Pleasure Before Business

Chapter 8: Settling In

"You've done that before, haven't you," Carth murmured into Bastila's heaving chest as he held her in a tender embrace.

His hot breath blew on her wet nipples, sending a shiver through Bastila. "N-no. Never." She suspected no one and nothing could have prepared her for Carth's sheer size even if she had.

"Hell... you should've said something," Carth said, his eyes widening with surprise as he pulled back to look at her.

"Does it matter?"

Carth frowned. "Of course it matters, woman. We could've started you out on something small--like, uh, fingers or something."

Bastila raised a brow. "And then what? Work my way up to a wroshyr tree?" she retorted acerbically.

His and Revan's sudden laughter vibrated and shook into Bastila's body, bringing a closeness that had nothing to do with the proximity of their bodies.

She had no idea there was a place for humor in sex. That there could be farce as well as fulfillment.

"Did I...did I do it right?" Bastila asked, not sure she knew the term for what she had just done. For such a special, intimate act of trust between a man and a woman.

"Don't the results speak for themselves?" Carth asked. His expression softened when he saw her uncertainty. "Bastila, it felt wonderful."

"I am... not very experienced." Jedi do not lie. Be honest... you are not experienced at all.

"Bastila..." Carth pressed her head against his shoulder. "Your passion and curiosity--your needs--are real and honest. They really turned me on. A lot."

Bastila remembered the damp stain on his trousers.

"A Zeltron joygirl may have a lot more experience--but she would never give me that. Joygirls can't afford to leave themselves vulnerable like you did." He leaned his forehead against hers. "She could never tremble like you did--or make me shake like a ship caught in a storm."

"You did good, considering it was your first time," Revan said, kissing Bastila's cheek. "Congratulations on losing that particular virginity." She leaned down and licked the stray drops of seed that had fallen onto Bastila's breasts.

Carth grinned when Bastila blushed. He pulled his wet fingers out from her, and slowly licked the moisture coating them. He brushed his thumb across her mouth. "You were great. I knew those pretty lips of yours would feel damn good."

Revan was pulled down onto Carth's other knee, sitting next to Bastila on his lap, their breasts and thighs pressed together. Bastila leaned against Carth's warm chest with the other woman, idly stroking his spent cock as they rested their heads on his broad shoulders.

Bastila basked in the light of their warm approval, feeling a little like a student who had successfully performed a particularly difficult task. She could feel the love that radiated from them through the Force, cradling her and filling the void inside her heart.

"I can't believe I'm sitting here with two of the galaxy's most beautiful women in my lap," Carth said, his voice reverberating into Bastila's bare back. "I've died and joined with the Force," he added, wonder and awe in his dazed tone.

Bastila expected Revan to castigate the soldier for his sentiment, but it seemed Carth was quite sincere. The other woman smiled and kissed his cheek.

They sat together like that for a while, bare skin to warm bare skin, long enough for Carth's cock to stir and harden under Bastila's and Revan's fondling.

With a sigh, Revan pressed her lips to Carth's jaw, giving him an apologetic kiss. "I need to go start lunch."

Carth raised his eyebrow at her. "We just had breakfast."

"Well, I'm going to prepare a special meal, one to celebrate Bastila joining us." Revan turned a smile full of joy towards Bastila, dazzling her. "And now to congratulate her on losing one part of her virginity."

"That is not necessary, Revan--you've amply demonstrated your warm welcome for me," Bastila said, feeling surprised that Revan had gone to so much trouble. "I am curious... what if I had refused you?"

"Then Carth and I would've had a fine meal as a consolation prize," Revan said with a lopsided smile. "Happily, you did accept."

With a regretful sigh, Carth allowed them to rise. He tucked his stiffening cock and testicles back into his trousers, muffling a curse as he struggled to contain himself.

"If you weren't too sore, Bastila, I'd make you work up an appetite for that lunch," Carth grumbled.

Bastila smiled at his discomfort, knowing it was an empty threat. "There is no need to sulk, Carth."

"You can save it for dessert," Revan said and made loud, exaggerated smacking sounds with her lips.

"You're not helping!" Carth shifted and attempted to adjust his rapidly growing erection. A dangerous gleam came into his dark eyes. "Get going, woman, before you end up the floor, flat on your back."

"We can do that after you put down a new rug or something. Take a cold shower, flyboy," Revan taunted, evading his grab.

"If this ship had one, I would!"

Bastila smiled at their banter; that much had not changed in the six years since the destruction of the Star Forge. She knew he was not serious--the ship was not that large, and there was no place to escape if he really wanted to catch Revan. Assuming, of course, that Revan wanted to be caught.

"Come on, there's no talking to him when he's like this," Revan said as she helped Bastila on with her tunic. They were just leaving when they heard his voice.

"Hey, Bastila, there's just one more thing," Carth called. Bastila turned back, making sure she was out of his reach. He swiveled to face them.

"One of the rules while you're on this ship is that you're not allowed to wear any underwear." There was a challenging look on his face.

"And why should I do that?"

A dark flame burned in Revan's eyes. "We like to be... accessible to each other." Accessible was breathed against Bastila's ear. It felt like a lover's caress, and it raised the hairs on the back of her neck.

So, they never wore underwear if they were onboard; their lack yesterday had not been planned. Bastila felt a slight disappointment at that.

"Besides, Carth tends to be hard on fragile and delicate lingerie," Revan added.

A wicked grin flashed across Carth's face. "What can I say? I've never been the most patient of men."

Revan took Bastila by the hand. "Come on, we need to order you some new gear. I'm afraid that jumpsuit you wore yesterday isn't salvageable." She raised an eyebrow. "Not unless you like the just-ravished look."

"But I still have several changes of clothes in my pack--" Bastila protested.

"Are you seriously going to wear those things for six months? Just those few outfits?" Revan asked reasonably.

Bastila was irritated by their assumption that they could dictate orders to her. "And what makes you think I would stay with you for that long?"

Carth raised his eyebrows. "If you've got a place to stay, then gimme the coordinates. I can fly you there whenever you want."

"You know there is no such refuge for me," Bastila admitted.

"Well, if you've got nothing to do and no one to meet... why not stay with us?" Revan asked.

"You know we'll both do our best to make your stay with us enjoyable," Carth said with a grin.

Bastila sighed. It was true that there was no sanctuary she could claim, and no one expected her. Unless, of course, she returned to her role of being the hunted. The very idea made her weary. For the first time in months, she was in the company of friends, in a place where she did not have to look over her shoulder constantly.

"Well, when you put it that way, I suppose I do need some extra clothes--but I don't dare leave a credit trail for the bounty hunters to find--"

"Don't worry, we'll use the account Mission set up for us, it can't be traced." Revan's face lit with an expression of pure delight. "I can't wait to dress you up!"

"Just try not to break the bank account, beautiful," Carth said dryly.

Revan's enthusiasm took Bastila aback. "I fail to see how you could be so excited over picking out a few outfits for me."

"Because I'm not just thinking about regular clothes for you," Revan said, a mischievous light in her emerald eyes. "You'll need some fripperies to go along with them."

"But I don't need--" Bastila began.

"Aw, come on, Bastila," Revan wheedled. "You're such a beautiful woman, don't you realize you should have beautiful clothes?"

Bastila blinked at the other woman's vehemence. No one had ever complimented her on her beauty like that before, except in a most sleazy and lascivious manner. She suppressed a shiver as memories of Brejik and Malak rose up from the depths of the past.

"She's right, you know," Carth said quietly.

"Are you not more interested in taking my clothes off?" Bastila said tartly.

To her amazement and delight, the soldier blushed. He rubbed his neck. "Yeah, but--" He cleared his throat and directed a serious gaze on her. "You've only just discovered this side of yourself--let us help you explore it."

"But... I can only wear them while I am on the ship," Bastila said, puzzled by their insistence.

Carth stood and leaned towards her, the sexual heat emanating from him almost physically pushing her back against the cold metal wall, even though he had not even taken one step forward.

"Don't you know what a turn-on that is for us? That Revan and I are the only ones in the galaxy who will ever see you like that?" he said in a low, hoarse voice.

"You said just now you did not want me to wear any underwear."

"Not the kind that will hinder us," Revan purred.

A vision of the crotchless panties Revan had worn played across Bastila's mind. Clearly the kind of lingerie they had in mind were not meant to cover--but to display. To show off the body in a shameless, wanton manner.

Bastila had never in her life worn anything like that. Jedi robes hid the body, such that it was nearly impossible to tell if the wearer were male or female.

On the ship, they would be able to touch her innermost parts anytime... anywhere. As she would be able to touch them.

"Very well," Bastila said weakly.

Revan clapped her hands like a delighted child presented with a new toy. "You won't regret it, I promise!" She turned to the soldier. "Would you like to help pick stuff out?"

Carth gave her an indulgent smile. "Surprise me."

"I thought you hated surprises," Bastila teased.

"Not this kind, I don't." A sly smile crossed Carth's face. "Don't forget to order more oil--I get the feeling we're gonna be using a lot of it."

"What about new carpeting?" Revan retorted.

Carth vented an exasperated sigh. "Fine, pick a color and fabric, take the measurements, and I'll put it down when you two go off to pick your purchases up. It'll take me a while if you want me to do all the other rooms, too."

"There's hardly enough space in the other rooms to do anything!" Revan protested.

His lips twitched into an exaggerated leer. "When have I ever let that stop me?"

"No, just the bedroom is fine. And the cockpit." Revan leaned down and patted her knees, then Bastila's. "The floor's too damn hard and cold in here."

"Ha!" Carth threw back his head and laughed. "You got it."

Bastila allowed Revan to tow her to the workshop, wondering if she should be frightened by the chortling noises the other woman was making.

She stopped Revan in the short hallway. "Revan, wait a moment."

Revan stopped chortling and turned to her, a look of concern crossing her face at hearing the serious note in Bastila's voice. "What is it?"

"Are you truly serious about having Carth put down new carpeting?"

"Yeah, sure. Why?" Revan tilted her head. "Back when he bought this ship for us to look for you, we kept it as it was, no-frills, bare deckplates, minimal plumbing, and all. There was no point in improving anything if you decided to decline our offer--but now that you're going to be with us for six months, we might as well travel in comfort."

"But he said we would have to go and buy the supplies and the new clothes--do we not have to show ourselves at the stores?" Bastila frowned. "I have no wish to endanger either of you for a few fripperies."

Revan brightened. "Oh, is that all you're worried about? Come into the workshop with me." She led Bastila into a room she had not yet explored.

Lockers and plasteel containers lined the walls, and a workbench sat in the middle of the room, barely allowing them to walk around it. Where the containers were not stacked to the ceiling, there were wire shelves attached to the walls, containing all manner of odds and ends.

Sliding along the narrow aisle, Revan showed Bastila the contents of an equipment locker. A pair of helmets, with straight horizontal visors and air purifiers, sat on the top shelf. Worn-looking but serviceable leather armor with matching pants hung next to hooded ponchos.

Bastila stared at them in dismay. "Revan, this is Ubese armor! Do you realize several of them hunted me?"

Revan nodded, a grim look on her face. "A couple of them helped us track you, you know, until our bond could pinpoint your location. Carth and I took care of them after they gave us some promising leads. Don't look at me like that, it was self-defense."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that once I left Citadel Station, it was only a matter of time before they tracked me down." Revan shrugged. "When they realized Carth was paying good money to find you, it only took them a small leap to the conclusion that there were more Jedi out there for them to find."

"Still, that was rather ruthless, especially for a Jedi."

Revan sighed. "We didn't have any choice, all right? I thought we could just pay them and send them off in a completely different direction--but it turned out they tried to muscle him for more credits."

Bastila shivered at this cold, practical side to Revan--and Carth. It was easy to forget Carth could act without a shred of mercy or ruth when he felt forced to. "Still, to use the armor they died in...? Is that not a little grotesque?"

"Hey, this armor makes even you look mannish--"

"--Or you," Bastila interjected, with a pointed glance at the fabric that stretched taut across Revan's well-endowed chest. She wiped her hands on her thighs, her palms prickling from the memory of how Revan's breasts had felt.

"Or me," Revan corrected herself with a grin. "It's perfect--no one messes with Ubese mercenaries, the armor and helmet hide what you look like, they have speech scramblers, and they act like environment suits just like the kind Mandalorians use."

"And everyone knows how much the Ubese hate Jedi." Bastila looked at the white, skull-like helmets. "I am surprised they dealt with Carth--they hate the Republic even more than Jedi."

"Oh, he contacted them through a middle man on Nar Shaddaa--they never saw his face. When they insisted on meeting with him, he wore that set of hellishly expensive Mandalorian armor we bought from that Rodian on Dantooine. Anyway, Carth's good with his hands--" Revan smiled suggestively "--so he can adjust the second set of armor for you."

"But would it not look strange for Ubese mercenaries to stoop to delivery duty?" Bastila blushed. "Especially of the goods we plan to buy?"

Revan took one of the helmets and held it out. "Do you think anyone's going to argue with someone wearing something like this?"

"But neither of us speak Ubese."

"That's all right, no one else but the Ubese do, either." Revan put the helmet back into the locker. "They use speech scramblers, anyway, and the likelihood of actually meeting a real one, way out here on the Outer Rim, is close to nil. There's nothing for them here. And if there are--they're looking for a lone Jedi, not two androgynous Ubese and a Mandalorian."

"Still, I am uncomfortable with this deception." Bastila fingered the tough brown survival material on the armor.

"I know, but it's not like we're really working as mercenaries--we're just using their armor as a disguise whenever we have to get off the ship." Revan closed the door on the locker. "Unfortunately, only Carth can wear Mandalorian armor, or I would've gotten us those instead."

"I am not sure that solution would be much better." Another thought struck Bastila. "What of our lightsabers?"

"They can be our trophies. We'll use vibroblades if we have to fight. But enough of this, let's go shopping!"