Special thanks to Taraum for the perfect editing! Without her guidance my story would be an ADHD nightmare to try and read.
Jadedsnowtiger!
"You have to see this," Suu whispered softly as she wrapped her arm around my waist and pulled me out of the kitchen and into the living room. Watching the scene in front of me, I couldn't help but smile. Everyone had settled inside the makeshift blanket fort I had made earlier this morning when the skies had threatened rain. The radio was announcing thunderstorms for the duration of the day.
Barriss, Cut, Kix, and Chopper were all sitting at the children's table wearing paper crowns, and across the table from them sat Nara, Elle, Angel, Skylin, Neno, and Plo.
"My son is in a dress," I gawked at Plo in the pinkish sundress, a cookie in his hand and babbling about something that interested him, as Nara poured him more tea.
"He is," Suu giggled, her eyes amused, as she turned to me.
"Who put him in a dress?" I sighed, shaking my head.
"Nara, more than likely," Suu smirked. "But he's happy."
Plo did seem happy; but he was eating, and he was always happy if he had a cookie in his hand. I prayed he would always be a happy baby. "He's always happy," I laughed gently.
"Just like his mommy," Suu reminded me. "But I blame the cross-dressing on Fives."
"Fives?" I asked, raising an eye ridge. "Why Fives?"
"He's not here to defend himself," Suu shrugged.
"Good idea." I agreed as Suu's smile widened.
"We should join them," she suggested.
"Let's," I said as Suu pulled me into the room. Plo jumped up once he noticed me and ran into my arms.
"Mommy!" Plo cooed as I hugged him close.
"Who put this on you?" I asked playfully, kissing his head as he pulled on the dress.
"Nawa," Plo shrugged. "I pretty now!"
The boys broke out into laughter, and I shook my head before turning to Kix. "I blame this on you."
"Me?" Kix protested, sipping tea from his cup. "Nara was the one who dressed him."
"Is there any tea left?" Suu asked as she started to sit down beside Cut.
"We drank it all," Chopper informed us apologetically.
"Well then, we will need more. Are you lot hungry?" The thunder outside boomed loudly, and the lights above us flickered before powering down. The twins both let out cries of fear at the noise, and Plo and Angel did the same in the confusion. As my eyes adjusted to the dark, I could make out Barriss gently pulling the twins into her lap as Angel scurried off to her own mother.
"Well, its a good thing I can see in the dark," I joked as I rocked Plo gently, reminding him that he had nothing to fear. Plo sniffled softly as he clung to me tightly. "Lets go find some candles." Plo looked at me with a small nod. "There are some in the kitchen," I told the others. "We'll be right back."
Finding the candles was easy; it was the matches that gave me a problem. I had to carry Plo along on my hip and dig through the many drawers. Coo seemed to have been shut down by the lack of electricity in the house.
"Where are the matches?" I asked my son gently, since he seemed to have a knack for knowing how to find things he shouldn't. "Have you seen anyone use the fire sticks?" Plo tilted his head as he looked around the room before pointing at the small box model I had overlooked on the stove.
"Good boy," I congratulated as I quickly snatched the small box off the stove. "I guess you have no problem seeing in the dark." Plo nodded before I set him down on the counter to light one of the candles.
"Light," Plo giggled as I nodded.
"Now everyone will be able to see!" I kissed his head, gently placing him down on the floor.
"I can see," Plo told me as I passed him a few unlit candles.
"Let's give these to Auntie Suu," I told him as he began nodding enthusiastically. "Lead the way." Plo led me out of the room, both of our arms full of candles, as I carried the lit one in my hand.
"Let me help," Barriss spoke up as she rushed over to my side, taking the unsteady candles in my arms. Suu did the same as we quickly moved around the room, placing the candles out of the way of any hanging blankets.
"Perfect," I sighed, shivering with delight as the wind enveloped the house in its protective embrace.
"I am going to town with you," I told Suu as she moved around the house making her list of needed groceries. After a quick comm to Mica, I had learned he was on Alderaan visiting his family. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to meet up with him, explore the social scene of this town, and flesh out information.
"You know you shouldn't," Suu protested.
"I'll behave," I rolled my eyes. "There are a few places I would like to go, just to fish around for information. I can't see you slipping into a strip club to find a snitch willing to talk for credits."
"You're right," Suu agreed. "Just don't let Jekk see you go in, or he will have all kinds of questions that I'm not prepared to answer yet."
"He can stay with you," I smiled as I raced upstairs to change. After a few moments of finding the right outfit, I quickly started slipping into it.
"You're not going to town." I turned around to see Chopper filling out the doorway, his arms crossed.
"Oh, I'm going," I disagreed as I adjusted my clothing. I had stolen a simple tight, leather bounty hunter uniform that Aalya had gotten bored with. "It's just to get information. You can't see Suu going into the drug-filled bars, can you?"
"No, I can't," Chopper scowled. "And I don't see you there either."
"I just want information," I assured him. "Barriss is too noticeable, and I don't want to draw attention to us by having Mica come here."
"A Togruta is also noticeable," Chopper disagreed, his words weighing heavily.
"But not a bounty hunter," I whispered, pressing my fingers against his lips. "Chopper, I'm a Force-sensitive former Jedi; if I feel any kind of trouble, I will leave."
"Promise?" Chopper begged, and I kissed him softly to silence him.
"Any problems and I will rejoin Suu, and we will come straight back home," I swore as Chopper wrapped his arms around me. "Do you want anything from town?"
"Beer?" Chopper asked hopefully. I nodded and pulled out of his embrace, bending down to find the blaster in my bags. Rex had packed it behind my back, but now I was thankful for it as I checked the energy magazine before loading it in.
"Beer is a must," I nodded as Chopper took the blaster, inspecting it before handing it back in satisfaction. "Anything else?"
"Candy?" Chopper smiled down at me as he pulled me into his arms.
"Food or a stripper?" I teased. "Because I can give you a show later."
"Sugar," Chopper's eyes danced. "But I look forward to the show."
"Agreed," I laughed huskily before kissing him. His hands landed on my hips as I moved into his embrace with a purr. Chopper shook his head, and I pulled away sadly as I heard Suu call my name.
"See you in a few hours," I promised, kissing him once more before taking off.
