Days…It can't be. Not yet, I need more time. I need…All I really need is you, Ari. I can't let go. I know I accepted that one day I will lose you, but…No. It is too soon. I've been trying so hard, for all this years to find a way to stop your stupid, stupid vision, and I got nothing! I have lived with the threat that I will lose you one day all this time, now it's here…Days… Cleo took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to fight the tears, but she couldn't. She was crying quietly in his arms, looking at him. After they consumed the passion, the desire for each other Marr fell asleep, but she couldn't. She didn't want to. She wanted to see him, to be with him, for as much as possible. It was still dark, and the sound of the waves on the beach came through the open door. A light breeze made the white shears move slowly, bringing in the smell of the ocean. Usually those were sounds and scents that made her feel better, but now nothing could do that. She was going to lose him, and she couldn't do anything to stop it. Cleo blinked a few times, trying to clear her eyes so she could see him better, avoiding any movement. She knew he would feel her and wake up. She didn't even dare to wipe her tears…Ari…I can't lose you! You are my everything, you have changed my life, given me everything I could have ever imagine, and then some…We have two amazing kids…We could have three if it wasn't for my miscarriage…Involuntarily she let out a sob and Marr moved, tightening his arms around her. She held her breath for a few seconds, and then let it out slow and quiet. Remembering about her miscarriage brought her another memory, the way she got there.

The twins were about two years old when it happened. They were here, on Ulton and that afternoon the kids had just gone for a nap with their nannies. Marr was on a call and she felt a little stiff, so she started to do some stretches. The more she stretched, the better her body felt, she missed being active every day, doing her jumps, rolls, she missed the action the fights had given her for years. Out of curiosity, more to see if she can still do it, she spread her legs wide and bent forward, trying to touch her legs with her forehead. She hadn't noticed Marr right behind her. He saw her from his office and cut the call short. Her movements, the way she looked, attracted him outside, hardly controlling his boiling blood. The second she bent over in front of him, his control went out the window. He was only inches away from her the next second. She felt his hands on her hips holding her tight, firm and heard his low, throaty whisper: "Kitten…" Her instinct was to straighten up and turn around to face him, but his grip on her hips got stronger, while one of his hands went on her back holding her down. The same instant she felt his hips pressing against her and a breathtaking wave of desire, a surge of need…"Ari..' she tried still to straighten, but his hand continued to hold her down. "You need help with those stretches…" she remembered his next words, and all the emotions invading her, he was using his technique on her again and she could feel every fiber of her body charged with desire. It was only then that he turned her around and took her in his arms, lifting her against his body to match his height. Her legs went around his waist, her arms around his neck and their lips touched, hungry for each other. That was the day she got pregnant, she could still remember the exact second, feel everything she did back then…Two months later her miscarriage left her devastated and as much as she wanted to, she never got pregnant again.

Her strong emotions woke Marr up and he looked at her. Even though she was looking at some fixed point on the ceiling, he knew exactly what she was feeling. He could sense her emotions, it was what woke him in the first place, and turned her head to face him, surprising her.

"I thought you were sleeping...' she whispered, caught in the middle of her memories.

"I was…Your emotions are so strong, kitten…I love you just as much, even more…" he said and pulled her closer to him.

"Don't leave me," she pleaded, and wrapped her arms around his neck, hiding her face in his chest.

Marr took in a deep breath, fighting his own emotions. He remembered the last time he cried, it was when she nearly died on Ziost… He inhaled her scent and buried his face in her long, soft hair.

"Please, kitten… Do not make this harder than it already is."

"I wish I could make it so hard that you won't do it," she answered and Marr lifted her face to him. He let her see how much he was hurting, how every second his heart was breaking a little more.

"It is the hardest thing I have ever had to do…It is my destiny, it is…"

"It's bantha!" she interrupted, furious at him. "Put yourself in my place. How would you feel if I told you that I have to go in a few days to let a murderous lunatic kill me, because when I was a kid I made a deal with a ghost…?"

"It is not just like that, Cleo. You know…" he tried to calm her down again, but he didn't have any success. She interrupted him again.

"I know that I love you more than anything in this world, Ari. I know that I won't be able to live without you…If you die, I will too!"

"Do not say that. Our children will need you."

"They will need you more!"

Marr shook his head and pulled her to his chest again, kissing the top of her head. The night was almost over, the sky was turning into shades of blue, lighter and lighter…The moment when he had to leave on his last mission was approaching fast.

"I cannot change my destiny, but I can stop you from coming with me…"

"If you believe in your own vision, than you know that is not going to happen. You told me I was going to be with you, stand by your side. Even if you leave me behind, I will find a way. I won't let you die alone!" she said, shaking her head, more stubborn than ever.

"You are still impossible…And I love you so much…" he whispered and rolled her in their bed, trapping her under him. Cleo looked up at him, in his eyes. They were just as gold as always. He hadn't changed in the last nineteen years, except maybe a few tiny wrinkles…And some gray hairs…

'I love you Ari…"

His kiss interrupted her, his touch made her lose control, and she abandoned herself in his arms.

Xollin's party was as enjoyable as any of the parties at the Hellix residence and the cream of the high society of Ulton was present. Clarisse and Xander knew something was going on with her brother and Cleo since they had arrived. They were quiet, they didn't take a step away from each other, and they didn't take their eyes from their kids all evening.

"Leo has become so much like you, Marr," they both heard Clarisse and turned to face her the same second. A strong wave of sadness hit her instantly, just as Xander was joining her. "What is going on?" she insisted right away.

"We need to talk." Marr's answer, short and straight to the point, surprised Clarisse. They went into Xander's office and sat. "The time has come. We will leave in a few days…" he said as soon as everyone's eyes were on him.

For a fraction of a second Clarisse and Xander didn't understand, but suddenly they knew.

"No…" whispered Clarisse and instinctively she got closer to her husband, tears in her eyes.

"Let us come with you. We could…" tried Xander, knowing already Marr's answer.

"No. It is my destiny, not yours."

Cleo's sob attracted everyone's attention, her pain felt by everyone and Marr pulled her closer to him.

"Have you told the kids yet?" asked Clarisse, still fighting the tears that were now stinging her eyes.

Cleo shook her head and wiped her tears that were already running down her face.

"We will talk to them, but not tell them I am not coming back this time…"

Clarisse couldn't resist any longer and she jumped from Xander's arms, going to hug her brother and her friend. "What can we do?" she asked between the tears that she couldn't possibly fight any longer.

"Just watch over the kids…They are old enough and strong enough to make it on their own, but…"

"Wait a minute. I know your vision…Cleo, you will be killing the Emperor, you will come…" interrupted Xander right away, but Cleo shook her head quickly a few times.

"No…I am not coming back alone! Not without Ari…"

Her answer made Clarisse hug her even closer to her. She didn't want to let her go, she didn't want to lose her brother and her best friend at the same time.

"Xander, please make sure Arria will finish her training. I know that you will take Xollin in and..." continued Marr, but his friend interrupted him.

"Xollin is already there…It is more a formality, really. I can take Arria as well. She will finish her training, I promise!" assured Xander, knowing Marr's fear that another Sith Lord might try and kill her. It was still common practice for some Sith Lords to train their apprentices and then kill them.

Marr nodded at his friend and turned his head to Cleo. She looked so sad, her head down, her shoulders dropped, she looked defeated. His heart cringed, but he knew that deep inside she was still fighting it, she wasn't going to let go, not without a fight. It was just who she was. That night was the last time they were seeing each other, the last time the whole family was together. The next day, both of them talked to their children. It was hard to say 'good bye' to them in a way they wouldn't know it. With the task complete, both Marr and Cleo started the preparations for their departure, while Leo'Ren and Arria left on their trip to Nar Shaddaa. Their last day on Ulton, with just the two of them, was there and Cleo could hardly speak. She felt the weight of the entire world on her shoulders.

Marr found her on the terrace, on the double lounge they usually shared. With her knees close to her chest and her head down, she looked so small, so fragile…His first instinct was to go take her in his arms, he wasn't going to be able to do that for long. Instead he sat on the edge, facing her when she lifted her head, looking at him. She had been crying again, she looked tired since she had refused to sleep in the last few nights. His hand brushed against her cheek and wiped away yet another tear. Cleo wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close to her, without a word.

"Kitten…" his arms holding her to him. "I have no regrets…You have given me a life that I would have not dared to dream of. Loving you was so easy, just like breathing…I love you, I always will!"

"Ari…" she whispered back, but as much as she wanted to say something, she couldn't. Words had disappeared for her. She kissed him instead, and spent the day in bed, napping and making love to her husband, to the man she knew she would never see again.

Next day they left, and spent a day and a half flying across the galaxy, to meet with Marr's destroyer near Hoth. They were expected and preceded right away. They left the known territory behind in only a few hours, and adventured into unknown, uncharted space. Cleo had no other choice but accept the circumstances. She had not let go of him in the time they were together, until he finally looked at her and kissed her with the same love and passion they shared.

"It is time. Gear up."

Cleo nodded and did so, joining him on the command bridge only minutes later. She knew they were getting close, but there was nothing in front of them. She didn't know what exactly she was expecting to see, but it looked quiet, deserted.

"We are near. I can sense him…" hissed Marr without moving. She looked at him, standing in front of the large windows with his hands behind his back, tall, still like a statue.

Instinctively her hands touched her blasters and in her mind, she revised one more time all her gear, accessories, first aid, shields, batteries…Everything was with her, she was ready to fight. This time she was going to fight for the man she loved, she didn't care about anything else. A sudden move in the side windows attracted her attention, and then it was in front of them. A probe of some sort moving quickly. She heard Marr ordering it to be destroyed after one of the officers confirmed some parameters.

"It might be a trap…" she whispered more for herself, but he heard her right away.

The very next second in front of them appeared a whole fleet. The unusual ships were definitely new to them, they have never seen them before. Stars, they are a lot! If this is it, they put a lot of effort in just to get to us… thought Cleo next and looked at Marr. While he was giving orders, hundreds of similar probes started to shower over their ship and the ones in the convoy behind them. The attack was on, reports of droids invading on all decks were coming in and Cleo turned suddenly to Marr.

"Get us out of here."

Just as she said it, before he had a chance to answer, alarms started to sound, damage reports to come from every part of the ship. It was all happening so fast…Cleo took a step with the intention to go help, shoot some of those droids, but Marr stopped her.

"No."

"We are losing power, My Lord. The main generator deck is under heavy fire," she heard the next report coming in and looked at Marr.

"They want us alive…We are going together. Commander, take the bridge, defend it!"

Marr gave his last orders, already running with Cleo towards the elevator. They shot their way out of the elevator, and on the narrow corridors. Marr's lightsaber was slicing the droids, while Cleo was shooting as many as she could. When they finally made it into the main generator room, they saw the damage. All the crew in that part of the ship was dead, droids has destroyed everything in their way. Marr rushed to the generator and tried to bring it back up. Smoke was coming out of it and more explosions were shaking the whole ship.

"It is fried…I guess they do not want us to go anywhere…" he hissed and turned to Cleo.

She heard in her comm the last message coming from the command bridge, they were under fire and the commander was shot while transmitting.

Marr turned off his comm and threw it on the floor. His head went down the same second.

"It is the end…"

Cleo rushed to the intercom and ordered evacuation. The ship was damaged beyond any hope, there was no escaping for them, but at least some could make it to the escape pods. She saw Marr disapproving her decision but she couldn't care less about that. The ship was falling apart all around them and she rushed in his arms, throwing her own comm on the floor.

"Ari…I want to see you one more time…Please…" she said next and looked up to him.

Marr took of his mask and pulled her into a kiss. It took her breath away, just like he always did.

"I love you, kitten…"

"I love you too," she answered right away, looking into his gold eyes one last time. She could already hear a large number of droids marching to them, more explosions, more beams and pieces of the ship falling all around them.

With one last smile, Marr put his mask back on the exact second tens of droids poured into the room surrounding them. Cleo felt his arms around her, in a last try to protect her.

"So be it…"Cleo heard one last time his hissed voice.

She heard the rifles charging, pointed at them. Next, a small explosion at their feet attracted her attention and she saw the green gas rising all around them.

"Ari…' was the last word she remembered whispering before falling unconscious.

~~#~~

Leo'Ren and Arria had been on Nar Shaddaa for couple of days when they decided to call Xollin and ask him to join them. It took some work, but next day he did join them. That night they had dinner together, than went dancing. They all went afterwards in Leo'Ren's hotel suite and they sat, tired but in good spirits. They had grown up together, they were friends over and above their blood ties. They had helped each other over the years, trained together at times, and nothing could change the relationship between them. They kept talking for a while until they noticed Xollin was distracted, his eyes closed, reaching to the force.

"Xol…What is it?" asked Arria instinctively reaching to the force as well, followed by her brother.

"Fear…I sense fear, pain, and despair…"said Xollin and reopened his eyes. "Something is not right," he added and his cousins looked at him, nodding.

"You are right…I can sense it too."

Arria looked at her brother, at the indigo and purple clouds dancing around him as he spoke.

"Me three…and this time I have nothing to do with it. I swear!" was her turn and even if she did sound like joking, she was serious.

"It is not near, but it's strong…Like a whole planet is suddenly scared…" continued Leo'Ren and ignoring his sister. He saw next Xollin nodding in agreement.

"You are right…I wonder what could be…Do you think our parents felt it too?"

"Let's ask!" said Arria and rushed to dial her father's frequency. After multiple rings she gave up. "He's not picking up…He always answers my calls…" she added.

Xollin was next to try his parents and this time they had an answer. The same second Xander connected the call, he knew why his son was calling.

"We felt it too…" he said and they could see Clarisse beside Xander nodding also.

"Do you know what it was?" asked Leo'Ren and saw his aunt and uncle shaking their heads.

"No, but whatever it was, it was powerful. Be mindful…" they all heard Clarisse next.

"Aunt Risse, I have tried my dad but he's not answering…Do you know anything about him or mom?" asked Arria, suddenly worried that her father was not answering her call.

Clarisse hesitated for a second then she answered: "No. I have not spoken with him or your mom since Xollin's birthday. Maybe they are sleeping…" she tried to convince herself that it had nothing to do with what they all just felt. Deep inside she knew they did…

"I'll try again in the morning," Arria assured everyone and they ended the call.

Xollin got to his feet and started to walk towards the door with the clear intention of leaving. "I will meditate…I have to find out."

"I will do the same!"

Arria looked at her brother just as he finished talking and started to laugh. Both her brother and her cousin looked at her surprised and Leo'Ren asked her right away.

"Why is that so funny?"

Arria finished laughing and then answered him: "I am finding it hard to believe that you are going to meditate on a planet full of half-naked women…That's all!" she explained and Xollin shook his head continuing his way to the door.

"I will see you both tomorrow. Good night," he said and exited, closing the door.

Leo'Ren turned to his sister and looked into her eyes.

"You are mistaken. I have changed a lot this last year…Being our father's apprentice taught me a lot…It is not a secret that I enjoy a woman's company, but what man doesn't? However it is not a priority…"

"Wow! You are changed…You sounded just like dad. You are turning into him…" she whispered, surprised by her brother's change.

He took a few steps in visible thought and suddenly stopped looking at his sister again.

"Before we left Ulton…When mom and dad told us they are going away on this mission…Did they seemed different to you?" he asked her and Arria looked back at her brother with a crease between her brows.

"Now that you mentioned it, yes…It felt weird…" she answered quickly.

"I thought so too…I asked our father what kind of mission it is, why is he taking mom with him, but he brushed me off and said it was decided and it was not my concern. Then mom was somehow afraid, like she didn't want to go…" spoke Leo'Ren continuing to pace in the spacious room.

"Do you think he forced her to go? Do you think they went and blew up something big?" insisted his sister.

"Dad would not do anything against mom's wish…I have no idea where they are, what for…" answered Leo'Ren and looked as his sister trying to find answers.

"Don't look at me! You have been with him more than me in the last year…Was it something he was working on?"

"If it was, I do not know about it. Father did not confide in me…You will see how he is when he is your Lord…"

"You sure know how to make it sound bad."

"Arria, he punished me for making a mistake in one of our incursions…He was not my father, was my Master."

"Did he send you to the corner?" laughed Arria and looked at her brother while he shook his head.

"My job was to protect a group of ten soldiers while under attack…One of them got injured and he saw it right when it happened…After we were done, he told me that I was reckless, that I was responsible for those soldiers' lives. Allowing one of them to get injured was unacceptable. He summoned lightning…"

"You are lying! Dad would not hurt any of us!"

"He did not use a strong enough lightning to do damage, but it hurt…" insisted Leo'Ren and Arria knew he was telling her the truth.

"I am going to sleep…See you tomorrow" she ended the conversation and left to her room, next to her brother's.

While Leo'Ren and Xollin were both meditating, Arria was already in her bed. She couldn't sleep, her mind was still at work even if her body was in need of rest. Her discussion with her brother had raised more questions instead of bringing some answers. After a few minutes she got out of bed and started to pace in her bedroom, dressed only in her tiny black nighty. This is ridiculous! I have to find answers so I can go to sleep. Mom and dad left in a mission, that it is still a mystery…Mom didn't want to go, she had been retired for years and she rarely went with dad in his missions, unless they were going to be longer than couple of days. Then she would go just to be with him…They really love each other, even after all those years…Am I ever going to find this kind of love? Everyone keeps telling me that I look just like my mom… she thought next, thrown off course of her initial thoughts. She lifted her eyes and looked in the mirror in front of her, trying once again to find the resemblance with her mother that everyone else but her was seeing it. It was definitely not in the long black hair that was falling on her back in soft, lush waves. The green eyes looked at her reflection and she smiled. OK, I have the eyes…and maybe the smile…This smile got me out of a lot of trouble she continued her thoughts and giggled. I am about an inch taller than mom, definitely more curvy…At least one bra size bigger…rounder hips…I am nothing like her! Unfortunately…and Arria let out a sigh. She wanted to be just like her mom since she was a little girl, it was her dream…The slightly larger frame, the more generous curves, the different hair color, were nothing like her mother's. Arria walked away from the mirror and looked outside the window, at the busy traffic, the strident lights, all the life around her. I do however have my mom's spirit, her ability to push people buttons, to get under their skin when I want to…I even talk like her, swear like her and get in trouble for it…she kept going in her mind and smiled again. Unlike Leo who is so much like dad…Why didn't he answer my call? Dad always answered my calls no matter of where he was, what time it was or what was he doing…A mystery mission, my dad not answering his holo, mom not wanting to go, and then we all feel this eruption of fear…Coincidence? Dad always said that 'coincidence' is just a word invented by people that are afraid to see the truth…What is the truth, then? What is it happening out there that we don't know? Should we know something already? Should we do something about whatever it is?" Darn it, dad! You are the one that always has the answers! She rushed to her holo and dialed his frequency again. After a while, she hung up and rushed to dial her mother's frequency. There was still no answer and she grew more worried.

Somewhere in the space, far in deserted, cold nothing, pieces of wreckage were floating. Some were large, some smaller, lifeless bodies mixed in…In one of the larger pieces, the bolted to the floor bed was the remaining of what it used to be a bedroom. Pillows and sheets were floating chaotic around, gold, soft silk, looking like some ghosts. In between all that, two holos were tangled in one of the sheets, and one of them had a tiny red light flashing. There was no one around to see it, to hear it, to answer it...And an eighteen year old girl was afraid that her parents were not answering her calls. Two big tears rolled down Arria's cheeks and she hung up her holo, going to bed with a bad, very bad feeling.

~~#~~

As soon as Xander terminated the call he turned to Clarisse. He knew what she was thinking and wrapped his arms around her tiny body, pulling her closer to him.

"Do you think this is it?" she asked him resting her head on his chest, accepting the comfort of his body.

"I am not sure, but I do have a feeling that Marr and Cleo have something to do with what we felt. The question remains, at what end were they?"

Clarisse suddenly took a couple of steps back and looked in his eyes. "No. I would know if he was dead…I would feel it…"

"Oh, he is not dead. I would sense it too, and most probably everyone that has a connection with the force…Marr has always been strong in the force, his presence is rather unique…We will definitely know it when it will happen. He is still alive."

"The question remains…What was it that we felt?" thought Clarisse out loud and Xander walked to her again.

"I am certain that they will not just walk to HIS door and knock…They must fight at some point…The fear we felt, the disturbance must have been something caused by that. Either Marr provoked the damage, or they took a massive amount of damage, I do not know…" continued Xander to speculate not even knowing how close to the truth he was.

"Even if Cleo kills HIM…Is HE going to stay dead this time? How many times do we have to kill HIM?" Clarisse asked next, and looked at her husband, like he had the answer. Xander placed his hands on her shoulders and looked in her eyes.

"As many times as it takes. But if HE will not stay dead this time either, he will want to retaliate, he always comes back more powerful than before, more thirsty for blood…I think our 'break' is going to be over soon."

Clarisse looked at him, almost scared. She knew exactly what he was referring to and hugged him, she needed to feel his strength, to feel his power around her.

"Do you think Xollin is in danger?"

"If the Emperor comes back…The whole galaxy will be in danger, Clara. We will need to be ready…"

She stayed quiet in his arms, eyes closed and her mind open to the most terrible scenarios. After a while she whispered. "I want Xollin back home…Leo and Arria too. I am calling them."

"Wait for a while…" stopped her Xander. "They were just going to sleep, it's almost two o'clock at night on Nar Shaddaa" he explained her right away.

"Fine, but in a few hours I am calling them all to come here," insisted Clarisse and Xander took her in his arms again, pressing her head against his chest.

"In a few hours we might know a lot more…"