A Shadow at Dusk

Chapter 9

A nagging little headache finally awakened Shada and she turned over onto her back, pressing with her fingers on the spot between her eyes where the pain seemed to be located. It didn't help, and she leaned her head far back, her chin pointing to the ceiling as she closed her eyes against the annoying ache. She supposed that all the tension she had been feeling for the past few days had contributed to the problem.

A slight groan caught her attention and she turned over on her side again and squinted in the darkness toward the wall where the bench ran along its length. Talon was moving restlessly, one blanket tangled around his legs while another was rumpled beneath him. Suddenly, he cursed and sat up, running a hand along the slim hip he had been lying on.

If he keeps sleeping like that, Shada thought, he'll have a hip pointer soon. She glanced over her shoulder at the immense bed she was lying in. She sighed, rubbing her aching head again and coming to a quick decision before she could change her mind. She called out, "Talon?"

There was some more rustling and then she heard him say, "Yes?"

"Come sleep in the bed. You can't stay on that bench. It's too hard."

There was a long pause and then he asked quietly, "Are you sure, Shada?"

Despite her aching head, she grinned into the darkness. It wasn't every day she invited a man into her bed. "I'm sure," she told him. "This bed is big enough for half a dozen people. Surely, we can manage to stay on our own sides."

It was too dark for her to see the grimace that crossed Talon's face, but he gathered up his blankets and headed for the bed.

When he arrived, it was his turn to be a bit amused. Shada had taken several of the enormous pillows from the head of the bed and laid them carefully down the middle, effectively making a soft and fluffy wall between them. She had also turned on her side away from him.

She made no comment as he eased into the bed and stretched out his long legs with a contented sigh. "Thanks, Shada," he said softly.

The "You're welcome" was so quiet he almost didn't hear it.

He lay on his back for a moment, staring up at the heavy beams of the ceiling. The hut was built for sturdiness and would withstand almost all of nature's typical furies: horrific winds, torrential rains, and winter storms filled with ice and snow. In a way, Talon thought, the small cabin was the epitome of the relationship he wanted with a woman: strong, durable, and capable of holding together under all duress.

Carefully, and as quietly as possible, he turned on his side so that he could see Shada in the pale light of Vortav's two distant moons shining through the tiny window high on the cabin wall. The fluffy wall she had lined between them did not completely hide her from him, and he could see the dark cloud of her hair against the pillow and the satiny sheen of her bare shoulder in the moonlight. She was all he could ever want in a woman. Strong in both body and spirit, sensitive and caring, loyal to her friends and her beliefs, and she was, at least to him, incredibly beautiful. Maybe not in the startling, explosive way of someone like Mara who, at times, could literally take one's breath away, but in a quieter, subtler way. Shada's beauty was different, but nevertheless, just as powerful and alluring. Her features were strong and compelling, her eyes a silver oasis in her stunning mass of black, wavy hair. Talon had never wanted anything in his life as much as he wanted this woman, wanted her as his own, to love, cherish and protect. Somehow, someway, he had to convince her.

He released a slow, lingering breath and pulled the blanket up onto his shoulder. The fire was dying down, and the evening chill was creeping into the room. His eyelids felt heavy and he yawned, closing his eyes against the moonlight.

It was almost an hour later when Talon awoke with a start, a frown creasing his brow. He listened intently, positive that a sound had awakened him. Then it came again, a soft, almost inaudible moan. He sat up in the bed, grabbing the pillows lined between him and Shada and tossing them to the floor.

He moved over to her quickly and tentatively placed his hand on her shoulder. "Shada?" he asked softly, and gently pulled her over onto her back. Even in the pale moonlight, he could see the strain on her face, the visible pain. He shook her slightly and said her name again.

Her eyes flew open, but Talon knew instantly she wasn't focusing. She moaned again, and his heart leaped into his throat. He placed a hand on her cheek and flinched at the heat he found there. She was burning up with fever.

For one brief moment, he was incredibly angry with her. She had to have been feeling some of the early signs of the disease and she had chosen to not mention them to him.

Then the fear set in, and he leaped from the bed, racing out the door and across the village center toward the big cabin in which Luke and Mara were staying.

He pounded on the door like a madman, calling out both their names at the top of his voice. He knew he would probably awaken half the village, but he didn't care. He had to get Luke and Mara to Shada as quickly as possible before the spores could gain an even deeper hold into her system.

The door opened and Mara stood before him, holding a robe together with one hand. "Talon?" she asked in astonishment, her eyebrows climbing into her brilliant hair.

Her look of amazement brought home to Talon that he had torn out of the cabin without gathering any of his clothes and he was now standing before his ex-second-in-command in only a brief pair of boxer shorts.

Talon Karrde was well passed the age for blushing, but he couldn't stop the sense of heat that rose in his face, but he quickly put it aside and gasped out one word, "Shada."

Mara understood immediately. "We'll be right there," she told him, turning and calling out Skywalker's name.

He didn't wait for them, but raced back to the cabin. He grabbed his pants off the back of a chair and hurried into the tiny bedroom. Shada was lying just as he had left her and softly moaning. He quickly pulled on his pants and sat on the bed beside her. Gently, he pushed her damp hair off her forehead.

"Shada?" he whispered softly.

Her eyes flickered open again and this time she seemed to focus on him. "Talon?"

"I'm here," he said, taking one of her hands. "Why didn't you tell me you weren't feeling well?"

"I...I didn't realize," she gasped before she moaned again with the pain.

He dropped off the bed onto his knees and gathered her to him. "Shhh...it's okay. Mara and Luke are on their way."

"I thought it was...it was just a headache," she finally managed and turned her face into his bare chest, seeking the warmth and comfort she found there.

He was holding her tightly, his face pressed against her hair when a hand touched him gently on the shoulder. "Talon? It's me, Luke. Let me see her, please."

Talon slowly raised his head, and Luke was shocked at the despair on the man's face, so much so that he was moved to tell him, "Talon, she'll be fine, I promise."

"She's in pain," Talon mumbled, but he carefully placed Shada back on the bed and climbed rather shakily to his feet.

"I know," Luke said gently, sitting on the bed next to Shada. "We'll take care of her."

He glanced up at Mara and when he was sure Talon wasn't looking at him, motioned with his head towards him.

Mara nodded and took Talon by the arm. "Why don't you come in by the fire, Talon, and help me make some warm drinks. Shada will need some liquids when she feels better. We don't want her to get dehydrated."

Talon nodded numbly as he watched Luke talk softly to Shada who was squinting up at him, her eyes narrowed because of the waves of pain ripping through her body.

Luke placed his hands on her temples and closed his eyes. Shada closed her own, and then her body seemed to relax completely as if she were dropping off into a light sleep, a sure sign that the pain was lessening. Luke's concentration seemed to intensify and he pressed a little harder against her temples.

In the living room, Mara took Talon to the stool next to the fire and put him on it. He immediately ran both hands through his thick hair and sighed heavily.

"It'll be alright, Talon. Luke won't let anything happen to her," Mara told him gently. If Mara had had any questions about Talon's feelings for Shada, they had all been answered. She had never seen him as distraught as he was now, and it was obvious that he was extremely worried about Shada.

"I told her to tell me if she felt the least bit ill, but she can be as stubborn as a taun-taun," Talon said quietly.

Mara grinned. "I know. I ran into that stubbornness a few times myself on our way out here."

Talon gave her a half-smile. "I'm glad you two had the opportunity to get to know one another. I always thought you'd make good friends."

Mara sat in the chair that Shada had earlier. "We have," she nodded. "We've become very good friends."

Talon stood to throw another log on the fire that had died down to embers. He stirred them with a long metal pole that had been leaning against the side of the fireplace. The embers burst into flame and began to consume the log.

He sat back down on the stool, and glanced quickly at the bedroom. Luke was still in deep concentration as Shada lay completely still before him.

"Luke is a fine man, Mara. I always knew he was, but these past weeks here on the planet with him have shown me how incredible he really is."

Mara laughed softly. "I know. I married him, remember?"

Talon laughed too. "I'm not likely to forget that."

Mara leaned back in her chair. "My marriage has been fortuitous for us all, hasn't it? I was able to marry the man I adore, and the one who, thank the Force, adores me. And you...you were able to find a woman you can love."

Talon looked at her sharply, his mouth opening to protest. Then he closed it with an audible snap. Finally, he shook his head and scoffed, "There's nothing that gets by you too often, is there, Mara?"

She just watched him patiently.

He grimaced. "Who would have thought it, eh? The great, inscrutable Talon Karrde...wearing his heart on his sleeve like a fifteen year old."

"It's not that obvious; maybe only to those who know you so well," Mara reassured him."I do love her," he admitted softly. "I think I have ever since I saw her over ten years ago at that tapcafe on Trogan."

Mara raised an eyebrow, surprised that they had known each other that long.

Talon didn't notice, but continued softly, "I don't think she feels that way about me though. She's never given any indication that she thinks of me as anything other than her boss."

Mara started to speak, but then changed her mind. It wasn't her place to say anything. She frowned, a bit annoyed at them both for being so bantha-headed at their ages. Then a slight smile played about her mouth. They weren't any worse than she and Luke had been. It had taken them ten years to admit to any feelings for one another too.

Mara ran a finger along her cheek and asked sympathetically, "Why don't you just tell her?"

Talon looked at her in astonishment and then shook his head. "I can't do that, Mara. If she doesn't care about me, she'll leave if she thinks I've fallen in love with her. And...and I couldn't bear that."

Mara got up from her chair and went over to the table in the center of the room. There was a small kettle and some dried leaves in a tiny pot. She sniffed them. They were similar in smell and texture to caf and she sprinkled some in the kettle. After adding some water, she took the kettle to the fireplace and placed it on the hearth, close enough to warm it. She squatted down before the fire and held out her hands to its warmth.

"Talon," she started. "I may not be the best person to tell you this." She stopped, a frown creasing her brow and then continued thoughtfully, "Then again, I may be just the very one. Luke and I cared for each other for years before either one of us worked up enough courage to admit it." She glanced over her shoulder at the man sitting on the stool. "We both have deep regrets about that."

Talon had been watching her, enjoying how the fire highlighted the golden tints in her red hair, but at her words, he shifted uncomfortably on his stool. "Mara, if you had feelings for Luke all that time, why didn't you tell him? Were you afraid you would lose his friendship?"

Mara turned on her heels to look at him. "Yes."

Talon smiled wryly. "Then you know how I feel."

"That still doesn't take away the fact that we wasted years when we could have been together." Mara waved her hand impatiently. "None of us are as young as we used to be, you know."

"Me more than most, eh?" Talon joked weakly.

Mara started to say something, but Luke came in the room, rubbing the back of his hand against his forehead.

Talon shot to his feet, but Luke waved at him. "She's fine, Talon. Sleeping now, and she's going to need a lot of it. She's weak and very tired."

Talon nodded. "May I see her?"

Luke glanced at Mara.

*Let him,* she sent through the Force as she stood and took the chair in front of the fire again. *He won't rest either if he doesn't see her.*

Luke looked at Talon again. "All right, but if you wake her, you'll answer to me," he told him, mockingly stern.

Talon headed for the bedroom without a word, and Luke grinned at Mara. "Well, I'm glad to see that's all resolved."

"What's that?" Mara asked as she tested the heat of the kettle with the back of her hand. It was quite hot, and she stood and took it to the table. Finding a pair of mugs, she poured herself and Luke a cup. Cautiously, she took a sip. It wasn't caf, but it was close enough. She walked over to the fire and handed it to Luke. He sat down on Talon's stool and held the cup between his hands, letting it warm them.

"Talon and Shada," Luke explained softly, not wanting Talon to hear him. "I'm glad to see they've settled their differences."

"What makes you think they have?" Mara asked just as quietly, a small smile playing about her mouth as she sat across from him.

Luke raised his eyebrows at her. "They were sleeping together," he pointed out reasonably.

"So they were," Mara agreed. "But I think that's all they were doing, sleeping." She stretched out her foot and rubbed it caressingly along the inside of one of Luke's legs.

Luke gave her an intimate little smile. "Too bad," he whispered. "They don't know what they're missing." He got up from the stool and leaned down to kiss her.

Mara parted her mouth for him and they enjoyed a long and pleasurable kiss. When they broke apart, Luke hooked his foot around the stool and pulled it over next to Mara. Sitting on it, he slipped his arm about her shoulders.

They sat quietly, Mara's head leaning against Luke, as they watched the fire snap and crackle in the huge fireplace. These were Mara's favorite times. Oh sure, she lived for their lovemaking moments, but when they were together, as they were now, just quietly holding one another, letting their Force-bond swell and flicker about them...well, to Mara's mind, they were the greatest moments of her life. She had lived alone and companionless for so many years that she had virtually given up on the hope that she would ever share anything near what she shared with Luke.

She raised her head and planted a gentle kiss on his cheek, and he squeezed her shoulder in return. They had been married over a year and in that time, they had grown closer and closer until there were moments when she felt they were almost one. He meant more to her than anything in the galaxy, and her life, in a strange sort of way, had come full circle. Sure, she had regrets. Her life with the Emperor couldn't be explained in any other way. But now...well, things were complete. She couldn't have asked for more. She put her bright head against Luke again and watched the flames dancing in the fireplace.

It was in the small hours of the morning before Luke and Mara decided to return to their cabin. Shada had slept soundly for some time and seemed to be quite comfortable.

Luke told Talon that he needed to get some rest too. "She'll be weak tomorrow," Luke said, pressing his fingers against Shada's temple for a moment. "She was in pain for quite some time."

Talon grimaced and said rather ominously. "Yes, we're going to have a little talk about that when she's better."

Mara pressed her lips together to keep a smile under control. She didn't think Shada was in any danger from anything Talon would do.

She eased a hand into one of Luke's. "You'll let us know if there's any change?"

"Of course," Talon said absentmindedly. Shada's eyes had flickered open drowsily, and he reached out and touched her forehead. "Feeling better?" he asked softly. She looked at him a moment, nodded almost imperceptibly and then dropped off into sleep again.

Talon turned to Luke and Mara who were gazing at him with slight smiles. "I'll watch her."

Luke shook his head. "No, she'll sleep until morning. You need to rest. She'll need you more tomorrow." He glanced at his wife with a bit of a smirk. "If she's anything like Mara, she'll be irritable and annoyed that she has to stay in bed."

"That's her alright," Talon agreed, laughing gently.

Mara tossed her flame-colored hair. "Well, if you two are finished maligning our characters, I think we should go, Luke. They need to rest and so do we."

"Yes, dear," Luke agreed obediently, shooting Talon a grin.

Mara rolled her eyes and tugged on Luke's hand, pulling him toward the door. "We'll check on her again first thing in the morning, Talon." She pushed Luke through the door and turned back to Talon. "Go to bed and rest," she ordered.

Talon gave a snort of laughter as she disappeared out the door after her husband. Trust Mara to have everything under control.

Talon cleaned up the living area a little before he returned to the bedroom. In the far distance, he could hear thunder and an occasional streak of lightening lit the darkness of the room. Shada was still asleep, lying almost in the center of the big bed. It was cold in the room and Talon pulled the blankets a little higher up her body. She sighed, but didn't awaken.

He sat on his side of the bed and pulled off his pants again, lying them on a chair nearby. He tucked his long legs under the blankets and turned so that he faced Shada. They were much closer in the bed than they had been before, and of course, there wasn't any wall of pillows between them anymore.

Shada was sleeping deeply, her mouth slightly parted, one hand lying under her cheek. A strand of her long dark hair had fallen across her face, and Talon reached out and tucked it behind her ear.

Shada's gray eyes flickered open sleepily and she yawned. "Talon?" she asked huskily, her voice still heavy from sleep.

"Yes...?" Talon whispered, reluctant to move his hand from where it rested against her face.

His breath caught in his throat when Shada moved closer to him, sliding her arm across his waist.

Shada blinked, more asleep than awake. Everything was hazy, like images and shadows that wandered dimly through a dream.

"I'm cold," she muttered, more to herself than anyone else.

Strong, muscular arms went around her and pulled her closer to sudden warmth. She pressed her face against it, smiling slightly as the tiny hairs on his wide chest tickled her face.

"Hmmm..." she mumbled, her arm tightening around him. For some reason, the fortune-teller Ryn burst into her mind and she blinked again, startled by it. She pulled herself closer to the warmth and raised her head, her hand running along the slight stubble on his cheek.

"Shada?" Talon asked hesitantly, puzzled by the strange look on her face. He wasn't even sure she was awake, her eyes seemed unfocused to him.

Her hand on his cheek slid around to the back of his head and tightened, pulling him down to her.

"Shada?" he gasped, startled into immobility when her mouth covered his.

Oh Sith! he thought, does she even know what's she doing? His conscience smote him, but when her tongue eased seductively between his teeth, all coherent thought fled like fog on a sunny morning.

He pulled her tightly against him and they kissed hungrily, as if starved for one another. It went on and on, their mouths working desperately against one another. Shada threw a long leg over his, hauling herself closer, and her fingers buried themselves in his thick hair.

Then abruptly, she broke the kiss and moved to lie on her back, pulling a trembling Talon with her. "Kiss me," she muttered so thickly he barely heard her, but it was enough. He pressed his eager mouth to hers and with a thrill that tightened his stomach muscles into knots, felt it part willingly for him. He had kissed women before, many women, but none of them had ever affected him quite like this. When Shada's tongue searched his mouth again, erotically wrapping around his own, he literally felt his toes curl. She tasted so sweet, reminding him vaguely of that hot chocolate drink Skywalker was so fond of. Talon was having a hard time controlling himself, trying not to squeeze her too hard for fear he might hurt her. Every nerve ending in his body was singing like electricity, and the tightening in his loins was growing steadily.

Suddenly, she sighed heavily into his mouth and, without warning, went limp in his arms. He pulled back and peered at her, his eyes straining in the darkness. He couldn't believe it. She was asleep again, as deeply and acutely, as she had been all evening, no more aware of him than the rain that was beginning to pelt against the windowpanes.

The groan that escaped him sounded as if it came from the depths of his soul. He rolled off Shada and flopped roughly onto his back. Breathing heavily, he tried to calm himself, to gain control of his stressed body.

Finally, he sat up and scooted back against the head of the bed, resting against it. The rain was bombarding the windows and looked as if it would be around for the rest of the night.

He glanced down at Shada who slept as if she hadn't a care in the world.

It's your own fault, he snarled to himself. You knew she was ill and didn't know what she was doing. You should have known better.

But the feel of her mouth against his still lingered, the taste of her remained on his tongue. He couldn't forget it in a thousand years, and he wouldn't be able to look at her again without remembering.

She called your name, a little voice whispered in his mind. She knew who she was kissing; she knew who she wanted to kiss.

Talon's eyes widened at the thought and he glanced up at the water splashing against the window, a tiny spark of hope beginning to blaze deep inside him.

Beside him Shada moved a little in her sleep, drawing his attention. He noticed for the first time that the blankets were down again, nestling against her waist. The room was very cold, compounded with the dampness from the rain.

Talon slid down beside her again and slowly turned her on her side, facing away from him. She would probably kill him when she awakened, but, and he grinned slightly in the dark, it might well be worth it. He lined his body against hers and slid his arm across her waist. Pulling her gently back, so that she lay against him, he gathered the blankets up over them. Pressing his face in her long, ebony hair, he drifted off to sleep.

On to Chapter 10