A/N: Bit mature near the end here, be warned.
Chapter 39: Bonds
"The captain is aboard, if you wish to have words with him, sir."
Temmin nodded to Cee-Cee, who was servicing one of the Knightfire's landing struts. The droid seemed unbothered by everything that had happened, one of the few beings here that was, the young half-blood suspected.
Temmin sighed.
He had only spoken briefly with his former master upon their arrival here on Traevis, and even then, it was only to catch up on the events that brought them all here.
Temmin shook his head.
He needed more.
It had been years since he had last seen the man he had known as Fenn Shadowstone. His master had vanished after the fall of Survivor Base. Though Temmin had known that he wasn't dead, he was strong enough in the Force to know that, but it had been clear that his teacher had not wished to find his former student.
He must have felt it, he HAD to have known that I was alive, but instead he become something else, something new.
He had become Merrit Fallenstar, a bounty hunter, and Dark Jedi.
That annoyed him more than anything else.
My master abandoned who he was and became a Dark Jedi…
…it was inexcusable.
Though he had pledged to stand with them, Temm wasn't so sure his commitment was genuine, as for what he offered to help, he wasn't sure of that either.
What is going on, master, he wondered.
Are you even really with us?
That thought first occurred to him a few hours ago. When they had all gathered to discuss strategy, to plan their first move against Avaryss and her forces. Merrit had been there, offering up what he knew about Avaryss, and ways that they could exploit her blind spots. He had even volunteered to go to Bantoon, to serve as a distraction for the Sith Lord.
"I'm the only one who had a chance of surviving," he told the others with conviction, "She wouldn't kill me, not before wasting time getting me to join her."
"And if she succeeds," Shyra asked, "If she does convert you to her cause?"
He shrugged.
"I'll die before I let that happen."
There had been more than a few arguments after that. Princess Bayla had spoken up against him going, and even Master Shyra was not sure that it was a good idea.
Other plans were offered up. Merrit had fallen silent then, choosing to simply listen and watch, and then…after several ideas had been rejected by the group, he had left. Returned to his ship. While the others settled into Captain Cooper's facility here, Merrit Fallenstar preferred to remain aboard his ship.
No one had asked Temmin to go after him, but go after him he did.
If anyone could get through to his old teacher it was him. Regardless of what he had become.
So now, here he stood, before the ramp of Jas Dar Bynn's old ship. The young half-blood wondering what he would say, even as he tried to accept what had happened.
He had so many questions for his old master, and wasn't he owed some answers?
The young man's eyes narrowed.
How had Fenn done it?
How had he given up so completely, betrayed his vows as a Jedi?
Yet, even as he considered what must have gone through his old teacher's mind, a new thought occurred to him.
He winced.
Am I any different?
That was the real question wasn't it.
Temmin had also turned his back on the Jedi code.
It was not an easy thing to accept.
I abandoned my Jedi life for the thrill of aiding Captain Buz and his crew. I became a raider and pirate. I took Switch to my bed…
The former was troubling, the latter…something he couldn't help.
He…he loved her, if that was a violation of the code, so be it.
His eyes narrowed.
I may not have fallen to the dark side, but was what I did better than Fenn…or rather…Merrit.
The young man ground his teeth.
It was confusing, he didn't like that.
Why did such things have to be so complicated.
He took a step forward, about to walk aboard the ship, but paused again, uncertainty robbing him of his desire, filling him with doubt.
His weakness annoyed him.
Why was this so damn hard!
Events were moving so fast now, and the galaxy had seemed to have become a much darker place. The wars between the Zakuul and the Alliance was only part of it. Avaryss' scheming was only part of it.
It was easy to think hope was fading.
Temm clenched his fists.
Thing might have been easier to accept, provided that they had not lost one of the Jedi Order's brightest lights.
Master Vey, one of the oldest and most respected Jedi Masters, a guide for the order for centuries…was gone, but with her dying breath, she had charged those around her with a duty, a duty that they all accepted.
Survivor Squad was back.
They would form a united front against the dark. If the alliance would not move against Avaryss, they would.
Yet, could they, do it?
As a young padawan learner, he would have said definitely, but now…now…
He wasn't so sure.
He had changed, especially after Eulogy.
He winced at the memory.
What he had learned on Death. What he had witnessed. He would carry that for the rest of his life.
Seventy-three people…
Seventy-three innocent people…gone.
Murdered by a Sith…murdered…by Zay.
He still couldn't believe it. How had she changed so much, or…had he never really known her? Had she lied to him from the very beginning, or had she slowly been corrupted by the dark side?
Even now his thoughts drifted back to the aftermath of the attack. What had come to pass after the Sith had fled. The fires had needed to be put out. The enemy dead disposed of, and then…
…then the matter of rebuilding had begun, starting with the caring for those innocents that had been lost.
It had been a harsh experience.
He could still feel the heat from the fire, taste the ash on his tongue, and smell the burning smell of death.
It was something he couldn't forget.
Something…he would NEVER forget.
IOI
He had spent most of that day and into the next night, digging through the rubble of the Last Breath, hoping to find survivors. He and the rest of their crew. Most of the dead had been incinerated in the blast, but some bodies remained.
He had found the body of Lah of the Blue Suns, one of the two hostesses of the establishment.
He had carried her out himself, to lay it down next to the others. They didn't find her sister, Lu, her body had likely been disintegrated during the explosion.
So many gone…so many dead…
…because of Zay, and…because of him.
No one said anything, not Captain Buz or the rest of the crew, but he could feel their eyes on him.
They all knew that the deaths here had happened because the Sith had come looking for him. He may not have triggered the explosion, but by being there, he was STILL responsible.
Death had always been a symbolic name, a place where you could let the past die, and build a new life for yourself. Zay's attack had given it a more literal name…
Even now he could see her cruel smile, and hear her snarl of rage as the battle had begun.
…so much death.
After the graves had been dug, and the pyres prepared, only then did Master Shyra seek him out, with his grandsire at her side. Both agreed that it was unwise for him to remain here. The Sith would likely not attack again so openly, but that didn't mean that they would forget that he was here.
"We should leave, son of my son," his grandsire had said, "The hounds of the Sith WILL return."
"And when they do, these people will suffer more," Shyra added, "You know that…yes?"
Temmin had nodded.
Yes, he understood.
Of course, the decision to leave was made easier by what he was sensing.
He was no longer welcome here. He had brought trouble into the lives of those he had tried to liberate.
He could not afford, and would not bring any more.
Captain Buz accepted his resignation from the crew without resistance. He offered his services to the alliance, if and when they went after the people who had done this, but it was clear that he no longer desired Temmin's help.
Rufo would accompany them, the Wookie remained true to his life debt, he would stay with Temmin. Switch had decided to come too. Though Temmin thought it a bad idea. Captain Buz would need her here, to help with the rebuilding of the colony, but the young woman remained adamant.
"It is dangerous where I am going," he warned his lover, "You would not be safe."
"I wouldn't be safe here," she responded, "That…that Sith woman, she knew about us. She might return. She might try to hurt you through me."
Temmin winced at the memory, seeing Zay and her allies threatening Switch.
In that moment, he felt an emotion he was unfamiliar with, unfamiliar, but at the same time natural.
He…he felt hate…
…and he felt the desire for revenge.
Most of his young life he had denied his Sith heritage, but now…he was so close to embracing it.
What is going on, he thought.
What is happening to me?
IOI
Now standing outside the Knightfire, sensing his former master's presence inside.
He had to ask himself.
Was part of this Merrit's fault?
Had he failed so completely?
Had his master's teachings failed him? Temmin had chosen to stay on Death, but what happened, how Zay had gotten into his head, it would not have happened if his master had prepared him better.
Temmin didn't want to blame him, but…
His master had allowed his relationship with Zay, warned him about the dangers of attachment, sure, but allowed them to train together, and all the while began his relationship with Avaryss. A relationship that allowed the Sith to carry out all her dark desires.
Plus, had he not spoken up for Avaryss? Had he not convinced Master Jas and Colonel Capistan that she could be an asset?
All these thoughts rushed through the young half-blood's mind.
An angry growl escaped his lips.
He made his way up the loading ramp of the Knightfire.
We need to speak, master, he thought to himself.
His expression morphing into something cold and dangerous.
You have some explaining to do.
IOI
"I had a feeling you would come," Merrit said over his shoulder, not bothering to look in Temm's direction.
The Dark Jedi sighed.
"I guess we have much to talk about."
Temmin nodded.
He looked around the ship, it had not changed much since Jas Dar Bynn had owned it. The only alteration that Fallenstar had done was the addition of the some holding cages in the cargo area.
Given his former master's affection for Jas Dar Bynn, Temmin wasn't surprised. Merrit would have thought it rude to alter anything.
Merrit stood in the ship's small kitchenette, preparing a meal for himself.
He glanced up at his guest.
"Would you like some?"
"No thanks," he answered, "You know. Captain Cooper has offered us full run of his facility here. The kitchens are fully stocked."
"True, but if I'm to fulfill my role in the plan, the less I know about the rest of the group's plans the better."
Merrit turned, offering him a sad smile.
"I can't give away what I don't know."
Temmin's eyes narrowed.
"You still think it is a good idea. Simply flying to Bantoon, and offering yourself up to her?"
His old teacher shrugged.
"I'm one of the few people she won't kill on sight, Temm. You have to acknowledge that."
"Can you really be certain of that?"
Merrit considered that, and again, he nodded.
"It is one of the few things about this plan that I am certain about."
The young half blood snarled and cursed under his breath. He began to pace angrily.
Merrit didn't admonish his show of anger, he simply stood there, and watched.
He frowned slightly.
"Is that anger directed at me, or at the situation?"
His old student stopped and glared at him.
"I…I don't know where it should be directed, master. You, Avaryss, Zay…maybe even myself."
The Dark Jedi nodded.
"I wouldn't blame you if you were angry with me. After all, I got us into this mess, didn't I? I convinced Master Jas that we could work with Avaryss and her allies. I said nothing when she twisted our mission to helping her find the keys. I offered no objection when I first saw your interest in Zay, and gave into my own desires when it came to our Sith allies."
He shook his head.
"No, I think the largest share of the blame should fall on me."
"You were trying to help someone you knew. You wanted to save her." Temmin reminded him.
"That was the lie I told myself. I let my own personal desires cloud my judgment. I didn't see what Avy had become, and what she was doing to Zay. All the warning signs were there, but…I thought if we worked together. If she saw that we could be allies, and all come out ahead, then maybe…maybe…"
Merrit hissed, rubbing at his shoulder.
"I KNEW she was toying with us, using us. I thought that showing her another way was how I could reach her, remind her of the girl I knew growing up. Had I known what she had done to Tru, how she had stolen her body. I…I would…"
The Dark Jedi cursed under his breath.
"Had I known. I might have realized that the girl that I knew in my dreams was gone, and someone else had taken her place. Someone that I never really knew at all."
Temmin winced, the pain in his old teacher's voice stirred something in him.
The realization that Avaryss had stolen Tru Halcyon's body had been shocking. Captain Cooper, who had always viewed himself as neutral in the war between Jedi and Sith was now openly supporting the Survivor cause. He had asked both Shyra and Merrit if what was done to his daughter could be undone, if Avaryss could be cast out, and Tru returned.
They had no answer. They knew nothing of Sith magic.
And so, Coop had become their full ally in this.
As for Merrit's relationship with Avy. Considering what he had experienced with Switch. Temm now understood what it was risk himself for someone he cared about, or perhaps that had come earlier, he had tried to help Zay, protect her after she had first returned from Nar Shaddaa.
Thinking of that now…he felt like a fool.
Did he understand what his master had gone through with his Sith lover, yes…he thought he did.
"I…I thought Zay needed my protection. I thought that she could become…what Avaryss said she wanted her to become, an enlightened Sith, a Sith that sees the value of working with the light. I…I cared for her, master, and she cared for me too, I know it."
"I know she did," he replied, " I saw it in her eyes, in both your eyes."
"Yet, when she came for me, that caring wasn't there, not anymore. It had been twisted into possession, and greed. She didn't want to be a part of my life, she wanted to control it, at least, that is what it felt like."
"I felt the same from Avy. When she brought me aboard her ship. She goaded me into a fight with Taya."
The memory made Merrit shudder.
"In my rage, I defeated her. I had her down, and was ready to strike the final blow. Avy seemed…eager to see me do it."
Temmin gave him an arched look.
"She would have stood by and let you kill Master Taya. I…I thought they were friends?"
Fallenstar's brow furrowed.
"I think that is a friendship she was willing to sacrifice, if it finally drew me completely down into the dark side. If I took the final step and became a Sith, too. Which is what would have happened if I had done it."
His former master sighed.
"She punished me for not doing it. Blasted me down with Force lightning, branded me like a piece of property, and left me for dead on a world I didn't know."
His words made his old student wince.
"So she betrayed you too?"
"She would not see it that way. In her eyes she was educating me. Trying to get me to see the truth about the dark side, and my place in it."
A bitter laugh escaped his lips.
"When Avy joined us, I thought I had finally had a way to save my dream friend, but in the end, all I found was a Sith. Lucky me."
As they spoke, Temmin found his emotions change, he was still angry, but…not at Merrit.
He found himself thinking back to when they had first met. He had been thirteen, eager to begin his Jedi training. Fenn Shadowstone had been brought before him. He had seemed, the perfect Jedi Knight, calm and collected, dressed in the robes of the order, he had said all the right things…
Seeing him now, that was no longer the case. Temm's eyes had opened, maturity had changed his view. His former master was no longer perfect.
Clad in his white shirt and black leggings, his eyes covered by red lenses, his lightsaber on his belt, not the same one he had worn as a Jedi it looked similar, but even from here, Temm could see the differences.
He frowned.
He had come here, wanting to blame his Jedi Master, yet Master Fenn wasn't here. Merrit, he was a Force sensitive, but he appeared now as what he had always been, just a man.
He was a man…like his former student. He was like Temmin.
That realization, it gave the half-blood pause.
It made it easier to forgive what had happened, it helped him understand…everything.
Still, he could not deny the anger. It was no longer directed at anyone, but it was still there.
He shook his head again.
"How could we have been so completely wrong, master? How…how didn't we see what we were doing?"
Merrit shrugged.
"We let our compassion turn into something else," Merrit replied, "We wanted the women we desire to be redeemed so badly that we ignored what was right in front of us. We…we cannot afford to let ourself get so blinded again Temm, or rather, I can't afford to get so blinded again."
He smiled slightly.
"That young woman that is with you. I can feel the connection you share. She isn't trying to possess you; she simply wants to BE with you. Don't turn her away, use that connection, let it ground you."
Fallenstar chuckled.
"Look at me, still trying to play the role of Jedi Master. Considering how badly I messed up the first time, I can't imagine you would want my advice now."
Temmin smiled.
"You might be surprised. What you just said, that may be the wisest advice you could have given me. You want me to focus on what I have, not the desire destroy an enemy."
His old teacher gave him an arched look.
"Is that what I said. Wow! That really is wise, isn't it?"
Temm chuckled.
Yeah.
This one was definitely not Fenn Shadowstone, that was not necessarily a bad thing.
"Ritt? You up there?"
The voice at the loading ramp gave them both pause.
Merrit smiled.
"Yeah, come on up, Back Up."
Bayla Istillo entered, the Bann princess clad in a large baggy shirt, and long skirt. Her lightsaber clipped to a blue sash on her waist.
She smiled as she sniffed the air.
"Ooh, food! Praise the gods, I'm starving!"
Temmin bowed respectfully to her.
"Your Highness."
"Bayla is fine," she said correcting him, "And…you are Temmin, yes? Ritt's old student?"
He nodded, and could not entirely hide his own smile.
He could sense how his former master lit up at the presence of the young woman.
Perhaps, he was not the only one who had found someone new. Someone to keep him grounded in the light.
"I'll take my leave," he said, "I promised I would meet with Master Shyra, and Switch is expecting me."
Temmin left his thoughts not as troubled as they had been when he had first arrived. He didn't see Cee-Cee around, and the Knightfire's loading ramp rumbled as it shut behind him.
The half-blood chuckled.
Have fun, master, he thought, his own thoughts turning to Switch. He had promised to help her settle into their new quarters.
Our quarters.
If this place offered anything, it was a chance to be alone with someone.
His body stirred at the thought.
They had been steeped in death after Eulogy. Love was life, mating was life.
After so much darkness, it would be good to stand in the light for a while.
With Switch, that was possible.
He smiled.
Perhaps…anything was possible.
IOI
They ate in a comfortable silence, as they had done many times in the last few weeks.
Merrit tried not to focus on how…well…how good Bayla looked at that moment.
She had always preferred baggy clothes as a girl, and the golden skirt and long sleeve shirt were definitely that, but the low cut of shirt left her shoulders all but bare, attractively so. The blue sash matched her eyes. She had also washed the black dye out of her hair, it was still short, but the blond hair made her appear more as she had when they were younger.
He liked that too.
She seemed more relaxed here, surrounded by allies.
He noticed something else as well.
She was not wearing gloves, unusual given her psychometric abilities. The fact that she was not was interesting. Had she become more proficient in controlling her powers during their time with Master Vey, or was she simply willing to explore the sensations of this place without fear.
An interesting thought to be sure.
It was not until the meal was consumed, and they were cleaning up that they talked, they stood together in the ship's kitchenette putting away the cleaned dishes.
"You left fairly early during the strategy session. Was something wrong?"
He shrugged.
"Didn't want to hear anything that might jeopardize the mission. If I do go to Bantoon first, I don't want to know too much about the plan."
Bayla nodded, but seemed distracted.
"What?" He asked.
She shrugged.
"I think that I can convince Quire to help us."
"You said that earlier."
"And I still think it is the best way to get you into Bantoon. Provided your hunter's pride can accept that you would appear to be his prisoner."
He considered that.
"Avy might buy it more, if I did arrive as a prisoner, it would also explain my resistance. It could work, provided you can get Kalo onboard."
"It is Quire Cooper we need, not Kalo Nord, and if I CAN reach him, well, I think that I can," she repeated, "There are things he should know, things he should have known long ago."
"I see," Merrit answered, not really sure that he did.
He simply enjoyed this moment, and yes, he was enjoying it.
The two of them together, he had…gotten used to this these last few weeks together.
He had become…comfortable with it.
"Are you planning on staying aboard the ship?" she asked.
"It would keep me from hearing things that I shouldn't," he said again, "that is not the only reason though."
She gave him a curious look.
"What is the other reason?"
"Fyni Cooper," he answered.
She gave him an arched look.
IOI
Fyni was Cooper's second youngest daughter by Kimora, and Adira's right hand here on Traevis. She, like her older sister was quite beautiful by human standards, the dark pink skin of her people, with hair so blue it almost looked black, the one contribution from her father.
Bayla remembered that she had stayed close to Merrit since they arrived, curious about his exploits, and asking many questions about them.
Thinking about it now, she felt a slight flash of possessiveness towards Ritt, but quickly dismissed it.
She would talk to Fyni later.
Yes.
They would talk.
IOI
"What about her?"
He smirked.
"She offered me quarters in the main building, quarters close to hers, a point she made quite clearly."
Bayla frowned slightly.
"Really?"
He nodded.
"Not a good idea, I think. When I was first starting out in the hunter trade, I encountered another woman with abilities similar to that of Zeltrons. Pheromones, that kind of thing."
"And?"
He winced.
"She used those powers to turn me into her attack dog. I…I DID things to please her that sicken me now. I thought it was love, but it was manipulation…'
He shook his head.
I managed to escape, but it left its mark. Since then I tend to avoid beings with such physical…advantages."
Bayla nodded, she understood what he was saying, Zeltron abilities were known through out the galaxy. What their biochemical magic couldn't do, their empathic powers could. Fyni may have only been half Zeltron, but she was still capable of doing much that her pureblooded cousins could do.
"This woman that controlled you? She was a Zeltron?"
"A Falleen," he answered, "they're not as open as the Zeltron, but their powers are still hard to resist."
Bayla nodded.
"Maybe it is a good idea to keep your distance."
"Agreed."
Again they fell into a comfortable silence, they finished the dishes and she turned to him, her expression thoughtful.
"I want to try something," she said.
He turned to her.
"Something?"
She nodded.
"You are still cut off to the light, yes?"
He nodded grimly.
"That has not changed. No matter what I try, I remain lost in the dark."
"I had an idea about that. You said that this Avaryss person flooded your mutual connection with the darkness, and you have not been able to touch the light since."
"Again, yes, so?"
"As I said, I have something I would like to try, if you are willing?"
He pursed his lips, he seemed, unsure, but finally, he nodded.
"Whatever it is, I'm not sure if it could help, I've tried everything."
"Not everything," she said with a slight smile.
She turned and made for his cabin.
"We should do this in a place where you feel comfortable. Come with me."
He watched her go, seeing her approach his cabin…
…it made something stir within him.
He ignored it.
That isn't what this about you, Murglak, he thought angrily.
He followed her.
What are you up to, Back-up?
She entered his cabin and sat down on his bed. She gestured for him to join her.
He sat down, his own defenses going up.
He could sense through the Force that she was no longer walling herself up as she had in the past few weeks. He could sense her in the light, even if he could not touch it himself.
Part of him was jealous of that, that it seemed to come so naturally to her.
She smiled.
"So," he asked, "What is this?"
"Something that might help," she said.
She reached out for him.
"Take my hands, Ritt."
He looked down, a sense of suspicion ran through him, but after everything they had seen these last few weeks.
He did as she asked.
Her hands were soft, yet he could feel the familiar calluses where a lightsaber dug into the hands of one who wielded one. She took a deep breath.
"Close your eyes," she said.
He did, and took a deep breath.
"Come with me now."
Merrit gasped.
He felt her reach out with the Force!
She reached out, and they were both falling, no…not falling.
Drowning!
Drowning in darkness!
He started to struggle, to fight!
Don't fear!
Her voice pierced through the blackness, he could not see her, but she was there, he could feel her. They were no longer in the physical world, but he could still feel her touch in the Force.
It was a part of him, he could feel it moving through him, tangling him like an insect in a web.
Yet, it didn't feel frightening, it felt warm…safe, even lost in the darkness.
He heard her voice again.
It is dark in here.
You should not be here, he thought, it is dangerous!
You are here with me, we are safe.
He shook his head.
He didn't really believe that.
He was dangerous.
He would always be dangerous.
So, this is what it is like for you, a bubble of shadow floating in the Force.
I can't escape it, he thought, believe me, I've tried.
He felt himself reaching out, or…or was that Bayla reaching out.
He…he felt a sense of vertigo.
He was here, in the Force, but so was she.
He was no longer sure where she began and he ended.
It was…dizzying.
Show me.
He felt her mind gliding along the shadows, no longer did they seem infinite, he sensed…it felt like he had found the edge of the shadow, the hardshell of his prison.
His brow furrowed.
What are we looking for?
Not sure, she answered, we will know when we find it.
He let her take the lead. No longer sure if he even was…him anymore.
He could sense other connections, distantly, bright lights shining out among the stars.
My people, she said, the rest of Paladina.
Her admission surprised him.
He…he was sensing the rest of the Paladina? How was…
Backup?! What have you done?!
Don't lose focus, she warned.
Bayla?! We have to get out now?! You have too…
Don't fear!
Bayla! Let go! You can't…
STOP!
BAYLA!
We found it!
He paused.
He felt her presence wash over him, holding him, chasing the panic away.
He…
Oh.
Yes, he felt it now.
He felt it too!
The bubble of darkness he had been trapped in was not perfect, he sensed the scar. A mark made on it long ago. Perhaps in that dark cave on Tatooine.
He shivered.
He felt it.
The place where the darkness had first truly entered. The place where his bond with Avaryss had been torn, and flooded with darkness.
He…they had found it.
What was done here, it wasn't natural, he heard Bayla say, it should not have been done.
I had a life to save, he replied.
I know.
He felt her reach out, felt them reach out. They dug at the scar, and tried to tear through.
What are we doing? He asked.
Letting some light in, she replied.
He felt the Force around him recoil, he could almost feel the darkness rage, furious at what was happening.
It…it felt like Avy, and it was angry!
He felt it reach out for them. No, reach out for Bayla.
NO!
He pushed himself outward, shielding her. He felt darkness wash over him, waves of rage and fear, trying to stop him. He…e felt HHe
He…he could almost feel Avy's presence, her rage.
It was trying to stop them.
NO!
YOU ARE MINE!
STOP!
He didn't let that rage touch Bayla's spirit, he shielded it, even as she tore at the shadows, the darkness contracted, fighting to stop her.
Some got through, but she would not be stopped, she continued to tear, tear and…
GOT IT!
Light flooded in.
The shadow that Avy had brought into their connection recoiled. Retreated from the burning cleansing light!
Merrit cried out as the light enveloped him, and…
He gasped.
For one brief moment he was lost in a sea of light, it was…was…
Tears ran down his face.
He…he had almost forgotten!
So…beautiful!
He was drifting in light, not drowning, but becoming a part of it.
He…
He gasped.
He opened his eyes.
He pulled his hands out of Bayla's. They were still sitting on his bed, both were panting, exhausted.
Her eyes were closed, but she was smiling.
"I did it," she exclaimed, "We did it."
He shook his head.
"Wha…what was that?"
"A spirit bond," she responded, "A gift of my people. You said Avaryss used your bond to flood your connection with darkness. I bonded with you so that I could help you, open you up to the light again.
She giggled.
"I think it worked!"
He shook his head.
Had it worked?
He had felt…
He closed his eyes and reached out into the Force again. He was still in darkness…he…
No.
Wait.
He shivered.
He felt it.
Streams of light, he could feel them. For the first time in almost four years, he could feel the light again.
It was small, but it was there!
He shuddered.
He could feel the shadow reaching out, trying to seal off the breach, but he didn't let it, he would NEVER let it again!
It was like lancing a boil, letting the darkness leak out, he reached out, protecting the tear. The shadow wailed silently, but it could not undo what had been done.
Bayla…the two of them, they had…
He opened his eyes. He was crying.
"You did it."
"We did it," she said with a tired sigh, "You just needed a bit of help."
She opened her eyes.
He gasped.
No.
Bayla's eyes glowed bright yellow.
She…
No…Bayla!
NO!
"You shouldn't have done that! You have…"
She stopped him.
"I felt your darkness, but I'm not lost."
"Your eyes!"
She turned and looked at the mirror in the corner.
"There are side effects to every bonding."
"Bae…if you have fallen!"
"Does it feel like I've fallen?"
He reached out with the Force.
He…he reached out with both the darkness and the light inside of him.
He could feel her now, all of her.
He…he felt an echo of the shadow, but…
She seemed…like herself.
If that shadow would grow, he couldn't say.
He…
He glared at her.
"A Bann spirit bond," he said flatly.
"It worked," she said grinning.
"You could have warned me!"
"You would not have let me in. You would have thought it too dangerous. You…"
His anger was on him.
He grabbed her.
He pulled her off the bed, and pushed her against the bulk head.
She gasped.
"Merrit! I…!"
"NOT ANOTHER WORD!"
They stood facing each other, both panting. Both still coming out of the bonding.
The shadow was on him, it wanted him to hurt her, but he would not give in. He had an anchor now.
He could stop the darkness now, if he wanted, and…he wanted to stop now.
That didn't mean he was any less angry, it was just…controlled.
He glared at her.
Backup, you fool!
WHY!
She didn't fight, she stood there, looking into his eyes. Both now had eyes like a Sith, but…
Merrit shivered.
He was still a Dark Jedi, he knew that, but he could feel the light again, even now it slowly seeped into the darkness within him.
Bayla didn't back down.
She glared at him.
"I was trying to help."
"It was too dangerous," he snarled, "If you get lost in the darkness!"
"I won't!"
"How can you say that?!"
"Because you are with me!"
He heard it in her voice, the raw emotion, emotion that had been reawakened on Jomark.
He almost whimpered.
Awakened, with a kiss.
He rested his forehead against hers. He felt dizzy, he had the light back, but at that moment it wasn't what he wanted.
He wanted something else, something he…
No.
He tried to stop.
"You shouldn't have," he murmured.
He tried to pull away.
She didn't let him.
"My choice," she said. She reached up and touched his chin. She took off his glasses, she wanted to see his eyes. To see the fire there. She let the lenses fall from her hands.
She smiled slyly.
"My choice," she repeated, "As is this."
She kissed him.
Their lips barely touched, but it was enough. He felt her reaching out, a connection now linked through the light, and the Force.
He kissed her back, fiercely, his tongue in her mouth.
She shuddered beneath his touch. She…
She moaned as he kissed his way down her neck.
"RITT!" she gasped.
"YESSSS! OHHH! YESSSSS!"
Their hands moved over their bodies, moved over, exploring.
He thought of nothing, not his master, or how he should not be doing this.
All that mattered was her. Bayla.
His Bayla.
YES!
She tore at his shirt, as he pulled hers up to her shoulders. She wore nothing beneath it, exposing her small breast.
He kissed each in turn, his lips going down her belly.
She pulled him up to look into her eyes as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Her arms around his neck. His hands grabbed her steadied her.
They both laughed nervously, happily.
They would not be stopping now.
His belt came away, as did the sash at her waist, their weapons clattered to the ground at their feet.
He carried her to the bed, to their bed. He didn't throw her down, but lowered her… gently, lovingly.
She kicked off her slippers, her toes curling with his every touch.
They no longer felt exhausted, the heat that suffused them gave them new life, and they used it…
He growled as she tore at his clothes, happy squeals escaped her lips as he pulled off her shirt and dress.
She grasped at him, and at the bed, her psychometric abilities overloading with delicious emotion.
Desire, and so much more.
She threw back her head and moaned.
It was wonderful!
On some level they were still one, the bond that had brought back the light, now brought something else.
Heat.
Desire!
Beyond this ship, the galaxy was in chaos, war was everywhere!
But in this one cabin, on this small ship, for a brief moment.
Everything was right.
Everything…was heat…heat and light.
The two friends, now two lovers, found their rhythm, they moved together with sighs, and moans, and moved in the way that only they could.
Darkness and light, but in that moment, it was all one, one simple concept.
It was life, and life…
…was good.
A/N: Been a while between chapters, but hope to move faster in the future. Plus, I've been thinking of doing a Fallenstar story, what Merrit was up to during the three years before this one. Also, maybe doing a Tales of the Sith, featuring Avy, Taya, and others from this world, maybe even to introduce future villains for future stories, let me know in the reviews. Until next time, dear readers.
DG