-- sorry its so late, am back at uni now so time seriously lacks:(

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Chapter 7 - The Credits roll

Jack and Raya watched in awe as Dune and Maul talked like two old friends reunited. They had no idea what information was being exchanged, but Raya smiled hopefully at Jack as Dune smiled smugly and shook Maul's hand.

"I think he's done it!" Raya gasped. Jack rolled his eyes. He was still angry at himself for stepping inside Dune's bar, let alone trying to strike a deal with him.

Maul and Dune stood up and headed toward them, the latter flanked by his remaining Quarren bodyguard, who – maul assured him- was definitely not stealingfrom him.

"Raya!" he smiled uncomfortably, and glanced at maul, who gave him a "Do It!" order with his eyes.

"I'm sorry…for everything…I was a fool…and…" Dune paused and got an angry elbow in the gut from the Zabrak.

"OW…and…I…I…would really love it if you would…er…let me court you…again?" He expected a slap in the face, as a punishment for all the times he'd hurt her. Instead he was surprised when Raya flung herself at him and smothered him with kisses.

Jack watched the couple with a vague look of surprise and disgust and found himself distracted by another exotic dancer nearby.

Raya calmed down and coughed uncomfortably. "That's a yes by the way." She smiled. Dune laughed and put his arm around her, nodding to Maul in thanks. If it hadn't been for her 'half-brother' he probably would never have asked her for forgiveness. It wasn't his style. Luckily, there was nobody else around to witness this bizarre act.

"If you hurt her again…" Maul shrugged, "…I'll kill you." He glared blankly at the twi-lek, who laughed and went to pat him on the back in thanks. Maul's reflexes took hold and he couldn't stop himself from thrashing out with his hand and crushing Dune's fingers in his fist. The quarren was too slow and dim-witted to react as Maul grabbed his master's hand and twisted it angrily.

Dune let out an angry snarl, "I need that back thank you!" he bared his teeth as he wrenched his hand away, and tenderly clutched his fingers. Maul felt Dune's rage boiling. He was a powerful man, and had taken this attack very personally indeed.

"It's my reflexes." Maul explained, "I can't seem to control them yet…my apologies." Maul felt as if he had never apologised to anyone in his life, but if he did, it would have to be delivered with the utmost sincerity and respect.

Dune eyed him for a moment, the nodded his head respectfully as he accepted the apology. "Try and control yourself…I don't want any 'accidents' tonight."

Raya and Jack looked at each other. "What's happening tonight?" Raya asked.

Dune smiled. "I'm having a private party. Members only. 'Dread' is going to be working for me as both guest and spy."

Jack seemed excited. Dune's 'parties' were always the hot topic in conversations round here, and few people got to be involved in the gatherings.

Jack's face fell as he received a cruel sneer from Dune. "You're not coming."

Raya smirked, still holding on to Dune's arm. "I'm invited right?" she smiled sweetly.

"Of course…you both are my guests of honor!" he looked at the two Zabraks, then glared at Jack, who looked deeply flustered and annoyed. "If this evening goes well, and Dread impresses me, we'll see about those 2000 credits!"

Jack seemed to cheer up a little. "I guess I should thank you then." He made to shake Dune's hand. He didn't accept it. He nodded to Raya and Maul and returned to his table.

Jack glared at Raya.

"What?" she asked, innocently. "At least he didn't try to shoot you!"

"He wants to…" Jack sulked.

"But he didn't." Maul interrupted.

Jack muttered something similar to 'stupid, tentacled git' and skulked off toward the exit, followed closely by Maul. Raya left them to their own devices and went to join Dune at his table.

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"What the bloody hell did you say to him?" Jack said as he stormed out onto the street, dodging a speeder bike.

"I didn't say anything." Maul sneered.

"Well, how did you change his mind? Wave your finger's and force him to did you?" Jack mocked and motioned his fingers in a hypnotic gesture.

Maul's gut flinched. His eyes saw the gesture and every cell in his body quivered as jack said the word 'Force.'

"Force." Maul muttered, as if in a trance.

"Say what?" Jack paused, holding a hand to his ear.

"The Force!" Maul said again. "I…know it…I remember it!"

"Everyone knows it…I mean…heard of it!"

"I didn't…I'm remembering…this is good…isn't it?" He frowned.

"I think you need another rest mate…this amnesia, whatever it is…you've gotta slow down!"

"Dune said I knew Jedi Arts." Maul ignored him. "I can sense things…everything…the Force…that's why isn't it? It's the reason behind it all!"

"You havn't been drinking have you?" Jack raised an eyebrow. Maul merely glared inhumanely at him. Jack let out a sigh. "Yes…the force, the mystical energy that binds the world together is what the Jedi get their powers from! That and their genetics, which is why ordinary lowlifes like me can't do jack sh-"

"I get it." Maul rolled his eyes.

"Well…you and your force better do whatever Dune wants tonight…I need the money now or Pike's gonna have my head on a…well…he's called 'Pike' for a reason!" Jack bit his lower lip unconsciously. He was scared, and Maul didn't need the force to see that.

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Maul kept his end of the bargain. He accompanied Jack on his rounds, just in case pike decided to show, or Jack's clients needed some intimidating. Maul was impressed by how much Jack earned by selling death sticks to the desperate masses.

"You're wondering, if he gets so much money, why does he live in a hovel?" Jack seemed to read his mind as he took fifty credits from a group of young thugs.

"Well it's not really my business." Maul grunted.

"But you still wonder!" Jack smiled weakly, "I…and nearly every other dealer in this godforsaken place…am obliged to give the majority of my earnings to 'The Overlord'… the top geezer, the man, the leader of all organized crime in this sector!"

"Does he have a name?" Maul asked, as Jack's fidgeting reached frantic heights.

"We don't say it." Jack whispered.

"…and you owe him 2000 credits?"

"I had to collect the credits from this guy, and deliver them to Pike, unfortunately I decided to go for a drink and I don't remember much else…all I know is that this twi-lek girl stole it and took off! And my deadline has passed!"

"What was the money for?"

"I can't say…it could cost me more than my head…information like that could cost yours and Raya's too! Anyone who has ever met me would lose a head if I shared that information!"

"I get your point!" Maul shrugged. He wasn't interested in how and why Jack needed the money, as long as he got it, Jack would be safe, and would still be able to help him find out who he is, and why the Jedi wanted him dead.

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--review please:)