The door slid open with an audible whoosh and Kayda stumbled down the steps, rubbing her chin and jaw.

Voru's eyes widened in worry when he saw the bacta patches covering her lower face. He gently gripped her chin, turning it left and right. "What happened?"

She glared at him, "I got to hand it to you Zabrak. You are tough as hell. Damn near cracked my jaw open when he slammed his head back into me. He broke a horn doing it."

He winced, "Damn. You'll be okay right?"

"Yeah, just fine. I'll have a pretty little scar when it heals but I'll survive."

"What happened to the bounty?"

She tried to grin but groaned in pain when the stitches pulled so she only held up the fob. He shook his head with a chuckle.

"Well, you never disappoint, Kay. Good job."

"Thanks."

"Can you drink?"

"I really shouldn't. I have a hypo running through my veins right now."

"Typho! Whiskey and a stimcaf!"

"Coming up!"

She leaned back onto the counter, rubbing at the patches again and Voru smacked her hand.

"No rubbing it. You're going to tear it back open."

She whined at him. "It itches."

"Ignore it."

"I can't."

"How are you so skilled but act like such a child half the time?"

"I'm 23, Voru."

"See, still a kid."

"Shut up."

"Never."

She rolled her eyes grabbing the cup of caf from Typho's grip nodding in thanks. "Any new bounties for me?"

"Not today, sorry. Take some time to rest and heal up, okay?"

"I can still work."

"Not today, Kay."

The door whooshed open again and Karga came rushing down the stairs, leaning over and whispering into Voru's ear.

She knew something was wrong when her Zabrak associate froze, his eyes widening in shock as his gaze jerked to the other man.

"You sure, Greef?"

"Bib Fortuna himself saw it."

Voru snorted, "Fortuna? You trust the word of that slimy tailhead?"

"No one's heard from him since the Dune Sea. The guild is going to call it."

Kay looked between the both of them horribly confused. "What is going on? What is the guild going to call?"

Karga's voice dropped low, "Boba Fett is dead."

"What?"

"You do know who he is right?"

She stared back at him, "You kidding me? His father Jango Fett created the code that most bounty hunters, including me, live by. You telling me that his son, Boba Fett, one of the most notorious and ruthless hunters in the galaxy since his father...is dead?"

"Yes."

She sat down hard. That was some news.

Boba Fett was a legend in the business for a reason. He never let his prey get away and he always got paid what he wanted and it didn't matter what anyone else was offering if you were the one to hire him first.

Other hunters whispered his name in fear that saying it too loud would summon the man himself.

He was dead.

It was the end of an era.

Just how does a man like that die?

"How?"

"A sarlacc apparently."

She let out a sharp whistle, "Damn, fitting that it would take something that big to off him. So why is the guild so tore up about it?"

Karga sat down next to her, "He still had outstanding bounties left behind. In this type of situation the guild will seize them and redistribute them."

Her eyes lit up and he shook his head at her making her deflate.

"No. If anything...they'll be distributed to more experienced hunters. Believe me, Kayda, you don't want any part of those bounties. He was ruthless for a reason. He always took the most dangerous jobs. The types of jobs that could kill a greenie like you outright."

"I've been hunting for 8 years, Greef. I'm not green. I do have experience."

"Eight years is not experience, kid. Its a start but not enough to handle these, trust me."

She broke away from the table, growling, "Don't presume to tell me what I can and can't do, Karga. I'm tougher than you realize."

"That may be but the guild won't see it like that! They won't even give you a second glance if you apply for them!"

She waved at him, "Won't hurt to try!"

Greef shook his head turning to face the barkeep. "Whiskey, Typho and make it a double."

Voru groaned, dropping his head to the counter. "She's a stubborn one that's for damn sure."

The older man chuckled, lifting his glass before taking a swallow, setting it back down with a clunk.

"Trouble, my friend?"

"She has been ever since she walked through that door a year ago."

Karga chuckles, "So that's it. You tell her yet?"

"I'm Zabrak, Greef. Its a...difficult situation."

"What's so difficult?"

Voru drained the last of his whiskey, stepping towards the stairs. "I should go make sure she's staying out of trouble."

Karga's hand gripped his shoulder, shaking it lightly but the man jerked away.

"Don't."

"She should at least know."

"I can't tell her."

"Why not? We've had a hard life, Voru, don't make it even harder."

The Zabrak grumbled something under his breath in Zabraki and mounted the stairs, disappearing through the door.

/ - / - / - /

When he found her she was in her ship's cargo hold. She had changed into loose pants and a simple tunic and she was holding a wooden practice sword in her hands.

"Kay?"

She didn't answer, choosing instead to hold the sword at the ready, her shoulders relaxed and feet apart. She brought it up hitting the hilt to the palm of her other hand before pushing out with it and spinning, landing a hit to a box just in front of her. The hit sent the box flying back into the hull.

He arched a brow in surprise. He had never seen her use a sword but the way she carried it had belied some knowledge.

She shot him a glance, rolling her eyes at his awestruck look before she grabbed another practice sword.

"Hey Voru!"

It startled him and he narrowly caught the wooden sword before it smacked him in the face. He stared at it then at her.

She sighed heavily, "Oh come on. I need practice and if you're here you might as well help. I know Zabrak are skilled with all types of weapons."

"That's true, but you sure you want me as your sparring partner?"

"Get your ass over here or leave."

"Alright. Pushy human."

"Nosy Zabrak."

He pulled off his coat and tossed it to the side before picking the sword back up and spinning it. falling into a defensive posture.

"Ready whenever you are kid."

She grinned, "Let's go, old man."

"Hey!"

They circled each other slowly, eyes each watching and waiting until Voru feinted forward, spinning the opposite way and bringing the sword right down at her. She quickly brought her sword up to block, pushing him back a step before ducking under his next swing, wedging her sword up between his wrists and twisting back, pulling the sword from his grasp and sending it flying over her shoulder. She flipped the sword up and held it to his throat.

"Dead."

He was stunned.

"How...how did you?"

"I told you. I like to have a back-up plan. Now get your sword and let's go again."

Voru grinned, "Oh you're in for it now."

She swept herself into a mocking bow, "Be my guest."

He slowly walked past her growling low in his throat, "Don't test me, girl."

When the sword was in his hand, he turned to face her again dropping into a defensive pose. Now that he knew how skilled she was, he was able to let loose some. She was toying with him...well he'd show her not to poke a sleeping dire-cat.

It was another two hours before they were both splayed on the cargo floor, breathing heavily from exhaustion.

He had to admit...she was better than he thought. "How the hell are you that good with a sword at only 23?"

"I told you...my father trained me. He made sure I could handle myself and then some."

"What was he like?"

She sat up quickly, and with a shake of her head she was on her feet and moving away from him.

"I'm sorry, Voru but that's not a story I'm telling. Not ever."

"Was he why you became a bounty hunter?"

"No."

He perched an arm on his knee, watching her from his spot on the floor as she pulled out the small box and sat back down in front of him. She pulled out cloth and a small bottle with a viscous liquid inside. His eyes went wide when he realized it was oil. She was preparing to clean the sword...in front of him.

She had never done so before. He moved to stand but she smiled, waving him back down.

"Its not a private ritual, Voru. You can stay while I clean the blade. I know Zabrak have some rituals they don't share, right?"

He nodded.

She pulled the blade free and he watched open mouthed at the gleaming metal. She tended to the blade regularly as he couldn't find any marring on it from what he could see of it.

"Here."

She was holding the blade out and he held his breath. Did she not know what she was doing? What this meant to his kind?

"Its not a marriage proposal if that's what you're thinking, Voru. I thought you of all people would appreciate excellent craftsmanship."

He let the breath out in a loud exhale and took the blade gently. He weighed it in his hands, noting the slight imbalance.

"Its not weighed properly."

"I know but that's for a good reason. You see, I'm short...not much weight to me, so putting the weight at the hilt slightly heavier than the tang of the blade..."

"It allows you better control."

"Yep."

"Its beskar, isn't it?"

"Yes again."

"Why are you doing this?"

She was silent, taking the sword back and returning it to its scabbard.

"Kayda."

Still no answer.

"I'll cut you from fobs for a month."

"I'm going to steal the Fett bounties."

He paused before giving her a confused glare, "What?"

His stomach dropped and he shot to his feet, growling something in Zabraki before he grabbed her arm, pulling her to her feet.

"Say it again."

"I'm planning on stealing the Fett bounties."

"How many?"

She looked away and he shook her roughly, "How many?!"

"All of them! Okay?"

He released her and took a step back in shock. "All? And just how do you plan on doing that?"

Kayda wrung her hands nervously, "Well, you see...I might already have a plan."

"You...you are the craziest woman I have ever met."

Kay gave him a strange look, her cheeks flushed, "Why does it sound like your complimenting me?"

"Because I am, little zif. What do you have planned?"

She shook her head, "I can't tell you that. The fewer people that know, the better."

"Kay."

"Hey, I'll be fine. Now, it's late and I need sleep. I'll see you tomorrow."

He made to reach out to her but she had already turned away leaving his hand floating in air so he let it drop. Nodding he stepped down from her ship and his eyes closed in pain when the bay door sealed behind him.

'Damn it Kay.'

She was going to get herself killed but he couldn't turn her in...he...wouldn't.

That would be a death sentence in itself.

He was stuck now. Well and truly stuck.

"I hope you know what you're getting yourself into, zif." He mumbled, throwing his coat back on as he sauntered down the street, heading home for the night.

Kayda watched from the small window as Voru walked away from her ship. She frowned. She had said too much. She didn't mean to but talking with Voru had always come easily to her. He was kind to her but tough and didn't care for slacking off. He was fun to argue with and after tonight a great sparring partner.

Trust no one but use everyone...right?

So why did she trust him?

She shook herself from her thoughts and unbuckled her holster, grabbing a bag from under her bunk. She had a mission to do and she was running out of time. Dawn was in four hours so if she was going to do it...it had to be tonight.

The darkness was an old friend and tonight she would embrace it once again.

She unzipped the bag and pulled out black clothing before pulling her tunic off. This was only worn in special situations and stealing bounties from other hunters? Yeah, that sure was special enough to warrant its use.

/ - / - / - /

Voru had decided against going home, choosing instead to wander the streets aimlessly. He didn't really have a destination in mind...just needing to think about everything that Kay told him.

'I'm going to steal the Fett Bounties.'

'All of them?'

"How? Just how are you going to pull that off Kay?"

And it hit him causing him to pause mid step. Of course. That was the best option for her. He laughed loudly.

"That woman...that crazy, wonderful, aggravating woman."

He turned and broke into a run down the street. He had to get to the guild headquarters. There was something he had to check.

/ - / - / - /

The small form attached a small device to the doorpad and quickly tapped out a short code. The doorpad whined then turned green as it unlocked, the door whooshing open and they slipped inside. It was eerily silent as the hooded figure moved wordlessly through the room. They had to do this quickly. The security system would only be down for 25 minutes.

They lifted another device and scanned each computer they came across until it started flashing violently.

There!

They moved quick, pulling a datastick from their belt and inserting it into the port. Fingers flew over the keys, picking through the files until one stuck out like a red flag.

Fett.

Opening it, they let out a low whistle.

He was the best in the business for a reason. There were pages and pages of completed bounties. This man took on multiple bounties at a time, sometimes eight or nine at one time. And he always got his target. But she wasn't there for already completed bounties...she wanted the last ones he had taken on.

'Where are you?'

She clicked on a file separate from the completed bounties.

'Yes!' She had hit the jackpot.

Eight bounties...all in order of timeline, difficulty and payout. Her brow arched, she had to hand it to the man...he was well organized. She immediately started copying the files.

It made no sense to just take the files. If she took a copy, though...they would have no idea what she was planning and it would give her an edge over the other hunters.

"I knew it."

Her hands froze over the keys as her heart dropped into her stomach.

'No.'

"Kayda."

She slowly turned towards the voice, pushing the hood back and pulling her mask down.

"Voru."

He didn't look angry but the set of his jaw and the crossed arms said differently.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

She rolled her eyes, turning her focus back to the computer. "I couldn't. I told you the fewer people that know the better."

He stepped up next to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I can't let you do this, Kay. Those bounties are dangerous...too dangerous."

"I can handle them."

"You'll die."

"If you must die, do so with valor."

"To hell with the code! I'm not letting you do this Kay!" He moved to grab her arm and she reacted, pulling away to duck under his arm, hooking it over her shoulder and flipping him up and over. He slammed into the ground hard.

"I'm not going to let you stop me."

He climbed to his feet, dropping into a fighting stance. "Then it seems we have a problem."

She rolled her eyes, "You don't want to do this Voru."

"You think you have a chance against those bounties? The biggest two are for a Trandoshan named Slyssk and a Wookie named Elrruss. You think you can handle them?"

She gave a sharp nod.

He snarled at her, "Then prove it. Beat me and I'll let you take the bounties."

Her eyes moved to the datastick and noticed that the files were halfway downloaded. She was stuck.

She would have to kill time until the download was completed.

Kay grinned back at him. "I beat you and I get to walk out right? You won't tell anyone what I did?"

He shook his head, "On my honor."

She tossed her hood to the desk and tugged her gloves off, throwing them down on top.

Stepping away from the desk, she settled into her own fighting stance and motioned him forward with her hand.

"Well, then, lets go old man."

He rushed her with a snarl, fist careening towards her face, she ducked under the fist, sending her own into his ribs before spinning and sending an elbow into his nose. His other fist connected with her midsection and she gasped through the pain, using his leg to step up and flip away, her foot landing a kick under his chin and sending him stumbling back a few steps.

He growled, rubbing the spot stunned. He had actually felt that hit.

"You need to give up, Kayda."

She laughed but there was no humor to it and that chilled him. This was a different side of her and he was starting to realize that maybe she hadn't been boasting to Karga. She really could be tougher that she was letting on.

He feinted his next hit and stepped forward, headbutting her hard and she stumbled back, clutching her nose, giving him an opportunity to land his fist into her side and he felt something crack. He had fractured her ribs...at least a few of them.

But it didn't seem to faze her as she rushed him fast, sending a flurry of punches at him and he struggled to keep his arms up to block. Then she suddenly dropped, swiping his legs and as he fell she quickly moved to straddle him and pin his arms down.

Then she did something he did not expect...she bared her teeth at him, letting loose a guttural growl.

Voru paused, his heart suddenly racing. What?

"You don't think I don't know how to handle a Zabrak, Voru. I've been studying you for the last year. I've noticed how your eyes always lingered on me. A bounty hunter never gets distracted by the big picture. It's the little things that count."

He growled back, "You knew?"

She hesitated then and he pounced, flipping them over so he hovered above her her hands pinned above her. Her nose was still bleeding and she was struggling to catch her breath. His blood was boiling in his veins.

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"You know why. The bounty hunter is free of attachments."

He momentarily closed his eyes in pain and he shook his head. "Not if you leave...not if we both leave."

Her voice was strained, "I can't."

Voru released her hands and sat back on his heels. His golden eyes looked lost and wild as they stared at her. She lifted a hand and he flinched closing his eyes as she cupped his cheek. He leaned into her touch with a ragged sound.

"Kayda...please?"

"I'm sorry, Voru."

He looked at her in confusion until he felt the prick of a needle in his neck and the hypo rushed through his veins. He shakily reached for her as his vision swam, blurring her face until he finally slumped over, unconscious.

"In another time and place, Voru. I might have agreed."

The datastick beeped twice...the download was done.

"But I have something to do first."