A/N: I've taken a few liberties with the time line here

University Library.

Maze was delving into Palpatine's background; it was interesting who had supported him in the past. And his family. That was a tragedy.

Or was it?

"Find what you're looking for?" Essie asked peering over his shoulder, her hand resting there.

He grunted, scrolling down the screen.

"You still angry with me about the other night?"

"You shouldn't have been there!" he scrolled further.

"You're right."

He stopped scrolling, shocked that she agreed with him.

"What did Nat say?" she continued.

"Nothing much." he turned to face her.

He was lying. Nat had taken him to one side and the only reason for that was a talk. She knew his modus operandi, and he had plenty to say on the subject to her.

"I'll talk to him again."

"No it's okay. We're good. Sorry about the distraction at the gym." his tone back to normal.

"I wasn't expecting you to be there."

"You're good."

"Was. At one time."

He nodded. "Do you want more Caf?"

"Please. You know where the Instajava is."

He wandered to the kitchen area. He had needed to get away from SOB for a while to clear his head. He knew something was happening; Skirata looked as if he was on the warpath after the recent bombings. Part of him agreed. That was not the way for any brothers to die. Jango had instilled that much into him. We were bred and born to fight and here he was in a library.

Now, Vau was back. Delta and Omega were off line. Ostensibly for R and R that had been agree for all clones, hence 79's and General Tur Mukan was back.

He was being kept out of the loop and he didn't like it.

"Maze? You okay? You've been in here a long time, and no caf"

"Yeah, fine, just thinking."

"Anything interesting?"

"Probably start using your gym more. It's getting crowded at the barracks."

She watched him, carefully measuring the caf, unsure what to think of this latest development. Something was troubling him.

.

ARCA Barracks

Ops Room.

Maze sat at one of the terminal, it was the first time he had chance to download the information from the Admin Droid. He listened to the conversation, the one that had taken place after he had been asked to leave. The admin droid had been in the next room and Maze had gone directly to it but he still missed the first part.

"I know what you're suggesting." It was his generals voice. The sound quality was not brilliant but it was the best he could do in the time he had.

"The Jedi Council is pretty adept at turning blind eyes." – Skirata.

Ordo, Vau and Jusik were there but had'nt said anything yet.

The conversation was a non conversation, all smoke and mirrors, Jango called it and it looked as if both Skirata and Zey were masters of it. The General was choosing to ignore something.

"Is it true that you didn't know that I was a complete chakaar, who kept you in the dark and treated his squads like his own private army. Just a Mando lowlife like Jango and the rest of the Mongrel scum."

Skirata again.

"I do believe I might realise that sometime in the future Sergeant."

So what were they planning?

"Mar Rugeyan – Head of Senate Public Affairs."

It all fell into place, he had agreed the R and R, leading to more clones around and 79's opening. Clones blending in. Clones on Coruscant. The Bravo Eight Depot bombing. They were after that. It killed clones and Skirata hated that. Maze had read the report it could be the only thing. If there were already a lot of clones here, then a few more wouldn't be spotted.

The old 'in plain sight' trick.

An operation on Coruscant that couldn't be linked back to SOB. Off the books. More creative accounting would be needed.

Now he knew. They were going after the Separatists behind the bombing and he didn't have a problem with that, even if it was Skirata.

.

ARCA Barracks

Zey's Office.

"Ah Captain. I've just made Caf. Help yourself."

"Thank you Sir."

He poured a mug and sat down next to the pile of datapads.

"It's that time of month again, Maze. Inventory."

"Yes sir."

Zey watched him, expecting him to be more uptight; his aide wasn't a fool. He knew something was going on with Skirata.

"Let's have a look."

"Everything accounted for Sir."

Zey scrolled down the pages, it tallied. He scrolled back up and back down again. It was perfect, too perfect but the Accounts Department and Camas would be happy.

"Maze?"

"Yes sir?"

"Is there anything you need to tell me?"

"What about Sir?" He took a drink of caf.

"The Accounts."

"They're perfect. No discrepancies."

"Exactly."

"Sir, are you saying there should be discrepancies? Is there something I should know?"

Maze's impression of an innocent Clone Trooper didn't wash with Zey.

"No. No."

"Sir, it tallies. Every line of the Accounts is perfect. I checked it Sir. After all we don't want General Camas around here again, asking questions. Do we Sir?"

"No we don't Captain. Not that there is anything for him to ask questions about is there Captain?"

"Oh no sir."

"And if there was anything I needed to know, you would tell me, wouldn't you, Captain?"

"Of course sir."

"And if there was anything that you needed to know. I would make sure you were told, wouldn't I Captain?"

"Of course, Sir. I understand perfectly."

"Good Captain. I'm satisfied we're on the same page." He signed off the datapads. "I think that's all tonight Captain. I won't be needing you any more today. Your time's your own."

'Thank you Sir."

Maze turned and left, feeling Zey's eyes burning a hole in his back

.

Maze changed into his fatigues and blended in with the other clones, who were walking through Coruscant. He headed for the gym, knowing Essie would be there; he was helping her get back into shape, although he had to agree with Net. She was already in pretty good shape.

He never thought as he walked in, it was the Ladies Self Defence class and it was in full swing but they stopped, mid moves, when they saw him and stared at him. Essie furiously waved him away and he headed to the changing rooms, then remembered there was some reason these particular females didn't like men. But Nat had never said why and they seemed okay with him.

Essie popped her head around the corner. "You startled them. I need to introduce you but there are rules. No swearing. No sudden movements to me or any of them. Don't touch me and stand to my side. They're a bit jittery seeing you suddenly appear like that."

"Why?"

"They've had bad experiences with men."

"Explain."

Bloody Devro, she could be obtuse at times.

"They're partners or family members have abused them in various ways. I'm not going to go into detail. It's their stories to tell. Could be physical or mental. Partners, Fathers or brothers and even others but it was always males of the species with these particular ladies. This helps give them their confidence back."

Maze stood there; he didn't understand how anyone could do that but it obviously happened. He hated bullies.

"Okay. What do you want me to do."

"Smile. I know you can and don't glare that makes you look …..dangerous."

He forced a smile. She looked at him, head cocked to one side.

"Not so much teeth. I said smile not snarl!"

He tried again.

She pursed her lips and frowned.

"Mmm. That'll do. Come on."

Essie grabbed his hand and pulled him into the training room; he let her.

"Ladies. This is Captain Maze."

He looked around the room. The occupants were of various ages and species, but they all had one thing in common. They were nervous and obviously didn't trust him.

"He's a member of the GAR and sworn to protect us. I trust him."

He smiled.

Some of them nodded but still didn't trust him. He could see that.

"Thank you Captain."

Maze left, unsure what that had accomplished and by the time he finished changing, the lesson had ended and Essie was on the weights. He joined her, alternating with her. He found it oddly mesmerising watching her lift, seeing the muscles that he hadn't known were there; she had an understated strength and he felt sorry for anyone who underestimated her. Wolffe said she was ready to finish off the security guard at The Boiler Room. They worked methodically through their sets, along with the other regulars who started to wander in.

"Nat and Sol coming?"

"Yes later. They've had to go to the wholesaler to stock up."

She grunted as she pushed upwards.

"Where's that?"

"The Corufresh Depot, I think. Most people go there. It's late night tonight. They were running a bit low on supplies. All the new customers they have."

The Clones had been a boon for them.

Intel he had seen regarding Omega and Delta, pushed to the front of his mind. He dropped his weights on the floor.

"Where?" He demanded, the name Corufresh had come up on his checks for Delta. Neither they nor Omega could totally get away from him.

"Quad F-76." Essie looked at him confused.

Maze checked on his com. It was 19:30 hours. The hairs stood up on the back of his neck. It could be nothing, in which case he would look a fool. Better that, than Essie losing her family because he guessed that her son was with them.

"Get them away from there now. Get on the com."

"Why?"

"Just do it."

"Maze?"

"Get on the Com!"

Essie had just said she trusted him, and she did. There must be something wrong. She commed them, feeling anxious; she could feel anxiety radiating off Maze. Finally they picked up.

"Where are you?"

"Just pulling away from Corufresh. All stocked up now. We'll be 30 minutes. Everything okay?"

"Yeah. See you later."

She closed the com. "They're on their way back now."

"Good."

"So what was that all about?"

"Just some Intel. There may be something happening there. Not sure. Just to be on the safe side."

She watched him, considering something.

"It's not just Nat and Sol. There's someone else with them."

"Who?" He asked, already guessing at the answer.

"My son."

She waited, for the excuses and for him to leave. Several people she thought were good friends had.

"His name's Del. He's 14 months old."

"Can I meet him?" He had seen the little cadets and his brothers in their growth jars; they were part of his growing up and had fascinated him. That was one order of Jango's he couldn't have obeyed. Destroying those clones, decanted or not, he couldn't have killed them. "Can I?"

She finally nodded.

"I'll tell them." She rushed off, com to her mouth.

It wasn't long before they appeared at the door; Nat carrying the young boy in his arms.

"So what was all the fuss about?"

"Ma." The little boy, held his arms out.

She immediately took him and he flung his pudgy littles arms around her neck, giving her a sloppy kiss. Maze noted how her face changed when she looked at her son, then she whispered something into his ear. The child turned around to look at Maze.

"This is Maze, he's mummy's friend."

The child watched him carefully, clinging to his Mother.

Maze smiled and nodded. The child watched him again, then squirmed and kicked his legs, demanding in his own way to be put down. He ran off towards Nat, who swung him up and around.

"He doesn't say much." Maze commented.

"He's a little young."

"Oh." Maze realised he couldn't compare this young one to his own and his brothers development.

He watched Essie's eyes follow the little boy, as he ran around. He certainly looked healthy enough.

.

Essie read the headlines — A major terrorist network lies in tatters this morning, following the end of a massive overnight operation by CSF. A total of 97 suspects were detained or killed and what's been described as 'a significant amount' of explosives seized. — she didn't read the comment from the Senator.

Maze had known about it, or suspected. So it wasn't CSF.

So what did he do?

She had never really asked.

.

CSF Club.

13 months ABG.

Maze wasnt sure why he got the invitation but the General insisted he attend; he stood watching Omega and the Nulls.

"Are you the one who threw himself on the bomb?" asked a female in uniform, she leaned in close, smelling of brandy, invading his personal space, a smile on her face and watching him.

"No ma'am, I didn't have that pleasure." his reply dripped with an acidic sarcasm, that could have burnt through the floor.

She backed away, frowning. Essie would have had a retort.

Then he saw them lining up, he could do this. They had all done this. He pushed in next to Ordo, "Mind if I join in." he smiled at Fi, unnerving him. It was his best smile, less teeth; he slotted in seamlessly.

.

Maze enjoyed the Dha Werde; it appealed to his sense of brotherhood because despite what some people thought, he did have it, albeit his concept of it, was probably different to what Kal Skirata thought of as brotherhood. Plus he got his revenge on Ordo— twice.

He had bloodied Ordo's nose in an elegant revenge and Ordo accepted it—honour had been served, for the moment.

An attempt at building bridges, sometimes Zey wasn't subtle.

He asked Essie to attend with him but she refused saying there was something she had to do, with work. Perhaps it was for the best, after the last time they went somewhere other than the gym, it didn't end well.

But now his little drink with Ordo had been interrupted by a statuesque blond, who was taking an unhealthy interest in the Null.

I should warn her.

"I don't know what this was all about, and whether it's a Soldier boy thing. But there is nothing funny about this." Agent Besany Wennen made her feelings known.

Maze removed the smile from his face, as the tall blond woman that Ordo had introduced as Agent Besany Wennen, was dabbing at the Captain's bloodied nose. Maze was not an idiot, he could see there was something going on between those two. The Null had been watching the door since Maze came in, to his surprise, and he hadn't been looking for him, then he never took his eyes off the woman since she entered and fairly bristled at anyone else taking an interest.

"No ma'am." He answered.

He could see the hint of amusement in Ordo's eyes. He was enjoying this.

"I will never understand the men who insist on beating each other up, for fun and now this," she prodded the cut firmly, "this—was not an accident." She continued to dab hard at the now congealing blood. He saw Ordo flinch, minutely.

"No ma'am." He tried not to smile.

Agent Wennen gave him an odd look, as Ordo glared at him.

"Don't you have somewhere else to be Captain?" Ordo muttered. Maze was cramping his style.

Yes I do.

He downed his Corellian brandy in one. "Captain."

Ordo returned it, under the gaze of Agent Wennen, one which Maze recognised and it awakened feelings in him that he had tried to ignore for months. But she wasn't Essie.

"Agent Wennen." Maze turned to face her, gently lifting her hand to his lips. He held it there for a few seconds longer than required in polite society, his eyes fixed on hers. He had studied images at the Library that illustrated this ancient custom; it was old fashioned but he knew it would drive Ordo crazy.

He brushed his lips across her knuckles.

It would drive him crazy if someone else did it to Essie in front of him.

"It's been a pleasure." He finally let go of her hand and kept his eyes on her slightly astonished face, before turning sharply and marching towards the exit. He knew exactly where he was going.

It seemed to take forever to reach her apartment, the walkways of Coruscant still busy, the sky lanes still full of traffic, it was truly a city that never sleeps, on all levels.

He was here.

In front of her door.

He had forgotten how late it was.

Would she even be up?

Does she still feel the same?

He half turned around and then turned back.

He paused before knocking not even knowing what he was going to say, or do. His memory just kept going back to that club. The possibility of losing her.

He hated being like this.

He had not enjoyed the 'Honey Pot' exercises, on Kamino he found them disturbing. And then on Qiilura with Suki. Contrary to what Ne'tra thought, he wasn't a total di'kut with regard to women, he just kept his feelings in check.

But not now. No longer.

His body was telling him something, his brain couldn't process and had been for months.

He turned again, staring down the corridor.

She's my friend. What if it's not what she wants?

He had to be clear.

He had seen only part of the galaxy and some of the beings who lived in it, but he was self aware enough to know, that he wanted more than he currently had or was thought to be entitled to.

He pressed the door bell.

And waited.

He pressed it again.

She may be asleep.

The boy.

He hadn't thought this through.

.

Essie blinked, she thought she heard the door bell. Listening for a few seconds, she decided she was mistaken and turned over.

The doorbell rang.

"Who is it at this time?"

Dragging herself out of bed, she searched around for her wrap; it was chilly. She pulled it on and headed for the door. The automatic lights came on dimly, allowing her to find her way. She peered through the peephole.

"Maze?" She didn't realise he knew where she lived but opened the door, worried.

"Essie."

"Come in. What's wrong?" She pushed the door closed behind him. "Is it Nat and Sol?"

He put his helmet on a table nearby.

"I…. No sorry. I …"

She pulled him further in.

"What's wrong? What's happened?"

She could feel his uncertainty; something awful must have happened.

"Is it your General? Are we being attacked? Are you leaving Coruscant?"

She didn't want the last one; she didn't want him to go anywhere or be hurt. She moved closer to him.

"No. It's you."

"Me?"

He was still uncertain. She had never felt anything much from him before, he was always so guarded, so closed off, not now.

"I should have told you, before."

"Told me what?"

She could feel him now, worried and …..oh!

He closed the distance between them and his lips pressed against hers, unpractised but needy. She couldn't help but respond, she had hoped, wished but thought he only wanted a friend. Her arms wrapped around his neck, pushing up into his hair; the bristle of his beard growth scratched her cheeks, until he pulled away slightly, his arms holding her body tightly to his, covered in hard armour.

"Come on, let's sit."

"I like it just here." His forehead rested on hers for a few seconds before he kissed her again, a little more forcefully, more practised. She gave into him, pushing her tongue tentatively against his closed lips until it slipped in and he understood, doing the same and after what felt like an eternity the kiss ended and they parted.

"Come on." She smiled before pulling him to her large sofa, a luxury for some but a necessity for her.

He sat next to her, pressed close like they did in the library, thigh to thigh, hip to hip, side to side, his arm around her shoulders, keeping her there. He had never given any indication.

"So what's prompted this?" The lights came up a little brighter, still dim, so she could properly see his face now. He was young but no longer the stern very young looking man who had come to the Library, even in this short time he had matured. His face looked more relaxed.

"Ordo, Agent Wennen, you, me."

He could not describe it.

"Come here." She pulled him down into another kiss.

Osik! I could do this forever. Maze thought as he mirrored her, hoping it was okay. He would have to do more reading.

Eventually she pulled away, breathless. Looking straight into his eyes.

"I hoped, especially after you started coming to the gym but you never gave me any real indication." she paused. "You were always about the war. Research on whoever or whatever. I didn't think you would have time for me."

"I didn't think I would but my war has not turned out as I thought. I never considered this, thinking I could be dead next week."

She had no reply to that.

"I don't know who those people are but if they prompted this. Then I want to thank them."

"No. They're dangerous."

"And you're not?"

He frowned, "Not to you." Concerned she thought that.

"There's Del to consider. Can we talk tomorrow night? Can you come over?"

"Of course. It's late. I'm sorry. I just…."

She smiled, "I'm happy you came. I hope you are."

He kissed her again, if he continued like that all her will power would be eroded.

"Does that answer you?"

She leaned against his chest.

Yes it did.

.

Maze finally left, now Essie couldn't sleep; so many emotions and thoughts going through her mind. She was very fond of him and so attracted to him. She didn't want to lose him as a friend or anything else that eventually happened. But it was still early days.

She was not going to rush this.

There were things he needed to know about her, and boundaries she wanted to set; she preferred he knew about them now rather than later, for both their sakes.

She had to do this right.

.