::chants:: I do not own StarWars, I do not own StarWars, I do own StarWars ::gets smacked by Lucas Films:: ok ok I DON'T own StarWars ::glares::

Been along time updating I blame Anime! (AKA Jess's new obsession)

Chapter 11

Solo stood before the council and made his report, the summary of Chade's 'research' and Tess's information briefly scrawled across the paper in his hand.

"We've known for years that there are still imperial cells operating in the New Republic and apparently they have found themselves another pair of Sith for allies. We have narrowed down the area in which their base is located but unfortunately it's not located within the Republic which creates a problem. We also have intelligence that they may be manufacturing warships, however, this is not confirmed. Add in a bunch of annoying political details and we get a big mess. I suggest that we send a reconnaissance mission to see if we can get some better info. Because the Sith are involved you get too decide the members of the team."

"What kind of reconnaissance?" one of the masters asked.

"Area bars and spaceports are our best chance but other opportunities may arise. A small team of three maybe four would be your best bet."

"Well Chade of course"

"And his apprentice Jonathan he is competent and force sensitive" another master suggested.

"Any objections to either of those candidates?" Luke asked and when no objections where made he continued "Anymore candidates?"

"How about Numiar and his apprentice Ian" this was K'pal

"I'm afraid I'm getting too old to be hanging out in bars and chasing dark Jedi." Numiar objected "and Ian is not the one you want for sure."

"How about that girl that used to be a barmaid? She's in one of my classes and seems competent." Master Hillit asked.

"Out of the question" Luke said

"Isn't she the one who can sense and deflect the use of the force? She might be an advantage." an anonymous Master spoke up.

"She is also know by Ravja" Luke protested

"Exactly" Hillit replied.

"I strongly council against this." Luke spoke up.

"We vote on it then" Leia said. "All in favor?" Most of the heads in the circle bobbed up and down once in agreement.

"It is decided " Luke intoned, "but I request one more member be added to the team. I suggest Nmi my apprentice. She's strong in the force and could work as a barmaid. She's still an apprentice but Tess knows her and she'll be a cool head. Any objections?" none where voiced out loud "Then so be it. They leave in two days." The meeting moved on to other subjects but Numiar excused himself to go inform Tess and Chade of the council's plans.

Tess got up reluctantly from her cup of coffee to answer the knock on the door. Upon seeing Numiar she invited him in to share a cup of coffee but he politely declined.

"You'll be happy to know they've decided to put together a reconnaissance mission to find out more about the Sith's movements. They're hoping to find information in the bars and spaceports around the area we've traced them to. They've put together a 4 member team with Chade, Jonathan, Nmi and, they were hoping, you."

"They want me to go back to working in bars to gather intelligence? No way, barmaids who listen to closely to gossip have a tendency to disappear and I have no intention of disappearing."

"Part of the reason why they picked you is because you are experienced, you know how to handle yourself and are less likely to 'disappear' as you put it. If you don't go they'll use some other poor girl and what do you think her chances are? You know the kind of scum that hangout around bars."

"Are you trying to make me feel bad? Fah! I'll do it but just so that they don't make some other poor lass do it." she said feeling like she was being manipulated.

"Great. You leave in two days. You will be excused from your morning lessons to teach Nmi the basics of being a barmaid. In the afternoons you will report to Chade for weapons and then either myself or Master Skywalker before dinner."

"Well I guess I have to put off making those new outfits. Do you know a good seamstresses who can make a few dresses in 2 days." he nodded

"I'll need at least 4. Three made to Nmi's size and 1 in mine. I'll send patterns down too. And can you please watch over Millow I really don't want to have to take him along he really dislikes bars." Numiar chuckled

"Of course. Of course. I'll send Nmi up after dinner." he picked up the material Tess dug out from her dresser and left.

Numiar found Jonathan lurking not far from Tess's rooms and informed him of the news. He promised to tell Chade and have him report to Luke. Luke would be the one to tell Nmi so he headed off to find the temple's head seamstress. She was not going to be happy about this one then again she was rarely happy. He grimaced and continued on.

When Nmi found Tess after dinner she was sitting on her bed going through her old bags. She sighed when she heard Nmi enter and put away the picture she was looking at.

"I hope you didn't volunteer for this?"

" I didn't"

"Good." was all she said " I have two days to make a competent barmaid out of you so you don't get yourself killed or worse. We're going to start with self defense. Ian" she finished sweetly. The so named apprentice emerged from the kitchen pastries in hand. "Ok Ian your drunk off your ass and you want nothing better than to take little miss barmaid here home" she indicated herself "Your on." he made a good drunk and Tess showed Nmi how best to keep his type away. After that they progressed to the art of waiting tables with Ian the sore but happy customer receiving coffee and pastries for his troubles. They continued well into the night and when she and Nmi emerged from her bedroom and a makeup application lesson they found poor Ian crashed on the couch dead to the world.

"It's late" Tess said, "You might as well stay here for the night." she dropped her voice to a scandalous whisper "we could even sleep in."

"I won't tell if you won't" Nmi responded

"Deal. You can take the bed I call the floor" They headed off to bed and didn't wake up the next morning till Numiar came to recover his stray apprentice at about 10am. Apparently Ian hadn't seen the point of waking up early either but he wasn't excused from his lessons. Numiar also brought the first of Nmi's new wardrobe. Tess held up the new garment

"Time for dress rehearsal" Nmi went into the bedroom to change but when she came out she looked none to happy

"We need to have a talk with the seamstresses I think they left out a few yards of fabric" she said indicating the low cut bosom, which exposed a great deal cleavage.

"Actually I had them add a few yards of material," Tess said trying not to laugh at her friend's discomfort. "You'll get used to it," she said sympathetically remembering her first time in one of those dresses. "Come on we have work to do. You're going to have to re-learn everything I taught you last night with half the freedom of movement. Now about your hair..." and with that their day began. For lunch they went to a local bar and ate while Nmi observed the waiters and Tess pointed out the good and the bad aspects of each waiter. After they finished they went back to the temple and to practice with Chade and Jonathan.

Chade's temper was at an all time low and he had no mercy. When he got a little too ruff with Tess during staff practice she paid him back by asking him sweetly if he would help her demonstrate to Nmi how to take care of drunks. She had him, being weapons master he was not rightly able to refuse.

She spared him nothing. She had been gentle with Ian in fact most of his sores came from Nmi less experienced hand but she held little back for Chade and he knew it. Nmi had to hide a smile, even Chade would be feeling some of those tomorrow. Afterwards they walked and Chade half limped to the room where Numiar and Skywalker waited. When they entered Luke looked at Nmi and asked silently what happened to him Indicating Chade.

He got a little too ruff with Tess at practice and she repaid the favor. He had to chuckle silently to himself at this.

They sat and Numiar looked at Tess and asked bluntly

"Tess, do you trust me?" she only looked at him for a moment half suspicious half considering then answered with a slow

"Why do you ask?"

"We want to try something new." this was Luke. He assigned tasks to the others then sat beside her and Numiar. Trust Numiar she might but she didn't know about Skywalker. He directed her to meditate. She did. He asked her to build mental walls and she complied then he asked Numiar to touch her gently with the force and she balked breaking her trance. When she opened her eyes she saw both the masters sitting across from her watching her.

"Do you trust him?" Luke asked

"Yes. But..." she trailed off but she didn't trust anybody that much.

"Tess i would never do anything to harm you. You know that." she nodded her head. "Please trust me now." there was only kind pleading in his voice so she reluctantly nodded her head again and went back into the trance rebuilding her walls. When Luke sensed she had finished he asked Numiar again to touch her gently with the force. She felt gentle hands brushing her walls but they did not enter. She heard Luke's distant voice "Can you feel him?"

"Yes" she said dreamily

"Has he gotten past your walls?"

"No."

"Ok Tess that's good. Now i want you to try something for me I want you to push back with your walls." She tried pushing out with her walls but that just weakened them and he got in. For a moment she nearly panicked and then he withdrew.

Luke's voice asked, "Do you remember how you got free the last time" she almost replied that she hadn't but then remembered that was not the last time he referred to.

"Yes, I panicked and fought the restraint."

"Can you do that again for us now?" he asked gently.

"No I can't!" she replied once again breaking from the trance remembering the awful pain and the perverted pleasure.

"No" she repeated afraid to meet their eyes but when she did she found only empathy in their depths. The masters sat and looked at each other for a moment.

She can but she's afraid too. Maybe we've been to gentle on her. She's a fighter by nature I believe she would fight me if i attacked her without warning. Luke said to Numiar

No my friend only if we have to. I have no doubt she would fight it but it would also ruin any trust she has in us at all. Lets give this a while yet. They turned their attention back on her.

"Will you at least try?" Numiar asked. "If you don't get me out in a min I'll withdrawal. You have my word" she didn't want to but head nodded as if on it's own accord. He grabbed her with invisible hands but all she could do was look at him in terror and he withdrew. He tried again but she just couldn't fight anymore. This went on until Luke finally put a stop to it and told her to just meditate then walked over to the others.

"You're going to have to learn to do this. We know you can." they meditated and she slowly she relaxed.

Sometime later she was attacked. She panicked and fought then realized what she was doing and cried out throwing her hands up to block the blow she knew her hands could never protect her from. When the attacker relented and no retaliation came she slowly lowered her arms and opened her eyes. Everyone was looking at her then she heard Chade's angry voice.

"What's wrong? She looked like she expected to be beaten." They ignored him and Luke came over to her.

"See nobody here is going to punish you for protecting yourself and those walls we've been working on should keep anybody from being able to."

She could not believe him but the one time was all her mind needed to recover its stubbornness though the memory of pain would haunt her for the rest of her life. Luke sent everybody back to their exercises and Numiar asked to touch her with the force every fiber of her body answered no but her traitorous mouth said "Ok" he touched her and she repelled him with a viciousness that surprised both of them. They so continued until dinnertime. Jonathan invited them to dinner but Tess declined saying she was taking Nmi to another bar she had seen it town to dine. Nmi did not look enthused with the prospect but Tess assured her they would eat before they went. They got home and wished each other good night each a little apprehensive because tomorrow they left for the outer rim and the real fun started.