Chapter 11: Starkiller's Guilt

Galen and Ahsoka had reached Galen's apartment. Ahsoka had went to sit on Galen's bed. She was watching Galen intently. She had no idea what was going on inside his head. Then out of blind anger he punched the door to his wooden cabinet, and it shattered.

Ahsoka: Baby, please calm down! Your starting to scare me.

She grabbed his arm, and he looked at her. There were tears in his eyes. He felt horrible. Ahsoka just held him close to her.

Ahsoka: It'll be okay babe. I promise you, it will be okay.

Galen: Tell that to Ghost. Its my fault he didn't come back.

Ahsoka looked shocked. Galen had never talked like this before. He was always the quiet one that nothing ever bothered. She was afraid to see him in such a weakened state. She was worried for him.

Ahsoka: Galen, you know there was nothing you could have done to stop him from dying.

Galen: I could have pulled him into the ship faster. I should have. He's gone and now he's gone and its all my fault!

Ahsoka held him tighter. She was crying now because she felt so powerless to do anything for him. She couldn't get him to understand that there wasn't anything he could have done. Ahsoka started to cry worse than Galen.

Galen; Why are you crying Ahsoka?

Ahsoka: Because I hate seeing you like this, and it hurts me even more because there is nothing I can do to help you. I'm so useless.

She broke away from him and walked to the window and spoke to Galen over her shoulder.

Ahsoka: How could you really love someone like me, when they cant even help you?

These words stabbed Galen like knives. He felt terrible. Galen walked over to Ahsoka and hugged her. His tears had subsided, but Ahsoka's were ever more present.

Galen: I'm sorry. I'm so sorry that I am putting you through this. I can't go on blaming myself for what happened. Losing a comrade hurt, but losing you would kill me. I don't want to lose you Ahsoka. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.

Ahsoka: Are you sure? I mean, I'm not worth much of anything.

Galen was shocked at what he had heard. He pulled Ahsoka closer to him and turned her around. If he couldn't tell her how much he loved her, He'd show it. He kissed Ahsoka with more love and passion than she had ever experienced. They laid down on the bed together.

Ahsoka: Thank you for not leaving me.

Galen: Thank you for believing in me.

Ahsoka turned over on her side, and Galen pulled her closer to him and then pulled the covers up to their shoulders, and they drifted off to sleep. Galen woke up before Ahsoka. He left a note saying that he was going to Club Solar. He left the note on her pillow, and left.

Galen: Well ,this damn place never changes.

Galen made his way through the streets and into the club. He was walking towards the bar when he thought he saw Rangemaster walk in and sit down at the bar.

Galen: Well, if the guy hates me, then lets let him kill me.

Galen walked to the bar and sat down next to Andrew. They ordered the same drink and had a chat while they waited.

Andrew: You look like there's a lot on your mind.

Galen: Andrew, I know you must hate me after what happened with your brother. I'm sorry for what happened to Bishop. I should have been just a second faster.

Andrew put a brotherly hand on Galen's shoulder.

Andrew: There was nothing that you could have done to save him. But you cant just go around and think that it was your fault. How were we supposed to know that the guy was still alive?

Galen: We didn't. But I feel bad. That's the first time I've ever lost a man.

Andrew: Well, we all have to move on. But we cannot forget my brother's memory. He had a lucky patch. He wore it on his tactical gear.

Galen: Yeah, that skull bat.

Andrew: Well, I think we should all get a patch like that in his memory.

Galen: I'm all for that buddy.

By the time they had made up and straightened everything out, their drinks had arrived. They both picked the drinks up.

Galen: To Ghost!

Andrew: To Ghost!

Both: Many of our brothers have fallen, but they add more fuel to the eternal flame that safely guides fellow seals into the light. Long live Ghost. Long live the Seals! And Long live the Republic!

Then the doors to the club opened. Four clone troopers and Commander Fox entered the room. Fox came directly to Galen.

Fox: Sir, we thought you might like to know that we have the man who killed Ghost in custody. You and Rangemaster are to interrogate him tomorrow.

Galen: Understood.

With that the clones left. Galen and Andrew finished their drinks off and were about ready to leave when Andrew stopped him.

Galen: What is it?

Andrew: I picked this up for Chuchi on my way here. What do you think?

Galen cracked a wide smile.

Galen: Congratulations man. I'm happy for you. So when you gonna do it?

Andrew: About three weeks.

Galen: Well let me know how it goes down.

They shook hands and walked out of the bar. They parted ways at the end of the walkway. They were on their way to becoming their old selves again. When Galen returned home Ahsoka was still asleep. He woke her up so they could get ready for bed.

Ahsoka: So, how'd it go?

Galen: It went pretty good.

Galen was by now only wearing his tight skinned underwear, and Ahsoka only had on her bra and panties. They crawled into bed together, and they peacefully drifted off to sleep. On the other side of town however there had been seven noise complaints filed to Chuchi's apartment for loud moaning being heard by neighbors. When the moaning ceased inside the room were the clothes of the senator and the seal all over the room, and none of them on their owner. They were asleep in bed together.