DISCLAIMER: I make no money off this and all characters (sans those of my own creation) are the product and property of George Lucas and Lucasfilm, Ltd.

Episode 1

Chapter 7

And Call Upon My Soul Within The House

Make me a willow cabin at your gate

And call upon my soul within the house.

Write loyal cantons of contemned love

And sing them loud, even in the dead of night.

Halloa your name to the reverberate hills

And make the babbling gossip of the air cry out.

O, you should not rest between the elements of air and earth

But you should pity me.

William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night

Not surprisingly, Fett had speedily healed from his injuries and was discharged from the palace infirmary by the galactic week's end. Dr. Him'bron and his unfortunate black-eyed and highly stressed nurse raised a glass of Corellian ale together to toast the event.

He stayed in quarters located in the dimly lit and little used southern wing of I'Lai's estate—he had been offered larger and more luxurious accommodations, but preferred the south wing for its lack of direct sunlight and its distance from I'Lai's suite. I'Lai had been true to her word in promising him anything he needed or wanted, for whatever he requested was provided almost immediately. Staying true to his Spartan-like nature, Fett's requests were minimal. He ordered only a firm cot and a table with chair. He did request a few items to be brought from his ship, including the strange little round device that played the horrible ear-splitting music and some clothing, all of which had to be inspected and cleared by Orri Prime's Security Chief, Lando Calrissian.

Appointing a guard to cover the morning post had proven next to impossible for Lando, for no one seemed capable of keeping up with Fett's daily fitness regimen. Once he had completely healed, Fett initialized an agonizing routine of running for hours at a time, climbing cliff sides, and lifting dead tree logs and small boulders. Lando was finally forced to eliminate an actual guard and instead had Fett fitted with a homing bracer to track his whereabouts outside of the palace.

When he wasn't in his quarters, he could usually be found in the palace's rather impressive library. There he had access to a holovid and the holonet as well as infinite databooks.

Though no one ever used the term in regards to Fett, he was proving himself a model "prisoner". He had made absolutely no attempt to escape. He actually treated his guards with quiet--if begrudging-- respect. After several weeks without incident, Lando dropped the round-the-clock security and had a guard posted outside of Fett's quarters only at night.

Although the palace's atmosphere seemed calm and collected on the surface, those who lived and functioned in it knew otherwise: To say there was tension between Boba Fett and I'Lai was to say that Jabba the Hutt had had a little weight problem. In the three months following their last conversation in his infirmary room, Fett had not spoken one word to I'Lai.

For weeks afterward, I'Lai had extended invitation after invitation, either through Nikoa or his guards, for him to join her for dinner. Every night, his place at her table remained unoccupied. She asked Nikoa everyday, sometimes two or three times, if he had visited Kai's nursery. Every time, Nikoa sadly shook her head. After a while, I'Lai ceased to send invitations and no longer asked Nikoa about possible visits.

She tried to alleviate the heartache of Fett's rebuffs by filling her days with constant work and doting endlessly on her son. Besides dealing with the grueling demands of running a planetary mining operation and caring for an infant, she was also training via holographic communications with Luke Skywalker in the ways of the Force.

Luke had taught her a great deal in regards to controlling her natural power and honing it. They had both agreed that I'Lai would excel far better as a Jedi shaman rather than a warrior, using her powers to heal, teach, and provide spiritual inspiration.

But though her bustling days provided her temporary distraction, her nights were another matter entirely.

Every night, after spending vast hours cuddling, feeding, playing with and reading to Kai, she would lay him down in his crib for sleep. She would then retire to her own suite, lay herself down in her huge bed, and, fingering the empty pillow next to her, would cry herself to sleep.

Little did she know that her cries did not go unheard.

At the same time every night while the rest of the palace slumbered, Boba Fett would stand in the darkened corridor and, through the nursery portal, gaze at his infant son sleeping peacefully in his crib. He would then move down the hall to I'Lai's door, sit on the floor leaning his head against it, and listen to her cry.

One night Burl, Fett's miner-turned-night guard and traveling companion on these visits, finally broke his silence after weeks of this. "Why don't you just go in there and talk to her already?"

Fett merely looked up at Burl from his seated position against her door and muttered, "Why don't you just shut up and do your job?"

The following day would prove to be much different than those tense and sad days past.

Fett had completed yet another punishing regimen, showered, and changed into a fresh shirt and trousers. He was now sitting in the library in front of the holonet screen trying to catch up on galactic current events. Every day, more planets, systems, and guilds publicly denounced the Empire and declared their loyalties to the New Republic. The Imperial code of censorship seemed no longer feared or viable, for every day there were countless new accounts broadcasted detailing the Empire's crimes and cruelty against the masses of the galaxy.

But there was one news byte in particular that caught Fett's undivided attention. The headline read, "Gangster Jabba the Hutt Found Dead, Bounty Hunter Boba Fett Presumed Dead."

He continued to read the article as it stated that he was last spotted on Tatooine in the company of Jabba the Hutt. The Hutt's pleasure barge containing his rotting corpse had finally been found in the middle of the Dune Sea, surrounded by the skeletons of his guards and guests. The article went on to say that although Fett's body had never been recovered, pieces of the notorious bounty hunter's jetpack were found at the scene and it was surmised that he had perished within the gullet of the Saarlac and his ship stolen from Jabba's palace.

Fett wasn't sure whether to laugh or break the screen in half. He did neither. He instead performed a hack around the computer's security codes to allow him outside access. Once he cracked the system's fortress program, he punched in the codes of the scores of credit accounts he had littered all over the galaxy which he had opened under dozens of aliases. He breathed a light sigh of relief to see his fortune was still safe and intact.

Thank the Slayer for bribe-happy bankers and fake IDs, Fett mused.

He switched back to the article and stared at the screen, tapping his finger against the table. This wasn't the first time Fett had been written off; he had been fodder for the holonet's rumor mills for years. And very often, when he would take his excursions to the ass-backward outer rim of the galaxy no one had even bothered to chart and be gone for months, the net would practically buzz with the several hundred versions of his ghastly demise. And every time he was thought dead, he would miraculously reappear to bring in another high-priced, high profile bounty and only elevate his legend of being unkillable and unstoppable.

But this time was different—and aggravating. This time he could not orchestrate his rise from the dead on his own accord. It would have to wait until his jailers thought him fit to release.

Then another thought crossed his mind…since the holonet news was reporting him dead, that meant Leia Organa and the other Rebels had told no one of his internment on Orri Prime. Strange. One would think the Rebel leaders wouldn't pass up the opportunity of informing the galaxy that they had captured and imprisoned its most ruthless and infamous bounty hunter, but obviously they did. This puzzled Fett, but not to distraction. Dismissing it, he shut down the computer console.

He would become far more distracted outside the library door.

He squinted as he stepped into the sun-drenched white marble corridor; although they were still sensitive, Fett had somewhat succeeded in adapting his eyes to brighter light. He was about to head back to his quarters when he heard the door at the far end of the corridor open. The door was that of I'Lai's place of work. He would usually force his attention away and keep walking, but not this time. Besides hearing the voices of I'Lai and Nikoa, he heard another—that of Lando Calrissian.

He turned and glared down the hall. I'Lai and Lando were walking out into the corridor, talking and laughing a bit. He could see I'Lai was holding a squirming Kai upright against her breast, his tiny feet poking and kicking against her. It was then he saw Lando turn and, smiling, reach toward her with both hands. I'Lai, also smiling brightly, came toward Lando's outstretched hands and very gently handed Kai over. Holding the baby boy from under his arms, Lando lifted him into the air and began making ridiculous faces and noises at the child. Kai wriggled and emitted a high-pitched hiccuppy baby laugh that bounced off the marble walls down the corridor.

Boba Fett gripped the databook he held in his hand so hard he snapped it in half as he began to shake with rage. Tiny shards of the screen and casing fell and tinkled against the marble floor. It was only then I'Lai and Lando noticed him standing at the end of the hall.

Lando slowly lowered Kai as his smile faded. I'Lai looked at Fett with wide, anxious eyes. Lando handed the child to Nikoa as she entered the corridor from I'Lai's office. He turned back toward Fett, and respectfully bowed his head to him.

Fett stood there for several long moments, holding his vicious glare on Lando, before slowly turning and walking down the hall, disappearing around the corner.

Lando continued to stare down the corridor after Fett as he stated, "I'Lai, that man is a damn fool."

I'Lai sighed. "Lando, don't, please."

He turned to face I'Lai, and she was immediately hit by a myriad of emotions emanating from her friend—resentment toward Fett, sympathy for her as well as…something else. Longing. Longing and regret. Suddenly words formed in her mind, words spoken by Lando's inner voice…

She deserves better than this. If only…

Touched by his thoughts and trying not to let him know she had heard them, she stepped toward Lando, reached toward his face, and kissed him on the cheek. "Go on. I'll see you for next week's security briefing."

Lando left for his shuttle. Nikoa took Kai back to the nursery, and I'Lai went back into her office.

A few hours passed. I'Lai had been trying to concentrate on the newest supply orders that had come in that morning, only to become frustrated and distracted by the incident in the hall. She was rubbing her fatigued eyes when Nikoa scurried in through the door, shaking with quiet excitement.

"Lady I'Lai—I mean, I'Lai," Nikoa stuttered, suddenly remembering I'Lai's request for everyone to drop her former Imperial title from her name, "Come quickly, please!"

I'Lai lowered her hand from her eyes. "Nikoa, I'm a bit busy at the moment—"

"I'Lai, please! Come with me to the nursery!"

The color drained momentarily from I'Lai's face as she snapped out of her chair. "Nikoa, what is it? Is Kai ill?"

"I'Lai, please, just come now! I think you should see this!" Grabbing I'Lai's hand, Nikoa began pulling her down the corridor toward the nursery.

As they entered I'Lai's private wing, Nikoa silently indicated to I'Lai to slow down and stay quiet. As they inched toward the nursery, Nikoa pointed to the portal window. I'Lai looked in, and gasped as she raised her hand to her mouth.

There she saw Boba Fett sitting in the large stuffed chair next to the crib, cradling his infant son in his arms.

She watched him gingerly stroke the little boy's head. She saw Kai reach his tiny hand toward Fett's face. Fett lowered his hand and allowed the baby to wrap his little fingers around his, all the while gazing lovingly down into his son's eyes. All severity and brutality was gone from the bounty hunter's face. His expression was that of peace, contentment, and overwhelming pride.

I'Lai felt her throat constrict with emotion and tears well in her eyes. Nikoa let out a tiny sigh. "Perhaps that was all he needed. A good swift kick in the ass."

"Nikoa!" I'Lai gasped, incredulous at her maid's remark.

"I'Lai," Nikoa whispered as she gently touched I'Lai's arm, "why don't you go in and join them?"

The smile suddenly melted from I'Lai's face as she still gazed through the portal. "No, Nikoa, I…I can't." She turned and walked down the corridor back to her office, repeating through her tears, "I can't…"

* * *

He had seen her. He was certain that she thought he hadn't, but he had seen her watching him through the nursery portal window. He had seen her smile fade from her face and the tears in her eyes. He had seen her turn away. He coupled that image with that of Calrissian daring to lay his stinking hands on his son…

He couldn't stand it anymore. He needed some kind of release. His kind of release.

Fett heard Burl's heavy footsteps approaching his chamber door. As they neared, Fett opened the door and stepped into the hall, facing his guard with his arms folded.

The first thing he noticed was the reek of alcohol coming off the brawny Orrian and his bloodshot eyes. Fett's lips turned upwards in a sardonic smile. Of all nights, tonight my guard shows up drunk. Oh Burl, you are making this far too easy…

"So," Burl slurred as he staggered lightly, "I heard that you're dead, Fett."

Fett shrugged. "Yeah, seems I read that somewhere too."

Burl blew a snort out of his nose. "Big bad ole' bounty hunter, Boba Fett. Everyone afraid of you. You ain't so scary to me." Burl, who was just shy of two meters tall, loomed over Fett as he leaned into his face. "You ain't even tried to escape yet. I think you're just a big candy-ass, and I've thought so all this time! I ain't 'fraid to say it to your face!"

Fett nonchalantly leaned against the corridor wall, a smirk spreading across his scarred face. "You got some balls to talk to me like that, Burl."

"Oh yeah? So what! You ain't got no armor, you ain't got your fancy gadgets! Whaddya gonna do to me, huh Fett? I'm the one with the gun!" He waved the blaster rifle around his reddened face.

"Yes. Yes you are."

Burl never saw Fett's knuckles strike his trachea like a snake's head. As Burl gasped for air and reached for his throat, another lightening-quick hand came up and under Burl's ribcage, hitting his solar plexus. Burl doubled over, and Fett finished him with a knee strike to his chin and elbow shot to his head. Burl fell sloppily to the floor like a huge sack of raw ore and Fett deftly caught the rifle's strap off the guard's arm and slid it onto his own in one fluid move.

Fett crouched down and ran his hands through the unconscious miner's pockets until he found the keychip to the homing bracer on his wrist. Sliding the chip into a tiny slot, the bracer popped off and Fett tossed it through the open door of his chamber. He casually stepped on Burl's face as he made his way down the darkened corridor toward a palace exit, muttering, "Pleasant dreams, asshole."

* * *

The silk of the pillow felt refreshing and cool against I'Lai's cheek as she lay her head down for her night's rest. She still reached over to the empty pillow beside her, as it had now become habit. But tonight she shed no tears; instead, she smiled softly. Fett had held their son for the first time. Perhaps it would only be a matter of time before he held her again in the same loving manner…

Her thoughts were interrupted by a sound outside. She quickly sat up in her bed, tuning her ears toward the glass garden doors. Had she heard that right? Was it her imagination? Because it sounded like…

Her first assumption was proven correct when she heard the sound again. There was no denying it—that was blaster fire!

She instinctively reached for the emergency comlink next to her bed when she hesitated and pulled her hand back. There was no indication of danger whatsoever emanating from the Force, and she suddenly felt as though she were being guided toward the garden door…

She slipped out of her bed in the darkness and donned her gossamer robe over her nightgown. She opened the garden doors and stepped out into the warm, sweet summer night, skipping down the stone steps of the terrace and moving into the surrounding forest.

I'Lai heard the blasts coming intermittently, just one shot at a time. She followed the sound through the trees along the path softly illuminated by Orri Prime's three small moons. She knew her way well along this path, for this was the way she to the lovely clearing that she sometimes would take Kai on particularly beautiful summer days…

She stopped just shy of entering the clearing, standing behind a large tree, and watched the moonlit figure in the clearing.

It was Fett, shirtless and barefoot and wearing only his black loose trousers. She took a sharp intake of breath when she saw he was brandishing a blaster rifle—but she held her tongue as she then saw a small spherical shape slicing and racing through the air all around him…

The sphere suddenly shot a bolt of energy at Fett. Fett instantly dove out of the way, leaping into the air and folding himself into a tuck as he hit the ground and rolled into a kneeling position. He aimed the blaster and fired precisely at the center of the sphere. I'Lai saw the blast suddenly bounce off what seemed to be a deflector shield surrounding the little orb, protecting it from being blasted into little pieces.

The sphere shot again, and again Fett rolled out from under its fire and came to his feet. He sprinted toward a tree as it chased him, and I'Lai saw him jump straight up and catch a limb. With amazing speed and strength, he pulled his legs through his arms and clenched them around the branch, releasing his arms and catching the blaster on his shoulder and, while hanging upside down, fired another precision shot at his small mechanical enemy. He let go the branch and flipped himself over to land on his feet, immediately turning and firing another dead-on shot.

I'Lai stood against the tree and continued to watch him battle the sphere as it relentlessly fired at him and he relentlessly fired back. Her mouth gaped in astonishment. She thought that she should perhaps be frightened or unnerved by his quick and lethal performance, but she felt quite the opposite. The moonlight glistened off his sweating body, clearly defining every taut muscle and sinew in his torso, arms, and back. He moved with the deadly speed and grace of some wild predator with the same keen sense of focus. She saw the glint of insatiable determination glitter from his eyes. Rather than being frightened, she found herself breathlessly excited and entranced. To her, he looked like a wild, untamed god.

Suddenly he stopped, reached into his pocket, pulled out a small remote and aimed it at the sphere. The small sphere lowered to the ground. I'Lai saw him look up toward one of the taller trees until he focused on a taminae nest far up in the treetop. She saw him slowly raise the rifle and aim directly at the nest…

"Boba! Don't you dare shoot that nest!" I'Lai cried out from behind her tree.

Slowly and calmly, Fett lowered the rifle. He cocked his head slightly over his shoulder toward her direction and said, "I was wondering when you would pipe up."

I'Lai stepped out from behind the tree, somewhat taken aback that he was actually speaking to her. "How…did you know I was here?"

Fett turned slowly and slung the rifle over his shoulder as he walked toward her. "Lady, you are as graceful as the willows of Alderaan—but you sound like a herd of Bantha when you try to sneak up on someone."

I'Lai's shoulders slumped, and an embarrassed smile crossed her lips briefly before she snapped herself into a firm demeanor. "May I ask where you acquired that weapon?"

"You may want to ask Burl that when he wakes up from his stupor."

I'Lai let out an exasperated sigh; contrary to his claims, Burl had obviously started drinking again. She pointed to the mechanical sphere on the ground. "And where did you get…" She hesitated, frustrated by her lack of weapons' terminology, "…that?"

"A Marksman-H training remote," Fett corrected her quietly. "I got that from my ship."

I'Lai blanched. "You mean…you know where it is?"

He nodded. "I've known for some time. There are few secure computer files I can't crack, I'Lai. I'm very good at acquiring information."

I'Lai stood confused and startled for a moment. She then reached out her hand. "I must have that weapon back, Boba. If Lando else finds out about this, there could be serious consequences."

She saw Fett's expression darken at the mention of Lando's name. Never the less, he turned the rifle around, extending the butt of it to I'Lai. "As you wish, Lady," he said flatly.

I'Lai stared down at the rifle for a moment. She looked back up to Fett. "Actually, there is something I'd like you to do before I take it back."

"What is that?"

"Teach me how to use it. Please."

Fett knit his brows slightly at I'Lai's request. "You mean you've never handled a blaster?"

I'Lai smiled awkwardly. "Weapons training was not exactly in the curriculum of the Courtesan Discipline, Boba."

She saw Fett actually smile a bit at her little joke. "All right, come here." He led her into the middle of the clearing. He moved to stand behind her. "This would not be my weapon of choice. I prefer an EE-3, but this will have to do." He pulled the small remote from his pocket again and adjusted the settings. The training remote floated back into the air and shot about twenty meters away from them. "I've adjusted it so it won't return fire. Hold the butt in the crook of your shoulder, like this, and wrap your finger around the trigger." He wrapped his arm around hers, positioning the rifle correctly in her arm. "Place your other hand under here." Taking her hand, he moved it into its position under the barrel. He gently pushed her arms upward. As he did, the training remote projected a circle of red light in front of it. "Now, line up the target in the scope, and gently squeeze the trigger."

I'Lai closed one eye as she focused the other through the scope. Her heart beat fast and she could feel her arms shake. Fett, still holding her arms in position, whispered into her hair, "Relax, don't be nervous."

She took a long, deep breath. She felt herself calm and suddenly intensely focused as she squeezed the trigger…

She jolted back a bit against him as the energy beam blasted forward from the barrel—and hit the target dead center.

Both she and Fett stood and gawked at the remote. "Try it again," Fett said. Again, I'Lai squeezed off a blast that impacted in a perfect bulls-eye.

After a stunned pause, Fett leaned into her ear. "Are you sure you've never done this before?"

I'Lai responded with an edgy giggle. "No, honestly. Beginner's luck, I suppose."

She turned her face to meet his, and her smile slowly faded as she met his gaze. They stood there against each other, quiet and still. As the pale moonlight delicately illuminated her face, Fett again found himself mildly intoxicated by the fragrance of her hair, the clarity of her bright eyes, the dewy redness of her lips. He slid his hand up her arm, over her shoulder, to gently brush his fingertips along her chin. I'Lai gasped and quivered at his touch, closing her eyes and leaning into his hand. Fett slid his other hand around her waist to rest on her abdomen, now firm again after the birth of Kai. He buried his face into her hair as his hand slid up over her ribs just below her breast. He felt his skin tingle and his blood heat as I'Lai herself felt every nerve ignite with desire and longing…

Suddenly, Fett pulled his hands and backed away. "Lesson's over," he muttered, a trace of sourness in his voice. "I should return to my quarters before your Security Chief revokes my privileges." He paused before adding, "I'm sure he would be more than happy to continue your training." He began to walk toward the path leading back to the palace.

I'Lai felt her anger and confusion peak and could tolerate no more. She spun around and cried, "Why are you punishing me like this?" Fett stopped in his tracks. "Is it because I helped the Rebellion? I only did what I thought was right. Right for our son." Her voice suddenly seemed to catch its own trace of bitterness. "I never pegged you as being so fervently political, Boba."

It was then Fett turned around and walked back toward her, assuming the cold glint in his eyes once again. "I'm not, Lady. My loyalties lie only with those who offer up the highest bounties. Given the choice between a poor Rebellion and a wealthy Empire…well, you can do the math." He stopped just short of her face. "My disgust does not lie with your political convictions, I'Lai, but with the company you have chosen to keep! If I had the choice of three trophies to mount on my armor, they would be the scalps of Solo, Calrissian, and that Jedi Skywalker--and you have collaborated with all three!" His tone turned colder and even nastier. "And they all seem to be quite taken with you, particularly that asinine gambler Calrissian. I can't help but wonder if they have enjoyed a taste of your courtesan talents as well as I—"

Before he could finish, I'Lai slapped Boba Fett full force hard across his face. Her eyes ablaze with anger, she quietly hissed, "How dare you."

Fett stood, only slightly taken aback. He locked glares with I'Lai and suddenly became fully aware of the change in her since the Executor. She was no longer the coy courtesan, trembling with terror of him. She was no longer the property of another man. She stood before him tall and proud, regal and defiant, the ruler of a world, a leader in the Rebel Alliance, and the mother of a strong, healthy son. She was strong, stronger than any woman he had ever encountered. Amongst everything he felt for her, Fett felt a new emotion emerge…respect. He found that he liked this change in her very much.

He reached up to touch his stinging cheek. A slight smile curved his lips. "Nice strike." He lightly tipped his head in his customary bow. "Good night, Lady." He turned to head back toward the path.

"You have my permission to leave, Master Fett," I'Lai blurted.

Fett stopped and turned, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Your permission? How kind. But I thought that was what I was doing."

I'Lai tightly shook her head. "No, I mean you may leave the palace, leave Orri Prime. I will arrange everything for you. I can make it look like an escape."

"Again, very kind of you." He stepped forward slightly. "But you do not have to 'make' it look like anything. As I think I have just proven, Lady," he gestured to Burl's blaster in her hand, "I can leave here anytime I wish."

"THEN WHY DO YOU STAY, BOBA?" I'Lai cried out. She could no longer hold her proud stance nor the anguish she had endured for these last months. Her body wracked, and she held a hand to her stomach as she repeated, quietly and tearfully, "Why do you stay…?" She threw the blaster to the ground at his feet and turned away. Sobs strangled her throat, and she walked hastily into the moonlit woods, her gossamer robe catching the breeze like the wings of a dove.

She had gone just a few meters into the trees before leaning into the trunk of a tree, folding her arms over her face to muffle the intensity of her sobs. I was wrong about him, she cried in her mind. He is just a cold, heartless mercenary…I've been such a fool…

She suddenly jumped, startled by a hand gently touching her hair. She turned slightly to see Fett standing beside her, leaning his shoulder against the tree and gazing at her with soft, apologetic eyes. She never heard him coming up behind her.

He smiled softly. "That is how you sneak up on someone," he murmured. He moved his hand from her hair to delicately touch her chin, never averting his gaze from hers. He sighed lightly as he said, "You ask me why I stay, I'Lai." He cupped her cheek. "Why do you think…?"

Although I'Lai knew that Fett was not a Force-sensitive, he seemed to have developed a mental ability that blocked such beings from his thoughts and emotions. He now lowered that wall, and I'Lai gasped from the intensity of the feelings coming from his heart. She felt awash in warmth, care, and his desire for her. She felt his extreme pride, adoration, and devotion for his Kai. She also felt a tinge of uncertainty and confusion coming from him as he dealt with emotions he had never allowed himself to experience before…

He reached for her hand and placed it on his bare chest over his heart. His tone was again simple, quiet, without strong emotion. "Is this what it feels like, I'Lai? To care so deeply? To love?"

Her lip trembled and her eyes sparkled with the dew of joyous tears. "Yes, Boba."

He lowered his gaze for a moment as he considered these feelings. "This feels…strange. But not…unpleasant." With that, he reached his hand behind her head and pulled her closer. He kissed her, sweetly and tenderly.

I'Lai welcomed the kiss she had been craving for so very long. As tears streamed down her face, she wrapped her arms around Fett's neck, pulling him even further into the kiss, into her very soul. Fett encircled her lithe form in his arms and crushed her against him as his hunger for her was finally sated.

He lifted her into his powerful arms. Wordlessly and effortlessly, he carried her across the clearing, all the way up the path back to her chamber terrace. When they had reached the glass doors to her suite, I'Lai closed her eyes and commanded the doors to open.

It was then she met Fett's bewildered eyes. With a deep breath, she whispered, "I am a Force sentient."

"I know," he replied softly.

She looked at him with enormous eyes. "You…do?"

He nodded. "That means Kai is too, doesn't it?"

Her breathing staggered for a moment. "And you…don't mind?"

He carried her into her bedchamber, gently setting her down next to the bed. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he stared into her eyes. "I do not fully comprehend this sorcery the Jedi call the Force," he whispered, "but I do know it can harness great power. I know that you will use this power well I'Lai, as will Kai." He brushed her neck with his lips and added, "I have accepted it."

His hands slid down her shoulders, brushing the robe and the thin straps of her nightgown down her arms. I'Lai leaned back her head, offering her long throat to Fett's mouth as his hands tenderly stroked her breasts. Her light clothing silently dropped to the floor, leaving her standing nude and breathless in Fett's arms. He ran his coarse hands down her graceful back as she caressed his scarred shoulders and chest, running her slender fingers through his hair. Slowly, he leaned forward into her, gently easing her back until she was lying on the bed. He pressed himself against her, finding her mouth with his once again and enveloping it a long, deep, passionate kiss.

I'Lai felt herself aflame with desire and need for him. He continued to caress every inch of her creamy satin skin, stroking her sides, briefly resting his hand on her hip before reaching for the flesh of her inner thigh. He moaned in her ear as she gasped at the touch of his fingers inching upwards…

She let out a cry of desire wrapped in a sob of joy. Her hands moved down his back to tug at the waistband of his trousers. He pushed himself upwards, holding her eyes in his own as she brushed his pants down and over his hips.

I'Lai opened herself to him in all ways, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. She lifted her legs to wrap around the small of his back. Fett held her gaze, never averting his eyes, only shutting them briefly as he entered her gently, delicately, lovingly. I'Lai shuddered, clenching her eyes closed and pulling him into her even further with her legs, lifting her hips from the bed. He took a sharp breath, and felt himself begin to writhe with the rhythm of her body, etching every detail of her angelic face into his mind, his heart. She reached up and touched his face, brushing his lips with her fingers, running them down his throat, his chest, his hard abdomen.

She arced back her neck, and Fett saw a single tear trickle from her eye. Her breathing became heavy, and he began to feel her entire body tense and tighten, just like his own. He lowered himself down, caressing her neck with his lips, reaching under her back, circling his arm around her waist and pulling her tight against him as his thrusts increased in rhythm and intensity. He suddenly felt an energy encircle them, as though he were bathed in warm, soft white light with no world, no galaxy, no enemies, no other beings except for him and this exquisite, beautiful creature beneath him, around him, and now a part of him…he heard nothing but the soft velvet of her whispers as she breathed his name, over and over…

They remained like that, molded together, moving, writhing, bonded for what seemed to be delicious eternity. But soon, I'Lai's whispers became short, sharp cries, and Fett experienced his own desire begin to peak as well, his muscles pulling taut under his flesh, the sweetness of her becoming too much to bear…

He shuddered, wrapping his arms around her waist, burying his face into her hair as he attempted to muffle his roar of intense pleasure. I'Lai thrust herself up, pulling him in, her nails digging into the flesh of his back, as she too cried out, crying his name as she felt her soul ignite through her muscles to mingle and touch his own.

They both descended back into the reality of the world and the darkness of the bedchamber. Fett lifted his head from her fragrant hair and gazed into her eyes. I'Lai, still breathless, suddenly found herself crying. "Ssshhh…" Fett breathed, wiping away her tears and smiling softly.

She hesitated for a moment until she could no longer hold what was in her heart. "I love you."

Fett stared intently in her eyes, and found he no longer feared this unfamiliar feeling in his heart. "And I you, I'Lai."

They shifted themselves into the comfort of the bed, Fett pulling the silk covers over I'Lai to warm her, and she nestled her head into the crook of his arm. They were quiet for a time. I'Lai sighed deeply before she spoke.

"I won't hold you here against your will, Boba. You may leave whenever you wish."

Fett turned and gazed into her eyes. "What about the Rebels?"

She met his gaze. "I will speak with them. Just promise me you will leave Han and the others be."

Fett pondered this request, then nodded. "If they will leave me alone, I will do nothing to them. I am a man of my word." He shifted to lean on his elbow. "I can't stay much longer, I'Lai. I have many enemies. Most of the galaxy thinks I am dead, but it will be only a matter of time before someone finds out I'm here. It could be very dangerous for you and Kai. Understand this, I'Lai--no one must know that Kai is my son."

I'Lai dropped her eyes a bit, and nodded. "I understand, Boba."

His face suddenly softened a little and he stroked her face. "But I will return, I'Lai. I won't leave you and Kai alone here for long." He leaned over and brushed her lips tenderly with his.

I'Lai smiled, and laid her head on his chest. Soon, the beckon of sleep called to them both, as they lay wrapped in each other's arms in the stillness of Orri Prime's summer night.

EPILOGUE

I'Lai's and Fett's breathing soon joined in unison as they slumbered entwined around each other. The faint light of summer early dawn lightly kissed the skies, barely illuminating the dark figure standing on the garden terrace as it peered through the crack of the glass door's curtains…

The figure turned and silently stepped down the stone stairs, moving into the woods and traveling down a faded and seldom-taken path. As the early morning light increased, the figure pulled its hood further over its face as it moved quickly toward its destination.

The figure came upon the foot of a jagged cliff, a cliff Fett usually climbed in his early morning regimen. It moved hurriedly along the cliff's face until it disappeared into a small crevice.

The crevice led the figure into a cramped, narrow tunnel. The shrouded form navigated the tunnel as though it had traveled this space many times before until it came upon a low, black chamber tucked deep within the cliff.

In the center of the chamber was the black, slick casing of a holographic projector. The figure knelt before the projector and passed a hand over its electronic eye, patiently waiting. The chamber lit up somewhat as the image of another black-shrouded figure flickered into denser focus, a hood covering its face as well.

A voice emanated from the holograph, a low, resonant, male voice. "Welcome my treasure, my beloved disciple."

The figure kneeling raised its hands and peeled the hood back from its visage, revealing the lined face and gray hair of Nikoa. She bowed her body down to the floor. "I am humble before you, my dearly loved and most sacred Master."

The image raised a black-gloved hand toward the kneeling Nikoa. "I commend you on your strength and fortitude during this, the Sith's darkest hour."

Nikoa only raised her head slightly in the holographic presence of her dark priest. "My faith has not been tainted, my Lord. The Order will rise again, for it is your wish, your command."

The image lowered its hand. "Have they…reconciled?"

"Yes, Master." She rose slightly to rest on her knees, her head still bowed. "Although, precious Lord, you could see that yourself with your vast powers."

"I cannot bear to watch her…couple with another man, no matter how necessary it is." There was an edge of torment, of great need in the voice. "It pains me that I am unable to father our progeny myself, but must rely on this…breeder to do it for me." He uttered the word in revulsion.

"But there will be more children, more sons to carry on your name and greatness, my Lord." Nikoa hesitated before she broached the subject weighing on her mind. "But I must warn you, Lord, that I'Lai will not be easy to turn. Lord Vader tried—"

"VADER WAS SLOPPY AND DISTRACTED!" The voice roared, almost shattering Nikoa's ears. "And Palpatine was a fool, a despot who lusted for power and riches only! I knew it would only be a matter of time before his lusts and greed would mark his downfall. He was not true Sith. After all these years, I see that now…" The voice lowered back to its cool, velvet tone. "They did not know her. They have not watched her since the day she was born, they did not…love her." The black-clad hand moved over to the area where one's heart would be. "I know her. I will give her everything she desires, all that she desires."

Nikoa reached to her eye and wiped a tear from her cheek. "I only wish I will still be here to witness the great event of your joining, Master. I hope I will be able to see the day that the galaxy bows before you, with I'Lai as your Serene Empress and her sons as your noble heirs."

"I will promise you a long life, that you shall see the great day when it comes. For you know well, Nikoa…" the Figure raised its hand to uncover the unmistakable horned crest of the Zabrak, his scarlet and ebon tattoos glistening in the holograph's luminance, his red-yellow eyes burning savagely, his lips curled in a twisted, malevolent smile, "I have nothing but time…"

THE END OF EPISODE ONE