Shada walked down to the hold where Dankin was supervising the loading of the ship's supplies for their trip to Bastion.

"Hey, Shada. Your costumes are here. You mind taking the chief his?"

"They're not costumes," she said taking the garment bags from him. "We're going to a treaty signing not a masquerade."

"So you say," he shrugged and continued about his business. Dankin did have point. She did rather feel like she was going to be infiltrating the treaty signing even though she'd been invited.

Shada dropped Karrde's suit off to him in his office. He gave her a distracted "Thank you," as he continued to read whatever was on his screen.

She went on to her quarters so she could put up her gown. She took it out of the garment bag and hung it up so it wouldn't get wrinkled. She was about to fold up the bag to put it away, but she was surprised to find a something at the bottom of the bag. It was a small box covered in some exotic hide with the name of a prominent jeweler embossed on the top. She opened the box to find a long rope of rare black Mon Calamari pearls and matching earrings. They must have cost a fortune.

She snapped the box shut.

"What is this?"

Karrde looked down at the box that Shada had thrown onto his desk after abruptly storming into is office. He lifted the lid. "A set of black Mon Cal pearls."

"Exactly." She glared at him angrily.

He did not appear to be affected by her anger. "Do you not like them?" he asked calmly. "I thought they would compliment your gown, but you should exchange them if you prefer something else. Emeralds, perhaps?"

"I like them just fine. I just can't accept them."

"Why not?"

Did she really have to tell him? "It wouldn't be appropriate. You're my employer."

"So I am and I just bought you a rather expensive gown for the treaty signing," he said in that infernally calm voice. "What's the difference?"

"The gown is for a function of my duties."

"So are these," he said fingering the dark iridescent pearls. "I've found a proper show of wealth goes a long way when dealing with the higher circles of government. I can assure you the other ladies will be adorned with their best jewels for the occasion. It is a momentous event and both sides will want to appear as impressive as possible. We wouldn't want to appear to be out of place, would we?" He met her angry gaze evenly.

She thought about what Karrde was saying and she saw the sense in it. But that almost made her even angrier. "I suppose not," she grated out. She had overreacted and she hated to admit it. She took a deep breath. She hadn't truly felt like herself since she had been cast out of the Mistryl. Her automatic distrust seemed to know no bounds. "You're right, of course."

"So are you satisfied that I'm not trying to lure you into my bed with gifts of extravagant jewels?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with unconcealed amusement.

Her denial was automatic. "I never-"

"Don't deny it, Shada," he chided. "That's exactly what you thought."

"I- yes. Well, it's what most men would do," she said defensively.

"I'm not most men."

She certainly had to admit that was true. Talon Karrde wasn't like any man she'd met before. "No, you're not. I apologize."

"That's not necessary. I quite understand." He handed the box back to her.

"Thank you, Karrde. They are lovely," she said sincerely, giving him a small smile.

He returned her smile. "You're very welcome."

Shada had rarely felt more like a fool. She sat down on her bed and stared at the pearls in her hands. They were beautiful and something that she would have picked out herself if she had the credits to throw around that Karrde obviously did. Although she would never consider indulging herself in such an extravagant frivolity. The credits would be much better spent helping her family survive on Emberlene.

Her door chime rang.

"Who is it?" she called, hoping it wasn't Karrde. She really couldn't deal with him anymore right now.

"It's Mara. Can I come in?"

"Sure."

The door slid open and Mara walked in. "Are you alright? I sensed a lot of anger coming from you when I came aboard."

Shada held up the long strand of pearls in response.

Mara gave a low whistle and took them from her hand to examine. "Did Karrde give these to you?" Shada nodded. "And you thought he was propositioning you?"

Shada sighed and massaged her forehead. She had a definite headache coming on. "Yes, but apparently I was mistaken."

She could feel Mara's eyes on her, studying her. "So were you more upset when you thought he was or when you realized he wasn't?"

Shada gave her a dark look. "It seems I'm having some trust and anger issues," she said sidestepping the question.

"So did I when I first started working for Karrde. I learned to trust again. You will too." Mara sat beside her on the bed and handed back the pearls. "Shada, no matter how much Karrde enjoys playing the rogue, he is a good man. You can trust him. With anything."

"I know," Shada said quietly. "Maybe it's just that I don't trust myself right now."

TBC