I'd Miss You Still Chapter 12

by obi's girl

Chapter 12, Post 1

"I'm sorry about Sera," Jaina started, "Do you know when she'll be back?" Kyp shrugged and tried not to seem worried. She always came back, she said. Jaina could feel he was worried about her and continued, "She didn't tell you the reason for this mission?"

He shrugged, "Classified. She wasn't even supposed to tell me, but she did,"

"And she went alone? No one to back her up?" Jaina cried.

Kyp waved his hand and huffed, "I don't want to talk about this anymore. Talking makes me want to grab an x-wing and go after her myself,"

She smirked, "I'm sure she knows to be careful,"

He smiled, eyeing Fel as he talked to his daughter about the past week's events. Kyp was sure he'd been mentioned somewhere in there, but he didn't want to pry. "What was the wedding like?"

"Beautiful, Kyp. We stayed at this Lake Retreat, Padme was there, er, Larissa was. That was her handmaiden name. She pampered me the whole week, but I never once suspected she was my grandmother. It was weird, having her there at the wedding. She was my maid of honor, can you believe it?"

"You were married at a Lake Retreat?" Kyp asked.

She shrugged, "It was on the balcony, overlooking the lake. It was really beautiful and romantic," she grinned, her eyes fluttering.

Kyp laughed, "Romantic? I never knew you had a feminine side, Jaina."

"Cute, Durron," she mumbled, "What's my daughter been up while I've been gone?"

"Just feelings. She has a crush on Valin Horn, Corran's son. And he has a crush on her, visa versa, and now Cherith doesn't know how to act around him," Kyp replied.

Jaina shrugged, "At least they know how they feel...I remember, when Jag and I were reunited on Hapes, we fought so much, always evading our feelings,"

Kyp grunted, "I think they both know how they feel. That's the problem...Anyway, you can ask Cherith for more details."

"She's your apprentice now, Kyp. You're her friend....Don't tell me, you don't know anything else about this because I know you must know something,"

"I do, but she's your daughter, Jaina. I'm only the teacher," he mused and suddenly became quiet again.

Jaina frowned, "You're really worried about her, aren't you?"

He shrugged, "How can I not be? Coruscant isn't Coruscant anymore..."

"Kyp, relax. She's been in the spy business for a long time. Sera will be fine," she said, "And she's a Jedi Knight, if anything happens, she'll take care of it. She's a tough woman,"

~~

"Padme?" a voice asked. It was a strong voice, she knew, but she didn't need to turn to know it was her son. But he didn't know that either. She turned and smiled at him.

"Master Skywalker, sorry for the intrusion..." Padme started but he smiled. His smile was like his father's, Padme noted. "I'm Padme Naberrie."

He smiled and shook her hand, "Odd, my niece felt the urge to bring home her own handmaiden. I thought she was spoiled enough as a Goddess,"

Padme laughed, "Jaina's not a spoiled girl. Every time, I'd try and get into a new dress, she'd leave the room and high heels, she hates them,"

"That's not too surprising. Jaina's never been very lady-like," Luke joked and looked at Padme. He'd arrived late for breakfast, so he didn't really know what was said earlier on about Padme. But he felt this very strong connection to her through the Force. "Are you staying here long?"

Padme shrugged, "I'd like to get an apartment nearby, if it's possible...I, I have family here. They'd hadn't seen me in a long time, especially my son. I had to give up when he was only a baby. He doesn't really remember me at all,"

Luke frowned, "I know what you mean. I never met my mother, never had the chance to get to know who she was. My sister, on the other hand, she was raised by her,"

Padme smiled slightly, "What does she remember of her?"

He shrugged and huffed, "Not much. Just feelings, sadness...She was very young when she died,"

Padme looked away and cried. She heard Ben's voice in her mind, telling her she had to tell him who she was. But if Leia didn't even accept her, how would Luke? Because, you're his mother, Padme, Ben replied. Luke heard his son's cries in the next room and searched for Mara, but she'd already left.

Luke stood up and smiled at Padme, "Sorry Padme, but my son needs me. If you'll excuse me,"

"Luke wait!" she cried, "Can I help? I know a Nubian lullaby if you can't get him to sleep?"

He smiled and they left the room together and went into the guestroom.

~~

Jaina glanced at the chrono and frowned, "Sithspit, I'm late. Colonel Darklighter's already in his office now...I need to check in with him and see if there was anything I missed while I was away. Can you take Cherith today and keep her occupied for a long time?"

"Back to work so quickly? Shouldn't you be taking it easy. You're expecting twins, Jaina..."

She rolled her eyes, "I know I am," she said, "but just because I am, that doesn't mean the universe stops for me," Jaina hopped down from her stool and grabbed her jacket, "Mom, I'm going to see Colonel Darklighter!"

"All right, honey," Leia replied from the bedroom.

~~

"Leia, you need to get over this," Han started, but Leia show him a glare again, "I...I really don't see what the problem is,"

Leia rolled her eyes and laughed, "The problem is, for my whole adult life, I believed the woman that took care of me was my mother. Luke maybe accepting of her, but Han, I..."

"You what?" he questioned.

"I feel cheated," Leia whispered, "I knew I was adopted since my teens. I knew the woman that raised me wasn't my mother, I knew that, but to have my real mother show up after all these years, a decade even...I'm not really sure how I feel about her,"

Han nodded and sat down beside Leia on the bed and patted her hand, "Jaina didn't know for a whole week the woman was related to her,"

Leia laughed again, but this time it was more light-hearted and less sarcastic. "I guess it caught us all off guard, a little bit,"

tbc

Chapter 12, Post 2

Padme smiled, watching her grandson sleep peacefully on the bed. She looked up at Luke and smiled...he had so much of his father in him. Padme remembered Anakin, her Ani months before he became Darth Vader. She'd always believed there was good in him, despite the fact he turned his back on the light and betrayed the Jedi. He was still human, still little Ani.

"That was a beautiful lullaby you sang," Luke commented, "I didn't understand any of the words but it was very beautiful,"

Padme shrugged, "My mother used to sing it to me and my sister when we were little. We always delayed going to sleep, wanting to stay up hours playing around...That lullaby was the only song that actually got us to sleep," she glanced at Ben and smiled, "It got him to sleep, too,"

"Yes, it did," Luke smiled and he glanced at Padme again, "Do you have any children, Padme?"

She jumped slightly and looked at him. "I used to. A long time ago, but I wasn't able to keep them, unfortunately...My son, he had the sweetest blue eyes like his father,"

Luke shrugged, oblivious to the comparison, "My sister had to part with her children when they were younger...."

"Yes, Jaina told me about that. She said she resented her mother for it," Padme blurted out and then sudennly wished she hadn't said anything to interrupt him, "She said since her mother wasn't able to be with her on her wedding day, if I would give her away,"

"You were there...What was it like? Their wedding, what was it?"

"Very beautiful. Thankfully, Jaina didn't trip on her heels. It was on the balcony of the retreat, overlooking the lake and mountains. After, they just stood there, holding each other,"

Luke smiled, "I wish I could have been there to perform the ceremony in the Jedi fashion. Mara and I went through it when we were married, Leia's wedding was more traditional and now, Jag and Jaina are expecting twins."

"Yes, Cherith was just gettting used to being an only child, now she has to worry about two more little ones," Padme glanced at the chrono and then at little Ben. She smirked at the boy, her son named his son after his teacher. The real Ben, the Ben she was knew, was a very good friend to her and a big comfort after she lost Anakin. "We'd better leave before he wakes up again. Let him sleep," Luke nodded and they both left the room together.

On the opposite side of the room, Han and Leia left their room. Leia stared at her mother and brother; she knew Luke had no ideao the woman he was standing next to was his mother. Han cleared his throat and he kissed her forehead, "I'll be on the Falcon," he muttered and left the apartment.

"Padme..." Leia started, "I just wanted to say I'm sorry about before,"

She smiled, sitting down on the couch, "I'm sorry too..."

"What happened earlier?" Luke interrupted. Padme and Leia looked at Luke at the same time, and it was only then, Luke finally saw the close resemblance betweem them and knew. "Mother?" he whispered and Padme nodded yes. "What you said about your baby boy with blue eyes, you were talking about me?"

"...I know you have many questions but please, let me explain first...." Padme started.

"Which one of us is older?" L:uke asked, not waiting for an explaination, "It's a question we've been debating for a long time,"

Padme smiled and laughed, "Which one of you is the older sibling? Luke..."

"Ha, I knew it!" he cried and Leia glared at him.

"Let her finish, Luke. Just because she said your name first doesn't mean you're the only sibling. Besides, I was the first to have children and traditionally, the elder one is the first to be married," Leia retorted.

Padme bit her lip, calling to Ben through the Force. Ben, what am I supposed to tell them? I don't know which was is older. You never told me!

You never told her, Obi-Wan? Qui-Gon broke in, I can't believe you never told her. You were responsible for the children, for her children and you never told her which one was older?

Luke's the older one. Tell him that. I helped you deliver them, remember?

Thank you, Master Jinn, she thought and smiled at her children, who were still debating which one was older. "Actually Leia, your brother was right. He is the older twin," Padme clarified.

~~

Sera Fey`lina smiled, sitting across from the Dark One over a glass of Corellian wine and some refreshments as he had promised. She'd been able to get out more information about the resistance, some stuff about the home- made world ship they were working on. "So, you're not the first leader of this resistance?"

He shrugged, "There have been about a total of three...The first one was a woman, she was quite good, resourceful and cunning. She was called the Dark Lady,"

"Excuse me, but what's with the title?"

"The title is a code name, Fey`lina. If the Vong knew who we were, we wouldn't be here. For safety reasons, leaders are randomly chosen through a lottery or a vote. Of course, there are nominations before hand,"

Sera smiled, "You're not going to tell me your real name are you, Dark One?"

He shrugged again and smirked, "No. If I did, I'd be severely punished and a new leader would be chosen...I made a sacrifice a long time ago to never reveal my identity to anyone. Not even my closest advisors, know my name,"

"That's a very tight grip, Dark One," Sera commented as she drank more wine, "Tell me more about what you know about Jaina and Cherith Fel,"

"News spreads very slowly at first, but over time, it spreads faster and faster. To answer your question, the Vong know about Jaina Solo's resurrection, however, they have no knowledge of her daughter, Cherith Fel,"

Sera frowned and sighed, standing up abruptly from the table, "Thank you, Dark One. You have been very gracious,"

The Dark One frowned and stood up, "Leaving so soon? Wouldn't you rather know more details about our operation, incase your government wishes to donate weapons or funds?"

"I'll tell them about what you're doing here, but there's have nothing else I need to know about it. I know all I need to know," Sera said and bowed again, sweeping his mind using the Force.

The world ship will be ready to attack in less than a week, m'lord, he thought.

Sera flinched as she raised her head and smiled again at the Dark One, "Thank you again, Dark One. I'll call,"

~~

"Colonel Darklighter?" Jaina asked, knocking his door and peeking her head inside the office. Gavin raised his head and looked at Jaina, smiling and gesturing she come in. "I just wanted to stop by and see if there was anything I missed while I was gone...You did know I was missing for a week, right?"

"I went to Tyria's funeral, so yes, I realized you were gone because you didn't show up to give the eulogy,"

She shrugged and walked in, "Sorry about that. Jag and I, we've been having problems and he kidnapped me and...well, it's a really long story. But it has a happy ending. We got married and I'm pregnant with twins. Cherith is just thrilled she'd going to be an older sister,"

He laughed, "Thrilled? You're being sarcastic, right? Jag stopped by and told me she was terrified,"

Jaina moaned, "Or terrified. Truth is, I'm a little scared too. With the war still going on, I'm not sure if I'm ready to have more children. I remember when Ben was born. Uncle Luke and Aunt Mara barely got to see him during the first couple months, and now I'm going to have twins. What if the situation becomes really dangerous and I end up hiding my babies for years and I never get to see them?"

"Jaina, we all have fears about their children in this war. You're not the only one. I worry two about my girls and so does every other pilot on this base that's married with kids," he paused and looked away, "You have every reason to be worried, Jaina, especially when..."

"When what?" Jaina questioned, "What happened while I was gone?"

Gavin looked at her and sighed, "Especially when it's very possible the Vong might know you're alive and also might know about Cherith too,"

Jaina's eyes widened and she stumbled away, "What?! How's that possible? I only came back from the dead a week ago? How could they know so quickly I'm alive? No, there has to be a mistake in intelligence..."

He nodded, "I wish there were, Jaina, but rumors have been spreading on Coruscant that you're alive. The Vong didn't really pay attention too much to the rumors, but now, now, they're it more seriously,"

"And Cherith? Do they know about her too?"

"They might, or they might not...Sera, she..." he said.

"You sent her to Coruscant," Jaina finished, "That's why she left. Sith, when is she due back?"

Gavin huffed, "We don't know when she's due back. Could be a week or more...Coruscant's a long way from Borealis,"

Jaina nodded and shook her head, "Does Kyp know why she's gone?"

"He knows she went to Coruscant, she told him, but he doesn't know why and you can't tell him." Jaina glared at him as he continued, "If Durron knew and took an x-wing to Coruscant, he'd risk Sera's cover and they'd both be killed,"

"Or she might die on coruscant, or be dead already," Jaina snapped, "He loves her, Colonel. This mission is suicide..."

"It's not, dangerous yes, but not suicide," Gavin snapped, "If Sera runs into trouble, a team will be dispatched to pick her up,"

Jaina snorted and laughed sarcastically, "That's wishful think, sir, counting on the fact she won't be dead by the time you get there."

"Sera will be all right. She's been on missions like this before, espionage is not new to her. She knows what she's doing," he said coolly and Jaina huffed, "She'll be all right,"

"I hope she will be sir, but if she dies, I'm not going to be the one to tell Kyp the woman he loves is dead. That'll be your job," she retorted and left the office.

tbc

Chapter 12, Post 3

The world ship will be ready to attack in less than a week, m'lord, The Dark One's words echoed in Sera's head as she made her way away from the rebel's hideout. She had to admit, the first time she saw the mother ship in the lair, she was taken aback. As a Jedi, she'd never heard of a resistance leader that would go as far as the Dark One to beat the Vong. Then there was what he thought before she left, that left her baffled.

She knew the Dark One was the leader of the resistance, Colonel Darklighter told her that much before she left but who was the 'm'lord' he was thinking of. Sera dreaded the answer the more she thought about it. What if the resistance wasn't entirely forthcoming about their goals? What if the current Dark One was a spy for the Vong...

No, I need to stop thinking that way, unless he was a decoy for the real Dark One. Sera stopped in her tracks. Decoy. She wouldn't be that surprised. After all, Jaina herself had a decoy. Sera smirked and dipped her hood lower over her face as she turned and walked back to the lair.

~~

Cherith frowned, twirling her light purple lightsabre around. It was really a borrowed lightsabre, from a spare pile. She hoped to have made one of her own by now but she knew she wasn't ready for that yet. But that wasn't the reason for her frown.

She could feel Kyp's pain and worry about Sera. In fact, normally, Kyp would block Cherith's every blow very easily but today, he was careless and unfocused. Finally, Cherith shut off her lightsabre and grabbed a towel, smiling at her Master. "Why don't we take a break?" she suggested.

Kyp shrugged, "I was that horrible, huh? I'm sorry, Cherith. I'm just really worried about Sera. I want her to come back safely, but it's Coruscant or Yuuzhan'tar."

"You have every reason to be worried, Master," she said and sat down on the bench next to him, "You love her."

"I asked her to fly with me one time? There was an empty spot in the Dozen and I asked her if she wanted it. Besides being a wonderful linguist and a Jedi, she's an incredible pilot," Kyp smiled, "For a while, I thought she was going to accept the offer but then she changed her mind at the last minute. I believe, she had every intention in taking that spot but she chose not to. Maybe it was because of me?" Cherith looked at him incredulously, "What? You don't think her feelings for me ran back that far and that deep?"

Cherith smiled, "I believe they do...Maybe she had a prior engagement,"

He nodded, "She did. Wurth Skidder. They'd just broken up. She never told me why she didn't accept the spot, but now I suspect it was because of my bad timing. I asked her to become a part of my squadron, while she was struggling with her feelings for Wurth and me."

"You think you're more focused now so you can block my blows, or do you want to call it quits for today?" Cherith asked. Kyp shrugged, ready to grab his lightsabre again but Cherith felt he was too distracted and stopped him. "We'll pick it up tomorrow,"

Kyp smiled, "Thanks, Cherith," he mused and stood up, grabbing his black cape and left the training room. Once he was gone, Cherith left her stuff on the bench and walked over to Valin.

"Hey, do you need someone to spar with?" Cherith asked him.

"Not really. I'm about ready to leave. Where did your Master go?"

Cherith swayed her head, "I was beating him badly over there," she started, "The lightsabre practice...He was distracted,"

Valin smiled, "You are getting good with that...Wanna go one round?"

"I'd love too," Cherith smiled and removed her lightsabre, igniting its purple blade.

~~

Jaina Solo clenched her teeth as she stormed into hers and Jag's apartment. She felt like screaming and crying...She'd missed Tyria's memorial and blamed herself for her death and now, Sera, a woman she looked up to as an older sister was sacrificing her life for Jaina and her daughter. How much more blood could Jaina take? How many more people had to die because of her?

Finally, Jaina let out that scream and fell onto the bed, crying into a pillow. As she laid there crying, she felt Jag reach out to her through their bond and comfort her. But it didn't help.

Jaina, what is it? Why are you so upset, love? he asked.

Jaina nodded and sobbed, Because...so many people are sacrificing everything they love for me...Jag, I don't want people to die. Sera, she doesn't deserve...

Jag was quiet for a minute and then he whispered back, I'll be right there...

No, stay where you are. I just want to be alone right now, but thanks for the offer, love,

Jaina, I'm your husband. We made a promise to each other on Naboo to always be there for each other...I'm coming over and you can't say anything to stop me, Jag concluded.

She smiled partially and then sobbed some more, hugging the pillow tighter against her chest. First Tyria and now Sera...It wasn't right.

tbc

Chapter 12, Post 4

Kyp Durron sighed, walking into his dark apartment and falling onto his bed, face-first into his pillow. He then turned over, staring at the wall. This is what's it's like to be deeply in love and worry about that person, he thought, I think I was better off before becoming romantically involved.

He reached out with the Force...Sera was too far too reach so he opted to spy on his apprentice instead. He saw Cherith smile, sweat across her brow, firmly holding her purple lightsaber. She was sparring? Who was she sparring with?

As he panned the room, he caught a glimpse of Valin Horn, the same sweat and smile pursing his lips. Kyp rolled his eyes and closed off the connection. He'd told Cherith time and again to take things slowly with him, but obviously, she hadn't listened to a word he'd said.

"Typical Solo," he grunted, "At least she doesn't have to worry about him leaving anytime soon on a potentially dangerous mission,"

Kyp stood up from the bed. It was too early to turn in, he figured, maybe the bar is still open. The Jedi Master smirked and promptly left the apartment.

~~~

Valin huffed as he slammed back against the blue mat and rolled his eyes when he saw the triumphant grin on Cherith's face. He waved his hand and jumped up, regaining his balance. "Now, that wasn't fair..You tripped me?"

"Me trip you? Are you sure? Because I think you fell on your own, or maybe you misjudged my moves..." Cherith ranted and then squirmed when Valin came at her and pinned her onto the mat. "Okay, now that was very unfair...I wasn't prepared,"

He shrugged and smirked, "You were rambling. I had to do something to get you shut-up,"

Cherith's eyes narrowed and she burst out laughing, "You could have just said so,"

"Could have but I caught you off guard and it was the perfect way to get you back for tripping me,"

Again, Cherith was shocked she was being accused of tripping him but it was only playful banter. Cherith noticed how close their bodies were and cleared her throat. Valin mumbled an apology and stood up. Cherith bit her lip and hooked her lightsaber back onto her belt. "Um, it's getting late. Maybe we should call it quits?"

Valin smiled again, "Cherith Fel quitting? What's the matter, are you scared I might beat you?"

Cherith rolled her eyes and nodded, "Ya see, there's that stubborn Horn ego. No male ego. I can beat you. Just because I'm younger than you doesn't mean I can't. I'm a Solo and hello, look at who my grand uncle is..."

"Fine Fel, bring it on," Valin challenged and ignited his lightsaber again.

"Just bring it on, Horn," Cherith countered and ignited her lightsaber. "You wanna make a bet?"

He shrugged, "You're not going to win, Cherith..."

"Loser has to buy the winner's dinner, well, that is if I win," she grinned.

"If I win, you still me dinner and..." Valin's grin widened, "A date. A dinner would be considered as a date, wouldn't it?"

Cherith's smile disappeared as she lowered her arm and disengaged her lightsaber. "A date? Are you serious? Valin, I was..." Before she could say anything else, Valin kissed her.

Half of the Jedi in the room saw the display and whistled. Cherith and Valin moaned and backed away from each other, forgetting they weren't the only ones in the gym room. Cherith looked at Valin again and smiled, "How about just dinner that's not a date?"

"Not a date? Fine, but I'm still going to beat you..."

Cherith was fired up now and re-ignited her lightsaber, "Enough small talk. Let's get this over with so I can crush your male ego,"

~~~

Sera lowered her hood as she returned to the rebel's lair. A guard wasn't there to escort her in, so she bypassed security walked straight into the lair. As usual, they were all rushing about, working on plans or something. Sera gazed around the interior and then smiled once she saw the Dark One talking to a young woman, a lieutenant. She waved him over. The woman saw her and she left the Dark One's side and met Sera.

"Yes? How may I help you?"

Sera looked down at the small woman and then at the Dark One, "I want to ask the Dark One some more questions. I was here before, I'm Sera Fey`lina," The woman glanced back at the Dark One and he shrugged and joined them, smiling at Sera again and was bound to say hello too but Sera cut him off. "I have more questions. There was just this thing you said about choosing leaders by lottery. As I left, I read your mind..."

The Dark One's eyes shot up and he looked worriedly at the small woman beside him. Sera caught the exchange but didn't comment about it. "You referred to someone else, a higher power...which was strange considering you're the leader of this group. Why would you need to answer to another power?"

He cleared his throat and gestured they leave the main area and walked into a small corridor. Once he was sure, no one else was listening, he turned and looked at Sera, "I'm not the Dark One," he whispered.

"Not?" Sera echoed, "But you said before...Your guard directed me to you...How could you not be?"

"I am," the woman beside him replied and smiled, "I'm the Dark One. Sorry for the deception, Sera Fey`lina but it was necessary. We don't allow very many visitors down here, and well, there's the Vong to worry about. Their spies are everywhere,"

Sera looked at the petite woman and then at the man she presumed was the Dark One. "You? Who are you then?"

"Maintenance. Head team leader for the world ship team," he said, "La -- The Dark One asked me to chauffeur you around and answer all questions you had,"

"Leave us now, Derek," the real Dark One said and waved her hand, dismissing him, "Again, I'm sorry for the deception, Sera. I probably should have figured it would be pointless to lie to a Jedi Knight,"

Sera smiled, "Yes, well, to be honest, I haven't been a Jedi Knight in a long time. My job is to gather information and deliver it to the proper people,"

The Dark One laughed as they moved along the corridor, "About your friends, Jaina Solo and Cherith Fel, the Vong do have some suspicion Jaina is alive but they do not know about Cherith,"

"I was afraid of that answer," Sera murmured, "I've been friends with Jaina for a long time..."

"We've all made sacrifices in this war, Sera," the Dark One interrupted, "Sorry, I can't stay long. I have a lot of work to get back to,"

Sera smiled, "Thank you again, Dark One for the Intel," The Dark One returned her smile and then walked back to the group, hanging around Derek again as his assistant. Clever girl, she thought. No one knew who the Dark One was, except for Derek and the real Dark One. "Very clever girl," she commented.

~~

Cherith couldn't stop grinning as she pulled Valin towards the bar. She won the duel and now her best friend had no choice but to buy her dinner...Hmm, that definitely sounded like a date, Cherith mused, but it's not. We're just too friends who hang out, nothing more. Nothing more. Valin shrugged her hand off his as they finally met the bartender.

"What would ya like, son?" he asked.

Valin looked at his grinning friend as she leaned over the counter, "Two steaks please, medium rare and mashed potatoes...Corellian style dressing please, and two drinks,"

The man raised his eyebrow and smiled, "You're both underage? Blue milk be fine?"

"Blue milk is fine," Cherith mused and then walked over to a booth.

Valin rolled his eyes and lowered his voice, "How much will that be?"

"20 credits," the bartender replied as Valin counted out 20 and gave them to him. The man smiled and winked at him, "Enjoy your date, son,"

"Um, it's not a date. I lost a bet," Valin murmured before sulking over to the booth where Cherith was at. Cherith's grin lessoned, but Valin could feel she was still very proud of herself that she kicked his butt at sparring. "Next time princess, next time you'll buy me dinner,"

"Is that a challenge, Valin Horn?"

He nodded, "I should have won that sparring match easily...Besides, I let you win,"

"No, I won," Cherith mused and smiled as the bartender brought over a large tray with their food.

He smiled and winked at Valin, "Enjoy your food...and your date," he said. Once the food was set, he took the tray away and grinned again, leaving the two of them alone.

tbc