Hey all! Two weeks! I guess it's better than three. My life just keeps getting crazier and crazier. This chapter has been both fun and a nightmare to write. And I hope you all enjoy! On that note, we are getting closer to the end, which feels kinda bittersweet to me. I am going to try my hardest to get back on an updating schedule.

Lastly, I want to take a moment to say, the reviews and support I have gotten while writing this story have been wonderful! I didn't know what to expect but not what I've gotten!

A special thanks to my TLS friend for all her help and patience! You're the best!

Disclaimer: I own nothing recognizable!

Chapter 30

Pawns

Later That Night

Peli Motto was the best mechanic in Mos Eisley. That wasn't just because of her skill, which wasn't lacking; it was because she always managed to procure the difficult-to-find parts. She also owned hangers three through five. Boba Fett sometimes had her find parts for him. The pawnshop on Nal Hutta was also an excellent place to procure what he needed sometimes, but whereas his place of residence was Tatooine at present, Peli was easiest. He preferred Slave 1 to all other ships he had flown; his father had been wise to take it. However, sometimes parts were a problematic find and had to be modified. Boba Fett needed two hydraulic shock tubes for his landing gear.

As good as Peli Motto was, Boba didn't let anyone else work on his ship unless he had no other choice, however. And that didn't happen often; this time was no exception. He would prefer to set his ship down on a remote planet or put it in a little-used dry dock. Peli had offered to have her droids do the repairs while he took care of some business outside of her hanger.

Boba had turned her down.

Boba nodded to the short human female with short crazy brown curls. He handed her a small stack of credits. Unconcerned with offending him, she promptly counted them then tucked them into the waistband of her coveralls.

Precious cargo stowed, she shoved her thumbs into her waistband next and rolled back onto her heels. "Those are going to need mods." She nodded at the parts lying on the ground by Slave 1's ramp.

Boba looked over his shoulder then nodded as his gaze returned to her. He knew that would be the case. Some were universal, but most parts needed modifications, or he had to get them custom-made. He preferred to modify them when he could. Jango had destroyed all the other Firesprays that were made when he stole this one. Many in the galaxy would give a lot to get their hands on his ship or a design schematic. Kuat Drive Yards had reputedly lost all engineering documents when his father destroyed the part of the facility where the ship was built. Peli Motto knew more about his ship than most since he'd taken it back from Hondo.

Boba Fett still wasn't sure when he would have time to trade the parts out. Luckily they could still wait a bit. After that, he would have to be planetside and have the time to work on it. That might be a while, but he could work on the mods on his way back to Jabba's palace, even if it wouldn't take him more than a short time via Slave 1.

"You know, Fett, the Imps are cracking down on free commerce. So parts are getting harder to salvage." The mechanic said.

What that translated to was the empire had put more guards on their ship graveyards, and it was getting harder to steal the parts.

"It may be wise to keep some things on hand."

He agreed. He always tried to be prepared, he even kept certain spare parts on hand, but if she was suggesting it, it most likely meant she had some things he'd be interested in.

"I've got a few things you might be interested in if you want to take a look?" she offered. Exactly on point.

She turned and started back toward her office and the storage room beyond, without waiting to see if he would follow. "I came across some inverters you could use to upgrade the backpressure conduits on your forward fuel couplers a while back. I got a couple of pyrotechnic igniters and antivortex siphon ports I believe you could use also."

Leaving the hydraulic shock tubes by his loading ramp, he followed the mechanic inside. Unfortunately, he would need to change the siphon sooner rather than later, and even remotely compatible ones were difficult to find.

A half of a time unit later, Boba handed Peli Motto another stack of credits as two of her droids carried a box from her storeroom. "Like always, it's a pleasure doin' business with ya, Fett," she said, tucking another small bundle into her belt. She looked up at him, lifting her hairless brows.

"Hey you, rust buckets, " she said to her droids. "Help Boba Fett load these crates." With that, she headed for her office.

XxX

Boba wasn't surprised when he stepped out of the storeroom to find Dengar leaning against a torch stand, arms folded over his chest, rifle slung over his back, and that irritating grin on his face. But again, it took a lot to surprise him. And even where the turban-wearing cyborg was concerned.

Boba walked right past him, ignoring his presence.

"How ya doin', Dengar. Good to see you too, Fett," Dengar called after him sarcastically.

The cyborg turned around and followed Boba toward Slave 1.

"I am wondering when we became friends?"

Dengar gave a snort of laughter. "If I didn't know any better, I would think you were testy today?"

Boba knew Dengar well enough to know the cyborg would follow him right onto his ship.

"Imagine my luck. I need a ride back to Jabba's palace, and here you are."

Apparently, he now ran a shuttle service.

"Make yourself useful, " Boba said, nodding to the other crate; Motto's droids hadn't gotten to yet. He gave it a quick scan, then turned and continued toward his ship. He didn't worry about explosives or trackers in merchandise he bought from her. She wasn't likely to cross him, and Boba didn't think it was because she was particularly afraid of him.

Dengar slung his blaster rifle over his shoulder and grabbed the crate, following Boba Fett across the yard and up the ramp.

Boba secured the top of the closed crate and put it in the aft storage locker just inside the ramp. He took the one Dengar offered him moments later and did the same.

"What is all this?" the cyborg questioned.

Boba simply shut the door, secured it, hit a button on his gauntlet, and headed for the cockpit. His steps rang out on the durasteel floor as the door closed.

Dengar followed him, taking the seat in the gunner's chair.

"How was your trip?" Dengar asked. "Like running errands, do ya?"

No, he didn't, but they served their purpose.

XxX

"Fett's back," Neelah said, nodding to a point behind Kiya.

She looked. Nerves danced in her stomach before she even saw him; the sensation intensified when she did. She had just returned to serving the throne room after helping Toroga with feeding the prisoner, she hadn't even known he was here.

"He's been here less than a half of a time unit, and Rystáll's already pounced, " Neelah said close to Kiya's ear before sat down on the bench seat beside Spiker.

The dancer had cut her own deal with the swoop biker, but Kiya's attention was riveted across the room. The Theelin was indeed there. So was Lyn Me and the Rodian singer. Hands-on her hips, the flame-haired singer gave Boba Fett an almost coy look and batted her eyes.

Tray of drinks in hand, Kiya continued to watch, biting her bottom lip. Rystall smiled at something Lyn Me said, making herself even more beautiful. She turned that smile on Boba Fett, and Kiya's stomach flopped. She had no idea what expression he wore behind that Beskar, but she couldn't imagine that even he would be unaffected. No one would be.

"Oi," Spiker said, drawing Kiya's attention back to him. She paled, spinning back around. She offered him a drink. Kiya didn't miss the knowing look Neelah gave her.

Kiya ignored the dancer, continued passing the drinks on her and tried her hardest to ignore Fett's presence.

Just as she finished, she looked up to find Bib Fortuna standing in her path, his pink gaze on her. He was obviously waiting for her near the bottom of the steps. Kiya stopped moving when she reached him.

His gaze slid slowly down her form. It was all Kiya could do to hide her revulsion. She clutched the empty tray tighter to her chest.

"Go to the dancer's pit; Madam Carniss is waiting for you."

XxX

Boba watched her move past Bib Fortuna and up the stairs. For one brief moment, he almost stepped off of Jabba's platform and followed her. Why he was not sure. There was no reason or need. He could see for himself she was as he left her.

That left only one option.

He hadn't missed the way she looked at him and Rystáll earlier. If she had known he was watching her, she never would have allowed him to see that expression. Especially if she knew he studied her. He didn't understand the compulsions he had with her. He didn't know why, but he needed to put her at ease and engage her.

His attention shifted back to Bib as he made his way across the room, a self-satisfied expression on his pasty face. The Twi, however, Boba Fett, had no confusion there. Soon. Very soon, if Boba Fett had his way, he would get a chance to take care of the slimy piece of bantha droppings. Maybe he'd even get to drop him in the rancor pit.

Oddly, it would be equally as satisfying to wait until Bib Fortuna implicated himself sufficiently and he couldn't explain it all away to the Jabba, let alone The Hutt Council. Boba had nearly sent this info to Jiliac, but he wasn't convinced she wouldn't go after Fortuna right now. The evidence was damning, but her nephew had to be convinced as well. Right now, instinct told Fett, Fortuna could still talk his way out of it.

XxX

Two standard time units later, Kiya finally stood up albeit hesitantly. She knew without looking Melina Carniss was enjoying her discomfort. The female had been none too subtle about that, and her annoyance at Kiya since Kiya walked in. Usually, it would be one of the others that helped Kiya, but tonight was different. Strangely enough, Kiya hadn't seen more than one of the dancers since Bib sent her down here. Why Kiya was unsure, but with the attire Melina Carniss gave her, she was anxious. That was something else Kiya was certain the choreographer knew and enjoyed.

Kiya's attention dropped immediately from her painted complexion to the thin, nearly transparent garment that clung to her. It fit like a second skin. If she felt like someone else the first time she had been to this room to change, today it was more so. First, she had been given a razor and told to shave her legs and underarms. Then, after she had showered and groomed as directed, bottles of oils for her to rub on her skin were waiting for her on the bench in the fresher, along with a robe.

The dress that Melina Carniss had shoved into her hands next was unlike anything Kiya had ever worn. Made from thin layers of a delicate gauzy black material, it left little to the imagination. It gave the viewer the illusion of being see-through but hid her breast, butt, and apex of her thighs under slightly thicker layers and a pair of lacy underwear. It was a dress meant to draw the eye, as was the cutout in the material between her breasts that gave anyone looking plenty to look at. It left the valley between her breasts bare.

Her gaze jumped to the mirror again to make sure they weren't completely visible, even if her midriff was thanks to the material and diagonal cutout that slashed at a right angle across her stomach. Another one-inch cutout dipped over her right hip. Two more of the same width and length were cut into the fabric under it, followed by a slit in the skirt that left her leg almost competently bare. The back was almost entirely open. It could be worse, Kiya supposed. She could be dressed in little but strappy bands like Lyn Me. Or any number of other things worn by Jabba's dancers and slave girls.

Her makeup wasn't much different than when Yarna did it the last night Jiliac was in attendance. Just darkened lashes, pencil around the eyes, and rouge on her lips. Kiya reached up, touching her hair. Melina Carniss had pulled it partially up and intricately woven it together. Its ends were left to fall in waves over her left shoulder. She had yanked on Kiya's hair far more than she needed to.

The sleemo Twi stepped through the door, pulling Kiya's attention from the mirror. His beady eyes slid appraisingly down her frame, eyeing every detail. Kiya made a fist of her hands, trying to hide her disgust. Her stomach turned more. She wished she knew what was going on.

"Who knew," the Twi observed, his gaze moving to Melina Carniss. "She would make a most enticing ornament for our illustrious Jabba."

"Surprisingly," the other female conceded with some doubt.

Bib continued to survey her pensively. "You may leave us," he said to their companion without looking at her.

There was a pause, then Melina gave a derisive snort and walked past them and out the door.

"Come here, girl," Bib said.

Turning in his direction, Kiya moved away from the dressing table. Even though he perused her frame, he paid her little mind. Instead, he circled her, stopping in front of her.

"You and Fett have developed a relationship of some sort," he stated. There was no reason for her to reply. "Go to him." he continued to look her over.

"Entice him. You will share his bed tonight."

His attention returned to her face.

Kiya's Insides coiled tightly, her stomach turned. Part of her was relieved it was Fett he was gifting her to, and the other part was angry she felt relief. Fett was a peculiar sentient, and Kiya had to question if he was interested in companionship on any level. He certainly had no feeling or emotion besides the glimpse of anger she had seen with the lightsaber.

"What if he isn't interested?" Kiya lifted her chin.

Bib Fortuna's pink eyes turned caressing in their perusal this time. His finger stroked the pale lekku draped over his collarbone almost intimately, Kiya nearly recoiled from the sight. "He will be," he stated with certainty. "As will other sentients present. But if he isn't and you can't help him along, there are others. Jabba, for one, might find you pleasing as I've said," he finished, meeting her eyes. "He doesn't always feed the best pieces to his pet. Sometimes he enjoys them himself."

Her blood turned cold, and a bolt of white-hot fear shot down her spine.

Kiya couldn't completely hide her reaction. Although she knew that's what Fortuna wanted, she quickly tempered it or tried.

A pleased look slid across his features. "Keep Boba Fett happy, and I will make your life easy. But, if not, " he trailed off. "Your young Nautolan friend, for instance."

Kiya let out a surprised breath, her hands clenched into fists as her attention dropped from his face. He reached up, lifting Kiya's chin with his long fingernail. He brushed one claw against her bottom lip. Kiya tried to pull away, and he grabbed her chin, his nails digging in. A smirk tilted up his lips and revealed his pointy teeth. "Find Fett. We can help each other, my dear."

With that, he dropped her jaw and turned away from her, heading back out the door.

XxX

Kiya stayed just out of sight of the doorway to the throne room hidden in the shadows. Her hands were sweaty, and her heart raced and not just because of what she was told to do. From her vantage point, she could see Bib Fortuna moving about the room. A pleased look on his face.

She could also see Fett standing on the dais beside Jabba. Ever stoic. Ever vigilant. She knew firsthand that the stoicism was real now and not just a byproduct of a featureless helmet. Her heart pounded faster. She had been lucky on the trip up the stairs and not ran into anyone who did more than glance at her. Here in a moment, she would cross this floor in sight of everyone.

She reminded herself, showing discomfort or fear is what Bib Fortuna and his ilk wanted. They liked to strip you of all power. She had witnessed him do it to Sarita. He was trying to do so with Neelah though she wouldn't be so easily intimidated, and now it was her turn.

She let out a deep breath and straightened her spine. She stepped into the doorway; her attention moved to where Boba Fett stood on the other side of Jabba. Despite her bravado and outward appearance, her stomach coiled tightly. Holding her breath, Kiya made her way down the steps. He slowly turned his head in her direction and stopped as she moved closer. A flush stained her skin, and suddenly her bravado was gone. Kiya looked away from that dark visor. She had never been in a situation like this one before.

She lifted her chin, looking into his visor again as she started up the steps by Jabba's platform. Although other times, she might not be so sure she had his attention, tonight, she was positive of it.

She paused, looking up at him a moment before she continued on her way. The kitchen area behind Jabba was deserted, thankfully. Kiya moved directly across the space, pulling a try from under the counter, and began filling cups and waited.

XxX

Kiya sensed when he stepped behind her. Continuing to arrange the platter, she spoke quietly. "I did not know that you had returned." That was a lie.

The silence was her only answer for long enough; the nerve endings along her spine grew agitated and focused on him. Goosebumps lifted on her exposed skin. But, she reminded herself, she had wanted him to follow her.

"I have," he said in that rough voice of his a moment later.

He knew she had already seen him. Turning her head enough to see him, Kiya ignored the knot forming in her stomach and remembered Bib's words and that he was somewhere watching. Kiya finished with the tray and turned around, peering into that dark visor, her face flaming red. She held her breath, yet again, ignoring the impulse to cover herself with her arms.

He started to speak. Kiya remembered herself, cutting him off with one slight shake of her head. Eyes glued to the small beskar piece between his chest plates, the bottom fell out of her stomach, and the color left her face. Like someone else was in control, Kiya reached up quickly, settling her fingertips against that same piece of beskar. The nearly weightless metal was cool under her fingers despite the warmth of the room. It seemed to hold Kiya at the moment, even more, she couldn't believe she just touched him. She was too unsure if Fortuna had placed a listening device on her, and she couldn't risk him saying anything he shouldn't, however.

Fingers still against his armored chest, she swallowed.

"Come with me," she whispered, looking into his visor again. Her cheeks flamed red with the sudden intensity she felt emanating from him. She reminded herself she was supposed to play the part of a lover. "Boba," she finished softly. Hand sliding across his chest as she had seen Rystáll do as she stepped past him. She didn't pause to see if he followed her.

Kiya continued directly to his room, finally stopping at the door. She looked at him. "Bib," she mouthed. Boba's visor stayed pointed in her direction for a moment longer, then he nodded and turned his attention to the keypad by his door. The lights came on as Kiya preceded him into his room for the first time. She looked about, panic seizing her for the first time since this started. She was not afraid of Boba Fett. In fact, he was one of the only males present in Jabba's palace she wouldn't be leery of at this moment.

Kiya focused on his armor-covered countenance as he stepped past her, laying his rifle on the table as he had both other times she had been here with him. When he turned his attention back in her direction, Kiya still folded her arms over her chest.

Boba Fett shook his head and tapped the side of his helmet. Kiya dropped her arms, letting out a deep breath. Reason told her he was scanning her for any listening devices, but it was still uncomfortable to stand there while he did so.

Boba Fett slowly moved behind her, his attention skimming over every inch of her small frame and stilled. He might have seen her in less clothing. The tiny cropped top and the sarong, for instance, but this one revealed far more. It was made from little more than layers of gauze. It was something one of Jabba's girls would wear to draw the eye; a dress meant to give you a tantalizing glimpse of what lay underneath and little more than a negligee. The open back would attract those with no self-discipline's gaze and likely their touch to her warm skin. Boba contained his scan, starting with her hair then dropping along her spine to her hips. Two small devices were planted on her. One in her hair close to her head at the top of her neck. The other attached to the smooth skin of her back just above the swell of her hips.

He stepped back around her, holding up two fingers so she would understand. He pulled a small container from one of the pockets of his utility belt, opened it, and handed it to her. He reached out, his fingers hovering by her hair, and nodded. She turned her back to him this time.

He pulled one glove off, then moving closer, he slid his fingers into her soft thick hair. Kiya tilted her head to the side. With the aid of his visor, he located the device again quickly enough; now, he just had to remove it.

The back of his finger grazed her neck. She sucked in a breath, holding it. He stopped moving as well, fingers on the device. She was tense. The smell of the scented oils rubbed on her skin found their way under his helmet. He breathed a little deeper. His gaze slid slowly down the arched curve of her neck, then lower, drifting along the bare line of her spine again. The other one was there attached to her skin in the small of her back, not visible to the naked eye. But it wasn't that had his attention. Something stirred in his gut, something he hadn't felt in a long time. She was beautiful and not at all immune to this proximity or his touch. His chest tightened, his heart thumped a little harder.

Fortuna had gone to lengths to make her even more attractive tonight, however. And it had nothing to do with the dress. The dark pencil around her eyes and her darkened lashes emphasizing how startling her eyes already were. Her hair was expertly arranged also. It was styled to accentuate her features, leaving the slender column of neck bare as they had before. It should be down. For a moment, the idea of weaving his fingers deeper into the heavy mass and urging her to look at him teased his fingers.

Fett cleared his throat softly, pulling the device from her hair. He dismissed the idea and the sensations stirring inside him and stepped away. Fortuna had obviously meant to achieve something, dressing her up and presenting her to him like this.

She turned, glancing up at him. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly parted, eyes troubled. She folded her arms over her narrow chest.

Boba held up the nearly microscopic listening device; they'd planted on her. he nodded toward the jar she held.

She looked at it and then up at his helmeted face again, holding the jar out.

Boba Fett dropped the device inside then motioned for her to turn around as he pulled tweezers from his belt. He changed the view screen on his helmet so he could see the device again and squatted down behind her. He was aware she turned and looked over her shoulder at him, watching him as best she could. She didn't move a muscle as he removed the device.

As he stood, she turned to face him, offering him the jar again. Boba dropped it inside, snapped the cover back on, and placed it on the table.

When he looked up again, she had her arms wrapped around her chest. She looked anywhere but at him.

"Fortuna."

She nodded. "He wan…" her words trailed off, and she flushed.

He could imagine what the Twi had said, just as he knew why Fortuna had dressed her this way. Boba's jaw tightened. He moved past her and pulled the panel from the wall by the table. He reached inside and pulled out another box he had just put in there today, opened it, and handed her a clean t-shirt like he'd wear under his flight shirt.

Large pale eyes met his.

"Put it on," he said gruffly.

"Thank you," she said softly, she turned her back, pulling the worn material over her head as he placed the box back in its hiding place and reattached the panel. "What will he hear?" She asked far more comfortably than moments ago.

"Breathing." His t-shirt was so loose it nearly slipped from one of her shoulders and hung to her knees, hiding her dress from his view.

She continued to stare at the jar. "He wanted me to…." her words trailed off as if she was trying to find the right ones to continue. "He said to keep you happy," she finished, looking up at him.

Fett wasn't surprised. Not at all. Fortuna had done similar things many times. Never before had his jaw tightened when he learned about it, however. "What else did he say?"

Brow pinching, she looked away, "he said if I kept you happy, he'd make my life easy."

"And?"

Kiya remained silent for a moment, then shook her head. She hated Bib Fortuna more than she had ever hated anyone, even her uncle and her cousin.

XxX

Thanks so much for reading! You all are why I keep writing this!