Daesha stared out the window of the shuttle, oddly quiet, probably due to not having anyone to talk to because of Xan snoring softly beside her. She hadn't argued, been stubborn, nor fought with him when he had insisted that they take a few weeks of leave to go home to his parent's farm to meet them. Xan had been downright excited when Daesha had agreed right away to go along and meet her possible in-laws, after all there was no point in trying to delay meeting them. What was the worst that would happen? They wouldn't like her? Or they wouldn't approve of a human/Twi'lek relationship? Or better yet a long lost girlfriend of Xan that they loved would show up to make the entire visit filled with wacky hijinks. Daesha snorted in amusement settling back in her seat, instantly Xan's head was on her shoulder and she absentmindedly ran her hand through his hair humming softly.

She was glad to go back to a farm, the country, though living in a city was convenient, she missed the quiet, slow but busy life on a farm. She missed getting up in the morning and heading out to work and doing something she could see affecting the way she lived. She hadn't plowed or planted anything in years since being taken by the temple and trained. Xan was known to go on and on about his parent's farm, and Daesha guiltily let him, greedily listening to his childhood and teenage years, aching for what he had growing up.

Twi'leks are not known for being friendly to other people outside their family, and Daesha was no exception.  She froze as Shay hugged her not use to hugs from random strangers, particularly ones so breasty and from the mother of her lover.  Then much to Daesha's dismay she was released by Shay only to have Antiochus pick her off her feet and hug her as well.  Still frozen as she was sent back on the ground, Daesha wondered how much Xan had written home to his parents, and what he had said about her.  already his parents were accepting her into their family without questions asked.  It was diffently something Daesha wasn't use to.

Small talk was easy Shay mostly kept up the conversation as they loaded up the truck that was sitting in the parking lot outside of the shuttlebay.  They all squeezed into the front seat, tentively Daesha held Xan's hand the entire ride, keeping up the conversation when she was required.  They passed through the small town and kept going until the farm came into view.  Antiochus pulled the truck along side the house and everyone piled out.

"Daesha you'll be staying in the guest room and Xan's room is right over yours on the second floor," Shay said guiding Daesha into the house and showing her the guest room, "Now you two get a nap before dinner and unpack," Shay said shutting the door to Daesha's room.  Daesha let out a sigh and listened to Shay and Xan head up the stairs then a few minutes later Shay's footsteps go down the stairs.  Then with little planning Daesha swung her legs out of the open window and used the siding that a vine was growing on to climb up into the window of Xan's room.

"Do your parents realize how easy it is to sneak into each other's room?" Daesha chuckled from her perch at the window scaring Xan who had just taken off his shirt.

"They probably weren't planning on the love of my life being able to climb so well," Xan grinned as Daesha rolled her eyes.

"What have you been telling them about me, about us?" she asked.

“Oh, nothing much, only that you were the love of my life, and we’re going to get married here on CD…oh and that you’re pregnant.”

  “WHAT!!!” screamed Dae, her eyes dancing in a maelstrom of rage and shock.

  Xan laughed, his arms held up to protect himself from the dervish Dae had become.

  “I’m kidding, I’m kidding. Oww, that hurt.” He said, rubbing his arm.

  “Serves you right. I hope there’s a bruise.  So, what DID you tell them?”

  Xan looked at her.  She was even more beautiful than normal when angry.  He hadn’t seen her like this in a while.  Of late, she’d been rather content and peaceful.  He knew she was in a pressure situation, outside of her normal range of emotional safety, so he cut her some slack.

  “I told them I was seeing a beautiful girl, raised on a farm, which I care deeply for.  I placed no other status to our relationship.  That’s just how they are.  You should’ve seen my first girlfriend’s reaction.  She almost ran out of the house.”

  Dae sat on Xan’s bed, eyeing him suspiciously, “Nothing else?”

  “Nothing else, other than that you were a Twi’lek.  They’re good people without a prejudice bone in their bodies, but that would have surprised them. So, I let’ em know.” 

  Dae stood up, walked to Xan and snuggled against his chest.  She ran her hands over his arms and attempted to soothe the blow she’d inflicted moments before.  Xan held her close and kissed the top of her head. 

  “Sorry about the beating.” She said plaintively looking up into his eyes.

  “I’d expect nothing less from you sweetie.  Now, get back to your room before Ma finds you here.” He said playfully as he turned her around, pushed her toward the window, and swatted her on the behind.

  Dae turned and gave her best faux hurt look. Xan laughed and silently pointed at the window.  She moved to it and began to leave.

“Oh, and Ma knew that you could climb. She just did that so Da wouldn’t have a fit…and the walls have been soundproofed.” He winked as she moved out of the room.

The kitchen door slammed behind Xan and Dae.  They stood for a moment, wondering what to do next.  The night was falling and the air had a crisp, pre-fall feel to it.  Xan took her hand and walked toward the barn. 

  It was a medium sized edifice, by CD standards.  They went inside.  Within they saw the planters and harvesters that Antiochus used to make his living.  They saw the family milk cattle and the egg bearing animals his mother used to supplement their meals. 

  “Thrilling so far, ain’t it?”

  Daesha held his hand tighter, “Mhmm, just like home.”

  The two walked around the cattle pens and through the waist high grains that skirted the edge of the farms living areas.  They ran their hands over the thick vegetation and breathed deep the smell of the dirt and the plants.

  Eventually, they wandered into the Raibaux family orchards.  It consisted of several rows of Dorian passion fruit, and 3-400 Podon trees.  The trees were stunted due to Concord Dawn’s arid conditions, but they still managed to produce a healthy crop.

  Xan reached up and pulled one of the ripe fruits off and took a bite.  Juice from the sweet fruit trickled down his chin.  Dae reached up and wiped away the juice droplets then pulled Xan in for a kiss.

  “Mmmm, that’s much better than the Podon.”

  “Thank you, you’re not too bad yourself.” Purred Dae as she kissed him again.

  The trees cast a mottled light over the ground as they walked.  It seemed like decades they’d been together instead of mere weeks.  Xan knew that this might be the last trip they get together for a while.
Dae had finished her Basic Training and was due to be placed in a squad when they got back, and Snipes had told him to be ready for action when he got back.

  He gripped her hand harder and pulled her near.  He slipped his arm around her and held her as they walked.  Xan looked down and saw a contented, yet veiled look on her face.

  “What’s the matter sweetie?”

Xan recoiled from Dae’s outburst.  She hadn’t ever reacted like this before.  In the past she’d been playful in her denials, and coy in her refusals, but this was visceral. 

  “I...I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you,” Murmured Xan.

  He approached Dae, who was now standing –her arms hugging herself – several meters from him.  He tentatively, gently reached out and lightly touched her arm.  She turned on him.  Her were eyes wild with pain, fear, love, need and revulsion.  She hugged him.  Hug is a weightless word when describing this action, it was more of tackle. 

  “I can never go back to Ryloth.  Ever.”

  He let her hold him, lightly stroking her shoulders.

  “When I was sent to the Temple it was both as a student, and as property.  I belonged to the Goddess.  When I left, I stole from her.  I also stole the honor, and prestige of being the Goddess’ Protector from my family.  On Ryloth, clans have gone to war for less.”

  Xan whispered, “Surely if you talked to them…made them understand.”

  Dae looked up into his eyes, they were pools of infinite sorrow, “No, there is no understanding.  If I ever step foot on Ryloth again, they would kill me.  My father, my brothers, even my mother would not hesitate one instant to end me.  Their honor demands it.”

  She clutched at Xan, burying her head into his chest.  He wrapped his arms around her and held tight.

“Forbidden by whom?  The Goddess?  You yourself said that all of this may be her will.”

  Dae broke away.  Xan could see the pain and conflict battling in every movement or her body. 

  “Your parents?  They sent you, no – sold you - into the Temple.”

  She turned to face him again the pain more evident than ever.

  “Who, who forbids us our happiness...who forbids you YOUR happiness?”

  She caressed the side of his face, and looked deep into his eyes.

  “I do, “she whispered, small and meek. 

  Dae broke from Xan and ran deep into the orchard leaving him standing alone, perplexed.  He was rooted to the spot.  In his entire young life he’d never felt this angry, confused, heartbroken and helpless.  It was as if his soul had been torn from his body.

  Numbly he moved toward the house.  He couldn’t go after her now.  He just knew he had to go home.  To the one person who always had the answers.  The walk seemed to take hours.  When he finally reached the homestead Shay was standing in the greenhouse picking vegetables for the night’s meal.

  “Ma, can I talk to you?” he said.  The voice that came out wasn’t his.  It belonged to Xander the child.  The voice he used when he needed comfort and safety.  Shay went to him immediately, sensing her child’s pain.

  “Xan, what happened?”

  “She ran off Ma. She said it was forbidden for us to be together, and then she just…left” 

  His words rang hollow.  The pain clawed its way to the surface with every syllable.

  “I asked her who kept forbidding something so right, and she said she did.”

  Xan slumped to the floor, his legs unable to hold him.  Shay swept him up in her arms and cradled him as if he were still the skinny boy with the knot on his head from falling out of the barn loft.  His pain overflowed and spilled out over her.  Sobs wracked him and his body shook.  Shay just held on, saying nothing. 

  Several minutes later Xan composed himself enough to regain his feet, kiss his mother on the forehead and move into the house.  Shay had never seen him react like this before.  She had a suspicion when she met Dae that Xan was deeply in love with her.  She also felt that Dae was holding something back. 

  “Well, it’s time to lay all our cards out,” she said to plants as she headed toward the orchard in search of Dae.

  She found her several minutes later, not far from where she’d left Xan.  She was sitting under a Podon tree, her knees drawn up tight against her chest, staring at nothing in particular.

  “Hello.” Shay said softly

  Dae looked up at her.  Shay could see the same pain in her eyes that she saw in Xan’s.  She sat down next to Dae.

  “This is a right pretty spot you chose.  It’s one of my favorites.  Antiochus used to bring me here when we were courting.  I tell him all the time that I fell in love with this land before I fell in love with him.”

  Shay snickered at her reminiscence.  Dae couldn’t help but smile as well.

  “Raibaux men are like this land.  They’re tough, difficult – a little dry -, but when you give them your love…they blossom.”

  Dae leaned in to Shay and silently wept.  Shay’s arms cradled her as she had Xan until; at last, she regained her composure.  Shay pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at Daesha’s eyes.

  “That’s better.  Now, tell me what’s going on with you two.”

The wait seemed interminable.  Xan and Antiochus paced the floor waiting for the doctors to tell them why Shay had collapsed, and what the prognosis was.  He looked over at Dae.  She’d been out in the orchards with ma when she’d collapsed.  Dae looked shaken, they were all shaken.  Ma was the glue that bound the Raibaux family together, without her they could well drift apart. 

  Antiochus looked as bad as Shay.  They’d been married for nearly thirty years and he’d rarely been away from her side.  Xan knew that he’d be a wreck if ma didn’t pull through.  They all would.  He wandered over to Dae, who rose to meet him.  He enveloped her in his arms, longing for her warmth to make him feel whole.  She buried her head in his chest and wrapped her arms around him, attempting to transfer her strength to him in his moment of need.  Words were unnecessary.

  The medical bay doors slid open and a white-coated woman approached Antiochus.

  “Mr. Raibaux?” she asked, her words wearily falling out.

  Antiochus turned to her, pallor spreading across him.  Xan loosed Dae and went to his father, supporting him.

  The elder Raibaux croaked small, “Yes, how’s my girl?”

  The medico looked to him with exhaustion in her eyes, sighed and said, “She’s had a massive coronary.  She was lucky to have made it in when she did.  If you’d been a little later, she wouldn’t have made it.”

  Xan felt his father’s knees buckle.  He guided him to a chair, Daesha on the other side, followed by the doctor.  Tears welled in Antiochus’ eyes.  He grasped at Xan hugging him tightly.  Xan hugged back, and pulled Dae in to their embrace as well.  The three of them stayed like that for what seemed like an eternity.  Finally, Antiochus broke his grip and turned toward the doctor. 

  “Thank you for giving me back my girl.” He said as he enveloped the physician in a bear hug.

  The doctor grunted a bit as the elder man released his grip on her.  She smiled tiredly and rubbed his shoulder.

  “She’s not out of the woods yet, but she’s a fighter.  We nearly lost her a couple of times, but she kept coming back…like she still had something to finish.”

  Xan reached out and took Dae’s hand.  He squeezed it tenderly, rubbing it with his thumb.  Dae leaned against him. 

  “Now, I want you three to go home and get some rest.  She’ll be fine tonight, and tomorrow you can see her. “

  Antiochus began to protest, but Xan laid a hand on his shoulder.  The senior Raibaux stopped, looked at Xan and nodded.  They collected their speeder and headed home.  Xan drove.  Daesha sat between the two men and looked from Xan to Antiochus.  They were like carbon copies.  Each man solid and unpretentious, their emotions laid bare and on display for the world.  Xan put his arm around her as they drove; she nestled into the crook of his arm.  She felt a hand on her knee and turned to Antiochus.  The elder man looked to her, eyes pouring emotion.

  “I want to thank you for being there when she fell.  I don’t know what I would have done without my girl.” He said his voice cracking.

  Dae took his calloused and worn hand and squeezed it warmly.  He squeezed back.  The speeder continued down the road and arrived at the homestead as twilight faded on a long and trying day.
Antiochus trudged up into the house and silently made for his bed, exhausted.  Xan pulled Dae to the front bench and sat quietly watching the last light of day fade into night.

Xan pulled her close to him.  Dae nestled her face in his broad chest.  He lightly kissed the top of her head.  He held her as if he’d never held another person before, or would again.  He looked up at the night sky. The inky blackness conveyed a false warmth and comfort.  Xan knew fully that space was neither warm nor comfortable; rather it was harsh and bleak.  He loathed the idea of having to go back to the Corps.  He knew his duty and his honor dictated he live up to his commitment to both the Army and his comrades in arms, but at this moment this woman was all that mattered.

  He loosed his grip and she looked up at him.  Her blue eyes, flecked with red from the tears, were truly windows to her soul.  A beautiful, tortured, abandoned soul that he had been lucky enough to find, and claim for himself.  She reached up and laid her hand against his cheek.  It was warm and soft.  She leaned into him and kissed him gently.  He kissed her back with all of the same hope and promise he could. He couldn’t put into words the depth of his feeling for this woman.  She’d touched him like no other.  He only hoped he’d be a good enough man for her.  He was willing to spend his life trying; he hoped someday she’d be willing to let him. 

  He wondered if this is how his parents felt when they first realized their love.  Was Antiochus as dumbstruck by the small miracles of her every move?  Was Shay mesmerized by his common grace and pure being?  He didn’t know the answers to those questions, they belonged to them.  He had his own, and he knew she was the only one who could answer them.

  “Remember that ring you found?”

  She nodded silently.

  “It’s Ma’s.  She wanted you to have it.  I want you to have it.”

  Tears welled in Dae’s eyes.  She was showing more emotion than he’d ever seen before; she wore it like a crown.

  “Will you?”

Xan hopped out of bed and padded to the door.  He listened as his father’s footsteps faded down the hall.  He turned to see Dae staring at him with a mischievous look in her eye.  Xan returned her look.  She used one finger to motion for him to come to bed.  He moved to the end of the bed and ripped away the covers.  Now Dae was as exposed as he was.  She tried to cover herself, somewhat.  She blushed, but didn’t overly protest when Xan began kissing her kneecap. 

  “Your father is waiting, “she said with a strain as he kissed her mid-thigh.

  “I know.”

  “He’s going to wonder where you ar….”she croaked, her word cut off mid syllable as Xan kissed her above her pubic bone.

  “He’ll wait.”

  “Xan, we really can’t do this now, “she protested –poorly-as he kissed between her heaving breasts. 

  “Are you sure, “he asked as he slid between her legs?

  “Ye...ess, “she strained, none to convincingly.

  “Are you absolutely sure, “he queried again as he pressed himself to her.

  “Yes, “she mouthed silently as she rose to meet him.

  “OK.”

  Xan got up off the bed and moved to grab his clothes. 

  “What? Oh, you bastard.  Oooh…you’ll pay for that, “Dae snarled breathlessly as she shot Xan her most murderous look.

  Xan just smiled and continued getting dressed.  Dae slammed her fists into the mattress and glared at Xan.  He just held up a finger to shush her.

  “You better get dressed; Da will wonder what’s keeping us.”

  Dae rolled off the bed and made to go out the window.  Xan clicked his tongue at her, silently pointing down and pantomiming a speeder.  Dae looked out and saw Antiochus sitting in the family speeder below.  She turned and made for the door stopping only when Xan grabbed her arm, pulled her close and kissed her with all the passion of a man in love. 

  “Sorry about the tease, but we’ve got all our lives to lie in bed.”

  The kiss took almost all of Dae’s anger away, almost.  She cuffed him on the chin after they broke their kiss, and said, “Don’t worry farm boy, when I’m done with you next time, you won’t be able to get out of bed for a week.”

  “Deal, I look forward to your ‘disciplinary actions’.”

  Dae opened the door and peered about, looked back at Xan, winked and made for her room.  Xan finished dressing, and went out down to the kitchen.  He grabbed a handful of fruit and downed a quick glass of blue milk.  Outside Antiochus waited patiently.  Xan jumped in the back seat of the speeder and started munching on his fruit.

  “Dae’ll be right down.”

  Antiochus nodded, “Did she remember to take her clothes back to her room?”

  “No, she f…, “Xan cut himself off in mid sentence.  His father knew. He knew that Dae had spent the night in his room; He knew that she had left her clothes behind.  What else did he know?

  Xan nervously stammered, “How did you…?”

  Antiochus turned to his son, “I was once a lad me self, “he patted Xan’s knee,” and your mother was a lass in love much like Dae.  She’ll be a fine addition to the family son, and like me you chose well above yourself.”

  Xan sat dumbstruck, he had no idea his father knew, let alone knew what they’d done.  The vision of his parents doing what he and Dae had also flashed through Xan’s mind, and gave him shivers.  He then looked to the man who was his father.  Xan knew him to be a large, gruff yet tender man, but now, with almost losing his mother, he seemed smaller. 

  Dae bound out of the house at that moment, and literally hopped into the speeder.  She was smiling and had a glow about her that had not been there before.  Antiochus looked at Xan who smiled meekly and shrugged.  He turned to Daesha, smiled and leaned into her.  He jerked his head for her to come closer.  She eyed him cautiously and warily leaned in. 

  Antiochus whispered in her ear nub, “Welcome to the family,” and gave her a fatherly kiss on the cheek.

  He sat back with a soft smile on his leathery features and watched as Dae blushed a deep violet and her eyes began to well.  “Thank you” she said quietly as Antiochus pressed the accelerator.  The trip into the med center was far more pleasant today than yesterday.  All the Raibaux’s and soon-to-be Raibaux’s were in a much better place.  The Hospital soon loomed large and within a few moments they were entering Shay’s room.  She sat in bed as if nothing had happened.  She did look a little tired, but Xan noticed she had the old sparkle in her eyes, and that said more than any doctor ever could.  Antiochus sat on her bedside and stroked her face.

  “Don’t you ever give me scare me like that again, d’je here me woman?”

  Shay held his hand to her face, took it in hers, and kissed his palm, “Yes, dear.”

  “It seems the kids have something for you.”

  “Oh really,” she said inquisitively.

  Antiochus moved aside and allowed Xan and Dae to move forward, hand in hand.

  Shay looked at the two, looked at Antiochus, and broke into a huge, radiating smile

  “C’mere you two, “she cried, arms outstretched, grasping the youngsters in a death grip of love.

  “Oh, you two are the best medicine a woman could have.  Don’t you ever let her go, you hear me boy, and don’t you ever let him go.  You are made for each other. “

  She released the pair and beamed at her husband.  Reaching out she took his hand, patted it twice, and said, “Now, find a doc to let me out of here; I’ve got a wedding to plan.”

Xan stood in shock as Daesha wiped the blood from her gauntlets.  He had heard her talk of how the Temple priestesses would want her dead; he hadn’t known how serious it was till now.  He jumped out of the room, through the broken window.  The lifeless body of the Twi’lek assassin oozed blood into the dust of the Raibaux farm.  He reached Dae as she stripped the last of the weaponry off.  Her eyes were two black pits, like a serpent after the kill. 

  “Are you alright, “he asked, grasping her to him?

  “Yes, “she said blankly as she broke his hold and stepped over the corpse and moved to the house, “there will be more coming.”

  “I know.”

  “I have to leave.  They’ll try to come again as long as I’m here.  Next time they might hurt you or your parents to get to me, “she dully stated.

  “I know.  Go back to Tadath. They won’t ever try and touch you when you’re back in the Corps.  I’ll follow you when I know that Ma and Da are safe.”

  She turned to him, “You know you’ll get AWOL’d.  You just got promoted to Sergeant and took over Iron Horse.  They’re gonna take that away at least, probably bust you back to trooper as well.  Don’t throw away your career over me.”

  Xan roughly grabbed her by the shoulders and looked hard and cold into her eyes.  The abrupt violence of his actions startled her into awareness. 

  “DAMN IT, Don’t you get it! That’s a JOB. Ma, Da, and YOU are my LIFE.  The Corps be damned.  I won’t lose you or them!”

  He roughly hugged her pouring every bit of love and anger he had into her.  Someday she’d get it, and when that happened he knew she’d be glad he did this today.

  “Go, we don’t have much time,” he jumped back through the window to the still stunned Antiochus,” Da, let’s go, you’re going back to the Med Center.  It’ll be easier to guard you both in one spot.”

  Daesha emerged from the room they’d just spent their first night together with both hers and Xan’s bags.  She handed Xan his E-11 as he hurried Antiochus past.  She had put her gauntlets back on and also had her rifle in hand.  They shoved his father into the back of the speeder and pushed him to the floor.  Xan got behind the controls and Dae took up a ‘’Shotgun” position over Antiochus in the rear of the vehicle.

  Xan wasted no time getting to the hospital.  Once there he pulled his father into Shay’s room.  She was shocked and puzzled as to the reason they were back, with weapons.  Xan called in the doctor’s before he told her of what had transpired.  He didn’t want to risk her having another attack.  She listened intently and showed no sign or reaction.  Finally, Xan finished, and she merely nodded.

  “It’s a sensible plan, son. You did good.  Antiochus, that boy knows his stuff.”

  She turned to Daesha, who had spent most of this time keeping guard at the door.  The Twi’lek girl wouldn’t look at her.  She felt like she didn’t have the right to be a part of this family, having brought her problem to them.

  “Dae, come here now, “the tone was a recognizable order, not a request.  Xan had used that tone when he’d first taken over Iron Horse.

  “Sit, “she commanded as Dae crossed to the bed, “This changes nothing.”

  The tone was not one of question or even hopefulness. It was a firm statement of fact.

  “You are a part of this family and you will not be running off.  We’re Raibaux’s we meet our challenges head on and we give ‘em hell.”

  Her proud, firm jaw jutted out, just like Xan’s.  Shay took Dae’s hand and patted it.  Daesha sat stunned at this woman, lying in her sick bed, comforting HER.  Dae looked to Xan and then Antiochus.  She knew she was home, and that she too would meet this challenge head on.  Dae nodded.

  “Good, now that that’s settled you need to get her out of here.  The faster she’s back on Tadath the better for her.  Antiochus call Bumpy Eller, he’ll cover us while Xander gets her out of here.”

  Xan knew immediately who his mother was referring to, and quietly chided himself for not thinking of it in the first place.  Corrad “Bumpy” Eller was the commander of the Concord Dawn Defense Militia, and his Godfather.  Bumpy could get a shuttle here in moments and cover any quick egress from Concord.  Antiochus was on the comm before Shay even finished her sentence.

  Xan moved to Dae who’d found a chair in the corner, and had curled up in it.  He knelt before her, caressing her hands.

  “It’ll be ok, “he placed a finger on her lips to stifle the protestation of gloom that he knew she’d utter, “Stop, It’ll be ok.  Besides, don’t piss off Ma, she’s worse than any priestess on all of Ryloth.”

  Dae sagged, she was tired, more tired than she’d been in a very long time.  She also knew that Xan was right.  Someday the Priestesses would find a way to right off her escape and save face.  She also knew that it was a very, very, very long time in the future.  She didn’t want to subject Xan to that, but it seemed as if she didn’t have a choice anymore.

  Antiochus broke the silence, “Bumpy’s got a full squad of CD troopers on the way over and a shuttle standing by ready to take her immediately to Tadath.  They’ll be here in less than fifteen.”

Xan pulled Dae out of the chair and moved to his mother’s bedside.  He bent and hugged her tightly.  Shay hugged back, and then she loosed an arm and reached for Dae.  She held the two of them in a motherly death grip that belied her small stature.  She broke the hold and held them at arms length.

  “OK, now you get her to that shuttle in one piece.  I don’t want my future daughter-in-law getting hurt.  I expect grandbabies. “

  Dae laughed, she didn’t want to, but she couldn’t help it.  Even through all of this Shay was focused on the future.  For that kind of optimism, she would come back.    Dae hugged Antiochus.  The big man surreptitiously wiped a tear from his eye and shooed the two out the door.  Xan and Dae hit the hall as the first contingent of CD troopers marched up. 

  “Sergeant Raibaux, PFC Tarkona? Come with us, “clipped the local Squad Leader.

  The Militia executed a flawless extraction, and moved the pair to an awaiting armored personnel carrier.  They were good, not Corps good, but good nonetheless.  Xan held Dae’s hand the entire ride and she nestled into the hollow of his neck.  The two held on as if they’d never see each other again.

  The carrier skidded to a halt at the local landing pad.  The shuttle was there, engines running; ready to make a hasty exit.  One of the locals grabbed Dae’s things and stowed them on board.  The two lovers stood together at the bottom of the ramp.

  “I’ll come along as soon as I know Ma and Da are safe.  Try not to get yourself hurt on any missions till I get back.”

  Dae lightly kissed his nose, “Is that an order Sergeant?”

  “Damn straight,” he gruffly replied as he coiled around her and kissed her deeply, passionately and hopefully.

  “Now, go.  Tell Rizzit, I retire.  Jelly would make a good Squad Leader, although I don’t think Rizz’ll be in any mood for my ‘suggestions’.”

  Dae moved up the ramp, turned at the top, and paused, “What if he doesn’t accept the retirement notice?”

  “Then tell him to go to Hell.”

  Dae smiled broadly as the ramp began to rise, she saw less and less of Xan, until the last possible moment, she cried out, “I love you Xander Raibaux!”

  The ramp sealed noisily and the shuttle rose into the Concord Dawn dusk.  He watched as it grew smaller and became a speck in the gloaming sky.

  “I love you too.”

*** Several Days Later ***

Xan killed the comm link.  He was right, Rizzit didn’t like his retirement, but then again he didn’t much care what Rizzit liked or didn’t like.  He was here to take care of his family, and that meant sacrifices.  He’d sacrificed his career in the STC for Ma and Da.  He’d sacrificed Dae’s current companionship for her future life with him.  He’d sacrifice more in order to keep those he loved safe. 

  Dae had told him all about the hubbub that ensued after her return.  Seems the good General didn’t like his Squad Leaders playing patty cake with the enlisted.  Seems he liked it even less when they up and retired without notice.   

  “Oh well, that’s his issue.” Was what he’d told Dae.  He’d blocked all calls from Tadath other than hers.  He didn’t want to hear any of their blustering and grandstanding.  It was all hollow.  All he cared about was Dae keeping herself safe.  He knew that Ken and Jelly and Legit would watch over her now that they knew what she meant to him.  He also knew she’d probably kick his ass for having them do that. 

  As long as she’s alive to kick my ass, I don’t care

    Now back to the matter at hand, keeping Ma and Da safe.  Ma had checked out of the Med Center a few days after Dae had left.  The window had been fixed and Antiochus was back to the normal farm routine.  He hardly even noticed the CD troopers positioned around the farm.  Xan had insisted on them.  His mother actually let him win that fight when she saw he wouldn’t let it go.   

  Of course it was all the more easy to win that fight once Bumpy had made him a Captain in the CD Defense Force.  Now he could watch over Ma and Da, and the other residents of this sector night and day.  He’d left here thinking he’d go out and make the Galaxy safer by fighting the foe on his turf, now he knew he could do just as well stopping them at his door.

  Xan stood up and straightened his uniform tunic.  He’d had his dress Grays pressed just for this evening’s trip.  He was off to Tadath; he had a lady waiting for him to take her to dinner, and she didn’t like to be kept waiting.