Background; These Tales all take place in the 'Temple of Snow' universe. The basic premise of the universe is that after the Mandalorian Wars, there was another 'Great War' instead of the Jedi Civil War. It left the Jedi beaten down and barely hanging on to the point that they hid on Rhen Var for it's safety. The Sith Empire was also fractured somewhat, led by a Triumvirate but struggled to organize despite its great size. A Confederacy, that survived the major crippling/basic destruction of the Republic, also exists with a large force of its own, opposing both Jedi and Sith. The galaxy is mostly in disorder and times of strife. (Written as a multiple author effort in a forum of the same name as the verse)

Disclaimer; I don't own Star Wars or Vella/Kett.

Tale 1; Repression

Sen waited nervously on Vella. He hadn't seen the Jedi in a while. He knew it was for a training session but regardless, he was excited to see her and talk with her.

Which bothered him.

Why did he feel so strongly about her? It was. . . concerning. Sen shook his head. The Jedi simply stirred feelings that he could associate with. That was it.

Though Rilus had bluntly given his opinion on the subject.

Sen hadn't appreciated that.

Now he was waiting for 'Kett' as he wrestled with his emotions. He paced back and forth, to nervous to stand still.

He knew that he didn't feel romantically toward her. At least, he wouldn't admit it. Sure she was rather beautiful. And smart. More determined than he'd initially given her credit for. Certainly had a fiery spirit. And she seemed to know just what to say and look her olive orbs with his so be couldn't look away-

Kriff.

"Sen?"

Kriff.

"Jedi." Sen greeted formally, forcing himself to get it together. "How is your training going?"

The question nearly caught in his throat.

Vella was so different from when she'd arrived. He honestly didn't like the changes either. She held herself differently, treated everyone simultaneously as if they were a good friend and an enemy, was more determined. He hated it.

The first time he'd spoke to her, she was a lot simpler to talk to. She spoke her mind. She was set in her ways. Vella had seemed to have an...endearing stubbornness to her. It seemed gone now.

No, not gone. Shifted. She seemed to have another goal. But Vella didn't seem to want to talk to him now. When Sen had first actually gotten to converse with her, she'd been willing to open up and speak but now she seemed closed off to him.

He was watching her descent to the dark side. His stomach flipped as he looked at her. His own descent was filled with pain, agony, torture and suffering. Vella's had been the polar opposite.

He wasn't sure if the connection he'd thought they'd had was real or not. It seemed to be the second option though. Sen growled internally. What the kriff was he thinking?

"Sen, are you alright?"

The Vlahuir blinked, clearing his mind. Had she been talking? "I'm adequate, Jedi."

"You seemed to have spaced out," Vella replied, crossing her arms. She noted that she continued to address her as 'Jedi.' Was it a compliment or insult?

Kind title or satirical attack?

Though she felt the most likely reason was that he simply refused to see her as Sith. Restating Jedi to keep that in place. Or perhaps simply because it was her title. Former title? Vella wasn't sure herself.

Or Kett?

She wasnt sure which one she truly was. Which did she truly want to be? Or were both Jedi and Sith forced facades?

"Adequate isn't exactly a good answer," She managed while shifting through her internal musings.

"No. But it is how I'm doing." Sen countered.

"Hmph. And I thought you would have wanted to see me and help my training," Vella smiled. "Am I wrong?"

"You are. . . partially correct," Sen allowed with a sigh. She gave him a look and he realized he would have to elaborate. "I'm happy to see you. . ."

"Oh?" A cocky smile. Vella seemed to be in a rather good mood.

"However, I'm not sure if I'm pleased to see who you're trying to be." Sen said coldly, a twinge of sadness creeping into his tone.

"Oh." The smile faded. "Sen. . ."

"Let's just start the training," The assassin sighed, twirling his scythe off his back.

Vella scowled at his obvious brush off before drawing her own blade. The green light pulsed softly. She hadn't had the heart to change it yet.

She was snapped out of her thoughts though as Sen bolted coward. His weapon came careening toward her head.

Was he trying to kill her?!

She whipped her blade up, deflecting the malicious attack by mere hair of an inch. She'd fought him briefly during her capture and seen him training. He hadn't had such a viscous style before. He really didn't seem to be holding back at all. She knew the Sith used offensive based combat styles but Sen's form right now wasn't tapered by it's usually finesse. It was raw, unbridled lethality at it's highest.

She couldn't respond in kind, during all she could to fend it off. It wasn't long before her muscles ached and burned.

Sen simply let his anger guide his strokes. The scythe slashed in rapid cuts and hacks, his rage fueling him away from his flowing form. The red light from his blade left cruel curves as it whistled through the air.

His repressed emotions flowed to the surface. Fury, white hot fury through his veins, tempered by a deep hurt, pain shooting across his body, and topped by an emotion that he couldn't identify. One he wasn't sure he wanted to accept but wanted to deny even less. The attacks flowed harshly until finally they slowed and he stepped back, letting off.

"Impressive defense. . ." He managed coldly, emotions sizzling away. Sen had let his emotional guard down and was struggling.

The Vlahuir's eyes met the human's, both reflecting exertion and flickers of something more.

"Thank you for training." Vella breathed heavily, wiping sweat from her brow.

"That's enough for today. I think Anya would be pleased with what you've gleaned about my weapon," Sen stated. Though his real reason was he just wanted away. He wasn't sure how in control he was around Vella.

He turned for the door but felt a hand on his wrist.

"Sen, what's wrong?" Vella asked, more perceptive than he'd anticipated. "Something's bothering you."

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not," Vella retorted, frowning. "Don't patronize me. What's wrong?"

"Fine, you want to know?" Sen half turned to make eye contact. His eyes flared. "You. You're the problem."

Vella's grip slackened in shock and he threw her hand off. "What? Why. . . ?"

"Because I don't know what I think of you!" Sen snapped, twirling to face her. "You've changed so much. You're not the same Jedi I captured and snuck in to speak to."

He kept going, ignoring her gesticulations that she was about to speak. "Mixed signals doesn't even begin to cover it. You claim to speak honestly to me but you clearly don't. You say one thing but then you're actions are the opposite. I warned you. You ignored me. Totally and completely."

The man's voice nearly cracked at that. "I don't even know what to think. Even if I could trust who you are, you're changing at such a rapid pace, I doubt that'd be true by tomorrow. You've let yourself be twisted, corrupted onto something that if you took a second to look at yourself, you'd be disgusted by. But maybe that's not true."

He paused.

"Maybe you're exactly you want to be, Kett," the name seemed to be bathed in venom and Sen spat it out like a bad taste. He hated it with every fiber of his being, hating what it stood for. "I let myself grow attached to you and you. . ."

A deep breath as he calmed, looking at Vella. She looked almost petrified.

But Sen didn't stop. He was finally being honest, with himself as well as her. "What you did with Tyriss. Anya. You stomped on your code, your dignity..."

"It feels like you stepped on me as well," The words delivered a lightsaber blow to both of their guts. "You're not the woman that I thought I cared for."

"Not anymore."

Dead silence.

Palpable pain.

Then Vella seemed to do a one eighty. "No, this isn't all me! I'm not the only one at fault here!"

She pressed her finger into his chest. "If you really cared, you would have done something! Anything! Requested to train me! Saved me from Tyriss. Done something. But instead you gave a few simple words. Words!"

"You just helped security!" She threw her arms angrily. "Security! Really helpful. You ignored me. What about escape? You could have easily arranged that! Or at least something besides one visit and some petty words."

"Sen, you've barely even called me by my name, dang it! You've criticized me!" She pressed her finger harder into his chest harder. "I've been alone and you've hardly alleviated that."

His back pressed into a wall as she continued. "You don't know me? I don't know myself! How do you think I've felt this time? You say you hate how I've been prevented but what have you done about it?!"

A pregnant pause as both persons mulled over the other's words.

"I'm sorry."

Both spoke at the same moment, raising heir gazes from the floor in surprise.

It seemed neither had expected the other to apologize. Then they both seemed to be slowly pulled toward each other. Their breath mingled as they rested their head against each-other.

Neither spoke, both simply enjoying the others touch. Then their fingers intertwined. Finally, they moved once, the silence and stillness being cut off by a chaste kiss.

Vella had leant forward, pressing their lips together, taking a kiss from Sen. They both seemed to be surprised by the action before that passed.

Then both seemed to have relaxed, a twinkle in their eyes as the reaction was repeated. Eyes closed, they both melted into bliss. For once, for the two troubled souls, things finally felt right.

The two finally parted, breathing heavily in each others arms as they sat. They rested peacefully there in silence, just enjoying each other. The moment of peace was rare and both savored it.

Finally, Sen's voice broke the illusion, barely above a whisper. "I'm so sorry, Vella."

"Hmmm?" A frown creased her lips. They'd been over this, right? "Why?"

"I'm sorry for everything. For leaving you alone. For helping bring you into this. For this. Heck, I can't even promise what's coming next," The Sith couldn't meet her eyes. He didn't deserve her. "I can't make it up to you."

"Sen. Look at me." Vella smiled softly. "That's behind us. If you hadn't captured me, we wouldn't have met. And now, I have you."

"Vella, I-"

The Jedi cut him off with a kiss. She couldn't help but love Sen. He wasn't like the others. Yes, he had flaws. But he really cared. "No buts. We'll make it, okay? So stop wallowing."

Sen stared at her in wonder. She was so perfect. Even after all she'd been through, Vella was still perfect. "I love you." He breathed out.

The woman in his arms froze. Her body stiffened slightly. Vella had never been told that. She'd been treated like an item almost up till now. Tyriss trying to break her, putting her through different kinds of extravagant torture for her own ends. Anya, who seemed to care a but more but was still cold. Never really seeking to treat her as anything but a charge to be cared for. As a Jedi, love being forbidden. Her breathing caught and a small tear trickled out of her eyes. "Sen..."

"Vella, I'm sorry I didn't mean to," Sen's heart wrenched, misinterpreting her tears. He pulled her tighter, trying to comfort her.

The brunette gave a small laugh, amused by the Sith's awkward but well meaning actions. "No, I'm fine, Sen. That...I just was caught off guard. I love you too."

"Oh." Sen had no words but his head fell into the crook of her shoulder. The two had found solace in each other, peace, even love as they drifted off to sleep.

Things weren't problemless now but the galaxy was looking up.

Author's Note; So, I wrote this because it had been bothering me. Sorry to all of you who read this and didn't know what was going on, characters and AU verse a from a group I am a part of and I wanted to post the story. I might post some more one shots here though. This first story was titled 'Repression.' If you like Star Wars and/or my writing style, I have an ongoing story following a Jedi in the Mandalorian Wars so that might be worth checking out. Anyway, until next update, Baldore out.