A/N, I know this isn't the best story or I'm a good author, but I'm sorry for not being all too great. I'll try and include any given ideas, you'll get the credit for the idea. Enjoy.
Chapter 6: The Truth
The next morning was quiet, nobody wanted to talk which was getting quite awkward. Riley was thinking about his sister and what he would say, he always knew she would get hurt but this was too much. Anne was worrying for Riley since he's had a troubled past, she wants to give him space so he could think. Snow was thinking about her parents when she was a citizen of Naboo, it brought some memories back when she saw Moon talking to her father. Ezra was thinking about the feeling he had inside of him, it felt like he stomach was on fire, as if something bad was going to happen. Moon was nervous since she spoke with her father, he had told her stories of some rebels and her friends matched some of the description. They were locked in their rooms because someone reported a break in of the government building nearby, they were unable to go to class or see Sabine.
"This is going to be a fun day" Ezra said sarcastically while throwing himself on the sofa.
"It won't be that bad" Snow tried to convince him but she knew it was going to be boring.
"We could talk" Anne suggested.
"For how long?" Ezra said with a dreaded tone. "We'll end up running out of things to talk about"
"One problem at a time" Snow said a little fed up. "First problem, where is Riley?"
"He's doing his picture thing" Anne felt helpless. "He said it reminds him of what happened and how he got here"
"That's a little depressing" Snow sat down next to Ezra.
"Still, he needs some time alone" Anne walked over to Moon who looked panicky in the corner of the room. "Are you alright?"
"I…I need to talk to Riley" Moon walked into the bedroom where Riley was sat.
"See looks nervous" Snow looked with worry.
"Is that a girl thing?" Ezra asked quietly.
"No, this is something personal" Anne stood by the bedroom door. "By why Riley?"
"Maybe she'll pull a Snow on you" Ezra laughed more than he should of.
"That isn't funny" Snow glared at the blue headed boy.
"Shush, they're talking" Anne put an ear to the door.
In the bedroom
Moon was sat on Anne's bed next to Riley, he seemed distant and troubled. Moon knew that he needed to do this but her mouth thought otherwise.
"We need to talk" Moon's eyes widened when she talked, she didn't expect it.
"About?" Riley put down the data pad slowly.
"My father talked to me about some rebels seen around here, but only a few were present" Moon tried to avoid looking at Riley. "Are you rebels?"
"That's an odd question" Riley tried to cover their true form.
"I know but please be honest" Moon placed a hand on Riley's shoulder.
"First, tell me what you know about rebels" Riley looked at Moon who started shaking.
"T-they harm people…and put other in danger…and destroy families" Moon looked at Riley who dropped his head a little. "Don't they?"
"We are rebels" Riley walked towards the bedroom door. "I can't answer this question, everyone has a different past so speak to everyone individually"
"Wait" Moon stood up and Riley stopped. "What about yours?"
"I'll tell you mine if everyone tells you theirs" Riley then left and sat on the sofa.
Moon walked into the common area a little calmer, she was debating on who to talk to first. She and Anne get on pretty well, but she didn't want that to end. She doesn't know Ezra very well so it might be weird just asking about his past out of the blue. She decided on Snow after a couple minutes of choosing, she sat down next to Snow.
"Can we talk?" Moon asked quietly.
"Sure, what about?" Snow asked unknowingly.
"I've talked to Riley and he told me who you guys were" Moon looked around the room as everyone was looking at her. "Is it alright if I ask about your past?"
"Riley?" Snow looked at him a little hurt, he didn't ask anyone else if it was fine.
"Just tell her, she might understand why we do it and won't rat us out" Riley jumped when Anne hugged him lightly.
"Ok, I was born on Naboo. My parents helped out some Jedi who were seeking refuge, they always helped out someone. When I was about eleven, the imperials came and took use all away. When I woke up I was in a cage with my parents, they must have woken up before because they were dead" Snow looked at Riley who was rubbing the scar on by his shoulder. "Ever since then I was being interrogated, tortured, and transferred. That changed when the guards rushed outside, forgetting to close my cell door. I felt free as I finally got outside, then I was grazed by a laser and Riley carried me to safety"
"I'm sorry, it's fine if no one else wants to talk" Moon was about to stand by Ezra spoke up.
"It's only fair we tell our stories as well" Ezra looked at Riley. "But that means you also"
"I understand, I put everyone in this position" Riley leaned back to try and relax.
"When I was seven, my parents finished the broadcast and came up to meet my uncle Tseebo. He warned them about some storm troopers coming over, they tried to escape but they arrived shortly after Tseebo did. They took them away and Tseebo let them, I was left on the streets waiting for them to return" Ezra looked around the room after his long stare at the floor, he smiled as he looked at everyone. "I was living on the streets for eight years, then I met the crew I live with after stealing one of their shipments. Since then we've been living as a family, I wasn't use to it at first."
"Eight years" Moon echoed.
"I'll go next" Anne said as she sat on Riley's lap.
"When I was, I was enlisted into the academy at the age of eight on Mandalor, I then met Sabine a few months later and we've been best friends ever since. A year and a half later, Sabine left because she heard what happened to her family. They were lies and she knew it so she left to find them, we never saw each other for years. After Sabine left they started searching our room and questioning me, they thought I had something to do with it and were going to kill me. My brother helped me escape and I went to their house every chance I got because Sabine was my best and first friend" Anne looked Riley and kissed him. "Five years later Sabine and Riley come home while on a mission, they then found me there. Not long after troopers came and Riley made sure we escaped safely by holding them off, he met us at the ship and he didn't know he was followed. When he returned, I was shot in the stomach by a trooper and Riley rushed me to the ship where he saved me. A couple days after that, we decided it could be"
"You know how to meet friends" Moon laughed lightly.
"You don't want to know how I met this bounty hunter" Riley chuckled a little.
"What bounty hunter?" Anne looked puzzled.
"Don't know his name, but he goes by 'Midnight Rider' I just call him Rider" Riley saw Anne's worried face. "We had a small falling out over a delivery I made, he shot his son by accident and blames me"
"We'll talk about this later" Anne was scared now, she might know who shot him when they met Snow.
"Your turn" Ezra said pretty harshly.
"I was out in the field practicing on Mandalor, I accidently shot a trooper and they stormed the house when I returned, my father tried to fight and I tried to fight but we both got shot. When they dragged away my mother, she made me promise to protect Sabine. Sabine arrived a few days after and helped me get out the city, I still had a bad wound. After a year of on the run on Sabine's birthday, we ran into the storm troopers wife and she revealed a past that was better left buried. Sabine found out what happened and shouted at me, I felt she would be safer if I left" Riley dug his head in his hands. "I was captured and tortured for five years before I found Sabine, we met again one of those times. I ran when the cell door opened to try and get my gear to escape but was knocked out, I woke up on a different ship and then I met her again"
"Wow, that must be rough" Moon felt bad for making him say.
"It was worse than it sounds, but I never let it get to me" Riley felt Anne hug him tighter. "It burrows it's way into me"
"If I make this up anyway-" Moon was stopped when Riley put up his hand.
"Everything you heard today stays with us in this apartment" Riley looked at Snow who seemed down.
"Even before you could fight you had to try and save the day" Snow smiled at what she had heard Riley do.
"If you tell anyone, we won't forgive you" Ezra threatened Moon.
"Ezra!" Anne snapped. "She knows how much our past hurts, she only needs to know Sabine's before she can see the full picture"
"We've already told Sabine's, she was practically involved in every story" Riley looked into Anne's eyes. "Do you now know why I wanted to leave?"
"No, and I hope I never do because you'll stay with me right?" Anne saw Riley crack a smile.
"Of course, you all mean too much to leave now" Riley kissed Anne on the forehead.
"One last question" Moon stated. "Why did you tell me?"
"Because you seemed quite interested and because you needed to know" Riley smiled until Ezra spoke up.
"Why didn't you ask use about this first?" Ezra was angry, he felt betrayed.
"Some of us weren't ok with this" Snow didn't want to look at Riley.
"I'm sorry, but she needed to know and it wasn't easy for any of us" Riley felt a tear run down his face, but it wasn't his.
"It's easier than seeing your scars, but I does bring back bad memories" Anne rested Riley's hand in hers. "I'm scared Riley"
"About what?" Riley didn't get an answer but saw everyone wasn't happy, so he left for the bedroom.
He was laying there for hours, he was thinking about what he done. He know everyone was angry about what he had done, and now Anne wouldn't talk to him. He listened to the talking in the other room, he mostly heard muffles but he could make out some words. He heard them talk about him and what he did, he even heard shouting sometimes. He felt a hand land on his face softly, it stayed there for a few seconds before it was removed. Riley didn't react and just laid there, he then felt someone lay beside him.
"I'm sorry Riley, it's not what I wanted" he felt lips brush across his cheek, he could tell it was Anne. "I know you're awake, please talk"
"Ok, what do you want to know?" Riley turned around, he was now face to face with Anne.
"Do you love me?" he was hurt by this question, he didn't know how to react.
"Where is this leading to?" Riley saw more tears in the other Mando's eyes.
"You want to leave don't you?" Anne had barely been able to say it without her crying getting in the way.
"I promised I'm staying" Riley pulled Anne closer, she slide down so her head was on his chest.
"I'm glad, I love you Riley" Anne put her arms around Riley.
"I love you too Anne, I won't leave you if you don't leave me" Riley held her close and tight.
The two laid there for a while, listening to the conversation outside. Anne eventually fell asleep and peacefully, she knew Riley felt pain but she didn't want to leave him. Riley enjoyed it when Anne was close because he knew they protected each other. Anne kept Riley strong while Riley kept her safe. Ezra, Snow and Moon came in a little later, they all held something behind their backs.
A/N, I hope you enjoy this extended chapter and I hope this makes up for the past few short ones. I know I'm not all too great at this but even if it's a view, it makes me carry on so thank you. Goodbye and I love you all.