Author's Note: If you have any tips writing tips, please feel free to comment.

As always, I continue to hope that I am doing justice to the spirit of Star Wars as well the respective authors and characters from which I borrow. Again, I gratefully accept constructive criticism as a means to help me develop my skills further as a writer.

Mandalorian (Mando'a) words

Shabuir (SHAH-boo-EER): extreme insult - *jerk*, but much stronger

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Chapter 56

If one studies history, it is most notable that when governments align, it usually occurs most smoothly through the union of those dedicated to a similar cause. It is with optimism and trust that I believe Tochin and the Empire will unite in a smooth transition. With honor and compassion, I have proposed a union in the form of marriage to Princess Arlesse Psach, and although there are expected reservations in a union as intricate as this, my proposal has ultimately been accepted.

Excerpt from Moff Gillard Harkin's public speech announcing his marriage proposal

Tochin Moon III, 86 Days after Order 66

Feeling like she was suddenly enveloped in some kind of thick fog as it swirled around her, Arlesse grew more aware of the soft caress Harkin's fingers gave her palm. It wasn't until she felt the heat of his other hand pressing against the small of her back that she realized just how close they were now. She didn't remember moving towards him, but space she consistently kept between them was no longer existent. Arlesse felt her attention briefly fall to his lips, and she wanted to be sick with betrayal at the very thought that she wondered what a kiss with him would feel like.

Gillard slowly watched the distance between them shrink to mere inches. He hadn't anticipated that the princess would allow him to indulge in a moment of such close proximity. He still waited for her to pull away or push him aside in her usual disgust, and he needed to prevent that from happening.

Before she could set up her defenses again, he spoke in a hushed whisper. "Don't shut me out. I see how he fell in love with you, and I know that I can, too."

Hearing Harkin's reference to Jas, Arlesse quickly pulled her hand free from his as her fists clenched in a combination of fright and anger. She tried to pull away, but the sudden smooth touch of his hand on her face was warm and gentle, contradicting the hatred she felt for him and what he had done to her family. She swallowed hard, believing it was a mistake, manipulation of his to learn about Jas. She shook her head, fighting the possibility, the very concept. Her voice was certain that Harkin was lying about his affections for her. "No."

"Let me take his place," Harkin pleaded softly as he dared to bring his face closer to hers. "Let me love you."

Arlesse shook her head, trying to break free from the gentle touch of his hand that was the barrier holding her face to look at him. She felt the blockage against her back as his other hand kept a gentle but firm touch on her there as well. Not sure she wanted to actually hurt Harkin, Arlesse held back from trying a physical attack. Instead, she verbally tried one last time to let him free her. Arlesse's words were hushed, choked by some kind of betrayal that only she could feel. "Please don't..."

"He can't return," Harkin whispered as his words grazed her lips. "Your time with him can only be a memory now."

Arlesse tried to shake her head again, but Harkin continued talking. "I want to give you a future. My affections for you are true, and I know you can see it."

Arlesse took a shuddering breath at the honesty, the very real emotions that this man had developed for her. She didn't know if she could ever feel equally for him, and it had been only a few weeks since she last heard from Jas. She couldn't give up on him so easily and quickly. Jas needed more time. She was certain of that, and she promised him—vowed to him—that she would remain alone rather than give her love to anyone else.

"Arlesse," Harkin breathed her name, truly saying it for the first time, finally speaking the melodic incantation that he knew would seal his affections to her. It was a personal rule he had created for himself: never speak a woman's name unless you meant it. He refused to break that rule of his until this moment, this point when he saw in her eyes that she was bending and realizing that she could share her emotions with another. Speaking her name had lifted her eyes to his and cracked just a little more off the shield of defense that had been over her blue irises for so long.

"Please, let me go," Arlesse whispered while she was swept up in the whirlwind of confusion. While she hoped that Harkin would simply free her, she also hoped that the honest man in him would never release her.

"You can't run forever, and I don't want to be your enemy anymore," Gillard answered softly, realizing that she was not putting up her usual fight and if there was ever a time for this moment it was now. Tarj had remained absent, and even though Gillard had no idea where her guardian was, he would rather take the chance of being yanked away by the collar of his tunic than walk away discouraged for not making the attempt.

As though stepping off a cliff and taking a leap of faith, Gillard gently closed that tiny, precious inch between them and touched his lips upon hers. Surprise consumed him when Arlesse didn't pull away, and he pressed her tighter to him. He felt her cautiously reciprocate as though expecting Tarj or her clone to walk in and steal her away from him.

However, when no rescue came on some fantasy story cue, Harkin leaned in and deepened their kiss. He felt her return the touch, allowing the passion of the moment to consume her. He could clearly feel what he was certain was her attraction as her fingers clutched to his vest in some desperate attempt to experience their embrace.

Arlesse never intended to fall into the dizzying spiral of Harkin's influence. She felt the way his lips pressed upon hers, his touch practiced and certain. The lonely woman in her wanted to enjoy his touch, but the lady-in-waiting that she vowed she was for Jas overpowered the lonely being she had become. Suddenly, the lady-in-waiting took Arlesse to another place, another time.

Around her were the sounds of the forest on Tochin, and she could smell the flowers that were sweet in their fragrance. Birds fluttered their wings up in the trees above while small creatures rustled the leaves and branches on the ground. A brush of stubble gently grazed her lips and a gloved hand on the back of her neck drew her tighter against him. She felt her hands rise to the protective armor on his chest, and she clutched to the straps of the provisions pack that he carried on his back. She was consumed now by the moment, and as she reached up towards her knight, she leaned into their kiss. He pressed to her tighter and held her stronger in a way that was both protective and compassionate.

After a few moments, Gillard gently pulled back and opened his eyes as the princess gasped quietly. He watched as her eyelids snapped open and a mask of shock covered her face.

Arlesse felt a wave of panic fill her, as she wanted to know what happened to Jas. She was certain she was not with Harkin, and she didn't understand what had happened.

"Let me go," she suddenly said in fear, trying to push Harkin away.

Gillard looked to her not understanding what she meant, especially after the passion that he had felt in her kiss and in the way she had clutched to him.

"Let me go," Arlesse repeated, fear eating into her words.

"Arlesse..." he started.

"I can't be with you," she breathed, cutting Harkin off. She began struggling to free herself from his hands, and the moff could see the truth of it in her eyes as panic crossed over her face.

Not certain why Gillard let his hands fall and allowed Arlesse to pull free of him. He watched her run from the chamber and clenched his fists with a mixture of confusion and anger. He wanted to feel the wave of heated anger that hovered below the surface, and he wanted to punish the princess to show her that her actions would end futilely. However, he still could not bring himself to harm her, and he knew that he was truly growing to love her. He was certain of it because if he didn't, he would have found some kind of punishment to bestow upon her a long time ago.

"I forewarned you that she is committed."

Gillard spun towards the sound of the clone's voice, surprised to see Tarj exit from shadows of his own. The armored man had his helmet in his hands before him as though studying the eye goggles, and he should have realized that the princess' guardian would be nearby. His voice was curious, edging towards anger. "Why didn't you interfere?"

"Because I'm a sick shabuir," Tarj responded as he eyes came towards Harkin's.

Gillard snorted a quick laugh at Tarj's answer. Then, he crossed his arms over his chest. "How does a clone inspire that kind of devotion from a princess? They both had to know that what they sought was nothing more than a fantasy."

Tarj turned his helmet in his hands and then put it back over his head. He wouldn't let Harkin see how he truly felt about Jas, and with the helmet on he could simply state facts without the emotions in his eyes to reveal that Jas was his brother through blood and comradeship. "She does not see him as a clone. She sees the good man he is, and I know that he would die for her without question. She chose him because he is a man who understands honor."

Gillard turned his eyes away from Tarj and let them wander towards the doorway where Arlesse had exited. His voice was flat, factual rather than accusatory. "I can see that you love her, too, even though you probably don't understand that concept."

"I was ordered to keep her safe," Tarj responded automatically. Then, he decided to explain himself further, to make his intentions absolutely clear to Harkin. "In the months that I have had this responsibility, I had adopted her as my sister, and my commitment to her has now become a choice rather than an order. So, if that is how you define love, then I fit your definition."

Gillard brought his attention back towards Tarj, unable to hide the surprise on his face as he absorbed Tarj's answers for a long moment. The moff found himself astonished that the clones of the former Republic were so well versed in such worldly matters. Tarj had often proved that the cloned soldiers of his breeding were more than just ignorant, order-following cannon fodder, and his insight now was just another testimony.

Watching the princess' bodyguard step towards the door, Harkin caught Tarj's attention with his voice and spoke. "Commander, you still didn't answer why didn't you interfere."

Tarj nodded silently and then he turned one last time to Harkin. "You needed to see her commitment for yourself, and she needed to be reminded of who she would lose."

At that, Tarj was gone and Gillard remained in the empty tapestry room. He turned his attention away from the doorway where Arlesse's guardian had exited. Gillard was certain that Tarj was on his way to check in on Arlesse. It was the typical behavior he had observed of them. Tarj always picked her up emotionally after she fell down, and he was certain this time would be no different. He just hoped that one-day Arlesse would allow him the honor of healing her emotionally.

Turning towards the tapestry that had the princess so entranced earlier, Gillard felt the frustrated anger subside, and he found himself admiring her yet again for her devotion. Arlesse Psach would require more than one single kiss to be won over, and he had a lot to atone for after being responsible for killing her family. He only hoped that she would realize sooner rather than later that she had no choice in their companionship. He had no desire to take her against her will, but she needed their union in order to keep her protected from the Empire's minions. He needed her to understand that her clone would never return, and he was her last chance now for a life of comfort and compassion. That was something Tarj could never give her, and only Gillard had that kind of power.

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