Zapthosis – Second Floor, Sona's Suite

"I thought I was going to lose my mind," Korus said, watching Sona walking to the refresher sans her clothing. It was scattered about on the floor along with Korus's. He sat up in the bed and stretched. "I wasn't coming here to seduce you, you know!" he called out. Sona didn't reply, so Korus collapsed back on the pillow and enjoyed his first moments without the frustration and agitation that had been his constant companions in recent days.

Sona returned to the bed a few minutes later. "What did you say about not coming here to seduce me?"

Korus raised his head and turned to look at her with the sincerest expression he could muster. "It's the truth. I came here to find out what you were doing with that Gundark."

Sona turned her head and stared at him – and just kept staring.

"What? I can't be curious about the way you tame a wild beast with your mind?" he asked, still trying to maintain the look of innocence.

"Oh, I see," she said.

"You do?"

"Of course, I do. You already know how I tame a wild beast with my body, so…"

Korus laughed – a deep, resonating sound that Sona loved. "Yes, I do believe I have a thorough knowledge of that particular talent of yours."

"Because, of course, you've only been interested in my body before now. It takes watching me tame a hideous creature for you to think about my mind." Sona sighed and feigned disappointment.

Korus laughed again. "Sorry, love, but I'm a simple man. Best not to get it all jumbled up and confuse lust with love and create unrealistic expectations." Korus rolled over and pretended he was going to sleep. He waited for Sona's witty comeback. Their after-sex banter was always so entertaining.

Silence filled the air as Korus waited. Sona didn't say anything. Finally, Korus turned back, still smiling, to find she was sitting up. But now she looked strange. She had her hands in her lap, staring down at them while she twiddled her thumbs. What is she doing? Korus wondered. Sona didn't fiddle, and she also spoke her mind. Awkward silences? This was not something he was used to.

Korus turned over and sat up. "Hey?" he asked. "You okay?"

Sona nodded. "I've just been thinking, and… well, that's all. I've just been thinking about things."

"Okay," Korus said. "What things?"

Sona shrugged. "Just us – being here, what we're doing, why we're doing it… those kinds of things." Sona still didn't look at Korus.

"About us?" Korus asked.

"Yes," Sona said. "About us. Maybe a little bit about the future."

"Huh, that's a coincidence," Korus said. "So have I." Sona finally raised her head and was now looking at Korus, partly curious and partly concerned. "I mean, of course I've been thinking about… you know… this." He nodded and gestured at the bed. "I know it was only a matter of days, but it was torture." Sona grimaced, which Korus caught and reached out to grab her hands. "But," he quickly said, "that was not what has been on my mind for weeks now. For weeks I've had this picture in my mind. It stays with me. If I were an artist I'd draw it for you, but I only have words. I'm not sure my words can do it justice."

Sona shifted a little to face him. She no longer looked worried. Instead, she patiently waited for Korus to continue. Korus sighed and rolled his eyes. "I see you're going to insist I try anyway." Sona smiled, recapturing a little smugness.

Korus recalled the last time he took a chance with Sona on Wayland. Had he not found the courage to admit how he felt, she wouldn't have been with him since that day. With that memory in mind, he decided taking chances with Sona was worth the risk. "I love you, Sona. It's really that simple. You are what love is to me. I don't just mean your body and beauty – though I must say they are quite spectacular. There a billions of beautiful women in the Galaxy. But there is only one you." He swallowed hard and prepared to make his confession. "In my mind, I see a picture of myself smiling, with you next to me…" Korus hesitated and took a deep breath. "And kids," he mumbled quickly, then let the air out of his lungs as he looked off to the side.

Slowly, Korus glanced back at Sona and saw she was smiling. This wasn't any of the dozens of Sona's smiles he'd seen in the past. It wasn't silly or mischievous or sardonic. It wasn't her dazzling or seductive or suspicious smile. This was new. Korus stared, and when the word came into his mind he said it: "Happy." It wasn't a question. He could see it as clearly as he could see himself with Sona for the rest of his life.

Sona nodded and said, "Yes." She leaned forward and put her arms around Korus. He lifted her and set her down in his lap so that her right side was leaning against him. With her knees bent, she seemed so tiny. This was his favorite way to hold her, and her favorite way to be held. She felt safe with his arms wrapped so tightly around her. With her ear against his chest, she found comfort in the gentle rhythm of his heart. She pressed her cheek against his chest and whispered, "Happy."

Rebel Victory – Docking Bay aboard Star Gazer

Luke watched as the droids and inspectors covered in bulky biohazard suits worked their way in and out of his view from the cockpit. He wasn't concerned for himself or the other Jedi. They could clear their systems of contagions with a few exceptions. This was not one of them.

Corran sat in the co-pilot's seat. "So, any word from the lovebirds?"

Luke chuckled. "Not a peep. Grhan made a point to tell me they talk non-stop. He must have emphasized how much they 'talk' at least four or five times yesterday."

"Yah, well if that's true, he must have gotten knocked around worse than I thought. That ain't what would be going on in the Horn household if I came back from the dead," Corran declared.

"The Corran household?" Luke jabbed. "Just who would be in this household of yours? Hmm… I see the letter 'M'," Luke teased.

"Yah, yah, yah. Go ahead and say it. Mirax," Corran said. "Much to my family's dismay," he added.

"Really? Still? I'm sorry to hear that, Corran. Really."

"It stinks. Paying a price for the sins of our fathers," Corran said. Luke stiffened at the reference, until he realized Corran meant Mirax's and Corran's own father. It took another few seconds for Luke to remember that Corran knew the truth about Darth Vader and Anakin Skywalker. Force of habit, he thought. He needed to work on coming to terms with the truth being known by a small, select group of people. Beyond that, it would remain a secret until he and Leia both agreed there was a legitimate need to make it public.

"Master Skywalker, you there?" It was Thane.

"Here, Admiral," he replied.

"Your instincts were spot on, but we think we got lucky. They've detected particles of the virus within a 2 meter radius of the freighter's ramp. Their initial sampling of the air revealed virus was present, though the size of the particles were large enough to limit the distance they traveled absent the introduction of a force to propel them further – such as wind, a fan, or airflow in a ventilation duct. They did find a concentration of virus particles on the deck directly outside of the ramp, which increased in number at the second reading due to the airborne particles falling. As of 2 hours post-release the air is clear. They've decontaminated the entire area – every surface from the ceiling down - within 10 meters of the freighter to be on the safe side. Their last readings revealed no trace of the virus in the air or on surfaces."

"Well, that is better news than one might have anticipated," Luke said. "Now we must deal with the woman on the freighter."

"Yes, we do. I do need to ask – was anyone within a few meters of the ramp? If they were, they will have to be quarantined."

"No, thank goodness. I think I can say with confidence the Jedi were not at risk regardless. If it was safe outside the three meters, I saw no one close enough to cause concern," Luke offered.

Thane breathed and audible sigh of relief. "This could have been disastrous. We still need to figure out what to do about the freighter. The infiltrator is one matter. The fact that she contaminated the inside of the vessel presents another problem that we have to resolve. Everything rests on Geth's ability to set up the shield. And then there are the surveillance tools we were relying on. I still can't fathom they can do what Geth claims they can do. But Geth says they can so it must be true. It's a gamechanger for certain," Thane said.

"Let's just hope the droids can effectively decontaminate the freighter quickly," Luke said. "But we will have to get the woman off the ship first. I've been considering options while waiting here, but none are ideal. I'm sure we can come up with something once we put our heads together."

"Master Skywalker, I have a theory about the virus – about who was behind it and the reason. The woman's presence confirmed my belief it is sabotage and not an unfortunate coincidence. We'll know if I am right about the "who" and "why" any minute now. I sent out a small group on a reconnaissance mission before the Docking Bay was hit. I am certain the woman on the freighter has integral knowledge that can assist us in Operation Spotlight."

"Getting her to share the information…" Luke started to say.

"Is another story altogether. I know," Thane finished with a frustrated sigh. "I am hoping the Jedi will be able to find a way to assist us with that, as well. Our choices of coercive techniques for compelling a person to give up the information they know is… limited. The New Republic is as conservative with interrogation as the Empire was aggressive. I understand this within reason, but we need a system where we objectively and realistically consider the potential loss of life and risk to the Galaxy when a person is withholding vital intelligence."

Luke understood Thane's frustration. He struggled with this every time he entered into battle. He struggled with this after destroying the Death Star. There were few in the Galaxy who understood this moral dilemma like Luke Skywalker. One of the only certainties he had was that focusing on it before they apprehended the woman was counterproductive. "Why don't we get her off the freighter first, and go from there?" Luke suggested.

"Of course. You're right. First thing's first. Could you join us in five minutes?"

"I'll be out in three," Luke replied. "Wait. Make it five. I have to break up the lovebirds."

Thane laughed. "Good luck with that, Master Skywalker! Kyrell out." He was still laughing when the transmission ended.

Luke didn't stand up right away. "Corran, wou-"

"I have to use the refresher. See you outside!" Corran said as he bolted out of the cockpit. Luke groaned.

"Traitor!" Luke yelled behind Corran and could hear him laughing as the lift door opened.

Luke stared at the comm and coded in Grhan and Kendy's quarters. He then began to count. At ten seconds, he buzzed the room again. Three seconds later, a groggy voice answered. "Idele Solo."

"Hi Kendy. It's Luke. It's time for the Jedi to muster outside. Could you let Grhan know?"

"Sure, Master Skywalker. I'll wake him up. He really went overboard in the Med-Bay. I don't know how many people he treated, but he barely even said hello before he was out," Kendy said, her voice clearing up as she spoke.

"He's been sleeping this whole time?" Luke asked, failing to disguise the shock in his voice. He wanted to crawl under a rock.

There was a pause, then a groggy, male voice called out, "Yes, you perverts! I'll be out in five!" Luke heard Kendy laughing when the com cut out.

"Jedi Master Luke Skywalker… and pervert. Grrrreat," Luke mumbled. Corran had reappeared and was standing in the doorway. "You heard that?" Luke asked.

"Heard what?" Corran asked. "Grhan calling you a pervert or you calling yourself a pervert?"

"Correction, Jedi Horn. Grhan called us perverts," Luke said smugly. He stood and stretched. On his way to the galley he stopped and looked at Corran who had taken a seat on the cabin sofa. "I got it!" Luke exclaimed.

"I'm listening," Corran said.

"New Jedi Code effectively immediately. Jedi shall be celibate."

"I'm quitting," Corran said. He stood and slapped the ramp button. Luke rolled his eyes, then noticed a look of surprise on Corran's face.

"You're standing there, aren't you?" Luke accused more than asked.

Grhan stepped out of the corridor with a big smile on his face. "Go easy on him, Corran. He just doesn't know what he's missing."

Luke's mouth dropped open and he looked back and forth between the two Jedi. He started to speak, but nothing came out. He just stood there watching Corran and Grhan exit the Shuttle. Luke could feel his cheeks burning. As if it couldn't get worse, Kendy emerged from the corridor.

"Really, Master Skywalker. It's nothing to be embarrassed about," she said casually while walking around him into the galley to get some caf.

Luke turned and put his hands on his hips. "You, too? I refuse to discuss this –"

"With a girl?" Kendy finished. "You weren't going to say that, were you Master Skywalker? Because talking about sex with a woman is a much better option than men. Especially those two nerf herders," she said, jutting her thumb toward the ramp.

"No, I – that's not what I was going to say. I was going to say I refuse to discuss this –"

"And who cares what they think, anyway? I mean, now that Red is here, poor Hinson is the one who will really suffer. It'll be three against one."

"What are you talking about?" Luke nearly shouted.

Kendy didn't flinch. Her back was to Luke as she poured her caf. She slowly turned, blowing on the surface of the steaming liquid in her cup. "You see? That's what I was just telling Grhan. You men and all of your meditation and sparring and heroics – it does great things for you. I'm not saying it doesn't. But then there's that special brand of… frustration." Kendy gestured toward Luke, obviously suggesting he was exhibiting "that special brand of frustration".

"Kendy!" Luke exclaimed, clearly exasperated and not enjoying the humor.

"Come on, Master Skywalker – you should stop worrying and embrace your good fortune. Come to think of it, we both should. We are very lucky. You – because everyone in the Galaxy loves the Jedi. Me – because I'm one of the few women who get to actually love a Jedi." Kendy raised her eyebrows a few times in rapid succession with a Lothcat-like grin on her face, then took a sip of her caf. She cradled her cup and casually leaned against the galley bar.

"Kendy!" Luke exclaimed - again. "This is not… well, this isn't… appropriate," he stammered, sort of making his point.

"I know, I know. There are women Jedi, too. Sorry!" she said, her smile now a playful grin as she continued to sip her drink.

"That is not what I meant, and you know it," Luke said. He turned to walk to the ramp.

"Master Skywalker," Kendy called after him, now sounding more serious and possibly contrite.

Against his better judgment, Luke turned to see she was still in the same position, but the cup of caf was on the counter. Her hands were clasped in front of her. It reminded him of someone – he couldn't place it immediately, but no matter. He needed to go. "I have to go, Kendy," Luke said calmly.

"I'm sorry," Kendy said. "Really. I am sorry for teasing. I'm just very… happy. Having been with the Stormtroopers and around so many men in the service… well, I need to remember that not all men are used to a woman doing the ribbing."

"That's not it, Kendy. Men, women – it's all the same to me. It's the other thing," Luke said.

"The other thing?" Kendy asked, appearing confused.

"You know, the implication that… I mean, I wasn't a child when I left Tatooine. Just because I've been on this all-consuming journey for so many years doesn't mean I don't… understand… well, you know…" Luke said, raising his eyebrows and gesturing toward some invisible "thing" that Kendy should be able to envision.

Kendy's brow furrowed and she tilted her head, a clear sign to Luke she wasn't getting it. Then her eyes widened, and she smiled and nodded. "Got it! You're not a virgin."

"What?" Luke exclaimed.

Kendy was walking back into the corridor toward her room. She stopped and turned around. "I'm actually glad we had this talk. I was worried Red would sense your innocence, find her moment and attack, smash your heart like a supernova, then leave you seriously messed up. The Galaxy needs its number one Jedi with his head in the game, especially now." Kendy disappeared through the door while Luke stood speechless.

"Master Skywalker!" someone called from outside the ship.

Luke slowly turned and made his way down the ramp. With the myriad of mind-boggling things that had been said to him in the previous five minutes, he was left with one prevailing thought: Red? Who's Red?