But when she turned to look at Jax after the Brancar had closed the door behind them, she gasped for an entirely different reason. His face bore the look of barely-contained rage. "Just what the bloody blazes of Lorgin do you think you were doing down there?"

Brenda chewed on her lower lip as she faced Jax’s wrath. He had never really been angry before, but then she had never behaved in such a wanton, jealous fashion before, either. She suddenly realized that she had been fooling herself for the past 48 hours.

The original pact that Jax had made with her provided for her escorting her safely off the planet of Charporta -- nothing more. When Jax had suggested that they remain together, it seemed wise to Brenda at the time. After they made love, Brenda found it more and more difficult to think of leaving him. His attentions to her and the way he had made exquisite love to her in the grotto made her feel like she was the only woman in the world for him.

But of course -- that was when there were no other women around. No other more experienced, more sensual women who were more suitable companions to an extremely sexual being like a Familiar. More of the stories she had heard from her mother’s servants came rushing back to Brenda. Stories about the unquenchable appetites of Familiars.

Now that they had reached a populated planet -- one populated by women who obviously enjoyed the mating process and were experts at making love -- how could she hope to compete for Jax’s attentions? She had made a fool of herself -- not once, but twice. Brenda had let herself become addicted to Jax’s lovemaking, and then she had acted like an animal, trying to eliminate her rival in a mating dance.

"I asked you a question, zira," Jax persisted, grabbing her by the forearms. "Just what did you hope to accomplish by your little performance down there in the tavern?"

"I....." Brenda was too mortified to meet Jax’s gaze head-on. "I.....I apologize for my foolish actions downstairs, Jax." She pulled free of his grasp. "I wasn’t thinking clearly."

"Obviously not," Jax allowed, losing a little of his bluster. He folded his arms with an air of superiority.

Brenda walked ten paces away from him and then turned back, her eyes still downcast. "I have failed to express my thanks to you for going so far beyond the terms of our original agreement." Jax’s eyebrows knit together in confusion. "You remained with me when I felt ill from the effects of traveling the Matrix, and .... we helped each other cross the desert planet." She wrung her hands as Jax began to walk closer to her slowly.

"But now that we have reached a populated planet, I realize that you.....that Familiars...." She gasped softly when Jax put his knuckle to her chin to lift her face to his. "......that you might want the company of other women," Brenda finally managed to stammer. "Your obligation to me is more than complete, should you wish to return to the tavern and join ......"

"You think I’m angry at your behavior towards Crissalea?" Jax was incredulous. Brenda had put them in mortal danger by displaying her rarified gems in the tavern, yet all she could think of was how she had reacted to his harmless flirtation with the Flodgin.

Brenda, meanwhile, felt her blood boil again at the mere fact that Jax remembered the hussy’s name. She pulled away from Jax’s grasp. "I was not very polite to her, and she was kind enough to allow us to find lodging here." She found herself unable to look him in the eye as she went on. "In fact, if you ......I mean, if you and she....." She looked up to see the amazement written on Jax’s face. ".....if you want to be with her," Brenda finally said through gritted teeth, "I have more than enough rarified gems should you desire a room of your own."

Jax couldn’t believe his ears. Brenda was actually jealous of the Flodgin! Brenda always seemed hesitant to express her feelings for Jax, and he had hoped that his tireless seduction of her in the grotto would inspire her. But the jealous rage she exhibited in the tavern -- this was a good sign! However, as soon as the words "rarified gems" escaped Brenda’s lips, Jax’s attention was drawn away from her jealousy and back to her naivete.

"I’m sure that you *do*, angel," Jax spat. "And by now, half the population of this miserable planet probably knows it as well!"

Brenda’s eyes grew wide as she finally comprehended what she had done. "Oh, Jax.....do you mean that I ......"

Jax came to stand right in front of her, his breath ruffling her hair. "Why didn’t you listen to me, zira? I *told* you to keep the stones hidden! Now, every thief in the area is probably plotting how to attack us in our sleep."

"Oh, Jax," Brenda moaned. "I am *so* sorry." She wrung her hands and turned away from him in chagrin. "I’m just.....I never......"

Jax came up behind her, gently placing his hands on her upper arms. "You were probably fatigued, angel." Jax sensed that she was still in turmoil, and he didn’t quite know how to help her. Truth be told, he was fatigued himself and in need of a change of clothing and some refreshment.

"Why don’t you rest for a while? I’ll go downstairs and try to find that clothing merchant that Crissalea mentioned." Jax turned to leave the room, but Brenda called to him.

"You’ll probably need some of these to pay for the clothing, won’t you?" Brenda was holding out a handful of the gems in Jax’s direction. "Although, I’m sure that if the merchant is a female, you’ll think of *some* way of settling your debt with her."

Jax grimaced. While a little of Brenda’s jealousy flattered him, too much of it caused his teeth to ache. Jax walked slowly back to her and accepted the gems grudgingly. "As soon as we reach Meer’an, I will make sure that you are repaid in kind."

"We? *We* will not be reaching Meer’an, Jax. *You* will." She turned away from him and walked away, not seeing his look of frustration. "As I said earlier, you have more than fulfilled your part of the bargain. It would probably be best if we parted ways here." Brenda’s heart felt like steel bands had encircled it. This was certainly something she had not expected when she entered the dungeon back on Charporta.

Jax caught his breath also. How could she be so confusing? In one breath, she insists that they no longer remain together, yet in the next, she seemed to threaten any other woman he dared to look at with bodily harm! "Why don’t you rest and freshen yourself in the bathing pool, zira," Jax said quietly. "Perhaps the situation will be clearer to both of us after we have been apart for a time." As Jax closed the door behind him, Brenda held her breath for a minute and then went to the bed and gave herself over to exhausted tears.

*~*~*~*

Several hours later, Brenda appeared at the doorway of the tavern again. She had bathed and tried to take a nap, but as soon as she closed her eyes, all she could see was the image of Jax, flirting with the Flodgin behind the bar. All she could hear was the melancholy in his voice when he had left her earlier.

Brenda decided that perhaps some refreshment would help her to rest more easily. As she descended from their room, the Brancar stopped her at the door of the inn and handed her a package. It seemed that the Familiar had purchased something for her at the clothing merchant. Brenda accepted the package and ran back up the stairs to their room in glee. She had always loved presents, and when she eagerly tore the wrapping from the package, she cried aloud.

It was a caftan of the softest krillli cloth she had ever felt. The cloth contained hues of mauve, pink and lavender, and was shot through with threads of silver. She pulled off the old, stained pink gown and sighed in pleasure when the new one slipped over her head and caught on her shoulders. The sleeves extended to just below her elbow, and slits on either side of the full length made it easier for her to walk. She twirled around, catching her reflection in the many crystals in the room. She hadn’t felt this clean and fresh since they left Charporta.

As Brenda’s eyes adjusted to the gloom in the tavern, she managed to pick Jax out at a table near the back. She caught her breath at the sight of him. His trip to the clothing merchant had been successful, too, and Jax now wore fine black leather boots, the same black leather breeches he had taken from Charporta, and a loose-fitting white silk shirt with billowing sleeves and an open neckline that came to a V in the front. As she approached his table, she saw a cobalt blue cape draped over his chair. Even though he wasn’t wearing it, she knew it would enhance the blue in his eyes dramatically.

Brenda also noticed the attention Jax was drawing from some of the other female patrons in the bar. But as soon as she had entered, his gaze had been drawn to her form and as she neared the table, he seemed to have eyes for nobody but her. She gave him a timid smile. "May I join you, Familiar?"

Jax had risen to his feet when he saw her. When he had seen the caftan at the merchant’s, he knew it would flatter her coloring and form. But he didn’t realize that it would make her look like a goddess come to life. "The gown becomes you, zira," Jax purred as he held out Brenda’s chair and put his hand to the small of her back. As Brenda sat in her chair, Jax saw a nearby Tarkton eye her lustily. With a frown, Jax sent him a telepathic message that made the Tarkton blanch and turn to face in the opposite direction.

Jax leaned down next to Brenda’s shoulder. "I knew the color would be perfect for you," he whispered, his breath stirring the hair at the nape of her neck. It caused shivers to run down her spine.

"And how did you know that?" Brenda cleared her throat and tried to sound unaffected by his nearness.

Jax moved back to his own chair and smiled. "Because – I simply tried to imagine what color you would be, if you were a color." He looked up and down her torso, his eyes seeming to touch every square inch of her skin. "You, my zira, are definitely rose," he murmured sensuously.

Brenda felt her cheeks tint with the color Jax was describing at his words. Jax reached out to take a large garta-berry from a bowl on the table. "But you confuse me, angel. I didn’t think you would join me here or I would have ordered food for the both of us. Weren’t you going to try to sleep?" He drew it through a sparkling white, creamy substance in a bowl and placed it to her lips.

As Brenda bit into the fruit’s juicy center, its sweetness was enhanced by the sugary coating Jax had applied. Brenda sighed as she chewed slowly. "I couldn’t rest." A low rumble sounded outside, drawing her attention as she turned quickly. "What was that?"

Jax leaned over to look out the door of the tavern. "Probably thunder. I can sense a storm brewing in the mountains."

"Don’t tell me -- *another* Familiar talent?" Brenda raised an eyebrow as she wore a teasing grin.

"Familiars are keenly attuned to *all* aspects of Nature, angel," Jax replied. "That’s part of what makes us such excellent hunters. From an early age, a Familiar develops his senses so that they are one with nature. Any disturbance like an electrical imbalance with an approaching storm will become immediately apparent to a Familiar."

Brenda nodded seriously. "And these excellent hunting skills make them such sought-after prizes in the universe?"

"Our natural ability to hunt, as well as our adventurous natures and keen intellect," Jax answered matter-of-factly. Then he gave her a playful smile. "Although, in some places, we are prized for other …..talents….that we have."

Brenda raised her eyes for a moment to the Flodgin, who was still occasionally sending Jax a heated glance. But Brenda’s attention was drawn back to Jax as he offered her another berry. As she bit into it, some of the sweet nectar from the fruit drizzled down her chin. She laughed and put her hand to her chin to wipe it clean, but then she was stopped in mid-gesture when Jax’s voice sounded in her mind.

{I wish we were alone, zira. I would happily lick every small drop of the juice from your chin. Or we could bring a basket of the fruit back to our room with us and I would….}

Brenda began to blush a bright shade of red as Jax continued and matched his words with a look of longing that took her breath away. She tried to calm herself and return to the rather pleasant conversation they were having. "So, tell me – is there any talent that a Familiar does NOT possess?"

Jax thought for a moment. "We don’t fight well."

"Excuse me?" Brenda was incredulous as she leaned forward so that only Jax could hear her words. "I saw you with those guards in Corinthon’s dungeon, Jax. You rendered them unconscious before I could even blink an eye."

Jax took a long sip of the paga in front of him. "If it comes to self-preservation, angel, a Familiar will do what is necessary to defend himself. But as far as organized fighting, as in an army, that is definitely one of our weaknesses." The mischievous grin returned. "We would rather make love than war."

"Then that must pose a serious problem," Brenda replied, trying to keep the conversation serious and taking a berry herself. "I mean, I’m sure that there are other ruthless despots like Corinthon in the universe who would love to capture Familiars. How do you keep that from happening?"

"I have told you that the Familiar home planet, Meer’an, connects to Tron, have I not?" Brenda nodded. "There is only one Tunnel Point on Tron that leads to Meer’an, and that entrance is heavily guarded by Knights of the Thren under explicit orders from the Council of the Imperial Wizards. We don’t need to worry about our security thanks to their protection."

"You’re very lucky indeed to have such wonderful protectors," Brenda responded. "But I’m sure that such an arrangement cannot only be one-sided. Why would the Imperial Council provide such a luxury to Meer’an?"

"We have a reciprocal treaty with the Wizards. In return for their military protection through the Knights, we explore and chart new worlds for them. The agreement dates back to many years ago when our King saved the life of the Chief High Imperial Wizard and they struck the deal."

Brenda rose an eyebrow. "Then your King is indeed a brilliant strategist. He encourages his people’s natural talents and need not spend time worrying about defenses or wars or raising armies. You’re very lucky to have such a wise Familiar ruling you."

Jax smiled. "Most of the Familiars think so. Have I also mentioned that he not only is ingenious, but also compassionate, generous, and most handsome?"

"And probably patient, evenhanded, and exceedingly humble, too," Brenda came back with a sly grin. She sighed aloud. "I’m sure that his queen is most grateful to have all of those desirable qualities in a mate."

"There is no queen of the Familiars, Brenda," Jax said slowly. "Familiars have the unique capability of being able to recognize their true mate as soon as they are in their presence. The king had not yet found his true mate."

"Had?" Brenda frowned in curiosity. "That is a strange way to turn the phrase. Have you contacted Meer’an since you left?"

"Uh…..no, zira." The words seemed to tumble over themselves in Jax’s mouth. "I just meant that as of the time when I left Meer’an, he hadn’t found his queen yet." Brenda nodded in understanding and Jax pushed on. "But why did I detect such a feeling of melancholy when you mentioned his queen?" He rose an eyebrow playfully. "Is it possible that you’re jealous and want this magnificent Familiar for your very own?"

"NO!" The strength of Brenda’s answer shocked Jax. She looked down at her lap in embarrassment. "I meant no disrespect to your king, Jax. It’s just that the thought of being anyone’s queen and having to spend the rest of my life ruling some planet is so abhorrent to me. It just goes against my very nature as a Torengi." Jax still frowned so Brenda went on. "That’s why I told you that I was more than willing to leave Charporta. I had no desire to rule and never will. I wish to pursue my nature and explore new worlds – experience new things. Just as you are free to pursue your Familiar nature thanks to your agreement with the Wizards." She shook her head. "You’re very lucky, indeed."

"Perhaps you would change your mind if you met our King," Jax suggested softly. "He is far from being an imperious, overblown regent. Perhaps he could convince you that it is possible to be a ruler and still have a free spirit." Brenda scowled and shook her head, so Jax tried a different tack. "After all – the King would probably want to meet you to thank you for helping me escape Corinthon’s dungeon." Jax began to drum his fingers on the table. "I’m sure that he will devise some kind of appropriate vengeance for the Knights of the Thren to inflict as punishment for my capture."

Brenda suddenly grew pale and she reached across the table to grab Jax’s hands. "Oh, Jax….you don’t suppose that the King will think that the Charportans had anything to do with your capture and punish them, too, do you? They were *totally* innocent in all of this. It was only Corinthon’s avarice and lust for power that were the occasion for your capture."

"Welllll," Jax said, stroking the back of Brenda’s hand, "were you to accompany me to Meer’an, you might be able to plead the case for the Charportans in person to our King." Brenda pulled her hand away at his obvious trick and Jax sighed in frustration. "Brenda, this planet of crystals is totally lawless. We don’t know what kind of planet we’ll reach when we pass through the Matrix again." Brenda still frowned and Jax leaned forward to take her hands once again. "At least agree to come with me as far as Tron. Once we’re in Imperial territory I’ll have less concerns for your safety."

Brenda didn’t pull her hands away just yet as she enjoyed Jax’s touch. "But our original agreement was only for you to escort me from Charporta. This takes your duty far beyond what we had discussed. What would my part of the bargain be for you escorting me safely to Tron?"

Jax grinned at her with wanton abandon. "I’m sure we’ll think of something."

Brenda blushed and looked around them to make sure no other patrons had overheard him. "Jax!"

He took a large berry and bit into it slowly, letting the nectar drizzle over his lips. As Brenda’s breathing grew ragged, Jax took the berry and rubbed it around his lips, gathering the last of the remaining nectar. He leaned forward and put it to Brenda’s parted lips, touching them but then pulling back when she reached to take the fruit from his fingers.

Jax could see her lips trembling. "Jax," she whimpered softly, and he finally heeded her plea and fed her the rest of the berry, allowing the tips of his fingers to trace her lips sensually. Somehow she managed to chew the tart fruit and swallow it. As his eyes held hers captive, he took her hand and molded her fingers around a berry, raising it to his own lips.

"I’m still hungry, zira," he whispered as she caught her breath. He let go of her hand and she placed the berry to his lips, but he leaned forward at the last minute and sucked the tips of her fingers into his mouth along with the juicy fruit. As she finally managed to pull her fingers from his lips, she heard a low purr rumble in his chest.

Thunder suddenly sounded outside the tavern. A storm was brewing in the cat also.

"You know how good we can be together, angel," Jax murmured, taking the back of her hand and stroking it gently with his fingers. "Are you ready for that to end?"

Even in the crowded tavern, Brenda detected the faint essence of zilliang spice. She saw the hint of lavender sparks begin to twinkle in Jax’s eyes.

"Aha! I thought so! A fellow Torengi!" Jax’s sensual spell was disturbed by the loud sound of a male voice. As Brenda looked up, a tall, dark-haired Torengi was standing next to their table.

"Can I help you?" Jax hissed in a low voice.

Lightning lit the sky outside the tavern. Likewise, the storm in the cat began to brew and had Jax morphed, the fur on the back of his neck would have risen.

"I believe that *I* was speaking with the lady," the Torengi replied smoothly, leaning over and essentially cutting Brenda off from Jax’s view. "It’s unusual to see a fellow Torengi so far from our home planet. What are you doing in this barren wasteland, my beauty?"

Thunder cracked loudly. The cat in Jax began to briskly switch his tail.

Brenda fed fuel to the growing tempest when she smiled coyly at the man. "I’m just following my nature and exploring new worlds." She sat up straighter and tossed her head gracefully, allowing the Torengi a glimpse of the delicious curve of her neck.

Another crack of thunder rattled the crystals on the shelf behind the bar. The cat in Jax growled low in his chest, and he sent the Torengi a thought.

Suddenly, the Torengi looked around at Jax and smiled. "Please accept my most humble apologies, Familiar. I wasn’t aware that the lady already had a ….. companion." While not seeming to be afraid of Jax, the lines of demarcation had clearly been drawn. The Torengi turned back to Brenda and took her hand, kissing the back of it. "Perhaps we shall meet again, fair Torengi, when you are ….. available."

As he moved to another table, the winds outside slowed in their intensity momentarily. The cat’s growl slowed to a reverberating purr.

"What thought did you send him!!!???" Brenda hissed angrily, bending over the table to grab Jax’s arm.

"I merely informed him that we were traveling together and that he was to leave you alone or suffer the consequences," Jax replied evasively. He took a berry and appeared to examine it, but Brenda pulled it down so that he was force to meet her gaze.

"Don’t play the fool with me, Jax! You obviously told him more than that!" Her eyes widened and her voice lowered even farther. "Did you tell him that we were sleeping together?"

Jax shrugged, popping the berry in his mouth. "I told him that you had unique appetites that only a Familiar could satisfy, zira," Jax replied smugly. "And that for now, *I* was satisfying them quite well, thank you very much."

Brenda’s shriek was swallowed by another clap of thunder. "WHAT???!!! How *dare* you embarrass me like that, Familiar?" Brenda tried to control her anger as she swatted at Jax’s arm in humiliation. "I *am*, after all, the Crown Princess of Charporta!"

"Strange, but I thought you had just mentioned not being interested in ruling, didn’t you, angel?" Jax leaned forward so that their foreheads were nearly touching. "And I was only speaking the truth, since you *know* that I am the only man who will ever make you happy."

Brenda sputtered in frustration. "You…..you…..you have no right to tell me that! *Where* I find my happiness, or pleasure, and with *whom* is NOT your concern!"

The thunder cracked so loudly outside that a vibration ran through the tavern, causing a few glasses to topple over behind the bar. Lightning flashed in the cat’s eyes as Jax jumped to his feet and pulled Brenda up, too. He clasped her arms above the elbows with both of his hands and dragged her body against his forcefully. "Has anyone else brought you pleasure as I have, zira?"

"JAX!" Brenda was clearly self-conscious to have Jax making such a public scene over their physical relationship. "You know there have been none but you!" she continued in a voice so soft that only he could hear.

Jax knew she was telling the truth. He had sensed it of her the first time he took her in Corinthon’s dungeon. But the cat in Jax had gone far beyond the boundary of reason. As rain began to fall in torrents outside the tavern, it pounced.

Jax lowered his head to kiss Brenda possessively, pulling her even closer to him. At her surprised gasp, he seized the opportunity to sink his tongue into her open mouth, stroking the roof with tantalizing slowness. As he broke the kiss, Brenda felt his sensual haze begin to enfold them and the tips of her ears began to turn a tell-tale shade of rose.

But she was surprised when Jax suddenly put his shoulder to her waist and threw her over his shoulder. "JAX! What are you doing? Put me down this instant!" Brenda tried to sound as regal as possible in the middle of a tavern full of laughing aliens.

"Perhaps what you need is to be reminded of just how *happy* I can make you, Brenda," Jax replied, striding towards the door of the tavern. He carried her, still kicking and shouting, to the inn.

Once they were inside the door, he began mounting the stairs to their room as she continued to shriek. "JAX! What are you going to do?"

Jax came to the door of their room and opened it briskly, walking through and closing it with a kick of his foot. "I intend to do what I should have done as soon as I met you, angel," Jax hissed. He set her down in front of him and pulled her against his chest, making her a prisoner of his arms. "I intend to show you just how truly talented a Familiar male can be!!"

To be continued……