Title: Seven Evening Stars

Author: Tasha (Corellia827@aol.com)

Characters: Qui-Gon plus female

Category: Drama

Setting: 5 years pre-TPM

Rating: NC-17

Summary: Qui-Gon and Natanya get it on some more. This is the continuation of "The Courtesan’s Seduction" and picks up later that same day.

Feedback: Please – I appreciate positive and constructive comments.

Disclaimer: This is just for fun, please don’t sue me. Qui-Gon, unfortunately, belongs to George Lucas and not to me.

The early spring day was cool and hazy as Natanya made her way to the courtyard. Katarina was still out there, digging furiously at a stubborn patch of soil. Her curly brown hair was working its way out of its cord and swung against her pale face. She looked up as Natanya approached.

"Hello," said Natanya.

"Uh," Katarina replied, sitting down on the ground and pushing her hair back. "Is he gone?"

"He’s gone," Natanya said.

"How was he?" Katarina asked, not looking at her.

Natanya didn’t answer. She picked up a rake and began working in an untouched part of the garden, the silence between her and her good friend forming a lump in her throat.

"Katarina…"

"What?"

"Please…don’t be angry with me."

Katarina sat back on her heels and looked at her. "I’m not angry with you - I just think you’re being stupid."

Natanya picked up a rock and threw it to the side. "He’s leaving the day after tomorrow…I’ll probably never see him again. I don’t see why it’s so bad for us to spend a little time together."

Katarina asked bluntly, "Are you in love with him?"

Natanya didn’t answer.

"That’s what I thought." Katarina stood and went to the pile of fertilizer and began to rake it on to the garden plot.

Natanya walked over to her. "Is that so terrible?"

"Yes. You can’t fall in love. How can a Courtesan fall in love? I mean, how are you going to be with other men? Or if you have to fall in love, does it have to be with a Jedi? Can’t it be with someone who can do something for you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Fall in love with a rich man who’ll take you as his mistress. Or even his wife. A Jedi - how useless!" She raked the clayey ground furiously. "I mean…you’re the King’s favorite Courtesan - you could have been /his/ mistress! What’s wrong with you?"

Natanya crouched down to gather some stray sticks. "I don’t love the King," she mumbled.

Katarina shook her head. "I’m sorry, Natanya…I just don’t understand. But maybe it won’t be too bad…like you say, he’s going away, and you won’t see him any more anyway." She paused. "I just hope you won’t have to get over him."

A small sound made them both turn. The little apprentice, Yelena, stood in the covered walkway. "Miss Natanya," she said shyly, "there was a transmission for you."

Natanya stood up and brushed the dirt off her leggings. She followed Yelena to the front of the house, where Malya was waiting for her.

"Allerd Lusor will be here in an hour," she told Natanya. "He requested you."

Natanya sighed. "Can’t someone else -"

"He requested /you/," Malya repeated with emphasis, looking at Natanya meaningfully. "You’d better get ready."

Natanya was silent for a moment. Finally she turned and strode back to her room, followed by Yelena who struggled to keep up with her fast pace.

In Natanya’s rooms, Yelena started the bath as Natanya stripped off her dirty, damp clothes. She stepped into the large steaming tub listening to Yelena readying her costume in the bedroom. Natanya felt a strange tightness in her chest, remembering the bath she’d had earlier that day. She was beginning to understand Katarina’s disapproval of Qui-Gon. She had no interest in being with Allerd Lusor, or any other man; she had never really thought before that the act of making love would be anything but a business transaction, sometimes somewhat pleasant, sometimes not - but her night with Qui-Gon had shown her otherwise.

How was she going to do this with another man?

She had been with Lusor before; he was the very successful owner of a fleet of mechanics who worked on the most sophisticated Corellian starships. He was a pleasant man, older, interesting, and Natanya had never objected to being with him before. Now the idea made her skin crawl.

She scrubbed herself hard and dipped her head under the water, trying to clear her mind. When she emerged, she called out, "Yelena…"

The apprentice was there immediately and held out a large towel. Natanya wrapped herself in it while Yelena laid out the cosmetics. She sat down at her dressing table and took a large, flat leaf from a jar on the table and spread out a spoonful of dried herbs on it. Yelena combed out her wet hair as she rolled the leaf up and tied it with a string. As Natanya lit the end, Yelena breathed in the scented smoke.

"Katarina told me that we could make a lot of money if we sold those," the apprentice noted.

"Yes," agreed Natanya, touching the cigarette to her lips, pulling in the smoke.

"Why don’t we?"

"Because," Natanya replied, exhaling, "if everyone had them, they wouldn’t need Courtesans." The herbs were grown only in their own courtyard, the result of generations of cultivation to find the perfect blend. Natanya could feel herself relaxing already, her aversion becoming indifference, a mild tingling beginning between her legs.

While Yelena braided her hair into several long braids, Natanya carefully applied her cosmetics and perfume. She rose and went into the bedroom, shedding her towel. She knew what Allerd Lusor wanted her to wear - he always liked the same thing. Yelena had set it out for her: tight black leather leggings and shirt, tall black boots, black leather gloves. Allerd, being in charge of so many people, liked to have her take charge of him.

When she was dressed, she sat down at the dressing table again for Yelena to dry her hair and unwrap the braids into waves. Natanya finished her cigarette while she stared into the mirror, trying very hard not to think of Qui-Gon.

Finally she rose and picked up her small whip, and Yelena scurried to follow her out of her room with Natanya’s gardening clothes. At the bottom of the steps, Yelena went to the laundry room while Natanya slowly walked to the front of the house. Malya sat at the front desk.

"He’s not here yet," she reported.

Natanya nodded and lit another cigarette.

"I understand you brought that Jedi here last night," Malya said.

"Yes," said Natanya.

Malya studied her. "You’re not planning on keeping this up, are you?"

"He’s leaving in a couple of days," Natanya replied.

Malya nodded. "I assume I don’t have to warn you -"

"No," interrupted Natanya. "You don’t." She turned and wandered back down the hall, toward the front courtyard, smoking, until Yelena appeared to inform her that her client had arrived. She crossed the courtyard and willed herself to enter room number 5, where Allerd Lusor waited for her.

After Allerd Lusor, a delegate from Alderaan arrived, and then Natanya was done for the day. She changed into old leggings and a shirt to help prepare the evening meal. In the kitchen, Tatiana was putting the bread in the oven, and Natanya took out the vegetables and began chopping them.

Tatiana looked at her, her smirk detracting from her beautiful face. "I hear you’re giving it away these days," she commented.

Natanya shot her a look and put the vegetables in the pot. "It’s mine to give as I want to," she replied shortly.

Tatiana laughed her ringing laugh and set the chrono for the bread. "Don’t you wish," she said.

"I think it’s very romantic," said Sasha, who was setting the large table.

"You would," retorted Tatiana.

"What’s that supposed to mean?" Sasha demanded.

Tatiana laughed scornfully. "You keep thinking that someone is going to fall in love with you and take you away from all this."

"Well, it could happen! Natanya’s had offers."

"Well, she won’t get one from a Jedi."

"How many have you gotten, Tatiana? I don’t see you going anywhere," Sasha returned.

Tatiana snorted and walked out, shaking her head. Sasha and Natanya looked at each other. "Well, at least I got her to leave the room," said Sasha, smiling. Natanya grinned back and added the vegetables to the soup.

When dinner was over, Natanya went to her room, bringing a tray of sliced fruit and bread for later. She opened the windows and gazed out at the city. Pouring herself a cup of wine, she sat at the small table, watching the evening stars emerge from the sky. Between the tedium of the day and anticipation of the night, she felt like she was ready to snap. She wondered where Qui-Gon was right now, what he was doing. Would he remember to see her tonight? The image of him filled her mind. She longed to feel him, touch him, taste him, explore his body…watch him lose control because of her.

She straightened out her rooms and went to the bathroom to start her bath, her third one of the day. She made it very hot. There was a skylight above it, and she opened it to let a little of the crisp night air in. She lit a few candles and shed her clothing, lowering herself slowly into the large tub. Her eyes closed, and her muscles started to relax. She felt herself begin to fall asleep, lulled by the water and the wine and the sounds of the city. A tingling feeling washed over her body, reminding her of Qui-Gon, and she smiled sleepily. She dreamt she felt soft lips touching hers, a warm hand brushing back her hair. Suddenly her eyes flew open, meeting the intense gaze of clear blue eyes.

He was still in his robes, smelling deliciously of smoke and spring air, kneeling by the side of the tub. She threw her arms around his neck and returned his kisses, feeling like she had waited for this moment forever. All the warnings she had received that day disappeared swiftly from her mind. His mouth was warm and tender, pressing against hers with such need.

"How did you get in here?" she asked breathlessly.

Qui-Gon just smiled and kissed her again. "I was thinking of you all day," he murmured. "I sat through conferences and meetings thinking about your mouth…" his tongue traced her lips, "…about your breasts…" He leaned over and kissed one nipple, then the other, wetting the ends of his hair. She whimpered.

"You’re going to make me a very bad negotiator," he continued, trailing his fingers around her face. "I was making sure everyone would settle everything quickly just so I could get here."

"It sounds like I’m making you a very good negotiator, then," she replied, feeling the laughter rise in his chest. His mouth ravished hers again, his tongue parting her lips, demanding access. Her fingers clutched his hair while his tongue penetrated her mouth. He tasted like sweet fruit and wine. His mouth released hers suddenly and traveled down her neck - his hands held her arms firmly while he suckled at her breasts. Her back arched up of its own accord, her head back against the side of the tub. She cried out, feeling her body opening up for him.

Urgently Qui-Gon pulled her up out of the water and carried her wet body to the bed. He flung her down and fell on her, his powerful legs in their rough cloth pressed between her legs. Holding her hands down, he plunged his tongue into her mouth. He moved down her body, his hands tracing the curves of her breasts, teasing the nipples, his tongue dipping into her navel. He kissed her hip and upper thighs. She cried out as he reached her damp curls, tracing his tongue on the outside of her folds, following the curve, back and forth, driving her crazy with desire. She spread her legs far apart, inviting him in, but he continued his maddening teasing, smiling as he looked up at her.

Finally he dipped his tongue in, gently flicking her clit. She gasped, her hips bucking. He held her down, lapping with his exquisite tongue in delicious strokes. Her head was thrashing back and forth on the bed; she couldn’t bear it much longer. Then she was screaming, not caring if anyone heard her, clutching the blankets. He continued to caress her with his tongue, slowing down as he saw her body begin to relax. Finally, she lay still, her eyes closed, chest heaving, while she felt him stand up. She willed her eyes to open and they captured him with their wild expression. He smiled as he watched her.

"Enjoy that, did you?" he asked mildly.

She just stared at him, panting.

"Good," he said. "Now get me out of these clothes."

Natanya stood up and pulled off his cloak, letting it fall to the floor. He stood still while she quickly unhooked the belt, then tugged apart his vest and tunics. Her hands roamed over his broad chest, and her tongue reached out to flick across one nipple, then the other. He gasped, reaching out for her. She yanked down his leggings, cupping his firm rear while capturing his mouth in a searing kiss. Her hands moved to his cock, squeezing its firm length, gently fondling his sack.

She fell to her knees and sheathed his swollen cock in her mouth, feeling his strong legs trembling. His hands tangled into her long hair, and as she sucked slowly, then more quickly, his moans grew louder. She ran her fingers up and down his long legs, squeezing his buttocks, gripping his thighs, while she tasted salty-sweet drops of his fluid. She touched her tongue to the little slit in the tip of his cock, smiling as she heard a groan from deep in his chest. Bending down, he grasped her chin, pulling her off him. She ran her tongue up his body as she stood, kneeling on the bed so she could easily reach his neck. The very size of him pleased her so much. He pulled off his leggings and boots. Her mouth caught his earlobe, and she sucked gently on it.

"Natanya," he gasped, "You don't know what you're doing to me." His head was tipped back, giving her access to the sensitive skin of his neck. His hands caressed her breasts; one then stroked her back while the other one dipped to her wet cleft. She cried out, trembling with the feeling of his large but gentle fingers tracing mesmerizing circles around her clit. His touch was so sensitive - she could hardly bear it.

"Oh, yes," she murmured. She pulled him onto the bed with her, and they lay down together, their limbs entwined, kissing. He rolled her to her side, lifting her leg over his hip. He drew her to him, pressing the tip of his swollen cock against her wet opening. She gasped as he filled her, thrusting himself in and out. His hand stroked her rear and she couldn’t help running her teeth along his chest, catching his smooth skin in them.

Qui-Gon moved his head to catch her mouth, growling as she slipped her tongue inside, pulsing it with the same rhythm as his cock in her. He rolled onto his back, and she sat up on him, grinding her hips into his. He was so beautiful to watch - his hair spread out, his hands clutching her thighs, his sweat-glistening chest heaving. She slid her hands up her body and fondled her own breasts as they moved together. His eyes widened at the sight and his mouth opened, his breath labored.

He pulled himself up so he was leaning against the headboard, with her facing him. He slid his hands into her hair. Slowly he touched his lips to hers, so gently, then parted her lips with his tongue. Natanya shifted on his lap, but he remained still, agonizingly still, while her hunger for him grew even more desperate. His clear blue eyes were open, intently looking into hers - she could feel that tingling sensation of him reaching into her thoughts.

She eased her hips up, his quivering cock inside her touching her very core. Her hands trailed his powerful shoulders and arms. She knew she couldn't last much longer. She clenched her muscles around his throbbing erection, slowly at first, then faster, and then he was moving too, inside her with a sweet rhythm that made her cry out with pleasure.

Suddenly he was moaning and so was she, her body shaking. The shimmering feeling in her mind grew stronger - suddenly she knew what he felt, of her - her wet warmth, her heated skin against his, her need, her love for him…she /was/ him. She couldn’t tell where she ended and he began. Her mind was soaring - then - she heard him call her name from far away and found she couldn't answer.

Afterward, they lay together quietly, their bodies intertwined, until Natanya said, "What was that?"

"That was the Force," Qui-Gon replied softly. "We were joining together with the Force."

"I've never felt anything like it," she said in wonder.

He turned to face her. "That's what I mean about your being strong in the Force. That you could feel that is wonderful. I would like to teach you more." His eyes were dark and serious.

"Are you allowed to do that?" she asked.

He just smiled and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. She curled up close to him, and they drifted off to sleep in each other's arms.

When they woke a little while later, they were both hungry. Natanya slipped on her robe and took out the wine, and Qui-Gon filled the cups while she brought the plate with the food to the sofa in the sitting room. He stretched out on the sofa, his long legs across her lap. They ate while he told her about his day, explaining the intricacies of negotiations. She was awed by his patience and understanding, and sat listening, while he shared with her how he dealt with everyone's issues and concerns.

When they were done eating, she drank some more wine, watching him examine the things in her room. She smiled, admiring the lines and planes of his naked muscular body as he moved. He glanced through her books in their case. He chose one small one and opened it - her heart gave a jump at which one he picked.

Inside, instead of pages, was a holo of two children: one, a girl of about nine years old, very skinny, with shabby clothes and a serious expression in her big dark eyes. The other one was little more than a toddler, with dark hair and a sunny smile. They were standing outside, at a market place.

"Who are they?" he asked Natanya.

"That’s me and my sister," she replied quietly.

He glanced up at her and smiled. "Which one are you?"

"The bigger one."

"How old are you here?"

"I was about eleven, Elisheva was three."

"Where is she now?"

Natanya was silent for a moment. "I don’t know," she said.

He looked at her. "When did you last see her?"

"Nine years ago."

"What happened to her?"

"I don’t know," Natanya replied sadly.

He sat down beside her, still holding the holo. "Tell me."

"Tell you what?"

"About her. About you. How you got here."

Natanya poured herself some more wine and tucked her legs under her. She felt cold. "It’s not really a story to share," she replied finally.

He took her hand. "You know about me. I want to know about you."

She looked at him. "Qui-Gon, I can’t tell you these things. You’re not supposed to think that my life hasn’t been anything but blissfully happy serving men’s sexual needs."

He locked his eyes with hers. "I’m not your client, Natanya. I want to know. Please."

She sighed, glancing down at the holo. "We had a little stall in Treasure Ship Row, you know, the big marketplace." Qui-Gon nodded. "We sold things…things we found, or made, or stole…we lived behind it, in a little room, or a tent sometimes."

"Who’s ‘we’?"

"My mother and Elisheva and me."

"You didn’t have a father?"

"No."

"And you sold things at the marketplace?" he prompted her.

"Yes," she said. "We didn’t have much. And my mother…"

"What?" he asked softly.

"She, you know, wasn’t really there."

Qui-Gon nodded.

"She was angry and sad all the time…or asleep…Anyway, I kind of took care of everything. And when Elisheva was born, well, I was so happy…I was going to have a friend."

"Who is Elisheva’s father?"

"I don’t know…but I think he’s my father too, because we were so much alike, and in a way that my mother wasn’t."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, even before she was born, I could sense her calling to me. That’s how I found out my mother was pregnant. Elisheva and I had a connection…sort of like when you and I communicate without talking."

"She’s Force-sensitive too."

"I guess that’s what you call it. And my mother wasn’t. Isn’t. I don’t know."

"And what happened?"

"Well, I used to see the Courtesans at the marketplace, shopping. And they were so beautiful, in their beautiful clothes. Of course I didn’t know then what they were all about. Anyway, once one of them came to our stall, I guess I was around twelve, and I knew exactly what she was looking for, and I found it for her. She just looked at me, surprised. The next week, she came back with a mediator, and they asked me a lot of questions and looked me over. Then I would see them often, as if they were keeping an eye on me. I guess they were."

Qui-Gon watched her talk, his eyes full of compassion.

Natanya continued. "The day after I turned thirteen, the mediator came to the stall with a guard and gave my mother a purse with some money, and my mother told me I had to go with her." She took a deep breath. "It was horrible. I wouldn’t have minded so much, but I hated leaving Elisheva. I couldn’t stand the idea of her alone with my mother - who would take care of her? She cried so hard." Natanya paused, pricks of pain stabbing behind her eyes. "She was so young, and so pretty…when she was four years old, I would hear grown men making comments about her. The Courtesans won’t take a girl until she’s thirteen, but plenty of other people would buy a child that young. I was so worried about her."

"Did you try to find her later?"

"Yes, as soon as I was able to leave the house, about a month later, I went back for her…but she and my mother had gone, and no one knew where…and I haven’t been able to get any information since then."

Qui-Gon took her hand and pulled her against him. "And then you became a Courtesan?"

"Well, I was an apprentice for two years, and then I became a Courtesan." She finished her wine. "And here I am."

"It’s not an easy life," Qui-Gon said, wrapping his arms securely around her.

"No," she replied, "but there are worse ways to live." He hugged her tightly and kissed her on the forehead.

Qui-Gon was leaving. His transport to Coruscant was scheduled for early evening. He had arrived at her room after the midday meal, where she had been waiting for him. They had spent the night before together, and this would be their last time with each other before he left.

He sat up on the bed, his head against the straw headboard, his long legs stretched out in front of him. His bare skin was golden in the afternoon light that filtered through the window, his hair loose, spilling over his shoulders. Natanya sat beside him, tracing his face with his fingers. He kissed them as they passed his lips, and she studied him closely, wanting to impress him on her mind as he was already impressed on her heart. He watched her intently as she ran her hands down his powerful arms, linking her fingers with his, and she touched her lips to his softly.

She listened to his breathing, to his heart beating in the quiet room, the sound of the city faint outside the window. Her mouth traveled down to his chest, and her tongue sensuously curled around his nipple, licking and sucking, while his head tipped back and his eyes closed. His breathing became heavier as she ran her tongue across his chest to the other side, pulling his other nipple gently into her mouth, her tongue flicking the small bud, then circling around it. He moaned in rapture.

His eyes still closed, he slowly eased her silk robe off her shoulders and then the strap of her white gown, his hands languidly stroking up and down her bare back. Her mouth continued to caress his chest, while one hand slid down his hip and traveled to his thigh. She squeezed the big muscle, feeling its strength, then up the softer inner side, then up to his waiting erection, a drop of fluid sitting on its trembling tip. Her hand worked its way up, squeezing and stroking, touching the tip so gently until it quivered. Qui-Gon groaned, his face lovely in pleasure. His fingers tangled in her hair, his eyes opened, and his blue eyes bore into hers.

He pulled her onto his lap. His tongue parted her lips, slowly, taking his time to fully explore her mouth. His mouth caressed hers, locked with hers, claimed her for his own. She had never known a man like this one - so gentle, caring, and strong. She hadn’t imagined men like this existed, or that she could feel this way about someone. Tears sprang to her eyes but she stopped them, not wanting to ruin this time with him.

Qui-Gon lay her down on the bed, his hands traveling to her breasts, barely touching the firm tips, then circling around, and cupping her breast with his hand. He kissed her neck, then the other breast, then his tongue caressed her stomach and inner thighs. Her body trembled with pleasure. He drew her legs apart and studied her, touching the satiny opening, breathing on her curls, his tongue just barely touching her clit. She cried out, her body writhing against the white sheets. He kissed his way back up her body, then lay on his side, facing her. He pulled her hips close to his, and she slid him inside her, her leg wrapped around him, concentrating on the friction of his firm length inside her, the warmth of his blue eyes, the sound of his breathing as it caught with desire.

Natanya watched quietly as Qui-Gon pulled on his leggings and boots, then wrapped himself up in his tunics and belt. He swung his cloak over his shoulders with a practiced air. He turned to her, placing his fingers on her neck, trailing them along her jaw as his blue eyes gazed into her black ones. His mouth touched hers gently, rubbing against hers, warm and sweet. She swallowed and kissed him back. Then he moved to the door, and she followed him. They clasped hands as they walked down the hall to the stairs and silently descended the stairs and walked to the back door. He turned and looked at her one more time and lifted her hand to his lips. Neither of them smiled. The guard slid open the gate, and Qui-Gon walked out.

That was it. She would be with other men, she would have to pretend to enjoy being with other men; there was nothing else she could do. But now she belonged to Qui-Gon.