When I woke, it was mid morning, or so said the clock on the wall. Jennet was still asleep, and I watched her, enjoying a chance to just look. She was curled up, hands under her pillow, knees bent, a faint smile on her face. Her blond curls were wildly twisting everywhere and I could count six faint freckles on her nose, like tiny flakes of gold. It hit me all over again that this amazing woman was mine.
She had been incredible last night, not just with me, but with the entire camp. Almost everyone there had expressed admiration for her in one way or another. Challenging Kex to a drinking match had been a brilliant stroke, and the side effect of watching her tipsy had been, well, fun. Cute isn't a word I use, but she had been, getting lost, talking to the stars. I had picked up on that but hadn't wanted to mention it; it seemed intrusive. She apparently projects sporadically when under the influence. Telling a story in Mandoa had amazed the population and I had overheard the Elders murmuring approval. She hadn't even realized she was going to speak in that language until she started, and I wondered just how deep the bond between us went.
She muttered something in her sleep, and frowned. I watched her go from peaceful slumber to troubled tossing. I reached a hand out to touch her and she calmed, the frown easing. Curious, I tried tuning in and found I could catch glimpses of her dreams. She was with a woman, an older version of Jennet but with dark hair and blue eyes, as she lay dying. A flash of a handsome man with Jennet's blond curls and brown eyes, showing her how to throw a dagger. A Twi'lik man, dead at her feet, a look of surprise on his face. The mercenaries at the cantina, opening fire. Me, hands at my neck, blood pouring out of a slit throat. That one made me flinch violently, and I took my hand away from her, afraid of causing more unease. A moment later, when I had myself under control again, I gathered her in to me, and felt her relax.
The dream flashes were more pleasant now: a bird in flight, feathers jewel-like in the sun; the locket I gave her and the pleasure she felt opening the gift; Jennet as a small child, as friendly as a Gizka pup, healing a small furry creature she found in the woods. She stirred, and I felt her begin to awaken. I smiled and kissed her all the way awake.
Before she was completely aware, I felt her healing kick in and the small bruises, nail tracks and slight ale headache I sported melted away. She didn't bother to open her eyes, just kissed me back thoroughly before pulling away to look at me. Her smile was sleepy but shone brightly.
"Good morning, ti kar'ta," she said, barely restraining a yawn. "What time is it?"
"Tenish," I answered, kissing her again, because I could. "Two hours before we're expected for trial," I added after we came up for air.
"Don't remind me," she muttered.
"Cyar'ika, after last night it's mostly a formality," I said confidently. "I don't think anyone really questions that we're Mates anymore."
"Maybe not, but as the first outlander Mate in your history, I'm betting they're going to want to prove it beyond a shadow of a doubt. Which means they'll be merciless."
"You have a point. But we'll pass any test they throw at us, because we are Mates."
"True," she said softly. "If you had told me three weeks ago I would be here, with the Mandalore, proving I was his Mate, I would have checked to see if you were on Spice."
"I'm with you there, Wildcat," I chuckled. "And now?"
"I can't imagine being anywhere else," she said softly. "I love you so much it scares me."
"There's very few things that really scare me, Wildcat," I said seriously. "I lost everything that mattered, I thought, on Malachor V. I didn't care if I lived or died for ten years. Then I met Revan, and she put some heart back in me. The only thing that scared me for the next five years was the thought of losing the rest of my kin, and the Mandoa passing into history. Then I found you. The thought of leaving you, or you gone, scares me more than anything else I've ever felt."
She looked at me, her eyes round and astonished. "How worried about the trials are you, really? Is this where you promise to kill me slow if I ever repeat what you said?"
For a second, I thought she meant it; then I realized she was teasing me. I'm not sure which was harder to do the first time – telling her I loved her, or admitting that loving her left me open to fear. As usual, she didn't let it be easy for me. I gave her a good glower, which she of course ignored, and kissed me on the nose. I grimaced.
"Don't worry ti kar'ta, there's no windows, and the room is soundproofed; no one saw or heard anything to indicate what a softie you are."
I gave an inarticulate, if insincere, growl. She just kissed me again, then got up to hunt for a robe. Finding it, a couple of towels, and clean clothes, she started toward the 'fresher.
"I'm going to go take a shower, then find breakfast and coffee. If you're quick you can join me," she said with a slow smile.
I found clothes in about six seconds; I almost beat her to the shower. I paid her back for teasing me, which she appreciated enough that I was glad there was a lock on the door and sound dampened walls; Kelborn and Xarga would have gotten more of a show than their imaginations were currently providing. They were there on duty outside our door when we came out of the bedroom to get to the 'fresher. I was glad it wasn't all seven of the honor guard; I wasn't sure I could take the knowing looks first thing in the morning.
Showered and hungry, we made our way to the mess hall, followed by Kelborn and Xarga, where Lorna had the women again providing a fabulous morning feast. We were one of the last in, and cheers went up when we entered the hall. I found Jarxel finishing up his breakfast, the rest of the honor guard scattered among the crowd. Our two shadows took up station behind us.
"Good morning," Jennet said cheerfully to my second. Jarxel grinned.
"How are you feeling, runi riduur Mandalore?" he said pleasantly.
"Fine, thanks. How's Kex?" She dove in to her meal with her usual enthusiasm.
"Hung over. Irritated. I'd watch myself with him until at least this afternoon," Jarxel said with a chuckle.
"I'm holding him to the bet, you know," Jennet said quietly.
"I have no doubt," Jarxel said gruffly. He leaned forward conspiratorially. "If you can help him, I will also be in your debt," he said quietly. "He's a good man, and I've been at a loss of what to do with him these past few years."
"I'll do my best," Jennet promised.
"I know you will," Jarxel answered seriously. "I believe you do what you say."
"I do," Jennet confirmed. "Which reminds me," she added, turning to me. "I still need to teach you to fight."
Jarxel choked on his coffee. Jennet helpfully pounded on his back until he got his breath back.
"My way," she said in explanation. "He doesn't need any help from me, really."
"Hello, sitting right here," I grumbled menacingly. They both ignored me.
"Use the Force to fight?" Jarxel said, utterly astonished.
"No," I answered shortly.
"He can do that already when he fights with me," Jennet added brightly. I sent her a glower; she just grinned and ate some more.
Jarxel just looked from me to Jennet, bewildered. "You can use the Force through Jennet?"
"Sort of," I said, not looking at him, applying myself to breakfast.
He looked suspicious, but interested. "Sort of, how?"
"Think when you're joined in battle ecstasy, but can draw on each other's particular strengths," Jennet said, taking a sip of coffee. She swallowed, and took another bite of eggs. "And you can see what they're seeing while you fight," she added after a moment.
"That's…." Jarxel looked at a loss for words.
"Amazing, yes," Jennet said cheerfully.
"So what is it you're going to teach Canderous?" Jarxel asked, puzzled.
"A technique my father taught me," Jennet answered. "It looks a lot like using the Force, but isn't. If you can become hyper-aware of what's around you, you can sort of see it in slow motion, but react in real time. Only works if you have good reflexes to start with; Canderous's are incredible."
Jarxel looked at Jennet, considering. "I think I grasp the concept; what does it look like in practice?"
Jennet shrugged. "Take a swing at me."
"What?!"
"Go on," I said, amused. "She'll get out of the way, I promise you."
Jarxel looked at me, completely at a loss. Then he shrugged, and shot out a fist at Jennet, fast. Jennet moved too quickly to follow; his fist sailed over her head and smacked the back of her chair. Before he could move it back, she had his arm in both hands, pulling it forward. She stopped just as suddenly and released him.
"Like that," she said, and went back to her breakfast.
The table was silent, and Jarxel looked at Jennet, his mouth open. He shut it with a snap.
"You can teach this?" he asked.
"You, probably." Jennet said in between bites. "Great reflexes."
"Not good enough," he growled.
"Oh, no, they're great," Jennet said easily. "On stims, you could take me. You're about as fast as Canderous. I don't think you were trying very hard."
"I wasn't eager to hit the Mate of the Mandalore," he snapped.
"Canderous told you to," she parried with a smile. "Look, I'm not trying to make you look bad, I apologize."
"None needed," Jarxel said gruffly. "I probably deserved it. I've been told you were good, but even the fight with Cressa you didn't do anything like that. I underestimated you."
Jennet winced a little at the mention of Cressa but answered readily enough. "She was on stims, and was very fast to begin with. She was also pissed off. That can help, or hurt, depending on how you let it; she was used to being angry when fighting and it gave her an edge. I used my sight, but it didn't do a lot of good."
"She's still dead," Jarxel pointed out. "And you're not."
"Yes." Jennet said shortly.
"Trials are probably going to take a while," I interjected, to get Jarxel off the subject of Cressa. "I don't know when we'll have time for lessons. And," I said, turning to my XO, "I need a plan to get the rest of the refugees here to Dxun. From what I understand, they're too remote for us to move there. We know of roughly five thousand more Mandoa around the galaxy. It's about time we start getting us back together."
"I agree," Jarxel said, diverted. "If we can clear the jungle and hold fast against the predators, Dxun is ideal. We could be self-sustaining in just a few years, and Onderon is close enough that we can aid the Republic, if you choose."
"I do. But I thought you didn't like the idea," I said, looking at him in surprise.
"I've thought about it, and the Elders seem to want to consider it. It would be good to be recognized as a worthy ally. I don't think the Republic will want to drag us in to their politics much." Jarxel said. "And mercenary work would be a useful trade for goods we can't produce."
"My thoughts exactly." I watched Jennet get up to help herself to more food and coffee, Lorna's dark head bent toward her, chatting quietly. Jennet grinned at her and said something that made her laugh.
"It will be good to have women around again," Jarxel said quietly. "I wouldn't mind looking at one the way you do Jennet."
I eyed my second with some surprise. His story wasn't that different from mine, only he had lost five children on planet, and one son in battle during the war. He had joined me when I went down to look for survivors, and we had helped each other bury our families. We had parted company after our first mercenary job, and hooked up again after I took the Helm. He never asked me much about what I had done in between, and I hadn't asked him either. He was about fifteen years my elder, but less ambitious; he had been content to act as my XO, and was a good one. If there was anyone I trusted as much as Jennet, it was Jarxel. I looked at him consideringly.
"You'll find a mate," I said gruffly. "If she's not too picky. Gods know why Jennet puts up with me."
"I don't think she has much of a choice," Jarxel grinned. "Mates don't, you know."
"So I've heard," I said. "Can't say I'm sorry."
"It's a whole new universe now," Jarxel said. "A Mandalore with an outlander Mate, half the men eyeing the jetti women with favor, plans to aid the Republic. Interesting times."
"True. Right now, I just want to get through the trials. Think on the plan for the exodus to Dxun, yes?"
"Will do," Jarxel promised. "Speaking of the trials, the Elders say to meet them at your friends' ship at mid-day. The honor guard will meet you at the entrance."
"The rest of them, you mean," I said sardonically, pointing with my chin at Kelborn and Xarga. "I doubt they'll let me out of their sight. Bring home a woman, and suddenly everyone stands on ceremony."
"Now you know why I like being second in command," Jarxel chuckled.