They found Liri in the training room, explaining to Vel how to anticipate where blaster fire would land and deflect it or move. Liri was demonstrating with her practice swords and Vel was following her movements with her blades in hand. When Vel looked up and saw them, a expression crossed her face quickly and Liri paused, examining the other Twi'lek carefully.

Andronikos said nothing, just watching Liri as he and Decimus crossed the room. Vel said something to Liri and headed over to the weapons in the opposite direction as they approached.

"I'm going to leave for a few days." Decimus said.

"That's not necessary," said Liri smoothly, "I'm sure we can work this out quickly."

"All the same..."

"Are you leaving to give them some privacy? Because I'm sure we can find space for you, some entertainment even," said a voice behind them.

"Pella," said Andronikos, "Didn't see you there."

"The three of us were sparring. Well... Pella and I were trying to help Vel rather." Liri smiled.

"Vel is hopeless," said Pella, rolling her eyes. "She just wants to learn so she can impress the King over here."

Andronikos shot a look at Liri, but she just laughed and grinned at Pella. "That's true, Rev. Watch out for that one."

"Anyway," Pella returned to her earlier thought. "We can house you for a few days, Darth Decimus. It's no trouble."

"I appreciate that, but I'm expected somewhere tomorrow."

"Some other time then," Pella said with a wink as she headed out of the room.

"I do believe she's flirting with you, Decimus," said Liri, smirking.

He scowled at her. "I don't want to break your husband's crew."

"I think you'd find her a bit harder to break than you think," Andronikos said dryly.

"And why is that?"

"Not for me to say." Andronikos shook his head.

Vel kept glancing over at them from across the room. Andronikos shifted uncomfortably and looked at Liri, "So, we walk him out and go talk."

Decimus chuckled, "Oh yes, talking is what you'll do first."

"I'm going to go talk to Vel. Decimus, I'll see you in a few days and Rev, I'll meet you back here." With that, she swept away towards Vel. The two men turned and walked towards the hangar.

"You'll never have an easy life."

"I didn't marry her because it was easy."

"In some ways I envy you." Decimus grinned, "In some ways I definitely don't."

"Have you thought..." Andronikos trailed off.

"Probably. Thought what?"

"Of having Liri heal Magda? She's done crazier things."

Decimus' voice grew softer, "We've negotiated for her skills in that area already."

They walked quietly for awhile.

"How do I fall in with all these plans? Honestly?"

"I need you to stay the Pirate King. And I need to you to be with her."

"Tall order."

"Not necessarily. She's much more powerful with you than she was when you were gone. It's easy to see why Ravage underestimated her." They entered the hangar and Decimus paused on the ramp. "I'll be back in a few days. Don't mess this up for yourself."

Andronikos nodded and watched as Decimus' ship left. He walked soberly back to the training room. Liri and Vel were in some kind of intense conversation across the room. They both glanced at him, never stopping talking until he got close enough to hear what they were saying.

"Well, thank you." Vel bowed.

Liri was looking at Vel with an unreadable expression. "Sure."

Andronikos reached his hand out for Liri's and the two of them headed for the bridge. When they were out of earshot, Liri murmured, "Be careful of that one. She's hiding something." She sighed and admitted, "She may just not want to let me know about her giant crush on you, but still. She and I will have to come to some sort of understanding on that point."

He squeezed her hand. "Not really worried about other women with crushes on me," he said.

"Andronikos..."

"Don't, Liri. Darth Oculus."

They reached his quarters in silence.

He dropped her hand and went over by the windows. "After you threw me out, I went through women. Drowning myself in them, trying to forget you. Eventually, just trying to find someone close enough to you that I could pretend." He couldn't face her yet. "After some months, Darth Decimus contacted me with a business proposition. I create a pirate fleet and raid the Republic. I built a crew, then a fleet; I ran raids so successful that we could all retire right now." He snickered, "Seems I have a talent for piracy." He sighed, "I'm good at this, Liri. I love it."

"I know," she said quietly.

"I..." he stopped. He'd never been good at this part. He told her he loved her with his kisses, his hands, his body, but words were the hard part. "I'm not going to follow you around the galaxy again like a dog, but I want to be with you." He swallowed hard. "I love you," he said roughly.

Her hands slid up around him from behind and she rested her head on his back.

"I love you too," she said into his skin.

"So what do we do now?"

"We move in?"

"We?"

"Me, Khem, Ashara, Talos, Xalek... I park Fury in your hangar..."

He smiled, knowing she couldn't see his face. "That sounds like a euphemism."

His back warmed from her laughter. "You can stay my Pirate King," she whispered, sending a sharp thrill through him.

"Thanks for your permission, Liri." His voice lowered, husky with relief and desire. "I think you're going to need to convince me that letting you move in is a good idea."

"Oh?" She said archly, moving around him, "I'd better get started then."

"It's going to take a lot..." He caught his breath, "Oh, that's not fair."

Her breath came hot against his skin, "When have you ever played fair, Rev?"

He grabbed her lekku roughly and pulled her back away from him. "No more lying for my own good. I'm serious. There's a threat to me, we kill them together."

"I promise to tell you the truth," she whispered.