#TheronIsAlly

[crimvaiocipher8]

Drinking Alone Chapter 2

Once again, staring @therealtheronshan :)

Breath in and breath out. Breath in and breath out. That is the key to a good workout. That and water… and the right muscle shirt. And the right protein bar. My workouts have many keys. The Eternal Alliance's Commander tries to spend half the week in the training centre  at HQ. Otherwise, he might be driven more insane then he currently is.

I know, the Commander of the Galaxy doesn't want to keep his heart pumping at the gym; he wants the next battle to keep him fit, and on his toes. Well, working out isn't good under traumatic stress. It isn't good at all. Sometimes it's pleasant to work out without fearing being shot at, a lightsaber wielding Knight charging at me, or being blown up on a ship. Much more pleasant indeed.

I  [B]may[/B] enjoy the eye candy at the gym as well. No battles raging makes it easier to take in Odessen’s sights.  Pierce impresses me with his abs, and broad shoulders. I'm amazed Jorgan’s six pack can pop out from the fur. Torian is too cruelly good looking to be a Mandalorian. None of them measure up to Theron Shan, of course, but still I'm allowed to look.

Theron doesn't come here. Not all the time any, and not with me. He said my stature and physique makes him look like a beginner. If only the reason I'm so tall and muscular was purely due to my gym visits, and not because Imperial Intelligence liked that my species made me more tolerant of enhancement chemicals. I told Theron this but he's still self conscious. Ah well, he and I can't do everything together.

I tell him that too. But he's at most of my meetings…

Gault and Viz are giving me a report. Gault glances back and then to me. “Where do I get an Agent Shan statue?”

He watches me during target practice. I remember nodding to his wave this morning. “Taking up sniping?” I asked with a smirk.

“Nope, checking monitoring equipment.”

Oh and he taste tests all my meals: “Theron, that's not your plate.”

“I know- checking for poisons.”

“But I made it two minutes ago…”

“Two minutes is a long time!”

I get off the treadmill, and walk around. Many options for me to choose from. I could work on my shoulders, back, calves, and numerous other muscles. They seem promising. I didn't work on them yesterday, only some cardio.

Theron is suffering from loss and there is a traitor in my midst. He’s just being extra careful, extra doting, that's all.

I smile even I get to my favourite spot in the weightlifting area, and it's empty! I could do crunches, high bar squats and other weight training exercises and not show off to any on lookers? I smirk and wander over, admiring my physique in the mirror. “Looking macho, Crim. Looking macho…”

I remember admiring my macho man body. It was after making love in the cantina last week. It took time but I finally convinced him to come back to bed…

“See anything you like?” I asked while getting dressed.

Theron nods and traces my chest. “My macho sith…”

I blinked. “You don't call me a sith. Agent, Crim, Commander, akise… not Sith…”

“Why not? It's what you are.”

Who was Theron saying that to? In a loud voice...

Enough about that! Time to focus on building my muscle, and my body! Can't let life with the boyfriend, the political body that is the Alliance, and a betrayer get the better of me… no matter how flattering the extra attention is. If only it was post one of my extra intense workouts, our wedding, or ANYTHING but Jace Malcolm's corpse.

I do some crunches, and then push ups. Some of my push ups are with both hands, others are with one or the other. Shameless show off, it's true. Good thing no one notices when I put makeup on, or I'd risk showing off to those with more feminine attributes and those with more masculine attributes!

Alright, time to really show off: I move to do several reps with the barbell and various​.  Slowly but surely I felt myself go in the zone of doing the reps, some lying down and others standing up, and practically forgot I was in a gym.

Soon my shirt was discarded and I repeated the process. I smiled at that man in the mirror: he looked good! Am I being watched? Does it matter?

I watched my muscles move in the mirror. Is that a vein popping? I hope not. Do I have an audience? Some of my make up needs work, but it's inconsequential: I look good. I should do this weight training more often. Fear of showing off be damned! “I'm the Commander,” I say to myself as I drink water and go back to work, “I've earned the right to show off the body that helped get me here.”

I go back to doing more reps. Breath in to lift and out to lower. This time I decide to change up the routine. Am I being…

“Theron, are you going to exercise, or just stand there as my personal ex-SIS statue? Please be the latter, and move over a little so I have better eye candy.”

Theron blushes and moves so I can see him in the mirror. “Ahhhhhh… that's better.”

“Heh, thanks.”

I see he's in a sleeveless shirt and shorts. His eyes still have some bags under them, and I see how hair is messier than normal. He clears his throat. “Actually, I was enjoying my personal, private tsis movie…”

“Oh? Tell me, was it worth the price of admission?”

I see him start to warm up next to me. “It was,” he finally answered, “made me glad I got on gym clothes, instead of just coming down to make sure the commander is in one piece, and drool over him.”

I put the bar away, and slowly pull myself up. “In one piece? Where did you I think I was It's the middle of the week. I always come here at this time…”

Theron starts doing some crunches, and I go back to the barbell. He comments, “You're here longer than normal.”

I glance at the chronometer, and back to Theron. “Only by thirty minutes, and the barbells are free. They always keep me over time.”

“They do? You… Could've called to let me know you'd be longer… they do?”

I look at him with a nod. He looks away and nods. “Right, of course you do. I knew that.”

I set the barbell down, and watch him idly go to the other machines. I sanitize the barbells and follow Theron. I see him look around confused. “Where…”

“I start with the cardio, and then do weight training. Or you can do the reverse… what are you hoping to build?”

“Both…? Neither. Maybe some weights? Missions give me the cardio.”

I point at the weigh to lifting machines. “Here…”

He follows me and I sense some thoughts... So, this is the gym. Two entrances, one emergency exit. Crim is here three days a week, at least. Got to have the monitors watch who comes here too...

I look at him and blink. He wanted me to see those thoughts. He starts moving with the exercise machine. “Like this?”

I nod and go to the one across from him. Why does he need to know the lay out? He's been here before…

“Yes. Nice and safely like that…”

"Safely. What is that?”

In two days we are in a meeting. I look around the table at my inner circle. Lana, Theron, Hylo Viz, Ben Aygo, Torian, Sana Rae, Dr. Orrugrub, and new representatives from the Sith Empire: Darth Caeduisos, Malavai Quinn, and Talos Drelik, my brother's agent via the reclamation service. It's nice to see my many mentors, confidants… and a potential traitor. Now is my time to examine their reactions closely.

“First,” I begin to say, “a welcome to our friends from the Sith Empire. It's a pity our contact with the Republic must be reduced greatly now, but that is the joys of them forcing our hand thanks to Saresh, and their now deceased Supreme Commander. Our priorities are two fold: Push back the Republic so they're no longer a threat, and stabilizing Iokath. The first has already been done: Alliance personnel have been evacuated from Republic worlds. They're on their own when it comes to rebuilding. Any aid and supplies that would be gone to them will be sent to Sith Empire worlds. Thankfully we were able to stop and turn around the most recent. Without help, they won't grow as fast. It must be stopped. Aygo and Drelik, work with Quinn.  Now, comments on how to divide the surplus resources?”

“Commander,” all eyes look to Quinn, “The Empress’ Wrath and I have  been discussing this. We recommend we focus on building the imperial holdings that lie close to the Republic border? They are most at risk for an attack.”

Lana speaks up then, “What of Alliance strongholds on Darvannis, Voss, and perhaps Alderaan? And Belsavis? Shouldn't they have priority over the empire?”

Hylo Viz raises her hand. “Our worlds​ are mostly rebuilt, but some are skeletons of what they were, Commander.”

Aygo speaks up then, “Thankfully they're fortified. They're ready to fight should the Republic strike. Imperial worlds, not as much.”

Theron… he's subtle but he's watching all of them. I see him watch each speaker up and down. He watches like the spy he is. Suppose I should be the spy again? I really don't want it.

“We forget the Republic is also a skeleton,” Caeduisos speaks then in his deep, Darth, clearly the other authority in the room, “They won't be breaking down our doors. Not before getting Iokath's weapon. We must ensure the Alliance and Empire take advantage of this time. Fortifying  border worlds is fine but they might use other means to get at the inner workings of the Sith and Empire.”

Theron states quietly, “The resources should focus on intelligence network. We need eyes and ears into the Republic like the old imperial intelligence had.”

I see him press a few buttons on his implant. “We…” he looks up and states more firmly, “should and could recruit more sis personnel, and ex imperial intelligence agents.”

Caeduisos nods to Theron,  “I could begin the transfers from within the Empire immediately.”

I nod and weigh the options silently. “Do it! I'll have some of our agents go to Kaas immediately. As for resources, Alliance worlds will get priority, but we shouldn't neglect our allies. I want a full report on the state of the Empire, and how much they can provide for themselves. Theron can lead a diplomatic envoy to Kaas to discuss specifics…”

Theron stand up so quickly, the chair almost falls over. “No.”

I raise an eyeridge. “What?”

Theron looks around the table and then looks at me directly. “Gault, Lana, or someone more familiar with the empire would be better. I should stay and focus on building our intelligence network.”

I take a deep breath and focus on Theron. I should send him anyway for such a show, but I know that won't help things. “You make a good case. Very well, have one of the Inquisitors you've been tutoring go, Sana Rae. Everyone is dismissed save Lana, Theron, and Caeduisos.”

When we are alone, Caedusios is the first to approach me. “Brolin, Quinn has kept me updated on the current situation. Are you…?”

I shake my head. “No. I'd lie if I said it isn't making me uneasy. Still, haven't flexed some of my Cipher muscles actively for some time. Nice change.”

Lana sighs and states, “I didn't sense any deception, or eroding hope, from the people in the room Commander. If the traitor is amongst us, they're hiding it well.”

Caeduisos turns and towers over her: “And if I were to probe your mind ex-Minister of Sith Intelligence Beniko, would I sense the same? Or even,” he moves to Theron Shan, “you, SIS agent? Did I make a grievous error when I let you out of that detention cell in my fortress on Korriban?”

Theron widens his eyes at that and then clears his throat. “No… My Lord… You would find I've been extra diligent in ensuring the commander's safety, including monitoring [B]everyone [/B] in the Alliance” he says quickly with an almost growl, “or did you forget him mentioning I'm his lover?”

Caedusios raises an eyeridge and looks to Lana. She straightens and states simply, “Commander, did you keep him here for us to be interpreted personally?”

“No,” I speak slowly and choose words, “but the questions aren't unwelcome. Just like monitors…. They show I still have allowed. We've all lost recently, I can permit the excess for now.”

Theron raises a hand. I nod to him with a comment, “You can put your hand down, school has been out for a while.”

Good, he is smiling even more now. “There were no communications in and out of the room,” Theron explains, “and the monitors didn't raise any alarms either. Perhaps the betrayer isn't as close?”

I cross my arms and bite my lip. I glance to my brolin, and state, “Suggestions? I know you have another, brolin.”

“I'm never going to be used to you as a force user. And my lack of being used to a red sith using the force is such an oxymoron. I ask this as family first, the Empress’ representative second: Any word regarding Zakuul’s ex Royal family?”

“I placed Senya as their ruler with Arcann as her second in command. As far as I know, things are going smoothly with the rebuilding.”

“Then why refuse then when they asked for more supplies? Clearly the Empire is worth forgiving…”

I turn to Theron. “Theron?!”

He waves a hand, “Right, no getting greedy on Zakuul's part. Right…”

“Actually…” I was silent and thought a moment, “no getting greedy, and I read the quotas you gave me with their request: They have half of what we last sent them still.”

I feel Caedusios narrow his eyes, and his voice rings in my mind, Should we leave you to have a conversation with your… akise? I sense paranoia swirling around him, and they way he is talking back to you… or should I show you how trained Sith deal with such an attitude?

I shake my head subtly. Yes, but not immediately, brolin. 

I say aloud, “Still, perhaps I've been to forgiving? Senya does have a few motives, and means… have some of the monitors keep an eye on Zakuul. I'll pay them a visit later Dismissed…”

Caedusios and Theron linger. “We seem to get off on the wrong foot, Agent Shan. Perhaps a change in scenery is needed? You are my brolin's lover. I should at least try to get to know you better. Would dinner this evening Theron, brolin would suffice? My ship, and at my expense?”

I glance at Theron who almost shakes his head but nods instead. “Yeah, sure. Dinner… might as well get to know family…”

Get to know Theron, brolin, or get to know if Theron plans to back stab me?

Caeduisos leaves with, “Excellent, I'll be ready at 18:00 hours,” before I could verbally answer.

Both, I hear telepathically.

That leaves Theron and I alone. “So… this a family dinner?”

I look at him, and then look him over. “I mean, I can only guess it's a family dinner. Can never tell with Sith, you, Lana, or… what's a family dinner?”

I move closer and brush Theron's cheek. “It's a meal shared by people who consider one another family. If you're not up for it, we don't have to join him for dinner tonight. We can have a private party, or dine separately…”

Theron shakes his head quickly. “No. What are we, single? We should go. We should join him. This is what family does and you're my family, so I guess Caeduisos is my family?”

I cross my arms. “I suppose… if you want him to be, yes. But…” I look to the conference table and back to Theron, “Theron. Back talking? Do you realize…”

“The only thing saving me from disciplinary action is that you love me? Yeah, well, I'm not asking you to spare me because of that or the Ioath incident…”

“Iokath incident? What Iokath incident? You didn't do anything wrong on Iokath. Not to be. This is about your disobedience in front of the others, and back talking… If my role and Caeduisos’ were reversed, you would've been electrocuted!”

Theron kneels in front of me then. “Then do it. I pulled a gun in my own father, failed to see a traitor in the ranks, and committed insubordination. So just do it!”

I shake my head with each word Theron speaks. I shake my head and mirror his kneeling. “No! No, don't think this Theron… I'm the one who chose to back the Empire. I'm the one who forced you to turn against your father. This isn't all you, please believe that?”

Theron and I are quiet for a long time. Slowly he comes closer and brushes my face. “Your jewelry is gold today. I like the change and the ear piercing.”

“What does that have to do with…”

“Is that the look for family dinner,” he asks while rising, “what do I wear to family dinner?”

“You can wear whatever you want,” I answer calmly and get up, “though I recommend your birthday suit for my eyes only.”

Theron chuckles a little as we leave, “Alright… could we…?”

I shake my head.

“Why?”

It's tempting because he's been good, very good, recently. Very good at it. I can accept he won't talk about the hard stuff anymore.  Making love won't​ be a cure-all, yet I sense Theron won't accept it as an answer. Instead I answer this, “Because it's family dinner. Not everything should be laid bare for the family’s watching eye. Trust me.”

Theron nods and we leave the conference room together. Soon his hand finds mine, and grips it tightly. Was this… affection always hidden in Theron. Why did it wait until now to surface? Why couldn't the traitor have waited until after I discovered this layer of Theron for myself?