Chapter Nine
Bane was an elusive stock of bounty hunter. The fiend made it difficult - as difficult as he could - to pin him down.
But Cad Bane was no jedi.
When Ahsoka and Skywalker brought him in, Echo narrowed his eyes, glaring at him through his visor. This sleemo had hurt the girl he loved. His fists tightened at his side.
"Hey, Echo," Rex murmured, "you okay?"
Echo shook his head. "That… he hurt her."
Rex sighed and nodded in understanding. "I know." Then he paused. "Does she know he's here?"
"Who's here?"
The two whirled around to see Ella standing there. For a moment, Echo lost his breath.
Ella looked stunning, even with the scabs on her face. Her hair was twisted up into a bun, ringlets falling loosely to brush her cheeks. She was wearing a beautiful dress with a cream blouse, sprayed with a scattered bouquet of roses. The skirt was wine red, and stopped halfway up her calves. Gold butterfly earrings flitted at her ears, taunting the larger one that rested against her heart. Black pumps clipped as she walked, giving her a little more height.
Echo was glad for the helmet covering his awed face, and pried his jaw back where it belonged.
"Wow!" he breathed.
Ella smiled, blushing as she played with her skirt nervously.
"You look lovely, Ella," Rex complimented. "What's the occasion?"
She shrugged, "I just wanted to feel pretty today."
Um, just today? And why stop at pretty? Echo thought, astounded.
"You look… Ahem!" he cleared his throat, for it trembled most aggravatingly. "Ella… there aren't words big or deep enough to describe how amazing you look."
The vision ducked her head bashfully, though she bloomed under the attention, her lips separating to reveal her pearly teeth smiling back at him.
"Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you both."
Then Echo shifted uncomfortably. Who would tell her that the person who hurt her was there, only a few feet away behind the locked door? It would likely ruin her day!
Neither of the two brothers had to make that decision, for Masters Windu and Kenobi slipped out of the cell. General Skywalker and Ahsoka appeared, having returned from their investigation of the bounty hunter's ship.
"We tore the ship apart," the General told his superiors. "There's no sign of the holocron, or the kids."
"Did you check the ship's navigation records?" Master Windu suggested.
"They were wiped clean before he landed on Naboo," Ahsoka answered.
"We'll have to use the force to make him talk," Anakin decided.
His master shook his head, "I don't think Bane is that weak."
Ella gasped, paling. Echo set his hand on her shoulder, silently offering support.
"Maybe if we all concentrated on his mind together?" Ahsoka opted.
"Using the force to compel a strong mind to cooperate is… risky," Kenobi said, though his tone implied that he didn't disagree.
"There is a danger that his mind could be destroyed in the process," Windu added.
"Well," Skywalker chirped impishly, "do we have another choice?"
"Wait!" Ella piped up. The four jedi paused.
"Oh," General Skywalker said, stepping forward. "Master Windu, this is Ella Starrow, our half-voluntary medic. She's a bright girl and my senior medic, Kix, and his coworkers speak highly of her."
Ella blushed at the complement.
Echo beamed and nudged Rex with his elbow.
That's my girl! Well… okay, so not yet technically. But still!
"Pleased to meet you, Miss Starrow," Master Windu said, bowing his head. "Mace Windu."
She smiled, "A pleasure to meet you, Master Jedi."
The corner of his grimly set mouth turned up just a little.
She can even chip Windu's ice. Is there nothing this girl can't do?
"Did you want to say something, Ella?" Skywalker prompted kindly.
Ella nodded, "I… as you know, Bane attacked me during his escape."
The two masters looked surprised at this information.
"You didn't say he assaulted a young woman, Anakin," Kenobi exclaimed.
"I thought Snips told you!" his padawan protested.
"You were saying, Miss Starrow?" Windu redirected, sensing that this could take a while if it wasn't
nipped in the bud. Kenobi and Skywalker's debates were legendary for their length and the stupidity of subject.
Ella nodded gratefully. "He tried to intimidate me. I think… if you let me show him he can't, it might rattle him a bit and make it easier for you to get through to him."
Ahsoka shrugged, "It's worth a try!"
No! Echo did not want her anywhere near the sleemo.
But to his dismay, the other jedi nodded in agreement. He felt his heart rate spike uncontrollably.
"Steady on, vod'ika," Rex soothed through their private comms channel, somehow knowing his distress. "General Skywalker," he said aloud, "Echo and I request permission to join her, sir. We won't talk to him unless she so chooses. It's our interest to protect her from any abuse, verbal or otherwise."
Skywalker considered this. His eyes focused on Echo, and the young man suddenly felt as if someone was brushing their hand over his very mind. He swallowed hard. The feeling passed within seconds and the General turned to Ella.
"What does the lady say to this offer?"
Ella glanced at them, thought a moment, then nodded once. "I think it's very considerate, and I'd appreciate their protection."
Thank the Maker! Echo thought, feeling tension drain from his shoulders.
Ella took a deep breath, and stepped into the room. Echo and Rex followed behind her, flanking her on left and right.
Bane looked up when the door opened, and smiled churlishly. "Hello, sweet cheeks. I told you we'd meet again."
Ella's hips swayed entrancingly as she walked towards him, not stopping until she was standing against the desk. "I do recall you saying that to me. Right before you nearly killed me bashing my face against the ground. Not a very civil action, don't you agree?"
He shrugged, "Neither were your previous ones. But don't worry. It's all forgotten."
Ella didn't let up, and stalked back and forth, not taking her eyes off him. "Oh, but I haven't forgotten. Neither have I forgotten the scars that are forever burned on my friend's body, caused by you. I also haven't forgotten that there are two children missing. Innocents."
He laughed gratingly, leaning back. "Ah! So the jedi have resorted to the interrogation tactics of a mere girl. How intimidating."
She smiled innocently, "Oh, intimidated already? I thought you had more of a backbone? Or did I kick that to the corellian hells as well?"
Burn!
Bane growled at this, "What are you trying to prove, girl? That you aren't weaker than me? Don't you remember yesterday? I had you right where I wanted you, and you'd have behaved for me. Make no mistake about that."
Ella swallowed at his words, and Echo saw her stiffen minutely.
Oh, Ella… just give me the command and I'll kill him for speaking to you that way.
"You're trying to scare me, little girl," Bane sighed, shaking his head. "It won't work. I've met your type. You're the perfect target. All innocent and angelic."
"My type?" She sounded almost offended.
He laughed again, "You came in here to prove a point, but you are guarded by two soldiers. You want to say you can defend yourself and take me down, but you cower behind them. Tell me, if you are as you say, why not send them away?"
Ella giggled, "I can't believe you think they're here to protect me."
This startled Bane a little.
"Sir are you hearing this?" Echo asked privately.
"I am. I don't know exactly what she's doing."
Ella leaned forward and straightened Bane's hat, rolling her eyes. "Bane… poor, naive Bane. You really think I'm weak don't you? You think I'm scared of you. Well I've got news for you."
She leaned in so close that their noses could touch. Echo felt sick at their proximity.
"Those boys by the door? They're under orders not to intervene unless I let them. If I send them out, I will carry out justice as I see fit, and no one will stop me."
"You're joking."
"You wish."
"Send them away then and prove it."
Ella nodded, "Alright. I will. Echo, Rex, please wait outside. I have some things to say that aren't suitable to be heard by gentlemen."
They froze.
"But… Ella!" Echo protested.
She shook her head. "No, I can handle this myself. Thank you for your concern. I'll see you outside." Then she turned back to Bane. "Now, where were we?"
Bane looked a little concerned now that she had proved she wasn't bluffing. "Wait! You can't kill me. I'm needed for information."
She tutted, shaking her head. "Not anymore."
"Fine. The clones stay."
She frowned but nodded at Echo and they assumed their original positions.
"Sweet cheeks," Bane tried again, "I think I've got it. Why you're here, that is."
"Oh? And that would be?" she asked.
He chuckled, "It's a ship full of men. You can get who you want and if one dies, you replace him with another. Brilliant. At this rate, you'll never be lonely."
Echo shut his eyes against the pain his words brought. Ella wasn't like that. She wasn't. He had to believe that!
But I'm made to be replaceable. Who's to say that's not true?
But Ella glared daggers at the bounty hunter, and before anyone could even react, a vicious slap was heard. Bane's cheek glowed bright blue where her hand had struck.
Ella fairly trembled with rage. "How dare you say that!"
He laughed, "Struck a nerve, eh?"
Ella gripped him by the collar and shoved him against a wall. "You listen to me and you listen carefully. Not a single man on this ship is replaceable, and I'll fight and maim anyone who says so. I'm not an easily angered person. I'll tolerate many things. I'll let you say demeaning things to me. I'll let you insinuate that I'm a coward. But I will never let you say such things about the people I care about, especially to their faces."
Bane opened his mouth to speak but she shoved him again.
"I'm not finished so shut your mouth and listen well."
Holy bantha! Echo thought. Who'd have thought that sweet, tame little Ella had this feistiness!
"I am not afraid of you," she continued. "I wasn't afraid of you when you had me pinned to the hangar floor, or when you threatened to have your way with me. I wasn't afraid of you when you slammed my face against the metal and knocked me out. I'm still not scared of you, and I won't hesitate to rip your throat out and keep you from saying such cruel and ignorant things. Get it through your tiny brain, Bane. I am not afraid of you. I will never be afraid of you. You are a coward. You are nothing more than a playground bully trying to do the same thing on a grand scale. From where I come from, bullies are disciplined and reformed."
She let him go, sending him falling to the floor.
"Echo, Rex, please reseat him," her voice was soft again.
Oh shizzle! Echo thought, grinning widely as he lifted the bounty hunter onto the chair and righted him again.
Ella sat on the edge of the desk and smiled sweetly at them, "Thank you, boys. I appreciate it. I'm sorry you witnessed that."
Rex nodded. "Not a problem, ma'am." His voice gave away his smirk.
Bane glared at them, panting heavily.
"Now listen once more," she said, her voice menacing and sharp as a beskar knife. "You managed to make me angry. No one messes with my friends and gets away with it, so consider yourself warned. You killed some people dear to me and almost ended the life of the trooper who's armor you stole. It is only because he lives that you are unscathed. My lesson to you is twofold. First, respect life. It is precious and not given to be taken lightly. Respect every life. Learn that no life replaces another. Secondly, treat women with respect. Keep your words civil, your intentions pure, and your actions beyond reproach. Do this and you will have earned my respect. Until then, you have nothing from me but resentment and partial hatred."
With this she stood, and began to walk away.
"You barely touched me," Bane said stupidly.
Two seconds later, he was leaning over the table, clutching his nose as blue blood dripped from it.
"Learn to keep your mouth shut," Ella snapped, then whirled around and flounced out of the room, her faithful followers behind her.
•~§~•
When the four jedi slipped inside the cell and the door hissed shut behind them, Ella wrapped her arms around herself, leaning against a wall. It had taken a lot to make herself into that persona of power and fearlessness.
Her hands shook and she clenched them in the swirly fabric of her skirt, trying to breathe deeply.
The truth was that he had scared her. Terribly. But she couldn't let him keep her scared. She couldn't let him take those she cared about from her and sit back without doing anything.
She wanted to prove it to herself that she had it in her to face him. She'd only hoped to bandy words and frazzle him that way.
Being physically violent to someone was never easy for her. But today, she'd snapped. Replaceable, her shebs. Even then, she thought she would've let it slide. If it were a friend of hers she'd have talked to them civilly. If it were an acquaintance, she'd try to be polite while correcting them. But it wasn't a friend or an acquaintance.
And Rex and Echo had been right there.
She had to fight back. For them. She'd seen how they'd stiffened at the sound of those words. Even stoic Rex had seemed to draw in on himself just a little.
Seeing how it affected them drove her over the edge, and before she knew it, she'd slapped Bane and was shoving him against a wall. When he still wouldn't shut up when she was attempting to cool off, she threw all semblance of calm to the wind and punched him in the nose.
I never wanted them to see that side of me, she thought regretfully.
Two hands touched her shoulders, and she looked up to see her friends. She sighed and shrugged,
"I'm sorry. I kinda lost it in there," she apologized softly.
But they drew her into a hug and she sighed in relief. Safe.
"That took guts, Ella," Rex declared affectionately.
"You… what you said…"
Ella rested her hands on both their chests, "I meant what I said. I'm so sorry you had to listen to him say that. I wish I could have spared you that."
Echo laughed, "I didn't know you had it in you to do that."
She cringed, "Yeah. Now you know my dirty secret."
Rex chuckled, "That dirty secret of yours is impressive. So is your punch. You broke his nose in
there. I don't think any of us saw it coming."
"He was definitely rattled when we left, Ella," Echo encouraged.
She sighed, "I still can't believe I hit him. Twice!"
Echo shook his head, "Neither can I. I'd watch you do that all day if you'd let me. It was really surprising and well, dush'shebs."
Ella laughed. "Thank you."
"You okay?" he asked. "You look tired."
She nodded, "Yeah. It just… I don't get like that often. He made me really upset."
The Jedi emerged, and Ahsoka smirked, "It worked. Did you really punch him?"
Ella shrugged, "He said some things. I shouldn't have reacted like that, but I couldn't help it."
Ahsoka laughed, "I just wish I could've seen it."
Rex sighed, "I have to go do some reports and make sure Hardcase, Jesse, and Fives haven't driven Kix insane."
"Can I come too, ori'vod?" Ahsoka asked.
He nodded, "Yes. But you have to promise not to steal my data pad when I'm not looking."
She flushed. "What? I don't know what you're talking about."
He rolled his eyes, "And I'm a geonosian. Come on. You have a report too."
She groaned, "I hoped you'd forgotten that."
"Not a chance," he laughed, pulling her along.
Ella giggled then sighed, leaning against Echo's shoulder. "I don't know about you… but I need some tea and something sweet right about now."
He chuckled, "Really?"
She nodded. "General Skywalker, do you need guards right now?"
He shook his head, "Nope. Echo, you're free to go." He winked.
You sly tooka!
Ella grabbed Echo's wrist and pulled him towards a lift.
"Where are we going?" he asked as they stepped inside.
She pressed the floor level and stepped back. "A few weeks ago, I promised I'd teach you to bake."
He gasped, "You really mean it?"
She nodded, "Absolutely!"
•~§~•
Within a few minutes they were in the kitchen, and she was pulling out ingredients and measuring cups. Ella disappeared into a pantry and came back with several different colors and patterns of a cloth with strings.
"What's that?" Echo asked.
"Apron," she replied. "It covers clothes to keep them from getting messy. Here, pick one."
She tied a pretty white one around her waist.
Echo scrutinized the remaining options and picked a navy blue one with black buttons and a big front pocket. "How do I get it on?"
She took it from him and guided his head through one loop, then tied the strings behind his back.
Echo did his best not to lean into the touches he could barely feel through his thick armor.
"There," she declared. "Okay. What do you want to make?"
He blinked. He got to decide?
"I… I don't know."
She thought for a moment, then suggested, "What if we made a bunch of muffins, different flavors like the ones you tried, and took them to the barracks for your brothers to try?"
Echo beamed. "I think I'd like that. Well…"
"Yes?"
"As long as we made a batch of cinnamon just for us," he said, his dark eyes twinkling merrily.
She laughed, swatting at his shoulder playfully. "Okay. Yes we can do that. You're hilarious."
"Me?"
She nodded. "Your face. It was really cute when you said that."
You think I'm cute? He could've flown to Naboo on the happiness running through him.
"How about I make the first couple of batches with you, and then we can make some on our own?" she proposed.
Echo nodded, "I like that idea."
"Okay," she went up to the wall and took out a little marker, and began writing on a smooth spot.
"We're going to need at least 5 of each batch."
"Six cinnamon then," he begged.
Ella smirked, "I haven't forgotten. Now, we're gonna need a system."
In the end, it was decided that Echo would be in charge of making the banana nut and she'd tackle blueberry, then they'd converge and make cinnamon last.
"We have enough of everything, don't we?" he fretted.
"Yes. Everything's in order. Help me put the muffin holders in each of the pans."
He watched her delicately drop little paper cups in each hole, then began copying her. Soon he was caught up. She noticed this, and began filling quicker. He sped up too, racing to beat her.
Ella still bested him, but he was only a row behind.
Before they began making the batter, she pulled out three mixers and plugged them in.
"Use this one for banana nut, I'll use this one for blueberry, and then we'll have a fresh one at the end to make cinnamon," she said. "Now, lets start. Have you cracked an egg before?"
He shook his head.
So she showed him. He tried to mimic her, but got shell in his bowl. She just smiled and showed him how to get it out, and they continued until he was cracking eggs easily.
Measuring the other things was much easier for him. He simply had to look at the labels on the spoons and cups to find out what 3/4ths a cup of sugar would be, or to get a tablespoon of vanilla extract.
Every once in a while, their hands would brush when reaching for something simultaneously. Tingles shot up and down his arm and he wished to just hold her hand in his every time.
"You think you've got it now?" Ella asked after they'd put the first blueberry and banana nut muffins in the oven.
He nodded, "Yes, I think so."
Ella grinned and nodded. "I'm going to turn some music on then, and we can jam while we bake."
She took out some sort of device and connected it to a speaker, and music began to flow through.
Echo hadn't ever heard music like this before. Most of what came through the Grand Republic radio on Rishi - the only radio channel the boys were allowed to listen to - had been electrical and ambient. He wasn't sure he could even qualify some of it as music.
The music she played had a different beat and rhythm for each song, different instruments he'd never listened to before. And there were words too.
Right now, she was singing and dancing along with it.
"So when you're standing in the rain again
You might as well be dancing
Why? 'Cause there ain't no storm that can change how this ends
So next time when you feel blue
Don't let that smile leave you
Why? 'Cause you have every reason just to
Sing, so the back row hears you
Glide, 'cause walking just won't do
Dance, you don't have to know how to
Ever since, ever since grace got you
Laugh, 'til your whole side's hurting
Smile like you just got away with something
Why? 'Cause you just got away with something
Ever since, ever since grace got you
Ever since, ever since grace got you
Grace got you."
Echo found himself bopping along with the music, and he even sang the last verses softly. It was such a happy song.
Ella took out the muffins and put in four more trays, then made her way back to Echo, who was just finishing filling his last two trays.
"Come dance with me," she pleaded, grabbing his hand.
A thrill of delight shot through him, and Echo nodded. Only after she'd grabbed both his hands did he remember he didn't know how to dance.
"Eh… Ella…" he stammered, shifting uneasily.
"I can teach you," she said.
Okay. Mind reader.
A new song began to play, and she nodded. "Like this. One two three, two two three, backstep. See?"
He clumsily followed her motions.
"Hey! Not bad!" she exclaimed.
He blushed. "You're a good teacher."
The song changed again and she sang the chorus, her eyes closed and a smile on her face.
"Why do you build me up buttercup, baby
Just to let me down and mess me around?
And then worst of all you never call, baby
When you say you will but I love you still
I need you more than anyone, darlin'
You know that I have from the start
So build me up buttercup, don't break my heart."
Echo bit his lip. He wanted to tell her everything that very moment; to end this tiptoeing and guessing game.
He stared at her face, so close to his. So tantalizingly near. Her lips were red like her dress, but a fainter red, and he was sure they'd taste sweet.
Maker, I want to kiss you.
It was like they were thinking the same thing.
She stopped dancing, her eyes searching his. What was it she searched for?
They'd almost kissed before hadn't they? Just a few days ago in the medbay. If Kix hadn't shown up, he'd have kissed her and she'd know.
Would she kiss him back?
Whatever it was, it looked like she'd found it, and her hand on his shoulder slipped behind his neck, brushing his hair with her fingertips.
Is she…?
Echo felt his hand trembling on her back as she lifted its counterpart to brush her delicate ringlets away from her cheeks.
Inch by inch they leaned in, until they were breathing the same air.
Beep!
Jerking away from each other, Echo grabbed the empty bowl he'd used and took it to the sink, scrubbing furiously.
Ella walked to the oven and took out the muffins, setting them out to cool. Her cheeks were flushed when she made her way back to him.
"We should make the cinnamon muffins now," she breathed.
He nodded and set the bowl to dry. "Hand me your bowl. I'll wash it."
She did and began to mix the cinnamon batter.
Meanwhile Echo was fuming, imagining breaking every timer in existence. He'd been so close!
"Lips are sweet as candy
It's taste stays on my mind
Girl, you got me thirsty
For another cup of wine."
Echo groaned, throwing down the dish towel.
Mock me, will you?
Ella pulled him back to the mixer and giggled at his slightly peeved expression. "Come on. Let's get those cinnamon muffins in the oven. I'll let you lick the bowl."
This doused some of the aggravated tempest, and he nodded, smiling.
Ella hugged him and went back to cracking eggs.
Why does something always have to happen? Echo lamented, watching her out of the corner of his eye. Next time I get the chance, I'm not going to let anything interrupt us.
•~§~•
Ella groaned as she lay down in her bed that night.
"We were so close!" she growled, burying her head in a pillow.
Ahsoka laughed from where she was burrowed in a soft blanket in the corner. "Interrupted by a timer. That's the saddest thing I think I've ever heard."
Ella nodded, "I know! Twice now we've been so close, and something or someone interrupts us."
"Well at least you know he likes you now," Ahsoka comforted.
"He does?" Ella asked.
Ahsoka moaned and buried her face in her hands. "Ella, you're the brightest girl I know. But DUH! It's so obvious! I mean, you were about to kiss!"
"But what if he was just going along with it so I wouldn't be embarrassed?" she wondered aloud.
Ahsoka socked her with a pillow. "Shut up. It's too late to think clearly anymore for you. Go to sleep."
"But—"
"No! I mean it, or I'll make you sleep. You're delirious if you're still second-guessing his obvious love for you."
Ella sighed and tucked herself in, mumbling to herself about bossy jedi who shouldn't be able to boss her around.
Ahsoka giggled and snuggled in next to her. "Goodnight, El."
"Gnight, Soka."
Mando'a Translations
Vod - brother
Vod'ika - little brother
Ori'vod - big brother
Shebs - behunkus, derrière, junk in the trunk.
Dush'shebs - bada