Chapter 22 – JarKai Var Unleashed
Tai and Sacralous carried their duel atop the Temple summit. The sun beat down on them as explosions were heard around them, the Battle of Rakata Prime neared its apex as debris from the battle above in space crashed around the planet. Tai moved his lightsaber in quick succession, parrying above his head and below his legs as he jumped around, narrowly avoiding Sacralous' blade. The two locked blades, moving them up and down to try and disengage before Tai dealt another kick towards his opponents' midsection. With the break in combat he jumped backward, putting himself in the ruined atrium of the summit. Sacralous remained concealed by the shadows of the antechamber.
"Sora, I know you can't do this. I feel the conflict within you, let go of your hate." He paused, deactivating his lightsaber. "You're not a monster. You're just a scared woman looking for acceptance."
Sacralous stood, lowering her weapon from her Makashi stance. "You know nothing of what you preach. You spent years on Rhen Var training with a war criminal while I was on Tython learning the ancient mysteries of the Jedi Order." She raised her weapon once again in a Gattosu fashion. "If anyone is need of acceptance it is you!" She charged at him, knowing full well he couldn't block the attack in time. Not if he wanted to risk giving into his Dark Side again. What surprised her more was that he wasn't even making an attempt to move.
Tai stood still, waiting for the blade to pierce his heart. 'Sora, I love you. I always will. If this is what you want, I won't fight you anymore.' He spoke through their bond, hoping she would hear. He looked up to see the Sith Lord that stood before him gradually slow down. She lowered her weapon once again. This time, he questioned why. "Why do you not finish your strike? Is it clear that you have won our duel?"
Sacralous raised her eyebrow, ruffling the black leather that was her suit. 'He tried this before, thinking that I would come back to the Light Side.' She stepped forward, eyeing his every move. When Tai did not step back, she stepped forward again. Still he did not move backwards. 'Alright, my love… what are you playing at?' Her eyes shot upward, as did her opponent's. The remains of what looked like the Star Forge's viewing platform plummeted down and crashed around the beachhead that the Sith forces controlled. "It seems my luck with partners has run its course… Your dear sister was on the viewing platform. It looks like she'll be more than a… little crispy." She smiled, the Dark Side strengthening in her once again. Feeling the effects of Tai's anger move closer to the surface, she readied herself for the ultimate attack of the JarKai Var style. 'Come on Taichi… she me the secret of this style… so I can defeat you in flesh and belief!'
Tai felt his anger boil to the surface. His sister, Kari Kamiya, could not be dead. He closed his eyes, feeling the Dark Side grow within him once again. The Apprentice would come out again and would win victory for the Republic. He was sure of that. But what was the cost? He had given into his anger a total of three times throughout his life. All of them had led to suffering, all caused by his hands, whether directly or indirectly. Tai breathed slowly, letting the Force work within him. "Never again… will I give into my anger in such a way. If the Force has deemed this possible, then I will allow it." He looked up at his opponent, her eyes glowing with fury. He stood his ground, waiting for her charge.
Sacralous snarled in defeat. "You weak little boy! You could have been so much stronger than Lord Malak. If only you had made the right choice at the Jedi Temple, we could have ruled the galaxy as lovers!" She charged at him, ready to end their extended confrontation. She swung hard, moving her blade upwards across his face, giving Tai an identical scar to hers from Kashyyyk. However, he moved out of the way of her second strike downward. She had no time to react as she felt her body become limp. The last thing she saw before passing out was Tai, holding his arms outstretched to catch her. 'Taichi… I love you… so much'
Tai caught Sacralous in his arms. He had not wanted to jab her neck, but she had presented him no choice. At the very least, he thought, she was incapacitated and would be willing to listen to reason when she awoke. Placing her down on the stone floor before them, he meditated while waiting for her to awake. He could sense the battle happening around him. The Republic troopers led by their Jedi commanders gaining ground in the conflict while the Sith forces still held their beachhead. If anyone could take the beachhead, it would be whatever came out of the remains of the viewing platform. And Tai knew just who was onboard. He smirked as he continued to meditate.
TK got up from his position. Everywhere inside his body ached in pain, the amount of which he had no idea. Bones were probably broken, and muscles were fatigued beyond belief. Still though, he had survived a crash in which no one else would have. His only concern was getting Kari out alive before they suffocated. "Come on Kari… let's go…" He strained to speak as he saw Kari move from her position. What shape he was in, it looked like she was in a better place.
Kari looked up at TK, standing up form the rubble that formed around them. She looked around, noting the remains of the viewing platform. They were on the planet of Rakata Prime, and she had turned away from the Dark Side and defeated Darth Imperious for a second time. All her memories came flooding back in her mind. Her time as a captive, the torture she endured at Darth Malak's hands, and the devastation she led on Alderaan. Tears began to well up as she knew what she had done. "TK… I can't go back. Not after what I've done." She looked down at her boots, eyes closed in defeat. She felt TK shake her shoulders.
"Kari… I'm not about to let what I just did to bring you back from the Dark Side go to waste." He stopped shaking, his breath becoming more erratic. "We will get out of here, and we will go back to the others. I know they will welcome you back with open arms. You're my girlfriend…" He spoke quietly, knowing she would be happy to hear the words he was letting out. "And if the others don't want you back, then they'll have to deal without me." He waved his hand around, smacking a broken panel as the structure shook in place before settling.
Kari looked around, eyeing several vulnerabilities within the remains of the viewing platform. "We need to move, let's hurry and get up to the battle outside the Temple. Tai needs us!" She said as she saw TK move towards a wall. He slammed the panel over and over before it broke through to create an opening.
However, TK had finally felt the exhaustion he had been trying to stifle back, and with the last ounce of strength he had, he managed to make the small opening bigger by tearing out more panels for Kari to escape before collapsing in the sand. His body draped over the beach, his breathing steadying, he finally allowed himself to rest. Kari would watch over him and would protect him, just as she had done before on Korriban.
Kari watched TK as he collapsed before her. She ran quickly out of the opening he had created to his side. "TK? Are you alright?! Tell me you're still alive!" She took her hand, placing it over his chest as the Light Side of the Force began its work within her. Healing the damage to his body was minor compared to what she really owed him. The love she had for TK could not be put into words, and she knew that the Force wouldn't heal him completely. It was only a minor thing, but it was a step in the right direction to her true redemption. For while Darth Imperious had controlled most of her actions, Kari had also felt the power and did nothing to stop her. She enjoyed the extent of the Dark Side where she was still in control of her actions. It was only when Imperious had regained a place in her mind and placed the seeds of doubt in her mind, did she fully want to embrace it. It would be a long road of redemption, but she was eager to start, and what better way than to protect the one she loved.
What remained of the Sith troopers on Rakata Prime came towards TK's position, ready to fire on command. They approached the boy and aimed their blasters towards his head. "Lady Imperious, what shall we do with this prisoner? Lord Malak has given us orders to shoot Jedi on sight if they refuse capture." One of the troopers had spoken, his mask's modulator malfunctioning from the battle.
Kari looked up, surprised at how she was not being fired upon. 'Of course… they still think I am a Sith Lord…' Her thoughts went to how she could use it to her advantage. 'Tai… my brother and master, I do this for you.' Remembering the lesson on Kashyyyk, Kari waved her hand, lowering her tone to match what Imperious would speak. "You will go back into the transports and leave this planet. I will take the Jedi to Lord Malak." She stood with anticipation, hoping the mind trick would work.
After a pregnant pause, the Sith commander's mind relented. "Yes milady. We will board the transport and go back to the Star Forge. You will take the prisoner to Lord Malak."
Kari smiled, her powers had not dulled in the slightest. However, she noticed that one of the Sith troopers had not gotten on board the transport. She stiffened, knowing that she had been found out. "Wait a minute, men. Lord Malak gave specific orders to shoot any Jedi on sight. I don't want him to find out how we may have let one go, even if it was in the care of his apprentice." He aimed his blaster towards TK and set it to fire. The shot came fast, but what was even faster was how Kari had activated her lightsaber and deflected it back towards the shooter. He dropped like a dead weight and rolled into the sand.
"Any other takers?" She asked, raising her blade up for another demonstration.
The troopers all looked at each other, as if unsure of what course of action to take. Lord Malak would surely kill them if they let the Jedi go, but what if his apprentice decided they were nothing but cannon fodder. "No milady, we will follow your orders." They all boarded the transport as the loading ramp sealed the airlock. The vessel lifted off the beachhead and moved back towards the vastness of space.
Kari looked up, watching the ship leave the planet, then turned her attention to TK. The blonde Jedi Knight had not so much as stirred during the time she used the mind trick. She took up his body, slung his right arm over her shoulder and propped him up. She began walking, his feet dragging in the sand as they made their way towards the temple. The sound of the ocean waves crashing against the beach made Kari think of what she had missed on, and what she wanted to experience with TK after the battle. "One day, we need to come to a place like this and just let the water take us to wherever it wants to take us…"
TK, while not conscious, heard her comment, smiling on the inside. At least that's what Kari felt he would do.
Sacralous woke up, seeing Tai next to her as he meditated. She moved back quickly, expecting her opponent to try something fast to end her life. When he did no such thing, she stood up as he did. "What is this? This can't be possible!" She felt the back of her neck ache with pain, recovering from the blow that Tai had left her earlier. "You are a weak and pathetic servant of the Light. You rejected the Dark Side, three times!" She yelled, her voice echoing throughout the antechamber she was in.
Tai stood still, unphased by her words. "Do you see now, Sora? The Dark Side is never powerful enough." He activated his lightsaber and went to make a strike towards her face. Noticing her yelp, he stopped in time to cease his attack. "That was only to prove a point. You live in fear of what you've become. Come back with me, away from the Jedi." He stopped, waiting for her to respond.
Sacralous stood there, unsure of what she had just heard. "Taichi please… this is too painful. For the sake of what we once shared, end my life. Everything I did at the Jedi Temple, I did willingly. I knew it would strengthen my connection to the Dark Side, and I knew it would hurt you." Her voice cracked, the emotion she started to feel tore at her feelings. The Light Side and Dark Side both raged inside of her, and neither were winning. A true stalemate had been reached, and the slightest push could send one side over the other. The scary thing, Sacralous thought, was that she didn't know which side she wanted to win. "I love you, even after I gave myself to the Dark Side. I wanted to hurt you for abandoning me, but deep down I missed you."
Tai moved closer to the woman that stood before him. "Sora… you know in your heart I would have come to rescue you the moment you were captured." He caressed her cheek. "You know nothing would have stopped me."
Sacralous looked at him, seeing his shining blue eyes before her. She smiled, knowing deep down that he still loved her. "You're an idiot, you know that." She wiped away a tear that formed on her cheek.
Tai smiled, knowing full well what he had to do. "But…?"
"But you're my idiot." With those words, Darth Sacralous ceased to be, and Sora Takenouchi was reborn. "I should have known the Jedi Council would have done something to keep you from coming to save me and Kari. We're the only people who can save the galaxy from you." She smirked at him, winking with her left eye. The Light Side had won the war within her heart. "Now come here and kiss me, you fool." Sora held her arms, ready to embrace Tai Kamiya.
Tai moved forward, spreading his arms to meet Sora's. This was the moment he dreamed of since their encounter at the Jedi Temple. Now nothing would stop him from defeating Darth Malak.
Sora smiled, closing her eyes and planting a kiss on Tai's lips. The kiss was as sweet as it had been on Manaan, but this one still had the passion of their first night together. The love two Jedi shared echoed through the Force, and it could be felt throughout the system.
Stepping back, Tai looked on Sora with a smile, happy to have her back. "I love you Sora Takenouchi." He went to take her hand in his.
Sora reached for Tai's hand in return. "I love you too Taichi Kamiya." She finished her words, looking down to see a red blade pierce her chest.
"Well, isn't that touching. Almost breaks my heart… or what's left of it."
Tai lowered his stance. He recognized the robotic hiss that emanated from the shadowy antechamber. He watched Sora as she turned her head to see her executioner. Darth Malak had been standing behind her, masking his presence. Drawing his lightsaber from her, she grabbed the area where she had been impaled, collapsing in pain as he breath became shallower. Tai ran over to her, distraught over what had just happened. "Sora! Sora don't leave me! You can't do this now!" He tried to use the Force to heal her wound, watching his hand glow with blue energy as it worked through. But the Force could only heal so much, and Sora had been mortally wounded.
Sora looked up at Tai, her life she felt was fading fast. She caressed his cheek, ruffled his hair with her hand. "Taichi… there's not much time left." She coughed, blood spattering on to her clothes. "I know you can do this… finish him off." Sora's voice became raspier as she struggled to find the energy to speak. "Do it for me… Do it for the galaxy…". She tilted her head back, feeling Tai set her down on the cold stone.
Tai looked up at Malak, his form standing perfectly over the two Jedi. The anger inside him reignited. He would make Malak pay for what he had done. To the Republic, the galaxy. Most importantly, Tai would make Malak pay for what he had done to Sora, Kari, and his friends. "Malak…" Tai closed his eyes, listening to Ulic's teachings that echoed in his mind.
Both sides of the Force… Both sides of the Force
He opened his eyes, revealing green orbs that had taken over his blue ones. "You will pay. Feel the power of the Force!" He assumed his stance, ready to unleash the JarKai Var style.
Malak assumed his stance of Djem So. "This match will be of an ancient tradition against Sith and Jedi. We shall face each other in single combat, and the victor will decide the fate of the galaxy." He twirled his lightsaber, waving his hand towards his body.
Tai lunged forward, his speed beyond what he thought his body was capable of. Crossing lightsabers, Tai parried a strike meant for his midsection, delivering an attack towards Malak's robotic hand. The hand wasn't cut off, but it was scraped enough to cause sparks to fly. Malak grabbed Tai's shoulder and kneed him in the stomach, having him gasp for air.
Malak cackled at his opponent. "When Revan led our people against the Mandalorians, I was his second in command. The Jedi drove them back from Dxun, Onderon, Serreco, even Cathar." Tai ran up and swiped at Malak's legs, only to be met with a block that he had perfected. "Djem So became second nature, while you stayed on Rhen Var training with an old hermit who had turned away from true power." Malak parried the block and jumped in the air, preparing a power attack.
Tai blocked the attack, but it had taken away some stamina he desperately needed. "An old hermit who knew nothing of true power?" Tai used the Force to push Malak away, combining it with some debris scattered throughout the Temple summit. "Amazing, every word you just spoke, was wrong." Tai jumped after Malak, utilizing the Force to increase his valor and his inner strength. "JarKai Var… Ryzueken!" Tai launched the critical strike towards Malak's legs. An unblockable technique, the Ryzueken would normally guarantee victory to the user. Tai however, didn't account for Malak's height. Darth Malak had blocked the attack, holding back the excess strength that Tai was using to force the attack through. Their sabers locked in a clash, the two duelists continued to battle one another, neither one giving ground as the Temple summit became filled with sweat and blood.
Ken flew the Ebon Hawk back into the hangar of the Star Forge, relaying the message for the capital ships of the Republic Fleet to move into bombardment range for the orbital stabilizers. "Admiral Onasi, the shields are down. Move the capital ships to reinforce the positions of the squadrons. I'm docking the Ebon Hawk to pick up my friends. We will meet you all on the planet as soon as this factory is destroyed." He ended the transmission as he set the landing gear down. He saw Meiko come out of the elevator and run towards the Ebon Hawk. Ken grew concerned when he didn't see Matt with her. He loosened the undershirt of his robes, growing more concerned by the minute. When Meiko walked onboard, he ran towards the garage. "Meiko, where is my Master? What happened to him?"
Meiko relayed her story the best she could, recalling the pain she had felt when Matt had destroyed the crystal. The ion cannon that had been the bane of their mission. "He's coming Ken, I know he's still here with us. You need to trust in him." She looked out of the loading ramp to see what looked like Matt hobbling before her. "See, here he comes now."
Ken ran off the Hawk, catching his Master as he threw himself towards his Padawan. "Ken… am I glad to see you." Matt said, sounding out of breath.
"Master… what happened to your arm?"
"Don't worry about that. Let's get out of here!" Matt said as he continued to wobble on board the Hawk. Meiko caught him and took him to the med bay while Ken moved back to the cockpit. Together with Atton, the two pilots lifted off out of the hangar, leaving the Star Forge behind and off to Rakata Prime.
Meiko looked over Matt with concern, worry, and desperation. "Matt Ishida… I don't have the words right now." She felt what remained of his arm, using the Force to heal the damage the electricity had done.
Matt looked up her, trying his best to smile while not wincing at the pain that was being caused to his arm. "Come on Meiko, you and I both know it was the only way to destroy the crystal to bring down the Star Forge's shields." He took his left hand and placed it upon her cheek. In return, she embraced him fully.
"Matt, that's not the point." She started to tear up, her voice growing softer. "I could have lost you today. I could have lost you and I wouldn't have been any the wiser to your condition." She looked up to his face, admiring the hair, eyes, and all of it that combined to make Matt Ishida. "I don't want to ever lose you. You losing your arm is bad enough. What if next time it's worse?" She let her head sink back into his chest, feeling his heartbeat steady.
Matt stroked her obsidian hair. Anywhere he was with her, he felt safe and protected, but also knew that he protected her and kept her safe. "Meiko… I'm sorry." He pulled her head back to look at her face. "I love you, but if I had to sacrifice anything, I'm glad it was just my forearm compared to my life." He smiled at her, kissing her cheek.
Meiko put her hand on the cheek Matt had just kissed. "Matt… I love you more. Next time, I am coming with you, whether you like it or not. From now on, your destiny and mine are intertwined." She pulled him into a kiss, feeling Matt's stump of an arm come around her. While he may have felt ashamed at his loss, Meiko felt complete, knowing that he was committed fully to their relationship, even with the loss of his arm. "Don't you ever scare me like that again."
Matt laughed, coughing a bit before he settled down. "No promises." He said as he started to sleep on the bed the med bay provided.
Cody, Izzy, Mimi and Yolei met Kari and TK on the Temple steps. The four Jedi Knights activated their lightsabers, ready to fight the coming Sith Lord. "Darth Imperious, what have you done with TK?!" Mimi yelled, swinging her pink lightsaber from her spot at where she was sitting. Izzy had healed the damage to her back, but medpacs had to be added to her robes. Complete healing was taking place but would take time.
Kari placed TK down gently on the steps. "Guys, believe me, it's Kari. Darth Imperious no longer exists." She held up her hands, ready for what punishment awaited her. To her surprise, the three standing Jedi Knights pulled her into a hug. She returned the hug with a just embrace. "I missed you all so much…" All the Knights began crying as Mimi struggled her way to get up and join in.
"Come on, don't keep me out of this." She joined the hug, being supported by Izzy.
TK had become conscious, moving towards the giant group that had made up his friends. "I dreamed of the day we would all reunite."
The hug lasted for a long while before being broken up by the sounds of the Ebon Hawk landing at the clearing around the Temple. The group watched as Ken and the Republic squad exit as Meiko helped Matt off the Hawk. Mimi, Yolei and Kari all gasped in horror as they saw what remained of Matt's arm being bandaged up. He nodded and waved them down as he smiled. "It's not as bad as it looks. I promise." The group then settled down in a meditative stance, sensing the duel between Malak and Tai. "Feel the Force. We need to give all of our energy to Tai." Matt said, leading the group in meditation.
"For Tai." Kari said, feeling her brother's presence.
"For the Republic." Izzy, Mimi, Cody, and Yolei had begun.
"For the galaxy." Meiko, Matt, and TK finished. Blue energy was released, all the Jedi standing up and walking towards the inside of the Temple, eager to see what had become of the duel.
Tai and Malak were both exhausted. The two duelists had given everything they had and were both at a stalemate. "I must admit I find your strength awesome. But someone has to win this duel." Tai heaved, waiting for a response from Malak.
Malak's robotic voice began to short out, his wheezing becoming more apparent. "This will be the last round of our battle. I will admit that I have enjoyed this. The Sith always enjoy a great match, and it will be a shame to never find anyone this powerful for a rival." He still sounded of confidence.
Tai stood up, readying his blue lightsaber, the blue hue glowing off his face. He felt a blue glow that was not his lightsaber consume his form. Energy began to pour into him, his breathing becoming more powerful. "This is it… my final attack." He sped forward, using the energy from his friends combined with his own strength to launch the Claws of Rhen Var. "Behold my ultimate technique!"
Malak had blocked the attack, their blades crossing as he began to parry it. He laughed maniacally, showing his insanity in the Dark Side. "Feel the power of the Dark Side!" He readied his blade to cut Tai in two. However, he felt his body being dragged towards his opponent. Fear began to grip his mind. 'No! I'm being drawn towards Tai!' He paused, observing the situation at hand. 'No, I'm not! The air around me is! I parried the attack, but the air was displaced with the power of our blades, and now it's being dragged back in and bringing everything with it!' Malak refused to believe that he was going to die. The Sith needed him more than ever. But as he heard Tai speak, he knew the Force had chosen who was to win this confrontation.
Tai echoed the words of Ulic Qel-Droma, feeling his presence as he made his ultimate technique. "For even if you parry the claws on the first turn, the gusting winds will strip freedom of movement, and the Dragon will bury you alive!" He completed his turn around and sliced Malak in half, sending both parts of his body up into the air as the Star Forge exploded in space. Tai smiled, knowing he had completed his duty to the galaxy. There was but one problem. The strength he had used was all sapped, and his body became ravaged due to the JarKai Var style. He knew his death was upon him, but there was nothing he could do to stop it. 'I did it… I saved the galaxy. And look where that got me.' He collapsed on the floor, his bones cracking as his body caught up. Tai looked over to Sora, who was still lying in the antechamber where Malak had impaled her. "Sora… Come here." Tai called out to her, crawling towards the fallen Jedi Master.
Sora struggled to open her eyes. The sweet embrace of death was so close, and it wouldn't be long before the Force would take her. She heard Tai, looking over to see him crawl towards her. "Taichi…" She began to crawl towards him, coughing up blood as she moved ever so closer.
The two Force users found each other at last, joining hands together for the last time. "I love you Sora Takenouchi…" Tai began, smiling as the Force started to claim him.
Sora continued, leaving where Tai had left off. "I love you too, Tai Kamiya… forever." She let death claim her, becoming one with the Force.
Tai himself had let death claim him and joined Sora in becoming one with the Force. Their bodies disappeared, leaving only their robes and lightsabers behind.
This act of love did not go unnoticed, as Joe Kido crawled out of the shadows of the Temple, covering his arm from a strike that Malak had placed on him. He looked down, only being able to see faint imprints of the clothes before him. He knew however, that his friends had become one with the Force and had joined Davis and all the others who died on Alderaan. "Tai Kamiya… Sora Takenouchi… I will forever miss you both." He turned around to see the rest of Tai's group walk up towards where the battle had taken place. He saw Kari look over to find the robes of her fallen brother. He could feel the sorrow instantly grip her.
"Tai! No!" Kari ran towards the robes, grabbing them and placing them close to her heart. She could feel her brother's presence, but she knew he was no longer amongst the living. "Tai… why did you have to go and do that?" She looked down, her tears staining the stone that made up the floor.
All the others bowed their heads in respect as Matt walked up to say a few words about his friend. "Tai Kamiya, was like a brother to me. When we became Jedi Masters, Sora and I would always tease him about being the last one of our group to join the ranking community." He looked down at Kari, who was still sobbing. "But now, he did the one thing I never thought possible… defeat a Dark Lord of the Sith and save the galaxy." He looked at his friends, all trying to hold back their own tears. Meiko was taking her glasses off and using her cloak to wipe them. Izzy and Mimi hugged each other tightly, while Ken and Yolei looked at each other before laying their heads down in a sorrowful movement. Cody and TK walked up to Kari, placing their hands on her shoulders. "Tai… Sora… wherever you are… May the Force be with you, always." Matt finished, joining the rest of the group as Joe stepped forward.
"Matt, you all have done what I thought impossible." He paused, putting his head down as if to read the Force signatures that played before him. "You all will be written into the tales of the Jedi Order… I will make sure you all receive the Cross of Glory for this from Admiral Onasi." Joe looked over to Kari, "And little Kari… I will make sure you keep all your brother's possessions, especially his lightsaber. He would want you to have them." He looked over at the group one last time. "I'm sorry everyone, for everything I did." He then started to walk away before he felt his arm being grabbed. He turned around, recognizing the Force signature as Meiko. "Miss Mochizuki, to what do I owe the honor?" He spoke genuinely.
Meiko sighed, knowing that an apology from herself was also expected. "Joe Kido… I'm sorry for what I did to you, and to Cody. I know it was wrong of me, and I deeply regret placing a barrier between the two of you." She paused, waiting for Joe to speak.
"Meiko… you have nothing to apologize for. It is I who should bear the ultimate weight of this sin. I am the one who has caused this to happen." He looked down, sighing before her. "I'm going into exile, on Yavin IV."
Meiko was shocked, to say the least. The Jedi Council member had spoken to her before filled with arrogance and any lack of empathy. Now, here he was admitting his mistakes and atoning for them. "Before you leave us… there is one thing I would ask of you." She paused as she waited for him to look up. "Would you marry us?" She looked over to Matt, who had started to walk over to them.
Joe smiled, knowing the union between the two of them would be full of happiness and joy in these dark times. "Of course, I will. I would be happy to oblige."