The stars shined brightly over the planet of Naboo. The weather was beautiful and the night was warm with a cool wind. On the balcony of his apartment, Rhys Dallows gazed at the constellations in awe. Even in the city of Theed, they were able to keep the light pollution to a minimum so that apartments and the Royal Palace could enjoy the view of the stars. Suddenly, a trio of N1 Starfighters streaked overhead and Rhys couldn't help but sigh. The constant fighter patrols and the shadows of the Star Cruisers and other war ships just outside of the atmosphere, barely visible to the naked eye, were all a constant reminder that the galaxy was at war. The Clone Wars had begun just a few months ago. Rhys's old friend Nym, from Lok, had sent a report stating that a massive fight had taken place on Geonosis and that the Separatists had armies of war droids.

As soon as the news had set in, Rhys was hit by a great deal of sadness. He knew what the Queen wanted. He knew what senator Amidala wanted - diplomacy for peace. But Rhys was a soldier and a veteran of battle. He also knew that it would be some time before diplomacy became an option again. Suddenly, a rock bounced off his forehead. "Ouch!"

It had only been a pebble, no larger than the end of his little finger but it had surprised him greatly! Looking around with a glare, Rhys tried to identify where it had come from. A low chuckle answered his questioning search as he looked down at the street. There stood Vana Sage, a tall, dark skinned woman in a padded flightsuit. "Hey Rhys, are you going to come down here and let me in or what?"

Rhys felt a broad smile cross his face. "I dunno, Vana! You keep throwing those rocks at me and making me wonder if you're trying to kill me or something."

"Well, do you have a bounty on your head?" she asked with a laugh. Rhys laughed too and said, "Like I'd tell you if I did. Wait a sec. I'll be right down to let you in."

Rhys hurried down and slapped the front door control. It hissed open, admitting the attractive, dark skinned woman. Rhys chuckled and hugged her happily. "It's been awhile. How's the life of a bounty hunter?"

"Pretty much the same. I'm thinking of coming back to work with the Security Forces;" she answered as they separated and she set down her travel bag. Silently, they studied one another. There had always been a fission of tension between them but they had never broached the subject. Idly, Rhys wondered if that was one of the reasons that Vana had shown up so unexpectedly. "Can I get you anything, food? Something to drink maybe?"

Vana allowed him to lead her by the arm to a very lovely sitting room. "If you have any brandy, that would be nice."

Rhys chuckled and grabbed a pair of tumblers, pouring generous amounts of the amber liquid into both of them. Vana smiled with pleasure and clinked glasses with him. "To old victories and new battles;" she said. "May we remember the first as we strive to win the second."

Rhys nodded solemnly and they sipped the liquor. It was smooth and didn't burn at all but warmed all the way down. As they sipped their drinks, that sat for several minutes in content and companionable silence. Vana finished her first glass and Rhys topped her off while she asked, "Does it look like the war is going to effect you at all, Rhys?"

Rhys sighed and said, "I'm not sure, to be honest with you, Vana. It wouldn't surprise me since Gunray is still the Viceroy of the Trade Federation and he probably holds a grudge for his humiliation a decade ago. I'm not asking if, I'm asking when, to be honest with you."

Vana nodded, not quite sure how to respond to that. Finally, she murmured, "I was actually thinking of coming back as a part of the Royal Security Forces. I hear you're always looking for help and since the war has started, you'll need it all the more."

Rhys nodded with a chuckle. "We really could. The more we can rely on ourselves and avoid the help of the Grand Army, the better our queen and senator Amidala would be pleased. I'll recommend you to Panaka and see what he has to say."

Vana smiled. "I'd appreciate it."

This time, the silence had been awkward as they looked at one another, wondering what they should talk about. "Did you take part in any of the battles?" asked Rhys, for lack of anything better to talk about. Vana nodded. "I went and worked with Nym and the Revenants for awhile. They've been doing whatever they can to disrupt supply ships and destroy lightly armed convoys on their way for arming. Nym's actually been pretty busy. I just needed a break for awhile and thought I'd look up an old friend."

Rhys smiled with pleasure. "We'll I'm glad you did, Vana. Do you need anything else? A shower? A meal? Anything?"

"I actually ate before I came here, grabbed a quick meal so as not to impose but, honestly, I could really use a shower and a change of clothes."

Rhys smiled and motioned her towards his refresher. "My house is your house. Help yourself to whatever you need. The orange towel is the one I'm using but there should some folded in a basket on the counter."

"Thanks, Rhys; afterward, why don't we go out and walk. It's been so many years and I miss the beauty of Theed."

The young fighter pilot found himself blushing and slightly dry in the throat. He sipped more brandy, cleared his threat and said as casually as possible. "That's sounds great."

Vana grinned and quickly stepped into the fresher. The door hissed behind her. Rhys found himself suddenly breathing again, totally unaware that he had been holding his breath. He hadn't seen Vana in years and now, the first time he had seen her, he was getting dry mouthed, dry throated and short of breath. It was absurd.

It wasn't that Vana was quite attractive, because she was, with lovely dark skin and sparkling brown eyes and plump lips- Rhys stopped himself with a snort. What was he doing, thinking about her like that? Vana had visited to get together with an old friend, not to be lusted after by a pilot eight years her junior.

Vana was humming quietly to herself as she took a very fast shower, scrubbing her smooth skin gently yet thoroughly and making sure she washed her rich black hair. It was good to see Rhys again. When she had last seen him, he had been barely old enough to drink, a young pilot no older than twenty-one but she had noticed that he had been quite handsome even back then. He had a strong jaw and chiseled features that she had been drawn to even back then. Now, with some free time, maybe she'd be able to see where they stood.

Vana smiled and wrapped a towel around her torso before opening the door and walking right out, still quite wet and almost naked. "Hey Rhys, I think I left my back in the entry way. Mind getting it for me?"

Rhys's face was slack as he wrestled his gaze away from her. "Uh... yeah! Yeah sure, I can- where did you say- never mind here it is."

Blushing deeply, he handed her the bag. Teasingly, she placed a hand on his forehead. "You alright, Rhys? You looked flushed."

"Well I'm guessing that's the side affect of an attractive woman in only a towel in the middle of my living room;" he said, blushing fiercely. Vana's eyes widened. "Oh, I see. You think that I'm very attractive, do you?"

Rhys tried to meet her eyes but the teasing playfulness made it hard for him. "Sure I do. Who wouldn't?"

She chuckled and said, "I'll be out in a few minutes. We really should talk about this."

Rhys was suddenly even more nervous. "This? What this?"

"Don't give me that, flyboy; you know exactly what I'm talking about. You think I'm attractive, I think you're attractive and we should talk about that."

Rhys's heart and stomach were doing somersaults. "O-Okay!" stammered Rhys. So there was something there and it would seem that Vana was more than willing to explore and investigate it. Rhys was perfectly fine with that too, if only he could keep his throat from going all dry and his tongue from tying itself into knots. Why she was suddenly able to fluster him so easily, when she hadn't been able to at all in the past was a mystery.

"Alright;" she said, walking out in a simple pair of trousers, a long shirt and a pair of normal, more fashionable boots. "I'm ready when you are."

Rhys took a deep breath and allowed himself to relax. Smiling, he replied, "Alright, let's go."

As they walked out the door, she laced her arm around his and they walked through his neighborhood.

Theed was a very wealthy city. The vast majority of its citizens were easily able to support themselves and their families. In fact, crime was such a non-issue that local law enforcement were known more for their assistance of people who mistakenly locked themselves than for making arrests.

As they walked, Vana smiled and asked, "Is there any special someone in your life, Rhys?"

Rhys shook his head. "Nope, no one at the moment, I'm afraid."

"Slim pickings, lack of opportunity or lack of interest on your own part?" she asked. Rhys chuckled, "Lack of opportunity. When there are so many merchants' sons and business owner and such, a lowly fighter pilot just doesn't seem all that glamorous. It certainly isn't going to make me rich at all."

Vana snorted. "Some women wouldn't know a good man if it fell out of the sky on top of them."

"Thanks;" chuckled Rhys, blushing again. To his surprise, she grabbed his hand and squeezed it. "Only being truthful, you know."

Rhys chuckled and squeezed her hand in return.

The night was so moderate and the moon was full, eliminating the streets and reducing the need for artificial light. The city had been designed so that the exterior lighting would adjust automatically depending on the brightness of the lighting outside. Every now and again, a trio of N1 Starfighters, NX Police Cruisers or Naboo Bombers would fly overhead, reminding them both that this tranquility was a breath away from being broken. Even so, it was beautiful in the sky above. "What's that bright light there?" asked Vana.

"That is a medical station for the war. It was just finished not long ago. Troops injured in battle are sent their to heal. Naboo was chosen to host one of the medical stations so that we can give them a goodly amount of fighter support and they won't need to leave to many here to guard the station. So far, we haven't had to fight but I can't help but feel that it won't last."

Vana nodded. It made her want to stop beating around the bush but she didn't want to assume anything or to scare the young man way. After a long silence, she stopped and turned to face him. "Tell me something, Rhys, did you feel a friction or maybe a tension between us during the battle ten years ago?"

Rhys chose his words with the utmost care. "I always wondered if there was. Certainly their was something there. I was so focused on freeing my home that I never thought about it. Then, after the battle, there was so much to rebuild and you left while I was still working and we never had the time to explore it. Do you think there's something there, Vana? Is there something between us?"

Vana considered the question for several long minutes before looking into his blue eyes and saying, "Well I think there is definitely a sexual tension there. I know I feel something at any rate. As far as whether it could be something more than that - I'm not sure but I would love to find out. You game for a little risk taking and adventure?"

Rhys grinned. He was a fighter pilot. He was always ready for risk taking and adventure. "I always am."

Vana looked pleased and said, "Well then, what should we do, flyboy? We've both eaten so dinner isn't going to work."

Rhys shrugged, "There's this great little caf shop with great pastries if you're interested."

That sounded wonderful to Vana. Who didn't like caf and pastries on a mild evening? Arm in arm, they casually made their way to the shop and ordered hot cups of caf and sweet cakes made from scratch. As they sat and enjoyed their treat, Rhys asked, "What have you been up to, Vana? I imagine there's plenty of work for you to do during a war like this."

Vana sipped her caf and said, "Not as much as you'd think. The Republic isn't hiring bounty hunters and I'm not fighting for the Separatists. A bounty hunter I may be but I'm still loyal to the Republic and to Naboo."

Rhys was glad to hear it. With a sigh, Vana continued, "Mostly, I've been acting as a hired body guard for politicians traveling to and from Coruscant or an anti-bounty hunter - hired to investigate and deter bounty hunters sent after them."

Rhys nodded and they fell into silence, finishing their caf and sweet rolls. "What now, Rhys?" asked Vana. Rhys knew what he wanted. He just didn't know how he was going to express it. Vana observed him, watching as the ponderings crossed his mind. After quite the long the pause, he asked, "Do you have anywhere to stay tonight, Vana?"

"I figured there's a hotel or inn somewhere."

Rhys stood, shaking his head, "Why don't you stay with me? I'm on leave for the next couple days. We can have breakfast and then go out and see Theed. It's been a few years since you've been here and I'm pretty sure there were still wrecked buildings then."

Vana nodded. "Alright, that sounds good."

She stood and they paid, heading back to Rhys' home. The night sky was clear and the city lights were low enough to allow them to see the stars. Suddenly, there were flashes in the night sky. A skirmish was going on - probably a probing force by General Grievous or Sev'rance Tann against the Republic forces stationed above the planet. "Looks like war is going to make its way back to Naboo?" murmured Vana sadly.

Rhys' nodded before direction them both into the house. Inside, they were both quiet, their moods dimmed by the sight of the fighting overhead. Rhys' sighed and said, "I have a nice spare bedroom. Let me go grab you some pillows and blankets."

Vana nodded, watching him in silence. Rhys quietly grabbed the pillows and blankets as he said, and spread sheets out as well. Once he was done, he turned to exit the room to see Vana gazing at him. "Do you need anything else?"

"Yes;" said the gorgeous mercenary and she stepped in, took one of his hands and used her other to guide him into a kiss. Rhys was surprised to say the least. Even so, he didn't pull away. Why would he? This woman had been on his mind, on and off, for the passed ten years. He had wondered what she was doing and why she had left again.

After some time, Rhys felt an odd thing. Vana's tongue was running along the seem of his lips as if seeking entrance. Experimentally, he parted his lips and Vana delved deeply. It was that she had done so that surprised him. It was the urgency with which she had done so. Vana moaned into his mouth and clutched at him, her hands going to the sides and back of his head, holding him tightly there. For just a moment, Rhys wondered if he was going to pass out being kissed by the woman he had thought and even dreamed about for ten years now but then, she released him and looked into his eyes. "That was something, wasn't it?" she murmured softly.

Rhys smiled down at her. "Without a doubt, that was. You won't believe it but I've been thinking about that for ten years."

"Oh I believe it;" she said, "'cause I have to, Rhys."

Rhys cocked an eyebrow. "Really? About me?"

"Sure have. What can I say? I'm a sucker for a man in uniform - especially when that uniform is a flightsuit and helmet."

"You mean a younger man in uniform;" teased Rhys.

Vana cocked a dark eyebrow. "I'm sorry; are you complaining?"

"Oh stars no!"

"Good; my preferences are most likely going to get you laid tonight - if you think you can keep up with an 'older' woman."

Rhys grinned broadly and surprised her by wrapping his arms around her, one around her back and the other around her legs right under her rear end, he spun and laid her on the bed. Vana laughed and said, "Well that was quick! Keeping up won't be a problem for you then."

Rhys grinned and pulled off his jacket and tossed it over a chair before bending down to kiss her again. Vana was only too pleased to return his kisses while she began to work on the fastening of his shirt and his trousers. Between kisses, she managed to say, "You still have your boots on, Rhys. That's going to make it a bit of a challenge to get your pants off."

Rhys separated and then bent down to work on his boot straps while Vana did the same for hers. Their fingers were clumsy as they tried to hurry to get them off. Two pairs of boots clumped and thudded as they tossed them in the general direction of the closet. Vana stood and, in one smooth motion, her shirt was gone and, after another one, so was her compression bra. Rhys looked hungrily on her gorgeous dark skin and the two hypnotic globes of flesh that bounced and jiggled as he struggled with his own clothing. In a series of rustles, their clothes formed two untidy piles of the floor and Rhys, now only in his last solitary garment, a pair of under shorts, held Vana tight. She was bare against him, her breasts pressed against the lean, hard plains of his chest. Rhys wasn't burly but he was in fantastic shape. He was lean and wiry like a runner or a swimmer.

Vana was all delicious curves. It wasn't that she was out of shape at all - far from it. She was naturally curvaceous and had lean, well defined muscle on her arms and legs and a flat stomach. Her rear end and breasts were both ample, more than a handful for sure but the thing that drove Rhys most crazy were her brown eyes. They were sparkling and filled with promise and mischief and fun. Her plump lips were in a knowing, confident smile whenever she wasn't kissing him senseless. "Get rid of those, Rhys. What the hell did you leave them on for anyway?"

Rhys kissed her silent as he got rid of his last article and allowed her to spin him around and shove him backwards onto the bed before she straddled his hips and kissed him even more heatedly. Rhys's hands were beginning to wonder her body, feeling up her sides, brushing firmly up and down her back, grabbing firm handfuls of her butt and her breasts. Vana purred with delight as he did, enjoying the pressure and the tingling sensation that it caused when he groped her flesh. "You like my body, don't you, Rhys?"

Rhys chuckled. "You hide exactly how amazing your body is in your flightsuit and clothes, Vana. I always knew your were beautiful but I had no idea just how much so."

"Stop it;" she purred. "You're just saying that."

Rhys sat up and began to blaze a trail of burning kisses along her neck and shoulder. "No I'm not. I'm enjoying every inch of it."

The rumbling timber of his lust fueled voice caused her breath to hitch. His kisses were messing with her mind and emotions. "Mmmm..." she purred.

The sound encouraged Rhys and he gently nipped one of her collarbones. "Rhys!" she gasped and clutched him.

He was enjoying her reaction immensely as he continued ravishing her body. Her soft skin smelled wonderful and tasted good too. Its sensitivity was wonderful as he kissed it, tasted it, sucked it. "Rhys! Dammit, you're turning me to puddy!"

"Hmmm..." rumbled Rhys, "These certainly don't feel like puddy;" and his hands cupped her breasts. Vana gasped and moaned as he delicately lapped at her stiff, dark brown nipples.

"You know," she gasped, "and I'm not complaining because you're making me feel so amazing, but it isn't fair 'cause I'm not returning the favor at all."

"Are you kidding?" he chuckled. "I am having the time of my life right now."

He focused back on one of her nipples, sucking at it gently. One of his hands brushed down her body and she giggled just a little as he unintentionally tickled her navel just a little. Just before his hand reached his goal, one of hers wrapped around his manhood and he hissed. "Here, shift over this way and I can participate a little bit more."

Rhys did and she stroked him as he did the same to her. It was the most erotic thing that Rhys had ever done, being pleasured as he sucked her ample breasts and thrusting two of his fingers in and out of her heated slit. Vana grabbed his face and mashed her lips to his, moaning into the passionate kiss. They stroked and thrusted until neither of them could take it anymore. Vana pushed him down and rolled on top of him. Rhys pulled his fingers free in time for her to impale herself almost violently on his erection.

Rhys's hips bucked at the sudden envelopment of his manhood and Vana took a deep breath. Then, all at once and without even a build up, she lifted and dropped her hips, riding and working him as fast and hard as she could. Her ass slapped against his thighs. Her hands were splayed across his chest, using it for support. Rhys watched, hypnotized as her breasts bounced and jiggled and his hands were drawn to them like magnets.

Vana moaned as he squeezed them and plucked at her nipples. "That's going straight to my core when you do that, Rhys so you'd better not stop. Oh my stars, I'm already about to cum!"

Rhys continued his ministrations before deciding that he wanted to be more active. He grabbed Vana and rolled her onto their sides, latching onto one of her breasts with his mouth and thrusting his hips in and out. Vana gasped and moaned. "Oh wow! Yes, keep going, Rhys! That's so good!"

It hit them both hard - first Vana and then Rhys. Her body began to spasm in climax and the constricting of her womanhood threw Rhys over the edge. They both lay there, gasping and dazed. "Well that was one of the better decisions I've followed through with;" sighed Vana.

Rhys just nodded and mentioned, "Ah-huh."

They changed position, with Rhys lying on his back and Vana snuggling up to him, her head resting against his shoulder with one arm and one leg thrown over him. The pulled a blanket over them and quickly drifted off to sleep.

Vana woke and found herself resting against Rhys's chest and smiled. Last night had been a blast. With a smile, she reached down and found that he had a serious morning erection and decided that she would wake him up in the best way possible. The very idea was very arousing and she stroked him and rubbed her own womanhood for a few moments, doing so gently as to not wake him. Rhys groaned a couple times but still stayed under. Slowly, carefully, she straddled his hips and slid down onto him, suppressing a moan by biting her lip. Slowly, she began to move her hips and ride him gently.

Rhys moaned and opened his eyes, waking up in the most adorable way, his eyes starting out lidded and then shooting wide at the site before him. Vana gasped out, "Good morning, Rhys. I noticed that you had a serious case of morning wood so I decided to take care of it for you."

Rhys didn't even have time to respond in any way as his lover rode him to completion very quickly. It did't take long for herself since she decided to reach down and stroke her pleasure center as she did. Again, as the night before, they were both gasping and utterly blissful as they were the night before. "Well if that's how you usually say 'good morning', you can stick around as long as you want as far as I'm concerned;" murmured Rhys.

Vana chuckled and sat up, stretching and standing to her feet. "Tell you what; I'm gonna take a shower. Mind starting on breakfast?"

Rhys chuckled and followed her to his feet. "Sure, sounds great."

Vana later found him wearing only a pair of sleep pants in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches to a sizable and well rounded breakfast. "Damn!" she said. "Great in the sack and you can cook? Why aren't you married yet?"

Rhys blushed and looked away, shrugging. "I guess a Naboo royal security pilot doesn't have a whole lot of prospects, not even a squadron commander."

"You're a squadron commander?" she asked, surprised and delighted. "That's great!"

Rhys smiled with pleasure and they sat down to eat. After companionable silence as they ate, Vana looked him in the eye and asked, "So, what should we do about this, Rhys?"

Rhys just chuckled and said, "That depends on whether you're going to stick around or not."

"Fair enough. I was honestly planning to;" she replied, casually reaching across and resting her hand on his. Rhys smiled. "Good, then perhaps we can get to the dating/courting part we skipped last night."

Vana burst into laughter. "You're so damned cute, Rhys. Very well; dating it is - as long as I still get to sleep with you whenever we're in the mood."

Rhys smiled and stood. "Of course. You already have me hooked on you, Vana. No way you're getting out of it that easy."

Their delighted laughter rang out in the early morning, causing the nearby birds to take off in alarm.