A/N: Hello again, my friends! I hope all is well with you. It's been a long time! I never stopped writing, but it was at a snail's pace for the better part of a year, and I finally have something to show for it. I wanted to wrap up this particular arc in one piece. I hope that you all enjoy reading it! I don't exactly know when I'll have the next chapter up, but it's coming. I'm going out of the country for the month of May, and June is going to be nonstop busy with my business, so it's hard to say how much free time I'll have for writing in the next few months. That being said I have more planned and I won't be abandoning this story, it's just slow going. Have a great day, and thank you so much for reading! ~TB

27 BBY - Talos, Atzerri

Cye expected a firefight going into the Star Horizon. It made her nervous to be able to simply walk in without even a verbal protest. That wasn't to say they weren't being watched. Rodians lined the steps, playing guard and bouncer to the casino patrons. Most carried blasters on their hip, while several kept them in a relaxed grip, eyeing the two Mandalorians as they passed.

"They're just letting us in?" Cye asked through their shared helmet comms. "What's the catch?"

"Maybe that they don't want a bad reputation," Jango said casually. "If we had come after hours it'd probably be a different story."

"Or else they have something planned."

"Or else they have something planned," Jango parroted back with a nod.

"We should have brought Oy'ika."

"Hard no. Intimidation is one thing, going in with an unknown variable is another. That could be seen as a sure signal we want casualties. Besides, we'll be ready."

Cye went through contingency plans in her head, using her helmet's sensors to scan the area for potential exits in case they were walking into a trap. It took an enormous amount of willpower to keep from resting her hand on the grip of her blaster.

Bright lights cast neon shadows across the entryway of the Star Horizon. It opened into a wide room filled with gambling machines and flashing signs. Dozens of people were taking advantage of the rows of slots, and the betting bars were surrounded by patrons throwing credits down on speeder races happening outside of Talos city limits. Before they could head further inside they were approached by a twi'lek woman wearing a sheer, flowing silver dress over a tight green body glove that matched her skin tone. Silver chains and jewelry adorned her neck and lekku. Bands of silver jingled on her arms as she raised both hands in greeting.

"Welcome to the Star Horizon," she said in a smooth, sultry tone. "Master Saba was informed of your arrival. If you would please follow me, he would very much like to speak with you."

From the outside, it would only seem the two Mandalorians turned their helmets to look at each other. "I count three exits," Cye said through their private comms. "The front here, then two out the back."

"There are two turrets in the ceiling," Jango confirmed. "Blaster rifles behind the bars. Should make a firefight interesting." Then he looked back to the waiting twi'lek and nodded once, activating his external vocalizer. "Then take us."

"Of course," she crooned as she bowed slightly. "Right this way, please."

She escorted them through the main gambling hall. Beyond the machines were tables for Sabaac and other games of chance. Cye even spotted a couple of Dejarik booths surrounded by cheering spectators. The crowds thinned as they passed into the high rollers area. There was an air of danger. No cheering, no spectators, all business. Cye noted the weapons locker on the wall. They stopped at a gold plated door guarded by several armed rodians. The twi'lek faced them and smiled.

"This lift will take you to Master Saba's private suite." The door opened and she gestured for them to enter. "I hope you enjoy your time at Star Horizon."

"You're not coming," Cye said to her without emotion.

"No,"the twi'lek replied. "I have not had the pleasure of being invited. You two are very lucky indeed."

"Let's get this over with," Cye said before stepping into the lift. Jango followed her and the door slid shut. There was a barely imperceptible shudder as the lift began to rise. "Walking into a trap?"

"Possibly," Jango replied. "Let's see how this plays out before we start blasting. This gang might be small-time, but they've caught the interest of Ziro."

"The Hutt?"

"Yeah. We need to be smart about how we deal with this one."

"It probably helped to have a Jedi telling you what to do. I wonder how long it will take for things to fall apart?"

"Well, either a few minutes from now, or later." Cye could hear the grim smile in Jango's tone. "We're about to find out," he said as the lift stopped and the door slid open. "Be ready, Ika'vod."

Ali Saba's private suite was sparsely decorated for a crime lord's lair. Cye scanned the room, noting the depressions in the plush carpet where stands and tables one stood. On blank walls between floor length velvet drapes were the maglock fasteners for artwork no longer on display, replaced by blaster wielding guards and thugs. A rodian sat in an elevated chair reminiscent of a gaudy throne, complete with velvet cushions and gold trim. He looked younger than Cye expected for the head of an up and coming crime family. Having a precognitive Jedi on the payroll must have helped. His mouth curled in the best efforts of a smile.

"Jango Fett. Your reputation precedes you," he said in a buzzy, nasal voice. "What an honor it is to meet you."

"You know why we're here," Jango said coolly.

"I know why she is here." Saba gestured to Cye. "What I don't know is why you've chosen to involve yourself. I heard you retired. Quit taking jobs a few years ago."

"I've become more selective. I delegate the jobs that are below me."

The rodian's eyes narrowed for a split second as he took in the implications of Jango's statement. The green in his face deepened. His mouth opened and closed like a fish on a hook. Cye smirked as he recovered his composure. She stood silently, casting her eyes towards the others in the room, watching for any telltale shift in body language. This was her brother's show for the moment.

"I see."

"That's fortunate," Jango said. He left the unsaid for you hanging in the silence like a dark cloud. "I've come for Zam. It would be to your benefit that she's returned alive and in one piece."

"She killed one of the most trusted and valuable members of my organization," Saba said as he leaned forward. "Your friend here too."

"A contract was placed on his life. If he was so valuable, you should have protected your investment better." Jango slid a credit chip from his front belt pouch, making sure to keep his hands seen and away from his blasters. "A token of my good will." He held it out to Saba between his index and middle fingers. "The credits for the bounty, plus extra. Enough to reinvest in a replacement."

With a nod one of his men approached and snatched the chip from Jango's fingers. He slid the cred-chip into a reader to confirm the amount. His protruding mouth formed a perfect O, then quickly showed Saba. "This is a start," he said as he pulled the credit chip from the reader and tucked it away in his jacket. "But what's to stop me from exacting retribution, here and now? You're outnumbered. Outgunned. Nowhere to duck for cover."

"I'll take those odds, considering you'll be the first one to drop."

"Don't come to my home making demands, Fett. I have little patience left."

"You forget your place, Saba." Jango stepped forward, prompting the guards surrounding them to raise their weapons. Cye instinctively unholstered her blasters, aiming them at the two she could get a clean shot at before the firefight broke out. Her brother remained with his hands at his side, easy and relaxed. His controlled confidence kept Cye from pulling the trigger. "Even within the Hutts there's a hierarchy. Ziro barely justifies his place on the Council. If he had any real power he could have rescinded the contract on Waikali's life."

Sweat rolled down the back of Cye's neck as Saba's eyes bulged. The Hutts didn't do that, not in her experience. Everyone was expendable in the long game. The back and forth between him and Jango was creeping to an uncertain crescendo. She still wasn't sure which way the chips would fall. Her blasters remained steadily aimed at the two guards in her vision. Jango made no move to suggest they were under threat. Instead he continued to push his advantage.

"Do you think Ziro can do anything to protect you from me? Because I know what will happen once Jabba finds out you've crossed his most valued asset."

"That's only if he finds out what happened to you." Saba's tone wavered as he issued his threat, but Jango shut it down right away.

"The transmission was sent before I arrived in-system," Jango countered. "No doubt he's already drafted the contract on your life should he not hear from me within the next rotation. Jabba is extremely efficient about these matters. And Ziro won't be able to sway the Council in your favor once Jabba's mind is made up."

He slowly moved his hand out, flicking his fingers downward as he spoke. Cye didn't want to, but followed his lead, lowering her blasters in painfully slow motion. She kept her fingers on the triggers though, ready to start firing in a split second if it came down to it. She swallowed heavily as the silence hung like a thick fog. It was suffocating, waiting for a response from Saba. She knew what her brother was playing at, and hoped that Saba hadn't been in the game long enough to recognize the bluff. Cye was thankful for the helmet. They couldn't see her nerves as she clenched her jaw, nor her loathing as she stared daggers at the rodian leader.

Cye let out the breath she'd been holding as Saba motioned for the guards to lower their weapons. He didn't take his eyes off of Jango as he pressed a button on his chair. "Bring in the clawdite," he hissed. His antennae angled back in frustration. His offhand gripped the arm of his chair hard enough that his knuckles were pale green. His bulging eyes shone with malice as they waited in silence once more. He exuded tension in waves as the veins in his neck pulsed. Cye wondered if this was a ploy. There was no point in assuming that he was actually going to release Zam. Until she saw her she operated under the assumption that Saba was going to bring in some heavy artillery to level the playing field with the Mandalorians. When the door behind Saba opened Cye tensed, ready for the worst.

Two rodians carried Zam between them. She was in her natural form, barely conscious as they brought her forward. Her hands were bound and her face was bruised and bloodied. Cye forced herself to remain in place, resisting the instinct to get Zam away from the hut'uune. They released her without ceremony, letting her fall to the floor in a heap with a pained groan.

"Consider this a token of my good will, Fett," Saba said as he leaned back in his chair once more. He waved his hand towards Zam, and one of the rodians that brought her in cut loose her bond before stepping away. "Alive and in one piece, as you requested. Make sure that Jabba knows this as well."

"A wise choice." Jango turned his head just enough to give Cye a nod. "Get her up. We're leaving."

Cye paused a moment more, casting suspicious glances at the rest of the guards before holstering her blasters and moving to Zam's side. Her eyes could barely open as she tried to push herself up. Her arms strained and trembled with the effort, and she would have collapsed had Cye not caught her. She lifted Zam easily, putting the clawdite's arm across her shoulders while keeping a firm grip on her waist. Zam grunted as she was brought upright. Cye could see her swollen right ankle pushing her leather boot outward. Her breath came in wheezing gasps as Cye began guiding her towards the exit.

"One last thing, Fett." Her brother hadn't moved, keeping Saba in clear view. Cye knew he was making sure no one acted out of turn as she retreated with Zam. Apparently negotiations weren't over. "If either of your associates ever set foot in Talos ever again- if they've even entered the system, they're dead. They cost me dearly, and I won't forget. Ever."

"I won't stop you," Jango replied and started backing out of the room. "Or them." Cye entered the lift with Zam and shifted out of view to the control panel. With her free hand she retrieved the small charge spike. Jango entered the lift a moment later. As soon as the door slid shut he had his blasters in hand. "We need to move fast. I don't know how long it will take for him to figure it out."

Cye pressed the spike against the control panel as the lift began to take them down to the main level once more. As the door slid open Cye activated her infrared scanner and activated the spike. "Out the back," she said. "Less eyes on us." She shifted to support Zam's weight better as they exited and went left. Jango led the way, his dueling Westars out front. Zam tried to say something, but ended up letting out a coughing groan for her efforts. "Don't try to talk. It'll bring attention we don't need."

She wanted to tell Zam that she was safe, that everything would be alright. Or demand to know what the hell she was thinking going back to their room alone. Or why she was just going to leave, not even brave enough to say goodbye to Cye's face. Emotions roiled under the surface as Cye forced back the questions on the tip of her tongue.

The telltale hiss of the charge spike released behind them, leaving smoke and ozone billowing from the lift. Saba or his guards had attempted to call the lift back up faster than Cye hoped. The fried controls would buy them more time, maybe a minute or two. Red lights began to flash, and an automated warning began to sound on repeat.

"Please remain where you are. Place all cards face down and all chips on your tables until the security drill is complete. Please remain where you-"

"Which way?" Jango's voice came through her helmet as they approached a T- junction.

"Right."

Jango cut right just ahead of her. A second later Red streaks of blaster fire slammed into the left corner, splintering the wall and leaving smoking holes in the plaster. Shouts followed, cut short by the high pitched hiss of Jango's modified Westars. Cye paused at the corner as she readjusted her grip on Zam.

"Clear. But not for long." With her brother's confirmation, Cye pulled Zam around the corner. Three men were sprawled across the floor. The stench of seared flesh only just started to permeate the hallway. The exit was clear, only ten meters away, if that. Jango spun as she passed him, covering their backs as Zam struggled to keep her feet underneath her.

"Hang on to me," Cye said before sweeping Zam's legs out from under her. Even in her natural form she was light. The clawdite threw a limp arm around Cye's neck as she picked up speed. However the exit remained closed as they reached it. "They've locked down the doors, Ori'vod."

"On it."

Before he could help breach the exit blaster fire came from behind them. Jango fired back, unable to do much more than keep Saba's guards from coming around the corner to get a clean shot. Cye found the override controls, and was about to set Zam down to work on releasing the lock when a blaster shot whizzed up towards the ceiling so close she felt the heat by her neck. Zam had Cye's blaster in her hand and gazed up with a loopy grin. A moment later the fire suppression system kicked on. Smoke poured from the hole a hand's width away from the sprayer that was now soaking the walls and floors. A moment later the safety overrides were activated and all exit doors to the building were opened.

"How's that?" Zam rasped as her eyes lost focus.

"Perfect, cyar'ika," Cye said without thinking. There was no time to berate herself. "Jango! Door's open."

"Go! I'll cover you."

Cye was already carrying Zam outside. The alarm from the fire blared even louder outside. Groups of people had stopped to gawk while others began to shout for help or call for emergency services. She dashed left towards the larger crowds, barreling through, knocking anyone who didn't move in time out of her path. Blaster fire followed after her, causing a panic in the wake of the path she'd carved. Everyone scrambled to get away, causing a stampede and trampling over anyone who fell. Cye was past the tangled throng and around the corner before the chaos spilled into the main thoroughfare.

"Ori'vod, what's your status?"

"Taking the long way," he barked through the comm. "Too crowded to follow you. Meet at RV Two and I'll have the ship fly by to pick us up."

"Understood." Cye activated the map overlay of Talos in her HUD. She plotted out the course to the rendezvous spot, checking radio chatter for law enforcement locations, and sticking to semi-crowded areas that provided good cover. "Zam, you with me? Do you think you can walk? It'll be less conspicuous."

"I can try."

Her voice was raspy and strained, and she grimaced as she put weight on her right leg. Zam managed to stay on her feet with Cye's help and they hobbled through the gaudy stores of Trader's Plaza. It was two klicks as the convor flew to the meet up. Cye managed to keep it just under three by cutting through a boutique outlet selling overpriced garments and counterfeit jewelry. They received a few stares from people who quickly went back about their business, or found something else to pay very close attention to, when Cye turned her helmet towards them.

The satellite landing platforms were just a short walk from Trader's Plaza. They were perfectly positioned to funnel new arrivals through the gauntlet of shops ready to convince them to part with their credits. Cye guided Zam to the lower level decks where shuttles were waiting to ferry people to other on world destinations. The platforms sprawled out in a tiered honeycomb, designed to give the minimum amount of room necessary for the traffic controllers to maneuver shuttles via autopilot. Normally this was an orderly task, just a simple matter of selecting precalculated flight paths and assigning them to individual crafts.

Cye stepped out onto Departure Deck 2-A just as a high pitched warning siren trumpeted in short staccato bursts. Jango was standing on the edge of the platform watching as Slave-I approached at speed. Shuttle pilots on the surrounding platforms overrode their autopilots to either keep from taking off or serving out of the way. People walking on the decks ran for cover in a panic, knocking over repulsors carrying luggage and the occasional person not paying enough attention.

"What's your status?" Jango's voice cut through the siren over her comm.

"Right behind you." Cye swept Zam up once more and hurried across the platform towards her brother. The ship spun onto its back and lowered the boarding ramp as it approached them. It barely touched the edge of the landing platform, with most of the ship hovering midair as Jango walked casually up the ramp without a care for the massive drop on either side. Cye followed after him a few meters behind. As soon as her boots hit the ramp Slave I lifted off the platform. She didn't have time to worry about the drop either as security forces were taking pot shots with their stun blasters in an attempt to stop them from leaving.

The ramp closed and sealed with a hiss as the interior pressurized for travel. Jango already had his helmet off as he came back from the cockpit to help Cye get Zam to the prisoner holds beyond the guard station. Oy'ika bounded out from the second cell, the strill whining curiously as they carried Zam between them. Cye dropped a hand to pat its head reassuringly before pointing back to the holding cell with a quick command to wait there. Thankfully Oy'ika did as they were told, staying out from underfoot with only a snort of protest.

The third cell was set up once more with sound dampening blackout cloth, a precaution for Cye's hyperspace vertigo. They set Zam on the bunk and Jango stepped out.

"Triage kit's there," he said in gruff monotone. He frowned at Zam before glancing over to Cye. "I'll be in the cockpit."

Cye nodded and he walked away, pulling the blackout curtain across the entry to keep the swirling blue out of sight once they entered hyperspace. She dragged the thick cloth across the holding cell exit as well before turning her focus back to Zam.

"How do I look?" Zam asked as she attempted a smile that turned into a pained, wincing hiss. She slouched heavily as she leaned against the wall to keep from falling over completely. Her natural slate green skin was paler than usual, contrasted by the dark bruising that mottled her face. She squinted through her swollen eyes, made worse by how much larger they were in her true form.

"You look like you decided to jump in front of stampeding fathiers," Cye answered as she opened the triage kit. "I'll probably have to cut your boot off. I'm surprised the seams haven't burst already."

"I only buy the best."

Cye wasn't in the mood for bantering. Now that they were alone and she was no longer distracted by their escape, her stomach twisted and her chest tightened. She pushed away the disgusted, shameful anger that welled up with a tight frown and clenched jaw. She couldn't decide if it was directed more at Zam or herself. Instead, Cye focused on the task at hand, pulling thick beskar edged shears that could snap through bone when necessary from the kit.

"It will be easier if you lie down." Cye pointed at her swollen ankle. "I don't want to pull on your leg. That will make things worse for you."

"I could just slim down a bit if you give me a minute." Zam's playful tone only served to increase Cye's smoldering frustration. She waited in silence as Zam let out a breath, concentrating on changing her form. Before she managed to even change her skin tone she gasped and clutched at her ribs. "Or maybe not."

She struggled to shift her body so she could lay down, breaking into a sweat as she collapsed on her back and tried to raise her legs. Cye waited for another few seconds before she helped lift Zam's legs up and set them gently on the cot without saying a word. Once Zam was settled Cye got to work, unlacing her boots to try and pull them off. The left came off easily enough and she set it aside. As she suspected, Zam's right leg was swollen to the point that the boot was practically a second skin. With careful precision she began clipping away at the leather with the shears. Once she had clear access to the boot's seam she slid the beskar edge across the threads with a satisfying dull rip.

Cye set the shears aside and inspected the damage. Zam's ankle and leg up to her calf was double the size it should have been and mottled with colors from dark greens to deep purples. She found the handheld medical scanner inside the triage bag and activated the sensor. Zam flinched as she pressed the device against her skin.

"Hurts?" Cye flicked her eyes towards Zam's face as she finally broke her silence.

"It's cold," she replied, attempting to cover her obvious pain with a hummed laugh. "Wasn't expecting that."

Cye grunted and shrugged as she continued to press the scanner to all sides of the injury. She wasn't trying to cause Zam anymore pain, but she didn't really care about the little she did either. She went through the motions until the scanner beeped its completion and she checked the screen's readout. Three different sections were fractured with several microtears of muscles and ligaments. It was bad, but it could have been a lot worse. Nothing that bacta injections and a little rest couldn't fix. She put the scanner away and took out the disinfecting solution, giving a quick spray down on Zam's ankle before leaving it alone to dry.

The triage kit came with several options for bacta treatment. There were the slow release patches which could handle most subdermal injuries. Bacta spray was the easy topical option, but could also be used on wraps and other bandages when needed. Cye set those aside for later and took out the injector and a premeasured cartridge of concentrated bacta solution.

"This will be uncomfortable," Cye said as she set one vial in the injector. "You need to stay still for the bacta to penetrate deep enough to work effectively."

"Alright." Her body went rigid as she tensed.

"Relax your leg. That will just make the injection more painful."

"Right, I knew that."

"Just exhale on three," Cye said, offering a flat but hopefully reassuring smile. There was something about the routine of performing triage that was comforting. It put her at ease, knowing exactly what needed to be done and exactly how to accomplish the task of keeping someone alive. "One. Two. Three."

The injector pierced Zam where the curve of her ankle should have started. The needle sunk in deep before she started pushing the bacta solution through. It had to be done slowly to let the fluid seep between the damaged tissue and surround the injury. For her part, Zam managed to keep her leg still. Cye could make out her fist clenching and releasing from the corner of her vision. It gave her something else to focus on, and that was good enough for Cye. Once the dose was administered she retracted the needle and ejected the spent cartridge.

"We'll probably need to do that again in a few hours," Cye said as she put the injector away. "Let's check your ribs. You were gripping them earlier."

"They're fine," Zam replied. "Just a little sore."

"Doesn't hurt to be thorough," Cye said back as she picked up the shears again. "Especially since you left the healing spa before you took your own bacta dip." She didn't keep the edge from her tone this time as she settled her icy gaze on Zam.

"Listen, Cye, I didn't-"

"It would be easier if you opened your shirt, but I'll cut it aside if I have to."

She didn't want to talk about it. She didn't want to think about it either. Only one of those things she had control over. They should have been celebrating somewhere, just the two of them. Maybe on the beach at Zeltros, or betting their credits away while drinking cocktails on Canto Bight. Anywhere but in a refitted holding cell on her brother's ship, trying to ignore the heartache that enveloped her like carbonite.

Zam didn't protest further. She simply opened her jacket with a short huff and lifted her undershirt enough to show off her bruised torso. She'd taken several harsh kicks to her side. Zam winced as Cye applied gentle pressure along her ribs. Thankfully there were no telltale bulges or dips where there shouldn't have been, but that didn't mean there weren't cracks. She unsealed a couple bacta patches and positioned them across the worst of the bruising. They'd work over the next couple rotations before their usefulness gave out. She pressed them gently against Zam's skin until they stuck without coming away at the edges, then carefully lowered her shirt so it wouldn't catch on the bandages.

"You can sit up if you want," Cye said as she tucked away the remaining patches and took out the bacta spray. She searched through the bottom of the kit and frowned. "I'll be back." She stood and flicked the blackout curtain, making sure the swirling blues of hyperspace weren't reflecting from the cockpit. There was a stack of clean rags for wiping down the holding cells after transporting prisoners and bounties tucked under the caf dispenser. Cye took a couple off the top and headed back, stopping short as she stepped back around the curtain. "What the hell are you doing?"

Zam had transformed into her petite human form. She was pale and sweat beaded on her forehead. Whether it was from the effort of her shifting or simply sitting up Cye couldn't say. The bruising on her face stood out more than it had in her natural form. Zam offered her an attempt at a casual smile.

"Just getting comfortable."

Cye couldn't help rolling her eyes at the waste of energy. She tossed the rags next to the spray and approached Zam. It was difficult to be that close to her, but Cye forced her discomfort away as she knelt down. She inspected the scrapes on Zam's chin and cheek, intentionally avoiding direct eye contact. They seemed superficial, especially compared to the swelling bruises in the soft tissue around her eyes. Yet she started with them first, working her way to the inevitable moment where Cye would have to meet her gaze. She sprayed the bacta onto the cloth, letting it soak in before she brushed it gently over Zam's broken skin.

"Your eyes are too bad off to just wipe down and too sensitive to bandage over," Cye said as she set the cloth aside. "It'll be better to blend the bacta with clay so it will stay for a while."

"Whatever you think is best."

"What I think is you should never have gone back by yourself." She didn't bother to hide the edge in her tone. "If you had waited this wouldn't have happened. If you chose not to believe obvious lies-"

Cye cut herself off as her voice rose. The last thing she needed was Jango to overhear. This wasn't a discussion she'd been ready to have and she was letting her anger get the better of her. So instead she straightened and moved stiffly to the medkit. She busied herself with her back to Zam, taking out the small collapsible mixing bowl and a container with fine gray clay powder. She dumped it all into the bowl then picked up the bacta spray and pushed the underside to depressurize the bottle. A moment later she unscrewed the cap to pour the ooze-like fluid over the clay. Then she opened up a sterile spoon and began to mix the concoction into a thick paste.

"You're right," Zam's feathery whisper barely broke the silence between them. "I'm a coward." Cye glanced over her shoulder, still working the clay to the right consistency. Zam was staring at her hands in her lap. The edge of her lip quivered as she took in a shallow breath.

"At least you can admit it."

"When he told me, I felt the truth of it in my bones, Cye. I don't know how else to describe it. I believed him. I still believe him."

Cye set the bowl down and turned around. "He's a Jedi, Zam. Not only that, but Waikali is- was a master of the mind. Of course he could make you believe a lie. That's his area of expertise." She could understand that in the moment, and maybe feeling uncertain for a little while after. But still, right then? How could Zam possibly think that Cye would harm her? "But you chose to leave. And you couldn't even bother to tell me to my face."

"I'm sorry," Zam lifted her head. Guilt shimmered in her eyes, spiking Cye's frustration higher.

"You made me think everything was fine then you snuck off," she said with a huff. "You couldn't even record a holomessage. You left me a flimsi note. Who does that?"

"I get it. I fekked up." Zam's tone shifted as she went on the defensive. "I was scared. What else do you want me to say?"

"I want you to say that you were playing me this whole time." Cye felt the heat rising up her neck to her cheeks. "I want you to tell me that I mean nothing to you and that you'd rather sleep in a nerf pen than share my bed. I want you to tell me that I'm the problem, not some di'kut huutun brainwashing you. It would make everything a hell of a lot easier."

"I-" Zam started before turning her face away. Her eyes were downcast in shame, or maybe regret. Cye couldn't be certain with her. "I can't do that."

Cye's jaw worked relentlessly, holding back every retort and curse she wanted to hurl at Zam. It wouldn't do any good, and it certainly wouldn't make her feel any better. She wanted to scream, to find some way to take out her frustration as far away from the clawdite as possible. Instead she turned her back to Zam and picked up the small bowl, mixing the contents with controlled fury. This wasn't the time or the place for anything more. They were stuck together on Slave I until they reached Denon.

"We should get this on your eyes," Cye finally managed to say in a drained monotone. When she turned back around her face was devoid of emotion despite her flushed cheeks."The longer it can sit there the better."

"You don't have to," Zam protested. "I can-"

"It'll be easier if I do it," Cye cut her off. "There's no mirror."

Zam nodded a fraction and her shoulders dropped. Her eyes closed as Cye kneeled before her once again. She didn't move while Cye carefully applied the bacta paste around her swollen and bruised eyes and across the bridge of her nose. If Cye had been in a better mood, she would have seen the humor in applying the clay in a pattern reminiscent of masked tooka. Instead the thought weighed heavier on her. There was no point to try and bring any levity to their situation. Once she was finished she set the remainder next to the medkit and rose again.

"You should rest." She turned to leave, but Zam caught her hand before she had a chance to step away.

"Wait." The damp bacta paste squished in the creases of her eyelids as Zam opened her eyes. "Please."

"For what?"

"Don't go. We can figure something out."

A hopeful smile attempted to curve at the edge of Zam's lips. She was clinging to a dream that could never come true with things as they were. Cye sighed, gently pulled her hand away, and shook her head. "There's nothing that needs figuring, Zam."

"I just need some time," Zam said, quietly pleading. "To get that guy out of my head."

"I can't be with someone who can't trust me," Cye said, squeezing the words out of her rapidly tightening throat. "I'll give you all the time you want, but I need space too." She needed a galaxy's worth of space at the moment, but she'd have to settle for one of the other holding cells instead. "Jango can come and check on you later, give you the next bacta injection." Cye made to leave again, but found herself paused at the door. She kept her back to Zam. She knew if she turned back around her resolve would fail her. "I wish I could convince you he was wrong, cyar'ika."

"Me too," Zam whispered as Cye left the holding cell, letting the curtain fall behind her. It was good while it lasted, but skies she wished they could have held strong for a long while.

Jango was sitting at the table nursing a caf. He glanced up, a questioning brow raised. Cye shook her head. His mouth pinched in a tight frown and he nodded. He gestured towards the second holding cell with a new blackout curtain hanging over it.

"Slana. Gar shuk meh kyrayc. Suum Denon jorhaa'mhi."

Cye nodded, silently thankful that she had her brother to fall back on when things inevitably fell apart. Oy'ika stood as she entered, then lazily padded over to gently headbutt her outstretched palm. Even the strill was able to sense that things weren't quite right. It nuzzled her as she pet it. At least she came away with one good thing from all this.

The cot was already pulled out, and on the small table was a bottle of tihaar and a shot glass. Beside that was one of Boba's favorite stuffed animals. The little porg he snuggled with at night had a flimsi note bedside it. 'For Cye'ba' was scrawled across it in uneven letters. They certainly knew how to cheer her up, she thought as she poured herself a drink and downed it quickly. She didn't want to push it too far, just enough to take the edge off her heartache so she could sleep without wondering if she made the right decision. Maybe someday Zam would come around. Until then, she had Jango and Boba. That was good enough.

Mando'a Translations:

Slana. - Go.

Gar shuk meh kyrayc. - You're no good dead. (basically get some rest)

Suum Denon jorhaa'mhi. - We'll talk after Denon.