Monsoon: Part 4 - Gammon
MaulMaus
Rating:
PG
Warnings: This story is PG for minor violence and adult situations.
Disclaimer: Darth Maul, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi are property of
George Lucas and Lucasfilms, no question. Only borrowed and slightly abused. All
original characters are mine - MaulMaus
Summary: Elli returns to find Maul watching her and teasing her.
Feedback to: MaulMaus@worldnet.att.net
Author's comments: Special thanks go to Dark Lady: Her stories have inspired me, her words
have encouraged me and her friendship has touched me. Thank you also for the
Beta! This story was also very much inspired by the adventures of a certain
Mary & Sue that inhabit the world on Red's web-site - The Sorcerous
Side. Thanks to “Mary” and “Sue” - though I know who you really are
*smirks!*
Illustrated version: At MaulMaus' site.
“But that thou none lovest is most evident;
For thou art so possess’d with murderous hate…”
Shakespeare: Sonnet X
Over the next several days, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan worked hard at disassembling their ship to scavenge parts for the Infiltrator. They carefully scrutinized each piece, organizing and preparing, making minor repairs and generally saving as much as they could from the old cargo ship. Meanwhile, Maul began to prepare his own ship for the necessary repairs, refusing to allow the Jedi to touch his ship without his being there. The thought of them touching it, almost intimately, disgusted Maul to no end. Jedi and Sith realized there was no choice.
After a long day of disassembly and organization, the two Jedi sat out on the front porch to get some fresh air and to relax after their dinner. Karen and Debby were excellent cooks and were complimented on their food more than once. Now the Jedi Master leaned back on the swing, his hands folded gently together lay on his stomach as it worked at digesting the delicious meal. Obi-Wan sat on the chair next to his Master and leaned back as well, Fingers laced behind his neck as he looked up and inspected the spider webs in the far corner of the porch.
The quiet was broken with the sound of heavy military boots on the wood planking. Qui-Gon barely looked up to see Darth Maul walk along the edge of the porch to the far corner, where he settled against the post, one leg on the railing. Qui-Gon leaned back down and briefly contemplated the existence of the Sith. How had they survived for a thousand years without being found? Why did Maul become a Sith? How did his Master find him? What was his training like? How had the dark side preserved his life after being cut in two by Obi-Wan? Qui-Gon frowned slightly, realizing the Sith would never voluntarily answer his questions. A smile came to his face as he sensed the coming of Karen and Kim then heard the screen door open and close and the slight footfalls of the girls. He next felt Karen’s hand over his own as she sat down next to him.
“What’s going on out here?” Kim asked, looking at her friend then glancing at the Sith, who simply looked at her dispassionately. She looked quickly away.
“Not much,” Obi-Wan replied, smiling back at Kim.
“Elissa just called,” Karen started, “told me it was hot down there today - 110 Fahrenheit.”
“Is that hot?” Qui-Gon asked, unsure what the number really meant.
“Yeah,” Karen laughed, and Kim joined her.
“I’ll have to take your word for it,” Qui-Gon laughed.
“She should be back on Friday,” Karen added.
Maul smiled slightly then stood up and walked back along the length of the porch and back into the cabin.
Obi-Wan looked back at Qui-Gon. “He seems rather pleased with that news.”
Kim and Karen exchanged worried glances before turning to look at the Jedi Master. “What does that mean?” Kim asked.
Qui-Gon noted the immediate concern of the girls for their friend and tried to smile. “We both sense that Maul is attracted to Elissa.” He put his hand softly over Karen’s, caressed it gently. “Do not worry, Elli is an intelligent woman. She knows better.”
Obi-Wan smiled at Kim as well. “You know we won’t let anything happen to her.”
Kim nodded slightly, still a concerned look on her face. Then Obi-Wan leaned over and whispered something in her ear. Kim giggled and the two of them stood up, and hand in hand, walked back into the cabin leaving Karen and Qui-Gon alone in the peace and quiet.
“You don’t really think anything will happen do you?” Karen asked softly.
“You mean with Maul and Elissa?” Qui-Gon shook his head. “No, Karen. Elli is too smart for that, though she is attracted to him as well.” He caressed her hand some more. “Besides, what could Maul possibly offer her?”
Karen’s lips made a slight smile as she nodded. “How much longer do you think you’ll be here?”
“At least three more of your weeks, possibly four. Repairs are proceeding slowly.” He frowned slightly. “It is hard with all the components we have to build from scratch.” He turned and looked at her again, and smiled. “But I don’t want to talk about that now Karen…”
She smiled.
“I would rather talk about us.” He reached up and caressed her face for a moment, touched her hair, running his fingers through it. “You are so beautiful Karen, so artistic… so alive.” He leaned over and pressed his lips softly to hers, feeling their warmth and softness, enjoying her kissing him back. His arms reached around her frame and pulled her closer to him, and her arms went around him as well, holding him, pulling him closer to her.
Finally Karen broke the kiss, trying to catch her breath, smiling as she looked into the bright blue eyes of the Jedi Master.
“It is the Force you feel Karen. I feel it strongly in you as well.” He kissed her again softly then backed up. “I would like to get to know you better Karen. I would like to take our relationship a step further.” He smiled at her, caressed her face again, enjoying it, enjoying what he sensed from her. “Would you stay with me tonight, Karen?”
Karen blushed and smiled again. “Perhaps it would be better for you to come and stay with me then.”
Qui-Gon smiled back. “Yes, Darth Maul would make the situation rather awkward.” He laughed. Having to share a room with the Sith was awkward enough, annoying even. He didn’t really wish to add this dimension to the situation.
Karen laughed as well and hugged him, rose to her feet and took his hands into her own, pulled him up.
As they walked down the hallway towards Karen’s room, Qui-Gon stopped suddenly. “I need to get something. You go ahead. I’ll be right there.” He kissed her and playfully pushed her slightly towards her room. He opened the door to find Maul sitting near the center of the room, facing his small shrine, meditating. Qui-Gon frowned, feeling the dark side so profoundly. He quickly walked to his bed and grabbed his pillow and a few of his personal effects, and started to walk out, hoping to do so before Maul said anything.
“So then Obi-Wan and Kim are not the only ones to enjoy themselves tonight?” Maul asked firmly, not moving in the slightest.
Qui-Gon stopped in his tracks and reached out with the Force, sensing that his Padawan and Kim were indeed in the throes of passion. “It is not your business Maul!” Qui-Gon said, sounding slightly irritated, which he now was.
“I did not say that it was,” Maul commented coolly. “I merely stated a fact and asked a question.”
“And what is your point?”
“I simply wish to understand, Master Jedi. You admonished me to treat these ladies with respect.” He turned slightly and looked up at Qui-Gon. “Yet, you Jedi use these women for your own selfish pleasures.”
“We are not using them!” Qui-Gon snapped.
“No? Then what are you doing?”
Qui-Gon looked at Maul harshly, hating having to explain anything to the Sith. “We are exploring relationships Maul. Close, personal, relationships. Something that you know nothing about.”
“That may be true, Jedi. But your explorations lead you to weakness.” Maul smirked.
“If that is what your Master taught you, then he was sadly mistaken.” He pulled his possessions closer to him. “Closeness and love give one strength Sith. Something you will never understand.” He turned on his heels and walked out of the room, cursing himself for his inadequate explanation as he sensed the Sith’s satisfaction with the turn of events.
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Qui-Gon entered Karen’s room after knocking on the door and awaiting her answer. He saw her sitting on her bed, still clothed and with a large grin on her face. He sensed her excitement and anticipation at the coming event, and he suddenly felt inadequate, especially after what Maul had said.
The expression obviously did not go unnoticed by Karen. “Did Maul give you a hard time or something?” she asked.
“He merely made a few comments,” Qui-Gon soothed as he tossed his pillow down on the bed and placed his other items on the nightstand. “Nothing to worry about,” he continued as he sat on the bed, facing Karen. He saw her confused expression, sensing her curiosity about what Maul said. Qui-Gon sighed softly and touched Karen’s hands, caressing her long fingers softly. “He doesn’t understand relationships Karen. I don’t believe he has ever had a relationship with anyone besides his Master.” He looked into Karen’s blue eyes, saw the softness in them, sensed her life force within her. “He only sees others as tools for his own use and believes a deep caring relationship with someone else leads to weakness.” Qui-Gon frowned slightly, feeling a strange sense of loss and sadness for Maul. He saw the opportunity that was once Maul, and all that had been twisted and shaped into something dark and evil. He would never know what love was; never experience that sort of closeness with another person. Maul would never allow it to happen. Karen caressed his arm, bringing him out of his pondering thoughts.
“And tell me Master Jinn, why are you not married?”
Qui-Gon smiled with the sudden jarring question and in the way she had addressed him, making herself sound so serious. “Because I am not.” One of the corners of his mouth rose in a half smile and he touched her face for a brief moment. “It is difficult for a Jedi to marry.”
“Obi-Wan told Kim that it was forbidden.”
Qui-Gon shook his head. “No. It is not forbidden.” He remembered Obi-Wan telling the Sith the same thing out on the porch a few days earlier. But the Sith had either known or sensed that it was not true, though to his credit, Maul said nothing. “It is not encouraged for Jedi Knights to marry.”
“And relationships?” Karen asked, now curious.
“They are discouraged as well, I am afraid.” He sighed again, feeling uncomfortable with this subject. He had hoped to start the evening out on a more pleasant footing. That was not happening.
“So you are breaking your oath, by being with me?”
“No, Karen. It is not forbidden to have a relationship or even to marry. It is simply discouraged because it can distract a Jedi from the Force, from his purpose.”
“So I am merely a distraction?” Karen asked, sounding harsher than she wished.
Qui-Gon sensed her anxiety over the situation and reached over and caressed her cheek. “No, Karen. You are not a distraction. You are a wonderful woman, with whom I wish to spend more time with and to get to know better.”
“And where will this lead?”
“I don’t know.” He shook his head slightly. “I don’t know. I only know I feel the Force strongly when I am with you. It is almost as if the Force wishes for us to be together.” He smiled and pulled her close to him, and kissed her soft and inviting lips.
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Maul was still meditating in his room as a smile of satisfaction swept across his lips as he sensed Karen and Qui-Gon release themselves into a momentary ecstasy. He found the whole situation beyond amusing. It was all so typical of the Jedi, he mused, to say one thing, and do another, twisting everything around to suit their own personal pleasures.
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For five days Maul had worked at this, assessing, noting problems and preparing the Infiltrator. He could hardly stand being around so much of the light side of the Force as Qui-Gon continued the daily and nightly Force-healings. He began to think of all of this as a trial, the ultimate test for him as a Sith. He had to suffer through this to achieve his final victory, which he had no doubt he would have. It would make him stronger in the end. That is what he reminded himself, before, during and after each episode.
For five days he was busy, but he had a hard time concentrating on his work. Mid-afternoon Friday and Maul found himself pacing the length of his cockpit, instead of working on the electrical wiring. He was unable to clear his mind of this woman. Elissa. She had been gone for five days now and was due back late this afternoon. Why was he suddenly so anxious about her arrival? He didn’t understand it himself. He knew she was fine; she had called up a couple of times since she left to check on things.
He found the whole situation very curious and a bit disconcerting. He had never missed anyone’s presence before in his life, not that he could remember anyway. Perhaps when he were a child he had missed his Master’s presence, though that was hardly true now. He checked the chronometer again and sent out a probe in the Force to see if she were anywhere near, hoping she would come back earlier than expected. Nothing. He shook his head and hoped he had not been obvious over the last few days about what he was going through regarding this woman. He laughed quietly to himself, thinking that was unlikely since the Jedi were too pre-occupied with their own women to even notice him. But still, this was not something he wished the Jedi to be aware of.
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It was dark and Elissa should have arrived at the cabin by now. Yet, Maul knew that she was safe; he sensed no harm had come to her. He stood out on the porch to get some fresh air, his hands grasping the railing. He recited a few more words of Sith magick, just to be sure though - sending the dark-side to her, making it bend to his will, making it protect her. Though, he wasn’t sure how effective this would be, given the foggy feeling he still had of the Force here. The crisp cool air cleared his mind and he went back inside, feeling slightly chilled and planted himself in the chair by the front window.
When he finally did hear the unique sound of the Jeep pulling up to the cabin, he made a quiet sigh and sat back down on the sofa, trying to look disinterested as she opened the door. However, he couldn’t help but look up at her, to watch her enter the cabin, to see her face again, to see her eyes. His heart raced ever so slightly as her eyes met his, first - before the others, and she smiled.
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“Here!” Elli said as she pulled out a couple of bottles of wine from her bag - handing them to Kim and Karen. “Thought we might enjoy ourselves tonight. I want to celebrate getting away from work for another few weeks!”
“How did it go?” Kim asked, reading the label and smiling.
“Four and a half days of mind-numbing testimony.” Elli shook her head. “God, I hate lawyers!” She put her bag down and helped Karen as she set the table. “Every little detail, every file, every claim, every stockpond! It was unbelievable.” She glanced into the living room and saw Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan quietly discussing something. She also saw Darth Maul, who was staring back at her, a strange look on his face. She shook her head and turned her attention back to Karen. “How was it really while I was gone?”
“Oh, you mean the boys?” Karen laughed. “It was alright. Not too many disagreements and only one real fight.” She smirked. “Maul and Obi-Wan - who else? Good thing Maul doesn’t have his lightsaber!”
“Yes, it is probably safer for everyone!” Elli laughed as she looked back out into the living room. Maul was still watching her, a slight smile on his lips.
Once dinner was ready, Elissa sat down along the middle of one side of the table, and was very surprised when Maul sat down next to her, rather than at the far corner of the table, as was his usual place. She watched him bow to her slightly as he sat, pulled the chair gently forward and took the napkin, unfolding it gracefully into his lap; his manners were perfect this time. She blinked a few times, trying not to be obvious about the shock she felt at this. Turning to her friends, she noticed how closely Kim and Obi-Wan were sitting next to each other and she couldn’t help but laugh when they started making eyes at each other and he took her hand into his, caressing it softly. Karen just gave her a little smile, before she made a quick glance to Qui-Gon, who smiled warmly back at her as he took her hand into his before he looked up at everyone seated at the table.
Obviously, more had gone on than Kim or Karen had told her. This was good though. It almost felt like a big family. Something she really missed. Her girlfriends were family, but somehow having the Jedi, and yes, even the Sith, made it feel more complete. Turning, she saw Maul still staring at her, still smiling very slightly. She sat back and listened to the animated conversation as everyone talked and enjoyed themselves, and she wished this could last forever.
Eventually though, it had to end and the table had to be cleared. Since Debby and Karen had done most of the cooking, Kim, Sandy and Elissa volunteered to do the cleaning up. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan both volunteered to help, but were told to go sit in the living room like good boys. The truth was that their help was actually more work for everyone else. Maul, in his usual arrogant manner, didn’t bother to ask, just made himself comfortable on the sofa.
Their continuing conversations in the living room were interrupted more than a couple of times with bursts of laughter from the kitchen, until Debby could stand it no more and went to join them. Maul looked at Qui-Gon and Karen sitting comfortably with one another, gave them a knowing smirk, then looked at Obi-Wan just as another burst of laughter came forth. “Women,” he muttered. For once Obi-Wan agreed with the Sith. Even Qui-Gon got a slight nod in.
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When the girls had finished in the kitchen, they returned to the living room and Kim sat with Obi-Wan while Karen remained with Qui-Gon. Elissa, bored with the TV programming, and not feeling like reading anything, finally pulled out a backgammon set and asked if anyone would play her. Debby agreed, though she mumbled that it wasn’t her favorite game, however TV usually bored her as well. Soon after their game began, Maul moved behind Elissa and watched. Watched her. He remained close behind her, touching her occasionally, seemingly just to remind her that he was there. He was teasing her again, she decided. Despite the distractions, Elissa won the first game against Debby and they began their second.
Finally, Elissa could take his closeness no more, at least not without comment. While Debby took her turn throwing the dice and figuring her next move, Elissa turned and scooted back slightly, facing the fearsome Sith Lord. She smiled and placed her hand gently on his knee. “Perhaps you would like to try?” she asked, caressing his knee just slightly, just enough to tease him back.
“I do not play children’s games,” he replied arrogantly.
Elissa smiled sweetly as she suddenly took Maul’s hand into her own, looking at it, inspecting the intricate tattoo patterns on the back and the slightly calloused palms. She wondered if this was due to his extensive training and noted that they too exuded his strength and power. She was actually a bit surprised that he let her touch him in this manner, doubting anything like this happened often - if ever.
“Too bad,” she replied mischievously as she looked into his eyes. “I guess these hands just weren’t made to do anything as mundane as throwing dice.” She squeezed his hand slightly. “Or your mind to do anything as simple as play a children’s game.” She placed his hand back into his lap and turned around to take her turn.
Elissa soon won the second game as well, and Debby looked up at Maul - hoping he would relent and allow her a graceful exit.
“Okay Elissa, I will try your game.” He sneered disparagingly. “I hope you are not a sore loser though.”
She smiled back at him and shook her head. “So sure of yourself Sith?”
Debby smiled, glad to let someone else try, giving up her seat willingly to sit back and watch the movie now on TV.
Maul then stood up and moved across from Elissa. As he sat down, he reached across the table and touched her face gently. “Sith do not fail,” he smiled as his fingers grazed her lips, “or lose.”
She quickly regained her composure by explaining the rules and insisted that Maul not use the Force to win or influence the dice and he grudgingly agreed. She won the first game easily, surprising and annoying Maul, who prided himself on his abilities. The look on his face as he lost was something she would never forget.
The second game began and she won the first move then looked back at him to make his move. He smiled at her softly as he threw the dice and moved his checkers. They took several more turns, advancing their counters along the board. Several more turns and he finally had the upper hand. This time he won. She smiled and congratulated him.
Maul grinned and stood up triumphant. He smiled slyly at her, and took her hand, pulling her towards the door, indicating that he wished to go outside with her. She followed willingly, though she was unsure of what he wanted, yet too curious to refuse. He led her out the front door and around to the side porch of the cabin before he stopped. She looked up at him expectantly, unsure of his intentions, but hopeful. The night air was crisp and clear and the sweet vanilla scent of the damp Ponderosas was present and almost overwhelming in the quiet of the moment.
He reached up and touched her face again, finding her nervous. He smiled, and then surprised her by pushing her hard against one of the posts on the porch, holding her forcefully in place, her wrists held tight in his powerful grip along the railing. “Why are you attracted to me Elissa?” he asked his tone distant, a little menacing.
She looked up at him, confused and a little scared. Her wrists hurt, he was holding them so tight and she was uncomfortable being held like this against the post. She wasn’t sure how to answer and his aggressiveness had surprised her, though she realized it shouldn’t have.
“I am not a Jedi, Elissa.” He moved closer, pressing his body against hers. “I am Sith. I take what I want.” He brushed his lips slightly, seductively against her face, and then moved his head back to look at her, but still holding her tightly. “Most find me abhorrent, terrifying. You do not. Why are you different? Why are you attracted to me?”
She looked at him, fear and excitement in her eyes. “I don’t know Maul,” she shrugged a little. “I just am.”
He growled at her, threateningly, baring his teeth slightly. “Why?”
Her eyes took in the fearsome expression on his face. “Your strength and grace.” She paused, trying to think, though her mind was a muddle. “Your darkness and beauty,” she sighed, looking into his eyes, gold and red, and sparkling with the energy of the moment. “I don’t know. I just find myself terribly attracted to you. I can’t explain it.”
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He reached out to her using the Force. She was being as honest as she could in her confusion, the confusion he had caused. “Elissa, I am a Sith Lord and have pledged myself to the Sith Order. I am the Heart of Darkness and the Destroyer of Worlds.” He glared fiercely at her. “More than the others, you know this Elissa. You understand this!”
She looked back at him with her deep blue eyes, nodding slightly. “Yes, I know.” She unsuccessfully tried to wriggle her wrists free from his grip, continuing to look at him closely. “Am I supposed to be repelled by the truth?” He didn’t respond, just looked into her eyes. “Then may I ask why are you attracted to me, Lord Maul?”
Maul was rather startled by her question and didn’t reply. He didn’t know how to reply. He wasn’t used to being addressed like this by anyone, let alone a woman.
She smiled slightly, obviously noticing that he didn’t seem to know what to say. “You know the truth about me as well. Yet you seem to enjoy my company, even teasing me. Why? Why are you attracted to me?”
He let go of her wrists and brought his hand up to her face again, touching her cheek, before bending over and pressing his lips against hers, fervently, passionately. His arms reached around her and held her tight and he felt her arms slide up and around his chest and then around to his back, wrapping tightly around him. It felt good to him, very good. Her kiss was sweet and stronger than he believed it would be.
Then he let go and backed away from her. He gave her an approving smile then walked away, knowing she desired more, deliberately leaving her wanting. She intrigued him. He couldn’t read her like the others. She didn’t cower in fear at the sight of him, didn’t try to stay away from his presence. In fact she welcomed it. These were things Maul had never experienced before. She was truly interested in him, he realized that now. She liked him as he was. No one had ever liked him, been attracted to him in this manner. Many women found him sexy, interesting, and of course powerful. But never before had a woman that had actually spent some time with him, been interested in him as a person not only as a man. This was new, different and something he wished to explore further.
END - of part 4.
Feedback to: MaulMaus@worldnet.att.net