Part Two—Catching

By the next day, Felony had returned to her usual self. No comments of yesterday's events passed between the pair, but Callia could sense that the girl had thought about it a lot overnight.

When she walked in at nine o'clock, Felony was sitting in the middle of the floor and reciting something. So Callia's fascination, it seemed to be the Sith Code.

"The Force shall set me free." the girl finished. She didn't feel very free at the moment, that was for sure. Put under house arrest for her own safety.

"And that will be your downfall." Callia told her simply before lounging on a chair and tossing an apple up and down.

Felony jumped as if she hadn't heard the Jedi Master come in. She glanced at the woman with eyes that burned with green fire. "Don't think you'll be able to convert me, Jedi," she said stubbornly. "I was brought up on the Dark Side. Remember that." She raised her head snobbishly and didn't realise she had said anything wrong until:

"I thought you said you were fifteen." Callia was suddenly sceptical.

Felony's blood ran cold. She had slipped up. "Well, I did. I just think that I was dark from the start, that's all." her voice wavered the tiniest bit. She would have done all right if it weren't for that.

Callia leaned forward. "What aren't you telling me?"

The young Sith looked away.

"Look, Princess, if Sanguinar is stealing children from their homes and raising them as his own twisted dark offspring then—"

"Just drop it, Jedi." said Felony, quietly. She was tired of questions. Tired of having to give answers.

She was relieved when she saw the woman lean back in her chair, leaving the subject for that moment.

—

Several days passed. Felony was hardly eating. Callia would come in every morning, her expression becoming more and more worried as time went by. The girl just sat on her bed, not talking to anyone. The scars on her arms and face slowly began to heal, save the deepest one down her left eyelid.

Callia sighed, almost a week after she had been named the girl's master. She crouched beside the bed and took Felony's hand. It was cold as ice. "Felony… tell me, what do you want?" she tried desperately to get her to open up.

Felony stared into the distance, almost looking as if she hadn't noticed the Jedi's arrival. What sort of a question is that? She blinked. "I… don't know what I want." she admitted.

Well, this is getting us nowhere. Callia sighed again and patted the girl's hand. "Well, I'll come back tomorrow. Maybe you'll feel better then. I have something I want to show you." This seemed to spark Felony's interest. Callia smiled, the first genuine one she had been given.

Felony didn't return it, and simply watched her as she walked out of the room, smile still on her face, a plan forming in her mind.

—

"This," Callia held out a cylindrical object for her padawan. "Is a training saber." she held it back as Felony reached out for it. "Nuh-uh-uh. It can't kill you, but it can still injure. So I want you to promise me that you won't do anything to hurt yourself, okay?"

Felony scowled at her. I'm being treated as if I'm five. Why should she care so much? It's my decision, it's my life. Not hers.

When Callia received no response, she prompted her. "Okay?" she repeated, holding out a hand for her to shake. Felony's eyes flicked from her, to the lightsaber, to her hand, before eventually shaking. "Thank you," she said, barely audibly.

Callia smiled. "Good girl." Progress, perhaps? Maybe the lightsaber had been the right thing to do. She grinned mischievously, giving the saber to Felony and now reaching for her own, clipped to her belt. Felony looked at her with curiosity. What does she think she's doing now?

The woman activated the blade with a familiar swoosh to catch the younger girl's attention, a wicked gleam in her eye. "Shall we test that new weapon of yours, Princess?"

Felony activated her own lightsaber, feeling quite strange as she held a blue blade in her hands. That was definitely unnatural. She gave it a few experimental twirls before pointing it towards her opponent. Her spirits rose along with her new weapon as she took a swing towards Callia. The Jedi raised her own and the two met in a blue cross.

They battled for a while across the room, Callia noting many things that she would get around to correcting later. This time she wasn't facing an opponent to win; she was calculating Felony's every move to see where the girl could improve. She backed her into a corner and somehow the table got knocked over.

Fruit flew all over the floor from the bowl. Callia laughed with delight, dancing over the rolling obstacles. She even heard a few squeals of laughter from her padawan, which made her even happier.

Callia sniggered as Felony crashed to the floor after slipping. She aimed her weapon at the girl, the tip of it mere inches away from her neck. "Still as inexperienced as before, I see."

Felony smiled but said nothing, moving the lightsaber away with her own. The woman deactivated the blade and offered a hand to help her up. Instead of taking her master's hand, she pulled the hilt from Callia's belt and pushed her own saber under her opponent's chin.

Callia laughed, but it sounded slightly forced. Her eyes gave away the worry she was feeling all of a sudden. "Come on, Princess, give me my lightsaber back and get up. You won't learn anything from lying there."

Felony slowly rose to her feet, taking care to keep the blade safely in between the two. She said nothing. I wonder what she'll do.

"Felony, come on, give it back," Callia pleaded, anxiety breaking through her normally calm façade.

The girl felt a little ashamed at this. Callia was genuinely concerned for her, and here she was, teasing her. She deactivated her own blade and tossed the real lightsaber to its owner.

Callia sighed with relief and caught the hilt. After a moments collection, she turned on Felony. "You touch my saber again, Princess, and you'll find yourself in a far worse situation than just house arrest."

Felony rolled her eyes before the Jedi pulled out her communicator from her belt pocket. Sighing, she put it away before telling the girl, "I have to go to the docking bay to meet someone. I'm locking the door and leaving you here. Be good."

Felony rolled her eyes and sat down on a chair, arms crossed. "Yes, mother."

—

Callia walked down to the docking bay, anxious to collect her old friend and return to Felony's room before the girl could get into any more trouble. She smiled as she threw her arms around the man who was walking towards her. He had dirty blonde hair and a badly shaven beard, with beige Jedi robes. "Elris! How's life been on the other side of the galaxy?"

Elris laughed. It was good to see her again, after so many months. "Very well, very well!" his light blue eyes sparkled.

"Good!" Callia clapped him on the shoulder. "So, how's being a master going for you, then?" She almost giggled at the thought of him having his own apprentice. Whoever it was would probably drive the man insane after a while.

To her surprise, he grinned. "Brilliantly, my friend." he leaned in. "Although he can be a bit of a handful at times." he sighed with annoyance. This sounds like the old Elris, Callia thought. He continued in a brighter tone, "I hear you've got your own padawan now! What's she like?"

The pair began to walk back to her room together. Callia snorted. "You think you've got problems. She's ex-Sith."

Elris spluttered with surprise. "No, you can't be serious. They gave an ex-Sith to you? Good luck with that."

"Wow, thanks for the support, Elris." Callia smirked before continuing on in a more serious tone, "We found her just over a week ago, running from her own master. Why, we don't know."

"Just because she's been exiled from the enemy doesn't make her one of ours." Elris reminded her. "Who gave the orders?"

"Den'an."

"Oh, that's just typical isn't it,"

Callia didn't comment further. She then noticed the boy who had been following them a few metres behind. "Who's this?" she asked, but already knowing that it would be Elris' apprentice.

The man turned around with a smile, motioning for the boy to come to him. "Callia, I'd like you to meet my padawan, Kieran N'dour. Kieran, this is Callia Corday. We were padawans together." he said, pride edging is voice.

The boy had blue eyes like his master, but with brown hair. He was the tiniest bit shorter than Callia. She held out a hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Kieran." she turned to Elris. "Promising?"

He nodded. "Very. Yours?"

"Not really. Age?"

"Fifteen. And you?"

"Sixteen. Come on, I'll get her to say hello."

Elris cast a sceptical glance at her. "This'll be interesting,"

When they reached Felony's room, Callia banged on the door with a fist. "Oi! Princess! We're going to the cantina. Get out here and come meet my friend."

Felony heard her master's shouts from the other side of the door. She rolled her eyes as it opened to reveal the woman and two figures further behind. "Back already, mother dearest?" she gave a look to Callia before standing up and barging past her into the hallway.

"Elris, Kieran, this is my padawan. Felony K'tani. Princess," Callia turned to the girl. "Be nice."

"Wouldn't want to hurt the poor Jedi," Felony folded her arms and gave a jerky nod to them both. "Pleasure."

Each gave a far more respectful nod to her, and Kieran replied, "Likewise."

Felony smirked. You think you can win me over, introducing me to your pals? You think you'll make me want to fit in with the group, don't you? Well, I'll tell you something, Corday. I like to be on the outside. It's where I do best. She walked on ahead of the group. Kieran gave a glance to his master, who nodded, so he then ran off after the girl.

"So, a Sith, hey?" he passed off nonchalantly to her.

Felony gritted her teeth ever so politely. "If you're trying to make conversation, then you're wasting your time."

He didn't know what to say to this. He glanced back at his master, who was walking with Callia, listening to the conversation. Elris made encouraging gestures to tell him to pursue polite exchange.

Felony looked on straight ahead, ignoring Kieran's squirms.

"Erm," was about as far as he got.

Elris looked at amusement to Callia. "Is she always like this?"

The woman sighed. "Sadly. I thought I was getting through to her, but she can't seem to shake the habit. I thought after I saved her life she might at least give me some recognition." she shook her head.

"Did you?" Elris questioned, interested. "From whom?"

"From herself."

He looked at her in alarm. "Did your padawan…?"

"When we first brought her here, she seemed a bit… reluctant to live. I think the only reason I got stuck with her was because she responds to me. Not often in a particularly good way, but you know… sometimes."

"So she trusts you?"

Callia snorted. "I hardly ever understand that girl, Elris. How am I supposed to know something like that? It's only been a week, don't forget."

They carried on for a few steps in silence, padawans at the front, masters trailing behind, then a pair of troopers at the back, on standby. "Sounds like it's going to be an interesting few years for you, then." Elris finally commented.

—

She sensed a flood of annoyance coming from the girl. "What's up, Princess?"

Felony scoffed indignantly. That damn padawan, that's what's up. "N'dour. He's so irritating." It was true. He was always hanging around, taking his master's advice to heart. It was if a left over command was still being processed, and since it hadn't been overridden, Kieran persisted in trying to talk to her. He didn't exactly have great conversational skills, anyway.

"What's N'dour got to do with the price of fish?" Callia raised an eyebrow, taking a sip of her drink.

"Nothing, I just…" Felony sighed, frustrated.

Callia saw her opportunity. She put on a smirk and looked knowingly at her padawan. "Irritating… right."

She had formulated a brilliant plan the night previous. Kieran was a dedicated padawan, if a bit quiet. He was diligent in his studies and showed promise with the Force as well as combat skills. He was a bit ditzy at times, but, as she reasoned, wasn't everyone a bit like that? Plus, it didn't matter if it didn't work. She just had to make Felony think that it worked.

"Hmm?" Felony wasn't really listening. Callia frowned. She had to grab her attention.

"Oh, nothing!" she exclaimed, rather too loudly for Felony's reaction. The girl glanced up from a data pad, a confused expression on her face. Callia took a little too long to bask in her victory and Felony looked at her as if to say, Well go on then. Spit it out. "It's just so obvious how much more he is to you than irritating."

Felony blinked. What's she going on about? "What are you suggesting, Callia Corday?" Callia's smile told her something was up, and she wasn't going to like it.

"When you're a Jedi, you tend to see past the direct feelings and see into the… subconscious." Callia gave her a knowing nod.

Felony spluttered on her drink. "The what?"

"Oh, come now, Princess. Surely I don't have to explain the meaning of subconscious now, do I?"

Felony stared at her. Realisation dawned on her that this woman was more stupid than she thought. "Oh my god. You think I'm in love, don't you?"

Callia leaned back, triumphant.

Felony sighed and leaned forward across the table. Hopefully this would be easy to sort out. "Callia," she began. "You're talking about the boy who talks to me as if I'm a droid whose only function is small talk. He also appears to think that I don't have any feelings because I'm a Sith, but frankly, it should be the other way around."

Callia smiled, unfazed. "So you've hidden away your passion for him. Good, good, that's what I like to see. I can keep a secret, you know." she winked.

The girl didn't know how to respond to this. All right. Let her think what she wants. Let her have her fun.

This isn't working. Callia frowned inwardly. She'd have to get Elris involved in this.

—

They were at the cantina again. Felony sat across from Kieran, who was desperately trying to tell her about his new kicking techniques. It was a failing effort because he had to explain it using only words and not actions. She didn't understand nor was she interested in what he had to say. She glared at Callia, who was sitting at a table not too far away with Elris. See what I have to put up with?

Callia simply rolled her eyes and turned to Elris. They were too far away to hear exactly what the padawan was saying, but she smiled all the same. "Hey, Elris," she hissed. "Look at his eyes." she motioned to Kieran. Elris blinked and leaned over, looking to his apprentice.

"Erm, yes? What about them?"

"Oh, come now, Quillan. Surely you can see it?"

He tried again. Still he saw a perfectly normal boy. He was getting a bit animated now, his leg moving under the table as if to demonstrate his vivid explanations. Felony smiled forcefully before shuffling to the side of her chair, trying to avoid being hit.

"Erm, see what? Am I supposed to be seeing something interesting?" he didn't want to be impolite if what he was looking at was of immense importance to Callia.

Callia shook her head. "His eyes, you fool, his eyes!" she hissed again, poking him. "He's in love, can't you tell?"

This was new information to Elris. "Good grief. Is he?"

Callia stared at him. Realisation dawned on her that this man was more stupid than she thought.

"Of course he is," she said with finality.

Elris' expression changed from one of complete bewilderment to one of childish humour. "So, what's the plan? Do we leave them, or do we slowly, slyly push them together?"

Callia pretended to consider this. "Well, the sensible thing would be to leave them. But since when was I ever sensible?"

"Do you want the kind answer or the truthful answer?" he mused with an evil glint in his eyes.

"Slowly and slyly it is then." Callia concluded with an immature grin.

—

"He's your father," Callia repeated in a level voice.

Felony swallowed. "Yes."

Her master was confused. "Why didn't you tell us that before? It's not like it's a big secret or anything! Not terribly important."

There was a sigh from the young girl. Maybe I did it because I wanted to distance myself from you. "If you'd known who I was, then you'd know what I'd done. I'm only telling you this. Look up records of Sanguinar's children."

Callia did so on the system. "Doesn't have you here. Just has someone called Thorn."

"Look closer."

"'Past apprentice, killed by next in line to the Serano legacy, his sister, unknown identity.'" Callia looked up. "That was you? You killed your own brother so you could be apprentice?" There was surprise to her tone, but nothing more. Things happened. And they happened more often in the Empire. "So you're Felony Serano, not Felony K'tani."

The girl sighed. 'At first I didn't want you to know, just because it was another thing I could keep to myself. But then I didn't want anyone to find out, because they'd tell you… and I thought… I thought I'd lose the respect you had for me." her voice wavered with emotion.

"Oh, Felony," Callia said gently. "It doesn't matter what you did, as long as you've changed, right?"

Despite herself, Callia wrapped her arms around the girl. She felt her shaking o her shoulder as she began to sob.

She smiled. "Shh," she comforted her. "It's okay. It's all right."

"What must you think of me?" Felony whispered through tears.

"I must think of you as my ever faithful padawan who will dutifully follow me into danger. What I actually think of you is a lost girl in need of a bit more love and attention. A friend."

This made Felony smile. A friend. A real, genuine friend.

—

Felony flopped down on her master's bed. "Callia, why do I always feel so rubbish when Kieran's around? It's like his dullness tricks me into feeling sorry for him or something."

Callia shrugged. "It's a teenage thing. You'll get over it. Hopefully." she added under her breath.

Her padawan rolled her eyes. "I'm not new to it. It's not like you're much older than that. What are you… twenty-something?'

"Twenty-four, actually." Callia replied coldly. "And trust me. The hormones are much worse at sixteen."

Felony ignored her remark. "Twenty-four, hey?" she smirked. "I suppose you should be thinking of settling down, finding yourself a guy," she patted Callia's shoulder. If you're going to mess with me, I'm going to mess with you. "What about Elris? He seems pretty nice."

Callia rolled her eyes at her padawan's approach. "I'm a Jedi. I can't just go off with someone and you know, buy a house or whatever normal people do. Jedi padawans on the other hand…" she trailed off.

"I love it how you change the subject so willingly," Felony said haughtily. "But as I am perfectly aware of the fact that Jedi, padawan or not, are not allowed to have relationships, I'm assuming that you don't think you're good enough for him."

Her master sighed. "I've known Quillan for many years now. He did love someone once, but she was killed in battle. He was never the same since." she looked up. "He's my best friend. I only have his best interests at heart."

This new mood surprised the girl. She didn't know that the subject was so touchy. She left it for now. Only time would tell.

—

She opened the door to Felony's room for the millionth time. She felt sorry for the girl, having to spend all her time indoors, cooped up like a caged bird. She lay on the floor on her stomach now, staring out the window, watching the air traffic with an air of infinite boredom.

She sighed as she heard Callia approach, resting her head in her hands. Every hour dragged out, seemingly never-ending. "I'm sick of this, Callia. I just sit here all day, doing nothing, just waiting for you to come around." she looked up at the woman with sad eyes.

Callia smiled softly and sat down beside her. "I know." she paused to glance out the window as well before putting her gaze on Felony once more. "But I don't want you to get hurt, Princess. If you won't promise me to keep yourself safe, then I can't do anything to help."

The young padawan looked away. After a few seconds of silence, she mumbled distractedly, "There are other ways I could do it, you know." The words gripped Callia. "All this time alone has given me room to think."

Callia didn't like where this was going. She forced out a sentence. "What do you mean?"

Felony sat up carefully and pointed up to the lights. She kept her finger there until Callia got the message, then to the pillow on the bed, then to the ventilation system.

Callia looked to her apprentice. Why didn't you go ahead with it, then? She looked into Felony's eyes, emerald and clear. She understood. For a moment she was that girl hanging from the railing once more; horrified, desperate, and scared.

There they were on the floor, master and padawan, trying to figure one another out. It was the younger who first broke the silence. "Do you want me to live in a white room with padded walls, Callia?" her voice was soft. "What use will that be? What sort of existence would that be?"

Callia opened her mouth. What do you want me to do? "What are you going to do, then?"

Felony considered this. Her gaze grew soft. "You are my master. I will serve you until I die."

Her master certainly wasn't expecting this. She's pledging herself to me? To the Republic? Is this the same girl that I met two weeks ago? She stuttered. "I-I… will you?" she improvised lamely.

Felony gave a weak smile. "I'm too scared to do anything else."

Much to her padawan's surprise, Callia laughed. It was a warm sound. She leaned over and ruffled Felony's hair. I don't want to see you hurt yourself. You'll do great things, Fel, if only you let yourself.

They were silent for a few moments as the mood softened.

"No one's ever cared so much for me, Callia." Felony told her eventually. "The compassion you have shown me over the past few weeks surpasses any and all that I thought the universe was capable of. You show me kindness even though I don't. Every day. And I know I may not say it, but… I don't know what I'd do without you."

Callia was shocked again. She's full of surprises, isn't she? But she smiled.

She'd obviously done something right.

—

It had been six weeks. Six weeks since she'd seen Elris. Three since she'd heard from him. And she was worried.

They'd received a transmission from Jasmine three hours ago, that they were on their way home, about to make the jump to hyper-space. Three hours ago, and they hadn't arrived. Callia's master had confined the sixteen-year-old to her room to stop her from pestering the Council to find out whether or not Elris was back yet. So instead she sat in her room, slowly destroying an apple with a lone butterknife she'd found in a drawer.

Didn't she deserve to be there? He was her best friend—the pair had grown up together, fought together, broken rules together. In fact, the pair spent more time getting in trouble as children then they did training. She should be down there, waiting. He would be - Callia knew he would. He wouldn't let Jasmine lock him up.

Just as she made her mind up to find a way down to the landing bay, her door slid open to reveal Master Woodrige, who gave the anxious girl a small smile, "They're back." she said.

Callia made to run out the door, but her master stopped her, "Callia, I warn you—whatever happens, you cannot let it go to your head. It is your training that matters the most here, not the life of your childhood best friend."

Callia stared up at her master's stern face with look of shock, wide-eyed. She blinked as she processed the words. Life of your childhood best friend.

In a flash she was out the door, pushing past any and all people who were walking through the corridors. Breaking into a run, Callia shoved the final person out of the way as she reached the landing bay, where Jasmine was just leaving. She skidded to a halt in front of the Jedi Master,

"Where…?" She asked the woman, not bothering to finish her question. She knew it already.

"Med bay." she said, placing a hand on the teen's shoulder, "Callia, I'm sorry but he—"

"Don't." Callia said, taking a few steps back, tears pooling in her eyes, "He's not. He can't be." Turning away from Jasmine, she ran back the way she came, feet pounding on the tiles.

Reaching the med bay, she shoved open the doors and ran forward to the only occupied bed.

He was asleep – or unconscious, Callia was never good at telling the difference. His body was covered in a white sheet, his head resting on one of those uncomfortable excuses for a pillow. Bandages were wrapped around the crown of his head and his wrist, and Callia was sure that if she were to lift the sheet, she would find at least one more ligament covered in the stiff white cloth. His skin was a deathly pale, contrasting greatly with the blood that had dried in a line down his face.

It hurt to even look at him.

"Oh god, no." She breathed out, before racing over to the bed, collapsing beside him, hot tears prickling behind her eyes. Wrapping her hands around his, she squeezed it gently, praying for a response. It didn't matter if it was just him squeezing her hand back, anything to show that he wasn't as helpless as he really was.

She got none.

The tears she'd been holding back began to slowly trickle down her cheeks, "Elris… come on, it's me, Callia! Your best friend! Please answer me – please! Don't leave me, please!" As her words began to fade out, she let her head fall gently on to his chest as she sobbed, feeling more emotion than she had ever felt in her whole life.

"Don't you dare die on me Elris Quillan. Wake up!" She whacked his chest, not noticing the slight exhale of breath as she did through her tears, "If you die on me you big stupid idiot, I'll kill you." She whispered as she fell back to rest her head on his chest, tears slowly dribbling down her cheeks.

"You can't kill me if I'm already dead, genius," a weak voice murmured.

Callia's head shot up, and in a flash her arms were around his neck and she was sobbing fresh tears of happiness.

"Elris! Oh my god you big stupid idiot don't you ever, ever do that to me again, you hear!" She exclaimed.

"Wasn't planning on it," he muttered, his words taking more effort than they ever should have.

Callia sat next to his bed for hours longer, until the nurse told her that he needed rest. She stayed by his side even when he drifted off to sleep, which was shallow and painful. She simply stared at his scarred face for long periods of time, losing track of all time. Not noticing when Jasmine rushed in to see her padawan. Not even when her own master was notified.

She was perfectly happy then and there, because even for his horrific injuries, Elris was alive. And that's was what counted.

—

"Shall we go get some lunch, Princess?"

Felony nodded and followed the Jedi Master out the door. She glanced around for troopers but found none. She looked forward again to see that Callia had glanced back towards her and smiled.

The padawan returned the smile. She trusts me.

Again she had to be forced to sit next to Kieran. Callia didn't seem to be giving up just yet.

Being served meals inside her room had driven her crazy for days. It was nice to be outside, even if this version of it was still technically inside the building. They tended to be salads and things, of which she had no objection to, but a bit of variety wouldn't have hurt.

She spied meat in the meal and picked at the food with sudden distaste.

Callia sighed. "What's wrong with it this time, Princess?"

"Nothing, nothing." Felony assured her master. She continued in a lower tone, "Just, I'm… a vegetarian." She had gathered up a list of things that her father hated. A lack of meat in any diet was a small thing among many that she had taken up to spite him and to get his attention. She saw no reason in taking up a more balanced intake, and besides the smell made her feel queasy now.

The woman let out a laugh. "I never thought I'd see the day when a Sith said they were vegetarian."

Elris and Kieran glanced over to Felony. She pushed the plate away, put off. "I think I'll stick to the salad." she muttered.

—

The next day, Callia stood outside Den'an's chambers where she and her padawan were expected to be. Felony was supposed to be there half an hour ago, but she wasn't. A group of troopers had already been sent out to look for the girl. Where can she be?

Felony had been avoiding Callia the whole morning. She had left her apartment with her new-found privileges (Callia had left the door unlocked) and had trudged all the way back to that same balcony that she had tried to jump off of almost a month previous. She looked over the railing once more, almost in slow-motion. No, she wasn't about to jump. Just the thought of it made her shiver.

She lowered herself to the floor and sat there. It was nice here, to be out of her room for once. The wind flowed through her hair and she closed her eyes. She took out a tatty old notebook she had found in the dark recesses of the cupboards whilst searching the room for anything interesting. She had already scribbled in a few things, and now as she flicked through, she began to write on a free page. She supposed this made it a diary of sorts - but she wouldn't dare show it to anyone, let alone Callia.

Felony heard distant footfall from down the corridor. She pushed herself from the ground, not knowing where to go. Callia had found her. No one else walked around these parts. She gathered her belongings and ran. She wasn't sure at all where she was going, and as the twists and turns went deeper into the building, she realised with horror that she was lost. She slowed her pace and instead wandered along, hoping that she would find somewhere that looked vaguely familiar. She found such a corridor, and decided that wherever it led, it was certainly going to be better than where she was.

Unfortunately, this was the hall that led to Den'an's chambers.

"Where have you been?" it was the annoyed voice of Callia. Felony halted. There was a look of relief across her master's face as if to say, Thank goodness you're safe. "You were supposed to be here forty-five minutes ago. My patience was about to run thin, Princess."

"I…"

"Well?" when Felony didn't reply, she sighed. "Fine, don't tell me. Just don't stand there like a blubbering fish, clean yourself up!"

Felony frowned. She wasn't exactly clean, but then again, neither had the floor. "I look fine enough for Den'an, thank you very much. Do you expect me to dress up or something?" she pulled her fingerless gloves on tighter as they walked into the room.

"I expect you to look presentable, not covered in dust and grime," Callia muttered. She winced at the glares she received from Elris, who mouthed at her something that looked like, Forty-five minutes! She chuckled nervously before they stood beside him.

"Master Corday! Why are you and your padawan so late?" Den'an called to them. She closed her eyes in annoyance before opening them again in case she sent the wrong message to him.

"It's my fault, Den'an. Don't blame a master for the laziness of her padawan."

This was Felony. All the eyes in the room turned once more to the girl, but this time saw someone very different. She held determination in her eyes rather than hatred, and her stance was proud, not defeated.

Den'an sat, watching the pair with interest. Someone had evidently found her some clothing to replace the rather dreary Sith gear she had been wearing. Now she wore a rather pretty dress that suited her well, but Den'an didn't approve. It was a far cry from the robes he preferred. He also noticed that the scars she had borne weeks previous had healed well, but the cut over her eye was still strikingly raw.

"You dare address me with such brazen foolishness, padawan?"

Callia pushed forward. "It won't happen again, Master." she pulled Felony back.

"Well, I was going to congratulate you on a job well done, Master Corday, but it seems you still have a while to go." he said pointedly with that same amusement lacing his tone.

"Yes, well,' Callia started, annoyed. "I'm honoured to be given a challenge of this… difficulty." she glared at Felony.

Den'an ignored this, and continued on. "Also, I'd like to welcome back Master Quillan and his new apprentice, Padawan Kieran N'dour." The audience's polite gaze moved to the pair.

Kieran proceeded to tell the gathering about himself, and one word flashed across Felony's mind: boring.

—

When the meeting was over, Callia turned and practically ran out the door, avoiding Elris, who followed her, probably to pester her with questions on why they had been so late, why she didn't have better control over her padawan, etcetera. Hearing his footsteps, she swore under her breath and sped up. He was not going to get to her this time. Felony walked beside her, keeping pace with her master.

Elris caught up with her and swung her around by the arm. "Callia," he began. She stopped and so did her padawan.

"Won't you ever leave me alone, Quillan?" she exclaimed, ripping her arm out of his grasp. Her breathing was heavy and her eyes pierced his own. "Yes, Felony was late and yes, I should have better control over my padawan and yes, we shouldn't have been rude to the gathering! I know all those things because every time I make one tiny, miniscule mistake you take the bloody mickey out of me! So could you just, for once in your life, spare me the questions and leave me the fuck alone!" she yelled, storming off down the corridor. Felony glanced from her to Elris in shock before running off after her.

Elris stared off into the distance, frozen to the spot. His padawan came up behind him. "What was that all about, master?"

The Jedi shook his head ever so slightly. "I don't know, Kieran, I don't know." he sighed, knowing fully well that he did know what Callia was saying was true. He just didn't want to admit it, and frankly, he never thought she would ever feel so angry about it that she had to bring it up. He sighed again.

Meanwhile, the woman in question stormed down the corridor towards her room, her padawan on her heels. She was muttering to herself about how men always need to know everything and they always think they're right. She was aware of the girl's presence, but honestly, as long as it wasn't Elris or his apprentice, she didn't care.

"Callia," Felony said in a reasonable voice. "Callia! Stop." They both stopped in their tracks and she approached her master. "Elris was just worried. We could have got into serious trouble back there. He has a right to be concerned. He has your best interests at heart." she quoted her.

"Best interest?" Callia scoffed. "It's his insane pride of his so-called friends keeping up their reputation so he can keep his. He doesn't care about my best interests." she turned away, arms folded. "He never has." The hurt was evident in her voice.

"But…" Felony paused. "You two have always been best friends, right? You told me so yourself."

"Oh, I don't know, Fel!' Callia turned around again, confusion and despair written all over her face. "I mean, I grew up with him. I know his weakness and his strengths, I've seen him at his best and I've seen him at his worst and yet he knows the same stuff about me! He knows when I'm lying, upset, angry, happy – heck, he knows… everything, about me. And that scares me! And when he starts telling me off like that, like I'm some child, I just feel so guilty! Because I know he's right and I should listen to him but do I? No. I just keep on going, stupid, stubborn, alone, terrified me. And -"

"Shh," Felony gently took Callia's hands. The Sith's fingers were as cold as ice. "Sometimes we need someone like that. Someone who knows our strengths, and our faults, in equal parts. Someone who knows all this, and yet understands it well enough to know us. To criticise us when we fail. Because if we don't accept this criticism, then we do have a fault. Don't be afraid of it, Callia. Because you need him," she smiled. "And he needs you."

Callia's eyes were wide. Since when was she an expert on relationships? "I don't know what you're talking about. Explain it."

Felony sighed and walked past her master, down the corridor. She heard Callia following her as she turned and led the Jedi Master to her room.

She steered Callia to a chair before putting the kettle on to boil. She came back and sat on the chair opposite. "Callia. I may not be an expert on love, as afore mentioned," she coughed. "But I know that a life without love is no life at all." Felony reached over and took Callia's hand. "And someone once told me that life is worth living." She sighed. "I know… I know you said that Elris' lover died a few years ago. But perhaps it's just that. A few years ago. Perhaps it's time for him to move on. Perhaps it is time he found happiness once more."

"In me?" She replied like it was the most impossible thing in the world, then she looked down at her shoes, "He doesn't love me, Fel. And even if he did, nothing could happen! It's against the order of the Council! Forbidden! Completely, and utterly… forbidden…" She sighed and blinked away the unwanted tears. She didn't understand the prickling behind her eyelids—she knew it meant tears, but she didn't understand why she was crying. It shouldn't hurt her this much that he could never love her. That he never would.

Felony smiled a knowing, somewhat evil smile. "Oh, but that makes it all the more fun. Did you see it ever stopping me?" she giggled before turning back to her. Her face grew serious once more, but she was interrupted by the sound of the kettle whistling. She got up and took it off the stove. "Milk, no sugar?" she asked, taking out cups.

"Milk, no sugar." Callia repeated, nodding. She sat down on a chair letting out a long sigh.

Felony nodded and came back a few minutes later with two cups. Callia sniffed and took the cup gratefully. Blowing on the steaming liquid she took a small sip and remained silent.

"If he knows what's good for him, then he'll do the right thing." Felony told her.

Callia raised her eyebrow, "You dare lay a finger on him…" She let the threat hang in the air, taking another sip.

Felony shrugged noncommittally. "I didn't say I was going to,"

Callia eyed Felony warily but let the subject drop. She didn't want to talk about it anymore.

—

"You listen here, Quillan, and you listen good." Felony had the man cornered after she went looking for him post talking with her master. "If you hurt Callia, then you'll have me to answer to, got it?" she fingered the top of her lightsaber hilt threateningly. Her master had eventually given the girl a proper lightsaber of her own. If she was going to defend the Republic like she had said she would, she would be needing a weapon to help.

Elris was ready for a fight any time of course, but Callia would kill him if he ended up slicing a limb off her apprentice. Would the Sith try anything? He didn't know. He didn't trust her. Then again, nobody did, except perhaps her master.

"Do you understand?" she hissed next to his ear. He narrowed his eyes at her. She took it as a yes and backed off.

"Ah, Princess, there you are." Callia walked towards them and shot a glance to Elris. "Drill me while we walk, I need a coffee."

Felony kept to the back of the group, but gave Elris a warning glance.

He came up behind Callia and took her arm gently. "Callia, wait," he said softly.

She slowed, "Wait, you aren't going to pound me into the ground with questions?" She glanced away and murmured, "Well that's a first."

"Please, Callia," Elris began. "I'm sorry about earlier. And… I'm sorry if my attitude offends you in any way," he looked into her eyes.

Callia's eyes softened, "S'okay. You were just doing your job as protective best friend." She took his hand and smiled.

His face fell the tiniest bit at 'friend', but he recovered and accepted her hand. "Thank you,"

Callia noticed the whole 'face-falling' business, but put it down to her not being mad and starting a, what he called, 'a battle of wits', and kept walking down the hall.

She took on a lighter tone as she noticed Kieran walking behind his master and then joining Felony.

"How's Kieran?" she hissed to Elris. "Is the plan working?"

"Hard to say," he told her. "Although I think some of my messages are starting to work."

Callia frowned. This was turning out to be harder than she thought. "You're having better luck than me. She doesn't exactly enjoy his company."

"Or at least doesn't show it," Elris gave her a sly look.

"I like your thinking, Quillan."

—

Felony fiddled with her hair.

"So, I've heard you'll be training with us tomorrow." this was Kieran trying to talk again.

"Mmm," she agreed without conviction. Perhaps if she didn't hold up her end of the conversation, he would drop it. No such luck.

"I think that's the plan, anyway. Master Elris has been very vague about the whole thing." he continued.

Felony didn't reply. She glanced up as Elris and Callia returned with drinks. Her master passed her a cup. "Discuss anything interesting while we were gone?"

The girl sniffed nonchalantly. "Not particularly."

"What, nothing? Not even the combined training session tomorrow?" Callia gave the teenagers a sly smile.

Felony sighed in annoyance. "I knew you couldn't resist meddling, the pair of you." She swirled her drink around, staring off into the distance with stony eyes.

Elris and Callia exchanged glances before laughing. "What, us, meddling?" she shook her head. "Now that's ridiculous." However, the padawan's next words wiped the smile off her face.

"You honestly expect me to believe that?" she continued in a scathing voice. "You're not saying those things because you know I like him. You have every knowledge that I think he's the most dull being on the planet." she spoke as if Kieran wasn't even there. "Now, my padawan and your padawan! Wouldn't that be fun? And your only defence is that you two are so besotted with each other and this one here," – she motioned to Elris – "is so useless at love he simply didn't know what else to do."

The pair froze at the girl's words. Callia had only let her feelings slip before because she knew, well, she thought she could trust Felony not to use her feelings against her. Turned out she was wrong.

Picking up her cup, she stood, chair scraping against the floor, "Thank you for that… preposterous idea, Felony," Callia said coldly, "But I think I must be going. You know the way back to your room." And with that she turned and left, blinking rapidly to try and erase the tears she could feel prickling behind her eyes.

Felony wanted to take the words back, instantly regretting what she had said. "Wait, Callia, I didn't mean…!" she called off after the Jedi, but she was gone. She saw Elris go off after her. The girl put her head in her hands.

She felt a pair of eyes trained on her. She looked up to see Kieran, silently staring. "Is that really what you think of me?" he said, hurt.

Oh great. Just what I need. Now everyone has a reason to hate me. "No, Kieran, I just meant—"

He stood up. "No. I know what you meant. The most dull being on the planet." he shook his head in disgust. "Thanks a lot, Sith." He walked out.

Felony groaned, putting her head on the table and whacking it a few times for good measure.