Lana had just finished her nightly meditations when her comm. chirped.

"What is it," she answered, worried what could be wrong. She didn't sense anything amiss, but no one would contact her this late unless it was important.

"Your offer still stand?"

"Rory? Of course," Lana answered, shifting from a professional tone to a less formal one. "When did you want to come by?"

Just then she heard her door chime. She opened the door and smiled at her before noticing an Imperial private standing behind her holding an expensive bottle of Correlian brandy and two tumblers.

"Can't carry it on my own and had to enlist help," she explained before turning and ordering, "Move it nub." The soldier quickly stepped inside and placed the items on the table in Lana's sitting room.

"Anything else, Colonel," he asked, standing at attention.

"That was it."

"My Lord," he asked Lana, bowing respectfully.

"That'll be all, return to your duties," Lana dismissed.

"Right away," he saluted before quickly exiting.

"Have a seat," Lana offered as she gestured to her only couch as she picked up the bottle.

"Thanks." Rory looked around the room before asking, "What is with Imperials and decorating. I swear everyone from Dromund Kaas has the same bland style, at least on Ziost we had some color in our interior decorating. You do know there are more colors than just black and red, right?"

"Of course," Lana replied with mock seriousness as she poured them each a glass. "There's also gray, dark gray, light gray, gunmetal gray, and my personal favorite matte gray. There are rumors some Imperials decorate with shades of charcoal, but only barbarians do that."

"Ok, I walked in to that," Rory laughed as she took the offered tumbler.

"Yes, you did," Lana smirked at her, "but you're not wrong about the overabundance of black and red combinations. Personally, I prefer more of a green/blue theme, but since we're strapped for resources it seemed like a frivolous expenditure and I went with more practical items."

"There's practical and then there's this. Next time spring for the frivolous."

"I'll take it under advisement," Lana joked dryly, sipping her brandy.

"Have you ever regretted defecting," Ace asked, as Koth looked contemplatively at his glass.

"Yes and no," he answered truthfully. "I've never regretted doing what I still believe the was the right thing, I do regret that I didn't do more to fight the war crimes being committed on the Core Worlds. Maybe if I stayed I could have pushed back against the worst of what's been done. I also hate how my crew was caught up in Senya's hunt."

"Like you, she also did what she believed to be right," Kor said softly. "I can sense her regret."

"About what," Koth demanded angrily, "hunting my crew like dogs or that her children became tyrants?"

"Both," the Jedi answered, surprising the rebel. "You are not the only one that's been betrayed. Something to keep in mind."

"I guess," he grumbled into his drink. "Doesn't mean I trust her."

"Somehow, I feel like that sentiment may be mutual."

"Answer me this," Lana asked as she topped off their glasses, killing the bottle, "why the peg leg. I know, I know, tactical peg leg," she quickly corrected when Rory looked like she was going to interrupt. "I want the real reason," Lana pressed. When Rory hesitated, she countered, "It's either that or you tell me about the nightmares that have been keeping you up."

"How do you…?"

"Force bond," Lana answered, "remember? Now which is it?"

Rory sighed before downing the rest of her glass and placing it gently on the table in front of her. "Earlier today Dax and I were in the lab going over different prosthetics the doctor could come up with. He remarked one of them looked like little more than a peg leg and I made some joke about getting one. He snickered, said you'd never allow it. Right after I heard an Imp and Pub soldier start taking bets about whether or not I would get away with it. The Imp was convinced you'd shoot it down, and just when the Republic soldier was about to fold another Republic soldier who was on Yavin spoke up, saying I'd fight you until I got it and no one was going to stop me. Said he heard about my… outburst… at Mar and Shan on Rishi and clearly I wouldn't be intimidated by you."

It seemed like longer than 5 years when they first met to create an alliance to stop Revan. So much had changed since those days. Lana thought it was funny how looking back that seemed like a simpler time.

"Then an Imperial soldier agreed and started talking about how I snuck into the Imperial Guard training facility counter to Darth Mar ordering the Republic forces to stay away," Rory continued. "They completely forgot Cipher was with me, the story now that I took them all on single handedly and then spat on Darth Mar when he showed up. The fact is, Colonel Horner is larger than life to both sides. I still don't know if I can be her again, but I can fake it. Starting with something as simple as a peg leg no one thinks you'll let me get."

"Which explains your interactions in the cantina," Lana said as she finally started to understand. "They had to see you argue with me."

"Sorry about that," Rory apologized sheepishly. "It also probably won't be the last time."

"I assumed as much." It surprised Lana at how little the thought bothered her.

Rory looked at the chronometer and sighed as she stood. "I'm sorry for keeping you up so late, I'll let you get some sleep."

"You could stay here if you want. Don't give me that look," Lana shot back at the amused smirk she was getting from Rory, "it's to help with the nightmares you refuse to seek help with."

She was about to argue before sighing, "Why not? Can't be any worse than what I've tried so far."

"Glad to know we can agree on something without arguing," Lana replied dryly as she led Rory to the bedroom

Brooke smiled as she reveled in the afterglow. Sure, she may not have lasted as long as she would have liked, but she could work on that. Judging by Theron's… enthusiasm, she doubted he would object. She was quietly pleased he didn't last much longer than her. She wouldn't have judged him if like Lana he'd found comfort with someone else, but she was entirely glad that didn't seem to be the case.

Once they had both come down from their high, Brooke curled into Theron's side as he pulled her close, both relishing the feel of skin against skin.

"I missed this," she sighed.

"I bet, especially considering who you have for company," he joked.

"Not funny," Brooke pouted sleepily. "Besides, he could never make me feel like that."

"Good to know I rate higher than a wannabe immortal Sith."

"It's the little things," she yawned as they both fell into a peaceful sleep.

The room was dark and reeked of machine oil and the static-y smell that followed lightening. It was a smell Aneira had come to associate with despair. She was hanging by her arms naked as Vaylin prowled around her with a sadistic smile. Had the last weeks only been a dream? A flash of hope for the High Justice to rip away to break her down further?

"You'll always be mine, sweet thing," Vaylin whispered in her ear as she stood behind her. She was close enough that Aneira could feel the heat coming off her. "No matter how far you run, no matter what hole you find to hide in."

She woke with a start, fighting to get her breathing under control. Lana slept peacefully next to her, on her side facing the colonel, snuggled into her blankets. The way she was sleeping made the mighty Sith look like a child bundled up, an observation Rory decided would be best for her health if she kept to herself.

She thought about trying to go back to sleep, but her mind refused to stop replaying the images and emotions induced from the nightmare. Giving up with a quiet sigh, she reached for her crutches, carefully got out of bed, and quietly made her way to the large window on the other side of the room. She looked out over the landscape, trying to calm her mind to keep her Sith companion from waking.

"Too late," Lana said as she quietly approached, amused at the soldier's intentions. Clearly, she hadn't figured out how this bond between them worked.

"Can't blame me for trying," she replied as Lana slipped her arms around her waist from behind. Rory stiffened at the contact, a response that Lana fought not to be hurt by. She knew it would take time for Rory to be comfortable with her touch again, and vowed to move slowly with her. She waited for Rory to pull away, ready to drop her arms, but instead the woman in her arms sighed tiredly and melted into the embrace.

"I'm here for you, Rory, in whatever capacity you need," Lana promised quietly, internally breathing a sigh of relief she didn't pull away.

"I want to not be afraid of everything again," Rory whimpered turning her head to look up at the Sith with a broken expression. "Anything you can do for that?"

"That is a battle you must fight on your own," Lana answered with a small sigh, slowly bringing up a hand to lightly stroke Rory's cheek. "But I will promise to be there when you need a reminder that you can overcome what Vaylin did to you."

Rory scoffed, "You don't even know half of what was done, how she marked me."

Lana tried to keep the pity out of her expression, but knew she was unsuccessful as she continued to gently stroke the other woman's cheek and whispered her name.

"I'm quite the catch, huh," the soldier asked bitterly. "One leg, one eye, scarred, PTSD…"

"Wear your scars with pride. Those who have none have not felt the hardship of life or the feeling of pain. That you can carry on despite what you've been through shows the strength of your metal."

"Where'd you hear that spectacular bit of nerf shit," Rory sneered as she pulled her face away from Lana's hand.

"Something my father said to me after I completed training on Korriban," Lana answered calmly. "He had been a soldier in the war with the Republic, but left as soon as his enlistment was up for a quiet life as a tradesman. He had hoped I would get a chance to live a peaceful life away from war, but once I started showing an aptitude for the force he knew it was a matter of time before I was discovered. His lessons changed from how to troubleshoot a broken piece of equipment to how to cope with taking another living creature's life."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean…"

"I know," Lana interrupted, a small smile to show she wasn't offended, "it's all right. May I share more of his wisdom?"

Rory nodded, eyes downcast in shame for taking her pain out on Lana.

Not having it, Lana placed a hand on her cheek and gently guided her head up to meet her eyes. "True strength isn't never getting knocked down, or even getting up every time you get knocked down. It's never quitting even when you feel you can't go on. Every day is a battle in the war of life. Each battle is important…"

"But it's the outcome of the war that truly matters," Rory finished with a rueful smile. "Either that's something they teach to every soldier or our fathers served in the same unit during the war, because he used to say that all the time."

"Either is highly likely," Lana conceded. "Now how about we finish this conversation in bed? It would be more comfortable. Not to mention warmer."

Rory smirked and asked as she limped back to the bed, "I thought misery was one of those things that got Sith all hot and bothered."

"The misery of others," Lana corrected with a mock seriousness. "Key difference."

"Well no wonder you're with me, I've got that in spades," Rory answered, without the self-loathing that had been there earlier. Still Lana, didn't like that the joke had been made and decided to dispel that mood, and bet that the truth would be her ally here. She decided more awkward flirting was in order to lighten the mood.

"Every Sith does," Lana countered. "No, you caught my attention because of your musculature."

"I… what," Rory stammered, dumbfounded as she stopped on the opposite side of the bed from Lana.

"It's true," she shrugged, fighting to keep her amusement from showing and maintain the serious façade. "I've always appreciated a well-maintained form that comes from rigorous exercise and self-discipline. When we met, you were the epitome of those standards. Due to your recent incarceration, your muscles have atrophied slightly, but from what I've seen of your physical therapy plan with Dr. Orrogrub, I have no doubt you'll be back to where you were in no time."

"I can think of at least six different ways you could have said that you thought my body was hot and that you're looking forward to seeing me get back in shape," the soldier laughed as she climbed into bed.

"True, however, it would be less accurate," Lana replied with mock seriousness.

"Well since we're being 'accurate'," Rory said using her fingers to make air quotes, "you can't tell me there were no Sith out there with the musculature to your standards. I mean, look at Imperious."

"You'd be surprised," Lana said with poorly hid disdained. "Imperious is an anomaly, and while I can easily apricate his strength and skill, when we met, his focus was on another. I'm sure you can respect the folly of getting in between of bond such as that." When Rory nodded, Lana continued, "Most who maintained such a level of discipline either had one they called their own or slept with anyone who fancied their attention and I refused to be a notch in someone's bedpost. Using someone for stress relief was necessary to get through Korriban, but given the opportunity, I preferred for form a rapport with those I have relations with. Sadly, more often than not, they were built like Nox."

"What's wrong with her," she asked, genuinely curious.

"Her strength isn't with a lightsaber, it's with the force. While that still makes her formidable in battle, and she can easily hold her in a duel, she has little in the way of defined musculature, which I believe I have made clear is important for me in a romantic partner."

"Again with the dry terms," Rory muttered. "I know, I know, they're more accurate."

"That left soldiers," Lana continued as if she hadn't spoken. "While most I encountered easily fit what I was looking for physically they were lacking in other ways. Either they had that obnoxious hero worship that was undoubtedly beaten into them during training or they were angling for some favor. Neither of which I found appealing."

"Understandable."

"And then came you," Lana stated, catching Rory's eyes. "Special forces, so I knew you had to be in good shape…"

"Fact."

"…and it was far more likely with your reputation that you were thinking of ways to kill me…"

"Also a true statement, and believe me, I'd come up with some creative ones for you."

"… so no need to worry about aforementioned hero worship or angling for favors."

"Well it's lucky for you I came along when I did," Rory said with a smirk.

"I've certainly always thought so," Lana replied seriously. She slowly grabbed Rory's hands and lightly stroked her thumbs on the back of them. "We may have had a rough bit during Ziost, but I have never regretted our time together or our meeting."

Lana gently tugged on her hands once in a silent invitation, and after contemplating a moment, Rory curled into her side. Tucking her head under Lana's chin, Rory confessed, "Neither have I. And bonus for me, you're blond with an Imp accent."

"Yes…" Lana, confused, trailed off.

"You prefer a certain 'musculature', I've got a weakness for blond Imperials," she answered as she started to drift off.

"I thought you hated the Drumond Kaas accent," she recalled from a conversation on Rishi. Rory had grown up with a smokier accent typical of planets outside the capital and made comments how everyone from Drumond Kaas sounded too uptight with their accent.

"From stuff Imperials, yes. Hot blonds? That's another story entirely."

"Aren't I lucky," Lana huffed.

"Very lucky," Rory answered with a yawn.

Lana just shook her head with an amused smirk in response and held her soldier as she slept.

A/N: I got the inspiration for Lana's flirting from Done and tried to copy that.