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It was late in the evening, everyone having gone to bed or to relax in the cantina. The war room of the alliance was empty, except for one man. Theron Shan. He sat at his desk, catching up on reports after falling behind due to his injury. It was healed now but all this paperwork was just as painful. The room was silent except for the quiet beeping of computers and the sound of his own breathing. As he was going through a particularly dull supply inventory, he suddenly got the sense he wasn't alone. He stood and whipped around, blaster raised at the intruder, ready for anything. Well, almost anything.
He was not prepared to see Major Malavai Quinn, imperial spy and fiance of the alliance commander, to materialize out of stealth with a knife pointed dangerously close to Theron's neck. It was a wicked looking thing, ebony black and engraved with what he recognized as ancient sith lettering. Examining it closer he realized it perfectly matched the ornate hilt of the commander's saberstaff. A pang of unwelcome jealousy twisted in Theron's heart.
After standing off for what seemed like an eternity, Quinn sheathed his knife with a quick flick of his wrist.
He warily lowered his blaster, though he remained prepared for danger.
“Major Quinn. Is there something I can do for you? Alphabetize and color code my reports, perhaps?”
Malavai ignored the clumsy dig, taking a breath and clasping his hands behind his back.
“We need to speak, Shan. I don’t truly intend to kill you, as much as I would like to. However I want to make sure you know that I am watching you.” “You betrayed my lord. She could have died because of you.”
Theron chuckled, the action completely without mirth. “That’s rich coming from you of all people, Major.” Malavai’s eyes narrowed with realization.
“Oh I know all about that, Quinn.” “Spying on her from the very beginning, lying to her. Trying to kill the woman you love because some washed up darth was afraid of her.” “ Not to mention trying to blow her up because Acina told you to.
He smirked. “Working together side by side for so long really gives you a chance to get to know one another.” Theron’s words hit their mark, causing a swirl of both guilt and jealousy in Quinns gut.
Theron continued, “ At least I had a good reason for what I did. I was trying to save her-” he stammered, “I mean save the alliance.” He sighed. He had never voiced his feelings, unable to completely let go of old loyalties. Her exploits had crossed his desk at the SIS more than once. He knew the things she had done. It felt wrong to be in love with a sith lord, even if she was no longer part of the empire. Not that she was like any sith he had ever met.
“You know nothing, Shan. I will feel the pain of my actions until my dying day. I thought I had no choice." He shook his head as if to clear it of the shadows of the past.
"It doesn't matter. This isn't about me. I'm here for her. We are finally together again and you almost took her away. You cannot understand. She is the only thing I have ever truly loved. When Arcann-, When I thought she was-” His voice wavered with pain. “I searched for her for years. Every day I spent in that damned prison the only thing that kept me sane was the thought of her." "I. Will. Not. Lose. Her. Again."
Theron was surprised at the emotion in Quinn’s voice. The imperial had always been a paragon of restraint. Even when seeing his fiance for the first time in half a decade.
Malavai was no fool. He had known the republic spy was in love with his lord from that first day on Iokath. He recognized the look in Theron's eyes because he always saw the same when he looked in the mirror.
This was the one thing Quinn couldn't blame the man for.
How could he? He knew exactly what it was like. To work so closely with her, sure that you simply admired her abilities until it was too late and you were enraptured with her strength, her beauty, her wisdom.
“She is amazing, isn't she?” Quinn said, something like pride filling his words.
“I’ve never met anyone like her.”
Quinn sighed begrudgingly, pulling up a chair across from the other man and taking a seat. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, they had much in common.
Both men were experienced infiltrators, used to secrets and double crossing.
They both knew the anguish of hurting her, the hatred of yourself for your betrayal, the fear that you might be the thing that kills her.
And they both knew the pure bliss of her forgiveness.
Theron crossed his arms and sat as well. The two men eyed each other in silence, both seeing a reflection of themselves in the other.
After a while Quinn grimaced, the realization of what he was about to say filling him with distaste.
“”I will never like you Shan, but must admit I respect you. You betrayed her to save her, which is more than I can say. You were by her side when I couldn't be. Keeping her safe. And I am grateful.”
“I know now that if something ever happened to me you would be there for her. That you would make her-” he stopped in the middle of his sentence. Happy, he thought, but couldn't bring himself to say it.
The underlying meaning of Quinn's words was not lost on Theron.
“I would. I would do anything for her.”
“I know.”
Their conversation hung in the air, until Quinn abruptly rose. Theron did the same, unsure of what would happen next.
Malavai extended his hand to shake Theron’s, and after a moment he accepted.
With a curt nod Quinn left the war room. Both men had much to think about after this. They would never be friends, but they had found themselves to be more alike than they could have expected. United by their love of one woman.