Changes: Chapter and Mommy and Daddy, and Chapter 52 has completely changed and so has the plot for these two chapters! So you may want to read that before reading this to know what's going on. As always, thanks for reading!

Author: Chorus Girl

Story: Continuing


Kaivo sighed, eyes closed at the warmth of her touch. She could feel the imprint of his fingers, which dug into her soft warm flesh. Christa pulled away and gave him a curious look.

"What's wrong? What's gotten into you?" she asked. Kaivo shrugged. "Just lookin' out for my favorite girl."

He pinched her cheek.

Christa recoiled, her blanched skin red from his pinch. "What's going on around here?" She demanded. "Everybody's acting weird. So many strange new people, the bar is... different. You even changed."

"Have I?" he asked, eyebrows raised.

"You look like an old man. Your beard is grey?

"Ah," Kaivo smiled. Yes, you were out for a time dear, and I had no desire to alarm you."

"I'm already alarmed, Kaivo. All I want is the truth," she said.

Kaivo walked across the room and leaned against the bar. He turned then studied her face, trying to think of a good lie.

"Fine...you want the truth? I'll give it to you. Remember Broq Mavellian, the Correllian space pilot?"

Christa shuddered from the memory. "What about him?" What did Broq Mavellian have to do with her everything having turned upside down? It was like being a part of an alternate universe.

"You married him on the night of the Ghost of Zoul festival."

Christa frowned, turned on her heels and walked away. "You're a liar," she spat.

Kaivo followed her from the bar down the corridor to her suite. Christa pushed the door ajar and stormed across the living room to the veranda. She hated Brock. Detested the man. He was pure scum and Kaivo hated him too. They were competitors after all. He was the last man on Runei Kaivo would let her marry.

He grabbed her arm and spun her around, meeting her heated gaze.

"You hated Broq Mavellian!"

"Things change, sweetheart."

"Yeah? And what's in it for you?"

Kaivo relaxed, setting her free of his grasp. "There's nothing in it for me now," he answered. "Broq Mavellian is dead. He tried to commander the ship of a Alderaan prince. He was killed by Jedi."

"Then...why don't I remember any of it?"

"You fell down a flight of stairs and hit your head. Lost your memory. You developed a fever, that kept you out of it for a while."

"How long?" she asked, a chill creeping up her spine.

"A few summers."

"A few summers!" Christa wailed. She spun, her white gown in a flourish about her as she traced her steps back to the bedroom.

Kaivo followed. His tall lithe figure slid around her, blocking her path. He grabbed her by the shoulders.

"I'm sorry, dammit. But I did the best I could under the circumstances. Things might have changed, but I promise you, it has changed for the better."

"What about Broq?"

"Broq? Nothing happened between the two of you. Did you think I'd let him touch you?"

"You forced me to marry him. I know I'd never do it on my own."

"You volunteered. Said you wanted to help me out." Kaivo smiled, knowing his lie sounded ridiculous even to him.

"As if," Christa exclaimed.

"Okay, I kind of manhandled you into doing it. But he's gone now, we don't have to worry about Broq Mavellian ever again," Kaivo relented. "It's you and me now, alright kid?"

Christa sighed. "If you say so, Kaivo."

"Don't look so bored. I have some good news by the way. But it might be a touch too much to tell you about it. I'll give everything some time to sink in. Maybe we'll take a walk today, see the Orchids in full bloom."

"Poisonous Orchids?"

"I'm in that line of work anymore. I've changed. For you."