Sorry it took me so long to get this chapter up.

It just wouldn't cooperate with me, thanks for the advice mandowriter. :)

Ciao!

After the incident with Roberta and Arcus's sister Rever pinged the rest of the squad to come pick them up, and within twenty minutes they all were back at the barracks.

"That was very irresponsible of you, Arcus," Des said, his voice calm but the anger in his eyes was all too evident. "You can't just leave the group without telling us where you went, if Rever hadn't pinged us your location we would have had to alert the Jedi Temple that you'd gone missing."

Arcus bowed his head in submission, he knew that he'd endangered the squad by just leaving them behind without telling them where he was going, Des tone of voice caused him to wince and his sister tried to hide further behind him.

"As for you two," Des said, turning to the bunk where Arsenal and Rever were sitting. "I'm disappointed in both of you, why would you go off without telling us?"

Neither of them said anything, not that they could, Rever was still mute and Arsenal was getting her damaged throat checked out by Ramik.

Des sighed and turned around, rubbing his hand along the back of his head. After a moment he turned back to face them. "Nothing like this is ever to happen again, do I make myself clear?" He asked them, everyone nodded, including Arcus even though he clearly outranked Des.

"Good, now that we've got that cleared up, mind introducing us to your friends, Arcus?" Des asked.

Arcus nodded and faced the squad. "Guys, this is my friend Roberta Valis and my sister Railyn," Arcus said. Roberta nodded while Railyn just pressed further into Arcus's back, not acknowledging the group.

"I'm sorry if I permanently damaged you in any way," Roberta said, addressing Arsenal who nodded, indicating that the apology had been accepted.

"Lucky for you the damage doesn't appear to be permanent," Ramik said as he finished his examination. "Just make sure to replace the bacta patch on it twice a day for a week and try not to talk for the next few days." Arsenal nodded in thanks before turning to Bloodbath.

/Looks like I'll get to practice 'talking' with you and Rever/ she signed. Bloodbath rolled his eyes. "Oh joy, now I have to translate for two people, I feel so... ow!" He shouted as Rever threw a well aimed punch at his shoulder.

/So, Roberta, what's your story?/ Arsenal signed and Bloodbath translated.

"I once worked alongside Jaller Obrim in CIS as his senior deputy, we went on a lot of missions together; I met Arcus when we were forced to call in the Jedi during a possible Separatist threat, we were investigating a warehouse that we suspected was used to smuggle Republic weapons to the enemy when we discovered it had been rigged with thermal detonators, I got caught in the explosion and was buried in the rubble," Roberta turned and lifted part of the shirt covering her back revealing a mass of scars all over her back, but the one that caught everyone's attention was the long, perfectly straight scar that ran along her spine.

"I was stuck in there for five hours before Arcus managed to pull me out, but the damage was already done. I was left unable to walk for two years and was honorably discharged from the force. I went through twelve surgeries, multiple bacta baths, and months of therapy before I regained the use of my legs, during that time I became severely depressed and attempted to kill myself; Arcus stopped me, saving my life for a second time."

"After my failed suicide attempt I sunk even lower into depression, my therapy was hard and I was in constant pain, Arcus tried everything he could to keep me going, but I was done. One day Arcus called me up and said he needed my help, we met up at a nearby park where he introduced me to his sister. He told me her story and asked if I would be willing to look after her for him, I agreed, that was two years ago."

"So Roberta is the friend you mentioned was looking after your sister?" Bloodbath asked, Arcus nodded.

"I needed someone I could trust who wouldn't tell the Order, Railyn needed someone who understood what she had gone through, and Roberta needed something to live for," Arcus said.

Railyn didn't say anything but grabbed his hand as tight as she could. "Railyn's been through a lot," Roberta said. "She was at that brothel for three months before she was rescued, but by then the damage had already been done, she's now terrified of men and breaks down every time Arcus has to leave."

They all sat in silence for a few moments, but were interrupted by Arcus's comlink beeping.

"Sorry, I've got to take this," he said, smiling reassuringly at Railyn who looked at him anxiously. He released her hand and walked a little ways away from the group.

Roberta sat down next to Railyn and pulled her into a hug. Ves got up from where he was sitting and moved to sit next to Railyn's feet, at first she recoiled from him, but he was insistent. He moved closer and laid his head over her lap. She froze at first, not knowing what to do, then she reached out and started scratching his head the way she had seen Arsenal do it, Ves grumbled happily.

Arcus appeared a short time later, his face grim. "We've been given a mission, we leave in twenty-four hours."

The squad and Arsenal nodded. "We should try to get some sleep while we still can," Des said looking at his chrono.

"And we need to get home," Roberta said. She got up and walked to the exit, Railyn following close behind. "Maybe you'd like to see us home?" Roberta said to Arcus who nodded and followed them.

Just before they left Railyn stopped at turned, taking in the group for the first time. "It was nice to meet you all," she said, then turned and followed Arcus out, holding his hand the whole time.

Bloodbath watched them go. Throughout the whole evening he couldn't keep his eyes off her. She was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen with her long, dark brown hair and eyes. Her skin was lighter than normal, but that only accentuated the color in her cheeks.

"...Bloodbath?" Des finished.

Bloodbath snapped his head around, wondering what he'd missed. "What'd you say, Des?"

Arsenal and Rever shared a knowing look. "I said don't you're a little young for her?" He repeated, totally deadpan. Bloodbath blushed furiously, apparently his observations hadn't gone unnoticed by his squad.

"Well, she is the prettiest girl I've seen up close," he said defensively.

"She's the only girl you've seen up close," Ramik interjected and Bloodbath glared at him. "That's not true," he said.

"Really? Give me one example of a pretty girl you've seen up close," Ramik challenged, Bloodbath stayed silent.

"You've got a crush," Ramik finally said.

"I do not!" Bloodbath said, but his blushing face said otherwise.

"I rest my case," Ramik said before he headed to the 'freshers to shower.

Bloodbath watched him go incredulously before turning to the remaining people. "What do you guys think?" He asked.

Des just shrugged. "Your crush is not my business," he said and followed Ramik.

"I do not have a crush!" Bloodbath shouted after him.

Bloodbath looked at Arsenal and Rever, who were trying, very obviously, to hide their grins. Seeing that Bloodbath huffed angrily at stalked off.

/I don't think his mood's going to improve any more when he sees Nolan and Ves in his bed/ Rever signed and Arsenal shrugged.

/He'll get used to it eventually/ she signed back.

Moments later Bloodbath's angry voice came floating back to them.

"What the... SOLUS!"

Arsenal just snickered.

Apartment Complex, Coruscant middle class sector-

"Do you have to go? Railyn asked.

"Yes I do, but I will call you at the usual times, Arcus said.

"But it won't be the same," Railyn said and started to cry.

Arcus hugged her close. "I promise I'll come back," he said. "And don't I always keep my promises?"

Railyn didn't speak but nodded her head. Arcus released her from the hug and whiped the tears from her face before kissing her on the cheek. She let go of him and went to stand by Roberta.

Arcus climbed back into the speeder and waved goodbye before pulling away, more tears fell from her face as Roberta guided her into the building.

Tears flooded Arcus's eyes as he pulled away. It didn't matter how many times he did this, it still hurt every single time.

Unbeknownst the trio, someone had been watching them. The probe transmitted the data back to a small group of people who watched the footage with different emotions.

After it was finished everyone present was silent for a moment, then one of them pushed a button on the arm of their seat and an aid came in.

"Call off the mission and send for General Arcus," Mace Windu said, the aid bowed and exited the room.

Please read and review, thanks. :)