Jalaen Lai Sheelal, the Senator of Kalee on her fifteenth birthday, was driving her speeder to the med center. In the passenger seat was her roommate, the senator of Shili, Kiel Da. Jalaen had a nervous pit in her stomach. The previous night Ronderu had surgery to remove her ruined eye.
Jalaen was glad that Qymaen had stayed with Ronderu all night, though he was worried out of his mind. She had talked to him last night while he was waiting. He commented that he felt as terrible as when Ronderu was recovering from her injuries she had sustained when she was pregnant with Jalaen.
Jalaen still believed she felt worse.
After being glad just to escape Kalee alive, she had realized all her stupid mistakes. Charging into the Heart like that… was so stupid. She still couldn't believe that she had done that. If she had snuck around, she would have gotten to Ronderu before ever a rock hit her. But she bet Qymaen had the same regrets.
"What's on your mind, Jal?" Kiel asked, interrupting Jalaen's reverie.
"I feel guilty," Jalaen replied. "If only I had been crafty in rescuing Mother, she wouldn't have needed surgery."
"You couldn't help it," Kiel said, desperate to cheer her friend. "Don't feel bad. No one could keep Ronderu from losing her eye."
"You don't understand, Kiel!" Jalaen emphasized. "It's the mistakes I made. I was stupid."
"You aren't accepting your fate! Ronderu's fate!" Kiel cried, exasperated. "Ronderu now lacks one eye. You have to put yourself beyond that! I know you feel sick, I know Qymaen's sick with worry. And you feel responsible for my blaster wound, your nasty cuts—"
"BUT I SHOT YOU! I WHACKED THE NEXU IN THE EYE!" Jalaen shouted.
They said nothing for the rest of the drive but Kiel put one sleek, manicured Togruta hand on her friend's shoulder.
000
Qymaen, leaning on a crutch, looked with tired eyes at the sleeping Ronderu. Only five hours ago, she had been wheeled in again after undergoing an operation to remove her mangled eye.
Qymaen saw Jalaen and Kiel through the glass. He waved , avoiding falling over.
"Hello, Sheelal," Kiel smiled politely.
"Hi, Father," Jalaen said unenthusiastically. "How's Mother?"
"She's been mostly sleeping." Qymaen responded. "She did talk a bit to me, though."
Ronderu awoke with a snort. "Jalaen, Kiel? When did you get here?" She asked, words slurred.
"Only five minutes ago, Mother," Jalaen responded. "How do you feel?"
"Like I've just downed an entire bottle of Aquavit." Ronderu replied.
Kiel smiled. "When does the glass eye get put in?" She asked.
"The med staff said that once they can replicate a true Kaleesh eye." Qymaen replied, wavering on the crutch. "About a week. Then next week, she will come home."
"Where will we live?!" Ronderu asked, instantly panicked for some reason.
"With us!" Kiel said, seemingly overjoyed. "We can afford it."
Jalaen raised her eye brows. "Rubble sleeps on the end of my bed like a dog, that would be the both of us sleeping on the couches, and where would Rubble sleep?"
"Is Rubble with Radame?" Jalaen asked Kiel.
"I hope so." Kiel answered. "Or else he's gnawing on who knows what."
Ronderu laughed. "It'll be one full house," She said, a smile on her face.
Just then, med droids flooded in the room. "Excuse me, but I demand you leave. You're disrupting my patient," one commanded.
Ronderu was tempted to break the droid. Problem being the fact that she could barely see it. "It's fine," She told the droid. "I really need their company."
"I'm sorry miss, but I can't allow your guests to stay. They've awoken you early," The droid persisted.
"Jalaen, Kiel, just listen to what it says," Qymaen told them. "I'll find a way to sneak you in later." He said the last part in Kaleesh.
"Fine," Jalaen smiled and made her way out.
The droid flew onto Qymaen next. "You too, sir,"
"She's my wife," Qymaen replied irritably. "I can stay with her."
"I really must persist—"
Qymaen rolled his eyes and whacked the droid with his crutch. "Take that!" He said, victory in his voice.
Ronderu was asleep.