A/N: I *promise* that I posted this in the morning, but the site was being screwy. Sorry for the lateness of the posting!


Chapter Twenty-Eight: Forward, Always

We talked, argued and tried to plan the rest of that night, and for many days after that, but it was useless and we both knew it. Jonas tried to help me with the Force, but we could both feel that my body was slipping away, sliding into an abyss where he nor anyone else could follow.

Meanwhile, life grew within me.

He tried to contact Altis, then later the Jedi Temple, but given our remote location we had a difficult time getting a clear transmission out. Our ship, which had given us so much trouble on the journey here, still refused to cooperate, and we were grounded while Jonas and I attempted the necessary repairs.

I tried not to look at it as if Mundali was keeping us in place, refusing to let us leave, though I grew more desperate each day.

A month passed before we estimated that I was six weeks along. My body was in constant pain from the strain of keeping me alive and growing our child. I think both of us forgot what sleep felt like. One night, as we lay awake next to one another, he looked at me.

"Kam, I'm sorry. I never should have..."

I silenced him with a kiss, realizing with mild amusement that I wound up loving him, after all. "Me too," I said. "But what's done is done. I only wish there was a way..."

"If I could give everything up to save you and our child, I would," he said after a minute. "In a heartbeat."

Before replying, I leaned into him and inhaled his scent, thinking how warm he was and that maybe we could have had a pleasant life together if things were different. "Well, we agree on that, at least."


Six weeks later...

Traxis glanced up from the helm of the Stark Raven and chuckled to himself at Drake's studious expression as he sat in the co-pilot's seat, adjusting the navacomputer. "Everything okay?"

There was a pause while the boy checked one final set of coordinates, then looked at the scarred clone. "It is now. Just had to make an adjustment to our course." His eyes slid back to the nav. "We should reach Mundali on schedule."

"That's what I like to hear," Trax replied. "You're getting pretty good at this, Drake."

The younger clone nodded, but his eyes were a little distant. Finally he glanced back at Traxis. "Ares said that soon I'll be able to fly."

"You'll need a little more practice with the Wayfarer once we get back, but I think that you'll make a decent pilot, lad." Ares' familiar lilting accent made him glance up to see the coral-skinned Twi'lek approaching from the upper level of the ship. The two men exchanged a warm glance and Ares came to stand behind Trax, placing a hand on his shoulder.

The scarred clone looked at him. "How's the patient?"

"Stable for now...but it will be good to get him to a proper infirmary." His hand was warm, even through the material of Trax's coat, and the clone couldn't help but lean into Ares' touch just a little. "I've already contacted Weave to let him know to prepare the bacta tank."

This made Traxis lift his comlink. "Keo, Finn...how's our cargo? You know how important it is to keep that thing stable. And Honi will skin us alive if the new tank from the Chu'unthor is damaged."

"The new bacta tank is fine," Finn replied, minor static causing his voice to crackle.

"Just like it was the last time you checked, Trax," Risky added with a chuckle.

"Well, neither of you got chewed out by the Jedi over the first one, and it's not an experience I'd care to repeat," Traxis said. "Just keep an eye on everything...it's your job, after all."

"I assure you that we're saluting, sir," Keo replied, though Trax could hear the grin in his tone.

He ended the transmission and glanced at Drake, who was unable to suppress his smile. "Your brothers are very insubordinate." The younger clone laughed outright at this, and Traxis joined him after a moment. For a while the three of them remained at the helm, Ares offering a few pointers to Traxis as he maneuvered the ship through the swirl of hyperspace, but otherwise the conversation was light.

Several hours later they exited the hyperspace tunnel and Traxis guided the Raven towards the blank section of space, the coordinates of their new home. Landing's still a bit tricky, he thought as he checked over the sequence in his head. But I think I've about gotten it down. Ares' hand had left his shoulder but the Twi'lek remained behind him, watching the approach of blank space.

Home. We're coming home.

"With all of our running around for Altis and Skirata, it's been a little while since we've been back," Ares murmured as the Raven began to descend through the atmosphere that had suddenly bloomed all around them, the surrounding area filled with streaks of upper-level clouds, below which he could make out a green shimmer, that they all knew was the look of sunlight glinting off of innumerable leaves. "But I'm glad to see it again."

Traxis thought of their cargo, of their passenger and the things he carried; he smiled again and shook his head in wonder. "Yeah. Me too."


Honi looked up from her workstation in the lab at Weave's approach, his image distorted by the magnification on the lenses of her goggles. "Was that them?"

"Ares said they should be here within a few hours," he replied, coming to stand before her at the long table where she was working on packaging the most recent batch of xoorzi. His voice was off and she gave him the most appraising look she could manage, given the goggles. After a moment the clone shrugged. "It was...strange. Apparently they have a surprise for us, but he wouldn't say what."

Frowning, Honi turned back at the assortment of purple fungi spread before her, cast to a pale lavender by the intensity of the overhead lights. "I suppose we'll know soon enough. I've almost got this batch ready for transport. Skirata should be satisfied." She felt a hand on her arm and glanced up to see Weave smiling at her before he reached for the goggles and carefully lifted them away from her eyes, setting them on the edge of the table. Confused, she tilted her head. "What are-"

When he kissed her, she forgot what it was she was about to say, or what it was that she had been working on so diligently only moments ago; she did not, however, forget that her hands were gloved and coated in xoorzi spores, so she held them out at her sides. But when Weave pulled back he gave her a knowing look. "I don't mind."

"Weave, it's fungus."

He gave her a soft smile and shook his head, his implant blinking at her as if in on the joke. "I've been covered in far worse things, Tallis." She rolled her eyes at his use of her surname, but a moment later she was gripping his broad shoulders, leaving a prints of dusty lavender across his dark shirt. As had become the custom, her heart had started to race beneath her ribcage at his touch, particularly when his hands slid around her back and pulled her even closer.

There was no telling how long they would have remained so, but they heard a throat clear behind Weave; parting, Honi glanced over his shoulder to see Levy and Zara standing at the entrance to the room, smirking. "Aren't you supposed to be sparring with Stonewall?" Honi asked, her voice a little breathless.

Her Padawan raised a brow. "Aren't you supposed to be-"

Knowing full well that her face was flushed, Honi swallowed and lifted her chin. "Did you have a question, Zara?"

"Stonewall heard that you got a transmission," the Nautolan girl said, clearly biting back a grin. Honi glanced at Weave and noted that his ears were red. "He just wanted to know what was up."

Glancing at one another, Honi and Weave each took a calming breath before he replied. "It was Ares, calling to let me know that they're arriving soon with our first patient and another bacta tank...that reminds me," he added, looking at Honi. "We'll need to prep the one we do have."

She nodded. "Zara, I trust you can handle that?" Her face felt more normal now, thank the Force, and her Padawan seemed to have forgotten her lapse in professionalism. Things are rather informal here, I suppose. Zara nodded, her pleasure at being given more responsibilities in the infirmary evident.

"I'll even double check the calibration, just as you like," the girl replied, beaming still. Honi thanked her and watched as she slipped out of the room.

Weave looked at Levy, who was making no attempt to hide his amusement. "Lev?"

The clone boy made a series of hand gestures that Honi knew meant: I need your help. I think we may have a problem.

Nodding, Weave glanced at Honi and gave her a smile, which she returned. "That's my cue...guess I'm going to go tinker. Let me know if you need any help with this?" They both knew she wouldn't, that he would look in on her hours later and start assisting without being asked, but she appreciated his concern, so she nodded. He cast a glance at the doorway, noted that Levy had already turned to leave, and reached for her one more time.

When Weave kissed her, she could sense that it was not an action borne of desire or passion – though those things were present – it was so much more. There was trust, confidence, admiration, as well as an affection that leaped through his veins with every beat of his heart. He didn't say goodbye, but his eyes on hers were warm. As she watched him leave, she again considered the very real, very overwhelming possibility that she might to fall in love with him.

Strange, she thought as she sighed and reached fore her goggles once more. I never thought it would happen to me. The only constant is change, I suppose.


Weave followed Levy to the living quarters, where they were still working out the kinks in the plumbing system. Even after they'd gotten a hold of the proper materials and despite the fact that everyone had helped out when they could, there was still an issue of leaking water in some of the 'freshers. Good thing we were able to figure out a composting situation, Weave thought as he and the younger clone made their way to the problem area. Of course, I try not to think about it too hard, but still...it's the only practical solution.

He sighed when he saw the 'fresher in question. Naturally, it was the one that Crest, Traxis and Ares – when the latter two were planet-side – used; presently, the bald clone was sopping up the water on the floor with a clump of towels.

"Thanks for coming," Crest said as soon as Weave and Levy arrived. "I tried the plunger-trick that you showed me before, but it only made things worse."

Impressed that his brother refrained from making a joke about bodily functions, Weave began to examine the unit, using his implant to see if he could make out any hairline fractures in the pipes, which had been an issue with another room. Levy crouched beside him, tweaking the knobs that adjusted the water pressure and waiting for the older clone's prognosis. Finally Weave stood up and shook his head. "Looks like we'll have to replace some of the pipes – again."

Crest nodded. "Anything I can help with?"

"It's okay. I'll get Trax to help...it's his turn, anyway."

At this, the bald clone grinned, offering his brother a rag to wipe the water from his hands. "They're coming back?" Weave nodded and his smiled broadened. "Sita will be pleased...last time Altis sent word that he'd get some new kind of seeds from Mandalore. Something really hardy and tasty, from what she said."

Crest is different, Weave thought as he dried his hands. Calmer. She's a good influence on him. That or he saves all of his worst jokes for her. "It's probably better that you don't use this one for a while."

Rather than look irritated, Crest's smile only widened. "Not a big deal. I don't spend too much time here, anyway..." He trailed off and cleared his throat, lifting his eyebrows at his brother, who rolled his eyes.

"Right. Well, if that's it..." Weave turned to leave, but Crest stopped him with a touch on his shoulder.

"Have I thanked you lately for working so hard on all of this?" he asked, lifting his hand to indicate the building. "And you too, Lev."

This made Weave smile. "Not today, actually. But it's as much for my benefit as for yours, you know. And you've done your part, too. Everyone has."

"Too bad there wasn't any flash-training for this, right vod?" The bald clone was still smiling. "Otherwise we would have had this place at one hundred percent in no time."

Weave chuckled. "Live and learn, I guess." He glanced at Levy, who was grinning as well. "Come on, Lev. I have a feeling we've got more work to do."


After Weave and Levy left, Crest took a moment to survey his quarters with an appraising eye. Most of the rooms in the main building were clumped in groups of three or four, with each group sharing a 'fresher. His own room – sometimes it was a strange thought – was sparse, containing only a bed, a desk and a few chairs, stacked with holo-novels and vids he'd managed to acquire in the recent weeks. Naturally, the place was sprinkled with clothes, whose exact level of cleanliness he wasn't sure of, but was willing to bet they were mostly dirty. Another glance at the out-of-order 'fresher made him smile again, so he took a deep breath and went to find Sita.

As he walked, in the distance he could hear the snap-hiss of lightsabers being ignited, and figured that Stonewall and Zara were at sparring practice again.

Of course she was in the garden – her garden – kneeling in the dark soil and examining the topato sprouts they'd planted several weeks ago that were starting to show. Sometimes I can hardly believe she's the same person I met all those years ago, he thought as he watched her. The morning sunlight glinted off the bits of her alabaster hair that peeked out from beneath the kerchief she wore to keep the ever-growing locks out of her face, and her simple tunic and pants were smudged with dirt.

Crest called her name and felt his heart leap when she raised her eyes to him, shading them with the flat of her palm. Moments later she was stepping with grace through the rows of green shoots, and they met at the garden's edge. She blinked up at him in the light and he lifted his own hand to shade their eyes at once. "Weave's prognosis was bad," he said. "He said that my 'fresher shouldn't be used until we replace the pipes."

"Again?" She had dirt under her nails, which he noticed when she dusted off her hands.

"So I have no 'fresher," he continued, shifting into his best 'you-should-feel-sorry-for-me' expression. "None at all. I mean, I guess I could share with someone..."

Sita nodded and pretended to consider his words before she gave him a grave look. "Compromises are a part of life, Crest. Surely one of your brothers won't mind?"

He wrinkled his nose. "Stonewall's living with his pregnant wife...there's no way I'm involving myself in any of that. Traxis and Ares are on their way back – with the seeds Altis promised you, by the way – and as much as I love my brother, I'd rather give the happy couple their space. Weave really should get his own 'fresher, given the amount of work he's put into everything."

She nodded again. "That sounds fair. In that case, I suppose your younger brothers will have to let you share with them?"

"Or...you know..." Blue eyes met his and she gave him a disarming smile that made his heart rate pick up. But before she could answer he bent his head to kiss her. When they parted he grinned at the Arunai woman. "So...what do you think? You could have me whenever you want me."

But she shook her head. "You are far too messy."

"That can change." The distant thrum of the sabers grew more intense, but he ignored them as he focused on the slender, white-haired woman before him.

"And I can have you whenever I want you, already," she added, her voice calm. "Now, for example. If I asked, I have no doubt that you'd-"

He studied her. "You're trying to distract me, and it's working, but not nearly enough. But, you really don't want me to stay with you?" Try as he might, Crest couldn't keep the hurt from his tone, and she shook her head, a faint smile appearing on her mouth. This made him tilt his eyes down and regard her again. "Are you...you're teasing me, aren't you?"

At this she laughed, the sound music to his ears. "I am, love."

"Devious, I tell you," he grinned, pulling her close. "Who knew, behind that charming and beautiful exterior lies the heart of a fiend?"

They kissed for a moment more before she gave him a stern look. "However, you will need to amend your habits if this arrangement is to work, Crest. I refuse to live beneath a pile of your dirty clothes."

"Fair enough," he replied, raising his brows at her. "What about on top?" All he got in return for his joke was her laughter and a brief kiss, but it was so much more than enough; minutes later he was on his knees assisting her in the garden, up to his elbows in dirt and seedlings and thinking that life was indeed beautiful.


Mundali's only functioning bacta tank was situated in the low, round building that the group had begun converting into an infirmary several weeks ago; Zara liked the series of rooms, as they reminded her of the infirmary aboard the Chu'unthor: wide, spacious and surprisingly pleasant. Most of the recovery rooms – located on the outer edges – had plenty of ventilation to allow fresh air to circulate. There had been several large patches of roof missing that the clones had retrofitted with bits of transparisteel, creating odd-shaped skylights that further added to the open feeling of the space. It was quiet now, but Zara knew that would change.

Traxis and Ares are bringing our first patient, she thought as she knelt before the bacta tank, ensuring that the settings were correct. After that, who knows? There must be many people who need help, who need a safe place to rest. The settlement at Mundali was still in its fledgling stages, but she had a feeling that soon they would be bustling.

Satisfied that the tank was in perfect working order, she moved her attention to the rest of the building, checking that they had sufficient accommodations for the wounded man and trying not to think about a certain young clone who would be arriving with the others. The beds were an amalgamation of hospital equipment and various other pieces they'd cobbled together from the praxeum ship, which was slowly being stripped down of non-essential items as it had grown too notable in the last couple of months.

After Altis had spent a few days on Mundali and was assured of its security, arrangements had been made and the settlement was starting to grow into its role as a haven. Since it had been decided, supplies and equipment had started to be ferried in by Traxis and Ares, Keo, Finn and Risky assisting when they could while Levy had remained on the planet, working with his elder brothers to get the place in shape. Drake had chosen to travel with the Raven, and she'd only seen him a handful of times since he'd first left. She still couldn't pin down how she felt about that, so she tried not to let herself think about it too hard.

The room she'd selected for the wounded man was equipped with a proper, medical-grade bed and faced a lovely view of the jungle. She fetched some sheets from the laundry room – the construction of which had been a relatively easy battle for Weave and Levy to win – and made the bed with care. There, she thought once the room was made clean and ready. That should satisfy even Honi.

For a moment she thought she had nothing to do and felt the sense of agitation that always followed thoughts of Drake creeping in, then she recalled that she was supposed to spar with Stonewall. Relieved, she took a moment to extend her senses; he was with Kalinda, and they were both in the nearby jungle, meditating, from what she could tell.

Zara chose not to call either of them through the Force, so she activated the comlink that Stonewall insisted that everyone carry at all times. He replied a moment later. "What's up, Zara?"

"I think I'm late for a sparring session."

She heard him chuckle. "It doesn't count if we're both late," he replied. "Meet me in the usual place?"

There was a wide, grassy field beyond the garden that the Jedi and clones alike had adopted as their sparring ground. When he was planet-side, Traxis had set up a few practice dummies and spent much of his time drilling the younger clones, Zara, and Ares – to an extent – on various fighting techniques, armed and unarmed; Zara had begun learning to use a blaster as well, though she preferred her saber, but it was practical, she supposed, to learn to fight without such a distinctive weapon.

But not today.

She trotted to the field, noting how the sun was already starting to climb towards its zenith and wondering if it would ever be anything but hot and humid here. Not that I really mind, but it does get to be a little intense, sometimes. I'll have to go for a swim after this, for sure. Stonewall and Kalinda had beaten her to the sparring grounds, and were speaking together, though the dark-haired woman kissed his cheek and slipped off once Zara approached. She'd been busy with her own projects, mostly involving helping Honi with the xoorzi, as well as trying to translate the strange writings that they'd come across in the caverns; they exchanged greetings before the other Jedi made her way towards the living quarters.

Stonewall watched his wife leave then turned to the Padawan, his expression neutral with a hint of levity; she faced the former captain, giving him a respectful bow, which he returned in one fluid motion.

On an unseen signal, they began.

It seemed that Stonewall's abilities with the Force had reached their peak; he was strong with it, though not as strong as Zara was, or any Jedi. Even so, he was physically capable and a very fast learner, so she found the former captain to be a formidable opponent. Each of the other Force-users was different in their own way, which often made her wonder if what Kalinda said about the Force being experienced differently by each Jedi was true.

Ever graceful, Honi's movements were also efficient, designed to vanquish her opponent with minimal effort and flash; when sparring with her, Zara had learned that her master liked to make full use of the Soresu form of combat,and never wasted a motion. By contrast, Kalinda was not so efficient or strong, but was fast and clever and knew how to utilize the surrounding area to her advantage, to make up for the handicap of her knee. A few times, Zara had found herself being diverted to a divot in the ground that she had not noticed, or she'd realized that Kalinda had moved in such a way as to cause her to be blinded by the sun, only to stumble and lose the match.

The Force-sensitive clone was strong and canny, with a lifetime of combat training that made him an opponent to be reckoned with, so Zara had learned a while ago not to underestimate Stonewall just because he was not as strong with the Force as she. The hum of their sabers and the muted thud of their feet against the grass were the only sounds for quite some time as the Padawan and the former captain mock-battled. Zara managed a few fluid leaps that kept her out of Stonewall's reach, but he was patient and waited for her to make a mistake. Which she inevitably did.

It's fun, though, she thought as she danced away from his blue blade, feeling the air move over her lekku. I like sparring with all of them...it's like having three different teachers.

"Focus, Zara," he said, right before he slid his blade in such a way that he would have hurt her had they been in earnest. "Keep your mind on the task at hand."

"I am," she huffed.

But he only smiled at her. "Then you should be able to beat me, kiddo."

His chiding tone reminded her of Drake, and she bit back her agitation at the feeling, instead flexing her calves and darting towards him again. "Maybe I will."

The clone chuckled. "Maybe." But minutes later his blade was humming at her throat and she sighed. "Perhaps next time," he added, giving her a knowing look. "When you're less distracted."

She thought that he knew. He must know. I think everyone does. So she nodded; after they parted ways she decided to go for a swim to clear any and all thoughts of Drake from her head; however, she knew deep down that it was fruitless.


Only one chapter after this...sniff. However, after the main body of the fic is concluded, there are three epilogues and one mini-fluffy piece, so in actuality we have another several weeks to go before Eye of the Storm is really over. After that, I'll have some Interludes, (naturally), a one-shot and at least one Misadventure...until March.

A lot of you have expressed fondness for Drake and Zara, which makes me happy, as the next story - Wild Blue Yonder - will be the first in another trilogy that features the two of them as main characters, along with the other (former) cadets, and a bunch of new OCs. WBY should be ready to go live in early March, so stay tuned!

Thanks for reading, and reviews are always welcome! :)