I'm thankful that Rani met my family. They said she was a sweet girl, a gift from the gods themselves. Now that Rashi knew who she was, she found it hard to keep it a secret, but for the sake of Rani's family, she did. My mother told me that the people of Kalee are extremely lucky to have a girl like Rani. How lucky do they think I feel? I'm never going to find another one like Rani in a million years, maybe a billion!

Still, I wish that my father could've met Rani. He would've loved her…in a fatherly sense. He would tell me that I was in good hands, though he probably would've had her train more as a warrior. But he's not here now, so what difference would it make?

In a marketplace on Lothal, Rani was selling her merchandise and artwork to customers. She was closing up shop for the day until…

CLANG!

Her head turned to see a Weequay falling to the ground near an alley. She went to see what the commotion was…and almost got crushed by a falling Besalisk. Rani peeked into the alleyway and saw a group of gangsters surrounding someone.

A human said, "Face it, old man. You're surrounded."

Rani said, "Not quite."

Just before the gangsters turned to see Rani, she Force-pushed a few of them to the ground. When the gangsters left standing charged at her, she grabbed a long pipe and knocked out several of them. Just then, the Besalisk grabbed her and held her down. The large alien pulled her head up so she could face the leader of the group.

The human chuckled as he looked down upon her, "Well, well. What do we have here? Aren't you supposed to be dressed in your Jedi clothes, youngling?"

Rani scowled and answered, "I'm not a Jedi."

A voice then shouted, "And neither am I!"

At that moment, the rest of the gangsters were taken out by the stranger they had circled earlier. When he knocked the Besalisk out, Rani released herself from the alien's grasp. She looked up and saw that the stranger was heavily cloaked and his face was obscured by a face-mask and a hood.

The stranger grabbed the pipe and gave it to Rani as he said, "I think you're going to need this."

Rani then sensed something approaching her. When she heard the Weequay's yells, she swung the pipe and immediately knocked him out.

She said as she put the pipe against the wall, "Thanks."

The stranger answered, "I had a feeling you were Force-sensitive. Not just anyone can take out a group of gangsters like that."

"What about you? I think you did very well, too."

"I was trained in the warrior ways, young one. I bear many a mark of a warrior."

"Thank goodness your training paid off, then."

"And you. I saw you selling merchandise earlier. You don't look anything like a warrior should. Or a Jedi, for that matter."

"Oh, I'm not a Jedi."

"I figured that when you told the leader."

Just then, the unconscious gangsters began to groan.

The stranger told Rani, "We must be off. The gangsters will be awake soon. This is farewell, my young friend." They then parted ways before the gangsters could wake up.

The next day, Rani decided to grab lunch at Old Jho's Pit Stop when she was selling in Jhothal. When she entered, a voice behind her said, "We meet again, my young friend."

She turned back in surprise and saw the mysterious stranger she saved in the alley! She exclaimed, "Oh, hi! I didn't think I'd see you again."

"It appears fate has brought us together again. May I share a table with you?"

Rani was now uneasy at the possibility that he might be a stalker, but she nodded and said, "Sure."

They then found a table and sat there. When the waiter droid took their order, Rani told it that she would pay the bill.

The stranger told Rani, "You are a very generous girl. You must be well-off to pay for two. What is your name?"

She answered, "I'm Rani Captague."

"Ah…a merchant girl. I've heard much about your family. They are quite reputable across the galaxy. Do they know of your gift?"

"Well, yes. But I prefer to keep it a secret from most everyone outside of my family, except when I really have to defend myself and others."

"The way you fought was very impressive. However, I think your fighting style bears the signature of the Kaleesh."

Rani became nervous and explained, "Well, I know some of the Kaleesh and they were willing to teach me to fight. I want to defend myself and others, you know."

"Hmm…If you are not a Jedi, then who are you?"

"Well, I'm a Force-sensitive who experiments with potions and magic. I'm not a Nightsister, just so you know."

"Ah…So you do not particularly care for the Jedi, then?"

"Well, I don't think they're completely pure, but I don't think they're all that bad. They're just a little blinded by pride and duty, that's all."

"I do not think General Grievous will be happy to hear that you think the Jedi have any good at all."

"I know. He hates the Jedi with every fiber of his being."

"Have you been tracking the Clone Wars on the HoloNet news?"

"Well, yes, but I also know Grievous quite well." Rani didn't know why she said that, but she sensed that she could trust this stranger.

"How? Does he buy your items often?"

"No. We've been friends since the beginning of the war. He just accidentally arrived on my planet one day and that's how we met."

The stranger didn't know what to make of this. He asked, "Just how close are you and Grievous?"

The question made Rani tense, so she worded her answer carefully. "We're…fairly close. We contact each other when we can find the time. I know how much the war means to him, so I try not to get in his way."

"Do you have an affiliation in the war?"

"I'm…neutral."

"Why are you risking so much for your friendship with him? You could be tried for treason. In a worst case scenario, you could be killed."

Rani nodded, "I know. But they don't know him like I do."

"What makes you say that?"

"I know that he is in deep pain because of the massacre on Kalee. He wants to right the wrongs the Jedi had done to him and his people."

"What sort of wrongs had they committed against him?"

"Well, he…wanted to become a Jedi, but they rejected him. He waged war with them before the Republic decided to kill many of the Kaleesh. He went into exile and was eventually found by Count Dooku. He agreed to the cybernetic enhancements just so he could be better than any Jedi."

"Did he tell you all of this?"

"Yes, he did."

"It is very uncommon for a Kaleesh to befriend anyone outside of their race. The Kaleesh are proud of their heritage and look down on anyone who doesn't share their views."

"Well, I don't exactly share Grievous's views, but I understand some of his motives. We may have our disagreements, but we don't let it wreck our friendship."

"Oh…Then he must care very much about you. Does he know you're Force-sensitive?"

"Yes. He didn't take it well initially, but then he decided to overlook it, just so long as I wasn't a Jedi."

The stranger chuckled, "Then you are very fortunate that you're not."

Rani smiled, "Yeah. I'm thankful I'm not. I don't think I could ever fight in a war."

"Why not? You have the agility, the speed, and the Force-sensitivity for battle."

"Do I really want to get caught up in the pointless bloodshed of it all?"

"Not if you fight for honor."

"Well, there's hardly any honor in war."

The stranger stayed silent for several moments before he said, "You are not the first being I met who's against the war. But I have my views as well. Look at my hands, young one."

Rani's heart skipped a beat when she saw the stranger's hands. They were reddish-brown and scaly, each with two fingers and two thumbs.

She breathed, "But that means you're a…"

He said, "I hail from the planet Kalee. War is a valued tradition on my homeworld."

"If you don't mind my asking, what's your name?"

"I am Jezriam qai Sheelal."

Rani's world stood still at that moment. She knew about Jezriam, because he was Grievous's father! Grievous told her most everything he knew about his father. He looked up to Jezriam as a great man and he grew up emulating him.

Rani said, "I think I know your son, Qymaen jai Sheelal."

"You do?"

"Mm-hmm. He's now called General Grievous."

Jezriam shook his head and said, "But that is impossible! It cannot be Qymaen! You must answer this: does he have a pet roggwart?"

"He did, but the Jedi killed his pet."

"Did it have a name?"

"Gor."

Jezriam sat there in amazement until he said, "No other roggwart in my tribe was named Gor. The Kaleesh weren't allowed to use a name once it had been taken until that being died." He then turned to Rani and said, "I must speak with you alone. Do you know anywhere that could be private?"

Rani nodded, "Mm-hmm. I have a transport. We could talk in the trunk."

"Then we shall go there after lunch."

After they ate, they went out to the Wanderer.

As Rani opened the trunk, Jezriam remarked, "I don't think I've eaten that heartily in a long time. Your kindness exceeds you, Ms. Captague."

Rani smiled, "Thank you. I'm always glad to help someone."

When they entered the trunk, they closed the door.

After he and Rani sat down on the crates, Jezriam said, "Now that you know who I am, I suppose it's time to reveal my face."

Jezriam then lowered his hood and took off his face-mask. Rani gazed upon the face of Grievous's father. He looked much like his son – or vice-versa – only he had a thick, peppered beard and his yellow eyes had a gray tint in them. His peppered hair spilled out from the head wrap he wore and his build was a bit bulkier than most Kaleesh. Nonetheless, Jezriam and Grievous looked almost identical.

Rani said, "You look a lot like your son."

Jezriam nodded, "I know, but Qymaen has his mother's eyes."

Rani was hesitant to ask a touchy question, but she had to know. "But Grievous – I mean, Qymaen – told me that you died in battle when he was 14. How come you're still here?"

Jezriam stayed silent for several moments and then sighed, "I am ashamed of the answer I will give you. You see, I did go off to battle, but I did not die in it. I led my comrades forward and met our enemy in the morning sun. We engaged in battle, but soon we knew that we were being defeated. But I was blinded by my own foolish pride. I refused to give up the fight, so I pressed forward.

"It wasn't until too late that I realized my error. I was so shaken by the losses on our side that I decided to bury myself in the pile of dead bodies until the battle was over. When I was discovered alive, I had to tell my surviving comrades that I would leave Kalee and send myself into exile. I persuaded them to wrap a bundle of straw and mud in a blanket and make it look like my body. After they went back to the village, I took an old starfighter and left the planet. I have been bouncing from planet to planet ever since, but I never returned to Kalee. I am too afraid to face my family and my tribesmen. They might think of me as a fraud, a weakling…a coward."

Rani couldn't believe what Jezriam was saying. She told him, "Qymaen told me how much he and your family missed you since you…went away. I'm sure he'd be very glad to see you."

"But I cannot. He might turn away from me once he knows the truth."

"Somehow, I don't think that'll be the case. If anything, he might be overjoyed that you're still here. The same could go for the rest of the family as well. If you don't want to be a coward anymore, find the courage to see your son again. If you don't see him or your family again, you'll be living a lie.

"Qymaen looked up to you, Jezriam. He told me how much he admired you when he was growing up. He respected you, he loved you. He still misses you because he thinks you're dead. You need to show him that you're not and that you love him just as much as he does you."

Jezriam stayed silent again and then said, "You will take me to Qymaen and we'll see what happens. If I show him what kind of man I really am and he rejects me because of it, then you must never try to help me again. Understand?"

Rani nodded, "Yes. I understand."

Rani contacted Grievous on her control panel and hoped that he was there. Unfortunately, only A4-D answered.

The doctor droid said, "Rani! This is quite a surprise."

"Is Grievous there by any chance?"

"I'm afraid he isn't, but I'll…" He was interrupted by a beeping. "What an odd coincidence! He's calling right now! I'll patch him through."

The hologram disappeared for several moments before a hologram of a battle-damaged Grievous appeared.

Grievous told Rani, "Is something the matter, Rani?"

"Well, I just thought I'd pay you a visit since it's been so long."

"Rani, I know you wouldn't call me just for that."

"Okay, okay. I have a surprise for you and I would like to give it to you in person."

Grievous was a bit wary about what this "surprise" might be, but he trusted Rani enough to know that she wouldn't harm him. He said, "Since I am going back to my lair for…repairs, I suppose you could stop by and drop off your gift."

"Okay, I'll see you when I get there."

When Rani turned off the transceiver, she looked behind her to see Jezriam pressing his face against the trunk window.

Jezriam said, "I can't believe that General Grievous is my son. He's changed so much since I last saw him. If it weren't for his mother's eyes, I wouldn't have believed it."

Rani asked, "How can you tell one set of eyes from another? To me, Kaleesh have the same eye color, more or less."

"We have thermoreceptors, young one. We can see in ultraviolet, so that is how we can tell one set of eyes from another."

"Okay, I believe you."

She then set the coordinates, flew her transport, and then jumped into hyperspace.

I did need to undergo repairs, but I also wanted to retreat from my humiliating defeat at the hands of those filthy Gungans. I was supposed to be superior to those primitives, not let them defeat the most powerful leader of the Separatist Droid-

"Master?"

Grievous's head whipped back and saw A4-D at the doorway. He spoke impatiently, "Yes, Doctor?"

"Rani has just landed outside the fortress. Should I have the MagnaGuards escort her in?"

Grievous rose from his seat and said, "That will not be necessary, Doctor. I shall go meet her outside."

"As you wish, my lord."

I cannot describe how ecstatic I was to see Rani again. I felt naughty for meeting her in the shadows, but every moment spent with her was worth it.

Grievous embraced Rani and twirled her in the air. He kissed her before he said, "I can't believe you traveled halfway across the galaxy just to bring me something."

Rani said as he put her down "Trust me, you're going to like it."

He chuckled, "What item could possibly compare to our time together?"

"Well…" She then pressed the button to open the trunk. "…it's not exactly an item." She gestured to the trunk and said, "Look inside."

Grievous stepped towards the trunk and let out a gasp when he looked inside. He blinked just to make sure he wasn't seeing things.

Could it be? Could it really be my father standing right before me?

Jezriam stepped forward and said, "Qymaen, my yomacken. It is I, your father."

Grievous shook his head in disbelief as he stammered, "What…How…how can this be?! You died in battle!"

"A part of me, yes. But I am very much here."

Jezriam slid his thumb pad across Grievous's left eyelid to prove that he was flesh and blood. Grievous felt the warmth of his father's thumb and the tears welling up in response to it.

Jezriam said, "You have your mother's eyes."

Grievous then opened his eyes and saw his father with blurry vision. He said with a choked-up voice, "I know, Papa. I know."

Some tears spilled when he embraced Jezriam. Rani's heart melted at the touching reunion. She was glad that she brought father and son back together again.

Grievous wept, "Oh, Papa, I thought I'd never see you again. How is it possible that you are alive?"

Jezriam pulled back from his son and Rani saw that he, too, had tears trailing from his eyes. He answered, "I will tell you everything."

Rani had grabbed her datapad from her transport to keep her occupied while Grievous and Jezriam spoke to each other in Grievous's chamber.

Jezriam finished, "After I left, I kept seeing you on the HoloNet News, but I never really knew it was you."

Grievous stayed silent until he asked, "But why? Why did you leave Kalee? Or our family?" A hint of hurt slipped into his voice. "Or me?"

Jezriam answered, "I knew I would never be hailed as a hero for leading brave soldiers into a battle that was almost instantly lost from the beginning. I would be reviled, hated, and cast from the tribe because of my stubborn pride. From the moment I realized that I could not win the battle, I dared not to go back home and live a life of shame. I wanted none of that for you or our family. Rani told me how much you looked up to me growing up and how you missed me every day since I was gone. You seem to care a great deal about me, even if I am a coward."

Grievous was almost ashamed to admit it, but he told his father, "If…it's all the same to you, Papa…I have been labeled as a coward, as well."

Jezriam looked at his son in disbelief and he said, "You, a coward? I don't believe that for one second!"

"Neither do I about you, Papa! No matter who you were before or even after that battle on Kalee, you will always be my father. I will always be grateful to be your son. Your reputation doesn't matter now, Papa. That fact that you are still alive brings much joy to my heart. I'm sure our family will be excited to see you, too. Will you go back to Kalee for me, Papa? I want you to show them that you're still alive."

After he was done speaking to his father, Grievous embraced Rani and said, "Thank you for bringing my father back to me. It was, indeed, quite a surprise."

"I'm glad you saw him again. But what about your family? Is your dad going to go back to Kalee?"

"He says he wants to, but only for a time. He still wants to travel the universe not just for survival, but for adventure now. He has his old courage back, thanks to us. But I especially have you to thank, dearest. If I had never known that my father was still alive, my vigor would've been drained in another year of the Clone Wars."

"So in a way, I renewed your drive for fighting."

"Yes." He kissed her on the forehead before he continued, "Rani, I just want you to understand that if I could just walk away from the war, I would. You, my father, and my family mean so much to me. I could not go on if any one of you died. I love you too much. You know that, don't you?"

"Very much so." With that, Grievous and Rani held each other for a passionate kiss.

Just as Rani and Jezriam were leaving, the Kaleesh turned to face Grievous. He smirked, "You are in love with her, aren't you?"

Grievous was surprised at how his father knew this. He asked, "How did…?"

Jezriam said, "I just happened to catch you two kissing in the hallway."

Grievous glanced sideways as he muttered embarrassedly, "Oh…"

"If she means that much to you, then I won't get in the way of your happiness."

"But Papa, something will get in the way of our love: the war. She knows I am fighting for the honor of the Kaleesh and to quench my vengeance on the Jedi."

"Just how much do you love her?"

"More than you could imagine."

"Then love will find a way, regardless of the war. But if I were you, I wouldn't let this one get away. She has a good heart, and that is a treasure one rarely finds in a time of war."