Private By A Thread

[Teyla Sal-Soren]

N A B O O

| Theed Funeral Temple |

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​

Wearing: XoXo
Hair: XoXo

Alora Ee'everwest walked at the front of the funeral procession, leading mourners down the moonlit path and heading for Theeds Funeral Temple. The second eldest, now the head of the Ee’everwest household, the public face… leading the too-quickly departed to their final place of rest.

As third eldest, Teyla walked dolefully behind at a short distance with the youngest of her sisters by her side, dimly aware of the other presence nearby. The children, deemed as being yet too young, had been squirreled away with Rafiki earlier that day.

Eventually, the private procession of mourners made it to the Temple, gathering around the stone pyre with their heads hung low and their silence dwelling.

The ceremony would begin soon.

Naboo traditions dictate they had to burn the bodies two days after their passing. It was the only way for their spirits to be set free and return to the planet itself.

Normally this happened under the light of the moon, the eye of Shiraya shining down on her beloved children. Instead, each casket was filled with one linen-wound body. Their last dignity.

In her hands she held Osenia's, who had been shaking uncontrollably since they began, trying to stifle her sobs as six men stepped forward to lift the caskets and place them on the pyre. With a hiccup, Osenia wiped the tears onto her sleeve, finally resting her tawny head onto her elder sister's shoulder.

For the moment, Teyla managed to keep herself together, keeping the grief bottled up and tightly locked in the confines of her heart, staring blankly at the three ebony caskets.

Death and loss had become so synonymous with her life, yet she felt every loss as keenly as the first. How long could she hold up the ruse?

The prayers began. The fires were lit.

Alora stepped up to speak.

“Faithful servants and dear friends, we have gathered to celebrate the lives of Jaggen, Sarnae, and Kintel Ee’everwest, and mourn the loss of a Father, Mother, and brother. Friends. Family. Souls who strove to improve the lives of everyone they met…”

Crack.

A lump formed in her throat and years of memories came rushing in, pouring grief into the hairline-fractures and breaking them into wide open chasms. Tears flowed down her silken cheeks.

It was that precise moment her heart shattered, gasping back a sob as her ribs heaved like they were suddenly too much weight to allow for her to breathe.

Across the expanse as the flames licked and crackled into the cool evening air, Teyla glimpsed the last look she would ever have of her Father, Mother, and eldest brother. Nothing left, but old stories and memories to keep them alive.

Baros Sal-Soren

 

[Baros Sal-Soren]

Having been moved to the recovery ward, Baros was unable to attend the funeral, but the heaviness of the day weighed down on him. He had spent the day going over all the information he could regarding the Thistlebark Killer. Fire was not his or her modus operandi. This combined with the partial remains of what must have been the intruder at his property, led Baros to believe that this individual was not the Thistlebark Killer.

"Have we considered the possibility of a copycat?" He said while scrolling through some articles.

Senior Officer Jannus Valere looked up from her reading material and took a moment to process the question. Her laid back demeanor hid a keen, sharp intelligence that made her one of the Core World's foremost detectives. She had arrived earlier that day, dispatched as a re-implementation of the former TBK taskforce. While she had not been on the initial team, she had clearly been reading and knew the case as well as anyone that had originally worked it. Her head tilted to the side. "Yes. And it does look more and more likely," she said without a shred of emotion, "ole' Barky don't play with fire. Your situation seemed more like him, the fire seems more improvised."

Baros hurrumphed.

"Teebs don't improvise. He is methodical. He is precise. You are always in his plan, and dangling from one of his webs. Just up and deciding to burn down a house with Ee'everwest's family in it...that seems personal."

The constant new nicknames for the serial killer really annoyed Baros. He tried not to let it show. He was sort of thankful when Valere mentioned Teyla. The mention prevented him from showing his annoyance, but added weight to his scowl, and to his slumped shoulders. "So. Do you think the note that Teyla and I received...."

"From the copycat. Also not Beeks style. The real Beeks is a phantom. This copycat seems obsessed with the old cases. With the parties that were involved. Look at this..."

Valere handed Baros a datapad with a set of images already displaying. He glanced at the pictures and then up to Valere with a quizzical look. She explained what he was seeing as he scrolled through the images. "We identified your attacker. An octogenarian by the name of Gren Wexlor. Worked for Coruscant sanitation, upper management, until he retired to Naboo twenty years ago. Let's say, he was looking for a new hobby."

Stalling on an image of a wall in what he assumed was Wexlor's apartment, Baros saw everyone's unspoken, unrealized worst nightmare. A wall of pictures, article print outs, schematics and chemical formulas. The pictures were of officers from Coruscant Security Force, Teyla's old department in fact, and then Teyla herself featured, as well as a couple of images of himself - one taken from a vantage point in some bushes and another an article print out. Wexlor had been watching them. The next image, showed a similar wall, with some of the same images, formulas and the like - but it was arranged differently and the setting was different. "These are two different rooms..."

"Yes. The first is Wexlor's wall here on Naboo. The other belongs to a Twi'lek woman by the name of Maro Undullo, she lived on Chandrilla..."

"Lived?"

"...now deceased," said the detective with a grimace, "not the only one like Wexlor either. They call themselves The Disciples. A self described devotee, fanclub of the Thistlebark Killer who have pledged themselves to continuing Beeks legacy. That was until they started showing up dead. All in the same manner. Dismembered...well...bisected. Only their top half left for identification. We still haven't found the rest."

"So. That's a good thing right?" Baros said with a disinterested shrug, "more freaks off the streets."

"Well. Wexlor claimed to have had a reply from Teebs at one point, as did Undullo. In fact," she said leaning forward with elbows resting on her knees, "none of them started showing up dead until they claimed to have heard from Teebs. None of them started actually acting on their insane fantasies until they made these claims..."

Baros looked away. Things were becoming a little clearer now. "Wait...so...you knew about these freaks before...before they attacked me? You knew about them before the fire?" Baros could feel his blood pressure rising, "You KNEW and you didn't TELL US. Teyla's family DIED because you didn't warn us!" A datapad was thrown across the room, as all the pent up emotion rolled out. Baros tried to get out of bed, but his arms still could not bare his own weight. "Damn you all to hell," he spat.

Valere somewhat raised an eyebrow. Other than that, she just waited. "Cool your jets, Sal-Soren," she said with the wave of her hand, "we have only known for a few days longer than you have. This is all very fresh information. You weren't exactly the easiest person to track down prior to the assault on you...look...Baros...these people are obsessed with the TBK story and legacy. Like it or not. You are part of that..."

"...and if all The Disciples die, we lose our only real lead on the Thistlebark Killer."

Valere's mouth curled up into a mischievous half smile. "You in?"

"Like you said yourself. I'm already in. Where do we start?"

Valere slapped her legs and jumped to her feet. "We will give you and Ee'everwest a few days to get yourselves sorted, and then you and I...Ee'everwest if she wants to...are going to head to Nar Shadda."

Teyla Sal-Soren

 

[Teyla Sal-Soren]

N A B O O

| The Solleu River |

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​

The nascent flame from the ceremonial candle flickered a golden hue into the night, sheltered from the gentle river breeze by Teyla's cupped hands, a representation of the Eternal Flame. A reminder of the transience of their lives.

It was the final goodbye, the last of the Naboo death rites.

Gathered on the bridge straddling the edge of the Solleu River was Teyla, her sisters, and an elderly man dressed down in ceremonial vestments, one of the few remaining Brothers of Cognizance, there to preside over the last traditional observance for the departed.

"Mother Goddess, we ask that you guide those who have left this plane and let them return to your blessed gardens. Release those left behind that they may walk peacefully with your holy silver light shining upon them. As we bid goodbye to these souls, we invoke your protection and grace."

Slowly, each urn was upturned, its contents spilling into the gentle water current that flowed tireless, effortless, with fluid grace, until the the last vestiges of their family curled over the waters edge and vanished.

One by one, each candle from the sisters was blown out, the mortal lives of Jaggen, Sarnae, and Kintel, nearly extinguished.

Teyla glanced down at her own candle when it came to be her turn, noticing the pool of wax that had begun to settle in the middle, slowly dripping down the sides. It wasn't supposed to turn out this way. They had so much more to offer in life, and the remorse in knowing she had some part to play in the reason why they were gone, knowing there was nothing she could have done to save them, no different path to take that could reverse what had happened, gnawed at her.

Alora reached over, slipping her fingers between Teylas and giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. It was a small gesture, but enough to cause a shower of warmth to wash over her. The connection between sisters, gave her the overwhelming sense that everything was going to be alright. It was okay to let go. Each of them hurt in their own way, they'd endured this harrowing experience together, and together they would get through it. None of them would endure alone.

Pursing her rose-bud lips, Teyla faltered for only a moment before gently blowing out the flame, watching the lazy wisps of silver smoke waltz their way to the heavens.

The ebony skirts of the diaphanous silk gown she wore, twisted around her legs as she turned to leave with her sisters, catching a glimpse of Baros standing a short distance away, an unfamiliar woman by his side.

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D E E P S P A C E

| The Inquisitor's Revenge |

​

Teyla opened her eyes and released a shaky breath, feeling the quick beats of her heart thumping away like it could explode at any second. Reaching up to her eyes, Teyla could feel where moisture had gathered and streaked down her face, wiping it away. When had she started crying? Meditation was supposed to help relax and stabilize her, but lately, she'd found it to be anything but.

With a frustrated grunt, she pushed to her feet and walked over to the newly installed rack on the wall, plucking up one of the training blades. Rafiki had reluctantly agreed to help her transform the part of the Revenge where they used to keep the cargo they were transporting, into an area where she could continue her Jedi training and meditation undisturbed. They weren't in the smuggling business anymore, so it only made sense that the ship changed to fit their current needs. Besides, it was good for more than just herself. Having an area to sweat was a good way to pass the monotonous days spent in hyperspace and release pent up tension.

It was the place Teyla went when she couldn't sleep during her assigned night cycle, or when she just needed time to be away from everyone else. Which, was often. She'd hardly talked to anyone, and kept mostly to herself. It was hard sitting under the lingering looks of concern, wondering about whether or not she was going to be emotionally stable enough 'with her fragile state of mind', to be able to do what they needed to accomplish on Nar Shaddaa.

It'd annoyed her to no end that Valere doubted her. Sure, there were times she wanted to jettison the woman off of her ship, something Teyla kept to herself, but she knew how to keep her emotions in check.

Even if it'd only been just one week shy since the incident. She was fine. She was...

SNAP.

The handle of the training blade cracked. Teyla rubbed over her face with her empty hand, sighed, and went to deposit the now-useless blade into the garbage, alongside the others.

Maybe it was about time for her to go and replace her fur companion at the helm, instead.

Baros Sal-Soren

 

[Baros Sal-Soren]

It was totally not creepy that Baros had been quietly watching Teyla for the past half a minute or so. She was distracted, and he did not blame her at all. There was clearly a great deal of emotion that she was yet to deal with rending at her soul. How was he so attuned to her? He wasn't. Not at all. But it was damned human nature to try and push through the pain, and not grieve properly - this was the part of human nature that both he and Teyla indulged. It was unhealthy, but probably also part of what drew them together.

His mind wandered back to the day they met. She was so head strong, dogged to the point to importunity. She had not changed a lick, except maybe her hair, it was shorter then, more official. Today she looked more formal, regal even. It looked good on her, but so had the official, officer-of-the-law look. Her fighting style was one that he had seen before, in holos, she had been trained in the Jedi arts. His assumption while bleeding out had been correct, she was trained in the force. To what degree, he could not tell, but she was trained so. Her style was a little inaccurate, and lacking in the finesse of a master, so he assumed that she was fairly new to it all. This would be something he would need to address with her at some point. Now was not the time though.

| 30 MINUTES EARLIER |​

So they had tapped the Coruscanti Security Forces intranet, those Disciples had talent, Baros had to grant them that. The revelation from Valere's research had hit them both like a ton bricks. Valere and Baros had spent a significant amount of time talking shop. Every day started with a briefing on what each other had discovered in their research. Much of it crossed over, and therefore verified each others assertions and discoveries. They were starting to develop a short hand in speech and understanding. It had been a while since Baros had clicked with someone on a professional level like this, perhaps not since her worked closely with Ordon Trozky.

"They have someone..."

"...on the inside," she finished his sentence.

He wasn't annoyed that she had taken the words out of his mouth, she had barely looked up after all, so he simply nodded in agreement. Coruscant Security had been infiltrated by The Disciples. How many of them were there?

"There could be hundreds of these sickos. And now Teebs is starting to clean house."

Baros leaned forwarded catching the blonde woman's eyes. "They are as much of a threat to people as the TBK himself. He has been silent except for taking out those that act out their sick fantasies. Are you sure we don't just take them out? Leave TBK alone...hope he goes silent again?"

It was a surprise that such a pristine face could frown so deeply. "No way, Sal-Soren. We have a chance to take them all out. All at once. The Disciples. Beeks. The whole kriffin' lot of them. If we don't do this now, more Disciples will pop up...more people will die. I can't let that happen," she said before looking back at her work.

This is personal to her.

He would be mindful of that. Personal feelings regarding the TBK were a tenth-cred a dozen. He had been hoping that at least Jannus would be able to keep them centered. He leaned back, crossing his arms and pursing his lips as he thought about how to deal with this revelation.

"Do you think she will be OK to do her part?" Said Valere without looking up.

"Just try and stop her," Baros said with a pained chuckle.

"Will you?" Came the reply, without even a glance offered towards Baros.

"Will I, what?" He said frowning.

"Try and stop her," she said, while scrolling across what looked like another report on the accelerate used in the Ee'Everwest Estate fire. There was nothing more to glean from those reports. Baros wasn't sure why she bothered, but appreciated her thoroughness nonetheless.

"Just try and stop me," he said calmly, gazing away to avoid eye contact with the young, headstrong detective.

Valere finally looked up. "So it's true. You do have a thing for her."

Baros shrugged. "She just lost her family. I am not sure it was wise to even give her this opportunity."

"You should have thought about that on Naboo. Don't go getting cold feet on me now Sal-Soren. We ain't flying no undercover CSF ship ya know. This whole thing hinges on her doing her part," she said going back to her work.

"I know. Believe me, I know."

| PRESENT |​

It was time to stop being creepy. It had only been a few seconds, but it was probably a few too many should she notice him first. "Hey Tey," he said to grab her attention while walking casually (as casually as he could muster) into the makeshift training room, "you broke your toy sword..." He gave her wink and a playful smile - a rueful attempt at least.

"...you know... I have been training in Teras Kasi for a while now," he said while walking a little beyond Teyla and glancing around at the assortment of training equipment and weaponry. It was quiet the display. He glanced over his shoulder, "without you around, I have had to learn to fend for myself."

Picking up a training remote, he tossed it between his hands like the large ball that it was. "Would be happy to give you a bit of living competition if you promise to go a bit easy on me," he said. The small talk was eating away at him. He hated grief and deep emotions. He was not equipped to deal with this. How could he reconnect with her? Did he want that purely for his own selfish desires? How could he help her grieve - to heal? How could he restore the Teyla that he had once known, not this distant training machine of woman? All of a sudden, he found himself wishing he was back with Jannus, studying files quietly.

"You know I suck at this, right?" He said, honestly (shocking, I know), "give me a room full of models that just O-Ded on Millaflower and I would know exactly what to do to save the day...but this...Teyla...I'm sorry. I am next to useless."

Teyla Sal-Soren

 

[Teyla Sal-Soren]

N A B O O

| The Solleu River, 1 Week Earlier |
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​

Teyla nodded for her sisters to go on ahead, hanging back to talk with Baros who seemed like he had something he needed to discuss with her.

"When did you get released from the hospital?" she asked, somewhat concerned, "When I called, they told me you wouldn't be well enough to leave for a couple more days." Her eyes glanced back over to the blonde standing nearby. "I'm sorry, I don't think we've met. I'm Teyla." she greeted, with genuine interest. Besides Baros always seeming to be found with an attractive woman, Teyla got the sense that she wasn't one of his models. No, she gave off an air of authority without even speaking, this stern-faced, statuesque blonde. Maybe this was who'd taken over as his head of security after she left. She disliked that idea even more.

Hands pulled at the sheer shall around her bare shoulders, the chill of Naboo's autumn air seeping in. "Did you just come by to pay your respects, or was there something else?"

D E E P S P A C E

| The Inquisitor's Revenge, Present |
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​

Upon hearing Baros voice, Teyla quickly tried to regain her poise and turned to face him, slightly embarrassed when he called out the fact she'd broken yet another one of the practice blades in an attempt for humor. This wasn't how she'd ever wanted him to see her, like something that needed fixing, and seeing her break the saber didn't exactly scream mental stability. Trying to indulge his efforts of making her feel better, Teyla gave him a slight smile before going to grab a towel near the refreshing station, pretending that it wasn't a big deal while dabbing up some of the sweat still on her skin from her failed meditation session.

"That's great to hear," she said, trying to put some 'pep' in her voice, maybe it would help convince him that she was fine. "Teras Kasi is an impressive martial arts form. I've seen it in practice before, but I've never faced someone who could use it." Opening one of the cabinets, she pulled out a set of white bandages and began wrapping up her hands in preparation, focusing on her task with a dipped head, avoiding eye contact with him.

Baros kept talking and she could hear the pleading in his voice, felt his sincerity through the force. Baros was trying in his own way to pull her out of the impenetrable shell she'd wrapped herself in, to understand her and make a connection.

It made her resolve to keep everything out, waver. How did she get him to leave, before he managed to break open the dam?

Her mouth opened and closed again. She set down the wrappings and leaned back against the counter, trying to find the right thing to say to someone that knew her like the back of his hand, and wouldn't be easily convinced.

"Look... I appreciate that you're even trying, but, what happened isn't something you or anyone can fix," her slender fingers pressed against her lips for a moment not saying anything else at all, fighting against the emotions stirring in her. Her hand fell to rest on her forearm, residual pain coming out in her voice. "I'll be fine," She sniffled a little and tried to swallow down the lump that had formed in her throat. "So, you and Detective Valere can stop worrying." Was there a hint of bitterness there? "Besides, there's better things to put our time towards." She picked up the wrappings and tossed them over to him. "Like training. Why don't you show me what you've learned."

Baros Sal-Soren

 

[Baros Sal-Soren]

| The Solleu River, 1 Week Earlier |​

"This morning, under protest," he said dryly, he hated funerals. That was not rare but normal - he suspected. It wasn't the sadness, or the pain, it was the impotence of action in times like these. He could not say, nor do anything to make this better. He felt useless, and that was the worst part. He would not have come if he could not have been of some use, and he believed that Velere represented that chance.

"This is Detective Jannus Valere of the Coruscant Security Force," Baros said deferring to the blonde woman for the rest of the introduction.

"I am heading up the new Thistlebark Task Force," she said, knowing that Teyla was on the original task force that had failed to capture the TBK, "I am very sorry for your loss, Mrs Riggs. I can't imagine..." Her voice trailed off, with a sincerity that belayed her professional posture.

"I wish I could have known them Teyla," Baros said with slightly bowed head and raised eyes, "I am so, so very sorry." Facile attempt it was. He hated not being able to do anything meaningful. He looked more like a wounded puppy than the normal, brash rich-kid that he was known as.

"Mr. Sal-Soren has accepted my invitation to join the task force," said Valere, breaking the silence and bringing it around to business. It was clear that she was not comfortable in this setting either. "This is an invitation I would also like to extend to you. The insight that you and Mr. Sal-Soren can give to this case is immeasurable."

"Can we talk somewhere privately?" Baros said, realizing that this was perhaps not the greatest spot to continue this conversation.

| The Inquisitor's Revenge, Present |​

Fine?

"Liar," he whispered. She probably heard him. Hopefully not. Either way, she knew and he knew that she was lying. No one could be fine for a very long time, he knew she would be something that appeared fine, but not really. Not ever again. Moments of normality would ebb and flow throughout her life, but she would never be truly, wholly fine.

Damn, that's depressing.

"Jannus has every right to be worried about you, Teyla. You have not been my head of security for some time, playing it off as if you are...before a Hutt syndicate...that's no small matter," he said with a dismissive wave that downplayed the serious of their mission, "someone in that organization is a Disciple, Teyla...we have to get to them first."

He knew that she knew the plan, but it helped him to be saying it out loud again. Valere was convinced that there was a Disciple among the upper management of Follo the Hutt's spice enterprises. If her assertions were correct, then they would be able to capture - no, not kidnap - that individual and question them somewhere safe. It was risky, but having both he and Teyla present would likely lure the Disciple out of their shell as they sought to interact, or maybe even attain the glory of something bigger with two people that had directly interacted with their idol.

He began to unbutton his vest, which was carefully folded and placed on a chair nearby. "I have never...actually...sparred with a real person...just droids so far," he said sheepishly, "but I am willing to get beat up, just this once."

Teyla Sal-Soren

 

[Teyla Sal-Soren]

N A B O O

| The Solleu River, 1 Week Earlier |
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"This is Detective Jannus Valere of the Coruscant Security Force,"

So, her senses weren't too far off.

"I am heading up the new Thistlebark Task Force,"

That stung. Hearing someone else was working on her old case that she failed to close, at a time like this? It brought up some mixed feelings in her.

If she hadn't quit the force back then, if she'd seen it through... then her mother, father, and Kintel, would all still be alive. Then again, at least someone was working to solve it. Perhaps she didn't realize the implications of what she said in the moment. Teyla was sure there wasn't malicious intent behind it, but it hurt none the less.

"I am very sorry for your loss, Mrs Riggs. I can't imagine..."

Imagine what it's like to have half of your family violently ripped away from you by a psychopath?

"It's just Miss Ee'everwest now," Teyla said softly with a sad smile, "Thank you though Detective, for the condolences."

"I wish I could have known them Teyla, I am so, so very sorry."

"Thanks, I wish that too."

She was grateful he didn't try to prod and pick, or try to tell her that 'he knew how she felt', or the infamous, 'they are in a better place' line. She knew they all meant well, but had had her fill of it, and couldn't stomached another vain sentiment. That he cared, and wasn't trying to lighten the loss in some way... that was enough.

"Mr. Sal-Soren has accepted my invitation to join the task force, this is an invitation I would also like to extend to you. The insight that you and Mr. Sal-Soren can give to this case is immeasurable."

Fingers wrapped protectively around her shawl, tightening it, gazing ahead at what remained of her family.

"Can we talk somewhere privately?"

"We're staying at my families summer home in Lake Country, we can talk there."

D E E P S P A C E

| The Inquisitor's Revenge, Present |
__________________________________________________________________________________________________​

Liar.

Teyla heard it, but didn't deny it.

Part of her really did wish that eventually it would all be 'fine'. How many times had she said 'I'm fine.' this year? Bouncing from one tragedy, to the next? Maybe if she said it enough, her subconscious would start to actually believe it.

"Jannus has every right to be worried about you, Teyla. You have not been my head of security for some time, playing it off as if you are...before a Hutt syndicate...that's no small matter, someone in that organization is a Disciple, Teyla...we have to get to them first."

"You think I don't know that?!" She hadn't meant to raise her voice and closed her eyes, breathing in through her nose. "I'm sorry, I just... I want this to work just as much as the both of you. It's the only thing focusing me right now, and I know I can do this. Try having a little bit of faith in me."

She sighed to release some of her frustrations and rubbed her thumb and forefinger against the temples of her head. Arguing was not a conducive way to spend their time right now. They were both on the same side, they both wanted the same thing, and had gone through some of the same struggles with this case. She couldn't fault him if he did doubt her. Baros wanted this to be over, just as much as she did. The tension from her shoulders melted in defeat, understanding the enormity of what was at stake.

For now, perhaps, staying silent with her thoughts for the rest of the time before the spar, would be the prudent thing to do.

"I have never...actually...sparred with a real person...just droids so far, but I am willing to get beat up, just this once."

Teyla wasn't sure how much Baros was trying to downplay his skills, and raised a slender brow of doubt at him. As a general rule of thumb, she never underestimated her opponents, even if it was someone she trusted.

"Whatever you do, don't hold back."

Inhaling a deep breath into her lungs, the slender brunette took an offensive stance, trying to find her center.

The form she chose was not anything from the Jedi teachings, but came from the Echani martial arts, learned and perfected during her formative years at the Order of Sanctuary. Her feet slid just shoulder width apart, favoring her left foot back. Fluidity and movement were the most important parts of this particular style, what set it apart from others, and why she chose it against Teras Kasi. Solid, but fluid. She'd keep the ability to react, but wouldn't give a micron when it was necessary.

The real question, was whether or not she'd be clear of mind enough to act with the accuracy she knew she capable of. Distractions could mean the difference between life and death.

Circling Baros, she slowly rotated her position. Her attack came as she pivoted on the ball of her left foot, her right shooting out in two successive short kicks, one aimed for his thigh and the other at his ribs.

Baros Sal-Soren

 

[Baros Sal-Soren]

"You think I don't know that?!"

Baros held his hands up in a quick apology. He did not take it personally. That was the least he could do to help her at this time. He shrugged his shoulders. "The only thing to focus on?" He said before offering a wink, "I could always use a bit more attention."

He wasn't sure exactly what he was trying to accomplish with the ham-fisted attempt at flirtation. It really wasn't his style to do so, nor was it something that she would particularly fall for. Baros knew her too well. She would likely roll her eyes, and mouth off about her not being one of his many doting wafer brained one-night-stand Glitterstim cover model wannabes, but she would like be much more succinct and scathing. Hopefully, she would know that he would have talked to those women that way either - was she making him...awkward?

Damn.

He had admitted his feelings for her to himself, but had shunned any further consideration as to what they meant. Commitment wasn't his style, and she was revealed to be a force user. Perhaps they just needed to get it out of their system one night and then move on with their lives.

"Whatever you do, don't hold back."

He let a wry smile whisk across his stubbled face. Given the context of his thoughts, he temporarily found her words appealing. Though, his smile disappeared quickly as the encounter played out, taking a casual tumble with Teyla seemed almost perverse - she was worth more than that. Was her status elevated permanently in his mind?

Damn.

Teyla's attacks came in before he truly had time to get his once one-tracked mind back into line. Her style was unlike anything he had seen. Mostly because he had only ever practiced against force based combat styles. He took the first blow squarely on the thigh, and it hurt. When she said not to hold back, it seemed she was not joking. It hurt bad. The second kick was already coming in quickly. It was clear that she had the upper had in agility, speed and probably a great deal of muscle memory guiding her movements. His only real advantage was that granted by genetics - he was bigger, and likely stronger.

While his leg crumpled in pain, he leaned into the second kick, protecting his ribs with his bent arm, while reaching forward to take any degree of grip on her clothing. Her second kick hit his arm, and he continued with forcing through the kick - embracing the pain - in an attempt to throw her to the ground.

"Aaaaaw," he said loudly, not truly embracing the pain like he would have wanted to.

Teyla Sal-Soren

 

[Teyla Sal-Soren]

D E E P S P A C E

| The Inquisitor's Revenge |
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"The only thing to focus on?" He said before offering a wink, "I could always use a bit more attention."

Was he... really trying this with her, of all people? Right now? Baros knew her well enough to know that she was not a woman of lesser constitution that may blush at whim, or find such antics charming. Teyla's mouth set into a firm line, "I wouldn't want to inflate your ego." she bristled, "Stop acting like a scoundrel."

Maybe his comments earlier had been part of the reason so much force went in behind the first couple of kicks she threw. One thing was certain, a lot of the emotions pent up inside her were coming out, whether she was aware of that or not. Truthfully, she had no desire to harm him, and the second consecutive kick had less force behind it than the first, and she even loosened her stance a bit when he tried powering through the pain.

It was enough to let him get into her open defenses. Teyla hadn't properly accounted for her loose flowing training garb and was momentarily interlocked with him. She would have gone sprawling, had it not been for quick reflexes.

Dropping her foot back down, she slid leg into a position behind his heel, her hands coming around to grab onto his while the other reached to his elbow, trying to control the movement and throw him off balance as she slid his foot towards her, before he had a chance to throw her.

Baros Sal-Soren

 

[Baros Sal-Soren]

"You..."

Baros grunted the word out as she twisted around him and took hold of his wrists. They were getting tangled, and he had been shifted slightly off balance away from Teyla. Teras Kasi was about a quick incapacitation of your opponent. It was not intended for long drawn out duels. Masters of Teras Kasi could neutralize an opponent by breaking a bone, or knocking the wind out of them in a matter of seconds. Baros was still a novice, but he still knew that his only fighting style available was about getting this done quickly. Teyla looked like she could wear him out in the long run.

"...like me..."

He didn't kick back at her leg that was now behind his, he stepped back, planting his foot down hard hers, while throwing his weight behind his elbow that was aimed squarely at Teyla's ribs. This was not a mere shove, no, he threw his whole weight and force behind a driving body slam.

"...because..."

As he pushed past the limit of the awkward angle, his foot came of Teyla's, and he continued to drive her downwards. This did not continue all the way to the ground though as his angle of attack was too obtuse. A few moments before impact with the ground his elbow slipped away from Teyla, and hit the mat sharply - jarring his shoulder. He rolled away quickly, and tried to push himself back up to his knees, but his arm gave out, seeing him crumple ridiculously towards the ground. He managed to save face slight by catching himself with his other bent arm.

"...I'm a scoundrel," he said panting more than he really deserved to be.

Teyla Sal-Soren

 

[Teyla Sal-Soren]

D E E P S P A C E

| The Inquisitor's Revenge |
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

​

It happened faster than it seemed. One minute, Teyla believed she was on the verge of victory… the next, Baros’ had her sprawled on the mat, gasping for air.

The momentum of him crashing into her ribcage had caught her unawares, and Teyla lost the brief grip she had on his wrist and elbow. Her body hit the ground fairly hard and left her momentarily incapacitated and crumpled in a ball, recovering a little more slowly than Baros.

Eventually, she managed to unfold from the ball she’d curled into and crawled up to a sitting position, her right arm snaking around her rib cage.

That was going to leave a nasty bruise.

“I happen,” she gasped in protest, her chest heaving. “To like nice men… augh!” Teyla bit down on her lip, feeling a sharp pain lance through her with every slight movement. It was likely that this spar was going to leave her feeling sore for a while.

Soft brown eyes wandered over to Baros, watching him crumple over. Her lips slightly stretched into possibly the first genuine smile she’d had in over a week. “Guess this means you win,” she laughed softly, her mood feeling noticeably lighter than what it was earlier. “Are you,” she swallowed, still struggling to catch her breath. “Okay?”

Baros Sal-Soren

 

[Baros Sal-Soren]

Ugh.

He had hurt her. That did not give the satisfaction that he thought it might just moments ago in the midst of what felt like combat he had no right participating in. Now he just felt the pain of guilt. He pushed up on his good arm, and limped the few steps to off his hand. "I guess the next step in my training is learning how to do that without hurting myself in the process," he said with a chuckle and a shake of his head, "that first kick was nasty Tey...how's your foot after that one? Connecting with my statuesque figure has got to leave a mark."

Lifting her to her feet would be too generous to Baros, his hand was more proffered. She was likely far to tough to be relying on him for support, even with the wind knocked out of her. He had to admit that he was not just a tad flustered. He had no right to walk away with anything approaching a win. His technique had been all wrong. Brute strength and no strategy or tactics to be seen.

He caught a glimpse of her eyes and paused half way through his words. "You know me...Mr. Nice G-g-g..."

They had just been pretty much wrestling, but for some reason she had a way of disarming him and creating a want for closeness, openness. He hated how vulnerable she made him feel, weak at the knees...that was a pretty good kick.

Lifting his hand he lay it gently on her hand that protected her wounded side. "You did say...don't hold back," he said, ruing his lack of courage, kiss her, damn you. Kiss her now. Tell her how you feel. Be honest with her, Baros. Do it now. Don't hold back.

In that moment he could feel himself rocking forward on to his toes toward Teyla, closing in on a point of no return, as his eyes began to close...

"Ahem..."

His sore leg gave out as he was ripped out a dream moment - whether it was about to be daydream or nightmare, he did not know. He did not even want to look at Teyla now. "Mr. Nice Guy...yeah...you know me," he said gathering his wits that had been cast aside in a flurry of red cheeked embarrassment.

He turned, just a little to quickly, pulling his hand from Teyla's side. "Ah, yes?" He said, hoping Valere would turn out to be a traitor, shoot him and put him out of rotten misery.

"New data just in from Coruscant. We have a profile on the Disciple that we are after on Nar Shadda," said Valere, looking just as uncomfortable in the moment as Baros's left small finger felt, because the whole of him was to awkward to quantify, "briefing in the commons in 5?" She asked but didn't wait for the answer and was already gone before Baros spluttered his reply.

"Commons. Five. Disciple. Right," he said, before allowing his shoulders to stiffen. She was still standing there behind him. He knew that the judgmental stare was baring down on him right that very moment.

She's a grieving widow...mourning her father, mother and brother. You...are sick, Baros...

"I. I am so sorry, Teyla. Maybe it was a mistake that we both come on this mission," he said as he prepared to limp from the room.

Teyla Sal-Soren

 

[Teyla Sal-Soren]

D E E P S P A C E

| The Inquisitor's Revenge |
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"I guess the next step in my training is learning how to do that without hurting myself in the process,"

“You do usually want to avoid that,” A glimmer of subdued amusement tugged at the corner of her lips, letting him know that she was teasing. “But it happens. I can’t tell you how many times I broke or bruised something in training when I was with the Order.” She mentioned casually, placing her hand gingerly in Baros and slowly pulling herself up to her feet.

She thought he had a good foundation overall, technique would be perfected in time.

"That first kick was nasty Tey… how's your foot after that one? Connecting with my statuesque figure has got to leave a mark.”

While she still rolled her eyes, the lighthearted tone in his voice helped her feel a little less dreadful for giving him the ‘what-for’ in that first strike, though it was evident by her abashed expression that she regretted it.

“Better than my ribs,” she quipped, “Did you forget I wasn’t a droid?”

"You did say...don't hold back,"

The placement of his hand over hers in a near caressing manner drew Teyla’s immediate attention, who suddenly became keenly aware of how close they were. This was different from the proximity they shared during their spar. This was warm, electric, and prickled over her skin like fire. She stood stock still as he drew near.

“This isn’t what I meant...” Teyla murmured, her voice filling the narrow space between them. It was a weak attempt of deflection, the reserves of rational thought and logic blurring to the far recesses of her mind.

"Ahem..."

The spell was suddenly broken.

"New data just in from Coruscant. We have a profile on the Disciple that we are after on Nar Shadda, briefing in the commons in 5?"

Teyla just nodded and dipped her head, avoiding all eye contact. How was it, that this worked out to be the precise moment new information had come through? Unbelievable timing. Only the shreds of what remained of her dignity kept her from trying to flee the area and make a break for her own personal sleeping quarters.

"Commons. Five. Disciple. Right,"

Her face by this point had turned red-hot, dropping all the way into her hands until the moment she heard Valere's boots clicking far... far ... far... down the corridor.

"I. I am so sorry, Teyla. Maybe it was a mistake that we both come on this mission,"

At first she didn't respond, unsure what to do or say.

“You don’t really believe that, do you?” In a few quick strides she went to him, grabbing onto his hand like a ghost that might slip away like everyone else in her life seemed to. “Because I don’t. I don't know if I could do this without you."

Baros Sal-Soren

 

[Baros Sal-Soren]

| Ee'Everwest Summer House, 1 Week Earlier |​

Baros was impressed with just how relaxing the summer house was. It had an air of memories and long summers swimming, reading and cooking outside on the decking. It was too cold for any of that currently - the house was shut up and had a stale air smell to it like it had not been used for some time.

Turning his head away from the view outside, he looked back at the small group sitting on long comfortable lounge seats and the feeling of wistful memories soured. Teyla's face was sunken, tear worn eyes were no longer red, but had a deep tiredness to them. Was it wrong of him to bring this information to her now of all times? She would want to know. She would want the choice. It was the same message that he had been whispering to himself throughout the last few hours. He had become comfortable with it, but now he questioned the wisdom of it.

He was the last to sit down. Valere had already started talking, and was doing an good job at holding the room. Baros was continuing to be impressed by the young detective.

"...so, as you can tell Miss Ee'everwest," she said finishing off her explanation of The Disciples, who they were and her concerns about how deep the rabbit hole might go, "Thistlebark has resurfaced to take out those that worship him. We have never had an opportunity like this before."

"We believe there is a Disciple on Nar Shadda...embedded in the upper management of a Hutt's money laundering business dealings off world...they will be arriving on Nar Shadda to meet with the Hutt," Baros said calmly, looking between Teyla and Valere as he spoke, "these Disciples have some sort of sick fantasy they like to live out when it comes to players in the Thistlebark 'story'..." He used his quotation fingers to show a mild disgust at their way of thinking.

"...you and I have a connection. With you working security for a Glitterstim buying run," he said with some hesitation, "we think it will be too much for the Disciple to resist."

| Present |​

He had a migraine coming on. Rubbing his temple, Baros wondered if they would survive this trip. It was a thought that had occured to him, but his blind obsession with seeing the TBK dead and finally buried had overwhelmed it all until now. If he truly loved Teyla, how could he let her walk into a death trap? She was always willing to die for him, even when it was merely a professional courtesy. But now, he thought that he perhaps could be willing to die for her. Such selflessness had never been a part of his DNA. It made him uncomfortable, and uneasy with its ramifications.

"I don't know what I believe right now," he muttered, "I just know...that we are both compromised."

Drive her away to protect her? Or are you just protecting yourself?

"After all you have been through, can you honestly say you are thinking clearly right now?" He said, strained eyes glancing up at her, "you are compromised, Teyla. It could be a liability. Getting TBK is all that matters. Not you, not I. Just catching TBK."

Not you and I.

He paused for a moment. He only then realized that his voice had been getting louder, that his breathing sharper and harsher. The passion that had been so closer to being expressed as love moments ago, now came out as anger. Baros was starting to lose himself.

"You are my compromise, Teyla," he said in a fit of frustration, pointing sharply at the ground with each word, "I can't lose what I never had...and the same goes for you." With that he turned, and stormed out of the room. He felt like damned fool.

Teyla Sal-Soren

 

[Teyla Sal-Soren]

| Lake Country, Ee'everwest Summer Home, 1 Week Earlier |
​

"You don't have to do this," Alora whispered out of ear shot, after Valere and Baros’ presentation on the case. "Why can't they get one of those Glitterstim models? I’m sure there’s one that looks like you. Why do you always have to be the one risking your life?" Alora looked at her with that same gentle concern their mother used to have when she thought one of her children needed to more carefully consider the choices they were making.

It was a rotten move

"You know they can't, for multiple reasons, including a lack of training for these kinds of situations, which, I am. Besides, what choice do I have? Who dies next? My kids? Osenia? You?” She rolled her shoulder away and crossed her arms, doubling down on her convictions. “If there's even a slight chance that he can be put down, I have to take it."

It was hard to miss the look of clear disappointment etched in her sister's features.

"You don't always have to save everyone, Teyla… at least take a night to consider it before you give them your answer."

“I can’t do nothing, besides… I’ve already made up my mind.”

“... and who is going to keep you from going over the edge? Our parents just died… and you --”

“I’m going to be okay, Alora." Teyla assured, glancing briefly at the silhouette of Baros a few feet away. Despite all of the many nuances their relationship entailed through the years, she believed him when he said they had a connection, it gave her certainty. "I promise."

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[Present, Inquisitor's Revenge]​

She felt her throat constrict, her jaw working to try and form the words to say, and deny it all, rage, anything! But frustratingly found it was impossible to get her lips to move until it was too late, and Teyla was alone again, with nothing but the whirring sound of the hyperdrive and her own thoughts for company.

How had everything become such a mess? Several aspects of her life were in tatters, and coming back to this case had already proven to be a disaster. Shame, guilt, and grief, brewed and boiled over the seams that she could no longer hold together, coming out in choked sobs.

----------------------------------------------------------
​

Teyla arrived a few minutes late for the final briefing, cleaned up and crisp, without any evidence of the last ten minutes worn in her expression or demeanor.

In fact, besides the evidence of tear-swollen eyes, she looked entirely indifferent. Whatever break through there had been was lost, the shutters were back up and the mask was back on.

Crossing over to the table, Teyla took her seat, hands neatly folding together on top.

"Let's get this over with."

TO BE CONTINUED...
​

Baros Sal-Soren