CHAPTER EIGHTY TWO

Ana stood at the door of the empty homestead; Jay and the girls had already left, heading to the edge of Wild Space, to a planet that had some semblance of law and order and more importantly for Jay— no Empire. He didn't feel he could join the Rebellion, he needed to look after his daughters.

She understood.

She had made a decision herself.

The house had been cleaned and all traces of any rebel activity or knowledge erased. Just in case.

The Empire had finally gained a stronger foothold on Seelos and was spreading through the planet like the insidious virus it was.

The two Tooka's, mother and daughter were yowling in protest at their confinement in their travelling basket.

She had finally caught them, they looked alike and had the same temperament; they had both put up a good fight. The Bacta patch on her forearm itched as a reminder. Only the larger furniture was left here; she supposed that if they, no—when they win, they could return. But for now they were going to be on Lothal helping with the reconstruction. With Sabine, Zeb, Kallus and Hera.

Rex's hand rested gently on her shoulder; she knew it was him, after all this time she knew exactly how he felt in every way.

"You okay?" his voice low, in her ear.

"Yes. It's time to leave."

"Mixed feelings?"

"Hm."

"Memories."

"Yes. Good... and bad."

"For me too. We'll make better ones on Lothal. At the moment the Empire seems to have more important things on their mind rather than retaking it. Thrawn's disappearance and the closedown of the Tie/d fighter programme. It appears they are no longer interested in Lothal."

"Good—But Seelos, they're even dredging through the sand now, with huge Sand crawlers."

"Yeah. That's bad news, especially for the Joopas."

They stood in silence once more.

"Essie, Tula and the Twins have set off. They have the clearance codes."

"Good."

"Are you sure about the house? It's so big and needs so much doing to it."

"I like it. As soon as I saw it I knew it was right."

"Okay."

His arm pulled her in closer.

"Ready?"

"Ready."

They turned and left the past behind them. Together.

Fin