Sahl felt her neck ache as sunlight hit her eyes. Not wanting to get up yet she pressed her face against her pillow. But it was harder than her pillow usually was, and she had never had a body pillow in her life.
Moving her head up and opening her eyes a fraction she saw the dark skin of a clones neck cut off by the black of their undersuits. And the hardness was the armor he was wearing. Pulling herself up she saw Cody's scar and he spoke, "So she lives."
Blinking to adjust to the sunlight Sahl saw that the sun had passed midday several hours before, "How long was I asleep?"
She jumped slightly at the sound of her Masters voice, "You were asleep two hours before I came," looking at him as she continued, "and since I arrived you have slept for another three and a half hours."
Swallowing her shame Sahl bent her head, "I'm sorry to have inconvenienced both of you."
Master watched her with his blue eyes, "Why do you think it was an inconvenience?"
Looking up at him, "The Dark woman always said I was worse than dirt, and that I wasn't worth the effort." Not being able to face his disappointment, "She always said I would never be a proper Jedi and wondered why she even bothered with me." Before they could speak, "And she would always say that I was lucky that she endured me because no other Jedi could tolerate me, which is why my Crechemaster gave me to her."
A hand reached out and rested on her left shoulder before another one rested on her right. Looking down she saw that both her Master and the Commander had reached out to try and help her but it was Master who spoke, "My Master used to say the same things to me." She looked to him quickly, "He was lying, and so was the Dark Woman. I am honored to have you as my Padawan."
Cody squeezed her shoulder before speaking, "My brothers and I are not seeing as living beings, and that is how many of the trainers treated us. The long necks kill us left and right as they think we are just things to toss aside and get rid of when we come out wrong." Both Jedi could feel the pent up pain and anger as he continued, "None of them will see us as worth anything as the Dark Woman is too blind to see your worth."
Surprising everyone, especially herself, Sahl reached out and traced the scar down the side of Cody's face, "Did they do that to you?"
"Not the Long Necks." A sigh, "It was a Rancor who insulted my brothers and I. So I fought him for my families worth," squeezing her shoulder again, "just like I'll fight for yours."
Looking at both of them Sahl felt something she hadn't felt in years. It was tentative and bruised, but it was there. Focusing on it she finally found the word. Hope.
She swallowed, "Will both of you come with me to speak with the Crechemaster?"
Both smiled at her. "Of course." And when her slender hand slipped onto Cody's left forearm where the armor was still removed neither commented.