Chapter Twenty Two-Tomorrow is Another Day
Jennra felt the weariness creep up on her suddenly. They had been walking for several hours over the monotonous terrain of endless dust and rocks. She glanced across at Mical, whom was walking at a steady pace in front of them, his head slightly bowed. She desperately wanted to find the Mandalore, if anything for Revan's sake; she had keenly felt the other woman's sense of loss. Jennra did not understand how Revan had failed to realise that he was still alive, but felt that finding him was crucial to her state of mind. There was something else, that she sensed about her, but as she had tried to read the other woman, Revan had shut her out, and severed the tremulous link.
She glanced over her shoulder at Bao-dur, who was walking just behind her, his brown eyes gleaming in the dark.
"You alright, General?" he whispered, frown lines creasing his already deeply lined face, "it's just that you are looking a bit, well, worn."
"Yes, I'm just a little tired, that's all."
"Maybe we should take a break, for a few hours or so?"
Jennra sighed, "We ought to press on, Bao, if anything for the Mandalorian that lies injured."
He placed his hand gently on her shoulder, "General, none of us are going to be much use if we don't take a rest." His eyes shone with the tiredness that she felt.
She nodded, "Yes, of course you're right." She turned back and walked towards Atton, "We are going to make camp, just for a little while. I don't know about you, but I'm just about done in."
"Yeah, it's been a tough time, kiddo," he yawned deeply, "Oh well…who am I to complain if we stop for a while."
Jennra smiled at him, "Have you got a minute, Atton?"
He stared at her, "Yeah…hey, what's this about?"
"I just wanted to thank you…I mean, you all coming here, you don't know what that means to me. I haven't had the time to catch up with you," she apologised awkwardly, "I just wanted you to know."
Atton slipped his arm around her shoulder, and leant close to her, "Just glad to be around, Jennra."
She glanced at him, blushing at his close proximity, "Well, I am pleased that you are. We have been through so much together-you know, in the past… it's just nice to have you around again."
Yeah…nice, Atton frowned darkly, "We will get through this together, Jennra-you wait and see, we will."
Jennra nodded, and laughed quietly, "And I must thank you for bringing Mical with you. You just don't know what that has meant to me, having him back," she glanced across at him, "Anyway, I'm glad to see that you have both gotten over your problems with each other. That's such a relief…the only thing I have ever wanted was for you both to be friends…"
"No problem," Atton replied, inwardly seething.
She gently removed his arm, and turned to him, "Thank you, Atton."
He watched as she walked away from him, to Mical, Hell…I hate him-I hope he suffers.
Jennra walked towards Mical, only to be stopped by Bao-dur, "What is it?" she breathed worriedly.
Bao-dur placed his hand gently on her arm, "I think I have found a good place for us to camp, General," he pointed to a slight dip in the ground to their left, some metres away, that was lined with a narrow swathe of thorny shrubs. She went across and inspected the area with him, nodding her agreement.
"You have picked a good spot, Bao. Now come, rest up, and I will take first watch."
"No," he breathed quietly, "You go rest…"
She grinned at him in the dark, "No, Bao-dur-I insist! You look all in. You rest, and I will take first watch. Okay?"
He rolled his eyes at her, "Is there anything that I can say that will make you reconsider?" He looked into her eyes, and read the determination there, "Ah, I guess not, General. Alright, but you make sure that you wake me for the next shift."
She grinned as he walked from her, Oh, Bao, where would I be without you?
The small company settled down and started to make temporary camp. Jennra watched as the others prepared their bedding. Atton lay slightly away from the rest of them; his face a dark unreadable mask. She wondered what it was that bothered him; she didn't like to see him look so forlorn and restless. He spotted her watching him, and turned quickly on his side, ignoring her. Jennra frowned at him.
She sat on a small boulder, her saber ready in her hand. Already she heard the soft snores of the Zabrak, as he lay fast asleep in his bedroll; I knew he was tired, she thought smiling to herself. She stared off into the distance, her eyes scanning the deep shadows for movement. A sudden, quiet sound near to her made her turn her head towards the shadows. She watched as Mical came across the camp, at pains not to wake the others. He sat down next to her, and she smiled up at him tiredly.
"I could not sleep," he protested at the look in her eyes.
"You should be resting," she admonished him gently, "but, I am glad of the company."
He wrapped his arms around her, "You are cold, Jennra," he replied ruefully, "Come, let me warm you…" he pulled her to him. She leant against him tiredly, resting her head against his shoulder, feeling the warmth radiate from his body.
Mical turned his face towards her, and kissed the side of her head, stroking her hair absently with one hand. She turned, and tilting her face to his, she kissed him; savouring the feel of his gentle lips on hers. She broke the kiss, and leant her forehead against his, sighing softly as she raised a hand and touched his cheek, caressing his smooth skin with her fingertips. He trembled beneath her soft touch, and pulled her roughly against him, his hands running down her back, pressing her to him firmly. Smiling, he raised his hand and brushed her hair from across her shoulder, tracing small kisses down her neck.
She sighed against him, and ran her hands lightly across his firm shoulders, and then down over his chest, smiling at the ardent look he gave her; his eyes sparkled a vivid blue under her gaze. She kissed the side of his neck, feeling his breath warm against her throat. His heart thumped rapidly through the material of his tunic, beneath her palm, and she raised her lips hungrily to his, drowning herself in her love for him. He kissed her back with a passion that matched hers, his hand plunging through her long hair, moulding itself to the base of her skull. Jennra fumbled with his tunic, in her haste to be rid of it.
Mical kissed her softly, and pulled her hands reluctantly away from him. He shook his head slowly, "No," he said hoarsely, "Not here, not now…" not with him so close.
She gazed up at him with heavy eyes, and he felt a pang of regret hit him strongly, "I am sorry," he murmured softly.
Jennra smiled sorrowfully, "Mical…," she whispered as she lowered her head. A lock of dark hair slipped and fell softly across her cheek.
He stared at her, his eyes still glowing brightly, and he reached out and pulled her towards him, tilting her face up to his, "Shhh Jennra," he kissed her lips softly, "I love you…"
Jennra placed her finger solemnly against his lips, and raising her head, she lightly kissed his brow. Her dark eyes shone with devotion. She pulled away from him unwillingly, "Go now, get some rest," she whispered huskily.
Mical gazed at her, and reaching out a hand, he tucked her hair behind her ear, kissing her cheek softly. He went from her reluctantly, and walked back across to his bedroll.
Jennra watched him covetously, her heart beating loudly in her ears. She sighed quietly, and tearing her eyes away from him, she resumed her silent watch over the camp.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atton sat watching the two Jedi with interest. He could not believe that Jennra would allow herself the indignities of his embraces, and he inwardly seethed as he watched his competitor make a fool of himself at the hands of the female Jedi. He glared at Mical evilly, wishing him dead. Tomorrow is another day, he thought, smiling to himself, and tomorrow, I get her back. Sleep well, Mical, while you can. Tomorrow, she will not even remember who you are…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jennra walked around the camp quietly, her eyes darting into the gloomy shadows. She gripped the hilt of her saber loosely in one hand, stifling a weary yawn with the other. Impatience gnawed at her; she wished for it to be light, and for them to be on their way to the temple several kilometres away. She prayed that the Mandalore was alright; she feared that as he lay there alone and hurt, that some Sith would find him. She shook her head, dispelling the unpleasant thought, and using the Force, she searched for his essence. Relief flooded through her, as she saw him sat quietly in the darkness of the temple, his hand idly toying with the blaster across his lap. His energy was low, and his injuries still pained him greatly. She closed the link, and glancing around the camp once again, she walked slowly to the perimeter. Settling herself down on the hard ground, her thoughts turned to Mical, and to the promise that he had held onto when she was away. She smiled to herself; the thought of a new life with him on Dantooine filled her with a profound happiness. She closed her eyes, imaging what a life would be like if there were no more battles to fight, no more enemies to encounter…
She felt a hand upon her shoulder, and glancing up, she saw Bao-dur leaning over her in the faint dawn light.
"General, you let me sleep too long," he whispered reproachfully at her, "go get some sleep, I will watch now."
Jennra staggered sleepily across the camp, smiling as she reached Mical's bedroll. She sighed lazily, she had not unpacked hers, and it made sense to economise on warmth, more so as she felt the cold deep in her bones. She knelt down, gazing at his sleeping form, and tentatively she pulled the blanket up, and got in with him. She snuggled herself against him, smiling as he slipped his arm sleepily around her waist, pulling her closer to him. With his breath warm against her neck, she closed her eyes, and drifted off into an easy sleep.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The sun on her face woke her, and she stared up into a deep blue sky. She turned over in the bedroll, and glanced across at an empty space. She frowned as she sat up, looking across the near deserted camp. Bao-dur was sat some distance from her, and he smiled at her cheerily as he saw her rise from the bed.
"Want a cup, General?" he called out to her, "Its chocolate…"
Jennra grinned at him, "I will be there now!"
She folded up the bedroll, and placed it into Mical's pack. A slow sense of unease filled her, and frowning, she shrugged the feeling away from her. She strode across the camp, and sat next to the Zabrak.
"Here you go," he said handing her a battered old tin mug filled with a thick brown liquid, "watch it though, it's hot."
She took the proffered mug of him, smiling her thanks. Her eyes restlessly roamed the camp.
"If you are looking for Mical, then I have to tell you, he went off with Atton several hours ago."
Jennra looked at him sharply, "What?"
Bao-dur nodded, "Yes, Atton was mumbling something about having a bad feeling, and a threat that he sensed through the Force. He didn't want to wake you; I guess he felt that you didn't need any more worries. He said that Mical and he could sort this problem out between themselves."
She took a careful sip of her chocolate, feeling the unease prickle her again. At least he is trying to make an effort, she thought, and Mical is more than adequate at looking out for himself…and Atton. "Atton is good at sensing trouble. He has saved me quite a few times through his abilities."
"General…are you alright, I mean, is something troubling you?"
She looked up at him, seeing the concern on his face, "I'm fine, Bao. Did I ever tell you that you would make a great Jedi?" she replied, changing the direction of the conversation.
Bao-dur spluttered on his drink, "I don't think that I am really cut out for the Jedi, General. I like my machines too much!"
She placed her mug on the ground, and leaned across to him, her hand resting on his arm, "Well, if you ever change your mind…"
He looked at her, sincerity shining in his eyes, "Would you teach me, if I wished it?" he asked in a low voice.
"Yes, of course. Bao, you know that there would be no greater honour for…"
A loud shouting from across the camps far perimeter interrupted her. She stood up, and watched with incomprehension as Atton stumbled up and fell heavily to the ground.
"What on…" she sprinted across to him, landing on her knees. "Atton?"
He stared up at her, a large gash to the side of his head bleeding. "Jennra…" he choked.
She brushed the hair from his eyes, grimacing at the wound; blood stuck to his hair, making it appear spiky. Jennra glanced worriedly behind him, "Where's Mical?"
Atton pushed himself upright, "I…I'm sorry. They took him."
Jennra grabbed him by the lapels of his jacket, "Where is he? Who took him?"
Atton winced painfully, his eyes narrowing in pain, "They came from nowhere. We were out numbered…I'm sorry," he whispered looking into her frightened brown eyes.
Bao-dur leaned across them, "Jennra, he will be alright," he said firmly.
She gazed up in to his steadfast eyes, feeling her heart constrict tightly in her chest, "Bao…we must go after him, we have to, please…"
Atton shook his head, "Jennra, you don't understand. There were too many of them, even if we went after him, we wouldn't last long. There were dark Jedi with them, not like I've seen before."
Jennra gulped, feeling the hot tears that threatened to fall. She glanced at him fearfully, and held out a trembling hand to Atton, "Let's get you back to camp, and look at your injuries." He stood with her, and she helped him across to where Mical's pack lay in the dirt. She glanced anxiously over her shoulder.
Bao-dur came across with them, "Where else are you hurt, Atton?"
"I…ah…I took a blaster shot to my side, and arm," he said between gritted teeth, "And yeah, it does hurt. A lot."
She helped him remove his jacket, grimacing as she saw the blood that soaked through his shirt. "Sorry, Atton, I guess this will hurt a bit," she peeled his grimy white shirt off him, and tentatively touched the wound at his side. She shook her head, and pulled Mical's pack towards her, flipping it open, and retrieving his medical kit, Oh Mical, she fought against the flood of tears that threatened her again. Sitting up, she sniffed, and wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand.
She turned back to Atton, and wiped the blood of his skin, staring at the scorched flesh, this must hurt like hell. She opened a wrap, and placed it gently to the wound. "Let me see your arm," she ordered him. He held his arm out gingerly; his forearm was scorched and blackened. She pressed another wrap to his arm, tightening a bandage around it to hold it in place. Jennra sat up, and ran her fingers through his hair, searching for other injuries. She gently placed some more kolto to the gash, smoothing it in place.
She felt a gentle hand touch her shoulder, "General…I won't be long."
"Bao…where are you going?"
He smiled grimly at her, "I told you, I won't be gone long." Without waiting for an answer, he strode across the camp, his hands reaching for his blaster pistols.
"Hey, kiddo."
She glanced down at Atton, who smiled at her weakly.
"Mical will be alright, you know what he's like."
Jennra nodded, "That is the thing, Atton. I know exactly what he is like." Too gentle and trusting for his own good. She felt the tears slip from her eyes, and pulling her knees up to her chest, she sobbed distraughtly, unable to control the strong emotions that flooded her senses.
"Hey, Jennra," Atton whispered softly to her, "come here." He sat next to her, and pulled her to him. He felt her hot tears wet his bare skin, and she wept bitterly against his neck, her arms going around his shoulders, clutching him tightly. Atton wrapped his arms around her, and kissed the side of her head, smiling darkly as he did so. This is going far better that I thought it would. If only Bao-dur would stay away…He stroked her hair soothingly, bending his head to hers, "I'm so sorry, Jennra," he whispered.