Next morning was a fresh breed of hell. Thane's hangover was relatively mild, but Ciena hadn't considered the effects of drinking on an already damaged liver and spent her morning in severe abdominal pain. She could barely sit up, let alone leave the bed.

Thane walked back into the bedroom with two cups in hand: caf for himself and water for Ciena. Ciena sipped cautiously. She wasn't nauseous, nor did she wish to become that way. "So your, um, liver. You said it's a leftover injury from Endor?"

Ciena nodded. "I was in awful shape after that battle. I didn't return to active duty until shortly before Jakku. My liver was damaged the worst. The Empire used bacta to grow me a new one, but it's not a perfect cure." She shook her head. "I should have known better. Last night… that was stupid of me."

"Don't blame yourself. You had an eventful day. You didn't know how alcohol would affect you." Thane leaned over her, careful not to spill caf on the sheets. He kissed her cheek. "We can take today easy. I need to fill out some datawork to extend my shore leave, but most of that can be done from home. How about we stay in for now?"

"I'd like that." She took another drink of water. "Yesterday wasn't your first day of shore leave, was it? You were here talking to politicians before that."

"Yeah. I was keeping a distant eye on things before I heard about the original immunity bill. When I got the news about it, I saw an opportunity to keep my promise to you and took shore leave so I could come to Chandrila. I suggested a few other ideas before settling on that 'wives and families' clause, but none of them caught any senators' attention. The idea wasn't even mine, I just suggested revisions that fit my agenda to anyone who would listen. Senate matters were moving fast -the fastest a Senate is ever likely to move, apparently- so the whole process took six days on my end. Yesterday was day seven."

Ciena listened to his story with half an ear. She was focused on quelling her stomach cramps. "So... if your extension gets approved, you'll be with me for, um-"

"Three weeks." Thane squeezed her hand, the one that wasn't holding water. "Think of it like our honeymoon, at least in part. It's also your chance to figure out what you want to do with life. You're a free woman, Ciena."

That's true. What did Ciena want to do with her life? All her childhood, she'd dreamt of being a pilot for the Empire. She'd achieved that dream years ago, only to watch helplessly as it morphed into a nightmare. "Do you think I still have a chance as a pilot?"

Thane pursed his lips. "Hm… depends on what kind of pilot you're thinking of. Chancellor Mothma is working on a gradual demilitarization of the armed forces via the Senate, so you aren't likely to be newly hired as a military one. No one is. Given the number of Rebel vets set to be ending their service soon, not to mention all the Imperial deserters, you would have to compete with them for any civilian work. But you're a hell of a pilot, so I bet you could pull it off. You could even be a racer pilot if you wanted to!" Thane nudged her side, a good natured grin on his face. He pulled back when she winced.

"Mm." Ciena drank through stiff lips. "I don't know if I'd want to be a racer. It seems too… public." She'd had enough trouble with those people at the party whispering her name. How would Ciena feel if the whole galaxy were talking about her? Not good, that was for sure.

At the same time, what other kind of pilot job would give her the same adrenaline rush? She wasn't about to join any pirate gangs or crime syndicates, and commercial and cargo pilots let safety dictate their flights more than anything else. The monotony was enough to kill anyone's joy for flight, or so she heard. "Maybe I don't need to be a pilot again. Not right away, at least."

"You don't have to decide today, I'm just saying you should think about it. And if there's anything I can do to help you, tell me and it's done."

"I understand. Thank you, Thane." She tilted her head up to kiss him on the chin. "You're a good husband already."

"I'm doing my best." Thane smiled, eyes clouding over with memories. "I… don't really know what it means to be a good husband, but I will try. I love you and I want to do what I can to help you. I want to take care of you when you need me and nurture any kids we have with everything I got."

"And you will, Thane. I believe in you." He didn't have to tell Ciena what he was thinking about. She already knew. "There is… one other thing I need from you."

"What is it?"

"Do you have any other clothes I can wear?"

Thane noticed what Ciena had on for the first time. Sometime during the night, he'd stripped down to his undershirt and boxers as well, so their pajamas were identical. He glanced to where she'd laid Kendy's dress aside and laughed. "Not with me, but I have an idea of where we can get some. You still want to see Kendy, right?" Ciena nodded. "Well, what if I asked her to come over and bring a few things? You can return her clothes after we've had time to shop for you. I'll finish my datawork, run it over for approval, and then call her. How about that?"

Ciena paused. She was about to ask if she could call Kendy herself, but she didn't know what she wanted to say yet. Thane's plan gave her time to consider her options. "I'd like that."

"Great. Can I get you any food while you lay here? No rush if breakfast would hurt you, but I do have some snacks in the apartment if that's something you'd like."

"I don't think I can eat right now."

"Do you need pain medication? Bacta?"

"I just need time. Why don't you get started on your shore leave extension?" Ciena shooed him away.

Thane took her cup of water when he noticed it was empty. "I'll do that, then. Love you."

"Love you too." Ciena shifted out of her upright position, cringing as she did so. "Let me know when you leave, okay?"

"Sure thing."

Kendy Idele… Ciena hadn't seen her old roommate in years. Kendy had offered to come visit her on Jakku once, but Ciena had been too embarrassed to respond. By the time she worked up the courage to accept the visit, Kendy had left the planet on another mission. Mr. Wright claimed she'd also offered to serve as a character witness in Ciena's trial, but Ciena hadn't been interested in anything other than a guilty plea. Put those two facts together, and Kendy must assume Ciena never wanted to see her again. Despite that, she'd still lent her clothes to Thane in the hopes Ciena could be free. She was a better friend than Ciena deserved, and instead of doing anything to honor Kendy, Ciena was asking her for more handouts. Selfish, really.

Ciena tucked her legs in over her stomach. Her arms latched over her knees, binding her in a fetal position. The last time she felt this weak, Ciena had been in an Imperial medical facility. Disconnected from her sister Wynnet for the first time ever. Had Wynnet still been with her, Ciena would have asked her to look through her eyes when Thane proposed. Look through her eyes when she stepped out of her desert prison. Look through her eyes as she trod up that glitzy Chandrila mansion last night and into a room of people who hated her guts.

As another wave of pain washed over her, Ciena found herself hating her guts as well. The feeling was mutual, it seemed.

She blinked back tears. No more alcohol ever again. That was an order.

Ciena didn't know how long she laid in that position, but she may have dozed off because the next time she opened her eyes, Thane was dressed and shaking her shoulder. She blinked a few times before focusing on the blue in his eyes, which were filled to the brim with concern. "I'm about to leave. Are you sure you don't want anything?"

"Can you get me more water? Pain pills, too?" Ciena unclasped her hands, lowering her legs once again. Now she laid on her side. "I'll wait for the pills to kick in before I get a shower."

Thane hesitated, then nodded. "I'll get you what you need. Be careful moving around. I promise I won't be gone long."

Ciena nodded. She thanked Thane when he returned with her requests in hand. She popped the two pills in her mouth without complaint, then washed them down with several gulps of water. Thane kissed her as she set the cup aside, and Ciena reciprocated. Ciena figured she could get used to this… minus the pain, of course.

"Bye, Ciena."

"Goodbye, Thane. See you in a little while."

Ciena distantly heard the door close. She waited a few minutes to see if she felt a difference, then forced herself to stand regardless. Ciena had hated her every minute in recovery post-Endor. The less she had to remind herself of that time, the better. She'd healed. She could take care of herself now. Alcohol consumption was not necessary to lead a fulfilling life. Her parents had only ever consumed it at social events after all, though their reasons had been financial in nature.

The pain stayed harsh, but was no longer debilitating. Ciena could get through her morning routine so long as she went slow. Navigating the shower proved not to be a problem. Once that finished, she noticed Thane had been kind enough to leave out a spare toothbrush for her.

Once her time in the bathroom ended, Ciena inspected Thane's apartment in earnest. It had four rooms: a bedroom, a bathroom, a living space, and a kitchen area. All the furniture had likely come with purchase, seeing as the pieces had that bland, mass-produced appearance of hotel rooms. Other than Thane's scent on the bed and his clothes in the closet, nothing in the apartment reminded Ciena of him.

How long did Thane intend to stay here? Ciena assumed they would remain in this apartment for the extent of his shore leave, but what about after that? Would Ciena live alone in the New Republic capital? Perhaps it depended on her job. If she secured a job on, say, Bespin, she would start her life over on that planet. Thane traveled most the year regardless, so he probably wouldn't mind. Still, Ciena ought to ask him first.

She wished she could find some pants. Thane's undershirt fell to Ciena's midthigh, but she still felt exposed every time she sat down. Ciena didn't want to reunite with Kendy like this. Never mind that they'd seen each other in less. Ciena was about to put on the shoes she'd worn last night when she remembered Kendy's dislike of covering her feet. Growing up on the tropical planet Iloh, Kendy had loved to wander about barefoot. Given the heat of such environments, she hadn't worn much clothing either. Strange how that memory made Ciena feel better.

Ciena wandered back into the kitchen area. She'd kicked her caf habit long ago, but the dried biscuits looked tempting. They were plain enough that eating them shouldn't be too rough on her stomach. The pain had receded enough that Ciena had actually started to feel hungry. She washed down a packet of them with the remains of her water, careful not to eat too quickly.

After that, she waited on the couch in the living room, thinking about what she would say to Kendy. Ciena thought she had a plan when the door opened. Seeing Kendy walk in with Thane then and there threw her off from the start.

Ciena took to her feet, ignoring the wave of dizziness that accompanied the act. "Kendy. You came."

Kendy blinked, dropping her pile of clothes on the couch arm. She threw her arms around Ciena's waist, oblivious to Thane's warning she be careful. Any pain Kendy's squeezing caused was overcome by the sheer relief Ciena felt at seeing her friend again. "Ciena. I'm glad you're alive. I didn't know if I would be, but… seeing you, I know I am. Thane is right. You deserve to be free."

Ciena returned the embrace. "I'm glad you're alive too. My only wish in those last days of war were that you, Thane, and my parents would live to see the end." She pulled back, tears collecting in her eyes, one part pain and three parts relief. "I wanted to see you on Jakku, I did."

"It's okay. I know it was soon after you were caught that I-"

"No Kendy, wait. I was ashamed of myself, not of you. By the time I had enough courage to ask for you, you were gone. I appreciate you offering to testify in my trial. I appreciate you lending me your clothes. I appreciate you still being a friend to me, even after all this time. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."

"Don't think about that right now, Ciena. Worry about yourself for once." Kendy brushed a hand through Ciena's hair, letting its curls wrap around her fingers. "You've… looked better."

She sniffed. "I've looked worse, too."

"I'll give you two a minute." Thane walked over to the kitchen area to grab a pack of muffins.

Kendy kept her eyes on Ciena. "Prison didn't do this to you, did it? I thought the New Republic was treating people better than this."

Ciena shook her head. "I looked this way before Jakku as well. This is how I've been since the Battle of Endor. Back then, I did what I could to rescue some other TIE pilots from the explosion and injured myself. Badly."

Kendy snorted. "You are the Ciena I remember, then. Thane believed in you all along, but I wasn't always as sure."

"And yet you still agreed to help me."

"Mostly because I wanted to see you in person again. I wanted to know what had become of you." Kendy admitted, still fixated on Ciena's frailty. "Now I know."

The two let silence linger. Kendy, at least, looked marvelous. She was every bit the way Ciena remembered, all the way down to her sandals. After a minute, Ciena remembered the questions she wanted to ask Kendy. "How have you been?"

"Good. Busy, but good. I took two weeks of shore leave to celebrate the New Republic's progress. The first legislative session of the Senate ended yesterday, as you know. We've also had a lot of luck dethroning warlords, even on planets once considered safe to the Empire. Thane and a few of our mutual friends suggested we celebrate our victories in the galaxy's new capital. How was my dress last night, by the way?"

"I liked it. It was… my taste." Ciena refused to bring up how underdressed she had been for the event. Had it not been for Kendy's help, she would have remained in prison attire.

Kendy smiled in a way that didn't reach her eyes. "I thought it would be. Here, I brought you a few other things. I went shopping a few days ago with some people, and it turns out not everything I bought is in my size. Instead of returning it, I thought maybe you could try the clothes on. You look to be a… well, a few sizes smaller than me, so maybe they'll fit you better."

Ciena flipped through the pile Kendy had dropped. All of it was fancier than anything Ciena had owned in her life. And Kendy was just donating to her like it was nothing? How could Ciena accept this? What other option did she have?

"Gonna give me a fashion show?" Thane teased, returning from the kitchen. "My extension is approved, by the way. I was congratulated on my wedding and told to enjoy everything Hanna City has to offer."

"We can do that tomorrow." Ciena smiled at the thought. She and Thane would have tomorrow together, wouldn't they? "I'll put one of these outfits on. Give me a minute, Kendy."

"Ciena, it's fine. I recommend… this one." Kendy pulled a flowing yellow dress out from the bottom of the stack. "Yellow will look great with your skin."

Ciena took the dress, blushing. "Thank you."

She turned to change, but not fast enough to miss the sharp look Kendy gave Thane. Kendy started lecturing him the second Ciena closed the bedroom door.

"You have no business dragging her all over the city after what you did last night."

"What do you mean? Why shouldn't Ciena enjoy Hanna City?"

"Thane! You took a recently released Imperial war prisoner to an elite New Republic celebration in Chancellor Mothma's personal residence, then told everyone there exactly who she was. How can you be surprised word of it reached the media?"

The media? As in, the holonews media? Ciena felt her stomach drop. She lifted Thane's undershirt up over her head, hesitant to leave her spot by the door.

"I'm not surprised. I just don't think it matters if a gossip column or two chose to mention us. There's so much happening in the galaxy right now that people are bound to forget all about it."

"They included your pictures, Thane! They didn't get any from the party, so guess what picture they used of Ciena? Her mugshot from where she's dressed in an Imperial uniform with cuffed hands. She looks like a war criminal. People are mad she's free, and they're even angrier at how she got to be that way. I… won't repeat the comments, but they are harsh. You're getting less heat than she is, but that doesn't make you exempt."

"I knew not everyone would understand what I did, but I couldn't let that stop me from doing it. You agree with me, Kendy. You just said Ciena deserves to be free."

Ciena hated listening to this. She knew how rude it was to eavesdrop. Still, the apartment walls were thin. Even when she moved to grab her (still prison-issued) bra from where she left it, Ciena could hear Thane and Kendy perfectly well.

"I agree, Thane, but that's because I knew Ciena. The majority of the planet doesn't."

"Wait. This was a planet-wide story? I didn't even think we were worth local news!"

"The Chandrila Daily Digest disagrees. So far, I don't think the story has caught system wide attention. You better hope it doesn't."

"So what are you saying? What do you suggest we do?"

"...Lay low for a while, okay? Don't give the press anything else to report on. Let them get distracted by the next big scoop before going out as a couple. When you do, you don't have to sneak around, but you shouldn't call extra attention to yourselves either. I hope the Digest lets this go like you think they will. For your sake and Ciena's."

Thane sighed. "So do I. This is ridiculous! There are millions of ex-Imperials all over the galaxy. Plenty of them are doing a lot worse than getting married. Why would the media devote airtime to a personal story that hurts no one?"

"Because you made yourselves the talk of the new elite. What did you think would happen, Thane?"

"Nothing! I was invited to that party by one of the chancellor's aides. He pulled strings to get me and some of our squad on the guest list. You could have come too had you accepted his offer. I told him I was getting married soon and wanted to bring my wife. He said it wouldn't be a problem. We didn't interact with the elite at all. I just wanted Ciena to meet my friends. The fanciest people we talked to were General Rieekan and the Countessa."

"Really?"

"Okay, there were a couple Senators. But they didn't recognize Ciena by name. I didn't clarify for them. I…" Thane faltered. "I was so focused on the marriage proposal. The party was supposed to be fun."

Ciena snapped herself away, forcing herself to pull the dress over her head. Pain stabbed her insides as she twisted about in it. She scooped up Kendy's black dress, then stepped outside.

The conversation stopped when she arrived. Thane was the first to react. "That is beautiful. Kendy was right about the color."

Ciena knew she had to come clean about what she heard. It was the right thing to do. "So people all over the planet are talking about me? What did you hear, Kendy?" She held out the black dress for Kendy to take back.

Kendy waved it away. "Keep it. The piece was light on facts. All it had that wasn't opinion was that a Republic pilot of good repute had recently married an ex-Imperial captain from her prison cell and that freed her. Last night, anonymous sources saw you two at the chancellor's celebration. Nothing about the case against you, the contact of your service record, or you and Thane's past together. Plenty of speculation, though."

Ciena stumbled back, hand creeping over her stomach. Thane tried to reassure her, but Ciena's mind had already launched into the worst case scenario. "Someone at the party talked to a reporter about me. They wanted this story in the press. And now the planet hates me. I wish we never went to that party."

"Ciena, I'm sorry. I have no idea why anyone would want to do this to you. We were together at the celebration all night. If I knew who was behind this, I would… I would-"

"Thane, don't. Please don't. You've done enough for me already. I don't want revenge. I don't want to be known as vindictive, or angry, or…" the word caught on her lips, "Imperial. I just want to live in peace. With you and, when possible, my parents as well."

She reached for his hand. He took it, placing the other on her shoulder. Thane shifted so Ciena could feel his warmth over her entire back side. Leaning back into him relaxed her somewhat.

Kendy watched them together, a tiny grin tugging at the corner of her lips. "Well, the article had no information on where you two live. You can enjoy your time here until this blows over. Focus on getting your strength back, Ciena. The planet can wait. And I have ten days left on my shore leave. I don't mind coming over more often."

Ciena smiled sadly. "Thanks Kendy. It's nice to know Thane and I have a friend on Chandrila."

"Not just her. You met a whole bunch of my friends last night, remember? I've known some of them for years now. They wouldn't do this to us."

Ciena blinked. "I see. Well, it's nice to know I have a friend on Chandrila."

Thane sputtered as she pulled away. He looked like he wanted to engage further with the subject, but Ciena had no interest. She dove back into her conversation with Kendy, and after a minute, Thane stopped trying to bring the matter back up. Ciena silently resolved to circle back to it this evening and did her best to communicate that intention.

For now, Ciena just wanted to enjoy her time with Kendy. She was in enough pain already. Surely there was room for happiness in her life now that the war was over.

If not, then why was she still here?


A/N's: This chapter did not originally exist in my outline, but its events are important enough to future parts of the story that I decided to let it stand on its own as one. Also, the quarantine vibe is strong right now. I don't care if my state is opening up, coronavirus cases are increasing again and I live with people at risk.

Poor Ciena. She's battered physically and mentally, and now she has to deal with the threat of harassment as well. It's a lot. But I am happy to include Kendy in this fic, as she's another Lost Stars character I looked forward to writing.

Hope you all enjoyed! I'll update when I get to it. Until then, don't be shy to leave a review below.