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Mission Undercover

by Djuva and Red

Rating: NC-17

Warnings: um, some random sex. Vader/OFC, Jix/OFC.

Thanks: to saphsaq, for comments and critique; Kasiopea, for comments and pretty pics; and Maia, for thorough beta reading.

Note: Wrenga Jixton ("Jix") is Vader's secret agent and assassin from the comic "Star Wars: Shadow Stalker". As Vader says, he is an embarrassment, but he enjoys the Dark Lord's complete trust.

Chapter 1

"According to my sources the target is currently located on Imperial Center. So you won't have to make a long trip."

Jix gave the Dark Lord a wry smile. "Good!" Why didn’t Vader just send in some stormtroopers to get that rebel spy? Somehow he had the nagging feeling that this was going to be one of these pointless missions which he usually got when he'd done something wrong. He thought hard on what that could have been. Maybe that business back on Deyer?

"Jix," Vader interrupted his thoughts, sounding slightly more exasperated than usual. "I gave you a mission. Why are you still here?"

"Sure. Don't mind me. I'm already out of the door, so to speak." Retreating from the Dark Lord's office, the Corellian was in a foul mood. Great. This was no mission, this was an insult. Stroll into the underground and flush a rebel out? Well, the good thing was that he would have the rest of the day off, if he did this right. Capture the rebel first, but get him to Vader only much later. Jix smiled smugly to himself. Yeah. That sounded like fun.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the same time, a few buildings away, a similar conversation was taking place.

"Hey, Red!"

Turning around, the blonde woman frowned at the man standing in the door to his office. "What's up?"

"Got an assignment for you," her boss, Intiman Crowen, explained. "Reconnaissance. Cap says someone ought to check it out before he sends troopers in."

"What is it?" she asked, her interest piqued, and went over to follow him into the office.

"Supposedly rebel activity. A spy or something. Delicate thing, since he's hiding somewhere in the District."

Her eyebrows rose slightly. The District was the nickname for the level of the Coruscant underground where one could get the cheapest, low class entertainment. Only thugs and pirates went there. "Why me?"

"Hey," he grinned at her openly. "Good-looking girl won't raise much suspicion down there."

She gritted her teeth in a quiet hiss. This was not what she had bargained for when she had taken on the position of liaison for Intelligence. But better than some jobs she'd had, she thought glumly. "I see. Any more you can tell me?"

"A few facts. The guy's supposedly called Djuva, but there's no visuals, only receipts, transmissions and what not. Ask around, get a feel for the place. If you make contact, call the Cap. This is high-level, Red. You'd better make a good job of it."

"No need to remind me," she breathed and rose quickly. High-level meant trouble, and she had no desire to go explain herself to tall, mean and ugly. Although... Grinning inwardly she nodded at the man and left. There was something about the Dark Lord, something that she couldn't get out of her mind ever since she'd met him on Deyer; but hey, she wasn't suicidal. So she would just do her job and keep on dreaming.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The District was as loud and noisy as he had expected, but Jix felt right at home. Wearing a huge smile on his face, he walked the dirt-smeared concrete between the different establishments and enjoyed the atmosphere. The only clue he had was a transmission which had been intercepted a few days back. Chances were that the place had only served as temporary shelter, but it was a lead. So he sauntered into the dark, hot Twi'lek bar named 'Ghyssa', and took a look around. Immediately his right hand fell down to cover his blaster. This was a nasty crowd.

Fighting his way over to the bar, Jix kept his eyes open for any suspicious customers, but there was no one in sight who might have been a rebel. His eyes grazed over the girl dancing on the stage by chance, and he stopped, frowning. What was a human doing in a Twi'lek bar?

"What can I do for you, sir?"

Turning his head Jix gave the droid bartender a cool nod. "Corellian brand."

"Whiskey, sir?"

Jix snorted. "Who d'ya take me for, mate, some sort of Senate district snob? Nope, good ol' brandy for me - neat - make it double." Since Vader would pay he might as well make the most of it. Accepting the well-filled glass of amber liquid, Jix inhaled the brandy’s fumes deeply and smiled. Not bad at all. He took a sip and placed the glass on the bar top. "Hey!"

The bartender leaned toward him again. "Sir?"

"Who's the girl?" the agent asked casually and pointed a thumb toward the stage.

"Vanessa," the droid replied. "Arrangements can be made with the major-domo."

"Ah. Sure. Thanks." Looking over his shoulder Jix studied the girl more closely. She wasn't tall, rather the opposite, petite, with a waist he could easily have circled with both hands. Dancing to the wailing tune of some popular song, probably straight from the clubs a few levels up, she gyrated her hips quite seductively. Apparently the crowd appreciated her performance, judging from the hoots and whistles.

"Barkeeper, where can I find the major-domo?"

"Booth 4, sir."

"Thanks."

Emptying the glass of brandy in one go, Jix shook himself and whirled around to get more information on the dancer. But he was stopped short by a blonde woman with short curls and an easy smile.

"Going somewhere, sweetheart?" she asked in a husky voice. Jix smiled.

"Actually, yes, but I might reconsider..."

She laughed in delight, then hooked an arm around his and dragged him off to a single, unoccupied booth. Jix noted that it was number 10 and probably a long way from 4. Damn. He had to get rid of her soon.

"What twist of fate has brought such a pretty guy so low?" she asked sweetly, and leaned toward him, exposing a lot of cleavage.

"Actually, the sign outside."

She laughed again. "It's a Twi'lek bar."

"Attractive women, the Twi'lek. So, what brings you here?"

"Attractive men," she replied, raising her eyebrows meaningfully.

"What's your name?"

"Red."

Jix gave her a surprised look. "Why Red?"

Smiling slowly she reached out to trace the length of his jaw. "Because I have a reputation to keep."

"Ah." He got it. "Nice. I should warn you though. It takes a lot to make me blush."

***

Red shook her head slowly. When she had first entered the bar he had caught her attention immediately. The way he moved was not the way a man moved when he was out for entertainment. The question was, was he who she was looking for? He could be a bounty hunter out for a kill, or a bodyguard — but no, that was too far-fetched. If he was either, he would not waste any time with her. But then, would a rebel spy?

One of the servant girls brought them a couple of drinks, unasked for, but undoubtedly expensive. Taking a sip, Red twirled her fingers around the edge of the glass. But Jix kept looking toward the stage. Following his gaze, she noticed the girl who was nearing the end of her performance. A human? In a Twi'lek bar? Hit by sudden realization, Red wanted very much to excuse herself and try to go backstage. Glancing over at the Corellian, she noticed a strange look in his eyes, as if he had been thinking the same she had. The music died and a round of thundering applause and approving howls shook the bar's ceiling.

"Well," he said. "It was nice. Gotta go."

Red smiled faintly. "Yeah. Sure. See you around."

Once he had left, not without a regretful smile, she noted, Red scooted out of the booth and methodically worked her way to where she thought the backstage entrance must be. As expected, a hulking Gammorean was standing guard there, but apparently he only had orders to stop unauthorized male guests from entering. Dressed in her flimsy disguise, Red easily passed as one of the serving or dancing girls and went past the boar with a sweet smile.

Once inside the backstage area, she stopped, trying to orient herself. The music was muffled to a more agreeable level back here, and it was a bit cooler. But in the mass of scantily clad female bodies Red had a hard time finding the one she sought. Damn the girl for being so short. Some of the dancers gave her queer looks, but Red did not mind. Trying to look as if she knew where she was going she completely missed the elderly Twi'lek bearing down on her.

"What are you doing here?"

Red's brain short-circuited. "Djuva asked for me," she said hastily and nearly bit her tongue. Damn! She might as well have said she was an Imperial Intelligence agent.

The Twi'lek seemed startled. "Djuva? Oh, you mean Vanessa. She sent for you?" Frowning deeply the Twi'lek grabbed Red's arm and dragged her after him. "Vanessa!"

Looking up from where she was standing half-dressed and bare-chested, the human girl scowled at him. "What is it now?"

"Girl says you sent for her. Do you have another one of your unexplained headaches? I need not remind you that there's another performance waiting for you."

The girl studied her coldly, then smiled. "I know. I asked her to take over for me. She's really good, I assure you."

Red kept her face impassive. What had the Twi'lek meant beforehand? That this girl sometimes went out during work-hours without saying where? Highly suspicious. But the girl's move confirmed her suspicions. Now she only had to get her somewhere quiet with no witnesses and—

When the Twi'lek did not react at first, the girl said a bit urgently: "I told you I needed this night off."

"No, you did not. My mind is not that far gone yet," the Twi'lek snarled.

"Some more of Cora Blue might do," Vanessa returned icily, naming a cheap drug that was fairly commonplace in the District.

The Twi'lek slapped her face hard. "Get out of here."

"With the greatest pleasure," Vanessa hissed and grabbed a tight-fitting bodysuit. Yet her green eyes never left Red's face.

"You," the Twi'lek rounded on Red. "You can take her job. You are here for a job, aren't you?"

"I— er." Shit! She should have acted earlier!

"Come on, get dressed. We don't have much time."

As she was hustled away, Red threw a last look in Vanessa's direction and saw her smirk at her with an all too knowing smile.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Walk with me, my friend. I wish to hear more on this affair on Deyer."

Vader fell in with Palpatine's short, frail steps, keeping one step behind him, as befitted an apprentice, waiting for the Emperor's questions uneasily. For some reason Palpatine never seemed to tire talking about Deyer. Why? Did he suspect something? Vader made sure to present a smooth, well-shielded, disinterested aura.

"A small thing, really," he said coolly. "They did not get far with their plans. Governor Mosaric apparently stood in alliance with some rebel forces there, and used them to compromise the production of several electronic ship-parts producers. Clever work, not even detectable, if we hadn't known where to look."

"Yes, yes," the Emperor mused. "Greed can be a powerful ally. Or a powerful enemy. The Governor was behind it all, you say?"

"Yes, my Master."

"Ah, yes. The poor man!" Palpatine cackled in mock pity. "Had he succeeded, Deyer-Mosaric Skyworks Inc. would have got an exclusive contract, and the entire fleet would have depended on them! Mosaric would be a very rich and powerful man now, would he not? And that with the help of those pitiful rebels! Imagine, to lose all that!" He rubbed his hands in glee.

"Had he succeeded, my Master, the death toll in the navy would be enormous. Those electronic parts were used in the ship's cooling and life support systems." Vader kept his tone low and deferential, but he could not successfully hide his heated emotions from the master. Palpatine turned, raising a mocking eyebrow.

"And what's your personal interest in that, Vader?"

If the Sith apprentice noticed the degradation from "friend" to a mere clipped, icy "Vader", he gave no indication. "I'd prefer they gave their lives for something useful, Master. Something that serves our goals."

"Ah, always the idealist. You are forgetting, though, that they would still have served our cause if we had painted them as martyrs."

Vader shrugged his powerful shoulders, not entirely in agreement, but still nodding contritely. "Yes, Master."

"But there was more, was there not? I hear you found something there. Brought back something."

"An agent, my Master. I thought I might have further use of her here," Vader admitted with reluctance.

"Who in that Force-forsaken rock might possibly be that good as to warrant so much attention from you?"

The Dark Lord allowed himself a tiny smirk behind his mask. Initially his own reaction had been more or less the same as Palpatine's: he hadn't really expected 'capable, efficient, flexible, excellent with weapons, superb memorization skills, experienced,' in Deyerian terms to correspond to his own standards. Moreover, although he did not think he had any species or gender prejudices, unlike his master, the fact that the agent now attached to the local security forces and code-named "Red" was a rosy-cheeked, dimpled blonde with an easy, naive smile, had surprised the Dark Lord a bit.

Vader had mulled over the woman more than once. Yes, she was good enough as an agent, but the Dark Lord could feel more from her. There had been a ... curiosity, and interest ... directed at himself. Interesting, certainly interesting enough to warrant further research. Unbidden, an image of their first face-to-face meeting rose in his memories. It had happened due to accidental mismanagement. Entering the rooms he had been allotted for his field office, giving only half an ear to what his aide was babbling beside him — "...the agent is using it now, it'll only be a minute, my Lord. I am very sorry. There really was no other..." — and stopped in his tracks, seeing someone in the tiny "anteroom": very naked, and very obviously female.

The woman turned, and for a long moment they stared at each other. Despite his somewhat reclusive nature and despite what rumors said of him, the Dark Lord was man enough to be slightly stirred by that enticing body. Finally he had gathered himself together. "Agent "Red", I presume?"

"Yes, Lord Vader. Um, Captain said I could change here. I'm sorry..."

"Proceed." He had nodded and backed out again, feeling undue satisfaction at the pretty blush of embarrassment on her, as she had vacated the room a few moments later.

***

Coming out of his reverie, he looked straight down at the Emperor's face, who was staring at him mockingly, one eyebrow raised.

"You seem distracted, my lord."

Biting his lip, Vader sketched a deferential bow. "I hope I have not given my master reason to doubt my commitment."

The Emperor's mouth twitched, but he merely turned away and continued his evening walk. After a moment, the dark apprentice followed him.

"Vader."

"My master?"

"I will not interfere with your private amusements — as long as they do not interfere with your service. You belong to me, and me alone. Where is she now?"

"She's been given a mission to prove herself."

"Good. Good," the Emperor fingered his brooch absently. "If she's worthy, give her some training and send her to me. I need to replenish the ranks of my own agents."

Vader gritted his teeth, but stayed silent. With Palpatine he still sometimes felt like a schoolboy. He hated that. But he nodded, and Palpatine seemed to lose interest. They walked quietly for a while, before Palpatine dismissed his Dark Lord.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Slipping into her clothes Djuva cursed quietly. Her cover had been just perfect! Well, too perfect to last. So the Imps were on her trail. Luckily that agent was trapped for the moment, and although Djuva did not doubt that she only had a few minutes of breathing space, it would give her a good lead. She would just go to ground again and then get out of Coruscant the first chance she got.

There were no stormtroopers in sight when she brushed past the Gammorrean stationed in front of the door, but unfortunately Podul, the bar's major-domo, was bearing down on her, an oily grin on his face and a tough-looking Corellian in tow. Damn! The last thing she needed now was a customer!

"There you are!" Podul said, as he leaned forward to lay his hands lightly on her shoulders. Djuva gritted her teeth and scowled at the Corellian. "Mister Jixton was highly impressed by your performance."

Ignoring the Corellian Djuva turned pleading eyes on the Twi'lek. "Podul, this is an emergency," she whined.

"Another one of your so-called last-minute calls?" Podul asked coldly. "If you truly were so popular, you wouldn't work for Sele. So you will get your ass upstairs and see to it that Mister Jixton gets whatever he desires. Is that clear? He paid good money, and Sele would be very disappointed if you were so stupid as to deny her that profit."

Hanging her head in defeat Djuva nodded glumly. Well. Maybe she still had a chance. If she could make this quick....

"Hello, Vanessa," the Corellian breathed as he took her left arm in a slightly too hard grip. "Why don't we get this show on?"

Fighting down her feelings Djuva gave him a vicious smile. "It will be a pleasure."

"That I don't doubt."

As they walked upstairs, where the sounds of the other patrons could be heard through the rooms' flimsy walls, Djuva could not help but feel cornered. When the Corellian's left arm suddenly slipped around her waist, she growled in disgust.

"Now, now, be a nice girl," he said in some amusement. "By the way, you can call me Jix."

"Right. Jix."

"What may I call you?"

"Whatever you want," she sighed and unlocked one of the empty bedrooms.

"How about 'Djuva'?" he asked quietly and closed the door behind them. She froze.

***

Jix grinned at the girl's shocked expression as she whirled around to face him. Drained of all color, her face turned even paler than it had been before, setting off her green eyes spectacularly in the dim light. Maybe passing the time wouldn't be as boring as he had thought. He had his quarry and a lot of time besides. She rallied magnificently though and smiled slowly.

"A pretty name," she managed.

"Yeah, I thought so too," Jix replied, his grin widening. "Although I expected some tough, ugly, die-hard rebel."

"Male, I suppose," Djuva stated with a weak smile.

"Yeah. That too. Turns out I was wrong on both assumptions." When she shifted weight, he raised a hand warningly. "Ah, I wouldn't advise that. Very soon you'll probably be in more pain than you can imagine anyway. No need to start with that now."

"Why don't you just let me go?" she pleaded, her shoulders slumping in defeat.

"No way, sorry. I have a reputation to keep, you know? Besides, if you co-operate, it'll all be a lot easier."

Her head came up sharply and she frowned again. "Co-operate?"

"Yeah." She was pretty, no doubt. When he reached out to run a hand through her soft, thick hair, she closed her eyes, as if she were just making a hard decision.

"All right," she breathed and looked at him again. The smile she gave him was positively mean.

Shaking her head, she sent a mane of long, honey-colored hair flying wildly. Turning around gracefully she knelt down on the large bed, her legs spread slightly. When he did not react at first she patted the mattress invitingly.

"Come on. We might as well get this over with," Djuva explained coldly. But Jix could see that her hands were shaking.

Folding his arms in front of his chest he leaned his back against the door and gave her a nod. "Why don't you go ahead then?"

***

Swallowing a snide comment, Djuva took her time to study the man a bit more closely. His long, dark hair hung down over his broad shoulders in a pony-tail and there was a slightly bemused sparkle in his bright blue eyes that was actually quite charming. The easy smile he gave her, though, was infuriating. He wore a brown leather vest over his bare torso, and brown pants and boots. She could tell by his stance that he was totally confident that he could handle this situation, and she wished she felt the same. Maybe, afterwards, she could somehow slip away... Remembering the woman she had run across backstage, Djuva felt her hopes dwindle. No. There was no way to get out. She might as well enjoy this. And the Corellian was admittedly not ugly to look at. Quite the opposite. His well-muscled midriff was actually pretty attractive, not to mention his arms and shoulders. The smile she gave him then was positively sincere. No, not bad at all.

"So," she began, her right hand moving up to unbutton the collar of her body-suit, "how did you get on my trail?"

"Actually pretty easily, once I had the right lead. A human girl in a Twi'lek bar?"

"Who'd ever suspect one to be there at all?" she asked right back and worked on the buttons that went down the front.

"Yeah. True." His gaze turned pensive.

"And that was all?"

"When your major-domo said you were often busy elsewhere, I got even more suspicious. But you made a big mistake."

"Which one?" Her hands were down at her waist and she hesitated for a fraction, uncertain.

"You sent a transmission from a public comm in the bar."

She bit her lip in frustration. "I was going to leave tonight."

"Too late." Three long strides brought him up to the bed. "Here. Let me help you with that."

***

She shuddered quietly under his touch, but Jix did not let that distract him. Gently slipping the body-suit over her shoulders, he ran his hands down her arms, freeing them from the garment. Her right hand came up and traced his lips slowly, carefully, as if memorizing their shape. Then her fingers gently drew his face closer and she placed a leisurely kiss on his mouth.

"Very nice," she mumbled, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Answering her kiss, Jix returned the smile. She tasted of sweet Kula, but that flavor was quickly drowned out by the brandy which was still on his breath. Moving his hands up again, Jix cupped her small, firm breasts in his palms. Her nipples were hard and erect, and she gave a low moan when he started stroking them slowly. Arching her back she lay her head back on the mattress and closed her eyes in pleasure. Jix smiled and kissed her belly-button, making her giggle.

He drew a line of kisses downward, then up again. While he ran his tongue along her breast-bone, his hands gently drew the body-suit down over her hips. Then, straightening again, he slipped the thin garment down her legs. She propped herself up on her elbows and gave him a seductive smile.

"Your turn," she said and rolled around to lie on her side, her knees drawn up slightly, emphasizing the curve of her hips and waist even more.

"My turn? To talk or to get more comfortable?"

"Both," she laughed.

"Well, there's not much to say."

"Or undress," she commented when he had gotten rid of his vest and was already working on his boots.

Jix grinned at her. "Cheeky," he said and she shook her head in denial. Her eyebrows rose in appreciation when his pants were halfway down.

"Oooh, very nice indeed," she purred, and her smile widened to a grin of her own.

When he joined her on the bed again, she ran an appreciative hand over his thighs, then proceeded to explore his belly. Sitting up, she started kissing his abs, then pressed the edge of her palm against his stomach just underneath the navel and leisurely drew it down, keeping the pressure up.

Jix felt his mouth run dry and his eyes widen. Going up from there, she ran her hands over his shoulders and back with a low sigh, before she took his upper lip between her teeth gently and slipped her tongue into his mouth. When she pressed her body against his, Jix almost forgot about his assignment. He was pretty sure that he knew what she was planning... But they had come so far now that it was hard to stop himself from answering her kisses. And besides, he did not want to. Feeling his manhood twitch to stiff attention, he grabbed the back of her thighs and drew her closer to his hips. Damn, she was hot and she definitely knew what she wanted. Her left hand closed around his shaft and started stroking it, while her throat made appreciative noises. Jix closed his eyes with a smile that turned into a blissful moan when she ran a thumb slowly along the underside of his shaft. A playful bite to his left nipple brought him out of that very pleasant feeling, only to return it when she started sucking on it gently at first, then harder.

***

Feeling her desire burn inside her very core, Djuva shuddered with pleasure. His really was a body to die for. Wrapping her arms around his broad, hairless chest, she leisurely stroked his back, reveling in the feel of his hands running over her own body. His touch was feather-light, making her tremble with desire. When his right hand moved between her legs, she gasped suddenly, overwhelmed by her passion. Her own hands reassured her that he was indeed ready, so she lay on her back and spread her legs invitingly.

He kissed her first, his tongue exploring her folds almost timidly. Then, his hands slipping underneath her knee-joints, he drew her hips up so she rested on his thighs. She could feel his hard cock teasing her entrance and started shuddering in delicious anticipation. When he leaned over her she wrapped her calves around his waist, taking him in deep. He settled his weight on her gently and for a long moment they lay like this, simply enjoying the feeling of being one with each other.

Yet she could sense his mounting desire which needed to be released, and when he started rocking against her, she found his lips again to devour them hungrily. Gasping for air, he shook his head, and a few strands of his long hair dropped down, to fall into her face, tickling her nose. When he rose suddenly, supporting her thighs, she barely had time to get a hold on his neck. Her back hit the wall hard and then he began pounding into her in earnest. Gradually her moans turned into groans and she felt dizzy from the sensation of his cock moving inside her. Losing herself in a mind full of blissful desire, she felt herself reach her climax easily. When she came at last, she let out a scream. She slumped against him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders tighter, but he wasn't finished yet. They moved again and she found herself back on the bed. He held on to her hips tightly, pulling them toward his in sync with his own rhythm.

Keeping very still, she tried not to break his concentration. Finally he came and stopped, his body glistening with sweat. Smiling down at her, he bent over to kiss her again. Then he lifted her up and gently laid her down in the middle on the mattress, before he joined her. Djuva sighed in contentment, but she had not forgotten the initial thought that had triggered her decision to shag him in the first place. With any luck he would fall asleep, and then... Rolling her around to lie on her stomach, he lay down on top of her, pinning her to the bed with his own weight. She felt his heart beat against her back, could feel his hot skin rub against hers.

"Sleep," he murmured softly and kissed her left ear.

Closing her eyes she heaved a defeated sigh.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Red was cursing her boss whole-heartedly when she stormed off the stage. The cheek! When she ran across the old Twi'lek she grabbed the front of his robe and shook him angrily. "Where the hell is Vanessa?" she shouted in his startled face, her eyes flashing with anger and impatience.

"What? I—"

"Where?"

"She's got a customer," a new voice told her and Red turned on the second Twi'lek with a furious glare.

"Really." Good. That meant that she was probably busy. "You will take me there."

"I don't think so."

"If you don't want trouble you'll do as I say."

"I think you are the one in trouble. There's a squad of stormtroopers waiting out there for you."

"What?" Pushing past the two aliens Red left the backstage area and stared. Indeed. Stormtroopers. She approached the sergeant cautiously. "You asked for me?"

He gave her a long look through the tinted shields that covered his eyes. "Yes. You are wanted."

"For what?"

"Your report. You didn't check in and so we were sent to fetch you."

"I am not finished here yet."

He snorted softly and looked her up and down pointedly. "No? You can tell Lord Vader what kept you."

Red groaned inwardly. Damn. This was exactly what she had sought to avoid.

***

Twenty minutes later though she found that she was not so much angry as afraid. Sitting back in his high-backed chair, the Dark Lord shook his head at her.

"A nightclub?" he asked, sounding slightly incredulous. Red nodded, not quite meeting his eye. "A Twi'lek night-club?" Again a nod.

The Dark Lord rose, pacing before her. Red kept her gaze stubbornly on the floor before her, trying to ignore the black flowing cape that passed her field of vision with irritating regularity. Standing at ease, with hands behind her back and feet placed slightly apart, she was fully conscious that her military stance was more than ridiculous in her current outfit, consisting of shoes with killer heels, an almost nonexistent skirt, and a semi-transparent buttoned top that revealed more than it hid. Red swallowed self-consciously. The garish jewelry she was wearing probably didn't contribute to her credibility either. Not to mention that...

"...you identify the target, then instead of intercepting her you dress yourself up ridiculously, make a pass at a patron, and actually give a stage performance!" Red's eyes flashed with surprise. So the Dark Lord had had his spy there too! "And that's putting it mildly," Lord Vader continued, sarcasm evident in his voice. "I am impressed, Ensign."

"I'm sorry," Red muttered.

"Are you." Vader stopped before her. For a brief second she had an excellent view of his strong legs in knee-high black boots, hips wrapped in a long tunic... Oh shit, she chided herself, pressing her fingernails into her palms. Not now!!! A black-gloved hand reached under Red's chin, his fingers digging into her flesh; her face was raised to meet the Dark Lord's mask. He was shaking his head slowly.

"That, I'm afraid, is not good enough."

Red paled, but the next moment when Vader removed his hand, his fingers brushed briefly over her throat and chest. She could feel a traitorous blush creep over her cheeks. Damn, damn, damn... Vader's voice interrupted her again.

"You will think about why you failed."

"Yes, sir."

"And when you are done, you shall tell me what conclusions you made."

"Yes, sir." Red nodded sharply and executed an almost perfect about-turn, when a hand on her forearm stopped her.

"You have not been dismissed, Ensign."

Flustered, she turned back, wishing that the ground would swallow her then and there. "N-no, sir. I'm sorry, sir."

"Good. You will do your thinking here."

Oh shit...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lying awake for what seemed like hours, Djuva was very conscious of her current situation and of the very attractive, naked Corellian lying on top of her. When Jix shifted in his sleep, she exhaled wistfully, as his body molded itself against hers ever so gently. Gods, if she did not do something fast, she would have the not very appealing choice of being crushed under his weight or shot by a stormtrooper commando. Breathing had become very hard, since he had unconsciously moved up, resting even more of his bulk on her ribcage.

Djuva cautiously began to wiggle out from under him, but he sighed deeply and possessively laid a warm hand on her right shoulder. She frowned. Somehow she got the feeling that this was no unconscious slumber anymore. Taking her chances though, she pushed his arm aside gently and to her great delight he rolled over onto his side, freeing her of his embrace. But before she managed to get off the bed, something locked around her left ankle. Unfortunately that something turned out to be Jix's left hand. She looked over her shoulder at him, noticing the amused glint in his blue eyes.

"Going somewhere?"

Djuva shook her head. "I just want to take a shower."

"And pull a fast one out of the window?"

"There are no windows," she growled.

"Sure. Let me check first." Getting up he took hold of her right arm and walked her over to the fresher. When he had assured himself that there were indeed no possible means of escape, he let go of her.

"Aren't you gonna leave?" she asked, slightly uncomfortable.

"Nah. I was told to bring you in alive, so I am going to wait here and see to it that you stay that way."

She rolled her eyes in disgust. "Perfectionist," she cursed and walked over to the shower. A right bastard, that one, and no mistake. Shame, really, for he was such a good shag. Suddenly a thought hit her and, eyeing the door speculatively, she smiled to herself in some satisfaction. All right. One last chance.

The water hit her with blissful warmth and she made a great point in using her hands to spread it all over her body, her palms gliding over her shoulders, waist and hips, her breasts and thighs. All the while she kept her back to the Corellian, allowing him only a sneak peek at the show. As expected, she did not remain alone in the shower for long.

"Need some help?" he murmured into her ear and gently kissed the nape of her neck.

Djuva turned around with a smile and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Then, whirling him around, she pushed him against the slick tiles of the shower wall, eliciting a moan from his pretty mouth. Her smile deepened before she brought her right knee up between his legs, hard. As he dropped howling to the floor, she bent over him and whispered:

"I hope I didn't inflict permanent damage down there. Would be a shame."

Then she hurried out of the shower and grabbed a towel on her way out. Locking the fresher, she quickly dried herself off and made a grab for her clothes. Now. Didn't he have some weapons?

***

Loudly cursing himself and that vicious woman, Jix launched himself at the door just at the moment he heard the lock softly click. Staring at it in disbelief, the Corellian shook his head, sending wet strands of long hair flying. Trust a pretty face and you could pick your bones off the floor afterwards. Well. The door did not look all too stable, and to his great relief it gave way after a few well-placed blows. A hissed curse told him that Djuva was still in the room and he quickly scooted out of the fresher, his eyes hunting around for her. Something moved behind the bed.

"I have your blaster," she coolly warned him.

"Yeah?" He threw a sharp glance at the belt lying on top of his boots. Indeed. One blaster was missing, and if he tried to get the other, he would be straight in her line of fire. Clever. "So, what are we going to do?"

"That's easy. I am going to leave. Stay where you are." She rose from her hiding place, the weapon aimed precisely at Jix's chest.

"Oh, wow. I love women with big guns," he teased her.

Djuva snorted softly. "Nice. As much as I regret cutting this short, I doubt you'll run after me stark naked. And until you're dressed I'm out of here already."

"You really think I'm that modest?" He moved slightly toward the bed.

"Well, maybe you're not," she conceded with a smile. "But I'll take my chances."

Edging toward the door, she kept a sharp eye on him. But she had to let go of the blaster with one hand to work the door controls, and when she did, the weapon wavered ever so slightly in her grasp. Jix made a grab for one of the pillows and threw it at her. To her credit she did not try to bat it aside and instead stepped to her right to avoid it. But in performing that evasive maneuver, she turned away from Jix ever so slightly and gave him the opportunity to snatch up his second blaster. Unwilling to take another chance he, stunned her.

Then, a full-blown grin on his face, he unpacked a pair of binders from one of the utility packs on his belt. Tying her hands in front of her body, he picked her up from the floor and positioned her on the bed again. At last he sat down beside her, leisurely tracing the curves of her body with his eyes while he waited for her to wake up again.

When she did, she gave an annoyed scream and struggled against the bonds, her green eyes sparkling in anger. Jix smiled at her.

"Rise and shine."

"Shut up!"

"You know, I think I rather enjoy your company. Maybe I can convince my employer to let you live."

"Your employer?" Suddenly her tone became hopeful. "You don't work for the Empire?"

"Well, I work for the Dark Lord."

She groaned softly. "Oh, gods!"

Bending over her, he kissed her lips, sealing them close. She squirmed at first, but gradually she relaxed a fraction to answer his kisses. Then, gasping for air, she smiled at him, her face slightly flushed. "You are damn convincing. I am not sure though if that approach would work on Vader."

Jix laughed out loud. Still chuckling to himself, he cupped her breasts and squeezed them gently. "Maybe you should do the convincing then."

"When I can have you? No way." Wrapping her bound hands around his neck she drew him closer. "I guess I should enjoy this while I still can."

"Good idea."

Unbuttoning the front of her bodysuit, Jix kissed the shallow between her breasts and deftly ran a hand down the length of her body. His fingertips brushed lightly over her left hipbone, making her skin tremble underneath the thin fabric of the suit. Taking her bound wrists in his left hand he firmly pressed them down on the mattress above her head. Then, working the rest of the buttons down, he slipped a hand between her legs and touched her hot core, dipping into it without warning. She squirmed against him with a pleased moan. Jix moved a bit further up to keep her hands in place.

She sighed in approval and he continued caressing her, his touch a bit harder now. Gasping aloud she shook her head violently. His thumb pressed down on her clit and prompted her entire body to shake with desire when he started carefully rubbing the sensitive nub. She came fast and with a scream, shuddering in relief, and then sighed deeply. Gracefully arching her back, she stretched her body and smacked her lips lazily. "Not bad," she whispered and smiled up at him.

"My turn."

***

Arching her eyebrows Djuva looked deeply into his blue eyes while he positioned himself above her, kneeling just above her hips. She threw a longing glance at his well-endowed groin and ran her hands up his thighs, one at a time, squeezing his skin and working the hard muscles moving underneath with pleasure. He felt very good. Her searching fingers kneaded the inside of each of his knee joints, tracing the strong sinews there, making him shiver. Then she sat up. Her hands were still bound so she frowned a bit, wistfully thinking of the firm waist she would have loved to pay some attention to. Well. Maybe they could do that later. Nudging his belly with her forehead she blew her warm breath over the base of his shaft. Then, increasing the pressure on his midriff, she ran her tongue along his cock and playfully touched the tip. Her long hair was tickling him, she could see it by the way his skin twitched like a nervous bird. Using her hands she ran her palms down the length of his shaft, then up again to circle the base leisurely.

By that time he was hard and waiting for more. Carefully she took him into her mouth, just the head at first, lubricating it with her saliva, and sucked on it gently. His hips jerked against her, driving him deeper down her throat. She smiled at the sounds she could hear from above her and closed her eyes. His hands suddenly grabbed a fist-full of her still wet hair and started massaging her head, while his hips moved in a gentle rhythm that threatened to become faster. Pushing him back, she took a deep breath and he shuddered when his hot cock was exposed to the cooler air of the room again. Her tongue explored the neighboring regions of his shaft, wrapping itself around the balls hiding a bit timidly behind his stiff member, letting them know that she had not forgotten about them. Jix groaned loudly and suddenly she felt her own desire mount again.

He was close to coming, but Djuva decided to take a chance. "Let's try something else," she mumbled. "I am on top."

She saw him grin when he lay down on his back. She knelt above him, giving his shaft an encouraging nod, and gave a low purr as she guided him inside. Rocking her hips gently, she shifted her weight to get accommodated to the new sensation, that was just a little bit uncomfortable. But soon all discomfort was forgotten. Her hands explored his abs again, and she could feel him shiver when the cold metal of the binders brushed over his hot skin.

His face took on an almost peaceful expression of sheer bliss before his hands firmly grabbed her hips and pulled them down on his. He exploded inside her with a roar and his fingers dug into her skin mercilessly. When finally he relaxed again, Djuva slumped across his body, her chest heaving. She had not even noticed that she had held her breath.

"Hm," he said, running a hand over her forehead gently to wipe away the loose tresses of hair that hid almost her entire face. "I definitely have to keep you."

"Jix," she asked with a smile. "Just for how long did you book this room?"

"All night."

Djuva shook her head in exasperation. "Oh—my—God."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hours later Red was still standing in Vader's office. The Dark Lord was sitting behind his desk, immersed in some reports and seemingly oblivious to her presence. The only sounds in the room were the occasional clicking of the data recorder's keypad, and of course the respirator's hiss that came and went with the gruesome regularity of a clock. Red's feet hurt like hell and she peered longingly at the leather couch that lined one wall of Lord Vader's study. A small whine worked its way up her throat and she bit her lip to keep it down. Finally Vader raised his head. His breathing mask made a weird almost-sigh.

"Sit down," he said and dove into the report once again. She almost fell over on her way to the couch, her legs refusing to obey her, and when she finally dropped down on it, she could no longer keep the whine down. Her vision was suspiciously hazy, and her feet burned almost unbearably with the sudden removal of the tension. She had to get rid of those shoes now, and all Sith be damned, or she felt she would die in this very place! With reckless abandon she threw the offending shoes off and they flew into the corner with a solid clank. Surprised, Vader looked up from the datapad.

Red's hand flew to her mouth in shock over her own audacity. "Oh, I'm..."

The Sith raised a hand. "Let them stay where they are." Calmly and meticulously he stacked the datapads and placed them neatly into various piles, then rose and walked over to her. The couch sank under his considerable bulk as he sat beside her, leaning his elbows on his knees. So close that Red could actually faintly smell the leather and metal of his armor, and perhaps something else, more personal. She desperately struggled to swallow but her mouth was too dry.

"So. Have you reached any conclusions?"

"Yes, Lord Vader." With a nod he prompted her to continue. "I let the control over the situation slip from my hands. I let others tell me what I should do." A phrase that could have meant many things. Whether Vader agreed or disagreed with her, he said nothing. He just looked at her silently for some moments, until the silence became hard to bear. She wondered. If it had been anybody else, Red could have sworn he was peering into her cleavage.

"I am aware I have been less than courteous with you," were his next words, soft, quite unlike the cold sarcasm from before. "But I believe you agree that it was necessary."

Necessary? Necessary to make her stand for hours, squirming and sweating under his gaze? For something that had actually never been under her control, for she had been double-crossed from the start? "Yes, Lord Vader," she said meekly. What else could she have said?

Vader leaned forward and picked up one of her ankles. "Permit me then to undo some of the damage I've caused." He placed her foot on his lap and began to massage it slowly.

Red was tempted to pinch herself to see if the Dark Lord's thumbs making delightful little circles under the soles of her feet were not yet another dream. He looked up at her briefly.

"Relax," he said.

Might as well. Cautiously she leaned back against the cushioned armrest, as Vader's deft hands moved upwards to her ankles and calves. The pain and soreness had disappeared quite miraculously almost with the first touch, but she was loath to stop him. Working through the calves, he circled her knees and brushed slightly up her thigh. Tiny shivers ran up her nerves, cumulating and growing into a shudder in her abdomen. He laid a palm on her belly, pressing her effectively down again from where she had been trying to sit up.

"Relax", he repeated. "Or would you rather have me stop?"

"N-no, please," Red stammered, "please don't stop."

Something like a chuckle rumbled under the Dark Lord's mask. He started massaging the other leg and Red almost purred with bliss. Jolt after jolt of sheer pleasure crept up her legs, while the impossible situation itself kept tickling her mind, making her want to giggle. When he finally finished, Red actually let out a tiny growl of disappointment at the loss of his touch. She sat up, feeling her feet buzz with a new, happy, relaxed energy. For a brief moment she hesitated, but the intimacy of what he had just done gave her the courage. She took Vader's gloved hand between hers, squeezing gently.

"Thank you, Lord Vader. You have incredibly good hands."

There was a pause before Vader nodded and pulled his hand away; but then he stood up abruptly and walked over to his desk. "I hope you will take the lesson to heart."

"Absolutely, sir." She sprang up and saluted enthusiastically, never even wondering whence this sudden wave of arduous devotion came.

"Good. You're free to go. That is, unless you would stay for... a less formal conversation."

A wave of heat washed over her, as she turned and stared at him mutely for a moment. She was tempted, more than tempted, but... Lord Vader? The Lord Vader? She looked over to where he was leaning on his desk, thumbs hooked to his belt the way he often held them. Her lips were stretching into a grin and she couldn't help it. "I'd love to."

He stared at her as if gauging her feelings and her sincerity. "Are you quite sure you are prepared for this? If you stay, I will not stop, and I would be... strongly disappointed to see even the slightest trace of fear or negativity from you."

"You will have none, sir." Ignoring the not so veiled threat, she walked slowly over to him, placing her hands on his hips and looking up into his mask.

"Come then," he said evenly, his stance relaxing.

The woman grinned back. Slowly she moved her hands on his shoulders, pulling herself closer, then lifted a knee to the table-top. Vader cupped her ass, sitting slightly back, and the next moment Red was straddling him. As she felt his solid bulk against her, she could finally let loose her desire that had haunted her for the whole evening.

Indeed, it seemed the Dark Lord would not stop this time. He was as ardent as she had dreamed. His hands ran over her, studying her back and hips intently, and his touch was bold, intimate and very arousing, making her feel wanted. Soon her skirt was rolled up around her waist and he was pulling at her top impatiently. She wiggled a little, laughing, and eliciting a tiny low chuckle from him, which seemed to vibrate through his body right into hers.

"What?" she giggled.

Instead of replying, the Dark Lord ran his hands up and down her sides, while his breathing became harsher than usual. Encouraged by his response, she began to explore his body, trying to discover what was hidden under his armor. But oh, there definitely was hard muscle. She hummed delightedly and squeezed him slightly, rolling her hips in rhythm with his strokes.

"Is this the way you danced?" he asked mockingly. She stiffened a little, but there was no real malice in his tone.

"No," she countered flippantly, "I had less clothes on."

"How much less?"

"Mmm." She placed her nosetip into the small silver-colored depression that could have passed for a nose on his mask-face. "Maybe next time I should invite you so you can see for yourself?"

He chuckled. "I usually book private performances."

"Ah." She nodded, running her hands down his body, feeling the curve of his well-toned butt under the armor. "That will be expensive."

"You will grant me a reduction." His fingertips traced the line of her décolleté, coming to rest on top of the long row of tiny buttons in the depression between her breasts. "Hmm. A strategically well placed button. But still no match for a Sith."

To open it, he had to stick his finger right into her cleavage. Red giggled as he opened the first button, then another, then another... She joined his efforts, their fingers tangled in a most pleasing way, until full, creamy-white breasts popped out. Red moaned when he cupped one, weighing it in his palm and rolling the nipple. Growling his pleasure at her reaction, Vader repeated it on the other. She closed her eyes and arched her back, pressing herself into him, ignoring the pain of his breastplate and belt attachments cutting into her flesh. The Dark Lord lifted her slightly, letting his fingertips travel down the cleft between her buttocks towards her secret center. His other hand continued kneading her breasts. She shuddered a little when his fingers traced the edge of her panties.

"Yess, yess, yess," she hissed under her breath. Oh, how she wanted him now, on her, in her, even though in a distant way she still wondered at the logistics of their joining.

Stilling her, he instead grabbed her shoulders, pushing her slightly away from him. The helmeted head tilted a little.

"What is it?" Red asked again, a smile tugging at her lips.

"Just looking at you."

"My lord?"

"Yes," Vader sighed with obvious satisfaction, and Red felt her flush deepen. She rotated her hips a little, craving the Dark Lord's attentions once again, and her wish was quickly granted. Supporting her back with one hand, Vader carefully peeled down her panties, like unwrapping a gift. He quickly found what he was looking for, and slipping a finger inside, was rewarded with a gasp. Red was clinging to him, arms thrown over his shoulders, fists clenched in his robes, her face pressed against the armor. She rocked frantically, her eyes unfocused in the haze of bliss, moaning, climbing towards release.

Her hands traveled down him and she whimpered a little, finding only the cold, hard armor down there.

"A moment," he breathed, shifting her a little to one side. She wrapped her arms around him once again, pressing a cheek to his shoulder, feeling his hand flutter over her thigh as he worked on the seals of his armored suit. His other hand traveled lightly over her, wherever he reached, rousing goosebumps in its wake.

Then suddenly all the sweet stimulation was gone and Red let out a wail of deprivation. She heard Vader curse under his breath as something that was meant to open had evidently caught somewhere. She looked up to him in slight worry.

"Oh, girl. Damn it. I'm so sorry." Vader stroked her hair slightly. "This Force-bedamned armor won't always allow me to ... be as spontaneous as I might wish. We'll have to take this elsewhere."

***

Connected to the other parts of the castle through private closed-off hallways lined with communication tubes, a whole section of the top floor was sealed off for the Dark Lord's private rooms; fully atmosphere controlled, it had separate water and ventilation systems and a separate backup power system. All entrances to this area went through special automatically operated airlocks and sealed with auto-recognition locks the likes of which Red had never seen even during her career in the Intelligence. Maintaining such a place must have cost a fair amount of resources, for as Red had heard, in other places Vader only kept a tiny meditation chamber. This was Darth Vader's own private little paradise, and now he brought Red here to share it with him.

When finally the airlock released them into the secure area, she looked around curiously. It looked like any other room: soft carpet, the usual furniture, lots of ancient real-paper books, and a comm head terminal, from which Red guessed there were separate comm subsystems in every room. Doors led to other rooms; one looked like a workshop, with some 3-dimensional technical holosketches visible through the doorway; another appeared to be a bedroom; the rest Red could not guess. The rooms were mostly dark. "I like it this way," Vader muttered hurriedly as he guided Red past the furniture. "Then you can see the stars."

At a gesture from the Dark Lord lights came up and there came a strong hiss of pressurized air. He went to his table and sought something from a drawer, a tiny box of pills. "Here," he reached out and there was a grey-and-orange pill in his palm. "Tazoen-3-psi microcapsules."

"Why?" Red asked in suspicion. Tazoen was a new interrogation drug, or rather a nanodevice that was transported into the prisoner's system and started to release chemical agents there that slowed certain physiological functions or had other effect on the prisoner, depending on the subtype. Some of the subtypes very unpleasant, all of them very effective. There were rumours that Vader had had a hand in its development, but Red cared little for rumours.

"It'll help adjust you to this atmosphere."

As she still hesitated, he shook his hand impatiently. "Oh stars, I'm not going to torture you! I assure you, you'll be quite comfortable here once the atmosphere has been adjusted. I want to take this mask off. Take it!"

She drew a deep breath. "Um, yes, sir." Immediately after she'd taken the capsule, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the bedroom. It was almost dark too, with a couple of tiny glowlamps in the corners of what seemed an impressive-sized bed, turned to the lowest crimson radiance that hardly lit anything but themselves, and the tiny lights on the comm console. Red threw a curious look around her, but had no time for anything more. Vader dragged her impatiently through the bedroom into what turned out to be a shower room.

"Here, here and here." He loaded a bathtowel, washcloth and gel in Red's hands. "If you're going to grace my bed, you're going to do so decently."

She opened her mouth, but before she could think of a saucy retort he was gone. She stomped a foot, throwing the towel after him, but hit only the door.

***

Having taken her generous time — a small revenge, but a revenge nonetheless, to make him wait — Red finally slipped out, the towel (gorgeously soft, having a faint spicy but fresh scent) wrapped around her body. She tiptoed across the bedroom, peering around, slightly worried that a servant might just pop in and find her naked in the Dark Lord's most private sanctuary. Yet this thought alone had a very distinct erotic appeal that made tiny hairs stand on the nape of her neck. A rustle of cloth alerted her and she turned. He appeared to her from the darkness like a ghost. Red reached out a hand and encountered soft, silky material. Then her fingers were caught between two hands.

"What took you so long?" he asked softly, his natural voice as deep, but devoid of the echoing mechanical quality of the vocoder. "I was almost coming after you."

Red grinned. "Oh. I'll go back to the bathroom then..."

"Oh no, you won't." Vader pulled her back, wrapping powerful arms around her in a possessive way. He ran his palms over her shoulders and down her arms. "What is that for?" He hooked his thumbs to the bathtowel, ripping it off and tossing it carelessly on the floor. Completely naked, she stood before him slightly self-consciously. Vader stared at her pale, naked body in the red darkness. "You glow..." He fell on his knees before her, grabbing her hips and pulling her closer. Hot, dry lips were pressed to her belly, while his hands traveled over her, finding their place just under her buttocks.

"Lord Vader..." flustered at his unexpected behavior, yet desiring him, excited, yet feeling so vulnerable on the territory that was so clearly and indisputably his, Red carefully disentangled herself enough to kneel down before him. Now that her eyes had begun to adjust to the darkness, she could see him more clearly, his pale face freed from the mask, his form, framed by a black silk bathrobe that left a triangle under his throat uncovered. She put her palms behind his neck, pulling him closer, and let her lips ghost over his mouth, cheekbones, eyes. He halted his movements dreamily, closing his eyes, and tilted his face towards her, expecting more. She wouldn't refuse him, would she? No, absolutely not! Red let her kiss deepen and grow more passionate, while her hands found the belt of his bathrobe, tugging at it. Vader caught and stopped her.

"Later," he breathed.

"But I want to..."

The corners of his mouth quirked up as he brought up her impatient hand, kissing the palm and then the wrist.

"Later," he insisted. Instead, he buried his face between her neck and shoulder, breathing in her scent deeply. His own was slightly musky, overlaid with the clean, spicy and masculine scent of his soap and aftershave. He ran his hands over her curves, kneading her flesh, fondling her breasts. "Woman..." he whispered into her ear, desire hot in his voice. Red could now definitely feel a bulge nudging her belly. With a small whimper she pressed herself closer. If she wasn't allowed to touch his skin, at least the soft, luxurious silk offered infinitely more opportunities than the hard, unpliable armor!

He found her mouth again, invading it insistently with his tongue, and Red responded enthusiastically. Vader wrapped an arm around her and pressed her backwards with his greater bulk, until her back was arched, her breasts pushing up into his chest eagerly. "Nice," he laughed softly, running a finger down the line where their bodies touched. He stood abruptly, picking her up. She was dumped on the bed unceremoniously, where she fell on her stomach, laughing. Instantly his body was on top of her trapping her hands behind her back. She yelped when a kiss was pressed to the very sensitive spot behind her neck. "Hmm!" was the Dark Lord's comment and the experiment was repeated again. Gasping, she wiggled and wormed her way out of his grasp, then turned to wrap her arms tightly around him, kissing him indiscriminately over the face and lips. But that was only a ruse. She waited until the time was right, and then pushing with one leg for extra momentum, twisted him down on his back. She straddled him, pushing the flaps of his robe open.

"A-ha!" At last her hands were on his broad muscular chest, skin against bare skin! Quickly she undid his belt, pushing the robe finally off over his shoulders. He laughed, a sound that she found delightful. The next instant she found herself on her back again, thoroughly kissed. The Dark Lord's hand caressed her belly, then moved lower, and she spread her legs slightly to allow him better access. She slipped her hand between their bodies, finding his manhood, still covered in the silk of his sleep pants. Vader groaned as she stroked him slowly. Red pushed his pants over his hips and he quickly got rid of them. Then he pushed her knees up, planted a brief kiss on the insides of her thighs and climbed over her. She guided him in, watching his face relax in solemn rapture.

After a moment they began to rock together, and the feel of every tiniest movement inside her was driving her fast towards ecstasy. She ran her hands over his backside, feeling the undulating movement under her palms. Her brief clench of muscles brought a gasp from the Dark Lord. He picked up his pace, pounding into her until he could hold back no longer. His twitch inside her brought Red over the brink and they wrapped themselves frantically around each other, shuddering their mutual release.

Boneless, he sank over her, humming his pleasure, and she accepted his weight gladly. They lay there motionlessly until the clammy sweat on their bodies cooled. As he did not seem inclined to move, she pulled a corner of the blanket, wrapping them securely in it. She felt him smile against her cheek. Her hand crept up to the back of his head where she began to trace small lazy circles. Curiously she moved higher, fingertips ghosting over the edge of a huge, jagged scar; but a growl, small but deep enough to vibrate through her own ribcage, made her retract her hand swiftly. Then there was just the quiet, peaceful bliss of his light breath...

***

She jolted awake, not remembering where she was or who the heavy arm that was thrown over her belonged to, but one glance at his bald pale head made her remember with a start. Morning was peering in from between the heavy curtains, and the Dark Lord looked peaceful as he slept all wrapped around her, his nose burrowing into her breast, his mouth slightly open. At some point they must have crept under the covers, but she could not remember when or how; the warmth of the air in the room, the thick soft quilt and the closeness of his body made the heat almost unbearable. Red could feel the scent of his male musk and of their lovemaking all over her body. As she carefully tried to work her way out from under him, Vader mumbled and pulled her back, then settled down again with a grunt of satisfaction.

For a while Red watched his chest rise and fall quietly, then rose to one elbow. Vader's protest was quickly stifled when she pressed a kiss on his shoulder, then moved on to his impossibly strong and well-muscled arms. With gentle movements she rubbed her cheek and nose over his skin. Sliding down from the biceps, she crossed over to his chest. Aware of the Dark Lord's sensitivity concerning his injuries, she tried to avoid the ugly scar that ran drown from his collar-bone, but fortunately the area that interested her most was untouched. She watched his nipple grow into a small hard nub under her ministrations, ridiculously tiny against his huge bulk. Gliding her hand up and down over it, she felt it tickle her fingers and palm.

By now the Dark Lord had come completely awake; he released her body from his nightly choke-hold and stretched luxuriantly, giving her a contented smile. Seeing his body grow taut and muscles play under his skin, she suddenly felt the urge to feel and taste him.

When she cupped her hand over his manhood, beginning to stroke lightly, he almost interrupted his yawn, freezing in place as if afraid that the sweet sensation would disappear. She took him in her hand, feeling the reassuring weight in her palm. A thumb, run across the tip, produced a most rewarding hiss of pleasure, as he began to harden quickly. She experimented a little, until he moaned, his palm closing firmly over hers, increasing the pressure —

An angry beep interrupted them ruthlessly. "Alert 12-B," a mechanical voice announced.

Vader groaned. "Jix. Just great." But he removed her hand gently, pushing himself up. Red's face fell. He smiled wryly, kissing her nosetip lightly. "We will continue this," he said in a low but firm voice. "Run now, girl, get dressed." And to emphasize the order, he gave a good smack on her rump, which made her yelp.

Chapter 2

It was the next morning that Jix pulled up his speeder-bike in front of Vader's fortress. Some guards were around, but they did not question him. He swung a leg over the steering handles and hopped off the vehicle, then helped his prisoner dismount. She looked slightly miffed, a bit tired, and her green eyes were glittering dangerously. Following him wordlessly, Djuva kept her eyes cast down; still Jix noticed the way she seemed to scan every detail of the complex. He grinned at her openly.

"Not much to see, is there?"

"Well, you're probably used to this, I am not," she replied rather coldly.

"Yeah, right." Somehow he felt slightly guilty when he punched his personal access code into the lock pad of the heavy blast-doors of the fortress. Almost immediately a mechanical voice said: "You are expected. Please proceed."

Nodding to himself, Jix pushed Djuva in front of him and they entered the giant hallway together.

"People live here?" she asked, incredulous.

"Well. Some do."

"And we are going to see your—employer?"

"Yep."

She shuddered visibly. "I don't like this at all."

"He's not that bad."

Djuva gave him a cross look. "Are you serious? You know that I am going to die, don't you?"

"We will see."

"Or else we won't," she added glumly.

They stood in front of Vader's office, waiting until the door opened, then went in together. Jix put a hand on Djuva's back when she hesitated, frozen with dread. Vader was standing behind his desk, looking quite menacing. Yet to Jix' eyes the Dark Lord's stance made him seem slightly flustered. Frowning in suspicion, Jix let his eyes wander over the office's interior and stopped in surprise when his gaze fell on a familiar figure seated on the couch.

"Red?" he asked, his jaw about to drop. The blonde woman scowled at him.

"Ah, Jix, how gracious of you to finally show up," Vader grated. "I assume you managed to enjoy this assignment?"

"Good. I am glad. But I do not appreciate this sort of sloppy behavior. I ordered you to acquire the target and bring her here. Not to dawdle over some..." his voice trailed off and Jix was not quite certain, but he believed the Dark Lord turned his head ever so slightly to shoot a fleeting glance at the attractive woman still sitting on the couch. Interesting. "So," Vader began anew. "Your report?"

"Well, I went in, found her, and brought her here. As ordered."

"Really. That was yesterday. What kept you?"

"She proved to be a bit troublesome."

"Troublesome? How so?"

"Evasive."

"I see. Well, now that she is here, we might as well proceed. Ensign, you will escort the prisoner downstairs and question her. Jix, you stay here. I am not finished with you yet."

Red rose gracefully on bare feet, as Jix noted in some amusement, and snapped to military attention. "Yes, sir," she said and nodded coldly at Djuva. "Come."

Once the two women had left, Jix felt an incredible urge to walk over and slap the Dark Lord's shoulder in a friendly and appreciative gesture of his good taste. Instead he resorted to grinning like an idiot, knowing full well that he was annoying his employer.

"You are walking a thin line here, Jix," Vader threatened, but in an absent-minded sort of way, as he walked over to the corner next to his desk to pick up something that turned out to be ladies' high-heeled shoes. Jix' eyebrows rose ever so slightly.

"The same you're on, I think," he said under his breath and almost jumped when Vader rounded on him angrily.

"You are assuming too much and you are quite out of line!"

"So sorry. Listen, there was nothing about me not having some fun. Coruscant is boring enough as it is. Besides, your Ensign is also quite an eyeful. If I had not been after that rebel, I might have taken her up on her—"

"She chatted you up? You?"

"Good-looking guy like me has lots of women fawning over him."

"Especially in night-clubs of the seedier kind, I assume," Vader snorted contemptuously.

Jix shrugged. "You take what you can get. Since you only send me into those low-class bars of late, I really am given no choice. But this was definitely worth it."

"You know, Jix, I am not really interested in your nightly entertainments right now. While the Ensign is busy, you can make yourself useful and check out the suspicious activity that has been reported at the South Port."

"Why not send some stormtroopers? I need some rest and—"

"Jix!"

"Okay, okay. I'm on my way."

Half-way to the door though he could not resist looking over his shoulder and smirking, as a thought hit him. "You know, lucky for you I'm too well-behaved to ask what you'll be keeping yourself busy with."

"Out! Now!"

Jix gave the Dark Lord a dead-pan look. "Uh, is this some delicate matter? I mean the South Port business," he added with a smile, when Vader threatened to explode again. "It is just that my camouflage might be better with some back-up."

"Back-up?"

"Hm-hm. Your Ensign would do just fine. She looked as if she needed to cool off too, by the way. That is—unless you, um, need her here."

Vader stared at him, obviously uncertain if Jix was sincere or merely teasing him. "I see," he managed at last. "That suggestion has some merit. And I have some important things to attend to myself."

"And you don't need a distraction right now?" the Corellian muttered under his breath. Hurriedly he added, a bit louder. "I'll be happy to take that particular worry off your hands." He winced. "Mind, I mean, your mind."

He exhaled softly when Vader cocked his head to the left and mustered him quietly. "Jix."

"Sir?"

"You're in trouble as it is. Don't make it worse."

"Oh, I won't," the agent explained lightly and shrugged, before he went to the door again. When his hand fell on the controls though, the Dark Lord's voice stopped him once more.

"Good. Apart from having fun, did you manage to uncover some valuable information from that rebel?"

"No." Jix grinned nastily. "Maybe your interrogation of the Ensign yielded more? No? Thought so."

Laughing softly, Jix closed the door behind him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Following the agent called Red, the rebel gave up all hopes of escape. Well, she'd had some recreational hours, some fun — no, a lot of fun — and now she had come to the end of the line. Great. Looking at the woman's back though, she noticed something strange. There was a certain spring in Red's step, an aura of happiness about her. Happiness and deep satisfaction.

"Did you enjoy your trip to the stage?" Djuva asked lightly, for the sake of conversation.

"It was certainly a novelty. Especially the crowd." The woman looked over her shoulder and smiled. "What about you? I heard that Jixton kept you quite busy."

"Yeah, pretty busy." They walked in silence for a while. "And you are Vader's agent too?" Djuva said at last.

Red gave a start. "What?"

"Just asking."

"In here." They entered a bleak room with a table and two chairs opposite from each other, windowless and with a single glowrod that ran the length of the ceiling.

"Sit down," Red ordered.

Djuva complied and tried to keep her despair at bay. "And now? "

"We talk." Red sat down on the other chair. "You are a rebel spy. I want your contacts, names, locations."

"You said it yourself, I am a spy, nothing more. It is my job to keep my eyes and ears open. That's all."

"So you really want to tell me that you know nothing of what goes on beyond Coruscant?"

"Why should I? I just relay information. That's my business."

"Where to?"

"Jix said you picked up a transmission. Did your guys track that or not?"

"Are you questioning here, or being questioned?"

"You did. Of course," Djuva smiled. "And the lead turned up dry. How unfortunate."

Red rolled her eyes. "If you co-operate, you can get away with a life sentence, maybe even twenty-five years. You know that. You should value your life," she recited in a bored voice.

Djuva shrugged lazily. "Yeah, yeah. Been there, heard that. My life, my business."

"So you say. I'd prefer you wouldn't have to regret those words, though. You see, I am being nice to you. Those in the next stage will probably not."

Red stared at her, and Djuva stared boldly back. The agent must have been not much older than she, and for a moment the rebel was fascinated by the apparent similarity of their situations. Had she really, with the Dark Lord...? That brought her mind back to Jix. She had no illusions about her new lover: he was a rogue, an assassin possibly, whose morals obviously allowed him to serve the Sith and be happy about it—but what a man! Her insides were still tingling, despite the rough speeder-ride and all the nervous tension. She thought she could almost love him, except that it was he who was responsible for her current imprisonment. Oh, what a mess! Djuva shook her head, and noticed a corner of Red's mouth twitch in a tiny smirk.

"How did you end up with the rebels anyway?" the agent asked.

"Is that important?"

"Just making conversation."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They both looked up as two stormtroopers marched in. "You are to report to Copper Lounge immediately, Ensign," a modulated voice piped from the helmet.

"Thank you." Red tried to keep her voice cool, although she could see from the tilt of the masks that both men were sizing her up, in fact gaping at her. "Anything else?"

"No. Proceed, Ensign." A suppressed chuckle.

"You are not quite dressed to regulations," the rebel supplied, smirking.

She whirled around angrily. "I am doing my duty! Now, you might do well to think of some conversation that might actually save your ass!" She turned sharply and tramped to the door.

"No," Djuva muttered loud enough that Red could still hear, "marching just isn't the same with bare feet and a three-inch skirt." Red stared daggers at her, but didn't reply, and the troopers' sniggering didn't make it any better either. Instead she slapped the controls that shut the door behind her.

Copper Lounge was a code name. It meant top brass was looking for her, and during Darth Vader's presence this meant him. Just a day and a night ago this would have made her apprehensive, but now it sent a certain tingle of excitement down her spine. Knowing what was hidden behind the mask, she supposed she would never be able to look at the Dark Lord in the same way again...

The doors to the office opened before she could sound the chime, and closed swiftly behind her back. Lord Vader rose from behind his desk, holding something out for her—her shoes! She giggled, putting them on again, then grinned up to the mask.

"After I've told you why you were summoned, you won't feel so happy any more," the Dark Lord informed her dryly. "You will accompany Jix on a mission. To the South Port district. The mission can be of a somewhat similar nature as the one you failed yesterday, so—" A finger trailed from the tip of her chin to her cleavage, "—I'd figure this look will do."

Speaking, he began to unbutton her top again. He seemed to have developed a liking to that particular pastime, Red thought not so unhappily. She arched her back, leaning into his touch.

"Or would such a mission please you?" the Dark Lord wondered, slipping a hand in to fondle her breast.

She exhaled sharply with pleasure, cupping his exploring palm and pivoting herself deftly into his embrace. "I'll be looking forward to the moment... mmmh... when the mission is completed and I can return."

"Good. I do not like the idea of sharing." He stroked her cheek and neck, pushing the garment lower over her shoulders. "Oh, you are desirable," he breathed. "I can quite see why Jix would choose you for this mission. As for him..." he maneuvered her so that now she was pressed between the desk and himself, "If Jix only so much as looks at you, I will have his balls."

Red smirked, catching his gloved hand and pressing a light kiss on it. "But," she remarked mischievously, "the nature of the mission may require..."

"Don't tease. Panties off!"

Red felt all the heat in her body converge in her lower abdomen at that barked command. She wiggled her butt, rolling her tight skirt up and getting out of the panties, watching with some fascination as he worked on some hidden fastenings of his armor, which were more compliant than the day before, and then she was pushed back over the desk, her knees jerked up and locked in the Dark Lord's firm grasp. She yelped when he rammed right home. Hooking her fingers to the desk edge, she held on for dear life, while her breath came in gasps and whimpers, which got louder as the pain of his intrusion gave way to pleasure. His powerful thrusts pushed her backwards, but he would not let her slip out of his grasp. He bent a little forward, pressing her knees almost to her chest, and Red let her eyes roll back, as she lost all coherent thought. Her series of moans and screams that punctuated his movements soon coalesced into a high-pitched wail, as she came, and came again, her muscles contracting uncontrollably. With a few more vicious thrusts the Dark Lord exploded within her.

When she was a bit more coherent again, Red opened her eyes to see Vader looming over her, still inside her, looking at her quietly. The hiss of his respirator came at a much faster pace than usual. She reached up to run her hands up and down the arms that were still holding her legs, and sighed with deep contentment.

Abruptly he pulled away and refastened his suit. "Get up. The sooner you go, the sooner you'll be back." She did not let herself be put off by his gruff tone. Slowly she pushed herself up and stood on shaky legs, eyeing the moist splotch on the desk. What a mission briefing! She doubted she would be able to think of anything else. She had to take several deep breaths before she could stand straight again. Straightening her clothes, she looked up to the Dark Lord silhouetted against the window. Oh, she would hurry, she definitely would...

"Jix will look after you," Vader announced, his calm, measured tone belying the passion that hid behind his words. "He enjoys my complete trust. I'll be expecting a successful mission report soon. From both of you."

"Yes, my lord," Red whispered, choking back her own emotion. She turned to the doors and they opened to reveal Jixton, who was already waiting.

  ***      Red nodded to Vader's agent coldly and strode away along the corridor in a determined step. For a moment Jix looked hesitatingly from her to the Dark Lord, but at a nod from his employer he trotted after the woman.

"You know," he whispered conspiratorially, leaning towards her, "that was quite a concert."

"What?" she whirled towards him, balling her fists. "You were eavesdropping?"

"Uh... let's just say I arrived at an inopportune moment and did not want to distract you," he grinned at her.

"You... you... moron!" She slapped him, but did not manage to wipe the smug leer from his face. "What...?" Then suddenly she realized what she had said, and blushed deeply. "I didn't ... I..."

"Well, well. Bad luck, baby. Had I known you liked me so much, I would have come flying."

"Ugh." She rolled her eyes, turning away.

"We'll need a speeder, baby," he called after her. "An older model, nothing flashy."

"So?"

"Can you go and organize one?"

"Why haven't you prepared that yet?"

"Thought I'd keep you busy while I take care of something else," he told her with a wide grin. "Just so you don't get bored to death."

Red arched her eyebrows coolly. "Detention level seven, if you must know," she snapped and shook her head at his retreating back. She had no idea how the Dark Lord managed to put up with this agent at all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Djuva had been escorted to the detention area by the stormtroopers who had come down to notify Red., and now they had left her alone in what looked like your basic standard cell. The lights were too bright, promising sleep deprivation and nightmares, and she did not doubt that they'd try to get her to confess by withholding food and drink also. Great. Djuva gave the tiny cell a once over and wrinkled her nose in disgust before she dropped down on the single bunk. Well, at least they had taken off the cuffs. Fastened in one corner of the ceiling a security camera was watching her unrelentingly. She stuck her tongue out at it, just for good measure. Then she huddled up on the bunk, shielding her eyes against the light by pressing her knees up against her forehead. That way her long hair hung over her eyes like a thick curtain. A few moments later she drifted off to sleep.

But a hand running up her thighs woke her again all too soon, and she immediately lashed out at the unseen attacker, falling off the bunk in the process. Soft laughter filled her ears and she growled softly when she recognized the voice.

"Jix. What a charming surprise."

"Hey, I could hardly leave without saying good-bye," he replied with a chuckle and helped her up. Holding her tightly, he almost crushed her slim body against his chest and abdomen, his hands slipping around her waist and underneath her buttocks to lift her up. Djuva closed her eyes, suddenly feeling very hot indeed at being so close to him again.

"That's unfair and cruel torture, do you know that?" she whispered defiantly, but there was not much rancor in her tone. Instead of answering, he started kissing her deeply, his tongue slipping between her lips demandingly. Arching her back with desire, she wrapped her hands around his neck to get a better hold on him. Jix proceeded to kiss her throat, her neck, her collarbones.

"Unfair?" he asked, his nose burrowing underneath the collar of her suit. She moaned softly at the feel of his hot breath caressing her bare skin. His hands moved along her thighs, spreading her legs around his waist. Suddenly he dropped her down on the bunk, kneeling in front of her, and quickly unbuttoned the upper half of her garment. "You know what's unfair?" he said hoarsely. "I get to go on a mission with this hot woman, but unfortunately she belongs to my boss. And you are here, and we don't even have time for-" He started assaulting her breasts with a vicious growl.

"Jix," she answered, just a little bit breathless. "If you wanna give the guards outside a good show you'd better hurry."

He stared at her, then turned his head to gaze at the security camera thoughtfully. "Oh."

Djuva relaxed slightly, catching her breath. "Yes, oh. Well. It was fun as long as it lasted. See you around," she added, and placed a long kiss on his lips. When he drew her closer again, she giggled softly. "Seems as if you were ready for another go," she whispered and her right hand slipped down to caress the bulge she could feel grow in his pants. She found the zipper and drew his pants down, then freed him from his underpants to take him into her hand, squeezing gently. He groaned almost desperately and rocked against her, his hands massaging her breasts frantically. Djuva gasped aloud, whimpering at his touch. "Jix!"

He stopped. "What?"

"Later, okay?"

"Sure."

Grinning nastily, he ripped the rest of the buttons off and bent her knees almost against her shoulders. As she lost her balance with a scream, her back hit the wall—and then he was inside her, thrusting into her deeply. She squirmed in his grasp, trying to escape that sensation, and very conscious of unseen eyes watching them. Slipping down further from the bunk, she thought she might break her back as he continued his thrusts, but then the pain vanished in sudden bliss. Screaming again, but this time with pure pleasure, she clenched her hands on his back, leaving thin trails of red markings down his shoulder blades, as her entire body contracted in ecstasy. Jix released himself with a long groan and sealed their union with one last deep thrust. Abruptly he pulled out again, leaving her trembling. Zipping up his trousers he patted her cheeks apologetically.

"Thanks. I needed that."

Slightly out of breath, he placed a passionate kiss on her mouth and whirled around to leave. Djuva blushed beet-red when she heard the hoots and whistles greeting him out in the hallway. Covering herself as best as she could, she shook her head in disbelief, then grinned to herself in satisfaction. The smile lasted for a long time, until she finally fell asleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What greeted the Dark Lord a few levels down his own offices and private rooms was not unlike a minor rebel attack. Alert signals wailed through the whole complex, there were clacking footsteps of running troopers, shouts, noise. He looked around, noticing a captain entering the lift and hitting the code for the detention level, all the while shouting into his commlink: "Cease fire at once! Cease fire! I swear I will have your skins! What the—"

The Dark Lord inserted a boot between the lift's closing doors, letting himself in. The captain's voice choked when he looked up to see the cause of this delay. "What is the meaning of this commotion, Captain?" Vader asked, as the lift began to move.

"Apparently there is some trouble on detention level 7. One of the rebels held there was being interrogated by some of the troopers, and when the security stepped in, there appears to have been some shooting."

"An escape?"

"No, sir—none has been notified."

Vader nodded. "Casualties, Captain-?"

"Talji, sir, 212th of the Public Defense Corps." The captain hesitated for a brief moment—there is no such answer as "I don't know" in the Imperial army, but he had no idea what else to say. "I've only just been notified of the situation myself," he explained apologetically, "and I'm on my way down to..."

"Thank you, Captain Talji."

By the time they arrived, the situation was more or less under control, but the whole area looked like a war zone: several wounded were lying about, meds rushing here and there. The air was heavy with the stench of ozone and burnt metal and flesh. Vader was shown to the cell that had apparently been the source of the trouble. A small figure was huddled in the corner, shaking, matted hair hanging about her face, her clothes shredded. What was visible of her body beneath showed scratches and bruises.

"What is going on?" The Dark Lord asked no one in particular.

After a clumsy silence someone cleared his throat hesitatingly. "That rebel was being interrogated, but the security troops intervened—"

"The stormtroopers were acting quite out of line," a man in the black uniform of the security troops interrupted him. "We merely called them to order, but—"

"They attacked me!" the prisoner shrieked. "Pigs! You're all pigs!"

"Enough." Vader's cold, powerful voice sounded over the din and everybody hushed. "I want the security tapes of the whole event. Now. Nobody will leave the area until cleared. And bring her," he added as an afterthought.

Captain Talji, commander of the detention unit, commander of the security corps involved and several other officers stood in a semi-circle around the Dark Lord, as he viewed one tape after another in complete silence, going through them at fast speed. Corridors where the fight had taken place, especially from the camera that covered the entrance to the rebel's cell, as well as complete audio and video recordings of the command room for the past twenty minutes. But recordings from the cell proved the most interesting. Rewinding the tape a little further back, Vader sat up when the image showed a very familiar figure entering the cell, and everything that followed, clearly enough.

"I see," the Dark Lord rumbled, throwing a glance at the prisoner who was being held between four guards. The woman blushed deep red. Now that Vader took a closer look, he indeed recognized the woman as the one whom Jix had caught in that bar.

Calmly the Dark Lord played through the whole sequence. "Well, gentlemen," he turned to the officers then, "I believe the case is clear enough. Madam, under the Imperial law you have the right to appeal to the tribunal against those who harassed you." He glared at the officers one by one, as if daring them to protest, and one by one they blanched or blushed, envisioning demotions and worse. "I trust those involved will be dealt with appropriately." They nodded like one man. "Dismissed. Captain Talji, a word with you."

Waiting until they were left alone in the room, Vader said: "It is obvious that the prisoner is not safe enough in these facilities. She may be a criminal, but the Imperial law has to be the same for everybody."

"I understand, sir. Where do you want her transferred?"

"Not far. There is a secret detention room in the upper levels; that will be adequate. Have a trusted squad escort her there. And Talji, no record of her whereabouts in this facility's logbook. Just a remark that any information concerning her will have to be cleared by myself."

"Very well, sir. She will be there in thirty minutes."

"And stars, do find her some clothes..."

"Of course." Talji was wise enough not to smirk.

"Very well. Dismissed." Vader rose and brushed out of the room.

As the lift was speeding upwards to his levels, the Dark Lord allowed himself a grin behind his mask. "I have you now, Jix. And damn if you don't come crawling to me."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Djuva followed Captain Talji quite demurely, her eyes cast down, trying not to meet anyone's gaze. She had no idea what was awaiting her, but there was a slight hope that she would be reasonably safe. At least safer than on level seven. Damn Jix! As much as she had enjoyed his little visit, what had followed had soured the experience considerably. Those stormtrooper pigs had deserved some serious injuries, and she had done her best to give them just that. Luckily security had intervened though. She was not sure how much longer she would have been able to fend those overeager troopers off. When they came across another security squad, she started. Unconsciously she took a step back, but Talji turned toward her and nodded.

"You have nothing to fear."

"You sure?"

"Yes. We will escort you to a safe location."

Djuva squinted at what lay behind the squad. "Really. This looks more like some fresher stalls."

"The wounds need to be disinfected and I suppose you would want to clean yourself up too. There are clothes in there too."

"Sounds too good to be true. Thank you, Captain," she added a bit reluctantly.

"You can thank Lord Vader," Talji snapped and gestured her onward.

Walking past the men hurriedly, the rebel felt her mind tumbling. Vader? Why would Vader be so gracious toward her? Somehow she suspected that it had to do with Jix. Sighing in relief, she dragged the privacy curtain close behind her and inspected the bundle of clothes set on a stool. At least two sizes too big. She would look ridiculous. Blushing hotly, she shook her head. No more ridiculous than right now, she told herself, then stripped out of her torn body-suit and kicked off her boots. The disinfectant mixed into the water stung her bruised flesh, but it also felt good, purifying. Once she was finished, she put on the shirt and pants laid out for her. The attire made her look like a little girl wearing her father's clothes.

"All set!" she called out and gingerly stepped out of the fresher stall. The coarse fabric was itchy, but she would not complain. Talji gave her a slow smile.

"A shame," he commented wistfully, looking her up and down quite pointedly. Djuva growled in disgust.

"I think you've all seen quite enough," she snapped.

"You're right. Let's go."

They took a lift a few levels up and Djuva craned her neck to get a glimpse at the code that he punched into the lock. Unfortunately two hulking troopers were blocking her view effortlessly. A few moments later they had arrived at their final destination. Walking down a short hallway, Talji opened another door.

"In there," he ordered, and Djuva complied with another sigh. "Enjoy your stay," the Captain told her before he sealed her inside the room, giving her no opportunity for a snide reply.

For a short while the rebel simply stood there, giving the cell a critical once over. Well. It was a bit more spacious than her former prison. And to her great surprise there was another door opposite the one through which she had just entered. Curious, that. Stepping over to the rectangle, Djuva pressed an ear against the cool metal. Nothing.

"Hello?" she called out a bit tentatively, then louder: "Hello!"

To her great surprise the door slid open and Djuva found herself in what looked like an airlock to a hermetically sealable medical unit; but right now it was inactivated and the opposite doors stood wide open into a room filled with soft light. Didn't look like your standard torture chamber at all.

"Come in," a gruff voice told her.

Peeking into the room beyond Djuva arched her eyebrows in astonishment. "Wow!" she commented at the sight of a very tastefully decorated living-room. Suddenly a huge shadow blocked her view.

"I said: come in," the Dark Lord repeated harshly. "Get moving!"

Djuva stumbled back with a startled yelp, but he caught her right wrist and pulled her into the living-room unceremoniously. Trying to regain her composure, the rebel turned around to face him.

"Sit down."

Her eyes searched for some sort of chair frantically and when she found one, she hurried over quickly and dropped down in its soft embrace. Darth Vader walked over with measured steps, then stopped a few paces away, thumbs hooked behind his belt, masked face staring down at her. Djuva swallowed hard.

"Captain Talji says I owe you thanks," she managed at last.

He continued looking down at her wordlessly, and Djuva tried to vanish inside her clothing, remembering what he and probably half of detention had seen on the security tapes. She blushed deeply.

"So?" he asked finally. She gave him a questioning glance, then shook her head self-consciously and smiled wryly, trying to find comfort in the thought that everything would be over soon.

"Thank you, Lord Vader," she said, and suddenly her green eyes were sparkling again with mischief and defiance. Might as well put everything on one card, if she was going to die.

Snorting softly, Vader turned away. "Well. I doubt your cooperation would have improved under different circumstances."

"That depends entirely on what you want to know," she commented, trying hard to get the nervous quaver out of her voice. But her eyes never left the Dark Lord stalking around her chair.

"Excuse me?"

Uh-oh. Djuva decided to take a headlong plunge ahead. It could not possibly get worse. "I mean that the method of interrogation probably depends on how deep you want to go into the subject."

"And Jixton's methods yielded any sort of confession on your part?"

The rebel swallowed hard, then shook her head, confused. She did not mind admitting to herself that he put her on edge, but perhaps she had gone too far? Shifting her shoulders uncomfortably, she did not quite meet his impassive gaze. "I suppose you heard yourself," she replied a bit stiffly.

"Do you now? I need not remind you that your situation is quite hopeless. If you think your relationship to Jixton can save you, you are mistaken."

Her face fell. "Well," she said at last. "There's always a risk."

"Yes. Very true." Walking closer he loomed over her, prompting her to crawl back into her chair. "Now, if you give me the information I want, your fate may be less — painful."

Her eyebrows rose in fake surprise. "It cannot possibly get worse," she stated, her voice trembling.

"But it can get better," he reminded her and ran a hand along her left cheek tenderly. She froze immediately, her eyes wide with dread. He could not mean what she thought he meant, could he? Her head jerked back involuntarily.

"Jixton reported that your camouflage was quite—open-hearted. I wonder what you could possibly learn from thugs and pirates."

"You might be surprised how many of your types come down there," the rebel spat acidly, seeking refuge in defiance. "They dream of Twi'lek women, but are happy to have their own kind. You wouldn't believe what they tell me, about aliens, the Empire's grand plans, everything."

"Is that so?" His fingers slipped underneath her chin, brushed over her bruised lips. But she kept her composure, holding his gaze valiantly. "Who would do such a traitorous thing?"

"They don't give me names, and frankly, I don't care who they are," she replied, her voice getting hoarse.

"How unfortunate. And your rebel contacts?"

She smirked at him. "Are you quite finished?" Had she said too much?

Chuckling in wry amusement he ran his hands down her body and felt her tremble under his touch. "Ah, very brave. But you have just revealed far more than you realize."

"What do you mean?" Djuva tried to shut out the weird sensation of his gloved hands moving over her breasts and belly. She squirmed in his grasp, but unfortunately the chair did not give her much space to evade him.

"Your customers. I believe that some of them are not only fools, but also traitors. Your contacts, rebel."

She tried to breathe evenly, but feared very much that he could see the truth in her eyes. Damn! But he did not have any names, and she would be damned if she gave him any.

Suddenly his masked face was very close to hers as he whispered: "I can uncover that information quite easily."

"How?" she croaked, her eyes popping open even wider in astonishment. But then his hands clasped around her head and what followed was the eeriest thing she had ever experienced. It was as if her previous life was being dragged over the front of her inner eye at high speed, as if her memory were some holotape that was being rewound and forwarded, until she could see herself arrive at the 'Ghyssa'. She tried to fight it, but there was really nothing she could do. At the edge of her awareness she knew that it was Vader who was playing with her mind, watching her as she was watching herself. It was mind-blowing and her teeth began to chatter uncontrollably. Damn!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Just how many drinks have you had, Red?" Jix looked at the giggling woman uneasily. She was supposed to impersonate an easy-going woman, but now it seemed that she was either an incredibly good actress, or she wasn't acting at all. After all, he felt somewhat responsible for her. Stars knew how she did it—or perhaps it was the hormones that made every man feel protective of such a neat female—but Jix felt tied. And he did not like it at all. He pondered which would be worse, to compromise the mission in order to keep her safe, if need be, or just to walk out and trust her to be able to take care of herself — and face some serious trouble afterwards.

"Oh, gimme a break, Jixie! Can't a person have some fun now and then?"

From the corner of an eye Jix saw a tall Vorneesian leer at him. That particular type had approached them earlier, trying to chat Red up, but his scowl had driven the humanoid alien away. The agent cursed—as if it was not enough that he had to keep an eye on their possible target, now he had to stand between Red and the whole bar full of horny men! Not that he himself would have minded a tumble... Nah. But still, their camouflage gave him certain advantages. He ran a hand over Red's back to her ass, drawing her closer.

"No more drinks tonight, baby."

"But I've only had one!" Red whined, trying to snatch Jix' own glass of Corellian brandy that the agent had been nursing for some time now.

"Let's go," he tried to reason, shifting the brandy out of her reach. "Find a nice place, lie you down..."

"Sure... You're naughty..." Red drawled and grinned lewdly. Jix grinned back, but when he leaned closer to her, his voice was quite harsh.

"Stop this now, Red, or I'll leave you with those guys over there." He pointed at a gloomy-looking foursome who had also eyed Red up several times. She looked at them, then at Jix and shook her head.

"Noo, don't do that, Jixie-sweetie. You're much nicer," she pouted, slipping a hand into his vest. He frowned.

"That's it. We're outta here."

"But really—I've only had one drink! Do we have to?"

"'Fraid so, baby."

"Awww..."

Of course, that was the moment when their target made a move. He was a young man, the type you usually see in health clubs and teetotallers' societies, too tidy and fresh-cheeked to fit into these seedy surroundings, so he had caught Jix' eye immediately. For over an hour the young man had sat at the table, pretending to be drinking, but his glass was still only half empty. When the doors opened to admit several new figures, most of whom made a beeline to the bar counter, the young man rose and inserted himself seemingly casually between them.

"Listen, Red, I'll be right back."

"Where're ya going?" Her voice was quite slurry.

"Just over there. It'll only take a minute. Will I find you here?"

"'Course, honey. Whaddaya think I am?"

"Stay put, baby. No tricks."

"Sure. Whatever."

Jix didn't feel at all reassured, but he had little choice. He swaggered to the bar, slouching over it, pretending to be more drunk than he really was. The young man was speaking to a humanoid wearing a mask and a spacer suit, and Jix shifted carefully closer.

"...another load. What time?"

"Four. It'll be quiet enough."

"Hope so. Bay seventy—"

At that moment the young man turned towards Jix suspiciously. The agent elbowed his way through between them, as if he had merely been waiting for them to get out of the way.

"'Scuse me." He waved a hand airily, bellowing: "Barman! Barman!" The spacer shrugged and turned to move away from him, but the young man was still suspicious. Jix grinned at him. "Gotta get a room fast. Can't keep a hot girl waiting, can ya?" nodding towards Red. But his guts turned to ice when he saw the Vorneesian bent over her, leering and no doubt making sure he had a good view into her décolleté. The Bith band had just begun a wailing violin tune, and Red was swaying her shoulders to it. And that sith-damn woman wasn't at all unhappy! What the hell was it with her? She had had only one drink – Jix knew it as well as she– but wait. That Vorneesian coming to their table earlier. Could the drink have been spiked? Jix cursed loudly. How blind he had been!

Fortunately his heartfelt annoyance seemed to alleviate the young man's suspicions. He slapped Jix' shoulder, smiling. "Watch out, friend, don't let your luck slip away." With that, he jostled his way to the door. Damn you, rebel. When Jix finally got back to their table, Red was on the dance floor, swaying in the arms of the Vorneesian. Now, it had been years since Jix had actually fought for a woman, he thought wryly. However, a punch on the jaw of that Vorneesian skunk would do the job nicely.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At first he was observing her memories quite impassively, but soon the methodical procedure of mapping down and filing away the faces of the men who had come to visit her turned into outright arousal. She did not shag all of them, and the Dark Lord paid special attention to those who only talked, but still, he could barely ignore her moans and quiet sounds of rapture, as she was reliving her own memories and started twisting in his grasp madly. Her breasts pushed against his breastplate when she arched her body with a low scream, her legs bending on their own accord as she welcomed a lover into her body in her memories, the trance he had put her in enveloping her whole.

He stared at her, his mouth going dry very suddenly. Then her hands found his arms and frantically ran up and down the armored suit that covered them, her gasps growing louder and her moans more desperate. She had her eyes closed, completely immersed in her memory, and when the Dark Lord finally let go of her mind, totally overwhelmed by her emotions, he looked at her for a long time, feeling his entire body aching for her, longing for her. But almost immediately he could see Red's face in his inner eye, her beautiful body beneath him, her smile, her caresses. Damn this temptress!

She sat huddled in the chair, shivering, her eyes wide open with confusion and wild in the aftermath of his invading her thoughts. The wet tip of her tongue ran over her lower lip with sudden desire when she looked up at him, her gaze almost feverish. He could not resist anymore. Well. This was just part of his revenge on Jix, wasn't it?

His hands grabbed her waist and pulled her out of the chair roughly, his passion becoming too much to bear. But where? Still holding on to her he hunted around for a suitable place to—

Her arms wrapped around his hips and squeezed hard, making him gasp. Suddenly his hands developed a life of their own. Ripping the over-sized shirt from her unresisting body, he threw it into the far corner while his breathing fastened at the sight of her naked breasts and shoulders. She closed her eyes and moaned softly.

"Yes," she hissed, still caught in the trance. "Please."

He could sense her aching as much as he did and quickly pushed her down on the floor. As he slipped the pants over her hips, she ran a hand over her belly and down between her legs, her mouth curling into a pleased smile. Again an image of his lover danced in front of him and he cursed himself quietly. He had no obligations to Red, but still... The girl had been the first he had allowed to see him the way he truly was, and that was something very special, making her special too. This rebel was nothing. She would merely serve to satisfy his needs. Besides, taking her would humiliate Jix and still would mean nothing in regard to what he felt for Red. No. With a low growl he grabbed her legs and drew her closer. She shook herself wildly and looked up to meet his gaze with a lewd smile.

She did not seem afraid when he moved over her, all he could feel from her was the desire throbbing deep in her core. His hands ran over her body, pinching and squeezing her. Then he grabbed her left wrist and rose. Dragging her after him into the bedroom, he pushed her down on the huge bed, face down. All of a sudden she snapped out of the trance, and icy shock raced through her entire body. A satisfied grin tugging at a corner of his mouth, he raised her hips high and settled himself over her. Her legs spread instinctively and immediately he drove into her. The force of his entry slid her slim body across the silken sheets. She moaned loudly as he drew out again, deliciously slow, and thrust deeply again. This time she screamed and her back arched with ecstasy, pushing her hips closer to his, and taking him even deeper into her. A second scream followed the first and she pushed herself up on her hands and knees, gasping, and he could sense her longing for his touch again, her passion rekindled.

His gloved hands slipped around her hips, stroking the sensitive inside of her thighs, slowly, forcefully massaging her muscles. He kept his touch deliberately on the rough side, a lesson in discipline even in pleasure, but he could feel her appreciation from the way her entire body trembled under his ministrations. She whimpered softly when his hands wandered further up, to her breasts, and he bent over her, his thrusts becoming harder, more urgent than before. Her inner muscles relaxed, only to contract again, when he pinched the erect nipples of her breasts. "Yes!" she screamed in rapture, then groaned loudly, her breathing a mere hiss.

Driving into the heat of her body relentlessly, he relished the feeling of absolute control, delighting in the sweet thoughts of vengeance, as he imagined Jix' face once the agent became aware of this conquest. She was screaming with pure pleasure, and her moans and gasps only served to spur him on. His hands ran over her ass, her back, her hips and her breasts possessively. The sight of the muscles moving underneath that soft, pale skin was incredibly arousing.

He renewed his efforts once more, when he could feel her almost at the edge, but loath to let go and surrender to her passion. His hands squeezed her breasts harder, then rolled her nipples with increasing speed. Her breathing picked up and her gasps became louder. Thrusting into her deeply, he moved his right hand between her legs and touched her deftly. Her muscles contracted around him, bringing their own sweet stimulation that prompted him to release his passion into her searing core. She exhaled with a loud sigh, then hung her head tiredly. Her long hair spread over the sheets in a honey-colored curtain that hid her face as she caught her breath. He remained inside for a heart-beat, then drew out and let her drop to the bed in a boneless heap. Reaching out, he wiped the hair from her sweat-covered neck. She shivered slightly, but did not move. Her eyes were closed tightly and her breathing turned more regular again.

"Wow," she whispered. "No wonder your Ensign has such a happy smile on her face."

"I hope you are now convinced that resistance is futile."

"Quite so," she sighed, pleased, and half turned toward him.

He ran his hand over her breasts, making her giggle. "This interrogation is over," he stated calmly. "Your cooperation has been noted. Now get up."

She complied with a disgruntled snort and he refastened his suit, satisfied. Vanishing into the living-room, she left him alone for a while, but he followed her soon, very conscious of what Jix had called her evasive nature. She had picked up her clothes again and regarded them critically.

"Not much of an improvement," she commented wryly, then put them on.

"You'll get used to it," the Dark Lord told her, his voice dead-pan. When he worked the controls to the door that led into her cell, she gave him an annoyed glance.

"Must I?"

"Was that an actual question?"

Shaking her head, she went with a sigh. He watched her go with a pleased smile, then rubbed his hands in anticipation. He could hardly wait until Jix was back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They had come quite a way from the bar after the negotiations between Jix and the Vorneesian had ended in an all-out fight and they had barely escaped before sector police had arrived. Finally Jix deemed it safe enough. Dragging Red behind him, he found a cheap boarding house and threw some coins at the one-toothed crone sitting in the corner in the company of a bottle, getting a keycard in return.

The corridor was long and stinking, lit only by a weak glow-lamp at the other end, that gave barely enough light for Jix to find the number he was looking for. Red had fallen quiet, clinging to his arm desperately. The walk, and the cool nightly drizzle that Coruscant's climate controls let fall to clean the air, had sobered her up somewhat, and it seemed she was already beginning to develop a hangover.

The room was no better than he'd expected in such a place: barely the size of a broom cupboard, a hard bunk covered with a raggedy blanket on either side, a tiny light, the kind of which the Corellians used to call a pigeye, a chair, and a sink. Hooking Red off his arm, Jix found out that only cold water was available. Good. That would brighten her up, he muttered. Methodically he set about peeling off her wet clothes, then washed her face and neck with icy water and made her drink some, to help clean her system from the drug. After some effort, he noted with satisfaction that a spark of life was beginning to return to her dull eyes. Jix pushed Red down on one of the bunks, drawing the blanket up to her chin, trying to ignore her full, rounded breasts.

"Sleep," he commanded gruffly. She closed her eyes obediently. Sighing, Jix removed his gunbelt, making sure that the blasters were still at hand, smiling slightly as he remembered Djuva. He plopped down on the other bunk, throwing off the vest and boots and wiggling his toes happily. A few hours of sleep would do a world of good for both of them, he hoped, turning off the light. All was quiet on the other bunk, and he really hoped Red had drifted off by now, for he had some tensions of his own to purge from his system...

"Jix."

He sighed. Of course, it had been too much to hope. "What?"

"I don't feel so well."

"I know."

"What did I drink?"

He shrugged, a gesture that went unseen in the dark. "Some mild intoxicating aphrodisiac, I guess. Fylonedrine, maybe, or Telosian mandrake root. Or maybe spice, although spice’s not much of an aphrodisiac." He heard a quiet sniff from the other side of the room. "Just try to relax. Come morning you'll be good as new." There was no answer, and he closed his eyes again, thinking... how she had danced. Pressed close to her partner, almost engulfed in his arms. Only in his mind it were Jix' own arms, his own hands travelling possessively over her back, not the paws of that stinking Vorneesian. Another mental image soon overlapped that: her breasts, pressed together when she lay on her side, and then falling apart as she turned on her back, so soft, so enticing... He ran a hand over the opening of his trousers, pondering if he would need to do it, or would be able to go on without it.

"Jix."

Blast. "What?"

"I can't sleep."

He shrugged mutely.

"Jix," came again after a pause.

"Yes."

"I was a bitch, wasn't I?"

"You seemed to be enjoying yourself. Along with half of the bar's patrons," he said dryly.

"Oh gods..."

He took pity on the suffering woman. "Never mind. A gorgeous guy like me won't fall apart when dumped by a pretty gal like you. If you hadn't been so busy, you'd have seen all the females queued up for me."

His efforts were rewarded with something like a snort. "Wrenga Jixton, you are insufferable. I don't know how anybody can put up with you for long."

"Well, I guess as long as anybody needs me, he will have to overlook the few faults..."

"Bastard."

He grinned. "I'm not so bad after all, am I?"

A giggle. "No, probably not."

There was a pause. He could hear her bedcovers rustling as she tossed about on her bunk—so close, so gloriously naked under that ratty blanket.

"Still feeling awful?"

"Guess." her whine was muffled now. Jix imagined what she would look like, lying face down, her nose burrowing into the pillow and the blanket folded around all those curves. Oh no, you won't, he chided himself. But then, he needed Red to sleep, didn't he? After all, their mission might depend on her alertness tomorrow. Pacifying his conscience with that justification, he got up from his bunk.

"Let me try to distract you for a while." Ignoring her silence, he padded over through the darkness to sit by her side. He rolled Red over on her side, inserting himself into the narrow space on the bunk, and drew the blanket over both of them.

"What are you..."

"Hush," he whispered. "You need this, baby."

Hearing Red's breath hitch with excited surprise, he grinned to himself, as he began to stroke her slowly and languorously. Her body felt velvety and warm under his fingers. Tense at first, she gradually began to relax under his ministrations. Deciding that she was suitably warmed up, Jix went to claim his prize, those luscious breasts. And oh, how they rolled under his palms, the nipples hard and taut nubs. Red began to whimper, arching her body, and Jix mentally congratulated himself. Her enthusiasm was so infectious, her movements so erotic, that Jix found himself wondering what her performance in "Ghyssa" had been like. Yes, watching her was definitely sport. He was completely hard now, his trousers noticeably constricting.

Tracing the undersides of the breasts with his fingers, he noticed how her leg shifted, opening her slightly in an invitation. So he caressed her belly briefly and inserted a hand between her thighs. Red latched onto that touch, pressing herself against him. Immediately she discovered his own aroused state and ran a palm over his trousers, then deftly snaked her hand in, closing her fingers around him. Her other hand worked to open the trousers and Jix let out his breath with a hiss. He pressed a palm over where her fingers were, stopping her movements.

"Hold that, baby."

Shifting his weight, he put his other hand on her breasts, squeezing and rolling them. Red gasped and twitched, urging him on. Shivers ran through her body in waves, reaching into her very fingertips where she still held him, and that alone produced so much stimulation that Jix had to close his eyes and stop for a moment, to hold himself back.

"You're so hot," he whispered, exploring the warm, moist folds. He wasn't even sure how far he had been planning to go, but with the way she responded to him, undulating her body in the rhythm of his strokes, he knew that this time it would go beyond the point of no return, the Sith be damned. He nudged Red's leg slightly upwards and slipped a finger into her wet center. Moving in and out, in and out, he was delighted to feel Red's muscles twitch.

"Jix..." Red whimpered.

"Hush. I know." He shifted his position again to have better reach.

"Noo..." she gasped as the stimulation stopped, but the next moment he had moved still further, circling her anus. Starting with light pressure, he gave Red some time to adjust to the idea, before he moved in gently. Red grew completely still, digesting the new sensations, as he was stretching her. Jix strained to see her face, but the expression was not readable in the darkness.

"Yes..." she breathed. "More."

His thumb went into her vagina and he began to massage her, and she was thrashing on the bunk more and more frantically with each passing moment, until she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and exploded with a scream.

For several minutes they just lay there quietly, Jix holding her, until her breathing calmed.

"You know," she finally giggled, "your boss promised to have your balls for that."

"So we must put them to good use before that, don't you think," Jix groaned, pressing kisses on her shoulders and breasts. What did it matter if Vader would have his balls tomorrow? Tomorrow was far away, and he had this woman here and now. "You're so beautiful, girl," he muttered, kissing her feverishly, "so beautiful." He opened the button and fly and pushed the trousers down, and together they worked them off him. Now that she had free access to him, Red took him in her hand, but Jix had other ideas. He pulled her closer, settling her on her back, and pushed her thighs apart with his knees. She opened herself invitingly, the same reckless desire having engulfed her now. Sliding into her, Jix felt his mind go blank in sweet anticipation as he began to rock, and then it was all Red... She was hot and wet as she took him all in, and her soft body under him and the scent of sex and sweat that permeated the air drew him to frenzy quickly. She played with her inner muscles most delightfully, making him shudder and groan helplessly. When he could hold back no longer, he pulled her hips closer and thrust, and his mind shattered into tiny glittering atoms.

When he reopened his eyes, Red was watching him, a wanton smile on her lips.

"Oh girl..." was all he could sigh.

"I trust you found this funeral rite for your balls satisfactory?" The corners of her mouth quirked upwards.

He laughed, rolling off her. "You're naughty."

"Mmm."

"Feel better?"

"Umm... Tolerable."

"Good. Sleep," he growled, closing his eyes. Red snuggled comfortably closer, her head on his shoulder, her leg wrapped around him.

"Jix?" came once again after a while.

"What."

"Does he often... Has he... I mean, does he have many..."

"Hmm..." Jix chuckled sleepily. "Haven't counted."

"But you listen behind the doors."

He pinched her backside lightly. "You have to ask him."

"Hmm."

And again after a pause: "Jix?"

"Mhm."

"Have you seen his face?"

"Mm-hmm."

"You know..." her voice was drifting away. "His eyes... blue...."

Snore.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Maybe they got stuck somehow." The Dark Lord's head snapped around to glare at the rebel. She grinned at him widely, then rolled her eyes in fake exasperation. "Don't take that so literal," she chided him playfully and popped another piece of soft bread into her mouth.

Lying on the couch, she had found the entertainment channels on the holovid very quickly, but was wise enough to keep the volume muted. Vader, who was seated at his work station and tried to get a lead on the men she had revealed, regarded her for some time, wondering how exactly she had managed to bully him into letting her out of her cell again. Oh, yes. By screaming and ranting quite loudly and annoyingly. Now she had made herself comfortable in the living-room, apparently determined to keep up her teasing. It was frustrating. On the other hand, having her banter for company took away some of his worries. Usually Jix never took so long when he was on a mission on Coruscant. But then, he didn't worry about Jix at all. It was Red who had him concerned.

"Come here," he ordered softly, when one face caught his eye. A young man, with an earnest expression and rosy cheeks. She hopped off her perch and ambled over, then leaned forward to squint at the screen.

"Who is that?"

"Lieutenant Gath Haddon. He is a minor functionary over in administration. You know him."

"I do?"

"Don't get all innocent on me again, girl."

"Innocent? Me?" She shook her head in wry amusement, then took another look at the man. "I might have met him once," she conceded at last.

"Twice, as far as I recall. Good. I will contact Jix and tell him to keep a look-out for Haddon. He should be able to perform that task nicely on his own."

"Ah," she said meaningfully, then turned away again to resume her place in front of the holovid. He caught her arm easily, stopping her.

"No, no, no. You can make yourself useful and help me here."

"Sure!" She squeezed herself behind the desk and dropped into his lap unconcernedly. "What do you want me to do?"

"Keep quiet and point out familiar faces to me."

Looking over her shoulder at him she shook her head slowly. "No way."

"You know, now that I have what I wanted from you, you are pretty useless," he said warningly. "So, if you do not want to end up in front of an execution commando or in worse places, you had better do as I say."

"Hm. Sounds tempting. But I rather believe you will keep me until Jix is back from his mission."

"True. But I won't ask again, and this time you will obey."

"Whatever you say," she sighed and propped her elbows on the desk, wearing a bored expression on her face. "Go ahead. I'm watching."

Very conscious of her weight resting on his thighs, he suppressed a gasp when she shifted her body and her back brushed against his belly. He could not feel the warmth of her body, but that close presence was enough. Suddenly she moved again and straddled him, her thighs squeezing his teasingly. The renewed shifting of her weight now increased the pressure on his legs and made his position quite uncomfortable. He suspected that it was her goal to annoy him to such an extent that he would free her of her vigil and let her return to the couch. Well. He would not let himself be goaded into that. Pushing the chair back a bit, he made her sit on the edge, her hips placed firmly between his thighs. She gave a startled yelp and wiggled in his grasp, but he simply slipped a hand around her waist and held her tight.

"No more fooling around. Or else I might just send you to the Emperor to play with," he threatened softly and punched a key on the board to continue his search.

"Aw, come on, you wouldn't do that."

"I might as well. This one. Keith Justin. Anything you can tell me about him?"

"He's no rebel."

"How do you know?"

"Easy. We didn't talk."

"Ah, the silent type," he snorted. "What can you tell me about Gath Haddon."

"I thought you'd never ask."

"So?"

"Hey, it was you who had the idea of sending Jix after him. You tell me."

"Maybe I should return you to level seven?"

"Sure," she growled, "some live entertainment for your lordship while your girl is off with Jix, maybe?"

"She's not 'my girl'," he replied a bit defensively.

"No? And yet you can hardly wait for her to come back."

"I could use her on another front."

"Yours, undoubtedly."

"Nasty. You are a dirty little whore, do you know that?"

She stiffened at that. "Well, what else is left for me?" she replied at last, sounding hurt.

Vader felt a little bit taken aback. She was a rebel, a criminal, and what he had called her. She teased him no end and now... Then he realized that perhaps her defiance was justified and her methods also. Taking his hand off her body, he lay it on the desk pointedly.

"What is it you see in Jixton?" he asked quietly. "Did you only let him have you because you thought he might let you escape?"

"At first yes. But he is... Why the hell am I telling you this?" she exclaimed angrily.

"Because I asked. And I want an answer."

Grudgingly she complied. "Well. Jix is a challenge, but I feel that he is a challenge I can handle. And besides, he is playing fair."

"Fair," the Dark Lord echoed.

"He said he would try to convince you to let him keep me."

"Ah. I thought so. Well." There was a lengthy pause.

"So, what is it with you and the Ensign?"

"None of your business," he snapped gruffly and abruptly pulled her off the chair. Thinking of Red at the same time that this rebel was so invitingly close was not a very healthy combination. He could feel himself harden and tried in vain to suppress his urges. She stared down at him, then raised her eyebrows meaningfully.

"You really miss her."

"I would advise you to get out as long as you still can."

"You're letting me go?" she asked, aghast.

Vader shook his head. "Back into your cell, silly."

"Oh. Sure." She walked across the floor deliberately slow, but when she had reached the secret door she turned around once more. "If you need anything...."

"Out!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jix cursed aloud, when his commlink began beeping discreetly. His head came up and for a moment his eyes went wide at the sight of short, blonde curls in front of him. Damn! He hadn't, had he? Jix groaned softly. He had! Pushing Red aside a bit roughly, he ignored her muffled protests and made a grab for his commlink. He stared at the code, his eyebrows rising. Then, dropping down on the edge of Red's bunk, he lay a hand over her mouth to signal her to remain quiet.

"What can I do for you, Uncle Dee?" he asked lightly as he accepted the call.

"Are you alone?" came the gruff reply.

"Eh? No, why?"

"Because you will send the Ensign back to the castle. Your target is Gath Haddon, a minor functionary of—"

"Pretty young, rosy cheeks, walks as if he'd swallowed a steel rod?"

"You have spotted him?"

Jix shook his head slightly at Red as she opened her eyes and gave him a questioning glance. "As a matter of fact, we are already on his trail."

"How close are you?"

"There's a meeting that will take place in the South Port. Half an hour."

"Jix, this is a delicate matter. There are high-ranking officials involved, and I want to deal with them personally. It is your job to observe, nothing else."

"Big-wigs? If you have their names I am sure you can interrogate them and—"

"The Emperor will want proof. You will find me the evidence to go along with the confessions, is that clear?"

"Absolutely. What about the Ensign?"

"Well. Since you are so close to completing your mission you will return together. I expect your arrival in three hours maximum."

The call disconnected abruptly. Jix stared at the commlink pensively. Then a hand came to rest on his thigh and he smiled down at Red warmly. "Good morning."

"Morning?"

"Well, not really." Jix shrugged. "We have an appointment to keep. Get dressed." He rose from his perch, then turned back again. "You okay?"

"Yeah, yeah," she muttered and sat up to shake her head muzzily. "Was that who I think it was?"

"I don't know. Could have been anybody," Jix answered with a grin while he put on his clothes.

"Gods. Do you think he-?"

"Nah. Don't worry about that. Let's go."

"Jix, I need a moment to-"

"No, you don't, baby. We have a few rebels to catch and we gotta hurry. Clear?"

"Clear."

He was waiting impatiently by the door until Red had managed to fight her way into her clothes. She regarded her shoes in disdain, then put them on with a big sigh.

"Okay. Let's go," she announced.

"Bay seventy and we got fifteen minutes to get there."

"What are we supposed to do?"

"Just watch."

"That's about all I'm able to manage right now too. Urgh. I feel groggy."

"No wonder. Hey, if you can't walk straight you can always hang on to me!"

She regarded his offered arm critically. "Sure. Thanks. I'll try on my own for now."

Walking back down the smelly hallway, they passed the crone with a nod and went out into the street. This early in the morning the district was still pretty lively, but Jix suspected that the area around the bays would be empty. Which was why they would attract attention easily there. They had to be extra careful.

Slipping an arm around Red's waist, he lurched along, keeping his eyes open. They staggered down the main boulevard, a seemingly drunken couple, and closed in on their target rapidly. The stream of passersby thinned considerably then and from the dark corners they could hear moans and screams, testimony to the less public activities going on here. Red bent over suddenly to place a long, sloppy kiss on Jix' mouth. When she disengaged again, she smiled at him hugely, and he grinned right back, suddenly aware of some thugs eyeing them warily. Hadn't those been customers in the bar too?

"Hey, Red!" someone shouted. The woman whirled around, surprised, then laughed softly. A man was bustling up to them, sizing Jix up suspiciously. "What are you doing here?"

"Undercover assignment," she told the stranger with a smile, then turned around to nod at Jix. Damn! She wasn't going to introduce him, was she? "This is my partner." Good girl.

"I see. Can I have a word?"

When she started following the stranger, Jix tugged her arm, giving her a questioning glance. "He's my department boss," she whispered in his ear, "I'll be all right." The pair vanished into an alley that, the agent noted, ran up the side of a warehouse that belonged to the Bay Seventy complex. Watching her go, Jix crossed his arms on his chest. After a while he fished out his pipe, put it into his mouth without lighting it, then reconsidered and put it back, all the while regarding the thugs opposite from him critically. He had a bad feeling about this.  

As minutes ticked by, his frown deepened. Red should have been back already. What was taking her so long? Suddenly the thugs started talking to each other and when the first pulled a blaster, Jix threw himself behind some rubbish fast. His own weapons unholstered already, he immediately and skillfully returned the fire that was opened on him. Damn! This could be no coincidence! They were covering the entire street with blaster fire, making it impossible for him to advance. He had no choice.

Retreating, keeping what little was left of his cover between himself and the assailants, Jix ducked into another alley and decided to try and take another route. But he was unsure what to do. Uncover the evidence Vader had asked for? Or check back in and get new instructions? He grimaced in frustration. The Dark Lord would not only have his balls, but also his head for losing Red like that. Finally he found himself a quiet corner and called up his employer with a heavy heart.

Chapter 3

Djuva was woken from her peaceful slumber by a furious roar that shook the wall separating her cell from the Dark Lord's quarters. Quickly she slipped off her bunk and hurried over to the secret door to listen.

"You idiot!" she heard Vader scream. "Have you lost you mind? Get back here at once! No! You will not try— Jix! You will return at once and report to me. That is quite irrelevant now. Get back!"

She shivered slightly at the grating tone in his voice. This sounded really bad. A loud thud told her that the commlink had probably received some serious damage as he disconnected the call, and then the sound of heavy footsteps coming closer prompted her to retreat from the door, which slid open the very next moment. That the Dark Lord did not order her to come into the living-room was the first bad sign. The second was his hands taking hold of her wrists in a death-grip.

"What were your plans in case your mission was uncovered?" he asked very coldly.

Djuva bit her lower lip hard, uncertain of what to answer. She did not want to betray her friends. No way. She had caused enough damage as it was.

"Answer!"

The rebel screamed when the pressure on her bones became unbearable. Twisting in his grasp, she tried to get away, but she might as well have tried moving a planet. "Let go," she hissed amidst hot tears of fear and agony.

"You will tell me what your friends have planned. Where will they go? How will they get there?" he continued, still sounding icy cold.

"No!" she screeched and kicked at his legs repeatedly, but he shook her like a ragdoll, sweeping her off her feet. Dropping to her knees, she hung in his unrelenting grip and shook her head. "No way," she whispered with a loud sob.

His right hand let go of her and smacked her face hard. Djuva flew against the bunk with a loud gasp, then simply lay there, aching all over. "What happened?" she managed at last.

When he walked over to sit down next to her, she did not dare to crawl away. Shivering slightly in terror, she closed her eyes. He arranged his long robes unnecessarily over the bunk and kept silent for a while. At last he said: "It would seem that your friends have captured the Ensign."

Gods! If he really felt the way for Red that she suspected he did, then this act called for bloody revenge. Very bloody. "Oh," Djuva whimpered, desperate now.

"So you see, if you do not tell me what I want to know of your own accord, I will have no choice but to resort to less pleasant methods. Very unpleasant methods, in fact." His hand brushed through her hair, then suddenly grabbed a fistful and drew her head up. "Is that clear?" She did not answer, but simply kept silent in dread anticipation. "Very well. I want you to understand that you have brought this upon yourself. There is no reason to suffer for a bunch of criminals."

Shaking her head slightly, Djuva pressed her lips together to gather her courage. "You are overreacting."

"Overreacting?" A kick sent her sliding against the opposite wall. Djuva scrambled to her feet quickly and made a dash for the still open door. Ignoring the angry roar that followed her out, she slapped the door controls hard and held her breath when she heard his body impact against the heavy steel and the assault continued with even greater force. No time to waste. Suddenly all noises ceased, freezing her in her tracks.

"You will not get out alive," he told her harshly. "Open the door. Now."

"You are asking too much!" she yelled, frantically searching for some sort of weapon.

"Too much?" There was another loud thud, as if he had been pounding the door in frustration. "Too much?" he repeated. "Open the door, girl, and you will live. I won't make that offer again."

She could hear that he was deadly serious, and somehow her feet moved of their own accord, as if her instincts were taking over, urging her to take his offer and survive. But as she came closer to the door, her hands shaking uncontrollably, she hesitated once more. He was lying. He would still torture her to get that information. But unfortunately he was also right. If she tried to flee, she would not survive. And yet, she would have kept her secrets.

Making her decision, she whirled around to leave and screamed when she found Jix standing there, staring at her in bewilderment. She tried to dart past him, but he caught her very easily.

"What the hell is going on?" Dragging her after him, he strode over to the door and reached out to work the controls. "Are you mad?"

"No!" Djuva wailed, tugging at his arm desperately. Too late. The door opened again to reveal the imposing bulk of the Dark Lord, eerily silent and incredibly menacing. The rebel's eyes widened in renewed fear as he took one long stride past Jix and grabbed her left arm, his hard grip bound to leave nasty bruises.

"Jix. Report," he said icily, his gaze never leaving Djuva's face. She tried to keep her mind completely blank, ignoring her own terror as best as she could, under the circumstances.

"Well," the Corellian began, eyeing the pair in utter confusion. "We spotted Gath Haddon in a bar, but we... lost him again for a time."

"You have found him?"

"Yes. The rebels are hiding at Bay 70 of the South Port. My best guess is that they will go to ground now."

"See?" Vader caressed the left side of her face almost tenderly. "I told you so." Djuva whimpered softly and closed her eyes.

"Leave her alone,” Jix said calmly. "That way you won't get her to reveal anything." He caught her in his arms gently. "Where the hell were you?" He whispered in her ear. "Talji said I would have to ask Vader for your whereabouts—"

"She was here," the Dark Lord injected acidly.

"Here? Well," Jix shook his head. "It doesn't matter. Djuva, where are they?" She had her face buried against his chest, crying. "Hey!" he called softly and stubbed her nose. "Where?"

"Maybe we should leave this to the inquisitor?" Vader asked, a menacing edge to his tone.

    He was still amazed at the rebel's resilience, the way she had fought down her fear to outwit him and lock him in her own cell. Impressive. Had she not been who she was, he would have been more impressed. This way, though, he was simply furious at her stubborn refusal to reveal her friends' whereabouts and plans. He could tell that Jix' presence was soothing her, but that was exactly the opposite of how he needed her. If she regained her composure again...

"Jix, get out. I will handle this personally."

"But—"

"You will be lucky if you survive this, Jix. Get out."

Grumbling a bit under his breath, the agent gave the woman a concerned glance, then took a step back. The rebel remained where she was, not meeting anyone's eye. Turning around, Jix made for the door. Once it had closed behind him, Vader took a seat at his work station and simply watched her. It did not take long until she looked up to gaze at him, her green eyes sparkling in silent calculation.

"Do you remember your last interrogation?" She nodded. "I can make it a whole lot worse this time." The threat was not serious, he only wanted to see her reaction to it.

"I won't tell you anything," she replied, her voice small, but firm. Yet he could sense a tiny flicker of desire and embarrassment from her, and he smiled in satisfaction. Good. She knew exactly that he had the power to make her reveal her knowledge, and perhaps the prospect of a repetition of what she had gone through previously would make her more amenable. He had the feeling that she had a strong sense of duty, and she now felt embarrassed for having enjoyed his attentions despite what it had meant for her friends. If a mere threat could put her so on edge already, perhaps he should go a little further...

"Very well. Then you leave me no choice."

Rising from his seat he walked around to come to a halt behind her. Then, wrapping his arms around her chest he held her close. "I shall regret this very much, I suppose," he explained wistfully. "Do you know why I took you back then?"

"As substitute for the Ensign, perhaps?" she asked hotly.

"That was one reason." His hands slipped down over her hips and came to rest on her thighs. Pulling her closer, he could feel her tense gradually. "The other was revenge. Jix has been teasing me for ages, and unfortunately he isn't afraid of me. But I think he might feel just a little bit possessive of you. Maybe he sees you as a rewarding challenge, the way you see him."

"Maybe."

Slipping one hand over her belly and the other between her shoulder-blades, he made her bend over. She whimpered softly in anticipation, but remained in position.

"Yes, I believe so," he said and gripped her waist firmly. "Now. I know what you think about me and the Ensign. You are right. She is someone special, not a nobody like you." As expected, hurt pride flared up in her like a bonfire . "I want her back. So, if you tell me where she is, I might be a bit more lenient. As it is, you are about to face the most exquisite torture the Empire has to offer."

The change in her mind was fast, flicking from fear to amusement in a heart-beat. Her soft laugh made him stop and he almost blushed underneath his mask. Pushing her away, he growled in disgust. She turned toward him, one hand propped on her hip and a smile on her face.

"If that is what you call torture around here, I may come to enjoy being your prisoner," she teased him.

"Jix!"

The agent promptly appeared in the doorway. "Yes?"

"Try to convince her to cooperate."

"Sure thing." Taking hold of the still grinning rebel, the Corellian left again, towing his charge after him.

"And, Jix..."

"Yes?"

"Take one of the torture chambers. The audio and video quality is much better there."

This time he had the satisfaction of seeing the rebel blush deeply, before she was dragged out of the room again. Of course, her relationship to Jix was much more personal than what she had experienced at his hands. She was probably used to worse, but Jix' feelings must be something precious to her. Very good. Perhaps he could get her that way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Red followed her boss, Intiman Crowen, wondering what he was doing in a disreputable district at half past three a.m. Bosses usually don't take assignments, they have underlings to run around for them at night. But then, considering the phone-call that Jix had got, his boss wasn't asleep either. She felt a pinprick of longing mixed with apprehension, and jealousy towards Jix for being so close to him, but laid these feelings aside for the moment.

"So what's up, boss?"

"Where were you?" Crowen kept his voice muffled. "We were all worried when word came that you'd actually been taken up to the Castle. Are you in trouble?"

I probably will be, but not for the reason you think. "No, I was just briefed for this mission and had really no time to get back to you. So what's this business you wanted to speak about?"

"You see, things have suddenly got much more complicated." The man looked about, as if making sure that nobody was in hearing distance. Then he strode on, Red hurrying after her.

"Hey, where're you—"

Crowen stopped and whirled to face her. "I can't give you details, but there's something you should see. Come."

He grabbed her wrist, turning into a sideway, then stopped at a small door with no markings. Red was beginning to feel uneasy. "Where are you taking me? I don't have time for this!" Then she heard the first blaster shots in the direction they had come from. "What is the meaning of this?"

Crowen patted her paternally on the shoulder, but when she struggled away from him, his grip hardened. "Sorry, girl. I have to do this. I didn't want to lose you, you're too nice to lie in the back alleys with a blaster shot at the back of your head."

"What?" The last thing she saw was his hand holding a blaster, then everything went dark.

She came to slowly, blinking at the lights. A dull ache hammered the back of her head, her mouth was dry and she was feeling slightly nauseous. A stun blast, then, she thought groggily, but the knowledge did not make the aftereffects any easier to bear. Her hands had been tied behind her back and were numb — evidently she'd been lying on them for some time now. Very carefully she tried to get a bearing of her surroundings, afraid that with any sudden movement her head would just roll down her shoulders.

"The Imp whore's awake!" a gruff voice called. Red blinked. Who, she? Several faces suddenly loomed in her field of vision.

"Kh—" She found her lips wouldn't obey her. Swallowing, she tried again. "Crowen—?"

"Ah, it's him you want? Nah, he's gone. Got to see that the stuff gets shipped duly. You'll have to do with what you've got." Red digested this a bit. Crowen, a rebel and a traitor. She wondered what had happened to Jix. If Crowen knew who Jix actually was, even his skills and incredible luck wouldn't save him. She bit her lip. No use making things worse than they already were.

"Where?"

"Where what?" One of them snickered. "Will this bunk do, or do you prefer on the floor?"

Red paled, struggling to sit up. The sudden movement was too much for her, however. She could not suppress her nausea, and barely just managed to bend forward over the edge of her bunk, retching.

"Enough of this, boys," a female voice cut into her misery. "Open her cuffs and bring her in." She moaned pitifully when she was lifted up by her armpits. Her legs wouldn't obey, so she was half dragged out of the room into another. There she was planted into a seat. Something white appeared before her, holding what looked like a hypo. She jerked back and would have fallen down from the chair if someone's hands had not steadied her.

"It's just a stimulant," the same efficient female voice informed her. "To neutralize the effects of stunning." She still wanted to protest, but the prick of the needle on her neck let her know it was too late. A glass was placed on her lips and she drank thirstily, water dripping down from the corners of her mouth.

"Thanks," she croaked. Gradually her vision began to clear. She was sitting in a chair facing a sizable desk, and a small woman in white was bending over her. There were two men, one standing guard at the door, the other behind her chair, but neither of them seemed the seedy types that had surrounded her when she first woke up.

"You must answer a few questions," the woman said when she saw Red's eyes finally focus. She walked around the desk and sat down, facing her.

Red cocked an eyebrow. "I don't think you've introduced yourself."

The woman smiled icily. "I don't see why I should."

"Common courtesy," Red shrugged. "Why am I being detained?"

"I assure you, you will be safe here. Your old friend specifically asked that you be taken good care of."

"I don't need your protection. This detention is illegal and outrageous. I intend to take it—"

"There is not much you can do about this right now, is there?" The rebel was punctuating each word with a finger. Somehow this gesture seemed so achingly familiar... but Red couldn't place it. "So I suggest you better show your good faith and answer the questions."

"I will answer no questions—"

"Really. What are you exactly, a soldier or a spy? What were you doing in "Ghyssa" three nights ago?"

Red snarled. "Well, didn't you see?"

"What were you doing at four o'clock this morning? Who gave you the information about docking bay 70?" The interrogator shot out one question after another. "Who was your partner? Who do you think he contacted after you parted? Did you have an agreed meeting place in case you would be separated? Why were you unarmed? What exactly is the nature of your relationship with Darth Vader? "

Red, who had been stubbornly quiet, rolled her eyes. "Maybe I fuck him."

The woman stopped, surprised, then looked at Red's attire that by now was in an obviously disreputable state. Her lips twitched in disdain. "Very funny," she remarked.

At that moment there were hurried footsteps in the corridor, and some men bustled in. "Lady Leia, we're— oh. Sorry."

"Never mind, I seem to be finished here for now," the rebel woman smiled a brief smile, then turned back to Red. "We are not as inhuman as the Empire to resort to vile torture, but rest assured we can find a way to get the information we need from you. Take her away."

"Then what do you call this?" Red asked over her shoulder, as one of the men cuffed her hands and poked her into the back with a blaster.

"Get moving," he growled, adding after they were out of the interrogation room and out of the woman's earshot, "slut."

Red pressed her lips together, following them silently.

The cell she was brought into was primitive, obviously refitted from a storage room. No windows, one door, locked, with guards outside. She did not feel suicidal enough to try to break out. Well, maybe time would offer new opportunities, and time was something she seemed to have right now. She curled up in a corner, hugging herself tightly. So, Jix had got away. Good. And called—him, most probably. They would search for her, she thought. But Coruscant was huge, and it might take a long while before they found her, if at all. And judging from today, she had a vague idea what was expecting her here. Would the Dark Lord notice her absence at all? Smiling wryly, she recalled the way Vader had curled up around her, sleeping like a baby. His tiny habitual movements, the way he placed his legs side by side when standing, or rested his hands on the belt, or pointed — weird. Now that she remembered it, the woman's gesture bore a mocking semblance of Vader's gesture, the way he used to drive his point home. Yeah, sure, girl, now's a great time to think of him. You lovesick fool. Sighing, she lied down. It was not like she had anything else to do but think of him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Djuva, you are such a fool," Jix announced as he pushed her into the torture chamber.

"Really," she growled and took a skeptical look around. "Nice. This is cozy, isn't it?" Bleak walls were covered with strange-looking instruments and panels. "Much better than your old cell," he agreed and sat down on the metal table. Djuva threw a wistful look at the locked door.

"And now?"

"We talk. You really managed to get Vader mad, didn't you?"

"That's easy," she shrugged and plopped down next to him.

"Why don't you tell him what he wants to know?"

"Because I will not betray my friends."

He lay an arm around her shoulders and hugged her closer. "You know, that's plain stupid. If you don't, you will die."

"What reason is there for me to live if I reveal my friends to Lord Vader?" Her green eyes were dark with sorrow. "Jix, what is left for me?"

"Not much, I agree."

"Oh! You!" Slapping him hard, she twisted out of his embrace and paced in front of him quickly. Up and down, up and down.

"Djuva."

"What?!"

"If you tell him what you know, you will live. Doesn't that count for anything?"

"Is that what you did? You sold your services for your life?" She had folded her arms in front of her chest and frowned at him deeply.

Jix shook his head. "We made a pact." Hopping down from the table, he wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her close. "Yes, I was wanted, and yes, I agreed to serve, but not to save my life. As agent of Lord Vader, I protect the planet Aridus."

She gave him a surprised look. "You believe him? How do you know you protect the planet? Maybe it has been destroyed already, for all you know? Jix, if I reveal what I know, my friends will die," she reasoned and shook her head slowly. "I cannot."

Leaning forward Jix kissed her forehead, unsure of what to do. "Hey, but you survive."

"That's all, is it?"

"And you could be with me."

She looked up at him sharply. "Jix," she began, "it was fun, but—"

"But nothing serious?"

When she broke his embrace and turned away, he could not help but feel slightly hurt at the rejection. Although so far he himself had not considered this affair more than just that, an affair, having her say it was humiliating. Jix had to admit to himself that he indeed enjoyed her company, and maybe he had even believed that there could be more. Well. If not...

"Jix?" Hugging herself tightly, Djuva had her back to him and looked even smaller than usual.

"What?"

"Do you think I could make a deal too? If I help you find Red and free her, maybe he could let my friends escape?"

Slightly surprised at her change of mind, Jix went over to hold her again. "Hey! This sounds good!"

"Is he listening in?"

He shrugged. "I have no idea."

"Then we tell him now, okay?"

His face fell. "Now? Uh, I thought, maybe, just you and me and that table..."

She punched an elbow into his ribcage playfully and turned around, her eyes glittering mischievously. "Haven't you had enough yet?"

"No," Jix replied with a wide grin. But she shook her head.

"First I talk to your boss."

He gave her his best hurt puppy look.

Djuva laughed, then tapped his lips gently. "That really doesn't suit you, Jix."

"Yeah, but it works," he whispered and kissed her, while his hands ran down her back. She leaned into his touch deeply and sighed. Jix lifted her up and sat her down on the table. Immediately she hugged him to herself and her body pressed against his hotly.

"What were you doing in Vader's quarters at all?" he asked when she started licking at his throat.

Chuckling to herself, Djuva shook her head again, long tresses of her soft hair caressing his bare shoulders. She smiled at him knowingly, then rubbed her nose against his gently. "I don't want to give you ideas...," she teased.

"No? A shame. Then I'll just have to think something up."

Slipping the oversized shirt over her head, he bent forward and sucked at her right nipple hard. She gasped aloud and wiggled in his grasp, laughing. But Jix did not let himself be distracted by her half-hearted struggle. His hands took hold of her waist and moved further up, over her ribs and to her breasts. Suddenly she grew very silent, her body trembling in anticipation. Shifting his attention to her left nipple, Jix let his right hand slip down her spine and underneath her pants. She jerked against him with a loud moan and drew his hips against hers demandingly. Complying instantly, Jix's hands moved underneath her buttocks and lifted her up, then dragged the pants over her hips. She lay back on the table, sighing. Jix looked down at her thoughtfully.

"Are you comfortable?"

"Hm-hm."

"Good." Folding his arms across his chest he waited.

"Jix?"

"Yeah?"

"What are you waiting for?"

"Huh?"

She growled angrily and sat up. "Don't play games with me!"

"I thought you didn't want to—"

"Jix!"

Grinning at her the agent shrugged. "Hey, you know, I thought—"

"Don't think, boy. You're no good at that."

She swung her legs over the edge of the table and pouted, but although he was tempted, Jix remained where he was. Instead he let his eyes wander over her naked curves, still wondering what she had been doing upstairs with Vader. Had they—? And what if? After all, he and Red had— His face darkened. He did not appreciate Vader taking his girl at all. If he had. But she had hinted at that, hadn't she? Or had she just been teasing him? The uncertainty became almost unbearable. But then she was standing in front of him, her hands slipping underneath his vest, her fingers ghosting over his bare skin.

"So, what did you do?" he asked bluntly, his eyes glazing over when she moved further down, massaging his abdomen skillfully. Suppressing a groan, he took hold of her arms, stopping her.

"Why do you wanna know?" she asked, sounding slightly annoyed.

"Did he question you?"

"Obviously."

"Did you—"

"What?"

"You didn't fuck him, did you?"

"Is that relevant?" Freeing herself from his grasp, she started working on his pants. "On your knees, please." Before he knew it, he was down on the floor. Kneeling in front of him, she drew open his pants and ran a hand over his penis that had already begun to harden.

"Actually it was not so bad," she continued. "A bit rough, perhaps, but sometimes I like rough."

"So you did!" he exclaimed, but his angry shout turned into a whimper when she took him into her mouth and ran her tongue around the tip slowly. "You—"

Ignoring him, she closed her eyes and concentrated solely on his hard member. Jix felt his mind grow fuzzy. But still, having the confirmation for what he had already suspected rankled immensely. Of course, when Vader found out about what he and Red had got to in the cramped bunk, Jix' own anger would fairly pale in comparison to the Dark Lord's fury. On the other hand, he found it a real turn-on to imagine Djuva with Vader. Had she screamed the way Red had during her 'mission briefing'?

His thoughts were interrupted when she ran her teeth over his sensitive skin gently. Taking hold of her wrists, he rose and pushed her down on her back. She grinned up at him and ran her tongue over her lips slowly.

"What?" she asked innocently.

Instead of answering he drew her legs up, his cock sliding into her wet core, but stopped when the head was barely inside. She hissed softly and rolled her eyes, her hips wiggling a bit as she tried to get him into her deeper. But Jix held her tightly. Her muscles clenched briefly and her breathing quickened. Carefully bending over, her he kissed her belly, her breasts, and his tongue played with her nipples again. She groaned aloud, arching her back.

***

The sweet torture was nearly driving her insane, and she could feel the heat of her body threaten to burn her alive. She was dimly aware that Jix was jealous for Vader's encroaching on what he saw as his territory. Good. But apart from that very satisfactory feeling, her mind was aflame with desire. "Jix!" she moaned in despair, fighting against his hold. She gave a low scream of annoyance when he drew out completely and dragged her upright.

"Cruel," she breathed, feeling incredibly hot. He was still holding her wrists and moved her right hand over to close around his cock. Sliding her palm over his member, up and down, he guided her over to the table again. Then he turned her around.

"Rough, is it? Okay."

His hands started kneading her breasts with some force and she started squirming again, feeling his hot skin against her back. While his left hand continued upstairs, his right wandered down between her legs. Rubbing his fingers over her soft folds, he dipped in only briefly, tentatively, teasing her further. Djuva bit her lower lip hard, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of hearing her moan. Suddenly his hands slipped over her hips and she dropped face down on the hard table. She just had time to catch herself on her hands.

"Like that?" he asked softly, his breath running hot over her neck.

"Yes!" She was barely able to stand the tension any longer.

He drew her away from the table and pushed her to the floor again. Pressing her shoulders down, he propped her up on her knees and entered her. It was not the same as with Vader, since Jix refused to see to keeping her stimulated. Instead, he pounded into her angrily, not caring for her pained moans. She felt raw and sore by the time he came with a last, deep thrust. Remaining where she was, her legs shaking and her body burning with unfulfilled passion, she shook her head slowly. Jix drew out again and rose without another word. Djuva struggled to sit up, unwilling to face him right now. She was far too hurt. But then he caught her left arm and hoisted her up. As her body and her passion cooled, she stood there shivering.

Suddenly though, he was on his knees in front of her, his mouth wandering over her pubic area and closing in on her clit fast. Her hips tilted slightly up and pushed toward him unconsciously, to give him better access. When he started employing his hands too, running his fingers over her buttocks and thighs deftly, she began to tremble again Searching for some purchase, she found the edge of the table and leaned against it, her eyes closing in bliss.

"If you stop this time, I will kill you," she breathed.

Suppressing a whimper, she leaned against him when he inserted two fingers into her pussy gently. His left hand reached up to fondle her breasts. Spreading her legs slightly, she shook herself again as he continued his massage. Suddenly she felt her mind explode and jerked uncontrollably, her body collapsing on top of her lover as she came.

He held her in his arms for a long time. Then: "Sorry for venting my anger on you."

"Never mind. But next time I want some more attention, is that clear?"

"Clear, ma'am," he told her with a mocking smile.

"Good. And now I will go and inform your boss. Maybe this little show has eased his mind a bit, don't you think?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This time she was being escorted to the Dark Lord's office, where she had first met him. Jix had retreated somewhere, presumably to prepare the rescue mission, and Captain Talji was acting as her guard. It felt slightly unsettling to face him again alone, and it was as if all of her confidence had been blown away by the previous events. Taking a deep breath, she gathered herself and went in, nodding her thanks at Talji.

"Ah. There you are. I won't ask you to sit down," the Dark Lord greeted her.

She almost flinched at his harsh tone. "Well, I wasn't going to ask for a seat anyway."

"You have something to tell me? If not—"

"No, no, I do, really."

He relaxed a fraction and Djuva thought that he looked just a little bit smug. "Go ahead."

"I will not reveal the location to you."

"Won't you?" Jumping up from his seat, he started coming around the desk. Djuva had a hard time standing her ground. Crossing her hands on her back, she straightened to meet his gaze.

"I will lead Jix to their hiding place, under one condition."

"You are not in the position to make demands," Vader snarled.

"No?" Raising her eyebrows meaningfully, Djuva smiled. "I suppose Jix would just love to have a certain piece of information to tease you with. Your deeper feelings for the Ensign is what I am referring to, in case you didn't get that," she added sweetly. "And besides, either you get this or nothing."

Very suddenly he was very close and a hand locked around her chin, shaking her head softly. "You are quite mistaken, rebel. It is either your cooperation or your death." He let go again. "You will accompany Jixton and then return with him. If you do not, I will have your head either way."

"And what if I come back?"

"Then you will stay here. Maybe you can make yourself useful in my team."

Djuva shook her head and snorted softly. "Great." She shrugged. "I guess I have no other choice. It is a deal."

He clasped her hand and squeezed it hard, making her wince. "A deal. And don't forget that."

Withdrawing a slightly bruised hand, Djuva nodded solemnly. "Will you tell her what you feel for her when we get back?"

"Why should I?"

She shrugged. "It might make a few things clear."

"I do not need your advice, rebel."

Djuva hesitated. She had thought to create a more personal atmosphere, but he had withdrawn from her again, undoubtedly rattled quite a bit by his own feelings for Red. "Well, in that case maybe you would consider a request?"

"You want to make a request? Now?" Leaning against his desk, he regarded her steadily, but she could imagine how he might look underneath the mask. Very smug. That probably meant that her request would not fall on friendly ears.

"No," she sighed, giving up. "You are right. I have asked enough as it is."

"Quite so. And, since you are finished, I want to speak to Jix before you leave."

"Certainly."

Djuva hesitated. She could not ask him to let her friends get away. He would never agree and he may even go so far as to refuse to let her go on that mission with Jix at all. Forcing a small smile on her lips, she tried to push gruesome thoughts about torture droids and inquisitors out of her mind.

"Captain Talji will escort you back to your cell."

"Yeah." Her shoulders slumped.

"You don't seem your usual cheeky self," the Dark Lord commented drily. "What is wrong? You seemed to enjoy Jixton's company very much."

"Cheap, very cheap, your lordship," the rebel growled and balled her fists.

"A nice show. I have to admit that you two make a great team."

Whirling around without another word, she stormed out of the door, her face fixed in a furious snarl that made the Captain flinch back when he reached out to take hold of her. "Keep your hands off!" she snapped.

"Sorry, I've got a job and I want to keep it," Talji told her drily once he had recovered. "Come along."

Halfway down the hall they met Jix. "You okay?" he asked and ran his left hand over her cheek tenderly. Djuva jerked her head away, not meeting his eyes.

"Yes. He wants to see you."

"I know."

"Then you had better hurry."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Slouching against the wall, with his arms crossed in front of him, Jix watched the Dark Lord pace his office relentlessly. He seemed ill at ease and had been ever since Red had been captured. Jix winced inwardly. Better not to drop the bomb right now. Vader would find out soon enough anyway. So he simply stood there and waited for Vader to speak first.

"I do not trust her."

"Who?"

"Your rebel, who else? She will warn her friends and try to let them get away."

"So?"

"Jix, do you realize what an embarrassment that would be? A rebel cell under the Emperor's nose and when we uncover it, we fail to burn out the nest? This mission has to succeed. Failure is not an option." Hooking his thumbs behind his belt he stopped pensively. "When you can be certain about the location, you will give me the coordinates."

"And you'll send troopers in?"

"Assault shuttles, regular troops and special units."

"You aren't taking any chances, are you?" Jix crossed his arms in front of his chest. "What about Red?"

"I have to take that risk. You simply will have to succeed in getting her out in time."

"Djuva won't let me accompany her in. I have been spotted in Red's company. They would recognize me instantly."

"That is your problem, Jix. But fact is that you cannot rescue Red and at the same time wipe out the rebels."

"Probably true. Possibly. Although—"

"Jix."

Jix threw up his hands defensively. "Okay, okay."

"Additionally I want you to keep an eye on your rebel. I want her back too."

"Really?"

"Yes. She could prove a valuable asset, if you ever succeed to get her to cooperate."

"Then I shall try to keep her in line."

"Do that. Stay sharp, Jix. Don't let yourself be distracted."

"No problem, boss. See you later."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Djuva had settled down on the bunk in the cell that seemed an identical twin of her first one in this fortress. What was keeping Jix? He must be away for hours now. Or maybe she just felt that way. Rubbing her arms against the cold, she grimaced at the feel of her new attire, black fatigues that practically screamed 'Imperial standard issue'. How was she ever going to explain this to Crowen and the gang? Well, she already had a plan of action. She had dismissed the idea of telling them that she had escaped, because too many of the rebels stationed here had Imperial ties. They would know that she had been captured. So she would simply tell them the truth and pray that they would heed her warning and not kill her. Jix would understand that he could not follow her into the rebels' lair. That meant they only had to outrun the Imperial military. She rolled her eyes in dismay. This needed careful planning. Unfortunately she had neither the time nor the resources, but she knew that a headlong flight would only get them killed. Definitely.

The door opened suddenly and she started at the shadow that strode into the room and closed in on her fast.

"Lord Vader, what—" she managed while rising to her feet. But his right hand had locked around her neck already, choking her effortlessly.

"I know what you are planning," he began coldly. "But you have been warned. If you betray me now, you and your friends will die and you will have accomplished nothing. By cooperating you can at least save your own life."

"I will do what I must," she whispered hoarsely. Letting go of her again, he took a step back and propped his hands on his hips.

"Another thing. I want Red back in one piece and unharmed."

"Don't worry about that," Djuva sighed and shook her head to get rid of the dizziness. "You'll get her back."

"You must know that you cannot escape. I will have the entire planet under a tight guard. No ship will get through. And if you hide in the underground, I swear I will dig you up again."

"Lord Vader, you don't have to keep on threatening me constantly. I get the picture."

"You are very brave," he chuckled and his left hand brushed over her face gently. "Only Jix could tell me something like that to my face and get away with it. And I do not even know how you manage to survive."

"A distraction," she replied as calmly as she could. "It eases your mind to have something as challenging and at the same time as unimportant as this banter to deal with."

His head jerked in open surprise. Score one for the rebel. "Perhaps you are right. Then Red would also be a distraction?"

"No," Djuva shook her head. "You admitted as much. Red is more than that. I wonder..." She boldly lay a hand on his left arm. "Have you ever had someone like that before?"

"Don't do that."

Taking his arm away, he retreated before her, a move that delighted her immensely. Imagine! The mighty Dark Lord of the Sith retreating before her. Djuva smiled slowly. She had to admit to herself that she wanted revenge for that 'interrogation'; unfortunately she also suspected that she would not get it. Sighing softly she cocked her head to one side demurely.

"I am sorry."

Vader snorted aloud. "You have a habit of asking very personal questions. I should tell you that Jix never goes that far."

"Which is why he's survived so long?"

"Yes."

"Oh."

They were silent for a while. Then: "There was someone. A very long time ago." When she opened her mouth he waved her into silence. "I do not want to talk about her. Or Red."

"Good!" She clapped her hands childishly. "Then we don't talk! I'll just go and get Jix, shall I?"

Pushing past him, she hammered against the door. Nothing happened. He came up behind her and grabbed her waist to draw her out of the way.

"Guard!" he barked in his usual charming manner. Djuva slunk away from the door and gritted her teeth. A second later Captain Talji grinned at her smugly. "Where is Jixton?" the Dark Lord asked.

"Right here." Jix appeared miraculously next to the captain and mustered both the rebel and the Sith critically. His gaze lingered especially long on her form, as if looking for any signs of suspiciously disheveled clothing. "You finished?"

"Yeah, we were pretty quick this time," Djuva teased him.

"Ha ha. Come on. His lordship hates having to wait."

"I know."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By the next morning Red had a pretty good idea what the interrogator's threats had meant. Absolutely no privacy for her as a woman. At first she was startled, when taken to the shower room, she found several pairs of surprised, shocked, but also undeniably interested eyes staring at her through the hot vapor. All males, in various stages of undress.

"Er... There must be a mistake," she offered, blushing, but her guards only snickered.

"Whaddaya want? A private bath, perhaps?"

"I thought—" She started to push back out, but the guards stood firmly in her way and she really did not want to get too close and personal with them. It was making her more nervous than she cared to admit.

"Oh, so madam thinks she's too good for us?"

"No, I—"

"Well do you want to shower or not? Yes? Then get on with it!"

"You do have women in this place, don't you? Won't you take me to a ladies' shower room?"

"Oh, you mean the Lady. No, she's long gone. Besides, you're used to this stuff, aren't you."

Red pressed her lips together. It hurt, but she had resolved not to argue or even react when they tried to insult her. No, no way. She would not show any weakness. She needed to clean herself, bad, and that's what she would do, piece of cake. Piece of cake, she repeated to herself, trying to put more certainty into the words. If that was what they wanted to break her with, well, she would show them what a woman was made of. What a real, full-blooded, gorgeous Imperial slut was made of.

"Well," she snapped. "Where's my towel? Soap? Clean clothes?"

Somewhat to her surprise, she was really handed a bunch of items which seemed to be more or less what she had requested. Taking off her clothes under stares and snide comments and walking to a vacant shower stall, she bit her lip not to try to cover herself self-consciously. Lifting the chin and smiling seemed to do the trick. Of course, she got lots of offers to help and more; but if a polite but icy "No, thanks, I can manage" wasn't enough, she just stared back at them, and at first they seemed to feel embarrassed about ogling her like that. At first. Later... some got bolder. Well, she wouldn't think of it.

After shower, she dressed into the T-shirt and fatigues she had been given, trying to hide the fact that her hands were shaking, and waiting to get to the privacy of her cell. Only to find that she had been moved into another room that she had to share with three other convicts. Men. Suddenly a friendly, non-committal "Hi, guys" seemed too dangerous a thing to say, almost an invitation.

Silently she curled up on her bunk, almost trying to press herself into the wall. Too afraid to sleep, and too tired to stay up, she fell into restless slumber now and then, only to wake in a jolt of panic at the slightest rustle or creak of a bunk. Some quickened breathing told her that at least one of the men was most probably having thoughts of her. Quietly she snaked a hand to a bundle of her personal things that were lying under her bunk, and grabbed one of the high-heeled shoes that had miraculously not been taken away. Hugging the shoe to her, she prayed for the sweet moment when stormtroopers would flood the place, and ahead of them Darth Vader would step in, his black cloak fanning out behind him, bowing his head in the doorway that was too low for him. And maybe Jix, with his insufferable smugness and flashy grin.

She discovered she had drifted off carelessly when she was woken by hands touching her. She screamed, but of course nobody came to the Imperial slut's help. She made a few discoveries about the applications of heels with metal taps, combined with her own arms and legs. One of the thugs was howling and one cursing loudly, when the guards finally came and tore them off her. She was left with a tuft of hair from someone's head, a black eye and otherwise bruised, but still mostly intact. Still. Mostly. Unbroken. "You'll pull through it," she repeated to herself, nursing her bruised cheekbone, once again in the privacy of a cell in the basement.

Tomorrow it might begin anew, but, "You'll pull through, girl." Perhaps. God willing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hey, what about a speeder bike?" Jix wailed as he ran after Djuva, who was striding down the hallway briskly.

"I said no. We take a speeder to the Tjunoka Plaza, drop it and go on from there."

"On foot."

"No, darling, we'll take a train."

"A train? I never take a train! Can't we—"

Whirling around, she pressed a hand over his mouth and raised her eyebrows coolly. "Another word and you can stay here."

"You wouldn't dare," he muttered, but she simply shook her head.

"They will monitor traffic, and there will also be guards at the stations, but it is still less suspicious than taking a speeder."

He carefully took her hand away. "Depends. If the scenery makes for a romantic getaway..."

"Sure. That would be pretty inconspicuous. Unfortunately we have no time to waste. Come on."

Twenty minutes later they had reached the Plaza and transferred to one of the outbound trains. Seated next to the rebel, Jix was keeping an eye on the other passengers while the small woman next to him was fast asleep. He had an arm wrapped around her shoulders to keep her from falling off the bench, and it felt good to have her cheek rest against his chest. Admittedly it felt very good. But he was unsure what she was trying to accomplish with this maneuver. If anyone saw them together...

"Don't worry," she mumbled and sighed, rubbing her face against him tiredly.

"What stop was that again?"

"Cool Springs."

"That's close to Lake Sooda, is it?"

"You got it." Snuggling closer, she let her hands wander over his belly and down to his hips. Jix grinned down at her, but the grin was wiped off again when a blaster was stuck into his face.

"Sorry, baby," Djuva whispered. "I could not take any chances." She disengaged from him quickly and took his blasters with her. "Stun him," she ordered the Elomin standing next to her coolly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When he came to again, Jix felt awful. That bitch! As if the headache and nausea weren't enough, it was his professional pride that was hurt most. What a bloody yokel he'd been! Humiliating. Hadn't Vader warned him to be careful? Sitting up with a groan, he found himself in what looked like the last stop of the train's track. Outside night had fallen and he had no idea where he was supposed to go. Cool Springs certainly was only a distraction. Damn. A security droid bustled up to him. "Sir, I must ask you to leave the premises. Now."

"Yeah, yeah." Getting up slowly, Jix patted his belt, but found it empty. So, his blasters were lost, but he had some other assets with him. A slow smile crept onto his lips. Well, if Djuva was smart, she had gotten this already, but maybe she was too busy. He took a transmitter from his pouch and flipped it on. Immediately its twin answered with an enthusiastic beep. Jix muted the device carefully and nodded to himself. She was on the move. Hopefully she had not played that old trick on him and attached it to someone else or a train or whatever. So, assuming,—and that was very uncertain—that Djuva still had the transmitter, she was heading back toward the city. Now all he needed was some sort of transport.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She still felt guilty over having tricked Jix like this. Undoubtedly the Dark Lord would be fuming once he learned of this. But that could not be her concern. No, all she could think of was how to get her friends into safety. She jogged after the Elomin quickly, her concern all that filled her mind. Still, she would also keep her promise and set Red free.

Racing along a maze of tunnels that she knew all too well, the rebel thought back wryly on her first encounter with Jix in the District. They were very close to that part of the underground, but she doubted that anyone save for the rebels knew about these tunnels. She and her companion had spent hours laying false trails in case someone was following.

"Quick now, we have to hurry," she told the Elomin and went ahead. Once she had passed the security checks, she walked into a gloomy chamber and found who she was looking for immediately.

"Djuva!"

She nodded with a smile. "Hi, Crowen."

"Search her," he ordered, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Hey!" she protested as rough hands searched her body.

"I don't want to take any chances."

"Crowen, look at that," one of the men said and ripped her collar off. "Looks like a transmitter."

"What?" she exclaimed. "Damn!" Looking up she met Crowen's gaze. "It's not what you think."

"And what would that be?"

"I came to warn you. You have to leave at once, there are troopers on their way—"

He slapped her hard and she dropped to the floor in a boneless heap. "Traitor," he hissed.

"Do that again and you'll have a few fingers less," Djuva growled softly.

"I know you were with Vader. That agent captured you, the same agent who came to sneak around the South Port yesterday. I hope you enjoyed your stay."

"Crowen! You moron! You have to believe me!"

"Get the Imperial."

A few moments later some of the men dragged Red into the room. She looked somewhat bruised and disheveled, but recognition flashed across her features when her eyes fell on the rebel crouching on the floor.

"She was at the Ghyssa too," Crowen continued icily. "Could it be that you had contacts to Imperials for some time already?"

"No! You set that up, Crowen, you enlisted my help for this!"

"There's a rumor that the best sluts get a job in the Emperor's harem. You are on the right way, I guess."

Shaking her head, Djuva rose again. "To think that I wanted to save you. I should not have bothered with you scum. I will warn you just one more time. Either you try to get away or else you are dead."

"She is right."

The rebel looked up sharply to meet Red's eyes. "What?"

"You are dead either way, you can just try to outrun your death," the Ensign growled in a tired voice. Gazing at her pensively, Crowen was visibly fighting with himself.

"Very well. We will retreat. Djuva, you are coming with us. If you've lied you will die." He waved his men forward. "Pack up, boys. Someone, get rid of that Imperial agent."

"No!" Djuva bit her lower lip hard. Damn!

Crowen turned toward her again. "So you lied," he hissed coldly.

"I made a promise. Let her go. That is all I ask."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Squeezing through the ventilation shaft he had selected to get into the underground facility, Jix cursed quietly. They couldn't have chosen a more accessible part of the damn underground, could they? He had informed Vader dutifully and the Dark Lord had promised harsh punishment for his blunder. Yeah, they could discuss that later. When the shaft ended, Jix dropped down on what looked like a storage loft. Moving very carefully, he slunk toward the railing and looked down. A low hiss escaped his mouth when he saw both Red and Djuva in what looked like a tight corner. He'd have to move fast. But unfortunately he had no weapons, except....

"Djuva, you've always had a soft spot," one of the men said. "But this goes too far. Take her away."

Jix took aim in an instant and let the small knife fly. It hit the speaker between his shoulderblades and dropped him to the floor. Immediately the rebels opened fire on his hiding place. But the last he'd seen of Djuva had shown her sprinting toward Red. Now he had to trust them to be able to get out on their own.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Red was pushed backward when Djuva impacted against her, but her gaze was drawn up to the loft, her mouth hanging open.

"Is that Jix?"

"Guess so. Come on!" Dragging the Ensign along, the rebel dashed back into the hallway, away from the fight. "Are you okay?"

"I've been better."

"Yeah, I know the feeling. This way."

They ducked through a door and Red wrinkled her nose at the appalling stench that blew into her face. "Sewage system?" she asked.

"Graveyard, more likely. Watch your step."

"You bet!" Red picked her way daintily, trying not to look too closely at what was lying on the ground. Ahead of her Djuva had produced a glowrod. Suddenly though she stopped. Bumping into her, Red was bouncing on her toes nervously. "Can't we hurry?"

"Ssh! Do you hear that?"

"A T-7 model blaster rifle," Red said without thinking. "The new standard for—" She stopped. "Damn! Jix is still in there!"

"Seems as if your rescue is here. In your place I wouldn't worry about Jix." Djuva gave her a quick smile and pressed something soft into her hands. "See you around, Red."

Red looked down at what looked like the torn-off collar from a jacket. "Hey! Wait!" But the rebel had already vanished, and unfortunately she had taken the glowrod with her.

Stranded in darkness, Red rubbed her arms self-consciously. It was cold down here, and the smell was certainly not contributing to the eerie setting. Damn. If she tried to get back, she might get shot by stormtroopers or rebels. When she took a step forward, something crunched underneath her heels. She closed her eyes, shuddering. "Hey!" she yelled, almost freaking out. And then she simply ran ahead.

It was some time later that she found what looked like an emergency hatch. Working the lock with numb hands, she cursed quietly. Finally Red managed to get the hatch open and climbed out, only to find herself in a back-alley she knew all too well. She had landed at the Ghyssa somehow. Great. Looking up at the sign above the back-door with tired eyes she was suddenly very aware of the drunken Twi'lek leering at her bleary-eyed. This was getting better and better.

"Looking for some company, baby?"

Whirling around she stared into the smiling face of Wrenga Jixton. "You!"

"Are you okay? Do you have the transmitter?" He made a grab for the piece of clothing she still held.

Red exploded. Pounding her fists against his chest she screamed: "You moron! You were supposed to watch out for me! You call that protection?"

He caught her wrists easily. "Hey, calm down. I was kinda busy. And who could have thought that baby-sitting you would be such a demanding task?"

"You've had your fun," she growled. Jix let go again.

"Hey, I'm really sorry." Shrugging he smiled again. "You look awful, Red."

"Why, thank you." Only then did the tension ease and she felt tears of relief in her eyes. She started trembling hard and the agent wrapped her in his arms tenderly.

"Ssh. Don't cry. You're safe now."

"The rebels?" she asked quietly, her face buried against his chest.

"They won't get away." He hesitated. "Where is Djuva?"

"Gone."

She felt him stiffen at that. But he kept silent. Then: "Let's go. Vader is waiting for you."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So?" Darth Vader asked the physician, sparing a glance at the huddled form before him, wrapped in a uniform jacket that a considerate officer must have handed her. She looked tinier and more helpless than he remembered. Or perhaps it was just a trick of his mind.

"Lord Vader, the scans show bruises, scratches and other evidence of violence—"

"Beaten?" He looked towards her again, expecting a reaction from her, but she just sat numbly, motionlessly.

"—The damage is superficial. It is the psychological damage that seems to be more serious. However..." the physician hesitated.

"Well?"

"There is evidence that a sexual intercourse has taken place—"

"She's been violated, is that what you want to say?"

"Um, Lord Vader. Evidence seems to suggest that."

"Seems to?" Vader snorted. "Very well, doctor, leave us." His quiet command was immediately obeyed, leaving him alone with the ensign. Red seemed paler than before. She patted the uniform jacket and, finding a pack of cigarettes, lit one with slightly shaking hands. Both were at a loss where to start.

"I'm sorry," Vader offered an opening. "The Empire should not be a place where such things happen."

Red nodded, opening her mouth, but then closing it again wordlessly.

"I didn't know you smoked," Vader continued with a mixture of curiosity and mild displeasure.

"You learn... things," she croaked, still not looking up at him, "in my line of work."

Vader didn't have anything to say about that. How much more he still didn't know about her? Not that he couldn't just have taken that knowledge from her. But in the forty years of his life he had learned that knowledge obtained this way never proved worth the while. Yet, she made him wonder.

The silence was too heavy for Red to bear. "I usually don't," she tried to excuse herself. "It's just that... uh... never mind."

He laid a hand on her shoulder; when she tried to look away, he gently turned her face up to him. A warmth settled in his stomach, looking at those serious eyes that were now surrounded by dark circles, and those passionate lips.

"It is good to have you back." He plucked the cigarette from her, tossing it carelessly on the floor. Immediately a cleaning droid rolled out from its corner, starting to fuss about. Red captured Vader's hand and brought it to her cheek, smiling wistfully. But the next moment she drew away again. Letting go of is hand slowly, she closed her eyes in hesitation.

"There's ... there's something you should know."

Vader felt a tiny tendril of apprehension. No, this sort of a beginning certainly did not bode well. "Yes?"

"I... uh..." She blinked furiously and Vader saw moisture gather under her eyelashes. Coughing, she brought herself back to focus. "I wasn't violated. I was... with someone ... before I was caught. Out of my own free will."

Silence, punctuated only by the hiss of his respirator.

"I... see."

Silence again. Seconds ticked by as Vader turned and paced the room. Red's eyes followed him to the left, to the right, to the left again.

"And that someone, was it Jix by any chance?" He didn't even need an answer, the flush of guilt on Red's face revealed the truth. He nodded sharply, turning to stare out of the window, his fists clenching and unclenching with furious regularity. "I see," he repeated again in a soft, choked voice. "Thank you for your honesty."

"I'm sorry. I never wanted to hurt you."

"Hurt me...?" He stopped for a moment, staring at her, puzzled. "At least I know now what to expect. Well. I had hoped to..." He paused awkwardly, feeling too numb to think clearly. Then he gestured mutely, indicating for her to leave.

Red's lips quivered treacherously, but she straightened up, nodded and took a step towards the door, hesitating only for a moment, then returned to him. "Lord Vader. Don't punish Jix. It wasn't his fault."

"This is none of your business, Ensign."

She shuddered and for a moment he thought she'd give up, but Red shook her head. "With all due respect, I disagree. I feel responsible." She stood in his way, shoulders squared, fists clenched, staring high up into his mask. She wasn't a small woman, but next to his over-two-meter bulk, she looked like a kitten challenging a tiger. The contrast between them was so poignant that he would have laughed, had he not been so angry.

"It is touching, how you care for him," he sneered.

"It was a mistake! I seduced him, he wouldn't have--"

"Oh, of course he wouldn't. That laser-brained no-good street scum with a bloated sense of self-importance. Why doesn't he pick his bedmates from the likes of himself?"

"Ugh! It's really a wonder that he still sticks to you."

"You know nothing of our relationship!"

"I've seen enough. Don't come telling me about your relationships. You are overbearing, arrogant, ruthless, uncaring, unforgiving. So yes, I fear for Jix. You punish his failures, whether real or imagined, and never reward nor even acknowledge his successes. You ignore completely his good qualities, his resourcefulness, his fearlessness, his caring nature."

"Thank you, Ensign, that is quite enough," Vader said dryly, and Red fell into shocked silence. He stared at her morosely for a moment. Fearlessness? Caring nature? What was it in Jix that made women believe such nonsense? "Fine. As I said, you're free to go. Leave. If you have such high opinion of him, why don't you just go straight to him." If that woman had turned her back on him for someone who spent his life among the lowest scum, then so be it. He wouldn't even stoop to punish her.

Red gulped, then blushed. "Uh..."

"Well? The door is open. You may leave, Ma'am." He gestured, and both halves of the door retracted into the walls, revealing staring guards and an aide. Red glared at them, then threw a desperate glance at Vader, but the Sith stood relentlessly.

"Please," she whispered, trying to make it so quiet that those in the hallway didn't hear.

The Dark Lord sighed in resignation. The door slid shut again, and he walked around the desk, seating himself into his chair.

"I won't be—" she began, but he raised a hand and she fell silent, flustered.

"Your concern is touching, but it will not change anything. You spoke of my shortcomings. But what you probably have not realized," he continued in a rasping voice, "is the depth of my relationship with Jix. I trust him like no other. However, my trust comes at a price too." Looking up, he scrutinized her. She was silent. For some reason this stung more than her tears or anger would have. He sighed again. "I've no idea why I'm explaining this to you. It's none of your business. If it eases your mind, I'm going to have a talk with him. Jix is more than my tool, he is my hand, and I don't have a habit of cutting off my own hand. Satisfied?" he asked sarcastically. Red nodded mutely, and the Dark Lord let his shoulders slump. "Dismissed, Ensign," he growled tiredly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Seated in the Dark Lord's office, Jix was frowning. He had crossed his legs in an easy posture, and his elbows propped up on the desk, but he had a feeling that he was in for a serious talk with his boss. His features easing again, he thought back on what had happened over the past few days. It had started with that mission to the District, and his encounter with Djuva. His mood darkened considerably. Djuva. Well, he would think about her later. Yeah. Then he'd had some fun with her and... Damn. He couldn't stop thinking of her.

And then Red. Gods. A hot girl, very hot. Unfortunately it was that sort of woman that could get you in big trouble. Yeah. What did it matter that he had managed to get two of those at the same time?

Burying his head in his hands, he heaved a deep sigh. Well. He'd manage this too. After all, he had delivered Red back into the Dark Lord's waiting arms, and the rebels were taken care of. The only one missing was Djuva. She had simply broken her promise and run. Just like that. Jix had believed that she had some sort of honor, that she would at least stick to her word. Apparently he had been mistaken. First the incident on the train, which had been sort of fun, but then, she had simply let him fall, knowing full well that Vader would let him bleed for her getaway.

Suddenly the door slid open, revealing Vader in all his dramatic, black-armored splendor. Jix could not suppress a low growl.

"Hey, you're late," he said hoarsely.

"There was some other business to attend to." Taking his place the Dark Lord kept silent for a while, letting Jix simmer in his guilty feelings.

"So?" the agent gritted his teeth in dire anticipation.

"Jix, you know why you are here, don't you?"

"I can hazard a guess."

"Then tell me why you are here, Jix."

"I'd rather know why I am still alive," Jix grumbled.

"You can count yourself lucky that there is someone who thinks quite highly of you," Vader began.

"You?" the Corellian joked weakly. To his great surprise the Dark Lord nodded.

"Indeed." Rising again Vader came around the desk, prompting Jix to turn around in his seat and watch him pace the length of the room relentlessly.

"Hey, can you stop that please? I feel a bit dizzy..."

"Jix, as much as I enjoy your pranks and banter, from time to time jokes can also go too far. I explicitly forbade you to lay a hand on Red and you went ahead anyway. I trusted you. And so far you have never broken that trust."

Gulping down a reply, the Corellian winced ever so slightly. "Yeah. I am real sorry for that, your lordship. I got carried away, I guess."

"It is honorable that you try to take the blame, but Red has confessed to me that she had no small part in the happenings."

"I tried to stop her! You gotta believe me!" he exclaimed dramatically.

"Jix."

"Sorry." The agent watched Vader pace some more and kept silent.

"I trusted you like no other," the Sith continued, his voice grating through the respirator in an angry, hissing tone. "All the more disappointed I am now that you have failed that trust so thoroughly. What were you thinking?"

Being lifted from his chair by an invisible giant fist Jix started choking as something locked around his throat and squeezed hard. He should have known! "Ghaa! Hey-I-Uh." He gave up. Hanging in the Dark Lord's invisible grip, he gave him a long look. "I am — sorry," he gasped. "I should not have — broken that — promise."

"And you should be very sorry indeed."

"Ouch! Hey!"

"Was there something you wanted to say?" Vader asked coolly.

"Uhm — no." Crashing to the floor again, Jix cursed under his breath.

"Get up." The Corellian complied instantly, but winced at the pain that lanced through his aching bones and muscles.

"What about Red?" he rasped.

The Sith looked up sharply. "Your mutual caring never ceases to amaze me," he said sarcastically. "She left. And I expect you not to talk about her again."

"Left?"

"Surprised?"

Jix shrugged carefully. "Guess I shouldn't be."

"True. And Jix, I want you to work hard on correcting what mistakes you have made over the past few days. Clear?"

"Yes, clear."

"Good. You may leave now."

Nodding once, the Corellian turned around and strode toward the door, feeling awful. Well, he had survived, but somehow there was a bitter taste to that survival. As much as he liked teasing Vader, as much as he resented the Empire itself, he did not want to lose the Dark Lord's trust. No way. Well, Red or no Red, he would manage.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Entering his quarters, the Dark Lord's eyes automatically turned towards the bedroom, but of course, it was empty. Angry at himself, Vader slammed the door shut with a growl. Women, he muttered. They are only there to make a fool of you, to make you weak. Not one of them can be trusted, not a single one.

Snorting to himself, he sat down at the comm desk to check and reply messages, but he could hardly focus, jumping up to pace in the room every once in a while. Pleas, requests, a couple of personal notes from the few who still had informal communication with him. Sienar. Well, maybe he would pay a visit to the old man sometime soon. Or maybe not. He might just as well rot in hell, for all the Sith cared.

Letting his eyes wander idly in search of something to occupy his overactive mind, he paused briefly over one of his projects, a new experimental fighter. The red-gold and silver of the three-dimensional holoimage glowed faintly, turning slowly on its axis. It was elegant, sleek and deadly-looking, the work of many a quiet evening and sleepless night. Hit by an idea, Vader jotted down a few remarks for the technical drawings on a piece of paper.

But even his favorite pastime couldn't hold his attention for long, for his thoughts kept going their own way, focused on a warm body in his bed, waiting for him. Again and again he tortured himself with images of Red and his agent, naked, their limbs intertwined, writhing in throes of passion. Gnawed by secret jealousy at the shamelessly good-looking Corellian, he still could not deny that the mental image was.... tantalizing, in a sick and twisted sort of way.

Disgusted, he crumpled the paper and tossed it into a corner. This was ridiculous, this was... worse. How low would a man go, to lose his mind over one insignificant female? Wistfully his eyes traveled to the door that led to the cell where he had kept Djuva for a while. Damn Jix, now the other woman was gone too. Everybody had betrayed and left him, everybody. Briefly he considered other available young females in the service, but shied away from that thought almost immediately.

The night was long and lonely, as Vader reluctantly strolled into his empty bedroom. It was warm, they way he still loved it, a son of the hot desert suns who had not been weaned of this little indulgence even in the long years of rigorous training and service. Yet tonight he felt chilly and bleak inside, and damn all to the deepest fiery hells, he missed Red's warmth by his side. Damn, damn, damn.

Something glinted in the bare light: a bottle with two glasses squatted forlornly on a tiny table, together with a box of fine chocolates. He had placed them there earlier, in anticipation of a night of sweet seduction and long, slow, leisurely lovemaking. Now, however, he noted the insult they presented with almost clinical aloofness, and with the same cold calculated and well controlled anger took his revenge on them. The box flew into the opposite wall, the chocolates scattering all over the floor, sprinkled with shards of glass, and the dark stain of wine on the decorative draperies was not unlike tears and blood, trailing down. The art of fury.

He smiled wolfishly, letting his rage build, feeding on itself. Rage was good, rage came easily, filling his veins and intoxicating him. It was familiar, trustworthy, it never betrayed, but gave him power unquestioningly, unfailingly. Roaring his wrath, he stood in the midst of his dark side whirlwind, objects dancing and crashing wildly around him.

Chapter 4

Jix returned to the Castle at midmorning after a rough night of drowning his sorrows. Shaggy, unshaven, with puffed eyes, he must have been quite a sight; but nobody seemed to have time to pay attention to him. Techs, servants, troopers and maintenance workers bustled about nervously. He could hear pieces of conversation here and there: "...completely destroyed... wonder he wasn't hurt... the Emperor...." It was obvious that the Castle hadn't seen a quiet night either.

"What's up?" the agent asked a young medic hurrying by.

The man was pale with fear, clutching his instrument box. "He's lost it. Completely!" he said in a hurry. "Off the rocker."

"What happened?" "What happened?" The medic stopped in midstride

and gaped at him, as if he had just fallen off the moon. "Well, what do you think happened? His Lordship's gonna throw a name-day party for his grandma! He's turned murderous, that's what happened! That's it. I'm resigning. Enough's enough."

Indeed, an antigrav stretcher rolled out from behind the corner, escorted by several troopers; a white sheet covered the body lying on it, with only a pair of well-polished boots sticking out from one end. Jix felt his stomach constrict, as the sad procession sped past him. Shaking his head, he made his way against the general flow of the Castle's inhabitants—towards Vader's rooms.     The anteroom to Vader's private office was empty. Not wanting to risk his life, he chimed instead of simply walking in, but there was no reply. He waited a few seconds, then tried the door, and it slid quietly open before him.

Darth Vader was bent over something, a selection of various tools nearby. He looked over his shoulder and, seeing the Corellian, nodded briefly and continued his tinkering.

"I came to see if you had a job for me," Jix began carefully. Vader merely grunted. "'Cause if you haven't, see, I'd like some time for myself."

"To do what?"

"Make some arrangements in my private life, I guess," Jix shrugged.

"You want to go looking for her, don't you?" Looking up towards his agent, Vader made a curt gesture. "And close the door, Jix."

Doing as ordered, the Corellian crossed arms over his chest. "Who, Red?"

Vader snorted. "I was speaking about your rebel."

Jix grinned and peered curiously at the gadget that Vader was working on. "What's that?"

"A hyperdrive motivator interface." The Dark Lord straightened for a moment, looking down at the agent as if in expectation, but then shrugged impatiently. "Of course, you wouldn't know about these things."

"Hey! I've heard a thing or two in my life!" Jix exclaimed indignantly, craning his neck to see over Vader's shoulder. "Does that look like a lightsaber slash here?" He pointed at a scorch-mark on the metallic surface.

Vader was silent for a long time. "I ... may have lost control," he admitted finally, his mechanically enhanced voice just a trifle sheepish.

Yeah, I could see that, Jix thought wryly, but outwardly he merely shrugged noncommittally.

The Dark Lord nodded, and for a while the only sounds were the tick-tock-scrape-scrape of Vader's working, against the background of the ever-present respirator hiss.

Bored, Jix ambled to the computer console. "Mind if I use this?"

Vader stared at him in some surprise, then shrugged. "You want to use my computer? Be my guest."

Jix' eyebrows rose at the Dark Lord's uncharacteristic lack of spunk, although he could imagine what lay behind it. Besides, knowing his employer, Jix suspected that the moment of generosity would pass soon, so better take advantage of it immediately.     About twenty minutes later Jix was alternately rattling on the keyboard furiously and scanning screen after screen of names, numbers, reports, trying to find a lead. It didn't seem to be his lucky day, though. Looking up for a brief moment, he saw that Vader had just finished his work and placed it carefully on the corner of the table.

"You didn't answer my question earlier," the Corellian said, skimming the police reports on the previous night's crimes.

Vader began to collect the tools and spare parts. He cursed when something slipped from his fingers and rolled over the floor with a clatter. "What question?"

"A couple of days' vacation. Remember?"

"Rejected," Vader said curtly, brushing his agent away from the computer and paying no attention to his protests. Well, the month's quota of generosity seemed to be spent, Jix thought wryly. The Sith was back to his good old gruff self.

"And Jix, I know what you're thinking. You will not go without my permission, not this time. In this instance, it would be considered defection, and you know what will happen then. And," he remarked with some malicious joy, "if you were looking for reports, there's nothing on your Djuva there."

Jix snorted. Indeed, all his searches had turned out empty. "Of course, you cannot just tell me if you know anything."

"Well, I can tell you that I'm going to place her quite high on the most wanted list, that'll be sure to yield some results."

"What? But surely—" Jix looked up, shocked. That would make Djuva a hunted animal all over the Empire. For now she could be relatively safe among the lowest scum on Coruscant where she was most probably currently hiding—well, as safe as it could be, for it was customary down there not to pry into other people's business too deeply, as it might get you killed. But with a prize on her, all the agents, spies, police collaborators, bounty hunters, tax collectors and barely legal paramilitary groupings would be after her like a pack of hounds. And as if that were not enough, every passer-by would gladly turn her in for a couple of creds, perhaps even kill her first, for the Empire rarely cared if they got wanted persons dead or alive.

"Are you questioning me?"

"Uh... no. I'm just asking for some time."

"Time?"

"Yes. To find her first."

"And why would you want to find her?"

"She'd make a fine agent, don't you think?" he muttered sullenly.

Vader actually laughed. It was an eerie and frightful sound, coming through the vocoder, a sound that Jix had never heard before. "What are you suggesting? Djuva?!"

"And what's wrong with that?" Jix balled his fists as his anger rose to an unhealthy level.

"Don't play an idiot, Jix. You know very well what I mean."

"Idiot? Me? Well, I don't go about dumping the women I like and then mooning over them!"

Vader rose to his formidable height, looming over Jix, but the Corellian refused to be intimidated. "Just that you spent one night without sex gives you no right to—!" A backhanded slap sent Jix flying into the corner where he plopped down on his ass, but the next moment he was up again. "You know, boss, your social skills definitely need improvement."

"Pity that this Djuva of yours proved so fickle," Vader hissed, his voice all poison and acid. "I should have considered replacing you after your dazzling performance in that train. Then I wouldn't have to put up with your insolence!"

"Hey! I wasn't—"

"You weren't what? Weren't fooled? Oh, come now, Jix, surely you are not that naive."

"It wasn't that easy," Jix protested weakly.

"Really? Tell me, Jix, where would you be without me?"

The Corellian rolled his eyes. "Don't remind me!" he muttered under his breath, his shoulders slumped in defeat.

"I still wonder why I tolerate you," Vader sighed, sinking into his chair. "Well, now that you get my meaning, go find yourself something useful to do, before I stop wondering. You're free until afternoon; contact me then."

"Er—" Jix started, but thought better of it. No use bringing another thunderstorm on your head. Shoving hands deep into his pockets, he stalked sullenly to the door. "Jix, if you happen to go to the Intelligence headquarters..."

After the roaring bout the voice was surprisingly tame, so that Jix would almost have missed it. He turned slowly. "Yes, your lordship?"

"Nothing. Go." And, as Jix's hand hovered over the doorpad, "You have a head start in that you already know."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Deep contemplation was not exactly one of Jix's noteworthy hobbies, but an agent of his caliber couldn't do without that, now and then. Resting his boots on the latest issues of "Home Security", "Marksman", "Surveillance Electronics Quarterly" and several gossip magazines, Jix pursed his lips, calculating his next move. The air around him was thick with pipe smoke. Somewhere in the adjoining room a holo terminal blared about the most recent scandal: treason in the very core of the Empire, an Intelligence executive, several military and administrative officers discovered to work for the Rebellion. Jix could well imagine the utter turmoil that reigned in some offices, especially those that had to do with Vader in his current mood. He grinned. Oh yes, heads would roll.

Vader. It all came down to Vader. First, the most interesting thing was that the Imperial Security Police's databank still showed no alert on Djuva. Had the Dark Lord reconsidered? If so, why? Just to keep him on his toes? The agent was pretty much convinced that Vader had some information on Djuva and that in their morning meeting he had acted out of sheer spite. Or that the Sith's petty plans of private revenge were behind this.

On the other hand, Jix had a very strong suspicion that Vader was actually interested in that devious woman.

The slightly nasal voice of the news commentator was still going on about the dubious competence of Imperial Intelligence and the total lack of background research, in the light of the recently uncovered Deyer plot, blah, blah. Jix shuffled among the magazines on his table, until he found the remote and switched the holoterminal off.

He refilled and relit his pipe thoughtfully, staring at his computer screen. Still no alert. It would be good if he could somehow persuade Vader to forget about this altogether; for as it was, Vader's threat hung like a sword over both Djuva and Jix. Even if he managed to find her, she would be a known face, which could imperil him too, if he wanted to associate with her.

Everything seemed to point in one direction: he had to find something to mellow Vader, to bribe him if you please, and make him more open to Jix's suggestions. Something — or someone. He grinned, already knowing who that someone had to be.

Of course, Vader had been extremely jumpy about Red, so you could never know how he would receive her—but Jix was willing to bet heavily that she would cure many a furious outbreak. He grinned smugly to himself, sending out a puff of smoke. After all, Jix hadn't spent years in the Dark Lord's service not to be able to make a few educated guesses about him, notably the fact that Vader occasionally had unbelievably convoluted ways of getting his messages through. True, Vader could be unpredictable sometimes, but one could only hope he was right this time. If not... well, if not, he wouldn't be able to get to Djuva anyway. So, he figured, it was worth trying.

He chuckled softly to himself. Dark Lord's secret procurer. Now, that had certainly not been his idea of his service to the Sith, when they first had made their agreement over Aridus. But... he could not get out the image of those two as they had sat in Vader's office when Jix had first brought Djuva in, trying to look all too innocent — a dead give-away for the sharp eyes of the Corellian, and also something to tease the Sith about endlessly; the latter was a pleasure Jix could seldom resist. Yeah, he grinned to himself, rubbing his throat and neck that had occasionally borne the consequences of those teasings.

And besides, Jix hoped that if Red and Vader could work it out somehow, this would reduce the Dark Lord's interest in Djuva in some areas. Areas where Jix wasn't so interested in having a common ground with the Sith.

Still chuckling to himself, he quickly browsed through the Coruscant intelligence headquarter's directory, and found the number. He was prepared to fight his way through the chaos there, but to his mild surprise Red took the call almost immediately.

"Jix!" A grin spread on her tired face as she looked up from a datapad. "What can I do for you?"

The holoimage showed her in a cramped cubicle, surrounded by dusty piles of books and stacks of datapads on the shelves behind her and heaped around the computer console on her desk. "Uh, how've you been?"

"Well..." She blushed a little. "Something tells me it's not just a social call. Spit it out, what do you want?"

"Just that you've been somewhat scarce of late, and I've been missing you—" the agent grinned slyly.

"Scarce! Jix, you saw me yesterday!"

"—so I thought we might go out for a lunch together," he finished, unperturbed.

"Lunch?"

"Yeah."

"Like business lunch?"

"Um..."

Red's smile was suspicious. "You're not on a...mission or something for your boss?"

"Can't I sometimes wish to have lunch with a pretty girl without being suspected of all sorts of horrid things?" Jix did his best to look hurt, and Red sighed.

"Where?"

Ah. Jix nodded, satisfied, then eyed the drab dark grey uniform she was wearing. "Well, I was thinking of Menarai, but seeing as you're not properly attired, I know just a nice little Calamari seafood restaurant."

Laughing, Red's holoimage waved a fist towards him. "One day I'll get you for the 'properly attired', Jix. Okay, pick me up in an hour and half."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Crouching low behind a pile of garbage, Djuva prayed that the heat of the organic matter would distract the stormtroopers' sensors enough to fool them into leaving the area again. Why she had come back here at all was beyond her. She should have run to the other side of the planet or tried to take a flight out of the system. But unfortunately someone thought to have her pay for running away. So, she could not get off Coruscant and if she stayed she was dead. Slinking further back into the shadows, she hefted her blaster tightly.

"Suspect ahead," a mechanical voice announced calmly from around the corner. Djuva froze. With some effort, though, she managed to regain her calm and concentrate. Then, rising from her hiding-place she kept the wall between herself and the troopers. Moving nonchalantly, she punched the door open and slipped into what passed for a kitchen in the Whiphid fast-food restaurant next to the Ghyssa. There were so many customers in here that the soldiers would not be able to get a lead on her body signature again. Good.

She slipped the blaster back into her belt and walked through the kitchen unconcernedly. No one gave her a second glance. Djuva sighed deeply before she pushed open the door and went into the customer area. She sat down at one of the very scarce unoccupied tables and ordered a fast lunch. Keeping her head down she let her long tresses hide her face, but unfortunately the troopers were smarter than she had thought. They came into the restaurant and started looking around.

"Vanessa?" She looked sideways at the short, stick-thin human leering at her. "Remember me?" He was obviously drunk, or else he would never have gotten into this alien bar in the first place. She frowned.

"Justin? Keith Justin?"

"You do remember me," he crowed and stumbled against her table. "I miss you," he added in a slur and wrapped an arm around her shoulders heavily. "Haven't seen you in a long time. They said you had been fired, and the boys are very sad about that. I told Podul—" He hiccuped loudly and shrugged. "Sorry."

Suddenly Djuva had an idea. Smiling slowly she tapped a finger against his lips playfully. "You miss me, do you? Nice. I like that."

Getting up, she let him steady himself against her and walked back the way she had come. Out in the alley the smile became a forced one as Justin started pawing at her with a drunken clumsiness she remembered all too well.

"You're so hot," he groaned and buried his face against her breasts. Pulling open her jacket, he showered her with sloppy kisses. Djuva gritted her teeth, counting the seconds it would take the troopers to finish their round and come back out here. This was taking too long. Slipping her hands into his pants she pulled him closer, ignoring his moans. One leg went around his waist and he began pushing against her almost desperately, but in his current state he could be lucky if he could remain standing at all. Djuva kissed him deeply, ferociously, turning him on even more. When the door slid open, a beam of harsh white light cut over them mercilessly. Justin looked up, an angry frown on his forehead. Djuva stiffened, keeping her back to the troopers.

"Sergeant Justin," one of them said, sounding slightly surprised.

"Get out," Keith hissed and Djuva heard the door shut again. She smiled in the darkness, but when Justin pushed her against the wall hard she gave a surprised yelp. "A clever trick."

"What?"

"You are not only wanted in the Ghyssa, girl. Far as I know Lord Vader is after you personally."

She gave him a hard look, but his features were unreadable in the gloom. "If you knew, why—"

"You owe me, little one." His left hand slipped underneath her jacket, moving over her breasts roughly.

"I don't think so," she answered and slapped his hand away.

Shaking her with surprising strength, Keith Justin bared his teeth at her in a cold smile. "So, the little whore suddenly doesn't want to be a whore anymore? Too late, I fear."

Djuva brought her knee up between his legs hard, then dragged out her blaster in one swift move and pulled the trigger. "Go to hell."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The airtaxi descended in a smooth curve and came to a halt on the landing platform before one of the entrances to Darth Vader's castle, letting out a laughing pair. "—and then just as he says so, at that moment Yorcks makes those breathing noises behind his back. You should have seen his face! His eyes went that big—" Jix illustrated his words, drawing circles in the airs, "and the poor guy looked absolutely green. Well, that was the last time he scared everybody with his Vader impressions."

Red let out another peel of laughter. "Oh you — naughty, naughty men! And you!" She swatted him playfully. "Why did you bring me here?"

"Oh, nothing drastic. Just a dessert, maybe a kiss or two," Jix teased, and that made Red all the more suspicious.

"Oh, come on. Do you really think I'd buy that, the way you've been tiptoeing around me? I can just bet you've lied to me, and your boss is behind it."

Jix shrugged coolly and lifted a mocking eyebrow. "And what if? What would you do, run?" He quickly jumped away, to avoid Red's slap, but as soon as he relaxed, the woman pulled his ponytail.

"Damn. I should really have my hair cut," he said flippantly. "But let's see if I can get you something to atone for my crime." Well, at least one was clear: Red was not about to run. Jix rolled his eyes. How had those two gotten together at all, if they were so damn scared of each other?  He offered his arm with a flourishing gesture, and Red attached herself to it, laughing. They stepped in through the huge doors that gaped in the dark, towering structure like a predator's mouth.

The agent steered her down the hallways towards the kitchens, where he exchanged a tiny pouch of some sort of powdery substance for two most delicious-looking ice-creams with cherries and Toasai caf sauce—real culinary masterpieces from the look of it.

Then they travelled several floors up, Red obediently following at the agent's heels. They found a balcony with a good view over the business centre of Coruscant and the former Senate building, all the way to the towers of the Imperial Palace on the horizon. Someone else had obviously appreciated that view as well, for there was a table with several chairs there. Jix chose one of them and finally Red got her reward, her much-awaited dessert, and immediately dug into it unceremoniously. It really lived up to her expectations, and she felt quite charmed. Jix turned his bowl between his fingers, eyeing it suspiciously.

"I'm still not entirely sure if it's edible..." he muttered. Red giggled and elbowed him in the ribs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Corellian shifted, and only then did Red notice, over the noises of the city planet, the wheeze of a respirator behind her. Indeed, the Dark Lord stood there, his bulk filling almost the entire doorway. Jix's shoulders tensed infinitesimally, but in the next instant he pulled a cocky grin on his face.

"So there you both are. What a friendly gathering," Vader grated.

Red blushed violently, trying to get up, but the Corellian's reassuring hand on her shoulder held her back. Rising, Jix flashed his best open and winsome smile. "We were discussing certain rebel activities in the District with the Ensign. Boss, this is the Intelligence liaison known as Red. Red, this is Lord Vader."

Shaking her head in disbelief, Red looked from one to the other. "I was—" she began, but fell silent again. What the hell did the agent think he was doing? And why the hell was he still alive? Why was she alive, standing here, after being so publicly dismissed the day before? Oh, what a fool she had been to allow Jix to lead her here in a secret hope of once again being near the Dark Lord! What a damn incredible fool. She managed to nod, wishing the earth would swallow her quickly and painlessly.

To her relief the Dark Lord seemed equally baffled, staring down at his agent. "Jix! You are—" The Corellian's smile never wavered. "This is preposterous," the Sith finished, exasperation and amusement warring in his tone. Shaking his head, he gestured them to sit down. For a few uncomfortable moments nobody said anything. Red tried to nibble at her ice-cream, but she couldn't help staring at the Dark Lord.

Finally Vader spoke up.

"What is the meaning of this, Jix? Did you honestly hope to manipulate me? I grow tired of your presumptuous attitude."

Jix shrugged. "We were just having lunch, and dropped in for a dessert. No harm in that, eh, boss? You forbade me to look for Djuva, but you never mentioned—"

"Shut up, Jix." With an exasperated sigh he took a seat. "So. I assume that now you're expecting news of your rebel?"

Jix nodded. "You didn't place a bounty on her?"

Vader chose to ignore the insolence. "I've reconsidered. I need her with a clean slate. When you have her, bring her to me." Jix looked at the Sith suspiciously, a tiny display of jealousy that made Red wonder. "She might be useful, as an agent," Vader explained. "I was quite impressed with the way she handled you. I'd really want to have someone who might bring down your haughty Corellian nose a bit."

Jix rolled his eyes. "What have I done now?" he whined.

Vader waved him away. "Spare me your histrionics. I also need someone to take your place here when you leave for Duros tomorrow."

"Duros? But what if I can't find her today?"

"You won't, if you don't get going."

Defeated, Jix put away his pipe and rose.

"And Jix—you might find this interesting." He fished out a small datacube and tossed it to Jix. The agent caught and activated it curiously.

"What's in it? Ah. Good. I think I have her." A satisfied grin spread on his face as he scanned through the information. With a last wink to Red he bowed dramatically, waving his arms. "Thanks, Uncle Dee. Have a good evening."

Vader merely stared at him pointedly, until he got the message and sauntered away. Red watched him go and looked longingly at the other portion of ice-cream which Jix had left untouched.

The two sat in silence, Red staring at a stain on the table before her, Vader staring at her. When the silence was already beyond awkward, Red tried to get up once again. "I guess I should be going."

"No—wait."

She shrugged, not quite meeting his eye, and sat down once again.

"I did not expect to find you here," the Sith went on, "but... it's a pleasant surprise."

"I didn't know I'd end up here," Red replied, "but I didn't object either."

Vader nodded, and again they stared at each other in silence. At last she averted her eyes, looking at the doorway through which Jix had left. The Sith followed her gaze. "Jix can be quite—"

"—Impossible," she finished simultaneously with him. Startled, they looked at each other, and she giggled a bit.

Then they were silent again, she embarrassed, he expectant. Red lifted her hand as if to touch his gloved fingers, but pulled it back quickly, pretending she only wanted to rest her elbows on the table. In the next moment his large palm covered her hand.

"But he achieves what I need, in his boorish ways," Vader finished their previous thought. "Or I would never let him play like that. He knows me well and he serves me well. Although sometimes I'm sorely tempted to forget that. Well. Since you already allowed Jix to bring you here, what are your plans for tonight?"

She was slightly startled by his abruptness, but a shy grin spread slowly over her face. "Um..."

"Will you come?" a low half-whisper, accompanied with a brief squeeze of his fingers on her wrist.

"I think so..."

"Half past ten standard. The door still has your palm signature." He caressed her fingers with his thumb, before rising abruptly. A curt nod, a swish of robes, and he was gone again.

For several moments Red stared after him, her cheeks aflame. She could not suppress a nervous laugh.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The evening descended early in the lower parts of Coruscant; even days brought no more than a perpetual twilight down there. The bars also filled early, which she liked: more patrons meant better cover and more safety. She sipped her drink thoughtfully.

A hand on her waist — Djuva stiffened, ready to whirl, knee up, and run — but then a sweetly familiar voice said into her ear: "Hello, gorgeous. Mind if we get acquainted?"

She turned slowly, pretending to measure the same old vest that displayed a yummy-looking figure underneath, topped by a slightly scruffy looking, but otherwise well put-together face, while she tried to regain control over herself. She managed a somewhat shaky smile. "Hello yourself too, Jix. Make yourself comfortable."

The Corellian looked around. "Uh... How about someplace more private?"

Djuva looked at him with some suspicion. Was this suggestion only what it seemed, or was there a trap behind it? He was, after all, Vader's trusted man. He could very well have been here on his orders, taking his own advantage in the process. She shrugged. "Depends."

"Hey! I thought you liked me?" Jix exclaimed grinning and seated himself beside her.

"Well." She grinned back, reaching out to push a stray wisp of hair behind his ear. "We had some good sex, but it sure isn't worth your kind of privacy with a roomful of stormtroopers."

"Is that what you think I'm after, eh?"

"I don't trust you, Jix."

"Oh. Then how about a promise of some hot sex? Honest and pure, with no stormies attached?"

She pondered. The offer was tempting. Very tempting. Oh, to lie in his arms again, so warm, so comfortable, so safe. Besides, if Jix was up to his old tricks, this time she would be prepared. Sighing, she rose and signaled the bartender for a bill. "Very well. I choose the place."

Keeping an arm around Djuva's waist, partly to remind her that this time escape would truly be useless, partly because it felt so darn good, Jix couldn't wipe a wide grin off his face. She herded him through a small corridor and up the chairs, then keyed a door open and pushed him in, locking the door behind them.

Jix looked around. "So this is where you've been living."

"Yeah." She grabbed his arm and twisted it painfully behind his back and brought him to his knee with a swift kick. At the same moment she grabbed his blaster and pressed it against the back of his head.

"Hey, what are you—"

The business end of the blaster still boring into his skull, she took the scanner that she had placed nearby, running it over his body. She plucked the commlink from his belt and crushed it under her boot. With spectacular precision his blaster's spare power cell flew into the garbage compactor, followed by the blaster. Only then did she release him.

"Sorry, Jix. Had to make sure you don't have bugs on you."

"Uh." He got up, rubbing his wrist, looking hurt and angry. Djuva looked at him with pity.

"Look, Jix. I like you, but you've brought me so much trouble, okay? I couldn't just trust you."

"Right." Suddenly he backhanded her, sending her careening into the wall. "That's for dumping me out there. And now..." He stepped up to her, pressing her into the wall, and ripped the front of her jumpsuit open.

"Jix, I'm s — I had to — ohhh!"

The Corellian had pushed the garment down from her shoulders and immediately latched to her breast, sucking and teasing her with his tongue. Her body betrayed her immediately, sending jolt after jolt of sheer pleasure down her spine, and only now she began to realize how hungry she really was after him. It took her several moments to be able to utter something else besides the incoherent moans. "Jix, you — oh — treacherous bastard!"

"Who's treacherous?" And he went on to the other breast.

"Y-unhh."

Jix caught her nipple between his teeth and squeezed gently, and Djuva shook, throwing her head back. The Corellian smiled against her skin and moved up to taste her neck and shoulder, rubbing hips against her. She could feel how ready he was; pressing back into him, she let her hands get reacquainted with his skin, tracing the muscles of his arms, shoulders and back with her fingertips. Catching his lips on her mouth, she opened eagerly for him, letting their tongues dance. Finally she pushed him away a little.

"Jix — uh — Jix," Djuva panted. "Now!"

Jix stepped away a little, giving them room to undo the catches of her jumpsuit, and together they peeled it, and her underwear, off her. Then the Corellian took off his vest, throwing it carelessly away, while Djuva plucked at his belt futilely.

"Damn chastity belt!" she cursed when the buckle didn't yield.

Chuckling he went to her aid, muttering "In unity lies strength". He could barely step out of his trousers when Djuva curled a leg — an undeniably smooth and shapely leg, trust Jix to know — around his waist. Planting kisses on her wherever he could reach, he lifted her, and she wrapped herself all around him and shivered as her bare back was pressed against the cool wall, only to cry out in jubilation as she was lowered on him.

He watched her in rapt fascination, as her face was beautifully flushed with excitement, her eyes burning, lips parted and searching for his. She gave herself whole-heartedly, and Jix found it irresistibly erotic. When he began to move, it was like a raging fire. She groaned in rapture, urging him on, more, deeper, stronger, until they both roared their completion, slumping against the wall in exhaustion. In the sudden silence they could hear someone banging against the wall and screaming obscenities.

Djuva giggled breathlessly. "Neighborly love..." she panted. Reluctant to leave her body, Jix looked around to locate the bed, then grabbed her more tightly and walked them over, dropping her down on her back and falling right over her with a grunt. They both laughed in soft relief, just lying there, Djuva trapped under him. Finally she sighed softly, confessing: "Gods, I missed you."

"Serves you right," Jix ginned, touching their noses together.

"Ugh, you're impossible!"

She pulled at his ponytail angrily, but Jix merely laughed, too lazy to budge.

"So, what now?"

"You're coming back with me."

"What?" Djuva rolled them over and pushed him aside, sitting up. "No way! He's gonna kill me!"

"Wait-wait-wait. Don't go." Grabbing her waist, Jix pulled her back against him. "Don't leave just yet, dove, I want to be with you like that." Easing her down by his side, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her on top of him. "There."

"Unh."

"Now let's talk a bit, okay? No jumping up, all nice and calm and civilized, okay?"

"Mm-hmm." She kissed his cheek. "So. I've been honest with you, now's your turn. Did Vader send you after me?"

"Directly? No. But he has made an offer for you to live, and he mentioned something about you working with us."

"With? Us? Jix, you're ridiculously conceited. He's probably using you, lying to you to catch a wanted rebel."

Jix was silent for a while, then said completely seriously: "I think I know enough about Vader. He has the gentle temper of a raging gundark and the infinite patience of a wounded krayt dragon, and occasionally he speaks as impossibly as an Alderaani court poet. But one thing boss doesn't do: he never lies. So if he makes an offer, you can rely on it."

"Uh..." She was somewhat startled by this eulogy. "I..."

"Look," he interrupted her, "you can't go back to your rebels. There's nothing there for you. You can't just go on hiding, you'd be found sooner or later. Why not come with me? You'd be as safe as in the goddess's own lap."

Which reminded her of something. "How's Red?"

"Pretty hot, apparently," Jix quipped. "Boss's been uncharacteristically civilized."

"Hmm. I'm almost reluctant to allow you around her unguarded."

"Therefore, oh ye prettiest of roses and a royal pain in my ass, I must have you around and I promise, I won't even so much as look at her," he laughed.

"Oh yeah. Like I believe you."

"Hey!"

But his protest was buried into a kiss.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Red walked quietly over the soft carpet, letting her robe slide down from her shoulders. The bedroom was dark as usual, although she noticed some things that were new. A different comm console, and a different color of the quilt that covered the bed. Otherwise the room had been quickly and discreetly redone in the same fashion that the Dark Lord liked to keep it.

Vader was in his workroom and when she opened the bedroom door she could hear him muttering to himself. Well, he surely didn't hurry, she noted with some disappointment. Removing her bra and panties, she knelt down, hugging herself. A pleasant shiver ran down her spine. This nervous tension, anticipation, not knowing exactly what he had in mind, mingled with the sensual light of the glowlamps and the warm scent of aromatic oils that she had rubbed into her skin, made it all very arousing.

After a long while she heard the door open to his private sanctuary, and some weird humming, buzzing and clicking of machinery. She tried not to imagine what really happened in that room; it was enough to know that there Darth Vader would become a man again for the night.

Finally the door slid open and he stepped in, pausing briefly to look at her with an enigmatic smile on his lips. He nodded in satisfaction at what he saw. "Stand."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He saw her shiver with apprehension mixed with desire, as she slowly stood up to meet him. He caressed her cheeks with the back of his hand, then bent down to breathe deeply in the scent of her hair. "Mindalean bark... Calamari sea-rose... I like that," he whispered hoarsely, a fire dancing in his eyes. "I will show you the difference between me and a mere no-good agent."

"I'm thrilled." Trying to suppress the tiny quaver of her voice, Red caught his hand to run her lips from his palm over the fingers, then nipped a fingertip. With a small groan of longing Vader leaned down and claimed her mouth in a fierce kiss, grinding their lips together with almost crushing force, bending her slowly backwards. Just as suddenly the Dark Lord broke the kiss and grinned ferally. "So you think you can play?"

"Perh-uhm."

He didn't even give her a chance to finish the word, claiming her lips again. She accepted and returned it just as passionately, reaching up to him with a whimper, when he pulled back abruptly, releasing her. Taken by surprise, she fell backwards on the bed.

Vader inspected her flushed skin and kiss-swollen lips with a triumphant smile. He let his eyes travel all over her, assisted by a very slight application of the Force, so that Red couldn't be sure if it was just her imagination that he was touching her with his gaze. Watching her follow his eyes, her lips slightly parted, her breath quickened, he could practically see a part of her pride melt away. Slowly he trailed a finger from her neck to her breast, circling the nipple, watching it grow into a dark taut nub.

He rolled her farther up on the bed, lying down beside her, their gazes still locked. "Kiss me," Red whispered, reaching out to pull him to her; but Vader used this movement to lift her arms up and secure her hands above her head. She gasped in surprise, testing the bonds and twisting her body in a way that he found most erotic, trying to see what was keeping her immobile, but Vader laid a palm on her chest, pressing her back down.

"Submit," he whispered. "Obey. Follow."

She nodded mutely, licking her lips. Now she was trapped. Good. He bent over her, feeling her heat against his face, here and there suddenly descending to kiss and nip, and all the time gauging her reaction. There were places on her that made her gasp and shiver, as if a spark of fire touched her there. She arched her back and he could see how much she wanted him to pay attention to her breasts. Her luscious, tender breasts, taunting and beckoning him most beautifully. Oh, he did find them delightful. But he would have to hold himself back, for these were Red's own weakness as well, and he would have to take advantage of it. He took his time, travelling over her body, each time letting her guess where and when he would touch next.

She wiggled under him, tugging at the bonds and trying to reach up to him. "I want to touch you!"

"Hush. I lead, you follow." He emphasized the command, running fingertips slightly over her nipple and immediately drawing away. She moaned with disappointment. He repeated it several times, rolling her nipple between his thumb and forefinger, and pulling away as soon as she arched into his touch. Finally she could not take it any longer.

"Stop teasing me!" she wailed. He smiled.

"You want me to stop?"

"Yes!"

"As you wish." He began to get up.

"I mean no!"

Vader cocked an eyebrow and laughed a small smug laugh. "Is it a yes or is it a no?"

He cupped her breast, playing with it, and this time he did not stop. Instead he bent over and took her other nipple in is mouth, sucking and worrying it with his teeth, then let his hand travel down her sides and over her hips. She groaned and writhed under him, pulling up her knees in open invitation. Immediately he pulled away, looking down at her and relishing the frown of humiliation that clouded her face for a moment.

It was gratifying, the way she responded how he expected her to, like a well-tuned instrument to a musician. Fascinated, he stretched out a hand again to stroke her belly gently, and obediently she arched up. He ran his hand over her hip, raising her thigh slightly, and already she tried to wrap her legs around him. To take her in humiliation would add an extra dimension to this, would make it a lesson rather than mere lovemaking, would really show her who was the master. He positively basked in his control over her, as he pushed down his sleep pants, raised her legs and pushed her knees apart to position himself. Staying himself, resisting the urge to plunge into her body, the Dark Lord caressed her hips and thighs reassuringly, while the tip of his hard member touched and teased her opening. Oh, he relished the utter control he had over his woman. He let her whimper a little and push upwards before he gratefully allowed himself to slip into her sweet, wet heat.

Her eyes flew open and she sighed a surprised "Oh...!" as he began a gentle rhythm. Vader watched the beautiful flush that covered her pale smooth skin, her deliciously juicy lips slightly parted; he followed the curves of her body to where his tunic covered the point where they joined, the cool fabric sliding over his skin and hers with every thrust, adding extra stimulation. Shifting his angle to make his movements long and smooth, he was rewarded with a shuddering gasp.

"Like it, do you?"

"Oh... Yes!" She began to respond more frantically, as fire built up within her quickly, her passion equal to his own. The cool silk on his own scarred skin added beautifully to the pleasure of the silken feel within her body, and Vader almost give in to its lure. Almost.

With a small growl he stopped, bringing himself back to focus, quite satisfied to see the frustrated disappointment on her face. He let her cool down a bit, withholding any movement or touch, before he started again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Red could feel his tiniest movements, on her skin and inside her. She had never experienced anything like that, his filling her, moving within her, his occasional touch, and the frustrating inability to reciprocate, leaving her entirely at his mercy. She kept her gaze in his, almost hypnotized, seeing, feeling his tightly controlled pleasure, until her body reminded her with a gasp that she needed to breathe too.

As tension mounted within her she began to whimper, climbing towards release. He slid his lips over her mouth, then nipped the skin in her favorite spot just below her ear and she moaned loudly, feeling her release almost upon her, feeling herself teeter just above the edge, yes, now, NOW...

Suddenly feeling empty and bereft, she reopened her eyes to see Vader look at her with the same infuriating triumphant smirk.

"Well?" she growled.

"Well what?"

"Aren't you going to finish?"

Chuckling, he bucked his hips a little, enough to keep her on the edge. "Do you want me to?"

"Ohhh... Yes, damn you!"

"Ask me nicely."

"Bastard!"

"Not good enough." And once again he made sure that the tension in her would remain.

"Dammit!"

"You can do better."

"Oh, fuck."

Vader merely cocked an eyebrow, waiting.

"Damn. Okay. You win. Please! Okay?"

"Please what?" He smiled as Red writhed frantically under him, but pulled away, threatening to deprive her even of the slightest touch.

"You know what, damn you!"

He ran a hand over the inside of her thigh, making her shiver violently. "Who is your master?"

"You!" she howled.

"I what?"

"You're my ... ah, fuck! master!"

He smirked at her choice of words. "Whose will must you do?"

"Your will!"

"Who do you belong to?"

"You, you, you! Finish me!"

Vader pressed her knees further up and apart, and a small growl rose from his chest. "Do you still have the urge to go to Jix?"

She screeched angrily, laughing and crying at the same time. "Yes! If you leave me like that!"

He grinned slyly. "Then we just have to cure that desire, don't we."

And finally, after what seemed like forever to him, he let go of his formidable self-control and let his passion take over.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He lay over her in a boneless heap for what seemed like forever, listening to their hearts beat in unison, as they cooled down gradually. He had released her as they both came, and now she had wrapped her arms and legs around him, a position that Vader secretly found very pleasant. It was flattering and arousing that a young woman could find such pleasure in his marred old body. He hated to end this sweet moment of peace, but he was gradually getting too restless. She was growing drowsy under him, so he disentangled himself slowly and wrapped her in a blanket as he rose.

Her eyelids blinked sleepily, making her look like a pitten. He liked it. "Should I call Jix now?"

The pitten-eyes closed with a small sigh. "You don't have to keep on carping. It's not like I can undo it now."

Vader nodded. "I'll leave you to your remorseful meditations then."

"What?" she pushed herself up, confused. "Where are you going?"

"Work."

Her face fell. "So that's it?"

"What's wrong?" Perhaps his voice came out a bit too gruff, he pondered while pulling up his pants, but no matter.

"Did I disappoint you?" she asked somewhat timidly.

"No. Why?"

"Oh." She digested this for a while. "Why did you want me to come back?"

"Why did you want to come back?" he retorted.

"I... Uh... You're impossible! I really should leave."

He stopped at the door, his back to her so that Red didn't see his smile. "I'm not keeping you. Unless you want to stay."

She swallowed. Sighing, he returned, sat down on the bed and looked at her seriously. "Make no mistake, little one. You are important to me, but not that important. You will never keep me from my work. But it is pleasant for me to know that while I'm working, you are here. Warm. Waiting. Wanting." He cupped her cheek, caressing her nosetip with his thumb. "But I will not lie to you. I cannot offer you more. I'd keep you, but the choice is ultimately yours. You can stay; or you can leave freely. But if you stay, you must know that I'm a demanding master."

She nodded mutely and smiled a bit, here eyes brimming with tears. Unsure what to say, she opened and closed her mouth several times. "You are cruel," she whispered finally.

"Yes. And you knew that from the start. You don't have to decide now. You're tired. Sleep." Patting her cheek, he pressed her down and tucked her in. "I'll be in the next room."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She was lying in the bunk in her detention cell, an awful weight resting upon her, and with mounting dread she realized she couldn't move. And the leering faces came closer, and closer... She tried to kick out, only to find that her legs were leaden, she could barely move them, and then one of the men reached out with his dirty, hairy paw to grope her and she couldn't fight back, she couldn't move at all...

Red jerked up with a scream. Immediately strong arms were wrapped around her shoulders and she was pulled back against a broad chest. Blinking in the dim red light of glowlamps, she gradually came back to full awareness, finding herself in Vader's bedroom, on his bed, spooned against him, his erection pressing against her backside. She turned slowly in his arms, looking up into his pale face.

"Uh... sorry... I guess I fell asleep," she mumbled needlessly.

His lips twitched in an almost-smile. "I could see that," he whispered dryly.

She wrapped his arms tighter around herself, waiting for the shivers to subside.

"What's the time?"

Vader craned his head to see the glowing numbers on the console. "A few hours till your wake-up call," he rumbled. She didn't reply. "Want me to help you forget?" he offered.

"N-no." It was still somewhat unsettling to know that he could just enter your mind, and alter you like that. That he was different, he was something she could not entirely comprehend. Instead she concentrated on the human part of him which felt more safe and familiar. Reaching down between them, she took hold of him and caressed his almost-erect member a bit, helping it come to full alert, before wiggling her hips to have him in the right position. He pushed a little to slide into her, and she settled down again with a sigh of satisfaction, now held completely. She felt his gentle kiss on the top of her head and sighed a happy little sigh.

"What is it?" He whispered, his hot breath caressing the nape of her neck.

"Nothing... So good to be in your arms."

His lips tickled her skin.

"You know..." she ran her fingertips up and down his strong arms that held her so securely. "I believe you are good at heart. You just won't show it. I think you have so much love to give, so much passion and tenderness."

Vader groaned. "Force, why am I always plagued with psychoanalysts?"

Red chuckled. "It's true, isn't it? And you know that and do your best to hide it. But you can't. Jix knows that and that's why he puts up with all your outrageous behavior. Now I know that too. I think if more people knew you that way, you would have the galaxy at your feet..."

"Shut up." He closed her mouth with his palm, beginning to move within her slowly. Red removed his hand gently, bringing it down to her breasts where she wanted it most, and reached back to caress his hip and thigh gently. Indeed, there were much better things to do during those few hours than pointless character analysis.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Djuva hesitated, but she refused to let herself be intimidated by the Dark Lord's silence. The door closed behind her and the rebel straightened a bit more. The Dark Lord sat at his desk, watching her impassively. Djuva shifted on her feet uncomfortably. Then, making a decision, she walked over to take a seat on the couch, not waiting for his permission. She crossed her arms in front of her chest and raised her chin haughtily, but kept equally silent.

"Well," he said after what seemed an eternity. "You are back."

"Guess so."

"You did not keep your promise."

Her features went rigid. "I never gave you any promise, Lord Vader. I said I'd do what needed to be done. That is all."

"Indeed."

Djuva swallowed hard. "Since I am still alive, I suppose you have something else in mind for me?"

"That is also true."

"So?"

"Tell me, why did you keep your promise about Red and no other? To please me?"

"Yes."

"Did you really think you could get away?"

She shrugged with an ease she did not really feel. "Should I just have given up? I don't think so."

"I admire your resilience. You are a good match for Jix. Very good."

"He says you are offering me a job." She uttered a disbelieving laugh.

"He does? Fancy that.”  He crossed his arms, leaning back. “Another question. Why did you run?"

She averted her gaze, her mouth twisting into a wry grimace. "I tried to warn them," she whispered. "They thought I had betrayed them." Scowling in anger she added. "Fools!"

"They disappointed you."

"Crowen asked for my help. He was the one who pointed the informants my way. I thought he trusted me."

"You do not seem to trust anyone either. Not even Jix."

"You do."

"Yes."

Again there was silence.

"What will you do with me now?" Djuva asked at last.

He rose from his seat and went over to stand before her. Reaching out he ran a gloved hand over her cheeks tenderly. "I will give you a second chance. Under one condition: you will obey me in everything."

"Obey you? And become one of your agents?"

"Yes. You will help me uncover this conspiracy. And you can infiltrate the rebels to—"

"No."

His hand withdrew again. "No?" There was a hint of amusement to his tone.

"I will help you uncover traitors here, on Coruscant, but I will not act directly against the Alliance."

"I see. You have strong ideals. I respect that. But you should not forget that your life is in my hands."

"But you cannot force me to act against my will."

"I suppose not. Well. It is a deal. Still, should you decide to betray sensitive information to the Alliance—"

She smiled up at him and cocked her head to the left. "Sensitive information?" she purred softly. "Of what kind?"

"You're unbelievable," he laughed.

"Better believe it, your lordship, if I am to stay." She frowned. "I will stay, will I?"

"Yes."

Her features brightened again. "How is Red?"

"Well, considering."

"I am glad to hear it."

"Why would you be?"

Shrugging easily she leaned back against the couch. "It means you'll concentrate your efforts solely on her."

"And you can concentrate on Jix."

"Right."

"And everyone is happy," he countered and she could almost see his sarcastic smirk behind the mask. Snorting softly, Djuva shook her head in mock exasperation. "Although I would wish for a little more respect from you," he added.

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