a cameo by a seven year old Qui-Gon.
Summary: A Jedi Knight searches for what he lost and his sanity.
# Part 2 of 2 in the Second branch of the Portal Series. #
Please read Part 1 -- some things will make more sense.
Setting: Coruscant / Old Republic (pre TPM)
Generic Disclaimer: If you recognize it -- I don't own it. If you don't
recognize it -- I probably do own it. And no, I'm not making any $$$ off this,
the Cory the Cupid said Republic dataries are no good -- only real money.
Plot bunnies: =:'(@}--- and =:o and ===:) and =+<:)
This is what happens when the angsty romance bunny and the song bunny mate.
Feedback: Please, my ego and my bunnies crave it. Flames will be nuked @=(
Archive: You want it? You can have it. Drop me a line so I can visit. :)
Note: //Telepathy.// <Personal thoughts> [Memories] >>Sounds<< Lyrics are
indented.
Author's note: Songs used (with some re-wording) are: _Always Something There To

Remind Me_ by Naked Eyes, 1993; _Just Another Day_ by Jon Secada, 1992;
_Obsession_ by Animotion, 1985; _Ordinary World_ by Duran Duran, 1993; _Come
Undone_ by Duran Duran, 1993; _Hold Me_ by Mel Carter, 1965.
Author's Note 2: This is the first Star Wars fan-fic musical saga.
AN3: A big special thanks to my beta, Angel Sparrow.

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The sunlight twinkled off the traffic surrounding the Jedi Temple like daytime
stars. Inside the office of Jedi Master Mind Healer Dorga Meador, the air was
thick with grim emotions.

Jedi Master Naftel Ramer ran a hand through his lightly silvered, brown hair.
Taking in another deep breath he turned his olive green eyes toward the Healer.

"So you're saying there is still no improvement in Taren's condition?"

"That's right. If anything, his mental state over these past two months has
gotten worse. He's in a state of severe depression, Naftel. There are periods
where he's able to function as a Jedi. And then there are times where I begin
to think I may have to start thinking about medication -- something I am loathe
to do, but will if I must."

"His condition, that bad is it?" a gentle voice inquired.

"Not yet, Master Yoda," the Healer shook her head. "I believe somewhere, deep
within his mind, he's able to acknowledge and fight what's happening. I believe

with time and patience, I can help him."

The leader of the Jedi Council leaned on his gimer stick as he Force-scanned the

young knight a few doors down. "Lost something, he has. Missing a piece of
himself, he is. In danger of losing a good Jedi, are we." His long ears
drooped slightly at the thought of losing a young Jedi Knight with much
potential.

"Meditation doesn't seems to help any," Meador stated. She turned to her long-
time friend Master Ramer. "I believe with your continued presence and our
guidance, we can help him through this. He's not the first Jedi to go though
depression. I feel confident he will make a full recovery."

"What do you suggest, Dorga?"

"I suggest getting him back into a regular routine. Get him back to thinking
and acting and training like a Jedi. Surround him with our presence. To that
effect, I think it would be best if he move in with you, Naftel. You were his
Master, perhaps your constant presence will be what he needs to bring him back
to us -- to be his anchor, so to speak."

Master Ramer nodded, "I'll do anything I can to help the man who was once my
Padawan."

"I'll make arrangements with housing to get the next available double
apartment," the Healer nodded.

"Done that, already I have," Master Yoda interjected. "Move out of your
bachelor's quarters, you may now."

"Thank you for taking care of that for us, Master."

"Said anything about his time away from us, has he? For a nearly year,
disappeared from us, he did."

Healer Meador shook her head, "Nothing that seems to make any kind of sense to
me. He keeps calling for his 'life.' I don't understand what he means by this.

His choice of words is significant -- it holds some meaning for him, but I can't

get through his shields to understand. Sometimes he says 'life'; sometimes he
says 'wife.' I just don't get it. And his speech pattern has changed. He uses

Galactic Standard liberally sprinkled with words and phrasing that somehow seem
archaic.

"It's been two months now since his return and we still don't have a clear
picture of what happened to him," again Meador frowned.

"I'll keep an eye on him, Dorga. If I discover anything, no matter how small it

may be, I'll let you know. I want Taren back as much as anyone. Perhaps more,
since he's like a son to me."

The Healer nodded, "Perhaps together we can solve this mystery. I'll release
Knight Savlon into your care immediately."

"Thank you, my friend."

@}--- @}--- @}---

"I'm glad you could make it, Cress."

"I'm glad you thought of me. This sounds like a very interesting case, Eura."
The two healers, one Jedi, one civilian, shook hands as long-time colleagues and

friends.

The two Mind-Healers settled down to talk business.

"Indeed. I'm thankful one of our workers happened to find her wandering around.

She seems to have no memory of how she got here. Her manner of dress is not
like anything I'm familiar with.

"She's very frightened of everything and everyone. She behaves as if she's lost

all memory of the Republic and our advances. At first, judging by her manner of

dress and speech patterns, I thought maybe she's from one of the more isolated
planets in the Outer Rim, yet even *they* know how to operate a refresher and
have seen a holo-picture.

"All I've been able to do is make her comfortable with a very rustic room of her

own. She's having trouble accepting some of our most elementary conveniences.
But, I will say, even though she is severely depressed, she's adapted quite
well.

"I can feel the depth of her depression, Cress. The pain reaches very deep.
And, I fear, she is slowly going mad for it."

"So, why did you call me in for a consultation?"

The civilian healer looked into her friend's eyes. "I believe the only thing
keeping her somewhat sane is the baby. The child she carries is very strong in
the Force. While not even three months old yet, I can sense the child."

The Jedi Healer looked at his childhood friend with a surprised light in his
eyes. "With your sensitivity for the Living Force, Eura, you should have stayed

a Jedi, rather than resign."

"It is exactly because I *am* so sensitive to that part of the Force that I felt

I must leave. I can do more good for more people out here than I can in the
Temple. I go where the Force leads me."

"I understand. As Master Yoda would say -- "

"Trust in the Force, one must," they spoke in unison.

"May I see the young lady?"

"Of course."

A walk to another level of the mental ward in Coruscant's finest hospital led to

a small, sparsely furnished apartment. Those patients not deemed to be a danger

to themselves were allowed their own quarters and privacy while under a Healer's

gentle care.

After getting no reply to their knock and ring, Healer Eura Tap Force-scanned
the room. Finding all was as it should be she led the way in.

Both Healers could feel the fear radiating from the figure huddled into a small
bundle in a corner of the main room. Wrapped securely in a blanket the slight
figure's distress could be felt even as they stood in the hallway. Closer now,
they could also feel the presence of an unborn child reaching out, trying to
calm its mother.

In answer to an unvoiced question, Healer Tap replied, //It's still too early
for me to tell if it will be a boy or a girl.//

Kneeling down Healer Oshan could see the young woman in the curtained light.
She turned to look at him as he placed a hand on her arm.

Her aqua-teal eyes were red, as was her nose, from so much weeping. Her waist-
length hair, the color of white sea-foam, fell about her as a shield to protect
her from the strange surroundings.

A light flickered, perhaps a little too brightly, in her eyes. "Where is my
lord-husband? Where is Talon?" she whispered. "Where am I?"

"My Lady, I am Jedi Master Healer, Cress Oshan. I am here to help you find your

way. You will come with me. I will help you find that which you seek... Will
you come with me? Will you let me help you?" He waited patiently as he felt
the young woman's turbulent emotions collide with one another.

Finally, she gave barely a nod. Oshan could feel the baby respond to his
nearness -- respond with hope to another Force-sensitive.

@}--- @}--- @}---

"What is the young lady's name?" Healer Meador inquired.

"She gave the name 'Lady Flora, Countess of Falcon's Nest by the Sea.' I have
cross-checked Healer Tap's research with our own archives and those of the
Senate. There is no such place on file. Of the places which have a similar
mode of dress there is, again, *no* match in any local dialect that translates
as 'Falcon's Nest by the Sea.' Nor is there anything remotely close.

"Where she came from and how she arrived is still a mystery, Dorga."

The senior Jedi Mind Healer nodded as she looked over the data pad with
information about their newest patient. "It could be that the young woman is
suffering from some delusional illness, yet the med-scans reveal nothing. And
there is no evidence of cranial trauma. For once, I'm glad Healer Tap decided
to resign -- most healers would have her on heavy medication, which would
certainly harm the child. I must call her and extend our thanks on their
behalf." She shook her head, not knowing what to think of this strange case.

"Well," she said, returning the data pad to her Senior Assistant, "Proceed as
you think best, Cress."

@}--- @}--- @}---

Jedi Knight Taren Savlon stared at his reflection in the mirror. His dark brown

hair was a lot longer than it was when last he was in the Temple. He preferred
it that way now. It served to remind him of all Fate decreed he leave behind.
Not that he needed any reminders -- his heart would not allow him to forget, not

for a second.

<How could Fate and the gods be so cruel?> he asked himself. In his pain, he
slammed a fist into the mirror and watched as his blood slowly dripped into the
sink. The dark red stain flowed into a familiar form as it oozed down the slope

of the basin. The shape of a red rose took form. A single, perfect, rare
desert rose. The symbol of something sacred; the symbol of something to be
forever cherished. A rare gift from the gods. A rare gift to the heart.

How many times since his return, since being ripped apart from his life, had he
thought of her -- his heart's mate. He felt his sanity slowly slipping through
his grasp. How many times had he awakened in the night only to realize the feel

of her soft curves and velvet lips was nothing more than a cruel memory. How
many times? He long ago lost count.

Even after two months of counseling, his emotions were still raw. Many Jedi
sought to avoid him when they felt his dark emotions roiling beneath the surface

as he shuffled his way through the gardens. Slowly, he began talking about his
life on an ordinary world where few people had midi-chlorians.

Even with help of the most experienced Mind Healers, Taren still could not
remember how he arrived on that archaic world. None of the star patterns he
sketched out could be found on any astro-nav chart.

He revealed how he emerged from a forest to save the life of the local king who
then rewarded him with a noble title.

This surprised the Council; usually, a Jedi gives up any title of nobility, none

had ever received it -- it was not permitted.

Taren explained how 'twas now his responsibility to care for the people and land

of the demesne he had been granted. He was proud of the improvements he was
able to accomplish. Improvements that would help ease the burden of his people
living in such primitive conditions. He came to love the people and the land
under his care, and he was happy there. Happier yet to be with a wife he loved
dearly.

"Touched the Darkside you have, Knight Taren Savlon. Within you, it still
lives," Master Yoda said as he looked at the young man standing before the
Council.

"Aye, I have touched the Darkside," he nodded. "In order to help those I was
responsible for. In order to save the lives of my people."

Before the Council, Taren admitted he had killed in a fit of rage, and would do
so again should the need ever be so. He had no regrets over this. This was
something that worried many on the Council. Some were afraid the darkness that
was so willingly embraced would forever stain his soul.

The only thing that seemed to give him the least bit of solace was the constant
presence of his old Master, and their daily sparring matches. His meditations
only served to bring him more pain as memories returned to haunt him.

Even in his sparring, his Master could see and feel a change. His style had
become more aggressive. Yet, the matches also served to help purge the dark
emotions from him -- for a while.

Back in his own quarters, Taren continued to look at the blood-rose. Again, he
could feel his emotions rising. Stopping the blood flow and healing the cut, he

got dressed in civilian clothes and decided some fresh air and sunshine would
help raise his spirits. He left no note for his Master, for quite often he
would go off-Temple and wander the streets as if in search for something hidden
beyond his reach.

@}--- @}--- @}---

Flora opened the door and bid her friend Healer Cress Oshan to enter. The
healer was well pleased at her progress in adapting to her surroundings. She
still shied away from some of the non-human members of the Temple. At first,
she would freeze at the sight of some of the more exotic members of Jedi Council

who came by to greet her, but soon she realized no one here meant to harm her.
Indeed, she sensed they wished friendship towards her as they would slowly
introduce her to some wondrous marvel she had only a vague memory of.

Although he couldn't begin to comprehend how, Oshan felt much of her successful
adaptation came through her child's connection to the Force. Even though Flora
was doing a successful job of hiding her true feelings from others, the Healer
could feel much anxiety and trepidation within her.

Flora was elated when told about her pregnancy. Many times, Oshan and others
would see her in her favorite garden, softly speaking to her unborn child. As
always, this would lead to tears. Even though she was not greatly Force-
sensitive, the pain of loss and her grief were so strong that she unwittingly
broadcast her feelings. Many Jedi could not shield it out completely; 'twas a
heartfelt pain so deep it reached down into the very depths of her being. 'Twas

the kind of grief that could slowly drive one mad.

Oshan looked around the small apartment she was given. Since she had been
determined not to be a threat to herself or anyone, Flora had been granted a
small apartment and a job of helping keep inventory -- a task she proved to be
well capable of. The living quarters were immaculately clean. She wore knee-
length tunics and trousers she insisted on making herself, by hand, no less.
Her thick white mane was braided into a crown. She favored blues and white as
her signature colors. She made friends easily enough, but preferred the
solitude of the gardens during her off-time with her private thoughts and
memories.

"How are you feeling today, my Lady?" Oshan inquired with a critical eye. He
could see that she still wasn't getting as much sleep as an expectant mother
should.

"I am feeling fine this day, Sir Cress. I thank thee for asking."

It became a familiar routine for Oshan to come by in the afternoon to escort his

patient for a stroll around her favorite Temple garden for their counseling
session. It was an orchard, much like one she and her husband would relax in
after a long day.

During their stroll, Flora spoke more of her past. "...'Twas the Ghost Knight
that murdered my brother. Since I was my father's only living heir, I inherited

Falcon's Nest. My cousin, Sir Branyon, was castellan and thus responsible for
the safety of the land and our people.

"The traitor could never be caught, for he covered himself and his horse with
ash to look more the part. Many times he would strike out at us. He would burn

the crops and slaughter our livestock." She lowered her head as the memories of

one night came to her. "Late one eventide, we had word that the Ghost and his
men had raided a small settlement. As the men and boys fought to save the crops

from burning, the reivers attacked the village and set fire to the cottages. We

lost many good men that night..." Her voice broke as tears welled up in her
aqua-teal eyes. She looked out the window, seeing the destruction again in her
memory.

"My Lord-husband flew after them," she chuckled. "Many believe him to be a
sorcerer who brought with him the seastorm that put out the fires and chased
away the reivers. Again, the Ghost Knight brought naught but fear and
destruction to our people. Again, he slipped away. Several babes will be born
because of that night." She finished in a whisper.

"But on a happier note," she borrowed a phrase she had heard. "Sir Talon became

much loved by my people. When he saw the village grain mill was greatly in need

of repair, he designed something new, the likes of which no one had even
dreamed." Her eyes shone bright with pride. "He called it a 'Wind-mill.' It
had great sails to catch the seabreeze. 'Twas the wind that did all the work of

moving the millstone. Even the king himself heard about it and called Talon to
his court to explain it! The king was much impressed," she smiled.

"Talon also enlarged the granaries. 'Twas a grand idea, for this year we had
our most bountiful crop. If not for his foresight, much of the harvest would
have been left to rot in the field during winter. Now, I know our people will
not go hungry," she nodded.

"Sounds like your husband was a man ahead of his time." Noticing the befuddled
expression upon her brow, Oshan clarified his meaning, "I mean, he had great
ideas before anyone else could even imagine them."

"Oh, aye," she nodded in agreement. "He had many great ideas. Often times, by
candlelight, I would watch him sketch out some new idea in the middle of the
night. Or he would build a model of something so the men could see what they
were building as he explained it to them."

They continued through the orchard, stopping now and again to inhale the exotic
fragrances of rare fruit trees from across the Republic. A cold shiver traced
down her spine. Looking around, she saw nothing and no one, yet felt certain
they, she in particular, was being watched.

Next to her, Oshan felt her sudden unease. "Are you all right, Lady Flora?"

She nodded curtly, "Aye, I am fine." She continued telling more of her world as

the afternoon wore on. 'Twas good to have someone to talk to, it helped ease
her pain of loss -- a little.

For the rest of the afternoon, Oshan continued to feel her unease. Even though
she denied it, he knew something was disturbing her, yet would not press the
issue. She would tell him when she was ready. He knew some memories were just
too painful to give voice to.

For the rest of their time together, Flora could not shake the feeling of being
watched -- 'twas a feeling that could not be mistaken, nor forgotten. Even
though she saw no one, she knew. 'Twas as though a ghost were watching her
every move. 'Twas not the first time she felt thusly, but for the first time,
she felt certain. Placing a protective hand over her child she sent a prayer
for protection to the Great Spirit.

@}--- @}--- @}---

As the day's shadows grew longer, Taren continued to walk the streets of
Coruscant. Morning had passed to mid-day, which passed into afternoon. Still,
he knew not where his feet led him. Everywhere he turned, he saw the ghosts of
his past. He looked around and all he saw were memories of the happiest time in

his life. Wherever he turned, there was always something there to remind him of

his heart.

I walk along the city streets you used to walk along with me.
And every step I take reminds of just how we used to be.
Well, how can I forget you girl?
When there is always something there to remind me.
Always something there to remind me.

As shadows fall, I pass a small café where we would dance at night.

[Whenever his people had cause to celebrate, he would join them for the joyous
occasion. He took time to dance with all the maids and young girls, making each

blush deep crimson. He could still see the light shine brightly in the faded
eyes of the old widows as he danced with them, making them feel like young maids

again.]

And I can't help recalling how it felt to kiss and hold you tight.

[Whatever duty he was suppose to be supervising, he always found a way to lure
his lovely bride away from her duties to steal a kiss, or two, or three. They
were rumored to be frequent visitors at some of the local favorite trysting
places -- and not without reason. He smiled as he remembered the glow of the
moon upon satin skin.]

Well, how can I forget you girl?
When there is always something there to remind me.
Always something there to remind me.

I was born to love (you), and I will never be free.
You'll always be a part of me.

In the near distance church bells rang, reminding him of his wedding day.
[Dressed in a flowing gown of snow-white silk, Flora's hair was braided into a
white crown about her head. White rose buds peeked out through the thick plait.

Small pearls entwined in her hair glittered in the sunlight streaming in through

the glass windows that faced the east. Crystal beads sewn onto her dress created

tiny rainbows as she walked down the aisle.]

(And as I find I) miss the sweet and tender love we used to share,
(I) go back to the places where we used to go, and (you'll) be there.
Well, how can I forget you girl?
When there is always something there to remind me.
Always something there to remind me.

[In so many small ways they would say 'I love you' without words. And he
remembered them all as his body and heart ached with a pain of loss that ran
deep.]

I was born to love (you), and I will never be free.
You'll always be a part of me.

'Cause there is always something there to remind me.
Always something there to remind me.
Always something there to remind me.

Tears ran down his face as memories threatened to overwhelm him. Trying to
escape the cruel taunts of his past, he turned on his heel and Force-ran as hard

and as fast and as long as he could. Again, he felt his sanity holding on by a
thread.

@}--- @}--- @}---

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As his lonely days without his heart-mate continued many of Taren's old friends
went out of their way to see him. Each, in their own way, tried to ease him out

of his melancholy. Childhood friends, now also Knights, some with padawans of
their own, helped him recall adventures of their younger days. Even his old
Master joined in recalling misadventures of his own youth. Each felt him
slipping farther away from them.

Master Yoda and Master Healer Meador often wore frowns as they discussed his
lack of progress. They and Taren's closest friends knew how much heartache he
was shielding.

One day, as Taren paced in the Healer's office Meador found the reason for such
deep pain as her patient talked about what he remembered of his missing year.

"...Even before I left on vacation, I knew, somehow I knew, I was going to meet
my destiny. I did not realize it at first, but my heart knew, even if I did
not."

"What did you know, Taren?"

Taren continued pacing. "For many days, or mayhap it was weeks? I vow, in
truth, know I do not. I kept hearing a melody, an elusive song that only my
subconscious could hear.

"Countless times a vision would come to me. More and more, 'twould come to
taunt me as I meditated, and as I dreamt. Each night, I would wake, bathed in a

sweat," his voice became a harsh echo within the confines of the Mind Healer's
office. His pain could now be heard, as well as felt. "There was a terrible
ache buried deep within my very heart. Try as I may, I could not find the rest
I needed.

"Finally, the dream-vision sang to me and I understood," he finished in a
whisper as he gazed out the window into the past.

Meador waited patiently, then prompted, "What did you come to realize, Taren?"

Silence.

"Within my very being there was a feeling everyone yearns to feel deep inside.
'Tis a feeling that starts without the blessed person even being fully aware of
its presence. When recognized, it becomes an all-powerful force of nature that
can not be denied. 'Tis the all-consuming force of love. The love for someone
not yet met, but without whom you can not survive. To deny this love is
impossible, for it lay deep within those of my blood. 'Tis the love of more
than a life-mate or a soul-mate; 'tis the love of a heart-mate.

"I finally understood the meaning behind the imagery of the vision-song... 'Twas

that somewhere near was my heart-mate. The other half of my heart."

Healer Meador recalled reading on his chart that Taren Savlon was from the
planet Tauzin. Somehow, that was important.

@}--- @}--- @}---

Day after day, Flora could feel a little more of herself slipping away. Even
though she did an admirable job of disguising it, 'twas was becoming harder and
harder each day to hold on.

In the evening, Flora's feet shuffled across the floor. Wearily, she prepared
for the night.

Another lonely night came as darkness descended. Blindly, she went through the
motions of preparing for the sleep she dreaded. She knelt at the foot of her
bed to pray. This night, as every night, she asked for the same thing. She
pleaded to somehow be reunited with her other half.

She sighed as she laid one hand over her child. She knew 'twas only the babe
that kept her here. Without her child she would have given up long ago.

Every night, she prayed to her god for his mercy and ask to be reunited with her

heart's love. Every night, she prayed that her child would come to know his
father.

She bowed her head as, again, the tears began, and she remembered.

Mornings alone,
When (he comes) home
I breathe a little faster.

She recalled how their hearts and breath would become one when they were
together.

Every time we're together
It'd never be the same
If (he's) not here.
How can (he) stay away, away so long.

She turned to eyes towards the heavens as she implored her god.

"Why can't we stay together?
Give me reason.
Give me reason.

" 'Cuz I, I don't wanna say it.
I don't wanna find another way
To make it through the day without (him)."

Her voice caught hard in her throat, threatening to block the words as she
prayed.

"I, I...I can't resist
Trying to find exactly what I miss.
It's just another day without (him).
It's just another day."

Tears fell one by one as she pleaded for her heart to become whole once more.

"Making the time
Find the right lines
To make (him) stay forever.
What do I have to tell you?
I'm just trying to hold on to something.
Trying to hold on to something good.
Give us a chance to make it, to make it."

She released the bedclothes from her fists and raised her hands in supplication.

"Don't wanna hold on to never.
I'm not that strong.
I'm not that strong.

" 'Cuz I, I don't wanna say it.
I don't wanna find another way
To make it through the day without (him).
I, I...I can't resist
Trying to find exactly what I miss.
It's just another day without (him)."

She beat her fist upon the bed in frustration, in anguish.

"Why can't (he) stay forever?
Just give me a reason.
Give me reason.

" 'Cuz I, I don't wanna say it.
I don't wanna find another way
To make it through the day without (him)."

She pleaded until her throat became sore from her cries.

"I, I...I can't resist.
Trying to find exactly what I miss.
It's just another day without (him)."

'Twas just another day alone. 'Twas just another night of heartache.

"I, I don't wanna say it.
I don't wanna find another way
To make it through the day without (him).

"It's just another day.
It's just another day..."

She dropped her head. Her hair fell about her as she gave in to the weariness
in her heart.

Tears coursed down her cheeks. How many times had she cried herself to sleep?
She lost count long ago.

As every night since finding herself in this extraordinary world, Flora crawled
into bed and curled herself around her babe, and cried herself to sleep.

Each night, she slipped into slumber with a plea upon her lips, as well as a
promise,

"(Please) remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley.
(We'll) forget the sun in his jealous sky,
As we walk in fields of gold."

"I will remember you, my Lord-husband," she whispered to the moon and stars.

Each night, she dreamt of a tall, noble knight whose dark eyes captured her gaze

with a love they both felt deeply. Each night, she dreamt of a Wizard's Moon
and the love it brought her. Each night, a voice called out to her. Each
night, she felt his body next to hers as she caressed her beloved husband in her

dreams and in her memories.

Every night, she awakened bathed in sweat as her heart cried out for what it
lost. Every night, she would wake, reaching out to him, with his name upon her
lips. Every night, he fell out of her reach in a blinding flash.

In the moments before dawn, betwixt sleep and wake, she would often times hear a

small voice. 'Twas a voice her heart recognized, but could not remember as she
crossed the barrier into wakefulness.

After a time, Flora's appearances in public became less and less frequent. Even

her skills at inventorying and organizing began to suffer as her mind wandered
back into the past.

Oshan felt the overwhelming sadness in her. Her baby, he determined, was the
only thing holding her to this world. Without the presence of the child, he
felt certain Flora would seek her death, unwilling to continue in life without
the man she loved so deeply.

@}--- @}--- @}---

"Worried, you are, about Knight Savlon," replied a soft voice tinged with grief.

"Yes, Master Yoda, I'm *very* worried. I feel he's heading down the path to
self-destruction."

Naftel's head came up sharply as his gazed skewered Talon's Healer. "Are you
saying my padawan would commit suicide?" Master Ramer demanded to know. His
heart was in his mouth at the very thought of losing a friend. Such a death
went against the Code and he feared for Taren's life.

"No, I don't believe he would do such a thing," Dorga shook her head. "He
believes too strongly in the Code to take that forbidden step. This goes much
deeper than his grief, Naftel.

"Let me explain," the Head Mind Healer took a deep breath, to calm her own fears

about her patient. "Knight Savlon is from the planet Tauzin." All present
nodded and waited for the healer to disclose her information. "Taren belongs to

a clan from the central desert regions of his home world. They are still, even
to this day, a nomadic people who must often times fight to protect their herds
of highly prized desert livestock from poachers and other unscrupulous people
intent on robbing them of their land for personal gain.

"Among his people there is an old belief that involves falling in love. It's
believed that a 'crescent moon with three bright stars shining near by is called

a 'Wizard's Moon.' It's considered an omen of great fortune to marry under such

a rare celestial occurrence."

"Forgive me for interrupting," Naftel cut in. "But, I don't see what any such
astronomical occurrence has to do with my padawan slowly losing his mi--."

>>Thwack<< Master Yoda's gimer stick landed abruptly across the younger
Master's shins. "Impatient, you must not be, Naftel. Learn, you will, by
listening. Interrupt, you will not again."

Naftel shook his head, "No, Master."

Healer Meador continued, "Often, the very life-force between two people is *so*
strong that they bond as more than lovers, more than merely husband and wife,
and more than merely what many would call 'soul-mates'. They become 'heart-
mates.'

"They become more than one soul -- they become 'one heart.' Should one die,
it's believed, the other would surely go mad with grief and slowly die of the
heartache left by such an emptiness.

"Such cases have been documented; this is *very* real!" She pounded on her desk

to emphasize the point.

"And this, you believe, is what is happening to Knight Savlon?"

"Yes, Master Yoda, I do. I've noticed many times he interchanges the word
'wife' with the word 'life.' Just as I believe someone in this circumstance
would."

Master Ramer nodded, "Yes, I've also noticed he has a tendency to do that a lot.

More and more, I feel him pull his shields tighter about him. It's as though he

wants to hide what he's feeling, like he doesn't want us to know what he's going

through.

"Often he will leave the Temple and wander the streets. When I inquire about
this, he merely mumbles that he is searching."

"Search for what, does he?"

"He won't say, Master," Ramer shrugged. Desperation tinged his voice as he
asked, "What more can we do to help him come back to us, Dorga?"

The healer leaned back in her chair with a heavy sigh. "I honestly don't know,
Naftel. Either he finds what he's searching for, or he brings himself out of
this depression. If this goes on for much longer, I'm afraid I'll have to
seriously consider putting him on a drug treatment. That is something I have no

wish to do, Masters."

The others nodded for it was frowned upon for a Jedi to take on any kind of drug

treatment. This was something done only as a last resort.

"As long as he is not deemed a threat to himself, I see no reason why he can not

continue living in his own quarters with you, Naftel." Dorga leaned forward in
her chair and pounded on her desk again, "*However,* if you see *anything* to
give you cause to question this, Master Ramer, you must contact me
*immediately*. You are in the best position to keep an eye on him at this
point. Watch for any sign that may indicate any type of self-mutilation. That
is usually the first step on the path to suicide. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Healer, it is clearly understood," Ramer nodded. A cold chunk of ice
suddenly settled in the pit of his stomach as he envisioned his Padawan, his
friend, the eager young boy he took under his wing and into Knighthood, pale and

cold. Dead.

Master Yoda closed his eyes and reached out into the Force. "Fear not for him,
you should, Naftel. See him dead in the near future, I do not."

"Thank you, Master."

@}--- @}--- @}---

+ ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ +

A few days later, the weather promised to be wonderfully warm; possibly one of
the last few pleasant days before winter made its appearance. The skies were
clear and there was a slight breeze. A few lazy clouds drifted past the sun.

Oshan was happy he had been able to talk Lady Flora into coming with him to one
of the many open-air markets that were allowed to gather on the plazas on
certain days of the week. Even though she was seemingly unaware of her baby's
influence upon her, Cress could just barely sense the child's calming effect on
her.

'Twas mid-morning now. After choosing breakfast from one of the vendors, Flora
began taking more of an interest in her surroundings. Still, she was a bit
uncomfortable with some of the non-humans she saw, but they were becoming an
accepted sight to her eyes.

Cress noticed how well she blended in with the exotic nature of the market's
visitors. She seemed not to notice the many admiring glances she received from
several males, both human and not.

With her hand tucked comfortably within his elbow, Flora felt safe in this
strange world. A world she remembered only as a hushed whisper in the foggy
dreams of her lonely nights. She sensed she somehow knew this place; or rather,

she corrected herself, she knew *of* it. 'Twas like a long forgotten fairy's
tale told by the warmth of a fire late in the night and into the early morning.

The memory of the tale was lost to her, yet she knew of its presence.

"Well, Lady Flora? What do you think of our street market? This is but one of
many. There are many others scattered through out the city on different days of

the week."

Flora mentally shook herself be rid of a dark feeling that had been with her for

a good while now. Again, she felt like she was being watched -- no, she
corrected herself. 'Twas like being hunted. She looked around into the myriad
of bodies coming and going.

Looking up to her escort, she pasted a smile upon her face. "I vow, Sir Cress,
it looks much like the fair we have each summer. There are *so* many booths and

*so* much variety, 'tis astounding!" she shook her head, this time in amazement
at the offerings. "And thou sayst there are more markets like this?"

"Yes, there are." Oshan looked at her and smiled. "I'm glad you agreed to join
me today, my Lady. The fresh air and exercise has put the color back in your
cheeks. And...you're smiling. That more than anything is the greatest
improvement I've seen yet."

Flora blushed. "I thank thee for being my escort. I do not think I would have
had the courage to do this alone. In truth, your Temple is larger than some
demesnes I know."

Oshan felt a chill run through her fingers as they lay over his sleeve. "I
imagine this is all a bit much to take in at one time. Perhaps we should return

on another day."

The cold knowledge of being hunted, stalked, coalesced into the pit of her
stomach as the feeling grew. Something was suggesting strongly, nay, *telling*
her to flee, yet the crowd of people had grown without her noticing. The crowd
was starting to press against her. The clamor began ringing in her ears.

Oshan noticed the shift in the Force around her. Her unique signature told him
she was becoming uncomfortable in the crowd. Her quick breath and rapid heart
rate told him it was time to leave. With one arm across her back, he guided her

away from the market.

Finally out of the market's designated area, the crowd lessened somewhat. Being

away from the crush helped Flora a lot. Her anxiety eased. She told herself
she was just being silly, jumping at shadows that were not really there.

Unwilling to return to the confines of the Temple just yet, Flora was determined

to make the most of the beautiful day. They walked back at a leisurely pace and

tried to enjoy the weather as much as possible.

Along the way, they approached the fabric shop where Flora got the material for
her clothing. "Cress, I have to pick up some new material I requested, wouldst
thou mind if we make one last stop here?"

"Of course I don't mind." An idea Flora might enjoy came to mind. "I tell you
what, why don't I pick up your package for you? You can wait for me over there
in that small park," he nodded across the street. "You can wander around if you

like. I'll find you when I'm done here. Like everyone else, you may as well
enjoy the sun while you can. It's supposed to get rainy and cold later today."

She nodded. He escorted her to a sitting area near a small grove of trees and
flowering bushes. He quickly Force-scanned the area for any unseen threat.
Sensing none, he bowed to her. "I shall return shortly, my Lady." Nearby, a
large fountain splashed. Benches were scattered to afford visitors some measure

of privacy, while ensuring the best view of the surroundings.

As she waited for Cress to return she tilted her face to the sky. Giving thanks

for a splendid day, she walked around a little. In the tall bushes, a soft
mewing caught her attention. Curious, she followed the sound into the grove.

Without warning, a large hand covered her mouth and thrust her head backwards
against a broad chest. A band of iron snaked about her waist. A frightening
memory flashed through her mind. She began to struggle as the figure behind her

dragged her farther away from the main path. She tried digging her feet into
the ground, but her assailant merely lifted her higher with his arm.

Across her cheek she felt her assailant's breath. As she heard his voice rasp
in her ear, she went still with shock as she recognized it.

"You are an obsession.
I can not sleep.
I am your possession
Unopened at your feet.
There is no balance,
No equality.
Be still, I will not accept defeat.

"I will have you.
Yes, I will have you.
I will find away and I will have you."

Sir Paul of Shelton started dragging her farther into the grove as she began
struggling for her freedom from a mad-man.

"Like a butterfly,
A wild butterfly.
I will collect you and capture you.

"You are an obsession.
You're my obsession.
Who do you want me to be
To make you sleep with me?"

"You are an obsession.
You're my obsession.
Who do you want me to be
To make you sleep with me?"

The cruel fingers clasping her chin jerked her head sideways. He glared
malevolently into her frightened eyes. She shivered at the coldness there.

"I feed you, I drink you,
My day and my night."

He rubbed his rough cheek against hers very slowly. She felt the stubble of his

unkempt face scratch her skin.

"I need you, I need you,
By sun or candlelight."

His breath ruffled the tendrils of hair at her temples causing her stomach to
lurch. He ran his tongue slowly up her cheek. She screamed, but no sound
escaped past his hand as he tightened his grip. He laughed at her futile
efforts to escape.

"You protest,
You want to leave.
Stay!
Oh, there's no alternative!"

She saw the madness within the depths of his eyes, its root buried deep within
his soul.

"Your face appears again.
I see the beauty there."

She stiffened as a hand ran across her breast and squeezed. She started crying
and squirmed away desperately trying to evade his foul touch.

"But I see danger.
Stranger beware.
A circumstance
In your naked dreams,
Your affection is not what is seems."

His grey eyes grew colder yet as his anger flared.

"You are an obsession.
You're my obsession.
Who do you want me to be
To make you sleep with me?

"You are an obsession.
You're my obsession.
Who do you want me to be
To make you sleep with me?

She gasped as his vile touch moved across her stomach and continued slowly
downward. Try as she might, she could not evade his vulgar caress.

"My fantasy has turned to madness,
And all my goodness
Has turned to badness.
My need to possess you
Has consumed my soul.
My life is trembling,
I have no control."

He violently spun her around to face him and pinned her wrists behind her in one

hand. Before her vision cleared his mouth descended to crush her soft lips.

"I will have you.
Yes, I will have you.
I will find away and I will have you.
Like a butterfly.
A wild butterfly.
I will collect you and capture you.

"You are an obsession.
You're my obsession.
Who do you want me to be
To make you sleep with me?"

Flora realized he unwittingly maneuvered himself into a position to help her
escape. Sir Paul howled as she brought her knee up with all her strength.

Half remembering some long ago lessons after a similar attack, Flora descended
upon her assailant in a flurry of kicks and chops. "CRESS!" she screamed at the

top of her lungs.

Feeling a disturbance in the Force, Healer Oshan urgently pushed his way through

the small crowd that gathered at the entrance to the small grove. These were
locals with nothing better to do than to gawk at a woman's distress rather than
try to help. Some of the men held thoughts laced with lust at the sight of a
beautiful woman with a tunic torn revealing one shoulder and the upper curve of
a breast.

At the sight of a Jedi making his way through, the crowd decided it was time to
leave.

Cress caught a glimpse of a man roughly shoving his way through the crowd. He
scanned in that direction for any clue to the assailant's identity, but could
get nothing. Even though he could see the man escaping there was simply no one
there in the Force. It was as though the man didn't exist. He set this puzzle
aside for the moment.

"Flora! What happened?" Turning her away from the crowd and shielding her from

view with his own body, Cress wrapped a gentle arm around his patient and
friend. "Flora? Are you hurt? Can you tell me who did this to you?"

Flora took a few deep, cleansing breaths to clear her mind. She heard the
rustle of packages and fabric. Feeling the weight of her friend's robe settle
about her, she opened her eyes and nodded. "I am fine now. Thank thee for thy
robe and thine assistance." She tugged the robe closer to cocoon herself in
safety.

"Come, my Lady. Let's get those bruises and scrapes tended to." Gathering
their purchases in one arm, Cress likewise gathered the young woman under his
other arm and turned to the few stragglers remaining. "This woman is under the
protection of the Jedi. Can anyone tell me who that man was?" As he expected,
no one volunteered any information. Either they couldn't or wouldn't. "Let's
go."

@}--- @}--- @}---

Scraping off the remnants of his beard with a jeweled dagger, Taren inspected
himself in the mirror. For days he would go without shaving simply because he
had not the energy, nor the inclination to do so. Finally, he would scrape it
off only because he no longer could tolerate its scratchy feel upon his face.

He was nearing exhaustion again. This morning he had pushed himself to his
limit and beyond in the training room. Setting the training remotes on their
highest setting, he entered the room only the best and most experienced Jedi
would attempt.

Set in a series of multilevel platforms that raised and lowered to different
elevations at random, there were also catwalks less than the width of a hand,
and tightropes to navigate. Rings suspended from ropes and fixed bars were also

used to trek from one end of the course to the other. All this while a clock
ticked away, keeping track of how long it took the challenger to complete the
grueling course. Many times someone would attempt the treacherous course, only
to wind up sheepishly going to the Healers. His body ached from the several
close calls today. He was not fully connected to the Force and he certainly
felt it.

Settling down to meditate, he gazed awhile out into the sunshine. With winter
coming up fast, this promised to be one of the last pleasant days.

<Winter,> he thought. <I hope the Nest will weather the season well. I hope
Flora will be all right.> Once more the pain of his loss welled up into his
heart.

Without warning, an overpowering sense of anxiety overwhelmed him. He
recognized that it came not from him. It came from without; from somewhere
else, a place he could not sense, could not name.

Without mercy, a small voice haunted him. 'Twas the same echo that haunted his
nights. Now, it cried out to him with great urgency -- in fear. It continued
to reverberate within his mind. 'Twould not leave him be.

As before, Taren rushed out to exorcise the demon in his mind. Again, he Force-
ran through the streets of Coruscant to escape the tiny voice that drove him
mad. 'Twas the only way the voice will leave him -- he must push himself beyond

his physical limit. 'Twas only there in the oblivion of his final exhaustion
that he would find respite from the echo.

@}--- @}--- @}---

Master Yoda sat quietly in the chair between the Senior Mind Healer and her
Senior Assistant as Healer Oshan related the day's events.

>>Thwack<< Master Yoda's gimer stick landed soundly across his shins.

"More careful, you should have been, Cress. Come to this rare flower, harm must

not."

Oshan, much to his credit, didn't wince as his superior chastised him. "It was
an error in judgment, Master. I take full responsibility for this."

"I don't understand what you are trying to say about her attacker, Cress. It
doesn't make sense."

"I agree, Dorga," Cress nodded. "It makes no sense to me either, but that's
what happened. As I reached into the Force to stop him, it was as though I was
trying to capture -- nothing. His presence simply *did not* register. It was
like trying to see a piece of clear glass sitting in a crystal clear stream. I
could sense everything around me, except him."

"Like a void in the Force?"

"No, not even that," he shook his head. "He just simply *did not* exist within
the Force."

"Do not have the Force, very few worlds there are. Outside the Force, they
live. Midi-chlorians, they do not possess," Yoda reminded them. "On the Outer
Rim, mostly are these worlds. Some midi-chlorians Lady Flora has, but not
many."

The small Master closed his eyes for a moment. A puzzled look crossed his face,

"From one of these worlds, he is not. Nor is she.

"Fight like a Jedi, you said she did."

"Yes, Master. As the crowd parted to let me through, I recognized her fighting
style. There is no doubt -- it was a form of Jedi hand-to-hand, unarmed combat.

And she was quite proficient. It's obvious she's had some training."

"Did you ask her about it?" Meador asked.

"Yes, I did." Oshan sat on the edge of his seat and leaned forward. "She
replied, 'My lord-husband taught me after I was attacked in the forest.' She
went further on to say that her husband was, in fact, a Jedi!"

Healer Meador drew back, stunned. "A Jedi? Lady Flora never mentioned that
before, has she?"

"No. This is the first reference she's made. I even commented on that; she
said there were some things she had forgotten when she came here. I believe
her. This sounds like a typical case of amnesia brought about by some sort of
trauma. Some memories will be temporarily misplaced until something happens to
trigger the recall of that memory," he explained for Master Yoda.

"Apparently, her husband had a tendency to wear tans and browns. He also wore a

robe to keep the chill away, instead of the usual cloak her people were used to
wearing."

"Still, tell us who her husband is, this does not."

"Again I asked if she could now recall his name. The name she gave me was
'Talon Savon.'

"I checked and rechecked the databanks and the archives myself -- there is *no*
Talon Savon. He does *not* exist, and yet, she believes it. And I believe
her... I don't know," Cress shook his head. "Maybe something got lost in the
translation. We still don't know how she came to learn Basic. Healer Tap said
when Flora first spoke she didn't use Galactic Basic. But after sleeping for a
couple of days straight through, she started speaking Basic. Erua was not able
to identify her native tongue."

"Knew her attacker, she did."

"Yes, Master. Here is where the mystery of Lady Flora, Countess of Falcon's
Nest by the Sea, gets even more interesting. Apparently, she is not the only
one from her world. She recognized her assailant as being a knight named Sir
Paul of Shelton. She has never trusted him, nor felt comfortable around this
'greasy weasel' as she described him."

"Has she remembered anything of how she came to Coruscant?"

Cress rubbed his forehead and sighed, "No. She still remembers nothing. I've
worked with her, teaching her to meditate. Still...those memories are locked
away, out of her reach. Right now, the only way to learn anything more would be

to reach into her mind and search for the answers myself. She hasn't given me
permission to do so."

"And so we wait."

"Yes, Master. We wait."

@}--- @}--- @}---

As promised, the weather had turned. Rain came down in sheets washing away what

the day had left in the streets.

Barely able to stay on his feet, Taren stumbled into the apartment he shared
with his Master. Much to his relief, Master Ramer was not present. He waited
for his exhaustion to catch up to him as he forced his feet to move one in front

of the other. This time, his hours-long Force-run had not exorcised his demon.

He still heard the small voice inside his head; fainter than before, but still
there. Still it haunted him. He turned on the holo-vid and the radio to drown
out what is left of the murmuring inside his head.

Came in from a rainy Thursday on the avenue

Slowly he peeled off his robe and let the sodden bundle drop to the floor.

Thought I heard you talking softly.

Putting the heel of his palms to his ears, Taren tried to block out the sound of

a small voice calling to him. He did not recognize the voice, yet somehow felt
he should.

I turned on the lights the TV and the radio.
Still I can't escape the ghost of you.

Try as he may, he could not escape the echo of the voice desperate to be heard.

It grew stronger each night.

What has happened to it all?
Crazy some'd say,
Where is the life that I recognize?
Gone away.

In his anguish, he threw himself into a corner of the main room, against the
floor length window. He pulled himself into the smallest bundle he could and
tried to hide in the corner.

But I (still) cry for yesterday, there's an ordinary world,
Somehow I have find.

Tears ran down his face. How many times did he cry himself to sleep? He lost
count long ago.

And as I try to make my way, to the ordinary world,
I will learn to survive.

Passion or coincidence once prompted you to say
'(Fate) will tear us both apart.'
Well now pride's gone out the window, cross the rooftops, run away,
Left me in the vacuum of my heart.

Wiping the tears away from his eyes he studied his hands; they were trembling.
He ran both hands through his long hair and down across his chin.

What is happening to me?
Crazy some'd say.
Where is my (life) when I need you most?
Gone away.

But I (still) cry for yesterday, there's an ordinary world,
Somehow I have find.
And as I try to make my way, to the ordinary world,
I will learn to survive.

He felt there was something he must do. <But what?>

Papers in the roadside tell of suffering and greed.
(Fear) today, forgot tomorrow.
Ooh, here beside the news of holy war and holy need,
Ours is just a little sorrowed talk.

Leaning his head back onto the wall he closed his pain-filled eyes. Lightly he

banged his head against the wall, then turned to watch the rain stream down the
window. He made his decision. He now knew what he must do to save himself.

Just blown away.

And I (still) cry for yesterday, there's an ordinary world,
Somehow I have find.
And as I try to make my way, to the ordinary world,
I will learn to survive...

>>swish<< The door softly opened Feeling a disturbance along the bond they
still shared, his Master quickly came to his aid. Striding into the main room
his eyes quickly darted to a corner. A figure is curled up into a tight ball in

a corner. Naftel leaned down and pulled his Padawan into his arms. Gently he
rocked Taren back and forth as when he was a young padawan and hurting.

@}--- @}--- @}---

+ ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ +

"Knight Savlon, eat you must. Rest, you must."

Pushing his hair out of his way, Taren looked down very briefly from his perch
upon the ladder. "Nay, Master Yaddle, I can not. I must find a way back."

"Eat, you must, and rest," she ordered.

"I have no time to eat, Master Yaddle... Besides, I ate yesterday."

The diminutive Keeper of the Jedi Archives looked up at the young knight on the
verge of losing his mind. For days now, the young man rested only when his body

could no longer meet the demands put upon it. To eat, he stopped only long
enough to wolf down one, maybe two ration bars and a nutritional drink to keep
from becoming dehydrated.

Frustrated, he shoved yet another box of storage disks back into place on the
high shelf.

"Careful with my archives, you should be, or I help you not!"

"My apologizes, Master."

Several days ago, Taren walked into Yaddle's office seeking permission to do
some research. He came in search of any scrap of information, be it fact or
legend or myth, on any phenomena related to the strange appearance, or
disappearance of people.

He was determined to somehow find his way back to that ordinary world where few
people had midi-chlorians. He sought any reference to the ordinary world where
civilization was still primitive and sometimes very savage. He searched for a
world where there was no Force; only the force of an all consuming love for a
heart-mate.

His Master and Yaddle assisted him, more to keep a worried eye on him than
anything else. They made certain he ate, and stood ready to catch him when he
collapsed from exhaustion. Each day, the Masters noticed the toll this heart-
felt separation was taking upon him. His disheveled appearance looked most un-
Jedi. He continued to let his beard grow until he could no longer tolerate it.

His hair was constantly in his eyes, and he was beginning to lose weight.

Master Ramer was truly becoming worried. It was becoming harder and harder to
connect with his Padawan. It was as though Taren was tightening his shields
farther about himself as he became even more withdrawn.

Healer Meador advised Naftel to tell her immediately when he could no longer
connect through their bond. At that point, she would have no choice but to
begin medication. Naftel feared that time was quickly coming.

@}--- @}--- @}---

The door opened to reveal Flora. The bruising on her cheeks and chin stood out
as faded splotches against her skin. Her slivery mane flowed down her back.
And, most importantly, Cress noted, the anxiety was gone from her eyes.

Occasionally, the Healer would feel a wave of discomfort emanate from his
friend, but Flora always dismissed it.

"Ready?"

"Aye, I am ready."

"Splendid. I decided we should celebrate the first day of winter and the first
snowfall," Cress replied as he guided Flora through the Temple. "I thought I'd
show one of the gardens you haven't seen yet."

Flora smiled. "Ye have so many. And each is as beautiful as the next, Cress.
By the Great Spirit, I vow 'tis hard to decide which I like best."

"Yet, I've noticed you most enjoy the orchard garden."

"Aye, I do. 'Tis much like the orchards at Falcon's Nest. The fragrance of the

blossoms remind me of my home, my people...of what I left behind," she finished
in a small voice.

"I think you will like this garden. It's called 'The Garden of a Thousand
Fountains.' "

Flora's eyes widened at the thought. "Does it truly have a thousand fountains?"

Cress shrugged, "I don't know. I don't think anyone has ever taken the time to
count then all, but it sure seems like it."

For a while the two friends wandered through the halls in silence, bowing in
greeting to others they passed along the way. The Healer hoped that maybe, just

maybe, the relaxing sound of water gently splashing over the rocks worn smooth
over the generations would help Flora reach a deeper level of meditation.
Perhaps today she would access more memories her trauma kept locked from her.

@}--- @}--- @}---

Being all but ordered to get some sleep, Taren wandered back to the apartment.
His Master stayed beside him to ensure that he did reach his destination, even
if he had to be carried.

Strangely, the more Taren walked, the more energized he felt. His lagging
spirit seemed somehow brighter. He felt lighter, more like his old self.
Naftel read this in his Force signature and so did not object when he decided to

take the long way back.

@}--- @}--- @}---

'Twas a long, yet relaxing day in the garden. Indeed, Flora very much enjoyed
exploring the many fountains. They ranged from small babbling brooks to a mid-
sized waterfall. She wanted to stay longer, but something was strongly urging
her to leave and leave *now*.

Vowing to return the next day, Flora stepped out into the hallway. Ahead of
her, down the hall, were two men walking away from her. There was something
peculiar about one of them. That same small voice that had been plaguing her
nights began whispering again. Placing a protective hand over her babe she felt

reality hit hard.

"Talon!" she whispered.

One of the knights turned around sharply. His jaw dropped as he drew a sudden
breath. His eyes widened. He could not believe his vision. His world narrowed

down to the small figure standing in the hall.

Slowly, cautiously, they stepped towards each other; afraid to move too quickly
lest this be just another cruel dream decreed by Fate. Step by step, breath by
breath, they drew nearer, until they stop just short, each unwilling to break
the spell.

"Talon!"

"Flora?"

Tentatively they reached out. Fingertips stopped a hair's width away as the
magic betwixt them began to flow from the heart. Dark brown eyes gazed deeply
into aqua-teal. Two sets of lungs drew breath at the same time. Two hearts
began to beat as one.

His fingers barely grazed her cheeks. Still afraid, he hardly breathed.
Disbelieving this reality, he tentatively stroked her face and felt the warmth
of her skin scorch his fingertips.

Flora grew more bold. Slowly, she raised one hand to stroke his chest, his arm,

his face, in a feather-light touch.

Watching as fingers entwined, each felt the rush of passion they had long
missed.

'Twas the love they feared they would never again feel. 'Twas the missing half
of their heart they rediscovered.

"Talon. My beloved."

They cried out as they fell to their knees in a tight embrace.

Mine, immaculate dream,
Made breath and skin, I've been waiting for you,
Signed, with a home tattoo,
Happy birthday to you was created for you.

Neither were quite willing to believe this was real. From two hearts, disbelief

mixed with wonder and joy radiated throughout the hallway.

Can not ever keep from falling apart...at the seams.
Can not believe you're taking my heart...to pieces.

Ahh, it'll take a little time,
Might take a little cry to come undone.
Now we'll try to stay blind,
To the hope and fear outside,

They remained blind to all but each other and the moment of rediscovery.

Hey child, stay wilder than the wind,
And blow me in to cry.

Talon lost all his Jedi-trained composure as he openly wept his joy.

Who do you need?
Who do you love?
When you come undone.

Who do you need?
Who do you love?
When you come undone.

For so long he had felt his sanity barely hanging on by a thread. For so long,
without his heart's mate, he felt like he was ready to come apart.

Words, playing me déjà vu,
Like a radio tune I swear I've heard before,
Chill, is it something real,
Or the magic I'm feeding off your fingers.

In his mind, a tiny voice now bubbled with laughter. He now recognized it for
what it was. His heart swelled with love. He felt he would burst with joy.
Talon took one of Flora's hand and blessed each finger with a kiss.

Can not ever keep from falling apart...at the seams.
Can not believe you're taking my heart...to pieces.

Lost in a snow filled sky,
We'll make it all right, to come undone.
Now we'll try to stay blind,
To the hope and fear outside,

Flora's tears ran freely as they mingled with his.

Hey child, stay wilder than the wind,
And blow me in to cry.

Who do you need?
Who do you love?
When you come undone...

No longer did he fear losing his sanity; he found what he was searching for.

They looked into each other's heart as they declared their feelings.

"My heart."

"My love."

"My rose."

"My husband."

"My wife," Talon lowered a hand from her face to place it over her abdomen.
"AND MY SON!" he cried.

Their lips met for a kiss the Masters Force-felt.

@}--- @}--- @}---

+ ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ +

The next day Master Ramer bowed to Healer Meador as he answered a call from the
comm-unit, "Greetings, Healer Meador. What may I do for you?"

"Healer Oshan and Master Yoda would like to speak with Taren. Your presence is
likewise requested in my office."

"Umm, that may take a while, Dorga... Taren is no longer here."
A
"Run off again, he has not, has he?"

"No, Master Yoda. He's still within the Temple."

"Do you know where he is?"

"Yes, I do."

"Bring him at once, you will, Master Ramer."

"Thhaaatt may be a bit difficult, Master," Ramer hedged. "He's...occupied at
the moment, and I don't know when he will be available."

"Explain, you will." It was considered the height of rudeness to keep any
Council member waiting.

Taren's Master tried to find the right words to explain his former Padawan's
current activity. "He's busy, Master Yoda."

"Too busy to answer a summons from a Council member, is he?"

"Ah...yes, Master."

Master Yoda's eyelids drooped ever so slightly as his ears turned just a bit.
Anyone who knew him well could tell he was not pleased. "To answer our summons,

what keeps him too busy?"

Master Ramer looked the Council Leader squarely in his eyes as he responded,
"He's busy making up for lost time with his wife, Master Yoda."

"Earlier, I passed by Lady Flora's apartment, I sensed only her presence there,"

Cress commented.

"Oh, but, they are together. Taren moved into her quarters faster than you
could name the entire Council."

"I didn't sense his presence."

"No, Healer Oshan, you likely wouldn't. These past several weeks Taren's been
keeping a very tight rein on his shielding. Even I've been having trouble
keeping tabs on him lately."

Healer Meador held a knowing twinkle in her eyes as she nodded, "Perhaps, we
should allow them more time to reacquaint themselves. Knight Savlon knows we
will have a lot of questions for the two of them."

@}--- @}--- @}---

A couple of days later Jedi Knight Taren Savlon/Sir Talon and his wife, Lady
Flora, the Earl and Countess of Falcon's Nest by the Sea, stood before the Jedi
Council. Hand in hand, they refused to move more than half a step away from
each other.

The Council did not need to probe to find out how they felt -- their emotions
were clearly writ upon their faces. Their eyes shone brightly and sparkled
whenever they looked at one another. As one, their hearts now beat in time. As

one, they drew breath together. They had fully merged together as one when near

each other.

Healers Meador and Oshan were also present. They had a difficult time hiding
their smiles as they looked on. They were both pleased at the startling turn of

events.

Master Ramer was amazed at the complete turn-around he saw. The Knight who
stood before the Council was no longer the scruffy, young man who was slowly
drifting away, losing his mind.

Taren stood tall and proud as he answered the multitude of questions.

His hair had been trimmed and his face clean shaven. His chausses and tunics
were freshly pressed and his robe freshly laundered. His black boots were
polished to a high gloss. He was the very image of what a Jedi Knight should
look like.

Beside him, Lady Flora stood in a tunic that went past her knees. Chausses of a
matching sea-blue were belted with a darker strip of silk. Her mane of white
hair drifted in soft waves to her waist.

One of the Council members continued the questioning. "You still have no memory

of how you arrived on Lady Flora's world?"

"Nay, Master," he shook his head. "I do not. Even after all this time and with

help aplenty from Master Ramer and Master Healer Meador, I still have no memory
of that.

"I remember observing the local population to learn what I could while trying to

conceal my presence."

"Until the battle in which you saved the king from an assassin."

"Aye, Master."

"And for this," another Master broke in. "You were rewarded with the noble
title of Earl and given a vast demesne to lord over --."

"To protect," Taren corrected.

"To protect," the Council member nodded. "You were also ordered to take a wife;

Lady Flora."

Taren nodded, "As dictated by local custom. And as dictated by my heart." He
looked into Flora's eyes and smiled as he gently squeezed her hand. She
blushed.

"Flora is the other half of my heart." He looked around the chamber to capture
the gaze of each Council member. "I come from the planet Tauzin. There is a
special kind of magic seldom seen, and yet highly wished and always prayed for.

'Tis a rare gift from the gods. 'Tis the gift of the greatest love of all.
'Tis the gift of more than a life-mate, more than a soul-mate. 'Tis the gift of

a heart-mate.

"Should one die, the other would certainly die as well. 'Tis usually a madness
brought about by the deep grief the survivor feels. 'Tis a grief that slowly
kills. For indeed, how can anyone survive without the other half of their
heart."

Taren and Flora looked deep into each other's eyes and knew how close they both
came to dying. Each had felt the madness.

"Why go by a different name, did you?" Master Yaddle asked. "Search long
through all the records we did. Find not any reference to 'Talon Savon' did
we."

Taren shook his head. "When the king asked me what my name was, the Force
prompted me to give a different name. 'Talon' is my middle name. Clearly
'Savon' is derived from my family name.

" 'Mysterious are the ways of the Force,' " he quoted. " 'Trust in the Force,'
should we not, Master?"

Master Yaddle nodded.

"What do the both of you recall about arriving here on Coruscant?" another
member inquired.

Flora answered, "I recall we were standing above the Keep watching a storm brew
over the sea. We had finished putting away the last of the crops and were
pleased at the bountiful harvest. Our people will not go hungry this winter."

A puzzled look creased her brow as she looked into the past. "The storm
promised to be a fierce one... I seem to remember we were starting to go in when

there was a bright flash of light. My ears hurt and I could not breathe.

"When I awakened, I was in an alley surrounded by buildings taller than the
clouds. I knew I had never been here, yet 'twas something familiar. I found
myself surrounded by creatures I had never imagined in my worst dreams. Yet,
'twas something faintly familiar. Something I remembered as a true fairy's
tale. Then I remember Master Healer Oshan. A small voice inside my head told
me I was safe with him and urged me to go with him. So I did."

" 'Tis just as I, too, remember," Taren nodded, confirming the tale. "I was
admiring the beauty of the storm. I remember watching the lightening strike
closer and closer to the Nest. There was a tremendously loud noise and a
blinding flash of light.

"The next I recall, I was wandering the streets of a place I knew, yet did not
recognize for days. When I finally realized I was on Coruscant, I made my way
here. The rest, you know."

Flora became thoughtful as she reflected. A small shiver skipped up her arm.
She relaxed as her husband sent a wave of comfort over her. "I wish I knew
where Sir Paul is. And where he has been these past months." She turned to
look at Talon, "He must have come here at the same time we did, Husband."

"We have notified the authorities to be on the look out for any man matching the

description you gave us, Lady Flora. If he is seen, he will be placed under
arrest and brought before the Council."

Flora bowed her head to the Council member who spoke, "I thank thee. I have no
wish to meet him alone again." Taren/Talon put a protective arm about his Lady-
wife's shoulder for a gentle squeeze. There was a cold edge in his dark eyes.
Yoda and other the other Masters could feel a darkness swell within him before
he brought it under control.

"You won't, my Lady. If Knight Savlon is unable to escort you when you leave
Temple grounds, another Jedi will accompany you. You are under our protection,
Lady Flora, no harm will come to you."

Another Council member moved the questioning toward a new direction. "Who will
take care of your people while you are here?"

"My cousin, Sir Branyon, will care for our people," Flora replied. "He
protected Falcon's Nest after my brother was murdered, until Talon became Earl.

He is next in line to inherit the Earldom."

Her husband nodded, "I have come to know, Sir Branyon. He is a good man who
cares, in measure equal to us, for the whole of the Nest. I trust him. He will

work hard to see Falcon's Nest prosper."

Flora nodded her agreement, "Aye, that he will."

"Plan to return to your home, do you?" Master Yoda asked.

Taren/Talon looked into his wife's sea-colored eyes. She heard the sadness in
his voice as he softly replied. "In all the research I have done in the
archives, I have not found any mention of someone attempting to return to
another world. I do not believe that is possible... I am sorry, Flora."

She closed her eyes to say a small prayer to her god. "Mayhap 'tis not meant
for us to return, Talon.

"From what I have seen here in your world, you were meant to live here.
Anywhere you are is where I shall live as well. At least we have the peace to
know our people will be in good hands with my cousin watching over them."

Taren/Talon raised a hand to catch a tear just as it slipped forth. "I quickly
came to love the Nest and everything about it. I will miss Falcon's Nest by the

Sea as much as you, my heart."

A short time later Sir Talon and Lady Flora were dismissed from the Council
Chamber. They spent the rest of the day in her favorite garden reminiscing.

@}--- @}--- @}---

Weeks went by as Master Ramer began looking upon Flora as a daughter within his
extended family. Talon spent much of his time slowly introducing her to the
many wonders the Republic had to offer, not only in technology, but also in its
differing worlds and peoples. Flora was still a little uncomfortable with some
things, but soon came to accept the many marvels.

As her husband before, Flora nearly became a permanent feature in the library.

Soon she was sitting at a computer terminal soaking up as much new knowledge as
she could. When not found at her new job helping out in the crèche, or in a
garden, she was learning about her new world -- The Republic.

One day, Talon invited her to sit in on a training session with his Master.

As the two men stepped onto the floor, Flora's heart felt nothing but pride for
her Lord-husband. Many times at the quarry she would watch him practice. In
training with the Knights of the Nest, he was unbeatable. In helping train the
young Pages and Squires, he was patient. In protecting what was his, he was
fierce.

She watched as they bowed to each other and fell into their stance to begin
sparring. The snap-hiss of their lightsabres was the only sound in the training

room as they slowly circled each other.

Talon held his newly constructed sabre; his first had never been found. The
light green of his blade crashed against his Master's lavender blade. Sparks
flew as time after time their blades of light clashed.

Lunge, parry, riposte. They traded blow for blow as time ceased. Flora never
tired of watching her husband as he jumped and somersaulted across the floor.

Naftel swung a foot out to catch Talon and topple him. His blade struck Talon's

upper arm as the younger knight struggled to his feet. Flora howled with
outrage and raced onto the floor to protect her husband. With bowstaff in hand
she attacked Master Ramer.

Disengaging his lightsabre, Talon flipped up to his feet and easily caught the
hard oak staff between his hands. "So the Desert Rose shows her thorns and
seeks to protect the Falcon?" he smirked, yet inside he was proud of her
courage. Not many would dare attack a Jedi. Tossing the staff to his Master he

pulled her into his embrace, giving her a long, hard hug. "My people would be
very pleased to call you 'Daughter.' "

Master Ramer grinned and nodded to her as she looked over Talon's shoulder.

Finally breaking apart, Flora continued her worried glare at the two men then
turned to examine the wound. Talon tilted her chin up to meet his gaze. There
she saw the depths of his love for her as a wave of emotion washed over her and
through her. As she felt his pride of her, her stormy eyes softened.

Naftel stepped away as his padawan soothed his Lady-wife. "There is nothing to
fear, Flora. The sabres are set on their lowest possible setting; no one will
get hurt any more than they deserve. 'Tis not possible for anyone to get killed

here. I assure you, 'tis but a minor injury and Jedi heal fast."

Flora gasped as the slight burn mark disappeared before her eyes. The memory of

another wound healing before her very eyes came to mind.

"This exercise is meant only to help us train and keep in good practice.
Without this, we would not be able to do our job of protecting those who can not

protect themselves."

Talon's Master also assured her, "My Lady, I would never willingly seek to harm
anyone; certainly not the man I raised as a son. You have nothing to fear."

Flora cast her gaze to the floor as an embarrassed tinge of red flooded her
cheeks. Sheepishly, she looked to Master Ramer. "I am sorry, Master Ramer. I
was afraid for my husband. Noble women of my land are trained to help defend
when the Keep is under siege. I just could not stand by and do nothing."

Naftel smiled, "I understand. You show great courage. I am honored to know
you, Lady Flora." He bowed deeply to the young woman who would dare attack a
Jedi within their own walls.

Rising from his bow he turned to his padawan, "I'm even more pleased to know you

have found a woman worthy of you, Talon. You best take care of this White
Tigress." He winked at Flora.

Even though it was difficult for her to stay out of the way, Flora agreed to
allow them to continue sparring. Again, she was amazed at the speed and agility

of the Jedi. <These people must truly be sorcerers,> she thought.

Later as they left the training room, Flora asked Talon to continue her
training. He agreed; 'twas in his blood to ensure the safety of his wife. He
would make certain she could protect herself should he not be available to do so

himself.

@}--- @}--- @}---

Flora waited in her favorite garden for Talon to return. For two days now she
could feel his excitement. Insisting he was planning a very special surprise
for her and not wishing to give it away, he refused to tell her aught.

She smiled as she studied her reflection in the glass. Turning sideways she
looked past the few falling snowflakes to look at her swollen abdomen. 'Twas
five months since that day in the fields of gold. She was showing her pregnancy

now and she had to admit, even to herself, she never looked nor felt more
beautiful. A fact her husband made a point to remind her of every morning and
every night, and every chance he got betwixt.

They could not keep their hands off each other. 'Twas as though they were still

at Falcon's Nest. There, they would slip away any moment of the day they could
to enjoy each other's company. A quick kiss around the corner away from the men

training in the yard, or a slow tumble in the orchard. Try as they might to
hide their amorous activity from others, all in the Nest came to learn of their
pursuit of each other. They had quite a reputation and many had placed bets as
to how soon the first of many "Nestlings" would appear. 'Twas much the same
now, only 'twas harder to be discrete.

A broad smile graced her lips as she ran a hand over the bulge where her babe
slept. Sometimes, at night, deep in her sleep, she would dream of a small voice

whispering to her. Even though she could never make out the words, she would
wake with the feeling of love buried within her, below her heart. 'Twas almost
as though the babe was telling her how much love he felt for his mother and
father. 'Twas the most wonderful feeling she ever experienced, next to the love

of her husband.

She felt a flutter under her hand. Flora gasped. <Did I really feel that?> she

asked herself.

In answer, the babe sent another, stronger flutter against his mother's hand.
In her mind, Flora could almost hear the babe giggle. 'Twas her babe's first
flutter. <Now *that* was surely *the* most wonderful feeling ever!> she
silently exclaimed. <Next to the love of my husband,> she amended. She laughed

for the joy of it.

@}--- @}--- @}---

In the Council Chamber, Talon stopped in mid-sentence and gave a small laugh.

"Funny you find this, do you?" Master Yoda asked.

"No, Master."

"Amuses you, what then?"

His dark eyes sparkled as he replied, "Flora just felt my babe's first flutter!"

Several Council members smiled behind their hands. They knew how strong the
connection between Talon and his wife was. Their love was a tangible thing when

they entered the room. Talon was the first to know, at first glance no less,
that Flora carried his son.

"What brings you before us, Knight Savlon?"

"I wish to make a request, Masters."

"Request what, do you?"

@}--- @}--- @}---

In the garden, Flora closed her eyes to savor the moment. When she opened them
again she stared into a pair of cold, grey eyes in the reflection behind her.

Her gaze was pinned by a nightmare. Sir Paul stood behind her. Whirling around

she saw the same madness in his eyes that was there before.

"Sir Paul! What are you doing here? How did you get in here?" Flora started
slowly inching away, trying to get a better strategic advantage as she mentally
prepared to fight.

Paul's voice was as cold as the snow-laden air outside. "These, sorcerers," he
scoffed. "For all their magic, they can not find what hides beneath their very
nose. 'Twas a simple matter to slip in when their backs were turned. I have
been living here within their own Keep for sometime now."

Indeed, he appeared quite the opposite of his last appearance in the park. He
now wore the brown and tan of the Jedi. He looked well fed and clean-shaven.
This would account for some of the discrepancies found in the inventory -- which

meant he had been in the Temple for several weeks.

Flora placed a protective hand over her babe.

Paul's eyes followed this movement. "You BITCH!" he roared. "So, you have lain

with the king's own sorcerer, have you?" Like a cat playing with its next meal
he began slowly stalking his prey. "So you carry the sorcerer's own bastard, do

you?"

Flora looked around for help.

@}--- @}--- @}---

Talon took a breath to find his center, then stated clearly his request, "I wish

to marry Flora in the Jedi manner. Then, when she is ready, I shall take her to

Tauzin to be married according to the customs and traditions of my people."

Master Yoda gave a small Jedi-smile. He already knew the reason Talon stood
before them. "Your request, permission we grant."

Talon bowed to the Council, "I thank thee for granting my wish."

@}--- @}--- @}---

"Oh, do not look for help to come, *MY* Lady," Sir Paul huffed. "We are quite
alone in this garden.

"How could you! How could you betray me like this? And now you carry a
bastard!?," he cried out in anguish. "I shall just have to save you from the
likes of him." Paul lunged toward his prey, but Flora spun around, delivering a

sharp blow to his neck as she did so.

Before he hit the ground, she was off running for the entrance. She knew Paul
spoke true about being alone; he was too cowardly to attack when there might be
help near by to thwart his plans.

Ducking and dodging branches, the dry leaves of autumn crunched loudly beneath
her feet as she ran. She could hear her pursuer not far behind. Suddenly, her
foot slipped on some leaves and she had to twist to protect her babe from the
fall.

Before she could regain her footing, Paul grabbed her elbow and hauled her up
hard against his chest. She could see the madness flare in his eyes; just
before his hand came down hard against her cheek.

@}--- @}--- @}---

"Lady Flora is still uncomfortable with some aspects of the Republic. When do
you think she'll be ready for a journey through space?" a Council member asked.

"I do n--." Talon cried out as a sharp pain ripped through his abdomen. A
small voice inside his head screamed.

Without a word Talon raced out of the Council Chamber and Force-ran to the
garden. Everyone he passed felt only a slight breeze and a rush of anger.

Bursting through the foliage, Talon did not stop when he saw Sir Paul standing
over his wife. He watched in horror as Paul swung his foot back to deliver yet
another kick to his wife's back.

Flora was huddled into a small ball trying to protect their unborn child.

Paul's next blow never came as he flew back from the force of a punch to his
jaw. Landing hard against an old oak, he fell unconscious to the ground.

"FLORA! FLORA!!" Talon knelt down beside her. Sending a wave of comfort over
her he gently rolled her over into his arms.

She shivered violently from the brutal attack. Paul meant to kill her child and

possibly her as well.

Talon raised his rage-darkened eyes to pin her attacker like a moth against a
wall. Already, two knights held Paul securely betwixt them as he came around.

Two pairs of eyes burning with a certain madness bored into each other. One
pair, cold and grey consumed with insanity. The other pair, blazing with a rage

barely held in check.

The air in Paul's lungs froze as he heard the warning Talon hissed directly into

mind, //Thou shalt never touch her again.//

Turning to the two knights he added in a low, harsh voice, "Get this vermin out
of my sight!"

The Council and his own Master watched as Talon gathered his wife into his
embrace and tried in vain to calm her. Talon gritted his teeth as several sharp

pains shot through him and his wife.

Flora became hysterical as panic took hold of her heart. She put her hands over

her babe and continued to scream with each breath she drew.

Talon recognized there was nothing he could do -- only a Master Healer could
save his child now. Gathering Flora in his arms, he Force-ran through the
Temple to the Intensive Care Unit of the Medical ward of the Temple.

The unit had already been alerted to the emergency and was still preparing when
Talon arrived. Following a mental command, Talon carefully deposited his wife
and child onto a bed and promptly climbed in behind them.

The Master Healer objected, "Knight Savlon! I must insist you leave at once!
We can not work with you in the way."

Talon ignored the Healer and gathered his loved ones in his arms. "I will put
her into a healing trance. You will save them." With that, he slipped into the

trance and dragged her along with him.

Talon worked from the inside to soothe Flora's fears. This helped her relax
enough for the Master Healer and two others to begin their work.

@}--- @}--- @}---

Finally, Master Healer Iniki, head of the medical wing, was able to coax Talon
out of the healing trance. She assured him all was well with both his wife and
child.

The Healer and two assistants worked for two days to repair the damage to both
mother and child. The damage had been severe and had very nearly cost an unborn

child and his mother their lives.

Talon expressed his heartfelt thanks and gratitude, yet refused to leave Flora's

bedside until he was certain both were truly fine.

At last, Healer Iniki was forced to all but order Talon to go get something to
eat. "I'm sure she would rather see you standing by the bed when she wakes up
than see you on the floor, passed-out from hunger!" she exclaimed as she shooed
Talon out the door. "She won't wake up any time soon. Now go!"

After Talon had wolfed down a quick meal and freshened up he began his vigil by
Flora's bed. Holding her hand, he sent her all the loving feelings he could to
both her and his son.

From his child, he felt a faint murmur before he redirected his feelings there,
inside the womb. He let his babe know just how much he loved him. He was
rewarded with a faint echo of emotion before the babe fell quiet again.

Next he concentrated on his heart-mate. He could feel her heart again beat in
time with his, as did her breathing. Unconsciously, she turned her face to his.

Her lips curled into the smallest of smiles as she yet slept in the healing
trance Master Iniki kept her in.

@}--- @}--- @}---

+ ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ +

The next day, in Healer Iniki's office, a conference was held with Healers
Meador and Oshan, and Masters Yoda and Ramer.

"How did you know what was happening, Talon?" inquired Healer Iniki. "How did
you know Lady Flora was under attack?"

"I *felt* it. I felt the pain as it ripped through Flora. And I *heard* my son

scream in pain. 'Twas my son that cried out to me for help."

He drew a deep breath and looked at Meador. "For a long time now, I've been
hearing a tiny voice inside my head at night as I dreamt. I know now, 'twas my
son's voice I was hearing all this time," he smiled.

Meador leaned forward to rest her elbows on her knees. "Why didn't you tell me
this before?"

Talon shrugged sheepishly, "I did not want you to think I was going crazy. I
already knew I was."

"It's rare that an unborn child show such strength as this, but not unusual,"
Iniki commented. "Lady Flora will be ready to awake tomorrow. I'll have to
give both of them a very thorough examination before I can decide when to
release them."

Talon let out his breath in relief, "I will take very good care of her, Healer
Iniki. Once I take her home, you will not see her again 'til the babe decides
to come."

"Oh, no, guess again, young man! I *will* continue seeing her for routine check

ups. Along with Healer Oshan, I've been looking after her and her child. I can

assure you, Talon, she will deliver a healthy baby," she smiled.

"A very brave woman, she is. Proud of her, you must be, Knight Savlon."

"Yes, Master Yoda, I am very proud of her," he beamed.

"Know you, why Sir Paul would seek to harm Flora?"

"Nay, Master, I do not. Has the Council learned anything from him?"

"No."

Thus far, the Council had learned nothing from him, save for just how deeply his

hatred for Talon ran. Even several attempted mind probes gained them nothing.

They were astonished to find someone not a part of the Force. Sure, the
Republic had peoples who were not Force-sensitive, but they did have a presence
that could be detected, even if as a faint presence or void within the Force
itself. But, this man -- he was simply "invisible." This confirmed what Knight

Savlon had mentioned -- that some people of Flora's world lived within the
Force, while many others did not. The Council found this quite disturbing.

@}--- @}--- @}---

Later that morning, a message from the prison block brought the Falcon Lord down

into the lowest depths of the Temple. As he entered, Sir Paul launched himself
forward only to be shocked by the laser-wall that kept him within the cell.

"He's been doing that repeatedly since we put him in there," commented one of
the knights guarding the prisoner.

Talon nodded.

"So the king's own pet sorcerer decides to grace me with his presence," Paul
snarled. "Let me out of here, you evil devil-spawn! LET ME OUT!" Again and
again he beat his fists against the glare of the red light that held him in.

Stopping three paces away from the cell, Talon looked at the vermin who dared
attacked his wife and babe; yet he remained calm in his appearance. "Thy
message said thou wishest to speak with me -- so speak."

Paul's eyes held a malevolent glow as he paced back and forth. Finally he
spoke, "For the honor and hand of Lady Flora of Falcon's Nest by the Sea, I, Sir

Paul of Shelton, do hereby, in front of witnesses, issue to thee, *Sir* Talon, a

blood challenge."

Talon was taken aback by the nature of the challenge, but did not let it show.
He responded with the customary reply, "On what basis dost thou issue the
challenge?"

"I charge you with sorcery and with the ensorcelment of a Lady of Noble birth --

Countess Flora of Falcon's Nest by the Sea. Do you accept my challenge?"

Knowing there was no way out of accepting a blood challenge, Talon stepped up to

the laser-wall. Standing nose to nose, he accepted. "I, Sir Talon, Earl and
Lord of Falcon's Nest by the Sea, in front of witnesses, accept thy blood
challenge, Sir Paul of Shelton."

Paul hissed his pleasure. "I shall see you on the Field of Honor, *Sorcerer*!"

"As the one who has been challenged, I have the right to choose when, where and
how the challenge shall be met. I choose tomorrow morning, in the Padawan
Arena, with steel swords. Dost thou accept?"

Paul nodded with satisfaction, "Aye, *my Lord*, I accept. And I shall see you
DEAD!"

"Nay, Sir Paul, 'tis thee who shall die on the morrow. I am a far better
swordsman than thou could ever dream to be. I shall bring myself down to thy
level." And with that, Talon turned on his heel and left the prison block to
prepare.

@}--- @}--- @}---

>>BANG<< Yoda's gimer stick struck hard against the floor of the Council
Chamber. "Permit this, the Council will not!"

"Will all due respect to thee, Master and to the rest of the Council, ye have no

say in this matter. Once a blood challenge is issued it *can not* be refused!
According to custom and tradition, the one who refuses the challenge is at once
deemed by god as guilty of the offense. The one who refuses must forfeit *all*
he possesses. This forfeiture includes not only *all* his personal property and

wealth, but his *family* as well.

"A blood challenge *can not* be ignored! I *shall* meet Paul as agreed."

"How do you win a blood challenge, Knight?" one Council member asked.

"There is but one way, Master. One must die. Only in this manner is the
survivor seen to have been deemed by god himself, the Great Spirit, the Creator
of All, as being in the right. Only the righteous can win such a challenge,
Master. And I shall win."

"Boasting becomes a Jedi, not."

"I am not boasting, Master. I merely speak true."

"We all know what he did to your wife and child. Will you not be tempted to use

the Force to your advantage? For revenge?"

Talon's shoulders stiffened at the near-insult. "I am a Jedi Knight. I will
meet the challenger on even footing. I shall not use the Force in this duel. I

have no need to."

"Pride becomes a Jedi, not."

"I speak merely the truth, Master Yoda. I am the better swordsman," Talon bowed

to the Council and its Leader.

@}--- @}--- @}---

After spending several hours with his family, Talon returned to their apartment
to prepare and meditate. Morning came too quickly as he showered and broke his
fast with a light meal.

His old Master rang the doorbell; he came to escort his friend to the arena.
Ramer's eyebrows went up as he stepped into the main room of Flora's small
apartment in the bachelors' civilian portion of the Temple.

Talon was not dressed in the usual Jedi tunics and pants, but rather in the fine

linens denoting his noble status. He noticed his Master's questioning look.
"He challenged me, not as a Jedi, but as a Noble; and so I shall meet him as
such." Picking up the steel sword he had with him when he arrived, Talon left.

His Master fell in step at side.

Along the way, Ramer could feel his friend slowly withdraw, disconnecting
himself from the Force. Indeed, he would keep his word and meet his enemy as an

equal -- without the aid of the Force.

Together, they arrived in the large training room commonly referred to as the
"Padawan Arena." 'Twas where Initiates would demonstrate their skill in mock
battle against each other in hopes of becoming a Padawan to one of the Knights
or Masters gathered to watch.

Only the Council would observe this morning's battle; a battle from which only
one combatant would survive.

Paul was already there, pacing back and forth, glaring at the door, waiting.
"So the sorcerer has arrived. I thought mayhap you had decided not to show thy
face this morning," he taunted.

Ignoring the slight, Talon stepped forward onto the floor. He bowed to the head

of the Council and greeted him, "Master Yoda." The Council members stood in a
ring around the main area; they would do nothing to interfere with the outcome.

Standing before Paul in the center of the area, Talon unsheathed a finely
crafted sword and held it aloft for all to see. 'Twas the very sword the King
of Flora's land gifted him with as he elevated to the noble rank of Earl, the
unknown Knight who had saved his life in battle.

Talon raised his voice so all could hear, "With this sword, I guard the Falcon's

Nest. With this sword, I protect what is mine." He saluted Paul and was ready
to meet his foe.

Slowly the two combatants circled one another. They eyed one another looking
for weaknesses. They tested each other's patience as each ran through their
strategy.

Paul made the first lunge and the battle was joined. Steel clashed against
steel and sparks flew betwixt the blades as they did betwixt the men.

Lunge, parry, riposte, spin. Again and again, the dance continued its deadly
choreography.

"You devil-spawn!" Paul cried out as his blade again missed its mark. "You seek

to defeat me by using your dark magic against me?!"

Even though 'twas pointless to respond, knowing Paul would never accept the
truth of his words, Talon did so anyway, "I assure you Sir Paul, I meet you this

day as an equal, without any 'magic,' as you call it. Believe what you wish,
but know you hear the truth. Indeed, should I use any of my 'magic' in this
duel, know that these Masters here shall surely strike me down where I stand. I

have no need of 'magic' to defeat you."

Paul laughed. "Then why do I yet live? Why have you not struck me down yet?
Could it be that *you lie*, Sorcerer? Is your skill is not what you say it is?"

"A Jedi has no need to lie. This battle goes on for as long as you wish it to."

A thought occurred to Talon as he easily parried another lunge. Sidestepping a
clumsy attack, he sent Paul sprawling onto the floor.

Talon began to pump his foe for information to answer questions that still ran
through his mind.

"How did you come to be here, in my world?"

Paul growled as he fought hard to keep Talon's blade from his heart. He had the

feeling this sorcerer was beginning to toy with him, as a cat would a field
mouse. "I was there above the Nest. I *saw* you bring forth the fury of the
storm! Just as that night the Ghost Knight first burned *your* fields."

The two continued to circle one another, looking for an opening.

"I was hiding close enough to see you unleash the power of the seastorm to do
your bidding. I was hoping to push you from the Nest to your death," Paul
hissed. "Then I would offer comfort to *My* Lady. Before I could act the spell

was cast. After a blinding flash of light I found myself in this world."

Steel blades clashed and sparks flew. Talon easily ducked a punch Paul failed
to deliver.

Paul's lip curled into a snarl, "It seems I came to my senses sooner than you
did *my Lord.* All I had to do was follow you into the Devil's own tower.
'Twas so easy to sneak in and out when your backs were turned. 'Twas a simple
matter to hide within your own Keep."

Again sparks flew as the clashing of their blades echoed again and again within
the arena.

"Then I happened to see the Flower of Falcon's Nest... How sad she seemed to be.

I knew I was the only man who could make her smile again."

Steel locked against steel as Talon's dark eyes bored into Paul's soul. "And so

you began to stalk her, my wife."

"Aye," Paul pushed Talon away. "I knew 'twas time to make her mine."

The fiery glare in Paul's eyes would have cowed any other warrior on the field
of battle. Talon felt the madness take control and grow as it emanated from his

foe. 'Twas an unpalatable taste in his mouth as it continued to ooze through
the insane man who dared challenge a Jedi to a duel to the death.

"You spoke of honor, and yet 'twas you who attacked my wife and tried to murder
my unborn son. 'Tis you, Paul, who are without honor."

" 'Tis *Sir* Paul to you demon-spawn!" Sparks flew as, yet again, he hacked
away at the sorcerer he so hated.

Feeling there was more behind Paul's hatred for him, Talon continued to goad his

opponent. "You are not worthy of the title. 'Tis certain I am that the king
would remove that title from you if he but knew of your actions." Again, Talon
easily warded off a clumsy lunge. He had seen many a young Initiate with more
grace and skill.

"Hah!" Paul scoffed. "That fool! 'Twas to me he should have given Falcon's
Nest! 'Twas to me he should have given Flora!"

That statement struck a chord in Talon's heart. "And why is that! Why do you
claim that which you are not worthy of?" He stood and waited for Paul's next
move.

"For many a year, since I was but a lad, I have loved Flora. I know she loves
me, too. 'Tis writ plain as the sun in the sky when she casts her gaze my way."

"More like than not 'tis disgust you see there."

"She would have been *mine* had not that brother of hers been in the way! 'Tis
why I killed him." Paul lunged with a new fury.

Talon was a bit taken aback by this revelation, but wished to have it confirmed
by Paul's own words, just so there could never be the slightest suspicion cast
upon his own actions this day. "I thought 'twas the 'Ghost Knight' who killed
Sir Hawkins."

Their swords locked together as they stared into each other's souls.

Paul bit back a dark laugh, "I *am* the Ghost Knight, you fool! 'Twas *I* who
shot him down. 'Twas *I* who would have comforted the grieving Flora. 'Twas
*I* who should have been rewarded with the Nest after I brought forth the scum
known as the Ghost Knight."

Paul scrambled to keep his footing after Talon flicked him away.

"So you would have condemned a not-so-innocent man in thy stead. You would have

executed a man for thine own crimes."

Paul gave a cold laugh and sneered, "Aye! Those men be nothing more than sheep
easily controlled by their own greed and lust."

"As are you... As are you," Talon shook his head. "You are responsible for all
the murder, rape and destruction of property belonging to the Nest."

"Aye, that I am," Paul hissed.

"Then I shall have no qualms what-so-ever about finishing this now."

As one of his many duties as Lord Falcon, he presided over the monthly court.
Any dispute betwixt people that they, themselves, could not resolve was brought
before him. Each side pleaded their case in hopes of a fair settlement. Talon
garnered the reputation of being very fair-minded and drawing out facts that
some wished to hide.

In a loud voice, Talon said the customary words he never had to use as judge,
and vowed never to utter again. "I, Sir Talon, Lord of Falcon's Nest by the
Sea, do, by thine own words, find you, Sir Paul of Shelton, guilty of murder,
rape and destruction of property belonging to Falcon's Nest by the Sea. For
these actions, I condemn thee to death. May the Great Spirit, Creator of All,
have mercy on thy soul."

Upon hearing the words spoken, Paul fell into a deeper insanity. At the top of
his lungs he roared his rage. His face became a contorted mask of fury as he
raced toward the man who would take away all he coveted.

Talon dropped his stance and raised sword into a stop-lunge any first level
Initiate could see a parsec away.

In his red-hazed vision, Paul never saw it he continued his headlong pursuit of
his enemy...and impaled himself upon Talon's sword.

Paul stood there looking at the length of steel embedded in his chest, but not
really seeing it. He never flinched as Talon withdrew the blade. Spitting
blood, he slowly sank to his knees, cursing Talon. He toppled over onto his
side and died with his sword still in his hand.

Talon drew a deep, cleansing breath and dropped his arm. Kneeling over the
body, he ran his fingers over the cold, grey eyes and closed them. Grabbing a
handful of Paul's tunic, he swiped his sword across it, cutting a swatch of
fabric. Standing up, he wrapped the material around his sword and carefully
wiped it clean of blood.

Tossing the bloodied rag onto the body he turned around to face Master Yoda.
"And with that, I lay rest to the title of 'Sir Talon, Earl and Lord of Falcon's

Nest by the Sea.' " He bowed to the Council leader.

"Satisfied, the Council is by your actions this day. Let not the Darkside of
your anger touch you this day. Worthy, the Council finds you, of continuing as
a Jedi Knight. Dismissed, you are, Knight Savlon."

Talon bowed again, deeper, to the Council as they stood before him.

@}--- @}--- @}---

+ ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ + ~ * ~ +

"You may go in now, Talon. She's just waking up and I'm sure it's your face she

would rather see first, than mine," Healer Iniki smiled. "I've examined them,
and both mother and son are in top shape. You may take them home whenever you
wish."

Talon again thanked the Master Healer and her two assistants for saving his wife

and babe. He was anxious to be reunited with his family. Carefully, he opened
the door and stepped in. Flora was leaning back against a mound of pillows. A
smile graced her berry-red lips as she turned to face him.

Leaning down, Talon captured her lips for a long kiss that told her what he felt

for her. Stroking back a few wayward curls at her temple his fingers drifted
down to caress her cheek. She turned her face to nuzzle his hand and graced his

palm with a kiss.

Picking up her hand he clasped it to his heart. The sun streaming in through
the window cast a warm glow across her and their babe.

"Hello, my beautiful, brave, extraordinary wife." he kissed her palm with each
honorific. "How do you feel this morning?"

Flora was still a wee bit groggy from having just awakened. She smiled. "I...
feel fine, husba--." A jolt of fear shot through her and one hand flew to her
abdomen. She looked down to see her belly still large. Her other hand squeezed

tightly over Talon's fingers.

" 'Tis all right, my rose. 'Tis all right. Master Healer Iniki has assured me
all is as it should be. Our son is safe, right where he should be." He placed
a hand over hers, over their son.

Flora's aqua-teal eyes locked onto his dark brown eyes and saw the truth there.

Her babe would be fine. She rested back against the pillows. Closing her eyes
briefly she gave a quick prayer of thanks.

On the heels of one emotion came another jolt. Her eyes went wide with fear as
she looked at the door. "Paul--" she squeaked.

"Relax! Paul will never again cloud our lives, Flora. He is dead," he stated
in a cold voice.

Refusing to let go of her hand, even for a second, he related all Paul had
revealed during the blood challenge.

"So, 'twas he who was the Ghost Knight. 'Twas he who murdered my brother."

"Aye, that is true." He drew a deep breath. "I am sorry for the loss of your
brother. I would have liked to have met him."

Flora nodded, "At last I can put that part of my sorrow behind me... Thank you
for telling me." A single tear rolled down her cheek and fell onto her gown. A

single, last tear for her brother.

A few moments of quiet passed before Talon broke the silence. "Flora?" he asked

tentatively.

"Aye?"

"You know I have been planning a very special surprise for you?"

"Aye. I could feel thine excitement, yet you refused to tell me aught." She
leaned her head back to study the hopeful light in his eyes.

" 'Twas what I was requesting permission for the day...I left you in the garden.

The Council has granted it. Now I must only ask you..."

Now Flora's curiosity was peaked. What was this big surprise her husband was
keeping from her?

Standing tall, and still holding her hand, Talon took another deep breath and
opened his eyes. "Lady Flora? Will you marry me?"

Surprise lit her face, then she chuckled, "But, we already *are* married to each

other, *husband!* "

He chuckled, too, then explained his meaning. "I would like to marry you, this
time in the Jedi manner. And then, when you feel up to it, when you are ready
for such a trip, I would like to take you to my homeworld. I want my family to
know you. And, I would like to marry you again, according to the traditions of
my people."

"Married thrice and never once a widow?"

"Aye, married thrice and each time to the same woman," he smiled.

"Oh, Talon," a catch in her voice stole her words, so she nodded. "Of course I
shall marry you, again and again if need be. I will marry you as many times as
you would ask."

She reached up with one finger to trace the dimples that always took her breath
away, and nearly wept for the joy in her heart.

He bent down to kiss his bride.

"When shall we set the date?" she inquired.

"I will leave that to you, my heart."

She pulled his head down for another kiss and deepened it as she felt a small
bubble of joy radiate from her son.

@}--- @}--- @}---

"...Ladies and Gentlemen, I present Knight Taren Talon Savlon and his wife, Lady

Flora!" A loud voice echoed off the ceiling as the newlyweds were presented to
the crowd assembled in the garden. The fanfare of cheers and noisemakers made
any speech impossible.

Beaming with love, Flora looked up to her husband. He stood tall and proud.
His hair had been trimmed and his face clean shaven. His chausses and tunics
were freshly pressed and his robe freshly laundered. His black boots were
polished to a high gloss. He was the very image of what a Jedi Knight should
look like.

Talon's gaze drifted down to admire her. Dressed in a flowing gown of snow-
white silk, Flora's hair was braided into a white crown about her head. White
rose buds peaked out through the thick plait. Small pearls entwined in her hair

glittered in the sunlight streaming in through the glass windows that faced the
east. Crystal beads sewn onto her dress created tiny rainbows as she stood at
his side. Talon's breath hitched in his throat as he smiled at the beauty
beside him.

Tears of joy filled their eyes as they let their heart speak for them.

In the background a small band began to play.

"May I have this dance, my Lady-wife?"

"Aye, this dance and many more to come, my Lord-husband."

Slowly, Talon escorted her to the center of the dance floor and took her in his
arms. The song they chose for their first dance together spoke directly from
their heart.

Hold me, hold me.
Never let me go until you've
Told me, told me, what I want to know.

In their memory, they relived the night they gave their heart and soul into each

other's care.

And then just hold me, hold me
Make me tell I'm in love with you.

Together, they felt a flutter in their stomach as they remembered the pleasure
of sharing their passion at night, and in many ways through out the days.

Thrill me, thrill me.
Walk me down the lane
Where shadows will be, will be
Hiding others just same as
We'll be, we'll be
When you make me tell you I love you.

Each recalled his playfulness as he would find new ways to cause her to forfeit
a kiss. A penalty she was ever willing to pay.

They told me, 'Be sensible with your new love.
Don't be fooled thinking this is the last you'll find.'
But they never stood in the dark with you love
When you take me your arms
And drive me slowly out of my mind.

In silence, they spoke from their hearts. Both felt the deep love forged
betwixt them.

Kiss me, kiss me.
And when you do I know that you will
Miss me, miss me
If we ever say adieu.
So kiss me, kiss me.
Make me tell you I'm love with you.

Kiss me, kiss me.
And when you do I know that you will
Miss me, miss me
If we ever say adieu.
So kiss me, kiss me.
Make me tell you I'm love with you.

As their song ended, their lips met for a heart-felt kiss felt through out the
Temple.

Never, never, never let me go.
Never, never, never let me go...

@}--- @}--- @}--- Epilog @}--- @}--- @}---

Flora pressed a hand against her lower back, groaning at the latest "beach ball"

joke. For months she had to endure the good-natured joking at her expense. She

knew it was coming her way; she had heard jokes aplenty in the past when a
mother neared her time.

She looked around at the flurry of activity here in the crèche garden. This was

time for recess and all the youngsters were bundles of energy. She loved
working here. She enjoyed caring for all the little darlings and their equally
feisty pets.

"So your husband will go back to active duty after the baby is born?" asked a
fellow crèche worker.

Flora nodded, "That is right, Nan. These past couple of months he has traveled
with Master Ramer for a few short missions -- just to get him back into the
swing of things again. I miss him when he is away, but I have every confidence
in him and his abilities. And, I know he misses it as well."

"I'm so happy for you Flora. You've found the kind of love rarely seen outside
of fairyta -- Oh no you don't! Excuse me, Flora, time to rescue a kitten!" Nan

raced off to the other side of the garden to rescue an overly energetic kitten
playing with a ball of yarn larger than it was. Chuckling, Flora shook her
head. It was certainly never a dull moment in the crèche.

A cramp, stronger than others she had felt that morning caught her by surprise.

She lowered her head and bit her lip so as not to cry out and possibly frighten
any of the children. Her shoulders jerked as a new sensation came upon her.
She felt a trickle of liquid warmth betwixt her legs.

When she looked up again, there was a young lad standing next to her. Reaching
out, he put one hand on her shoulder. "Are you all right, Lady Flora?"

She looked kindly at this lanky, too-tall-for-his-age lad with two front teeth
missing. He swiped a hand across his forehead to push back his longish, brown
hair. His sparkling, blue eyes held a gentle light in them.

Flora drew a breath and nodded, "Aye, Qui-Gon, I will be all right. Would thee
do me a big favor?"

Always eager to help, the child nodded.

"Find Master Yoda and tell him, ' 'Tis time.' He will know what I mean."

Qui-Gon went off running into the brush yelling at the top of his lungs, "MASTER

YODA! LADY FLORA SAYS IT'S TIME!... MASTER YODA..."

Smiling at the exuberance of youth, Flora shook her head, chuckling.

@}--- @}--- @}---

Flora looked up at her husband. Her face was bathed in sweat. Snow-white
tendrils framed her face. Talon held onto her hand as he helped her ride
another wave of pain. All throughout her labor he had been at her side, using
the Force to absorb some of the pain. He was amazed at its strength. He had no

idea what women throughout the ages were forced to endure to bring a new life
into the world.

Even though there were medications to ease the pain, Flora had stubbornly
refused them.

"One last time, Flora...and...PUSH!"

With one more grunt, Flora felt her son slip forth.

Talon's hand clasped her's tightly as he felt his son's birth. "Welcome to the
world, my son," he whispered.

At last, Healer Iniki placed a small, wrapped bundle into her arms. A great joy

shone brightly in her aqua-teal eyes. Tears ran down her face as she pulled
back the soft blanket. She turned to see her husband also had tears in his
eyes.

A babe with dark brown hair and aqua-teal eyes waved his tiny fists. Through
the Force, his father welcomed him with all the love in his heart. Both his
father and mother felt the loved returned in equal measure.

"What is this?" Talon moves back a portion of the blanket to examine a mark on
his son's bicep.

'Twas a birthmark in the shape of a stylized falcon swooping down upon its prey.

Smiling to each other, mother and father agreed.

" 'Falcon,' shall be his name."

@}--- @}--- @}--- FIN @}--- @}--- @}---