36.

"The Senate Budgetary Committee passed its prospective budget for the coming year. Highlights from the new budget include—"

37.

Lifting my hands and legs while keeping my knees locked, I bring the fifty pound medicine ball up and transfer it from my hands to my feet.

"—Loyalist Committee following the New Red Scare early last year. Senator Mas Amedda said quote—"

38.

I transfer the ball back to my hands and begin lowering my extremities as the podcast continues.

"The Committee will remain as long as there are credible threats from the East to our nation's security—" Mas Amedda says in a clip.

Threats from the East aren't related to the corrupt Senators they flushed out that were owned by lobbyists and interest groups.

They're disguising it so because one of the Senators they caught did have corrupt dealings with a petroleum company over in the Middle East.

39.

"—the presumptive nominee from New York's 14th Congressional District, candidate Leia Organa said quote—"

"Congress' continues hunt for traitors will only inflame tensions here at home and abroad. And at this time we need to be tidying up our own house rather than telling others how to clean theirs."

Nice.

40. And done.

I lower my arms and legs, medicine ball tucked in between my feet then roll over to my checklist.

5 sets of 40 on Medicine ball: Check

I tuck my pen back into my shorts before getting to my feet and glancing at the rest of the checklist.

100 box jumps of 50': Check

2 sets of 400 lbs. leg press; 15 reps per set: Check

Agility Ladder: 10 sets under 10 seconds: Check

Barbell Power Clean: 6 sets of 1 rep: Check

Battle Ropes: 250 reps in under 2:00: Check

5 Mile Run: Check

30 minutes of suicides, broken up into 2 sets: Check

150 Pushups: Check

150 Sit-ups: Check

250 Squats: Check

"—Sly Moore said of the President's trip to Camp David—"

I think that's enough for today.

Quickly, I gather up my belongings and start wiping down the mat I used last as my podcast continues.

"At the conclusion of the Thanksgiving Break, President Palpatine will be testifying before Congress while they weigh the unprecedented decision of waiving the 22nd Amendment so that Palpatine can pursue a third term."

The audio shifts to a speech I heard a snippet of earlier on in the week.

"I love democracy. I love this country. However, this nation faces threats that a transfer in power could be seen as an opportunity. And if Congress and the Courts approve, I will lay my power down when these crisis' have abated."

Palpatine going after the Republican Roman idea of term limits.

Great.

Bet the Council is loving that.

Discarding my disinfectant wipe into the trash, I pull my water bottle to me and start toward the door only for it to swing inward.

"Excuse me Master." I step aside as Master Windu walk into the Temple Gym.

"Young Bridger. You should be at home, getting some rest." He says while acknowledging me with a nod.

"Couldn't sleep." I say with a shrug, then duck out of the room.

My phone displays the time as 6:41 AM before I stow it away in my pocket.

I'll grab a protein shake from the kitchens then drive home in time for breakfast. Jacen an Mira should be up after I get back.

"So what are your big plans tonight?" I ask Sabine before glancing back to the screen in front of Jacen.

Dinosaurs run wild as Jacen, armed with a Lego blaster is running around the screen, collecting coins and avoiding tiny little raptor looking creatures.

To my left, I hear a snort from Ghost and turn in time to see Mira crawling her way back into the room. "Hey there, did you have a fun adventure?"

Mira turns her whole body and smiles before making her way to me, plopping into seated position and sticking her hands out at me.

"Oh, you wanna play? Here's your cup." I hand Mira the cup amongst the scattered toys around me.

Enthusiastically, she takes the cup and begins waving it around while giggling.

Silly.

My phone lights up, indicating a new message.

"No big plans here. Mom and Dad are digging into some new TV show. Tristan and Kayla went to the Theatre. So I think it's just me. I might bake something. Did I tell you what I'm making tomorrow?" – Sabine

"No, you didn't." I type out before Mira makes a goofy sound, getting me to turn and see that she's basically stuck her whole head into the cup except for her eyes.

"What are you doing?" Jacen asks, turning away from the TV.

Mira replies by letting out a loud squeal, giggle combination before falling onto her back and rolling.

"Silly." I laugh.

Jacen turn back to his TV and I turn back to my phone.

How do I continue this…?

"No you didn't tell me. What are you thinking of baking? Does Chicago have a good Theatre?" I send off, then

Not my worst idea.

Ghost meanders into the corner of my eye and I reach over and scratch him behind the ears, only to find him on his back rolling around with Mira.

I can't help but smile as Mira gnaws on her cup while rolling, Ghost beside her with his paws near his head before my phone vibrates.

"Yeah, lots of good shows. We should go sometime you're up here. I don't know what I'm gonna make. I'm not that good. Only basics like brownies or cinnamon rolls."

"You're good at cookies too. What are you making tomorrow?" I reply as Jacen guns down a fence blocking his way.

"Good shot."

"Thanks!" He replies, charging ahead.

Ghost makes a noise before I hear Cayle say "That sounds like Ghost and Mira!" Mira lets out a laugh before I look to the doorway and see Cayle walk in.

"Having fun?" He asks Jacen.

"Uh huh. Is dinner ready?" He pauses it and looks back to Cayle expectantly.

Cayle nods. "Your mom wants you to wash your hands and set the table."

"YAY!" Jacen leaps to his feet and dashes out of the room, causing Ghost to hop up as quickly as he can and pursue.

Leaving Mira.

Mira makes a new noise, sounding frustrated before Cayle bends over and scoops her up. "Don't worry. I gotcha. We'll go join the fun."

Yup.

"What about you?" Cayle asks as I stand up and pull my phone to me.

"Not much." I shrug. "Just hanging out with this goofball." I tickle Mira's stomach, causing her to scrunch her toes.

Leading the way to the upstairs bathroom, Cayle follows while asking "You texting Sabine?"

"Maybe."

I can do that.

"Well, you haven't really the last couple of days." He reasons.

I flip on the bathroom light and turn on the water before replying "She was shopping most of yesterday. And I don't want to text all the time."

"How is she?"

"Fine." I say, testing the water.

Too hot.

I move the knob for colder water then add "She's just hanging out tonight. Thinking about baking something."

"Baking something." Cayle echoes as I dispense some soap and rub my hands together.

"Yeah. She's good at basic stuff. But she's doing something for tomorrow too."

Cayle replies. "She's not helping with the turkey or potatoes?"

"No, that's her Aunt's job I think."

"Mandalorian society is more traditional."

I roll my eyes as I wash my hands. "Don't go there."

"Go what?"

I respond by eying him in the mirror, which gets his attention but also Mira's whose face falls.

"Oh that wasn't meant for you…" I quickly dry my hands then take Mira from Cayle so he can wash his hands. "You hungry?"

Mira's expression lightens as she sticks a couple of fingers in her mouth and moves to gnaw on them. "Looks like a yes to me."

"Did she mention anything to you?"

"No." I respond, playing with Mira's toes.

"You don't know what I was going to say."

"Don't have to." I reply.

Cayle squeezes out some more soap. "You haven't looked at any social media stuff."

"No point. I've caught up on the important things. Listened to that podcast you told me to."

"Later." He disagrees. "I checked her Instagram, her—"

No.

I simply walk away, starting toward the stairs before Cayle calls out "Hey! I wasn't going to—"

"Don't care."

Cayle races to catch up as I arrive at the stairs. "I finally found a picture of her whole family."

Yeah, I did too. Went back and saw that the girl I thought might be her sister is Tristan's girlfriend.

I think they've been dating for a while.

"I know, the one when she went back in September."

"So you did look!" Cayle exclaims as we take the stairs.

Bags creasing open floats to me as I shake my head. "And?"

"How many forks?" Jacen asks.

Hera replies "Five."

"Spoons and knives too?"

"Four knives." Kanan replies as I reach the foot of the stairs and Mira makes a move to grab for her Dad.

As soon as we're close enough, Kanan scoops Mira up and kisses her cheek, leaving me with Cayle as he returns to my side. "So?"

I ignore him and pull out my phone.

Sabine – Two New Messages

"I'm in charge of the pies. Two pumpkin, one cherry, two blueberry and an apple pie."

That's a lot of pie.

"I'll keep you posted. You gonna be around tonight?"

"Yeah, I'll be around." I type out, feeling Cayle's eyes over my shoulder. "Dinner now though. I'll talk later. Keep me posted!"

As I slip my phone back into my pocket, I feel Hera's eyes as well and Cayle's on me. "How can I help?" I change topics.

The back door closes behind Cayle and I as I glance out into the darkened back yard.

"Nice dinner." Cayle starts with an ice breaker.

I nod silently while spotting a plastic bucket and shovel out near the small garden Hera's beginning.

Not much time.

"Heard from the Temple again." He changes tact. "You're pressing."

"Nah." I disagree. "Just wanted to get a good sweat in."

"You're supposed to be on vacation. Not getting a few hours of sleep and driving to work out. You can work out here."

Not how I want to work out. Kanan's small gym is okay, and would work.

But I've got standards to uphold. And the Temple isn't that far away.

"I like getting away. Helps me to focus. Couldn't duel anybody though." I frown. "Everybody's out of town."

"I imagine that's where your listened to my podcast." He astutely observes, and I nod. "You want to duel me?" Before I can stop myself, I laugh quietly.

Cayle's Force Signature quickly gives off an air of anger before he tilts his head. "I know I'm not in your league, but I can push you."

"It's not about that." I try to backtrack.

My class is a hard class to match. I'm as good as a swordsman as half of the High Council. Certainly my fair share of the Masters and Knights.

Cayle rolls his eyes before marching out to the backyard. "Master Yoda and Dooku made a report about their clash here."

"And?"

I follow Cayle as he paces out to a particular spot, then raises his hands deliberately. "You're good. But you're not 100% yet. And I'd like to think I can compete with your B game."

"That's not true. And you know, even on my best day my A game deserves a C." I reply while poking around my room for my lightsaber.

Got it. Now the window.

Cayle violently shakes his head before purposely activating both of his sabers and dropping into the signature crouch of Jar'Kai users. "So?"

I shrug, then pull on the window to open it with my left hand while showing Cayle my right palm. Instead of waiting Cayle lashes out at me and starts swinging.

Oh! So this is how it is?

Quickly, I do a backflip to avoid his initial blade, then duck under the next and fire off a push to delay his next—

WHERE IS IT?!

I turn to my window, which is bordering my —

"Ow!" I bite off as I'm caught in the face with a kick, sending me stumbling before Cayle allows me to reset.

"Looking for this?" Kanan calls out, causing both of us to turn to the porch.

Turning, I see Kanan standing by the door with a cup in his hand along with my lightsaber. "It was rattling along the door."

"Yeah." I smile, then pull my lightsaber to me. "Thanks."

"Please don't knock out any of these trees. You are on training mode, right?"

Cayle nods as I check my hilt for the tiny settings areas just above the handgrip. "Now it is!"

"Fair fight then." Cayle says, then swipes in a downward arc, which I block and spin away to avoid his kick that was following.

I bat away his shoto, then give my lightsaber a twirl to get it deeper into my palm, how I like it. "You using this form to practice?"

"My Master's been drilling me on it a lot recently, along with Master Skywalker."

He did introduce the form to her when she was a Padawan.

Knowing Cayle is expecting the conversation to continue, I slice at his right side and forcing him back before transitioning into a spin and a quick flurry of downward blows. Cayle blocks the entirety of my blows, then resets my burst with a strong swipe with his full blade.

Using my momentum I harmlessly deny Cayle's move before he pivots into a dual-planed slice at my head and knees. I dip under the blow at my head, block the knee shot meant to incapacitate me and bring my offhand off from behind my back to swat at his overextended right hand.

My hand doesn't connect and Cayle's eyes light up as he sees me do something he's always sensed with a misstep. In a blur, he's swiping at my left side before I tuck my left hand back behind my back, deterring his cut towards my wrist and point my blade at him.

"Gotcha."

"Okay Twinkle Toes." He bites off before reengaging me with his shoto. Rolling my blade in my palm, I block it low before seeing him pop his right hand up.

Force!

In a flash, we've both turned our attention from our blades to our hands as his push meets mine. Refusing to concede, we both dig our heels in as the pressure quickly begins to rise between—

Suddenly we both get thrown to opposite sides of the backyard, Cayle colliding with the house as I am deposited in the trees.

I thought we had longer before the pocket of air collapsed.

Cayle is quicker to recover, for the simple fact that he doesn't have to disentangle himself from branches before he hunts me down and leads an all-out vertical chop with both blades. I barely flash my wrists up in time to stop him but am forced to put both hands on my saber.

He's gonna drag this out.

"You know…your dancing is really maddening. And your instincts too." He spits out as he uses the extra twenty five pounds he has on me to full effect, pushing me down slightly.

Finally, I manage to riposte Cayle's blade lock and again slip my hand behind my back and point to him with my blade. "What'd you want me to say? Sorry?"

That'd only piss him off more.

My taunt plays into his competitiveness and Cayle advances on me, altering his form by clipping his shoto to his side while bringing his full saber up above his head.

Now this is more like it. Form V, his preferred form. Plays into his natural strengths and instincts as a fighter along with his build.

Cayle drops a flurry of slices to either side of me, starting on the left, then alternating three times before I shake the combination only for Cayle to clear the air with a savage forearm I don't see coming, knocking me to the dirt.

Nice!

He advances on me swiftly, trying not to allow me to regain the momentum before I snap my off hand and pull his shoto into my hand. The move causes him to stutter step, allowing me to pivot on my toes and cut at the top of his blade while I am still turning with my dominant hand.

Cayle manages to block both of my blades before he relents, taking a full step back and turning his head to pull Kanan's saber to him.

Taking advantage of the brief stoppage, I turn and see that Hera's sitting on the couch beside Kanan, what looks like a glass of wine in her hand. "Play nice now!"

"You know us!" I reply as Cayle doesn't quip along with me, instead using the time to slice at me with Kanan's blade. I block the initial blow before Cayle brings his other saber up over the top, not only driving me down but bending me backwards.

Cayle's face is framed perfectly by the two blue blades as mine feebly block his.

How am I going to—

Next thing I know, something fails and Cayle's momentum causes us both to tumble to the ground before I feel a strange sensation come from my left foot. I glance down, only to see that my sock is protruding out of the side of my shoe.

"You blew it out." Cayle puts what I'm seeing together just before putting his main blade near my throat.

He's playing.

Treating his move as such, I drop his shoto between us and pull off my tennis shoe, torn where the fabric meets the sole of the shoe. "Dammit…"

There won't be any places open tomorrow because it's Thanksgiving. Meaning I'll have to drive back home or go shoeless all day tomorrow.

"You know, that'll be all too common with your dance class." Cayle teases as he stands back up and moves back toward the porch.

Probably to give Kanan his lightsaber back.

He won that one.

"Did Sabine talk you into that?" Hera joins in on the fun as I hobble over.

I shake my head while tossing my busted shoe toward the right side of the door bordering the living room. "Not really. I looked at the required core and thought it might be useful."

"Yeah." Cayle concedes. "But Ahsoka said 'A' told her that Sabine signed up for the same class."

"I never said anything about that."

Kanan rises to his feet as I pull off my other shoe. "Contemporary Dance is a nice way of dressing it up though."

The name is deceptive.

"It's not finalized yet, so I'm not really thinking about it." I reply before Hera gets to her feet.

"I'll be right back."

"The Council passed your version of the schedule around." Kanan informs me while moving into the backyard. "Nobody had any real issues, just how it might interfere with your changing position at the University."

"I don't have anything on that." I say, glancing at my ruined shoe. "Sabine said she'd text my friend, but I doubt he's responded."

"He plays Friday, doesn't he?" Cayle asks.

I nod silently before Kanan says something I don't catch.

They're expected to beat UCLA handily according to everybody who is anybody.

My attention is diverted when Kanan and Cayle both activate their lightsabers and take two steps away from each other.

Yup, I'm done.

Angrily, I swat the brick pillar of the house in frustration before Hera's voice floats to me. "Sorry dear. This will help."

Smile.

"Thanks." I turn and smile at Hera as she hands me a glass of wine and motions for me to sit with her on the couch as Cayle and Kanan both are probing the other's defenses.

I don't know how much dueling they do with each other. I know the big yearly tournament is due to kick off after Christmas.

This year it is here in LA, bringing over half of the 14,000 Masters, Knights, Apprentices and younglings in for a week of meditation, shared training, information exchange and dueling.

The drawing of the bracket is one of the few times the Council has no problem with things getting contentious around the place.

They at least concede that competition helps almost everyone become better and advance in their training, whether Master or Apprentice.

"So how's Sabine doing?" Hera jars me out of my head, causing me to turn to her.

"Good. At home."

"Enjoying her time off?" She follows up.

I nod. "Hanging out with her family mostly."

Which reminds me, I was supposed to text her back after dinner.

Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I glance at the clock to see that it's 7:45 local time.

Damn, that means it's almost 10 there.

"Gimme a sec. Sorry." I apologize to Hera while maneuvering over to my texts.

"Sorry." I begin to type back to Sabine. "Dinner ran long, then did some training with your favorite." Adding a smiling emoji, I send off the message before glancing back up at her last response.

"Sure! Go eat! Give Mira a tickle for me!"

Lightsabers colliding cause me to glance back into the backyard and see that Cayle and Kanan and playing into each of their Form's strengths.

"You looked comfortable." Hera comments as we both watch.

"Nice to not think for a while."

Dueling and practicing with my lightsaber requires your full concentration. It's nice to have to fully invest myself in something.

"You went to the Temple to work out again this morning." She states, rather than framing it as a question.

Sipping my wine, Hera seems to take that as my answer before adding "You're always welcome to work out here dear. We won't bother you. I know Kanan wouldn't mind."

We work out very differently.

"I like going to the Temple." I smile over at Hera. "Helps me focus there."

My phone vibrates, diverting my eyes.

"You're back! Things have progressed. And I might have made a mess." – Sabine

Laughing as I type "Oh no. What'd you do?" I set the phone in my lap.

"What'd she say?"

"Well, Sabine said that she was going to do some baking tonight to prepare for tomorrow. And just now she said that she might have made a mess."

Hera immediately smiles. "Might have."

Yup.

"I dug into some of our Archives." Hera begins, before setting her drink aside. "It appears that Mandalorian culture has a two part Thanksgiving ritual. One midday meal with the immediate family, one later than night with their Clan."

Really?

"That'd explain all the pies she's baking." I reply.

My phone lights up again, and I swipe over to see that Sabine's sent me multiple pictures.

Hera leans over as I open the first to see a messy countertop with pie ingredients and cans of filling everywhere.

"How many pies is she making?"

"Five I think." I reply as I swipe over to see a close up of the individual pies, all of which look good before swiping to the final picture of two ovens going simultaneously.

Damn.

"Two ovens huh."

I shrug. "Guess so." Before moving to type.

"I thought you were baking for tonight too?"

Hera glances back towards the door then says my name, causing me to glance back and see that Ghost is eying the scene in the backyard.

I pop open the door using the Force and Ghost trots right to Hera and sits down. "Hey Ghost." She smiles, moving to scratch his ears. "Did Mira's snoring finally bore you?"

Ghost hops onto the couch beside Hera, putting himself in prime scratching position before I smile. "Probably not."

"He's been sleeping up there a lot more." Hera informs me, continuing to pet Ghost. "Which is fine, but I miss my Ghost."

I smile as Cayle and Kanan's duel continues, with Cayle's shoto being used mostly as a deterrent.

As opposed to our fight, where he used it mainly as an offensive tool.

"Do you mind if I mention what Vader said?"

I smile, then sip my wine.

Hera always asks before she brings up anything Vader.

"He lied in a lot of that meeting." I set my drink between my legs next to my phone.

"And?"

"Sabine's got enough going on right now." I tell her. "Between class, soccer, studying, her midterms and a social life, she doesn't have time for anything else."

"Why does she keep ending up at your apartment? Kanan said it's not romantic, more practical but I can't see that." Hera responds.

"Her roommate has a boyfriend. And the walls are thin. I don't think they get along anyway, so it's a lot easier for her to come to my place, where it's quiet and more room."

Practical.

I'm glad Kanan gets that.

"Ahh." Is all Hera adds.

"I wouldn't mind if she kept eating into my budget though." I joke, getting a laugh from Hera.

"You do seem to order out a lot more with her there."

My phone lights up before I respond "It's not intentional. But one of us gets hungry, and asks if the other wants something. And you know I'm always hungry."

I always end up raiding the fridge for leftovers.

"Decided not to. Can't get too fat over this break." – Sabine

"You are. Did you get enough tonight?"

I nod while replying to Sabine. "You will not get fat."

She won't.

It's a holiday. Live a little.

"I did look at your bank account, and—"

"Hera…" I groan.

Hera turns and gives me a smirk. "Kanan said that Master Dooku as thinking of giving you a little infusion to offset your ordering habit."

He shouldn't do that. It'd be nice, but he shouldn't.

"I need to stop, cook more."

"How are you supposed to do that." Maybe budget a little more for shopping, and I'll look into apartments nearby with a porch."

So I could do some cooking of my own.

"You don't know that. I've already ate a ton, and tomorrow might be a ten thousand calorie day!"

"If you don't mind, I would like that." I say to Hera.

I do want that grill.

"So?" I fire back to Sabine. "You've earned it. And you can always work it off."

Hera smiles over at me. "Sounds like a project to me."