:: Chapter Two ::

After sharing what little news he had, Lord Cytharat with Eliza's help took up residence in one of the guestrooms of their luxurious Rishi hideout—a former medcenter they'd fixed up and remodelled over the years. Big enough to offer a total of ten bedrooms, six bathrooms, a grand kitchen and a smaller kitchen, a dining hall, the parlour downstairs and a lavishly decorated living area. Most bedrooms had their own little balcony overlooking the island upon which the compound sat, far removed from Raider's Cove and only accessible by water or a small shuttle.

"If you don't mind my asking, how is it you all came to be here and why this planet?"

Eliza glanced up while making the bed with a fresh set of linens "It's remote. Far from the Eternal Empire and our Empire's purview—you won't find Skytroopers or Star Fortresses in this sector of space."

"Plus you know, I'd been here before and still had some old contacts. One of the locals who helped us back then knew of this abandoned complex so he lead us here after we arrived."

"You've been here all this time? Minister Beniko… Lana, has always remained very tight-lipped about you and everyone else." Lord Cytharat wiped a few shelves clean and began unpacking his personal belongings "All I knew was you were all in hiding and working with us."

"We've been here for little over three years now. Shortly after my daughter was born we packed up and left Dromund Kaas."

"May I ask why? I heard rumors you challenged Acina for the title of Empress but lost the duel."

Eliza laughed "Had the duel ever taken place, I wouldn't have lost, trust me. But a dear friend dissuaded me, convinced me I'd be better off fighting the Eternal Empire far removed from the limelight. I also had my daughter to think about then—I couldn't risk her growing up without either of her parents as I did."

"Understandable."

"You uh…" she eyed the heavy clothing and armor he unpacked "might want to shop for something with lighter materials. The temperatures here run quite high."

Lord Cytharat nodded and sat on the edge of the bed she'd just made "I packed what I owned fast as I could without knowing where I'd end up."

"I'll show you around town and the shops later on if you like…" Eliza paused and sat down as well, observing the Sith once more "You know, I don't actually know a thing about you. Except your name. Did you leave any family behind on Dromund Kaas, is there anyone who might be joining you here? How did you come to work with Lana?"

"Right. I suppose it's my turn to answer some questions."

"Seems only fair, you've been asking me plenty."

Though he tended to keep everything about himself and his life close to his chest, she had a point. He'd been asking her plenty and new questions continued to burn on his tongue so it was only right he answered hers in return.

"My parents and sister left for Athiss mere days before the Eternal Fleet lay siege to Kaas City—they're safe. My partner fled as well, left me behind with nothing but a simple note to comfort me. Upon hearing of Darth Marr's death… well I suppose self preservation outweighed the love I believed us to share."

"I'm sorry to hear it," Eliza gave a sympathetic smile "were you together long?"

"A few months. We met shortly after he ascended to the Dark Council." Lord Cytharat kept his eyes on Eliza—there were still those who frowned upon same-gender relationships and to his disappointment, her brows furrowed too. It wasn't until she spoke up that he realized she did so for an entirely different reason.

"Hrm, joined the Dark Council a few months prior to Darth Marr's passing… so that means you were seeing Darth Dionys?" she'd gone over the math in her head.

Lord Cytharat nodded, a part of him still weary for any signs of judgment but Eliza reached over and placed her hand over his "I'm sorry he wasn't the man you no doubt hoped he'd be. I'm also relieved to hear your family is safe but please know if Athiss is ever in any danger, they're more than welcome here."

"Thank you my L—Eliza."

"Of course. Now, may I ask how you came to work with Darth Marr?"

"Oh that is a long—"

Hurried footsteps both great and small came stampeding up the stairs causing Lord Cytharat to fall quiet. Several doors outside in the hallway were opened and shut again before the one leading into his guestroom flew open and two overly excited toddlers came rushing in.

"Mommy it's trueee!" Selene called out as she spotted Lord Cytharat "He's in here with Liza!"

Cyara ran over to her mother, jumping onto the bed creating a brand new mess with the sand she'd carried in under her shoes. She found the safety of her mother's arms and lap quickly and yet, inched forward as well to inspect the strange man.

"You looks like mes, are you in my family too? Dids you know my daddy?"

Lord Cytharat opened his mouth to answer but Me'ghan poked her head into the room next "Oh wow, it really is you. I haven't seen you since Makeb!" she beamed, picking Selene up in her arms.

"Makeb?" Eliza frowned "You two know each other?"

"We do, as I was about to tell you." Lord Cytharat got up and bowed to Me'ghan "My Lord."

"We're way past that, call me Meg. It's wonderful to see you again and by the looks of it you really did make a full recovery yes?"

"Full recovery?" another frown wrinkled Eliza's face.

Cyara looked back and forth between the adults, mimicking her mother's frown and then folded her arms in a huff "Hellooos I asked the questions firsts okay?"

Eliza hugged her daughter close and kissed her forehead "You did sweetheart and I promise we will answer all of your questions soon."

"But why not nows?"

"Because right now you and Selene should go and wash your hands so you can help Lilah in the kitchen. Didn't she promise to bake cookies with you both?" Me'ghan reminded Cyara and put Selene down.

"Oh yeaah! Les go Shelene, last one theres is a slimy Hutts!"

Lord Cytharat bit back a smile when the two little girls hurried out of the room so fast it would appear they'd already forgotten all about him. "Motherhood suits you." he told Me'ghan.

"Thank you." she nodded "You know I received a copy of your initial medical report from Katha Niar way back when but that was the last I ever heard of you. Where have you been?"

"As I told Eliza, it's a long story but one I'm more than happy to share."

"I'd like to hear about Makeb first," Eliza cut in "I had no idea you were there as well."

"No, but I knew you were. I saw you and… your team there. You were engaged in a fight with Darth Nox. I was too far away to interfere and busy running surveillance."

He sat down once more and began telling Eliza about the work he'd done under Darth Malgus. How the latter's betrayal had impacted his career and threatened his life until Darth Marr stepped up and offered him a chance to redeem himself. To make amends for his former Master's crimes and prove his loyalty to the Empire and Dark Council. Along with Me'ghan, Lord Cytharat also explained what his role on Makeb had been. How he'd gotten injured and if it hadn't been for Malavai Quinn's medical skills and quick thinking, he'd have died there.

"I spent a few weeks recovering from my injuries before I returned to Makeb to oversee extraction of the Isotope-5. After, I began traveling the galaxy on orders of Darth Marr. We'd hoped to find a way of synthesizing the isotope's properties to begin mass production of our own but the substance proved too unstable."

Lord Cytharat poured out a glass of water from the carafe on his bedside table and sipped "I returned to Dromund Kaas to inform Darth Marr of my findings but as it turned out, we'd missed each other by just a few hours. He'd taken his fleet to venture out into Wild Space."

"I felt his passing a week later, as most Sith did. I rushed to find Tarek… Darth Dionys, eager to offer my services in helping avenge Darth Marr's death but all I found was a note." he sighed gently and shook his head as he began to quote "Had to leave, they'll be coming for us next. We're all on our own now. Sorry. Be well, love you."

Eliza and Me'ghan exchanged a glance and Me'ghan rolled her eyes "Coward."

"Why didn't you come to us back then?" Eliza wondered.

"I tried. Lana informed me you were unwilling to receive any visitors or even speak to anyone so instead I confided in her. She promised to contact me once you had a plan of action, which she did."

"Oh… yes sorry I…"

"It's understandable. Losing one's Master can be difficult."

"Darth Marr wasn't just my Master. He—" Eliza had wanted to explain but she was rudely interrupted.

"Darth Seraphine?" Darth Ravage appeared in the doorway and cleared his throat "Do you have a moment?"

She silenced the small groan inside of her and nodded "Sure. Uh Meg, why don't you fill Lord Cytharat in on everything and then show him the command center downstairs?"

"Of course."

Eliza practically marched Darth Ravage out of the room and headed straight for his office "Right, what is it?" she demanded once they were alone.

"Lord Cytharat. I ran a background check on him and—"

"Of course you did."

"Eliza he has known associations with the traitor Darth Malgus." Ravage showed her the records he'd retrieved from Intelligence's database "Look!"

Instead of paying any attention to the documents, Eliza just glared clearly unimpressed with Ravage's discovery "I know. He told me. Anything else?"

"He nearly botched our operations on Makeb!"

"No, he nearly died for the cause."

"He was having secret dealings with Darth Dionys!" Ravage pulled up a holo-graph of the two Sith caught in very close quarters.

"No, those two were in a relationship."

That seemed to halt Ravage's rant for a split second while he stared at her in disbelief. Still, the snippet of news did little to discourage his true concerns about their new guest and he stubbornly carried on.

"He could be working for Acina! It wouldn't be the first time he's aligned himself with a false leader!"

"Oh give it up Ravage!" Eliza cried out as he continued to try and discredit Lord Cytharat at each turn "I know what you're doing and you're wasting your time. Lord Cytharat is one of us now and he is here to stay, end of discussion!"

Ravage scowled and seized her arm when she turned to walk away "I am trying to protect you! Protect Cyara, all of us and this entire operation!" his eyes burned into Eliza's "You're still too quick to trust, too callous!"

"No! I am trusting my instincts and my former Master! Darth Marr saw something in him and gave him a second chance which I will honor in his stead!"

"And where did Marr's infinite wisdom get him huh?" Ravage snarled and he was punished for it not a second later when Eliza's flat hand struck him swiftly across the face.

"How dare you!" she spat furiously "I know what this is! You and your stupid jealousy but get this Ravage—Lord Cytharat poses no threat because there is nothing to threaten! Especially not after this!"

Eliza tore her arm free of his grasp and shoved him for good measure before storming out of his office, all the while cursing herself. For years she'd kept him at a distance, spurned his advances. How could she have been so foolish as to finally let him in, get close, knowing the kind of man he is?

'No more!' she vowed to herself.

For the next few hours, as a way of escaping her own mind, Eliza busied herself clearing out the patio at last. Several weeks back a tropical storm had wrought havoc on the place scattering leafs, sand, dirt, twigs and the likes everywhere. Now the mess provided her ample distraction and once finished, Eliza decided the beauty of the day and ocean view were inviting enough to enjoy lunch outside.

"Yous never answerded my questions. Are you my family, did you knows my daddy? Are you a Prudeblood too Mr. Cyfarat?"

Cyara still felt immensely intrigued by their new visitor and had taken up a seat next to him, spending time carefully inspecting every inch of Lord Cytharat's face while completely neglecting her sandwich and applesauce.

Eliza smiled "Pureblood sweetheart and please, eat your lunch first before you start interrogating him?"

"Sorry mom" Cyara gave a sheepish grin and picked up her spoon as if she were about to start eating at last. She also continued to stare at the man next to her and couldn't help herself "but are you Mr?"

"I'm afraid I never got to meet your father in person and we are not related. I am a Pureblood however, much like yourself." he nodded when it became evident the toddler wasn't going to stop asking despite her mother's stern looks.

"And what's that mean? Why are we's called Purebloods?"

"Because your kinds thinks they better than humans, purer, but you're not reallies you know?" Selene butt into the conversation as she spooned around her yoghurt "You kinds is actually worser, Uncle Ravage saids so!"

Both Eliza and Me'ghan shot Ravage a glare while Malavai groaned internally. Cyara's spoon clattered against her plate when she dropped it before pouting at her mother "That's not trues is it mom?"

"No of course it's not." Eliza gave her daughter a reassuring smile though her eyes shot daggers at Ravage "No one is better or worse than the other. We're all the same and don't forget, you are part human yourself Cyara, you've got the best of both species and of both your father and I."

The little girl nodded, easily accepting the words of her mother and turned back to Lord Cytharat "Mommy saids you'll be staying heres with us."

"For as long as she will allow me to, yes."

"Forevers!" Cyara decided "But there are rules Mr. Cyfarat. Always brush your teeths before bed!"

"Ands you must clean up after yourself, don'ts leave no toys lying around! Specially not in the hallways because then my daddy could steps on it and it hurts his foot!" Selene added unwilling to let Cyara steal all of Lord Cytharat's attention.

"Also bedtime stories! Shelene and I's take turns picking the story we wants to hear and the big peoples rotate who reads them to us." Cyara tugged on his sleeve "I decides tonight is your turn Mr. Cyfarat but Shelene will picks the story okay?"

Selene wrapped her little arms around Lord Cytharat's lower arm and narrowed her eyes on Cyara "Yes tonights is my turn. Will you reads to us Lord Cyfarat?" she emphasized, showing off her knowledge of the proper use of titles and Me'ghan chuckled quietly.

Stubborn as she was, Cyara carried on and ignored Selene entirely "And if you ever has nightmares and they makes you scared you can go and sleep in my mommy's bed. I do that lots and so does uncle Markus. She's really nice and—"

Eliza began coughing furiously, half choking on the piece of toast she'd been biting into and she reached for a glass of water. She guzzled it down as if her life depended on it and kept her eyes averted from everyone else at the table. Me'ghan stared at her in stunned surprise while Malavai now focused quite intensely on his empty plate. Ravage smirked watching the fluster rise on Eliza's cheeks.

Startled and unsure of what to say next, Lord Cytharat looked around the table before finally turning back to the two innocent toddlers eager for his attention. He tried to think of something, anything to say to divert from the unfortunate revelation but something else suddenly caught everyone's attention.

A loud explosion rang through the air from miles away and soon everyone looked up at the sky. A severely damaged shuttle descending far too quickly came down, skidding across the water until it came to a crashing halt against a rock outcrop in the ocean. Plumes of smoke rose up from the vessel as the water surrounding it bubbled and churned.

"Malavai prepare the medbay!" Eliza called out having jumped up from her seat already and she now stood upon the railings of their patio.

Wasting no time at all, Eliza stripped down her outer robes and took a swan dive into the ocean. As fast as she could she swam towards the crashed shuttle while carefully dodging the debris floating all around the vessel. A fire erupted from the rooftop and next she heard a woman scream for help. Eliza swam faster until she noticed the brunette waving her arms around and calling for assistance.

"Help! Please!" the woman cried out, gripping Eliza's arm when she got close enough and she coughed up some water. Her voice was filled with panic. "My husband! He's trapped, I can't get him out! Please!"

"Where?"

"The pilot's seat, he's stuck and drowning!"

The woman's head kept bobbing under water and after taking a closer look, Eliza noticed the injuries on her arms and legs—she could barely keep herself afloat "What's your name?"

"Nyssa! Now please, help him!"

"I will, I promise but you…" she looked around for anything Nyssa could hold onto. To Eliza's relief, Lord Cytharat had doven in right after her and now caught up to the two.

"Get her back to the compound and have Malavai check her over, and tell him to prepare for a second victim!" Eliza told him and guided Nyssa to his arms before addressing the panicked woman "This is Lord Cytharat, he will help you, go with him and I will go help your husband. I promise you, trust us please."

Nyssa nodded, still spluttering and coughing profusely. Together, she and Lord Cytharat began swimming for the docks flanking the compound while Eliza took a deep breath and dove under.

The shuttle had broken off into several pieces and it took Eliza a few seconds to locate the front of the vessel. She took great caution to avoid the electric sparks emitted by torn wirings as she swam towards the pilot's seat where the husband Nyssa had spoken of sat slumped forward. The pilot's chair had broken free of its bolts and wedged underneath the navigation console, trapping the man who appeared unconscious.

'Please hold on, I will get you out of here, don't die on me please.' Eliza chanted to herself with vain hope her words would somehow reach the man and she began to focus her Force powers on the chair.

It took her a great deal of effort but at last the chair inched backwards before it dislodged entirely. The man's body began to drift upwards, freed from the trap and his head lolled sideways. Something small and glistening along his temple caught Eliza's eyes as she swam to pull him into her arms and then she caught a clear look at his face.

Less than a split second passed but to Eliza it felt like her entire world had suddenly come to a halt. Snippets of moments from times long ago flashed before her eyes—their first meeting on Tython, their time here on Rishi, Yavin. Their reunion on Ziost. Salty ocean water filled her mouth briefly as she gasped though all Eliza could taste now was the bittersweet memory of his lips upon her own.

'Theron…'