Yay, a review! Thank you, Bookworm! I wasn't going to bother finishing posting this, since no one was reading it, but I'll go ahead and get it all up now.

X

Consciousness returned, and with it pain. A moan escaped Jae before he could stop it, and he shifted slightly where he lay. Kaltyk's beating had been thorough and biting, though cut off. Familiar as the boy was with the pain of welts old and new, it was difficult to ignore, especially in the first moments of waking on the street, lying on rough stone.

But he was not lying on the pavement. He was in a warm bunk, covered with a soft blanket, his cheek on a pillow. A gentle paw-hand was touching the other one.

The boy opened his eyes, surprised to find a furry brown face near his own. Suddenly memory returned.

"Arra?" he whispered cautiously.

The Wookiee wurfled in a relieved tone, stroking the boy's cheek. It had been a little difficult but worth it for the huge being to get on eye level with his patient.

"Where—?" Jae asked. "How long have I been asleep?" At his companion's response he blinked. "Twelve hours? Stars above us."

He started to shove himself up, but Arra laid a hand on his shoulder and gently pushed him back down. Rest, Jae. Your body is far from recovered yet. How do you feel?

The boy blinked slowly, considering it. "I've felt better." He paused, the beginnings of a smile trying to emerge on his face, rusted and slowed from disuse. "But I've felt worse, too. You've been taking care of me while I slept, haven't you?" He glanced down at himself, his body carefully laid on his less-bruised side to avoid hurting him further. "This is not my tunic," he said decisively. "Much too big, new, and clean. The pilot's? He didn't strike me as the type for charity."

Caeben does not mind lending you his garments, Arra said impatiently. You have been mistreated for a long time, little one. It is our pleasure to treat you as you deserve now. There is no need for you to question our behavior.

Jae looked at him bleakly. "I can't help it," he whispered. "It's just . . . so strange."

Arra's dark eyes softened. He caressed the boy's hair. You have been surrounded by cruelty and darkness for far too long. Relax, little friend. You are safe now. Rest and recover, and soon enough you will be able to help us in return.

Jae sighed, and his eyes slid half-shut, his weary, injured body dragging him back toward sleep again. Arra was right—he was far from recovered. "I'd like that. I want to help."

Arramylian continued to stroke his hair very gently, as if soothing a Wookiee cub. I know you do. It can wait, little one.

Jae blinked. Something nagged at the back of his mind, something strange. "Arra?" he murmured sleepily. "I . . . I'm clean. I can't remember the last time I was clean. And I certainly don't remember washing."

But even as he spoke there came a vague memory: a sensation of wetness, of slumping, barely conscious, against a presence that was warm and solid and soft, something dabbing gently at the dirt and dried blood crusted on his face, his shoulders, his back. The memory ended there, vanished in darkness.

Arra's gentle brown eyes were apologetic. Caeben wouldn't stop complaining, and I had to admit that you did smell rather ripe. And you seemed more comfortable afterward . . . .

Jae chuckled a little, the sound rough and rusty, strange in this small room. How long had it been since he had laughed? He couldn't remember. "It's all right, Arra. I'm not embarrassed. I do feel much more comfortable. It's been such a long time since I felt like a human being, instead of a worthless piece of street trash."

Worthless you never were, Arra said firmly. Don't believe it.

Jae smiled cautiously. It was coming a bit more easily, with practice. Slowly the boy struggled to a sitting position, ignoring Arra's concerned grumbling. "I'm better, Arra, honest. What was wrong with me?"

"Just hunger and malnutrition as far as the medcomp could figure." Caeben appeared in the doorway with a tray of food. The pilot's dark gray eyes twinkled. "How ya feeling, kid?"

The smell of the food hit Jae like a blast from a blaster. "Hungry!"

"Then let's eat."

Caeben did most of the talking during the meal, telling Jae all about their troubles with the Wind, the different mechanical problems that would probably take weeks to repair. The boy listened silently, his eyes shining with interest. He ate as much as he could manage, Arra constantly warning him to slow down, or he would be sick. Jae actually wasn't able to pack away all that much, in the end, but Arra rubbed his shoulder comfortingly and said that his stomach had shrunk. He ought to eat lots of little meals for a while, let his body recover gradually.

Still, after the meal Jae felt much stronger. "I want to get to work right away," he said eagerly. "I can't wait to check it out."

Arra vetoed that plan immediately, shooting Caeben a glare. The pilot should have talked about something else, let the boy relax for a few days. Let me tend your wounds again, the Wookiee said firmly, and then you must rest for at least the rest of this day. You are not ready, little one.

Jae sighed, but obediently lay down on his stomach, letting Arra pull up the baggy tunic to reveal the wounds on his back. Caeben turned away, swallowing to keep his lunch down. Jae's entire back, from his neck to his waist, was a mass of swollen welts and bruises, broken skin oozing blood and pus. Nowhere could they see the smallest patch of unharmed skin. The mere sight was raw and painful. Arra had already tended the wounds once, but Caeben couldn't see a difference.

Arra fetched the jar of azhali balm from the shelf on the other side of the med facility and knelt by the bunk. He touched the boy's cheek, apologizing in advance for the pain this was going to cause him. Jae nodded and squeezed his eyes shut, his fist clenching the sheets beside his tense face as he waited.

Arra dipped his fingers into the balm and gently dabbed it over a bleeding welt. Jae gasped and jerked involuntarily, his flesh shrinking away, but then he held himself still, his slight body rigid. Arra continued as quickly and carefully as he could.

Caeben had to step out. He stood in the companionway outside the med facility, aware that his breath was coming in hard, jerking gulps, his fists clenching and unclenching with the rhythm of his heartbeat. How long had the boy said? A year? A year of daily beatings, of starvation and exposure, loneliness and fear? No wonder that he had collapsed in the street. No wonder that dread darkened his eyes when the pilot approached.

Caeben shook his head as if to clear it. It was just one more street kid. How many were in Rismyne, on Crenellia? How many were on Tairan Street, enduring the same treatment? Caeben and Arra couldn't save them all. They were better off just staying as far away as possible. Maybe they should have kept looking for another mechanic, after all.

The pilot shook his head one more time, letting it all flow away, water down his back. None of it had anything to do with him. He went forward, his breath calm, his hands stuck casually in his pockets.

When Arra finished he gently drew the covers over his young friend. Jae's eyes flickered open, and he touched the Wookiee's arm. "Stay?" he whispered. "I'm not going to be able to sleep for a while, now."

Arra nodded and settled down by the bunk, holding Jae's small hand in his large, furry one. I won't leave you, little one.

Jae sighed and turned his face toward Arra, no trace of sleep in his eyes, though he was weary and in pain. "Thank you."

They were quiet awhile. Arramylian softly crooned a wordless Wookiee lullaby, the deep notes resonating in his huge chest. They rose and fell gently and smoothly in the tiny room, as if to cradle the wounded child in friendly arms. Jae blinked slowly, his body still, though his mind was not at rest.

"How did you meet Caeben Matock?" he asked after a time.

Cantina brawl, Arra said, snuffling with laughter. I had been keeping an eye on him, liked his looks, scruffy but good deep down, when he was accused of cheating at sabbacc and a free-for-all broke loose. I saved his life, and we took a liking to each other. So we became partners.

"He doesn't seem to like me much."

Arra ruffled the boy's hair comfortingly. That is just Caeben. He is afraid to let anyone come too close. The big Wookiee sighed. As long as I've known him, I've never seen him open up to anyone but me. He keeps himself contained, in a shell.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Jae murmured. "He seems lonely."

Perhaps. It would be only natural. While he was on his first job, working as relief pilot on a large freighter, his family went on vacation—to Alderaan. They were there when the Empire paid its visit.

Jae shuddered. "The Empire destroyed my family as well. Five years ago they killed my family, and Governor Shelpion took over the property. And I was on the streets, alone and homeless."

Arramylian squeezed Jae's shoulder, being careful not to hurt the boy. The Empire stole my future as well. You've heard how they treat the Wookiees, enslaving most of our home planet? I have escaped so far by wandering the galaxy, the stars my home. But they made my mate Woothiramilla a slave, and took her far away. A tear welled up in the Wookiee's eye. Long I searched for her, only to learn that she had been taken to Endor, a planet closed to all but the Empire. Still I hope for a way, but it is not likely.

"I'm sorry, Arra. The Empire has a lot to answer for."

Yes, little one. And the only ones able to make them pay are a motley band of Rebels. Still I hope, I hope.

"Perhaps you should join the Rebellion."

Arra's voice was thoughtful. Perhaps you are right, little one. His tone became brisk. Now is the time for you to sleep, Jae. Soon enough you will be working on this pile of scrap. Now rest.

Jae settled down against his pillow with a hesitant smile, and slowly his eyes shut. Arramylian wuffled approval and caressed his forehead. He waited until the boy's even, relaxed breathing told him that Jae slept deeply, then went forward to see what Caeben was doing.