Niobe looked down at the device Tony had given her. The device said Peter was inside the building she stood in front of. She shrugged and went inside. The guards were easy to manipulate, perhaps too easy. Niobe headed into the elevator, heading to the top floor. She assumed Harry would be in and she could ask him herself. While the elevator rose, Niobe could not help but think of Anakin. Niobe felt she had to trust Helen. That Anakin would get better and her worries were for nothing. Niobe pulled at her fingers. She wished she could erase everything.
As the door slid open for Harry's floor, the boy himself stood there. Niobe smiled and waved at Harry.
"Niobe?" Harry asked.
"Harry," Niobe said. "I was looking for you. Have you seen Peter? I need his assistance."
Harry hid a laugh as he stepped into the elevator.
"He uh, he just left," Harry said. "How do you know Peter?"
Niobe watched Harry press an elevator button.
"I met him through a friend. I act as a mentor to Peter," Niobe said.
"For what?"
"I am a physical trainer," Niobe said.
Harry's head turned to her. Niobe bit her lip.
"He can afford that?" Harry asked. "I-I mean not to be rude or anything, but I know he's not exactly rolling in dough."
"He was having difficulties at school and I agreed to help him for free," Niobe said.
Harry nodded.
"Think you could train me too?" Harry asked.
"Of course," Niobe said.
The two fell silent. Harry seemed to be sizing her up. Niobe knew that she did not fit the norm on Earth. This made her suspicious.
"You have an interesting accent," Harry said.
The elevator reached the bottom floor. Harry held his arm out to let Niobe exit first.
"I am not from here," Niobe said.
"Let me guess," Harry said. "France?"
Niobe looked at Harry with a small smile. She had no idea what France was, but his mind seemed to accept that and she could not tell him the truth.
"You sound French, in a twisted way, like you've been away from there too long," Harry said.
Niobe nodded.
"Yes," Niobe said. "You are correct."
Harry clapped his hands together with a laugh. The two exited the building. Niobe would need to learn more about this "France." Harry turned to her as they walked. He wore a wide smile. His eyes seemed to sparkle.
"How do you like New York?" Harry asked.
"The city is lovely," Niobe said. "Although, there could be more green."
Harry nodded.
"Well," Harry said. "I can't argue with that. Sometimes the city can be suffocating. That's why I don't spend too much time here."
"What about your education?" she asked.
Niobe knew Peter attended a high school. Harry seemed to have skipped that part and landed a position as CEO instead.
"I have a tutor I meet with every now and then. My focus is more on running the company," he said. "I have people who help me, but the decision is ultimately mine to make."
The sound of the city attacked the pair. The smell of smoke and greasy food hung around them. Niobe felt pity for Harry. He did not have a childhood, much like herself.
"I suppose I should continue my search," Niobe said.
"Let me help," Harry said. "Besides I want to learn more about you."
Niobe smiled at the boy. He was wise beyond his years. Despite this, the edge of his mind was shrouded in pain, isolation, and rage.
"That would be lovely," Niobe said.
OOO
Hours passed of the two walking through New York. They had given up trying to find Peter 30 minutes into the search. Harry was a charming young boy, but she could see the cracks in his mental stability. He was scared.
"Have you seen the sights?" Harry asked.
Niobe thought for a moment. Steve would take her to parks around the city. Clint showed her the best spots to watch the sunset. Tony introduced her to films, music, and built cars with her.
Niobe shrugged.
"I have seen the buildings and parks," Niobe said.
"How about restaurants?" Harry asked.
Niobe shook her head. Harry grinned and grabbed onto her hand. He tugged her along the sidewalk, dodging pedestrians until they reached a dimly lit store.
"This is the best place to eat," Harry said. "Peter and I used to go here all the time."
"Harry? Is that you?"
Niobe saw a lone man behind a counter.
"Hey, Delmar," Harry said.
"You came back!" Delmar said. "This is a wonderful day! Who is your friend?"
"This is Niobe," Harry said. "She's new to New York and I wanted to introduce her to the best place to eat in the whole city."
Niobe watched the two share banter, catching up on what they missed. There was a pang in her chest. She could not stop herself from remembering Dex and Obi-wan. Harry ordered for her and they took their food out of the store.
"I figured we could eat back at my place," Harry said. "I'm close to here."
"Sounds good to me," Niobe said.
OOOO
Together they settled in the living area, devouring their food. As they ate, the Jedi could sense the buzzing in Harry's mind. He fought back the questions building inside him. Niobe tilted his head to him, hoping he would take the signal.
"You spoke about dying...like you had personal experiences," Harry said.
Niobe smiled at him.
"I am a soldier," Niobe said. "I used to protect a powerful member of the government. Unfortunately for me, she was targeted quite often."
"You were injured?" Harry asked.
"There was an explosion," Niobe said. "The senator used a decoy and I accompanied the decoy to make the scenario believable. The decoy died. I took a piece of the..."
Niobe searched for the appropriate terminology.
"Plane?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Niobe said. "The metal lodged into my side, but my duty had not ended. I sat with the senator through her senatorial address and waited until she was in the hands of better security."
"What happened?" Harry asked.
"The metal had dug into my body. I collapsed once I was sure she was secure," Niobe said. "The point I wish to make is that I prepare myself for the possibility of death each day. I do not look at a situation with a cocky attitude. I am aware of my mortality, but more importantly, I am at peace with it."
"You make this sound easy," Harry said.
"I do not mean to," Niobe said. "After my first experience in battle, I lost my closest friend. I spent days upon days trying to understand what had occurred. We knew the risks, but to see them die up close..."
Harry's face dropped. He was seeing another side of Niobe. The harsh past she had come from.
"I do not blame you for your fears. I too felt that way," Niobe said. "I tell you my stories so you may see how precious everything still is. You live right now. Do not take this for granted. Too many do. Do not sacrifice the best of yourself."
Harry looked at Niobe in confusion.
"I know you wish to do anything you can in order to survive," Niobe said. "This will not end well for you. I fear you will lose part of yourself to rage."
Harry shook his head.
"No, no," Harry said. "I won't."
Niobe gave a weak smile. She wanted to believe him, but he was so young. She knew his future.
Niobe placed a hand on Harry's face.
"Contact Peter if you need me. I must leave. I am expected elsewhere," Niobe said.
Harry nodded and stood to walk her out. Niobe gave the boy one last look before leaving his view. She reached out to him through the force, altering his emotions. She left him with an echo of warmth and happiness.
Harry collapsed back onto his couch. He wanted to call Peter and ask more about Niobe. As he reached for his phone, he noticed a shadow on the floor in front of him. Harry looked up.
"Spiderman."
A/N: To my lovely readers! I published the prequel for this story called The Rise Of The Clone Wars. The story centers around Niobe's time before her crash landing on Earth. I hope you enjoy!
