"Brook woke up the next day, an uncomfortably bladder woke urged at him to get up and head for the next fresher. Only, he kept his eyes close for just a moment longer. Scorch's elbow dug into is right side, Boss curled up to his left. Sev and had his back pressed to Scorch's side and Fixer guarded the other side of the room.

Brook smiled, enjoyed the moment of safety in his squad, his squad he reminded himself, before he felt the unease of the day creep up on him. As if he had felt the cold feeling settling into Brook's guts Scorch stirred, blinked and then jumped to his feet. "Up, up everybody." He exclaimed. "We have to get our vod a job."

Sev grumbled, pulled the blanket higher before he stumbled towards the fresher, "first I need food."

Brook didn't really agree, but the squad didn't listen, after a quick stint in the fresher Fixer bullied Brook to take a seat at the kitchen table,

He pushed a bowl in front of Brook, "Try the oatmeal, it usually goes down well, even on an uneasy stomach"

Brook gave him a thankful nod and took a large spoonful of the grey mass. It made a strange splotch sound as it landed in his bowl, but Brook copied Mereel as his brother gave a generous portion of the sugared fruits on the portion.

It went down rather well. Brook did like the combination of the cool, sweet fruits and the warm oatmeal.

All too soon he had finished his portion and Scorch pulled at his shirt. "Come on vod, get up."

"Erm, well," Brook fumbled, "Shouldn't I, don't know, call ahead first?"

Kal laughed, "You would not have brought a word out son. I called ahead today and the good Merce id indeed remember you. So, you all should get going, he is awaiting you around noon."

Scorch grabbed Brook around one arm, Boss around the other and the squad filed out of the house. There weren't really enough speeders for all of them, but two brothers on one was alright. Brook sat behind Fixer, quiet glad that he did not have to steer the speeder, his hands were shaking and he felt cold.

Brook was glad that, when they arrived in town, his teeth had not started chattering. He felt so tense he felt he might break when Sev slapped him on the shoulder. "Go." He said and pushed Brook into the shop. It was just like before, the noise of the city dampened, the smell of the wood in the air. Slowly Brook felt his heart slow down, could breath again.

There Brook stood, nervously eyeing in his surroundings. He knocked against a table to his right. "Yes?" The older Mando, mercer, Brook recalled, stepped through a door, nearly hidden by the shelves in the back of the shop. "AH, there you are," Merce nodded. "Kal called ahead, said you are still interested.

"Yes, erm, if you still want, if the opening is still there." Brook fumbled with the words, feeling his initial security slipping away.
Merce only laughed, waved for Brook to come closer. "Well, lucky for you the opening is still free and there is no need for you to be so nervous. I have had more apprentices than you have seen years."

Brook chuckled, the unease melting from his shoulders. "Yes, indeed." He said, following Merce It was late in the day, most of the shops had already closed, when Brook closed the door to the shop, and locked it behind him.

Boss slapped him on the shoulder. Fixer nodded, "well, since you have the keys, I take it that means you have the command?"

Brook nodded, tired, but happy. For a moment they were still, than, laughing, Scorch tackled him. Brook leaned into the force, bending his knees, to catch the push. The impact drove the air out of his lungs, but he stayed n his knees. Than Sev rammed into hem and all three tumbled on the street, laughing, kicking, shoving.

Only days later Brook moved into a small apartment within walking stance of his Merce's workshop. Moving had been a purely practical decision, Brook had barely a chance to eat and sleep in between commuting. It had been necessary, but Delta still had to nearly physically drag their brother into his new home. It was a good deal away from Kyrimorut, but barely Brook still had regular visits from his brothers.

Besides all the new surroundings, despite the, still regularly occurring nightmares, Brook soon found grip on his life. He was still a clone, Spaarti or not and Merce had put up a strict schedule for him.

More often than not Brook greeted him with a cup of caf ready, the younger clone up and studying his flimsi long before his teacher came. One day the older mando didn't move on to their daily life, instead he leaned next to Brook, sipping his caf. "So adika," he said "wanna talk?"

Brook put down the flimsi, and sighed. It had been weeks since Kal had encouraged him in his new life, he had a feeling the older mando had known that he was not yet ready to talk. Only today, Brook felt like he was ready, so he too reached for his caf and leaned back in his chair, willed his muscles to relax, so that his mind could follow. Fixer had been a never ending source of information.

"It was a couple of weeks ago," he started. "I went on my first raid with my brothers."

"Mhmh," said Merc leaving Brook to talk. Even while he could not say everything Brook was free to say what was important to him and although Merce did not say much, just talking helped to lift something from Brook's shoulders.

Only a few day later Brook's world shook again.

The reason? well, the reason had broad shoulders and a dark green armour. She came in towards evening, Brook was already busy sweeping the floor as she strode in, looked around with a hand on her hip and on near her blaster. "Well, "she said. seeming caught between self confidence and nervousness. "I, wanted to by a table."

"Well," Brook shrugged, "we sell tables." With that she looked at him, silent for a moment before she threw her head back and roared in laugher.

Finally she stopped and wiped tears from the corners of her eyes. "Well,"She chuckled,"sounds like I came to the right place than."

With that she gave Brook the most blinding smile he had ever seen and asked:"I wasn't sure you were still open and Merce can be awfully short tempered when you come in after hours."

Book nodded "yeah, you wouldn't believe it, last week there was one who strode in just after closing time, demanding we fix something. Merce threw him out f the shop, but he didn't have to lay a single hand on him, the guy practically fled from him. It is amazing how scary he can be."

His customer nodded. "Yeah, his temper is kind of legendary in my family. We have always got our furniture here, but he can be kind of tricky"

She smiled, dark brown not really letting Brook go. "well, he said, I am here now, and well, my name is Brook." He smiled, shifting his weight from one leg to the other, painfully aware at how awkward he sounded.

His customer smiled, held out a hand and held his in a firm grasp while she shook it. "I am Lori." She introduced herself, "So, am I late?" She asked. She was tall Brook suddenly realised, nearly as tall as he was she barely had to look up at him. "Erm, yes," he said, letting go of her hand when he realised how long he had held it. "A bit, but really don't mind."

Lori chuckled, than took her buy'ce from her belt and set it on a chair "Well, I would hate to keep you from your dinner, how about we chat about things a little bit, outline things ere and than go grab a bite to eat?"

She cocked her head to the side, giving Brook an inviting smile.

She had a scar above her right temple Brook realised, going into her hairline, Brook didn't mind. He had seen far worse with his brothers. Scars were a sign of strength.

You had been hurt and you had pulled through. "Sure." He said, shrugging his shoulders, not quiet understanding why he felt his heart beating faster.

A.N.:

And here we are, finally, at the end.

It was a long journey, an emotional one and I have learned a great amount of things. A huge thank you towards everyone who has reviewed, supported me and made this a very special experience. I loved writing Brooks story and I loved writing it for you.

Hope to hear from all off you again, and thanks for all the fish!