Post by Caitlin Windancer on Apr 16, 2011 23:38:38 GMT -5
Warning: Some parts may contain Mature subject matter or content.
Shadow was incensed and frustrated. This can't be happening to me.I had a perfect record until now. Why can't I get rid of this woman and her brats? They should be easy targets. He thinks as he speeds away from the frustrated assassination attempt not realizing that the person he had tried to shoot was not even his target.
When he is far enough away from the area he quickly descends to the ground in a back alley. He turns off the jet-pack's jets. He quickly scans the area to make sure no noticed. The alley and surrounding area is deserted. It is still early morning most people aren't up yet but it doesn't hurt to be sure.
He walks away cautiously toward his hideout on Carratos. He moves quickly along the deserted streets keeping mostly to the back alleys. When finally he reaches his destination. He looks around and then deactivates the alarm on the door. He walks into the building. He closes the door and re-activates the alarm.
He goes up the stairs to his bedroom. He takes off his jet-pack and drops it on the floor. He removes his helmet and throws it in frustration across the room. It hits the wall with a loud BANG!
Osik!
He tears off his armor and throws it down with a satisfying crash on the floor. He needed to release all this tension and frustration. He strips off his clothes and drop them on the bedroom floor. He walks into the refresher to take a shower.
He allows the hot water to wash over him, hoping it will relax his tense muscles. He fantasizes about her. It doesn't help. In fact it makes it worse. He groans now not only in frustration but in desire. He clenches his fists. He wants her. His whole body throbs with the strength of it. He leans his head against the wall of the refresher and dials the cold water hoping that will help. It splashes over him but it doesn't, it is too late. There is only one thing that will help now. He turns off the water and steps out of the refresher.
While he is in the shower VT-7 his valet droid comes in and picks up the discarded clothes and armor grumbling. It puts things away and then goes back to its cleaning that its master had interrupted with his entrance.
When Shadow gets out of the shower and dries off he goes back into the bedroom not even noticing that things have been picked up since he expected them to be but he would have noticed immediately if they hadn't. He dresses in black pants, shirt and boots. He straps a blaster on to his right hip and slips a knife into his right boot.
He knows just the thing that will help. He picks up a black jacket, slips his Special Ops Imperial id and a large amount of credits in a jacket pocket and walks downstairs. His id doesn't have his real name which is classified as all the names of the Empress Athena's special operatives i.e. assassins are. In fact it has been so long he since he used it he is not even sure what his real name is anymore.
He deactivates the alarm and leaves. He re-activates the alarm when outside. He walks normally down the street not too fast and not too slow so not to attract attention to the seedier part of town. The Red light district where all the gambling joints, seedy bars, strip joints and brothels of Chofin are located.
He passes several low-end brothels, bars and gambling joints; The Lay Yas , Lando's Space Honeys Emporium , The Wangzapper Bar , The Ebil Bunny club to name a few of them. He heads for the higher-end establishment in the area, The Landing Ship . As he enters the lobby, the aging former pleasure girl, Ma'ariia, the Zeltron owner comes up to greet him.
Welcome Sir. How can I ...
Her smile freezes when she recognizes him. In all of her years of service as a pleasure girl then pleasure queen, he was the one being who truly frightened her. Being around him sent shivers up her spine and not the good kind. He was handsome enough until you looked into his cold, dead gray eyes and see the cruel set of his mouth. She tries not to visibly swallow.
She tries again to speak her greeting when he cuts her off with a motion of his hand.
You know what I want. Have her brought to me in my usual room. Now. His voice is cold and menacing.
Of course sir, right away. She says nervously. She glances over and beckons to one of the servants to show him his usual room. She goes personally to find his usual girl rather than send a servant. He follows the servant out of the room and she breathes a sigh of relief. He smirks having picked up her fear and reveling in it as he follows the servant out of the room. She hurries away as soon as he leaves the room.
She bustles along the corridor to the luxurious private rooms that belong to her best girls. She bursts unceremoniously into Tri'xxi's room without knocking first.
Tri'xxi is lounging on her bed getting a massage from one of the servants. She languidly opens her eyes when Ma'riia enters the room. She about to protest against the interruption when she sees Ma'ariia's expression. She knows that look and only one person could cause it. She sits bolt upright when Ma'aiira's words confirms it.
Hurry girl, He is here and wants you. NOW!
Now?! She licks her lips in nervousness and she gets up hastily. Her hands are shaking as she ties the ribbons on her robe. Of all her clients this one is one she would gladly never see again. He terrified her.
Yes, now! And He is not in the mood to be kept waiting, girl. Ma'aiira says as she starts to help Tri'xxi dress in dancing/slave girl outfit that was part of this client's peculiar preferences.
When she is dressed Tri'xxi then decks herself out in the jewelry that he had given careful not to mix in any of her other client's presents. Ma'riia dresses her hair and within a short time Tri'xxi is ready.
Ma'riia bustles away to give the order for his food preferences for the meal following his time with Tri'xxi. Tri'xxi walks quickly but gracefully to where Shadow awaits her rather impatiently.
When she enters the room she bows gracefully and seductively displaying for his view her assets to best advantage.
You called for me my Master?
He eyes her appreciatively noting every detail of her appearance, He beckons her to come closer.
Yes, my little slave I have need of your talents. You know what I want little slave.
I'm ready to serve you, my Master.
She comes closer and kneels before him with her arms raised before her up with her hands palm up. She bows her head waiting for him to tell her to proceed.
He entwines his fingers in her hair and pulls her head back so he can see her face. You can start little slave.
He tightens his hold on her hair and draws her up so she is half-kneeling.
Yes, my Master.
She reaches up and puts her hands on his stomach. She slips her hands under his shirt. Her hands caress the muscles of his stomach. She pulls up his shirt up so she can kiss his stomach.
His eyes closes as he slips into fantasies of another beautiful woman.....that Tri'xxi tries valiantly to fulfill. She is at least partially successful when she has finished Shadow is more relaxed and calm than when he had entered the Landing Ship.
He then dismisses Tri'xxi to the other room to prepare the final touches on his meal. He gets dressed and then enters the dining room. He sits down as she serves him the delicacies on the table. While he is eating, the object of Shadow's fantasies is in a loving embrace with her husband after a long time apart. When Shadow finally finishes, he dismisses Tri'xxi but first gives her another gift to add to her growing collection. He pays his bill at the front and he then leaves the Landing Ship. He walks calmly down the street to his hideout.
************************************************
Kaden after leaving Kennis' aircar walks into the spaceport toward her partner's ship. She walks slowly deep in thought. She is sad at the thought of leaving Nick. She knows he will not be happy that she has left but feels that is the right thing to do for now. But every fiber in her being screams to stay with him. She finds her partners' ship, The Skeebeetle and walks slowly on board.
The cinnamon-colored Wookiee nicknamed Shorty looks up in surprise from the circuit board she is working on when Kaden walks into the room.
Acah Orrawawowh! Ohacro rarcwo rooohu rhraoaor coo coooowh? Ah aoacoohurracao rooohu ohworcwo rrooahwhrr aooo caoraro wwoorc raohacahanwo.(Hi Kaden! Why are you back so soon? I thought you were going to stay for awhile.)
On seeing Kaden's face, she says.
Ohacraao'c ohrcoowhrr? Waahwa cooscwoaoacahwhrr acraakakwowh?(What's wrong? Did something happen?)
Kaden nods with tears in her eyes suddenly having a hard time speaking when she realizes how close she was to losing Nick.
Yes.... She gulps trying to swallow the tears. Shadow took a shot at Nick and James but he missed thanks to Cait. She says shakily having to sit down.
Ohacraao! (WHAT!) Shorty roars dropping the circuit board on the table. Niamh, Kaden's other partner comes flying into the room with her blaster drawn to see what is going on. She looks from Shorty to Kaden. When she sees that they are not in any danger she holsters her blaster and asks.
What is going on? What happened?
Kaden swallows and tries to answer, her voice is shaky. Shadow took a shot at Nick and James , he thought Nick was me. Shadow missed. Cait knocked them out of the way. She covers her face with her hands and begins to sob.
Niamh's dark blue eyes widen in surprise as she takes in this information. She puts an arm around Kaden when Kaden starts to cry in an attempt to comfort her. Shorty pats Kaden's back gently.
They were okay? Niamh asks at last in a worried voice.
Kaden nods wiping her eyes. I'm sorry I don't why I started crying now. I guess it just now hit me how close I was to losing them both.
So what happened after that? Niamh ask as she leans against one of the control panels with her arms crossed against her chest and a curious expression on her face. Does Nick know... ?She starts to say when Kaden finishes the sentence for her.
...that we are alive, yes. Cait thought it was time for him to know. Kaden looks down a moment. I told him ....when we went to be alone to talk on the Lover's Dream. Kaden blushes when she thinks of what they did other than just talk on the Lover's Dream.
Alone? You went somewhere to talk alone? Lover's Dream? Niamh raises an eyebrow when Kaden blushes. That must have been some talk. She says in a teasing voice.
Kaden blushes a pretty pink. We didn't just talk. The Lover's Dream is the ship we used on our honeymoon. Nick bought it shortly before Shadow's first attack on me. Nick has it stored in a hanger that not far from The Neti's Garden.
Oh? Niamh smiles at the first part of Kaden's comment. I see. So did you work things out?
Kaden shakes her head. Yes and no. We worked out things between us but not about when to be together again. He wants us to be together again as a family. Which I want too. But he wants us to stay with him at the palace now. He said that he would protect us. Kaden smiles affectionately at that it was so like Nick to be protective of her and the children but then her expression turns serious. I want us to be together too but I don't think it is safe for the kids to be in that atmosphere with Shadow still on the loose. What if he shot at us again and Nick was hit instead? Kaden's face pales at the thought.
You must have worked something out he let you leave. Niamh observes.
Kaden's face gets a guilty expression and says in a small guilty tone of voice.
Not exactly. I snuck out. He was still asleep when I left. He is not going to be too happy with me when he wakes up.
Oh? Niamh raises an eyebrow slightly amused when she figures out what that means. That was quick of you two. She says teasing Kaden. Kaden blushes when she realizes what she said. Shorty gives a loud chuffing laugh. That makes Kaden blush even more.
Kaden looks at the cockpit controls when something occurs to her then back at Niamh.
In fact we should probably leave right away. He will start searching for me as soon as he realizes that I'm gone. I know he will. I would not put it past him to close the spaceport and do a ship to ship search just to find me. My Ad'ika is nothing if not through. She smiles as she thinks of Nick.
Niamh raises both eyebrows at that. I see. He really must love you and not want to lose you. Shorty start the pre-flight checks and I will contact Orbital control. And cross your fingers that we get clearance before he wakes up. Kaden, you look beat why don't you go lay down for awhile?
Kaden smiles softly thinking of their time together a short while ago. Yes, he does a lot. She nods. Yes, I'm a little tired. I haven't been sleeping well lately. She walks into her quarters on the ship. She puts down her bag on chair and sits down on the bed wearily. She really hated being apart from Nick like this.
Niamh sits down in the pilot's chair and Shorty takes the co-pilot's chair. Shorty does the pre-flight checks quickly and efficiently while Niamh contacts Orbital control.
A bored Orbital controller indifferently gives Niamh clearance to leave Chofin for Kashyyyk. Niamh pulls back the throttle and the Skeebeetle lifts off for orbit. Once in to orbit it jumps into hyperspace.
Kaden lying on her bed and is looking up at the ceiling unable to sleep when Niamh's voice comes over the intercom system. We are clear!
Kaden sighs and gets up. She walks into the cockpit just as Shorty leaves.
Kaden sits down in the co-pilot's chair. Good. Where are we going?
Well, I told Orbital control Kashyyyk. Niamh replies with a grin.
But Kaden knowing Niamh says. Yes, But where are we really going?
Niamh grins. Bakura.
Bakura? Why there? Kaden asks puzzled.
Because that is where your children are headed. Niamh answers.
They are? How did you know that? They are going to Nick's parents? Kaden looks in astonishment at Niamh.
Yes, they are going to their grandparents. Aine contacted me before you came back and told me.
Kaden now looks worried. She mentioned the children over the air?
Give me some credit for sense, Kay. Don't worry, she didn't mention them by name. She only talked of her cousins coming to visit her there. Niamh says reassuringly.
Kaden gives a sigh of relief. Oh, that is good then.
Niamh then asks to change the subject.
I thought you were going to try and get some sleep?
I was. She sighs. I couldn't sleep, too much on my mind, I guess.
That's when she felt it. The lightest brush of a loving, searching touch in her mind. It could only be one person...Nick. She closes her eyes and sends back her love to him. She feels his surge of love in response in return and she then cuts the contact so he can't home in on her location. She feels him reach for her again but blocks the contact. She feels his frustration and determination before the touch ends. She waits but it doesn't return. But she knows that it is not the end of this. But she knows she will be safe for awhile at least. She opens her eyes to see Niamh watching her with concerned look on her face.
Problem? Niamh asks at last.
Kaden shakes her head. No, not exactly. Nick was only trying to find my location through our Force bond. He didn't, I was able to block him from finding me this time. He won't try for awhile but he won't give up either. Her tone is admiring.
I see. What are you going to do about him?
Kaden sighs again. I don't know, yet. She runs her fingers through her hair and sighs. I will have to think of something. I don't want to separated from him forever.
Of course not. Niamh agrees. Maybe his parents will have some ideas or Cait.
I hope so. I miss him already. I really hate this being apart. Kaden gets up and walks to the door. I think I will try to get some sleep, let me know when we get to Bakura.
Will do Kaden. Shorty! I need some help in here. Shorty walks back in she pats Kaden gently on the shoulder as she passes Kaden in the doorway.
Kaden goes into her cabin and closes the door behind her. She lays down on the bed and closes her eyes. She thinks about Nick as she drifts off this time into sleep. Her last thought is of Nick kissing her, her lips have curved into a smile.
***************************************************
15 minutes after Kaden leaves the Lover's Dream.....
Nick stirs in his sleeping and reaches again unconsciously for his wife who is no longer there. He jerks suddenly awake. He blinks and looks around momentarily disconcerted not sure where he is.
Where am I? This not my bedroom in the palace. He thinks as he sits up and runs his fingers through his hair in confusion. Then the memories coming flooding back. The Lover's Dream. Kaden! He looks around almost frantically. She isn't there. Was it only a dream?
He starts to get up and realizes that he is undressed. He glances around the room and sees that his clothes are neatly laid on the back of the chair. He gets up and quickly dresses. He doesn't sense Kaden on the ship but looks in refresher just to make sure she is not there. He quickly searches the ship. She is no where on it.
He sighs. She can't have been gone long there may be a chance to still catch her. He thinks.
He goes to the ship's communication system and switches it on. It is then he notices the letter with his name on it. He recognizes the handwriting. It's Kaden's and with a trembling hand he picks it up. He takes a deep breath and opens it up. He reads the following...
My dearest heart,
Know that I love you, Nick and always will.
And leaving you now is the hardest thing I ever had to do.
I long for the day when we can be together again.
But it is too dangerous for you to be with me now.
I could not bear it dearest one if you were hurt like you nearly were earlier.
My heart freezes at the thought.
Please Beloved don't look for me for your own safety as well my own.
And please don't badger Kyna either for my whereabouts.
She doesn't know where I am.
I haven't told her on purpose.
But if you have any information or need to get a message to me she will see that it gets to me.
She can be trusted. She took us in when we had no other place to go. She loves us as if we were her family.
And the children adore her.
I will try to have her arrange for you to see the children soon when it is safe to do so.
I know they miss you as much as you miss them.
I left you the holo-recordings and the package that she gave me as we left.
There are three holo-recordings. Two are from the assassin. One was left for me and the other for the children.
They were meant to be destroy by the explosions but we were able to recover them.
They both name the one who was behind the hits.
This you already know.
The other recording is of so-called the pirate's attack.
It is hard hearing and I would not want you to suffer through the hearing of it.
You need not listen to any of them dear one as they would only anger you to no purpose.
But I leave them with you as evidence to do as you will with them.
The package is from me. It was meant to be your anniversary gift from so long ago.
It was meant to be surprise then but I think it may comfort you now.
When you see and hear it think of me and know that I love you.
I have left you my dagger and have taken yours with me.
I find that I need something of yours near me.
I hope you don't mind Ad'ika.
I must go now dear one. I will give you one last kiss, Ad'ika and then leave. And remember this Beloved:
"Our joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be? The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven? And is not the lute that soothes your spirit the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater."
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.
Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall. "
We have had our sorrow Dear one and soon will have our joy again.
All my love, Your Ad'ika
Kaden.
He gives a sigh. He is both comforted and frustrated. He puts the away the letter. He closes his eyes and reaches out through the Force using their bond to try and locate Kaden. He feels her response of love when he touches her through the Force. He sends her his love back to her as he tries to find where she is encouraged by her response. When he does he feels her block the connection. He tries again and again she blocks the connection. He gives a sigh of frustration but doesn't try again knowing that it would be no use right now.
He opens his eyes and touches the controls on the ship's communication system and he puts a call through to the office of Captain Merinda Neskat the head of his Royal bodyguards. He knows she will be there already.
The screen resolves into the image of Captain Neskat as she answers the call. "Captain Neskat's office, How may I help... Oh, it is you My Lord. How may I serve you, sire?" She raises a fist to her shoulder and bows her head.
"Ah, Merinda good you are there. I want you to do several things for me right away. First, I need you contact the spaceport and close it immediately. My orders."
"My Lord? Close the spaceport?" She says in surprise. "But they will want to know why."
"Yes, Captian. Close the spaceport. Because I said so." He then relents a little seeing her confused expression. "I rather not say over an open channel, Captain it is a delicate situtation. I will explain further when I see you."
"Yes, My Lord."
"That brings me to the second thing I want you to do, Merinda.
I want you to go to the Neti's Gardens shop right away.
You know where it is?"
"Yes, My Lord."
"Good. I will meet you there in 15 minutes, Captain. But first contact the spaceport. Nick out."
Merinda's mouth drops open in surprise when he suddenly cuts the call. She quickly gathers her wits and contacts the spaceport and gives them the Emperor's orders. She then gathers her armour and her weapons. She quickly exits her office snapping orders as she goes.
Nick after talking to Merinda gathers his things and exits the Lover's Dream. He locks it and sets the alarm. He then walks across the hanger to the door and exits the hanger, locking the door behind him. He sets the alarm then walks back quickly to the Neti's Gardens but his thoughts are not on where he is going. His thoughts are focused on Kaden.
When he enters the shop Kyna is patiently waiting for him. Kennis is no where in sight.
"I thought I might see you again today." She says calmly. "You want to know where she is don't you?"
"Yes. Do you know?" He asks hopefully.
Kyna shakes her head sadly. "No. But you already knew that before you asked didn't you? She told you that."
Nick sighs. "Yes. But I was hoping..."
"....that you were wrong." She finishes for him.
"Yes." He sits down on nearby chair despondently. "What am I going to do if she is gone for good?"
Kyna kneels down before him and takes his face gently in her hands so he looks her in the eyes. She softly says.
"Don't take it so. I doubt that is the case. She can no more keep away from you than you can from her. If you haven't noticed she loves you with all her heart, mind and soul. The only reason she would leave is because she thinks by doing so she will protect you."
He looks a little more hopeful. "You think so?"
"Yes. I do. She will be back once she figures out how you two can be together without her endangering you." She removes her hands from his face and gets up. She gently squeezes his shoulder in comfort.
"But she wouldn't be endangering me no more than I already am." He protests.
"You know that and I know that but I'm afraid she doesn't at least not yet. I think she will once she has had a chance to think about it clearly. But right now she isn't thinking clearly that is. She is operating on her fear for you at the moment." Kyna says.
"But the question is what are you going do until then?"
Nick shakes his head. "I don't know. I want to go after her but..." He sighs and doesn't finish his thought. He runs his hands through his hair in distress and bows his head. He lays his head in his hands. "...I just don't know what to do anymore." He whispers softly his distress at Kaden leaving is in his voice.
Kyna lays a hand on his bowed head and gently strokes his hair as she tries to comfort his distress as she used to do when he was small. "I know. But I think going after her would be a very bad idea at this time. She needs to feel free to come back on her own. And she will be back believe that. You are soulmates. You belong together. You are part of each other.
I know this is hard for you but being patient now will bring you great rewards later for you both. Because you will know when she comes back it is because she wants to be with you and to stay with you." She continues to stroke his hair as he quietly listens to her words. She senses that he is starting to feel a little better.
Meanwhile in the palace....
Captain Merinda Neskat checks the Emperor's rooms and study, she finds that he is not in the palace anywhere. She is now worried that the Emperor apparently has left the palace unescorted and unprotected. She leaves the palace followed by the Emperor's two bodyguards that were supposed be with the him whenever he leaves the palace. They walk briskly toward the Neti Gardens, Captain Neskat hopes to find Nick there safe and unharmed. The guards follow her grim faced at the thought of the Emperor outside of the palace without them and unprotected.
Merinda and the guards reach the shop in no time having walked double-time to get there. Merinda orders the guards to stay outside while she enters the shop in case they are needed. She takes a deep breath and enters the shop hoping that Nick is already there. Just as she enters she hears Kyna say to Nick.
"Feeling any better now?"
Kyna lightly strokes his hair and brushes it back from his face as he look up at her and nods. She lays her hand on his right shoulder and gently squeezes it in comfort.
"Good. You need to figure out what you are going to do about..." She stops when she notices Merinda entering the shop. She squeezes Nick shoulder. And whispers to him, "We have company, stay put I will take care of it." Nick stiffens slightly at her words and he nods with his back to the door he can't see who it is.
She then says to Merinda. "May I help you with something?" Kyna moves between Nick and the door to protect him if there is a need. Kyna then recognizes Merinda. "Aren't you Merinda Neskat, the Captain of the Emperor's Bodyguard?"
"Yes, have you..."
Nick stands up and turns around when he hears Kyna's question to Merinda and recognizes Merinda's voice. He says to Kyna when he sees she is trying to protect him. "It's alright Kyna, I asked her to meet me here."
When Merinda sees Nick she salutes him with a look of relief on her face. "Sir!"
Kyna looks at him and nods as she moves out of his way. "Alright if that is the case, Nicholas." She gives his arm a kindly pat as she passes him to stand behind him. Both her actions and words draws a look of surprise from Merinda which becomes a look of astonishment when Nick smiles down at Kyna in answer. He puts his hand briefly over hers and squeezes it affectionately. He says. "Thank you, for everything."
"You're welcome dear boy, anytime." She responds with loving look in return. She turns the chair around so he can sit facing Merinda. "Why don't you fill the Captain in on what has happened this morning and I will go get you some refreshments. You look like you could stand something to eat and drink." She says as she disappears toward the back of the store.
"Thank you, yes I would. Some of your cookies?" He says hopefully.
"Of course." She says with a smile as she enters the back room.
When Nick turns around and sees the expression on Merinda's face he can't help but smile she looks so dumbfounded. He decides he better give her some sort of explanation. He says with a smile.
Kyna was good friends with my great grandfather, Nick who I'm named after. She has been a friend of my family's since that time. She used to look after my grandfather, my father and then finally me when we were small.
I haven't seen her for a long time. I lost track of her after I grew up. I didn't know she had moved here to Carratos. My grandfather used to call her our family's guardian angel. There is no better person in the galaxy. I know I can trust her with my life. You could say she is my oldest and dearest friend.
Merinda can't believe the change that has come over Nick since she saw him last. His smile has a warmth and his eyes are glowing with inner light she has never seen before.
If this is a result of him finding Kyna, then I'm glad. The Emperor actually looks happy. Merinda thinks.
Kyna comes back in the room pushing a small tray table with a plate of fresh cookies, a couple of glasses and a pitcher of cold Blue milk on top of it. She puts the table in between Nick and Merinda. When she sees Merinda is still standing because she doesn't have a chair. Kyna goes and gets her a chair.
"Please sit down and have some refreshments." Kyna says kindly as she pours milk into the glasses. Merinda looks first at Nick before she sits down only doing so when he nods with a smile that is okay. Kyna hands her a glass of milk then one to Nick. Kyna then passes the plate of cookies first to Merinda then to Nick.
She then says to Nick, "If you need something else just call me. I will give you two privacy now so you can talk." She pats him affectionately on the shoulder as she leaves. "And don't eat all the cookies let the Captain have some." She adds as she goes into the back room.
Nick grins at her last comment, amused. "She knows me too well. I would eat them all given a chance. Go ahead Merinda have some. While I fill you in with what has happened this morning and why I called you here." Then with a more serious expression he recounts an edited version of the morning's events.
Merinda takes a bite of the cookie in her hand and a looked of pleased surprise crosses her face at the taste. Nick smiles at her reaction.
"Good, aren't they?"
She nods and says. "Yes, very."
"Now you know why she told me not eat them all." He says with a smile before he continues his explanation.
Merinda nibbles on her cookie as she watches Nick's face as he talks. She tries to understand
the change she has sensed that as come over him. Her eyes widen when he tells her about his first wife, Kaden and their children, Jael and James. A look of pain flashes momentarily in his eyes when he speaks of their deaths. He loved them very much, she thinks, understanding for the first time the sadness that has surrounded him since she had first known him.
She hangs on his every word as he tells of his second marriage and his descent into darkness of despair and pain. Her eyes widen when he tells her of his discovery this morning among his wife's things. She notes the way he makes a unconscious caress of his wife's name when he says it. My poor Emperor, she thinks, he loves her so much still.
When he gets to the assassination attempt and Kyna's rescue of him and the boy she gives a small gasp of surprise then apologizes for interrupting him when he stops and looks at her. "That is alright Merinda I was surprised too." He says with a smile and looks back at where Kyna had disappeared. "Nicely surprised." His smile has become a smirk and a happy glow has come back into his eyes. He then continues with the rest of his story. Merinda's eyes grow larger and larger as he continues with an edited version of what happened she now understands why he looks so happy. When he finishes she blinks both from surprise and not being sure what to say.
"I...um...oh...sir. I'm glad you weren't hurt and you found them again.
Is that why you closed the spaceport so you could stop her from leaving?"
"Yes. But I think I might not of been quick enough. I believe she may be gone already." He answers with a sigh.
"Smart lady, is my lady, she knows me too well." He says with admiration in his voice. "But that leaves me with a problem how do I explain why the spaceport was closed without endangering her? And how do I find her again once that danger is past?"
Merinda thinks for a moment then thoughtfully says. "The first is easy enough, Sir, as I see it. All we would have to do is make the attempt on your life this morning the reason for the closure of the spaceport. That will be believed and just might make the real assassin nervous when he finds out who he shot at this morning. He then might start making mistakes we can capitalize on to find him and take him out for good."
"The second one ... I'm not sure...that will be harder..."
She is interrupted by Kyna's voice saying,
"And may be unnesscessary as well. When she feels her return will not harm you she will come back to you on her own."
She is in turn interrupted by Kennis who had just returned from the spaceport.
"But I think your Captain is right about the assassin. Making him nervous is an excellent idea. It is about time that he becomes the hunted rather than the hunter. Remove him and she will have no reason to stay away. And she said as much when I dropped her off at the spaceport."
....to be continued.
Shadow was incensed and frustrated. This can't be happening to me.I had a perfect record until now. Why can't I get rid of this woman and her brats? They should be easy targets. He thinks as he speeds away from the frustrated assassination attempt not realizing that the person he had tried to shoot was not even his target.
When he is far enough away from the area he quickly descends to the ground in a back alley. He turns off the jet-pack's jets. He quickly scans the area to make sure no noticed. The alley and surrounding area is deserted. It is still early morning most people aren't up yet but it doesn't hurt to be sure.
He walks away cautiously toward his hideout on Carratos. He moves quickly along the deserted streets keeping mostly to the back alleys. When finally he reaches his destination. He looks around and then deactivates the alarm on the door. He walks into the building. He closes the door and re-activates the alarm.
He goes up the stairs to his bedroom. He takes off his jet-pack and drops it on the floor. He removes his helmet and throws it in frustration across the room. It hits the wall with a loud BANG!
Osik!
He tears off his armor and throws it down with a satisfying crash on the floor. He needed to release all this tension and frustration. He strips off his clothes and drop them on the bedroom floor. He walks into the refresher to take a shower.
He allows the hot water to wash over him, hoping it will relax his tense muscles. He fantasizes about her. It doesn't help. In fact it makes it worse. He groans now not only in frustration but in desire. He clenches his fists. He wants her. His whole body throbs with the strength of it. He leans his head against the wall of the refresher and dials the cold water hoping that will help. It splashes over him but it doesn't, it is too late. There is only one thing that will help now. He turns off the water and steps out of the refresher.
While he is in the shower VT-7 his valet droid comes in and picks up the discarded clothes and armor grumbling. It puts things away and then goes back to its cleaning that its master had interrupted with his entrance.
When Shadow gets out of the shower and dries off he goes back into the bedroom not even noticing that things have been picked up since he expected them to be but he would have noticed immediately if they hadn't. He dresses in black pants, shirt and boots. He straps a blaster on to his right hip and slips a knife into his right boot.
He knows just the thing that will help. He picks up a black jacket, slips his Special Ops Imperial id and a large amount of credits in a jacket pocket and walks downstairs. His id doesn't have his real name which is classified as all the names of the Empress Athena's special operatives i.e. assassins are. In fact it has been so long he since he used it he is not even sure what his real name is anymore.
He deactivates the alarm and leaves. He re-activates the alarm when outside. He walks normally down the street not too fast and not too slow so not to attract attention to the seedier part of town. The Red light district where all the gambling joints, seedy bars, strip joints and brothels of Chofin are located.
He passes several low-end brothels, bars and gambling joints; The Lay Yas , Lando's Space Honeys Emporium , The Wangzapper Bar , The Ebil Bunny club to name a few of them. He heads for the higher-end establishment in the area, The Landing Ship . As he enters the lobby, the aging former pleasure girl, Ma'ariia, the Zeltron owner comes up to greet him.
Welcome Sir. How can I ...
Her smile freezes when she recognizes him. In all of her years of service as a pleasure girl then pleasure queen, he was the one being who truly frightened her. Being around him sent shivers up her spine and not the good kind. He was handsome enough until you looked into his cold, dead gray eyes and see the cruel set of his mouth. She tries not to visibly swallow.
She tries again to speak her greeting when he cuts her off with a motion of his hand.
You know what I want. Have her brought to me in my usual room. Now. His voice is cold and menacing.
Of course sir, right away. She says nervously. She glances over and beckons to one of the servants to show him his usual room. She goes personally to find his usual girl rather than send a servant. He follows the servant out of the room and she breathes a sigh of relief. He smirks having picked up her fear and reveling in it as he follows the servant out of the room. She hurries away as soon as he leaves the room.
She bustles along the corridor to the luxurious private rooms that belong to her best girls. She bursts unceremoniously into Tri'xxi's room without knocking first.
Tri'xxi is lounging on her bed getting a massage from one of the servants. She languidly opens her eyes when Ma'riia enters the room. She about to protest against the interruption when she sees Ma'ariia's expression. She knows that look and only one person could cause it. She sits bolt upright when Ma'aiira's words confirms it.
Hurry girl, He is here and wants you. NOW!
Now?! She licks her lips in nervousness and she gets up hastily. Her hands are shaking as she ties the ribbons on her robe. Of all her clients this one is one she would gladly never see again. He terrified her.
Yes, now! And He is not in the mood to be kept waiting, girl. Ma'aiira says as she starts to help Tri'xxi dress in dancing/slave girl outfit that was part of this client's peculiar preferences.
When she is dressed Tri'xxi then decks herself out in the jewelry that he had given careful not to mix in any of her other client's presents. Ma'riia dresses her hair and within a short time Tri'xxi is ready.
Ma'riia bustles away to give the order for his food preferences for the meal following his time with Tri'xxi. Tri'xxi walks quickly but gracefully to where Shadow awaits her rather impatiently.
When she enters the room she bows gracefully and seductively displaying for his view her assets to best advantage.
You called for me my Master?
He eyes her appreciatively noting every detail of her appearance, He beckons her to come closer.
Yes, my little slave I have need of your talents. You know what I want little slave.
I'm ready to serve you, my Master.
She comes closer and kneels before him with her arms raised before her up with her hands palm up. She bows her head waiting for him to tell her to proceed.
He entwines his fingers in her hair and pulls her head back so he can see her face. You can start little slave.
He tightens his hold on her hair and draws her up so she is half-kneeling.
Yes, my Master.
She reaches up and puts her hands on his stomach. She slips her hands under his shirt. Her hands caress the muscles of his stomach. She pulls up his shirt up so she can kiss his stomach.
His eyes closes as he slips into fantasies of another beautiful woman.....that Tri'xxi tries valiantly to fulfill. She is at least partially successful when she has finished Shadow is more relaxed and calm than when he had entered the Landing Ship.
He then dismisses Tri'xxi to the other room to prepare the final touches on his meal. He gets dressed and then enters the dining room. He sits down as she serves him the delicacies on the table. While he is eating, the object of Shadow's fantasies is in a loving embrace with her husband after a long time apart. When Shadow finally finishes, he dismisses Tri'xxi but first gives her another gift to add to her growing collection. He pays his bill at the front and he then leaves the Landing Ship. He walks calmly down the street to his hideout.
************************************************
Kaden after leaving Kennis' aircar walks into the spaceport toward her partner's ship. She walks slowly deep in thought. She is sad at the thought of leaving Nick. She knows he will not be happy that she has left but feels that is the right thing to do for now. But every fiber in her being screams to stay with him. She finds her partners' ship, The Skeebeetle and walks slowly on board.
The cinnamon-colored Wookiee nicknamed Shorty looks up in surprise from the circuit board she is working on when Kaden walks into the room.
Acah Orrawawowh! Ohacro rarcwo rooohu rhraoaor coo coooowh? Ah aoacoohurracao rooohu ohworcwo rrooahwhrr aooo caoraro wwoorc raohacahanwo.(Hi Kaden! Why are you back so soon? I thought you were going to stay for awhile.)
On seeing Kaden's face, she says.
Ohacraao'c ohrcoowhrr? Waahwa cooscwoaoacahwhrr acraakakwowh?(What's wrong? Did something happen?)
Kaden nods with tears in her eyes suddenly having a hard time speaking when she realizes how close she was to losing Nick.
Yes.... She gulps trying to swallow the tears. Shadow took a shot at Nick and James but he missed thanks to Cait. She says shakily having to sit down.
Ohacraao! (WHAT!) Shorty roars dropping the circuit board on the table. Niamh, Kaden's other partner comes flying into the room with her blaster drawn to see what is going on. She looks from Shorty to Kaden. When she sees that they are not in any danger she holsters her blaster and asks.
What is going on? What happened?
Kaden swallows and tries to answer, her voice is shaky. Shadow took a shot at Nick and James , he thought Nick was me. Shadow missed. Cait knocked them out of the way. She covers her face with her hands and begins to sob.
Niamh's dark blue eyes widen in surprise as she takes in this information. She puts an arm around Kaden when Kaden starts to cry in an attempt to comfort her. Shorty pats Kaden's back gently.
They were okay? Niamh asks at last in a worried voice.
Kaden nods wiping her eyes. I'm sorry I don't why I started crying now. I guess it just now hit me how close I was to losing them both.
So what happened after that? Niamh ask as she leans against one of the control panels with her arms crossed against her chest and a curious expression on her face. Does Nick know... ?She starts to say when Kaden finishes the sentence for her.
...that we are alive, yes. Cait thought it was time for him to know. Kaden looks down a moment. I told him ....when we went to be alone to talk on the Lover's Dream. Kaden blushes when she thinks of what they did other than just talk on the Lover's Dream.
Alone? You went somewhere to talk alone? Lover's Dream? Niamh raises an eyebrow when Kaden blushes. That must have been some talk. She says in a teasing voice.
Kaden blushes a pretty pink. We didn't just talk. The Lover's Dream is the ship we used on our honeymoon. Nick bought it shortly before Shadow's first attack on me. Nick has it stored in a hanger that not far from The Neti's Garden.
Oh? Niamh smiles at the first part of Kaden's comment. I see. So did you work things out?
Kaden shakes her head. Yes and no. We worked out things between us but not about when to be together again. He wants us to be together again as a family. Which I want too. But he wants us to stay with him at the palace now. He said that he would protect us. Kaden smiles affectionately at that it was so like Nick to be protective of her and the children but then her expression turns serious. I want us to be together too but I don't think it is safe for the kids to be in that atmosphere with Shadow still on the loose. What if he shot at us again and Nick was hit instead? Kaden's face pales at the thought.
You must have worked something out he let you leave. Niamh observes.
Kaden's face gets a guilty expression and says in a small guilty tone of voice.
Not exactly. I snuck out. He was still asleep when I left. He is not going to be too happy with me when he wakes up.
Oh? Niamh raises an eyebrow slightly amused when she figures out what that means. That was quick of you two. She says teasing Kaden. Kaden blushes when she realizes what she said. Shorty gives a loud chuffing laugh. That makes Kaden blush even more.
Kaden looks at the cockpit controls when something occurs to her then back at Niamh.
In fact we should probably leave right away. He will start searching for me as soon as he realizes that I'm gone. I know he will. I would not put it past him to close the spaceport and do a ship to ship search just to find me. My Ad'ika is nothing if not through. She smiles as she thinks of Nick.
Niamh raises both eyebrows at that. I see. He really must love you and not want to lose you. Shorty start the pre-flight checks and I will contact Orbital control. And cross your fingers that we get clearance before he wakes up. Kaden, you look beat why don't you go lay down for awhile?
Kaden smiles softly thinking of their time together a short while ago. Yes, he does a lot. She nods. Yes, I'm a little tired. I haven't been sleeping well lately. She walks into her quarters on the ship. She puts down her bag on chair and sits down on the bed wearily. She really hated being apart from Nick like this.
Niamh sits down in the pilot's chair and Shorty takes the co-pilot's chair. Shorty does the pre-flight checks quickly and efficiently while Niamh contacts Orbital control.
A bored Orbital controller indifferently gives Niamh clearance to leave Chofin for Kashyyyk. Niamh pulls back the throttle and the Skeebeetle lifts off for orbit. Once in to orbit it jumps into hyperspace.
Kaden lying on her bed and is looking up at the ceiling unable to sleep when Niamh's voice comes over the intercom system. We are clear!
Kaden sighs and gets up. She walks into the cockpit just as Shorty leaves.
Kaden sits down in the co-pilot's chair. Good. Where are we going?
Well, I told Orbital control Kashyyyk. Niamh replies with a grin.
But Kaden knowing Niamh says. Yes, But where are we really going?
Niamh grins. Bakura.
Bakura? Why there? Kaden asks puzzled.
Because that is where your children are headed. Niamh answers.
They are? How did you know that? They are going to Nick's parents? Kaden looks in astonishment at Niamh.
Yes, they are going to their grandparents. Aine contacted me before you came back and told me.
Kaden now looks worried. She mentioned the children over the air?
Give me some credit for sense, Kay. Don't worry, she didn't mention them by name. She only talked of her cousins coming to visit her there. Niamh says reassuringly.
Kaden gives a sigh of relief. Oh, that is good then.
Niamh then asks to change the subject.
I thought you were going to try and get some sleep?
I was. She sighs. I couldn't sleep, too much on my mind, I guess.
That's when she felt it. The lightest brush of a loving, searching touch in her mind. It could only be one person...Nick. She closes her eyes and sends back her love to him. She feels his surge of love in response in return and she then cuts the contact so he can't home in on her location. She feels him reach for her again but blocks the contact. She feels his frustration and determination before the touch ends. She waits but it doesn't return. But she knows that it is not the end of this. But she knows she will be safe for awhile at least. She opens her eyes to see Niamh watching her with concerned look on her face.
Problem? Niamh asks at last.
Kaden shakes her head. No, not exactly. Nick was only trying to find my location through our Force bond. He didn't, I was able to block him from finding me this time. He won't try for awhile but he won't give up either. Her tone is admiring.
I see. What are you going to do about him?
Kaden sighs again. I don't know, yet. She runs her fingers through her hair and sighs. I will have to think of something. I don't want to separated from him forever.
Of course not. Niamh agrees. Maybe his parents will have some ideas or Cait.
I hope so. I miss him already. I really hate this being apart. Kaden gets up and walks to the door. I think I will try to get some sleep, let me know when we get to Bakura.
Will do Kaden. Shorty! I need some help in here. Shorty walks back in she pats Kaden gently on the shoulder as she passes Kaden in the doorway.
Kaden goes into her cabin and closes the door behind her. She lays down on the bed and closes her eyes. She thinks about Nick as she drifts off this time into sleep. Her last thought is of Nick kissing her, her lips have curved into a smile.
***************************************************
15 minutes after Kaden leaves the Lover's Dream.....
Nick stirs in his sleeping and reaches again unconsciously for his wife who is no longer there. He jerks suddenly awake. He blinks and looks around momentarily disconcerted not sure where he is.
Where am I? This not my bedroom in the palace. He thinks as he sits up and runs his fingers through his hair in confusion. Then the memories coming flooding back. The Lover's Dream. Kaden! He looks around almost frantically. She isn't there. Was it only a dream?
He starts to get up and realizes that he is undressed. He glances around the room and sees that his clothes are neatly laid on the back of the chair. He gets up and quickly dresses. He doesn't sense Kaden on the ship but looks in refresher just to make sure she is not there. He quickly searches the ship. She is no where on it.
He sighs. She can't have been gone long there may be a chance to still catch her. He thinks.
He goes to the ship's communication system and switches it on. It is then he notices the letter with his name on it. He recognizes the handwriting. It's Kaden's and with a trembling hand he picks it up. He takes a deep breath and opens it up. He reads the following...
My dearest heart,
Know that I love you, Nick and always will.
And leaving you now is the hardest thing I ever had to do.
I long for the day when we can be together again.
But it is too dangerous for you to be with me now.
I could not bear it dearest one if you were hurt like you nearly were earlier.
My heart freezes at the thought.
Please Beloved don't look for me for your own safety as well my own.
And please don't badger Kyna either for my whereabouts.
She doesn't know where I am.
I haven't told her on purpose.
But if you have any information or need to get a message to me she will see that it gets to me.
She can be trusted. She took us in when we had no other place to go. She loves us as if we were her family.
And the children adore her.
I will try to have her arrange for you to see the children soon when it is safe to do so.
I know they miss you as much as you miss them.
I left you the holo-recordings and the package that she gave me as we left.
There are three holo-recordings. Two are from the assassin. One was left for me and the other for the children.
They were meant to be destroy by the explosions but we were able to recover them.
They both name the one who was behind the hits.
This you already know.
The other recording is of so-called the pirate's attack.
It is hard hearing and I would not want you to suffer through the hearing of it.
You need not listen to any of them dear one as they would only anger you to no purpose.
But I leave them with you as evidence to do as you will with them.
The package is from me. It was meant to be your anniversary gift from so long ago.
It was meant to be surprise then but I think it may comfort you now.
When you see and hear it think of me and know that I love you.
I have left you my dagger and have taken yours with me.
I find that I need something of yours near me.
I hope you don't mind Ad'ika.
I must go now dear one. I will give you one last kiss, Ad'ika and then leave. And remember this Beloved:
"Our joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be? The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven? And is not the lute that soothes your spirit the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater."
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.
Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall. "
We have had our sorrow Dear one and soon will have our joy again.
All my love, Your Ad'ika
Kaden.
He gives a sigh. He is both comforted and frustrated. He puts the away the letter. He closes his eyes and reaches out through the Force using their bond to try and locate Kaden. He feels her response of love when he touches her through the Force. He sends her his love back to her as he tries to find where she is encouraged by her response. When he does he feels her block the connection. He tries again and again she blocks the connection. He gives a sigh of frustration but doesn't try again knowing that it would be no use right now.
He opens his eyes and touches the controls on the ship's communication system and he puts a call through to the office of Captain Merinda Neskat the head of his Royal bodyguards. He knows she will be there already.
The screen resolves into the image of Captain Neskat as she answers the call. "Captain Neskat's office, How may I help... Oh, it is you My Lord. How may I serve you, sire?" She raises a fist to her shoulder and bows her head.
"Ah, Merinda good you are there. I want you to do several things for me right away. First, I need you contact the spaceport and close it immediately. My orders."
"My Lord? Close the spaceport?" She says in surprise. "But they will want to know why."
"Yes, Captian. Close the spaceport. Because I said so." He then relents a little seeing her confused expression. "I rather not say over an open channel, Captain it is a delicate situtation. I will explain further when I see you."
"Yes, My Lord."
"That brings me to the second thing I want you to do, Merinda.
I want you to go to the Neti's Gardens shop right away.
You know where it is?"
"Yes, My Lord."
"Good. I will meet you there in 15 minutes, Captain. But first contact the spaceport. Nick out."
Merinda's mouth drops open in surprise when he suddenly cuts the call. She quickly gathers her wits and contacts the spaceport and gives them the Emperor's orders. She then gathers her armour and her weapons. She quickly exits her office snapping orders as she goes.
Nick after talking to Merinda gathers his things and exits the Lover's Dream. He locks it and sets the alarm. He then walks across the hanger to the door and exits the hanger, locking the door behind him. He sets the alarm then walks back quickly to the Neti's Gardens but his thoughts are not on where he is going. His thoughts are focused on Kaden.
When he enters the shop Kyna is patiently waiting for him. Kennis is no where in sight.
"I thought I might see you again today." She says calmly. "You want to know where she is don't you?"
"Yes. Do you know?" He asks hopefully.
Kyna shakes her head sadly. "No. But you already knew that before you asked didn't you? She told you that."
Nick sighs. "Yes. But I was hoping..."
"....that you were wrong." She finishes for him.
"Yes." He sits down on nearby chair despondently. "What am I going to do if she is gone for good?"
Kyna kneels down before him and takes his face gently in her hands so he looks her in the eyes. She softly says.
"Don't take it so. I doubt that is the case. She can no more keep away from you than you can from her. If you haven't noticed she loves you with all her heart, mind and soul. The only reason she would leave is because she thinks by doing so she will protect you."
He looks a little more hopeful. "You think so?"
"Yes. I do. She will be back once she figures out how you two can be together without her endangering you." She removes her hands from his face and gets up. She gently squeezes his shoulder in comfort.
"But she wouldn't be endangering me no more than I already am." He protests.
"You know that and I know that but I'm afraid she doesn't at least not yet. I think she will once she has had a chance to think about it clearly. But right now she isn't thinking clearly that is. She is operating on her fear for you at the moment." Kyna says.
"But the question is what are you going do until then?"
Nick shakes his head. "I don't know. I want to go after her but..." He sighs and doesn't finish his thought. He runs his hands through his hair in distress and bows his head. He lays his head in his hands. "...I just don't know what to do anymore." He whispers softly his distress at Kaden leaving is in his voice.
Kyna lays a hand on his bowed head and gently strokes his hair as she tries to comfort his distress as she used to do when he was small. "I know. But I think going after her would be a very bad idea at this time. She needs to feel free to come back on her own. And she will be back believe that. You are soulmates. You belong together. You are part of each other.
I know this is hard for you but being patient now will bring you great rewards later for you both. Because you will know when she comes back it is because she wants to be with you and to stay with you." She continues to stroke his hair as he quietly listens to her words. She senses that he is starting to feel a little better.
Meanwhile in the palace....
Captain Merinda Neskat checks the Emperor's rooms and study, she finds that he is not in the palace anywhere. She is now worried that the Emperor apparently has left the palace unescorted and unprotected. She leaves the palace followed by the Emperor's two bodyguards that were supposed be with the him whenever he leaves the palace. They walk briskly toward the Neti Gardens, Captain Neskat hopes to find Nick there safe and unharmed. The guards follow her grim faced at the thought of the Emperor outside of the palace without them and unprotected.
Merinda and the guards reach the shop in no time having walked double-time to get there. Merinda orders the guards to stay outside while she enters the shop in case they are needed. She takes a deep breath and enters the shop hoping that Nick is already there. Just as she enters she hears Kyna say to Nick.
"Feeling any better now?"
Kyna lightly strokes his hair and brushes it back from his face as he look up at her and nods. She lays her hand on his right shoulder and gently squeezes it in comfort.
"Good. You need to figure out what you are going to do about..." She stops when she notices Merinda entering the shop. She squeezes Nick shoulder. And whispers to him, "We have company, stay put I will take care of it." Nick stiffens slightly at her words and he nods with his back to the door he can't see who it is.
She then says to Merinda. "May I help you with something?" Kyna moves between Nick and the door to protect him if there is a need. Kyna then recognizes Merinda. "Aren't you Merinda Neskat, the Captain of the Emperor's Bodyguard?"
"Yes, have you..."
Nick stands up and turns around when he hears Kyna's question to Merinda and recognizes Merinda's voice. He says to Kyna when he sees she is trying to protect him. "It's alright Kyna, I asked her to meet me here."
When Merinda sees Nick she salutes him with a look of relief on her face. "Sir!"
Kyna looks at him and nods as she moves out of his way. "Alright if that is the case, Nicholas." She gives his arm a kindly pat as she passes him to stand behind him. Both her actions and words draws a look of surprise from Merinda which becomes a look of astonishment when Nick smiles down at Kyna in answer. He puts his hand briefly over hers and squeezes it affectionately. He says. "Thank you, for everything."
"You're welcome dear boy, anytime." She responds with loving look in return. She turns the chair around so he can sit facing Merinda. "Why don't you fill the Captain in on what has happened this morning and I will go get you some refreshments. You look like you could stand something to eat and drink." She says as she disappears toward the back of the store.
"Thank you, yes I would. Some of your cookies?" He says hopefully.
"Of course." She says with a smile as she enters the back room.
When Nick turns around and sees the expression on Merinda's face he can't help but smile she looks so dumbfounded. He decides he better give her some sort of explanation. He says with a smile.
Kyna was good friends with my great grandfather, Nick who I'm named after. She has been a friend of my family's since that time. She used to look after my grandfather, my father and then finally me when we were small.
I haven't seen her for a long time. I lost track of her after I grew up. I didn't know she had moved here to Carratos. My grandfather used to call her our family's guardian angel. There is no better person in the galaxy. I know I can trust her with my life. You could say she is my oldest and dearest friend.
Merinda can't believe the change that has come over Nick since she saw him last. His smile has a warmth and his eyes are glowing with inner light she has never seen before.
If this is a result of him finding Kyna, then I'm glad. The Emperor actually looks happy. Merinda thinks.
Kyna comes back in the room pushing a small tray table with a plate of fresh cookies, a couple of glasses and a pitcher of cold Blue milk on top of it. She puts the table in between Nick and Merinda. When she sees Merinda is still standing because she doesn't have a chair. Kyna goes and gets her a chair.
"Please sit down and have some refreshments." Kyna says kindly as she pours milk into the glasses. Merinda looks first at Nick before she sits down only doing so when he nods with a smile that is okay. Kyna hands her a glass of milk then one to Nick. Kyna then passes the plate of cookies first to Merinda then to Nick.
She then says to Nick, "If you need something else just call me. I will give you two privacy now so you can talk." She pats him affectionately on the shoulder as she leaves. "And don't eat all the cookies let the Captain have some." She adds as she goes into the back room.
Nick grins at her last comment, amused. "She knows me too well. I would eat them all given a chance. Go ahead Merinda have some. While I fill you in with what has happened this morning and why I called you here." Then with a more serious expression he recounts an edited version of the morning's events.
Merinda takes a bite of the cookie in her hand and a looked of pleased surprise crosses her face at the taste. Nick smiles at her reaction.
"Good, aren't they?"
She nods and says. "Yes, very."
"Now you know why she told me not eat them all." He says with a smile before he continues his explanation.
Merinda nibbles on her cookie as she watches Nick's face as he talks. She tries to understand
the change she has sensed that as come over him. Her eyes widen when he tells her about his first wife, Kaden and their children, Jael and James. A look of pain flashes momentarily in his eyes when he speaks of their deaths. He loved them very much, she thinks, understanding for the first time the sadness that has surrounded him since she had first known him.
She hangs on his every word as he tells of his second marriage and his descent into darkness of despair and pain. Her eyes widen when he tells her of his discovery this morning among his wife's things. She notes the way he makes a unconscious caress of his wife's name when he says it. My poor Emperor, she thinks, he loves her so much still.
When he gets to the assassination attempt and Kyna's rescue of him and the boy she gives a small gasp of surprise then apologizes for interrupting him when he stops and looks at her. "That is alright Merinda I was surprised too." He says with a smile and looks back at where Kyna had disappeared. "Nicely surprised." His smile has become a smirk and a happy glow has come back into his eyes. He then continues with the rest of his story. Merinda's eyes grow larger and larger as he continues with an edited version of what happened she now understands why he looks so happy. When he finishes she blinks both from surprise and not being sure what to say.
"I...um...oh...sir. I'm glad you weren't hurt and you found them again.
Is that why you closed the spaceport so you could stop her from leaving?"
"Yes. But I think I might not of been quick enough. I believe she may be gone already." He answers with a sigh.
"Smart lady, is my lady, she knows me too well." He says with admiration in his voice. "But that leaves me with a problem how do I explain why the spaceport was closed without endangering her? And how do I find her again once that danger is past?"
Merinda thinks for a moment then thoughtfully says. "The first is easy enough, Sir, as I see it. All we would have to do is make the attempt on your life this morning the reason for the closure of the spaceport. That will be believed and just might make the real assassin nervous when he finds out who he shot at this morning. He then might start making mistakes we can capitalize on to find him and take him out for good."
"The second one ... I'm not sure...that will be harder..."
She is interrupted by Kyna's voice saying,
"And may be unnesscessary as well. When she feels her return will not harm you she will come back to you on her own."
She is in turn interrupted by Kennis who had just returned from the spaceport.
"But I think your Captain is right about the assassin. Making him nervous is an excellent idea. It is about time that he becomes the hunted rather than the hunter. Remove him and she will have no reason to stay away. And she said as much when I dropped her off at the spaceport."
....to be continued.
