The next day Master Ramer bowed to Healer Meador as he answered a call from the comm-unit, "Greetings, Healer Meador. What may I do for you?"

"Healer Oshan and Master Yoda would like to speak with Taren. Your presence is likewise requested in my office."

"Umm, that may take a while, Dorga... Taren is no longer here."

"Run off again, he has not, has he?"

"No, Master Yoda. He's still within the Temple."

"Do you know where he is?"

"Yes, I do."

"Bring him at once, you will, Master Ramer."

"Thhaaatt may be a bit difficult, Master," Ramer hedged. "He's...occupied at the moment, and I don't know when he will be available."

"Explain, you will." It was considered the height of rudeness to keep any Council member waiting.

Taren's Master tried to find the right words to explain his former Padawan's current activity. "He's busy, Master Yoda."

"Too busy to answer a summons from a Council member, is he?"

"Ah...yes, Master."

Master Yoda's eyelids drooped ever so slightly as his ears turned just a bit. Anyone who knew him well could tell he was not pleased. "To answer our summons, what keeps him too busy?"

Master Ramer looked the Council Leader squarely in his eyes as he responded, "He's busy making up for lost time with his wife, Master Yoda."

"Earlier, I passed by Lady Flora's apartment, I sensed only her presence there," Cress commented.

"Oh, but, they are together. Taren moved into her quarters faster than you could name the entire Council."

"I didn't sense his presence."

"No, Healer Oshan, you likely wouldn't. These past several weeks Taren's been keeping a very tight rein on his shielding. Even I've been having trouble keeping tabs on him lately."

Healer Meador held a knowing twinkle in her eyes as she nodded, "Perhaps, we should allow them more time to reacquaint themselves. Knight Savlon knows we will have a lot of questions for the two of them."

@}--- @}--- @}---

A couple of days later Jedi Knight Taren Savlon/Sir Talon and his wife, Lady Flora, the Earl and Countess of Falcon's Nest by the Sea, stood before the Jedi Council. Hand in hand, they refused to move more than half a step away from each other.

The Council did not need to probe to find out how they felt -- their emotions were clearly writ upon their faces. Their eyes shone brightly and sparkled whenever they looked at one another. As one, their hearts now beat in time. As one, they drew breath together. They had fully merged together as one when near each other.

Healers Meador and Oshan were also present. They had a difficult time hiding their smiles as they looked on. They were both pleased at the startling turn of events.

Master Ramer was amazed at the complete turn-around he saw. The Knight who stood before the Council was no longer the scruffy, young man who was slowly drifting away, losing his mind.

Taren stood tall and proud as he answered the multitude of questions.

His hair had been trimmed and his face clean shaven. His chausses and tunics were freshly pressed and his robe freshly laundered. His black boots were polished to a high gloss. He was the very image of what a Jedi Knight should look like.

Beside him, Lady Flora stood in a tunic that went past her knees. Chausses of a matching sea-blue were belted with a darker strip of silk. Her mane of white hair drifted in soft waves to her waist.

One of the Council members continued the questioning. "You still have no memory of how you arrived on Lady Flora's world?"

"Nay, Master," he shook his head. "I do not. Even after all this time and with help aplenty from Master Ramer and Master Healer Meador, I still have no memory of that.

"I remember observing the local population to learn what I could while trying to conceal my presence."

"Until the battle in which you saved the king from an assassin."

"Aye, Master."

"And for this," another Master broke in. "You were rewarded with the noble title of Earl and given a vast demesne to lord over --."

"To protect," Taren corrected.

"To protect," the Council member nodded. "You were also ordered to take a wife; Lady Flora."

Taren nodded, "As dictated by local custom. And as dictated by my heart." He looked into Flora's eyes and smiled as he gently squeezed her hand. She blushed.

"Flora is the other half of my heart." He looked around the chamber to capture the gaze of each Council member. "I come from the planet Tauzin. There is a special kind of magic seldom seen, and yet highly wished and always prayed for. 'Tis a rare gift from the gods. 'Tis the gift of the greatest love of all. 'Tis the gift of more than a life-mate, more than a soul-mate. 'Tis the gift of a heart-mate.

"Should one die, the other would certainly die as well. 'Tis usually a madness brought about by the deep grief the survivor feels. 'Tis a grief that slowly kills. For indeed, how can anyone survive without the other half of their heart."

Taren and Flora looked deep into each other's eyes and knew how close they both came to dying. Each had felt the madness.

"Why go by a different name, did you?" Master Yaddle asked. "Search long through all the records we did. Find not any reference to 'Talon Savon' did we."

Taren shook his head. "When the king asked me what my name was, the Force prompted me to give a different name. 'Talon' is my middle name. Clearly 'Savon' is derived from my family name.

" 'Mysterious are the ways of the Force,' " he quoted. " 'Trust in the Force,' should we not, Master?"

Master Yaddle nodded.

"What do the both of you recall about arriving here on Coruscant?" another member inquired.

Flora answered, "I recall we were standing above the Keep watching a storm brew over the sea. We had finished putting away the last of the crops and were pleased at the bountiful harvest. Our people will not go hungry this winter."

A puzzled look creased her brow as she looked into the past. "The storm promised to be a fierce one... I seem to remember we were starting to go in when there was a bright flash of light. My ears hurt and I could not breathe.

"When I awakened, I was in an alley surrounded by buildings taller than the clouds. I knew I had never been here, yet 'twas something familiar. I found myself surrounded by creatures I had never imagined in my worst dreams. Yet, 'twas something faintly familiar. Something I remembered as a true fairy's tale. Then I remember Master Healer Oshan. A small voice inside my head told me I was safe with him and urged me to go with him. So I did."

" 'Tis just as I, too, remember," Taren nodded, confirming the tale. "I was admiring the beauty of the storm. I remember watching the lightening strike closer and closer to the Nest. There was a tremendously loud noise and a blinding flash of light.

"The next I recall, I was wandering the streets of a place I knew, yet did not recognize for days. When I finally realized I was on Coruscant, I made my way here. The rest, you know."

Flora became thoughtful as she reflected. A small shiver skipped up her arm. She relaxed as her husband sent a wave of comfort over her. "I wish I knew where Sir Paul is. And where he has been these past months." She turned to look at Talon, "He must have come here at the same time we did, Husband."

"We have notified the authorities to be on the look out for any man matching the description you gave us, Lady Flora. If he is seen, he will be placed under arrest and brought before the Council."

Flora bowed her head to the Council member who spoke, "I thank thee. I have no wish to meet him alone again." Taren/Talon put a protective arm about his Lady-wife's shoulder for a gentle squeeze. There was a cold edge in his dark eyes. Yoda and other the other Masters could feel a darkness swell within him before he brought it under control.

"You won't, my Lady. If Knight Savlon is unable to escort you when you leave Temple grounds, another Jedi will accompany you. You are under our protection, Lady Flora, no harm will come to you."

Another Council member moved the questioning toward a new direction. "Who will take care of your people while you are here?"

"My cousin, Sir Branyon, will care for our people," Flora replied. "He protected Falcon's Nest after my brother was murdered, until Talon became Earl. He is next in line to inherit the Earldom."

Her husband nodded, "I have come to know, Sir Branyon. He is a good man who cares, in measure equal to us, for the whole of the Nest. I trust him. He will work hard to see Falcon's Nest prosper."

Flora nodded her agreement, "Aye, that he will."

"Plan to return to your home, do you?" Master Yoda asked.

Taren/Talon looked into his wife's sea-colored eyes. She heard the sadness in his voice as he softly replied. "In all the research I have done in the archives, I have not found any mention of someone attempting to return to another world. I do not believe that is possible... I am sorry, Flora."

She closed her eyes to say a small prayer to her god. "Mayhap 'tis not meant for us to return, Talon.

"From what I have seen here in your world, you were meant to live here. Anywhere you are is where I shall live as well. At least we have the peace to know our people will be in good hands with my cousin watching over them."

Taren/Talon raised a hand to catch a tear just as it slipped forth. "I quickly came to love the Nest and everything about it. I will miss Falcon's Nest by the Sea as much as you, my heart."

A short time later Sir Talon and Lady Flora were dismissed from the Council Chamber. They spent the rest of the day in her favorite garden reminiscing.

@}--- @}--- @}---

Weeks went by as Master Ramer began looking upon Flora as a daughter within his extended family. Talon spent much of his time slowly introducing her to the many wonders the Republic had to offer, not only in technology, but also in its differing worlds and peoples. Flora was still a little uncomfortable with some things, but soon came to accept the many marvels.

As her husband before, Flora nearly became a permanent feature in the library. Soon she was sitting at a computer terminal soaking up as much new knowledge as she could. When not found at her new job helping out in the crèche, or in a garden, she was learning about her new world -- The Republic.

One day, Talon invited her to sit in on a training session with his Master.

As the two men stepped onto the floor, Flora's heart felt nothing but pride for her Lord-husband. Many times at the quarry she would watch him practice. In training with the Knights of the Nest, he was unbeatable. In helping train the young Pages and Squires, he was patient. In protecting what was his, he was fierce.

She watched as they bowed to each other and fell into their stance to begin sparring. The snap-hiss of their lightsabres was the only sound in the training room as they slowly circled each other.

Talon held his newly constructed sabre; his first had never been found. The light green of his blade crashed against his Master's lavender blade. Sparks flew as time after time their blades of light clashed.

Lunge, parry, riposte. They traded blow for blow as time ceased. Flora never tired of watching her husband as he jumped and somersaulted across the floor.

Naftel swung a foot out to catch Talon and topple him. His blade struck Talon's upper arm as the younger knight struggled to his feet. Flora howled with outrage and raced onto the floor to protect her husband. With bowstaff in hand she attacked Master Ramer.

Disengaging his lightsabre, Talon flipped up to his feet and easily caught the hard oak staff between his hands. "So the Desert Rose shows her thorns and seeks to protect the Falcon?" he smirked, yet inside he was proud of her courage. Not many would dare attack a Jedi. Tossing the staff to his Master he pulled her into his embrace, giving her a long, hard hug. "My people would be very pleased to call you 'Daughter.' "

Master Ramer grinned and nodded to her as she looked over Talon's shoulder.

Finally breaking apart, Flora continued her worried glare at the two men then turned to examine the wound. Talon tilted her chin up to meet his gaze. There she saw the depths of his love for her as a wave of emotion washed over her and through her. As she felt his pride of her, her stormy eyes softened.

Naftel stepped away as his padawan soothed his Lady-wife. "There is nothing to fear, Flora. The sabres are set on their lowest possible setting; no one will get hurt any more than they deserve. 'Tis not possible for anyone to get killed here. I assure you, 'tis but a minor injury and Jedi heal fast."

Flora gasped as the slight burn mark disappeared before her eyes. The memory of another wound healing before her very eyes came to mind.

"This exercise is meant only to help us train and keep in good practice. Without this, we would not be able to do our job of protecting those who can not protect themselves."

Talon's Master also assured her, "My Lady, I would never willingly seek to harm anyone; certainly not the man I raised as a son. You have nothing to fear."

Flora cast her gaze to the floor as an embarrassed tinge of red flooded her cheeks. Sheepishly, she looked to Master Ramer. "I am sorry, Master Ramer. I was afraid for my husband. Noble women of my land are trained to help defend when the Keep is under siege. I just could not stand by and do nothing."

Naftel smiled, "I understand. You show great courage. I am honored to know you, Lady Flora." He bowed deeply to the young woman who would dare attack a Jedi within their own walls.

Rising from his bow he turned to his padawan, "I'm even more pleased to know you have found a woman worthy of you, Talon. You best take care of this White Tigress." He winked at Flora.

Even though it was difficult for her to stay out of the way, Flora agreed to allow them to continue sparring. Again, she was amazed at the speed and agility of the Jedi. These people must truly be sorcerers, she thought.

Later as they left the training room, Flora asked Talon to continue her training. He agreed; 'twas in his blood to ensure the safety of his wife. He would make certain she could protect herself should he not be available to do so himself.

@}--- @}--- @}---

Flora waited in her favorite garden for Talon to return. For two days now she could feel his excitement. Insisting he was planning a very special surprise for her and not wishing to give it away, he refused to tell her aught.

She smiled as she studied her reflection in the glass. Turning sideways she looked past the few falling snowflakes to look at her swollen abdomen. 'Twas five months since that day in the fields of gold. She was showing her pregnancy now and she had to admit, even to herself, she never looked nor felt more beautiful. A fact her husband made a point to remind her of every morning and every night, and every chance he got betwixt.

They could not keep their hands off each other. 'Twas as though they were still at Falcon's Nest. There, they would slip away any moment of the day they could to enjoy each other's company. A quick kiss around the corner away from the men training in the yard, or a slow tumble in the orchard. Try as they might to hide their amorous activity from others, all in the Nest came to learn of their pursuit of each other. They had quite a reputation and many had placed bets as to how soon the first of many "Nestlings" would appear. 'Twas much the same now, only 'twas harder to be discrete.

A broad smile graced her lips as she ran a hand over the bulge where her babe slept. Sometimes, at night, deep in her sleep, she would dream of a small voice whispering to her. Even though she could never make out the words, she would wake with the feeling of love buried within her, below her heart. 'Twas almost as though the babe was telling her how much love he felt for his mother and father. 'Twas the most wonderful feeling she ever experienced, next to the love of her husband.

She felt a flutter under her hand. Flora gasped. Did I really feel that? she asked herself.

In answer, the babe sent another, stronger flutter against his mother's hand. In her mind, Flora could almost hear the babe giggle. 'Twas her babe's first flutter. Now *that* was surely *the* most wonderful feeling ever! she silently exclaimed. Next to the love of my husband, she amended. She laughed for the joy of it.

@}--- @}--- @}---

In the Council Chamber, Talon stopped in mid-sentence and gave a small laugh.

"Funny you find this, do you?" Master Yoda asked.

"No, Master."

"Amuses you, what then?"

His dark eyes sparkled as he replied, "Flora just felt my babe's first flutter!"

Several Council members smiled behind their hands. They knew how strong the connection between Talon and his wife was. Their love was a tangible thing when they entered the room. Talon was the first to know, at first glance no less, that Flora carried his son.

"What brings you before us, Knight Savlon?"

"I wish to make a request, Masters."

"Request what, do you?"

@}--- @}--- @}---

In the garden, Flora closed her eyes to savor the moment. When she opened them again she stared into a pair of cold, grey eyes in the reflection behind her.

Her gaze was pinned by a nightmare. Sir Paul stood behind her. Whirling around she saw the same madness in his eyes that was there before.

"Sir Paul! What are you doing here? How did you get in here?" Flora started slowly inching away, trying to get a better strategic advantage as she mentally prepared to fight.

Paul's voice was as cold as the snow-laden air outside. "These, sorcerers," he scoffed. "For all their magic, they can not find what hides beneath their very nose. 'Twas a simple matter to slip in when their backs were turned. I have been living here within their own Keep for sometime now."

Indeed, he appeared quite the opposite of his last appearance in the park. He now wore the brown and tan of the Jedi. He looked well fed and clean- shaven. This would account for some of the discrepancies found in the inventory -- which meant he had been in the Temple for several weeks.

Flora placed a protective hand over her babe.

Paul's eyes followed this movement. "You BITCH!" he roared. "So, you have lain with the king's own sorcerer, have you?" Like a cat playing with its next meal he began slowly stalking his prey. "So you carry the sorcerer's own bastard, do you?"

Flora looked around for help.

@}--- @}--- @}---

Talon took a breath to find his center, then stated clearly his request, "I wish to marry Flora in the Jedi manner. Then, when she is ready, I shall take her to Tauzin to be married according to the customs and traditions of my people."

Master Yoda gave a small Jedi-smile. He already knew the reason Talon stood before them. "Your request, permission we grant."

Talon bowed to the Council, "I thank thee for granting my wish."

@}--- @}--- @}---

"Oh, do not look for help to come, *MY* Lady," Sir Paul huffed. "We are quite alone in this garden.

"How could you! How could you betray me like this? And now you carry a bastard!?," he cried out in anguish. "I shall just have to save you from the likes of him." Paul lunged toward his prey, but Flora spun around, delivering a sharp blow to his neck as she did so.

Before he hit the ground, she was off running for the entrance. She knew Paul spoke true about being alone; he was too cowardly to attack when there might be help near by to thwart his plans.

Ducking and dodging branches, the dry leaves of autumn crunched loudly beneath her feet as she ran. She could hear her pursuer not far behind. Suddenly, her foot slipped on some leaves and she had to twist to protect her babe from the fall.

Before she could regain her footing, Paul grabbed her elbow and hauled her up hard against his chest. She could see the madness flare in his eyes; just before his hand came down hard against her cheek.

@}--- @}--- @}---

"Lady Flora is still uncomfortable with some aspects of the Republic. When do you think she'll be ready for a journey through space?" a Council member asked.

"I do n--." Talon cried out as a sharp pain ripped through his abdomen. A small voice inside his head screamed.

Without a word Talon raced out of the Council Chamber and Force-ran to the garden. Everyone he passed felt only a slight breeze and a rush of anger.

Bursting through the foliage, Talon did not stop when he saw Sir Paul standing over his wife. He watched in horror as Paul swung his foot back to deliver yet another kick to his wife's back.

Flora was huddled into a small ball trying to protect their unborn child.

Paul's next blow never came as he flew back from the force of a punch to his jaw. Landing hard against an old oak, he fell unconscious to the ground.

"FLORA! FLORA!!" Talon knelt down beside her. Sending a wave of comfort over her he gently rolled her over into his arms.

She shivered violently from the brutal attack. Paul meant to kill her child and possibly her as well.

Talon raised his rage-darkened eyes to pin her attacker like a moth against a wall. Already, two knights held Paul securely betwixt them as he came around.

Two pairs of eyes burning with a certain madness bored into each other. One pair, cold and grey consumed with insanity. The other pair, blazing with a rage barely held in check.

The air in Paul's lungs froze as he heard the warning Talon hissed directly into mind, //Thou shalt never touch her again.//

Turning to the two knights he added in a low, harsh voice, "Get this vermin out of my sight!"

The Council and his own Master watched as Talon gathered his wife into his embrace and tried in vain to calm her. Talon gritted his teeth as several sharp pains shot through him and his wife.

Flora became hysterical as panic took hold of her heart. She put her hands over her babe and continued to scream with each breath she drew.

Talon recognized there was nothing he could do -- only a Master Healer could save his child now. Gathering Flora in his arms, he Force-ran through the Temple to the Intensive Care Unit of the Medical ward of the Temple.

The unit had already been alerted to the emergency and was still preparing when Talon arrived. Following a mental command, Talon carefully deposited his wife and child onto a bed and promptly climbed in behind them.

The Master Healer objected, "Knight Savlon! I must insist you leave at once! We can not work with you in the way."

Talon ignored the Healer and gathered his loved ones in his arms. "I will put her into a healing trance. You will save them." With that, he slipped into the trance and dragged her along with him.

Talon worked from the inside to soothe Flora's fears. This helped her relax enough for the Master Healer and two others to begin their work.

@}--- @}--- @}---

Finally, Master Healer Iniki, head of the medical wing, was able to coax Talon out of the healing trance. She assured him all was well with both his wife and child.

The Healer and two assistants worked for two days to repair the damage to both mother and child. The damage had been severe and had very nearly cost an unborn child and his mother their lives.

Talon expressed his heartfelt thanks and gratitude, yet refused to leave Flora's bedside until he was certain both were truly fine.

At last, Healer Iniki was forced to all but order Talon to go get something to eat. "I'm sure she would rather see you standing by the bed when she wakes up than see you on the floor, passed-out from hunger!" she exclaimed as she shooed Talon out the door. "She won't wake up any time soon. Now go!"

After Talon had wolfed down a quick meal and freshened up he began his vigil by Flora's bed. Holding her hand, he sent her all the loving feelings he could to both her and his son.

From his child, he felt a faint murmur before he redirected his feelings there, inside the womb. He let his babe know just how much he loved him. He was rewarded with a faint echo of emotion before the babe fell quiet again.

Next he concentrated on his heart-mate. He could feel her heart again beat in time with his, as did her breathing. Unconsciously, she turned her face to his. Her lips curled into the smallest of smiles as she yet slept in the healing trance Master Iniki kept her in.

@}--- @}--- @}---

TBC...