Chapter Nine

By the break of dawn, Lokahviing was back in his domicile, asleep on his bed. Tigress sat next to him, her head resting on his chest, fast asleep herself. Po, walking in with a tray of food, couldn't help but chuckle seeing her like that. He set the tray down on a nearby counter top, and gently shook Tigress. "Tigress," he murmured to her.

"I was only napping," Tigress spoke groggily on waking suddenly.

"You were out for several hours," Po chuckled. "Thought you and him would be hungry."

Tigress smiled, seeing what Po brought, and gave his hand on her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Thank you, Po."

Po returned the smile. "Anything for a friend," he told her. He looked at Lokahviing. "How's he holding up?"

Tigress chuckled softly, remembering what Lokahviing sounded like when he slept. "Ask him, yourself."

"He's asleep, Tigress," Po said. "It'd be rude to wake him up for such a frivolous-"

"He's not asleep, Po," Tigress said.

"How can you tell?" Po asked.

"He snores when he sleeps," Tigress replied with a broad smile, eliciting a smile and a soft chuckle from Lokahviing.

"I was waiting for you to catch on," he said. "Seems you remember what you learned of me."

"How could I forget, Kyle?" Tigress asked.

"Kyle?" Po repeated with a frown. "I thought his name was Lokahviing?"

"Lokahviing... is my dragon name," Lokahviing replied. "My given name... the name I was born with... is Kyle."

"Remember when we first met him?" Tigress asked Po. "He said he didn't want his real name widely known. I imagine, given what has transpired to this point, he has grown comfortable with us knowing him by his human name." She stroked Lokahviing's cheek. "And I look forward to learning the rest of your story, Kyle... one bit after the other." She leaned down and kissed his lips briefly before adding, "Are you hungry at all?"

"I am, actually," he affirmed. Tigress smiled happily, helping Lokahviing sit up while Po got the food he'd brought. Lokahviing groaned as he sat up, popping his neck slowly.

"Easy, baby," Tigress cautioned him.

"Yeah, I think I heard Mei Ling recommending you stay off your feet for at least two weeks," Po said.

"I would be inclined to agree," came Shifu's voice from the doorway. "You were in bad shape after that battle. Truthfully... I did not think you would have survived it. But, as I have come to understand it... Tigress pulled you through."

"Master..." Tigress began.

"Tigress," Shifu cut her off, "I don't address you today as your master, but as the father that cared for you since childhood. Did you not think I knew it would eventually come to this?"

"M... father, I don't understand-" Tigress said.

"But you do," Shifu interrupted. "There's no shame in love, and there's no need to hide your relationship with Lokahviing."

"Yeah, that's another thing I wanted to tell you," Po said. "Everyone knows. The villagers, the farmers, shopkeepers, everyone here... everyone in the valley."

Tigress looked at Po. "And what are they saying?"

"That you both are perfect for each other, and that you make an adorable couple," Shifu answered before Po could. "It makes me proud. You have done more than I ever hoped."

Lokahviing downed a bit of his breakfast. "So... what happens now?"

"At this point, that depends on you," Shifu answered. "You've done so much for us, but we still don't have the full story of how you came to be here... and then there's the matter of your carrier ship."

"What of it?" Lokahviing asked.

"What do you intend to do with it?" Shifu asked.

Lokahviing sighed. "I don't intend to do away with it... but at the same time, I no longer have any intention of leaving. Regardless, I imagine it should be... raised. Brought here, so it is close at hand if we ever need it or its contents again."

"It's contents?" Po queried.

"I have a lot of equipment on my ship," Lokahviing explained, pausing to down more of his meal. "Weapons, armors, things that could help defend this valley. More importantly, it... has what I like to call an Electronic Forge. Anything we could ever need, it can make. It's a piece of technology I held onto, one that uses the power of the Force itself to create anything."

"And where is your ship?" Shifu asked.

"I submerged it beneath the South China Sea. Deep enough that it will remain undisturbed until I have need of it, and in an area that is not ordinarily frequented by anyone," Lokahviing answered.

"Let's worry about the details later," Tigress suggested. "Right now, we should give thanks we are all alive thanks to Kyle, and we have secured his place among us."

"Indeed," Shifu agreed. "You're in no condition to head out now, but neither should you rush your recovery. Last I heard, what was left of the Wu army was still running west. I doubt there is any immediate concerns, and I feel you deserve a long rest from your ordeal." Shifu looked to Tigress. "And as his lover, I imagine you'll want to look after him until he's on his feet again."

Tigress smiled broadly. "Wouldn't have it any other way," She said. Shifu chuckled warmly.

"Then I will leave you two alone. We all are excused from training for the next week, in light of not just this incident, but also this happy union," Shifu said officiously. He walked out of the room, and as he did, Mei Ling walked in carrying her medical equipment.

"Good to see you awake," she said. "How are you holding up?"

"As good as can be expected, all things considered," Lokahviing replied. "I assume you know that Tigress and I-"

"Are in a relationship, I know," Mei Ling chuckled. "And I'm fifty coin richer."

Lokahviing raised an eyebrow. "You were betting on us?"

"Yep," Mei Ling affirmed. "I told a few friends you and Tigress would end up together. Oh, there were doubters, for certain, but I had complete faith that, despite your differences, and your heavy militancy, Lokahviing, you and Tigress would come to love each other. As an old friend of Tigress'... like she felt of you, I felt she deserved better."

"Are people really calling us an adorable couple?" Tigress asked with a small laugh.

"You better believe it," Mei Ling chuckled as she examined Lokahviing's bandages. "One of the villagers I spoke to even said, and I quote, 'I smell a wedding in the future'."

Tigress blushed, and Lokahviing shook his head with a smile. "Hours into the relationship, and already, people are thinking that."

"And don't think I haven't noticed how some of your personality has rubbed off on Tigress, Lokahviing," Mei Ling said. "We all heard how she spoke in the valley after the attack – she's beginning to talk a lot like you."

"Bite me," Lokahviing and Tigress said together. Mei Ling laughed hard, eliciting laughs from Tigress and Lokahviing, as well.

"You two really are perfect for each other," Mei Ling commented. "Anyway, Lokahviing, I'd advise you keep off your feet for a while."

"Not much choice," Lokahviing responded. "At least Tigress can keep me company."

"Yes, and now that we're awake, there's something I want to discuss with you in private, sweetheart," Tigress said.

"I'll leave you two alone, then," Mei Ling responded as she left the room. When she was out of earshot, Tigress spoke:

"Ever since becoming your girlfriend, I've been tossing around in my head the idea of you and I sharing this place," Tigress sat down on the bed next to Lokahviing. "But I won't force it on you if you don't think you're ready."

"Tigress," Lokahviing said, "Even though you don't have all the details, you know my story well enough to know I've spent enough time alone. I would relish the chance to live together with you. For one, you'd be the first woman who I lived with, and two... I don't want to be apart from you, after everything you've done."

Tigress smiled softly, leaning on Lokahviing's head. "Months ago, I barely knew your name, and was concerned with your ways and methods. Now... now, I can't imagine my life without you. I love you, Kyle."

"I love you, too, Tigress," Lokahviing said softly.

"How would you say that in Dovah?" Tigress asked with a loving smile.

"Zu'u lokaal hi, Tigress," Lokahviing whispered to her. They shared a tender kiss, before Lokahviing continued, "If you want to live with me, I have no objections. After everything that's happened to me alone, not to mention you before and after you met me... I think the others will understand. We have earned this much."

"Agreed," Tigress said. "But we can move my stuff at another time. Right now, we can celebrate – today begins a new road, a new journey we will take together."

"I hear that," Lokahviing agreed. "Which reminds me, I have something I was saving for a special occasion in the fridge. Could you get it for me? It's the case with the blue bottles in the left-side fridge." Tigress complied, leaving for Lokahviing's kitchen and going into the left-side fridge, spotting the bottles easily enough. It was as she was reaching for them that Po asked,

"Is this a private party, or can anyone join?" Tigress looked up from the door to see Po, Song, Monkey, Crane, Viper, Mantis, and Shifu standing there. Looking down at the bottles, she realized there was more than enough to go around.

"Honey, would you have any objections sharing these?" Tigress called out to Lokahviing.

"None," Lokahviing replied. "But I warn you all, they have a strong kick."

"I was unaware you kept spirits in that fridge," Shifu chuckled. "I haven't had spirits in a very long time."

"What exactly are they?" Song asked as Tigress brought the cases into the master bedroom and gave out bottles to the others.

"Romulan Ale," Lokahviing said, force-pulling a bottle into his hand. "I have a large, but limited, supply, and I save them for special occasions."

"This is a special occasion," Shifu stated. They all uncorked their respective bottles, and held them out.

"To new journeys, and new horizons," Lokahviing toasted. They all tapped their bottles together, and took a drink. Lokahviing and Tigress looped arms and drank, then kissed.

"Wow," Shifu commented with a squint. "That is strong stuff." He coughed, then took another swig.

"Whoa," Mantis said groggily, swaying a bit. "Is anyone feeling dizzy?"

"Told you," Lokahviing chuckled.

"Monkey, you might want to pick him up," Tigress suggested.

"This would make a good tavern drink," Song complimented.

"Yeah, no," Lokahviing said with an amused chuckle. "The Romulans were unwilling to share the recipe with me, and even if they did, it'd take years just to brew the stuff."

"Father," Tigress spoke, changing the subject, "After... after discussing the idea with Kyle, he and I have agreed that we wish to share this domicile."

Shifu smiled broadly. "I was wondering when that would happen," he said. "And I couldn't agree more. But the moving... can wait, for now."

"No rush," Lokahviing and Tigress said in unison.

"Just wait – before you know it, Tigress will be swinging lightsabers," Song joked. Everyone present laughed. Tigress felt happy, seeing that her newfound relationship had such support from her friends. Even so, she wondered what was in store for her and Lokahviing now – would she see herself getting married? Having children? Grandchildren? The further she thought, the happier things became. But for now... she rejoiced, she celebrated, and stood by her newfound love's side...

}}}}} {{{{{

Day quickly became night, and everyone remained in Lokahviing – and now, Tigress' – domicile, talking, joking, reminiscing, and having a good time. When the time came for everyone to retire for the night, Tigress remained in the domicile with Lokahviing.

"I have to say, Kyle, that was the first time since you've been here that I have seen you laugh like that," Tigress commented.

"Contrary to popular belief, baby, I do laugh," Lokahviing said. He sighed, then asked, "Since we're sharing this place, I've been meaning to ask – where are you sleeping?"

Tigress smiled wryly. "Guess," she told him.

Lokahviing chuckled. "You sure you don't mind that?"

"I don't if you don't," Tigress affirmed. Lokahviing laughed as he laid back.

"Not even a day into this relationship, and we're already sharing a domicile and a bed," he commented. "Anything else you want to share?"

"Oh, shush, you," Tigress laughed softly. She crawled into bed next to Lokahviing and wrapped her arms around him. "Besides, someone needs to be here in case you have another nightmare, and given the history between us, I'd rather it be me."

Lokahviing chuckled lovingly and leaned his head on Tigress. "That's sweet of you," he murmured to her. Tigress didn't verbally respond, just cooed in contentment as she laid next to Lokahviing, slowly drifting off to sleep.

"See you in the morning, Kyle," was the last thing she said before falling asleep.

"Likewise, darling," Lokahviing whispered back.

(Apologies for the long delay; life has been hectic. And I've had a massive case of writer's block. But I still have some new chapters for you to read.)