in the galaxy nowadays get the ideal childhood." Yelara sighed and placed her hand atop Kallia's. "He sounded like a good man. I mean, Liam doesn't talk about him much, but from what I've heard, it sounded as if you were lucky to have someone like him around."

Liam looked away and realized his appetite had disappeared. "I try not to think about those times much anymore," he said. "Because the memories usually lead to...to the time I spent in darkness. He was a very good man, and one of the best Jedi Masters to exist. I, uh, I think I put a little too much balic on this... I'm feeling a little queasy. I think I should go walk for a bit."

Yelara closed her eyes and hung her head low. She knew it wasn't the balic that induced the nausea. She cursed herself for pursuing conversation about Tal Dan. She knew what Liam had done to his master and should have realized any mention of him would have dredged up unsettling memories. Yelara opened her eyes and rose from her chair. "I'm sorry, Liam. I didn't mean to..."

Liam moved to Yelara and took her into his arms. "It's okay," he said softly. "It's something I need to deal with, and you helped me to realize that I'll need to do that soon since Kallia will be living with us from now on. I just need some time to think and sort things through in my mind. It's okay." He kissed her. "You can use this time to get to know Kallia even better if you'd like. I should only be gone a short while."

"I'm still sorry, my love. But if you need time alone, I won't stop you." Yelara held Liam for a moment longer, the pain he was feeling evident in the dimming glow of his blue eyes. "I'll keep Kallia company. I promise I won't say a word," she whispered to keep her words from gracing Kallia's ears. "Only when you're ready."

"Thank you," he said, and then kissed her again. "It's still all going to be alright. It just may be a little difficult when I have to actually talk about this. But, we'll make it. You bind us together, and we'll make this work to be able to stay with you." After another kiss, he smiled. "I'll be back soon."

Yelara nodded solemnly as Liam slipped from her embrace and started across the room. She turned away quickly and damned herself for bringing up the topic. "I'm such a fool," she said in an angry whisper. "I know he has trouble talking about Tal Dan, yet still I..." Yelara sighed and sank into one of the chairs. She looked up at Kallia and forced a smile. "He'll be fine. He just needs...some time."

Kallia nodded slowly and slid her chair closer to Yelara. "Is everything alright? Was it something I said? I could feel his conflicted emotions." She looked closer at Yel and sighed softly. "Are you alright, my love?"

"I'm fine. I just hate seeing him upset like that." She looked to Kallia and reached out to embrace her. "He's done some things in his past he's not proud of. I guess all that talk just brought up some painful memories."

Kallia nodded. "I understand," she said. "Do you want to keep eating, or do you want a little comforting?" She took Yel's hand in hers and smiled warmly.

"I think we should eat. I promised to show you what an amazing cook Liam was and I will." Yelara gently pulled her hand free of Kallia's and rose. She made her way towards the range and stopped short before turning around again. "There's a lot about Liam I still don't know, things he won't tell even me. Hopefully, if he finds a friend in you, he can confide in you and maybe tell you those secrets he keeps so guarded. It might ease his suffering somewhat."

Kallia nodded. "I hope that I am able to help somehow. I don't want to cause a rift with Liam. He's a good man, and you and he are very good together. I'll do everything I can to make this work."

"I know, Kallia. I know. I just can't help feeling discouraged when he gets into one of his subdued, self-pity moods. It hasn't happened a lot, but they're there." Yelara held out her arms towards Kallia and smiled wanly. "When he gets this way, it's hard. Now that you're here though, I think it will be easier."

Without hesitation, Kallia moved to Yelara and took her into her arms. "Well, I'm glad to be able to help however I can," she said. "If that's as someone for Liam to talk to, or as a supportive shoulder for you in emotionally trying times, I'm happy to be here. And, for now, why don't we eat, and then we can go on that walk with me, you, and Yelara."

Yel rested her head upon Kallia's shoulder and tried to force the somber feelings from ruining their happy reunion. "That sounds nice." She moved her lips to Kallia's neck and kissed the soft flesh as she wound her arms around Kallia's waist. "I love you, dear Kallia. I remember all the happiness we shared on the shipyards and now I realize that was only the beginning."

Kallia smiled. "There's much more where that came from," she said softly. "Many years of our love continuing to grow and thrive. Wherever our paths may go, they'll be together, bound in love for all time."

Yelara looked up at Kallia with a smile filled with exuberance and intense joy. She caressed Kallia's cheek softly. "That was beautiful. I want to make love to you, Kallia. I want to be bound with you through body, heart, and my soul. I'm afraid though, you'll have to share all that with Liam."

"For even a small part of your heart, I would be glad," Kallia said softly as she planted gentle kisses along the line of Yelara's jaw. "Liam's a good man, so I don't mind sharing you with him. I love you, Yelara. And, I'm never leaving again."

Yelara pulled away from Kallia, laughing as they yet again were beginning to get far too impassioned. "We have no self discipline, Kallia. I'm disappointed in you! You're a Jedi. You should be able to resist me," Yelara said playfully.

Kallia laughed. "Well, if I wanted to resist you, I think I could be pretty good," she said. "But I don't want to resist you. If you want to hold off for a while, we can though."

"I think we have to, Kal. If Liam were to find us... He'd just be more upset than he already is. He and I...we have a bond, like the one you and I share. Even now, I get glimpses of his suffering." Yelara smiled ruefully and pressed her hand to Kallia's cheek. "It pains me to admit this, but I can't help him end that suffering. I'm afraid only you can. I can't go into details yet, but you really are the only one."

Kallia nodded. "It has to do with Master Tal Dan," she said. "I understand. When he is ready, I will be happy to help him in any way I can. I'm not really hungry any longer. What do you say we get Yelara and go for that walk?"

"Yes, I think I could use one to clear my mind." Yelara held Kallia for a moment longer, content being in her embrace. "It's wonderful how your life can just change in moments, especially when that change is a good one, like you showing up at my doorstep."

"Seeing you again after so long was the happiest moment I've had in my life since the day I met you." Kallia closed her eyes and let the rest of the world slip away for a moment as only she and Yelara in her arms existed.

"Seems all we've being doing lately is expressing how happy we are to have found eachother again. I like that..." Yelara brought her hands up to cradle Kallia's face, then gave her the kiss she'd been yearning to deliver. The tender moment was cut off by baby Yelara's cries, and Yel pulled her lips away and laughed softly. "Seems someone else is in need of your tender caresses and love."

Kallia smiled. "Do you need to do anything to get ready for that walk," she asked as she moved over to where the baby was. She pulled her from the carrier and started walking back away. Yelara liked being carried and usually calmed down immediately. And, it worked for the most part this time. "I think she wants that walk too."

"Then let's get going now. Just..." Yelara smiled and sneaked over to the range. She dipped into the pan Liam left lying on the cooking surface and snatched up a morsel of food. She placed a bite into her mouth and approached Kallia with the remaining piece. "Open wide now."

Kallia savoured the small taste of food. "Oh," she said after a moment, "he is good. You struck it rich with him, didn't you? I think I'm going to like life with you and Liam." She grinned as she picked up the carrier for the baby. When they got into the hall, she pressed a small button on the handle and a series of wheeled struts extended from the base. "This thing is amazing, and I can show you exactly where I got it if you want one of your own."

"Maybe during our walk, you can show me. I've never seen anything like that before until now." Yel watched as Kallia placed Yelara gently into the carrier, and once she was settled in, Yel moved to Kallia's side. She slipped her arm through Kallia's and kissed her quickly upon the cheek. "Shall we? I've never actually taken a stroll through New Plouton. I'm interested to see more of the city."

As they started toward the elevator, Kallia smiled. "I've never strolled through the city either, so this will be an adventure for both of us. And, I saw this beautiful dress on the way here. I think it would go beautifully with your eyes."

Yelara smiled almost bashfully and looked down demurely. "I think I'll have to wait until I'm back to my normal size. I can't believe how large I am already. It seems as if I only found out yesterday that I was pregnant. I haven't seen a doctor on New Plouton yet, but the one we visited on Turren said it'd take around 9 standard months. I just hope we get off this planet before that happens."

Kallia nodded. "You should probably see a doctor though," she said. "Just to make sure everything is going well. And, how long do you think you'll be here?"

"I'll see one once we get you settled in, but I doubt we'll be here that long anyway so I'm sure it can wait until we travel to the next planet. Liam and I aren't certain how long we'll have to stay here, but once our work here is done, we'll be leaving. There are too many bad memories associated with this place to be able to truly call it a home."

Kallia nodded. "I understand," she said. "I have some of the same feelings." As they walked out into the courtyard of the apartment building, they could smell the fresh fragrances of the nearby park drifting toward them. It was nice to have that in a city of New Plouton's size. "So, what is the work you and Liam are doing here?"

Yelara cleared her throat and shook her head regretfully. "I can't tell you, Kal, especially not out here. It's classified. Perhaps when we return home, I can give you all the details, but for your safety and mine, I'd prefer not to dicuss it. We owed a friend a favour and we're just trying to pay back that debt."

Kallia laughed. "Well, my love," she said, "I'm pretty good at protecting myself, but I understand. And, I do thank you for considering my safety, and Yelara's. If you don't want to tell me, I won't press the matter. If there's anything I can do to help, you know that I'll do whatever I can to help you out."

"Thank you, my love. I don't mean to keep this a secret from you, but it's for the best. Once Liam and I have completed our mission, though, we can leave it all behind and the four of us - soon to be five - can find a nice planet to settle on."

"That sounds very nice," she said. "I haven't actually seen a lot of planets. I think it'd be fun to just go searching, to find one. The three of us and our babies. When I was young, I had dreams of being an explorer."

"Well, you sort of did do some exploring with Tal Dan, didn't you?" Yelara moved closer to Kallia and sighed as a sense of comfort settled within her. "Was he like a father to you? I mean, I know nothing about your family, but I'm sure spending all that time with one person, you can't help but gain a sense of love for them. I know Liam has no family, so Tal Dan was, in a way, the only family he had. Which makes it all the more difficult for him..."

"He was like a father," she said. "And, like a good friend. He and I did very little exploring. Most of our time was in the same place. I did more travelling once I left, and that was usually to escape Imperial agents."

"You'll be with him again someday, as I will be with my parents and grandmother. In the end, we'll all be together." Yelara slipped her hand into Kallia's and squeezed it gently. "For now, though, you have me, and Liam, and little Yelara."

"And, soon...well, your little one whatever his or her name shall be. Do you and Liam have ideas yet? For Yelara the choice was very simple. Yelara if she was a girl, and Taldan if she was a boy. I'm glad she was a girl." She looked up into Yelara's eyes and smiled. "I really wanted her to have your name."

"I didn't tell Liam this," Yelara said softly, "but if our child is a female, I want it to be named Kallia. Now, I feel the same way. If the child is a girl, her name will be Kallia Zaneth. It will be a bit odd, your child named Yelara and mine, Kallia. It's a nice sentiment though, I think."

Kallia squeezed Yel's hand. "It is," she said. "Though, I think eventually it may become a little difficult. With Yelara it'll be hard, if both of our kids were named after each other... We may need to find her a nickname to keep you two separate." Kallia's eyes brightened as she looked ahead of them. "There's that store I was mentioning. The one with all the baby stuff."

"Well, considering I'm having a baby, and you already have one, we should go in and peruse. I'll need to start finding furniture for the baby's room." Yelara and Kallia strolled towards the shop and she laughed. "You know, my grandfather calls me Yara. Liam's actually met him and...well...my grandfather said something along the lines of him not trusting Liam and that he was bad for me. I can't wait to introduce Liam again as my husband. My grandpa will have a fit!"

Kallia laughed. "I can imagine," she said. "Well, who knows how he'll react to me. And, I like Yara. Do you think she'd like Yara? I like it better than Yela. Do you mind if we call her the name your grandfather calls you?" They entered the store with Yelara holding the door open while Kallia pushed the stroller inside. "I think they have everything in here."

"Looks like it." Yelara smiled and caught up to Kallia. She kissed her upon the cheek and whispered into her ear. "You can call her Yara. I think it's a beautiful name for a beautiful child." Yelara's eyes shot open and she moved towards an odd looking device. "What's this...thing?"

Kallia frowned as she looked at the thing Yelara had picked up. "I think it's supposed to change the baby's diapers for you."

"Really? Well there's no way I'm letting this thing anywhere near my child." Yelara smiled and moved to Kallia's side again. She began remembering old times, just she and Kallia sharing in common their relationship with Dargus, then sharing in common their love for each other. Yelara sighed as she remembered one of their many conversations. "Do you recall that time you and I went back to your apartment and I was talking to you about being a free spirit? I said we can't bear to be tied down, but what about now, Kallia? You have a child, and I'm married...do you feel tied down at all?"

Kallia sighed and nodded. "Maybe a little tied down," she said. "But, I think the spirit is still there. Maybe together, we can keep that alive for each other. I think our spirits are tied together, and now that we're together again, they can soar regardless of whatever bindings we've made in life."

"Now that you're back, it feels as if I'm soaring again. It's not as if I feel tied down with Liam, it's just that you understand me more, Kal. You're a kindred spirit. You know precisely who I am inside." Yelara saw an adorable stuffed animal sitting alone on a shelf and took in a sharp breath as she rushed over to it. "Oh, Kallia, isn't this so precious?" she asked with a bright smile. She displayed the toy to Yelara, who began laughing and cooing as Yel made the toy perform a little dance. "Oh, I have to buy this for her. She loves it!"

"I don't think I've ever heard her laugh like that," Kallia said. "You can buy that for her, but only if I can get something for you and your baby." Kallia glanced behind her to where the carriers like the one she got for her daughter were, and then back to Yelara. "So, what do you say?"

Yelara studied the carriers for a moment with a smile, then shook her head. "You're just trying to get back on your feet. It wouldn't be right, Kal. You should keep your money for Yara. Thank you for the offer, though, Kal. I love you for it." Yelara pressed her hand to Kallia's cheek and kissed her softly. "You can spoil me when Liam finally gives us his blessing to share a bed," she whispered.

Kallia kissed Yel softly. "I'll remember that," she said. She looked around and then back to Yel. "I think I'm going to have to get a job soon. I don't have much left anymore."

"I said Liam and I would take care of the financial matters. Our employer pays for everything. But I guess once in a while, you need a break from being a mother. I'm sure if you did get a job, I could take care of Yara. I think she likes me." Yelara bent down and began tickling Yara's stomach. "You like your auntie Yelara, don't you. Don't you, you little Feyla monkey, you." Yelara laughed sheepishly and looked up at Kallia with a shrug. "Sorry. I don't know where that came from"

"You're gonna be a wonderful mother," Kallia said with a grin. "I don't want to work. But, I'm nearly out of money. I'd hate the idea of spending so much time away from you or Yara though. I feel like I'd never see either of you."

"Well then don't work. Stay home with both of us. You don't have to worry about creds. Liam and I have plenty." Yelara placed the stuffed toy she'd been holding into Yara's hands and embraced Kallia. "You never have to worry about anything, my love. Everything can only go right from now on."

Kal smiled, feeling suddenly secure where she hadn't a moment ago. "I can feel it," she said. "Everything will be perfect for us, and our children, and Liam. There's nothing that can stop it." She took Yelara's hand and they moved down the aisle together looking at the various things waiting for them to purchase. "I think I could spend all day here, just looking for things to spoil her with."

"I wonder if motherhood will change me much. I look at you, and you just seem...different somehow. I mean, you're truly a woman now - not that you weren't one before. I guess there's a kind of maturity about you." Yelara shrugged her shoulders and laughed. "I could also just be a very silly girl who has no idea what she's talking about. All I'm saying is that I hope I'm as good a mother as you are."

"Thank you," Kallia said with a smile. "I think you will be. You've been doing good with Yara so far, and I think the maturity comes from knowing that you have a responsibility to your child, and you'll do anything for her. And, I'll be here to help you if you need it, Yelara. Every step of the way. I want to be there when you give birth, if that's okay."

"Oh, I would love you to be there! I know I'm going to be so frightened, Kal. I'll need you there for support." Yelara embraced Kallia again and smiled down at Yara. "She likes her new toy. We should get it paid for and maybe go. I think I'm getting fatigued."

Kallia brushed her fingers over Yel's cheek and smiled. "You do look a little tired," she said. "I think the three of us are going to need a nap together." She started toward the cashier and smiled down at her daughter. She was partially hidden behind her new toy, and her brown eyes seemed even larger as she stared up at Kal and Yel. Kallia felt a tear slip from her eyes and she looked up at Yelara with a smile that wouldn't leave. "It's so perfect," she said, trying not to sob. "She's so beautiful, and here with you. I never thought I could be this happy again."

Yelara was handing her credit chip to the cashier when she looked at Kallia's bitter-sweet expression and her quivering bottom lip. She laughed softly and pulled her into her arms. "I guess having a child has made you far too sensitive. But I don't mind. It's so comforting to be able to feel again and not have to suppress your emotions. When you left, I rejected complete happiness. I refused to feel it as a way of punishing myself for losing you. Now though, I'm free to feel it again, and it definitely feels wonderful."

Kallia smiled. "Definitely wonderful," she said. "And, how can you look into those eyes as she clings to her new toy and not feel all quivery? It's just moments like this that it all just hits me. She's so beautiful and precious, and I couldn't have asked for anything more beautiful in life." Kal looked up into Yel's eyes. "And, I get to share her with you." After Yelara got her credit chip back and they were leaving the store, Kallia smiled. "So, should we deal with the bed tomorrow? I can sleep on the couch tonight, I don't mind. Unless you want to convince Liam to let me sleep on the other side of the bed with you in the middle."

"I think he can be persuaded," Yelara said with a slow smile. "But I think he'll more likely suggest that he take the couch, or even the ship. I get a feeling he thinks he's in the way. I don't want him to feel that way, but Liam is very sensitive and always jumps to erroneous conclusions." Yelara laughed as she slid her arm through Kallia's. "I think, though, one night soon, I'll have to prove him wrong."

---

"Renewed Union, Part 3"
by Liam Zaneth
Yelara Zaneth
and Kallia Brael
with Yelara Brael
Location: New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Praeda 14, 4ABY

***

Kallia laughed with Yel as they moved back slowly toward the apartment. "Well, I think you should be with him tonight," she said. "I think after today, he needs some of his wife's tender care. I'll be fine on the couch for a night, and we can get a bed for the other room tomorrow."

"I think you're right. I need to reinforce that he won't lose me and that he has free rein of my body...until the need to be with you becomes far too unbearable." Yelara walked with Kallia for a long while, just being near her and staring at her face to examine the gentle curve of her jaw and cheeks, the softness of her smiles and the brightness in her eyes. She found herself quickly falling in love with Kallia all over again, and even moreso than the first time. She imagined that every morning she awoke to look upon Kallia's, she'd fall in love with her again as if it were the first time.

"I hope that's really soon," Kallia said with a grin. "I don't know how long I can hold out. You are very enticing, and I have to remind myself to keep my hands to myself before they start frisking their way over to you." She smiled and took Yel's hand. "But, it's very important for you to let Liam know that his importance in your life has not diminished."

"I will try and do my best with that, but I can identify with what you're feeling. I have the same need and even now I'm tempted to drag you into the bedroom and make love to you. I just don't think Liam would react well to seeing us lying naked in each other's arms." Yelara kissed Kallia's cheek before moving off and holding the door of the apartment complex open for her. "In time though, my love," she said softly as she ran her hand along Kallia's cheek while she passed. "Very soon, we can be together fully."

"Until that time," Kallia said as she entered the building, "I'll be content to just be near you. Though, perhaps taking naps in each others arms will help some too. I don't think Liam would mind that. He didn't seem upset with us napping together today, did he?" She held the elevator door open while Yelara slipped inside with her. "I hope things work out the way we're hoping, Yel. I hope Liam is okay with this. I don't want to have to come up with ways to convince him this is okay, but I will if I must."

"It's difficult to say, Kal. The two of us have been through a lot. He..." Yelara paused and deliberated whether telling Kallia would be such a good idea. It would help her understand their situation, and she was family now... "He slept with his student. It almost tore us apart, but we survived. I guess now, he's worried the same thing might happen again, if you and I were together."

"So he's worried that now that you have me, you won't need him any longer. Then we'll just have to work extra hard to make sure he knows you do. When he comes back tonight, I think you and Liam deserve some special time together. I'm sure Yara and I can find something to do together."

"That wouldn't exactly be fair. Liam and I making love while you and Yara are forced to listen to our cries of passion... We'd only tempt you to join in." Yelara laughed and held the door of the elevator so Kallia could get out safely, then followed closely behind. "If it comes to that, Liam and I can try and be very quiet. However, while on Turren, we discovered sex is much more enjoyable if you can cry out loud enough for the entire universe to hear."

"It won't be long and you and I, and you and Liam will be making love frequently. We'll have to get used to hearing each other being pleasured. And, it's okay, Yel. I've gotten by for nearly a year, and I'll have to deal with you and Liam screaming passionately together while we're together. You should be with him tonight, my love, regardless of what I can hear. I think after today, he deserves that. And, now you really make me want to go to Turren with you."

"Once the baby's born, perhaps we can all take a trip down there and I can show you the spectacular waterfalls." Yelara leaned over to Kal and nuzzled her lips against her ear. "The canyon walls make for some really good acoustics too."

Kallia slipped an arm around Yel's waist. "I definitely want to try those out," she said. "I think we could probably make some very loud sounds together. I imagine we wouldn't have any problems keeping the neighbours awake."

"With just the two of us crying out at the top of our lungs, we could make them think there's an orgy going on in our room." Yelara laughed and punched in the code to her doorlock. She let Kallia and Yara pass first, then entered and closed the door behind her. "Liam and I have had sex in some very unusal places. I think though, after the child's born, we'll be a little less wild when it comes to our sex life."

"Is that because you won't feel like it, or won't have the time with the baby? I mean, if you don't have the time, I'm sure I can look after the babies while you and Liam slip off for a little passionate release. And, if it's because you don't feel like it, I can't believe I'm hearing that from you."

"What do you mean?" Yelara asked with a laugh. "Do you think I'm some sex fiend? I mean the sex you and I had may have been quite...intense at times, but I'm not that wild. Well, not in my present condition at least."

Kallia laughed. "What I mean is that from what I remember of our time together, and I think I remember it pretty well, you seemed to enjoy sex very much. And, based on what you've said about you and Liam, it sounds like you do really enjoy it. So, if you say that you don't think you feel like having sex after your baby is born, I can't believe I'm hearing that from you." She brushed a hand along Yel's arm. "At least I hope that's not what I'm hearing."

Yelara glanced down at Kallia's hand, then shot her an alluring smile. "You're trying to tempt me, aren't you?" Yelara slid her arms around Kallia's waist and suckled on her neck gently. She looked up at Kallia with a mischievous smile and glanced at Yara. "Put her to bed, Kal. Then we can do the same."

"She's almost asleep already," Kal said. "Why don't you go get comfortable in the bedroom, and I'll be in in just a moment." She gave Yel a long, passionate kiss and then stepped away, her eyes focused on the beautiful violet of Yelara's eyes. "I'll see you very soon, my love."

"Hopefully sooner than later," Yelara replied as she reluctantly pulled away from Kallia and started across the living area. "I think I'll slip into something comfortable," she said as she glanced back at Kallia. "You might have to help me change, though. My movement is really quite limited and it's hard to reach the zippers in the back."

Kallia pushed the stroller into the other room and put it into its sleep mode. She watched Yara for a moment longer until she was satisfied she'd be okay. With a grin, she hurried to the other bedroom where Yel was struggling with getting out of her clothes. "Need a little help there," she asked as gently took the zipper in her hands and eased it down. "I guess it's a good thing you have me here, my love."

"I don't know what I'd do without you," she said silkily as she pressed herself back against Kallia. "I miss having my naked body lying flat against yours. I miss sucking gently on those perfectly beautiful breasts of yours. I miss everything about you," Yelara breathed as Kallia's hands softly roamed along her exposed back.

Kallia pressed her hips forward against Yelara's butt and leaned her body against Yels' back, planting kisses against the back of her neck. She slipped her arms around Yel and sighed. "It feels so good to have you in my arms again," she whispered.

"Gods, Kallia, I can't hold out for much longer." She turned around to look deeply into Kallia's eyes and kissed her needfully. Her fingers - with controlled movements, despite her desperation - began undoing the buttons on Kallia's dress. "All I ask is that I be able to lay naked in your arms again. If Liam won't allow us to do anything more, at least that will suffice, my love."

As Yelara helped to remove her own dress, Kallia thought it only fair to return the favour. So, as, one by one, the buttons of her dress opened, Kallia slid Yelara's from her shoulders and let it fall to the floor. Soon, they stood before each other completely naked for the first time in many months. Kallia stared in breathless wonder at Yel, as her body trembled in anticipation of their shared touch. She stepped slowly forward and took Yelara into her arms. "Oh of all the gods I have missed you," she whispered.

Yelara struggled to calm her breathing as their bare bodies pressed together, nothing, not clothing, not lightyears, presenting a barrier to them any longer. She kissed Kallia's neck and face fervently and let her hands wander over every inch of Kallia's soft, silky flesh. It wasn't like caressing Liam. Touching Kallia was like running her hands over a bed of satiny rose petals, and kissing her lips was like tasting fresh, morning dew. Being with Kallia again was heaven. "I love you so much, Kal. I want to be in your arms forever." She looked into Kallia's eyes with a burning desire as her hand gently caressed her cheek. "Lay with me, Kal."

Kallia nodded slowly, her smile mixed with the lustful, loving gaze in her eyes to give her an almost exotic look. "I will gladly lay with you forever and then some," she whispered. "I want to wrap my body around yours and together we can let go of cares and worries and only know the pleasure of each other's touch."

"Then let's get started," Yelara said softly as she pulled Kallia towards the bed. To make the journey more pleasurable, she smoothed her hands over Kallia's hips and stomach and breasts, while keeping her mouth firmly fixed to her lover's. She knew this could only lead to one thing, that she couldn't do this without Liam's consent, but they had his consent now, yet she still felt guilty. Now, though, she hadn't the willpower to stop herself. Yelara sat on the bed as gracefully as her body would allow, and pulled Kallia down with her. She pulled her lips away and with a breathless whisper, asked, "We're going to make love, aren't we?"

Kallia pressed her lips to Yelara's again. When she finally pulled away, she gazed into Yelara's eyes. "I don't know if we can stop," she said. "I can step back and just hold you. If you don't want to keep going, we can just hold each other. We can try."

"Of course I want to keep going, but everytime I kiss you, I feel a pang of guilt ring through me. I'm just so afraid of hurting him, Kal. I'm so afraid of hurting both of you." Yelara lay on her side and embraced Kallia tenderly as she continued caressing her body and kissing her lips. "More than anything, I want this. I just wish I was more sure of what Liam's reaction would be."

"Liam will have to get used to this eventually," Kallia said. "If we're going to be together, we need this. We'll drive ourselves insane otherwise. And, he loves you far too much to lose you over this." She kissed Yel slowly and sensuously as she slid a hand down between her thighs. "It's going to be alright, my love." Kal felt her heart pounding and her desire burning white hot. She needed to touch Yel, and she wasn't sure if she could turn back now even if Yel asked her to.

Yelara closed her eyes and moaned as her desire was sparked. Liam had touched her in that way before, but with Kallia, the experience felt unique and completely different. A blinding wave of pure, tangible passion washed over her and even that simple touch sent her writhing against the sheets. "Oh gods... My love..." Yelara opened her eyes and stared into Kallia's. The desire and need in them were visible, and in the desperation of her touch, Yelara could feel Kallia's yearning. She wrapped her fingers around Kallia's wrist and pushed Kallia's hand into her mound. When her fingers delved further inside of her, Yelara cried out, then pressed her body to Kallia's and kissed her firmly. "Don't stop, my love. There's no turning back now."

Kallia allowed her fingers to plunge inside Yelara while her thumb brushed against her clitoris. She felt Yel shudder at the touch, which sparked even more need within her. She felt ravenous as she kissed at Yel's lips and breasts, hungrily feasting on her flesh. She could feel her passion flaring like it hadn't flared in nearly a year. "Oh I love you," she rasped between kisses. "Oh my beautiful Yelara, you'll never go another day without me in it. I'm yours forever, and I'll never leave again. Not and miss the taste of you and your touch. Oh gods, I don't know how I made it without you."

"You won't have to think about that any longer. You're here with me now. For always--" Yelara cried out and jerked her hips forward against Kallia's. Her hands couldn't get enough of touching Kallia's flesh and her lips only desired another taste of Kallia's everytime they kissed. "I remember," Yelara said in a voice strained with passion, "how painful it was not being able to feel your body against mine. All I feel now, is pure bliss."

Kallia smiled as she slid down Yelara's body, trailing kisses as she went. "And, I will give you more bliss, my love," she said. "Only bliss from now on."

The passions that had simmered within Kallia and Yelara exploded as they once again expressed the love they shared for each other in as many ways as they could. After a short while, it was as if they had never been apart and each other's touch was once again familiar and evoked sensations that once again sent them off into pleasurable bliss. There was no doubt that Kallia Brael and Yelara Zaneth were back together and more in love than they had ever been before.

***

Finally they lay together exhausted. Kallia trailed a finger down Yel's side and smiled. "Oh wow," she said. "I had forgotten how nice that was. I'll never forget again." She kissed Yelara once more. "I don't think I could move right now. I don't think I've ever been that...expressive or active. And, here I thought Jedi training was a good workout."

Yelara moaned quietly and gazed at Kallia with a dreamy smile. "Now I remember how good you are with your hands." Yelara languidly ran her fingers through Kallia's damp hair and shifted closer to her as they lay in each other's arms. "I'm surprised we didn't wake Yara. You were quite vocal, my love. I hope we didn't shatter any windows."

Kallia laughed softly as she lounged in Yelara's embrace. "I think she knew momma needed this," she said. "And, I hope I don't lose my voice from all that." She looked lazily around the room and grinned. "Maybe we should check the apartment for damage. But later, when I can move." Her body was still tingling and warm. "You know, you're pretty amazing with your hands too."

"I'm a tech, I work with my hands. What do you expect?" Yelara closed her eyes and almost listlessly ran her fingers along Kallia's stomach while planting light kisses upon her chest and breasts. "We must do this more often," Yelara whispered. "I'd forgotten how wonderful it was to be with you."

"I dreamed of it every night," Kallia said. "But, I'd forgotten just how nice it really was. Dreams are good to get you through the dark times, but they're never as powerful as the real thing. None of my dreams and desires can ever match the feeling and joy of just being with you."

"Then let's not let it end." Yelara opened her eyes and cradled Kallia's face in her hands. "Sleep in my arms, and know that when you awaken, I'll still be by your side. Know that I'll always be here with you. I love you, Kallia. My love..." She kissed Kallia gently upon the lips, entwining her legs around Kallia's and doing all she could to keep their bodies close and always touching. It was as if she were in a dream, now, one filled with immense happiness and joy. If it was a dream, then the bliss she would feel when she awakened would only be more intense.

They curled together and were soon sound asleep. It was the most beautiful, restful sleep both women had known in a very long time. And, in the embrace as they slept, their love for each other seemed to grow even greater.

---

"Drawn to Destiny"
by Kalaira Valreth
and Liam Zaneth
Location: East of New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Praeda 14, 4ABY

***

Kalaira moved through the abandoned temple in amazement. She and her party had stumbled across it quite by accident. It was remote, hidden from view and a perfect place for her to hide out. The thing that amazed her most was that even though it was abandoned, it seemed as if everyone had only recently left. It had not been looted overly much and the roof and walls were quite sturdy.

"We will stay here," Kalaira ordered.

"But mistress, the men are saying this is a haunted place of our ancestors," the little servant said with a bow.

"Nonsense. It is just superstition and fear of the unknown. And even if it is haunted, maybe its ghosts will see fit to help us retrieve our homes." Kalaira no longer dressed in the style of her people She was wearing tight green trousers and a loose brown tunic. Nothing about her spoke of her place amongst the people. She did not even wear her wedding ring. A blaster was strapped to her leg and a vibrodagger was on her belt. Her hair, she had cut to shoulder length and now wore it back in one single mass.

Kaliara and her people set up house in the abandoned temple. It was deep in the forest but still within striking distance of New Plouton. Now, she would need to find her feet and her place in this new world.

***

Liam Zaneth's clouded thoughts were clearing as he moved further from the city. The conversation with Yelara and Kallia was still weighing heavily on his mind. The situation was a delicate one and he wasn't sure what it would bring. Things could work very well, or very poorly. One thing was certain, Yelara and Kallia loved each other very much, and when they were together they were both very happy. If he couldn't feel Yelara's love for him radiating from her like the desert heat of Thanatos, he would have been worried. But, he knew that her love for him was not anything to be worried about. He knew their love had not diminished at all.

Up ahead, he could feel something pulling at him. A tremor running through the air, through the Force. He'd started to feel it as soon as he'd left the city, but as he moved farther from the city, they grew stronger. It was as if he were walking through the tide as waves washed against his body. He was fifty kilometers from the city when the strength of the tremors was almost too much to bear.

And, then he saw it. It was nestled into the side of a hill, nearly invisible to the eye. He moved forward slowly. He could not detect the power of darkness here but instead felt a balance. He drew closer until he stood at the threshold of the structure. It was made of stone, and older than any ground he had stood on for some time. He felt that this site had existed for a long time, millennia most likely.

He passed inside through the arched entry. It was a place of power and it filled him. In the subdued light within, his eyes seemed to glow with a soft blue light. Before he could take another step, it was as if the place--it was a temple of old, of that he was certain, though he knew not how--stopped him in his tracks. As he stood, as a tree rooted in a grove, his purpose was laid before him, visible to only his eyes. He accepted his new quest without a second thought.

When at last he was free to move again, a sound ahead caught his attention. He started forward carefully.

"That will be far enough," a soft voice said from behind him. "What are you doing here, Kace?" Suddenly other armed bodies stepped out of cover. Kaliara was surprised the Jedi had not sensed them. Perhaps he had, but he had seemed very preoccupied.

Liam turned and as he did he pulled his lightsabers from where they rested at his belt. He dropped into a defensive crouch with the sabers held ready. "I should ask the same of you, Kalaira," he said. "It seems that Tarkin's purge wasn't as complete as he would have liked. How many others escaped Imperial wrath?" He glanced to the side and the weapons leveled at him. His mind stretched to the activator switch within the hilts of his lightsabers, ready to ignite them with a thought. "Tell them to lower their weapons before someone gets hurt."

"Very few. I am the last of the royal house and I know of a few outlying nobles." Kalaira raised a hand slowly as she spoke and signaled that they should lower the weapons. "I am here in hiding. Now, I have answered your question, you should answer mine." She had still not lowered her own weapon.

"I was out walking," he said. "There is something about this site that drew me here, so here I am. My wife is with a friend and her child at the moment, and they wanted some time alone. With only myself for company the last five months, it's good for Yelara to spend time with her friends."

"Drew you?" Kalaira frowned but slowly holstered her weapon. "We stumbled across it as well. It is remarkably well preserved though we found no caretaker. Come, we cannot offer much, but you are welcome in our camp and to our hospitality." Kalaira had not yet figured out how to access her funds without alerting the empire.

"Thank you," he said. "I can't stay long, but I will accept your hospitality." As he moved with them to where they were staying, he glanced at Kalaira. "How long have you been out here? And, how did you get free? I heard the Empire was very thorough in their...cleansing." He made no effort to hide the distaste in his voice.

"My husband saw that things were going badly and he had me spirited away before the palace fell. I have been in deep hiding ever since," Kalaira answered. "I had thought to leave the planet, but these are my people." Kalaira led him into the monastery, it was clean and neat. Its decorations and murals plain and of a natural flavor. They entered a study with a plain table and chairs. "Why are you back? Once free of our distasteful friend, I would have thought that nothing would have brought you back to this soil."

"Yelara and I would not be here were it not for the debt we owed a friend," he said. "She required a service of us on Tae'Karada, and so we are here. Our plan is to leave again once that's done. Given the nature of recent events, this is not the planet I would choose for raising a child."

"I understand." Kalaira's tone was apologetic. She felt as if she and the High Prince had let the people down. They had trusted too highly in the planetary shield. "Congratulations on your child." A sadness lurked in the princess' eyes.

"Thank you," he said. "Though, I'm not sure if congratulations are in order just yet. There is a chance the child is Dargus Kandran's, something that grieves both Yelara and myself."

Kalaira's face darkened momentarily. She finally forced a smile. "Kace, it does not matter which man plants the seeds, it is the one who tends the fields that reaps the harvest. A child is a blessing. At least you will have one to share with Yelara." Her eyes misted up for the children she would not have now. "I can count on you to not reveal my location?"

"Yelara would be the only person I would tell," he said. "And, you can be assured she will say nothing to anyone else. If you need any assistance, you can count on us to lend what help we are able."

Kalaira nodded. "It seems awfully far from town for you to just have wandered here. Did you fly?"

"I took a speeder part of the way," he said, "and walked most of the rest of it. My ship is docked at the starport."

"Can you find me a way to get a message off planet?" Kalaira had been forced to avoid anywhere with communications technology for fear of discovery.

"I should be able to," he said with a nod. "Though, the Empire is monitoring communications. With some heavy encoding, I think we can get a message off without anyone noticing though."

"My funds are diversified so that I can access them without the Empire being able to track them to me. But I have to get a message to my business manager and let him know I live. He will know what to do then." Kalaira was taking a risk, but her gut instinct was that this man would not turn her in to the Empire and she had learned to trust her instincts.

"I can make sure it is delivered," he said. "We're set up for sending secure transmissions so we are able to communicate with our contact. If you give me the message, I can make sure it goes through."

Kalaira nodded. She moved to the desk and wrote out a message for him to send and the coordinates to send it to. "If you have a need to hide, you are always welcome here." Kalaira's words were gently spoken and sincerely offered.

Liam looked around the place and nodded. "Thank you," he said. "I'll get the message sent out right away. How are you set up here for provisions? I've got an extra five hundred liters of carbosyrup if you're interested."

"Supplies are tight as I have not yet been able to access my credits. My contact will give me a new identity, papers and a credit account. But anything you can do to help till then would be greatly appreciated," Kalaira answered. She smiled, but it did not reach her eyes.

Liam nodded. "I can try to get something out here tomorrow at the earliest. I'll do what I can. It'll probably be mostly ration packs. Getting food out here by myself in the daylight will be difficult. There's another person I might be able to get to help me as well. I believe she can be trusted completely as well. I don't think we'll be able to get a speeder out here, but between us, we should be able to get a few days worth of food to you."

"That would be appreciated." Kalaira smiled. "The royal house thanks you and will be forever in your debt."

Liam nodded, the closest he would come to a bow. "It is the least I could do," he said. "Let us hope that the Empire can be overthrown, and the rightful rulers of this planet can once more take its throne."

Kalaira frowned. "No, let us hope that our people can be free and have no ruler." Kalaira knew her words would shock many, but if she was instilled back on the throne, her first act would be to create a ruling council. "I look forward to seeing you again soon."

"I'll return about this time tomorrow," he said. "And I should have food for you as well as news on the transmission."

"Thank you." Kalaira stood. "May your force guide you." She didn't understand the force, but she knew it gave the Jedi his powers and she respected that.

With that, Liam left the temple, the new Jedi temple, and returned to the city.

---

"Confronting the Future, Part 1"
by Liam Zaneth
Yelara Zaneth
Kallia Brael
and Yelara Brael
Location: New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Praeda 14, 4ABY

***

The door to the apartment opened silently, and Liam entered. His thoughts were still troubled over the events he'd been part of in the forest. With Kalaira back, he didn't quite know what it meant, though he knew that the danger to himself and his family had grown. That information, along with his powers with the Force, made him an even more dangerous man. He would have to think upon it more, but he would help as best he could in Kalaira's efforts to gain back the power she would need to save her people.

He stopped in the doorway to the bedroom, and his heart nearly stopped. Entwined together, Yelara and Kallia lay atop the bed, both unclothed and looking happier than he'd ever thought he'd seen in another person. He moved forward slowly, cautiously. He sat on the edge of the bed near them and watched for a moment before reaching out and brushing a hand over Yelara's leg.

She shifted gently on the bed and moaned quietly as her slumbering mind processed the feather light touch. She murmured Kallia's name and smiled as she reached down to touch the hand. The flesh wasn't silky and soft as Kallia's was, and brushing her fingers against the hand again, she opened her eyes with a sense of dread looming within her. She could do nothing but stare at the hand caressing her bare leg, knowing it as she knew her own. Slowly, her eyes travelled up the arm. She felt her body trembling as her eyes drifted to the face she anticipated would be contorted in anger and rage, or weeping in pain and sadness. Yelara gasped quietly as she gazed directly into the blue eyes of her husband, eyes that should have been a sea of tears, but were not. "Liam?" she said quietly, hesitantly. "Oh, Liam..."

Liam forced a smile, keeping his eyes focused on Yelara's. "Hey there, my love," he said. "I don't think I've ever seen you more content in your sleep. I guess I don't have to ask how you slept. You'll never guess what happened when I was out and about."

"W-what?" Yelara stared at Liam, dumbfounded at his casualness. He seemed almost unaffected by the scene before him; he was even smiling. She slowly sat up in bed and continued to gaze at him in astonishment. "Liam...I mean..." Yelara laughed quietly in disbelief and shook her head to make certain she wasn't still asleep. "You're not bothered, by this, Liam? I won't deny that - not that it would do any good - Kallia and I were together, but... Don't you care?"

Liam glanced down at the two naked women and chuckled to himself. "If you did deny it, I'd have to wonder," he said. "It's a little difficult, but... I have to get used to this. Kallia will be with us from now on, and you and she will be spending time together. I can't close my eyes to it, and I can't deny you her love." He took her hand into his. "I have to be okay with this or else I'll either lose you or go insane."

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean for you to find us like this. This soon, it must have been a shock." Yelara was very aware of her nudity, and for a moment considered concealing herself, but Liam had seen her naked far too many times for her to be shy about it now. She smiled warmly as she pressed her hand to his cheek and leaned forward to kiss him gently. Glancing back at Kallia, she hoped she didn't wake up to the realization that she was still very exposed and Liam was in the room. It was bound to happen eventually, she realized, so she did nothing but smile. "So..." Yelara began awkwardly as she looked back to Liam, "what's this important news you have to tell me?"

"I wandered out of the city as I was walking," he said. "I actually rented a speeder and I was a ways from the city. Though, now I don't believe it was random chance, but that I was actually drawn there. I found myself on the site of an old temple. But, when I was there, I ran into the high princess."

"Kalaira?" asked Kallia's sleepy voice as she sat up. She looked up at Liam, then down at herself and quickly shifted to cover herself more. "Oh gods, Liam. I'm sorry."

Liam laughed. "It's alright, Kallia," he said. "And, yes, Kalaira."

"You found her?" Yelara asked in surprise. "I thought she died along with the High Prince. She's alive though? Where? How did you find her?"

Liam gazed into Yel's eyes, afraid of letting them drift anywhere else. "She and her people were hiding out there," he said. "I didn't see how many she had, but it looked just bigger than a handful. I agreed to get some supplies to her, along with sending a message she wanted sent. I think she wants to try to get power back from the Empire."

"With the crimelords vying for that power, does she really have a chance, Liam? I mean she'll have to deal with the local crime syndicates, plus the Empire. If she's as undermanned as you say she is, she hasn't a chance." Yelara sighed and laughed in disbelief. "All this time...she was alive and hiding out. She must be devastated. I mean, she's lost everything, Liam. Her husband..." Yelara looked into Liam's eyes, suddenly realizing how truly lucky she was to still have him. She pulled herself into his arms and embraced him tenderly. "We have to help her, Liam. She deserves it after helping us."

Liam closed his eyes and held Yelara. "She does," he said. "Of everyone vying for power, she'd probably have the most support from the people. I don't know how we can help, but for now we can be her eyes and ears in the city. I don't know how much power she will be able to draw to her, but she will have us helping her. And, perhaps she can have the support of the Jedi Temple."

Yelara loosened her embrace and looked up at Liam in confusion. "I don't understand... A Jedi Temple? On Tae'Karada? I didn't know one existed."

"Not yet," he said. "But soon. The Temple I found, when I stood on its stones, I saw my purpose laid out before me. I'm going to start a hidden Jedi Temple here on Tae'Karada. This place almost seems a nexus for Force sensitives, and those who will join me, I will train. And, the Jedi Order will be reborn."

Kallia's heart was beating fast in her chest as she listened to Liam's words. "If you need the help of another Jedi in this, I will assist you how I can."

"Thank you," he said. "I would appreciate your help very much. Perhaps we can find others that will be able to help training."

Yelara was momentarily horror-stricken and gripped Liam's shirt between clenched hands. "But Liam, the Jedi are still hunted. If you build an entire temple and fill it with force sensitives, you'll be making the Imps' job easier. They won't have to search you out anymore; they can just go to the temple and kill you all with one thermal grenade."

Liam smiled. "They'll have to get to it first," he said. "I don't know how, but it's invisible on sensors. I couldn't detect it with the scanners even as I moved closer. And, I don't plan on leaving us undefended. I wouldn't endanger the lives of so many without much care being taken to assure their safety."

Yelara looked to Kallia, then back to Liam with a tight smile. "This means our stay on Tae'Karada is going to be much longer than expected, isn't it?"

Liam took her hands in his and kissed them. "I know," he said softly. "We'll figure something out. This is a decision that affects the three of us and our children. It's not only mine to make. Maybe I can start it going, and then step away. I won't do this if you don't want to, Yelara. I can't only think of me, and I can't just play hero. I have a wife and child to consider, and they will always be first in my decisions."

Yelara let her gaze linger on Liam for a moment, then looked back to Kallia. "A Jedi Temple, Kallia. I remember a time when you told me you wished you could help the rebels, you wished you could do something to strike against the Empire... This temple, it could be your chance. Do you think it's a good idea? You're a part of this too. I'll agree if you do."

Kallia sighed and brushed a hand up Yelara's back. "Perhaps we can see how it works," she said. "But, I only want to do something like this if you're going to be involved too. I don't want the three of us stuck here, and you with no involvement in why we're here. The three of us have to be in this together, or it won't work."

Yelara found comfort in Kallia's words, and her touch. She took Kallia's hand, then Liam's, and brought them together. "All three of us... I've been looking for a way to get back at the Empire, and if finally this turns out to be the way, then I'm happy that I'll have you two by my side." She looked up at Liam and nodded her head with a warm smile. "I think the temple sounds like a wonderful idea, my love. It will bring together all those jedi who are in hiding and fear for their lives. Now, they can once again live free lives, fighting alongside their comrades to gain that freedom. I want to be a part of this. I'll do anything I can, my love."

Liam pulled both Kallia and Yelara into an embrace. "We'll do this, and we'll strike a blow that will send the Empire reeling." He held them for a moment, and then suddenly recoiled as he remembered they were both unclothed. "Sorry," he muttered as his face turned red with embarrassement. "This'll be good. The Temple. I should probably...probably go clean up the dishes."

Yelara looked at Kallia and burst out laughing as she looked back to Liam and watched him stumble towards the door. "Liam, it's ok! We're all family now. And you've already seen her naked so touching seems the next logical step."

Liam laughed. "Well, it's just...I didn't want to...there's just so..." He took a breath and let it out. "I didn't think it'd be a good idea for me to be...you know, touching. I just didn't want to...to cause any problems."

Yelara laughed again and rose from the bed. "Don't be silly, Liam." She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him tenderly upon the cheek. "You can go if you want. Kallia and I will make ourselves more presentable, then we can discuss plans for the temple. It'll be wonderful, Liam."

"I just don't want to cause any trouble between the three of us," Liam said. "I don't know. It's just...I don't think we should be naked all together. We should just be naked in pairs. I mean, you and Kallia and me and you, but not all three of us together. Not that I'm naked, it's just that with the two of you there..." He suddenly laughed and shook his head. "This is going to be very difficult."

"Well...give it time, my love. And I'm not saying we all have to be naked, I'm just saying there will be incidences where you might accidentally walk in on us after...you know, and the same goes for Kallia walking in on us." Yelara laughed as the situation seemed to be becoming even more awkward for Liam. She looked back at Kallia with a smile and pushed Liam outside of the room with her. "Better? No naked Kallia, just naked me. I know that's how you like it."

Liam laughed. "She's an attractive woman," he said. "It's just that...it's just awkward being around someone like that who's not you." He watched Yel for a moment and then kissed her tenderly. "Are you sure you're okay with this? With the Temple?"

"It'll be good for you, Liam. With the current situation," she said, motioning her eyes back to the bedroom, "it might be a good way for you to just escape when things get too stressful. Besides, we need someone to start a campaign against the Empire on Tae'Karada, and if the Jedi are there to back up Kalaira, we might actually succeed."

With a warm smile, Liam took Yelara into his arms. "I love you," he said. "More than I ever thought possible. We'll get through this, and we'll drive out the Empire as well. I just need to know that you're not regretful or upset that we're staying here. I don't want you to be miserable staying here on Tae'Karada. We have to think of our future, and our child's future."

"If we succeed in doing our part to bring down the Empire, we're helping our child actually have a future, Liam." Yelara held Liam as closely as possible considering her protruding stomach, and trailed kisses along his neck. "So when do you get started, my love? Kallia would love to help."

"Soon, I think," he said. "I should run the supplies out to Kalaira and her group later. I can then begin making plans for the Temple. I'll probably need to search the planet for those sensitive to the Force." He chuckled and shook his head. "I'm going to be busy."

"Well, so will I be. I still have that device to work on...which reminds me. I should probably get on that now." Yelara looked down at her quite visibly naked body and laughed. "After I conceal myself. If Elgryde decides to drop in and sees me lounging around naked, she'll probably go over the many reasons why it just isn't healthy for the baby."

"I imagine she'd also have a few words about your girlfriend lounging naked on your bed too. Not to mention your husband sitting in the kitchen washing up the dishes from the meal, completely content with the situation. It'd probably send her off to an asylum from the wrongness of it all."

Yelara narrowed her eyes at Liam, then playfully slapped him in the arm. "Don't you even dare think about calling her over! I'll never forgive you if you do." She laughed and kissed him tenderly. "I'll go get dressed and tell Kallia to do the same. Maybe later, the two of you can go check out the temple. She can come with you when you deliver supplies to Kalaira."

"That'll be good," he said. "I'll be able to get more supplies to them. And, Kalaira will see that she's already gaining support." He kissed his way from Yel's forehead down to her lips. "If you'd like, maybe you and Kallia can go pick up her things together, and I can watch Yelara."

Yelara laughed and poked Liam in the stomach. "I knew you were completely taken with her! Oh, you looked so cute holding her and fawning over her. I think that's the only reason you agreed to this whole arrangement."

"I'm just getting practice," Liam said with a laugh. "And, she is very cute. Though, she's not the only reason. I look into your eyes and see how happy you are with Kallia here. And, the look on your face as you two were sleeping together." He paused for a moment to settle his pounding heart. "I only hope you look half that content sleeping with me."

Yelara grinned at Liam as she trailed her finger along his chest. "Oh, I wouldn't worry about that, my love. If you're in any doubt, I think I can settle your fears tonight..." She pressed her body to Liam's and let her hand wander to his groin. "I'm sure I can convince you that I'm very, very content sleeping with you."

Liam gasped as her hand brushed against him. His hands trailed over her breasts and then down her sides to her hips. "Are you starting something you don't intend to finish, my love?"

"I'll finish," Yelara said silkily as she pressed her hips against Liam's. "Later, though. We don't want to wake the baby," she whispered into his ear before sucking on it gently. Yelara pulled away and giggled at Liam as a foolish smile remained frozen on his face. "If you can hold out that long, that is."

Liam laughed. "I'll hold out. Now, go get dressed before I call Elgryde over. I'll be in the kitchen cleaning up my mess."

Yelara looked down, then glanced up at Liam with a large smile. "And I'll clean up mine later." She kissed Liam again before she moved away and sauntered back to the bedroom. Before closing the door behind her, she gazed at Liam and puckered her lips at him in a gestured kiss. Coyly, she quickly closed the door and rushed back to Kallia's side. "My love!" she called out happily as she pulled Kallia into an embrace and kissed her tenderly.

Kallia smiled and gazed up into Yelara's eyes. "My love," she said as she wrapped her arms around Yel. "I take it by the smile on your face that it went okay with Liam. He's not upset about this? He didn't seem as flustered at us being here together, more with being in the room with both of us naked."

"Surprisingly, he was actually fine with it. He's actually offered to take care of Yara whenever you and I feel like going out on the town." Yelara embraced Kallia and sighed. "It's going to work out. Everything's working out better than we planned. I mean, even the temple... I can tell Liam's very excited about that. You will help him with it, won't you Kal? I mean, this way, you get to be a Jedi again."

"As long as I don't lose time away from you and my daughter," Kallia said softly. "I'd like to help with it. I hope my skills are sufficient to teach them to others." She snuggled closer to Yel and grinned. "And, on a good note, Liam didn't seem all that interested in me, so it looks like you will have me all to yourself."

"Well, I don't think there's any way he could not find you desirable. I've always thought you were very sexy." Yelara kissed the curve of Kallia's shoulder and nibbled on her neck playfully. She laughed and squeezed Kallia as tightly as she could to express her immense joy. "You and Liam will get so much closer while working on the temple. You'll become friends and...everything will be perfect. Who knows? After spending so much time together, he might just find you even more desirable. He's really wonderful in bed..."

"Yelara," Kal said with a laugh. "He's your husband, and no matter how desirable I may find him, I don't think I could. He did look at me a couple times, and I liked how he did it, but I don't think I could ever...not with Liam. I'll just have to be satisfied with his wife." She kissed Yel hungrily and grinned. "And, she satisfies me very much."

Yelara laughed and gently gripped Kallia's wrists, pinning her arms down against the soft sheets. "So, you find my husband desirable? It's the eyes, isn't it. Or the brooding look he gets when he's concentrating really hard." Yelara took advantage of Kallia's immobilized state and kissed the hollow under her arm. "I imagine it'll be fun watching the tension mount between the two of you. The awkward smiles, the reluctance to get too close..." She giggled as she nuzzled her nose into Kallia's arm then kissed it again lightly. "Don't worry, though. I won't be offended if you choose only to be with me. If I'm the only one you want to be with, then it's truly flattering."

Kallia giggled and struggled meekly as Yel held her down. "I may have to just try him out to see how the two of you compare. He looks like he's trying pretty hard to keep his distance. It would be kind of fun to see where his breaking point is. At what point would his eyes turn to include his wife's lover?"

"Never!" Yelara cried out emphatically. She laughed breathlessly as she released Kallia's arms and lay back on the bed to settle her laughter. "If the need arises, you may have him. I've already offered him up to a crimelord - a very enchanting Twi'lek, by the way. I figure he'd make a good sex slave. We could start a sort of business, you and I, renting him out to the oppressed women of Tae'Karada so they can let go and exploit a man for a change."

"Oooh," Kallia purred, "do you think he'd go for something like that? Though, I guess we could just bend him to our will, and bewitch him into doing whatever we ask." She giggled and slid over, pressing her body to Yelara. "We could do so much good with him." She kissed Yelara and smiled. "It's so good to be back."

"You look happier than when you first walked through that door today. I guess sex with someone you love has that effect on people..." Yelara embraced Kallia tenderly and gently ran her fingers along Kallia's back. "I want to be with you every day and night, Kal. I want to be with Liam too... There just isn't enough time in the day. Isn't there some Jedi force thingie you can do to just slow down time?"

Kallia sighed. "I wish there were," she said. "We'll just have to make do with the time we have, and make sure there's as much of it as possible. Maybe we can alternate days. You're with Liam one day and me the next."

Yelara groaned and rolled onto her back, playfully pouting her lips. "I hate having to arrange time to be with each of you. I feel like I'm being loaned out like some holonovel. But I guess there really is no other way..." Yelara sighed and turned her head towards Kallia. "We should get dressed. Liam wants to get supplies to Kalaira and I volunteered you to help."

Kallia laughed and slid from the bed to where her dress lay on the floor in a crumpled heap. She watched Yelara as she dressed and smiled. "If you feel like a holonovel on loan, then you should just do whatever you feel like. If you want to spend half a night with me and half with Liam, then do that. Whatever you wish, my love. I'm sure he and I will be fine with it."

"Well, I guess I'll just let my heart lead me...although right now, it's leading me towards both you and Liam." Yelara laughed softly as she walked towards Kallia and gestured for her to zip up her dress. "Who knew having two lovers could be so difficult. It seems like such a great concept too."

Kallia laughed as she took care of Yel's zipper. "Well, if we were all lovers, I think it would have fewer difficulties since then we'd all be together. But this way, we'll have to be a little more mindful of scheduling and seeing that we get enough time together. I think we can make it work, though it may be a little difficult at first."

"Well, it'll all be worth it in the end. We'll all have each other and that's what truly matters." Yelara turned around and embraced Kallia. "It's late," she said softly as she looked out of the bedroom window. "You two might be gone long. I should set up the couch for sleeping on while you're gone, although after the supply run, I think you deserve to sleep on a comfortable bed."

Kallia sighed in Yel's embrace, wishing she could stay there forever. "So would you make Liam sleep on the couch," she asked while nuzzling into Yel's neck. "Or do you think the three of us could share a bed without problem?"

"If I sleep in the middle, it shouldn't be a problem." Yelara giggled as Kallia's lips brushed against a particularly sensitive area of her neck, and impulsively, Yelara pushed her gently away. "I'd thought you'd be good for at least a couple hours after the amount of pleasure I gave you. But it has been a long time... I guess there's still so much I have to make up for."

"After the best sex of my life with you, and then nothing, it was a very long year alone," Kallia said. "And, you're just irresistible. Hasn't Liam ever told you you're irresistible?" She moved back and took Yelara into her arms again. "If the three of us are on the bed and you're in the middle, hopefully Liam and I won't get frisky at the same time."

Yelara laughed and planted short kisses upon Kallia's cheek and neck. "That could be very disorienting for me! But I wouldn't complain." Yelara moved her lips to Kallia's and kissed them tenderly. Without a year of Kallia's caresses and kisses, she could identify with what she was feeling. "And no," Yelara whispered as she moved her lips to Kallia's ear, "I don't think he's ever called me that, but the look in his eyes whenever he sees me enter the room, or when we awaken to see each other for the first time after a night of lovemaking, says more than words ever will."

Kallia gazed at Yel in wonder and awe. "I'm so glad that you found him, Yelara. He's a wonderful man, and you deserve the love he can give you. And, if he could see your eyes right now, he would know that there's no doubt that he won't be losing you with me around, not at all."

"I don't want to lose either of you. I won't. I'll fight for you both, no matter what." Yelara tightened her embrace, as if suddenly fearing Kallia would be taken away from her. That was the greatest fear in her life, now - that either Kallia or Liam would somehow be torn from her grasp. She knew she'd be mortified if that ever happened. "We should go," Yelara said quietly as she swallowed back her fears and shut them away; there was no room for pessimism, only happiness. "You two want to get out there before it's dark."

Kal gave Yelara one last squeeze before letting go. "I guess we can hurry so we're not away from you for very long. I know I don't want to be away from you too long, and I don't want to be away from Yara too long either. That's going to be the hardest part about helping with the Temple, being away from you and Yara."

"Well, if it's safe there, maybe Yara and I can spend most of our time there with you." Yelara smoothed back a stray strand of hair from Kallia's forehead, then kissed it lightly. "Everything's...almost perfect. I don't think anything or anyone can stand in our way now."

Kallia grinned. "I fear for anything that tries," she said. "I know I'd do anything to be able to keep you safe, and I imagine Liam is the same. I guess Liam and I should get going then?"

"Can't wait to get free of me already?" Yelara laughed and turned Kallia around towards the door. She patted her gently on the rear and pushed her along. "I'll take care of Yara and if she cries, I'll...I'll sing to her, although that might make her cry even more. Liam, though, he's a wonderful lullaby singer. He's sung me to sleep on many occasions. If you ask nicely, I'm sure he'll give you a sample."

"Well, I'm sure you'll do fine," she said with a laugh. "Maybe you and I should go take the supplies and Liam can stay with Yara."

"Not afraid of being alone with Liam, are you?" Yelara chuckled as, with one final push, she thrust Kallia out into the hallway. "Now don't worry, my love. He probably won't even say two words to you unless encouraged. He's very shy."

"I'll try to keep myself from being overcome by my desires and jumping him while we're out," Kallia said and then walked out to where Liam was just finishing up with the dishes. "I hear you're going to be taking some goods out to Kalaira, and you might need some help."

Liam glanced at Kallia and nodded. "Yes, I need to gather the stuff to take them, but I was going to haul it out tomorrow morning. If you'd like to help me get the things they'll need, I'd appreciate the help."

Kallia glanced back at Yel and then to Liam again. "Sure," she said. "That sounds like a good plan."

Liam nodded. "We'll leave in about ten minutes then," he said. He gave her an embarrassed smile, and moved toward the bedroom as Yelara stepped from it. "You'll be okay here for about an hour?"

"Oh, Yara and I will be fine. If we run into any trouble, I'll just call old Elgryde over. She knows just about everything, so I'm sure she can provide assistance in any situation." Yelara smiled at Liam as she motioned her eyes to Kallia, then back again. "You'll be fine alone with her?"

Liam laughed and glanced to where Kallia was disappearing into the extra room where the baby slept. "I think I'll be fine," he said. "You don't have to worry about anything happening between us, Yel. It'll be okay."

"Okay, okay. I was just making sure. I don't want the two of you to come home all battered and bruised," Yelara said playfully. She wrapped her arms loosely around Liam's neck and gazed at him with a gentle smile. "Do you find me irresistible, Liam?"

Liam's eyes were caught in Yelara's gaze and he smiled. "Completely irresistible," he said. "And, if I don't get out of here right now, I'm going to have to take you back in that bedroom, close the door, and have my way with you."

Yelara let out a shriek of laughter and kissed Liam deeply before pushing him away. "And here I was telling Kallia you were shy. A scoundrel is more like it!"

"I've never been called a scoundrel before," he said. "I kind of like it. I think you like the idea of a scoundrel for a husband too."

"Hearing you talk like that makes me want to pull you into the room right now and make you earn that title." Yelara grinned and pulled Liam in for another kiss. At this rate, she didn't think Liam was going anywhere.

Liam started edging them back toward the bedroom as they kissed. "That sounds like a very good idea to me," he said. "And, you did start something earlier that we haven't finished yet. I'm feeling like now is a good time."

"But...the supplies." Yelara didn't put up much of a protest and instead began helping Liam off with his shirt. She helped guide Liam's hands to her breasts, then proceeded to undo the rest of the clasps on his shirt. "Kallia will hear," she said breathlessly before returning her lips to Liam's.

"So she hears," he whispered once the kiss broke again. "She knows that we have sex. We can't hide it from her." Once they were in the bedroom, Liam shut the door and turned back to Yelara. "I don't want to wait any longer. We can go buy the supplies after, and take them tomorrow. Kalaira's not expecting them until tomorrow anyway."

"Liam...but..." Yelara looked back at the closed door, wondering about Kallia and what she would think. "She...she's all ready to go, Liam." Yelara returned her gaze to Liam, and the desire flaring in his eyes sparked her own. She grabbed his face in her hands and pressed her lips to his roughly. She pulled him towards the bed, all apprehensions beginning to burn up in the intense passions she could feel rising within her. Yelara didn't know what Kallia would think, or how she'd react if she discovered them, but she couldn't pull away from Liam.

Once they got onto the bed, Liam helped Yelara up. He started unzipping her dress as she started working at his pants. "She was going in to take care of the baby," he whispered. "And, she'll know what we're doing, and I have a feeling she'll be happy to give us this time." He pulled the top of her dress down, exposing Yelara's breasts. "It'll be okay, my love." He bent to kiss first one, and then the other. He then looked up into her eyes. "Unless you really do want to stop..."

Yelara smiled at Liam and pushed his face into her breasts again. "Oh shut up, Liam and finish this." Yelara reclined onto her side and slung her leg over Liam's waist. She moaned abruptly as Liam's sensuous touches moved to between her legs, but bit her lip to force back anymore unexpected cries of passion. With Kallia still within listening distance, she couldn't help but feel self-conscious. "We have to be quiet," Yelara whispered as she reached down to massage Liam. "The baby..."

Liam shifted around to where he could easily enter Yelara. "We'll be quiet," he whispered, and then slowly began making love to her. "I love you, Yelara. With all my heart, and that will never cease. I love you."

"You say that now," Yelara said in a trembling whisper, "but I'd like to hear you say it when we're not making love." Yelara tossed her head back against the bed and forced back a moan. No matter how enthralled with passion she was, she still couldn't bring herself to cry out for Kallia's sake. "You're wicked, Liam," she groaned. "Very wicked for making me do this..."

Liam stopped and pulled out of Yelara. "Fine," he said. "From now on, when Kallia or the baby are in the apartment, no more sex or other forms of affection that might upset them." He crawled off the bed and started toward the door.

"Liam!" Yelara sat up in bed and gathered her dress around her as she pushed herself to her feet. "That's not how it is, Liam. I'm just a little nervous about vocalizing my passions when Kallia can hear. I'm sorry, okay?"

Liam stopped and leaned against the door. "So, that's what it's going to be like now? When we're together, we have to make sure we're silent so we don't upset Kallia. Is that how it'll be from now on? Too afraid to let your other lover know that you're passionate and love each of us? Afraid to slip away into the bedroom in case Kallia notices we're not there and guesses that we're having sex? She knows that you and I will make love, just as I knew that you and she would. Why are you afraid that one of us will find out that you're passionate with both of us?"

"I...I'm not afraid, Liam," Yelara said gently. She reached out her hands and placed them on his slumped shoulders. "I don't know what it is. I'd be the same way if it were me with Kallia while you listened in." Yelara sighed and pulled away as she wrapped her arms around herself. It had only been a day, and already a rift was forming between Liam and herself, and it was no one's fault but hers. "I'm sorry, okay, Liam? We can try again if you want. Please?"

Liam moved to Yelara and took her hands into his. "Maybe we can try again later," he said softly. "I just hope you can get more comfortable with being with either of us while the other might be able to listen. Is there anything that would make you less uncomfortable? We could get some earplugs. Or ask whoever's not in the bed with you to run an errand. I mean, we could send Kallia for more carbosyrup while we make love."

Yelara forced a smile and shook her head. "That's ok. I'll have to find some way to deal with this on my own." Yelara swallowed back the tears she felt constricting her throat and turned away from Liam. "You...you two go on. And when you get back, we'll give it another try, like you said."

"You've got both Kallia and me to help you through this, Yel," he said. "Don't try to do this all on your own if you need us. We're here with you, no matter what. I--I can't leave when you're like this. I'd feel like I was walking out on you, or turning my back. I can't do that."

Yelara turned to face Liam again and put on her most convincing smile. "I'm fine, Liam. It's just my hormones getting all confused again. You and Kallia go on. Kalaira sounds like she could use the supplies." Yelara glanced down at Liam's exposed groin and laughed gently. "I don't think, however, either Kal or Kalaira would appreciate that as much as I do."

Liam looked at Yel for a moment and then laughed. "I really don't think I should respond to that," he said. He took her into his arms and kissed her. "If you want to come along, I'm sure Kallia and I would enjoy your company."

"No, you two go. You need to get better acquainted, as do Yara and I." Yelara quickly tightened her embrace and kissed Liam desperately on the neck and face. "I'm sorry, Liam. While you two are gone, I'll have time to sort out my feelings and where my apprehensions are coming from. I want this to work. I refuse to ruin things."

"Okay," he said with a smile. "And, when I get back, maybe we can have some private time where you can show our little friend some appreciation." He resettled himself back into his pants and kissed Yelara. "It's going to work out, my love. We'll get through this. You'll see."

Yelara nodded her head solemnly and loosened her grip on Liam. "Go on, then. I'll be fine." She smiled gently at Liam and patted his groin lightly. "I'll take care of that later; rest assured."

Liam slid a hand between Yelara's thighs and caressed gently. "And, I'll take care of you too," he said. "We'll be back soon, my love." With that he stepped away and headed out the door before he couldn't hold back any longer.

Yelara frowned at the briefly awakened passion in her that was quickly quashed by Liam's departure. She moved towards the bed at a slow pace as she put into perspective what had just happened. Liam was already frustrated by the situation, and it was her own fault. Where her anxieties were coming from, she didn't know, but even the thought of making love to Liam while Kallia was around made her tense.

She lay back on the bed and buried her face into a pillow as she let out a muffled cry of frustration. Behind his smiles, she saw only pain tinged with fear. She knew he feared losing her, but she herself feared more than anything that she would push him away. The future didn't look so optimistic now, not while she was laying peacefully in Kallia's arms, finally thinking everything was perfect. She didn't know how to get comfortable making love to each of them separately other than to sleep with them both at once. She'd have to present the idea to them when they returned or she knew they'd all be having a lot of lonely nights.

---

"Confronting the Future, Part 2"
by Liam Zaneth
Yelara Zaneth
Kallia Brael
and Yelara Brael
Location: New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date Praeda 14, 4ABY

***

It was nearly four hours later when Liam and Kallia returned. Kallia's hair hung loose about her shoulders and a streak of mud darkened one side of her dress. The sandals she wore showed signs that they'd been caked in mud and her feet looked like she'd tried to wipe them free of mud to no avail. Liam's boots and pant legs were also caked in mud, in addition to the bottom of his coat.

Both were still laughing as they pulled off their muddy footwear.

"Yelara," Liam called. "We're home."

Yelara peeked her head out of the bedroom and looked down the hallway. She cocked an eyebrow in surprise at the sight before her, and the rest of her body joined her head as she slipped out of the bedroom. "What happened?" she called out as she quickly approached them. "You two didn't get into a fight and start rolling around in the mud, did you?"

Kallia laughed. "No," she said. "We, uh...we didn't expect rain. You'd be amazed what rain does to the terrain in a forest. And, I didn't bother going back to my apartment first, so I wasn't at all prepared. But, I managed. It was just a little dirt."

Liam laughed. "You never realize just how controlled the city weather is until you get out of it into the forest. I guess I was lucky earlier when I didn't run into any. Though it was refreshing to walk in it."

Yelara wrung her hands anxiously and edged hesitantly closer to the two soiled beings staining her carpet. "So you two had fun then?"

Kallia looked at her dress and laughed. "Yeah," she said. "I guess you could say it was fun," she said. "How were you here with Yara? Was everything okay? You weren't too lonely were you?" She started forward to hug Yel, but noticed the looks she was giving her dirty dress and decided better of it. "We should probably take care of this mud."

"Good idea," Yelara said with a laugh. Without going anywhere near Kallia's dress, Yelara gave her a proper greeting and kissed her. "You need a shower, my love." She looked over Kallia's shoulder to Liam and smiled at him as she moved towards him. "As do you, my other love." She gave Liam the same greeting she'd given Kallia, then whispered into his ear, "Separate showers though, I think."

Liam cursed under his breath playfully. "And, here I was hoping I'd finally have the chance to shower with Kallia," he whispered back. "She can go first since I think she got the worst of the mud."

Kallia turned to Yel with a sheepish smile. "Do you suppose you have any clothing around that might fit me? All mine is still at the other apartment."

"Well, I think I can spare a nightgown I used to wear from before the pregnancy. While you're showering, I'll find it for you." Yelara playfully punched Liam in the stomach for his comment, and smiled at him sweetly as she took Kallia's hand and led her towards the bathroom. "So you two got along alright?" she asked quietly.

Kallia smiled. "Yes," she said. "We didn't talk too much, but when we did it was the whole Empire situation, and the current state of Tae'Karada. At one point we were talking about the changes the Empire is making here, and we got into a long conversation on equadi. That got pretty interesting."

Yelara grimaced and nodded her head slowly. "Yes...sounds very interesting." She sighed as they entered the moderately sized bathroom. The tub still had some residue from her and Liam's carbosyrup incident, but the shower was still perfectly clean. "The soap and whatever else you need is in there. But Kal," Yelara said as she looked at her intently, "I did something horrible today and I have to make it up to Liam. I mean...we tried to...you know, but I couldn't. I couldn't do it with you here and it scared me. I don't want him thinking I don't wanna be with him anymore, but..." Yelara sank into Kallia's arms and held her tightly. "A part of me didn't want to hurt you by being with him, but I only ended up hurting him because of that. What am I gonna do?"

Kallia almost brushed a hand into Yelara's hair to calm her, but decided that Yel wouldn't appreciate the mud. "What you're going to do is get a washcloth and a basin of water, and you're going to give Liam a little bath to get rid of whatever mud he has on him, and then you're going to make love to him while I'm taking my shower." She kissed Yel and smiled. "And, in the future, don't worry. I can deal with hearing you and Liam making love. It's okay, my love. You love both of us, and you can't be afraid of expressing that love. So, when I turn this water on, go to him and love him."

Yelara looked into Kallia's eyes and couldn't force back the tears as she felt herself filled with even more love for her. "Oh gods, Kal. You're one of the best things to have happened to me." She kissed her deeply, no longer caring about the mud or grime, and pulled her even closer. Once the kiss broke, she smiled at Kallia. "I bathe him, and make love to him. Then tonight, the three of us shall sleep together, side by side. Gods, thank you, Kal," she said quickly as she embraced her again.

Kallia held Yelara close, the smile on her face getting even bigger as they continued to embrace. "Now, go to Liam before you have to take a shower with me," she said. "I love you, Yelara. I'll see you when I'm done here, unless I hear you crying out passionately."

Yelara laughed and gently eased herself from Kallia's embrace. "I love you, Kallia. I think for Liam's sake, you can take an extra long shower." She smiled warmly and pressed her hand to Kallia's cheek before moving off towards the door. She glanced back at Kallia with an alluring smile before she left the bathroom, then giggled and stepped out, closing the door behind her. "Oh, Liam," she sang sweetly as she moved down the hallway. "Get ready, my love. It's time to finish what I started."

Liam stepped out of the bedroom wearing a pair of lightweight exercise pants. "Really," he said with a smile as he slowly approached Yelara. "Just tell me where you want me, my love."

"Hmm..." Yelara mused as she sauntered over to Liam. She ran her hands along his bare chest and gazed up at him enticingly. "How about right here, my love," she whispered silkily as she reached down into his pants. "I don't think we've done it in the hallway yet, do you?"

Liam grinned. "No," he said, "not the hallway." He moaned softly as her hand caressed his erection. He reached out and slowly began removing the dress Yelara wore as she worked his pants down with her free hand. As she massaged him, he began kissing her breasts and chest, and then up to her throat and lips. "The hallway will be perfect."

"I knew you'd agree." Yelara pressed Liam against the wall then used her hands to pry his cock free of his pants. "The carpet looks soft enough," Yelara said, heavy breathing drowning out her words. She slowly slid down Liam's body until she knelt at his feet. She forced his pants down to around his ankles and smoothed her hands down his thighs. Looking up at him with a mischievous smile, she brushed her hand lightly along his shaft. "Are you ready for me to finish what I started?"

Liam gazed down into Yelara's eyes, the anticipation of what she planned to do nearly too much for him. "I'm definitely ready," he said.

"Oh, well, I'm kinda tired so--" Yelara laughed at the sudden look of horror that flashed across Liam's face, but it quickly softened into an expression of bliss as her mouth closed around his throbbing cock. His hips jerked forward, plunging the hard organ farther into her throat, but she accepted it eagerly. Her hands moved around and gripped Liam's buttocks as her tongue relentlessly pleasured him. She would make up for her earlier trepidations tenfold, and would make sure the smile that was on Liam's face at that moment remained plastered there for days.

Liam pushed back hard against the wall to keep himself upright as Yelara took him to the highest point of pleasure and just kept going. In the time they'd been together, Yelara had come to know how to touch Liam to give him pleasure like nothing else. The bond they shared let her know exactly what he was feeling, and the arousal and pleasure he felt was fed back into her. It heightened their lovemaking to levels that neither could describe, and each time strengthened their bond. That night, as they made love in the hallway of their apartment, all the other times they'd shared seemed to pale in comparison. "I'm so close," he rasped.

Yelara nodded her head. He didn't need to warn her, for she could feel his climax approaching; she felt it in the hastened throbbing of his cock, as well as the increasing intensity of the emotions permeating her. Feeling the ecstasy he was feeling was bringing Yelara to a physical climax of her own. She moaned with Liam and swayed her hips in rhythm with his as if their bodies truly were joined instead of merely feeling so. As she felt herself plummetting into the blinding white abyss, Yelara pulled her mouth away and quickly staggered to her feet. She pressed her hips to Liam's, and as his cock entered her, all inhibitions dissolved and she cried out shrilly. "I love you, Liam," Yelara responded in a loud, uncontrolled voice. "Gods how I love you..."

Liam threw his head back and cried out as he climaxed. He pulled Yelara to him as he filled her with his seed. Finally, as his cry died down and his mind cleared of its blissful fog, he kissed her deeply. As they both stood in the hallway, holding each other he smiled. "I think that everything is going to be just fine."

Yelara's chest heaved as she attempted to regain her breath, and once she did, she kissed Liam again. Once their lips separated, Yelara embraced Liam tenderly and ran her hands along his back, silky with a layer of perspiration. "I hope that reasserted how much I do love you, Liam. That won't ever change."

"It definitely reasserted your love for me," he said. "And, I can feel how strong it is. I know it will always be this way." He kissed her again and sighed with contentment.

"Oh gods," a voice behind them said. "I didn't think you two were out in the hall."

Yelara turned around with a weak gasp and laughed as she saw Kallia, wrapped only in a towel, staring at them with mild surprise. "We didn't quite make it to the bedroom." Yelara looked back at Liam, whose cheeks were beginning to colour nicely and smiled at him tenderly. "No need to be shy now, Liam. I think she's seen everything there is to see."

Liam looked down at himself and then laughed. "Well, I guess it's only fair since I saw you earlier."

Kallia laughed softly. "Well, these relationships are going to last, so I imagine this sort of thing may happen frequently. We all are adults and we know what goes on with each other, so there's nothing to be ashamed of."

They all looked at each other for a moment, and then Kallia laughed. "So, what now?"

Yelara's eyes shifted from Kallia to Liam, then down to their bodies still pressed together. "Um...first thing: I extract myself from Liam, and get you a nightgown. Liam, while I'm doing that, you can either show off your little pet to Kallia or you can put your pants back on." Yelara smiled pleasantly as she pulled away from Liam and disappeared into the bedroom, leaving Kallia and Liam to bask in awkwardness.

As Yelara moved away, Kallia was left staring at Liam's still semi-erect penis and he was watching her still hidden behind her towel. She laughed and stepped forward. Liam wasn't sure what to do.

"Does it do any tricks," she asked and then looked up into his eyes.

"I don't know if...we really shouldn't...no, no tricks."

Kallia reached out and ran a finger along the shaft, causing it to jump under her touch. "Do you really think she meant for us to...you know?"

Liam shrugged and shook his head. "I don't know," he said. "I don't know if she did. This is...um...I don't know..."

Kallia looked up into Liam's eyes and smiled. "Don't worry, Liam. It'll be alright."

"Well, there's this one, but it might be too--" Yelara stopped as her eyes graced the scene before her. Kallia's hand was suspended in midair near Liam's penis and Liam was wearing the most confused and nervous expression she'd ever seen him display. With the nightgown in one hand, Yelara placed her other against the wall for support and let out peels of laughter. "You two are the silliest creatures I've ever seen! What in the world are you doing?"

Kallia quickly pulled her hand back and took a step away from Liam. "He was just...showing off...um, his pet. Nothing was happening, Yel. Nothing at all."

Liam shook his head and scrambled to get his pants pulled up. "We were just, talking. Sort of."

Yelara wrinkled her brow at them and continued laughing as she approached Kal with the nightgown. "Don't be so paranoid, you two. You seemed so awkward that I couldn't possibly believe anything that would elicit pleasure was going on." As Yelara handed Kallia the nightgown, she asked quietly, "I thought you'd seen one before, Kal. Does Liam's look that much different?"

Kallia glanced back down to where Liam's pants now covered his penis. She grinned. "Well, it looks very similar in many ways. Though, much friendlier than the last one I saw. His doesn't look like a Hutt's at all."

"I should hope not! As far as I know, he hasn't had any enhancements done whatsoever, although..." Yelara looked up at Liam's quickly reddening face and laughed as she stroked his cheek tenderly. "We're only playing with you, Liam. I didn't think you'd be this shy and bashful." Yelara grinned at Kallia and said quietly, "Liam was a virgin until I...initiated him last year. I guess he's still a little sheepish about that sort of thing."

"I am not sheepish," Liam said defiantly. "It's just that...I'm not used to just being completely exposed for more than just my wife. It's just new for me that's all. I don't have Yelara's exhibitionist streak."

"I am not an exhibitionist," Yelara chided gently as she picked up her dress and slipped it on. "I wouldn't go skipping about naked on the streets, but I have no apprehensions about walking around the house bare." Yelara took Kallia's hand and pulled her along. "He's getting pouty, Kal. That's our cue to leave him before he starts brooding. My modest, sexy man."

Kallia laughed and let Yelara pull her along. "So does he brood often?"

"I haven't brooded in months," Liam called after them. "And, she knows it. She's just comfortable being naked in front of both of us, and she expects me to be okay standing naked too. I bet if I went down the hall and got Elgryde in here, she'd be a little more modest."

Yelara leaned against Kallia as she erupted into a fit of laughter. "He always broods when I tease him. And I dare you to call Elgryde," she called back to Liam. "Then she'll know you've got two women walking around naked in your home."

Liam laughed. "Well, I guess we'll see just how modest you are," he called as he made his way to the comm panel.

With a smile, he tapped in the code Elgryde had forced on them. "Hi, Elgryde," he said. "Yes, it's Liam Zaneth from down the hall. One of Yelara's friends is here, and she has a three month old baby. Knowing how much you love children, I thought you might like to come over for a visit. Very good then, Elgryde. We'll see you in a couple minutes."

Yelara spun around and yelped as Liam closed the comm channel. She stalked towards him slowly and tried to blink away the sudden shock elicited in her. "You didn't," she said in a whisper. "You wouldn't!" She stopped before Liam and pursed her lips tightly as she gazed at him sternly. "If she comes through that door, Liam, you're sleeping on the couch for the next three months! I'll never forgive you! That woman...she's intolerable!"

"You dared me to," Liam said. "You dared me to call her. And, now you get upset?"

Yelara narrowed her eyes at Liam and blustered fitfully as she stamped her foot on the ground in a tantrum. "Liam Zaneth, you are a cruel, wicked man! I am going to our room and I'm not coming out until you apologize!" Yelara turned on her heel and stormed into the bedroom, shutting the door behind her.

Liam stared dumbfounded at the door. He glanced back at Kallia who was looking at the door and struggling not to laugh. He stepped forward to the door and tapped on it gently. "Yelara," he called. "I didn't call her."

"Liar!" she hollered back. She paced angrily about the bedroom, muttering curses at Liam under her breath. "If you enjoy talking to Elgryde so much, maybe you'll enjoy sleeping with her too, because I refuse to until I get a proper apology!"

Liam grumbled under his breath. "You'll get yours when I get mine." With that he turned and headed toward the front door. "If she comes to her senses, tell her I'm at the ship."

Kallia started after him. "Liam! Don't do this. Not like this."

Liam spun in the doorway. "It's perfectly fine for her to mock, insult and make fun of me, but as soon I try any of the same... I'll be at the ship." And, then he stepped out the door.

Kallia shook her head and moved back to the bedroom. "Yelara?"

She'd heard the entire commotion through the bedroom door, and once Kallia's voice thrust her out of her moment of blinding anger, she opened the door and looked down the hallway. She somehow expected Liam to be there, that the entire thing had been staged to lure her from the bedroom, but he really was gone. Yelara stared blankly at Kallia for a moment before her face twisted into frown and tears sprang from her eyes in profusion. "Fine! Don't come back!" she hollered down the hallway, expecting Liam to hear her tortured cries. She sobbed bitterly and rushed back into the bedroom. "I hate him! I hope he never comes back!" She sank onto the bed and buried her face into the pillows to drown out her sobs and frustrated shrieks.

Kallia moved to Yelara's side and sat next to her on the bed. She put her arms around Yel and held her close. "It'll be okay," she whispered.

Yelara sat up and buried her face into Kallia's shoulder. She didn't know if she was angry with Liam or herself. Either way, she was furious. "Why did he have to just run off like that?! He's such a baby sometimes!"

Kallia smiled gently and kissed Yelara's forehead. "You weren't exactly the pinnacle of maturity either, my love. You locked yourself in the bedroom before he ran off. I tried to stop him from going, but he was pretty upset too."

"But he's never reacted that way before." Yelara looked up at Kallia with tear stained cheeks and red-rimmed eyes. "He's especially touchy. I think it's because of our present situation. He's never run out on me over a petty little argument like that. Yes, I was being slightly childish, but he usually just laughs when I pout and stomp my feet."

"I don't know what happened, Yel," Kallia said. "I think maybe the thing with me there after you and he...and then us making fun of him. I think it's a sensitive time for all three of us, but he may have been overly-sensitive to it."

"Well, I'm still not talking to him until he apologizes!" Yelara wailed again and crumpled onto the bed with her face in the pillows. "If he wants to be allowed back in this apartment, he'll have to apologize for being so cruel!" She sobbed again into the pillow and pounded her fists against the mattress. "I wish I never married him!"

Kallia rubbed a hand across Yelara's back to soothe her. "You don't mean that," she said softly. "You both are going through a stressful time, and it's probably being compounded by your pregnancy. Things have changed drastically in your life, and it's fairly natural that things are a little bumpy. It's no reason to run out though, and I don't know why he did it. I didn't sense that he was that upset or stressed, but he could have been hiding his emotions."

"He's a selfish, sensitive, jerk, that's why he did it!" Yelara whimpered pitiably into the pillow. She shrieked again as she became overwhelmed with frustration and sat up to face Kallia. "And of course he was hiding his emotions. He does so even with me! He never tells me how he truly feels. He just...he shuts me out sometimes and I get so angry and irritated!" Yelara grabbed up one of the pillows with her hands and began pulling on each end to dispel her agitation. "Why can't he just tell me what he's feeling!" Yelara grunted and shrieked as she tried to tear the pillow in two, but eventually abandoned the effort with a whimper and volleyed the pillow across the room. She looked up at Kallia as the tears began to subside and finally sank into her arms. "Why does he always have to just...run?" she said more calmly as Kallia's touch soothed her.

"He's followed a dark path," Kallia said. "Perhaps for him it's easier to run than to face the return of his darkness. Has he done this often, Yel? When things get difficult, he runs? I think when he returns, we should talk to him. It's important that he knows whatever he's feeling he needs to share with you, and that running only makes the situation worse."

"Then he'll just feel like we're ganging up on him and he'll only retreat again." Yelara ran her hand along Kallia's cheek and looked up at her imploringly. "Will you... Kallia, will you go to him and, I dunno...talk to him? You two got sorta close today and maybe he'll listen to you."

"I don't really know how close we got," Kallia said, "but I'll go talk to him. Is there anything around here I can wear out in public? I don't think the towel has exactly become fashionable yet, and my dress is pretty bad off. If I move fast, I may even be able to catch him before he gets to the ship."

Yelara's face beamed with a renewed hopefulness and excitement. She smiled as she quickly slipped off the bed and rushed to her closet. "I can find you something I wore before the pregnancy. It'll most likely be leather, but it's better than my maternity clothing." Yelara rummaged quickly through her belongings and pulled out one of the many leather outfits she owned. "Here," she said as she hastily pulled the pants and vest from the hanger and tossed them to Kallia. "Put these on and run. Oh, I hope you can catch him, Kal!"

Kallia quickly pulled on the pants and rushed from the room still pulling on the vest. "I'll catch him, Yel," she called. "I'll bring him back!"

She flung open the front door and stopped. "Liam!"

From where he sat in the hallway, Liam looked up at Kallia. "That outfit looks good on you," he said. "Though, you don't fill out the chest quite like Yelara does."

"More than I used to," Kal said. "You've been here all along?"

Liam nodded. "Got out the door and sat down," he said. "I couldn't leave like that, not for something like that. But, it still hurt, being the object of amusement like that. I can't be as comfortable as she is with all this; I barely know you. I'm not as comfortable standing around like that in front of you as she is. Maybe I will someday, but not now, not yet."

"You want to come back inside? The couch will be more comfortable than the floor."

Liam laughed. "I guess you'll be sleeping with my wife tonight then."

Kallia laughed. "If you apologize, it'll be the three of us in the bed together."

"I don't know whether to be thrilled or afraid," he said with a laugh.

"Well, we love the same woman, and we're sharing her," Kallia said. "It's inevitable that we'll become somewhat close as well. We might as well start now."

Liam nodded. "So is she going to kill me if I go back in there," he asked.

"Don't worry," Kallia said, "I won't let her kill you yet." She held out a hand to help him up.

Liam accepted the hand and laughed as she helped him to his feet. "Back inside, I guess."

---

"Confronting the Future, Part 3"
by Liam Zaneth
Yelara Zaneth
Kallia Brael
and Yelara Brael
Location: New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date Praeda 14, 4ABY

***

A moment later, Kallia appeared in the doorway of the bedroom. "I found him," she said and Liam stepped sheepishly out behind her.

Yelara tried to glare at Liam sternly as she approached slowly. "Yeah, looks like you did," she said coolly. As she stopped before him and saw his hesitant smile, she grinned and jabbed him in the stomach. "You jerk," she said quickly, rushing into his arms. "I don't know what to do with you anymore. But I still love you."

Liam laughed. "I couldn't go far wearing just these pants," he said. "Though, it's a good thing Elgryde didn't come out. I don't think I could have handled explaining to her why I was sitting out in the hall wearing only a pair of workout pants. The woman is so intolerable!"

"Well, so are you sometimes." Yelara gazed up at Liam and cradled his face in her hands. "Why do you do that, Liam? You didn't have to run off like that. You don't know how frightened that makes me."

"I heard," Liam said softly. "And, I'm sorry. It...it just got to be too much...all of it. I'll try to not let something like that happen again."

"Well, you better try hard. And I'll try not to joke around with you anymore. I guess you're not in the mood for fun these days." Yelara shrugged her shoulders solemnly and attempted a warm smile. "I guess...I guess you never were one for games. I must have been fooling myself."

Yelara chewed her lip as it began to tremble with the all too familiar onset of tears. She turned away from Liam and Kallia, and placed her face into her hands to muffle the quiet sobs. All she wanted was everything to be perfect. The only thing she was gaining was the stark realization that Liam may not have been the man she thought she knew. She thought she wanted to learn everything there was to know about him, but all that accomplished was distancing them instead of bringing them closer together.

"Perhaps you find fun and games in hurting me and embarrassing me in front of your lover," Liam said softly. "Today I found out that I would have to share my wife with another, and tonight after we made love, she pokes fun at me in a situation in which she knows I'm sensitive. The day has been emotionally draining, and being laughed at made me feel....like an outsider and apart."

"I was just trying to lighten things up so...so we could all feel comfortable around eachother." Yelara choked on the sobs rising in her throat and wiped the stinging tears from her eyes. "I want this to work so badly... I'm only ruining everything. I'm scared, Liam. Already, I can feel our link diminishing. You're shutting me out and it frightens me because it makes me feel like I'm losing you."

Liam moved quickly and took Yelara into his arms. "I'm sorry," he said. "It's just... It's all very new to me, and...and after Elisia I'm scared. I didn't know what to do, and with you and Kallia...and my...I was afraid of doing something that would damage our relationship permanently."

"Running away is the only thing that could do that. Don't ever run out on me again." Yelara clung to Liam and shed the last of her tears while burying her face into his chest. She didn't want Kallia's arrival to cause a rift between them; it was supposed to be a momentous occasion filled with joy and happiness. Yelara felt only fear and sadness now. "I'll never taunt, or tease, or mock you again, Liam. I promise. No more immature actions or remarks. I'll grow up, I will."

"Maybe you will be able to again," he said. "It's just...the situation today...it was overwhelming." He glanced up at Kallia. "I didn't want anything to happen that would make you doubt my love. But, I didn't know what else to do. When...it's just that...you seemed so casual about Kallia and I...I don't know."

"I'm sorry, Liam. I promise to be more aware of your feelings from now on. I didn't really think the whole situation through before I became open about my relationship with Kallia. We'll go slowly. For your sake, Liam, we'll take our time." Yelara looked up into the pale blue eyes of her husband. She wanted them to glow again, the bright, vibrant colour she'd fallen in love with. Looking at them now only made her want to cry more bitterly. "I'm sorry if I made you feel isolated. I just wanted to make up for time lost with Kallia. Forgive me, my love."

"You're forgiven," Liam said. "With all my heart you're forgiven. And, I want you and Kallia to be together. I'm fine with that. It's just...when I feel like I'm the object of your amusement, it's like I'm a ferble caught between two plethcats. And, because of what happened with Elisia, I was just scared about what might happen and how you'd react when Kallia...uh, well, you know."

"When Kallia what?" Yelara looked at Liam with uncertainty, then glanced at Kallia before her memory refreshed itself. "Oh, that? Gods, Liam, I never even thought anything along those lines! It was innocent, I know that. I trust you both and I know you would never do anything like that against my knowledge. You worry too much, my love."

Liam laughed. "I half thought you were offering me to her," he said. "And, I was a little nervous." He looked at both women and laughed. "I think we'll make it, it's just going to be a very interesting road."

"Oh you silly, beautiful, handsome nerf." Yelara pulled Liam into a kiss and finally felt her fears and sadness dispelling. "I could never give you away like that, especially not after fighting so hard to keep you. I'm actually growing quite possessive of you, so there's nothing you need to worry about."

Kallia laughed. "Oh damn," she said and then giggled.

"Well, I'm glad to hear that," Liam said. "And, I think it's getting close to time for us to go to sleep."

"I agree. All this lovemaking and crying and yelling has worn me out. Tomorrow, we can probably sleep in for a while...unless Yara has other ideas." Yelara glanced over Liam's shoulder to Kallia and smiled at her warmly. "This has been quite the eventful day, but an overall good one. I think it can only get better from here - easier."

Kallia stepped forward and slipped her hand into Yelara's. "I should go check on my girl and make sure she's okay," she said. "I bet she's probably quite hungry. And, that'll give you two a little quiet time to yourselves."

"Thank you, Kallia." Yelara kissed Kallia's hand and mouthed an 'I love you'.

Kallia smiled and left the room after blowing a kiss to Yelara.

Once they were alone, Liam brushed a hand along Yelara's cheek. "I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused," he said.

"You're not to blame, Liam. I should have taken things slower with you. We just thrust you into this entire situation and you weren't ready. I'm the one who should be sorry, and I am." Yelara trailed kisses from Liam's shoulder to his neck, before pressing her lips to his. "Oh gods, you scared me today, Liam," she whispered. "Don't do that to me again."

Liam returned the kiss passionately before pulling away. "Never again," he said. "No matter what I feel from now on, I'll stand my ground and not walk away from you. And, I'll be more open with what I'm feeling. No more hiding."

"Good, and no more overreacting for me." Yelara finally allowed a smile to slip through and embraced Liam again. "What about tonight," she asked slowly. "I mean, Kallia...where will she be sleeping?"

"Did you want her to sleep next to you? If you want, I'll be okay with that. Otherwise, one of us, her or me, could sleep on the couch while you sleep with the other. I think either choice will be okay tonight, my love."

"Will you, for once, make a decision one way or the other? Your answers are always so indifferent. Do you want her in our bed tonight, Liam? Please just tell me."

"She sleeps in the bed with us tonight," he said. "We'll get her her own bed tomorrow, and then from now on you can decide which of your lovers you want to sleep with."

"Yes, that sounds so easy to do, doesn't it?" Yelara slipped her hand into Liam's and gently pulled him towards their bed. "I wish I could be with you at the same time. That would truly be a transcendent experience, but from your reaction today, I don't think that would be a good idea."

"Do you want to be with both of us," Liam asked. "I mean...it's not...I just didn't know what you would feel...I mean with me and Kallia...alone."

"Liam, calm down," Yelara said gently. "I'm not adverse to the idea, but I think it's far too soon for that. Judging by your reaction, I'm not sure you'll ever be ready for that."

Liam laughed. "It's not that I'm against it," he said. "I just thought you weren't for it. I didn't want to upset you or anything like that, and I thought anything between me and Kallia would do that."

"Well, do you want there to be something between you and Kallia?" Yelara led Liam to the bed and pushed him down onto it. "I mean...have you thought about being with her, Liam? I won't be mad. I promise."

"She's an attractive woman," Liam said. "And, she's fun to be around. I don't know if I want anything, but...she is attractive."

"Of course she is. She's wearing my favourite leather outift." Yelara laughed and settled down onto the bed, beside Liam. "It's ok if you don't want to be with her. I'm perfectly happy having you all to myself." Yelara wrapped her arms around Liam's neck and kissed him tenderly. "Just you and me...and Kallia, and Yara...and little baby... We really oughta start thinking for names, Liam."

Liam laughed. "We should," he said. "Though, maybe if it's a girl we can name her Kallia and make things really confusing around here."

"Wha--" Yelara looked up at Liam in surprise, then laughed in his face. "That was actually my first choice. I just...I didn't wanna tell you before. But...would you really mind if we did? If you have another name, that's fine too..."

Liam smiled. "I think it's a perfect name if we have a daughter," he said. "And, I had a suspicion that would have been one of the choices you were thinking of. And if our baby is a girl, we should, even though it would eventually be confusing. If we have a boy, I'm still at a loss."

"So I am. But, there's still plenty of time. I've got another three months at least. It'll come to us." Yelara smiled and gently pushed Liam back onto the bed. "I get the middle tonight. I think, though, you'll have to be careful where you put your hands. You don't want to accidently start caressing Kallia's leg instead of mine."

Liam chuckled as he pulled her down to the bed with him. "And, would it be so bad if I caressed her leg?"

"No, but I might get jealous, and you wouldn't want that." Yelara poked Liam's stomach and giggled as she tugged on the waistband of his pants. She looked down into them and emitted a stunned gasp. "She was right. It looks nothing like a Hutt's! Pity... I hear they're really big."

"Well," Liam said as he slid a hand over Yelara's belly, "I could always get an operation if I'm not enough for you. And, I don't think you'd get as jealous as you're letting on. I think you like the idea of the three of us together."

"That's because you just think I'm some sort of insatiable sex fiend. I'm not, you know," she said with a slowly forming smile. "I just enjoy my husband's naked body far too much." Yelara trailed kisses along Liam's chest as her hand slowly disappeared inside his pants. "I like Kallia's naked body too," she said between kisses. "And the idea of having both of those beautiful bodies together within arm's reach of me is somewhat appealing."

Liam made a sound that was a mixture of a laugh and a moan. "Well, tonight you're definitely going to have that, though I don't know the extent of the nakedness. And, I think we only need to look as far as Turren for your sexual insatiability, my love." He let his hand drift to Yel's breasts as she continued to kiss along his chest.

"You performed quite exceptionally too, if I remember correctly...and I do." Yelara moved her kisses to Liam's neck as her hand massaged more deliberately at the growing hardness in his pants. "I thought you were tired," Yelara asked with a laugh. "Did Kallia get you all worked up, my love?"

"I think she did," Liam said. "That one little touch may have been too much for me, especially for a hand I'm not used to. And, I'm always a little worked up after we've had a fight." Even through the fabric of her dress, his hands caressing and touching her breasts was enough to evoke a reaction from Yelara's nipples. He tilted his head to the side to give her easier access to plant her kisses.

"So that's why you stormed out of here in a fit. You just wanted make up sex." Yelara laughed and pushed Liam's pants over his waist. "That or you were embarrassed about reacting to Kallia's touch," she added as she slipped onto him and straddled his waist. "She always was a gentle lover. Her touch is always so sensual, even when it's merely a casual one; a pat on the hand, or a light brush of her fingers against your cheek..." Yelara sighed softly and began swaying against Liam. "She's wonderful, Liam. But have no fears; you're just as wonderful."

Liam moaned. "Oh when you do that, I have no fears at all," he said. "And, maybe it was a little of both."

Yelara laughed softly, then looked down at what she was doing and laughed louder. "I don't know what it is, but when I'm with you, I go on auto-pilot. If we're not careful, our constant cries of passion might motivate Elgryde to call the Morality Guard on us. I mean the harm we could be doing our unborn child!"

Liam laughed. "Our child will have a very healthy sex life when it gets to that time, not some repressed hypocritical one like you see on this planet. If she asks, we just tell her we're practicing for our next child."

A soft giggle sounded from the doorway. "You two couldn't stay apart, could you," Kallia asked as she stepped into the bedroom.

Yelara turned her head to face Kallia and laughed softly as she ceased her rhythmic motions. "Liam was looking a bit sad still, so I thought I would brighten up his mood." For Liam's sake, Yelara slowly slid off him and sat down on the bed, making certain to conceal Liam's bare groin as she did. "Is Yara alright?"

Kallia nodded. "Yara is fine," she said. "She was a little hungry, so I gave her a late night snack." The vest she wore was unfastened and hung open, though it was large enough that her breasts were still hidden behind the fabric. "And, you two didn't have to stop for me. You looked like you were having fun. And, if you'd like, I'll wait outside for a few more minutes while you finish." She stepped forward and sat on the bed beside Liam. "I don't think it's fair to Liam to just stop in the middle like that." She brushed a hand over his cheek and smiled. She leaned over Liam and kissed Yel. "Look at the look in his eyes. He's going to explode if you don't finish what you started."

Yelara looked at Liam with a smile, then giggled and pulled Kallia down onto the bed. "He's just embarrassed...again. Still...it's late and it's not fair to hog the bed while you look ready to fall over." Yelara tried to roll Liam over as she tugged on the covers. "You can sleep in here with us. Liam, scoot over."

Liam chuckled and slid over to the side as Kallia and Yelara pulled down the covers. With a sly smile, he reached up and unzipped the back of Yelara's dress.

"Hey!" Yelara slapped Liam's hand away. She laughed and quickly took up his hand into her own and kissed it tenderly. "You're too feisty for your own good. If you don't get those hormones in check, Kallia and I are going to consider having you castrated. That might quell those urges." Yelara finally pulled the covers back and motioned for Kallia to slip inside. "Go on. It's your bed now too."

Kallia glanced between Yelara and the bed, and then slid under the covers. She wondered if Liam and Yel were going to sleep in their clothes too.

Liam glanced up at Yel once Kallia was in the bed. "Of course I'm feisty," he said. "We were making love, and then we just stopped. It's not easy to just come down after that. So, I got a little playful. And, you know it doesn't really bother you, you're just embarrassed because it's in front of Kallia."

"I was not! I don't get embarrassed." Yelara slid off her dress, kindly undone for her by Liam, and slid into bed beside Kallia. "I was doing it for your sake. I know how bashful you are and you wouldn't have been able to perform. I was trying to prevent you from disappointing your poor wife with a less than stellar performance."

Liam laughed and pulled off his pants. "I was under pressure to perform like I've never performed before," he said as he slid into the bed. "Your girlfriend was watching; I had to be good, to show her what you see in me." He slid close to Yelara and pressed his body to hers. "Besides, I think she's the one embarrassed now."

Yelara turned to look at Kallia and laughed gently. "You're not embarrassed, are you, Kal? Tell him you're not as modest as he thinks you are." She looked back at Liam again and slapped him playfully on the chest. "I will have you know that Kallia is quite the wild lover. She made me scream like...like a nerf in heat!"

Liam laughed. "A nerf in heat? I wish I could have heard that, though I think I've heard that sound before. Is that the same one you made at the waterfalls?"

Kallia felt her cheeks warming and her excitement building. Still under the covers, she reached down and slid off the pants and dropped them over the side of the bed, with the vest following shortly after. She could feel the heat of Yel's body next to her and felt a hand brush against her own hip. She told herself that would happen a lot with the three of them sleeping in bed together.

"I think it might have been the one," Yelara said softly. She ran her hand along Liam's arm and suddenly burst out laughing as her hand finally found Liam's and where it was resting. "Dear...is it your intention to seduce Kallia? If so, then you're doing a fine job. If not, then perhaps you should find my hip to caress instead."

"Sorry," Liam said. "With both of you so close over there, it's hard to tell whose hip is whose. But, I will focus on you for now, unless you think Kallia needs some seducing."

"And you'd be willing and ready to do that?" Yelara turned her head back towards Kallia and smiled. "Wouldn't you enjoy that, Kal? He's quite a man and I think I have him trained well enough."

Kallia brushed a hand across Yelara's back. "I don't know. It sure looked like you were enjoying him when I walked in on you guys. Is he really as good as he looks?"

"He's amazing, Kal. He knows precisely where and how to touch you. His kisses travel the length of your body and send shivers down your spine." Yelara sighed dreamily and ran her hand along Kallia's thigh. "He's the best male lover I've ever had...and I've had a few - a lot. Even just his caresses can bring me to climax at times. He's truly astonishing."

Kallia kissed Yelara's neck and smiled. "I've only ever had two male lovers," she said. "The strange thing is that they're both dead now. I should probably keep my hands off Liam, no matter how desirable he may be." She laughed softly and kissed Yelara again. "He's definitely the best looking I've seen. I know I haven't seen many, but I think I'm a decent judge."

"Oh, he's the most handsome I've ever seen. It's the eyes. They're so vibrant and entrancing. He would be absolutely perfect, if only he brooded less." Yelara laughed and embraced Liam. Having two naked bodies pressed to hers was causing her body to tingle with desire. She was ready to initiate a threesome, but neither of her lovers seemed ready for that, if they ever would be. "You and Kallia are gonna be good friends, I think," she whispered into Liam's ear. "You can tell her all those things you won't tell me. That'll be good."

Liam smiled and kissed Yel's throat as her lips were pressed to his ear. "I hope so," he said softly. "She has to be a good person if you love her as much as you do, and that makes me want to know her better. I guess the three of us naked here in bed is a very good way to do that, isn't it? And, from now on, I want to tell you everything. I'll tell you both everything." He let his hands brush over Yelera's body using gentle touches and caresses as he continued kissing until he found her lips again.

Yelara moaned quietly into Liam's mouth and wound her leg around his. Her hands were still caressing Kallia's thighs and hips, wanting her to be a part of the experience too. "You're very bad, Liam," Yelara whispered softly. "Getting me all worked up knowing we can't do this with Kallia in the bed. She'll only want to participate."

Liam kissed Yel again then moved his lips to her neck as he gently nuzzled there before pulling back and looking into Yelara's eyes. "Well, she is sleeping in our bed."

"What do you mean?" Yelara asked slowly. "Are you saying that... Do you actually want to do this with Kallia involved? I mean as an active participant?"

Liam kept his eyes on Yelara's. "If that's something that you want, my love," he said, "then I'm willing to do it. Kallia's a very attractive, desirable woman, and if you want the three of us to be together like that, then I'll do it. But, only if you do want that."

Yelara looked back to Kallia with uncertainty, then gazed at Liam. "I...I don't know what I want to happen. I mean...I thought that would a logical step, but I didn't think it would happen this soon." Yelara ran her hand along Liam's cheek, and tried to hide her anxieties with a smile. "Not yet, my love," she said softly. "I don't think we're ready for that quite just yet." She rolled over onto her back and looked at Kallia. "You're not ready for that yet, are you? I mean, you said you had only been with two men and being with a man and a woman at once...would that be too much for you?"

"I've never done that before, and only ever thought of doing that once." Kallia's eyes flicked over to Liam, and she decided to say nothing more, hoping that Yelara would understand what she was talking about. "I think tonight may be too early for the three of us together, but the idea is...appealing to me. For now, I think I'd like to lie here with you and just be. If the two of you would like to make love, I won't mind. Just don't bounce the bed too much."

The moment of tension was broken and Yelara allowed herself a laugh. She pulled Kallia into an embrace and kissed her deeply. "Now I know why I first fell in love with you; you're always so sensible and right!" Yelara rolled onto her back again and with one arm around each of her lovers, she sighed. "I don't think I've ever done anything as unusual as this. We're going to be the most unconventional family there is. And once you and Liam gather enough courage to be with me at the same time, we really will be the oddest family that ever existed." Yelara smiled to herself contentedly and closed her eyes. "Though, I don't think I would have it any other way."

Kallia smiled. "It hasn't been long, but already I'm feeling much more comfortable than I was," she said. "I think this is going to work out, and maybe it won't be long before...before the three of us can be together."

"Just like a team. Isn't that how it is, Liam?" Yelara rested her cheek against Liam's forehead and allowed the fatigue to consume her entire body. "We're a team. It's too bad you can't feed the baby, my love. You haven't got the right parts for that, but I certainly do enjoy the ones you have got."

"I can keep you happy after you feed the baby," Liam said. "Or before, I guess either is fine. Both of you. It'll be strange, but I think it'll work. There will be more love than you find in most families, lots more love."

"Hopefully even some leftover for Kallia," Yelara said as she nudged Liam with her elbow. "My love is plenty, but I think she could use all the love she can get, don't you?"

Liam reached across Yelara and brushed a hand over her belly. "I think I might have some for Kallia too," he said with a smile. "With how you feel for her, I don't think it'll be too difficult for me to feel something too."

Yelara nestled her head into the soft pillow and pulled her two loves closer. "You two will be good friends, I think," she whispered lazily. "You've never had a friend really, Liam. You can go shopping with her, play jedi together...it'll be so much fun," she murmured as sleep began calling.

"It'll be the three of us together," Kallia whispered. "With our children, and happiness. It will be wonderful." She slipped her arms around Yelara and let herself start drifting toward sleep. As she did, she felt Liam's hand brushing over Yel, and occasionally over her arm. The touch was comforting, and helped her to drift off, contented.

---

"Demonstrations"
by Kael Selrid - Street Thug
Location: Thanatos
Date: Praeda 14, 4ABY

***

The sound of a heavy boot slamming into ribs echoed in the empty alley. On the ground, a heap that vaguely resembled a human in fairly nice clothing heaved with the sudden pain in his side. A thick stream of yellow vomit splattered the ground near his face as his insides churned from the beating. Blood trickled from his broken nose and mingled with the sputum covering the ground.

Above him, a blond-white-haired thug sneered down with clear disdain. He adjusted the long coat he wore with a flourish, as if the man on the ground were the cause for its being out of place. "Next time you're asked for your money, slaedrek," he snarled, "you give it up right away. Saves you from the hurt, and me from having to scuff my new boots."

The man on the ground groaned and tried to stand.

The thug put his boot on the man's back and pushed him back down to the ground. "I didn't give you leave to get up, did I? No. I didn't. You don't get up until Kael Selrid gives you permission to. That's me, right? Yes, I am Kael Selrid." Kael smiled at the sudden gleam of recognition in the man's eyes. "Oh, I see you've heard of me. Most of the rich swells that visit our fair city of Thanatos are warned. 'Keep clear of Kael Selrid and his Feltreys. They're nasty business. Steal all your creds and leave you bruised and battered in the sun. Blame you for all the problems of Thanatos.' That's what they say. You got told that, didn't you?"

The man did not move, just wheezed into the ground. Kael shoved him with a boot and he stirred, frantically trying to avoid the pain. Kael leaned close. "You got told that, didn't you, my friend?"

The man nodded.

Kael squatted next to him. "Good," he said. "I knew you could be reasonable. Now, the next time one of your kind thinks of coming down here to dear, sweet Thanatos, you'll think twice. You wouldn't let my kind in your fair city, so I don't think my kind is exactly too keen on your kind showing up here."

Without another word, he slipped his hand into the man's jacket pocket and pulled out a credit chip. He stood and stepped away from him, content with the chip he'd nabbed.

When the man finally raised his head up to look, Kael was gone.

***

"You've wiped the blood off your boots, aye, Kael?"

Kael glanced at Ferrig and shook his head. "Of course I did, you spanth," he said. "You really think I'd go walking through my city with that slaedrek's blood on my boots?" He shook his head again and laughed. "First thing I did when I got away from him. Damn offworld scum. They made our people slaves, and even without their beautiful high prince around anymore, they still think we are." He spat on the ground. "Beautiful day when that bloody bastard was put down. Imps aren't much better, but they at least did good with that."

"I hear they hung his head outside the palace for everyone to see," Ferrig said. "I would have liked to see that. I bet he cried before they killed him. Begged them to let him live. I bet he cried like one of those whores he had draped all over him and his throne. Maybe even wet himself before they sliced his throat from his shoulders."

Kael laughed. "The man's only interest was in getting a good fuck before he screwed us over down here. Well, now we only have to worry about Imps. At least they don't have their patrols down here yet. That gives us a little time to get ready for them. We just got rid of one master, and I'm not accepting another. A man only needs to follow one self-righteous bastard in his life, and we were forced to live under that one for too long."

"They come down here, Kael, we'll be ready. Het and Rabren have got a good stock of blasters stored up. Those Imps will go down nice and easy when we hit 'em. Het's even got a good source on Drogen for some thermal detonators. We're set."

Kael scanned the square they'd just entered and looked around. He wasn't going to let the empire come in and control his people, not again. The cycle would end and they would be free. The time of being the little guy was over. Thanatos wouldn't sit by anymore while the big powers pushed them around. That soft bastard in the alley would carry his message back to New Plouton. Thanatos was finished being pushed around.

"If the Empire tries to enter this city," Kael said, his eyes dark, his features brooding, "they will have a difficult fight on their hands. Our days of slavery are over and done. Thanatos and her people are free."

---

"Training Session"
by Ellemiek Vermollen
Jubey Khanor - Tae'Morad Guard (NPC by Ellemiek)
Kilgara Saaknor - Tae'Morad Guard (NPC by Ellemiek)
Admiral Worthington - CO CRSConcordia (NPC by Ellemiek)
Location: Offworld (CRS Concordia)
Date: Praeda 14, 4 ABY

Ellemiek had taken the new recruits to another test run. The past few days had been utterly of intensive training. Already had the former Tae'Morad adapted to the Alliance Starfighters and were proving to be good pilots. All in all, just what Ellemiek had expected would happen, as she knew they were good.

This training session though, she would push them a little further. She would take them out on what would be considered the ultimate test. But she had faith that they would all pass. Dead ahead lay an asteroid belt.

"Ok people, stay alive. This one is the final big one! Those who don't feel they can make it fall back..." she said over the intercom.

"You want to go into the asteroid belt?! That's crazy!" Kilgara said over the intercom.

"It sure is, but crazy helps... And if you can make it through then you can bet you can lose just about anyone in battle!" Jubey replied.

"Well, I don't plan to fall behind! I was just making a comment!" Kilgara added.

"Ok, here we go!" Ellemiek said. And with that she moved right into the asteroid belt. Some were bigger, some smaller, some moved faster and some slower. It seemed like they were coming from all directions and it didn't look good, not at all. But Jubey had been right. This was the ultimate test because if you could outlive passing through an asteroid belt then in battle you could lose just about any opponent.

They were using no firepower to zap an asteroid. No, instead it was all about manoeuvring and dodging everything. It seemed there were no quits. And so far so good, everyone had passed clear of the asteroids. Ellemiek was paying attention to both things, radar and what came about her way.

After a couple of minutes and many passings they were just about done, having passed through several big asteroids and dodged a million little ones that could easily destroy a ship if it collided. This training was not one well seen by the high ranking officers. It was what they would call a suicide run! But Ellemiek knew what she was doing, and to prove that was a whole team that so far had passed and dodged all asteroids that were in the way.

As soon as they cleared, she told them to head home. It had been a total success, and as it seemed, the former Tae'Morad now mastered their new fighters. Of course on battle they had turrets and lasers and missiles and torpedoes to worry about, but all in all it was a good sign that they were able to surpass such a dificulty as an asteroid belt.

Admiral Worthington came down to the platform and towards Ellemiek's X-Wing as it settled down in the hangar bay. "Do you realise what you just did, Commander? I followed your training exercise through radar and it was suicidal!" he said angrily.

"Sir, with all due respect I had faith in my crew and needed to make an ultimate test. None were hurt by the exercise and in the nature of the difficulty makes them that better when out there," she replied.

"Well, the fact that nothing happened does not exclude that something might have happened! So next time you will present me with a detail of your training sessions for previous approval, understood?"

"Yes sir! I'm sorry for my mistake, sir." She nodded.

"Well, I'm just glad we have a team who is more than good. Now, I need you to go down to Chimaeria and contact Zale Tregat. We are in need of some goods which he might be able to provide us with..."

"I'll get on it right away, sir..." She nodded. And with that she was dismissed, and dismissed her crew right afterwards herself. She was due to go to the planet's surface...

---

"Into The Night"
Nieme Yaresh - Chef for The Rhack
Orn Gham [NPC]
Location: The Rhack in Thanatos
Date: Praeda 14, 4 ABY

***

"Nieme! We're still waiting on those Dernian eggs over easy for table 3!" Orn hollered back as he knocked on the counter to indicate he'd added another order to the already growing list. Weekends were always busy, but today was worse than usual. It seemed anyone and everyone was flocking to The Rhack tonight, and there wasn't even a special on. The blistering heat from the range was bad enough and combined with the constant scrambling to get the orders filled on time, Nieme knew she must have dropped at least 10 pounds in the last seven hours she'd been working.

The salty taste of sweat was ever-present on her lips, as was the stinging in her eyes, amplified by every drop of sweat that seeped into them. Her hand swept across her brow as she wiped at the newly formed beads of perspiration. The salty liquid caused a spike of pain when it made contact with the burn she'd acquired on her hand during a small grease fire earlier in the evening. It was only another cooking associated injury to add to the others; at least, as of yet, she hadn't lost a finger.

"Nieme!"

She gave a startled jerk as Orn called out again sharply and banged on the counter.

"Come on! We've got customers waiting!"

Nieme nodded her head vigourously and waved at him quickly to signal the meal was coming up. She hastened her movements and finally managed to serve up two plates of Dernian eggs with a side of Tolian backribs, as well as a plate of Mepat pot pie, her own creation and one she was quite proud of. It had been a hot selling item ever since Orn introduced it to the menu, and was one of the reasons she enjoyed working there so much. The hours were long and the work was hard, but he indulged her in every idea she had. He gave her creative licence with any new dish she came up with and, even though he was harsh at times, she respected him as an employer and he was basically the closest thing to a friend she had. He encouraged her to develop her culinary talents and actually gave her confidence in her abilities, something she had previously lacked.

Another knock on the counter sounded and Nieme increased her pace again. There were orders to be filled and lately, she'd had problems focusing her attention on the task at hand. The visions were becoming more frequent and increasingly unsettling, but there was nothing she could do to block them out. They came without warning and when they ended, the images remained seared in her mind for days, along with the pounding headache they always left. The images were startling and often disturbing; they chilled her to the bone and made her tremble uncontrollably every time they flashed through her mind. Frankly, she could do without them, but was powerless to stop them.

Orn's gruff voice rang through the small kitchen again. She shifted her eyes to the chronometer on the wall. Only one hour to go until closing time. One hour to go until she had to brave the darkened streets of Thanatos. She'd done so before many times and no longer feared the rapists and murderers lurking in the shadows. Even though they were professionals at sneaking up on unsuspecting victims, she always managed to evade them. She attributed it to her keen street sense, but she knew that could only have saved her life so many times. She was hesitant to explore the real reason she could somehow sense a malevolent thought over three blocks away and how her body instinctively veered her off the path of harm. In Thanatos, they killed people who were different, and now with the Imperial threat growing stronger, she couldn't afford to delve into the true source of her abilities. Frankly, she didn't want to. She enjoyed the humble life she'd lived for the past 12 years and was in no hurry to have her life turned upside down because she was curious about her strange visions and waking dreams.

As the sounds from the dining area died down and Orn's shouts became less frequent, Nieme looked to the clock. She'd barely noticed how quickly the hour had passed, and as she served up the last meal of the night, she finally had enough time to realize how tired she truly was. She turned off the range and tossed the last remaining pots and pans into the sink for the dishwasher. Her back ached and her eyelids threatened to close over her eyes as sleep beckoned. She pulled off her grease-stained apron and hung it on the hook by the door before she left the confines of the small kitchen.

"Good job tonight, Nieme. I'll see ya tomorrow," Orn said as he passed a cloth over the front counter.

"Good night, Orn," she replied in a whisper, one as unimposing as her slight frame. She walked to the coat rack and slipped on her cloak languorously. As she stepped through the doors leading to the vast desert of Thanatos, the contrast was startling. She'd been trapped in that kitchen all day, listening to voluminous chatter and raucous laughter, that to be thrust into the quiet, calm atmosphere of the desert at night was almost disorienting. There were few people still on the streets, but it was those she couldn't see that made her uneasy. But she wouldn't let them rush her. This was when the world stood still for her, and she would take all the time she needed to enjoy it. She drew her hood up over her head and took in a deep breath of the cool, crisp night air. No matter how violent or how inhospitable the desert was, it was home to her. Definitely home.

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