Cheriss had been on her comlink from the time she had entered the lift until just before she entered the main hanger. She had made preparations for quarters for the Rogues, as well as asking the Captain what the plan was going to be regarding the wayward pilots.

She had learned that the Rogues would be housed away from the more sensitive parts of the ships and even further away from the active flight crews and commandos. The Captain had also ordered that any social interaction between the Rogues and the other squadrons could only take place with a member of the Shades present. Since she was the only one who could go anywhere near the Rogues without causing potential problems it looked like she was going to be in for some long nights.

Cheriss noticed that security officers were stationed at the exit to the hanger and realized that Captain T'llgh had ordered that. She also knew that Colonel Celchu was going to be less than pleased that he was being held there.

The officer motioned her in after recognizing her. She was still dressed in her black flight suit with her only insignia being her rank tabs. The Rogues had gathered into a small cluster in the center of the hanger. She looked them over quickly but recognized only a few faces.

Tycho did a double take as she entered, but the look quickly turned into a sincere smile. "Well, well, well, if it isn't Cheriss Ke Handi. Captain Ke Handi at that." He met her as she walked up towards the group. He extended his hand as she approached.

"Greetings, Colonel," Cheriss said as she shook his hand. Even though he was happy to see her, she could see that he was aggravated and worried. His emotions were clearly evident on his face even without aid from the Force.

She saw that the rest of the Rogues had walked up to where she and Tycho were standing. She recognized Inyri, Gavin, Ooryl, Wes and Myn. There was also one young man she did not recognize. `Wow,' she thought to herself. `Everyone else got shot down?'

She could see Tycho's resurfacing anger when he spoke to her again, "Captain, is there some reason we are being held here? We would like to check on our wounded."

Cheriss nodded. "You were kept here until I arrived so I could see to your needs," Cheriss explained. She suppressed a shiver as she considered that the lifeless body the shuttle had tractored in might be Corran. "If you'd like I can have you escorted to the med station while I get everyone to their quarters."

Tycho nodded his consent and one of the security officers came over to escort him to the med station. The pilots walked out together, but Tycho quickly broke off from the group and was led away by the security officer.

Cheriss led the Rogues through the labyrinth of corridors to the aft sections of the ship. After a couple of minutes of walking she felt a presence by her left elbow. She turned to see Inyri Forge had walked up and was leaning in slightly to speak to her.

"This is a pretty round about way to the Pilot's Quarters on a Vic. Isn't it, Cheriss?" She asked her voice low.

Cheriss tried to display her best nonchalant smile. "That is because you are being billeted elsewhere, Captain Forge," she said trying to sound friendly.

Inyri sighed, her shoulders slumped noticeably. "Cheriss, just give me the scoop. There is obviously something going on here." When Cheriss didn't respond she continued, "We are held in the hanger. Now, we are being billeted in a section of the ship away from everyone else."

Cheriss could tell Inyri was flustered so she leaned towards her. "You know how it works, Inyri. I can't discuss the details of the mission I am currently assigned to with people who are not cleared to possess that knowledge. I know that this is nothing new to you. You understand the need for operational security."

Inyri nodded, resignedly. "At some future point, the Rogues may be cleared to know but until that time you will be kept away from sensitive portions of the ship. You will also be kept in the dark about any missions carried out by this ship or elements assigned to it," Cheriss said.

Her features softened as she placed a hand on Inyri's shoulder. She tried to sound as convincing and empathetic as possible. "I'd tell you if I could, you know that."

Cheriss and Inyri had never been close. However, with a little help from the Force, Cheriss made the comment ease more of Inyri's fears and apprehension than it should have. With her fears somewhat subdued, she remained quiet for the rest of the trip to their new quarters.

Cheriss lead the Rogues to a section of the ship that had been used for visiting dignitaries and their staffs. This section of the ship had the ability to be sealed off so that only certain crew members with the proper access codes could get in or out.

Cheriss keyed in her access code using her body to shield the code from the trailing Rogues. When the console prompted her for voice authentication she spoke, "Authorize, Ke Handi. Eight-chi-three- epsilon." A tone sounded from the console and the door slid open.

She led the pilots into the corridors that composed the VIP section of the ship. She helped them all pick out rooms, while also setting aside bunks for the pilots she knew would be arriving from the med station. She showed them their dining and recreational facilities along with the refreshers. After everyone was relatively settled in, she informed them that she would be back in a few hours for dinner.

She then left the area and headed in the direction of the Shadower's medical facilities. Tycho would need an escort back from the Medical Bay and Cheriss also wanted to make sure her friends were all right. Reaching out with the Force, she experienced feelings of anxiety and apprehension radiating from the pilots of Rogue Squadron at the events that had brought to them here.

* * *
*

Myrlynda stared at Katja in abject horror from her chair across the table within the Shade Squadron lounge. "Have you lost your mind? Obviously you have. Because if you hadn't, you never would have suggested this plan."

Katja sat with a smug expression on her face across the table from her friend and compatriot. "You love my plan, and you know it."

Myrlynda shook her head emphatically. "No. No, no, no, no. This is stupid. We are not doing this. It's against regulations and could potentially compromise the mission."

"You worry too much. You made Antilles forget, why can't you do it to Myn?" Before Myrlynda could answer, Katja answered for her. "There isn't a reason and you can do it."

Myrlynda sighed. "There is always the risk that it might not work. With Antilles, it was for the sake of the mission. This isn't for the mission: it is an unnecessary risk."

Katja shook her head obviously flustered. "Stop, all right? Enough of this sense of duty garbage. You know you can do it. Gara deserves some happiness and nothing will go wrong."

Myrlynda sighed and lowered her head as if in deep thought. Katja saw through her little act. She was only putting up the amount of token resistance she felt was appropriate. 'But, perhaps there is something else,' Katja thought to herself. She did not know too much about Myrlynda's past as an Emperor's Hand. However, she did know that she had not been in many, if any, loving relationships. Katja was sure that Myrlynda had experienced physical intimacy, but had the feeling that the woman had only used it as either a tool to get close to an intended victim or to garner information.

Katja reached out with her feelings as unobtrusively as she could. Luckily, Myrlynda was too distracted by her own concerns to notice. She could sense Myrlynda's conflicting emotions, worry about possibly hurting two people by basically forcing an encounter that might not be meant to be. As much as Katja was tempted to give a slight push in helping her get over her fear she decided not to. This was a decision that she would need to make on her own.

The two stood in silence while Myrlynda wrestled with her conscience. A satisfied smile crossed Katja's lips when Myrlynda looked up at her, smiling and nodding. "Ok, I'm in."

* * *
*

Cheriss had spent the last couple of hours with Tycho in the medical facility. One of the Rogues' new recruits, a Quarren named Reggkle, had been killed in the ambush. There were many Rogue wounded including her friend Corran Horn who had his fighter shot out from under him in the early stages of the fight.

Corran was currently unconscious, floating in a nearby bacta tank. His injuries had been fairly severe and the life support system of his flight suit had been damaged when he was shot down. If he had not been able to enter into a healing trance, he would be just like the Quarren right now, another of the Rogue Honored Dead.

As much as she hated the fact the Corran had been hurt, it was probably still for the best that he was not conscious. He would most likely be able to sense Katja and Myrlynda. If he did, the added questions of Corran would have about the presence of other Force sensitive people on the ship, would make her job that much harder.

While Tycho sat in contemplative silence, Cheriss had been on her comlink setting up dinner for the Rogues as well as arranging for Captain T'llgh and Solar Wind Squadron to join them. She thought that Commander Yeraldry's attitude and sense of humor might rub the Rogues the wrong way after the losses they had taken. Plus, she could tell Octon was professional and would keep his mouth shut. She was not sure she could say the same for Yeraldry.

Once Tycho was assured that his injured men were being taken of properly, Cheriss escorted him back to the VIP section of the ship. They found Solar Wind Squadron waiting outside the door ready to enter. As they approached, Commander Octon came forward and extended his hand to Tycho.

"I'm Commander Ben Octon, Solar Wind Squadron," he said as he met them and shook Tycho's hand.

"Colonel Tycho Celchu, Rogue Squadron. Nice to meet you, Commander," Tycho said as he shook the extended hand firmly.

Cheriss keyed in her passcode and the doors slid open. "I am sure you gentlemen are famished. Dinner awaits within," she said with a slight bow and motioned them in with her left arm.

The pilots filtered past her and entered the dining area. The Rogues had already gathered there and had been munching on the appetizers. She also noticed that the bottles of Whyren's Reserve she had sent along were already cracked open and were being dispersed at a speedy rate.

Wes Janson saw her as she entered. "Cherissshs," he slurred. Obviously, Wes had been one of first to begin partaking.

"Hi, Wes," she said as she waved.

Tycho cast a disapproving glance around the room and turned to Cheriss. "I take it you had something to do with the this, Captain?"

Cheriss smiled weakly. "Ummm…yes, Colonel." She waited for him to respond, but when he didn't she tried to explain. "I thought that you guys would like to wind down a bit. Let your hair down. Since the squadron isn't combat capable I thought this would be a great time to relax. I know how you guys are always on the move." She tried to keep her thoughts to herself. She had really had the alcohol delivered to distract the Rogues and keep them from asking too many questions. Even though Tycho Celchu was not Force sensitive, he was quite adept at reading people. Cheriss would need to be aware of that throughout the evening.

Tycho contemplated her words before responding. "I can't fault your logic." His features softened into a weary smile. "Next time, let me know before you're going to aid my pilots in tying one on."

Cheriss grinned widely and came to attention, delivering a smart salute. "You're the Colonel, Colonel."

As she dropped her salute, a very drunk Wes Janson came stumbling over to the gathered officers. "Come Cheriss, have a drink with us," he said, taking her by the elbow.

She chuckled as she felt him begin to pull her away from the two colonels in the direction of his table. She pulled her arm away from him. "Just a second, Janson. Geesh."

Wes beamed a wide smile at her. "All right, I'll be back in a few minutes then?" She nodded to him before returning her attention to the two Squadron Commanders.

Cheriss motioned for Tycho and Ben to accompany her. She led them around the room introducing them to the gathered pilots. She had barely finished when Wes was back at her arm. "You coming over for a drink or what?"

Tycho looked at Octon. "Well, Commander. I think we are all set with Captain Ke Handi. Don't you?"

Commander Octon smiled. "Yes, I think we are. Go enjoy yourself, Captain. Dismissed."

Cheriss flashed Tycho a smile that seemed to imply a playful vengeance.

After the young lady was nearly dragged away by the intoxicated pilot, Ben leaned in closer to Tycho. "Are you sure that was a good idea, Colonel?" Octon asked, in a hushed tone. "It's not wise to upset a Jedi."

Tycho chuckled, "I guess you're right. Well, I'd better enjoy myself while I can than." He picked up another glass of whiskey and walked with Octon over to a knot of pilots on the other side of the room.

Cheriss allowed herself to be led to the table that Janson had been occupying with a few other pilots. He stopped there only long enough to pick up his glass of whiskey and grab the bottle from the table.

He escorted her over to a table away from the other pilots in a shadowy corner of the mess. He sat down and guided her to do the same. She reached out with the Force. She could sense the significant amount of alcohol in his system. She could also sense the base of lust and desire there that had earned him his reputation with the ladies. It had never been directed at her previously, but tonight that seemed to have changed. Cheriss assumed it was more due to lack of potential targets than any feeling he had for her.

He sat across from her, his cheeks flushed and a goofy smile on his face. She could tell he was trying to come up with a line when she heard the door slide open. She looked over expecting to see the Captain T'llgh, however she jumped when she saw who it was.

She saw a young gentleman in a security officer's uniform and Katja dressed in a similar fashion next to him. To disguise her features further, she had her cap pulled low over her eyes to disguise her features. She was also drawing upon the Force to divert attention from herself.

They walked in directly over to where Myn was sitting. He stood as they approached. She reached out with the Force to augment her hearing. In touching the Force she was granted other insight as well and the man's features seemed to dissolve in front of her, revealing those of Myrlynda's.

In their exercises Myrlynda had taught Cheriss to pierce her disguises; she could always tell if a person was she or not. They figured it might come up on missions. Cheriss didn't realize how quickly that little trick would come into play.

"Lieutenant Donos, if you would please come with me," the disguised Myrlynda said. "Shade Two would like to extend the invitation to meet for a drink. She had the impression you would like to meet to discuss today's battle."

Cheriss felt tremendous ripples on the Force as she spoke. She saw Donos' questions melt away. He only nodded in response, picking up a bottle of whiskey from the table before following the two out of the room. Cheriss quickly moved to stand. However, Janson's drunken reflexes were still good enough to grab her arm. "Wait…no, no. Stay," he slurred.

The three exited and as the door was just about to close when Katja leaned her head in and winked at Cheriss before the door shut.

* * *
*

Myn dutifully followed the security officers as they wound their way through corridors. He asked a couple of questions during the walk, but when he received only the vaguest responses or none at all he decided to stop asking. That desire was also alleviated by a Force suggestion from Katja.

They reached the door outside of Gara's quarters. Myrlynda reached up to key the door buzzer.

Gara was sitting on her couch. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying and she sat with her face in her hands, brooding. When she heard the door buzzer, she ignored it the first time. It rang three more times before she got up.

'All I want is to be left alone,' she thought. 'I'll get rid of them, then get back to sulking.' She stood throwing her arms to her side in a huff, before walking to the door and opening it.

Gara's mouth fell open as she gazed at the man standing before her in the now open portal. She stumbled a few steps back and slumped onto the couch. Myn was not faring much better. His expression was almost a mirror of Gara's. It appeared that his eyes were about ready to jump from their sockets. He stood there in shock as tears began to well up in his eyes.

Katja took off her hat, and Myrlynda let her illusion drop. Myn eyes were riveted to Gara and seemed not to notice in the slightest.

Katja gestured at Gara. "Lieutenant Donos. I would like you to meet Shade Two. Captain Gara Petothel." A wicked grin played across her lips and seemed to dazzle in her eyes.

Myrlynda couldn't hide her joy either as she placed her hand on his shoulder giving him a gentle push towards Gara's quarters. "Perhaps, you two would like to get better aquainted."

He stumbled in wordlessly. As he walked in, the bottle of Whyren's Reserve slipped from his fingers. It fell to the floor clunking loudly, but did not break.

As the doors began to slide shut, the two scheming Jedi were met with the sight of the two lost lovers embracing as tears of joy began to flow. They both felt satisfaction well up as the door hissed shut in front of them.

* * *
*

They held the embrace sobbing in each other's arms. Myn was the first to pull back from it. He still held her in his arms. "I'm so sorry. After your message I tried to get to you on Corellia. But, you were gone. I was afraid that…"

Gara stopped him from speaking by lightly pressing her index finger against his lips. He let himself be silenced as she gently caressed his cheeks and pulled his face towards her. Their lips met.

The kiss started out gentle and tentative, but grew quickly into something more. Each closed in for lingering pecks before retreating. Gara pulled back from the kiss, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I should have told you. I never should have lied about my past. I told you that night that I would end up hurting you…" Gara cried.

Myn pulled back a bit, a pained expression on his face. That made Gara's tears flow even faster. "Never say that again. The past is in the past. All that matters now is the here and now."

Gara shook her head. "I'll just hurt you again. You won't be able to contact me. I have no idea when I would be able to contact you. My working for the New Republic again isn't exactly public information." She leaned and pressed her forehead against his chest as sobs wracked her body.

He tilted his head, brining his cheek to rest on top of her head. He smelled in her hair a tantalizing mix of sweat, shampoo and her favorite perfume. A smell he had found nearly irresistible before was now completely impossible to resist. He took her by the shoulders and gently eased her back away from him.

He gazed deeply into her eyes and caressed her cheek with the back of his right hand before kissing her lightly on the tip of her nose. "I'll make you a deal," he whispered. "We forget about everything that happened up to now. It's just you and me tonight. We'll worry about the rest of the galaxy in the morning."

Gara shook her head and went to speak, but the objection died on her lips. She smiled weakly at him and nodded. She leaned towards him and pulled him into a passionate kiss. They were lost in each other's arms for what seemed like an eternity. They finally broke the kiss, their breath heavy in their lungs as their passions rose.

Myn quickly looked around the room and saw where he had dropped the bottle. "May I interest you in a drink, young lady?" He asked with a smirk crossing his lips.

Gara melted as she saw him standing there. She blushed a bit and said, "You don't need that, you know." She laughed nervously after saying it.

Myn broke out laughing. The two laughed for minutes before they finally got it under control. After Myn had recovered the bottle, he poured two very tall glasses of whiskey. He handed her a glass and took her by the other arm, guiding her to sit on the couch next to him.

"You know," he began tentatively. "I haven't had a chance to freshen up after a prolonged hyperspace jump and a rather nasty ambush."

Gara stood up. "Well, the refresher is right over there. Don't feel you have to though. I haven't had a chance either."

Myn stood with a devilish look in his eye. He took her by the hand. "Well then, we better get to it," he said pulling her towards the refresher.

Her cheeks flushed a deep red. "No, Myn. It's ok…I'll just wait here," she said struggling. Myn persisted though and he was much stronger.

Gara began to giggle uncontrollably. "Ok, ok." She said pulling her hand from his. By this time they had made it to the refresher. She glanced at the mirror as she got in and gasped. "I am a mess. Look at me." She leaned in closer to examine her puffy eyes and cheeks.

She spun towards him. "I look awful!" she exclaimed.

Myn shook his head softly. "Not on your life. You look absolutely beautiful," he said with such heartfelt sincerity that Gara looked at the ground, overwhelmed by his words. She could not help but chuckle after a moment as she shifted uncomfortably. "Oh, Myn."

They both chuckled as Gara tentatively made her way over to him. She looked up into his eyes as he leaned down to kiss her. They kissed passionately as they caressed each other softly. Gara's hand traced from his navel to the top of his collar stopping when she gripped the zipper there.

Gara pulled back from the kiss and tugged on the zipper in a swift motion bringing it all the way to the stop at the bottom. Myn jumped slightly as she did it, his cheeks showing a bit of embarrassment. He stood there while she eased the flight suit from his shoulders, allowing it to drop to the floor in a pile at his feet.

Like most pilots, Myn wore nothing under his flight suit so he stood there naked as the day he was born. Gara took a step back running her eyes over the length of his body, lingering longer at the hip region. "Very nice."

Myn blushed a bit deeper and looked at her expectantly. She tortured him for just a moment before she slowly began to unzip her flight suit. She did so in an agonizingly slow motion. Finally, she slid the flight suit off her body and kicked it over in the corner. Unlike Myn, her boots had been taken off almost immediately after she had arrived back in her room. Therefore, they did not impede the removal of her flight suit.

Myn quickly hopped on one foot trying to get his boots off and fell to the floor with a thud. He did not allow his tumble to the floor to slow him down. He whipped off his boots and threw them to the corner with a pair of loud thuds. His flight suit followed close behind.

Gara laughed heartily, feeling better than she had in a long time as she watched Myn scramble. She turned on the water to the shower, adjusting the temperature so it was warmly pleasant.

She stepped into the shower, letting the water flow over her. Gara leaned out and motioned Myn in with her index finger, smiling seductively. A smile twelve parsecs wide came to his face. Myn needed no further coaxing; he jumped up and climbed under the water with her. Their lips met as he slammed the door shut.

* * *
*

Katja and Myrlynda were sitting outside Gara's room in the hallway. They had taken up positions by the door just in case all had not gone as they had planned. It seemed that everything was going well as Katja had her ear pressed against the door.

"Well, well. The water in the refresher just came on. I think things are going pretty well," Katja smirked. "I thought you said they never had the chance to be together. They're starting off in a weird place. I thought Gara was a little more reserved than that. Maybe I'll need to give her a spin and see for myself. She always struck me as kind of a prude."

Myrlynda shook her head. "I can't believe you. You are such a pervert. Worse than anyone I've ever met."

Katja chuckled and stood before offering Myrlynda a hand up. Myrlynda walked over to the keypad by the door. She keyed in commands so a comlink message would be sent to her and Katja when movement was detected by the exit to Gara's quarters.

"Well, I'll see you in the morning. At least, that is what I assume," Myrlynda said to Katja.

"Indeed," Katja answered as she turned to walk down the hall to her own quarters. She opened the door and entered just as Myrlynda entered her own room.

A moment later Katja crept back to the door and took her previous place with her ear against it.

* * *
*

Gara and Myn kissed and caressed under the steaming water until they had no idea how much time had passed. They gently washed each other's hair and bodies with light teasing touches lingering in sensitive areas until they could take it no longer.

Myn threw the door open as he swept Gara from her feet and cradled her in his arms. She laughed loudly as he carried her out of the refresher. She nimbly grabbed the bottle of Whyren's off the table as he carried her into the bedroom. She deftly placed the bottle on the nightstand as she swung past it.

He laid her down on the bed before quickly lying down beside her. The kisses grew increasingly passionate as their hands began to wander. Their breath quickened as their passion grew.

Myn pulled the sheet back as he brought himself into position leaning over her on his hands. They looked deeply into each other's eyes. "I love you," they said simultaneously as their lips met.

* * *
*

Cheriss sat in the VIP's mess hall with Wes Janson seated across from her. He had been talking to her for the last two hours in between gulps of Corellian Whiskey. She had barely heard him since her mind was elsewhere.

She could not keep her thoughts from the fact that Myrlynda and Katja had entered this area of the ship, very contrary to what they had said they would do. She also wondered what they had in store for Myn. She had tried unsuccessfully to reach out with the Force to get some idea on what they were doing.

They must have been able to mask themselves, however, because she was unable to discern anything. She would only rarely catch a hint of Katja's aura shrouded in a large sense of mischievousness. After a while she gave up, resigning herself to the fact that she would need to wait to investigate until she had put the Rogues to bed for the evening.

She politely listened to Wes as he bombarded her with stories of his past accomplishments in the realm of interstellar combat. His tales were also liberally spiced with unending innuendoes about his accomplishments and conquests with women around the galaxy.

She politely smiled, chuckled or blushed at all the appropriate times to feign interest in what he was saying. Finally, things were beginning to wind down as the Rogues and Solars passed out or went to bed. She attempted to break off her conversation with Wes so she could head off to find out what Myrlynda and Katja were up to.

As she stood and was trying to say good night, Wes grabbed her by the wrist and began gently pulling her. "Come here for a second. I have something to show you," he slurred.

"I can't, Wes. I have things to do. I have responsibilities to take care of before I can go to bed," Cheriss said. She attempted to resist him but ended up allowing herself to be dragged along, knowing that she wasn't going to be able to prevent it unless she either hurt his feelings or hurt him physically. She decided to just placate him hoping she could escape easily there after.

"Don't worry. Sometimes it is better to just ignore some of those things and just head to bed," he said as he cast a lopsided, drunken grin. He pulled her along to his room and turned to face her as the door slid shut behind them.

"So, Cheriss," he said trying to affect his best seductive smile which in his drunken state turned into a dopey grin. "Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?"

Cheriss let a small groan escape her lips as she shook her head. 'Of all the lines," she thought. 'Even courtiers on Adumar didn't utter such fake sounding pleasantries."

Wes completely mistook her expression. "Don't be bashful, you are." Cheriss just kept shaking her head unable to believe what she was hearing. "You know, just because some people couldn't appreciate you, doesn't mean you shouldn't be with someone who could?"

Cheriss felt a sharp pain in the pit of her stomach. She knew that Wes was talking about Wedge and his down right snubbing of her feelings for him. Her reaction to this that had almost cost her life at the hands of a duelist on Adumar and they were feelings she didn't wish to relive.

She knew he had not said it to be hurtful. He just said the wrong thing, at the wrong time. She tried to come up with a remark that would sting him back.

She looked him straight in the eye and said, "Wes, you know I have heard about you," she paused for dramatic effect letting her words linger. She leaned in closer, resting her hand on his chest. She drummed her fingers lightly as she looked up into his eyes. "However, from what I've heard a trip with you is like flying into a blackhole. It's over before you know it and you never saw a thing." She smiled, batting her eyelashes innocently at him before pecking him on the cheek. She could see his wounded expression as he struggled for words but she didn't wait for a retort, just turned on her heel and strode away from the exasperated pilot.

* * *
*

Cheriss bade the Rogues a goodnight and ushered the remaining Solar Wind pilots out of the Rogues' sleeping area. She now strode purposely through the corridors leading to the area of her quarters. During the long walk, she had managed to rid herself of the terrible lump that had formed in her stomach when Wes had mentioned Wedge.

Her mood had improved and her curiosity had grown as she rounded the corner leading to the area of the Alpha Blue personnel's rooms. Katja's now familiar presence washed over her and she looked down to see her friend sitting with her ear against the bulkhead of Gara's room.

Katja shot up into a standing position looking like a vornskr caught in the act of doing something naughty. She quickly wiped the surprised expression off her face and tried to replace it with a sly smile. Cheriss looked at her trying to take in what she was seeing.

Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were bright. She had a bit of a vacant stare as if she had just been woken up from a very vivid, but very pleasant dream. As Cheriss approached, Katja stepped forward to meet her.

Cheriss was just about to speak when Katja slid her arms around her with one hand resting on the small of her back and the other gently but firmly grasping a fistful of her hair. Before she could even ask what was going on, Katja pulled in into a firm embrace and kissed her passionately.

The suddenness and the intensity of the kiss took Cheriss by surprise. With the need and urgency she felt from Katja, Cheriss allowed herself to fall into it. Their hands began to gently caress each other's backs and shoulders.

Cheriss slowly pulled away. She smiled somewhat shyly as she said, "What has gotten into you?"

Katja gently placed her hand on Cheriss cheek and turned her head so her ear was directly against the bulkhead. Cheriss pressed her ear to the wall and listened for a moment. "I can't hear anything," she whispered.

Katja's expression turned stern as the teacher in her resurfaced. Before she could even say it, Cheriss knew that her Master had intended for her to heighten her senses using the Force. She concentrated and opened herself to it.

She listened for a moment, her eyes squinting as she tried to figure out what she was hearing. She definitely heard a sound almost like someone was knocking or tapping something against the wall. Then she heard voices, one of which belonged to Gara and another one was a male's but she couldn't tell whom. She also couldn't tell what they were saying. It was almost like they weren't speaking, but moaning…

Cheriss quickly pulled her head away from the wall as a deep blush came to her cheeks. She gasped feeling a bit embarrassed. "What's going on in there?" Cheriss whispered.

Katja sighed, "Well Cheriss, when a man and a woman are attracted to each other..." Cheriss reached out and slugged her in the shoulder. "Ouch!" Katja said rubbing her upper arm dramatically. "What was that for?"

"I know what they are doing. I mean how did it come about? And who is she with?" Cheriss whispered with a playful harshness.

"Well, Myrlynda was telling me about Gara's lost love, as it were. So, I convinced her it was the right thing to do if we got them together. Even if it is just for one night." She shrugged.

Cheriss could only chuckle in response and shook her head. She smiled at Katja. "What am I going to do with you?" She asked playfully.

Katja stared into her eyes. "I've been a very bad girl. I need to be punished in some way…" she said as she leaned towards Cheriss. She brought a finger to Cheriss lips and began kissing her neck.

Cheriss enjoyed her lover's attention for a moment, before gently pushing her away. "Your punishment will have to wait until later. For now, I need to go to bed. The demands of my Master have been quite strenuous and I need my rest. I am sure that the training regiment will begin in earnest again after the Rogues depart."

"That it will, my young apprentice."

"Well then, good night," Cheriss said quickly leaning in to kiss her cheek. She then quickly walked past Katja to her room. She entered the code and the doors snapped open. Cheriss entered but quickly leaned her head out the door to wink at Katja before retreating to her quarters.

Katja took up her former position by the door to Gara's quarters. She leaned her head back and sighed as thoughts of her lover and apprentice danced through her mind.

* * *
*

Myn awoke to the sound of the chrono alarming that it was time to get up. He looked at the time, 0430. He quickly shut it off as Gara stirred beside him. She turned her head to look at Myn and smiled. Her hair cascaded onto the pillow around her face and neck.

They were both basking in the afterglow of their love making. They had spent most of the previous night intimately engaged and had stopped just a few hours earlier, finally falling asleep in each others arms. He stared lovingly into her eyes. He locked his arms at the elbow and arched his back as he stretched. "You get up at this ridiculous hour everyday?" He groaned.

She nodded her head slightly. "Yes, but luckily I think that my commanding officer won't have a problem with me sleeping in, since she's the one who brought you here."

Another deep groan escaped his lips as he swung his legs over the side of the bunk. He rubbed his hands over his face briskly trying to wake up. "Sadly, I'm not sure Colonel Celchu will be so understanding. Unless I told him what happened," she said turning to look at her a serious expression on his face.

Gara felt a pang of guilt that showed plainly on her face. "Myn, you know you won't be able to do that. Otherwise I just would have come to get you myself last night."

He nodded slowly. "Well, it'll just have to be our little secret then." He took her hand in his, squeezing it reassuringly.

Gara swung her legs over the bed and stood. She grabbed her robe, putting it on and tying the belt loosely around her waist. Myn threw on his flight suit and boots on without tying them. He stood and followed Gara as she made her way out of the bedroom.

She turned to face him and took his hands in hers when they were about four meters from the door. She looked at him and struggled to find the right words. Myn made no effort to coax rush her and stood patiently waiting for her to begin. He wanted her to say whatever she felt she needed to, without prompting or interrupting from him.

She finally began, "You know you won't be able to contact me once you leave this ship, right?"

Myn nodded, "It doesn't matter. I know you have a mission to accomplish and so do I. You'll contact me when you can."

She quickly threw her arms around him and hugged him fiercely. A sense of dread filled her as she hugged him. She could not figure out what was causing the painful sensation in her chest. She began to cry softly.

Myn felt her trembling against him. He placed his hands on her shoulders and pushed her back gently. He leaned down to look at her with their eyes at the same level. "Hey, wait. It'll be ok. I know we still have a few things to work out, but first chance we get we'll meet up and discuss them. It might take some effort, but we can make this work."

The flow of tears began to wane and she tried to smile. She hugged him again fiercely unable to shake her feeling. They held the embrace for quite a few minutes before she withdrew from the embrace. "You should really go before Tycho has your wings," she said.

"He can wait another couple of minutes," he said as he took her face in his hands and kissed her again. The kiss ended leaving both them wanting more. When they finally separated, a dull ache replacing the feeling of want and love in their hearts.

Myn turned and walked to the doors and they slashed open with a hiss. As they did, he turned back to face her. "I love you, don't ever forget that."

Gara smiled as best she could, the pain of losing him again battling for supremacy with the feeling of happy resolution. "I love you, too."

He returned her smile and walked from the room, the doors sliding shut behind him. Gara flopped down on the couch, leaning her head back while she tried to digest everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours.

* * *
*

Myn Donos felt as if he was walking on air as he practically skipped down the corridor. Though he was upset that he would not be seeing Gara for who knows how long, he was happy that he would see her again. He turned the corner in a happy trot nearly running into two women who were standing just around the corner. He immediately recognized them as the two women who had led him to Gara the previous evening.

"Hi," he said cheerfully. "I just wanted to thank you for what you did. It is so nice to see that Gara has such good friends here."

Katja was the first to chime in a response. "Well, you might not be saying that in a few minutes. But thank you, I do love to do things like that."

Myn looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Ummm…ok." He looked more closely at the two women. Both were dressed nearly identically in cut off combat pants, tank tops and soft low cut boots. Both also wore belts with blasters slung from them. The woman that had just spoken was also carrying a bottle of Whyren's Reserve.

Myrlynda spoke next, "I am afraid that you can not endanger our operations by having knowledge of our presence here."

"I can guarantee you that your secret is safe with me. I don't want to endanger my chances of seeing her again by saying anything," he said emphatically.

Myrlynda shook her head. "I am afraid I am not in a position to take your word or trust that what you say will be the case."

* * *
*

Cheriss awoke with a start in her room. She quickly grabbed her lightsaber from her utility belt and ran into the hallway in nothing but the Coruscant Liberators smashball team jersey she wore to bed and her panties. Her hair was in pigtails over each ear and bounced wildly as she ran. She turned to her left to see Katja and Myrlynda standing over a prone figure. Katja was pouring small amounts of whisky on his flight suit and face.

"What in the name of the Force are you two doing?" She challenged them, looking quite silly in her nightgown with her lightsaber sitting unignited in her right hand. Myrlynda and Katja both chuckled seeing her standing there.

Cheriss approached while she waited for them to answer. She recognized the prone figure as Myn Donos. "What are you doing to him?" She asked flabbergasted.

Myrlynda looked stood up straight and turned to her as Katja continued to pour whiskey on Myn and muss up is hair and clothes. "He could not be allowed to leave here with the knowledge of us or anything Gara may have told him about our mission."

Cheriss stood taking it all in. She knew what they were planning to do. With Myrlynda's gifts with the Force she was planning to alter is memories and make it look like he drank himself into a stupor the previous evening. "If we find that Gara has told him nothing about our mission, we will still remove his memories until at least this mission is over. Allowing him a way to regain them," Myrlynda informed her.

Katja finished messing up Myn's clothes and pouring booze all over him and sauntered up to Cheriss as Myrlynda knelt down next to Myn. She leaned towards Cheriss' ear and whispered, "You know, I find your little outfit pretty sexy. How come you never dress like that when I come to spend the night?"

Cheriss a bit taken aback by the question stuttered, "I…I don't know. I always try to look more…presentable when you come over."

Katja shot her a sly grin, "Well, one night I might need to drop by and surprise you. Hoping to catch you in this little number."

Cheriss cast her eyes down blushing. She still wasn't used to the amount of attention she got from Katja and was even less comfortable when it happened in front of other people.

Myrlynda stood after finishing up with Myn. The two women seemed to be paying her no attention at all as the whispered to each other a couple of meters away. She cleared her throat. "Are you two finished?"

Cheriss seemed to jump as if a bit startled and Katja gave a sigh of playful frustration as the turned back towards Myrlynda. "You always ruin my fun," Katja quipped.

Myrlynda sighed in mild frustration. As much as she found Katja's jokes and snide comments funny, sometimes she took it too far. Katja got the hint and stayed silent, waiting for Myrlynda to update them on her findings.

"It appears that Gara told him absolutely nothing about our mission and nearly nothing about any of us. Which is good, I am glad to see our trust was well placed," Myrlynda informed them. "I have made it so he will be able to regain the memories when we deem it is not a threat to our mission."

The three women were smiling, quite happy with their accomplishments. "We just need to get him back to his room. I'll take care of that," Myrlynda said, as her form shifted until they saw the guard that had taken him the previous evening.

She hefted him up on her shoulder and began to walk down the hall. She spoke over her shoulder as she did, her voice carrying a much more masculine tone than normal. "I have been told we will rendezvous with the ship that will be carrying the Rogues back to wherever it is they are stationed now."

Myrlynda carried Myn through the corridors and lifts to the section of the ship they had billeted the Rogues. She keyed in her access code and spoke the authorization phrase and the doors slid open. She carried Myn's semi-conscious body into the main area where some of the Rogues, including Tycho had sat down to eat breakfast.

Tycho stood as she entered, her disguise still well in place. He stood and strode over to the pair. "What happened here?"

Myrlynda set Myn down onto a chair. Tycho motioned for the two pilots sitting at the table to pick him up. "Take him back to his room," he ordered as he winced catching a whiff of stale whiskey coming from Myn. He turned back to Myrlynda's disguised form. "Well?"

She saluted smartly. "Sir, I believe that the celebrations with Lieutenant Jersion lasted well into the night. We found both of them passed out in a hallway. So, I escorted Lieutenant Donos back here while Lieutenant Jersion was escorted back to her quarters."

Tycho nodded. "Thank you. You are dismissed."

He returned her salute. She lowered her salute and quickly made her way out the door. She let her illusion drop as she walked back towards her quarters. Myrlynda planned on stopping to pay Colonel Tetrault a visit on her way back. It had been a long night for all of them. She was going to inform the Colonel she was giving the team a day off before returning to her nice, warm bunk.

* * *
*

Myn awoke to his head pounding. His mouth tasted like stale whiskey and the sour smell permeated his skin and clothing. He felt a searing pain as he opened his eyes. He groaned and even that hurt. "Time to get up Lieutenant." He heard Tycho's voice speak to him.

He struggled to get up from his bunk to at least a seated position. His stomach lurched and he felt a wave of nausea wash over him as he did. But he succeeded in getting to a sitting position. "Yes, sir," he croaked.

Tycho sighed looking at Myn. He was an absolute mess. "May I inquire as to what you were thinking last night?"

Myn tried to think back to last night but his headache increased as he tried. He realized that he could only remember isolated portions of the prior evening such as drinking with a very overweight, female pilot named Jerison. He remembered thanking her for the save during the battle. Then they started drinking and swapping war stories. He also had fleeting images of what must have been a dream, a dream about Lara Nostil.

"I don't know what came over me, sir. I'm afraid I have no excuse for my actions," Myn confessed slowly.

Tycho leaned against the wall. "All right Lieutenant Donos, here is how it is going to be. Since this is the first time you've done anything like this I will let it go just telling you that I do not approve. But if I see this becoming a pattern, we will be having a much sterner talk. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Colonel," Myn replied.

"Good." Tycho noticeably relaxed and leaned against the wall of Myn's room. "I also need to know if you are going to be able to fly this evening. We will be ferrying our X-wings over to a fleet carrier."

"I will be fine, sir," he said as he began to feel somewhat better.

"Good. If you change your mind about that let, me know. No need to take unnecessary chances out there. If things continue to heat up in to Koornacht Cluster, we'll all be taking abundant chances soon enough."

"Understood, sir." Myn saw Tycho nod before he turned and exited the room. Myn sat on his bed trying to remember more about the dream. Slowly it started to come to him. He remembered himself and Lara in quite an intimate encounter. An encounter that he regretted had never occurred because of his rash actions and Face's questionable judgment.

Myn laid back into his bunk. He spent the rest of the afternoon trying to remember every aspect of the dream he could while thinking only of Lara Nostil.

After a few hours had passed and Myn had begun to feel almost human again, he got up and put on a fresh flight suit. He quickly packed up his belongings except his suit from the previous evening, which he tossed into a nearby garbage chute. He then threw his bag on the cart to be taken to the flight deck.

He had just walked into the recreation area when Cheriss arrived to escort the Rogues to the hanger bay. He followed his squadron mates as they exited the VIP quarters and began the hike to the hanger. He was shuffling along at the end of the line, his dream still occupying his thoughts. He looked up and saw Gavin Darklighter walking along next to him. An idea surfaced in his mind.

Myn took a few steps to his left near Gavin. "Hey Gavin, can I ask you something?"

Gavin looked over at Myn. "Sure Myn, what's up?"

Myn slowed his steps to increase the distance between him and the rest of the Rogues. Gavin took the hint and slowed his pace. After they were about a meter behind the group, Myn began. "I hope I'm not prying into your personal business. I know that Asyr's death was hard for you. My questions have a lot to do with that."

A slight expression of pain creased Gavin's face. He quickly dispelled it with a soft smile. "It's all right. What'd you want to know?"

Myn sighed. "I am not sure how much of this you know. I've kept it pretty much to myself. But, I am sure you have heard some of my relationship with Lara Nostil."

Gavin shifted his shoulders uncomfortably. "Myn, I hate to say this, but there are a fair number of people who know about that."

Myn tried to smile to hide the shame he felt regarding the incident he was most likely referring to. About him nearly killing Face with a proton torpedo. "Yeah, well there maybe at least one part of the story you haven't heard. But, I have a question for you first. Did you go through a phase after her death where you felt that you would do anything to get her back?"

Gavin looked pensive as he responded, "Of course I did. I also tortured myself wondering what I could have done to prevent it. There wasn't a second that went by that I didn't think of her. Either how I failed her or wishing she was back with me."

Myn nodded seeing that Gavin wasn't finished speaking. "I'll tell you something you may not wish to hear. Those feelings will never go away. The frequency they visit you will decrease but they will never go away," he said his voice straining a bit. "I am sure you felt the same when Lara died."

Myn nodded. "Well, the part of the story you don't know is this," he lowered his voice to a whisper. "Lara," Myn shook his head angrily. "I need to stop calling her that. Gara, did not die that day. In fact, she sent me a message telling me that she wanted to see me."

A look of total shock came over his face. "Well, why didn't you go see her?"

Myn shook his head. "I wrestled with it and finally got up the nerve after about a week and arranged passage to where she was. However, by the time I arrived she must have changed her mind. She was long gone."

Gavin listened sympathetically. "I just had a dream about her last night. The feelings I had for her are still there," Myn confessed. "Now the only question is, what do I do about it?"

"I can only tell you what I'd do. Which is, look for her," Gavin said a pained expression returning to his face. "Look Myn, I can tell you that if I suddenly discovered Asyr was still alive I would search for her from one end of the galaxy to the other."

Myn nodded, a lump rising in his throat. "Let's try and look at this objectively Myn," Gavin continued. "You have no idea why she left Corellia before you got there. It could be one of any million things. However, you will never know what it is until you ask her about it."

The pilots arrived in the hanger and began to fan out to their respective fighters. Myn looked over to see Corran's unconscious form lying on a stretcher to be loaded onto a waiting troop transport for passage to the fleet cruiser.

The injured Jedi was kept sedated for the transfer. He would undergo a second dip in the bacta tank while the Rogues awaited replacement fighters and personnel. By the time they were ready to redeploy, Corran should be ready to return to duty.

Myn and Gavin broke apart as they began to do the preflight inspections on their X-wings. Myn walked around his fighter absently, mulling over what Gavin had just told him. By the time he had finished, he knew what he needed to do. He tossed his helmet bag and gloves on the deck near the ladder leading up to his fighter. He strode over to where Gavin was still checking the strike-foils on his X-wing.

"You know what, Gavin? You are right. I can't sit around and mope. I need to find out exactly why she didn't rendezvous with me and never called me again. For good or bad," Myn said smiling happily. It was strange, but Gavin had never seen such a big or genuine smile on the somber pilot's face before.

"I couldn't agree more," Gavin said quickly giving Myn a reassuring chuck on the shoulder. "If you need any help, let me know."

"I will," Myn said as Gavin climbed up the boarding ladder to his fighter. Myn quickly trotted back to his fighter, grabbing his bag and gloves as he bounded up the ladder and threw himself into the cockpit. He heard the X-wings around him starting their engines. He quickly fished a holoprint out of his bag securing it to the upper left-hand side of his instrument panel. He threw his helmet and gloves on before starting his engines and closing the X-wing's canopy.

As his comm unit came on line. "…Rogue Five, do you copy, over." Myn felt his face flush as he realized everyone else was ready to go. "I copy, Rogue Leader," he said into his comm unit. "Sorry for the delay, I just had to make a small adjustment to my instrument panel. All systems are go."

He reached out with a glove hand and touched the holo he had hung. It was a picture of himself and Gara taken on the night of the impromptu party thrown by General Solo and Commander Antilles aboard the Mon Remonda. It showed them siting at one of the tables in the mess hall. He had his arm around her and their cheeks were pressed together. He could never remember himself being happier than he was that night.

He reached out and touched Gara's holographic cheek. "I will find you. It has been hard for me, but I need to know if you love me as much as I love you." He smiled as his eyes began to tear, slightly. "Well, I'd better get flying. The faster I get off this ship, the faster I can start looking for you because Force knows I won't find you sitting around here." He winked at Gara's holograph as he engaged the repulsor lifts and flew his X-wing towards the hanger exit.

* * *
*

Gara Petothel stood alone on the observation deck with her head was pressed against the transpasteel. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes red as tears streamed down her face. She watched as the X-wings exited the hanger and flew towards the fleet carrier. After a moment's pause a lone X-wing shot out of the hanger. She immediately recognized it as Myn's.

Sobs wracked her body as she watched it streak away from her Star Destroyer. "I'll miss you, my love," she sobbed. "But don't worry, I'll find you when we are done here. Even if I have to cross the galaxy to do it."

She watched as the lone X-wing entered the hanger of the fleet carrier. She quickly blew a kiss in it's direction before retreating from the room, hastily wiping away the tears from her cheeks and eyes.

To be continued...

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