I Never Told You?

[Judah Lesan]

Life had been a literal whirlwind for Judah Lesan. So many changes. First he went from being a Jedi to joining the Army of Light where he met a good friend in [member="Cambria Zadira"]. From there he joined the CIS where he once again ran into his rutian friend. She had recently left, and Judah was feeling lost among the group without her. It wasn't that he was romantically attached to her. There might have even been times Cambria might have though Judah was attracted to her in that way. Sure she was pretty, alluring, exotic, and beautiful, but Judah could never feel for her in a way beyond friPendship. He had chosen to give those feelings to another.

Judah needed to clear up the matter, and find out why Cambria left the CIS. Perhaps he needed to go where she had. Judah still did not feel he could go back to the Jedi, but he was not content to sit around when the galaxy needed people like him, Cambria, and his wife [member="Katara Starkos"]. The chance she would be home was always fifty fifty, but Judah hoped she would be. It was time for. Cambria to know the truth.

"This is the place I told you about, Judah said as the land speeder pulled in front of an immaculately kept cabin home.

Glancing over to where Katara's speeder was usually parked, Judah noticed it was gone. She must have been working in Coronet City. At least it meant she was on Corellia.

"Don't be shy, and make yourself at home. This is my house, which I may or may not have left out of our last conversation.

Yup the weekend with Cambria was going to be an awkward one most likely.

 

[Cambria Zadira]

Cambria had been pleasantly surprised to get an invitation from her good friend, [member="Judah Lesan"], to join him on Corellia for a little R & R and catch up on life as they hadn't seen each other since she'd left the services of the Confederacy and Ragnell Squadron that both pilots had been flying in. It wasn't unusual for either of them to go off on their own missions, but they usually at least touched base with each other before doing so in case there was trouble. This time the Twi'lek Knight had just disappeared, but she had good reason for the secrecy; that she had joined the undisclosed Silver Jedi Order made up of disenchanted Republic Jedi.

After they had met up at the starport in Coronet City, Judah had driven them up to a place near Coronet Peak just outside the city proper where he said he stayed when on Corellia. What her friend hadn't told her was it was his home and a beautiful one at that. The log cabin house sat at the bottom of the foothills of a picturesque snow-capped mountain peak with a small lake nearby. Bri could definitely see why he would find peace here.

"Yes, conveniently you did leave that little fact out… You have a lovely home, my friend, though a bit big for just yourself. Is there more that you conveniently have not shared with me, hmm?" the blue-skinned Twi'lek inquired jestingly with a curious twitch of her lekku over her shoulder as she held up a framed holo of the long-haired Telosian and a very beautiful redhead standing together arm-in-arm smiling as if they were in love wearing swimwear at a gold beach. She couldn't help herself in teasing him as it was in plain view sitting on the fireplace mantel in the living room.

 

[Judah Lesan]

Right of course Katara had pictures wherever she could. That's what women did in their own home, even if it was a secret home for a secret married couple.

"That's um... yeah... a really compromising holo... Judah said a little embarrassed. "That was a while ago... a vacation I took about 5 years ago. That's me and Katara Starkos... Starkos-Lesan."

Right so just come out with it. That was always the best way to do it right.

"So you want the tour," Judah said quickly changing the subject hoping [member="Cambria Zadira"] would let it pass.

 

[Cambria Zadira]

The Twi'lek Knight didn't need to see her friend's embarrassed face or hear it in his speech to know that that had been a secret she'd just come across of his as it was broadcasted through their special bond they had developed in the Force.

"I should like to meet this [member="Katara Starkos"]-Lesan. I am sure we would have much to share of our favorite Telosian," Cambria said flashing a small grin his way before motioning with her hand for [member="Judah Lesan"] to led the way for a tour of his home.

So he was married? Well she knew Judah had always seen attachments from a different point of view than her; Bri always being the more traditional Jedi between them. But she just thought it meant he wasn't monk-like as many males were not, especially human ones. An interesting development indeed.

 

[Judah Lesan]

"Well she'll be home at some point tonight, unless she has to work late. If you want I'll start the grill up after the tour," Judah said relieved she took that better than she might have.

Honestly, Judah took it as a sign of their strong friendship. She was a sister to him. The only woman closer to him was [member="Katara Starkos"]. [member="Cambria Zadira"] was truly Judah Lesan's best friend among the Jedi.

Judah motioned toward the stair case as he thought it was best to start up on the second floor. She would need to drop her stuff off anyway. Up the stairs and two doors down the left was the guest room. It was simple, comfortable. Bri would be the first to use it.

"This is your room, and the fresher is the door on the right. I'll talk to Kat about getting you some fresh linens when she gets home. I'm sure you'll like her. She's a red Corellisi so not pensive like me at all."

Judah didn't mean it as an insult, it was just the truth. Katara was smart, but quicker to take action than Judah was. While he was content to remain in the shadows, she was more prone to get the bad guy. They made a great team that way.

 

[Cambria Zadira]

Cambria followed [member="Judah Lesan"] upstairs and found the guest room most delightful with a gorgeous view of the lake. She placed her small duffle bag down on the bed, then turned to her friend.

"This is perfect, Judah. Thank you for inviting me to come stay with you and your wife in your home. If you should need your privacy while I am here, please do not hesitate to ask me to take a hike… You know how I enjoy communing with nature," Bri said giving Judah an understanding look, though to be honest it still felt weird to think of her Jedi partner as being married.

It gave her pause to think about her growing attachment towards another herself, but that musing was pushed deep within her mind to be mediated upon later. That was a whole other thing, and one she wasn't comfortable with yet, though it did intrigue her just a bit.

"So red hot Corellian, hmm… I could definitely see why you would be attracted to such a woman," she teased lightly again, then added as they made their way back down stairs. "Is there anything I can do to help you with the meal?"

 

[Judah Lesan]

Judah smiled. Bri would find she would have to excuse herself. Katara was Corellian after all. Guest or no, it had been six weeks since Judah had been home last, and she would not be denied her reunion. Judah wouldn't either for that matter. He Jedi led his friend out to the back porch where the grill was located. It took them through the rest of the house so Bri got to see it. The view of the mountain and lake was spectacular from there. One could also see an area Judah had dedicated as an outdoor dojo. A small meditation mat was in the center.

"There is some fizz pop in the fridge if you want to get some out. I drink regular, Kat will have a diet, and you can take whatever you wish. Also you may use that gym anytime during your stay here. I know you like to meditate early so please, use my space. Other than that, you are my guest so no cooking for you."

Judah fired up the grill, and followed Bri into the kitchen. While she grabbed the pop, he grabbed the burgers, mushrooms, onions, and bacon. What was a burger without grilled mushrooms, onions, and bacon. The veggies Katara would prep. He knew she'd smell the beef and get right on the condiments. She always did.

Once the meat was on the grill. Judah asked the one question he had wanted to ask for some time.

"Why didn't you say you were leaving? This is a first for you."

[member="Cambria Zadira"]

 

[Cambria Zadira]

Cambria cracked open the top of her can of diet fizz pop and took a sip of the cold carbonated soft drink, then settled back into a deck chair on the back porch of the log house where [member="Judah Lesan"] was grilling and took a moment to appreciate the view before answering him. Corellia was definitely a beautiful world. Judah was very lucky to have such a place to call home and someone to come home to. She was happy for him to have that as it made him seemingly more balanced in the Force. It was evident in his aura and in his general mood and actions.

"I did not mean to just do so without a word to you. For that I apologize, but I needed to check something out for myself before sharing the details with you, my friend. A few months ago on a mission to Tatooine, I met another Jedi who helped me free some young girls from slavers. [member="Hasjo Hallu"] was not just any Jedi. The Nautolan Knight was a member of the Silver Jedi Order, which is made up of other Republic Jedi who left the main order like we did basically for the same reasons. It gave me food for thought, then I met up with him again two months later on another mission to Tatooine. After that he introduced me to his fellow Silver Jedi… and well I joined them. It's existence is kept secret for now so that they may build up their numbers without interference from the outside. The Silver Jedi have no political ties and only a small fleet for defense or transport of the Order. There are a couple familiar faces there from the Army of Light. I think that you might find it is what you've been searching for. I feel that I have. They have a need for Shadow types like yourself, though that is not advertised out loud. I just know of this. There might even be a place for your wife as a Ranger, should you join and want to bring her. They help defend the Jedi Temple there. It is something to consider anyways as I know you are not comfortable being a part of the Confederacy just as I was not."

And as if on cue when Judah flipped the nerf burgers over, a heavily modified speeder engine could be heard roaring up to the front of the house. A moment later purposeful heeled strides clicking on the wooden slats of the wrap around porch echoed louder and louder as they approached, then a squeal of delight came as a long-legged redhead flew around the corner and jumped into the Telosian's waiting arms, lips pressing together in a kiss that even took Cambria's breathe away. The Twi'lek Knight quickly threw up her mental shields to block out the impassioned emotions pouring out into the Force and diverted her golden eyes to give the reunited couple a moment of privacy as best Bri could stuck where she was seated in her deck chair.

So this is what being in love is like? Cambria mused to herself, still questioning if it was a good thing or bad as she continued to struggle with the attachment issue.

[member="Katara Starkos"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

Judah listened as Bri explained what was going on. He was still hurt that [member="Cambria Zadira"] had not been upfront in the first place, but those feelings subsided quickly. He had been hiding a part of his life from her for sometime. It would be wrong of him to expect from her what he hadn't given to begin with. They were even now. Besides Cambria just invited him to consider joining them. Any move would be talked over with Katara first however.

As if right on cue, Judah heard the excited expression of his wife after sensing her presence earlier. Her kiss made the rest of the world invisible to him. In that single moment it was Judah and Katara, the way things should be. The same question ran through his mind every time she kissed him. Why did he keep leaving to serve the Jedi? When was he going to just call it quite and work with her? The kiss was returned with as much passion and want as he felt from his wife. Then Judah remembered Bri was on the deck watching them.

Judah pressed into [member="Katara Starkos"] with his mind, "Gods I missed you KitKat, but Cambria is here, the sister Jedi I told you about. Maybe you can help me get the ketchup?"

 

[Alleycat]

[member="Judah Lesan"] had messaged Katara that he may be on planet this week so the Corellian had made sure to make it home every night at a decent hour in case her wayward Jedi husband did indeed decide to return to his wife's loving arms. It had not been their longest time apart, but still six weeks was an awful long time for a married couple to be absent from one another. Though you'd think they'd be used to the time and distance as the Telosian Knight did his Jedi thing wherever his missions took him as a Sentinel while the spirited Corellisi ran her private security business off her homeworld out of their lob cabin house they'd built together in the beautiful foothills of Coronet Peak; a place where the two lovers could enjoy their secret marriage in peace and privacy away from prying eyes.

When the Lesans first started their love affair six years ago, he was a member of the Jedi Order on Coruscant and she a Republic Security Force officer in the Senate District. After a year of secret rendezvouses as it was against policy to date one another, they got married on Corellia in a private ceremony, then Katara resigned her position to become a private security consultant. Most of her contracts currently had the expert slicer and marksman handing security jobs for the casinos in Coronet City and Gold Beaches with their home in the mountains half-way in between gigs.

As she drove up to the house, Katara was most excited to see a speeder parked out front. The long-legged redhead quickly shut off the engine to her SUV speeder, then made like a mad woman following her nose to the back porch where the BBQ was and she knew her ruggedly handsome husband would be grilling something delicious up for their dinner. Though, she personally was only hungry for dessert at the moment. No words were necessary as the spirited Corellisi greeted Judah in her usual fashion when reuniting with him, though with his mental nudge she didn't strip him naked right then and there to have her way with him.

After finishing their passionate kiss, Kat turned in the Jedi Knight's embrace and flashed a friendly welcoming smile at the Rutian Twi'lek. "Hello [member="Cambria Zadira"], I'm Katara… Nice to finally meet the woman who has had Jediboy's back all these years. Thank you from the bottom of my heart… If you'll excuse us, we need to get the rest of the condiments from the kitchen. Would you mind watching the burgers please? Won't be but a sec."

With that said, Katara tugged on Judah's hand and pulled him with her inside the house.

 

[Judah Lesan]

"Right, I'm gonna go help her with getting things off the top shelf... Judah said as he was literally pulled into the house.

Judah knew [member="Cambria Zadira"] knew better. Attachment had never been anything the two had talked about in depth, and Judah didn't really know if the Rutian Twi'lek ever had certain urges. In many ways it was harder for Judah as a married man to not have certain urges. Were things "normal" Judah could deal with them whenever he wanted, within reason. There was nothing more frustrating than having a wife, but not have the luxury of being with her as often as he would like. There wasn't really much to say either.

When the pair reached the pantry, Judah used the force to close the door. He pressed a kiss to his wife's lips as his hands were busy with getting his robe off.

"Remind me again why I don't just quit and stay here with you, Judah asked between kisses.

The pair wasted no time in communicating exactly how much they had missed each other, and how deeply they still loved each other. In a way each reunion was like giving themselves to each other for the first time all over again. The experience was never stale, never routine, never old, and surely never taken for granted. With dinner on the way, and guest on the porch things were a bit more expedited than usual, but that was okay. The pair would enjoy each other more fully later in the evening. It was a nice night for a swim after all, and Cambria might like the house to herself.

After several moments, Judah was slowly kissing his wife, who was now seated on the counter top. His strong arms wrapped around her waist as he looked at her with a tender, loving gaze.

"I love you so much [member="Katara Starkos"]. I know I say this every time I come home, but I really need to make this my last time away."

The truth, Judah felt duty bound as a Jedi, but duty bound as a husband. He was conflicted, but Katara always had the voice of reason. They sacrificed so much of what "normal" couples had, but they were happy.

 

[Alleycat]

Their dance in the pantry just proved how much they'd really missed one another, and it wasn't just the physical side of it either. No, the emotional side was just important to Judah and Katara as they were each other's better half making one complete whole between them. Though, each could still function on their own well as time and time again the Lesans had shown it possible. It was just more rewarding together.

The redhead sat perched on the edge of the pantry's counter, arms languishing around [member="Judah Lesan"]'s neck fingers playing lazily with the strands of his longish dark hair and long legs still wrapped around his trim middle relishing in their love for each other

"I love you too, so much. I always have and always will," Kat smiled tenderly, then pressed a loving kiss to her husband's lips, pulling back afterwards so her blue gaze could get lost in his memorizing brown one that was the color of dark chocolate; her favorite. "I would like that, but until such a time avails itself we shall make the best of the time we do have together."

Katara gave into one more passionate kiss, then released her legs from around the Jedi and gave him a little push back so she could stand on the floor still in her knee-high boots. "I bet those burgers are well past done by now. We better get back out there to our guest, hmm? Can't keep [member="Cambria Zadira"] waiting too much longer," Red grinned, then pulled her skirt down and slipped back on her top, running her hands over her red-gold tresses to smooth any wild ones down as Judah liked to play with her long hair as well.

 

[Judah Lesan]

Judah smoothed out his own hair as Kat pushed him back. As much as he wanted to protest carry Kat to their room to just be with her, only her, Judah knew they couldn't leave Bri alone. It was awkward enough to find out he was married, then to have to wait on the porch while Judah and [member="Katara Starkos"] had a quick, passionate, reunion in the kitchen pantry. [member="Cambria Zadira"] was likely wishing she hadn't come.

Opening the door Judah tossed his robe on a near by chair. Kat would get after him for leaving it here later. The leather jerkin and slate blue tunic worn underneath had been a gift from his wife on one of their rendezvouses off world. There were times when it worked out to meet each other during the longer times away, and they always had gifts for each other. With a smile, not forgetting the condiments, Judah walked out onto the porch with Katara's had in his. The condiments were floating in front of them with the aid of the force.

"We'll talk more later, but I'm thinking about another change. Until then we can make Bri feel at home, Judah said as he was crossing the threshold.

Looking to Bri who had the burgers, and buns, ready Judah's smile stayed plastered on his face.

"Thanks, Bri, I hope you weren't waiting too long? I was just telling Kat about a change you've asked me to consider. It gave us something to talk about."

 

[Alleycat]

"You are such a show off sometimes, Jediboy," Kat quipped with a shake of her red-gold head at [member="Judah Lesan"] display of Force ability floating the condiments in front of them as they went back outside, then she added in a soft whisper against her husband's ear. "I'll hold you to a talk then later… after we talk."

Katara handed out plates to everyone, then waited until [member="Cambria Zadira"] made up her burger before starting on hers. "Well this change sounds very intriguing. I can't wait to hear more about it in greater detail," the redhead said going along with Judah's contrived story created for appearance sake, then probed a bit for info.

"So what do you think of Corellia as to compared to where you are based now?"

 

[Cambria Zadira]

Having closed the Force bond between her and Judah for the moment, the Twi'lek Jedi didn't feel the happy, content, and sated emotions of the lovers rolling off them, but she could definitely see it in couple's eyes and body language. Oh yes her good friend had been rewarded for his return, and well from the plastered on smile of his. Cambria was genuinely happy for the other Jedi Knight; that attachment was manageable for him, and helped to keep the Telosian balanced from a certain point of view. She didn't think that would ever be the case for her.

"Corellia is indeed beautiful. It has some of the same terrain as where I am based currently. I would think it an easy transition if one were to live there for any length of time," Bri offered, then took a bite of the home cooked nerf burger. It was juicy and tasteful especially with the mushrooms on it as fungus based foods were a big part of the Twi'lek cuisine.

"I think tomorrow I will go for a hike and explore a bit. The solitude and splendor of these mountains will do me good and allow some deep mediation I believe. I hope you two will not mind if I ditch you for a date with Mother Nature?" she grinned, then took another bite of her burger knowing full well that they wouldn't mind one bit.

[member="Katara Starkos"] [member="Judah Lesan"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

"Like Corellia, I don't think you mentioned where this temple is," Judah said just before sinking his teeth into his burger.

Everything was on it, lettuce, tomato, mayo, mushrooms, pickle, well everything he liked, except the onion, Judah was going to spare Kat his onion breath. The Jedi wanted as many kisses as he could get between now and when they would part again. Bri had managed to get the burgers off at just the right time. The meat was perfect, juicy, seasoned just right. The breeze on the patio felt great, and the temperature was perfect for an evening walk, maybe a swim later as well. Judah couldn't remember the last time he was in the lake. His last stay the lake water was still too cold.

"Bri you're our guest as long as you are here, and our home is your home. You can do whatever you feel like while you are here. Whatever you find to do here to enjoy your stay then do that. I am just glad to finally be able to share this part of m life with you. It's been a hard secret to keep from you these last six years."

There Judah had admitted how long the secret had been kept. Hearing it from himself made him sound like a poor friend, but honestly if Cambria had not known then it protected her from having to keep his secret with him. Since neither of them were part of the Jedi Order anymore this was not something Cambria had to be burdened with anymore. The Knight looked to his wife, a glint in his eye, though he still addressed Bri.

"I was thinking Kat and I could take a walk after dinner anyway. We still have more to discuss before I make my decision about joining this new order you've found," Judah said patting Kat's thigh. "Isn't that right, Kit Kat?"

[member="Katara Starkos"] [member="Cambria Zadira"]

 

[Alleycat]

Katara cut her burger in half, then began nibbling on one sliced cut while the two Jedi conversed. There were more things than just the change of faction that Red wanted to discuss with her husband. It was more personal and would need to be treaded over carefully if the spirited Corellisi was to get what she wanted in the end game. She liked his Jedi partner a lot, and found the exotic blue-skinned alien not to be as much as a threat from a woman's point of view, but rather an alley from everything Kat observed of the Twi'lek so far.

"Yes, Jediboy… You've been away for a long time so there is definitely plenty to talk about, and mundane things a guest should not have to endure hearing. Do make yourself at home, Cambria. Come and go as your please," Kat smiled, then added.

"If I may make a suggestion though for your adventure. With the spring runoff complete, I would head up over the top of the waterfall and follow it's feeding water source. It will take you towards the glacier on the mountain's peak. The view of the valley is surreal from up there," the redhead nodded emphatically, then downed a swig of her diet fizz pop.

[member="Judah Lesan"] [member="Cambria Zadira"]

 

[Cambria Zadira]

"Thank you for sharing this part of your life with me, Judah. I feel privileged and honored," Bri said with a small cant of her head and twitch of her lekku, then a smile graced her face as she turned towards the redhead. "And I am so glad to have met you, Katara. I must thank you too for helping to keep Jediboy's head on straight… well most of the time anyways," she chuckled softly.

After finishing off her burger, the blue-skinned Twi'lek rose from the deck chair she'd commandeered. "Well you two, I will bid you a goodnight and turn in. Enjoy your walk," she said, then left the Lesan's alone and retreated into the house.

[member="Katara Starkos"] [member="Judah Lesan"]

 

[Judah Lesan]

Judah nodded as [member="Cambria Zadira"] said good night to them, his cheek still full of his las bite of burger. The Knight was happy to see Kat and Bri getting along so well. He could understand to some degree that Kat may have considered Bri to be competition. They were together at times more often than Judah and Kat were, and Bri was not ugly. She was an exotic beauty. Judah was a faithful husband however, and despite Cambria's beauty, Judah still considere [member="Katara Starkos"] to be the most beautiful woman in the universe. It was as it should be.

"You ready for that walk," Judah asked as he stood and offered Kat his hand to help her out of her chair. "I was just thinking that waterfall sounds rather enticing. Besides you wanted to talk about something. That should give us some time to talk about plenty of things. Come my redheaded Corellisi, let's enjoy the weather, the sunset, the waterfall, each other...."

Judah trailed off as he led the way off the porch toward the spring. They could follow the water flow to the waterfall, and it would give them more time to talk about what the needed to. The Telosian desperately wanted to make love to his wife, but he did need to her about what was on her mind. He never used the force to dig into her thoughts. Judah had always respected her mental privacy. There were times when he would speak to her mind, but not too often unless it was needed. The only other time he pressed into her in that way was during intimate moments when he shared everything of who he was with her.

"What are you thinking my dear," he asked her hand still in his.

 

[Alleycat]

"Good night, Cambria. Oh and there are extra blankets and pillows in the hall closet just in case you need them, and towels in the 'fresher," Kat replied, then gazed longingly over to her dark-haired Telosian whose dark chocolate brown eyes melted her every time they looked upon her.

"I'm very ready," the redhead smiled delightfully, then slid her hand into Judah's offered one and rose from her chair, pressing her lips to his after standing. "Mhmmm… Definitely all of the above, but maybe just not in that order," she added with a waggle of her reddish brown eyebrows.

The walk through the lightly wooded area around their house that led to the waterfall was one that Katara often took by herself to clear her troubled thoughts. Even though her and Judah were used to having long periods apart, lately it was becoming more painful and almost unbearable at times for the normally very strong and independent Corellian. She needed something more to hang onto, something more of him to keep her anchored in the seemingly endless storms of life.

Katara tugged gently on his hand to stop him, turning to face him while taking his other hand in hers too. Gazing into his mesmerizing eyes she searched them for a moment, then spoke. Though the words Kat did speak were not the practiced ones she had worked long and hard on just in case this moment came to pass.

"I want a baby, Judah."

There she said it in the most simple of terms. He knew her well enough to know why.