A/N: Hey all! It's been a while. I am so sorry! The last six months have been a rollercoaster of personal health issues and several deaths in my family. Thank you so much to all of you who have hung in there and for the encouraging words. This chapter is on the shorter side. I just wanted to give you something to read! The next chapter is well underway as well! So enough with me! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing recognizable as the property of Lucas Films or Disney.

Chapter 31

Strange Bedfellows

Kiya sucked in a deep breath and tucked an errant strand of dark hair behind her ear. She was very much aware of the man standing silently in front of her. Silent as the blackness of hyperspace, as her grandfather would say. And as frightening as the tales of the beings that some said inhabited that same place, her mind added.

Kiya pushed the thoughts of ghostly apparition, said to pull vessels into hyperspace to never escape from her thoughts. The listening devices Fett had so recently pulled from her skin and hair lay in a small container on the table.

The yellow ambient light overhead seemed to flicker as a constant stream of cool air passed through the vents in the ceiling. At the moment, the rush of air seemed to echo in her ears.

Her heart was thudding in her chest, and despite the loan of Fett's shirt, Kiya still felt exposed.

Fett's silent countenance hidden behind Mandalorian Steel did nothing to ease her anxiousness. Kiya also knew that the enigmatic man behind the mask preferred to unnerve others.

Kiya tried not to show her agitation.

"Yes?" Fett said moments later.

His voice was neither impatient nor forceful, just monotone.

Cool.

Flat, as usual.

Emotionless and accented. A shiver slid along Kiya's spine as an image of those intense dark eyes hidden from her view flashed through her mind. The darkness in his eyes would belie the emotionless nature of his voice.

She cleared her throat. "Fortuna said if I didn't, or if I failed to entice you, I could be…." Kiya pushed out, but her words trailed off. She made herself stare into his black visor as she took a deep breath and forced herself to continue. "Handed off to others."

Kiya couldn't bring herself to mention Jabba himself, nor did she mention Nola. She was uncomfortable telling Fett at all; this was a Sith lord's bargain she was looking to make. The Bounty Hunter remained silent, but again Kiya hadn't expected him to speak. Nor did she expect him to care about her plight. She needed to make herself of value to him.

Willing her nerves to settle, she continued. "I suggest a partnership of our own."

Silence filled the room, stretching out between them as she waited again, she forced herself to remain calm.

Shifting his stance ever so slightly, he queried, "What did you have in mind?"

"I believe you understand the value of all knowledge, no matter how trivial," she began as she'd rehearsed in her mind. "Therefore, I would offer to be your eyes and ears in the palace. Sentients often overlook the serf or slave. They think us stupid and inconsequential."

He remained silent for some time, his head tilting slightly as he regarded her. Yet again, Kiya willed her pounding heart to settle.

Fett studied the slave girl, his gaze catching on her scar. Yet again, her audacity surprised him. She was strong-willed and far more intelligent and cunning than Bib Fortuna realized.

She was also correct; all knowledge had value, and the enslaved sentient was frequently overlooked. She was a survivor and would do whatever it took to remain so. Still, most sentients wouldn't suggest a partnership with him no matter the situation.

Boba Fett knew she had no illusions about his character. And he was sure he had never been in a situation in his life where he was a lesser evil. But he knew that wasn't what this was about; this was about making Fortuna pay for the death of the wroonian girl.

An image of the look on his companion's face as her blue-skinned friend fell into the rancor's pit flashed through Boba Fett's mind. Her pale eyes had lifted to him, her hand tightening around her pilfered blade. She had intended to stab Bib Fortuna.

She would do whatever it took to survive, which could be of value to him.

"Eyes and ears?" Boba Fett questioned.

Her pale, painted eyes widened, then a thoughtful look filled them.

"There is a prisoner below. I've seen Fortuna leave the cell. I believe whoever they are, they have been here for some time."

Boba Fett already knew of the prisoner. The young male was the offspring of one of the noble houses of Ryloth. Boba Fett believed Fortuna intended to use the male to gain favor with the people of his homeworld at some point.

"I also have seen him disappear in the lower level as well," She offered next, staring into his visor.

Boba continued to scrutinize his companion. He also knew about the tunnels. Few did, and even they wouldn't try to traverse them. The surviving Monks had fled to the tunnels after Jabba took the palace. The Monks of the B'omarr Order were harmless enough in their piety. However, many found their spider-like brain walkers unnerving.

The sleemo Twi' frequented the tunnels. Boba Fett knew this. Still, what the girl offered him could be of use.

"Very well," he said, his voice rough in his ears.

Relief flashed through her pale eyes for half a second. Then she looked uncertain again. Boba Fett supposed he had seen stranger partnerships.

Xxx

Yarna scanned the crowded throne room for a glimpse of Kiya. The younger female could be below in the kitchens, but Yarna knew better. It had been three standard time units since the girl had left the room, followed by Boba Fett. Neither she nor the Mandalorian bounty hunter had returned. And Bib Fortuna seemed pleased with something.

Her gaze paused on Neelah, perched on Spiker's knee at a table across the room. One long arm draped around his shoulder, a smile on her face. Neelah and Yarna both noted that Kiya had left the room with Fett earlier. Neelah's usually smooth brow pinched with worry, much like Yarna's own. The other female's gaze lifted just then, meeting Yarna's. She wore much the same expression on her haughty countenance as before.

Neelah's gaze left Yarna's a moment later as Spiker pulled her closer. The dark-haired female placed a kiss on her companion's red cheek.

Yarna's stomach turned as she turned her attention back to Whiphid sitting beside her. They all played their part. Yarna did what she had to do to keep her pups taken care of.

Neelah just wanted to see the fall of Bib Fortuna. Well, they all did, really, but Neelah planned to use her newfound friendship with the chiss biker to do it.

Yarna's attention moved back to the doorway. Kiya, though, was in the hardest place. Fett was not one to suffer fools or to be manipulated. Boba Fett was cold and indifferent. They all knew he had shown a marked interest in Kiya, and logically that made things even more dangerous. What all of this could mean for her young friend left Yarna afraid. Truly afraid. And helpless.

Yarna stood abruptly, nodding to her companion. She made her way across the center of the room toward the doorway. She had sent Nola below to tidy up the dancer's quarters. Unfortunately, things were already growing rowdy, and Bib Fortuna was encouraging the revelry. As though there was something to celebrate even if it was only known to the scughole himself. She would check on Nola and ensure the girl was well out of the way and tucked into her hiding hole before much longer. The child always seemed to avoid danger or stay out of the way when Fortuna was in a particularly foul mood. It was as if she could sense him before he arrived, Yarna thanked The Maker for whatever twist of the force kept the child out of harm's way.

Yarna had just made it out of the throne room when she heard Neelah call. "Oui! Wait up!"

XxX

Thanks for reading! And I can't wait to know what you you all think if you're still around! Haha!

My chapter title is owing to William Shakespeare!