Clarisse was resting in her favored spot, the meditation cave. It was mid-morning and the cave was flooded with sunlight coming through the opened ceiling. The whole night and well into the morning, her little baby had been agitated, but as soon as she lay on the pillows, in the sun he calmed down. Her back was hurting again and she gathered together a multitude of pillows under her back and feet, she was finally feeling better. Her mind went again at her friend's wedding and a shadow passed on her face. It had been three days since she just could not get one thought out of her mind. Seeing for the first time the Sith marriage ritual performed by Marr and Cleo, she could not stop feeling guilty that she had taken that away from Xander. I had no idea how profound their ritual is, how meaningful…Xander never got to do it and is just because of me, because we were forced to accept the Jedi ceremony. I wonder how much he missed taking the vows that way…And this feeling that something is about to happen has never left me either. I thought it was all about the wedding, but apparently it's not. There is something else that doesn't feel right. I will be careful. If I tell Xander he will to get all protective again, he will insist again to move earlier to Ulton…Not that it wouldn't be an attractive idea, but I have to finish what I started. Grand Master Shan's training should be ready next week, there are three more meetings I have to go to, so by the end of next week everything should be in place, I will enter the seventh month and we will move. Another week and a half won't kill me! The baby moved slightly and she touched her round abdomen, smiling, thinking that in a little over two months he will be born. She couldn't wait to see him, to hold him in her arms, to bring him into the world.

Xander had been in his office for a little while, and then he retired into his meditation chamber. Something didn't feel right, and the thought that his wife wasn't happy had been torturing him for days now. In his meditation chamber he let himself merge into the darkness, trying to find answers, ways to get back the happiness that he felt was slipping away somehow. After almost three hours he wasn't any closer to find any answers, but he decided to at least try and talk to her. He could have used his power and get into her mind, but he had promised her he would never do it again, not without her knowledge. Xander found Clarisse in the cave and as soon as he saw her, stopped at the entrance, leaning against one of the uneven walls. He looked at the way the sun was beaming down on her legs, the way the golden tone lace at the bottom of her dress was shining into the sunlight. Her round abdomen, over which she was moving her hands gently, in a slow motion, caressing the unborn baby made him smile. Clara…I love her so much. She is so beautiful, and she looks so relaxed right now. Perhaps I should just let her be and talk to her later…For a change she does not seem to be in pain, she looks so serene…He was about to leave when he heard her.

"Are you going to just sit there and watch me?"

"I do not want to bother you, you look relaxed," he answered and came near her.

"I am, this little guy was agitated all night, and now he seems to have calmed down. Sit with me…" she invited him, looking into his eyes.

Xander gathered a few pillows for himself and lay down, next to her, into the sun. The sound of the water was relaxing, and the birds flying by were sending happy chirps.

"Clara…I need to know something…" he started hesitant and she turned her head to look at him better.

"What is it?"

"You have been very quiet in the last few days. What is it that you are not telling me? I have this feeling that you are not happy, and I am not sure what to do…"

Clara smiled and lifted one of her hands to touch the side of his face. Xander caught it and kissed the palm of her hand placing it back on his cheek, continuing to look into the light hazel eyes he loved so much.

"I have been quiet…I guess I have been feeling guilty," she answered and looked away from him, but Xander turned her face to him right away.

"Guilty? Why?"

He could see her hesitation, and the most terrible scenarios started to play in his mind in only the few seconds while she found her words.

"Cleo's and Marr's wedding made me realize how much I have taken away from you…You never got to perform that ritual…"

"I chose not to," interrupted her Xander right away. "The circumstances were different, you are Jedi, we did have our mixed wedding…" he tried to explain, understanding why she was feeling guilty.

"But…"

"Clara, my love, I could have negotiated more of that ritual into our wedding if I'd wanted, or do it on Ulton, but I chose not to. There is nothing for you to feel guilty about! I have everything I have ever wanted…You," he added and the next second kissed her, pulling her closer to him.

Clarisse felt his arms around her body, his love wrapping around her soul and she relaxed against him.

"Are you sure you don't have any regrets?" she insisted a few second later.

"None. I was worried that you might have some…You don't seem happy," Xander answered without any hesitation this time and looked back into her eyes.

"I am happy. I was just feeling guilty…And there is still that feel that something is out of place…" she admitted the whole truth. She didn't want him to think she wasn't happy, when she was living the happiest time of her life.

"Is there any way we could move to Ulton earlier than the end of next week?" he asked next knowing already the answer.

"Only three more trips to Tython…I will be fine, trust me!"

Xander let out a deep sigh and hugged her closer, burying his face in her black hair, and breathing in the flowery scent.

"Let me at least come with you. I will drop you off on the orbital station and be there to pick you up when you are done."

His insistence won and she agreed with his plan, even if only to give him the peace of mind he seemed to need.

"All right, I can live with that…" she answered but didn't get to finish the phrase, interrupted by his kiss.

They just sat quietly for a while in each others arms, and when Xander felt her even, shallow breathing, he knew she was asleep. He smiled, looking at her hand in the middle of his chest, her head on his shoulder. He gently covered her hand with his and let out a deep sigh. She felt guilty…We might not have lit the fires together, but she gave me so much more in exchange. There is nothing more I could have ever asked of her. He closed his eyes, content and finally relaxed for the first time in days. Her sudden move woke him up only about an hour later and looked in her direction right away, instinctively tightening his arms around her.

"Did you feel that?" came her question the same instant.

"Feel what?" asked Xander confused, suddenly alert to their surroundings, tuning to the force.

Without a word she took his hand and placed it over her round belly smiling at him.

"Just relax and feel our son…" she whispered next and Xander did just as she asked him.

Only seconds later he opened his eyes, and she could see the joy in them. "He is force sensitive…He feels like you, but different…" Clarisse nodded and giggled happy in his arms.

"It is the first time I felt it too…"

"My parents said he will be strong in the force, but showing signs this early…"

After another kiss Clarisse let her head back on his shoulder and closed her eyes happy. "What would you expect with us as parents?"

Xander's laugh echoed into the cave, covering for a few seconds the sound of the waterfall. The sun had slid over the opening in the ceiling and they were both in the shade now, still close to one another, their happiness visible on their faces.

Two days later Xander dropped Clarisse off on the orbital station of Tython. As soon as they stepped outside her hangar, Clarisse felt watched, she felt danger and shielded both of them while walking to the shuttle that was going to take her to the surface of the planet.

"Why did you shield us? What is it wrong?" he asked right away trying to get a feel of their surroundings. Unfortunately, with all the Jedi around he could not sense anything.

"I feel like someone is watching us…Something is not right…I sense danger, but I can't see where it comes from," she explained him right away.

"I am sorry, but I cannot sense anything with all the Jedi around…I feel like I am blind."

They both looked around, but all they could see were Jedi, most of them in their long, brown robes, some soldiers, and a few droids carrying some cargo or just rolling around. Nothing seemed unusual, nothing was any different than any other time. As soon as she got into the shuttle, the uneasy feeling vanished and she smiled at Xander, letting him know that she was safe there. He walked back to the ship after the shuttle took off, still searching for something, anything that would have been a threat. There was nothing he could see or feel.

None of them had seen the Jedi that walked around blending with the others, with the hood hiding his face. The red glowing eyes glared at the sight of them, and he turned around, hiding. He noticed Clarisse's protective shield and knew right away that she sensed him. This is going to be harder than I thought it would be. She really is as powerful as they say…I should be proud of her, of my daughter…No! She is a Sith in Jedi robes. That is all she is! I need a plan, I need to find a way to get close enough without them sensing me. Her Sith husband is protective of her, but his senses are not helping him much here…This is the perfect place. I only have to camouflage for long enough to get close to her. By the look of her, I don't have much time either…She will probably leave to have her baby soon. I need to know how much time exactly I have. He took the next shuttle down to Tython, and took a deep breath the second he stepped foot on the surface of the planet for the first time in over thirty years. It took him the whole day to find the answers he was seeking. He watched her from far taking the shuttle back to the orbital station later that day. He already knew she was only going to come there two more times. He needed to act fast and efficiently.

Grand Master Shan surprised Clarisse that day with her visit after the High Councils' meeting was over. They walked outside, on the temple grounds and Clarisse relaxed in the warm and clean air.

"I have to thank you for everything you have taught me," stated the master after a few steps.

"Master, you have done all the work…" answered Clarisse with her usual modesty and made the other woman smile.

"My training is over, I will continue to improve myself, but if you feel that you should stop coming to Tython for the meetings, do so."

Clarisse looked at the Grand Master and smiled involuntarily.

"It is tempting, but I want to stick with my initial plan…In spite of everything," she added and master Shan turned to her intrigued.

"In spite of everything? What do you mean?"

"I have sensed danger today, on the orbital station. Something has been out of place for a while now…" tried Clarisse to explain.

"You are in danger? From whom? How can you be in any danger here?"

Clarisse told her next everything that she felt that day, and before. Right away the Grand Master ordered increased security on the orbital station and offered to escort her back to her ship.

"How is the baby?" asked master Shan after a while, changing the subject.

"He is great, and…Feel him," Clarisse invited her and placed her hand over the round belly.

Master Shan stopped, closed her eyes and reached to the force to feel the tiny baby. Only seconds later she opened her eyes, surprised and happy at the same time.

"Force sensitive…Not that that would be a surprise with you and Darth Hellix as parents, but showing signs this early…He is going to be strong with the force."

Clarisse nodded with a smile half happy and half sad on her face.

"You are not happy about it?" insisted master Shan noticing right away.

"I am, but I was hoping that he won't have to fight…We have done enough of that already. Being a force sensitive means that he will have to train, to learn the ways… Somewhere deep inside I was hoping for a normal baby, that will have a happy, careless childhood, a peaceful life…"

"We have done our part, Clarisse. Peace is in place. It is on this next generation's shoulders to keep it. Being force sensitive will give him more power to ensure that peace is kept. Doesn't mean he will have to fight, just means he will have more power not to fight."

They continued walking in silence and after Clarisse got tired, she finally left escorted by master Shan. The danger was gone from the orbital station and as much as she reached all around there was nothing to sense, nothing to get alarmed about.

The second to last trip to Tython was uneventful, and Clarisse tried to convince herself that the danger she felt last time she was on the orbital station was gone. She still had an uneasy feel, but there was no danger, this time. Whatever the danger it was is gone now…I still can't figure out what it was but it is certainly not here anymore. Maybe was some spy? Could it be possible for someone to plot something against Tython, against Jedi? But wouldn't the danger stay if that was the case? Wouldn't we have already known about it? The other masters would have sense it too. Why was just me that could feel it? Was it directed toward me alone? All the questions in Clarisse's mind disappeared when Xander's arms closed around her. He was waiting for her, as usual, and all worries were gone, replaced with happiness and the safety she could always feel in his arms.

On their way to the ship they both passed right by one of the vendors stalls. Only steps away from them, Onty Reen stood and looked at them, confident that this time nobody will sense his presence or his intentions. His intense preparation for the big day was paying off, and the couple walked by him without any suspicion. Three more days and the circle will be complete. Now I know I only survived to right the wrong I have done…he thought and rushed to the shuttle that took him back to Tython. The speeder left him at the bottom of the trail leading into the mountains, and he started to walk towards the small camp he had, far from everyone. The mountains, with countless caves were the perfect hiding spot for him. The night was slowly covering everything around and he made a fire in front of the shallow cave where he is been sleeping for days. Seeing her again that day stirred memories in him that he thought were long forgotten. In the dance of the flames he could see all those memories coming back. The beautiful woman, the most beautiful one he had ever seen, touched, tasted, appeared vivid in his mind. She was the wife of one of the most murderous Sith Lords ever, the one they were trying to capture, herself a Sith. The young boy with golden eyes that he remembered healing and bringing him water that day, made him let out a deep sigh. Even if the Sith Lord they were luring in was their objective, all the others were treating his wife, his son and their entourage like they were just as guilty. His soft heart cringed at the image of the young boy getting hit, at the memory of his mother's pain. She could not protect him, she could not do anything but sit there, and look like the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. He remembered her porcelain like skin, glimmering in the night, under the touch of his rough hands, the taste of her lips on his… Onty Reen shook his head trying to reconnect with reality, but the next second he remembered the pain he felt when she stuck his own light saber in his gut. He saw her eyes glow just as bright as her medallion. The unique medallion, one of a kind, it was the same one that Clarisse was wearing now. Next he heard the screams of the others being slaughtered by the deceiving, beautiful Sith. He let her seduce him, got her cage opened and gave her access to a weapon…He even took off her force restrains…Everyone's blood was on his hands and he lived with that all those years. Master Clarisse's striking resemblance to him, the way he felt when he saw her, left no doubt that she was his daughter, conceived only seconds before being killed, or left for dead by her mother. She was Sith, just like her mother and her golden eyed brother. He was convinced that he did not die that night for a reason. He was given a second chance to live, a chance he did not asked for. He would have rather died that night, and not have to live with those memories, with the guilt of what he had done. He got up on his feet and took a few steps, looking at the dark night sky covered with tiny shining stars. For years he looked at that sky knowing that somewhere, out there was a woman that had destroyed his life, even tried to take it. So many times he wanted to go find her and kill her with his own hands, but he didn't. After a while he stopped considering her guilty for everything that happened. It was his fault, he was the one to blame. She only did everything to free herself, her son…Save her husband…He was the one that went against the Jedi teachings, against everything he knew was right. He was the one that had to pay for that mistake. And he did. The fact that Master Clarisse initiated a search for his name convinced him that she knew who he was. Even if he found out from the temple's groundskeeper that she grew up as an orphan, at the temple, that she never knew who her parents were, somehow she must have found out. There was no other explanation for her to search his name. He could not understand why she was abandoned on the republic fleet, why she grew up as an orphan when her mother was a wealthy Sith. Maybe she died and her husband didn't recognized her as his daughter…But then he would have killed her, is not Sith like to abandon an unwanted child. They just kill them. It was a mystery to him but none of that mattered anymore. He knew who she was, and apparently she knew who he was. She knew he was dead, just like everyone else, he lived all those years with a made up name, in isolation, where no one would have ever known who he really was. He had one last mission and nothing was going to stop him. He went back close to the fire and sat taking a mouthful from the bottle he had near him. Next he wiped his mouth slowly with the sleeve of the long, heavy robe and looked at the flames, throwing in a few more pieces of wood. In the late hours of that night, doubt started to creep up inside him. It was his own daughter that he was planning to kill.

Is all this real? I can't believe it is not a dream…thought Cleo when she opened her eyes and saw the beach, and the ocean through the all glass wall in front of her. She was in Marr's arms, but with her back at him. Her head was still on his shoulder and she felt all her muscles sore. A small chuckle escaped at the memory of the previous night and she turned around slowly to see him. The movements made him open his eyes and saw her turning to face him.

"Good morning, My Lady…" he whispered kissing her and Cleo felt her heart smile.

"My Lord…" she answered and received his kiss.

In the close to two weeks since they were on Ulton, Cleo had discovered a whole new side in Marr. She caught herself trying to find in him the Sith he was, but nothing was even a reminder of that. Without his mask, his armored suit, without the worry of always being careful and tuned to the force, he was a whole new man. They had explored Ulton, with his mountains and breathtaking lakes, the beaches with white fine sand and clear blue waters, enjoying each others company every second. She enjoyed being able to go together in restaurants, or shopping, little things that in their world they could have never do together. He was completely relaxed, joking, laughing, and even if his light saber never left his belt, nobody could have ever even imagined who he really was.

"What would you like to do today?" came his next question and Cleo realized that she was lost in his golden eyes, almost hypnotized by his touch.

"Could we just do nothing? I need some recoup time…" she added shy and hid her face into his chest.

Marr's laugh made her smile and his breath caressed to top of her head.

"Tired?" he asked with a sheepish grin on his face.

"And a bit sore…" admitted Cleo and she felt his arms tightening around her the same instant.

"I am sorry, kitten…If you want you can take some of those stims…We might have overdone it…" he whispered to her and Cleo lifted her face to him.

"I rather not. I hate the side effect those stims have. Khaly had all good intentions, but I hate them."

"I figured you would, and that is it why I had not recommended them to you in the first place," said Marr holding her tight, close to him.

Cleo really didn't like the stims, they made her a little numb if she took one right after. She did try to take one before and to her surprise she couldn't remember everything the next day. That was when she decided to never touch them again. She would have rather feel tired and sore, as long as she could remember every second of their time together.

Later that day, they were sitting together on one of the lounges on the terrace, just watching the sunset. Tones of oranges, gold, pinks and violets were mixing together in never-ending ribbons. Cleo felt Marr's even breath getting suddenly shallow, rushed, his body tensed and she looked at him right away. He must be having another nightmare…I just hope is not the same. I kind of want to…

"Clarisse!" he yelled and sat up straight, woken from the nightmare and almost scaring her.

"Ari…What is it?" she asked him right away surprised that this time was not her name he called.

"It is Clarisse…I saw her! I saw her face…" he said looking at Cleo and rushed to get his personal holo.

Cleo knew about his nightmare, about the fact that it was torturing him for weeks. He was afraid that she would be the one laying in a pool of blood, his hands full of blood trying to reach her and never able to do so.

"Xander, it is Clarisse!" said Marr quickly as soon as his friend answered the call, skipping any salute or introduction.

"What are you talking about? What about…" Xander tried to understand, noticing how agitated Marr was.

"My vision…I have finally seen the face. It is not Cleo, it is Clarisse!" he explained quickly .

"Relax, I am here, waiting for her at the orbital station…It is her last day, and she should be done in about…two hours…" tried Xander this time to calm down Marr.

"Is she wearing anything looking like an amber colored dress?" insisted Marr.

"No. She is wearing, as always, white."

Marr took a deep breath and it seemed he was calming down. "Just be careful…Take care of my sister…"

"No worries, I will. How is the honeymoon?" asked Xander, smiling.

"Great. When are you two coming over?"

"After Clarisse is done we will be on our way. Everything has been taken care of already, so by tomorrow morning we should be there," answered Xander, and Cleo couldn't ignore the relieve in his tone. "Oh, she is calling me…Let me put her through," offered Xander and with one push of the button he conference her call in.

"Clara, I was just talking to Marr and Cleo, I conference you in…"

"Hi, Risse!" she heard Cleo and next saw her smile in Marr's arms.

"Hi, how is the honeymoon?" she asked them smiling back at them.

"Great. We can't wait to see you and Xander tomorrow" answered Marr hiding his worry.

"We should be on our way soon. Xander, I will get off the shuttle in couple of minutes…" she added looking and him.

"Couple of minutes? You were supposed to call me when you got on the shuttle…" said Xander and they could all see him rushing through the ship to go pick her up.

"I am with Master Shan and Master Kyno…I am fine…See you soon!" Clarisse ended the call and Xander was next doing so after a quick 'good bye'.

Cleo looked at Marr throwing his holo on the nearest chair.

"It seems everything is OK …"

"I hope so…For everyone's sake" whispered Marr and returned all his attention back to his wife.

"Risse looks so happy…" Cleo's next remark came after a few seconds and she felt Marr's arms tightening around her body and pulling her on his lap.

"That means that Xander is doing his job right. Me, on the other hand…" he said with a playful look in his eyes. "I have been slacking today…" he added and his kiss was received by Cleo with a smile.

"Ari…" she whispered hesitant after she regained her breath. "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything. You already know I cannot say 'no' to you," Marr answered quickly and looked deep into her green, cat like eyes he loved.

"I want a baby…yours…" she whispered and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Marr felt his heart skipping a beat, or maybe more, he wasn't sure. Having Cleo ask him for a baby, his baby, was a dream, was beyond any fantasy he could have ever thought of. But asking him so close after his vision was troubling, and he had to make sure.

"What is the rush?" he asked her smiling, hiding the uneasy feel he had gotten deep inside.

"We only have a limited time together, according to your vision…I want you to have everything, I want to be able to see your own children grown up, to be proud of them…" she tried to explain him and Marr felt relived. His arms tightened around her and pressed her head on his chest.

"Oh, kitten…There is nothing I want more…" he whispered and next they forgot about the breathtaking sunset, about anything else around them.

The orbital station was busier than usual that day, at that time. A lot of people on Tython were leaving for the weekend. Xander exited the hangar in a rush and started to look around hoping to see Clarisse walking towards him. Her white clothes made her easy find in the multitude of people walking around and an involuntary smile appeared on his face. For the last few weeks she had been wearing long, elegant skirts instead of her tight pants. She was feeling more comfortable, with enough room for the baby, the more forgiving cut of the skirts making it easier to move around. He saw the Grand Master Shan and Master Kyno on either side of her, walking slowly from the drop off shuttle pad. They were nearing the middle of the space port, and instinctively Xander raised his eyes to the domed glass ceiling. The painted glass panels in different shades of oranges, yellows and red were filtering the light, creating the impression of sun light. The second she stepped into the cone of filtered light, Xander noticed her white clothes changing into a sweet, delicate shade of amber. No! No, no, no…he thought and started to run towards her right away.

"Clara!" he called her name with panic in his voice, while he was rushing to reach her.

Clarisse heard him and looked around the same second. She saw him running toward her and she waved at him with the same happy smile he was used to seeing from her. Master Kyno and Master Shan turned around to see him the same second. He was slowed down by the multitude of people roaming around and a feeling of finality took over him. He tried to look around for any possible danger but nothing attracted his attention. In only seconds he was close to her and almost didn't even breathe until his arms wrapped around her waist.

"Xander…" she whispered the same second and felt his agitation. "What is it?" she insisted.

"Nothing…I was worried I was too late" he answered and gave her a light kiss.