"So she has returned?" the hologram of Darth Sidious asked his elderly apprentice.

"Yes, Master," Dooku, also known as Darth Tyranus, answered.

Sidious smiled evilly.

"Does she still care for you?"

"Yes."

The Sith Master nodded.

"Good. Use that to your advantage."

Dooku bowed.

"Yes, Master."

The transmission ended, and the Count turned to come face to face with Lore.

"After all he's made you do, all he's made you destroy, you're still his... his..."

"I'm still his slave! If I defy or betray him, he'll kill us both. I can't let that happen to you. You still have your whole like ahead of you."

Lore went to him.

"You're my life, Tyln."

He pulled away.

"Don't say that, Lore. I'm an old man near the end of my life."

"I love you, Tyln."

Dooku took her back into his arms.

"I love you, too, Lore, but... there will come a day when you'll have to let me go. Promise me."

"But..."

"Promise me," he said.

She sighed.

"I promise."

He kissed the top of her head.

"Thank you."

********

Dooku's thoughts went to Lore, not for the first time that day. He had been on Geonosis for nearly two months, overseeing the creation of a giant warship called The Malevolence and to continue training the cyborg, General Grievous, in lightsaber combat. He had come here two weeks after he and Lore had arrived at his manor, and he had thought of her everyday.

Finally, Sidious contacted him and told him to return to Serenno. He did so very happily and eagerly.

********

Lore rushed into her lover's arms and kissed him happily. Dooku returned the kiss just as happily and eagerly.

"So, did anything happen while I was away?" he asked once they broke the kiss.

"Not really."

He cocked a brow, knowing that she was lying.

"So there's nothing new?"

"Well,... there is something."

He smiled, knowing he'd get the truth now.

Lore looked at him and smiled.

"You're soon gonna be called Daddy."

Dooku froze and stared at her in shock.

"What?"

"I'm pregnant."

The Count grinned and hugged her happily.

"Oh, Lore, that's wonderful. How far along are you?"

"A month and a half."

She pulled back.

"I had to tell your servants about us, but they all swore they wouldn't tell anyone else."

"That's all right."

He kissed her, filled with joy. He was going to be a father!