Chapter 6

Coruscant (62 ABY)

Valin dropped Hope off at her dormitory that was within the Temple following his sparring match with Anakah and Hope's lightsaber lesson. Meri was to pick her up later for dinner. He headed toward his office on the tenth floor of the Temple.

As he was about to exit the turbolift he heard the loud voices of his father and Kyp Durron into it again. Kyp had been acting as head of the Jedi ever since Luke Skywalker went back to Ossus five months ago. To make it even more interesting Grand Master Skywalker announced his retirement and his plans at possibly promoting Kyp to Grand Master. Of course, Corran Horn was livid about this. Corran was the oldest member of the Council but he just couldn't accept that Kyp had been a Master a lot longer than he or that he had been on the Council the longest. To Valin, Kyp was the perfect choice and he supported him; however, Valin would never admit this to his father. No amount of reasoning would ever change Corran Horn's mind about Kyp or visa versa. Corran and Kyp just never seemed to get along. They could argue about the weather if they were both in a mood.

As the tinny voice of the lift computer said, "Please exit the turobolift or choose another floor," Valin heavily sighed and decided he had enough excitement for one day. He had a ton of work to do in his office but there was no way he was entering that conversation and he really didn't care what it was about. He hit the button that would take him the speeder garage. He decided he would go home.

Home—

He felt the pain again as he thought about his real home. The home he would never have again.

Fifteen minutes later he arrived at the small mid-level apartment he had been living in since he moved to Coruscant. He keyed the lock and the door slid open. Valin stood there for a long moment staring into the sparsely furnished living room of his lonely quarters. He had moved here a year ago after the memories of his life with the only woman he ever loved became too much. Everything in that house on Ossus seemed to remind him of her. From the pale green the walls were panted, which was her favorite color, to the small flower garden next to the front door stoop. It had taken him nearly two weeks after her death before he had the courage to even step into her kitchen. And he never was able to sleep in their bed again. The bed they had shared together since moving to Ossus from Zonama Sekot, the bed they had conceived Cassie in two weeks after that move.

A week after the memorial service to honor Jedi Master Tahiri Veila Horn, Jedi Council Member, loving wife and mother, Valin moved to Coruscant. The move shocked his children and they were upset when he either sold or gave away nearly everything him and Tahiri had accumulated over their twenty-five years of marriage. He just couldn't deal with the memories. He wanted his wife; he needed his wife, not meaningless possessions. His kids got the things Tahiri would have wanted them to have—Terrik her lightsaber, Cassie her engagement ring.

The sudden move surprised everyone else close to the Jedi Master but he simply told them that he and Tahiri had been discussing moving there ever since they were both named to the Council anyway. But that was the furthest thing from the truth. Tahiri abhorred the city-planet and would never have willing moved there. However, that seemed to satisfy the most curious and no one pushed the subject. Everyone could easily see the change in the once cheerful, happy-go-lucky Valin and everyone knew why the change was there.

As the door began to close, Valin took a deep breath and stepped over the threshold. He didn't even look around as the lights come up as his movement was picked up by the sensors. He headed directly to the small bedroom. He was to meet for dinner at Terrik and Meri's in a few hours. They were heading to Ossus in the morning where they would drop Hope off to visit with her mother, Jysella for a few weeks and then the two of them would head to Hapes for the Naming Ceremony for the new princess. He really didn't want to go to dinner, but he really didn't want to be alone either. He was tired of being alone.

He shrugged off his outer robe of traditional Corellian green and removed his plain tunic. He then sat on the edge of the bed to remove his boots when his eyes fell upon the holo on the bedside table. He stopped and straightened as he found himself staring into the laughing green eyes of his wife. He didn't blame himself for her death any longer but he still couldn't believe that he couldn't have prevented it somehow. But that suddenly wasn't the only thing that came to mind as he looked at her image.

He sniffed and reached over to pick it up. He had never been even remotely attracted to another woman before today. His encounter with Anakah Durron still had him reeling. He honestly had no idea of what to make of it. He had known Anakah her entire life, and, yes, if asked he would have told anyone that the eldest daughter of Kyp and Jaina Durron was a beauty. But today he wasn't seeing her just as the beautiful daughter of his friends, as the childhood friend of his own children. No, today he saw her as a woman and he had felt something, something he knew was dangerous. He wouldn't have called it out-right desire, but it was close.

However, that thought only made him feel worse. As he looked at the holo of Tahiri he let the tears finally fall.

"Oh, Tahiri, I'm sorry. I never meant to betray you. But—"

But I need someone. I don't want to be alone, he finished silently as if he was afraid to admit it even to himself that he was lonely. As he let out a sob, he whispered and touched the image of her face, "I need you. I miss you."

After a long moment he gently put the holo back. It was the only one he had displayed in the apartment. It was the only physical reminder that he allowed himself. Then he opened the drawer of the table and pulled out the nearly empty bottle of whisky he kept there. With a trembling hand he opened it, not bothering with a glass; he simply raised the bottle to his lips and took a long drawl. Hoping as he always did that it would not only dull the ache of his grief but also the growing attraction to a woman half his age and her promising electric blue eyes.

He suddenly wondered what he would do if she approached him with more than subtle flirtations and a promise.

He lifted the bottle again and closed his eyes. After draining it he signed and looked at the image of his wife and whispered, "I loved you. Why did you leave me?"

X

Anakah moved gracefully but quickly though her apartment. "Coming," she called and within a second opened the door with a seductive smile.

She watched as her visitor looked her over with a gleam in his emerald green eyes and she instantly felt his desire spike. She was wearing an extremely short, tight jet black dress that wasn't much of a dress at all. It had a halter top which exposed most of her back and was very low cut revealing a lot of cleavage. As his eyes continued down she slightly shifted to allow him a better view of her leg and the strappy high heeled black shoes she donned on her feet.

"Ahh, Angel, your truly are a vision," Marko Quee finally got out. He stepped over the threshold and he instantly took her into his arms. He kissed her with a burning passion that was born out of pure lust.

As she responded to him, allowing him to deepen the kiss and sighing her surrender to him, she suddenly wondered if love would make the wanting sweeter, the reward more lasting, fulfilling. They had been doing this since they were teens. He had been her first at age fourteen and she his. But even then she knew Marko didn't love her, nor did she love him. There was a time when she thought it was possible to love him. He was handsome, tall, broad-shouldered with longish golden blond hair and bright green eyes, but his looks did very little to cover his personality. Marko was the loner of the group and often did things his way. Spending a lot of his time split between his mother, the Magistrer of Zonama Sekot, Danni Quee and his father, Jedi Master Zekk Quee, had made him close to both his parents. However, it was not difficult for him to figure out that his parents did not love each other. They would go years without seeing each other. Zekk still loved her mother and Danni was rumored to be in love with someone else as well, just as forbidden and probably more so if Marko was correct in his assumption. Their marriage was a farce and Marko had grown up torn between his parents and their unhealthy relationship. It had made him skeptical and cynical when it came to love. He had no desire to ever settle down and raise a family. He had told Anakah once that love was for fools and that he and she were not fools. They had the perfect relationship—no ties, no broken promises, no expectations. He didn't expect her to be faithful to him and he definitely wasn't faithful to her.

As the need for air broke the kiss, she pulled away from him to look him over. He was wearing black loose fitting pants and a simple white Hapan styled shirt that she wryly wondered if he took from Bail. Marko wasn't known for his great fashion sense and he was staying at Bail and Zeth's apartment since either of them was on planet. At least, he was when he wasn't with her.

As if sensing her thoughts, Marko grinned and said, "And, no, this isn't Bail's shirt."

She raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly, "Did I say it was?"

"No," his grin turned into a chuckle, "but you were thinking it." He turned from her to head to the red couch where he sat down. She followed by sitting beside him.

Finally, she asked flippantly, "Oh, and you know this how?"

He pulled her close and gazed into her eyes, his green becoming darker with his growing desire, his voice pitched low as he said, "Because, Angel, I know you better than anyone else out there, probably including your own twin."

Which was true. She had long ago cut her bond with Zeth. Marko did know her best, but he didn't know her most secret desires. She sometimes wasn't sure if she even were aware of them herself.

She smiled as seductively as she could and in a voice that would have seduced a celibate monk whispered, "Then you know exactly what I want to do right now."

It was all the invitation he needed and within minutes the sexy, nearly nonexistent dress was gone.

X

Anakah awoke several hours later in her bed with Marko sleeping deeply next to her. She turned over onto her belly and turned her head to watch him sleep by the light that came though the bedroom window. They never held each other when they were through. That would have brought a meaning to what they had that wasn't there. But she often wished that he would hold her after they found their mutual pleasure.

She fought the impulse to push the lock of blond hair off his forehead and turned her head to face the window again. She felt the sting of tears and she hated it. She hated the weakness that brought them. Why was it to much to ask to have what her mother had? She knew she had hurt her father the other day when she accused her mother of having an affair with Zekk Quee. She still didn't know why she did that. She was surprised to find out that he knew all about it and that only made her feel more alone. Why couldn't she find a man who could love her like that?

She thought of her sister Meri. They had been close at one time. But now they were too different. Meri was too pragmatic, too much like their mother. She was a pilot, a good one. Not as good as Zeth but a good one. And she was in love. Anakah thought about Terrik Horn and sighed. She had tried to seduce him just because she wanted to prove to herself that she could do it and to hurt her sister. She wanted to prove that he couldn't love Meri as much as he claimed and that any man could be swayed.

However, Terrik Horn only proved to Anakah that love does run deep and if it really is there nothing will sway it. Nothing.

She wanted a man like Terrrik Horn.

With that thought she remembered their encounter—

They both were leaving the offices of their respective fathers on the Council Member's floor of the Temple when they bumped into each other at the turbolift. Meri was on a mission to Mon Calamari and Anakah had just returned from a mission protecting a high profile Commenor Senator, while Terrik had just returned from Ossis. They exchanged pleasantries and everything was on the up and up. By the time they reached the speeder garage they were thoroughly enjoying each others company. Terrik had a great sense of humor.

"Hey, I'm not planning on doing anything tonight," Terrik said as he dropped her off at her speeder. "I know this really fun Corellian club that serves a hell of a mean nerf steak."

She smiled and looked at him, "So, my sister isn't around and you can't cook is that it? And you don't want seen in public alone?"

His green eyes tinkled and he laughed, "Yeah, something like that."

Anakah really didn't want to be alone either; so, she agreed and decided to follow him to the club. She knew it as well and he was right, it did serve a great nerf steak. He got there first and waited outside for her. They found a table and were soon approached by the service droid. They each ordered the steak and bottles of dark Corellian ale.

The conversation was light and Anakah found she was laughing more then she could remember doing for a while. Finally, their meals were delivered and they ate in relative quiet.

Once their plates were cleared they decided to order another ale. Neither of them was anxious to go home. As the mixed band of humans and Twi'leks was beginning to play on the stage in the corner, Terrik said, "Hey. I know these guys."

Anakah looked at him surprised, "Terrik Horn, do I even what to know how you know them?"

He chuckled and shrugged. Just then the lead human female singer noticed him and waved. Terrik waved back and Anakah watched and she raised a questioning eyebrow. Finally, he said quietly for her ears only, "Baria is actually a CorSec agent. Her uncle runs this place and he lets her band play here when she is on planet. She has one hell of a voice. Come on," he reached for her hand as the upbeat music started, "let's dance."

Two hours later and several more ales later, Terrik and Anakah left the bar. They both were more than a little drunk. Finally, they reached Anakah's speeder and she turned to him moving into him closer than she should have been. As he met her eyes she laid her hand on his chest and purred, "You know tonight doesn't need to end here."

She could feel his desire flare and his struggle not to let it. He swallowed and stared at her, his green eyes incredulous, "Anakah, what are you suggesting?"

She heard the slightest tremor in his voice and raised an eyebrow, smiling seductively she said, "I think you know." She slid her hands up his chest to place both hands around his neck and he did not discourage it. She could feel him fighting with himself. He wanted her. She could feel it.

"I can't do this and you know it. Meri—" He began, his voice becoming husky.

Anakah leaned into him and with her lips nearly touching his, her eyes boring into his, her fingers tangling themselves within his short sandy brown hair, whispered, "She would never know." Then she pressed her lips to his and he took her into his arms. She felt his lean body respond to her and he kissed her with passion. Feeling an odd sense of being triumphant, she let her hand slide between their bodies down his chest, down his abdomen, down until she found his growing bulge in his pants. She caressed him through his pants and was rewarded with a groan.

Suddenly, though she found herself being pushed away from him and he stared at her accusingly. "No," he was nearly breathless. "I will not do this to Meri, Anakah. I will not cheat on her. I love her. I know this is a game to you. I know that I'd be just another conquered conquest."

She gave him her best predatory smile and said, "Ahh, but my sweet Terrik, you cannot deny that you wanted me." She looked down the length of his body and she allowed the smile to become bigger, "You still do."

He stared at her and ran his hand through his sand colored hair. "Kriff, what man wouldn't want you, Anakah. But that doesn't mean anything. It's the response of an animal. It doesn't mean anything at all. I love your sister. I'm going to marry your sister." The he added quietly, "If she will ever forgive me for this." And with that he left her standing there staring after him. Her smile disappeared and was replaced with longing. Not longing for the physical touch, the pleasure she would have been sure to find in his arms, but rather for the depth of feeling she knew he felt for her sister.

X

She sniffed and felt the wetness of the tears she often cried when she thought about what was missing in her life. She wiped at them and felt Marko shift beside her; he laid a hand on her waist and nuzzled her neck. After taking a calming breath and shoring up her shields, she rolled over to look up into his hungry green eyes. No words passed between them as he leaned down to kiss her.

Soon he was taking her body to the heights that he always did but her heart was left as empty as it always was at the completion.

X

Kyp Durron called the meeting to order as acting head of the Council. The great Jedi Council Chamber was at the pinnacle of the Temple. Twelve chairs were situated in a rough half circle on a low dais with windows nearly encompassing the walls. Kyp was sitting in his usual chair next to his wife and Octa Ramis. But he couldn't help but imagine himself in the center chair as Grand Master. He would have been lying if he said he didn't want the promotion. He was shocked when Luke first approached him about it. He couldn't believe Luke even was considering him but he also felt he was the only one capable of the task. Kyp thought it amusing that thirty years ago he was trying to splinter the Jedi Order in hopes of forcing Luke into action. Now, it was Kyp who was desperately trying to keep it together.

Only seven of the twelve members were available in person, Kyp, Jaina, Corran Horn, Lowbacca, Valin Horn, Zekk Quee, and Octa Ramis. Jysella Horn Tainer who was the Ossus Academy Administrator was present via holocomm as was the head Healer Telki. The other members were Doran Tainer and Tesar Sebatyne both of whom were on missions, and of course, Luke Skywalker who had deferred his vote on business to Kyp.

Kyp opened the meeting by saying, "We have received word from Master Doran Tainer that he and Knight Cassie Horn have infiltrated the Dro'godda Pirates."

There were several gasps and Jysella asked concerned, "Are they doing alright?"

Kyp looked at the holocam, smiled and nodded. Jysella hadn't been in contact with her husband for six months expect for occasional reports the Master presented to the entire Council. She was all too aware that her husband and niece were playing a dangerous game. Two Intel teams had already lost their lives trying to infiltrate the pirates. "Yes, Jysella, they are doing well and Doran asked me to send you and Hope his affections." He could see from her expression that she was relieved.

Then he turned his attention back to the rest of the Council. "Master Tainer informed me that they have been given the task of transporting two captured military personnel being held on Tatooine back to the Dro'godda base on Ord Mantell."

/"Could that be Captain Fel and his wife?"/ Lowbacca asked and his translator droid interpreted.

Kyp looked at the still young Wookie and nodded, "Yes, Intel and Chief Barrett believes it is."

"What are Doran and Cassie to do?" Corran asked concerned.

Kyp looked at his biggest adversary on the Council. After clearing his throat he said, "The only thing they can do. Deliver the Fel's to the Dro'godda."

Corran stared at Kyp. Kyp knew that wasn't the answer the older Jedi was expecting. But then Kyp wasn't quite sure how to gage the look in the other's green eyes either. Corran said, "Is that wise? I am sure if this gets out that Jedi delivered one of the best officers the Chiss have to their enemy it will not be good."

Jaina saved Kyp from answering. "I am to meet tomorrow with Chief Barrett, Director Kre'lar, Ambassadors Darklighter and Penel of the Chiss delegation here on Coruscant and also Admiral Jag Fel and General Shawnkyr to discuss this matter. I will then bring my findings back to the Council." She looked hard at Corran and added, "I feel that the Chiss will understand the duty behind our reluctance to recall our infiltration team especially since no one else has been successful. And Cleven Fel and Commander Florin had been working a long time with the GFFA trying to catch Dro'godda. I don't think they would want us to forfeit what we can gain for them."

"Does Master Tainer know who they are going after?" this from Zekk.

Kyp looked at his other advisory to being named Grand Master. But Zekk's reasons were personal. Corran didn't feel Kyp should be named because he felt Kyp was too reckless and didn't always agree with the government they loosely served. Zekk didn't like Kyp because he still felt Kyp stole Jaina away from him. They actually had been friends for several years while their children were all young. But then something happened. Kyp never knew what but it was rumored that Zekk and Danni were having marital problems; some of the rumors even went as far to say that Zekk had an affair. Then Zekk tried to seduce Jaina seven years ago. Zekk and Danni Quee remained married but in name only. In fact, it had been nearly two years since Zekk had even been back to see his wife.

Kyp, realizing Zekk along with everyone else was waiting for his answer, said, "Yes, he had been informed of the officers' identities."

After a moment he went on to announce, "The Council has been contacted by the new Queen of Naboo. It seems she is concerned for her safety during Naboo's annual Unity Celebration. She has received several threats since the Fel's have been kidnapped. We are working with Intel but Director Tuskr Kre'lar wants us to handle this and keep it low key, since the Jedi have 'officially' been called off the Dro'godda case."

"What are you thinking Kyp?" Jaina asked.

The Jedi's best Knight for bodyguard/ protector missions was their own daughter. Anakah had made a name for herself as being the best. But they couldn't send her to Naboo by herself; it could prove to be dangerous and a Master should also be present. It was a queen the Jedi was called to protect after all, not just a Senator with too many enemies. Kyp looked around the Council and said, "I feel that Knight Anakah Durron would be the most logical choice for this mission," several Members nodded or murmured their agreement. Then Kyp went on to say, "But I think a Council Master should also be there. Someone with experience with disguise and who isn't well known."

/"I suggest we send Master Valin Horn. He is the least known of the human Masters on the Council and is the most experienced at disguise that is available."/ Lowbacca growled and the droid translated. Several of the other Masters nodded their agreement.

Kyp felt Valin's surprise and looked at the younger man. "Valin, how do you feel about this?" Valin had shied away from the disguise missions he used to willing participate in since Tahiri's death on a failed mission where they were pretending to be low ranking nobles from Serenno looking to buy slaves.

Valin swallowed and looked around at the other members, "I will do whatever the Council requires."

After several other suggestions the Council voted and it was decided Valin and Anakah would leave for Naboo within the week.

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