[Author's Note - I really HATE this title, but I haven't been able to come up with anything better, so this is what we get for now. I'm thinking - HOPING - this will end up being 3 chapters. We'll see.]

Dancing with Darmas

Dealing with people who weren't particularly good at what they did was always frustrating. Vacy stepped past the bodies of the most recent unfortunates who'd come after the bounty that Rogun the Butcher had put out on her. It sounded like those three had been freelancers.

Then again, she reflected, if they'd been good at their job, she might be spending quite a bit more money on medical attention.

She did not fail to notice that the attack had taken place in the foyer to Darmas Pollaran's private room at the cantina.

They stepped through the archway into the quiet room, the thick carpet completely muffling the sound of their footsteps. Darmas Pollaran was leaning back in an armchair, sipping a glass of something that probably cost as much as Kablam. Seeing that he had visitors, he set the drink on an end table and stood to greet them. "Having some trouble with bounty hunters, Captain?" he asked as he walked over.

Vacy let him take her hand and kiss her knuckles – Corso scowled – and then she flumped onto the couch, leaning back and putting her arms behind her head. "Trouble? Nah. You're only in trouble if you get shot." She grinned saucily at the older man. "Can't help it if I'm popular with all the wrong people."

Darmas sat back down, chuckling. "Don't sell yourself short, my dear. All the right people find you charming, too," he said with a wink.

Corso scowled again, moving over to stand behind the captain.

With an ever-so-faint smirk, Darmas swirled the ice in his glass. "I hear Black Sun is on an emergency recruitment drive – and that you had an interesting experience at the spaceport. I hope my lead was worthwhile?"

"Quite useful," Vacy nodded. Her eyes narrowed. "Skavak will be cold on the floor when this is over," she added, and hearing a chuckle from behind her, she looked up, and she and Corso shared a mischievous smile.

Darmas blinked, looking surprised. "That's quite the vicious streak. It seems Skavak brings out the worst in people."

Vacy rolled her eyes. "Ya don't say."

"Well…" Darmas sat forward, rubbing his palmst together. "While we're waiting for him to make his next move, perhaps we could... play a little sabacc?"

Corso groaned, shaking his head. "I saw that one coming."

Darmas stood, waving one hand dismissively. "Corso, don't be such a spoilsport." Walking over to Vacy, he held a hand out to her. "What do you say, Captain? First game's on me."

"Well, considering that last time we played you trounced me, I'm not sure that's such a good idea." But she reached up and took his hand, a slow smile curling from the corners of her mouth as she stood. "Though I suppose such a clever, charming man as yourself might be able to teach a thing or two to a girl like me."

Brows lifting at the clear invitation, Darmas smiled at her. "That sounds delightful. I'd love to spend more time with you, my dear."

Corso cleared his throat emphatically. "I may have been a bit hasty, when I said we could trust Darmas." He folded his arms, doing his best to look fierce.

Vacy didn't even turn to look at him. "Riggs, my personal life is my business."

And that neatly squelched all the fierce. "Right," Corso said quietly. "I'll… catch you later, then, Captain."

Darmas watched Corso leave, head tilted thoughtfully. He looked to Vacy a few moments later. "That was a little harsh, even for you."

She sighed, looking down at the toes of her boots. "I know," she said with a shrug. "But – I can't have him getting the wrong idea. He's the sort to latch on, and that'd just cause all kinds of problems." She looked back up, her smile wryly apologetic. "I prefer to keep things uncomplicated."

With a chuckle deep in his throat, Darmas dipped his head to brush a light kiss over Vacy's lips. "I'll just change the entry code for a bit, so we can … talk … as long as we like," he said, heading to the doorway.