Hey guys! Surprise! I updated this story first, and spoiler alert, it's the last chapter. But don't fret fans! The other story I am working on is a sequel, but it is not in Caryn or Alliah's point of view. I made a new OC to add to the mix, so I hope you'll check it out, it's coming out real soon. Thanks for bearing with me on my first fanfic!
"Caryn!" Alliah cried, shaking Caryn's shoulders. Caryn faded from her daze and looked around. Arah stood behind Alliah concern filling her eyes. Alliah was kneeling next to Caryn, panic in her eyes. Just then the rear hatch for the Scavenger hissed and Kanan ran up with a worried expression on his face. They must've exited Hyperspace and landed back at the base while Caryn was having the past vision.
"I'm fine." Caryn shakily replied, rubbing a hand down her face.
"Uh, no, you weren't." Alliah replied, worried annoyance shining in her eyes. "You were shouting and tears were rolling down your face."
"Huh?" Caryn reached up and touched her cheeks where she felt little streams. "Sorry, bad vision."
Alliah and Kanan sighed, and helped her up.
"Well we're back." Kanan informed her.
Caryn unsteadily followed Kanan and Alliah. Everything was fine. They were both here with her. Alive. But she couldn't help but tremble as the wound of the past re-opened again.
Everyone was rushing around the hanger as usual but a few old friends of Arah's ran up to greet her. Caryn left Alliah and Arah to catch up with Thalia and walked alongside Kanan as they strolled aimlessly through the temple corridors.
For a while they walked in silence when Kanan spoke up.
"You doing okay, Car?" he kept looking forward but Caryn could sense the worry and frustration sliding off him.
Caryn sighed. She hadn't meant to worry him. But she supposed she hadn't done a very good job at hiding her feelings since the vision. She took a breath but paused for a moment to find the right words before speaking again. "Yeah, just… You know.." Caryn trailed off before even starting to explain. Kanan stopped and turned to her waiting patiently for her to go on.
Caryn tried again. "It's just… After seeing that day again for the thousandth time," she flung out her arms exasperated "I just wonder…" she hesitated. "If I really want the Survivors to work with the Rebel Alliance. With the little army Ahsoka helped create."
Caryn could almost see the gears turning in her friend's mind as he processed what she was telling him.
Oh Force, what was she thinking? She was probably losing her mind. But it was too late to take it back now. It wasn't that Caryn didn't like the Alliance, the cause, or Ahsoka. She liked all of them. But the Alliance haunted her and most likely a lot of the Jedi Purge survivors here. The Order worked with soldiers, the Alliance works with soldiers. The Order worked alongside Clones…The Alliance works with Clones. And all of the survivors had seen what happened to the Order. No, it wasn't really the Clones fault. The Order had failed to remember that the Clones weren't human, they were droids with some feelings, and they did what they were told. But many of the Jedi befriended them, making it hard to remember.
They dodged a youngling racing through the hall and continued walking. "Well, I think I know your reason and I don't exactly disagree with it either. I've been hesitant with working with the Alliance to." Kanan replied.
"But what should I do?" Caryn pleaded.
"Well," Kanan hesitated "I think you should do what you truly feel is right, trust in the Force."
Caryn sighed and then smirked "Since when did you become so wise?"
Kanan rolled his eyes-amused, "Well maybe it was when I didn't have you around to keep me out of trouble so I had to figure it out on my own."
Caryn thought for a moment. "So you're telling me that if I left sooner you would've paid better attention in class and made smarter decisions?"
Kanan stopped again, gears turning. Caryn held back a chuckle when realization hit him.
"No! That's not what I meant-" Caryn busted out laughing. Laughter was such a rare thing now. When Caryn and Alliah had first arrived here they were in high spirits but morale began to sink again as the jobs and days got harder and harder.
Kanan stopped stammering and lightly punched her shoulder. "You always know how to get me flustered."
"What can I say, it's a gift!" Caryn laughed. Kanan cracked a smile and soon they were laughing like they were thirteen again. When their dreams were big and times were great.
They joked around for a few hours, catching up on life and joking about the past. And when one trailed off, dwelling on a dark time the other pulled them back up again.
Soon, without even realizing it, they were back at the Hangar doors. Ahsoka, Alliah, Arah, Thalia, and the Ghost crew were laughing at something Alliah said by the Scavenger.
Caryn smiled softly. She was glad Kanan had found another family to bond with, she liked each one of them. Especially the eager padawan, Ezra, and Hera who she found they shared similar personalities.
"I don't know what you did Dume, but somewhere down the road you made the right decisions that got you this family."
Kanan softly huffed with laughter, "Yeah… How I ever got a family like them still shocks me to this day."
"I'm glad you've got them." Caryn smiled brightly at her friend. Kanan just softly smiled back.
The two headed back over to the group. Hera smiled warmly at both of them and Caryn replied with a grin of her own.
They all chattered brightly for a while, enjoying each other's presence that was greatly missed for long dark fifteen years.
After a few hours Ahsoka piped up"I don't mean to be the bummer here, but I think we should head out. It's getting late."
Caryn opened her mouth to say something but hesitated. She then felt Kanan's Force signature brush up against her mind reassuringly.
"Ahsoka?"
"Yes, Caryn?" Ahsoka turned to face Caryn who stood up a little taller.
"I think that the Survivors should resign from working with the Alliance."
Ahsoka looked shocked but gestured for Caryn to continue.
"It's nothing you or anyone did; I just think its best that the Jedi Purge Survivors work alone for a while." Caryn concluded. Ahsoka nodded understanding the reason behind it.
"That is perfectly fine, although we will miss you all."
"As will we."
"I suppose we should get going then?" Hera proposed. Handshakes and 'pleased to meet you's where being passed around.
Caryn and Kanan hugged each other tightly for a moment. "Stay out of trouble, Caleb."
"No promises." He chuckled then briefly hugged Alliah.
"We'll be here in case you need us or ever want to pay a visit. You all are always welcome here." Alliah concluded.
And with that the Ghost crew and Ahsoka loaded up and flew out, the Survivor team waving goodbye. Caryn sighed, she already missed him. But she knew he was only a holo-message away.
"Alright," Alliah turned to the others. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm about to fall asleep standing up." They all laughed.
"Yeah I'm pretty beat too." Caryn agreed.
"Sleep well; we have a big day tomorrow again." Alliah stated to Caryn outside of her bedroom door.
"You to." Caryn responded with a yawn.
And for the first time in fifteen years, Caryn got a deep, peaceful sleep.
That's the end for the first book! Sorry it was short. Review your opinions on it, something you liked or something you didn't like, both are appreciated. Personally, this was my favorite chapter. I have no clue why, it just is. Remember to stay tuned for the first chapter of the second book!
