Yet another chapter that came late. I really don't have much time for writing.

I do not own Starwars.

I've just finished working for the day when I notice Juliet heading in my direction my lips start to curve upward when I notice the somewhat anxious expression on her face as she hurriedly looks around.

It doesn't take long to get to her side and ask, "What's wrong? Did something happen?" She glances around somewhat before she says, "Well ... yes." She opened her mouth to continue before she glanced at a nearby door and asks, "Is that room empty?" I nod and quickly lead her into the room which was more a closet to store cleaning supplies.

Once inside, I turn and ask, "What happened? Did Krell or Romeo do something?"

A small half smile appeared on Juliet's face as she says, "First, I'm sorry in advance. Second, it was Krell, but he didn't do anything to to me in particular." I relax for a moment before I think about the meaning of the first part. It meant that she'd done something that she knew I wouldn't like. After thinking for a minute I say, "You went outside alone." After a moment, Juliet nods. I groan slightly. Her expression makes it clear that she understands my frustration and feels guilty for making me worry. After a minute I ask, "You had a good reason, right?" Juliet's seems to relax at the question as she nods and replies, "I wouldn't have gone outside otherwise."

I nod, and gesture for her to continue. After a couple moments, Juliet says, "A while ago, I noticed that Krell was taking several trips to the brig for seemingly no reason and decided to go to the brig and see if I could fine out why." I frown as I echo, "The brig? It's empty ..." My voice trails off as I say, "You're going to say it isn't, right."

Juliet smiles in response before taking my hand and saying, "It would be simpler to show you that to explain."

We leave the closet quickly and check to make sure that Krell's occupied before we hurry to the brig. Juliet quickly operates the controls and the lift descends to reveal that the brig isn't as empty as everyone thought it was.

Fives' smiles wryly as he says, "That works too I guess." Juliet smiles back as she replies, "I couldn't think of a way to say you weren't dead without sounding, well, crazy. So I decided to bring Wolffe here instead."

Once I finally process that I'm not seeing things, I ask, "How's Krell involved?" Fives' expression becomes serious as he explains how Krell intends to betray the republic and had the 501st captured for finding out the truth. My expression darkens as I say, "He can't get away with this." Fives nods as he says, "Capturing Krell won't be easy. He'd act the moment he suspects you know the truth."

There's silence as everyone thinks. After a minute, I look up and say, "We need to go." Fives nods and we agree to meet up soon to present out ideas.

Once we're safely in my room, Juliet sighs and flops onto the bed. I chuckle at the expression on her face before I begin to remove my armor. On most days, we sleep in our own rooms. But on some days, like today, it seems safer to sleep in the same room. Once my armor has been taken care of, I lay down next to Juliet who rolls over to lean into my side. The corners of my lips pull upward as I wrap an arm around her shoulders. Months ago, I wouldn't have believed it was possible to feel as peaceful as I do despite being surrounded by war.

After a minute I mutter, "We should probably drag Echo along the next time." Juliet gives me a confused looks as she utters a confused sound. I glance over as I explain, "They were batchers together. Trained in the same group." Juliet nods in understanding and the room goes silent.

A minute passes and Juliet props herself as she asks, "I can't help but wonder, what your batchers were like." I can't help blinking in surprise at the question and Juliet looks embarrassed as she hurries to say, "Not that you have to tell me if you don't want to."

My head shakes as I say, "No, it's fine. I'll tell you."

A pleased smile crosses Juliet's face and she relaxes as she waits for me to explain. After a moment I start, "There was five in my group. Besides myself, there was Gregor, Tech, Cut, and Slick. Gregor was probably the most skilled out of us. He went on to become a commando before he died in the battle of Sarrish. Tech was the smart one. He had trouble with weapons, but no one could fix machines like he could." I pause before I add, "He's one men I saw floating in space after the seppies opened up his escape pod." I go quiet for a while, and feel Juliet press closer to offer whatever comfort that she could.

I enjoy the contact for a while before he continue, Then you had Cut who was nicknamed for his habit of accidentally cutting himself. He didn't make it past Genosis. Last is Slick." At Slick I stop and feel my lip curl instinctively as I think about him. Juliet looks confused at my expression and I explain shortly, "Slick's a traitor."

I hear Juliet gasp slightly as I sigh and explain, "There's not many traitors among us, but it reeks that I was trained with one of them."

We're silent again I ask, "What was life at the orphanage like?" Juliet looks up in surprise for a moment before she relaxes and explains, "At the beginning, it was nice enough. The bullies were kept in check and we got everything we needed so our lives were pretty good actually. But then the manager changed, and they hired people who they could pay less. That's when things went down hill."

She sighs and continues, "Most of care takers barely showed in interest in our well being. And some found it funny to incite conflict or encourage bullying. And with my personality, I was an easy target. It didn't take much to make me cry and any attempt to get them in trouble would backfire on me."

Her voice fades off as a pained expression crosses her face. My arm tightens around her shoulders as I mutter, "That's disgusting." Juliet smiles as she says, "But not all of them were bad. Mrs. Kinney always made sure that the worst-treated kids would receive some kindness. In fact, she was the one that let me learn how to paint and learn music. Juliet chuckles before she continues, "My running away at fourteen was her idea too. She was certain that if I left, then somehow I'd find a better life."

I nod and ask, "How did you get to the orphanage?" Juliet smile as she says, I was found by a man where my parents had abandoned me as a baby." I tense at her words. I'd always assumed that she'd lost her parents in some sort of tragedy, but to ditch her somewhere? As an infant? My jaw clenches in fury until I feel Juliet's hand brush against my cheek.

I feel confused, until she smiles sadly and and says, "Please don't be angry. They're not worth the effort."

I sigh roughly and change the subject, "The man who found you, he must have been a good person." Juliet hums in agreement as she said, "Mrs. Kinney described him as a tall man with brown hair and a beard who spoke in a calm voice. He left me with this."

Juliet carefully tugs on a chain around her neck to reveal that it's tied around a small green crystal. She lets me look at it for a while before she hides it again and explains, "I've never told anyone about it before." I stay quiet as I hug her close to me. I can only guess that the necklace is incredibly important to her so to be the only person she showed it to ...

My lips brush gently against her forehead in thanks before I relax again.

Ah, this was a fun chapter to write.

It might be a while before I put up a new chapter, but I'll get one up as soon as possible.

Ass usual please leave a review.