I was at a loss at that moment; nothing made sense to me – absolutely nothing. The only thought coursing through my mind was of losing my sister, of again having to face death. I didn't want to accept it just because the young Doctor said it was so.

Ignoring the looks passers-by were giving me, I got up and closed my eyes. I breathed in the fresh cool air – and then I ran.

Away from the hospital, away from crawling death.

My next stop was a public archive belonging to the university. I hurried inside, not paying much thought to the students who gave me curious looks. I sat down in front of a console and began searching for similar medical cases, hoping to find something that would give me hope to save Ti'ana.

But after almost three hours, I gave up. I would find another Doctor to give me a second opinion but otherwise there wasn't much I could do.

I slumped into the chair, taking a quick look at the time showing on the screen in front of me. I had completely forgotten work. With a heavy sigh I left the archives and walked to the restaurant – my boss wasn't happy at all but I took his rude words in stride. I didn't care.

I explained to him about Ti'ana but he wouldn't hear it. In fact, he started saying things about her that were uncalled for.

I spoke my mind and I lost my job.

I walked home in a daze. I felt lost and alone.

When I got to the apartment, I kicked my shoes off, bending down to pick them up and throw them against the nearest wall. I ripped off my clothes while hurrying into Ti'ana's bedroom, opening our closet to retrieve comfortable clothing.

My mind whirled around the day's events and I decided I didn't want to be alone. If I stayed alone, I would go insane with worry and most of all hope.

I sat down before the com console and dialed Devon's number. Asya had said he was off planet but I hoped she was mistaken. Wouldn't he have told me if he'd be leaving for more than a day?

After several seconds, I heard his voice over the audio-only channel and my voice suddenly faltered.

"Marrim?"

Tears clouded my sight and I felt like someone was choking me. I wanted to say something, I wanted to tell him what had happened at the hospital but I couldn't.

"Marrim? Is everything all right?"

I really tried forcing myself to say a word, even if it was only a simple "hi". Instead, I slumped to the floor and I cried.



I don't know how much time had passed. I was still lying on the floor when I heard someone pounding on the front door, slapping against the buzzer over and over again. I didn't want to move – I kept staring at the wall, my mind blank.

Whoever it was could come back later, I thought.

The next thing I felt was someone's hands running over my arms and picking me up off the floor. Still I stared, not wanting to acknowledge whoever was there. Maybe it was a subconscious thing, but I felt it was Devon. Distantly I remember asking myself how he'd gotten into my apartment…

His voice seemed far away, as he laid me onto something soft. The sofa maybe? Or Ti'ana's bed?

My heart lurched and I tried feeling my way around. If it was indeed Ti'ana's room, I needed to get out. Her bed would still smell of her, her room would still feel of her –

"Marrim!"

I snapped my head around and blinked a few times until I could make sense out of the man leaning over me. I was still in the living area, thank the Gods.

His blue eyes were narrowed and there were small lines on his forehead. His hands cupped my face and I felt him moving his thumbs back and forth, as if caressing.

I watched him as he watched me and without a conscious thought, I jerked upward and slung my arms around him. I couldn't stop the tears and I was grateful that he said nothing – he simply held me.

"Asya said you were leaving today." I said after what seemed like hours. I kept my voice low; I was sprawled half way across his lap and I felt his fingers move along my spine.

"My sister talks too much." He said acidly, "And it's not for another week."

Slowly I sat up and rubbed at my swollen eyes, "Where are you headed?"

Devon shrugged as he straightened into a more comfortable sitting position, "Nar Shadaa and back again."

I arched an eyebrow, "You're dealing with the Hutts?"

"I'm not. My boss is."

I sighed and dragged a hand through my hair, "Do I get to know what your job is?" I asked, hoping that I didn't sound annoyed.

"I deliver stuff. It's a shipment firm."

I wondered what kind of shipment he was talking about but I didn't ask.

"What time is it?"

"Almost eight o'clock." He blew out a breath, "What happened?"



That's right… Ti'ana… For a moment, I had almost forgotten. With his question images of her in the hospital bed returned, the Doctor telling me about her condition returned…

"Ti'ana's dying." I whispered, doing my best to hold back tears, "And I lost my job." I added after a moment.

Devon shifted his position so he could look at me. My hands suddenly seemed very interesting and I stared at my fingers entwined. I didn't want to see the sympathy in his eyes.

"I'm so sorry." He whispered, reaching out to softly caress my cheek, "Marrim, if there's anything I can do, let me know."

Now what was I supposed to say to that? I hated accepting help from others, no matter who they were. I'd always been a person to take care of my problems on my own and I was good at it. But I'd always had my little sister at my side – her smile would light up my day and I'd keep telling myself that everything would be alright. She was always the bright spot when everything else seemed draped in darkness.

With the bright spot slowly diminishing, where would I go?

"I don't want to be alone." I said while slowly turning my head. Devon nodded once and pulled me into his arms.

It was sometime past ten in the evening when I remembered that I had told Asya to meet me at the bar at eleven. I was very tired and it seemed so was Devon. We lay sprawled on the sofa again, his lean form beneath me and he was sleeping soundlessly.

I got up as slowly as I could, trying my best not to make a sound. He grumbled something in his sleep and shifted position just a little but didn't wake up.

I weighed tiredness and curiosity in my mind and curiosity definitely won. And maybe it would give a distraction, even if only for an hour or two.

Would Devon be angry with me if I just snuck out? Maybe he'd still be asleep when I returned. I wasn't planning to stay out all night.

Walking on my toes, I hurried to get my jacket and scribbled a few lines on a piece of flimsy, just in case Devon woke up before I got home. I did think he would understand my personal need for a walk on my own, to clear my mind.

I took a longer look at his sleeping form on the sofa and smiled to myself. He had his hands folded on his stomach and he seemed peaceful. I wondered what he was dreaming? Had he ever dreamt of me before? And I had no clue where that thought came from but I still smiled just a little.

"I'll be back in a little while." I whispered, stopping myself when I reached out to stroke his face. Explaining to him why I was going out wasn't something I wanted to do right then and there.

I turned around and headed out to meet Devon's sister.



The night air was fresh and moist. It had rained throughout the evening and I avoided stepping into puddles on my way to the bar. I was way too early but I was surprised to see Asya already waiting for me. Her blond hair hung down her back in thick wavy strands and she wore another one of her very short skirts. A short jacket completed her ensemble and she stood shivering in the cold air.

"Asya?" I asked as I stepped closer and she jerked around.

"You're already here! Great!" She came closer with a wide smile on her face, "Let's go inside. It's freezing out here."

I groaned. "I'd rather not. Can we find a different place?"

I'd just gotten fired and I wasn't about to tell Asya about it. And I wasn't about to venture into the place with my head held high – through the tall windows I could see my ex-boss running around the place, giving his orders.

No, thanks.

"Uh… sure." Asya nodded the direction I had just come, "There's a caf house just down the street. Quiet and comfortable. We can talk there."

I nodded once and was utterly surprised when Asya hooked her arm through mine and led the way as if we were the best of friends. She started talking about how bad the weather was and how she wished, she could afford a trip to a sunny planet with blue water and a sandy beach. I listened and nodded once and a while, smiling here and there as to not seem rude.

I wasn't really interested in her favorite vacation spots but she went on about that as well. The positive thing was that I could picture these places very vividly and I wondered what sand would feel like on naked feet.

The caf house was indeed very comfortable. The colors were held in a dark green and there was a young man sitting at a piano, playing the most beautiful melody. It was mesmerizing and as I sat down opposite Asya, I kept gazing over to him, trying to memorize the notes.

A small female alien came our way to take our order. I'd never seen her species before but it was obvious she was a woman. Long dark hair fell around her shoulders; her eyes were slanted upward and held a peculiar yellow color. Where a nose would have been on a human, there was but sleek skin; her mouth was curved upward into a permanent smile but what struck me as very interesting were her ears. Pointed upwards and ridged they reminded me of tales I'd heard as a little girl, about little fairy beings with wings.

I ordered a hot cup of tea whereas Asya ordered a cup of caf with a shot of brandy. She sighed heavily as the waitress set the cup in front of her a while later and she inhaled the strong scent. "This is life, Marrim." She said with her eyes closed. I simply smiled.

"Enjoy it while it lasts." She held up her drink before taking a sip and leaning back in her chair. In the dim light of the caf house, I finally took notice of Asya's beautiful face. Her eyes were shining and her lips were curved upward into a welcoming smile. She seemed so nice and yet I held my distance, the skeptic rising.



I cleared my throat, "Can I ask you something?"
"That is why we're here, is it not?"

I didn't like her tone of voice but I kept my small smile in place, "How come you and Devon don't get along?"

Asya sat up straight and ran a hand through her blond hair, "Well, his mother married my father. I was nine when my own mother died and when he met Ginelle, he was head over heels for her. Devon didn't like the idea of having to share his mother with me. Once our parents got married, we wouldn't stop fighting. He'd always find a reason."

I kept in mind that I was hearing only one version – I didn't know Asya. She might be telling the truth or she could also be lying.

"The reason he's angry at you know seems legitimate." I said holding on to my cup of tea with both hands. Her eyes glazed over with anger and I smirked just a little.

"You have no idea what's going on." She snapped.

I shrugged, "Then tell me about it."

The way she leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms in front of her chest told me how young she really was. She reminded me of a spoiled teenage girl who didn't get her way and was out on revenge. Again, I reminded myself not to believe every word she said.

"Maxx and I aren't just a fling." She said, "When I asked Devon to stay at his place for a little while, I hadn't expected to meet him here."

"You've known each other for a while then?"

Asya nodded, "We met a few years ago. Devon hated him back then and he doesn't like him now."

"Why?"

"Maxx was involved in a drug incident a while back. And Devon's certain he's still involved. I don't think so."

I frowned, "Because Maxx said he wasn't?"

Her eyes narrowed, "Don't you dare assume you know him."

"I'm not. I'm just trying to make sense of this."

"I believe it when Maxx tells me he's stopped with the dealing, alright? Devon doesn't because supposedly he'd seen Maxx on one of his shipment runs a few days ago."

"And that's why he threw you out?"
"He threw me out because I told him to shove it." She leaned forward and grabbed her cup, taking a large gulp, "He's a hypocrite." She went on in a dark voice and I raised my brows, "He isn't any better. Before he moved to Denon, he helped smugglers get whatever it was they needed. It wouldn't even surprise me if he was one of those wanted smugglers. It was this big scandal back home." She eyed me and smiled, "He's a criminal – I know it."



"But you can't prove it." I said matter-of-factly. She turned away from me and I shook my head, "Did you think this would shock me enough to leave Devon?"

"It's not about that. I just want you to know the truth about him."

"Because he hurt you and now you want to hurt him?"

Asya didn't reply and I knew I had guessed correctly. Indeed, how young she truly was.

"He's still running shipments, you know that right?"

I nodded curtly, "Yes. He told me."

"Maybe he's gone back to his old roots."

"Maybe."

"Aren't you curious?"

I narrowed my eyes and leaned forward, "No, I'm not. If Devon has something to tell me, he'll tell me."

"I'd love to know what he's up to." The tone of her voice gave her away and I laughed at her.

"Gods, Asya! Look at you! You pretend to be all grown up when in fact you're a little girl. You're desperately searching for a way to get back at your brother, no matter the consequences."

"He abandoned me when I needed his help!"

Other guests in the caf house were taking notice and I lowered my voice, "You're angry, I understand that. But this isn't the way to go."

"Maxx needs help, Marrim. He's in trouble and Devon has the means to help him. But he's refusing. He keeps saying Maxx is the reason why I turned out the way I am. It's not true!"

"Asya, can you blame him?"

"You don't understand anything!" She got to her feet, almost making her caf mug topple over, "I don't even know why I came here to begin with."

I watched as Asya marched from the caf house.

When I got home, Devon was still lying on the sofa but the holonet was running and I knew he was awake. I held back a grimace and smiled slightly as he sat up and raised his brows in question, "Have a nice walk?" He asked.

It was obvious he didn't really believe the little note I'd written.

"Yeah, actually. It was rather informative if I might say so." I sat down beside him and sighed, "Sleep tight?"



"I woke up almost an hour ago. How about next time you leave like this, you take your comlink along with you?"

Ha! He'd been worried about me! It made me feel all fuzzy inside. "I'll remember it."

He leaned towards me and gave me a little kiss. Nothing forceful, just a peck but it was nice. "Which part of your walk was informative?"

I sighed and wrinkled my nose, "The part in which I met your sister."

There was a sudden quietness – an eerie silence – spreading throughout the room. Even the late night movie on the holonet was very low. I watched him as he leaned back, his face a mask of stone. I couldn't see any emotion flicker within his eyes but I was pretty certain he was angry at me.

"I had asked you to stay out of this." He whispered in a dark tone.

I cleared my throat, "I know. I didn't."

I got up and shrugged out of my coat, all the while feeling his stare on me.

"What did she say?" He asked as I came back from Ti'ana's room wearing a plain long shirt and old shorts.

"Nothing of importance. She's pissed at you, that's for sure."

Devon jumped from the sofa and walked towards me, "Why did you do this, Marrim?"

I sighed, "Because I wanted answers."

"And?"
"I didn't really get answers. Except that this Maxx person is involved in something but I'd already figured as much."

I saw him swallow, "Did she tell you anything about me?"

I sighed before I nodded, "As I said, nothing of importance."

"What did she say?" His voice was only a whisper and I thought he was shaking.

I stepped closer and laid my hands on his chest. It felt good to feel his warmth, "Something about smuggling. I think. She wasn't really making all too much sense." I tried a small smile to lighten up the moment but Devon was still. A statue in my living area, his eyes blazing with anger.

Maybe it hadn't been such a good idea to talk with Asya after all.