Lost and Found

by JillianFahey

Commander Thrawn is not the only Chiss in the Empire. The other is a seven year old boy, who is being raised by a human woman. What happens when their paths are crossed? How will having the chance at a family affect the Commander? A fic for those who want to see a more parental/family side to the cold and calculating Thrawn. And him using that for his Families good.

24. Chapter 24 Memory

Beth buried her face into the bare chest next to her before hearing the amused, "Haryc ner kar'taylir darasuum?" Opening her eyes she saw Echo looking back at her with a smile that even the Separatists couldn't take away. She hated the Separatists for putting the haunted look in his eyes and the badly applied prosthetics that hurt him.

Nodding, "I had to repair nearly all the 501sts gunships. That really takes it out of you."

Stroking her hair with his left hand, the only limb he still had there was a found smile for his old company, "They do a lot of crazy things." It was a relief to be in her room at the temple, and hope that the Sepratist would be beaten soon now that the Jedi had stopped Palpatine and Anakin was locked in with the Mind Healers.

Stretching like a cat before settling curled with her leg across the base of his waist touching the end of his skin and the beginning of his prosthetic lower half. His arms went around her again, careful not to hurt her with the scope at the end of his right stump. Looking up at him, "How long until your called to report?"

"Don't worry," he answered with a gentle smile, "Cutup and Hevy are more than enough to distract them. Even if the Bad Batch hadn't decided to help." Pulling her close again so she couldn't answer she realized this was a dream and clung to it as long as possible.

Opening her eyes to a world of cold she turned to see Thrass over her shoulder. He was watching her in concern and asked in Sy Bis, "Are you alright?"

She nodded, "I just had a dream where I saw someone who I used to know." A sad smile, "I loved him, but he died in the war."

"I am sorry." He meant it.

Which is why she didn't shrug it off like the few other times she mentioned her love, "It has been years." Looking around her, "But places like this were where we worked together, he as a warrior and I as the mechanic that kept it going."

Thrass's voice was quiet as he asked, "How did your love die?"

Swallowing, "I do not know for sure." Looking away from him to the handprint tattoo on her shoulder, "His squad was sent on a mission and never came back." Carefully stating, "They were considered property and the Republic was changing into the Empire, so no one else cared to look." A deep breath, "And I was protecting children so I could not."

There was nothing Thrass could say to that. So he pulled the blanket up higher to cover her before quietly settling down to wait until morning. For which she was grateful.