Last time: Sasha and Oppie talked about what this experience did to them.

Now: It's time to tell Op the truth.

Chapter 4- Teasing, Training, and Truth

The next few days flew by in the blink of an eye. Sasha, at a more responsible pace, was still overseeing both Oppie and Kyr's medical treatments as the two were improving nicely. However, Oppie was back on his feet sooner than Kyr was as just a day ago they had moved him from the intensive care room to the main recovery room. He still had a ways to go before he could return to the fun and he still hadn't awoken yet, but he was out of the woods. When she wasn't in the medbay over seeing their recovery progress, she was with Kitsu, Illara, and Viran either in the great hall or the hanger bay that was attached to the house. They would usually be playing a game of Sabacc, enjoying some friendly conversation over food and drinks, or working on their ships to kill the free time.

Today, though, Sasha decided to retire early to her private quarters. Or well, the private quarters she had claimed in the lodge. She sat on the bed, her back against the headboard, reading through a series of data pads. Each one of these had the notes and photos from every stela and temple they had all visited. She found herself a couple days ago thinking about the temples and the stelas that predicted their fate. She had decided to sort through the information to see what new knowledge she could now acquire about them. So far it was like trying to puzzle pieces together without an idea of what the picture is at the end.

As she sat there, she heard a knock at her door. She recognized Viran's presence in the Force on the other side. Without setting down the data pad in her hands, Sasha used the Force and opened the door.

"Come in," she said as she did that.

Viran smirked at her as he entered the room, the door swinging shut behind him.

"Too lazy to answer the door yourself?" He asked as he came over to the bed. He then sat down on the edge, beside her.

"No, just doing some reading," Sasha said as she continued to scroll through the data pads.

Viran glanced over her shoulder to see what she was looking at. "Is that the stuff from the temples? Still going through it all?"

Sasha lowered the data pad down into her lap before looking at him.

"Yeah, I don't know why, but I just get the feeling there is more to them then what we had used them for," she pondered.

"Have you figured it out yet?" Viran asked curiously.

She shook her head. "No, it's just one big jumble at the moment." She set the data pads aside and leaned back against the headboard. "So what were you up to?"

"Not a whole lot, really," Viran shrugged. "I thought I'd come find you." He grabbed her hand. "It feels like it's been forever since we spent some time alone together."

"It's only been a week and a half since we reunited with Kyr. It hasn't been that long. Besides, we still see each other every day anyway." She pointed out.

Viran snorted. "You know what I mean. Sash, we went all across the galaxy together. Just the two of us for eight months. Then suddenly in the manner of a week or so, we get so busy we don't spend alone time with each other. I'm just saying the transition between the two was instantaneous."

Sasha nodded. "Yeah, I guess it was, huh? Well I'm not doing anything for a while. How about we spend time together, right now, you and me?"

Viran grinned. "I love that idea."

He then leaned forward and pulled her into a kiss. They held the kiss for a while before parting. They cuddled against each other while still sitting up on the bed. Sasha drew circles on his legs that were stretched out before him as she leaned against him and the headboard. Viran gently stroked her hair.

"Whatcha thinking about?" Viran asked after a long moment of silence.

"How crazy our lives have changed in just the manner of a year. For a while there, we had a pretty regular schedule and routine going. Then suddenly we are facing off against the Sith, traveling the galaxy, saving our family, and finally being with each other. Its…" she trailed off as she tried to find the right words.

"Crazy? Amazing? Weird?" Viran threw out. "Any of those words work for ya?"

Sasha chuckled. "Nah, but close enough."

The two of them shared a chuckle. There was then another silence before either of them spoke up again.

"We still need to tell Oppie," Sasha stated.

"About what?" Viran asked slightly confused on what she was referring to.

Sasha sat up and looked at him. "About us. We can't keep it from him any longer, ya know."

"Do we have to tell him right this second?" Viran asked with almost a disappointed tone.

"No, but we should soon," she said. "Look, the others all know about us and we haven't exactly been subtle around him. We just need to rip the patch off and tell him the next chance we get."

Viran brushed Sasha's bangs from her face before holding her face in his hands.

"Don't worry. We will tell him soon," Viran said before pulling her in for another kiss. This one came with a bit more passion than the last. As soon as they came up for air, they smiled at each other and resumed their cuddling positions.

During their travels, when they would spend time alone like this, they didn't have to worry about the potential of being interrupted. However, here at Haven, they always seemed to be pulled away to help with something. Sasha would usually go back to check on the injured and Viran would get pulled into another ship related debate. So even though they could easily just lock the door, disappear for a while and spend some quality alone time that every couple needs. They just didn't. Or well, Sasha didn't want to as she could still be called away at a moment's notice if Kyr's condition worsened or something serious like that happened. There was also the concern that if they were not careful Oppie could sense what they were up to in the Force and that was an awkward way to tell him the truth of their relationship. That's also part of the reason they still stayed in separate rooms. It was just easier to enjoy each other's company like this.

As they remained there cuddling and chatting, they would occasionally exchange a few kisses here or there when the moment felt right, but it wasn't the whole time they cuddled. But it was during one of those moments, when a knock came from the door. They pulled away, looking at each other in disappointment at the ruined moment. Sasha pushed off the bed with a groan and headed over to the door to answer it. They could both sense that it was Oppie on the other side of it.

"Looks like our moment to tell him has arrived," Sasha uttered as she headed toward the door.

"Wait," Viran whispered as he pushed off the bed toward her. Sasha turned to him to see what he was going to say. Instead he pulled her in for one last, sweet kiss. "Okay, now you can open the door." He said once they pulled away.

Sasha rolled her eyes with a smile plastered on her face as turned toward the door. She hit the panel and the door opened to reveal Oppie, dressed back in his Jedi grab, and looking a million times better.

"Hey guys," he paused, "am I interrupting anything?" Oppie said looking between the two of them and feeling like he most certainly had.

"No, not really," Sasha said slightly flustered. "We were just chatting about the temples and such. How are you feeling? It's great to see you up and about."

"Yeah, everything has patched up nicely." He rotated his left arm and only felt a little bit of stiffness from the injuries. "Since we've all got sabers now, I was wondering if you guys wanted to spar? Kitsu said there was a sparring room in the other wing that would make a good spot."

"I'd be down for some sparring," Viran said.

"Yeah, I'm down too," Sasha agreed.

Oppie stepped away from the doorway to let them pass, "So where did you get your saber, Vir? Can I see it?"

Viran unclipped the saber, looked at it for a brief moment before handing it to Oppie. "Remember that crazed nut of a Sith I was fighting at the temple? He had stolen it from a Jedi he had killed and I stole it from the Sith. We actually discovered who the owner of the saber was when we were temple hopping. The temple was destroyed and the body was still there when we arrived. Sash, what was the Masters name again?"

"Jacen Par," Sasha added.

"Yeah, him. He used to own it," Viran nodded. "Do you recognize the name?"

"Vaguely." Oppie said, turning the hilt over in his hand. "I don't think I ever met him though." He handed it back "It's a very nice hilt." He said with a smile, handing it back to Viran as they walked down the long hallways, past other rooms. The lodge was built to house an entire clan and their guests, and it was like a huge, fortified resort

"It is indeed," Viran agreed as he reclipped it to his belt.

"This is strange." Op began.

"What is?" Sasha asked. She then shot a worried glance over to Viran. He had the same look on his face. They were both unsure of where this conversation was going.

"Being safe. Walking around in our Jedi robes with our sabers clipped to our belt." He said. "Not running, not being chased, especially after what happened since Vestora."

That caused a smile to spread to their faces.

"Yeah it is a little strange," Sasha agreed. "But it feels… right."

"It really does." Oppie agreed. "Almost like being back at the temple. But I guess different in a way, since we're here like a family, the whole 'no attachments' thing would have kept that from ever happening."

Sasha and Viran blushed at that with a nervous glance.

"It does make me wonder one thing, though." Op continued.

"Oh?" Viran wondered while nervously biting at his lip.

"About your guys' family." He finished, in a serious tone.

"Our… our family?" Viran and Sasha asked at the same time.

"Yeah," He continued. "I got reunited with Kyr and found out about my family, it makes me wonder about your families, if they are still out there somewhere."

Sasha and Viran sighed silently with relief before responding.

"You know I have always wondered that too," Sasha said with a slightly saddened tone. "I mean I know I came from Naboo, but… growing up away from my family has always made me wonder who my parents are. If I have siblings or not."

Viran nodded. "I've wondered the same. What Jedi hasn't wondered where they come from?"

"It's something the council always kept secret from us. I always tried to be such a model Jedi it never really entered my mind until Kyr found me, though. I guess you guys had a different experience than I did. I didn't spend as much time as I should have teaching that side of the Jedi's teachings to you, I suppose." He said with a smirk.

Sasha and Viran exchanged another glance before looking back at Oppie.

"And maybe that's for the best," Viran pondered. "I mean with the state of the galaxy it's kind of hard to follow the old ways when everything is gone. But what you did teach us has made us better people. As well as Jedi."

"Yeah." Oppie agreed, as they continued down the corridor. "And who am I to grouse about them keeping secrets, I kept Kyr a secret from you guys." He said, guiltily.

Sasha turned bright red and Viran coughed at that statement.

"Yeah…" Sasha trailed off.

"But eventually everything worked out. And we understand why you did what you did," Viran finished.

"I'm glad you guys ended up so close." Oppie admitted.

That turned them both bright red.

"I mean over fifteen years of living together will do that," Sasha said with a nervous chuckle. She cursed inwardly as her sabacc face really did stink.

"Oh, no I meant over the last couple of months." Op clarified, "getting to know Kyr. I hope he and I can build some kind of relationship."

"Oh yeah. I think you guys will," Viran said with a nod. "Just you gotta talk to him is all."

"I suppose." Oppie replied. "I guess I have an odd question to ask you two though." He said, in a nervous and somewhat embarrassed tone.

"Yes?" They asked at the same time before sharing a glare at the fact this was the second time they spoke simultaneously.

"I dunno, maybe I shouldn't ask." He shied away as they kept walking. "It would be hard for you to answer."

"Well, you can't just bring it up and not ask," Viran pointed out. "Besides, we might have an answer to whatever your question is."

Oppie considered for a few moments, then turned and stopped. They were almost out of the bedroom wing and at the great hall. "What's Kyr like?" He asked finally. "The only times I've talked to him were under… strange circumstances, and only a little bit. From what you've told me about the last few months he sounds a lot less abrasive than I've experienced?"

Sasha and Viran both sighed as when he had brought it up, their hearts had stopped for a moment as they had waited in anticipation.

"Kyr is strong and an excellent fighter," Sasha started. "He can truly hold his own against a difficult opponent. Even despite his injuries, he was able to hold his own against those stormtroopers. And that's very impressive. He is also a very caring person, especially towards his own family. He is also very funny. Just watch a conversation between him and Tac, and you'd understand."

Viran nodded in agreement. "Yeah, and he also knows his ships and his weapons as well as explosives. He even has some of the coolest stories about his jobs. But there is also the part of him that is similar to you and not just physically."

Oppie continued walking in silence. "I guess I'm just nervous about it, he seemed so angry at me, that he would never forgive me. But then I hear what he did to help you guys, to get me back and it seems hard to believe."

Sasha reached over and placed a hand on Oppie's shoulder, and they stopped next to the fireplace.

"We understand. Take all the time you need. And we can be there if you need us. We've always got your back," Sasha said with a smile.

"Thanks guys." Oppie said as he turned and continued down another hallway, brightly lit on one side with tower windows that faced towards the forested valley and bathed their walk in brilliant sunlight. "I want to talk to him when he wakes up, I need to." He paused. "If I didn't at least try I'd always regret it, and that would be a terrible burden."

Sasha and Viran didn't even need to look at each other this time. They both nodded. They understood wholeheartedly what Oppie was saying. That was how they ended up together, after all.

"We totally understand," Viran said as Sasha dropped her hand from Oppie's shoulder before reaching over and giving Viran's hand a brief squeeze before releasing it.

"So how did you guys keep busy all those months trapped in that tiny ship together?" Op asked, to lighten the mood. "I'm surprised you two can even stand to be together anymore." He joked.

And then the blushes returned in full force.

"Oh you know… we played sabacc and a few other games. Trained when we could. Sasha made our outfits. And you know… other things," Viran rambled.

"But yeah, we didn't drive each other crazy thankfully," Sasha added. "After fifteen years, if he drove me crazy we wouldn't be having this conversation." She then mentally face palmed at the dumb response.

"The outfits look great, by the way." Oppie complimented as they got to the door that led to the training room.

"Thanks," Sasha beamed. "I was nervous on how they would turn out, but I'm glad they look great!"

"Yeah, you guys really look like proper Jedi now." He beamed, with no small amount of pride.

"I feel like a proper Jedi," Viran added. "You really did a great job, Sash."

Sasha grinned from ear to ear at the compliments.

"This is a dumb question, but how have you guys been warming up lately? Still starting with the katas?" Oppie asked as they stepped into the big open space with only light padding, and many different kinds of melee weapons on display on racks and wall mounts. Off in the corner was a shooting range for practicing with blasters.

"Of course," Sasha said as she started stretching out her limbs. "Just as you taught us."

"Okay, I wasn't sure if you guys had figured out some new way to warm up together." he said as he stretched his own muscles, trying to work the soreness out.

"I mean we had to make do when we were on that small ship, but when we stopped on a planet where we had room, and no one was watching us, we would then do as we were taught," Viran explained as he stretched too. "But once we started sparring, then that's when we tried out some new tricks."

"Oh?" Oppie asked with a raised eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.

"You'll just have to wait and see," Sasha said with a smirk.

Oppie looked at them both and gave a smirk of his own, "Okay then, keep your secrets. I'll figure it out sooner or later." As he unclipped his main saber and stepped out onto the middle of the floor to start the shii-cho kata as a warm up.

Sasha and Viran exchanged one last glance before joining him. Their new sabers skills weren't going to be the only secret he was going to learn today. No matter what, they had to tell Oppie the truth about them, but after a bit of training.

Once they finished their warm up, Oppie moved across the floor from them.

"Alright, how does a two vs one fight sound?' Oppie asked. "Just like the old days?"

"You're on, Op," Viran said with a smirk.

Sasha and Viran moved into position across from Oppie. Then with a few fancy flourishes, they got into their ready stances. Oppie did a simple flourish before getting into his. There was a peaceful stillness in the air before anyone moved. Sasha lunged forward first. Bringing her saber in, Sasha swung at Oppie with a series of quick slashes. Oppie easily deflected them before coming into a clash with Sasha. He then shoved Sasha back just in time for Viran to step in and switch places with her.

Before when they would duel Oppie, they hadn't quite mastered the ability to switch off without either running into each other or getting their butts handed to them by Oppie. This was one of the new tricks they learned and mastered. Ever since they admitted their feelings to each other, their minds seemed to be on the same wavelength when it came to fighting. It got to the point where many of their spars ended in a stalemate, because they could predict the others' moves. This was the first time in a very long time where they were working together against one common opponent.

After the switch, Viran brought his blade down towards Oppie's head. The blades glanced off each other as Viran then brought the saber around into another round of quick blows, following a different pattern then how Sasha attacked. After his last swing, Oppie Force pushed Viran backwards. Viran tumbled back into a backwards roll, landing a crouch. Sasha then came up behind Oppie and moved in with a thrust. Oppie sensed her and was easily able to dodge it, but when he came around with a kick, he didn't expect Sasha to catch it. Stopping his leg with the Force, Sasha smirked at him before pushing him back with the Force. Oppie stumbled back, but managed to keep his footing. Sasha then charged with a quick couple of strikes. On the last strike, being an overhead one, Oppie took the opening to Force push Sasha backwards. Sasha flew back and onto her butt. As she rolled back, Viran leapt over her into a tuck and roll before popping up to his feet close to Oppie. He then moved fast with another series of quick strikes. These strikes managed to push Oppie back. Viran then swung at Oppie's ankles as he dodged a wide swing from Oppie. Op leapt over the blade with ease, but as Viran got up he was ready to block Oppie's saber. However, this is when Sasha joined back in.

Swinging her blade in, Oppie pulled his other saber out in time to activate it and block her attack. Oppie smirked.

"I admit, I'm impressed," Oppie said as they struggled in the clash. "You guys really have been training."

"We're not done yet," Sasha said with a smirk.

With a nod exchange between Sasha and Viran, they shoved Oppie and his blades back. But as Oppie brought them back in for another clash, the two had managed to swap places with a mere spin and block his sabers in time. The two of them were truly holding their own against him and with very little effort on their part. Normally, they would have been winded by now, but they were still going strong. However, while holding Viran at bay with his left hand, Oppie binded Sasha's saber with his right and sent it flying out of her grasp. The saber deactivated and skidded across the floor. He then kicked Sasha back and she stumbled away, leaving Oppie and Viran to continue on their own for a bit.

Oppie moved into the offensive. He pushed Viran back with a series of quick strikes and swings with both of his sabers. Viran struggled slightly as it was a bit difficult to fend off against two blades especially against Oppie who seemed like a pro with them. Every blade he blocked with one saber, the other he would either try and stop with the Force or dodge out of the way. However, at one point, Oppie brought the sabers down onto Viran's with so much weight behind them that Viran actually dropped to one knee. Thinking fast, Viran gave a shove up and then rolled out of the way as Oppie's sabers came down onto the floor. As Oppie rotated around with a flourish, he swung his sabers around for another attack only for his sabers to meet Sasha's instead. Viran and her had swapped places yet again.

When Oppie came in with the strikes, Sasha had an easier time avoiding them than Viran did as she seemed to move almost faster. She then managed to get an opening. Bringing her own saber down, she met him in a cross block. Without removing her hands, Sasha Force pushed Oppie back. Oppie skidded back to a halt. As he straightened, Viran and Sasha were moving in yet again to attack him at the same time. Oppie looked winded, Sasha and Viran knew that this was the final push and they would finally have a win over Oppie. However, Oppie moved quickly. He stopped them both with the Force and sent them backwards into the wall. Sasha and Viran hit it with a smack. When they looked up, Oppie was above them with his sabers pointed at their throats.

"Yield," Oppie panted.

Viran and Sasha exchanged a look then chuckled. They were tired and ready for a break. So they lost for now.

"Alright, fine. You win," Viran admitted pointing at Oppie with his free hand. "This time."

Oppie smiled as he deactivated his sabers, in between breaths. "You guys have learned so much, you taught me a few things today." He admitted.

"And us a few things too," Sasha said with a nod as Viran stood then offered her his hand to help her up. She took it and let him pull her to her feet. "Like you wielding two blades for a start."

"Yeah, I admit I wasn't as ready as I should have been with you duel wielding," Viran admitted with a chuckle as he dropped Sasha's hand, but not before giving a tight squeeze. "But it was pretty awesome." He glanced at Sasha with a smirk. "Wasn't it?"

She beamed back at them with a nod and a slight blush to her cheeks. "Yeah, it was."

"It was a style I practiced a while ago, I was going to take it up as my main style before," he paused, "well, you know, Order 66. It feels so natural though, especially with these two sabers."

"Well it looked so natural for you," Sasha complimented. "So I'm impressed."

"Thanks." He said, as he caught his breath. "And you guys, the way you guys fought together, you were so well synchronized. I guess you've been practicing together for the last nine months, but that nearly got me several times."

"Thanks," They said at the same time before looking at each other as this now marked the third time they did that. They giggled for a second before looking back at Oppie, who was looking at them questioningly.

"We are just happy to hear our training is paying off," Viran said.

"Oh, it is to be sure." Oppie replied,

"Also," Sasha paused, looking at Viran, who nodded in agreement.

"We need to tell you something." Viran and Sasha finished the statement in unison.

"Does it have anything to do with the hand holding, and saying the same things at the same time?" Oppie asked innocently, and slightly sheepishly.

Sasha's poor Sabaac face gave her away as she blushed, "Wait, how…" her words trailed off as she tried to form them, but Viran beat her to the punch.

Viran tried to play it cool, "It doesn't...not have anything to do with the hand-holding, and saying the same thing at the same time...that and the…"

Sasha sensed what he was going to say before he said it, and groaned as she finished Viran's thought along with him, "Ugh, making out behind closed doors…really, that's the best you could do?" She mumbled that at Viran, but it was slightly loud enough for Oppie to hear. She smacked him lightly upside the head. He chuckled at it as he rubbed his head.

Oppie tried to keep from laughing. "Before the flight here, when I woke up and talked to you guys, the last time you ever held hands was twelve years ago. We were walking through that bad neighborhood on Criscillia, and you were both so disgusted by the idea you made a big scene of it and drew even more attention to us." He paused, "and next time you're thinking of playing high stakes sabacc, just don't, Sasha."

Sasha turned bright red, mouth slightly agape, at a complete loss for words.

"Sooooooooo, I guess you could say we are like two peas in a pod, or like two halves of a double-bladed lightsaber," Viran cringed at the last statement.

"You talk too much," Sasha said before shutting him up with a kiss on the cheek.

Viran blushed and nodded, "Yeah, what she said."

"I didn't really didn't know for certain until that conversation on the way here." Oppie admitted, "I'm happy for you guys. I was a little surprised at first, but it seems so natural for you two."

Sasha smiled at Oppie before reaching over and inter lacing her fingers with Viran's. "We've been meaning to tell you for a while now, Op. It just… kind of happened while you were gone. I'm glad that you don't disapprove. We weren't entirely sure how you would respond to… us."

Viran finished her thought again, "We know this isn't something that the Order would have approved of, so we weren't sure how you would feel. At least to us, the Force is telling us…"

"That this is the way," they finished together.

Oppie gave them an odd look at that last statement. "Did Kyr have something to do with it?"

"I guess you could say it's a Mandalorian proverb." Viran grinned, remembering what Kyr had told him eight months ago.

Sasha stifled a laugh at that. She then looked to Oppie a moment later, still smiling. "So… you are okay with this? With us?" She asked him almost as if searching for reassurance.

"Yeah, I'm glad that this worked out for you guys. We have been running and hiding for so long, I'm glad you guys could have this bit of happiness." He affirmed.

Viran and Sasha exchanged a soft smile as Viran wrapped an arm around her and pulled her in close. Sasha then looked to Oppie. She pulled away from Viran and moved over to Oppie. Wrapping her arms around Oppie, Sasha gave him a hug.

"Thank you, Op," Sasha said before pulling away.

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