Lethal Partnership

Chapter I

(A/N: We are going to pretend that Boba is an adult during the clone wars... This is a total AU)

"I don't do partners."

How many times had Boba Fett made that statement to Jabba? How many times had he found the dissatisfaction of repeating himself to the crime lord? Looking over at the thin, armored zabrak, the mandalorian couldn't help the slightest amount of amusement. The zabrak was small enough that Boba could easily break his spine with a well-aimed kick.

Jabba huffed loudly and began to speak again, everyone present easily able to recognize the annoyance in his tone, whether they understood what he was saying or not. Most would recognize this as a time to tread carefully, if they were even still alive at that point, but Boba never did. He was more valuable to Jabba alive than dead.

"The great and mighty Jabba wants you to know that this is his final offer." Bib Fortuna announced dramatically, leering at the mercenary with contempt. "You are to work with the chosen candidate, or you are not to receive the contract."

Silence fell as every creature, person, and being turned their attention onto Boba Fett, waiting to see how he would respond.

Boba turned slowly to face the zabrak again, staring for a long moment as he waited for the chosen 'candidate' to falter. He didn't. Perhaps he wouldn't be useless after all.

Without a word, the mandalorian turned and headed for the door, never once having to deviate from his path as those in his way quickly gave him room. Footsteps followed, before the band started up again and drowned them out. Good. At least the noob didn't have to be told what he'd decided.

Out in the hall, Boba lashed out as soon as the doors closed behind him, his booted foot catching behind the zabrak's knee just as the mandalorian's fist connected with the tattooed male's throat, sending him down to the ground.

Staring down at the choking mercenary, Boba felt that disdain rise up again. "Useless. If the contract didn't demand your survival, I would shoot you right now."

Golden eyes met the darkened visor as the zabrak caught his wind and glared. "If there wasn't a contract, I wouldn't lower myself to working with you."

"You'd have to rise pretty high to even gain my attention, much less be worth the sum it'd take to hire me to knock you off. Now I'd love to make an exception." Boba stared down at the younger male, standing as still as a statue as he processed the zabrak. Young, foolish, but obviously skilled enough that Jabba would hand-pick him as his partner, weak looking, but looks could be deceiving. "You're weak, little training, either banished or the nightbrother's have lowered their standards."

A cold smile curled over the yellow and black zabrak's lips as he got back up to his feet. "Broken neck actually. They think I'm dead."

Boba raised his eyebrows, even if the gesture was unseen. "And I doubt none the happier for it."

Tenseness reigned, the two Gamorrean guards standing by the door watching with obvious interest. Anything that even looked like it might develop into a fight was interesting for them.

"Regardless, I'm stuck with you, and you have to make sure I survive." The zabrak responded coldly, moving to brush past the mandalorian. "Otherwise you won't get paid."

"It's beginning to look like a good investment."

"Believe me, the feeling is mutual."

It seemed that the little zabrak couldn't be intimidated, perhaps the only thing that was useful so far for when they were working in the field, but useless when it came to their partnership. If the zabrak couldn't be intimidated, then he couldn't be effectively told what to do.