Beginnings

[Troy Vortex]

This is a background story for the minor characters of Kavin, Miri, and Tiin.

The three padawans moved through the woods silently as they searched for a good place to rest for the night. Tiin took the lead as Kavin brought up the rear.

I wish Tiin would bring up the rear. Thought Kavin as he watched Miri's graceful figure move through the trees and admired the way her hips swayed. I don't know how much longer I can keep how I feel secret! It's so much easier at the temple, where I can excuse myself and go meditate. But we have to stick together here.

Coming across some particularly rough patch of ground, Miri stumbled, and Kavin was quickly there to help steady her. His heart raced as he touched her, and was careful to hide his feelings through the force.

"Thank you, Kavin." Miri said as she looked in his eyes with her big brown beautiful orbs.

"Yeah, just be careful." Kavin said quickly as he stepped away from her. His voice sounded almost harsh in his ears, and he felt bad about how it came out.

"I'm sorry." Miri replied.

Kavin heard the hurt in Miri's voice and saw the injured look in her eyes. He wanted to reach out to her and apologize, but she had turned and walked on. He thought it best to let it go, because if he did reach out to her, he would surely tell her he loved her... and jedi were not supposed to love... not in the romantic sense.

"Stang, but she's beautiful!" He muttered under his breath. I wish I could be like Tiin. He's always in control.

~~~

Miri felt hurt and confused by Kavin's behavior. Why is he being so cold? This isn't like him at all!

Kavin was always able to make her laugh whenever she got frustrated when she failed to peform a particularly difficult manuever in the higher forms. It made her relax, and the next time she tried she was able to do it. He always seemed to know her moods and how to cheer her. Now though, he was cold and distant. Have I done something to anger him?

She looked forward at Tiin. At least he hasn't changed. Tiin was always a fortress of quiet strength. Unlike Kavin, he was always very serious. Yet, he also supported her in his own quiet way. Even now, though he didn't look back at her, she could sense him sending her a calm reassurance.

~~~~

Tiin walked quietly in the lead. He sensed the turmoil from his friends behind him. What is wrong with Kavin? Why is he treating Miri so rough? She should be treated like a queen. Tiin shook his head, telling himself to stop thinking along those lines. Ever since they crashed on this planet, he had felt a growing warmth for Keera. Perhaps it had always been there, but, he had been able to dismiss it before.

He felt her distress, and tried to calm her through the force. He was relieved when it seemed to work.

((More later))

[Troy Vortex]

The trio came to a large rocky outcropping with a small cave. It was none to soon, as clouds were rolling in and the wind was picking up, readying for a storm.

Somehow Kavin and Miri kept bumping into each other as they settled in. Kavin had to control himself not to let his touch linger on her, and tried to manuever so they wouldn't be so close.

Kavin leaned over to get something out of his pack. He backed up a step, and once more bumped against Miri.

"Do you always have to be so close?" He asked irritably. He regretted it as soon as it was out of his mouth.

"As if you didn't notice, this cave is rather small!" Miri responded exasperated.

"Then maybe one of us should find another cave!" Kavin retorted, intending to leave the cave.

Miri, however beat him to it. She stormed out, muttering under her breath.

Kavin leaned against the wall, watching her go.

"Kavin, what's gotten into you?" Tiin asked in shock.

"I have lost my mind and heart, Tiin." Kavin stated quietly.

"What?" Tiin was taken aback.

"I love her." Kavin's placed his hand above his heart. "I can't deny it any longer... it's driving me insane."

"Then why have you been treating her like dirt?"

Kavin looked down at the cave floor. "I was trying to push her away... to keep from feeling what I do for her... but, each time, I hurt myself as well as her. Tiin, this can't happen! We're Jedi!"

"So, you drove her out of the cave when night is falling and it's about to storm?" Tiin spoke angrily.

Kavin said in a small voice, "I didn't mean to drive her out.. I was going to go..."

"Fine, you stay here. I'll go get her!" Tiin said in disgust. He was disappointed in Kavin. He never thought his friend could act so unbecoming. "When she comes back, try acting more civil!"

Kavin winced at Tiin's tone. It's what I deserve. Some Jedi I am.

[Troy Vortex]

Tiin found Miri sitting with her back to the trunk of a large tree with her arms around her knees, her head resting on them. Her shoulders shook with silent sobs.

"Miri.." he knelt beside her and gently placed a hand on one shoulder. "You should come back to the cave. It's not safe out here." Indeed, there were rumblings of thunder coming closer.

Miri hugged Tiin, putting her head on his shoulder. "I can't bare to be near him!"

Tiin involuntarily stiffened, surprised at her embracing him. Awkwardly, he put his arms around her, and his pulse started to race. He struggled with what to do. Do I tell her what he told me? Or should I let him tell her himself?

And what is this I am feeling? He wondered to himself as he held her. He was careful not to let her sense whatever feelings he had for her. "He is being rather a boar, isn't he?"

Miri giggled in spite of herself. She pulled away and wiped her tears. "Yes, and it's not like him."

She sniffled a little. "He's usually so positive and upbeat."

"He feels bad about how he's been treating you... he has some... issues he's trying to work out."

Lightening struck a nearby tree and thunder roared in their ears. Tiin could not help but jump. Even a Jedi master would have trouble dodging lightening. "Miri, let's get back to the cave!"

Miri had jumped as well. She got up, and started walking towards the cave with Tiin when they heard a growl ahead of them.

From behind a tree a large creature that looked like a combination of a giant wolf and an armadillo faced them, snarling and growling. It bared it's six-inch long fangs at them.

Tiin stepped in front of Miri with his lightsaber drawn and ignited. Suddenly, they were surrounded by several of the creatures.

Miri drew her lightsaber as well, and stood with her back to Tiin.

Another bolt of lightning flashed near them, and the first 'wolfadillo' jumped at Tiin. The others attacked the two padawans as well.

[Troy Vortex]

Rain started to fall as Tiin slashed the leader in half. Soon, the rain was pouring down in sheets, drenching the padawans as they fought the ferocious pack of forest creatures.

Tiin struck down one 'wolfadillo' that was about to jump on Miri's back right after a bolt of lightening struck a tree behind him. The tree split in half. One half fell towards Tiin, and a branch struck him on the head.

"TIIN!" Miri screamed.

~~~~

Meanwhile, back in the cave, Kavin watched outside anxiously for his friends to return. He sensed something was wrong.

I can't wait for them any longer! He thought as he withdrew his hilt and left the cave, letting the force guide him to his friends.

"TIIN!"

He heard Miri's scream, and no longer needed the force to guide him.

"MIRI!" He called out as he started to run. "I'M COMING!"

He heard her scream again, and he used force speed to get there quicker. He came to a clearing to see Miri standing alone against several large, ferocious beasts. His heart beat fast as he lit his lightsaber and rushed to her side. It didn't take long before they dispatched the rest of the pack.

Kavin stood there with his lightsaber down by his side, just looking at Miri as she looked around to see if there were any more. He could sense through the force there weren't, though. He wanted to reach out and embrace her, then he realized....

"Where's Tiin?"

Miri quickly looked around to where Tiin had fallen and ran to him. She turned off her lightsaber and attached the hilt to her belt as she knelt beside the fallen padawan. Tears were in her eyes as she tried to lift the branch off of him.

Kavin gasped, and without thinking just used the force to throw the branch away. He knelt beside Miri and took Tiin's hand. "Tiin! Can you hear me?"

He looked at Miri. "You're strong in force healing... can you help him?"

Miri was already reaching out her hand to touch Tiin's head. There was a serious gash on the side, and she could see a bone protruding. She closed her eyes as she let the force flow through her.

[Troy Vortex]

Kavin kept a lookout for other predators as Miri worked quickly to at least stablize their friend. Lightening flashed all around them, and the thunder was just one vast roar.

"Miri, we must get back to the cave, it's not safe here!" He shouted over the wind and thunder.

Miri slowly pulled away from Tiin. "I think it's alright to move him now!"

Kavin lifted Tiin, and carried him quickly as Miri followed. Soon they arrived back at the cave, and Kavin gently lowered Tiin's limp body.

Miri got a spare shirt from her backpack and put it under Tiin's head for a pillow. She sat next to Tiin, shivering and trying not to cry.

All Kavin wanted to do was put his arm around Miri and reassure her things will be alright, but instead he concerned himself with practicalities. He was wet and shivering just as she was. Tiin would be cold as well. "We need to change clothes... you can change behind that large rock over there."

He handed Miri her backpack, and she nodded, doing as he said. Meanwhile, he changed Tiin's clothes and put a blanket over him. When Miri was finished dressing, he went to change his clothes behind the outcropping as well. When he came back around the large rock, he saw Miri holding Tiin's hand, her eyes looking sorrowful.

It hurt him to see her so sad. Without thinking he sat beside her and put an arm around her shoulders. He closed his eyes as she laid her head against his own shoulder. Stll not thinking about it, Kavin kissed her on the forehead and carressed her cheek with his free hand.

She looked up at him with her big beautiful eyes, and he leaned his head down and kissed her lips. It pleased him to feel her return the kiss. His heart beat faster within his chest as he hugged her and felt her soft curves against him. "Oh, Miri, I love you!"

Miri pulled away, and looked up at him in surprise.

He backed away from her slowly, his body shaking and breathing heavily. "I'm sorry... I..." He looked away feeling foolish. He had not planned to make a move on her. Especially while their best friend was lieing on the cold cave floor fighting for his life. "I'm such a fool!"

[Troy Vortex]

Miri placed a gentle hand upon his cheek. "No you aren't! You are a sweet, loving, kind person." Her heart beat fast as she continued, "And I love you, too."

There, I said it! She thought as Kavin took her hand in his, and she trembled at his touch. She had wanted to tell him for so long.

Kavin looked into Miri's eyes, holding his breath and not believing he heard what he just heard. Finally, he had to expell the air. He took another breath before he spoke. "Miri, I'm so sorry how I've treated you today. I.... I ...."

Keera put a finger over his lips. "Sh, it's alright. I think I understand."

Kavin's lips tingled where Keera placed her finger, and he had a hard time concentrating on what he needed to say. He took her hand and kissed it, then lowered it to hold both her hands in his. His hands shook, and he struggled to control them.

"Miri, what are we going to do?"

"First," she said quietly, "we need to survive and get off this planet. Then we can decide."

Kavin nodded, and they embraced each other. They both knew they couldn't go on acting on their love and remain Jedi. And they both knew it would be difficult to ignore what they felt. They held each other for quite awhile.

[Troy Vortex]

Tiin moaned, and Kavin looked over at him and frowned with concern. "He's shivering.."

Miri looked at Tiin through the force. "There's not much else I can do for him... he's in a healing trance. We should keep him as warm as possible."

Kavin looks around the cave. "There's no ventilation, so even if we had dry wood to build a fire, the smoke would choke us out... the best way I can think of to keep him warm is for us to lay beside him."

Miri nods in agreement. The two of them slip under the blanket covering Tiin. Miri on one side, Kavin on the other. They hold hands over their friend's chest, and eventually fall asleep.

~~~~

Morning came, and Kavin was the first to wake. He quietly got up to change his pants to get rid of certain evidence of the dream he had in which he and Miri had consumated their love for each other.

He stood in deep thought near the cave entrance watching the sunrise. He contemplated the later part of his dream in which he had heard a sequence of babies crying. The first one was a strong cry, followed by laughter. The second was similar. The third was a weak cry followed by a painful scream of a woman greiving. The fourth was an almost musical cry. The last baby crying seemed to speak a message, but Kavin had woke up at that point, and couldn't remember it, no matter how hard he tried.

Why do my dreams always have to be so wierd?

[Troy Vortex]

As soon as Miri woke, she checked Tiin to see if he was alright. Satifsied, she looked around. Seeing Kavin by the cave entrance, she got up and went to him and put her arms around him from behind. She lay her head against his back.

Kavin smiled and placed his hands on hers, softly carressing them. "Good morning, beautiful." He turned and embraced her. "So, it wasn't a dream... we did confess our love for each other."

"If it was a dream, it was the dearest one I've ever had, and never want to wake from it." She replied softly.

He kissed her on the lips, savoring their sweet taste and soft texture.

She returned the kiss with equal passion. "Oh, Kavin! What are we to do!"

"As you said last night, my love, we shall first get off this planet and go back home to the temple." He softly carresses her cheek, wiping a tear that had fallen. "Then we shall decide."

[Troy Vortex]

Miri smiled slightly and nodded.

Kavin leaned in to kiss her again, and they continued showing their affection, their passion growing.

Kavin pulled away, breathing heavily. "Miri... we'd better stop..."

Miri looked at him with hurt eyes.

"It's just that if we continue, we... I won't be able to stop.. I want you, Miri..." He carressed her cheek. "I just want our first time... if we decide to be together, to be special... if we continue, you could become pregnant, and we won't have a choice."

"Ok.... Tiin seems to be holding out alright for now, but, maybe we should try to contact our masters." Miri said as she took out her com unit.

"No!" Even though he said it rather sharply, he placed his hand on top of hers gently. "They told us they would contact us when it was safe. Using our coms now could place us all in danger."

"You're right, of course." Miri acknowledged.

The two sat together holding hands and ate some rations. They spent a lot of time just talking to each other, and found themselves laughing together quite a bit.

A couple hours later, Kavin's com beeped, and he quickly answered it.

"Kavin, we're in the position to pick up the three of you." Came Master Olan's voice. "We just have to pinpoint your location."

"Understood, sir. Master, Tiin has been hurt, and he's in a healing trance."

There was a moment of silence on the other end. "We'll be there as soon as we can. Is there a place near you where a shuttle can land?"

"Yes sir, there's a clearing outside the cave we've taken shelter in."

[Troy Vortex]

Fifteen minutes later, a shuttle lands in the clearing outside the cave. Miri and Kavin had agreed they wouldn't tell any details on what happened, just that they were caught out in a thunderstorm and a tree branch had knocked Tiin out. Though both of them felt guilty about what had happened, telling about that would lead to having to tell their masters about the love they shared. They weren't ready to do that just yet.

Kavin helped carry Tiin aboard the shuttle on a stretcher. Soon, the shuttle arrived on the mother ship, and Tiin was submerged into a bacta tank.


A couple days later:


Kavin, Miri, Qui-Gon and Tiin, who was released from the infirmary that morning, sat in the temple courtyard talking quietly.

"I was wondering when the two of you would confess your love for each other." Qui-Gon said with a small lop-sided smile.

Miri giggles a little as she blushes. "You knew all along, didn't you?"

"It wasn't very hard to see the connection between the two of you in the living force. What are the two of you going to do now?"