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"** You aren't afraid to love anymore? *"" *After this? No. Nothing could make me feel safer than to be loved by you."~ Bastila Shan and Revan Light and warmth were the first things Kajex percieved the moment consciousness returned to him; on its heels was the sensation of laying on something soft and remarkably comfortable. He let in a deep breath as he opened his eyes, staring at a blank stone ceiling and feeling confused. Before he had closed his eyes, he had been bleeding and staring up at the ceiling of the Rushin' Roulette's lounge. He distinctly recalled rubbing Syrra's ears comfortingly as she reassured him (or more likely herself) that he was going to be okay. Shifting around a bit while his strength returned to him slowly, he sat up and looked around, his golden eyes traveling around the vaguely familiar environment. It slowly dawned on him that he was in one of the recovery rooms in Aarn Barrok's estate, on Ekibo- the familiar tapestries, potted plants and artistic carpeting were the same he'd seen before. How much time had passed since he and Syrra and the rest had escaped the asteroid station, he couldn't say. Syrra. Reminded of the last person he saw before passing out, he turned to see if he was alone, and for a moment thought he was. It wasn't until he looked directly to his left that he saw the Trianii sleeping in a chair next to his bed, having slumped forward onto the mattress. It was only then he noticed she was holding his left paw tightly, even as she slept. Affection for her welled up in him as he wondered how long she had been there. "Every single hour of every single day, captain." Kajex turned his head to the soft voice, eyes falling on Iaora, the white-furred Trianii approaching slowly with a sincere smile. "That's how long my niece has been by your side. There was barely a moment when she wasn't." Kajex cleared his throat, shifting. "Hello, ma'am." A hundred questions to choose from, but he decided to go with the most obvious. "What exactly happened?" he asked. Iaora took a seat next to Syrra, saying nothing for a moment as she ran a paw through the Jedi's blonde hair, like a mother comforting their child. "Jurah informed us that you passed out en route to Ekibo, and were close to death from blood loss. As we don't possess transfusions for your race, whatever they may be, we had to rely on bacta to restore your blood cells while surgery was performed. The bones in your left femur and lower right leg have been braced with treated durasteel rods, and have regrown completely. The healing process took up to a full week- and in that time, while you were resting, you have had no fewer than 50 visitors offering their sincerest thanks for saving their lives, the lives of their families and their friends." The wolf sighed, leaning back and feeling troubled. "I'm glad we were able to bring some people back. I just wish we could've brought back more." Iaora nodded. "Jurah told me of the lives that were lost due to the Remnant. Yet while we grieve for them, we're nevertheless glad that you and my kin fought to save them all the same. Our joy at the reunion of families and friends far outweighs the pain of loss." The mercenary nodded, relaxing a little. "As long as we were able to save some lives..." There was a silence as he considered what to ask next. "What about Syrra? Did she get medical attention?" He could not see the front of her body, and noticed she was still wearing his old bomber jacket despite the fact that a hole had been burned into it, from where the lightsaber had pierced her. "Syrra's wounds were severe, but not life-threatening. She required only two days to recover, but was insistent that she was fine and kept coming back to you." She turned an affectionate look to the sleeping feline. "After the 3rd attempt we gave up- which raises the question as to what happened between you two that would warrant this kind of behavior. I seem to recall that she regarded you with distinct dislike before you both left, but every time I mention your name now, her eyes seem to glow." She gave Kajex a knowing smile, glancing down at where his paw was joined with Syrra's. The wolf chuckled, squeezing the Jedi's paw gently. "Well, I can't speak on her behalf. But for my part, well... I became attracted to her." He shrugged, feeling there was no other way he could put it. "Somewhere along the line we just kinda started to understand each other, and reached a point where we shared a lot of ourselves comfortably. It happened so fast, I even worried a bit." He hesitated. "At some point... we realized we'd die for each other. That kinda scares me, really. I've been in genuine relationships in the past, and I've never developed one so intense, so quickly." Iaora inclined her head. "Did she tell you of her name?" The mercenary nodded. "Yeah, she did. Through the Force, shortly before a moment where there was a chance either of us could have died." "And you know what this means, correct?" Kajex drooped slightly. "I know what it means. She wouldn't have told me if she wasn't in love with me. But... I don't know how to tell if it's just infatuation or the real deal." Iaora cocked her head. "Jurah and Olraa both informed me that she stood prepared to fight a Sith to the death to prevent you from being captured, despite her severe injuries; that she had obtained those injuries while ensuring that you could remain hidden and safe; that when you were badly wounded and things were at its darkest, she chose to lay by your side to share your fate, rather than leaving you to face it alone. They also told me you nearly offered your own well-being to make sure she and her people could go free, and that you sustained mortal injury collecting the jewel I gave to her- a small act, yet one I would suspect was of immeasurable significance." There was a pause, during which Kajex felt a tightening in his chest and throat. "If she has not told you outright that she loves you, it's because she has decided to demonstrate that fact to you through her actions. And if it's a matter of whether _you_don't know how you feel about her, then I would ask what compelled you to tell her you were ready to give up your life for her? What, if not love for her, compelled you to risk your life to retrieve a mere trinket that you knew held immense value in her heart?" There was a feeling of bareness and vulnerability coursing through him. "When you put it that way... you're right. I wouldn't have done it if I didn't feel the same way." He swallowed, looking down at Syrra and squeezing her paw again. "But she deserves to know things about me that I've kept to myself that I promised I wouldn't tell." Iaora shook her head. "She told me you held secrets you did not wish to reveal. And I agree with the response that she told me she gave to you- we both believe you're not doing it out of maliciousness or a desire to hurt others with it. If it poses a danger to her she will meet it gladly, of that I have no doubt; and if the truth about you is revealed and it angers her, her love for you will cause it to abate." "What about her training, though? And my job?" It was the question he hated having to ask. "I can't tell her to give up her dream just because I want her to be by my side. I didn't do it to the last person I was in love with, and I don't want to ask her to do that either." Iaora smiled gently. "The future may yet reveal a means for her to possess both your companionship and her goal in becoming a fully-trained Jedi- or did you forget that the Jedi Order has dedicated itself toward helping other people, similar to what you do? If there is a way she can remain with you while continuing her duties for the Jedi, you will both find it- or the Force, mysterious as it works, will offer a way for you." Syrra stirred, letting out a small chirp as she shuffled. The wolf looked down at her, smiling. "I guess I'll just have to do what we've been doing since we paired up- just see where it goes and hope for the best." The albino Trianii rose to her feet, regarding him kindly. "I'll leave you to rest, Captain Surnahm, and to give you and Syrra time to talk. Just remember what I've told you. I leave you with this- one such as yourself should not have to remain alone after forming so strong a bond." She bowed to him, leaving him to his thoughts.

"Sun and Sky." Syrra eyes flickered open at the words, a light blush reaching her cheeks as she stirred. She squeezed his paw gently, purring as she felt him squeeze back. "You remembered my name." "Hard to forget a fitting name like that," he replied. "Even harder to forget the woman that saved my life multiple times." Her eyes looked up into his beaming face, filling up with affection as she returned his smile. She looked around. "Were you... talking to someone just now?" Kajex nodded. "Your aunt. She was checking up on me- and you." He paused, looking hesitant. "She's a font of wisdom, I have to say." Syrra scooted her chair in closer, leaning in to nuzzle him and purring again when he returned the affection. "How are you feeling?" "A little weak in the legs, but a couple of days of walking should get them back in shape," he replied, looking unconcerned. "I feel pretty great though- and happy." "What's put you in such a bright mood?" she asked, grinning. "You need to ask? Iaora told me I was near death, that it took a lot in the way of surgery and bacta to restore me; and that there was hardly a moment you weren't there watching over me like some kind of guardian angel." She blushed hard, but didn't look away. "Waking up to see you holding on to me, and then hearing that it was like that even when I was out of it for a week? I have to ask again- what the hell has gotten into you?" He grinned. She already had her answer. "I told you- you_got into me." He kissed the side of her muzzle, the spot tingling as his lips left it. "So... maybe you won't mind bringing me up to speed?" he asked, stretching out and groaning a bit before noticing he was still nude. "Fu-- Iaora saw everything, didn't she." he said flatly. Syrra laughed. "_Everyone_who visited saw 'everything'. And there were quite a few who nudged and winked at me like I was the luckiest feline on the planet. You should be proud so many people think highly of you even after seeing you at your _sexiest," she purred. Kajex stuck out his tongue playfully. "You're a liar and you should feel ashamed. I'm only ever_at my sexiest when we're in the shower together, you said so yourself. Now c'mon, tell me what happened!" Glad to see her lover in good spirits and healthy again, she obliged. "Aside from the one death from the prison break, we didn't lose anybody. Olraa recovered easily, and the rest of the injured have since been treated and are back with their families. The New Republic sent investigators here with the consent of our _yu'nar to interview and question the prisoners, since the Imperial Remnant was involved. The station, AS-303, hit hyperspace around the same time we did- the Republic interdictor that held us down shut down their gravity wells on my orders." The wolf sighed, looking a little disappointed. "That's a shame." Syrra nodded. "It is, but the destruction of the station and capture of the perpetrators was never our mission, Kajex. We had to evacuate the civilians and get them, and especially_you_, emergency medical attention." "I know," he responded softly, ears drooping sadly. "But that's not quite what I meant." It was easy for her to guess what he meant, as she watched his distant stare. "Locke?" He nodded. "You're going to call me crazy for this, but... I actually trusted him. I really believe he had no intention to harm me. I know he's Sith and all, but I wasn't seeing that when I looked at him- I was seeing a man like me, who just wanted to know who he really was and where he came from." Syrra gave him a sympathetic look. "I don't think you're crazy. I think you're right." He turned to her. "Yeah?" "He saved our lives, Kajex." He frowned for a moment- before long, his expression changed to own of dawning comprehension. "That... wasn't you who used to Force to move the wreckage off of me, was it." "It wasn't," she confirmed with a smile. "He talked to me through the Force, immediately afterwards- said it was his thanks to you for saving his life, and to me for sparing his apprentice's life. He wanted me to take you home." She paused. "I... think he knew how much you meant to me." Kajex smiled. "Pretty decent guy. For a Sith, I guess. I kinda hope he made it out alive, if only to see him again." "Strange as it is for a Jedi to say... I hope he's okay too," Syrra agreed, getting up and sitting on the side of his bed. "So what happens now?" he asked, looking strangely at her paw, as if noticing he was still holding it. "Now? We wait for you to recover. I talked with Captain Lynch- he says hello, by the way- and mentioned that you trust only one other person to pilot your ship. He respects that and thought it would be a good idea to wait until you were back on your feet before you... take us back to the academy," she finished softly. It only then occurred to her what that meant, how much time she had left before she had to return. She felt a pang at the realization, a feeling of hollowness welling up in her. The wolf gave her paw a squeeze. "Hey." She looked up, Kajex hesitating momentarily before he continued. "You asked me, a few days before we were captured, if I could come with you to visit the Jedi Praxeum. I've had a lot of time to think about it, and..." He stopped, rubbing the back of his neck. "I mean, I figure your Order is doing some good work. And I'd like to ask them if I could be a part of that, in some capacity- even if that just means transporting and accompanying you to your missions." He cleared his throat, shifting nervously. "I mean... for a reasonable price, of course. I do_need to keep myself fed, and I figure my resumé means I'll get a decent sum." Her heart felt like it was going to explode from her chest, hammering as she listening to his offer. Knowing full well he was trying cloak his real intentions, she pressed him. "That's... not what you want to tell me, is it?" she responded hopefully. "... No, it isn't." "Then offer me the truth, Kajex. Please." He swallowed, looking tense. "Alright... I want to come with _you, Syrra. I've decided I don't want to give up what we have. Iaora was right- I've been risking my life for you because... shit..." He took a deep breath, looking as if his nerves were shot, then looked her in the eyes seriously. "I love you, Syrra. I'm terrified of admitting it to the point of it being painfully moronic, but I love you. Enough so that I would never ask you to abandon your dream of becoming a Jedi Knight just so you could be with me- enough so that I want to give up the life I have so I can be with you." He drew back a bit, looking down. "If... you'll let me, I mean." Syrra dimly wondered when the room had started spinning. The 3 words he had said, the very core of his words, echoed in her mind such that she almost couldn't comprehend what else he was saying. "I..." She shook her head, trying to clear it out, trying to focus on him- futilely trying to form words to respond, failing repeatedly. Eventually she stopped trying and stared at him, trying to decide how best to respond. "Uh... Syrra, what are y-- AUUGGH!" She had taken the easy way to answer and pounced on him with a mew of happiness, kissing him deeply as she drew up close to him, purring loudly. The wolf embraced her as they kept their muzzles together, running his paw along her sides. Their kiss broke and she beamed. "Is it okay if that's my response?" Kajex blinked, then narrowed his eyes slyly. "Oh, no you don't. I nearly lost my nerve just now telling_you that I love you! You gotta tell me the same thing in words, kitten, so we'll be even." He grinned and she blushed hard, still beaming. "Fine! I..." She laughed, abandoning all her fear and going for it. "I love you too, Kajex Surnahm. And I would be glad to have you accompany me back to Yavin 4." Warmth and joy spread through her as she leaned into him, cuddling against him- at least until she shifted her hips, chirping in confusion as she felt a firmness against her thigh. "... In my defense, you were grinding against me kinda hard, Syrra," Kajex offered sheepishly, as his ebony cock pressed against her. "And you know I like this position, so... I'm not sure what you were expecting." Syrra snickered, sitting up and running her fingers down his chest. "Knowing you? I expect you to ignore the doctor's orders and engage in extraneous activity even though it's bad for you," she teased, taking her bomber jacket off and beginning to undo her upper robes. Kajex's eyes widened. "Wait, what? Here?" He glanced around. "I mean, someone could come in--" With an offhand wave and the barest amount of Jedi concentration, the recovery room's door shut and clicked as it locked. "... Okay, but the windo--" Another wave and the window curtains were drawn, Syrra smirking as the room became darker. At this point she had drawn open her robes and exposed her ample breasts to him, leaning in and resting her tits against his chest, tail swishing as she looked up at him playfully. "What, you don't wanna plaaaay?" she purred coquettishly. The wolf sighed, though he smiled as his paws drifting down to her curved rump, tugging her trousers down as she swayed her hips around, trying to get out of them. "Okay; _those_words, with _that_face, with _you_purring, in _that sexy Corsucanti accent? That's too_adorable. Fine- but if I end up injured because you decided you wanted to fuck while I was recovering, _you're_covering the medical bill, kitten." "Oh give it a rest, Kajex- you know I can get a feel for what's going on in your head, right?" she grinned. "Get a feel for _this, kitten," he growled lightheartedly, nipping at her collarbone and making her squeak and giggle as he rolled his hips up, his swollen length sliding against her smooth belly. A flutter ran through her body as she instinctively slid herself into him, hissing slightly as his length brushed her nethers gently. She finally managed to free her legs from the captivity of her pants, throwing them and her Jedi attire onto the chair he had used. Before she could turn back to Kajex she yelped and moaned, Kajex having waste no time in attacking her netherlips with one paw. A hot shiver crept up her back as she pushed her mound into his paw, blushing as the effect on her cleft was immediate, her lower set of lips beginning to grow moist from his advanced foreplay. Unwilling to let his enthusiasm be curbed by her lack of participation, she reached down and gripped the base of his cock, squeezing firmly as she pumped the length and drew satisfied groans from her wolfish lover. "I missed this," she whispered breathily, as she pushed her mound against his fingers. "I don't think I'm addicted to this, but after everything that's happened, I just wanted... you. I couldn't even bring myself to use your 'stash' to find relief." Kajex looked up from nosing her breasts, smiling. "I know it's only because of me, kitten. Should I offer you another truth?" "What's that?" she asked quietly, whimpering slightly as he slid his fingers deeper into her slit, shuddering violently as he brushed her g-spot and mewling when he used his thumb to stimulate her clit moments later. He grunted pleasurably as she squeezed the base of his prick in response to her efforts. "Ever since you came into my life, I stopped accessing my own 'stash', too. That night you used your abilities to spy on me- did you try reading my mind?" She shook her head, moaning softly. "I... didn't... I didn't want to invade your privacy... your mind is something personal to you, it would have been..." she trailed off, gasping, "... so good... wrong! I-I meant 'wrong'..." Her eyes snapped open, looking up at the grinning canine. "If you had, you'd have seen me fantasizing about you. I wasn't lying when I told you I thought you were attractive- even when we were needling each other, you were... incredible to look at." He licked her neck affectionately, removing his paw from between her legs and pulling her in, leaning her back so he had full access to her breasts. Her paws clung to his arms as she thrust her chest out against his muzzle, the Trianii gritting her teeth to stifle her moans as he kissed, licked, nipped and suckled on her teats like a hungry cub. Every brush of his lips seemed like it left a tingling warmth as he switched between the, as his paws held her sides, thumbs circling around her lowers nipples gently. He looked up at her, nose pressed against hers. "I lacked imagination back," he admitted. "The reality outdoes the fantasy by a long shot." She touched his face, letting out a small moan as his length slid against her clitoris. "I learned that same lesson our first night together. Now that it's out in the open, though..." She leaned in, hugging him and letting out a sigh. "I feel like everything in me is on edge, in the best way possib-- hey!" She cried out as Kajex flipped their positions, finding herself on her back and looking up at the wolf. He licked her cheek affectionately as she reclined against the bed's inclined mattress. "Sorry, kitten- but I feel like I've been laying down way too long. How am I expected to regain the strength in my legs if I don't get a little exercise in?" She giggled. "Like I predicted- ignoring the doctor's orders." She shamelessly spread her legs apart, giving him a clear view of her moist gash as he lined his length up against it. Warmth radiated between their loins as he pressed the tip against her, his prick drooling precum against her folds as teased her. She whimpered anxiously and he leaned down, kissing her gently to soothe her as he sank into her depths, his toned body sliding against her sleek and agile frame. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she pressed her muzzle back into his, moaning softly into his lips. It started with gentle thrusts- they had learned early they enjoyed it best when they could take their time mating, beginning with affection. An undercurrent of passion could be felt as his length throbbed rapidly, his heart pumping blood through it as his controlled excitement boiled underneath. She, meanwhile, breathed deeply each time he shifted his hips into her thighs, unconsciously gripping around his turgid member each time it sheathed itself in her folds. Every kiss they shared was matched with his sheath kissing her netherlips, in both amount and intimacy. It changed subtly, as he rocked into her a little more firmly each time, hilting inside her and pausing every few thrusts, letting his balls rest against her upturned backside for a few moments. She savored these momentary intermissions, feeling herself flutter around his cock as its heat soothed the ache below her belly. His thrusts became firmer, slowly turning into grinds as he angled his otherwise smooth shaft such that his length kneaded against her inner walls, the friction making her squirm slightly. "It feels so different," she breathed out quietly, looking up at her lover. "It's been over a week," he replied softly, nuzzling her chin. "It isn't that... I just--" She cried out abruptly as he thrust hard into her- a paw went to her muzzle as she stifled what was left of her vocal pleasure. Nobody could get in, but she didn't want to give what they were doing away, which was becoming increasingly more difficult as he followed up the sudden change in pace by sitting up on his knees and bucking into her harder. It was a transition she hadn't been ready for, but one she couldn't help enjoying, flexing her back and abs as she readily met his pistoning. Each physical blow forced her to exhale, the impact of his hips jolting her senses and causing her breasts to bounce as she quaked. "Go on, kitten," he whispered in her ear, making her shiver. "How does it feel different?" "Just feels-- hnng!" She chirped, seeing stars and feeling an incredible tingle of bliss in her belly. "There's that sound I love hearing," he growled teasingly. "Kajex, please..." She whimpered as she jerked beneath him, grabbing his arms and using them to help pull herself harder into his hips. He had pushed her up against the sloped part of the mattress, pinning her in place with his body alone- her legs wrapped around his waist. Whatever trepidation she had felt about alerting anyone to their coupling waned rapidly as he assaulted her crevice, striking her loins with enough force that his balls were colliding against her backside and tailbase, the effect making her mewl and chirp. "Please...!" He slowed down, looking concerned. "Too much?" he asked as he returned to a calmer pace. She smiled tremulously, shifting against him. "It's just feels... right, this time." She struggled to put her thoughts into words. "Before, it was fun, and I enjoyed it. Now... it feels more meaningful, and I love_it," she admitted, blushing and hiding her face in his chest. "I just don't know what's different now compared to then." He stopped, raising her chin up and looking into her bright sapphire eyes, regarding her with nothing short of complete adoration and desire. "Maybe you knowing how I feel _is_the difference." Certain he was right, she merely nodded and smiled, squeezing around his waist firmly to coax him into continuing. He obliged quickly, holding her against the inclined mattress by cupping her breasts while he resumed his efforts. Her head rolled to the side as she clung to him weakly, her tender nerves screaming with pleasure each time he plunged into her cleft. Slick precum formed a cocktail with her feminine lubricant, the mixture trailing out of her gash and trickling down her tail- the blend did nothing to make his thrusts gentler, though it seemed to spur the wolf towards picking up the pace, her lover letting out a feral whine as his knot started to form. Her experiences with his knot had been difficult but satisfying- by now she had learned how to move into his embrace, bracing herself as she counter-thrust against his hips and brought her slit hard against the swollen cockbase. She cried out as his response was to plow into her body harder, her smaller frame sinking into the mattress beneath her as he battered his hips against her inner thighs and ass repeatedly. "Syrra... getting close," he groaned. "Give it... to me," she mewled. Without warning, he grabbed both her paws and pinned them down, fingers entwining with her as he ducked down and kissed her deeply. She reciprocated as best she could, her legs drawing him in as best as they could, knowing it was his way of telling her he was ready to tie with her. She mewled into his muzzle as she relaxed for him, eager to feel him locked inside, her sore vaginal folds parting for him and stretching around his intruding bulb until the resistance finally gave way, the wolf thrusting into her cleft with a loud, slick pop. She nearly screamed, her breath catching at the last moment and causing her to moan loudly into her lover's lips instead. What she had not expected, however, was the volume. He broke their kiss and snarled loudly as he came, his cocktip erupting with an enormous blast of spunk that easily washed into her cervix, making her shudder as his knot throbbed. A delicious, searing heat bloomed in her belly as he pumped more cum into her than she had ever felt from him before, her mind going blank as she nearly went limp from her own orgasm, shuddering as she gasped for breath- she felt the amount such that she perceived a slight swelling in her belly. Her lover's breath was in her left ear as he panted, sliding his arms around her as their breathing slowly returned to normal. Seconds wore on and she could feel the gentle tingle of his seed trailing down her backside and tail, staining the sheets. The Trianii arched her back as a wave of post-orgasmic pleasure ran down her spine. "How can there be... so much?" she breathed out, wide-eyed and impressed with his production, warmth radiating in her womb. The wolf chuffed softly. "I told you- it's been over a week." Purring as her mind cleared, she raised her muzzle and whispered. "I love you, Kajex." She heard the smile in his voice as he responded. "And I love you, Syrra." There was silence between them as they nuzzled and kissed- until a voice in the room cleared itself. Iaora was standing at the door, looking particularly amused, smiling much more broadly than she normally did. Syrra stared, her eyes wide. "Oh... _shit!" she squeaked quietly, looking petrified. Kajex, on the other hand, turned and smiled at her, looking not at all concerned even though his heavy balls and taut backside were in clear view. "Ma'am," he intoned politely, shifting his hips a little and making Syrra chirp. She inclined her head in response, still smiling. "Captain," she responded cheerfully. "I did not wish to interrupt your intimate moment together so readily, but I was certain that you might be feeling hungry after your recovery and decided to inform you that a meal has been prepared. And Aarn wished to let you know that your voices carry; not that it is irritating to us specifically, but our employees and servants have certainly taken notice. Thankfully, I saw to it that I alone possessed the key for entry- I anticipated you two might have wanted to spend some time together in privacy." The smile was now a grin. Syrra's mouth moved, yet she could not form any words to express her embarrassment, so Iaora continued. "Also, Aarn wishes to meet with you later, Captain Surnahm- we have something for you onboard your vessel we felt you might appreciate." Kajex blinked, looking surprised but pleased. "Oh? Uh... thanks, then! I guess Syrra and I will eat and then we'll meet up later." Iaora nodded and bowed, turning to leave, pausing at the door and turning back to look at the impaled Trianii. "He's... quite a catch," she admitted, a light blush on her face. "And don't worry- your mother won't hear a word of this from me." She smiled again and closed the door behind her as she left. Kajex's tail was wagging. "Feeling hungry, kitten?" Syrra sputtered. "Wh- how could you be so calm!?" she exclaimed in confusion. "We just got caught, not with our pants down but with our pants off, and balls deep inside me, by one of my family members!" Kajex cocked his head. "But she didn't disapprove." Syrra looked away. "Well, no... but--" He smiled, tail still wagging energetically. "She even said I was quite a catch. And she said she wouldn't tell your mother." "Well, there's that- but I mean, I don't care if my biological mother finds out..." "Ah," he said, seeming to understand. "But since Iaora is as close as a mother to you..." She nodded. "Exactly." "... So... your 'mother' approves, then, Syrra," he said gently, nuzzling her cheek. "I mean, maybe it's because I didn't really have real parents that I never worried about being caught- or maybe it's because when I was young, I walked in on my father's having hot, bareback buttsex with each other, so the worry of being caught was a non-issue," he suggested casually, the admission making Syrra blush hard as she gaped. "But I don't think there's anything to be ashamed of." "I'm a Jedi padawan," she offered weakly, still feeling a little guilty. The wolf chuffed in amusement. "I don't think 'Jedi' necessarily means 'celibate', kitten." He hesitated, looking a little worried. "Although... if you'd feel better giving this up so you can focus on being a Jedi--" She shook her head vigorously. "Absolutely not. I'd give up being a Jedi first just to be with you." He licked her cheek. "Then bring it up to your Grand Master. Leave out the juicy details, but see what he has to say. I doubt he'd be against it." She sighed, hugging him. "I think you're right. I'm sorry for being so childish about it." The wolf laughed. "Why? Syrra, I've had 15 years to get accustomed to my sexuality, I'm not expecting you to be as comfortable as I am barely more than a week after your first intimate moment with someone else." She considered this, feeling a little better. "I guess that'll come with time." "Hell, if anything," he added as his ears drooped slightly, "_I_should be worried about what _you_think about me having other lovers before you. Retsa in particular would be reticent to let me go _that_easily," he said, looking distantly concerned as he seemed to think about it. "Oh, well where _she's_concerned, I'm not worried at all- I don't mind you continuing to have a sexual relationship with her," Syrra replied, smiling- knowing what she knew of the two, there was a bond between them she was not interested in breaking. Kajex cocked his head. "Why not?" "Because... you chose me, didn't you?" she said hopefully. The wolf nuzzled her. "Yeah, I did." Before another word was uttered, a loud growl rumbled through both of them. There was a pause between them before they both started laughing. "So, about that meal..."

Kajex, hunger now abated and fully dressed in a simple tunic, pants and shoes, couldn't believe his eyes. Aarn had insisted Kajex meet at his ship as soon as they were done with their meal, though the affair took a while as Captain Lynch joined them and the three had talked extensively. They had much to inform Lynch about their mission and success, and Lynch wasted little time in showing off his new cybernetic arm, assuring Syrra he was actually more attached to his new limb than he was with his old one, even if it did itch like crazy at times. Though they said nothing about their relationship together, Kajex was almost positive Lynch was among those who could hear him and Syrra going at it- he didn't say anything, but Kajex did catch a halfway-knowing grin from him. Once they had finished, all three of them had set off to the estate's landing pad, Lynch hinting that Kajex would love the surprise. When he had last seen his ship from the outside the damage from the hangar was still fresh, in addition to all the other dings and scratches his ship had accumulated over the years. But now much of her plating was new; sections of the vessel had been painted with a polished, deep gold; a newer, larger escape pod had been installed where the previous had been injected. Aarn looked apprehensively at him. "Is it... acceptable?" Kajex sputtered. "Wh- acceptable!? She's gorgeous!" He sprinted up to her, getting a closer look at the vessel, tail energetically waving side to said as Captain Lynch, Syrra and Aarn followed closely. "But, why? I mean, this wasn't--" "Wasn't part of the contract, I know," Aarn finished, smiling as the captain ran his paw along the hull. "But for everything you've done, it was the least I could do. I'm far wealthier than I need to be, I donate where I can because my contributions to society can afford to be financial- but someone like you, who risks your life and well-being for a greater good for meager rewards? If there cannot be more people like you in the universe, then I'll settle for people like you being as well-equipped as possible." Whatever words he had been scrounging up to say were lost as he heard Aarn explain himself. "I... really don't know what to say. This is incredible." "Well, you may want to save your words for what's inside," Lynch suggested, grinning as Syrra tapped in the vessel's access code. "Wouldn't be much a point in giving her a nice paint job if your boat didn't have a comfy interior." Kajex followed them quickly up the ramp, eager to see what else he had stored as they moved through the curved corridor leading to the lounge. He gaped, completely at a loss for words as they traversed the ship- the couch he'd been laying (and bleeding) on had been removed and replaced with a longer, more comfortable couch, a series of deck-bolted seats and a circular holographic table capable of running Sabaac and Pazaak; training mats had been placed on the other side of the living space where he and Syrra would spar; the galley had been updated with better food processors and a more energy efficient freezer storage unit; the crew quarters, which had been particularly empty, now looked cozier with secured seating and new bedding material that matched the ship's exterior. Easily the most amazing changes to Kajex was the modular conversion of part of the cargo hold to an armory and equipment storage room. "H-how...?" he breathed out weakly. "I thought the Corellian Engineering Corporation stopped making modular units for the XS series over 2,000 years ago!" Lynch raised his prosthetic hand, grinning. "That was me. I had a couple contacts on Corellia that knew where to find the ship parts for a good price. Armory units don't even cost all that much, and with the weapons you brought along you might as well have a place to store them, in case any friends of yours needs some heat in a tight spot- and it's code locked, so only you can grant access." "I took the liberty of adding a piece of my own," Aarn said, directing the wolf's attention to the rear of the cargo hold, where a small medical station had been installed with bacta dispensers and a short-term life support unit. "You're welcome to return here anytime you need more medical supplies, free of charge. I hope that my contribution helps keep you and my niece alive in the future." Syrra stammered. "What do you--" "Cub, after what almost everyone heard only a few hours ago, I'd be _very_surprised if the two of you did not stick together- or else the upgrade to the captain's quarters would be needless," he said, grinning as Syrra went red-faced. "One last item for you- Olraa contributed this." He opened one of the lockers, pulling out a new captain's longcoat, made of black leather and deep gold trim, reinforced underneath with expensive, energy-dispersal fiber mesh. "Your old attire had to be discarded due to blood, I'm afraid, and Olraa felt you could use this." Kajex took the coat, staring at it in awe and shaking his head. "This is... too much for me. Why, Aarn?" "You're assuming that this entire gift to you was my doing- it wasn't." He paused. "There was a time when Trianii were shackled and tortured and sold into slavery from off-world organizations like the CSA. We as a culture don't take needless imprisonment well. Every one of the Trianii you helped to save contributed to helping to outfit this vessel- every one of them saw you nearly dying on your own ship. It is, to them, the least they can do to thank you for freeing them." Kajex sat down, trying to steady himself. "I... just... thank you so much," he said simply, smiling broadly. "How can I repay you?" "Repay me? This is _our_thanks to _you,_Captain Surnahm. But since you asked- just keep doing as you've done, and stay alive while you do it."

Kajex knew Syrra would have liked to stay on the Estate at least a few more days, but she had given the Praxeum her word that she would return as soon as the mission was complete and Kajex was healed, to give a debriefing to Master Skywalker and Master Moarn. She was now saying her reluctant good-byes to her family while he and Lynch waited in the cockpit. "So she picked up real quick, then?" Lynch asked. Kajex nodded. "She took to it like a duck to water- I mean, if you know what a duck is." "I've been to Naboo, kid, I know what a duck is. You must've been a good teacher if she caught on so fast." He paused. "That, or she was trying really_hard to impress you." Kajex cleared his throat. "Ah... so you _did_hear that." "The entire _estate_heard you two going at it, Surnahm," the injured human replied, laughing. "Which is why _your_quarters got the added, unmentioned benefit of soundproofing." Kajex's eyes went wide. "Aarn didn't tell me--" "He suspected even before then, kid. Which is good for _me, because this entire trip has been like an extended vacation on my end, and I'm not quite ready to get back to work. You'll be able to go at it with me none the wiser no matter how loud you make her purr- so... if you wanna take the long way to Yavin 4, maybe stop and see a couple sights on the basis of, say, helping Syrra gather some lightsaber parts..." He grinned as he stood, stretching and sauntering down the corridor. "Well, I can't snitch about what I don't hear." Kajex arched an eyebrow. "And what do you get in return?" "A little extra R&R and some more of those noodles you had in the freezer," he said as he walked out of reach. "Noodl-- HEY, THOSE WERE MINE, LYNCH!" "I didn't see your name on them, Surnahm," Lynch called back tauntingly, just as Syrra walked into sight. "Hey hon," she said, taking the co-pilot's seat. "Everything alright?" "Lynch ate my noodles," Kajex stated grumpily. "And he says he wants me to take the long way around so he can rest more and have more of them." She raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to take him up on that?" Kajex shrugged. "I mean... once we get to Yavin 4 I'm not going to budge until I can see some representative and ask for some employment, so I'll still be around, but until then..." "More time for us?" she guessed "We do need to talk," he admitted. "Just to see how this will work out. But yeah, I'm with Lynch- I'm not _quite_ready to start working again." He grinned. "Anyway- ready to get out of here, partner?" "Just say the word, sir," she grinned back.