Chapter 38.

Well, that last one came out fast… Gonna keep rolling just in case I can get multiple out tonight! Cheers and enjoy! Last edited on June 2nd, 2016. Not gonna lie, my Mako has been super fucking sassy these last two chapters… kind of cracking me up.

Torian woke up to a mask on his face. To his left he saw the face of the blonde and cheerful Kevain.

He sighed in relief and felt sharp pain. A familiar face came into view.

"How do you feel, Mr. Cadera?"

Dr. Megadol took his right wrist and checked his chrono.

Torian started to try and sit up and Kevain showed him down Justas the Doctor gave him a level glare.

"Oh, no, no no, dude! That's a terrible idea. You just lie there pretty, okay sleeping beauty?"

Dr. Megadol looked between the two men. "Indeed, it is best if you lie still and allow yourself to heal, Mr. Cadera."

Kevain snorted as he held back a laugh. The doctor looked at him. Kevain giggled again.

"Mr. Cadera… pff…"

The doctor blinked a couple of times and then looked at Torian. "It was evident last we met that you are invested in Miss Ravera, so I am also here to assure you that she is also well on her way to recovery. "

Torian blinked. "Ravera?"

Dr. Demagol smiled, but it was sad and never reached her eyes. "Your, boss, I believe she goes by Raidre? "

Torian perked up, but Kevain shoved him back in bed before he could try to sit up again.

"Her full birth name is Rai'Drynn Ravera. I imagine in your line of work though, names come and go as they serve their purposes."

The doctor looked between both men, nodded and walked away. He pulled a chart from the foot of Torian's bed and scribbled and then walked off to see to someone else.

Kevain looked at Torian, he looked floored. "Guess she doesn't talk about that kind of stuff much?"

Torian stared at the ceiling. "Wow, didn't even know her full name."

Kevain shrugged. "Maybe it's not her name anymore, Tor. She could have left that behind when she joined in and began to hunt."

Torian nodded. "Maybe. You look chipper?"

"I know!" Kevain lifted a leg to show a short cast. "Doctor says I can prance around and start being the monkey on your back again in just two more weeks!"

Torian frowned. "Two more weeks?"

Kevain nodded with a cat's grin. "Yep!"

Torian frowned. "How long was I out?"

Kevain never missed a beat. "Mako has kept you induced for the last week. She said it was better than you losing your mind while Raidre was in and out. Yo, that was some messed up shit!"

Torian's eyes grew wide. "Need to see her."

Kevain realised what he'd said and kept his hands on Torian's shoulder. "Okay, I'll sit you up if you promise not to jump out of bed. I mean it, pinkie swear to me!"

Torian frowned. "Really?"

Kevain glared at him. "Of course, really! No, pinkie up, blondie."

Torian gave Kevain his hand and Kevain did the rest, he felt so lost, what was it about pinkies? But Kevain, a man of his word, used the controls of his stretcher and sat him up. It hurt to sit, it hurt to move, it hurt to breath, his left side was just a collection of pain, but she was right across from him, and she was alive. Torian looked to Kevain.

"So, what did you break?"

"Well, I am so glad you asked!"

Mako looked at Raidre's chart, her neural signs were getting stronger, but Dr. Megadol was still worried about waking her. He reasoned they had only finished fishing out all of the little bone particles that had hit her brain tissue two days ago. It was still too early to risk waking her.

"How bad is her sight going to be affected?"

Dr. Megadol came over and checked the chart with her. "With the reduced activities we are seeing, she could well be blind the first week."

Mako frowned but nodded. He put a hand on her slim shoulder. "The neuron treatment is working. I have never seen brain tissue repair as it has with her. I have hopes she will make a full recovery, but it is still brain tissue, Miss Mako, it will take some time."

Mako nodded. "I don't know if I can deal with a stir crazy Raidre though. "

The doctor smiled. "I'm sure you will all manage. Come, the patients are all asleep now."

Mako let him lead her out. "Besides, aren't the rest of the Mandalorians holding a celebration tonight?"

Mako nodded and brushed her hair behind her ear. "Yea, but I should-"

"Actually, there is no need, my dear."

Mako looked at the plain eyes of Dr. Megadol. "Huh?"

"My dear, you have worked tirelessly, take an evening off. I hear Mandalorian gatherings are a good time."

Mako gapped as the old-timer walked to the mess hall. Did he just admit to partying with Mandalorians?!

Torian watched Raidre breath from his stretcher. Every breath hurt from the shattered ribs, but he couldn't sleep. Sleep was a fickle mistress and right now, no amount of sedatives could entice her to his side.

He had missed her.

He listened to her laboured breathing. Manda, she was such a fighter.

He was told to stay put, sleep it off, get better. But he was up and limping to her. He pulled up a chair and sat down so he could watch her. She was alive. She didn't hate his guts even though he had been a capital ass and he really deserved her ire. Nope, she had just accepted him back into her life but laid down the law.

She snored a bit due to the oxygen mask that helped her breath and kept her out. She began to whistle a little with every snore. Torian blinked a couple of times before his face split in half due to a grin. The whistle came again and Torian found himself chuckling, and then clutching his side as the slight laugh left him in pain.

She snore-whistled again.

He laughed again.

Torian wiped a half-mirth, half-pain tear from one eye. He pulled out his datapad and began to record. No one was going to believe him if he didn't have evidence.

That and it was adorable.

Mako didn't know what to make of the Mandalorians' ship. It was huge compared to the Mantis, and so… new. Gault clapped her on her shoulders as soon as she got inside.

"So how about we upgrade our rust bucket? I like this model, luxurious, bigger, less, you know, tusted?"

Mako smacked his hand off her shoulders. "Traitor! Don't talk about Mantie that way!"

Gault frowned, and quirked one brow. "Mantie?"

"Yes, that's her name."

"Really, Mako?"

Mako crossed her arms and pressed her lips together. Gault just burst out laughing. Reva came to Mako's rescue.

"Away with you, horny scum!"

Gault wiggled eyebrows at her. "Horny indeed."

Reva threatened to punch him, and Gault scuttled away. Mako was scarlet from embarrassment. "I am so sorry about that!"

Reva waved a hand in non-chalance. "Pish, posh. That was tame by my standards. You've never heard Lars when he's on the prowl. He gets unbearable."

Mako frowned and looked for Lars. She stared at the mild mannered man she had come to know. He always washed the dishes after meals and had a way with animals. The crew owned two strills. Lars was rubbing one on the belly right now.

"Nope, don't see it. "

Reva chuckled. "Don't be fooled. He's a hunter through and through."

Mako shook her head. "Nope."

Reva took Mako by the hand. "Come, we made food, we kept the spices on the tame side for you three."

"Hey! My favorite medic!"

Kevain hobbled over and put an arm around her shoulders and began to rub his face against the top of her head as if he was a strill. "I'm so happy to see you!"

Mako tried to extract herself from Kevain's clutches, but the Mandalorian was intent on rubbing his face on her scalp and mess up her hair.

"Wow, you're like, the most annoying person, ever."

Kevain froze and looked at her, eyes wide and almost wet. His lower lip trembled. Reva laughed. Mako crossed her arms as best as she could while still being held hostage.

"Nope, I know what you do after I give in to your pouting. Not happening."

His face sunk as he sniffled. Davain came and joined them. "I'm sorry, Mako, my brother never progressed beyond annoying the girls he liked. "

Kevain came back to life like a wilted flower that had just been watered. "Hey! That's not true! I don't like her!"

He looked at her and stuck his tongue out at her, all the while still holding onto her. Davain rolled his eyes and gestured to Kevain. "See what I mean?"

Kevain held on, but now had an expression between a pout and a frown. He placed his left hand on her scalp and began to massage. "You're just jealous cause I got all that time alone with her."

Mako shook from irritation.

"Okay, come on Kev. Knock it off before she knocks you out."

Corridan joined them still using one crutch. Kevain's frown deepened. He let go of Mako.

"Party pooper."

Kevain scuttled off. Mako glared after him, but he didn't go far. He went to the table and began to try and consume alcohol.

"Oh good grief. "

Mako met Corridan's gaze and sighed. "I'm sorry. Kevain! If you make me babysit I am going to knock you the haran out so I can enjoy the party! You understand me?!"

Reva watched Mako run after Kevain, and Davain went with her just to make sure she didn't kill his brother. Her eyes met Corridan's who stared after Mako. She smiled and wiggled her eyebrows at him.

"Shit out of luck son."

Corridan sighed. "Yea, guess I won't be able to get a moment with her."

Reva patted his shoulder. "To be fair, you're not trying all that hard."

Reva led Corridan to the table and they all trickled in and sat down for their feast. Davain and Kevain sat on either side of Mako, and she looked like she had second thoughts about letting him use any of her medical supplies. Gault laughed at them from across the table. After they had all eaten at least a plateful of food, Corridan stood, thanks to Reva's help. They all went quiet, even Kevain.

Mako noted that his cheeks were flushed.

"We don't get moments like this enough." He began, and Mako was intrigued.

Corridan looked to the three outsiders at their table and smiled at his cup.

"Mandalorians are known for being hard to be-friend. But you three have us all as friends for life. And that's saying something, because when this whole fiasco started, I was seriously debating on beating the person behind this mission into oblivion."

Laughs were had all around. Mako felt uneasy that Corridan would express wanting to hurt Raidre. Corridan inhaled deep through his nostrils.

"Everyone got out alive, And the person I had been angriest against took a big hit for all of us." He raised his cup. "May she make a quick and full recovery."

All raised their cups and agreed. Corridan drank, and everyone followed suit. Mako stood.

"We, never discussed the division of-"

Corridan put a hand up. "Because we don't need to divide anything."

Mako frowned. "But you-"

"Yea, I want Torian and Kevain to be paid, but we had completed a job that same day. We're good. Your med-bay replenishing costs are going to be through the roof though."

Mako frowned more. "But… it's not fair."

Corridan frowned back. "What?"

"It's not fair. "Mako repeated. "You all helped us. I mean, "She laughed nervously." We got your team mates in some serious trouble with our mission. You all used weaponry and gear to help us get everyone out alive. It's not fair if you don't at least take half. And I can tell you, when Raidre wakes up, she'll be banging on your door to make you take half whether you want it or not."

Corridan shrugged. "Can't you just gloss over the details?"

Mako laughed. "You are going to be there when she wakes up, and then you can ask me again, fair?"

Corridan frowned. "Either way, keep the credits, we're good. We're alive to with another day, and stronger for the challenge you helped us over come. We're sharper, and you helped. For that, you have our thanks."

Glasses were raised. Mako blushed and decided she was better off seated. Kevain put an arm on her shoulders and she pushed it off. He tried again and she almost got up again to punch him. He recoiled and laughed, but relented.

They laughed and then cried out in unison.

"Oya!"

Mako, Gault and Blizz raised their glasses, but they didn't quite understand the meaning. Everyone had a deep drink after, so they looked at each other and joined in.

Food took a while to eat, and then everyone was over-fed, and Netra'gal was passed around. Soon enough the musically inclined got out their instruments. Mako was enjoying a light haze from the alcohol when she watched Corridan set up his Seven-string hallikset(1). Mako wondered over.

"I didn't think you liked music."

Corridan smiled. "There's lots you don't know about me."

Mako blushed at the playfulness she saw on his face as he looked up, his dark brows making his eyes look darker than usual.

"So what is that?"

Corridan pulled out a pick and put it between his teeth as he began tuning the strings. "Hallikset."

Mako sat down next to him, cup still in hand. "Do you all have hidden talents?"

Corridan chuckled. "Pretty much, yea. "

Mako furrowed her nose and pointed at Nathan. "What's his?"

Corridan smiled. "He's got a gift botany. Only recently discovered it."

Mako's eyes widened. "Torian taught him!"

Corridan nodded. "Yep."

Mako took a sip. "Ruda!"

Corridan smiled. "She doesn't look it, but she's the best person to help you stretch or work out the knots in your muscles. She's our physio."

Mako gaped. "No way."

Corridan's smiled widened. "Yea, way."

Mako looked around. "Lars?"

Corridan had no hesitation. "Amazing cook and gardener."

Mako burst out laughing. "Really?"

Corridan nodded. "Reva plays a beautiful lute, and sings really well too. Siz is a genius for inventing new tools. Davain knits."

Mako burst out laughing. "No, no. Now you're messing with me!"

Corridan shook his head and put his Hallikset down. "No, I swear. He gave me scarf for my last birthday, I swear on my life."

Mako laughed harder. "I just, I can't see him sitting still and knitting."

Corridan made a flat face. "Well, I see him doing it enough for him and Kevain. One of them has to."

Mako smiled. "What's Kevain's."

Corridan shrugged. "Thought it be pretty obvious by now."

Mako frowned. "Maybe I missed it."

"He's the guy you go to when you need to work stuff out. He's great at comedy, but if you need to look at something from someone else's perspective, you need to work out conflict with the living or the dead, he's the guy to talk to."

Mako gaped at Corridan. "Not possible."

Corridan smiled. "Why not?"

"Have you spoken to that goof-ball?"

Corridan just waited patiently and nodded. "Probably more than you have."

Mako stopped. "Okay, that's fair."

Corridan shrugged. "From my experience the funniest people are the ones who've suffered the most internally."

"Huh?"

Corridan gave her his undivided attention. "The funniest people are usually that way because they managed to divert the pain into humor." Corridan pointed at Kevain and Davain as they arm wrestled, which was silly since Kevain was wounded and shouldn't be exerting himself. Mako almost got up to stop him but Corridan stopped her and made her watch instead. Davain never really used his strength. They just horsed around and Mako saw it. How infectious it was. How his silliness and humour infected them all and uplifted them all.

"He's one of the most important members of our team. It's why wee rallied without a question when he needed help."

Mako looked back at Corridan. "You all rallied because you're in charge, and you wouldn't leave anyone behind."

Corridan smiled. "None of us would. But Kevain is everyone's baby brother. Much like you are Raidre's little sister. It hurts more to think of someone so positive and innocent-"

"Kevain is NOT innocent."

Corridan laughed. "Okay, so he's not that innocent, but it somehow feels like if we lost him, we'd hurt more. If the team lost me, it'd be hard, but they'd get on. They'd mourn me by working harder. If we lost Kevain, I think we'd just shut down for a while. We would have to relearn how to function as a team again. He holds us together." Corridan looked at Mako and their gaze met. "Much like you hold the Mantis' crew together."

Mako snorted some of her drink and coughed. "No I don't."

Corridan shrugged. "Whatever you say."

Corridan stood to leave, Mako grabbed his arm. "Wait."

Corridan looked back to her, his other hand hovering over his instrument. "Yes?"

"This feast? Are you guys leaving?"

Corridan nodded. "We've been here too long, time to move on."

"But, Torian?"

Corridan smiled. "Won't be leaving Raidre anytime soon, so we don't need to wait for him."

Mako let go of Corridan. "Oh, yea."

Corridan watched her dejection and dared to allow a flicker of hope. He picked up his instrument. "You got our digits, so you'll know where to find us when you need us. We'll be in touch burc'ya(2)."

Mako nodded and watched him leave her to her thoughts. She would never look at Corridan or Kevain the same again.

1 .Seen in the Force Awakens, this is the closest thing I have seen to a guitar. Work with me!

2 . Friend.