The sun arose as it always did on Saleucami. Only now, something else was transpiring in the Cyneran-Tano household. The event they had been waiting for week after week. The birth of their child. Many questions formed in his head. However, one question was preeminent over all of them: how much longer was she going to stay in labor?
She had taken to the early labor quite well. The only times she was bothered was the small contractions that took place. He had been able to cover her with one of her shirts and placed a towel underneath her. Still, she was able to be mobile to some extent. She would talk around the room to make sure give her legs some activity or to go to the bathroom. She knew she wouldn't have much use of them during active labor.
"I'll get some tea," said Taran. He knew it was important that she stayed hydrated.
"Thanks Taran," said Ahsoka.
Hastily fetching it, she brought it to her. She sipped the drink slowly.
"How are you feeling?" said Taran.
"It only hurts when the contractions come through. Other than that, I'm fine most of the time," said Ahsoka.
Taran sat on the bed next to her as she lay back. He was able to remain calm, though there was a slight anxiety to him. It was stemming back to the fact that he was about to be a father. The thought exhilarated him, and frightened him at the same time.
"Excited?" he asked.
"Very much so, but I know in the next few hours I will be yelling a different tune," said Ahsoka.
"Don't worry. I'll be here to hold onto you throughout it all," said Taran.
"I just hope that I don't say anything...too vulgar," said Ahsoka.
"I'll know you won't mean it in the long run," said Taran. "How bad could it be?"
"From what Suu told me, it'll get pretty bad," said Ahsoka.
"I'll remember that," said Taran.
"Are you ready to be a father?" said Ahsoka.
He froze. He didn't know how to answer it, at least right away. His hand went to hers, gripping it securely with his fingers entwining with hers.
"I don't know," he answered honestly.
Ahsoka stroked her thumb over the back of his palm.
"Just take it a day at a time," said Ahsoka.
"I will," said Taran. "Thanks."
She smiled before she grit her teeth from another sharp pang.
"This is going to be just peachy," Ahsoka said sarcastically.
A few more hours later and she was finally out of early labor. Now was the most painful part of labor. At first the pain was sharper, but she could handle it. However, one very large pang hit her. She cried out, her hands gripping the mattress sheets hard.
"Ok," she said, trying to catch her breath. "I think we should call them now."
"On it," said Taran. He went to the dresser where his comlink. He quickly pressed the button to hail Cut.
"Cut, are you there?" said Taran. He waited a few seconds.
"Cut?" he called again.
"Yeah, I'm here. Something wrong?" said Cut.
"Ahsoka is going into labor," said Taran.
"Right now? Sparks, we'll be there. How are you holding up?" said Cut.
"I'll be fine," said Taran.
"Hang tight. We'll be there soon," said Cut.
Taran did his best to care for her. He held her hand whenever an especially painful contraction hit her, but the rest period allowed her to cover. In the back of her mind, she knew that during the actual birth that they would last far longer and be more painful than anything she'd ever felt.
Taran heard the knock at the door, excusing himself. He opened to reveal the Lawquane family.
"How is she?" asked Suu.
"She's doing fine so far. The contractions aren't too painful," said Taran. At that moment, they heard her cry out.
"We got here just in time. I'll go in there and start helping her with her breathing," said Suu.
"Anything you need us to do?" said Cut.
"For now, just wait. Get some more towels and wait for anything else we might need," said Suu.
"Okay," said Taran as Suu left.
"Is Ahsoka going to be alright?" said Jek.
"Let's hope so. It's not going to be easy for her," said Suu as she and Taran went into the room.
"She will be Jek. She's a strong woman," said Cut.
Meanwhile, Ahsoka was fighting hard to keep everything in check. The pain was barely tolerable and she needed more than anything for someone to come and be right next to her. Suu hurriedly came in along with Taran.
"Suu. Thank the galaxy you're here," said Ahsoka.
"How do you feel?" asked Suu.
"When the contractions aren't hitting me, just peachy," said Ahsoka.
"Let's go over the breathing procedure," said Suu.
The hours ticked on by as Ahsoka went through one painful contractions after another. Her cervix was dilating, nearing the 7 cm it needed to be for the transition phase. The contraction periods got longer and the rest periods shorter. It would only be a matter of time before she reached.
Cut, Jek and Shaeeah would rush off and do whatever task Suu called for them to do.
"How are you holding up champ?" said Cut when he came in with a bowl of water.
"I'll be better once this baby is out of me," said Ahsoka.
"Remember, don't push down until it's time for the actual birth," said Suu.
"Got it," said Ahsoka, breathing steadily.
"How much longer?" said Taran. He had noticed she had been in this stage for near on six hours.
"She should be entering the birthing stage in about an hour," said Suu.
"Great," she said sarcastically, her eyes looking up to the ceiling.
"You're doing good so far," said Taran, wiping off some sweat off of her.
"Easy for you to say," said Ahsoka as he rubbed her belly. "You don't have to push a living being out of your-"
"Noted," said Taran, massaging her sides in an effort to soothe her.
"Ugh, I'd love for this to hurry up and get it over with," said Ahsoka.
"Trust me, you're going to be regretting that soon," said Suu.
Her statement proved correct. Ahsoka started the birthing phase an hour later. She instantly regretted saying that. The first contraction caused her to cry out louder than she had anticipated.
"Kriff, that hurt more than all the others combined," she said through her gritted teeth.
"You're starting the last phase. Keep to your breathing. Each contraction is going to last around sixty to ninety seconds," said Suu.
"Lovely," she said, slightly panting.
"Don't worry, we're right here with you Soka," said Taran, taking her hand. She managed a weak smile.
"Thanks Taran," she said before another contraction hit her and her hand clenched hard on his.
Taran let out a low grunt as he felt his hands squeezed, gripping back to offset her own. Had he been a second later, she might have sprained his hand.
"Sorry," she said once the contraction finished, her grip slackening.
"You're fine, you're fine," he said, releasing her hand to flex his fingers. The knuckles hurt, but he still had a functioning hand.
"Cut, see to the children. You might need to cover their ears," said Suu.
"On it," said Cut.
"Okay Ahsoka, you're in the most important part. Keep to your breathing and push only when I tell you," said Suu.
Ahsoka nodded, sitting up until her head was on the headboard. Taran stayed by her side as she experienced the worst natural pain she had ever felt. Her contractions felt like Sith lightning was hitting her in her insides. Even as she felt them hit, she could also feel the baby inside of her preparing its departure from her.
"Nine months of carrying you inside. It'll all be worth i-AW!" she thought just as another contraction hit her. She rode it out, clutching onto Taran's hand.
"You're doing good great Ahsoka," said Taran.
"Taran, you say one more word, I'll rip your head off!" she screamed out. Suu checked under the covers to see how far along she was.
"You're fully dilated. The next contractions are going to start forcing the baby out. When the next one hits, start pushing," said Suu.
"Got it. Oh kriff, this is not going to be pleasant," said Ahsoka, fixing her grip on his hand. "Sorry Taran."
"It's alright. Let's get through this," said Taran. Ahsoka controlled her breathing, sweat already on her body from the struggle thus far.
"When the contractions hit, start pushing as hard as you can," said Suu.
Ahsoka nodded, bracing herself. The telltale signs of the next contraction were there. It pulsed after first before she was hit full force with it. She cried out from the pain whilst simultaneously pushing. She felt her baby inside descend to its lowest peak. She knew she would start to crown soon. She pushed with all her might when the contraction hit. When it ended, she slumped back to catch her breath and recover the best she could.
"Good job. I'm starting to see the head," said Suu.
"This is daunting," Taran thought, comprehending how he was experiencing this moment.
"Kriff, you are not touching me again after this," she said, breathing hard.
"I hope that was the hormones talking," said Taran.
"Call it whatever you want, but I am not going through this a-AGH!" yelled Ahsoka, another contraction hitting her. She clenched his hand beyond her own strength, feeling the bone and muscle strain inside.
"Come on Ahsoka, keep pushing," said Suu. "The baby is crowning."
"Ngh!" she grunted out as she pushed hard again. She focused her attention on her pelvic muscles and the walls of her vagina to help coax the baby out. She felt some slight movement, but not much.
"I can see the head, you're doing well," said Suu.
"How much longer?" said Ahsoka.
"Shouldn't be too long now. Just keeping pushing," said Suu.
The process went on for another half an hour. Ahsoka pushed with each new contraction, but the baby only moved slightly out. Suu began to sense that something was wrong. Usually the baby would be out by now, but it was like it was stuck. She applied a hand gently to Ahsoka's inner pelvis, placing a small amount of pressure. When the next contraction hit, the baby didn't move at all.
"Oh no," said Suu.
"What is it? What's wrong?" said Taran.
"The baby is...stuck in a sense. Her muscles in the area must be involuntarily locking, keeping it from moving. This isn't good, especially for her. If the baby starts to struggle out, there can be a lot of internal bleeding," said Suu.
"What can I do?" said Taran.
"I'll try to coax the baby out even more. Ahsoka, relax the best you can," said Suu.
"I'm trying," said Ahsoka.
Suu could already see that more of her fluid and even some blood was starting to trickle out. She rubbed Ahsoka's hips, applied slight pressure on top of her stomach, and using a hand towel soaked in hot water to press on her belly. Nothing was working. More blood was starting to seep out and Ahsoka was dealing with too much pain for her to handle. Taran understood the look on Suu's face as she tried everything she could. He looked down as Ahsoka struggled during her latest contraction. Her shirt was covered in her sweat, and the sounds of anguish pierced his heart. He no longer felt the pain in his hand anymore. Taking a deep breath, he let her hand go and walked to the bathroom.
"Taran?" said Cut, having come in with more wet towels. Taran walked to the sink and opened up the tap.
"I have to show you this," said Taran, his hands making a pulling motion.
"Please forgive us," he thought as the water came and surrounded his hands, encasing them in their flow.
Cut's mouth went slack, dropping the towels as Taran walked towards Ahsoka on their bed. Suu saw it too as the water began to glow with a blue and white light, her eyes widening in shock. Taran placed his hands on her belly and the glow intensified as the water surrounded her pelvis. Ahsoka sighed from the warm and cool sensation. Taran concentrated on easing her muscles to allow the baby to move. Ahsoka was hit with another contraction, and this time she pushed with all of her might.
Suu, snapping out of her initial shock, came forward to help in the delivery.
"Give it all you have Ahsoka," said Suu.
Ahsoka cried out in pain as she used every muscle in her pelvis. After ten seconds of hard pushing, the baby was born. Taran didn't see the baby as it was born, only the sound of its cries. Ahsoka, feeling that she was finally done, slumped onto the headboard with the sound of a mix between a sob and sigh of relief. Her eyes closed as Suu carefully began their baby into a clean towel.
"It's a boy," said Suu.
Taran looked down to see his child. When he first laid eyes on him, his eyes widened as the shock of having his and Ahsoka's living child right there before his eyes overwhelm baby was crying out as his small hands clenched moved around against its own will. He had a small amount of hair on his scalp, no montrals and lekku present. His skin was red-orange, and there were small white markings on his cheeks, barely visible but still present. His eyes were scrunched up as he wailed at the top of his little lungs. Once he was cleaned off, Suu carefully placed her on Ahsoka.
"By the stars, he's beautiful," she said tiredly, cradling the small baby in her arms.
They were still connected via their umbilical cord, allowing him to get in some more nutrients before it was time to cut. The baby fidgeted in her hold, getting use to the sensation of his mother's skin for the first time. Taran bent the water from off of her and into an orb, sending it back to the sink. Taran took out his knife, making sure to sanitize it as he cut the umbilical cord and staunch it. As Ahsoka relaxed to get rested, Taran turned and saw Suu and Cut looking at him questioningly.
"I guess I have some explaining to do," said Taran.
"What was that?" said Cut.
"On my home planet, it's called Bending. I'm a bender," said Taran.
"A bender?" said Suu.
"We can control one of the four elements: water, earth, fire, and air. However, I'm a unique person," said Taran, a flame appearing in one hand and a small tornado of air in another.
"I'm the Avatar. I can control all four," said Taran. "And that's not all."
"What else is there?" said Cut.
"Can we wait for Ahsoka to rest. She's been through a lot right now," said Taran.
Though he looked like he wanted to press the matter, Cut nodded.
"We'll tell you everything, don't worry," said Taran.
The baby was nursing quietly, Ahsoka cradling him close to her. Here he was, her son. When she had seen him for the first time, she knew now that it was all worth it. She never left her grasp once he was born. She was extremely tired, having been up for near on fifteen hours and going through the after birth as her cord was cut and the placenta was expelled as well. However, she and Taran had to tell the Lawquanes the truth of their true identities.
Jek and Shaeeah were let in, being quiet as they looked at and touched his head. The baby hadn't opened his eyes yet, not even while nursing.
"You okay?" asked Taran.
"I'm okay now," said Ahsoka.
"Suu, do you remember when we first met?" asked Ahsoka.
"Yes, why?" said Suu.
"You asked us if we had any weapons besides our blaster. We were lying," said Ahsoka. "Taran."
Taran lifted his hand. At first, nothing happened. That is, until two cylindrical metallic objects came in floating in midair. The kids gasped, as well as their parents.
"I...I know these. Those are lightsabers," said Cut, looking at them intently.
"Yes," said Taran.
"That means, you're Jedi," said Cut.
"Jedi!" said Jek and Shaeeah in awe.
"Yes, we were," said Taran. "And we knew about you when we first saw you Cut."
"You did? How?" said Cut, truly amazed.
"Rex told us about you. I was his former commander," said Ahsoka.
"Former command...wait, I remember now. He told us about you! Tano was her name. But then...," said Cut.
"We lied about our true identities. Taran's last name is Cyneran and mine is Ahsoka Tano," said Ahsoka.
Cut's mind was buzzing in a literal sense. One of the former commanders of the Grand Army of the Republic right here nursing her infant before his eyes. Two Jedi were living amongst them the whole time. His eyes focused on the both of them. Though news took awhile to get here, he knew from what travelers and others in the area say about the end of the war was that the Jedi had tried to assassinate the then Chancellor. His brothers had stopped them, wiping them out. That means they had been harboring traitors.
His teeth grit as anger started to flood his mind.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?" he said, his tone tightly controlled. They could sense the anger enveloping him.
"Cut, can we please exp-"
"There is no explaining!" he yelled at them, shocking not only the couple but his wife and children as well.
"You're wanted fugitives of the Empire. You've lied to us for months about your identities, identities which out my family in unparalleled risk. Do you know what the Empire will do if they caught wind we were helping Jedi fugitives? Did you even bother to think of the consequences?" he yelled at them.
Each of his words hit them like a knife in their hearts.
"We did," Taran said quietly.
"And yet you put us at risk anyway," said Cut, his arms folded across his chest.
"We didn't want to lie. We wanted to tell you who we were from the beginning, but we couldn't. said Ahsoka. Cut arched his eyebrow.
"Cut, you don't know what really happened. When the clones turned on the Jedi, it wasn't because we were betraying the Republic. Palpatine is the one who started the war," said Taran.
"What are you talking about?" said Cut.
They explained everything they could, Ahsoka momentarily stopping and Taran taking on from there once she knew the baby was finished nursing and she burped him. He fidgeted in her arms as she dabbed up the leftover milk. His eyes were still closed.
"He's probably still adjusting to the new environment," she thought.
Taran kept explaining everything to the Lawquanes, answering all their questions. He told them how Order 66 had come to fruition with its desired goal and how they had miraculously survived. They listened to their tale in awe and horror as Taran recounted the events from that terrible night two years ago and how the war had been engineered from the very beginning by Palpatine.
"Even now, I think of all the men I served with. I still remember their names Cut: Fives, Waxer, Tup, Hardcase, Plies, Hunter, Bogs, Felix, and others I never got to know of well enough before they were killed. The men you were serving with Cut. All their deaths were meaningless. We were all pawns that entire war and we never saw it. Your brothers died and all my friends and people we knew in the Order are either dead or scattered all over the galaxy, and I'll never see them again. It's all because of Palpatine. We can't have a normal life Cut."
"That's why we couldn't tell you Cut. If the Empire had caught wind of us, we would have had no chance getting off the planet before they were notified. There's no telling what they'd do to Ahsoka, or the baby for that matter. From what that Imperial scientist said, he shouldn't even be born," said Taran.
Cut listened as Taran spilled his emotions to him. His anger, though still somewhat present, was no longer as inflamed as before. The look in their eyes as they recounted their past made him more sympathetic to their plight.
"However, we do know that we've put your family at an unnecessary risk. If you think it would be better, we'll leave," said Ahsoka.
"Ahsoka?" said Taran.
"Taran, we'd have to. I've already lost more friends than most could ever imagine. I don't want us to be the reason why something bad happens to them. I couldn't live with myself. There's always other places to go," said Ahsoka, gently rocking their newborn. Suu saw the look in her eyes. She had seen it before on herself, all those years ago when he left. The look of hopelessness, but the will to go on.
"Cut, they have to stay," said Suu.
"What?" said Cut.
"They have nowhere to go. They can't go back to their home planets and for them to start somewhere else with a newborn is out of the question," said Suu.
"But Suu, the risk is too great. You and the kids are my biggest priority," said Cut.
"I know Cut, but if we send them away it could mean their deaths. If they've went all these months and so far no Imperial activity has come by, there should be no harm," said Suu.
"But Suu, there's always a risk," said Cut.
"You took a risk as well my love," said Suu, taking his hand.
Cut sighed. He remembered the momentary fear he had when Rex had stayed at their homestead. It had took Rex seeing his life on the farm and fighting off a squad of malfunctioning commando droids to not report him. He would always be grateful to Rex for what he had done for him and his family.
"Besides, what's our motto?" said Suu.
"Help everyone we can," said Jek.
"Exactly," said Suu.
Cut took a long, deep breath. He looked at the young couple, his eyes seeming to search for them.
"Are there any more secrets?" he said.
"None. We've told you everything," said Ahsoka.
"And you're sure no one else knows you're here?" said Cut.
"We're sure. We had a bounty hunter after us, but we gave him the slip. We haven't seen or heard of him all these months. It's safe to assume that we won't be seeing him anytime soon," said Taran.
Cut thought in a moment. They were right. There had been no Imperial presence or other unsavory characters come by since their arrival. Maybe they were safe.
"Alright. I'm still mad about your lies to protect your identity, but I understand why you did it. You wanted to protect your child, something any parent would do. You don't have to leave. We'll keep your secret safe with us," said Cut.
"Cut...," said Taran.
"No buts. For now, rest up. You're gonna need it with your newborn here," said Cut.
Suddenly, the baby let out a small little cry as its face scrunched up and it fidgeted around more. His eyes slowly opened, revealing them to all present around him. Ahsoka gasped before a warm smile spread across her face.
"Wow, they're so pretty," said Shaeeah as she took a closer look at him.
His left eye matched his mother's eyes; his right eye matched his father's.
"Why are they different colors?" asked Jek.
"I don't know, but they befit him," said Suu.
To Taran and Ahsoka, it was like they could see the other reflected in his eyes. The tiny infant in her arms took in his new surroundings, cooing as his limbs moved around.
"Taran, come hold him," said Ahsoka.
"Hold him? I...um," said Taran.
"Relax, he won't bite. At least not yet he won't," said Ahsoka, motioning for him to come closer.
He sat down beside her as she carefully gave their baby over to him. He softly cradled his head as he got a really good look at him. He could hardly believe his eyes. He was holding their child, his own flesh and blood, in his hands. Words failed to come from his mouth as he looked into the eyes that mirrored his and Ahsoka's.
"Did my father feel like this?" he thought.
"So, what's his name going to be?" asked Cut.
Ahsoka thought on it. Truth be told, that hadn't thought of any names, deciding to find out the gender of the baby before they inquired into it.
"We could name him after your father, or someone else if you'd like?" said Ahsoka.
"As much as I'd like to, I feel like he has to have his own unique name rather than have one passed down to him," said Taran. "Any come to mind?"
"I have one in mind. I thought on it when I came across its meaning a few months ago," said Ahsoka.
"Zephyr."
"Zephyr?" asked Taran.
"It means gentle breeze," said Ahsoka. "Do you like it?"
Taran smiled, nodding his head.
"Zephyr Cyneran. I like it a lot," said Taran, taking her hand.
"Can I hold him next?" asked Shaeeah.
"Nah uh, me first!" said Jek.
"Children, calm down. You'll each be able to hold the baby, oh sorry Zephyr," said Suu.
"Oh, Shaeeah?" said Jek. "You know that means you lost the bet. Zephyr's a boy."
"Oh kriff," said Shaeeah.
"Shaeeah!" said both Cut, Suu, Taran and Ahsoka.
"What? Ahsoka was saying it a lot as well," said Shaeeah.
"Oh spirits," Taran thought as Cut and Suu began to lecture Shaeeah and Jek on the importance of not saying that word. Ahsoka blushed in embarrassment before she felt his hand grip hers. He got closer to her as they both looked down at their newborn son.
"We're going to raise you well Zephyr. I promise," Ahsoka thought.
The Rodian had his hands up to his two assailants pointed their blasters at him.
"And you're sure this is the trader's alias?" said Bane.
"Yes. I-i'm sure," he said.
"Good. We're done here," said Bane, holstering his blaster. "Nish, if you would like."
"Don't mind i I do," said Nish, advancing menacingly on the Rodian.
The Rodian tried to plead with her, but she needed a meal. She had already gone a few days without one and she was raring for it. She seized the Rodian's head as her proboscises slithered out and made for his nostrils. They traveled up them until she could feel the ends in his cranial cavity. From there she fed from his 'soup' as the Rodian writhed in agony.
Bane looked away, typing into the ship's network. The ship of the Dug merchantman he was after, according to the database, had last touched down Ord Plutonia. Much to Bane's chagrin when they had raided their first merchant ship for information, the merchant guild did not give the location of each and everyone of their ships. Their main headquarters was the only one that possessed that data and Bane knew better than to go in guns blazing in a heavily defended headquarters such as that. Besides, he had to stay undercover for his plan to go.
The system he and Nish had been at for months was to track down the individual members of the large guild. The ships did keep logs of their latest trading ventures and when they were in close proximity to other merchantmen, so it was all a matter of waiting for an unsuspecting guild member to surface and interrogate. If they cooperated readily with additional information on the whereabouts of other members, they let them go. If they refused or sometimes when he was in a bad mood, he'd let Nish feed on them. He'd always turn away from it, finding the manner the Anzati fed repulsive. Though the Rodian had given them the information they needed, Bane decided that he was better off not alerting other members of their whereabouts. He had been very careful to cover their tracks.
"Aw, Rodians are a delicious bunch when you find the right individual," said Nish as her proboscises retracted back, the dead Rodian slumping on the ground.
"That's disgusting," said Bane, retrieving the information he needed.
"You haven't complained thus far," said Nish.
"Only because it won't stop you from doing it," said Bane nonchalantly.
"Always the most observant," said Nish. "So what have you got?"
"The location of the merchant we're looking for. Well, this'll be difficult. According to this, he's operating in Hutt controlled territory at the moment," said Bane.
"So what? Let's just go in and get him," said Nish.
"That's not the problem. If he's currently under the care of one of the Hutts, he is near untouchable. As much as I could do it, having a target on my head after all I've done to get to this position would not be wise. Therefore, we need to scout and wait until he's out of those overweight slugs' grasp," said Bane.
"Fine, fair enough," said Nish, crossing her arms. "This operation we've been doing has cost me a quite a few choice bounties over these past months."
"You can go on some bounties while I do surveillance," said Bane.
"And what is stopping from thinking you'll double cross me?" said Nish.
"As I told you, I need you for this assignment," said Bane.
He took out the data chip and stored it in his jacket.
"And when will I hear that everything is good to go for the next phase?" said Nish.
"Soon, you have my word," said Bane, giving her a toothy grin.
"I'm more into actions as proof than words," said Nish.
"Be that as it may, you shall hear from me when the Dug tells me everything he knows," said Bane.
Ahsoka and Zephyr were both asleep. Ahsoka was resting peacefully, all of her guard down as she rested. Zephyr was asleep in a small crib right by their bedside. The crib was initially in the other room designed for him, but Taran had moved it there for the time being to keep him close by. Taran stepped out of the house, closing the door quietly as the Lawquanes prepared to leave.
"Cut, can I talk to you?" said Taran. Cut nodded, getting off the speeder and coming to stand before him.
"I can't thank you enough for all of this," said Taran. "I don't think there's anything that we can do to show how much you've done for us."
"I'm still a little miffed, but I understand why. I had no idea though. Almost all of my brothers gunning the Jedi down from a secret order. I can't even recall it. I never would have thought a thing like that was possible," said Cut.
"Neither did we," Taran said dejectedly. "I don't like talking about that night. It'd be easier to forget it, but I can't. I have too many friends I held dear to just clear my memory what happened."
Cut nodded. "It's the same with my squadmates. Ringo, Jester, Foxtrot, Ox, Lightweight, Sergeant Wex. They're all gone now thanks to the war. However, I can't just dwell on what happened. If my gunship hadn't went down, I would have never met Suu, Shaeeah and Jek. It's not all about focusing on the bad; there's always something good to look into. You have it now," said Cut.
Taran nodded. Sometimes, Cut seemed to be as wise as a Jedi Master. He understood life and what it could bring. All he did was dwell on what was happening now.
"I won't hold you up," said Taran. "We'll see you soon."
"Trust me, with a newborn you're definitely going to need help," said Cut. Cut made to return to the speeder, but then stopped.
"Can I ask you something?" said Cut.
"Yes, what is it?" said Taran.
"You said you were worried I would try to attack you if I heard the order. Hypothetically speaking, what would you have done had I?" said Cut.
Taran didn't answer. He looked at Cut long for a long period before he sighed.
"Don't ask me that ever again Cut. I don't want to dwell on it," said Taran.
Cut nodded. "I'm sorry. We'll stop by in a few days."
Taran nodded, turning around and walking back into the homestead. Closing the door, he sighed as he slumped to the foot of the door.
"I would have killed him," he thought sadly.
He stood up, walking to their shared bedroom. Ahsoka was still asleep as he stepped in. He quietly took off his boots, walking over to the crib. Zephyr was laying on his front, his hands sometimes fidgeting as he slept. He leaned down, kissing his son on his forehead before nuzzling his nose on his small head, feeling the small hairs slowly growing on his scalp. A small smile played on his lips when he pulled back. Taking a deep breath, he sat cross-legged on the floor to get into a meditative stance to clear his mind.