"Will I see you again?"

Christa looked at Obi-Wan. The worried expression in her eyes startled him.

"Maybe," he answered, playfulness returning to his voice.

Or Maybe not, she decided, then turned on her heels and walked toward the festival. She left the Jedi leaning against the stone structure as she walked toward the crowd to where Kaivo stood.

She looked at him, and his eyes fell toward her face, a gleam of satisfaction in them.

"What are you smiling about?" she asked.

"Oh, nothing…"the pirate answered.

Broq, a space pirate of Tattoine origin stood next to them. He eyed Christa appreciatively much to Kaivo's amusement.

The man let his eyes roam over her form. Christa wanted to punch him in the eyeballs.

"Care to dance?" Broq asked.

Christa bristled at the thought but saw Obi-Wan standing with Tobias Semp and the senators. One of whom appeared to be a woman hidden somewhere beneath a face full of white makeup and massive hair.

"I'd be happy to oblige," she answered sweetly, before casting a hateful look at Kaivo.

Broq pulled her through the crowd. He wore a bowl shaped hair cut, had dark eyes, and a deep Tattoine tan. Overall, he wasn't a bad looking fellow. And like Obi-Wan, he was taller. The top of her head was level with his nose.

He spun her around and pulled her close, but her heart wasn't in it. She laid her head on his shoulder and found her eyes drifting toward the Jedi, meeting his mildly curious gaze.

Kaivo smiled approvingly. But she knew he'd only let it go so far. Anything to keep her away from the Obi-Wan…

And why Broq? Kaivo hated him. As space pirates, they were competitors and were it not for Kaivo's orchids, Broq would have the advantage. They were both the most deplorable of men. But despite the fact that she found Broq repulsive, there was at least one good thing Christa could say about him. Broq may have been an all around scoundrel but he wasn't a murderer. He invaded shipping fleets, hid illegal cargo, and was somewhat wealthy as a result, but at least there was no blood on his hands.

Kaivo used his orchids to wipe out entire cities, which he later invaded and plundered of their wealth. Now he'd managed to become a political powerhouse, a man of influence in Runei. Known for his wealth, known for keeping Tobias Semp indebted to him. One could even say Runei was his planet and he was the one the senators should try to appeal to. But Kaivo liked to keep his business dealings out of the public eye. Despite his success and newfound respectability, to Christa he will always be a pirate, always be a murderer, and always be her captor. She hated him.

Christa looked at Kaivo. She noticed he caught Tobias Semp's attention from across the crowd with a slight nod of his head. What was he up to now?

Tobias bowed respectfully at the senators then walked toward the court where the villagers danced to stand next to Christa and Broq.

"I have an announcement to make. Attention please!" Tobias croaked. His lordship, Kaivo Xha has given his blessing. His beautiful daughter, Christa Xha is to wed Broq Mavellian! Give these two lovebirds a hand, tonight will be their wedding night."

Christa gasped and suddenly felt wretched with fever. She spun around and caught Kaivo's amused grin.

Broq's hand gripped her arm.

"I look forward to our wedding night," he whispered.

"Come, come," Tobias said, beckoning his guests to come forward. For the first time since visiting Brunei, Tobias seemed to include Obi-Wan Kenobi. But the Jedi was not surprised. He sensed there was something Tobias wanted him to see. He paused, then marched forward with the others.

The three senators stood next to Tobias Semp. Behind them, Obi-Wan caught Christa's gaze and held it. Broq's hand squeezed hers. His palms were clammy with anticipation.

Christa couldn't think. She felt too sick to think. How could Kaivo betray her like this? She couldn't offend the villagers with a public rejection. There was always a wedding on the night of Zoul. Too bad she didn't know she was the one getting married. The people of Runei t took their customs seriously. To an extent, so did she.

"Come, come," Tobias called again, beckoning Kaivo to come forth.

The Corellian space pirate came forward to stand at Christa's side. She was too angry to look at him, so she stared at her shoes. If she could will herself to flee, now would be the time.

"Now that all parties are present we shall begin the ceremony. And thankfully we have a Jedi Knight on hand to marry the beautiful coupling."

Christa's head snapped upward. The announcement seemed to catch Obi-Wan off guard too. And this was a man not easily surprised.

Padme Amidala smiled at Obi-Wan Kenobi, as did Bail Organa and Tuf Zul.

But the Jedi remained placidly blank.

"My apologies. But I'm afraid my visit here in Runei is not intended to serve the republic in this capacity. Therefore, I must respectfully decline," he said, pressing his hands together behind his back. He could easily marry them. He just didn't want to.

"Obi-Wan! You can't say no. There's always a wedding ceremony on the night of Zoul," Padmi exclaimed.

"Were it a more casual visit, Senator Amidala…I'd happily oblige. But I'm here as your guard, not as a Cleric. I'm afraid I must stay on task."

A low chuckling noise escaped Kaivo's lips. A shame Obi-Wan was too much of a gentleman to slash him with that lightsaber, Christa thought.

"Well, we won't try to force you," Tobias smiled. "We have our clerics on hand here in Runei. I only assumed to honor the couple with your blessing…"

Christa watched as the town's cleric pushed through the crowd with his little book and scroll.

Was Kaivo really going to make her do this? Tonight? Her head snapped sideways as she looked at him.

The cleric was a little insect-like Geonosian man. He opened his mouth to begin their vows.

"Wait!" Christa yelled.

Eyes all around narrowed. Others stared curiously.

"I need a word with my father. I'll be brief," she promised, pulling Kaivo aside.

Christa turned his back toward the waiting villagers to shield her face from their eyes, then whispered harshly, "How could you do this? You don't expect me to marry him do you?"

"Don't worry," Kaivo drawled. "There's a shipment headed to Alderaan, and there are treasures aboard. More than I've ever dreamed about. I can't have Broq out there. What if he gets there with his crew first? He'll stay here with you. He'll hear nothing about it, and the treasure will be mine. Ours."

Kaivo then thought to himself how Broq should enjoy his wedding night. It'll be the last he'll have with Christa. He was already a dead man as far as he was concerned. He'd see to that, personally.

"Who do you think I am? What do you think I am?" she protested.

"I've got some advice for you sweetness, and I suggest you take it to heart. Don't do anything I wouldn't do. Or else, you're stuck with him."

Kaivo grabbed her by the arm, roughly, but not strong enough for the crowd to see.

"Let the ceremony begin," he ordered.

The three senators stood as witnesses. Obi-Wan thought nothing. Did nothing. He simply watched. He watched her. This is what being a Jedi meant. No attachment. Therefore, no distraction, or pain. These were things that got in the way of duty.

The cleric finished the vows and Christa muttered "I do," nearly choking on the words.

A villager fired a canon. The shot exploded mid-air in an extravaganza of fireworks.

Christa looked up, vision blurred and felt hot. Dizzy. And just as the cleric announced, "you may kiss the bride," she collapsed, falling right into Broq's arms.

There was a collective gasp among the villagers. Kaivo touched her sweaty brow.

"Fever," he muttered. "She'll be all right. She's just a little nervous."

Fever? Broq thought. Just what he needed. Damaged goods.

"I'll carry her to the suite," Kaivo stated.

"I'm her husband. I should be the one-"

"Unless you know how to make her better, then I suggest you meet us later on. I have business in the Outer Rim. You'll have her to yourself soon enough," Kaivo snapped.

"Good," Broq answered satisfactorily.


Christa awoke in her suite. Her eyes opened to stare right into Kaivo's face. She bolted upright, pulling the blanket that covered her toward her neck.

"What-" then she remembered. She was a married woman. "Broq…" she started.

"Is waiting for you. I told him to give you time. I wanted to say goodbye before I left. He thinks I'm going to the Outer Rim."

"But where are you going?"

"The treasure is on its way to Alderaan. The ship belongs to Queen Breha Organa, so I'll have to be careful. Tell no one."

Christa sunk into the pillows. "And what do I get out of it?"

"Everything I have is yours. As it's always been."

"Everything but my freedom."

"One day I'll learn to live without you."

Kaivo leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. He then smoothed a wisp of hair away from her face. "Remember what I told you. If you go too far with Broq, you're stuck with him. Hold him off until I get back."

"What will you do?"

"There will be no need to worry about Broq when I return."