Landing on the next planet proved to be a lot more difficult than Bodhi anticipated. Kashyyyk, the home of the Wookie species and the closest planet to Boz Pity, was a sweltering jungle world accompanied by three tiny moons. Bodhi had planned to refuel there but a red alert managed to pick its way through the shuttle's ancient scanners and warned them that the planet was closed to all apart from those on official business for the Empire.
Mara couldn't understand why they had closed off the entire planet, even systems under Imperial occupation allowed trade to continue and travellers to pass through. Bodhi explained that the Empire was in the process of deforesting the impressive wroshyr trees that covered the planet and draining its rivers to aid their undersea mining platforms. She asked why they would do such a thing. Bodhi didn't have an answer.
They both watched Kashyyyk sail past the viewport, their hearts sinking at the sight of the black smear that now covered a third of the once emerald planet. Bodhi felt that familiar guilt start to creep its way back into his heart. He'd fought long and hard since he defected to prove that he wasn't loyal to the Empire, that he wasn't just another one of their drones, and yet the hardest person to convince was himself. He would give his life for the Rebellion, he almost did, but whenever he saw the destruction the Empire left in its wake, he felt responsible, as if he'd been the one giving orders and not just a lowly cargo driver.
Chirrut Îmwe had invited him to visit his quarters whenever he wished and during Bodhi's first few weeks on Yavin 4, he had gone to the Guardian when he felt the need to repent or to talk about Jedha, their shared homeworld, or even just to meditate in companionable silence. Chirrut had taught Bodhi how to relax his frantic thoughts and allow himself to fall into a peaceful state. Although it had been a while since he last saw Chirrut, Bodhi often sat cross-legged on the floor of his own tiny quarters and shut himself away from the noise and the chaos of the Rebel base. He felt the urge to close himself off now but feared it might invite questions from Mara that he could not and did not want to answer.
Though Kashyyyk was closed, the planet after it still welcomed travellers of all kinds. It took them an infuriating few hours in their rusty little shuttle but eventually, Bodhi guided them through the planet's security check-in and searched for a place to land. It took them so long to get there that Mara started to drift off. The gentle, rhythmic sounds of the ship and her restless night caused her to drift in and out of sleep many times during the flight. What's more, the pain from her injuries was starting to grow more and more intense. At one point, Mara found herself waking up with no memory of dreaming and knew she must've passed out.
She was on the edge of slipping away again when the shuttle landed with its usual gracelessness. Mara raised her hand to cover her eyes, wincing against the late afternoon sun of yet another planet. Before now, she'd only ever visited worlds that Leia and her council travelled to, and the meetings were always held inside polished stone walls, so Mara never got to see much of the planet. It didn't occur to her to mind until now. Bodhi has shown her more of the galaxy in three days than she had seen in all her nineteen years as Leia's guard.
When the shuttle finally touched down (with its usual worrying hiss and jolt), Bodhi stretched his arms above his head, his muscles stiff from the long journey. Mara grimaced when she heard several of his joints crack.
"Come on, then." He patted the steering console in an oddly affectionate way then heaved himself out of his seat with a grunt.
Mara followed closely as he led them through to the loading bay. As soon as the shuttle door slid open, a chorus of voices hit them. Mara scrunched up her face, she was still half asleep and the sudden barrage of sound was overwhelming. Bodhi didn't mind. In fact, he seemed very much in his element. He ambled down the ramp and immediately struck up a conversation with a tiny, rounded man in yet another language Mara didn't recognise.
They appeared to have landed in a scrapyard. Bodhi said they'd need to find someone who could fix the shuttle, or at least patch it up so that they could get to Alderaan in one piece. That must be what he was discussing with the owner. Their ship was just one of hundreds in the yard, though it looked the most worst-for-ware, which was rather embarrassing. Enormous heaps of twisting, rusting metal were scattered everywhere. Boxy, dirt-splattered droids crisscrossed between the piles, dutifully depositing and withdrawing scrap parts.
The wide gate to the junkyard opened up onto a long street bordered on either side by market stalls, though these were considerably more lavish than the ones they found on Boz Pity. The market was where most of the noise seemed to be coming from; the cobblestone road was packed with people of all sorts of species and backgrounds.
"Where are we?" Mara asked when Bodhi had finished speaking with the owner of the yard.
"Onderon. Not far from Alderaan." As he spoke, he showed her the yellow ticket he'd been given that told them when they could expect their ship to be finished. He explained that Gantoon, the tiny man who owned the junkyard, had assured him that their shuttle was in good hands and they would be on their way again in just a few hours. Bodhi turned and waved to the owner then nodded in the direction of the market. "Shall we?"
It wasn't often Mara felt nervous but she'd never been comfortable in large crowds. The chaos and the clamour drowned her senses and she feared she wouldn't be able to anticipate any imminent dangers. She no longer had Leia to protect or a whole squad to lead, but she still felt the same uneasiness as they drew closer to the market. Bodhi also seemed on edge, which didn't help. As they passed under the iron gate of the junkyard and stepped onto the cobblestones, he immediately put his hands in his pockets, his eyes switching this way and that.
"Stick close, alright?" He turned and almost jumped when he found Mara already standing very close to him. Her shoulder almost brushed his and it suddenly occurred to him that she was almost the same height as him. He found himself marvelling at how such power could reside in such a small woman. She walked a step behind him, letting him lead the way for once. Bodhi was quite pleased, if a little unnerved. "There're thieves everywhere."
"You've been here before." It was more of an observation than a question, something to keep her mind away from how out of control she felt.
"Twice, actually. Only to restock and refuel, but it means I know where the 'freshers are." They reached a wall of people, six or seven figures standing around talking and blocking the entrance to the street. Bodhi excused himself and slipped past a tall creature with a neck as long as his arm. Mara tried not to stare as she too shuffled past, one hand placed protectively against her ribs.
Once they were actually in the market, she immediately felt her worries ease away. Unlike on Boz Pity, the vendors did not clamour for their attention. They simply sat back and allowed people to circle between stalls, only getting up if customers voiced an interest in buying. It was very clear that their stalls were more of a hobby and not their only source of income. "See? Not so bad, eh?" Bodhi nudged her arm but Mara elected to ignore him. He hid a smile behind his hand, setting off down the wide street with his captor at his heels.
Mara watched curiously as he moved between the stalls like he was searching for something in particular. Before she could ask, he said,
"First, you need some new clothes."
She frowned but he'd already turned away and didn't see it. "What's wrong with the clothes I have?" Mara was extremely proud of her uniform and couldn't help sounding more than a little indignant. Though her jacket looked a little scruffy after her ordeal, she wouldn't get rid of it for the world. Bodhi began to respond but they were suddenly interrupted by a gaggle of Jawas, who almost swept Mara away before she could move out of their path. She grumbled and tutted under her breath when one of them trod on her foot but they didn't pay her the slightest bit of notice.
It did give Mara a chance to stop and look around at her new surroundings. Yes, travelling between strange planets was a terrifying and time-consuming venture but she supposed there was a strange beauty to this place. They'd reached a large courtyard which held possibly hundreds of stalls selling an all manner of items, everything from food to toys, to plants and jewellery. Strings of brightly coloured flags swept between the buildings, catching the afternoon sunlight. In an alcove in a wall, a young boy sat playing the flute, a hat scattered with coins at his feet. A pink-skinned woman with half her head shaved was singing in a beautiful, lilting voice, calling people to buy her freshly baked bread like a siren. The sky was royal blue, not a cloud in sight, and she'd never seen Bodhi look so at ease.
He put his hand on her elbow and with the lightest of touches and a concerned frown, he guided her back onto the path. "You stick out like a sore thumb," he said, shooting her a cheeky half smile. "Not everyone's as friendly as I am."
"But we don't have the money," Mara pointed out, ignoring his little jibe. She didn't get very much for the blaster on Boz Pity but it should be enough for the essentials. They really didn't have the time or the money to go shopping. Bodhi suddenly stopped walking, his pause so abrupt that Mara almost bumped into him. He seemed to have found what he was looking for. There was a large stall across the courtyard, its tables arranged in a rectangle, stacked high with all sorts of clothes in a rainbow of colours. The vendor was alone in the middle of the tables, chatting idly with a customer as she wrapped up their purchases.
"I have an idea," Bodhi said, a phrase which she knew could only ever mean trouble. He turned to face her, a flash of mischief lighting up his eyes. "You're not gonna like it."
Mara scowled. Bodhi grinned.
It took him mere seconds to explain the plan, it really wasn't that complicated, but he did have a hard time convincing Mara to do it. Eventually, he won her round by telling her that this planet was fairly rich and the woman behind the stall would hardly notice if a few items went missing. She still didn't seem at all happy about it when he left to hurry around the outside of the stalls.
Mara never lied and she most definitely did not steal. But, she supposed as she walked over to the stall, desperate times call for desperate measures. She was hesitant to leave Bodhi's side. It was stupid to split up, she didn't know him, not really. He could be anyone. He could run off at any moment and desert her. Mara didn't want to believe that he'd do something like that to her after all that he'd said, but trust was a fragile thing and Bodhi, a stranger, held hers in his hands. But then he did something strange. Before he left, he gave back the blaster. She'd forgotten all about it. Bodhi pressed it into her hands without a word, clearly he didn't think much of it. If he planned to abandon her, why would he give up his only defence?
The vendor did not get up from her stool when Mara approached. She was a wide woman with slicked-back hair and a thin mouth. Mara would have thought she was human if it weren't for the pale yellow hue to her skin and the flecks of green around her eyes. A man on the left side of the stall was moving along a row of bracelets so Mara did as he did, picking things up and neatly placing them down again, pretending to be interested. A flash of familiar colours caught her eye and she looked up to see Bodhi on the opposite side of the stall, also perusing the clothes. He didn't look at her but she saw him nod slightly. With her heart in her throat, Mara raised her hand to get the vendor's attention.
"Hello?" She was so focused on not stuttering that when the woman looked her way, she realised she'd forgotten to come up with a good distraction. "Can I take a look at... That?" Above their heads, a flock of hats hung from the canvas roof. Mara pointed vaguely to one near her, hoping it would make the woman come closer. She saw Bodhi pull a face on the other side of the stall like he was amused but despite her terrible acting skills, the woman did heave herself out of her seat, picking up a long pole as she went. Mara thought for a moment that it was to deter thieves but the woman raised the pole and brandished it at the hats.
She squawked at her, gesturing around as if to ask which she was interested in. "That one." Mara pointed to a bright blue hat with a ribbon on the side. The woman lifted the pole and hooked the hat from its peg but Mara saw that Bodhi needed more time and changed her mind. "No, that one." The woman screeched again crossly but put the hat back, reaching for the other instead.
Mara watched over the woman's shoulder as Bodhi gathered up all sorts of shirts and trousers in his arms and stuffed them inside his jacket, which he quickly buttoned up so that none of it could escape. The woman almost looked over her shoulder in Bodhi's direction but Mara quickly pointed to another hat and brought her attention back. "Further to the left."
The woman was quick this time. She hooked the hat on the pole and pushed it into her hands before she could change her mind again. "Thank you." Mara turned the wide-brimmed hat around in her hands, rather astounded by how feathery it was. "It's, erm... Lovely," she said carefully, giving the woman a strained smile. Bodhi stepped away from the stall, immediately vanishing into the crowds, and Mara knew it was time to leave. She awkwardly handed the hat back. "Thank you, perhaps later."
The woman did not seem happy but Mara didn't stick around to get squawked at again. She backed away from the stall and joined a group of people wandering across the square. She did not look back. Despite her initial reservations, Mara found she felt quite exhilarated as she let herself be washed away amongst the sea of people. She'd never broken a rule in her life; there was something oddly thrilling about being bad. She tried not to smile as she made her way over to a wide archway where she and Bodhi had agreed to meet, the adrenaline carrying her as if she was floating above the ground.
Mara reached the mouth of the archway and found it stretched out into a tunnel. At the other end, a circle of yellow light beckoned her but she stayed put despite the captivating smells and sounds that lay at the other end. Bodhi was nowhere to be seen. He said that he'd head straight to the archway after he left the stall, Mara's strategic mind told her that he should be here already. She placed her hand against the cold, worn stone of the tunnel, standing on her toes to look over the heads of the crowd, trying to spot one with a pair of goggles. She couldn't see him.
Mara could feel cold dread encircling her chest like a rope, pulling tighter and tighter. She tried to stay calm. He wouldn't leave her. Bodhi said he'd help her get home. He was so sincere. Mara tried not to look as panicked as she felt as she scanned the crowds. She wouldn't usually care what people thought, there used to be no doubt that she could take care of herself, but her mobility was lessened and she was on a planet she didn't know, so if anyone did see her looking vulnerable, the odds were stacked against her. He's left you, she thought. He made up a lie and slipped away while you were distracted. Mara's strained breathing pressed against her ribs and she clenched her fists, fighting through the pain. He's left you. You're alone. You're never going to get home.
"Will these be alright?" A voice made her jump. Mara turned and found Bodhi standing behind her, a pleased little smile on his face. No one could sneak up on her, no one. She'd been so panicked that she hadn't heard him approach. He held out a bundle of clothes, still folded neatly despite being shoved inside his jacket. Mara could still feel her heart thudding in her ears, her breathing only just beginning to even out.
Bodhi's smile slipped away when he saw the look on her face. He'd entered through the other end of the tunnel, dodging around the crowds just in case anyone had seen him and tried to get him arrested. Mara had looked uncharacteristically flustered when he spotted her at the mouth of the arch. Her eyes were still wide and frightened. "Are you okay?"
His concerned question snapped her out of it. Mara cleared her throat and nodded sharply, not quite meeting his eyes. "Fine," she said gruffly, taking the clothes from him with a quiet, curt 'thank you'.
Bodhi knew better than to ask what was troubling her; he'd only get an earful for it and she probably wouldn't answer anyway. Instead, he nodded down the tunnel, silently suggesting they get a move on before the woman realised she was a few items short. "You're a terrible thief," he said, making Mara snort derisively.
"That's hardly an insult."
"She almost caught me."
"But she didn't. I'm a great partner in crime."
"You are very distracting," Bodhi admitted, immediately regretting it when Mara gave him a confused look. He really did not mean to say that out loud. Bodhi fumbled for an explanation but found nothing. "Come on," he said at last, disappointed in himself. "Let's find the 'freshers. You smell like a Rancor." Oh, yes. That's much better. Insult her. Bodhi almost asked for the blaster back just so he could physically, as well as metaphorically, shoot himself in the foot.
A tall, white building in the corner of the next courtyard housed the refreshers. Tourists were common on Onderon, many of them travelling far and wide, so bathhouses had been set up all over the biggest cities, places where visitors could freshen up after their long journeys. Bodhi had used the refreshers on Onderon, and similar facilities on other planets, many times. Something about Mara's faintly bewildered expression told him that she'd never used a 'fresher that wasn't inside a palace. Bodhi smiled to show that there was nothing to worry about then stepped inside.
Steam hit them instantly, making beads of moisture form on Mara's forehead and Bodhi's hair immediately start to frizz. There wasn't much to look at, just a long passageway branching off into around thirty or so cubicles. There were people patiently queuing down the corridor, families with children, couples, even a few soldiers, all carrying towels and changes of clothes.
"I'll meet you out there, alright?" Bodhi said, waving back to the way they came in. Then he strolled down the corridor to join the back of the queue without further explanation.
Mara had never felt so out of her depth. Clutching her bundle of stolen clothes tight against her stomach, she hesitantly joined the queue behind a Delasian, a people famous for their bad stench. Even he didn't smell as bad as Mara did at that moment. As bewildered as she was, she was excited by the prospect of finally getting to wash after days of running and fighting and getting shot at.
Bodhi did wonder if he ought to explain how the public refreshers worked, but once again, he reminded himself that Mara did abduct him. He had more than earned the right for a little payback.
A cubicle opened up at the end of the row and Mara watched Bodhi enter, even though she didn't see anyone walk out. She craned her neck to catch his eye but he didn't look back before he shut the door behind him. Very soon, it was her turn. A door opened on her right and Mara stepped inside, making sure the door was definitely locked behind her. To her relief, it looked like any regular 'fresher. There were even two dispensers on the wall, one for shampoo and one for soap.
Mara placed her new clothes down on the little bench provided and slowly got undressed, keeping one eye on the door at all times. She'd never felt so exposed or so vulnerable, but the rather hefty lock on the door did allow her to relax a little. She carefully hung up her jacket but balled up her trousers and undershirt and left them on the floor. Only now that she'd taken them off could she really appreciate just how bad she and her clothes smelt. It took her a while to figure out all the switches and dials but at last, Mara got the refresher running at a regular temperature.
Standing under the hot water, she felt her weary muscles relax at last. The pressure was fairly strong and helped unravel the knots in her back, easing all the tension and stress her journey had brought her. Mara ran a gentle hand across her ribs, almost too afraid to look at the damage. Worry began to well up inside her stomach at the sight of the large blue and black blotches, mottled bruises that clouded around her middle, pressing up through her skin. She'd have to do something about them soon, the brace was helpful but it wasn't a cure.
Mara was afraid, something she hadn't felt since she was a child. She was completely alone and the only person who wanted to help her was a Rebel pilot she'd kidnapped. A few weeks ago, the situation would've seemed ridiculous. It was ridiculous. Mara blinked back tears and forced herself to clear her mind, just like her mother had taught her to do. But a small flicker of doubt still glowed inside her head, where even her mother's teachings could not reach.
Mara huffed, annoyed at herself for getting emotional again. Just find Leia, she told herself, altogether too tired and frustrated to think about anything else. Just find Leia and get home. She pumped some of the shampoo into her hand and attempted to run her fingers through her hair but they got caught almost instantly. Someone banged on the door and told her to hurry up. Her jacket slipped off its hook and landed on the damp floor. Mara sighed, wondering once again what she'd done to deserve her current situation.
It didn't take Bodhi long to get washed and changed, he'd planned more stopovers than he could count over the years and had freshening up down to a fine art. He was so efficient, he wasn't surprised to find that Mara hadn't finished yet when he stepped out into the cool evening air. At first, Bodhi leaned against the entrance to the building, just taking in the sights, but he quickly grew bored and decided to take a look around while he waited for Mara.
He slowly meandered back to the stalls, though he was careful to stay out of the sight of the woman and her clothes stand, worried that she might recognise the fresh, clean shirt and trousers he now wore. He hadn't been all that worried about sizes and styles, he just grabbed what he could and got out of there sharpish. Consequently, his trousers were a little too short. A stripe of ankle could just be seen above the cut of his boots, but the shirt was alright, if a little itchy. Anything was better than the reeking, sandy, sweaty, oily clothes he'd been wearing when they landed, clothes that were now at the bottom of the first bin he came across.
He kept his jacket. It was given to him by a Rebel pilot on the night of the battle on Scarif, when their team at last made it back to Yavin 4. To this day, he still could not remember arriving; he'd woken up in the medcentre the next day with only one arm and a jacket draped over his knees. He didn't know the pilot who gave it to him but a nurse explained that it was a thank you gift from a woman named Shara Bey, a highly decorated A-Wing pilot. He'd been a little star struck, to say the least, just to know that such an illustrious Rebel pilot wanted to thank him. Bodhi hadn't managed to find Shara to express his gratitude yet, she was constantly out on missions, but one day he hoped to shake her hand.
There wasn't much on sale that interested Bodhi; it was the same old stuff you could find in any market. He did linger by a stall selling exotic animals. A bright blue bird with a tail that spiralled all the way around its thin body piqued his interest. He thought about buying it just to set it free but knew he couldn't afford such an incredible creature. He was about to head back to the bathhouse to find Mara when the last stall on the row caught his eye.
A man was selling medical supplies: bandages, disinfectant, scanners, and medicine among other things, but none of that was particularly interesting. Nestled amongst all the clutter, Bodhi had found bacta patches. Their leftover money felt heavy in his pocket. It wasn't a lot but it could be enough if the man felt like bartering. Bodhi looked around him at the numerous food stalls, the sensible thing to spend their money on. He thought about Gantoon and how costly his repairs could be. Finally, he thought about Mara and what she might say when she found out. Then he thought about her broken ribs and quickly decided he didn't care.
Bodhi headed back to the bathhouse after that. He was just meters from the entrance when a familiar sound caught his attention. Voices drifted from a large tent across the square, a fat purple fruit amongst the whites and browns of the buildings that surrounded it. Smoke curled from the entrance, almost like the tent was on fire. As Bodhi drew closer, the sharp stench of tobacco and alcohol let him know the tent was some kind of bar. He looked back over his shoulder, making sure that Mara hadn't appeared yet before he pulled the collar of his jacket into place and stepped inside.
It was dark inside the tent, not so much gloomy but hidden in shadows. K-2SO could've been standing in the corner of the tent and Bodhi wouldn't have been able to see it. There were tables dotted everywhere with four or five people gathered around them. The smoky haze stemmed from instruments that sat in the centre of the tables, jewel-encrusted pipes with multiple arms held aloft between the lazy fingers of the patrons. A bar stretched across the far side of the tent and waiters circled between the tables serving drinks. Music poured from one corner of the room where a band was playing a folk song that had some people up and dancing. Bodhi saw the bartender look his way and gave him a small, polite nod as he delved further into the tent.
As he walked between tables, he saw that each one had a game set up on it, some he recognised and some he didn't. All the players were gambling an incredible amount of money. Bodhi's fingers itched to slip the credits off the table and make a run for it, but he knew he wouldn't get far. He paused by a group of men playing Sabacc. They passed cards around quickly, clearly seasoned players, chatting quietly amongst themselves in Basic. One man, skinny and sallow, had only one eye, the other replaced by a deep black patch that clashed horribly with his pale skin. He saw Bodhi watching them play and took the pipe out of his mouth so that he could speak.
"Deal you in?" he offered, making the other players turn around in their chairs to size him up. The one-eyed man waved his pipe at an empty seat across the table, leaving a trail of smoke to guide him. Bodhi was tempted but the man's strange, sly smile made him shake his head.
"No, thank you," he said quietly. He'd lost a lot of money in places just like this, and when he ran out of money, he almost paid with his life. It was a good thing he was a fast runner and knew the Holy City well. Bodhi dreaded to think what might've happened to him if they caught him. After years of bad decisions, he decided enough was enough and stopped frequenting the gambling dens hidden in the city's backstreets, forcing himself to focus on flying, work, his family, anything to keep his reckless young mind busy. It had been many years since he last visited such a place but his hands still itched to play.
"Suit yourself."
The man didn't seem to care either way, all he wanted was to get back to the game. Bodhi watched the stacks of credits being passed around the table and almost changed his mind when he felt someone brush his elbow.
"You look much better," Mara said, looking him up and down.
It wasn't a compliment, merely a statement of how much cleaner he looked, so he wasn't exactly overwhelmed by the praise. "Thanks," he muttered. Bodhi's new clothes were very much like the ones he'd been wearing when they landed but he'd managed to find a razor and trimmed his beard. He'd even taken the time to tidy up his hair, instead of just pulling it back to keep it out of his eyes. His once haphazard bun had been divided into tiny, complicated plaits that were common on Jedha. Bodhi turned away from the Sabacc table and led Mara out into the dying evening light. He didn't look back.
He asked her how she got on with the 'fresher and Mara skirted around the question with a funny look on her face like she was trying to forget the whole experience. It was only when she was finished that she realised she didn't have a towel, so Mara had to pat herself dry with her dirty clothes and then she couldn't get out. It took her a whole ten minutes to work out that there was a backdoor to every cubicle, which was why she didn't see anyone come out while she was queuing. It wasn't often she was made to look a fool and it was a feeling Mara really didn't want to get used to.
Outside, the sky was dark, the air close, and where once there had been clear skies, there now hung stout, grey clouds, so heavy with rain that they seemed low enough to reach out and touch. They stood underneath the tent awning in silence, watching the vendors pack away their stalls. Canvases were rolled up, tables flattened, merchandise hidden away, ready to be spread out again early the next morning. Mara turned her head and caught Bodhi looking at the tattoo on her left shoulder. With her new clothes- a plain, sleeveless top and trousers- it was on show for the first time.
"It's-"
"The crest of Alderaan. I know." The symbol of the House of Organa was a sign of hope, and it gave the Rebels courage on days when things looked particularly daunting. Even Bodhi had seen it before despite his relatively sheltered life in the Outer Rims, he'd recognise the interlacing curves anywhere. "Looks good on you." He didn't realise what he'd said until Mara gave him a surprised look. Her bewilderment only grew as Bodhi did the linguistic equivalent of a U-turn. "I mean, it's- It looks good. Well done. Er, well drawn, I mean."
He'd never been very good at talking to women, his voice would shake and then his nerves would get the better of him, especially women who looked like they could win a fight with both their hands tied behind their back, women who looked like Mara. The tattoo did look good on her. She looked good. He thought she was attractive in a belligerent kind of way before but now Mara'd had a wash, she looked wonderful, especially with her jacket tied around her waist like that.
For the first time, he noticed that her dark hair was long enough to reach the middle of her back. The Alderaanian tradition of keeping the hair long so that it could be twisted into all sorts of elaborate styles even reached the Royal Guard. She'd kept it up in an intricate if messy bun until now. Mara had only left it down so that it could dry properly, though, with the looming storm, it seemed she needn't have bothered. She looked younger now, calmer, softer. But it would be a warm day on Hoth before Bodhi ever admitted that he thought she looked lovely. He resisted the urge to sigh at his own inarticulacy and dug into his pocket, desperate to change the subject. He held out the three small bacta patches he'd found in the market, glowing bright blue in the palm of his hand. "Here."
Mara was still a little surprised by the sudden wave of compliments, she didn't think she'd ever been praised for anything other than her skills as a soldier. She tried to convince herself that she didn't care but Bodhi's embarrassed expression was persuasively endearing. She plucked the patches from his palm, holding them at arm's length as she inspected them, as if she was afraid they might go off. Then her suspicious expression softened.
"Are these..." She looked at Bodhi with wide eyes and he shrugged slightly, his gaze never resting in one place for long. At last, the heavy clouds burst, just a sprinkle at first but soon the rain fell in buckets, hitting the cobblestones so hard that Mara could hardly hear Bodhi talking.
"It's not much, the guy hasn't had a delivery in weeks. Something about the trading routes. I'm not sure, my Krull isn't very good. Too much clicking." He wriggled his fingers near his mouth. Mara's lips twitched.
"Isn't bacta expensive?" She turned the little packages over in her hands but there wasn't much to see. They were only small, about the size of her palm, and oval-shaped. She'd seen bacta tanks in use but had never experienced them herself; Mara preferred simple bandages and that was only if she really needed them.
"Er, yes," Bodhi admitted, his tone similar to that of a child caught being naughty. He still didn't meet her gaze. "Yes, it is a bit."
Mara heaved an exasperated sigh that she immediately regretted because of the strain it put on her ribs. By now, the rain was falling thick and fast, she could hardly see a foot in front of her. "We could've spent that money on food or fuel or-"
"We can always get more money," Bodhi said, his voice so gentle that it didn't feel like she was being interrupted. He glanced over his shoulder but brushed away thoughts of going back into the tent as soon as they surfaced. "Look, we both know the only way you and I are gonna get across the galaxy in one piece is if you can keep us safe." He hated to admit it but Mara was their only hope. She was a one-woman army, he didn't even know how to use a blaster. Without her, he'd probably be lying dead in the deserts of Boz Pity. Granted he wouldn't have been on Boz Pity in the first place if it weren't for her but when Bodhi made a promise, he kept it, and he'd promised to help Mara get home.
She was staring at him again, the way she always did when he said something that surprised her. She used to hide her feelings well but now there was something else, something more, something behind her eyes. She looked at him like she couldn't work him out. Mara seemed constantly wary of everything he said and always looked so bewildered when he tried to be kind. Bodhi remembered what she'd said about dedicating her life to her service. She really didn't get out much, perhaps that's why she was so distant. Or perhaps Mara just wasn't used to people being kind to her.
He sighed and nodded at the bacta patches. Mara held them close to her chest as if she half expected him to snatch them back at any second. "I'd rather have you than all the credits in the Core," Bodhi said, hating his heart for stumbling when Mara's expression softened even further. He hadn't meant to sound so maudlin but it was the truth. Her lips parted like she wanted to say something but every word got caught in her throat. He watched Mara struggle for a moment before taking pity on her and changing the subject. "Come on," Bodhi said, pulling his jacket tight around him. The rain fell torrentially now, accompanied by a strong wind that slipped underneath his thin shirt and spread goosebumps across his skin. "Let's see how the mechanics are getting on."
Mara, though still completely flabbergasted by what Bodhi had done for her, didn't want to be left behind. She fell into step beside him, matching his fast pace and long strides despite the pressure it put on her ribs. She untied her jacket as they walked, pulling it on to combat the awful weather. She slipped the bacta patches into the pocket of her new trousers to keep them safe, brushing her fingertips over their smooth surface, hardly believing they were real.
Mara still couldn't quite wrap her head around why Bodhi would spend their last credits on her. He was already ferrying her across the galaxy when she'd done nothing to deserve help. It couldn't be out of the goodness of his heart, no one was that kind. Then again, Mara hadn't met many people. She'd certainly never met anyone like Bodhi. She'd kidnapped him, taking him away from his friends and most likely ruining whatever reputation he'd built on Yavin 4. She'd threatened him, almost got him killed on multiple occasions... And he still wanted to help her. Bodhi did admit that his reasons weren't completely selfless, he liked to fly and the Rebels wouldn't let him, though he still hadn't explained why. Surely that wasn't enough of an incentive to continue their embarrassing jaunt across the galaxy?
A rough wind suddenly whipped through the emptying courtyard, making the flags overhead snap. Bodhi staggered back a step, holding up his arm to shield his face from the harsh torrent, and without thinking, Mara took his elbow to help steady him. Bodhi laughed at the ridiculous sudden turn in the weather, having to shout his thanks over the sound of the wind. It never rained like this on Jedha and he quite enjoyed it, even though he was almost soaked through. As they trudged through the winding streets back to the scrapyard, Mara wished she could understand her pilot. What's more, she wished she could understand why his happy grin made her want to smile too and why it made her chest ache in a way she'd never felt before.
"How are we going to pay?" It only dawned on Mara that they didn't have any money left for the repairs as they passed through the junkyard's wide arching doorway. She ran her fingertips over the bacta patches again, they were a constant reminder of Bodhi's kindness, and she felt guilt like a heavy weight in her stomach. If it weren't for her, they would have the money. But Bodhi didn't seem nearly as worried as she felt.
"It's fine, I have a plan," he said, waving to Gantoon, who sat, safe and dry, under a marquee between two piles of scrap metal while his droids kept working. As they approached him, Bodhi heard Mara scoff.
"Oh, kriff, not another one."
"That's a bit rude considering the lovely outfit the last plan got you," Bodhi said out of the side of his mouth, all too conscious that Gantoon might have eyes and ears all over his yard.
"What's your idea?"
"You'll see."
"You're not gonna tell me?"
"Just trust me, alright?" Bodhi shot her a look and for once, Mara held her tongue. She didn't say anything, but the weary little nod she gave him told Bodhi that she did trust him, even if she really wished she didn't have to. "Wait for my signal."
"How will I know you're doing the signal?" To her horror, Bodhi gave her another mischievous grin, the same look he gave her before explaining his plan for getting them some new clothes.
"Oh, you'll know," he said, just as they stepped under the cover of Gantoon's dilapidated marquee. The little man scurried over to meet them, talking drowsily in a language that Bodhi only knew the basics of. "He says it's all fixed." He translated for Mara when she gave him a questioning look. There was a hole in the plastic sheeting above them, allowing raindrops to spill onto Mara's shoulder. She huffed and stepped back, brushing off her jacket. It gave Bodhi an idea.
He turned back to Gantoon and stumbled through the impossible grammar that came with asking a question in the man's native Gan. Bodhi didn't claim to be fluent in any language other than his own, but he'd been to enough places and spoken to enough people to know the basics of the most common tongues in the Outer Rims. Fortunately, he'd been to Gantoon's homeworld many times and understood enough of the language to prevaricate. "I'm asking him if you can have a look around and inspect the repairs."
Mara gave him a dark look. What did she know about engines? What did he expect her to- Bodhi gave her a meaningful look in response and Mara's expression dissolved into understanding. The tactical cogs in her brain began to turn. Engines were a mystery but this she understood. Bodhi really did have a plan after all, and it was going to get them out of here.
When Bodhi saw Mara's tiny nod of understanding, he turned back to Gantoon. He had to force back an excited grin. "I'm also telling him," Bodhi said over his shoulder. "That you're very important, so try to look as regal as possible." That was why the tiny man was staring at her with such scrutiny. His beady eyes swept up and down Mara, making her very uncomfortable. She wasn't used to people looking at her, she was trained to blend into the background. After all, it was Leia people travelled far and wide to meet, not her.
Bodhi could tell Gantoon wasn't completely convinced so he took the cuff of Mara's left sleeve between his thumb and finger and tugged gently. "Show him the tattoo." Mara gave him a bit of a look but gave in faster than he expected. She shrugged off her damp jacket, pulling down the left shoulder to expose the crest that lay hidden beneath. At the sight of the Alderaanian symbol, Gantoon perked up considerably. He gabbled happily in Gan, gesturing towards the yard.
Mara thought she even saw him give a little curtsy. She looked to Bodhi and he nodded.
"Go. I'll see you in a bit," he said, then he bent his knee in a deep, exaggerated bow. Mara rolled her eyes and turned to find their shuttle. Before she left, Bodhi thought he saw her bite back a smile.
Stumbling through the rain and the mud, Mara scanned the enormous lot for their shuttle. She had already set herself up for a long search when by some miracle, she found the tiny ship on the end of the row not far from Gantoon's marquee. She could still see Bodhi talking with the little man under the harsh white floodlights that illuminated the junkyard. Although it had been cleaned up by washer droids, their poor little shuttle still looked a bit pathetic. Mara felt a stab of sympathy seeing it hemmed in by much larger, luxurious cruisers and shining silver speeders.
In a moment of weakness, Mara laid her hand against the side of the door, as if to say hello to their brave little ship. She was thankful nobody saw it. Mara opened the door and stepped inside, glad to get out of the rain. As she shook herself off, she saw that the mechanics hadn't touched the ship's interior. The blankets they slept on were still laid out in the hold and the scorch mark from the Pitian attack still blackened the wall. Mara ducked her head into the cockpit and saw that they'd fitted the primary flight display with a new screen. The steering console was also new and the miscellaneous wires that used to spill out across the floor were gone. They'd even fixed the comms, now Bodhi could contact Yavin 4.
Mara wasn't sure how to feel about that. It was good that he could talk to the Rebels, perhaps they'd understand that he didn't have a choice if he had the chance to explain what happened, but it also meant that Bodhi might change his mind. What if he decided he didn't want to take her to Alderaan after all? No, he wouldn't do that. Anyway, that wasn't what was making her stomach twist. Mara tried to pinpoint the feeling as she wandered back into the loading bay. She was still thinking it over when something outside caught her eye. It was hard to see through the rain, but someone was running towards the ship. Mara held onto the doorframe and leaned out to see better. It was Bodhi. She'd never seen him move so quickly.
"Go, go, go!" he yelled, flinging one arm around like a windmill, telling her to get inside. That's when Mara saw the tiny army of droids chasing him, struggling over the tough terrain, followed by Gantoon, who was screaming and shouting louder than the rolling thunder above.
"What the-" Mara stumbled backwards as Bodhi scrambled up the ramp, slipping across the floor in his hurry.
"Shut the door!" He practically fell into the cockpit, his hands flying over the controls, bringing the ship to life.
Mara was too shocked to argue. She pressed her hand against the keypad, watching the droids and their owner draw closer and closer. The door hadn't even shut properly when the ship suddenly jumped up and Mara tripped into the cargo hold, where she just managed to grab onto a metal bench before she fell. She noted, as she clung on for dear life, that the ship ran far more smoothly than it did during their last calamitous escape.
After a few moments, the steep incline levelled out and they left Onderon's orbit. When Bodhi came into the hold, he was breathing heavily and if it weren't for the rain, she'd think he was sweating. Still, despite how frantic he'd looked just a few minutes ago, Bodhi looked remarkably pleased with himself.
"That was your plan? Leg it?" Mara scoffed as she straightened up, leaning heavily on the metal bench for support. "You're right, you're not a pilot. You're a pirate." She laughed.
Bodhi knew it was a stupid plan but it was a stupid plan that worked. Gantoon was a rich man, he wouldn't miss the few credits it must've taken him to repair the ship. Even though his heart was still beating worryingly fast, he couldn't help chuckling at the disbelieving look on Mara's face. But then he saw her sway, her left hand clutching the wall. Her face grew pale, her smile slowly slipping away.
"Mara?" Bodhi took a tentative step towards her, just in case she didn't want him to come closer. But then a pained, ragged sob tore from Mara's throat and her knees gave way. "Shit!" Bodhi caught her just in time, his arms tucked under hers, but he stumbled under her weight. He almost fell with Mara on top of him but he just managed to stick out his foot and keep his balance. Bodhi sat her down on the bench as gently as he could but the jarring movement still made Mara yelp. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." He kept mumbling the words over and over again until all Mara could hear was a swarm of apologies buzzing around her ears.
Her broken ribs had finally got the better of her. The sudden, sharp movement of the ship taking off paired with her laboured breathing meant that she'd almost skewed her lungs. She couldn't breathe. Mara let her head fall back against the wall, trying to focus on regulating her heartbeat so that the pain and Bodhi's panicked rambling dulled away. She tried to speak but nothing came out. She tried sitting up but she almost blacked out altogether. Bodhi tripped over his own feet in his hurry to grab his jacket from the cockpit when he remembered that he'd given the bacta patches to Mara.
She seemed to read his mind. Without words, Mara tried to dig the patches from her trouser pocket but only got them halfway out before another stab of pain made her sink back into her seat, helpless. Bodhi apologised again, tucking his fingers into her pocket and retrieving the patches. He tore the first one open with his teeth, his other hand already tugging up the front of her shirt. Despite her agony, Mara looked less than pleased and Bodhi found himself apologising for possibly the thousandth time.
He pulled up her shirt until her stomach was exposed but found the thick, white brace that was holding Mara together was in the way. "I'm gonna have to..." Mara nodded hurriedly before he could finish and Bodhi knew she'd rather he got on with it than waste another second fumbling about. His long fingers unlatched the brace at her side and he pulled it off as carefully as he could.
"Maker!" The tight brace provided more support than Mara thought. At last, she could breathe properly but when she sucked in a deep breath, her broken ribs shifted and she gave a choked groan. She was starting to feel dizzy, the edges of her vision growing darker and darker. Then Bodhi flattened his hand against her ribcage, sealing the bacta patch over the darkest bruise, and Mara couldn't take the pain any longer.
"It's alright. It's alright." She heard Bodhi whisper as she drifted away. Mara felt like she was falling into blackness, the world blurring away to nothing before her eyes, but his voice was still clear and solid, the only certain thing. "You're gonna be fine, Mara. Just breathe. Breathe."
When Mara next opened her eyes, the world was at a different angle. Her stomach lurched and she shut her eyes again quickly, breathing a quiet moan. She tried to assess her situation as best she could but her thoughts were slow and heavy. She blearily opened her eyes again and found that she was lying on the floor in the hold. Mara tried moving her arm but her muscles were just as sluggish as her brain. Still, despite the pain and the throbbing headache, she felt oddly comfortable. She wouldn't have thought she was lying on the floor of their rickety shuttle if Mara hadn't spent so much time in the damn thing and knew the rhythm of its heart like an old song.
A jacket was draped over her to keep her warm. Mara thought it was hers at first but then she saw that her uniform was folded up beneath her head for a pillow. Bodhi had given her his jacket. It smelt like him, leather and engine oil and clean clothes, something warm, something familiar. Her ribs still ached and her head was swimming but Mara managed to prop herself up on her elbow and found that the loading bay door was open. Bodhi had left it that way so that he could keep an eye on her while she slept. He was sat in the pilot's seat, she could just about see him through the open door. He was humming to himself, a soft, lilting tune that she didn't know.
She felt fatigue seep across her body, gently beckoning her to fall back into a deep sleep. Mara never let anyone look after her, she didn't feel comfortable knowing her safety depended on someone else, and how could she possibly be trusted to look after others if she couldn't even take care of herself? But for the first time in days, Mara actually felt safe, her mother's instructions silenced at last. She closed her eyes again, letting her tired body sink into the blankets. She drifted off, lulled by the thrum of the ship, the warmth of her makeshift covers, and Bodhi's gentle voice.