Hela's

The music was soothing, she let it flow through her, it was part of her life from childhood, despite what had happened. Up to that time, there had been so many good memories, with her eyes closed she lost herself in the imagery of her planet, the plains, the lakes where she spent summers as a child. She was finally reaching the part when she needed to sing, when—.

"Mayday!" She shouted, as strong arms lifted her off the ground and swung her around, finally twisting her to face him. She pulled off the headphones.

"How did you know it was me?"

"Zur would never presume to do that. And he always makes some sarcastic comment when he enters."

Mayday stared at her; she felt his eyes looking over every part of her as his hands slid down her body.

"You look good."

"I'm wearing workout leggings and a Tooka The Musical top, that's not a good look."

"You still look good to me."

"So do you." She watched him, relieved he appeared in one piece.

His hands rested on her hips; finally unable to wait any longer, she reached out and pulled his face down and kissed him. He returned it enthusiastically and then his hands dropped to her thighs and he lifted her to him. Automatically her legs wrapped around him and he pulled away.

"Bed, I need a bed. I am tired."

"Tired?" She asked, her voice tinged with disappointment.

"Not of you."

He backed into the bedroom, turning to lower her onto the bed before quickly removing his armour, carefully placing it in a pile, in the corner of the room.

Hela leaned on her elbows, drinking in his face and body and watching his every move, her anticipation mounting.

He pulled one shoulder of his bodysuit down and stopped.

"What's the matter?" He asked.

"Nothing!" She said, noting the new tattoos.

"You're very quiet."

She shrugged.

"Am I supposed to do this to music?" He arched an eyebrow as he peeled the other sleeve down, slowly. "Or is that already going through your head?" He asked, grinning.

"No, nothing like that." She pulled her top off, suddenly embarrassed at being caught ogling her boyfriend.

He crawled over to her, "I don't mind you looking at me like that, appreciating my body."

He leaned in, closing the distance between them until she could feel the heat radiating off him, "I do the same." He breathed the words into her ear.

"To me?"

"Of course."

She touched the scar, the redlines radiating from the main wound were still visible spreading across his chest and over his shoulder to his back, and then the tattoos, "These are new."

"We had a day stopover before Umbara. A few of us got them."

"212th?" She asked, her fingers floating over the small gold sunburst.

"Of course."

Her hand hovered over the blue plom flower.

"You." He said.

She didn't say anything and he couldn't tell what she was thinking from the expression on her face.

"You don't like tattoos?" He asked.

"They look good on you. And they're very well done. I just didn't expect you to have any."

"I have never felt the need before." His mouth lingered near her neck, his warm breath hitting the sensitive area below her ear, increasing her feelings of anticipation. She moved her head and slid her hand down his stomach, already feeling his erection pressing against her.

"I missed you." She murmured, as he kissed along her collar bone paying particular attention to the hollow there.

His hands slid under her back side, lifting her towards him, as he moved away from her, kissing down her stomach. She arched up towards him to get more of his touch. Then he carefully moved her legs apart and worked his magic.

Electricity coursed through her body, his every touch adding to her arousal; finally she arched up, her head pressing down onto the bed. Mayday held her steady for a little while before he crawled up and entered her, bracing himself above her. He had only one goal now, his own release and set a rhythm for it.

Hela's fingers gripped his biceps, meeting him on every thrust, until he finally came and lowered himself back onto her.

They lay quiet, as they regained their breath.

.

Hela blinked and stretched slightly, feeling Mayday pressed close to her back; his chest moving in a steady rhythm against her, with his every breath. She stretched out a little more trying not to disturb him. His hand pressed against her stomach, pulling her closer, showing he was already awake.

"I think we need to get up." Murmured Hela softly, she could see the time on chrono.

"Why?" asked Mayday, "This is the best sleep I've had since Ord Mantell. I'm comfortable."

"I thought you soldiers were up with the dawn every day."

"Depends who you're sleeping with."

"Explain!" She said suspiciously.

"There's a perfectly good reason soldiers don't stay in bed and it's not the war or training."

Hela laced her fingers through his that were now splayed across her stomach, covering nearly all of it, "Rules?" She guessed.

He snorted, "It's clear you have never spent a night in a room full of sleeping soldiers, who have not been out of their body suits for several days."

"Er no. I think I'd remember that." She wondered where this was going.

"Shall we say the noises and smells, when they rise are not pleasant, especially when it becomes a competition."

"Competition?" She asked, she had grown up with a sister, no boys involved in her upbringing; she hadn't even noticed them until she was a teenager.

"To produce the loudest or the smelliest."

"Ew! Gross!" She said, as it dawned on her what he was referring to but she giggled at the thought.

"Can they play a tune?" She asked.

"Tune?"

"Yes with the noises."

Mayday laughed at the thought and Hela slipped out of the bed.

"That's cheating." He declared, leaning over to catch her but missing as she hurried out of his reach, giggling; he followed her from the bed.

He beat her to the fresher.

Hela opened the fresher door and closed it quickly, stepping back, "Mayday. That's gross!" She shouted through the door.

"You bought the dinner!"

"Okay we're not having fish again. It obviously disagrees with you."

She switched up the air filtration system and waited, leaning against the wall.

"Hela! What have you done? It's as cold as kriffing Hoth in here."

She sniggered as she walked back to the kitchen. Her apartment was built not just for humans but for all species and the climate controls could be adjusted in a myriad of ways to suit their needs.

.

Galaxies Opera House

Matinee

As Mayday walked up to the theatre alone, he saw the Coruscant Guard patrolling outside; of course they stopped him.

The trooper gave him an odd look, taking in his civilian clothes.

"ID soldier."

He complied; he was in civilian dress and had nothing to hide. He was wearing some of the clothes Hela had surprised him with that morning. It felt odd wearing them, no armour pressing into him.

The Guard scanned his wrist.

"Can I ask what you're doing here…..Commander?"

"I've come to see the show." He produced his ticket.

"The show?"

"Tookas The Musical."

"Where did you get the ticket?"

"I was given it. Is there a problem Private?"

They watched him suspiciously, as he produced his ticket from his pocket. He noticed the one standing to one side, watching, his hand dropped to his blaster, resting on the top.

The Guard scrutinised his ticket and scanned it twice.

He wasn't upset, he knew he was doing nothing wrong and they were only doing their duty. There had been a few deserters that he knew of.

"Thank you Commander Mayday." His ticket was returned to him. "Enjoy the show." He added.

Mayday nodded and walked in.

.

He took his seat at the end of a row; the auditorium was filling up. He looked around concerned at the large number of citizens in here, all crammed together. He checked for the exits; there were only a few. If anything happened, if the Seppies attacked or there was a bomb threat, they would all struggle to get out safely. There would be significant casualties.

The lights dimmed, he wasn't sure why and he tensed. Then the music started, the curtains drew back and he was transported to the lower levels of Coruscant with the scenery on the stage. He knew he wasn't there but it was so well designed and painted that it appeared as if you were.

The auditorium was dark and no one could see him. He watched and listened, looking for Hela on the stage.

.

Standing with a glass of ale in his hand, Mayday was bored; the ale was warm and didn't really taste of anything; it was worse than that served at 79s. He watched Hela, as she talked to many of the people who were here, moving effortlessly from one small group to another. She glanced in his direction and winked.

She had insisted he attend the after show party.

There had been a number of people invited backstage for this—Soirée— Zur had called it. He wandered around with a bottle in one hand and a tray in the other, filling up people's glasses and looking thoroughly bored by it all. The longer he knew Zur the more he thought there was more to him but he was sure of one thing, he was fond of Hela, despite their bickering and she was fond of him.

Mayday observed the people here, obviously rich and from the higher levels of Coruscant society. He should feel out of place but he didn't, as far as he was concerned Hela had invited him, that was enough. He leaned back against the wall, swirling his beer in his glass. It was flat now and as he watched these people, he thought he should be angry. He and his brothers fought for these people and some didn't even recognise them as human but he wouldn't even be alive if it weren't for the war.

"Do you want another ale?" Asked Zur, scowl in place, as he stood next to him; the Falleen could creep up on anyone, although he never quite managed it with Mayday.

"No, I'll pass thanks."

"I don't blame you." Zur sighed, "It won't be much longer, Hela's getting bored. She only does this for the younglings and there aren't many here today."

"I saw her talking to one."

"I better get back to it. No rest for the wicked." He smiled, still not looking any better.

Mayday nodded and watched him as he walked away. He looked again for Hela, he had lost sight of her when Zur spoke to him. Then he spotted her again bending down talking to a little human female youngling and giving her a furry Tooka doll.

"She's not a dancer you know, she's too short and fat." A female Coruscanti voice disturbed him.

Mayday turned to face the tall Pantoran who he had initially assumed was walking past him; she had turned and stopped. He saw she was appraising him, he knew the look, it was the same as the Kaminoans had, when they were cadets growing up.

She sipped whatever was in her glass, holding the stem daintily between her thumb and two fingers.

"Isn't she? I thought she was."

"You obviously don't know much about dancing. If a well trained dancer was performing that role. It would be spectacular."

"You're right I don't but everyone seemed to enjoy the show. The costumes are excellent."

He liked seeing Hela dressed in that particular one, the way it emphasised her curves and he was fascinated at how much she looked like a Tooka.

"She gets away with a lot of mistakes because people concentrate on the costumes and her singing."

"Mistakes?" He asked.

"Yes, she misses out steps, looks clumsy. I tried to help her, give her some training but she refused."

"Oh." Mayday wasn't sure how to reply to that, he didn't think she looked clumsy.

"I'm Juno by the way. She only got the role because of who she knows and who she's with."

"And who is that?" His interest piqued.

"She knows the Chancellor from Naboo and she's with Frey, of course. It always helps to bring the punters in if the leads are having an affair."

Mayday tried to keep a straight face but he must have let something slip despite what he knew.

"Oh! Didn't you know?" She sounded exultant, and drained her glass before signalling to Zur that she wanted another. He came over scowling and she took another glass, depositing the empty one on his tray.

Zur tipped his head at Mayday, who looked to be ignoring him.

"I'd heard rumours." Mayday said.

"I've seen them."

"Have you?"

"Oh yes. Definitely having an affair. That means there is no way I'll ever get a chance to show what I can do."

"What do you do?"

"I'm a dancer?"

"What about the singing?"

"That's easy. It's not like it's the opera she normally does."

"No. I suppose not." He answered, looking for some way to get out of this conversation without being rude. He looked around for Hela.

He felt the Pantoran lean against him, her fingers running up and down his arm. She was as tall he so that he could look her directly in the eyes, and athletically built. Slim, muscular and attractive.

He felt the attraction and then a pang of guilt.

"She also does those concerts for the clones. Not sure where that came from."

"Does she?"

Her fingers continued their travels, reaching his shoulder and resting there.

"Yes. She asked me to help but it's not my scene."

"I'm sure they would have enjoyed it."

"Hmm. Clones? Not going to get the chance."

She looked around the room; he hoped she would move away soon. Then she turned back and looked directly at his face, holding his gaze.

"You have lovely brown eyes. Has anyone told you that?" Her voice was low, husky.

"No they haven't."

"Well you have. I could get used to have those looking at me."

"You could?" He finally realised she was flirting with him.

"Yes but they'd have to come second to my career. It would be ideal if she could have an accident. Another fall."

"Another fall?"

"Yes. She had one, tripped over her own feet. I told you she wasn't a trained dancer."

"Ah yes, you mentioned that."

The Pantoran turned to face him, "Nice shirt, you have good taste." She adjusted his collar and ran her fingers down the front, lingering on the material, "Which designer is it?"

"Not sure. Just something I threw on."

That was true, he and Hela had argued about it. He didn't want her spending money on him. He already felt, she gave more than he did; she dismissed his arguments but she had bought enough for the squad. He couldn't refuse on their behalf.

"It suits you."

Hela had said the same but he had still been angry when he dressed.

Juno let her hand rest on his chest, "Nice chest too. Pity I can't see more of it."

She undid another button for him, "There, that's better." leaving her hand resting there.

"I'm very flexible, you know."

"Are you?"

Mayday looked over her shoulder and searched the room for Hela; he'd lost sight of her again.

He felt a finger stroking his chest, "I can do the splits. Every which way."

"You can?" He'd heard the phrase before.

Then he heard a whimper; he looked down to see a tiny Akk dog nestled in the Pantoran's large shoulder bag. It had pushed its head out and was looking around. He frowned at it. He had not believed Hela when she told him about it.

"This is Rex."

Mayday swallowed and settled with, "He's on the small side isn't he?"

"Specially bred to be small—miniature."

"Oh!" He reached out to the small animal; it snapped at him and growled. He pulled his hand back quickly.

"Don't frighten him. He's only small." Then he watched as she made kissing noises at it. He half expected it to take her nose off but it didn't.

The tiny Akk dog growled again; Juno looked at him accusingly.

"I didn't do anything." He declared, wondering why he was even bothering.

Zur stepped next to him and slipped his arm through his elbow, "My dear, are you ready to leave. Hela is waiting for us."

"You're with him?" Juno almost spat the words out, "I wish you had just told me. That explains everything." She twirled around dramatically and stalked off.

"Not very tolerant, that one." Muttered Zur. He turned to Mayday, still holding his arm, "Shall we?"

.

Hela and Mayday reached the Stage Door and Zur confirmed it was clear when a soft voice called out.

"Ms Nim?"

Hela turned, "Yes?"

"Ms Nim. I'm sorry I missed my cue. I'll do better."

Hela looked at the young woman, recognising her from the chorus, a new member.

"That's fine. Don't worry! It happens to us all at some time."

Zur nearly tripped over the case he was carrying.

"We'll practise it, at next rehearsal."

"Thank you." The young woman replied, obviously relieved.

"Now go home and get some sleep. its been a long day."

"Yes Ms Nim." She scuttled off.

"Are you feeling alright?" Zur asked, "You'd usually bite their head off. If you barely acknowledge them."

Hela shrugged, "Bye see you tomorrow."

He leaned towards Mayday, "Look after her, she's sick."

Pushing her arm through Mayday's, Hela leaned in close, "He was right. I can be a bitnof a perfectionist. But I've learned to be a little more tolerant. Shall we walk? Its been a while."

"Sounds good."

They walked along the walkways back to her apartment. The weather was fair tonight, no rain planned. It had been a long time since they had done this.

"This is good." She said as they strolled, her arm through his, no hurry.

"Yes. Just the two of us away from that crowd." Replied Mayday.

"I take it you're not impressed with them."

Mayday snorted a negative.

"Is that a no?"

"Yes. No. Most of them were okay for civvies. They ignored me."

"A lot are only interested in themselves and who they can impress."

"What about the youngling? You spent a lot of time with her."

"She'd been ill. Cara arranged it."

He nodded, looking into one of the shops they passed. There were so many.

"I met Juno."

"I saw."

"She liked my shirt. And my chest."

"I bet she did. Did you meet the Akk dog?"

"Yes, it tried to bite me. You never said it was called Rex."

"Didn't I? Must have slipped my mind."

He huffed, "You also said she was nice."

Hela smiled, "There's nice and—nice." she explained.

"So she's nice."

"Exactly!"

Mayday laughed and shook his head. They walked a few more steps, Hela leaned around to look at the shop windows.

"She doesn't like you."

"I know, I don't like her. I told you she'd be ideal for Bacara. They would have that in common." Hela added, "Have you got his com code? We could hook them up."

Now he roared with laughter.

"Have you ever been to Umate?" asked Hela, when he had stopped laughing. "It's Coruscant's highest mountain peak. The tip is still visible at Monument Plaza."

"No." He had never been sightseeing on Coruscant. His only thoughts on mountains were that they were an obstacle to be climbed.

"Would you like to go?" He asked. He had learned Hela never said anything without a reason.

"It's been a long time, so yes. And you ought to see it."

"Tomorrow? I don't have to report back yet."

She leaned over and put her arms around his neck, kissing his jaw, "I would like that." She whispered.

"Good." His arms wrapped around her waist.

"It's a date." She quipped not realising what she said.

Mayday realised they had never been on a real date.

.