University Library.

Essie returned from her lunch break to a clone trooper standing at the Reception desk, minus his helmet; she thought it was the same one as before. It had been three weeks since he visited and it was unlikely there were many who wanted to join the Library.

She watched her new assistant, Johl, deal with him; he was young and in his first job but this did not appear to be going well. Johl was agitated red in the face and his voice was rising in tandem with his facial colour.

"As I have already said...Sir." He looked flustered. "Clones…...are…..not…..repeat...not...allowed...to...be...members...of the Library." Johl was spelling it out to the Trooper.

Essie winced at the rudeness and cringed, she had been just as bad, if not worse at his first visit. Her talk with Sol and Nat had made her reconsider the Clone Troopers and their situation. She researched and the more she read, the more uneasy she became about the Grand Army of the Republic.

She considered joining one of the groups that had recently risen to help and support them but when she checked them out, they all looked a bit weird. Except perhaps Senator Skeenah from Chandrila, his was better organised and he had already made his feelings known on HNN and tabled a motion in the Senate.

She listened for a few more seconds before intervening; if it wasn't for the clones Johl would be on the front lines himself and details of some of the recent battles were now on HNN. The clone looked furious; she walked over and butted in.

"I'll take over Johl. You can go for your break, now." She touched his arm and smiled at him, knowing he wouldn't argue with her, if she smiled. It usually worked.

"But…" Johl started, as if he was actually going to argue, then thought better of it and moved off. Whilst he walked away, he kept turning around to see what was happening. Consequently he tripped over his feet and she stifled a laugh at that, however, it would not be a good career move to upset him even if he was her subordinate, as he had "connections" as they say.

"Go on." She waved at him, "It's fine. I know this gentleman." Smiling again. Eventually he left the building and she turned back to the clone.

"I'm sorry about that." She tried her smile again.

It didn't work, the clone glared back.

"And for the last time you were here, how I behaved." She tried again, a smaller smile this time.

"Last time?" He queried.

He was not making it easy for her. She was going to have to eat a lot of humble pie. It never tasted good.

"When you came in last time. I was ….." she paused.

"Rude?" He finished for her.

"Yes. Rude." She agreed.

"Extremely rude." he added.

She looked at him and her mouth dropped open slightly.

"Yes. Extremely rude."

His face relaxed a little and she thought he was enjoying this, until she looked closer, he winced, as he moved.

"Are you okay?" Her hand edged towards him.

"I'm fine. You were saying."

"Yes. I was …..rude, it was uncalled for." She apologised. He grunted in reply; he looked ill now.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

From looking furious at Johl, he had gone, to looking tired, now the skin around his eyes was pinched in pain and he was turning the colour of grey durasteel with beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead and upper lip. The Library was climate controlled and verging on the chilly, so he should not have been warm.

"You really don't look well?" She said. "Would you like to sit down and have some water?"

He hesitated.

"No, ma'am. I'm fine."

"It's no problem."

"I'm fine." There was an edge to his voice.

"Okay, but please take a seat there." She pointed to the one opposite her desk. He grunted again.

"I just need to get something from my office."

Her office was not big but sufficient for her needs as she preferred being out in the main Library; she didn't care what he said, he looked as if he was going to keel over. She knew that look, caused by pain; she poured a cup of chilled water and took it back with her, together with her datapad and some pain killers she found in her desk drawer.

She put them in front of him. "There. You look ill and I'd rather you didn't collapse in the library. It causes a lot of paperwork and I have enough to do as it is."

He stared at her.

"And the service droids get upset."

He glared at her.

She squirmed, she had promised to be better. Finally, he picked up the water and drank.

"And those." she nodded at the painkillers."They'll take the edge off….whatever it is."

He stared at them.

"They're safe, I take them, occasionally."

He picked them up, swallowing them dry the taking a drink.

"Is there anything else I can get for you?" She asked, still concerned.

"No, this is fine. Thank you."

Essie pretended to sort some flimzi forms and not watch him while he recovered. Within a couple of minutes he looked better with a warmer colour coming to his face and the beads of perspiration gone.

She waited patiently.

"Is it true?" He asked, as abruptly as his previous visit. "Clones can't be members of the Library?" He was feeling better.

"Why do you want to be a member? You can read most of the documents online." She replied, evading his question.

"You might think this odd but I want to see the actual documents. Some of the texts I want to read are not online…and….you haven't answered my question."

"There isn't an actual rule. But there are more and more guidelines." she used fingers quotes on when she said guidelines. "being implemented by COMPOR and accepted by various government departments. Although not necessarily enacted by Law."

"Ah" he said "the Commission for the Protection of the Republic." The name had already come up in some of his reading. They seemed to push things through the back door.

She grimaced when he said the full name, as far as she was concerned it had no legal standing within the Republic and she would argue that point with anyone.

"Yes. Apparently, my colleague is a member and religiously follows their guidance but I don't see a problem with you joining. It's my decision. I can put you down as a government employee."

The clone grunted. "Technically that's not correct. I'm not paid for my work. Other than food, clothing and accommodation and a small stipend that the General gives me." He said this without any emotion in his voice. "The Republic owns the clones."

Essie studied his face for a reaction but not a muscle moved. His eyes seemed….defocused. It was unnerving; his face totally blank.

"Oh. I…" she didn't know what to say. Nat's words came back to her, that they were just like slaves, and it left a nasty taste in her mouth. Slavery had been outlawed in the Republic for over a Millenia.

"We were bred to fight in the war against the Separatists and no thought was given to anything else".

This seemed even worse; he appeared highly intelligent, curious and wanted to spend some time in her Library. Normally the Library and it's resources were taken for granted despite the numerous original and valuable texts. But to have been bred simply for war. She couldn't comprehend that even though it was similar to her adoptive father. She, like many other Coruscanti, had known very little about the Clones, or their origins; they just appeared at the right time to save the Jedi and fight for the Republic.

First seen at the Battle of Geonosis, they had ensured a Republic victory and now led by the Jedi, at the request of the Chancellor, although the Jedi were supposed to be peace keepers and not Militarists. Her thoughts on the Jedi were complicated. She focused back on the Clone.

"Well" she said a little more brightly, "I am sure I can get round that."

There was a fee for the reference part, which was where he wished to study.

I'll pay it—my contribution to the war effort.

"So... What's your full name and is one year membership OK?" She tapped away on the datapad trying to concentrate on just that.

"Captain Maze and one year would be fine, Ma'am."

She paid the fees, saying nothing.

"I'll show you around if you're feeling better— if that's what you want." She gestured with her hands towards the reference area.

"Another time perhaps, I'm needed back at the Barracks." His PT medic would be chasing him and he was feeling ill despite the painkillers.

Maze strode out of the building mentally listing the documents he wanted to look at the next time he came back and revising, slightly, his opinion of 'Ms Estafania Devro' of the University Library.

But she was still bloody pedantic.

.

A few weeks later….

Essie saw Johl heading towards the Clone Captain, as he came into the Library again; she intercepted before he reached him.

"Captain, you look much better. Is there anything I can help you with today?"

"Ma'am." He removed his helmet. "Thank you. I am fully recovered now."

"Good, good."

He thought she really meant it.

"So what can I help you with?" She continued.

"I was looking for the political history section, in relation to the Chancellorship and also…..no that will do for the time being."

"What era? Old Republic?"

"No more recent, High Republic."

"This way, I know it well." Her hand indicated the way.

He followed her, taking him away from, the person who was taking an inordinate amount of interest in what he was asking about. He filed that away. He hadn't been helpful before but Devro was obviously trying to make up for the first time. He wanted to smile.

"Any specific time frame?" She asked, the hands moved again.

"When Valorun was removed as Chancellor."

"Oooh, very interesting. I'll show you the main area but then if there's some specific texts you need to see. Please let me know. I can probably find them quicker than you." her hand rested on her chest.

He doubted it but she was being sincere.

"This way." She added, as they turned left down a corridor. She pushed an errant strand of hair behind her ear.

He followed her and wanted to smile again, when he mentioned the era, she was like a cadet who had just been issued with their first blaster. He kept his face as straight as possible, as he followed her to the research area.

"So how did you decide on Valorun to study?" she turned to face him, continuing to walk, automatically avoided the desk she was heading into.

"I read the first part of his autobiography and was impressed with his organisational abilities. Then wondered how with that efficiency, did he manage to get deposed."

"Hmm. That's a delicate area, it's around the time the current Chancellor came to power and the crisis on Naboo."

"Ah yes. Perhaps I should look at the Crisis on Naboo first? Is that what you're suggesting?"

"Exactly. Here we are. If you need to anything let me know although the original texts or documents can't be removed and you have to book time with them."

Maze frowned.

"We even have some original flimzi's." She added conspiratorially, leaning towards him.

"Flimzi?"

She nodded, "Although between you and me, the last person that looked at them was probably me."

"Are you interested in that era?"

"Very. I was doing a thesis on the Naboo Crisis and the Rise of Palpatine."

"Was?"

"My circumstances changed."

"Oh. The war?"

She nodded.

Maze surprised himself, managing to hold a semi coherent conversation with her. It was getting easier, dealing with civvies.

.

ARCA Barracks

"Ah Captain, I am so glad to see you back on your feet. No relapsing this time." Zey rose from his desk.

"No sir."

"Caf?"

"Yes. Thank you."

"I was intrigued by your appraisal of some of our squads and current organisational structure, especially with regard to the Advisors and their responsibilities, which you wish to reorganise?"

His General carefully measured out the caf for him; he remembered exactly how everyone liked theirs.

"Sir?"

"I wondered where the idea came from?"

"Actually sir, it was from a study of Chancellor Valorun and his office. Compared to the rest of the Senate and it's structure it was very….Lean."

Zey smiled, "I didn't realise you studied politicians."

"I study everything to do with the War. Anything that may help me, sir."

Zey had an odd look on his face, something akin to surprise.

"Very good Maze. Can I ask when you do this?"

"Not when I'm on duty, sir."

Zey handed him the caf, "Take a seat Captain."

Maze sat opposite Zey, the desk between them.

"So on your off duty hours, when you are supposed to be relaxing, you work?"

"I do find it relaxing."

"You should find something else to do, in your downtime, other than study the war."

"Sir?"

Zey tried a different tack, "If you want to study, where do you go?"

"The University Library, Sir, General Jusik suggested it." Maze blew on his caf, Zey always made it too hot for him to drink immediately.

Zey was concerned now, he knew you had to be a paid up member. He had received no request for petty cash or a bill, which may have been difficult to account for.

"The Library Administrator processed my application to be made a member sir."

It amazed Zey that some of the troopers were still naïve about money and that included Maze, he had never mentioned needing any more money, even though Zey had decided to give him a stipend, as he called it, for miscellaneous expenses. Coruscant was an expensive city. Windu had said it was a risk. Zey had disagreed with his old friend, as he often found himself doing these days.

"Good. If you are doing some research you can go at any time, it doesn't have to be in your down time, Captain."

"Yes sir. Thank you sir." He sipped his caf, "I'll reorganise the Advisors immediately. It should help General Jusik and yourself especially with number of Meetings at the Jedi Council." He took a longer drink of the Caf. "Good caf sir. New blend?"

Zey nodded; thankful that someone else in his office appreciated the nuances of differently grown caf.

.

Essie looked up she sensed something, no someone and shivered; like someone walking over your grave, as Sol used to say, until she realised how much that had frightened her as a small child. Thinking she was going to die soon.

This feeling, a memory from her past, frightened her, even though she knew nothing would happen. She looked around she couldn't see anyone remotely like she remembered. It was a memory but it was burned into her mind. She was tiny and her parents were arguing with two people in the doorway. Two people in dark brown cloaks. She could feel them in her head, not hurting her but there. She had quickly been ushered away from them by Sol and afterwards, Sol and Nat went with her everywhere, if her parents weren't with her.

Then they died. Perhaps that had fixed it in her mind.

She looked around the entrance hall and still couldn't see anyone; sometimes when she was out walking around Coruscant this happened but not often, and less now since the start of the war. She wanted to run but didn't know who to run from, or where.

The she saw him, walking towards her, a tall well built man, the same brown cloak flapping behind him. She felt it more now, it was he she sensed but he wasn't one of those who came for her, and yet he was heading straight towards her now. In a few strides he was in front of her desk. A small trickle of sweat ran down her back. She swallowed and held onto her desk.

Zey was surprised when he saw the name and her feelings, the nearer he got to her. When you walked on Coruscant, you could still feel the Force Sensitives who had not been trained and sometimes they could sense you. Ms Devro was one of those but she was aware of it and tried most of the time to hide it, or ignore it. He couldn't be sure of which now. He knew the surname from years ago.

Zey reached her desk and felt her fear, stronger now; the sick feeling in her stomach. He sent a wave of reassurance in the Force to her, saying 'I'm not here for you.' He felt her relax, a little.

"How can I help you?"

"I'm here to pay Captain Maze's library membership fees." He wondered if there was anything else between them. He felt her concern for the Captain, as he mentioned his name.

"It's been paid."

'In that case, I'll reimburse you. Ms Devro. It can only be you that paid them. Am I correct?"

She nodded.

"Thank you." He paused. "And for any help you have given him, or may continue to do so." He handed her the credit chip. Given how much was spent on the war daily, this was infinitesimal and if it gave Captan Maze some enjoyment, all the better. He was a good man; they all were.

She watched him closely, as she prepared a receipt for him and amended something on the data terminal; she was on her guard, no matter how much he tried to reassure her, there was still an undercurrent of mistrust and fear in her.

He accepted the receipt, "Thank you, Ms Devro. May the Force be with you."

Her fear spiked as he said that.

Jedi General Zey walked away from the university, wondering how Force Sensitives managed to live their lives without the training he and his fellow Jedi had received.

I was raised to believe I was a soldier for the light, defender of the oppressed, a righter of wrongs. So why was she so frightened of me?

Being a Jedi had meant sacrifices but he made those willingly, if with a heavy heart, as had many of his colleagues and friends. Now he had lost so many. He must Com her, check on her, Janyne. He always smiled as he thought of her. She was somewhere in the outer rim now, had been working with Vos, on Tatooine, against Jabba but then been pulled back at the beginning of the war. Luckily she had survived Geonosis. He was thankful for that. He had to admit to himself that the feelings were still there but neither had acted on them in years, probably due to the distances between them. But they were still there and he still struggled with them, wanting her to be here, near to him, out of danger. But she was as capable, if not more capable than he, and they had both made their decisions.

There was no going back.

He looked up; he was already back at ARCA Barracks.

He had a meeting scheduled with Skirata, someone who was not afraid of Jedi.

.

A/N: I hope you enjoy my take on these characters. Reviews are always welcome.