Breakfast was awkward for Elissa. After the episode on the porch the previous night, she didn’t know what to say to Maul, so she said nothing. She didn’t understand him in the least, wondering whether he was teasing her, or wanted her company or not. She sat at the corner of the table, watching Kim and Obi-Wan flirting with one another endlessly, while Qui-Gon and Karen looked at each other softly, like lovers. Her mind was otherwise occupied though, with the events with Maul, to really pay attention to them. Did he like her or not? Was that asking too much from him? Why would he be attracted to her anyway? Surely, he had his pick of women, all of them assuredly more interesting and more beautiful than her. She hated being toyed with. Why was she doing this to herself?

Maul sat at the other corner of the table, scowling as usual. Though, Elissa did notice that when he looked at her, the scowl softened to a slight frown. The usual topics of the progress on the Infiltrator and shortage of parts and supplies came up. Maul’s usual comments about the primitive conditions on the planet were brought up yet again. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan chastised him as usual. Debby and Sandy had to leave right after breakfast to return to town and to their jobs.

After sending them off, the two Jedi and one Sith went to work on the Infiltrator, leaving the other girls behind again. Lunchtime rolled around and they decided to surprise them with a picnic lunch. Elissa was excited about this, as she had never seen the famous Infiltrator, except of course in the movie. Kim and Karen said it was impressive, though Elissa thought they were rather easily impressed. They packed up the sandwiches, snacks and drinks and walked the now well-beaten path to the ship.

As they approached the ship, the sheer size of it surprised Elissa. It appeared larger than the dimensions given in all the Star Wars literature. It was also much sleeker and more sinister looking, having a much darker metallic shimmer than she had imagined. As they approached, the Jedi, having sensed their arrival, walked down the ramp to greet the girls, and indicated to Elissa that Maul was still inside and that perhaps, she should get him, while the others found a spot to eat. She left the basket there on the ramp, and walked inside the main hold.

It was rather dark inside and it took several minutes for her eyes to adjust to the lower light level. She called for him and looked around, not daring to touch a thing. She wondered where he was as he didn’t respond and she didn’t see him at all, but her instincts told her that he wasn’t far away, that he was somewhere in the cargo hold, watching her. She looked around again. Nothing. He was teasing her again. She heard a noise on the far side of the cargo bay. She turned towards it, but didn’t see him there. She was now even more convinced that he was nearby.

She sighed and suddenly felt two arms wrap around her from behind, one hand over her mouth, the other held tightly around her waist. There hadn’t been a sound, not even the rustling of fabric from his tunic. She jumped in fright, but quickly forced herself to be calm. She knew Maul wouldn’t hurt her, and then she heard him laugh at successfully surprising her.

He pulled her close to his body and moved his mouth to her ear, brushing his lips against it. “You are not easy to surprise Elissa,” he whispered. He moved the hand from her mouth, caressing her face and neck, stopping at her shoulder.

She took a deep breath. His touch was so powerful, so sensuous and seductive. She wanted more of his touch and she wanted more of him. Elli wanted this feeling to last forever. His strong embrace, his touch. She felt her resolve to be strong melting away with each second he held her like this, with each breath. She simply wanted to touch him more, to kiss him again, to look into those eyes, to hear that voice whisper to her. She took one long deep breath and cleared her mind. “We brought you lunch,” she finally managed to get out, pointing outside. He let go of her and turned her around. “We had better get down there before the Jedi eat all the food!” She smiled at him and started to turn to go back down the ramp.

He took her hand and pulled her back to him, making her turn and face him again, forcing her to look in his eyes. They stood there, staring at one another for a long moment before he reached up and touched her face again, caressing her cheek with his fingertips. Elissa closed her eyes, enjoying the sheer pleasure of it. She wanted to stay there, to touch him and have him keep touching her, to get lost in his embrace. Again she cleared her mind. She also wanted to get lunch, as he wouldn’t touch her like this in front of the Jedi, and she would be able to maintain her control, which would not be true if they continued this.

“To whom do you belong Elissa?”

“What?” she answered, a bit shocked at his question.

“Surely, you must belong to someone.” He paused. “Someone who obviously does not take great care of you, as he should. Who is he?”

“Jealous?” she teased. “Curious about the competition perhaps?”

“Competition?” he smiled. “Am I not superior to any suitors you may have?”

“Perhaps, perhaps not,” she replied sarcastically to his arrogant statement. “I don’t belong to anyone anyway.” She shook her head. “I belong only to myself Maul, only to myself.”

He smiled broadly, but his expression was one of surprise. “No one in your life?”

“Nope.”

He touched her chin, nodding slightly. A wry smile played upon his face as he took her hand and led her down the ramp to join the others for lunch.

They gathered on the thick grass in the shade of the Infiltrator, spreading out two large blankets that the girls had brought. The girls broke out the baskets, pulling out sandwiches and utensils, plates and glasses. The fruit, cheese and wine came last. The six of them made themselves comfortable.

Maul sat on the far end of the larger blanket and watched as Obi-Wan and Kim continued with their looks and kisses. Karen and Qui-Gon sat very near one another as well, his arm carefully and lovingly draped around her, Karen looking very content. He shook his head. He didn’t understand the girls’ attraction to these Jedi.

Maul leaned back on one arm with his legs stretched out, relaxing in the cool breeze. He looked over at Elli, as she finished pulling things out of the one basket she had carried, and smiled. He made a slight motion with his hand, indicating to her that he wished for her to sit with him. She smiled back and nodded very slightly, and sat down with her legs tucked under her on one side. Elissa served his food and poured his drink, and he surprised himself as he remembered to say thank you! She obviously appreciated that small kindness on his part though.

They didn’t speak much while eating, though Maul couldn’t help but look at her, watch her and enjoy her being so near to him. He wondered very much why she was alone, finding it curious that she had no controlling influence in her life, belonging to no one. She was intelligent, pretty, strong-willed, things he liked. Perhaps human men did not find these attributes attractive or desirable. Or perhaps she was too strong-willed for some men, even most men. He smiled, remembering the first time he had really spoken to her, ordering her to bring him tea. If she hadn’t minced words with him, it was doubtful she would with anyone. He looked at her again, watching her eat and talk with her friends. He felt … something, … something he couldn’t define.

“Maul, how long before you finish with the trans-relays in the cockpit console?” asked Qui-Gon suddenly.

“About four hours,” he replied casually, “if I do not get distracted.” He flashed an evil grin at Elissa, who promptly blushed and looked down at her glass. “It would take less time if I had someone to assist me,” he offered with an inviting look.

“Yes, Maul is right, it would take us less time if you ladies helped us,” smiled Qui-Gon while looking at Karen, hugging her slightly.

Karen smiled. “I would be happy to help.” She looked to Kim and giggled slightly, “This is exciting.”

Kim looked at Obi-Wan a little nervously. “I’m not any good with the sort of thing,” looking a little embarrassed at her admission.

Obi-Wan gave her a hug. “You’ll do fine Kim.” He looked at all the girls. “And it really would be a help.” Kim smiled and nodded a bit reluctantly.

“How are the repairs going? How long before you have finished?” Elissa asked, glancing from Qui-Gon to Obi-Wan to Maul.

“Repairs are going well,” started Qui-Gon. “Perhaps we will be finished in three weeks, depending upon if any major problems are found.”

“With any major problems we will be here a lot longer. Especially considering the primitive conditions,” remarked Maul coldly, not looking up from his glass.

“And the primitive people?” asked Elissa tersely. Maul looked back up at her immediately with a surprised expression, sensing her anger. She was obviously tired of his comments regarding her home world and its conditions.

“You aren’t that primitive,” offered Obi-Wan quickly, trying to ease the situation. He saw Kim give him an annoyed look. He looked back to Elissa who was glaring at him so he looked down to his empty plate.

“No, of course not. And it’s always handy to run into friendly natives, isn’t it?” Elissa snapped.

“That’s not the way I meant it, and you know it!” shouted Obi-Wan in his own defense.

Just then, Maul reached for the wine bottle, hoping to keep out of it. He preferred it if the Jedi were the target of her anger.

Elissa glared at him and shoved the bottle hard into his hand. “Why would you want to allow us primitives anywhere near your ship?”

He smiled slyly back at her as he poured some of the wine into his glass. “If you were primitives, you can believe I would not let you anywhere near my ship.” He put the bottle down and made a small salute to Qui-Gon. “On the other hand, I must make an exception for the Jedi.”

Elissa made a ‘huuummpph!’ then smiled at Maul’s joke. Who would have known the Sith had a sense of humor? Karen and Kim laughed and she saw the Jedi also crack a couple of slight smiles.

After lunch, Maul gave Elissa her much anticipated tour of his ship. He was proud of his ship, and pointed things out to her that even the Jedi had not known previously. He boasted about all the modifications he had personally made to the Infiltrator to make it even more Sithly. The tour began in the cargo-hold and ended in the cockpit, where he had been working before lunch. Now he had to finish replacing the trans-relays.

He sat on the floor near the main console and told her to sit down too, then he began explaining and showing her what needed to be done. Pulling himself all the way under the console, he began pulling the next relay, which she took and set aside. He then began asking for specific tools, which she handed to him. They worked like this for quite a while, as she kept asking questions about the technology and what specifically he was doing. He explained it all as best he could to her, very patiently, especially for him. He was impressed at how fast she learned, even in such an alien environment as this and with such advanced technology. Then the last relay in the juncture gave him problems.

“Elissa, I need you to hold this dataport connector out of the way,” he said from under the console as he scooted over to allow her down there. She pulled herself down and then next to him and he placed her hand where it needed to go on the dataport, holding back the loose and unsecured connections. “Hold that back,” he ordered. She did and he pulled the last relay out finally. He turned to put it to the side so he could begin the final adjustments.

When he turned back, he saw Elissa still there, holding the dataport connections. She had been staring at him again, her mind obviously on more pleasant matters, given the small smile on her lips. He reached up and pulled her hand away. “You can let go of it now,” he chided. He pulled his hand slowly back along her arm. He sensed her heartbeat quicken as did her breathing.

He caressed her face with one hand, outlining her features, sensing she enjoyed it as much as he. Why he enjoyed this so much, he didn’t know. These were human customs, this touching, caressing and kissing all over. Though, many other species partook of these same pleasures, which he was what he was discovering they were. Before this, he generally considered it a waste of his valuable time. Yet with Elli, he knew she desired this, and he desired it as well now.

He smiled at her, caressing her face then outlining her lips with a fingertip, his other hand grasping her firmly about the waist, as he moved closer to her. He leaned over and kissed her waiting lips, finding her delicious. She pulled away slightly, breaking the kiss, and he heard her moan softly as she reached around to hold him. He moved his mouth slowly along her face and down to her neck, kissing it softly and tasting it with his tongue. She moaned again, louder this time.

“Why do you tease me like this?” she asked breathlessly, enjoying it and wanting more.

“Because, I can.”

“It’s not fair,” she complained. “And you don’t enjoy this at all?” she asked, pushing him away slightly, to see his expression, to look into his beautiful red and gold eyes.

“I never said I did not enjoy it, Elissa.” He kissed her again on the mouth, then moved back to her neck a moment later, finding its softness, its warmth exciting, its texture smooth and her scent delightful.

“It must be hard to admit you take pleasure in such things with a primitive creature like myself, though,” she said slyly.

He lifted himself back up and looked into her blue eyes, running his fingers along one side of her face. “This would not be happening if I did not consider you worthy.” He leaned down and kissed her again. This was true. He did consider her worthy of his attentions, and few were ever worthy of that.

“Maul? …Maul? Have you finished with those trans-relays yet?” Obi-Wan’s bright and enquiring voice broke through the quiet.

“I am busy!” Maul growled angrily as he glared at Elissa who was unsuccessful in stifling her laughter.

“You’re what?” Obi-Wan asked as he poked his head around the cockpit. His eyes opened wide in surprise as he looked under the main console and saw the two of them lying next to one another. Maul was on his side glaring back at him, one hand holding Elissa by the waist, his legs entangled with hers.

“I said I was busy,” Maul repeated coldly, staring at the unsuspecting Padawan.

“Oh … ooohhh,” he stammered as the situation began to register on him, then he saw Elissa scoot out from under the console and laugh. “I’m sorry,” he added sheepishly.

“It’s okay. I uh, …. I … have to get back to the cabin anyway,” she replied, smiling at Obi-Wan then back at Maul and disappeared behind the doors to the lift.

Maul moved out as well, and quickly stood up. “Are all you Jedi so dense?” He glared at the Padawan and poked an accusing finger at him before placing his hands on his hips, taking an aggressive stance.

“No . . . .I mean… oh, never mind.” Obi-Wan looked at the lift where Elissa had disappeared, and a look of dismay crossed his face as he looked back at the Sith Lord. “How can she … uh?” He shook his head at the thought of Elissa and Maul together, but didn’t continue with his commentary.

“What? Do you think all women like soft and gentle…” he raised his hand at the Jedi, attempting to find the correct word, “… boys… like you Jedi? Some women like real men.” He sneered at the astonished Padawan. “Or do you simply not find her attractive? Is she not pretty enough for you Jedi?” Maul asked and he watched Obi-Wan shake his head. “Perhaps then she is just too intelligent for you? Too strong willed?” Maul asked with a smirk.

“I just don’t understand why she would be interested in you. That’s all.”

“Believe it or not, Padawan, many women are attracted to me. Even Karen and … Kim,” Maul smirked. He watched Obi-Wan’s face flush. He knew it as well. “Do not worry, Jedi. Neither of them are of interest to me. Though … ”

Obi-Wan just glared at Maul.

Maul smirked even more and he wondered if the Jedi was ever going to figure out that he was trying to make him angry, trying to make him taste of the dark-side again. And that it was working.

“Master Qui-Gon wants a report on those trans-relays,” he stated, trying to control himself.

“I will give him my report when I have finished here.” Maul smirked again triumphantly and bowed slightly at Obi-Wan, annoying him immensely.

“Elissa, may I have a word with you?” Qui-Gon asked softly as she finished with the dishes after dinner. He stood patiently behind her, arms crossed and hands tucked deep inside the sleeves of his tunic.

“Yes, of course.” She saw the concerned expression on his face, tossed the towel onto the counter and turned around, leaning against the sink counter. She saw the look on Qui-Gon’s face and had noted a similar look on Obi-Wan’s as well. She wondered if it had to do with him seeing her and Maul in the Infiltrator earlier.

“I would prefer to speak with you … outside.” He motioned for the back door as he gave a quick glance toward the living room, making sure Maul wasn’t going to saunter on in.

Elissa made a face, having a sinking feeling that the next conversation would indeed be about her and Maul. She walked quickly toward the door, opening it and walking out on the back porch, waiting for him as she leaned against the railing. The cool, crisp air was heavy with the smell of damp leaves and pine needles. The monsoon rains had been rather heavy that afternoon, and the standing puddles reflected the moonlight. “What is it?” she finally asked as she heard the screen door shut quietly.

“Obi-Wan told me what happened earlier,” he said softly.

“Nothing happened earlier,” she snapped back, angry at his presumption. She saw the disbelieving look he gave her and somehow knew he was probing her with the Force, which angered her even more. “Maul kissed me. That’s all.”

“I sense you are attracted to him.” Qui-Gon did his best to keep his expression blank, but they both knew he was discontented with the whole idea of their mutual attraction. He watched her nod her head slightly as his frown grew. “Elissa, you do not know what you are getting into. Darth Maul is a Sith Lord. He is evil.” He paused and looked into her eyes as he took her hands into his, like a worried father. “Maul is incapable of loving you, ever. He will only seduce you, use you, and hurt you. Nothing of the dark-side, such as he is, is able to nurture or to have an honest and caring relationship.”

“And how do you know this, Qui-Gon? How do you know he is incapable of love or of caring for someone?”

“Because he is Sith, Elissa!” He sighed in frustration. “He only wants the darkness. He only desires what gives him power.”

Elissa gave him a disbelieving look, though she knew and understood that it contained a grain of truth.

“He will have his fun with you, Elissa, then he will cast you aside.”

“And what are you Jedi doing with my friends?” Elli asked harshly.

Qui-Gon looked hurt with what she implied.

“Surely, you don’t plan on taking Karen or Kim with you? You don’t plan on marrying them, or even having a long term relationship.” She looked up at him expectantly, wondering if he was going to interrupt her. She knew she was being mean, and a small part of her enjoyed it, but she was also speaking the truth. “You and Obi-Wan will just have your fun until it is time to leave.” She leaned back against the railing and crossed her arms. “How is that any different from Maul?”

Qui-Gon pursed his lips, obviously thinking, searching for a suitable response to her difficult questions.

“Well?”

“Maul is evil. We are not.”

“He isn’t evil,” she said softly, unable to explain her reasoning. It was just what she felt. She did understand why Qui-Gon would think that, having almost been killed by Maul, but she still didn’t see Maul as evil, just for opposing the Jedi. “He is dark, I will agree with that. And he may well be trying to seduce me Qui-Gon, but I am not naïve.” She sighed and looked up into his eyes as she pulled her hands back, feeling a bit claustrophobic in his presence. “I am just attracted to him. That’s all.”

“How can you be attracted to evil? To darkness? It doesn’t make sense Elissa.” He stood up straight and looked down at her, the worried expression still there. “You’re an intelligent woman, think about it! He has nothing to offer you, Elli. No love. No future. Only pain, anger and suffering. I am only trying to keep you from being hurt,” he paused and shook his head slightly, “or worse.”

Elissa understood perfectly well what Qui-Gon was implying. Perhaps being physically hurt by Maul, possibly raped or even killed. She shook her head, as she didn’t believe it. While she knew he was capable of great violence toward his enemies, she thought he would be too honorable to do such a thing with her, or to the other girls for that matter. “I don’t believe he would do anything like that with me,” she replied angrily. She turned up and glared at him, “and this is really none of your business.”

“You know he can do those things, Elissa. You know what he is capable of, and you understand his darkness better than most do.” He shook his head again. “Elissa, think about this. How can you truly want to have a relationship with someone like that?” He paused and smiled, “Elissa, you can do better than him, I know...”

“And how can she do better than me, Master Jinn? With a Jedi perhaps?” came Maul’s smooth and angry voice from the back doorway. He stood there with his arms crossed and an angry scowl on his face, glaring directly at a startled Qui-Gon. He stepped forward toward Elissa, putting one arm possessively around her shoulder. “And you Jedi, know nothing of me!” He looked down at Elissa and smirked as he looked back at Qui-Gon. “She understands me more than you, with all your strength in the Force.”

“Elissa. Please. Consider what you are doing.” Qui-Gon said softly, looking even more worried.

“And she is also correct in that this is none of your business.” Maul continued glaring harshly at Qui-Gon, as he stood up taller, taking a more threatening stance.

“I am simply trying to enlighten her, Maul. I want her to know the truth of the situation and the truth about you.”

“You are trying to influence her, Jedi,” Maul shot back. He shook his head slightly. “You simply cannot understand how she can be attracted to me. You Jedi are so narrow minded, that you cannot comprehend how anyone could view the universe different from you.”

“I am enlightened to the truth Maul, not narrow minded,” remarked Qui-Gon with a hint of anger. “The dark-side holds no interest for me,” he paused and looked sadly down at her, “though it obviously does for Elissa.” He stepped back and looked at her. “Remember what I said, Elissa. If you change your mind, I am most willing to help you.”

“Thank you,” she said softly, “I appreciate your concern Master Qui-Gon, but I must make my own decisions.”

The Jedi glared at Maul again, looked at Elissa and bowed a little before returning to the inside of the cabin.

“Elissa,” Maul said softly, sensing what was going through her mind, “You know I am not the way the Jedi believe me to be. You know I am more honorable than they believe. The Jedi cannot separate the doctrine from the man, and it colors their thinking.”

She turned around and looked out onto the back pasture behind the cabin, looking at the trees on the far end, but not really focused on them. “I know, Maul.” She stopped then looked over at him, as he moved around to face her, leaning on the railing. “But you are Sith. And the dark-side is your power, your philosophy.” It seemed so alien to her.

He took her face in his hand, holding it firmly. “Yes, Elissa. I am a Dark Lord of the Sith. I am dark and strong and powerful in the Force, more than you or even the Jedi realize.”

She pulled her chin out of his grip. “And that is all you are interested in, that is all you want …” she replied coldly. He was attracted to her, that much he had said, but was that enough? What if Qui-Gon was right? What if he only used her, then tossed her aside when he was finished? Yes, it would be an exciting time being with him, but it went against her very nature to allow herself to be used like that, by anyone; even a Sith Lord. If he was as dark as Qui-Gon believed, and she trusted Qui-Gon instinctively, then maybe he was correct about Maul too.

She looked back up at Maul, he was angry now, his narrowed golden eyes blinked, and she swore that he even looked slightly hurt. He must have known what she was thinking again. She shook her head; it annoyed her when he did that, made her angry with his intrusions. She couldn’t even work through her own thoughts and feelings without his interference.

She looked up at him, her own expression angry this time, turned and walked away from him.

END - of part 5.

Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6| 7