Hey all. I am so sorry about the wait. Two weeks, I know. I have had a busy couple of weeks. I had company for the first time in a year, and life has been hectic. I have the next chapter started, but this one is short. I'm sorry. I know you all like longer chapters; I just wanted to get something published for you guys! So the chapter starts just before the other one ends.

Thanks so so so much for all the favorites, follows, and reviews!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my oc.

Chapter 24

Name

Boba Fett was aware of her as she stepped down off the platform. Her spine stiff and her chin up, long hair hanging free. Despite being in conversation with Latts, he was also aware of the way the Quay watched her. Boba's jaw tightened. The male grew bolder with her quicker than he anticipated, and her haughty manner would only hasten it. He was also far more brazen about it than Boba had figured he would be. The other male was aware Boba Fett was present on Nal Hutta if not in the room at this moment, and still, he watched her openly. Sentients who wished to live didn't usually disregard him so easily. If there were truly something between him and the slave girl, the Weequay would be playing with fire.

At present, the Quay half sat on the edge of one of the tables near the door, cup in hand. His attention stayed with her as she exited the room. The Weequay pushed away from the table and headed in the opposite direction, stopping at another table where the Zabrak bounty hunter, Sugi, sat with several companions. Boba used his three hundred and sixty-degree view field to watch.

"Not who stole the creature, but where it's going," Latts said, pulling his full attention back to her and their conversation about the Ghostling. "Xo is looking into the who. There is a private auction of rare creatures being held on level 1313 next week."

The infamous level of Coruscant had been home to some of the worst of the Galaxy for far longer than Boba Fett could remember. Jango had often frequented it, and Boba had been there with him several times. "An auction like that will bring a lot of powerful sentients or their representatives," Boba observed.

She nodded. "The payday is decent."

"Why don't you ask Bossk or Dengar?" The Trandoshan was usually game for anything, and Dengar would jump on the offer. He was in debt up to his turban with everyone who would loan him credits.

"Neither possesses the necessary finesse," she began. "I need someone who can be less heavy-handed if possible."

Boba Fett's eyebrows lifted. He had been known for many things, but he did not think finesse was ever one of them.

"I'll give you fifty thousand credits, Boba," she added a moment later.

Now, fifty thousand was something to think about, "Do you have a plan?"

"I'm still working on it," she admitted.

In the end, he couldn't. This job wasn't a simple snatch and grab. It required a lot of planning and precision and would require him to be gone a while.

"I can't help you, but I saw Embo outside of the Cantina yesterday. He might be a better choice than Dengar or Bossk. Or," he added belatedly, "you could track down the droid."

Latts remained quiet for a moment. One edge of her mouth pulled upward wryly. "You know how much he hates that term."

Boba Fett did know, but that did not mean he would quit referring to him as one. Beilert Valance was too touchy. He would be well suited to her needs, however. "He has a soft touch when he needs it."

"If I hunt him down, I will refrain from telling him it was your suggestion. I doubt he's forgiven you for Lash."

Whether the ex-TIE pilot had forgiven him or not was irrelevant. Nakano Lash had gotten what was coming to her. Boba Fett didn't forget those who double-crossed him. He had waited a long time for her to resurface; when she did, he had found her quickly.

He almost asked Latts if she had been one of the ones to hunt him when he had a price on his head recently but didn't. It didn't matter; not really. The bounty was open to any comers and large enough; she'd have been crazy not to.

Rystáll stepped into the doorway, pausing for a moment, she looked around the space until her eyes landed on him.

The redheaded Theelin slowly sauntered in their direction, her hips swaying provocatively. It was a practiced affectation she adopted to draw the eye. And he had seen firsthand it worked.

"Ah, if it isn't your friend, " Latts said. The violet-skinned Theelin lifted one eyebrow as she raised her cup to her lips.

Boba's attention returned to her.

Rystáll reached them a moment later.

"Latts," she said, eyeing the other female.

Latts lifted her glass slightly in salute. "Rystáll."

Rystall turned her attention to Boba Fett, her large brown eyes drifting down him. "Boba," she almost purred.

He said nothing, only watched as she leaned her hip against the table, one delicate shoulder dropping down to accentuate her collarbone. "Don't let me keep you from your conversation," she said.

Boba stared at her but said nothing.

Latts spoke up instead. "If you're sure?" she questioned.

Boba Fett gave one short nod.

"Thanks for your time, Boba." She nodded herself as she stood. She inclined her head to Rystáll also, "Rystáll," she said as she moved past her.

The creamy-skinned Theelin turned her attention back to him. She leaned toward him over the table and ran the end of one long, gloved finger down his gauntlet. "I was hoping we could…" her words trailed off for a moment. "Chat," she started again, looking up at him through her lashes as she continued— the word "chat" was laced with another meaning. "Before you leave."

Boba stood a moment later. Her hand fell away. "Rystáll," he said, his voice calm. He stepped past her, blaster rifle in hand, and made his way across the room, leaving her at the table.

Her level of familiarity irritated him. He wasn't overly familiar with anyone. She hung on his side frequently, but that didn't mean he wanted her to listen to his private conversation. At the same time, he was aware that others could be listening to his and Latts conversation as they spoke, but Rystáll stepped over a line. She presumed a level of intimacy they didn't share. Before recently, she would have stayed away until he was done. She was bolder now. But he also suspected she was jealous now. Boba Fett had little time or patience for such nonsense. Rystáll had behaved similarly in the throne room the day after she spent the night in his quarters. The girl had come in carrying a bottle of wine, and Rystáll had practically wrapped herself around him. He could taste the hatred and possessiveness rolling off of her. Boba Fett had walked away from her that night as well.

The girl stepped into the doorway just as he reached it. One of Jabba's human guards followed behind her, a box in his hands, his helmet on. Her lips parted slightly, and faint color stained her skin as she looked at him. Those pale blue eyes remained on his visor. There was something unsure in them, like yesterday. He slowed, but she wouldn't let herself run away from him.

The Quay was just across the room, watching the performers. "Kiya," he said softly, lingering beside her.

Her eyes widened more and more color flooded her face. Her brows grew close a moment later. Her lips parted like she would say something, but nothing came out. He was very aware the guard following her was witnessing their exchange. That's why he said her name, or so he told himself.

"Boba Fett," she said softly, a moment later an uncertain light in her blue eyes. Her chest rose and fell slightly harder.

He studied her, and she didn't look away. For a moment, there was something familiar about her again. Maybe not so much her, but the color and shape of her eyes. Still, he had no idea why. A moment later, he nodded and stepped past her.

XxX

Kiya turned her head slightly, letting out a shaky breath. She watched him as best she could as he disappeared from sight. Up until this very moment, she hadn't.. He.. She hadn't even thought about him knowing her name until he said it. More heat blossomed across her skin, her heart thumped a little faster. She shook her head slightly.

Bib Fortuna appeared at her side. Kiya met his beady eyes. There was a strange light in their depths, one that made Kiya instantly realize, Fortuna had witnessed Fett stopping even if he didn't hear their exchange. Kiya's face was hit with a fresh wave of heat.

"Bring the case and come," he said, his knowing gaze leaving her as he started toward the platform.

Kiya turned, not meeting the guards' gaze as she took the casket. She turned, letting out a deep calming breath, and started after Bib Fortuna. She had no doubt the sleemo Twi' would grill her companion about her and Fett's exchange later.

XxX

Kiya stepped past the two guards and into Jiliac's personal quarters, the door whooshing closed behind her. Her mind was elsewhere and had been for the last few time units. As ridiculous as it sounded, her thoughts were continually drawn back to Fett and his peculiar behavior earlier. Her name had sounded strange coming from his lips, low and accented. She assumed he had lips, but not all species did. She didn't understand why. He had never used her name before, but if she were honest, she might have liked how it sounded. Kiya shoved all of that to the back of her mind. She approached the corpulent she Hutt, where she lounged on her side on a chaise. The beautiful D'Naran sat on a low upholstered stool in front of her, with a cloth buffing the stones in Jiliacs headdress. Forgetting him was unsurprisingly easy when you came across a Hutt in such repose.

Jiliac popped the entirety of a Jogan fruit into her mouth in one gulp, her large eyes on Kiya. Kiya stopped just in front of her, bowing respectfully.

"So, tell me, Kiya, offspring of smugglers and mechanics, have you ever been to Nal Hutta before?" She asked in Huttese as Kiya righted herself and folded her arms behind her back.

Kiya nodded. "Yes, Your Ladyship."

"Hmm. With whom?" Jiliac asked. "Your parents."

Again Kiya nodded. "Yes." She had come to the pawnshop with her father and grandfather when she was somewhere around ten. She had been back several times before her grandfather's death.

"Tell me, have you decided to accept my offer?" She asked.

Kiya shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips. "I can't, Your Ladyship."

"I can just tell my nephew you are staying," she warned Kiya again. And again, Kiya knew the female Hutt spoke the truth, but she also didn't think Jiliac would. If she decided to do so, it would be done already.

Her eyes narrowed. "It's Fett. Don't bother denying it. He watches you."

At the blunt statement, Kiya felt her cheeks redden, and she wanted to argue that nobody could tell what Boba Fett was doing behind his helmet, but she knew Jilliac was right. She nearly had to quell the need to squirm. Kiya knew she had felt his attention on her more than once, but after earlier, she didn't.. She didn't know, but she didn't want to discuss any of it with the she Hutt.

"And you watch him," Jilaic added.

More color flooded Kiya's face, turning it even hotter. She opened her mouth, closing it just as quickly. "My lady, I-" She stammered. Suddenly Kiya wished she had never decided to better her understanding of Huttese but was just as quickly glad she had. Her gaze lifted to their companion, who looked every bit as uncomfortable as Kiya.

Somehow the embarrassment would be worse if D'Naran had to translate.

Jiliac laughed at Kiya's discomfort. "Come, girl. I am only stating a fact."

Kiya fidgetted uncomfortably. She had no idea how to respond, but something told her it wasn't required that she do so. Lady Jiliac Desilijic Tiure, clan matriarch, and leader didn't need Kiya to. Clasping her wrists behind her back, Kiya willed the color from her face and nodded. "My Lady."

"Tell me I am wrong?" The she Hutt said, disappointment flashing through her slitted eyes. It was apparent the other female had expected something else.

Her eyes narrowed shrewdly when Kiya made no reply. "Hmmm. If you refuse to be my servant, will you at least serve me tonight?"

"Regrettably, I can't, My Lady. I am here to serve your nephew." As much as that was true, some part of her jumped at the idea. If she helped attend Jiliac in her personal quarters, it might reduce the chances of her seeing Fett.

"No child, you are here so that slimy sleemo of a Twi he has as majordomo can put on airs above himself." Her Ladyship corrected bluntly.

Kiya had to clear her throat. Her eyes widened. True words.

"Did you know that the tail licker was a lowly guard and servant once?"

Kiya shook her head when it became apparent Jiliac was waiting. "No, Your Ladyship, I did not."

"Mmm. Yes. He found a manner in which to ingratiate himself with my nephew and exploited it." She went on a moment later. "You're an intelligent creature. You could do the same."

Again, Kiya had no idea how to respond. The last thing she wanted to do was "ingratiate herself," as Jiliac said, with any Hutt. Instead, she wanted to be free of them all. She wanted to be free of all of this.

"D'Naran?"

"Yes, Your Worship?" the girl asked, looking up from her task.

"Find Bib Fortuna and tell him, Kiya will be helping serve me tonight."

Kiya opened her mouth to protest, though she didn't know why.

D'Naran bowed her head politely, "as you wish, Your Ladyship." She carefully placed the headdress back in its velvet-lined box and stood. Bowing her head respectfully, she backed away three steps, then turned and left.

"You may wait outside," Jiliac said to the room in general. Kiya looked over her shoulder, watching as the two guards near the door exited.

"Come, fetch me some wine," she said to Kiya.

Kiya bowed her head, "yes, Your Ladyship." Kiya made her way to the small ornately carved and inlaid serving table sitting to the right of Jiliacs chaise.

Kiya lifted the bottle, carefully pouring some of its contents into the elegantly fluted wine glass sitting beside it on a silver tray. Placing the decanter back in the tray, Kiya lifted the glass, handing it to Jiliac. She stepped to the side, awaiting whatever request Jiliac would have next.

"Sit," she instructed, lifting one small hand toward the stool D'Naran had occupied moments ago.

Kiya moved closer, lifting the tail of her tunic out of the way as she sat. Kiya lifted the headdress from the box, along with the cloth, and continued polishing.

"It would seem I owe you," Jiliac said, drawing Kiya's attention upward. Her hands stilled. She looked about the room, fully aware there didn't have to be anyone in the room with them for them to be eavesdropped on.

"Fett, swept the room just before you came."

Kiya still remained silent.

"It's not often I feel thusly."

XxX

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