"A New Adventure Begins"
by: Rylaa Lyssander - PC
Lorgal - NPC+
Doctor Queso - NPC

Location: Ares Macrotechnology HQ, New Plouton
Date: Vadris 24, 4ABY

***

"Boss? I got a guy here who wants to see you, says its important," Lorgal said while poking his head through the doors leading to Rylaa Lyssander's office. Having a barabel for a secretary was quite effective as scaring off anybody who just wanted to waste time. If you managed to overlook the needle sharp teeth, claws, and polished black scales, Lorgal still kept his repeating blaster rifle next to the desk. If somebody was willing to go through that, it must be important.

"Alright, Lorgal, send him in," Rylaa replied. The door swooshed open merrily and a small man scurried through. Actually, he wasn't so much small as drawn in on himself. He shuffled his way down the long Nabooian rug that led to Rylaa's desk, all the while looking around at the wonderful things he would never be able to possess.

As the little man reached the desk, Rylaa offered him a chair and a stiff drink, he looked as if he could use one. "W-why yes, thank you," was all he could stammer out. Rylaa poured him some of the fine Corellian whiskey he had grown to love and the man knocked it back all at once. The drink had an immediate effect on him.

For one thing, he stopped his perpetual shivering and managed to place a steady hand on the desk. He also seemed to have grown a couple inches, though that was probably because he wasn't hunched in on himself.

"T-thank you, Mr. L-lyssander. I think I needed t-that."

Rylaa poured himself another drink and then refilled his guest's glass. Then he placed the decanter of whiskey down and folded his hands over his drink. "First, tell me what your name is. Then I'd like you to explain why you're here to see me. And please, get to the point."

"My name is Doctor Queso and I'm the director for the archeological dig on Avalon VI." He waited a moment for a sign of recognition from Rylaa and looked puzzled when he received none. "You do know what I'm talking about, right?"

"Sorry Doctor, can't say that I've heard of you, or your dig."

The good doctor drank half his glass before replying. "But, your company has been funding us for almost three years now... even after the other companies pulled out."

"I only recently acquired this company, Doctor Queso, and I'm afraid I'm not quite up to par with all of our investments. Please, tell me why Ares, who specializes in the tools of war, is putting credits into an archeological dig. What exactly are you guys looking for out there?"

"We're digging in what we believe is an old Jedi ruin." This time is was Rylaa's turn to drink half the glass. "What we have found so far is thousands of years old. Dating back to the Mandalorian Wars as well as the Jedi Civil War."

"I take you are an expert on Jedi history and mythology?"

"No, not really. It's more of a pastime. It's the ancient history that's always fascinated me the most though. And I've always dreamed of being able to do something like this, the find of a lifetime!"

"So what's the trouble, do you need more money? No, that's not it, you wouldn't have come here looking like you did if it was simple financial trouble."

"You are right, Mr. Lyssander, it is not the amount of credits we are receiving. We have had... disappearances. Members of our staff have gone missing in the middle of the night, and in the morning, we can find no trace of them. Their belongings are all still there, and nothing is missing from any of the other buildings."

"What else? You didn't come here because a few academy students skipped out on you."

Doctor Queso ran a hand over his sparse white hair. "No, no, not just that. The planet is inhabited by a very primitive race who we call the Grelkin. They are huge, shaggy beasts. Sort of like Wookiees was with more of a temper and much thicker. There is no language that our droids have been able to interpret, but they manage to communicate with each other just fine, sometimes even without sound."

"Ok," Rylaa waved his hand for the doctor to continue.

"They have been getting very restless, lately. Almost as if they anticipated what we were about to do. Our sensors have been detecting them very close to the fences, whereas before they wouldn't come within a hundred yards. On top of that, the mercenaries we hired to protect us have decided that their contract doesn't cover native incursions and ditched us."

"Wait a minute, what where were about to do?" Rylaa leaned forward on his desk.

"What?" Doctor Queso asked, looking a bit startled at being interrupted.

"You said you were about to do something, and that might have angered the locals. What was it?"

"We think we found the site of the main temple complex. We were about to open it when people started to disappear and the Grelkin began to appear more frequently."

The squat criminal-turned-CEO drank his drink slowly has he mulled it over in his thoughts. "Did you?" he asked, his eyes glaring at the man across from him.

"No, we didn't want to risk what the natives might do if we did. Us doctors basically have the run of the facility and the ruins so we held a council meeting and decided to send someone here."

"So you became the sacrificial offering, huh? Good." Rylaa abruptly stood up, startling the doctor until he realized that the powerful man in front of him was a full inch shorter. "I'm curious doctor," he said as he began to walk around the desk with his drink. "What do you think you might find in this temple? Treasure? Lost technology? What are you looking for?"

"For knowledge! If the records down there have remained intact they could provide us with an invaluable amount of information on a period long lost to us. The Jedi, I know, would pay dearly for that information. And yes, there may also be some important artifacts down there. Everything we've found so far hasn't worked."

Rylaa had been studying an old painting of some former CEO when he spun on his heel. The doctor had gotten out of his chair and was now standing behind him, wringing his hands slowly. "What Jedi?" he asked slowly.

"W-well, there are s-still J-jedi out there. Right? There have to be, The Empire couldn't have wiped them all right."

Rylaa turned back towards his painting. "The Jedi are dead," he lied smoothly, "but I would be willing to pay handsomely for whatever you might find."

Doctor Queso stopped wringing his wrinkled hands and looked up in surprise, "You would?"

"Yes, I would. I have a passing interest in history and would find any records down there quite interesting." Not to mention profitable. "That's why I'm going to give you the aid and support that you have requested."

"You will? Really? That's great!" He was practically shouting with glee but a thought sobered him. "But I didn't request anything yet."

"Didn't you? You're telling me that you came halfway across the Outer Rim just to tell me that wonderful tale? Oh, I'm sorry, I must have been mistaken."

"No! No no, that's what I was going to ask, indeed... and I'm grateful for any aid you can provide."

"First and foremost, an increase to your grant. Several thousand should be more than enough. Second, I will be providing you with support in the form of security troops... as well as myself and two of my associates."

"Yourself, sir?" the doctor was clearly surprised at the news.

"Yes, I think that I would like to go and see this excavation for myself. Perhaps do a bit of old fashioned tunnel crawling while I'm at it. It's been years since the last time I did that." He frowned at his now empty glass and wandered over to his desk to refill it. The doctor hadn't moved, he was too stunned by the good news. After a minute, though, he slid into one of the plush chairs.

Rylaa thumbed the intercom button his desk. "Lorgal, get me whoever is in charge of security and get them in my office. Then send someone to find Lani and bring her too."

Lorgal's voice came back a second later, "Ok, boss, but you know she's still mad at you."

"It's alright... I'm taking her on a vacation."

Moments later a man wearing the red and gold of the Ares security department huffed into the office. He slowed his run to a brisk walk as he entered the office. "You wanted to see me, sir?" he asked as he came close.

"Yes, I want you to choose a ten man team to do a little guard work. I want men trained to use the LPDS, so I know they're all good." The security commander had whipped out a datapad from somewhere and was busy taking notes. "I also want you to get the LPDS for myself and my bodyguard Lorgal. I also want four PAX-25's, with the most experienced men you have with them. Everything is to be loaded into one of our 'modified' medium freighters by tonight."

"Is that all sir?"

"Hmmm, make sure you include some heavier weapons, too. I don't know what's out there so you might want to add a few AP warheads and a couple of missile launchers. Repeating blasters, X-webs, that sort of thing. You know what to do. Hmmm... hey doctor."

"Yes?" he replied, looking up.

"What kind of planet is Avalon VI anyway?"

"Mostly jungle, but with other terrain as well."

"Jungle... figures. It's always in a jungle. What is with the Jedi and their love of tropical torture? Add bug spray to that list, commander, lots of bug spray."

---

"Arrival in Paradise"
by: Rylaa Lyssander - PC
Lani Vissip - NPC+
Lorgal - NPC+
Various NPCs

Location: Various
Date: Vadris 24/26, 4ABY

*** New Plouton Spaceport, Ares Private Hanger ***

A couple of cargo droids were loading the last few plasteel crates of supplies into the VT-1300 freighter Arc Royal. The Arc had been acquired by Ares a couple months back from an old smuggler who had decided that his cargo wasn't precious enough to get killed by pirates. The company really didn't have a use for the beat-to-hell old ship so they had simply refit her and left her to rust, until Rylaa found out about it and promptly decided she was perfect for this mission.

Rylaa was standing in the hanger discussing their destination with the weasel-like Doctor Queso when Lani came bouncing through the door of the hanger with two large suitcases in hand. She took one look at the ship, the troops milling about, and the amused face of the Ares CEO and got angry. Dropping her suitcase she marched up to Rylaa and whipped of her sunglasses.

Rylaa couldn't hold it in any more, he started to laugh. "I can't believe he actually told you that," he managed to get out while gasping for breath. His obvious humor only infuriated the red-headed woman more.

"Lorgal? Yeah, he mentioned a vacation to some lush tropical paradise. I was all ready to forgive you for... what you did a few days ago and then you haul off and put together this, this, whatever the hell this is."

"It's called a ship, or to be more accurate, the Arc Royal."

"Don't get smart with me, not right now. Ok, what the hell is going on? Where are we really going?" She placed his fists on her hips and glared down her nose at the chubby criminal in the business suit.

"Little out-of-the-way place called Avalon VI, it's lush, it's tropical, and it has a well funded archeological dig site that is in need of some help."

"So how do we fit in?"

"You're the help," Doctor Queso injected, obviously amused by the whole thing. His smile wilted swiftly has Lani turned her fierce gaze on him.

"Who the hell are you?" she asked.

"The good Doctor Queso is the sacrificial lamb sent to ask for our aid" Rylaa answered. "And our aid we are giving. Don't worry, it won't be that bad, and there might be combat!"

Lani just grunted, walked over to heft her bags, then trudged up the boarding ramp of the freighter like it was the hardest thing on earth. "Luscious little morsel, I must say," Doctor Queso mused like a letch, drying washing his hands as he seemed to always be doing.

Rylaa's hand shot out and clamped onto Queso's throat with an iron grip that belied his outwardly fat appearance. "If you ever say something like that again you won't like what will happen. I have no problem dropping you off at the nearest asteroid belt to float along with the rest of the space trash." Doctor Queso could only gurgle as he struggled in the fierce grip. After a minute, Rylaa released him and he collapsed to the ground.

"Y-you're the boss," the doctor said, rubbing the red mark on his neck. "It won't happen again, I swear."

"And don't fucking forget that... ever." Rylaa turned and walked up the ramp to begin the power up checklist. He really needed a stiff drink.

*** In Space Around Tae'Karada ***

The ship soared up through the usual orbiting debris field that every planet seemed to have and headed out towards the space lanes. With Rylaa's expert hand on the controls the ship sailed smoothly and barely. There was a series of gasps as they flew past the Drogen Shipyards, though.

"What the fuck happened there?" Rylaa wondered out loud. Around him his various passengers could only stare at the blackened, gaping hole in the side of the powerful space station. "And why the hell didn't I hear about it?"

"You think they could use our help?" Lani asked.

"I'll see, though we don't really have much time to lose." Rylaa thumbed the comms button. "Drogen Control this is the Arc Royal, you guys need any more help over there?"

"Negative Arc Royal," came a female voice, "we've got this under control for now. If you want to help, keep an eye open for a Hapes Super Nova-class Battle Cruiser called The Necron. That's who we believe did this."

"Roger that, Drogen Control, if we see it we'll give a whistle." He turned the comm off and looked over his shoulder. "What the hell kind of ship is a Super Nova-class Battle Cruiser? And why do I get the feeling that we don't want to meet it?"

"Whatever it is, it was able to take Drogen by surprise, and that's not an easy thing to do," Lani said, still gaping at the devastation wrought by the mysterious ship.

"It's a ship that's normally found only within Hapan space. There are very few of them sold to private parties and those few that do have them are very powerful." Lorgal's normally booming voice seemed subdued. Everyone turned to look at him in amazement. "A ship of that size would have to have something like a cloaking device in order to get close enough to Drogen to do that kind of damage, otherwise the fighter screen would have torn it to pieces." He looked around the cockpit at the faces staring at him. "What? I worked on the shipyards for a little while and I know how it works."

"And the ship? How did you know about that?"

Lorgal shrugged, "It was in a holovid I saw once."

Rylaa shrugged and carefully slid the ship into the hyperlanes as Credit finished the last of the astrogation calculations.

*** Avalon VI, Unknown Location ***

"Sir," said a figure cloaked in shadow, "It looks like they've gone to their patron for support. Our insider tells us that they agreed to send men and material. He also says that the owner is supposedly coming."

"Very well," an equally cloaked figure said, "Keep me posted, we may have to step up our 'reeducation' of the locals."

"At once, sir," the first figure replied and melded with the shadows of the jungle the carry out the new assignment.

*** Avalon VI, Archeology Camp, two days later ***

The Arc Royal broke hyperspace just above the planet's atmosphere. From space, one could tell that the planet was broken into three large continents and many islands. A thick belt of green encircled the planet's middle denoting that it had primarily a tropic climate. It would be hot down there, Avalon VI may be the sixth rock from the sun in the Avalon system, but like its brothers and sisters, it was quiet close to the system's class 4 Yellow.

The ship slid into the atmosphere and descended towards the coordinate of the camp given to them by Doctor Queso. They flew over thick, lush jungle that the sensors read to be quite a few layers deep. The trees here were much like the ancient wroshyr trees of Kashyyk, but nowhere near as tall. The forests of Kashyyk have seven distinct layers, measured by the amount of light each receives. This jungle had about three.

A large clearing broke the forest abruptly and Rylaa set the Arc Royal down onto the crude landing pad set up by the camp. The camp itself, with its prefabricated buildings, was small, maybe four or five buildings in all. Around it, however, had sprung up a large 'tent town' which was where supplies and workers were housed. Dominating the center of the camp was a carefully excavated hole perhaps forty feet deep.

When the seals of the landing ramp broke and the ramp itself began to descend, a thick heat washed over Rylaa and his companions. Five men were waiting for them when the steam from the ramp actuators cleared, all of them were wearing white lab coats.

Doctor Queso pushed past Rylaa and rushed down the ramp. His colleagues greeted him coolly but brightened when Rylaa stepped down.

"Good morning, gentlemen," Rylaa said with a smile. "I take it you are the archeologists that my company has been funding."

A tall man with distinguished wings of white in his otherwise thick dark hair stepped forward and bowed at the hip. "That is correct, sir. However, I feel that I must point out that only doctors Queso and Fin are full archeologists. I am doctor Golaj, and I am a Xenobiologist. To my left are doctors Terrel and Kojik, Geologist and Xenophilologist respectively. And to my right are doctors Carlyle Pavlov, Archeotechnologist and Historian."

Each of the doctors bowed as their names were called, Rylaa nodded in return to each one. "Alright," he said, "I know them all expect what the heck is a Xenophilologist and a Archeotechnologist?"

Doctor Kojik stepped forward, "Xenophilology is the study of ancient alien languages and... I hesitate to call it archeotechnology but that is technically the term for it," there was snort of amusement from behind Rylaa, and even he struggled to keep a straight face, "is the study of ancient technology."

"There are many things in the ancient Old Republic which simple aren't around any more," Doctor Carlyle said, ignoring the amused looks from the people around him. "If we can find out how many of them worked we can easily recreate them or even better current technology."

"Well, that's all very interesting and I'm sure you are all experts in you respective fields. However, that is not the reason I am here. I am here because of the series of disappearances you have been having and of course I am looking after the interests of my company. We have funneled a lot of money into this operation and I do not want to see it fail. I'll leave the scientific stuff to you guys and looks for the missing people while you concentrate on the digging. We have an understanding?" A series of nods. "Good. Now, what is the update since doctor Queso came and got me?"

"The latest person to go missing was doctor Fin, that was just last night," Golaj said.

Queso gasped and said, "Lenno went missing? Is all his stuff there?"

"Yes, he left everything behind. Including his ring."

"He left his ring?" Queso asked incredulously. "Impossible, he would never leave the ring I gave him. I bet I know where to find him." He rushed off, muttering to himself.

Rylaa and Lani both watched him closely, neither trusting the scrunched up little archeologist. "What's his problem?"

"He and doctor Fin are... well... lovers." Golaj said with bemusement in his voice. It was obvious that he did not approve.

Rylaa grinned and looked over at Lani. "The way he was checking you out earlier you never would have been able to tell," he said to her. She only frowned back, he shrugged and turned to the security troopers behind him. Each was already decked out in his Ares LAX-32 Light Personal Defense System while the PAX-25 operators stood stoically to one side. Their armor suits were crated up for shipping and would be broken out when needed. "Lieutenant, you're in charge and you know what to do. Take your men around the camp and find the best defensive positions. Have the cargo droids break out the static defense weapons and then start setting up the pre-fab barricades."

The lieutenant saluted sharply and began to bark orders. "Mr. Lyssander, if you and your associates will follow me, I will show you the quarters we have set aside for you," Golaj said, brushing at his coat to smooth out a wrinkle only he could see. "There is one slight problem, though."

"Oh, and what's that?"

"Well... we didn't expect you to bring a... a..."

"A woman along?" Lani finished for him.

"Well... yes, basically. We were only able to clear the equipment out of one of the buildings for your use and I'm afraid it's only got on room to it." Doctor Golaj even blushed when he said it. Like every straight human male in the universe, his mind could only revolve around one thing while Lani was around. Especially when she was dressed in tight khaki shorts and a tank top like she was today.

"I'll sleep in the tents with the troopers," Lorgal said, coming up behind Rylaa with his massive personal weapon strapped to his back. All the doctors were startled to see the huge barabel but they recovered quickly.

"Ok Lorgal, that's your choice," Rylaa said. He grinned and waggled his eyebrows at Lani in a decent Groucho Marx impression. "I guess that just leaves you and me, my dear."

Lani pushed him and rolled her eyes. "Don't get your hopes up, I'm putting up a privacy screen as soon as we get in."

"Whatever, I can still dream. Ok, Doctor, lead on." And the companions followed the gaggle of lab coats off the landing pad and into what would prove to be a very interesting week.

---

"Destruction; Come What May"
By: Melanie Archer - Smuggler/Sometimes Bounty Hunter - PC
Talia - Pilot/Smuggler - NPC
Kelrick - Weapon's Expert/Smuggler - NPC
Wedge Denab - Smuggler - NPC

Location: Various places
Date: Various, but ending Vadris 24, 4ABY

***

It was happening again.

As if through an almost blurry fog the scene played out as it had all those months ago -- the woman walked down the corridor, her stride smooth and sure. It was her expression that showed the quick confusion she felt at seeing a fellow crewmate approaching -- especially considering she knew for a fact he had been assigned elsewhere.

She asked him why he was there, ready to give him a box to the ears for ignoring Wedge's order.

Except his expression showed something that set her on instant guard -- and in all honesty had it been a non-crew member she would have already been on guard -- but as it were, it had been her downfall in that instant and the opening he had been looking for, the one Wedge said would be there...

"I'm sorry." was all he said as, what he had been ordered to do already in effect, something shot out and hit Melanie Archer.

The woman gasped in her sleep, just as she had that day when she had felt the sudden piercing in her abdomen, and flinched even as, in her dream....

...she started to fall unconscious. Whoever had loaded the injectile dart had done so with a does sure to knock out its target instantly....

Sweat beaded Mel's forehead and upper lip and there was a fine sheen that covered her body as memory and nightmare continued to play out...

She had awoken and knew she was no longer on board the Command ship Wedge and she had been assigned to and, because she knew her ship that well, knew she was onboard the Tempest. Of course she was already on her feet and moving, dizziness from doing such a thing so quickly after what had happened be damned, and she was stalking toward the bridge to find the culprit that had put her there -- and immediately knew something was very very wrong. It was beyond having a bad feeling.

"...crazy bantha is on a crash course--!"

"...follow his orders no matter what."

The first voice had been Talia's Mel's best and own pilot of the Tempest, and it held a mixture of anger and fear Mel had never heard before from the woman. The other voice had been Kelrick's, and was grim but deadly serious.

The sight Archer came in on would be burned into her memory forever and even now in the throes of nightmarish sleep, made her body shake as she tried to fight her way out of it.

Wedge's ship - the base of his Smuggling operation and had served as all of their main headquarters, was already ramming into the Command ship he and Mel had been kept prisoners on.

Melanie knew she hadn't yelled out loud then, although everything within her had screamed silently in horror at what had happened, and the sight of Wedge's ship exploding in a mass of orange, yellow and red flames was reflected in her hazel eyes, but those that had witnessed her at that moment had seen something very real and very primal crumble and die in her expression and form, and it was all they could do just to carry out Wedge's last order as they made good their escape.

"Hit it!" Kelrick barked, with Talia having turned the ship away from the destruction before 'hitting it' and sending the craft into hyperspace.

"Archer." Kelrick had then turned to face her then, having known the exact moment Wedge's Second in Command had stepped on deck. Any other time and he would have acknowledged her immediately and done whatever she had ordered. But then...

Mel started away, her breathing shallow.

"--Archer."

It was Kelrick calling her but this time he was outside her quarters, letting her know they had arrived at their destination.

Mel sat up and swung her legs over the edge before she hit the button beside her bed to let him know she had gotten the wakeup call. Then she leaned her head forward, eyes closed as she regulated her breathing and flexed her well-toned shoulders. Her body had become even more defined since the smugglers' escape because she had stepped up her physical training. Her workout and continued combat training ended up becoming so intense that even C'arik, the largest of the team and pretty much comparable to a Wookie, had opted to wear padding and eventually begged out of the exercises all together when he had tried to partner up with her.

She stood and went to get cleaned up, exiting moments later without a single sign of the inability of a long line of nights where she had had the ever present nightmare/memory of Wedge's death.

She headed toward the bridge.

That had been a week ago. Now Melanie Archer watched as the bounty hunter she had been asked to find strode down the city streets, a wanted man himself after the death of his sister, to which Mel had also investigated. She knew that he had killed the woman himself and, unlike others, knew the reason.

She sighed and lowered her gaze. She had spent months finishing the investigation Wedge and she had started when they had first been taken, about the ones that had actually been the ones behind their capture and forced work. And what she found out had made her want to use the assassination skills she had been learned right back on them. Wedge Denab had been betrayed -- and to Mel's way of thinking, murdered -- by his own kin, and Mel had tracked both brother and sister to this planet to see just how had done the betraying.

And now, she had her answer.

She slipped into the shadows and blended in without being spotted -- not missing the derisive irony that she had perfected the skill thanks to the very training she had been forced to go through -- and headed toward a location she knew the Bounty Hunter would eventually end up.

It was time to carry out Wedge's last wish.....

---

"Family Reunited, Part 2"
By: Keeve Shivral
Talara Sorenne
Kallia Brael
Yara Brael
Orinth Neerou
Tralesha Zibel
Kimara

Location: Tralesha and Orinth's Apartment; Tregat Residence, New Plouton
Date: Vadris 24, 4 ABY

***

Curious and a touch protective of his daughter, Keeve headed forward with Kal, where they managed to intercept Yara balanced on the hip of a man Keeve had never seen before. The kindly old gentleman nodded to Keeve when their eyes locked, and his smile transformed into a jolly laugh as Yara trapped the man's nose in her hand. She giggled boisterously. Keeve managed a wan smile. It was difficult to admit, but there was a surge of jealousy watching his adopted daughter finding joy with another man not her own father. He nearly rushed forward to steal her from Orinth's arms before Kallia stepped in to introduce them.

"Keeve, I would like for you to meet Orinth Neerou," she said. "Orinth, this is my very good friend Keeve. While Yara isn't his by birth, we both agree, Yara and I, that Keeve is her Daddy. And, the exact relationships involved are somewhat difficult to explain, so I'll leave it at that."

"Beev," Yara squealed as she reached up for Keeve with one hand, trying to grasp for his nose. "Gapa!"

Keeve laughed in astonishment. "She's talking so well.... I...I've missed too much..."

"Here, my boy," Orinth urged him with a companionable wink, "she's grown too heavy for me." Emitting a playful grunt of exertion, Orinth transferred Yara into Keeve's embrace and kissed her plump cheek sweetly before stepping back. Keeve thanked Orinth with a gracious smile, then laughed with sheer joy as she squealed his name again. He hugged her tightly and possessively, unable to quench his need to reaffirm their bond.

Orinth smiled wistfully at the two. "She's a good girl, and a happy one. It's because she's very loved."

"Yeah," Keeve answered, returning Orinth's smile.

"I don't think she'll ever want for love or affection," Kallia said as she moved to sit down. "Orinth, I'll be going with Keeve tonight. He has more room at his place for us. I'll make sure you have the comm codes and the address, and Keeve said it's alright for you to come over and visit if you'd like. And, it's not very far away at all."

Orinth nodded approvingly. "As long as you two are well and safe. Tralesha and I will visit, rest assured."

"You're always welcome," Keeve added quickly to the man, and appeared mildly embarrassed by his display of hospitality. He cleared his throat and busied himself with keeping Yara's fingers out of his nostrils.

"She does get into everything," Kallia said with a laugh. "Well, I'm going to have to get something to bundle her up in if we're going out."

"You sit right there; I'll go and find her something," Orinth offered, and before Kallia could protest, the old man had started away.

When he was out of earshot, Keeve looked over at Kallia with a raised eyebrow. "Nice man. Yara likes him alright, it seems."

"She loves him," Kallia said, "just as much as you. It's a long story. He's Yelara's grandfather."

Keeve let out a low whistle and shook his head in disbelief. "Poor guy. I guess Yara's perfect compensation for the granddaughter he lost."

"Tralesha too," she said. "They're helping fill in the gaps for him. He and Yelara are starting to get closer again, but it's slow. She and I haven't become any closer. I don't believe she approves of my lifestyle."

"She hardly knows you," Keeve scoffed. "Get over her, Kal. Your Yelara is dead. This woman is a stranger. You can't possibly feel the same way about her."

"I know," Kallia said with a warm smile for him. "Besides, I've got someone else now." With that, she gave him a tender kiss. "And, he knows me, loves me, and loves my baby girl. That's all I need."

Smirking, Keeve quipped, "Let's not talk about Dargus right now...." Then more seriously: "What's he up to anyway? Not that I really care or anything..."

"He's been busy with Jedi things, training and such. He should be back soon, but right now he's on Coruscant. He seems very dedicated to becoming a Jedi Knight. It's actually almost frightening to see it in him. But, I was talking about you Though, I think you knew that."

"I did," he confirmed distractedly. "But Dargus...he's coming back? You still want him to raise this baby, don't you?"

"You are my first choice to raise my baby, Keeve," Kallia said. "I know you can't be the father, but I wish you could have been."

"But Dargus is," Keeve reminded her in frustration. Yara babbled irritably at Keeve, unappreciative of his tone, and lightly began batting his chest with one tiny hand. Keeve barely noticed. "You don't think he'll try to stake a claim on them? I know he's changed...a little, but I'm worried he'll want to raise these kids without me in the picture, maybe even without you. They're Force sensitive, Kal. I bet he's already thinking of all the things he could teach them."

"He may be, Keeve," Kallia said. "I was with a few different men at the time this baby was conceived. It could be another. And, then Dargus will have no claim."

Radiating utter disappointment, Keeve whispered, "And neither will I. Can't you just...not find out who the father is, Kal? Can't it remain a mystery?"

"Of course," Kallia whispered. "It doesn't matter as long as I have you, Keeve. You'll always be the father of my children. Always."

Chuckling, he mused, "I wonder how Kim will take it. Though, she's pretty liberal, so we should be fine...." With an expectant smile, Keeve asked, "Shall we get going and find out?"

"That sounds like a perfect plan," Kallia said. "And, I hope Kim will love Yara just as much as you. Orinth should be right back. Is there room enough for us in your speeder?"

"There's always room," Keeve answered fondly and placed one kiss upon Kallia's lips, and another upon the crown of her belly, where a tiny jolt from within jerked Keeve back. He stared in awe at her stomach. "He...she...it kicked me!" Keeve exclaimed, laughing in wonderment.

"He or she is just saying hello," Kallia said with a smile that matched Keeve's. "Gotta get to know Daddy before coming into the world, right?"

"Looks like it," he agreed brightly. Orinth's return with a bag full of Yara's clothing went unnoticed as Keeve continued gazing at Kallia's distended belly.

"That's most of it," Orinth announced, raising the bag for emphasis. "I'll carry it out for you."

"Thank you so much, Orinth," Kallia said. "Let's get her into her coat so she'll be warm. I can do that if you want to go get Talara."

Abiding by her suggestion, Orinth smiled and departed with Yara's bag to ready Talara. Keeve found it difficult to tear his gaze from her stomach, but managed to and rose from the sofa. "Here we go, then. A new start, I guess this is."

Yara burbled happily as Kallia got her into her coat. "It is," she said. "It'll be so nice to be around you so much. I think I should have moved myself into the city much earlier. And, I think this little monster will be much happier with her Daddy close, won't you?" In response, Yara tried to grab Kal's nose with a squeal of "Babu!"

"I hope Kim likes children," Keeve chuckled and seized Yara's hand to kiss it. She giggled and leaned forward to reciprocate Keeve's gesture, leaving a patch of drool on the back of his palm where her sloppy kiss had landed. Overcome with laughter, Keeve embraced his daughter, despite her complaints and fussing. "Come on now, Yara, when did you get so fussy?" Keeve teased.

"Beev!" was the little one's response.

"I think she may begin teething soon," Kal said. "Once that happens, she'll drool even more."

A moment later, Talara and Orinth appeared in the doorway. Talara smiled brightly at Yara, then at Keeve and Kallia. "Would you like for me to carry anything?"

"Kallia's bag, if it's not too heavy," Keeve told her, motioning to the duffel in Tralesha's hold. "It looks like we've got everything."

As Talara retrieved the bag from Tralesha, Orinth stepped forward to kiss Kallia's cheeks. "You take care, dear," he told her warmly. "Do contact us if you feel the baby coming."

"I promise I will," Kallia said. "And, you will come visit over at Keeve's place, right?" At Orinth's assurances they would, she nodded to Keeve and Talara and they started out to Keeve's speeder, but not before Orinth delivered one last kiss upon Yara's supple cheeks. She giggled riotously, then they were gone. "I imagine Kim will be surprised, won't she?"

"Yeah," Keeve answered slowly and with slight hesitation. "I'm really not sure how she'll react. I...sort of left in a hurry tonight and will undoubtedly have some apologizing to do."

"I'll...when you...just...I'll make sure I'm elsewhere," Talara said.

Kallia laughed. "I'm sure you can help me with getting Yara settled in," she said.

"While Kim claws my eyes," Keeve quipped. "Good idea." With a command from his remote, the speeder's doors opened slowly. Keeve tossed in Yara's bag, then handed the girl off to Kallia so he could start the vehicle. Once they'd all piled in, and the repulsors were fired up, Keeve smiled at his three girls and asked, "Ready for home?"

"Ready," Kallia and Tala chimed in together as Yara added, "Beev!"

Feeling nearly complete, and his heart full to the brim with joy, Keeve hit the thrusters with vigor and conveyed his family home.

***

As the speeder pulled in with Keeve and the others inside, Kimara was seated on the front porch. She took a drag from her cigarra and then put it out. She stood up and moved toward the flight of steps that led up to the building. She'd expected only Keeve, so was slightly shocked when she saw the others piling out of the speeder as well.

"Welcome home," she called down. "I don't have any shoes on, or I'd come down."

"You shouldn't be out here, period, in this cold," Keeve chided as he helped Kallia to her feet. "Go on in, Kim. You can start something hot for us to drink."

"Okay," she called back. "I'm going in then. I'll have hot chocolate ready for you!"

As she scampered back inside, Keeve cocked an eyebrow at Kal. "She seems...cheerful. That's a good sign, I think...but then again, I won't even begin to pretend I know anything about women. You're all so" --he smirked-- "strange."

Kallia laughed. "Funny, but that's what we think of you men too," she said. "You are a very strange one, my dear."

"That's only because I'm a genetic mutant," Keeve pointed out with a winning grin.

"Yes, but I love you anyway," Kallia said with a laugh. "So, you'll have to point me to my room when we get inside so I can get Yara settled. She's very sleepy."

"It won't be more than a moment," he assured her, and guided her up the slick stairs with Talara close behind and Yara in her arms. They stepped inside the house to the smell of caffe brewing and rich chocolate melting. Keeve grinned at his guests. "Hot chocolate and caffe anyone?"

"That sounds perfect," Talara said happily. "And, it smells wonderful in here. I don't think there's a more wonderful homecoming than walking into a home filled with the smells of hot choco."

"Then go on upstairs and get freshened up," Keeve suggested. "I'll help Kim set up. Kal, your room will be at the end of the hall to the right. Tala, you can have the guest room next door. I'll carry your bag up after, Kal." Grinning, Keeve promised, "And I won't even look inside it."

Kallia laughed. "Don't worry," she said. "If you did, you'd only find diapers and my clothes, and I assure you neither are all that interesting."

"Oh yeah?" he drawled, leaning in close to Kal. "That's what you think." With a charming smile, and long, suggestive stare, Keeve swaggered off towards the kitchen.

Humming a lively tune while sprinkling shaved chocolate into a steaming mug was Kim. Keeve stopped in the doorway to admire his lover, but any pleasure he might have derived from watching Kim was overridden by the stab of guilt in his gut over having abandoned her earlier. And motivated by that regret, Keeve made his way into the kitchen soundlessly and wrapped Kim in an embrace from behind. He pressed his lips to her throat and murmured, "I can say I'm sorry...but will promising not to do that again be far better?"

"Yes," Kim said with a lazy smile. She turned around to face him and slipped her arms around his waist. "Yes, I think it would help very much. Is everything okay, Keeve? I was so worried. Hope was too." She glanced aside to where the Reisakitten sat on the counter with a bowl of cream before her. Hope let out a trilling meow as she watched Keeve and Kim. "She was very worried."

"I know...I'm an idiot." He sighed and offered her an irresistible pout. "Forgive me? I lost my head for a bit. But I'm back now, so no harm, right?"

"I forgive you, Keeve," Kim said. "At least until the next time you blow up and run off, and then I'm sure I'll forgive you again."

Incredulously, Keeve stepped back and gaped at Kim. "No!" he blurted out. "Kim, don't forgive me. I shouldn't have done this to begin with, and I shouldn't do it again. If I do...you should slap me, not forgive me! Don't you care that I just treated you like dirt?"

"Fine," Kim said with a grin she couldn't suppress. "If you do this again, I'll slap you and then forgive you. Hope will probably use your boots for a litter box, and well, I'll think of the rest. So, you'd better make sure you keep your temper and your pouting in check, and you'd better start talking to me when something is bothering you -- and don't you dare fool yourself into thinking that I can't tell because Hope hides her treats better than you hide your feelings!" To emphasize, she picked up the treat that Hope had chosen to hide next to a box of cookies on the counter where no one would miss it. "But even so, I will always forgive you, Keeve, because I love you, despite the fact that you're stubborn and moody. So there."

Speechless and thoroughly reprimanded, Keeve could only nod obediently. Clearing his throat, Keeve gestured vaguely to the tray Kim had set up on the counter and asked, "Do you, uh...need help? I could help...or something."

"I think I've about got everything," Kim said. "But, if you'd like, you can bring this tray into the other room. It should all be ready...we'll just need people to drink them."

"There's people," Keeve insisted and stole a brief kiss on Kim's cheek. "I promise," he told her resolutely, "I won't run out on you again, Kim...and there'll definitely be flowers and chocolate tomorrow."

"Well, if there's chocolate and flowers involved, you can run out more often," Kim said with a wide grin. "You can even just skip right past the running out to the flowers and chocolate part."

His chuckle was undeniably alluring as Keeve's hands grasped Kim's hips and pulled her towards him. "We could do that right now," he offered. "I'm sure our guests won't mind..."

"As long as you're certain," Kim said, rolling her hips against his. "Though, we'll probably have to make more hot choco. This batch will get cold."

Keeve grinned. "Not with as much heat as we'll be generating...." And ignoring the hissing bubble of boiling caffe, Keeve embraced Kim fully, leaving no space between them as the length of his torso connected with Kim's. An impassioned, greedy kiss ensued, while hot liquid sizzled upon the range to their utter disregard.

Talara, Kallia, and little Yara would have to wait. For now, Kimara and Keeve had much making up to do after Keeve's earlier hasty departure. Though, in truth, very little reason was actually needed besides the immense love they felt for each other. As the two clung passionately together, all that had seemed out of sorts was put right again.

---

"Friendly Persuasions"
By: Analesse D'vrishay
Nemyos [NPC+]
Moril Astren
Felicita Hes'ta [NPC+]

Location: Harmay Towers - Yelldon District, New Plouton
Date: Vadris 24, 4 ABY

***

"Oh, Moril, when can we finally meet?" The Sullustan with vibrant pink tunic and starry eyed, dreamy gaze sighed languorously at the image of Zale's assistant frowning back at him through the comm-vid. It produced a giggle from Analesse's assistant - one definitely not characteristic of a Sullustan, and certainly not a male Sullustan.

"I am certain we will eventually meet," Moril said. "However, as we both know, our schedules make such meetings difficult." He couldn't help wondering what gods might exist around this planet, and offered up general thanks that his schedule kept him extremely busy. "I am certain it will only be a matter of time. And, I will make certain to introduce you to my fiancée as well. Now, how may I assist you on this fine afternoon?"

"Oh, that would be delightful," Nemyos cooed, which was more of a gurgling sound than an expression of desire. He sighed wearily, however, and nearly pouted when broaching the true topic of his comm. "I was just wondering if Ms. D'Vrishay was about. She has a visitor waiting and she's late!"

"She only recently departed," Moril said. "I am certain she will be arriving very soon, barring difficulties with traffic, of course."

"Long meeting," Nemyos mused - pried, rather. "Very intense discussion, was it?"

"The usual," Moril answered enigmatically. "I am certain it must have been interesting to them, but I am certain Ms. D'Vrishay will divulge the details if you request them from her. Unfortunately, I am unable to say more without approval from Mr. Tregat. I am certain you understand."

Nemyos frowned hurtfully and pouted, "But...I thought we had something, Moril. I thought we were" --he leaned forward and dropped his voice to a husky whisper-- "intimately acquainted with one another."

"As intimately as two people can be over a comm-vid, Nemyos," Moril said. "But, that still doesn't mean I will give out confidential information over an unsecured line, especially Zale Tregat's confidential information. Did you ever hear what happened to the first man who held this position?" Moril shuddered visibly. "If you ever come by the office, you can see his hand in Zale's trophy collection. You don't want to know what happened to the rest."

"Oh!" Nemyos shrieked in horror, covering his mouth with one hand and pressing the other to his chest. He waved his hand dismissively at Merrick with a flick of his loose wrist. "You're so rotten, Moril Astren! I know that's not true. You would never let that big man harm me, hm?"

"Nemyos, stop being a nuisance." The Sullustan looked up attentively at his employer, standing before his desk with a long coat folded over her arm. Analesse appeared slightly fatigued, but managed an otherwise amused smile at her assistant. "Let him go and fill me in on any missed calls - of which, I imagine, there are many considering how often you manufacture circumstances that require you to speak with Mr. Astren and ignore my other business calls."

Nemyos smiled abashedly at Analesse and nodded obediently. "Sorry, Moril," he whispered to his object of affection, "we'll talk later." With a wink, he added, "Just you and I...."

"Of course," Moril said, trying to withhold the laughter he felt, and nodded gravely. "I'll talk to you later."

"I promise," Analesse interjected playfully, "he won't, Moril. Tell Zale I'm sorry to have taken up your time."

"I'll pass on the word," Moril said with a wink. "I'll have the notes from the meeting sent to you on a secure connection by lunch time."

She thanked Moril and leaned over the back of the screen to terminate the connection. Nemyos stifled an anguished cry and slumped against his chair moodily. "No fair, Ms. D'vrishay. We were having a wonderful chat." Grinning foolishly, the Sullustan confided, "I think we really have something, that dashing Moril and I."

Analesse chuckled lightly. "Nemyos, he's taken, but...fawn over him all you like as long as you make certain to clear my schedule for this afternoon." She rounded the desk, heading towards her office while calling back, "I have an appointment at 17h00 this evening."

"Yes, Ms. D'vrishay-- Oh!" Nemyos swivelled hastily in his chair, one hand stretched out to halt her. "I forgot! You have a visit--" But Analesse had already opened the door and stopped just past the threshold with a mild gasp of surprise. Her guest grinned and rose to greet Analesse.

"Felicita?" Analesse smiled curiously and bent forward to receive her friend's kisses. "What are you doing here? And why didn't you tell me you were coming - I would have had caffe prepared." Before Felicita could assure her there was no trouble, Lessa leaned out of the doorway and directed Nemyos to bring in some refreshments. The daydreaming Sullustan bolted upright in his chair and stammered back an affirmative. Sighing, Analesse returned her focus to Felicita. "So...is there a particular reason for this visit or did you simply miss me?" she quipped as the two took opposite seats in Analesse's sitting area.

Felicita chuckled. "Do I really need a reason for visiting my favourite protégé?"

Analesse narrowed her eyes skeptically. "Felicita," she admonished singingly, "I know you well enough, remember? Of course I don't mind a visit, but you wouldn't have come without comming first. This was an urgent appointment, wasn't it?"

Pursing her lips stubbornly, Felicita refused to answer, and was spared from doing so by Nemyos waltzing into the office with a hovercart of caffe and desserts sailing before him. "Ladies! Some tea? Caffe?" The Sullustan in flowing black pants halted by the table and began setting down the trays. "Oh, you simply must try the beebleberry tarts." He sighed in ecstasy. "Delicious!"

"Thank you, Nemyos," Analesse dismissed him politely, and smiling unctuously at Felicita and his employer, Nemyos sashayed out of the office.

Suspecting Analesse had not forgotten her line of questioning, Felicita eagerly bit down into a flaky tart, hindering her ability to speak and preventing her from answering anymore questions...for the time being. Analesse shook her head chidingly and poured their beverages with an amused smile. "You know...if this is about me and that party last night...."

"Don't be silly, Analesse," she mumbled, and after a careful sip of the steaming caffe, Felicita elaborated. "I'm not here about you or Mr. Braston...not directly. I've come only to warn you that word has been circulating about Reinrich Tas and plans he has to initiate a hostile take-over of this little project you have going."

Analesse shrugged. "I've legally secured a building contract with the previous owner - the White Noise is mine, and I can do with it what I like."

"Analesse," Felicita chastised irritably, "you know Reinrich was never one to resort to legal means. You've riled him, somehow and for whatever reason, and he is bent on revenge. He will have the White Noise, dear girl," she declared fervently, jowls beneath her jaw trembling as she shook her head in emphasis, "and he'll turn it into a droid warehouse just to spite you! He knows what you have envisioned for that establishment, and he will shatter those dreams to gain retribution."

"And what am I to do about it, Felicita?" she asked calmly. "Butt heads with him? He's just as stubborn as you say I am. And besides, as far as I'm concerned, he's bluffing. This is all a game to him, and soon he'll grow bored and move on to something else. Why are you so concerned about this, Felicita?" Analesse enquired curiously. "You, more than most, are well-acquainted with Reinrich's fickle whims and ploys. What has you so worried?"

Felicita sighed heavily, and all trace of her previous intensity vanished as she leaned forward to pat Analesse's hand. "My dear, you know how precious you are to me - you are worthy of being my successor, if only you had it in you to be ruthless from time to time." Analesse smiled gently and squeezed Felicita's warm hand. "But, my girl," the older woman urged, "you mustn't underestimate Reinrich Tas. He might not go through with this scheme he has concocted, but he has no qualms about ruining your reputation in the process. You know he's already easily convinced half of the social circle that you've succumbed to his charms in the past, labelling you a hussy, and tarnishing your pristine character; this business with Mr. Braston - a married man, Lessa! - will be used to his advantage. How difficult do you think it will be for him to lead those same people to believe you've broken up a marriage - people who will frown upon such depravity?" Felicita clucked her tongue disapprovingly as she mentioned, "That scene at yesterday's party? Just the fodder he requires to plant seeds into the minds of those idiots willing to believe you're a troubled woman, Analesse."

"So...what would you have me do?" she asked quietly; Analesse stared down at their hands, crestfallen and utterly stunned by Felicita's revelations. From a respectable businesswoman moments ago, Analesse now discovered she had becoming nothing more than a dissolute, corrupt homewrecker in the eyes of her colleagues. It was the antithesis of what she had sought to accomplish on Tae'Karada, and she had no one but herself to blame for it all. "Merrick's just a friend," Analesse insisted feebly. "I just...he needs a confidante and I...I need someone, Felicita. Haven't I been alone long enough that I deserve a little companionship?"

"Oh, dear girl..." Felicita chuckled affectionately and raised Analesse's chin with her plump hand until their eyes met - Felicita's filled with compassion, and Analesse's externalizing her forlorn state. "Analesse...I will not tell you what to do. I just wanted to make you aware of how things were. If you love this Merrick--"

"I don't!" Analesse exclaimed. "Felicita, it's not like that. We barely know each other. But...we've found a kindred spirit in one another.... Do you know how desolate my life was until I met him?" She smiled fondly at her friend and assured her, "You've always made me feel accepted, Felicita, I don't mean to say your friendship is not appreciated. But...it's different with Merrick. He and I, we understand one another on a level far deeper than I've achieved with anyone. I've not broken up his marriage - his wife's done that for them. Why is it so wrong to want some time with him, once in a while?"

"It isn't, my dear girl," Felicita whispered. "But you must do something to end all these rumours, or you won't be working much longer on Tae'Karada."

That was enough to completely dash any joy Analesse had achieved with Merrick during their short time together. Her career was everything to her - she couldn't sacrifice it for a man who might decide he no longer needed her listening ear at any time. Then where would that leave her? Sighing, Analesse looked away, far off into the expanse of buildings outside her office's transparisteel wall. How had everything gone so wrong? "He wants me to go to his studio later, to listen to a session," Analesse murmured. "Do I...go?"

"That is for you to decide, Analesse." Felicita patted her hand and sat back, then rose with great effort. "It is your life, my dear girl. I am sorry to have brought this all on you at once, but this business is cruel, at times. You must learn to deal with all that comes from such a competitive profession, one that employs many Reinrich Tases." Bending low, she kissed Analesse's cheek. "You are strong enough to get through this," Felicita told her softly. "Don't feel as if all hope is lost. You still have me, after all, hm?" Chuckling with mirth, Felicita let herself out, leaving a despondent Analesse staring out of her window to mull over her predicament.

Even the thought of breaking off contact with Merrick, and abandoning the White Noise project, was rending her heart. Having met him now, how could she possibly cope with never seeing Merrick again? Worse, how would she salvage her career if their association continued and the rumours gained momentum? Analesse groaned and dropped her face into her hands.

Their relationship had started so innocently and was now being corrupted by malignant, vindictive Rich Tas, a man who had more allies than Analesse could acquire in her short time on Tae'Karada. Felicita, as dear and powerful as she was, could do nothing for her, not and risk her own reputation. Analesse held no delusions that Felicita was selfless enough to jeopardize her own success for a friend's salvation. No, she was on her own; it was Analesse's responsibility to decide between career and friendship.

"Ms. D'vrishay," Nemyos' voice rang through the intercom, "I've cleared your schedule for the day, as requested."

"Nemyos--" She stopped in mid-statement, before she could direct him to rebook her appointments for the afternoon, instead of spending her day in the studio with Merrick. A sudden moment of complete detachment from her worldly troubles came over Analesse, where her mind established a harmony with her heart's urgings, where her feelings took on absolute control and dictated what she was to do next - and it certainly wasn't to give in to Reinrich Tas's bullying. Thinking of Merrick's breathtaking grin, and his enthralling voice, Analesse was helpless to reject the compulsions of her very soul. And smiling faintly, Analesse murmured a thank-you to her secretary before bolting out of her chair and rushing for the door.

She hurried out of the office, past Nemyos' desk and into the lift. Nemyos looked on with hand suspended in mid-air and mouth agape. As the lift doors closed, he muttered, "You forgot your coat, Ms. D'vrishay." But it was much too late, and it was unlikely Analesse would mind, not when she was being driven by her singular focus: Merrick Braston, her kindred spirit, and the only man who had nearly captured Analesse D'vrishay's heart.

---

"Necessary Reparations"
By: Dresh Kano
Shrezade Anoran
Rilanna Kir

Location: Drogen Shipyards
Date: Vadris 24, 4 ABY

***

Dresh Kano stood in the doorway, watching the figure moving across the room from him. Repairs on the station were underway, and soon it would be as good as new. He wasn't quite certain about the woman he watched, however. She had taken the attack to the station very personally, as if she had been the one attacked. He stepped into the room and she straightened as if she'd become aware of his presence. The look she gave him was thoughtful as she settled onto the couch with a glass of wine. His own rested on the table before him, and he moved toward it, ready to sit next to her.

"I hope you don't mind that I'll be staying here for longer," he said as he picked it up and moved to sit. "It's fortuitous that Command wants a presence closer to the system, and they chose me. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to enjoy this wonderful wine with you."

Reza nodded distractedly and stared unwaveringly into her chalice. Dresh's words seemed to flow right through her. "I should be receiving an update from Rilanna on how repairs are coming along," she murmured. "I'll need to go down there soon and check up on things...." Then, she returned to silence and pensively sipped her wine.

"I'm sure she'll be contacting you soon," Dresh said. "There's a lot to repair, but the crews are working non-stop. I was out on a shuttle a few hours ago, and they've got a lot of the structural supports back in place."

"A lot, but not all," Reza pointed out harshly, then deposited her glass heavily onto the table and rose. She was halfway to the door when she announced, "I'm going to take a look. Won't be a minute..."

"I can come with you," Dresh said as he set his glass down and started to follow.

Reza halted suddenly and rounded on him, nearly causing a collision. As it was, they stood face-to-face, barely brushing, while Reza gazed up sternly into his downturned eyes. "Why are you chasing me?" she whispered. "Can't you see I'm trying to grieve? Don't people normally do that alone?"

"Some do, some don't," Dresh said. "If you want to be alone, I'll let you be alone. I'll arrange separate quarters until you're ready to have company again. I'll be around, but I'll give you as much space as you need."

"But if you do that," she explained, "you'll have me breaking a promise to you. I promised not to shut you out, remember?" With a sigh, Reza whispered, "I just don't know how else to be in this situation. I've been thrown off kilter by all this, Dresh. I'm trying to find my balance again...but it's proving hard."

"I understand," Dresh said. "It's not easy, especially when you've always relied on yourself. If you need some time alone, go ahead. I'll be here when you're ready. If I force myself to stay next to you, then you'll resent me. Come to me when you're ready."

Smiling wanly, Reza kissed Dresh's lips and murmured against them, "You're a wonder, Dresh Kano. A true wonder." And she was gone, with only that single kiss as a promise to return.

***

Shrezade was nearly toward one of the available shuttles when her comlink chirped for attention. As she answered, Rilanna Kir's voice filtered from the device. In the background, sounds of people working diligently could be heard. "Administrator," she said, keeping with the formalities of their positions aboard the station since the matter upon which she was contacting Reza was station related, "Repairs continue as reported previously. Supports three through nine are secure and in-place. One, two, and ten through twelve are being worked on now. Technician Breijal reports at least another five hours on ten through twelve. Foreman Harough is reporting three hours until one and two are ready. Some of the security team assisting with repairs had to be pulled from the job and redirected to an incident with some of the Downsiders. Chamlembec reports that the incident has been quelled, but is reluctant to release his full squad back to repairs. He has left four in the vicinity of the incident."

"Good work, Captain," Reza replied. "I'll be going for a little ride to survey the exterior. You are free to join me, if you like."

"Of course," Rilanna answered. "I'll head right down. I should be able to meet you in about two minutes, if that is acceptable."

"I'll be waiting," was her response, then she ended the transmission and stuffed her comm away into the inner pocket of her jacket. Striding, as always, with purpose and conviction, Reza made her way to the shuttle berth. Her transport was waiting, but Rilanna was not. Having preceded her there, Reza went ahead and ducked into the shuttle, and was strapping in when Rilanna slipped inside. Reza offered her a brief smile. "Welcome. I won't keep you long."

Rilanna gave her a nod and moved to her own seat in the shuttle. "I'm here for as long as it takes," she said. "Besides, it's nice to get out of the damage control station now and then. I haven't had much chance since we returned."

"You need a break," Reza suggested, and nodded for Rilanna to man the controls. "Have you slept? You should really rest, Rilanna."

"I grabbed a couple hours earlier when Lerrah came up and dragged me to a couch and told Brigs and N'Ago to shoot me if I got off of it before I'd slept."

Reza smiled with genuine mirth. "They're good friends. Make certain they get a break, too."

"When we get back, I'll make sure they take one," Ril said with a chuckle. "I'm really...to see the way everyone is pulling together in this, it's heartwarming. There've been very few situations of people trying to take advantage of the situation."

"And not to sound cynical, but I would have expected that to be the case." Looking aside at Ril, Reza shrugged innocently. "I can't help it if I still have little faith in some of the station's inhabitants. It pays, in the end, to err on the side of caution."

"I guess the few incidents does restore my faith in humanity's penchant for taking advantage of others' pain, but I'm surprised it's only been a few isolated incidents. Though, I guess when your home is attacked, it changes matters for some."

Nodding slowly, Reza added nothing more and instead studied the station's exterior. Repair shuttles were hovering over damaged areas while workmen attached by lifelines to the small vessels proceeded with intensive repairwork. Reza sighed and leaned her chin against her fisted hand. "Is this to be the extent of my impact on this station? Constantly effecting repairs and fending off attacks? Where is the room for change in that? We're...getting nowhere."

"I've got some ideas to improve security," Rilanna said. "It will prevent something like this from happening again. Our defensive grid is back in place, and internal security will prevent something like what happened from happening again. Somehow someone managed to disable the detection grid from aboard the station. Ty informs me that he has something in place now that anyone who tries from anywhere on the station will be in for a surprise, and so will their friends if they try to sneak in. We'll get through this, Reza. This will not happen again."

"Oh, there's always something else we won't anticipate, Rilanna." Reza reclined against her seat and lazily watched all the reparations in view. "Sometimes," she mused, "I wonder if it's all worth it. I wonder whether I should just let those bastards do what they want and be done with it."

"I don't want to let them win," Rilanna said. "I've spent my entire life fighting against everything my parents stand for, and I don't want to even think that they'll be standing on the winning side when the dust settles. I want to make a safe place for decent people to exist, and lay some serious pain on those who would try to take advantage of them."

An amused chuckle sputtered from Reza's lips as if she had been out of practice lately. "Perhaps, with such fervour and passion, you should be the one running this station." Grinning, she watched Ril sidelong and joked, "You want it? It's yours, Rilanna."

"Oh no you don't," Rilanna said with a laugh. "I'm perfectly happy running security on the station, and that's what I prefer. Besides, you're a far better administrator than I could ever be."

"Yeah," she sighed, "I know." And she laughed softly at Rilanna's mild glower. "Okay...I'm truly glad you're my head of security, because there could be no one better. But...I feel myself lacking in direction, lately. I don't quite know what to do, Rilanna, for nothing seems to be working. The damned station is still falling apart!"

"Well, actually it's being put back together," Rilanna said as she pointed to where one of the last pieces of the superstructure was being reattached. "Tell me what could have been done differently in that attack, Reza. Tell me what any other administrator would have done differently under the circumstances, or what you could have done differently. What happened firmly falls into the area of security, and it is my failing. It's definitely not yours."

"But I appointed you head of security. If you were so incompetent, I should have fired you long ago." Again, Reza grinned playfully at her friend and lover, and reached across the gap to touch her arm. "Nothing could have been done differently, I know. But...it still doesn't mean I won't wonder sometimes. I'll be much happier, though, when there are no longer holes in my station, that's all."

"If Tasia and Lerrah have their way, those holes should disappear within two days," Ril said. "Sooner if they can manage it. Though, I have a feeling I'm going to have to order them to get some sleep and let their teams do the work until they're rested. They're good people, and I'm sure they can manage without Lerrah and Tasia for a few hours."

"I imagine I should give those two a raise," Reza mused, "no matter how I disapprove of their lifestyles. They deserve to be rewarded for their hard work."

"Oh come now," Rilanna said with a laugh. "You seemed to approve well enough when it was you and I. That is, unless it's something else in their lifestyles you disapprove of."

Reza's eyes fixed distantly on the semi-cylindrical framework being erected over a rended area of the station's exterior. She focused her thoughts before replying, hoping to avoid insulting Rilanna's friends. "They seem to lack...stability, Rilanna, and direction. Have they no ambition other than getting drunk and finding bedmates?"

"Don't forget putting your station back together," Rilanna said with a chuckle. "And, I think you're right, though Tasia more than Lerrah. Though, if that's what they want of their lives, it's not my place to stop them or change them. As long as they put things back the way they're supposed to be..."

"Yet you'll continue to associate with them?" Reza asked.

"After a fashion," Rilanna said. "Despite their faults, I do care for them. And, with Oyani off on another run, it's nice to have someone to spend the night with."

Reza smiled sideways at Rilanna. "Was that an attempt at inspiring guilt in me for not spending enough time with you lately?"

Rilanna laughed. "No," she said. "But, if it does, I'll take the points. You've got Dresh here now, and I know how much he means to you. I do enjoy the time we've had together, and the time we'll have together, but I don't want to try to push in when he may only be here for a short amount of time. Besides, the time I do get with Lerrah alone is very nice."

"You're fond of her," Reza surmised with a raised eyebrow. "Or...is it more than that?"

"I'm fond of her," Rilanna said. "I care for her quite a bit, but that's all."

"Then why do you give yourself to her? Is it not pointless when nothing will come of it?"

"Because I do like her," Rilanna said. "And, she's...she's very nice to be with."

Reza smiled tightly and raised her hand in surrender. "Okay...enough said. I don't need intimate details, Rilanna. I just want you to guard your reputation. You're a very important figure on the station, and it is imperative that you at least appear to be an exemplar of morality and justice. You must be, for the most part, spotless, Rilanna. You're clearing the station of scum, so you must be uncorrupted." She sighed pensively, hoping her message had come across in the least offensive way possible. "Do you understand, Rilanna? I hope you do."

"I understand what you're trying to say," Rilanna said. "I'll do my best to keep my relationship with Tasia and Lerrah private. Which means, we should also change the nature of our relationship."

Curiousity piqued, Reza prompted, "Yes?"

"What kind of message would we be sending to the station's inhabitants if you and I were carrying on some secret or not-so-secret relationship?"

This had Reza turning in her seat, as fully as her restraints would allow, to study Rilanna. "You wish to end our relationship then, Rilanna?"

"If the choice is mine, then no," Rilanna said. "But, if we are looking to maintain an acceptable public reputation, we may need to minimize the public aspect of our relationship."

"Our relationship is hardly public," Reza snorted dismissively. "We haven't been seen together on any occasion in a non-professional capacity. I do believe we're rather careful."

"That's true, we are," Ril said. Then smiled over at Reza. "I guess everything is alright then. I find the time when we're together...very acceptable."

"Then we shall continue to spend more time together in the future," Reza decided stolidly, and looked again towards her station. Despite their detachment, Reza did slide her hand from Rilanna's forearm to her lover's hand and squeezed it lightly. "I hope we can finally have some peace and quiet around here."

"I think I could enjoy that," Rilanna said. "Once the repairs are finished, and things are back to normal, I'll be very happy to just have some nice alone time. I think things look very good out here. You ready to head back in?"

Sighing with much relief, Reza nodded. "I left Dresh rather abruptly, but if you wish, I can keep him waiting longer if you'd like some time with me."

"I'll be fine," Rilanna said. "You should go back to him. He's a man, and you know how tender their egos are. I'm sure he's got a bruise there that needs tending."

"You don't want me around, then?" she pestered mildly.

"Of course I do," Rilanna said with a laugh. "I guess, if you'd prefer to spend more time with me, I'll be happy for your company. But if you do want to go back to Dresh, I'll understand as well."

"There's no reason for me to choose one or the other," Reza explained cheerfully. "Join us, Rilanna. There's plenty of food and drink."

Rilanna regarded Reza for a moment, then nodded. "Alright," she said. "I'll be happy to. You sure you have enough food, right? I can bring something, if you need anything more."

Smiling, Reza whispered, "You, Rilanna. Just 'you' will be fine."

"That will be perfect then," Rilanna said. "You don't think Dresh will mind me being there, will he? Though, I guess it doesn't really matter if he does. He'll just have to get used to the idea."

Reza chuckled to herself. "Oh, he'll mind alright. But I do so love it when he gets angry." Her leering eyes watched Rilanna sidelong. "So...intense and passionate.... I don't mind one bit."

Rilanna laughed. "I can only imagine what half of the station would say if they knew this side of you existed," she said. "I can only suspect what Hajne would say."

"She'd be overjoyed, I imagine." Sighing, Reza shook her head slowly, but appeared amused by mention of her secretary. "Those two aren't married yet, are they? I don't know what that girl is thinking."

"I'm still shocked over her having a relationship, and an extremely happy one, with a Wookiee. Though, they both seem to be very happy, but there are certain aspects of their relationship I refuse to think about."

"And I don't think those are things they, themselves, are worried much about," Reza suggested. "All Hajne is concerned with is having a big strong man - Wookiee or no - to come and rescue her, like in all those holofilms the silly girl watches. Cham supplies that for her, so she's happy." Frowning pensively, she added, "Or deranged...I haven't decided."

"Quite possibly both," Rilanna added. "And, as long as they're both happy, I'm happy too."

As the shuttle docked, Reza unstrapped herself from her seat, saying, "And I'll be happy to finally get some rest, myself. But...not until you've had some wine in my quarters."

"Not too much wine, I hope," Rilanna said with a mischievous grin. "I still have work to do. And, I know what that wine you gave Dresh does to people."

She slapped the hatch release when she was at the doorway, while saying, "Oh, I remember. He actually brought some over." Suppressing a sly grin, Reza asked coyly, "You want some?"

"It won't quite be the same without Oyani," Rilanna said with a grin that spoke of mischievousness intended for Reza, "But, I believe I'll be fine without her here now."

Reza nodded slowly, but obviously not in approval judging from her grimace. "What happened to her anyway? She...move on?"

"She has a job," Rilanna said. "She's running a shipment of something to somewhere in the Mid Rim."

"So she's returning, then?"

"Possibly," Rilanna said. "I'm not sure how long she'll be around when she finishes. It sounded as if her skills were garnering a lot of attention, which means she could be very busy in the future. I'd like to hope she's returning, but I have a feeling any visits here will be brief."

Reza shrugged, not sharing Rilanna's disappointment. "You're likely better off without her, Rilanna. She seemed...troublesome."

Rilanna grinned. "Oh, but she was fun to be around when I was in a mischievous mood," she said. "Lerrah and Tasia are troublesome too, aren't they?"

"They are," Reza agreed. "That's why I'm warning you now about them. I hope you will heed my advice, Rilanna. I do know - most of the time - what is best."

"And, you know you're best for me," Rilanna said with a knowing smile.

"Rilanna, darling," Reza drawled as they stepped into the nearest lift, "I know what's best for everyone. I am the administrator after all. Don't you trust my judgement?"

"Oh, I definitely do," Rilanna said as she leaned back against the wall of the lift. "However, I believe you have a conflict of interest in this case."

"Are you suggesting I'm incapable of being impartial?" Reza clucked her tongue disapprovingly. "Rilanna, I am shocked. You believe my opinion has been coloured by...jealousy?"

"I believe your opinion has been coloured," Rilanna said with a smile. "Whether with jealousy, I cannot say. However, your scandalous desires for me do colour your judgement in the matter."

"Hardly scandalous," she scoffed. "I am merely impressed by your intelligence and skill. I don't see where 'scandalous' comes into play."

"That's because we're still in the lift, and not back in your apartments, my dear," Rilanna said with a look that seemed to warm the air around them.

Reza smiled serenely as she answered, "And when has that stopped us before, my dear?"

Rilanna laughed aloud. "Do you remember that time on Dresh's ship? When we first met him? Out in the middle of the hall?"

Having the courtesy to at least blush, Reza pretended ignorance. "I remember no such incident. Are you sure it wasn't another of your lovers?"

"Oh, I'm quite certain," Rilanna purred. "It was definitely you, and definitely me. And, we put on quite a show until we realized we were being watched."

"Do we have to remember those times?" Reza complained. "They were horrible, Ril. Everything was...confused and I hated it."

Rilanna shrugged. "I guess not," she said. "I guess we can pretend that they never happened, despite the fact that amidst the awful things, some very good things happened. It was during those horrible times that you met Dresh, and we...well, we got a lot closer."

"Perhaps," Reza murmured and looked up as the lift doors parted. She smiled at Ril. "Well...that's in the past. How about we focus only on the good that did come from those bad times?"

"That sounds like a perfect idea to me," Rilanna said. "Now, let's go tell Dresh he's going to have to wait a little longer, but at least he'll have some wine to pass the time."

She chuckled and stepped out with Ril. "If he takes in too much of that, he'll be no good to me." Leaning her head towards Rilanna's, Reza whispered, "He's rather...talented. I've yet to ask how many women he's been with, but it had to have been numerous with the skill he bears."

Rilanna gave her a lazy grin. "Lucky you," she said. "It's not often a woman finds a man like that. You'd better hold onto him, and not let him go. And, if you ever need a little extra pressure put on him to keep him from straying, my team can work miracles in that department."

Reza watched Rilanna a touched worriedly. "What sort of miracles have you in mind? You don't need to injure the man, you know."

"Well, as long as he's not thinking of wandering away from you, there's no need for any miracle other than the ones that happen between the sheets," Ril said. "It would mainly entail encouraging his love for you, and that is all. And, I would never hurt him."

Sincerely, Reza sighed, "Neither would I. He's a good man, Rilanna. I hope I'm treating him right, for he does deserve it." Her expression converted to one of thoughtfulness as Reza mused, "Do you think I should allow him to marry me if he asked? Would that be repayment enough for how well he's treated me thus far?"

Rilanna's eyes widened. "You should marry him if you love him, if you want to spend the rest of your life with him," she said. "Do you want to marry him? He's...I think he'd be worth it."

A fluttering of her fingers acted as a negligent wave, dismissing the idea altogether. "It's silly. He hasn't mentioned it, I haven't.... I don't believe it's a path he wants to take, and one I'm not ready for. Marriage is for the insecure, I say."

Rilanna laughed. "Well, if you don't want to, then I wouldn't recommend it," she said. "It'd probably only cause trouble. Do it because you both want it, not because you're rewarding a reisakitten with a bowl of cream for being a good boy."

"And what kind of trouble would it cause, my dear?" Reza inquired curiously. "Involving you, perhaps?"

"No," Ril said. "When someone, or when two people, do something they don't really want, there's a resentment that begins to build. That's the trouble I was referring to."

"When have I ever done anything I didn't want to?" Sliding an arm through Ril's, Reza assured her, "Don't worry, dear, I won't be marrying anytime soon. You won't have to find a new mistress just yet."

"That's good," Rilanna said with a grin as she patted Reza's hand. "Finding such a self-assured mistress would be a real trick, I think."

Tossing her head back, Reza declared haughtily, "You certainly won't find one among those floozies you spend your time with, that's for sure. There isn't another like me, Rilanna. And there never will be."

Ril laughed. "Later, I'll have to show you this one thing Lerrah does. Maybe you'll appreciate her more then. If not, as long as you appreciate me, I'll be happy."

"I already do," Reza, told her quietly and with a sincere smile. "If you don't feel appreciated, then I will definitely have to change that." And as they arrived at Reza's door, she chuckled. "If Dresh is lying on the couch without clothing on, promise to look away, Dear."

"I'll cover my eyes, but I can't promise not to at least take a peek," Ril said. "Before we go in, thank you. I was beginning to feel as if we were drifting apart. I know it was probably mostly my fault. The time together today, it's helped a lot. Thank you."

"No...I should be thanking you, Ril. I've been so preoccupied with what's been happening to the station...I've been neglecting you and Dresh." Raising one hand to Ril's cheek, she whispered, "But I've nearly forgotten about all that's happened. It seems insignificant when I'm with you."

"Come on," Rilanna said as she caressed Reza's hand, "let's go find Dresh, hopefully clothed, and significantly drink wine and enjoy each other's company."

Laughing with more mirth than she'd felt in days, Reza leaned companionably against Rilanna as the two made their lazy way into her quarters. The station's welfare was still of some concern to Reza, but at the prospect of spending some much overdue time with her lovers, it was far from her mind.

---

"Recording Fiascoes"
By: Merrick Braston
Kaysa Zenarr
Analesse D'vrishay
Zale Tregat
Moril Astren [NPC+]

Location: The Sound Box Studio - Yelldon, New Plouton
Date: Vadris 24, 4 ABY

***

"No, I think we need to pick up the tempo on the second track," Merrick was saying to the man seated at his side. The board spread out before them looked sophisticated enough to run a space station, but in reality it was designed for the sole purpose of recording music. The man was very talented, in Merrick's opinion, and knew how to put songs together. He'd been the engineer on Merrick's music since nearly the beginning.

"I think you're right," Maze Rastaro said with a nod. "If we move "Ladies" up, and drop "Stars in Her Eyes" down, that may even things out."

Merrick thought it over, then nodded. "I think you're right," he said. "Just looking at this, it's shaping up to be a good one."

"I'd say probably one of your best," Maze said. "Looks like you've really had some inspiration on this one."

Merrick chuckled, feeling half guilty. "You could say that, yes," he said.

"I won't press for more," Maze added with a chuckle. "Now, how about we lay down a few tracks."

"I was afraid you'd never ask," Merrick said as he started toward the door that led to the booth where he'd record his music. Before he could get through, he heard someone entering the studio. His heart leapt and he turned back. His eyebrows rose in shock at the figure who came through the door. "Kaysa...what...what are you doing here?"

Dressed in a long, unbuttoned overcoat and form-fitting red dress that insufficiently contained her bosom, Kaysa Zenarr swayed towards her husband and looped both arms around his neck. "Hi, there," she whispered and laid an ardent kiss of greeting to his parted lips.

"Hi," he said. "You remember, Maze. What are you doing here, Kaysa? I didn't know you'd be dropping by. Though, always a welcome surprise."

She smiled uncertainly. "Really? Even after the other night?"

"How did you know I was recording today," Merrick asked.

Kaysa chuckled and stepped back with a coy shrug. "I have my sources, Merrick. Does it really matter? I'm here now, and we can spend some time together, just you and I for once."

He watched her skeptically. "Are you sure that's what you want," he asked. "I'm afraid I'm not very fun or exciting. It's just going to be me in there recording music and you sitting here watching me recording music. Hardly quality time."

"But...I like music," Kaysa insisted. "Or is it that you think I'll be too distracting?" Chuckling huskily, Kaysa again pressed up to Merrick and slid her hands over his rear. "I promise, I'll behave..."

Merrick reached back and pulled her hands away, stepping back as he did. "You're off to a poor start so far," he said. "Try not to distract Maze as well."

Kaysa glanced aside at the ogling director and gave him a wink before laughing softly at Merrick. "He's fine. Why are you so agitated?"

"Because, Kaysa, you can't expect to just waltz into my life whenever you feel like it, and then set me aside when you're in the mood to party. Because you can't treat me like a possession that you can play with whenever you're in the mood. And, because I'm tired of playing games, and having you sex me up when you're not getting what you want. Is that a good enough answer for why I'm agitated? Maze, take ten, I'm not in the mood to sing right now."

The man bobbed his head in a quick nod and quickly fled the room with caffe cup in hand.

Merrick turned his level gaze back to her. "I'm not a toy, Kaysa, and I'd really appreciate it if you would stop treating me like I were."

"Dammit, Merrick, I'm here, aren't I?" she rasped. "You used to love to play these sorts of games with me - why is now different? Have you suddenly grown too serious for a little foreplay?"

"This isn't foreplay, Kaysa," Merrick answered back. "This is what Hope does to birds she catches. It's some twisted game you're playing, and you had to come down here to make sure you still had your claws in me. Everything is a game with you, and I'm tired of being the little bird you toy with. Everything is manipulation and maneuvering with you now. You have to make sure Zale and I sit nicely and don't stray while you spend all of your time off in the night doing gods know what with Cadwin and Maeren."

"It's not as if you care when I am around," she accused. "I'm here now, and you're pushing me away." Movement over Merrick's shoulder caught Kaysa's eye; she glanced briefly at the doorway, long enough to recognize the figure halted there, appearing rather pale. Before Merrick could follow her gaze, Kaysa snapped her focus back to him and quickly trapped him in an embrace, forcing a kiss upon him. It was nearly impossible to suppress a grin when she looked towards the doorway again; the stunned figure of Analesse D'Vrishay trembled visibly, then bolted as Kaysa shot her a wink. Merrick noticed not a thing.

It took him a moment, but Merrick managed to push Kaysa away. "What in the... Kaysa, what are you--? One minute we're...and then we're... You only seem to care that I'm around when Cadwin's not within arm's reach. When you've got the chance to get drunk and stoned, nothing matters but him and what he can give you...and I'm tired of it. I'm not playing your games anymore."

"Then don't," she told him with a shrug. Smoothing one hand over his chest, Kaysa whispered, "Just meet me for dinner tonight. It'll be like old times, Merrick. You'll see."

"Very well," Merrick said with a nod. "Dinner tonight. At the 'Needle'?"

Kaysa's smile was a touch hesitant, but still filled with much delight. "The 'Needle' it is, then. You sure you're free?"

"I'm sure," Merrick said after suppressing a sigh. "I can call for reservations. Will 19:00 be alright?"

Giggling, she stole a quick kiss upon his cheek. "Perfect. I'll go find something to wear while you get back to your music." Pressing a hand to his cheek, Kaysa told him, "I love you," and watched expectantly for Merrick's reply.

As frustrated as he was with her behaviour, Merrick could not deny the feelings in his heart. He also couldn't deny the fears that she was still manipulating him, working him the way she seemed to work everyone of late. "I love you too, Kaysa," he answered. "I'll see you tonight, and I promise to change before I get out of here."

"Good," she laughed softly, and departed only after she'd bestowed a sensuous kiss upon Merrick's lips. Satisfied she had achieved her goal in luring Merrick back - as well as driving off his interfering mistress - Kaysa sauntered from the room utterly content, and didn't dally; instead, she made for home, intent on arriving to dinner in an outfit Merrick would absolutely drool over.

"Safe to come back in?" Maze asked from the doorway.

Merrick chuckled. "Yes, it's safe," he said. "Come on, let's get working."

"Sure thing, chief," Maze said. "Oh, did your lady friend find you?"

Merrick didn't need to ask who. Dread descended on him as he replayed the incident with Kaysa over in his mind. The sudden kiss. With his back to the door. A growl of frustration rumbled in his throat as he rushed from the booth before Maze could ask more. But, as he raced to the entrance, he found no one else.

***

Frozen solid and numb - that was all Analesse felt as she stumbled into the snow-covered street. One look back at the studio, where she had left Merrick and his wife behind, then she was off again, skidding and wobbling in a pathetic attempt to flee from her own shame and idiocy. It was clear to her now - Merrick would never abandon his marriage, no matter how desperately Analesse wished he might. What had possibly convinced her of otherwise?

Rubbing her arms furiously to generate warmth and trying to stomp feeling back into her poorly shod feet, Analesse rushed forward headlong, hoping any passersby might mistaken tears of embarrassment and disappointment for the sting of a cutting wind. What had lead her to believe Merrick would choose her over the woman he obviously loved? And in an instant, Analesse knew: his smile and kindness, his overwhelming generousity, and most of all his eyes that glittered whenever they looked her way, pulling her closer, ever closer until she was certain she would be swallowed into sweet oblivion where only they existed....

But Analesse was ripped back suddenly from the comfort of her memories, reality slamming into her like a solid wall of durasteel, and then the world was spinning, only to be halted suddenly by a strong hold on both her arms. Before Analesse's knees could strike the cold, wet ground, she was being steadied. And through the watery haze, she only just made out the features of the man she had collided with. "Zale?"

"Yes," Zale said as he slowly pulled his hands away, but keeping them just close enough to catch her should she start to fall. "I take it you saw them in there, otherwise you wouldn't be quite so pale, and your eyes so red. I've got a speeder just up the street if you'd like to fix your eyes, or need a lift anywhere. And, it'll give me a perfect chance to talk to you for a few minutes, off the record."

"I'm a fool," she whispered, chuckling wryly. "I don't even know why I came here...." Following a heavy sigh, Analesse nodded and allowed Zale to lead her away.

"I do," Zale said. "And, I believe you do too. Merrick is very fond of you and values yours and his friendship more than you can imagine. I believe there may be something more than that between the two of you as well, but his marriage is standing in the way. And, I believe you saw him in there with her. I was...delayed getting here. I was trying to head her off. I wish I could have been here sooner, but there was another one of those damned rebel attacks, or maybe it was the palace this time. But they had traffic lanes closed off for nearly ten blocks. I guess, what I'm asking, and I know this isn't easy, is that you don't give up on Merrick's friendship. I've haven't seen him as happy as he is when you're around in awhile, and...and it's good to see him smiling. I know it's difficult, but...please don't give up on friendship with him."

"But I'm making a damned fool of myself, Zale," she told him, stopping at his speeder to regard him. "He has a wife - a jealous one at that. I won't stand in the middle, Zale. I'm not that woman! He still loves her - I saw that much just moments ago. Why shouldn't I back off?"

"What do you want to do, Analesse?" Zale asked. "What is it that you want for yourself?"

Her smile was piteous in the sadness it conveyed. "I don't know," she whispered. "I thought I knew...but everything's going so horribly wrong, Zale. I mean, Rich Tas is trying to sabotage this project, Merrick's wife looks like she wants to murder me, and Merrick...." She sighed. "Merrick is wonderful, Zale. I wish things could be...different. But I have to make do with the way things are, which means I can't associate with Merrick in anything other than a professional manner. Gods" --she chuckled bitterly-- "why is everyone trying to stand in the way? Why is this so hard, Zale?"

"Because most people feel the need to muck around in other people's lives," Zale said. "For now, be a friend to him when you can? I'm sure you can keep it professional for now, but I have a feeling it won't be long before something explodes between Merrick and Kaysa the way they're going. I know who he'll want to turn to...hell, I know who he'd rather be with right now. Just, please don't give up on his friendship yet. I don't know what will happen with him if he loses that."

"Zale...I don't know...." Analesse sighed heavily and felt her gaze being drawn towards the studio, to Merrick. How could she succeed in maintaining distance if her first impulse was always to seek him out? Smiling wanly, Analesse looked sidelong at Zale and relented, "Okay...I'll try. But that doesn't solve the problem of Reinrich Tas. If I continue to spend time with Merrick, there'll be no doubt in anyone's mind that I'm the whore Rich has labelled me as. He's already hinted to many that I've spread my legs for him on more than one occasion. How do I deal with scum like that?"

"There's no easy way to deal with someone like Tas, even for me," Zale said. "As far as spending time with Merrick, make certain that when you're with him, you're not alone. It may not be easy, and it may make some things inconvenient. Kaysa won't make the matter any better with her behaviour, but we can adapt to that. I imagine the two of you arriving to events separately will help, with separate dates. Or rather, you should bring a date. Merrick would have to bring Kaysa, and that would be a proton torpedo to his career in public circles. We'll get through this, Analesse. You'll still have Merrick as a friend, and we'll see what we can arrange for Reinrich Tas. I've always hated that guy."

"And it doesn't help that he has numerous illicit resources at his disposal. Though, right now, I'm more worried about Merrick. If you go in there, will you tell him I couldn't make it? Just...just tell him I had an urgent meeting I couldn't escape." Frowning pensively, Analesse decided, "He won't buy it, will he?"

"Probably not, but we'll see," Zale said. "And, don't worry about what Reinrich has at his disposal." The smile he gave her was mischievously wicked.

Showing the first glimmer of lightheartedness since her meeting with Felicita, Analesse chuckled. "I really don't want to know, Zale. But...do you think you can give me a ride home?" She waved at her outfit - a skirt, and jacket over a thin blouse, saying, "I didn't come prepared for the snow."

"Of course," he said. "Come on." The door to the speeder was open and he escorted her inside, careful to make sure she stepped in no puddles or other of the hazards of New Plouton's winter. As they sped off through Tae'Karada's streets, they managed to chat amiably about things other than the troubles plaguing Analesse. Zale found that he actually enjoyed talking with Analesse. While he did not hold the same sort of feelings Merrick had for her, it was nice to have someone to talk with who actually knew the business. Thankfully, the traffic going to her home was light.

Analesse's spirits were nearly fully lifted when Zale's speeder halted in front of her condominium complex. She glanced out into the darkness, then back to Zale, smiling. "Thank you. You're...as good a man as Merrick insists you are, Mr. Tregat."

"Thank you," Zale said. "I do try, and am glad I do succeed from time to time. Have a good night, Analesse, and I'm sure I'll see you again soon."

Nodding eagerly, Analesse then turned in her seat to release the hatch. But, she paused with her hand upon the door and looked over her shoulder at Zale. "If you see Merrick and there's anything I need to know...you'll comm me, won't you? I...I don't want him to think I've brushed him off. I don't want to be another woman in his life to abandon him."

"I'll make sure he understands," Zale said. "Have a good night, Analesse."

"You too," she returned with an easy smile and exited the vehicle, where she hurried towards her building to escape the cold.

Zale watched her as she fled up toward the warmth of her home. Once she had disappeared inside, he turned back to the front of the speeder. "Get Moril on the line," he said. "And, get Tel. I've got a job for him to do." With that, the speeder sped away as Zale Tregat began setting plans in motion.

***

"And though the spattering rain may drown our path, I'll still find my way to you...." Analesse D'vrishay reverted to humming the rest of Merrick's 'Swimming In Your Eyes', but was unable to suppress a quiet, giddy laugh that interrupted part of the refrain. Her hair was wet, her feet frozen through, and her suit wrinkled and dirty, yet for as horribly as Analesse's afternoon had begun, her evening was progressing smoothly towards the nearly satisfying.

Zale's consoling and encouragement had turned Analesse off a course that would have created distance between she and Merrick...and would have made her miserable. Now, the prospect of maintaining a relationship - even if only a platonic one - elated her more than completing a large-scale renovation ever could. Reinvigorated, Analesse hummed with great zest and rushed through the opening lift doors to her apartment. She had an unshakeable desire to listen to some Merrick Braston - his later albums, preferably, when his music was filled with less angst and sorrow. It was the love songs Analesse was after.

Laughing blissfully as she swept into her darkened home, while belting out a line from her favourite song, 'Your Smile', Analesse didn't notice the shadowy figure detaching from her wall and slinking up behind her. Her joy quashed only when a disembodied hand slipped over her mouth and stifled the chorus of Merrick's hit song; from then on, Analesse was singing only muffled screams.

---

"The Games of Cats and Mice"
By: Kaysa Zenarr
Cadwin Tarell
Merrick Braston

Location: Cadwin's Apartment; 'The Needle', New Plouton
Date: Vadris 24, 4 ABY

***

He was seated on the bed. She was facing the mirror applying a careful layer of cosmetics. He was angry and she was going out for the night with another man. Sure he was one of her three husbands, but that didn't mean Cadwin had to be happy about the arrangement. He would have been more happy had she been going with him. He would be more happy if she just ditched Merrick and Zale and came to him completely. Typically, Kaysa would give just enough to keep the two content enough to stay away. But, Cadwin didn't like that it now included dinners.

"I don't see why," Cadwin said. "I know you love him, and you want to keep him from wandering. But, what about me and Shiv tonight. She said she wants to pick up a complete stranger and let him have his way with her. That girl is so wild, it's unbelievable. And, of course Tav will be there."

Kaysa glanced up briefly, interest piqued, but again lowered her eyes to the colour being added to her lips. "It's just one dinner, Cad. He's seriously upset, and I need to placate him for a while. Can't you do without me for one night?"

"Do you really want to be with him, Kayse? He's...just...he's so dull. I can just imagine what your dinner tonight will be like. Is he worth that?"

Setting down her applicator, Kaysa sighed and looked at Cadwin's reflection in the mirror. "I still love him, Cad, no matter how messed up I am right now," she said ruefully. "If...if things don't go well tonight, then maybe I'll consider just letting go.... But if I can convince him to join us, wouldn't it be great?"

"I still remember the last time he joined us," Cadwin said. "Kaysa...if you gotta go, you gotta...but...just...I guess just tonight will be fine. That means I get Maeren all to myself. Well, except for the complete stranger and Tav."

She chuckled and shifted around in her chair to watch Cadwin with a chiding frown. "You're trying to tempt me. Please, Cad...I have to do this, if only to lure him away from that...whore. She's ruining things, my love. I can only keep Merrick hanging for so long before he just lets go."

"Well, if things don't work out with you and him tonight, you know where to find me," he said. "We can cheer you up."

"You would love that, wouldn't you?" she said playfully, moving from her chair to sit across Cadwin's lap. Kaysa kissed the tip of his nose tenderly. "Who knows if he'll even show up, Cad. And if he doesn't, then I think my decision will be clear."

"I suppose it's too late to have him kidnapped, isn't it?" He gave her a roguish grin. "Well, even if he does show up, know that I'll be thinking of you tonight."

"I'm sure you will be, even when you're taking Shiv," she teased, then giggled and kissed him deeply. Before he could become too greedy, Kaysa pulled away and hopped off his lap. "Sorry...gonna be late if I don't get going. I promise to come right back if he stands me up."

"Did you want me to give you a ride," he asked as he stood up and watched her.

"No thanks." She pulled on her coat and smiled back at Cadwin. "If Merrick sees, he might bolt. I'll take a cab, don't worry."

"Alright," Cadwin said with a grin. "I'll see you tonight when you get home then. Have a good time, though I doubt it will be nearly as fun as my night."

Kaysa waved at him dismissively and, smiling alluringly at her husband, she sauntered from the room. There was no time to delay, not when Merrick might be waiting. With as tenuous as her hold on him was, there was no room for error. This might be the last chance to secure her straying husband. Kaysa refused to fail.

***

In the lobby of the restaurant, Merrick Braston waited. He hadn't been waiting long, thankfully. Though, he had been fretting sine he'd spoken with Zale after Kaysa's departure from the studio, and, though he had no knowledge of it at the time, Analesse's as well. When Zale had told him that he'd found Lessa hastily departing the studio, he knew she'd been there to see him. And, he knew she'd seen Kaysa's overly passionate kiss.

The knowledge that Kaysa had quite possibly kissed him for the sole purpose of angering Analesse angered him, but he had no proof. As much as he felt it burning within him, he couldn't be angry with her for that without knowing for certain.

"Another drink, Mr. Braston?" Machel, the owner of the restaurant asked.

"No thank you," Merrick said. "My date should be along any moment now."

"Your wife?"

Merrick chuckled. "Yes, my wife."

"She's heading this way now," Machel said as he pointed toward the figure coming up to the front.

"Thanks, Mach," Merrick said as he started toward where Kaysa was stepping through the now-opened doors. His breath caught momentarily as a vision of the woman she once was hit him. But the reality of their relationship was too real, but even so she still had her beauty.

"Merrick," she called, offering a brilliant smile that Kaysa hoped would convey her joy in being there with him. She left her coat with the doorman and continued her approach. Furtive glances from the bar shifted her way, taking in the dazzling black dress conforming to her supple curves - childbearing had been good to her, and although still carrying the extra weight of her pregnancy, it had deposited in all the right places. Hips swaying attractively, Kaysa hurried forward and finally intercepted Merrick with an ardent kiss. "Hi," she whispered.

"You look amazing tonight," Merrick said with a genuine smile. "They've got a table ready for us if you'd like to go on in. We don't have to rush in if you don't want. It'll be nice to just spend time together."

"We can't spend time together here with all these snoops invading our privacy." Kaysa motioned her eyes towards the patrons occupying the bar room then chuckled. "Come on...dinner will be fun. Or are you afraid I'll be too busy eating to talk?"

Merrick chuckled. "Eating will be fine," he said. "Machel, we're ready to be seated."

"Of course, Mr. Braston," the man said and motioned to them. "Please, follow me."

He led them to a table with a perfect view of the city stretched out below. To the side was a man playing a wintrella, close enough to be heard, but not close enough to overhear. It was clear that the table Machel had selected was one of the best they offered.

"I will give you some time to decide, and then I will return. May I bring you drinks?"

"Some water will be perfect for now," Merrick said as he held Kaysa's seat for her.

"Tulaberry wine," she requested. "And just bring the entire bottle."

"Are you sure, Kaysa?" Merrick asked with a raised eyebrow. He kept his voice calm, but the knowledge of what alcohol did to Kaysa's personality and mood was well-known within the immediate family, especially Merrick.

She laughed softly, completely unaware. "Why not, Merrick? We're celebrating, aren't we?" Nodding up at the maitre d', she reiterated, "The wine, please."

"Just thought you might want to have something without alcohol in it," Merrick said, "since you do seem to have a drinking problem, that is."

"I'll be fine," she assured him. "You can monitor my intake, alright?"

"Alright," Merrick said with a nod, and turned to the maitre d'. "Two glasses of Tulaberry wine. No bottle."

"Of course, Mr. Braston," Machel said, then bowed and turned to leave.

When they were alone again, Kaysa grinned and reached across the table to cover Merrick's hand. "See? We can compromise, Merrick. And if so...maybe we can make this work after all, hm?"

"Maybe," Merrick said. "It's just...when you're alone, off with Cadwin and Maeren, you don't seem to do anything to moderate your drinking, drug use, or any of that. Think about what you're doing to your body."

Fondly, she laughed at Merrick. "Don't be ridiculous...I'm perfectly healthy! And if you'll give me a chance" --leaning forward, she lowered her voice to an intimate whisper-- "I'll show you later just how well I am."

"Perhaps we'll get that chance," Merrick said. "Kaysa, I'm just worried. Things haven't been good. I hope you can see that. Maybe three husbands is too many because there isn't enough time in the day to share that love."

"I've tried," she insisted. "It's been hard. I just haven't been right since Aria was born." Chuckling wryly, she muttered, "Never having children again, that's for sure."

"Never say never," Merrick said with a chuckle. "And, I know you've tried. Still, in a lot of cases, what Cadwin offers wins your attention. I can't compete with that. But, I guess I won tonight."

"You two should really try to be friends," Kaysa urged him gently. "He's a good man...he just takes some getting used to, that's all. I mean...did you like Zale when you first met him?"

"I guess I didn't," Merrick said. "Well, I will try, though he really hasn't given anyone much of a chance to get to know him."

She chuckled. "He's shy, that's all. Like...that lady friend of yours," Kaysa pried nonchalantly. "She's always running off when I'm around, isn't she?"

"Because as soon as you spot her, you get extremely possessive," Merrick said. "You drop hints about our relationship, or you drop all subtlety and you try to suck my lungs up through my throat."

"Gods," she laughed, "it's not like we haven't misbehaved in public before." Gazing up at him seductively, Kaysa purred, "Remember that time behind Gladyne's store? You had fun, Merrick. I don't think a woman like her could handle that. Too..." She smirked. "...timid."

"Well, I could always check and see if she's too timid," Merrick said with a grin.

She shrugged lightly. "You could...but you'd much rather spend that time discovering how wild I can be, hm?"

Merrick's response was a laugh. "Yes, I could," he said. "She is a remarkable woman, Kaysa. She loves my music, and we have a lot in common. She's been a friend to me when I really don't have many. And, you delight in trying to scare her away."

"Why shouldn't I?" she drawled, curling one arm towards her chest and allowing her fingers to lightly caress her bosom. Her stare was undeniably lascivious. "Merrick, you'd get bored of a woman like that in an instant. Whatever this infatuation is, you'll get over it and realize you need me. Only I could satisfy you."

Merrick chuckled, then smiled deviously. "I think I know what I like in a woman, and what will bore me. But, if you can delight in trying to scare her away, I can delight in causing one of your husbands no end of grief. It's good that we have that cleared up and out in the open."

Kaysa's eyes hardened and her touch cooled as she accused, "So you do like her, don't you? But she's nothing like me, Merrick. Why are you letting her come between us?"

"You're my wife, she's a friend," Merrick said. "Why are you putting her between us? The more wicked you become, the more appealing her presence becomes. Don't you see that? Your seductress act and self-caresses don't make any difference. I love you, but you're making it very difficult to keep on loving you. You can really be a jealous, spiteful witch, you know that? And, when you start driving away a friend of mine because you fear you're going to lose one of your precious possessions, it gives me an incentive to stay away from you. I hope that's clear because that's the truth of it. If your jealousy costs me a friend -- a friend, Kaysa, not a lover -- our marriage is going to need re-evaluating. I love you and always will, but if you can't trust me enough to have a friend who happens to be female, then we can't go on like this...especially not with your nights out with Cadwin and Maeren."

"You mean it?" she asked softly. The sparkle had returned to her gaze. "She's really nothing to you?"

"She's a friend, Kaysa," Merrick answered. "That's something. You're my wife, and because of that she can't be more than a friend. We're good friends, close friends, but there is no intimacy between us, not as long as you're still my wife. You don't have to fear her stealing me away from you, Kaysa. But, if you do lose me, it won't be Analesse's fault."

"And it won't be mine either," she promised fervently, again squeezing his hand. "I love you, Merrick. We'll make this work. I know we want this badly enough."

Merrick gave her a warm smile and nodded. "Sounds perfect," he said. "Have you given any thought to what you'd like yet?" He indicated the menu resting before her on the table. "Their spicy sarian snapfish is one of the best in the city, almost as good as the Vendra cuisine."

Kaysa sighed dreamily as her mind went back to their vacation on that very same province. "Wasn't that wonderful, Merrick? We should do it again, very soon."

"That'd be very nice," Merrick said. "I've heard it's especially lovely this time of year." He was not certain he and Kaysa would last long enough to make it to Vendra again. How could they truly reconcile now when he suspected her every word and gesture as a carefully planned ploy to woo him back to her, just so she could set him on a shelf again for her nights out with Cadwin? "Maybe Zale could go with us too."

She chuckled wryly. "Oh, I don't think he'd want to. We...haven't spoken for a while. He certainly can be so overbearing sometimes, can't he!"

Merrick chuckled. "I guess he can," he said. "Though, despite everything, he's become a good friend. It's kind of amusing that I see him more frequently than you."

"Is that a jab at me, Braston?" Kaysa smiled silkily, lending unmistakable erotic undertones to her next quip: "You can jab me all you want later...if you still want to."

Merrick chuckled. "It was not intended as a jab," he said, "as much as you may wish it were. It was merely a statement of fact. With the renovations to the White Noise, he and I have been spending a considerable amount of time together. With the exception of Moril, I don't believe I've ever seen anyone keep their desk neater than Zale. Though, your butt print is still on it."

Kaysa laughed with mirth - loud mirth as many of the guests shot a glance her way. "I remember that day...it was a good one." Her mood darkened slightly and her smile faded as she asked, "Does he...does he ask about me at all?"

"He's been very busy," Merrick said. "But, yes he does. And, we talk about you. You're trying to patch things up with me, what do you plan to do about Zale, Kaysa?"

"Zale," she muttered distastefully. "You know how difficult he is - I hate it when he preaches to me, and that's what I'll get if I try to talk with him. Why does he have to be so condescending all the time?"

"Maybe it's just his way," he said. "Though, if you divorce him, that leaves you more time for your other husbands. Of course, that could be a long legal fight, and Zenarr Inc. is now part of Antorial..."

Kaysa's eyebrows perked up with interest. "You think he'd divorce me?" She smiled. "Would you, Merrick?"

"If there was a good enough reason, yes on both counts," Merrick said. "You haven't been pleasant to live with the past weeks, and up until tonight I've felt like you wanted me for nothing more than a trophy you could be pleased with while you spent your nights out with Cadwin and your days sleeping off the drink and drugs."

"Oh, come on," she chuckled, waving dismissively. "I hardly drink. And it's just spice, Merrick! I know you enjoy a puff or two now and then."

"Now and then, but I haven't been making it a nightly event," Merrick said. "So, what are you going to do about Zale? Just ignore him and hope he goes away?"

Sighing, she answered, "I don't really know.... Can't you talk to him? Tell him what a great time we're having? Then, maybe, he won't mind so much about what I've been doing."

"I can talk to him," Merrick said with a nod. "Do you still love him, Kaysa? Do you want him in your life? It doesn't sound like you're entirely keen on having him around."

"I've always loved him," Kaysa insisted. "Both of you. I'm just so...messed up right now. I don't know what's going on, Merrick... I just feel..." She shrugged. "I don't know. But I won't figure it out with Zale's constant berating."

"And, you think you'll figure it out by abandoning us for a night out with Cadwin whenever things get rough?" The question was put to her gently, but there was definitely a point in it. "You may not see it, but both Zale and I believe you're on a road to self-destruction, a road we'd really like to see you off. The problem is that you scoff at first, telling us you're fine, and if we press the point, you turn venomous. That, in itself, should be proof enough that there's a problem. And, you will not find a solution at some trance club with Cadwin, Maeren, and as much spice as he can afford."

"But it makes me happy!" Kaysa stated emphatically. "It may take some getting used to for you and Zale, but isn't it possible for you to see that I need this, just for a little while, just until I'm better?"

"Maybe we could start going to a doctor," Merrick said. "Maybe they could help you. We need to do something, Kaysa, if we want to save our marriage."

She gave a laugh of incredulity. "You think I'm insane. Is that what you believe, Merrick? Just because I've been drinking a little, something must have shaken loose in my head. Gods," she hissed, "you're so self-righteous sometimes."

"Stop trying to put words into my mouth, Kaysa," Merrick snapped. "That's part of the reason we're in the situation we're in. It's a known fact that there are many women who go through exactly what you're going through after giving birth. When's the last time you talked to your doctor, and did you even bother to mention how you've been feeling?"

"What is so wrong," Kaysa growled softly, "with feeling like you've made a mistake? I should never have had a baby, Merrick. I should never have pretended to be this woman I'm not. You met me in a bar, Merrick, and in that moment I'd decided I would sleep with you no matter how little we knew each other. That's who I am and I've been denying it. So have you! How can anyone change what they are, deep inside?" She leaned close and whispered harshly, "Neither can you. You were willing to let me into your bed that night, so why are you now judging me for what I am?"

"Because I didn't realize that was all there is," Merrick said. "Because I thought that after all this time, it was about more than getting drunk and having sex. Kaysa, just because I was ready to sleep with you after meeting you doesn't mean that I only desire to live my life as a big party. Since I met you, I've only been with you and Maeren when I had a say in the matter. If this is suddenly how it is, and that you've only been pretending for the time we've been married, then it's definitely time to re-think things."

"We've both been pretending," Kaysa insisted, once more reaching across the table to take his hand. "Merrick...wouldn't it be so much better if we could be that liberated again? If we could just do all the impulsive, scandalous things we used to?" She laughed softly at the memories of their many lecherous episodes. "It was great, Merrick. Why can't we be that way again?"

"Because we have responsibilities, Kaysa," Merrick said. "Whether you wanted another baby or not, you have one. You have completely neglected your business, leaving it completely in the care of your son, whose wife you have wooed away from him. I've lived that life before Kaysa, and moved beyond it. I can't go back."

"Not even with me?" she asked pleadingly, watching him with sultry brown eyes that had first captured him one night over a year ago. "Not even for one night? Couldn't you just try?"

"Kaysa," he said as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze, "why do you fear growing up? Why do you fear your responsibilities? The allure of what we did was in the spontaneity of doing something we shouldn't, something secret and forbidden. The allure is lost when it's forced."

"It doesn't have to be forced, though, Merrick! Don't you still feel some of that spark?" In her eyes, there was a desperation, and the more she felt Merrick slipping away, the tighter she gripped his hand. "Please...let's go somewhere and see if we can recapture that yearning. Don't you want to at least try?"

"That's just it, Kaysa," Merrick said softly. "You can't try to do something like that. As soon as you start trying, you're consciously trying to make those things happen. If we're not fighting, then you're trying to seduce me. It all just seems so...forced, Kaysa. Can't you see that?"

"No," she whispered curtly. "So are you saying you don't intend to have fun again, at anytime in your life? Is that what this is? You've suddenly gotten too serious for a night out on the town, like old times?"

"No, Kaysa," Merrick said. "That's not what I'm saying. That's nothing like what I'm saying. I intend to have fun, maybe even fun with you. But right now, your desperation is spoiling the mood for me. It feels too forced, Kaysa. I love you. I want you to know that, because it's true. I'd love for it to be like old times, but we can't just try to make it that way...that isn't going to work. It needs to happen on our own, and we can't force it."

"Your drinks," the maitre d' interrupted as he came up beside their table with tray balanced on one palm. Kaysa sighed, a great heave of relief, and sat back as her wine was placed in front of her. As Merrick ordered for them both, Kaysa stared into the still, burgundy liquid with unconscious longing. She was taking a long gulp even before the maitre d' had left, and when finally he had, she swallowed contentedly and raised her chalice towards Merrick. "A toast?"

Merrick nodded and raised his to her. "To hopes and dreams," he said. "That they may be fully realized and bring us all what we desire. To a life always filled with song."

Again Kaysa took a substantial sip, nearly emptying her glass. "One of your songs, no doubt," she teased after savouring the wine's aftertaste. "We should drop by the club after, or the studio. We can listen to more of your stuff."

He smiled. "That'd be nice," he said. "If you'd like you can listen to some of the new songs I've been--"

"Excuse me, Mister Braston," Mach said, as he suddenly appeared at Merrick's side. "There is a comm call for you." The man indicated the waiting comm unit across the room.

Merrick nodded. "Thank you," he said, then turned to Kaysa. "I'll only be a minute." And with that, he pushed away from the table and started toward the waiting comm.

Kaysa sighed impatiently and flagged down a passing waiter. "More wine," she demanded. "And this time...bring the bottle." Unable to wait for the waiter's return, Kaysa reached over and carried Merrick's full glass to her lips. The evening wasn't going well, that much she could tell, despite her slightly addled state. But, if she could get him home and into bed, Kaysa was certain their relationship would be secure...unless the comm was from another woman. Brooding over that thought, Kaysa took more than a sip of Merrick's wine.

"What the hell," was Merrick's reply when he returned. "That's it, Kaysa. I step away for less than a minute, and I come back and you're drinking my wine. You need help; you need serious help. Tomorrow morning, you and I are going to the New Plouton Rehab center, and you're starting on one of their programs."

She laughed in disbelief at her husband. "What the hells are you talking about? I was bored!" Her mild irritation transformed to rage as Kaysa pushed out of her chair. "Who were you talking to? Hm? Don't you think that's more of a problem - your secret liaisons?!"

"It was Zale, Kaysa," Merrick replied. "The inspection of the White Noise has been pushed back by an hour tomorrow, so the meeting's start time will have to be adjusted as well. No secret liaison...just business for tomorrow."

"That couldn't wait?" she asked bitterly. "You had to step away from dinner for something so trivial? And you accuse me of breaking up this marriage...."

"For some reason Zale thought it was very important," Merrick said