Once again I found myself drifting slowly upward from some abyssal depth, my inner lids lightening more and more as though I were actually floating toward the surface of a dark and noisome sea. In bits and pieces I found myself becoming more and more aware of the simple things: There. What was that thing? Oh yes, that strange lump of dough my hand is rubbing against is my leg. And that soft whisper? The ventilation system, doing it's part to keep us all alive. Ane yet that bubbling noise...

...sounds like a Bacta tank.

At that my eyelids opened, and memory descended on me in a rush. I immediately wrapped my arms about myself, shivering with the ghostly repetition of that-- that thing's uncaring rape upon my body as it's claws and razored tail had probed and thrust and searched every orifice I possessed... and in more than one instance creating a couple of their own in which to search more deeply. I shuddered as that revolting recollection played itself over again, not merely in my mind's eye but seemingly in the very strands of my muscles and integuements. I shuddered again, gripping myself with the fervor of desperation, willing the ghastly feeling to just... go away.

Immediately on the heels of these horrible sensations came the image of my love, mutilated so much more terribly, and for an action he had undertaken for me. My nails sunk into the flesh of my arms at the very thought.

If it weren't for me, and my damned sister, this wouldn't have happened to him, I thought blackly, fighting tears once again. It's all my fault that happened to him, that this is happening to us.

Maybe I just ought to give myself up to these demons, to prevent anyone else from getting hurt.

Then I shook my head at myself. No. That's what I did with Sorben; I cut and ran, presumably to keep him from harm, and what happened? I have brought harm to others instead. The only solution is to remain solitary my entire life, constantly on the alert, like a frightened ikopi aware of the predator who stalks it from forest acre to forest acre....

...or not give in to the despair these creatures are striving to place in me, and in us. To remain steadfast to the original plan, and somehow rid the Galaxy of the foul blight which those hideous beings truly are.

My eyes widened as an unconscious question suddenly made itself known. Why hadn't I been able to fight against that damnable demon? Why hadn't the magnificent power once again arisen to thwart their attack on us? Why had we fallen before the onslaught like dried leaves being blown about by the wind?

Why hadn't I been able to knock the devils end-over-nasties, as I had back on Khar Delba?

I laid my hand on my belly, the answer coming to me in a flash of certainty.

It hadn't been me. It was the Child, the little...girl?!?... that I yet carried, the incredible little being which every passing day brought closer and closer to birth. Even now I could feel her moving inside me; all of a sudden, a great blanket of warmth and assurance and consolation and loving protection descended over me. I knew it was from her, that somehow she was reaching out in an almost mystical manner to calm the growing trepidation of her mother.

She is the One to end this, I knew deep in my gut. She is the One they are after, too. All I need to do is keep her safe until she is born, and grown... just a few years; Khaandon help us all, but it's going to be rough....

But She is the One who will finally rid us of Graysith and her hell-spawned little band.

Smiling now, the sacrifice of my beloved's arm and my own hideous and far more personal violation suddenly a speck in the bucket compared to this unborn child's worth, I drew in a deep breath. Nodding to myself, I then let my consciousness flee me, and it escaped back into the cradling security of natural sleep.

And they didn't have anywhere to go from here anyway.

When he woke up seemingly ages later, though it had only in reality been about eight hours, he found himself sitting in a chair in the Sick bay, his head rested against his hand and elbow placed on a med bed. Glancing around a bit, two things became obvious. Jasyn had moved from where had been sitting the night before, and Terrin was out of the tank.

Stretching, he looked one bed over to find Galen resting comfortably, a blanket wrapped around her. As he became more aware, he could hear movements of Captain Joao's MD-15, preparing something. He glanced over another bed. There Terrin laid, his hair still wet from bacta and still looking pale.

Sithspawn, but he'd lost A LOT of blood.

The med droid had taken care to wrap Terrin's wound nicely, leaving him to rest comfortably. He's going to be out a while, Matt thought. Finally getting up, he wandered over to the med droid, finding Jasyn sitting on the bed next to Terrin's, looking half asleep but still managing to present an aura of unwavering disgust and loyalty.

He wasn't going to budge.

"Jasyn, I'm gonna go talk to Captain Joao. I'll be back, ok?"

Jasyn nodded. "You know I'm not moving," he muttered, eyes closed. "I'll let you know if Galen wakes up."

"Thanks. I think it's about time we explained everything."

Eyes still closed, he replied, "Yeah, we better."

With that, Matt turned on his heels and headed off to find the Captain.

I frowned, tilting my head a bit to consider my artistry. Then with a vicious slash of one hand, I wiped it from existence.

What in the name of all the Fates was going on here?! I scowled blackly, now shifting to a more comfortable position. I placed my elbow on the arm of my chair, and leaned my head into it. Who were these... these, whatever-they-were that hounded us, that came out of nowhere and attacked with such unfeeling ferocity? How in the name of Hell had they managed to find us in hyperspace?

Yaoksi ol boy, you sure seemed to have bitten off a plug a wee bit bigger than you normally like to chew on....

My blackening thoughts were interrupted as I heard the approach of soft and measured footsteps. They were not heralded by the whoosh of an automatic door opening; due to Silent Running, power to that luxury had been cut off and the doors were frozen half-open.

I sniffed, expecting Nassy. She sure has made herself scarce lately, the thought buzzed through my mind. But then, can you really blame her? I mean, it's one thing to vow and swear alliegance to whatever we are gonna be heading for, and quite another to actually experience a tragic blow from the enemy. I wouldn't be surprised if she was coming to tell me she wants off-ship....

"You don't have to say it, Nass," I began, turning in my seat. Then I froze, a touch embarrassed. There behind me was Captain Danner's crewman, what was his name? Matt... yeah, Matt Stanza, I think.

The little problem of his moniker faded into insignificance before the look in his eye, and the entire aspect of his demeanor. Suddenly I knew he wasn't here to parlay lightly. The time indeed had come to play the hand Fate had dealt to them, and to me, and join those cards once again in the shuffling of unity.

Which involved complete and utter trust and candor with each other.

I worked my jaw a bit, then pinned his eyes with mine. "You want to tell me exactly what's going on here?" I began slowly. Then I built up momentum, and like an old Imperial Star Destroyer steamed ahead full.

"What happened to us back there? How did Danner lose his arm? What happened to that lil gal with you, and why the hell is she so important? How can anything happen to us in hyperdrive...

"...and why the Hell did that gal shoot a perfectly good TIE-fighter off into a star?!?"

Then, leaning forward, his green eyes radiating intensity, he contiued. "Terrin met Galen a while ago when he was working for an Imperial Moff. That Moff had been involved in an assassination attempt on Admiral Palleon, which was befuddled by the aforementioned Shayla Stargazer. Because Shayla was tipped off about the whole assassination attempt due to Terrin's involvement, the Moff held him accountable, and sent him out to find her.

"In the meantime, Shayla, who had once been a Jedi trainee, returned to the Praxeum to finish her training. Not long after she arrived there she was stolen from the Praxeum by a Sith. Terrin found out about this, and was in the process of running after Shayla when he met Galen, who helped him pilot his ship off an Imperial-held world. By the time the two of them returned to us, Terrin had changed his tune. They decided to try to find Ms. Stargazer and save her from the Sith, which consequently is the ex-sister of Galen's, changed by some sort of incident some time before.

"We decided the best way to save Shayla was to find a device called the Nar Khelba, which could, if attached to a lightsaber, destroy the soul. We all went to Khar Delba, a world which houses a Sith Temple, to retrieve it. Only later did we discover Shayla was no longer a captive but a willing Adept of this Graysith, at which point we decided to continue after the weapon for matters of justice due to Galen's father's untimely death at her sister's hand. To make a long story short, Terrin and Galen actually succeeded in finding the weapon, but Terrin had to cut the finger off this Graysith, whom I'm told was knocked senseless by some sort of Force-blast or something created by Galen and her child.

"But we actually got away with it, for a while. Ever since we've been hiding the Nar Khelba, hoping to use it against Graysith. But the Sith, as Terrin suspected, didn't forget. Although I was out like the rest of you, I'm guessing that the Sith were here, looking for the Nar Khelba, and that Terrin's punishment for taking the finger of Graysith was the loss of his arm. As for your fighter--my apologies, I'm again guessing--but I think Galen just made it the vehicle to rid us of the Nar Khelba eternally."

Matt paused for a moment, scrutinizing the Captain's fairly unreadable look. "Galen is important because the child she carries is just as strong, if not stronger than Graysith. I don't know all the details, but Terrin told me that Graysith was once also pregnant, and lost her child in some sort of confrontation between her and Galen. Therefore, she wants Galen's child...and her life."

It was only with the greatest and most concentrated of efforts that I prevented any sort of look or other more subtle body language from betraying my first and altogether quite instinctive reaction to Matt's little soliloquy. The only allowance I gave my rapidly upwelling emotions was a slight tightening of the fist against which my head was leaning.

Holy shizzoly, time to exit stage left....

Then I sniffed, and brought myself back under grips.

OK, so that is the way things are. Chances are that if you dumped this particular cargo and ran, these Sith would probably still be after you, just because you had been associated with them, however briefly. Better to remain in alliance with these guys; there's strength in numbers.

Not to mention the little fact of this unborn baby... yeesh. I winced a bit, suddenly uncomfortable with the wealth of Force-weirdness that had so unexpectedly come crashing down into my little world as of late. First a brief introduction via one Cella Poliani... then more than sufficient and far too personal revelation of exactly who and what we were facing.

Again not to mention this Admiral fellow... wonder where he fits into the Grand Scheme of things?

I shook my head to rid myself of inner distractions. For a moment I merely sat there, staring at Matt, who was obviously waiting for me to say something Captain-ish. I opened my mouth, even as I wondered exactly what was going to come out of it...

...when I was struck by the obvious. The baby. The Kid. This was going to go far, far beyond your normal little life's paradigms, Yaoksi ol boy, and you know it. And you now have a chance to be carried off far beyond yourself, and your self-imposed limitations. This is "save-the-Galaxy" kinda stuff, straight out of the days of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader and Yoda and your favorite merch runner...

...and you have the opportunity to be a part of it all. But do you want to? And more importantly, do you have the strength to do so? Indeed this entailed being involved for the long haul, and beyond.

Without really realizing it, I was nodding my head. "Yeah, yeah," I found myself murmuring, albeit whether to Matt or in response to my own concerns I really didn't know.

Or did I?

Now I straightened, pinning Matt's gaze with a firm look. I pursed my lips briefly, then exhaled loudly.

"Ok then, thank you for your candor," I said quietly. Then I stood, and offerred a hand to the stocky man. "While I'm still going to let my crew come to their own decisions..." I trailed off suddenly, quieting.

NO. You're the Captain. Act the part, buddy.

"Ahhh... no," I contradicted myself, my lip quirking in response to the gleam of humor I thought I saw deep in the depths of Matt's eyes. I continued, "You can count on us, and the Devil-May-Care. She's a good ship, modified, and very fast. She'll beat the old Falcon's Kessel run by a full parsec and a half, in fact."

Now I was grinning, albeit it a touch darkly. "You let your Captain know that whatever he needs, he's got. And that once we get to Sullust, no matter what happens or how long we have to stay, or where we have to go from there, we're with ya. Like my gunner said earlier, we're in for the long haul, baby."

Now exposing my teeth in a full smile, I clambered to my feet and clapped my hand on Matt's shoulder. "The ship's okay for now, if a touch cool," I explained lightly, turning him towards the half-opened door as I spoke. "Why don't we head on aft and see how your Captain and his lil gal are progressing?"

Leading the way back, Matt's thoughts turned inward to the role he'd have to play while Terrin was recovering. Although he was perfectly ready to fullfill the duties of his Captain, he'd never before had to actually do so. Then again, they'd never managed to get themselves this shoulder-deep in muck, even with the whole Moff ordeal.

But Matt knew the part. And he was far more than just capable of playing it.

Entering the sick bay, he found two parties resting, and Jasyn cracking one eye half-open to observe this new disturbance.

Thank goodness he didn't up and blast you and Yaoksi both, as tightly as he's wound about now.

In the back of the sick bay, the med droid was working busily.

"The droid is working on the prosthetic," Jasyn explained, his head lolling to the side a bit. "Nothing much else from that. Galen might be coming around shortly; the med droid checked her vitals, she's just sleeping comfortably. Terrin," he added, opening his eyes momentarily to glance at his Captain, "he's still out cold. So we just wait..."

Captain Danner....

I winced a bit as I glanced over to where he lay, his face only a couple shades pinker than the pillow beneath his head. With a gulp I forced myself to take in the unnatural outline of his right side.

It's a good thing I took that MD-15 in lieu of that one run's payment, I thought to myself with some relief. That was the very latest in med-droids; my older MD-08 wouldn't have had the capabilities to create a prosthesis, although it might have been able to attach one.

Now I pushed myself off of the bulkhead and strode over to where Danner lay. Uncaring to what the others might be thinking, I reached out a hand and laid it gently on his good arm.

We'll get you fixed up good as new, buddy, I vowed silently. Then you and I are gonna get to really know each other...

...and preferably over some Alderaanian ale in one of Sullust's wonderful cantinas.

Then glancing about myself in a motion just shy of slight embarrassment, I left the sick man's side and resumed my position holding up the bulkhead. Meanwhile, my MD-15 rushed over to where I had been seconds earlier, scolding me as it brought every device it possessed to bear on the unconscious man. Finally assuring itself that no harm had befallen its patient, it stalked back to the aft of the med-bay, and continued working on Terrin's new arm.

...Horrible...???

Now what was wrong here? Hadn't they been sitting enjoying some dinner and some wine when...

...when what...?

Coming another click closer to wakefulness, he smacked his lips a bit, a strange taste filling his mouth...

...BACTA...?!

Then slowly and horribly, memory began to reveal itself, in horrifying detail.

That...

...that blast...

...that thing, sitting upon his chest, searching, seeking...

...then...

...

Oh, HORROR, HORROR, HORROR...! IT CAN'T BE TRUE IT MUSN'T...!

Quite suddenly, he did not want to open his eyes...

Where...where was Galen...where was she...? Had it taken her...AGAIN? Oh gods, but please no...

What of that sound of crunching bones...?

Whose bones...?

Of the searing, awful pain of tearing flesh and ligaments...

...HIS BONES...?!

His breath caught in his throat, as his previous denial was brought horribly back to the surface, reality slamming into him.

...It had taken...

...taken...

Before he knew what he was doing, scarcely aware of those around him, his eyes flew open, and he let out a blood-curdling scream.
"Galen!" he cried, making a pitiful attempt to hoist himself up level, wanting more than anything to deny the fact that he was short an arm to complete the task.

Then, giving in, he returned to dead still, his blue eyes looking stormy, his breath coming quick from the exertion.

"Galen..."

"TERRIN!!"

I bolted upright in my bed, the blanket someone had wrapped around me flying off as in one fantastic move I was up and on my feet, my eyes flying from the form of one man after another who crowded the medical bay of this ship, then going to the bacta tank off to one side of the facility...

The empty bacta tank?!?

...and finally coming to rest on the ivory-skinned visage of my love. He lay in his own sickbed, halfway supported by his one arm...

Oh dear Khaandon, his ONE arm...!

...his eyes wild and almost unseeing for the terror which flooded them. Terror not in regard to himself, I realized with a blasting jolt as I scrambled to his side, pushing through the crewmen who were now converging upon him, heedless of the scolding squawks of the MD-15 who came clanking and clattering from the back of the bay.

That terror was for me.

Sobbing now, I flung myself on the bed beside him, wrapping my arms around him, carefully avoiding the bandaged stump of his arm as I hugged him with all the strength in my possession, kissing his eyes, his lips, his cheek, over and over and all the while murmuring through my sobs and caresses,

"I'm here, Terrin, I'm here. Nothing is going to take me away, or you from me. I'm here, and I'm staying with you forever. I love you, and nothing is going to change that. Nothing!"

Then I felt harsh metallic fingers clamp onto my shoulders, drawing me away, as the MD-15 continued to scold in my ear and the other members of our newly expanded crew all rushed up to welcome my love back into the world of the living.

...he couldn't.

In the background Matt had pulled Jasyn away, hoping to keep him from clobbering the MD-15 who was trying to pull Galen away.

Pull her away?!

Leaning into her just a bit, he managed to pull himself to a sitting position, drawing more squawks from the MD as his view of the room began to spin. Closing his eyes he drowned it all out, unaware that Matt had somehow managed to pull Jasyn from the room for the moment, but clearly aware that someone had gotten MD to back off. With a mechanical sigh, the droid returned to his work.

Shaking, Terrin took his one arm and wrapped it behind her head, pulling her close to him, basking in the warmth the motion brought. "They...they didn't take you...you...you stayed..." he muttered, falling short of words as he became more than aware that tears were falling not only from her eyes, but from his. "I love you," he whispered. "I thought I'd lost you..."

And yet it was quickly becoming obvious that there was more, much more, going on here than one Twi'lek female, however cunning, could handle or even fully comprehend.

As Terrin Danner (so terribly ravaged...never in my born days have I seen such a thing, such a nightmare!) embraced his beloved, an odd warmth stole through my veins. These aren't just nameless spacefarers with a knack for trouble. These are people, Naisra'len, and a child. A child. I groaned inwardly. Are we really up to this?

A cold smile curved my lips as a sudden thought came to me. Well, perhaps we're just spacebums, but spacebums have been known to do great things. And if we aren't Jedi, we can move around the galaxy a lot quicker and a lot quieter. Nobody will be looking for a baby amongst a pack of smugglers.

Strange how... how... real she looks all of a sudden, I mused to myself in something akin to wonder. Then I realized what had brought on that odd thought, and before I knew what I was doing I reached out and enfolded her in my own arms, hugging her tightly. For a moment she stiffened, all lean muscle and sinew poised for action; then she softened, yielding. Her lekku snaked around to tickle the back of my neck briefly.

That soft touch snapped the moment for me. Reddening at the impusive act, I pushed her out to arm's length, my hands yet maintaining their hold on her arms.

"I, uh... well, that is to say, I ummm..." I garbled, my face becoming redder and redder as I tried to explain the inexplicable action. I yammered to a shaky stop, and once more looked into her eyes.

Bless her sinuous lekku, she understands... er, at least I THINK she does.

"Ahh-- thank you for staying with us, Nass. I do believe things are gonna be rough, and I appreciate your hanging in there. Not to mention the input; that's a good idea. In fact, it's a great idea."

I paused a moment, then hurried on, letting my words carry us farther and farther from that impulsive--yet strangely so appropriate hug I had given her, letting my arms now drop to my sides as I took a step backward. I flashed her my biggest, lady-killer smile.

"Why don't I just leave all the er, ident-muddling up to you. I agree 200 percent that it's probably going to be needed; you sound like this is something that, er... you're ahhh... accustomed to doing, heh."

Sheesh Yaoksi, why don't you open your mouth a little wider? I don't believe you've quite gotten your foot all the way into it....

"That is, ahh... I've never done that, er I mean to say I've never had to..."

Once again I stuttered to a stop, my face now flaming. Ridiculous, in the face of such tragedy, followed by such overwhelming love!

I cleared my throat, yanking on my vest to straighten an invisible wrinkle I had spotted upon it.

"I'll just leave you in charge of this masquerade, and I want to let you know that I'm open to any suggestions as to where we can go when we leave Sullust.

"And as for me..." Now I drew myself upright, struggling yet to bring myself back under some semblance of control. "I'm really looking forward to some ale and discussion with Captain Danner, when he's fully up to it, you understand...

"...not to mention those hot springs."

Oh... HELL. You had to say it, didn't you?!?

Flashing her another shaky smile, I flicked my eyes back to the medbay. Thank the gods no one had noticed the smaller melodrama unfolding just outside its door; all attention was yet focused on Terrin and Galen. The pair were still holding on to each other as though their lives depended upon it...

...which, as a matter of fact, I had a suddenly sneaky suspicion they truly did.

Giving my vest another yank, I dipped my head to the peeps who didn't even turn to acknowledge the act, nodded in as stately a manner as I could to my gunner, and fled the medbay altogether.

Of course, Jasyn didn't walk away without threatening to shut the med droid down if he laid another finger on the pair now embracing each other...

...that is, as best as Terrin could do minus an arm.

Matt shuddered a bit at the thought, even now unwilling to break into their time together.

"He's going to wear himself out," Jasyn muttered worriedly.

Matt shrugged. "I think they need each other at the moment." Then, turning his eyes from the scene to Jasyn, who probably hadn't slept a wink since this whole horrid thing began, "Go get some sleep."

"But..." Jasyn started.

Matt shot a piercing green-eyed look up at him. "Now."

Jasyn frowned. "Oh, allright, fine. But you let me know if something happens." With that, he skulked away.

Matt knew not to take Jasyn's reaction personally. Not only was the guy tired, he was also reacting in his typically loyal fashion, clearly furious at the deeds that had so recently and vividly been done. Stepping the rest of the way into the sickbay, Matt crossed over to consult with MD. Then, cautiously approaching Terrin and Galen, who had still yet to let go of one another, he gently laid a hand on Terrin's back.

Terrin jumped just a bit, turning a pair of tired eyes to Matt. "Hey," he managed.

Matt smiled just a touch at him and Galen. "Prosthetic should be done by the morning," he said. Terrin frowned a bit at this, but nodded. "Get some rest, okay?"

Another nod.

"I'll be right on the other side of the room if you need me, catching some winks." With that he headed over to the other side of the sickbay, where he sat in a chair and leaned back against the bulkhead. There he closed his eyes and slowly drifted into sleep, unaware that as he left Terrin had turned his head slightly to the right to stare blankly at the bandaged stump that was once part of his right arm.

Before he even was aware of what he was doing, he attempted to reach out his right hand--his dominant hand--to run fingers through her hair. Suddenly shuddering at the sensation, he drew back, flinching at the sickening feeling. His blue eyes grew a shade darker.

How...how could he feel an arm that wasn't there?! This had to be some sort of sick nightmare...it had to be...

...how could she stand to look at him, torn as he was...?

Hold the ship, Danner. She already said this doesn't change anything. And you know it would be the same if it were her and not you...

...Thank the Maker it hadn't been her...

...still, this just had to be a dream...

The more wakefulness descended upon him, the more he wanted to shut everything out.

This just had to be...HAD TO BE a horrible dream. He would wake up, and she would be with him, and everything would be fine...

...just fine...

...But it is the truth, ISN'T IT? That thing...that thing with the spiked tail and razor sharp teeth...tore and ripped YOUR flesh and bones, took YOUR arm.

He didn't realize as the thoughts began to slam into him once again in vivid reality that he'd begun to shake his head from side to side, oblivious to the worried look Galen was giving him.

No...no...no...it just musn't be true...

His eyes growing yet another shade deeper, he whispered, panick threatening to overtake him, "Please...tell me this is just a bad dream..."

Oh gods, Terrin....

Not bothering to blink them away, I reached out a hand and laid it alongside his cheek, forcing him to look me straight in the eye again. He did; something deep inside me winced and yowled to see the tearing pain in that look. I shook my head, unable to actually state the words that would confirm the worst, going instead to the real issue that was bothering him.

Personal pain and the indignity carried out upon his body comprised the lesser issue, no matter what he was saying. Somehow I knew that on some deep level, he knew this. But the other, that was what fueled the desperation I saw lurking deep in the smoky depths of his eyes, heard as the underlying current to his words.

Still pinning his eyes with mine, I spoke up softly at last. "Oh Khaandon, Terrin... what can I say to relieve your pain? I owe you so much; such a sacrifice you have made for me."

Tears now overflowing from my eyes to trickle down my face, I leaned carefully down and, keenly aware of the presence of raw and ravaged nerve endings exposed in the remnants of his arm, I lightly kissed the bandaged stump. Then I drew back, trembling with the importance of what I was trying to get across to him, hoping I wasn't botching it altogether. This was a vulnerable time for my love....

"This matters not, Terrin, not one bit. For even now I see lying before me more of a man than the one I first fell in love with."

Somehow realizing words would no longer accurately convey my feelings, I could say no more. I moved my hand to brush damp tendrils of hair from his face, then snuggled down into the protective warmth of hs side.

So it was true. The horrible, terrible thing had actually happened.

But your arm isn't the only thing that demon almost took, is it?

That she could look upon him and so openly profess her undying love...undying love!...spoke volumes though she obviously didn't have all the words to express what her actions proved even more accurately.

As she brushed the hair from his face and snuggled close to him--oh how he NEEDED her touch--he considered her words.

What more did she see in him in the light of this horrible disaster? How was it that he was able to face this at all without withdrawing in upon himself?

Then the answer presented itself in blinding radiance, a small but significant victory in the storm. You have yet come lightyears from that which you were before. You NEED her, you honestly NEED her, and you're finding yourself completely unable to deny it...

...something that, if the old Terrin Danner had anything to do with it, you most certainly would be doing about now. HE wouldn't have been able to face this. HE would have just shoved everyone away.

And he's in you even now, trying to get you to do just that, ISN'T HE?

In the quiet of the room, Terrin leaned back, all the while taking comfort in her presence near him. He spoke the words to drive that damnable demon of his old self completely away from him. "I'd give my life for you," he replied quietly. "I know that...that you'll stay with me..."

The words trailed off, as once again he found tears welling in the depths of his blue eyes, striving to give voice to the despair which her words and her touch had so solidly driven away.

He knows... he REALLY knows! I exulted to myself, snuggling closer to my love as though to somehow burrow completely into him and physically join with him, heart and soul. Reaching around with my one arm, I lightly laid my hand on his bandages, let it remain there, a soft yet solid assurance of my undying love, that what I did love wasn't this physical shell, but rather that which I sensed shining within it.

Somehow I knew greater epiphanies were occurring within him even as my touch sought to reassure. Smiling into his neck, I whispered the thought.

"Maybe it's- it's somehow GOOD that this happened, love."

For a moment I paused, tensing a little in spite of myself, wondering if I had overstepped a secretive and inner line by that seemingly incongruous and actually somewhat horrible statement.

Then I relaxed, pressing myself yet closer to him.

He knows... Khaandon, but I KNOW it.

Perhaps indeed in this tragic event you have yet learned something you would not have otherwise. After all, you've known from the time she spoke the words the first time that she truly loved you...

...but you've been so acclamated to being able to shove those nearest away. What you needed was a good dose of someone who wouldn't DARE leave you, regardless of your initial response, to break yourself out of that wretched pattern.

Something which she has so squarely done for you that there's not any possible way you can deny it.

Suddenly feeling tired, he closed his eyes, his one good arm wrapped tightly about her, all the while ignoring MD-15's renewed protests.

"What do you want now?" I growled, cutting my eyes to the side to see the tips of metallic fingers in my direct line of vision, fingers which had found a new home on my shoulder.

At least the blasted machine didn't try to yank on me like it did earlier!

A somewhat reedy electronic voice marred the silence. "This Sir needs his rest, Madam," he whined annoyingly. Those fingers tightened a fraction upon me.

I sighed, ignoring the med-droid's obvious demand altogether, and merely snuggled closer to Terrin's side. "Ok then," I growled, closing my eyes. "We'll go to sleep now, if you'll leave us alone."

For a moment there was nothing but silence, and the soft sussurations and whirrs and clicks of a fully operational sickbay. Then a metallic sigh followed my own.

"Oh very well, Madam. If you insist...."

Oh well. He'll get over it.

Standing up to stretch more and walk around a bit, Matt gave the pair a final glance. He grinned. Snug as two bugs in a rug. And if he didn't know any better, he would swear that was almost a bit of a smile on Terrin's face.

Heck maybe it was. There was no doubt what Terrin had found with Galen was the real thing. If only they could all be that lucky.

Wanting to walk around just a little bit, Matt wandered just outside of the sickbay, almost tripping right over the form of a sleeping Jasyn sitting with his head atop his knees. Matt nudged him with a booted foot.

"Hey!" Jasyn blurted.

Matt put a finger to his lips, then pointed to the sickbay.

"Oh, sorry," the other whispered.

"What are you doing out here anyway?"

Jasyn shrugged. "I just didn't want to be far, just in case...something else happened."

Matt frowned. "You know there's nothing you or anyone else could have done."

"I know, I know. But at least staying on guard allows me to feel as though I am trying to do something useful. Other than sitting and waiting for Captain Joao and his Twi'lek to take care of matters for us to arrive on Sullust safely, there's really nothing else."

Matt nodded thoughtfully. "I was thinking of pulling some strings to get Captain Joao a new TIE fighter, but other than that, yeah, I agree that there's nothing else we can do but wait for Terrin to recover, which will take a while yet. But I think we can rest assured that he's being taken care of at the moment."

"Oh?" Jasyn asked quirking a brow. "You mean that med-device happy MD-15 or Galen?"

However, my new "crew" and I could draw a little...unwanted attention. I needed to take care of that until I could get some proper forged ID's for everyone. I rummaged through my makeup bag. I had a nice assortment of face paint and various dyes for a girl that had left Dalius City in an awful hurry. I wondered if I could persuade Matt and Jasyn to go as brothers--the blue face paint would probably solve that problem. Galen I could disguise as a fellow gunner without a hitch--I could paint a tattoo just fine.

Yaoksi and I could be ourselves, more or less, as we weren't the ones on the lam here. I was more worried about the Eagle Enterprises crew--and the attention that a one-armed man would attract. Terrin was a special challenge. I hummed and hawed and finally decided to let him and Yaoksi cook something up.

Yaoksi...my whole body still tingled warmly from his impulsive embrace in the sickbay. I grinned to myself. No secret that he was attracted to me, or that I was attracted to him. But when he found out what I was really like, would the attraction still hold?

I couldn't stand it any longer. "Hey buddy, why don't you let a droid clean up that mess?" I offered with another gulp. "It's, ahh- it's what they do," I finished somewhat insipidly, not quite knowing how to put into words the emotions which the sight of that hideous pool brought rushing forward.

A man and his crew had placed themselves into my safekeeping, and what happens as soon as they're aboard? Some...THING knocks us out and rips off his arm, bringing him close to death. Fat lot of good you were to him back there, Yaoksi ol pirate...

...and now your spanking new engineer is sopping up the remains for you.

K'kihl didn't even pause in his cleaning. "In touching death, embraces life, one does," he asserted with a short nod of his head. My lips quirked slightly at that, and I found myself nodding along with him.

"Yeah buddy," I murmured, my thoughts now fleeing from those concerning my own inadequacies, running almost as though seeking solace to the image of Nassy's eyes so close to my own, and the softness of her in my arms....

Someone ought to imprint that statement in the stars, and emblazon it across the heavens for the whole Universe to read. Then maybe peeps would start thinking of the really important things in life, and quit worrying about the little conundrums that come along to befuddle everyone's pathway through it.

I hoisted myself away from the bulkhead. "You've got a point there, ol Cricket," I agreed once again, nodding for emphasis. "Life's really too short to squander over the insignificant little incidents. One ought to live it to the fullest, and take what one can out of it, and put what one can into it, and as fully as one can in both cases."

That comment brought the scrubbing to a halt, and a pair of shining faceted eyes were raised in my direction. "Thinking you are of this gunner lady, this am I thinking," K'kihl observed wisely. He clattered his mandibles and tilted his head. "Needing you I, protection from Twi'lek, perhaps no longer I am thinking as well."

He turned back to scrubbing, and thus did not see the flush of red which began to creep up my neck. It grew deeper with his final offerring: "Unaware was I, that a poet for Bossman did I have."

I've been here and there in the Galaxy, and have seen and done plenty, but that was all I could take. Trying my best to keep scowling, I shook my finger at him. "You- you just... you..." I stammered, not quite knowing what to say to that. "I'll send in a cleaning droid to help ya, buddy," I finished, then turned and fled his chitinous presence.

I barely got out of the Mess Hall and hustled around the corner into a cross-corridor, when who did I practically run smack-dab into but my lady gunner. The red flush, momentarily subsiding as I hurried, slammed back full bore as we stopped mere paces from each other, our eyes meeting.

Yaoksi, you just met her! an annoying voice managed to whine in my ear before I slapped that particular conundrum away. I made a move to go closer, then stopped, my face flaming even more, and simply stood there willing something witty to come to my lips....

"I, uh, had some pretty good ideas for disguises...getting onplanet shouldn't be a problem...a friend on the Sullustan Port Authority owes me some favors." Why was I getting closer to him? Dammit, he seemed to be drawing me to him as inorexably as a star drew a planet...

...or a ship about to crash.

I feebly attempted to keep the businesslike conversation going. "Good thing I've made a few connections on Sullust," I murmured, drawing yet closer to Yaoksi and slipping an arm around him. I was drowning in his eyes. What was wrong with a little innocent philandering?

Oh, throw it all to Hell...

A strange sense of deja vu crashed down on me as quite suddenly I found my new gunner, so recently in my thoughts, now practically in my arms in almost instant replay.

In case I let something pass by me the first time....

Without thinking I found my arms going around her once more, felt the softness of her against me; her perfume heady in my nostrils, the warmth of her overpowering, feeling once more the twin jolts of her hands behind me, her lekku snaking sinuously up alongside my face, my own arms now vibrating slightly with the trembling that began coursing through her. I gazed down into her lidded eyes, took in the sheer vulnerability of her, whether intended or not, looked at the utter willingness with which she tilted back her own head, her lips warm and full and inviting.

I felt my own eyes beginning to drop, felt my own head beginning to tilt down toward hers...

...felt my hands, contrary beasts that they were, for some completely unfathomable reason now slowly but smoothly release their grip upon her waist, to come round behind me and grasp each one of her small hands. Bringing them around in front of me, I raised them up to my face, raising my lids as well to stare into the still closed pair in front of me.

Lids so temptingly wanting to be kissed....

Instead I found myself bringing her hands together, to my lips, and planting a small and chaste kiss upon them.

Her dark eyes flew open at that. I opened my mouth to explain, but quite suddenly knew that there weren't adequate words, at least not at the moment, to take away the mingled attraction and hurt and embarrassment I saw swimming in their depths.

I did the only thing I could. Still holding her hands, I now reached out and planted another kiss on her forehead. Then I drew back slowly, still refusing to take my eyes from hers.

My mouth worked a few moments before words finally slid shakily from my lips. "Thank you, Naisra'len," I said, for once not stumbling across the unfamiliar syllables of her name.

Then giving her a smile, I let her hands drop, took a step away, turned, and proceeded on to my quarters, silently berating myself every step of the way.

...arms wrapped tightly around the person you love...?

Terrin withheld a groan as he realized this was probably yet another one of those phantom arm sensations. He also hesitated to open his eyes. Though the feeling of having an arm that wasn’t there wrapped about someone was a bit creepy, it still felt good and convincingly real. Opening his eyes to evaluate the true situation would only confirm his mind was playing tricks on him and would probably push him back into depression.

Besides, feeling her there in his embrace was still comforting whether the sensation was real or not. Might as well enjoy the feeling while it lasts, since it comes and goes.

So that’s precisely what he did. Terrin must have laid there half-awake yet feigning sleep for a good fifteen standard minutes, waiting for the sensation to evaporate into nothingness. But it didn’t.

Maybe the fact that he was giving into the feeling was providing the fuel to keep it going? He sighed lightly. Time to face reality, Danner, whether you want to or not.

As he cracked one eye open, Terrin tried to prepare himself mentally for the glum reality. But he was instead so shocked by what he did see that both of his eyes snapped wide open to analyze the situation further. He blinked once. Twice. Then he unwrapped the right arm that his eyes told him he really did have around Galen and held it up, palm towards his face. Stared at it curiously for a minute or two, then wiggled the fingers just a bit to see if the image remained.

Okay. So it’s a bit weird because you know this is a prosthetic arm...Jeez, but MD-15 didn’t waste any time!...but at least the feelings are REAL now, as opposed to ones made up by your damaged nerves.

Rotating his new arm back and forth in front of his face, he examined the droid’s handiwork. My, but medical technology has gotten really impressive, he thought. Looks and feels like the real thing. Not even a hint of where the control opening is either.

Still looking at the arm thoughtfully, Terrin practically ignored MD-15 as he scurried over to him. “The arm is satisfactorily functioning,” the droid explained in a whiney mechanical voice. “Need other adjustments, it should not.”

“Yeah,” he said, nodding to himself more than to MD-15, somewhat spooked at his new arm being referred to so technically. Well, a little voice in his head pointed out, That’s because it IS something technical. It isn’t even real. But instead of voicing these thoughts he said to the droid, “You do nice work.”

“Thank you, Sir. You will be needing to get up some this day, but you must be careful sir. You will tire easily.”

Terrin grimaced a bit. This should be fun, he thought sarcastically. But, some other little voice that he was very thankful for added, At least you are alive to get up and move around. Take that for all that it’s worth.

Smiling softly, he took his new right arm, determined to get over the initial qualms of it not really being his, and rubbed Galen on the shoulder. “Hey sleepyhead, wake up,” he whispered in her ear. “I need need a chaperon to help me storm the ship...”

You had a chance at a male with an actual brain and an actual heart and you blew it. Have you no self-control? My relentless inner voice pressed on. Lying on the bed, I vowed to hereafter rein in those emotions which had always caused me such trouble, to act cool and professional, the ideal crewmember.

"Back so soon?" he asked with annoying serenity.

That only brought a deeper scowl to my face. I had gone clear to my quarters, and actually had entered with the intention of resting a little until we reached our destination, or next calamity, which ever decided to show itself first. But before I quite realized what I was doing, I found my feet turning me from my bunk, by hand slamming the autolock beside the door, and before I knew it discovered I had beelined directly back to where I had left K'kihl scrubbing the Mess Hall floor.

I paused a moment, staring down at him. Then in two strides I was beside him, falling to my knees and reaching for the cleaning equipment to give him a hand. I began scrubbing with a vengeance, refusing to look at the Verpine.

The sound of mandibles clacking came again to my ears. "So turn you down, did this new gunner," he observed innocently, now turning back to the task of cleaning up Captain Danner's by-now congealed blood. With the Verpine equivalent of a grunt, he applied himself a bit more vigorously to a particularly stubborn spot.

We should have gotten to this directly, a somewhat vacuous portion of my mind interjected; then I snapped back into the black cloud in which I was enshrouded. I remained silent, scrubbing harder, and still refused to look at K'kihl.

The silence stretched interminably. Then-

"Turn you down NOT, did this Twi'lek," he deduced logically. With a chitinous rustle, he sat back on his haunches. "Too much for mere human to deal with, I am thinking."

That little conclusion brought me whirling to face him, my fist instinctively raised. He didn't move an inch, but if his faceted eyes could have widened at my response, they would have.

With a little gulp of embarrassment, I shot a finger out of the fist to soften the body language. Then lowered it altogether with a sigh.

"Sorry about that, ol Cricket," I muttered, picking up the cleaning sponge again and beginning to scrub once more. I dipped the sponge into the nearby bucket of rapidly reddening water. "I'm just a little edgy, that's all.

"I mean, you should be too, what with all this." Finding sudden surcease, I sat back on my heels, and waved at the blood beneath our knees. "Guess I'm not thinking very clearly at the moment.

"I'm sure I'll get myself together once we get to Sullust."

I fell silent, staring moodily at the dark mass which bit by bit was yielding its existence to our conjoined attack upon it. My hand tightened into a fist about the sponge, sending a trickle of bloody water down upon my knee. I didn't even notice it.

K'kihl remained silent, but I could literally feel the impact of the look he was directing upon me. Likewise, I could practically hear the gears grinding busily away in his insectoid little head. His mandibles opened with a faint shussshing noise, then closed with a little clack, and without saying anything else he lent himself once again to the task at hand.

Sullust. SoroSuub Corporation; Nassy said she had some friends she was calling favors in from; wonder if it deals with that; gonna have to speak with her again about that....

I winced, and scowled more deeply. For some inexplicable reason, the enticing vision of hot springs began swimming before my eyes. Then I shook it from me with a little grunt, and it metamorphosed into the pool of blood in front of me. With another sigh, I renewed my attack upon it, although for some reason not with quite the same intensity.

I smiled, basking in the touch of that hand on my shoulder. Then frowned.

A hand on my shoulder... an arm draped across me to place it there... on my left shoulder. Now... what was wrong with this picture?

The frown deepened a bit as memory returned to me in pieces. For a moment my lip trembled, as with each impacting image I realized I was undoubtedly being cruelly misguided by the presence of the ghostly appendage which haunted my love. Without opening my eyes, I snuggled more fiercely against him, striving to prove to us both that it's corporeal absence meant nothing to me, striving to escape the deception that persisted in tampering with my reality.

"Go 'way," I mumbled sleepily, now snaking my right arm awkwardly between Terrin's body and my own to wave at the phantom member.

It encountered flesh. Warm, human flesh. My eyes flew open.

For a brief moment I just scrutinized the wonder which presented itself to me: the little creases and pores, the tiny but vigorous hairs, the wonderful pinkish hue of the skin itself, indicative of the blood that infused every cell of it. I blinked myself into alertness.

It was still there.

Smiling now, my rather squashed right hand gripped the arm as though to never let it go. I turned my eyes to my right, straining my head in the increasingly awkward position I found myself in, and stared directly into a wonderful pair of deeply hued blue ones.

Blue eyes which were now twinkling with their old elan.

My left hand snaked around the back of Terrin's head, the right still gripping his new arm. "That feels sooooo good, love," I murmured softly, before drawing Terrin's lips down to mine in a kiss of more of salutation than anything else at the moment.

Welcome back, love....

Then the devil replied, But it's not real.

To the both of those two annoyances he sent a mental To hell with you both. After all, why analyze something that is already done?
Time to live life and move on.

And get yourself back on your feet so you can run like Hell from the Sith.

...the Sith...

As their lips parted, Terrin couldn't help but shudder momentarily at the thought of them...the red-headed ex-sister, her ghastily companions...
And that...THING...that monster...that DEMON FROM HELL.

But he knew with sudden certainty that although he might have learned something of the true threat these held for he and Galen and any who traveled with them, he also knew they desired to push them into a corner where they would cower in fear.

That, he just could not let happen. For if they did, that's when the Sith truly would win.

Refocusing his thoughts and his determination, he slowly and quite carefully sat up, Galen beside him. This feat was not extremely hard excepting the fact that the world around him responded by spinning a bit. But this was nothing that a momentary close of the eyes couldn't fix. Finally, the room stilled.

As this progressed, MD-15 again scurried over to them, whining warnings about being careful and taking things slowly. As he carefully swung his surprisingly heavy legs over the bed, he rolled his eyes at the overprotective meddroid.

"I got it, really. Be careful. Take it slow."

Glancing down and only then realizing he was still entangled in covers, Terrin also finally noticed that someone had been kind enough to at least put some pants on him.
Glad someone thought of that.

To his left, Galen had already swung her legs over the bed, and sometime while he'd be trying to put the world back into focus she had handed him something. He looked down to find a med robe in his hands. Carefully untangling himself from the blanket, he donned the robe and sat forward, his feet hitting the cold floor of the ship.

MD-15 went ballistic, thrusting a pair of slippers on his feet. He turned a good glare at the droid, finally causing him to back off. He wasn't an invalid. If he wanted help, he'd ask. And he highly doubted he'd ask a droid unless he had to.

Pushing that aside, he turned to look at Galen, who had on her own robe and pair of slippers and was standing next to him, still patiently waiting.

"Allright," he said, "Here goes nothing."

Thankfully, standing up didn't prove as daunting a task as sitting up. His knees tried to buckle upon the initial pressure of the rest of his body being placed on them, but other than being a little wobbly, he was pretty stable.
Well, usually.

He couldn't help but direct a lopsided grin at Galen as he tipped forward just a bit, only to find stability when she wrapped her arms around him. He smiled a bit more.

"I'm up for some breakfast," he said, suddenly feeling really hungry. Then he turned inward a moment as something occurred to him. Hopefully they weren't going back there to eat...

Then some little voice interjected, Don't even think about it, buddy, don't even go there.

"Watch where you're going, human!" it growled in a nasty tone of voice. Then pulling its flowing and dripping robes more closely about itself, it departed into the crowd in a cloud of mutters and gurgling threats.

"Whoa, nice guy," came a comment from behind me. I turned, still holding onto Terrin's arm, and smiled into a startling but very familiar blue face. Painted to resemble the species famed for spawning Grand Admiral Thrawn of old, Jasyn had complained virtually nonstop ever since the Twi'lek had gained Terrin's approval to implement her idea. Now, actually seeing another humanoid uglier than he thought he himself appeared actually brought a smile to his lips. Standing next to him, an equally blue Matt just rolled his eyes.

I couldn't help grinning. "Hey, they can't help themselves," I offered. "You'd be perpetually cranky too, if you had a face like that." I paused for a quick breath. "Or were truly blue," I couldn't resist adding.

Terrin lifted a hand to his mouth to hide the grin now spreading there as Jasyn opened his mouth in defense. "Hey!" he began; then suddenly realizing he really had nothing to defend himself against, he slammed his lips closed. His eyes closed in a resigned wince of his own as Matt threw his arm about his shoulders in a comradely bear hug. "I think we ought to stay blue permanently," he offerred in a rare moment of light humor. "The wolves on our tail would never find us, ey? Remember that one deal...."

He continued commenting about some long-ago transaction the two had apparently been involved with, now passing us and moving on down the walkway. "There's a little place I've heard about just up the street from here," Matt shot over his shoulder as he drew his buddy on with him. "We're gonna go see how true those rumors about it really are." Waving his hand, he kept going, his arm still around the scowling Jasyn. Soon the pair were lost in the crowd.

Terrin's ears perked up a bit at that. He lifted a finger. "Save us a seat!" he called after them, then quieted with a somewhat breathless oof my jabbing elbow inspired from him. I smiled sweetly, softening the blow to the mere dig for which it was intended, and turned to our other companions.

"How long are we going to stay here?" I asked Captain Joao for the fifth time. I already knew what his answer would be; it was just so sweet that I longed to hear it again and again.

At least ten standard days, I mouthed along with him, then leaned my head somewhat dreamily against Terrin's shoulder. Ten whole days. Ten peaceful, wonderful days, here in this cozy warren of passageways hidden deep beneath the surface, surrounded by spas and mud baths and the beautiful hot springs Sullust was famed for throughout the entire Galaxy. Ten days away from fear and terror and anguish and pain.

Ten days to quietly reflect with Terrin about all that had happened to us up to this point, as well as about that question he had asked me back at Khar Delba. Ten days in which to find the time to refine into something a bit more appropriate the hurried "yes" I had shot at him moments before being snagged from his arms into pure horror. Maybe ten days in which to act upon it as well. But first....

The Twi'lek Naisra'len stood off a bit behind Captain Joao, striving to look coolly calm and utterly the professional I had no doubt that she really was. But there was yet something about her I couldn't help feel she was struggling with... as well as struggling to avoid.

My reveries in this department were brought abruptly to the present as Captain Joao, quite suddenly and politely enough, invited Terrin and I to accompany him and his gunner for a companionable dinner and glass of wine where we might get to know each other better. I looked up into Terrin's blues; he smiled down at me and squeezed my shoulder.

I turned back to the handsome captain and his lady companion. "Works for us," I smiled back. Then, thoughts of Terrin and us being alone and the gloriously hot springs at the forefront of my mind, we followed where Captain Joao led.

"Trust me, it's really good," I offered, throwing my hands out. "Tastes like savannah-chicken."

At my immediate right about the rock slab which served as a tabletop, I could practically feel Nassy's eyes roll. "Really," I repeated, pinning her eyes with my own.

We have got to talk, my look offered pointedly. I am not going to have unhappy undercurrents aboard my ship.

The look I received in turn was noncommittal and coolly aloof. With a little sigh, I turned back to the other pair, catching them both in a moment of sharing a look themselves. One filled with so much obvious love that I was almost embarrassed to break it.

So I just sat there, letting a slight scowl come into my own features, surrounded by oozing feelings on one side and glacial iciness on the other.

Yet on both sides, something remained hidden. I could feel that as well.

Luckily the darkness creeping into my thoughts was interrupted as the waitress returned with my order. The giant twin pools of her eyes reflected my own face, which was forced into a smile as I reached to help her with the laden tray she carried. Pretending all was in complete order, I began dishing up the pie.

"Trust me, you're gonna love this stuff," I blathered, trying to fill the gaps in the atmosphere and gain some sort of upperhand in the situation. Captain Danner and his fiancee at last yielded to my attempts, and turned from each other to join Nassy and I in conversation. That is to say, to join me; so far my gunner had stayed remarkable tight-lipped in my presence.

Well, at least she came along, the thought crossed my mind as I handed a plateful of lizard to the brown-eyed gamin seated to my immediate left. She smiled shakily, bravely took a hesitant bite... and to my utter relief dug in with obvious enthusiasm. More than I can say for the Verpine; gods forbid he leave the engines for so lengthy a time....

Indeed, K'kihl had over-ridden my wealth of protests by flatly refusing to come to the subsurface of Sullust with us. "Aboard the ship, my place this is," he had asserted, his mandibles clacking with finality. "Keep her safe in orbit, my duty it is."

No argument delineating the consistency of celestial mechanics would sway his little insect brain. I had given up then, and feeling very much a chauffeur had delivered the others in relays to Piringiisi, finally docking Bee safely with her Port Authorities, thanks to the adroit machinations of Nassy and her surprisingly long reach into parts of the Galaxy best left alone. A few mere hours later, hours devoted to mindless wanderings, we now found ourselves sitting in one of the nicer establishments, facing lizard-pie and each other.

I shot another glance toward my gunner, who merely took a bite of her pie. Supressing a sigh, I then turned to Captain Danner. Waving a forkful of the surprisingly delicious pie in the air, I looked him square in the eye and got right to the point.

"So Captain--you mind if I call you Terrin? I'd be happy if you called me Yaoksi; I think we're gonna be together for quite some time--so, is ten days here going to do it for you, or would you rather we hunker here longer? I wouldn't mind a lengthier stay myself..."

Here I shot another look toward Nassy, who now merely sipped her skimmer. Fighting the sigh again, I continued, "This has got to be one of the Galaxy's high spots. And after what you two have been through, I'd say you needed it."

The unspoken queries regarding all that had preceded those horrific events belied the lightness of my words. I finished with, "And from here, where do you plan on going?"

Then I put my fork into my mouth, and looked to Captain Danner to see how he would reply.

Shooing the head-voice away, I wiped my lips daintily. "May I offer a suggestion, gentlemen and lady?" All eyes at our cozy little table turned to me.

"I would not recommend staying on Sullust too long. Ten days is enough. I'll have exhausted all my favors by them." I smiled faintly at my own little joke, but I think everyone at the table knew what I meant. Staying on the move was essential if we wanted to lie low in the galaxy.

"Sullust is a safe world, but very open, as you've seen. Captain Danner, I have a number of ideas as to where we could go after we leave...but I'd rather not discuss them right now. You understand." The man nodded courteously at me, acknowledging the need for discretion.

With as much dignity as I could muster, I turned to Yaoksi with a lift of my brows and a faint smile. "At any rate, Sullust serves our purposes for now...and offers some welcome distractions. I play a fair hand of sabacc, and if anyone would care to join me at the table, I'd love company. There are also a number of lovely caverns and some fine art museums..." I caught Yaoksi's grimace and my grin broadened.

“So...what do you think?”

I slowly laid my fork down; then, lacing my fingers together, I leaned forward and pinned Captain Danner with an honest smile. "That's more than generous of you, Terrin," I finally managed after a bit of thought. "Although it was due to the, ahh-- actions of your fiancee that WannaBee was lost, it was for a cause far outweighing my own needs. Actually, the "trade" was more than equitable." Then, spotting what I thought to be a lightening expression on Danner's face, I hurried on with, "But if you insist, I thank you.

"No rush, though," I ended with a little smile that only broadened in conjunction with that of Captain Danner's. He hid his by raising his skimmer to his lips and after first raising it in a mock toast in my general direction, took a great swig. My own smile faded for far more serious reasons; crooking my lips a bit, I turned thoughtfully toward Nassy.

"You know," I began quietly, reaching now for my skimmer. "There is merit in your idea of keeping on the move. On one hand I agree it is far more difficult to catch a running ikopi than it is a herdbound nerf. But we have someone else to think about here."

As if we were all on the identical wavelength, we all turned our eyes to Galen. She blinked, feigning innocence. "Hey, wait a minute," she started to protest. "I don't want everyone being held back or anything by me. I'm more than a good pilot, and can handle a blaster as well as anyone in this Galaxy," she finished. "I'll be okay keeping up with the rest of you... whatever we end up doing, or wherever we end up going."

I sighed, setting my skimmer down with a thump. "It's not just you, Miss," I explained carefully. "And you know it. It's..."

I never got to finish the observation. With surprising alacrity, her demeanor went from one all soft and feminine to that of a warrior. I swear her eyes flashed at me. I shut my yap before it irritated her any further, but it was too late.

"Look, Captain Joao," she said, her voice measured and even. But behind the simplicity of the words she spoke was a core of tempered steel. "I know what you're thinking. It's the baby.

"Well, guess what. I tried the Jedi Praxeum on Yavin IV, and they couldn't protect me. I figure if the almighty Jedi Knights, and their Masters no less can't keep this baby safe, than no one can...but me and the company I keep. I've done a good job of it so far, and plan to keep it up until my little girl is born."

I raised my brows in tandem with the others at this revelation, but wisely remained silent. Scraping the last remnants of lizard-pie from my plate, I forked it into my mouth, chewing quietly in the suddenly strained silence that blanketed the table. At length I swallowed, and once again laid my fork down on my plate.

"Very well," I acceded. After all, her fiance was going to replace WannaBee; who was I to force her to go where she didn't want to? After all, I did promise to help them to the best of my ability. "I didn't mean to push you into any one direction. I just thought--"

"You just thought it would be best if I curled up in a little ball, and that if I then hoped hard enough that the universe would go away... it would," she smiled back at me.

"Well... yeah, I guess." Now it was my turn to smile, as the others suddenly began coughing or busying themselves with their dinners. I cocked my head to one side, and studied the red-haired gal a bit more closely. This is a tough lil one, I thought to myself. Too bad she's taken; I could get to like a gal with spunk like she has....

I shook myself away from my errant thoughts, and turned again to Nassy. I couldn't swear to it, but I think she had been staring at me; now her eyes were suddenly glued studiously upon her plate. I gave up trying to figure out how to say it without sounding like the old Emperor himself; with a small sigh, I just up and let it spill.

"Nass, it's obvious these gentles feel as you do about leaving here. I still think this is a safe place to remain until the baby is born, but that's beside the point. What is of importance is where we're going to go from here; Captain Danner and his fiance..." Here I waved a hand in their direction. "...are open to suggestions.

"If you have any ideas, I suggest you not hold your hand, but play the cards you have.

"Now."

Suddenly aware of a particular stiffness in my shoulders and a sharp kink in my neck, I squirmed a bit in my chair. "Unless you'd like to continue this conversation in the hot springs," I finished, the tone of my voice growning suddenly and most embarrassingly wistful.

...like that Demon that had taken his arm...

As horrid as that thought was, he somehow knew that this little one had the strength within her to have the upper hand with these devils. He knew it, he'd seen it; how much greater would that power be when she was more able to harness it?

Get a hold of yourself Danner, now isn't the time to go ultra-protective. You'll have plenty of opportunities to do that later after she's born.

Other than the emotion connected with that little revelation, Terrin knew before Yaoksi got half-way through his defense for staying on Sullust that he'd stepped the wrong direction. Galen wouldn't have anyone making exceptions for her, she'd made that more than clear back before they'd even gone to Khar Delba.

As for making the universe disappear, well, he could only wish.

As Yaoksi suggested that the Twi'lek lay her cards on the table, Terrin forced himself to pay attention to the conversation once again.

"...Unless you'd like to continue this conversation in the hot springs," he was saying.

Terrin grinned devilishly at the mention of hot springs, and turned to Galen, quirking a brow. "Yeah, I've been kinda looking forward to those hot springs," he said, oblivious to any of the looks he might be receiving from the others as his blue eyes locked on Galen's brown ones.

It wasn't that I didn't have any ideas. Smuggler's Run was always a good place to get lost, as was Nar Shaddaa. I had connections in Esau's Ridge, and my homeworld of Ryloth would always be open for a loyal member of the Len clan and her companions. But I wasn't about to say so, not here and now.

To take the edge off my refusal, I smiled slowly and charmingly (I hoped). "Yaoksi, we've just been talking and talking about these hot springs, and frankly, I'm ready to check them out for myself. See if they're just as good as everyone says they are. I hear they have private spa rooms."

That didn't come across quite the way I had hoped, and Yaoksi's handsome face flushed. Dammit, I meant I wanted to discuss plans in private, not that I wanted to seduce you! Unfortunately, this stirring thought made me blush as well, and I felt Galen's eyes resting on me with amusement.

"Ok then!" I said brightly, trying to get my thoughts away from the direction in which they were travelling. For some obstinate reason, they kept trying to remind me of how soft Nassy felt in my arms, and how deliciously heady her perfume. Business, Yaoksi ol' pirate. Business.... "Let's go check out those springs!"

Slamming my snickering id into neutral, I rose to my feet, and tossed way too many credits down on the rock slab that had served as our table. Then I gave my hand a gallant wave, and escorted our little group off for a little R&R.

_________________________________________________

Well, here we are.

The thought was ridiculously conclusive. After departing the restaurant, I had let Nassy lead the way, and we soon found ourselves at Sylven Brooks, the Best in Aromatic Hot Spring Therapy. The miniscule doorway leading into the establishment gave lie to what lay beyond; upon entering we found ourselves in a type of rock foyer, facing a wonderful stone slab carved from a beautiful green rhyolite. A gentle-eyed Sullustan looked up at us from behind that slab, and smiled in welcome. Her moist eyes blinked at us as she turned her head from Nassy and I to Terrin and Galen, and back again.

"Are you seeking a group rate?" she asked in her pleasantly muted mumble.

I opened my mouth, an affirmative hovering on the tip of my tongue, but was interrupted by Galen.

"Ahh..." she began hesitantly, a light blush now rising along her own features to contrast with the red in her hair. "I've been told that you have, er... private facilities?"

She paused then, hooking her hand more tightly into Terrin's arm, and gave him a quick and loving glance. I now started to protest; wouldn't this be a perfect place to discuss plans unheard by big ears and unseen by big eyes? Then I closed it, thinking of what the pair had endured. If ever anybody deserved some quiet time with each other, it was these two. Let them have it; We could discuss later whatever ideas Nassy and I might come up with after she and I came to some sort of conclusions on our own.

Now I glanced to Nassy, a slight frown coming into my eyes. Surprisingly, she was directing the same insidious look right back at me. We both jerked our glances away from each other, and glued our attention to the patiently waiting attendant.

"Private would be fine," I finally said. "A, er..." Now I cast my eyes upon the top of the rhyolite slab, into which the offerings of Sylven Brooks had been etched. "A nook for us, and a nook for our companions.

"It's on me," I finished, fishing once again through my credit-pouch. The Sullustan was only too happy to oblige, since rates for private nooks were nearly double those reserved for groups. But I had to agree with Galen in this regard: not only did she deserve some well-earned privacy with her fiance, but Nassy and I could certainly use this private time to get some serious discussion accomplished.

If we can keep our hands off of each other, my disobedient id rose up with a final taunt.

I tried my best to shrug that off, and followed the moist-eyed Sullustan to where we could disrobe, pre-shower, and attire ourselves in garb suitable for the springs. With each step I grew warmer and warmer, although whether that was from our proximity to the approaching springs or something else entirely, at the moment I really didn't know.

His new right arm. Can't tell a lick of difference!

...and took another little sip from the disproportionately large goblet he had brought to me from Sylven Brook's well-stocked bar. A bantha blaster, I mused with a little smile. Hmmm... if I didn't know him any better I'd swear he's trying to get me drunk...

My smile broadened at that, and I took another sip. Bantha blasters were notorious throughout the Galaxy for the wallop they packed, and had been the court favorite of old Jabba the Hutt. His lackeys had preferred them for their effortless ability to carry them off from their current and rather horrid conditions; undoubtedly Terrin was hoping this would likewise make us soon forget all the horror we had endured in the last interminable days we had been through.

My love, there are other ways you can make me forget.... I sighed at the thought, and peeped over the goblet's rim to take in the unbelievable beauty of our surroundings. I had no idea rock could look so... ethereal

We were cozily enclosed in a single rock cavern, perhaps 5 meters square, the majority of which was taken up by the mineral-laden pool in which we lazed. It's soothing, bubbling waters were heated by some far-away volcanic plume so common to this active planet, one far enough beneath us that the energies it provided were cooled a bit by the kilometers of rock they had to pass through, until what finally made it to the pool was enough to heat it to perhaps 6 degrees above body temperature. The little rock "nook" was indirectly lit by a wonderful green light, bringing into vibrant life and coloration the artfully placed plants that dotted it here and there.

I sighed again, leaning against Terrin's arm, quite content for the moment to just sit there forever, sipping my blaster and basking in the warmth of his closeness. I knew to the bottom of my heart that this wonderful moment and place would remain engraved in my memory forever.

Smiling a bit, he reached around and snagged the goblet from her hand and sat it next to his. She responded by turning her head so that her left cheek lay against his chest, looking up at him in mock irritation.

He smiled even more. "I had other ideas besides getting smack drunk, really. That stuff packs more punch than I remembered."

She turned in his arms and cocked her head at him, her former look of feigned irritation shifting to something else.

His smile turned a bit lopsided as he took her in. How did he manage to get this lucky? To meet somebody that he cared about so much, and who cared about him equally as much?

Sometimes life's little gifts are enough to counter the rest of it.

Slowly, the lopsided grin on his face was replaced by another sort of look, one that he hoped portrayed sincerity and all the feelings that he held for her. Still holding her close, he leaned in and planted a kiss on her lips, all those memories of the first time he'd done so floating back to the surface of his mind. But somehow this one seemed even sweeter than the first. The depth of feeling was always there, but after all the struggle, after all the hardship, every little thing seemed to mean so much more.

Nothing could be taken for granted, not even the simple things.

Pulling back, he again smiled at her, "So what does my fiancee think about buying a dress and setting a date?"

Thankfully for Matt, they were blue and not a soul would ever recognize them. But then, he had other things on his mind besides his reputation at the moment as well.

"You fold?" he asked the other man mischieviously. Everyone else and the table had wisely done so already. Jasyn was bluffing. He had to be. He wa was a LOUSY card player.

"No," the other one replied, glaring over his cards a bit. He then turned and cast a lopsided grin at the blonde haired, blue-eyed female beside him.

"Okay, show me what you got," Matt said, still not convinced. He had a good hand, if Jasyn was bluffing at all, he'd have him. And he'd have himself a thousand. This would not be his day though.

Matt's jaw almost hit the table as Jasyn laid out his perfect hand and folded his arms behind his head, whistling.

"Why, YOU!" Matt growled at him. "How did you do that?! You never do that!"

"Trick of the trade, pal," Jasyn replied. "And my lucky day," he added, grinning again at the female beside him.

Matt rolled his eyes again. What's she going to do when she finds out you aren't "true blue?" he wanted to ask. But he wouldn't go there. Jasyn wouldn't do that.

At least he thought Jasyn wouldn't...

Following the imagery the idea was revealing to me, I reached around and gently snagged my goblet. With another little sigh of contentment, I took another sip of my blaster, and yet one more. They went down suprisingly smooth for a drink as potent as it was. Now I found a little rash of giggles striving to rise within me; sheesh, but this is going straight to my head!

And I absolutely loved it....

My face flushed with the intoxicating combination of the bantha blaster, the thought of going out and shopping for my wedding dress, the even headier thought of our upcoming nuptials, the rising steam from our private little pool, and Terrin's wonderfully close proximity, I let one of the giggles escape me. I turned my big browns up at Terrin. "Get me one more, will you love?" I asked him, purposely batting my eyes at him. A touch more light-hearted tomfoolery before we got down to the serious "business" I knew sure as there's treasure on Roon we were heading toward... or at least I was planning on.

He merely cocked a brow at me, tilting his head in that endearing manner he had, and pinned my eyes with his own. "You sure, sweets?" he smiled, placing a finger beneath my chin. "These are pretty potent, you know."

I sent a foolish smile right back at him. "Of course I know that, love!" I retorted happily, stopping momentarily to tip back my goblet and drain the dregs from its bottom. "That's why I want another. Just... one... more, please? And one more for yourself, too." I batted my eyes again, holding my goblet out for him to take.

He heaved a sigh of resignation, and hauled himself upright. Bending down to give me a light kiss, he removed the goblet from my grasp. "I'll be right back, love," he smiled. Then he reached for a nearby robe, donned it, and leaving a trail of wet footprints in his wake left the cavern for the Sylvan Brook's cantina.

He stood once more and with a flurry of robes walked into the sith fire that awaited him. The flames engulfed their Lord taking him only seconds after a stunned Terrin Danner returned with their drinks; the laughter of the Sith Lord still ringing in their ears.

But, this was their moment, their time. He'd do for her what she wanted. Besides, it felt kinda nice to be a little "out of it." He paid the waitress a good bit of credits for the refill.

As he headed back, two goblets in hand, a strange something seemed to come over him. Terrin didn't have any Force abilities, but he'd been acclamated to feeling when something just wasn't right, and that's about all he knew at that moment. Suddenly he felt something he couldn't quite explain pushing him along, even to the point of causing him to come to a jog.

Evil laughter careemed from somewhere as he entered, and out of the corner of his eye he swore he saw a ghastly familiar figure...

Something was horribly wrong...

It was me.

I huddled in a voiceless little ball, heedless of the beauty around me, tears streaming down my face to mingle with the blood from where he... he... that THING...! had bitten my lips in an awful parody of love, my arms wrapped tightly about myself as I shivered and shuddered and let the tears continue to flow, tried to remove the memory of terrible violation from my body and my mind, tried to pretend it was all a drink-induced nightmare from which I would soon awaken.

I couldn't wake up, for I was already aware. The feeling wouldn't go away, for it had already happened.

Another dreadful thought brought me out of myself, and with a deep shuddery indrawn breath I searched inward, seeking, sensing...

Oh dear Khaandon, SURELY little Jhin'Darra is all right, PLEASE gods LET HER BE ALL RIGHT...!

Then my despair backed up a bit from one utterly black as I recognized a dim little glow within. She lived. He hadn't harmed...her. I checked again, using a sense I didn't know I possessed, but one which had been possessed by woman throughout the ages.

She lived, and was stubbornly, blessedly, and oh so defiantly unharmed.

Which was more than I could say for myself. The relief that my little girl was unmarked wasn't strong enough to fend off the bleak despair which rushed back to take me laughingly in its arms...

...as IT had done so before... before....

Another great shudder raced through me as, unheeding to everything around me, feeling more than simply soiled, feeling unworthy of anyone ever again, I followed the earlier insinuated advice of Captain Joao:

I curled up into an even smaller ball, and wished for the Universe to simply go away.

Now Terrin was panicked. As he headed closer to her in their little nook, he could see her hunkered into a little ball.

She was crying. No, SOBBING.

THE DAMNED SITH HAD STOMPED AWAY THEIR MOMENT OF HAPPINESS AGAIN...

Suddenly remembering how that THING had so suddenly and horribly appeared before, his panick stepped up another notch.

What if...

"Sweetheart?" he called again, not wanting to approach to quickly and startle her. Instead he squatted near her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

She was shaking, and at his touch she just about jumped out of her skin. Some overwhelming pain radiated from her, and he felt horribly that something had happened while he had been gone.

He shuddered involuntarily. Meanwhile she remained hunkered in a little ball, seemingly unaware of his presence.

"Galen, it's me," he said quietly, carefully reaching to take her chin in his hand and wincing at the sight of the blood from her lips, the tears from her eyes. But even more so at the pain in her look.Pain which somehow seemed strikingly familiar, yet at the same time different, than that which he'd felt only a few days ago.

He wrapped his arms about her quivering form, not knowing what to say yet somehow aware that something horribly personal had been violated.

If only he hadn't left her alone...

He didn't know what to say.

"I love you," he whispered softly, still not certain of what had taken place regardless of his suspicions. "I love you, I love you..."

HIS ARMS WRAPPED AROUND ME?!?

That broke the spell; with an anguished, shuddery indrawn breath, I turned my vision from the inward pain upon which it had been transfixed to the world around me. Rock and plants and the soft gurgle of water and the tart smell of minerals all came wafting back to me, along with the realization that from out of nowhere Terrin had appeared and was holding me tightly against him.

"NO!" I burst out with, operating once again out of a protective sort of instinct. "No, no, no, NO NO!"

It wasn't him, it was IT, that THING... HE had returned for more, HE had come back for my baby....

Unaware that I was shaking my head, I thrashed out of the embrace with a strength born of that of a tigress protecting its young. "NO!" I shouted again as, scrambling backward out of the pool, my eyes wide, my chest heaving, uncaring as to my nudity, I fled backward until solid rock brought me to a crushing halt.

There against the rock wall I hunkered into a little ball, and lost myself to the victory of the dark once again.

Grabbing his robe, he scurried back out, leaving his panicked fiancee behind, hoping like Hell that he could move fast enough.

In moments he was barreling through another private cavern.

Yaoksi and Naisra'len looked it him curiously. He addressed Naisra'len directly.

"I need you to go talk to Galen," he said somewhat breathlessly, "Something terrible just happened...a Sith was with her while I was gone getting drinks, I'm sure of it. I don't know...what he did..."

His voice trailed, his blue eyes locking on the Twi'lek's with insistence.

Without waiting for her to reply one way or the other, he took her by the arm and lead her out, Yaoksi behind them.

In moments they were back, and he let the Twi'lek head into the cavern where their personal bliss had been destroyed, and where his Love had somehow been convinced that he was not himself.

Sitting down in a nearby cranny and waiting for the Twi'lek to return, he sat his elbows on his knees and put his head in his hands, oblivious to the other person who was waiting outside with him. Instead he was wrapped up in the personal pain he felt for Galen, the pure anger of what had happened, and something that seemed a lot like hurt all mixed up into one.

If only he hadn't left her alone...

He sighed to himself, heartache corsing through ever fiber of his being.

Why were the Sith doing this to them? Couldn't they allow them one single solitary week of pleasure without blowing their world apart?

Just what HAD that Sith done to her?

Terrin shuddered at the thought.
If only the Universe would just disappear and leave them alone...

But then, there was Her. A little girl with amazing potential that she didn't yet have full control of. So long as she remained safe...

...Was she safe...?

...this struggle they found themselves in wouldn't be in vain.

But to be petrified so terribly...it was beyond any horror he could imagine.

He'd hoped his arm was sacrifice enough for what they had done. He'd wanted it that way; he'd wanted her to be safe...

Instead some sick twist of the fates had deemed her to suffer even more than he had, and she hadn't laid a finger on Graysith...

Not this time.

Running his hands through his wet hair, Terrin remained lost in his thoughts, still feeling he'd somehow failed her by leaving her alone, wanting more than anything to be there for her even though she was scared out of her mind of him. But all he could do for the moment was wait...

...wait and hope...

The next minute, a panicked Terrin Danner'd appeared in our bath nook, and his eyes focused directly on me. "I need you to go talk to Galen," he said somewhat breathlessly, "Something terrible just happened...a Sith was with her while I was gone getting drinks, I'm sure of it. I don't know...what he did..." Our eyes met, and the horror filling his stare slowly seeped into mine.

In a split second, he took me by my arm and led me to another cavern, barely giving me time to fling on a robe. With a last desperate, longing glance at Yaoksi, I followed Terrin's lead.

Trembling, I ventured into the green-lit nook, gently calling, "Galen? Galen? Are you all right?"

My only answer was a shuddering sob. I caught sight of the human woman, curled up into a ball, utterly vulnerable. I dashed to her side, but dared not touch her yet. It was plain to me, however, what had happened to her--the sobs, the bruises blooming on her skin...
Had I not seen those bruises on my own green skin once upon a terrible time, had I not cried in the darkness with no one to help me, it would not have been so easy for me to understand...

In tones low but filled with rage, I spoke to Galen. "What manner of monster has done this to you?" She remained silent, and I couldn't blame her. I was helpless in the face of such manifest evil.

"Galen, listen to me. I will do whatever lies in me to protect you and your baby, and to get the Sithspawn that did this to you." Tentatively, I stroked her arm, still wet from the baths. "I know, gods how I know... You are hurt, and wet, and you will soon be very cold if I don't get you dressed and tend to your wounds."

"Hey, Terrin!" Jasyn blathered, his speech a bit slurred. "How's it goin'?"

HOW'S IT GOIN'?! some little voice screamed within him. He jerked his head up, glaring laser bolts through his employee.

Even drunk, Jasyn knew when to clam up. Matt sauntered in behind him, analyzed the situation for about a split second, then muttered, "Oh gods, what happened?"

Terrin began to shake his head from side to side, not wanting to express his fears, not wanting to leave without knowing she was allright.

All the while Yaoksi seemed to be giving Matt some other sort of cue with a nod of his head that Terrin missed altogether.

Matt understood. "We got a stash of Whyrene's Reserve up in our suites. Come on," he said, tilting his head in the direction they should go. "You two get presentable, we'll talk."

Terrin started at that. "But I don't wanna..."

Matt cut him off. "Is Naisra'len with her?"

Terrin merely nodded.

Matt pinned a pair of lightning green eyes on Terrin's stormy blue ones. "Then she'll take care of her."

Reluctantly, Terrin nodded and stood. Turning back a moment to glance at the entrance to the nook which he had shared with Galen...

...where that thing had stolen their joy...

...Terrin sighed, then resigned himself to giving her some space. He knew he'd have to be patient; she would let him know when she was ready to talk to him, and he knew that deep down she knew she could trust him. But with whatever had happened in there, that might take some time.

Motioning for Yaoksi to join them, he finally said, "Come on, let's see if they got bonafide Whyrene's Reserve or not..."

As I huddled shivering against the cold basalt of the cavern, once more blind to everything but my own personal brand of hell, I gradually realized that odd little fact.

The darkness around me was blemished.

Blinking a bit, I slowly raised my head, instinctively responding to the soft warmth of the feminine voice that quietly but firmly was shredding the dark. Bit by bit I became aware of actual words, and that they were being directed toward me. In their wake, they left a bright pathway through the dark; taking a great heaving breath, I fortified myself and stepped forth upon that path.

Slowly, my eyes still running tears, the mere moving of my head to face the voice bringing another sharp stab of pain rushing about my shoulders; ever so slowly I turned my face and lifted my eyes and met those of the velvet-voiced inquisitor.

"...let me tend to you, friend...."

My eyes welled with even more tears when I saw the concern in those dark eyes... as well as a deep and shared pain which went far beyond that of mere sympathy or empathy. I gulped, sniffed, and held out a shaky hand to the Twi'lek Naisra'len, who I finally recognized. My jaws worked soundlessly, my throat moving, yet more pain shrieking into me with the movement as not-quite congealed bites there immediately opened to drain yet more blood down into the hollow of my neck. That stark pain vanished beneath the fresh one which suddenly burned through me from those parts that men usually hold sacred.

"It-- it was... it--" I whispered, my voice as hollow as my eyes and my heart.

"Him... it was Him...."

My voice trailed off as a fresh wave of anguish racked my bruised and violated body. I clutched Nassy's arm, my shredded nails sinking unnoticed into her flesh, drawing forth green blood which went equally unnoticed. I gulped and hiccuped and sobbed, trying to articulate, trying to put into words the awful terror and sense of absolute defilement that I was feeling, the deep fear that Terrin...

Oh gods, TERRIN....

...would have nothing more to do with me, ever ever ever... that I didn't know if I could even look at him as I used to ever ever again, but most of all tried to give voice to the completely and utterly overwhelming horror and feeling of vulnerability that held me in twin grips of steel, from which I didn't think I could ever flee...

...and all I could manage was a garbled, "WHY?"

This time I didn't shrink from the arms that wrapped tightly around me, strangely enough about both my torso and my head. I merely twined my own arms about Nassy's warm body, and willed myself to completely drown in the grief which refused to release me from its grasp.

Nassy's keen gunner's instincts warned her of my approach, and her head lifted gracefully from where she had it laid atop Galen's. The look on her face stopped me in my tracks: her dark eyes were absolutely enormous with pain. My jaw dropped a bit at that, and I glanced quickly toward the sobbing woman she held in her arms. Although she was now swathed in the soft folds of a bath towel, I could still clearly see the quite obvious humanoid bite marks on her neck, and the claw marks on the smooth plane of the side of her face she presented to me. She moved slightly, causing the towel to shift; revealed against the even white skin of her suddenly exposed shoulderblade were great, raking slashes.

I jerked my eyes back to Nassy's, stunned by the obvious. The look we shared spoke volumes; then the Twi'lek gently laid her head back against Galen's and closed her eyes. A single tear trickled down her cheek, mingling with the moisture in Galen's hair.

Suddenly, all I could hear were the echoes of Terrin's moans, and the diminishing quiet words as his two buddies had tried their best to console him... and my eyes filled with a red to match that of the violated woman's hair. My hand clenched to a fist as I whirled, my stride long and determined. "I'll call the meds," I shot over my shoulder as I marched out of the nook, and in but a few strides I caught up with the trio. They had yet to even leave the facility.

No time for subtlety, not to mention anything close to a logical thought. Once again I reached out, this time grabbing Terrin by the shoulder and whirling him about to face me. I had to then snatch it quickly back, the urge to strike him was that great. Instead, I fisted it, and shot a finger into his surprised face.

"I've been here and there throughout this big ol' galaxy, and I've seen plenty, but buster, you take the cake!" I spluttered, my chest tight with the strain of holding back the blow I wanted to land on the guy. Somehow the knowledge that the finger would fold back into the fist, and that fist would continue on its merry way finally sunk into my angered brain; with great effort, I swung the arm up and jerked a thumb over my shoulder.

"Your fiancee has just been raped, buddy, and all you can do is sing the "woe is me" blues; you're damned lucky I'm a gentleman, or you'd really be having something to whine about... RIGHT NOW!"

What the HELL are you doing?! He's right, and you know it...

Suddenly feeling completely ridiculous in the midst of all that was happening and completely ashamed of his attitude, he balled the fist now in front of him a bit more, causing it to shake from the tension, his anger now directed at something completely different than the man who had just snapped him from his former pitiful state. His two employees stood nearby about to hold him back from landing a blow on the other infuriated man.

Suddenly needing to direct his anger at something, Terrin turned and slammmed his left fist into the stone wall, drawing blood.

Raped...?!?

That Sithspawned Hellhound had violated HIS beloved, put his blasted paws on her and mistreated her, badly...

If he didn't know better about who he'd be up against, Terrin would have up and found the womprat and blasted him from there to another galaxy.

The very idea of that Monster laying a hand on her...

...no wonder she had jerked away from his loving embrace...

...she was hurt, beyond what even he had previously suspected, and he wanted nothing more than to show her that he cared and he loved her still.

What if she thought he'd suddenly stop loving her, just because this...this ANIMAL had taken advantage of her...?

He could NEVER stop loving her...

Somehow, someway, he would have to show her.

But not yet. Now she needed her space, and he respected her enough to give her that time she so desperately would need. Even though she was a strong woman, no one could recover from such an atrocity quickly.

He'd have to suck it up and be strong for her.

Terrin turned back to the smuggler, a few streaks of blood oozing from his hand where he'd rammed into into the wall. Not sure what to say, he bit his lower lip, hard. His eyes were filled with ice and ire as he made eye contact again with Yaoksi, although the anger was no longer directed at the other man. He was still in no mental frame of mind to make completely sane decisions, but he knew he wanted to help her, and he knew it'd take time. He just wasn't sure what the first step would be, since the Sith were so damn impossible to stop. Unable to voice his anger, he finally spoke, his voice quiet but full of rage, "What are we gonna do?"

His tail curled about the body tapping on the man's stomach to some unheard melody. His features were in a state of merriment and those atrocious eyes never left Terrin.

"My Master wishes me to thank you, Terrin Danner, for your generous gift." He watched the man look at him dumbfounded before reaching for his prosthetic arm. The demon's returning laughter was a reminder of that which he had heard only moments before. The reminder of that laugh was colder to him than the chill emanating from this dark creature of the Sith.

"Wh Terrin Danner," the creature sneered. "Are you so self-absorbed that you truely didn't understand what my Master has done this eve?" His laughter began to bubble forth stronger now as he watched the faces of the men before him. The laughter stopped but the smile that remained was unmistakable as he leaned forward now as if to tell a great secret.

"Master Roan took from Galen that which was meant to be given to you." The evil shadow beast began to snicker and his tail thrashed with wild abandon.

Maladius watched the mens faces turn pale as the final realization of the night's evens was once again forced upon them. Terrin himself turned a slight shade of green as if the contents of his stomach wished to leave him. Maladius chuckled again as Terrin's face once more flushed with anger as reality completely took hold of him. Terrin's flailing fists easily passed throught the creature's shadowy body and he fell forward, seething with rage, and biting his own lip with the impact on the floor.

He's playing with your mind, a little voice from nowhere soothed. Though the words might be true to some extent, you have that first night that you were with Galen, and that's something He can't take away. Whatever she had planned, that might have been stolen. But the Sith want to scare you, to tear you apart, to even take you from the one you love most.

You simply cannot let them do that.

Scrambling to his feet, Terrin suddenly felt complete sanity returning along with anger and horror.

This spawn from Hell had achieved what no one else might have...

...you are back in control of your senses. NOW you can do something to help Galen.

Turning a blue-eyed gaze filled with fire to the others, Terrin reached a hand up to wipe the blood from his lip and said, "Come on. We've gotta talk about what to do next, NOW."

I ran my hand over my mouth, and set my mug down on the highly polished varicite table around which we sat. For a moment my eyes remained downcast, staring blankly at my own look of consternation reflecting back at me from its shining surface. Then I raised my head, clearing my throat to break the silence in which we were all hunkering.

Terrin still glared. I pursed my lips, and reached a hand out toward him. "Look, about back there..." I began awkwardly, grimacing at how very close I had come to actually striking this man. "I hope you'll accept my apology. It's just that..."

I trailed off, pursing my lips again. How to say what was struggling for recognition within me? How to give word to a deeply rooted and unfortunately steadily rising sense of helplessness and fear and vulnerability?

That thing had struck aboard my ship. It had trailed us here. Where in the Universe would we be safe, if anywhere? And indeed, to mirror Terrin's own last words to me: What were we to do?

And what the Hell was that thing, anyway?

I sat back with a sigh. "All I can think of is either keeping on the move and looking over our shoulder every step of the way, or seeking help from the Jedi. I mean, I know I told you I'd do everything I could, and use every resource available to me... but I really don't think we have a ghost's chance on Dagobah to outwit a Sith."

That little soliloquy put to rest, I reached for my ale, settling back against my seat with a growing scowl on my face.

As Terrin was finishing that statement, Jasyn took the mug he had in his hands and clunked it down on the table, drawing jumps from the other men. "We don't need no Jedi..." he started.

At that, Terrin glared. “I’d suggest you act your age for a little bit, and lay off that brandy.”

Jasyn frowned back a moment, then seemed to consider. “Sorry Terrin, just trying in my own warped way to lighten things up.”

“I know, I know. I just don’t have any humor to spare right now,” he replied. Then he looked down at the table, pursing his lips. “Leaving here’s not going to stop the Sith. Besides, Galen's not going to be physically up to that yet," he continued, shuddering a bit, "And it's not going to stop whatever pain is going on in her head either."

Then, looking back up, he pinned each of the other men at the table with blue eyes that suddenly looked just a bit more weary, "I actually agree that we need the Jedi. After all, though they seem to not have a damned clue, this baby is something...someone they should be extremely interested in."

"So we contact Poliani and Mahoy?" Matt asked.

Terrin nodded, then stopped, furrowing his brow a bit in thought. "Maybe we should also have a word with the Jedi Council. Maybe it's time they know just how important this little girl is."

This was some trick of the Sith. How the hell would the Jedi Council know about his calling for their aid? He'd only said that he would do so moments ago.

This just HAD to be the Sith. It was that...that THING, that DEMON...

Terrin looked at the man suspiciously, waiting for him to transform into that hideous creature.

As the man leaned forward, Terrin debated on whether to trust this fellow or not. He could sure use one of Galen's gut instincts about now...

Face it, buddy, you've gotta make the call here. And really, what other choice have you got?

Wait for Mahoy and Poliani? No. That would take far too long.

Fight this yourself? Be honest with yourself buster, you know that's not gonna work.

Everyone was waiting for him to do something, say anything. He pursed his lips in thought, considering the consequences if this guy turned out to be a phoney.

Number one. They'd be seriously in risk of facing the Sith again, before Galen was ready. Well, when would any of them ever be ready for that? And besides, they were in serious risk of facing the Sith again regardless.

Scratch that objection.

Number two. The guy might lead them into any number of traps. But then, if this were the genuine article, perhaps he could help them out of a trap or two.

Number three. The baby could be threatened, and Galen might be further harmed. Again, that was a possibility regardless of what they did.

Perhaps this guy could curve the incidence, even just a bit?

Do you really wanna trust this complete stranger???

But then, there was something in his eyes...

And surely if he was totally clueless on this one of the guys or Yaoksi would give him a sign...

Glancing over at the other men at the table meaningfully for a moment as if to ask their consel, Terrin finally responded. "Allright, Master Rean," he started, hoping he wasn't coming off too harsh, "We'll talk about this further, after we've all had some rest. Then I'll decide what happens next."

That is, if I decide I can trust you...

My mind was taken off Galen's fragile state by the chatter of the Sullustan desk clerk. "A room for the night?" I nodded tersely. "What of that one? She looks ill. Should I summon a medic perhaps? There is a clinic down the street..."

"Mind your own business," I snarled at the over-helpful Sullustan. "Don't speak of things which you can't understand. I have the money, and I'll pay it down. Will that suffice?"

Cowed by my fierce tone, the Sullustan took my worn credit bills without another word and handed me my room key. Gently, I led Galen down the corridor and into the graciously appointed room, making very sure to lock the door behind me.

Galen sat dazedly on the bed as I combed the room for bugs and remote pickups. When I'd searched the room to my satisfaction, I sat down beside the woman.

"Galen, I know you must loathe the idea...but I think we do need to get you a medic. I have plenty of cash on me, and I'm sure I could find one to come here. I know a bit about nursing, but there's only so much I can do. Still, it's your choice. I wouldn't want to force something like this on you..."

I put my arms around myself, staring blankly off into middle space. "No," I whispered so quietly that Nassy had to strain to hear me. "I- I think I'll just lay down and rest a little."

That creature, its red eyes casting a look of scorn at him, blood dripping from its horribly spiked tail...

He shuddered and tried to push himself back into reality.

Dream or not, it mirrored the current events far too well.

At that thought he frowned, recalling the short comm from Naisra'len. Galen was with her. She was resting. But so far she had turned down medical treatment...

He knew she was trying to shut everything out and deny the reality. He couldn't claim that he understood, but he knew what she was trying to do just the same.

If she didn't hear it from someone else, she could convince herself it had never happened.

At least that's what she probably thought.

Her wounds had been severe; the bite marks...the splotches that had no doubt turned into bruises...

Let alone what injuries she might have sustained in those violated parts of herself...

...he hoped she'd at least come around enough to start taking care of herself again...

Terrin clenched his teeth, a fresh wave of anger sweeping over him.

Having an enemy was bad enough. But having any enemy with no honor was worse. While that Demon thought Terrin would only be concerned with what HE had lost, he found himself far from even thinking about that. Truly, he hadn't lost a thing. Instead something had been taken from her; something sacred and untouchable unless a man was invited. And even then the manner in which the man accepted was equally as important.

As these thoughts passed through his mind, another concern revealed itself.

What about the baby? Was she alright? Had the Sith somehow harmed her too?

He damned well better not have.

Without even realizing it, Terrin was slowly beginning to view this little girl as something more than just Galen's child. Somewhere in the time since he'd begun to fall in love with her, that little girl had become important to him, almost as if she were his own.

Sighing, Terrin closed his eyes, resigning himself to a virtually sleepless night.

Somehow he knew he'd be having those for quite a while...

Suddenly, she was jerked out of her reverie by the sight of a face all too familiar to her. Cella ducked into the shadow of a nearby alley, too stunned for movement. Yaoksi Joao! The smuggler who'd given her safe transport to Khar Delba, who had stuck by her through the terrifying trials of the Sith...

...who had left, unbidden and silent, when he felt his work was done.

Cella supressed the surge of guilt rising up in her and paid attention to Yaoksi...and the man behind him. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled as she realized she was not the only Jedi on the planet. She had never met the man in person before, but she knew of him, and there was a sense of self-righteous mastery about him.

She listened apprehensively as he spoke to Yaoksi and a pretty Twi'lek standing next to him, offered help and aid to Galen. Irritation took hold of her. How dare he, this high-and-mighty one from the vaunted Jedi Council, a mere imitation of the Council of Old Republic days! Jeroc was the administrator of the Praxeum, for galaxy's sake! It irked her that Rean would so blithely assume that they were irresponsible rogues. She owed a debt to Galen, and by the Force, she would pay it.

Jasyn turned from his position at the table and held up a mug of something-or-other at him. "Com'n, buddy, it's the real thing, I swear."

Terrin shook his head. "No thanks. Just thought I'd chaperon the two of you for a while, since sleeping seems to be out of the cards."

Then he wandered over to the couch and sat. For a moment not a word passed, then finally Terrin frowned. "Hey, where's Yaoksi?"

Matt shrugged. "With Rean maybe? I dunno."

At the mention of the Jedi Master's name, Terrin frowned a bit more, then the look softened. "Guess I should trust him, huh."

"Your skepticism is warranted, I think," Jasyn replied.

Somehow Terrin wasn't too surprised by that response. "Yeah, but he is a Jedi."

"Yeah, and these are the Sith. But remember what Galen said, these aren't the Sith as in Darth Vader that these Jedi peeps seem to think they are," Jasyn pointed out.

At that Terrin's look turned dark. "Yeah, buddy, we know about that, don't we."

Matt looked up from his hand of cards. "It's not your fault, you know."

"Yeah, I know. It's just that sometimes it's easier to try to lay the blame on myself. At least then I feel like I have some control over what happens."

Matt nodded. "Understandable. But if you start trying to lay the blame on yourself then it's going to start everyone else doing that too, including Galen. This was a situation none of us could have possibly anticipated or controlled. As horrible as it is, it just happened."

"Well, I hope this Jedi fellow can help Galen out. I absolutely hate that she got hurt like this. It's so much worse than having your arm taken...so much more psychological."

"Yeah," Matt agreed. "And that was no walk in the clouds." Then he glanced down at his chrono. "Think we should check on Yaoksi? It's getting late, and I'd hate to have someone unaccounted for with the way our luck is running."

"Give him a comm and see what's going on," Terrin said. "We need to be sticking close together..."

The warmth wasn't coming from inside me, as it had after that demonic imp had probed me aboard the ship. This time it was coming from somewhere else, somewhere other than me.

I sniffed again, and suddenly realized there was someone close by, speaking in soft and soothing tones. Gathering my courage, I turned my head a bit and peeped open an eye. For a moment I didn't see anything other than walls and table and pillow and dim night-light of sorts... and then I saw him, patiently waiting just outside my door.

The Angel.

I gave an immediate snort. I didn't believe in angels, and in my current frame of mind, I didn't want to see anybody, much less something which was undoubtedly nothing more than a figment of my fevered imagination. I shot the figment a threatening glare."Go away!" I snarled succinctly. Then I pulled the covers over my head again, and huddled back into my own little dark world.

I cut that thought off before it lead me into the realms of the absurd, and by a great dint of effort managed to keep my upper and lower jaws in close proximity to each other.

Cella Poliani?!? What in blazes was she doing here?

I pushed that question aside with a quirk of a brow, shooting a quick glance to where Nassy was looking everywhere but in the lady jedi's direction, uncomfortably aware that my heart had begun to race. It slowed somewhat, however, as Master Rean's somewhat inexplicable words wafted in among us like drifting smoke.

Issues? They have issues? My cocked brow lent itself to another direction, and I shot another look at Nassy. Not only was she avoiding Jedi Poliani's face... she was avoiding mine as well. Something in me jumped up and waved for attention at that; yanking my head back to glance back and forth between the two jedi, I strove to ignore it. It hit me in the gut again, harder, like an obnoxious toddler wanting a sweet.

Now I was frowning. Something spooky here with these force-users, the thought crept into my head, hinting darkly at things best left unsaid. Not that I can't say that I DON'T trust them, but.... That thought stopped itself before the it got me into any trouble, and once more I found my errant thoughts wandering back to the Blue Asteroid where I had met Cella.

Inexplicably the image of her sitting there so glum where I had met her suddenly segued into one of the Twi'lek, her arms wrapped around Captain Danner's fiance, her lekku enclosing her head in a protective cocoon, a solitary tear trickling down her cheek. My inner eye darkened as that tear shimmered and sparkled, growing until it was once more glistening in an eye, the eye of a jedi overjoyed to be meeting with her own love at last.

I jerked myself back to reality, now searching Cella's features in as unobtrusive a manner as I could, seeking to verify whether or not that tear still remained hidden in the depths of her eyes... and quite suddenly found myself breathing again. For in looking for what I thought I needed to see, I couldn't help but suddenly really see how positively discomfited Nassy looked, almost to the point of deep unhappiness.

Hey! Not my gunner, you don't! something pushed to rise up inside me, snarling possessively. Exactly why it had done so was something I would take the time to examine later. Now, though, our priorities lay with this woman Galen. Her safety and that of her unborn child was by necessity the issue of greatest concern here.

Nodding my head firmly to myself as I came to that conclusion, I now turned my attention outward to make mention of the fact. Somewhere during my self-perusal however, Master Rean had left. All my somewhat startled gaze fell upon were Cella Poliani, who appeared to be seething quietly to herself, and my Twi'lek gunner, who seemed to be trying to inch off to one side, the very picture of dejection.

Oh no you don't! that strange snarl rose up within me again. To whom or what it was directed, I hadn't a clue. Before I really knew what I was doing, I found myself striding to Nassy's side, and placing my arm about her shoulder. "C'mon, mate," I said in a lighthearted voice. "Seems we've done all we can do at the moment; you've done the majority in fact, and kudos to you!" I squeezed her shoulder a bit desparately, trying to ignore how utterly insipid the words sounded that were pouring from my lips.

To my surprise, she turned her head away from me, as though she was...ashamed??? ...of something. Frowning, totally ignoring Cella's presence, I grasped both her shoulders in my hands and gave her the slightest of shakes, twisting my head down to try to see into her face. "Nass?" I inquired.

She pulled back the slightest little bit, turned her head to the side, and refused to look at me or answer. Dismissing how this probably looked to Cella, I tried several times to gain her attention. Each time she stood there like a limp rag, her lekku hanging like wet vines down her back, her head turned to the side. Her eyes might have well been cemented to the rock upon which we stood.

Finally I gave up, and let my hands drop. I pursed my lips, and glanced to Cella... only to see her hurriedly avert her own eyes from mine.

For some reason, that was the final straw within this entirely strange ordeal that had begun eons ago in the dregs of Dalius City, and had found some sort of intermission here deep in the beauty of Piringiisi. I threw my hands up into the air, almost feeling the palpable presence of the strain filling the nearby atmosphere.

"WOMEN!!!" I muttered to myself. Then I turned and headed off, leaving Galen in the hopefully capable hands of the Jedi, and already-proven ones of my gunner, wondering to myself exactly how long it would be, and what all would occur, before we finally came to the ending of the unbelievable saga which enshrouded us.