Chapter 10 – Taking Sides

Soundtrack:

Talon's POV – Comatose by Skillet (-1-)

Return to the Enclave – Decode by Paramore (-2-)

Admitting defeat – The Love We Had Before by Fireflight (-3-)

Talon clambered out of the speeder, eyes watering from the smoke that filled the cab. Carth was already standing by the hood and glaring daggers at Xana. He squinted up at her, trying to convey the utter hurt and confusion he was feeling. Had she, his closest comrade and friend, just thrown a lightsaber at them? Did she even know how close to the cab her sword had pierced or did she simply not care?

She let out a loud, ringing laugh and opened her mouth to speak. Talon briefly wondered what she would say – some sort of heartfelt apology that things had to end this way, teary thanks for watching her back and saving her life, a simple acknowledgement that it had been nice fighting with them but now was her time to move on?

"Better luck next time, boys!"

Then she jumped on her swoop bike and sped off. Just like that.

Talon felt numb. After all those weeks of watching each other's backs and confiding in each other, she'd just left them stranded in a ravine in the middle of the Dantooinian plains. The all-too-familiar pain of betrayal stung his heart and his mind clouded over.

-1-

He was finally brought out of his reverie by Carth shouting into the commlink.

"We've lost her! She's taking off towards the west, though we did manage to puncture her coolant tank. Request immediate pickup."

Bastila replied, "Copy that. I'm near your location and should be there in under a minute."

"Acknowledged."

Talon reached into the smoke-filled, superheated speeder and drew out his sniper rifle. All bets were off. Nothing mattered now except completing the mission.

Bastila and Dorak pulled up next to the ravine. Both men scrabbled up the hillside and were seated in a matter of seconds. The Jedi Padawan swung the speeder around, using the Force to increase their speed as they raced across the plains.

Carth spoke up, "What's going on? We're heading in the opposite direction."

"Jedi Masters Vrook and Zhar are trailing her. We are to intercept her on the opposite side of the next river crossing. The plan is to entrap her over a particularly dangerous series of rapids and let the bridge create a natural barrier.", replied Dorak.

Half an hour later, the landspeeder was perched strategically on a hill overlooking the bridge. Right on cue, Xana's swoop bike came riding up, smoking at the hood. On the horizon, Vrook and Zhar could be seen exiting their own speeder and running towards her.

All four jumped out of their landspeeder, readying their respective weapons. Bastila called softly over her shoulder, "Stay behind us. This could get dangerous."

Talon watched detachedly as Xana backed up onto the bridge, weapons drawn at the four Jedi who had their lightsabers trained on her. Everything seemed almost surreal. How did things even manage to deteriorate this badly? Why was this even happening? It felt like a twisted-up nightmare.

Now Vrook was warning Xana that if she struck out, she would become an enemy of the Jedi Order and the Republic. Imagine that...the girl that had been his paragon of defending truth and justice, having to choose between freedom and innocence. Unfathomable.

He was shocked back to reality as he watched her turn and dive into the roiling water.

"NO!" Talon screamed, but he was unheard by the five adults that had now crowded onto the bridge.

"How was this even allowed to happen?" Vrook bellowed.

"The plan didn't exactly allow for suicidal tendencies!" Zhar shot back.

"Well then, why did nobody think of that, oh wise masters!" Bastila snapped.

All the adults then began clamoring amongst themselves.

"STOP!" Talon screamed, "Someone Force-pull that blaster out of her hand, now!"

Bastila spun around and concentrated, holding out her hand. Xana's hold-out blaster zoomed out of the water and flew into it. Talon yanked it out of her grasp, switched it to stun, and, mentally tracing the trajectory of the spot it had come from, fired a few bolts down-river. If he could just stun her, perhaps the Jedi could still use the Force to pull her out of the water.

A few tense moments passed before Xana's head emerged among the crashing surf. Talon ran off the bridge and began sprinting down the bank of the river, his military training allowing him to get within a hundred meters of the drowning escapee.

Talon pulled out his left pistol, using it for balance and reference as he drew it up against his chest. He lined up Xana's hold-out blaster with the other, firing two more stun bolts that hit her directly in the stomach. She began to flounder and sink.

In a moment of sheer horror, he realized his fatal mistake. The Knights that had now began to Force-run toward them were still more than fifty meters away, and she was about to lose unconsciousness. Once she disappeared again...she'd be a goner.

Talon shed his jacket and dropped his pistols to the ground, diving headfirst into the river. Trying not to scream from the sheer coldness of the water, he opened his eyes slowly. He could just barely make out a black blur limply drifting toward the riverbed. He swam towards Xana as hard as he could, though it was slow going with his heavy combat boots.

He was nearly out of air himself when he managed to grab her unconscious form around the waist. However, when he tried to swim back to the surface, he found he couldn't go anywhere with her weight dragging him down. He struggled and strained against the water, but they only rose a few inches. The surface was more than ten feet away.

Talon's lungs began to ache and he realized that maybe this hadn't been such a good idea after all. Just before desperation set in, he felt an invisible hold form around him and Xana, and they began to rise. When they finally broke surface, he was left gasping for air so hard it hurt.

They were deposited roughly on the riverbank. Talon still had his arms around his unconscious friend. He was too pained and preoccupied with regaining his breath to remember to let go. He buried his face in her hair, watching as a mud puddle slowly formed beneath them.

Before he knew it, Zhar had pushed his arms away and began performing CPR. Xana jerked slightly with each chest compression, but refused to cough up water. Talon propped himself up weakly with his forearms, watching the situation unfold worriedly. Even after everything Xana had done and said to him, he was still scared to death at the prospect of losing her now. Why?

Finally she rolled onto her stomach and began coughing and heaving. It seemed like an eternity before she finished and collapsed in the mud. Her eyes opened weakly, fixing directly on Talon. It might have been his wishful thinking, but it seemed as if her lips quirked into the slightest of smiles before she lost consciousness again. He didn't have time to think about it. A moment later, he passed out right next to her.

Harsh sunlight stung Xana's eyes when she finally came to. Groaning softly, she turned away from the glare and buried her face into what felt and smelled like plush bantha leather. She felt movement beneath her and realized she must be in someone's landspeeder, well on her way back to the Jedi Enclave.

The thought was not welcoming, nor was the plethora of unpleasant sensations that assaulted her right then. Motion sickness, dizziness, fatigue, strained muscles, and the sting of stun-bolt burns all came barraging down on her senses at the same time. She whimpered slightly, clenching her jaw and curling into a ball. Just that slightest movement only worsened it, causing her to jerk, turn over, and let out a slightly louder whine at the resulting reaction.

She cracked an eye open. Carth was driving, stonily staring ahead, and refusing to acknowledge her presence. Talon, on the other hand, was looking over his shoulder at her. He hefted a leg over the front seat and easily plopped down next to where Xana was sprawled out.

"Why'd you do it?", she croaked. Her throat felt dry and cottony, and she had to struggle to choke out that one question.

"I honestly don't know." he sighed. Talon didn't know if she referred to the speeder chase, the stun bolts, or rescuing her. Then again, did it really matter?

Xana nodded in acknowledgment, clenching her jaw shut. She felt too sick to attempt speaking again.

"Maybe I just wanted to do the right thing, you know? When I came after you, I was just following orders. I felt betrayed, in a way, so I figured if I don't mean that much to you, then...", he paused awkwardly.

"Why shouldn't you think the same about me?" she finished for him. Her throat protested heavily and she clamped her mouth shut again.

"Yes and no. When you threw that lightsaber at our speeder, it became impersonal. Capturing you was the mission, just another objective I had to complete. But when you plunged into that river and sank – both times – I realized that just because I'd been one-upped doesn't mean I have to do the same to others. I had a responsibility for my own choices, and I couldn't let you die, accident or no, by my hands."

"Glad to know my life's just a bonus card for your conscience."

"Xana, you know I didn't mean it like that."

"Leave me alone. You've done enough." She turned away from him and closed her eyes. A few moments later, she heard him lean his head against the transparisteel window and do the same.

Carth spoke to her for the first time since her escape; his voice sounded harsh and hollow even to her dazed mind.

"You should probably show him a little more respect, Xana. I don't know if you're aware of the fact, but he nearly died to get you out of that river."

Xana's tense annoyance bubbled over and she snapped, "Yeah? Well I don't know if you're aware of the fact that it's his fault I nearly drowned in the first place! You think he stunned me for the greater good, for truth and justice? He stunned me because it was an order from an organization who's holding me against my will! I don't owe him anything, least of all my respect!"

"He wouldn't have had to stun you if you hadn't jumped in that river like a fool!"

"What choice did I have, really? It was either giving up my freedom or becoming an enemy of the Republic – so I made my own option. I would've harmlessly drifted downstream if he hadn't tried to turn me into Swiss cheese! Yeah, some freedom-fighter paragons you two are!"

Carth growled, "You have no idea what we both gave up for the Republic, and if you dare downplay our service like that again, I swear I'll-"

"You'll do what?", Xana challenged, roughly landing a kick into the back of his seat. Her tired muscles ached in protest but she smirked broadly when he jerked forward into the controls. Carth brought the speeder to a halt and angrily swiveled around in his seat. His face was bright red.

He bellowed, "YOU KNOW WHAT? I-"

"Carth!" Talon pleaded, "Just stop, okay? Please, it's not worth it." He laid a hand on the older man's arm, mainly to keep him from striking out against the enraged teenager. Carth's eyes darted to the young man who was practically his son, and his anger seemed to dissolve instantaneously as he took in Talon's pained expression. Falling silent, he turned back around and kept driving.

Talon turned back to Xana, hopefulness overtaking his mind. Maybe his standing up for her would elicit some forgiveness?

She'd just turned back over and buried her face in the seat again.

-2-

Xana awoke again when the speeder drew to a halt. Sitting up, she looked out the window and saw that they were in the middle of the Enclave's courtyard. Settlers and curious Padawans formed a small crowd around all the entrances and niches. Most were whispering amongst themselves, and some even had holorecorders. Others just stared in silence, shocked that something this extraordinary had happened on the sleepy little planet of Dantooine.

All these people here to see the runaway Padawan brought in like some kind of dangerous renegade. Is it me, or is this whole planet's culture steeped in pretentions?, she mused bitterly. The speeder door was opened and Talon gently nudged her to get out. She absentmindedly ran a hand over her hair – it had dried into a mass of tiny waves while she slept, and one side was sticking up slightly. Joy. Now the whole 'mental loon' stereotype is complete.

She slid out of her seat, still blinking away the remnants of sleep. Talon and Carth each grabbed one of her arms and they led her down the slow procession to the Enclave's entrance. The comments and whisperings grew in volume; holorecorders began to flash all around her. It was like a paparazzi of shame.

Xana hung her head, smiling as the dark waves tumbled around her face and obscured it from view. They'd wanted to know who had caused this whole stir, they wanted to talk and gossip about her? Well then, she wouldn't give them the satisfaction of knowing who she was.

A Knight, one she recognized from her first day at the Enclave, shouted out, "I suppose not everyone can handle the rigors of Jedi training! Perhaps being hauled out of harm's way like a wet kitten shall teach you to apply yourself, Padawan!" Xana stopped in her tracks, glaring acidly. In a millisecond, she'd managed to break free and was lunging for her. The young woman let out a cry of surprise as she was roughly tackled to the ground, arms pinned behind her in an Echani-style hold.

"That's enough!" Carth shouted. He and Talon hauled her to her feet and propelled her into the Enclave entrance before she could make another scene. The halls were eerily quiet. Padawans and Knights parted out of their way, watching them with both curiosity and disapproval. When they reached the center, they saw Mission and Canderous sitting on a bench next to the gardens. Carth stopped in front of them, nudging Xana in an attempt to get her to explain her actions. Mission exploded in a burst of questions, "Where were you? Why'd you leave? How come you didn't tell me? I would've gone with you in a heartbeat!"

Xana hung her head, ashamed. She didn't deserve Mission's loyalty after she'd broken her promise so willingly. Did Mission even realize that she'd planned on leaving for good?

Her question was answered when the Twi'lek's sapphire eyes filled with tears. "Were you ever going to come back for me and Big Z?"

Xana sighed and closed her eyes. "Not every promise can be kept, Mission."

"But you said...you said you'd be there for me! That Big Z and I had a place with you! We've got nowhere else to go!"

"I hope one day you can forgive me."

Mission was on the verge of an emotional outburst when Canderous gripped her arm gently and pulled her back down onto the bench. Blue eyes met steely grey ones and the old Mandalorian shook his head firmly at her. The look on his face was not one of condescension or indifference, but rather one of patronly concern. Xana wrenched free of her captors and strode toward the Council chambers, unable to look on any further.

The moment the Jedi Council laid eyes on her, tension flooded the room so thickly even the air felt heavier. Vandar was the first to break the silence.

"Padawan Bastila, Captain Onasi, Lieutenant Averra, you are excused. I would prefer that the Council spoke with Miss Dakari alone."

All three obligingly left the room. After they left, Vandar continued, "It has come to my attention that you are so displeased with your time here that you have resorted to, let us say, extreme measures, in your attempts to escape."

"Dang right, I did."

"Normally, if a Padawan chooses to leave the Order, we allow them to do so. But yours is a special case that we cannot allow to go unchecked. However, you have shown that you have both the determination and the ability to allude us. This leaves us at somewhat of an impasse, no?"

"What are you saying? You wanna negotiate?"

"Vaguely speaking, yes. What is it that you find so unpleasant about the Jedi order? And what would it take for you to willingly comply with our measures?"

Vrook interrupted, "Now wait a minute! This young woman has displayed one of the most brash, untamed displays of defiance this enclave has seen within its' apprentice ranks, yet you want to negotiate? Discipline must be enforced!"

Vandar shot back, "And how well has discipline worked on this one, hmm? The path most traveled is not always the correct one, Master Vrook."

Xana took this opportunity to speak up, "I want basic human rights – the right to speak my opinion, the right to dress how I want, the right to defend myself - without incurring disciplinary action. I want people to actually care about my wishes instead of trying to force their own on me. I'm not saying, let me go wild, but just a little leeway would be very welcome."

"That is not out of the question. I will consider it; please continue."

"Okay, here's where it gets a little sketchy. If you want me to continue to learn here, I will...for a time. After my training and mission is complete, I don't want to be considered a part of the Jedi Order. Rather, I would prefer to wander the galaxy as a Rogue Jedi. You can call on me for missions anytime but it'll be my choice to accept them or not."

Vrook snapped, "And why do you think we should allow you to do that?"

Zhar added, "Yes, padawan, Vrook has a point. Judging from your previous actions, it is not entirely unthinkable to assume you'd fall to the dark side from sheer impulsiveness alone."

"I don't expect you guys to fully understand this, but I'm a wanderer, okay? I can't stay here, I can't do this whole order and regimen thing. If I try, I just know that feeling of being caged and manipulated is what will ultimately drive me to the dark side. But I am aware of my duty, and will submit myself to your teachings for the time being. So do we have a deal?"

Vandar nodded. "So be it, Padawan. But as an added measure, if we are to accept this agreement, I will assign someone to watch over you." He opened the door with the Force and motioned for a figure to come in.

"Since Lieutenant Averra has proven himself as being able to incapacitate you in the event of your escape, he will be your guard."

Both teenagers' jaws dropped and they began to sputter indignant excuses.

Vrook shouted, "SILENCE! Those are our terms. Do you accept them?"

Xana nodded.

During the deliberations, Bastila paced anxiously in the hallway outside the Council chambers. Talon sat on the floor with his head leaned back against the wall, and Carth stood in the corner, watching the young Jedi fret.

Finally, he couldn't take it any more. He stepped in front of Bastila, holding up a hand to signal her to stop. She looked somewhat annoyed at the intrusion but her tone was prim and polite as usual.

"Yes, Carth?"

"If you don't mind me asking, Bastila, what's bothering you? I've never seen you so worked up since...well, since Taris was bombed."

"It is nothing. Merely...agitation...over the events of the past day."

"I thought capturing Xana was your objective. You've succeeded."

"Yes, but I am worried for her sake. The frustration, pain, and malice I sense from her puts her at a significant danger of falling to the dark side. What's even more distressing is that it is directed toward the Jedi Order...and myself."

"I can't say I understand what you're picking up from her, or the intensity of it, but I'd definitely feel the same way in your position. Still, isn't it the Jedi Council's job to deal with her at the moment?"

"That's another matter entirely. I cannot help but feel some measure of concern towards her, of a sisterly, or perhaps even parental, nature. As you know, Jedi are not supposed to form attachments, and the fact that this one has manifested itself so quietly yet strongly...it frightens me, to say the least. I find myself wanting to reach out to her, to help her – but it appears that she quite clearly despises me."

Carth winced, a thousand flashbacks of arguments with his own son flashing through his head. To love and care for a child, yet have that protection rebuked, was a very painful thing indeed. And he understood only too well. He reached out towards Bastila, to try and offer comfort in some way. She recoiled at the movement and he withdrew, choosing to speak softly instead.

"Just keep showing her that you care. Don't give up on her. One thing I've learned about teenagers is that when they're being most difficult, that's when they need love the most. I remember, this one time my son..." He stopped abruptly, suddenly too choked up to speak any more.

Talon's head had jerked up and he was staring intently at Carth. This had been the first time Carth mentioned his family since he'd first 'adopted' Talon. Bastila was gazing at him softly, blue eyes full of compassion. The grief emanating from him was overwhelming. Just sensing the sheer depths of it made her want to cry.

She pushed away the emotions and replied, "I didn't know you had a family, Carth. Were they on Telos?"

He nodded somberly.

"I see." She struggled for words. 'Please accept my condolences' sounded way too distant and formal, yet she didn't want to be too familiar with him either. "I'm sorry. Thank you very much for the advice, I'll see that it is put to good use."

Bastila wanted to slap herself. Hopefully that last remark hadn't sounded as awkward to him as it had to her. Much to her relief, Carth managed a wry smile.

"No problem, Bastila. I'm happy to help." He added hesitantly, "If...if you want more advice then, um, you know where to find me."

"Of course."

They then went their separate ways, each mentally berating themselves. A very amused Talon was left behind to mull over the conversation. Little did he know that his smugness would be very short-lived.

The Council doors opened and Master Vandar motioned him in.

"HOW!" Xana stormed into her bunkroom, Talon tentatively following behind. "How the heck could this have happened?"

"What do you mean?"

"All of it! It's just so fragging messed up...and worst of all, now you're beholden to stalk me!"

"Interesting choice of words, but yeah. Believe me, I'm not too thrilled about it either."

Xana shot him a seething glare, but her retort was cut off by a series of hacking coughs. Her nose began to run and her eyes stung a little. She sniffled, "Aw frag, maybe jumping headfirst into an ice-cold river wasn't the best idea after all. We got any meds in this rust bucket?"

Talon rolled his eyes and disappeared into the refresher for a few minutes. He came back out holding a bottle of dark green liquid. Tossing it to Xana, he replied, "It's some kinda kolto-infused cough syrup, I think. Lemme see if I can find a measuring cup or something."

"No need." She took a cursory swig of the stuff, wincing as the bitter taste made its' way down her throat, then smiling at the buzzing warmth that came when it hit her stomach. Talon snatched away the bottle, fixing an exasperated stare on her.

"Don't do that, it's dangerous! What if you actually overdosed and -"

"Relax, snipertard. I only took a small sip, that stuff puts you to sleep pretty fast otherwise. So if you're really into this whole bodyguard deal, find yourself a nice section of floor and get comfortable." Xana snuggled down into her bunk and pulled a paper-bound book from her field pack. Talon looked around curiously. There were no chairs, and he sure as heck wasn't gonna wait this out in one of the bunks. He crossed over to the corner opposite Xana and slid down to the floor.

"Shouldn't you be working on your reading assignments?" he asked. Xana shot him another glare. "Never mind."

A few more minutes passed. Everything was awkwardly silent save for the rustling of pages and the tick of the power couplings. Talon decided to try again.

"So what are you reading?"

"Favorite book. You wouldn't know it."

"Really? What's it called?"

Xana let out an impatient huff and snapped, "Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. Now will you let me read?"

He smiled. Annoying her was as good a way to amuse himself as any. "I thought you were. What's it about?"

"It's a tragedy romance novel, if you must know."

"Huh. Never took you as the kinda girl to read that stuff."

"As a matter of fact, the bottom line of the story is that pettiness and superficiality are ultimately destructive, and that fairytale endings don't come true against all odds. I like it because that's something I can heavily identify with. Do you have any more irritating questions, or can I keep reading now?"

Talon was surprised and a bit ashamed for pushing her so hard. "Yeah, sure. Sorry."

"Uh huh."

-3-

For a while he just sat there and watched her read. A pang of something kept shooting across his heart – it felt like regret and grief mixed in with another emotion he couldn't identify. She'd called him "snipertard" for the first time since their fight, but it had sounded more like an insult without the teasing lilt she usually spoke it with.

The scowling girl angrily flipping through her book wasn't Xana. The Xana he used to know wouldn't take no for an answer, betray her friends, act so recklessly...or would she? Was this a defense reaction to being trapped and coerced, or was it just difficult circumstances bringing out the worst in her? He was surprised to realize just how little he really knew about her. Who are you, Xana Dakari? Who are you really?

Slowly, the book dropped from her hands and her head lolled to the side. Talon walked up and stood over her. She was sound asleep.

Now what?, he complained to himself. I'm pretty sure neither Xana nor Mission would appreciate me staying here- maybe Xana will sleep on the couches in the common room?

He gathered up the pillow and blankets from the spare bunk and arranged them over the crash seats in the common room. Satisfied with his work, he jogged back to the starboard cabin and stopped just short of Xana's bunk. He wasn't sure how to go about this. She'd already warned him – not too gently - to never interrupt her naps, and he doubted she would want to trade her bunk for the crash seats.

Talon stepped forward and bent to scoop her up. She muttered, "Try to carry me and you're a dead man."

Pausing, he chose instead to tug her up from the bunk. "C'mon Xana, you need to sleep somewhere I can see you. I set up a bed in the common room."

"Ugh, leave me alone. I'm sick and tired, literally, so let me take my fragging nap!"

"Just get up and walk there. It won't take a minute."

"No! Now. Let. Me. Sleep!"

"Okay, fine then. You know what, I've had enough of your bantha poodoo. If you're going to be stubborn and hard-headed, be my guest." He then picked her up bridal-style, blanket and all. She squirmed and thrashed in retaliation, so hard that she tumbled out of his arms altogether.

Xana landed on the floor with a resounding smack. Talon stood rigid and wide-eyed, arms still frozen where they were. If he'd thought she was angry at him before -

He began to concoct a rudimentary last will and testament in his head. She rose up slowly, dramatically. Her face was bright red with fury and her black rimmed eyes were glaring daggers at him. She raised her hand, preparing to strike at him, but took a deep breath and lowered it again.

"How dare you so much as touch me after what you did! You think you're the victim here – ha! Who was holding that sniper rifle, Talon? Who was the one standing on that riverbank when I sank, Talon?"

"And who is it that made sure you're standing here now?", he shouted back. "I didn't have to go in there after you! Why should I have? I obviously don't mean anything to you, judging from the way you've treated me since we got here!"

"How can you even say that? You were like, the last real friend I could depend on! And it was you who came after me the day I became a Jedi! If you can recall, that was what started this whole mess in the first place!"

"Now that's just irresponsible; how can you possibly blame your actions on...wait. You ran away because we fought?"

Xana blushed slightly and scowled at him. "Don't flatter yourself. It was more of a phenomenon that started a chain reaction. I ran away because I was trapped here and they were treating me like dirt, trying to force me into a mold I clearly couldn't fill. But yeah, I could've used your help. Just a little."

He just stared back at her, eyebrows raised. She smirked slightly. "That's as close to an apology as you're ever gonna get out of me. Be happy with it."

"The fight didn't impact it, just a little?"

"Oh yes, O mighty snipertard. I might have actually gotten away if your amazing powers of sharpshooting and irritation had been on my side instead of theirs. Happy now?"

"Now this is exactly what I'm talking about! You-"

"Hey, hey. Don't start that. If it's any consolation, there was a nugget of truth in that last statement. Now I'm starting to think I took too many meds after all cause I'm about to fall over backwards – what were you saying before about letting me sleep?"

She started to wobble and sway a little, so he bit back his reply for the meantime, choosing instead to contemplate what she'd referred to as the 'nugget of truth'. He led her into the common room and pointed to the crash seats. "Lay down there."

"Mmmkay, thanks." Xana flopped down onto the plush cushions and snuggled gratefully into the blankets. Right before she dropped off to sleep, she turned over and mumbled, "Hey Talon?"

He was already laying on the sofa in front of the central console, well on his way to slumber too. "What?"

"What happened to us?"

He stayed silent for a while. Right when she was nearly convinced he was already asleep, he replied, "I don't know."

"Kay. Thanks for pulling me out of the river by the way. You know, right before I blacked out, I...I realized I still wanted to live. You know? There were so many things I wanted to do, that I could have done, and the moment I thought I had taken my final breath – it was chilling. And now I've got a second chance."

"No problem. It was my duty. I never abandon my duty or my comrades, ever. Just...make sure you make the most of that second chance, alright?"

"Promise."

And with that, she fell asleep. Tomorrow was a brand new day – she'd make everything right no matter what.

AN: Muchas gracias to my new beta reader, writtenrhythm! Ya'll should read her story, One More Time. It's crazy good! And additional thanks to SkilletRox, formerly Revan's Apprentice, for her super kind reviews to the last two chapters!