Author's Note
A piece for my Sith Legacy series, exploring the next generation of my original stories. These stories explore what happens to my characters after their stories from Star Wars, The Old Republic and the tales of their children. This is the an installment in a larger piece titled Chasing Shadows. Enjoy and feel free to review!
K'pah, Buck thought, what a headache. His Chiss metabolism usually burned alcohol off quickly, for him to be suffering so badly meant he must have imbibed far too much. He looked around, relieved that he'd been able to make it back to his ship. Sprawled across his large bed he stretched, there was no extreme pain other than his head so he'd made it back intact. Running his hand through his short indigo hair, he felt for bumps or cuts and found none. That's a relief, he thought, so the headache was only caused by overindulging.
Cover pulled up to his chest he noticed he was nude from the waist up. That no surprise though, he thought, he usually just wore loose pants to bed. Higher body temperatures were a norm for Chiss and any ladies that came back to his ship with him seemed to enjoy his choice of night wear. He remembered with a smile more than one female running appreciative hands over his muscular torso and abdomen.
Stretching again he noticed a form other than his under his cover. Nudging it with his leg made him realize two more things; he was nude from the waist down as well and he hadn't returned to the Corsair alone. A purring giggle emerged from under the covers and playful fingers started to move up his legs. His body reacted to the smooth skin rubbing against him but he couldn't for the life of him remember who it might be. Think man, think, he scolded himself, what happened last night?
He remembered going to Midnite's, a new underground cantina. It boasted being one place beings from both factions in this galactic war could put their loyalties aside and enjoy themselves. The idea was a novel one so of course he'd had to check it out. All manner of species from both sides were drinking and dancing, leaving their differences on the battlefield to have a good time. He'd seen humans, Zabrak, Cathar, Mirialan... Mirialan? That's when it hit him, Roxy!
He groaned as he remembered the awkward reunion. The short curvaceous Mirialan had still thought he was Zuriel, an arms dealer dodging the Empire which was his cover when they'd met. They'd enjoyed each other's company thoroughly while he'd been on the mission, but when it was over he'd had to leave without a backwards glance. Roxy still looked great, showing lots of green skin in her usual skimpy clothes, but when she'd seen him last night she'd had no problem verbally tearing into his ass.
'I knew I'd run into you again, you no account, double-dealing son of a sow,' she'd berated him. He'd tried playing off her tirade with charm.
'Roxy, darling. You knew I'd have to run,' he'd given her his most winning grin, 'I didn't want to put you in danger.' But she hadn't bought it.
'Don't you give me that 'darling', you pile of dung,' she'd said, 'You were going to take me with you, 'show me the stars' remember. Ooh, you're lucky I'm here trying to show my girlfriend and her boss a good time. Otherwise I might be tempted to do something that'd get me thrown out and land you in a med bay.'
Buck's head tilted at the mention of a girlfriend, last he'd known Roxy preferred males. But knowing Roxy's capricious nature he wasn't really surprised. No, the surprise had come when Roxy nodded her head just past him.
'There they are now,' she'd smirked and Buck looked to where she indicated. Two women were approaching, both looking seductive in the colorful tight clothing he usually associated with females going out to have fun. One was a fair blonde with short spiked hair, the other had light brown skin and silver hair, and they were laughing and jostling each other like long time friends.
Roxy had good taste, he'd thought as he took in both women. The tall striking blonde was definitely a woman he might have set his eyes on himself. But then his eye had been drawn to the tawny skinned lovely with her, the one whose familiar silver eyes danced in puzzled merriment. He'd groaned as he'd realized in one of the galaxy's more creative ironies that the blonde had to be Roxy's girlfriend because she was standing with Angel, the Jedi Shadow he'd befriended.
'Is he bothering you Babycakes?' the blonde had asked as she'd laid a protective arm over Roxy's shoulders. The Mirialan had given him a cheeky grin as she snuggled back into the blonde's embrace.
'Nothing to worry about, Sweetie,' she'd said, 'Zuriel's come crawling back to me, but I told him I'm all yours.' Aghast at her description of the events, he'd folded his arms and pinned her with a fierce red stare.
'Think your memory's defective darling,' he'd drawled, 'As I recall I left you on Balmorra.' She'd shot him another smug grin as she wiggled against her girlfriend.
'And here you are, begging me to take you back,' she stated, 'Face it Zuriel, I'm that itch you can't scratch.' He'd traded a laughing look at Angel who'd looked ready to burst at the conversation.
'Now why am I not surprised that you sound like a rash?' he'd said and watched Roxy's eyes widen in anger.
'Why you!' she'd attempted to lunge at him, but the blonde and Angel grabbed her and held the clawing green spitfire back.
'Settle down Roxy,' Angel's musical voice had been smooth and calming, 'You and Yen pulled me off of Serendipity to come out and have a good time. Didn't you say it'd be a shame to see me become one of those 'stuffy Jedi Masters' that you can't stand?' Roxy finally relaxed and drew herself up while she'd wrapped an arm around the blonde.
'You're right Scrumptious,' she'd said with a sniff, 'He may be a fun ride, but he's nothing but trouble.' She'd turned sharply, whipping her long dark hair over her shoulder before stalking off, her girlfriend shooting him skeptical looks while in tow. Angel had winked at him, blowing him a kiss before following her friends and he'd shaken his head at the situation. Heading to the bar, he'd ordered something strong and then…
Whoa, he thought as the body under the cover moved against him again and he was reminded him of the time spent after he'd returned to the Corsair. Lacking firm details, the memories seemed to be all sensory.
A smooth skinned body pressed against his muscular one. His mouth fighting for domination with one just as ravenous. Tracing a spine with kisses as they both leaned over his bed. One of his hands grasping a softly curved hip and the other supporting his weight as he bent over his lover and slid deep inside. All he could hear in his mind were the quiet moans and gasps she'd made while he'd thrust, and he remembered holding back even as she'd tightened around him over and over, a sure sign he was pleasing her. It wasn't until she was quaking and weak with rapture that he'd finally let go.
His release had felt like it'd short circuited something in his brain. Sparks had danced behind his tightly shut eyes as his body jerked and emptied itself. Just as he'd started shuddering, he'd scooped his lover into his arms and moved them onto his bed under the cover. He wasn't so jaded that he'd just roll over and ignore his partner; he also enjoyed the sweet closeness of skin against skin that came after the act of physical love. He'd wrapped around the soft body before they'd both drifted off, nuzzling the skin under a fall of silvery hair.
That memory almost jolted him from his bed. Silvery hair? Sweet galaxy, he thought, did I finally spend the night with Angel? He was tempted to rip aside the cover to see if his lover had been the sweet Jedi he'd been chasing. Tact man, he told himself, a move like that would only startle whoever his lover was and discourage another round. Briefly he weighed the option of calling out 'Angel', but he wasn't sure how it'd be received if it wasn't her and he winced at the memory of another time that move hadn't worked out. He tried again to remember if the body he'd curled around had had silky light brown skin, but his pained brain only gave him another memory of the night before.
He'd seen Angel several times on the dance floor. She'd had a singular grace and had attracted many dance partners, but always seemed to meet his eyes and smile at him or wink. His own smooth moves on the dance floor had attracted others as well, snaring the eyes of several females. But no matter who he'd danced with he kept Angel in his sight. Biding his time, he'd waited until he'd seen her at the bar without the company of the two other women and moved towards her.
'So, 'Zuriel' are you really a 'fun ride'?' she'd teased as he leaned on the bar next to her and signaled the bartender for a drink.
'One of the best, like I keep telling you,' he'd whispered in her ear after leaning in, 'Surprised to see you here, little Jedi, doesn't seem like a place the Order would approve of. Or should I call you 'Scrumptious'?'
'Roxy's the only one who gets to call me that,' she'd laughed easily. 'But I see places like this as the start of peace. Both sides are laying down arms and interacting harmoniously.' Leave it to Angel to see harmony in the scene around them, he'd thought, before he'd nudged her with his elbow.
'I'll agree with the harmonious interaction part,' he'd muttered, 'Maybe we can do some of our own later?' She'd giggled before nudging him back.
'I'm going to assume you mean dancing,' she'd replied elusively, 'But with Roxy and Yen here it might not be a good idea. I'd hate for you two to have another run-in.' He'd chuckled with her but wasn't about to be written off. The alcohol in his system had him acting boldly and he'd inched closer, leaning in again.
'Dancing wasn't what I had in mind,' he'd murmured as he'd grazed her ear with his mouth. He'd felt a thrill when she'd shivered and did it again, 'The Corsair's at the spaceport not far here. How could I talk you into keeping me company?'
He'd slid an arm around her waist and dropped his lips to the side of her neck. Her shiver had become a shudder and he'd delighted in finally being able to see how her skin tasted, sweet and velvety. She'd murmured softly as she leaned into him for a moment before bumping him with her shoulder and sitting back up in her seat.
"You are persistent, aren't you Buck?' she'd sighed as she turned to face him, 'You've made this offer before, but we shouldn't. I'm not trying to tease you, this just isn't right for us at this time.'
Part of him had wanted to storm off in frustration until she'd laid a hand on his leg and gazed into his eyes. Her look contained nothing but caring and he found himself unable to harbor any negative emotions under the power of that stare. He huffed in resignation, then signaled the bartender for a refill.
'You know you're the only one who shoots me down so consistently,' he'd admitted and she'd given him a pleased grin.
'Good,' she'd stated, 'Someone needs to. You can't always get what you want Buck.'
'What if I don't just I want you?' he'd asked, 'What if I need you?'
She'd clucked her tongue as she shook her head. 'You do need me,' she'd said frankly, 'But not the way you think. You need someone to stand by you, even when you act like this. Someone who sees the redeeming qualities you hide under your slick exterior.' Patting him gently on the chest she craned up and kissed his cheek.
'You're very dear to me Buck,' she'd said, 'If I thought I belonged in your arms right now I'd fall there happily. But there's no room for me with all of the others you let occupy that space. So I'll stay by your side and maybe we can each find the ones who hold that space open only for us.'
He'd looked into Angel's sweet silver eyes, reluctantly acknowledging his friend's wisdom. She didn't judge him and wouldn't try to change him; she'd left the decision up to him. Her acceptance of his nature made her rebuff more soothing than painful. He may have had countless lovers but oddly it'd felt good to know he also had a friend. He'd put his arm around her and squeezed. She'd hugged him in return before he'd pulled back and gave her a seductive smile.
'I'm not going to stop trying to lure you into my bed, you know,' he'd said slyly and relished her giggle.
'Wouldn't have it any other way,' she'd replied airily, 'And who knows? If you do ever clean up your act I may take you up on the offer.' She'd glanced away and nodded to someone, her friends he'd presumed, then slid off of her seat. 'Yen and Roxy are waiting for me,' she'd said before pressing a lasting kiss to his cheek, 'Take care of yourself, Buck. I won't always be there to protect you from ferocious Mirialan.'
He'd watched surreptitiously as she'd walked off and gave him a subtle wave before leaving. He'd found himself considering his motivation for pursuing her and smiled at the obvious answer; because she was a challenge. Lifting his glass in a belated gesture, he'd saluted the absent Jedi, knowing that he'd continue trailing after her until one of them got captured, either by someone else or each other. Until then, he'd enjoy the chase.
With that memory he realized it couldn't be Angel in his bed with him, he was wondering again who it could be. He stroked the body again more firmly with his leg and heard another purring giggle.
"That tickles Buyahk'a," a cultured voice admonished him as head of silvery blonde hair appeared from under his blanket. Green eyes stared at him from a fair-skinned face and it didn't take long for his memory to produce a name.
"Sleep well Renulta?" he asked. Charm being priority one, he reached over and stroked her cheek while she gave him a content smile.
"I should have, for as exhausted as you left me," she purred as she walked her fingers up his chest, "I'm sure my friends will be wondering where I took off to."
He'd originally run into the exquisite noblewoman on Alderaan when he'd been sent to dispatch her corrupt politician husband. She'd arrived at Midnite's with several friends after Angel had left, drawn by the novelty of rubbing shoulders with her idea of the 'lower classes'. However when she'd seen Buck, she headed straight to him claiming she'd never thanked him properly for getting rid of the odious man. Now she was in his bed slinking her way up his body and looking as smug as Angel always accused him of looking. He returned the look as he stroked a hand up her back.
"So do I need to take you back?" he asked as he raised his eyebrows and saw her eyes flare in desire.
"Well maybe not yet," she murmured as she pressed against him, "I don't know if I've 'thanked' you enough." She shifted upwards and consumed his mouth in a hungry kiss.
You're dear to me too Angel, he thought, and one day I might 'clean up my act' as you put it. Rolling with Renulta, he chuckled, but today is not that day.