Unification

Part Thirteen

In the proceeding weeks, Galaxa’s disposition had changed dramatically. Her clothing was one of the differences - it was riskier and always clung to her generous curves. She wore eye and lip makeup, accenting her green eyes and pouting her lips more fully. She fashioned her hair dramatically, in upsweeps and ornaments. Gal had even begun to walk with a strut and now always spoke with an edge in her voice.

It had become remarkably easy for Galaxa to accept her newfound destiny. Somehow, being one of the Six of the prophecy made everything come into focus for her. She had always felt a special bond with the others, and now she knew why. The prophecy had done wonders for her attitude toward Geo as well, seeing he was a part of all that softened her feelings about him, that and her nervous breakdown in his arms, which she conveniently pretended had never occurred.

But she was not ready to be initiated just yet. She had decided to hold it off until she set things up in her life, and let things sink in a little more. She still had many unresolved feelings to sort through before she decided to make any new commitments. Her life was finally her own.

Dressed in a black leather catsuit with a utility belt, she rummaged through a drawer in her borrowed chambers at Geo’s house. Of course, Galaxa was still a reluctant guest- since she had left the Jedi temple, she didn’t have much a choice yet. But that was all going to change. Finding and lighting an herbal cigarette, she flopped backwards on the soft bed and thought to herself about how long it would take to get her own place, now that she had a new career and the revelation that she was a child of the prophecy. She had a lot of things to think about before she decided to take the final step and get initiated.

Galaxa sensed Geo at the entrance to her chamber and force opened the door for him before he had the chance to announce himself.

He smirked at her as she rose to her knees on the bed, continuing to smoke.

“Hello,” she said with a voice an octave deeper than usual. She dropped her heavily made up lashes and then looked back at him as she took a drag from her cigarette.

“Hello yourself,” Geo grinned coyly, sliding his tongue over his bottom lip and back into his mouth subtly. He knew she was recalling his ‘dream visitation’ to her from the night before. His dream visitations had actually begun to be much more frequent after the episode in Geo’s bedroom, so much for promising not to torture her. After a moment, Galaxa arched her eyebrows, as if asking him what he wanted.

He cleared his throat before speaking. “I wanted to tell you in person, Gal, that you may stay here as long as you like. You don’t have to leave-”

“Thank you Geo, I do appreciate your kindness, but I will have my own place soon enough. The Republic pays very well for ex Jedi Healers. “ She flashed him a disarming smile, her features softening for a moment before they hardened again.

He stepped closer to her perch on the bed. Reaching out to her, Galaxa shrank back and swung her legs over the side of the bed, crossing the room and sitting in a chair.

“I was merely going to note that I noticed you were wearing the crescent I sent to when you were in the Temple.” He was referring to the Falasian crystal pendant. It was one of the many things that Geo had lavished on her and she had returned. He had put everything in this room, knowing one day they would belong to her again- or hoping that they would. A small shiver of delight coursed through his veins as he saw that she had put it on.

“I am going to pay for it- as a matter of fact, I-“

“Don’t insult me Galaxa. Just keep it, okay? It was made especially for you… Besides, you and I are on the same team-especially now.” Geo slid fluidly into the chair opposite her and folded one long leg over the other, reaching into his black leather pants and taking out his own herbal cigarettes.

Gal looked away from him and out the window. “I think I should weaken the Senators’ will when they come to me for healing. They will be much easier to control if they are weakened, don’t you think?”

Geo’s eyebrows lifted, his desire for Gal starting to smolder. “Such intelligence, such cunning…” he teased.

Galaxa rolled her eyes. “Well, you aren’t so stupid yourself, Geo. Getting the money from the republic accounts to buy out the Jedi? “ She snorted. “It is brilliant. “

With the people we plan to put on the soapbox, how can we lose? But I must admit, without the Dark Woman on the inside, we would have a major problem.” Geo said, still watching her carefully.

Gal nodded in agreement and continued to stare out the window. He was getting nervous; the love of his life finally gave him a compliment. They sat for a few moments in silence, smoking the cigarettes. As he looked at her in silence, his gaze intensified and he leaned forward, capturing her slender hand with his large masculine one.

A surge of energy coursed through their bodies at the contact. The tremors from their connection were like tiny little earthquakes, and Gal felt her breath catch in her throat. If she had not been seated, her knees would have buckled from beneath her. How she had longed for his touch.

Geo squeezed her hand tightly, his handsome face flushed red. His thumb made small circles over her knuckles as he spoke. “Please stay with me, Gal. I would make you the happiest woman that ever existed if you just gave me half the chance. I want you to bond yourself to me- let me initiate you- mar-“

Galaxa recoiled like she had just been burned, withdrawing her hand from his.

“Geo, I told you NEVER to touch me. Do you understand?” she snapped standing, pulling herself up to her full height of six feet.

Geo looked up at her, crestfallen, then angered. He also rose to his full height, glaring at Galaxa eye to eye.

“So what is the deal, Galaxa? You can let everyone touch you but I can’t?”

“How dare you! You who sleep with anything that has an orifice!!” she hissed, clenching her fists.
“At least I don’t fuck random whores!”

“Much better than what YOU did- you give me your virginity and then threw me away like garbage. If I am with a stranger they know it means nothing- but YOU-“ the disgust was registering on his face as he searched for the words.

Galaxa felt the tears spring to her eyes and she fought desperately to blink them back. Geo was the last person she had wanted to see her in a moment of weakness. “Some devoted ‘love’ you are, Geo. You expect me to fall for you when the first chance you get you throw that in my face!”

His expressions softened, realizing he had hurt her. Then he was bewildered, trying to figure out how she turned this on him. He stood there motionless for a moment and then crossed his arms over his chest.

“Galaxa,” he commanded.

She looked at him angrily, tossing her head back and placing her hands on her hips.

“Don’t play games with me. I know that you want me as your lover. “

Her mouth opened to protest but he actually knocked the wind out of her with such a brazen remark.

“I know that you realize that those aren’t dreams. Especially after our little problem a few weeks ago…you know now that I come to you deliberately when you sleep- and you still accept me. Do you think I don’t know that you realize those aren’t dreams? “ He was making more of a statement than asking a question.

Gal looked upon him and Geo felt her weaken. He had thought he cornered her into an admission, but her answer took him off guard.

“Well, you are a smart man, Geo. What can I say?” she shrugged her shoulders and turned on her heels, walking over to her closet casually.

“What can you say? What can you say?” he parroted, accenting his words with his hands.
“How about that you want me or that you love me? That you want me to make love to you with my body again instead of my mind.”

Gal laughed from her closet full of new clothes, not bothering to turn around. “Want you, yeah, fine. Love you? You are lucky that I even like you, and as far as actually being with you in the flesh, forget it. It’s never going to happen again, Geo. You should get used to that fact.” She selected a black suit and held it to herself in the mirror nonchalantly.

Geo entertained the thought that he thought he had made some progress. “So, you’re saying you like me?”

“Maybe- well, a little. Maybe we can be friends. “ She said sincerely, putting the suit away and closing the distance between them.

“Gal, why won’t you give me a chance? “ he asked.

“Geo let it go. We can be friends- a team, perhaps.”

“A team?“ he echoed, now sarcastic. “That is not good enough. I just can’t see why you won’t just let me in-“

“Gods, Geo! Why are you always pushing me?” she screamed. “Nothing is ever enough for you!”

“I have gone out of my way to please you, to show you how I care-“

“How dare you?” she countered. “You dare profess to love me when I am asleep under your roof and you fuck a whore?” Galaxa raged, stepping forward.

“Well, if you were with me, I wouldn’t have to!” Geo shouted back, throwing his hands in the air.

“OH GODS, Geo! What are you saying? Are you mad? “ Galaxa paced furiously as the sheer lunacy of his thought roiled through her brain. “I will never have you. Do you understand?!”

“FINE!” Geo yelled, the bass rumbling in his voice.

“Fine!” Galaxa yelled back, matching his tone.

Geo stormed out of the room in a rage as she stalked into the fresher. She sank to her knees, wondering how they had gone so wrong.


Three weeks later…


Galaxa jumped as her wrist unit beeped insistently. Looking down and sighing, she pushed the button, activating the call.

Anakin’s deep baritone rolled out of the tiny speakers. “Galaxa, you will meet us tonight for dinner at The Rooftop Garden Restaurant. We have much to discuss.”

“Okay, I will be there. What time? I won’t finish up here until late.”

”Two hours and you will not be late.” His clipped tones left no room for any arguments.

Galaxa sighed before wearily replying. “Fine. Two hours.” She shut the unit off, feeling some small measure of satisfaction for hanging up on him, although doubtless he would punish her for it later. She looked around in frustration, records spread out all over her desk. She pushed the entire mess to the floor, loudly calling for her droids to come and clean it and lay her head on the desk, moaning, it had been a week since her last encounter with Geo and Galaxa didn’t know if she was up for another round. Sitting up, she looked down at her clothing in distaste. She rose quickly, sauntering out of her office at the Senate. Once outside, she hailed a cab and went shopping. If she had to appear at Geo’s restaurant, she was going to do it with a new dress on.

***

Galaxa strutted into the restaurant a few minutes after the appointed time. Finding the perfect dress had taken time and then she had decided to go to the salon, having her hair and nails done for the first time ever. She looked amazing and she could hardly wait to torture Geo. It gave her unhealthy pleasure, and she knew it.

Her long dark hair flowed down her back, the slight waves that the stylist had put in dancing with her every move. Her emerald eyes were carefully made up, rimmed with black kohl. Soft blush accented her cheeks and a crimson color stained her lush, full lips.

Her dress was a tight two-piece red sheath of silk, leather and beads. Her generous breasts pushed up and barely covered by the tight bodice. Her waist was bare, the dress wrapping around underneath her breasts and meeting again in the back. She had pasted a shimmering jewel into her belly button and it winked in the lights as she walked.

The dress began again right above her pelvic bone, and rode low on her hips, two wide bands of beads holding it together along her hips, a thin strip of leather barely concealing her womanly charms. From the leather hung sheer red organza, hanging in strips to the floor. Her thigh high boots gleamed in the candlelight, their three-inch heels adding to her already considerable height.

The majordomo saw her coming and pushed a button on the dais, alerting his master that his ladylove had arrived. His party was awaiting her in the back room and the little man scurried forward to escort her there.

When the button on his chair started blinking, Geo looked at Anakin and nodded before pushing another one to open the two-way mirrors surrounding the room. Four of the five occupants of the room stared in amused shock at Galaxa’s amazing transformation. Geo watched her slink through the room, blowing kisses and flirting with the patrons of his upscale restaurant in horrified shock. His hands gripped the armrests of his chair, knuckles turning white in his anger. Liza gasped as she watched Gal walk up to one handsome man and kiss him passionately, wiggling into his lap briefly before jumping up to slink after the majordomo again.

Geo had had enough; he pushed a button and hissed softly into the intercom. Minutes later, Acaciah and Liza laughed as the man that Gal had accosted was unceremoniously removed from his chair by two burly guards. Another came up behind Gal and grabbed her arm, propelling her through the restaurant faster, towards her destination.

As he propelled her through the door, Gal shook herself loose. She stumbled in the room scanning the shocked faces before smirking and slinking over to the only empty chair, adjacent to Geo. She sat back in the chair, propping her booted feet on Geo’s chair, giving him the appealing view of her freshly waxed nakedness underneath the dress. She smiled wickedly at him, shifting back further in her seat and cocking her knee to give him a better view.

“Galaxa, have you completely lost your mind?” Anakin asked her in mild amusement. His eyes searched out Acaciah’s and her peal of laughter startled Galaxa.

She moved her feet to the floor in front of her and glared at Geo. She acted as if he was the only person in the room. “Don’t you like my new dress? I bought it especially for tonight.” Galaxa purred, leaning forward towards him, resting her breasts on the table, her nipples pushing up against the thin silk, teasing Geo as he watched her, his only outward sign of emotion being a tic in his cheek, jumping maniacally.

“Very nice Galaxa.” Liza said softly from her right. She was watching the proceedings with interest, as were they all. Joss nodded his head in agreement with his wife, reaching out to cup her hand where it rested on the table, his gleaming golden wedding ring winking in the lights of the room.

Galaxa looked over at them and a deep, agonizing wave of misery hit her hard. She looked at Geo, determined to play some more. “Nice place you have here babe” she said, standing up and going to stand in front of the windows, giving him a choice view of her firm ass peeking through the beads. She leaned against the glass, pushing her ass into the air as she watched the patrons eat and drink.

Geo couldn’t take it any longer. He rose, his body quaking with anger and something else that he could barely control. Anakin looked at him and nodded. Geo looked down the table, nodding to the women and giving Joss a sardonic grin before stalking over to the door. Turning, he looked back at Galaxa. She had turned around when she saw him stand in the glass behind her. His heated gaze raked her body, sending icy hot chills up and down her spine and causing her nipples to tighten even more, almost breaking through their thin silken barrier.

Geo couldn’t speak, couldn’t trust his voice, he just nodded curtly at her and pulled open the door, slamming it behind him. Geo stalked down the hallway, his anger and desire warring with each other.

Galaxa shot stunned eyes to Anakin. A blush crept into her cheeks and she dropped her head in shame.

* Go after him, * a soft voice whispered in her brain. She looked up to find Acaciah’s eyes on her, a soft smile on her lips. Joss and Liza looked at her as well, grins playing on their faces. Galaxa looked at Anakin again who nodded.

She ran to the door, pulling it open and running after him, cursing her decision to wear heels. She looked around the restaurant; unsure of which way he had gone. Looking around, she grabbed the nearest waiter, pulling him closer with her fist twisted in his shirt. “Geo, where is he?”

“Wwaterfall.” The terrified Twi’lek stammered.

“Where?” Galaxa growled, tightening her fist. The boy’s arm shot out, pointing down the hallway. Galaxa released him, stalking down the direction he pointed, beings moving quickly out of the way of the angry virago.

She finally found him, standing in front of a huge waterfall, the spray dancing up and caressing his skin. The spill pool wasn’t deep but rainbows danced and played among the spray as it fell. She could feel his anger and something else, something that scared her almost as much as it thrilled her, his desire.

Feeling reckless, she sprinted up the short ramp, tackling him from behind, taking them both over the edge. He came to his feet, sputtering and cursing. She rose as well, the water streaming down their faces as they locked eyes. She looked at him, the longing evident in her gaze. He cursed again, softly before grabbing her in a bone-crushing embrace and pulling her up against him, smashing his mouth down on hers.

She met him halfway, her mouth opening under his, their tongues dancing, sliding along each other’s. His hands roamed over the wet silk hiding her breasts, his thumbs teasing the nipples. She moaned into his mouth as her arms came up to caress his back, sliding her hands along the smooth curves of muscles. He was supporting her weight because her knees had buckled.

“Forgive me, Geo” she managed, her breath ragged as Geo continued kissing her, angling her face to his. “I don’t know what is wrong with me.”

Still kissing her, he tipped her head back with his lips to hers. “You want me and you’re forgiven,” he breathed huskily.

They kissed for what seemed like an eternity before she pulled out of his embrace. Standing there, dripping wet looking at each other, they burst out laughing, before wading out of the pool and going in search of some dry clothing.

A half an hour later, they made their way back to the private room and the meeting that they had left. Her clothing beyond repair, she was wrapped in one of Geo’s large terry robes. He had changed into a soft lounging outfit that he had found in his office. Galaxa had scrubbed her face clean of the make up and twisted her long locks up into a haphazard bun. They walked together, close but not touching, an agreement having been reached between them tonight.

The foursome that had been left behind watched them return. Anakin nodded at Joss and he smiled in return. Things were finally coming together. The two women watched with smiles of their own as Galaxa laughed at something Geo said to her. They exchanged knowing glances and reached for their husband’s hands.

“Ok, are you two done, now?” Anakin asked, the mirth leaving his voice as they walked back into the room, taking their seats.

Gal lit a cigarette and Geo cleared his throat as they directed their attention to him. The waiters began to serve the food and Anakin watched them impassively, waiting until they had left discreetly before beginning to speak.

“As you all know, Galaxa has taken a job at the Senate as a healer. She will be weakening them systematically and reporting from within. In a few years, they should be under our complete control. Geo has already set up the financial institutions of the republic so that it will fund activities against them. In essence, the activities that we will use to weaken them will be paid for by their pocketbook.”

Acaciah decided to speak as she sipped from her glass. “The Dark Woman has found a way to get the records for us. She is going to get them so that we may use them to find out the lineage of the Jedi. We have a great Ally in her.” She flicked her wrists, rolling the liquid in the crystal glass, then continued after she took another sip. “Geo is going to offer monetary compensation for any deserters- and we will entice them with the information we can reveal to them.”

“I would really love to know who my mother is- or was,” Gal mumbled again, looking heavenward.

Geo looked into his plate of food. He didn’t have Jedi records to look through. He had tried throughout the years in every way possible to find out who his mother was but to no avail.

The now serious mood enveloped the table as Anakin pursed his lips, feeling the thoughts of his brethren think of their own tale of sorrow, he then remembered his own.

“So, I expect you to launch a campaign for recruitment. Especially Joss and Galaxa. You should use your notoriety… But you must be wise, and be vigilant. It is not in our best interests to be exposed just yet. That is your assignment.”

He continued as he looked around the room, locking his gaze with each of them. Anakin continued, explaining the details. It was diabolical and intricate, carefully thought out to bring the republic to its knees. It was orchestrated just so it would be easy to insert a new regime, a new order.

Gal rolled her eyes, blinking back the tears, her empathic heart absorbing the sorrow in the room- the pain, the loneliness. Her own heart was heavy enough. She sensed hope as well, but the feelings of misery had washed over her much more strongly at that moment. Clutching her stomach where her empathetic center was, she rose and went to Liza’s belly, placing her hands on it gingerly.

Liza gasped a little, and then smiled warmly. “The children are happy, Liza. And I wish for your children the happiness that I never had.”

Liza smiled, heartfelt, placing her hand on top of Gal’s. “I wish that for us all,” she whispered. Gal squeezed Liza’s hand and let it slide off her belly.

She rose and shoved her hands in the pockets of her robe. “Anakin, I will work on the campaign, as you wish. Would you excuse me, please?” Galaxa asked humbly.

He looked at her and sighed heavily, a moment of sympathy washed over him. “Very well, Gal,” he conceded, turning his attention to his plate.

Geo pounded the table and walked up and over to Galaxa’s side as she neared the door. Talking had resumed about the table, glasses clinked and they continued to eat, the others paying no mind to them anymore as they called out their goodnights to Gal.

“I guess you don’t want me to come home with you? I want to, you know.” Geo said tenderly.

She did not answer him, her eyes tired and sad as she gazed at him. More than anything he wanted to hold her but he knew that he was on delicate ground. She was not willing to let go of her old ways and grudges. The more he tried to get into her heart, the more she would reject him. She never had anything to call her own, and now her fear and rejection of her old life kept them apart. It was a major conflict for her to love him because it would reorder her entire identity.

Sometimes, he figured he had more of a shot with her as a Jedi, when she was actually forbidden to love. Even that was a fat chance because she always conformed to the Code. All he could do was show her that he was there for her.

“I won’t push you. At least let me send you back with Mylo, okay?” Geo whispered, his hands on her shoulders.

She suddenly smiled winningly, a trace of her earlier sarcasm returning. “Geo, I was a Jedi. I can take care of myself, you idiot.”

“Yeah, an ex-Jedi going through downtown Coruscant in a bath robe.” He quipped.

Galaxa stifled a giggle and closed her eyes shaking her head as Geo whirled around and projected his voice, his deep voice throaty and strange as he imitated Yoda. “Go around in a bath robe, a Jedi must not.”

Joss smacked his hand to his head and grinned as Liza and Acaciah broke into laughter. Anakin tossed Geo a cloak, which he threw on, hobbling over to Joss and poking him in the chest, “Poster child, you are, Jossiah Kadeen” he continued. Gales of laughter enveloped the room as the lighthearted banter returned. Geo threw off the cloak screaming, “Master Yoda needs to get laid. Maybe I should send some of the girls over there” as he lit up a cigar. The room exploded in laughter, as he turned to Gal who was restraining her smile behind her hand. “Come on, “ he puffed, waving his hand already half way out the door. “Let’s get Mylo to get you home.”