Disclaimer:
The following is a work of fanfiction. All characters and situations belonging to the Star Wars saga are copyrighted to Lucasfilm Ltd. and the Walt Disney Company. Everything else, including original characters, are of my own creation.
Author's Notes:
It's been a long time coming, but the next section of the story is finally done! A lot has happened since I last posted. If you remember, I was displaced from my job of twenty years back in November. Luckily, and thankfully, I was able to find a new job that I started in March. Adjusting to my very different work situation has been taking up the majority of my time, but I managed to find time to write when I could. This newest section is the product of those spread out times and it finally brings the story to its midpoint.
The oft-mentioned gala finally takes place in this section and ccntains a dance sequence. The dance I invented, called the tamlaga, is a combination of the tango and the lambada. The Latin-inspired dance style is a nod to the first and only movie I ever saw Diego Luna in prior to "Rogue One," "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights."
There is one reference to an event from the novel "Rebel Rising" by Beth Revis.
I would like to remind everyone that this story is inspired by the Lifetime Channel original movies and incorporates many of their common plot elements. Like those movies there is sexual content and violence, including murder.
Although this story is a follow-up to my "Rogue One" AU "Chances," all other canon events follow the movies. The timeframe for the story is a year and a half after "Return of the Jedi."
Here is the "cast" for the original characters in this part of the story:
Mirella Reedl...Lindsay Hartley
Barbreen Cintras...Vivica A. Fox
Kathmea Proan...Anna Marie Dobbins
Zealene Anmana(mentioned only)...Laurie Fortier
Jeek Warler...Marcus Rosner
Firit Korug...Rib Hillis
Larg Sonnin...Tanner Zagarino
Nicrae Linner (mentioned only)...Panos Vlahos
Erik Rydel (mentioned only)...Jason-Shane Scott
Streed Enerd...Ted McGinley
Arneet Suorn...Michael Paré
All questions and comments may be sent to me at my e-mail address. Please see my author profile for details.
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy the story.
Mirella emerged from her bedroom, which was on the second floor of her bi-level presidential suite, and walked down the short hall that led to the stairway to the lower level. (As a planetary leader, she would not have accepted anything less than the most luxurious hotel accommodations available. It was exactly what a being of her rank deserved. Barbreen and the others had had no choice but to accept the hotel's lesser suites.) It had been five minutes since she sent out the general summons for all of her servants to gather together for a meeting, so she expected that they would all be waiting for her in the main entertainment area. (They all knew that missing a mandatory summons meant a severe punishment...)
The gala being held in her honor began in two hours and since she planned on returning to the hotel extremely late (there was a certain senator who didn't know it yet, but he was going to have an extraordinary time tonight... After she had her fun with Cassian's little wife, of course!), she wanted to discuss tomorrow's arrangements before she started getting ready. She doubted she'd have any time in the morning before she had to leave for the first official meeting, which was being held at the ridiculous hour of 0900. (What had Barbreen and Senator Organa been thinking when they chose such an early time? Especially when Barbreen knew how much she enjoyed her leisurely mornings. There was no reason they couldn't wait until closer to midday before beginning. Besides, shouldn't she have been the one to pick the meeting time? She was, after all, Tyrat's main representative. She should be the one to have the final say on everything!) The only way she would arrive on time would be if she rushed or, stars forbid, skipped parts of her customary morning routine. (She would have to decide which of her servants pleasured her the quickest...)
She descended the staircase and was pleased to see all of the servants who had accompanied her to Chandrila awaiting her arrival. (Out of the numerous men filling her residence, she had elected to bring, including Jeek and Erik, only ten with her. Not only did it make fitting them comfortably into her hotel easier, but the smaller number would save time when it came to choosing her sex partners.)
"First things first," she began, not wasting any time on greetings (which were unnecessary since she was addressing servants and not friends), "since I have plans to remain out extremely late tonight, all of you will have the night to yourselves."
Sounds of surprise emanated from the group. (It had been some time since she'd chosen an overnight bedmate outside of her personal servants.) But, as was expected of them, there were no comments. (They all knew what happened to those who spoke out of turn.)
"Feel free to explore Hanna City, unexciting as it is," she continued. "But make sure you are all back at a decent time to ensure you get a good night's rest. Starting tomorrow, our days will begin much earlier than usual."
There was another round of surprised murmurs, which was understandable since Mirella was known for sleeping in quite late. (No one in the household, besides the housekeeping droids, was expected to begin their day before she did.)
"The negotiations start tomorrow morning at 0900 and I expect that each meeting will last the entirety of the day," she went on. "The meetings will continue every day until an agreement is reached." (Which, of course, she would make sure didn't happen until Cassian was back where he belonged. And the first step in ensuring that was getting rid of Jyn...) "This, as you can imagine, will impact our usual fun."
She studied the ten faces before her and she was pleased to see disappointment on the majority of them. (She wasn't surprised to see that Erik wasn't one of them. He loved technology more than sex and since she hadn't hired him for his sexual prowess, it didn't bother her at all.)
"Which only means that we're going to have to be more...flexible in order to maximize our reduced time," she elaborated. She then paused, knowing that this selection of her servants in particular were not going to like what she was going to say next. (The majority of them were used to being one on one with her in the bedroom. With the exception of some rare occasions, such as forcing Nicrae and Larg to share their reward time with her, they were the ones she liked to have sex with alone because they were the more talented of her pool of servants.) "And by 'flexible,' I mean open to group activities. Two or three at you at a time would be ideal, I think. Any more than that and...well, no one would truly have a chance to enjoy themselves."
She did not allow her amusement to show at the groans that emitted from the gathered group. (They only had two choices and they knew it: either agree to share their time with her or lose it completely. And she doubted any of them would want to miss a turn with her.)
"Anyone have any objections?" she prompted, knowing that there wouldn't be. (They all knew better.) After pausing for the non-existent protests, she continued, "Excellent. I'll make my first selection in the morning. Those of you chosen will spend the entire day at the Senate complex. I will require your services during each break period. If I find your performance to be exceptionally pleasing, there's a very high probability that I will take you again the following day. And if I take you with me, you'll be given the night off. It will be the same for those of you I choose at night. If you are exceptionally pleasing, it is very likely you will accompany me to the Senate the next morning and then you will be given the following night off. I assume you all find this to be acceptable?"
A chorus of "Yes, Mistress Mirella" and "Of course, Mistress Mirella" answered her.
She made note of which of the servants sounded the least enthusiastic about the arrangements. (It was exactly who she predicted it would be.) None of them would be chosen tomorrow for either day or night activities. (They would get the message very quickly.)
"Very good," she spoke as her eyes sought out Firit in the gathered group.
She found him and saw that he was looking rather pleased with himself, a sign that he had succeeded in picking up Jyn's trail. (She hoped he wouldn't be too disappointed in the fact that he would not be chosen until after he had completed his very important task.)
"Everyone is dismissed except for Firit," she declared, not expecting any of them to actually go too far. (They always paid attention to her interactions with their peers. They used it to fuel their petty rivalries, which never failed to amuse her.)
Firit, his expression smug, stepped forward.
"So, how goes your observation of Jyn Andor?" she asked him, curious to hear what he had to say. (He clearly thought he'd done something special, which she sincerely doubted.)
"Very well, Mistress," he reported. "She was very easy to locate and follow. In fact, you'll be pleased to know that I already almost got her."
"You what?!"
Mirella glared at him, stunned by his flagrant disregard for his very specific instructions.
"I almost got her," he repeated, clearly unaware of her displeasure. "It was the perfect opportunity. She was walking right by-"
"You weren't supposed to go near her yet!" she cut him off, enraged that he didn't seem to realize what he'd nearly done. (All of her plans for tonight! Almost ruined by an idiot!) "I want her alive for tonight!"
Firit looked confused. "But I thought-"
"You aren't supposed to think!" she raged at him. "All you're supposed to do is obey! I gave you very specific order. Tell me, what did those orders say?"
He appeared to search his deficient little mind. "To take her out."
"But not before?" she prompted, deciding that this sort of disobedience could not go unpunished.
Immediately punished.
Permanently punished.
An example had to be made.
It was too bad it had to be Firit. He was one of the most talented in bed, not to mention very nice to look at. She'd miss his skills. (Though once she had Cassian back...)
"But you want her gone," he countered, still not getting why she was upset. "Wouldn't taking care of her sooner be-"
"But not before," she calmly repeated, holding up a hand and casting her gaze around the room for something she could use as an instrument to deliver the punishment. (It was amazing how quickly the anger faded once she made up her mind what to do about the problem.)
His face fell as it finally dawned on him how badly he'd displeased her.
"Not before tonight's gala," he finally recited.
"Exactly. Not before the gala," she confirmed. Not seeing anything useful, she gestured for Jeek to come over. "You have no idea how lucky you are that you failed in your attempt to kill her. I have plans for tonight. Plans you almost ruined."
His face paled at her words.
"I-I didn't know," he stammered. "I thought you'd be-"
"Pleased?" she cut him off as Jeek moved to her position. "The only thing that pleases me, as you well know, is complete and utter obedience," she informed him as she reached into Jeek's jacket and took hold of his concealed blaster. "Which you didn't give me." She looked at Jeek as she withdrew the blaster. "Thank you."
Firit's eyes widened as he realized what was about to happen.
"Mistress, please!" he begged. "Give me another chance! I've been nothing but-"
She didn't give him a chance to finish, shooting him between the eyes and killing him instantly. (If he'd actually succeeded in killing Jyn, his death would have been slow and painful. He should be grateful that his failure granted him a quick one.)
Knowing the others were watching, she announced, "Let this be a reminder of what happens when you willfully disobey me. I expect my orders to be followed exactly. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Mistress Mirella," they shakily chorused, all sounded shocked and subdued. (It was highly unusual for her to execute one servant in front of the others. She normally did it in private, their fates unknown to the rest.)
She handed the blaster back to Jeek, who had not moved from her side. "I'll leave it to you to clean up this mess."
"Yes, Mistress," he acknowledged, reholstering the weapon.
"Now, which of you will help me prepare for the gala?" she asked her clearly rattled servants. (Just because she'd had to deal with some unpleasant business didn't mean her night was ruined.)
The ever-ready-to-please Larg stepped forward. (He'd just been with her mere hours ago and already wanted more despite what he'd just seen. It was so typical.)
"Anyone else?"
After several seconds, Tork and Kevnar moved to join Larg. They had both been with her for a few years and had proved themselves to be excellent bedmates. (She knew they had become friends and she was pleased to know they were willing to cooperate with each other for the greater good. They instantly moved to the top of her list for who she'd choose to join her in the morning.)
She smiled at her three volunteers. "Very nice. You will all do nicely. Follow me."
Without waiting for them, she made her way back to the stairs.
She had no doubt they were right on her heels.
((()))
"Cassian, I'm fine, I promise," Jyn insisted for the hundredth time as she finished putting on the pair of earrings Zealene had chosen for her. "Yes, I was shaken up for a while immediately after it happened, but it passed. And then I went to have my hair and make-up done. It really isn't that big a deal."
"You nearly got hit by a speeder," he countered from his position on their bed. He was fully dressed in his suit for the gala. "I'd say that was a big deal. You could have been killed! If Leia hadn't been there..."
"But she was," she assured him, turning away from the mirror, "and nothing actually happened." She came over to join him on the bed, careful not to wrinkle her dress as she sat. "Well, something happened. Leia got her way and I had my hair and make-up done," she added with a smile
"How can you be so nonchalant about this, Jyn?" he questioned and her smile faded. "I could have lost you! Ashlyra could have lost you! When you told me what happened, I-"
"This is about Mirella, isn't it?" she gently cut him off.
"You're already in enough danger from her as it is," he confirmed. "To think that you could have died from something as random as a-"
"But I didn't," she reminded him. "And maybe, just maybe, this will turn out to be the worst thing that happens to us while we're here."
It was wishful thinking, but she secretly hoped that it could come true.
"You believe that even less than I do," he asserted.
"You're right," she admitted. "But there's a big difference between being targeted by a psychopathic monster and an accident. And what happened today was just an accident and it's over now. So let's start focusing on what we'll be facing tonight at the gala."
"Which is Mirella and her hidden agenda," he agreed and she watched as he shifted from being a worried husband to an analytical Intelligence officer. "The only part that she's made clear is that she wants me back in her bed. Tell me again what she said to you in the dress shop."
Jyn shuddered as she recalled the uncomfortable incident.
"She basically implied that our whole relationship is based on sex because I apparently have nothing else to offer you," she recited, glad that she knew Cassian too well to be fooled by Mirella's claims. (The way Mirella spoke... She was a master intimidator. A woman less confident in her husband's love would have fallen for her lies.) "She also informed me that you're turned on by exposed skin, so my conservative dress won't impress you."
Cassian took her face in his hands. "I could prove her wrong right this second, but then we'd have to get ready all over again."
And just like that, he was back to being her husband, reassuring her in that teasing way that she loved.
"Well, if it weren't for this hairstyle that I have no clue how to recreate without help, I'd tell you to go for it, but because I have to keep it intact, I think it's best we keep our hands to ourselves," she shot back with a smile.
Without another word, he leaned in and kissed her deeply.
When they separated, he pointed out, "You didn't say anything about our mouths."
"No, I didn't," she breathlessly agreed as he moved in to kiss her again.
Jyn let herself get lost in the kiss, needing it to help her momentarily forget what lay ahead of them at the gala. (If the incident at the dress store was any indication of what was to come, she'd need all of her strength to get through the night.)
Cassian ended the kiss and pulled her into his arms.
"You know I love you for more than the sex, right?" he teasingly asked.
"I would hope so," she retorted. "I'd hate to think our marriage is based solely on physical attraction."
"Well..."
"So Mirella was right?" she replied with mock-indignation as she pulled out of his arms. "You married me just for my body?"
"After all those baths I had to give you, I just knew," he informed her with a straight face. "No one else would do."
"Hmm, I knew that had to be a reason you kept dragging me into the bathroom back then," she commented, barely holding back her laughter. (It had taken her a long time to be able to joke about things that happened during the initial weeks right after Papa died, when she had been so depressed that she wanted to die herself. Cassian had been so patient with her and had forced her to start living again. Enough years had now passed that she could look back without being overwhelmed by pain.) "You kept telling me how bad I smelled! The truth finally comes out! You're just a pervert!"
"You got me!" he admitted and they both burst into laughter.
"I love you so much," he seriously told her after their laughter subsided. "You are the most amazing person I've ever known, my Stardust. You have the biggest heart in the entire galaxy. You're so kind, compassionate, and generous. Not to mention incredibly fearless and brave. I'm truly the luckiest man in the universe to be loved by you."
"Cassian..."
"Ashlyra couldn't have asked for a more wonderful mother," he added, pulling her back into his arms.
"I love you," she replied as he held her.
It always touched her when Cassian talked to her about his feelings for her. While she never doubted his love for her (as she knew Mirella was trying to make her do), it made her feel special to hear him say the words aloud.
"I forgot to mention your beauty," he continued and Jyn mentally shook her head. (She loved that Cassian found her to be beautiful despite the fact that she knew she was pretty plain. It was sweet.) "No other woman comes close."
"Not even Mirella?" she quipped, looking up at him.
"Especially not Mirella," he answered. "Who I'm expecting to go out of her way tonight to try to seduce me. I'm sure she'll resort to her usual tactics, such as wearing a barely appropriate dress and attempting to touch me as much as possible. Which, by the way, she loves to do under tables. If this gala has assigned seating, I'll bet you anything she's put me on her right side."
"Her dominant hand?" Jyn assumed.
He nodded. "She has no qualms performing sexual acts in public. And she doesn't care if anyone knows what she's doing either."
"She'll want me to know," Jyn asserted. "For some reason, it seems very important to her for you to be more attracted to her than me."
"I look forward to disappointing her," he informed her. "The only reaction she'll get out of me is an involuntary one."
One of the first things Jyn had learned about the male anatomy during their early marriage was that the slightest touch in a very particular part of his body could lead to a physical indication of arousal. The phenomenon had fascinated her and she had constantly touched him just to satisfy her curiosity. (Cassian's absolute love and trust had made her bold.) Cassian had never said no to her and it had led to numerous lovemaking sessions.
"She's not going to be happy when she realizes it," she stated, the worry starting to creep back in.
Mirella had made it clear she believed that Cassian would willingly return to him because she had more to offer than Jyn. When she realized that that wasn't going to happen...
"No, but she won't be able to do much about it because of the public setting," he reminded her. "She'll definitely get more aggressive in her overtures, but she won't turn violent. Not with all of the witnesses. I expect-"
"Mama! Papa!" Ashlyra cried excitedly as she burst into their room. "Come see what Tookie did!"
She ran over to the bed and jumped into Jyn's lap.
"I'm so sorry!" Bodhi apologized as he and Kathmea appeared in the doorway. "She got away before I could stop her. She's just so fast!"
"Don't worry about it," Cassian assured him as Jyn pushed away all thoughts of Mirella to focus on her precious little girl. (This was the reason they had to stop Mirella before anything happened. Ashlyra deserved to remain happy and oblivious to the danger around her.)
"And just what did Tookie do, little one?" Jyn asked her, expecting a similar answer to the one she'd gotten the last three hundred times Tookie had done something that amazed Ashlyra. (Oh, to be so young and innocent that watching a tooka find new ways to lick itself was an event each and every time!)
"She hid!" the girl gushed. "She hid in the bed!"
"She did?" Jyn replied with the required enthusiastic surprise. "And how did she do that?"
"She went under the blanket!" Ashlyra informed her. "She did it all by herself!"
Jyn kept herself from laughing. Ashlyra was so very serious about all things Tookie. She got very upset when others did not feel the same way.
"That's amazing!" Cassian commented and Ashlyra beamed up at him. "Did she get on the bed all by herself too?"
"No, I helped her do that," Ashlyra admitted. "She tried to jump but she's too little. So I picked her up and put her on the bed. But she went under the blanket all by herself. Ask Uncle Bodhi!"
"It's true," Bodhi chimed in and Ashlyra's smile grew even bigger.
"See? I'm not lying!"
"No one said you were, baby," Jyn assured her, fighting the ever-growing need to laugh.
"Come see, Mama!" Ashlyra urged. "You too, Papa! She's still there!"
Cassian reached over and gently moved Ashlyra from Jyn's lap into his arms.
"All right, little one," he said as he stood up with her. "You can show me first. Mama has to finish making herself pretty now. She'll see Tookie later."
"But Mama's already pretty!" Ashlyra declared and this time Jyn couldn't hold back the laugh. "I want her to see Tookie now!"
"I'll see her later, I promise," she said in the most serious tone she could manage. "I have a feeling Tookie is going to go under the blanket a lot."
"Aww!" Ashlyra pouted. "But I want you to see her now!"
"I really have to finish getting ready, baby," she informed her. "I really want to see Tookie now, I do, but remember how important we told you tonight is for Papa?"
"Yes..."
"So I have to finish getting ready first," Jyn told her. "I can see Tookie as soon as I'm done, okay?"
"Okay," Ashlyra sighed.
"Why don't you have Papa take a holo of you and Tookie under the blanket?" she suggested.
They'd already taken hundreds since last night. What was one more?
"Okay!" Ashlyra said again, instantly brightening. "Holo!"
Jyn and Cassian exchanged smiles. It was so easy to appease their little girl.
"All right. Let's go see Tookie," Cassian announced as he carried Ashlyra out of the room.
Shaking her head and smiling, Jyn stood up from the bed, smoothed her skirt, and returned to her vanity to fix her make-up.
((()))
Cassian braced himself as he and Jyn arrived at the banquet hall where the gala for Mirella was being held. It had been many years since he'd attended any kind of formal function and while he'd never been a fan of them (they were simply something he'd had to endure to complete missions), this one would be the worst of them all.
Mirella was going to make sure of that.
He felt Jyn's grip on his arm tighten as they passed through the doors and entered the crowded space.
"Okay?" he quietly asked her, knowing she was thinking about what had happened on Inusagi.
"I'm fine," she assured him. "Leia's committee have really outdone themselves, haven't they?"
The immediate change of subject told him that she didn't want to talk about her past at this moment, so he let it go and instead studied his new surroundings as he'd been trained to do.
The banquet hall was filled with senators and their companions, as well as members of Hanna City's elite, numerous worlds being represented everywhere he looked. The center of the space contained countless tables, each with place cards to direct who was to sit where. (He assumed that any of the many droids spread throughout the room had a directory of the table assignments.) The walls were lined with buffet tables, each dedicated to the dietary requirements of various species. A bar had been set up in the very back of the room. Serving droids weaved throughout the crowd carrying food and drinks to those who didn't want to serve themselves. There was also a live band, which was currently playing a very sedate piece of music, and a dance floor. (He was sure that had been yet another requirement from Mirella, who knew he could dance because he'd taken her out dancing more than once during his month with her.) A few couples were already making use of it.
"I know it's not your favorite activity, but I may take you out on the dance floor a couple of times," he informed his wife. "You know, as a way of taking a break from Mirella."
"As long as the music's slow," she replied. "I'm less likely to step on your feet that way."
"I'd rather have you stomp my feet than Mirella's hands on me any day," he let her know. "I am not looking forward to that."
"Cassian! Jyn!" a familiar voice called out.
They turned to see a resplendent Leia Organa, who was wearing a dress of deep purple, approaching them.
"Welcome," she warmly greeted them. "I know none of us are thrilled to be here tonight, but I hope you can find some enjoyment from it."
"Only what we can get from your company," Cassian told her. "Mirella is going to make it difficult to enjoy anything else."
"Very true," Leia agreed. She turned her attention to Jyn. "Zealene is never wrong. That dress is absolutely gorgeous on you. It looks like it was made just for you."
Jyn blushed at the compliment, still unused to praise after all this time. (He wondered if she would ever get comfortable being told how amazing and beautiful she was.)
"Jyn would look gorgeous in anything because she is a gorgeous women," he pointed out. "But I agree that the dress is beautiful and worth every credit. Thank you again for all of your generosity."
"Think nothing of it," she waved him off. "As I told Jyn, it's the least I could do after interrupting your lives for this." She turned to Jyn. "And you were worried he wouldn't like it."
"I wish my wife would realize by now that I like anything she wears simply because she's in it," he asserted and Jyn went even redder. "If she likes it, I like it."
"Don't let Leader Reedl hear you say that," Leia teased. "According to her, you prefer your women to wear as little as possible."
Cassian rolled his eyes. "That's because she tends to wear as little as possible at all times and when I was pretending to romance her, I had to act like I liked it. But what I really like is my beautiful wife."
"Cassian..." Jyn said, still blushing.
He gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Speaking of our guest of honor, who by the way hasn't arrived yet, she insisted that the two of you be seated at her table," Leia informed them. "Mon Mothma and I have also been 'invited' to sit with her, Councilor Cintras, and two of the other Tyratian delegates."
"Let me guess," Cassian said, "I'm being seated to her right."
"Good guess," Leia confirmed. "Speaking from experience, I take it?"
"Oh, yes," he replied, remembering the things Mirella had liked to do to him under the table. "A month of it." Hopefully, she wouldn't go as far as she'd gone in the past.
When she'd gone under the table and unzipped his pants...
Or, even worse, when she'd made him go under the table and orally pleasure her...
"Do I even want to know?" Leia asked.
"Let's put it this way," Jyn spoke up. "Mirella thinks the entire world is her bedroom. And according to Cassian, tables are no exception."
Leia made a face. "You're in for a night of discomfort, aren't you?"
"It won't be anything I can't handle," he assured her. "Uncomfortable, yes, but bearable. And it probably won't be as intense as it was when the two of us were alone because she'll have to keep her attention divided between me and the rest of the table. I'm sure she'll be making an extra effort to win you and the Chancellor over to her side to ensure the negotiations are very favorable to her."
Leia snorted. "As if she has a chance in the seven hells of that happening. But she can try. In the meantime, I'll be spending my time making an ally out of Councilor Cintras, who, as we've established, ultimately will have the final say for the Tyratians. And from what little I've seen of their interactions, I don't get the impression that she and-"
The crowd's volume suddenly increased, cutting Leia off mid-sentence.
Cassian turned around and saw the cause of the commotion.
Mirella had arrived.
And she was wearing a dress that left very little to the imagination. (An act that many of the conservative attendees, Cassian knew, would find absolutely scandalous.) It was made of a completely see-through sheer red material and, except for the flared skirt, was totally conformed to every curve to her body. Only strategic patches of an opaque material in a matching shade of fiery red covered the areas that would have been inappropriate to display in public, making it very obvious that she wasn't wearing any undergarments. (A fact proved both by the slits up the side of her skirt that reached her hips and the plunging v-neckline that exposed the center of her chest for all to see.)
It was a dress designed to drive men wild.
And he knew that she was wearing it specifically to attract him.
"Wow," Leia commented as Mirella struck a pose for the stunned onlookers. "She certainly isn't shy about being the center of attention." She shook her head. "So, Cassian, doesn't that dress just make you want to dump Jyn and run off with her?"
He laughed and pulled Jyn closer to him. "Not in a trillion years."
"Good answer," Leia told him with a smile. "Well, I guess I better go and greet her before she decides that I've somehow snubbed her. I will see you two at the table. I'm sure we're in for one interesting night."
"We'll see you there," he assured her.
Leia gave them one last smile before she started off in the direction of the still-preening Mirella.
"How are you holding up?" he asked Jyn once Leia was gone.
"I'm hanging in there," she let him know. "But I'll be much better once this evening is over and done."
"So will I," he agreed. "Mirella isn't going to make it easy for either of us, but we'll get through it."
"It's going to be a lot tougher for you," she pointed out. "I have just have to deal with her verbal insults. She's going to put her hands on you."
"Well, you're just going to have to make me forget everything when we get back home," he told her, kissing her again. "Ashlyra's going to be asleep, so..."
"Cassian!" she quietly exclaimed, blushing furiously. "You're terrible!"
He gave a soft laugh. "You love it, my Stardust. Now, let's go find our table."
"Okay," she agreed and he started guiding her towards the seating area.
((()))
Mirella beamed as she spotted Cassian across the hall. His weak wife was clutching his arm like a frightened child.
Oh, she just knew tonight was going to be immensely enjoyable in so many ways!
"Leader Reedl," a voice broke into her musings.
She looked to see that she was being addressed by Chancellor Mon Mothma, the apparently beloved leader of the New Republic. (The woman was way too serious and soft-spoken in Mirella's opinion. How she had maintained her position for as long as she had was a mystery.)
"Chancellor Mothma," she returned with a feigned friendly smile. "I have to say I am very impressed with what I am seeing so far tonight. I honestly wasn't expecting the event to be this lavish."
And she actually wasn't lying. Based on everything she had seen so far on Chandrila, she'd expected a very simple affair. The fact that it was as fancy as any event she'd attended on Tyrat had truly impressed her, a very difficult feat.
"You have Senator Organa to thank for that," Mothma told her. "She was in charge of the committee for putting together tonight's gala. Events like this are not very common these days, so it was a bit of a treat for the committee members to get to do this. They were extremely determined that it live up to your expectations."
Mirella refrained from voicing her disappointment to hear that galas were not common in the New Republic. (Did that mean that they actually did nothing but function as a government? How boring!) If these negotiations actually did succeed (she really didn't care one way or the other. Her only goal was to reclaim Cassian), she'd have to do something about that. If Barbreen and the rest of the annoying High Council tried to object, she'd use her influence with certain Council members to make the objections vanish. (And three of those members just happened to be part of the negotiations committee...)
"They have completely surpassed them," she said aloud. "Which is why I'm surprised to hear that galas aren't a common occurrence for you. I would think you'd be constantly celebrating the Empire's defeat."
"We celebrated in the beginning, of course," Mothma informed her, "but then we got down to the work of creating a new galactic government. As I'm sure you can understand, that is an undertaking that doesn't allow much time for parties."
"Such a shame," Mirella honestly commented. (What boring lives these senators must lead!) "Perhaps that will change once Tyrat is brought into the fold."
"Perhaps," Mothma said. "Though I feel there are more productive ways for us to collaborate first. For example, there are many worlds that would benefit from the knowledge related to your achievements in manufacturing."
What an understatement! she silently scoffed. Who wouldn't benefit from Tyrat's superiority?
"That is very true," she spoke aloud, trying to keep her disdain for these people out of her voice. (They were truly inferior in every way. If Cassian wasn't associated with them...) "The Tyratian people excel in everything we do. Even the smallest tidbit of our knowledge would be helpful to the New Republic."
"But of course you will be willing to share more than knowledge once you become a part of the Republic, I assume," Mothma stated and Mirella wondered what exactly the Chancellor was expecting from Tyrat. (For them to share all of their proprietary secrets with undeserving planets? What a ridiculous idea! What belonged to Tyrat would stay with Tyrat and only Tyrat!)
"Of course we are," Barbreen announced as she arrived and Mirella had never been happier to see her. (She could take over this tedious discussion while she attended to the more important tasks of harassing Jyn and reminding Cassian of what she could offer him.) "What good is having things if we don't share them with others?"
Mirella wanted to roll her eyes at Barbreen's statement. It was so typical of her to think of helping the less fortunate. Barbreen had been a bleeding heart at long as Mirella had known her. (Strangely, it was one of the things Daddy had liked about her!) She would agree with the idea of sharing the very things that made Tyrat so superior to others. (Thankfully, it would not be an issue in the end. All three of the male councilors who had accompanied her on this trip could be easily swayed to her way of thinking.)
Deciding she had chatted with the Chancellor for a length of time that would be deemed appropriate, Mirella opened her mouth to excuse herself (Cassian and Jyn awaited...), but immediately closed it as Leia Organa came to join the group.
"Good evening, Leader Reedl," Organa greeted her in that perfectly polite way of hers. "I hope the gala is to your liking."
"I was just telling Chancellor Mothma how impressed I am," she informed her. "It has exceeded my expectations in every way."
"I will pass on your praise to the committee responsible for the event," Organa let her know. "They'll be very pleased to hear that their hard work paid off."
Mirella once again found herself impressed by Leia Organa. While she was as annoyingly altruistic as the rest of the New Republic politicians, she remained unmoved by flattery. (Anyone on Tyrat would have swooned upon hearing that they had impressed their Leader.) She was strong-willed and held on to her own opinions. Getting her to change her mind about anything would be impossible without concrete proof.
It was such a shame that she was close with Jyn and Cassian and had allowed them to influence her opinion of her. Otherwise she would have made a wonderful ally. (Too bad she was married with a child. Sending the right servant could have...persuaded her to come around to Mirella's way of thinking...)
"Please do," she said aloud. "They should know that their extraordinary efforts are appreciated."
"I will let them know," Leia promised. "So, what would you like to do first? If you want to mingle, I would be more than happy to escort you and make introductions. I am familiar with many of the other guests."
Mirella mentally smirked at Leia's very flimsy attempt to keep her away from Cassian and Jyn for as long as possible. It was very cute that she was being so protective of her friends.
"Perhaps later," she waved her off. "And before you suggest anything else, such as checking out the food, I'm neither hungry nor thirsty at the moment. I just want to go to my... Excuse me, I mean our table."
It was a very deliberate way of reminding Leia who the guest of honor was. She was the one who would be making all of the decisions about what she was going to do and when she would do them. If Leia wanted the negotiations to begin tomorrow, she would do as she was told.
"We'll join you there in a short while," Mothma spoke up. "There are several beings that I'd like to introduce Coun-, Barbreen to."
Barbreen's face lit up. "You remembered!"
"Of course," Mothma nodded with a smile.
"I knew I liked you," Barbreen smiled back and Mirella fought the urge to gag at Barbreen's ridiculously casual behavior. (She wished that her position as Leader would allow her to replace the head of the High Council, but Tyrat unfortunately remained a democracy and the people loved her for some reason.) "I can already tell that working with you will be a pleasure. Together we'll ensure that bright future I mentioned earlier."
"I'll show you to the table," Leia said. "Chancellor, Councilor," she nodded to the others, who nodded back. To Mirella, she continued, "This way."
Mirella followed after the senator, her eyes already seeking and finding Cassian.
She couldn't wait to touch him again.
((()))
"It'll be all right," Cassian murmured soothingly as he gently squeezed Jyn's hand.
But his words and touch did nothing to relieve her tension as Mirella strutted up to the table.
"Jyn, Cassian!" Mirella greeted with a smile that would have fooled anyone unaware of her true nature. "I'm so happy that you're here! My evening would have been so dull without you both!"
Jyn tried not to react to Leia rolling her eyes behind Mirella's back. (It helped to know that she had her support as well. She had become a very good friend in a very short period of time.)
"Mirella," Cassian politely greeted her. "Leia."
"Hmm, now where am I sitting?" Mirella dramatically spoke, making a show of checking the table place cards. When she "found" her seat, which was exactly where Cassian had predicted it would be, her smile grew even bigger. "Wonderful! I have the best seat at the table!"
Jyn felt Cassian give her hand another squeeze as Mirella daintily took her seat.
"Just like old times," Mirella happily declared as Leia sat down directly across from them.
Then, without warning, she leaned over and kissed Cassian's cheek.
"Oops!" she apologized in an obviously insincere tone. "Sorry! I'm afraid I got a little carried away there!"
Cassian's only outward reaction was to tighten his hand around Jyn's.
Mirella leaned forward to look past Cassian to Jyn.
"Your husband is just so kissable." She gave one of the smiles that Jyn knew proceeded one of her digs. "And I don't just mean on his face. As I'm sure you well know."
Jyn knew that whatever response she gave would be used against her in some way. The comment had been designed to give Mirella an opening to launch into a barrage of insults. If she was flippant and remarked that she knew better than anyone, Mirella would take that as a challenge and remind Jyn of her own experiences with Cassian. But if she said nothing, Mirella would keep prodding until she got any kind of response at all. She had no idea what she should do.
"Considering that Jyn is my wife, I believe she finds me more than just kissable," Cassian spoke up, saving her from having to say anything. "And I feel the same way about her."
"You two are clearly very happy," Leia interjected before Mirella could respond (much to Jyn's relief). "You've been married around five years now, right? What would you say is the key to your successful relationship?"
As Mirella had done with her own question, Leia had designed hers to give Cassian the opportunity to make it clear to Mirella how devoted he and Jyn were to each other.
"Love and trust," Cassian simply replied and Jyn couldn't help but smile at his statement. The words were the absolute truth. "Everything else is a natural extension of that."
"Everything?" Mirella repeated and Jyn knew exactly where the conversation was headed. "Nothing else ranks as high as love and trust?"
"Nothing," Jyn asserted, feeling more confident now thanks to Leia and Cassian's moderation of Mirella's comments. (Knowing that they had prevented her from going too far with her statements emboldened Jyn to be more open and honest.)
"Nothing?" Mirella questioned, looking doubtful. "Oh, come on. We both know how...gifted Cassian is in a certain area."
Jyn felt Cassian's hand tighten around hers as Mirella spoke and knew it was in reaction to something that Mirella was doing to him under the table. Other than his hand, he gave no outward indication of his discomfort, which amazed her. (She had once asked him how he was so easily able to hide his emotions and his answer had been, as always, "practice.")
"How can that not contribute to your...happiness?" Mirella concluded.
"The...issue you are referring to is nice, but it's hardly the make or break aspect of a relationship," Leia pointed out. "If it was, most busy couples wouldn't stay together."
"Speaking from experience, Senator?" Mirella questioned her.
"My husband and I go months without physically being together and our relationship is as strong as ever," Leia informed her. "Every conversation means the galaxy to us."
"If you say so," Mirella said derisively. "But don't tell me that your physical reunions aren't...enthusiastic."
Without batting an eye, Leia replied, "I never said they weren't. But the issue at hand is what makes a relationship strong, not the perks of being in one."
Mirella started to comment, but the arrival of two of the other Tyratian delegates interrupted her.
As greetings were exchanged, Cassian leaned in and whispered, "How are you holding up?"
"I'm okay," she honestly assured him. Leia's diversion of Mirella's attention to herself had been very helpful. "But I'm not the one you should be worried about. How are you doing?"
"I've survived worse," he let her know. "I'm more than a little uncomfortable, but it's still at a tolerable level. But when an opportunity to get up presents itself, I plan on taking it."
"Then allow me to give you that opportunity," she told him. In her normal voice, she said, "Cassian, would you mind getting me something to drink? I've gotten thirsty."
As a tactic, it was simple. But simple could get a job done.
He flashed her a tiny smile of gratitude. "Of course, love. Why don't you join me and then we can both get something?"
"Great idea," she agreed and they both stood up from their seats, drawing the full attention of the rest of the table.
"If you'll excuse-" Cassian started to say.
"Don't be silly," Mirella interrupted him. "Jeek can get drinks for all of us." She raised her hand and her bodyguard materialized beside her.
"Yes, Mistress?"
"We want drinks," she informed him. "I'll have a glass of blossom wine." She turned to Cassian and Jyn. "What's your pleasure?"
Jyn exchanged a look with Cassian. Mirella had trapped them yet again. If they turned her down, she'd proclaim that they were being rude and she would definitely use it against them later. They had no choice but to accept the offer.
"I'll have a glass of Toniray," Cassian ordered.
"Mmm, good choice," Mirella commented approvingly. "And you, Jyn? What will you have?"
Jyn hesitated, knowing that her order would elicit comments and questions from Mirella. She had never been a drinker, but now that she was actively trying to get pregnant, she was avoiding any and all alcohol in general. She had no intention of drinking any now.
"Just a carbonated water for me," she finally said, bracing herself for Mirella's reaction.
Mirella did not disappoint.
"Water? On a special occasion?" she gasped, a shocked expression on her face. "What's the matter with you? Come on! Live a little!"
"No, water is fine," Jyn stated, not willing to explain herself to Mirella. Her reason was private between her and Cassian. It was no one else's business.
"Are you sure?" Mirella pressed. "It's not like you're pregnant or anything."
Jyn was too stunned to respond. This was the second time in one day that Mirella had implied that she knew about her and Cassian's efforts to have another baby. But that was impossible. No one knew about that other than Cassian and herself.
Cassian pulled her close before saying in a cool voice "Even if she was, it would not concern you." He stood up and brought Jyn with him. "Now if you'll excuse us, we'll be getting our own drinks."
With that, he gently tugged on her arm and led her away from the table.
"Are you all right?" he asked as soon as they were out of earshot.
"Yeah," she assured him. "I'm more shocked than anything. This is the second time today she's brought up the fact that I don't have a second child. It's as if she knows how important having another baby is to me and she's rubbing it in that I don't. I don't understand why she even cares."
"What I don't understand is why she keeps attacking you if she supposedly wants me back in her bed," Cassian pointed out. "She should know by now that I don't like the way she's treating you. How is alienating me helping her attain her goal of making me want to be with her?"
"As I keep saying, nothing about Mirella is adding up," she stated. "I have no idea what her endgame is supposed to be. And that scares me, Cassian. How can we beat her if we have no idea what her plan is?"
He pulled her close as they continued walking. "We just have to be ready for anything. Mirella wants to keep us off-balance in the hopes that she'll catch us with our guard down. Our best defense against her is to remain vigilant at all times, especially when she's around." He kissed her hair. "We're going to get through this, my love. We're not going to let her win."
"You have no idea how much I want you to be right," she replied. "But I can't help but be afraid that she's going to succeed."
"Me too," he admitted. "But we're going to do everything in our power to keep that from happening. Now, let's go get those drinks so we can get back to the table before she sends that bodyguard of hers after us."
"I wish we didn't have to go back at all," she said. "Are you sure you're ready to endure her 'special treatment' again?"
"I've had enough of a break that I can tolerate another round," he assured her. "It helps that we aren't alone at the table. She can't accidentally 'drop' something and then crawl under the table in the pretense of picking it up."
Jyn shuddered at the information she had just been given, her mind filling in the part he hadn't voiced. "She did that? In public?"
"That's nothing compared to some of the things she made me do to her in public," he answered. His tone turned conspiratorial. "Though if you'd like a demonstration later tonight..."
"Cassian!" she admonished him, feeling herself turn red at the thought.
He smiled. "I love you, my Stardust."
"I love you too."
He stopped walking and pulled her into a kiss.
Once again, he had managed to take her mind off of her worries and allowed her to feel better, even if for just a few short moments.
When they broke apart, they continued towards the bar.
((()))
Mirella only half listened to the conversations droning on around her as she impatiently waited for Cassian and Jyn to return.
What was taking them so long? How hard was it to go get drinks and come back? (She knew they hadn't left. Cassian was too loyal to his superiors to ruin the negotiations that were so important to them.) Jeek had returned with her drink in a very short period of time and he'd left the table after they had. So where were they and what were they doing?
The sooner they got back, the sooner she could resume her fun.
Jyn was predictably easy to rattle. All it took was a mere mention of either sex or pregnancy. She'd be sure to repeatedly bring up both all night.
Cassian, however, was proving to be quite the challenge. He hadn't once lost his composure despite her best efforts. And oh was she making an effort. She'd done everything short of putting her hand down his pants. (Which she very badly wanted to do...) While it was true that his body was reacting, he wasn't responding. It was both frustrating and infuriating.
The only reaction she'd gotten from him was his constant defense of his weakling of a wife. (Leia's unwelcome interference in their affairs was not helping either. The time she spent dealing with the senator was time Cassian was able to use to strengthen his resolve.) He did not like any disparaging remarks made towards her. It make her reconsider her plan for the evening. Perhaps it would be best to focus all of her efforts on Jyn.
After all, she would not be around for much longer...
Of course, if an opportunity presented itself to get Cassian alone...
"Leader Reedl?" Mon Mothma's voice broke into her musings.
The Chancellor and Barbreen had arrived at the table shortly after Cassian and Jyn had gotten up.
"I was asking you what you thought of the idea of creating a Republic-wide system of distribution hubs," Mothma continued. "I know Tyrat has something very similar on a planetary level."
Mirella resisted the urge to roll her eyes. The Chancellor wanted to talk business at a party? What was wrong the politicians of the New Republic? Did they ever stop working?
"It was my late father's idea," she explained, her voice devoid of her annoyance. "It has served Tyrat very well, but as you said, we are a single planet. However, economics is not my area of expertise. I defer you to Councilor Enerd, who's very well-versed in the subject. He's the one who can tell you what you need to know. Right, Streed?"
Streed, who Mirella had won over years ago (he was absolutely pathetic as a lover), beamed. "Oh, yes. The hubs were one of the previous Leader Reedl's most brilliant creations. By streamlining shipping and receiving, delays become almost non-existent. We have been using the hubs for nearly ten years now."
"Tell me, Councilor Enard, since the hubs are run by the planetary government, how are the individual shipping companies granted access?" Leia asked and Mirella mentally shook her head at the senator's assumption that there were individual companies.
"Tyrat has only one company that handles all transportation," Streed answered and Mirella immediately tuned out the conversation because it was at that moment that Cassian and Jyn finally returned to the table.
Cassian, always the perfect gentlebeing, pulled out his wife's chair and allowed her to sit first. She held both of their drinks, one of which, Mirella noted, was indeed just carbonated water.
"So glad to see that you've finally rejoined us," Mirella greeted them. She immediately placed her hand in Cassian's lap the moment he sat down. "I missed your company."
She gave a squeeze and to his credit, he didn't so much as flinch.
"Sorry it took us so long," he replied in a matter-of-fact tone, acting as if he didn't even notice that he was being fondled. (His body, however, told a very different and immediate story.) "There was a line at the bar."
"And the bartending droids can only go so fast," Jyn added.
"I was told that these were the latest models," Leia interjected. "I'll have to look into it after the gala ends."
"Funny how Jeek got my drink so quickly then," Mirella commented, amused at how they were pretending their slow return wasn't deliberate.
"People see him coming and move out of his way," Barbreen jumped into the conversation. "I know I do. You have to admit that he's tall, dark, and intimidating."
Mirella smiled as she glanced to where Jeek was standing attentively nearby. "He's the perfect bodyguard."
And so much more, she silently added. She didn't know where she'd be without his loyal service. (He'd never earned a single strike.)
"I'm curious, but I couldn't help but notice that you are the only member of your delegation with a personal bodyguard," Leia spoke up. "Is there a reason why?"
Mirella allowed her smile to grow. "Jeek is not merely my bodyguard. He is the head of all of my security. Just being in his presence makes me feel safe. That's why I like to keep him with me at all times." She took this opportunity to tighten her grip on Cassian. "He's always...ready when I need him."
Cassian's refusal to acknowledge her hand on his crotch impressed her. But judging by his body's reaction, it wouldn't be long before he started feeling uncomfortable.
It was time to go after Jyn again.
That he wouldn't be able to ignore.
((()))
It took every ounce of restraint Cassian had not to grab Mirella's hand, pull it away, and crush it. Her fondling was causing him extreme discomfort. But reacting to it would be the worst thing he could do.
The only thing getting him through this ordeal was Jyn's comforting presence. Holding her hand centered him. He wished he could leave the table again, but it was too soon. The other Tyratian delegates would get the impression that he and Jyn were rude. He had to hold out as long as he could.
Maybe if the band played something Jyn wouldn't mind dancing to...
"I'm sure Jyn feels the same way about Cassian," Mirella was saying. "He was an Intelligence officer in his previous life. You know, before he became a mere farmer."
Warning bells went off in his head. Mirella was gearing up to target Jyn again, most likely in retaliation for his lack of satisfactory response to her touching.
"And there's absolutely nothing wrong with being a farmer," Mon Mothma defended him. "Cassian served the Alliance faithfully for many years. He earned his retirement. He can spend it however he chooses."
"But as a farmer?" Mirella pressed. She looked directly at him. "I just don't see it. Was it Jyn's idea? Did you become one for her?" She leaned forward to look past him to Jyn. "Did you give him any other choice?"
"Why do you find it so hard to believe that I chose this life?" he questioned her before Jyn had a chance to respond.
Her reaction was to tighten her grip on him and he fought the urge to rip her hand away.
"Because I know how much you enjoyed the kind of life you experienced with me," Mirella replied. "You can't fake that kind of happiness. Farming is so...dull in comparison. What exactly is it that you do for..." She trailed off and she smiled wickedly. "Oh! Never mind. I think I know."
Cassian had a very good idea of what she thought she knew.
"I'm sure raising a precocious child like Ashlyra gives them all the excitement they could ever hope for," Leia put in. "I don't think she allows them a single dull moment."
"She's exactly right," Jyn spoke up, smiling because she was thinking about their daughter. She looked at Cassian. "Our little one keeps us very busy."
"Yes, she does," he agreed, smiling back at her.
"Then you must be so glad that you only have the one child," Mirella declared, resuming her attack. "Imagine if you had two just like her! It would be exhausting! Thank the gods you only have her. You must be very careful when you... You know."
Cassian could see Jyn's instant discomfort, which he knew was Mirella's goal by bringing up the subject.
"Actually, we both want a large family," he informed Mirella before she could press her offensive. "It was something we agreed on before we ever got married."
"Did you really agree or were you told that-"
"We agreed," he firmly cut her off.
"Leader Reedl currently doesn't have any aspirations for parenthood and has difficulty understanding those of us who do," Barbreen interjected. "Though it is our hope that this will one day change as it is the Leader's duty to produce an heir."
An heir? Cassian noted in surprise. Mirella needed an heir? That's interesting.
He tried to remember back to when Mirella had started talking to him about marriage and children. If he recalled correctly, she had been very matter-of-fact about the idea of children. She had spoken about them as if they were a requirement of marriage rather than a product of a couple's love for each other. He hadn't given it much thought at the time since he'd known he would be long gone before their "relationship" developed that far. But now that he knew she was expected to have at least one child, it made a lot more sense. (Mirella didn't necessarily want a child, but she had to have one.)
"Councilor Cintras, how can you say that?" Mirella protested, sounding wounded. "When have I ever said outright that I don't want children? I'm simply waiting for the right partner to come along. Someone who..." She increased the speed of her rubbing of Cassian's lap, sending his discomfort skyrocketing. "...will make an incredible husband and father," she finished.
Cassian knew that he had to get away from her very soon or he wasn't going to be able to prevent himself from acting out and bodily assaulting her. He needed to escape before he blew everything for the New Republic.
Then, to his immense relief, the band began to play a moderately paced piece of music that Jyn would agree to dance to.
"Are you up for a dance?" he whispered while Mirella was busy with Councilor Cintras and the others. At Jyn's nod, he added, "Go."
Without any further prompting, Jyn announced, "I just love this song! Cassian, come dance with me!"
Smiling at her perfect performance, he replied, "Of course, my love." As the two of them stood up (the act of getting up bringing him immediate relief), he looked at his tablemates and said, "If you'll excuse us."
"Have fun, you two!" Leia encouraged.
A look of amusement flickered across Mirella's face, but she said nothing. Cassian had no doubt that she knew exactly what he and Jyn were doing.
And that she'd make them pay for it later...
"I wish my husband was here so he could twirl me around the floor," Councilor Cintras sighed wistfully.
"I would be more than honored to dance with you," another of the Tyratian delegates, Councilor Suorn, offered.
"Well, let's go then!" she accepted and they both got to their feet.
Jyn smiled at Cassian. "Shall we?"
He took her arm and smiled back. "We shall."
"Better?" she asked as soon as they moved away from the table.
"Do you even have to ask?" he quipped. "The only time I don't mind that kind of attention is when it comes from you."
"Really? When Mirella is obviously so superior to me in every way?" she teased.
"Hmm, we'll have to test that theory as soon as we get home," he informed her. "And to make sure we're thorough, we'll have to test it repeatedly."
"Cassian!" she laughed as they arrived at the dance floor, her face once again red. "You really are terrible!"
"Only for you, my Stardust," he informed her as he pulled her into his arms and they began to slowly sway to the music.
"Only for you."
((()))
Mirella smiled to herself as Cassian attempted to escape her by going to dance with his wife. (Who could not act to save her life. Her suddenly declaration about the song had been forced and unnatural.) Did he not remember the things they had done under the guise of dancing? (She hadn't.)
She would wait until the music changed to something more appropriate and then she would personally remind him. (This was the very reason she had insisted the gala included dancing.)
In the meantime, she needed to pretend to be interested in the topic of conversation, which was still, to her annoyance, children. (Holos of children and grandchildren were being shamelessly shared. Even Leia was showing off her infant brat.) She would need to excuse herself as soon as it was politely acceptable.
Then she would wait for the perfect song.
((()))
Jyn relaxed in Cassian's arms as he led her in a simple two-step dance.
She didn't mind this kind of dancing. It was easy and straightforward and it would keep the risk of her stepping on his feet to a minimum. (Though if they were in a more enjoyable situation, she would occasionally do it on purpose because of where it had been known to lead afterwards...) She could stay like this with him for the rest of the night.
"Let's keep dancing for a few more songs," she suggested, looking up at him. "I don't care what they are and I'll be careful of your feet, I promise. I just..."
"I don't want to go back either, but we're going to have to eventually," he told her. "You heard how annoyed Mirella was after we left and came back the first time. As much as I hate all of this, we can't risk the negotiations. I don't want to anger her to the point that she calls everything off and leaves. That would be bad for everyone involved."
"Just one or two more dances," she pleaded, knowing that he was right. "Anything to keep you away from her as long as possible. I don't know how you're managing to sit there for so long without showing how uncomfortable you are."
"Training," he simply said. "We were taught how to withstand multiple interrogation and torture techniques before we were ever put out in the field. Mirella's bad, but I've experienced worse."
She shuddered as she remembered some of the horrors he had shared with her over the years. "You're amazing. You know that, right?"
He gave a low laugh and smiled at her. "I'm nothing special, my love. Just a well-trained operative. You, on the other hand-"
"Yeah, yeah," she playfully interrupted him. "I'm the amazing and wonderful one. I know, I know."
"Don't forget beautiful," he added for good measure.
"If you weren't holding me, I would be smacking you right now," she informed him.
"In front of all of these people?" he gasped in mock-horror. "What would they all think?"
"That my husband needed to be put in his place," she shot back. "You have a reputation as a troublemaker, you know."
"I believe, my Stardust, that you have us confused," he countered. "Remember, I'm the one who put together that dossier on you way back when. If there ever was a troublemaker, it was you."
"Well, there you have it," she declared. "Only a troublemaker of a wife would smack her husband in the middle of a crowd. Problem solved."
"Who's the terrible one now?" he teased as the music came to an end and they stopped their gentle swaying.
"I love you," she told him.
"I love you too," he replied as he leaned down to kiss her.
"May I have the next dance?" a very unwelcome voice interrupted them.
They broke apart and looked to see Mirella standing in front of them.
"I know you aren't going to say no," she continued. "Because you know what would happen if you did."
Jyn exchanged a look with Cassian.
They were trapped and Mirella knew it.
Cassian released Jyn from his arms and held out a hand to Mirella. "Which is why I'll be more than happy to dance with you. I wouldn't want to be the reason that the negotiations didn't take place."
"No, you wouldn't," Mirella agreed as the next song began to play.
She accepted Cassian's hand and she moved her body very close to his in what Jyn assumed was the proper dance position for whatever the type of music this was.
Mirella moved her mouth close to Cassian's ear and whispered something that produced a stunned expression on his face that vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
Whatever she had said... Jyn almost didn't want to know.
And then they began to move to the music, leaving her standing alone in the middle of the dance floor.
((()))
Mirella couldn't believe her luck. The band was playing a tamlaga, one of the most sexually charged dances in the galaxy. (Which was why it was her favorite.) She and Cassian had danced it several times when they were together.
They had been very, very good at it.
Which was why, despite his clear lack of enthusiasm (which she'd remedy soon enough), he executed every step with flawless precision. He read all of her cues and responded instantaneously. However, all of his movements were perceptively stiff, his body tense. While no one watching would be able to tell, she knew.
And that made it unacceptable.
It was her own fault of course. She'd been hurling insults and making insinuations against his beloved wife all evening and then to top it off, she'd just informed him that he was the entire reason the negotiations were taking place. He'd put up his guard and getting him to relax in her presence was going to be impossible.
So she would have to do the next best thing: force him into acting like he was relaxed. (It wasn't ideal, but it would have to do until Jyn was out of the way. He'd never consider Mirella as anything but an adversary until then.) He would not be happy with her, but he'd have no choice but to give in. All she had to do was threaten to leave and she'd have him where she wanted him.
The music changed, giving her the opportunity to make her demands.
"The tamlaga is a dance of passion," she began as she slowly walked around him, trailing her hands along his torso. "Where is your passion, Cassian? I need to feel it." She finished circling him and faced him again. "Give it to me or I end the negotiations right now."
"My passion is with my wife where it belongs," he asserted as he sent her into a roll away. When he pulled her back to him, he continued, "All I can give you is a performance that gives the illusion of passion."
"That's all I'm asking for," she replied, knowing that victory was hers. He was far too loyal to the New Republic to ruin the negotiations for them.
He sent her into a backwards dip and before pulling her up, he ran his hand down the front of her body.
She smiled at the sensation of his fingers on her exposed skin.
"Is that satisfactory?" he questioned as he brought her back upright.
"Give me more," she demanded. "Make me feel it."
Cassian said nothing, but as he led her into the next sequence of steps, she could indeed feel a change in his movements.
In his body.
"Oh, yes," she praised him as he put her through a complicated turn. "That's it."
Although she knew it wasn't real for him (yet), this would do for now.
He'd truly be hers soon enough.
((()))
Cassian had never wanted a piece of music to end so badly in his entire life. He felt dirty and disgusting and he needed to be with Jyn so she could wipe away Mirella's touch.
Mirella, on the other hand, was having the time of her life. Not only was she getting the intense tamlaga experience she had demanded from him, but they had attracted an audience. The floor had emptied of all other dancers and all eyes were on the two of them.
Including Jyn's.
He took comfort in the fact that Jyn knew he was putting on an act to appease Mirella. (If it weren't for those damn negotiations...) She wouldn't be fooled in the way he was sure Mirella was hoping.
Mirella was of course going out of her way to give their audience the impression that they were a couple. She leaned her face close to his at every opportunity, making it seem like they would kiss at any moment. Whenever he dipped her backwards, she would hook her leg over his hip. (An act made more disturbing by the fact that she was not wearing any underwear. It was also the reason that he had refrained from lifting her up in any of the acrobatic maneuvers the tamlaga was known for.) He worried that there were in fact some onlookers who would think they were together.
Finally, finally, the music reached its concluding crescendo and Cassian spun Mirella one last time before bringing her in for a final pose.
A pose that very deliberately had them both facing in the same direction.
There were loud applause and as Mirella moved to take a bow and bask in the adulation, Cassian slipped away.
He hurried over to where Jyn was waiting and before she could say a word, he drew her into a deep and passionate kiss.
When they at last broke apart, he told her in a breathless voice, "I needed that." He then took her hand. "Let's get out of here."
A surprised look appeared on Jyn's face. "But-"
"Mirella's gotten all she's going to get from me tonight," he cut her off as he started leading her away. "If she isn't satisfied, then too bad. But I think she knows she's pushed me as far as she can. She had to use threats to get this much."
"Oh, no," Jyn said worriedly. "What kind of-"
"More of the same about ending the negotiations," he assured her. "Believe me, if she had threatened you or Ashlyra, there'd have been a very different performance out on the dance floor."
"Thank the Force."
"Let's go say our goodbyes to the table and then head back home," he told her.
"And then I can give you that demonstration I promised you."
((()))
Mirella had noticed the instant Cassian had run from her, probably into the arms of his wife, who she was sure had been very disturbed by the way he danced with her.
Despite Cassian's claims that what had transpired between them was only a performance, she knew better. That kind of intensity... It couldn't be faked. There was a very real fire between them that Cassian would be hard pressed to deny. She had felt it.
And if she had felt it, there was no way he hadn't felt it too.
That meant it was only a matter of time before he gave into the inevitable.
They belonged together. This dance was the proof.
But Cassian wouldn't admit anything as long as his pathetic little wife was around.
Which was why she needed to be disposed of as quickly as possible.
Damn Firit and his incompetence! She'd given him one simple job and he hadn't been able to do even that! She worried that any of her other servants (with the exception of Jeek, who she wasn't willing to spare from his normal duties) would be just as incompetent and she'd hate to lose any more when there weren't any readily available replacements.
The only solution was that she'd have to get rid of Jyn herself.
She would start figuring out how she would do it tomorrow. As she'd instructed Firit, it would have to be made to look like an accident and that kind of arrangement took careful and meticulous planning. Jyn could not suspect anything was amiss until it was too late. Tonight she was going to enjoy herself.
There was no reason to waste a perfectly good gala.
Jyn wasn't going anywhere.
Besides, there was a certain senator who she hadn't said hello to yet.
She'd kept him waiting long enough.
