No Greater Plan

With the paper work finished and Luke and the others back on board the ship, Leia gave the Lieutenant his orders concerning the young Senator. Once they were back at the Amaris homestead contact would be fairly limited and he would only have his comlink with him. If that should fail and trouble should arise he had a small tracking device attached to his collar and all he had to do was remove it and smash it against something hard, it would then cut off the signal and they would know back on the Falcon there was danger. If that were to happen Han would immediately lift off and they would be there in minutes. Darien whined about them not doing that in the first place to save all this landhover traveling to and fro as it took up so much time. Han reminded him that the whole idea was not to attract atention to the young woman and that the Falcon was the last resort.

Packing his things, Darien wondered how long it would be before everything was back to normal on this planet. His mind wandered back to his many years of solitude and training and wondered how the hell he had managed for so long with out some sort of company on a regular basis. Luke had told him that a weaker man would have perished in those kinds of inhospitable conditions he suffered during that time and Darien thanked the force that Mara had found him when she had.

*Flashback*

The sand swirled wildly around on the desert plains of Lamitonia. It was the long season when the rains would not come and the land was dry and barren. If only he hadn't wandered so far from his refuge, if only he'd listened to his inner whisperings forewarning him of this evil and stayed where he was, then he would not be suffering now. The sun would not be boring down upon his drying skin and sand would not be whipping around his face, nor would his body feel so heavy. He raised a hand to shield his eyes, protecting them from the wrath from this god forsaken planet. He'd thought a week in this storm would be nothing to him it was only a challenge of endurance after all, but he hadn't accounted for the storm to turn and become as bad as this and to be stupid enough to leave the food and water behind... It was that which he regretted the most.

Dragging his body along the dunes, he knew he had only a few more to domineer before he would reach his sanctuary once more. He pulled himself up and stood as best he could using all of his strength to remain upright. He knew if he remained on the ground that he might never again see the light of day and die smothered under mountains of sand... and death by suffocation wasn't in his training schedule. If he could reach his underground cavern there would be life saving supplies for him to partake of, but as it stood at this point in time, he could barely move forward. Pushing himself on and forcing every muscle in his body to move he suddenly lost his footing, not sensing the danger in time due to his mind not being focussed on anything but food and water, if he had been focussed he would have sensed the sudden steep drop, but by the time anything registered it was too late.

As he fell towards his fate, the state of unconcious began to surround him and he begged the gods above that it would all end quickly.

~*~

A blurred vision appeared before him as his eyes fluttered open and he vaguely heard an angelic voice speaking softly to him. A messenger from the gods perhaps, to take him to the after life?

"I'm glad to see you're awake."

"A... are y... you an a.. ang... angel?" he heard himself say in stuttered and broken speach.

A soft chuckle. "No, sweetheart. I'm not. I'm Mara, Mara Jade Skywalker. But you're one very lucky boy to be alive after what you've been through."

"I... I'm not, d... d... dead then?"

The older woman smiled at him, "No, you're very much, cut up, battered, bruised, and dehydrated; but, you're not dead. You came close to it a couple of times and I was worried there for a week or so after I found you. You were barely alive and you were in a such a bad way, but..."

"How... l... long has... has it... b... been?"

"Almost six weeks." The woman replied. "I was collecting earth samples for some testing and I heard this groan coming from somewhere and I looked above me and there you were, splayed out on a rocky outcrop, ten feet up. Don't be trying to do that yet..." She warned him as he attempted to pull himself upright. She caught his head in her lap as he tumbled backwards and then restrained him as he stubbornly tried to get up a second time around.

"I... have to get.... u... up... I have to c... con... continue t... training. I h... have to b... become s... stron... stronger within m... myself. I.."

"You can just stay right here until you're fully functional again, or do I need to tie you down, because if that's what it takes for you to stay still then believe you me... I will do it!" She scolded as she gently set his head back down on the makeshift bed she had thrown together

Silence.

"Good." she smirked as she moved over to the small pot of food she had prepared a little earlier and scooped up some of the warm substance with a small bowl. "Now that we've got that settled you can, A. Tell me your name, B. Your age, C. Why I found you where I did and D. What kind of training you're involved in."

More silence.

"Silent treatment doesn't work on me and just remember, I'm the one working the strings here. So if you don't talk you don't eat and I'm sure by the sound your stomache's making, you could use something more than the healing potions I've been stuffing down your throat."

His eyesight had returned to normal a few seconds earlier and he glared at the woman who was 'black mailing' him, but the lack of real sustenance had taken its toll as his stomache rumbled painfully, "I'm D... Darien S... Saun... Saunders. I'm f... fourteen and I f... fell b... because I'm t... training to b... be... become a Jedi!"

*End flashback*

A smile crept over his face as he remembered the stunned looked on Mara's face as she dropped the bowl. He remembered their time together with great fondness, the woman was his savior and he owed her his life. So years later when she had finally convinced Luke to meet with him and to take him on as an apprentice and train with him in his Academy on Yavin 4, he promised to do all that he could to help them out in any way shape or form. He had been extremely nervous about meeting the renowned Jedi Master and Admiral, Luke SkyWalker, but it was all for nought and the young man, felt a little more than just priviliged as Luke had handed him a light sabre a few minutes into the meeting and asked him to spar with him. Needless to say, an hour later, he'd suddenly earned the title of Lieutenant in the New republic and been yanked into all this as part of the agreement; not to mention gained a few, bruises, aches and pains to go with it.

It was Mara who had informed him a short time later that this assignment was actually Luke's idea from the start. It was the Admiral's way of testing him.

Darien spun around sensing he was being watched and breathed a sigh of relief as he saw Mara in the doorway smirking at him.

"Day dreaming again, soldier?"

"Reminiscing actually." he grinned as he turned back to finish the remainder of his packing.

"You were such a brat back then you know, Saunders." she grinned

"And you were certainly no angel." He laughed.

"Well I won't argue with you on that one." She agreed. "Oh, they're waiting for you by the way." Mara sensed a hesitance coming from the young man and reasuringly placed a hand on his shoulder. "Worried?"

"A little. But only because, I've never done anything like this before. You know that yourself."

Mara smiled gently at him. "There was lots of things we've never done before, Darien, but it's the doing that helps us know our capabilities and our limitations and you know that yourself. And besides Luke wouldn't let you do this unless he knew you were capable. He is a very good judge of character and he likes you."

"I'm so grateful to you Mara," Darien finished his packing and closed his bag, turning to face her as he sat on his bunk. "Ever since my father was killed at the hands of the Empire I have wanted nothing more than revenge, but it was you who made me come to realize that, that was wrong. I was inspired by you from the minute you confided in me about your past."

"I'm glad I could help in some way; but you're still a brat."

"And you're still no angel."

Mara blushed as the Lieutenant suddenly stood and embraced her. "Thank you for all that you have done for me, Mara. I am what I am today because of your past and because you allowed me to share in something I'd never really known before."

"Dare I ask what that was?" she returned, a puzzled look on her face as he broke the embrace and went to gather his belongings.

He grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder and headed for the door. Turning back briefly he grinned "A friend, Mara Jade Skywalker. A friend."

Mara's smile widened as the young man saluted her, then turning on his heel he headed out to find the others.

She stood for a moment and wiped the tears that escaped her clouded eyes. It was a nice thing to know that some things in her past had not been in vain. Taking a deep breath she regained her composure and folowed after the Lieutenant.

~*~

Han packed Zeeana's small bundle of belongings she had brought with her into the landhover. "Here take this," he said handing her a laser.

She looked at him and then at the laser, "And I need this because?" she asked with an amused grin on her face.

"Just in case." he nodded towards the Lieutenant as he ran down the ramp towards them, closely folowed by Mara.

Zeeana giggled and Leia shook her head as Luke silently chuckled

The Lieutenant raised an eyebrow as he came up to them. "Shouldn't I get one too. Just in case," he said with a wink.

Han cleared his throat and patted the boy on the back, "I'm sure you'll be fine, Lieutenant," he pulled him off to the side a little, "But just in case, here, take this."

Darien laughed as Han handed him a hydro-spanner, "What the...?"

"Well, if the laser doesn't work, she can always hit you with that."

Zeeana bit her lip as she tried not to burst into laughter at the look on the Lieutenant's face, the others were doing the same.

"I think it's time," Leia began attempting to get things back on track.

"I'll just go on in and help Chewie with the er... hyperdrive then shall I."

"Good idea, sweetheart." Leia agreed a smile on her face as she watched her husband retreat rather quickly.

"Leia, Mara would you mind seeing Zeeana into the hover. I just want to speak with the Lieutenant for a moment."

"Sure, not a problem, honey." Mara answered as she and Leia complied to Luke's request.

Darien swallowed and let out a large puff of air as Luke pulled him aside, "Nervous?"

"Very."

"Good."

"Good? But why?"

"I means that you aren't over confident my young padawan." began Luke assuming his role as master and trainer, "And that's what I was hoping to see before you left. I know I've put you in a dangerous position, but don't be afraid, there is no room for fear; I believe you can handle this, even if something does happen. The force forbid that it does, but I think you'll handle it accordingly. Guard her well, my son, even if it means your life."

Darien nodded, "Yes, Master. I will do what ever it takes to protect her. I will not let you down. I promise."

Luke sensed another worry in his padawan's mind and placed a hand on his arm. "It's the girl isn't it?"

"Huh?"

"You're nervous because of the Senator, aren't you?"

"I... er well... that is I have never really known any other women apart from my mother and Mara and your sister so I... I don't know, well I've lived on my own since my father died and the only occasional female company I had was Mara."

"So in layman's terms, you've no idea. Am I correct?"

Darien nodded, "This is so embarrasing, Master. I've only ever fended for myself and not another."

"Instinct, Darien. It will come to you naturally so try not to worry about things to much. But that isn't exactly what I meant and I think you know that."

The Lieutenant swallowed, "Um... You noticed?"

"And you thought I wouldn't?"

"Stupid of me."

"Very."

"Mm."

"You seemed to have captured her attention already. Let things be and just be yourself. If it is meant to be it will. Control your feelings do not let them betray you." he gave his apprentice a stern look, "As a rule I would normally suggest you forget about this now, tell you not to get involved, but I won't. I'll leave it with you to decide for yourself. However, my young padawan just remember that we will be leaving this planet after the mission is complete."

Darien stared at his Master long and hard, then nodded in confirmation that he truly understood.

"You'd better get going. It's late enough already and we need to get the Senator home." he turned and led the young Jedi back towards the others. "We shall be in touch with you as much as possible. Send us confirmation that you've arrived safely once you're back." he walked around to the passenger side of the landhover, "Zeeana take care and we shall see you both in a few days when we come to see how things are out there."

"I look forward to seeing you all then." she replied happily.

"I'm counting on you, Saunders," Mara began, as the young padawan climbed into the drivers seat.

"We all are." Leia agreed. "You take care of her, Lieutenant."

"I will. Don't you worry about that."

"Zeeana, make sure you keep him in line and don't feed him unless he behaves." Mara finished as the Lieutenant started the landhover up.

"I'll beat him into submission for you if I have to Mara."

"Here, then." Darien grinned handing her the hydro-spanner. "You'll need this."

Zeeana took one look at the implement in the Lieutenant's hand and giving in to her inner child, giggled furiously.

As they headed out of the space port, Zeeana smiled, waving back until she could see nothing but the outlines of blurred figures standing there. Finally she turned back to face the front and sighed.

From here on in it was anyone's guess as to what could happen next.

~*~

Teal had escorted Rukia to the infirmary. They both had been given something to ease their headaches and gone back to Rukia's quarters. Laying down on the bed she sighed and looked up at Teal. "You can sit you know."

The young man sat down on the bed beside her and sighed. "I'm sorry you had to get dragged into all of this, Rukia."

"It's meant to be this way, Teal. If that is the reason we were born, then it still might've come to this eventually. So I gather we have been paired off for bonding. You and I and Zeeana and Nathaniel right?"

Teal suitably blushed, "I... well... yes. That's exactly it."

"You do know that I was born of a Callonian woman, don't you."

Teal nodded sheepishly, "Yes I do."

"So you know the consequences of our bonding together."

Again Teal nodded, this time a red tinge spread over his face and he swallowed hard.

"Are you ready for such a responsibility?"

"I am... and you?"

"If it's with you, Teal, then I am." Rukia reached her arms out to him and he sank to his knees next to the bed as he embraced her gently.

"Then when it's time, Rukia and you want me, let me know." he whispered softly into her ear.

She grinned at him and pulled him closer whispering in his, "It's time, Teal. I'm ready now."

Teal shot upright looking at her a dumbfounded look on his face, "Already?"

"It will be another six weeks before we can succesfully bond again if it doesn't happen now."

"We're not sealed, does that bother you?" he asked sincerely.

"Do you love me?"

"Silly question."

"So was yours."

"I see your point."

"Then what are you waiting for?" Rukia replied as she slowly began to unbutton her uniform.

"You're sure this is definitely what you want?" he asked as he ran his fingers through her hair. "After this we can't turn back. I want you to be absolutely sure. I dont want to wake up after we've done this and have you hate me. I couldn't bare it."

She stopped what she was doing and reached up placing her hand against his face and gently touched his cheek. "The truth is, Teal I wanted this two years ago and I still want it now. Does that make it any clearer for you?"

Teal smiled and kissed the palm of her hand, "Then after all this is over, we'll make it official." leaning down he softly pressed his lips against hers, his hands making quick work of the remaining buttons on her shirt. Gently pushing the material aside he could feel the softness of her skin and feathered his hand softly over her stomach down towards her trousers. He heard her gasp as he undid the belt and then the button and the finally the zipper was undone. Leaving it momentarily, Teal sat her upright, removing the shirt from her upper torso and locating her bra unclasped it. He sat back and watched as she finished removing it. Never before had he seen a woman's body like this and he was in awe at how breath takingly beautiful the sight was. He shivered as she lay back down and suddenly he was as nervous as all hell. Her small rounded breasts were amazing and he reached out, but then pulled back suddenly, "Is it alright?" he asked softly.

Rukia nodded, "Don't hold back. Just do."

Sowly Teal reached out again with his hand and gently rubbed the small protruding bump that was hardening, he heard a soft gasp and watched intently as Rukia's eyes closed. He smiled and rubbed a little firmer watching as the young woman's face changed expression a few times and he wondered what would happen if he tried something else. Slowly he leant down licked at the pink stub and it amused him when she almost arched off the bed. He gently lapped at it some more and listened as the girl made soft noises as he suckled at it. Then bringing his other hand into play he carressed the other one lovingly. Slowly he got used to the idea and began to feel a little more confident. His mouth captured her nipples each in turn his hands softly kneading and rubbing causing the girl to moan.

Remembering that he hadnt finished the other task he returned one of his hand's back to attend to the matter and he began to shuffle her trousers down her legs. She kicked them off the rest of the way herself and then lay awaiting his next move. He had to stop his hormones from going over board. He'd never seen a naked woman let alone touch her and his hardened member ached for something more than just the touch of a breast against tongue and mouth. But he would wait. He wanted to experience as much as he could before that point.

Braving the next step, he slowly ran a hand over the soft mound beneath her underwear and the girl arched. He stopped and waited unsure of what he'd done.

"Don't stop, Teal." Rukia almost begged him.

Teal swallowed and he continued to rub firmly over the mound. He watched the girls face it was fascinating. Her moans became a little louder and he rubbed a little harder and then began to venture futher. His hand snaked its way under the band of her pants and slowly his fingers searched for their target. It was so warm and soft down there and soon curiosity got the better of him. Slowly he removed the offending garment. Moving closer to get a better look he found what he'd been searching for. He wasn't that dense he knew from his time at the learning centre when you were taught about the body and how it worked and the lessons on responsibilty and so on and so forth.

But that was nothing compared to this.

Slowly he spread the small pink lip like folds apart and gently ran a finger down over the moist centre. He continued to watch Rukia's face and he could tell what she liked the most and what she wasn't to fond of. Obviously... this she liked. He rubbed a little harder then thrust his finger into the small entrance.

Rukia' cried out and again her back arched. He watched her face, fascinated by the way it was contorting; the more he increased his depth, the harder she would push up to it and when he thrust it in and out she would rock her hips in time. It was then he discovered that the more she would moan and cry out, the harder his impatient cock became. He began to thrust his finger a little faster, her moans increasing in frequency and he lowered his head down to get a closer look at what was happening down there. He saw the small pink bud and it too was hard and erect. He was amazed; it was such a small thing. Then he took a chance, his tongue darted out and lapped across it.

"Ahh, Teal... more, please."

Teal swalowed. More; she wanted... more? Alright, so, she wanted more; then... to hell with it, he'd give her what she wanted. His tongue darted out and lapped it some more. He removed his finger from her warm depths and replaced it with his tongue, pushing it into the moist cavern and then sucking with his mouth. It seemed to be driving the girl wild because she thrashed and panted thrusting her hips up hard into his face driving him deeper into her pleasure zone.

She breathed in quick panting moans, her body was experiencing something she had never imagined possible as her lover thrust his tongue about inside of her. Suddenly she felt something strong, something overpowering starting to take control and her hands flew to Teal's head and pushed his face down hard, grinding against his tongue and face "Oh gods!! Oh! Oh Teal, something... something is happening to me. Oh god, Teal, more..."

Teal thrust his tongue deeply into her and then swiped it across the pink nub and sucked on it pushing hard down against it. He felt Rukia stiffen and her body arched into the air, her panting and groaning turned into a exasperated and stifled scream and she shuddered, her body shaking with a euphoria that she had never experienced until now.

Teal immediately went to her side worried that something had gone wrong. But when she grabbed him and passionately kissed him his doubts about his competance in this field were quickly repelled.

"I'm fine, Teal. More than fine, actually." she looked up at him and smiled. "I have never felt anything so wonderful in my whole life. If the bonding is as good you might never get any rest."

Teal could feel the burning sensation sweeping across his cheeks as she grinned at him.

"Speaking of which..." she continued leaning down closer to him, "I think it's about time we got to it, don't you, Lieutenant?"

He never had a chance to respond, except for that of a surprised yelp as with in the blink of an eye she had flipped him onto his back, had his pants undone, off and dropped them to the floor amongst her own discarded apparel.

"Nice move, Ensign."

"It was wasn't it." She stated.

He never got the chance to answer as the young woman firmly rubbed a hand across the bulge in his under wear. "Oh, god..." he moaned, his breath hitching a little.

"Nice package you have there, Lieutenant," She whispered into his ear before removing the last obstacle in their quest to bond. Tossing the underwear aside, she sat back on her haunches and admired the sight before her. His cock stood hard and firm and she licked her lips, "God, Teal I can't wait any longer."

"Then don't." he replied softly, his arms outstretched, "Come to me, Rukia."

Slowly she moved forwards straddling his hips, her legs either side of him. Teal placed his hands over her hips and he guided her down as she reached beneath and guided his throbbing erection to her vaginal entrance.

They glanced at each other lovingly and she nodded in affirmation that she was ready to begin, then Teal thrust upwards as Rukia thrust down. A twinge of discomfort engulfed the young woman as she impaled herself upon his swollen member, but it was gone with in a few moments. Teal thought he would fly off the bed at the sensations that coursed through his body as the woman's vaginal walls encased his cock and slid down over it sheathing it completely. His mouth was open but no sound escaped it as the girl began to rock back and forth. His hands remained on her hips and he began to find a rhythm of his own that complimented hers.

Rukia closed her eyes as she rocked forwards wallowing in the semi euphoric pleasure that the bonding was wrapping her in. Soft small pants escaped the both of them. This was their undiscovered sanctuary, their commitment to each other. They had wanted each other for so long, to touch, to feel, to love and at last after years of each not knowing the other's true feelings of love and admiration, they were here, together.

Thrusting upwards, Teal moaned his delight. Rukia was so gentle, yet firm in her rocking it was driving him mad. His hard throbbing pole of flesh ached and words could not describe his feelings as his mind fought to stay in control of the rest of his body.

The woman sensed the excitement drifting through her lover's mind, his thoughts all over the place, so she sought to tease him a little. She sat upright deepening the penetration a little further and she gasped as did he at the sudden change of position. Recovering a little from the intensity of the sudden throe of pleasure, Rukia reached behind her and gently stroked the swollen sacks hanging beneath.

"Oh god!!" he gasped as the woman began her soft caress. She was in control now and he was utterly at her mercy.

She rocked a little faster, gently lifting herself upwards and dropping down slowly using her vaginal muscles to squeeze his manhood between them. She smiled as he let out a deep moan, the pleasure obviously building in his loins. She continued to tease and ride him grinding her clitorus hard against his pubic ridge. Her panting increased as the level of pleasure rose and she began to feel that same strange overpowering feeling as she had before. Suddenly her rocking increased in pace and her downward thrusts became harder and faster and Teal in turn increased his thrusts just to keep pace and then it began the sudden intense build up of pleasure.

Teal's cock twitched and throbbed and the ache within became almost unbareable, he vaguely became aware that they were both quietly panting and he could make out his own voice mixed with Rukias as the passion rose to an incredible high.

Suddenly Teal felt Rukia stiffen as she had done before and she thrust down hard onto his cock thrusting her clitorus hard against the pubic ridge one final time and she cried out his name as she felt her self tip into that euphoric experience once more.

Teal felt his loins burning with an intense, yet pleasureable fire and as he watched Rukia tilt over into the point of no return, so his cock twitched and his whole body shuddered with pleasure, he barely heard himself cry out as his cock began to convulse and he too was sent over the edge. He could not move nor could he speak as he felt his seed explode from the small slit in his cockhead.

Feeling the warm seed shoot forth from Teal's throbbing cock, Rukia continued to ride the Euphoria until she could ride no more and then exhausted, collapsed against her lover.

The panting finally subsiding, and Teal's penis thoroughly deflated, the young woman rolled onto the bed beside her lover.

Embracing the young woman, Teal smiled at her as she settled into her lover's arms and he kissed her on the forehead.

"Sleep my angel." he whispered softly, "I will be here with you and tomorrow when we awaken I will remain by yourside. You are mine and I am yours through bonding we are one. I love you, Rukia I always have and I always will."

"I love you too, Teal, now and forever."

He smiled again, and for the first time in a long time, he felt a sense of belonging stir in his heart it was something that he had not felt since his mother had passed on. He glanced down at Rukia, her eyes closing as she slowly entered into slumber. He sighed happily, contentedly and he too shut his eyes.

The Admiral would just have to wait until tomorrow to discuss plans.

There was no way he was disturbing this moment for anything.

TBC...