Serving His General

She woke first, feeling Bao Dur curled around her body. She snuggled in, feeling warm, and safe, and loved. He had not touched her, even in sleep, beyond gathering her close. She had never felt so protected in her life.



Six days left, she thought. Not a lot of time, but they would make it count. In a flash of understanding, she recalled what he had told her. Atton. He was out there, loving her, waiting. She knew now that she could wait, and he would too. For these few precious days, she had Bao Dur, and that was more than she ever had hoped for. There was no jealousy, no regret, no guilt. Just her, and Bao Dur, and the hope she carried now for the future.



She felt him stir beside her and smiled. Rolling over, she kissed him gently on the cheek and waited until he woke. His blue eyes opened and looked into her green ones, sleepy and content. He smiled, and her heart contracted. He wasn’t human, not that was ever a consideration on her part, but he was warm, and attractive, and oh, so very sexy. She stroked his cheek, and smiled at him.



“Good morning, Bao’uhr Du’hcsk.”



“Good morning, Ladria.” The use of her name, unguarded with sleep, made her shiver.



He gathered her in, and kissed her cheek.



“How are you feeling?” he asked, snuggling close.



She snuggled back, shamelessly. She could feel his arousal around her, beyond the physical evidence that was currently pressing against her thigh.



“Better than I have in weeks. I guess you were wrong, after all.” Her eyes were teasing, her face carefully blank.



“Oh was I?” he murmured, not fooled in the slightest. “About what?” He transferred attention to the hollow of her throat, nuzzling and nipping lightly.



“I didn’t need a good drunk and a good lay after all. I just needed a good night’s sleep.” She moaned a little, appreciating his attentions. Fully clothed, with morning breath and her hair tangled around her shoulders, she was never more aroused in her life. A slow exploration told her he was in the same state.



“Well now…I guess you need to replace me as XO. A good second should always properly anticipate the needs of his captain.” His tongue started doing interesting things to her left ear. Her shiver encouraged him, and he ran his hand down her side, resting on her hip, pulling her closer. “Or general, for that matter.”



He raised his head and looked at her full in the face. His bright blue eyes were almost electric. Their eyes searched each other’s, finding peace, solace, love, understanding. Then he slowly closed the distance and kissed her.



Insanely, she thought of her whisky induced halitosis, then thought no more. His kiss was gentle, but insistent and immediate. Desire flooded her body, and a moan escaped her throat. His tongue teased her lips, demanding and insistent. Her mouth opened to his gentle assault. His kiss deepened, and his hands were everywhere, stroking, teasing, tugging at her clothes. Her robe opened, and his calloused hands were tenderly but firmly kneading her breast. She gasped, and tugged at his shirt. Abandoning her breast long enough to pull his shirt off, he tossed it aside. His fingers oh so gently stroked her nipple, and it contracted to a hard nub. Her moan rang around the cabin when he bent his head and sucked strongly.



Together they managed to take off what remained of their clothing. At his insistence, they went slowly, kissing and stroking each bit of bare flesh uncovered. At last they were both naked, panting, needing and wanting each other so much she was afraid they would set off the fire sensors.



Once relieved of every stitch of clothing, he kissed her again, until they were both breathless. He paid homage to each breast, sucking and nipping until she couldn’t remember anything in the universe but the sensations he was arousing. Slowly, he licked his way up her torso, pausing to nuzzle her neck, her ear lobe, the hollow of her throat. He kissed her deeply, rubbing his hardness against her groin and her sounds of arousal made him that much harder. She reached up to touch his face, kissed him, and the when he broke off and started to use his mouth down her body again, she sighed and moaned and wriggled against his erotic assault.



When he reached her center and started to nibble and lick her into a frenzy, she discovered that stroking the horns on his head made him moan. Delighted, she continued this until he made her stop with yet another hungry kiss. Tasting her own arousal in his mouth she sighed and sucked on his tongue. Pulling him closer, she shifted and managed to roll him on his back. She straddled him, rubbing against his body but carefully keeping him from entering her.



She bent her head and kissed and nibbled her way down his neck, chest, and abdomen until she was eye level with his very hard, very big male member. Licking, sucking, gently biting, she heard his groan of desire and smiled. Eventually, he came and she could feel his exaltation, and his irritation. She sucked him dry and smiled before she slid her body up his and kissed him again.



He held her close, and they listened to each other’s breathing for a while.



“That was not what I intended, General.” His soft voice held a touch of regret.



“So it’s ‘General’ again?” she asked teasingly. “You won’t use my name, even now?”



He looked at her, and chuckled, the sound reverberating in his chest. “No, Ca’shaa, it isn’t that…it is just that your Name, now, has more meaning than perhaps you want at this moment. Was I wrong?”



“Yes, you were…please, Bao’uhr Du’hcsk, say my Name.”



He could hear the capitalization in her voice, and while he stroked her back and buried his fingers in her hair, he whispered “Ladria” in her ear. The inflection sent a shiver down her spine, and she sighed, content.



The first glow ebbing, she looked up, and asked “Ca’shaa?”



“In your language, it translates roughly to ‘Dear One’”



“Mmmmmm. I like that. Ca’shaa. May I call you that, too?”



“I would like nothing more. But…you do have an atrocious accent.”



“I see. Well, you will just have to teach me better. For now…I think we have other priorities.” She stroked his re-arousing member, and nipped his ear.



“I think so too, Ca’shaa. As always, I am at your service.”



He took over, and his erotic assault escalated; soon she found herself on her back, his mouth at her breasts, one hand in her hair, the other stroking the very core of her. She shivered and moaned, and reached for his hardness, determined this time to feel him inside her. He deliberately eluded her until he was satisfied of her complete arousal. Slowly, he slid up her torso, kissed her senseless, then pulling back, he looked her full in the face. Looking deep into her eyes, he slowly, teasingly, eased into her body. When he was nearly fully embedded, he stopped, ever so slowly stroking back and forth. She moaned and squirmed, and tried to get him to go deeper, but he waited, patient. Finally, his eyes locked with hers, he thrust forward. She could feel every inch of him, and her hips rose to meet his slow thrusts. Gentle rocking motions escalated to hard strokes and finally, a frenzied pounding. He pulled back, slowing to gentleness, then increased the tempo gradually until she exploded around him. Groaning, he came right after her, and they collapsed in a tangle of arms, legs, and sated desire.



For the rest of the week, they kept mostly to the Ebon Hawk. One or the other of them would occasionally go out and get better food than the galley’s synthesizer, which they would share, often in bed. They agreed not to leave the ship together, although at one point he had expressed regret that she refused his idea of at least going out to dinner, and perhaps checking out some entertainment.



“Ca’shaa, I am not ashamed to be seen with you, and I would love nothing better than to spend a normal evening with my lover, enjoying good food, good entertainment, and perhaps dancing.” She eyed him. “Do you dance?”



“Well…no. I am afraid I possess…how do you humans put it? Two right feet?”



She giggled. He started at that; she never giggled. The sound was like a summer breeze blowing through a crystal cave.



“It’s two left feet.”



“Curious expression. What does it matter, right or left? Either way, it would be most difficult to walk, let alone dance.”



“Ancient human superstition. Left was considered evil; if you have two left feet, it means they are cursed.” She mock-glared at him. “But you’re getting me off track. I was saying that I would enjoy being with you in public, but I don’t really think it’s a good idea.”



“I did not think so either, but I would be willing to. I wanted you…well, to feel as normal as possible until we leave for Dantooine.”



“Thank you. Believe me, this is as ‘normal’ as my life could ever be, and I am content. We can get good food, the entertainment here is barely acceptable anyway, unless you enjoy Pazzak, and I would not humiliate you by teaching you to dance in public. There are other reasons to keep to ourselves, as well.”



“I understand, Ca’shaa.”



The thought of Atton was with them both. It was one thing to know that he had given his blessing, even approved of their week together. It was quite another to run into him in public and rub his face in it. Neither Bao Dur nor Ladria would hurt him for the world. Plus, their other friends and crew were scattered Gods knew where. It was a big planet, but the chances of running in to one or another were greater than was comfortable. The Force had, in Ladria’s opinion, a lively sense of humor. She did not relish having anyone question her or Bao Dur about their relationship. She was not embarrassed or ashamed of it, but…well, it was private, and the unspoken truth was this would last only until they left for Dantooine. After that, no matter what the outcome of the coming war, they would part as lovers, without regret. It was no one’s business but their own.



And so the days passed. They talked, made love, showered together, talked some more. They shared large chunks of their lives, mostly before and after the Mandalorian War; rarely did they speak of the war itself, except to reminisce about people they had known, and times that didn’t touch on battle. He improved her use of Iridonian voice inflection; she attempted to teach him to dance. The best he could do was hold her close and sway more or less in time to the music. They laughed together a lot.



Their last night together finally came. Bao Dur had gone to the best restaurant on the station and brought an exceptional feast. He wanted everything to be perfect and romantic – something they would always remember. With this in mind, as a surprise, he had bought himself semi-formal clothing. They had both mostly worn casual tunics and breeches during the week, when they bothered with clothing at all. He changed into the new stiff and unfamiliar garments at the shop and looked at himself in the mirror.



Not bad, he considered. I suppose I’ll always look like a thug by human standards, but at least I’m a decently dressed thug.



He had briefly considered purchasing a dress of some sort for Ladria, but decided not to. He was unsure enough about human customs to be wary of insulting her, and utterly uninformed about fashion. With his luck, he would pick something completely unsuitable, which she would wear without comment, and probably even sincerely thank him for. But he would know if he chose wrongly, as soon as she saw it. Better to be gallant and tell her she didn’t need such artificial enhancements; her natural beauty was enough. Which was true, anyway.



Arriving back at the Ebon Hawk, he called out to announce his presence and found the table set with a white cloth, flowers, and - Gods knew where she came up with it – actual china plates and crystal goblets. He set about serving the food, pouring the wine, and discarding the food cartons. He heard her enter the compartment, turned to greet her, and sucked in his breath, momentarily stunned by the sight of her.



She was wearing a dress – well, he thought doubtfully, I think one would call it a dress. There seems to be enough material to qualify, and it covers the essentials. But it would not keep anyone without fur warm, and I’ve never seen anyone look so glowingly naked, yet perfectly proper in my life.



It was an emerald green, almost the color of her eyes, which made her pale skin nearly glow and turned her hair from a banked ember to a bright flame. The bodice was cut low, with enough cleavage to tantalize, but not be improper. The material was silky, flowing over her curves, skimming but not clinging. The skirt touched the tops of her shoes, but the sides…it was open on both sides from almost the top of her thigh to hem, with dozens of tiny chains holding the two halves together. Her lovely long legs were displayed, but discretely – the gap was only a few inches. The sleeves were filmy gauze, tight at the cuffs but slit from wrist to shoulder, so her arms occasionally peeped out. When she turned to show off her costume, a very satisfied female smile on her face, he could see that the back was so low he could swear he could see a hint of buttock cleavage. The engineer in him sincerely wondered how the bodice stayed up at all with it cut low in front and back. He decided it was female magic, and to simply appreciate the breathtaking picture she made.



“You are lovely, Ca’shaa.” His voice was warm honey, and the inflection was so powerfully sexual Ladria wondered if they would get through dinner. She shivered in anticipation.



“As are you…Ca’shaa. My, do you clean up well.” She used inflections of appreciation and desire in return.



They sat down to dinner, one of her favorite music selections playing softly in the background. Afterwards, they cleaned up, and then he turned to her and took her in his arms. They swayed to the music, content to simply be touching, and breathing. When they made love, he took special care to undress her reverently, kiss her passionately, touch her tenderly, and love her completely. They made the most of every moment, and when they finally fell asleep, locked in each other’s arms, the sleep was dreamless, and the dark was comforting.



When the morning came and the crew arrived, they were ready, and quite back to their former relationship. Atton of course knew, but if anyone else suspected, they gave no sign. As for Atton…he came aboard, surprisingly tidy and freshly shaved. He cheerfully greeted both of them. To Bao Dur’s astonishment, he winked at him, shook his hand, and actually hugged Ladria in front of the entire crew. Kissing her soundly, he said with a grin, “I’ve always wanted to do that.” She rather shyly kissed him back, which earned her his best Devil-may-care grin. With that, he disappeared into the cockpit for preflight countdown.



Laughing, Ladria further astonished her friends by hugging all of them in turn, with a word and pat on the arm for each. Mandalore she did not hug, but clasped his hand, warrior to warrior, and to his consternation, leaned over and kissed his cheek as well. He looked stunned and uncomfortable, even though she had been careful to do so when no one else was around. Bao Dur saw, but was discretely in the background, unnoticed.



“Among my people, that is insubordination,” he growled.



“Among mine, that is friendship,” Ladria answered, not a bit intimidated. “I doubt we will ever completely see eye to eye, Canderous. But I have appreciated your help and hope that perhaps the Mandalore and the Republic can consider being allies instead of enemies. You are a great warrior and a worthy opponent, as well as being a good friend, if you so choose some day.”



“For a Jedi you are a warrior of great skill,” he said in his gruff manner. “I have sincerely enjoyed serving together. The Mandalore have much rebuilding to do, and may need allies. I will consider your idea.” He paused. “I didn’t realize you knew who I was all this time,” he added, acknowledging her use of his given name.



“Canderous, I was a General of the Republic during the Mandalorian War. I knew as much as I could about every officer who served under me, or fought against me. And I never forget a face, General Ordo.” She smiled. “There was no doubt you knew exactly who I was, yet you were willing to serve with me for a common cause. The war is over; the past is dead. The Force often brings unlikely allies together. I have often thought the universe is possessed of a rather…whimsical…sense of humor.”



When all the crew were situated, and they were on their way to Dantooine, Ladria left the copilot seat, patting Atton on the shoulder in passing. Since everyone’s return, she had found it much easier to be more familiar with her friends. While not especially given to touching people, she could not seem to help herself when it came to Atton, or Bao Dur, although she took care not to be obvious to anyone else about it. With everyone else, they still found her thoughtful, caring, and occasionally ruthless in her teachings, but there was an ease of manner that had been lacking before, and everyone, even Mandalore, responded to it.



Bao Dur was in the engine room, double checking every component, and humming along with the engines. He stood when she entered, and turned to look at her. She smiled, stepped forward, and hugged him hard. She kissed him one last time, lingeringly, and whispered “Thank you, Bao’uhr Du’hcsk. I am ready now.”



She turned, and went back to the cockpit. Bao Dur gazed after her, a small, secret smile on his lips, satisfaction in his eyes. He had done well by his General.