"I'm going to need to talk to her...alone."

"Oh, you're like a bantha in heat. Go for it, Kor."

"Ooh...does that mean I'm the only woman in your lives now?" Raeila chuckled throatily. "I'm so flattered."

Kael laughed and leaned close to Raeila. "Does that mean we're the only men in your life?"

"No...but you are the only ones who don't have to pay for my services."

Kace leaned in and kissed Yelara. "So, you want to do Turren?"

"Turren's not the only thing I wanna do," Yelara quipped as she pulled Kace in for another kiss.

"By the way, have I mentioned how ravishing you look? Simply breathtaking."

"Well you seem to be breathing just fine, Rennor, which leads me to believe that my appearance isn't as pleasing as you are alluding to."

"Why Merrick Braston, you certainly are the perfect example of a vain celebrity, aren't you?"

"Oh I am," Merrick said with a sly grin. "Just wait until you watch me preening before a show, and dealing with my fans. It truly is a sight to behold."

Nieme sighed deeply, then giggled again as she looked up into Dani's violet eyes. "Your skin...does it taste purple?"

Dani just gazed at Nieme for a moment, before she slowly lowered her face to Nieme's and brushed her friend's lips with her own. After the first tentative touch, she kissed Nieme more firmly before pulling back. She smiled at Nieme. "So...purple?"

"I'm not going to leave you, Kaysa. I know you're afraid that might happen, and I have the same fear. But, I can't leave you, not now. You've touched me in ways I've never been touched before, and I'm not talking about dinner last night."

"It's your fault, you know," Laedra whispered fondly. "You and your...your chest."

"You could have closed your eyes,"

"You coming, Mr. Zenarr?"

"You keep moving like that," Zale said, "and I will be."

"I only had them stop frisking you because you like it too much. I think the question that did it was, 'Deez, are you sure you don't want to make sure I don't have a blaster strapped to my inner thigh?' but I could be wrong."

"Wherever I am," Merrick said, "there's always room for you."

Kaysa laughed softly and shook her head. "You stole that from one of your songs, didn't you?"

"Kaysa Zenarr, from the very beginning I was drawn to you. The first time I told you I loved you, you threw up, but that didn't deter me. I have loved you with all my heart and all of my songs. I can think of nothing greater, nothing more fulfilling than to ask you to be my wife. Kaysa, will you marry me?"

Kaysa stared down at the ring, forgetting for a time how to breathe. Finally, she emitted a shrill squeal and threw her arms around Merrick. "Oh gods, yes I'll marry you, you fool!"

Liam activated the system drive and the ship edged forward. A small star destroyer broke out of the main group and started toward them on an intercept path. "This'll be nice and smooth," Liam said. "We just have to act like we belong here."

"Act like we belong?" Yelara repeated worriedly. "Liam, this ship looks nothing like one of those Imp destroyers."

"Act like we belong here going to Tae'Karada, not that we're really a star destroyer, silly woman," he said with a smile. "If they ask, I'll just tell them we're moving here for a commerce job in New Plouton."

Yelara shot Liam a rather unamused scowl, then looked away with an exaggerated humph. "Fine. Your silly wife will just stand right back here, looking very pregnant, while you try convincing the Imps that you are a businessman."

"Let's go, and we'll talk about your initiation."

Raeila gazed at Ferrig with an imperceptible smile, then laughed and strode towards the back exit. "I'll be waiting in the alley. And don't forget to bring your creds. The kinda talk you have in mind costs money."

"My gift to you is my soul, which I give to you freely...and if you're a good boy, I'll even throw in my body."

Kace smiled and slipped his arms around her. "You mean I have to be a good boy?"

Shiv glanced down at Merrick and giggled. She reached out and brushed her fingers over the head of his prick and giggled even more. "I touched Merrick Braston's penis," she said with a grin.

"I should probably send my companions back to the city. I think they would be better off there for now, anyway."

"They are not Jedi," Laedra stated. "Unless they are very good at masking themselves."

"They're barely passable as the petty thieves they claim to be," Koran said.

"What...what would you like for dessert?" Nieme asked softly.

"I'd love you," Dani said with a mischievous grin.

Kaysa smiled as she looked up at Ithea and Zale, then frowned as she caught a hint of their conversation. "Ugh. Shiv, he's gonna bore her to death. Say something stupid."

"I swear, Kace," Yelara said in a raspy voice, "if you let me die today, I'll...I'll kill you."

"Allegiances are easily made, and the trust gained through them is just as easily betrayed. It pays to be cautious."

Their gentle laughter was interrupted by Leshie's shrill cries. "Oh gods...oh please stop." Yelara looked up at Kallia with utter confusion and fear. "What's wrong with him?"

Kallia looked up at Yelara and smiled. "How do you feel about breastfeeding, my love? Your son wants a nipple."

She looked at Kallia then Liam with a suggestive smile. "He really is your son after all."

"I'm very happy it worked the way it did; Moril will have that number for you. Now get out of here before you realize that crimelords have emotions too."

"Too late," Kaysa said softly.

"We're too good when we're not fighting, and deadly when we are. I'll save deadly for my competition, not the woman I love."

"For someone with no experience with kissing and things, I think you're holding up really well. Though, if you'd like some practice, my lips are at your disposal."

Yelara had come full circle and had a chance to unwind the wheel of fate and shape it to fit with her own vision of the future. She would marry Liam with her soul cleansed and once again pure, free to give to the man she loved without the weight of the past keeping it from soaring to the heights their love could raise it to.

Nieme finally let go of her breath as Kael assured her he was fully clothed. When she turned to face him, she realized his chest was still bare. She reached behind her and gripped the sheets, watching Kael only a short distance away from her. "Uh...it was... Yara was cute, wasn't she? I mean, I've seen babies before, but..." Nieme laughed uncomfortably and tried desperately to keep her eyes from straying back to Kael's chest. "I...I mean, it's funny. All they do is sleep and eat...no troubles in the world, but you take them out for a while to play, and it's like...within minutes, they're tired and crying for some chest--I mean rest! Crying for...for rest. Oh gods..."

"You know us men and our need for nipples. And, speaking of nipples, we should contact Oot today."

"You better start paying more attention. Looks like he caught you offguard this time."

"I should have seen him coming," Zale said. "That and I didn't expect the bastard to pull my hair. I honestly didn't expect hair pulling in here, at least not by a guy. Women are dirty fighters, they pull on whatever they can get ahold of. Men aren't supposed to do that. I thought the testosterone would prohibit it."

"I don't think so, Raeila," Ven said with a laugh as he wrapped his fingers around her wrist and pulled her hand away from the door. "You're too young to go in there, sweetheart."

Raeila pouted playfully and shifted closer to Ven. "Come on, Ven. You didn't think I was too young when you took me into an alley last week."

"Yeah...well it was dark."

"I don't think I've ever felt this content in my life. Almost as if things are normal. I know they're hardly normal. We're on a planet run by the Empire while secretly building a new Jedi order, but it certainly feels...good."

"Maybe it just feels that way because you've got your hands on my rear, Liam."

"Now, you better lick that tray clean, young man, or you don't get dessert later."

Zale looked up at Kaysa and grinned. "I like dessert," he said.

"Gods it's disgusting," Yelara whispered to Kallia playfully. "They're so cute and lovable... I guess your little plan to keep them apart failed miserably. Those two little fiends were having sex, defiling the sanctity of this temple." Yelara pouted and crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm absolutely jealous."

"Now, you may think that I've gone weak - as my associate has most likely stated to you - but the bitch still lives inside me and when she's roused, she's trouble. If you don't want trouble, Kandran, don't rouse the bitch and certainly don't fuck with Kaysa Zenarr.

Ferrig laughed and dismissed the ganger with a wave. "We have to find the girl," he said. "And, where would you go if you were a kitchen rat?"

Raeila laughed dryly and sauntered closer to Ferrig. "That sounds like the opening to one of your bad jokes, Ferrig."

"I am Laedra Vorrel. My Master was Ina Galean. And you will soon regret your course of action, stranger."

"Gods...never thought I'd be married again. I really hope you don't expect me to produce offspring for you."

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

"After word spreads about what you're doing here with the bounty hunts, it might make this place less appealing to roving criminals looking for a place to set up operations. No one would be stupid enough to walk deliberately into a trap."

Shrezade laughed wryly and reached for her glass of aged Tolian brandy. "If they're stupid enough to mess with Shrezade Anoran, then they're stupid enough, period."

"Their transponder lists them as Lucky Find." Liam looked up at her and smiled. "Maybe some of their luck will rub off."

Laedra certainly knew something she'd like rubbed off, but Liam had promised to afterwards so she settled into the seat beside him and waited patiently.

"The romance isn't supposed to end, it's just that so many people figure they've won the battle and don't have to fight anymore. Though, perhaps metaphors of violence aren't exactly appropriate for romance."

"Yeah, so save it for the bedroom."

"I want you to go to the location on the datapad Tobby will give you, and bring the contents on that list back to me." Weibran threw his head back and laughed a villainous laugh.

Tobby handed Padrick the datapad and he looked at it. "Wait a minute," he said. "This is a list of items off a menu. Sauteed Trisce and white wine?"

Weibran stopped laughing and looked at Padrick like the man had just grown a second head. "What? You expect me to take over this city on an empty stomach?"

"A wise man told me once about the Kestrel," Yelara began, winking at Liam as she remembered their conversation on the Vengeance that day. "He said that once a Kestrel mates, it's for life. Today and for eternity, it shall be a symbol of our everlasting love for each other," Yelara said passionately as she slipped the earring into Liam's earlobe. "Wear it and remember I am yours always, Liam."

"If you're going to be punished for something you never did, Liam, perhaps next time we should give Yelara a reason to truly be paranoid."

"Why do I always take the course of action with the most catastrophic outcomes? I need to learn to think things through before I act... I know that's not going to happen, but it's something to strive for."

"So, know of anything that will take care of an all-over ache?"

"Smooth, very smooth, Merrick," Kaysa said with a laugh.

"I'm so glad I tricked you in marrying me, Mr. Braston. Now finally those groupies will get off your back."

"Oh, I don't think marriage alone will stop them," Merrick said with a wide grin. "Though, having you on my arm will definitely be a deterrent."

"Damn right it will be. These fingernails aren't just for decoration. They're gouging nails, so your fans better behave themselves."

Zale sighed. "Assault with a fruit beverage never sticks, Rennor," he said.

"Maybe you can hit a few with the butt of that rifle, just to show 'em who's boss."

Orn laughed quietly. "Lady, that'd be you. If I were stuck alone in a room with you when you were either piss drunk or pissed off, I know I'd be looking for the nearest exit."

"Please," Dani whispered, "I'll do anything you want, just don't hurt us. Please don't hurt us."

"I'm not gonna hurt you... I just wanna hear you scream, that's all, whether it be in pleasure or pain..." Raeila kissed Dani deeply on the lips, then pulled away and laughed. "If you're a good girl, it'll be more pleasure than pain."

"How can you even sleep nights knowing the pain you cause others? How can you be capable of such brutal cruelty on one hand and then the generosity to offer me a starship? How can you be capable of so much tenderness and consideration when we are in bed together, and then you turn around and order your Wookie to rip a man's arm from his body?"

"Control," Dargus said, softly as his eyes bore into hers.

"You are a terror, my dear. I'm going to have to keep my eye on you, aren't I? Make sure you're not flirting with anyone you shouldn't be flirting with."

"I'd like to see you try. There hasn't been a man yet who's been able to tame Kaysa Zenarr." She kissed him tenderly upon the lips then whispered, "But I'd really like you to try, my love."

"She better keep her hands off my husband or she's gonna learn that not even a Jedi Master is a match against a pissed Yelara Zaneth."

Her eyes moved down slowly and caught a glimpse of a large tattoo...a bird, wings unfurled and spread out as if in flight. She stood behind him and began running her finger along the tattoo. "Did it hurt going on? One that big..." Yelara asked her voice quiet and silky.

"Yes," Kace said. "It hurt a lot. But, it didn't last long."

"I wish I had been there to ease the pain," Yelara said seductively. "But I'm here now."

"I love you, Mrs. Zaneth."

"And I love you, Mr. Neerou."

"Fuck, Kaysa, you have Merrick Braston for a boyfriend; but with the way you're acting, you'd think it was Dargus Kandran. Gods, the way you're acting, you'd think you were paranoid that I fucked him while you were gone last night."

"You actually think I'd feel threatened by you? Shiv, you're nothing but a child. Merrick isn't interested in screwing little girls. He prefers to stick his dick into a real woman."

"In the end, I always end up in your bed, don't I?" Yelara asked.

"Of course you do," Dargus said. "But, I won't tolerate you calling out the names of other men."

"The only reason you don't call out the names of other women, is because you can't remember them."

"Yes I can," he said defensively.

"Oh don't worry, Zale, you're dreamy too, but just in a big, manly, braided-hair, muscular way."

Zale laughed and glanced at Kaysa. "I really think you need to convince her to lay off the kaffe."

"The frightening thing is, I think she has."

"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," Yelara commanded as her nails began to claw at his now exposed chest.

"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. He knew he would give her whatever she wanted. "I surrender."

Yelara smiled mischievously as her hands drifted along Kallia's stomach and one dipped into her panties.

At the touch, Kallia moaned. "There's a surprise down there for you. Take a look."

"A surprise? My love, I already know what's down there, remember?"

"How much longer till we meet Zale?"

Shiv glanced at the time and grinned. "The smouldering sack of sexiness should be here anytime."

"Damn you, you little urchinous shit!" an old man -- who had been walking in the hall, now only laying there -- called out as he shook his fist. "How dare you! I hope you step in someone's bedpan!"

"Once we get our clothes off, we need enough self control to go find him. I can't wait to see the look on his face when we show up looking for him."

"Correction," Yelara said as she freed her arms from the sleeves of her dress. "Looking for him while we're naked."

Merrick chuckled and drew Kaysa along with him toward the door. "Shiv's doing better today? She was working on that painting of us again. You know, it's not even finished yet, and we look good."

"Of course we do," Kaysa said confidently. "I think it's that look in our eyes Shiv says we get whenever we look at each other." She looked to Merrick, seeing precisely the look Shiv had spoken of, and shrugged her shoulders dismissively. "I really have no idea what she's talking about..."

"I hope you didn't take offense, though. I mean, I'm not sure how you feel about it, but I certainly would be offended if your reaction to hearing my voice was to vomit."

"Emotions do strange things," Kace said. "You are a passionate woman, and I can't imagine you holding back even for someone you love."

"But I only end up pushing everyone away." Yelara brought her face closer to Kace's, their lips almost brushing. "I'd only ending up hurting you too, Kace. Please don't let this happen," she whispered, becoming breathless again. "Remember your vow to me."

"I do remember, which is why it will go no further than this."

"I hope you're right, Kace."

"I am right," he said. "And, you're definitely making this vow a difficult one to keep."

"And we'll find someone to warm your bed, Zale. Don't you worry."

"It's not exactly worry," Zale said with a grin. "It's closer to stark terror."

"I don't try to hurt you, Zale, but there's a part of me that feels it needs to. When I figure out why, I'll let you know. Until then, please don't take anything I say to heart. If I push, don't run away, because I know I'm too proud to follow. If you kiss me, and I shrink away, pull me into your arms and don't let go. Don't let me go, Zale. I know this is jeopardizing everything I have with Shiv and Merrick, but please don't let me go."

"A creature so lovely should be kept close so she's always ready to dance for you."

"Oh, she dances alright," Kaysa said with a knowing smile. "All night long too."

"Oh, you are looking as hot as I told Kaysa you'd be looking." Shiv then slipped her arms around Zale, and gave him a kiss that was only a little less intense than the one she'd just given Moril.

"Hey!" Kaysa protested. "Hands off my husband, wench."

"Keep your jets on idle," Shiv said. "You're next."

Zale grinned. "I'd love to pound Merrick," he said.

Shiv covered her mouth and giggled furiously.

Kaysa frowned and playfully swatted Zale's arm. "Not that kind of pounding, you fiend.

"Oh, and Master?" Laedra glanced over her shoulder at Koran, smiling mischievously. "You look good in just a sheet." Before he could notice the blush suffusing her cheeks, Laedra looked ahead and fled down the corridor.

"I bet you would too."

"I think it's time Merrick and Shiv took you home."

"No! I don't want to go with them! She looks barely 15 and he's a simpleton. They'll most likely forget to feed me and I'll end up starving to death!"

"Thanks for letting me work on her. She really is a beauty."

"Yeah, she is," Jae Dyn said without taking her eyes from Yelara.

"If I falter, Merrick, don't let me fall. Just hold me, and I know I'll have the strength to go on."

"I'll always be here if you fall, Kaysa," he said. "And, I'll never stop holding you."

Dargus shifted his hand to the other breast and nodded approval. "Supple. I like them that way."

Yelara took her hand and ran it down his chest, stopping at his crotch. "Very supple yourself," she said in a whisper.

"If you get near him, be careful. He's large enough to produce a gravity well."

"Screw the Force," Orn grumbled. "Sheer firepower is what's gonna get those girls back, lady."

"You know what your problem is, Dargus? Do you know why you'll never make it in this business? You talk far too much. It's no wonder they attempted to assassinate you. It was the only way to shut you up."

"I really should check my account balances. I imagine sitting on my ass for four months hurt."

"It's still a nice ass though."

Kaysa laughed derisively and stepped towards Shiv. "Tell Merrick for all I care. I don't give a shit. And when you're fucking Zale tonight, enjoy it, but know that it's me he's thinking about, not you, Shiv."

"You see, I wasn't born with this name, Kace Mordin. I took the name when I turned down the dark path."

"Oh no, not this again," Yelara quipped as she looked at Kace with a smile. "Why is it that everyone I fall in love with always has an alias? I guess that's what I get for falling for Jedis."

"There are more honorable ways to wage a war," Jae Dyn replied. "Ways that don't involve assassination. To draw the war out, you only expend more resources. If you feel your position in this is the correct one, then perhaps you should seek to eliminate more than one small asset at a time. Perhaps if you seek a war, you should attack with more force. The Braaku snake is a vicious creature. To be struck by it usually results in death, but not all at once. Each bite, kills more and more of you. If you wage your fight against it for too long, there is nothing left of you when the battle is won, if you win it. To truly win a fight against a Braaku, strike first at its head and the fight is won." She reached out and quickly pinched him on the arm, thigh, and chest. "How many times has this Hutt bitten you already?"

"Twice," Dargus said, looking down at her pinching fingers with annoyance. "To kill Gorda, this man must die. When this man is killed, the Braaku snake shall be ground to bits and used to fertilize my gardens."

The security personnel managed to repel the fans and escort Merrick and Kaysa to safety through the backstage entrance. Merrick asked one of the guards to inform Chrik that the show would be starting late, then he slipped into his dressing room, away from prying eyes and screaming fans, and got reacquainted with the sultry brunette wearing a blue trithin in her hair.

"Would you care to dance, Zale?"

Zale glanced toward where Kaysa and Shiv had disappeared.

"I promise I won't bite you anywhere that she'll see."

"She sees everywhere."

Oot smiled. "Oh, I don't know about that."

Zale laughed. "You know a few places she doesn't?"

Oot gave him a sultry smile, and stepped closer. "I know many things, Mr. Tregat."

"We're both free spirits. Dargus knows that and that's probably why he enjoys our company so much." Yelara became grim now. "But there's one thing he doesn't understand about us. Being free spirits means we can't bear to be tied down. We yearn to stretch our wings and fly, and the longer he keeps us here and the tighter his grip becomes on us, the more the fire within us begins to burn out, until one day, it goes out completely and we're nothing more than a shell of our former selves." Yelara looked at Jae Dyn pleadingly. "Promise me you won't let that happen to you."

"I will promise if you do the same," Jae Dyn said.

"Come on. The water's getting cold and the syrup is getting hard." Yelara looked down at Liam's groin and laughed gently. "And apparently that's not the only thing."

With one last moment of consciousness, Yelara's mouth moved, forming the words, "I love you, Kace," and nothing more before she drifted to sleep.

Kace closed his eyes tight against her words. The truth dug deep inside, deeper than the vibroblade that had wounded him. He knew he loved her, and now her words were as good as an admission of her feelings for him. But, because of Dargus, it could never be. He kept his arms around Yelara, not wanting to ever let go, knowing when morning came Dargus would once again stand between them.

"I've never heard her cry out like that. Tomorrow night, your tongue is mine."

"Hello, Kace," Dargus said. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"No, but I'm about to make one."

"Big brother, you know your place in my bed is secured. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be the slut I am today."

"Have I mentioned that you look beautiful and sexy tonight?"

"Save it for the brunette, Braston."

"They need to make clothing that's easier to get out of when you're drunk."

"That and when you're trying to have sex."

Dargus sighed. "So, how shall I punish you for your interference? I should have you select your own punishment, and you will be punished for what you've done."

Jae Dyn shook her head. "I would not know what you would consider a suitable punishment," Jae Dyn said. "Though, to answer your questions, I would think five hundred hours of meditation would be suitable for such a transgression."

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."

"It's...more like a stew, but trust me. It's good."

"You pulled my hair," Merrick said. "Why should I trust you?"

Zale laughed. "Because I'm letting you have sex with my wife."

"So, what makes you happy, Keeve?"

The boy gave Moril his most innocuous smile and replied, "Getting out of this limo so I no longer have to have this conversation with you."

"So I guess that means you know how hard it's been for me with you not here."

"Just wait until I recharge, and I'll make it hard on you again," Kael said with a laugh.

"How do you think Dargus would react if he found out his 'girls' were getting so chummy?"

"We're not his girls," Jae Dyn said with a smile. "Though, once he finds out we have become friends, how long, I wonder, until we are ordered to his bed together?"

"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," Yelara said sarcastically as she drew nearer to Kace. "What better way is there to show someone you care by turning around and sticking your tool into a child?"

"Hi, Zale," Shiv said softly. "You're looking suitably studly with a touch of caring husband today."

"I can't wait to see what consequences are going to slap me in the face in the morning." Merrick gave her a sly grin.

"Well maybe I can be there to help you deal with those consequences," Kaysa said.

"When you're not a stubborn bitch and defiant, you're actually pleasant to have around."

"So, you tempted any wetters into sampling your desert charms?"

"I don't do wetters, Hal. They don't deserve to partake of this feast," she said as she cupped one of her breasts.

"And, what a feast it is," Hal said with a sly grin.

"Oh, shut up, Merrick and make love to us right here." Kaysa's mouth latched on to Merrick's chest as she exposed it and suckled fervently on his erect nipples. "We don't have much time... Will three hours be enough?"

"Kace," Yelara whispered in a voice hoarse from moaning, "now I can die."

"No," Kace said. "It's time to live. You and me, together for always."

"You've gotten so sensitive and caring during my convalescence." Kaysa sighed wistfully and shook her head slowly. "I think I'm just gonna have to do away with you and find some strong, tough brute to take your place. I'll start looking in the morning."

"Don't even think about it, you heartless bitch," Zale said with a mischievous grin. "You find anyone new, and I'll just kill him."

Kaysa ran her fingers along Zale's arm and grinned with satisfaction. "That's better, my love."

"Get away from me Kace. You'd be better off just forgetting me. I wreak havoc upon everyone I touch."

Kace frowned. "I happen to like havoc."

A fit of giggles erupted out of nowhere. "I haven't had sex with Dargus Kandran for over a week," Jae Dyn said.

Yelara laughed uncontrollably and banged her hand on the table, spilling her drink. "A week?! I'm lucky if I get even one day away from Dargus'...giant ego, if you know what I mean."

"What is it with that?" she said, her voice carrying through the bar. "He had to have had surgery. And, he would too. You know he would. I heard one of his concubines saying that he had his genitalia removed and replaced with those of a Hutt. It sort of has that look, don't you think?"

Yelara howled with laughter. "I know what you mean! It can't be real. I mean, his feet aren't that big! It's no wonder he's at war with the Hutts! He wants to secure himself a bountiful supply of big, supple Hutt ....parts."

Their cries mingled as they clutched tightly to each other in the midst of the shuddering climax. Finally, they collapsed against each other. "Oh my," Merrick managed after a moment.

"That's all?" Kaysa said in a breathless whisper. "I would have at least rated that an 'oh wow'."

"Let's go now. We're talking to her one way or the other, and no one is going to stop us, not even that multi-coloured buffoon."

"I'm just astonished that you're condescending enough to think that you leave some lasting impression on the women you screw."

"I do leave a lasting impression. I'm a fucking celebrity! They remember me because they bought my album, and I stuck my dick in them. But, that's all I am to them. A celebrity fuck. It's just a different kind of autograph."

"You think you know everything, don't you?! You know what makes them tick, what drives them, but guess what, Braston," Kaysa spat, "you don't know what goes on in my head. You never will if you continue to be just some big celebrity who's been to the edges of the galaxy and back singing your way into people's hearts and into their beds."

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I got engaged to that pile of dung. I'm sorry I was such an idiot."

"But, you're the idiot I love," Merrick said taking her hand.

"I don't want your money, Kandran. I'm not some prostitute," Yelara protested.

"No, of course you're not," Dargus said. "Prostitutes make their money having sex. I'm just giving it to you for nothing."

"You will each be fitted with a Locator and your positions will be monitored at all times. There will be no video or audio surveillance; we just want to make sure we can find you when we need to."

The Imperial officer signalled someone who'd been standing outside the room inside. He passed through the door as it opened and then approached Kaysa. He instructed her to turn toward him and expose her navel. He then held up a wand attached to a box and checked some settings. He then glanced up at her with the wand held at the ready.

Kaysa's eyes flashed towards Zale as she grabbed the hem of her dress and pulled it above her waist, grateful - at least - that she'd remembered to put on panties. "Go on. Stick your tool in me," she said with a salacious smile.

"I don't need to be married. I just need you, however I can get you. Preferably between the sheets with you crying out my name repeatedly."

"Too bad the Imps didn't lend us those cuffs. I think I could have found a couple things to do with them."

Zale looked at her thoughtfully and then grinned. "Well, I'm sure I can get us a pair or two, though possibly not for tonight. But, next time," he said as he moved up and slipped his arms around her again, "we can play Good Imp/Bad Imp. And, believe me, I know right where to put my blaster."

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.

"I've got some soap, lots of water, and a few clean towels. Let's get you cleaned up." Kaysa held out her hand and waited expectantly for Merrick to take it. "Don't be shy. I promise I won't peek while you undress."

"So, you won't peek while I'm undressing, but you didn't say anything about when I'm showering."

"Thank you, Zale. You look good, especially all in black bad-ass mode."

"You'll never lose me, Kaysa," Shiv said. "And, I'll kick Merrick's ass if he tries to walk away from us. And, he'll realize that the embarrassment of having his butt kicked by a girl in an equadi is much harder to live with than his two salacious wenches having a good time with Zale Tregat, dark and moody sex-biscuit."

"We don't have much time before you-know-who shows up."

"Oh, right. Mr. Congeniality with a datapad up his ass. We certainly don't wanna annoy him."

After several very long minutes, it all subsided. Shiv's breath was still coming in shuddering gasps, but she was calming. "Oh gods," she finally managed. "That was... You were... Most unbelievable... Oh, gods, thank you. After that, I think I can die now. Thank you."

"My pleasure...and apparently yours too."

"I'm ready, Daddy. Make me a man."

Dargus took Keeve's hand and gave it a squeeze. "Maeren will do that in the morning."

"Did I miss something?"

"You missed nothing, Kace. Elisia and I were just trading some Corellian recipes. She's quite good at cooking things up, you know," Yelara answered, her gaze locked onto Elisia.

"Since Yelara doesn't like my cooking, she will be cooking from now on. After all, she has far more experience than I have. She has made it quite clear that it makes all the difference," Elisia said, her voice controlled.

Yelara gave Elisia a feral grin. "Well, you're too young to start cooking Elisia, so maybe you should stick with something you actually have a chance at excelling in. Leave the cooking to me."

"Please," Kace said his voice louder than he'd planned. "This is a very small ship, and we've still got three days before we get to our destination."

"Don't worry Master, I will stay out of the way. I wouldn't want to interfere in any buffet you care to partake of. " She looked up at Yelara. "I just hope you can keep up with so many stoves. Seems like things might get a little used up and dirty."

"You little witch!"

"So," Jae Dyn asked, "where do I get to pick up my new ship?"

Dargus gave her a wolfish smile and pulled a datapad from out of his longcoat. He transferred the necessary codes and tossed her a datachip with the information on it. "Landing pad 31B."

Jae Dyn caught the chip in midflight and slipped it into a vest pocket. "I will," she said. "And, thank you." She gave him one last smile and turned to head out the door again. She could feel his eyes on her back as she left. No, not her back entirely...a little lower. She shook her head.

As Kaysa's lips parted from Merrick's, she glanced up into his eyes and saw the light in them burning brightly again. "Oh, how I've missed those eyes," she said dreamily.

Still holding her close, Merrick smiled. "And these eyes have definitely missed you."

"Did you just want to wear that dress back over to your apartment, or would you rather live dangerously and just wear one of my long coats?"

"I'd rather have you wrapped around me, but the coat will do."

"I love you, Merrick. And whenever you're feeling like I'm slipping away, just know that I'll never stray too far before running back into your arms, Merrick. My heart would never let me."

"And, my heart will never let me walk away from you, for any reason. We're stuck with each other, and not even Keeve's teeth can keep us apart."

"You don't want to know what a speeder going two hundred kilometres per hour will do when it ploughs into the ground."

"Not instilling me with confidence, Liam," Laedra chided gently.

"Here's the other miscreant."

"Hey! That's not a miscreant," Kaysa protested. "That's a Merrick."

"When he's not setting the apartment on fire, he's a really neat guy."

"Well, I'm a really neat guy," Merrick said, "and I want to set things on fire in a different way."

Shiv gave him a sly grin. "Oh, I love it when you get all metaphorical," she said as she kissed him.

"Watch all of me, not just my eyes. Use all of your senses, and you'll know where my blows will fall."

"It wasn't your eyes I was focusing on," Laedra muttered as she tore her focus from his chest.

"My mommy said to always be a gentleman and not a little devil. I try to be both."

"So, Kaysa, you look like the kind of woman who knows how to move on a dance floor. Am I right?"

"Not only the dancefloor," Kaysa answered with a suggestive smile, "but I'll show you those moves later."

"And, I really like your bed. It's a very comfortable bed, and bouncy." Shiv giggled. "I like the bouncy part."

"I like the part that causes all the bouncing."

"I'm more aware of how tight my clothing is getting already. I'm not gonna fit into anything if I keep growing throughout the pregnancy like I am now! Then I guess you'll have to find a thin, beautiful concubine to look at and satisfy your aesthetic tastes," Yelara quipped.

"There's only one woman I want," he said. "And, my pregnant, beautiful wife, no matter how large she gets, will satisfy my tastes wonderfully." He brought his lips close to her ear and slid his a hand between her legs. "In fact, I do love how my wife tastes, and couldn't dream of tasting another."

"I think there's a back door we can slip out of, but I should take care of our drink tab before we run out."

"Good idea. We don't want the authorities after us for anything other than disturbing the peace or indecent exposure"

"Oh gods, yes," Shiv whispered. "Oh, just like that you beautiful hunk of musical manliness."

Merrick stopped and looked at her.

"Keep going," she said with a giggle.

Once inside the apartment, he moved in the direction of what he figured would be the bathroom. After ending up in the kitchen, he had to turn around and head in the other direction. When he finally made it into the bathroom, he laughed. "Hopefully our child won't have my sense of direction."

"I was beginning to wonder why you keep insisting upon flying the ship backwards."

"You are quite beautiful, Yelara," Dargus said. "Especially when you're fucking me."

"Poor Zale. All you've ever wanted was a little loving. It's too bad you have a weakness for men in uniform; they're so hard to love."

"I don't think I like behaving," Evie pointed out.

"You will learn to like it, or you will learn to like excruciating pain."

A man had once told Kaysa that the deep brown of her eyes was almost hypnotic and bewitching. He also later said something along the lines of her being a conniving, ruthless bitch, but she liked the compliments he gave better.

"You're going to tell me everything I want to know, Kaysa. And, if you hold anything back, it's a very long drop from that window. You'll have plenty of time to have a nice chat with all of your demons."

Yelara took Liam's hand and brought his palm to her lips as she kissed it. "These hands," she mused as she pressed his hand to her face, "they have the power to kill, yet at the same time, they have the power to make me cry out in ecstasy, to comfort me, and soon, they will gently cradle our child."

"In all honesty, I would rather share a bed with you than Dargus." The words had left Jae Dyn's mouth before she realized it. She quickly turned to Yelara, her embarrassment plain on her reddening face. "I didn't mean that in a bad way. Like an 'I'd rather sleep with a Wookie' kind of way. I just meant that--that sleeping with you would be far nicer than sleeping with Dargus. I am going to be quiet now while I consider more ways I can sound completely daft."

"Come lie with me," Zale said softly. "We can go again in a little while, but for now, let's just lie together and talk. About whatever. Or just lie in silence, while I hold you and comfort you and keep your demons at bay."

"I think after that," Kaysa said quietly, "the demons are gonna take a much needed nap."

"Now, you get to see a master at work."

"I saw that last night in bed," Raeila shot back with a wink.

"I know I'm a slut, I know I'm a fool, and I know I'm a cold, heartless bitch. You don't have to try and make me feel better by trying to prove me wrong," Kaysa said irritably.

"Very well," Zale said with a nod. "If you want to wallow in self-pity, I won't stop you."

"I do not wallow!"

Zale shook his head and threw up his hands. "You are wallowing. All of this is wallowing. You get this look in your eye whenever you think about where you are in life. And, I've seen that look a lot lately." He continued walking after her. "Do you want to hit me? Come on. Give me your best shot. Wherever you want to hit me. Come on."

Kaysa stopped again, but her eyes were still staring forward. All the anger and frustration that had been welling up within her for months culminated in that moment and urged her to accept Zale's offerring. And she did. With one swift, fluid motion of her body, she spun around and sent her fist impacting with Zale's face.

Zale looked at Kaysa with surprise. He raised a hand to his lip and pulled it away stained with blood. He looked between it and Kaysa's fist and then laughed. "Feel better now?" he asked with a grin.

"I married you...well, I married you because you made me," Zale said with a grin. "But I would have anyway because I love you. Plus you come with your very own blonde trollop."

"I knew you were in it for the blonde," Kaysa replied with a playfully menacing glare.

"Wanna help me get us up?"

Laedra laughed salaciously and reached over from where she sat in the co-pilot's seat to massage Liam's groin. "I think I can manage that."

Jae Dyn reached up and took Yelara's hands into her own. With her eyes still on Yelara's, she drew her friend back toward the bed.

"I'm new at this, Jae Dyn. What do we do?"

"Whatever feels right."

"Just remember that your wimpy musician boyfriend tossed your brawny crimelord husband over a table."

"If I ever hurt you, Kal, you have my permission to deck me one, alright?"

Kal smiled and kissed Yelara on the lips. "If you hurt me," she said softly, "I will make love to you. If I hurt you, I will do my best to make it up to you, however you want me to. I will do my best to be patient as we go through experiencing our first relationship together. And, I will love you completely with all my heart."

"You'll give me a loan? For as much as I want? And what do you ask in return?"

"All I can really ask is that you work to make this venture a success and that you don't screw me over."

Kaysa laughed. "The only screwing over I do is in the bedroom, Mr. Tregat."

Kaysa closed the gap between them, standing practically on top of Vrax as she glared at him and smiled ferally. "I've taught you well, haven't I? You're just as devious and deceptive as I ever was, more so now. I guess I should be flattered that you think so highly of me that you would choose to follow in my footsteps. But the sad part is, you'll forever live in my shadow, blotted out by it like the insignificant bastard you are. I could never love you. You represent everything in me that I despise."

"Isn't it strange how life just throws those twists at you? I mean, just in the last couple months, everything in our lives has changed so dramatically. And, they're still changing."

"The twists are what brings two people, walking completely separate paths, colliding into one another. If it weren't for those twists, we may not have met."

"I know you're not really into men, Merrick, but I just want you to know that if you do develop a preference for them...I really will bite off a nipple."

"Kace!"

Kace turned and saw Yelara running down the corridor toward him. He felt a moment of confusion, and then her emotions hit him. He took a step away from the airlock, closer toward her. She was so beautiful. He felt the burning of tears again. The realization of what was happening hit, and he rushed forward to meet her. His arms went around her immediately, pulling her close to never let her go again.

"Yelara, I could put you in with the rest of my concubines, and nothing you could do or say would make any difference. I could chain you to my bed and take you whenever the whim struck me. I could chain you in the center of the flight deck, and tell everyone there that you were free for the taking. I am giving you everything. Everything! Open your eyes!"

"I have, Dargus, and now I see what a truly evil snake you are."

Kaysa stood up quickly to stretch her arms. She yawned loudly and as she continued to stretch, her shirt-tails became untucked. Kaysa smiled as she stalked up to Rennor and began tucking her shirt back into her pants. She could see his eyes following the motions of her hands and she smiled mischievously. "I bet you wish those were your hands down my pants right now."

"When we get to Tae'Karada," Yelara whispered silkily, "the first thing I want you to do is take me up into your arms and carry me into our new home. After that, you'll carry me into our new bedroom and lay me gently onto the bed and..." Yelara smiled and kissed Liam's neck again before drawing away. "I'll let you figure out for yourself what to do after that."

"You have yourself a deal. And I have a very good idea what comes after laying my beautiful wife on the bed." He gave her a smile of his own. "And, it has nothing to do with carbosyrup."

Yelara raised an eyebrow and laughed. "Well, not unless you're into that sort of thing."

"Monogamy just seems like such a foreign concept to me now, but is that really what this is? We haven't slept with each other, our relationship really isn't defined...what are we, Merrick?"

Merrick laughed. "An aberration," he said.

"Let's go get something to eat. I think I'd like to go to Raoral's. Come on; it's a good day for a walk."

Shiv giggled. "You can't take us outside dressed like this. That's torture."

Zale chuckled. "It's a lovely spring day," he said. "You two will be perfectly fine."

Kaysa cocked her head up high in the air as she strolled along past Zale with Shiv on her arm. "You are paying, are you not, Mr. Tregat?"

Zale adjusted the front of his pants and chuckled. "Yes," he said, "I'm definitely paying."

"I didn't mean to get you dragged over here. My girlfriend thinks I'm turning homosexual."

"So tell me, your highness, why are you so interested in my relationship with Dargus? You're not trying to get me out of the way so you can take him on as one of your male concubines, are you?"

"I love you, Zale Tregat," Kaysa whispered. "And not just for your money."

"And, I love you, Kaysa Tregat," Zale whispered. "And not just because of what you're doing with your hand right now."

"I swore I'd watch after you in here, and that's what I intend to do. Merrick would kill me otherwise."

"He said that but I'm not sure how effective he'll be in carrying out that threat. Frankly, he's a wimp, but what he lacks in muscle mass he makes up for in spirit."

"You sure know how to break a girl's heart, Selrid."

"I also know how to mend it."

"Kace Mordin, I don't know whether to curse the day that I met you, or to thank the Force that you were brought into my life."

"I guess that depends on what day it is," he said with a laugh.

"Don't even think about walking out on me again," Kaysa berated him gently. "That was one of the scariest moments of my life."

"I thought it would have been the fact that Merrick's practically made that whole meal himself," Zale said with a laugh.

"You two are just...trouble."

"You like trouble, Zale, that's why you're keeping us around." Kaysa kissed Shiv's neck and whispered a salacious thought into her ear. When they erupted into giggles again, she glanced at Zale and shrugged her shoulders innocently. "We were talking about what we're having for dessert."

"Very yummy," Shiv cooed.