"Pressing Engagement, Part 1"
by Kaysa Zenarr
Moril Astren

Location: New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 4, 4ABY

***

Quickly planting kisses upon both Shiv and Merrick's cheeks, Kaysa rushed out of the apartment and into the lift to make her descent towards the waiting hovercab outside. She wished she could have spent an entire week staying inside the apartment and reuniting with Shiv, but the matters she had to attend to were too important to postpone.

As she stepped out onto the street already filling with rainwater, she realized this was the most dangerous, yet conniving thing she'd ever have to do. The old Kaysa would have been able to pull it off with little effort and even less conflicting doubts and emotions; this was the new Kaysa, though, and this alternate version of herself had regained a conscience and her rational thinking. This situation, however, called for impulsiveness and daring, both of which were obstructed by the voices of her inner self, ones now free from the influence of the demons.

Kaysa stepped into the hovercab as the driver once again blared his horn. Her clothes had already been soaked through by the rain and as she sat down, the driver grimaced, most likely at the sight of his seat getting drenched by her sopping clothes. He impatiently awaited the destination he was to take her to, and it took a moment for Kaysa to decide between Zale's Thanatos headquarters, or his office in New Plouton. No matter how far she had to travel, she'd find who she was looking for. "Yesdol," she said quickly. "The Estri-Casren Tower."

The driver simply nodded and veered the hovercab out into the busy streets. She hoped Zale's men didn't mind her coming unannounced, because there was no way she was going to let them stand in her way, and even if she had to unleash the bitch upon them, she would get what she wanted.

***

"Estri-Casren Tower, Miss."

Kaysa opened the door and jumped out of the cab before it had completely come to a stop. The driver was about to shout an angry comment at her when she popped her head through the open door and hollered, "Wait here. If I'm not back in ten, take off." She reached into her purse and tossed him a cred chip, then shut the door and hurried into the building, leaving behind an annoyed, profaning driver.

As expected, the moment Kaysa stepped out of the elevator on the top floor of the tower, Zale's guards sprang into action and approached her. Kaysa didn't let them deter her and simply kept strolling down the corridor, smiling congenially. "Deez and...oh, I don't recognize you. Are you new?"

The guard had the temerity to look offended. "I was here the last time you were, Ms. Zenarr," he said. "Name's Aron. I was here when you brought that other woman in to see Mr. Tregat, her and that little slave man of hers." He laughed. "It's okay. I know how with all the guards around here, we can start to look the same." He grinned. "Are you here to see Moril, ma'am?"

Kaysa looked at him suspiciously and slowed her approach. "Hmm...and how would you know something like that, Aris?"

The guard frowned. "Aron, ma'am," he said. "And, with Mr. Tregat gone, Moril is the one in charge around here. When you and Mr. Tregat were taken away together the other day, I figured you coming back now would be to see the man in charge." He grinned at his own cleverness.

Kaysa smirked at Aron and stopped before him with her arms folded over her chest. "Well, while you're busy being cunning, Aron, I'll just wander around the corridors, poking my head into every room until I find Mr. Moril. Frankly, I'm on a tight schedule and I don't have time to watch you demonstrate your amazing powers of deduction to me. Now excuse me..." She smiled smugly at him, then started moving past both the guards.

Aron laughed. "To save you time, Ms. Zenarr, I'd recommend starting with Mr. Tregat's office. Moril's been running things from there. Go on in, he's expecting you."

"What?" Kaysa spun around to face Aron. She had the feeling she'd stepped into a strange dimension where everyone had the uncanny ability to know precisely what she was thinking. She continued backing her way down the corridor, smiling warily at the guard. "Expecting me...great. You guys are very...very organized and... Zale made a good choice in hiring you...Aris."

"Since the incident," Aron said with a grin, "security's been very tight around here. You were spotted coming into the building and we were alerted here. And, thank you, ma'am. I always like to think that I'm a good addition here."

Deez snickered but said nothing.

"It's good to see you again, Ms. Zenarr."

"Really?" Kaysa eyed Aron skeptically, then laughed softly and shook her head. "Does Zale pay you to kiss his associates' asses too?" Still laughing quietly to herself, Kaysa covered the rest of the distance to the doors of Zale's office and with a final look at Aron, she pushed her way through. Moril was seated in Zale's chair - well, the one she liked to think of as her own - and was already looking up at her by the time she entered. "Moril... Hi...I guess."

Moril managed a smile for Kaysa. "Hi is appropriate still," he said. "I think. Zale told me about what happened." He stood and moved around the desk to her. "How are you doing? Can I get you anything?"

"Oh, nothing, thanks." Kaysa turned to the door and closed it behind her. For a moment, she questioned whether Moril was really to be trusted, but with the short amount of time she had and the limited resources, she knew there was no other choice. "Moril," she said as she faced him again. "We have to get Zale out...now. He's not exactly the most liked person in that prison and I really don't like thinking about him in there anymore. You're the best man he's got, Moril. Will you help me?"

Kaysa sighed and before Moril could answer, she paced quickly over to Zale's desk and sat heavily into his chair. "I know you probably don't like me very much, Moril, and after everything I've done, I don't blame you. But you have to believe me when I say I really do wanna get Zale out of there just to get him out of there, and not for any selfish reasons of my own. Now, I've got most of my plan worked out, but I need you for the rest of it. I can't do this alone." Kaysa sighed deeply, and finally managed to look Moril straight in the eyes. "Will you help me? Please."

Moril tried to mask his smile behind a hand rubbing across the scars on his cheeks. Finally he nodded. "I'll do whatever I can to help you," he said. "Zale contacted me last night after you were released from the prison. He said that Roba tried to get at him again, but he turned away the attack. I agree that Zale needs to be released and as soon as possible." He moved to one of the chairs in front of Zale's desk and sat. "You said you have a plan?"

Kaysa's relief was overshadowed by a renewed concern for Zale. At least if she were in prison still, she could keep Roba occupied and Zale safe. But soon, she would make everything right again...or make things worse than they were before. She leaned forward towards Moril and said simply, "Vrax. He's the first step. Find him and Zale will be free. Can you find him?"

Moril smiled an enigmatic smile. "I think I can," he said. "I take it you want to talk to him? Are you up for a trip to the desert again so soon after leaving?"

"The desert? What for?"

Moril's smile broadened. "We picked Vrax up late yesterday afternoon," he said. "We raided another of those moon bases, and he was amongst the prisoners we took. Would you believe he's claiming to be a general? Anyway, we're holding him at the Thanatos facility since we have better prisoner detention areas there. And, it keeps him a little further out of the way. We've been questioning him off and on since we grabbed him, but he's still given us no information on Maeren."

Kaysa grimaced and slowly sat back in her chair, getting as far from Moril as she could. "About Maeren," she said slowly. "Well, Vrax can't tell you anything about her whereabouts because...well...she's kind of at home...in my bed right now." She laughed nervously and furtively slid Zale's chair back away from the desk in case Moril decided to pounce. "I...I made a deal with...Vrax's employer and..." Kaysa sighed and looked away. "I'm sorry I couldn't get Zale out then, but we will now." She gazed back at Moril with a sigh. "I'll tell you everything, Moril, I will. Just...let me talk to Vrax. We need him to confess to the murder - Rennor's murder. He's the only one who can get Zale out of this."

Moril grinned. "I can have an airspeeder ready for us in about fifteen minutes," he said. "Zale mentioned that you'd been given a deal to get out of there. I don't think he would have expected the deal would be Shiv." He stood and slowly approached Kaysa. "You did the right thing, getting out of there. Especially to save Shiv from her captor. I know that if it had been any other deal, you would have stayed in the prison with Zale; but since it was Shiv, you couldn't reject it and leave her in that torment. I would have done the same thing if I were in your place, and I have a feeling Zale would too. Though, I have a feeling he'd have a more difficult time leaving you behind."

Kaysa smiled at Moril and stood to face him with an inquisitive gaze. "So...you've noticed that I'm not just one of Zale's flings? You're either very perceptive, or Zale confides in you...or both." She laughed softly and finally came to the conclusion that she trusted him more than she trusted herself. It was in his smile and the fact that Zale trusted him enough to run Antorial Industries while he was in prison. "Moril?" Kaysa asked with a grin. "There's more to the story than I've just told you. On our way to Thanatos, how about I tell you everything?"

Moril nodded. "I'll have the speeder ready," he said. "While we wait, I've got some fresh kaffe going if you'd like." As he sent the request for the speeder, he glanced up at her. "And, I knew you were more than a fling from the beginning. The way you two looked at each other said there was something more than just flings. And, there was the whole situation where he kept wanting to see you." He smiled and moved to the kaffe machine.

Intrigued by Moril's observations, Kaysa followed him to the machine and prodded him for more information. "So...from the very beginning you could tell there was something more between us. Did he...did he say anything about me? I mean...what did he tell you about me?"

Moril laughed softly. "He swore me to an oath of secrecy," he said, and then glanced sideways at Kaysa. "He said there was a spark when he was with you, and that no other woman made him feel as alive as he did when he was around you. He also mentioned that no other woman frustrated him like you did." Moril laughed as he poured out two cups of the kaffe. "Very few women are able to frustrate Zale Tregat and still keep his interest. Not many women are able to keep his interest at all."

Kaysa grinned at all the praise she was receiving, and even in hearing Zale's criticism of her, she found herself flattered. "You and Zale talk about me, then? Moril...how long have you been working for him? I mean, Zale doesn't trust many people and he obviously trusts you, which means you've either saved his life numerous times, or you're sleeping with him too."

Moril handed one of the cups to Kaysa and took one for himself. "I've worked for him for about five years now, and in that time I've made myself valuable to him. He and I aren't sleeping together, but we have become friends in the time we've known each other. I help keep his businesses running smoothly, and coordinate between them. I guess I haven't saved his life in the conventional sense, but I have helped with business matters that would have meant certain death. I believe in Antorial Industries, and in Zale, and will remain loyal to him until I die, and he knows that."

"Well...I'm not so sure he trusts me entirely yet, especially not after everything. But, you don't exactly need to trust someone to feel for them." Kaysa cradled the warm mug of kaffe in her hands and watched the steam gently rising. It swirled gracefully, then dissipated in the air, giving Kaysa time to collect her thoughts. "Moril...if Zale trusts you, so do I. So, before we proceed, I need to tell you something. Not even Zale knows this, and I'm telling you now because it's something you need to know before we carry out the second phase of our plan...not that we've completed the first yet, but arrangements need to be made in advance for the second part."

Moril nodded slowly. "Did you want to have a seat again to talk about it," he asked, indicating Zale's chair. He suddenly had another question he wanted to ask, but he decided to hold off until later.

"No need to sit, even though this news may be a bit shocking..." Kaysa stepped closer to Moril so she wouldn't have to raise her voice, thereby eliminating any risk of being overheard. She leaned in towards him and kept her eyes focused on his as she said, "It's funny, you know... When Dargus Kandran died, they never did find his burned body. Everyone just assumed he was dead." Kaysa smiled at him conspiratorially and added, "It would be quite convenient for him, if he really weren't dead, don't you think? I mean, he can secretly rebuild without anyone suspecting anything because...well...he is dead, after all. No one would target his operations because they no longer exist and it'd be insane to focus your efforts on destroying an enemy who's at the bottom of the Tarkayze Sea" Kaysa laughed efficaciously and shrugged her shoulders. "But what am I saying... Dargus Kandran's dead...right?"

Moril raised an eyebrow. "Then he's not dead," he said. "Or else you wouldn't be mentioning him. What happened to you and Zale, and Shiv, Dargus Kandran--who's not as dead as we've been led to believe--is behind. I won't even bother to try to piece together how he could have survived. But, if he lives he constitutes a much bigger threat, especially now. So, he does live and you've see him?"

"Who do you think handed me my freedom and Shiv, Moril? Well...not without a little something in exchange." Kaysa stood back and sighed. "Now that I'm clear of the murder, I'm partial owner of the spaceport. I don't think you need to guess who the other owner is."

Moril nodded. His mind raced as he tried to search out the more malicious reasons for desired ownership of the spaceport, and they all sent a chill straight to his bones. "So Kandran owns part of the spaceport now. He wanted the spaceport, told you that he'd turn in evidence that proved your innocence. When you said no, he played Shiv. Deal, and he'd give you Shiv back too. He needs it for something, and it probably has to do with his return to power. Trying to figure that one out, I'm out of my league. We have to get Zale out and fast. With Zale out of the way, it'd be too easy for a man like Kandran to topple us."

"See, Moril," Kaysa said with a grin, "the spaceport is the focus of the next phase in my plan. I haven't exactly thought about the repercussions of what I'm going to do, but I know that I can't let Dargus have that much power. We need to balance the scales again, and I need Zale out of prison before we can do that."

"And, you think Vrax is the key to getting him out," Moril said. "Are you certain he's the one responsible for Rennor's murder? If he is, I'm certain we can get a confession out of him."

Kaysa expression became grave and she nodded her head slowly. "He's the one, Moril. I've no doubts about that. He was playing me from the very beginning." She laughed morosely and put down her cup of kaffe before she was tempted to hurl it against the wall. "I thought I had him wrapped around my finger, meanwhile he was manipulating me the entire time. He's the one who encouraged me to pursue Rennor when I wanted to scrap the entire plan. He used my weakness against me... He used Keeve..." Kaysa's entire face sank and she felt her blood turn cold. "Oh gods," she whispered. "That bastard... My son...he was never dying. He just used it as a way to refocus me so I could continue carrying out the scheme. And now...now he'll use my son against me again to save his ass." She looked up at Moril while trying to hide her fears and the sudden panic that struck her. "He'd hand over my son to Dargus... He'd do it, Moril. I...I need to protect him. How am I going to protect him from here?!"

"I can send a ship with a few people that I trust," Moril said. "They can watch him or bring him here for you. In either case, they'll keep him safe from anything Vrax could do. And, just so you know, I don't trust anyone that Zale wouldn't trust."

"And I trust you, Moril. But...bring my son here? What about my parents? They...they'd have to know that I'm taking him from them." Kaysa gasped quietly and leaned against the table behind her for support. "I haven't seen him for ten years...I've no right to take him from them... But I just...I would never stop worrying about him if he weren't here. My parents...I'd make them come too, but they'd never leave."

Kaysa closed her eyes and prepared herself for what she was about to do. "Bring him here, Moril," she whispered. "Bring my son to me, and make sure my parents have all the protection they need. Oh gods..." She turned around quickly and rested her hands firmly upon the table. She hung her head low and took in deep lungfuls of air to replace the sudden breathlessness that afflicted her. "We have to do this and do this now, Moril. I might lose my nerve if we wait any longer, and then we'll never be able to stop Dargus."

"I'll send a ship immediately with some of our best people," he said. "I'll just need some information so they can find him. If you'd like, we can also record a message for your parents. But we can do this quickly."

Kaysa looked back at Moril with a gentle smile and said softly, "Now I know why Zale keeps you around. You're a good man, Moril. You're good for Zale. I only hope I can be as well." She sighed deeply and straightened up. Moril was given all the details he needed to locate her family on Bespin, and as she spoke, she felt a renewed resolve, one she'd need to send a message to her parents telling them she was taking away the child they'd raised for ten years. She couldn't help feeling cold and heartless, but if anything, she was being responsible for the first time in her life, and doing what she needed to do to protect those she loved. "Tell your men to start moving. I'll record the message while they're preparing."

"Good," Moril said, and moved behind the desk to notify a team to be ready to head to Bespin. It wouldn't take long for them to get under way, and would be nearly six days travel. He truly hoped he could be there when Kaysa was reunited with her son. He looked up once confirmation was made that preparations were under way. "It's done," he said. "They'll be leaving within the hour."

"So I have an hour to gather the nerve to break the news to my parents." Kaysa smiled wanly at Moril and nudged her head towards the door. "Let's go do this. While we're on our way to Thanatos, I'll tell you why you're going to be seeing me around here a lot more than you do now." She laughed gently. "It's okay. You can groan and gripe as much as you want. I don't mind."

Moril laughed. "Well, as long as you'll be wearing something other than those equadi, I'll be able to concentrate enough to get my work done. And, I can delay the departure as long as you'd like, but it'd be best to get the team out of here soon so they can protect your son if anything should happen."

"Right. Let's head to the speeder and I can record the message there." Kaysa and Moril headed quickly out of Zale's office, and despite the gravity of the situation, she couldn't stop smirking at him. "So...I looked good in an equadi?" Kaysa emitted a short, throaty laugh and linked her arm with Moril's. "I didn't even know you were looking. I would have thought your eyes were on Shiv the entire time."

Moril found himself blushing under Kaysa's scrutinizing gaze. "Well, it's very difficult not to notice both of you together. And, you did look amazing in the equadi." He glanced at her and laughed. "So, how is Shiv?"

"Well...as lively as ever. She's getting used to the splendours of being with her two lovers again, except..." Kaysa sighed and looked down the corridor somberly. "She has nightmares. That bastard Kandran... He branded her like she was a nerf. He drugged her and...he just used her like an animal. I...I don't know how long it's going to take for me to help her through that, and no matter how happy she looks, I know it's just welling up inside of her and at any time, she could just explode. My girl... I should have done more to protect her... I should have..." She shook her head slowly and forced back the bitter sobs of regret. "We'll make him pay though. I'll teach him never to mess with me or her again."

It was difficult for Moril to listen to Kaysa's telling of how Shiv was treated without letting the emotions bleed through. How could anyone treat another person that poorly? Zale may have been a crimelord, but he didn't use people like herd animals or sex slaves. He could be ruthless, but at least people enjoyed basic rights when dealing with him. "We'll make him pay," he said in a tight voice. "He won't get away from something like that." After a moment, he took a breath and let it out. "Well, at least she has you and Merrick. That will probably help her through things more than anything else."

She glanced sideways at Moril and smiled. "You really like her, don't you? Well, I mean, how can anyone not like her? She's Shiv!" She laughed as they headed into the lift and Moril entered a series of numbers onto the access panel embedded into the wall. "I'll bring her by one day," Kaysa said absently, paying more attention to what Moril was doing than what she was actually saying. As the elevator began rocketing upwards, Kaysa looked around in confusion and asked, "Wait...where are we going? I thought this was the top floor."

"It is and it isn't," Moril said with a smile. "We have an airspeeder pad on the roof. It makes it easier to get to Thanatos if we go by air. And, the roof is closer than the garages below the building. That and personally I feel sorry for anyone trying to pilot any kind of ground vehicle in this city."

"Tell me about it. It took me almost an hour to get here through the traffic today." Kaysa couldn't help but smile at Moril, and through it, she conveyed astonishment at how truly honourable a man he was. He was a man of integrity, and she reminded herself to pester Zale about giving him a huge raise. Without hesitation, Kaysa leaned over and lightly kissed Moril upon the cheek. "Thanks...for everything you're doing and are about to do for me...and for Zale. And I'm sure when Shiv sees you, she'll want to give you a huge kiss too."

Moril felt his face redden again. "Thank you," he said. "I'm...I'm just doing what I can for people I care about. I just wish I could do more." He glanced at Kaysa and then laughed. "Just don't tell Shiv that I'm looking forward to that kiss."

"Don't worry...you can trust me, Moril. As much as I have done that hasn't been exactly respectable, I'd like to think I've changed enough to gain the trust of an honourable man like yourself." Kaysa smiled as the lift came to a stop. "I also like to think that Zale trusts me, but I'm not sure if he does. I hope to give him a reason to today."

Moril smiled as they reached the roof speeder hangar. As they started out toward the waiting speeder, he leaned close to Kaysa. "I think he trusts you," he said. "At times he thinks he's crazy, but he can't help himself."

"Yeah, well I think I'm responsible for driving him crazy most of the time, but I'm making an honest effort towards being a little less neurotic. It's necessary if the next part of my plan is to run smoothly in the long run." Kaysa smiled, catching the look of intrigue in Moril's half-smile. "Don't worry...you'll learn soon enough what I have in mind. First, I think we should get to Vrax. Getting Zale out is our first priority."

"First priority," Moril said as he opened the hatch for Kaysa to get in. "I just hope we can get what we need from Vrax. He's been somewhat defiant as we've questioned him. I was just about to order more...convincing measures taken to loosen his tongue. Though, I'd hate to have to use bacta on that beast, especially with the things he said about Shiv."

"He's not her biggest fan. In fact, I think he's about the only other person on this planet who hates her...well the only one now. Rennor's dead, after all." Kaysa moved into the speeder and Moril secured the hatch for her. He then moved around to the other side of the speeder to slip inside himself. Once he settled into place, Kaysa smiled at him allusively. "And don't worry. I have my ways of getting information from Vrax. He'll give us what we need...eventually."

Moril laughed. "I won't ask about your methods," he said. "As long as they work, that's good enough for me." He activated the controls and took the speeder out into the New Plouton sky. As he angled the speeder toward Thanatos, he glanced at her. "We'll get Zale back, and then we'll make Kandran pay."

Kaysa sighed. "Definitely. I only hope I don't end up starting a war in the process." She laughed dryly and glanced at Moril. "Zale will kill me if I do...and I wouldn't blame him if he dumped me too."

Moril laughed. "I wouldn't count on that," he said. "Sometimes wars can be good for business, especially in the current environment. Besides, he was already planning on going to war with the Empire. Taking it to another crimelord or the rest of the crimelords is really no different. I think whatever comes out of this, Zale will support. Though, he may want to have a private meeting with you to either thank or chastise you."

She grinned at Moril knowingly. "Both of which will have the same outcome, I'm sure." She stared pensively out the canopy of the speeder, deliberating mentally upon the next step in her scheme against Dargus. She needed Zale's cooperation, and as stubborn as he was, he'd demand to know what the underlying plan was, which was something she couldn't divulge to him until the deed had been fully undertaken. She could, however, tell Moril everything. "Do you think you could make some preparations for me, Moril? I want everything to be ready for when Zale's freed. This must be done as soon as possible before Dargus has a chance to firmly plant himself into New Plouton."

Moril nodded. "Anything you need, just name it. I have full authority to use any Antorial resources. Now, what do you need me to do?"

Kaysa leaned over towards Moril with a gleam of mischief in her eyes and a sly grin upon her face. She may have given up her ruthless ways, but she could not deny that she enjoyed a good, underhanded plot. Flying over the hot sands of Thanatos, Kaysa indulged Moril in the intricacies of her plan, hoping Zale would be as impressed by it as Moril appeared to be. Unfortunately, Zale wasn't so easily convinced, but despite how stubborn he was, Kaysa knew she was more so and would have his cooperation whether he gave it freely or not.

---

"Pressing Engagement, Part 2"
by Kaysa Zenarr
Moril Astren
Zale Tregat
Vrax Draydge [NPC]

Location: New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 4, 4ABY

***

Moril led the way from the speeder pad. "Vrax is this way," he said. "We've been keeping him in one of the subterranean cells. It keeps him out of trouble. We caught him trying to escape earlier in the day. He was trying to dismantle his bed. So, we removed everything from his cell before he could do serious damage."

"He's persistent, just how I taught him to be. But I'm worse and I won't let him rest until he tells us what we need to know." They stepped through the doors of the guarded lift and started their descent. The deeper into the structure they moved, the more pressure weighed upon her ears. She swallowed hard to relieve the pressure, until she decided it was more useful to acclimatize to the situation instead of fighting it. "I'll want to be alone with him, though," she said after a moment's silence. "I'll get more from him if it's just the two of us."

"I understand," Moril said. "I'll have guards waiting just in case. And, I'll be nearby. If you need our assistance, just let us know. We'll make sure you've got a comlink before you go in." He typed a code into the control interface to allow them access to the lower levels of the complex. "I'm sure he'll be happy to see you."

A dry laugh filled the lift, one louder than Kaysa had intended to emit. "He'll be ecstatic, especially when I fire him again. I think, however, I'll try a different approach in getting information from him." Kaysa looked down at the pants and conservative shirt she'd chosen and grimaced. "I guess I should have worn something shorter..."

Moril took a look at Kaysa's clothing and raised an eyebrow. "We might be able to find something around here if you'd like something a little more...enticing. We have a fairly large supply of clothing for our infiltration work. You'd be surprised at how skimpy a woman's attire needs to be to infiltrate most Tae'Karadan organizations. We can make a slight detour if you'd like."

"Infiltration work...sure." Kaysa laughed and shook her head. "I knew Zale was trying on my clothing when I wasn't home." She looked up at Moril and said, "I think I've got enough sexual magnetism to sway him...I hope."

Moril looked at Kaysa for a moment, raised an eyebrow and then grinned. "Yes you do," he said. "Vrax doesn't stand a chance."

The lift slowed to a stop and the door slid open. Moril led the way down the corridor, using his own credentials to get Kaysa through the checkpoints. It was obvious that even if Vrax could manage to escape from his cell, he wouldn't get far.

"Do you want to see him in a private room, or in his cell?"

"Private room...preferably one with a bed." If Moril hadn't known what she had in mind before, Kaysa figured he'd have some clue by now. "Show me to the room and send him in after. I'll be ready for him."

Moril nodded and then quickly gave instructions to one of the guards. Once the man nodded his understanding, Moril motioned for Kaysa to follow him and then led the way down the corridor toward a room. It was comfortably furnished, and included the bed as Kaysa requested. "We'll be nearby if you need us." He pulled a comlink from his belt and handed it to her. "If you need anything at all, don't hesitate to use that. We'll have stunners ready, just in case."

"Good idea." Kaysa weighed the comlink in her hand and smiled tightly at Moril. "Make sure you record everything. This is our only chance and I don't want anything to go wrong." Letting out a deep breath of air, Kaysa gave a nod to Moril then moved farther into the room. "Good luck, Moril," she said with a glance back in his direction.

Moril smiled. "I think you'll need more luck than me," he said. "We'll be close, Kaysa. And, we'll make sure we even get the sound of his sweat dripping down his forehead when you really lay it on him. I'll have him in here in another couple minutes." And, then he was gone.

Kaysa watched as the door slid closed and trapped her in with her thoughts and doubts. Vrax wouldn't fall for it, especially not after their last encounter, and especially not with the knowledge that Kaysa was repulsed by him. She looked towards the bed and feared she really would have to use it to accomplish her first task: freeing Zale.

With a roiling nausea rising inside her, Kaysa moved towards the bed and sat down upon it. The sound of it creaking beneath her weight made her shudder and brought up far too disturbing thoughts about what she might have to force herself to do. It would be no different from what Roba attempted to do to her, and even though she would be giving herself somewhat freely this time, she knew it would make her feel just as disgusting.

Sounds of footsteps approaching the door made Kaysa stiffen and set her heart racing. Vrax despised her now, thought her weak, and the fact that he wasn't stupid either made her task more difficult. He would see through her scheme, but that wouldn't stop him from living the dream he'd had since he first met her. The sad irony was that it was Kaysa's worst nightmare, and she herself was making it realized.

The door slid slowly open, and then after a long pause, Vrax stepped through. His eyes were dark pits as he looked around the room. Finally, his eyes settled on Kaysa. He stepped into the room and stopped briefly while the door banged closed behind him. Once he was alone in the room with Kaysa, his mouth twisted from a scowl into a vicious smile. "Hi there, Kaysa," he said. "I see you're looking well. It's amazing what a trip to a prison will do for your figure. Though, I must say that slavery did wonders for your girl's figure. And, let me tell you, she can scream. A beautiful sound. So, what'd you want to talk to me about?"

A moment of hesitation and uncertainty incapacitated Kaysa, then the fury within her that had been ignited by Vrax's taunts about Shiv brought her mind to focus on what she was to do. She'd played this part before, had lived it for almost ten years; she'd mastered the role of the manipulative, conniving bitch and Vrax would witness first hand how good she really was at it. She glanced at the sealed door behind them, then slowly shifted her gaze back to Vrax while a malignant smile curled her lips. "So...you made her scream like I asked you to after all." With a sigh, she rose from the bed and languorously approached him. "A shame... I really wanted to hear that bitch scream."

Vrax raised an eyebrow. "You've got a musician boyfriend, Kayse," he said. "I figure he would have taught you by now that you stick to one tune per song." Vrax looked at the bed, and then over to Kaysa. "Dargus has really been giving her the works, especially when he gives her to me and my boys. Did you know he branded her? Just like the nerf she is. Basically, he said, 'She's mine.' Oh and you can see it in her eyes too. She's completely his slave. She loves it, thrives on it. Doesn't even flinch when he tells her to spread her legs for visiting guests. I wonder who Dargus will have her doing tonight. Could be one of the Hutts. I hear they like young human girls."

Kaysa stopped and feigned a stunned look as she said, "Wait... Dargus didn't tell you? I don't know why he would keep something like that from you... I guess you really can't trust anyone nowadays. A pity."

With narrowed eyes, Vrax stepped closer. "Told me what? I know he and his new girlfriend took a trip to the planet, but he left me to keep things in order. It's just that Zale got it in his head to get Shiv back. Too bad Dargus took her with him. His people are turning the base upside down, but they're not going to find a single pretty blonde hair. Too bad."

"They won't find her because she's not there, Vrax." The mixture of rage and surprise in Vrax's eyes sent Kaysa laughing and once again, she approached him. "You should choose your employers a little more carefully, Vrax. Dargus went behind your back and handed that little slut over to me in exchange for a little piece of property." She stood before him with the same mischievous grin on her face and gave a low, resonant laugh. "You did all that work... You murdered Rennor, handed Shiv over to him, and what you get is betrayal? Vrax...I thought you were much smarter than that. I taught you everything I know, and you go and get yourself duped by Dargus Kandran? I imagine that's gotta sting a little."

Vrax was silent for a long moment, his eyes the only indication of the seething rage within. "I handed the bitch to him gift-wrapped," he spat. "How dare he use her as a deal! The little whore was for morale. Where the fuck else am I gonna find a bitch who'll take three guys at once? I'll kill him. I'll take that smug, arrogance... I don't care how much power and influence he has, I'll take Kandran and...skull fuck him!"

Kaysa pressed her finger to Vrax's lips and hushed him with soothing susurrations. "Listen to me, Vrax. We can do this. We can do this together. I don't like Kandran any more than you do, and now that he's got something I worked so hard for-- we worked so hard for, I need your help in getting it back." Her free hand went to Vrax's chest and she gently clutched the fabric of his shirt. With a smile, she pulled him along towards the bed and continued speaking to him in soft tones. "Now that Shiv is back, I'm right where I started. Merrick's with her right now fucking her brains out, and without me. Do you know how that makes me feel? Do you know what it's like to watch as the person you love is with another - someone who isn't you?" Kaysa sat down upon the bed, and gazed up at Vrax with an alluring smile. "Do you know what that's like, Vrax? Do you?"

With hard eyes, Vrax nodded. "Every time I watch one of my recordings of you," he said. "I know exactly what it feels like, Kaysa." He lowered himself to the bed next to her. "You know I've always loved you, Kayse. And, you always push me away. You won't even let me touch you. Hell yes, I know what it's like to watch someone you love fucking someone not you."

"But you know why I do it, don't you Vrax? You know why I push you away?" Kaysa shifted closer to him and forcing back the disgust she was feeling, she brushed her lips against his ear and whispered, "It's because we're so alike. I know how you think because it's precisely how I think. You scare me, Vrax, just like I scare myself. That's why I can't be with you...even if I wanted to."

Vrax smiled and then moved his lips next to her ear. "You forgot one thing," he whispered. "I disgust you. You find me thoroughly repulsive, and are probably ready to empty your stomach onto the bed right now just being this close to me." He looked up at her. "Have you ever loved someone so much you hated them, Kaysa? Do you know what that's like? I know you could never love me, Kaysa, but you feel less for me than half the guys I've watched you fuck."

Kaysa pulled back and glared at Vrax. "I don't have to feel anything for you to know that we make a good team...we always did! You're a worthy adversary and I can't afford to have you opposing me anymore." She placed her hands firmly upon his chest and let her face linger near his. "I need you, Vrax. I need you on my side again. I mean, look at all you've done without me, on your own. Rennor's murder, framing Zale and I... If you and I worked as a team again, think of what we could accomplish. We could be running New Plouton in a month. Together, Vrax, you and me... Together we could be unstoppable."

"Especially since all that money that was Rennor's will now be yours. Did you know he was drafting up a new copy of his Will? You wouldn't have seen a single credit if he'd made that thing official."

"So you saved me from that by killing him?" Kaysa laughed softly and trailed her fingers lightly upon his cheek and lips. "You did me a favour then, and I show my gratitude by firing you. I didn't realize how lucky I was to have you by my side, Vrax. I do now. You murdered Rennor and got him off my back. I owe you everything for that."

"Well, now you know," Vrax said. "Actually, I didn't kill him because he was going to cut you out of his Will. He was a prick and deserved it. That and he wouldn't give the money I wanted to keep quiet about his slut fiancée who was sleeping with half the city. I didn't go there with the intention to kill him, it just sort of happened. Fortunately, I do quick work."

"You just didn't plan for Zale and I getting arrested for it. The least you could have done was help me clear my name, Vrax. I mean...I thought you loved me. Was it because I wouldn't give you Shiv? Hmm?" Kaysa let her hand glide lightly along his chest and casually let it fall into his lap. "You do know why I kept her around, don't you? It was because I wanted to break her myself. I wanted to tear the little bitch's hair out with my bare hands. Now...I want you to help me do it. You murdered Rennor and got away with it. Now I want you to help me do the same with her." Despite the revulsion she felt, Kaysa began kneading Vrax's groin, and making him that much more pliable while she manipulated him for information. "Will you help me, Vrax? Your hands are already stained with blood... A bit more isn't going to taint your soul anymore than it already is. What do you say?"

Vrax moaned softly. "Keep that up and I'll do anything you ask," he said. "I'll help you do anything you want to the little slut. After you fired me, I didn't really feel all that generous so I let you fall. If it's any consolation, it hurt like hell to see you suffering. I was the one who talked Dargus into making the deal to get you out."

"I thank you for that. You've always been very persuasive and conniving, Vrax. I mean, you convinced me my little boy was dying so I wouldn't trash the Rennor idea, didn't you?" Kaysa hastened her hand's movements, even though the more she pleasured him, the more sickened she felt. "You fooled me, Vrax, then you went behind my back and planted recorders in my room. I know it was you; don't deny it. Tell me, Vrax, how many times have you been in my apartment? How many times have you sat by my bed, watching me sleep, wanting to slip under the covers with me and just hold me? You still want that, don't you? You still want me enough to do anything for me."

"Anything," Vrax rasped. "I wanted to, Kaysa. I never did though. I didn't want it like that. I couldn't like that. I'd do anything, Kaysa. Just name it."

"There's my quandary now, Vrax. I mean you've already given me everything...most of which I never wanted in the first place." His body tensed as her cryptic words roused his suspicions and made him wary now. He'd worked with her long enough to know her quickly shifting moods and that she spared no one a taste of her deviousness. Her hand slowed its movements, but the smile on her face never waned. "You're curious," she whispered. "I can tell. But curious you shall be, no more."

A derisive laugh pierced through the thick tension in the air and before she could bring Vrax to the climax he'd yearned for for so long, she slipped her hand away and rose from the bed. "You fool...have I taught you nothing? You called me weak...but your love for me is a weakness just the same. You committed the perfect crime, yet for one touch from me, you give yourself away. That's another reason I could never love you," she said as she leaned towards him, "you're a fool."

Vrax' face transformed from the look of pure confusion to one of unspeakable rage. His hands moved quickly as he grabbed Kaysa around the waist. Before she could raise much of a fuss, he slammed his forehead into hers, dazing her. Before she could regain her bearings, he quickly threw her down on the bed and started tearing at her clothes. "I always hoped you'd give me what I wanted, but now it looks like I'm going to have to take it."

Her mind was still reeling from the pain coursing through it, but the touch of the cold air upon her exposed flesh pushed away any confusion. She focused at first on the crazed, frenzied look in Vrax's eyes, then sluggishly her gaze shifted to his hands desperately trying to remove her clothing. She murmured a protest and struggled vainly to push him off, but Vrax's mind was set on the deed and now his obsession would come to its culmination. Kaysa stopped struggling and lay upon the bed limply, gazing up at Vrax with a grin. "It's over, Vrax," she said coolly. "You're not getting out of this place, no matter what you do. Zale is getting out of Throntas, you'll be charged with murder, and that little blonde bitch will still be sleeping in my bed. So I hope you enjoy this screw, Vrax, because it's done...you're done for."

Once he'd managed to get enough of Kaysa's clothing off, he'd started on his own. In his blind lust, he didn't hear the door banging open behind him. As he prepared to thrust himself inside her, he was vaguely aware of the hands on his shoulders. He cried out in anguish as he was pulled off Kaysa. His limbs flailed against the arms holding him back, holding him down. His cries rose and fell in a wail as he struggled to get free, to finish what he'd started.

Kaysa lay upon the bed, listening to Vrax's cries but unable to look at him. She'd known disappointment too in wanting something so badly, yet having it torn from her hands. She too had hungered as he did for her now, and that had driven him mad, madness all too familiar to her. The demons no doubt spoke to Vrax too and had driven him to lengths no sane person would have gone to. A part of her pitied him for that reason, for the demons were persistent and even more persuasive. He was no longer in control of his mind and his faculties, and now would forever be drowned in darkness and hate, and Kaysa herself would be at the centre of it.

As the primal grunts and cries died away, Kaysa finally sat up in the bed. A warm stream of liquid rolled down her cheek from her brow. It dribbled onto her torn clothing and left a dark, crimson blot. She passed her hand over her brow and winced at the pain that erupted. "Great," she muttered as she stared at the smear of blood upon her hand.

As the guards took care of the still-struggling Vrax, Moril entered the room and approached Kaysa. He pulled a small kerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. "We have a physician here who can take a look at that," he said. "And, we got everything we needed from Vrax. I think we can go to the Empire and get Zale out based on his confession."

Kaysa took the white piece of cloth and gently placed it over her wound. "I'll be fine. Let's just go get Zale and finish this." She glanced down at her torn clothing, and then back up to Moril with a grin. "Do you think I could borrow your jacket?"

Moril smiled, and pulled off his jacket and handed it to her. "If you'd like we can stop for a change of clothing," he said. "We have a few...conservative options available as well. If you want to change, I can contact the Throntas warden with the new preliminary evidence to clear Zale."

"Sounds like you really want to get me out of my clothes, Moril." Kaysa laughed wryly and rose from the bed. She staggered for a moment but placed her hand upon Moril's arm to steady herself. After taking a moment to regain her balance, she began slipping on his offered jacket. "I guess I could use a change of clothing and a moment to collect myself. Don't want Zale worrying over nothing."

Moril slipped an arm around Kaysa's waist for support. On their way out of the room, he paused briefly to give more instructions to the guards. Once they had their orders, he led the way back to the lift and took them up to a wing of offices several floors above. He led Kaysa into a room with racks of clothing. "There should be plenty of things in your size here. I'll go make that comm. Now, you go ahead and get out of your clothes for me." He gave her a grin, and then moved over to the desk.

Kaysa laughed softly and with as much lack of inhibition as she'd always shown, she slipped out of Moril's jacket and began disrobing. She looked back at Moril and noticed his eyes flutter from time to time up in her direction. Even as she pulled the outfit she'd chosen off the rack, she continued to gaze at him. Once he'd completed his comm, she moved towards him while still doing up the buttons of her vest. "Moril...do you have anyone? I mean...family...anyone?"

"The closest I have to family is Zale," he said. "My parents died about ten years ago, and I was an only child. I've had the occasional fling, but I don't have a steady someone in my life. For the most part, work here keeps me busy."

"But...are you content?" Kaysa stopped before the desk and folded her arms over her chest. "I mean, a person can be surrounded by hundreds of people and feel lonely. Just because a person is alone doesn't mean they can't be happy."

Moril thought about it for a moment and then gave a wry smile. "I think I'm some where in the middle," he said.

"Aren't we all." Kaysa's mind began conjuring up plans and schemes that would eliminate that tinge of sadness in Moril's voice. She moved to his side and slipped her arm through his. "You know, I think I can help you with that," she said with a smile. "So...do you like brunettes or blondes?"

Moril laughed. "You know, Zale told me about you and Shiv's little scheme to find him the perfect woman," he said. "Will both of you wear equadi for me too?" With another laugh, he shook his head. "I guess I really have no definite preference, I think I like both blondes and brunettes, but right now I think I'm leaning toward blondes."

"Ah...and I think I know why that is." Kaysa laughed and headed with Moril towards the doorway. "And for you, Moril, equadi it is. But I doubt Shiv and I will be needing them because we won't fail! We'll find you someone...someone Zale approves of, obviously. He is a bit picky, though. No wonder he's not married..."

Moril glanced at Kaysa and grinned. "The truth on that one is that he hasn't found anyone until now who he thought he'd want to see tomorrow, let alone a year from now. And, I'm sure if you find someone you approve of, Zale will also. Unless it's that one woman you and Shiv found for him. Just mention her name, and you can watch Zale shudder. It's actually quite funny."

As they approached the waiting speeder, Vrax had already been placed in the other next to it.

Kaysa could feel his rage beginning to burn a hole through the transparisteel and looked away. Wherever they were taking him, she hoped it was some place with high security, for if he was ever free again, Kaysa wasn't certain how long she and anyone near her would remain safe.

Distractedly, she tried to continue with the conversation she'd been having with Moril, but her anxieties were bleeding through even her smile. "Arrista! I'll...I'll have to remind Zale about that once he's out. I'm sure that would raise his spirits...or put him into an even worse mood." She looked again to the speeder Vrax was being held in, then asked Moril, "Where will he go? I mean...he'll be far away, won't he?"

"Throntas most likely," Moril said. "It would be fitting if he was put into the same cell we're freeing Zale from. It'd be poetic, for certain." He smiled. "Let's get in and get this over with. I think Zale needs to get out. Last night he was complaining about Roba pulling his hair again."

"Not the hair again!" Kaysa feigned an expression of disgust as she slipped into the speeder. "Well...I'll make it all better...after the next matter on the agenda is taken care of. You did get ahold of an officiator, right?"

"I got ahold of him," Moril said as he activated the speeder's repulsors. "They'll have someone waiting for us there. I figure we'll have Zale free within the hour. Two at the most if they want to make us jump through some hoops. I don't think we'll keep him waiting for long."

"That bastard Satar will no doubt give us a hard time. He's had it in for Zale and I since we arrived at that prison." Kaysa ran her finger over her brow, lightly over the cut inflicted during Vrax's enthusiastic assault. "And I wanted to look so wonderful for Zale too," she muttered sourly.

"It adds character," Moril said. "And, trust me, you could show up in tatters and you'd still be the most beautiful woman in the world to him. Besides, this is Zale. You dress up too much and he gets a big head."

"Hmm...any other tips I should know? Zale enjoys being elusive and mysterious...even to me." Kaysa paused for a moment and gazed out the canopy. When she spoke again, her voice was hesitant and quiet. "I... I love him, Moril. I didn't want to and I did everything I could to keep myself from feeling anything for him, but...that didn't exactly work. I need to know what to do so I don't hurt him, and since you know him best, I figured you could help me with that." She cocked her head to the side and looked up at Moril. "Tell me how not to hurt him, Moril. What can I do?"

Moril slowly glanced over at Kaysa. "Keep him close if you're going to love him," he said. "But if you can't love him like your heart tells you to, you need to make a clean break. It'll hurt both of you at first, but that would be less pain in the end. If you can't love him, then that's the best way to not hurt him." He grinned. "Not much help, I know."

"No...it was good advice. And...and you're right; if I can't love him properly then..." Kaysa laughed softly and shook her head. "Problem is, no matter how hard I try to break it off with him, we always end up together again. Either I run back to him, or he to me. Making a clean break with Zale is impossible because it only ends up bringing us closer together." She glanced at Moril, who seemed to shift uncomfortably in his seat. Kaysa laughed again. "I'm sorry. You don't need or want to hear this, I'm sure. All I'm trying to say, I guess, is that if I do break Zale's heart, you have permission to hurt me, okay?"

Moril smiled and then reached over and covered her hand with his. "It sounds like in your heart you don't want to break it off with him," he said. "So, maybe you'll just have to find a way to keep him around in that unorthodox relationship you've already got."

Glancing at Moril's hand upon hers, Kaysa couldn't stop herself from wrapping her arms around his neck and embracing him. When Moril's surprise caused the speeder to veer off course, Kaysa yelped and released her hold. "I'm sorry! I couldn't help it," she said with an innocent smile. "I'll make it work, Moril. And I'll find you someone to make it work with you too. You deserve it."

Moril laughed softly despite the sudden red washing over his face. "Thank you, Kaysa," he said. "And, I want you to know that it's nice to see Zale happy. Though, it's going to be nothing compared to when you spring him from Throntas. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't get all mushy."

"Oh, he will. Believe me. He doesn't want anyone to know, but he's a crimelord with a heart. I imagine we might even see some tears."

Moril laughed. "Very few people have ever seen that side of him," he said. "He's very good at keeping it hidden for those he feels close enough, and trusts enough with his feelings." He glanced at her. "He'll be very happy to see you again. And, once he sees you again, I wouldn't be surprised if I don't see you for a couple days."

"Well, he did say he wanted to teach me a few special Shac'tae techniques..." Kaysa smiled at Moril, but the smile reverted to a frown as the Throntas facility came into view. Even from high above it looked wretched and vile, but at least from such a distance, the blood stains weren't visible and better yet, the stench couldn't reach them. "So we go in, hand over the evidence and get out? Is that it?"

"After letting them take possession of Vrax," he said. "I'm sure they'll love to get their hands on him. I can't believe we got that confession. He must really be blinded by his lusts if he didn't see that set up."

"Hey! I thought I was pretty good in there. I mean, of course it wasn't hard to manipulate him because he's desired me for years, but I thought I did a good job of trapping him."

Moril laughed. "You were masterful," he said. "I think you should be training people into trapping other people into confessions. Keep making yourself useful like that, and in other ways, and Zale will never want to get rid of you."

"In time, you'll come to discover that I don't much care for what people want. I tend to do my own thing...which is probably why I frustrate Zale so much." Kaysa smiled at Moril and added, "But in a matter of hours, I'll officially be a member of Antorial Industries whether Zale likes it or not. I'll probably need your help in getting him to go through with it, but I think he'll agree that it's a flawless plan."

Moril took the speeder down toward the Throntas pad. "Oh, I'm sure the two of us together will have no problem at all convincing him that it's a good idea," he said. "And, he's good at recognizing and signing on with flawless plans. He'll sign on for this one for certain." The craft settled onto the surface, and Moril shut down the engines. "Ready?"

"Of course I am!" Kaysa pushed open her hatch and hopped out of the speeder with unrestrained anticipation. "Moril! Come on. We don't wanna keep the boss waiting."

Moril laughed and had to rush to keep up with Kaysa as they entered the prison. They were met by a trio of guards who led them to a small side room.

Within, already waiting, was Commander Satar. He stood at their entrance, and then stepped forward. "Ms. Zenarr," he said, and then gave Moril a cursory nod. "I'm told that you've found new evidence that implicates someone else in the murder of Rennor Karradas."

"No, we've found the real murderer, Commander. Now you can let Zale Tregat free as well." Kaysa smirked at Satar and sauntered closer to him haughtily. "Sorry to shatter your preconceived notions about Zale and I, Commander, but we're not the scum you were so content in labelling us as."

Satar smiled. "You are still scum, just not murdering scum," he said. "You have evidence. I will need to see it before I can release Zale Tregat. Unfortunately, your assurances will not be enough, Ms. Zenarr."

Moril stepped forward with the datacard. "It's an audio recording," he said. "It's Ms. Zenarr conversing with her former employee, Vrax Draydge."

Satar looked at the datacard, and then took it. He stepped over to the table, and fed the card into the reader. He listened intently to what was said. As the scene progressed, his eyes held a mixture of contempt and revulsion. Once it ended, he turned toward Kaysa. "You are quite clever, Ms. Zenarr. With this information, we will have a full case against Draydge. If you wish, you may also file assault charges along with the murder charges he is guilty of."

"No, I think he's in enough trouble with the murder alone. I just want Zale free and then I wanna leave this place forever." Kaysa watched Satar with an amused smile on her face and said, "Not everyone who doesn't wear an Imperial uniform is scum, Commander. I don't think you give the people of this planet enough credit. We're not all Vrax Draydges and Dargus Kandrans. Some of us are actually loyal citizens who are only living as best they know how. It would be wise of you to keep that in mind next time you try condemning a person for a crime they had nothing to do with. Maybe then, people would have more respect for the Imperial justice system."

"Quite possibly," Satar said, his mouth twisting as if the words left a sour taste. "Wait here, I will have Tregat brought to you."

With that, he left, leaving Moril and Kaysa alone.

Moril grinned. "That was much easier than I thought. I figured we'd have to fight it out with them, but he was fairly easily convinced." Then he frowned. "Do you think it's a trap?"

"I'm not sure... Maybe he's just so glad to be rid of us both that he doesn't care where we came up with the evidence, he just wants us gone." Kaysa shrugged her shoulders and added with a smile, "Or it could just be a trap."

"Let's hope that he just wants to get rid of us."

It was a moment later that the door opened again, and Zale was pushed inside followed by Satar.

Zale's eyes went to Moril and Kaysa, and his grin nearly consumed his face. When his eyes found Kaysa's, he couldn't pull them away. He could barely breathe as he found himself caught in her gaze. "I hear I'm going to be a free man again."

Kaysa laughed and dropped all pretense of formality as she rushed to Zale and leapt into his arms. She kissed him deeply upon the mouth, which made Satar grumble and mutter words of disgust under his breath, but Kaysa still continued. She broke the kiss only to take a deep breath and say softly, "I told you I'd be back for you."

Zale grinned. "I never doubted you for a moment," he said, and kissed her again. "Though, Roba was asking about you last night. He said that he preferred it when you were kicking his ass. He says that I'm not as gentle. I had to remind him that you hadn't even started to kick his ass yet."

"I'm afraid neither of us will get to finish that. Vrax... Moril found him and I worked a little of my magic and...well...he confessed to everything." She glanced to Satar and still speaking to Zale, said, "If only we could hurry along this release process..."

Satar smiled. "Just produce Mr. Draydge, and I can release Zale Tregat into your custody."

Moril pulled out his comlink. "This is Moril," he said into the device. "Bring down our package. Make sure he's docile."

Zale glanced at Kaysa and grinned. "You two are good."

"We got our inspiration from you. It was nothing really, though. I mean, a little seduction. some nasty head wounds... It was all very straightforward stuff." Kaysa grinned slyly. "But I think you'll be even more impressed by what we've got planned next."

Zale kissed her forehead, careful to not aggravate her wound. "I'm looking forward to hearing all about it somewhere else," he said. "And, I will make up for you having to go through what you had to go through with Vrax. I imagine close proximity to him could leave some lasting scars." He glanced to Satar who was watching them warily. "You'll want to keep an eye out for Roba. I think he's going to be very upset with only Vrax to play with."

Before Satar could respond, the door opened and Vrax was lead in. When he saw Kaysa, his eyes blazed. "You're going to suffer for this, Zenarr," he rasped. "You and yours will suffer."

"I'm afraid that could prove difficult when you'll be spending the rest of your life in this prison, Vrax. You're getting what you deserve." Kaysa didn't shift closer to Zale for protection, but she couldn't deny that just the sight of Vrax made her uptight. If she weren't confident that he would be incarcerated for a long time, she knew she'd have something to fear by him.

At Satar's signal, Vrax was taken away. Once he was gone, the commander turned to Kaysa and Zale. "You are free to go, Mr. Tregat. Please accept the Empire's sincere apologies for this misunderstanding. There are a few forms that will need to be filled out, and then your belongings will be returned to you. I believe transportation has been provided."

Zale's eyes hardened, but he made no comments about his treatment since the arrest. The Empire seemed to make up the laws to suit its needs, and he figured making a scene would only lead to more trouble. With an offering of his thanks, Satar headed toward the door, and Zale's freedom.

---

"Pressing Engagement, Part 3"
by Kaysa Zenarr
Moril Astren
Zale Tregat
The Officiator [NPC]

Location: New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 4, 4ABY

***

"I need to find a way to thank you for saving me," Zale said as he and Kaysa reclined together in the back seat of the speeder. "Now, we'll need to re-double our efforts to find Shiv. I can do so much more outside the prison than I could inside. But, I'll get your girl back for you, Kaysa. I'll get her back."

Kaysa saw the gentle ripples of laughter running through Moril and decided it was time she let Zale in on the news. She looked up at him with a hesitant smile and began awkwardly. "Well...about that, Zale... I mean, Moril and I have been meaning to mention it to you, but with all the excitement and..." Kaysa laughed uncomfortably and explained to him as quickly and briefly as she could. "See...it seems Dargus Kandran - who we all thought was dead - isn't really dead after all. That's who got me out of prison, but at a price, of course. I...I had to give him half the spaceport, and in return he gave me my freedom and...well..." Kaysa winced as she half expected Zale's rage to flare and both she and Moril would bear the brunt of it. "He gave me Shiv. She's...she's at home with Merrick right now and... Sorry?"

Zale sighed with relief as he sank back deeper into the seat. "She's alive," he said. "I-- Well, I guess we don't have to keep looking then. But Dargus Kandran? He's back?" Zale shook his head. "That's bad news. I can't imagine he's going to sit by while the rest of us take over the underworld." He fixed his gaze on Kaysa again. "Is Shiv alright? He didn't hurt her did he? She's alright?"

"She seems as cheerful as ever. It looks like she was treated otherwise well considering..." Zale along with everyone else on Tae'Karada knew what kind of man Dargus was, so Kaysa had no doubt Zale could surmise what Shiv was used as while in Dargus' care. Hearing it would only fuel his hatred more so. "She needs some time to get over it, I think. She wants to see you, though. She's not mad at all, just like I told you."

Zale sighed with more relief. "That's very good to hear," he said. "I was afraid it would be worse. I think I could deal with her hating me more than I could have dealt with serious scars or worse. I don't think that she scars easily. She's good at getting through things, even things that would destroy anyone else."

Kaysa tried to smooth away the tension in Zale's face with her hand and lightly kissed him. "Dargus will pay, Zale," she said softly. "In fact, Moril's taking us where we need to be right now to set that into motion. I don't want you asking questions yet; just...trust me, Zale. I'm doing what has to be done."

Zale glanced between Kaysa and Moril and then shook his head. "I trust you," he said. "I know you wouldn't do anything to deliberately hurt me, and I know you have a completely devious mind. So, at this point you couldn't keep me away from seeing what you have planned."

"No way in hell." Kaysa laughed and hollered to Moril playfully, "Move this thing, Moril! I know Zale's dying to see what cunning scheme I've concocted this time. That, or scared out of his mind."

Moril laughed as he pushed the speeder faster. Zale only shook his head. "Both," he said. "I know I'd be insane not to be scared out of my mind. And, I know I'm not completely insane yet. But, I know whatever it is will be well worth that unsettled feeling I've got in my stomach."

"You mean the same one I've got in my stomach?" Kaysa saw the flash of anxiety in Zale's face and laughed. "You'll see soon enough, don't worry. It was the only thing I could think of, and believe me, I thought of hundreds of alternatives, none of which will work...except for this. You're gonna wanna kill me for it, but I think in the end, you'll thank me."

"I'll want to kill you? I don't like the sound of that," he said. "I never like a plan that includes 'you'll hate me for this, but it's the only way.'" He gave her a kiss. "But, as I said, I trust you."

"Well...you won't after this." Kaysa smiled at Zale as the speeder descended the heights of the New Plouton sky and made a clean landing upon the street below. Before them stood a tall, judicial building which was their final destination, as well as the beginning of an interesting journey for both Zale and Kaysa. "Come on!" She pushed open the hatch and hopped out of the speeder with a squeal of excitement. Zale, however, was probably only feeling mortification. She rushed up the grand flight of stairs leading to the entrance, and stopped only to wave both Zale and Moril over. "You're not that scared, are you, Zale? Hurry! We have a schedule to keep."

Zale chuckled as he followed along up the stairs. He looked around as they continued upwards and wondered just what Kaysa had in mind. "I'm hurrying as fast as I can," he said. "I'm still not used to moving around in this prison garb. And, I'm petrified. I know how your mind works, Kaysa. I know I should have run the other way when we got out of that speeder, but I know my body would have never let me get that far from you."

"We'll be even closer than you think after this is over." Kaysa knew her cryptic remarks were only making Zale even more nervous, but it only made the situation that much more humourous to her. Kaysa reached the top of the stairs and held the door open for Zale. She glanced at Moril with a conspiratorial smile and once Zale entered, she moved to Moril's side and they exchanged a few quiet words before she moved to join Zale. She slipped her hand into his and immediately led him to one of the lifts. "Don't worry. I've got everything under control, Zale." The chime on the elevator sounded and the doors slid open. With a laugh, she pushed Zale inside and followed soon after with Moril. Once she'd hit the number on the panel corresponding to their destination, she leaned towards Moril and whispered, "Make sure he doesn't try and escape."

Moril grinned. "Don't worry," he said. "I'll make sure he doesn't get away. I've got a stunner in my pocket if he tries anything sneaky."

"Good. Although, we do need him conscious for this..." The lift ascended quickly and thoughts of she and Zale sharing a passionate moment in the elevator of the Segrelat Tower produced a knowing smile on her face. "You know, if Moril weren't here, we could really catch up for lost time. We haven't been together for an entire day, you know."

Zale smiled and slipped his arms around her. "I don't think Moril will mind if we get a little closer here," he said as he kissed her tenderly. "I love you, Kaysa. From the time you left yesterday until the moment I saw your face again, I couldn't get you out of my mind." He kissed her again. "You do realize you're my hero now, don't you?"

"Oh, am I?" She singled out a braid of Zale's hair and twirled it around her fingers idly. "What do I get for it? I mean, we'd better agree to something now before we go through with this plan and you hate me forever. If we agree on something, at least I know you can't renege on it no matter what crap I pull."

"Well," Zale said with a smile, "what do you want for it? Ask and you shall receive. You saved me from all that, and now you can have whatever you want. Except to pull my hair. No one pulls my hair."

"Yes, I imagine the hair pulling has caused you to develop some phobias regarding that. Poor dear..." Kaysa chuckled, then regarding the ceiling of the lift as she pondered on what a fitting reward for a hero was. "Hmm..." As the lift chimed and the doors slid open, Kaysa's thoughts were interrupted and her excitement was roused again. She laughed and took Zale's hand before she tugged him forcefully out of the lift. "Don't drag your feet, now. This will all be over very soon." Kaysa walked briskly down the corridor and looked to Moril to indicate the correct door. When he did, she stopped before it, pulling Zale to a halt as well. She turned to him and began dusting off his coveralls and tried to smooth out the wrinkles. "Moril. Lend him your jacket."

Moril chuckled softly and removed his jacket for Zale. It had definitely been a jacket lending day. Zale quickly slipped into the jacket pausing only briefly to consider the look Moril was giving him. Finally once he looked presentable, he turned toward Kaysa. "Is this better?"

"Yes, much!" she said emphatically. Kaysa slipped her arm through Zale's, and with a nod, Moril opened the large doors. The tall, durasteel doors, once parted, revealed a large hall with benches on either side and at the far end of the room stood an ornately engraved podium behind which an aging man was standing. His expression was sour and he tapped his foot impatiently as he watched them approach. "Sorry we're late--"

"I set aside time in my busy schedule to do this," the man's gruff voice called to them. "Now hurry along. Let's get this done; I have other appointments to keep."

Kaysa looked up at Zale with a tight smile and said quietly, "Just follow my lead, okay?"

Zale glanced between the old man and Kaysa, his face going slightly pale at the thought of what might be occurring here. "Your lead," he echoed. "Where you go, I'll follow. Lead on, Kaysa my dear."

Kaysa smiled and lead on she did, straight to the podium, where the grave, old man squinted at them as if deeply scrutinizing them. A dry laugh sounded low in his throat as he finally finished surveying them and looked down upon his datapad. He narrowed his eyes at the padd, dragging on the tense moment even longer, until finally he dipped into the pocket of his robe and pulled out a pair of spectacles.

The moment of silence gave Kaysa time to think about what she was about to get herself into. It was the only way to keep the scales of power from tipping in Kandran's favour, and she knew it was for the good of Tae'Karada, yet all she could think about was how angry Merrick would be.

Kaysa flinched and gasped as the officiator cleared his throat, a sound that echoed through the empty hall. He smacked his lips together while he studied the notes before him for a moment, preparing to delve into it as if a meal. Kaysa was about to raise a plea that he begin soon, when he opened his mouth and started reading from the passage. "In Tae'Karada, and especially in New Plouton, contracts are made and broken each day, and as you stand before me today, you too have already taken the first step towards sealing a contract of your own."

He glanced at Kaysa and Zale, and grinned at them with something looking more like a sneer than a smile. He cleared his throat again, then continued. "I was asked to make this short, so I'll just skip right to the important part. Now...oh yes. This contract is one that can be broken by no human hand, for it is one created by two asri who, through this ceremony today, have the blessings of the gods bestowed upon them. You will create this union, and only the gods themselves may unbind you." The officiator motioned to Zale and Kaysa, urging them to face each other.

Once Kaysa turned, the look of utter horror in Zale's face sent her own panic rising and she felt herself glancing towards the door, ready to flee. "Oh gods..."

Zale's eyes widened as he realized what was happening. "I-- uh--"

"By the blessings of the gods, and by my authority, your two asri are now one. Now repeat: I, Kaysa Zenarr..."

"I...oh...uh...Kaysa Zenarr..."

"...am now your asri, Zale Tregat, bound to you and ever devoted."

Kaysa continued to repeat the vows, but the words no longer registered in her mind and all she could concentrate on was how furiously her heart was pounding in her chest. When the officiator orated the final vow, he looked to Zale and began dictating to him.

Follow my lead, she'd said. She had a plan. Some plan, a part of his mind responded. Then, he couldn't stifle the sudden laugh that came up.

"I, Zale Tregat..."

Zale glanced at Kaysa, smirked, and then repeated the words.

"...am now your asri, Kaysa Zenarr, bound to you and ever devoted."

Zale met Kaysa's gaze. "Am now your asri, Kaysa Zenarr, bound to you and ever devoted." What have I done, part of his mind asked. Oh shut the fuck up, the rest of his mind answered.

The officiator gave his ambiguous smile again and uplifted his arms as if summoning the gods above. "Joined in love and obedience, may your hearts never stray from where they truly belong. Kaysa Zenarr, everything that you are, you are for Zale Tregat and only him. You are Kaysa Tregat--"

"Oh gods..." Kaysa wavered and quickly gripped Zale's arms to keep herself from staggering backwards. The officiator cleared his throat, and Kaysa waved at him quickly to continue.

"Very well... Zale Tregat, that which was Kaysa's is now yours, utterly and completely." The man thrust out a datapad towards Zale and in his other hand, he held out a stylus. "Do you accept, Mr. Tregat?"

Zale felt his chin lying on the floor, and he had a feeling his eyes were somewhere nearby. He shook his head slowly and mumbled something incoherent. He said something else which in his mind sounded like "What the hell are you talking about?" He knew that the sounds that came out were nothing near that, and probably couldn't even be classified as language. A look into Kaysa's eyes told him she was serious, and so he turned back to the officiator. "I accept," he said, and then signed his name to the datapad.

The man glanced down with disinterest at the signature upon the padd, then thrust it out towards Kaysa. "You divest yourself of all you own, and pledge it to your new lifemate. Do you accept?"

Kaysa nodded her head dumbly at the man and with mechanical motions, she pulled the stylus from Zale's tight grip. Her hand moved unsteadily as she signed her possessions and name away to Zale. "Merrick's definitely gonna kill me..."

Once she lifted her hand away from the padd, the officiator took the stylus from her and recited a short blessing. "Zale...I'll explain everything...just as soon as I can think again."

Zale nodded. "I'd appreciate that," he said, and then hastily added, "I think. So, did you have any preferences for a honeymoon? Maybe while we're there we can figure out a way to break this to Merrick and Shiv."

Just as Kaysa was about to groan, the officiator cleared his throat efficaciously, and glared at them like insolent children. "The ceremony is not completed yet." Kaysa looked down in shame at the old man's chastisement and kept quiet as he continued. "Now, Kaysa Tregat, you may kiss your lord's hand to seal the contract."

"What?!" Kaysa's timidity dissipated as she gazed impudently at the old man. "I will not kiss his hand."

"You will or the contract will be voided!"

"Wait...I thought you said only the gods could break this marriage contract."

The man sneered at Kaysa and leaned over his podium towards her. "My dear, those vows are over a hundred years old. It's the legal aspect of this ceremony that means anything at all, and since I am the legal authority at this proceeding, I have it within my power to nullify this marriage if you don't obey me. Now kiss his hand!"

Kaysa's mouth hung agape at the stupefication evoked by the little old man's audacity in ordering her to perform the most demeaning task she'd ever heard of. She whimpered quietly, then sighed sharply as she picked up Zale's hand and studied it for a moment. She glanced at the officiator who was watching her intently, and when she finally pressed her lips to Zale's hand, the man straightened up triumphantly and began putting his own name to the datapad. "Congratulations on your union. May you, Kaysa Tregat, be a dutiful mate, and may you, Zale Tregat, be content with your woman and the many children she shall bear you." Without another word, the officiator stepped off the podium and headed towards the back room with his purple robes flowing behind, leaving Kaysa and Zale with the opportunity to contemplate the event that had just transpired.

"Oh...Merrick's gonna dump me for this."

Zale thought about it for a moment. "I won't let him," he said. "Merrick is yours, right? What's yours is mine. So, Merrick is mine, and I won't let him dump you. Convincing him of that may be difficult, but I'll figure it out. I think once we get Shiv on our side, it'll be easy enough with Merrick."

Kaysa swallowed back a petulant whimper and looked to Moril, who had a most amused smile on his face. "You better not be laughing, Moril! I'm now the wife of a crimelord. I'm to be feared. I'm...I'm so dead!" Kaysa moaned and whined as she fled past Moril and Zale. "Merrick's gonna wanna know why I could marry you, but I couldn't marry him. I promised myself after Cadwin, I would never marry again. I'm fucking insane!"

Zale quickly followed after her. "Kaysa," he said. "We'll figure something out. It won't be as bad as you're fearing. And, get back here, I haven't kissed your hand yet."

Kaysa stopped and turned to Zale with a disapproving glare. She folded her arms across her chest stubbornly and slowly moved towards him. "Do you wanna know what this is all about, Zale? Do you wanna know why I'm now Kaysa fucking Tregat?" Her anxieties displayed themselves as a series of short, dry laughs, until Kaysa sobbed pathetically and took a seat on the nearby bench. "So stupid..."

Zale moved to the bench and sat next to Kaysa. "Well, I seriously doubt it's so you can honour and obey me, or because you want to be married to me. If you want to tell me, if you're able to tell me...then yes."

"I think it's something too important to keep from you, but I couldn't tell you before because I was afraid you wouldn't agree to it." Kaysa slipped her hand into Zale's and watched as her fingers played across his flesh. "Now that I'm your wife, you have all my assets. I'm creditless, Zale. I mean, even Zenarr Inc.'s yours now." She slowly shifted her gaze to his, hoping he was catching on to what she was alluding to. "Everything, Zale. It's all yours. That's the way it is on this patriarchal, misogynistic planet. A woman reverts all her assets over to her beloved husband so she can work at being a devoted, docile wife while keeping her mind free of all distractions like..." Kaysa continued to gaze at Zale but spoke now hesitantly. "Like...running a spaceport."

Zale nodded slowly. "So, I suppose now I'm going to have Dargus Kandran banging on my door demanding his half of the spaceport." He shook his head slowly and sighed. "I hope he doesn't expect me to just give it away for free. I'll have to make sure I have a few extra guards around in case he gets rowdy."

"Was I wrong, Zale? Did I just do something really stupid?" She grumbled irritably under her breath and sat back with a huff against the bench. "I only did it because on this stupid planet, women are nothing. The minute I gave Kandran that half of the spaceport, he automatically became the senior partner. I was nothing. But now that it's yours, you're equal partners again. I just...I needed a way to take some of his power away, and this was the only way I knew how to do it."

"Do you have legal possession of Rennor's estates yet? If you don't, then when they are given to you, they automatically become mine. Kandran won't be able to touch them through you, because they're not yours. If he wants them, he'll have to go through me to get them. I guess the question is how tough do we want to make this fight on him? I haven't assessed his strength, but for having been dead for four months, I have a feeling I'm in a better position than he is."

"You mean...the spaceport is yours entirely? Oh dear..." Kaysa turned slowly away from Zale and chewed her lip nervously. "He'll want Shiv back, of course, since I didn't deliver on my part of the agreement. And of course, he'll have us both hunted down and killed for this...my dear husband."

"I guess it's a good thing we have Rennor's wealth to purchase the best security available on this planet," he said. "And, he can't have Shiv. He shouldn't have taken her in the first place. If he tries again, I'll make sure he has a selection of which of his many orifices to breathe out of."

"I really love it when you get all vile and despicable." Kaysa laughed and settled into Zale's arms. "This'll work. And especially with a devious wife by your side, we can keep Kandran at bay. Gods...never thought I'd be married again. I really hope you don't expect me to produce offspring for you."

Zale kissed her and sighed softly as he held her. "But that's the Tae'Karada way," he said, and then laughed. "I won't pressure you into turning into the perfect Tae'Karadan wife, wearing nothing and popping out babies like some sort of organic assembly line. Though, the wearing nothing part does sound nice."

"I know...I can't wait to see you in one of those equadi." Kaysa grinned at Zale then patted him on the arm as she sat up. "Come on. Let's go get you into some real clothing and then...then you and I can go to Merrick and Shiv and tell them why my business has suddenly become Tregat Inc."

Zale smiled. "Well, I think we can keep the name as Zenarr Inc.," he said. "While this planet may desire to deprive you of all rights and privileges not granted by a man, I have no wish to do so. You will find me to be a very generous asri." He pulled her to her feet and into his arms. "Let's go find me something decent to wear. And, then we have to figure out where to take our honeymoon."

"You are joking about the honeymoon, right? Now, I don't mean to sound curt or anything, but this whole marriage is just a sham, Zale. No matter how much I love you, there is no way I would have ever married anyone again, except for something as serious as destroying Dargus Kandran." Kaysa looked away and laughed softly. "Besides...I don't think there's time for honeymoons. Keeve will be here in a week, which means I only have a few days to figure out how to be a mother."

"I don't think I can help you there," Zale said. "And, even though we're married, it's only a legal thing. Though, it's very possible that Kandran may try to use that to get the spaceport away from you. We'll need to make this situation look like what it's supposed to look like. Though, I think there may have been fewer headaches if you'd married Merrick instead. Or you could have really thrown this world off its axis by marrying Shiv."

"That would've taught those chauvinistic bastards who run this planet." She turned her gaze back to Zale and asked warily, "So, by making it look like it's supposed to, do you mean we'd have to...you know...move in together? Not that I would dread something like that, it's just I'm not sure how Merrick would take it. And besides, if I live with you, Keeve will be too." She shifted closer to him and kissed him softly. "When would we find private time for ourselves?"

"Let's talk to Merrick and Shiv, and see what their reaction is. I don't want to make too many decisions until after we've talked to them. They're a part of your life, and we all need to get through this together. Regardless of what our new relationship has become, we'll need to talk to them. We have to make this whole thing work, not just the plot against Kandran."

"I won't lose Shiv and Merrick again...and I won't lose you either." Kaysa sighed deeply and glanced back at Moril. "Get the speeder fired up, Moril." She looked back to Zale with a nervous smile. "Zale and I have to go make an announcement to my two lovers...or ex-lovers."

"Lovers," Zale said. "If we need to, we'll get this marriage annulled, and Merrick can marry you and Shiv. And, I'll just provide the three of you protection from Dargus Kandran, as well as enjoy a fling on the side. Though, I really have no idea what Merrick would think of a fling with me."

Kaysa playfully slapped him on the arm. "Stop that. And if I had married Merrick, it would have only made him a blatant target for Kandran's rage. I married you because I know you're much better capable of protecting yourself. Besides, Merrick would have no idea how to run the spaceport. He's a musician, remember?"

Zale chuckled. "Well, I think he's got good people running his other businesses, but you're right. I think Rennor's assets would probably be too much for him. Perhaps when the Kandran situation is over, we can figure out a way out of this. That is, unless you want to stay married to me."

"Why, Zale Tregat...are you telling me you're actually glad we got married? Well, give it a day or two and I'm sure I can help you change your mind." Kaysa frowned as she glanced again at Zale's coveralls. She took him by the hand and shaking her head, began leading him away. "You really need to change. I mean, when we were in prison, I thought you looked sexy in those things, but out here, they just look so drab and not very flattering at all."

Zale laughed. "You mean, I'm not sexy in this? It's probably Moril's jacket. And, I guess I could open the front and tear off the sleeves. Would that help? Come on, let's get to my apartment where I can change. On the way we can come up with a plan for how to break things to Merrick. If nothing, you may need to find a way to assure him he's still one of the number one men in your life. Unless he's THE number one man. In which case, you'd really have to make sure he knows that."

Kaysa conveniently kept her eyes facing the ground as she centred her thoughts and emotions, trying to think of something that would make Zale more confident about her feelings for him. It was just as she'd felt when they lost Shiv. She had convinced herself that in Merrick's heart, she came second to Shiv, and although there were still remnants of that mindset, Kaysa knew it to be false. She would have to reassure Zale of the same. "Merrick was the first man I loved after Cadwin, but that doesn't necessarily make him number one, Zale. It's strange, but the love I feel for you and Shiv and Merrick...it's different for each of you. I can't compare how I feel for you and how I feel for Merrick, because the sensations and the emotions aren't the same." Kaysa laughed softly. "I guess all I'm trying to say is, you're not above or below Merrick; I love you just the same."

Zale nodded. "I understand," he said. "Then, you'll need to make sure he understands that too. We'll also have to make sure he understands why you married me, and how that doesn't change your love for him at all. And, if he doesn't get it, you and Shiv can gang up on him until he does. We'll make this work, Kaysa. I'll do everything I can to make this work."

They'd been moving slowly, but they finally arrived at the speeder where Moril sat waiting for them. "I was wondering if I was just going to have to go get the clothes and bring them back for you."

"Sorry, Moril. You know how it is when he starts talking..." Kaysa stood by as Zale opened the hatch for them, but before she stepped into the speeder, she flung her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply. "I think this marriage thing could work, Mr. Tregat, my asri. Just don't expect me to stay home and keep the apartment tidy. My time could be put to better use helping you take over New Plouton, don't you think?"

Zale pulled her body to his, as if he were trying to merge them into one being. "Oh I definitely agree," he said. "I think you will be best suited to running my latest acquisition, Karradas Enterprises. Though, I do think that will require a name change, don't you? I think Zenarr Enterprises, or possibly Zenarr-Tregat Enterprises. What do you think?"

"I think you're still trying to woo me, Zale. We're married, remember? The romance is supposed to end here." Kaysa smiled as she slipped into the speeder and held out a hand to pull Zale inside. "And I think the hyphenated form works best...with my name first, of course."

"Of course," he said. "And, we may be married, but I'll only stop trying to woo you when you no longer want to see the stars in the sky at night." Zale took Kaysa's hand and followed her into the speeder. "The romance isn't supposed to end, it's just that so many people figure they've won the battle and don't have to fight anymore. Though, perhaps metaphors of violence aren't exactly appropriate for romance."

"Yeah, so save it for the bedroom." She settled in against Zale and rested her head upon his chest. "I'm glad you're outta prison, Zale. The only thing I regret is that we won't have as much time together as we did in there. We have a lot of work to do now."

"We'll figure something out," Zale said. "We'll probably spend a lot of time working together, so that'll give us some time together. Maybe we'll have to lock ourselves away in one of the Antorial detention cells, for old time's sake." With a laugh, he tapped Moril on the shoulder. "My apartment, Moril. And, hurry before I have to tear these damn coveralls off and throw them out the canopy."

"Would that be so bad?" Kaysa asked with a silky smile. "I don't think Moril would mind, do you?"

Moril laughed. "Just as long as you two stay back there," he said. "I don't want to crash the speeder."

"Oh, you have better control than that," Zale said. "You could keep this going if we were up there having sex next to you. Now, just fly. We'll keep our enthusiasm contained to back here."

"Although, going out during an act of passion wouldn't be such a bad way to die." Kaysa laughed and pulled herself into Zale's lap. She kissed him lightly upon the lips then sighed deeply. "This has been quite a day. I free you from prison, I trick you into marrying me, and now we're off to tell my two lovers that a fourth will be joining our unconventional arrangement. Quite a day indeed..."

Zale slipped his arms around Kaysa and held her to him. "Well, it's definitely unconventional and unique," he said. "And, this will only make it more so. So, which of your lovers will you be staying with tonight? Maybe the four of us should get a place together. I could probably buy one of the smaller buildings up for us, and then convert it into something that would suit all of our needs. Studios for both Merrick and Shiv, offices for both of us, plenty of bedrooms, just in case. Unless that's a little too unconventional."

"Well...we'd need an extra room for Keeve...your new son, Zale." Kaysa smiled slyly. "I think before we all move in together, you should find out if you're cut out for the fatherhood thing. If not, I doubt you'd wanna be spending your every waking hour with Keeve around."

Zale chuckled. "A good idea. Well, in a week, I guess we'll see just how I do with the whole parenting thing. If nothing else it'll be payback for all the hell I put my parents through when I was a child." He grinned. "We can see how it goes, and if all is well, then we can think about all of us together."

Kaysa gazed at Zale skeptically, then laughed. "I think we should see first how Merrick takes the news. I mean, if he starts pulling your hair, I think that's a bad omen."

Zale laughed. "If he starts pulling my hair, you really should dump him."

"Or maybe you should cut your hair." A look of consternation flashed across Zale's face, and Kaysa laughed. "Fine, you can keep the hair. And dumping him is out of the question. He was a mess last time I did that...I was a mess last time I did that."

"Merrick doesn't strike me as the hair pulling type," Zale said, "so, I don't think we'll have to worry about any dumping. Everything will work out, Kaysa. It's all going to be fine. We all love you too much to let something like this ruin it. It'll all work."

"Coming up to Zale's apartment," Moril said. "Just please don't tell me I have to wait around while you two have sex."

"What? You don't think Zale and I can control our urges?" A look at Zale's lopsided grin and the lust filling his eyes, and Kaysa quickly answered her own question. "Fine, I'll stay here with you, Moril."

As the speeder settled onto the street in front of the apartment, Zale started out. Before heading up to the front door, he turned back. "Just make sure you keep your hands to yourself," he said without really directing the words at either of them, and then sprinted away to change his clothes for what would soon be one of the more difficult encounters of his life.

---

"The Confession"
by Kaysa Zenarr-Tregat
Zale Tregat
Maeren Shivral
and Merrick Braston

Location: New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Niothe 4, 4ABY

***

She could feel the hands on her body, pawing and clawing. Hands dipping inside and covering. Tongue and mouth licking, biting, tasting, and consuming. She writhed with the touch, and in the midst of the ecstasy, the revulsion. She could feel her body filling with blackness, loathing and hatred like she'd never known before, could never have known in her existence. She wanted to scream, to cry out in sheer anguish. But, the only sounds she could make were moans.

The searing heat, hotter than a star, burned into her body, throat and hip. She tried to cry out again. Nothing. Oh gods why did it hurt so much?

She heard the laughter next, burning laughter that seemed to seer the skin from her bones. It nearly shook her body apart, and left nothing behind for even the carrion birds.

And, then he was filling her again, blackness consuming all the light, all the joy. She screamed.

***

Shiv sat upright in the bed, gasping for breath. She knew she'd screamed, could still feel the burning in a throat worn raw. She felt arms around her and at first fought them away. At least until the plaintive whispering calmed her. She was in Merrick's arms. Her love, her light, comforting and calming.

"It's alright, Maeren," he whispered. "You're safe. You're with me. He can't get you anymore."

Shiv sobbed. "I know. It's just...the dreams. They're so bad."

"I know. Just stay in my arms. I'll make everything alright." To prove his point, he started singing softly. And, it worked. Soon Shiv had relaxed back into his embrace and he could feel the rigidity of her body lessen. He blinked away his own tears and wished that Kaysa would return soon. Together they could make Shiv forget all that happened to her. Together.

***

Kaysa had started down the corridor towards her apartment and attempted to flee four times before Zale clutched her hand securely and prevented any further dawdling. She'd whined and whimpered about how Merrick and Shiv didn't need to know, and that they could keep it a secret indefinitely, but she knew, as Zale most likely did, that she would only be able to keep quiet for so long before her newly awakened conscience forced her to come clean. "Stupid honesty," she grumbled irritably. "Never had to worry about it before..."

"There are certain people," Zale said as they walked hand in hand, "that you want to be honest with. The rest? To hell with them. They're just a bantha herd anyway. Shiv and Merrick deserve the truth, and I don't think it'll be as bad as you're expecting. Now stop frowning before those lines stay there. I will not tolerate a bride with worry lines."

"Okay, okay. I promise not to pout or run away anymore. Can you please loosen your grip on my hand?" she asked sweetly.

Zale loosened his grip and smiled at Kaysa. "Sorry about that," he said. "It was keeping you from running though. Are you ready? Need a hug to get you through?"

"No," Kaysa replied with a frown. She glanced down furtively at her hand loosely laced with Zale's and smiled slowly. "But you can--" Kaysa squealed and rushed away again in another attempt to escape the inevitable.

Zale quickly gave chase and caught Kaysa back near the elevator. "Don't make me put you over my shoulder and carry you in there," he said with a laugh. "And, I'll do it too. Now, come on before I have to do something drastic. You don't want me doing anything drastic, Mrs. Zenarr-Tregat."

Kaysa chewed her lip to hide its twitching, but she finally surrendered to it and let her mouth spread into a smile. "I don't know what it is, but I rather enjoy hearing that." She laughed softly and willingly rejoined Zale in what had turned out to be a rather laborious trek towards her apartment. "The Mrs. Zenarr-Tregat part, I mean. Although, the drastic part sounded nice too..."

"Oh, don't worry," Zale said with a sly grin. "We'll get drastic later on after you've talked to Merrick and Shiv. And, hopefully we can work something out between all four of us. At least now, if we all go out together, it won't be lopsided. Two boys, two girls."

"Until Merrick finishes packing up his things and catching the first ride off the planet. We could always keep the numbers even by inviting Moril along..." Kaysa whimpered again and pounded her forehead gently against Zale's upper arm. "Why do I always take the course of action with the most catastrophic outcomes? I need to learn to think things through before I act... I know that's not going to happen, but it's something to strive for."

"I'll help you to strive for that one too," Zale said. "I think this will work out alright. I don't think it'll be as bad as you're expecting. And, well, I guess we'll just have to see. I can always have him hunted down and brought back to us." Zale took Kaysa's hand and brought it to his lips. "It'll be alright, my love. We'll all make this work."

Kaysa's fears melted and she found herself gazing with a dreamy smile at Zale. How she'd allowed herself to become so easily placated by Zale, she couldn't conceive. She knew, however, it had something to do with the little weakness called love she felt towards him. "If he gets angry and starts flailing his limbs in an attempt to take out his rage upon us, I'll use your sturdy body for cover."

"Good idea," Zale said. "Unless he pulls my hair, and then you're on your own. I don't go in for the hair pulling, not even for my wife's other lover." He pulled her into his arms and smiled. "We'll get through this."

"Of course we will. And don't think I don't know that the only reason you're in such a rush to do this is because you want to get me back to your apartment and make up for lost time." She smoothed her hands along Zale's arms and smiled silkily. "In fact, that doesn't sound like a bad idea..."

"I know it doesn't," Zale said with a grin, and then kissed her. "I love you, Mrs. Zenarr-Tregat. I love that devious mind of yours, and the way it tricked me into marrying you. And, Moril knew about it. I'm going to have to...to give him a raise. I never knew he had such a devious streak in him. I think while I was locked away, he spent too much time with you."

"Only a day. Not long enough as far as I'm concerned. I could really transform him into a particularly treacherous fiend with the proper time." Kaysa kissed him tenderly, then gave a muffled groan. "Zale, can't we just go back to your apartment and do this later? I really, really don't want to do this."

"We have to do this, Kaysa," Zale said. "We owe it to them to do it. It won't be as bad as you think, and I'll be with you the whole time. Just explain why we did this, and that you still love both of them as much as you always have. We'll get through this."

Kaysa continued to sulk petulantly but nodded somewhat equivocally in ascension nonetheless. "We'll do this...I guess. But no touching until we have their reactions!" Kaysa said as she pushed free of Zale's embrace. "That's your punishment for making me go through with this."

Zale laughed softly. "Fine," he said. "But, I'll remember this when things get drastic." Restraining from the sudden impulse to take her hand as they approached the door, they walked together to the entrance to the apartment. He took a breath and looked at Kaysa. "It'll be fine," he whispered.

A tight smile that belied her confidence was all the acknowledgement Kaysa gave before she swiped her keycard along the slit on the doorpanel. A short chirp followed by a click indicated they'd gained access to the apartment, which was something Kaysa never thought she'd dread as much as she did now. The door slid open smoothly and for a moment, she stood in the doorway, stunned. With a silent yelp, she turned back to attempt another escape, but was barred passage by Zale's imposing form. "Just a little nudge, and I should be fine."

Zale turned Kaysa around and gently pushed her through the now-open door. "I'm here with you," he whispered softly. "If you're really good, I'll teach you a few shac'tae tricks today."

Kaysa found the task ahead even more cumbersome, especially when she would have rather been in bed with Zale, learning the secret wisdom of sexual mysticism. Her gait was unsteady and hesitant as she moved into the apartment. She tried once to call out to Shiv and Merrick, but her voice shrank back in a panic and withered in her throat. She took a deep breath, and once again called out to them, this time hearing her voice ring through the apartment.

"In here," Merrick's voice called out from the bedroom. A moment later, the door opened and Merrick stood there in an old t-shirt and thin, linen pants. "Hey there, Kaysa, Zale. I was just...it was the dreams again. Shiv's doing better now, but she was pretty strung out a little bit ago. How are you two doing?"

"Fine-- Is she alright?" Kaysa moved towards Merrick, forgetting all her anxieties, and embraced him warmly. "Is she awake? I should go check on her."

Merrick gave Kaysa a kiss and held her to him before glancing back to the bedroom. "She's awake. I made her an herbal tea. She was listening to one of my songs when I came out here. If you want to go in, I'm sure she wouldn't mind." He grinned, and kissed her again. "I was just thinking about you."

Kaysa smiled, and gazing into Merrick's sparkling, grey eyes, she was even more despaired by what they needed to discuss. She could postpone it, however, and that was precisely what she intended to do. "I'll go in and see Shiv. You and Zale...can think of something to do." She kissed Merrick tenderly, then whispered, "I love you, Merrick. You know that, right?"

Merrick looked at Kaysa quizzically and then nodded. "Yes," he said, "of course I know that. I can feel it just in the way you look at me. Go check on our girl, and I'll keep Zale entertained."

Kaysa nodded and glad to have some more time to collect herself, departed for the bedroom.

***

She watched silently from the doorway, feeling her heart becoming riddled with aches the longer she gazed at her poor, tortured star. Her light had dimmed, and even with the garish sunlight flooding into the room through the large bedroom window, her skin had lost its radiance and her eyes were cold and pale. Kaysa's hatred for Dargus Kandran was fuelled the longer she observed the physical manifestation of Shiv's inner conflict with dark memories, ones for which there was little hope of banishing so easily. Kaysa didn't have enough confidence that her love for the girl would help facilitate her recovery, but she didn't know any other way to aid her, and decided the best way to help was to simply love her.

"Shiv," she called out in the most gentle, unimposing voice she could manage. "Shiv...my love?"

Shiv, who had been staring out the window as she lay on the bed listening to one of Merrick's songs, quickly looked toward the door at the sound of her name being called. When she saw Kaysa standing there, she brightened considerably. "Kaysa," she said. She sat up, with a wide grin. "I had a dream earlier, a bad one. But, Merrick was here with me. And, now you're here. I was missing you very much, you know. Merrick is good with the hugs, but not as good as you."

"Then let me make up for it now." Kaysa moved towards the bed and sat upon it. She didn't waste a moment's time and pulled Shiv gently into her arms. "I'm sorry I wasn't here, my love. And I'm sorry you had that horrible dream. If you want to talk about it, you know you can. I'll always listen."

"It was the same thing as earlier," Shiv said softly as she snuggled into Kaysa's arms. "You're here now though, which makes everything better. Where have you been? I wish I could have gone with you. But, Merrick needed someone to cuddle with. He's so demanding sometimes, you know. But we're all here now, so it's all better."

"And I promise not to be away for so long again if I can help it. It's just...something needed to be taken care of and...I took care of it." Kaysa sighed gently, but masked the anxiety in her voice with a laugh. "Zale's here. He's out talking to Merrick right now. He really wants to see you, Shiv. He might not admit it, but he missed you." She looked down into Shiv's eyes and smiled. "Moril missed you too. Everyone missed you, my little nymph!"

Shiv grinned. "I missed everyone," she said. "Is Zale...how's he doing? He's not...like he was before, is he? He's okay now? And, I want to see Moril again. He's fun. It's so good to be back. I hated it there, but that's all done now. And, everything's okay. It's all okay again with me, you, and Merrick. We should go out together tonight. We should go do something fun."

"I think... I think we shouldn't make any plans until I've told you and Merrick something. That's why Zale's here. Well, he's here to give me support and to see you." Kaysa stroked Shiv's hair tenderly and kissed her lightly upon the cheek. "Don't worry about Zale. He's not like that anymore, Shiv. That...episode... It was my fault, but he's better now and he wants to see you." Kaysa sighed. "I told him about what happened...with you. I told him about Dargus. He needs to see you and together, we need to tell you and Merrick something." She took Shiv's hands into her own and kissed them fervently. "Don't hate me, Shiv. Please...don't hate me until you understand why I did it."

"I could never hate you," Shiv said. "Nothing you could say would ever make me hate you, Kaysa." She looked up at Kaysa and slowly smiled. "Something happened between you and Zale, didn't it?" She lowered her voice to a whisper. "Something happened between you and Zale."

Kaysa laughed nervously as she nodded her head. "You could say that." She looked at Shiv's expectant gaze and sighed. "Yes, something happened. A lot happened, actually, some of which I'm still trying to come to grips with. I'll tell you now if you promise not to over react."

Shiv giggled and then nodded. "I promise to keep my squeals to a minimum," she said. "Now tell me before I go totally crazy."

Shiv's exuberance made Kaysa giggle and she found herself surprisingly giddy with anticipation about revealing her secret to Shiv - her best friend, and her lover. Kaysa glanced at the door to make certain Merrick was still occupied with Zale, then she huddled close to Shiv and suppressed her giggles as she began. "It started in prison. Basically, we reconciled about what happened the day you... Well...you know. But that's not when things changed completely. That was almost a week after when I was attacked by one of the rape gangs. Zale swept in like the valiant hero he is, and saved me." Kaysa covered her mouth as her laughter grew and her body began to tremble with excitement. "That's when... That's when I told him I loved him, Shiv. I love Zale and I don't know when or why it happened, but it did."

Shiv let out a squeal of laughter that she quickly stifled with a hand over her mouth. After a moment, as the giddiness died down, she pulled the hand away. "Oh Kaysa, that's so wonderful. It won't be long and you'll be like me. Oh...he's really a good man, and I think he needed some love too." She hugged Kaysa tight. "So, that's what you were gonna tell us? That you love Zale? Do you want him...to be part of us? If you do, I want that too. I like him a lot, and he's really great, especially when he looks all tough and stuff. It's so wonderful, Kaysa. It is!"

Kaysa sighed and embraced Shiv, but her relief was fleeting, even though she'd gotten part of the confession out of the way. "That's not all," she said softly. "There's something else, Shiv." Kaysa gently loosened her hold on Shiv and held her at arm's length, in case she decided to add more bruises to her already marred face. "Shiv...we...I mean... I didn't make this decision lightly, mind you, but..." Kaysa made a sound partway between a laugh and a whimper, then took a deep breath and said, "Shiv...Zale and I--"

"Did I hear someone giggling in here," Zale's voice said from the doorway. Merrick was standing behind him looking in as Kaysa and Shiv sat on the bed. "It sounds like someone in here is feeling happier."

Shiv looked up at Zale, a large smile forming on her face. "Zale," she said. "You're looking sexy as ever. I wish I had hair like yours. But, I'd probably look pretty silly."

"Thank you," Zale said. "So, what's happening in here?"

"Nothing," Kaysa blurted out. "I mean...I was just..." She looked around helplessly between Zale and Shiv, then to Merrick, which caused her fortitude to elude her and left her stammering nervously. Her heart was stabbing at her chest and her stomach churned painfully as all eyes in the room watched her inquisitively. She felt desperation possessing her and fear taking hold as well, and for strength, she squeezed Shiv's hand tightly. "What? Why is everyone staring!"

Merrick laughed. "We're not staring, love," he said. "We're just all in here together, and we happen to be looking in your direction."

"We're just all taken by your sexiness," Shiv said with a giggle. She slipped her other arm around Kaysa and snuggled close. "Now, I think everything is perfect with the four of us here. I think all of us together is perfect. All friends and perfect. And, stuff. And, I love being back here with all of you. Even Zale, though he doesn't smile enough."

Zale looked at Shiv and laughed. "What did Merrick put in your tea? What kind of herbs were those?"

Shiv giggled. "Very tasty herbs." She leaned close to Kaysa. "Smile, Kaysa, you've got me back."

Kaysa ran her hand along Shiv's cheek and laughed her tension away. "I know... I'm so grateful for that, Shiv." Sitting on the bed, she placed pressure on her feet to test how well her legs would hold up if she attempted to stand. She slowly released the breath she realized she'd been holding and rose unsteadily. She clung still to Shiv's hand but released it as she moved timoroursly towards Zale and Merrick. "Uh...Merrick maybe you should... You should probably have a seat...with Shiv or...something."

Merrick looked confused for a moment, and then did as Kaysa suggested. He sat on the bed next to Shiv and looked up to Kaysa. "What's going on," he asked.

"There's nothing, Merrick. I mean..." Kaysa's voice was consumed by a fit of uncomfortable, choked laughter. She looked to Zale in a silent entreaty, then finally sighed and slipped her hand into his. "I'm sorry," she whispered as she gazed up at him. "I love you, and I don't want you to think my apprehensions are because I'm afraid or ashamed of that. I'm sorry."

Merrick looked up at Kaysa and Zale and then the realization hit. When it did, he laughed. "Oh boy," he said. "You know, you're as bad as she is." He slipped an arm around Shiv and pulled her to him. "I was wondering when I might hear that. So...are we going to need a bigger apartment, or will Zale be keeping his own place?"

Kaysa's eyes slowly grew wide with surprise as she looked back at Merrick. "Wait...how did you--" She turned fully around and placed her hands on her hips while a gamut of emotions ranging from confusion to relief to amusement crossed her face. She gazed at Zale for a moment, then back at Merrick with a gentle laugh. "Merrick... How the hell did you know that? What...do I look like a married woman or something?"

Merrick laughed. "No," he said. "You don't look like a married woman. You just...I know you care for Zale, and have as long as I've known you. At least in our second incarnation. And...I guess it just doesn't surprise me that your feelings go deeper for him. You can love someone without being married to them. I can just look at you two and...see that there's more, that's all."

Shiv was staring at Kaysa and Zale. "Kaysa!" Her eyes narrowed and she flew out of the bed. "You bitch," she screeched. "I wanted to be your maid of honour!" Before any violence could be inflicted on Kaysa, Shiv quickly took her into her arms, and spun them both around, squealing as she did.

On the bed, Merrick was stunned. "You-- you're married? K-Kaysa...I don't...I don't understand..."

Shiv's excitement induced a bubbling laughter within Kaysa, but one look at Merrick's pallid face and shocked expression, and she found celebrating wasn't exactly appealing to her any longer. When her feet finally settled on the ground again, and with Shiv still kissing her furiously, Kaysa gazed at Merrick and felt her world shattering again. He was going to leave her again and despite all the happiness surrounding her, she knew she wouldn't be able to cope with it. "Merrick... I'm...I had to do it. Merrick?"

Before anyone else could say anything, Zale moved closer to Merrick. "There's a reason for it," he said, and then proceeded to explain to both Merrick and Shiv why he had been the one who Kaysa had to marry. "It doesn't mean she loves either of you any less." He glanced at Kaysa and then smiled. "She loves each of us for who we are. And, she especially loves me because Antorial Industries is going to smack Dargus Kandran down. This was to keep him from getting what he wanted, and now he can't. We're all hers equally."

Merrick nodded slowly, and then looked to Kaysa. "Talk to me," he said. In his eyes was the confusion and pain, but the love he bore for her seemed to consume it all. "Talk to me, and tell me everything's the same."

Her dread was driving up tears she'd been restraining. Slowly and hesitantly, she moved towards Merrick and tried vainly to use words to reassure him that things hadn't changed and that he was still her first true love. All that sneaked out was a groan as she sank to her knees before him. "Nothing...nothing's changed, Merrick." Kaysa lowered her eyes to her trembling hands resting in her lap and she shook her head slowly. "That's not true... Things aren't the same and never could be." Her eyes met his again, which were slowly darkening with misplaced dejection. She laughed softly and placed her hands atop his. "Things are better," she said gently. "I feel so...empowered, Merrick. I'm not afraid anymore, not afraid that the demons will come back and ruin everything we've worked so hard for. I love you and Shiv...and I love Zale, Merrick. You're not going to lose me... Do you believe me? Please...don't leave me, Merrick. I love you... Don't leave me."

Merrick sank down next to Kaysa. "I love you too much to ever even think of leaving you," he said. "I guess I'll just have to get used to you being someone else's wife. I know I won't lose you, or else you wouldn't be here now. And, if it helps stop the bastard who...who took Shiv, then it's worth it. I love you, Kaysa."

"You do?" Kaysa exhaled sharply and smiled. "You do." She wrapped her arms around him, giving silent thanks to the gods for bringing such a rational, understanding man into her life. "And I'm not just someone else's wife, Merrick; I'm Zale's wife, but only out of necessity." Kaysa winced at her own remark, and looked back slowly towards Zale with an apologetic smile. "Not that being married to you will be such a horrible thing...dear."

Zale laughed. "Oh, don't worry...dear," he said, "I'm the one married to you too. And, I'm sure it'll all be just wonderful. Well, except maybe keeping the schedule."

"What schedule? You don't mean a...sleeping schedule, do you?" Kaysa smiled nervously at Merrick. "Oh...I guess that's another thing I meant to tell you. I... We don't have to do this here, Merrick. There are a lot of things I have to tell you...unless you don't mind me saying it here in front of...everyone."

"Kaysa," Merrick said, "we're all in this together. We might as well do it here. The fewer secrets we keep from each other, the happier we'll all be, I imagine."

"Well it's not really a secret to Shiv, and I imagine it isn't really a secret to you anymore but..." Kaysa sighed deeply and gazed up at Merrick with a palpable anxiety in her eyes. "I know I said I'd stop but... I've been sleeping with Zale. I made a promise that it would only be you from now on, but I broke that vow many, many...many times. I even went so far as to go behind your back to be with him and...I'm just so sorry, Merrick."

Merrick nodded slowly. "I figured that," he said. "I would rather that you had told me, or hadn't or something." Then he smiled. "But, I guess in the end it all worked out for all of us. I have to share a little more of your heart, but I think you have enough love for the three of us. It may be a little difficult at first to share you with another man, but I guess I can't think of anyone else I'd rather share you with." He pulled Kaysa closer, and lowered his lips to her throat. "I believe I'm going to have to punish you for your infidelity, my dear."

Kaysa laughed and tried coyly to push Merrick away. "If I'd known cheating on you would result in a night of passion, I'd have told you about Zale sooner."

"Well, I think if you'd told me at any other time, I may not have reacted this way," Merrick said. "But, who knows. Whatever the case, I love you too much to let you sleeping with Zale behind my back upset what we have. I'm a little hurt by it, but at least I still have you, and Shiv. Now, what are we going to do tonight? Go out and celebrate Shiv's homecoming, and your marriage? You were just married, right? This isn't something that you've been hiding for awhile?"

"No. We've been married for a matter of an hour, Merrick. It was actually Zale who insisted I tell you now." Kaysa grinned at Merrick and pushed herself to her feet. She took his hands in hers and forced him up from the floor. "Now, come along," she said as she led him towards Zale. "You two are going into the living area, all by yourselves, and you're going to talk."

Merrick laughed. "Fine, we'll talk. Just don't be surprised if you have no more secrets when we're finished," he said. "You know, like that thing you do when you... Oh, and then there's the way you... Oh, Zale, we have so much to talk about."

Together the two men went out into the other room, leaving Kaysa and Shiv together in the bedroom.. Once they were gone, Shiv grinned at Kaysa. "It's perfect now, isn't it? Everything's going to be fine? Oh Kaysa, it's wonderful. This was a perfect time for you to save me, to get me back. Just perfect!"

"Yeah...perfect," Kaysa muttered as she stared blankly into the other room. "Except there's another thing I failed to mention." She glanced at Shiv with a tense smile. "We're about to have another addition to the living arrangement around here. I just hope Merrick likes kids..."

Shiv squealed with excitement. "Keeve!" She giggled and hugged Kaysa, then frowned and looked at her. "You do mean, Keeve, right?"

"Gods, Shiv! How many abandoned children do you think I have?" Kaysa smiled wanly at Shiv then kissed her lightly upon the lips. "Yes, it's Keeve. I was afraid Dargus would go after him so I had Moril send a team to retrieve him. And frankly, Shiv, I'm scared to death more than I was knowing I'd have to tell Merrick I was married."

Shiv pulled Kaysa into her arms and kissed her. "I didn't think you had any other kids, well not kids that were out and about. I just wasn't sure if there wasn't another surprise with Zale. But, I'm glad he'll be coming to live with us. I'll teach him to paint. And, maybe he and I can dance together. Dancing is really good exercise...well, so is sex, but I won't teach him that. So, is Moril still looking incredibly cute in that frazzled secretary kind of way?"

Kaysa stared at Shiv with amusement, then planted a firm, tender kiss upon her mouth. "You're a peculiar individual, Maeren...which only makes me love you that much more. And it's probably one of the reasons Moril is completely taken with you." She smiled slyly and whispered into Shiv's ear, "I thought you'd like to know, he's expecting a kiss from you. Don't disappoint the man."

"Really," Shiv said with a grin. "I guess I'd better start practicing then," she said. Without delay, she pulled Kaysa tightly to her body and proceeded to kiss her soundly. When it broke, she grinned. "Do you think that might be too much for him?"

Before Kaysa could respond, it sounded like a small war had started up in the other room.

***

Merrick and Zale moved into the other room and sat down; Zale took the couch, and Merrick took one of the chairs. There was a long drawn out silence with neither of them speaking, and each just staring off into the distance.

Finally Zale broke the silence. "So," he said. "This is kind of strange, isn't it?"

Merrick laughed and nodded. "Quite strange," he said. "But, I've come to expect strange from both Shiv and Kaysa. Though, I can't imagine any time I've been happier in life than with them. You have to watch them. Shiv's wild streak is...very wild. And, Kaysa's actually becoming more like her each day. Which I like."

Zale chuckled. "I think Kaysa's wild side has more of an edge to it than Shiv's. But, it's nice when her spirit is freer. It's much better than it was before." They were both silent for another long couple minutes before Zale sighed. "So, are you as alright with this as you seem?"

Merrick took a breath and let it out. "I think I am," he said. "I love her too much to do anything to lose her. Besides, I knew it was happening. I know Kaysa. I know she's not going out with strange guys anymore, but I know she's been with you. And, I know Shiv was with you too."

"How'd you--?"

Merrick laughed. "I didn't, but I suspected. And, Shiv worships Kaysa. If Kaysa were to have sex with a Wookiee, Shiv would want to because Kaysa did. It's adorably cute, even though it has the tendency to get them both in trouble. And, I think the trouble worked out for the best in this case. I wish I didn't have to share, but you're a good compromise."

Zale laughed. "Thank you...I think."

"I don't think the four of us should ever really be together, at least not for awhile. I think it would be too awkward. I think we're going to have to share both of them."

Zale nodded. "That's what I figured. It would be easy to suggest that I get one and you get the other, but I'm sure they want to be together."

Merrick grinned. "Oh yes," he said. "I think we should all talk out that part. We don't have much space left, but you're welcome to move in, or take a room, or whatever. I know you have places stashed all over the city, but if you want one here."

Zale suddenly smiled. "Thank you, Merrick," he said. "For being so understanding. I don't think I could have handled it if you didn't so readily accept this. I would have given her up, but she wouldn't give me up. It would have been bad."

"Kaysa's demons are gone," Merrick said. "Kaysa's demons are gone, and she's happy. This is fine with me if it makes her happy. To see her smile like that, I'd gladly share her with you."

Zale laughed. "Well, I couldn't think of a better person to share my wife with," he said. "And, on top of that, a famous musician. I bet we can get good tickets."

Merrick laughed and threw a pillow at Zale. "So that's why you didn't want me to leave! You'll pay for that, Tregat!" With that, he launched himself at Zale, and all hell broke loose.

When Kaysa rushed into the living area, she thought her worst fear had become realized. Zale and Merrick were rolling on the ground in each other's clutches, with Merrick crying out in what only sounded like pain to Kaysa. "Oh gods...they're gonna kill each other, Shiv!"

Shiv looked at the scene, the two grown men rolling around on the floor trying to get the upper hand, and giggled. "Watch out for the tab-- Ow. Oh, Merrick. Um, Zale, not so rough, and stop rolling him into the furniture. He bruises!"

Suddenly, in the midst of the scuffle, Merrick let out a laugh that turned into a yelp. "Hey, stop pulling my hair!"

"Wait... They're not fighting? You're not fighting?!" Kaysa pulled Shiv into an embrace and laughed elatedly. She looked upon the scene of her two grown men wrestling on the floor of their apartment and instinctively knew for once, everything had gone right. The weight that lifted from Kaysa's chest was replaced by an overpowering sense of serenity, something she never thought she'd experience again.

She looked to Shiv with a grin and tugged on her hand. "Come on. Let's go break up this little fight." She giggled as they approached the scuffle and called a warning to Zale to keep his filthy hands off Merrick's hair. With a squeal, Kaysa plunged herself into the raging battle with her fingers tickling at each of her two man-children's stomachs.

Shiv was close behind as she fell onto the pile of bodies writhing in a mass of arms and legs. Soon, the room was filled with giggles as they all tickled and wrestled with each other. The tension receded as a wave washing back out to the sea, and, for the first time in as long as any of them could remember, everything was right.

---

"Business As Usual, Part 1"
by Shrezade Anoran - Shipyards Administrator
and Rilanna Kir - Bounty Hunter

Location: Drogen Shipyards, Tae'Karada Orbit
Date: Niothe 4, 4ABY

***

The rank, thick stench was beginning to addle her and the sight of her corridors littered with filth, both sentient and in the form of refuse, disgusted her to no end. She hadn't been down below ever and entrusted her head of security with keeping her posted on the situation of the most wretched section of her station. His reports had been accurate enough, but she was irked to the point of anger by what his limited vocabulary couldn't have possibly put into words.

The deck plating was covered with a thick residue of some tacky sludge Reza had no way of identifying. It was most likely a mixture of excrement and other bodily fluids of the many species that inhabited this section of the shipyards. Her campaign to eliminate such creatures from her station had been infused with a new vigour. Their filth was permeating the air, air that was recirculated and distributed throughout the station. It was air she breathed, vital oxygen that only she and the other honest citizens of the station were worthy of inhaling. Yet they too were consuming it and tainting it.

She wanted them eradicated, ejected into space and then have this entire part of the station destroyed and rebuilt entirely. No amount of sterilization could remove the putrid, disgusting filth they would leave behind.

The lights lining the corridor hadn't been replaced for a time and flickered stroboscopically, which only added to the headache the sight and fetor of the corridor had afflicted her with. She was grateful she hadn't worn her good clothing during her trek down there; the ones she wore would have to be incinerated immediately. She no doubt stood out, despite attempting to blend in by wearing the most casual clothing she could find. But it seemed rags stained with blood and feces would have been a more inconspicuous choice of apparel.

Even if she didn't take actions to eliminate these beings, Reza figured their own unsanitary living conditions would kill them off in the end. They didn't have access to any of the above level medical facilities; they weren't allowed on the higher decks at all and with good reason. They would only spread their no doubt contagious diseases to the rest of the station like the plagues they were.

Reza stepped carefully through the long corridor with beggars pawing at her ankles and intoning pleas for food or creds. She would give them neither even if she had come carrying both. The sight of them didn't instill sympathy in her, only resentment. Their situations were as a result of their own wicked, disgusting ways and they deserved the fate that would no doubt befall them sooner or later: Death.

With her hand over her nose and mouth, Reza followed the buzzing neon lights towards Xayled's Abyss. It was the bar identified in Chran's intel report as the establishment frequented by the thieves and self-proclaimed crime lords of the station; the place where going in was a death sentence if you didn't keep your eyes down or your hand on your blaster.

Stepping into the filthy bar, Reza looked and felt out of place. The raucous conversation drowned out the rowdy music and it seemed every moment a new fight began. The wafting odour of liquor did much to overpower the pungent rankness of the corridor, but the antiseptic smell of bootleg alcohol stung her eyes and abraded her throat. Her cough seemed to cut through the laughter and shouting, and directed all attention towards her. The glares and sneers she received would have intimidated any other, but Reza knew the open comm she had with Chran would alert him if she ran into any trouble and an entire security force would be dispatched to come to her aid.

Her resolve didn't waver, although she was beginning to question the strength of her constitution as the wave of nausea that hit her upon stepping onto the level returned. All eyes continued to focus on her as she scanned the room, finally coming upon the one person in the entire level she actually desired to encounter. With long strides, Reza made her way through the bar towards the lowly patron seated alone at the bar and tending to a mug of orange liquid. She stepped behind the woman without interference from the other patrons and reached out to tap her impatiently on the shoulder.

Rilanna looked up from her mug of Tarkayze ale. Supposedly it was brewed from a plant found in the sea of the same name down on the planet. She was about to snap a retort to leave her alone, when she noticed that it wasn't some ordinary lowlife tapping her shoulder. She straightened as she realized the person wasn't a lowlife at all. "Mrs. Anoran," she said with a slight tilt of her head. "I wouldn't have expected you down here. I can only stomach this place because this is where the scum that earn me my pay come from. How may I be of service?"

Reza stiffened and cleared her throat. "You can find a more respectable location for me to track you down in next time." Her face was contorted with disgust as she moved to the stool next to Rilanna and planted herself in it. She kept her hands folded in her lap and off the counter. She had no idea what parasites were festering upon it and had no desire to have her bare flesh come into contact with them.

Rilanna glanced at Shrezade and shook her head. "You pay me to hunt the scum in this bar, not the bars uplevel. If you want to meet me, I wear a comlink; just tell me where you want to meet, and I'll go there. I only drink here because that Rodian in the corner is on your hitlist. When he leaves here, I'm going to giftwrap him for you."

Reza raised an eyebrow as she surreptitiously glanced back at the Rodian. Even now he was delving into a criminal activity. He and another alien were huddled close, no doubt discussing some business transaction. Reza gave a contemptuous snort and looked to Rilanna. "Well... Frankly, I don't care where you choose to spend your time. And I would have contacted you, but I thought dropping in unannounced would allow me to see you in action." She shifted her eyes to the mug of ale Rilanna was consuming and grimaced. "Should you really be drinking on the job? That stuff numbs your senses which could lead to mistakes. I do not tolerate mistakes, Ms. Kir."

Rilanna glanced at her mug and laughed. "This stuff couldn't get a Jawa drunk," she said. "And my senses are fine. As you can see the mug is still quite full. A person sitting in a bar without a drink is suspicious. Suspicious makes the scum scurry for cover. When they go underground, they're harder to catch." She decided not to point out that Reza was probably making everyone in the bar suspicious. "He won't get ten steps out of here before I grab him. And, his friend will only get a few steps more."

"Will you kill them?" Reza asked plainly. "I don't want dead bodies on my station, Kir. They decompose and leave behind an awful mess. This place is filled with enough rot as it is."

Rilanna smiled but quickly wiped it away. "I will take them alive for you to pass judgement over," she said. "And if I did kill them, I'd make sure the mess was cleaned up. When I start a job, I finish it."

"I would expect so. If not, you don't get paid, Ms. Kir." Reza cleared her throat and glanced about the room again. Some of the patrons were still shooting her suspicious glares and others were far too busy talking to supposed associates to mind about her. "May I watch?" she asked abruptly. "May I watch you apprehend the criminals, Ms. Kir? I mean, it would be prudent of me to assess your skills if I'm to continue paying you the large sum of credits I do."

"Sure," Rilanna said with a grin. "We can head out before they do, and we can find a spot where you can watch safely. It'll probably be very fast. This part, the waiting takes forever, but when I actually make my move it's over in a matter of minutes."

Reza nodded in approval and rose from the sticky bar stool. "A change of scenery would please me. Let's depart now. I am eager to see how you handle those two." Without avail, Reza spun on her heel and strode haughtily from the bar.

Rilanna pushed the mug of ale away and followed after Shrezade. She moved with the grace of a jungle cat, but each step also carried with it a hint of the danger that lay within. She could feel the people of the bar suddenly looking away, not wanting to rouse her anger. She smiled. She knew some still stared, but they were driven by hormones and not with the instinct to keep away from a hunter. She found her employer outside and then quickly surveyed the area. "That second level there, that should be a good position to watch from. You'll have a clear view of everything that happens down here."

Reza followed Rilanna's eyes and found the indicated area. "That looks appropriate." She then looked to Rilanna with a stern gaze. "Now, once you've apprehended the criminals, you will bring them to the nearest security facility, correct?"

Rilanna nodded. "Correct. The nearest is three decks up," she said. "And, Lieutenant Reyson is currently the desk officer. I'll take both of them bound to him for processing, and then I'll take the paperwork to you for my tally."

"Very well." Reza smiled tightly at Rilanna, but paused before she headed for the upper level. "Do not disappoint me, Ms. Kir. Seeing this place for myself, I have become more impassioned to have my campaign succeed. You will be a tool in carrying out the completion of that venture. I hope you will not fail me." Reza gave a half nod and headed for the upper level to await the entertainment.

Once Shrezade was in her place, Rilanna prepared herself for the Rodian and his associate. It was just ten minutes more before they emerged from the bar. She gave them until they were in the center of the promenade before she stepped out.

"Nuroo, you are hereby placed under the arrest of the Drogen Shipyards by bounty notice 337AB724. You and your associate will be remanded into the custody of station security where you will wait for trial to be presided over by Station Superintendent Shrezade Anoran."

The two thugs stared dumbly before each went for a blaster. Rilanna was faster though. Before either of them could clear their weapons from their holsters, she'd managed to fire off two shots at each. The stun setting knocked each out instantly. They sprawled out over the floor.

Rilanna smiled. She glanced up to where Shrezade stood watching. "They're usually faster than that," she said.

"A pity. I was just beginning to enjoy myself immensely," she replied dryly. Shrezade moved from where she'd been concealed and returned to Rilanna's side. She towered over the two felled criminals and prodded them both with her foot. "If I'd known it was this easy for you, I would not have agreed to pay you so much."

"It's easy because I'm good," Rilanna said. "And, if you'd like to stop paying me, I can always move on to another line of work. I doubt you'd find anyone as efficient at taking down scum like this."

Reza looked down the corridor at the random distribution of mendicants and laughed. "When you clear my station of creatures such as those, then you've earned being referred to as efficient. Until then, you're merely adequate, but I'm beginning to see that you are quite worth the money I pay you."

Rilanna cocked her head as she looked at Shrezade. "Do you find that insults and condescension make people work better for you? You know, with that acidic tongue of yours, I'm surprised the scum of this station haven't risen up and tried to cast you out. If you think about it, you're lucky to have someone like me catching them and locking them away before they can."

"Now you're just being arrogant, Ms. Kir." She grinned and added, "I am beginning to like you better the more I speak with you. Conceit is an invaluable quality to a huntress such as yourself. Doubt can be fatal in your business, as in mine. If you exude an air of confidence to others, it makes intimidating them that much easier, and in turn makes succeeding in your respective endeavours easier."

Rilanna laughed. "Well, I know I'm good, and my record proves that out. I have every confidence in myself, and trust no one but myself and my abilities. That keeps me alive. I'm sure it's the same in your business. Though, there is very little public relations in being a bounty hunter."

"You're relating to me now, aren't you? Now don't take that to mean you're anything like me, Ms. Kir, because we are two very different people. I only meant to say that you share certain attributes with me that I commend you on." Reza cleared her throat and stiffened. Conversing with a criminal left a bitter taste in her mouth, but she found that complimenting the employees from time to time kept them in check and loyal. Rilanna was as untamed as they came, and keeping her placated would make their working relationship a less confrontational one. "Shall we go then?"

Rilanna nodded. "Let me get these two into binder--"

Before she could finish, one of the two downed criminals suddenly surged to his feet with a bellow. He brought up a holdout blaster in one hand, pointing it straight at Shrezade's chest. Without thinking, Rilanna lunged forward, knocking the station manager out of the way as she did. She heard the cough of the blaster being fired a split second before it slammed into her chest.

The impact of the blast spun her around and sent her sprawling onto the deck. The thug was re-aiming, trying to get a clear shot at Shrezade. Ril thanked the makers of Shell Spider armour and the under-layer of protection she wore. She'd be sore for awhile, but at least she was still alive. Her blasters were instantly in her hands, and she fired while still on her back. The alien let out a low groan and sank back to the ground, once again unconscious.

Everything was quiet as Rilanna regained her footing. Without wasting another instant, she moved to the two bodies and bound their wrists and then checked them each for other weapons. Once her search was done, she turned to make sure Shrezade was alright.

Everything had happened in a blur for Reza, but her momentary fright was forgotten as she felt liquid seeping into her clothing from a puddle on the ground. She pushed herself to her feet and looked down at her soaked clothing, which was already emitting a noxious odour. The sight of herself sullied by the waste of the station scum rankled Reza more than the threat on her life. "I thought you had them stunned!" she shouted angrily.

"I did have them stunned," Rilanna snapped. "That one woke up early. Usually, someone will be out for fifteen minutes. He was a little more hardy. And, if I hadn't pushed you out of the way, you would now have a smoking crater where your chest is." With an angry heave, she pulled both unconscious aliens to their feet.

Reza sighed sharply. She hated being indebted, especially to a self-serving criminal, but she was nonetheless. "You...you were shot," she said awkwardly, hoping Rilanna wouldn't mistaken any expression in her voice as concern. "Are you hurt? We can stop by a medical facility after we divest ourselves of those two."

"It's probably just going to be some burns," Rilanna said. "My armour deflected most of it. But, I should probably have it looked at. Once these two are locked up, and I've had this looked at, maybe we can go uplevel and have a drink at a more respectable bar."

"I'm afraid I'll be needing a change of clothing and a shower with scorching hot water. I really don't understand how you people can live in such filth." She crossed her arms tightly over her chest and managed a sour smile for Rilanna. "At any rate...thank you for your assistance. I will not forget this, Rilanna Kir."

Rilanna only nodded. After a long pause, she sighed and started forward with the two captives. "I need to change too," she said. "Perhaps we can meet later for a bite to eat. I have some ideas that you might like to hear for the downlevel security."

"A business dinner?" Reza tossed the idea around in her mind for a moment, then nodded stiffly. "We will meet in my private dining area. I would prefer not to be seen with you in public...for matters of appearance, of course."

Rilanna laughed. "Very well," she said. "Your private dining area. I'll even wear something...appropriate. I think I have something somewhere that's better suited to eating a meal than hunting down criminals."

"I can provide you with the proper attire, if you like." Reza glanced sideways at Rilanna and added, "I do owe you a life debt, after all."

Rilanna laughed. "It's alright," she said. "I know I have a skirt somewhere, and a shirt that doesn't include energy dispersers. I haven't worn them in awhile. I guess it'll be nice to feel like a girl again."

"Very well. I shall think of another way to repay my debt." Shrezade moved with Rilanna into the lift tube, happy to finally escape the dank lower levels. That would be her first and last excursion down below, but she had to admit that it was more eventful than her life had been for a while. She would have to thank Rilanna Kir for that as well.

---

"Business As Usual, Part 2"
by Shrezade Anoran - Shipyards Administrator
and Rilanna Kir - Bounty Hunter

Location: Drogen Shipyards, Tae'Karada Orbit
Date: Niothe 4, 4ABY

***

Rilanna showed up at Shrezade Anoran's doorstep several hours later. She felt half-naked without her weapons. The long skirt she wore didn't help much, neither did the short top she'd chosen. The stares she'd received on the way here only made her feel more self-conscious. Finally, she took a deep breath, and put her anxieties out of her mind. She would be dining with the station manager. She'd be safe enough for the night. "Here goes," she said as she tapped at the small chime embedded into the wall next to the door.

As it slid open, a tall man in a uniform appeared. He bowed stiffly at Rilanna and moved aside. "Mrs. Anoran is expecting you. I shall escort you to the dining area, Ms. Kir." He held out his arm to her and waited with patience and apparent indifference for her to accept.

Rilanna looked at his arm, then with a small smile slid her arm into his. "Thank you," she said, and then with her other hand indicated for him to lead the way.

He led Rilanna through a large living area that was finely furnished lined with ornate sculptures atop pedestals throughout. The deckplating was covered with a richly coloured carpet, beneath which rested a green marbled floor. The dining area was concealed behind two large, heavy doors. Rilanna's escort pushed open one of the doors and stepped aside. "Ms. Rilanna Kir." He stood by the open doorway, and with a bow, he extended his arm and gestured for her to enter.

So formal, Rilanna thought as she stepped into the room. She looked around, admiring the decor as she moved toward where Shrezade waited for her. "You've got quite a place here," she said with a grin.

"It suffices for my needs and tastes." She motioned to the chair across from her at the large table that had been much more finely decorated than necessary for a mere business dinner. "The chef is still preparing the main course. Appetizers will be out shortly."

With a grin, as her eyes still surveyed the room, Rilanna moved to the offered chair. She smoothed her skirt and then sat into it slowly, surprising herself at how comfortable it was. "It's been awhile since I was in anyplace so lavish. It's a nice change."

Reza languidly sipped from a glass of amber liquid, yet kept her scrutinizing gaze on Rilanna. "Your appearance is quite different from earlier. Quite...revealing for a business dinner."

Rilanna glanced down at her short top and then at the long skirt she wore. The split in the side of the skirt did show a good deal of her leg. "My apologies if my attire is too risqué. Unfortunately, this was all I could find of clothing more appropriate to a setting other than hunting down a bunch of criminals. I hope it's not too much."

"No, it's quite alright. I only wish you'd allowed me to purchase some formal attire for you." Reza set down her emptied glass and signalled the attendant. He bowed quickly and disappeared into a back room. "But since you would not allow me to repay my debt to you in that manner, I had my assistant purchase something else for you." The attendant returned a moment later and stood motionless at Rilanna's side with a broad package laid upon his hands. "Go ahead," Reza prompted. "You may open it now."

"Perhaps if we do a meal like this again, I can purchase something more suitable for the occasion," Rilanna said as she took the package from the man. She looked at it for a moment, and then started in on opening it.

When it was finally open, she looked down inside and tried not to look as startled and shocked as she felt. Looking at the objects within, she couldn't imagine what any of them were for, but they all appeared to have some rather insidious purpose. She pulled out the thing that looked something like a mask and smiled. "It's all quite...extraordinary. I...I will put them to good use. Thank you, Mrs. Anoran."

Reza smiled skeptically at Rilanna and said, "You hate it, don't you? It's quite alright. I didn't expect someone of your stature to be familiar with cosmetic supplies. But I feel a woman should not sacrifice aesthetic beauty to survive in a male-dominated society. There are times when just a touch of lip gloss can make a woman feel ravishing, and when a woman feels beautiful, it does wonders for her confidence."

Rilanna looked back into the box and smiled. "Beauty supplies?" She laughed softly. "I don't hate it," she said. "Now that I know what they are... Thank you, very much. I don't have much experience with them, but I'm sure I'll be able to use them. Thank you."

"Well, if you have any trouble, I can provide some assistance." Shrezade signalled the attendant again, who spoke into a tiny comm device. Within moments, a pair of servers with gleaming platters entered the dining area. A plate of Mon Calamari shrimp was placed before Rilanna, and another before Reza. Wine was poured into their goblets, and as quickly as they appeared, the servers disappeared once again. "A transport brought them in this morning, fresh from Mon Calamari. I was going to have them all for myself, but since this opportunity presented itself, I decided to share them with my most prized employee."

"Thank you again," Rilanna said with a wide smile, obvious gratitude clear in her eyes. "It's been...I was very young the last time I had Mon Calamari shrimp." Once Shrezade started eating her food, Rilanna started in on her own. "Very good. Your chef is quite amazing."

"A necessity for someone who can't get enough of the extravagant life." Reza forewent the appetizer for a moment and began dipping into the wine poured for them. She watched Rilanna intently as she ate, and broached the subject she had been meaning to discuss with the girl since going down below earlier in the day. "Ms. Kir...how would you like to increase your earnings substantially?"

Rilanna was silent for a moment as she stared into her plate, and then she nodded. "I would love the chance to increase my earnings," she said. "You have my complete attention, Mrs. Anoran."

"Good." Reza placed her elbows atop the table and pressed her hands together. "Now, I've recently made an agreement with an associate to infuse funds into my campaign in return for a modification to the rules of the bounty hunts." A slow smile curled Reza's lips as she asked, "My dear, would it be too invasive if I inquired about your allegiances?"

Rilanna smiled. "I tend toward the middle," she said. "I try to remain neutral and impartial. However, most of my work has come from Imperial contracts. If the money is right, and a job doesn't conflict with my personal beliefs, then I'll take it, whoever's hiring."

"Very well," Reza said quietly and with a pleased smile. "Then you wouldn't have any qualms about hunting down alleged Rebel sympathizers and taking them into custody, now would you?"

Rilanna thought about it for a moment, and then smiled. "No qualms at all," she said. "You give me the bounty notice, and I'll bring them to you."

Reza sat back in her chair with a satisfied grin and motioned for Rilanna to continue with her meal. "I'll alter your contract then and have a new one drawn up for you tomorrow. My associate will be very pleased that I've found someone so capable to give aid to his cause. I, as well, am very grateful, Ms. Kir."

Ril grinned. "I am glad I can make you grateful, Mrs. Anoran," she said. "And, I certainly hope your chef is well-paid, because this has to be the best food I've ever tasted." She looked around. "I never would have thought that running a space station could provide for such luxuries."

Reza's features darkened and her smile became a grim scowl. Her voice was cold and seeping with bitterness as she replied, "I'm paid well. I also acquired a large sum from my husband's life insurance fund. I am quite financially comfortable because of it."

Rilanna's eyes narrowed. "I meant no offence by my comment," she said. "All I was trying to say was that your place here is very nice, and luxurious." Touchy, she thought to herself as she returned her attention to her food.

Reza nodded slowly as she brought the goblet of wine to her lips again and drained it. "I thank you for the compliment, Ms. Kir." She placed her goblet upon the table and tapped it. The attendant moved briskly to the cooling bucket by the table and removed the wine bottle from it. He quickly filled her glass again and moved away after replacing the bottle. "Ms. Kir," Reza said tightly, "are you...involved with anyone?"

Rilanna looked up, slightly startled by the question. "No...no I'm not...involved with anyone," she said. "I guess it's a combination of not having found anyone and being so busy with my work that I haven't had the time."

"Ah." Reza nodded her head and stared into the red liquid in her glass pensively. "Believe me...it is better that way. Once you give your heart to another, it is impossible to take it back whole again. Even in love, there comes a consequence, and heartbreak is just that."

Rilanna took a sip from her glass and finally nodded. "I've never been in love," she said. "I haven't really ever had a serious relationship with anyone. While there may be benefits to being in love, I don't know. In my line of work, it's dangerous. I wouldn't want someone I loved to get caught in that. It's not very difficult for someone to use your heart against you. If I had someone, and I was hunting a criminal, he could tear me apart by going after someone I cared about. That would hurt my job and my loved one. I wouldn't want to do that."

"Very practical, Ms. Kir. In this universe, love is a liability. Nothing good can thrive in the darkness this vast expanse of greed and corruption produces, and those who allow themselves luxuries such as falling in love only become prey to the villains in the end." Reza cleared her throat and went rigid in her chair. She replaced the closely guarded shields she'd let weaken momentarily and ordered the attendant to have dinner brought out. "At any rate," she began with a strange tightness in her voice, "women such as ourselves are far too independent to be tied down. Being alone is better than being oppressed."

Rilanna raised her glass. "I haven't been down to the planet below, but I have a feeling I'd be sick at the sight of all the subservient, obsequious women down there. It's truly disgusting. I'd love to round up all the men from Tae'Karada and have them lined up and put out of the universe's collective misery. I'm just glad this place is here, even though we do get the occasional woman in that flimsy gown up here."

"I'm putting forth a dress code forbidding the women of this station to walk around in such lewd attire. This station is legally in my jurisdiction; I may do as I please and it would please me to have every equadi thrown into an incinerator." Reza smiled wanly and raised her empty glass to Rilanna. "I respect your views, Ms. Kir, and not only because they coincide with mine." Noticing her glass was devoid of the sweet, red wine, she signalled over the attendant again. "You are a wise woman, Ms. Kir, and I am beginning to find your company much less tiresome."

Rilanna grinned. "Thank you," she said. "Though, I apologize if my company were tiresome at all." She sighed and then smiled. "It's nice to have someone to talk with. Bounty hunting is solitary work, and I don't often get to sit down with people like this. It's also nice to talk to someone with an intellectual capacity much greater than a nerf."

"Well, many do not have the opportunity to attend schooling facilities, and others are far too content with their paths of depravity that they see no need to better themselves through education." The servers once again entered the room and set down elegantly garnished plates of roasted Tilan water fowl. "Tell me, Ms. Kir, are you an educated woman? You are very astute and intelligent, as far as I can tell."

"I like to think I'm fairly well educated," Rilanna said. "My family was quite adamant that I learn the important things. My schooling wasn't in officially sanctioned schools, but the curriculum was similar."

"Was your family wealthy? It would explain your particular career choice. To me, it seems to translate as some yearning to cast off the burden of a sort of family expectation. Are you rebelling from something, Ms. Kir?"

"My family is a bunch of criminals," Rilanna said with a slight scowl. "I guess I'm rebelling against that. They are fairly high up in Black Sun, which is why they also have the wealth that they do. Everything about them disgusts me, so here I am. Doing what I do allows me to seek justice for those who think themselves worthy of their criminal activities and it gives me more wealth than I would see as a normal security operative."

"And freedom." Reza began slicing into her fowl, yet she continued to keep her steady gaze on Rilanna. "There is another gift I'd planned on giving you, but I wanted to determine first if I tolerated you enough to actually bestow such generousity upon you." She pulled the morsel of food off her fork and chewed it slowly in her mouth. "I tolerate you, Rilanna Kir, therefore the gift is yours." Reza set down her fork and knife, then reached into the inner pocket of her suit jacket and produced a small keycard. She slid it across the table towards Rilanna and sat back with tight smile.

Rilanna picked up the card from the table and looked at it. She glanced up at Shrezade and then to the card again. "What's this," she asked, her curiousity running away from her.

"Level 55, deck 4. The room number's on the back of the keycard." Reza gave a laugh and added, "You're welcome."

Rilanna looked at the keycard again, and then smiled. "Thank you," she said. "The place I'm in now is...well, it's not much. Thank you. I won't let you down, Mrs. Anoran. I'll help you make this station the way you want it to be."

"The way it was meant to be," Reza corrected gently. She sighed wistfully as she stared at her barely touched meal. "It is my ambition to make this a haven from all the depravity and corruption of this universe, a place for worthy beings such as myself, and yourself, Ms. Kir. I won't rest until I have achieved my goal."

Rilanna smiled and raised her glass again. "And, neither shall I," she said. "I think we make a good team, Mrs. Anoran. I think together you and I can make a difference around here. We'll have people sitting up and taking notice that this is a place for decent people, and the scum isn't welcome."

Reza refilled her empty glass and raised it towards Rilanna's. "To hoping you remain in my good graces, Ms. Kir. I would truly hate to lose your companionship."

Rilanna drank down the contents of her glass and set it on the table. "If we do become friends," she said after a long pause, "you would be the first friend I have had in a very long time."

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Ms. Kir. I don't often tolerate people long enough to form any sort of relationship beyond the level of passing acquaintances with them." She brought the glass to her lips again, and held it there as her mouth twitched with the signs of an oncoming grin. "If it does develop into more, however, Ms. Kir, you would be my first friend ever." Reza cleared her throat and submerged her lips in the red liquid to conceal the slowly forming smile.

Rilanna laughed softly. "Well, I guess we'll have to see what the future has in store for us," she said. "I imagine we'll probably just end up hating each other, and won't even want to speak. We'll have to rely on intermediaries for all official business." She grinned, and motioned for more wine.

Reza stayed the attendant with a dismissive wave of her hand and pulled the bottle from the bucket herself. The attendant bowed stiffly and disappeared from the room. Reza filled Rilanna's glass to the brim, then refilled her own glass. "I hope, Ms. Kir, you will refrain from divulging to anyone the kindness I've shown to you this evening. It would not do for rumour to spread that Shrezade Anoran is not the intimidating, brusque witch she appears to be."

"I will say nothing to anyone," Rilanna said with a smile. "And I'll kill anyone who even looks like they might think that." After a moment, she laughed softly. "Don't worry, I won't say a word. Your reputation is secure, I assure you."

"If you were anyone else, I'd be insulted by that. But I thank you for the compliment." They ate their meal in silence interspersed with casual conversation. After a time, Reza set down her glass and smiled at Rilanna as she pushed back her chair and rose. She moved through the doors leading to the kitchen, then returned a few moments later with two bowls of honeycrust topped with ice cream and beebleberries. "Come," she said to Rilanna as she moved past her and towards the large doors of the dining area. "We'll be more comfortable in the living area."

Rilanna pushed away from the table and followed Shrezade into the other room. "You do have a very nice place here," she said. "I haven't had a chance to make my place comfortable. Perhaps I shall do that with the new place, in my off time of course." As she looked around the living area, Rilanna let out a low whistle. "Very nice indeed."

Reza settled into the large, plush sofa and smiled at Rilanna as she took a seat next to her. She handed Rilanna a bowl of the dessert, then picked up her spoon and began scooping up the decadent ice cream. "You look healthy enough, so a little dessert wouldn't hurt your figure. Besides, you're young and in your active line of work, I'm certain you can burn it off in no time."

Rilanna plunged a spoon into her own dessert. "I am certain I'll burn this and the rest of the meal off tomorrow. I don't tend to put on much weight in my line of work. Which I guess is a good thing. Though, you appear to keep yourself fairly active as well. This is very good too. I will have to stay on your good side in order to get some more of this food."

"You'll have to stay on my good side, period. I really would rather not have to reprimand you for anything, Ms. Kir. You're my best employee now. The way you handled those two today... It was almost impressive." Reza grinned. "Almost."

Rilanna nearly laughed. "I'll try to be more impressive next time," she said with a smile. "I like what I do. It's for a good purpose. And, I'm glad you were able to see that today. Some are easier, most are tougher. But, so far I've always come out the winner."

"And if you continue to do so, you will also end up very rich." Reza savoured a morsel of the dessert, chewing on it slowly. She sighed softly and asked, "What are your ambitions for the future, Ms. Kir? There will come a time when you may search for a change in pace, a new hobby... What will you do when you've accumulated enough funds that you'll no longer need to work?"

"I haven't really thought about it much," Rilanna said. "However, just off the top of my head, I think I would like to set up my own security firm. An organization with high-mobility that can go where needed to keep peace, and enforce the law. Also, where needed, to act in the name of justice."

Reza nodded with approval and for a moment, felt something she'd never felt for anyone before: respect. "You haven't allowed your family's depravity to taint your sense of morality and integrity. It's a difficult thing to do in such an immoral universe. You should be proud of yourself."

Rilanna smiled. "Thank you," she said. "That means a lot coming from you. I know I probably still have some time until I'm at that point, but I hope that I can learn some of the management skills from observing you, and my time here will give me an additional look at other types of security work. This has actually turned out to be more than I originally expected."

"Nothing normally turns out as expected. No matter how perfect our plans for the future seem, there are always those unforeseen variables that one cannot account for until you stumble upon them and they threaten to upset everything you've worked so hard for." Reza stared into the puddle of melted ice cream within her bowl, then reached out and placed it atop the table across from the sofa. "It's best not to plan things," she said distantly. "If you let life take its own course, you prepare yourself better for the unexpected. It allows you to better...cope with whatever struggles you're faced with and saves you the pain of upset when things don't exactly go your way."

Rilanna glanced at Shrezade and felt a sudden pang of the pain she knew the woman must be feeling. She suspected Shrezade's deceased husband was foremost on her mind at that moment. Out of respect for those memories, Ril kept silent. She slowly continued on the dessert, happy to find solace in the sweet concoction.

Reza stared blankly at a sculpture resting on the centre of the small table, then quickly stood up with sigh. "It's late," she said quietly. She looked down at Rilanna and smiled faintly. "Will you need help carrying your package to your quarters?"

Rilanna smiled and shook her head. "No," she said. "I think I can manage. Thank you for the dinner tonight, it was delicious. Please pass my compliments on to your chef. He does remarkable work. I'll see you later, Mrs. Anoran."

Reza hollered a command across the living area to her attendant, who appeared moments later carrying Rilanna's packages. "You will stop by my office very soon, will you not, Ms. Kir? It would please me to hear about your progress or any other plans you might have that we can implement to better facilitate the cleansing of this station." An almost pleasant smile curled Reza's lips as she added, "And perhaps you can join me for another business dinner sometime soon."

Rilanna grinned. "I'd like that," she said. "I'll stop by tomorrow afternoon with a progress report. There's an Ithorian down in the lower decks that's been on the list for too long. I'm going to be taking him off tomorrow. I'd ask you along to observe, but I think this one may prove pretty dangerous."

"Well...I think I've had enough excitement today to last me for a while." The attendant handed Rilanna her gift, bowed, then returned to the back room. Reza strolled to the doorway with Rilanna and finally said, "You will be careful, will you not?"

"Always," Ril said. "That's what keeps me alive. Thank you again." She paused for a moment and then smiled. "In private, do you mind if I call you Shrezade? It just feels...awkward calling you Mrs. Anoran when we're alone like this."

Reza furrowed her brow, seeming to be mentally deliberating on whether to be appalled at Rilanna's boldness, or to embrace the possibility of hearing her name spoken by someone other than her own voice in her head. A restrained smile appeared and Reza's features softened. She tapped the door panel and as it slid open, she replied, "Shrezade it is, Rilanna Kir."

"Thank you," Rilanna said. It seemed like she was saying that a lot tonight. "I'll see you later, Shrezade. Have a good night. And, thank you again for everything."

Reza nodded in response and watched Rilanna depart. She had surprised even herself tonight, especially at her ability to seem almost amicable and decent towards Rilanna. She didn't recall spouting one rude or condescending comment and congratulated herself for showing restraint when she did have the urge to criticize or demean. But with Rilanna, those moments were rare.

The wine wasn't that strong and she hadn't consumed more than a few glasses, which meant the approval she felt towards Rilanna wasn't an inebriation-induced conjuring of her addled mind. She liked the woman - a first for Shrezade - and had in fact had the most pleasant evening she'd had in a while. Smiling as much as she had this evening felt fulfilling and all but banished the simmering bitterness within her.

"Thank you, Rilanna Kir," she said softly as the girl disappeared into the lift tube. With her life debt paid, Reza found herself indebted again to the woman, but this was one she didn't think mere baubles could ever repay.

---

"A Party"
by Weibran the Hutt

Location: Galactic Headquarters of the Weibran Crime Family, New Plouton
Date: Niothe 4, 4ABY

***

Light filtered in through the ornate windows above the throne room. Seated atop the dais in the gilded chair large enough to seat three men sat a single man (who also happened to be as wide as three men). With one hand resting upon his chin, the other paused above a plate piled high with food, he contemplated.

"A masked ball," Weibran said with a smile, his small beady eyes glittering with delight. "For this crowd, a costume will be a necessity. Oh it will be quite delightful, won't it, Rancor?"

"Yip," his canine-ish companion responded, pausing only briefly from gnawing on the bantha bone resting under his paws. "Yaroo yip." With that, he went back to his meal.

"Yes," Weibran said with a knowing smile. "I do think it will be a good night for deals. And, I have the perfect costume picked out for you already, my dear Rancor." And, then we went back to preparing the invitation he'd been working on.

"Yrrr."

"Much better than that last one," he quickly added. "No more dianaga costumes for you."

"Yap yrrr yip."

"There," Weibran said as he held the invitation up to the light. With his other hand, he brought the leg of nerf to his lips. He mumbled something that caused Rancor to tilt his head to the side and growl an inquisitive response. "Sorry. I think this is ready to be sent now. Oh, and it will be glorious. There see, Rancor. It is a beautiful piece of work."

Rancor looked at the piece of plastisheet and made the canine equivalent of a shrug.

"It says, 'My dearest colleague, you are cordially invited to a small gathering held by myself, Weibran, at the New Plouton Arms. The date of this glorious evening will be Niothe 7. You may bring a guest to accompany you. I request that you leave your weaponry in your lair. Security will be provided by the Weibran Family.' It will be sent to all the important, powerful people in the system. Oh yes, and that musician fellow who wanted help finding his girlfriend. He...he shall play music for me. Oh, Rancor, this will be my greatest moment."

"Bark, yap. Yip yip, yowrrr."

"And yours, yes," Weibran said with a grin. "Now, come along, Rancor. Let us go send these invitations out, and prepare our party. We still have the rest of the week, but you can never make too many preparations."

With that, Weibran ambled off his throne and start down toward the exit. Soon, all of New Plouton and Tae'Karada would thank him for the marvelous party. Oh, and it would be quite the party too. Everyone who was anyone would be there.

---

"Conflicting Emotions, Part 1"
By: Liam Zaneth
Laedra Vorrel
Yelara Zaneth
Jae Dyn Brael

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

***

The previous night, Jae Dyn had given her report on events in Thanatos to Liam. She told him about the talk with Nieme and Dani, and then saving Laedra from the huntress, and then the ride home from Thanatos. Liam agreed that Jae Dyn shouldn't train the two girls while they weren't part of the Temple, however helping Nieme with her dreams would be fine. Liam didn't think Laedra would mind helping the girl ease the burden of what she saw as a curse.

The subject of Laedra's presence in the Temple was a precarious one, and Liam knew that he and Jae Dyn would be at odds until she could realize that Laedra wasn't the menace she saw her as. They were all on the same side. But, Liam would help Jae Dyn as much as possible, and hopefully could help her control the anger she felt inside.

For now, Liam was finding relaxation through a workout. He'd already worked through the front half of it, but now he was into the shadow forms. He'd always found this part of the workout the most relaxing, the most focused. In the heart of the forms, he felt closer to the Force than most other times. It was in that focus that he was vaguely aware of the movement at the corner of the room, the being stepping closer.

"Your concentration is remarkable," the voice attached to the shifting form of sleek leather said softly. "Confronting the calm you're exuding is like wading in a pool of gently rippling water. Truly remarkable."

Liam slowly started pulling himself out of his training stance and smiled. "Thank you," he said. "I hope you are well today, and that the bed in your room was adequate."

"The bed was the most comfortable thing I've slept on for months." Laedra paused before Liam and gestured to the leather outfit provided by Yelara. "As for this... I really do think I need to acquire some more...appropriate attire."

Liam laughed softly. "Well, it does look a little large on you," he said. "But, other than that, it does look good. But, I'm sure we can get you something new today. I've been considering getting traditional attire for all of us for around the Temple; but outside the Temple, we still need to remain disguised."

"A wise choice." Laedra motioned blatantly to Liam's bare chest and laughed softly. "Traditional attire would remove many of the distractions associated with your form of training attire." She took a step closer to Liam and lowered her voice. "However, I have found that I am much better able to focus when free of the confines of clothing in any form."

"I think it would be wise of me to refrain from suggesting that we train by your methods," Liam said. "Though, I must say that it sounds very...freeing. The lack of clothing does greatly help with the freedom of movement though."

"I agree," Laedra replied. "However, leather does not. Perhaps you would care to accompany me into town so I can purchase some more...liberating attire."

"I'd be happy to," Liam said. "And, I can look into those droids while we're in town. And, possibly other supplies for this place. We still need some dry stores, and some other basics required for habitation. And, if we're lucky, we can find a second speeder for a decent price."

"If you don't mind me inquiring, Liam...where do you find the funds for such purchases? Have you another source of income?"

"During the time after I started my journey back toward the light, I walked in an area between light and dark," Liam said. "During that time, I focused on raiding Imperial strongholds. My money comes from their coffers. Also, I made some lucky investments."

Laedra nodded ponderously, then laughed gently. "I see. It is not my place to express approval or disapproval of your means of acquiring funds, but I will say it is as valid a way as any." She found herself studying Liam's face, focusing upon his smile and eyes. She soon realized her intense meditation session of the previous evening had done little to quell the urges Liam had inspired, and red-faced, Laedra was forced to look away. "Shall I retrieve my cloak then meet you at the speeder?"

"That sounds fine," Liam said. "I'll meet you there. I want to let the others know where we're going. I'll see you in a few minutes."

Laedra bowed, her eyes travelling along Liam's chest as she did. A grin tugged at her lips until she realized Yelara's loosely fitting vest fell open, revealing far more than she would ever have intended to. She straightened up quickly, made a hasty verbal dismissal and fled, even more flustered than looking at Liam's chest had ever made her.

Liam stood staring for another minute after she'd gone. "Very nice," he said to himself with a grin. He took a deep breath, and let it out. He was starting down a dangerous path with Laedra, he could feel it. Not good, he told himself, and then started off to let Yelara know he'd be running into the city.

***

"Kallia, now don't exaggerate. She can't be that bad!" Yelara watched with amusement as Kallia paced incessantly through the room. Leshie too seemed to be following Kallia with his eyes, and if he was becoming as dizzy as she was, Yelara figured she'd be cleaning up a puddle of baby vomit anytime now.

"She is," Kallia said. "I swear to you, the woman didn't have a single nice thing to say about anything. She didn't even thank me for saving her life. If she'd hit the sand, she probably would have broken her back. But, every idea I had, she was against. And, she made it sound like I actually wanted to be with...with...with Dargus. She's so condescending and patronizing. She insults me, and then tells me that she wasn't really just insulting me. She went to great lengths to point out my faults. She is that bad, Yel."

"Well...Liam seems to like her. Not that I don't believe you believe everything you're saying but..." Yelara sighed. "Kallia, could it be that you're just feeling a bit...threatened by her?"

Kallia turned toward Yelara and frowned. "But she's so--" Yelara could be right, she told herself. "It's possible. It's just...she was doing it deliberately...or it felt like it anyway. Maybe it's just all part of my tests to be a Jedi. Maybe I'm supposed to have everything I've worked for squashed before I can advance. Maybe I'm not cut out for this."

"Kal..." Yelara raised Leshie to her chest and gently patted his back. "You're a good Jedi. It's what you were meant to be, my love. You can't let the arrival of this woman cause you to doubt everything you've accomplished. Maybe this is a test, but I know you, Kal. You're strong and this is an obstacle you can overcome. You've survived far worse struggles than this one."

Kallia moved to sit next to Yelara. "Why does she have to make me feel incompetent to test me? I'm good, I know what we're doing is right, and I know that we were the only ones able to start this Temple. But, why does she try to make it sound like it was all a mistake?"

Yelara smiled warmly and cradled Kallia's cheek in her hand. "Perhaps she's not used to interacting with other Jedi. You said she was trained practically isolated from the universe. You'll just have to familiarize her with the way you and Liam are running the Temple. It is your Temple, Kal, not hers. If she doesn't like the way you're doing things, inform her that she's free to leave anytime."

"We need her though," Kallia said. "I hate being desperate." She looked up at Yelara and laughed. "I just hope I can get her to at least accept me. I don't want to do this if one of the Jedi Masters here can't stand being around me, and takes every chance to knock me down."

"Well...just do the same to her, Kal. She may be a self-appointed Jedi Master, but it doesn't give her any special authority over you. Just...don't let her upset you. If she does...tell her she'll have to deal with your girlfriend."

Kallia pressed her body against Yelara and wrapped one arm around her back while the other moved to brush through Leshie's fine, red hair. "I'll have to do that."

"You do that." She kissed Kallia tenderly, then added, "And you tell her she better return my outfit or she really is gonna have to deal with your girlfriend."

Kallia laughed. "She borrowed one of your outfits? I'm surprised she didn't borrow one of mine; she and I are about the same size. Oh, and I do have the outfit for her."

"Oh really? Something absolutely ridiculous, I presume." Yelara grinned and pulled Kallia closer. "What better way to seek revenge by lending her something utterly unflattering to wear?"

"Well, she is very adamant against any sort of fraternization, so cold towards the idea of intimacy, that I would have taken great delight in putting her into a nice sexy little outfit that would have gone completely against everything she believes in."

Yelara giggled and shifted closer to Kallia. "Do you think she's...you know...still a virgin? It would explain why she has such a sour temperament. Maybe she and that Kal'aran fellow can loosen each other up a bit," she said with a suggestive chuckle.

Kallia laughed. "I bet she is," she said. "And, I don't know about Kal'Aran. He doesn't seem all that interested in women or intimacy. You know those toys Dani left behind, I bet Laedra could use those though."

"Or, we could." Yelara purred as she ran her finger along Kal's lips. "I bet that would get your mind off that strict, uptight Jedi Master." She brushed her lips against Kallia's ear and blew gently into it. "You never know, my love... She might be so hard on you because she's got a tiny crush."

Kallia grinned and brought her lips to brush across Yelara's cheek. "Do you think so?" she asked. "I guess there would be one way to find out, wouldn't there? I imagine she must be very frustrated having never been with anyone. So, you want to put Leshie down, and we can have a little fun?"

"My dear...I would have thought the answer to that was quite obvious by now." Yelara giggled and slipped off the bed. Carefully, yet excitedly, she settled Leshie into his crib, then turned back towards Kallia. "Let's go to Dani's room and pick out some toys. I don't think she'd mind, do you?"

Kallia's smile broadened. "Oh, I think she would encourage us to use them," she said. "And, I have a feeling she would have happily joined us if she were here. But, she's not so we'll have to make due on our own." She reached out and took Yelara's hand. "Let's go!"

Yelara contained a squeal for Leshie's sake as she pulled Kallia off the bed and rushed towards the door. "And we'll make enough noise to chase the spirits in this place away! And enough to make that uptight Laedra blush!"

"Oh gods, Yelara," Kallia said as they hurried through the halls. "I've never had toys before. It's going to be so fun. I want to use that really big one she has, and that one that straps on...I bet that one's fun."

"Jae Dyn!" Laedra walked briskly down the corridor, gripping her cloak in one hand and her lightsaber in the other.

Yelara stopped and looked back at the approaching woman. She hadn't seen her before, and catching a glimpse of her now, she cocked a suspicious eyebrow. "Liam never said she was young...and pretty."

"Young and pretty," Kallia muttered, "but cold as deep space." She turned her attention to Laedra and smiled. "Master Laedra, how nice to see you today. Were you going out?"

"As a matter of fact, I was." She nodded to Yelara congenially, yet couldn't help noting she appeared much younger than Liam, not young enough to make their relationship scandalous, but just young enough to cause her eyebrow to twitch. "You are Liam's wife? I guess I owe you thanks for the use of your clothing."

Yelara laughed dryly and put on her most polite, yet absolutely false smile. "It's no trouble...really. They're not too tight on you, I hope."

Laedra was unaffected by the attempted insult; in fact, she was oblivious to it. "They're just fine. Liam agreed to take me into the city to purchase my own attire. I just stopped by to ask if either of you needed anything."

"Wait... You're going into town...alone with Liam?" Yelara's smile tightened as she clenched her teeth. "That's so...nice of him."

Jae Dyn leaned close. "No need to be jealous, my love," she softly sang. "You've got me and a bunch of toys, and Liam's going to be out with the woman who could freeze a star." She turned back to Laedra. "I think we're alright for now, though make certain to get a good warm nightshirt; these beds can get awfully cold at night."

"Thank you for the suggestion," she replied sincerely. "In fact, Liam and I were thinking of looking into uniforms - traditional attire for the teachers and students. I think it's a good idea. It would teach the students discipline in a way, and make their lessons at least appear formal, even though they're probably very used to your informal methods, Jae Dyn."

Jae Dyn brushed a hand against her bared belly button seductively and smiled at Laedra. "I find the informal allows you to get closer to your students, allows them to trust you more. Stiff formality usually just pushes them away, makes them more distant. But, while I don't recommend sleeping with the students, getting closer is better than pushing them away. You have to find someone else to sleep with." She brushed a hand over Yelara's arm. "It's good for relieving stress...among other things."

Laedra cleared her throat and shifted uncomfortably at Jae Dyn's display. "I can see you're still unchanged in your views on the entire intimacy issue." She shot Yelara a look of disdain, which intensified as her eyes strayed back to Jae Dyn. "But in my opinion, formality prevents against certain...improprieties from occurring. It is quite easy for a student to become far too close to his teacher. They spend much time together alone, become quite attached to one another... Unless a teacher can maintain a level of professionalism, perhaps she is not fit to be teaching altogether."

"Now wait a minute!" Yelara protested. "How dare--"

"Oh, forgive me, ladies," Laedra interjected abruptly. "I believe Liam is waiting for me. Did you see him stop by your quarters? When last I saw him, he was without a shirt and I assume he returned to your chambers to retrieve one."

Yelara's mouth slowly dropped and her eyes narrowed to slits. She took a step forward, prepared to diffuse the situation with a fist to Laedra's nose.

"Yel," Kallia cautioned. "Let's go get those things and spend some time by ourselves. And, we should probably also check on Liam...to find out when he plans on returning. Besides, I want to go have wild sex before the babies wake up."

Laedra's lips puckered as if the mention of sex left a sour taste in her mouth. "Don't worry. I will have him returned to you both within reasonable time." Laedra gave a short bow to them both, but did nothing to hide the contempt and disgust inspired by their actions.

When Laedra turned on her heel, Yelara stuck out her tongue to convey her opinion of Laedra, as any true lady would do. "I don't like her one bit, Kal. I'm beginning to think you were absolutely right about her."

"At least we don't have to worry about Liam with her," Kallia said. "Can you imagine how much she must hate him with his background?"

"Hmm... She didn't sound like she minded him walking around topless." Yelara glanced back at Laedra with a seething glare and hoped the woman's Force sensitivity gave her the ability to detect the hatred she felt towards her. "She better keep her hands off my husband or she's gonna learn that not even a Jedi Master is a match against a pissed Yelara Zaneth."

Kallia slipped her arms around Yelara. "Don't worry, my love," she said. "The woman is completely clueless about relationships; she wouldn't know what to do with Liam, even if she wanted him. That sort of thing is unprofessional and sets a bad precedent for the Padawans. She'd never go after him, it'd go against everything she believes in."

Yelara pouted for but a moment, while nodding her head and agreeing not particularly wholeheartedly with Kallia. Her mood brightened considerably, and her desires were rekindled as she gazed up at Kallia with a salacious smile. "You were pretty impressive back there. I mean, you stuck up for yourself and insulted her pretty good. It got me kinda...aroused."

Kallia moved closer to Yelara. "I got you kinda aroused? I guess I'm going to have to work harder now. I don't want you only kinda, I want you all the way." She kissed Yel, grabbed her hands and started pulling her toward Dani's former bedroom. "I want you and toys. Now."

Yelara moaned longingly and followed Kallia with a grin. "Oh, how I love it when you're commanding."

Kallia glanced back. "Commanding and defiant, my love," she said. "Just wait until we're alone in our room."

Yelara purred in Kallia's ear and rubbed sensually up against her. "Dominate me, my love."

"Come on," Kallia said as they rushed headlong down the hall. "We'll have to use Dani's room, I think, because I know I can't make it back to ours." Giggling, they raced on toward Dani's room for some much needed play time.

***

Liam approached the speeder after quickly changing into clothing much more appropriate for going into the city. He now wore a pair of leather pants and a lightweight shirt, over which he had thrown a leather poncho that was long enough to cover the lightsaber at his belt. He noticed that Laedra was just ahead of him and rushed to catch up. "You ready for that wardrobe change?"

Laedra swung quickly around, her spurred reflexes preparing to deploy defensive measures. She laughed at herself and shook her head as she was reminded where she was - a Temple, not the criminal sector of Tatooine, or Thanatos for that matter. "Well," she said as she surveyed Liam's outfit. "For a while, I wasn't sure if you'd sworn off wearing shirts or if you merely lacked them altogether."

"Well, I figured since the two times you'd seen me I wasn't wearing one, I figured it might be a nice change of pace to put one on," he said. "Besides, in the city, I think they prefer men to be fully dressed; it's the women they let wander around with hardly anything on. And, speaking of clothing, let's go get you those new clothes." With that he started toward the door that was just ahead of them.

"I believe there is a new urgency in purchasing attire for myself. It would seem your wife is no longer content in loaning me her clothing." Laedra shrugged her shoulders humbly and sighed. "She and Jae Dyn seem to share a mind in their opinion of me. Frankly, I'm beginning to think there really is something about me they find unpleasant."

Liam looked at Laedra and frowned. "I can't imagine what-- Well, other than that you're an attractive woman. At least, for Yelara. Not sure why Jae Dyn would still be feeling that way. Personally, I think you are a nice, pleasant woman and there's nothing wrong with you. And, regardless of whether Yelara likes you in her clothes, I think they look good on you...even if they are a little large."

Laedra laughed and rested her hand upon his shoulder. "According to Yelara, they seemed a tight fit on me." Her smile softened as she caught Liam's gaze. She caressed his shoulder gently with her thumb and added, "But I thank you for your compliments and your kindness. My time here would have seemed ill-fated entirely if your opinion of me was as low as Jae Dyn's and Yelara's appear to be."

"I can understand Yelara's reaction. She doesn't have the discipline of a Jedi Knight, she hasn't received our training, nor does she live by our code. But, Jae Dyn? I don't understand her reactions. Of the two of us, I had thought her the more level-headed and wise." He shook his head. "I guess I was wrong. In any event, I do like you and I'm hoping you can help me in my journey to the Light."

Reminded that her duty at the Temple was not to seduce a fellow teacher, Laedra removed her hand from Liam's shoulder and rested it casually on the hilt of her lightsaber. "Perhaps it will take time. I've found that women are naturally confrontational upon the presence of another woman into their lives. I expect once they realize I have no intention on intruding upon the relationship the three of you share, they'll be less...defensive towards me."

Liam nodded. "Very true," he said. "Yelara has a difficult time with her jealousy. Hopefully she'll see she has nothing to worry about though. While you may be a very beautiful woman, our relationship is a professional one. I think I'll have to have a little talk with them."

"Thank you, Liam. I would appreciate that." They reached the speeder and summarily took their respective seats within. "Will the trip be long? I was asleep on the way here, so I'm not certain how long we travelled to reach the Temple."

"It shouldn't be long," Liam said. "Only about thirty minutes or so. I try to vary the structures I use for parking the speeder, but it shouldn't be much of a hike to the stores that sell clothing. While you're doing that, I can go look into the droids."

"Perhaps... I think I would feel more comfortable if you accompanied me, Liam. As you well know, the streets of New Plouton are quite foreign to me. If you wish, I can accompany you in droid shopping, and after, you can escort me to one of the local clothing shops." Laedra laughed softly. "Unless of course, you would prefer not to."

"Well, I wouldn't want to abandon you in the city," Liam said as he guided the speeder out and down the path that would take them into New Plouton. "We'll stick together, and do our shopping as a pair. Just as long as you don't expect me to help you try on the clothes." He glanced at her with a teasing grin.

Laedra let out a nervous chuckle and diverted her attention from Liam's hypnotic, blue eyes to the scenery outside. "I think I can manage... Although, I would value your advice when choosing attire. I must admit, I am not very knowledgeable with respect to fashion...not that I am concerned with such aesthetic issues, and not that there is any place for fashion within a Jedi Temple..." Laedra pursed her lips shut and laughed. "Forgive me. I hadn't realized I had a tendency to ramble. Fact is, it was rare during my travels that I spoke to anyone at all. I guess that proved detrimental to my ability to converse easily with others. Though, I do believe I am gaining good practice with you, Liam."

"I think you're definitely holding your own in the conversation," Liam said with a grin. "I imagine we'll keep talking, and soon you'll be as good as anyone at conversing. And, I'd be glad to offer any fashion advice you want."

"Seeing as you live with two women, I'm more than confident that you have excellent taste in clothing, Liam."

Liam laughed and then nodded. "Well, I try," he said with a grin. "We'll get you set up with something nice, yet conservative. Unless you'd like to go for something a little more wild. But, we'll find you something good for training, teaching, relaxing, and for going out of the Temple."

"Liam, I must say that...you are probably the closest friend I've ever had, even though we've only been in each other's company for a matter of a day." Laedra sighed wistfully and glanced sideways at Liam. "Still...I hope your wife's feelings towards me do not affect your opinion of me. I would truly like this friendship to blossom, Liam. I think it would be beneficial to both of us in ways we cannot yet imagine."

Liam nodded. "I won't let Yelara's opinions sway me against you," he said, and then realized that the image that came up in his mind wasn't what he needed just then: his body swaying against Laedra's in a very sensual, passionate union. He quickly cleared his throat and laughed softly. "I want to be your friend, and I won't let Yelara stop me. I'll talk to her later, and see if I can get her to realize you're really a very nice person. I know she won't like it that you're attractive, but she'll just have to realize that she can't be jealous of every beautiful woman I meet."

"I...well..." Laedra looked away to hide her quickly blushing cheeks, but she realized the flush had spread to her chest and she was unable to conceal it with the revealing vest Yelara had provided. "I...doubt that Yelara is worried that I... I mean...she may be more worried about the fact that you're a very handsome man and that..." Laedra laughed softly and faced Liam finally. "You must know I've had no experience with men, Liam. That would explain how easily I become flustered by your compliments. They are much appreciated however, Liam, but...new to me."

"Well, I only speak my feelings," he said. "And, Yelara...Yelara needs to realize that I'm not going to do anything like that. And, I didn't figure you had much experience with men...but there's nothing wrong with that. Before I met Yelara, I really had no experience with women. As long as you are content with who you are, and don't feel you're missing something in yourself, then there are no problems."

"You're very wise, Liam, but...we are all missing something, no matter how much we achieve. However, that something sometimes eludes us...which would make much sense. If we knew what was missing, I think it would be in our nature to try and fill in that which makes us feel incomplete." Laedra shrugged her shoulders lightly and returned her gaze to the forest. "Perhaps when I've discovered what I'm searching for, I will consider pursuing a relationship with a man. There merely hasn't be time for that yet."

Liam smiled. "That's what I thought too before I docked at the Drogen Shipyards," he said. "And, then I met Yelara. I think if my ship hadn't been damaged and I had to stay there for repairs, my life would be very different now." He chuckled softly. "I would be much less happy." He glanced at her. "And, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now."

"You love her...I can sense that. Although, I am a little puzzled... You two seem so ill-matched. Her personality is quite different from yours. Whereas you're disciplined and exude a calm, she seems...quite the handful." Laedra laughed and absently rested her hand upon Liam's thigh...although she would suspect later that her female urges directed her hand intentionally there.

Liam glanced down at Laedra's hand on his thigh, and suddenly found himself wondering about Yelara's fears. "In some things, we're not easily matched, but I think I've also grown recently, become more calm and focused. I don't love her any less, that's for certain, but she is a handful. And, I still love her... But, she also has Jae Dyn, and with her willfulness lately, I wonder. I know that now the two of them seem perfectly matched. It's confusing, but I know that I can't let our relationship fail." He looked over at her and smiled. "I'm very glad I have you as a friend, someone I can talk to about this. It is alright, isn't it?"

"Liam, of course! I enjoy confiding in you. It's very...liberating. I'm so used to keeping it locked away within me...which, I guess, is my own fault for choosing such an insular existence." Laedra's hand, once again taking a life of its own, moved lightly along his thigh. She caught herself smiling suggestively as she looked back up at Liam. "This is alright...isn't it?"

Liam glanced down at her hand again and then smiled. "I don't mind at all," he said. "Being with you is nice, Laedra. Everything feels so...calm and open. I think, even though you've lived an insular existence, you definitely have the makings for a good friend."

Laedra sighed, as if relieved, moreso that he hadn't already batted her hand away than anything else. "I'm glad you feel that way, Liam. I...I feel comfortable around you." She watched her hand sliding higher up Liam's thigh and added, "Perhaps a little too comfortable." She breathed in sharply and pulled her hand away, keeping it upon the hilt of her lightsaber where it could no longer cause any trouble. "Forgive me. I... That was inappropriate of me, Liam. I just...I haven't had human contact in so long..."

"It's alright, Laedra," Liam said. "I didn't mind, and we are getting very close. We are good friends, or I feel we can be. That doesn't mean we have to be intimate or anything, but I won't fault you for wanting to touch...that'd make me a hypocrite."

"I--" Laedra regarded Liam inquisitively at first, then comprehension bestowed itself upon her and she felt her lips curling into a smile. "You wanted to... Well...I guess it wouldn't be a good idea if you were to help me try on clothes after all." She looked out upon the thinning landscape of trees as they neared the fringe between the forest and the city. "I too am somewhat of a hypocrite. I scolded Jae Dyn for not abiding by the traditions of the old Jedi. I balked at her for even mentioning she was in a relationship but...as I've said, I've lived such a solitary life for so long, that I had no trouble fulfilling that dictum of the teachings. I thought I'd transcended the need for companionship and intimacy...but one moment with you, and all my hard work and training suddenly seemed less than adequate to resist the summons of my body to quench something I never realized I hungered for." Her eyes fixed upon Liam's, and again she felt the familiar warmth encompassing her body. "I thought it was due to discipline, dedication to the teachings of the Jedi...but the fact is, I merely hadn't tested myself yet. Though, now, I appear to be failing that test miserably."

"Humans are social animals," Liam said. "We all need some form of companionship in our lives. And, our bodies do react without our permission sometimes, and even trained, disciplined Jedi. And, it probably didn't help that I wasn't wearing my shirt earlier."

"I'm beginning to think you're doing it just to provoke my urges, Liam Zaneth." Laedra repressed a smile and added quietly, "And it's working quite well..."

Liam laughed. "Far too well," he said. "But, it'll be good to test our discipline." The speeder broke through the trees, and they were only a few kilometers from the entrance to the city. "We'll be there in just a few minutes."

She nodded her head absently and focused only on Liam's comment. "So...you are saying then that you'll continue to parade around with your shirt off for the benefit of testing me? And...I shall continue to let my urges control my actions in order to test you? Does that sound about right?"

Liam grinned. "That sounds about right," he said. "I think it is necessary for people in our position to test our limits, and our discipline."

Laedra stared straight ahead, filling with suppressed laughter. "I agree wholeheartedly, Liam." She glanced askance at him and added, "Perhaps I could use your help in trying on clothes after all."

Liam glanced to the side and then nodded. "I think that would be a very suitable test. A difficult one right at the beginning, but still, a good test. Perhaps I should find a more revealing shirt to wear while we're out. To keep you on your toes."

Laedra relocated her hand to Liam's thigh again and laughed heartily. "Liam Zaneth, you're a very charming man. I really do think I'm going to have to be wary around you. Especially when everything that comes from your mouth is as sweet as carbosyrup."

Liam laughed softly and nodded. "We haven't had carbosyrup around the Temple for a little bit now," he said. "While Yelara was pregnant, she couldn't get enough of it...but after Leshie was born, she can't stand the stuff." He glanced at her and knew what he was doing was wrong, but he couldn't help being drawn to her. And, Yelara did have Kallia. He'd have to do some long thinking about the situation. For now, just flirting, he told himself There's no harm in flirting.

"Speaking of Leshie," Laedra said, "when would be an appropriate time for me to assess Force abilities. I know it may be a little early, but I think it wise to start his training when his cognitive abilities are just beginning to develop."

"Perhaps in another few weeks or so," Liam said. "I imagine once he's a month old, it should be an appropriate time to assess his potential. And, we can begin him training properly, as a child. Starting the training so late in life is going to be very difficult for the ones we have now."

"Another difficulty will be finding someone to train him. I presume, being his father, that you would like the honour." Laedra smiled at Liam and added, "I'm sure you can anticipate my disapproval concerning that."

Liam laughed. "While I would like to train him, I know I shouldn't. When he comes of age, we will have to talk through it with the council. But, for what it's worth, I would like it if you were the one to train him."

"That's... I would...uh... Yes, I would love that, Liam! I mean, I would consider it a very serious and important duty, and I will allow you to be involved with his training...as a teacher, not a parent of course. That would mean a new teacher would have to be assigned to Kael..." Laedra smiled at Liam and gently squeezed his thigh. "I think you would be perfect for that position, Liam, even though it is already yours. But...it can remain yours if you wish. I believe I trust you to do what is best for Kael, and in my opinion, your training him would be best."

Liam smiled and covered Laedra's hand with his. "I would like to continue training him," he said, "but I would also like for you to monitor my progress, and make sure I'm doing things right."

"Liam, this is new to both of us. I may be a Master in title, but I have no experience in training another." She ran her thumb gently along his and added softly, "We'll figure this out together."

"I like the sound of that," Liam said. "I know with a little of our collective wisdom, and some of the texts I've found, we can figure this out."

"Although we should also be prepared to meet severe opposition from Jae Dyn." Laedra sighed wearily and watched as she laced her fingers with Liam's. "Her daughter, Yara... It wouldn't be proper for her to formally train her, and I know she'll let me nowhere near the child. I also have a sneaking suspicion your wife will be reluctant to let me train Leshie as well."

Liam nodded. "Well, we'll see what we can work out," he said. "Perhaps we can find a way to make peace. And, in the days of the Old Republic, the Jedi often took a child from its parents to raise it as a Jedi. Though, I don't think I could ever do that to them. We'll figure it out, Lae."

"I would never deprive you or Yelara of the chance to raise your child. I believe if we, as a council, change any rules, we might consider altering that one." Laedra nodded thoughtfully and in silence, until she repeated in her mind what Liam had stated, paying close attention to the variation on her name. "I would...like you to call me Lae whenever you wish, Liam. I would like that very much."

"Then I will," Liam said as he pulled into a spot that looked good for parking. "Shall we go find you some new clothes, Lae?"

Laedra reluctantly eased her hand from Liam's, then looked down with a laugh at the ill-fitting vest Yelara had supplied her. "Definitely some new clothes."

Liam chuckled softly. "I don't know, I kind of like it," he said. "Though, perhaps your own clothes would be better. And, something to train in too."

"I could go topless, though. I mean...that seems to be the standard dress code, at least from what I've seen of you. We could make it official." Laedra grinned as she eyed Liam and blindly pushed the hatch open. "Unhindered, freedom of movement... Is that not correct?" She slipped out of the speeder and gave Liam the briefest glimpse of flesh as she bent over to retrieve her cloak from the seat. "Merely a suggestion, of course."

Liam laughed. "Well, if you wanted to, I'd do it too," he said. "Only a suggestion...of course."

"Oh...of course." Laedra left Liam a smile as she closed the hatch behind her and moved towards the other side of the speeder. Her instinct and her conscience were telling her she was treading a dangerous path, one that could compromise all her beliefs and training. She needed another meditation session, she knew, but the only image that formed in her mind was of she and Liam doing something other than meditating. If this truly was a test, she was close to failure, but gazing into Liam's eyes again, she couldn't help noticing how failure was beginning to look more appealing than victory.

***

Kallia lay across Dani's bed, a satisfied smile on her face. She glanced at Yelara lying next to her. "You know, Dani has excellent taste in toys. I wish she were here right now so we could thank her properly."

"Not now," Yelara muttered as she idly caressed Kallia's arm. "We'll thank her after we've tried them all."

Kallia squirmed closer to Yelara and grinned. "I liked the strap-on," she said. "Though, I want to try that really long one next, the one with...two of the same on each end. I bet that would be...fun."

Yelara giggled and wound her leg around Kallia's. "I wouldn't have to do much work, but then we could do away with Liam and Laedra can have him all to herself!"

Kallia moved up and kissed Yel. "Oh, now there's an idea," she said. "And, then I'd have you all to myself, and we could be as naughty as we want and Liam couldn't be upset at all. Oh, just think of it, Yelara. Just you, me, and all our toys."

Yelara smiled sourly. "But I wanna share our toys with Liam too. I didn't like the way that Laedra woman was talking." Yelara sat upright quickly, toppling Kallia. "Did you...did you hear what she said? About him with his shirt off... I could have killed her, Kal!"

Kal laughed. "You almost tried to," she said. "And, I really don't know if Liam would enjoy a vibrator or a strap-on, or that double-headed one."

"Well he won't be enjoying Laedra either, that's for sure!" Yelara lay herself forcefully back down and frowned. "She was...just as condescending as you said she was. I can't believe I let her borrow my clothes!"

"Too bad Liam's out with her so she can get new clothes. You can demand yours back in the middle of the dining room. Then the prude would have to walk back to her room stark naked to get a sheet or blanket or something."

Yelara snorted. "And force her to do what I know she's just been dying to do in front of Liam. I will not have other women walking around naked in front of my husband!" She glanced at Kael and smiled sheepishly. "Except for you, my love."

"Well, that is very good," Kallia said with a grin. "Perhaps tonight, when he gets home we should make sure he knows how much our bed means to him. I think both of us can make his eyes stay firmly planted on us."

"It's her eyes I'm worried about." Yelara sulked and pouted, then with a whimper, she slipped into Kallia's arms. "I promised I wouldn't be jealous anymore. Liam would be so disappointed if he heard how I was going off about that Laedra woman."

Kallia rolled closer to Yel and kissed her throat. As she did, she reached over her lover and picked up one of the phalluses. As she gently caressed Yelara with her lips, she brought the phallus down between Yel's legs, and gently brushed it over her mound. "Let me help you forget all about that," she said. "And, then we can plan how to keep Laedra from paying too much attention to our man."

Yelara craned her neck forward to study the phallus. "Is that-- Is that the double-sided one?" She lay back upon the bed with a sigh and brought Kallia's lips to her own. "I swear," she said as her kisses moved from Kallia's lips to her throat, "if I catch that woman alone--" Her breathing hastened and she gracefully swayed her hips forward against the phallus in Kallia's hand. "She's getting a hair pulling. Jedi Master or-- Gods...Kal... I really do like these toys."

"I definitely think we're going to have to use them more often," Kallia said. "And, we can gang up on her. Corner her. I'll take one side, you take the other. Then we make a wish."

"That's grotesque, my love." She kissed Kallia needfully, then added, "But I love it. Now...stop teasing. Show me how this one works."

"Well, you stay there, and I'll move...and then it should be pretty simple from there, I think."

---

"Conflicting Emotions, Part 2"
By: Liam Zaneth
Laedra Vorrel
Yelara Zaneth
Jae Dyn Brael

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

***

Liam pulled the speeder into the clearing out in front of the Temple. He shut off the repulsors and sighed. "Well, at least we have your new clothes. I'll have to go back tomorrow to transport the droids back."

"I'll escort you. It's the least I could do for forcing you to help me choose clothing. I guess a thank you is in order... So, thank you, Liam."

"You're welcome," Liam said. "And, I'd be glad to have the company. I'll help you get these bags into your room. Oh, and speaking of rooms, Jae Dyn put you in a room away from the others. If you'd like, we can move you to one of the closer rooms."

"I would like that, Liam. As long as Jae Dyn can tolerate my presence." Laedra exited the speeder and moved to the rear. She pulled open the hatch and began retrieving the packages and bags. "It would be nice to be near everyone," she called back. She filled her arms and hands with purchases, then straightened and began edging backwards to clear her head of the raised hatch. "I mean-- Oh!" She slowly turned around to face what she'd just impacted with, but she'd already known who and what it was. Gazing up into his blue eyes again, Laedra knew her body was flushing that particular shade of red it always did when she was near Liam. "I think," she whispered breathlessly, "that I really would like to be a lot closer."

Liam hadn't expected her to bump into him, but he had to admit that it was nice being bumped into...at least by Laedra. "I think that'd be a good thing," he said. "Can I take some of those for you?"

Laedra nodded her head dumbly and transferred some of the packages to Liam's hands, fingers brushing against his. "Thank you... I...we could... Let's go put these away." Laedra took in a staggering breath and rushed past Liam, fanning her face with her hand quickly to cool herself off from Liam's effect on her.

Liam took a deep breath, took a moment to focus himself, and then moved to catch up with Lae. Once he was close enough, he said, "I think Dani's old room will be good, and it has a nice view of the garden outside."

"A good choice. I imagine it will suit my needs perfectly." But my desires shall require something entirely different. She grinned at Liam and lightened his load by taking up one more package for herself. "We should make another trip into town to purchase some vegetation - flowers, shrubs... We could make that garden truly beautiful."

"Perhaps we can do that tomorrow," Liam said as they neared the rooms. "I think we have enough room in the speeder for two droids, and then we can add the flowers and such in the hatch." When they were at the room that had been Dani's, Liam pushed the door open. What he saw on the inside made him want to quickly pull the door closed.

Clothing was scattered all over the room. On the bed, Yelara and Kallia writhed together amidst a sea of phalluses, one of which seemed to connect the two of them like some sort of umbilical. This was not the sight he'd expected in here...and not one he wanted Laedra subjected to. Perhaps there was a nice spot nearby where he could crawl away and die...

The packages in Laedra's arms plummeted to the ground as she moved to clap her hands over her mouth. She had never experienced, nor witnessed such a display, and more than the shock it elicited, she was hit with feelings of disgust, disapproval, and a sense of hypocrisy for the tingling ache between her legs. "Oh..." Laedra quickly spun around to flee, tripping on her packages as she did. She stumbled clumsily and finally pressed her back to a wall to regain her composure and her ability to walk.

"Liam!" Yelara called out with a lazy smile. "Come and join us, my love."

Liam glanced between the two on the bed who hadn't even faltered in their lovemaking and Laedra. "I don't think I should right now," Liam said. "I'm-- I need to help get Laedra situated, and then I can join you...in our own bedroom."

"Maybe Laedra would like to join us," Jae Dyn called out between moans.

"Yeah," Yelara seconded. "It would do her some good to spread her legs once in a while."

Laedra staggered forward as the moans and heavy breathing grew louder, most likely intentionally. "Excuse me...Liam." She started away from the room, aimlessly and laboriously walking with her hand still clamped over her mouth.

Liam cast a frown at both Yelara and Kallia, then started out of the room after Laedra. "Are you alright," he asked softly. "They-- I don't know what I'm going to do with them. Are you alright, Lae?"

Laedra nodded her head stiffly and finally removed her hand to reveal her tight-lipped smile. "Fine. I just hadn't realized they were so...open about their sexual relations...as well as their hatred of me, which was made quite apparent."

Liam swallowed. "I don't know what's happened to them," he said. "I'll talk to them about it. We have to figure this out before things really explode."

"Apparently, things already have." She tilted her head away from Liam and cleared her throat. "I think I shall remain in the quarters previously provided me. I doubt it would be wise of me to be that close in proximity to Jae Dyn and Yelara. My presence is unwanted, Liam. It would be best this way."

"Your presence may be unwanted by them," Liam said, "but not by me. I want you here, and I want your help to become a Jedi Knight. There's so much we can learn from each other, Lae. We're friends, and I'm not going to sit by while they treat you this way, no matter who they are."

Laedra slowed her rather mad pace, then finally stopped and faced Liam with a wan smile. "I shall remain here, Liam. Their actions won't drive me away, not when I've promised to aid you. Yelara is your wife, and Jae Dyn your associate and dear friend. I don't want to be the cause of any strife between the three of you." Laedra pressed her hand to Liam's cheek, but she pulled it away after a fleeting moment. "I will remain in the isolated section of the Temple. That will limit my interaction with both Jae Dyn and Yelara. It's best that way...for now."

"For now," Liam said. "But, I'm going to talk to them. We're trying to restart the Jedi Order, and you're going to be a part of that. And, they'll have to learn to treat you in a civil manner. I won't allow them to behave like that, Lae. Not to a friend, and not to a member of this Temple and the Jedi."

Laedra sighed, then pulled her cloak tightly around her. "Don't be too hard on them, Liam. It will only exacerbate the situation." She glanced down the corridor at her packages littering the doorway of Dani's room. "I think...I'll retrieve those when the air has cleared."

"I'll bring them to you later this afternoon," Liam said. "And, I'll talk to them. I won't be too hard on them. I know Yelara will think that we spent the entire time away having sex, but I'll see what sense I can talk into them. I'll make this work, Lae. You won't have to live here like a prisoner."

"I'm glad I have at least one friend in this place, Liam. Thank you." She took a step away, but stopped and turned her head towards Liam. "If you're going to be punished for something you never did, Liam, perhaps next time we should give Yelara a reason to truly be paranoid." Laedra smiled to herself, then started forward again to seek out her chambers and once again squelch her desires with intense meditation.

Liam watched her and then laughed softly to himself. He did like the idea, but not the repercussions that would follow. With a heavy sigh, Liam returned to where Yelara and Kallia hadn't ceased pleasuring each other. Once inside the room, he closed the door.

"Oh, my love..." Yelara groaned and pulled Kalla towards her for a deep kiss. She waved Liam over, so he too could partake of their ecstasy.

"Finish what you're doing," Liam said softly, "and then we need to talk."

Yelara looked across the room at Liam, and pulled her lips from Kallia's. "What?" she said breathlessly. "You...you're not in the mood?" She laughed, then arched against Kallia with a cry. "Oh gods... Why talk, Liam, when you can do this?"

Liam shook his head and laughed. "You two just continue, and I'll watch. The three of us will have some special time later on...down at the waterfall together."

"Mmm...the waterfall..." Liam's suggestion invigorated Yelara. She grabbed Kallia's arms and threw her over until she had positioned herself on top. They resumed their writhing until Yelara emitted a cathartic cry and collapsed atop Kallia. She spread kisses along her lover's flushed chest as it rose and fell rapidly. "Come over here, Liam," she said hoarsely. "Let's talk."

Liam moved over to the bed and took a seat. "We have to talk about Laedra and how you two are treating her."

Yelara let out an unhappy cry and sat up atop Kallia to glare at Liam. "There is nothing to talk about! She's rude and condescending and I don't like how much time alone you're spending with her. As far as I'm concerned, we're treating her as she deserves!"

Liam shook his head. "I went with her to help her find some clothing today because she lost hers in Thanatos. I'm trying to be kind to her because she's not getting any anywhere else. I don't know where you picked up these ideas about her, but she's not as bad as you think. She has definite wisdom, but very little experience out in the world. If she's rude and condescending, it's probably only in response to how you're treating her. She has definite ideas about how to run the Jedi Temple, and some of them go against what we've been doing here so far. I don't think she realizes that we were only doing what we could here when we started, but we're finding trained Jedi now, we can go back to the old ways. Please give her time, and try to be friendly toward her. Please, for me."

"No!" Yelara replied adamantly. "I will not! Especially not when she treats Kallia the way she does. Tell him, Kal. Tell him how she undermines everything you've strived to accomplish, how she belittles you and makes you feel worthless. That's who she is, Liam, and that's why I could never be friends with her!"

"Liam, she's a cold heartless woman," Kallia said, reaching out for him from beneath Yelara. "She took everything I said, and twisted it to make me sound incompetent. She hates everyone who isn't like her, and she treats us like waste. She made me feel like I don't deserve to be a Jedi, Liam. She doesn't want us here, she just wants the Temple for herself."

Liam looked between the two women then looked down at his hands. "I think you got off to a bad start with her," he said. "Maybe if you try again things will be better. Please give it another chance. We want this Temple to succeed, don't we? If you two make her your enemy, we won't make it."

"Well, how about this: if she apologizes, so will I." She slipped off of Kallia and knelt before Liam. "I'll do this...if you promise not to be alone with her. That means no shopping without either me or Kallia accompanying you, no training alone with her, and you keep your shirt on around her at all times!"

"You're jealous," Liam said. "You don't trust me to be alone with her." Liam looked at her and sighed. "I can only do that if the two of you promise not to make her life a living hell. At the moment, the only solace she has from your torment is either spending time alone or with me."

"I am not jealous!" Yelara jumped off the bed and towered over Liam. "Besides, it's her I don't trust. She could use some...Jedi mind thing to bend you to her will. And believe me, Liam, she was quite capable of holding her own during our torment - which was hardly torment! She's the one making Kal's life a living hell." Yelara laughed derisively and shook her head slowly. "She has got you so fooled, Liam. Can't you see that?"

"I am not fooled," Liam said. "When she met me, she asked me some very pressing questions that were designed as a test. I answered them calmly and without antagonizing her. She's a very nice, normal woman when you don't get defensive against her questions."

Kallia turned away slightly, her face going red under Liam's insightful comments. How could she have been so stupid? How could she have faltered so completely in her training?

"Questions? Insults! Ones she disguises as innocent little observations. You know, I think you're far too blinded by her pretty face and her attractive body to notice what a bitch she is." She turned away from Liam with a laugh of disgust and hastily retrieved her clothes. "I should have expected you to lead with your balls, Liam."

Liam stood. "Do you really believe that, Yelara? Is that what you truly believe about me?"

Kallia moved to the edge of the bed. "So, did you already fuck her, Liam? Is that why you're defending her like this? Turning against us to defend her? Is that it?"

Yelara spun to face them both with surprise and disbelief. "I...that's..." She exchanged glances with Liam, then Kallia, realizing shockingly that this was the moment she knew would come and one she'd been dreading. She was being forced to choose sides between her husband and the woman she loved, and in a way, by siding with Kallia on the Laedra issue, she had turned her back on her husband. "I'm..." Yelara felt shaken for a moment, unable to think and barely breathe. "I'm leaving. You and Liam... You two discuss this. No matter what I think of Laedra...I'm not getting involved in this." She began pulling on her clothing while starting for the door. "I don't care what you two do, just figure it out without me."

"Wait!" Liam rushed toward Yelara. "We all have to work this out," he said. "Yel, the three of us have to work it out together. Maybe we just need a little time alone, and then we can talk about this. Please, Yelara. Please, don't walk out on this now."

Kallia watched from the bed, a panicked look in her eyes. She couldn't think of anything to say, anything to do. Why had everything suddenly gone so wrong? She moved to the edge of the bed, ready to slip off and rush to Yelara if she needed.

"Why shouldn't I, Liam? I mean...I'm here getting mad and paranoid... I'm defending Kallia's position and opposing you..." Yelara shook her head and stepped away from Liam. "I won't choose sides, not between the two people I love." She looked past Liam to Kallia and smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, both of you. You'll have to work this out on your own."

Liam just watched her for a moment, and then finally nodded. "Okay," he said. "We'll work it out."

"Good." Yelara moved to the door and opened it, but paused in the doorway with her back to them both. "You better work this out. I want you both in my bed tonight." She slipped outside and closed the door behind them, hoping they would come to a peaceful settlement for their sake and hers.

Liam turned and moved toward Kallia, who was in the process of removing the phallus. When it slipped all the way out, she moaned softly, and then blushed.

"What's happening, Kallia," Liam asked.

"I'm not a good Jedi, Liam," she said. "Look at me. Look at what I've done."

"But why are you doing this?"

Kallia shrugged. "After Kal'Aran, and then Laedra... I don't know, Liam. I don't know if I can do this. And, I've got Yelara and Yara too. It's too much, and now they have me doubting myself."

"It's a test, Kal," Liam said gently as he moved next to her on the bed. "You're just not doing very well right now. They're not out to get you. And, they're old school. They don't understand why we did this; all they're seeing is the code. We have to educate them, let them see why we've done the things we have. And, now that there are more of us, we'll be able to do things right. That's what we wanted from the beginning, right?"

Kallia brushed tears out of her eyes. "In my head, I know that, Liam," she said. "But, the rest of me. I--I feel betrayed. I've tried to be a good Jedi since...since Tal Dan was killed. But, the first two Jedi Masters I meet, strip me down like...like I've been working to help the dark side."

"I think you're just feeling defensive, Kal," Liam said. "Maybe you should talk to her."

Kallia looked away and sobbed. "I can't even face her again after this," she said. "She may be arrogant and condescending, but she didn't deserve that." Suddenly, she turned and buried herself in Liam's arms. "I've destroyed everything."

"Nothing's destroyed yet, Kallia," Liam said. "Yelara still loves you. And, I love you. And, I'm sure that Laedra and Kal'Aran don't hate you."

She looked up at him. "You do?"

"How could I not? I share my wife with you, and myself. Of course, I love you. And, tonight when we're in bed with Yelara, I'll show you just how much I love you."

She leaned up and kissed him. "Thank you, Liam," she said. "I think you're definitely a Jedi Knight now. To be able to handle this the way you did... It's nice to see."

"And, soon, I'll see it in you," Liam said. "Now, you should go talk to Laedra. She should be able to help you get back on track."

"I'm not sure if I--" Kallia stopped herself and looked up at Liam. "I'll go to her. I have to talk this over with her."

Liam smiled and helped her off the bed. "Come on, get dressed and go talk to her. She's a reasonable woman. She wants this to be over as much as you."

Kal started collecting her clothes and stopped. She stood up and glanced at Liam. "The Jedi have always been big on symbolism," she said. "I hope Laedra will appreciate the symbolism of this." With that, she dropped her clothes, and headed toward the door.

***

Frustration was not an option and certainly not the correct reaction, but Laedra was not in precise control of her emotions at that time. Not even discipline could bring about the calm she needed to meditate. She wasn't calm and didn't think she could be after what she witnessed. She was despised and Jae Dyn, along with Yelara, were doing everything in their power to make her feel unwelcome and to humiliate her. And in that, they were succeeding. Out of pride, she remained, and for Liam. He needed her, or so he thought, and she enjoyed his company. If it hadn't been for him, she would have reconsidered the Temple idea and returned to her solitary existence.

The robes he'd helped her purchase were light and thin, not constricting as the leather had been. Yet still, despite being devoid of all physical distractions, her mind reeled with thoughts she couldn't stop mulling over, most of them centring on Jae Dyn...and especially Liam, who was proving the most difficult test of her training.

Once again, she closed her eyes and took in deep cleansing breaths. She would find calm and would become one with the Force, if only to keep her mind off Liam. She was almost there too until a light rapping came at her door. She sighed and slowly rose. Her hand gripped the latch on the door and she pulled it open, expecting to see Liam come to apologize again for Jae Dyn and Yelara's behaviour. But what she saw was something she could never have anticipated.

At first, she was close to slipping into a rage. Jae Dyn was stark naked, adding another insult to the many she had given to her, but her posture and demeanor wasn't one of insolence or impertinence. Her head was bowed in a gesture of humility, one she had many times performed for her Master after committing grave disobediences during her more rebellious and stubborn hours. It was the most reverent form of supplication any student could show their Master, but Jae Dyn wasn't a student, and she was not her Master. Laedra was speechless for a moment, but decided to enter the role Jae Dyn seemed to be offerring her. She placed her arms into the sleeves of her robe and stepped aside to allow Jae Dyn entry. "Come in, Jae Dyn Brael."

"Thank you," Jae Dyn said softly, and then stepped inside of Raeila's room. She felt a flush run through her body and was glad to be out of the open where anyone could happen across her. "I have come to..." She laughed. "I was going to say lay everything bare before you, and I guess that's exactly what I've done. Laedra, I want to humbly and profusely apologize for my behaviour earlier. It was wrong of me, not befitting one striving to become a Jedi Knight."

"No," Laedra said as she moved silently towards her bed, "it was not." She sat down upon the bed and gently placed her hands into her lap. "You felt threatened," she ventured. "So, you became defensive and confrontational. Tell me why."

"I had become confident in my abilities and what I could do as a Jedi," Jae Dyn said. "And, the day before I met you, Kal'Aran expressed the same...doubts about what we had done here to me that you did. And, then...your disapproval. Tal Dan was the last Jedi Master I knew, the last Jedi I ever looked up to. And, the very next two I met, seemed to disapprove of me." She shook her head. "It was too much for me. I don't know why, but I did. I thought I had come so far, that I was ready. But, I wasn't."

"All these doubts are not because of my scrutiny and criticism, Jae Dyn. It is because you haven't yet taken the Trials, isn't it? You feel yourself unworthy of bearing the title of a Knight because of this. Correct?"

Jae Dyn nodded. "Yes," she said. "The trials are a large part of it. And, the...the Temple has to be whole again, and...and I fear that we won't be able to, or that it'll be too late."

"Too late?" Laedra rose and carefully approached Jae Dyn. "As long as some of our kind still exist, it will never be too late, Jae Dyn." She stopped before her and delicately cupped her chin. She raised her head until their eyes were level, then Laedra smiled warmly. "You have been through far more trials and struggles than I have been, yet still you remain dedicated to rebuilding our Order. You have remained as true to the Code as possible through it all... You have earned the title you bear, Jae Dyn, and I dare say, more than I have. Your beliefs have been tested whereas I haven't even begun to have mine so. Yet...you still doubt?"

Jae Dyn nodded. "I have had lapses where I've given in to anger," she said. "But, I've tried even though all my actions weren't in accordance with the code. And, you and Kal'Aran have progressed farther in the Jedi teachings than I, you have wisdom I don't. When both of you expressed doubt at what Liam and I had started here, it was too much. Since Tal Dan's death, I've had no one to guide me but his teachings. I did not know if I'd strayed. And, talking to Kal'Aran and you...I strayed quite a bit."

Laedra sighed and stepped back. This time, it was her head that was bowed low to her chest. "You have strayed no farther than I have, Jae Dyn. I have...had certain urges, ones I have attempted to suppress, but which I am finding I have no desire to purge." She paced pensively back to her bed and gazed at it, once again feeling the longing she did when she was with Liam. "You've had the courage to act on your desires. You love Yelara and have no insecurities about being with her. I have found that I have certain...urges for Liam. This is all foreign to me and I am finding it difficult to resist them." She sighed and turned back to Jae Dyn. "You see, you lost your Master before you could complete your training, but even so, you have managed to remain on the path laid out for you. You have encountered far greater tests than I, yet you have come through them no less a Jedi. I have faced my Trials and passed, yet what kind of a Jedi am I if I cannot even keep my female desires at bay?" She laughed softly. "You see, Jae Dyn, you have no reason to doubt yourself. From what I have seen, you are a far better Jedi than you give yourself credit for."

Jae Dyn laughed softly and felt herself blushing. "Thank you," she said softly. "And, I know we're not supposed to act on our female desires, but, having two lovers, it's very nice." She moved closer to Laedra. "It's not hard to desire Liam. When I first met him...he wasn't too thrilled with the idea of sharing Yelara at first, but he came around." Placing a comforting hand on Laedra's shoulder, she continued: "I don't know what to suggest about your urges for Liam. I know Yel would disapprove. I don't know what to recommend, but I'm sure we can figure something out. Do you know what his feelings are on the matter?"

"He thinks friendship is as far as it should go, as do I." Laedra laughed helplessly. "I know it is wrong, Jae Dyn, but I have not faced such a situation before and I'm not exactly certain what to do." She grinned bashfully and added, "It's just...those eyes, Jae Dyn, and it doesn't help matters that he insists upon training without a shirt on."

Jae Dyn laughed. "I know," she said. "I think he does it on purpose. But, he's a very attractive man, and he's very nice. It's hard when you're around him to not feel anything for him. If you need any help overcoming the urges, let me know and I'll try to help however I can."

"Not while you're naked, I hope," Laedra teased. She eyed Jae Dyn thoughtfully, then smiled slowly and moved towards her packages of clothing. She pulled out a long, white robe and carried it back towards Jae Dyn. "Here. A true Jedi needs a traditional garb. Perhaps if you wear this, you'll be more secure in your position as a Knight."

"Thank you," Jae Dyn said, slipping into the robe. "And, I promise not to be naked unless you are." She thought about it for a moment, and then laughed. "I'm sorry you had to witness Yelara and I earlier. We're very uninhibited about expressing ourselves, right up to making love to each other. We're also rather voracious. And, Dani left some sex toys behind when she left, and we decided to try them out."

Laedra smiled uncomfortably and raised her hands to stay any more details from Jae Dyn. "I...need no explanation, Jae Dyn. It was a good demonstration. Very educational." She escorted Jae Dyn to the door, placing her hand on her back to bind their newly formed friendship. "We should train together very soon, Jae Dyn. We could gain much knowledge from each other."

Jae Dyn smiled. "I'd like that," she said. "And, I promise to wear more clothes."

"Perhaps we should make Liam promise the same." She opened the door for Jae Dyn and smiled warmly as she guided her through it. "You must shed your insecurities, Jae Dyn. You are already a fine Jedi and if you gained more confidence in yourself, you truly could be one of the best there ever was."

"Thank you, Laedra," Jae Dyn said. "I am very glad Liam convinced me to come talk to you, to try to repair the damage I'd caused." Then Jae Dyn smiled. "And, I think I like Liam training without his shirt on."

Laedra grinned slyly. "Believe me, Jae Dyn, it truly is a wonderful thing."

Jae Dyn laughed. "It's nice being your friend, Laedra," she said. "I'm looking forward to training with you."

"Then we shall start first thing in the morning. Now, if you could, please inform me when dinner is ready. If anyone needs assistance for whatever reason, don't hesitate to call upon me. Except if it has anything to do with cooking. I'm absolutely horrible at it!"

Jae Dyn laughed. "I will do so. Also, if you'd like, we can also move your room closer to the rest of us," she said. "I think I'd rather have you nearby, instead of out here. I hate the thought of you having to make it all the way here after training. If you'd like, I can clear the...the things out of Dani's room, and you can take that one."

Laedra smiled tightly and shook her head. "I...think I'd rather not. I think it would be better if I weren't in close proximity to Yelara. There would be less tension if I were as far away from her as possible."

Jae Dyn nodded. "Probably a good idea," she said. "Liam and I will talk to her, see if we can get her to come around."

"Don't push her too hard. I don't require Yelara's cooperation to help you and Liam run the Temple." Laedra laughed softly and added, "As long as she doesn't attempt to murder me in my sleep."

"Liam and I will wear her out so she's too exhausted to make the trek out here," Jae Dyn said. "That, and I think Leshie keeps her busy too. Thank you, Laedra. I know we didn't start out well, but I think things are going good between us now. I'd give you a hug, but that may not be proper under the circumstances."

Laedra glanced down deliberately at Jae Dyn's flesh peeking from beneath the robe and laughed softly. "No, not quite proper, but I am glad that now, we can at least be civil with each other." She took a deep breath and slipped her arms into the large sleeves of her robe. "I believe I shall try to meditate again...now that there is one less concern on my mind."

Jae Dyn grinned. "Well, I think having to meditate to get your thoughts off of Liam is probably more than enough to keep you busy. You didn't need my insolence weighing you down too." She started away, but turned back with a smile. "If you find that meditation isn't helping with Liam, I would gladly lend one of those toys to you. Dani has very good taste."

Laedra's mouth oscillated opened and closed as she thought of an appropriate refusal, but she couldn't think of one, especially with images of Yelara and Jae Dyn wearing one of the contraptions she'd termed a "toy". Finally, she patted her chest to regulate her heart beat again, and laughed awkwardly. "I...I think I shall pass, Jae Dyn. I'm trying to banish my desires, not encourage them. But thank you for the offer at any rate. I'm certain you and Yelara can put those toys to good use all on your own."

Jae Dyn nodded. "I'm sure we will," she said. "And, the offer is always open, in case you change your mind. Though, I do hope meditation is sufficient for you. Thank you again, Laedra. Now I need to go talk to Yelara."

"Very well. I wish you good luck in that endeavour." Laedra gave Jae Dyn a queer smile, one behind which was hidden an unspoken thought about how much Jae Dyn resembled the youthful image of herself. "Good day, Jae Dyn Brael." She bowed and slowly closed the door behind her, still smiling at Jae Dyn.

Jae Dyn watched the closed door for a moment, and then laughed happily. With that, she hurried back toward the room where she knew she would find Yelara.

***

"I don't care what anyone tells you, but I am not as stubborn and spiteful as I might appear upon first glance." Yelara paced frenetically across the room, chewing on her thumbnail. "I mean...I have good reason to hate that woman! She insulted Jae Dyn, she's trying to make a move on my husband... Frankly, she deserves to be hated." Leshie gurgled and cooed gently, watching with his eerie blue eyes as she rushed past him again. "He's your father, you know. You should be as angry about this as me! But...I insisted I'd stay out of it. It's between Liam, Kallia, and that witch, so I'm forced to confide in you, Leshie, dear...not that I mind at all, but..." Yelara cried out in frustration and stomped her feet petulantly. She flew towards her bed and leapt onto it. "I hate Laedra!" she chanted as she hopped upon the bed in a mad fit. "I hate Laedra! I hate her, I hate her!"

"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" Liam stood in the doorway watching Yelara as she jumped around on the bed in the middle of her tantrum.

Yelara swung her head towards Liam, watching him drift in and out of view as she bounded atop the bed. "Uh...no." She let her feet disappear from under her and landed on her rear atop the bed. Once the bed settled, she looked up at Liam with an innocent, wan smile. "I was...exercising."

Liam approached slowly. "Looked like fun," he said. "Good exercise." He stopped at Leshie's crib and smiled down at his son. "Mommy looked funny hopping up and down like that, didn't she? Yes, she did. She looked very silly." He looked up from Leshie and grinned at Yel. "And, sexy too. Are you feeling any better, my love? Kallia and I talked..."

Yelara chewed her lip to hide her anxieties and began straightening her clothes as a distraction. "And...it went well? I mean...it's between you and her so...you really don't have to tell me."

Liam nodded. "It did. We talked and things are better between us. She got a few things off her chest that she needed to get off. And, we hugged, kissed, promised to make you scream with bliss, and then she went off to talk to Laedra."

"She did what?" Yelara bit he tongue to force back any further shrill outbursts and calmly rose from the bed. "So...she's changed her mind about Laedra as well? I guess then, it would seem that I'm the only one who sees her for the bitch she truly is."

"She's not a bitch, Yelara," Liam said. "She's-- she's lived her life in isolation, and only by the Jedi Code. She's never encountered other Jedi outside of her Master; and when Kallia told her how things were being run here, she was shocked. She wasn't trying to be a bitch, she's just rather blunt about things. You don't develop many people skills living a solitary existence."

"Oh, Liam, that's nerf dung!" Yelara hollered. "Even if she hasn't encountered many people in her life, it still doesn't make her exempt from showing those she does meet a little bit of kindness and tolerance. Even I know that, Liam, and I'm the most tactless person there is!"

"Kallia went to talk to her, Yelara, to make everything better. Kallia, who was the one Laedra's comments were directed at, is going to try to work things out. Why are you still so upset about this? Is this still about her comments toward Kal?"

"Of course is it," Yelara replied curtly. "I mean...what else would it be about?" She moved to Leshie's carrier and busied herself with tucking him in. "She insulted Kal and she annoyed me...that's enough reason to despise the woman."

"And, you're afraid she's going to steal me away from you," Liam said quietly. "It won't happen, Yel. Nothing could steal me from you."

"What!?" Yelara spun around, her hands instantly going to her hips and laughter rising from her throat. "Don't flatter yourself, Liam. I can't believe you're deluded enough to believe I'm afraid of her stealing you from me. Gods...she's what? Forty? Liam...I know you've got far more taste than that."

"Kallia can forget about this, why can't you? Kallia went to Laedra to apologize and to try to make peace, why do you cling to your hatred so fiercely?"

"Stop it, Liam," Yelara warned. "I'm not one of your students. Don't use that belittling tone with me! And stop analyzing me. If I want to hate her, it's my right."

"Very well," Liam said. "If you need me, I'll be with Laedra. We had talked about some sparring, and now would be as good a time as any."

Yelara's face transformed to pure stone as she watched Liam rise and head towards the door. With speed that should have only been available to a Force user, she ran past Liam and barricaded the door with her body. "You are not going anywhere. You are not sparring with Laedra, and you are not taking your shirt off in her presence!"

"And why not, Yelara? Why can't I spar with Laedra? And, what's wrong with taking my shirt off in her presence?"

Yelara laughed wryly and shook her head. "You will not trap me, Liam Zaneth. You're just trying to get me to accidentally admit that I'm jealous, that I feel threatened by Laedra's presence. Well, I'm not!" She narrowed her eyes at Liam and tilted her head sideways to adjust her viewing angle so she looked especially invasive. "Do you want to take your shirt off in front of her, Liam? Is that why you're so intent upon making me like her - because you want her to share our bed with you too?"

"I want you to get along with her, to like her, because the sort of emotions you feel toward her would be bad here. They lead toward the dark side...and I don't want to lose the Temple to the dark side, Yelara. I don't want this to be destroyed because of dark feelings."

"What the hell does the darkside have to do with me? I'm not even a Jedi, Liam!" Yelara tapped her foot compulsively until she finally threw up her hands and moved aside. "Fine. You wanna go visit Laedra to help banish all the darkness I've brought to the Temple, go ahead. You wanna go spar with her, fine, and take your shirt off too while you're at it!" She smiled snidely at Liam as she drew her face closer to his. "I trust you implicitly, my love."

"We're falling apart again," Liam said softly. "I love you, Yelara. I don't want us to fight like this. We need to be open; we're not going to make it if we close off from each other."

Suddenly the door thumped against Yelara's back. "Hey," came Jae Dyn's voice from the other side. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," Yelara snapped back. "Liam's just trying to convince me that I do, in fact, like Laedra and this hatred thing I'm feeling really isn't hatred at all, but love. Isn't that so, Liam?"

"I have said nothing of the sort," Liam said. "I only want you to try to make peace with her, Yel. I never asked you to love her."

"Yel," Kallia said. "It was all a misunderstanding. It was my problem, not Laedra's. I overreacted to her, and...and I shouldn't have. You don't have to hate her, my love. There's no reason to hate her anymore."

"What!?" Yelara moved away from the door to allow Kallia entry. "So now you're telling me too who I can and can't hate? Are you both fucking in love with her?"

Kallia pushed through the door. "No," she said. "You can hate whoever you want, Yel. You can hate the entire universe. Go on hating if that's what you want to do. If you're unwilling to do otherwise... Yel, please. Don't do this. There's no reason for it. Maybe you should talk to her, maybe then you'll see that she's really not that bad of a person."

"Gods!" Yelara screamed in frustration. "Is everyone on her side?" She stormed past Liam and Kallia, marching towards Leshie's carrier. "You don't even care how I'm feeling right now. You don't care that I'm scared about what her presence means!" She took Leshie up into her arms, then grabbed his blanket from the carrier and covered him with it. "You two have everything in common with her and nothing with me." She bundled Leshie up tightly and stalked towards the door. "She's beautiful, intelligent, and a Jedi. You can both relate to her on so many levels. Where the hell does that leave me?" She stepped into the corridor, feeling the tears finally come. "At least you'll still love me, Leshie," she whispered. "You'll be mommy's boy always."

"Oh, Yelara," Kallia said, and quickly moved toward her. "I'll always love you. You know I could never love anyone more than you. You're the only one who has ever held my heart, the only one I love like this. No one could ever replace you. No one."

Liam moved closer, sadness showing in his eyes. "She may be beautiful, intelligent, and a Jedi, but you're my wife. Like Kallia said, no one could ever replace you. Besides, you're the one I share a bond with, a very special, powerful bond. The Kestrel bonds for life, remember?"

She stopped abruptly and nestled her face to Leshie's. "I know that," she said tearfully. "But it's just...sometimes I think that I'm not good enough for you two. You're both so mature and talented... You've got this whole Temple thing and you're planning to rebuild the Jedi Order... Only special people do things like that - extraordinary people. And what am I? I'm a jealous brat who can barely change a diaper! What the hell good am I to you two?"

"Yel," Liam said as he moved close to her and their son, "you're you. You're the woman who helped me find my way back to the light. You're the woman who taught me how to love. You're everything to me, everything. Compared to you, this Temple is nothing. If it came to a choice between the Temple and you, I couldn't make any choice but you. You're beautiful, intelligent, an amazing technician, and the light that shines in my life."

"And a big pain in your ass, right?" She looked up at Liam and laughed softly. "I taught you all that, did I? You forgot sex, though. I taught you that too." Yelara sobbed quietly and muttered incoherently. She was caught between laughter and tears as she moved past Liam and Kallia and started back towards their room. "This is stupid. I'm far too emotional for anyone's good. This is your fault, you know, Leshie. You've got my hormones all out of whack. Naughty boy, just like your father. You're auntie's naughty too, but she's a girl..." Her mindless babbling continued as she entered the bedroom again, leaving Kallia and Liam to wonder about her sanity.

With shrugs, Liam and Kallia returned to the room with Yelara. Kal stepped up closer to Yelara and grinned. She let the robe slip from her shoulders. "You mentioned sex," she said. "I think the three of us deserve some. I think we've got some steam that needs letting off."

Yelara had just set down Leshie when she turned to face Kallia, the sight of whom brought a smile to her lips. "If you're trying to seduce me into giving Laedra a second chance, it won't be necessary. I was...gonna go apologize to her later. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Liam, for accusing you of being unfaithful with her. I'm sorry, Kal, for...for helping you hate Laedra. I'm just...so sorry."

Kallia took Yelara into her arms and smiled. "We were both blinded, but our eyes are open now." She gave Yel a long, passionate kiss. "Everything's gonna be better now. And, I think we can all be friends. I hope. But, for now, I want to be lovers."

"Me too," she replied softly. She looked over Kallia's shoulder at Liam and smiled at him tentatively. "We're not falling apart, Liam. We're bonded forever. Nothing can change that, my love, not even my insecurities. Now come give your wife and her lover a kiss, and let's go to bed."

"I thought you'd never ask," Liam said as he started to approach. As he did, he started shedding his clothing. They were good together, he couldn't deny that. "Bonded forever. All three of us."

"That's right, Kal, which means you're stuck with us and stuck having to listen to us quarrel." She nibbled on Kallia's neck gently then moved her lips to her ear. "And that means you're also stuck helping us with our make-up sex."

Kallia smiled and returned the affection to Yelara. As she pulled her lips from Yel's throat, she grinned. "I think I like the idea of make-up sex. And it'll give the two of you the chance to marvel at my tattoo again. I still remember how surprised Liam was the first time he saw it. Surprises like that are fun."

"I know a lot of things that are more fun." Yelara grinned as she pulled away from Kallia. She took both Liam's hand and Kallia's into hers and led them slowly towards the bed. "I'll show them to you both...twice."

Liam grinned. "I think it's going to be a long night," he said. "But, then again, I like long nights."

Yelara sank onto the bed and smiled. "Just until we lose our voices. It's not as good without the screams."

"I wonder if we'll keep anyone awake," Kallia said with a mischievous grin as she slid onto the bed. "That would be a shame."

"It's probably a good thing Laedra's on the other side of the temple," Liam said. "I think we would definitely interrupt her meditation."

"Less talk," Yelara said with a grin. She pulled Liam down beside her and tilted her head to the side. She pushed away her black curls and exposed her neck to Liam. "More nibbling, Liam."

"Always happy to oblige, my love," Liam said as he did as she asked.

Kallia helped Yelara to divest herself of her clothing and then grinned at the three of them. "Now, this is how it's supposed to be. The three of us together in bed, about to partake in some very wild and passionate sex. What more could a girl want in life?"

"I used to think it was carbosyrup," Yelara replied with a cringe, "but now...I know it's what I have here, with you and Liam." Yelara wriggled out of her clothes and grinned slyly. "But what I really want is for you two to shut up and make love to me now. Make me feel wanted."

Kallia pushed Yelara back onto the bed as Liam shifted into position to be able to make love to her. Kal glanced back, gave Liam a passionate kiss, and then looked back to Yel. "Okay," she said. "It's time for you to feel very wanted." With that, she and Liam started in on the task of letting Yelara know just how much they loved her, wanted her, and needed her.

---

"Slowly Fading, Part 1"
by Dani
Nieme Yaresh-Selrid
Ferrig Mullerin
Raeila Mullerin
Pack [NPC]
and Orn [NPC]

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

***

Dani stood in the window as the morning sunshine streamed in. It was a beautiful day and the sun glinted off the dunes in the distance. It was going to be warm, she could tell already. Stepping away from the window, she grinned at Nieme. "Today is going to be a really big day at work," she said. "I guess all the days when food shipments come in, they are. I liked working with you, Nieme. I think we're good working together." Another thought suddenly struck her. "You know, Orn never said how much I would be paid." She giggled. "I'll ask him today. You don't think he'll mind, do you?"

Nieme eased her shirt down over her head, and once decent, she turned to Dani with a large smile. "Orn will like you even more if you ask! He likes forward people. He says it's better than those pretentious wetters."

Dani grinned. "I like Orn," she said. "He's funny. Especially when he sings. And, then when he gets all embarrassed. I'll talk to him when we get there today. Does this look okay for working?" Dani turned to Nieme and displayed the dress she'd bought the night before along with the sandals. "It's okay for working there, right?"

Nieme giggled. "Well...if you wear that, I think Orn will have you waiting tables. He likes to think that happy customers buy more and wearing that dress...well...you'll make the customers very happy I think."

"Really?" Dani looked down at her dress and grinned. "Then I'll wear it. It looks good then. I'm happy. I love this material, it's really lightweight. It's perfect for this weather. And, I want to look good for you, my love. And, hopefully it'll make Orn happy too. I think he needs to be happy more often. I think making more money and having happy customers will make him very happy."

"Then I-I guess that means you're waiting tables today." Nieme slipped on her cloak, and extended a hand towards Dani. "We can have breakfast there. Then you can make me that Hojet you've gotten so good at making."

Dani giggled and picked up her cloak from next to Nieme's. She stepped closer and shared a kiss with Nieme before wrapping her arms around her friend. "I would love to make Hojet for you," she said. "And, I hope Orn, if he wants me waiting tables, lets me work with you too. I would hate being so close to you all day, but not being near enough. Though, I think it would be fun to blow you kisses through that little window thing."

"Orn would grumble and mutter sourly under his breath if you did!" Nieme laughed and quickly kissed Dani again. "We should try it though. I think he'd find it...amusing."

"I think so too," Dani said. "I think he likes us together. I think we make the Rhack happy and carefree. And, I want to make him mutter and grumble, because he really likes it. I think he's actually a romantic at heart."

They started out of their small, shared home with the sand brushing over their feet like tiny fingers massaging them. Their giggles rang out clearly in the dry, desert air and was carried by a zephyr that smelled faintly of incense and sweet spices. It was then that Nieme truly was glad to be back home where she belonged, and from where she never should have left. "We can stay here forever, you know," she remarked absently. "Just you and me, Dani."

Dani slipped her arms around Nieme and sighed happily. "I want that," she said. "I like it here. It may be warmer than I'm used to, but it's still very nice. We can work at the Rhack, and watch the stars, and dance in the house together. And, I can make some Steaming Passions."

"You know...I don't exactly remember how those taste...but I do know that after one, the room started spinning and it made me laugh and I just couldn't control it." She grinned slyly and added, "I really do want to try one of those again."

"I'll see if I can find the ingredients for them," Dani said. "Maybe we can have some after work back at the house. I think that would be fun. We can have some music, and the Passions, and dance, and it will be so much fun. And, then when we're too tired, we just slip into bed and fall asleep in each other's arms."

"Like last night," Nieme said with a dreamy sigh. "I like how you hold me, Dani. And when I'm with you, I don't dream...which is a good thing. I don't like dreaming. When I do, only bad things happen."

"Then I will always have to hold you when we sleep," Dani said, "so you don't dream anymore. I hope I get the Hojet right this morning. I think I had it last night. And, I think I can do it again today. I guess we'll soon see. I hope I'm as good at cooking as you are someday."

Nieme slipped her hand into Dani's and gazed up at her with an adoring smile. "You'll get it, Dani. We have forever to help you get it right."

"And, with you helping me," Dani said, "I know I'll get it. And, if there's anything I could ever help you with, you know I'll help. Like dancing or singing or anything."

"You sing too, Dani? Oh, I'd love to hear you sing!" Nieme giggled excitedly and blabbered, "Kael is such a wonderful singer. And...and he plays--" Her spirit seemed to wither away quickly and die as it always did when she thought of Kael. "He played the baitar," she said grimly. "It always helped me fall asleep..."

"I'm sorry, Nieme," Dani said as she moved even closer. She slipped her arms around her friend and started singing softly. It was an old song from Zeltros, and had to be the most beautiful song she'd ever heard.

"I like that," Nieme whispered with a sigh as her head fell limply upon Dani's shoulder. "You have a wonderful voice too, Dani. As beautiful as you..."

"Thank you," Dani said softly. "If you want, I can sing to you all the time. I even know some songs that aren't in Zeltros. And, if you want, I can translate the ones that are for you. That one was a love song, telling a lover that everything was going to be alright, that the danger was gone and they need only feel happiness now."

"Well...it's a wonderful song. A-And even in Zeltros, it sounds beautiful." Nieme nuzzled her lips to Dani's neck and whispered, "I'm sorry. I'll work better at being content. It's just... I worry about Kael. If...if I know he's alright, I think I'll be happier."

"Maybe we can find a way to check on him," Dani said. "I'd like to know he's alright too. I mean, I know he doesn't like me, but I still like him. Besides, I kissed him; I have to make sure he's okay."

Nieme laughed, despite her worry, and held Dani tighter. "When Jae Dyn Brael visits us again, we'll ask. I think once we do that, I'll be much happier."

"And, until she does," Dani said with a playful grin, "I'll do everything I can to make you happy. Like singing for you and making you Steaming Passions."

"How could anyone possibly be sad after all that?" Nieme giggled with the returning bliss she felt in her new life with Dani. Everything was easygoing with her, just as life should have always been. Nieme was still disappointed, however, that Kael wasn't there to share in the joy with them.

***

Pack watched from the side of one of the buildings lining the sand-washed street. The two girls walking along seemed to exist in their own little world, for each other. He smiled at the thought of Ferrig crashing into that world. He wanted a piece of both of them. Of course he'd have to wait until after Ferrig and Raeila were finished with them.

As they clung to each other, Pack could only imagine what the two little nymphs did during the night. Putting on some lesbian freakshow for each other no doubt. He wondered if they'd still find each other so appealing after they had a taste of Ferrig.

He followed along as they moved through the town, still clinging to each other and giggling. He was certain Ferrig and Raeila would have them both giggling, before they became Feltrey pleasure girls.

As they approached the Rhack, he finally pulled away and headed back to tell Ferrig where they were. He'd certainly like to hear that.

***

Dani held the door to the Rhack open for Nieme. "It's going to be a hot day today," she said. "I'm glad I wore the skirt though. It's cooler in this heat."

"You become almost immune to it after awhile, but you never fully stop feeling it." Nieme's eyes lit up as she spotted Orn stroll into the room. He seemed in a brighter mood than she'd ever seen him before.

"There you two are!" he chortled. "Seeing you two makes my day that much more pleasant." Much to Nieme's surprise, Orn strode over to them and wrapped his burly arms around them both. Breathing became somewhat difficult due to the strength of the embrace, but Nieme accepted it graciously and managed to encircle his waist with her arms.

Dani giggled. "We are happy to make your day more pleasant, Orn," she said. "It is a very beautiful day out there today. And, I want to thank you again for giving me a job. You're the best boss I've ever had. And, I love working with Nieme. She's a very good teacher."

Orn bellowed with laughter and released his hold on the girls. "Nieme's the best around! If she hadn't come back, I'd be going outta business right now." With each hand, he gathered the resilient, youthful flesh of both Dani and Nieme's cheeks between his thumb and forefinger and gave them a squeeze. "You girls are just handfuls of sunshine. And with that dress, Dani, I think you should wait tables today."

"Told you so," Nieme said as she fought back a visible display of the discomfort in her cheek.

Orn laughed again and unclamped his fingers from their flesh. Nieme surreptitiously rubbed her sore cheek, but her smile never waned. "I'll get you a serving apron, Dani, and I'll have one of the waitresses teach you how to take orders," Orn said.

Dani nodded. "I'm looking forward to learning," she said. "Is it alright if Nieme and I make some Hojet for ourselves first? We came in early so we could make ourselves some breakfast. Actually, I'm making the Hojet for Nieme this morning. That's what girlfriends do."

Orn's brow involuntarily cocked and his mouth twitched with a sudden tension. He'd always thought himself a tolerant man who was accepting of the sexual and social orientations of those he knew, but he was still somewhat taken aback by what Dani's words implied. He forced a jovial smile and patted each of them on the cheek. "You two get into that kitchen and fix yourselves a meal. I'll go dig up a uniform for Dani."

Nieme smiled cheerfully and slipped her hand into Dani's. "We won't be long, Orn." She leaned over to Dani as they padded towards the kitchen. "I think you'll be good at waiting tables. Just...don't bend over."

"Don't bend over?" Dani asked as they slipped through the door into the kitchen. "Is the dress too short? I'll try to keep from bending over so people don't see anything that only you're supposed to see."

"It's not that. It's just...they'll be even more tempted to slap your rear if they see you bend over." Nieme covered her mouth and laughed bashfully. "And since you're purple, they might even w-want to see what you taste like."

Dani giggled. "Well, you're the only who gets to do that," she said. "No one else." She looked down at her skirt and realized there was no way it could ride up high enough for anyone to see anything, though, the slit up the side would show quite a bit of her leg. "If they want a taste, they'll have to find someone else."

Nieme set about heating up the pans for warming the oil needed to cook the Hojet. She removed her apron from the rack holding it and placed the stained, white garment upon her. "I wonder if Orn got anything special in the delivery today. I always hope for fresh fruit...but it never comes."

"Fresh fruit would be wonderful," Dani said. "Maybe if we ever take a trip to New Plouton, we can pick up some fresh fruit and vegetables for Orn. I bet he would like that." She glanced toward the outside. "Should I go ask him about getting paid?"

Nieme laughed as she threw the oil onto the pan. "You can, but I bet he'd only make you help him haul supplies."

Dani laughed and moved to help Nieme with their breakfast. "Maybe I should wait until later," she said. "Besides, I can't make Hojet if I'm out talking to Orn."

Nieme nodded in agreement and once the oil was sizzling within the pan, she moved aside and let Dani take over with the cooking. "I think today, you can move onto the Mepat pot pie. Soon you'll be able to make everything I can."

"But I know I'll never be as good as you," Dani said with a grin as she started carefully adding ingredients to the pan.

***

Orn rushed back to the opening through the kitchen and hammered a hand upon the counter. "Two more orders of ribs, Nieme!"

She nodded her head briskly and smiled back at him as she slapped another rack of ribs onto the pan. Orn moved back towards the dining area and caught a flash of purple rush past his field of view. Dani seemed to be all over the diner today and she hadn't broken one glass or spilled one meal. All in all, she was turning out to have a knack at waitressing. As he followed her with his eyes, he saw a hand shoot out from seemingly nowhere and rest its palm flat against her rear. Orn shook his head and laughed as Dani jumped, but she still managed to keep all the food on the tray. "Keep it moving, Dani!" he hollered above the noise, then he shot her a wink.

"I'm moving," Dani said with a giggle. She moved closer and lowered her voice. "It's just that I can hardly move with all those hands out there. I'd swear there are some who have more than just two."

Orn chuckled at the sight of Dani weaving through the aisles, trying to avoid the roaming hands seeking purple flesh. One hand seemed to be searching for a way under Dani's dress, but she swatted it away at an opportune time and the hand's mission was aborted. Deciding the girl needed a much deserved break, Orn hollered out her name and waved her over to him.

Telling one table of customers she'd return momentarily to take their orders, she slipped back across the restaurant toward Orn. When she stepped in front of him, she had a bright smile on her face and a sparkle in her eyes. "They're definitely getting restless out there," she said. "I had to swat one guy's hand away because it was trying to slip through the slit in the side of my skirt." She giggled. "They are persistent though. I like being a waitress for you, Orn. I am very happy working here."

"Well, you definitely seem cut out for it, kiddo. And your aim is getting better. I think you've managed to slap away nine out of ten hands." Orn leaned over the counter and added with a smile, "But let the guys have a feel once in a while, eh? Keeps them happy and remember what I said: Happy customers are regular customers."

Dani giggled. "Don't worry, Orn," she said, "I'll keep them happy. And, speaking of happy... We never did talk about wages or anything. If it's a bad time now, we can talk about it later, but I just want to make sure that Nieme and I have enough to live on. If all the expenses were taken care of, I'd work for you for free. But, unfortunately there are silly expenses."

Orn's deep, resonant laugh rose above the clamour in the diner and he reached out to pinch Dani's cheek again. "How could anyone refuse you, Dani?" He released the purple flesh and nodded his head. "Well...what would you like to get paid? Tips, of course, are all yours, which is another reason I'd suggest you let them have a feel or two. Nieme's wages are the same as they've always been but for you...I'd have to start you a little less. Say...50 creds a week?"

"Fifty is perfect," Dani said with a grin. "And, I'll only bat their hands away if they get too persistent. Though, I guess it depends on how well they tip. Table five wants to order now, so I'd better get back to them. Thanks, Orn." With that, she gave him a kiss on the cheek, and then scurried back to the patrons.

Orn shot upright and quickly surveyed the dining area for prying eyes that might have witnessed Dani's display of affection. He cleared his throat and once satisfied his infamous churlish reputation was safe, he shook gently with laughter.

Dani squeaked with surprise as a pair of hands reached out and seemed to latch on to her buttocks. She let them touch for a moment before hurrying ahead toward the table. It was definitely going to be interesting working here.

***

Ferrig waited outside, lounging casually in the darkness the abandoned building provided him. They'd come out soon, and he would have them. He slipped a hand over to his sister and pulled her to him. "We've almost got them," he whispered, "and when we get them, we'll get you Selrid."

Raeila moaned petulantly and kicked a small mound of sand fitfully. "I hate waiting. You know how I hate waiting, brother. Can't we just go in there, raid the place and drag those little bitches out of there?"

"Kitchen rat," Ferrig said. "They'll be in the kitchen. We go in through the front, they slip out through a back window when the screaming starts inside. Come a little closer, and I'll help you with the waiting."

"You'll help yourself, I'm sure," Raeila said sourly. She shifted closer at any rate and brushed her lips along his cheek and mouth. "And you're sure Selrid will come? What if that little whore means nothing to him? Kael never was the type to commit. He was most likely with her only long enough to get her to spread her legs, and once he was finished with her, she came back to hide her shame."

"Then we teach her a lesson for messing with Selrid's head," Ferrig said with a grin. "And anyway, Selrid's desert. He wouldn't stay with the wetters. He has to be coming back. Besides, you're here."

"You always were good at comforting me, brother." She shifted around in Ferrig's arms and rested her back against him. "Just in case, though, we better keep the girl good and safe until he gets here. He's not stupid. If he truly does...love her," she said with a shudder, "then he'll resent us if we kill her...just until we can make him come to his senses again."

"Agreed," Ferrig said. "We don't want to give him too many reasons to despise us. Though, I don't think he'd mind sharing her with us. The purple bitch, however, is fair game for whatever we want. Pack was drooling all over himself over her...at least until he fixed his eyes on you again."

Raeila laughed silkily and began swaying her hips back against Ferrig's. "When we get those two freaks, I better not find you staring. You know how I hate competition."

Ferrig slipped his hand around between Raeila's thighs and pressed his lips to her throat. "You know you're always first for me, Rae," he said. "I just want to fuck them 'til they beg us for mercy. And, I want to show the alien bitch what a real man's like."

"And I want to show them what happens to women who dare cross Raeila Mullerin." She gasped sharply, then laughed throatily as she ground her hips harder against Ferrig's, and elicited just the reaction she was an expert in inspiring. "Please tell me that hard-on's because of me, Ferrig, and not because you're thinking of those two bitches."

"It's for you, Raeila," Ferrig whispered as he pressed himself against her, his hips gyrating with his desire. "You're the only one who makes me like this. You want to see just how much this is yours?"

Raeila was already in the process of undoing her pants when she nodded her head emphatically. "You better show me, Ferrig. Just so there's no doubt left in my mind."

Ferrig slipped himself out of his pants and then helped Raeila with her pants. Once they were down far enough, he positioned himself at her entrance and then slid inside. "It's all yours, little sister," he whispered. "All of it is yours, and only yours. I hope I'm convincing enough."

Raeila allowed Ferrig to set the rhythm and motivated the act with shrill cries and moans. "I'm beginning to," she replied thickly. "Just...maybe if you could try and be a little more convincing..."

Ferrig lengthened his thrusts, pounding himself harder and faster into Raeila. His grunting moans mixed with hers as they continued their liaison in the shadowed alcove. "Better?"

Her head fell back upon Ferrig's shoulder and her laughter rebounded off the walls surrounding them. "Much better," she purred. "All doubt...has been banished, brother."

"Good," Ferrig said. He kept his pace smooth, not wanting to disappoint his sister. "Now, the rest of this will just be for fun, since you are now convinced."

Suddenly a figure appeared in the alcove before them. He started to say something, and then snickered as he realized what was going on (even though Raeila's screams of pleasure should have given it away). "Uh, Ferrig, Raeila, the bitches just finished work. Nice cunt, Raeila."

"Shut up, you little shit!" she hissed. She detached herself from Ferrig and moved to throttle the nuisance when realization struck her. "Finished work?" She slowly turned to Ferrig with a feral grin and helped him stuff himself back into his pants. "You need to save yourself, dearest. I want to hear her scream."

"I'm all ready for her," Ferrig said. "I'll make her scream for you, my dear. I want to hear that scream of hers reverberating around the buildings and sand. One of us grabs the kitchen whore, the other grabs the alien bitch. Rae and I will get the whore, Pack grabs the bitch." He turned to pack. "Fuck this up, and I'll make sure you're a target in the Razors next rape raid around the town."

Pack nodded. "Y-yes, Ferrig," he said. "I'll make sure to hold on to her good."

Ferrig turned to Raeila and kissed her. "Ready, my sweet sister?"

Raeila pulled the zipper on her pants closed and giggled. "Now I am. Let's get this started so we'll have all night to play."

"Let's get into position to nab them when they come out. Then we can find an abandoned building around here to play with them in. Oh, this is indeed going to be fun." As he finished speaking, the door across the street opened and the Kitchen Rat stepped out followed by the purple-skinned alien. "Show time."

Raeila pressed her hand to Ferrig's chest to halt him. "I'll go first. Let me saunter over there, strike up some innocent, pleasant conversation to distract them, you guys can strike, and then we can play."

Ferrig grinned. "I like the way you think," he said. "We'll sneak over at your signal. When you want us to make our move just adjust the hem of your shirt."

"How about I flash you instead?" Raeila laughed, then kissed Ferrig briefly. She started out of the alcove and waved back at them cheerfully. Once out into the open, she focused only on the two girls who were smiling and unaware of what was about to befall them. "Good," she muttered with a grin. "It'll be more fun if you're completely surprised." She hummed a light, airy tune and skipped along happily towards her prey. "Hi there!" she called out with a large smile. She hopped in front of the two girls and giggled. "You two are new around here, aren't you? See...I know everyone in Thanatos practically...but I don't know you two."

Dani looked at the girl approaching them. She seemed to exude raw sexual power. "Hi," she said with a grin. There was something else about her, but she could figure out what it was. "I'm new here. Just a couple days actually. I really like it here. It's a beautiful place."

"Oh, it truly is!" Raeila looked up towards the stars and sighed dreamily. She glanced back down at the two girls, this time focusing on the Kitchen Rat and doing everything in her power to deny even a sneer from contorting her lips. "I'm Talane by the way. You work for Orn, right?"

Nieme nodded her head shyly and looked back to her feet on the ground.

Raeila shrugged her shoulders and muttered, "Shy, I guess." She skipped along backwards before them as the two girls strolled along. "So...where you two off to?"

"We just got off work," Dani said. "We're going home now. It was a long day since there was a delivery today. Do you work around here, Talane?"

"Well, I work here...and there." She shrugged her shoulders and turned the corner with them following her lead as they ambled into a deserted section of the street. "You know...are you sure you two are alright out here alone? I mean, I know these streets inside out, and I know where to go when there's trouble... I hear the Razors are coming out tonight. A rape raid, they say."

"We know the way back to avoid the gangs," Dani said. "We also know some good hiding places, but we're gonna go quick so we're not caught out here with the gangs."

Raeila looked back over her shoulder as if she'd suddenly heard a noise and was attempting to identify its source. She turned back to the two girls, her steps no longer light and jovial. "Um...would you two mind walking me back to my place? It's close by but... I just don't feel really secure about making it there alone tonight. I think it's something in the air... It's just creeping me out!"

Nieme gripped Dani's hand tightly and looked up for a moment at the girl before them. Raeila's eyes flashed towards Nieme, who quickly looked away again.

Dani squeezed Nieme's hand and then looked at her. "Do you think we have time to walk her?" She glanced at Talane, and felt bad. She wanted to help out, but she didn't want to force Nieme into it if she didn't want.

"I...uh... It wouldn't be right to leave her out here alone. I mean...we have each other just in case but..." Nieme shrugged and smiled uncertainly at Dani.

"So you'll do it then?" Raeila grinned excitedly and took each of their hands. "Oh, thank you! Oh, I'm so glad I bumped into you two tonight." Her eyes furtively glanced to Ferrig and Pack across the way, following from afar in the shadows. "Well...come on. There's a short-cut this way." Raeila released her hold on Nieme's hand and casually adjusted the hem of her shirt before the three disappeared into a darkened corridor.

At the signal, Ferrig darted out of the darkness and after his sister and their prizes. He could feel Pack behind him as they hurried through the darkness, making as little sound as possible. When they got to the corridor, Raeila and the toys were in the middle. They dashed forward.

Suddenly out of nowhere a pair of arms wrapped themselves around Nieme and pulled her back. "Hiya, Kitchen Rat, miss me?"

Nieme's heart lurched and stopped for a moment as she became cognizant of the familiar voice whispering into her ear. Ferrig. She squealed and thrashed, but she couldn't escape the hold he had her in. She frantically searched the darkened alley, looking for Dani, who was suddenly pinned against the wall by Talane.

"Does this wash off?" Raeila teased. She held one hand around Dani's throat and cackled with laughter as her other hand tore at Dani's dress and kneaded her purple breast roughly. "If I rub hard enough, maybe it'll all come off and you won't look like such a freak anymore."

Dani tried to scream, but with the hand around her throat she couldn't make a sound. Her body, on the other hand, reacted instantly to the danger by flooding the area with her pheromones.

Ferrig quickly started ripping Nieme's clothes away. "Don't worry, little rat," he rasped. "I'm just going to teach you what it's like with a real man. Kael, he's Raeila's, so he can't be yours no more. So, since you can't have Kael, you'll be mine. That sounds good doesn't it? Thought so."

Nieme was too frightened and disoriented to scream. She stared agape at Ferrig, her eyes wandering down to his one hand working to free his penis from his pants. She knew what was to come, yet despite her own predicament, she searched desperately for Dani. As she turned her head to the side, a waft of sweet, fragrant flowers drifted up her nose and immediately relaxed her tense body. She barely noticed Ferrig tearing violently at her clothing or his hands exploring her bared flesh. "Dani..." she whispered softly.

---

"Slowly Fading, Part 2"
by Dani
Nieme Yaresh-Selrid
Ferrig Mullerin
Raeila Mullerin
and Pack [NPC]

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

***

Raeila staggered backwards and away from the purple bitch as a wave of serenity impacted her and chased away all recollection of what she was there to do or why. She gazed in confusion at the purple girl before her and shook her head briskly to clear away the sudden tingling in her head. "What the--"

Dani gathered the ripped bodice of her dress together and rushed forward to Nieme. The boy that had her seemed to be drifting away, his grip loosening as he did. She grabbed Nieme's hand and pulled her away. "Run," she whispered. "We have to get away. Run, Nieme."

"I... But Dani I..." Nieme looked startled for a moment and barely noticed she was racing from the corridor with Dani. She felt the wind rushing against her partially exposed torso and gasped. "Oh, Dani! Dani...what's happening?"

"They wanted to hurt us," Dani said. "We have to lose them and then hide. We'll wait until they're not around anymore before going home. We don't want to lead them there. We have to hide from them, Nieme. We have to find someplace safe."

Nieme's mind was muddled by the distinct smell of flowers. Her body burned with an intense desire, despite the severity of their situation. She emitted a gentle moan concealed in a whimper and attempted to clear her mind by taking in deep lungfulls of desert air. "Hide... We...t-there's somewhere... Uh...where-- Down there!" Nieme pointed a finger attached to a trembling hand towards a large structure...the one she'd hidden from Kael in the first night they met. "There's a hole and...we can hide in there. It's big enough for both of us."

Dani looked at the hiding place, and quickly pulled Nieme along with her. She helped Nieme in first and then climbed in behind her. Nieme was right, it was definitely big enough for both of them, though slightly cramped. "We're safe now," she whispered as she clung to her friend. "We're safe now, Nieme."

"I'm so... How did we get away, Dani? I-I can't think straight. What...what happened?"

"I-I used my pheromones," Dani said. "It calmed them enough for us to get away. But, we're safe now. We're both safe, Nieme." She pulled her friend closer. "I have to get a new dress. That Talane woman ripped this one. I don't know why they did it, but we're safe now." She realized suddenly as she clung to Nieme that she was crying, tears rolled down her cheek and off her chin. They had been very lucky.

Nieme felt grief and remorse obscure the arousal Dani's pheromones had evoked in her. It was because of her that they'd been attacked and because of her that her friend was sad when she'd promised never to make her sad again. "I'm sorry," she whispered with a sob. "It... I know who they are, Dani. Please don't be mad... I didn't know they'd--" Nieme rested her cheek upon Dani's bare chest and shook gently. "They were Kael's old friends, the one from his gang. The girl...I think she was that 'Raeila' Kael told us about. And Ferrig...he's the one who tried to hurt me. I'm so sorry, Dani...don't hate me... I didn't know."

"I could never hate you, my beautiful star," Dani said as she kissed Nieme's forehead. "I could never in my life hate you. We'll just have to be more careful from now on. It's not your fault, Nieme. It's because they're violent and hateful that they did this, and they would have done it to anyone. They would have hurt me because I'm different, and that is definitely not your fault." She kissed Nieme again. "I love you, Nieme. It's alright now. We're safe here together."

"But they'll come back for us." Nieme wept and clutched at her own torn clothing. "They wanted to hurt us... They want to kill us, Dani. How will we be able to stop them? There's so many of them..."

"We'll find a way, Nieme," Dani said. "We'll find a way to make it through this. We'll just have to do a lot of hiding, and staying at home. We'll figure it out, my love. But, together we can make it."

"Maybe..." Nieme ran a hand across her leaking nose and cleared the thickness from her throat. "We should contact Jae Dyn Brael. If we can train and learn how to use our powers, Dani...maybe this won't ever happen again. Then we can stay here forever and no one will ever be able to hurt us."

Dani nodded. "Yes," she said. "We have to talk to Jae Dyn. She'll be able to help us, and then it won't ever happen again. Then everything will be alright, and we'll be safe."

"Until then, though...what will we do, Dani?"

"We'll stay hidden here until we're sure they're gone," Dani said. "And, after that we'll sneak back to the house and sleep. Maybe we can contact Orn. He might be able to help us."

"I don't know, Dani. He seems all tough and gruff, but he's got no defense against the gangers. When Kael was around--" Nieme clung more tightly to Dani and let flow fresh tears. "Why is being happy so hard to do?"

"Because no one wants us to be happy," Dani said softly. "Because people who can't find happiness themselves don't want anyone else to be happy either. We just have to do our best, Nieme. We just have to stay together and try to be happy."

"We could move away," Nieme said sadly. "We could...we could find a ship, Dani and...just fly away. We'd be safe and happy then...wouldn't we?"

Dani nodded. "We would," she said. "In the morning, maybe we could go back to the city. I have enough for us to live on for a little while we find a ship. Then we can go up to the stars, and find someplace new. We can do that, Nieme. Then we'd be safe, and no one would try to stop our happiness."

"I like the stars," Nieme whispered wistfully. "We could go to the stars, Dani, and we'll be out of reach of everyone." She looked up at her purple friend with a darkening sadness obscuring what little joy was left within her. "I'm tired, Dani. I'm so...tired of having to fight for something we should have the right to bear freely. I want our happiness. I want...things to be as they were before...before the Temple."

"We'll make it like that again," Dani said. "Let's go to New Plouton, and find a place to live while we get a ship. We can stay in there with just each other, and then go to the club for dancing and Steaming Passions. And, then we'll go to the stars together. It'll be okay again, Nieme. It'll all be fine again."

Nieme nodded despite feeling unconfident in Dani's assurances. "We'll be good again... We'll leave tomorrow morning...after we speak to Orn. Oh, Dani, he'll be so sad! It isn't fair...not to him, not to us... If only we could make the Feltreys leave us alone..."

"Oh," Dani said, her voice echoing Nieme's sadness. "I like Orn. I hate that we have to leave him. I don't know how we could stop the Feltreys. Do you think we could talk to them? Would they listen? I don't know why they'd even want us. We didn't do anything to them." She pressed her lips to Nieme's cheek. "We just want to be happy..."

"They don't care about that. They...they hate me because they think I was the one who took Kael away from them. I don't think talking to them would help. They act only on impulse. Kael...he used to be like that. It's violence they like...and they'll do anything to get it."

Dani nodded. "Then we'll have to go," she said. "So we can be safe and happy together. But, maybe we can come back to visit him from time to time. They'll just try to hurt us, do bad things to us."

Nieme clenched her teeth in an unexpected welling of anger. She pulled away from Dani and wrapped her arms tightly around herself. "It isn't fair! Wherever we go, there'll still be something standing in our way. We can never be happy, Dani. Happiness isn't allowed to thrive in this fucking universe!" Nieme gasped and covered her mouth quickly. She gazed at Dani motionlessly and with eyes wide as the full Thanatos moons. She'd never in her life used such vulgar language, and although she dismissed it as an outcome of her frustration and hopelessness, she was still utterly shocked.

"We can't give up though," Dani said softly. "If we give up trying to be happy, then they win. We can't stop trying to find happiness, Nieme. We have to try."

Nieme let out a sharp, mournful breath and latched onto Dani with a tight embrace. "We'll show them, Dani," she said with vigour. "We won't let them ruin everything, Dani. If I have to learn how to use my Jedi abilities all on my own, I will, and then we'll show them. We'll make them think twice about coming near us again."

"We'll do it together," Dani whispered as she wrapped her arms around Nieme again. "We're strong together, Nieme. We're good, and we can beat them. We'll learn to use our Jedi abilities, and we'll show them they can't just hurt people like that. We'll show them, Nieme."

Nieme gazed up at Dani with a slowly kindling fire in her eyes. "Teach me. You've done it before, Dani. That day in the training room with Kael...you did it. You know how and you'll teach us both how to use our powers."

Dani wasn't quite sure if she could since she hadn't really thought about doing what she'd done to Kael, but she could try to figure it out again. "I'll teach us," she said. "And, then we'll show them. They won't bother us anymore after that. They'll never bother anyone again."

"Never again," Nieme replied with simmering rage. "We'll show them what it's like to be afraid. They'll never come near us again...and if they try, they'll pay."

"They'll pay," Dani said as she held Nieme. "But, let's not be upset now. We'll be upset later. For now, let's try to find the happiness they tried to steal from us. Let's try to be happy now. Please?"

Nieme's body went rigid and cold. She would try for Dani to appear content, but she knew it was not what she felt in her heart. She hadn't truly been happy since she met Kael and left Thanatos. She was beginning to wonder whether true joy was found only when one was left alone, by others and by threats from the world itself. She'd lived for twenty years personally unaffected by the violence of Thanatos and all alone. It was then that she truly enjoyed life and she yearned to return to those days. "I'll try, Dani," she replied flatly. "For you, I'll try, but I can promise you nothing."

"I know," Dani said softly, her voice barely a whisper. "It's just... I can feel your feelings. I hate being upset Nieme. It's uncomfortable and it makes me feel...it makes me feel very bad. I want to go home, Nieme. I want to go and sleep. I want to be in your arms and try to be happy again. I don't want to be angry anymore."

"Fine. It should be safe by now." Nieme squeezed out of the crammed space within the hole and emerged into the darkened street. She scanned the area carefully and saw no sign of Ferrig or his friends. She reached into the hole and held out a hand for Dani. "Come on. We have to hurry."

Dani let Nieme help her out of the hole and into the sandswept street. She pulled the bodice of her dress up to cover herself with one hand, while the other found comfort holding onto Nieme's hand. "I love you, Nieme," she whispered. Together, they hurried off toward the house, both of them checking to make sure they saw no one else.

***

"This is all your fault, Pack! How the hell could you let them get away?" Raeila shrieked in frustration and pounded the floor with her feet. "I had my hands wrapped around that purple bitch's neck. I was so close..."

Pack snorted, and then staggered toward Raeila. He couldn't explain the overwhelming arousal he felt, but he knew that Raeila was the one who could satisfy him. "You were the one with your hands wrapped around the bitch's throat. Why'd you let her go? Why couldn't you hold on to her?"

Ferrig looked around from where he'd been prying the kitchen whore's clothing off. "What the fuck did they do to us? One minute I wanted to fuck her brains out, and the next I felt like I was slammed up on spice."

"It was that alien bitch I bet." Raeila clenched her hands together as if strangling Dani's neck. "I was ready to gouge her eyes out, the next thing I know, it smells like I walked into a field of flowers - not that I'd know what that smells like. After that, the fucking alley began spinning. It wasn't some alien thing, was it? Do you think it was something contagious?" Raeila asked with utter disgust.

"I smelled it too," Pack said. "All sickly sweet, with just a hint of sex in it. Blow me, Rae. I've got twenty-five credits for you."

Ferrig glanced at the ganger and shook his head. "Pheromones," he said. "Like a fucking animal. It was probably some panic defense mechanism the bitch has. She gets scared, and makes the place smell all fucking sweet. We'll have to be ready for that next time."

"How?" Raeila asked in frustration. She stomped through the alley, making certain to glare at Pack and bump him roughly for his comments as she passed. "We can't exactly stop breathing, Ferrig. I say the minute we catch them, we kill the purple bitch so she can't release that sweet-smelling shit. That'll solve that problem."

"We could do that," Ferrig said after glaring at Pack before he could open his mouth. "Or we could find something that would overpower the flowery shit. I'm sure there's lots of options out there, both natural and not. Like that ephreda plant. The shit's everywhere. Have you ever broken one of those things open? Takes days to get rid of the smell. It's strong, but it's not foul. It should overpower whatever shit the alien bitch is using."

Raeila sank stubbornly against the wall and thrust her bottom lip out in a sour pout. "Fine... I didn't want to have to kill her anyway. I was having so much fun, Ferrig, but it all ended so quickly. When do you think we should try again?"

"As soon as possible," Ferrig said. "After that out there, they'll be scared. And, I think when the kitchen rat scares, she runs. She and the alien are likely to run right out of Thanatos. We should get someone watching the Rhack. As soon as they go in there, we need to move in. If they go in before the crowds arrive, we can take the bitches inside."

"With Orn there?" Raeila snorted and shook her head. "The guy will pull out a repeating-fire blaster if he sees you in there, Ferrig. Without Kael, the Feltreys have been banned, or have you forgotten?"

"We hit the place fast enough," Ferrig said with a slow smile, "and Orn won't be a problem. We make sure we get him taken care of before he can grab that blaster." The smile suddenly twisted into something truly evil. "We won't kill him though. I think that Orn would like to see his dear, sweet kitchen whore performing."

Raeila breathed in deeply and moaned softly as her hands smoothed sensuously over her torso. "Oh, I really wanna watch when you do her, Ferrig. I wanna see every wince, hear every cry of pain... I wanna see blood, of course, Ferrig. Maybe cut out those pretty brown eyes of hers..."

"I like the sound of that, sister," Ferrig said. He reached out and pulled her to him. "Maybe we can do her together. I can fuck her pussy hard, and you can make her eat you. Then you can feel those cries of pain right up inside you." He kissed her hard. "How does that sound?"

"Ohhh..." Raeila drawled in ecstasy. She slipped her hand down between her legs and closed her eyes to imagine the culmination of all their plans and schemes. "I want the purple one to suck you off after you've had the rat. Then maybe Pack over there can do the rat up the ass. It's about time the boy loses his virginity."

"I want to do them both up the ass," Pack said, rubbing a hand over his crotch. "Maybe I can take one bitch in the ass while Ferrig fucks her up the cunt. If that's okay with you, Raeila, of course."

Ferrig slipped a hand between Raeila's legs. "Too bad we don't have a way to record this for posterity," he said. "I think this is one I'd like to watch over and over."

"If we don't kill them right away," Raeila said as she writhed against Ferrig's hand, "we can do it over and over again until it's burned permanently into our memories. And maybe as a treat, Pack over here can make them suck him off. It's the only way the poor thing is going to get any..."

"Hey--!"

Ferrig completely ignored the young ganger, instead opting to open his own pants for Raeila. "Over and over," he said. "I think we should keep them alive. I've always wanted a slave." He kissed her. "We can keep them as pleasure girls. Put them in only collars, brand them as Feltrey property. We may even make some credits with them. They could be our little slave whores."

Raeila squealed with delight and tugged on the collar of Ferrig's shirt as she led him towards the wall. "I wouldn't have to walk the streets once with them here!" She kissed Ferrig ravenously and reached her free hand down into his opened pants. "Please say we can do it tomorrow night. I don't think I can wait longer than that, Ferrig."

"It may be earlier than that," Ferrig said. "I think they'll go to Orn in the morning, and if they don't stay, they'll leave then. We don't want to lose our chance with them. We should show up over at the Rhack before they arrive this morning. And, then we wait for them to arrive, and they're all ours."

The excitement and anticipation brewing within Raeila made her more aroused than she'd ever been. She wasted no time pulling Ferrig down onto the sands with her and opening her pants for access. "Tomorrow then, dear brother. But for tonight, you and I shall have a pre-celebratory dance." Raeila released a throaty laugh. She kissed Ferrig deeply, then pulled her lips away and said forcefully, "Dance with me, Ferrig."

***

Dani and Nieme finally made it into their house. Once inside, Dani looked out the small window to the outside to make sure no one was paying attention to them. "There isn't anyone," she said. "We're safe." She turned around and let her hands fall away from the bodice of her dress, which immediately fell down to hang with the skirt. "We made it."

Nieme had already begun removing her torn shirt and noticed a series of scratches running along her chest and breast from where Ferrig had violently clawed at her clothing. "We made it this time," Nieme said dishearteningly. "There'll be more next time."

Dani saw the scratches and frowned. She moved forward and took Nieme into her arms. "We'll be ready for them next time," she said. "If any strange people we don't know approach us, we'll just run. We'll keep ourselves safe, Nieme. Together we can do it."

"For how long, though? It was so much easier to elude the gangs when I wasn't a direct target. Now, Dani, they'll be watching for us. We're as good as--" Nieme cut herself off and avoided Dani's gaze. "Show me how you did it, Dani. Show me how you hurt Kael."

"I didn't hurt him," Dani said. "I just pushed him away. And, he was coming at me, and I just...I just wanted him gone. I just thought of him moving away, and he did."

Nieme stepped back and stared sternly at Dani. "Do it. I want to see you do it again. Move...that chair over there. I want you to concentrate, and move it, Dani."

Dani took a step back and nodded. She turned her attention to the chair and concentrated on it. She thought about the chair moving, about it sliding away from her. She could feel the strain within as she tried to manipulate it, but could not sense the chair. "I...I'm trying," she said softly. She renewed her focus and raised her hand, hoping that might help. It didn't. After a minute, she felt every muscle in her body groan in protest, and she sagged wearily against the door. She felt tears burning her eyes, and quickly wiped them away. "I'll get it. Just...just another moment."

Nieme didn't move to Dani's side to aid her. She merely stared at the chair with bitter resentment, then finally turned her gaze to Dani. "Get up. You have to show me, Dani. You have to teach me so we can keep them from stealing our happiness!"

"I'm trying," Dani sobbed. "I don't know how I did it. I'm just...I'll try again." She stood up and pushed the tatters of her dress over her hips and let it fall to the floor. She stepped out of it and turned back to the chair. She narrowed her focus, until only the chair existed for her. She reached out her hand again, and concentrated all her thoughts and energy on the chair moving, this time up. Slowly, Dani closed her eyes, and found to her surprise that even with them closed she could still sense the chair, could almost see it, feel it. She took a breath, and lifted.

To Nieme's surprise, and anxiety, the chair seemed to move of its own volition. It hovered barely above the floor, not an impressive height, but still an amazing feat nonetheless. She moved with her hypnotic gaze on the chair and smiled slowly. "You're doing it, Dani," she whispered. "My love...you've done it."

Dani slowly opened her eyes and saw the chair floating a few centimetres off the floor. She grinned, and it quickly turned into a string of giggles. When her concentration lapsed, the chair thumped back to the ground. "I did it," she squealed. "I did it, Nieme. I just pictured it in my mind, and then concentrated. I could sense it there. And, it was like I could touch it. And, then...then I just picked it up. It was... You try, Nieme. Try to pick up the chair like I did."

A sudden fear of the power that might have been harboured within her made Nieme step back and shake her head quickly. The power Dani had used to move the chair was the same that gave Nieme the dreams she so dreaded and which caused her so much torment. She wanted to learn how to protect herself, but she couldn't gather enough courage to call upon those energies and use them. It would only encourage them to stay when she desperately wanted to banish them. "I...I'm too tired to try. But you know how to do it now. That's all that matters. I don't want to do it. Don't make me do it, Dani."

Dani nodded and then smiled at Nieme. "I won't make you," she said, and then held her arms open to Nieme. "Come to me, my beautiful star."

Nieme's body deflated with a large exhale and she rushed into Dani's arms with a frightened whimper. "You'll protect us both, Dani. You won't let them touch us, will you? Never again...please..."

"Never again," Dani whispered. She gazed down into Nieme's eyes and smiled. She lowered her lips to Nieme's and kissed her love, long, slow and sensuous. "We'll be safe together now, Nieme. Always together, and always safe."

"Then make me feel safe, Dani," she pleaded gently. "Lay with me in bed, and kiss me and touch me...and just make me feel safe, my love."

Dani released Nieme from their embrace, and then took her hands and led them toward the bed. Once there, she slowly helped Nieme out of the rest of her clothing, and then stepped out of her sandals. Then, she kissed Nieme, and pulled them both into bed. Once they were both lying side by side, she edged closer and brought her lips to Nieme's, and then down to throat, and lower to her love's breasts. She looked up into Nieme's eyes, smiled, and then slid her arms around Nieme. Then, she let her lips slowly kiss Nieme wherever she could reach in their embrace.

"You--" Nieme gasped softly and closed her eyes as her fingers brushed through Dani's hair. She wasn't certain if her pheromones were still having an affect after their encounter, but Nieme had a desperate need to be comforted. "It's okay, you know," she whispered. "If...if you wanted to kiss me down there...it would be okay."

Dani looked into Nieme's eyes and nodded slowly. "I want to very much," she said. She kissed Nieme slowly, and then slid down the length of her body until she was between Nieme's legs. She brushed her lips against Nieme's mound, then her tongue. She heard Nieme gasp, and continued. She heard herself moan as she felt Nieme's arousal and pleasure rising. She had longed for this moment, but had wanted Nieme to ask for it instead of just taking. She wanted to give.

"Thank you, Dani," she forced out in a shudder. She gripped at the blankets upon the bed and closed her eyes to savour the abandon Dani's touch provided. It wasn't about the pleasure or expressions of love and affection. Nieme needed something to make her forget all the troubles they would face, and the hopelessness of their pursuit of happiness. Nieme knew they would never find it, not while they remained in Thanatos, but if she could delude Dani into thinking there was still a chance they would find it, she would let her friend pleasure her as she'd always known Dani yearned to. She moaned and writhed as would be expected by the overwhelming ecstasy, but it was the release Nieme focused on. "Keep going, my love," she said shakily. "Just don't stop."

Dani did as Nieme asked and kept going. She could feel that something felt wrong, but kept at it as Nieme had asked her to. She knew she was good at this part, but then again she knew she was good at all parts of sex. There wasn't a Zeltron alive who wasn't. And, she could feel that her touch was quickly getting past the hesitation Nieme was feeling. She would give her sublime bliss, that's what Dani wanted to give tonight: bliss to make all the pain and suffering go away.

Nieme repressed her climax for as long as she could until her body felt as if it were about to burst into a conflagration of burning desire. She emitted a choked cry and trembled uncontrollably as she was hit with wave after wave of ecstasy. She pulled herself away from Dani's lips and gently coaxed her into her arms. "You did wonderfully, Dani," she whispered adoringly while petting her hair in an almost patronizing manner. "You made it all go away, Dani. Thank you, my love."

Dani slid gratefully into Nieme's arms and kissed her love. "I'm glad," she said. "I'll always make it go away for you, Nieme. I'll always make you feel better." She concentrated on the blankets covering their feet, and suddenly they rose and slid up over their bodies until both girls were covered. She looked at Nieme and grinned. "I'm getting the hang of it," she said.

"Don't wear yourself out, Dani. You need to save your strength for when we really need it." She smiled tightly at Dani, then kissed her softly upon the lips. "I...I love you, Dani. No matter what happens, don't forget that."

"I'll never forget it," Dani said. "I could never forget that, my love. And, no more of that Force stuff until we need it. I will keep you safe, my Nieme. I will always keep you safe."

"I know," Nieme muttered almost inaudibly. What she was truly saying, however, was that no matter how proficient in using the Force Dani became, there were still things she could never protect Nieme from. The spark within her was quickly dimming and she could feel the darkness and despair beginning to fill her like rushing water. No matter how much Dani loved her, there was nothing she could do that would renew her optimism and unadulterated perspective on life.

Her happiness had been tainted now by the loss of her innocence, and coming back to Thanatos had only accelerated her transformation. The violence and depravity in Thanatos fed off discontentment and despair, and little by little it was consuming Nieme. Soon, and as hard as Dani tried to save her from it, the Nieme she loved would cease to exist and become merely another casualty of the blight that was human cruelty and the ultimate loss of innocence.

---