A/N- Despite my research, how the New Republic government actually functions is still a mystery to me. It seems like every author has their on variation and none are really consistent. For the purposes of this fic I'm using the American system of an electing a president with the ensuing inaugural festivities.
Setting- Several months after A Safe Port in the Storm
Karrde slapped the alarm off and turned the lamp on. He lay there in bed for a few minutes trying to work up the energy to get up and start getting dressed for the inaugural ball tonight. They had been running almost non-stop since they arrived on Coruscant a week ago and had not slept in nearly forty eight hours. He and Shada had skipped Gavrisom's swearing in ceremony this morning in favor of getting a bit of rest before the ball. Those couple of hours had not been nearly enough. When they had finally made it back to their hotel room, he had been so worn out he had only been able to remove his coat and boots before collapsing on top of the covers. He was still completely exhausted, but duty called.
He looked over at the woman sprawled out on the bed next to him. At least Shada had gotten mostly undressed and managed to slip under the covers. The thin camisole she'd had on under her jumpsuit was rucked up nearly to her shoulders leaving most of her back exposed to the sheet wadded up around her waist. He reached out laying a warm hand on her cool creamy skin, rubbing her back. "Shada, it's time to get up."
She groaned and pulled a pillow over her head. "We just went to sleep," she grumbled her voice muffled by the pillow.
"I know." His caress turned into a massage when he felt how tense the muscles in her back were.
"Do we really have to go?"
He wished he could tell her no. He knew that she dreaded these political functions more than anything else about their roles as intelligence liaisons and he would spare her if he was able to. He could go alone, but he relied on her sharp eyes and shrewd judgment to pick up anything he may have missed. He also knew it would cause no end of speculation and talk if he appeared without Shada, his constant companion and supposed mistress. Being there without her at his side would do nothing but hinder his ability to learn the things he needed to know. "Unfortunately, we do," he told her. "I'll make it to you." He leaned over and pressed a kiss to her shoulder before pulling the pillow from her head.
"You'd better." She flopped over on her back, pushing her long dark hair from her face. "I'd really rather fight a rancor that have to deal with those politicians tonight."
"You and me both." Karrde sighed heavily and sat up. "I'm going to order some food."
"Make sure to get a big pot of caf." Shada sat up as well and leaned back against the headboard, surveying him. "You slept in your clothes?"
"I'm lucky I got my boots off." He stood and almost immediately tripped over those same boots left haphazardly by the bed. "Krif."
Shada laughed and got out of the bed much more gracefully. "I'm going to go take a shower."
"Talon, can you help me with this?"
"Certainly." He shrugged on his under tunic and went over to where Shada was putting her gown on in front of the mirror. She held up her arms and he knelt down beside her, fastening the gown along the sides.
"I don't know how they expect a person to dress themselves in these things," she complained about her formal layered gown
"I believe they assume a lady that needs state robes would have a handmaiden to help her dress. Shall I hire one for you?"
Shada made a face at the thought of going to so many state functions that she would need a handmaiden. Then her lips twisted into a teasing smile. "That's what I keep you around for." She gave him a condescending pat on the head.
He looked up at her and returned her smile with a smirk of his own. "Well, you do have to admit that I am very good at getting you undressed." He stood after closing the last fastening. "There. That should do it." He smoothed the silk of her under gown and helped her into the velvet outer robe.
She clipped the jeweled buckles at her waist together and surveyed herself in the mirror. Despite the hassle of getting into it, the formal state gown did suit her very well. The icy blue silk of her underdress and deep blue velvet of her outer robe set off the sapphire jewels that he had given her for her lifeday to perfection. Her black hair was done up in an elaborate arrangement of curls and braids held in place by silver zenji needles that sparkled with tiny sapphires. The entire effect was very regal. "You look magnificent." He kissed the exposed skin at the nape of her neck. She melted a little against him and his hands went to her waist stroking the soft velvet. "I'll be the envy of every man there."
"Thank you." She turned to face him, quickly doing up the fastenings of his under tunic, her silver enameled nails flashing in the light. She tugged the hem straight and smoothed it out over his chest. She took his long outer tunic off the hanger and held it out for him. He slipped his arms in and she settled it on his shoulders. She moved around him making sure everything was perfect. "You make an excellent valet," he told her.
Her lips quirked up into a wry smile. "Is that why you keep me around?"
He gave her a devilish grin, "Among other things." He stole a quick kiss before she stepped aside to allow him to check himself over in the mirror.
"You look very distinguished," she told him. "Like a senator."
"What a horrible thought," he replied. To his consternation he did have to admit it was true. Perhaps it was the increasing grey in his hair.
"I think you'd make an excellent senator," Shada said and he could tell by her expression that she just wasn't teasing him. "You're an amazing leader. You love a challenge. And you delight in a backroom scheme more than anything."
"I've already given up smuggling. Are you trying to reform me further?" he asked, keeping his tone light. He'd never told her and she'd never guessed that she was the reason he had gone legitimate.
"Not at all," she grinned at him. "I prefer you a little on the roguish side."
"Good because I'm afraid this is as respectable as I can get." Or wanted to get. He did enjoy the challenge of his intelligence network, but he did sometimes long for the relatively uncomplicated smuggling days.
He went over to the vanity table where Shada's jewel case was set out. He reached in to retrieve the ring he intended to wear when a strange one caught his eye. He lifted it out. It looked like a signet ring and it was definitely a man's ring, but it wasn't one of his and he knew it would never fit on Shada's slender fingers.
"Happy lifeday," Shada's voice came close behind him, her arms going around his waist and her chin resting on his shoulder.
"What?" he asked in surprise, meeting her eyes in the reflection of the mirror. He'd never told her when his lifeday was.
"Happy lifeday," she repeated. "You bestowed me with jewels on my lifeday. I thought it only fair I return the favor. I know going to an inaugural ball isn't exactly what one would want to do on their lifeday, but we'll celebrate in earnest tommorrow."
"How did you even know it was my lifeday?"
"Despite what you may think,Talon, you don't have the market cornered on secrets."
"Booster?" he guessed.
"I can neither confirm nor deny that."
It had to be Booster, unless she had somehow gotten in touch with Car'das. He slid the ring on his right hand and turned in her embrace. "Thank you, my darling." He framed her face with his hands and kissed her.
They were sitting in the back of the speeder stuck in the massive traffic surrounding the Imperial Palace. They could have walked and been there much quicker, but it wasn't exactly dignified to arrive on foot.
Karrde kept staring down at the ring on his hand. It was a handsome piece and looked to be quite old. Shada had definitely surprised him with it. Normally, he wasn't overly fond of surprises, but this was another matter entirely.
"Do you like it?" Shada asked taking his hand rubbing her thumb over the carved surface of the stone.
"I do. Very much so. Is it an antique?"
"Yes, Mirax helped me find it." He was intrigued when he saw a blush redden her cheeks. She kept her eyes focused on their joined hands. "Before the destruction of Emberlene, it was the custom for men to wear a signet ring with their family's crest. After the destruction, most of everything of value was sold to pay for offworld supplies. According to Mirax, they've apparently become something of a collector's item since."
"And is this the crest of the D'ukal family?"
She seemed embarrassed as she replied barely audibly. "Yes."
Emberlene was a matriarchy. He suspected he knew what giving him a ring with her family's crest would have traditionally meant. "Does this signify that I'm your man?"
She looked up at him then gauging his reaction. "Yes." Her cheeks flushed even deeper, but she did not shy away from meeting his eyes.
"Then this is the best gift I have ever received." He told her truthfully. He had never wanted anything so much as Shada fully committing herself to him. He pulled her to him and gave her a kiss that showed her exactly how grateful he was. "You won't to be easily rid of me now."
"I don't want to be."
TBC