He couldn’t really remember feeling so confused. Perhaps this is what Lord Sidious had meant about letting lust consume him, though he did not feel consumed. Just the opposite - he felt empty. Though he could sense the mind of the young woman in the room behind him, he did not attempt to read her. Her thoughts were so jumbled and her emotions so mixed together he could not make sense of it anyway. He knew he could not have been mistaken about her desire for him, and did not understand why she would suddenly pull away. Maul also knew this was not something that he should allow to bother him as it obviously was, but found he couldn’t concentrate enough to push it aside. When he tried, an image of his hands running over the soft downy hair on her skin overcame him and he could not force it away from his mind.

With a dull hum one half of the lightsaber ignited, and he focused on the bright red glow that crawled over the Infiltrator’s controls. He used his teeth to remove one of his gloves and held the tip of his finger up to the bright blade. Maul moved it closer until he could feel the heat - just a little, and not enough to hurt. Still, it sparked memories he felt he needed to confront.

Darth Sidious had called it a test of perseverance - of willpower. He had warned Maul before he left that it would involve pain and humiliation. He wanted his apprentice to experience these things and know how to block the emotions from his mind, turn them back on his enemies and overcome. His fighting skills were well-honed by this time. He was effective with a single-bladed lightsaber, but was not the sword master he became later, and had not yet constructed his own saber. He had been tattooed the week before - on his eighteenth birthday.

The kidnappers were not just Force-sensitive, they were truly powerful. He never knew they were there before they were on him, and he had been on his guard. Maul fought to the best of his hand-to-hand combat ability, but was overwhelmed and injected with a sedative. They took him out of Sidious’ quarters and down to one of the seedier sections of Coruscant. He was kept drugged for some time - he wasn’t sure how long. When Maul finally began to regain his senses, his eyes focused on a pair of Gamorrean guards and a Twi’lek woman. The woman was bound by her hands from a thin strap embedded in the ceiling. She was crying. Maul realized he had been stripped and tied spread-eagle on a small mattress on the floor.

The guards grunted to themselves in a language that was not known to Maul and one left the room. When he returned, he was accompanied by a male Twi’lek and a female from Malastare.

"The young warrior awakens!" the female said. "I am Jiher, though you can just call me ‘Highness,’ if you like." Maul narrowed his eyes at her but did not respond. "Yes, I was told you aren’t the  vocal type. No matter. You will be vocalizing soon enough."

Many of the details of the following days were lost to him - thankfully. He remembered his first sexual experience had been with the Malastarian, and not completely unpleasant except for the audience and the simple fact that he did not want to be there. She certainly had a way of making his body respond, even with the trio of eyestalks waving around and the reluctance of his mind. When he was raped by the Twi’lek male, it had been completely different. There was just degradation. Though Maul had not been able to force the pain from his mind he had at least managed to keep himself silent throughout the experience, trying to concentrate on whatever it was he was supposed to be learning from this. Pain he already understood, but the sense of helplessness to defend himself and to keep his body from reacting was unbearable.

At one point, the Gamoreans killed the other prisoner. Jiher used her subtle and not-so-subtle charms to bring about his body’s compliance as he watched them torture the woman to death. As she went cold with death he found himself shutting down and withdrawing into himself. Their torture of his body brought about no more reaction. Jiher eventually gave up, his member no longer responding to her urgings.

It occurred to Darth Maul that he still wasn’t sure exactly what he was supposed to have learned from the ordeal. His finger was beginning to feel pain from the saber blade, the flash of burning not unlike the Twi’lek male’s abuse.

"Master?"

He had been so deep in thought he was not paying attention to his surroundings. Laychel had crept up on him so silently her whisper nearly got her arm severed. Darth Maul regained himself quickly enough that she probably didn’t know she had startled him. He flipped the lightsaber’s switch and the red glow vanished. Still, he did not turn her direction.

"Master," Laychel kept her head bowed matching her kneeling stance. "I’m very sorry Master - I don’t know exactly what came over me. Please, Master…"

Maul finally moved his eyes to her looking up at him, the wet streaks down her face outlined in the dim light. He noticed she had cleaned her dress - the blood from Rugen's demise no longer splattered over it. She certainly was confusing to him. He felt her hand against his leg, but forced his body to ignore the sensations it threatened to consume him with.

"I don’t want you to be angry with me," she whispered, then pulled her hand back, bowed her head and closed her eyes. Maul thought she looked like she was waiting for an executioner to walk up and remove her head from her shoulders. He considered telling her he did not feel any anger towards her, but thought to wait and see what else she had to say first.

Laychel hoped for once he would bother to say something to her, but knew he would not. She had spent the last hour in contemplation, trying to understand what she felt for her Master, and what he felt in return for her. She understood now that he had no interest in her - not even much interest in her as a slave, let alone a woman. He barely spoke to her unless he absolutely had to, and his only reason for approaching her at all had to be because of his promise in the cell. His lack of physical attraction for her was obvious in the shower. Her whole body had ached for him, but he might as well been washing one of the sparring droids.

"I will not bother you again, my Lord." She started to get up to leave. Maul reached out with one hand and gripped her upper arm. Laychel froze, waiting for him to strike her, but it didn’t happen. She looked up to see his hand moving to her face slowly. He caressed her cheek, wiping away the stains from her tears with his thumb.

"Lord Maul, please don’t…" she tried to back up away from him, but he rose from his chair and his movements followed her. "I don’t want to be with you because you pity me, or you feel some sense of repayment for helping you escape."

"I am much more self-centered than that," Maul said.

"What?"

"If I intend to take you to my bed it is because I desire it - there is no other reason," Maul took her face in his hands, concentrating on her thoughts once more. "I do not reveal my emotions to anyone before I am ready. You have concluded incorrectly, young slave."

Finally, Laychel had come to the understanding that it was not to be - he didn’t want her, so what was he saying now? She never had any delusions that he might feel more than lust for her, but hoped that she could at least work with that. Now she didn’t know what to think or to say. She felt her teeth bite into the tender skin of her lower lip and tried to fight back more tears.

Maul’s hand reached up and stroked down the length of her dark hair. He pushed some of it away from her ear and leaned over, taking her lobe in his mouth and stroking it with his tongue. Laychel gasped at the sensation.

"Do you think you want me to lose myself in lust and desire for you?" he asked in a slow, harsh whisper. "Do you believe you desire me to lose control when I am with you? Do you think I should let my passion overcome me?"

"I…I don’t know," Laychel was trembling under his hands. "I think so…"

"Do you fear my anger?"

"Yes," she closed her eyes, expecting his wrath to emerge.

"Fear my passion more."

The warmth from his mouth covered her neck and moved down to her shoulder, carefully avoiding the blue-green gem. Laychel held her breath as steady as she held her body - the myriad of sensations coursing through her making it difficult to stand. Maul’s hand pushed the fabric of her dress off of her shoulders and let it fall around her ankles. One finger drew a line down from her shoulder to the top of her now bare breast and circled around to the bottom where the rest of his fingers joined together to cup the sensitive flesh and lift it slightly. His thumb brushed over the nipple as his mouth found hers. Laychel felt her heart racing in her chest as the lightning tendrils of sensation radiated from her breast, where his flesh met hers, throughout the rest of her body.

Their tongues met and his touched hers delicately, encouraging her to explore him. She reached into his mouth with her tongue and delved into the soft contours. She ran her hand up along his neck and touched the short horn at his temple. Breaking the kiss he pulled away with a sharp intake of breath.

"If you want your first time to last more than ten minutes do not touch my horns just yet."

Laychel pulled back, afraid she had offended him in some way, but when she looked up at him he was smiling at her.

"Don’t misunderstand," he said. "I find your touch exquisite. A bit too good."

For a brief moment, Laychel saw what she thought was true passion in his eyes - though playful, not consuming like she thought her eyes must show. She reached up to touch his neck and let her hand flow downward this time pushing the part in his tunic wider. Maul assisted, removing the cloth from his torso completely. The pattern on his chest was almost becoming familiar to her.

Laychel’s feet left the ground as the Sith picked her up and headed out of the cramped cockpit, his eyes locked with hers. He pushed the door to the bedroom aside with a thought and carried her into it. She considered taking a moment to look around the small room she had never been in before, but couldn’t take her eyes from Lord Maul’s.

Carefully, Maul placed her on her back against the mattress and crawled over her. He kept his palms flat and out to the side so as not to overwhelm her with his weight. He looked deep into her eyes, silently memorizing every slight color variation throughout the iris of each. He leaned over and touched his lips to her neck feeling her back arch up to meet him. His mouth moved down and took her hardened nipple and he felt her nails raking his shoulders. His eyes glanced up to her face, the back of her head pressed firmly against the pillow as his lips and tongue massaged her. He contemplated how to take her - quickly, or draw it out; bring her to her peak first or let her experience his. He did not know what her species preferred, and would have to try to draw the information from her as they went along. Another thought occurred to him - completion of the act would most certainly hurt her. How much, he did not know.

Laychel felt his movements center back on her face and opened her eyes to smile at him. His fiery orbs encompassed her and drew her into them. He stroked her cheek and reached out with the Force to know her thoughts. He felt her excitement and her fear. His lips came down but didn’t quite meet with hers.

"You know there will be some pain," he said, his hands weaving through her hair. He liked the feel and texture of it. "I will be slow so you can get used to me inside of you."

"I don’t know what to do," she whispered, embarrassed.

"You will know when it’s time," Maul reassured her. He stroked down both her sides with his hands, letting his muted talons scratch her skin slightly. He was holding his weight above her by his legs alone, which was not comfortable, but he maintained, wanting to touch every part of her and watch her reaction. She mirrored his actions with her own, stopping at the top of his waist and nudging her fingers inside the fabric there. He moved up a little, allowing her greater access. She pushed down, her thumbs locking outside the cloth while the rest of her fingers were inside. Maul bent his knees up so she could remove his pants and straddled her.

This time Maul caught her downcast look of disappointment that he was not already in full erection. He smiled a bit and nuzzled her chin and neck.

His breath was hot in her ear. Laychel felt his hand encompass hers and bring her fingers down his abdomen until they reached the base of his shaft. He guided her motions up and over his length, then down the other side. She could feel the soft silken flesh begin to harden and grow. He released her hand and let her continue on her own, dropping his control for brief moments as his erection grew.

Laychel moved her other hand to join the first, marveling in the texture of his skin - so different here than it was on the rest of his body. She stroked him with both hands, feeling his size increase with her movements and smiling to herself as she realized it was she bringing this reaction about. She let her fingers move lower, finding the sac below and adding slight pressure there as she continued tracing the red marks along his cock.

She looked up into his face and saw his head tilted slightly upward, his eyes closed and the muscles in his face and neck taut. The sight made her flesh tingle with excitement. His eyelids parted a sliver and he looked down at her. Her mind screamed out to him - she adored him, worshipped him, would be his forever. She knew in his eyes he heard her.

"There is something you must know," Maul’s voice was deadly serious. "This is your last chance to stop what is happening."

"I don’t want it to stop!" Laychel cried out, suddenly afraid he was going to jump out of the bed and leave her there alone. His fingers brushed over her lips, stifling her.

"You must understand," he said, "there is no going back. I have no plan to simply take my pleasure with you and be done with it. It is my intention to make you my mate. If I take you now, like this, I will never allow you to be with another man. If you even consider it, I will punish you. If another man touches you, he will die before your eyes. If you are penetrated by another man…" Laychel felt crushing power encompass her entire body, tightening around her and threatening to smash her into nothingness.

His hand moved down from her face and stroked each of her breasts. She could breathe again.

"You must understand and agree to these conditions," he stated. Laychel looked up to him and he could see the hurt in her eyes.

"Don’t you understand yet that your proposal is all I have ever wanted?" she said. "Even if you were never to want me, I would still be content to be your slave forever. I will gladly accept your offer, with no other conditions…but especially if it means I get to be with you often."

"I will be insanely jealous," he warned.

"How could anyone else ever compare to you?" she asked.

"I will not offer you the same fidelity in return," he added.

Laychel looked away, her thoughts a jumble of mixed emotions. Her body cried out for her to accept anything, as long as he would continue his attentions. But the thought of sharing him…but when had she known him to take another woman to his bed? Never - not in all the time she served him. She looked back to him.

"Because Lord Sidious may require it of you?" she asked, hoping this was all he had in mind.

"Most likely, but not necessarily."

"I don’t care," she decided. "I want you."

He pressed down hard against her with his lips and some of his weight. He was so warm compared to the chill air of the Infiltrator it made Laychel want to hold herself against him in a way that more of her skin touched him than did not. His kisses moved down her neck, stopping briefly to entice her nipples and then moving swiftly down the rest of her body. She moaned as his hands found her sex and fondled her there.

Maul positioned himself between her legs, resting his head carefully on her thigh so he wouldn’t puncture her with his side horns. He explored her folds until he found what he wanted - the tight swollen bit of erectile tissue hidden in her skin. He stroked it lightly at first, then with more pressure as her legs moved spastically around him. He reached out with his tongue, the warm moisture of his mouth too much for her - she grabbed down for him, her fingers finding his crown.

Maul grabbed her wrists and pulled them up over her head like he was binding them there. He held them above her head for a moment, then released them and looked down at her with his ferocious glare.

"Stop that," he commanded. "Do not move your hands again until I tell you to."

"Master…please, I…"

"Shhh…"

Maul moved back down to his former position and began again. He brushed her inner thigh with the back of his hand then brought his palm up flat against her opening, pushing slightly. He felt her hips move against his hand and matched her rhythm for a moment, then released her and stroked the opposite thigh with his tongue. He reached up father, licking at her tender folds and enjoying the low moan he heard coming from her. He entered her with one finger, slowly, letting her get used to the sensation before adding the pressure of his tongue above. Laychel cried out unintelligibly as her muscles flexed and she pressed her wrists into the mattress above her, trying desperately not to move her hands. She ached to touch him as he was touching her. She pushed up against him with her hips and he felt the first gush of her orgasm against his hand.

She was still crying out over and over, the spasms washing over her in wave upon wave. He entered her with his tongue and heard her cry out again, the pitch higher. Maul raised his eyes up taking in the sight of her, back arched, head pressed firmly into the bed, heels digging into the sheets. He kissed the little crease between her thigh and hip, moving his lips and tongue over the skin of her abdomen and breasts, coming to rest in a deep, long kiss.

Pressed firmly against her thigh, Laychel could feel his complete, hard length moving closer to her. She wanted to wrap her arms tight around his shoulders and hold him as close to her as she could, but didn’t dare move. She could feel her whole body tightening in anticipation of his entry and felt fear cover her.

Maul stroked her hair and licked lightly at her neck. He could feel her tension in mind and body and knew it would be easier for her if she could relax. He reached down with his hand and gently caressed her opening with his finger, letting it slide in just a little before adding another. She gasped and he felt her struggle to remain still. Keeping himself propped up on one elbow, Maul continued to run his fingers through her hair and rub the soft skin at the nape of her neck. He was still quite intrigued by the short downy hair over her body, and had quickly noticed how brushing it lightly brought out her pleasure.

Laychel felt his fingers leave her and something more substantial replaced their position at her opening. She bit down on her lip and squeezed her eyes shut. She could feel his hand against her cheek, the back of his fingers slowly caressing her skin there. Small kisses covered her neck and shoulders.

"Look at me, Laychel," she felt his dark whisper as much as she heard it. She opened her eyes to the bright, intense irises staring back at her. She still felt his fingers stroking the side of her face, but the rest of her seemed to be getting lost in his eyes. Her muscles loosened and Maul moved forward slightly, his flesh merging with hers, but only slightly.

Darth Maul watched Laychel’s eyes widen as she cried out and began to breathe heavily. There were tears in her eyes. He bent over and kissed her eyelids, feeling her trembling near-sobs. He pushed into her a little deeper, knowing he was not going to manage to relax her much more anyway. She cried again and he looked closely at her face, seeing more pain than pleasure.

"Is it too much for you?" he asked. "I will stop."

"Will it always hurt like this?" she whispered, her voice nearly frantic.

"No," Maul wondered if his words were true.

"Then don’t stop."

He moved just another fraction of an inch, thinking at this rate they would arrive at Coruscant before she took his whole length, but he didn’t mind. He liked the feeling of her warm flesh slowly coming over him, wrapping around him and holding him tight. If this feeling went on forever, he thought that might be all right, too.

She gasped every time he moved a bit more, trying to hold in her cries. He reached up for her hands and placed them on his shoulders, where she immediately dug her nails into his flesh. He stroked down her side and positioned his hand on her hip.

"Love me," he whispered in her ear, and using her hip for leverage, thrust the rest of his length up to the hilt, his words distracting her enough that she managed a muffled cry and only a few inches of his skin were scratched off. He kissed at her tears and rested a little of his weight on her, content to stay where he was until her body was accustomed to his length and girth.

For a while they just lay together, unmoving, while Laychel’s tears dried and her body stopped shaking quite so much. Her breath was still not coming all that easily. She knew it was going to hurt the first time - plenty of the slaves on her home world had talked about such things around her - but she hadn’t expected this. She hadn’t considered anatomy differences - he was simply larger than human males and her small body was not ready for it. The feel of his body’s warmth over her was wonderful and everything she craved, but how could she possibly continue with the excruciating pain shooting through her body as he thrust into her?

He was kissing her again, his mouth sweet and soft against hers. She didn’t want him to know how much it hurt - but how could she keep anything from him? He knew her every thought, and she could almost sense his concern for her. He rose up a little, pulling out of her. Laychel sucked in her breath, both afraid of the pain and that he would withdraw from her completely and leave her empty.

As slowly as he could manage, Maul backed out a couple of inches and moved back into her. It still hurt her, but she did not cry out this time. He repeated the action, wondering how long it would be before he could take her at a speed more suited for his own pleasure. He wondered if that time would come at all, though she did seem to be relaxing a little more. He tried removing half his length and pushing it back into her. She tensed, but relaxed quickly enough. He stroked her face until she looked up at him.

"Better?" he asked. She nodded. He pulled back farther and thrust back into her a little faster, watching her face the whole time. Laychel began to feel her body getting used to him and the pain ebbed. His movements, though still not exactly comfortable, were not painful now. She smiled, tentatively, up at him and tightened her grip on his shoulders.

"More," she said. Maul complied, pulling out almost all the way and stroking back up to the top, beginning a smooth rhythm against her. He closed his eyes and let himself experience the sensation a bit more. It had been a very, very long time. She was still so tight he almost felt his penis was being strangled, but it also felt wonderful to him. He quickened the pace, beginning to achieve a level he wanted. He rubbed under her chin with his face, his tongue running along her neck and jaw.

When his mouth reached hers, he could feel her lips drawn up in a smile as he covered them. He touched her nipples lightly with the tips of his fingers, and she began to moan under him, but not in pain this time. The sound drove his movements quicker and he felt her hands creeping up the back of his neck.

"Touch me," he grunted. Laychel needed no more encouragement, but reached up to run her fingers along his frontal horn, then circled the base of it. She could hear a low growl coming from his chest and felt the pressure inside of her grow, as if he had not been his full size before. He pushed against her hips in the same rhythm he used against her hands with his head, and she let her fingers spread to stroke all three of his primary horns at once, concentrating on the sensitive flesh where the bone met skin. She moved her fingers in between each horn in turn from front to back, then to the side horns and back up again.

Maul’s quick breaths met her ears and she wondered if he had ever breathed so hard before. She wove her fingers a little tighter around the bases and pulled on him, bringing his head closer to hers until she could reach him with her tongue. She could feel his arms coiling around her, crushing her small body up against his as he began to thrust into her harder and faster. It took away her breath as the sensation of him inside her overcame her and she felt the rippling effect through every muscle. She cried out as another orgasm shook her, her fingers gripping the base of two of his horns tightly, involuntarily pulling them back against her. She could feel him pulling away with his head,- not really trying to make her stop, but increasing the pressure. She countered by pulling harder and his growls became more audible as he slammed into her, injecting his seed deep inside as she joined him in a final climax.

Maul’s body was completely still, hovering over her a little as he pulled in long, deep breaths. He opened his eyes, looking into hers with an intensity that almost made Laychel black out. He continued to stare at her until his breath became more regular and he bent down to nuzzle under her jaw, finding a comfortable spot where he wouldn’t gouge her, and fell immediately into sleep. Laychel rested her head back and joined him.

*****

The scent of her was permeating Darth Maul’s dream. He was walking in complete darkness - there was no sense of the Force around him, no sounds. He was clothed just in his trousers and weaponless. The only sensation he had was cool wind on his face, carrying her scent to him. He walked with purpose, taking long strides and was not concerned about the bareness of his feet or running into anything, though he felt he should be. It seemed not to matter - she was the only thing on his mind. There was nothing else.

His eyes opened. There was plenty of light in the small cabin for him to make out her features and see that she was smiling in her sleep. He pushed himself up on his arms, feeling his cock slip out of her and noticing it was covered in her virginal blood. He climbed off of her and went to the shower, washed himself quickly and returned to the bed. He watched her sleeping form for a moment, the slow movement of her chest as she breathed in sleep. He let his hand drop down near the edge of the bed and slowly moved it up to where her leg lay exposed to the cool air of the ship. He touched her calf and slid his hand up her leg. She didn’t stir until he reached the top where her legs met and ran his hand along the small mound of hair he found.

He paused his movements, his attention up at her face as her neck craned into a more comfortable position and she seemed to drift off again. Maul dropped his hand down a bit, feeling for her opening and entering with his first two fingers. Laychel gasped out in her sleep. Maul smiled to himself and decided to continue.

He crawled in on top of her slowly and steadily, making sure not to wake her. He was surprised to find he was ready to take her again so soon, especially since the last time he had bedded a woman had been years ago. He stroked his fingers in and out a few times before placing his already hard member against her tender flesh. He entered her slowly, watching in amusement as her eyes flew open and she cried out, grabbing for him. He leaned over her, holding her tightly in his arms while he moved in and out of her. Laychel’s hips began to match his thrusts and he felt her inner muscles clench and release as she moaned under him. He didn’t want to wait this time - didn’t bother to drag it out but relieved his burning need for her quickly. She shuddered as his seed filled her.

Darth Maul ran his hand along her silky hair, noticing the gem at her throat was glowing softly.

"Am I dreaming?" Laychel asked.

"Yes," he replied. "Sleep now." She seemed ready to say something else, but his Force-induced suggestion was already gripping her and she fell back against the bed. Maul rolled off of her and lay beside her, his head close to her shoulder, avoiding the pillows. He stroked his hand up her side lightly, so he wouldn’t wake her again, then over her shoulder and down her arm. When he reached her hand he pulled it up to his face and kissed the palm. He placed the palm of his own hand against hers and entwined their fingers.

Maul leaned close to their hands and inhaled deeply, basking in the scent of her mixed with himself. He rubbed his face against her hand, finally resting with his head against her fingers as he drifted off into dreamless sleep.

*****

Laychel blinked twice, trying to get her bearings. The sound of the ship’s engines told her she was on the Infiltrator, but the enclosed walls of steel and short bed frame were unfamiliar. She had always slept in the galley - so where was she now? She turned her head a little to the left and had to hold in a shout.

Darth Maul, her Master, lay next to her. He gripped her left hand in both of his, using all three as a pillow. He had drawn up the sheet so it covered both of them half way and circled one of her legs with his. In sleep she thought he looked peaceful, despite the dark markings and horns. For a few minutes she just looked at his face and remembered the feeling of his penetration. She wondered if the second time had been a dream or not. Laychel also wondered if there would be another time.

She reached over with her free hand and touched his chest lightly, wanting to feel his rhythmic breathing and the beat of his heart. As soon as her fingertips reached his skin his eyes flew open, his heightened Force awareness taking over and waking him instantly. He moved over quickly and took her mouth with his as the length of his body moved against her cool skin.

"We will reach Coruscant in eight hours," he said.

"I don’t want to go back," Laychel frowned.

"Why?"

"I want to stay here," she said, "alone with you forever."

"Eight hours will have to do."

Laychel didn’t have to wonder much longer to see if there was to be another time.

*****

Laychel combed out her wet hair and began weaving it into a tight braid at the back of her head. She looked down at the anti-Force globe in the sink and wondered why Maul hadn’t destroyed it or thrown it out an airlock. She didn’t like the thought of leaving it on the Infiltrator, and went to find a water-proof container to seal it in.

Fastening her shirt around her neck her fingers brushed up against the gem on her necklace. She realized she had begun to think of it as her necklace, though she assumed it would be removed from her as soon as they reached Lord Sidious. She wondered what was it about the thing that fascinated Lord Maul so much? She was sure he had drawn power from it more than once, but to what end she did not understand.

Out in the galley Maul trained, feeling the slight strain on his muscles from skipping a day while hanging from his arms in a stone cell. He went through his regular regimen, anxious to get back to his full-sized training facility on Coruscant and fleet of expensive sparring droids.

Maul felt good. He felt powerful and in control. He had retrieved an obviously valuable artifact for his Master who would certainly be pleased with him, though he never allowed Maul to see his satisfaction. Maul also felt good on another level. The slave woman had proven to more than a mere distraction to him. He wondered what she really truly felt for him. Her mind labeled it ‘love’, but he did not know that feeling, and doubted he ever would. He was, first and foremost, Sith. He knew anger, fear, pain, elation, lust, powerlessness and control - but not love. He didn’t see the point of it.

Rapid electronic signals invaded his eardrums and ended his practice. He went to the cockpit and activated the holographic display. Darth Maul bowed his head as his Master’s form appeared.

"I sense your approach, young apprentice," Lord Sidious said. "I trust you come with expected news."

"I have located the item as you wished, my Master," Maul told him. "And we should land at the private docking bay within an hour."

"We, Lord Maul?"

"Myself," Maul hesitated for a slight fraction of a second, but his Master recognized the gap in his words, "and the slave woman."

"Strange, I don’t recall you referring to the two of you as ‘we’ before."

Maul could sense his Master toying with him, perhaps even teasing him. He chose not to answer, but kept his head bowed, waiting.

"Will you bring yourselves to my chambers upon you arrival?"

"Of course, my Master," Maul tried to ignore the emphasis on the plural.

The hologram faded out and Maul took several slow breaths before he took his place in the pilot seat and disengaged the auto pilot. He would fly into Coruscant unaided, as he always did. A few minutes later, Laychel joined him.

"Are we almost there?" she asked.

How easily she slips back into idiotic questions, Lord Maul thought, but said nothing. The planet looming ahead of them seemed to speak the answer to her question loudly enough. Maul wondered what it was about humans that made them feel they had to speak so frequently about nothing. As if silence was something to be avoided at all costs.

Laychel noticed he did not care to converse, and allowed the rest of the flight to be in the quiet cockpit, though she did long to talk with him during these last few minutes of their time alone. She did not know if there would be another time like this one.

Maul descended through the atmosphere and headed for the private building of the Sith order. He expertly maneuvered the small craft to its usual docking bay and landed smoothly. He gathered the few personal items he traveled with - primarily his saber and clothing and went to the hatch. Laychel reached out and touched his arm as he reached for the control panel to release the door and extend the ramp. He turned to her.

Laychel moved tentatively close to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, hoping he would not push her away. She felt instantly different as they neared their home and was sure he would reject her now that he had other companionship at his disposal.

"Stop being so insecure," Maul growled, though when she looked at him she could see he was not really angry. His fingers caressed her chin and brought her lips up to meet his, but only for a moment. "We must go to Darth Sidious immediately. There will be time for this later."

Laychel smiled, a little shyly, and let go of him, pleased that his attitude had not completely reverted back to as it was before they left, though perhaps it would remain that way outwardly. She didn’t care, as long as when they were alone he would still be with her, desire her, and make love to her.

Laychel followed quick at Maul’s heels as they approached the private chambers of Lord Sidious. Laychel had rarely been inside them, and could feel sweat building up on her neck in anxiety. It occurred to her that she had neglected to tell Lord Maul she had the anti-Force globe in the pocket of her dress, sealed tightly in a moist chamber to render it useless. She started to say something, but decided it could wait until after their meeting with the Sith Master.

When they were granted entrance, Maul walked forward in his usual, confident stride, though Laychel was a little hesitant. She followed him in quickly enough, and knelt a little behind him in front of Lord Sidious.

He stared at the two of them for some time, not saying anything. Laychel didn’t know if Lord Maul was used to this sort of scrutinization, but it made her skin crawl. She kept her eyes to the floor and tried not to shuffle. It occurred to her that he knew, he just knew what had happened between her and Maul. She wondered if he was angry.

"Lord Maul, I was expecting your return yesterday," Sidious finally spoke. "I hope you didn’t find this task too difficult for you."

"No, my Master," Lord Maul said quickly. "I desire nothing but to accept the challenges you place before me and serve you, Master."

"To accept challenge and fail is no better than to not accept," Sidious lectured.

"Yes, Master," Maul looked up to meet his Master’s eyes. "My tardiness is reprehensible. I will accept your punishment."

"At another time, Lord Maul," Sidious dismissed the issue. "For now, show me what you have retrieved."

Darth Maul turned his attention to Laychel, stood and drew her up with him. He brought her before the Sith Master and indicated the necklace around her. Lord Sidious reached out with dry, wrinkled fingers and stroked the chain and diamonds, finally resting on the gem in the middle. As he caressed it and fondled it, Maul could see and sense the energy coming from the stone and into his old hands. Maul breathed a little easier, pleased that he had brought this treasure to his Master.

"A pretty trinket, Lord Maul," Sidious finally dropped the stone against her skin and turned back to his apprentice. "I assume you spent a goodly amount of my money on this fancy for your new lover?"

Maul hesitated, confused. Surely his Master felt the power…

"Of course I felt it!" Sidious spit back at him. Maul took an involuntary step backwards while Laychel stood frozen in fear. "I forged that gem and put it there!" Sidious took a step to his apprentice and glowered at him. "I pray for your sake this is not all you have brought to me, Lord Maul."

"Master, I…"

"I have it," Laychel held out her hands, a small cube of crystal unfolded in her palms. "It’s still sealed in water, and won’t activate until it dries out," she released the clasp on the container and removed the anti-Force globe from its storage.

"Excellent," Sidious’ rage dropped completely as he took the globe in his hands and turned it over. "Have you had a chance to study it much Lord Maul?"

"Not…not yet, Master," Maul stared at Laychel, not knowing what to think or feel. He had, in all honesty, forgotten about the thing all together. Now it appeared to be the item he was supposed to have found for his Master. Laychel had just saved him from a rather nasty punishment.

"Begin to dismantle it and diagram it immediately," the Sith Master handed the thing to Maul. "The schematics may take a while, but they will need to be completely accurate if we are to understand and counter this device. I’m sure you have already contemplated the ramifications if such a device was produced in some mass-market."

"Yes, Master."

"Get on with it then," Sidious took Laychel’s face in his hand for a moment. Maul noticed that she managed not to cringe from his touch and admired her courage. "You may return to your duties for now, slave. I’m sure Lord Maul will call for you when he requires you attentions again. The gem is yours to keep." Laychel bowed her head and left quickly, relieved to be away from the man.

Maul turned to leave the room and begin his study of the object when Sidious stopped him.

"I am disappointed, apprentice."

Maul turned back and knelt, knowing it was pointless to try and hide his ignorance of the globe and his true failure in the mission. The globe was returned by mere chance, and he would have to pay for it.

"I have been considering your punishment," Sidious clasped his hands together in front of his robes. "I want it known to you that my first thought was to have the slave put to death, by your hand, of course."

Maul tried to empty his mind of thoughts. He would do as his Master instructed, as he always did, but he could not think of his Master’s proposal. He could not let the actuality of it into his mind.

"But I have decided she may be more useful alive, and will spare her - and you. For now." Sidious looked over his apprentice and smiled slightly, knowing he had taken Maul’s arrogance down a chunk today. The Sith Master walked in a tight circle around the young Zabrak he took into his custody so long ago and examined him completely, pleased that Maul offered no apprehension in his stance or his mind.

"Tell me, my apprentice," Lord Sidious said. "You know the slave believes she is in love with you?"

"Yes, Master," Maul nodded.

"And what are your feelings for her?"

Maul thought for a moment, knowing he must choose his thoughts and words very cautiously.

"I find her a willing and worthy partner, my Master."

Sidious chuckled and looked back towards his window overlooking the city. He smiled inwardly, allowing a brief moment of feeling pleased with himself for choosing such a willing and worthy apprentice. Together, they would rule the galaxy.