"Plea For Help, Part 1"
By: Oot Kovan [NPC+]
Keeve Shivral [NPC+]
Kambra Gant [NPC+]

Location: The Royal Palace, Arcadia
Date: Lythe 7, 4 ABY

***

The black-clad clone marched with steady, even strides towards the throne. The pink-skinned Twi'Lek was elegant in her golden, filmy gown - she appeared suited to ensconcing in a High Prince's gilded chair. Around her, advisors went through the day's agenda in order, took notes when she raised a suggestion or comment, then resumed. Beside her, as always, was the loyal Gungan, her protector. Even the clones, genetically engineered soldiers who thought themselves infallible and superior to all others in the art of fighting, felt a sense of respect for the disfigured Gungan, who had out-shot a number of them at the firing range.

As the soldier stopped before the dais, he bowed at the Twi'lek, but pivoted his body slightly to the right, delivering the gesture as well to the Gungan known as Kambra Gant. The clone straightened up again and stood at attention for his liege's prompt.

"Thank you," Oot Kovan said, with a nod to the advisors who had just delivered a report, then turned her attention fully to the clone. She gestured for him to proceed. "Speak, my young friend."

"Empress Regent," he spoke in greeting. "You have a visitor, a Mr. Keeve Shivral. He has stated that you are acquainted with him."

Oot smiled. "I am acquainted with him," she said. "Bring him in, please. And, see to his needs, beverage or food."

The clone again bowed, then turn sharply on his heel and strode back through the grand hall to the guest waiting outside.

"Yousa need anything from me?" Kambra asked, stepping forward.

"Only to stay close and make certain everything is safe. However, I don't believe we have anything to fear from Keeve."

Kambra nodded sagely. "Yousa know what he is here for?"

Oot was silent for a moment, then shook her head. "No, I don't. Though, I have a feeling that it's something bad if Keeve is coming to us. He's always been very independent."

Kambra nodded again. "Mesa be extra watchful."

A smile spread over Oot's lips. "Good, my friend."

At the end of the hall, the door opened, and Oot and Kambra dropped to silence.

A harried, fatigued Keeve Shivral was escorted in by the soldier. There was a noticeable spark of hope in his eyes as they fell upon Oot, and his pace hastened. The clone extended his arm to hold Keeve back, and although he scowled at the soldier, he obeyed. His mission was too important to get killed over a show of bravado. The two stopped at the foot of the stepped dais, and at the soldier's bidding, Keeve performed a curt, impatient bow.

"Ms. Kovan," he began, but was cut short by the clone's order for silence. "She has not addressed you yet."

"No, no," Oot said. "It's alright. Go ahead and leave us everyone." Then she was silent as she waited for the advisors, hangers-on, and clones to leave. Then, she turned her attention to Keeve, a look of concern crossing over her face. "What brings you to see me, Keeve, my dear?"

He sighed, finally taking a breath after what seemed a long, arduous journey. He couldn't remember if he had slept at all during the four day flight from Agarra. His mouth opened to speak, but he stopped himself as his eyes strayed warily to his surroundings, then regarded her skeptically. "This room is secured?"

"It is, but let's go somewhere even more secure. This way." She motioned for him to follow, and then led the way through one of the doors to the side of the chamber. Once they were inside, she pressed a button on the wall, and nodded. "There, now it is secure."

Keeve nodded. Sighing heavily, he leaned his back against the wall and raked both hands through his unkempt hair. "There's been some trouble," he began distractedly. "I told Maeren I'd fix things...but I don't know anyone." His tired eyes, circled in black, gazed up at Oot. "Except you. I need your help - you don't have to give it, but I do need it."

Oot stepped forward and nodded. "Anything you need," she said, "is yours. I'll help in every way I can, Keeve."

"Good," he replied, attempting an appreciative smile. "I've come in search of some people - Zale Tregat and Merrick Braston. They're missing and I know who has them. Trouble is," he added, "I don't know where their captors are."

Oot nodded. "What information can you give me of their captors?" she asked. "Finding people is a specialty of mine...well, one of them, anyway." She placed a hand on his shoulder and indicated a chair. "You look exhausted. Sit, and I'll help relieve some of the tension in your shoulders, while you tell me everything you know of them."

Keeve searched her eyes, level with his, and noted either innocent concern, or lust in them, but either way, he was too weak to argue and took the offered seat. He sighed the instant his aching muscles were relaxed, and nearly melted into the chair's plush cushions. His eyes yearned to flutter closed. "Their names are Qual and Neron Tregat," he began. "Take a guess at who they're related to."

"Zale Tregat would be my guess, and I'm certain I'd be correct." She let her hands work over his muscles, expertly removing the tension from them. "I'll have Kambra begin searching for references to them at once. You're welcome to stay here in the palace while you're on Tae'Karada. I'll have a bed prepared for you."

Keeve murmured a thank-you and allowed his eyes to finally close. Her soothing touch infused him with a warm tingle that seemed to massage his body from the inside, out...and caused him to experience a sensation akin to sexual pleasure. He was too lethargic to seek out his well-honed discipline and prevent the lump that formed in his pants. "There's a holodisc in my front pocket," he muttered. "Something you should see on that."

Oot reached forward and retrieved the disc from his pants pocket, allowing her hand to linger longer in the process than it probably should have, though she found no disc. She smiled at the predicament bulging the front of his pants, and allowed her hand to brush against him as she pulled it away, before searching his jacket pocket to finally find the disc. "I'll give this a look after you're nice and relaxed," she purred.

Keeve nodded listlessly, then sighed as he dropped his head back onto the soft chair back. He absently rubbed a hand against his groin, the pleasurable throbbing now becoming a dull ache. "You don't have to watch too much of it to get the idea," he added sluggishly. "Nearly killed Kaysa... Almost had the baby too soon."

"I can imagine," Oot whispered. She reached down and added her hand to his, gently caressing him. "I will watch it later."

Keeve moaned quietly and removed his hand to allow Oot's greater access. His fatigue-numbed mind had no awareness of who was fondling him, and even less that he was being fondled. He did know, for certain, that it felt good enough. Keeve sat limply in the chair, head lolling against the back and hips moving subtlely with Oot's motions. He murmured a request that she loosen his pants, that they were becoming too tight, then reverted to moans again.

Oot granted Keeve's request and opened his pants. She smiled to herself as she took him in her hand and produced a delicious moan from him. With one hand massaging his chest, the other went to work on his erection. She moved around to in front of him and lowered herself before him. As his moaning continued, she took him into her mouth.

Keeve's hands closed around the armrests and he emitted a guttural cry that finally transformed to a moan. Warm lips soothed his ache and kneaded it into overwhelming arousal. He murmured Shiv's name, and rocked his hips in time with her mouth's rhythm.

"I needed this," he breathed. "Such a long ride..." Keeve groaned, a deep sound that echoed off the chamber walls. His mind conjured images of his golden-haired nymph catering to his desires with her lovely, rosy lips. One hand slid off the armrest and pushed through Shiv's silken hair. He frowned, then, as his fingers smoothed over bare flesh. They moved further, exploring the hairless surface. "Maeren?" he whispered thickly and finally cracked open his eyes. He blinked rapidly to clear the haze. Keeve followed his hand to the bobbing figure, that soon came into focus and had him flinching. His mind snapped into focus. "Ms. Kovan," he rasped. An ensuing moan betrayed the pleasure he was still experiencing, despite the knowledge that it wasn't his wife kneeling before him.

Oot looked up at him and tilted her had to the side. She pulled her mouth away from him long enough to ask: "Would you like me to stop, Keeve, or should I continue?"

He swallowed hard, and pushed back against the chair as far as he could go, but Oot's face still lingered close to his lap. "I thought- - I didn't realize it was you. I just came for help, that's all."

"This is help, after a fashion, isn't it?" she asked with a smile. "Do you wish me to stop, or shall I continue to relieve your tension, my dear."

Keeve's mind was heavy with arousal, and he shifted restlessly as the uncomfortable ache returned. "You're the regent," he managed. His hips pushed forward of their own volition, and his organ brushed against Oot's chin, seeking her lips. She wasn't his wife, but she could bring him relief. Though, if he closed his eyes, he could always picture Maeren in her place.... Keeve did just that, and nodded unsteadily, impatiently. "Just this once," he said quickly. "Just once."

She gave him a seductive smile, and then accepted him into her mouth once more. She was talented, for certain, and she had him moaning with pleasure very quickly. She knew where his mind was, and that was fine. She only hoped that he enjoyed, and remembered.

***

There was no sleep to be had that night, especially after the greeting Oot had given him. He was still tingling from the thrill, and his body refused to remain motionless. Keeve growled in frustration of a sexual kind and launched himself from the bed, the covers dropping to the ground. Despite his discomfort, there was no time for rest. Qual and Neron were still at large, keeping him from Kallia, Shiv, and his mother. It was difficult to admit, but he did miss Kaysa.

Still barefoot, but having enough sense to toss on a shirt with Oot lurking about, Keeve left behind his grand bedroom, and wandered through the hallways. The palace was large enough that even its normal residents could get lost in its maze of corridors and passages. Keeve, himself, was lost within ten minutes. He noticed a drop in temperature when he entered a side passage, and in the distance heard a whistling breeze. Following it, Keeve stumbled upon an open courtyard, one overlooking the tall cliffs overlooking the Tarkayze Sea.

The blades of grass tickled his bare soles, and there was a noticeable absence of a floral aroma one would expect in a garden. On Agarra, it was summer all year round, and it was a moment before he remembered it was now fall on Tae'Karada. He smiled to himself as he approached a bench near the retaining wall. By spring, he hoped to have his first child with Maeren.

Keeve looked over the carved balustrade and felt the spray of crashing water speckle his face. He sighed, yearning to share it with his wife, and knowing once Qual and Neron were done away with, he might have that chance.

"It's a beautiful view, isn't it," a voice said from behind him. "One of the best on the entire planet, especially with the moons out like that."

Keeve cringed, though managed to fix a welcoming smile on his lips as he shifted around to face Oot. His eyes fell upon her silk nightgown, shimmering as it rippled in the breeze. It pulled taut against her as the wind changed course, and molded to the curves of her breasts and hips, showing clearly there were no undergarments beneath. Keeve cleared his throat as he forced his eyes from her chest, and consciously worked at focusing on her eyes. "Are you always up this late?" he asked. "I would've thought a woman who works as hard as you do would need her sleep."

"I find that I don't need much sleep," Oot answered. "I like to come out here and just gaze off into the distance, thinking." She noted his discomfort. "Did you wish to be alone, Keeve? If earlier has made you uncomfortable..."

He chuckled and waved her over. "Not uncomfortable...just a little strange. I didn't know if I was dreaming or..." Keeve shrugged. "It helped to relieve some stress. You don't know half of what's going on right now."

Oot approached, stopping beside him. She gave him a smile that was a mixture of affection and concern. "I reviewed that holodisc, so I do have some idea. I do not envy you the position you're in, any of you. And again, I'll help you however I am able." She met his eyes. "I want to thank you, for earlier. It's been some time since I've shared any intimacy with another. I know I'm not the one you wished to be with, but I hope I was of some assistance. While my own desires weren't fully sated, it did help. And, for that, I thank you."

Keeve nodded. "If I could give you more, I would," he told her. "But...it wouldn't feel right. And besides, don't you have your slaves to...play with?"

"They're emotionless drones," Oot answered. "Sex is supposed to be passionate and enjoyable, not duty. Sex is supposed to be random, and wild, and carefree, not method."

Keeve watched her as she seated herself on the bench, and noted how elegant a beauty she was, despite his personal aversion to alien members of the opposite sex. If she wore hair implants.... Keeve shook his head and chuckled to himself. "Well, you just need to find someone like Maeren. She's certainly wild and carefree. She's definitely not a drone either."

"She is a lucky woman to have a passionate man such as yourself as her husband," she said. "I envy you both, though...perhaps such a feat isn't so far out of the realm of possibility, especially now that I find myself in possession of most of Dargus Kandran's former resources."

Keeve frowned with some regret. "The Yara clones.... I was going to come back for them someday...I was."

"Some of them were not bred for combat, but instead as pleasure slaves." She sighed and looked away. "It appears...it appears that he may have also cloned Maeren. I only found out about it yesterday when I examined his ship. I...I did not know what to do with them... There are two."

Keeve physically turned himself to face the Twi'lek fully, his saucer eyes staring at her in bewilderment. It was Dargus' final betrayal. "You're sure? They're Maeren-- Are you sure!"

"The resemblance is uncanny," Oot said. "In the morning, I can take you to see them, if you wish."

Keeve growled and slammed the heel of his palm into the edge of the bench as he sprang to his feet. "They're not Maeren!" he snapped. "But in any case, keep your hands off them, Twi'lek."

Oot frowned. "As you wish, Human," she said. "Keeve, I have no desire to be with them. While I am not opposed to being with a woman, I prefer the company of men. And, I am on your side, and I am here to help you however I can. I mentioned the clones of Maeren because I felt you would be concerned."

"If you were so sympathetic to my feelings," he replied, "then why didn't you kill them?"

"Kill them? Because that would have been unsympathetic to my own feelings. They are living beings, Keeve, and I could not end their lives like that."

"They're not right," he whispered desperately. "They're abominations... I can't look at them and see Maeren.... She's...she's perfect... I don't want to lose that image of her."

"Are they truly abominations?" Oot asked gently. "Maeren is perfect, and these two look identical. They're different people, however. If you wish nothing to do with them, I will care for them. I will not kill them, however. But you will not need to even see them."

He sighed, his entire demeanour reflecting his defeat. "I'll still know they're there," he muttered. "How can I not see them without letting it drive me insane?"

Oot reached out and took his hand into hers. "It's a difficult situation, and Dargus Kandran loved putting people into difficult situations." She brought his hand to her lips and kissed it gently. "I will go with you if you wish to see them."

"I have to see them," Keeve said firmly. For a moment, he remembered the time he'd first seen Oot as a child, and the hungry look in her eyes. Watching her hold his hand so close to her lips, he wondered, as he had as that eight-year old boy, if she truly would feast on him. His hand flinched away from her hold, and he covered the startled motion by shoving both hands into his pockets. "Let's go," he told her. "Might as well get it over with."

Oot smiled at him, and then started toward the large doors leading back into the palace. "We'll need to dress, and while we do, I'll have my private shuttle prepared for us." She sighed and then chuckled to herself. "I imagine your answer would be no if I invited you into my bed when we returned, hm? I think Dargus may have made you a little too desirable, my dear."

Keeve scrubbed the back of his head awkwardly as he attempted an apologetic grin. "I'll remember to thank him for that if I ever see his lifeless body floating around in the ocean," he quipped.

Oot laughed softly. "Would you answer me a question truthfully? Is it only your marriage to Maeren that prohibits you, or do you not find me desirable because I'm an alien to you?"

Keeve fell silent beside Oot, as he mulled over the question. His answer came moments later, when they turned onto the main hallway. "I think it's both. I know I may not be the most honourable man, and I'll probably cheat on Maeren many times in the future, as much as I wish I wouldn't...but you're not human, and I don't know if it's something Dargus programmed into me or not...but it just wouldn't feel right."

Oot nodded slowly. "Thank you for your honesty," she said softly. "It is unfortunate, but I find that to be a very common reaction. Alas, I believe I am stuck to being with my own kind, even though most of them repulse me, as much as I must repulse you...however in different ways."

"I-I didn't say repulsed," Keeve told her quickly. "I mean...you've got a beautiful body and just staring at it..." His eyes fell to the contours of her breasts, and he felt something stir in his pants. He let out a slow breath and looked away. "I guess if I weren't so ignorant, maybe..."

She put a hand on his shoulder. "If you'd like, I can help you with that ignorance," she whispered. "If you want, of course..." Her body shifted slightly closer to his.

Keeve tried to avoid looking directly at the lithe figure swaying towards him, the fingers lightly caressing his shoulder. With his eyes only on her body, he knew he could take her without reluctance. But his head turned from side to side, telling himself otherwise. "There's too much to do," he told her. "There isn't time for this...I'm sorry."

"There is much to do," Oot whispered. "Let's go to the ship, to see, and then we'll return here to plan." Her eyes found his. "When we grow tired, we'll retire to my room together." She looked down at the bulge in his pants, then back to his eyes. "Is this acceptable?"

Keeve blinked rapidly, as if her greedy smile and probing eyes were luring him into her spell. It startled him when his head bobbed up and down slowly in assent. Not even Maeren had this power over him, and it was disturbing. But by her broadening smile, it was clear Oot Kovan didn't think so. In fact, she seemed mightily pleased.

---

"Plea For Help, Part 2"
By: Oot Kovan [NPC+]
Keeve Shivral [NPC+]

Location: Dargus' Cruiser
Date: Lythe 7, 4 ABY

***

Both now dressed, Keeve and Oot made their way through Dargus' ship. She was dressed in a simple, yet comfortable bodysuit that accentuated her curves. A belt hung low on her hips, even further displaying her figure. A long cape hung from her shoulders to flow behind her as they moved. Her lekku twitched softly as they were twisted together between her shoulder blades. It was a sign of anticipation, of what would happen when Keeve saw the clones. She feared he might kill them outright. She only hoped he would work with her as a partner, and they could seek the ends of his goals together. For what she saw on the disc, his desire for revenge was not unwarranted.

"Through here," she said, indicating a door. She had been surprised that he had agreed with her suggestion earlier, though his body seemed quite willing. It had been so long for her, since she'd been able to share herself with someone, especially someone willing, that the anticipation was nearly too much. But, he'd agreed readily, and she enjoyed the way he looked at her...when he really looked at her. "I had it set up as a sort of apartment for them, rather than a cell. I've tried to see to their comforts, and make them feel at home and welcome. I had thought about bringing them to the palace, but my plans for that had not progressed that far yet. So, I am very happy that you are here, so that I might have someone else to discuss the matter with."

"Where did you find them anyway?" Keeve asked. His eyes strayed to the familiar corridors of the ship that had been his home for some time. "I thought I knew every room in this place.... Where could he have hidden them?"

"There are three additional decks on the ship; one below the medical level, one below the deck where Dargus had his rooms, and one below the flight deck. Those are only accessed through hatches disguised as computer terminals. I found the clones in a room in the deck below the medical level, directly below the cloning labs."

"And he only brought them out when I wasn't around," Keeve finished, then sighed. "Maeren never told me... Why didn't she say anything!"

"She may not have known," Oot suggested. "If the genetic samples were taken when she was asleep or unconscious, she could have no way of knowing, especially if he told her nothing."

"Of course he told her nothing," Keeve answered irritably. "He didn't even tell me."

"My apologies if I have upset you in any way, Keeve," Oot said as she opened the door for them. "I was merely answering the question you asked. I did not mean to give offense."

He sighed and smiled wanly at Oot. "You didn't upset me. I'm angry at Dargus and he's not around to vent at. Sorry. I feel stupid for trusting him, that's all."

"He was a very persuasive and seductive man," Oot answered. "He knew what people wanted, and how to gain their loyalty, even if it was only temporary. He gave you something you wanted, and it is not always easy to see through someone."

Keeve snorted as he strode through the doorway, then stepped aside to await Oot. "Kallia was always right. I may be a man, but I'm no less naive than a child."

Oot came up behind him and placed her hands on his shoulders. "Don't be so hard on yourself," she said into his ear. "It doesn't take a child to be suckered in by a man like that. I was when I was about your age, or the age you appear to be. I was made a slave by him; not Dargus, another but of the same breed." She kissed the back of his neck. "From what I can see, you're more of a man than Dargus Kandran could ever hope to be, and I mean that truthfully."

Keeve gave her an unseen lopsided grin. "Well, maybe he did something right after all." His attention shifted away from her warm breath on his nape, and to the corridor full of doors he'd never seen before. He wondered how many Shiv clones there truly were. "Which one is it?" he asked.

"This one," she said, pointing to the first door. "I do not know if they were cloned before or after they met you, so I do not know if they will know you. Just so you know."

Keeve nodded stiffly, and squared himself with the door. He glanced aside at Oot, who was smiling encouragement and reassurance. He feared what he would find within - his wife, but not, and to whom he might be a stranger. He'd fought so hard for Maeren, he didn't know if he could cope with being a stranger to her, even if it was just a clone. With a sigh, he nodded at Oot. Now was not the time to be a coward.

As the door opened, two women, both identical, turned to look at the door. There were beds on either side of the room and a large table in the center of the room. The lighting was subdued, but it clearly caught each of them. The one on the left had her hair pulled back in a ponytail. She was laying on the bed with a spread of datapads before her. At the table, with bare feet propped up on one of the chairs, was the other. Her hair was down, falling over her bare shoulders. They each wore a simple halter and a pair of pants that cinched at the waist with a cord belt and came to mid-calf. Neither was adorned in the way that Keeve's Shiv was, save their ears, which held several rings that caught the light. The Shiv on the bed sat up and looked at Keeve and Oot as they moved into the doorway. The Shiv at the table, put her feet to the floor and glanced quizzically at her twin, and then to the door.

"Hi," they said in unison.

Keeve's voice caught in his throat as his emotions worked to sort themselves out. Was he delighted to see his Maeren, or enraged at these imposters who dared to look like his wife and the woman he loved? They were both so alike her, but there was something in their eyes that simply didn't fit. There was no spark, no gleam of pure elation in seeing him. He was a stranger to them and they to him. His eyes glanced aside at Oot, questioning her tacitly.

Oot looked from him to them, and then nodded. "Maeren," she said, "and Maeren. We're going to need to think of something to call you, to differentiate you, you know." The girls nodded. Oot then gestured to Keeve. "This is Keeve, he's Kaysa's son. He's...this is going to be difficult. Do you remember what I told you yesterday?"

The one on the bed leaned forward. "That we're clones," she said, her voice unmistakably Maeren's.

"Yes," Oot said. "Well, you are clones of Keeve's wife, Maeren Shivral."

The one at the table appeared to blush as she got a good look at Keeve. "Does that mean that we're his wives too?"

Oot smiled and shook her head. "No, it doesn't."

The one from the bed stood up and moved a few steps closer. She hesitated, and then came even closer to Keeve. She held her hand out to him. "It's...it's really nice to meet you." There was a hesitation in her action as she watched him, and then she quickly pulled her hand away and opened her arms to him. "A handshake is so...empty. Hugs are better."

His lips twitched into a smile at the vivid reminder of his wife. He could picture clearly Maeren saying such a thing. He hesitated a moment, fearing what he would feel if he touched the clone. But he moved forward slowly, studying her features, her skin far paler than Shiv's, her eyes containing just as much wonder, but less knowledge and experience than his wife's. Even as his slid his arms around her waist and held her to him did she feel different. She squeezed him back with warmth and affection, until he finally pulled away. "It's...it's nice to meet you--" Again, his voice failed him. He cleared his throat and finished, "Maeren."

"I'm sorry," she said, and she looked crestfallen. "I know...I'm hurting you, by...by being me. Will you help me choose a new name? It probably sounds strange. But...but I don't want to hurt you every time you have to say my name."

Keeve looked to Oot for guidance, but found his own and smiled down at the clone. "Sure...I'll help." He lowered his eyes, and searched the ground as if her name might appear to him there. Then, he grinned and regarded her again. "How would you like to be named Saris? I hear it's the most beautiful time of the year and...well that would suit you, I think."

She smiled and nodded. "Saris," she said. "I like it. Hi, Keeve. I'm Saris." She held her arms open for him again. "I'm very happy to meet you."

Keeve chuckled and embraced her once more. "It's nice to meet you too, Saris." He looked past her at the other clone, watching him curiously. He smiled at her. "Did you want a new name too?"

She returned the smile and unfolded herself from the chair. She took a few steps closer and nodded. "Yes," she answered. "I want a new name."

Although she looked identical to her twin, the Maeren clone approaching him seemed different somehow. There was a tamed fire in her eyes, as if someone had forcibly suppressed a wild spirit and now it was yearning to break free once more. It lent a sultry appeal to the girl. He detached himself from Saris and watched the clone draw nearer. His eyes were fully on her now. "What kind of name would you like?" he asked her.

She moved to stand fully in front of him, her eyes on his. "I-- I don't know...I don't know what kind of name would be appropriate for me."

His lips pulled into a lopsided smile as he crooked his finger at her to summon her closer. "Don't worry," he told her gently.

She took a couple steps closer to him, hesitantly, but there was a gentle smile on her lips. "How about..."

"How about," he cut in, leaning in towards her. She seemed to move her head back, apprehensive about what he had planned. Before she could shrink away fully, he inclined his head to one side, bringing his lips to her ear. "Kimara," he whispered.

She ginned and then nodded. "I like that one," she said. "I like it very much. Thank you." She slipped her arms around Keeve and hugged him.

He returned the embrace, allowing his lips to brush against her forehead as he did. She wasn't as liberated and uninhibited as his Maeren, but she had a pure, unbridled soul that needed only a little encouragement to come out of its shell. Then, she would truly become her name: kimara - wild spirit. In that moment, he was glad Dargus' deranged mind had thought to create the two clones. He only wondered what Maeren would think of them.

As his arms came around her, she held him more tightly. "It means very much to me," she said. "What...what happens now?"

Saris looked between Keeve and Oot. "Do we have to stay here?"

"No," Keeve answered abruptly. He looked up at Oot and Saris. "I mean...I don't know why they do. This place...it's...cold."

"Shall we return to the palace, then?" Oot asked. "I'm sure rooms can be arranged, as well as food. I'm certain the food on this ship is nothing like what we have in the palace."

"And some new clothes," he added, then smiled down at Kimara. "Something nice."

Kimara blushed. "I like clothes. But not shoes." She looked down and her bare feet and laughed. "But, I would love to shop for clothes."

"Me too," Saris said. "There isn't anything nice to wear here, and we've just been wearing these. Thank you so much, Keeve. You are a wonderful person."

He turned aside to glance between the two, and chuckled. "Well...sometimes. Ms. Kovan's the one you should thank. You'll be living with her. She'll take care of you."

They both looked at Keeve and then at Oot. Finally, they smiled and offered their thanks. "I had thought," Kimara said as they started out of the room and off toward their waiting shuttle, "that since you gave us our names, we would be staying with you. We will see you though, right?"

Keeve sighed. "I'm very busy, but I'll try. There are things that need to be done and I'll have little time for visits."

"Can we help at all?" Kimara asked.

"We know how to do some things, maybe we can help you," Saris added. "We can be helpful."

"I don't know," Keeve said. "I don't even see how--" Clones...perfect replicas of Maeren in every way, and he had no idea how they could be useful? Keeve closed his eyes and chided himself for his stupidity and short sightedness. "Maeren," he whispered. Then, he grinned and shifted his gaze slowly towards Oot. "Ms. Kovan, I believe I know just how to convince the Tregat brothers to pay us a visit."

"I think I know what you're thinking," Oot said. "We should probably talk privately about it once we get to the palace. I want to clear up a few details before we fully discuss who will be involved."

Focusing on Kimara in his periphery, Keeve answered, "I think I already know."

Oot nodded. "If your plan is what I think it is, then I think our chances of success have increased dramatically."

Keeve shared a conspiratorial nod with Oot, and said not another word of his plan as they neared the docking bay. It was irony at work, two clones he wished had never been given life having the potential to bring down his enemies. He would make a conscious effort to consider every contingent and possibility before he acted in the future.

***

They left Saris and Kimara in their room, going through their new selection of clothing and getting settled. Keeve and Oot walked along the hallway together until they were a sufficient distance away. "You're not planning on sacrificing them, are you?" she finally asked.

Keeve halted immediately and faced the twi'lek with a scowl. "Of course not," he spat. "And you're going to help me so that doesn't happen, now aren't you?"

Oot sighed. "I'm going to help you because I want to help you," she said. "I only asked because...because earlier you were claiming the clones to be abominations. I just wanted to be certain, Keeve. I didn't think you would, you seem to be more compassionate and caring than you let on, but...but I needed to know for certain. I didn't mean to suggest anything other than a fleeting concern."

"Well, it's not a concern anymore," Keeve told her with finality. His tone softened, and he smiled at Oot. "I don't know...they're cute. I sort of like them. They remind me of the Maeren I knew when I was a boy."

Oot smiled. "They're very cute," she said. "You'll have to spend a little bit of time just watching them tomorrow. They tend to do a lot together, and almost identically. It's really quite adorable. They're not the abominations you thought they'd be, are they? And, I imagine you'll end up growing more attached to them than you'd hoped to."

Keeve shrugged, and admitted, "You were right. And it's not they're fault they are what they are." He chuckled, then. "I think they'd get along just fine with Maeren, too."

"I can only imagine what three of them would be like together," Oot said with a smile. "Though, it is something that I would like to see." She reached out and slipped her hand into his. "Come, it's late and we have a long day of planning tomorrow. Let's get some sleep."

He raised a skeptical eyebrow at her and smiled slowly. "Again?"

"Yes," she said. "When is the last time you found yourself in a bed? Now, come. My bed is large and comfortable, and we need sleep if we're going to be productive at all tomorrow."

He chuckled as she led him away, muttering, "Sleep? With you under the sheets?" That possibility seemed highly unlikely to him, but with the newfound hope inspired by the discovery of Maeren's clones, he felt he could go an entire night without rest, and still rise in the morning completely invigorated. Perhaps he would give the Twi'lek another taste of his talents after all.

Oot leaned close and brushed her lips over his. "I was hoping you'd say that," she said. "This way." With that, she led the way to her bedroom, and it wasn't long before they were beneath the sheets. When morning finally arrived, Oot Kovan was very impressed.

---

"Station Invasion"
By: Robin Black [NPC+]
Jack Black

Location: Hoth Sector Boarding Bantu Sector
Date: Lythe 7, 4 ABY

***

"Report," Caljen of the Pirate consortium of Bantu Sector demanded.

"We've got reports of weapons fire in the docking bay," reported the young officer in the control room onboard the hidden base in the Chogen belt. "Several different energy signatures."

"Get security teams to that location," Caljen ordered. "Last thing we need is internal fighting after that fiasco earlier." Caljen turned and took his seat at his consol.

"Sir, security teams are heading to the bay but the fighting seems to only be getting worse," reported the officer. "I'm going to try and bring up a sensor picture."

"Put it on my main screen." Caljen swiveled in his chair and pulled up the old black monitor.

The screen flickered to life. Caljen looked at the screen thoughtfully. Smoke filled the room, only occasional flashes of red and green light could be seen. "What am I seeing here?" he asked. "Switch to infra red."

"Yes, sir," the officer complied.

The screen transformed and the smoke-filled screen wavered then several red figures came into view. Caljen looked at the red figures as they marched against some other figures. Several shots bounced off the attackers' bodies, flying back to the defenders. "Ah the security team is approaching. They'll soon quell these attackers."

"Yes, sir, I've got audio from the commander."

"Put it on."

"Sir, they've got us pegged! I don't know who these people are but they got some serious fire power. Our shots aren't doing anything to them." There was a loud crackle. "Lock down the loading bay...repeat lock down the loading bay." A buzz crackled then a moment's silence.

The sound of heavy footsteps clanked then there was the sound of some one picking up the communicator. "The commander's dead!" The sound of heavier running: "They have breached the main airlock! They are in the complex. Rally the troops at the second doors."

Caljen was never a man to panic; he gripped the side of his chair, a bead of sweat ran down the side of his face. He rose up slowly from his chair. "Call all of the station personal to defense points."

"Yes, sir." The young officer nodded. "Most of the crews are already reporting to their sections."

"Excellent." Caljen smiled. "Tell them I'll be there in few minutes." He walked over to a small supply cupboard and removed some body Armour and a blaster rifle. He turned back to the young officer. "You stay here and co-ordinate the troops."

"Yes, sir." The officer turned back and looked at his screen. "Sir!"

"What is?" Caljen asked as he stepped onto the lift.

The young officer's face had gone ashen. "There's a small fleet approaching on an attack vector. They are targeting our defensive and control systems."

"What? Who would be stupid enough to attack this station. We've got more firepower than..." Slowly it dawned on Caljen. "All of the crews are fighting the invaders, and we've got no one to operate those guns do we?"

The officer shook his head. "We are defenseless."

"I'll deal with them later, first let's get those invaders off our station." Caljen turned back onto the lift. "Raise the shields. Hopefully they will hold out until we've repelled these guys," Caljen said as the lift lowered.

***

Laser blasts flew down the metallic corridors, small fires littered the floors with the bodies of dead pirates, and a few fallen Peacekeepers were nursing their injuries. One Peacekeeper's helmet had been blown off. His face was still grit, determined to kill. His small black eyes looked down the corridor, his scaled black skin and sharp horizontal fangs snapped together. Behind him Robin Black coordinated the attack. He looked down a small service tunnel and snapped off a shot with his high-powered pistol. There was a small scream.

"Disable the shield generators," he ordered as he walked calmly through the chaos around him.

"Yes, sir," they replied. "We are on our way." A small squadron of troopers took off down one corridor.

Up the corridor a fierce laser battle started. A peacekeeper's defenses were overwhelmed and the man went down. Robin reacted quickly. He and his squad rushed to the junction and Robin peeked out, a volley of fire only barely missed his head. "There's about two dozen of them," Robin reported to his troopers. "And two armored personnel, possibly military officers." Robin wiped his hand through his singed hair. "Ok pass me a thermal detonator."

One of the peacekeepers handed over the grenade cautiously. Robin took it quickly and activated it and began counting down. "You, hide in that medlab," he ordered. And then he threw the grenade against the wall as hard as he could. The thermal detonator bounced off the wall down the corridor with all of the troopers. A few looked at it, wondering what it was. The others turned and ran but it was too late as the blast ripped apart the section of corridor. Their bodies were burned and charged beyond recognition.

"Go!" Robin ordered and the Peacekeepers quickly stormed the corridor. Robin smiled to himself. The attack had been almost perfect. Then from a service hatch a man carrying a blaster fell. He wore battle armor and held a sawn-off blaster. The man grunted and turned to fire at Robin who rolled effortlessly out of the way of the shot then returned one of his own, striking the man in the arm, slicing through the skin, muscle, and bone. The man howled and growled on the ground. Robin walked over and looked down at the pirate. He wore captain's stripes.

"We've got the CO," Robin reported with a smile as two of his soldiers picked up the wounded officer and dragged him towards the docking bay. "Now let's take the control station."

***

"Captain?" the young officer asked. "Captain?" His voice was filled with panic. A thud at the entrance door made him jump. He pulled his service blaster from his holster; it was a pitiful weapon that would rarely kill an unarmored trooper let alone the heavy armor of these attackers. Reports of losses and casualties kept mounting up even as the peacekeepers kept advancing.

The door exploded inwards and a shard of shrapnel caught the young officer in the neck. Twelve black clad troopers marched in and quickly secured all stations. The young officer looked up to see one of the troopers standing over him, his plasma gun trained. The young officer looked left and saw the blaster pistol.

"Don't move or you will die," the trooper reported factually. The young officer however was frightened and scrambled for his weapon. He never even closed his fingers around the weapon before three plasma shots burned his body to a crisp. As the black smoke of roasted person filled the room the squadron leader activated the computer. "We've got control of fourteen decks," he reported. "And partial control of another twelve," he reported to Robin as Robin entered the room. "We're over half. way done, sir."

"Excellent. Allow Jack's ship to dock and he can unload the rest of the troops." Robin sat down on the command station. "How many casualties have we sustained?"

"Twenty four of our troopers have been killed, three have been wounded but will recover," he reported and turned back to the door. "Troopers move out, we've got a station to take over."

The violence was bloody fast and aggressive but the pirates were outgunned, out armored and out skilled. They fell fast and quick. Deck by deck, position by position the station fell, until the only peacekeepers remained standing. And from his command deck Jack Black watched with a cold evil passion on his face. "Anne, contact Bantu homeworld, tell them we have vanquished the current pirate threat, and tell them we will need two hundred replacements."

"Two hundred, sir?" Anne asked. "We've only lost thirty two troopers since we set off."

"We'll need two hundred, because now we have more than one ship to man, my dear. You didn't think I would take over this station just for fun." Jack Snapped, "You tire me. Head over to the station command room and assume command of the station."

"Yes, sir," Anne replied, getting to her feet. She pushed her blonde hair back into position then snapped a salute and left the command deck.

---

"Rejection"
By: Liam Zaneth
Va'Lesh Zaneth [NPC+]
Yara Zaneth [NPC+]
Shaza Nightshade [NPC+]

Location: Aboard the Shadow Stalker en route to Tatooine
Date: Lythe 7, 4 ABY

***

They were in space again, having left the idyllic vistas of Masgire behind them. Va'Lesh Zaneth gazed backward as the planet's tiny dot of light seemed to grow even smaller, as they neared the point where they would jump into hyperspace. He sighed and placed a hand against the bubble of the window that allowed him a clear view in all directions. "It was a nice place," he said, and glanced to Yara. "I think I would like to live there when we are able to finally settle in a single location."

"It was pleasant," Yara agreed without taking her eyes from the padd she was studying. "It seems, also, that there was much to do. You seemed always busy, Va'Lesh." The veiled accusation was obvious.

"There was much to learn," Va'Lesh answered. "Shaza Nightshade is a very thorough teacher, and she wished for me to have all the knowledge she could pass on to me. Am I incorrect in that that is what we wished? You are upset that I was with her."

"I am not upset," she told him. "It made you content. That is all I could ever hope for, Va'Lesh."

"You chose not to gain any confidence with Liam Zaneth," Va'Lesh said as he turned back to the view outside the ship. "Does that mean you wish to gain your confidence only with me?"

Yara looked up this time, and nodded unequivocally. "It does."

Va'Lesh nodded. "Shaza says that I am a very good student," he said. "She says that I am very talented, and that I will be a very good teacher for you. I look forward to teaching you, Yara."

"I am glad you are so knowledgeable, Va'Lesh." There was a trace of caustic wit to her tone, but her face remained neutral and impassive.

"Shaza Nightshade says there's another new technique she wishes to teach me tonight," Va'Lesh said, then looked away. "It can wait, I think. I would rather watch the stars with you."

Yara nodded stiffly. "If that is what you wish, Va'Lesh. The stars will still be there tomorrow night if you cannot wait."

"But I wish to enjoy your company tonight, Yara," he said. "That is, unless you do not wish to spend your time with me. You are my girlfriend, and I should spend time with you. And, I am certain that Liam Zaneth would wish to spend some of his time with Shaza Nightshade."

"Yes, that is true," Yara replied. "However, it appears you and Ms. Nightshade prefer one another's company best." She set her padd down and slipped off the bed. "I believe I must meditate, Va'Lesh. Training is very important."

"You're jealous," Va'Lesh said. "You're jealous of the time I've been spending with Shaza."

"I am not," she answered calmly, and strode for the door. "You may be with Ms. Nightshade any time you choose, Va'Lesh. I will remain content."

"As content as you are right now? Yara, I don't wish to fight with you, and I don't wish to push you away. Do you still wish to be with me? I notice you and Liam Zaneth have spent a considerable amount of time together lately...do you wish to be with him?"

She halted and pivoted smoothly around to face him. "Liam Zaneth is my master, my mentor, and my friend. I do not desire him. I desire you, just as you desire Ms. Nightshade. I do not wish to fight, either, for that is not what Jedi Padawans do, nor do they engage in lecherous activities such as you have. I hope you are able to mend your ways, my chosen, for you are lacking in discipline and self- control. You will not succeed in your training if you continue to degenerate as you are." Yara sighed. "It would be a most unpleasant sight, Va'Lesh."

"Are you saying you do not desire me?" Va'Lesh asked, then shook his head. "And, you have not felt what I have felt. You have not experienced these lecherous activities. Perhaps you would desire those feelings as much as I. You do not know how it feels, Yara. You do not know what it is you shun and condemn me for. You do not know what it is for which you judge me."

"I desire you," Yara stated flatly. "I simply do not desire to indulge in such carnal acts. We are Jedi, Va'Lesh; we cannot afford to be so lacking in self-restraint. I love you, Va'Lesh...but I only wish to be with you, and only when it is right." She lowered her eyes briefly, appearing momentarily saddened before her training allowed her to regain composure. "I am sorry you do not feel the same way, Va'Lesh." Yara turned away again, stepping into the corridor this time.

"Liam Zaneth is a Jedi too," she heard him mutter. "And, you've seen the things he does with her..."

"Then you are no less ignoble than he is in that regard," she whispered in response, then the door closed behind her.

Va'Lesh turned back to face the window. "My apologies that the rest of the universe is unable to raise itself to your level of perfection," he said, then lost himself to the view outside.

***

The blaster was spread out over the table as Shaza Nightshade cleaned each component and slipped it back into place. They hadn't seen much action -- at least none that required her weapons anyway, she mused with a lusty expression -- lately, and she wanted to make sure she was ready in case they needed to fight.

"Liam Zaneth is not here?" a voice from behind asked flatly.

"I believe he's either in the cockpit or back in the bay repairing one of the speederbikes," Shaza answered, then glanced back at Yara. "I'm sure he wouldn't mind an interruption if you wanted to go see him."

"I wish to speak with him," Yara explained. "I will not disturb him then." She bowed her head. "Thank you, Ms. Nightshade."

Shaza watched Yara as she turned to go. "Is everything alright?" she asked. "You don't seem happy, Yara."

Yara paused in the doorway. "And you do not seem cruel, but looks can be deceiving, can they not, Ms. Nightshade?"

Shaza raised an eyebrow. "Cruel? How am I cruel, Yara?"

The young woman regarded Shaza once more, her head inclined questioningly to one side. "I never indicated you were, Ms. Nightshade."

" 'And you do not seem cruel, but looks can be deceiving,' " Shaza quoted. "Seems to be a fairly strong indication to me, Yara. Or, are you going to drop a comment like that and then feign innocence?"

"I feign nothing, Ms. Nightshade," she answered. "Just as I do not bed with another's chosen."

"You asked me to bed him," Shaza said. "You wanted me to be with him, and you wanted to be with Liam. And, with us, you'd both learn how to become exceptional lovers. I will not deny that Va'Lesh is a very attractive and desirable young man, and that I don't enjoy being with him. But, I am only doing what was asked of me here. If you don't want me to be with your chosen again, then just say so."

"It is Va'Lesh's choice," Yara explained. "He wishes to feel...pleasure. I do not, yet. I only wished to be with Liam for Va'Lesh." She shrugged simply. "Va'Lesh enjoys you; I cannot deny him what you give him."

Shaza smiled. "And why do you deny what you could have with Liam, or Va'Lesh? They're both Jedi and they do. You should see the other Jedi at the Temple. Hell, you've seen them. You know what they're like. Sex is practically a Jedi requirement now."

"But I am not like them," she insisted, her normally blank features twisting slightly with distress. "My training is important to me - more than feeling pleasure. I cannot help the way that I am. And...and I believe Va'Lesh does not appreciate it."

"I believe he does," Shaza said. "But do you appreciate his desire for you, or me, or Liam's desire for you?"

Yara frowned pensively. "I love Va'Lesh...and I am glad he loves me back. Is that not the same thing?"

"You love him, but do you desire him? Do you desire to make him feel like he desires to feel with you? Do you wish to make him feel the way he feels when he's with me?"

"I don't wish him to feel anything with you," Yara replied curtly. "You have Liam Zaneth. Why can you not leave Va'Lesh alone?"

Shaza sighed. "Va'Lesh wishes to feel pleasure and joy, and I'm the only one willing to give him that. Or, do you feel that he should feel as you, and forsake those desires as you have? I only give him what he wants, Yara. That's all, and the knowledge of how to do so should you ever decide you want him to pleasure you."

"I wish to make a child with him," Yara told Shaza with unwavering confidence. "I do not wish him to make one with you. If you cannot control your desires, Ms. Nightshade, then you should stay away from Va'Lesh. He no longer requires your tutelage."

"Are you so certain?" Shaza asked. "I'm certain you don't need training, but what if you displease him by not knowing how to behave in bed with him? He's becoming quite an expert, and may not have the patience to teach you. Though, you never know. And, what will you do about Liam Zaneth?"

"He will be my master and my father." Yara smiled. "I am content as I am, Shaza Nightshade. Matters of the flesh are of hardly paramount importance to me. It is unfortunate that such is the case with you." Yara bowed forward fully, the loose strands of her dark hair falling over both shoulders. "Good day, Ms. Nightshade."

"I hope your chosen agrees with you," Shaza called after Yara. "If not, you may need to find a new one. Don't let your own prudish ideals hurt your chosen, Yara. Is it truly fair to him that way?"

But Yara paid no heed to Shaza's tactless warnings and insults. She was secure in her chosen stance, and her love for Va'Lesh. If he preferred Shaza over herself, she would respect his decision and turn all her focus towards becoming a Jedi. It was her destiny now, and it was up to Va'Lesh if he wished to share it with her. She smiled, truly content, with or without Va'Lesh.

As she left the galley, she managed to find Liam in the cargo area where Shaza said she would. He seemed to sense her arrival, and slid out from under the speeder bike. He gave her a smile. "Yara," he said brightly. "You...you seem agitated. Is everything alright? Come sit with me." He indicated a spot next to the bike. "There's a great view behind us here."

Yara accepted the offer, and wrapping the loose ends of her cloak around herself, she sat. The view was beautiful indeed, and Yara sighed happily. "I am calming, Master," she said softly. "The Force lends me strength and focus."

"Good," Liam said with a nod. "It was Shaza again? Do you wish for me to speak with her, Yara? I sense her agitation as well, as well as... I'm not sure what we can actually do, but I will talk to her. And perhaps I will have to find ways to keep her occupied that won't include Va'Lesh."

"It is alright, Master," she assured him. "Let them do as they wish. It is of no matter to me."

"Are you sure?" Liam asked. "It doesn't bother you at all that they spend time together? I don't think it's her that he wants, Yara, but she's making him feel good. He wants you, Yara. He wants it to be you with him in the bed. She's given him the taste of something he likes, and wants more of. But he needs to learn to temper that."

"Then he must look to the Force," Yara replied. "He is a Padawan now, Master. He cannot afford to be so weak and undisciplined. I will not encourage that."

"Perhaps together we can bring him back from the place he's gone," Liam said. "He needs to be encouraged to seek the Force. And, I will encourage Shaza to keep away from him, even if he goes to her. He is beginning down a dangerous path, and I cannot help feel responsible for that." He held a hand out to her. "Will you help me bring him back, Yara?"

She smiled and placed her palm into Liam's. "I will help you, Master. He would make a fine Jedi someday."

Liam nodded and gave her a warm smile. "Both of you will," he said. "We just need to get you through this part. We'll make it, I'm sure."

"We will," she affirmed. "Though, only if Ms. Nightshade listens to you, Master. She is quite a stubborn woman."

"I'll see that she does listen to me," Liam said. "And knows the unfortunate consequences if she doesn't." He placed a hand over Yara's. "We'll get through this, my dear, and you will have your Chosen back."

Yara bowed her head in gratitude, then her eyes wandered back towards the viewport. "We must focus," she whispered. "For Yelara Zaneth, we must."

Liam slipped his arms around Yara and held her to him. "Thank you," he whispered. "You don't know how much, but thank you. We'll find the doctor, and...and everything will be good again. Everything will be normal and right again."

She smiled and returned the embrace tenderly. "Perhaps not normal, but things will be perfect, Master. By the Force, it will be."

"By the Force," Liam said with a smile. "And, perhaps you'll be happy to know that Shaza just went to Va'Lesh, and I sense her leaving now. And, she's...a little frustrated."

"Frustrated?" Yara pulled back, her smile broadening. "Do you think- - He would not have rejected her, would he?"

Liam gave her a secret smile. "Something exactly like that," he said.

She hid her excitement and asked, "Should I go to him or...or shall I wait for him to come to me?"

"Go to him," Liam said. "He does love you very much, but I think you should go to him, this time."

"Then I will." She embraced Liam again, then hastily kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Father," she whispered.

"You're welcome, Yara," Liam said. "And, I just want you to know that I'm very proud of you."

"I am glad, Father, and I shall continue giving you reasons to be." Reining in her excitement, Yara took her time departing from the room, but once in the corridor, she couldn't keep her legs from striding faster. Had Va'Lesh truly turned away Shaza for her? Or had he finally chosen the Jedi Order over the desires of the flesh? Either way, she was eager to see him. At the door to their shared room, she knocked instead of walking directly inside. Would he even wish to see her? She fervently hoped he would.

"Come in, Yara," Va'Lesh said softly.

She cleared her throat and composed herself before activating the door. It slid away and Va'Lesh was standing before her. She greeted him with a stiff nod. "Master Zaneth wished me to check in on you."

Va'Lesh stepped aside and gestured her into the room. "Please. I was about to make myself something to drink."

"Like what?" she asked curiously as she cleared the threshold. "May I have one?"

"Just some tea," Va'Lesh said, as he indicated the setting on the other side of the room. "I would be happy to pour some for you. Yara, I am sorry for earlier. I was wrong to...I've been wrong. What I've been doing hasn't been right."

"But Ms. Nightshade says it is what you want," Yara said with some uncertainty. "Was she incorrect?"

"I enjoy the feelings," Va'Lesh answered as he began preparing their tea. "However, those are feelings that I wish to experience and share with you. They are important feelings for our relationship, and only our relationship."

Yara nodded thoughtfully as she settled onto the bed. "You did not think so before. Why have you changed your mind?"

"You are my Chosen," Va'Lesh said. "After you left, I thought of what you said, and what I've been doing. I was...I was wrong and foolish. I hope that you are able to forgive me and continue to accept me as your chosen mate."

"I have already forgiven you, and I do still accept you," she stated. "I will always, Va'Lesh. It is what Jedi do."

"We are more than Jedi, Yara," Va'Lesh said. "It is what should happen because of who we are, not what we are. Forgiveness should happen because you love me, and wish to continue loving me."

"I do," she told him gently. "Both. I just...you seemed so different earlier. I wasn't certain if you were my Va'Lesh anymore."

"I may have lost my way," he said softly, "but I will always find my heart's path back to you."

Yara smiled warmly. "I am glad, Va'Lesh. I love you, and I would have been lonely without you."

"And I you," Va'Lesh answered. "Even with Ms. Nightshade for company, she could never replace you, not for anything."

"You are a very smart man, Va'Lesh." She grinned and gestured him forward.

"Now, if only you could think of such things sooner."

"I know," he said sadly, then smiled. "However, I know a few tricks now that you may...enjoy when we are together." He brought the serving of tea over to her. "I hope this is alright."

Yara cradled the warm cup in her hands and sipped at the hot liquid carefully. She sighed as the flavour expanded over her tongue, then smiled at Va'lesh. "It is very good tea, Va'Lesh. Thank you. Is this one of your tricks?"

"Not exactly," he said. "Though, I picked up this recipe on Masgire. It is very flavourful. If the idea is acceptable to you, I would wish to share this tea with you more often."

"If you will sit beside me," she replied with a smile, "I will consider the idea."

With a smile, he did. "For all my days," Va'Lesh said gently, "I will stay by your side."

"As will I, Va'Lesh Zaneth." She laced her fingers with his and squeezed his hand lovingly. "As will I."

Va'Lesh sipped his tea and allowed himself to feel the happiness he could only feel with her. No one else existed who could make him feel as she did. There was only Yara.

---