Authors Note: So, this one out much quicker! Thanks for the reviews and follows! We are finally getting into the good stuff, in my opinion, haha!

Disclaimer: I own nothing recognizable.

Chapter 25

Back to Tatooine

The following day came much quicker than Kiya had anticipated. Bib Fortuna had been every bit as annoyed as Kiya had predicted, however. Kiya carefully held her heavily laden tray as she made her way down the busy hallway. It was covered with the best the kitchens had to offer and right out of the pans and ovens. Unfortunately, they were later in coming than Bib Fortuna believed they should be. Bib had barked at her to fetch Jabba's first meal, just as she had returned from Jiliac's quarters this morning. The kitchen staff hadn't brought it yet. They were leaving soon, and there was another meeting this morning. Kiya wanted to ask why he didn't check on the food himself. He would come to the kitchen and chastise Porcellus if they were on Tatooine. She kept her question to herself. She was very much aware the kriffing sleemo had brought her to help with such things, and Jiliac had stolen her away. As much as she liked the idea of Bib Fortuna's affairs not going as planned, she thought it best not to bait him.

D'Naran said to say Bib Fortuna was angry yesterday was not adequate. Kiya had expected that, and Jiliac had found much gratification in the news. Kiya was coming to see, the she Hutt, found pleasure in usurping Bib Fortuna's authority whenever possible. She had done it with Boba Fett on Tatooine and now with her. D'Naran had also told Kiya, Jiliac told her she could be her handmaiden as long as Kiya didn't want the position. The absurdity of that comment brought a smile tugging at her lips. Imagine a Hutt sharing such things, let alone thinking about them. Again, Jiliac reminded Kiya, she was not at all what Kiya would have expected. The she Hutt was plucky and cantankerous and had her own sense of humor. Kiya reminded herself the being in question was a Hutt and capable of as much callousness as her nephew and all their brethren, nonetheless. Toroga told Kiya, Jiliacs audience chamber was lined with tapestries and rugs she forced her prisoners to weave while awaiting death.

The two Gamorrean guards outside of Jabba's door came into view, dressed in their usual garb, vibro battle axes in hand. Kiya didn't look at either, just made her way to the door. It whooshed open to Jabba booming. "Pa mah nood."

Bib Fortuna spun around, the tails of his robes swirling around him, one long lekku draped over his collarbone. His sharp pink gaze met hers. "It is here, Your Greatness."

He motioned her closer as Kiya hurried forward. "Hurry up, girl," he barked when she reached him; he fell into step beside her. "What took so long?" He whispered irritatedly.

"The kitchen had to prepare more," she explained. She didn't miss the affronted and angry look that flashed through Fortuna's eyes.

Kiya approached Jabba quickly with her head bowed, the soles of her slippers tapping softly against the durasteel floor. She waited for Jabba to decide what he wanted from the tray the kitchen had put together. Bib personally took his selections, setting them on the small table sitting right beside him.

When he had finished, Kiya backed away, turning when she was three steps back. She made her around the platform Jabba occupied, placing the tray on the sideboard behind it. She moved so that she stood a short distance away and just out of his line of sight as he started his meal. The decor in this room was more austere than in the one Jiliac occupied. There were no rugs on the floor, though she had been given a bed of pillows directly beside Jabba's platform. There weren't any sheer curtains, and the lone incense burner sitting near the door was never lit.

Two carved screens stood open along the right durasteel wall to create privacy. One large tapestry adorned the same wall. That was it, save the small chaise where Bib Fortuna slept. She wondered if all Hutt's tastes differed so starkly. Jabba's palace on Tatooine was slovenly kept. This place was far cleaner. Even the freshers frequented by as many sentients, if not more than Jabba's, were passably clean. Jiliac's chief residence was said to be the envy of all Hutt's and many sentients. D'Naran said there were pools full of glowing fish and all manner of exotic flora and fauna and opulence everywhere.

Kiya had briefly contemplated asking Jiliac if she would see if Nola had any family but didn't. The Hutt might have expressed that she felt she owed Kiya, but that was it. And as much as Kiya liked her, much to her surprise, Kiya couldn't imagine indebting herself to a Hutt. It was genuinely extraordinary just how easy it was to forget Jiliac was a Hutt. Kiya couldn't imagine in any way making Nola beholden to any Hutt either, no matter how different the Hutt in question may appear.

Even beyond that, it was hazardous to show any weakness in this life. There was always someone waiting to capitalize on it and you. Kiya didn't see Nola as a weakness, but others would.

A moment later, the door opened, and a tall, graceful-looking humanoid with large brown eyes stepped inside.

He waited near the door while Fortuna approached. They spoke, and the sentient disappeared back through it. A short time later, Kiya found herself at a respectable distance, awaiting Jabba's needs as the Hutt council discussed their arrangement further.

XxX

Boba made his way down one of the many intersecting tunnels, Dengar following a short distance behind him. Boba Fett knew the cyborg lagged behind simply because he could. Just as Boba Fett suspected, he had been more challenging to find this morning just so Boba would have to look for him. Dengar had told Boba Fett that he had fallen in love last night with the most beautiful sentient he had ever seen. Boba had seen Dengar fall in love with someone else frequently through the long years of their acquaintance. He said he would expect Boba Fett to be more understanding, given his current situation. Then quickly amended his statement to one that wasn't surprised at all. He said it only made sense that Boba would put his job before her. Dengar's incessant yammering was already fouling his mood and giving him a headache. If the cyborg kept it up, Boba might just have to space him before they got back to Tatooine.

Or at the very least muzzle him.

Jabba's procession was passing the end of the tunnel. Boba Fett reached just after she passed by. He hung back, waiting for Dengar, his eyes on her. The Weequay stood just aways further down the corridor, leaning against the wall.

The gaze slid caressingly down the length of her form. She tensed, the sharp metallic scent of fear reached Boba. She controlled it quickly, lifting her chin like he had witnessed her doing so many times before, and kept moving. He could still feel her wariness. The Quay shifted his stance, pushing away from the wall. Leaving Dengar to catch up when he felt inclined, Boba Fett moved out of the tunnel and walked toward them, his attention on the Quay's thick-skinned face. This was the second open display he had made in as many cycles. The Quay was giving him little choice. The other males' attention lifted, his eyes settling on Boba Fett. They grew wide. Boba continued to move on at his usual steady pace. The Weequay openly hesitated and decided to take a place in the procession ahead of her.

Less than a second later, Boba fell into step beside her anyway. Her blue eyes widened with surprise and confusion, and something akin to relief flashed through them next. She was tense, and neither said anything as they followed Jabba out of the building. She reached up, tucking an errant strand of hair behind her ear, watching him out of the corner of her eye. Boba Fett knew his proximity agitated her, and he also suspected, if they were alone, she would have filled the silence within seconds. As it was, she started fidgeting with the long ends of auburn waves she had left free again today. Faint color stained her face, and she caught her bottom lip between her teeth. She gathered her hair over one shoulder with a sweep of her arm and twisted the ends together like she had that morning in his quarters. That morning she has down to gain some level of neatness. Today it was to mask the nervous energy he inspired.

Again her actions would only bolster the belief they were something to each other. A short time later, she quit fidgeting. She left hair gathered over one shoulder, clasped her wrist behind her back, and forced herself to calm. She glanced over at him as they reached the main exit.

Boba Fett pushed a series of buttons on his gauntlet as they stepped outside and crossed the main thoroughfare. His steps slowed as they reached the platform. He looked up, turning so he faced her as he did so. Kiya waited, unsure as the others continued past them. Dengar didn't follow. He stopped a few feet back, leaning against a light post.

Kiya looked over her shoulder as her companion nodded to find Dengar standing a few yards away, leaning against a light pole. Arms folded over his armored chest; white turban a little askew. He wore that stupid grin she had seen on his scarred face yesterday and a blaster strapped to his hip. Kiya had seen him talking to a female with dark hair and almost vibrant blue skin last night, and he was wearing much the same smile then only maybe a little smitten.

She turned her attention back to Boba Fett. She wasn't sure he was looking at her again until he spoke.

"He will leave you alone," Boba said, remaining still. Well, he could be reasonably confident the Quay wouldn't mess with her before he got back.

Kiya's brow pinched with confusion for a moment, momentarily thinking he meant the cyborg. She shook her head, her gaze dropping, she gave a sidelong look in the direction the Weequay had gone; apprehension danced down her spine. Kiya wrapped her arms over her chest and rubbed them, wishing she could be so positive.

Fett took a short step closer. "He might look at you, but he won't touch you."

"You-" Part of her instantly recoiled, even as a bolt of relief shot through her. Her attention returned to his helmet. An association with him wasn't what she wanted. Jiliacs words filled her head, 'Would shulu gooddé protector.'

Kiya didn't want any protector, least of all him. It was a Sith devil's bargain, but she would be lying if she said some small part of her wasn't relieved he appeared when he did. "I thought we were even?" She questioned anyway.

There it was—an absolution. No gratitude. No, thank you—instead, an acquittal. She was wary as Boba Fett expected she would be, confused and far more afraid of the Quay than she wanted anyone to realize. Yet, she still didn't know if she wanted anything from him. He had to admire that. Boba had nothing to say to her observation, however. "I'm not coming back right now."

Kiya let out a heavy sigh, watching one of the port workers as they hurried past them, confusion boiling through her. She was coming to find he had a knack for replying to her questions without answering them. She wanted to ask him why it still mattered if she was harmed or not but didn't. Any reason she came up with made no sense to her. She sighed again, nodding, her gaze fixing on the feather sigil on his right chest plate and the long braids of brown and white hair that hung over his shoulder to the right. The part of her that had recoiled quickly saw the logic in accepting any assistance he was willing to give her. She guessed this came down to the devil she did or the devil she didn't.

"I won't be more than two cycles behind you," Boba added. He usually wouldn't share such information. His comings and goings were his business and his alone, but if he wanted it to appear they were in conversation, he had to say something, if only so she would reply. She was confused by his sharing.

Again, she simply nodded, staying quiet for a moment. She had no idea why he chose to share more or anything at all. She searched his visor. "I better go," she said softly.

Boba said nothing, watching her continue to study him. Her eyes were pale and stormy and more grey than blue today as they moved past him to Jabba's ship. Gun in hand, Boba turned his head, following her gaze. Fortuna stood just back from the top of the loading ramp, making a show of not watching them. Boba's attention returned to her just as she spoke.

"I'll see," her words trailed off. "You," she finished softly, confusion in her voice and her eyes. Her face colored faintly again. Her smooth brow pinched as she continued to examine him. A moment later, she averted her gaze and stepped around him.

Boba Fett looked up as Slave 1 started its descent through the grey sky and started back toward the cyborg. He was still aware of her as she boarded the waiting ship, however. That wasn't a surprise. He found he was constantly aware of her when she was near him, just as she was with him. She was confused by his attention or exactly why he did it and was not confident if she should be associated with him.

He and Dengar were going to load the dowry onto his ship and transport it to the Winters Palace. Then Jabba wanted him to go to Smuggler's Run and collect a payment. Latts was right. Boba had placed himself in the role of errand boy. Again this trip was another way for Bib to show Boba Fett he was in control or get back at him for thwarting his plan for the Krayt.

The modified Firespray turned, so its engine faced the ground and began descending to the empty pad. The slimy Twi'lek aside, this wasn't the first time he had acted as muscle for Jabba or others. And he would do it because he said he would. Boba Fett preferred only to be answerable to himself, however. Still, he would let Bib continue to believe he held all the cards. The longer Boba Fett was in Jabba's palace, the more he learned. And all knowledge had value, no matter how trivial.

Dengar appeared beside him, a smirk on his ugly face. He gazed over his shoulder, watching Jabba's ship take off. He looked forward again just as Slave 1 touched down.

The door began to open, and he followed Boba up the ramp. "You know that girl of yours improves on further acquaintance. If I had realized how readily she would blush…. Hmmm."

Boba Fett gave no reply, just continued onto the ship.

"I had thought having a friend might have improved your mood. You should try being a lover for a while."

"My mood might improve if you would shut up," Boba said. The idea of muzzling the cyborg growing more and more appealing.

XxX

Kiya ladled more of the gruel into the bowl, Toroga held, meeting his eyes. She tried to ignore the smell. That was easier said than some, however, so she tried breathing through her mouth again. That was as much of a mistake as it was last time, despite the cloth tied around her face.

"It's better than it was yesterday," he assured Kiya. One of Jabba's prisoners had died in one of the cells and was only discovered yesterday. The entire ground level stunk of putrid feculent decay when they returned earlier today. Bib Fortuna had nearly exploded. It hadn't helped that Jabba had seemed to blame it on Bib Fortuna's "carelessness."

"I'm glad I wasn't here yesterday," she observed as he handed the bowl to one of the prisoners.

It had also been the Gamorrean guard's bright idea to feed the corpse to the rancor rather than disposing of it differently. Therefore the beast's pit had a stench about it as well that faintly reached the throne room above. Bib had ordered the beast's layer cleaned and scrubbed, as well as incense burners to be brought to the throne room. Kiya was not convinced the smell of burning spices would mask the odor.

Malakili, the rancors keeper, had pleaded that they would not clean his beast's pen. He said Pateesa; the rancor was very sensitive to changes.

"I am sure you are," he replied, pulling Kiya back from her woolgathering. His attention returned to her as she filled the next bowl. "Most are not."

Kiya had seen that when she entered the kitchen, even Porcellus was less friendly. Kiya had volunteered to help Toroga because it was apparent none had wanted to.

"I caught that."

Even Lyda had given her a scathing look. Kiya had to see any of the others yet. She hadn't even gone to get her clothes from Yarna. Frankly, she wasn't positive she wanted to.

"Hard to miss, eh?" he said, but not so much sarcastically as amused. "Some will be jealous of your, " he paused as if trying to find the right word. "Elevation in standing," he finally finished, offering her another bowl.

Kiya sighed, ladling more of the greyish gruel into another bowl. It made a squelching noise. "I would rather be left in the kitchen."

"Why?" He asked, his voice confounded. He turned his attention back to her, his face pinched in disbelief. "You'd have to be a few bantha's short of a herd to want that."

Kiya felt a smile tug at her lips behind her makeshift mask.

"In this life, if you have a chance for a better position, take it. Don't choose this end of the business if you have an opportunity to move up."

They had finished serving most of the cells in the dark main corridor, hands still stretched out on both sides. Those inside the stone rooms begged, pleaded for help. This section of Jabba's palace was particularly horrific. Toroga told her these cells had once been sleeping quarters to the monks who lived here, who now lived in the tunnels below.

Toroga also warned her not to let anyone touch her and that there was a reason they served the prisoners with guards. Apparently, after Toroga had first come here, the prisoners killed one of the servants.

They finished serving the main corridor. The private cell Kiya was just ahead.

There was the sound of something hitting the door within and clattering to the floor, accompanied by someone hollering. It wasn't words, more of a long, tortured cry. A moment later, the door opened a slit, and the pale-skinned figure of Bib Fortuna backed out of the opening.

"Don't you dare leave me!" a voice from within hollered as its owner raced to the closing blast door. "You can't do this," the voice pleaded, the door fully closed. Whoever it was within beat on the durasteel as it closed, muffled sobs accompanied them.

Toroga grabbed Kiya's arm, swinging her around. "Fill the bowl," he said from beside her. "Don't let on you saw anything."

Kiya automatically did as directed.

"Well, we are nearly done here," he said as he handed the bowl to another prisoner. Kiya busied herself, filling the next bowl before he got back to her. She gave it to Toroga as the sound of retreating footsteps reached her ears.

Kiya turned her head slightly, watching Bib Fortuna move from sight.

"You have no idea; who is in there?" Kiya had asked that question before and already knew the answer. The creature still wailed brokenly, heartbreakingly on the other side of its door.

"Forget about it, Kiya."

XxX

Kiya left Toroga with the cart when the lift reached the appropriate floor. "I need to change into my clothes, " she said. "Tell Porcellus I will only be a minute."

The service lift from the lower level opened just to the right of the stairs. Kiya stepped outside and hurried to the left, down the hallway toward the pit. Toroga pushed the hover cart to the right toward the kitchen. The sound of conversation escaped the room through the open doorway as she approached.

Kiya hoped Melena Carniss was not present. The choreographer was far from impressed with Kiya being sent to the pit for a shower and fresh garments again. She was one who most assuredly disapproved of Kiya's altered duties.

Kiya stepped into the doorway. Yarna stood across the room with her back to Kiya. Her dark gaze lifted to Kiya, a smile tugged at her lips in the mirror. Yarna was wiping a thick salve on Nola's shoulder-length tentacles. It helped them retain moisture in this desert climate. Nola sat in the chair in front of Yarna, her head bent. Her tentacles ungulated, their ends curling and uncurling as Yarna worked.

"Look what the bantha just dragged in," Yarna said, a hint of amusement in her dark eyes. She pivoted, leaning one hip against the back of the chair.

"Kiya!" Nola exclaimed, she jumped up, hurrying toward her. Kiya smiled, wrapping her arms around the girl as she collided with her.

"Hey you," Kiya said, squeezing Nola tighter. The girl squeezed Kiya in kind. She let go a moment later, taking a step back. "Did you see the acrobats?" she asked.

Kiya nodded her head. "I did."

"Were they as amazing as father says?"

Kiya nodded again, her eyes quickly lifting to Yarna's before she replied. "Yes, they were."

The smile vanished, the shadow of something else slipped across her freckled green face. This was why she should have asked Jiliac for help. At least asked her to find the child a place where she was free of Bib Fortuna's power. Kiya quickly Reminded herself, Nola was safest if she continued unnoticed.

"Are you looking for your clothes?" Yarna asked, pushing away from the table.

"Yes, please."

XxX

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