Peter swung into the small garden outside of Niobe's room. He knew a silent alarm would go off, alerting whoever was in the building.
"You shouldn't be alone right now, Obe," Peter said.
"I needed to step away from everyone," Niobe said.
The door burst open. Steve stood with his shield in hand. Peter waved to Niobe and swung out of the area. Steve sat his shield against the wall while Niobe collapsed onto one of her pillows.
"What happened?" Steve asked.
"There was an attack in Times Square," Niobe said.
"Why were you out there?" Steve asked. "I thought you would be with Helen or Anakin."
"He didn't wake up," Niobe said. "I couldn't stand there and pretend I was hopeful."
"What about Helen?"
"She was so apologetic," Niobe said. "Seeing the pain and guilt in her eyes...I know this is not her fault. She did what we asked."
"Anakin will wake up, Obe," Steve said. "He's healed physically, now let him heal mentally."
Niobe collapsed into Steve's chest. He was right. If anything, she should take this time to heal as well. Ever since her arrival on Earth she had been protecting innocents.
"Thank you, Steve," Niobe said. "Perhaps I can rest for a little bit. Can I stay with you for tonight?"
Steve nodded. He picked Niobe up and carried her to his room across the hall. Steve held onto Niobe as she cried herself to sleep...
Sand stung her eyes. The heat from her blade radiated around her arms. Niobe had taken a hit to her thigh, but she was still managing.
Niobe stood close to Padme. While the senator was capable of a blaster, her reflexes were not as quick. Anakin covered her left.
Around them, the bodies of droids and Jedi lay. Padawan learners who were not quite ready to take on this level of battle. They were pinned down, without a realistic way of escaping.
"Master Windu!" Dooku said.
The droids had stopped firing. Silence fell over the arena.
"You have fought gallantly. Worthy of recognition in the historical archives of the Jedi Order. Now it is finished," He said. "Surrender - and your lives will be spared.
"We will not be hostages for you to barter with Dooku," Mace said.
"Then, I'm sorry, old friend. You will have to be destroyed," Dooku said.
Niobe moved to Aayla. Padme saw drawing near to Anakin and Niobe took this as a signal.
Niobe was close enough to Aayla to feel the heat on the Jedi's skin. They shared a glance.
The backs of their hands grazed before they turned back to the droids. Niobe was prepared to give the rest of herself for the good of the Republic, but she wanted a small moment to be with Aayla.
"Niobe," Aayla said.
The sound of the droid weapons being pointed back the group sent a chill over her. The Jedi prepped themselves...
"Obe?"
Niobe pried her eyes open. Aayla faded with the darkness. Tony stood in the doorway looking at Steve and Niobe.
"Isn't this cute," Tony said.
Niobe fought back a sob. Steve was still holding her from the night before. Her reality had become so confusing.
Aayla still haunted her.
Helen was present and waiting for her.
Niobe knew she should do the reasonable thing. Listen to her Jedi training and avoid them both. Aayla was gone and Helen lived on Earth, in a galaxy Niobe did not belong in. After the loss of Aayla, Niobe was unsure she wanted to miss another chance at happiness.
"Obe?" Steve asked. "You okay?"
Tony's humorous facade faded as he noticed Niobe's depression. He moved to the Jedi's empty side.
"Hey," Tony said. "We're here for you. You're not alone."
"What happened?" Steve asked.
Niobe pushed her loose hair back. Her hand ghosted over the cloth hiding the healed wound on her thigh.
"I was back," Niobe said. "I was on Geonosis with Padme and Anakin. I had Aayla."
The men shared a look at the mention of Aayla. A name they did not recognize.
"Why are you crying?" Tony asked. "That seems like a happy dream."
"We were in battle," Niobe said. "We thought we were going to die. I was ready to. We are trained for these situations, but I looked at Aayla...a-and I wanted to live. I wanted to give her the galaxy. I wanted to make sure she was safe and happy."
Tony tensed beside her. She leaned into the mechanic.
"There was no other way out until the gunships arrived," Niobe said. "Aayla is dead now. I need to let go. I should never have felt this way."
Tony took an inhale. She could feel the guilt pile onto Steve as she spoke.
"Sometimes, I do not want to go back. We suffered so much," Niobe said. "3 years of war...a war Padme tried with her heart and soul to prevent. Does democracy mean anything if it's actions amount to nothing?"
The men remained silent. Their own government struggled with this same question. Niobe knew a dictatorship was not a better answer. She was allowing her frustrations to control her.
Aayla...she looked so sad, so afraid.
"Is this why you don't sleep?" Steve asked.
Niobe nodded.
"My memories haunt me," she said. "I was weak last night. I should not have slept."
"No," Tony said. "You need to work through this. The Jedi overestimated the strength of your mind. This war left trauma. Let us help you."
"The same could be said for you," Niobe said.
Tony's PTSD was not a secret that could be hidden from Niobe. She worried over him more than herself.
"I am okay Tony," Niobe said. "Honestly, there is nothing to be concerned about."
Tony patted Niobe's shoulder.
"Well," Tony said. "Peter's been calling you all day. You should head over and check on him."
Niobe nodded. The boys released her and let her stand.
"I will see you guys later," Niobe said.
A/N: Thank you to the loyal readers and commenters. I appreciate y'all so much!
