"Captain Quinn," Vette's chirpy voice rang out through the ship's corridor, an instant before Quinn's quarter's door opened. "I think this is the first time you've ever slept in. Have you seen the Sith? Her bed is empty and 2V-R8 has no recollection of her leaving the ship." Six opened her eyes to see first the red and black lekku, then the inquisitive face of the Twi'lik ex-slave. Vette's eyes widened as she saw Six's naked form still wrapped in Malavai's arms.

"Yuck!" she said, covering her mouth "Didn't need to see that." Six narrowed her eyes at the nosy Twi'lik.

"You didn't," she intoned, putting as much Force persuasion in her voice as possible. "I'm planet-side Vette, getting irritated because you're late. You'd better leave Quinn to his business on the bridge and come find me." Six watched as Vette's eyes blanked out and she straightened up.

"Well, since you're having so much fun here on the bridge, Captain," Vette's usual trill was muted, "I'd better go meet up with the Sith. I'm sure she's standing around, tapping her foot, waiting for me." Six saw the ends of Vette's lekku swish and flick as she turned and left Quinn's quarters.

Good riddance, Six thought. She normally didn't have an issue with Vette's airy nature, but waking up in Malavai's arms was not a normal event. She'd lost track of how many times he'd made her body sing before they'd finally collapsed, exhausted. Now he held her tightly, her back to his chest and his mouth at her shoulder, as if even in sleep, he didn't want to stop tasting her skin. There's a lot to be said for being with a lover who found you delicious, Six thought with a grin; she felt pleasantly sore from the myriad of bites and nips across her body. Her grin turned thoughtful as something Vette had said crossed her mind.

"Captain Quinn," she pondered aloud, as she nestled deeper into Malavai's arms, "Far too much alliteration there. After this business with Baras is done, we need to work on advancing your career. 'Major Quinn' has a much better ring to it." Six felt his sleepy smile against her skin.

"'Major'," he murmured, "It does sound good, my l... Six." Six bit back a sigh of exasperation as she caught his slip.

"Even now, eh, Malavai?" She would have thought in such a familiar setting, he could have addressed her by name. She felt him tense behind her and realized he still was torn between his deeply entrenched professionalism, and whatever was happening between them.

"Sorry, it's just habit." Six could hear the chagrin in voice as he brushed his lips against her ear. Advance and retreat, Six reminded herself, they had advanced much in the night, maybe now wasn't the time to push.

"If it is more comfortable for you, 'my lord' will do just fine," she allowed, feeling him relax again almost immediately, "So discussing your career, why stop at 'Major'?" Six teased, "Would 'Moff Quinn' be more to your liking? You're due a couple of promotions; maybe we should just skip ahead to the top." The smile grew wider against her skin, and Six could picture Malavai hearing his future underlings calling him by his new rank.

"You would do that, my lord?" She heard surprise in his voice, as he asked, "You would me help advance my career?" Six was taken aback that it he would even question, but after being held back for so long, she could understand someone offering him to help him move forward was a foreign concept.

"Ambition should be rewarded," she stated, "I would think any good military man would want to advance their career. It's a shame that yours was held back for so long." Six could respect Malavai's ambitious side, and she knew firsthand how hard military advancement could be. She had seen her father fight for his rank, only to be held back due to the fact that he wasn't human. But she was sure now wasn't the time to talk about her father. Six was about to doze off again when she felt Malavai tense.

"Did I hear Vette in here a moment ago?" his voice sounded more alert. Six yawned, as she nodded and rubbed against him. "Damn," his tone was vehement, "The Twi'lek will be insufferable. As if she didn't pester me enough." Six sighed, hoping her morning wasn't ruined; it seemed Vette's unwelcome intrusion was weighing on Malavai's mind. She rolled over to face him.

"She's gone now. She won't remember what she saw," Six said. "I took away the memory. She'll be waiting for me on the planet, thinking she saw you on the bridge before she left." Six smiled as she gave him a light kiss, before adding "Dressed." She saw a smile play on his lips, as his eyes grew distant. When his eyes focused again, he gave her a speculative look.

"A remarkable ability," he said, letting out a small impressed sound, "You can do that? For anyone?" Six stiffened, she wasn't sure if she liked the direction this conversation was heading.

"It works better on people who are open to suggestion," she knew her voice had dropped in temperature, and was glad for the unreadable quality of her eyes. "Regretting your decision?" Again, it seemed the tone of her voice had passed over his head.

"Well, there may be some appeal to the idea. An experience like last night is sure to distract me from my duties." Six felt herself growing cold with rage as she narrowed her eyes at Malavai, searching his face. She stared him down for a moment before she noticed a twitch at the corners of his mouth, and a new gleam in his eyes that took her a moment to recognize as humor.

"Are you teasing me, Malavai?" her words held a note of wonder. This was a first, she thought, usually she instigated the teasing. She saw a smile start to cross Malavai's face; there was wariness to it, but her mood started to lighten as soon as she saw it.

"A feeble attempt, my lord. Probably not the best time to make a joke." Six felt Malavai's hands slide behind her and start to rub her back firmly. She relaxed, as she recognized the nonverbal form of his apology; she knew he was realizing she had taken offense to his words. "I do not regret my decision, my lord," his voice was emphatic; "I can't help but wonder, though, how our new connection will affect your campaign." She could feel his shield of professionalism going up, and thought maybe she had pushed too hard too soon.

Six gave him one more lingering kiss before sliding from the bed and gathering her clothes. Malavai looked at her questioningly, but silently followed her lead. She dressed swiftly, then let him finish putting on his uniform before walking over to him. Laying one hand on his jaw, she gazed into his eyes.

"Last night didn't happen, Quinn." she kept her voice determined, pouring all of her strength into it. She felt him start as he realized what she was doing, but he was too late to stop it. "Whatever you feel for me hasn't changed, but last night was only a dream. You will head back to your duties on the bridge, I'll be planet-side with Vette." He looked dazed as she strode out the door of his quarters. Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind, Six reminded herself, she had seen too much conflict in his eyes, for now she would give him a way out.

Patience, Six thought, as she headed to the bridge, there will be a better time to continue this. Quinn wasn't ready for this yet, but he will be. Having him come to her in the first place had only confirmed her suspicions about his feelings towards her. The man was more capable of passion than he let on, it would be a pleasure waiting for him. Until then, she could keep the memories to herself. Besides, Six thought, as she bent down to retrieve her boots, she was having too much fun to let their game end this soon.

"My lord?" Six straightened as she heard Quinn's questioning voice, "Did you sleep out here last night?" She looked over and noted his look of confusion. He was shaking his head as if to clear it. "I wasn't expecting you here." She stretched, and saw the flush emerge on his cheekbones as his eyes traced her body.

"I must have dozed off," she stated, gesturing to her seat, "I was just about to leave, Vette's waiting for me." Unable to resist, she pinned him with a sultry look. "Did you sleep well, Quinn?" From the color spreading across his face, she could guess where his thoughts had headed.

"Very well, my lord," he said, looking flustered, "But my shoulder seems a bit sore, not sure if I slept on it wrong. Almost feels like I got kicked." Six had to hide a smile, that explained the "oof", she thought. But as she watched, a heated gleam rose in his eyes and the corners of his lips twitched. "An uneventful night, my lord?" he asked. The look in his eyes brought Six up short. No, she thought, he shouldn't be able to remember. Six found herself peering at Quinn, wondering if he was having true memories, or thought that last night was a dream. It wasn't like her to miscalculate, she thought, but was Quinn as prone to suggestion as she'd perceived?

"Nothing new that I'm aware of," she said, as she busied herself with her boots. She tried hard to keep the wary note from her voice, but it bled through anyway. "But, it occurs to me that Vette can wait for a little while. I think I might want to visit the refresher before I take off." Feeling the need to test a bit more, she added, "Feel free to join me, Captain." She noticed the adorable blush had returned, but this time it was accompanied by an almost knowing smile.

"You're still teasing me, my lord," he said, shaking his head again, "You know very well that would be improper. Just contact the ship once you've arrived on the planet. When you two are done we have to set course for Taris." As he sat at the helm of the ship, Six heard a tale-tell clink, and saw Malavai's hand drop to the binders now worn openly at his belt. He does remember, she thought, in awe, but he wasn't going to admit it. Six realized he was trying to keep her guessing on purpose. She couldn't stop the grin from spreading across her face, as she headed to the refresher.

Well done, Quinn, Six found herself impressed. Wars of the wits were always better with well-armed opponents. This battle may be more fun than she thought.

Author's note

Mini Spoiler... Taris is where they encounter the other man in Six's life. Let the games begin!