PART II
"Knock, knock."
Tycho looked up from his datapad to see Terra standing in his office doorway. "I take it you survived your night with Wes and Hobbie?" He asked as she entered his office.
She snorted. "The only problem I had was with Kat and Kayla when I had to wake them up to drag Wes out of their bed this morning. I just dropped them off at their quarters before coming here and before you ask; no, they didn't embarrass themselves or the squadron too badly."
She was dressed in her Guardien uniform with her hair pulled back, Admirals' insignias present in the gold piping on her collar. What made the rank impressive was that it was one she had earned. It was not honorary like so many who commanded a private fleet nor was it just a title of affection given her by her co-workers.
She was looking around his office when she noticed a holo on his desk of Tycho with an attractive, white-haired woman. "Is this Winter?" When he nodded, she asked, "So, when am I going to get to meet her? Or are you afraid I might scare her away?"
It was his turn to snort. "It would take a lot more than you to scare Winter."
"Good. Sounds like she's just what you need." She grinned playfully, "I notice you didn't answer my question."
He frowned, "Which one?"
"The one about when I get to meet her...." her voice trailed off.
The look on her face prompted him to ask if something was wrong.
"Just thinking about how much my Little Celly has grown up."
Terra's grandparents had met on Alderaan where her grandfather, who was a financial genius, had numerous investments. She had always wanted to see the planet that meant so much to them so when it was announced that her homeworld would be sending a team to the girls' smashball championships to be held on Alderaan that year, she had eagerly tried out and made the team. She was fifteen.
It was a move that provided many of the associates and acquaintances that she would later need in acquiring security contracts with the professional sports teams she now called clients.
She made sure to take time out of her schedule to finally meet some of her father's relatives who were friends of Tycho's parents. She could still remember the little, boyishly pretty 10-year-old who had accompanied her second cousins to the arena to watch her practices and games. Tycho was rather small for his age: petite, but deceptively strong. What had impressed her most, however, was his maturity and intense personality. He reminded her of a younger version of her older brother who had been killed recently and they quickly became close friends.
She later applied and was accepted to the University of Alderaan. While attending classes, she lived with her father's relatives and then the Celchu's when those relatives moved too far to commute easily. She served as chaperone, chauffeur, tutor and best friend for the Celchu children.
She was also a highly skilled pilot so when Tycho told her of his own dreams of becoming a pilot, she taught him to fly her small skyhopper. She was so impressed with his innate talent that she began teaching him to fly more complicated craft and by the time he was accepted into the Imperial Academy, he could fly a wide variety of ships.
"I really am proud of you, you know." As she sat on the edge of the desk she added almost too quietly for him to hear, "Your family would be, too." He answered her with a pain-filled smile.
Wedge's voice in the doorway interrupted them. "Can I assume that since you're here that Wes and Hobbie are, too? Or are you here to file a report?"
"Good morning, Wedge. Your two incorrigibles are in their quarters. Probably sound asleep. Again," she said with a frown.
This time, Wedge was sure he didn't want to know. A thought struck him. "Terra, I went to the gate this morning to leave a guest pass for you but was told you didn't need one. You have a security clearance that rivals mine." It was a question more than a statement.
Tycho looked at her, "I hadn't thought about it. I assumed Wes and Hobbie had arranged for a visitor pass when you got here."
Her amusement was hard to hide. "General Cracken knew my parents. As the Guardiens grew, he made a point of introducing himself to me. I think he wanted to make sure I was my mother's daughter considering the fleet I was assembling under the banner of a private security force. Especially when you consider how much of the Alliance's munitions were being hidden on some of my ships."
"That still doesn't explain your clearance," Tycho stated.
She shrugged. "Cracken got tired of having to arrange one for me every time I came to Coruscant, so he set up a permanent one. It's not as extensive as you think and I think it's Cracken's way of keeping an eye on me since I'm sure he tracks my pass and knows when and where I use it."
"That sounds about par for him," Wedge agreed wryly.
Tycho decided it was time to change the subject. "I don't know about the two of you but I'm hungry. Wedge, would you like to join us? We might even be able to talk Terra into discussing our strategy for the simulations we have planned for the new recruits."
Wedge's poo-doo eating grin was unmistakable. "Actually, when I found out she had the necessary clearances, I was hoping to talk her into serving as an objective evaluator for the sim runs." He turned to Terra and added, "Our meetings for this afternoon have been cancelled so I can offer you the rest of the day with Tycho as a bribe, if necessary."
She feigned thought for a moment and then returned his grin before answering. "Only if I get to fly. I'm a little rusty but I am current in an Interceptor."
"That would work out great. I called a couple of the Wraiths but only Kell and Tyria were available so I was planning on the two of them, Tycho and myself in TIEs. If you're willing to fly on a wing with Tych that would let me handle the evaluations without distractions. Tycho, you think the four of you could handle a dozen Rogues and potential Rogues?"
His grin mirrored theirs, as he answered, "They won't stand a chance against us. Terra can even fly lead if she wants."
She looked at her old friend. "It's your squadron so you should fly lead. Contrary to popular belief, I can follow orders when I want to," she replied.
Tycho frowned sarcastically at his CO, "By the way, were you going to ask me if I was willing to serve as a bribe?"
Wedge continued to grin, "No, I was just going to make it an order."
"Thanks, I think." Tycho grimaced, "Hobbie is going to love hearing this."
"Oh, no," she reprimanded. "I don't want anyone to know it's me until afterwards. Agreed?"
"Agreed," both Rogues replied at once.
*****
The monitors went blank as Terra pulled off her helmet and began extracting herself from the simulator. She looked over to see a smile on Tycho's face as he joined her. She knew she made a rather comical figure in one of his flight suits, the cuffs of the sleeves and pant legs were rolled up to prevent the extra material from interfering with cockpit movements.
She had not thought it was going to be so easy to convince the legendary General Antilles to allow her to fly in the sims so she had not brought her own. He had offered her a NR issue orange, but she had opted to borrow one of Tycho's trademark black suits.
"That wasn't so bad, even if I am a little rusty," she told him as she unzipped her flight suit and pulled it down to tie the sleeves around her waist.
A pair of pilots joined them. The man extended his hand to Terra with a smile, "If that 'wasn't bad', I'd hate to meet up with you when you're on a role. Tycho, with her around, why did Wedge need us?" He indicated the woman with him, "This is Tyria Sarkin and I'm Kell Tainer, Wraith Squadron."
Terra identified herself and squadron as she shook his hand and acknowledged Tyria. Terra couldn't help but laugh at their looks of shocked recognition. "You're pretty good yourselves. If you ever decide you want a change of pace, be sure to look me up."
Tycho interrupted, "We probably should head to the briefing room, Wedge is going to be waiting for us." Tycho led them down a hallway and entered a nearby room.
Due to Tycho's and Hobbie's involvement, Terra had followed the Rogues and was familiar with most of its personnel so she was able to pick out the veterans. The others in the room she didn't recognize and assumed they must be the new recruits.
Wedge stood in the front of the room. The look he gave her was an equal mixture of awe and mirth. When Terra caught sight of the lopsided Corellian smirk and dark hair falling into his soft brown eyes, she couldn't help but return his smile. Does he fly as well as he looks? she wondered to herself.
As soon as Hobbie caught sight of her, he moaned. "Wes, I told you it was her."
Tycho repeated Hobbie's words of last night, "Sorry I didn't say anything but she wanted to surprise you." His passable imitation of Hobbie's voice brought chuckles from around the room.
"I liked your surprise better," Hobbie pouted.
Wes' normally cheerful disposition was sour as he glared at her, "You shot me!!"
Terra turned innocent eyes to Wedge as she pointed at Tycho, "He told me to!"
"Since when have you ever followed orders?" Hobbie grumbled.
Only Wedge's years as Rogue Leader kept him from showing his true emotions. He was able to put a scolding look on his face before regaining the room's attention. He wondered what it would have been like if Terra had been a Rogue. She would make an even better Wraith, he thought wryly.
"First I'd like to introduce our guests. I think most of you already know Kell and Tyria from the Wraiths." They acknowledge him with a nod as he continued, "And our special guest, Terra Sharlee of the Guardians' Angel Squadron. And before Wes asks, no, we are not keeping her."
Wes was still sour, "Good. And after last night, I thought we were friends."
Terra saw Tycho raise his eyebrows at her out of the corner of her eye. She just sighed, shook her head and tried hard to ignore them both and focus on what Wedge was saying.
*****
Following the briefing, Terra and Tycho joined Wedge in his office to discuss performance evaluations while the rest of the group headed to the lounge for drinks.
"I have to admit it. I'm impressed," Wedge told Terra as he closed the door.
"I told you so," Tycho said.
Terra's eyes roamed the room as they took their seats. Her gaze returned to Wedge as she spoke to him, "Your pilots are pretty good." She grinned wickedly. "It would be interesting to pit them against my squadron. The Angels could sure use the challenge."
Wedge chuckled. "I don't know. If they're anything like you, I'm not sure the Rogues could handle the blow to their egos."
Tycho spoke up, "It would probably do them some good to have to face a little competition."
Wedge shook his head in resignation, "I'll have to think about it. Maybe after we've chosen the replacement pilots and had time to get them used to the rest of the squadron."
The threesome reviewed each prospective pilot's performance in the simulators and found they had given the pilots close to the same marks. Wedge was again impressed with Terra as she gave her perspective of all the pilots, not just the candidates.
*****
Terra wanted to meet the others in a more relaxed setting so she and Tycho sought out the Rogues in the lounge, leaving Wedge to finish the paperwork. They entered the lounge to find them at an oversized booth in the corner. Tycho handled the introductions.
Gavin was delighted to finally meet the lady Biggs had spoken of so often in his letters home. Biggs apparently had a crush on her and it was not hard to see why. From what Gavin had heard, the cadets at the Academy either loved her or hated her. Most of the prospective pilots fell into the latter category except Biggs and a few others. Most of who had ended up flying for the Alliance at some point.
Wedge joined them a few hours later. He knew the Rogues would accept her not only because of her friendship with Tycho but also due to her reputation, which had been backed up by her performance in the sims. He was concerned, however, that Terra may be overwhelmed at having to deal with the entire squadron all at once. He was amazed to find her completely at ease.
After several more hours of story swapping, she announced reluctantly, "It really has been fun, but I have a long day tomorrow and I do have some work to do. It was a pleasure meeting all of you."
Tycho offered to accompany her back to her hotel. He caught the look of mischief on Wes' face and chose to ignore it as they left the other Rogues.
*****
"You didn't have to walk me back." Terra thanked Tycho as they entered her rather spacious hotel room.
"Maybe I want to spend some time with you without the crowds." he said.
"Figured you would be used to the crowds by now. After all, you're a hero of the New Republic," she teased.
He chuckled and pulled her into a tight embrace. "Maybe, but I can't do this with a crowd around. I really do miss you, you know." They had always felt safe when the other was near. It was not surprising considering what they had been through together.
She pulled back enough to look into his face. "I miss you, too. I know I told you this morning I was proud of you but when I saw you fly today... You really have become a terrific pilot. But then again, you always were."
He beamed uncomfortably under her praise. "You, too. I wonder what it would have been like if you had been a Rogue."
She thought about it for a moment and then buried her face in his shoulder laughing uncontrollably. "Poor Wedge," was all she could manage to say.
He returned her laughter, "Yeah, he probably would have had a nervous breakdown by now."
She grew serious again as she held him tightly. "I wish we could've been together, too. But it just wasn't possible. I could not have gone with you any more than you could have stayed with me." She thought about the last time they saw each other. He was standing on the boarding ramp for the shuttle that would take him to the Alliance and untold danger.
But they both knew the dangers of his staying with the Guardiens. Their friendship was too well known. It was inevitable that someone would come looking for him after he went AWOL from the Empire. They just never imagined it would be his former instructor, Baron Soontir Fel.
He spoke softly into her hair, "You never told me what you said to him. I asked when he was with the Rogues, but he wouldn't tell me, either."
"It's not important. I just convinced him I hadn't seen you."
"I could hear the two of you arguing from the next room." When she wouldn't answer, he decided it was time to ask a question that had been on his mind for years. "I never figured out how you were able to find me when I left the Empire or when..." his voice trailed off. He couldn't bring himself to think about the first time she had rescued him.
She sighed heavily and stepped away from him. She took his hand and led him to the couch. They sat, holding hands, as she looked into his eyes. "I should have told you this years ago, but I didn't want to put you in danger. If anyone found out, it would've meant your death."
Tycho was confused. What could she possibly know that would mean the death penalty?
"It is a secret I have always been proud of, even though it was something I could never share until recently. I haven't told anyone. Until now...." She hesitated briefly. "My father, his father, and my older brother, Marx, were all Jedi. My father wasn't trained in the temple so he escaped notice during the purges."
Everything began to fall into place for Tycho. Things she had done; things she had known. It all made sense to him now. "You're a Jedi?" he asked, startled.
She was pleased she could still surprise him after all these years. "No, not even close. I am sensitive to the Force but nowhere near strong enough to ever become a Jedi. I can sense danger sometimes and I can increase my own naturally quick healing abilities. I also have a mental link with my family and close friends."
"So, you can tell what I'm thinking?"
"I can't read your thoughts per se, but I can sense emotions. I can also use the link to track you. That's how I've been able to know when you needed me and where to find you." She thought about how much she wanted to tell him. "Some people also have a very distinct presence. I could probably pick out Wedge in a crowded room, for instance. And Corran, too."
When she spoke the name Corran, Tycho looked at her sharply. She was watching his reactions closely. "Corran's a Jedi. Isn't he?" she asked.
"He's been keeping that pretty quiet. Only a few people outside the squadron know."
She reached up and stroked his cheek with the palm of her hand. "Don't worry, I won't say a thing. His secret helps keep you safe so his secret is my secret."
He turned his face to kiss her hand before wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close again. He leaned down to kiss her but she pulled away, regret evident in her eyes.
"There's something else we need to discuss," she told him quietly. "It's the real reason I'm here."
Tycho waited patiently, not sure if he wanted to hear what she had to say.
She handed him a holo that had been sitting on the table beside the couch. It was of Terra with a young girl of about eight standard years. He felt drawn to the girl and took a closer look. She favored Terra but her hair was dark blond and her eyes were a stunning blue. The same shade of blue as his.
He raised his eyes to meet Terra's and she nodded. "I didn't find out until after you left. I wanted to tell you, but this isn't exactly something I could put in a letter. She's strong in the Force, too," Terra added proudly.
He sat in stunned silence, unsure how to react to the news that he had a daughter. He looked around the room, expecting to find her.
"She's not here," Terra told him. "She's at our main base. I wanted to talk to you, first."
"Guess this explains why you haven't spent much time in the field the last few years," Tycho commented. "What's her name?"
She smiled, "I decided to call her L.A., or Ella, for Little Angel."
Tycho returned her heart-felt smile. "After you, G.A.?"
A look of pain flashed across her face. "I wish you wouldn't call me that. I haven't done a very good job of earning it the last decade. I don't feel like I deserve it."
"That's nonsense, Terra. And you know it. Without you, I... I don't want to think about where I would be right now," he finished softly.
"But I wasn't there for you when you needed me. When you were on the Lusankya and everyone thought you were dead, I knew you weren't. Not like so many others who just didn't want to believe. I knew you were alive. But I couldn't do anything."
Tycho wasn't sure he followed. He had found out later that Terra and her mother had been in a shuttle accident just as he was being taken to Lusankya. Her mother had been killed but Terra was unconscious for close to six months due to the severity of her injuries. She was another year in rehab, relearning how to walk and talk.
Unshed tears were in her eyes as she continued. "Do you know how helpless that feeling is? I knew where you were, what you were going through but I couldn't even open my eyes. I wanted to tell someone, anyone, but I couldn't."
She stood and walked to the viewport, hoping to hide the tears that were beginning to fall.
Tycho stood and followed her. He put an arm around her shoulder and she leaned into his warm presence as her arm circled his waist. They stood silently for a short time before she turned and put both arms around his waist and buried her face in his shoulder, drawing strength from his nearness. Her guilt-ridden tears began to soak through his tunic.
He thought about some of the things Corran had told him about how some Jedi had the ability to leave their bodies and project their consciousness to other places. "This is going to sound hard to believe... There were times when I felt like you were there with me. I'm not sure I could have held together without that."
She smiled against his chest, "You don't give yourself enough credit. You're stronger than you think."
He lifted her chin until she looked him in the eyes as he gently wiped tears from her cheeks. This time, she didn't pull away when he bent to kiss her.
*****
Wes and Hobbie had just entered their quarters when the door enunciator chimed. Wes answered it to find Wedge there. "Wedge. Come in."
"Do either of you know Terra's comlink code? Tycho's not answering his." Wedge was frowning. This was not like Tycho.
Hobbie offered to call her. As he did so, Wedge noticed Wes was acting rather uncomfortable.
"Out with it." Wedge ordered, knowing he was not going to like the answer Wes gave him.
"Well... I figured she and Tycho wanted to spend some time together without... interruptions... so I sort of turned off their comlinks."
"You WHAT!?!" Hobbie asked incredulously. He had been unsuccessful in contacting Terra.
"Wes, that is not what I wanted to hear." Wedge's voice was low and even. A bad sign.
Wes stepped back from his CO as he offered, "I know where she's staying. I'm sure they're there by now. Do you need me to go get him?"
"No, I'll go. I think you've done enough mischief for one day and we don't have time to bail Tycho out of the brig for decking you. I want the two of you to gather the rest of the Rogues in the briefing room. I should be back within the hour. If I were you, I'd want to avoid Tycho for the next few days."
Wedge left then, shaking his head in frustration.
*****
Terra didn't remember moving back to the couch. Tycho lay on top of her, as they kissed with a depth and passion that brought back a multitude of memories. His hands were exploring her body with a confidence they hadn't possessed in youth as she struggled to remove his tunic.
He began unbuttoning her blouse; his mind lost in the welcome feel of her hands on his bare back, their bodies touching. Her hands slid down to his firm buttocks and pulled their hips closer together. Just as his hand found her breast. Their low moans almost drowned out the sound of the door enunciator. Almost.
She buried her face in the hollow of his neck and willed the intruder to go away but she caught a sense of the person at the door and knew it must be important. "Any chance we can ignore it?" he whispered.
"Unfortunately not," she replied breathlessly. "It's Wedge. He seems...." She thought about how best to describe what she was sensing, "agitated."
With a frustrated sigh, she untangled herself from Tycho's body and began straightening her clothing. When she reached the door, she looked back at him to be sure he had successfully redressed.
She opened the door and smiled when she saw Wedge standing there, fidgeting. He obviously had some idea of what he might be interrupting. She hoped she was succeeding in hiding her amusement at his embarrassment.
"Hi, Wedge. Please come in. You're just in time to join us for dinner. If we can decide what to order, that is." He seemed relieved so she assumed her lie was convincing.
He entered the room and immediately the serious General Antilles returned. Terra wasn't sure she liked this change in his demeanor. It was the kind of thing that usually indicated trouble.
"I'm really sorry, but I can't stay. I'm looking for Tycho," he said.
"Why didn't you use the comlink?" Tycho asked curiously, fearing he already had an answer. An answer that pointed directly to Wes.
"It would seem Wes decided to turn them off for both of you." Wedge replied apologetically.
Terra couldn't help herself; she giggled which earned her a rather stern look from both Rogues. "Did you put him up to it?" Tycho asked suspiciously as he joined them in the entryway. She couldn't respond so she simply shook her head emphatically wishing she had thought of it.
Wedge cleared his throat. "I hate to interrupt but we really need to return to base."
"What's up?" Terra asked, not sure she wanted to hear what Wedge had to say.
"About all I can say is that we'll be leaving Coruscant for a few weeks on escort duty." Wedge's comlink beeped.
As he answered it, Tycho turned to Terra. "Will you still be here when we get back?"
"The Starlites' Coruscant tour should last at least another month and the squadron planned on spending some down time here afterwards, so I should be."
Wedge finished the call and took her hands in his. "I'm really sorry about this."
"Just promise you'll all be safe and maybe I'll forgive you." He nodded and she gave him a kiss on the cheek. Her surprise at seeing him blush brought an uncharacteristically shy smile to her face. Wedge hesitated before placing a light kiss on her cheek.
The blond Rogue did not miss their exchange and found he was surprised at his lack of jealousy. He gave her a hug and kiss on the forehead. With a promise to return soon, they left.
Wedge and Tycho returned to the speeder in silence, each lost in his own thoughts. They were almost back to the base when Wedge spoke. "Something wrong?"
"Nothing a cold shower can't cure." Tycho noticed Wedge wince and immediately regretted the sour tone in his voice. An image of Winter came to mind. How am I going to explain Ella to her? "It's ok. I should probably be thanking you."
He continued quickly, cutting off Wedge's question before he could ask it. "So why have we been suddenly placed on escort duty?" he asked.
Wedge granted his unspoken wish to change the subject. "Princess Leia is being sent on a last-minute diplomatic tour and requested us. We'll be heading out before dawn with stops at Commenor and Obroa-Skai. Then we'll swing by Yavin for a week or so to put the finishing touches on some of the defenses for Luke's Academy. Hopefully, we'll get a little down time while we're there."
"So, it's a combination diplomatic parade and working trip. At least we'll get to spend some time with Luke." Tycho made a mental note to talk with his friend and Jedi Master about Terra and Ella's abilities. "What about the open spots on the roster?"
Wedge chuckled, "Jecket and Froven came to see me after you left. Seems they were pretty rattled by you and Terra. They said something about going back to shuttle duty. So we're at full strength."