"You're sure you don't want to come?"

Mand had packed most of her clothes and provisions into a small crate, along with Cordira's, in a few minutes' time. She was ready to leave as soon as Cordira finished an early afternoon nap.

"I really should stay and work with Master Rylka," Rech responded from the front room. Mand quietly walked down the hallway towards him, debating on whether or not to continue her request. She wasn't sure how well Cordira would tolerate the distance from him, but in the back of her mind, she wasn't sure how well she'd fare herself, either.

"I could help you," she continued softly as she approached him. The vision they both had experienced, Rech for the first time the previous night, had Master Skywalker concerned. After a brief meeting with them earlier in the day, the Jedi Grand Master suggested meditation control techniques, some of which Mand knew already from her training sessions with Master Lithess, to either suppress the visions or reduce their potency. Mand thought she was getting better at it, as it had been several days since the images had even crossed her mind in idle thought as they had before.

"We were forced to leave." His voice had suddenly turned bitter. He had nearly written off any connection he had to Paneau after enduring the chain of events following the Dalon Palace collapse, even his friendship with the planet's former monarch, Veon. He treated Rech almost like a son, but after he confessed his part in the Governor removals, Rech refused any further communication with the king and set his mind to leave Paneau to its fate. Mand forced down the fear welling up inside her.

"They need our help, Rech."

"They would've asked for it."

"You know Elena," Mand said quietly with a small grin, trying to lighten his mood. "She had enough trouble asking us to take Kaydee." At that, Rech turned to her, confused.

"She didn't," he said. Mand nodded.

"My point exactly."

He seemed somewhat pacified, at least less angry, but he still harbored reservations. He glanced behind them toward their bedroom where Cordira was still lightly sleeping. "I'm not sure it would be safe to take her there, with all the upheaval and chaos."

"Koril has turned his family's manor into a secure safe haven and temporary palace. I spoke with him this morning, and he assured me she'd be well-taken care of while we're...occupied."

Mand didn't need to sense his feelings to understand why he remained silent and hesitant. He was still burdened with the guilt of their friend Queen Tascit's death. Though her Force spirit had pleaded for him to release himself of the blame for failing to save her in the Dalon Palace rubble, his heart was still heavily laden. Returning to Paneau would be painful for him, having to endure the constant barrage of memories he'd already been trying very hard for the past month to forget.

To her surprise, his expression softened as a few moments passed. The anger had completely dissipated from his eyes, replaced by resignation, and he finally nodded.

"I'm not sure we'll be of much help, though. We can't get directly involved, you know."

Mand nodded, too. "Maybe you can't, but I can. I never graduated, remember?"

She had attended the Jedi Academy for a year before she was kidnapped and hadn't returned following her rescue; she had other things to tend to. Though she was fully capable of graduating as a Jedi Knight as Rech had, she could be a useful, well-skilled Jedi without the title. She just had to monitor herself, making sure she was drawing power without the darkness rising up inside her, fueling her.

Rech looked away, as if he were guilty for keeping her from returning. Maybe he wished she had? They had never discussed it before. They had an unspoken agreement to not delve into the difficulties of the past few years.

He remained silent as he walked back toward their bedroom, grabbing a few spare shirts and pants. Mand followed, helping him load the crate, after checking if Cordira still slept in her crib in the front room.

"The Rys'tihn Manor's a palace now, huh?" Rech asked as they sealed the crate. Mand nodded.

"Other families are staying there, too. Koril said there's plenty of room."

"Other families?" Rech looked confused. Mand was, too, but she simply shrugged.

"That's what he said. I didn't ask who."

With their remaining provisions packed into a few small bags, they moved it all to the front room, prepared to leave. As if aware of their thoughts, Cordira awoke and began to coo softly. Instantly Mand moved to tend to her, but Rech stopped her, stepping in front of her.

"My turn," he said softly. Mand smiled as she watched him with Cordira. His gentle healing hands picked up the infant girl and rocked her, all earlier traces of anger and tension completely dissolved as father and daughter interacted. Of course Rech wasn't the girl's biological father, but after marrying Mand, he whole-heartedly agreed to accept her as their first child. So far he had been a wonderful father, sensitive and catering to her needs, even though he had been fighting his own demons. Cordira seemed to calm him, no matter what was bothering him. Though her thoughts had wandered, Mand returned them to the present, mulling over her conversation with Koril earlier in the day.

"Koril said he has something important to tell us," she began quietly. "He wanted to wait to tell us together, in person." Rech looked back at her, curious. "He said it has to do with his family, and the Banarecc family." Mand watched his expression carefully, but it changed little. He nodded casually, still rocking Cordira.

"After she's changed, I think we'll be ready to leave," Mand said. "I'll load and ready the Eclipse." With that, Rech disappeared with Cordira to their bedroom, humming a sweet, quiet melody to her as they walked.


Elena's pulse was racing. The rush of adrenalin was so intense she could hardly stand still, but she had to. She couldn't be seen; she was already in direct violation of the mandate from Master Skywalker just by standing there. Were anyone to recognize her or notice her presence, she could be identified as an operative of the revolution that was about to occur.

Hidden by her dark brown robe and raised hood, Elena lurked in the shadows behind a stone column in the Dalon Council Hall's rear atrium. The assembly hall, where more than sixty Governors, their aides, and thousands of Paneau citizens were amassed, was well-lit, but the hordes of people prevented any of its light from filtering back to her. She didn't need to see what was going on to hear it all, though. She was listening with such focus, she hardly realized that outraged Paneau of all ages were still pouring into the hall, packing into the atrium as best they could. They paid her no mind, though, since they were more occupied with the activity at the base of the round assembly hall's crowded steps.

Elena was tense and apprehensive. Koril, Jec, and half a dozen hand-picked disguised guards were about to make their way through the crowds to the bottom of the hall and address the masses, and it was going to be dangerous for all present. The Governors' reactions couldn't be predicted; how were sixty politicians going to respond to such a sudden scandal-revealing threat?

Elena's hand hovered nervously over her saber's hilt. She was sure they'd begin the speech soon. The anticipation was mounting quickly, and her sense of dread followed suit. She had a bad feeling about this.

Amplified by the amphitheater-shaped hall, Koril's voice broke through the cacophony and quickly silenced the angry crowd. She could hear his every word, and she called on the Force to heighten her other senses as she tightly gripped her saber.

"You have all been lied to!" Koril's voice echoed about the hall. "Your self-serving Governors have deceived you, and we have all suffered for it. They told us we would be better off without our king. They told us they had the power to change everything, and they told us all lies.

"Your government is obligated to protect you. Where are the Royal Guards, or the pilots of the Royal Navy, your daily guardians? These Governors, your elected representatives, disbanded them all, keeping few only to protect themselves, while the rest of us were left vulnerable to anything. Your government is obligated to heal you. Where are our medics and doctors, educated by royal academies and employed by our king? These Governors have withheld salaries, funding, and supplies, and you who were injured in the building collapses across the planet a month ago have been the first to suffer the consequences, though you have already suffered enough. They have ignored your needs in order to pursue their own.

"You trusted your king for his fifteen years, and I am here to tell you today that he did not fail you. He was not to blame for the Governor removals for which he was exiled. I know he is innocent because I know who was behind it all."

A brief silence hung in the air, and it was instantly shattered by a collective but subtle gasp from the crowd a few moments later. Elena knew Koril had removed his hood to reveal himself; Paneau had believed him killed on Coruscant, just as she had.

"A recorded transmission in my possession absolves Veon Banarecc from his guilt and reveals the true mastermind." Koril's voice remained strong though he had paused. "My father, Merli'il Rys'tihn, is to blame.

"No doubt you all were informed of my death at the hands of bounty hunters who were targeting Paneau citizens on Coruscant. I did encounter them, and they demanded the transmission, but thanks to the close proximity of a Jedi friend, I was able to help put an end to the murders and enable their capture. In the custody of the New Republic, they told us everything." Another pause built an immensely tense silence. Elena released a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding.

"Your Governors didn't want you to know what that transmission confessed! Your Governors chose to have innocent citizens killed rather than lose their power! They feared that if you knew your king was innocent, you would call him back home and reinstate the monarchy, so they chose murder of the innocent and suppression of the truth!"

The crowd erupted in fury, drowning out all other sound. Elena kept keenly alert for any hint of the people or the Governors turning violent, though it was becoming increasingly difficult to do so. She estimated the gigantic hall was packed with roughly a hundred thousand people, and things could turn deadly quickly.

Unable to bear continuing only to listen, Elena forced her way to the top of the stairs to see down to the central platform. Several camera droids hovered in the air, their repulsorlifts humming as they darted about the hall, covering all angles and broadcasting the sights and sounds around the planet. She saw Koril standing at the base of the stairs, looking around the room, with his back to the High Council as he addressed the crowds assembled on the ascending rows. He was perilously positioned and vulnerable to the Council, but there were to be two of his most trusted guards keeping an eye on them from the crowd. She couldn't point them out, but she hoped by the Force they were watching out for him.

Somehow Koril made himself heard again and the people quieted to a dull roar.

"I call upon you tonight to unseat the true traitors - the High Council, the power-hungry Governors who stooped to the murder of our fellow Paneau to maintain power that was never theirs to take!"

Again a deafening din filled the grand assembly hall as the former Royal Guards that Koril had enlisted started to file into the building from all entrances to the cheers of the citizens. Amazingly without protest, the Governors and their aides organized on the main floor raised their hands in surrender, following the orders of the guards armed with blasters as they were being herded out. Elena tried to watch them all but kept an even closer watch on Koril. He had turned around to face the High Council, composed of seven Governors who had appointed themselves to the lofty title. As they stared at Koril, each wore a different mix of expressions: some outraged and disbelieving, others fearful and remorseful. They exchanged a few words Elena couldn't hear over the cheers before the guards finally surrounded them and began moving them out of the hall.

Elena watched as Jec appeared out of the crowd and met Koril at the front of the hall as he turned to continue addressing the people.

"In all of its history, Paneau has never before been presented with a situation quite like this one," Koril began strongly. "But that does not mean that it was not planned for. It was written in our laws thousands of years ago that if a monarch were somehow removed from power, another is to take his or her place - an heir, if possible." Koril put a hand on Jec's shoulder as the boy stood by him confidently. "Though he is young, he has been tried just as we all have in the past few years. He will have the support of the Royal Families and the Royal Security Forces, but he needs yours to rightfully be crowned. Will you, the people of Paneau, accept Veon's heir, Verojec Banarecc, as your king?"

Elena experienced a strange combination of relief and anxiety as the assembly hall quickly filled with cheers and whistles again. The Paneau seemed to welcome their young ruler excitedly, though she was sure they'd have elevated anyone who rid their city of the worthless and destructive Governors. There were going to be difficult times ahead, that much was certain. How Jec and his new staff were going to handle it all was anyone's guess.

While the cheering continued, Koril and Jec exchanged smiles. They were soon joined by two of the disguised guards standing behind them. Elena watched Koril as he raised his arm to silence the people. Dutifully, they obeyed.

"We will process the Governors lawfully, with trials and official proceedings, and they will be sentenced according to their involvement. Send word to the provinces, that every member of each Governor's staff will be evaluated and processed, as well. You are to elect new Governors and Vice Governors as soon as possible, and choose well. We are through with corruption and greed. Now begins a new chapter in our history; we will see serenity restored. Return to your homes peacefully and know that change is at hand."

As the crowd began to turn and file out of the hall, Elena moved with them and returned to the column at the back where she had been before, doing her best to stay out of view. It took the thousands of people only a few minutes to leave, and as soon as the majority had at least made it out of the main hall, she returned to the top of the stairs to carefully watch the rest of the activity below.

A small group of young men stood around Koril at the hall's base as he addressed them. They listened intently, and Elena wondered if they were Royal Navy recruits. A former General stood at Koril's side, as well, but Koril, the newly appointed Head of Security, gave them all a final order and dismissed them. Another series of guards approached with Jec and talked with Koril while citizens continued to disperse, and Elena had almost decided to leave, as well, when she felt a dangerous disturbance in the Force. Someone filled with malice and ill-intent had neared.

Instantly her lightsaber was in her hand, ready to ignite, but looking around rapidly, she couldn't pinpoint any one location or any one individual who looked dangerous in the crowd that still remained. She knew she wasn't imagining the threat. Something terrible was about to happen.

Elena had just looked down to the base of the hall as a metallic object hit Koril and lodged in his chest. With such force, it knocked him off balance and he fell backward to the floor as the guards nearby sprang into action, some tending to him, some protecting him and Jec.

In her sudden shock, Elena had forgotten how to breathe. Her lungs refused to work. Before she realized she had even moved, she was at the bottom of the stairs, being passed by guards heading up to search for the attacker.

Just as she knelt beside Koril, his eyes closed and his body stilled. No, she thought, and a strange voice she hardly recognized as her own said the same thing. He was no longer breathing and the spear-like object still protruded from the left side of his chest as blood continued to spread on his shirt. She could hardly think.

"We need to get him to a medical center, now," she said after she finally snapped from her stupor.

"Can't," a scared voice said beside her. "The nearest ones have all been looted for supplies, and there are no medics to staff them."

Elena tried to control her look of horror, but she knew she hadn't. Koril had no time. She had to act quickly.

With all her strength she could muster, she reached deeply into the Force and wrapped an invisible hand around the spear. Penetrating its exterior with her senses, she saw its complex inner mechanisms that had released small, damaging spikes all along its shaft that had lodged in Koril's lung. Could she retract them and remove the spear? Shifting her focus, she realized why he had stopped breathing. The spear had collapsed his lung, and whatever space was left was quickly filling with blood. His body needed oxygen immediately, so she closed her eyes and began to work on stopping the bleeding. She had almost no idea how, but she drew on a few bits of instruction she had once gotten from Rech, a highly skilled healer, and on her own sheer determination to save him. Use the Force to weave pieces together...

After moments that had felt like hours, she thought she had repaired the most dangerous vascular damage and began to focus on removing the spear itself. The small but deadly spikes had to be slowly retracted one by one, but once they were all safely moved back into the spear's shaft, she opened her eyes and carefully removed it little by little. She dislodged its piercing tip and tossed it asside, instantly applying pressure to the wound, though she hoped she hadn't done further damage.

Again she concentrated, drawing on the Force to stimulate his chest to rise and inhale and his heart to beat again. At first his lungs refused, but finally he made a few weak, struggling gasps and his pulse picked up. She was still in shock as she looked him over, seeing her hand, which had just caressed him to sleep the previous night, suddenly covered in his blood.


As Koril's senses began to register his surroundings, he realized he was still alive. His skin tingled, and his nose took in a strange musky odor, one that was both familiar and foreign. The sound of his own breathing seemed an odd thing to hear. He had just been drowning, unable to draw a breath into his damaged lungs. But he realized he no longer had difficulty; he was breathing perfectly.

His eyes took a few moments to respond as he opened them and looked around. They had last seen the ceiling of the Dalon Council Hall and a few blurred faces hovering over him, but he wasn't in the grand hall, he was someplace different. He had no idea where he was. His first impression seemed to indicate that he was lying on an elevated bed in a small, darkened bedroom in someone's home. Holos of a family he didn't recognize lined a wall he was facing, and other personal effects were strewn on shelves and tables about the room. Under a light blanket, he was shirtless with a slightly bloody bandage strapped to his chest. Other than dull pain there and a general lack of energy, he didn't feel much different. The last thing he noticed while looking around was a woman was sitting beside him, asleep, bent over and resting her head on her arms atop a small spare portion of the bed. Long black hair covered her face, but the Jedi tunic he could see confirmed his companion's identity as Elena.

"I'd move over for you if you asked," he said quietly, finding his voice hoarse and scratchy. Instantly Elena picked her head up and looked him over, relieved he was awake as she smiled at him. He returned it thinly, squeezing her hand after she had taken his.

"How are you feeling?" she asked gently. He felt fine, so he didn't answer. There were more pressing matters.

"Where's Jec?"

Elena looked concerned but hardly surprised. She responded reluctantly.

"He's here with your Scepter Guard. They haven't left his side."

Koril nodded. He had chosen four of his most trusted fellow Royal Navy Guards to be Jec's constant guardians when he himself wasn't with the new king. They were well-decorated and had served Veon loyally for the entirety of his fifteen-year reign.

Elena took the brief silence as an opportunity to explain.

"You're at Dr. Herrell's home. He was in the hall when you were hit."

Koril tried his best to maintain a neutral expression. He had done everything possible to avoid the name Herrell. Elena continued on.

"It was a Nikto Spiking Spear," she said as she held up the spear, the end of which he recalled vividly, protruding from his chest. He felt a sharp pain as he relived the instant it had pierced him.

"Dr. Herrell got you to a medical center and to one of the few remaining functional bacta tanks in the city. You had to spend the better part of a day in it."

"That explains the smell," he said gruffly. Bacta had a distinct odor, and he just hadn't yet identified it in his haze. Elena gave him a small grin, but it faded quickly.

"Jec wants to talk with you," she said quietly. Though she did her best to maintain a neutral expression, Koril could tell it wasn't going to be good news. He nodded and she got up to leave, but he didn't release her hand. Curious, she turned back to him.

"You already know what he's going to say, don't you?"

Elena held his gaze for a few moments, hesitant, before answering. "Yes."

"Then stay." If it was going to be a difficult topic, her presence would help. She seemed somewhat reluctant but nodded before stepping towards the door and waving Jec in. The new king entered quietly and two Scepter Guards, Gaz Xedrn and Julien Leikam, took up posts at the door. Elena had stepped back, moving the chair that had been right beside him, and Jec stood in her place.

"Hey," Jec said with a smile. Koril couldn't help but smile back, glad that Jec hadn't been harmed. "I'm sure she's already asked you," Jec continued, "but how are you feeling?"

"I've been worse," Koril said lightly. He clarified after Jec became more concerned. "I'm alright."

Jec gave him a small smile. "You were great in the Council Hall. All eyes and ears were on you, and everybody listened. You weren't even armed."

"Some words are weapons in and of themselves." Jec nodded solemnly in agreement. The planning had mostly been Koril's doing, but it was Jec who suggested publicly addressing Paneau during a meeting of the Governors as they had. Though it obviously was more dangerous than they thought, Koril was glad they had done it. Now the Paneau knew everything they needed to in order to force the changes they should've seen weeks ago.

"You'll be happy to know that all of the Governors and their staffs have stepped down without protest, and the rest of the planet has agreed to crown me king."

Koril smiled tiredly but proudly. "As they should." Jec's expression fell after a few moments, and Koril's followed suit. He glanced at Elena, but she stared at the floor, not meeting his gaze.

"I'm sorry, Koril," Jec finally said. Koril furrowed his brows, confused.

"For what?"

"This was my fault."

"How? I was doing my job." A wave of realization washed over Koril as he guessed where the conversation was going.

"I know, and that's my fault. I shouldn't have put you in such a high-profile position, not right now. We can't afford to lose you, Koril."

Koril turned his head away and sighed, wincing as the exertion strained his healing wound. So he'd have to hide and do nothing until it was safe enough for him, the last Rys'tihn, to return to his post? That was the last thing he wanted to do, even though he'd faced death already.

"You know I trust you more than anyone else who had been on my father's staff. You're invaluable. I need you to lay low, just for a few weeks, until things are a little more settled."

"Who are you replacing me with?" Koril attempted to keep the edge off his voice. Jec was hesitant.

"Admiral Sokol." The Royal Navy's fleet chief. The Admiral was much older but had a decorated record under both Kings Veoton and Veon. He had complete loyalty from every rank. Though Koril disagreed with being removed, at least Jec had made a good choice.

"You will be reinstated as soon as everything's calmed, I give you my word."

Koril remained silent. He hated being idle, especially while such important changes to his home planet were in the making. It was as if Jec had asked him to forget all his ties, his training, and just sit back and watch; it was against his innate drive to serve the monarch, having to wait on the wings. Still, Jec was his king, Koril had made sure of that himself, so he had no right to protest. Maybe he could stay involved some other, more discreet way...

Koril nodded slightly after a few moments, staring off to the side at an empty wall. Jec put a hand on Koril's shoulder, giving him a light smile, trying to lift his mood. Koril's expression lightened somewhat, but satisfied, Jec nodded and turned to leave. He gave Elena a bright smile as he left with the Scepter Guard, who still saluted Koril before following after Jec. Elena returned the chair to his side and sat, searching his face sympathetically. He realized she must have known what it felt like, being forced to relinquish a portion of her nature, as she had when the Governors ordered the Jedi to leave Paneau several weeks ago. Now they were both outcasts in some way.

"Jec was right," Elena began quietly as she took up his hand again. "You really know how to command a crowd."

Koril had almost lost himself in her emerald green eyes, but as she sat beside him, slightly leaning over him, he remembered what he had seen just before he blacked out in the Dalon Council Hall. Two or three men were hovering over him as he lay on his back; he saw their faces clearly, a few of his Royal Navy Guards who were talking to him, though he remembered hearing no sound. Then just before his eyes closed, the blurry outline of another face came within inches of his own, but the glowing green eyes were what had stood out to him most as the rest of his body shut down. They were Elena's. She was at his side.

"You were there," he breathed. That night, she had been in the Council Hall against his wishes, but more importantly, against her orders from Master Skywalker. Her expression had fallen, but she still held his gaze, almost defiantly. Though he hadn't noticed before, since he was used to her chilled skin, her palm became even colder, more icy in his light grip. She didn't look like she was going to apologize.

Koril frowned, barely whispering. "We're not worth it, Elena." Her eyes remained unyielding.

"Worth what?"

"Your...title, your career, everything you've worked your whole life for." He thought he had made that clear when they had talked in his room the night before the confrontation. They both knew what Master Skywalker had said, that she wasn't to get involved until after the king was officially installed. He continued, still quiet. "It's nowhere near a fair trade."

Her voice remained strong, if not stubborn. "I think that's my decision to make."

"You had orders."

Finally her expression faltered as a brief twinge of fear flashed in her eyes. She knew full well the consequences if her actions were ever brought to Master Skywalker's attention, but she corrected her face and looked at him squarely.

"Yeah, I did. And I disobeyed them, so I wouldn't have to watch the man I love die in front of me."

Koril's heart caught in his throat. He couldn't even form a response. Elena looked down and away, vulnerable, her voice softer.

"Master Skywalker knows my passion for Paneau and its people. He'll just have to deal with it." She kept her head lowered, but she held his hand tighter as she continued after a long silence, her voice softer still.

"I'm sorry it took...a second time of nearly losing you for me to realize it," she said before looking up, her eyes glistening with tears she stubbornly refused to shed. "But I do love you, Koril. I was afraid to admit it, even to myself, because I didn't know how I could be both at your side and objectively stay out of Paneau's politics... But it doesn't matter now. I've made my choice, no matter what that means for me."

Koril heard his own words in her last statement, when he had first told her a few weeks ago that he loved her but wanted her to be happy. She barely had given him a response, only a brief stay in their discussion. He knew she had been tormented by the duality she was facing, feeling like she had to choose between being a woman or being a Jedi Knight, but she had finally come to terms with it, though he regretted forcing such a choice on her.

Ignoring the pain as his newly repaired muscles protested and fought back, Koril began to prop himself up on his elbows on the bed, reaching up to kiss her. Instantly she became alarmed, trying to prevent him from moving, but stopped when his lips met hers. Though she hesitated, she leaned in further to ease his strain, bringing her free hand to the base of his neck. His body no longer registered pain, dissolved by her intoxicating touch. His heart was racing, but something was holding him back.

After a moment, Elena sat back, running a hand through his hair. He rested, too, lowering himself back down on the bed. To his delight she smiled at him genuinely as if a tremendous weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Gladly he returned it, but curiosity replaced it as he followed her gaze from his bandaged chest to his side. The light blanket that had been draped over him had slid down when he sat up, falling to his waist. Her eyes came to rest on his side but she immediately looked up when she noticed his attention.

"I thought the Scornes only hit you with one bolt," she said confusedly. Koril nodded.

"They did."

"Why do you have another burn on your side, then?" She reached over and gingerly touched the burn just below his ribs, tracing its outline with her fingers. The coolness of her touch prevented him from feeling much discomfort, but he remembered first noticing the pain there shortly after his encounter with the two bounty hunters. He had initially disregarded it as soreness from his backward fall after taking Remo's blaster bolt to the head, never once thinking it was some other kind of injury; he had no reason to. Elena seemed more concerned than he was, though.

"Maybe it's an older injury, and I just don't remember it," he reasoned. "It's not hurting me now."

Elena nodded finally after a few more moments of inspecting, worry still in her eyes. He felt slightly absurd discussing a superficial wound while it had only been mere hours since his chest had been punctured by a deadly spear, but something about it bothered her, he just wasn't sure why.

Since he had returned his focus to his body, he felt his chest beginning to throb, a consequence of his earlier movement. Elena read his discomfort and softened her own expression, looking nearly regretful.

"You're tired. You should rest." Koril nodded, feeling his energy drain as he closed his eyes. After she pulled the blanket back up over him, she leaned in and kissed him softly. Slightly surprised, he inhaled sharply and Elena pulled back, seemingly afraid she had hurt him. He looked up at her and gave her a small smile, trying to dismiss her guilt. Her expression brightened a little, and as he closed his eyes once more, she stroked the side of his face with the back of her hand, just as she had the night they fell asleep together in his room in the Manor. They had simply been talking, sitting on a sofa situated just in front of a large window that overlooked the Manor's numerous private gardens and fountains. They had discussed the Rys'tihn Family history in detail, and he had informed her of the plan to unseat the Governors. Though she had hardly slept in days, she outlasted him, and he had woken up with her serenely sleeping against him. Instantly his thoughts again turned to the seconds before he had lost consciousness in the Council Hall, when he saw Elena's blurred face appear over him.

"You know," he began groggily, his voice indicating his fatigue, "you're the fourth Jedi who's had to...save me." He hardly had the strength to open his eyes, let alone continue talking, but as her hand closed tightly around his, he finished his thought. "First Rech, after the Palace collapse, then Master Noor aboard that transport, Master Kanomin on Coruscant, and now you." Her other hand caressed his face lightly. "I'm not sure if that means I'm on borrowed time now...or I'm just lucky enough to have one of you near me at the right times."

He felt Elena's soft hair fall on his cheek as she leaned over him, hovering for just a moment before kissing him gently again. He heard the smile in her whisper as he drifted into sleep.

"Lucky."