Chapter Ten

It was the morning after the Council's party. Mara, with her feet up on the desk in Anchorhead base, was inspecting the control panel in front of her. She couldn't help but smile every now and then, because Luke Skywalker popped into her head and she thought of the previous evening, wishing she could live it all over again. Mara looked at the sofa where they had sat together, across the way from where she was sitting now. They had returned to the party, but didn't have much longer together as Luke's aunt and uncle wanted to leave. Mara followed them outside and bade goodbye to the family; Luke hesitated, but squeezed her hand before jumping into their transport. It all seemed so long ago, considering it was only yesterday. She didn't even know someone like Luke could even exist - he was never ashamed of anything in his life, not afraid to dream of bigger things, but didn't aspire to be a man like Biggs. He was Luke, and he was sure of himself, sure that Mara liked him for him.

"Kanos!" She sat up immediately, smiling as she saw Dak run into the room. "Mara, there you are. There's an urgent message request from the General for you."

She nodded. "Alright. Thank you Dak."

Mara headed to the area where they make their transmissions and soon enough General Dodonna appeared, though somewhat slightly blurred. She breathed a sigh of relief, thanking the stars that they had finally heard from the Alliance. Deep down she worried that something terrible had happened.

"Commander Kanos. Can you hear me alright?"

"Loud and clear, General."

"Good. I'll cut straight to it, Kanos, you are to come back immediately. After significant gains have been made we think a crucial victory may be ours; we are waiting for a final word on the outcome, but so far it is looking good. We need everybody on standby now."

Mara swallowed heavily. She had told Luke that they had some time together before she left… "What victories, General?"

"Some of our boys are currently on a mission to Danuta, and rebel operatives there have retrieved plans from a secret Imperial base in the city of Trid. Last we heard Princess Leia was waiting for the plans to be transported to her aboard the Tantive IV by the shuttle Maria. Another special forces team are, as we speak, smuggling plans out of Polis Massa that were taken during a prison break on the Death Star itself."

"Wow," Mara breathed. "What do we know of these plans? Are they technical data readouts? Will they give us a weakness?"

"We know that with all of this information, we will know everything about this Death Star, and I am confident that a weakness will be found," Dodonna replied. "When Princess Leia has received the plans from Danuta, she is to fly straight to Toprawa and receive another transfer of plans from an Imperial defector. The Star Destroyer Immortal unfortunately detected our Star Cruiser Liberty so we have no choice but to send Leia."

"Her diplomatic immunity can only last so long General," Mara warned. "How many mercy missions does the Empire believe she's really going on?"

"Sacrifices will be made as necessary Kanos," he said firmly. "Otherwise, this Death Star will destroy every planet we're based on and that will be the end of the Rebellion." Mara knew he was right. Many would die getting these plans (as some already have) because that's the way it had to be. "I want you back within the week. Wedge Antilles asked me to inform you that he would personally fly to Tatooine and drag you back if you don't make it in the allocated time."

Mara bit her lip to stop the smile. She had no doubt whatsoever that he would. "Perhaps you should tell Captain Antilles that he should not be so bold, General, as I am the Commander and I, unlike him, actually follow orders."

"I cannot argue with that, Kanos."

"I shall see you soon then, Sir."

He faded away, and she sighed. Telling Luke she was leaving so suddenly would be the hardest part, for sure. Mara knew that going back is the right thing to do; she was desperate to know whether the Alliance was even a bit ready for a potential attack on the Death Star. And of course to see her friends again. Talia, the mechanic, Ani, the soldier, and Nolan, the politician. She doubted Nolan was on Yavin, as wherever Mon Mothma was he usually was there too. And then she would see the pilots, her comrades - Wedge especially.

Wedge.

Before she had even met Luke, of course there was that something that was between herself and Wedge. And last time she saw him, she had kissed him. She groaned as she walked through the base to the Rec Room, thinking about it. What a stupid idea, looking back. It probably got his hopes up. She liked kissing him, after all he's a hotshot pilot, but kissing Luke was just something else entirely.

"Hindsight's a wonderful thing," Mara muttered irritably.

She updated the rookies on the Alliance's progress, and informed them that she was leaving for good. She exchanged hugs and warm goodbyes with everybody, including the new commander Roger, but said she would be back in the morning to gather her things and complete some last bit of work.

All too soon Mara was in her speeder, heading for Luke's home. She couldn't wait to see him, but of course she would be delivering the bad news…

She pulled up to see him working outside on a moisture vaporator. She smiled as he was so engrossed in what he was doing that he didn't notice her at first. He was swearing softly at the stubborn and uncooperative valve adjustor.

"Hey Luke," Mara called, reaching the two figures.

He instantly lit up, the frustration leaving his features and the predicament leaving his mind. "Mara!"

They embraced, but Luke soon frowned, taking her hand. "What is it? Something's troubling you." She couldn't help but smile a little at that. He knew her so well. Mara opened her mouth, but Luke beat her to it. "You're leaving, aren't you." It was more a statement than a question.

"How-?" Mara stopped, and then sighed, leaning against the metallic vaporator. It didn't matter how he guessed. "Yes. In a couple of days." Luke nodded slowly, letting go of her hand and turning away. There was an uneasy silence for a few seconds. "Luke, please don't be mad at me."

Luke took her hands in his own again. "I could never be mad at you, Mara," he assured her. "I just...I just thought we had more time together, that's all."

"Yeah, I did too," she admitted. "I received my orders earlier to return within the week."

"Can I at least see you before you go?" he asked her hopefully. "You've got a couple of days, right?"

"I'll try," she promised. "You should come to my apartment, maybe tomorrow night. We can be alone. I'll let you know if I've got everything ready by then."

Luke nodded. "It's not fair," he said quietly, his shoulders slumping.

"I know," she soothed, caressing his cheek. "But it's something that I have to do. I'll be with you, Luke, always." She placed a hand over where his heart is. "And as I said before, I'll come back for you."

He smiled sadly. "I can't remember what my life was like without you in it," he admitted. "I'll think about you everyday. And I'll be proud that you're out there somewhere, fighting the Empire."

Mara sighed sadly, wondering how she got so lucky. "Oh, Luke…" She took his face in her hands and kissed him, it turning into quite a passionate one. They broke apart, their lips still slightly touching, and Mara touched her tightening stomach. They were both sweating under the sun but it was more than the heat that had their pulses racing. Their relationship had been innocent up until now, but Mara wondered what it would be like with Luke, if they were intimate with each other...

"I have to go," Mara murmured. "I wanted to tell you the news, but I've got some things to sort out at the base before I can leave."

"Alright," Luke sighed, as Mara stepped away slightly. "Just please let me see you before you go."

She nodded, and turned to return to her speeder, feeling him watching her. He had looked practically heartbroken; she couldn't bear to turn around and see his face again.

"Biggs!" Mara smiled widely at the sight of her friend and fellow Rebel, who was looking as cool as he always does, leaning against the doorframe of the Rec Room. He copied her smile and opened his arms wide, which she accepted gladly and hugged him tightly. Mara guessed somebody from Yavin instructed Biggs where he could find their hidden base. "It's so good to see you, what a nice surprise!"

"Hey Mara," he greeted. "I'm glad I caught you before you left. Can I still have that ride back?"

"Sure, I'm leaving in a day or so," Mara replied. "So what's happening in Yavin then? Is everybody on high alert?"

"Yeah, and don't we know it," Biggs groaned, as they settled down on a couch, helping themselves to a drink. "I'm surprised I was even allowed to take leave. But I promised I wouldn't be long and I would return with you...speaking of which, Antilles wanted me to pass on the message that he would come and -"

"-drag me back, yeah, I know," Mara finished. "For heaven's sake, how many people is he passing that message onto?"

Biggs smiled innocently. "The whole base is probably aware by now. I don't think he likes flying without you out there next to him. You know they say that Corellians have rocket fuel for blood? I'm starting to believe that now I've met you two."

Mara smiled at that. "Well, I've seen my own blood and I can assure you it's normal. Same goes for Wedge."

Biggs laughed. "I'll take your word for it."

"So when did you arrive anyway?"

"Only an hour or so ago, I had to take three different ships mind you," he grumbled. "Obviously I couldn't fly my X-Wing here."

"And what're your plans?" Mara asked.

"I'm seeing my family first," Biggs replied. "I want to see them one last time, just in case…" Mara nodded and smiled sympathetically. "And then I'll surprise Luke."

"He'll be so happy to see you."

"When was the last time you saw him?"

"Yesterday," Mara sighed. "I told him I was leaving in a couple of days. I also told him about me, by the way...I told him everything."

"Did you mention me?" Biggs asked.

"No, no, of course not," Mara assured him. "The less Luke knows about it all the safer he'll be. I've only told him that I'm required to go on missions, I haven't mentioned anything else. Certainly not the Death Star; there's no use worrying him."

Biggs nodded, looking satisfied. "Good. I'm going to tell him that I'm about to jump ship and join the Alliance. As you said, the less he knows, the better." Mara nodded sadly, biting her lip. The usual feelings of doubt crept up on her, as she tried to remember that she had felt she would see him again; Luke had felt it too. Biggs noticed her change in features. "So...you and Luke...did you finally tell each other?"

"Yes," Mara answered quietly, not noticing Biggs's face light up. "But I'll be leaving and Luke...well, he's not going anywhere for a while if his uncle has anything to say about it."

Biggs sighed in annoyance. "I'm not surprised." Tentatively, he continued, "You know, you should probably tell Wedge that you've met someone else, just in case he...er, or you-"

Mara sighed. "He doesn't need to know. Why tell him something like that before we all go off and fight the Death Star?"

"Surely you would want to, if you like Luke so much?"

"I know Luke's your friend but it's not as black and white as that," Mara retorted. "In another life, in another universe, maybe it would be me and Wedge. Actually, I'm sure of that. So he doesn't need to know, yet."

"Alright, alright," Biggs said, holding his hands up in a mock surrender. Well, Mara couldn't live with herself if she hurt Wedge...not yet. But she wasn't in a relationship with Luke because they couldn't be, so, until they meet, if that ever happens, or anything else changes then of course Mara will tell him.

There was a time and a place, though. And this crucial time in this civil war was certainly not it.

"So, what have you been up to then?" asked Mara, changing the topic of conversation.

Biggs smiled, but nevertheless answered her question. "My main assignment has been protecting Base One." He referred to the Great Temple on Yavin 4. Mara remembered well when she first arrived into Yavin, having been directed there from the abandoned base on Dantooine. The engineers were finishing up their job of converting it into a base of operations, and Mara didn't envy their task. The building was huge. "I've been put in charge of keeping a lookout. I think my successes so far had earned me that."

"Well deserved." And she meant it. When the General updated Mara, he always mentioned Biggs in some form or another.

"Well, I had best get going," said Biggs, getting up and Mara following suit. He hugged her again. "I'll be back tonight after I've seen everyone."

"I hope today goes well for you," Mara said, and meaning it. It'll be hard, seeing everyone for what could be the last time. Seeing everyone and not being able to tell them the whole truth. She saw a bit of sadness take over Biggs's features briefly before he swept away his vulnerability.

After saying their goodbyes, Mara sat down and swallowed, feeling her stomach tighten. She thought of Luke, of Biggs, of Wedge, of that damned Death Star, of everything. Her mind raced, and she wished in that moment that they could all just be normal friends with no Galaxy to protect.

She thought of Biggs saying his goodbyes to his family, she thought of Luke waiting for her to come back but she didn't return, and she never would because she would be nothing but a floating bit of dust in the far reaches of space.

They just couldn't let the Empire continue. They all had their duty to bring it down. This next part of her life would be the real test, Mara knew that.

After exhaling, Mara stood and felt a bit better. Everybody had their moments of pure sadness, and Mara was no exception. Holding her head high, she left the Rec Room for what would be the final time, promising she would remember every single detail of her base. This was her first assignment as commander of a base of operations, and she traced her fingers across the canyon walls as she headed for the control room, feeling nostalgic.

The memories of her stay on Tatooine helped her to smile again.

Luke Skywalker was, as he had been yesterday, trying to fix yet another moisture vaporator. This time, he had the Treadwell helping him, a repair droid - but currently it fumbled awkwardly at the damaged section as only three of the six robot arms were actually functioning. Luke always found it ironic how the repair droid always needed constant maintenance work itself.

He wiped his brow and looked up at the sky, thinking about Mara and feeling the empty pit in his stomach. It pained him so that she was going so soon. She had promised to see him tonight, but she hadn't been in touch...though his gut had told him that he would see Mara again, he still felt terrible that she was leaving. After all, she's the only girl he's liked so much - it felt intense. And the way she had kissed him yesterday…

But then something in the sky caught Luke's attention. A small, intense gleam of light had caught his eye. He slipped the macrobinoculars from his utility belt and focused the lenses skywards. His eyes widened and his chores were forgotten; Luke clipped the binoculars back onto his belt and dashed for his landspeeder. He jumped in and gunned the engine, which whined in protest, and sand erupted behind him as he aimed his craft at Anchorhead.

Luke zoomed through the quiet streets of Anchorhead, the sandflies scattering at the sound. Eventually he pulled up outside Tosche Station, rushing inside to find his friends. "Hey, shape it up, you guys!"

Fixer was sat sprawled in a chair behind the station's control desk, and Camie was on his lap; Luke ran into another room, Deak and Windy looking up from their computer-assisted pool game. However he stopped short, startled at the presence of a burly older man who had neatly clipped hair and precision-cut uniform.

"Biggs!"

"Hey, Luke!"

The two old friends embraced each other warmly, grinning. "I didn't know you were back! When did you get in?"

"Just a little while ago," Biggs replied as they let go of each other, Luke admiring his uniform. "I wanted to surprise you, hotshot. I never expected you to be out working, I thought you'd be here with these other two nightcrawlers!" He laughed easily, sounding confident as he normally does, though also slightly smug.

Luke laughed too. "Oh the Academy didn't change you much," he commented. "But you're back so soon! What happened, didn't you get your commission?"

He thought that Biggs was being a bit evasive about it all when he said, "Of course I got it. Signed to serve aboard the freighter Rand Ecliptic. First Mate Biggs Darklighter, at your service." He grinned again. "I just came back to say goodbye to all you unfortunate landlocked simpletons."

They laughed, but Luke suddenly remembered what had actually brought him here in such a hurry. "Oh I almost forgot," he told them, his excitement returning, "there's a battle going on right here in our system. Come and look!" Some of the others protested but Luke insisted, "Hell, I'm serious, it's a battle all right!"

With a few more words and shoves, Luke managed to cajole everybody out into the strong sunlight, Camie in particular not looking too happy with being dragged outside. Luke had his macrobinoculars out once again, searching the sky before fixing on a certain spot and saying, "I told you, there they are."

Biggs moved alongside Luke and reached for the binoculars, the others straining their unaided eyes. What he made out was two silvery specks against the dark blue. "That's no battle, hotshot," Biggs decided, lowering the binocs. "They're just sitting there. Two ships, alright - probably a barge loading a freighter, since Tatooine hasn't got an orbital station."

"There was a lot of firing - earlier," Luke added, his enthusiasm faltering. Camie tried to grab the binocs for herself, accidentally banging them against a support pillar; Luke snatched them back away from her, checking it for damage. "Take it easy with those!"

"Don't worry so much Wormie," she sneered.

"I keep telling you Luke," said Fixer, who had stepped in between the two of them, "the rebellion is a long way from here. I doubt if the Empire would even fight to keep this system. Believe me, Tatooine is a big hunk of nothing."

Everyone began fading back into the station, and Luke eventually followed them, but not without glancing back one last time and up to the distant specks. One thing he was sure of were the flashes of light he had seen between the two ships. Luke thought how he knew Fixer was wrong: the rebellion was on this planet, and when he saw Mara that night he would definitely ask her if she knew what was going on...

"...I was so close I thought I was going to fry my instruments," Luke was telling Biggs excitedly. "I shut off my power, shut off the afterburners, and dropped in low on Fixer's tail." They were walking in the shade outside the power station. Fixer had finally started on some repairs and the sound of metal being worked came from inside. "As it was, I busted up my skyhopper pretty bad. Uncle Owen was furious, you should have been there! It was fantastic." He was of course talking about when he challenged Fixer to a race and threaded the needle.

"You ought to take it a little easier Luke," Biggs cautioned. "You may be the hottest bush pilot this side of Mos Eisley but those little skyhoppers are dangerous. They move awfully fast for tropospheric craft - faster than they need to. Keep playing engine jockey with one and someday, whammo! You're going to be nothing more than a dark spot on the damp side of a canyon wall."

"Look who's talking!" Luke retorted. "Now that you've been on a few big, automatic starships you're beginning to sound like my uncle. You know you're getting a little soft in the city." They chuckled together, Biggs playfully pushing Luke down a step.

Biggs jumped down too so he was on the same level on Luke, his easygoing tone turning into something warmer. "I've missed you, kid."

"Things haven't been the same without you, Biggs," Luke admitted. "It's been so quiet. I know it's always been quiet, but...well, you know."

"Nah," Biggs said lightheartedly. "I'm sure your mind has been preoccupied with someone else."

Luke looked up at Biggs frowning, and then he turned away, embarrassed, at Biggs's smiling face. "Oh. You mean Mara. Have you seen her yet?"

"No," came the quick reply.

Luke smiled, his cheeks turning slightly red, as he continued to look away. "Mara and me, we're…" Luke paused. "Biggs?"

"Yeah?"

"I think I love her." Luke was still staring into the distance, wondering whether that was true or not, wrestling with the idea in his mind. "Do I love her?"

Biggs laughed slightly, sipping his drink. "You tell me."

"I just feel...I can't explain with words," Luke said quietly, turning his gaze to his friend. "All I know is that it's completely different to anything I've felt before...it's intense, and, well, terrifying all at the same time."

"Listen to me Luke," Biggs said seriously, placing a hand on Luke's shoulder. "Kandji, she...I know she was the love of my life. I'd never felt that way about anyone before and certainly not after she died, and I don't think I ever will again." Luke listened intently. "If you know, you just know. You don't need to explain it to anyone, because it just is. I was robbed of Kandji, and we didn't spend nearly enough time together as we were owed, so all I'll say is to make the most of it. Make the most of her. You just never know what's around the corner."

Luke nodded, taking it all in. It wasn't very often that Biggs mentioned Kandji as it usually pained him too much to talk about her in the past tense, even still now. Luke had missed Biggs and his wisdom, but he had navigated the tricky path of being with a girl for the first time on his own.

"She's leaving soon Biggs," Luke told him sadly. "I mean, in a day or two soon. I don't know what I'm supposed to do, if anything. This is her path, I can't ask her not to go."

"That's right," Biggs agreed, admiring Luke's adult attitude. "You can't. But you can tell her before she does leave that you will be waiting for her to return, or you'll join her as soon as you can, wherever she'll be."

Luke bit his lip. "But Mara knows that already."

"What I mean is, make sure that you're both clear on...staying true to each other."

"Oh, right," Luke muttered. "I don't want to meet anybody else. I can't speak for Mara of course, but Biggs I know she feels about me the way I feel about her. I know she does."

Biggs shrugged. "Of course. But everyone has a past, Luke, and she's a well travelled girl, is she not? There was probably someone she used to like, before she met you." Luke titled his head, feeling his stomach drop. He couldn't even bear to think about that. "I'm just guessing scenarios here, but you probably changed everything. If she's ever liked anyone else, then it'll pale into insignificance if she loves you too."

Luke smiled at that, but it faded again as Biggs continued to look unaccustomed solemn. They were both still ambling outside the station, and everybody else was still inside. "Biggs, what is it?"

"Luke, I didn't come back just to say goodbye, or to crow over everyone because I got through the Academy." He hesitated, looking unsure of himself. "I shouldn't tell you this, but you're the only one I can trust. I may never come back, and I want somebody to know. I can't tell my parents."

"What are you talking about?" Luke asked quietly, gulping a little.

"I'm talking about the talking that's been going on at the Academy - and other places, Luke. Strong talking. I made some new friends, outsystem friends. We agreed about the way certain things are developing, and -" his voice dropped conspiratorially - "when we reach one of the peripheral systems, we're going to jump ship and join the Alliance."

If Luke hadn't have met Mara and found out about her, then he was sure he would have shouted 'The Rebellion?!' at Biggs. Instead he muttered it quietly, trailing off. He wondered why Biggs didn't seem surprised at Luke's reaction either… Should I tell him about Mara? "How?"

"A friend of mine from the Academy has a friend on Bestine who might enable us to make contact with an armed rebel unit."

"A friend of a…" Luke repeated. "Are you sure about that? You could wander around forever trying to find a real rebel outpost. Most of them are myths and this twice removed friend could be an imperial agent! You'd end up on Kessel, or worse. If the rebel outposts were easy to find the Empire would have wiped them out years ago."

"It's a long shot, but we'll do what we can." A newfound maturity twinkled in his eyes. "I joined the Academy to become a Merchant Marine. Well I'm not waiting around for the Empire to conscript me into the Starfleet. In spite of what you hear over the official information channels, the rebellion is growing, spreading. And I want to be on the right side - the side I believe in. It's what we always talked about, Luke." His voice altered unpleasantly. "You should have heard some of the stories I've heard, learned of some of the outrages I've learned about. The Empire may have been great and beautiful once, but the people in charge now -" He shook his head sharply. "It's rotten, Luke, rotten."

"It's been getting worse here," Luke told him. "You know the Academy entrance exam is mandatory now? So what you're saying about conscription is probably right. And the stormtroopers who are stationed here don't bother helping any of us out, especially when it comes to the Sandpeople. They don't care." He kicked a stone irritably. "I can't do a damn thing. I'm stuck here."

"You'll have your chance to get off this rock," Biggs said, somewhat positively. "Especially if you're still going to the Academy next term."

"Not likely," Luke said derisively. "I had to cancel my application." He looked away, unable to meet Biggs's disbelieving stare.

"What for?" Biggs asked. "Did Mara ask you not to?"

"My uncle needs me."

"Oh Luke," Biggs started, shaking his head and disregarding the excuse.

"I'm serious!" Luke protested. "There's been a lot of unrest among the Sandpeople since you left, Biggs. They've even raided the outskirts of Anchorhead."

"Come on Luke," Biggs sighed. "Your uncle could hold off a whole colony of Raiders with one blaster."

"From the house sure," Luke agreed, "but Uncle Owen's finally got enough vaporators installed and running to make the place pay off and he can't guard all that land by himself. I have to stay one more season. I can't run out on him now. Not for the Academy, or Mara…"

"What good is all your uncle's work if it's taken over by the Empire? I've heard that they're starting to imperialize commerce in all the outlying systems. It won't be long before your uncle and everyone else on Tatooine are just tenants slaving for the greater glory of the Empire."

"That's not going to happen here," Luke objected with some confidence. "As Fixer said - the Empire won't bother with this rock."

"Things can change," Biggs warned. "Only the threat of the Rebellion keeps many in power from doing certain unmentionable things. If that threat is completely removed - well, there are two things men have never been able to satisfy: their curiosity and their greed. There isn't much the High Imperial bureaucrats are curious about."

Both men stood in silence, as a sandwhirl traversed the street, collapsing against a wall. "I wish I was going," Luke finally said sadly. He glanced up. "Will you be around long?"

"No. I'll probably be leaving in a day or so."

"Oh. I guess I won't see you."

"Maybe someday," Biggs declared, brightening up and grinning. "I'll keep a lookout for you, hotshot. Try not to run into any canyon walls in the meantime."

"If...if nothing else comes up I'll go the Academy the season after next," Luke tried to assured him, but not sure whether he ever will now, truthfully, he's met Mara. He would much rather join her and Biggs in the Rebellion. "And after that, who knows? I won't be drafted into the Starfleet, that's for sure. Take care of yourself. You'll always be the best friend I've ever had." They shook hands, Biggs nodding.

"So long, Luke."

Biggs turned, and strode away, Luke wondering whether he should have come clean about knowing a real rebel base. But, Biggs hasn't jumped ship yet, and Mara might not like Luke telling him about them. He had an uneasy feeling: what if Biggs is caught and interrogated, and gives up the Anchorhead base? Hopefully, this was for the best… maybe he'll even see Biggs with the rebels one day.

One day, in the far future.

Biggs would absolutely love to find the rebels on his own, to say he did it on his own, Luke knew that about his best friend. He had disappeared around the corner and back into the station, and Luke decided once and for all not to tell him about who Mara really is.

Thinking about Mara, Luke realised she still hadn't come to see him yet. Is she even still here? If so, will I see her again? He couldn't believe he was saying emotional goodbyes to the two people he was closest to in his life, save for his aunt and uncle, in the space of two days.

Luke's continued thinking about everything, his thoughts chaotic and frenetic - but he wouldn't know until much later on that earlier, he really did see a space battle. And Mara herself was involved right in the middle of it.

Author's Note: Oops! I sort of fell off the face of the Earth when it comes to FF, didn't I? :P I work full time now I've finished Uni, and I often work horrendous fourteen hour days (WHY DO I AGREE TO THESE THINGS). Anyway I finish my job in two weeks time and I'm off travelling in January!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter :) it was going to be longer but I stopped it here because I finally logged into my email account that's linked to this site, and saw a couple of messages from you lovely lot asking me when I'm coming back so I decided to update this tonight! So the next chapter has already been started and I think I've said before, I've written a detailed plan of everything so I know what I'm writing...I've just got to beat this constant fatigue! I hope you're all well though :) thank you all for waiting and reviewing and messaging me xxxx