Writer's note:

Guess who's back? Back again? Solid's back... Tell some men... xD

Hey all whom read this fic! I'm back and with a fresh new chapter just as I had promised to many readers who asked where I was! Forgive me for taking for EVER to update, many thing have kept me from writing... Such as World of Warcraft, getting better at Dance Dance Revolution, role plays, drawing, hanging with my family and friends, ya know... The stuff that eats my time! Not to mention all December I was just with my friends and family every day until after Christmas... When I was sick... xX

But that's all said and done, I'm finally back with Chapter 17! 18 is currently being plotted and I HOPE that I can write it and post it for you all. (Hint: Expect to see dancing. xP )

Now I've seen read my reviews that I've received of you people giving idea hints out and I thank boat loads for them! Maha! Gave me splendid new ideas to make this banquet even more entertaining:3

But, I'm wasting your time with this pointless chat, go on and read!... Again, forgive teh writer for being teh slow! Bows

Well, enjoy!... And after all this time still no frickin' beta reader. xP

Chapter seventeen: Beauty and the Beast?

Shika twirled about her room, her eyes closed and a bright smile on her face. The dress fit so perfectly, not to tight or baggy, almost like he knew her size of clothing. It was perfect. The upper part of the dress was slightly tight, the collar of the dress stretched thin down to almost her stomach with black silk lines running down beside it and a small ruby hanging from the end. The lower was long and somewhat baggy, able for her to move freely, unlike a tight slip-on dress. The very bottom had a thick silk black line also. On her arms were two, tight arm sleeves that became baggy near her hands, that also had silk black lines at the ends.

Of course, she had her share of jewelry, a choker black necklace with several black rain drop shapes dangling from it. She kept her leather belt hanging from her waste, and her headdress and face paint on as well. Her hair was partly in a bun, and the rest of her hair fell behind her neck, almost like a half ponytail.

She stopped her twirling to face her two guards, Sev and Daniel, in a playful manner, a smile upon her lips. Sev was sitting on her bed, one leg crossing the other, his arms folded and a bored expression on his face. Daniel just stood there with his Electrostaff in one hand." Well? What do you think?" She asked.

"I don't like it." Sev said flatly.

"I think you look lovely, ma'am." Daniel said kindly.

The two weren't much help, being Sev was always against everything and Daniel always agreed to whatever Shika said. So instead of groaning at them like she normally did, she turned away. Tonight was going to be special, she was to dine with the Separatists, so she needed to fill herself with high confidence that she would not screw things up. In other words, she wasn't going to make Grievous angry.

She planned she was going to follow and do everything Grievous told her to without question, knowing Dooku would be pleased at that, and she wouldn't get yelled at if Grievous was… Well… Happy, if he ever got happy anyway. She would be highly graceful, she wouldn't do anything unless told to; it was going to be the perfect evening!

She had already spent half her day picking out things to match, bathing and glossing up. There was only an hour left until the time the General said he was going to get her. Everything was right on time too! She was already prepared; all she needed to do now was to wait. So. She sat down on the chair and gazed around her room. What was there to do? That's when a pile of papers sitting on the table beside her caught her eye, she looked down at them, they were war reports; things Daniel brought to her, from the General, that she never bothered reading. Maybe now was a good time to read up on things happening in the other parts of the galaxy? She reached over and slipped up the papers into her hands, and then she set them on her lap and began reading.

To her surprise, things were looking up for the Separatists, they were winning a lot of battles against the Republic, but of course, the Republic had its share of wins as well, they seemed to be at an equal balance in war, but the Separatist was a little a head of the Republic. Kashyyyk was STILL being fought over; the Wookiees just don't seem to give up. When she lifted up the next page, there were doodles all over it, stick figures with blasters shooting other stick figures with blasters. What the heck? She thought. She lifted her eyes from the report to Sev; he was staring off into the room.

"What?" He asked, not making eye contact with her. Shika lifted the paper up to show him the doodles covering the report. Sev's gaze shifted towards it."… It wasn't me." His voice was flat toned and his face expressionless. Shika smirked slyly.

"Oh I think it was…" Sev shook his head as his answer." Don't lie…" Sev shook his head more." Sev…"

"Okay fine," He admitted." It was me… I got bored and needed something to do… So I drew on those old reports you never bother reading…" Shika grinned and looked back down at the paper, attempting to read passed the stick wars happening on the report.

She was about half done with the reports when her bedroom door slid open, she looked up to the door and saw two Magnaguards standing in the door way. Daniel snapped up to attention and Sev remained seated. Shika blinked; the two guards stood aside and there was Grievous. His armor was somewhat polished, no longer looking grim and dirty, his cloak was pure white with silver edgings. He looked rather nice for someone who couldn't wear clothes. Shika's jaw had dropped open, never had he looked so handsome before, and that's saying a lot for a cyborg!

Grievous walked up to her and stared down with his normal cold glare. Shika stared up with her jaw still open." G- General," She stuttered. Grievous looked down at the reports, then snatched them away from her and threw them down onto the table, some of the papers flying off onto the bedroom floor. He yanked her up from the seat and dragged her out of the room. Sev and Daniel watched." Uh- er. Behave!" Shika called back to her guards right before the bedroom door slid closed.

The General dragged Shika all the way to the hanger bay before he finally released her arm as he shoved her towards the Neimoidian shuttle that was to take them down to the planet. Shika stumbled forward before she looked back at Grievous. He stared back at her, waiting for her to get aboard the shuttle. She blinked before it finally dawned on her to what she was supposed to do, she quickly scampered on board and sat down in a seat, hopefully that didn't anger the General; she didn't want things to be messed up before they even left the Invisible Hand. Grievous walked up beside her and sat himself down in the seat next to her own. He looked to the droid pilot.

"Take us to the Neimoidian capital." He ordered.

"Yes sir." The droid answered. The ship's engines roared up and the landing gears folded into the bottom of the ship. Shika watched as the shields guarding the hanger bay switched off, allowing the ship to slowly fly out from the hanger and shoot off down towards Neimoidia. Her gaze traveled to several ships leaving and going to the planet, busy as bees, she thought. Although she thought the flight was going to be a quiet one, like normal, she heard Grievous shift several times in his seat. But that didn't bother her; he was probably not looking forward to this banquet, seeing as though he and Viceroy really didn't like each other. And knowing Grievous, he probably hated the whole Neimoidian race because of Viceroy, but who knows? He was a hard to read character anyway. He shifted again and this time she heard him give out a light grunt, almost like a cough.

"Does…" Grievous spoke up, almost quietly. Shika snapped up and looked from the window to him; he was looking out the front view port, watching as the ship approached the city."… Does it fit?" Shika blinked. Does what fit?...

"OH!" She gasped, Grievous's eyes snapped to her." You mean the dress!" Grievous shook his head, rolling his eyes at her stupidity." Yes! It fits perfectly, not to tight, not to loose." She answered as she turned her head back to her window.

"So… You really do like it…?" He spoke up again. Shika looked over at him with a puzzled expression. It sounded almost like he was attempting to start a conversation with her. Maybe to get his mind off the banquet? Maybe he didn't want to think about spending an evening with Gunray or Dooku? There were so many possibilities to why the General was attempting to talk to her, most of them she didn't understand, most likely because even after three years she still knew very little about Grievous.

"I already said I did," She answered. Grievous nodded slightly. Her head drifted away from Grievous again. There was silence among the two for the rest of the flight.

"Ah, General, so good to see you." Greeted Dooku as Grievous strolled down the ship ramp, Grievous only nodded as his greeting as he approached Count. Shika followed along side the General, her eyes wide with amazement as they walked out onto landing pad which was set right outside the capital. It was a very big building, yes, big. A giant palace with the Separatist banners hanging from it, many people were walking up the stairs into the palace, all of them dressed in formal attire and several having an escort with them. Those people must have been the Separatist leaders, the ones with escorts anyway.

"And I see you brought Miss Cloudrunner along with you as well," Hearing Dooku's partly surprised voice suddenly snapped her out of her amazed trance, she looked over to him quickly. He was dressed almost too perfect, his clothes looked highly expensive, more expensive than normal; his outfit was brown silk, cloth and black leather attire with his famous cloak and all. And of course his grey beard was perfectly trimmed and his hair groomed. He was eyeing her with great interest, seeing her in a different outfit seemed to have surprised him, actually, her whole presence seemed to have surprised him, as if he didn't believe Grievous was actually going to allow the girl to come. Grievous only stood hunched like normal, watching Dooku silently." Very nice…" Came Dooku again as he seemed to just push the General presence aside to see her." It must have taken you days make such a dress."

"Actually…" Shika spoke." The General got it for me, I only added the jewelry." Dooku's brows furrowed in confusion, he then looked at Grievous with this expression; Grievous returned his gaze. They stared for a moment with the most awkward silence before Dooku finally returned his eyes to Shika; Grievous only trailed his eyes else where.

"Well… It is slightly impressive…" He said while stroking his beard thoughtfully," But a young woman like yourself deserves something much more fitting and not such rags." Shika almost reached out and slapped the man across the face, how dare he insult her attire like that! And just because he found out that Grievous got her the dress? Jerk! But she held back her anger and forced a false grin at Dooku, she promised herself she wouldn't do anything foolish. Grievous only gave out a light huff, seeming to be not the least bit phased by the insult made. Dooku then extended his hand to Shika, she looked down at it with a puzzled expression." I will be more than willing to escort you-" And that was when he finally moved, Grievous hand quickly snapped up out from his cloak and grabbed Shika's arm, yanking her towards him in a highly protective manner.

"I brought her here, Count, there for I will be escorting her…" He said, practically hissing at him. Dooku raised one brow at Grievous, and then nodded slightly before turning on one heel and began making his way towards the doors of the capital. Grievous then looked down at the girl who was trying to wiggle her way out of his tight grasp." What?" He snapped. Shika's head snapped up to him.

"You're… Squeezing my arm too tightly and I'm losing all feeling in it." She answered in a squeak. Grievous groaned and released his grip and Shika pulled her arm away quickly, rubbing the spot where he had grabbed." You didn't have to do that… I would have said no."

Grievous huffed." I only spoke the truth," He then eyed her again." I am escorting you and you WILL enjoy it…" Shika shifted her gaze up to him; then sighed.

"Then at least escort me right…" She muttered loudly. Grievous tilted his head upright, the fins on either side of his head pressing forward as if he did not understand what she meant. She just shook her head and took his arm, slowly in attempts to not startle him, and placed her arms around it. Judging by the way his fingers twitched, he highly disapproved of having her clinging to him like she was." There… Now we walk." She said calmly.

"With you hanging off my arm?"

"Yes."

Grievous gave off a low snarl of embarrassment, he was about to walk up into the Neimoidian capital with a woman wrapped around his arm! Surely Viceroy Gunray was going to have his little picky fun with him because of it. Eh, if the man got too big of a head, he could just slice it right off. That actually could work; of course, Dooku would yell his head off if he pulled a stunt like that… Then again, why not slice off his head too? He'd be the leader of the Separatists armies and wouldn't have to worry about listening to that whiny Gunray. With those thoughts in mind, Grievous finally started walking to the doors of the capital with Shika on his arm. Shika only kept her gaze forward, attempting not to look at the Separatist leaders and the others attending the party who were staring at the two of them with the most awkward looks.

Inside the capital building was just as amazing as it was outside. The carpeting was all red, crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, a fountain in the middle of the room, music gently playing off in the background. People who were high in military ranks were spread across the room, talking and laughing. Every kind of battle droid was seen near all possible entries and exits; and several battle droids were wandering around with trays that had either drinks or food on them. Man did the Neimoidian's know how to live. Shika stared around in amazement, never before had she been to a place that was exotic like this, maybe the palace in Theed back on Naboo, but that was years ago when she visited there, and it was hardly as fancy. But then, it was a party, and Gunray might have just prettied the place up for Dooku's honor… Whatever they were honoring him for. Grievous, on the other hand, was eyeing each and every contact in the room, looking for just one person. That Viceroy, he wanted to see that cowardly face of his and have their normal stand taller and scare the Separatist leader chat. How he loved seeing that expression on his ugly leather face-

"If it isn't General Grievous," Grievous's head snapped towards the one who spoke, speak of the devil… It was Viceroy Gunray, dressed in the finest red robes and his black crowned cap. His face expression fearless, his red eyes narrowed slightly at the General.

Grievous yanked his arm away from Shika and stood tall." Viceroy…" He greeted in a flat tone. Shika peered out from behind Grievous, so THAT was Gunray. She never got to really see him before, only heard his name being shouted by Grievous when he spoke to Dooku while she passed his room back on the flag ship. Yes, she did listen in on several of Grievous's conversations when passing by his room, of course, the General had no idea of her listening to him, and she wasn't about to tell him. Oh no, letting him know she was butting in to his personal life… He'd be furious with her! Just like he was back on Kashyyyk three years ago, she still has nightmares about that one moment where he stabbed his light sabers at her...

"I didn't expect to see you, General…" Shika snapped up, hearing Viceroy and Grievous's conversation fill her head again, she looked back at the two." Count Dooku had informed me that he had invited you, I just did not believe you would actually have the guts to show up…"

Grievous huffed, restraining himself from pulling his sabers out." You'll find that I am just full of surprises, Viceroy… Ones even you aren't aware of…"

"And I suppose these surprises all end up in Annihilation?"

"Of course… I actually have several I've prepared just for you…" That caused Viceroy to take a step back from Grievous." So you had better watch your tongue tonight, Viceroy." Grievous then walked passed Viceroy with high pride; he had won that fight easy. Shika quickly scampered after Grievous, finally catching Viceroy's eye when she did.

"Who is the woman?" Viceroy spoke up, causing Grievous to halt and Shika to follow his stop soon after. Gunray slowly turned to face Grievous, a sly grin on his face. Shika held still while Grievous once more made eye contact with Gunray." I didn't know the great General needed a woman … Unless she is your play toy."

Grievous took a step forward, growling lowly at the man." I said watch your tongue, Viceroy," Grievous hissed; his hand already on one of the sabers in his cloak." Or I will take great pride in removing for you."

"Although," Viceroy continued as he strolled passed the General, this time he had full pride. Grievous watched him with a dark glare, almost ready to pounce on the man" I find it rather strange to why you have a play toy in the first place. After all, you aren't really much of a man anymore..." That was it. He was fed up with his blabbering mouth of stupidity. Grievous pulled two sabers out from his cloak and ignited both of them, advancing towards Viceroy angrily. Viceroy quickly turned to look at him, backing up in the process. The other Separatists looked over towards Grievous, the music faded to a halt and chattering all stopped. Shika noticed Dooku look over, and then began making his way towards Grievous. Out of this, Shika quickly reacted; she grabbed his arm and attempted to pull him back failing at doing so.

"Grievous stop it!" She exclaimed. And to her surprise, he stopped. He stood there with his sabers out, his fins pressed back, his head stuck out, only inches away from Viceroy. Just a few more steps and Viceroy would be dead! Just a few more! Shika was hanging off his arm, her shoulder near the saber he held in that hand, eyes closed tightly." Don't attack him… Not in front of all these people…" She whispered, causing his fins to move forward. She was right; attacking Viceroy in front of everyone would cause an uproar, but done in secret… He could easily blame the Jedi for it. And so he actually listened, his sabers switched off and he lowered his arms. Seeing Grievous calm down made the musicians start their song back up and the conversations to resume and Dooku went at ease, soon going off with another Separatist to talk. Shika remained on Grievous's arm while he set the sabers back into their pockets. Viceroy adjusted his robe and cleared his throat.

"Well, I suppose-"

"Shove a Bantha in it, Viceroy." Shika snapped before tugging on Grievous's arm as a signal for him to walk with her. Grievous looked at her surprisingly and then began walking, sneering at Viceroy as the two passed by him. Viceroy only had his jaw dropped as he watched the two walk off into the party room. Shika smiled to herself, so far everything was going according to plan; Grievous had yet to yell at her, not to mention she got to snap at Viceroy without having any kind of snort or grunt from the General. The night was going perfectly! Nothing could go wrong!...

… Or could it…?