"Crumbling"
By: Raeila Mullerin
and Ferrig Mullerin

Location: Thanatos, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 15, 4ABY

***

Tedious and dreary. That is how Raeila described the way this day was shaping up. Listening to the boys recount their vast feats of virility during last night's rape raid - with obscene gestures to add emphasis where needed - wasn't how Raeila would have preferred to spend her afternoon. Berum had pulled her off the street over an hour ago with the explanation that Ferrig had called an important Feltrey meeting. Yet upon arriving at the tavern, they discovered he was absent so they waited.

The gang had already finished three rounds of drinks and were onto their fourth by the time Ferrig graced them with his regal presence. Raeila pushed away a ganger who had taken the liberty of latching his mouth to her neck and started towards her brother.

"What the hell took you so long? I could've been out there making money, not languishing in this piss hole."

Ferrig laughed. "Don't worry," he said with a wide smile. "You won't have to worry about this piss hole for much longer. We're moving up, little sister. It's time to stop languishing, and be the gang that we know we can be. It's time to take control and raise the desert against the wet lands to the north!"

Raeila giggled at Ferrig's spirited proclamation. "So...in other words, we're going on another supply run?"

"How would you like to have that corner bedroom in the constable's office, Rae? I think it's time we started running this place from the supposed seat of power."

She grinned slowly at her brother and paced towards him. "You mean it?"

"We're hitting the constable, Rae," Ferrig said with a smile. "We're going to start it. This place will be ours soon, and we can do whatever we want with it."

"The constabulary building..." Raeila tapped her finger upon her chin, then sprang up and down with a gleeful squeal. She threw her arms around Ferrig and kissed him. "And you have a plan, I presume?"

"Of course I do," Ferrig said as he slipped his arms around Raeila. "I've always got a plan. And, I think this one is particularly ingenious. And, when we spring it, they won't know what hit them." He offered her a proud grin, and then kissed her. "That's why I called this meeting. We're going to hit them, and hit them hard."

"Gather 'round, boys!" Raeila called out to the drunken gangers lounging about. "My brilliant brother has a plan."

The gangers staggered towards Ferrig and greeted him with belches and bawdy comments about his performance in last night's rape raid. Raeila managed to quieten them with a shrill yell for silence and they more or less watched Ferrig indifferently and in silence, awaiting the next inspiring words to come from his lips.

Ferrig brushed past Raeila with a grin. "Now, you get to see a master at work."

"I saw that last night in bed," she shot back with a wink.

"Oh, you haven't seen anything yet," Ferrig said with an even wider grin. "By the time I get done with this crowd, you're going to want to drag me back to bed and sing my praises through sexual favours."

"We'll see," Rae countered with a crooked smile. She slinked over to one of the round tavern tables and slid into a chair. With her elbows resting atop the tacky surface, she regarded Ferrig with mock intrigue. "Well...let's have it, Mullerin!" she called out.

The rest of the patrons - consisting only of Feltreys -egged him on and disrupted the silence previously achieved until Ferrig stepped out in front of the assembled gang. "For too long," he began, "the gangs of Thanatos have fought against each other. We kill each other on our own sands, and we watch those we care about cut down before our eyes. But that's not the way. That's not Thana's way. Watch Domega's chariot flying across the sky, and where does it lead us?" He looked around, and then without waiting for an answer, shouted, "The North! And, we must give up our fight with the other gangs. We must join forces as Troban and Tirael once did, and cut down the Wet Hordes to the North! We will unite the sands, and take back what is ours. To toarai i se kir'thana!"

Ferrig's uplifting speech managed to penetrate the addled minds of the gangers, and whether they were in support of Ferrig's proposal or not, they raised their glasses and echoed his words. They chanted it and bellowed, creating quite a din within the tavern. Raeila, on the other hand, remained seated in her chair, watching Ferrig in silent admiration and respect. The men around her were cheering for him, her brother and soon-to-be king. And she would be his queen.

It was a bitter-sweet moment, for Kael should have been standing there beside Ferrig, sharing his place. Raeila looked down at her hands clasped together atop the table. There would be no bracelet upon her wrist, the one Kael would have given her on their wedding day, but he promised to return, which lent her some hope. If Ferrig's scheme succeeded, maybe Kael would find the desert a more hospitable and appealing place to live. Maybe then her arozeil would come back to her.

The celebration turned into a full-blown party, with music, drinking, and general rowdiness. Ferrig finally managed to break away from the group that was trying to lift him onto their shoulders, and slipped over to where Raeila was sitting. He slid into place across from her at the table, and smiled at her. He reached out and took her hand into his. "I could tell the moment you started thinking about him," he said. "We'll get him back, Sis. Just wait and see. He'll be back to us before you know it."

Raeila nodded morosely and managed a smile for Ferrig. "He loved this sort of thing, Ferrig. It's what he's always dreamed of doing. I just..." She sighed and sank back against her chair. "I wanted him to be here to share our victory with us."

Ferrig shifted around until he was sitting on Raeila's side of the table. "We started the party without him, but there's still time for him to get in a few dances. And, I can't imagine he'd ever pass on a chance to dance with you. We'll have him here before you know it, Rae. He wants to be with us. He wants to be with you." He took her hand into his, and circled her wrist with his fingers. "He'll put that bracelet here; I know it."

Raeila looked down at her encircled wrist wistfully and with longing. For an instant, Ferrig's tanned skin gleamed like the desert gold that would form the wedding bracelet he spoke of. She laughed softly and gently pulled her wrist from Ferrig's grip to rest her hand atop his. "And as our king, you'll perform the ceremony, brother. I won't have anyone else."

"And, as king, it will also be my responsibility to share the bride with the groom," Ferrig said with a smile. "It is the blessing of kings to consecrate a marriage through the ritual bonding of sex. I don't think he'd mind."

Raeila laughed as her high-spirits returned. She nudged her brother in the arm with her shoulder. "I'm sure Kael would be honoured to share his arozeil with the king. I bet he'd mind even less if he could be there during the sacred event."

"I think that's a very good idea," Ferrig said with a wide smile. "I think that would be a very good idea. Perhaps a new custom. All new brides get a special treatment with the king, and if the husband is good he can join. I like that idea very much, my little sister."

Raeila stroked her brother's hand lightly and pulled her thoughts away from weddings, and especially Kael. "And what of this plan? Have you actually worked out a battle strategy?"

"First thing is going to be taking the constable's office," Ferrig said. "We assemble most of the gang around the area, and stage a little fight directly in front of their office. They'll come out to investigate, and while they're in the open, we strike."

"Fight on our own field..." Raeila giggled to show her excitement and approval. "Then what? We commandeer the place and rally the other gangs? I don't know how you're gonna manage that one, brother. I mean...I can't give them all head. There isn't enough of me to go around."

"A little rhetoric will get them interested," Ferrig said. "I think if you could help convince the other gang leaders, that would get us most of the way there. Then after that, we'd need to hit something and score a victory. I think once the gangs see that we can do this, and that we can take back our planet, they'll flock to our cause."

"But one problem, Ferrig. What if the other gang leaders want a piece of the glory? What if they want to do the leading themselves?"

"They should have thought of it before us," Ferrig said. "And, if they want the top spot, we can settle it the way we always settle. One on one. If they think they have what it takes to lead the unified gangs, they'll have to prove it."

Raeila squeezed Ferrig's hand impulsively and tried to smooth the worry from her brow. "You know...this could lead to one big gang war, Ferrig. Aren't you afraid of that happening?"

Ferrig shook his head. "No," he said. "The gangs tend to follow the strongest leader. And, when we unify behind the goal of striking down the Wetters, I can't think of any Kir'Thana who wouldn't want to be part of that."

"I want to!" Raeila volunteered excitedly. "I mean...can I fight, Ferrig? Can I be there when we attack the constabulary building?"

Ferrig eyed his sister warily and then nodded. "But, you'll have to stick by me," he said. "I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost you, little sister."

"You made me a Feltrey, Ferrig. If you didn't want me to fight, you shouldn't have agreed to it. Besides," she said with a shrug, "how hard can firing a blaster be?"

"That's the easy part," Ferrig said. "It's the getting hit by one that's not so easy."

Raeila chewed her lip and nodded slowly. "Well...then I won't get hit by one. I mean, I'm not exactly a large target, Ferrig. I should be alright...I think."

"That's why I want you to stick near me, Raeila," he said. "So we can watch out for each other. You're all I've got, and I have to keep you safe. But, I'm sure you'll do fine in your first firefight."

Raeila grinned and let her hand drop off the table and onto Ferrig's thigh. "Of course I will. With my brother by my side, I'll be fine." She sneaked her hand to the butt of his blaster and with a giggle, she pulled it from his belt and jumped out of her chair. "But with some practice, I'll be invincible!" She had to admit, she had no idea how to hold a blaster and even as she did now, her finger rested precariously close to the discharger. "Come on, Ferrig. Teach me!" She waved the weapon around foolhardily and giggled boisterously. "Please?"

Ferrig quickly reached up and snatched the weapon away from his sister. "Let's go outside if you want to learn to shoot this thing," he said. "We don't want you gunning down the rest of the gang before we can make our move."

Raeila's lips puckered into a pout at having her fun stifled by Ferrig. "I bet you won't even let me touch the thing once we're outside," she complained. "You don't think I can do it!"

With a flick of his thumb, Ferrig ejected the power cell of the weapon, and then handed it back to Raeila. "When we get outside and you're out of danger of shooting any of the boys, you'll get the power cell back."

"Fine," Raeila muttered peevishly. She aimed the blaster at Ferrig as she made her way across the bar, then depressed the discharger and imitated the whine of blaster fire hurtling towards him. "Gotcha, brother." She giggled and hopped out into the alley.

"In the future, make sure that you only point that weapon at people you do want dead," Ferrig said as he held the power cell at bay. "Point that at the wrong person, and you're likely to get yourself shot." He tossed her the power cell. "You can pick your target, Rae."

Raeila fumbled with the cell and finally managed to get a firm hold on it. She studied the blaster, turning it upside down and every which way, until she finally found where to replace the power cell. "Okay!" she called out to Ferrig. "Help me choose a target. Something easy for the first try." She held the blaster with two hands and at arm's length. She passed the weapon across her field of view to find a target, squinting and pulling her lower lip into her mouth to assist in focusing herself.

Ferrig looked around for a target, making certain that he didn't suddenly become one. "There," he said pointing across the street. "That big window on that building. Aim for that."

Raeila adjusted her stance to place the window head on, then she centred the blaster on her target. Her hands refused to be steadied and the barrel of the weapon hovered about the section of the window she was focusing on. She sucked in a deep breath, closed her eyes, and fired. Raeila squealed as the blaster discharged a bolt of orange light. The weapon jerked upwards and sent the pulse of energy astray, hitting the wall instead of the window, then dissipating. "Ohh," she whined. "I missed, didn't I?" she said as she opened her eyes.

Ferrig laughed as he watched the smouldering scorch in the wall. "Yes," he said. "That is a miss. Though, if it were a Wetter you were shooting at, you might have gotten his friend if he had any friends."

Raeila frowned sourly at Ferrig over her shoulder. "Not good enough. Teach me, Ferrig! I...I wanna kill something!"

Ferrig took the blaster from her hand and pointed the weapon across the street. He fired off four shots, placing one in each pane of the four-paned window. "In order to kill something," he said, "you have to hit what you're aiming at."

"I know that, Ferrig!" she shouted at him in annoyance. "Why are you being so condescending? I said I wanted to learn and now you're rubbing in the fact that I wouldn't be able to defend myself if a Beeja rat was attacking me." She stomped her foot in frustration and kicked sand at Ferrig. "If you won't help me, I'll find someone who will," she announced before she turned and strode off.

Before she could move away, Ferrig caught her arm. "I only said what I did, because you're too fired up to kill something. You need to start at the beginning, and work up to killing things. If you get impatient with this, Rae, it'll get you killed. If you pull a blaster on another man, and you miss, chances are he's going to hit you with his first shot."

She stubbornly avoided Ferrig's gaze, then noting his words were spoken out of affection and concern, she sighed and nodded her head. "Fine. But I wanna be of some use around here, Ferrig. You gotta teach me so I can help us claim what's ours."

"First thing first when shooting a blaster," he said handing her the blaster once again, "is that you need to make sure you're steady. If you have trouble holding it steady just aiming out, try holding it with both hands. Try on that other bank of windows."

Raeila did as Ferrig instructed, holding the blaster tightly in both hands. It still shook as she trembled, and she realized her body quaked out of excitement. Holding a weapon in her hand instilled such power in her that it stirred her into a frenzy. She chewed her lip and slowed her breathing. Ferrig whispered gentle encouragement to her as she aimed at one of the windows and fired. Again her eyes closed, but at the sound of shattering glass, they snapped open and Raeila squealed. "I did it?" She hopped up and down, laughing exuberantly. "I did it! Ferrig, did you see? I can do it!"

"Nice shooting, little sister," Ferrig said with a laugh. "Let's go find some more targets. Hey, I know. I bet there are lots of targets over at the Rhack."

Raeila's smile became feral as she stepped closer to Ferrig. "Too bad that fat, meddling nerf isn't there. I bet I could've hit him, Ferrig. He looked like an easy target." She draped her arms over Ferrig's shoulders with the blaster still hanging loosely from her hand. "Oh, Ferrig, we should've burned that place to the ground."

"Well, we can still blast it to the ground," he said with a wide grin. "Let me get another blaster, and we'll head over and have some fun filling it with so many holes the place falls down." With that, he rushed over and took a blaster from one of the Feltreys; the kid was too drunk to notice it was gone. "Let's go!"

Raeila clasped Ferrig's hand and skipped alongside him as they made their way to the Rhack. "So...is this my early birthday present, Ferrig? You didn't forget, did you?"

"Of course I didn't forget," Ferrig said with a laugh. "That would be like forgetting that we're Kir'Thana. And, if you want this to be an early birthday present, then it will be."

"Well...okay, but I don't want it to be my only present. I mean...you'll get me something else, won't ya, Ferrig?" She extended her lower lip, but instead of pouting, she giggled.

Ferrig smiled, and slipped his arms around Raeila. "When have I ever given you just one present? Of course you'll get more. If I can manage it, you'll get this place wrapped up with a bow for you."

Raeila knew the one thing she wanted for her birthday, but couldn't ask Ferrig for that. No one could force Kael to come back. It would be asking for the impossible. "I don't want a big party, though. Just you and me, Ferrig. I...I'm not really in the mood for a big celebration."

"Just a little thing with you and me," Ferrig promised. "And, I'll make sure you feel like the most special girl in the world, Rae. You deserve that."

"I'm glad I have you, Ferrig." Raeila pressed a kiss to his cheek, then laid her head upon his shoulder. "I think I'd be dead by now if you weren't around and if you didn't love me so much."

"And, I don't think I'd still be around if I didn't have you coaching me with my jokes," he said with a smile. "Or if you didn't keep me level-headed when I need it. We're good together, Raeila. We have to stick together for always."

"And we will, Ferrig. Especially if I learn how to use this blaster properly." She held the weapon up before her and angled it towards the sun, delighting in its gleam. "I can watch your back and make sure you'll always be able to be there for me."

Ferrig smiled. "I think I'd feel better with you at my back than anyone else," he said. "And, once you learn to use that thing, I can't even begin to imagine what kind of team we'll be."

"Well, it's only until we get our own royal security entourage. After that, we won't need to use these things anymore. We'll have others watching our backs. And when we do," she said with a dreamy smile, "we can sit in a tub full of water all day, eating all our favourite things and making love all the way into the night."

Ferrig closed his eyes for a moment and smiled dreamily at the images forming in his mind. "Oh yes," he said. "That is a very nice future. The king and queen of the planet."

"Kings," Raeila corrected. "If we can get Kael to see things our way, of course."

"We'll get him," Ferrig said. "He wants to be here with us. He's just honing that power thing he has. But, he'll be back, and then he'll use that power for our side."

"And then we'll be unstoppable, Ferrig?" Raeila lifted her head and gazed up with hope shining from her large gray eyes. "Then we'll be happy?"

"And, then we'll be happy, Rae," Ferrig said and kissed the back of his sister's neck. "Then we'll be happier than we've ever been in our lives, and everything will be right."

"I believe you, brother. I've always believed everything you've told me." She nestled her head beneath Ferrig's chin. "I believed you when you said you'd protect me from father, and you did. You took care of me, like you always do, and I know if it's happiness I want, you'd do everything and anything to give it to me. And I love you for it, brother mine."

"After dad...I've made it my solemn vow to do everything I can possibly do to see that you're always happy. He made you so upset, and so unhappy... I have to make up for that. And, I think I'm doing a pretty good job so far. Now, when we start shooting that busted, old building, I'll know for sure."

Raeila laughed and pulled away from Ferrig. "Then let's get there before it gets late or before some other gangers decide they need an interesting target." She giggled as she jerked Ferrig forward and trampled briskly through the sands.

With a laugh, Ferrig followed after Raeila as they ran headlong toward where the Rhack's gravesite soon would be. He felt his pulse quicken when the building came into view. He'd been longing to bring it to the ground for sometime, and now was his chance. Along with his sister, they would pay Orn back for stealing from them. It was a small price for now, but soon the much larger price would be paid.

"So...here we are again." Raeila poked her head into the doorless entryway of the Rhack and sighed wistfully as she looked upon the glass littered floor and the crumbling ceiling. Her boots ground and cracked the glass shards as she stepped through the doorway. "We had some fun here, didn't we?"

Ferrig smiled as he looked around the room from the doorway. "We did," he said. "I still think we should have had the fat man fuck Purple. I think that would have truly broken his spirit. Then we'd have killed the bitches, and Kael would still be with us. Oh, but damn it was fun."

"I can still hear the loud smacking sound as my fists slammed into the Rat's face." Raeila moaned happily and twirled dizzily about the diner. "If we ever come across them again, we're gonna finish what we started, brother. And it'll be ten times worse for those little bitches."

"Oh yes," Ferrig said with a grin. "They'll be finding pieces of them all the way on the other side of the planet. No one fucks with the Feltreys and just walks away." He pulled his blaster from the holster and aimed it at the far wall. He fired off three shots that erupted into sprays of whatever shit Orn had his restaurant built out of. Probably some cheap, wetter trash. He let out a happy cry as he fired off more shots.

Inspired by Ferrig's enthusiasm, Raeila held up her blaster and began firing. She whooped and laughed shrilly as windows were shattered and the legs blown off of chairs. It invigorated her and through each shot she fired, a little of the frustration and dejection of losing her one opportunity to reclaim Kael seemed to flow out through her trigger finger.

Her peals of laughter converged with Ferrig's cheers until they sounded as one, letting out a terrific cry that could have trembled the very shoddy foundation upon which the Rhack was built, where her hopes had been raised, only to be quickly stamped out. Even as her power cell drained, Raeila continued depressing the discharger as she shouted and whirled about the room. "We'll kill them all, Ferrig!" she shrieked. "Every. Last. One of them." she added, each word emphasized by the click of the discharge mechanism.

Ferrig was busily sending blaster bolt after blaster bolt into the corner of the room, and as he looked it was noticeably sagging now. He let out another cry as he started edging toward the door. "We don't wanna be in here when the ceiling goes, Rae."

Ferrig's voice was but a muffled blur among Raeila's grunts and fierce cries. She wanted to see the place fall, to crumble. It would be her doing and watching it collapse would be a success in her eyes, since she had set out to do it, and it was done. It gave her a sense of power and gratification, for if she could accomplish this, she could get Kael back. She could do anything and would have everything she wanted.

Ferrig blasted the corner of the room again as he moved back to Raeila's side. He saw the ceiling noticeably shift as the support holding the corner was blasted to pieces. "Raeila! We don't want to be under this when it comes down! Move back!"

Her finger tapped rapidly at the triggering device and while her blaster was utterly useless now, in her mind she saw walls being picked away at by bolts of energy, and Orn's fat body wriggling wildly upon the floor as she fired relentlessly at his rotund stomach while the Rat ran screaming from the room. She heard her voice convulsing with laughter and felt the burn of tears in her eyes. She may have failed once, but she wouldn't fail again. All would suffer as she and Ferrig had been forced to suffer, but their punishments would be far more tortuous.

Ferrig finally just reached out, grabbed the weapon from his sister, and replaced it with the one he'd been using. "Just don't shoot me with it," he said as he fished through his belt for a spare power cell.

The power generated within the blaster hummed in her ears and pulsated against her hand as she held the weapon. Her teeth bit down onto her bottom lip as she fired madly at whatever her blaster was pointed at. She licked at the salty tears that came near her mouth and that in itself inspired her to destroy every last inch of the Rhack.

The studs holding the ceiling aloft groaned as they began buckling under the weight. Every shot that hit the wall further weakened the support beams and parts of the diner already began caving in. Raeila didn't notice a thing, except for how many blaster shots hit the Rat's body as she ran screaming. "He's mine, Rat! You should've known that all along!"

Before the ceiling could fully collapse, Ferrig moved behind his sister, and began coaxing her out of the diner. "It's coming down, Rae, and I can't give you any more birthday presents if you're buried beneath this place."

Raeila spun around and slapped away the hand upon her shoulder. She stumbled backwards with the blaster still held out before her and shook her head quickly. "Not you again... Why won't you stay dead?" Her hands trembled as they tightened around the butt of the blaster. "You can't have him back, Rat. Don't you get it? He loves me!" She fired a shot at the illusion of Nieme, but to Ferrig's fortune, it missed its mark and was absorbed into the wall behind him.

"It's me, Sis," Ferrig called out, hoping to break through her delusions. He slowly started moving forward, counting on Raeila's poor aim to get him close enough to grab the blaster from her hand. "Rae, stop shooting before you hit me. We've got to get out of here."

The ceiling emitted a low rumble as support beams began snapping. Raeila, however, was only interested in exterminating the disgusting Rat before her. "Stay back!" she shouted. Another shot ground itself into the floor, inches from Ferrig's foot. The blaster in her hand oscillated from side to side as her hands trembled. She backed away from the Rat, her breathing coming rapid and shallow while laughter turned into sobs. "You did this. It was all your doing from the very beginning! Now...now we have to start all over again, and without Kael!"

"Dammit, Rae," Ferrig shouted. "Don't make me shoot you to drag you out of here. Stop your delusions and listen to me!"

Raeila responded with a grating, maniacal laugh. "You're not fooling me! Shut up!" She continued moving backwards, stumbling on chunks of rubble and severed chair legs. "You stole him, our happiness - everything! Now you'll pay us back!" Her finger depressed the trigger again and it would have hit Ferrig squarely in the chest if her feet hadn't been swept from under her by an overturned chair. The blaster shot impacted the ceiling and caused a torrent of dust and ferrocrete to rain down upon her. Raeila brought her arms to her face to protect it from the downpour and screamed as the roof began collapsing in around her.

"No!" Ferrig screamed as he rushed forward to his sister's aid. A large ferrocrete chunk slammed into his shoulder and knocked his blaster loose, but he finally made it to Raeila's side. He pulled her to her feet, and rushed away from the collapsing roof with his sister in front of him. "Go, go, go!"

Raeila headed for the door. She was tripped up by fallen chairs and large chunks of ceiling, but she finally clambered her way out into the open. "Ferrig!" she shrieked as she sat in the sand and watched him trying to dodge large portions of the collapsing roof.

Ferrig dodged one piece of the roof, only to find himself directly underneath another large chunk that slammed down against his back. He felt blackness closing in around him, but his sister's cries reached through his dimming vision and he charged forward. He stumbled through the collapsing doorway, and fell to the sand next to his sister as a great creaking rumble went through the entire building as it suddenly collapsed in on itself. Ferrig let out a low groan as he reached out to find his sister...to touch her once before it all went dark.

"Ferrig?" Raeila knelt over her brother's prone form, afraid to touch him for fear she'd find his body already cold to the touch. She whimpered and hesitantly pressed her hands to his chest. "Ferrig!" She shook him vigorously and when she received no response of any kind, she gripped his shoulders and shook him again. "Oh gods... Oh Thana! Ferrig!"

Passers-by saw the scene, but only paid it scant notice before walking on with indifferent shrugs. Raeila wept over Ferrig's body and looked about frantically for someone to help her get him out of the sun and into a bed. "Ferrig...don't worry. I'll come back for you. Please...please don't die."

With a kiss upon his bloodied forehead, Raeila pushed herself to her feet and trudged through the sands. She looked back at Ferrig and let out a choked cry before facing forward again and hastening her pace. There was only one group of people she knew would help her, help Ferrig, and as his loyal subjects, it would be an honour for them to aid their future king...if he ever opened his eyes again.

---

"Past Rewritten, Part 1"
by Laedra Vorrel
Liam Zaneth
Kal'Aran
Aurra Sgall
Koran Darr
Quinlan Vos [NPC]
and Master Ina [NPC]

Location: Jedi Temple, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 15, 4ABY

***

"Good control, Padawan. Nicely done."

Laedra glanced over the top of the hovering book and smiled at her Master. His mouth twitched, indicating the struggle to keep his expression neutral, but he failed and grinned back at Laedra. The once perfectly level book dipped to one side, but Laedra managed to regain control and straightened it out.

Master Ina, realizing the affect he was having on his Padawan, withdrew his smile and cleared his throat. "I think that's enough for today, Laedra."

She remained smiling at him as he left the training room. Once she'd resettled the book upon the floor, she disentangled her legs from their crossed position and pushed herself to her feet. With the book in hand, Laedra followed Master Ina out and joined him in the ship's galley.

In twelve years with him, she had undergone a transformation she could scarcely believe. From a five year old child lacking in a parental influence that made her rebellious and difficult, she had become a poised, disciplined eighteen year old woman. For a time in her early teen years, she thought she would always look plain and awkward - her legs far too long in proportion to the rest of her body, and her lank hair too dull to add any lustre to the youthful skin of her face. Now, she knew she was beautiful. The curves she'd been waiting for finally came to give contour to her hips and her breasts finally filled out; her hair now gleamed to accent her green eyes and make her delicate, white skin absolutely radiant.

As she sank into a chair and watched Master Ina prepare their meal, she wondered, then, why he was able to resist her if she was so attractive. He was her master and knew all her thoughts and feelings; she certainly didn't hide the fact that she was infatuated with him, yet not once did he indicate any reciprocation of those sentiments.

It had tested her patience for the last four years, but she was still as determined as ever to make him fall in love with her. She knew it was against the Jedi principles and every one of Ina's teachings, but this was one rule she felt she could never abide by, not while she was around him everyday, falling deeper in love.

"I am very pleased with how you've advanced over these past few weeks, Padawan," Ina commented as he glanced over his shoulder. "I think we are soon approaching that time when I will have nothing more to teach you."

Laedra curled up one leg beneath her and propped her elbows atop the table where she framed her face with her hands. She watched Ina moving about the galley. "I believe you told me one's training is never completed, Master. There is still much I can learn from you." She swung her leg lazily beneath the table and chewed on the nail of her little finger.

"Stop that," he said fondly. "I thought you'd broken that habit?" Laedra grinned at Ina and slowly pulled her finger away from her mouth. "That's better. At any rate, I think we should begin discussing your Trials."

Laedra's leg halted in midswing and her hands fell away from her face. She'd been dreading this moment since the day she realized she loved Ina. If she passed the Trials, they would part ways. Her body would be torn in two if that happened, one half following Ina and leaving a trail of tears behind. "I...I do not believe I am prepared for that, Master. I don't feel ready."

Ina picked up a knife and began chopping a Tonga beet. The blood-red liquid that spilled out caught Laedra's eye and complemented the stabbing pain in her heart far too fittingly. "It is not your choice, Laedra. If I wish it, you will obey."

Laedra stiffened in her chair and pressed her lips taut until they were white. "No," she answered quietly. "I will not."

"Disobedience, Padawan?" Ina continued chopping the beets, creating a pool of red liquid atop the counter. Laedra watched the puddle expand as the wound within her began following suit. "There are severe punishments for a Padawan who disobeys her Master."

"I don't care." Laedra rose from her seat and moved in front of the table, closer to Ina. He was so calm and seemed so detached. Did he even realize he was breaking her heart? "I refuse to take my Trials. I won't!"

Ina gently set down the knife and turned to face Laedra. He nodded his head pensively and folded his arms over his chest. "And why do you refuse?" he asked with the same, disgustingly even, analytical tone she despised.

She gazed up at him with her chest rising and falling heavily, and her hands clenched at her sides. "You know why," she rasped. "I can't leave you."

"Padawan," he warned, yet the disappointment in his voice was clear. "I thought you had given this up."

"How can I?" She moved closer to him and he held up his hand to halt her. Laedra stopped as she looked down and gathered her composure. "Ina--"

"You will use proper titles, Padawan. You will refer to me as Master."

She returned her gaze to his and shook her head slowly. "I won't take my Trials, not if it means we have to part ways. You know why. Ina, I love you."

He pushed away from the counter and moved towards the door without a word. Laedra gasped and hurried after him.

"Padawan!" he shouted as she grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

"No! I won't give you up."

Laedra fought to keep a hold of him, to keep him from leaving her, but he got free and started again for the door. She waved her hand before her and the galley door slid closed before Ina could escape. He whirled around to face her and in the first crack in his composure she'd ever seen, he rushed forward and gripped her by the arms. "Stop this! This cannot happen, Laedra. I am your Master and you are my Padawan. Romantic relationships are forbidden by the Code, and for one to develop between a Padawan and Master would only denigrate everything we believe in."

"The Order is almost dead, Master! What does it matter if we break one rule?" She regarded him with longing and passion, and whimpered a plea to him for one touch, one moment of disregard where they were no long Padawan and Master, and merely two people who had no rules governing their right to feel or express such basic emotions as love.

Ina looked away and sighed. "Laedra... If we don't follow the rules, the Order truly will be dead." He faced her again and his expression had suddenly become neutral and impassive as it always was.

"But I love you," she whispered. "I can't make it go away."

"And that is why you must take your Trials and become a Knight. That is why we must separate. That will eliminate the temptation, Laedra."

"I want to be tempted!" she said desperately. "I want to be tempted by you."

"Laedra, please..." He released her arms and stepped back. Laedra stepped forward and watched him with her desire turning her green eyes aflame.

"I love you." She placed her hand on his chest and took another step closer. "I want to make love to you."

"Laedr--"

Her arms encircled his neck and her lips covered his. The kiss was fierce and frenzied. Ina stumbled back against the wall as Laedra's body pressed to his. His hands closed around Laedra's arms, and with some effort, he succeeded in pushing her away. Laedra staggered back and bumped the table. Dishes Ina had laid out for them crashed to the ground, then silence ensued. Laedra gripped the sides of the table and stared at Ina with an animal hunger that addled her thoughts and created a physical ache for him. He, instead, looked at her with profound disheartenment and utter disappointment.

"You will take your Trials in two weeks," he announced quietly. "And you will pass." His eyes were looking past her as if the sight of her would disgust him.

The desperation and overwhelming need that had possessed her passed, and was replaced with the impact of what she'd done and now what she would never have. Ina spoke not another word as she released her hold on the door and it slid open for him. Laedra's legs disappeared beneath her and she slumped to the ground as he walked out on her.

The beet juice spilled over the edge of the counter and dripped upon the galley floor. She curled up upon the ground and watched the red liquid splattering on the deckplating as if from the wound Ina had just inflicted upon her. In two weeks, she would take her Trials. In two weeks, she would never see Master Ina again. Laedra cried out and clutched at her chest as if her heart were constricting painfully. In two weeks, it would stop beating, for it only ever beat for Ina. After that, she vowed no one would wound her again. She wouldn't give them the opportunity to, for never again would Laedra Vorrel allow herself to love.

***

Liam waited until all of the Jedi had assembled in the training room. He stared at his hands for a long moment before he finally took in a deep breath and let it out. Once ready, he strode into the room and took one of the seats set up in a ring in the center of the room.

He looked around at the assembled Jedi and nodded. "Thank you all for being here," he said. "I have... news that I must deliver, and I wanted to convey that news when everyone was assembled." He took another breath and let it out. "I'm leaving the Temple and going to Corellia. The threat of Dargus Kandran's return has diminished the security of my family, and we will be going somewhere safe from his threat. Myself, Yelara, and Jae Dyn Brael will be leaving the Temple."

Kal'Aran frowned. This was not good news. It seemed that, at a turning point when things were finally setting themselves straight, Liam was leaving and so was Jae Dyn. "Do you consider this wise?" he asked Liam. "Perhaps you would be safer here where the Force is with us and where we can all protect each other..."

Quinlan Vos put his hands on his old friend's shoulders as he stepped up. "One should take the path he truly believes is the right one..." he spoke, comprehending Liam's words. "If leave you must then I wish you well. But weigh what you leave behind, for all our actions take place in creating the future's path. Your Padawan needs you also..."

"Will you come back?" Aurra asked, right after Master Quinlan Vos spoke.

"Laedra Vorrel will take on the full responsibilities of training Kael. I have full confidence in her abilities as a Jedi, and as a teacher." Liam pushed back the thoughts of Laedra and sealed them away in his mind, knowing full well that if he allowed himself to dwell on them, it would be his undoing. "My plan is to return as often as I can, as often as Yelara will allow it." He looked around at all of them and sighed. "Please understand that I regret doing this, and know that my place is here. My wife, however, does not feel safe on this planet, even here in the most well-protected facility on the planet."

"And, Jae Dyn Brael will be going with you?" Koran Dar asked. "It is not wise to leave a place such as this for one seemingly in the middle of nowhere. I am not yet fully versed in the culture of this time, but the safest place from anyone seeking protection from the dark side is right here."

"I understand that," Liam said. "But, I have been unable to convince Yelara of that. She does not like it here, and has never hidden that fact. This is where I belong, and will do everything I can to return. I am a Jedi Knight, and my place is here as a guardian. I will continue to try to convince Yelara to stay, but I don't know if that will be possible. I will not use the Force to influence her, but I will assure her that the safest place for her is in this building."

"Influence over one's mind can only be set on the weak minded. I am sure that is not Yelara's case," Kal'Aran said with a nod of respect. "But in fleeing you are opening your defenses. None may come to your aid on Corellia. It will be there that this Kandran may have his chance if he comes to find you."

"I concur..." Vos said, folding his arms. "Together we are stronger. The Sith as an entity are no more. Vader and the Emperor are gone and all who are left are those who turned to their ways or were trained in them. Neither will come here..." he stated. He then sighed. "I hope your wife comes to see this in time for not regretting her actions and yours. May all the best come your way..."

"Thank you," Liam said with a bow. "As I said, I will meditate on this further. We are scheduled to leave after Jae Dyn performs the procedure to save Nieme Yaresh."

"So soon?" Aurra asked.

Kal'Aran tried to foresee Liam's point of view. He too knew what it was like to be persecuted. Placing his hand on Aurra's shoulder he nodded to Liam. "May the Force be with you Liam... I wish I could foresee your return, but that depends on you and Jae Dyn. I know what it is like to be wanted dead. It is not an easy life..."

Quinlan folded his arms beneath his cloak. "Know that we are here and this is your place too, so return whenever you like. We will be all here still..."

Liam bowed to those assembled around him. "I thank you for your counsel," he said. "May the Force be with all of you."

As Liam turned and walked away Quinlan turned to face Kal'Aran. "You think this wise?" he asked, curious to know the thoughts of his friend.

"I do not..." Kal'Aran said. "But his path no one else can walk for him."

"Do you mean the future is set? Did you see it?" young Aurra asked as she pulled her master's sleeve.

"No young Padawan..." Kal'Aran smiled. "I mean that Liam's actions will take repercussions on his life. It is hard to see the future. It is always changing..." he said, then looking the other way. "Koran?" he said asking the other Master's opinion.

Koran closed his eyes and sought the insight of the Force. After a moment, he shook his head. "It is difficult to see," he said. "But there is danger ahead. For all of us. If this is the path Liam wishes to follow, then that is what we must allow him to do. From now on, it may be a good idea to reinstate the ban on relationships and marriages for Jedi Knights. This sort of thing only leads to trouble." He stood from where he'd been seated. "The dark days may not be entirely past," he added, and then offered a bow before exiting the room.

Quinlan looked after Korran as he left. "So he has felt it too... You know Kal'Aran, I agree with him. We ought to reinstate the ban in loving relationships. The Jedi code must be kept."

Kal'Aran nodded. "I agree. It is best we do so now."

---

"Past Rewritten, Part 2"
by Laedra Vorrel
and Liam Zaneth

Location: Jedi Temple, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 15, 4ABY

***

She couldn't meditate anymore, not with the tears stinging her eyes. Laedra had made a grave error and now was suffering the agonizing consequences. Why had she broken the promise she'd made to herself? She had been in the presence of men before, and never had she felt even the stirrings of passion she felt when Liam entered a room. Why had she allowed him to penetrate her sheltered heart and aggravate the wound? Because you're a fool, she told herself. A weak fool.

Laedra rose from the cold ground of her room and retrieved the robe lying draped over the edge of her bed. She went through the motions of putting it on, listlessly and absently, while she made her way to the window resting within a shallow alcove. The sun penetrated through the glass in wide shafts and splashed orange stripes across her white robe as she curled her legs beneath her and perched atop the ledge.

With her knees pulled tightly against her chest, the pain diminished slightly, but it was only temporary liberation. Once Liam left, it would grow worse and she would never recover, not as she thought she had when Ina disposed of her. Laedra's head fell forward onto her knees and she wreathed her arms around her legs. How could she be a Jedi, help rebuild an entire Order when all she could think of was Liam? Everything else seemed trivial and tedious now. Everything would be dull without Liam's smile and his incandescent blue eyes.

With her face buried into her knees, her sobs were sufficiently muffled. And being isolated from everyone else in the Temple, she knew she was alone and no one would hear her. Once Liam was gone as well, she would be absolutely desolate...as it had always been, and how it was meant to be.

The gentle knock echoed through the room, as Liam tapped on the door. His eyes were closed and his senses open, but he still had the urge to snap them shut tight after the meeting he'd just finished. He needed to see Laedra, though. He couldn't leave her the way they'd ended earlier. He needed to see her, to tell her he still loved her more than anything. He knew he was going to tear himself apart with this. He knew that he would feel bitter resentment toward Yelara for holding him back where she walked freely. He wanted to cry out, but couldn't. He tapped on the door once more and sighed. How would he survive this?

It wasn't difficult to detect Liam standing outside her door and although she attempted to close herself off to him, she had little energy left to even attempt it. She could pretend she wasn't in the room, but she'd no doubt he could sense her there. Perhaps he would think she was asleep if she made not a sound.

She looked to the door and felt her body trembling violently. Her face nestled again into the soft fabric of the robe covering her knees as she attempted to drown out her sobs. If she let him in now, she wouldn't let him leave, as he must.

"Laedra," Liam called softly. "Please open the door. I-- I need to see you. I don't want it to end like this." I don't want it to end, he added silently. "Please, Lae. Just a little bit of time."

She knew a little bit of time would only make her yearn for more. Laedra shook her head and cupped her hands over her ears. Even his voice was beginning to lure her, beckoning her from her safe little corner of the room where everything was uncomplicated, where she only need concern herself with the waning sunlight or the forest canopy below her window. "Go away," she tried to say, but it came out only as a whimper.

"Please, Laedra," Liam said again. "Please open the door and let me in or...or I'll open it myself."

She pressed her palms firmly against her ears and beat her forehead gently against her knees. Didn't he realize he was making it more difficult for her to see him go? The tears were choking her now and her eyes burned, but they only detracted little from the excruciating pain tormenting her heart. Nothing could take that away.

Liam paused for a long time with his hand on his lightsaber hilt. Finally after what seemed like forever, he pulled the weapon free and ignited it. And, then he stared again for an interminable amount of time at the locking mechanism holding the door closed. He raised the blade and readied to slice the lock clean.

It wasn't difficult to detect the familiar hum of the ignited lightsaber. Laedra looked to the door again and hesitantly slipped her feet off the ledge. He wouldn't cut through her door...would he? She rose on legs that seemed weak and feeble, and held closed her robe. It was impossible to disguise her tears; Liam was a Jedi and could sense her emotions from down the hallway if he chose.

Laedra moved forward unsteadily and trepidly until she reached her door. She released the lock and rested her hand upon the latch. With a deep breath, she shielded herself behind the door and pulled it open. "Put away your lightsaber," she said quietly, but she remained hidden behind the door. "What is it...Liam Zaneth?"

Liam deactivated the blade of his weapon and returned it to his belt. "I couldn't just leave after that parting," he said. "I don't know if I can leave at all. I don't know if I can do this." He looked around and then sighed. "I need to talk to you, Lae."

Laedra bit back a sob and pressed her forehead to the door. "There is nothing to discuss, Liam Zaneth. You are leaving. We have said our farewells. I don't--" A sob escaped and Laedra covered her mouth with her hand to hold back another. How she wanted to hold him and kiss him... It was unbearable.

"I don't want this to be forever," Liam said. "I want to come back. To help the Temple. To be with you. I can't just give up like this, Laedra. I have to find a way to make it work. It has to work. I can't just lose you like this. I don't want to lose you like this. I need to find a way to make our relationship work. I love you, Lae. I love you."

Every profession battered at her heart more violently until Laedra was clutching at the door latch to keep her from falling to her knees upon the ground. "Liam," she whispered through her tightened throat. "Please go. It can't...can't be." She sobbed again and managed to let out a final plea for solitude before she closed the door and fled towards her bed. Once upon it, she pressed a pillow to her face and wept discordantly.

Liam pressed a hand to his forehead, rubbing as if to alleviate a headache. Finally he pulled his hand away and touched the latch on the door. He took in a deep breath and then let it out. He twisted and pushed the door open. After another moment of hesitation, he stepped through and into the room, closing the door behind him. "Do you really want it to be over, Laedra?" he asked. "Do you really wish me to go and leave you? I don't know if I can do that, not if you feel for me as I feel for you. I can't just turn away from my feelings."

Laedra looked up from the pillow and stared bleary-eyed at the wall before her. "You have to go," she said thickly. "You have to be with your wife." The word itself was beginning to leave a bitter taste in Laedra's mouth, but it was not her place to resent Yelara; the woman had merely been lucky enough to meet Liam before she had. "You can't stay here, nor will she let you return. Whether we wish it to end or not makes no difference. If you leave, it will have to be over, Liam."

"I have to try," Liam said, "or I will only end up resenting her for keeping me from you. She has her two loves...and I have to have mine."

Laedra finally managed to sit up and turn to face Liam. The sight of him drew a sob from her throat. She wanted so desperately to hold him now, to kiss him frantically, but she knew it would do no good. "Liam...I cannot love you and be so far away from you. Even the thought of it has reduced me to this," she said as she indicated her swollen eyes and tear-stained cheeks. "I feel so helpless, Liam, and so frightened. This cannot be. I am a Jedi Knight. I...I'm supposed to be composed and in control of my emotions. But I'm not! I'm sitting in my room, weeping and pining for another man I cannot have. Why can't I have you, Liam? Why!?"

Liam turned his head aside to hide the emotions warring on his face. He knew he was on the verge of losing his control. He needed to find his balance, but he couldn't. "I want you to have me," he said. "I want you to have me, and me to have you. I want that, Laedra. I want us to be what we want to be. And, I wish I could do it without ruining my marriage. Why does she get this and I don't? Why can she have two, and I can't? Why can't I be with the woman I love?" He let out an anguished cry and sank into what he thought was a chair and turned out to be nothing, which put him right down onto the floor.

Laedra knew Liam needed to be held, and she by him. Disregarding the voice in her mind telling her she would not be able to let him go if she went to him, Laedra slipped off her bed and rushed to his side. "Oh gods," she whispered as she held him in her arms She held Ina now, and was more determined than ever to keep him from walking out of that galley, to make him stay with her. "I told myself I could, but I can't. Liam, I can't let you go. I won't. I won't let you leave me here. Don't go. Please don't go. I don't care if it destroys your marriage, I want you here with me, Liam." She kissed his face desperately. "Tell me you'll stay, my love. Liam...please tell me you'll stay!"

"I'll stay," Liam said as he tried to return Laedra's kisses. "I'll stay here, and I'll be with you. Oh gods, Laedra. I love you. I love you so much." He wrapped his arms around her and held her close, as close as he possibly could. He took in a deep, shuddering breath and let it out. "I love you, Laedra Vorrel."

In Liam's voice, she heard her Master Ina's and her dreams suddenly became realized. She laughed softly at first, then increasingly louder until she filled the room with it, and with her booming proclamation of love for Liam.

"Oh gods, how, Liam? How will you manage it? What will you say?" She kissed him deeply and ran her hands firmly over his chest. "Tell me how you can be with me, love. Tell me so I won't have to be afraid anymore."

"Dargus Kandran is still here," he said. "Still terrorizing this planet, and who knows what else. I can't lay down my duty as a Jedi Knight with that threat still out there. I can't abandon the Jedi Temple in its most desperate hour."

"She doesn't seem one to care about duty or loyalty to a cause, Liam," Laedra said as she planted idle kisses to his throat and jaw. "How will you convince her of it?"

"That's the tricky part," Liam said. "But, I think if I can get her to listen to me, then I should be able to convince her. Otherwise, I may have to point out that this cause is bigger than all of us, and I can't just walk away from it. I know she'll be selfish, and possibly attack me. I'm not backing down on this. If nothing, it will be a true test of our marriage."

Laedra sighed deeply and pulled Liam closer to her. "I'm so glad you came back to talk this through. Liam...I was already grieving for your loss. I thought...I thought I'd lost you. I can't. I can't lose you now. I love you far too much."

"You won't lose me," Liam said. "Not ever again, Lae. No matter what happens in my life, I will never wander from you. It'd be like leaving part of myself behind."

Laedra gazed up at Liam, and smiled serenely. "And you've helped me find a part of myself I lost long ago, my love." She pressed a hand to his cheek and kissed him softly. Her robe had fallen open, but she no longer cared. She wanted to share everything with Liam, including her body, and modesty seemed a waste of time now.

Liam pressed his lips to hers, kissing deeply. As he did, he let his hands wander to her stomach, and then idly traced his fingers over her flesh. He let his hands drift higher, and smiled when he heard Laedra moan softly. He pulled her closer to him while letting his hands roam freely over her exposed skin.

"Liam..." she whispered with longing. She placed her hands over his and guided them to her breasts. She gasped quietly at the sensation and craned her head back to bare her throat to Liam's lips. "Stay with me now," she pleaded gently. "Stay with me here and be with me, Liam."

Liam kissed her slowly from her shoulder blades up her throat, and then up to her lips. With gentle hands he pushed Laedra's robe back and off her shoulders as he trailed his kisses down her throat once more, and continued toward her breasts.

Laedra cried out softly in surprise and delight. Her fingers curled up and she gathered the fabric of Liam's tunic in her hands. She let Liam caress and touch her as he wished, for she knew what the act was comprised of, but she had no practical experience and relied on Liam to guide her actions.

She involuntarily cried out again as Liam's mouth covered her breast. Her chest thrust out towards him and her fists trembled as they tightened their hold on Liam's tunic. The fear of losing him heightened her desire for him and infused it with a desperation and impatience that gave her the urge to initiate the act herself, disregarding the fact she had no idea what to do.

"Should I be afraid?" she asked breathlessly. "I don't know what's coming next, Liam. And...it excites and frightens me."

"There is nothing to be afraid of," Liam said softly as he returned his lips up toward her chin. He said nothing else as he continued kissing her chin, face, lips, and throat. One hand continued to caress her breasts while the other slid down her stomach and to the cleft between her legs. He let his fingers brush the sensitive flesh there, bringing out a soft cry from Laedra. "There is nothing at all to be afraid of, my love."

Laedra didn't need verbal reassurances from Liam. His emotions, sensed through the Force, were enough to assure her he was acting only through an extension of his love for her. She wished she knew how to do the same, to touch him as he touched her and make him feel as loved as she felt.

The excitement and anticipation made her quiver, and his caresses made her whimper and moan gently. Her trembling hands moved to the fastenings of his tunic, and with uncontrolled, jerky movements, she managed to get it open. She smiled to herself as she saw his firm, well-defined chest, the one that had begun the whole affair to begin with. "It's your fault, you know," she whispered fondly. "You and your...your chest."

"You could have closed your eyes," Liam whispered in response, and then shrugged out of his tunic and let it and his robes fall to the floor. "But, I'm glad you didn't."

"As am I." Laedra grinned at Liam as she gazed down at his chest. She brushed her hand against it and was amazed at how much more sensitive her tactile faculties were. His flesh felt more tangible beneath her fingertips and through them she felt his very emotions permeating. This was how it should have been with Ina, but that time had passed. She had Liam now and loving him was more fulfilling, especially since he chose to love her back.

Her hand flattened against his chest as she leaned forward and pressed her lips to it. She moaned softly while his hands roamed over her flesh, and she found she liked most of all the caresses he was administering between her legs.

"The floor's cold," she muttered.

"Let's move to somewhere warmer," Liam whispered. He gazed longingly into her eyes, and then smiled as he lifted her into his arms and carried her toward the bed. He gently set her down in the center of the large mattress, keeping his eyes locked with hers the entire time. "It should be much warmer here."

Laedra replied by clasping Liam delicately by the nape and pulling him towards her for a kiss. She moved her hands to his strong back and kneaded it as they moaned quietly into each other's mouths. The bed was quite warm, but the heat that filled her was from Liam's passionate caresses and that radiating from his body. One hand dropped to the front of Liam's pants where it tugged at the fastenings there.

Liam climbed onto the bed with Laedra, never letting his lips leave her skin. He tried to give her clear access to his pants while his hands continued pleasuring her. He needed no words as their caresses, kisses, and touches said all that needed to be said. He could feel her through the Force, could feel them growing closer by the second. There was no going back now.

The fastenings on Liam's pants finally gave and Laedra's hand slipped inside. She gasped as she came upon Liam's erection, something she had never seen or felt before. She ran her hand along it to at first examine it, to familiarize herself with it, then pushed Liam's pants down over his hips. Her eyes gazed down at it now and she studied it with some amusement and much awe. Lightly, she dragged her fingers up and down his shaft. "I've never--" She took in a staggering breath and looked up at Liam. "I've never...before, Liam."

Liam moaned softly, and then smiled. "Well, now...oh yes. Well, you're definitely getting the hang of it there. Very...oh nice. You have beautiful hands, Laedra. And, your touch...it..." He shifted his eyes to meet hers, and he saw in her eyes the same passionate need he saw in his. "I love you so much."

Laedra heard the words and knew Liam meant every one of them. She didn't want to, and although she tried to hold back, she sobbed happily and began gently crying. "I love you too, Liam. I didn't mean to...I tried not to. I couldn't stop myself." With a whimper, she wrapped her arms around Liam's neck and pulled him down atop her. She kissed his cheeks and lips fervently, and brought her legs up around his waist. His hardness brushed against her stomach and she reflexively flinched, but she didn't push him away. She'd never push Liam away again, now that she had him.

Liam held her for a long time, before looking up into her eyes. "I want to make love to you, Laedra," he said softly. "I want to express myself and my love for you physically. But, I want to make sure that's what you want. I don't want to push you too quickly, or somewhere you don't want to go yet."

Laedra passed her hand over Liam's cheek then down to his shoulder where she caressed lightly. "Liam, you're closer to me than I've ever been with anyone in my life. I can feel what you're feeling and I know it's the same for you." She kissed him delicately while her legs rubbed sensually along his. "What do you think I want, Liam?" she asked with her lips brushing his. "I believe you know, Liam. I believe you know me well, my love."

Liam smiled and then kissed her passionately. "I know," he whispered as he shifted them so he was lying half on top of her. He brushed a hand along her body and gazed down into her eyes, knowing that this was the moment. He eased himself into position, keeping his eyes focused on her. "I love you, Laedra."

Liam's hardness brushed against her entrance, giving her a glimpse of what ecstasy lay ahead. She clutched Liam tighter to her and gasped softly. Her eyelids fluttered as the fleeting instance of pleasure swept over her and dissipated. "I know," she replied, repeating Liam's earlier answer. She had no idea what she was to do, if she was to do anything at all. The look she gave Liam conveyed her perplexity and her nod was permission enough to continue.

Liam kissed Laedra again, as he eased himself inside her. He kept his senses finely tuned to her emotions, not wanting to scare her. He let his own emotions of love flow into her through the bond they were forging. He kept his pace slow, knowing that this was Laedra's first time. Finally he was all the way inside, and then he opened his eyes and gazed at her.

The pain had been minor and temporary, and with Liam being as gentle as he was, plus the sensations he was arousing in her, she barely noticed any discomfort. Laedra loosened the tight grip she had of his shoulders and allowed herself to relax; Liam's tranquil, elated emotions were enough to put her at ease.

Words weren't required to tell Liam she was alright, that she wanted him to continue, for they were joined through the Force, as well as physically, and in her mind she was cognizant of what he was thinking, and she knew Liam was aware of the same.

There was no mental invasion, though - there couldn't be, not when their minds and emotions were linked as they were now. As all Jedi aspired to become one with the Force, she and Liam had achieved that with each other, and more than ever, Laedra felt complete.

At her assurance that it was alright to continue, Liam began making love to her. Long, gentle thrusts helped to heighten their union. With each thrust, their joined pleasure increased. It was bliss like neither could have imagined. Liam had experienced something similar with Yelara, but the feelings and emotions were much different. The bliss was perfect.

Laedra no longer heard her voice, although she was moaning and gasping for air; instead, her every cry translated as an emotion of pleasure and ecstasy, fulfillment and joy. That was what Liam was to her now, he was pure emotion and a physical extension of that love he felt for her.

Warm tears rolled down her cheeks, but they weren't tinged with bitterness or sadness, and even though they burned her eyes, the irritation became indistinguishable from the elation she felt. There was only that left for her now, and no more lingering pain from her past wounds or fear of new ones opening. Liam was her source of happiness and that was something she refused to let go of. He was hers and she would be always his, and she pitied anyone who dared come between them.

---

"Dead Or Alive"
By: Syan Daywalker - Bounty Hunter
Zen Wayland - Smuggler/Mercenary

Location: Kessel System
Date: Niothe 15, 4ABY

***

The Maw made a spectacular backdrop. Dozens of black holes ate up the stuff of space, tearing stars and planets apart that wandered too close, or that had been plucked out of their orbits by the grasping hands of the Maw itself. It was one endless black gullet with gravitational fields spanning out parsecs wide. No light escaped from the Maw. No stars could be seen from the other side. The Maw was a large black blight on the universe with origins that were yet to be explained. It simply couldn't exist.

Something about the endless black, the pit of despair and no return, appealed to Syan. It was one of those places that were nice to visit, but one wouldn't want to live there

Leaning over at the waist, Syan glanced back at where Wayland and the rat he dragged around with him were working. "Is it working yet?" Not for the first time, Syan was regretting not coming out here on his own ship. Aesir had much better sensors. Sensors that wouldn't leave them blind against the interference from the Maw when they needed to watch Kessel for incoming ships.

"Hold on," Zen said, nudging the little furball, who chittered in return. "Alright, we're good to go. All sensors online."

It had been Zen's idea to turn the Basilisk ass-on to the Maw and throw up a breaker for the radiation. The Corellian transport had lots of power for shields, and with the engines pouring all their thrust into the generators, the ship was able to produce a large enough barrier to slough off a substantial amount of the radiation coming from the black hole cluster.

The affect directly ahead of them wasn't much different. But radiation dissipated the farther away it got, and their little hole in the wall opened up a sizable window farther in the system so the sensors could detect ion emissions. With the field in place, all they needed were working sensors. No sooner had Wayland said it than the sensor boards came alive under his fingertips. "They're hot."

"I'm getting six close-proximity Ion emissions, but I'm not getting a mass shadow large enough to account for it. Must be another TIE patrol." Wireframes spun on the screens, showing Kessel and its garrison moon. The six blips, a half-flight of TIE-Fighters, flew lazily to the outer planets.

Wayland patted his ship, proud of what she could do. Then he sighed as he looked at his chronograph. "Umm...how long we gonna wait for this guy?"

"As long as it takes," Syan replied succinctly. The ship's barrel cockpit made for a good view, but didn't do much for a sense of safety. Not that that mattered much to Syan. But oriented as they were, the Maw's radiation corona made local sensors all but useless and black holes have been known from time to time to 'spit' from their event horizons. One wayward rock missed on Basilisk's twenty-year-old sensors and it could hole the ship, or rip off the cockpit.

The danger didn't bother Syan so much as Wayland's constant 'are we there yet's. "If you didn't have the patience for this kind of job, you shouldn't have come, Wayland. Go to your bunk and sleep. I'll wake you when they're coming. Maybe."

"Oh, stop being such an irritable womp rat," Zen said, leaning back in his chair. "It was a simple question. I'm new to this bounty hunter thing, remember? I thought you might have an alternate plan, if you didn't get results after awhile."

"Je lurdo, Zen. Ye lurdo," Salab said from next to him, hushing his already timid voice, so that only Zen could hear him insult the dark man.

"Yeah, I know. Go make sure all the A's are prepped...just in case."

"Chak, chak." The little furred being waddled away, giving the bounty hunter a dirty look before scampering off.

After sniffling with imagined sinuses and dusting Ewok hair off his clothing, Syan drew up his leg and rested his heavy booted heel on the control board, still watching the sensor boards and plain ole windows interchangeably. "The man that taught me about hunting, taught me that not having an alternate plan was not thinking far enough ahead. And don't bother asking what it is. If we need it, I'll tell you, but not before." Syan glanced at his 'partner'. "Trade secrets are best kept to one person. Nothing's ever a secret if more than one person knows about it."

"No fooling," Wayland said, somewhat annoyed. The screen blipped again, this time with a single incoming ship. The computer ran the class though its system. Probably just a spice freighter. The image came to life, and Zen realized it was no spice freighter. "YT-1300 incoming!"

Syan sat up quickly, grabbing Wayland's forearm before he could reach for the engine controls. "Stop. Let them get all the way into the system. They'll need to strengthen their shields and that will cut down on their sensors."

For a planet controlled by the Empire, Kessel was rife with illegal activity. Every once in a while, independent smugglers would liaise with independent miners on the planet for a 'spice run'. These runs were perilous, with the smugglers getting caught inside the system by Imperial patrols more often than not. Even if one got out of the system, there was still the Maw to contend with.

But a place like Kessel couldn't exist for long if there weren't certain facilities for ensuring these independent runs, including 'understandings' with the garrison moon and shipwrights on the planet.

Syan watched as the tagged sensor anomaly vectored for the surface. Working on some internal clock, Syan watched until he felt no more need to, and then turned to Wayland. "Take us in the long way and land on the night side. Have your rat make sure two of your A-wings are ready."

"They're ready," Zen said, ignoring the rat comment. His hands flew across the console, bringing the ship around and towards Kessel. Their course was almost parallel, but Wayland knew that the YT freighters always had poor peripheral sensors.

Zen approached the planet fast, ignoring the warning lights on the dash, as well as the gritting teeth of the bounty hunter next to him. He threw the repulsors on, and brought the ship into the atmosphere with minimal heat resistance. The ship dropped like a rock in the gravity, but landed with less than a thud, its landing gear taking the weight of the ship.

"All right, we're down. Now what?"

"Now we pick up the merchandise," Syan said as he got up, heading aft. He stopped at the cargo storage and grabbed the black cases, handing a breath mask from one to Zen. "If this heads out onto the surface, you'll need this."

With a few days to get acquainted, Basilisk's droids knew to get out of Daywalker's way. Syan ignored their indignant beeps and stood at the airlock, studying the controls. "Let's go. And leave the rat." Making a decisive jab, Syan opened the airlock and slipped down the small hatch into one of the A-wings. He looked behind him into the cramped passenger compartment, realizing he didn't care about his bounty's comfort. The cockpit lights sprung to life as he worked the controls. Finally everything read green and he disengaged from the lock. A bit of etheric rudder sidled him out from under the ring of fighters where he floated on repulsors.

With one hand, he thumbed the comm again. "Hurry up, Wayland!"

"Ya gotta move so the cylinder can rotate, ya big clod!" Zen yelled back. A-Wing 1 finally shifted to the side, and the launch cylinder rotated into place, clicking when it was lined up right. Wayland nestled himself into the small fighter, starting it up with a few switch flips. She thrummed to life, and he disengaged from the Basilisk. He saw Salab waving from the cockpit. He gave the Ewok a look, and the small furrball went back to work.

"After you, Mr. Experience."

Syan took the invitation and started off toward the main outlier town on repulsors. With thumb switches he brought the snubfighter's terrain-following sensors online and gunned the engines. Like a bottlerocket from hell, the twin Novaldex J-77s erupted behind the A-wing pushing it toward Kessel's low sound barrier in seconds.

The A-wing climbed slightly in response to an upcoming rise and in a moment the bump in the road was gone and forgotten. Out of the corner of his eye, Syan saw the other A-wing come alongside. "Two minutes to target. We'll do a flyover and look for the ship. Got it?"

"Sounds good to me," Zen replied.

---

"All I Want..."
By: Syan Daywalker - Bounty Hunter
Vicks Mason - Smuggler [NPC]
Jukwon Thallos - Pilot
and Zen Wayland - Smuggler/Mercenary

Location: Kessel System
Date: Niothe 15, 3 ABY

***

The soft wheezing of the oxygen masks was the only sound coming from the alleyway. Syan and Zen had holed up in a dark alleyway near a spacer hangout on the outskirts of the landing field. The air smelled metallic and tinny, stinking slightly of argon leaking from the crusty white rocks littering the damaged world.

Pitted and grooved with age and experience, the Tae'Karada Star sat on the deck some distance across the landing fields. With the help of his visor, Syan Daywalker watched Mason's co-pilot, the unknown Jukwon Thallos, work on the exterior of the ship. As was the signature with these smuggler types, upkeep of their ships was a never-ending parade of maintenance and prayers.

Tiny retinal muscles relaxing, the enhanced vision eased and Syan turned to his partner for this run. "We can't let Mason get near that ship."

"No fooling," Zen muttered under his breath. He double checked his axe and repeater. "Go get Mason. I'll distract this guy."

Hazel eyes stared at Zen Wayland from behind black glasses. He turned his head from his crouched position, looking out at Thallos. So many variables were out of Syan's control by involving someone else. But Zen had been right. Mason and Thallos had had enough run-ins with men and women of Syan's ilk that they weren't going to be easy prey. He didn't fear them - he didn't fear very much at all in the galaxy - but he wasn't stupid.

Heartbeats later, Syan nodded at Zen. "Don't get yourself killed. It's bad for business."

One-handed, Syan slipped the technorganic mask over his nose and mouth, letting the compound stick to his skin. He reached inside his jacket to seat one of his blasters and then stood and reached for the ladder rungs. "If you need me, use this," he said, flicking Zen a simple caller. Finding no need for further communication, he started climbing to the roof.

Zen nabbed the caller out of the air, and pocketed it. He wouldn't need it. At least he hoped not. He made his way towards the ship, as direct as possible. The last thing he needed was Thallos seeing a shadow lurking around and get jumpy. The Kiffar looked up from his workings and eyed the man getting nearer.

"Mr.Thallos, I presume?"

"Yeah, who wants to know?"

"Name's Wayland."

***

Across the field from the freighter, the planet's weak yellowish sun cast little shadow against the side of the building where Syan lurked. Below him, over the doorway, the Trandoshan chamorf trigger perfectly matched the pitted permacrete wall it adhered to. The only evidence of its being there was a small red light on the top, blinking its active status.

Vicks Mason strutted out of the spacer bar, sandy blonde locks moving in Kessel's cold breeze licking off the desert. Something crunched under Syan's boot as he shifted position. Mason spun, eyes tracking in the direction of the sound as his hands bolted for his blasters.

"Shit!" Syan braced his palms on the edge of the building, serving as a fulcrum as he pushed up with his legs and somersaulted over the red spitfire biting into the side of the building as Mason shot at him. His coat fluttered behind him in the air, coming to wrap around him like a wraith's kiss as he landed heavily on the presscrete tarmac. Mason was spinning. Quickly, Syan reached to his belt and activated the Trandoshan trigger.

The explosion looked worse than it was. More shockwave and flare than actual damage, the bomb blew Mason to his knees and a large black chunk out of the bar's wall. Attack systems installed by the unsavories inside activated, lowering a blast door in front of the bar with a solid thud of foot-thick alloyed armor. Syan didn't want to have to deal with the others inside backing Mason up. Smugglers and shadowlurkers had no love for bounty hunters, and wouldn't hesitate to put a knife in his back while he was taking down Mason.

Plan Two had Mason exactly where he was, reeling from the explosion.

Syan unfolded himself, running before fully on to his feet as Mason reached for his blaster. His front foot kicked the blaster away from Mason as his rear leg followed, kneeing the smuggler in the face and lifting him from the ground.

***

The Kiffar drew his blaster faster than Zen had expected it, causing Zen to drop and roll to the side. He drew his own Repeater and fired a few shots, forcing Thallos to duck for cover.

"This'll be easier if you just give yourself up," Zen called out. He was answered with four more blaster shots. "Fine be that way." Zen stood and turned, firing a full round of plasma-charged metallic bolts. Minor hull damaged was caused on the Corellian transport, but nothing too serious. A good explosive would work just fine if he could get close enough.

That's when he saw it. At first he thought it was a ricochet from his one weapon, but as it rolled closer, it revealed itself to be something far more dangerous. Zen turn and ran as the thermal detonator went off. He felt himself lift into the air and come down hard.

He moaned as he turned in time to see the transport take off. Damn those Kiffar. Always doing stupid things. He bet anything that stupid Thallos had taken out some of the ship's own landing gear along with the explosion. Hopefully, Syan had better luck.

***

But he wasn't. Syan was pinned down behind a barrier as Mason's holdout blasters chewed away at the edges. "Give it up, Mason," Syan shouted. "I don't want to have to kill you. You're worth more alive!"

"Kiss my ass!" Mason shouted back. His face was bruised and bloodied, and his eyes were tearing from the bruised nose and smoke, but he could see the black form behind the wall well enough. "Go back where you came from, bounty hunter!"

Sighing, Syan dusted permacrete dust. "I don't have time for this shit," he muttered to himself. From a pouch on his leg, Syan drew the stinger grenade and unsheathed it. One handed, he armed it, shooting over his shoulder with his free hand to pin Mason. Armed, Syan flicked it into the air and hurriedly drew the Dewback coat over himself. The grenade was really a multi-faceted crystal half the size of Syan's palm. Wedged inside the artificial crystal was a microscopic X-ray bomb. Refracted sunlight prismed from it as it spun in the air. With a crack of light, the bomb inside exploded, spraying miniscule green laser light all around them.

Syan stood when he heard the yell. Mason was covering his arm. The blaster was on the ground. "Hurts like hell, doesn't it?" Syan asked him.

Mason looked up, eyes red with pain and anger. "Son of a bitch." His punch was strong, fast, but badly aimed and easy to dodge. The bounty hunter sidestepped and parried it, tracing his arm along the length of Mason's until his fist connected with the upper ribs just under Mason's armpit. His fist buried in Mason's side, Syan withdrew it and launched another iron fist into Mason's sternum, crumpling him. A southpaw behind his ear put Mason on the ground, blasters clattering.

Stooping to pick up his visors, Syan put them back on, looking up at the receding ship.

"Don't even say a word," Wayland said, holstering his repeater. "Damn Kiffar is fucking crazy."

Syan smiled tightly without looking, showing the edges of his fangs. "Told you not to get near that ship. You're lucky that gun of his didn't burn you down. Which means I'm probably going to have to go after it later. But that's another bounty, more money.

"Strip him of his weapons and take them in your fighter. I'll carry him in mine." Absentmindedly, Syan brushed the dust and soot off his clothes.

"Yeah, yeah." Zen grabbed Mason roughly, annoyed at his own failure, hurriedly removing his weapons. He ripped parts of the man's jacket and pants, not really trying to be careful. "He's clean, now. Take him."

Crouching down, Syan slipped his arm under Mason's legs and the other under his back, lifting him into a fireman carry and dropping him unceremoniously on his shoulder. Mason groaned, and Syan ignored it. Instead he looked at the bundle of nerves beside him. "Don't worry about it, Wayland. We weren't being paid for Thallos. He's nothing but work, not pay. Forget him. Rule number one is no bounty's worth getting killed over, and you survived. It could have been a lot worse."

"Just focus on what, or who, you're going to buy with the money."

Shifting Mason on his shoulder, Syan started across the tarmac to the waiting A-Wings, mentally counting his profits.

Zen huffed as he followed. "All I want is a mug of Grella Ale, and a Twi'lek masseur."

---

"Kestrels"
By: Yelara Zaneth
and Liam Zaneth

Location: Jedi Temple, Tae Karada
Date: Niothe 15, 4ABY

***

Yelara had never felt this content since she arrived at the monstrous, imposing Temple whose corridors always seemed so empty and whose rooms they never could get warm enough for her liking. But in a matter of days, she wouldn't have to put up with the musty odour that seemed embedded in the stone walls and the eerie presence she always felt pervading every corner and crevice.

If there was one thing she would miss of this place, it was the gardens. She and Liam, with Kael's help, had turned it into a lush, vital sanctuary floating on a vast sea of vibrant colours. She stooped down to pluck up a lone yellow flower standing tall amongst a sheet of squat red ones. Leaving behind something she had worked diligently and happily on wasn't as disappointing when she comforted herself with the knowledge that they could always buy a cottage with a large, barren garden she could nurture and coax to life.

Yelara buried her nose within the petals of the flower and took in its fragrance. Oh, how she would dance with glee once they were on the Kestrel and shooting past the upper strata of Tae'Karada. The planet had only ever brought her misfortune and heartache, but its one endearing quality was its tendency to draw Jedi towards it, into her loving arms. Liam and Kal were the only good things she could think of that this planet had ever given her, but her gratitude waned when she thought of what else it offered: namely, Dargus Kandran. The name caused her hand to flex instinctively, crushing the flower within it. He wasn't dead, but that didn't concern her anymore. Getting far away from him did.

Yelara dropped the mangled, yellow flower onto the path and tread upon it as she started out of the courtyard. Where was Liam? She needed to make certain he had everything packed and ready, and to ensure he told everyone who needed to know that he would be departing. She smiled warmly as Liam passed the open gates of the courtyard. Her instincts about him seemed as sharp as ever, even overlooking the fact that she'd been looking for him an hour earlier and couldn't find him.

"Liam!" She hurried along the path towards the gates, with the hem of her skirt gripped in her hand to free up her movement. Yelara called out his name again and hastened her jog.

At the sound of Yelara's voice, Liam slowed, and then turned. When he saw her, he smiled and started forward to meet her. He needed to see her, and the look on her face told him this was going to be very difficult. The whole situation was going to be very difficult. Why did she have to be so stubborn and jealous? Why couldn't she accept that he loved Laedra? He loved them both more than he ever thought possible, and each in their own unique ways. "I've been looking for you," he said once she was close enough. "I had a feeling I might find you out this way."

"You've been looking for me?" Yelara kissed Liam once she was near him. "I've been looking for you for over an hour, Liam! What have you been up to?"

"Training," Liam said, running a hand through his still wet hair. "After talking to the others I needed some meditative time, so that's where I've been."

"You told them," Yelara said anxiously. "And...what did they have to say?"

"They think it is a foolish move to leave the protection of the Jedi Temple," Liam said. "They said that you would be safest here."

Yelara snorted contemptuously and jammed her fisted hands into her hips. "Well, it's not their choice, now is it? And what matters is that we feel safe, not them. They can stay at this Temple for all I care, but we're leaving. Did you tell them that?"

"They agree that the choice and decision is ours to make," Liam said. "However there is a difference between being safe and feeling safe. And, they do plan to stay here at the Temple. They have an obligation to the Jedi, and stopping this new Sith Order that appears to be starting."

"Well...that's good for them," Yelara said bluntly. "And I wish them good luck with that." She smiled and slipped her arm through Liam's as she started them down the corridor. "So...do you have everything set for our departure? I've already gotten half our things packed, but I left the rest for you to decide what you wanted to bring along. I mean, I doubt you'll be needing those robes anymore, so I just left them in the closet."

"There is something we need to talk about, Yelara," Liam said, dreading what would come next. "I need to stay through this. Dargus Kandran is very powerful and tapping into forces that have been lost for a very long time. I need to stay and see him stopped. Jae Dyn will go with you to Corellia in the Kestrel, and then I'll follow as soon as this crisis is past. I want to be with you, but I can't abandon the Jedi now, not with a threat like Dargus here. In my meditation, I have seen a possible future, and it is very bad. He needs to be stopped, Yelara."

Yelara blinked slowly and pensively as if the meaning of Liam's words were taking long to sink in. But she said nothing until she was certain she wouldn't come unhinged. They walked a few more feet until Yelara realized her legs had ceased to cooperate and she was stopped in the corridor with Liam. "He'll kill you," she said softly, calmly. "If you stay and pursue this...he'll kill you and you'll never come back to us."

"I promise you, Yelara, with all my heart and all of my love for you, Dargus Kandran will not kill me. I haven't survived this long to be cut down by that sorry excuse for a human being. The Force is with me, and I won't be fighting against him alone. Koran Darr is a strong Jedi, as are Quinlan Vos and Kal'Aran. Laedra Vorrel can use a little more work with her lightsaber, but she's also good in a fight. We can stop him, Yelara. Especially if Kal'Aran's former student joins us." He pulled her into his arms and held her close. "I promise you, Yelara, I'll come back to you. I need you in my life, and I need to watch our son grow up."

"No!" Yelara pushed Liam away and grabbed her hair in fury. "Liam, no! You have to come with us. Let them take care of Dargus if they're so strong, so talented. You need to be with me, Liam. You need to be with me and Leshie, not later, but now!"

"Yelara, please," Liam said, moving toward her again. "I can't leave them now. I have to help. I know more about Dargus than any of them. I can't abandon them now. I'm a Jedi Knight, Yelara, and I can't just walk away from this."

"You said you would!" She batted away the hands he had extended to her and stepped back. "You lied! You said you'd come with me, Liam. You may be a Jedi Knight, but you are my husband first. That is your priority. That is your duty!"

"I will come with you, Yelara," Liam said gently. "But, I need to do this first. Please, Yel. Just let me finish this one thing, and then I'll come to Corellia with you, and everything will be perfect again. I need to help stop Dargus Kandran. If he isn't stopped, we'll just have to run again. He will create another empire, bigger than the last, and far worse. He must be stopped if we're to ever have any hope of happiness again."

"And how long will that take?" she asked. "How long will I have to wait before my husband can be where he truly belongs? They don't need you, Liam! I need you! There's enough of them to stop Dargus without you. Your presence is unnecessary, damn you!"

"Give me four weeks," Liam said softly. "Four weeks to bring Kandran down, and then I will take the first transport I can to Corellia to be with you, Kal, and the babies. Please, Yelara. I need to try to stop him. After everything else, I want to be a part of this, and then I'm yours."

Yelara pressed her back to the wall of the corridor and placed her face in her hands. She shook her head slowly and deliberated between laughing hysterically or crying. She chose neither, and instead dropped her hands and stared evenly at Liam. "How can I do this, Liam? How can I go to Corellia, sleep at night knowing you're not there with me? I'd worry every hour of the day about your welfare and wonder if you're alive or dead or--" Her lips began to quiver, despite her attempts at not shedding a tear. She turned away from Liam and curled against the wall. "Don't do this, Liam. Please."

Liam moved close, his own resolve wavering. He reached around and took her hands into his. "I'll contact you every day," he said. "As often as I can." He didn't know how he'd be able to do this either. How could he live without Yelara? Even with Laedra in his life. How could he survive without his wife and son? How could he be so torn? How could he make Yelara see that he needed both her and Laedra? Liam pulled Yel into his arms and held her close. "Only a month, and I'll contact you as much as I can. Oh gods, Yel."

Yelara brought her hands around his waist and clutched at his robes. "Only a month? It may seem like nothing to you, Liam, but I know it'll be the hardest time in my life." She looked up at Liam forlornly and sobbed. "You have to be careful, Liam. You can't die. And as incentive, I swear I'll come back and finish Dargus myself if you do."

Liam couldn't help smiling at that, and then kissed the top of her head and then her lips. "Then I have to stay safe and alive," he said. "I promise you, I will be alive and unhurt when I return to you."

"We'll comm you everyday, Liam. I mean...Leshie's gonna grow up so fast and I don't want you to miss anything." She whimpered and threw her arms up around Liam's neck where she pulled herself tightly to him. "Liam...it's gonna hurt so much."

"But the hurt will be over soon," Liam said. "We'll all be back together soon, and everything will be right again. I promise you, Yel. I promise it will be as short as I can possibly make it."

"I know you'll try. You have to." She pulled back from Liam and after pausing for a moment, she brought both hands to her earlobe. The Kestrel earring that had hung there since their wedding swayed gently as Yelara worked to unfasten it. Once it was free, she took Liam's hand and placed the Kestrel into his palm. "You'll bring this back to me, won't you, Liam? You'll keep it with you and when you come to Corellia alive and well, you can place it on me again."

Liam looked down at the small raptor-shaped earring and felt his insides turn cold. He looked up at her with the emotions warring within clearly showing on his face. "What does this mean, Yelara?"

She saw the concern on his face and smiled to relieve some of his anxieties. "Well...when you look at this, it'll motivate you to come back to me. It'll remind you that you have a wife on Corellia who will feel incomplete until you return to her. Once you place that earring back on me, Liam, I'll be whole again. And every hour of every day until you return, I'll run my finger over that empty hole on my earlobe...and will keep doing so until it closes up, Liam." Yelara sealed her eyes shut and took in a choked breath. "If that happens," she whispered, "I'll know I've lost you forever."

Liam closed his hand around the earring, and then held it tight to his breast. "It will never close up," he whispered. "I promise you, Yelara Zaneth, it will never ever close up. I'll be there before you know it. We'll be a complete family again."

"That's what I'm hoping for, Liam Neerou." Yelara leaned forward and kissed the fisted hand upon his chest. She could choose to stay, but her fears of being weeded out by Dargus Kandran far surpassed her reluctance to be separated from Liam. If Dargus found her, they would never see each other again. At least if Liam stayed to kill the fiend, there was a chance they could be together again without Dargus' presence threatening to destroy their happiness. As much as she hated to part from Liam, this is as it had to be.

Yelara took Liam's free hand into hers and started with staid, somber steps down the corridor. "How much time do we have, Liam?"

"Kallia's going to perform the procedure the day after tomorrow," Liam said. "So we have until then."

"So little time?" Yelara rested her head against Liam's shoulder and stared blankly ahead. "I feel so numb, Liam. I think I'm trying to protect myself from feeling the pain I know will come."

Liam held Yelara close as they walked together. "The pain will all go away soon, my love," he said. "Soon, Dargus Kandran will be dead, and we'll be together again. Let's go spend some time with our son, and enjoy what time we have together."

Yelara nodded sedately and felt her excitement in leaving completely vanish. How could she be content when she was leaving a part of her soul behind? There would be no happiness on Corellia either until Liam arrived. It would pain Kallia to know that, but she would understand why. The one thing that gave her comfort was knowing she and Liam were like the Kestrel - they mated for life, and being that noble bird personified, Yelara knew she would sing day and night her song of mourning for Liam, waiting for his return.

---

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

Location: Merrick's Dressing Room at the White Noise - Yelldon, New Plouton; The Gang's Apartment - Yesdol, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 15, 4 ABY

***

Merrick Braston woke after what had to have been the best night's sleep he'd had in years. He slowly opened his eyes and realized with a start that he was still in his dressing room. The pressure against his side could have only been another body, and judging by the feel, just as naked as he was. He smiled at the memory of last night, and was eternally grateful that Chrik had a small stash of anti-hangover pills behind the bar.

"Wake up," Merrick said softly. "My girlfriend is due to be here any minute now, and if she finds you, I'm dead. You have to get out. You've got to-- Hey, oh gods, Kaysa. What are you--? You're not my secret mistress--" He laughed and kissed her. "Good morning, my love."

Kaysa kept her eyes closed with only a gentle, wiry smile to indicate she was in fact conscious. "You better be joking, Braston," she muttered. "It would be a shame to have to spill blood first thing in the--" Her eyes finally sprang open and flitted about to assess her surroundings. "Morning? We slept here all night? I didn't even call Shiv or Zale... They'll think we murdered each other."

"Then they'll be very surprised when we show up as happy as nerfs in...well, whatever it is that nerfs are happy in. I'm sure they figured it out." He smiled and then kissed her again. "Besides, I called Shiv last night when I went out to get the hangover killer."

"Oh..." Kaysa sighed and settled back into Merrick's embrace. "I imagine she was giggling and squealing with delight when you told her. And I bet she was just dying to ask if she could join us."

Merrick laughed. "She was very happy for us, and I told her I had to get back to you before she could ask to join. Though, we may have to lock ourselves away tonight, because I think she will want to join in on our happiness."

Kaysa propped herself up on her elbow and brought her hand to Merrick's forehead to brush back a stray wisp of brown hair. "I thought we'd be in Vendra by tonight...unless you've changed your mind."

Merrick grinned. "Oh, I definitely haven't changed my mind," he said. "I didn't realize you wanted to go tonight. But, I really like the idea. We'll get things packed up, let Shiv, Keeve, and Zale know, and off we'll go. We'll be in paradise by dusk, and I will do everything I can to make you the happiest woman in the galaxy."

"You already have...twice last night and hopefully once more before we head home." She wound her leg around his and pressed the length of her naked body against his. "I trust I made up for all those times you felt unwanted or unloved."

Merrick smiled. "After that treatment last night, I'm kind of embarrassed for feeling unwanted at all. Oh my, Kaysa. I didn't know you had it in you. Well, I did, but it was very nice to experience for myself. I hope we didn't disrupt the band Chrik had onstage last night."

"I doubt anyone noticed. They probably thought it was just the back-up singers accompanying the song very enthusiastically." Kaysa grinned and smoothed her hand over Merrick's shoulder as he kissed her neck lightly. "Now, see what I was saying about intense? But now that I know you can handle it, maybe you can join Zale and I the next time we're together...if you still want that."

Merrick gazed up into Kaysa's eyes and smiled. "I do want that," he said. "I want that to bring us closer, and to make things more open between all of us. I don't want there to be any closed doors for us, Kaysa."

"Hopefully in a figurative sense. If we'd kept your dressing room door open all night, I imagine the fans would have been drawn back here for a different kind of show."

Merrick laughed. "Yes," he said, "that's a kind of performance I don't think my fans need to see. No, those doors stay locked, my love. With what I've seen of my fans, if they saw the door open, and us in here, they'd try to join in."

"Oh, I think not!" Kaysa pushed Merrick back onto the sofa and sat astraddle upon him. "I'm afraid you'll have to tell all your mistresses that you'll no longer be open for services." She pressed her hands to his chest and massaged it sensually. "Merrick Braston's mine for the entire week and I doubt he'll have enough stamina for more than one woman, let alone me."

Merrick moaned at Kaysa's touch. "Oh, that's very nice," he said with a wide grin. "All the other girls will have to go home now. I'm only Kaysa's now. Just me and my inspiration."

"Have I inspired another song?" Kaysa laughed softly and proceeded to rouse Merrick further from his former slumber by swaying against him. "That's...how many now? Ten?"

"I think...I think I've lost count how many it is," Merrick said with a big grin. "And, if you keep doing that, I won't be able to think clearly enough to count them."

"Not in the mood?" she asked with a pout. "Zale's always in the mood and he never complains." Kaysa sighed dramatically as she dismounted from Merrick and rose. "Well...I guess I'll just go and pay him a visit..." she said while beginning to back away.

"Hey," Merrick said, sitting up. "Get your naked ass back here. I really didn't want to remember them all right now, and what you were doing was working perfectly to keep me from remembering. Now, come on, you teasing bitch and let's finish what you started."

Kaysa gasped sharply in feigned appall, then giggled boisterously as she launched herself towards the sofa and landed directly atop Merrick. "Oh, I love it when naughty words come from your mouth." She kissed him aggressively as her fingers tightened around handfuls of his hair.

"And, I love it when you get wild like this," Merrick said as he used one hand to guide himself toward Kaysa's entrance while the other sought to steady them. He returned her kisses with equal passion, and laughed as she seemed to get even hotter. Without another word, he slid himself inside.

Kaysa groaned and clamped down tighter on Merrick's hair. Their initial pace was already brisk and frantic, all due to the primal yearning evoked by a few commanding words from Merrick's otherwise sweet-talking mouth. It wasn't how they normally made love, but Kaysa had absolutely no complaints. Intense hunger drove her to move her mouth to Merrick's chest and pull his nipple between her teeth before biting down on it. While Merrick cried out, she laughed huskily as his pain only heightened her arousal.

Merrick let out another cry as he quickened his pace, slamming himself as hard and deep into Kaysa as he could get. And, from the wild look in her eyes, he knew he was doing the right thing. He brought his hands to her breasts, to pinch her nipples as they continued their frenzied coupling.

"Oh, my sweet, sexy musician," she groaned. Her hands had moved to his shoulders, where her fingernails dug deeply. The sight of the welts they left upon his flesh as she dragged them down to his chest made her heart race and the throbbing between her legs to amplify. "Has...Zale been...giving you pointers?" She emitted a deep, guttural cry as her back arched abruptly, and clawed at the top of the sofa to steady herself.

Merrick shook his head. "No," he rasped. "No pointers. I'm just learning as I go. What do you want me to do, Kaysa? Name it, and I'll do it. Just name it."

Kaysa kissed Merrick roughly and clasped his wrist to bring his hand to her breast. His other hand she brought between her legs and cried out as he improvised from there. "That'll do for now," she said in a loud, uncontrolled voice. She suckled at his fingers as his free hand came up to caress her cheek. Laughing throatily, she clamped down on his forefinger, then released only once he'd cried out sufficiently. "I think...I need to be punished for that," she prompted with a sly grin.

Merrick laughed and pulled his abused finger into his own mouth. "I think you do too," he said after a moment. "But, I'm not sure what a suitable punishment is in this new style of sex. I think you will have to educate me, my naughty love."

"If I have to tell you," she replied, "then it won't be as fun." She giggled and brought her hand sharply across his cheek. Before he could recover from the blow, she closed her teeth around his earlobe firmly, laughing breathlessly all the while.

"Ow," Merrick cried out, and then laughed. "Just don't draw too much blood." With that, he surged upward, taking her with him. He caught her by surprise and it allowed him to twist them around so that he was now behind her. Then, he quickly entered her again, this time from behind. With a laugh, he slapped her backside. "No more biting...for now."

Kaysa disobeyed only to gnaw at her lip, but the cry she'd been attempting to contain broke loose. She reached back and grasped at Merrick's thighs, digging in deeper with each thrust. Her head turned to receive his kisses, and once again defying him, she caught his lip between her teeth with a laugh before he could pull away.

"You little insolent bitch," Merrick cried out once she released his lip. "You're just asking for more punishment, aren't you?" He pushed her down toward the couch, and lengthened his strokes as he entered her harder and faster. Mingled with their cries was the loud slapping of flesh striking flesh. "You need to be tamed, Kaysa, and I'm just the guy to do it!"

Kaysa's laughter was interrupted by moans and pleasure-tinged cries as Merrick's aggression did more to bring her near climax than his physical stimulation did. She flailed her arms behind her, clawing at and striking any part of Merrick's flesh she came into contact with. With grating grunts and frustrated screams, she jerked her body upward repeatedly to try and dislodge Merrick, but after numerous failed attempts, she reached back and with a peal of laughter grabbed a handful of Merrick's hair.

"You're asking for it, Kaysa. Do you really want to be treated like the bad girl you are? Is that it? Do you want me to treat you really bad?" He leaned over across her back and kissed her neck and throat, mixing in gentle bites here and there.

"You could never," Kaysa replied breathlessly. She laughed as she tightened her hold on Merrick's hair. "You're too soft and gentle. You wouldn't know how."

Merrick laughed and pulled all the way out of Kaysa. With a grunt, he shifted positions until he was poised at the entrance to her backside. "Soft and gentle, eh?"

Kaysa whimpered and reached back for Merrick to coax him into continuing. "Always, Merrick. Always. Now stop fucking around and keep going!"

"I'm going," Merrick said with a laugh, and then pushed himself slowly inside of Kaysa's anus. Once he was in, he pulled out and started up a slow rhythm with her.

She gasped at the twinge of pain caused by the first thrust, but with each ensuing one, she greeted them with reverberant groans and shrill moans. Her hands wrung the armrest of the sofa, but it only served to dissipate the pain when it was pain she wanted. The tears spilling from the creases of her eyes were involuntary and served only to convey her immense joy. "Oh, Merrick," she groaned. "I didn't know--" She cried out, then gathered her breath to finish her statement. "--you had it in you."

"Oh, you'd be surprised," Merrick said. "But, over the next week, I have a feeling we'll be doing a lot of surprising each other. Did you know that clothing at this place is optional?"

Kaysa lightly stroked Merrick's arm as he gripped her waist, and gave a laugh that was more of a groan. "Then we'll have hardly any packing to do." She snaked her hand down between her legs and sighed as she administered to the insistent throbbing there. "Oh gods... I don't wanna leave this room."

"We don't have to leave for awhile," Merrick rasped. "We can stay in here until we're good and ready to come out. We don't have to start our vacation in Vendra. Oh gods..."

"That's not true," Kaysa said quickly. She pushed her hips back towards Merrick and struggled to her hands and knees. "This could sort of be our pre-vacation send-off." With a piercing cry, she threw her head back and clutched at Merrick's leg with one hand. "And I really, really would like it if you could send me off now, Merrick!"

"Oh gods yes," Merrick cried out as he continued thrusting deep inside Kaysa, and then suddenly everything seemed to give away. With a cry, he thrust inside once more and released his climax. It felt like it went on forever, until finally he felt his body giving way. He crumpled slightly, but didn't collapse. "Oh, I love it when we do that."

Kaysa nodded quickly in agreement while she wheezed gently and grappled clumsily with the armrest of the sofa to pull herself away from Merrick. She shuddered and moaned as Merrick slid out of her, then with a grunt, she turned and collapsed onto her back. "Come here, you beautiful creature," she said, holding her arms out towards him.

Merrick smiled and then crawled across the couch and into Kaysa's arms. "So," he whispered, "do you think I qualify for a night with you and Zale?"

Kaysa dabbed at a spot of blood upon Merrick's lip and laughed softly. "Oh, definitely. I think we might even be too intense for Zale."

"He's a big boy," Merrick said with a smile. "He'll catch on, I'm sure. So, how about we just lie here for a little while longer, then we head to the house? And, after that, we're on vacation."

"Good idea," she said with a deep sigh. She pressed Merrick's head to her bosom and laughed. "I doubt I could move very far even if I tried."

Merrick grinned. "Well, we still have lots of time. So, just lie here in my arms, and...ow. You really bit my nipple, didn't you?"

Kaysa nodded and grinned proudly. "And I was being gentle too."

"Well, I would hope so," Merrick said. "You know, they're not used for much, but I'd look really funny if they were gone."

"Oh, but I'm far more interested in certain other parts of your anatomy." She slid her hand between them and gently squeezed the part she had in mind. "But next time I won't hold back, now that I know you can handle it, my love."

Merrick smiled, and then laughed. "Well, as long as nothing needs to be sewn back on when we're done, I'm ready for you. Now, close your eyes and lets gather our strength for the week ahead. We're going to need it."

***

It was two hours later and Merrick and Kaysa were just reaching the front door of their apartment. "I'm just glad Chrik was willing to give me the time off," Merrick was saying. "I would have hated to have to do something drastic, like quitting or buying the place."

"Still considering becoming partners with Zale?" Kaysa squeezed Merrick's hand and stared at him sternly. "You have to apologize to him if he's here. Please?"

"I'll apologize," Merrick said. "And, I haven't had a chance to give it much thought, but it is a good idea. I think when things settle down more, I'll have to sit down with him and see what we can come up with." They reached the front door, and Merrick stepped aside for Kaysa to open it.

"I...don't have my keycard," Kaysa said with a shrug. She sighed and for what amounted to one of many times, she resorted to ringing the door chime for admittance into her own apartment. What she found when the door slid open surprised her to say the least. "Keeve?"

"Hi, Kaysa!" His expression was cheerful and his smile was, as far as she could discern, genuine. But what startled her even more so was when his tiny arms wrapped around her waist and he embraced her, with no signs that he was even attempting to squeeze the life from her.

"Oh gods...Keeve." She stroked his hair tenderly and hesitantly at first, but once she was certain he wouldn't try to bite her hand off, she enfolded him in her arms and returned the embrace. "Hi, my love."

Tears forced their way to her eyes, no matter how hard she attempted to keep them away. She looked back to Merrick with a questioning gaze, but he seemed as at a loss as she was. Her attention was directed back to Keeve when he pulled away, and for a moment she wanted to draw him into her arms again, but she couldn't push things, not when they appeared to be going just right.

"You can come inside now, Kaysa," he said. "Auntie Shiv's in the studio and daddy's in the bedroom. He's talking to some people on the comm." Keeve stepped aside to allow her entrance into the room and with a large grin upon his face.

"Daddy?" she mouthed to Merrick as she started into the room.

Merrick was following close behind but the grin on his face spoke highly of his perplexed amusement. He glanced down at Keeve and smiled. "You're definitely adapting to the role of man of the house," he said. "And, doing a great job, I might add."

"Well, thanks, Merrick," he replied proudly. Showing a spark of the mischievous little boy that still resided within him, Keeve giggled and stuck out his tongue at Merrick, then darted away, hollering Shiv's name.

Once Keeve was out of earshot, Kaysa spun around towards Merrick. "What the hell happened to my kid?"

Merrick shook his head as he stared incredulously after Keeve. "I have no idea," he said. "Maybe they dropped him out of a window."

"Well...whatever works."

Keeve appeared again, this time pulling Shiv along behind him. "I told you they were home, Auntie!"

When Shiv saw them standing in the center of the living room, she let out a squeal of delight. She rushed forward first into Kaysa's arms, and then into Merrick's. "Oh, you guys look so good together. And, you're practically glowing. Oh you make me so happy. Oh I just want to drag you both in my room and--" She suddenly glanced down at Keeve standing next to her, and giggled. "Well, you know."

"Oh, believe me," Kaysa said with a knowing glance in Merrick's direction, "we know very well."

"Oh!" Keeve exclaimed suddenly. "I'll go call Daddy!"

He fled before Kaysa had a chance to dissuade him from disturbing Zale, but it did give her a chance to talk to Shiv without him present. "So...what happened around here? Did Zale give him a spanking that stuck this time?"

"He had his eyes opened when he thought he could really fly," Shiv said. "Zale stopped him before he fell off the ledge, and he's been an angel since then. I was so scared, but Zale saved him. And, now Zale is his hero. It's really cute. Last night, Keeve was saying how he wanted braids like Zale's."

Kaysa's fear for her child passed and surprise replaced it. "Hey, Merrick...you were right. I'll have to reward you for that later...twice."

Merrick shook his head and laughed.

"I was so scared," Shiv said. "But, Zale was there, and poof. Keeve was back inside, and very sorry. And, he wants to love everyone now because he realized how much we love him."

"Well, us Zenarrs are a stubborn bunch. If almost falling out of a window is what it took, then I guess I can overlook the little matter of chewing out both you and Zale for allowing it to happen in the first place." She grinned at Shiv and pulled her into her arms before she had a chance to put on the doe-eyed, apologetic expression she always wore when she realized she'd done something wrong. "Thanks, Shiv. You brought my boy back to me."

"It was an accident," Shiv whispered, "but I'm so glad he's here. He's a beautiful little boy."

"Well, well, you finally decided to come home," a voice on the far end of the room said. There was obvious humour in Zale's tone as he approached. "Damn, the two of you look good."

Kaysa slipped out of Shiv's arms and made her way towards Zale to greet him with a kiss. "Well, that's because we made up...three times." She picked up Zale's prosthetic hand and examined it warily. "You did as I ordered and got it fixed, right?"

Zale lifted his hand into the air and then fanned all the fingers to show that it was working perfectly. "It's as good as new," he said. "And, you both are looking very...forgiven."

"Well...one of us is." Kaysa looked to Merrick pointedly and cleared her throat as she nudged her head towards Zale.

Merrick grinned and stepped forward. He glanced between Kaysa and Zale and sighed. "Zale, Kaysa just wanted me to tell you that I was sorry for flipping you onto that table. So, um...sorry."

Merrick and Zale stared at each other for a long moment, while Kaysa sputtered over the tactless apology Merrick had just made.

And, then Merrick stepped forward and pulled Zale into a hug. "I'm sorry, about that. I was upset, and forgot what I was doing. It won't ever happen again."

Zale chuckled. "It's alright," he said. "I think the table got the worst of it."

"Isn't that sweet, Shiv?" Kaysa commented with a large smile. "But...where's the kiss? Zale's been waiting for one since you threw him onto that table, Merrick, so I'd hop to it if I were you."

Zale was about to explain that the kiss wasn't necessary, at least until Merrick's lips suddenly covered his. After several long moments, Merrick finally stepped away and Zale was standing there speechless. Finally, he let out a quiet laugh, and then shook his head.

Kaysa blinked and stood speechlessly, looking between both Merrick and Zale before stepping forward and pulling Merrick away a good distance. "I think you enjoyed that far too much. I'm gonna be watching you closely, Braston."

"Well, you'll have me all to yourself for the next week," Merrick said. "So you can break me of those unruly habits then."

"We'll be in medical care for a month if I ever try to break them all." Kaysa laughed and kissed Merrick tenderly, before giving a muffled cry and pulling her lips from his. "Almost forgot! I guess we should probably tell you now before it's too late. Zale...Shiv? Would you mind taking care of Keeve for a week while me and Merrick go to Vendra and have lots of sex?"

Keeve giggled and tugged at Shiv's pant-leg. "She said sex, Auntie."

Shiv giggled in return. "They did, sweetie," she said. "As if they haven't had enough already. I've heard of Vendra. So, I guess you guys won't be packing any clothes, eh?"

"Maybe a bathing suit or two," Kaysa replied with a suggestive smile. "I imagine we won't even make it to the beach the entire time we're there. Oh, and Shiv, would you mind dropping by Zenarr Inc. and making sure things are running smoothly while I'm gone? There's actually a new pilot I just hired, and I wanna make sure she knows her way around. You think you can take care of that?"

"Sure," Shiv said with an excited giggle. "I'd love to. I kinda miss hanging around at the office."

Zale stepped closer to Kaysa, and leaned toward her ear. "I need to talk to you alone for a few minutes before you go."

"Okay," she replied quietly. "Uh...Shiv looks like you get some time alone with Merrick. You better make the most of it because when we get back from Vendra, he'll be out of commission for a week at least." She laughed and linked her arm with Zale's. "Let's go into the bedroom. We'll have more privacy there."

Zale led the way into the bedroom, and gestured that she should have a seat on the bed. "I'm going on a sort of vacation as well," he said once they were both seated. "The crimelord with whom I got the Jedi's help has need of me, and I'll be occupied for the next week as well."

Kaysa blinked as if struck a blow but managed to recover enough to speak. "Wait...I don't understand. I thought the Jedi were procured by you? Which crimelord, Zale?" she asked. Her tone conveyed not curiousity, but instead, wariness and caution. She didn't need to hear his answer to know who it was. "And would you mind explaining to me what exactly you mean by 'occupied'?"

"The crimelord is Oot Kovan," Zale said. "Liam Zaneth was at that party with her, and to find him again I had to go through her. However, she was a little mercenary with her contact. Unless I agreed to spend time with her, then she wouldn't place the call. Getting you back was more important to me than this, so I agreed."

Kaysa stood up abruptly and whirled around to face Zale. "You still haven't told me what I want to know! What does she want with you? I don't understand!"

Zale shook his head and looked away. "She didn't say," he said. "But, to look at the way she looks at me...she wants to turn me into a snack."

"No." Kaysa began pacing frantically and quickly before the bed, all the while shaking her head rigorously. "You're not going. Tell her you'll agree to anything else, but not that."

"And, if that's all she wants?" Zale asked.

She stopped abruptly before Zale and snorted wryly. "Your unwillingness to even try is leading me to believe you want to go on this little sexual retreat with her. Is that it?"

"No, it's not," Zale said while taking a deep breath to maintain his calm. "I don't want to go on a little sexual retreat with her. However, I want you to be aware of the ramifications of this if she isn't as willing to negotiate. I could find myself in a war with her, or she could team her organization with Kandran. I'll talk to her, and get out of this, but I have a strong suspicion she won't be happy with me."

Kaysa shrieked in frustration and spun around to kick the foot of the nighttable. She cursed at the spike of pain that radiated up from her foot and sank onto the bed to alleviate some of the pressure. "How could you even agree to this from the beginning, Zale?" she asked as she massaged her sore foot. "You must have known from the beginning she was asking for sex. She knows you're married, doesn't she? Does she also know your wife is the jealous, look-at-my-husband-that-way-and-I'll-gouge-your-eyes-out type of woman?"

"I don't think she cares, Kaysa," Zale said. "She runs a crime syndicate. And, how could I not agree to it? Let my wife die, or make this insane agreement to let her live? Say I was the one whose life was on the line, and all you needed to do to save it was to sleep with some guy. Would you let me die?"

"How could you even ask that? You know I wouldn't." Kaysa sighed and reclined onto the bed. She covered her face with her hands and shook her head slowly. "You're going to have sex with her... Do you know how that makes me feel? So helpless and powerless. I know it's going to happen, yet I can do nothing to stop. You know how insane I get when things go beyond my control."

"I'm going to do everything I can to not have sex with her, Kaysa," Zale said. "I'm a Shac'Tae master, remember? I have amazing self-control when it comes to these things. I can make Ms. Oot Kovan a very frustrated woman when Sparky doesn't come out to play."

The bed bounced gently as laughter rippled through Kaysa's body. Her hands fell away from her face and she extended them towards Zale with a defeated sigh. "Comfort me, Zale...you big, frustrating...you. This is my curse for having such a handsome husband."

Zale slipped down next to Kaysa and took her into his arms. "I'd much rather comfort you than fend you off," he said. "I promise you I will carry through my part of the bargain of spending the time with her, but there was nothing in the agreement about sex. I'll save all that for you."

"Though I can't keep the same promise about my time with Merrick." Kaysa groaned miserably and pressed her face to Zale's chest. "This is my punishment for being so stupid and going after Kandran, isn't it?"

"It's only punishment if my Shac'Tae powers don't work," Zale said with a grin. "But, they've never failed me yet. We'll get through this, Kaysa. You'll have your glorious week with Merrick. I'll beat Oot Kovan off with a very large, heavy stick. And, when we come back we'll be all set to mo