Ri awoke at dawn, noticing that she was laying on the cot in Klayton's cell. Sitting up quickly she looked around and noticed he was laying on the floor on his coat by the wall. She studied his face for a moment. He looked almost at peace asleep. His bright red strip of hair covered the bottom half of his face where it rested on the floor.

He must have moved her when she fell asleep.

They had been able to sense each other. 10-year-old Ri had been drawn to 11-year-old Klayton like a magnet. A lot of kids were because at this point, Klayton could play just about any musical instrument dropped in front of him. What else were they supposed to do when most of the adults were fleeing? He spent hours doing it to the amusement of everyone there.

She was still daydreaming of their childhood when his voice cut through her thoughts.

"Ri? You ok?" She blinked and focused on him.

He was sitting up now staring at her and realized suddenly with a flush that she had been staring at his face and at nothing at the same time.

"Yeah sorry, just remembering."

"What?" He stretched and threw his hair to the side again. Then pulled himself into a sitting position. The dawn was just barely breaking over the horizon. Most of this side of Coruscant was still asleep.

"The first time we met." She looked away.

"Ah," He turned away from her then. Closing himself off mentally. He wasn't sure how he felt about being here still and waking up almost next to Ri. He also did not want a repeat of last night when he'd remembered Yavin 4. "I'm getting an upgrade to my cell."

"What?"

"They've decided to give me a room with a view." Ri only stared at him. He crossed his arms and lifted an eyebrow. He was in a strange mood.

"When did you find that out?" Ri was suddenly embarrassed. She was still HERE. In the cell. Initially, she'd planned on standing guard outside of it, making sure no one tried anything. Not spending the night INSIDE.

"Seneschal was here last night, you had already crashed so he said I could move in the morning. I don't even have a locked door or guards." He grinned. "Want to help me move?"

She eyed his guitar bag and long black coat. "Because you have so much stuff..." She must have been more tired than she thought because Seneschal had not woken her when she was normally a light sleeper.

"Well the rest of my clothes are on Seneschal's ship still and I thought we could go get them maybe." His tone was saying something else entirely. She lifted an eyebrow and he grinned because he knew she had caught on.

What did you two decide to do? "Seneschal is aware of this?"

"Of course," Klayton responded. He knew someone was probably listening but he hoped they couldn't see him because he could not quite wipe the grin from his face. If you don't get a move on, we'll have an audience as it is without anyone wondering why you spent the night here in my cell.

Ri's face went bright red. He lifted an eyebrow again. Well? Isn't that what you were worried about?

No, I wasn't -

Don't lie to me. I can hear it remember?

Don't remind me. Her mind went blank as she focused on not thinking about anything. The corner's of Klayton's mouth dipped in amusement.

"He was waiting for me to have better accommodations, he assured the council I wasn't a flight risk." Klayton's smirk was unbearable. Ri wanted to shake him. How long did they have to sit here and have this conversation?

"I guess I'll escort you," she stood up. She badly needed a shower but that could wait till they were on Seneschal's ship. She adjusted her clothes and smoothed her hair braiding so that it hung long behind her head. When she turned back he looked away quickly. "Ready?"

He nodded and stood to do the same.

She opened the cell door and to her surprise, there wasn't anyone there. The day was still breaking however, there would be few out and about.

"You don't have to be so suspicious on your home turf," Klayton said coming out behind her. He was completely relaxed.

"You aren't about to commit something that would be considered treasonous." She said under her breath.

"Been there, done that. Let me know when you catch up?" Ri shot him an angry look, and Klayton shuddered. "If looks could kill I'd be dying slowly and painfully." He added starting off.

She had no choice but to hurry behind him. What are you so cheerful about? "You know where you're going?" That slowed him.

"Not exactly," he slowed and gave her the lead. We're leaving, why wouldn't I be in a good mood?

"Five minutes in and I already want to kill you," She muttered. Klayton grinned over her head behind her. They slipped into the natural banter they'd used as kids easily. Cheerful on you is probably the most suspicious thing you could be doing right now. Can't you pretend they're taking you into a maximum-security cell or something?

"Does this walking behind you mean that I don't trust your motivations?" He joked as they walked down pristine white halls. He carried his bag and his long black coat was thrown over his shoulder. His boots thumped the floor as he glanced around. His eyes swept over the halls and people who stopped to eye them. I could try, but it's really hard to not be excited about the idea of leaving.

Well, don't smile about it!

You are just as excited to go as I am. And this is your home.

Dagelos was home.

That sobered both of them up quickly.

Che cavolo, are you always going to be such a kill joy?

Ri didn't respond. She couldn't. The eagerness to leave had suddenly been replaced by rage and determination. One look at Klayton and she knew he could sense it as well. He stared at her for a moment before looking away and letting the subject drop.

They had traded good-natured insults back and forth constantly before. She was surprised at how easy it had been to slip into that routine. The double conversations they had always confused people. Especially when they slipped up. Outwardly they could have a meaningless conversation. Inside they could discuss serious things, like her nightmares, or whether to eat dinner at the orphanage that night or scrounge for something more decent.

They emerged from the Temple grounds and headed towards the Jedi's landing strip. She could make out Seneschal's ship. And suddenly Seneschal was there in front of her.

"Glad you could make it," he said. "I figured it would be helpful to have me escort you the rest of the way."

Ri shot him a grateful look. I like him, Klayton sent to her. He's pretty bad for a Jedi.

"What is going on?" She asked Seneschal.

"The council is deliberating." He answered. They both knew what that meant. A decision could take a while. The other temples might move faster or slower, but the saying was "Not even the Jedi move fast on Coruscant." The Central Galactic Republic as it was known these days also had its government seat on Coruscant. The Congress with its member body numbering in the thousands took even longer to debate.

Klayton said nothing. He was glad to be leaving this sluggish place. He tried not to practically run to Seneschal's ship as there were eyes watched him from all directions. He was supposed to be a guest, calm, and not exactly threatening. He had no idea where his light saber had disappeared to, but he supposed he could make another if he had to.

"Slow down Klayton," Seneschal said. "You're getting your clothes not leaving Coruscant."

"Guess that makes me the lucky one," He muttered slowing his pace down. He was anxious to get into space, find out what happened to Dagelos, figure out their next move.

"How-?" Ri started but Seneschal simply put a finger to his lips. The ramp was already down and they boarded.

"Everything you brought from Telos is still where you left it," Seneschal said. "Ri, you remember how to fly this thing?"

Ri nodded. "You're not coming with us?"

"No, Jaynor and I will stay behind and vouch for you." Seneschal looked away.

"Did you ever see this?" Klayton asked Ri suddenly as he set his bag down. It was an innocent question that came seemingly out of nowhere. It was out loud and definitely a slip up on Klayton's part.

Ri froze, and Seneschal stared at her confused at first by her reaction.

"What do you mean? See this?" Seneschal demanded looking to Ri.

"No," she said in a small voice glaring at Klayton who sat down staring at her with guilt written all over his face. Klayton, he doesn't know!

You never told anyone else?

Do you know what they would have done to me if I had? Ri said.

"You can see the future?" Seneschal said abruptly picking up the meaning by Ri's panicked reaction.

Klayton tensed. His hand strayed to his empty belt.

"They would have made me stay in the hall of Prophets, I've been there once. They don't get to travel much; they aren't allowed to. They are considered a valuable asset..."

"They're trapped." Klayton surmised sitting down. He glanced at Seneschal who was pursing his lips.

"All this time, I thought your guilt was the thing that kept that storm going inside of you. I didn't realize you were hiding your gifts."

"It's not a gift!," Ri shouted suddenly agitated. Seneschal and Klayton both managed to look startled by her reaction.

Klayton stared not sure what he was feeling. He remembered, "This shouldn't change anything." He was tempted to reach for the Force right there but Seneschal was not threatening either of them.

Yet.

Seneschal's gaze slid between them. "No, it doesn't." He said. He paused, "I can see why you wouldn't have wanted to say anything." He turned away. "Just be glad Jaynor is not here."

"Five minutes," he said over his shoulder.

Ri not sure if she was hearing him correctly.

"I'm going to start the ship, give the protocols and get off. You'll be driving if you don't mind."

Ri nodded and took a deep breath. He was letting her go. "Thank you."

Seneschal eyed his former Padawan. "Don't make me regret this Ri."

"I've seen this," she said to him. "We go, but Klayton and I go alone."

"Where are you going?"

"Trust me." She gave Seneschal a solemn stare. Her former master nodded.

Klayton stared at her from across the room after Seneschal had departed, cold all over. "How strong was that gift exactly?"

She turned away and wrapped her arms around herself. "Not strong enough."

"Ri—" He started toward her his hands out he knew what she was referring to. All her premonitions on Dagelos and she hadn't known what they were. Part of him still blamed her. Another part of him knew better than to. He never said anything out loud, but she gasped anyway. She knew. He hadn't meant to let her see that.

"Don't." She said. "Let's just get out of here first." She left the pod area leaving Klayton alone with his bag and jacket to stare after her.

He sighed and moved towards the room he'd been given originally on the ship. Dropping his bag and coat, he briefly wondered if he should put it on but then noticed his light saber was laying on the bed. Grinning he scooped it up and put it in its place back on his belt. Seneschal was either fool or he really did trust Klayton. Not me, Ri, he amended. The ship shuddered and Klayton realized they were taking off. Ri was flying and they were alone.

Not completely, Dag was standing in the corner, completely powered down. Klayton smiled at the reprogrammed holodroid. He must have gotten bored. The ship was spotless. Klayton moved over and pushed his gray head forward and found a small button on the base of his neck. This he pushed in.
"Dag, wake up."

"Master!" Dag straightened and looked around. "I see we are heading back into space."

"It's just you, myself, and Ri."

Dag paused. "Well, I say your chances of survival have gone up tremendously. Ri seems to want to protect you."

Klayton looked around. "Yeah, she does."

"Did you kill the other two?"

"No!" Klayton pulled out his light saber. "I think it's time we practiced. Where we're going...we'll need it."

This perked the holodroid up immediately. "Any requests?"

"Hardest Jedi you have stored in there."

The servos on Dag whined and lit up and suddenly a human male with sandy colored hair and brown eyes stood in front of Klayton. He bore such a resemblance to Jaynor Wik that Klayton had no second thoughts about engaging the droid in battle. Whoever he was, the droid's actions proved fast and effective and Klayton found himself on edge quickly.

After ten exhausting minutes, Klayton called a halt. He was not going to beat this Jedi just yet. "Who is he?" He had never fought this holo before.

"I believe he was called Obi-Wan Kenobi," Dag responded, changing back into his droid form. "He was a magnificent duelist."

"Yeah well, he is definitely going to kill me," Klayton responded.

"I live to serve," Dag readied for another round.

Klayton shed some of his outer clothing now that he had broken into a sweat. He could understand the Jedi's preference for using the Force to shield them and not wearing any armor, but the Sith did not go that route. They were about control. And trusting the Force to act to protect them was outside of that control. He pondered Ri's insistence that he was with her in the visions. They both wanted revenge, that was certain. Why one on both sides of the Force?

Klayton put himself back into a fighting stance studying the movements of this Obi-Wan Kenobi Dag was simulating.

It was going to be a long trip, especially since they had no idea who's face they were chasing.