"Trials, Part 1"
by Nieme Yaresh-Selrid
Laedra Vorrel
Kael Selrid
Jae Dyn Brael
Liam Zaneth
and Koran Darr

Location: Jedi Temple, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 16, 4ABY

***

Their exuberant, crisp laughter projected above the thunderous rumbling of the falls and dampened the dissonant susurrations mingling with the breeze. She'd learned to otherwise ignore them, but at times they were very persistent and almost succeeded in disturbing the fragile calm she had achieved here. Though, the longer she spent here, the less imposing their presence became and now they were all but relegated from her private sanctuary.

"Niemiesh! Come this way!"

She giggled again as the girl rushed past her and darted into the copse. Nieme followed and soon the two girls were once again traipsing hand-in-hand through the forest towards the clearing.

"Now, Niemiesh," the brown-eyed girl began, "you must remember that I care for you and that you should always remain here with me. You will remember that, won't you, Niemiesh?"

Nieme nodded and smiled at the girl, who returned an identical smile with the curling of her identical lips. Their steps fell in unison and each gesture was mimicked by the other as if they shared like minds, and not just like bodies. Understandably so, considering Nieme had created her counterpart in the image of someone she felt absolutely comfortable with, and someone she trusted above all others. The only difference between herself and the alternate version of herself was that she bore qualities Nieme lacked. She was confident and wilful; strong and assertive. She made sure Nieme was never fooled by the voices trying to coax her from the sanctuary, and comforted her when the storms came.

They were less frequent now, especially after Nieme began relinquishing her hold on the place outside of the waterfalls, the place of pain and sadness her friend had called it. No longer tethered to reality, Nieme could live freely in her refuge and continue shaping it to give form to her whims and yearnings, and to strengthen the shield she'd created to keep out the storms.

"Here we are, Niemiesh." Her friend sighed happily as they entered the clearing. Instead of taking Nieme towards the cliff, however, she steered her towards the dense wall of darkness, the place where Kael resided.

Nieme shook her head and tried to pull her friend back. "W-We can't. We can't disturb him."

"Oh, now now, Niemiesh. He loves you, doesn't he? He wants you to disturb him."

Nieme stood fast and refused to go any further. "What if he's already come out? What if he comes looking for me? He won't be able to find me."

"Don't worry, my Niemiesh. I'll stay out here and if he comes by, I'll tell him where you've gone." She pressed her hand to Nieme's cheek - with Nieme's hand - and gave her a reassuring smile. "Now, go on," she urged gently. "I feel another storm coming on. You'll be safe in here."

Nieme gazed up at the graying sky and flinched as the crackling bolts of lightening streaked across it. She looked uncertainly at her friend, then reluctantly to the darkness. Kael would be happy she came, because it would prove her love for him. She'd waited and waited for him to come out, but he never had. Now, she would have to go in and retrieve him instead.

Her friend nodded encouragement and smiled warmly. "I have to go now," Nieme said with a sigh. "Remember, if Kael comes--"

"I'll tell him." The girls embraced and as the stormclouds amassed and drew nearer, Nieme backed away from her friend and melded with the darkness. "That's a good girl," her friend called out, and with a stiff nod, she crossed her arms over her chest and stood guard at the entrance of Nieme's most private abode.

***

"Nieme! Please, calm down!" Laedra held down Nieme's thrashing body after abandoning all attempts to soothe her with the Force. "Kael! Is Liam coming?" Before she could receive a response, Nieme's head swung forward and dashed Laedra's face. She fell back and pressed her fingers to her bleeding lip.

A shattering, sustained cry came from Nieme, then...surcease. Laedra regained her footing and stood over Nieme's listless form. She stared unfocused at the ceiling with glazed over eyes and mouth hanging agape. Laedra passed her hand over Nieme's glassy eyes, but she received not a blink or even a twitch. "Oh gods..." she whispered. "Kael...go retrieve Jae Dyn. Gods...I hope it isn't too late."

Kael raced for the doorway, but skidded to a stop when a very serene looking Jae Dyn Brael appeared in the doorway. "I sensed that it was time," she said softly. She moved into the room and looked down at Nieme lying still. She looked up at Laedra and saw the crimson droplets welling on her lip. Jae Dyn raised a hand and pressed her fingers gently to Laedra's lips. She closed her eyes, and focused briefly on healing the damage done by Nieme's head. "We will have to do this a day early. Liam will be here as soon as he is able," she said. "He and Yelara were loading the speeder. I will need you to lend some of your power to me during this procedure. We will link through the Force."

Laedra ran her tongue over the closed wound upon her lip as she nodded. "I will assist you however you wish, Jae Dyn. But, are you certain it is not already too late?"

"I am not certain of anything other than that if we don't act now, it will be too late," Jae Dyn said. She moved into place at the head of the bed where Nieme lay. She took a deep breath and focused herself. As she did, she became aware of the power pulsing within both Kael and Laedra. She sent out silent commands to each: join with me. And, as she did so, she placed her hands on Nieme's head and started the procedure to enter Nieme's mind.

Nieme's avatar gasped as a bolt of lightening pierced the protective dome around their sanctuary. "Oh, no no no!" She stepped forward with her hands fisted at her hips and glared up at the swirling clouds. "You can't come here! Go away!" Her lips pressed thinly and her eyes narrowed as she concentrated on the crack in their shield and worked at trying to mend it. She was supposed to protect their haven, and she would do it at the expense of whoever dared attempt to intrude.

Jae Dyn pulled back from the contact and took a deep breath. "She's fortified in there," she said. "I'm going to need more power here. We need Liam."

Kael nodded. "I'll get him," he said. At Jae Dyn's nod, he ran from the room.

Once he was gone, Jae Dyn turned to Laedra. "I think if I can get inside, I can bring her out again. I don't know what will happen when I'm inside though."

"If she is this determined to keep you out now, I imagine you will be faced with much resistance from within." Laedra stepped forward and fixed a firm gaze upon Jae Dyn. "You could become trapped or lost in there, Jae Dyn. A mind as disturbed as hers is can become quite a confused place. Are you certain you are prepared for this?"

"I am prepared as I can be," Jae Dyn said. "Nieme is running out of time, and this has to happen now. With the four of us linked, I will be more focused than any single Jedi ever could be. It is dangerous, but I can't sit and do nothing while she dies. It is dangerous, but I have to try."

"As long as you understand the risks, Jae Dyn. But please," she said with a smile as she placed her hand upon Jae Dyn's shoulder, "go gentle on us."

Jae Dyn smiled at Laedra and held her eyes for a moment. "I promise," she said. "I know something bad may happen when I'm in there. If it does, please do one thing for me."

Laedra frowned slightly with concern, then nodded. "Anything you wish, Jae Dyn Brael."

"Should anything happen to me, I want you to try to be Yelara's friend. She'll need friends...if that happens. And, continue to love Liam, and don't let him get away." She took a deep breath and then let it out. "And, most importantly, please watch after my baby. I know Yara is strong in the Force, and I would like for you to be the one who trains her."

Laedra sat down upon the bed and stared absently at her hands. "I...have no idea what to say, Jae Dyn. After the other day, I would have thought myself the last person you would ask such things of. Frankly...I don't understand."

"You are an honourable and respectable woman," Jae Dyn said. "Of all the people here, I would prefer that you, a woman and, despite other considerations, someone I respect very much, train Yara as a Jedi. I know you will be a good trainer for her, and I know that she will become a great Jedi under your care."

"Then I accept, Jae Dyn Brael. I will train Yara as you have asked. As for Yelara..." Laedra sighed and smiled ruefully. "I will be a friend to her as best I can. It will be difficult considering she is Liam's wife and I...am forced to occupy a position inferior to hers as his mistress. I use that word because I've no illusions, Jae Dyn, that you still have no idea what is going on between us. I am in love with him, and he with me. But I will not let that interfere with my treatment of Yelara. She is his wife, and I will give her the respect she deserves. I will protect her and keep her safe, as you have. Though, I have faith in your abilities and I know you will come through this, Jae Dyn." Laedra covered Jae Dyn's hand with hers. "I just know it."

Jae Dyn bowed to Laedra. She gave her a smile and then turned her attention back to Nieme. Her thoughts and emotions were channelled into preparing for the task ahead of her. She took a deep breath, and sent a silent thank you to Laedra. "As soon as they return," she said softly, "I am going to begin."

Laedra nodded and rose from the bed to free Jae Dyn of the distraction her presence might cause and allow her to focus. She would need it if she was to succeed. A smile involuntarily formed on her lips as she sensed Liam's arrival. She moved to the door and opened it as he was completing his approach. "Has Kael told you everything?"

Liam nodded and glanced to the young Padawan at his heel. "He has," he said. "I am ready to assist." He began shrugging out of his robe as he passed through the doorway, taking the opportunity to brush against Laedra. He let that one touch convey his love for her as he moved to the opposite side of the bed to help lend his strength to Jae Dyn.

"Come, Kael," Laedra said after settling her heart beat. "I believe it would be best if we had a seat." She placed her hand on Kael's back for comfort and reassurance, but not only for him, but for herself as well. Never had she participated in anything like this, and it was that she had no idea what was to come that she grew anxious.

Kael took the seat next to Laedra and tried to give her his best look of confidence. "It'll be fine," he said, not sure who he was trying to reassure more. He reached out and touched a hand to Nieme, silently offering her his strength as well as a prayer to Thana.

Jae Dyn reached out to each of the Jedi present, and pulled some of their strength to her, aiding her focus. With her mind and emotions as calm as glass, she once again pushed her consciousness inside of Nieme's mind.

"My, aren't we persistent?" The girl sighed wearily and shook her head disparagingly as the clouds roiled and lightening lashed out towards the dome protecting their sanctuary. "You're not supposed to be here!" she sang irritably. Once again, she concentrated on closing the fissure being created by the intruder, but the task was a difficult one, considering Jae Dyn now had the power and focus of four Jedi instead of one.

Jae Dyn focused her attention on the fractures spreading from where she'd made her entrance. She brought the will of all four Jedi to bear, and pushed the edges of the widening gap aside. Once it was large enough, she leapt through and into the clearing.

"I have come for Nieme," she said solemnly.

Jae Dyn was met with an airy sigh and a very sour frown. "You're not supposed to be here," the girl chided. "I think you should leave."

"Nieme is not supposed to have withdrawn here either," Jae Dyn said. "And, I will not leave without her. You will bring Nieme to me now." She brought the force of all their minds to bear in the suggestion.

The girl staggered back and shook her head wildly. "Stop that, now! There won't be any of that here! You have no grasp of the power of this place. I suggest you leave before we're forced to make you go."

"I cannot leave without Nieme," Jae Dyn said. "Kael and Dani are anxiously waiting to see her, and they are counting on me to bring her back to them."

The girl smiled coldly at Jae Dyn and circled her slowly. "She likes it here. Why would you want to send her back there? I'm her friend and I make her happy. I think you should just go now."

"If you are her friend," Jae Dyn said, keeping track of the girl with her Force-enhanced senses, "then why do you keep her here away from her other friends, those outside of this place who love her? Would she like it here if she knew that Kael spends most of his nights sleepless with worry? Would she like it here to know that Dani has barely eaten since she arrived back at the Temple? Would she like it to know that her friends are risking their lives to save her?"

"Save her from what?" The girl stopped in front of Jae Dyn and inclined her head sideways, studying her as if she were an oddity, and not just an unwelcome guest. "You're stupid. You don't know anything about what goes on in here. This is where Niemiesh feels safest. Now...are you going to leave or am I going to have to do something not very nice?"

"How long do you think Nieme will last when her body gives up?" Jae Dyn asked. "This world in here is dependent on her mind's ability to continue functioning. Once her body dies because she's no longer eating, then all of this will be gone."

"And you'd let her die, wouldn't you? We know the marvels of medicine and you could keep her alive indefinitely whether she chooses to eat or not." The girl took a step closer and her lips curled sharply into a mischievous grin. "You've let a lot of people die...haven't you? Not very good at saving those you care for, so what makes you think you can save Niemiesh?" Her laughter was startling and shrewd, but her eyes still held their icy, predatory gleam. "Couldn't keep him alive, could you?" The girl glanced over Jae Dyn's shoulder, then giggled and began backing away. "Have fun." Then, she sped away.

Jae Dyn turned around and nearly gasped. "Master Tal Dan," she said. In her mind she knew that the man standing before her was a fabrication of Nieme's consciousness, and possibly some of her own as well. She couldn't help the bad habits as she bowed low to him.

"Much changed since we last were together. But still the Jae Dyn I remember." The man walked forward at a leisurely pace, nodding in approval as he inspected Jae Dyn's appearance. "Are you well, Padawan?"

"I am well, Master," Jae Dyn replied. "I am preparing for my trials. Soon, I will be a Jedi Knight." She stood tall in his presence, even though he nearly towered over her. She knew she was still herself, but now he seemed to her as he'd been when she first went with him for training. She focused her mind on the here and now, the fact that she was a woman, and no longer the child he had taken away.

"A Jedi Knight?" he repeated, but was soon chuckling lowly. "Oh, I think not, my young Padawan. Do you really think you are prepared for such an arduous endeavour?"

"I am quite prepared for the trials, Master Tal Dan," Jae Dyn responded. "And, I am ready as well to be a Jedi Knight. We are rebuilding the Jedi Order, and soon the Jedi will thrive again."

Tal Dan grasped his chin with his thumb and forefinger while narrowing his eyes pensively. Finally, he shook his head. "No, you will fail, Jae Dyn. How could you not? You failed me, didn't you? I did everything for you, Padawan, and you repay me by allowing that perversion of a Jedi to murder me. No, a Jedi Knight you will not be."

"You didn't take me with you," Jae Dyn said calmly. "I could not be there to save you. I cannot hold myself responsible for every death I was unable to prevent. I will not feel guilty for an action I could not have prevented because of circumstance."

"Circumstance? Failure, Jae Dyn." He circled her much as the girl had, closing in on his prey with a vicious smile. "You should have known, Jae Dyn. You should have stopped him. If you truly were powerful, you would have. Did you even hunt the killer down? Did you even bother to discover who it was that took my life?"

"Revenge is not the way of the Jedi," Jae Dyn said. "We were hunted, and searching for your killer would have only made me a target. If I had searched for you, I would have likely ended up dead as well."

"Pathetic creature." His face contorted into an expression of disgust as he stood before her now. "You would not have found him even if you had searched. You are weak and untalented. How could you possibly believe you are worthy of becoming a Jedi Knight when you cannot even sense your Master's murderer as he stands directly in front of you?" He drew nearer to her and with each step, his lips peeled back farther. "You've eaten with him, shared a home with him. You have even shared your body with him, yet you still do not recognize him for the vicious killer he is? Once again," he whispered with an acidulous smile. "Pathetic creature."

"Liam," Jae Dyn whispered softly. "Liam is the one who killed you." The feelings of doubt and anger surged within her, but she quickly pulled them down and into a secure part of her mind. She couldn't afford to lose focus now. She couldn't afford to divert from her goal of saving Nieme. She would deal with Tal Dan's revelation later. "Liam Zaneth has changed since then, and he regrets his past. The real Master Tal Dan would have acknowledged his growth, and not condemned him for past mistakes."

"But it is you I condemn, Jae Dyn. You are the one who failed me." He stood behind her now and the distinct thrum of a lightsaber igniting sounded. "Prove your worth, Padawan. Fight me now and prove you deserve the title of Knight."

Jae Dyn turned around but kept her lightsaber at her belt. "I am worthy," she said. She moved into a ready stance, and prepared for his attack. "I feel it within myself, and I feel it in the Force."

"Imaginings of your greatest aspirations, nothing more." The man swung his cyan blade before him, taking one deliberate, menacing step towards her with each pass. "You won't even raise your weapon to me, and you believe you're worthy? You're frightened that if you tried, you couldn't defeat me. You are nothing, always were. I don't know why I didn't kill you long ago." One hand shot out sideways and swept towards Jae Dyn with a jagged, plump rock in its Force grip. It sailed towards her, along with Tal Dan's blade as he followed with a lunge.

In a smooth graceful move, Jae Dyn dropped low as she pulled her lightsaber up to parry his attack one-handed. Her other hand stretched out to erect a wall of Force energy against the incoming projectile. Once that threat had been diverted, she rolled away from his violent attacks, and brought herself up ready once more. Arcs of cyan and purple flashed in the darkening gloom of the storm raging above. Each attack was parried aside as they traded blows.

"I will not give in to hatred," Jae Dyn said as she riposted one of his attacks, and followed quickly with a lunge that nearly speared his side.

"Sluggish and unskilled. You always were a disappointment, Jae Dyn."

He vaulted over her just as a cry in the distance rang out. From the line of sight he had just cleared and far beyond towards the treeline, a tall, dark figure loomed. The man wore his characteristic malignant smile and his liquid, black eyes oozed violent intent. His forearm was drawn across the neck of his victim, constricting her throat and choking her cries. She managed to croak Jae Dyn's name again and reached out a hand towards her. Behind Jae Dyn, Tal Dan slashed down his blade, but it was intercepted by Jae Dyn's before he could slice through her skull.

Jae Dyn rolled away from Tal Dan and came up in between the two men. As Tal Dan started toward her, she flung out a hand and sent him flying back into the trunk of a tree. Then, with renewed focus, she turned her attention to the apparition of Dargus Kandran. "Get away from her," she said. "If it's me you want, face me. But, don't drag Yelara into this."

"Now, here's a fine example of a worthy student!" Tal Dan walked out from behind Dargus and patted his shoulder proudly. "If you had even a modicum of the drive and talent of this one, you could have made something of yourself, Jae Dyn."

Yelara gave another choked cry as Dargus' hold tightened. She clawed at his arm, leaving behind trails of blood, but not a muscle upon his face so much as twitched.

"Give up and leave this place," Dargus snarled. "You are not wanted here. And, we have yet to make an example of your lover."

Jae Dyn started forward, but Dargus raised a hand. Before she could take another step arcs of lightning leapt from his hand, but only made it as far as Jae Dyn's extended lightsaber blade.

"I have made something of myself," Jae Dyn said. "I am a Jedi Knight. And, neither of you are strong enough to take that away. Let her go, and face me. Unless you fear that you're not strong enough to face me."

"Do I detect a note of arrogance in her voice?" Tal Dan tsked and sighed gravely. "Well, we'll see how truly strong you are." A single nod to Dargus, and he grasped Yelara's chin with his free hand. She screamed, but it was clipped short by a snap of Dargus' wrist and the ensuing crack of Yelara's spine.

Jae Dyn's body jerked at the sound, but she quickly brought her focus to bear again. It's not really Yelara, she told herself. This is all in Nieme's mind, and mine. She brought her lightsaber up to bear against the threat of Tal Dan and Dargus, fighting back the despair at watching Dargus' arms raised in a show of triumph, and Yelara's body crumpling to the ground at his feet.

"Another dead at your hands, Jae Dyn," Tal Dan said as he prodded Yelara in the leg with his foot. "So certain of your abilities now?"

"Give me another moment and I'll have two more to add to that total," Jae Dyn said. "And, I'll accept the grief when I get out of Nieme's mind if Yelara is in fact dead. Though, I am quite certain that she still lives."

"With you as her Jedi protector, how could she possibly?" Dargus' red blades pierced the air as they sprang to life. With Tal Dan by his side, the total became three against Jae Dyn's one. "No matter, Jae Dyn. You will soon join her." The cyan blade of Tal Dan's lightsaber cast an icy glow upon his grinning face, which disappeared as he swung his blade forward.

Jae Dyn's purple blade came up to block Tal Dan's attack, and then quickly arced her weapon to meet Dargus' attack. She could see already it was going to be a difficult fight, but she had to win. Everything depended on her winning now. She allowed herself to fall into the Force, and to reach to levels of skill any normal person could never attain.

***

Kael Selrid let out a loud gasp, but kept his body still. Sweat dripped from his brow and he could feel his body beginning to tremble. He didn't know how long he'd be able to last acting as one of Jae Dyn Brael's conduits to the Force.

"Focus, Padawan," Laedra called out gently. She reached out her hand and covered Kael's. "You must hold on. For Jae Dyn's sake, Kael...and for Nieme's."

Kael nodded, and redoubled his efforts. "I'm just not used to this much...I'll hold on," he said. "I'll make it."

"Whatever is happening in there," Liam said, "it's requiring a considerable amount of Jae Dyn's strength."

"Nieme's fighting back," Laedra supplied. "That has to be it." Her chin sank to her chest as her body suddenly weakened. Laedra closed her eyes and gathered the unravelling threads of her focus. She had to maintain it if Jae Dyn was to succeed. With a deep breath, she raised her head again and nodded to Liam that she was alright, but she knew she wouldn't be for very much longer.

Liam wished he could lend his strength to both Laedra and Kael, but knew that Jae Dyn needed it. And, with as much as she was drawing, he didn't know how much more he had to give. His focus was fraying at the edges, and he knew that Kael must be nearly at his wit's end. "She has to hurry."

"We can't rush her," Laedra replied wearily. "She will only get one chance at this, and if she fails..." With Kael sitting directly beside her, Laedra didn't feel it prudent to go into details, but they all knew the importance of what Jae Dyn was doing, and the urgency, for if she did fail, Nieme would be trapped within her mind without hope of return.

"Perhaps I can be of service," a voice from the doorway said. Koran Darr stood, framed by the door, watching the small gathering in the room as they fought to save Nieme.

---

"Trials, Part 2"
by Nieme Yaresh-Selrid
Laedra Vorrel
Kael Selrid
Jae Dyn Brael
Liam Zaneth
and Koran Darr

Location: Jedi Temple, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 16, 4ABY

***

"Oh, Jae Dyn, you disappoint me." Tal Dan paced around a battered Jae Dyn and shook his head disparagingly. "I could cut you down right now if I chose to. I told you you were unworthy."

"Then why don't you?" Jae Dyn said, her breathing long past laboured. She batted away two more of Dargus' attacks, and spun out of the way of another barrage from Tal Dan. As she dove free of the melee, a sharp pain lanced through her shoulder. She stifled a cry, and came up ready to defend herself once more, but knowing that she was falling behind in this fight. She used a Jedi pain-dampening trick to lessen the fire of the wound she'd just received.

"My young, worthless Padawan, it is far more exciting this way. Yes, killing an opponent is satisfying, but destroying their spirit first is more fulfilling." Tal Dan chuckled. "What do you think, Lord Kandran?"

Dargus Kandran stepped forward twirling his twin lightsabers in an intricate pattern. "I definitely agree. And, I think this one's spirit is close to breaking. Though, before we kill her, after her mind has been ravaged, I think that lovely body of hers -- far too lovely for a Jedi -- should be ravaged."

"I imagine you could do with her what you wish." Tal Dan thrust Jae Dyn back with a pulse of the Force and laughed as she hit the ground. "It doesn't look like she'll be putting up much of a fight."

"I'll fight this with every last microgram of energy I have," Jae Dyn said. She struggled to a sitting position, and felt her strength waning. Finally, as sweat beaded on her forehead from the effort, she sagged back to the ground.

Tal Dan sighed airily and shook his head as he approached Jae Dyn's prone form. "I don't know what I was thinking by taking her on as a Padawan. A waste of my time. Now, that Liam fellow... He had confidence and fire. You?" He sent his foot into Jae Dyn's side, then bent low towards her. "You have nothing and are nothing. Lord Kandran? Do away with this creature now."

Dargus moved in close, raising one of his lightsabers high to bring it down for a final strike.

Jae Dyn struggled to move herself, but couldn't budge. Just as the lightsaber came crashing down, she felt something stirring in the Force. And then, as a tide rushing into shore, she was filled with the energy of the Force. With lightning reflexes, she ignited her weapon and brought it up in time to deflect Kandran's attack, bouncing his weapon away from her own. As the crimelord turned Sith moved to recover, Jae Dyn angled her lightsaber around, and slashed downward.

Dargus Kandran cried out in pain as his arm was severed at the elbow. The limb and lightsaber seemed to vanish into wisps of oily black smoke as it fell, and was gone before it could hit the ground. As he reeled to get his other weapon around, Jae Dyn sprang to her feet. A hideous cry reverberated through the clearing as Jae Dyn Brael slashed her lightsaber across Kandran's middle, cutting his body in two.

With renewed vigour, Jae Dyn Brael turned to face Tal Dan, or this perversion of the man who had taught her.

"Luck. That's all it was. You're still nothing, Jae Dyn, as you always will be." Tal Dan deactivated his lightsaber and saluted Jae Dyn by pressing the hilt to his forehead. The clearing filled with his mocking, forceful laughter that waned not in intensity even as his body began vanishing. Yelara's had already disappeared, leaving behind the shape of her fallen body depressed in the tall grass. "Enjoy your failure, Jae Dyn," he whispered. "For in your life, that is all you shall have." And he was gone.

"I told you to leave," the girl's voice called from behind. "Will you listen to me now? Will you leave this place and Niemiesh alone?"

"And, I told you I'm not leaving without Nieme," Jae Dyn said as she turned around. "The longer I stay here, the more control I am able to assert. You cannot believe you can hold me off indefinitely."

"Me and Niemiesh are stronger than you think. See, that was the problem all along." The girl backed away slowly towards the forest. "You never gave us enough credit; no one did. They always thought we were too delicate or weak. But you were wrong. You were all wrong!" She bolted into the forest.

Jae Dyn reached out her senses, and found where Nieme's doppelganger had run off to, and immediately rushed off in that direction. As she broke into the forest, she realized she was going about this the wrong way. In this place, the power of the mind was key, and it was thoughts and emotions that held sway over everything else.

She stopped suddenly and focused her thoughts on the running girl, and then closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she saw the figure racing toward her. Jae Dyn smiled.

"Stop it!" the girl shrieked as she skidded to a halt. "You're not supposed to play this way!" She swung her head from side to side, and arbitrarily chose a direction and ran.

Jae Dyn focused her thoughts, and suddenly stood in the girl's path again. "As I said, I will not leave this place without Nieme." She paused, cocked her head to the side, and smiled. "Or, at the very least, speak with her."

The girl stared at Jae Dyn with a smug grin and shook her head slowly. "I promised I'd protect her. If you want to speak to her...find her yourself." With a giggle, the girl waved at Jae Dyn and vanished from sight.

"Very well," Jae Dyn said. She lowered herself to the ground and into a meditative pose. She opened herself to the Force and all that was around her, sending out her senses to seek out Nieme's true essence. Time seemed to stretch out all around her. Finally, she slowly opened her eyes.

Nieme was huddled in a small corner of the cavern and stared at Jae Dyn, but her face indicated no signs of recognition. She pulled her legs closer to her and whimpered. "Who-- Do you know where he is? I looked...and I couldn't find him."

"He's outside," Jae Dyn said softly. "Waiting for you. And, so is Dani." She edged closer toward Nieme. "They're hoping you'll come out to them again, Nieme. They miss you very much, and they're very worried about you."

She scooted away from Jae Dyn, edging closer to a dark corner of the cave, towards concealment. "He was supposed to wait here," she explained quietly. "Right here for me... I don't understand." She gazed up at Jae Dyn with glazing eyes and asked, "Why does he run away from me?"

"He's not mad at you, Nieme," Jae Dyn said. "He can't come in here, but he's helping me so I could come in here to try to bring you to him. We're in your mind, Nieme, and Kael can't come to you in here." She held out her hand. "Come with me and I'll take you to him."

Nieme stared pensively at Jae Dyn's hand, then shook her head. "I can't. The storm...it hurts. If I go out there...the storms will come and it'll hurt me. She told me it was safe in here and that I should stay because...because Kael will be able to find me in here."

"Kael won't find you," Jae Dyn said softly. "And, I'm going to make the storm go away. And then you can leave here and see Kael again. And, Dani. I need you to come with me, Nieme. I'll keep you safe."

"I am safe." Nieme looked down at her fingers picking at the edge of her sleeve. "It's just...I'm a little lonely. My friend's nice and I like her...but I do miss Kael and Dani." She sighed and glanced up at Jae Dyn. "I love them...but I make it hard to, don't I? I-I'm just always afraid and it makes them frustrated... That's why Kael got mad at me. That's why he hurt me. I wanted to be a good lover for him, but I didn't know how. He hurt me, but I think I deserved it for being so stupid and afraid."

"It's not your fault, Nieme," Jae Dyn said. "Whatever happened with Kael, it wasn't because of you. He was fighting his jealousy because of your relationship with Dani. They both love you very much, and they want you to come back to them. He wasn't mad because of what you did. He was jealous, and there's a very big difference."

"But...he's my arozeil. Why wasn't that enough for him? I married him, not Dani. Why couldn't he understand that?"

A part of Jae Dyn's mind wanted to just pass off the comment as part of the madness gripping Nieme at the moment. But, inside, she knew it to be the truth. And, that did certainly complicate things. "Perhaps he wasn't secure enough in that bond to accept that something wasn't going to happen between you and Dani. He was still dangerously close to the dark side, Nieme. That could have been fuelling his actions then. But, if you come out with me, you will find that Kael is no longer in the thrall of darkness, and he and Dani are becoming good friends. Now is the perfect time for you to rejoin them."

Nieme sighed and rested her head upon her shoulder. She rocked gently upon the cold, hard floor of the cave in silence, then asked quietly, "Will it hurt? Going back there...will it hurt? I-It was always too bright for me. Everyone was too bright. It hurt and I didn't like it. Will it hurt this time?"

"It might for a time," Jae Dyn said softly. "But we can help you make it not so bright. We can help everything be good again, Nieme. And, you'll be back at the Temple with all of us, and Dani and Kael. Come back with me, and everything will be better."

"I...I don't know how," she whispered. "I'm lost...like Kael was, and I don't know how to find my way back."

Jae Dyn held her hands out to Nieme. "That's why I am here," she whispered. "I can help you find your way."

Nieme unwound her arms from around her drawn up legs, but didn't reach out to Jae Dyn. "But...it's so quiet here. The voices...you can't hear them in here. They're not there all the time...but sometimes when I get scared..." She looked down and sobbed gently. "I don't want them to come back, or the visions. I want it to just all go away."

"I will help you make it go away," Jae Dyn said as she tried to coax Nieme to come closer. "We will all help you make the visions go away, and the voices. We'll help you learn to keep them quiet. We'll help you get better, Nieme."

"I only wanted to love Kael," she said in barely a whisper. "That's all."

"And, if you come out where he is, you can love him again," Jae Dyn said. "He's waiting for you. He's helping me now, so I can bring you back. Please come out to him, Nieme."

Nieme sat motionless for a time, then dropped to her hands and knees. She crawled a few paces, then stopped and whimpered. "But the storm..." she iterated fearfully. "It'll just come again."

Once again, Jae Dyn stretched out her hands for Nieme to take. "You must trust that I can help you get rid of the storm, Nieme. You have the strength within you to do this, but you must also trust yourself."

That, above all else, was what Nieme lacked. She had never had confidence in herself and relied on others, like Kael, to be her source of strength and resolve. He wasn't here now to support her, which meant she would have to act alone. She crawled another few feet, but her movements were slow and uncertain. Jae Dyn's hands were within arm's reach, yet Nieme still didn't attempt to reach out for them. She crept closer to Jae Dyn, sobbing quietly but willing herself to continue.

Whatever she was to face when she left the safety of the cave, she would do alone. No longer would she rely on others to help her overcome the obstacles placed before her. She no longer worried about looking for Kael; she'd chased him far too long already and it was time she let him go and spared more concern for herself.

The distance between she and Jae Dyn closed, and with a relieved sigh, Nieme shot out her hand and placed it in Jae Dyn's. "Take me home," she said firmly. "Take me home now."

Jae Dyn pulled Nieme closer, and caught her in an embrace, willing some of her strength into the girl. "Now close your eyes and concentrate on my voice," she said. She began focusing her will on Nieme's fears and confusion. Using her own mind as a conduit through which Nieme could banish some of her doubt and cast off some of that fear, she began slowly pulling them out of Nieme's mind.

***

Laedra felt the strain lessening and her strength no longer draining from her. She was still weak, but at least she wasn't getting anymore so. "Liam...what--" From the bed, a gentle whimpering could be heard. Laedra narrowed her eyes and watched Nieme closely, only to see her blinking slowly and her body gently shifting beneath the sheets covering her. "Oh gods...Liam, she's back." Her eyes next went to Jae Dyn, who still sat at Nieme's bedside, motionless and with her eyes sealed shut. "Jae Dyn?" she whispered hesitantly.

Jae Dyn Brael's consciousness slowly returned as the journey into Nieme's mind was completed. She slowly opened her eyes and looked around. She saw Laedra watching her intently, and she gave the woman a tired smile. "It went alright," she said in a strained voice.

Laedra sighed slowly and looked to Kael, who seemed ready to slump over and fall asleep. "You did well, Padawan."

Kael looked up at Laedra and bowed. When he straightened again, he had a slight smile on his face. After a moment, he turned his attention solely to Nieme. He moved up near the head of her bed and gazed down at her. "Nieme," he said softly, and the fatigue in his voice was very apparent. "Nieme, it's Kael. I'm here."

For the first time in a week, Nieme didn't throw a tantrum at the sight of Kael, nor did she scream wildly and try to get her hands free to claw at his face. Instead, her lips twitched into a stiff smile and voicelessly, she called out his name.

Kael smiled and he moved slightly closer. "Oh Thana, it's good to see you, Nieme," he whispered. He quickly looked away from the Jedi in the room and wiped the tears from his eyes. When he looked back to Nieme, he laughed, and reached out a tentative hand to brush against her cheek.

Nieme flinched slightly at the touch, but she didn't shrink away. She lifted her own hand towards Kael, but the restraints holding them in place stopped her short. The sight of her hands cuffed by straps made her gasp and her anxiety to return. She whimpered and tugged at the restraints trepidly at first, then as her panic rose, her struggles grew more desperate. "P-Please! Please take them off...please."

Without thinking, Kael turned and gestured at the straps. They seemed to unbuckle themselves, freeing Nieme from their restraint. He started turning back to Nieme, but had to catch himself on the bed before he collapsed. Undeterred, he did manage to return his attention to Nieme. "They're gone now, my love."

Nieme cried out quietly and rolled into Kael's embrace. Her arms, thin from malnourishment, trembled as they wrapped themselves around Kael's neck. She buried her face into his shoulder and wept. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I went to the desert. I'm sorry I pushed you away. It was all my fault and...I'm sorry."

Kael could feel his own tears burning their way down his cheeks as he held her. "It's alright, Nieme," he whispered. "It's all okay now. You're back here where it's safe. You're safe and it wasn't your fault. I was wrong Nieme. I pushed you. I'm so sorry, Nieme. It's okay now though. Or, we can try to make it okay. We'll go slow. Be friends again. It's all going to be alright again, my asri, my arozeil. It's all going to be okay again."

"I know," Nieme replied. "I'm going to make it all okay. I'm not going to be afraid anymore, Kael, and I'm going to be strong now. You'll see...you'll all see."

As Nieme and Kael got reacquainted, Jae Dyn pushed herself up to her feet. She took a step toward Laedra and Liam, but nearly collapsed under her own weight. "Thank you all for your assistance," Jae Dyn said. "I couldn't have made it without your strength helping me."

Laedra moved to Jae Dyn's side and wrapped her arm around her waist to assist her in standing. "You did well, Jae Dyn Brael. It felt like you endured quite a struggle."

"Thank you," Jae Dyn said, gratefully accepting Laedra's assistance. "It was not easy in there, but I made it through. And, I learned a few things about myself and my limits...and a few things about other people." She glanced at Liam who gave her a confused look. "The most important goal was accomplished. Nieme is safe and back with us again."

"Then you must go and get some rest," Laedra said. "I realize you plan on leaving immediately, but I would feel much better if you had at least a small nap."

Jae Dyn nodded. "Good idea," she said. "Please let Yelara know I'll be lying down for a little bit. And, then we can get underway."

She started toward the door, but Koran stopped her before she could get there.

"I know that things are still pretty unofficial around here, and we have no established council. However, I don't believe that anyone will contest this. Jae Dyn Brael, as a member of the Jedi Order and as a Jedi Master, I confer upon you the rank of Jedi Knight."

Jae Dyn looked up, completely stunned by his words. "My thanks," she said, and bowed to him. "All of my thanks and deepest appreciation."

Koran smiled. "You have earned it, Jae Dyn. I know you will be going away, but you are still a Jedi Knight."

"For now and always," Jae Dyn said with a smile. "Thank you." She turned and smiled at Laedra. "And, thank you, Laedra. Thank you for being here with me."

"Me?" Laedra laughed uncertainly and shook her head. "I did nothing, Jae Dyn. I merely provided strength, that is all."

"And, to me when I was trying to bring Nieme back, that was everything. I should go lie down now. If I'm not awake in an hour, could you please come get me?"

Laedra glanced sideways at Liam, uncertain as to why she was being asked such favours. She attributed it to the possibility that their past quarrel was forgiven, so with a gentle smile, Laedra nodded and helped Jae Dyn from the room.

Liam thanked Koran, and the Jedi Master excused himself from the room, stopping briefly to praise Kael's efforts, and to offer a warm smile to Nieme. Once they were gone, Liam moved over and placed a hand on Kael's shoulder. "You did good," he said. "You're going to make a fine Jedi."

"Thank you," Kael said with a smile. He watched Liam go, and then turned back to Nieme. "I learned so much while you were away, Nieme," he said. "My darkness is going away. I'm getting better."

"And I will too...eventually." She looked down at her hand clasped in Kael's, but her eyes wandered to her bare wrist where once, she wore his wedding bracelet. "Kael...I don't think--" Nieme sighed and looked back up into his eyes. "I can't be with you anymore, not if I'm going to get better and not if I'm going to be a Jedi. You hurt me...and I know you're sorry, but I refuse to let that happen again."

Kael held back his feelings as Laedra had taught him. "I understand," he said softly. "We are both going through changes in our lives, and seeking our directions. It is difficult, but it is the sensible thing to do now. I am training to be a Jedi, and relationships like we had are forbidden. I do not know what the future will hold for us, but I will be your friend if you will have me." He took a deep breath and let it out. "What are we going to do about our marriage, Nieme?"

"There is no marriage," she answered forthrightly. "There never really was, Kael, not the way you treated me. I do love you and always will, but as far as I'm concerned, our marriage vows were broken long ago. I will be your friend, Kael, but nothing more. That is how I want it, and that is how it shall be."

Kael nodded. "Legally, we are married, Nieme," he said. "The government of this planet still views us as married. We should go into New Plouton, and have the marriage dissolved then. I love you, Nieme, and will always consider you one of my closest friends. I respect your wishes, and you are right. I was wrong in the way I treated you. I am ashamed of what I was, but I am working to become more than that. But, we should take care of the legalities surrounding our joining."

"Then once I am well, we will go into the city and have that done." Nieme was surprised at how confidently she spoke, and how her speech no longer halted and her no longer tongue stumbled over the words. She felt as if someone else were speaking for her, and she had no control over what came from her lips. But she knew everything she said was what she felt in her heart. "I'm a little tired now, Kael, but before I go to sleep, would you please find Dani for me and bring her here? I would like to speak with her."

Kael nodded and offered Nieme a slight bow. "I'll go find her right away," he said. "She's been waiting for someone to come bring her in. Jae Dyn didn't want anyone in here who wasn't actively helping, but I know she's very excited to see you." He reined in his emotions and nodded again. "I'll go get her right away." With that, he stepped back from the bed.

"Kael." Nieme took his hand before he got too far, and with a gentle smile, she brought it to her lips. "Don't punish yourself for what happened to me and Dani, Kael. It wasn't your fault. Besides...I think it had to happen for things to get better. It was a good thing, in a way, so never feel guilty for it, my love. Never."

Kael gave Nieme a warm smile, and returned to her side at the bed. "Your confidence is quite becoming," he said. "What happened was...was wrong, but the strength you've gained from the experience is very good." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "I'll be back with Dani in a few moments."

Nieme watched Kael - walking poised and tall - leave the room. It seemed even he had undergone a change, but his was due to training in the Jedi arts, whereas Nieme hadn't the vaguest idea what had sparked hers. She looked down at her hands, which trembled in her lap. That was the only visible sign of her uneasiness, but otherwise she had shown not even a hint of the old Nieme. She hadn't stuttered once and had even looked Kael directly in the eyes when she ended their relationship. The old Nieme never could have done that.

A smile gently curled her parched lips. She wouldn't have to be afraid anymore and never again would she allow anyone to hurt her, not Kael, not Ferrig-- Nieme shuddered at the memories that were slowly returning of her time in the desert. She would overcome those too and refused to curl up into a ball or return to the catatonia she had sought, to protect herself from any more torment. She would face it and help Dani do the same, for the new Nieme Yaresh was no longer a coward who started at a shadow strewn across the floor; she was strong and confident, and as she sat in her recovery bed, gazing with a fiery intensity at the light streaming in through her window, she knew that as of now, she was a Jedi too.

---

"Vendra, Part 1"
By: Merrick Braston
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat
Various NPCs

Location: Vendra, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 16, 4 ABY

***

"That's twenty." Kaysa chuckled lowly as yet another unclad male sunbather strolled past her chair. She couldn't help noting the smile on each of their faces, as if they had absolutely no inhibitions or qualms about displaying their naked bodies to a full beach of complete strangers, especially since their lips weren't the only things smiling.

Trying to keep her eyes above their waistline had proven far too difficult, so she'd abandoned any further effort to do so. If they were going to walk around nude, she was going to look, and look she was. Unfortunately, so was Merrick. "Will you stop that! I'm beginning to think you're fixated on them."

"It's a comparative study," Merrick said. "Besides, you'd knock my head off my shoulders if I started looking at the women."

"I'd feel more secure about your sexual preference if you did," Kaysa replied. "So, go on and have a look if you want to."

Merrick replied and shifted himself in his chair so he was facing Kaysa. "The only woman I want to look at is you," he said. "And, although I may be looking at the men walking by, you're still the one who gets my heart pounding, and the only one I have any desire of being with while we're here."

"Yes, yes, that's all nice and good, Merrick, but I really would feel a lot better if you were enthralled by...that woman's breasts." Kaysa gave an approving nod. "Much bigger than mine. You really should have a look, Merrick."

Merrick turned, and nodded. "Oh yes, very nice. Oh, and there's that young brunette over there with the smaller ones. I'd say they're a little smaller than Shiv's, wouldn't you? Very nice indeed. Hey...that woman over there has...oh, right through the... That must have hurt. Can I still say that yours are my favourite?"

Kaysa looked down at the supple mounds of flesh swelling from her purple bikini top and laughed. "If you wish." She glanced down into Merrick's lap and grinned. "Can I say that yours is my favourite too?"

Merrick slipped his hand into Kaysa's and brought it to his lips. "I think I would like for mine to be your favourite very much. And, I think he likes you very much as well, and tonight he wants to show you just how well."

"Oh, he made that abundantly clear last night. Can you actually believe the couple next door had the nerve to bang on our wall and tell us to keep it down?" Kaysa folded her arms over her chest and glowered. "And I thought Vendra was supposed to be the sex continent."

Merrick laughed. "Maybe not that sexy," he said. "And...we were kind of loud. I think I found a crack in one of the water glasses this morning. And, my body is still sore. I really like this new rough sex, but tonight we'll have to go a little slower and softer or else I'll be in a bacta tank tomorrow."

Kaysa ran her hand along Merrick's cheek and pouted playfully. "Poor Merrick... Saving yourself for--" Kaysa pointed to a tall, blond-haired man with rippling muscles. "--him?"

Merrick lazily turned his head to look at the man Kaysa indicated. He immediately sat up. "Oh, well hello..."

Kaysa laughed dryly and gracefully rose from her beach chair. "Fine...you two get acquainted." Kaysa raised her hand in the air and waved over the young man. She smoothed out her sheer wrap and grinned at Merrick. "I'm going to get us some drinks." Kaysa strode off, kicking up sand with her bare feet, and headed for the outdoor bar.

Merrick looked up at the man approaching and smiled.

"Yes?" the man said.

Merrick just sat there watching him for a moment before he smiled again. "Beautiful weather, isn't it?"

"Oh it is," the man said. "I still can't believe how different the weather here is from in New Plouton."

Merrick nodded again, and then smiled. "I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to get you dragged over here. My girlfriend thinks I'm turning homosexual."

The man stared down at Merrick and laughed. "Are you?"

It was Merrick's turn to laugh. "No, not turning gay."

"Pity," the man said, and then smiled. "If you do decide to, let me know."

Merrick could only stare dumbly at the man. Finally he nodded. "I'll do that," he said.

They stared at each other for a few more moments before the young man moved off down the beach. Merrick only shook his head and leaned back again in his chair.

"Where'd your friend go?" Kaysa's arm jutted over Merrick's shoulder from behind with a pink, fruity-looking drink in hand.

"He went to go get something...lubrication jelly or something like that," Merrick said with a shrug. "He said he'd be right back though. That looks tasty." He reached up and took the drink from her, and then took a sip. "It is tasty."

Kaysa's head came over his shoulder next and she gazed at him with a mixture of amusement and anxiety. "I see... Well, maybe he has a girlfriend to keep me company while you boys grow better acquainted," she said, emphasizing the word 'grow.' She patted him on the shoulder, then moved back to her chair with the frosted glass bearing her drink clenched in her hand. "You got the alcoholic one, right? I asked for mine without."

"Yes, I did," Merrick said with a smile. "And, I think I'd rather grow more acquainted with you. He may have been nice and everything, but it just wouldn't be the same without your screams and nails on my back."

"I'm sure his nails are sharp enough." Kaysa puckered her lips in a gestured kiss, then laughed and sucked some of her beverage through the straw. "I know you're not really into men, Merrick, but I just want you to know that if you do develop a preference for them...I really will bite off a nipple."

"Oh," Merrick said with a laugh, "a definite incentive to stick with you and only you. Well, and Shiv. And, I promise when you, me, and Zale are together, I'll keep away from the dangerous parts."

Kaysa sucked away at the sweet concoction in her glass until she'd guzzled the entire beverage. "What if Zale wants you near the dangerous parts? I'm not so sure about him either, you know." She stared down into her glass and aimed her straw at the small droplets left at the bottom, then sucked them up. "Hmm...I think I'm going to get another of these. Want one?"

Merrick looked at his half-full glass and laughed. "Not yet," he said. "But, when you finish your next, I'll be ready for another."

Kaysa leaned over the edge of her chair and kissed Merrick upon the cheek. "I'll be back in a second!" she said as she pushed out of her chair and wandered back towards the outdoor bar. She asked for another of the same drink and watched as the bartender mixed it in front of her. Her gaze drifted back to the beach, unfortunately missing the part of the mixing process where the bartender added a long stream of Yulian gin to her drink.

"Here you go."

Kaysa thanked him and with the drink in hand and straw to her lips, she strolled merrily back to her chair. "I like this free drink thing. I plan on having plenty more of these."

The shadow that crossed over his face told him that Kaysa had returned. "That was quick," he said with a grin. He looked up at her and watched as she got back into her chair. "You know, I don't think I've seen you this happy in awhile, Kaysa. I think we're going to have to do this more often."

"I'm always happy," she said. "I just don't always know how to show it." She blindly reached her hand out towards Merrick as she focused upon the pink, fluffy crushed ice drink whose level was quickly dropping within her glass. "Are you happy, Merrick? Really happy?"

Merrick smiled and took Kaysa's hand. "Now? I'm happier than I can ever remember being in my life," he said. "I feel like everything is going to be good, and the way it should be, and there will be nothing but good things from now on. Yes, I'm very happy."

Kaysa reclined her head against the chair and turned her face up to the sun. She sighed softly and smiled as the warmth settled upon her face. "I'm so glad..." She slurped up the remainder of her drink and let the glass fall from her hand and into the sand. "I like the beach... So many naked people. I'm not naked, though, and neither are you. Would you like to be naked, Merrick? Would you?"

"I don't think I could be naked if you weren't," he said. "But, I guess it might be a little fun. As it is, we stand out by our clothedness. Would you like to be naked, Kaysa?" He slid himself a little closer to her, ready to offer to help with her suit if she needed it.

Kaysa glanced sideways at Merrick and with a giggle dragged her hand over his face. "I would like to be naked with you in an hour. But out here, our pasty flesh would get all burnt and crispy. And then I'd have to hear you whine about that on top of your nipple." She sighed and shook her head. "It was only a tiny bite, Merrick. No need to be a baby about it."

"I'm just not used to having my nipples bitten," Merrick said. "I'm not being a baby about it, I was just surprised is all. Besides, they're man nipples, and there really isn't that much to grab on to...so I was a little in awe that you managed to."

"Oh, never underestimate Kaysa Zenarr, Merrick. Besides, that's not the only surprise I have for you." She grinned at him and lifted herself from the chair again. "Another drink. Does my wimpy musician boyfriend want another?"

"Just remember that your wimpy musician boyfriend tossed your brawny crimelord husband over a table," Merrick said with a laugh, and then handed his glass out to her. "And, yes. Another drink, please."

Kaysa swiped the glass from Merrick and saluted him with her free hand. "Now...don't you go getting naked on me. I like those little shorts. They hug your cute Merrick butt perfectly." She laughed and started back towards the bar, stumbling in the shifting sands, but regaining her footing.

"Two more, pal."

The bartender nodded and got to work. Kaysa neglected to mention to leave the alcohol out of hers, but that was the last thing on her mind as she caught sight in the distance of a very nude, very pink-skinned female, a female that soon became distinguishable as a Twi'lek by the lekku swaying across her back. For a moment, Kaysa thought she recognized her as the Twi'lek from the masquerade ball, the woman who was trying to seduce her husband, but the thought was quickly dismissed when Kaysa reminded herself that Oot Kovan wasn't the only Twi'lek on Tae'Karada.

"Gods...paranoid, Kaysa?" she muttered to herself. Despite her reassurances, Kaysa still spied the woman, with the straw of her newly acquired drink already pushed between her lips. The pink creature moved along the sand as if she were floating with her feet barely skimming the surface. The men surrounding her turned their heads to watch as she passed, swinging those curvaceous, smooth hips in perfect synchronicity with her lekku, while the gentle suppleness of her rear bounced lightly.

Kaysa crushed her straw between her teeth and pushed away from the bar with a growl. While the Twi'lek moved gracefully across the sand, Kaysa stumbled and fountained it into the faces of sunbathers lying upon the ground. She apologized half-heartedly and silently cursed the Twi'lek with fervour. By the time she made it back to Merrick, her drink had been emptied and his had been considerably reduced in volume, having been spilled during her arduous trek back and now ran down her chest and stomach. "Here." She thrust the drink out towards him.

Merrick looked at his drink and then up at Kaysa. "They're skimping," he said as he sloshed the less-than-half-full glass around. He then looked at her again and smiled. "Or did you expect me to lick it from your body?"

Kaysa grumbled and swiped at the towel hanging over the back of her chair. "I'm not used to walking on sand. It's so...so...not sturdy." She dabbed at the pink fluid already drying onto her skin. "It's all...sticky!" Kaysa sighed sharply and threw down the towel as she sank heavily into her chair.

"If you want, we can head back to our room for a shower," he said. "Or we could go jump in the water. That would certainly get that stickiness off." He took a sip from his drink and then glanced at her again. "I can show you how well I swim..."

Kaysa snorted. "You just want to get closer to that group of naked men that just jumped into the water. I don't swim anyways. Never learned how."

"How about I teach you?" Merrick said with a grin. "And, those naked men are moving away now, so you don't have to worry. It'll be just you and me."

"I don't take orders or instructions from others very well." Kaysa crossed her arms over her chest and glowered at the sparkling sea lapping at the sands. "If you want to swim, you may. I'll just go and get another drink."

"What's wrong, Kaysa?" Merrick asked, his voice filled with concern. "Something's going on. All of a sudden, it's...I don't know. You seem upset or irritated. What's going on?"

Kaysa shifted in her chair and pushed away the hair a sudden breeze threw into her face. "I'm just sticky, that's all. And it's hot and there's naked people and you keep pestering me to swim when I don't want to. Whyever would I be irritable?"

"Then let's go back to our room where there aren't any naked people, I won't ask you to swim, and you can take a shower to get rid of the stickiness."

Sighing deeply and batting away from her eyes more errant curls, Kaysa pushed herself to her feet. She tottered off balance, but regained her equilibrium. "Fine. But I want another drink on the way."

Merrick looked up Kaysa, and frowned. He couldn't shake that there was something else going on here. He stood up and moved over to help steady her. "I think I want to get something too, so I'll come along and then we can head straight back to our room."

Kaysa shook the hair from her face and squeezed out of Merrick's hold, then started unsteadily forward on her own. Her nerves felt on edge and even the subtle crashing of the waves on the beach agitated her. At least the Twi'lek was no longer in sight to irk here increasingly.

Merrick grabbed their towels and rushed after Kaysa. If she was like this on their first day here, he couldn't wait to see what they'd be like at the end of the week. I should probably have Chrik look for an apartment near the White Noise for me...just in case.

"Gimme another one," she ordered to the bartender. She slammed her hand down atop the bar to hurry him up, then turned her attention back to the beach. She wondered where the Twi'lek had gotten to, then with a bitter laugh, decided to look for the largest swarm of men to find her.

Merrick approached the bar and set his glass on the bar. He was looking around when he saw something that nearly made his heart stop. "Hey," he called out. "No gin in that one. Bartender, that's supposed to be a non-alcoholic drink!"

"Huh?" Kaysa looked back towards the bar, and specifically at the bartender with a bottle of gin in his hand and her drink in the other. She turned her confused gaze to Merrick, then back to the tall glass of pink liquid. A very distant part of her knew she should be yelling at the bartender for the mistake, but another very vocal part of her wanted that drink. "Oh gods." Kaysa pushed away from the bar and staggered towards the boardwalk, away from the temptation she'd already succumbed to in the form of three glasses of spiked fruit juice, and which she wanted more of despite how wrong it was.

Merrick took a menacing step closer to the man. "I suggest you go turn in your resignation right now," he said. "Because if you don't, I will see to it that you are fired."

The bartender laughed and moved closer so that he was just opposite Merrick. "Oh yeah? I've been working here for three years. There's nothing you could say to anyone that would get me fired. Now, just shut your mouth and go after your girl."

Merrick reached up and grabbed the collar of the man's shirt, then pulled the man's head slamming down into the bar. He reversed his hands until they were holding his neck in place so the bartender couldn't get up. He leaned close. "My name is Merrick Braston," he rasped. "Perhaps you've heard of me. And, you will resign within the next fifteen minutes, or I will buy this whole fucking resort and fire your ass myself. Do I make myself clear?"

The bartender struggled to get up, but Merrick's hold was too strong for him to break. Finally, he sagged back to the bar and nodded. "Fine," he said. "I'll go quit."

"That's a good boy," Merrick said, and then turned from the bar. He rushed down toward the boardwalk to catch up with Kaysa. With her still staggering away, he easily caught up with her at a run. "Kaysa," he said softly. "Kaysa, don't run from me. We'll get through this."

"Go away, Merrick. Go away before I say something I'll regret later."

Merrick reached out, grabbed Kaysa's arm, and then spun her to him. "Sorry," he said. "That's not gonna work with me. You bit my nipple, there's nothing you could say or do that's worse than that."

"Merrick..." Kaysa sighed and closed her eyes to search for the quickly dwindling calm she desperately needed right now. "Take me to our room. I'm going to shower and you're going to comm the front desk for something to get this alcohol out of my system." She pressed her forehead to Merrick's chest and cursed. "I was doing so well, Merrick. I didn't even feel tempted to have a drink and now..."

Merrick closed his arms around her and held her for a moment before turning and starting back to their room. "That bartender is also submitting his resignation. I told him to quit, or I'd buy this place and fire him."

"It's not completely his fault. I mean, after the first time, how was he supposed to know I didn't want liquor in my drink?" Kaysa took deep, calming breaths to keep herself together. She knew if she fell apart now, Merrick would only be subjected to her wrath. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I fucked up everything. We should probably just pack up and go home now before I screw things up even more."

"No," Merrick said. "We're going to get you some rest. And, it was his fault because he gave you that drink the first time. When someone asks for a non-alcoholic drink, and the bartender serves them alcohol... Come on, we just need some rest. It'll be fine after a little bit, Kaysa. Just a little rest, that's all we need."

Kaysa nodded her head and tightened her hold on his waist. "If you want...you can lick the stickiness off."

Merrick grinned. "I may have to do just that," he said with a wide grin. "Now, let's go find us some privacy so I can get you naked and lick that sticky goodness from your body."

---

"Vendra, Part 2"
By: Merrick Braston
Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat
Zale Tregat
Oot Kovan

Location: Vendra, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 16, 4 ABY

***

Kaysa leaned against Merrick as they entered the lift and started its ascent to their floor. The motion almost made her queasy, but the day was already a failure and she refused to ruin it further by vomitting on Merrick's feet. "How do you put up with me, Merrick? I mean...when I get neurotic and insane, loving me just doesn't seem reason enough for you to stick around."

"I just remember what it's like to not wake up with you in my arms, and it gets pretty easy."

Kaysa laughed softly, then kissed Merrick's chest. "Having a songwriting boyfriend comes in handy at times, especially when you start talking like that."

Merrick laughed. "Well, just so you know, it comes from my heart especially for you. I would never recycle a lyric to try to woo you, Kaysa. And, I think once you're cleaned up, I'm going to have to show you just how much I love you again."

"And if you really are in the mood for a swim, we can fill the tub to the top and you can show me how to dive." She grinned slyly, and feeling almost cheerful again, she ran her finger along the inside edge of Merrick's waistband.

Merrick smiled. "I think you'd make a wonderful diver," he said. "I definitely think we should try that out. And, then I can cheer for you." He stepped closer until he was nearly pressed against her body. "I really like your ideas."

"Really?" Kaysa cocked an eyebrow and smiled. "You didn't like it when I suggested I tie you to the bedposts last night."

"And, then after I finally agreed to let you, it wasn't as bad as I thought," Merrick said with a laugh. "I have found a new appreciation for your ideas. But, sometime before we leave to go home, I get to tie you up."

Kaysa purred and gently nipped at Merrick's chest. "I think I'd enjoy having you ravage me. It would be a big step in our relationship, too, because for me to surrender control like that doesn't happen often, my love."

"I know," he said. "And, in the past I haven't really ever taken control. But, I think we need it." With a smile, he brought his hands up to her chest and slipped her top up over her breasts. With a grin, he lowered his mouth to suckle at each nipple, and then grinned up at Kaysa. "Maybe by the end of the week we won't need our suits out there."

"Maybe then you'll pay more attention to my chest instead of those young studs out there." She pushed Merrick's face back against her bosom. "I love it when you take initiative," she said with a sigh. Her hand managed to sneak its way into Merrick's shorts, and from there it wasn't difficult to find what she was searching for. "You know, we can get naked in here and do what we like, and for once, we won't be hauled off by the Morality Guard."

Merrick pulled his face away from Kaysa's chest and smiled. "I think that's a marvelous idea," he said. He glanced at the floors slowly clicking past and was thankful they were in a very tall hotel. "So, do we stop it or be daring?" He reached back as he was speaking and deftly untied the strings holding Kaysa's top on.

Kaysa laughed and guided Merrick back against the wall of the lift, far from the panel bearing the 'stop' button. "It's our vacation. We can afford to be bold." As her top dropped to the ground, she worked at undoing the knot of her wrap. It proved a difficult task with her lips feeding voraciously from Merrick's, but she finally managed to loosen the tie and pull away the sheer fabric.

Merrick reached down to the waistband of the shorts he was wearing and pushed them down, leaving him completely bereft of clothing. Kaysa had managed to regain her gentle grip on his erection, and was slowly taking him toward the edge as she slowly manipulated him. He moaned and kissed her roughly before moving his hands to her last remaining article of clothing. He grinned, and pushed the fabric over her hips and down to the floor. "This is much better," he said. "This is how vacations should be."

"This is how every day should be." Kaysa pressed her hips to Merrick's and rubbed her mound against his erection. She weaved her fingers through his hair and pulled his head back to expose his throat. "Oh, I think this is going to be a very sobering experience." She moaned as her lips moved to his neck and her teeth gently nibbled at the delicate flesh. Her hips rhythmically undulated, grinding her groin against Merrick's, which was almost as stimulating as would be the act that no doubt would ensue from their foreplay.

Merrick moaned loudly as Kaysa's teeth nipped at his flesh. "What is it," he began between moans, "with us and elevators?" He quickly reversed their positions so Kaysa's back was to the wall. "But, I sure like christening them with you."

"Maybe it's the fact that they go up--" She jerked her hips forward into Merrick's. "And down." Her lips locked with his in a numbing kiss and her moans were lost in the hollow expanse of his mouth. The length of his firm shaft rubbing against her opening ignited her desire to have him fully within her. "This ride isn't that long," she said huskily. "Sober me up, my love."

"One sober brunette coming up," Merrick said with a wide grin as he plunged himself deep inside Kaysa. "Oh, that's nice." He started thrusting inside her, as deep as he could, bringing out cries from Kaysa as he did.

Suddenly, the lift slowed to a stop, and a gentle pinging noise sounded as the doors opened. Merrick didn't care who was there since there was no Morality Guard here and he could do whatever he wanted, including having sex in a public elevator. They could wait for another lift as far as he was concerned.

Kaysa attempted to make herself oblivious to whoever was standing outside the doors of their temporary love den, and closed her eyes to immerse herself in the act, but the soft chuckling coming from one of the unexpected guests was far too familiar to dismiss. She moaned and opened her eyes almost hesitantly. Her moan transformed into a gasp, then a groan as her bleary eyes focused on the two standing in the doorway.

"Oh gods..." She was incapable of preventing another moan from escaping her lips, and in spite of the surprise and disappointment effected by recognition of their onlookers, she whimpered and clutched Merrick closer to her. "What the hell-- What the hell are you doing here?"

From the doorway, Zale laughed. "Going to dinner," he said. "There's a restaurant on the top floor, and we were just going up to grab a bite to eat."

Oot Kovan looked over the two in the elevator and chuckled softly to herself. "So, this must be the wife and the musician," she said. "Very nice."

Kaysa frowned at Oot and now knew for certain she had been the Twi'lek flaunting her naked body on the beach...and seeing her standing nude before her now made identification that much easier. She wouldn't have been so enraged if it was merely a naked Oot hanging off of Zale's arm, but it was the fact that Zale too shared her state of undress that pushed her over the edge. Kaysa shoved Merrick away and gathered her swimming attire from the ground. With one seething gaze at Zale, and a vicious smile for Oot, Kaysa squeezed past them, breaking through their linked arms, and stalking down the corridor.

Merrick stared after Kaysa, and then shook his head. He bent to pick up his shorts, and by the time he stood up again Zale and Oot were in the lift and the doors were closing. He shook his head and slumped back against the wall.

Zale did his best to ignore Merrick, but Oot made no such effort. She gave him a predatory smile and stepped in his direction. "So, Mr. Braston, do you do private performances? Or just public?"

Before Merrick could answer, the doors to the lift opened at his and Kaysa's floor, and he quickly squeezed out and off down the hall toward their room. Oh, things are definitely a mess, he told himself.

***

Kaysa stopped in her hasty, angry retreat long enough to pull on her bikini, then she continued storming down the corridor in full force. She found another lift on the opposite side of the floor and descended to the ground level where she inquired at the front desk as to the location of her room. With her mind addled by liquor and fury, she couldn't seem to recall her room number. Once she retrieved the information, she made her way towards the room she shared with Merrick.

Each time the memory of a naked Zale standing with a naked Oot surged in her mind, her teeth ground together and her fists clenched in anger. She would see to it their vacation was cut short, especially after witnessing the look in Oot's eyes, the one that stated clearly she would have Zale in her bed and in her arms before the weekend was over.

Kaysa came upon the door of their room and hit the doorpanel. The door didn't respond. "Great... Merrick? I hope you're in there because I'm locked out."

The door slid open, but it wasn't Merrick standing there on the other side. Instead, it was Zale working the panel that opened the door. "We need to talk," he said, and then quickly backed away before she could use the fists clenched at her side.

Kaysa folded her arms over her chest and stubbornly looked away from Zale. "Where's Merrick?"

"I'm here," Merrick said. "He got here about a minute ago."

"I know you're upset, Kaysa," Zale said. "But nothing's happening between me and Oot. I promise you that."

Kaysa looked down at Zale's dangling genitals and scoffed in disgust. "If not, then why are you still walking around like that?" She shook her head and shouldered past Zale as she entered the room. "Merrick..." She sighed and moved towards him. "I'm sorry."

Zale turned around. "I'm walking around like this because that's what this place is all about," he said. "This isn't something sexual, and Oot Kovan is completely frustrated because she can't even do anything to get me aroused. And, she won't for the entire time we're here."

Kaysa peered over her shoulder at Zale. "I'm talking to Merrick. I've already heard everything you have to say and it's quite obvious from your present state that I can't trust anything you tell me. Your nudity is an invitation for her and before this weekend is over, she will take it."

"She may think it's an invitation, but it's not. She's not getting anything out of me, Kaysa. You have my word as the head of the Antorial Syndicate and as your husband. All I ask for is your trust. Trust me, Kaysa. Nothing will happen between me and Oot."

"I'm trying," she said quietly. "Though, it would help a lot if you put some clothes on." Kaysa sighed and sank down onto the bed, next to Merrick. "Why Vendra? You couldn't have convinced her to take you elsewhere? Now how am I supposed to have a good time knowing you're here with her, fighting off her frisky hands?"

Zale smiled. "I figured, why fight it? Besides, coming here gives you a chance to keep an eye on me. I'll make you a deal though. If you give me an erection, I'll put on clothes."

"What?" Kaysa chuckled and shook her head. "Are you insane?"

Zale looked up at the ceiling for a moment, and then shook his head. "Try to give me an erection," Zale said. "If you're successful at breaking through my Shac'Tae training and get a reaction from me, then I'll go back down to my room and put clothes on because I'm at risk from Oot Kovan. If you can't get any reaction out of Sparky--"

There was a loud guffaw from the bed. "Sparky?"

"If you can't get a reaction out of Sparky, then will you agree that I'm good enough to not give her what she wants?"

Kaysa drummed her fingers upon her knees, then threw up her arms and rose. "Fine. It's obvious that's the only way to get clothes on you, so fine." She stepped closer and grinned. "Maybe we should get Merrick to give you this test. I imagine he could get you quite worked up."

"Whoever wants to do it," Zale said. "Just give me that erection or don't; I'm hungry." The sparkle in his eyes told that he was joking.

"Okay, okay." Kaysa smiled and pressed her hand to Zale's chest. "This shouldn't take long." Her eyes remained on his as she moved even closer to him until her breasts lightly brushed against his chest. "You won't have me for a whole week," she said softly. "Are you sure you can hold out that long?" She brought her other hand to his inner thigh and caressed it lightly. "There are plenty of elevators in this building. We could have a re-enactment of that time when you took me in the elevator at the Segrelat Tower." Kaysa moaned happily at the memory. "All I had on was that thin equadi, then...nothing." Her one finger moved slowly up his shaft, then down again. "You took me into your arms, I wrapped my legs around your waist, and you took me then and there. Do you remember that?"

Merrick laughed on the bed. "So that's how that happened."

Zale shook his head and laughed. He glanced down at Sparky, lying limp between his legs. He looked back up at Kaysa. "I remember. It was quite a night. Especially killing the city's power so you could see the stars."

Merrick gasped and sat up. "That was you?"

Zale smiled. "Of course. It was quite a night."

"Shh!" Kaysa cupped Zale's chin in her hand and centred his face so their eyes were directly in line. "That wasn't even the most intense time, was it? Remember that night you found me in the alleyway and you took me home." Her hand dropped from Zale's chin to her chest where she ran her fingers over the tops of her breasts. "We were in your bed all night long. First you took me from behind." She wrapped her hand around his shaft and massaged it slowly, yet deliberately. "You refused to let me climax and I was begging and begging..." Kaysa took in a staggering breath and chewed her lip to silence a moan. "Oh...when you finally let me come, I remember screaming so loud, I thought my voice would give out."

Zale smiled. "That was a nice night, wasn't it," he said. "I think we've had a few of them. Like the first night the Imps grabbed us. And, then in prison. We've got quite a history, you and me. A very charged, sexual history."

Kaysa glanced down and neither saw, nor felt, even a trace of hardness in Zale's penis. She stepped towards him, this time pressing her body to his and swayed her hips against his groin to attempt a different tactic of physical stimulation. "I let you take me every which way, and you did." Her warm lips met his chest and kisses were spread across its surface. "We could do that again, now, if you let me. Do you want that, Zale?" She looked up at him from beneath her lashes. "Do you want me?"

"I want you very much," Zale said with a smile. "I'm just waiting for you to work your magic that will allow you and I to re-enact all our times together. I know you can do it, Kaysa. You know how to touch me, not like Oot Kovan would. She doesn't have your experiences with me. She doesn't know how I like it. But you...you know."

Kaysa gazed down at the limp appendage in her hand and sighed sharply as she released it. Either she was losing the touch he spoke of, or he really was capable of suppressing his urges. Whatever it was, it frustrated her immensely. "Fine." She stepped away and slumped down onto the bed. "Go play whatever game it is you're playing with Oot. I only wonder what you will do when she figures out just how to get you going. I also wonder if you'd tell your wife when it does happen."

"Merrick, treat her right," Zale said. "And, Kaysa, trust me. I love you and only you. I'm not sleeping with anyone else, not without your permission. I know I don't have your permission with Oot, and besides, she's an alien. I prefer women from my own species."

Kaysa placed her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes inquisitively. "You're serious? So, if Oot were a human, then I'd have a right to be worried?" She sighed and shook her head. "Okay, Zale. I trust you. Just...just try to stay out of sight for these two days. It's much easier trusting you when I don't see you two together."

Zale nodded. "I'll do my best," he said. "And, you wouldn't have to worry even if she were a clone of you. You're the only one I want, Kaysa. And, I'll try to stay invisible."

Kaysa looked down at her hands in her lap, then sprang to her feet and rushed into Zale's arms. She brought her legs around his waist and kissed him deeply and hungrily. With a laugh, she pulled back and grinned at Zale. "If you want more of that, you'll be a good boy."

Zale took in a deep breath and let it out. "Oh, I'll be an angel," he said. "And, I'm glad this is just for a couple days, and not a whole week. And, then I'll be waiting at home for you."

"Hopefully in bed and naked." She slipped her feet onto the ground and led Zale towards the door. "Now, go give Oot a hard time while I finish what Merrick and I started in the lift."

Zale laughed. "For what it's worth, the two of you looked damn good going at it in that lift. I'll see you later, and next time you see me, it'll be naked and horny in your bed. Keep her happy, Merrick."

"That's what I'm here for," Merrick said, climbing off the bed to move up behind Kaysa. "Have something with lots of Falleen garlic. That'll keep her away."

"But make sure to wash your mouth out really well before I get home." Kaysa ran her eyes up and down Zale's naked form, then sighed. "It's too bad you can't join Merrick and I. That would've been quite the treat."

"Keep your door unlocked," Zale said with a grin, "and I might slip down here for a visit when Oot goes to sleep."

Kaysa tried to contain her enthusiasm, but a squeal of excitement escaped. She composed herself again with some effort and stepped back beside Merrick. "We'll be waiting... See you soon, my love."

Zale blew a kiss to Kaysa, then paused in consideration. After a moment, he shrugged and blew one to Merrick as well. Then with a rakish grin, he turned and started down the hallway.

Merrick laughed once he was gone and grinned at Kaysa. "He wants to do me."

Kaysa nodded her head slowly. "You know, I think he does." She glanced sidelong at Merrick and brushed her fingers along his arm. "I know someone else who wants to do you."

"Oh really," Merrick said with a grin as he glanced down at Kaysa. "Do you think I'll want to do her back? Does she want to tie me up again?" He took Kaysa's hands and started leading the way back to the bed with her.

"No...but I think in repayment for being so cruel to her lover, she'll let him tie her up if he's in the mood." Kaysa reached back with one hand and released the ties holding her top on. She watched it hit the ground, then gazed up at Merrick. "Do you think he's in the mood?"

Merrick grinned. "Oh, I think he definitely is," he said. He stepped close and lifted Kaysa into his arms, to which she quickly wrapped her legs around his waist. As he held her, he lowered his lips to her breasts, sucking each of them as he slowly moved the rest of the way to the bed, and then climbed on top with her. "Oh, I have a feeling you're going to like this very much."

"Oh really? That confident in your abilities, musician?" Kaysa giggled and placed her hands behind her back. "Well...I'm at your mercy. Show me what you got."

Merrick shook his head and pointed to the head of the bed where the ties they'd used the night before still rested. "Get your hands up there, my dear, and I'll show you just what I've got."

Kaysa grinned slowly at Merrick and dropped her hands to the bed, on either side of Merrick's head. "Yes, sir," she replied silkily. She crawled towards the head of the bed, with Merrick between her arms and legs. A moan greeted Merrick as her mound passed over his face where his lips were waiting with a kiss. She finally settled onto her back with her arms raised above her head and legs spread, while she waited to be tied into submission. "Hurry, before Zale comes and decides he wants you all tied up, dear."

Merrick climbed up to the top of the bed and tied up first Kaysa's left, then her right hand. Once that was done, he crawled back down to the foot of the bad and slipped the ties around both her feet. "Now," he said as he slowly kissed his way up her leg, "you are at my mercy." He started with slow, teasing kisses around her inner thighs while he slowly drew the bottom of her suit down over her hips. "You know I'm going to have to cut this away, don't you?"

"Do what you must," she replied. "Just get your lips back up there and do it quick."

A quick tug ripped through the fabric of Kaysa's bikini bottoms. Before returning his lips to hers, he first drew them along the slit between her legs, earning himself a gasp of pleasure from Kaysa. Then, after removing his shorts, he slid back up the bed and kissed Kaysa deeply. "You're mine," he said with a seductive smile.

After the mishap on the beach, then their aborted lovemaking attempt on the lift, Kaysa and Merrick were finally alone and free from anything that could possibly pose a distraction. With a contented sigh, Kaysa closed her eyes and surrendered herself to whatever Merrick had planned. "I'm all yours, my love," she murmured. "Definitely all yours."

Out in the hall and in the surrounding rooms, the other occupants of the hotel were treated to the screams of pleasure coming from Merrick and Kaysa's room.

Up in the top floor of the hotel, in the restaurant, Zale Tregat had to pause at one point while eating his meal as he thought he heard one of Kaysa's cries drifting up from ten floors down. He shook his head and returned to his meal. Just make sure you save some for me, he thought to them, or this is going to be a very long couple days.

---

"Love Renewed"
By: Dani
Nieme Yaresh-Selrid
Orn Gham [NPC]
Laedra Vorrel

Location: Jedi Temple
Date: Niothe 16, 4 ABY

***

Dani had nearly run all the way from the training room to Nieme's room. Koran Darr laughed as she ran by, but said nothing. He'd taught her so much in the last couple days. She felt stronger, and as if she had a better grasp on her powers. Well, what powers she had. He kept telling her she needed to learn control. And, as she sent the small block she'd been working with flying across the room, she had to agree with him.

But right now, none of that mattered. Right now, all that mattered was that Nieme was awake. Nieme had asked for her. She let out a joyous squeal as she skidded around a corner.

The room came into view, and Dani finally slowed her pace. She smoothed the short leather tunic she wore and then the pants. She took a breath, and then moved into the doorway. When she saw Nieme in the bed, her heart leapt for joy, and she quickly stepped forward.

"Oh Nieme," she whispered, and a tear rolled down a purple cheek. "You don't know how wonderful it is to see you like this." She closed the distance to Nieme's bed, cautious and concerned. "How--?"

"Don't ask questions," Nieme said with a warm smile. "Just touch me, Dani, and hold me."

Relief flooded through Dani as she pulled Nieme into her arms and held her close. She positioned herself onto the bed, so she was half laying with Nieme in her arms. She then pressed her lips to her friend's and kissed her deeply.

Nieme sighed contentedly as the kiss ended and she was finally allowed to breathe again. "I'm sorry I went away for so long...but I'm back now, and I'm not leaving again." She stroked Dani's hair tenderly and kissed her again briefly. "I didn't scare you, I hope."

"I was a little scared," Dani said, "but I knew you had a strong spirit and would make it through. I just wish I had more training so I could have helped you more. I am so happy you're back, Nieme. I think if I weren't trying to not explode with happiness..." She laughed and pressed her forehead to Nieme's. "I'm so happy you're safe again." She sat up slightly to look at Nieme. "And, you're...no, no not just as...more. You're more beautiful than you were before Nieme. And, you make me fall in love with you all over again."

"Good. And this time, we can do it right, Dani." Nieme cradled Dani's smiling face in her hands. "Dani...I'm not going to be with Kael anymore. I love him, but we can't be together." She kissed the tip of Dani's nose and laughed softly. "But that doesn't mean we can't be, Dani. I know we're training to be a Jedi, but it doesn't mean we can't love each other and be with each other...that is if you still want that."

"I want that more than anything," Dani said. "I want to be a Jedi very much...but I want to be with you more. I know they are being more strict about relationships, or that's what they're talking about, but I still want to be with you. I can't stop loving you, Nieme, and if I can't be with you, I'll go mad. It'd be like telling a fish she can't be in water anymore."

Nieme giggled and drew Dani tighter into her arms. "And if they won't let us be together, we'll just find a new pond to swim in." She pulled back gently and gazed into Dani's eyes lovingly. "I missed you. Sometimes, in my head, I could hear you singing to me. It made the storm go away when you did. Thank you for that, Dani."

Dani smiled, and more tears slipped from her eyes. "I love singing for you, Nieme," she whispered. "When I sang for you, it calmed my fears. I stayed in here with you every night, and sang until I fell asleep. And, I'll go with you to whichever pond we end up in. But I do hope they let us stay here. And, I hope they let us share a room together."

"I don't think I'm afraid to be alone anymore, Dani, but I know I'll want to be with you, in your arms." Nieme slid down and reclined back on the bed with Dani by her side. "I'm glad you and Kael are friends now. And he won't be jealous anymore, Dani, because he's a Jedi now...and because I'm not his wife anymore. I think now we can be happy, but truly this time."

"I know we can be happy this time," Dani said. "Do you think Jedi are allowed to go out and have fun? I think I'd like to go dancing with you again. And, maybe we can train together. Master Koran Darr has been helping me with my control, and I've been able to sense things better than before. I think we'd make good training partners. And, then after training we can be together, happy."

"Well...I don't think I'll be training...for today at least. But...I would like to get out of this bed and shower, and definitely get something to eat. Will you help me around?"

"Of course I will," Dani said as she slid to the edge of the bed. Then suddenly she remembered a piece of news she had to tell her friend. "Orn's here, Nieme. He's been making food. And, I'm certain he'd be happy to see you again. Let's go shower first, and then we can visit Orn and get some food."

Nieme's face lit up and she all but sprang from the bed. She stumbled on her weak legs and fell into Dani, but even then she still grinned. "He's here? For good? Oh, Dani! This is so...exciting! A very quick shower, then we have to see him."

Dani giggled and helped support Nieme. "He's here for good. When they rescued us, he came along and he's here for good. I think he's happy, but he misses the desert. It'll make him so happy to see you again." She wrapped an arm around Nieme's waist and grinned. "Let's go get you cleaned up, because we've got some visiting to do."

After Dani had collected a change of clothes for her, they made their way to the refresher. "Oh, everything seems so different now," Nieme said as she looked around at the walls of the corridor, and peeked into every room they passed. "It's so much warmer and softer. That's how it feels. It's nice."

Dani smiled. "It is," she said. "There are more people here now. It's more alive. I think we should have a new room, different from the last one. That will signify our new start."

"Yes...and one far from Kael's. It wouldn't be polite to have a room together, so close to his. But we'll have a new room with a view of the waterfalls in the distance. Oh, Dani, I have such a good feeling about things now."

Dani closed her eyes and opened her senses to Nieme's emotions and smiled. "You definitely do," she said. "It feels wonderful, Nieme. And, everything will be great this time. I think I know the perfect room, and it's empty now. We can start moving our things in after we talk to Orn, and then we should probably check with Master Koran or Laedra."

"Don't worry," Nieme said with a confident smile, "I can convince them. They won't say no to us." They stepped into the refresher and before Dani could even think about waiting outside, Nieme closed the door and locked them both inside. "I want you to stay and I want you to help me shower."

Dani felt herself break into a very large smile, and a slight blush washed over her cheeks. "I would love to help you shower, my beautiful star," she said. She slipped past Nieme to begin preparing the water for them, and then turned to regard Nieme. "You shine much brighter now, much bolder. It's a good bright, vibrant and alive."

"I like it too." Nieme sluggishly began removing her clothing, but despite how much effort it required, she still smiled. "I don't know what happened. As soon as Jae Dyn rescued me, I just felt so happy and confident. I felt strong, Dani, and I like feeling that way."

Dani stepped forward and started helping Nieme with her tunic. "I like you this way, Nieme," she said. "I liked you before too, but this way... Your confidence really makes you pulse with life. And, I can feel your happiness." Dani gave Nieme a sultry look. "It's almost intoxicating to feel."

Nieme giggled and shrugged out of her tunic. She began undoing Dani's as she returned her leer. "I like not being afraid anymore. This way, I can love you the way you deserve, Dani. I couldn't do that before because I was so uncertain and scared. I'm sorry for that."

"I could still feel your love for me through the fear then," Dani said. "And, I definitely feel it now." Dani moved her hands to untie the drawstring holding Nieme's pants closed. "I love you, Nieme. With all my heart and everything I am, I love you. And, I know this is very rare among my people, but I do want to be with only you. You are everything I could ever need or want in a companion and love."

Nieme pushed back Dani's tunic then smoothed her hand over the tops of her breasts. She gazed up into Dani's violet eyes and said, "Then you shall be my arozeil. It means I am bound to you and only you, and that I vow myself to you forever. I want that very much so, Dani." Nieme leaned forward and kissed her softly. "And I want you very much so as well," she whispered.

"I will be your arozeil, and you will be mine," Dani whispered back, and pulled herself into Nieme's arms as they kissed. "I vow myself to be yours and only yours, Nieme. No matter what happens, and no matter where we end up, I will be there with you, loving you."

"And at my side, singing me to sleep." Nieme kissed Dani deeply, and with more passion than she had ever dared express before. She stepped out of her pants as they gathered around her ankles, and unfastened Dani's. "I love you, my arozeil."

"I never dreamed that I could find love like this, but it's here with us." Dani pushed her pants down over her hips, and quickly stepped out of them and her boots before returning into Nieme's arms. "I never want to leave your side again. And, I will never stop singing for you." She slipped out of their embrace and took Nieme's hands. With a gentle smile, she began bringing them into the shower.

"Dani?" Nieme asked with a slight frown. "I don't remember much about our time in the desert. Do I want to?"

"I don't think so," Dani said softly. "I don't remember a lot of it, but I know I don't want to. But, the good parts are here now. Me, you, and Orn. They made us do a lot of things...and act in ways...that we never would. I'm glad we're safe here now."

"Me too." They stepped into the steaming shower and Nieme pulled Dani close. "I'm glad I don't remember, then," she said. She gathered the raining water in her hands and smoothed it over Dani's back. "I think if I remembered what they did to us, I'd want to go back there and make them pay."

Dani nodded and turned around and faced Nieme. "We'll be happy here together," she said. "And, if later we decide they need to pay, we can make them. But for now, after that, I just want happiness. I want our happiness."

"And I'll give it to you, Dani." She brushed her hands along Dani's sides and kissed her lightly. "I'll give you everything, and in return, I only ask for your heart. That's all I've ever wanted of anyone."

"You have my heart," Dani said, "and you always will. And, while you may only ask for my heart, I will give you everything I am. Our love will last for always, Nieme. From now until forever."

"We'll worry about forever later," Nieme said. "For now..." She smiled and slid her hands up to Dani's breasts. "Now...I think we should shower."

***

The girls had giggled and chattered all the way from the refresher to the large dining area, beyond which they knew they would find Orn. Dani had redressed herself in the outfit she'd been wearing earlier, and had then helped Nieme get into her new set of clothes. Their combined friskiness had almost kept them in the refresher for longer, but the desire to see Orn had won out. Dani's hair was still wet, but pulled back so that it only left a single dripping trail down the center of her back.

"Maybe tomorrow," she was saying with a wide grin as they stepped through the large double doors that led into the dining room, "we can go into the city to buy some things to decorate our room with. I think we should decorate it together, and it will be the most beautiful room in the whole Temple."

"Purple," Nieme said immediately. "I want purple things for the room." She grinned at Dani and ran a finger up her arm.

"Is that my Dani I hear out there?" Orn stepped through the kitchen door and out into the dining area. He stopped short and the smile he wore faltered as his eyes found Nieme. "Kiddo?"

Nieme's smile too waned, but not from surprise as with Orn, but a sudden recollection. It was but a blur in her mind and the images were distorted and fragmented, but the context was still discernable. She whimpered quietly and stepped away as Orn took a step forward. His body swaying against hers...the loud, chaotic cheers erupting around her...his sweat dribbling onto her cheek... Nieme cried out and tore her hand from Dani's grip.

"Nieme! Kiddo!"

She ignored the pleas and ran out of the dining area. The corridors melted as the tears glazed over her eyes, but she could see enough to choose a direction and run, away from the horrifying images the sight of Orn had awakened. She ran not from him, but what he represented for her now: pain, and torment, and fear.

"Stay here," Dani said as she raced away. "I'll talk to her." With that, she sped out of the room after Nieme. She reached out her senses to find Nieme, and ran toward her, dodging through the corridors as she moved.

"It's not real anymore," Nieme repeated continuously to herself. She clapped her hands over her ears and ran on weak, unsteady legs. She knew she was stronger than this, and didn't need to run away, but a part of her former instincts and habits still existed despite all the qualities she had gained in her encounter with Jae Dyn, and now more than ever, they were telling her to run and seek safety.

Dani's longer legs caught her up to Nieme faster than Nieme could run away. She called out to her friend, but kept running. "Please, Nieme," she called again. "I'll keep you safe! Please come back to me!"

Nieme slowed once she'd turned another corner and looked over her shoulder. None of the figures associated with the voices laughing and jeering at her were following. With a cry, Nieme threw herself into Dani's arms and wept convulsively into her bosom. "I remember! I-I remember, Dani! I remember...and I'm afraid I'll remember more and I won't be able to handle it."

Dani held Nieme close, using her empathic senses to try to calm her friend. "It's alright, Nieme," she whispered. "You're safe here with me now. You're safe in my arms." She held her for a long time before she loosened her embrace. "He didn't mean what happened there. They forced him." And, the guilt is tearing him apart, she added to herself. "But, it's the association, isn't it. Oh, Nieme." She held her friend close, trying to fight back her own tears at the brutality that was suffered upon Nieme. "It'll be alright again."

"It wasn't him. I know he would never..." She looked up at Dani, blinking away her tears, then glanced over her shoulder toward where Orn was still waiting, most likely filling with even greater guilt. "I made him sad, didn't I? I didn't mean it... I'm not afraid of Orn. He loves me and I love him. I just...wasn't prepared, that's all."

"I understand," Dani said. "And, inside, I know he does too. He feels very guilty, and he's afraid that you'll hate him for what he did at the Rhack. I tried to tell him you could never hate him. I tried, but his guilt was too strong, and I didn't want to use my pheromones to convince him."

"No...you were right not to." Nieme took a deep breath and stepped back from Dani. She straightened her robes and gazed with resolve down the corridor. "I'll have to convince him myself. Will you come with me?"

Dani slipped her hand into Nieme's. "Of course I will," she said. "I'd follow you to the galactic rim and back if you wanted me to. As long as you want me around, I'll be with you. So, I guess that's for always."

Nieme rubbed her eyes free of the tears then nodded to Dani. "Then let's go make Orn as happy as we are."

They retraced their steps down the corridor and upon turning the corner, a robust, tall Orn appeared just outside the door of the dining hall. His shoulders were hunched forward and his eyes quivered with tears ready to break from their surface. Nieme fought back the memories that attempted to surge forth, and managed it only by opening herself up to Orn's guilt and pain. It was then that she ran forward and leapt into his arms. He wrapped his burly arms around her and held her, not certain what was happening, but after she kissed him on the cheek and rested her head upon his shoulder, he knew he was forgiven. Thick, hearty laughter shook his body and he returned Nieme's kiss. "Oh, Kiddo...it's good to have you back."

***

The happiness filling the room was like the warmth of the sun after a long, cold winter to Dani as she, Nieme, and Orn all sat around one of the tables in the dining room. They'd spent a good deal of time in the kitchen while Orn prepared them each a meal, and then had moved out into the dining area once the meal was ready. Dani was sopping up some of the sauce from the chitsi stew Orn had prepared, and both girls agreed was wonderful. "We're going to go into the city tomorrow," Dani said after swallowing a large chunk of bread. "Did you want us to get anything for you when we're there?"

"Well, with the way you two are eating, I think we'll need to refill the refrigeration unit."

Nieme served herself another heaping spoonful of stew and giggled bashfully as she caught Orn's surprised gaze upon her. "Sorry. Just...hungry."

Orn laughed. "Oh, go on and eat as much as you can. I've never seen you with such a healthy appetite."

"Well, I've never had stew this good. You've got to teach me how to make this."

"It's a secret recipe, but for you," he said as he leaned in close and patted her hand, "I think I'd be willing to make an exception."

Nieme grinned and stuffed her mouth with a spoonful of the stew. "I'm glad we're all together," she commented, though her words were muffled by the hearty stew.

"Me too," Dani said as she began dipping the large spoon back into the pot for more of Orn's stew. "I think it's good that we're all here now. And we have the forest and the streams and all of the trees." The waterfall too, she added mentally, but that was for her and Nieme. "It's so beautiful here."

"I haven't had a chance to take a good look around," Orn said. "Maybe when you girls get back, you can take me on a tour."

"Of course, Orn," Nieme replied cheerfully. She guzzled down a large glass of water, then ran the back of her hand over her mouth. "It's much more pretty at night, but it's easier not to get lost during the day."

"We will be your official Jedi Temple tour guides," Dani said with a wide grin. "Oh, Nieme, tomorrow when we're in the city, I want to get another speederbike. It won't be as nice as the last one, but we'll still be able to use it to get into the city."

Nieme nodded her head, then sucked in a deep breath to mention the toys they'd purchased together, but with Orn's attention on her now, she decided it wouldn't be an appropriate topic of discussion. "A speederbike... I think that's a good idea."

Orn nodded his head and stood up. He began gathering their plates, but Nieme wrenched hers back with a giggle and only after licking it clean did she surrender it to Orn. He laughed jovially and ruffled her hair, which had grown considerably longer since she first arrived at the Temple. "I'll go put these in the wash."

Nieme watched Orn disappear into the kitchen, then finally blurted out her question about the toys. "Are they still there? I mean...I want you to show me how to use them."

Dani felt her cheeks flush and she looked around to make sure they truly were alone, for she knew exactly what Nieme was asking about. "I haven't had a chance to look in the old room yet," she said. "But, they could still be there. I think we should check before we go look at our new room. They can be our first things in there." She couldn't help giggling and burying her face against Nieme's shoulder.

"And since we'll be so far from everyone, I think that motorized one will be extra fun to play with." Nieme laughed quietly along with Dani and slid her hand up her thigh. "I like you in leather." She massaged Dani's leg and sighed at the sensation of the soft leather against her finger tips.

Dani moaned softly, and then pressed her lips to Nieme's throat. "I like me in leather too," she whispered. "I think it's my favourite material for clothing. I think I'd like to see you in something like this too. I think you'd look...oh very good." She brought her face up until it was right in front of Nieme's. She sighed deeply and then smiled. She leaned close and kissed Nieme, closing her eyes as she did and just giving herself over to her feelings.

Nieme returned the kiss hungrily and revelled in the uninhibited passion she was now able to express. Her hand slid easily over the leather and slipped between Dani's legs. "I think I'd like me in leather too, but I rather like us better in nothing at all," she said quickly, then kissed Dani again.

Dani shifted her hips forward to press more firmly against Nieme's hand. "I like us that way," Dani said, her voice growing thicker with arousal. "Especially with lots of water running over our bodies." She brought her hand up to Nieme's breasts and gently massaged. She returned her lips to their kiss, and couldn't help wondering if they were going to end up on top of the table together.

Orn helped to decide the course of their after-meal romantic engagement by walking back into the dining area announcing he was done with the dishes, then stopping in mid-sentence and uttering a rather amused, rather surprised: "Why, isn't that something?"

Nieme removed her hand from Dani's lap with a choked gasp and almost fell out of her chair as she pulled away to put distance between them.

Dani quickly pulled her hand away from Nieme's breasts and whipped around to face the front of the table. She tried her best to look innocent, but the look on Orn's face told her that she had most definitely been caught and there was absolutely no hiding what they'd been doing. She looked away as her features flushed a deeper purple. "Hi Orn," she said. "Um, so the dishes are going. That's good. We were just...um...so...is there any dessert?"

Orn paced towards the table with his arms folded over his chest and a blank expression upon his face. Nieme was in the midst of shooting off an explanation when she was interrupted by a gruff, bellowing laugh and Orn's hand slapping the table top. "You kids! Did you think I didn't know? I've known since that first day you walked into the Rhack together."

Nieme looked to Dani in bewilderment, then back to Orn. "And...it doesn't bother you?"

"Why would it? As long as my girls are happy."

Dani's grin spread from ear to ear as she quickly slid her chair back toward Nieme. "Very happy," she said as she slipped her hand into her friend's. "I've never been more happy, Orn. And, everything's going to be perfect now."

Orn laughed again. "Then I'm gonna go back into the kitchen and you two can pretend I'm not even here." He winked at his two girls and started away, still chuckling to himself as he found his way back into the kitchen.

Nieme turned to Dani and shrugged, then with a laugh, she pushed back her chair and pulled Dani up into her arms. "Let's go, Dani. I want to get the most out of this day with you."

Dani laughed. "First, to see if our toys are still here," she said. "And, then we have to go plan our decorations. After that, I really think that you and me should go visit our waterfall. I have a feeling it's missed us."

"I never left it. I always go there in my mind when I'm sad or afraid, but I don't think I need to anymore." She slipped her hands into Dani's while they kissed, then with a laugh, she scurried back towards the door, pulling Dani with her. "Toys, though. We'll have to smuggle them out...but I don't think I have anywhere in this outfit to put them!"

Dani looked down at the tight-fitting leather she was clad in and giggled. "Hopefully the bag is still there," she said. "Otherwise, we'll have to sneak them out in a blanket. Let's go!"

The two filled the silence of the corridors with squeals and giggles, a sound the Temple had been lacking in since Nieme and Dani first departed. Orn could still hear the echoes of their laughter from within the kitchen and could only shake his head and chuckle. "Welcome back, kiddos," he muttered to himself. "Welcome back."

***

The race through the corridors had ended once they reached Dani's old room. Dani could sense Kael in the other room, meditating most likely. She looked up and down the hallway to make sure no one else was around, and then cast a large grin at Nieme. Dani started to reach forward to open the door, but another thought struck her. She quickly moved her hand up to one of Nieme's shoulders, and pushed Nieme back against the wall. She was still smiling and her eyes shone with the vibrant emotions inside. She pressed her body against Nieme's and kissed her, the passion running very hot as she did. When the kiss finally broke, she pulled away enough to speak. "If the toys aren't there," she whispered, "then we'll have to get more in the city. And we'll have to make do without them tonight. But, I think we can do some really good improvising together. And, if they are there, I think this is going to be a night we'll never forget."

Nieme brought her hands to Dani's waist and caressed the gentle curves of her hips. "It's already a day I'll always remember. I think no matter what happens, the night will be perfect too." She heard footsteps approaching from down the corridor, and with a giggle, she grabbed Dani's hand, pushed the door of the room open and flew inside. She peered through the small slit in the doorway, and quickly sealed the door shut as the footsteps resolved into the form of Laedra.

Nieme pressed her back to the door and placed her forefinger over her lips. She listened for the footsteps, which grew louder and reached a peak outside their door, then waned as Laedra passed by. Nieme giggled and rushed towards Dani, where she wrapped her arms around her waist and kissed her firmly.

Dani returned the kiss, happily succumbing to the feelings churning within. "Oh gods," she whispered when the kiss finally broke. "With you, everything is perfect. Let's find our toys, and then go to our new room. I don't think we should use them here, since Kael's two rooms down." She started looking around for the bag of toys they'd purchased on their last shopping excursion into New Plouton.

"Dani, do you think he would mind us being together?" She moved towards the bed and dropped to her knees to check beneath it for their toys. "He said he's different...but it hasn't been very long and people can't change that fast."

"I think he has changed," Dani said. "He genuinely considers himself my friend now. I can sense it through my normal empathy, and I can kinda sense it through the Force. I'm still learning to use the Force to gauge emotions. And, I don't know if he would mind us together. I think that's something we'll have to find out for ourselves. We should be able to tell next time we're around him together. And, then we'll know if he minds." Dani pulled the pillow back from the head of the bed, and let out an excited squeal. "Here they are," she called as she pulled the bag over.

Nieme leapt to her feet, then flopped forward onto the bed. "Wow! I don't remember there being this many." She reached into the bag and sifted through the toys. "I think we could spend a whole week trying all these out."

Dani laughed as she went through their collection and frowned. "There are a lot, but believe it or not, there are a couple missing. Someone else has been playing with our toys."

Nieme covered her mouth and giggled. "Really? Who do you think could have taken them?"

"Well, the only people here that would have any use for them would be...Aurra, Laedra, Master Jae Dyn, or Yelara." She looked over to Nieme and laughed. "Oh my...who would have taken them?" She giggled and looked away. "I bet Yelara and Master Jae Dyn have them."

"Well...should we let them keep them?" Nieme raised a phallus to eye level and flexed the tip of it with her finger. "I wonder if Master Liam Zaneth minds them using them."

Dani giggled and quickly looked away. "I don't know if he knows they have them. I imagine he doesn't mind because they are together. Oh...if we have to...oh, they're probably about to leave. Master Jae Dyn Brael and Yelara Zaneth are going to Corellia."

Nieme removed her finger from the tip of the phallus and it sprang back to its erect state. "And Master Liam Zaneth isn't going with them? Did he and Yelara Zaneth have a fight?"

Dani shook her head. "I don't think they did," she said. "But, it's complicated now. Dargus Kandran is back, and Yelara Zaneth doesn't feel safe here, so she's going to Corellia. Liam Zaneth is staying here so he can stop Dargus Kandran and be with Yelara Zaneth again. The only trouble is Laedra Vorrel, who Liam Zaneth loves, and Yelara Zaneth would be very jealous and upset over that."

"Liam Zaneth is in love with Laedra Vorrel?" Nieme tossed the phallus aside and squirmed closer to Dani. "How do you know? Does anyone else know? Did you see them kissing? This is so exciting!"

Dani giggled and turned to fully face Nieme. "I felt it from them," she said. "They're doing really well at hiding their emotions now, but they came in to see me one time when they weren't, and that's how I know. I think they're really careful about not getting caught, but I bet we could catch them if we tried. They're really cute together, but so are Liam Zaneth and Yelara Zaneth. I really hope Yelara can accept that Liam Zaneth's heart is big enough to love two people."

"Me too. It would be so sad if they broke up." She slid her hand across the bed and covered Dani's. "But sometimes those things just aren't meant to be, like with me and Kael. If he loves Laedra Vorrel, he should be with her...then maybe we can spy on them for fun!" she said with a giggle.

"Yes," Dani said with an excited giggle. "And, then we have to do everything we can to make sure that Liam Zaneth and Yelara Zaneth stay together. They're good and they have a baby, and it'd be too sad. We can't let them break up. That's one of our new missions, Nieme. That, and spying on Liam Zaneth and Laedra Vorrel!"

"But before that, we have to smuggle these out of here without anyone catching us." Nieme slid off the bed and looked around the room. The only thing in the entire room they could use to conceal the bag was the bedsheet, but even that would arouse suspicion. "I think the only way to do it is just grab the bag and run."

Dani nodded and picked up the bag. "I've got it," she said. "Do you know which room I was talking about, the one that would be perfect for us?"

"I think so. I'll go first and make sure the way is clear, then I'll signal to you."

Nieme moved to the door and opened it a crack. She used her eyes, and, almost instinctively, the Force to search for anyone in the corridors. She nodded to Dani, then stepped out into the hallway. She waved her out of the room and kept watch in case anyone happened along. "Come on," she whispered.

With a wide grin, Dani stepped out into the corridor with the bag clutched to her chest. Moving as silently as she could, she moved up until she was right next to Nieme. "I like being sneaky with you," she whispered.

Nieme lightly ran her fingers along Dani's spine and smiled. "I like it too." She gasped softly as distant footsteps echoed through the corridor. "Someone's coming!" she whispered. "Run!" Nieme giggled and pushed Dani into motion.

Dani didn't need to be told twice, and raced ahead at Nieme's urging. She didn't know who it was that Nieme sensed, but she could sense them too. They couldn't be caught with their precious bag of toys. She held a hand clamped over her mouth to keep the giggles that wanted to escape inside.

Nieme and Dani turned the corner just as Laedra was making her way back towards the training room. She vaguely heard their giggles and light, pattering footsteps, but it was their flaring auras filling the corridor with warm, soft light that gave them away. Laedra paused and closed her eyes to absorb the happiness effusing from the pulsing colours, then sighed and continued on her way, leaving Dani and Nieme to bask in their newfound contentment.

---

"Podrace Circuit"
by Jadda the Hutt - Hutt Crimelord
and Vorgoth - Assassin/Sith

Location: Tae'Sollar Desert, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 16, 4 ABY

***

The day was a hot one, but inside Jadda's sail barge it was a little more cool, as he had an air system to cool off his spot. Not that the heat was too hard on him but he didn't enjoy it much. Still it was worth his time to get out of his palace on such a day as his Podrace circuit had been complete.

With a series of slave contractors that worked solemnly for the Hutts he now had everything ready, ranging from the track itself to the benches and the vending places, all set to go at his command. Jadda had to laugh as he imagined all the money he would be making out of the betting systems and all the vending and commerce.

Jadda turned to face Vorgoth at his right side. "Bae touk chingaa bontchee noosaa baa Podrace..." he said as he puffed on his long spice pipeline and gave his right man a padd. The Zabrak bowed and walked away, going up to the end of the sailbarge and off in his speeder, which was attached to the long vehicle.

***

Back in Jadda's Palace, Vorgoth walked up to the main console and placed the padd right next to it. Once the padd was connected to the console he downloaded the information that he set out to the main news boards and to the undernets, where all the side jobs and crooks went for info. The info consisted on of simple message:

To all the interested ones. Podracing has now reached Tae'Karada. Jadda the Hutt has the pleasure of extending invitation to all who might want to compete or place a bet on the racers. So wait no longer! The Tae'Sollar Podracing Classic is waiting for you!

Soon would the festivities begin...

---

"Needful Things"
By Zen Wayland - Smuggler/Mercenary
Syan Daywalker - Bounty Hunter

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Niothe 16, 4ABY

***

Left-handed, Syan guided the Aesir out of Chimaeria's airspace, given into the enjoyment of being at the stick of his own ship again. After two days out, and one harrowing day in from Kessel aboard Wayland's Basilisk, Syan grew to realize how much he preferred the comforts of his own vessel.

Light from the system's blanched sun hit the polarized view panes, brightening the dimmed cockpit and reflecting off the clean white surfaces. Turning into the outer traffic zone, Syan punched the thrust levers and pushed the Headon-12 engines near redline. Bright blue fire leapt out of the back of the Nubian Aesir as she tore through black space toward the Drogen shipyards.

It must've been a strange sight, if anyone bothered to look, to see a gleaming dagger of a vessel followed by such an asymmetrical and battered ship like the Basilisk. But Zen d