A/U

My readers! Hello! Are you still there? Bravo if your still around to read, I truly am honored! It's been a bit yes, quite a bit. However, after my hiatus, here I am offering you another chapter. I do apologize for my absence, and I do say that every time but what else is there to say? So here's how I'll make up for it. I'll give you a chapter. A good long chapter. Thank you again for your favorites and follows and reviews. They inspire me and make me joyously happy!

As always, things conspire, things happen, things advance... but how? I'll start with the finishing snippet of the last chapter, just as a refresher of where we are. Enjoy, my friends!

-Aurora jumped slightly. She sat up, taking in her surroundings. The room was dark, but soft light from the streets below let in a small stream of different light colors and Aurora remembered where she was. She stole a long glance at her sleeping roommate. His breathing was soft and quiet as he slept, back facing her. Aurora found she was shaking. She had dreamt of her vision, and this time knew who the cloaked man was. It was kejia, yes, the very kejia who lay beside her now. Aurora didn't understand it yet, but she knew right then that she could trust Kejia somehow, even after all they'd been through. She somehow knew that this was right. Aurora took a deep breath and lay back down. Kejia stirred lightly in reaction, then settled down to a deep sleep once more. Aurora too began began to settle, drifting off into a truly deep slumber, knowing in her mind she was safe...

The Change Of Course

Aurora felt the warmth of sunlight on her face. She shuffled slightly, trying to get comfy. She really didn't want to wake up. She was in the beloved half asleep and half awake moment when it's early and you know you have nowhere to be. But when she moved, she felt a strange heat on her shoulder beside her. Feeling the presence of another being, Aurora panicked and threw her elbow back with all her strength. A loud grunt came from the other side of the bed, making Aurora's heart leap. She jumped up in a sitting position, fists in the air, ready to fight! However, her head didn't appreciate her sudden movement and it pounded, her vision becoming blotchy. She blinked rapidly looking down at the man who lay beside her. Not just any man, however, that man... now Aurora remembered... sort of?

"What the ever loving-" he exclaimed, trying to sit up. Rather hunched over, he gasped for breath, holding his chest.

Aurora gasped as well and covered her mouth with her hands. "I'm sorry," she mumbled, "I forgot-I mean-"

"So punch me in the chest then." Kejia smirked and shook his head to Aurora as she gaped at him. He rolled his eyes and stood up. "Get ready to go. We've got a long day ahead."

Aurora sat on the bed and blinked a few times, watching Kejia who was still lightly rubbing his probably sore chest, as he gathered some things from his bag.

As she watched, Aurora's dream came rushing back to her. She stared at him for a long time as he moved about. She was so lost in thought that she didn't even hear him talking to her. "Huh?"

"I said I'll be out in a moment." He pointed an accusing finger to her and tilted his head. "Don't you wander." Then he went into the 'fresher to shower.

Aurora gripped the collar of her- well, Kejia's large shirt. She adjusted it so it lay better on her shoulders. She wasn't fully sure if Kejia had the things she'd taken with her on her journey. She was especially worried about her mandalorian armor... oh how angry Aurora's mother would be if she lost that. She didn't even want to think about it.

Aurora quickly changed the bandage on her leg. Not surprising to her, it was already more than halfway healed. Her body had healed remarkably overnight, as it always did. And as Aurora re-bandaged it, she noted how her head felt clearer today than it had in many a day, but she realized she couldn't quite remember how they'd ended up here anyway. Oh no, she did remember the very first time she saw Kejia, and she remembered the crash last night and her scuffle in the pub... vaguely, but everything else in between that was a blur, a blur of excruciating pain. She remembered feeling so much pain, but that was all. She couldn't remember feeling any feelings or emotions or any words that had been spoken or questions that had been asked. It was due to the blood loss likely, she'd been terribly woozy, and likely due to the intense healing her body had done while she'd slept last night. Such quick and intense healing always had a tendency to make her forgetful. And as curious as she was, Aurora knew she was likely better off not asking. But one thing she did know, she was becoming terribly intrigued by this man. Weather it was for her own good or not. And another vision? Aurora's head felt as though it was swimming. How could she be sure of what would happen? Could she really trust what the force had showed her? Her and Kejia working together to fight? When would that happen? Would it even happen at all?

Aurora hadn't realized Kejia stepped out of the fresher until she heard him shuffling through the bag again. She slowly turned to look at him not expecting him to be shirtless! She blushed deeply despite herself and looked away again quickly.

To her dismay, he laughed! He knew she was embarrassed, and it made her uncomfortable. Though... when he was looking away from her, she couldn't help but look back. He was muscular but not overly so. That perfect in between. His black hair was wet and lay flat on his neck and it framed his light skin pleasantly. Aurora tilted her head lightly, resting her chin on her hand, and watched him finish dressing.

"Are we ready to go?" He finally asked. Aurora nodded.

The sweet Naboo air was still crisp outside, and the sun shone on the dewy frost that glistened in the light. Passerby's made their way down the roads, going about their business. Aurora spotted the pub she'd been in only last night. She cringed to think she'd been this close getting terribly hurt by them, though she was confident she could've made it out. Was that true or was it her habit of arrogance? No one could say. But in the end she was glad Kejia had stepped in. A warm bed was always more appealing than the wet ground behind a dumpster she likely would've ended up sleeping on if he hadn't found her. But even then, even though Kejia had provided that, her mind still raced with questions. And she dare ask one...

"You won't kill me, will you?" Aurora murmured.

The man looked down at her. "What?"

"You won't kill me?" She repeated sheepishly, and just as quiet as the first time.

He chuckled. "I'm not going to kill you."

"Oh." Aurora muttered. She was unsure of weather or not to ask but she did before she realized. "Then what are we doing?"

"Looking for a ship, we can't stay here forever."

Aurora wanted to ask where they were going. But did she really want to know? She did, but she was too afraid to ask yet. So she opted to follow along and find out. Did she have a choice?

They wandered about the city for a good twenty minutes, and Aurora realized she had no idea where they were. She'd been accustomed to always knowing where they were and what they were doing. It felt odd to not know, and yet oddly exciting. When they did stop, Aurora was already tired. The place was a self owned business that sold ships, though to Aurora it looked more like a scrapyard. The place was full of tools of all sorts of parts and so many other things that had been collected by someone over years and years, Aurora was fascinated. She also watched as Kejia began to converse with a man at the counter.

They talked about what Kejia needed. Something small, operating hyperdrive and shields if possible. The business owner smiled, showing off broken and dull teeth. "Right this way, I think I have exactly what you need." His voice radiated confidence, but would he come through was the question.

They followed him out to the junkyard in the back and Aurora felt the urge to throw up at the smell. But so many junky ships to look at, it was interesting.

They passed several ships before Kejia stopped at one. It was obvious to Aurora that it was the nicest of all of them in the yard. It was a simple little one cabin shuttle mildly similar to the Phantom. Kejia nodded to it. "Let's take a look."

"Hyper driver works just fine, and it even has operational shield system...well sort of operational systems..." Shared the owner hesitantly.

The seats were both in good shape, and Aurora thought they looked as if the previous owner had made sure they were comfortable, indicating the ship was quite used to distant travels. That would do well.

Kejia shook his head. "The hyperspace doesn't work, don't even try to lie."

"Ah, but it's easily fixed. And I'll give you a deal. It's yours for only 5000 cred"

"Bit steep for a peice of junk."

This triggered the owner and he leapt forward at Kejia. "How dare you, I have something to offer you and dare to claim it's of little worth? It has a hyperdrive! That's rare around here."

"I said it was steep, those words exactly."

"Insulting, none the less. And don't expect me to seek a sale from the likes of someone as ungrateful and so obviously poor as you."

Kejia began to move forward and Aurora knew what he was going to do when she noted him taking the hilt of his saber from his belt.

"No!" Aurora, against her better judgment, jumped in front of Kejia. Her hands were on his chest and she was shocked by her own boldness. "Please," she said in a shaky breath. "Don't hurt him."

'He's a mere lowlife who wants nothing but money.' She said to herself in her mind. Oh how she wanted to utter those words out loud, but she knew that would really rile up the owner. Best not.

Kejia nodded gently, as if he heard her, thus taking Aurora by surprise. He then looked at the man who was rather confused and a not a little, but quite frightened.

"I'll pay you 2500 cred, no more."

The man shakily shook his head then looked between Kejia and the old ship. "Eh... alright alright you talked me into it." He quickly decided, eyeing up Kejia's saber. "Let's sign and you can leave."

They did their business and Kejia herded Aurora into the ship quickly. He carefully and quickly started up the ship and the took off. It was a terribly shaky take off and Aurora wasn't too optimistic about the piece of junk herself. They flew over the city for a few minutes, then landed in a small opening.

"Ok," said Kejia, "we need to assess what we have and then get the parts. You any good with a ship?"

"Uh..." murmured Aurora shrugging. "I think so."

Kejia rolled his eyes. "Guess we'll find out, huh?"

Kejia, grabbing a nearby tool and began to take apart the panel to the hyperdrive. As soon as the panel was off, Aurora and Kejia cringed alike. It was coated in gunk and dirt and the wires were fried.

"Well..." murmured Kejia, "I think we'll need a few more parts than I anticipated."

Aurora stared at the panel and shook her head. She wasn't very talented when it came to fixing electronics but she had a basic knowledge. The question was could Kejia fix it? They took a full ship assessment and got a list of needed parts. And, as predicted, the hyperdrive and shields were the worse off. But fixable.

The two headed down the street to a small parts shop. This one was far better than the last, selling nearly brand new parts. And though it was more expensive, it was well worth it. They made their purchase and headed back to the old rusty ship they were believing more and more they had the misfortune to own.

Kejia began to take the system out of the wall while Aurora dug through the parts they bought. When they were organized, she leant over Kejia's shoulder to look at the hyperdrive. "Hey, I can fix that. I worked on one of those systems with my brother." It was against her better judgement to be helping at all. After all, he was still a perfect stranger to her. She stole a glance at the man and saw his face. He seemed hesitant to let her himself but in the end he shrugged and nodded. "Ok, make yourself useful." He got up and headed over to the shielding system, and began to dismantle that.

Aurora sighed and after getting comfortable she began to work on the small wiring systems. Much time passed, and not a word was uttered. The only sounds that filled the ship were the soft tinkering of tools and the occasional sparking wire.

Aurora had time to think now. She felt Kejia's presence and she pondered. She wanted desperately to know answers to everything. The looming silence was the perfect opportunity to ask the questions that loomed in her mind. "What happened?" Asked Aurora quietly.

"What?"

"I don't remember... I mean I remember getting stabbed by some pirate, I think he was anyway. And I know I passed out. And I remember waking up and you being there I think... and..." and her hair glowed. She remembered what had happened to her hair. She was sure it was the clearest memory she had of those few days, but she dare not say a word of that. "And I remember trying to get out... vaguely. And I remember us running. But I don't remember anything else before that, just pain."

She chanced a glance at Kejia and though his face was expressionless, his eyes held confusion. "You don't remember?"

Aurora shook her head.

"Well," said Kejia raising his brows, "you wouldn't. You slept nearly the whole time. You were in really bad shape. But you're a remarkably quick healer."

"How'd you'd find me?"

"The slug who stabbed you kept you and you were the last thing he had to bet in our game. I obviously won, and cared for you."

"Oh." Aurora pondered it for a moment. "Why did you keep me? Why did you lock me to the chair when you left the other day?"

"Because I didn't know who you were. I wanted to keep you around until I found out. If I could have gotten a bounty for you then why let you go?"

"But did you find out? What changed your mind?"

"No, I didn't find anything suspicious about you. Your just a kid anyway... why? Should I be concerned about you?"

"No, not at all." Aurora lied. "I was only wondering."

"Right." Nodded the man.

"So what now?" Her voice was so quiet she nearly whispered.

A moment of silence passed between them and Aurora feared Kejia hadn't heard her. And she was too afraid to ask her question again.

Finally, Kejia sighed and Aurora eagerly waited. "So," he said, "now I'll help you get home."

Aurora didn't think she heard that right, he would what? She looked back up at him in surprise, her mouth hanging open daftly. "What?"

"I said I'd help you get home."

"But you..." Aurora felt unsure, as if there was something odd about him that she knew should know. But she could only think of her second vision and only good pictures of him filled her mind. "You use the force, you may be, or are I think, a dark side user..." She was so unsure.

Kejia shook his head. "I'm not just a dark side user, Aurora. I'm a freelancer. I don't work for anyone."

Aurora stared at him. "Oh...but... you'll really help me?"

He looked at her then nodded.

Aurora was terribly torn. She wanted nothing more than to go back home, even though she knew she'd get the deepest scolding of her life, lose all of her freedom, and her privileges in the Resistance. But she'd be safe. And he seemed so sincere.

"Ok, I accept. It's not like I really have a choice..."

"Don't worry. We'll get you where you need to be... I can assure you of that..."

Another bout of silence lingered, and Aurora once again lost track of time. Oh she would be home! She could barely wait. But in order to go home, she must work hard to fix the ship. Time passed and she finished up the hyperdrive and latched the panel to the wall with screws. She sighed, admiring her work. "I've finished." She said.

Kejia looked up. "Good, now why don't you give me a hand here."

Aurora nodded, and made her way over to him where he sat, back against the wall and cross legged. He held a large panel on his lap that was the shielding system. He'd come a long way with it to be sure. Kejia patted the ground before him and Aurora sat cross legged there, so close their knees were barely touching. "Start rewiring it right..." Kejia pointed gently to the area that was worse off, "right here."

Aurora nodded and began to dismantle the wires. She couldn't resist stealing glances up to him every moment or two. His hair, which had dried rather messy, hung in front of his eyes as he held his head low. He was in a deep focus and likely didn't even notice Aurora looking at him. Or so she'd thought.

"Focus, chicky." He whispered.

Aurora's eyes widened and she shook her head, looking back down at the panel they shared in their laps.

"Where..." Aurora was suddenly unsure of her question.

"Huh?" Asked Kejia.

"Where do you come from? Erm..."

"Well..." he started but drifted off.

Aurora was so uncomfortable she was shaking. "You needn't be coy," she chuckled nervously, "after all, you've shared with me your name. A name can be everything after all." It was a blur when he'd first shared this information, she didn't really remember where they'd been or what had happened before or after it, but she remembered him say that word. His name.

"Well, eh," he cocked his head drawing Aurora's attention, "it's not my name."

"Wait, What?" Aurora was taken aback. "It's not your name? Kejia?"

He shook his head. "That's merely a code name I use to hide my identity."

"Really?" Gaped Aurora. "What's your real name? Or don't you remember? I heard a story once of someone who used a code name for so long he forgot his real name."

"No, I haven't forgotten." He looked back at his work and chuckled as if unsure if he should say.

Aurora slowly looked back to her own side of the panel, still watching him out of the corner of her eye... oh how she wanted to know.

Finally he wiped his forehead with his arm, moving his hair from obscuring his vision and sighed. "My name is Kalin Sigvard."

Aurora snapped her head up. "It is?" Of course it was. "It's a good name."

"So is Aurora."

She was so taken aback, she couldn't really think of anything to say.

"Unless," he continued, "Aurora is your code name?"

"No, oh no. That I can assure you, it's not." Chuckled Aurora.

As he chuckled with her, she smiled. Kalin. She watched him work and she thought the name fit him more perfectly than she could've thought.

His body moved as he twisted a screw into the ship and his soft lightweight hair swayed with his movements. Aurora bit her lip and sighed very quietly. She then finished her rewiring and screwed the top of her corner of the panel back into its place.

"All right chicky, give me a hand." Kejia lifted the panel from their laps and set it against the open wall. Aurora moved to kneel beside him and they pushed the panel into the wall with all of their strength. Click! It locked itself back into place and Kejia screwed it down while Aurora held it from coming back out. He then moved to the front and activated the old ship. She was a bit rough, sputtering and smoking lightly but it was working. They could go anywhere! Aurora felt new!

"Ok," said Kejia as he set the system up, "coordinates. Where do you live?"

"I live on Lothal. That's where I need to go." Aurora gave Kejia their coordinates and she sat in in the passengers seat, practically bursting in anticipation as he flew the ship up off the ground and into the vastness of space. Emotions and thoughts flooded Aurora's mind. Part of her was still scared. It was off putting to put your trust in a compete stranger. And yet, she didn't feel as though he was a stranger to her. After that dream, that vision, she felt as though she knew him. And knowing his name was something else that drew her to him. She felt excitement and she was so curious about Kej-Kalin. Kalin... The name lingered in her mind like a sweet dream. She was filled with a sense of awe and wonder and curiosity of him, and hope for him. Maybe he would join the Resistance. He would be a huge help. He had the force! Another force user? It would be wonderful. Maybe that's what her dream last night had been. Was it them working together to defeat an enemy of the Resistance, with him on their side? Only time would tell.

Kalin quietly took the ship into hyperdrive, setting his coordinates very carefully. He glanced to his companion and he sighed within at how energetic and excited she was. Would it last?

But if only Aurora could remembered what he had truly done to her and what he had tried to pry from her mind. But she didn't and she wouldn't. And perhaps she would pay for it. For now, Aurora let the excitement fill her as she watched the brightness of millions of stars passing by in the vastness of hyperspace and she believed that she'd be home soon.

A/N

And that's that, for now. The next chapter away! Don't forget to share your opinions and comments if you so wish, I love going back and reading your words they always make me squirm and smile in delight. I hope you have a lovely day, wherever you may be.