THE RAJAH'S EMERALD

Just a few more ends to tie up before we get to go after Thrawn!

The holo press had gotten wind of the arrest of Police Captain Amis Lok and the release of the Duchess and another aruetii suspect before the crew were able to reunite Soniee with her children privately. As a result the touching scene was and would continue to be broadcast rebroadcast on news and tabloid outlets throughout the galaxy.

Bo Katan had arrived for the official hand off just to keep up the pretence that the royal children had been safe in her custody for the entire duration of the investigation. All those who were actually present for the event were aware that they had been secreted away to Onderon before their mother had even been arrested.

Steela wasn't quite ready to inform her maybe future sister-in-law (if the looks that Saw and Soniee continued to pretend not to give each other meant anything) that she and Melaana had taken a little detour. Instead she was happy to tease her brother mercilessly now that the danger of him being tried for murder was passed.

It wasn't until after the public reunion was over and they could all get back to Piece of Crap II that Grigori Tandin took the opportunity to speak to the Duchess. He had stayed out of the spotlight up till now not wanting to bring attention as a monarch of another system showing up unannounced. But he had other more personal topics that he wanted to address now that he had the chance.

He held out a holo book for her to take. "I believe this belongs to your daughter. She left it at Mina's."

Soniee knew what it was at once. "Yes. It's one of her favorites. It belonged to…" she swallowed. She had guessed years ago when she had first translated the journal that the General who was mentioned as her father's uncle in the text had become the King of Onderon. "My mother."

"I remember her fondly. My nephew, your father, loved her very much." He looked at her as if he could see them in her eyes. No one had ever looked at her like that before, except maybe Saw. "And he was looking forward to becoming a father. He was nervous of course but he begged your mother to be careful when she said she wanted to take that last flight." Tandin cleared his throat and his eyes looked a little moist.

Soniee squeezed his hand. "I can understand. I remember what it was like becoming a parent for the first time." She glanced over at Alex and Sierra. It was what they were going through right now.

It was why they needed to strike now while the iron was hot to get both Vanto and Thrawn and put them away where they couldn't do any harm to the Kalluses or the Bonteris or the Gerreras ever again.

…

"We don't need much," Lux wheedled the hologram in front of him. "Just one artifact to tempt the esteemed Grand Admiral."

"One artifact from my museum," Dalla clarified. "Dragging my name, my family, my network, and my lieutenants into Thrawn's crosshairs."

"You make it sound so dire like that."

"Not a chance, Bonteri." She shook her head. "I'll help any other way I can, but I can't risk the people who've trusted me with their lives."

"I understand. Thanks for listening." Lux hung up the comm. "Well I guess that clinches it. We're using the amulet."

"Or," Steela grinned mischievously and pulled something from her jacket pocket. "We're using the other amulet."

Kallus' mouth fell open in surprise. "The forgery amulet from the gallery!"

"In the flesh." Steela's grin widened and she mussed Melaana's hair. "My little partner and I paid the museum a visit before we left Onderon. They won't be missing this anytime soon."

"You did what?" Soniee's green eyes grew as wide as the fake emerald in the object Steela held. It was the first time she had heard of her daughter being involved in any way.

"It's for you to wear, Momma," Melaana said proudly. "You'll look like a real princess."

"And Sierra won't kill you for wearing a paste jewel." Hero chuckled. "If she was mad about shoes, just imagine what she would do if Soniee wore her wedding jewelry."

To this Sierra let out a hmph and everyone laughed.

Lux sobered up. "Sierra, you're still in charge of vetting wardrobes for everyone who's showing a face. Start with Soniee since I think she'll take the most time, and work backwards."

"I'm not going?" Sierra sighed, already knowing the answer. "Guess I should have seen that coming. Soniee, mind showing me what you're planning to wear?"

Soniee gulped. Her wardrobe wasn't shabby by any means but even she wasn't sure it would hold up to the grifter's discriminating eye. She followed Sierra to her oversized closet and carefully showed her the outfit she'd brought along.

To her surprise Sierra nodded. "Leave off the headpiece to draw more attention to the amulet and you'll be fine."

"Oh good," Soniee exhaled. "I thought you wouldn't like anything I brought."

Sierra laughed lightly. "I don't hate you Soniee. We met when I was a traumatized sixteen-year-old who thought she was being replaced. You were just a more convenient target than the actual problem. Though -." She looked to the shoe rack lining the wall. "Some of it was about the shoes. I take them very seriously."

"I'd say you do." Soniee shook her head.

"I wanted to give my collection to my daughter someday," Sierra admitted. "Not like that's going to happen. One is enough for Alex and me, and the Kalluses are so heavy on boys there's no doubt that's what this little one is."

"Sometimes they surprise you. We were sure Pascal was a girl until we got the ultrasound." She wavered. In the wake of Korkie's death the memory was bittersweet.

Sierra must have noticed. "I don't think I ever had the chance to tell you this, but I'm sorry about Korkie. I can't imagine losing Alex or raising our child alone."

Soniee nodded.

"I need him to come home," Sierra said. "I need to know that you'll make sure he comes home since I can't be there to help him."

"I …" Her mouth went dry. She knew what Sierra was gunning for, the grifter hadn't even tried to disguise it.

"I know," Sierra shrugged and stepped away to look over her shoe collection with all the care of a mother checking on her infant. "And if I may? Take your time. I've hooked my fair share of people who've tried to run away from their problems by rushing headlong into something else."

Just as suddenly she about faced. "Remember, no jewelry but the amulet." And then she left the room.

…

Saw knew he shouldn't have left her side. He should have stayed right by her side to protect her every moment of the way. That was his part of the job. He was supposed to get Soniee safely to the crypt under the temple of Unifrass so that she could impersonate the statue of Melaana Rash come to life and then get her back to base.

Getting there was the easy part. And when they'd stopped in that alley and she kissed him to avoid being caught by whoever had passed them by. It had been she who initiated that kiss. He would never have pressed his advantage if she didn't consent. But stars if it wasn't the most amazing kiss he had ever experienced. He had felt her lean into him. He had never wanted it to end. And then she just… shut down.

"Very convincing." that's what she had called it, like he had been trying to con her. His feelings for Soniee were the most real emotions he had ever felt in his life. He wanted to tell her, to lay it all out. And he would as soon as they could get back to base, could get some time alone that didn't involve running for their lives.

Not that it wasn't exciting and he was sure she would fit in here with the rest of the crew if he could convince her to stay. If it hadn't been for that priest who caught them in the crypt and chased them out and then the girl who recognized Saw on the way through the market square.

He couldn't even remember the girl's name though he supposed she had looked a little familiar. She called out his name and he had to say something to appear natural in the crowd. Had they gone out back in the day? Maybe during the war or before that, when he was still living with Dane?

He was trying to remember where he had seen her before when he thought about the record he had found at Dane Tandin's place. His foster father had been pretty easy going but there were some things that Saw wasn't allowed to touch.

When Saw had found the record sleeve on the shelf he couldn't believe it. It was the one his mom used to play all the time when he was a little kid. He remembered when she packed them all up and sold them or donated them or something. Could it possibly be the same one? But when Saw had pulled it off the shelf it wasn't a music recording inside. It was a data disk.

Dane flew off the handle when he found Saw looking at the thing and later he had apologized. He told Saw it was personal, the journal of the woman he had loved, his wife who had died a long time ago. It was all he had left of her.

And then after Dane had gone to Aargonar and been killed Saw had kept the record sleeve and the disk it contained. It was the last thing he had of his foster father.

It wasn't until Saw had met Soniee and heard her story about her birth mother being from Onderon and being adopted by Mandalorians and the timing, that all the pieces came together. He couldn't wait to give it to her now. To explain the whole story to her.

Soniee ran ahead towards the base calling back to him that she remembered the way and would be just fine without him. Saw on the other hand had to endure the chatter of the girl in the market place trying to pretend that he remembered who she was and had any interest at all in what she had to say now.

Tana or Dana or what was her name? leaned towards him to give Saw a better view of her ample chest. He supposed she was moderately good looking. But she was no Soniee.

Soniee looked good in everything. That white dress she had on today for the job was particularly nice but she looked just as adorable in her flight suit or even that awful caff shop employee apron. Just the thought of her dancing around with Steela in that thing made him smile.

Dana or Lana maybe? giggled. He hoped she didn't think that smile was directed at her. Is that what Soniee had thought? That he had just stopped here to flirt with some old flame? She had run off in a hurry.

"San- er Tana, look it's been nice talking to you but I've really got to go." He didn't look back to see her frown of disappointment.

"It's Mara!" she called after him.

"Right." He waved in her general direction while searching the streets to see which way Soniee had gone and pulling his comm link out of his pocket and speed dialing his sister.

"Where are you?" Steela asked before he had the chance to say anything at all. "Hutch lost you in the crowd on the surveillance cams."

"Soniee and I got separated. I had to… take care of something." His breathing got heavier as her ran.

"I can't believe you let her out of your sight. Not after what happened…"

"Look. Don't remind me. Just tell me if she got there alright."

"She's coming in now and… she doesn't look happy. Sawyer Gerrera, what did you do?"

"Good she made it. I've got to stop somewhere and pick something up for her. I'll be back soon."

"Saw, what…" He shut off the connection before she could ask any more questions.

He had to get Soniee that data disk. He knew right where it was in the storage facility where he'd stuffed a bunch of Dane Tandin's old things and the place was almost sort of on the way back to the landing strip where they'd stashed the Piece of Crap. He could be in and out and on his way to her side in… he checked the chrono on his wrist, less than half a standard hour.

…

"Saw, where have you been?" his sister intercepted him at the hatch.

He was trying to push past her to get to Soniee. "I had to stop and get something."

"Something for Soniee?"

"Yeah, where is she? I need to apologize for getting distracted and…"

"She's not here." Steela said more gently to soften the blow. "She and the others are going back to Mandalore."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that the job was over, Lux wired the credits they were owed to Bo's account, and they packed up and left."

"When? Where? She can't leave! I've got her mother's journal." Saw felt as if a black hole had opened up inside his chest. When was it that he had fallen in love with her? He couldn't lose her now before he could tell her. But if she had chosen Korkie, if she was determined to go home with him then he would respect her decision. He just couldn't let her go without her knowing the truth about her past.

Steela read the range of emotions on her brother's face. "If you hurry you might be able to catch them before they take off. They're in docking bay fifty-seven."

She patted his arm and he gave her a nod of thanks.

…

Thank Manda or Unifrass or space or whatever was out there! When Saw skidded into the proper docking bay the Kom'rk was still resting on its landing gear and the ramp was down. And there she was, Soniee was standing right there.

His heart swelled. Here was the only woman he had ever, would ever love. She had changed back into her plain Mandalorian flight suit from the white dress she had borrowed. Of course she had. She was planning on leaving Onderon forever and she wouldn't take something of Sierra's with her.

"Soniee!" He called out to her but he was sure she had already seen him and heard the squeal of his shoes on the permicrete as he rounded the corner.

She didn't say anything for a moment but her hand did hover above the button to raise the ramp so they could lift off. He had arrived just in time. Maybe he still had a chance.

"What is it?" He heard Bo Katan calling from the forward cockpit.

"Just give me a minute," Soniee called back to her.

Saw made his feet carry him to the ramp. There was so much he wanted to tell her and so little time. He held out the record sleeve with its precious cargo. "This is for you."

"Thanks." She took it from him gingerly being careful not to make actual contact with his skin.

"Soniee, I… is this what you really want, to leave Onderon?" He had to make sure that no one was pressuring her to make the decision.

"I'm going home." She nodded with a finality that still seemed to be convincing herself. "I'm glad we could help out your crew but I really think it's for the best."

"I'll miss you, so will Steela and the others."

She gave another nod unable to return the sentiment.

"We're on a schedule here!" Bo's voice called once again.

"I have to go," Soniee told him, dismissing him from the landing bay and from her future.

He backed down the ramp but he couldn't quite consolidate her words with the look on her face. He wanted to tell her not to go, that he would see her soon, that he loved her, but he couldn't get any of it out, not in the time they had left. He felt his feet hit the hard permicrete of the landing pad once again.

She glanced at what he had given her before she raised her hand once again to the ramp control. "Good-bye and… thank you." She held up the gift even though she couldn't yet understand its significance. And then the hatch closed.

Saw waved towards the tinted window even though he couldn't see her through it any longer. Maybe she would find the disk. She would understand what it meant for him to find it for her and make sure she had it in her hands before she left the planet where her parents had met and fallen in love and looked forward to the child they would never get the chance to raise together.

"I love you," Saw said to the empty hanger bay after the Kom'rk had lifted off and probably already left Onderon's atmosphere. He stood there a while longer and then turned back towards his own family's ship. By the time he got back there he would be the regular security expert, straight man, that he always had been. But he knew that part of his heart had flown away with that girl, hacker and part time grifter, Soniee Ordo.

...

Soniee paced the little room, hands on her hips, going over the conversation in her head. Sierra didn't want to lend out her shoes. Fine. Soniee had her own shoes that were perfectly serviceable for public events. Some of her clothing and footwear and accessories had been left to her by Duchess Satine. So Soniee also understood the emotions that went along with leaving behind an inheritance.

And she understood exactly how it felt not to want to raise your child or children alone. She missed Korkie desperately. There were times when she would get busy, like with the planning for this gala or working on the political transfer process with Lagos that she could just imagine that her husband was also busy with other things but they would still see each other at the end of the day. They would listen to Melaana tell them her wild ideas and tuck Pascal into bed and sing him one more offkey lullaby. But none of that would ever happen again.

Sierra really had no idea. She couldn't possibly understand how it felt to know that Korkie would never see Mel go on her first date or help Pasc study for Academy entrance exams. Several rebellious tears trickled down her cheeks and she angrily swept them away with the back of her hand. She had hardly had time to mourn before being thrust into all this and being stuck in a cell with only her thoughts and her fear that someone was setting her up and wondering what would happen to her children if they lost both parents.

"Need him to come home", Sierra's words burned in her brain, "raising our child alone… rushing headlong into…"

She wasn't watching where she was going when a tall figure was suddenly directly in front of her and she crashed into him. Saw put his hands out to catch her.

"Soniee, are you okay?" he asked softly, tenderly.

"Yes," she began and then, "no. I don't know if I can do this."

He started with what he knew. "We'll be with you the whole time. It's a straight forward job and…"

"No, not that. I want to put a noose around Thrawn's neck just as much as any of you. I don't want to see him take anyone else's husband or father or brother or sister or mother away ever again. I just…"

She allowed him to take her into his arms which is something she had been studiously trying to avoid since they had both been released from police custody. Being alone with him after what they had shared on the night of Korkie's death was unthinkable. But right now she just didn't care about that.

He let her cry and he held her and he kissed the top of her head.

Then slowly she pushed herself out of his embrace shaking her head. "It's… after this is all over once we've caught him and Vanto and put them away… I don't know what comes next. I don't know if I can go on and raise my children alone."

"You are not alone." He wiped a tear from her cheek. "We are all here for you. I am here for you and Mel and Pasc. Whatever you decide about staying on Mandalore or coming back to Onderon, I will never leave you."

She looked up into his blue eyes and knew it was true. "It's not rushing into anything, is it? It's like a second chance that we never thought we'd have?"

"And I'm not trying to replace Korkie. I know I could never do that. But I'm here right now and I love you, more than anything." He chuckled. "And Mel and Pasc."

"I… I love you, too." It didn't feel like a betrayal to say it. It was something brand new and it was something that had been inside her for years that she had closed away and thought never to bring into the light.

"Well, then," Was she imagining that he had a sheen of tears in his eyes as well? Saw's voice was husky with emotion and he cleared his throat before he asked her, "Who is it I have to ask for permission to marry you?"

She laughed thinking of the parents and guardians who were all gone. "Great Uncle Tandin?"

And then they both looked at each other sincerely and said the words in unison, "The children."

He kissed her and she melted into him and then she straightened and was back to business. "We'll wait to tell everyone until the job is over. They don't need any other distractions."

"I agree." Though he looked like he would have rather shouted it to the rooftops. "As soon as we're done with everything here on Mandalore we'll go home, to Onderon."

"Home," she repeated and then added, "with you."