Chapter Thirty-Four: A Happy Reunion For Three

When she got there she found a very secluded bench that not even the General would be able to find her. She sat down and wrapped herself in her thoughts. Okay you try to prove you're strong by wanting to fight more but instead you end up with a lecture/reprimand/reminder/the list just keeps going on. She tried to regain composure and stay calm but it was so hard because even the best of people can try somebody's nerves (not saying Grievous is the best of people oh not by a loooong shot).

After the time laps of two hours she had calmed her anger and nursed her injured pride back to health. She heard the soft patter of feet and the laugh of a young woman and the idle chatter of a little girl. River knew the voice of the young woman and smiled as they turned around the bend in the hedge that kept River hidden from unwanted sensors. In return she got a suprised and pleased friend that she had seen the previous night so there was no need for the squeals just a lot of catching up.

"Well hello stranger." said Juniper walking up to her and giving her gentle hug.

Juniper was a full Kalee with long flowing black hair and deep chestnut skin with a rougher edge to it and the eyes of every Kalee. She was slender and graceful, and an excellent warrior. They had been partners when they went in a group mission. She was wearing dark brown pants and a softer shade of brown color for her lose fitting shirt. And her hair pulled loosely back into a ponytail.

"I could say the same," came River's teasing voice.

"River this is my daughter Kamea I've told her all about your many missions and mishaps with her uncle."

River looked at the little girl, she had so many likenesses to her mother yet she could she differences however vivid they may be. Kamea had long black hair like her mother, and you could tell that both parents were Kaleesh, in every way shape and form she was the perfect image of what a Kaleesh little girl would look like. She was wearing a soft moss green sundress and her hair hung messily down to the middle of her back.

The little girl recognized her from the many holo-images and descriptions she had seen and heard, she rushed at her with open arms.

"Auntie River!" the little girl squealed as she wrapped her little arms around her neck.

River hugged the little girl gently and looked at Juniper with fondness in her eyes.

"I'm attached! Juniper she is so beautiful, she's going to make her father go mad when he has a thousand young men at his door when she's of age," she teased as she lifted the girl up in her arms.

"I know!... So how have you been?" Juniper asked as they made their way back towards the buildings.

"Oh pretty good considering some major setbacks and surprises."

"Well we have all of the rest of the day to talk and catch up so why don't you start after I left Kalee with Tayo."

They walked through the many hallways of the building just walking and being updated on things they hadn't been around to see or hear and they also took a long stroll on the beach stopping here and there to take a break and watch Kamea play in the sand.

Nothing much had happened with Juniper except for Count Dooku employing her husband and she was there to see the resurrection of her beloved brother who Juniper told River about at great length and with a thousand warnings not to push his buttons or he would literally be nothing but shinning deadly light.

River told Juniper all the events that happened since she had literally rammed herself into him on that day on Kalee. She told her about Soreka and the Jedi that had killed her and the promise she made to her dying master and the not knowing who Grievous truly was, and her friendship with Daniel and all the great stuff that had happened to her including the blow-ups she had already been through.

And through out the day she had become more attached to little Kamea. Fortunately for all of them they didn't run into "nice" and "cuddly" Uncle Grievous (yeah right a big mistake on little Kamea's part). Forever since he had finished the lesson he was on the verge of blowing up. But they didn't know and had just by the skin of their teeth had missed running into him multiple times. They made their way back inside and to the kitchen.

"Lets have a little fun while we fix something to eat." suggested River.

"Sounds like a great idea and after I send Kamea to bed we can fix a treat and talk more serious stuff."

They stood in there rushing back and forth making a nice meal for the two friends and an adorable little girl. As Auntie River and mommy ran bustling around the kitchen Kamea was watching their every movement intently and thinking childish day dreams. After they had eaten their meal Juniper went with Kamea to put her to bed while River volunteered to wash the dishes. By the time Juniper came back River had completed the dishes and had a pot of water heating for an herbal mixture that River had found.

"Okay more important stuff spill," demanded Juniper.

River looked at Juniper with reluctance and finally sat beside her beloved friend.

"What do you want to know?" said River at a loss as to where to start.

"Why are you here?"

"It's starts off on my first day as the Generals apprentice. We were getting ready to leave on a mission and I was doing some matinance on the shuttle when Daniel came up and introduced himself. This was before I knew that I was connected to my master. We became close friends and defended the other against Grievous' wrath and will I fell for him and I guess him for me. Well I was sent on a mission behind enemy lines, the Jedi Temple to be precise and I saw Daniel once a week on Kamino and we had told each other over and over again that we loved one another. And then on one of the meetings he tried to kill me and was nearly successful if it hadn't been for-"

"Grievous," cut in Juniper knowing what she was going to say.

"Yeah and so here I am in recovery not only physically but mentally also and I have no idea why mentally because my mind is just fine." said River pointing her finger at her head.

Juniper looked at her skeptically.

"What?"

"Nothing, nothing."

Now River knew how her master hated the answer but smiled mockingly at her as she got up to pour the water into two cups with the mixture in it. They were silent for a moment sadness thick in the air.

"I missed you so much," said Juniper getting up to stand next to River.

"And I you." she replied with a sad tone to her voice setting the pot down and embracing her.

They were this way for quite some time comforting the other at the many hardships that had befallen Junipers brother and Rivers cherished husband.

When they finally parted they both had tear streaked faces as they sat back down their drink now temperate. They talked of happier days and when they parted River headed for the seclusion of the beach and Juniper to her room.