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[katyakiryu]

An Unexpected Wrath, Part 11

"Malavai?"

Quinn glanced over to Asha'lie. They were seated in the meadows of Odessen with the sunshine kissing their skin. She lay back with her caramel hair spilling across the grass.

"Do you want to know why I chose the Empire in this war?" She asked.

"I was wondering that. You have always been more Republic alligned with your beliefs," Quinn admitted.

"Maybe so. But I never want to be in a place where I'm fighting you ever again," Asha murmured. She sat up and shifted over to him, resting her head upon his shoulder. "I love you."

"And I you," he replied, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. She smiled and let her eyes close. "I saw your speech to the Imperial troops. You still have hopes for a better Empire."

"Mmm, I do, but I admire what Acina has done with her empire. She's an interesting woman, isn't she?"

Quinn glanced back at the distant Odessen base. Every other moment, he expected for them to be dragged back to work. Someone would come running and tell them that one panic or another had occured. Their lives were as chaotic as ever, now that they were on the brink of war. Asha'lie sighed, turning his face to hers.

"No more work. Just us," she told him. The Sith kissed him then, which he had to admit drew his thoughts for several moments. Quinn cupped the back of her neck and drew her closer to him. Asha smiled against his lips. Her forehead kissed his when they finally parted. "I love you. I can never say it enough."

He ran his thumb over her cheek. She was truly the most beautiful woman that he had ever laid eyes on. She was gentle and kind and clever and a thousand other things that if he named them all, he'd be there all day and well into the night. Asha'lie raised her eyebrows and nudged her nose against his.

"This is where you say it back."

"I love you too, Asha'lie," Quinn chuckled. He collapsed back in the grass. She rested her head upon his chest and smiled triumphantly. He loved it when she was happy. He thought back to the haunted, feral expression in her eyes and gulped. What would his life had been like had the woman at his side followed the dark side of the force? Quinn wrapped his arm around her shoulders and gripped her tightly. He didn't want to picture it. He prayed that she would never fall completely. He wouldn't let it happen.

She propped herself up with a hand on her cheek. Her fingertips drew patterns over his heart. Quinn brought a hand to carress her face, moving to wind his fingers through her long, caramel hair.

He prayed that the moment would never end, that it might never be disturbed by the relentless currents of chaos that plagued their lives.

But alas, that moment ended, but not in any way that happened to be expected.

It had been two months after Asha's speech to rally the Imperial troops when she began to slow. Quinn noted that she spent longer in bed and shorter time on the training room floor. He found hidden, half-eaten dinner plates. Concern filled him at every moment. He'd heard of awful sicknesses that even the Force couldn't cure. What would the alliance do if Asha'lie, champion of light and bringer of death, died? Quinn wondered if it was poison. He was nearly about to call another privacy upheaval when she stopped him from leaving her bed in the morning.

"Malavai," Asha groaned. Her fingers curled against the soft cloth of his pants. "Wait, don't go. Stay with me."

"Are you not feeling well again?" Quinn asked. He smoothed her caramel hair back and pressed a kiss to her forehead. She mumbled and wrapped her arms around his torso.

"We should discusss... something," the Sith said, swallowing and pressing her hand briefly to her mouth. His sapphire eyes shadowed in worry for her. "Malavai, I am fairly certain that I'm pregnant."

Pregnant.

Quinn nearly fainted, because Emperor above, a baby?! Now? His emotions were dragged in a vicious game of tug of war. His military mind demanded that she be hidden away that instant from everyone and everything that could possibly form a threat to her. He, however, was unable to smother the joy of hearing that he had fathered a child with her.

Asha'lie reached up to cup his cheek and run her thumb over his skin.

"I've already fought with Lana about hiding me, so I'll hear none of it from you," she murmured. Quinn breathed out in exasperation. Of course she wouldn't allow herself to be pampered for six months or so. "Quinn."

He straightened automatically at the use of his last name.

Asha lowered herself back down to rest her cheek on the pillow beneath her head.

"Even if I wasn't the face of the Alliance, I couldn't bear to be stashed away like a broken child's toy," she muttered. Her clear blue eyes flicked to the side. "I may have invested in a lovely apartment in Zakuul. For the parts where I'm the size of a banthaa."

He laughed, damn it, Quinn laughed. He leaned down to kiss her and affectionately pressed his forehead to hers.

"If we're having children, do you intend to marry me?" The Major asked. It wasn't the most romantic of proposals, but Quinn had never been the best at separating professionalism from personal attitudes. Asha's eyes flashed in amusement.

"Of course I'll marry you. How could I not?" She laughed.

Despite himself, Quinn grinned. It might have been the happiest day of the Major's life.

[katyakiryu]

An Unexpected Wrath, Part 10

"I can't help but notice that someone's quarters are suspiciously far away from Vette's."

Quinn turned to find Asha'lie leaning against the doorframe to his quarters, giving him a teasing smile.

"Are you settling in alright?" She asked.

"Yes, my lord. I did send you a holomessage," Quinn pointed out.

She shook her head, though the smile remained.

"I'd really prefer it if you called me Asha'lie," the Sith murmured. She tilted her head, allowing her long caramel hair to spill over her shoulders. "If you insist on being formal, it's Commander."

"Oh? I thought it was Empress," Quinn found himself teasing her. Asha blushed and glanced away. "You've accomplished much, Asha'lie. You should be proud."

"I wish I could be," Asha admitted. "But I feel like I constantly have to look over my shoulder."

Quinn pressed his lips together. They'd filled him in that she was investigating everyone. Someone had betrayed her. No wonder she was so paranoid that day. The former major watched as she brought her thumb to her lips and began to chew nervously.

"You and Vette are the only ones I trust," Asha'lie admitted. "I hate that I can't even have faith in my own people."

"What about Shan?" Quinn dared to ask. Asha shakily brought her trembling hand back to her side. "You love him, surely he would never hurt you-"

"Just because he loves me doesn't mean he's exempt," she snapped. He watched in concern as her shoulders suddenly slumped forwards. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped. I need to go."

"Of course," he murmured. Asha slipped away, looking just as lost as she had the day that Ziost was consumed. Quinn frowned and settled down at his desk, sorting through the papers that Aygo had sent him. He could find this traitor. He knew how they had to think. He wanted her to trust her people again. She couldn't keep looking over her shoulder. She'd break.

It was night by the time Quinn finally allowed himself a break. He leaned back in the chair and glared at the documents. There was nothing! No trace, no footprint. Whoever had betrayed her had covered their tracks well. They would have some connection to intelligence, that was for certain.

He needed a drink.

Quinn stood and let his door slide open with a hiss. To his surprise, Asha'lie stood there. Slowly she lifted her gaze to his.

Ice ran through his veins at the sight of the furious, haunted look that made her eyes turn to stone. She stepped towards him, causing him to take a step back. Something had happened. There was nothing of the woman that Quinn still held feelings for in her eyes.

Asha'lie peeled her blood-soaked gloves from her hands as she slowly, step by step, backed him up until he was bracing himself against his desk. She held his gaze with haunted, animalistic blue eyes. Slowly, her hands came up to cup his face. Quinn gulped, fearing that she'd decided no traitor could be kept alive. Asha'lie's fingertips slid down his jaw to his neck.

"Asha'lie," he whispered. He forced trembling hands to catch her arms.

Her eyes suddenly widened and the rage left them. She brought her frantic gaze to meet his before shaking her head and burying her face into his chest.

Quinn looked around in confusion. What should he do? What was he supposed to do? She'd looked like she wanted to strangle him not a minute ago, and now she was crying into his chest.

"I didn't know where else to go," Asha whimpered.

Quinn shook his head and wrapped his arms around her, leaning back against his desk for support. Unconsciously, his fingers brushed through her hair.

"Tell me everything," he whispered.

Theron Shan had betrayed her. He'd called her a tyrant. He'd tried to kill her and nearly succeeded. Hearing Asha's voice break several times made Quinn furious. That damned spy. How could he do this to her? She was the might of the galaxy. She was kind and warm and good. What reason would he have to betray her?

Quinn wondered if he had a right to be angry. After all, he'd been in the same situation not so long ago.

"I'm sorry," Asha whispered.

He'd taken a seat at his desk while she huddled on top of his bed.

"There's nothing to apologize for," Quinn reassured her.

"It's cruel to come to you with this," she pointed out. She wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. "I just... I don't know."

"What will you do with him?" He questioned.

"In the moment, I wanted to kill him. I was so angry, Quinn," Asha admitted. "I don't know what I'll do. I don't know what I want to do."

He watched as she buried her face in her hands and let out a muffled sob.

"He sounded so sad," she cried. "I don't know why he did it. I thought he loved me, I thought you loved me... I..."

"I do love you, Asha'lie," Quinn murmured. He stood and crossed the room to her, sitting by her side. She lifted her face from her hands and let out a shaky breath. The last thing he expected her to do was to lean against him and sigh. "I have always loved you. I imagine he does as well."

"I don't want him to die, I just want to know why," she whispered. "I wonder if it's because his father died because of me. I saw the grief in his eyes. I knew he blamed me somewhere in his heart."

"He's made his choice," he whispered. "You must make yours."

Asha'lie nodded quietly. Quinn found himself resting his head against the top of hers. To his surprise, her fingers laced through his own.

"I missed you," she told him quietly. Quinn glanced down at their entwined fingers and cautiously ran his thumb over her skin.

"There was a void within me when you vanished. Nothing in the galaxy could fill it," he admitted.

"I owe Acina for pardoning you. I don't think I'd ever think to look for you in Imperial prison."

"I imagine Vette would have let you know."

"I'd have come for you."

"I wanted that to be true."

Asha gave his hand a gentle squeeze. Quinn sighed and stared at the door. It was late. After the day she'd had, she needed to rest.

"I love you," Asha'lie whispered. "I've always loved you."

"I love you too," he murmured. "However, it feels wrong to admit it when you've just been through a despicable betrayal. You should rest and think on what it is you truly want."

"I knew when I saw you again on Iokath," she murmured. She sat up to meet his gaze. "Theron and I were never going to last, Quinn. I always knew that, deep down."

"You still need to rest, my lord. For your health," he chided, though her confession did fill him with warmth.

"You're ridiculous," Asha sighed. She smiled and cupped his cheek. "Is it alright if I rest here?"

"Surely you'd be more comfortable in your own chambers-"

"I don't want to be alone. I'll sleep in Vette's room if you want your privacy."

Quinn sighed and smiled a small, exasperated smile. He'd forgotten just how stubborn she could be when she wanted to.

He'd offered to sleep at the desk, but she insisted on sharing the bed with him. It seemed that she truly had been in love with him all this time. Quinn glanced over at her darkened form. She'd removed her armor, leaving her in an undershirt and her undergarments. His arm was beneath her head, their fingers still entwined. He ran his thumb over her skin once again and sighed. This was all he ever wanted, but at what cost?

She rolled over and cupped his cheek.

"You worry too much," Asha whispered. His eyebrows flew up as she softly pressed her lips against his. Quinn cupped the back of her neck and allowed the warmth she offered to envelop him once again.

That was how they spent the next few days. She'd come back tired and drained, he would work to keep her alliance running smoothly, and they'd lie in the darkness together, savoring the warmth.

Quinn found himself in the military section of the Alliance base, watching as she conversed with Lana.

Shan's betrayal had been a ruse. Most of the Alliance was pleased to hear it, even if he'd been gravely injured in the battle against the superpowered resistance that had annihilated the Gravestone and the fleet. Asha had come back from her fight cold and tired, but without the haunted look that he feared so much.

Quinn found himself worrying that she'd go back to Shan, especially now that it turned out that he hadn't betrayed her at all. That was more than he could say for himself after all.

He couldn't stand to watch as Shan crossed the room to his friends.

Quinn strode back to his quarters and sunk into his desk chair, gripping his forehead. He wanted to trust what she'd told him-- that she loved him all this time.

The door hissed open and Asha walked in, placing a hand on his shoulder. One exchanged glance was all it took for her to gather why he'd left so abruptly.

"I told you that you worried too much," Asha'lie teased. Her hand rubbed his back in reassurance. Quinn stood and pulled her into a passionate kiss, wrapping his arms around her. She reacted in mild surprise before relaxing into the embrace. "I love you, Quinn. Please don't doubt that."

"I love you too, Asha," he whispered, pressing his forehead against hers.

"I'm yours. You're mine," she murmured. Her hands came to rest on his chest. "I won't let anyone change that. I'll keep you safe."

"Asha'lie," Quinn began to reply, searching for the words he needed. There was no way to express what he felt in words, so he settled for kissing her again, and again, and again.

Quinn cupped her cheek in the darkness, her bare form under his own. Her warmth enveloped him as she wrapped her arms around the back of his neck and drew him closer.

No one, nothing would take her from him again. The Wrath was his, and he was hers.

It would stay that way until they were both gone from the galaxy, and even then that love would remain for some time longer.

[katyakiryu]

An Unexpected Wrath, Part 12

Quinn took three steps into the Zakuul apartment Asha'lie had long ago purchased before he was assaulted by a herd of small boys.

However, this had long been a battlefield that Malavai Quinn was experienced with. He detangled himself from his sons, who quickly lost interest and scampered off again.

Rekx, the oldest, was already strong and fierce. He was already prepared for Korriban at eight. Lana and Theron often had to separate the young boy from his brothers.

Xieonos had been moving furniture with the force in utero. He was Asha's favorite even if she claimed to have none. He was the most charismatic and talked himself out of most scraps with Rekx. He was cunning and sharp with a practice blade, truly his mother's son.

But Rycei, Quinn saw so much of himself in Rycei. Rycei, like all the boys, had his mother's clear blue eyes and caramel hair, but had displayed none of the force sensitivity. In fact, he feared it. Hated it ever since Rekx had choked him with the force for stealing a toy of his. What he lacked in power, Rycei made up for in wit. He was the smartest, the snarkiest, but also the kindest.

Quinn crossed the room to find Asha reading with their daughter in her arms. Her eyes lifted to his and she smiled, ready to continue the new chapter in their lives.

Follow me to be the first to see the next stwor fic, Of Storms and Shadows, coming soon!

[katyakiryu]

An Unexpected Wrath, Part 9

"You understand, Captain Quinn, that we cannot allow you to continue your search for the Empire's Wrath," Minister Lorman told Quinn. "It is in the Empire's best interest that she disappears, you understand."

One year. 12 months. 360 days.

However he staged the statistics in his mind, Quinn couldn't stand the fact that it had been a year and Asha'lie was still missing. What was now known as the Eternal Empire had bombed planets into submission. They'd taken her from him. There was no trace of her anywhere in the galaxy. All Quinn had was the one broadcast that an Outlander had assassinated the Eternal Emperor. Asha had killed the Emperor, he was sure of it. Quinn also refused to believe that she too had been slaughtered.

She was alive somewhere out there. He could feel it.

"I will not cease my search, minister," Quinn replied coldly.

"Then I have permission to take you into custody," Lorman replied. Quinn had never wanted to punch someone so much in his life, and that included Pierce.

"Yeah, over my dead body," Vette snapped behind Quinn.

She was the only one who remained after a year. Broonmark had left fairly soon, as had Pierce. Jaesa had stayed for some time before deciding to better herself in the ways of the force without Asha.

"Are you leaving as well?" Quinn had asked Vette.

"I owe Asha'lie everything. I'll help you find her, I promise," the Twi'lek had replied. "She'd want me to stick with you anyway."

Now Vette stood at his side, ready to fight an entire squad of Imperial soldiers just to stop him from being taken. Quinn was almost touched, but he knew the consequences if she stood with him. She'd be killed or thrown back into the slave pens, and that Asha would never forgive him for.

"I surrender, then," Quinn told the minister.

"What?!" Vette exclaimed.

"Vette. Let it be."

The prison cell was dark and metalic. Quinn lay on the cot within and let out a breath. He could always try and escape, but odds were that he'd be shot dead.

If Vette found Asha, how would the Sith react if he was dead? He wondered about that for several minutes. Odds were she'd kill the entire Empire in revenge. No, he was thinking of himself too highly in her mind. She would certainly kill Lorman.

Quinn wondered if she was happy where she was. He doubted it. Asha'lie wouldn't have run off and left them after she killed the Emperor.

Do you want to run away with me?

She had once asked him that. Quinn realized that he would in an instant. He wondered where they'd go. Asha had loved Voss. She loved Alderaan. It would have to be a planet with woods. Woods and streams. Somewhere beautiful, just like her.

He turned to writing her a letter in his head.

My lord,

No, that was too formal.

Asha'lie,

Too casual.

Quinn frowned and shook his head, turning onto his side. There wasn't a point to it now. He'd write that letter when she saved him. Even better, he'd tell it to her face.

The last thing Quinn expected was a pardon and a promotion. He was allowed to keep his search discreet as he served Empress Acina. Even with the high privilege of his promotion to Major, throughout the next year of his life, Quinn felt as if someone had carved a hole into his heart. Asha was still missing. There was no way to fill the gap.

Vette hadn't contacted him, either.

He was considering taking a shuttle to look for the Sith he loved when news of a resistance against Arcaan reached him. An Alliance, they called it. At first, Quinn wrote it off, but as time went on, more and more blows were struck against the Empire that had conquered them all. Massive blackouts in Zakuul, the Outlander escaping prison, the entire Eternal fleet gone haywire, and Arcaan's disappearance from the throne. Quinn couldn't believe it. He could believe it even less when Acina offered to aid the Alliance.

He waited near the entrance to the throne room, curious to see this so called Outlander. Perhaps he could convince them to find Asha. She was a powerful fighter, and an Alliance between Sith and Jedi was all she ever wanted.

Quinn nearly choked when Asha'lie herself walked in with who he recognized as Theron Shan and Lana Beniko. It was her, it was really her. He moved to approach her, to throw himself at her feet and beg for her forgiveness. Had she found Vette and Jaesa? He hoped she had. Surely she'd be happy to see him?

Quinn stopped in his tracks when he watched Theron grab her hand. Asha smiled at the former SIS agent.

The Major's shoulders slumped. She was involved with the spy again. Of course she was. Undoubtedly, Shan held just as much affection for her now as Quinn had refused to see on Yavin 4.

One would think that six years apart would numb the pain, but it did nothing to soothe the ache in his heart.

"The Empress and the Alliance Commander are dead."

Dead. No, not like this. Not when he could have said something to her, not when he could have held her again, seen those clear blue eyes that still haunted his dreams sparkle.

Quinn was mentally punching himself until Acina walked back into the citadel, soaked but unharmed.

To his own surprise, the Minister was behind it. Both Acina and Asha'lie had survived.

"When can we expect a prision transfer for Lorman?" He asked the ensign beside him that evening. Asha had taken a shuttle away from Dromund Kaas to save her Alliance, and to Quinn's regret, he hadn't been able to speak with her. Now was the time to send that letter. He picked up his datapad to send the order.

"He was found dead, Major."

Quinn slowly lifted his gaze from the pad.

"Forensic report," he ordered.

"Three lightsaber wounds to the chest, Major."

She'd killed Lorman. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Quinn was suddenly very certain that killing the Emperor had sent Asha over the deep end. Had she woken up alone and angry that he hadn't found her? No, she was Sith at heart, he had to remember that.

"I can't believe she threw Saresh in jail."

The passing conversation of an Imperial solider crossed his ears.

"After that betrayal? The Wrath went soft."

Quinn relaxed. Acina could have killed Lorman. He was jumping to conclusions.

The Eternal Empire crumbled at her feet. She'd won the battle and the people. Asha had saved them all from a fiery death, but she now held an insanely powerful weapon-- the throne itself. Quinn could see the fear in the Imperials around them. They needed something to defend themselves with.

Iokath held all the answers.

Quinn wasn't too concerned. Acina was worried that the Alliance would use the fleet to kill them all, but she hadn't fought beside Asha'lie long enough to know how loyal the Sith lord could be. She would never use that fleet for harm, especially against the Empire.

Perhaps it was fate that he was selected to deliver the offer of a temporary alliance against the Republic forces.

Quinn gripped his hands tightly behind his back. The waiting was making him go mad. He wanted to see her again. He wanted to speak with her again. He didn't even care that Asha was in a relationship with Shan. He wouldn't hide this time.

He knew she'd choose to support the Republic. She had that option now, along the freedom that she desired. The Empire had done nothing but abandon her. Quinn swallowed. He'd follow her anywhere. It was time to run away, just like all those years ago.

Even when he was expecting her, Asha'lie still made him fall speechless.

She had armor on. Not simply a tunic or robe, but legitimate armor that was stained with oil. Quinn couldn't help but wonder if she'd been injured again.

Asha'lie looked exhausted. It was the first time he'd seen her since that last private moment on the bridge of her ship. He'd assumed that she was at peace, that she'd finally found a place where she belonged in the galaxy. The Emperor was dead-- surely she had everything she desired?

"You're looking more potent than ever, my lord," Quinn managed, shaking himself out of the trance she'd put him in. Asha's eyes brightened with hope. His shoulders relaxed. She was happy to see him.

"Is that you, Quinn?" She whispered.

"In the flesh. Though we'll have to continue this reunion at a later time," he explained regretfully.

Her body language seemed to change entirely. She looked as strong as she had six years ago, and carried herself with dignity and power as she listened to the offers given by Malcom and Acina.

Asha'lie's eyes met his briefly before she straightened and announced her descision to allign with the Empire.

She'd become even more deadly in the time they'd spent apart. She was faster, stronger, unpredictable. Quinn found himself wondering if her eyes still held the same pain when she fought. He believed that she'd found a cause to believe in, one that she didn't regret. Perhaps that was the reason for her increased skillset.

That, and Shan. They worked together well in the field, two bolts of fire that scorched all who stood in their way. She was there when he faltered, and him for her. Quinn tore his eyes away from the surveillance feed. Theron Shan was better for her. The major was just glad to have her back, safe, and alive. Quinn decided to join her alliance, her empire, when this was over.

The battle ended in their favor.

He was eager, so uncharacteristically eager to tell her of his intentions to join her again. That was, if she would have him.

Quinn's world cracked when Shan returned with her smoking body cradled in his arms. He gripped his hand in a fist, but relaxed apon hearing that she was still breathing. Asha would recover. Knowing her, she'd be up on her feet in mere hours.

So he waited. Waited and waited for her to wake up.

When she did finally emerge from the medbay, she did not have the warm smile Quinn was expecting. Concern ate at him as he saw the worried look in her eyes. Paranoia radiated from her along with Shan and Beniko. What was wrong? What had happened?

Unlike the previous times that Quinn had seen them together, Asha and Theron were distant. There seemed to be a stone wall separating the two of them. There were no jokes, no affection. He knew that thick tension all too well. What had Shan done to earn her distrust?

To his surprise, Asha's body relaxed when she finally approached Quinn.

"It's been a long time, Quinn," she greeted him.

"Too long," he replied. "After you disappeared, I spent months looking for you. Minister Lorman heard about my crusade and ordered me to call off the search."

"Yes, Vette told me that you were arrested," Asha'lie responded with concern in her voice.

"I did spend some time in Imperial prison before I recieved a pardon, yes."

"You must have known I was back. Why did you stay hidden?"

Quinn turned to her and swallowed. Her expression was sincere and attentive. She wasn't angry, he could tell that much, but she did want answers.

"I was concerned that you still hadn't forgiven me for the betrayal all that time ago," he explained. "I also believed that my aid would be unwelcome."

"It isn't. I'm so glad that you're okay," Asha'lie told him. Her voice was soft, and for a moment he swore that he saw tears in her eyes. "Do you want to come back with me? Join our alliance?"

"I do, if you'll have me," Quinn murmured. "I can hand in my resignation to the Empire this instant."

"Then I hope to see you on Odessen soon," she said. She smiled warmly at him and briefly patted his arm. "And I have forgiven you, Quinn. I did a long, long time ago."

He nodded and walked away. The moment his back was turned, Quinn found himself smiling. He was back where he belonged.

[katyakiryu]

Of Storms and Shadows, Part 1

Hutta stank like a sewer. Rycei wrinkled his nose and pushed through the urge to gag. It would blow his cover. He moved through the crowd easily, coat blowing in the foul breeze.

A pirate.

He nearly laughed aloud. That part was far easier to play than an Intelligence Agent for the Empire. Rycei looked at the thick yellow smog and sighed as his confidence quickly vanished. Who was he kidding? He didn't join Intelligence because he wanted to. He joined Intelligence because it was the only way he could survive. Rycei needed to vanish, to become no one, to become a spider that crawled on the walls or a speck of dust on the floor.

This was the way to escape his old life. He wanted to stop having to look over his shoulder.

In some ways, he was able to. The training that he'd been given, some of which came from his childhood, had made him deadly. Not nearly as deadly as a Sith or a Jedi, but close enough that Rycei could survive them. He could outlast their lightsabers, but the Force...

He swallowed down fear and pushed into the hut where his contact awaited.

It was simple, really. Convince a hutt to ally with the Empire. All he had to do was follow instructions and play his part. Rycei had always been an excellent actor, to the point where his mother had pushed him towards Dromund Kaas's theatres. He might have followed her advice if it hadn't been for her abrupt murder.

His mother and father were the only ones who could shield him from his vicious older brother, who spat on him for lacking the ability to use the force at every opportunity. And after what he had seen Rekx do to their sister...

Rycei shook his head and focused on his work. That was his past. It didn't matter now.

Nemro's palace was a pile of dung, but it did have the benefit of a cantina. Rycei played his part well enough, worming his way through advisors and strategies. He was a swaggering, arrogant pirate, only in life for money and thrills. It was so easy to play the part of something he was far from. Here, where instead of slick metal streets there was only swamps and smog, he could be anything he wanted.

Rycei couldn't deny that he still cared about the people he stopped to help. Terrified a man hunting an alien species like prey here. Massacred a gang that had stolen a man's property there. Deliver a datapad. So easy to pretend it was only for money when he could make the world a better place.

He swept a hand through his black hair and adjusted the goggles that hid his clear blue eyes. That trait was enough to out him to anyone who had known his mother. Rycei didn't look much like her. Her eyes were the only thing he shared with her. He wasn't ugly, in fact, his charm made up for how plain hos face typically was, but he certainly wasn't outstandingly handsome.

So it was all too surprising when Kaliyo stopped to threaten and flirt with him. Rycei couldn't deny the thrill that ran through him. She was so different than the stuffy people on Dromund Kaas. She was fire and blood and he couldn't resist flirting back. He was high on the excitement of her when he received his orders to kill Jarrels, a kind and warm advisor of Nemro.

It was a struggle to keep his facade straight as he taunted the man who taunted him right back. He hated this part of his job-- the betrayals and murders.

"I know you killed Jarrels."

How quickly those words from Kaliyo rocked his world! Rycei swallowed and wondered if he was going to have to kill her, too.

He was all too surprised when she was hired to be his partner. They worked well together. He knew better than to completely trust her, but she had his back. And being around her was... amazing. She was sarcastic and clever and amusing. Rycei called her friend long before they returned from Fathra's palace. Kaliyo merely smirked at him and continued to shoot at whatever displeased her that day.

Hutta was, in short, a challenge and a final test. Rycei stood over the corpse of the pirate he'd immitated and breathed out an uneasy breath.

"He's a lot taller than you. Makes a more convincing pirate, don't you think?" Kaliyo teased him, throwing him that telltale smirk. Rycei chuckled.

"Not as skilled or as handsome as me though," he pointed out, catching his breath. "Are you coming back with me to..."

Dromund Kaas. Rycei paled at the name of the planet that he couldn't quite bring himself to get out.

"Yeah, don't get mushy about it. Your guys are offering me good pay, which I'd like to collect. Let's get the hell out of here," Kaliyo answered, though she noted his hesitation.

Rycei merely locked his emotions behind the arrogant exterior that he'd been expressing all week and began the saunter toward the shuttle.

×××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××

Xieonos strode towards Rekx's offices with a cold confidence. Imperials scurried away from his presence even before they saw the massive Dashade behind him. Darth Nox, member of the dark council and one of the most powerful Sith that the century had seen, entered his brother's chambers in the Dromund Kaas citadel.

He didn't bow apon approaching Rekx. His older brother was massive, burning with the dark side and a vicious anger that never seemed to fade. The dark side made his skin a sickly white and his eyes a vicious red, contrasting his black hair. He was also on the council, but spent much of his time at war. He'd taken their mother's place as the Emperor's right hand, his wrath, not long after her death.

Xieonos fixed his brother with burning yellow eyes. The power of the force hadn't erased his attractiveness as it had Rekx, but the oldest brother had never been a sight for sore eyes. His face remained healthy and handsome. When his eyes had still been clear and blue, he'd looked much like their mother.

"Tell me you haven't summoned me just to glower," Xieonos drawled. He didn't flaunt his power or demand respect. The very aura of him rang with authority, and he'd long lost his sarcastic tongue. Korriban had whipped that from him, though he still was Sith through and through.

"Lysandra is dead."

Not much made Xieonos reel anymore. He'd been betrayed far too much for that. But to hear that their sister was dead, that rocked the frightening power in him. The six ghosts he had bound writhed at the growing fury within him. Sweet, gentle Lysandra who made crowns from rainforest flowers and laughed in combat was dead?

"How?" growled Xieonos.

Rekx's lips twitched upwards in a grin for a mere second before knitting his expression back into the icy anger he projected so well.

"Rycei killed her."

Xieonos swore.

Rycei? He could barely believe it. His younger brother hesistated to hurt most bugs, and adored Lysandra almost as much as he.

"She showed her powers and he grew jealous. He fled before the guards were able to apprehend him," Rekx continuted.

The inquisitor's power nearly sparked out of him. He'd make Rycei pay. Slow, merciless deaths were his speciality. Xieonos fixed burning golden eyes on his brother. "Where is he now?"

"Vanished, the little snake."

Xieonos turned and strode from the room, burning with power and fury.

"Where are you going?" Rekx called after him in amusement that the middle brother did not catch.

"To kill Rycei."

[katyakiryu]

An Unexpected Wrath, Part 5

The beeping was what woke him. Quinn opened his eyes and turned his head, finding himself lying on a cot in the ships medbay. Wincing, he turned to look to his other side and found Asha'lie staring at him. He gasped. The captain surged into a sitting position, only for the Emperor's Wrath to gently push him back down.

"Malgus could have killed you," she scolded. "What were you thinking, Quinn?"

"My lord, I was determined to supply you with an advantage, if only for a moment," he explained. "If I might ask, what events took place after you killed him?"

Asha sighed and sat on the cot beside him. Her hands clasped together.

"I carried you out," she murmured. "I was worried that I wasn't going to make it, but I did. You're lucky all that was broken was your ribs."

"Why not leave me behind? Surely I deserve it, for what I inflicted on you in the past," Quinn managed. Even with the kolto, his body was aching. The cut on her cheek remained. For a moment he dared to believe that she hadn't left his side in all the time he'd been unconscious.

Asha'lie's eyes dulled. Her grip tightened.

"You still have to make it up to me, Quinn. You aren't allowed to die until I say so, okay?" She whispered. "I don't know what I would do if you died."

He couldn't stop himself. Quinn reached over and moved to graze his fingertips over her cheek, brushing over her soft caramel brown hair where it was swept over her shoulder. Asha caught his hand and abruptly shoved it back down onto the cot.

"Get some rest," she ordered. She stood and stalked to the doorway.

"My lord," the captain protested. "I should be on the bridge-"

"I told you to rest," Asha scolded him. "So help me, I'll leave Vette with you as a nanny."

Quinn sagged back down onto the cot and watched her walk from the room. Quietly, he lifted his hand. The phantom kiss of her skin on his lingered. For just a moment, he'd felt the warmth again. And then she'd crushed his hand and forced it away from her like he was someone repulsive.

He let his hand drop with a thud against the cot.

"Malavai!"

The way she screamed his name when Malgus had thrown him echoed in his mind. The fear, the absolute terror in his voice at the thought of losing him... And then the lack of hesitation as she threw both of her blades, leaving herself vulnerable. Was it luck? Or was it rage?

Quinn wasn't sure. All he could due was continue on, and keep his promise. He would attone for his betrayal. He let his eyes close once again and drifted to sleep.

It was the gentle touch of Asha's fingertips against his cheek that woke him. He didn't want to open his eyes. Even though he knew that she could sense that he had awakened, he dreaded actually acknowledging that she had woken him.

"Quinn?" She whispered. With an internal sigh, he let his eyes open and meet hers. She'd brought a chair with her this time. "How do you feel?"

"Much better, my lord," Quinn answered. There were no new wounds on her, and that brought him great relief. "Where did you go, if you don't mind?"

"Makeb. Quite the adventure," Asha mused. Her eyes travelled down to her clasped hands once again. Quinn watched them darken with sorrow once more. How many had she killed, he wondered? What great things had she acompished while he lay prone in a sickbed? He propped himself up. "Today I saved a planet from destruction. Along with that, I brought another victory to my Empire."

Quinn listened to her in silence. It had been so long since they'd been able to talk like this. He feared that if he said anything, she'd snap again.

"I used to think that no crime couldn't be attoned for. There was always a way to avoid violence, I thought," Asha'lie murmured. "Never doubt the usefulness of others. That was the first thing Baras taught me.

"He was a paranoid, powerhungry old Sith. I hated him. I hated serving him, I hated being his weapon. But all of you, even Broonmark, made it bearable. I wonder when I lost the ability to see the good in others."

Quinn frowned. Why was she telling him all of this now? Suddenly he recalled the agony on her face as she fought. How long had she been struggling?

"You always warned me that my ways were dangerous. I could tell that you feared me from the start," Asha laughed. "You were right, Quinn. The only way to make sure evil stays gone is to snuff it out."

He felt his eyes widening with every word she spoke. Her hope was crumbling. What had she done on Makeb.

"Killing Baras felt good. Killing Malgus felt good," she admitted. "Killing that Hutt felt good. But I hate that it I liked killing them. I hate killing who the Emperor tells me too. I feel like I walked out of one cage and into another. I want my life back, Quinn."

"Then take it back, my lord," he found himself saying. She lifted her gaze to find him staring at him with determination. "I will follow you whatever path you walk. If that path takes you away from the Empire, so be it, if you go to the Jedi-"

"Why would I go to the Jedi?"

Quinn paled. Her eyes had gone cold once again. She'd once expressed that wish to him, to join the order of the light. Asha glanced away from him.

"There's no place for me there. I want to be free," she whispered. "The best I can do is make my Empire better. I want you to help me with that, Quinn."

"Yes, my lord."

"I need to meditate. I'm sorry."

With that, Asha'lie rushed from the room. Quinn picked himself up from the cot and changed back into his uniform. He strode to the bridge, lifting his chin.

She was struggling with being the Wrath. What was an honor to millions was a pair of shackles to her. He wanted to help her, but he wasn't sure how. Perhaps being by her side was enough.

Or so he thought, until she was called to help raid Tython.

Quinn couldn't help but pace as he waited for her return. It was taking too long. Asha should have been back by now. Was she dead? No, she couldn't be.

She wasn't.

He breathed out in relief when she walked onto the ship.

"My lord," Quinn moved to greet her, but stopped when he saw her face. Jaesa sulked behind Asha'lie, worry in the apprentice's gaze. The Wrath simply walked into her champers and slid the door shut. The captain locked eyes with Vette, who had come out to greet her friend as well.

"What happened?" The Twi'lek asked.

"Korriban was attacked as well, by the Jedi in retaliation. But it's not that she was bothered by," Jaesa explained. "She's felt... well there's been a strong negativity flowing from her ever since we landed on Tython. The entire planet seemed torched, and so many died."

Tython. Asha'lie might have gone there if she'd walked a different path. Was that what she was thinking as she cut down dozens of Jedi?

"Agh!"

Quinn tensed as the scream game from Asha's chambers. The sound of a lightsaber igniting, and then the horrible screech of metal tearing.

He was helpless. There was nothing he could do to help her.

It was dark when she finally emerged from her quarters. Quinn was seated on the plush seat that cradled the holoterminal. His face was bathed in the blue light of the machine. The captain was the only member of her crew that remained awake. How could he sleep when she was suffering?

"Quinn?" Asha called.

"Yes, my lord?" Quinn answered.

"Come with me?"

She phrased it like it was an offer, not an order. He stood, reaching for his blaster and the holster for it.

"Just to the cantina. While we're still on the fleet," Asha'lie explained. "There's someone I need to meet with. You don't have to come if you don't want to."

"I'd like to join you, my lord," Quinn replied. He followed her from the ship. She was still upset. He could tell by the way her feet dragged. "My lord, ahout Tython..."

"I don't want to talk about Tython," she cut him off. "The Jedi have already reclaimed the area. We have not recieved orders to try again due to Korriban needing recovery."

Asha paused in the elevator to wait for him to catch up. Quinn stood at her side, naturally holding his hands behind his back.

"I'd like you to make yourself scarce while I meet with my contact," she murmured. "I need her to be at ease until I manage to ascertain her intentions."

"Of course."

She glanced over at him. Quinn gulped, certain that she could tell he was holding himself rigid. A small sigh left her and her clear, blue gaze flicked away.

"I'd like to talk afterwards," Asha'lie told him. It was Quinn's turn to glance her way.

She wanted to speak about what exactly? His heart stuttered as he remembered his suggestion earlier. The Emperor's Wrath, a Jedi?! It was some miracle that she hadn't slaughtered him on the spot. Surely she didn't doubt his loyalty!

Quinn's body stiffened once again when Asha'lie's fingers kissed his. The gentle ghost of the touch lingered as he watched her walk from the elevator. Her long caramel brown hair brushed her back as she walked from him.

The captain stepped from the lift and stared down at his hand. Quiet reassurance, or an accident? Quinn squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. He was going to go mad if he didn't accept that there was no longer any love for him in her heart. He'd crushed her heart beneath his boots when he betrayed her to Baras.

Quinn found himself settled at the small cantina table as far away from the bar as he could get. An untouched drink sat in front of him. He didn't trust himself with the alcohol. He'd say or do something that he wouldn't be able to justify. Besides, it wasn't proper. He wasn't some stupid young ensign anymore.

Asha sat down at the table with him. She too had an untouched glass in front of her. Quinn watched her with uncertainty. She'd always been an open book, but her heart had become more and more shrouded these days. Her blue eyes were clouded and her face grave.

"Did the contact provide favorable information, my lord?" Quinn dared to ask her. Asha'lie swirled her drink in the glass and frowned. "My lord?"

"In some ways," Asha answered stiffly. A sigh suddenly left the powerfull Sith lord. "I'm sorry, I brought you out for drinks and all I can talk about is work..."

"It's a safe subject, my lord. We will end up talking about it at one time or another," he found himself pointing out.

"A safe subject between us, you mean," she murmured, continuing to swirl the drink. It was a bright, vibrant turquoise. "I believe the Isotope-5 integration is going well. And I didn't destroy a planet in the process."

"I imagine your wrath could destroy a small section of the galaxy if unleased," Quinn told her.

He froze again. He frowned down at the drink in his own hand. He was sure he hadn't touched it. Why would he say something so ridiculous?

"Don't underestimate your own anger, Quinn. Did you think I wouldn't notice that Pierce has conveniently been placed on cleaning duty for the whole week and our dear droid has been malfunctioning at random points?" Asha asked him, leaning forwards with a mischevious glint in her eyes. "He put bantha droppings in your spare uniform, by the way."

"You saw and didn't stop him?!" Quinn demanded. She smiled across the table at him.

"I made him clean it, don't worry."

The captain sighed and took a drink. He hadn't held this casual of a conversation with her in weeks. Perhaps she had finally forgiven him? That was doubtful. She'd become such an enigma to him.

"Quinn, about earlier, I shouldn't have snapped. I want you to understand that I will never be a Jedi or allied with the Republic," Asha explained. "My loyalty is the Empire. And now that the Emperor has gone quiet, I have to work to make it strong."

"I shouldn't have suggested it," he replied. "You are Sith, my lord."

"And that will never change."

There was quiet as the two of them stared into barely touched beverages.

"Captaincy mark three was offered to me," Quinn found himself saying. Work really was the safest subject to approach with her.

"Hm? You need me to sign more papers?" Asha'lie questioned. "Or is it that you've decided to transfer somewhere else?"

"My loyalty and station is with you, my lord," the captain assured her professionally. "I have no desire to leave until the debt I owe is repaid."

Her curious glint faded from her eyes. They dulled as she continued to idlely toy with the decoration in her drink.

"The debt you owe me for sparing your life?" Asha asked softly. "Your life belongs to me. I can end it if I see fit."

Quinn tightened his grip around the glass that had long ago turned warm. She glanced to his tense hands and sighed.

"That's what you think every time you look at me. You're finally afraid of me, aren't you, Captain?" The Sith murmured. "Why not run? Why do you insist on clearing a debt that can't be easily measured? How do you live like a dog and stay sane?"

"Like a dog, my lord?"

"You're content to be held on a leash for the rest of your life because you're afraid. What if I let it go? Would you leave then?"

"I don't only follow you out of obligation for my betrayal," Quinn snapped. "You'll shape the galaxy. I want to witness it."

Asha frowned and shook her head.

"You follow Sith out of fear. You drift from one to the next to survive. When I die, you'll breathe a sigh of relief," she told him. "When I'm buried and cut down, you'll follow the Sith that murdered me."

"You're wrong."

"No, Quinn, no I'm not. That's why you betrayed me, because Baras was stronger."

"That isn't it."

"Why do it then? I know you feared me from the very first moment we met-"

"Asha'lie!"

He ground his teeth, struggling to ignore the curious eyes that locked onto them at his outburst. He stood from the table and cleared his throat.

"Good evening. My lord," Quinn said in farewell. With that, he walked back to the lift, leavong the Sith behind. The moment the doors slid closed, he cursed and punched the wall. Was that really all she thought of him? That he was some Imperial bootlicker only out to save his own skin?

It was that moment that Quinn decided to shove his feelings where even he wouldn't find them. There was no winning her back. Asha'lie had walked away for good.

Or so he thought.

[katyakiryu]

An Unexpected Wrath, Part 4

"Hey, Captain Stuffy!"

Quinn couldn't suppress the groan of irritation that left him. Asha'lie had brought Jaesa to Korriban with her. Would she manage to defeat Baras? He might very well end up in the Darth's service if she died. The captain couldn't help but clench his jaw. He despised this feeling.

"Asha will be able to beat him," Vette reassured him. "You shouldn't worry."

"She won't kill him. That could wind up being a very serious problem," Quinn found himself answering.

There was silence as Vette leaned against the wall of the ship. The rythmic beeping of the bridge accented the quiet between them.

"I don't know what you did to make her mad at you," the Twi'lek finally said. "But both of you are so mopey that it's getting depressing. You can feel the tension in the air."

Quinn refused to deign that with a response.

"And then... Pierce..."

He shoved himself from the chair and grabbed her by the throat, growling. Vette gasped.

"Get. Out," Quinn snapped, releasing her. She scurried away and rushed from the bridge. He collapsed back into the chair on the bridge, staring at the red sands of Korriban. If Vette told Asha'lie about that, he'd be dead. He sighed quietly. So be it. Was there any chance that he'd earn back her trust? On Corellia, he'd done his damn best to defend the ship. Told her he wanted to make it up to her. The response was an icy retort that he'd have to do so much more than that.

Quinn heard the entrance to the ship open. Once more he rose to his feet. It was as if he was drugged. Dread swelled up in him as he awaited the sight of Imperial soliders and Darth Baras himself.

His footsteps abruptly came to a halt.

Asha'lie stood near the holoterminal. Jaesa hovered behind her, anxious brown eyes searching her master's form. The air began to reek of copper and salt, and if Quinn hadn't known the stench of the battlefield he would have gagged.

She was soaked in blood.

It was flecked into her caramel hair and splattered across her skin. Red was caked over her neck and bare midriff, soaked into her tunic and pants. Asha'lie slowly lifted her clear blue gaze to meet his.

Ice. Her soul was stone and cold.

Quinn couldn't believe his eyes. Kind, gentle, good Asha had slaughtered Baras? As she stalked away, he found himself bringing his hands up. They were shaking violently. Just how badly had his betrayal sunk into her?

He wanted to rush to her, to wrap his arms around her and scream.

Quinn was convinced that they were both going mad.

"You want to join me on Ilum?" Asha'lie asked him. She was shocked. He could understand why. He'd never expressed an interest in leaving the ship. Ilum was even colder than Hoth, and he had vigorously denied going there.

"Yes, my lord. I would like to accompany you," Quinn answered. "It is a warzone. I would like to provide my expertise."

She stared at him with tight lips for several moments before walking away.

"Fine. Don't stray from my sight or I'll kill you."

To anyone else it was a threat. Quinn suppressed his pointless hope.

Asha'lie swept away.

The snow was stained with blood as she cut through dozens and dozens of Republic men. Quinn couldn't help but watch in awe as she killed them in a cyclone of twin lightsaber blades. He had to see it for himself. Had she truly become the monster that was whispered about in the shadows?

"Please! Please!" The Republic soldier begged. Asha'lie leveled her lightsaber in line with his face for a mere moment before she turned away, already stalking towards her next prey. Quinn let out a discreet sigh of relief. The light was still there.

It had been a long time since he'd seen her interact with any other Imperials besides him. There was still respect for the men who served her, but there was no longer the illusion that she once provided that they were equal to her. She was above them, untouchable. She was to be feared.

Quinn could feel the wash of negativity that burned around her as she fought. She was drawing on fear, her anger, her stress. Asha'lie didn't want to fight, he realized. She didn't want to kill the men that fell before her. He caught the shattered look in her eyes more than once.

"My lord," he began to ask in concern when an ensign sent to her as a messenger reported what had sent the entire Imperial army into a panicked frenzy. Quinn frowned as Asha'lie finally turned to face him. "What is it?"

"Malgus has betrayed us."

She spat the words like they were poison. Was it fate that he had chosen this mission to accompany her? Betrayal. That, Quinn had learned, was unforgiveable.

There was no mercy for the Sith she cut down in droves on Malgus's space station, on the battlefield. Their blood soaked her, and yet she remained unharmed thanks to Quinn. Still, the Captain couldn't take his eyes away from her. The pain. The rage. It was driving her to the brink of what she could handle. He wanted to scream. This was madness, being unable to make her pain go away.

The lapse in his concentration was all it took for him to miss that HK-47 had drawn a vibroknife that slashed across her cheek and sent her stumbling back. The droid raised the blade for the kill. Quinn cursed and grabbed his blaster, firing shot after shot into the droid until it was a smoking mess on the floor.

"Thank you," Asha'lie managed. She took the hand he offered and rose to her feet. Quinn watched as she stalked towards the alien who had just tried to murder her.

Mercy.

She offered him mercy, and the cowardly, twisted scientist greedily accepted. How could he not, when the other option was a lightsaber through the chest?

The alarms blared in the captain's ears, warning that the station had been sabotaged by said scientist.

Asha'lie rushed forwards, drawing one of her twin blades. The Sith ahead of them yelled out a curse.

One slash and his head hit the floor. His body hit the ground a few feet behind.

Asha walked forward, swaying slightly. Her blade hummed and then screeched as she dragged it through the metal floor. It hissed as she turned it off. Quinn watched as she stumbled into the wall and sagged down to the floor.

"My lord?!" He gasped, rushing to her side. She was breathing in harsh gasps. "Are you injured?!"

Her hands found his as she shook her head. Her clear blue eyes met his.

"Just give me a moment," Asha'lie whispered. "There's so many of them. And I... I'm just me."

"You're the Emperor's Wrath," Quinn told her. "You have never been just you. You are a lord of the Sith and the deadliest woman I have ever met.

"You need to get up. You need to kill that traitor," he finished, urging her to her feet. Asha looked up at him as he stood and again offered his hand.

She smiled.

Quinn tore his gaze away as she rose and resumed her brisk pace. That warmth had touched him once again. He hadn't thought it possible. He raced after her, up the steps to the throne room.

The scarlet cloaks of Malgus's guard fluttered as they ignited their lightsabers. Eight against one and they still all fell before her. Graceful yet savage. Brutal yet elegant. That was how Asha fought. Quinn was entranced.

And then it was abruptly shoved back in his face when he was watching her fight Malgus. Every attack of hers was blocked by his and met with equal force. This was the man who had led the sacking of Coruscant. She was a year into being Sith, and while she was able to keep up, Quinn could tell she was tiring rapidly.

He pulled his blaster once again and shot at the Sith Lord. Darth Malgus turned yellow, hate filled eyes towards the captain and lashed out with the force. Quinn grunted as he felt his ribs crack. He couldn't stop the scream that left him.

"Malavai!"

Asha'lie's scream echoed in his ears. In a haze of pain, he turned his head to look at the battle once again.

There was rage in her eyes as she threw both sabers, slashing through Malgus's arms. She kicked the Darth off of the ledge, and that was the last thing Quinn saw as his vision swam and plunged into darkness.

[katyakiryu]

An Unexpected Wrath, Part 7

Quinn couldn't pull his eyes off of them. So what if the Republic and Empire were engaged in an alliance to stop Revan? No matter how you looked at it, Asha'lie was staring at the SIS agent across the war table from her. It wasn't a murderous stare, but one that Quinn himself had looked at her with many times.

Theron Shan.

That was the one who had stolen her heart. Quinn was convinced that the Republic spy was up to something. Why else would he smile at Asha as soon as he noticed her gaze? He had to be leading her into a trap. She'd stride right into another betrayal. Surely Asha'lie knew that? That was her enemy that she happened to be staring at. And the son of a Jedi, at that!

Quinn was fairly certain that he was going to tear his own hair out. He was jumping back and forth between jealousy and worry and it was her fault! The world could end at any moment and she, as usual, was in the middle of it all.

"I suggest that we take a group in to storm the temple," Asha suggested. She walked around the war table, past Theron. Quinn pressed his lips together when the spy glanced down towards his left hand. "Those are Imperial guards in there. They'd have useful intel."

"Unfortunately, our troops are spread thin," Darth Marr disagreed. The masked, gruff Sith crossed his arms.

"Then I'll go alone. Just be sure to have a team ready to sweep after, I'd like to take captives," she compromised. Asha'lie circled back to the Empire's half of the table.

"Going in alone is suicide," a Republic soldier protested.

Quinn opened his mouth to snap at him, but Theron beat him to the punch.

"She's the Emperor's Wrath. That's the strength of an armada in one woman," the SIS agent chided. "I hate to say it, but you're the best option we have."

"Excellent. Meanwhile, about the Revanites around the outskirts," Asha'lie continued. Quinn glared across the table. She wanted him for tactical advice, otherwise he would be on the bridge. What good was he for advice when all he could think about how much he wanted to strangle the Republic SIS agent across the table?

Theron noticed his glare and returned it.

"Quinn. Quinn!"

Quinn ripped his angry gaze away to find Asha'lie lightly tugging on his sleeve.

"Are you alright?" She asked, frowning.

"Of course, my lord," he lied. "I was lost in thought, that is all."

The Sith gave him a gentle, understanding smile.

"I know that this is stressful. It is for all of us," Asha told him. He followed after her as she made her way down the crumbling, moss coated stone steps. "Still, I'm glad that you're here with me."

Quinn bit back an icy reply. He wouldn't let his fury with himself lash out at her. They'd made their choices. Nothing could make him start yelling. The situation was not her fault. He let out a discreet breath to calm himself. There was no reason to be angry.

"Hey, Commander, got a sec?" Theron called.

The galaxy was testing Quinn.

Asha'lie stopped and turned towards the datapad- wielding agent. A warm, affectionate smile broke out across her face. Was it really only a month ago that she had looked at him that way? Quinn bit his tongue and held his hands behind his back.

"I always have time for you," the Emperor's Wrath purred. Theron smiled and shook his head.

"There's some more data on the layout of the temple that I figured you might want," Theron explained.

"It's certainly can't hurt. Thank you, Theron," Asha said gratefully.

"No problem. See you later?"

"Of course."

Quinn slowly became aware of a sting on the palm of his hand when he was finally able to usher Asha'lie away from that damned Agent Shan. He glanced down to find that he had scratched it raw.

"Well, I'll see you in a bit," she told Quinn unexpectedly. He raised one dark brow.

"Shouldn't I accompany you to your objective, my lord?" He found himself asking. She kicked at a stray piece of stone. "The jungle is dangerous. Surely you aren't intent to travel through it alone."

"Didn't you hear, Captain? I have the strength of a Republic armada," Asha teased. "I'll be alright. Help with what you can."

"My lord," Quinn protested. She pushed a finger against his lips and silenced him with a pointed look.

"You worry too much, Quinn. If I'm worried about you getting hurt, I can't fight at my best," she explained. "I'll return before sunset."

With that promise and reassurance, Asha had walked to the speeder and vanished over Yavin 4's treetops. The captain sighed heavily. She was right. If she had to concern herself with protecting him, she'd fail.

Meanwhile, Quinn could do exactly what she had brought him to do-- lead and organize. Tactics. He shoved Theron Shan to the back of his mind and went to work.

Quinn didn't catch her when she landed. He'd thrown himself into his job as a man of the Empire. It was difficult to work alongside the Republic, but to his surprise, it worked. Asha'lie had strained to achieve that. To his surprise, he heard whispers of her accomplishments down in the jungle. Imperial or Republic, she didn't care. If someone needed something done, she would do it. The kindness she had once offered him on Balmorra a year ago had reignited the ambition he had lost. The warmth that Asha offered her soldiers and allies stirred determination. They were inspired. She was a force of nature who would lead them to success. Quinn found the men he worked with fearing less and less that Revan would succeed.

How could they fail when the Emperor's Wrath was on their side? How could they die when Asha'lie would do anything to protect them?

Quinn found himself unbuttoning the jacket of his uniform on the way back to Asha'lie's tent, which she had graciously offered for her crew to share with her. The humidity of the jungle was getting to him. The heat was far more bearable now that the sun was down.

Movement in the dark made him frown and squint. He couldn't stop the sigh that left him.

He found her sitting alone at the side of the cliff.

"My lord," Quinn greeted her.

"Hello, Quinn. I heard you did excellent work today," Asha'lie told him. He raised his eyebrows. She'd heard? From who? "Lana told me."

He was almost smug.

"How did your mission proceed, my lord?" He asked. She sighed and shifted in the darkness. It was an unhappy sigh that Quinn knew all too well. His smugness vanished. "You had to kill them?"

"Not all of them. I gave the survivor to Satelle over Marr," she explained. "You should have seen the looks I got."

"Did you acquire what we need?"

"More than that, actually. We'll be attacking Revan himself tomorrow."

Quinn briefly clenched his hand into a fist. Revan would be insanely powerful. Even with her skills, he'd be difficult to kill. The fight against Malgus echoed in his mind again. His eyes drifted to the scar on her cheek. It was a fight to resist brushing his fingertips along her skin.

"Why are you out here all alone?" He found himself asking.

"I needed some peace and quiet," Asha explained. She ran her fingers over the dirt.

"With Agent Shan?" Quinn questioned with more venom than intended. He cleared his throat as she pressed her lips together. "My lord, he is from the Republic. Whatever trist you have with him will have to end when this alliance ends."

"I know that," she sighed.

"Why spare him the attention at all, then? He's your enemy."

"Quinn, go back inside," Asha snapped. He opened his mouth to protest, but was stopped as she fixed him with an icy blue gaze. "Go."

"My lord, spare yourself more pain-"

"Quinn."

The captain bowed his head and walked away. Asha knew what she was doing. As much as Quinn hated it, he knew that with time she and Shan would be a mere memory. Still, he couldn't help but look over his shoulder at the shadow of the Sith that he had come to love. It wasn't just about his own jealousy. She'd have her heart crushed again if Shan turned on her. If she'd sunk into the dark side from Quinn's betrayal, who would she become if Theron Shan hurt her as deeply as he had.

Quinn watched as she pulled her hood over her head and tucked her knees to her chest. He stopped, gazing at her form with longing in his eyes. If there was one thing he hated most of all, it was that he no longer had the privilege of offering her the comfort she needed.

Damn his privileges.

Quinn began to stride back to her, only to stop as the familiar shadow of a certain Republic agent was cut out of the moonlight. The captain found himself stood still, frozen as he watched Asha'lie stand to cup Theron's cheek in the darkness.

That gesture was a thousand times more painful to witness when it was in broad daylight after Revan had been vanquished and the Emperor released. Quinn watched several unexpected goodbyes between Republic and Empire that day, but none was quite as radiant as theirs. He swallowed down the hard lump in his throat.

He was waiting for her to recoil as Shan's expression turned serious. He knew the grave words being spoken. The relationship was over, wasn't it?

Quinn's hands turned into fists behind his back as he watched Asha'lie's warm, bright smile shine. He watched her kiss the agent and ground his teeth. Shan cupped her cheek.

"Why do you do this to yourself?" Vette asked, startling Quinn from the quiet, seething rage that he'd been wallowing in. "You don't need to watch them. Are you trying to punish yourself?"

"Shut up, Twi'lek," he found himself muttering venomously. Vette sighed and shook her head. She walked away, only to look back at him.

"Both of you are ridiculous."