Together - Part 1

"So… she's gone," said Caboose quietly, sounding sad. It was only a little while after the battle, and the ARC Troopers, or what was left of them, now sat in their training room, a brief reprieve while the teams that were in charge of cleaning up began to assess damage and the medics in the med bay all worked overtime. Caboose himself had just come from a shift to spend a little time with his brothers before he rested.

This was their training room… her training room. Their Ver'alor had been… darjetti? It had spread like wildfire since the battle, several of the men having seen her chasing down that harpy Ventress with a red lightsaber in her hand.

They didn't know how she'd gotten ahold of one, or how she'd used the Force so powerfully to stop a ship mid-flight like that. Almost everyone had seen it, and if they hadn't, there was plenty of holo-footage to check.

The officials of the Republic had already issued a notice that former Lieutenant-General Siren of the training facilities of Kamino was wanted for questioning by the Jedi and the Republic. Officially it was an inquiry, unofficially… well it ranged from a rogue Jedi, Separatist spy or even another Sith.

"I can't believe it…" muttered Rex. He'd barely stopped working, and had only been dragged in by Cody to check on the other ARCs… this news hit them harder than anyone. Rex had given her intel, calls on his progress, about the war… she had regular contact with all of her ARC Troopers… how could it be true?

"She's a traitor then," Hunter said dejectedly, his eyes on the floor.

"The hell she is!" snapped Alpha, he'd just joined them but he was not dragging his feet like the others. He almost stomped around, angrily snapping at anyone that even mentioned Siren's name.

"You heard the Generals, you saw what she did-" Rex began, pushing himself to stand.

"I did." Alpha glared at him, then each of the approximately dozen men in turn. "I saw everything she did. Not just today, but every day, she pushed herself like she pushed all of you. When she was captured a few months ago? She nearly bled out, helping some of Bacara's men escape. She stood for us against the long necks, she put everything into our training so we could survive…" He poked Rex in the chest plate firmly, making the Captain have to take a step back. "You all know it, you all saw it. I don't give a damn what the officials say. I saw her face when she had to listen to Havoc, Colt and Ninety-Nine die. No spy could fake that. And you all know it." There was a tense silence.

"But… then why would she hide her powers? The lightsaber?" asked Caboose nervously.

"I don't know, but I don't care," Alpha replied. "She never liked to talk about personal things, and it isn't our damn business. She looked out for us. If she could have been shot instead of Ninety-Nine, would she have done it?" Rex thought about it for a moment and realised that yes… if she had been able to, she would have protected Ninety-Nine herself.

"So then the training program-" Tech began.

"Will come under my jurisdiction. Siren and I had everything settled. We were prepared for this." Alpha seemed less angry now. Rex frowned slightly.

"She knew she would have to leave?" Cody spoke up.

"We weren't expecting it so soon… but yes. Even then, does it really matter?" Alpha looked at him and Cody shook his head.

"I guess not." Though he didn't seem fully convinced.

"She might not be the Lieutenant-General… but she's still Ver'alor," Rex said finally. He was certain, she was a good person. She cared. Despite her occasional comment about being a monster. No, she was one of them.


It was no trouble.

Maul and Zaiya had shared a bed before. Though… he had been ill and not fully… healed at that stage. Nor had they been pretending to be married either. Maul noticed Zaiya chewing on her lower lip for a moment, lost in thought as she stared at the bed as he had done a moment earlier and decided to step past her. There was too much on his mind, her strange charade didn't matter… he didn't know why some of the words had lingered in his mind at all.

He's the starlight of my life…!

That's what she'd said. She'd also called him darling and beautiful which was strange in itself but… starlight. That was… specific. Something he'd said as children and what she had reminded him of on Coruscant. The stars were so beautiful to him back then, when he was so full of naive wonder.

Did she mean something by it?

He turned back and she was rummaging through her own pack and had thrown off her cloak. He hated seeing her covered in bandages. He could still smell the blood. He still didn't know what possessed him to treat her wounds earlier. He knew she would do the same if it were him. Zaiya had always fussed over him and his brothers even when they were small.

Not that he had been fussing. It was only practical of course.

Mostly he was just glad she looked like herself now, seeing her with the dark hair, human face… no markings, her lips the wrong colour, that endless blue of her eyes masked by a muddy brown, the voice that was not her usual smooth and musical tone… he hated that worse than anything else.

She should not have to hide! The Republic searching for her, the Clones that had stolen so much of her time… He didn't know what infuriated him the most, that they had managed to manipulate her into caring about them, or that he had missed so much time. Or perhaps it was that he was simply furious he had not had a chance to destroy Kenobi once and for all.

Zaiya had shared her memories of various incidents and all the information she had learned with him in the dreamscape. He had seen many of the Clones' faces and while Zaiya could distinguish them easily, he did not have the insight of the Force in person to know the difference. He also found that he didn't particularly care.

What did bother him were the incidents with the Jedi. He recalled the way Kenobi had spoken to her in the memory and it made his blood boil. In fact there were a few incidents he found particularly aggravating though there was a slight sense of pride in him as he witnessed Zaiya unleash her fury on the deserving victim. There was something deeply satisfying about watching her let go and sink into the Dark Side.

With a slight shiver he found himself back in the present moment, and Zaiya had turned her bandaged head to look at him. She blinked and he frowned back at her.

"Did you hear me?" she asked and he realised he hadn't been listening.

"No," he admitted and part of him expected her to lash out and become angry. As he was used to. Instead… she smiled.

"You must be tired, sire." She stood and gestured to the bed. "I have the salve if you need it…" she trailed off and glanced away for a moment. She cleared her throat. "Anyway, you are still healing, take the bed and I will be fine on the floor-" she gestured to her cloak and before she could continue he scoffed.

"Don't be ridiculous, it will take longer to heal if you sleep down there," he began and felt a tingling on the back of his neck because even he knew he was lying. "I don't want to hear your complaints tomorrow, just sleep on the bed, it's large enough." He kept his expression annoyed, even when she raised a brow at him. She looked him over for a long time and he was ready to snap at her again when she gracefully inclined her head.

"As you wish, my Lord." Maul's fists clenched briefly. Even he was aware that the way she addressed him was… he didn't know the word he was looking for, but the sensation made him want to open one of the windows.

He eyed the jar of salve with mild apprehension, he did not want to admit to the trepidation he felt when thinking about her assisting him again. They were no longer on Kamino… or surrounded by enemies. He could easily just-

This was hardly the time.

She was injured. He still had the chemicals on his skin from the bacta tank. They both needed a decent cycle in the refresher. Zaiya had once shown him the baths and hot springs on Dathomir. How it had been warmed, he didn't know… and he was unwell at the time but… suddenly he wanted nothing more than to be in one. With her.

Inwardly shaking his head, Maul moved to the bed. This was ridiculous. He didn't need to think of nonsense. Since when was he so nostalgic?

He stripped himself of his cloak, ignoring the salve in her hand and stepped over to the bed. He had been ignoring the pain in his legs for the last hour, once he laid down he was sure it would eventually go away. He noticed Zaiya watching him and shrugged it off, why was she even looking at him like that?

He noticed her beginning to remove her own cloak and the vision of her in nothing but her small clothes flashed in his mind. Sith hells. This was going to be a long night.

Maul threw the cloak aside and shifted to the bed, pulling off his boots and ignoring the rough material on his skin as he did so. He glanced down to see his own bare feet, though they looked alien to him without the markings on them. Abrasions marked the crimson skin where the boots had rubbed against his flesh, the skin no longer toughened and conditioned to material or rock or ground. They were hardly even conditioned to have weight resting on them and as he laid back there was a screaming pain in his hips, thighs and calves.

The salve usually helped, but he refused to give in. He could handle pain.

The bed was far softer than the cot provided in the medical facility. Softer than the bed he'd been given through the entirety of his training under Sidious. Even then, he'd never really slept. It was more… restful meditation, part of him was always alert and waiting. He thought perhaps that his time on Dathomir and in the tank was probably the deepest rest he had gotten in most of his life.

He had heard the door lock so there was at least very little chance of them being walked in on and seen to not be who they pretended to be. No one knew them here. They were safe.

Supposedly. Whether or not that was actually true, he could never be sure. A Sith was always meant to be ready for anything. Any attack or any occurance. He laid back against the soft bedding and eyed Zaiya curiously. She certainly seemed to be prepared for anything, and ready with lies to outsiders so easily. Was that part of her training? If it was… then that comment -

"Do you need anything sire?" Zaiya asked, standing on her side of the bed, the salve jar laid on the side table carefully.

"No… lieutenant." He added her title in an afterthought. Everything felt so strange. Everything he knew, all his life, his goals, his purpose… the certainty he once had… was gone. There was no end goal, no grand scheme anymore. He had to figure out his own path. It was something that gnawed in his gut as he thought about it. It was something he had banished for so long.

Fear.

He was not supposed to fear. He was supposed to ignite it in others. He stared up at the ceiling, his luminescent yellow eyes gazing into the darkness as his mind worked. He dare not voice these thoughts. Doubt would only lead to failure, and he could not doubt in himself, nor that he knew the path.

One path was clear to him of course.

Revenge.

Kenobi was still alive and Maul knew where he was… he just had to call the Jedi out, that he could be alone and finally take him down -destroy the filthy hypocrite that was the smug Jedi Master. A padawan and now a Master, not just a Knight. His lip curled in disgust. He would make sure that Kenobi suffered.

Slowly.

Painfully. He would-

His thoughts cut off as the bed shifted. Maul tensed, turning his head very slightly to watch Zaiya lay atop the covers and recline to lay flat. She was just in the leggings and long sleeved fitted top… he was surprised to note that she had taken her gloves off. His eyes drawn to the lines and dots of black against her pale skin.

"It was getting a little too clammy," she said and his gaze lifted to see her looking at him. Had he been staring? He gave no reply but looked back down at her long fingers. His own twitched where they lay under his head, and he did his best to ignore all the urges he had to reach out and grasp her hands.

Perhaps laying here together was not the best idea. The thoughts from earlier raged in his head until he began to feel the heavy pull of sleep tugging him down toward rest. He turned a little, on his side, toward where Zaiya lay. He looked at her then and he was struck with an ache in his chest. The way she curled up, facing him, the prominent curve of her hip, her shoulder… she looked so small suddenly, innocent and … perfect.

He couldn't think that. He couldn't let his mind go there.

"You didn't mean it," he muttered, his eyes closing.

"Mean what?' she replied, her own voice slurred and laden with tiredness. She seemed half asleep too.

"Mn…" he mumbled, letting himself sink against the pillows. "Called me… starlight…" he let out a soft snort. Was he dreaming already? This felt so silly.

"'Course I did… you've always… been my Starlight, Maul," she let out a sigh and shifted, before he even realised it, she was snuggled up against his chest, her head almost against him.

Maul stopped breathing.

His eyes shot open as he finally realised what she'd said, her hand reaching out to rest against him.

She said his name. She called him… He suddenly could not feel the pain in his legs for the ache in his chest. He stared down at her.

She was not afraid, she was not worried. She seemed… happy? For all the anguish she had felt earlier, she seemed to be content now. Did she feel safe with him? How was that possible? He was the most dangerous man in the Galaxy aside from his former master. How could she feel safe here?

And yet…

Slowly, he raised his arm, and let his hand gradually lower to rest on her waist. Zaiya hummed and seemed to smile in the dark. Maul was frozen for a minute, just watching her.

He dared not give thought to the strange feeling that made his chest feel so tight he could barely breathe. He dare not think about it. He couldn't. This was a weakness, it was wrong. He shouldn't let himself…

Then her hand bunched in his shirt and a slight frown crossed her soft pale features. His hand slid to her lower back before he even thought about it and she seemed to relax.

Perhaps he shouldn't… but here it was just her, here in the dark. Just her. Maul let his eyes close and draped his arm properly around her, if it was just her, maybe he could allow this little moment.

He held her then, in the dark on that little swamp planet, let her lean against him and took comfort in having her close. He never had the nightmares with her there. She had always tried to look after him, but she was wounded, and tired. Perhaps he could comfort her? It was ridiculous but… he was too tired to argue with his inner thoughts, with the dark part of his mind that demanded he push her away. He didn't want to.

For now at least, he would let himself have this moment. Just one… perfect moment.

He pressed his lips to her forehead and relaxed against her. Her words filling his mind as he drifted into unconsciousness. The smallest of smiles crossed his lips and he whispered against her hair;

"You are my Starlight, Zaiya." Before fading into sleep.


The following morning, Zaiya awoke differently than usual, unlike the sudden alertness and tension that usually came, this was a slow rise, as though from a pool of water into the waking world. She could feel such warmth all around her, and slowly became aware of something very warm and firm pressed against her.

What was…?

Her eyes slowly opened and she was face to face with crimson and black skin peeking through the fabric in front of her. She blinked, blearily and let her gaze lift higher, and her eyes widened as she was almost nose to nose with Maul, and looking into his peaceful sleeping face. Her mouth ran dry as her lips parted.

He was so beautiful. How was it possible that he had such a gentle, beautiful and perfect face? One hand rose from his chest, the movement difficult because she realised that he was pressed so close to her, his arms wrapped around her. Her fingertips brushed his cheek and traced the tattoos on the side of his face slowly. She looked at him in awe, he was just so…

His eyes opened slowly and she met his unfocused gaze. Her chest tightened and she felt a fluttering in her gut as she took him in. The soft, gentleness of the moment was utterly humbling. She was struck with such a powerful feeling she didn't know how to describe. In the back of her mind was a thought she dared not focus on. It was too frightening to give into it.

He looked back at her as his eyes began to focus, her fingers trailed upwards to skate between his horns. His eyes fluttered for a moment and her lips curved upwards. A warm feeling filled her and the Force surrounded and flowed through her, connecting the two of them, and she could feel the power between them and couldn't help but lean in further.

Zaiya's body laid so close, pressed to his, one of his hands on her lower back, the other on the back of her neck. His yellow eyes searched her face and she felt his hands tense slightly, holding her tighter. She caressed him through his horns again, watching his eyes roll slightly and the tiny sound from his lips had her entire body tense, a strong feeling in her gut as her nose nudged his own.

"Maul…" she whispered, a slight tremor in her voice.

That seemed to be the breaking point and suddenly his mouth was on hers. Zaiya felt her mind swimming, the powerful sensation was enough to drag a moan from deep inside her to crash against his mouth. Her other hand grasped at his clothing as her first raked his scalp. His groan made her shudder, yanking her in close to hold against him firmly, as though he had not gained his rigorous self control so early after waking.

His lips pressed hard to hers, his teeth nipped her lower lip as the two of them entwined on the bed, one of Maul's strong hands slid down, over the curve of her hip, skating the swell of her ass. Zaiya felt her eyes roll, he'd never touched her like that before, and it sent thrills up her spine as he gripped her thigh and dragged her leg to hike up over his own, as though he needed to drag her closer to him. To hold her tighter, to keep her there.

Maul's tongue slid against her lower lip and she shuddered as she kissed him back, her own teeth dragged against his lower lip, biting him and looking into his eyes. She watched his pupils dilate like a predator and the growl that sounded from him nearly turned her into a puddle. He made a sound that she was almost sure was a curse and her eyes rolled into her head.

He shifted and suddenly she was pinned beneath him, his hand gripping her thigh so hard it might bruise. She hoped it did. Maul pressed against her, and for a moment she thought she felt something against her-

Knock knock!

Maul and Zaiya froze, stopping just short of jumping away from each other like two teenagers caught by their parents.

"Mornin' love!" called Jannita through the door, "sorry t' wake ye, but we're servin breakfast shortly!" Zaiya took a second to remember the voice she'd used the day before.

"Thank you so kindly, we'll be down shortly!" she called and laid back with a sigh, once she heard the retreating footsteps, she ran a hand over her face and looked at Maul. "Morning, sire." He was staring at her again, but his pupils were blown wide as though he about to pounce and it made her spine turn to jelly. She wanted to drag him back over her and kiss him like that again.

He had kissed her before of course, but this one had felt a little different.

Suddenly he blinked and his guard was up again. It was so jarring she almost recoiled.

"Get ready, we can enact your plan to leave at once," he said abruptly and turned away, getting up, though she noticed a slight jerk as he rested his weight on his legs completely. She opened her mouth to speak but thought better of it. If he was at all like her, he might feel somewhat vulnerable right now… and she knew he hated that. He always had. It could also have been a male thing.


Notes:

Are... are we upset?
Did I cock block you all?
Am I sorry?
... I mean sort of -BUT!

NEXT WEEK IS THE 100TH CHAPTER OF APOD. OH MY GOD!

That being said, this is the last week to enter your questions for the Q&A, I will be posting it as a bonus to Together Part 2. And... oh my. Next weeks chapter. It's looking like a long one. But a little ...spicy... Or maybe a lot spicy, you'll have to find out then - IN CHAPTER ONE-HUNDRED! (I might be a little excited about this. Just a bit.)

Anyway I'm currently writing this the night before posting and I am tired SO! I will leave it here with just a reminder that comments really help me keep motivated, to know what you like so I can do more of it. If you have a question you want featured, this is the LAST WEEK.
Then it will be back to regular questions and comments! XD I hope you are all doing well and I love you all! Thank you so so much for reading this story and I appreciate all of you. Thank you so much.
See you next week for the ONE HUNDREDTH- ok I'll stop now. 3