"So ever since I escaped Death Watch, I started a village where free spirits could go. People who aren't Separatists Nor are they Republic." Gracie told Obi-Wan her story. "But how did Ahsoka find your camp?" Anakin said, sitting on the other bed, shirtless. Obi-Wan was also. She was dabbing at the cuts on his arm. "That's the tricky part... She doesn't know what happened to the ship. But I think it was sabotage." She said.
"Are you saying one of the clones turned on the Republic and tried to kill Ahsoka and the clones?" Obi-Wan asked. "50/50 chance, Obi-Wan. One thing's for sure. A Hyperdrive doesn't give out without reason." She said. Obi-Wan winced. "Sorry... These cuts are deep." She said, dabbing another one on his arm. "How did you find us, Gracie?" He asked. She bit her lip.
"It's hard to explain... I guess, when I thought about you, I could see you. But you couldn't see me. Like a projection. Like I was there, but I wasn't there... You know what I mean?" She said. "I think so..." Obi-Wan trailed off. "I have no idea." Anakin said. "I didn't think you would." She rolled her eyes. There was a piece of metal wedged in Obi-Wan's back. She nearly shrieked but stopped her.
"You aren't gonna like this... Bite down in this." She handed him a cloth. "Why? What's wrong?" He said. "A piece of metal is wedged in your back. It won't feel good... Just hang on." She went to the cupboard and jumped on the bed, sitting behind him. "Ready?" She asked. "I guess,"
"Don't say I didn't warn you. One, Two, Three!" She wrapped the tweezers around it and ripped it out, Minimal complaints but lots of whining. "Oh, stop whining, Obi-Wan. I though Jedi were tough." She said. He glared. With a smirk, she rolled her eyes and wet the cloth. "Here," He took it from her and held it to his face. She stood up and walked to Anakin who was a little hesitant.
"Don't worry, Master Skywalker. I'm only trying to help." She said, now wetting another cloth. "Yeah, if you weren't Obi-Wan's sister, no chance I would trust you." He said. She groaned. "Stop whining. And hold still." He did as he was told and she ran the cloth across his shoulders, washing off the dirt and blood. Before he could say anything, a groan came from him. "What is it?" She said, stopping.
"N-Nothing. I'm fine." He lied. But she just went along with it. She continued to wash off his back and then on his arms. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there, for you, Obi-Wan... Sometimes, you just... Can't go home. I couldn't bear to face mom after what happened." She said. "It's alright, Numa... I'm just glad your OK." He said. A smile spread on her lips as she washed Anakin's other arm. He was really tense. "Are you OK, Master Skywalker?" She asked.
"Yeah. But this is really awkward for me." He said. "Well, I'm sorry, but I have to. Or else any cuts might get infected." She told him. "Gracie!" She looked up at Ahsoka. "We're coming near camp..." She looked at her and then at her Master. "Did I interrupt something?" She said. They both looked at each other and then at Ahsoka. "No!" They said in sync. Ahsoka grinned and closed the door.
"Your Padawan sure knows how to make... ANY situation awkward." Gracie commented. "Well, it's what she does." He said. She rid the dirt and blood from his chest and then cleaned off the cloth. "How'd you become a special in first aid?" Obi-Wan said. "From what I remember, you stabbed me three times before making a proper injection of Bacta."
She sighed. "You learn a lot when you live with people who don't. And uh, little advice. You may wanna give me your lightsabers. The villagers don't take kindly to Jedi." She said. "Why not?" Anakin asked. "They don't trust them because of all the battles they've started." She told them. Obi-Wan found this a little shocking.
"But why? Your the sister of a Jedi." Anakin pointed out. "I'm aware of this, Master Skywalker. But for the longest time, he thought I was dead... Only natural for me to think the same..." She looked down. "But your not, Gracie... And thank the force that you came back to me." Obi-Wan put his hand on her shoulder. She wiped a tear away and crushed him in another hug.
"I've missed you so much!" She cried. "I've missed you, too, Numa..." He said. She snickered and breathed in. "Your gonna need new clothes. Once we land, I'll steal some from Demitri's closet." She smirked. "Who's Demitri?" Anakin asked. "My head officer. Highly trusted, I'll tell you that. Not to mention, my loyal guard. And friend." She said.
"Sounds nice." He assumed. "Oh, he can be nasty. Don't mess with him, or the militia." she cautioned. "Thanks for the tip." He shrugged. "Gracie, we're here." Ahsoka said, opening the door. "Great." She smiled and walked to the cockpit, looking at the village from the viewing window. The first person she saw was Demitri.
"Demitri!" She said, happily. They pulled down the loading ramp and Gracie ran to her friend. "Gracie! Your alive!" He said, dismounting his horse. She crushed him in a hug. "Yep. And I brought friends." She said. "Who?" Demitri looked over her shoulder and saw the two men. "Who are they?" He asked.
"Introduction, Obi-Wan, Master Skywalker, meet Demitri. Demitri. Obi-Wan and Anakin Skywalker." She said. "Wait! Your brother's a Jedi?" He said. "Uh... Yeah." She smiled. "And you've never told me this?" He said, a little mad. "Well, you never asked." She said, shrugging. He groaned. "Fair enough. Men! Bring the horses around!" He yelled. They were about 1 mile away from camp.
They brought the extra horses, knowing that they would be needed. Gracie saw Merida and smiled. "Hey, girl! Did you miss me?" She whinnied and nipped at Gracie' face, saying her hello. "Come on, I got someone I want you to meet." She said, pulling on the reins and guiding her. "Obi-Wan! This is my horse. Merida." She said. He looked at her. "She's beautiful." He said.
"She should be. She's my horse." Gracie smirked. He rolled his eyes. "Get on," She hooked her foot into the stirrup and helped Obi-Wan on the horse. Merida nickered and Gracie put her into a trot. She stood in front of Anakin who was hesitant with the horse. "Come on, he doesn't bite... Not always." She grinned. He grabbed the saddle and jumped on. "Hold the reins and don't let go. Yah!" She snapped her own and Merida went into an immediate gallop.
Obi-Wan hugged her waist and she snickered. "What are you afraid of?!" She said, over the wind. "Nothing! I'm afraid of falling!" He said back. She laughed out loud and they neared the village. She looked over at Ahsoka who had a death grip on the reins. Smiling, she looked at Anakin. He seemed like a natural.
"Whoa!" She pulled back gently on the reins and stopped at the village. Gracie jumped off Merida and flipped the reins over her head. Obi-Wan stood next to the horse, now numb in his thighs. Gracie stiffened her laughter and lead Merida around back where she was put in the top pasture. "So, what exactly do you do around here?" Anakin said, coming up behind Gracie. She rolled her eyes and smiled.
"Prosper. We all get along here. Because we all agree that we don't want to be either Republic or Separatist. I started the camp with Demitri." She said. "You don't want to be a part of the Republic?" He asked. "Well, not really. We have our lives here and we're happy. Seems like enough to us." She shrugged. He let it roll off his shoulders. She was a strange one... But that's why the villagers loved her.
Back at her tent, she gave her brother and Anakin some new clothes. "Get dressed. Take a look around. Get to know some people." She said. "You sure are high up with this place, Gracie." Obi-Wan said. "Well, of course, Nerra... It's my home." She grinned. Gracie grabbed a new pair of robes for herself and left the tent. She saw Ahsoka making conversation with another girl her age and saw Rex talking to Demitri. She went to a bathing tent, took off her robes and washed her hair.
She wrapped a towel around her head, put fresh robes on and dried her hair off. She hopes that in a few days, everyone will get used to them. That's her prayer, actually.