The following chapter, is an adaptation of the first month in a half, after tragedy, and the major events of it, into this story. However, there are also updates to the war in this story, in this chapter. Other parts of this chapter are not to be taken seriously.
Conflicted
Revan's mandate to Griffin was a hard pill to swallow. Yet, Walker never doubted that his former Master was 100% correct. Griffin wanted to put his lightsabers into the fight, to end this war, and protect the Republic, but he knew that Cariana's death brought this to an extremely personal level for him. But as the reports started flooding in on the war's progress, and especially how bad things were becoming for the Republic, on Corellia.
Justin, Griffin's brother, had recently assumed command of the Republic forces trying to take back their homeworld. Many in the Jedi High Council, were Jedi Generals, and were now spread across the galaxy. Revan himself, was the Jedi Representative, in the Republic Military, with his fleet being co-owned by Admiral Onasi. That fleet was the one that protected Coruscant, and from the flagship, the heads of the Republic military commanded the war effort. They spent four days a week in that ship, and some even lived in it. The Republic was in good hands, this much Griffin knew. But that didn't make sitting on the sidelines any easier.
Regardless, it was time for Griffin's first week long vacation, mandated to him by Revan. In this first one, he would take his ship, and travel to a planet barely even scraped by the war, as of yet anyway, Alderaan. Having been there on several occasions, and finding redemption there, Griffin believed it would be the best place for his healing journey to begin, and maybe even end. He believed he would spend the seven days there, in isolation, in deep meditation, taking in the sights, having some fun, and enjoying a peaceful stay. He was wrong.
He landed on the planet, to the sight of the slightly snow-covered plains, the tranquil thoughts of the civilians, and nobles alike, and the subtle peace to a world dominated almost entirely by royalties, and nobilities. With a planet-wide environment, like this one, with house upon house of family nobles, vying for domination, it was always a surprise that this planet was as peaceful as it was. But Griffin was about to find out the hard way, that even Alderaan could be a dangerous place.
Griffin was welcomed into the palace of House Organa, the Republic major allies on the planet, and would stay there for the duration of that week. Planning to spend three days of the following week, at minimum, meditating in silence, and studying the planet's history, and the rest of the days taking in the sights. This first day, he would go out, and walk among the people in the smaller residential areas of the planet. He would help anyone with any sort of trouble, should they ask for it, or seem like they need it. About half an hour after he began walking through this area, he found a house, with a hole blown through the wall. Griffin stepped onto the property, with a small crowd gathered around. He found a woman, with three of her neighbors comforting her, crying.
"Excuse me," Griffin started. "What happened here?"
"Master Jedi," the woman began. "Please, c-can you find my daughter? Can you r-rescue her from the f-f-iends that kidnapped her?"
"Ma'am, I need you to slow down, take a deep breath, tell me what happened."
She took a moment, but still couldn't keep herself calm. Luckily her husband was at the scene. And he also saw everything. "Exiled House Rist Assassins have built a small fortress, not far from here. The leader of the rogues wants my daughter's hand in marriage, but she does not want to marry him. So, they have kidnapped her, for him. Please Master Jedi, rescue my daughter. If she continues to reject him, even after they have kidnapped her, they may kill her."
"Do not worry, sir. I'll free her."
"Thank you, Master Jedi."
Griffin gave a bow, as the man pointed him to the direction of the stronghold. Griffin went back to his speeder, and took a ten minute ride, the direction the man pointed him toward, until he came up on what had to be the fortress. He parked up close enough to get a good view of the place, and from what he saw, there was a security system, something which he knew nothing about. Examining the doors, and walls more closely, they were clearly strong enough to withstand his lightsabers. Griffin needed a plan. He took his speeder, and went back to the hangar he landed his ship in, which was also the Republic Command Center, on this planet. Once inside, he asked around the Republic offices, for any information that could aid him. The best piece of information, left a mixture of surprised, stunned, and even amused. The head security officer said that a security systems genius was scheduled to be brought back from protective custody, today. He said the slicers name was Henry Organa. The same man Darth Terecept was once sent after, to kill. The security officer said that he would point Organa out, when he saw him, and an hour later, lived up to his word. Griffin met the two, at the Command Center's Cantina.
"Here's the guy, Master Jedi." The Security Officer stated.
"Thank you, soldier." Griffin said, as the man bowed, and left Griffin and Henry alone.
"What's this about, Master Jedi?"
Griffin briefly contemplated starting the conversation off with, "I was once assigned to kill you, because I was a Sith," or at least something along the lines of that, but quickly decided that would be best left for never. He sat down across from the young man. "The Republic has told me that you're somewhat of a genius, when it comes to security systems."
"They wouldn't be wrong." Organa responded.
"Would that branch out into slicing them?"
"You're a terrible interrogator, Master Jedi."
"This is no interrogation. I need you're help."
"Why should I believe you?"
"Because a daughter's life is on the line, here. House Rist outcasts have a fortress built, and have kidnapped this girl, and are holding her prisoner inside. I intend to rescue her. But I can't do it, without an expert slicer's help."
"I know of the place that you're talking about. Those bastards have been bothering those nice folk, since they built they're little fortress. I believe you, Jedi."
"Call me Griffin."
"Well then Griffin, if you're gonna free that girl, you're gonna need some help. I know how to handle myself, but you'll need more than me, to survive Rist assassins."
"How do these guys work?"
"They have these advanced Stealth Generators, that block out both any sounds they make, and even their scent."
"That's something else." Griffin responded, clear surprise in his voice.
"It is. Lucky for us, the guy who built those belts, is a Rist outcast, and a friend of mine. And it just so happens, he knows how to shut them down, by broadcasting a jamming signal."
"Do you know where he is?"
"Sometime during when I was in protective custody, he called me, and told me he spotted some looters leaving my home. I asked him to stay in it, and make sure that didn't happen again. He was more than happy to."
"You drive my speeder. We'll meet up with him."
The two men boarded Griffin's speeder, and Henry drove them to his compound. Seeing the place made Griffin remember the scene, where he was reunited with Cariana, causing him to have a headache. He told Henry to go get his friend, because he needed a minute. A bit confused, Organa still did as asked, and Griffin focused on regaining full control of himself. Upon doing so, he opened his eyes, to the sound of a blaster being raised, right by his head.
"Move very slowly," a man stated. "Jedi. Don't make any sudden moves, and step out real slow. Leave them lightsabers, in your seat." The man backed up, to allow Griffin to slowly step out of his speeder. He put his hands up, as the man motioned for him to step out, in plain view, of the three thugs that joined his group.
"Bounty Hunters." Griffin started, taking a look at the group. "I don't have a price on my head, what the hell do you guys want?"
"Our target is in the building behind you. But I'd love nothing more than to warm up our weapons, then by executing you. One of your kind once killed my little brother. You may not be that Jedi, but you'll do, until I find that bastard!"
"I'm sorry for your loss," Griffin started. He then made a quick swiping motion, with his right arm, and ripped the blasters from all four group member's hands. He then crossed his arms, and continued. "But you're not going to be taking you're anger out, on me."
"That's what you think." The leader said, as he pulled out a vibroknife. The man charged at Griffin. Seeing no other option, Griffin let out a hard sigh, raised his hand up, and electrocuted the man, with Force Lightning. The man was thrown to the ground, and was dead.
"I really did not want to kill anyone, needlessly. Please don't repeat his mistake." The other three nod their heads, and left.
"Fucking Hell." Henry Organa said. "Griffin, what the hell happened here?"
Griffin turned around, to look at Henry, and his friend. "Which one of you two has a price on their head?"
"That'd be me." Henry's friend answered. "Was this a bounty hunter?"
"Yes. I didn't want to kill him. But he didn't leave me much of a choice."
"Is that gonna strain your trust in me, Jedi?"
"No. I doubt anyone would be crazy enough to follow us into a fortress full of professional assassins, just to collect a bounty."
"Very true. My name's Drew Kruesmen."
They shake hands. "Griffin Walker."
"So, Griffin, you've got some balls. Heading into a fortress of outcast Rist assassins, to save a girl, eh?"
"It's part of my job. It might get me killed, but that doesn't scare me a bit."
"Well, you have a better chance of survival, with me on board. You let me work my magic, when we've got those doors open, and we'll see them all coming, a mile away."
"Let's see you prove that statement. Let's go." Henry and Drew loaded up all of the gear, blasters, ammo, blades, and some grenades, into the speeder. The three men boarded Griffin's speeder, and drove off to the fortress, arriving twenty minutes later. They disembarked the speeder, and silently made their way up to the entrance. "Work your magic, Henry." Henry stepped up to the console, and after a minute, or so, of tinkering, the door opened up. "Now Drew, switch on that jammer." As drew had the jammer 100% powered on, and the three men could hear the stealth generators power down. Griffin powered on his green, and yellow lightsabers. "Let's roll." His two teammates loaded up their blasters, and the three charged in.
"Hey, my generator's fried." They heard one outcast state.
"Mine too."
"Intruders! Kill them!" The Rist all opened fire at once, when they realized their generators wouldn't turn on. They were all at a complete disadvantage, were these perimeter guards, as they were used to stealthing their way to the best kill shot, or strike. Now unable to sneak past their intruders, they were completely unprepared for the blaster fire, and even less so for a lightsaber, let alone two. Levelheaded, in even the most volatile firefights, Griffin deflected shot, after shot, fending off every blade, and carved his way through every opposition. Within minutes, opposition in the fortress's courtyard, was quelled.
"Griffin." Drew called. "Use this device on the doors, to get them open. It also shuts down any traps, once you insert it into the port, where a door handle would be. I've already sliced it, so don't worry. As for the main hallway we'll be heading into, the device won't work for that. Those are shut down from the control hub of the base. We'll need to be careful." Drew then walked up to the entrance, and opened the door. Griffin stepped in first. Surging pink lightning on his hands, he raised both up, shot out thin bolts, that spread across the hallway, striking all the hidden traps, and short circuiting them all. "Okay, nevermind about the traps." Drew said. Griffin smiled, and the three men walked down the halls. "I'm not picking up anymore, then one life, in my scans of this building." Drew stated.
"But we're not safe." Henry added. "I'm picking up comm chatter. One of the bodies back there must've sent out a distress signal, because all out of base assassins are returning."
"We have no time to waste then, do you guys each have a key?" Griffin asked.
"I just finished mine, and Henry has his."
"Alright then, let's move, find the girl!" The three men split up. Griffin went into the room at the end of the hallway, which was the armory. He took a quick look through, just to be sure, then exited. He then went to the room to the right. Prison Cells. He looked into all of them. All of the prisoners were dead. The woman's daughter, however, was not among them. He left the cell room, and went to the room right across the hall. He walked into the bedroom of which certainly belonged to the leader of these Rist outcasts. In said bedroom, was the one lifeform. the one he was sent to rescue. Her skin was a light shade of brown, she had long black hair, and blue eyes, full of fear. But one thing Griffin couldn't help but notice, she was absolutely beautiful. Sexy, even. He walked up to her, and she curled up into a ball, scared out of her mind. "It's okay, I'm a Jedi. You're mother and father asked me to rescue you."
"Prove you're not just tricking me."
Griffin knew that the assassin's could give the same information as he could, and that words wouldn't work here, Griffin simply used the Force, to break the girl's shackles. "Is that enough proof for you?"
"Yes. Lead the way, Master Jedi."
"What's your name?" Griffin asked, as they started walking.
"Saja Sajid. Yours?"
"Griffin Walker." Griffin extended his hand.
"I would, but when they took me, I broke my hand, when I punched one of them in the face."
"And they didn't bother to fix it?"
"No. They were to mad at me, I guess."
"That ain't no excuse." Griffin saw Drew, and Henry. "I've found the girl. Let's get out of here, before the shit hits the fan."
"Something wrong?"
"Comm chatter shows that the Rist assassins away from the base, are heading back, in response to a distress signal. We have to hurry."
They made it back to the Fortress's entrance. "Griffin, they'll see us by the time we board our speeders!" Henry yelled. "We can't go back to the village yet!"
"Then we head back to your bunker, and figure out a plan." The group of, what was now four, boarded the speeder, and they drove off. Griffin and Saja sat in the front, while Henry and Drew were in the back, with their blaster rifles leaned up on the back of the speeder, shooting at the Rist in pursuit. Griffin kept his speeder steady, as to allow Henry, and Drew to better fend of their pursuers. He did have to look to his left, to blast lightning at a speeder bike, that came out of nowhere, and attempted to ram them. They made it to the base, after fifteen minutes, and disembarked the speeder. Quickly, however, the Rist parked up, disembarked, and began shooting at the group, as they attempted to enter the bunker. Drew took a blaster bolt, to his left shoulder, and was knocked down, unable to move. Saja was told to go inside, as Griffin activated his blue double saber, twirling it in a circular motion in front of him, to deflect the blaster bolts, while Henry helped Drew get inside. Griffin slowly backed up, and when everyone was in, he used the Force to make the panel seal the door shut. He deactivated his saber, and turned around, to address his group. "We need a plan."
"We need to heal Drew, first. That door will withstand whatever they throw at it, for days. We have to help Drew, before we do anything else." Henry responded.
"I know. Get him to the medbay." Henry helped Drew get into the medbay. Griffin turned to Saja. "I'll heal your hand. Let's get to medbay, too." They walked off to the medbay. Saja sat on a chair, as Griffin went to go get a bandage roll. She looked over to Drew, who was starting to burn, from where he was shot. Griffin came back, and took her hand, gently, and used Force Heal. This caused the bone to be repaired. It was still in pain. Griffin wrapped her hand up, in two layers of bandages. "The pain will go away, in a couple of days. Just make sure nothing else happens to it."
"Okay."
Griffin stood up, and went to see if he could help Henry heal Drew.
One hour later...
For an entire hour, Henry, Griffin, and Henry's medical droid were only able to keep Drew under control, and stabilized. Now though, They suddenly lost control. Drew's heart monitor started to quicken, and he began to fade. Panic hit the room. Henry and Drew were not the best of friends, but Henry had experienced loss before in his life, which became apparent by the level of panic Griffin detected from his ally. Griffin himself was struggling. The blaster wound seemed to be deteriorating Drew's health, faster then the Force would allow Griffin to heal him. Then things really turned bad.
"Master Organa, the patient does not have a pulse."
"Voltage, now!"
The droid charged up his electricity. and slammed it into the heart. No pulse. The droid charged up another surge, and brought it down to the heart. Still nothing. Did it again, and still nothing. "Master, Drew is deceased."
"NO HE'S NOT! DO IT AGAIN!" Henry yelled.
"Henry," Griffin stepped in. "It's no use. He's gone."
Henry took a moment, to let it sink in. Then, he was furious. "Walker, kill them all!"
"I'll only do so, if there is no other option. If I can convince them to leave us alone, without a fight, then that's what I'm going to do."
"NO! They killed Drew! They have to suffer!"
"Revenge isn't going to bring back Drew, or get him peace. The only thing revenge will bring, is more graves."
"You Jedi make a bunch of excuses for why they don't kill. The truth of the matter is, your all afraid to take a life!"
"Henry, there are six Jedi, in the active Order, that are, or have been married. Four were married to other Jedi, one has had several wives, and one's wife was a civilian. That Jedi, with the civilian wife, has two kids. That Jedi's wife, was murdered, by a Sith. That one Jedi, is me. I want to find the guy who did this. I want to be the one that brings him down. But if I kill him, it will be from self defense. Should I disarm him, I will take him into custody. Justice has to be served, one way or another. But avenging a murder, with another murder, is not justice. My mission is to save this girl, from these Rist. A murder has occurred, and I can, and will find out who took the shot. I'll take him in, and tell the rest to fuck off. When I give you the signal, power down the entire bunker."
Henry took a hard breath, then nodded his head. Griffin walked to the front door of the base, and then gave the signal to Henry. All of the power in the base was shut down, and then Griffin used the Force, to make the panel open up the door. Night had now fallen, and it was so dark, that the Rist assassin's couldn't even see Griffin. They all raised their weapons, aiming straight in between the door. In response, Griffin raised his hand up, and used the Force to summon a Stasis Field, stopping nine of the ten Rist, in their tracks. Deliberately leaving their leader free to move, Griffin confronted the man. "A Jedi will make a fine prize." He cockily stated.
With a fast motion, Griffin Forced the blaster pistol out of the assassin's hand. "No one's going to be killing anyone."
"So you think." The leaders said, as he threw a knife at the Jedi. Griffin put his hand up, to stop it in it's tracks. It then fell down, and stuck to the floor.
"Don't make this difficult. All I want to do is talk."
"There's nothing to talk about, Jedi. I want the girl." He said the last part, and then threw another knife. Griffin blasted that knife away, and it got stuck in a tree.
"You're not going to get me, and your backup will be stuck, until I release them. Smarten up, and listen to me."
"Jedi, all I want is the girl. Is that too much to ask for? Must you really get involved?"
"From what I understand, she doesn't want anything to do, with you."
"She just needs some time. I'll bend her overtime, and she'll love me."
"She may say that one day, but it will never be genuine. I can tell your looking for love, and take it from me, when it's genuine, it's bliss."
"I'm not going to take advice on love, from a Jedi!"
"Then take it from someone who's been married. I broke the rules kid, and was happier for it. But only because the love was genuine."
The assassin let out a sight. "You make a good point. What do you think I should do?"
"Leave this world. You may no longer belong to the Rist, but if anything, that makes your reputation worse. Leave the planet. Whatever kind of work you get, that's your business. But look for a woman away from Alderaan."
"Okay."
"There is one more thing. One of your guys shot a member of my group. He just passed away. Whoever took that shot, he needs to be taken in."
"I understand. It was Rian." The assassin walked over to Rian, and asked Griffin to release him. Upon doing so, the assassin punched Rian in the cheek, and knocked him out cold. "He's all yours."
"You know that they may be in stasis, but they could still hear everything that has just been said."
"Oh man."
"You'll probably have to fly solo now."
"That's alright. That way, I'll always be sure my priorities are certain."
"I wish you the best."
"Thank you, Jedi."
Griffin nodded his head, and the assassin left. Taking advantage of the moment, Griffin used a mind trick, on all of the remaining Rist outcasts. "You will all forget about Rian, and leave Alderaan, for good. " He was surprised to see that they all listened, when he released them. He turned back around, and re-entered the bunker. It was way to late, at this point in time, to take Saja back home. They made the decision to stay in the bunker, for the night. Tonight they would mourn, but that was not what Griffin would end his night doing.
The guest room, of Henry's bunker, had a guest bedroom, with four bunk beds. Henry's own room, had a King sized bed in it. Griffin was heading to the guest bedroom, when he was met by Henry. "Griffin."
"Hey, you feeling alright Henry?"
"No. Listen, I want you to take my bed for the night."
"Why?"
"I... the way I'm feeling, I don't think I'll be getting a whole lot of sleep tonight. And it's a real comfortable bed, so it's better someone uses it, then no one."
"You're sure?"
"Yes. I'll take a bunk, if I decide to go to bed. Those mattress's ain't too bad."
"Alright." Griffin extends his hand. The two men shake hands, Griffin heads off to Henry's bedroom, and is met again, only this time, by Saja. "Hey, Griffin." She said.
"Hi. How's your hand?"
"It's doing just fine, thanks to you."
"Just did what I could."
"It's more than just that though. You probably just saved my life. I can't just let that go, without some way to thank you."
Griffin chuckled. She wasn't trying to seduce him, that was easily clear to him. Though he had to admit, it wouldn't be difficult for her to do, if she was. "How do you plan to do that?"
"Earlier, you talked about your wife, and two kids. Your wife is gone, you're raising two kids on your own. Maybe I could help. I'm great with kids, always get along with them. And, to be honest with you, something about you, really draws me to you."
"You have to realize something, you're applying for a position, that was once held by a goddess. Incredible woman, a mother who's better than any other mother I ever met. For three years, I was gone, held captive by the Sith. She went through pregnancy, stayed strong, and stayed even stronger, when our son was born. When I came back, she was what kept me strong, all that time I had to spend recovering, from those three years I was gone. And to be honest, every night we went at it, was better than the last. If you really want this position, you be better be able to prove to me, that you can handle it, because the boots you're trying to fill, I won't let just anyone fill."
"I can start proving it to you, right now." Now, she was trying to seduce him. And she was succeeding.
"I'll give you the chance." Griffin opened the door, and the two walked in. Griffin stood at the end of the King sized bed, as Saja closed the door, behind them. With her back still turned to him, she turned her head back, and smiled at him seductively, as she locked the door. She turned around, strutted towards him, then pushed him on the bed. She then climbed on top of him, as she dragged her fingers, from his stomach, to his chest. She has to take a moment, to tell him something. "Hey, I should warn you, I'm still a virgin."
"So was my wife, at one point in time. I did have something ready for the pain then. I have it now. You'll be alright."
"I'll take your word for it." Finally, she pressed her lips to his. They moved their hands, all across their bodies, as their tongues fought for dominance. They then broke their kiss, as Griffin began to pull up Saja's shirt. After he got it off, she took it in her left hand, and dropped it by the side of the bed. "Don't know what all she did, but let me try something." She slowly went down, and on her way down, flicked his shirt up. Taking the hint, Griffin sat up, and took his shirt off. He then laid back down, as Saja undid his belt buckle, and pulled down his jeans. For a first timer, there was very little hesitation on her end, she immediately took him into her mouth. Not only that, but she immediately went down as far as she could go.
"Catch on quick, don't ya?" Griffin looked down, and saw her smile. Then she wrapped her lips back around him. She slowly began to move her head up and down on him, which made Griffin roll his eyes, into the back of his head. She picked up speed, every minute that passed by, causing Griffin to breath quicker. Continuing for three minutes, at the end of that time, she went down as far as she could, and kept herself there, for a moment, then came up for air. This caused Griffin to squeeze his pillow, and really concentrate on not exploding right there. He then looked down at her, and motioned for her to sit up. They met each other sitting up, wrapped their arms around each other, and kissed. Griffin slid his hands up, and undid her bra strap. Then in one swift motion, he put her on her back, as they continued to kiss. She zipped down the zipper of her jeans, and pushed them down, moving her legs up, to allow her to get them the rest of the way off. Griffin needed a moment, to get himself calmed down enough, for what came next, and since he also knew she would need a warm up, he moved his hand down, and rubbed at her, through her panties. She let out a sigh of satisfaction.
However, though she did like that, she wanted all of him. She whispered into his ear, "I want you." Griffin pushed her panties down, and positioned himself. He slowly pushed into her, and although she initially moaned, she the yelped in pain. It didn't have the chance to become a scream, as Griffin had his hands on her hips, and used the Force to heal her pain, and relax. "Thanks." Saja said.
"Yeah." Griffin then went back into her, and went to work. He pushed his forehead against hers, and they kissed. This time, she moaned all the way through it. He started at a slow pace, which made her moans barely audible. Every fifteen seconds, he would kiss her for three seconds, and increase his pace just a bit, at the same time. Her moans would become louder, bit by bit, after each increase. Then it got wild. He let her switch them around, so she was on top. She takes him out of her, for a moment, so she can go reverse cowgirl. She presses her back into his gut, so she can still kiss him. She rides up and down on him, screaming into both my mouth, and the open air. "Shit! Shit! Shit! OH FUCK!"
Griffin couldn't even say a word. He personally wished he was doing this with his wife again. But while some may judge, he didn't care. He always believed that sex was one of the best parts of life, and he was glad to be doing it again. Snapping back into what he's doing, he realizes that the end is near. He uses his right leg, and arm, to push her to his left side. He puts his left arm on the side of her head, to make up for there being no pillow where her head is. He grabs her face with his right hand. "Last round." He says to her.
He moves that hand to her left breast, as he leans in, and kisses her. He pumps so hard, and fast, that while our their lips are connected, all that can be heard is kissing, and skin against skin contact. When they aren't kissing, Saja moans so loud, Griffin could swear he'll reach his climax, just from her satisfaction. He's able to hold out, however, and cums five seconds after her. He pulls out of her, as she lays on her back, looking at him. "How'd I do?" She innocently-as-possible asks.
"For someone who's never done this before... damn." Griffin responds. She laughs as she snuggles up close to him, pushing her head into his chest. She looks up at him, and they kiss, as they pass out.
The next morning...
Henry had been up, for about an hour. It was ten in the Alderaanian morning, and he was waiting for the Jedi,, and the girl he was sent to rescue, to wake up, knowing full well of what they had done last night. They kept him up half the damn night. However, he was somewhat proud of his new Jedi friend, as he himself believed that the girl was extremely hot. He would have loved to have taken the chance on her, himself, but considering what Griffin stopped Henry from doing, he was glad that he got the girl. Even more so, considering the story he told of his wife, and how he lost her.
Back in Henry's room, Griffin woke up, and took a minute to get his vision back, fully. He looked down, at the body that had her legs wrapped around his left leg, and her head resting on his chest. While last night was one of the best nights he had had in a long time, he couldn't help but think, that this was way too soon to attempt to move on with his life. He still missed Cariana terribly. At this point, he wasn't even sure if he ever wanted to give love another shot. Griffin knew he would have to tell Saja this much, but he was worried how she would react. Now, it was time to find out, as she suddenly twitched, and woke up. Giving her a moment, Griffin watched her slowly open her eyes, as she then moved her face up, and looked him in the eyes. "Good morning." She said to him.
"Good morning. We almost missed it."
"By how much?"
"Two hours. Not bad, but still pretty close."
"Yeah. So... what are you going to do now?"
"For now, I'm gonna take you back home. But first, there's something I should talk to you about."
"Okay. Everything alright."
"I... I'm not so sure how to explain this. I'm still recovering, mourning, from my wife's death. I think that maybe this step that I've taken, with you, it's too soon. I should've waited longer. If I had to name the perfect girl for this, it would be you. But, not at this moment."
"I think I understand."
"You do?"
"Yes. I'm wiling to wait for you, but not forever."
"Wow. Thank you. That was easier then I thought it would be."
She simply nodded her head. The two got out of bed, and got dressed. Leaving Henry's bunker, the group of three boarded their speeder and headed back to the village. Griffin, and Henry soaked in the moment, of Saja being reunited with her family. They stayed for an hour, to spend time with the family, accepting thanks, from her mother, and father. When they were about to leave, Saja stopped them. "Griffin!" She exclaimed.
They turned around, as they saw her running toward them. Griffin turned to Henry. "Start the speeder up." Henry nodded, and continued his walk, toward the vehicle. Griffin turned his attention to Saja. "Hey."
"I guess this is goodbye."
"For now."
"Like I said, I'll wait for you, but I won't spend years waiting for you. Try not to take too long."
"I'll try."
"Good." She then wrapped her arms around him, and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, for everything."
"My pleasure."
She giggled as he said that. They let go of each other, and went their separate ways. Griffin climbed into the driver's seat.
"Master Jed, can you take me back to my bunker?"
"Of course."
Griffin drove the speeder back to Henry's bunker. He knew that Henry had brought in a casket, for Drew last night, and had hired a mortician, to dig a grave, in front of the bunker, to the right of the door. They parked up, in front of Henry's bunker, and dismounted the speeder. The mortician was still there, and he had three men with him, to help carry the casket. "The deceased has already been placed inside of the casket. Once you're ready, we'll head inside, and start to carry the casket, and lower it into the grave sight."
"I need a little bit of time, to engrave his tombstone." Henry stated.
The mortician bowed his head. Henry had a stone ready, so he grabbed his tools, and got to work. Once he was finished, the tombstone read: Here lies Drew Kruesman/ Friend, and brother. He pushed the stone into the ground, at the front edge of the burial ground, and then accompanied the other five men, to carry the casket, to the plot. They slowly lowered the casket down, and then stepped back. Griffin volunteered to put the dirt back into the burial spot, as the mortician read Kruesman's last rites. It helped him to keep from having flashbacks, of when Griffin buried his wife. By the time Griffin had finished, the mortician had finished with "May he find everlasting peace." As the morticians left, Griffin approached Henry.
"You need some time?" He asked.
"Yes, thank you." Henry responded. Griffin patted him on his shoulder, and walked away.
Nightfall...
As Henry stared out, into the starry sky, he was joined, by Griffin. "How you feeling?" He asked.
"More or less the same." Henry started. "I'm thinking less."
"Guess now we have something in common. We've both dealt with a hugely personal loss."
"Yeah."
"What are you gonna do now?"
"Honestly, I don't want to be on this planet, anymore."
"Then how about take you off of it?"
"You have a ship, Jedi."
"One I call my own. The Blade's Edge. I've been thinking about building up a crew, from me, and my droid, for some time now. Do you want to be my first addition, kid?"
"Does you droid handle technological stuff?"
"No, he's more of a combat type of droid."
"If we can leave tonight, then I'm in." Henry extended his hand. Griffin took it, and they shook. Henry had to get some things out of his bunker, favorite weapons, favorite technological devices, and the like, and Griffin had to get some things he left, in Organa palace. Henry headed straight to Griffin's ship, and waited for him. "Hell of a vessel." He said to Griffin, when Griffin finally got into the hangar.
"You like this ship on the outside, wait till you see the inside." They entered the ship, Griffin introduced Henry, to CID, who then went off to fly the ship off of Alderaan. Henry went to explore his new home, and Griffin went to his room to meditate.
First of all, That is easily the longest chapter I've ever written, in my life. Second of all, the true parts of the chapter, the girl, the fact that there was a guy who was into her, but she wasn't into him, the fact that I told that guy to fuck off, the fact that me and the girl went at it, and the fact that should I ever move on, She's the one I'll be looking to hook up with. As life goes on, I'll have new inspiration, for the next chapter.