:: Chapter Sixteen ::

Everything around Eliza drowned out while she stood as a numb and dazed witness. Within seconds of Ravage's collapse, Theron had retrieved a vest from her wardrobe and wrapped it around her to help her cover up while he gingerly adjusted her skirt and she'd let him, barely moving an inch.

The commotion coming from her room had drawn the attention of others in the left wing of the complex and Lord Cytharat, with Praven's help, cuffed an unconscious Ravage before they carried him off to lockup at Theron's instructions. Curious eyes, from several nameless faces gathered outside the room, peered inside but Theron quickly shut the door after scolding them, telling them to get on with their work.

He turned back to Eliza and slowly, afraid of startling her or causing her further distress, sat her down in bed before getting her a glass of water. She still said nothing, devastated and in shock but with a trembling hand she accepted the glass and sipped.

Nearly an hour of silence went by while Theron sat in a separate chair at her bedside. Deep down he wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms, let her know she was okay now and safe but he feared causing her panic by invading her personal space.

"It's my own fault you know," she said at long last and put the now empty glass down, "I let him get close, too close and I knew better, I knew he had a dark side, a temper."

Theron looked at her with sorrow in his eyes and he shook his head. "No. This wasn't your fault, this is all on him."

"I was warned, wasn't I?" Eliza slipped from bed and dug through her wardrobe for a pair of pajama bottoms and a t-shirt.

"Meg warned me long before I even met him. Cytharat told me oftentimes to be careful but I thought I knew better. That I knew a side of him they didn't and thought I could handle him."

She disappeared into the refresher to get changed. A few bruises shaped like finger and thumbprints sat on one of her wrists and she let out a deep sigh—it was as though she could still feel his grip, an echo of his touch everywhere. She removed the torn shirt and trashed it instantly, not wanting to see it ever again and she did the same with everything else she'd worn save for the vest Theron had fetched for her.

When she returned, Theron was no longer in his seat and for a second her heart sank until she spotted him stood by the desk where he was preoccupied putting everything back into place. He glanced over his shoulder and met her meager smile.

"Thank you…" she said.

He nodded and pushed the toppled chair back under her desk. "Is there anything I can do or get for you? Do you need Quinn for uh… were you injured or anything?"

Fatigued, she climbed back into bed and wrapped the satin sheets around herself like a cocoon. "No. Just some bruising but he didn't… he, I stopped him before… you know," she answered the one thing he didn't know how to ask.

"Good…" He let out a small sigh and fiddled with his implants.

"Listen, this really isn't your fault. You tried to see the better man in him, gave him a chance and he failed you. That's on him, please don't blame yourself."

"He was getting to me," her confession came in a whisper heavy with shame, "getting to my heart. I wasn't in love with him but… I'm so stupid."

Theron sat back down by her side and took her hand. "What happened, if you don't mind my asking?"

"We argued, sort of… There was something we didn't quite agree on and it led me to tell him he and I will never be a couple, that I just don't love him and, I mean he knew all those things but it took a bad turn this time."

A frown came over her while she tried to recall everything. Some moments were so perfectly clear and she worried she'd never be able to banish the memories while others were muddled, leaving her uncertain about what actually happened.

"Did I kill him?"

"No. I used one of my tranq-darts on him and he's sleeping it off in lockup," Theron reminded her, "do you want to?"

"Kill him? Yes. No… maybe, I don't, I can't decide that right now."

In a way, it all felt so unreal to her like a bad dream holding her at its climax and she didn't fully exist in either world. She was exhausted, mentally and physically and surprised her abuse of power, of her family's gift, hadn't taken a greater toll.

"Theron? Will you sit here and stay while I…" she started but then sighed and shook her head, "no, sorry. I'm sure Nyssa's wondering where you are."

"I can stay, for as long as you need me to," he assured her though he decided against telling her why—this wasn't the time to discuss his own problems, "She won't mind, trust me."

She accepted his words easily, too tired to raise any questions. "Thank you… I think I'd like to take a nap but…"

There was clear hesitation, something she wanted but didn't know how to ask for while she looked around somewhat lost and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.

He smiled tenderly and squeezed her hand. "I'll be here, I promise you. Do you want me to…" he indicated at the spot next to her and Eliza nodded, relieved.

"Please."

Theron kicked his shoes off and climbed into bed on the other side, settling in next to her but on top of the covers and he pulled her into his arms.

"Just close your eyes and sleep, I've got you, you're safe," he whispered to her while he rocked her, his hand massaging her back.

It took some time but eventually, she drifted off, finding shelter in his embrace and peace in his presence. He looked at her, sound asleep while she occasionally muttered something incoherent and he felt his heart melt—he could easily spend the rest of his life like this, holding her, watching her sleep and being at her side though without the events that lead to this moment.

'I love you,' he confessed, only within the sanctuary of his own mind. It was too soon and he couldn't tell her yet, not while she dealt with this and not before telling her about his upcoming divorce. He also doubted, a part of him believing it would be insensitive and disrespectful to Nyssa to move on while they were still legally married and that was assuming Eliza even held any interest in him.

'A relationship is probably the last thing on her mind right now…' he considered, just as he felt her arms snake around him more firmly, her head nuzzled into his chest and further murmurs escaped her.

"I love you too," were the words she uttered out while still completely dazed and lost to the world.

His brows knitted together and he inspected her face, whispering quietly, "Eliza?" but no further response came.

Had she meant it and answered his thoughts? Or perhaps she was simply dreaming, that was the more likely case and of someone else, not him. It left him confused, however, and he cursed the hope blossoming in his heart.

'I'll ask her, another time…'

Theron closed his eyes, fighting off the perturbation her words had awoken within and while he focused on her gentle breathing, the calm beating of her heart, he sank into a world of dreams himself.

"I'll kill him," was Malavai's first reaction when he heard what had happened. One hand balled into a fist, whitening his knuckles and in an uncharacteristic display of anger, he punched the holo-terminal they stood around.

Everyone within their inner circle had gathered the next morning while Eliza, and mostly Theron, explained what had happened and why Ravage was now in lockup. It had been difficult for her to talk about, the words often getting caught in her throat and she hugged her uncle who held her and kissed the top of her head.

"I was aching to, trust me," Lord Cytharat related and felt Praven's comforting arm slip around his shoulder.

Eliza gave a wry smile. "And I almost did but for now, I don't want anyone going near him. Give him his rations, the bare minimum we can spare but otherwise leave him be until I'm ready to talk to him myself."

"Are you going to keep him here?" asked Me'ghan.

"I think that's best. I'd considered having Vowrawn pick him up next time he visits these parts, and have him deliver Ravage to Acina but… he knows too much and he has a vengeful spirit—we can't risk it."

"Can we at least castrate him or cut off both hands?" Nyssa suggested, though in a sympathizing manner and half a smirk curled Eliza's lips.

"Maybe." She slipped from Malavai's embrace and changed the subject, unwilling to dwell on the previous night for another second.

"Now, I received a transmission from Lana this morning, that former Knight she's been trying to get in touch with finally got back to her and is currently on Asylum hoping for a meeting.

"Lana herself is caught up in the Swamps, apparently the Gravestone needs a lot of repairs and she's asked me to go meet this…" Eliza paused and checked her notes, "Senya in person. I need volunteers to accompany me."

"I'll come," Praven said and raised his hand, almost at the same time Lord Cytharat did and the two smiled at one another.

"I will too," Nyssa added, deciding she'd like to aid the team one last time before she'd announce her departure.

Eliza put their names down and then looked at her uncle. "Will you and Meg stay here to keep an eye on the trash?"

Malavai nodded.

"Good. Let's try to be ready in two standard hours and Nyssa, bring what medical supplies we can spare for the refugees. Might as well check up on them while we're there."

She dismissed everyone, save for Nyssa who she stopped at the elevators.

"I just wanted to thank you for being so understanding and allowing Theron to keep me company last night. It wasn't my intention to monopolize his time so much," Eliza expressed her gratitude, hugging a confused Nyssa who in turn glanced over Eliza's shoulder at Theron.

The regretful and pained look on his face said enough and she quickly surmised he hadn't told the truth yet—a thing she understood given the circumstances and though it hurt her, she played along for now.

"Of course, you shouldn't have to deal with this alone," she said bravely, "will you be okay, do you need anything?"

"Maybe a pill that stops me from making foolish decisions?"

Nyssa chuckled and they stepped into the elevator, a very quiet Theron following behind. "If I ever find one, you'll be the first to know."

Their company was only somewhat awkward and Theron's gaze bounced rapidly between the two women, feeling a certain unease that didn't seem to affect either of them. He'd worried what Nyssa might say to Eliza, expecting some anger but the truth was, Nyssa didn't blame her. She felt the sting of jealousy, a level of resentment but she knew sensibly that her failed marriage wasn't Eliza's fault and couldn't bring herself to lash out the way others in her shoes might.

"I'm sorry about that," Theron told Nyssa once Eliza excused herself, "I'm not really sure when or how to… I mean, do you even want anyone to know or…? Well, I guess sooner or later…" he uttered clumsily without really knowing how to handle the situation.

Nyssa shrugged, leaning away from him and already preparing to walk off. "It's alright. I had actually thought you'd run to tell her but… well let's just get this Asylum stuff over with first and once I've made all the arrangements to leave we'll tell people I guess?

"Is that okay with you? I don't really want to make a big deal of things but I suppose once I leave they'll want to know why."

"Yeah, no, that's, I'm okay with that."

She nodded and drifted towards the direction of Jenna's room. "Cool, okay, well I'll see you later then."

"Right, yes, I'll…" he started but she'd already left leaving him to scratch the back of his head and sigh out—he'd rarely felt this out of his depth in knowing what to say and do.

They all regrouped two hours later and Eliza had brought an unexpected guest—Darius.

"It sounds dull, Eliza," he muttered and shuffle-stomped his feet up the boarding ramp, "refugees and some stupid Knight? Why do we even care about her?"

A chuckle escaped Praven when he overheard and the grin he gave Eliza spoke volumes—he'd more than had his share of Darius' protests and recalcitrant attitude.

"Well, first of all," she began to explain while climbing into the pilot's seat aboard the Vanora, "some of those refugees are surviving members of our Empire and they might know things we do not. The same goes for Senya, she may have intel we can use.

"Second," she added and got to the more difficult part of trying to exert her authority over him though she loathed it, "it's 'my Lord', or 'Master', or 'Darth Seraphine'. You're my apprentice now and you'd do well to remember your place."

"Yeah but… you're also like, my aunt, you dated my uncle," Darius carried on, trying and testing her.

An inaudible groan escaped her and she tried not to smile. "I don't care, the same rules apply. Darth Marr was my great uncle and I never called him by his first name."

"Pah. Fine, my Lord," Darius folded his arms and disappeared to the common area, bumping into Lord Cytharat along the way who sat down in the co-pilot's seat and smirked.

"Not bad, I heard he's a handful."

"Yeah, I believe it."

"I'm glad you're keeping with Sith traditions even though we're far away from the Empire we once knew."

"It matters to me still and one day we'll go back, when all this is over. He needs to be ready and I made Vowrawn a promise, he'd expect no less of me.

"Acting like the tough Master though and laying ground rules… pff. Kira never gave me much trouble but then again, I suppose the Jedi ways were different." She entered the coordinates for Asylum and they took off.

"Oh you can do it and Darius is quite fond of you, protective even. Caught him lingering near Ravage's cell earlier, in a span of ten minutes he'd threatened to kill him at least six times."

"I know, Vette told me, why do you think I decided to bring him with us? The last thing we need now is Darius losing his temper, trying something stupid and in the process accidentally letting Ravage escape, or he'll get himself killed."

A rush of tranquility settled over her troubled heart and mind when vast space stretched out before them, bringing a smile to her face and Eliza switched to autopilot while she sat back in her seat and put her feet up. Lord Cytharat observed her closely and though he didn't wish to bring up any further unpleasant topics, he had his own worries that needed appeasement.

"Theron, he uh, he said you were exhausted yesterday following the incident, slept for over twelve hours? I also noticed the heavy burns on Ravage's face and his hands… you used the gift but it didn't, you never lost consciousness?"

"No, I didn't. Came close to it and honestly, it should have taken more out of me, it usually does when I use it against living beings to that extent…"

He frowned. "Could Valkorion have anything to do with that? Have you heard from him?"

"Not since we got back from Zakuul and, I don't know if he could have but it is a reason for concern. It helped but, even his good intentions are dangerous, you know?"

"But why would he suppress the usual consequences of your gift?"

A shrug rolled along her shoulders and she blew out a sigh. "Who knows? Losing me to some weird Force realm inside my mind probably doesn't suit his agenda."

"Hrm." Lord Cytharat ran a hand along his jaw, stroking one of his tendrils while he lost himself in deep thought.

Rarely was anything done without good reason, even less so where it concerned the former Sith Emperor and it left him uneasy. "Has your research yielded an answer yet, on how to banish him from your mind?"

"No. I went over every single thing Scourge ever told me about him, every word we wrote down and every text we've ever uncovered but there's nothing so far."

He reached over and took her hand. "We'll find a way to rid you of his presence. Can he hear us right now?"

"I'm really not sure. I don't sense his presence but that doesn't mean he isn't lurking. I'm just trying not to think about it too much or be overly aware, I'd go mad.

"How are you and Praven doing?" she brought up next having caught their minor affectionate touches and smiles.

A toothy grin, bright enough to light up the room crossed his face. "Very well. We're not really making a spectacle of it or advertising our relationship openly, just quietly enjoying each other.

"He's… the most wonderful man. Intelligent, witty, calm, serious but with a good sense of humor at the appropriate moments, and often so unexpected it makes me love him even more."

She chuckled feeling the love and joy emanate from her cousin. "I'm so happy for you, both of you even. You deserve this so much."

"I probably shouldn't ask about your love life?"

Eliza shrugged again. "There's nothing to say, really. The only man who's shown me any interest in recent years… well, that didn't turn out so great and the one I love… stars, just falling asleep in his arms last night…" her voice drifted off as she remembered how wondrous it had felt.

"But, he's married. I keep telling myself that and I need to… just let it go, you know? Focus all my energy on defeating Arcann and the Eternal Fleet so we can go home and reclaim the Empire. So I can be with my daughter again."

Idly and soon lost in her own thoughts she twirled Lord Scourge's wedding band, the one they'd retrieved from Regina and that these days hung down her cleavage on a necklace, between her fingers. "She's the love of my life now…"