Aria's heart was racing. She'd never been this nervous before a mission. But here she was, having a mini mental breakdown as the Ghost touched down outside of North Clove. This was it. No turning back, and no guarantee everyone would make it out alive. Andrew approached her. Lately, he'd been talking to her. He seemed to be nervous whenever she was around.
Aria wasn't stupid. She knew Andrew had feelings for her. But the thing that was troubling her was why she had feelings for him. They liked each other. No. Like made it sound like they were little kids on a playground with no worries. But love was too romantic. She knew that there was something there between them. She decided that if she died, she'd want Andrew to know.
"Hey," Andrew stuffed his hands in his pockets nervously.
"I'm glad you're here. I need to clear something up with you," Aria said confidently.
"Uh, what?" Andrew looked apprehensive. And scared.
"Nothing bad. I know how you feel about me," Aria said tonelessly.
"Yeah...I was hoping to tell you that now since…," Andrew trailed off. Aria knew what he was about to say.
"We might die. And I need to confess to you, too," Aria felt heat rise to her cheeks. So this was what blushing felt like? She'd never done it before. Then again, she'd always been too wrapped up in her own duties to have time to even think about love. "I feel the same."
"Really?" Andrew's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, but why?"
Aria laughed. "I honestly don't know." She pulled him in to touch her lips against his. Andrew obliged happily. Aria was tall, but, she noticed, Andrew was taller. Maybe by a couple inches. She pulled away before Andrew went too far.
"What-," Andrew started.
"Shut up. Nobody knows of this. And I plan to keep it that way," Aria winked.
Ezra looked to his girlfriend, who was, for some reason, protectively folding her arms over her abdomen. He shrugged internally. Girls were weird. She caught him staring, and laid her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her comfortingly.
"Ezra, I think I should tell you something. I originally wasn't going to tell you because if I died it might make things harder for you...but I decided that you have a right to know, and you'd find out anyway if I did die," Sabine sucked in a breath.
"Sabine...don't talk like that. You're strong. You won't die. I'm not going to let you," Ezra got out of the Ghost then, pulling Sabine with him to where he was supposed to enter the ventilation shaft. "What do you need to tell me?"
"I'm...pregnant," Sabine winced.
Ezra's eyes widened. "What the hell?," he whispered. "You can't be on this mission. It will endanger you and the baby. It's mine I'm assuming?"
"Yes. But don't you see? I have to take this mission. The ground assault needs me."
"Tell Hera and she'll say the same thing as me."
"No. I'm doing this."
"So stubborn."
"Always."
"I have to go. Good luck, and, remember, I love you. And I love baby too." Ezra kissed her lightly on the lips, and then her stomach.
"I love you too."
Kaitlyn paced in front of the side ventilation shaft with anxiety in her wake. Ezra was entering through the main shaft, and her and Jacen were taking the side one. Jacen grabbed her hand to stop her pacing.
"We're gonna be alright," Jacen said reassuringly.
"I'm not worried about myself. I'm worried about you. And Ezra. And Sabine. And Hera. And Aria. Everyone I care about," Kaitlyn placed her hands on her face.
"Everyone will be fine. And so will you," Jacen squeezed her hand.
"I'm not worried about myself so much."
"I'm worried about you."
"Jacen…," Kaitlyn trailed off, frustrated.
"I love you, Kaitlyn Dimanche," Jacen pulled her in.
"As I love you, Syndulla," Kaitlyn placed her lips on his. She broke away. "Now let's blow this hellhole!"
They climbed into the shaft, and kept crawling in one general direction until they were directly above the Inquisitor's office, where he was poring over files.
"He's so focused. He won't be able to sense us, if he keeps this up," Kaitlyn whispered to her boyfriend.
Ezra crawled over to them then. "The ground assault just started. They seem to be doing well, because no communications have gotten through."
"When will the air assault start?" Jacen asked his master.
"In three...two...one." The building shook. Both sides were demolished, leaving only the Inquisitor's office and the rooms directly below it intact. The three Jedi leapt out of the ventilation shaft and stood facing the Inquisitor.
He looked up at them with his cruel, red eyes.
"I can't shake them!" Aria yelled over her comm. Ten tie-fighters were chasing after her, assuming she was the captain of the squad. Which she was.
"I got them!" Andrew trailed behind her and shot down six with difficulty. "I can't get the other four!"
"It's fine," Aria whispered, realizing what she was meant to do. She went in a completely focused mode, and took down two. Her guns were out, shot by one of the remaining ties. Her shields were down. Aria couldn't let the ties report in. She sucked in her breath, closed her eyes…
And let go of the controls. Her fighter jerked to a halt, and the two ties took it. They smashed into her fighter.
The fire was too much. Aria decided to say one last thing. She managed reach her comm:
"I love you, Andrew."
Sabine and Hera stood back-to-back, fighting off stormtroopers.
"These bucketheads keep coming!" Sabine complained.
"We need to block the doors," Hera decided.
"How?" Sabine asked, breathless.
"I don't know. Blow something up," Hera shrugged.
"Come on," Sabine got an idea, and beckoned Hera to the doors that the stormtroopers kept pouring in from. She placed bombs that she always carried on her.
"Won't that blow the whole area?" Hera asked in a panicky voice.
"That's why we need to get away first. I'll set a timer," Sabine told Hera. "Done. Let's go! Ground assault! Get to cover!"
The assault team ran to the nearest place of cover. Sabine pulled the trigger. She grinned as she saw that every stormtrooper was killed in the blast, and the doors were jammed.
The ground assault had succeeded. And so had the air assault, thanks to Aria.
The Inquisitor connected his lightsaber with Ezra's. Kaitlyn and Jacen decided to step in and add their lightsabers into the clash as well.
"We aren't in the mood for a fair fight today," Kaitlyn smiled.
"Neither am I, young padawan." The Inquisitor pressed another button on his saber's handhold, and the other side of the red blade appeared. He swung the saber gracefully in a spiral towards Jacen. Jacen blocked the blow easily.
"You've improved the last time I fought you, Jacen Syndulla. But, you'd improve more if you joined me."
"I think I'll have to pass."
"How unfortunate."
The Inquisitor slashed at Kaitlyn next. "Maybe your girlfriend will take up my offer."
Kaitlyn blocked. "I no longer do things that make me want to vomit," she responded.
Ezra decided to step in. What he did was so incredible, Kaitlyn and Jacen gaped visibly.
Ezra flipped forwards and rolled between the Inquisitor's legs. When the Inquisitor turned around, Ezra swiftly cut the Inquisitor's lightsaber in half. Ezra then punched him, hard, in the face. Blood ran down the Inquisitor's nose. Ezra scythed the Inquisitor's legs from underneath him, and watched as the Inquisitor tumbled to the ground unconscious. Ezra put the Inquisitor's hands and feet in binders.
"Ezra, we captured the generals. All of them," Sabine reported over the comm.
"And we've got the Inquisitor." Right as Ezra said that, the Inquisitor used the force to throw himself out the window. The three Jedi heard a loud splat. Kaitlyn looked horrified. Jacen was frozen. "Nevermind. We've got his guts."
"What did you do?" Sabine sighed.
"Nothing. He committed 'throw himself out of the window'," Ezra peered out of the window and gagged theatrically.
"Okay. Well get back to the Ghost, dum-dum, and let's count our losses."
"Aria was a fine pilot. And a fine, determined woman. We will never forget her," Andrew said hoarsely, tears in his eyes.
Kaitlyn sniffed. Jacen put his arm around her and pulled her close. Sabine's and Hera's eyes were misty. Ezra and Zeb hung their heads. Savannah and Nylia, who managed to survive the battle, were silent. Alma had flown in that morning, and had broken down, sobbing, when the crew revealed her death. Alma was there now, still sobbing. Her boyfriend, another pilot named Trey, was holding her close.
Aria's coffin was a beautiful thing, gold on the outside, except the lid was translucent glass. Inside was velvet cushion. The exterior was painted by Sabine herself, with fighter pilots, and the official rebellion symbol. The Starbird. Alma and Andrew pushed the coffin away together, and went to oversee it's burying.
The rest of the crew decided to leave them be.
Kaitlyn sat on the ramp, alone. She was absorbed in her thoughts. Jacen walked to her and sat down beside her.
"Things are so calm," Kaitlyn finally said.
"I know. It's weird," Jacen shuddered.
"Ezra's a father-to-be. I can't imagine anything weirder," Kaitlyn shook her head.
"I know," Jacan had been informed of Sabine's pregnancy the day of Aria's funeral service.
"Well, we can finally sit back and relax," Kaitlyn sighed.
"I'm excited. There's so many traditions I want to teach you," Jacen smiled.
"So am I. I can teach you some of mine in return. Ever heard of Christmas?" Kaitlyn laughed.
"No," Jacen snorted.
"I'd be happy to tell you sometime," Kaitlyn laughed.
"Please do." Jacen leaned into her. He rested his head on her shoulder this time. It was a bit more uncomfortable since she was shorter than him, but it was preferable. "I love you."
"Love you too," Kaitlyn rested her head on top of his.
Finally, their lives were back on track.
Yay! The last chapter is done! Actually I'm a little sad. But that's fine :) .
Please note that I will be posting an epilogue on this story sometime within the week. Super excited. So be sure to check back on this story for a soon-to-be epilogue.
May the force be with you all!
~ArchingRebel
