"Corellia: Arrival"
By: Kace Mordin - Grey Jedi

Location: Corellia
Date: Saris 5, 3 ABY

***

With fluid motions, Kace disengaged the ship's autopilot and adjusted their course for their approach to Corellia. He logged the flight path in the computer. It would take them into low orbit, circling around the south pole and southern continent and then up to their destination, the western coast of the northern continent.

With a crackling pop, the comm came online. "Approaching vessel," a voice said. "Identify and state purpose."

He opened a channel. "This is the Vengeance of Corellia," he said. "I'm transporting a Corellian citizen with family business planetside."

"Transmit codes."

Kace sighed. He plugged an identicard in to send to the docking official. He tapped a few buttons, and a green light came on indicating the transmission was taking place.

"Codes received," the voice said. "You are clear to proceed Vengeance of Corellia. You can dock your ship in docking berth forty-one at the Reskaddren Docking Facility. Safe journeys."

The comm clicked off and Kace rolled his eyes. He adjusted their course again to bring them in line for their orbit. The ship rumbled as it entered the upper atmosphere. Keeping a close eye on the status indicators, he kept the course true. The ocean flashed blue beneath them as they neared the pole. Then they were over and heading up toward their destination.

It was ten minutes before the port came into view down below. Kace cut thrust and fired the braking jets. The ship shuddered as their momentum dropped away. If it weren't for the artificial gravity, he knew his stomach would be in his throat as they dropped toward the surface.

He was trying to keep things as steady as possible. He figured Yelara would not like this part of the trip. But, there was only one way down. Best to use a steady hand and make it quick.

The ground rushed up to meet them, and Kace opened the jets. Fifty meters above the ground, their descent stopped. Then, with a casualness that surprised himself, he settled the ship gently onto the docking pad.

He set the ship to cycle down all systems, and vent what remained of their thrust from the maneuvering jets. When all the systems read green, Kace stepped out of the cockpit and back into the main cabin.

They'd finally arrived.

And, not a moment too soon, he thought with a wry grin. With both Elisia and Yelara on the ship, he didn't know how much longer they could have survived. And, his situation with Elisia now would make things very difficult with Yel. He knew that. He could see it. He could see that his relationship with Elisia would severely damage things with Yelara. He pushed the thoughts away, knowing they would do him no good now. He'd decided to say nothing to Yelara yet. He wanted the trip back to Tae'Karada to be amicable at least. He would tell her once they'd returned.

"Welcome to Corellia," he called into the back of the ship.

---

"Corellia: Downpour"
By: Kace Mordin
Elisia Melouet
Yelara Neerou

Location: Corellia
Date: Saris 5, 3 ABY

***

"It's this way," Yelara called back to Elisia and Kace, who were now following in tow. Yelara had not even realized she was walking so quickly until she looked to see her two companions racing to catch up with her. She wanted to stop and give them time to get back into stride with her, but she could see her old house in the distance and was drawn toward it as the Corellian spiderhawk is drawn to its birthplace every spring.

She could almost smell her grandmother's freshly baked bread wafting through the breeze and she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to capture the scent, but the only one she could detect was that of the newly bloomed Jebwa flowers. If things were as bad as her grandfather had led on, Yelara didn't think her grandmother would ever be baking again, but she pushed those thoughts aside. Now was not the time to be pessimistic; she couldn't afford to be.

"We're almost there," Yelara called back as her long legs covered the large distance between the cottage and where they were. She began to jog as the little home appeared above the hill, coming more prominently into view the faster she moved along. She no longer cared if Kace and Elisia had been able to keep up with her; she wanted to reach her old home and barge in through the doorway, running into her grandparents' arms. As she finally reached the house, however, she found she could not walk in. She felt as if she no longer had the right to call this place her home; she gave up those rights the moment she left Corellia and her grandparents behind. She was a guest and nothing more, and only welcome guests ever walked into a house unannounced. At the moment, Yelara didn't feel very welcome.

She stood, staring at the door, afraid of what she'd find when she entered the house, so much so that she couldn't bring herself to even ring the chime. She turned back, momentarily, hoping she would meet Kace's eyes. The calming blue of them always comforted her and gave her confidence, but they were not there. Elisia and Kace were still coming over the hill, trying to catch up to Yelara. She smiled. She must have walked faster than she thought.

Yelara turned back towards the door and tried to slow her breathing, which had hastened from anxiety. She waited for Kace and Elisia to reach the house and as they did, she tried to ring the door chime, but her hand merely remained limp at her side.

Kace's longer stride brought him to the house ahead of Elisia. He looked the dwelling over and smiled, wondering what it must have been like to grow up in an actual house. He could only imagine the handful Yelara must have been. He searched her face as he moved to the side of the door. He felt a twinge of guilt. He could sense Elisia coming up behind them. Standing there, alone with Yelara for a brief moment, was difficult. He pushed back the thoughts, leaving himself with only the hope that what he was doing was the right thing.

"How are you doing?" he asked. "I never realized you were a marathon runner."

Yelara tried to turn and face Kace, but the overwhelming fear and guilt she was feeling made her almost catatonic and unresponsive. "What if she's already dead?"

"If she is," he said, not really sure how to respond. "If she is, then I should have gotten you here sooner. But, maybe she's not. But, there is only one way to tell." He let his eyes find hers, and it felt like the bottom dropped out from under him.

Yelara met Kace's gaze, those eyes exuding the very confidence in her she hoped they would. She sighed and nodded her head, knowing what Kace was implying. She knew she'd have to do it, but somehow wished she could know before she walked into the house. Yelara felt her hand searching for the door chime and as she continued looking at Kace, his warm expression gave her the final push she needed to push the chime.

Yelara stepped back, as if startled. She felt the impulse to turn and run, but Kace's presence kept her feet firmly planted and her eyes now staring forward, waiting to see the door open before her. Yelara began to tremble and her hand reached out to Kace's, taking his own into hers and gripping it tightly. "Don't leave me," she whispered, still staring forward as the tremors spread throughout her body.

Kace nodded slowly as he watched Yelara, squeezing her hand for assurance. His insides flipped at the feelings that surged within. It appeared, at least to the rational side of his mind, that he hadn't been as secure in his decision as he'd thought. Standing there, with Yelara's hand in his, he wasn't certain he'd spoken true to Elisia. What he felt for Yelara was much stronger than he realized. How could anyone really know? He'd never done anything like this before. How could anyone expect him to know what he was supposed to feel, who he was supposed to love? He took a breath and let it out. "I'll be with you the whole time," he said.

Yelara smiled upon hearing that; knowing Kace would be with her made everything seem brighter and less hopeless. She was about to lean in to kiss him, when the door opened up and her grandfather, with a surprised look on his face, appeared before her.

Elisia stood behind them both, hands clenching and unclenching. She kept reminding herself that Yelara didn't know and this visit was exactly why she didn't. However, when Yelara looked to be about to kiss Kace, she almost said something. She was saved from a scene by the door opening.

"Yara? By the gods how you've grown!" he said as his eyes began to tear up.

Yelara released Kace's hand and, out of nowhere, ran into her grandfather's arms and embraced him. The look on his face suggested he had not expected that, but then again, neither had Yelara. She knew she had missed her grandparents, but hadn't realized just how much until she saw her grandfather standing before her. She lay her head upon his shoulder, feeling as if she were a little girl all over again, but she didn't mind. She missed the times like these, but she knew she wasn't that little girl anymore. In fact, that little girl died the day her parents had, but she was happy with the person she was now, even if she did tend to be a little confused at times.

Yelara finally pulled away from her grandfather who was now staring at Kace suspiciously. Yelara noticed his gaze had made its way to Kace and decided now was as good a time as any to make introductions. "Oh, grandfather this is Kace Mordin. He's a friend of sorts. He gave me a lift here. And over here is Elisia." Yelara turned to Kace, her eyes cueing him to greet her grandfather.

Kace held out a hand to Yelara's grandfather. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," he said. "I would like to say that I've heard a lot about you, but I'm afraid Yelara hasn't said much. And, I am Yelara's friend, no matter what she says." He felt the now-familiar twinge he felt whenever looking at Yelara. He hated being caught in the middle. And, he knew he was squarely in the middle on this one.

"Hmm...she hasn't said anything about me?" the man said as he looked at Yelara with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his weathered face. "Well, I guess she's had more important things on her mind." Yelara was about to protest, but her grandfather raised his hand and laughed. "Don't worry, Yara, I understand. So does your grandmother."

Yelara's eyes searched her grandfather's now devastated face, and placed a loving hand upon his. "How is grandmother?"

"Some days are better than others...but most days are not good at all." Yelara's grandfather looked to the ground, as he tried to blink away the tears that were forming. As he looked back up, his eyes grew wide and he grabbed Yelara's left arm, turning it in his hand. "What have you done, child?!" he hollered, his face looking almost shocked.

"It's just a tattoo, grandfather," Yelara answered. Her face began turning red with embarrassment. Now she remembered why she left in the first place: somehow, her grandparents always made her feel like a child. She knew it was only because they were overprotective of her, Yelara being the only connection to their son left, but she hated it.

They were right to be so strict with her. If anything happened to Yelara, their bloodline would cease to exist. They relied on her to keep the Neerou name alive, and that was a responsibility that weighed too heavily upon her. They fussed over her far too much, watched her every move, kept a constant eye on her... Yelara once told Kallia that they were alike - that they were both free spirits and couldn't bear to be tied down. Being with her grandparents made her feel just that way: tied down. Frankly, she had been suffocating and had to go; she'd been just too afraid to tell them that for fear of hurting them.

That was the past now, but even so, her grandfather still made her feel that way, although today, she didn't mind so much. In fact, she missed it somewhat, the feeling of being safe under their wings and knowing they would gladly take a blaster shot for her if need be. Some days, though, she wished that it would actually happen and that she, instead, could be the one to take the blaster hit. At least then, she could join her parents.

She'd always been too afraid to kill herself - although she had thought about it -so instead, she ran as far away as she could and lived as dangerously as she could, but somehow, she always managed to cheat death. It was that same deathwish that caused Yelara to push Dargus to the breaking point, the point where he just wanted to throttle her. He'd come close many times, but Yelara had never been lucky enough to die at his hands.

"Is it permanent?" her grandfather continued, still examining the tattoo.

Yelara snapped out of her reverie and answered, "Of course it is." She pulled her arm away and looked awkwardly at Kace, who she swore was holding back a laugh.

"Hmm..." the old man voiced, cocking an eyebrow at Yelara, then looking at Kace. "And you don't mind that she's decorated herself like that? I mean would you marry a woman who mutilates her body in such a way?"

"Grandpa!" Yelara squealed. She instantly shut herself up as she realized she was beginning to whine.

Kace found himself smiling, nearly laughing. He looked at Yelara's arm, remembering the other one hidden from her grandfather's view. It was tempting to mention it, but he decided not to. "Actually," he said. "It's a very beautiful tattoo. Not quite as intricate as the Morathan head tattoos, but still very beautiful." He found his heart beating loud and heavy in his chest again. He wanted to reach out and brush his fingers across the detailed designs and colors, to feel her skin against his hands. Kace blinked and smiled again, forcing his thoughts to something else: stripping off his shirt so Yelara's grandfather could see the tattoo stretching out across his shoulder blade. He pushed the thoughts away again as he realized how many problems they would cause with Elisia. How had he gotten himself into this mess? "My own is quite plain by comparison actually."

Yelara's grandfather did a double take, examining Kace up and down, while trying to hide his disapproval. "Well, and how about you, little one?" the old man said as he addressed Elisia; he still kept a wary eye on Kace. "Do you have a tattoo as well, or do you have more sense than these two put together?"

"I would say, sir, that I have far more sense," Elisia said quietly.

Yelara's grandfather gave a guttural laugh as he pinched Elisia's cheeks. "I like this one. Is she your daughter?" he asked, looking back up at Kace.

Kace shook his head. "No, she's not," he said. "She's my student. And, a very fast learner."

"Yes, there are some things I am learning far faster than others. But there are some things that I tend to be a little slow about too." Her eyes flashed darkly as they met Kace's. But she turned and smiled at the old man. She took his arm and looked up at him with complete innocence. "Your home is so welcoming. It is a refreshing change after the small confines of our ship."

The old man laughed again, taking Elisia's hand in his and patting it, while turning his back to Kace and Yelara. "Come on. You must be hungry, dear. We'll get you something to eat and a nice bed to sleep in if you like." He then looked back at Yelara, a grim expression clouding over his face. "You will wash up and eat, then you can visit your grandmother. She's been expecting you."

Yelara nodded her head and watched her grandfather lead Elisia away. He had done that to her, once, the day of her parents' funeral, the day they took her home to live with them. Being back on Corellia and back at her old home was far too real for Yelara. At that moment, she knew she wasn't ready and wasn't certain if she could handle it all. "I'll be in soon, grandpa," she called back, turning around and staring back down the path.

"Alright, but please don't be long," the old man answered back, still leading Elisia into the house. "You can call me Orinth, dear. Or Grandpa Orinth if you like," he said to Elisia as he began patting her hand again.

"I can't be here...not yet," Yelara whispered as she glanced at her grandfather and Elisia, then looked away again. "I... Why did I come here?" she mumbled under her breath as she began down the path away from the house.

Kace glanced back at Elisia. He knew she was unhappy with him. And, he knew this was going to make things worse. But, Yelara was his friend, and she needed to be with someone. "I'll be in in a bit too," he said.

I will keep him busy, Elisia said mentally. Her displeasure was evident, however, even in her thoughts.

He turned and followed Yelara out down the path away from the house. He knew his actions weren't helping, but his friend needed a friend. He quickened his pace to catch up as she was turning up to wander down the road.

"Wanna talk about it?"

Yelara looked back at Kace without slowing down, and continued forward as if possessed by some unseen force. "There's nothing to talk about. I just don't wanna see another person I love leave me. It doesn't hurt so much if you're not there to witness it happen." Yelara continued on the path, leading them both into a bustling city.

It was a pastoral town, with this part of the city looking like a typical farmer's market. There were villagers selling animals to passersby and two old women haggling over the price of fruit. Kace and Yelara both received suspicious stares from the townspeople as they walked in. Their leather outfits and their serious expressions caused everyone's eyes to follow them. They were outsiders, and even though Yelara had lived there for 16 years of her life, she felt like a foreigner herself. Yelara was used to getting stared at; she got that a lot from men, but somehow, it bothered her more that it came from her own people. "Come on. We're not wanted here Kace. Let's just keep moving."

Kace swept his dark brooding gaze across the men and women watching them. His eyes glowed briefly and he continued after Yelara.

As they moved further down the road, he watched her from the corner of his eye. "Death in any form is always hard to face," he said. "But, we do what we can to get through it. I've never lost anyone I loved. I never knew my parents, and the situation with my master was a difficult one. I've never had to face the kind of loss you're facing." But, he knew he was going to. With Elisia and Yelara, he would have to choose one. He knew he couldn't have both. And, he knew when his heart really did make that choice, he would lose the other. He hated being caught in the middle. "Walking is always good though. You can sort out a lot when you're walking."

Yelara walked past the crowds of people, who all seemed so small to her somehow, or had she just gotten far too big for this place, grown out of it? She had ceased to become the little girl who used to run through those very streets laughing, with her long, black hair trailing behind her in the wind. She could still hear the voices of her parents calling after her, telling her to come home for supper. Yelara closed her eyes as she felt the wind blowing, just as it was in her vision. This time, it only ruffled her now short hair and she smiled as she thought about how angry her mother would have been if she'd seen her cut it off.

"My mother used to seat me on her lap and brush my hair out exactly 100 times. It always calmed me down. I mean, I was quite the hyperactive child, yet she always managed to put me at ease," Yelara mused, not addressing Kace specifically, but rather talking to herself. She grimaced as she remembered the day she sliced off her black tresses. It was in a fit of rage the week her parents had been killed. Just looking at her hair in the mirror that day reminded her of her mother and how she could always quash any rage that was building up within Yelara by simply running her fingers through her hair. Yelara didn't want her rage to go away. She wanted to make the Empire pay and cutting off her hair was the first stand against them; by refusing to silence her rage, she gained the determination to exact her revenge upon them.

Kace smiled a joyless smile, wondering if there was anything that could calm Yelara if she didn't want to be. He could feel her dark thoughts, but did not intrude into her mind. He knew what they were about. Her darkness felt so similar to his own. He could sense the thoughts without reading them. They shared a common goal, that was certain.

"Come on. I wanna show you something," Yelara said suddenly as she looked up with her eyes focused on somewhere in the distance.

Kace grinned and indicated that she should lead the way, which she did without hesitation. Her eyes stared straight ahead, her gaze unwavering as she walked on, the outside world going silent as her mind drifted into memories of the past.

***

Yelara walked with Kace at her side, the fallen leaves rustling as their feet cleared a path through them. She glanced sideways at Kace and wondered if he minded indulging her by coming with her here. It wasn't exactly the most enjoyable place for anyone to visit, but she had to be there, if only for a little while.

The two of them walked slowly between row upon row of headstones. The grass was overgrown and the names engraved on each stone had been abraded away by the wind. Yelara followed the old weathered path down to an isolated part of the cemetery where two headstones stood alone, partially obscured by overhanging vines and tall grass. "There they are," Yelara whispered as she solemnly approached the two graves. She knelt before them and started pulling away the grass so they could be fully seen.

Kace watched as Yelara dealt with the gravesite. His heart went out to her, feeling her pain and anger. He squatted beside her, still watching. "I can feel their presence lingering here," he said softly. "It's usually that way in places like this. I can feel their presence strongly." He watched her for a moment, then reached out to put a hand on her shoulder. "If you need any strength to get through this, I'm here. However you need me."

Yelara placed her hand on Kace's as the wind blew through her hair and dried the tears of rage and sadness that were forming in her eyes. For that, she was grateful. She wanted to be strong and wanted to tell herself that she was finally over her parents' death after having faced it for almost half her life, but being there, kneeling before their graves only proved to her that the pain would be with her always. She wasn't as strong as she thought she was.

Yelara scoffed under her breath and stood up abruptly, causing Kace's hand to fall off her shoulder. "None of this matters. Everything I've done, everything I've sacrificed means nothing. They won't know; they won't know the lengths to which I've gone and will go to avenge them. What's the point?" she said bitterly.

Kace stood so he was facing her. "I know what you're feeling," he said. "I'm walking a very similar road to your own. And, your parents will know. It may not make much sense, but the Force is very real and they'll know what you're doing. They'll know what you've done. And, you'll know." He wanted to reach out again, but decided against it. "I know fighting this kind of fight is a difficult one, especially alone."

Yelara turned to Kace, her eyes icy and growing dark. "I thought I wasn't alone, Kace. I thought I had you." Yelara walked past Kace, brushing against him as she did. "How could it possibly help them?" she called back as she walked down the path. "They're dead! It won't bring them back!"

Kace closed his eyes against her words, then turned to follow her. "You do have me," he said, moving quickly to catch up. "That didn't come out right. If you want to continue with your revenge against the Empire, I want to help you. However I can, I want to help you. I think we're a good team. Please, Yelara, wait. You do have me. I'm here. I'm here with you."

Yelara stopped. The wind had begun to pick up and the sky turned gray as dark clouds moved in. She looked up into the sky above as the rain started to pour down upon her. "Why did this have to happen? Why my parents? Whoever decided to deal this cruel fate to them - to me - deserves to meet the same, horrible death my parents suffered!" Yelara pounded her fist into her palm and clenched her teeth as she took sharp breaths in through her nose. "My one wish is that I could crush every last one of those Imperials with my bear hands." Yelara turned to Kace with the rain running down her face like tears. "I want you to be by my side and help me...help me destroy them all, Kace," she said gently as she placed her hand upon his cheek and began caressing it. "Help me kill them, Kace. Please?"

Kace brought his hand up to touch hers, his eyes never wavering as they were caught in the violet brightness of Yelara's. "Yes," he said, his voice soft, yet holding an edge that he hadn't felt in a long time. "All of them. And, I'll be by your side, all the way."

Yelara sighed in relief, and sank into Kace's arms as the rain soaked through their clothing. "We'll make them pay...together," she said almost breathlessly as the anticipation of exacting revenge became too much to bear. "I want you, Kace, here and now," she added, as she looked up into his eyes. A fire was building within her, driving her and ready to consume her very being. She suddenly felt the urge to seize control of something, if not her life, then Kace. Possessed by that urge, she began tearing at Kace's clothing, kissing him on his neck and lips voraciously. Her hands sought out for Kace's groin as she began pushing him to the ground with her body. "I'm going to take you, Kace. It isn't a question of what you want. Don't struggle; it'll only make me angry and more violent. Surrender," she commanded as her nails began to claw at his now exposed chest.

Pinpoints of pain flared on Kace's chest as Yelara pushed him to the ground. The rain against the bare skin of his chest mixing with her touch was almost too much. He returned her kisses, as the wet ground soaked through his clothes. "I do," he said as his own desire became an inferno. He reached up to touch her through the fabric of her clothing, her breasts and stomach. His vision clouded as his bright blue eyes looked up into hers. A fire he hadn't seen there before glowed. He knew he would give her whatever she wanted. He could feel her need, for dominance and control of her life. And as he looked into her eyes, he could feel something change inside him. A powerful change he hadn't quite expected. Somewhere inside him, the decision had been made. "I surrender."

***

"Are you hungry, little one?" Orinth asked Elisia as he led her into the kitchen. "Just have a seat there and I'll fix you something," he continued with a smile as he pulled out a chair for her. "So tell me, where are you from, little one?"

"I am always hungry. I am from Alderaan. I am an orphan," she said with matter-of-fact ease. She liked the man. He was different from any she had met.

"Oh dear," he said solemnly as he turned around and faced Elisia. "How did you escape alive? Poor child. And...your family?" he asked hesitantly.

"I was off planet with my mother. Our ship was boarded by pirates and we were kept off planet," she said. She wasn't sure why she was telling him, there was just something about him that invoked honesty.

Orinth clicked his tongue and shook his head slowly as he set a plate of food down before Elisia and sat down next to her. "And where is your mother now? And what does she say about you travelling the galaxy with that Kace fellow?"

"I don't know. I haven't seen her in many years, maybe eleven years. I have lost track. I don't know where she is. She was sold into slavery and I escaped." Elisia's eyes misted a little. She began to devour the food in front of her.

"And this Kace took you in? Is that how it happened?" the old man asked gently. "I hope you don't mind me prying, I just...you remind me of Yelara when she was younger, that's all. I want you to feel at home here if at all possible. It's nice to have a child around the house again..."

Elisia laughed. "I am not a child. I am seventeen, almost eighteen. I only recently met Kace. I lived on the streets before I met him."

Orinth chuckled and looked at Elisia. "You're not a child, I know, but don't be so eager to grow up. Yelara grew up far too fast...we were never very close because of that." Orinth sighed almost sadly, remembering Yelara's childhood and how she always acted far older than her years. He felt lacking somehow because of it and knew it was a pleasure he would never get a chance to see in his life. Orinth cleared his throat and decided a change of subject was in order. "So tell me, are Kace and Yelara much in love?"

Elisia choked on her food. She grabbed a glass of water to try to get control of the coughing. "I - I don't know," she finally managed to choke out. Her face was a brilliant red.

"Are you okay, dear?" Orinth asked as he patted Elisia on the back and smiled. "You shouldn't eat so fast," he added with a chuckle before he sat back in his chair and sighed. "I see how he looks at her...there is definitely something there, but alas..." Orinth sighed and looked back out of the kitchen, narrowing his eyes as if he were listening for something. He turned back, looking at Elisia and smiled again. "My wife...I was just listening to see if she was calling me." Orinth looked at Elisia as he watched her eat ravenously, and stifled a laugh. "Do you enjoy travelling with Kace? He seems very serious."

"There is nothing between them," she said carefully. "They are just close friends. And yes, I enjoy traveling with Kace. I care for him very much," she said, trying to choose her words carefully.

"Ahh," Orinth said, smiling at Elisia and nodding his head slowly. He could see how her face tensed when he mentioned Yelara and Kace in the same sentence. He knew a crush when he saw one, and could also see the jealousy clearly on Elisia's face. "Well, he's not Yara's type anyway. You aren't too fond of her, are you? Don't worry, I won't be offended, even if she is my only grandchild."

"We don't like each other much," Elisia admitted. "I am afraid we didn't get off on a very good start. She is the mistress of a powerful man and now she is..." Elisia realized she was out of line. "I am sorry. What Yelara does is her business and I should not carry tales."

Orinth looked at Elisia in surprise. His Yelara, a mistress? Not exactly the same little girl he knew and raised, but she wasn't a little girl anymore and this was her life, even though he was beginning to disapprove of how she was living it. "You've nothing to be sorry about. She does what she likes...even if it pains me to watch the person she used to be slowly disappearing. She is a good person, she really is." Orinth sighed and shook his head ruefully before looking back up at Elisia and smiling. "Are you still hungry? I can get you more if you like."

"No thank you. I think I will go see what is keeping them." Elisia was concerned; they had been out there for quite awhile. Her own jealousy was barely in check.

"Very well," Orinth said with a smile as he helped Elisia out of her chair. "Are you sure you'll be alright wandering out there on your own?"

"I can take care of myself. Kace has taught me a lot about that," she said. Impulsively, she kissed him on the cheek.

Orinth laughed and pushed a strand of hair from Elisia's face. "Well, you go on then, but be careful. And if you see Yelara, tell her it's time she came home."

"I will. I know she wants to see you both. You are all she talked about on the trip. But, it is also hard to come home sometimes." She smiled and squeezed his hand then turned to go find Yelara and Kace.

***

Elisia stood in the shadows watching the two lovers in the final throes of passion. The rain drenched through her clothing. She had blocked her mind so that Kace wouldn't know she was there. Her mind drifted back to their conversation when he had confessed his love for her.

She whispered, "Do you really want to be with me and not Yelara?"

"Yes," he said. "Every day we've been together, I've loved you even more. I didn't see it before, but I do now. I do want to be with you more than anything I've ever wanted in my life."

She bit her lip to keep the sobs inside as she thought about his other words. He had said so many things that had eased her carefully constructed walls away. He was an expert at lies, she just hadn't seen it.

"But you won't make love to her again?" she asked, the naked pain in her voice. "Please? I promise, I will be nice to her. I will apologize and try to be pleasant."

He kissed her again. "I promise," he said gently. "It was nice with her, but it wouldn't be right for me to be with you, and then make love to her."

It took everything Elisia had to keep her walls up so that Kace couldn't sense her. She watched them as they separated and dressed. Her mind was racing and yet seemed numb all at the same time. Where her heart was, she felt nothing but pain. How could he make love to Yelara? They had just made love on the way here. He had stayed with her till it was almost time to enter the system and now this?

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you, too," she whispered. Her eyes opened and she stared at him in wonder. "I didn't know it could be like that. I mean, with Yelara...I thought...I thought it was almost as good but this was..." She still couldn't find words.

Kace smiled and kissed her. "You are a beautiful lover," he said. "I didn't realize it could be like that. I...that was amazing."

She pushed him sideways so she could lay beside him. She laid her head on his arm. "You realize, you are stuck with me now," she whispered up to him. Her eyes were shining with love.

Kace smiled, his eyes glowing softly. "You mean that?" he asked. "I kind of like that idea."

She kissed him again, slowly and tenderly. "I have no where in the universe I would rather be." She snuggled tightly to him.

Kace smiled and let her get as close as she possibly could "I don't care where I am in the universe as long as you're there with me." He kissed her gently and wrapped his arms around her.

Nowhere but in Yelara's arms, she thought.

Elisia managed to hold her tongue and her walls as the two headed slowly back to the house. She didn't bother to push the rain from her face for it mixed with the tears freely. Elisia stayed where she was till they were out of hearing distance. She knew that Yelara's grandfather would tell them she had gone out to look for them. She knew that Kace would guess what she had seen. She didn't care. She watched as Kace and Yelara entered the house. She ran. She ran as hard as she could for the ship. She unlocked it, hurried inside. She grabbed a few essential belongings. She, as an after thought, grabbed the credit chip he had given her for expenses if he wasn't around. He had said the money was hers.

Elisia quickly left the ship and locked it. She melted into the streets. This was where she belonged. This was where she had always been. On the streets, you knew what to expect. On the streets, you 'expected' people to lie to get you to sleep with them. Elisia's heart still pounded with pain. Tears filled her eyes as she wandered aimlessly. How could he make love to her after everything he had said? At least Dargus made no bones about what he wanted.

She realized that, once again, she had nowhere to go. She couldn't return to Tae'Karada. Kace would take Yelara back to Dargus. Or maybe he wouldn't and that would hurt too. She couldn't bare to see Dargus' mocking eyes. He would know what happened, she just knew it. Besides, she suspected as Kace had said, he just wanted to use her too. All her life, people had wanted to use her. The rain was still coming down and Elisia didn't even notice.

She worked her way across to another shipyard; it took awhile. She didn't know the city, it was late and it was raining. She found a freighter leaving and bribed the captain to let her curl up in a corner. She made sure of only one thing, it wasn't going to Tae'Karada. Once alone, Elisia curled up and cried herself to sleep.

---

"The Mission"
By: Allison Blair - Royal Messenger/Hitwoman/Spy

Location: Royal Palace - Arcadia
Date: Saris 5, 3 ABY

***

She was seated on the floor, in the centre of the room with only a dim light, which gave away a relaxing atmosphere rich in shadows. Her hands were folded in front of her, and by her side laid her double-edged lightsaber.

There was a small sound cutting the air. Usually it wouldn't be heard but since no other sound was made, one would be able to hear it, if paying attention to the surroundings. She got up and made a backflip. Immediately did she have her lighsaber and both its blades ready for defense.

A single balster shot could be heard, but it missed its goal as she deflected it with the laser blades and into where it came from. The mechanical cyborg that flew in the air and had fired was now destroyed. An attempt on her life, but not a very creative one. Rather a cliché, as a way of killing someone else off. The question was who had done so, but then again, in the lower territories, where poverty ruled there was not needed a true intent to kill someone else off. If it seemed profitable, that was reason enough.

She had what she came for, so it was time to return to the palace. She kept her things, and slid into her black leather jacket. Outside in the docking station was her personal vessel. Pressing her command, it lowered its shields and she boarded it. It took off, and about five minutes later, she docked at the palace.

She had to deliver her message to the High Prince. Alas, she felt she was not presentable to appear in front of the ruler of Tae'Karada, nor his High Princess to be. So she made a brief stop to her quarters, which were quite luxurious. She did not know why she had been taken care of since early childhood by the Royal family itself. Of course they profited some from her services but still she wondered why had they bothered... Had her father been such an important person?! Alas, she didn't trouble herself much with these questions. She had everything she needed now, and the past could not be changed anyway.

Just about three minutes later she left her private quarters, now dressed in a cream coloured long and simple dress, made out of the best silk available, with a slash up to her thigh and her hair made up nicely. She sought the High Prince and found that he was not in the palace.

She informed his counsellor that the High Prince was to be noticed that she had information he would want to receive and that she would only deliver it personally. Afterwards she went off. Surely he would call upon her when he felt he had the time, after his arrival.

---

"Corellia: Death Looming, Part 1"
By: Kace Mordin - Gray Jedi
Yelara Neerou - Foreman for the Drogen Shipyards

Location: Corellia
Date: Saris 5, 3 ABY

***

The sun had begun to shine down through the clouds, drying Yelara and Kace's drenched clothing as they walked back up the path towards her grandparents' home. Yelara glanced sideways at Kace, a lopsided grin curling the edges of her lips. She couldn't help but smile at the image of her and Kace rolling around in the mud, making love to each other while the rain poured down upon them.

Yelara laced her fingers through Kace's and rested her head against his shoulder. Just she and him, together and with no one there to stand in their way. Yelara grimaced as she remembered that there was still one person who could ruin what she and Kace were just beginning to explore together, and that was Elisia. One look into those large, pleading eyes, and Kace would succumb to guilt and push Yelara away. It would be a change - Kace rejecting her instead of she, him; maybe then, Yelara would know what it felt like, but she would still rather not gain that firsthand experience.

There were other ways of finding out, however, how much she truly meant to him. "Did you mean what you said...that you'd help me kill?" she asked, almost too casually. Any man who would kill for you most certainly had to love you, or at least that's what Yelara thought.

Kace turned slightly so he could see her. He almost laughed at the smear of mud across her forehead and one of her cheeks. "Every word," he said. "I want to be with you, Yelara; through all of this, and outside of it." Her hand felt good in his. Walking side by side with her felt right. Her long legs had no problem keeping up with him. They felt right together somehow.

They walked for another ten paces in silence before Kace turned to her again. "I love you," he said. "I know I haven't said that for a bit, but I do. But, I want you to know, I do love you. And, I do want to be with you."

Yelara smiled up at Kace and tried to keep herself from blushing profusely. "I love you too...although every time I say that to someone, they leave me or hurt me," she said with a rueful grin as she thought back to Kallia and even Dargus, although she had yet even decided if she loved Dargus or ever could.

Yelara looked up towards the house and saw her grandfather standing in the doorway, scanning the distance as if searching for something. "He's probably looking for us," Yelara said, nodding towards her grandfather.

Kace looked toward the house. "I won't leave you," he said. "Even if you push me away, or go back to Dargus, or whatever, I'm not leaving you. I'm probably going to have to tell Elisia I won't be able to train her. I don't think she'd take too kindly to me and you."

Yelara untangled her fingers from Kace's as her blood almost turned cold at the mention of Elisia. A part of her felt threatened by the young girl and it was beginning to lead to insecurities. She already knew Elisia was in love with Kace, but as of yet, she had no idea what his feelings were for the girl. "Don't tell her anything yet. Just...give it time." Time for me to figure out whether your heart truly belongs to me, she added, hoping Kace couldn't pick up the unspoken words in her mind. "We don't want to upset her, now do we?"

Kace remembered Elisia's temper and smiled. "Probably not a good idea," he said. "But I will need to tell her soon. It's not fair to her to lead her on." Like you were about to do to Yelara. He hated himself for that. He was happy he gave himself the time to sort things out, to realize where the deepest feelings lay. "Do you know where you're sleeping tonight? I mean, if you want company..." He smiled, his eyes sparkling in the fading Corellian light.

"Well, we could share a room...but Elisia would get suspicious. Besides, I don't think my grandfather would really go for that." Yelara smiled at Kace as they approached the house and caught Orinth's attention.

"There you are! Where have you been?" he called out, his voice sounding frantic as he met Kace and Yelara half way.

Yelara saw the wave of panic that swept over her grandfather's face and she immediately feared the worst. "It's not grandmother, is it?" she asked, her voice becoming desperate.

"No no no, dear. Your grandmother is fine for now. Elisia is not with you?"

"What? No, we haven't seen her since we left her with you this afternoon," Yelara answered. She turned to Kace and saw that he was beginning to look perturbed.

"Well, she left me over two hours ago. She went to look for you two and obviously she never found you. She hasn't been back here since."

"Kace?" Yelara asked gently. "Do you sense her? She could have just gotten lost...."

Kace stretched out his senses, pushing them farther than he ever had before. If she hadn't returned, he had no doubts she stumbled across his and Yelara's lovemaking. He brushed across the ship, sensing her recent trip there. She had gathered her things. And, then she'd left. He swore under his breath.

"She's running," he said. A mixture of anger and concern crossed his face. He turned to Yelara, his hand taking hers as he found her eyes. "I think it's too late to not tell her anything. I should go try to find her before she does anything like getting caught by the person Dargus has had following us. Dammit." He stepped close and pulled Yelara into his arms, not caring what her grandfather thought. "I'll be back soon, with or without her. I think she went into the city. It's been two hours, so she could be lightyears away now." He kissed her tenderly, fighting off the intense need for more that built up within him by just being near Yelara. When the kiss broke, he kept her gaze and smiled. "I love you."

"Let me come with you," Yelara pleaded quietly as she stared up at Kace. She gripped the back of his cloak so he couldn't leave - so he would never leave. "I bet with two of us, we'll have a better chance of finding her..."

"Yara," her grandfather called out sternly from behind. "Your grandmother...or have you forgotten all about her, my child?"

Yelara looked away from Kace, trying to hide the shame that swept over her face. She had, in fact, forgotten about her grandmother. She had been so absorbed with reminiscing about her past and stirring up the rage within her, that along the way, thoughts of her grandmother just got tucked away in the back of her mind. She wanted to be with Kace and never leave his side, but her duty to her family came first, even though her love for Kace was beginning to overshadow that. "I'm sorry, Kace. You'll have to do this on your own."

Kace took Yelara's hand in his. "I'll be back soon," he said. "I don't think it'll take long to look for her. She knows her way around a city. She'll be there. And, most likely looking for a way out of here. She won't stick around." He kissed her again, pulling her close to him. "I'm never leaving you," he whispered when the broke the kiss.

Yelara could almost picture her grandfather scowling and grumbling under his breath at the sight of his grandaughter embracing a man practically on his doorstep. Her grandparents were very modest and hated spectacles, which was completely the opposite of Yelara. She always liked excitement and made a presentation out of everything. That was one reason her and her grandparents never really got along, although she knew they loved her just the same.

Yelara pulled away from Kace, knowing if she didn't let go now, she'd never let him leave. "I'll see you when you come back to me," Yelara said gently as she reached out and caressed Kace's cheek with her hand. "I love you...no matter what happens."

Kace smiled. "Me too," he said. "But, I will be back soon, and I want us to be together...no matter what." He stepped away, back away from the house and Yelara. It was almost physically painful to do so. "Back soon." And, he rushed down the path toward the road. By the time he hit the street, he was sprinting off toward the city.

***

Yelara sat at the table, across from her grandfather and watched him as he stared blankly into his cup of caffa. The silence was almost unbearable to Yelara, for it only made her more tense as it allowed for thoughts of Dargus, Kallia, Kace...Elisia with her arms tenderly around Kace. She hated having time to think.

She had not yet been in to visit her grandmother, for her grandfather wouldn't allow it. She was resting and, according to Orinth, sleeping was the only time her grandmother was at ease and not feeling immense pain. Yelara was beginning to think that death would actually be a welcome blessing for the woman who had once cleansed the scrapes and bruises she would come home with as a child. Along with the blood, she would wipe away the tears. That's what Yelara remembered most about her grandmother. And it was killing her to sit there, knowing she could go at any moment.

Orinth sighed as he finally took a sip of his now tepid caffa. The sound of him swallowing cut through the silence and caused Yelara to blink rapidly as if startled. Their eyes met, her grandfather's looking tired and almost soulless. Yelara knew they had been together for more than 50 years, which still astounded her. She could barely imagine two people sharing that much of their lives together - all the experiences they built and all the laughter, as well as tears.

Yelara smiled to herself as she pictured herself and Kace, 70 years old and living in a small cottage together discussing something as trivial as what a good season it was for Csolcir mushrooms. She didn't think she could ever settle down and live such a banal life. She was too hooked on her fast-paced lifestyle with the thrill of living only for the moment, having no regrets and caring only for yourself. "Were you ever a troublemaker, Grandfather?" Yelara asked casually as she began tracing the grooves and curves of the table with her finger.

"Me?" Orinth said, finally looking up from his cup. "Oh, well I was a little bit of a delinquent in my youth, just as you were and are now, by the looks of it," he answered wearily.

"I'm quite a bit tamer than I was back then, grandfather. I guess time took care of that."

"Yes, I suppose that's true..." Orinth said distractedly as he stared back down at the liquid in his cup. "I don't trust that one," he said abruptly after a moment of silence. "That Kace fellow, he looks like trouble. And the way he hangs off you!" Orinth scoffed, almost in disgust.

"You don't know him, grandfather. Kace has had some troubles in the past, but he is a good man. He would never hurt me," Yelara insisted as she rose from her chair and paced around the kitchen.

"Hmph! People don't change, Yelara. If he was trouble in the past, he will be now. You should just forget about him and leave him where you found him."

Yelara turned to her grandfather, a scowl flashing over her face as anger began rising up within her. "And what about you, grandfather? You said yourself you used to be a delinquent, but what now? You're a simple farmer with an uneventful life. Quite the antithesis of a delinquent, don't you think?"

"I'm old, Yelara. Time has suppressed any rebellious tendencies I would have. I haven't changed; I just can't be bothered with that sort of thing anymore. You are just like your father was: always so excitable and always giving your grandmother and I a hard time," Orinth answered plainly as he drained his cup of the light brown liquid within it.

Yelara sighed and shook her head in frustration. She was beginning to remember exactly why she left in the first place. No matter what she said or did, she was never right. Everything was a struggle with her grandfather, who always insisted upon having the last word and always thought he was in the right, even when he was completely wrong. "Forget it, grandfather. I don't want to fight with you. Can I please just see grandmother?"

"She's resting and I don't want her disturbed."

"I know that's what you said, but I know her condition is dire and I want to see her...now," Yelara demanded gently. She walked back to the table and sank into her chair. She stared blankly at the ground. "I just...I can't believe she's really dying..."

"She's only just taken a turn for the worst. The doctors - they say she could go at any time. I try to just be with her as much as I can before...before that happens," Orinth answered, hanging his head solemnly. "At least you came back before she went. You don't know what a comfort your being here will be for her."

"Then let me see her," Yelara shot back curtly. "Please, grandfather."

Orinth looked up, his stern expression softening and a wry grin spreading across his lips. "Alright, child. It would be about time, but please," he added quickly as his eyes fell upon Yelara's arm, "cover up that hideous tattoo, will you?"

Yelara laughed and shook her head incredulously. "Whatever you say, gramps, whatever you say."

***

Kace Mordin pulled the old speeder into a vacant lot. He hopped out and shoved a hundred credit note under the dash. He knew its owner wouldn't appreciate the gesture as much as he should, but maybe it would make up for the kilometers Kace had forced him to walk. Besides, it would be good exercise for him. Kace just needed the transport into the city more than he did. There were far worse things he could have done than just commandeering his speeder.

Kace moved quickly toward the more populated area of town. He reached out with his senses, searching for the spaceports and launch facilities. Elisia was Masking. It would make her much more difficult to find. If she was still around to be found anyway.

The number of people on the street was remarkable. He entered the press, pushing his way toward the nearest spaceport. He could feel people moving out of his way. He smiled to himself. His broad shoulders and black cloak helped to put fear in those caught in the crowd. He imagined the mud covering his body didn't help much either.

As he rounded a corner that would lead him to his destination, he nearly ran into a kid holding a shiny metal cylinder. Kace tried to sidestep him, but the kid raised the cylinder, pointing it at his chest. Other kids seemed to appear out of nowhere. There were a dozen of them, and he could sense more. They'd been lying in wait for the first person to come along.

"You want to go in there, mister," the kid snarled, a sound that would have been much more effective had the onset of puberty not been working wonders on his voice. "You gotta pay to get there."

Kace looked down at the boy, his eyes glowing. He sensed that the tube was a crudely crafted slugthrower. "I don't have time for this," he said. "Why don't you kids move along before you get yourselves hurt."

The kid stepped forward, the muzzle of his weapon centimeters from Kace's chest. "You give us what we want, and YOU won't get hurt. You scan?"

Kace rolled his eyes. He didn't want to hurt them. They were all fairly harmless. "You don't want to do this..." He reached into the boy's mind, searching for a name. "...Weckert. You don't know who you're dealing with."

The boy's eyes widened as Kace used his name, a name none of his friends knew. Then his eyes narrowed. "You're a slab, mister. Gonna lay you out and gut you."

Kace's hand moved faster than any of the gang's eyes could follow. He wrenched the weapon from Weckert's hand and pulled it away. A rumbling blast behind him caught his attention. He turned and looked up as a transport blasted free of the spaceport. Elisia?

He turned back to the gang. He waved a hand, encompassing them all, "Go home."

Confused expressions descended on each and every one of them. They slowly nodded, and then began shuffling away.

Kace unloaded the weapon and tossed it away. He glanced up the street at the spaceport. Damn, he thought. He broke into a run. He knew they wouldn't know anything, but he could at least ask.

The man behind the reception counter of the spaceport looked thoroughly bored when Kace approached him.

"I'm looking for a young girl who may have been loitering around here. Perhaps you've seen her?"

The man looked up, scratched the small balding spot on top of his head. "Hard to say, friend," he said. "We get lots of people through here. Maybe she was here, maybe not. You never can tell."

Kace leaned forward, his eyes glowing a much colder blue. He reached into the man's mind and placed an image of Elisia there. "Have you seen her, friend?"

The man's face drained of color as he stared into Kace's eyes. "I-I-I don't rem-remember her, sir," he stammered. "A-And, I think I woulda, her. She wasn't h-h-here."

Kace smiled. "You're certain?"

The man nodded vigorously. "Absolutely, sir."

Kace could feel the truth the man told. He hadn't seen Elisia. But, it could have been that Elisia hadn't wanted to be seen. "Thank you," he said, and slid a hundred credit note across to the man. "I appreciate it."

He moved away. Damn, he thought again.

***

Yelara slowly crept towards her grandparents' bedroom, where her grandmother had been sleeping soundly for hours. Every floorboard creaked in precisely the same spot, and every piece of furniture in the hallway sat where it had when she was a teenager. She smiled as the nostalgia came rushing back to her upon seeing the carving she had made in the wall next to her grandparents' room. Yelara stopped, kneeling down and ran her finger along the monogram of her name carved adeptly into the wall.

"I can't believe it's still here," she whispered under her breath as she recalled the day she'd made the carving. Her grandmother had a fit when she saw her gouging out pieces of her wall with a pocketknife, but Yelara persevered and succeeded in leaving her mark. She remembered the immense pride she felt in knowing that her initials would forever be imprinted on that wall for posterity. She also felt the numbing pain in her backside, that day, after her grandfather found out what she'd done and spanked her.

Her grandfather wasn't a violent man, and the spanking didn't hurt that much, but he had always intimidated her as a child. It may have been the reason she rebelled and ran off; she hated others having a hold over her and felt belittled by it. In fact, the only other person who had ever made her feel that way was Dargus Kandran. He tried to beat her down, sway her with words and demean her until she was so weak, she would finally give into him. Despite all that, a part of her still believed his professions of love were still genuine and it was that same part of her that was beginning to feel the same way about him. She hated that part of herself, yet it existed and she knew she could not deny it or shut it away. It would have been so simple to just give herself to Dargus had it not been for Kallia and now, Kace. Admitting to Dargus that she loved him would end the war going on within her, and not to mention her relationship with the other two people she loved more than anything. Battling onself was was so emotionally tiring, and Yelara knew that firsthand.

As her thoughts drifted, Yelara's mind was pulled back to reality by the sound of gentle moans coming from her grandmother's bedroom. She rose slowly. Her body was suddenly wracked with anxiety and shook uncontrollably. She never used to mind confrontation, but she was about to reunite with the woman who had loved and cared for her for years, and whom she ran out on without even a goodbye. She wanted to reconcile with her, but she was afraid it wouldn't seem as genuine and heartfelt to her grandmother if she was begging for forgiveness while at her deathbed.

Yelara closed her eyes and gathered her composure while gripping the doorframe tightly. She took a few deep, cleansing breaths before she opened her eyes and forced a smile. Yelara slowly walked into the room and hesitantly called out, "Grandmother?"

***

Kace moved as fast as he could toward the next starport. He'd been to three others with no luck. People on the street hurried to get out of his way as he passed. He'd nearly knocked over a thug who hadn't gotten out of the way quite fast enough. As he turned the last corner that would take him to the starport, he could still hear the man cursing and screaming three blocks away.

The doors automatically parted as Kace approached. He strode toward the back where Elisia would most likely have gone. He found a man grumbling as he cleaned up a chair that had been broken into pieces and covered in a thick layer of a substance Kace couldn't identify.

"Excuse me," he said.

"No ships off for another six hours," the man said without looking up.

"I'm not looking for a ship off. I'm looking for a person."

The man glanced up, looked Kace over, then returned to his cleaning. "You found one. You can go collect your prize now."

Kace couldn't help smiling. He had a difficult time determining whether it was a smile of amusement, or the desire to rip another man's throat out. He decided to go with amusement for the time being. "I am looking for a specific person," he said. "And, I recommend you cooperate with me before I'm forced to do something you won't like."

The man looked up, an annoyed look starting to cross his face. He opened his mouth to say something, but something about the glowing in Kace's eyes stopped the sound in his throat.

"Good," Kace said with a half smile, "you can be a reasonable person. I'm looking for a girl who might have been around here. It is very important that I find her. I need to know if you've seen her." He reached into the man's mind and formed the image of Elisia within his consciousness. "Have you seen her?"

The man nodded slowly. "I saw her. She was hanging around one of the bays." He pointed down one of the ramps heading to where freight haulers and similar type ships were berthed. "That way."

Kace nodded thanks, and was off at a sprint.

---

"Corellia: Death Looming, Part 2"
By: Kace Mordin - Gray Jedi
Yelara Neerou - Foreman, Drogen Shipyards

Location: Corellia
Date: Saris 5, 3 ABY

***

"Yelara?" the old woman called back in a tired, weak voice. All Yelara could do was smile and nod her head as she stood in the doorway. "My goodness child, what have you done to your hair? Well, don't just stand there like a frightened child.. Come in, come in!" her grandmother chided as she tried to sit herself up on the bed.

"Here, let me help you," Yelara said, finally, as she rushed over to her grandmother and helped her sit up.

"Oh, don't fuss over me, child," the old woman replied as she playfully slapped Yelara's hands away. "I may not be able to do very much nowadays, but I can still sit up on my own."

"Sorry, grandmother," Yelara said, moving away from her grandmother and watching her struggle. Her grandmother was a very proud woman and very self-sufficient. Yelara smiled as she realized precisely where she had gotten her stubborness and independence from, and regretted not telling her grandmother how grateful she was for instilling those same qualites in her. She had time to do so now, but Yelara had no idea how to begin, or where, even. "How are you feeling? Are you still in pain?" she asked, taking a seat in the chair resting by the bed.

"The pain comes and goes, but for now, I'm fine," she answered with a deep sigh as she finally found a comfortable position. "And what about your hair?" she asked, cocking an eyebrow at Yelara as she studied her now short hair.

Yelara tugged gently at the short wisps of hair hanging down her neck, and smiled. "It was always getting into my eyes, so I cut it."

"But you had such beautiful curls, Yara..." her grandmother began with her voice rising as if to scold Yelara, but her tone dropped and she smiled gently. "Well, you still look very pretty and I think it gives you an air of maturity. Yes, I think I like it very much."

"Thank you, grandmother," Yelara answered, sighing in relief.

"Dear girl, where have you been for so long? You never contacted us to even let us know you were still alive! I didn't realize you were in such a rush to leave us," the old woman said. Her voice almost sounded hurt and disappointed, but maybe Yelara's guilty conscience was making it sound that way to her.

She hung her head, not able to look into her grandmother's eyes. She knew her leaving had hurt her grandmother the most, but looking into her sad eyes now, Yelara realized just how much damage she'd really caused. "I had to leave, grandmother, but not because of you or grandfather, but...I dunno. I think I just needed room to grow - room, I'm afraid, I couldn't find on Corellia."

"So, you left without even a goodbye, leaving your grandfather and I worried sick wondering about you?" Her grandmother sighed and closed her eyes as she regained her composure. Yelara smiled again as she recognized, in her grandmother, the same temperamentality she saw in herself. "And now you laugh at me?" her grandmother said as she opened her eyes.

"No, grandmother. I was just thinking about something, that's all," Yelara answered, the trace of a smile still on her face. "And I'm sorry I worried you two so. I planned on telling you I was leaving, but I was afraid that if I saw the hurt looks on your faces, I'd never have been able to leave. I should have contacted you, I know that now, but if I had, I probably would have come running back."

"And would that have been so bad?" her grandmother asked sternly. She then relaxed her features and smiled. "Well, I suppose it was only a matter of time before you struck out on your own. At least you're back now and that's all that matters..." Her grandmother's words were cut off by a fit of coughing. Her body heaved violently and her breathing became laboured. Yelara moved to her grandmother's side and held the glass of water that had been on the night table, to her grandmother's mouth.

"Drink this," Yelara said above the coughs as she poured the water into the old woman's mouth. Yelara gasped quietly as the clear liquid became stained red. She pulled the glass away as her grandmother's coughing eased, and helped her lay back down upon the bed. She wiped the blood from her lip and forced a smile so her grandmother couldn't see the concern Yelara was definitely feeling.

She pushed away the loose strands of silver hair that had fallen into her grandmother's face during her coughing fit. She continued to sit on the bed, cradling the old woman in her arms and rocking her gentle as she struggled to catch her breath. "I...remember doing this to you...many times before," her grandmother said in a hoarse, breathless voice.

"Really?" Yelara asked quietly. "When I was a baby?"

"No," she answered, her breathing becoming slower and easier. "Don't you remember? It was the year your parents...when they passed on. You woke up everynight - well the nights when you actually could sleep - screaming and crying." Her grandmother took a deep breath before continuing. "I would rush into your room, wipe the sweat from your brow and the tears from your eyes, then I'd just sit with you, rocking you and singing to you until you fell asleep again."

"I don't remember that," Yelara admitted. She furrowed her brow as she tried to think back and capture even the faintest memory of what her grandmother spoke of, but she remembered nothing. "The only thing I really remember of that period is the day it happened and bits and pieces here and there...but I don't ever want to forget what I can still remember. I can't afford to forget; it's all I've got left of them. It just seems that everything before and after that day was pushed out of my mind and just doesn't seem to matter. I'm focused on that single image of my parents' lifeless bodies slumping over onto the ground." Yelara almost shuddered as the vivid memory of that day flashed before her eyes. She clung tighter to her grandmother, rocking her almost desperately now as she tried to calm her, as well as push the memories away.

"Yelara, dear, you cannot let that day set the tone for the rest of your life. I see the rage in your eyes, the lust for revenge. I too felt those same things. I lost my son that day," the old woman said. Her voice began breaking up and her tired eyes glistened with the freshly forming tears in them. "But, despite how much I have lost, I am always consoled in the knowledge that through it all, I gained, in you, a daughter I never had." Yelara's grandmother placed her hand on Yelara's cheek and brought her head down to rest upon her chest. She began stroking Yelara's hair and this time, began rocking her.

"I'm sorry grandmother," Yelara began, forcing back the tears and embracing the old woman. "I'm sorry for leaving you. I'm sorry for not being a daughter you could have been proud of. I'm sorry...I'm sorry you're dying and we'll never get the chance to share moments like this together again. I'm sorry...I'm sorry..." Yelara's voice trailed off as the sadness and regret finally consumed her and the tears began to fall.

"You never have to be sorry with me, dear. I love you and have loved you even when you were difficult and unruly. In fact, it was then, that I loved you even more, for it was then that I saw myself in you. Those must have been the proudest moments of my life," she said, laughing gently as she continued rocking Yelara. "Sleep now, my dear. Sleep and remember happier times...like now. Remember this moment always and smile just as I am now."

"I will remember...I promise you that. I love you, Grandmother," Yelara whispered as she closed her eyes. She lay beside her grandmother and let herself get rocked gently to sleep. She felt, for the first time in a long time, as if she had finally returned home.

***

Kace pushed through a pair of maintenance droids blocking the corridor. The two mechanicals scattered to either side, rebounding off of the walls, and clattering to the floor in whirring and clicking heaps. The grey Jedi never slowed. He rushed forward, willing his legs to carry him faster. The door opened before him, slowly. He twisted to the side to get through without slowing.

His senses were at their peak, reaching toward the ships in the bay. Enhanced senses not linked to any of his normal senses brushed over the starships. He pushed himself to the limit, straining against his own abilities. A glimmer of something struck him. He turned toward the starship. Contact. Elisia was aboard it. He rushed forward as the thrusters fired.

Kace's heart leapt as the ship's repulsordrive lifted it toward the sky. He sped himself faster, racing to get near enough to do something to stop the ship. He screamed out in frustration, but the roar of the ship's drives drowned out the sound.

It was clearing the first marker before it was free of the bay.

The landing struts started retracting.

One shot, Kace thought. He coiled like a spring, all energy building into a focused burst.

He jumped.

The ground dropped away as Kace Mordin reached toward the sky, toward the retreating starship. Hands outstretched, he lunged.

Thrusters fired and the ship lurched upwards. And, it was gone.

As the ground came back to meet him, Kace cried out a curse that would have made the Emperor blush. He hit the ground and rolled, his leap taking him clear of the launch facility.

He looked up into the sky as he stood, watching the spot where Elisia had been. She was gone now. He figured he would not see her again. And, after what she'd seen, he had no doubts she would never want to see him again. He straightened his cloak, and regained his bearings.

As he began moving back toward Yelara's grandparents', despite his failure, he didn't feel bad. It was as if a burden had been removed. He knew he could be with Yelara now, and not worry about the pain his decision would cause Elisia. His mood soured slightly when he realized he would still have to share her with Dargus. And, the way things seemed to work, he would get the lesser share.

He quickened his pace, hoping to get back to Yelara quickly. He needed to be with her now, now more than ever.

***

Yelara slept, a sleep that came easily to her and one that didn't bring with it the horrible nightmares she was accustomed to. She lay, nestled by her grandmother's side and resting more soundly than she had in years - even more soundly than after an exhausting night of love making. Yelara could feel herself returning to consciousness, but she tried to cling to the dwindling moments of reverie that still lingered in her mind, as well as the only peace she might ever experience again in all her life.

Yelara moaned quietly as her eyes began to flicker open and the last remaining light of day shone through the window. The beams found their way to Yelara's sensitive eyes and she instinctively shielded them with her hand. She groaned as she felt sleep slipping away from her, the moments of tranquility and quiescent peace that came with it, slipping away just as quickly.

Yelara finally opened her eyes, allowing them to adjust to the light before she turned to look at her grandmother, lying peacefully asleep beside her. Yelara smiled and let her eyes remain upon her grandmother for a long while. She wanted to cherish every last moment she had with the woman she would now accept as a mother, and wanted to remember her just as she was while she slept. Her lips were curled into a gentle smile and the distressed features of her face, caused by the pain riddling her body, were now smoothed out and she looked...almost beautiful.

Yelara smiled as she gently stroked her grandmother's fine, silvery hair, revelling in one of the last moments they might share together. She slowly reached her face up towards her grandmother's and planted a light kiss upon her cheek. "Sleep well, grandmother," she whispered before slipping carefully out of bed and creeping towards the door.

As she reached the doorway, she opened the door and turned back one last time. She didn't know why she had waited this long to come back home, but was glad she had when she did.

If she had been too late to see her grandmother one final time, she would never have forgiven herself and would have taken her grief out on everyone around her, even Kace. Right now, she loved him too much to put him through that. Now, however, that wouldn't happen. She felt as if her chest was no longer being weighed down by all the things she wanted to tell her grandmother. They had shared more with eachother in the few hours they had just spent together than they had in the 12 years Yelara lived with them.

Looking into her grandmother's eyes, she saw in their reflection, herself. She began to understand where she had picked up her stubborness, her sarcasm, her beauty, and her strength of spirit. Yelara felt a wrenching pain tugging at her heart as she realized the woman who had given her such gifts was withering away quickly and would not be long for this world. She felt somewhat consoled, however, in knowing that at least she had been able to capture a few moments of the time her grandmother had remaining, and those few moments as friends were worth more than the twelve years they had spent living together as strangers.

Yelara took one last glimpse of her grandmother, burning her image into her memory. As she began leaving the room, Yelara couldn't help but feel that this was a goodbye, that this moment was the last one she would spend with her grandmother. She could smell the death looming in the air and it was approaching quickly. Yelara shuddered as she closed the door behind her, leaving with it the one person who understood her more than she would ever understand herself. She knew the girl Yelara used to be, the happy one with the ever-present smile on her face and the bouncy, black curls. Her grandmother brought that girl out of her again as only she could do. If her grandmother left, there would be no one remaining to remind her of who she used to be and no way for her to coax that little girl out of herself again.

Yelara stood in the hallway, staring at her initials carved into the wall. When her grandmother died, she would have no choice but to leave again, leave the person she was behind again and return to the existence from which she gained nothing but heartache. Yelara slid to the ground as her legs gave out beneath her. She kneeled down upon the floor with her arms wrapped tightly around her as she wept bitter tears. There was no escape from the life she was leading now and although she had sought that life to shelter her from the torment of the past, the only thing she had done was condemn herself to a new kind of pain and suffering, one she feared there would be no escape from.

***

Yelara solemnly walked out of the small cottage, the tears finally drying. She needed to go outside for some fresh air, as well as to get her out of having to talk with her grandfather. He was a meddling old fool who always annoyed her with advice she didn't want, even though he did make sense from time to time.

Yelara watched as the sun began to disappear beyond the horizon, but her attention was drawn away from it as a long shadow appeared over the hill. "Kace!" Yelara called out as the figure of the man she loved finally came into view. She ran towards him and let herself seek shelter in his arms. She embraced him desperately before looking up into his eyes, seeing instantly the disappointment in them. "You didn't find her," she said gently.

Kace shook his head. "I almost had her," he said after a moment. "She'd hired a transport I guess, or stowed away. But, she's gone."

Yelara tried to sympathize with what Kace was feeling, but a part of her was relieved that Elisia was out of the way. The tension between them had been building since the day they met and even though they had made a pact not to fight, it would only have been a matter of time before one of them snapped and the walls fell, with Kace caught in the middle. Yelara held Kace tighter, rubbing his back soothingly. "I'm sorry, Kace, but we can find her. It shouldn't be hard to track the ship..."

"She and I got close on the way here," he said. He had to tell Yelara about Elisia. He had to tell her what happened, but he'd been wrong about his feelings for Elisia. "We were close before, but not intimately. I know I love her, but I know I don't love her in that way. I know that now. I don't know what I was thinking. I thought it was more, but it wasn't. I know I want to be with you. I've known it all along. I love you, Yelara." He was rambling. He knew he was rambling, but he had to tell her. It'd been tearing him up inside, and he needed to come clean.

Yelara pulled away from Kace, looking up at him curiously. She knew he was trying to say more than he managed to with his almost incoherent ramblings. She ran her hand across his cheek and tried to calm him so she could make some sense out of what he was saying. "Kace, what are you talking about? What do you mean you and she got close? Of course you would. You were her teacher, her friend, and it is only natural that you would grow to love her as such."

Kace looked away. "We got closer than that," he said. "We had sex, she and I. I don't know what I was thinking. I do love her, but I realize it's not like that. It's not how I feel with you. I didn't know what I was doing. I was confused, and...and things happened." He didn't want to face her. He didn't want to look into her eyes. "That's over now. I know I want to be with you. That's why I was saying earlier that I didn't think I could train her anymore. But, I love you and I want to be with you." He turned to her then, fearing what he would see, but needing to face it.

Yelara could feel her blood turning cold and her skin rebelling at Kace's touch. She let her arms fall to her sides as she released the once warm embrace she had him in. Her mind was reeling as she repeated in her mind the words that had hit her the hardest. He had had sex with Elisia. It was the biggest betrayal she had ever been faced with, and it hurt far more knowing that it had come from a man she thought she loved.

Yelara stepped away from Kace slowly and paced in front of him as she let the anger within her build. She wanted to lash out at him. She wanted to hurt him. She stopped moving and stared at the ground before her. When she spoke, her voice was quiet and eerily calm. "Did you lie to her too about being a virgin just to gain her confidence? Is that how you persuaded her to sleep with you?" Yelara turned to Kace, her gaze cold and hard as she walked slowly towards him.

Kace quickly sealed off his emotions. He knew to feel the pain Yelara's words would inflict would be too much for him. "It wasn't like that," he said. "It wasn't like that at all."

"I bet you enjoyed yourself, didn't you? I mean, what was it? Did you take her, then come to my bed or was it the other way around? Did you whisper sweet-nothings in her ear like you did mine?" Yelara laughed as she approached Kace with a feral smile on her face. She understood now. She understood that it was all an act, the way he pretended to be the shy, bashful lover so she wouldn't suspect he was screwing his own student.

Kace looked away. He could feel his defenses crumbling. Her anger was worse than anything he'd ever faced at the feet of the emperor. "After you," he said slowly. "It didn't happen until after you." He took a breath and let it out. "I was confused, alright? I've never done any of this before. I didn't know what I was doing."

Yelara was angrier at herself for being so blind to his deception than she was at him for lying to her. She wouldn't let him get away with it, though, not while she had the ability to make him pay. "I was wrong about you, Kace. I thought you were the one, the one who could save me from Dargus and from that life. I thought you were my saviour, meanwhile you are nothing but a slut! You think you're nothing like Dargus? Well guess what? You are Dargus."

Kace's eyes narrowed. "If I am Dargus, then why does it bother you so much that I've been with someone else?" he asked, trying to keep the anger from his voice. "Hell, if I were Dargus, it wouldn't bother me. If I were Dargus, it wouldn't hurt the way it does. But it does." He kept his gaze on her, and his voice level. It took all of his strength to do so. "I didn't know what I was doing, Yelara. I was confused. I loved you both, and I thought since you would be with Dargus when we got back I could be with Elisia. But after, I realized I loved you too much to ever be able to be with someone else."

Yelara laughed incredulously as she listened to Kace's lies. He was trying to worm his way out of blame and trying to lessen the anger she was directing at him. She wanted to be angry and wanted to take it out on him. She was in the mood for a fight and Kace would bear the brunt of that. "No, you are right, Kace. You and Dargus are nothing alike. At least Dargus admits to being unfaithful to his women and doesn't lie about loving them either."

Kace's jaw flexed as he deflected the anger building inside him. Yelara wouldn't want to see him upset. No one wanted to see him upset. He closed his eyes, focused himself, and opened them again. When his eyes found Yelara's, there was a coldness in them that hadn't been there for a few years. "What do you want from me? Nothing I say will make a difference, I can see that. What do I need to do to prove myself to you? To prove that I love you, and only want you? Do you want me to act like Dargus? Do you want me to leave? Tell me what you want me to do, and I'll do it."

"Do you think I enjoy the way Dargus treats me?" Yelara asked as she stood face to face with Kace, narrowing her eyes at him and clenching her fists. She would have loved to have hit him right at that moment, but she wanted to hurt him with her spiteful words first, then she would think about pummeling him with her fists. "Yes, Kace, I enjoy it immensely when a man screws me, then turns around and screws another woman. It makes me feel so worthy and utterly loved," she said sarcastically as she drew nearer to Kace. "I mean, you've no need to further prove your love for me. What better way is there to show someone you care by turning around and sticking your tool into a child?"

Yelara finally stopped inches away from Kace's face as she breathed in sharply. "You son of a bitch, Kace!" she shrieked as she sent the back of her hand across his cheek. "I trusted you! I shared things with you I have never shared with anyone and you betrayed me! Did you tell her she was the only one as well? Did you make her feel as special as you once made me feel?" Yelara slapped Kace one more time, then stood silent, regaining her composure and glaring at him. "You hurt me, Kace."

Kace didn't raise his hand to his cheek. He could feel it burning, could almost see the red glow from where she'd struck him. "I know," he said slowly. "I never meant to. I hope you'll at least believe that much. I'm sorry."

Yelara turned away from Kace, realizing she couldn't bear to look into his eyes any longer. She saw in them the same darkness and emptiness she had seen in Kallia's the day she drove her away. It was then that she realized she was doing the same to Kace. She was going to lose him, but she couldn't stop herself. She was embarrassed and hurt and had no idea how to cope with that, except to insult and attack him. "I need you, Kace, especially now, but..." Yelara paused, swallowing back tears she didn't want Kace to see fall from her eyes, tears that would betray any sign of weakness to him. "I don't think I could ever be with you again, knowing you slept with...her and kept it from me. Nothing you can say right now can make up for that. You've...you've let me down, Kace."

Her words were like a knife through his heart. The pain that ripped through him was far worse than anything he'd felt when he'd been stabbed on the flight deck of the shipyards. "I understand," he said. He looked around and then back to Yelara. She still had her back to him. He shook his head, trying to fight back the anger building. "Maybe I should just go."

Yelara shivered as she felt the frigid, monotone of Kace's voice hit her. He may have hurt her, but she was beginning to realize he was hurting just as much. She had been in situations like this far too many times and the routine was beginning to get old. She didn't want Kace to go, even though he wasn't her favourite person at the moment. If he stayed, she didn't know what would happen between them, or if they could heal from the wounds the ordeal had caused. Yelara turned around slowly, finally having the courage to look into Kace's eyes again. "Kace, I want you to just--"

"Yelara!" a cry from within the cottage came, cutting short Yelara's proclamation. Yelara turned back quickly towards the cottage, her face turning white and her heart sinking into her stomach. It was her grandfather and she knew he wasn't calling her to come in for supper. His cry sounded desperate and grave, his voice choked with tears. Yelara stumbled as she began running towards the cottage, hoping her worst fears had not become reality.

As she burst through the doorway, she saw her grandfather kneeling on the ground and cradling himself. Yelara gasped as their eyes met, his full of salty tears and acknowledging immediately what Yelara had suspected. "She's...she's gone," he said shakily before he was overcome with grief and sank completely to the floor, crying. Yelara dropped to her knees and wrapped her grandfather tightly in her arms as she cradled him.

She wanted to weep with him, share the pain he was feeling, but she was too exhausted to feel anything anymore. Everytime she opened her heart, it got trampled on. No, she would save the tears for later, but for now she would let her grandfather do the crying for both of them.

***

Kace watched as Yelara rushed back inside at the sound of her grandfather's voice. As soon as she was gone, his defenses collapsed and he found himself on his knees. He wanted to cry out in anguish. He wanted to destroy something.

Like your own life, a voice inside asked. You've already done that marvelously. Probably couldn't do better if you tried.

With effort, he pushed himself to his feet and staggered down toward the road. His vision was shaded blue as his eyes glowed with his grief. How could trying to be honest turn so wrong? How could he have destroyed the most wonderful thing to ever enter his life? He'd lost her to Dargus forever, he knew. His fury froze inside him, ice ran through his veins. The air around him chilled as he moved.

Ahead of him, a pair of men clad in solid white looked up from the speeder bikes they sat upon. One motioned to the other and they dismounted. They approached Kace cautiously.

"We need to see your identification," the superior of the two said. They both kept their hands near their blasters.

Kace looked up, his cold gaze taking them in. Their blood ran cold. One raised his weapon as the other started to signal for help. It was too late for both.

Beneath his cloak, Kace's hands gripped the twin hilts of his lightsabers. The blades ignited in crimson shafts that slashed through the darkening air with the fury of the Sith. Severed bodies dropped to the ground. Twin blades went dark and disappeared below ebony cloak, and Kace stepped over the pair of corpses. He moved back toward his ship, leaving the bodies where they lay, a layer of frost covering each.

---