Del Meeko paced back and forth in his quarters aboard the Corvus, contemplating what he could do with his life. Yet another Imperial warlord had been brought down and the Alliance of Free Planets was one step closer to establishing a New Republic. But he was tired of fighting. There were a hundred and one places he wanted to visit and a hundred and one things he wanted to experience but he knew what Iden would say. There were still so many enemies and she wanted to wait until the New Republic was firmly established. It just seemed so far into the future of Del.

With a sigh, he plopped down into a chair and cradled his head in his hands. When it came to Iden Versio, there was always a strict call of duty. Del knew she wanted peace as much as he did but was also unwilling to walk away when the Alliance needed them. Their skills were invaluable and, when coupled with their knowledge of Imperial tactics and procedure, they were an irreplaceable unit.

During one operation, Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade had said that Del and Iden were one of the greatest special forces assets to the Alliance. It was high praise coming from the former Rogue Leader, Jedi Knight and Special forces colonel and his former Emperor's Hand, Jedi Knight and all around lethal partner. Captain Jade had even commented that Iden was probably every bit as elite as she herself had been. Iden had denied it humbly, saying that she couldn't use the force like Mara could. They had become good friends though, meeting for hand to hand combat training, blaster range time and just for girl talk - which fighters were better, what blasters were best for what situation, the details of various operations they had been on and the like.

Del smiled. Yes, they did a lot of good for the Alliance of Free Planets but this war just seemed to be dragging on. With a sigh, he stood, grabbed his uniform jacket and headed towards the door, only to hear a pounding on the other side. Frowning, he hit the door control panel. It hissed open, revealing Iden. Her hair was falling out of its usually perfect bun and her face was flushed. She was breathing heavily and looked very excited. "Del, did you hear the news?"

Del quickly moved out of the way and grabbed a glass to fill with water as he replied, "News? No, I don't think so. What's going on, Iden?"

"Command has finally decided to move on Coruscant!" exclaimed Iden before taking the glass and gulping down the water. "Thank you;" she said, handing it back.

Del took the glass and said, "Seriously? When?"

"Operations are beginning immediately! Elite fighter squadrons are sweeping hyperlanes. Task forces are preparing to eliminate Imperial fleets and Zann Consortium fleets that may decide to attempt to come in after us. Apparently a full three quarters of the entirety of the Alliance's military power is preparing to mobilize. The other quarter is going to be securing fall back rendezvous points in case it fails. Can you imagine it? The Alliance set up on Coruscant! That would strike a massive blow to the Empire and would show the galaxy that their time is passed!"

Del nodded his head, considering the implications. Iden watched him carefully for a moment before sighing, "You have that, 'I've been thinking a lot about leaving and want to live a life away from war' look on your face, Meeko. Look, I know you're getting war fatigue and so am I but there is just so much work that needs to be done. As I promised - once the New Republic is firmly established, we can go and do whatever we want away from war and conflict. Just let me ask you something, Del: will you be able to sit by while a galaxy is ravaged by war? We're doing so much good."

Del sighed and said, "There are other ways to do good, Iden. Why do we have to fight? There are hundreds of worlds ravaged by war, billions of refugees who could use relief. Why can't we help them?"

Iden shrugged. "We're soldiers, Del. Fighting is what we do."

"That's not enough for me anymore, Iden."

Silence followed before she asked quietly, "What would be enough for you then, Del? What could keep you here with the Alliance? 'Cause it's beginning to sound to me like you're already dead set on leaving."

Del was silent for a long time before stating, "You know that I won't be going anywhere without you, Iden. I couldn't and wouldn't do that."

"You shouldn't just be staying for me, Del."

"No that's not what I- ugh." he put his face in his hands and said, "You know my loyalty is to this governing body and to the people of the galaxy over all."

Iden smiled and took his hands. They were rough and work-warn and strong but so gentle. "I know you are, Del. I promise that I mean what I say."

"I know you do;" whispered Del. "But when will the New Republic be established? When will it be strong enough for you to be satisfied?"

Iden looked down. She didn't have a definitive answer for him. "I'll know it when I see it, Del;" she said finally. Del sighed and pulled away, going to the viewport and rubbing where his chin was beginning to grow a fair amount of stubble. He was used to taking her orders and would follow her anywhere no matter how tired he was and how much he disliked it. But sometimes, it seemed as though she didn't understand exactly how tired of this he was getting. She didn't understand how much he hated the death and the killing and the constant danger. He was willing and was certainly able but even so, but he was losing his fighting spirit. It had been happening ever since Endor.

Arms wrapped around him from behind and he could feel Iden lay her head against his shoulder. "You know that, if you demanded it, if you told me that you couldn't stay anymore and was tendering your resignation, I would go with you, right Del? You know that wherever you go, I want to go with you. I just don't think that the time is right yet."

Del sighed and a smile tugged at his lips. Turning, he looked Iden in the eyes and said, "Of course I know that and I am not planning on just up and leaving, Darling. My will to fight is just... I don't know."

Iden smiled up and at him before kissing him tenderly. Del allowed himself to press against her and wrapped his arms around her, wanting to cocoon her in himself as much as possible. Suddenly, he felt her tongue trace across his lips. It was a gentle brush but it was a familiar one. Del gave a quiet groan and kissed her just a little more forcefully.

Iden moaned and sucked his lower lip into her mouth. Once it was released, Del thrust his tongue into hers. Their kissing became frantic and heated and Iden had a good grip on the back of his neck, holding him to her. When he started kissing along her jaw and back to her neck, she moaned and grabbed for the hem of his shirt. Of course, he was wearing a uniform jacket over it and that simply had to go. She pushed it off his shoulders as he began moving them both towards the bed in the corner.

Quarters aboard the Corvus were small, two room affairs. They had a main room and a refresher and that was it, so it wasn't far from the viewport to the bed.

Iden finally was able to feel the smooth skin over lean, hard packed muscle and she loved every bit of it, moaning as she felt up his abdomen and chest while he sucked and kissed at her neck. "Stars above, Del;" she gasped.

Del was too busy trying to get to the hem of the long sleeved shirt she wore under her flight suit but the stupid orange coveralls were in the way. Growling in frustration, he maneuvered her so that he could push her down onto the bed. Iden chuckled huskily. "Shut up;" he growled playfully and knelt down, working on her boots. Stupid things were the flight boots that had five straps and buckles apiece. Finally, they came off and the thick socks beneath followed. He stood and Iden stood with him, kissing him again. It was a game she liked to play - seeing if he could get her undressed while she kissed him senseless. Normally, he did a pretty good job.

Del managed to untie the sleeves of her flight suit from around her waist and it fell down to her feet, leaving her in combat pants beneath. They followed the flight suit and that's when things got complicated each time. No matter how he tried, Del still couldn't figure out a way to kiss Iden while removing her shirt. At first, he didn't try, being satisfied to lift the shirt and feel the smooth, soft but firm skin beneath. His hands traced along her sides, her ribs and up the front of her abdomen. Suddenly, she exploded into giggles and pulled away. "That tickles terribly;" she said. "Sorry;" replied Del before taking the opportunity to remove her shirt, leaving her in just a pair of tight undershorts that most soldiers and pilots wore and a utilitarian bra that at least looked like it was a size too small.

Iden kissed him and maneuvered around to push him backwards onto the bed with a bit more force than he had pushed her. Quickly, she untied his boot laces and yanked them off. Del grinned in anticipation. Apparently she was pretty eager.

Del's socks were gone and, before he even had the chance to stand up, she yanked him to his feet, unbuckled his pants and shoved them down, along with his undershorts, leaving him bare from waist to feet. One moment later and he was completely naked and she had him pinned sideways on the bed with his legs hanging over the edge. Her lips devoured his passionately and his head began to spin.

When she finally came up for air, he gasped. "Not fair, Iden. You're not naked yet. Plus, we're only half on the bed."

"True on both counts, Darling."

She stood and dropped her shorts before reaching back and unbuckling her bra. Del had maneuvered himself onto the bed and she all but leaped on him, kissing him again. His manhood was firmly beneath her and she ground against it as they kissed.

Iden had always known that Del had skillful hands. He could usually fix whatever he touched - droids, weapons, armor, ships. They were all no problem for him. Only after they had become intimate did she realize that he could do more than just fix things. Those very skilled hands were everywhere at once, rubbing her back, squeezing her ass, running through her hair, which he had released from its bun, caressing the sides of her breasts - everywhere. Iden loved when he combed his fingers through her hair. It felt so good to her and held her close to him at the same time. When she was unable to wait any longer, she pushed herself up. "How do you want to do this?" she asked breathlessly, still grinding her womanhood against him.

Del placed his hands on her hips and growled. "I don't much care at the moment, Love. I honestly just want to get to it."

Iden grinned down at him and purred, "Well if that's the case;" and she lifted herself up and grabbed his hard, throbbing shaft and ushered it into position before sinking down. Del's hands were moving again, from the tops of her thighs to her sides and up to her rather sizable breasts. They were more than a handful to say the least and it was even apparent in her flight suit. "How do you wear a flack jacket and life support system over these things?" he asked.

Iden gasped and swatted his bare chest. "Del! That is terribly embarrassing!"

"Why? Do you think I'm the only one who looks at them while you walk around with your flightsuit around your waist in those undershirts. You know, those outfits baggy on every part of you except across your chest."

Iden tried to tell him to stop when he gave one of her nipples a little tug which caused her to gasp and forget what she was about to reprimand him about. Slowly, she raised her hips and slammed them downward with as much force as possible. Del groaned in pleasure and continued to squeeze her breasts with one hand. The other reached around and gave her rear a firm swat. "Del! What has gotten into you?" she laughed.

"I'm just trying new things. You don't like them?"

Iden leaned down and kissed him. "So far, you're doing alright, Darling."

"Really?" he asked and, by some miracle considering the size of the bed, rolled her over before dropping his mouth to her breasts, kissing them as he slowly began working himself out and in. Iden moaned with pleasure. She wasn't a vocal lover. She didn't egg him on or do much more than moan and gasp with pleasure. The way that Del could tell she was enjoying it was by how she held him. She always had one hand on his shoulder or his arm. Usually, the tighter she gripped him, the greater it felt to her. Right now, he knew that his forearm would have a sizable hand shaped bruise on it.

Iden was trying to hold on to some level of coherence but the waves of absolute pleasure were beginning to cause her to lose it. After the continued thrusting of her lover suddenly changed angle and one of his skillful hands began to manipulate one of her breasts, she had to give in. The ship around her went hazy and her head lolled back. It was only moments later that her entire body seized in pleasure. But Del wasn't stopping. Instead, he rolled her over. At first, Iden blearily got her knees beneath her but as soon as Del was seated again, he whispered, "Lie forward, Love."

She did so and he lay atop her and, once again, began thrusting into her. It was an entirely different, and absolutely wonderful, set of sensations. Del groaned as he felt his own pleasure building and Iden, still overcome by her first climax just lay there, moaning yet still gripping his arm. Luckily, Del thought rather absently, it was the opposite one that she had grabbed before.

"Del!" she gasped and he stopped. "Are you alright, Iden?"

"YES! Why did you stop? That was amazing! I was just about to cum again!"

Del thrust into her again, his hips slapping noisily against her finely shaped ass. "Del!" she gasped again before arching back and moaning loudly. Her muscles contracted around him and he was pulled over the edge with her. It was incredible and his arms almost completely gave way. When he was finished twitching, he rolled to the side, gasping for breath. It took a little work but they managed to wriggle around on the small, once person bed until they were both lying there comfortably. Del kissed Iden's bare shoulder and whispered, "I love you."

Iden hummed happily and brought the back of his hand to her lips, kissing it. "I love you too."

The dozed on and off for awhile until Iden whispered, "I'll be back, Darling."

Del watched her step over to the refresher and the door hissed shut. He grinned and looked up at the ceiling, his hands behind his head. He was a lucky, lucky man. In the Empire, something like they had just done would have possibly resulted in dismissal from service and jail time - especially considering that Iden's father was an Admiral in the Imperial fleet and the man designated by the Emperor to initiate Operation Cinder, one of his contingency plans.

Since they had joined the rebellion, it was far easier to get away with stuff like this. However, they kept it as private and quiet as possible. Iden came back and snuggled back up to him, pulling one of the nerf wool blankets over them. "You're so warm, Darling;" murmured Iden with a smile.

Del chuckled. "What can I say? You just heat me right up."

She chuckled at that before saying, "So we're expecting assignment for the Coruscant operation today or tomorrow. Rumor has it that General Kota is working six or more surgically precise attacks at once with special forces units - including several from that Warlord Trioculus."

She said the name with distaste and Del had to agree but couldn't help but ask her, "You don't like the former slave master?"

"I don't trust him and I know that's not fair but that three eyed mutant gives me the creeps."

Del chuckled as he rand a hand over her firm, flat belly affectionately. "Honestly, the poor man probably gets that a lot. I think he's sincere though. He just happens to be a high ranking Imperial who brought a large fleet with him. That's the truly big difference between him and most of the other Imperials who defected. The majority are like us - people who saw the horror of the Empire and defected on their own or in small groups."

"True; Captain Jade was telling me her story the other day. Fancy an old Jedi Master still being alive after all these years."

Del chuckled and said, "You don't say? An old Jedi? How many do you think survived the Purge back in the day?"

"Imperial record indicated that there were nearly twenty thousand Jedi in the galaxy if you counted those who never passed the trials but were still strong enough in the force to serve the order in other ways. I highly doubt that however since documents from the Clone Wars subtly indicate that there was a great demand for Jedi generals and that padawans were being elevated to the rank of Jedi Knight very quickly."

"Did you discuss that with Captain Jade as well?" asked Del. Iden nodded. "Apparently she made a study of the Jedi in her spare time as the Emperor's Hand. Apparently it was a source of contention between her and Colonel Skywalker during the beginning of their relationship."

Del nodded. "Yes, rumor had it that Jedi were celibate. It's hard to imagine though. Anyhow, the number of couples surrounding high command makes me wonder if they even enforce military regulation in the Alliance."

"Oh they do to a point. Are you going to tell Mara Jade she can't be intimate with Skywalker after all of that happened on Ambria with that Darth whatever-his-name was?"

Del shook his head vigorously. "No, ma'am; I'm too young to die."

Iden chuckled and said, "That's good. I would miss you terribly."

"But how do General Solo and Councilor Organa get away with it?"

Iden shrugged, "She's not technically in the chain of command of the military and is more on the civilian side of the Alliance."

"Fair enough but what about..."

"Stars above, Del;" laughed Iden. "Are you going to question the good fortune of lax rules or are you simply going to be thankful and enjoy them?"

Del grinned wickedly and said, "Give me another few minutes and I'll enjoy them thoroughly with you again."

"Much better;" she purred in reply, wriggling her rear against him just to tease. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Del managed to climb over Iden without bruising her and throw his pants and shirt on, calling as he did, "One moment, please."

The reply was a laugh. "Take your time, Del but don't hurt yourself."

As soon as he had enough clothes on for decency and he was sure that Iden was well covered by the blanket, he opened the door. Shriv, their blue skinned Duros squad mate stood their with grin on his flat alien face. He peeked around Del's shoulder and yelled, "How's it going, Commander?"

"What do you want, Shriv?" asked Del, rolling his eyes.

"Just letting you know that Captain Jade is going to want to speak to you about a special mission for the three of us during the Coruscant operation in about an hour and a half or so."

Del nodded and said, "Thanks for the heads up, Shriv. We'll see you in an hours?"

"What you're not going to invite me in?"

"Goodbye, Shriv;" and Del shut the door in his face. Iden chuckled and shook her head before throwing the blanket off, standing and stretching. "Well I suppose we should start getting ready."

"Why?" protested Del, "We have an hour and a half."

"True;" she conceded before smiling and saying, "Come here."

"Yes ma'am;" said Del as he walked over and pressed his lips to hers. He loved the feeling of her soft lips. When they came up for air, Iden whispered, "You're dressed again. You should probably fix that."

"Agreed;" rumbled Del and within moments, the issue was rectified and they were pressing their bodies together again. "Come with me;" said Iden and she took his hand, leading him to the 'fresher. Above the sink and counter, mounted on the wall, was a large mirror. Iden spread her legs and leaned forward, her hands on the metal counter top. Del walked up behind her and lined his manhood up and worked his way into her tight folds. Iden gasped and watched. The mirror added a whole other erotic level to their sex. Del retracted his hips and thrust. The image in the mirror showed Iden's mouth fall open with a gasp and her eyes grow large. "I never thought that watching you kriff me senseless from behind would be so arousing. Star above, it's so hot!"

Del agreed and his hands were firmly on her bare hips. She gasped as he thrust into her again, his hips smacking against her firm, perfectly shaped ass. Del moved both of his hands from her hips. One of his hands moved forward and up, caressing and massaging one of her large breasts and teasing the dark, hard nipple. The other hand went forward and down to the apex of her legs, finding her clit and rubbing it.

Iden gasped and nearly fell forward. Del watched the mirror and the site was magnificent. Iden wasn't even holding herself up anymore. Her eyes were open and heavily lidded as she watched the whole seen. The site of his large hands massaging her breasts and tugging on the nipple was so erotic that she was ready to plummet over the edge of absolute bliss. The sight and feeling of his hand between her muscular, smooth legs and caressing her most sensitive part was her undoing and she let out a long, soft moan. The ship around her became a blur, background sight and noise to the pleasure that flooded her sense of feel, easily overpowering every other sense. Vaguely, she registered her lover groaning behind her and the warmth that flooded her core.

Del watched as his beloved sagged in his arms. Her legs were violently trembling and her eyes were barely open. With heavy breathes, they both stood there, basking in their shared orgasmic high. "When we get real quarters, I'm putting a mirror in my quarters;" sighed Iden contentedly. Del's answering chuckle was more like a series of gasps.

After several minutes, he murmured, "We need to get cleaned up and, unfortunately, my shower is not large enough. You should go first. I need to shave anyway."

Iden ran a hand along his stubble-covered cheek and said, "No, keep it. Since we don't have to abide by Imperial Military regulation anymore, I think you should try for it. I'll bet you look rugged and dashing with it."

Del chuckled and said, "Alright, I'll do that."

She kissed him happily and staggered to the shower, placing a hand on the wall of the shower and looking over her shoulder. "You have completely rocked my universe, Meeko."

"Good;" he said, unsuccessfully hiding the masculine pride he felt. "It gives you a reason to keep coming back."

"Uh-huh and only one of many."

It took them only twenty minutes to get cleaned up and dressed again and, from there, they headed to the mess. Shiv was sitting there waiting for them, forking whatever meat of the day was being served by the two cooks they had aboard the Corvus. "I thought you two would be raising to the shuttle, your hair still in a mess and your clothes barely on. Props for managing your time so well;" he said nonchalantly.

They ignored him and got some food, munching away. "I don't suppose Captain Jade mentioned anything more than that we just have a part of the Coruscant operation;" commented Iden.

The Duros shook his head. "Nope, just that we have an important part."

Iden and Del nodded as they ate, mentally preparing themselves for the carnage they would undoubtedly be thrust into.