AN/ Here's the next chapter. Thank you all for your follows and favorites! I really do appreciate your support. Enjoy!

Chapter 4:

Obi-wan stood stock still as she listened to the order for a boarding party. She had no idea how this would play out for her and Jango. She was certain, however, that it was proof that no matter where in the galaxy she was, trouble would always find her. In spite of her best efforts to the contrary. She let out a hysterical laugh at the thought before turning to Jango.

"Well, good or bad turn of events, my dear?"

"Either way we're about to find out."

"Suggestions?"

"Back to the corner, we can scan the hall that way, and the electronics pillar will provide cover, without giving any of the ground we fought for."

"We're about to lose that ground regardless, Jango."

"I know that, but do you have any better ideas?"

"Well, no."

"So we're going with my plan."

"Let's hope it goes as well as the first."

"Give me some credit Ben. I know what I'm doing."

The sound of a boarding clamp echoed through the ship, cutting off any more chatter between the two. Obi-wan let out a breath, while Jango tightened his grip on the blaster he held at the ready. The airlock two halls over creaked, and the two braced as they heard the patter of at least 15 new pairs of feet. Loud laughter echoed down the hall getting closer.

"Jango, maybe we should give them a chance to speak. They might be convinced into entering into an alliance with us?"

"Only you, Ben, would think pirates could be anything other than treacherous thieves."

An accented voice called out from down the hallway.

"I am insulted. We are so much more than treacherous thieves, though thieves is such a strong word."

The two exchanged a glance before looking towards the young weequay. He couldn't be more than twenty standard, still young for the near-human species. He wore the usual spacer get up with the only modification of a strange armored hat on his head to distinguish him from the others.

"Hondo I assume?"

"Hondo Ohnaka, pirate in training. Miss?"

"You may call me Ben"

"Miss Ben, am I correct in assuming that you and your protective companion are the unruly cargo that the good captain referred to?"

"Ben, meg cuyir gar vaabir (Ben, what are you doing)?" Hissed Jango.

"Gotal'ur narudar (Making a temporary ally, literally the enemy of your enemy)."

"Excuse me, Mr. Protective, could you speak in Basic if you please. Allies need to communicate clearly. So, profits can be split accordingly."

"Ni don't guuror ibic (I don't like this)"

"Gar vaabir nayc ganar at (You don't have to). Slanar ti bic (go with it). Gedet'ye (Please)?"

"Rangir, elek, Verdika (To hell with it, yes, little warrior)."

Jango turned to Hondo fixing him with a glare. "I don't like you just to be clear, and she is too trusting for her own good. We were the cargo, yes"

"Excellent. Well, you don't have to like me to work with me, Mr. Protective."

"Fett"

"Mr. Fett"

Obi-wan rolled her eyes. "Jango please, we still have those left in the bridge to take care of."

"We could have taken them together Ben."

"I know that but they've butted in, and we can't just ask them to leave. They won't do it now"

"That's true, Mother detests slavery, ever since my dear father tried to sell me. She won't be happy if I come back without showing that you are alive and they are dead or in their own cages."

"Well, that's the first thing I can agree with you on," Jango muttered.

Obi-wan sighed. This was going to be frustrating she just knew it.

Jango glanced over at Ben. She looked tired, but the stubborn glint in her told him she wouldn't be convinced to leave the bridge to the pirates. If they were going to be narudar'e (temporary allies) with these pirates it meant the two of them would have to be always on guard. He wasn't going to count on their luck lasting. Though he hoped it would last long enough to get them to any port, good or bad.

"There should only be 5 more on the bridge."

"How many more are there on the ship?" Hondo inquired.

"Thirteen in the cells" Ben smirked a little at that.

The pirate started looking surprised. "You two took out thirteen slavers alone with your bare hands? My friends, you are amazing."

"Well, and a blade or two, but that's beside the point. We have to finish the job." Jango said.

"Yes, yes. We do indeed." The weequay stroked his chin in thought for a moment before snapping his fingers. He turned to one of the other pirates and exclaimed.

"I've got it. Rona, can you access the ventilation system from this hallway?"

"Yes, Boss."

"Good. Then some knock-out gas should take care of them while we continue on the lovely Miss Ben's work on the door." He turned with a flourish of his arms smiling widely, before clapping Ben's shoulder. Her nose wrinkled at the touch, glancing up at Jango after the contact.

Jango glared at Hondo, as he felt the start of a headache between his eyes. Letting out a breath. He tried to resist the urge to shoot the annoying pirate. The only relief was the obvious discomfort on Ben's face. At least they were on the same page about him.

"Fine we'll try it your way, and if it goes wrong can we just shoot them?" Jango muttered as he rubbed his head.

"Of course, of course, my friend. As mother always says 'Always have a back up to the backup plan son. You never know when you'll need it.'"

The pirate, Rona, had removed a grate in the ceiling while another weequay male had taken up Ben's place at the door. When Rona gave the affirmation that she was in, she backed out of the grate. Hondo urged the slicer on the door to hurry, that he wanted to be back in time for the sabacc tournament that evening. Jango privately thought slavers and pirates were too similar for his taste.

"I'm in Boss." the slicer's voice echoed down to where they had set themselves on the floor.

"About time. Masks everyone. My friends, it would be wise for you to move down the hall for this."

"Jango, I think they're right about this." Ben's voice had taken on a slightly panicked edge as she took his arm in her hand and booked it down the hall. Intellectually he knew he should be focusing on the pirates and what was happening behind him, but all he could focus on was the feel of Ben's small warm hand on his forearm. He blushed a little, then redoubled his pace. Focus on the here and now di'kut (idiot), he told himself. Soon it was he who was towing Ben along towards the bend at the end of the hall. They had just reached it when the hall began to fill with the gas.

Jango stripped off his jacket and threw it at Ben urging her to cover her mouth and nose, pulling the collar of his shirt up over his own. Despite this, he felt his vision blur and his head began to swim in nauseating patterns. As the black edges began to swallow him whole he felt Ben's grip tighten. His last panicked thought was of her wondering if they had just gone from the nexu to the rankor.

Obi-wan woke alone in a medbay. At least she thought it was a medbay. The smell of disinfectant and the stark white walls and curtains was unfortunately an all too familiar occurrence for her. She sat up and threw the covers back, intending to find Jango when she was met with several frantic beeps coming from a repurposed assassin droid.

The droid flew over to the bed on its spindly metal legs before switching to basic in response to her blank stare.

"Female patient, you must remain stationary until my scans can be completed. You are underweight, dehydrated, and have no less than four lacerations to your arms. These correlate with defensive wounds. No doubt from your foolish attempted escape and the other issues resulting from your captivity. Please remain still while I scan you."

"Where is Jango?!" She demanded as the cool blue of the scan washed over her face.

"The male patient has been released into Master Hondo's care. He woke approximately 1.2 hours ago."

"What are they going to do to us?"

"That is not my prerogative. My function is to heal and maintain the functionality of all patients in medbay. That is my function. Please, female patient, calm yourself. You will be less likely to heal if your levels of cortisol are elevated."

Obi-wan closed her eyes and took a couple of deep breaths before her thoughts could get the better of her.

"What's your name," she inquired.

The droid paused in its ministrations focusing its eye scope on her before replying. "I am DD-214, medical droid. You may call me DD. It is what Mistress Dola calls me."

"It's nice to meet you DD."

"My Mistress shall be here soon. You are to eat everything on your plate at mealtimes and drink no less than sixty-four ounces of fluids each day cycle for the next week. If you exert yourself you are to increase both food and fluid intake. You are to report back to medbay for a further check-up in one week or prior to disembarking."

"That's enough DD, you're going to frighten the poor girl." A scratchy contralto voice called from the doorway. Ben turned to see a female weequay standing in the doorway. She was dressed in the usual spacer gear, complete with blasters at either hip and sturdy boots that looked like rancor leather. The only deviations were the large yellow hat that rested on her head, and the pink ribbons wrapped around the two large braids that fell to her waist.

"Captain Ohnaka, I presume?"

"Captain Dola, Ohnaka is only for prisoners, not friends."

"Are we friends, Captain Dola?" At her query, the weequay's brow ridge rose.

"That depends on you, now doesn't it, little one." Obi-wan frowned. This wasn't the usual response she'd received when she asked this question. Turning to the droid the Captain inquired about the completed medical analysis.

"The patient is to be put on a bulking diet for the remainder of her journey with us, as her unique physiology requires a larger caloric intake than her size would suggest. The patient has no food allergic responses. Additionally, she is prone to anxiety the longer she is away from her companion. Summary; my recommendation is sixty-four ounces of fluids of a non-alcoholic variety each day, two thousand calories to increase her weight back to a healthy range, warmer clothing for proper homeostasis, and reuniting with her companion."

"Excellent as always DD. Well, come along little one. Let's get you some better clothes before you see your man."

Obi-wan blushed, stuttering, "Um...he's not mine."

The Captain's grin was sharp as she let out a bark of laughter," Perhaps not yet, but he will be. Come along now."

The room they entered was full of clothing and accessories in all shapes, shades, and sizes. Its variety was only rivaled by its enormity. Obi-wan's breath caught. She had never been one to pay attention to fashion, but even she could recognize the quality in this space.

"This is my personal wardrobe room. Some things I have bought others I've liberated from undeserving miscreants across the stars. Feel free to pick something, a few somethings." Captain Dola scanned Obi-wan's stained and dirty tunic with a curled lip, disdain in the set of her shoulders. "You certainly need it, little one."

She ran her hands over a fur-lined vest then over a green Alderanian silk ball gown. Looking up she gave the Pirate Captain a sly smile.

"You're doing this on purpose aren't you?"

"I don't know what you mean, little one." The feigned innocence was laughable. "I have only the most honest intentions. You need new clothes, and I have too many to wear."

Obi-wan laughed and strode deeper into the wardrobe room.

Jango hadn't been able to shake the knot in his gut. When the droid had released him into Hondo's "care" Ben was still out from the gas that had filled the hallway. She had looked so peaceful laid out in the medbed. It was nothing like the culled tight ball she had slept in previously. As if she could protect herself from the world if she could just pull everything in and hold fast.

He sighed, as soon as the knock-out gas was suggested he should have known something was up. You can never trust a dishonest man, and all pirates were dishonest. At least that's what Buir had said. He felt his heart sink as the uncertainty hit him again. Now that they were free, what was to become of them. Would Ben leave to look for that dar'buir of hers? When they were in those cells everything was so simple. It feels so much more complicated now.

"My friend, why the long face? Your lady will be fine, and you are both free sentients now. The galaxy is your oyster." Jango glared at the pirate.

"Oh ho. What's this? Is she not your lady? Perhaps Hondo can convince her to stay then. A woman of such skill can generate a lot of profit. That's for sure."

Jango's waspish reply was cut off when the door to the galley slammed open, and the Captain stepped in.

"Hondo, quit teasing the boy."

"Yes, Mother." Hondo had the decency to look abashed, at being caught out.

"Come in now little one don't be shy."

When Ben stepped through the door Jango's breath caught. She had a rosy glow to her cheeks, her shining hair was pulled under a blue silk hair wrap. The blue brought out her eyes which danced at him full of mirth. A black leather jacket wrapped around her slim shoulders and fell to her waist, upon which a thick spacer's belt was cinched. A blaster hung from the left, and the kal from the right. A long warm black skirt hugged her form, falling to her ankles, where serviceable boots peaked out. She was stunning, and she was smiling at him.

"Ben you're ok." Her smile widened as he stepped closer, grasping her hands so as to take her in more fully.

"Of course I am. Did you worry about me?" At the teasing lilt in her voice, Jango rolled his eyes.

"No, not at all. Why would I worry for my partner in escape attempts?" He grinned at her, before turning serious.

"Cuyir gar jate? (Are you good)?"

"Elek Ni'm jate. Ni cuy' nayc shupuur (Yes, I'm good. I'm not injured.)"

He felt his shoulders finally relax at her reassurance, before turning to the pirates present. Their smirks were on full display. Jango quickly dropped Ben's hands.

"What?!" He snapped

"Oh, nothing, my friend. I simply understand why Mother has insisted that your Lady is off-limits. Jaster Mereel's boy is not one to be trifled with, especially when family is involved." Jango felt heat creep up his neck before he fully processed the words.

"You know who I am?" He turned to the Captain with a questioning glance.

The Captain spoke up at this point. "I knew Jaster. He was an honorable bounty hunter before he was Mand'alor. Always insisting on a fifty-fifty split; work, and profit. There are not many like him in that regard. It was disgraceful what Death Watch did on Galidraan to the both of you. I would sooner sell my ship than work with such scum. Though the chess mastery of the operation pitting two foes against one another was masterful."

"What did you say?" He felt the blood drain from his face.

"What do you think those peace-loving Core bound fools would willingly tarnish their image? Ha. A pirate knows how to read between the lines."

Jango felt the blood drain from his face, as he sat frozen to his seat. No. Kry'stad was destroyed on Korda VI. It wasn't possible. Those dar'manda (no longer a Mandalorian) shabuir'e (bastards) couldn't hurt anyone anymore. Or could they.

He thought back to that day. The way the smell of rotting leaves and blaster fire filled the air so thickly it made it through the filters in his buy'ce (helmet). The consuming fear and adrenaline he felt as Viszla's tank climbed the hill and fired on his Buir. Watching the tank round take Jaster's leg as he screamed helpless to do anything more than watch. He doesn't know what he would have done if Myles hadn't thrown that grenade taking out the tank's tube. Jango couldn't fathom anyone surviving the rebounded explosion that rocked the tank when its next round hit the twisted remains of the tube.

Now though he knows in his bones somehow he did. Tor Viszla is alive, and he finished the job he started in the woods of Korda VI. He took every last bit of family from him.

Rage began to boil inside of him. How dare Viszla. How kriffing dare he. First, Kry'stad killed his birth Buir'e, and his ori'vod (older sibling), Arla, Then they maim his second Buir trying to kill him. When that didn't work the hut'uun shabuir'e (cowardly bastards) had to get the Jettise to do their dirty work. He remembered the fear, but he wasn't scared anymore. He was pissed.

He knew what he had to do now. Kry'stad was going to burn, and soon. He was going to burn it all down, especially Tor Viszla. Cut the head off the snake. It was just a matter of time now.

Obi-wan didn't know what to think about the turmoil surrounding Jango. The shock giving way to a deep-rooted old rage scared her. She found herself going silent at Galidraan's mention. It was exactly what she had been trying to avoid thinking about. When it was just her and Jango it was easier to ignore the fact that he would probably try to kill her if her status as a padawan came out.

She remembered the funeral pyres all too well. The smell of the wood and flesh burning itself into her memory. It was so different from the hastily dug graves of Melidaan, and the remembrances of those behind the Amavikka practiced. Yet, this somehow hit just as hard as the others.

She had been sore, still healing, as she and Master Jinn attended the twelve funerals. The feeling of grief and sorrow had blanketed the temple for months even after the embers had gone out. Some of the bodies hadn't been recovered, so it had fallen to the deceased Jedi's lineage's to choose what would be placed in the pyre in place of their bodies.

Masters Dooku and Jinn hadn't been able to bring themselves to enter Komari's room. So it was Master Yoda and herself that had gone to gather Komari's things. When they had entered the soft yellow room in the temple the covers of her bed had still been tangled together where she had tossed them the last morning at the temple. A cup of tea had been left forgotten on the desk pushed up against the window, curtains fluttering in the breeze. It was easy to imagine that her Lineage Aunt would stumble through the doors any moment, adding more grey to her Grandmaster's head, and more laugh lines on Master Jinn's face.

The quiet sorrow that highlighted the retrieval of Komari's robes, her book of Alderanian poetry, her Corellian holodrama collection, and the ivory comb Master Dooku had gotten for her last life-day to add to the pyre was startling.

Ultimately the loss that had brought her Great-grandmaster and her closer together would not be universally felt. The grief had driven a wedge between Master Dooku and Master Jinn. Privately Obi-wan felt that they were both being ridiculous. They were only hurting each other by continuing to ignore that they had both lost Komari. They were determined to fight over which one of them was hurting more. Grief was insidious when left to rot.

Obi-wan sighed, frowning as she turned to look at Jango. He had bowed his head, a furrow had carved itself into his forehead. He had completely retreated into his thoughts, sorrow, rage, and determination swirled around him. She felt the urge to reach out and smooth the furrow of his brow. Instead, she reached out and took his hand.

His head shot up in alarm and he moved to pull away until he met her eyes. The tension left his frame as his expression softened. He squeezed her hand before letting go.

"Don't worry about me, Ben." He murmured. "I'm fine, but we have to talk later. There are some things I have to take care of, but it can wait for now."

"As interesting as this all was, I have a tournament to win." Hondo chortled.

The two snapped apart, registering that the two pirates were still in the room. Obi-wan blushed and looked down at her feet. Jango cleared his throat.

"My son, what makes you think you will not lose for the third time this ten-day."

"Ah, betrayed by my own Mother. The horror, the treachery. Anyway, come now my friends, you are our guests, and we have business to speak of." He turned to a small cabinet in the corner of the galley, pulling out a bottle and a deck of cards.

Obi-wan gave a soft chuckle and took a seat at the table next to Jango.

"Well, let's go clean out some pirate's pockets. I guess Quinlan's lessons on sabacc are about to come in handy."

"Who is Quinlan?"

"My best friend from when I was a child. Our teachers called him chaos incarnate. Every time I would get ahead in our studies he would insist that I was studying too hard, and he'd drag me into whatever convoluted scheme he'd concocted. He was always getting us into trouble. I was always attempting, not always succeeding in getting us out of trouble." She said this all with a fond smile on her face.

"Sounds like my friend Myles. He was always teasing me trying to get me to lighten up, and when he managed to do so we both inevitably got into trouble. Such as the time when we were 14 and he stole a bottle of tihaar. We both woke up naked in medbay with no idea how we got there. Buir never let me live it down."

"Oh Force, there are two of them." Her look of mock horror was instantly ruined by Jango's face falling.

"There were two of them." He looked away, all mirth wiped away in an instant.

"Are you ready to play, my friends?" Hondo cut into the conversation, the accompanying sound of footsteps in the hall signaled the start of the tournament.

Obi-wan pulled back from Jango to face the table. She hadn't realized how close the two had leaned in towards each other. There were five at their table and four other tables set up in the galley. In all, it was shaping up to be a long and entertaining night.

AN/ Sneak Peak

A cry of dismay sounded from the table, along with Ben's tinkling laughter. It broke him out of his melancholy thoughts, and he huffed a smile. Another one bit the dust, it seemed.