Disclaimer: Star Wars belongs to George Lucus and there's no way getting around it. However, the plot and certain characters (i.e. the ones that don't and will never appear in movies or books, etc.) belong to me and are my creations.
A/N - Welcome to ACDT Part II: Untold Lies. There was just too much story to include it all in one story so I've broken Keilana's story down as you can see. I hope you enjoy this one as you did the other! Oh yes, one more thing of some importance. Seeing as school is starting up right soon, I will be unable to post quite as often as I did over the summer. Seeing as that pretty much explains itself, I'll let you move on to the story. Enjoy!
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At the Crossroads of Destiny and Time Part II:
Untold Lies
Prologue
Approximately one month after the conclusion of ACDT Part I: The Hunted
Coruscant. A great planet that grows only buildings and crime. No natural plant remains, not even the peak of a mountain nor an ocean unsupported by buildings. But it is not dead. No, the buildings create a jungle of their own, animals of all species and variety finding their own life among the duracrete trees and thickets. Animals who seem tireless, creatures able to live without sleep, who need only florescent lights, pounding rhythms, and colourful drinks to sustain them. They are the animals who confirm rumors that say Coruscant never sleeps. People—non- and human alike—flock to tucked away, seedy bars or high-class gambling clubs to spend what money they have to their name—or even the money they don't. Coruscant is the kind of planet that teems with life, all day and all night, the flickering lights like stars of their own.
While life teemed outside the Jedi Temple, most of its occupants were already asleep, exhausted from their day's work and learning. The Jedi, masters and students, had retired to their respective rooms to sleep, meditate, or rest, for it was late at night, despite the life and lights outside. Some would call the Jedi sensible while others would call them fools to not enjoy the life around them, the life they surround themselves with. There were even some within the Temple who wished to be free, those who wished they could hop from bar to bar, flirting their way into free drinks and being Lady Luck for some random handsome face.
But that part of her life was over, she told herself. Those days when she was carefree and all she had to care about was her hide and her ship were gone, whisked away by one mistake, one bounty, and one love.
Sitting cross-legged in a plush chair was Keilana, bounty hunter turned Jedi student. She was hunched over her knees, her chin resting in one hand, her eyes closed. Though not asleep, Keilana was not sure how awake she actually was but, in her mind, there was no way she could sleep, not now. She had messed up, there was no other way to put it. She had messed up. She had done everything her father had warned her against and then some. Pressing her lips together, Keilana sat back and rested one hand against her softly rounded belly. How could this have happened? She was too careful, she had used every precaution, and yet she had still ended uppregnant.
Squeezing her eyes against long suppressed tears, Keilana blinked several times and stared straight out the window and into the mesmerising lights of Coruscant's night life. The tears flowed silently down her cheeks, burning her skin as they went, but she did not sob. She dare not sob or, ultimately, fell sorry for herself. This was her doing. This was all her fault. It was she who decided to use her body to get to that smuggler, she who had lured him into that bed Keilana shook her head, she could not think about it any longer. It sickened her to no end. This child, this child was not
Glancing over at the bed she had left, Keilana felt another tear slide down her cheek to drip from her chin. How would she tell him? No doubt he had already noticed her swelling belly, but he was too polite to say anything about it. Or maybe he really hadn't noticed. Frowning and shifting her glance to her feet, Keilana started to wriggle her toes. Of course she would have to tell him, otherwise he would probably assume the child was his. And, no matter how much she wished it to be so, Keilana knew that Ganner Rhysode was not the father of her child. They simply hadn't known each other long enough.
Biting down hard on her lower lip and wiping a hand across her cheek, Keilana stood and pulled her robe tighter around her otherwise bare body. Crossing the room quickly, Keilana sat next to the sleeping form of Ganner and ran a hand over his hair, flicking pieces of it from his face. He needed a haircut, she smiled softly to herself. His hair was getting far too long. Pushing another piece behind his ear, Keilana simply looked at him, taking in his features in a rare moment when there was not the usual cocky tilt to his lips or that playful gleam in his blue eyes. He was simplypeaceful. So like a child.
Smiling softly down on him, Keilana took his exposed hand in hers and entwined her fingers in his. As she kissed his knuckles softly, Ganner awoke. He did not move nor did he allow his breathing to quicken. He simply watched her for a few precious seconds before tugging slightly at her hand. Keilana started and glanced at him.
she smiled wider, running a hand over his hair again. Her speech habits differed slightly now than they had when they had first met. As Keilana had grown more comfortable with her surroundings, she had let the accent so like her father's slip. She figured she might as well become herself wholly and completely now that the Jedi knew what she was. I didn't mean to wake you.
I don't mind, Ganner said, rolling onto his back to stare at the ceiling. He still held Keilana's hand in his, though she had to move slightly to adjust to his new position as well.
After several moments of silence, Ganner turned his gaze on Keilana. Her eyes had slid shut again, her legs crossed in front of her. Furrowing his brow, Ganner sat up and turned to face her.
What's wrong?
Came Keilana's immediate response.
That's not a very good answer, Ganner said, leaning forward and wiping a tear from Keilana's cheek with his calloused thumb. You wouldn't be crying over nothing.
It's just that it's complicated and—
I don't want excuses, Key. Please. I don't like seeing you in pain.
I'm not in pain.
Then what's wrong?
Keilana sighed and turned to face Ganner. Though awake, there was no grin nor that familiar gleam. All there was was a deep concern in his eyes, a small frown on his lips. How was she going to tell him? Shaking her head for herself, Keilana took her hand out of Ganner's. Then, pulling his hand forward, she rested it on her stomach.
Tell me the truth, Ganner. What do you feel?
Don't be afraid, poster boy, Keilana said, trying to give him a small smile. It wasn't coming. I don't care what you say. Tell me exactly what you feel and what you have noticed.
Ganner trailed off and glanced at the blanket, unsure of what to say. He heard Keilana sigh again and, opening her robe slightly, she pushed his hand against warm, soft skin, her hand on top of his.
What do you feel?
Now, don't take this the wrong way, Key, Ganner said, starting again. But it seems as if, lately, you've been putting on a little weight.
Ganner prepared himself for the blow that didn't come. When he looked closer at the woman in front of him, rather than a scowl, he saw her nod, a small smile spreading across her face.
That's because we are not alone, Ganner. Keilana paused for the briefest of moments and, just as she said the words out loud, Ganner heard them in his own voice, resounding through his head. I'm pregnant.
Keilana was not exactly sure what reaction Ganner would have to her news, but what he did certainly surprised her. In one leap, Ganner was out of bed, ignoring his state of undress, and holding Keilana tightly against him. Keilana hardly had the heart to tell him the child wasn't his, so she let him rejoice for a little longer, guilt pulsing through her veins with each passing moment.
When he finally did calm down, Ganner sat back on the bed, his legs over the edge, holding Keilana in his lap.
How long have you known?
Keilana choked. Certainly he would be smart enough to figure it out once she told him. She tried to sound strong, but her voice came out as a mere squeak. Nearly a month.
That long and you didn't tell me?
Well, you see, that's kind of the thing Keilana trailed off and began inspecting her fingernails. Then, bringing her forefinger to her mouth, she started to chew on the nail, her gaze locked on Ganner's chest. It—he—the child isn't exactly
Isn't exactly what?
Isn't exactly yours.
What do you mean?
Do I have to spell it out for you? Keilana snapped, her gaze locking into Ganner's. The child doesn't belong to you. You're not the father. Is any of this getting through to you? Ganner looked as if someone had just smacked him over the head with a side of nerf. Look, I'm sorry about being so blunt about it, but I didn't want to get your hopes up too much.
Well you sure acted like the child was mine, Ganner accused, his voice harsher than he intended it to be. However, he did not apologise.
I'm sorry, but I didn't know any other way to tell you rather than blurt the entire story out before telling you the news. Keilana bit her lower lip again and started playing with the hem of her robe. You can still pretend.
Who is the father?
Keilana winced. This was the part she was dreading above all else. He—he was a big time smuggler, one I was actually hunting. Haun, Haun Frisck.
Did you love him?
He was just a job.
Just a job? Ganner sounded disgusted. This made Keilana's stomach turn.
Yeah, you see—well, it's actually kind of funny once you think about it—I would use my body to make men trust me and as soon as they were incapacitated, bam! I would knock em out and drag them off to where ever they needed to be or kill them if that's what I was hired to do.
And this Frisck was your last job before coming to the Temple?
Keilana nodded.
And his fate was?
He had two bounties on his head, one from the Lady Añaa Geiv Ulkin and the other by Brindao, a big, slimy, greedy Hutt. I got three million for him from the latter. The former, well, I'm having some problems with her. Keilana continued to play with the hem of her robe until Ganner grabbed her hand. For a moment, she stopped moving all together. Looking up at Ganner, Keilana expected to find his expression angry, his eyes hard. What she found, however, was quite the opposite. Ganner wrapped his arms around Keilana and pulled her close.
What a rotten thing to do. But there is nothing you can do about that now and we certainly cannot blame the child. I guess we can blame the mother, Ganner grinned, but what good would that be? She was only doing her job, Ganner whispered in her ear. Keilana smiled.
What do you mean?
As in your job? You were ridding the galaxy of scum, Keilana, one man at a time, though I certainly don't blame him for falling victim to your game.
Fuck you, Keilana muttered. Burying her face in Ganner's hair and neck, Keilana felt the tears well in her eyes once again. However, these were very different tears than before. Sighing, Keilana blinked. Thank you for understanding, Ganner. If you didn't, then I was sure no one would accept me any longer and that things would be even worse for the child.
Ganner nodded but did not respond. He did not want Keilana to see the look on his face, the look that would have told her he ultimately disapproved. It took longer than he would have liked to wipe the look from his face.
After a few moments of silence, Ganner spoke up. Now, what are these problems you're having with this Lady
Añaa Geiv Ulkin. Well, you see, she was a little upset about the whole me bringing Haun to Brindao' scenario. So, being the spoiled, haughty, diplomat living in the middle of the Tattooinian desert that she is, she placed a bounty on my head that is getting larger by the week, I'm sure. Last I checked it was up to about one-point-five million New Republic credits. Really, I can't go anywhere people will recognise me cause they'll do an awfully messy job of my capture and end up bringing me to the Lady in a matchbox. Personally, I would rather stay recognisably me and human. As she said this, Keilana's eyes grew hard, her knuckles white as she clenched her hands into fists.
And this is that same woman you were talking to at that party awhile back?
One in the same, Keilana growled. Pushing her way off Ganner's lap, she moved around him to lay on her back, her robe falling open as she pulled the sheet up to her hips. I've managed to kill every bounty hunter she's sent, and even the ones she hasn't, but with the child, I won't be able to anymore. With the extra weight and expanded waist Well, I'm sure you can imagine.
Are you scared? Ganner repositioned himself so that he was laying on his stomach next to her. With his head cradled in his arms, Ganner trained his blue eyes on the side of her face.
Keilana's answer came only as a nod.
Ganner ran his tongue over dry lips, thinking of what to say. He made a move to pull the sheet over him as well, but quickly realized that there was none there for him to have. Keilana had rolled onto her side, taking the blankets with her. Pressing his lips together in slight annoyance, Ganner spooned himself against his lover and pulled at the blankets to cover them both. Then, draping his hand over her stomach and nuzzling into the back of Keilana's neck, Ganner opened his mouth to speak.
I'll always be here for you, Keilana, he said softly, his voice barely a whisper. You and your child.
Keilana's shoulders started to shake silently and Ganner pulled her closer. Spinning in his arms, Keilana rested her forehead on his chest and wrapped an arm around his ribs, pulling him close. Ganner started to rub his hand slowly up and down Keilana's back and tattooed arm, trying to comfort her but saying nothing. There was nothing he could say or knew to say to make her feel any better. And Keilana appreciated him for it. She didn't need words, she didn't need to hear him say he loved her, she just needed him to be there for her, to always be there.
After several moments had passed, Keilana pulled back and wiped the tears from her eyes, silently laughing at herself. Look at me, she said. I'm a big, blubbering baby of a bounty hunter unable to control her emotions.
So you still refer to yourself as a bounty hunter.
That's what I was raised to be. The words came out before Keilana even realized they did. The only hint that she had said something odd was the look on Ganner's face. What? What did I say?
That you were raised to be a bounty hunter. What kind of a parent would to that to their child?
Well, that does certainly bring up an interesting point.
And what would that point be?
Keilana didn't say anything for awhile. She just closed her eyes and leaned forward into Ganner's chest, breathing slowly. For a moment, Ganner actually thought Keilana had fallen asleep but when she sighed and shifted to look him in the eye, he knew this was something serious.
What is it? Is this point something that I really shouldn't be even asking about?
No, it's not that, Keilana shook her head, It's just that, you have to promise me that you won't tell anyone what I am about to tell you, she said, her voice dead serious. Ganner was surprised but he agreed. Biting her lip, Keilana's eyes wandered around for a moment, thinking, before she locked them back into Ganner's gaze. She finally sighed and furrowed her brow slightly.
It's about my father.
Yes, I got that much.
No, it's not about what he did for a living or even what he did to me but Trailing off, Keilana swallowed the lump in her throat. Well, it's about who he is. No one really knows him, no one but me that is, but at the same time, he—he's infamous. His father was the same and their armour— Keilana shook her head and looked at Ganner's chest. Their armour is known wider than their name.
So no one knows who he is, but he's known the galaxy wide? His armour is far more famous than his name and his father was a bounty hunter as well with the same uniform? Keilana nodded and Ganner sighed. I'm not in the mood for riddles, Key.
I—I just don't know how people will react if I let even one person know who he is. Master Skywalker knows but only by mistake and an entire crime organization found out, somehow, but other than that, Keilana shrugged. Really, my relation to him is a highly guarded secret and—
Who is he.
You wouldn't happen to recognise the name Boba Fett, would you?
Ganner sat up and glared down at Keilana. Like I said, I'm not in the mood for games.
Do you think this is something I would joke about? Keilana sat up as well and pulled her robe tightly closed.
I don't know, you certainly are full of tricks.
The words hurt, perhaps even more than Ganner meant for them too. Tears of pain and anger started to burn their way down Keilana's cheeks as she stood up and paced away from the bed. In a low voice, she muttered, I thought you said you'd always be there for me, Ganner.
What did you say?
You said you'd always fucking be there for me! Keilana screeched as she spun on her heel. Just now, just a few moment's ago. Does my lineage suddenly change all of that? Does everything change now that I am being straight and honest with you?
He's the most notorious gangster in the galaxy, Keilana. How can you possibly expect me to believe—
Notoriety does not equal celibacy, Ganner. You can't possibly believe that after all of the fucking around he did that at least one child would not be produced? Keilana's hair curtained her face as her dark eyes glowed in what light the room had to offer. It's only lucky for me that my mother was not some diseased whore.
Not that you're much different, Ganner said before thinking it over. As soon as he realized what he had said, he looked up at Keilana and tried to apologise to no avail. Keilana had already pulled on some clothing and was heading toward the door. Look, Keilana— a blaster aimed his way shut Ganner up.
Wrong move, Rhysode, she growled before disappearing into the hallway. Ganner stared at the spot she had just occupied unsure of what to do.
He couldn't believe he had just lost her.
