Chapter Title: Jade and Elyss

Series Title: Unlikely Brothers

Ages in this chapter: Tanner (14) Dashen (20)

POV: Tanner

Chapter Summary: Tanner and company come to the aid of two young Jedi on the run.

"They're Jedi, Dash. I have to help them."

"Tanner, no, come on. It's too dangerous. If they know you're here and they get discovered, it's only bad things that happen next. I can't have you dying on my watch. I can't have anyone dying on my watch ever again."

Dashen was right. It was dangerous and he deserved better than to watch me put my safety and his sanity on the line, but they were my people. I couldn't stand and do nothing. As much as Dashen couldn't watch me die, I couldn't watch them die. They were strangers, yes, but at the same time, they were not.

"Dash, please." I pleaded. "Maybe Colton can step in or maybe we can cause a distraction to give them a chance to escape. I don't think Local know they are Jedi. But they are. Maybe a little older than me. They cut their braids." Something I could never do. It was simply too painful a thought at removing one of the few pieces of my past I had left. The bonding of myself to Master Ayden. I cringed at the thought of ever losing that part of my past.

I'd had help though after the Purge. I'd found Dashen, then Colton. These two, they were alone. They had each other but nothing else. If Local found out they were Jedi, they'd be dead within a day.

"They don't even have to know that I'm one of them. They don't. We can just help them and they run and get another chance."

Dashen stared at me. Blinking silently. He may be an idiot, but he wasn't a fool. Of course they'd have to know what I was. It wouldn't take them long to feel me within the Force if they accessed it. And I had to let them know that they were not the only ones left. At the same time, they couldn't stay. Three Force signatures together in one place was like a focused laser and it wouldn't take long for the Empire to find.

But I did have to help them. With or without my brother's assistance.

I sighed and pleaded one last time. "Dash. I don't ask for anything, ever. I'm asking for this. Please. I need to help them get away. Please."

One of the longest pauses in the galaxy came next, not ending until Dashen picked up his comm and punched in Colton's call number. "Colt. We need your help." He explained what was happening in coded language - always coded when discussing things that could get me killed - and asked on my behalf for he or his crew to provide some type of interference.

"Damn it, kid." Was Colton's response. Not surprising. He was never one for surprises, especially of the Jedi sort. "I'll be there in ten. Don't do anything stupid." That was aimed at both Dashen and me.

We waited ten and on the second, Colton was behind us. Sydenious Greyer, his head of everything, towered next to him. They studied the situation before us. Local still held the two, unknowing what they had in their possession. I guessed they were around sixteen or so. They would have ability, but would be frightened to use it. I understood, I mean, I had no need to die at the hands of the Empire either. And the locals were only doing their job in holding them for whatever crime they apparently committed.

Therein lay Colton's plan, being a criminal himself.

"Okay." Colton grabbed my and Dashen's shoulder. "You two stay the hell out of the middle of this. Will get them moved into my custody and figure out how to get them clear. Best I can do. I can't save them from whatever lies beyond this." The big man leaned toward me. "You know that." I did. I understood that too. And I'd never ask for anything more. Just... allow them a chance.

"I know. I just want to give them an opportunity to live free. Nothing more."

He patted the side of my face. "You're a good kid, Tannerlin. Looking after your own even though they are strangers. But there may be limits that I cannot breech. Keep that in mind. You and Dashen stay put. Sy, let's go."

Colton's way of telling me that he'd not put me in danger, nor would he put his own people at risk to save those not part of his circle, even if it was for me. I accepted that. Dashen set a hand on the nape of my neck as Colton and Sydenious put shoulders back and marched into the crowd as if they owned the entire planet.

"Damn thieves! Stealing from my own person. Threatening my employees." I could imagine Colton's eyes glaring fire as he approached the Locals and the two Jedi, none of who had a clue as to what was happening. "Local security, my ass. These two are mine!"

Local and Colton didn't get along well. They know of him. They try to avoid him. They were rarely victorious over him. And well, a fully ticked off Virgil Colton and equally displeased Sydenious Greyer made for one of the most imposing combinations you'd ever see.

Glad they were on my side.

"Sir," one of the Local began his pointless protest. "These persons are in our custody until we run the facts. You cannot fshiiaihhh..."

"Wrong!" That was Sydenious reaching a hand under the Local's chin and lifting him several feet off the ground. Another Local reached for a blaster but was encouraged to remove his finger from the trigger by Colton's blaster which was quickly plastered to the man's head.

"Release them to me and there will be no further problems. Continue this foolish game and this situation becomes... unfortunate. These two vermin stole something from me. I want it back and I will take custody of them. Once finished, if they are proven not guilty of my own account, I will return them to you for your own processing. If guilty, I will dispose of them myself. Do we have a deal or do I need to let Greyer here continue his process of further convincing?"

The security team huddled and came to a quick conclusion. A smart one too. "Release them." Sydenious dropped the Local he'd been suspending in midair and immediately snatched the two Jedi by the collars, dragging them in my general direction. Colton gave me camouflaged hand signal to start moving, which me and Dash did. We all piled into Colton's secure and blaster proof ground car, the Jedi were shoved in behind us.

They were young, as I'd thought, but still older than me. Sixteen was about right. Both human. One male, one female. They were thin and bruised and generally ragged. Each with blue eyes and unkept dark brown hair - the boy had a uneven cut to his, much shorter on the left side than the right. It was strange and certainly not intentional. Colton would take us to his bar, The Rathskeller. He'd not take him to our home. There were far too many variables. The Rathskeller was well protected and held a large office with space to shelter and eat.

But first... Colton gave me the go ahead. "They're your people, kid. Go on."

I looked at the pair and nodded. "Okay. My name is Tannerlin. I know what you are and you are safe with us until we can get you away. If Local discovers you, you'll be sold to the Empire for high credit and killed. We can help you but you have to trust us and you have to swear you'll not disclose anything you see or hear today. It would mean your end and probably mine as well."

The girl closed her eyes and fell into a Force trance. I felt it. She felt me. She knew. "You're a Jedi. In hiding. Like us."

I affirmed her thought. "I am. Although you two... you're not hiding all that well."

"It's been a difficult few months." The girl continued, fatigue playing in her voice, "We had a place on the opposite side of the planet. Something happened and we had to leave without warning, managing to make our way here to this town just recently. We were hungry and stole food from a street vendor. It's why the security picked us up. It's been so long since we've had a decent meal and we've been running these last three months trying desperately to find a safe path off of Terra."

"We can get you off the planet." I promised, passing a quick glance to Colton to make sure it was a promise I could keep. He flicked me an approving look. "We can. But food and rest first."

"Okay. Yes, okay. We are very tired and hungry. We would be grateful and did not mean to trouble you or bring you into our problems. I am Jade. This is Elyss. We were on a mission together with our masters when the Order came and they were killed. We were separated from them at the time the purge began. It's why we survived. The clones did not know they had apprentices with them. We ran. No time to even mourn. We found an underground tunnel to hide ourselves for a day. Then we started moving. We were safe. Secure for these years. Three months ago we ran again. We would be grateful for any help. Even if it's modest."

I watched Jade as she spoke before my eyes wandered toward her friend, Elyss. He didn't speak. Not once. There was something wrong with him, medically. Jade caught me watching.

"He has no voice." She explained, blue eyes intense. "A year after the purge, we were found. We suffered greatly. Elyss - you noticed his hair. It was violently ripped out by the roots and he bled for many days. Finally it healed and began to regrow. The torture we suffered at the hands of our captor's, also suffered him damage to his throat and vocal chords. The pain lessened over time, but his ability to form sound has never returned. We are fortunate however, as we are both children of telepaths, each on our mother's side, so we were told by the Jedi Council. With that and through the Force, Elyss and I have developed a powerful bond and we can communicate. We are bonded forever in what we've suffered. But we must find safety until the Empire no longer cares for hunting what is left of our kind."

The ground car stopped and Sydenious lead us through the rear door of the bar and into Colton's large office. There was the appearance of rough handling of Jade and Elyss for the benefit of any Local that may have tracked the car. Probably unnecessary, Colton had eyes everywhere and he'd have known, but being ridiculously careful about his ways was one of many ways that kept Colton kept his operation running smoothly.

Colton pointed toward us. "Dash, keep things quiet. We'll return."

My brother nodded, understanding that we weren't to bring any attention to this room. Jade and Elyss sat on the couch. Close, shoulders touching. Wary and ready. Their weariness though outweighed all of that. I could feel it bleeding from their Force essence and I had no true connection to either of them.

I went to the cooling unit and pulled out sandwiches for them both. A cup of water for each as well. "Here. Eat. There's more too. Then you can rest."

"What will happen to us?" Jade's pale blue eyes pleaded.

"Our friend Colton will figure out a way to get you off planet without being tailed." That was Dash. He'd taken a seat across from them. "After that you'll be on your own again. We can give you supplies to last a while. But Tanner's right. First you eat and rest. Colton can keep you hidden and

safe for a few days without raising any eyebrows. He'll have to report something to the Locals eventually. Even if it's a complete and utter lie."

Elyss touched Jade's arm and they communicated something across their bond. Jade spoke for him. "Why do you help us? We are strangers. We are no one. We are only trouble for you."

"Well, you're not no one. Don't ever think you are no one." Dashen began - he'd had those feelings in the past. That he was trouble. Useless. That no one cared. Certainly he'd not let Jade and Elyss harp on those same emotions. "I used to have those same feelings. I had the same concerns when I found Tanner here after the purge. Thought myself a fool for helping this half-dead kid with a planet-sized bullseye on his back. But I did and there's no a single second that I regret doing it. Tanner is my family. He wants to help you. So then I will help you, as will Colton. And honestly, you're not any more trouble than we make for ourselves on an almost daily basis."

I smiled at my brother and turned to our new friends. We talked for a while, sharing our past and our present. I left out some details of my current life. The less they knew the safer for all involved. I even left out my last name, they did the same - an unspoken agreement. The entire conversation though, my eyes couldn't stop settling on Elyss' hair. Being physically ripped out of his scalp, the pain... No, I couldn't even imagine, but I could do something. I could... hmmm.

"Dash, can you see if Vera is tending bar? I need to ask her a favor."

We shared a look and he knew exactly I was thinking. Certainly, we had no telepathic or Force bond, but on occasion our brains did mange to find similar trains of thought.

"I'll check and ask her. Back in a sec."

While Dashen wandered from the room, I sat back down. "You'll need to get cleaned up. That door there, there's a bathroom with a shower. I'll get you clean clothes. But not yet. There's another way I can help."

As if on queue, Dash returned with Vera in tow, her head tentacles bouncing and dancing as she stepped in and sat a small black bag on the table. Her large eyes set on the Jedi pair before her. She knew what they were, just as she'd known what I was on our first meeting, even if I had no idea of that awareness. Her kind could read emotions if strong enough, and well, Jade and Elyss were emoting all over the place.

"Jade. Elyss. This is Vera. She's a friend. No need to fear her. She's one of Colton's most trusted and she tends bar and maintains order around here. Most importantly for the moment, she has the talent of barbering."

"Barbering?" Vera queried, as she seized up the Jedi and jumped right in. "Such a strange word. I can cut and style hair is what Tannerlin here is trying to say. Come, Jade, you first. You'll look less like you've been living in the sewers and more like someone who can blend in and become whatever she wishes to be."

There was reluctance in Jade's eyes, but Elyss was curious. He fingered at the shorter side of his hair, a reminder of a horrifying memory. Something passed between them and Jade relented. "All right. A hair cut. I suppose it will make me feel better."

"Good. Come, young lady, sit on the floor in front of me." Vera opened her bag and extracted various tools; a comb, scissors, razor and other things. She cleared Jade's hair of knots and debris and worked magic hands to create a simple hair style that was shorter, but still allowed her to pass through places without much of a second glance. Hair that was once past her shoulders, was now just touching them. The mop that was the front of her hair was layered and fancied and whatever elaborate words come with a fresh haircut.

When done, I could see - no, I could feel it. The smile. The joy. She hadn't felt like this in a very long time. Elyss squeezed her hand and helped her stand before taking the same position in front of Vera.

"You, young man..." She ran a hand gently and carefully through his hair and in particular over the shorter side. I know there had to there scaring there, under what hair had grown back. An impossible and haunting nightmare. Vera's voice was as soft as her hands. "Let's help you push away some of those bad memories, all right?"

Elyss nodded and I noticed that Jade didn't leave him. I had the feeling that although these two were strong and resilient, that they were also (like me and Dash) absolutely inseparable. Shared tragedy could do that to people. Jade was Elyss' support system and he was hers. I'd not question it. That neither was alone in all of this, that meant worlds to me.

Vera spent more time with Elyss than with Jade. The end result was that hair ended was a bit shorter than hers, just past his ears, so both sides would share the same length and could grown out evenly. Bangs shortened and sides sculpted, he too looked more human than sewer creature now. Elyss smiled for the first time since we'd rescued them. I had to wipe at my eyes.

"Once you shower and clean up, you'll be ready for anything." Vera finished, cleaning up the tools and packing them away. "Breakfast tomorrow. Colton already asked if I could make it special for the group."

I tried and failed to not hug her. Ugh! I had to. I did. "Vera, thank you. I owe you."

"You do and I've got to get back to work. You know the evening crowd."

The evening Rathskeller crowd was interesting to say that least, and could be dangerous if permitted. Vera knew how to handle them.

I turned back to the newly shorn pair as Jade said, "You mentioned there was a shower back there?"

"Yes. Um, Dash?"

"On it. Back soon."

Jade gave me a strange look. I laughed. "We don't share a Force bond or anything, but we're brothers and sometimes our minds click. It's weird. Oh and he'll be back with clean clothes for you. Colton has connections everywhere. So, if one of you wants to shower first I'm sure Dashen will be back by the time you're done."

"You and... your brother. A lot like Elyss and me. It's nice you found someone to be your family. Elyss and I are family now. He is like my brother. And will be forever. Don't let his quietness fool you though. He's quite formidable. Just... it's been a long time on the run without a respite. This is... all of this is most welcome." She passed a message to Elyss. "I will shower first."

Jade disappeared behind the bathroom door leaving Elyss and me sitting in silence. He closed his eyes. I closed mine. An impromptu meditation session. Elyss was there, in the Force. A strong presence. Not anything like Ben Kenobi, but Elyss definitely had solid Force ability hidden away behind his muted persona.

We held the meditation until the door opened and Dashen returned. "Okay, kids, so we'll have more tomorrow and these tunics may be a little big on you guys, but for the night, it's much better than the rags you're wearing. You'll feel ten times better." Two small bags were set next to Elyss. "You can give one to your friend."

Elyss shook his head. Reacting to the word, friend. His arms crossed over his chest and he patted his heart. I interpreted for my brother.

"Not friend, Dash. Jade is his sister. Like you and me. Not by blood, but by everything else."

Dash grinned in understanding. "You can give one to your sister."

Elyss nodded, love for Jade in his eyes. The type of love that only siblings attached at the hip could share. If anything were ever happen to one of them...

Elyss got up when the sound of the water stopped. He knocked lightly on the door and passed a bag inside before returning to the couch.

I grabbed the sandwich plates and set them aside; both empty. Not a crumb left behind. My mental notes were writing themselves; get them more food before we left for the evening.

Jade came out of the bathroom. The grime had been scrubbed from her face, the layered dirt and blood and whatever else had been part of her skin. The muck removed, her skin shone a beautiful tan color even in the moderate light of the office. She was a different person. And yes, the clothes were too big and it didn't matter. Her arms hugged the clean and softness to her and there was a spark ignited inside. Elyss smiled big before grabbing his own bag and vanishing into the bathroom.

"Jade, you look... clean." I said, followed by, "Okay, that sounds strange."

Lips pursed, Dashen tsk'd me. "Yeah, so don't mind my little brother here, Jade. Clean? Really, Tanner? That's that best you could do? She looks like a completely new person! Smells like one too."

Jade laughed. There was a nice sound. Leave it to Dash to lighten the mood. "I've smelled like a sewer for so long, I didn't think those odors would ever come off. This is wonderful." She stepped towards and hugged me. Then Dash. "This... I can't... I can't ever repay you. How..."

"Nope, no payback," Dash halted her tracks. "Just helping some new friends. Someone helped me when I needed it, then I paid it forward and helped Tanner when he needed the same. That someone who helped me, he stepped in when no one else would. When no one else cared."

"We care about you and Elyss, Jade." I added to Dashen's words. "Even if it's just to offer a shower and a hot meal."

"This is more than you can ever know, Tannerlin. Dashen. Thank you. I can't wait to see what Elyss smells like!"

Our turn to laugh. The little things in life, you had to take pleasure in them. Of course when Elyss came out of the shower, he too looked like a different person. I imagine it was similar to how I looked before and after Dashen had found me those years ago. I remember that first bath, washing the layers of everything from my skin. Scrubbing so hard, there were areas of rawness for days after. I just wanted so badly to be clean. Elyss' blue eyes lit up the room. Eyes that were a shade darker than his sister's, but full of determination and strength that had been hidden under months and years of running for their lives.

He touched Jade's arm. Words passed.

"He says thank you from the bottom of his heart. He'd have stayed under the hot water for days if he could get away with it."

"Dashen's tried that before." I cracked, enjoying the lighter mood of the room.

"Only because you, little brother, left the damn apartment door open and that stink monster got into the place."

"Stink monster?"

"Whatever it was. Giant swamp rat thing. It brought all it's friends once it had a way in and they rolled their nasty selves in everything. Including my bed. I had to disinfect myself for five straight days."

"You did not. It was three days and you hogged the shower all that time."

"Next time, the stink monsters can visit your bed and you see how you like it, huh?"

We'd gotten lost in our usual bickering. We stopped when the sound of frenzied laughter overwhelmed our voices. Jade and Elyss, holding their sides in hysterics as they listened to us go on and on about... stink monsters? I started smiling then and couldn't stop. Dashen fell in next and the four of us carried on, filled with pure joy. Forgetting troubles for a short time with those we loved and special new friends, we fell into a fun and easy conversation.

When it all finally died down - well, Colton died it down when he returned and rolled his eyes at our silly nonsense - we were all exhausted and realized that two whole hours had passed.

"Boys and girls, now that you've had your fun, and Dashen, you will clean the hair off the floor..."

Dash protested. It was pointless. "Wait, but, what... Tanner... ugh."

Colton glowered. "Good use of your words, okay. Time to split this crew for the night. Your new friends need sleep. You need to go home and I need to finalize my plans for getting them off the planet. So, say some good nights. I'm leaving Vera and Kebrey on duty tonight in the bar. You need anything, the wall comm will buzz them. Dashen, Tannerlin, with me."

Fun over. Dashen left and I sat for another moment with Jade and Elyss.

"Colton is Colton. He's got layers like we all do. Good guy though. But he has to do this correctly or it's unsafe all around. You'll be here another couple of days so you can get plenty of rest. I'll see you tomorrow. Here's an extra comlink. My code is the first one. You're in safe hands with Kebrey and Vera on duty outside. Oh, and almost forgot." I pointed to the opposite side of the room, behind another door. "There's one bed, but it's big enough for about four people. Dashen and I will be back tomorrow morning for breakfast."

"Tannerlin." Jade grabbed my attention. "We are grateful for every moment you have shared. Thank you. We look forward to seeing you in the morning."

—-

Jade was vertical and awake when Dash and I returned to the Rathskeller the next morning. Kebrey reported to Colton that there were no issues overnight. I could smell the breakfast cooking outside the office as Jade greeted me.

"Good morning, Tannerlin. Dashen. Elyss is still sleeping. His body and mind, more exhausted than he believed... and the bed is very soft."

"Colton spares no expense for comfort. I'm glad Elyss is able to sleep."

I'd slept in that bed before, it's probably the most comfortable thing in

the galaxy aside from the massive couch back at the house. I smiled at

the thought and sat next to Jade. I was curious to know more about them.

"You were both apprentices when the purge happened."

"We were. We both trained under our masters since the age of eleven. Taken only months apart. Losing them was... difficult. They'd prepared us well for being on our own for extended periods. Yet, nothing like this. We hoped we have done right by them, that they would be proud of how we've managed and survived. It's the best we could have done to keep ourselves and each other safe and alive."

I knew that pain. I had that pain. Still have it. Not knowing if you've been the best you could be when the galaxy caved in around you. Hoping that you'd done your master and teacher proud. Never wanting to disappoint them. How Jade and Elyss had survived, I couldn't imagine anyone thinking less of them for their efforts to endure.

"Dash assures me that my master would've been proud of me. Not that I knew them, but I can't imagine yours not being the same."

It made her feel better, I think. She got up for a second and opened the door nearby to check on Elyss. "Perhaps I should wake him."

I shook my head. "No. There's no need. No rush. You've earned a few days to slow down. Take every second."

Slowing down was vital to their continued survival and I realized that I needed to talk to Colton. He was in the bar area. The Rathskeller not open for breakfast (we were getting a special treat) so I could talk to him without worrying about eavesdropping.

"I need see Colton. I'll be right back." I hurried out the office door and ran dead on into the big blond man. "Oof! Hey, Colt! I was looking for you." He pushed me off him.

"Not paying attention, just like your idiot brother. You know I'm not hard to find and you found me. And yes, Vera is still prepping food and your brother can't possibly be hungry enough to send you out to do his dirty work for him."

Dash was a pig at times. He had issues. But that wasn't the discussion. "No, well, not yet. I need to talk to you about Jade and Elyss."

"Young one, I will get them away safely. I've already promised you that. I can't..."

"No, I know. I mean... can we get them further away? I know you suggested a planet, but what about the Outer Rim? They need their lives to slow down or they'll never survive. They can't keep running like they are. And on a busy planet, they will have to watch their backs every second."

The blue eyes looked at me, they were about to let me down. Colton sighed hard. "Tannerlin, the Outer Rim is challenging. Your new friends, they don't need to be barely living. They need to be somewhere they can live proper, even if it means watching every second. They need people around them. Activity. They need to be engaged. Maybe even absorbed by a culture or a people. One can survive on the Rim, but these two, they can't truly live. You know that. You've told me many times about how your friend Ben lives on Tatooine. Your new friends are young and hopefully have long years ahead of them. Tell me, have you asked them what they hope for?"

I shook my head. No, I'd not asked them. Great. Now I felt badly. Colton picked up on it.

"No worries, kid. I won't mention it to them if you don't. I have two planets in mind. How about I give you the names, you do the research you love to do and then give them the lowdown on each. Let them decide. Good?"

Yeah. That was good. I agreed with him, got the planet names and then returned to the back office to do my researching. Afterward, I tossed the information to Jade and then Elyss had woken just in time for the most delicious of breakfasts. Dash said it was the bantha bacon that woke him. My brother's stomach has an obsession with bantha bacon.

Nibiru was the planet they decided on. It was mostly a forest planet but had pronounced cities all around. There was ample opportunity for work and to be absorbed into a society, as I had been here in Kaolin. There would be that fear of being found by the Empire during any raid, but if they carved out a place in a town near enough to a forest where they could create a supplied hiding area, they'd have a great chance to survive. More importantly, Nibiru gave them the best chance to truly live. Colton was right.

They ended up staying a week with us. I'd convinced Colton they needed more time to get their legs back under them; in particular, Elyss, who slept long and hard every single night.

I carried in two rucksacks that last day. They could carry them in hand or on their backs easily enough. They were filled with 2 fresh changes of clothes, small vibro-knives, credits to last several months and enough food for a week or more. Colton handed them both a gun belt and blaster to fit - if needed. Not what a Jedi would ever resort to voluntarily, but they were grateful for the extra support.

"I can't fly with you." I said to them. "Colton doesn't want me knowing exactly where you'll be left off. Safer. But you'll have the unseen protection of one of his best for five days, then you'll be on your own. Jade," my tone became somber. "I want you and Elyss to be okay. Will you be okay?"

Two sets of bright blue eyes smiled at me. "We will do our best, Tannerlin. You have given us an unexpected miracle. We will never forget any of you and if our paths meet again, well... I hope they do. One day when we're no longer hunted."

That would be a good day.

A hard pounding knock came at the door. The signal to move. Colton had all pieces of this thing set to the second. No time to wait.

"Okay, you've gotta go." I hugged them both and wiped my eyes. They did the same.

"Elyss says you're one of the best people he's known. And that your master would be very proud." Jade said that to me and I had to wipe at my eyes again.

"You are my good friends now. Elyss. Jade. I know I can say the same. Be safe. One day we'll see each other again."

"We will. Goodbye Tannerlin. Dashen. Until that day. Thank you."

And they were gone. Just like that; a departure that hit me harder than I thought it should. Five days ago, I'd had no idea who Jade and Elyss were. All I did know was that they were two of the few remaining of my kind in the entire galaxy. It was a lonely feeling if you let it be. It was a helpless feeling if you allowed it to consume you.

"Yeah, I think they'll do all right," Dashen said, stepping up next to me as we walked through the bar to watch the pair climb into Colton's ground car. My brother - this was his way of trying to lighten my heavy heart. Looking at the positive. "Strong. Resilient. Smart. Bonded. All those things will do them well. Don't worry, Mouse."

—-

They'd gotten away clean. Sydenious was their pilot and security for the pledged week. Upon his return, he relayed the details. Jade and Elyss had found promising footing on Nibiru. It wasn't perfect, but no place would ever be. It was up to them to make it work... to make it home.

"No tails and no threats when I dropped off. Colton provided them with enough to begin their journey, how that journey moves forward will be up to the decisions they make."

"Sydenious, thank you for watching over them. I appreciate everything you've done. I hope they will thrive there."

"I suspect they will do all right." Funny that he'd echoed Dashen's words from when they had departed Terra. Dashen and Sydenious were as different as night and day, they never thought anything alike. That they were both on the same page for once, I really wanted that to be a positive sign.

A good sign.

A sign that two fellow Jedi who had only each other to rely on and were living their lives on the run... that they would be okay.

And perhaps one day our paths would meet again.

END