The Mods are quite supportive of Cobb's decision. It's something that he finds rather amusing, actually, considering he'd been told that they'd nearly broken out into a fight with his people when they'd first met during the skirmish in Mos Espa. He hadn't realized how close they've become with his own people, not until today.

A small group of townsfolk had decided to accompany him to the palace for his operation, and now he gets to see for himself how the war against the Pyke Syndicate brought the two peoples together. It's humbling, to say the least- to watch Jo arm wrestle with Drash, that is. Watching Skad and Krrsantan introduce Zart to drinking is decidedly more concerning. It's a shame that Cobb's been forbidden against getting involved in any potentially-stressful situations;

It's the last day of his right arm's life.

Upon his return to Tatooine, Cobb Vanth had taken a couple of weeks to settle back into his home, to close off a couple of loose ends and make apologies, and prepare for the procedure that Tuk will perform in just a couple hours' time. He had battled out the infection in his side until the wound had begun to properly heal, and he had eaten more food than he's allowed himself to in years. All things considered, he's as strong as he's going to get until this is done-

And so, here he is, the guest of honor at Boba Fett's palace. The Daimyo had graciously canceled all previous appointments so that Cobb and his people could enjoy the opportunity of fraternizing with his crew.

He has a long week ahead: Because before this is over and he heads back home, his body will have to accept and adjust to the new arm. His newfound limp will make that a bit difficult; the damage done to his knee on Corellia is irreparable, but Cobb had decided against having any more of himself replaced. His arm is plenty enough, for now. Freetown is a proud town, and to give away what they have- even in exchange for something better- is difficult for any one of its people. If it's not a life-threatening issue, there's no need to change it.

Resigned to his fate, Cobb takes a sip from his glass of water. It's a far cry from the spirits that some of the others are indulging, but he knows it's the sensible choice- wouldn't mix well with the surgery. If there's one thing that he's been re-taught, it's his sense of self-preservation, and he's not abandoning that for a moment of relaxation.

Arrival to the palace had found him seeking out a place to sit himself down, to rest his leg, despite the gnawing urge to pace his anxiety away. Ann, who's refused to leave his side since his return, had placed Tenn in another parent's care and came along with him- the first time she's left Freetown since it was founded. She sits beside him even now, a hand resting in the crook of his left arm, her head laying against the outside of his shoulder.

It's her touch that keeps him grounded, keeps his thoughts from spiraling too far. It's always been her touch that's done so. Even when he'd been younger, angrier, and more unpredictable a man. Cobb has always had her support. And the fact that she'd come along now, for this…

"You didn't have to do this," he tells her, for what's got to be the fifth time by now.

And all she has to say in return is, "But I did, Cobb. For where would I be without you?"

Her words hang in the air for a moment as he tries to picture a Freetown without him. Still enslaved by the Red Key? By the Mining Guild? A series of pits left behind by a still-living krayt dragon? Cobb shudders at the possibilities. Without him, there wouldn't have been anyone to stand between the galaxy's evils and his refugee town. Ann would be alone, and very probably dead.

"I don't know what I did to deserve you," he whispers into her hair, sliding his left arm from her touch and around her back.

"You did everything to deserve me, my darling. Everything."

Cobb exhales through his nose, then, and allows himself to tune back into the happenings around them, for just a moment, as he processes her words. Fennec, grimacing as she hands Krrsantan another shot of liquor from across the bar. Jo, shaking out her wrist and swearing to the stars that she'll beat Drash before the night ends. Skad, thumping Zart on the back with a hearty laugh as the kid chokes on another drink. Fett's shadow on the balcony outside, keeping watch for the transport that will take Cobb and his people to the mod parlor once Tuk's got it cleared out and prepared. These people are all here, in this room, because of him. Because they care for him, about what happens to him, that he lives to meet them again on the other side of the operating table. He didn't have this many friends before Jabba died and the Mandalorian came in search of his own kind.

"Y'know, I never thought I would find happiness like this," Cobb starts slowly. "I was resigned to a life of solitude, of fightin' for survival day after day. Even after Caert died. Couldn't bring myself to try anythin' then, knew it had to be on your terms. Seein' you after that, I didn't think it was goin'ta happen. And, obviously, I didn't think any of this," he gestures half-heartedly all around them, "would come to fruition, either.

"Thought I'd live an' die on my own- wasn't sure if it'd be to a guild or a gunslinger, but I was dead certain that the suns an' their unrelentin' heat were a sign of a long, lonely road. Guess I was wrong."

Ann hums against his neck, lips quirked into a gentle smile. "Fate has a way of surprising us, doesn't it?" One of her hands runs up his neck to cup the side of his face. "You deserve all the happiness in the galaxy, Cobb. You've fought for it, for yourself and the town, and so: You have earned it. And I'm here to make sure you never have to face that long, lonely road alone."

His heart swells in his chest, and there are no words to explain exactly just how he feels about her. All the kinder, safer men to choose- and she had chosen him…

With her by his side, Cobb Vanth feels like he could fight the galaxy. "I love you."

The words slip past his lips without him meaning them to, but he keeps himself loose- because despite the slip, oh, does he mean it. Time falls still, the movements of those around them fading into the background, and suddenly-

It's just them.

Cobb and Ann.

And Ann's eyes are glistening with unshed, joyful tears. Her teeth shine through with her smile as one hand raises to caress his cheek, and she echoes his words back at him. "And I love you, Cobb. I always have."

His mouth quirks into that sideways grin of his, and Cobb says, "That makes two of us, then."

And in that moment, with the weight of affection hanging in the air, Cobb leans in slowly, closing what little distance remains between them. Their lips meet, and- this kiss isn't nearly as desperate as the last two. It's soft, and tender, and filled with an overwhelming sense of true belonging. It's a familiar dance; an old ballad of sand and blood, pleasant exchanges, and sweet forbidden moments.

It's everything he hadn't been able to tell her before he left for Corellia those several weeks ago.

Their lips mold together better under these circumstances. If he hadn't already felt in his heart that he and Ann were meant to be, he certainly knows so now.

Cobb's right hand falls to rest upon Ann's shoulder, pulling her even closer, while her arms wrap around his neck to do the same. He's had to escape a great many holds in the past- and while she's got him trapped, this isn't one that Cobb would ever want to break free from. It feels right, to be caught for once. Everything feels right.

"I ain't ever lettin' ya go," he murmurs into her ear, before retreating back to press his lips back to her for one final taste. I'm scared.

She smiles against him, fingers caressing his old transmitter chip scar, and cradles his chin in her other, empty palm. I know. "And I would never ask you to."

Their foreheads remain pressed together once their lips have parted, heavy breaths mingling in the gap between them. The stakes are high this afternoon. While the rotting flesh of the initial injury is no longer there, the removal of his arm may still kill him. His body may take the out and shut down during his slumber. He might go under and never come back up. But if he doesn't go through with the operation, the mechanical failure of his shoulder will kill him anyway. This may very well be the final night of his life. Cobb knows this. Ann knows it, too. He's not the only one scared.

But Cobb Vanth has faced enough final nights to have some faith that he will survive this one. Tuk saved his life once, and who's to say the man won't again? He's got talent in his line of work- there's not another successful mod artist on the whole damn planet.

"We'll get through this," Ann whispers, echoing his thoughts, and Cobb smiles.

"Why wouldn't we?" He agrees.

.

The afternoon comes to an end far too soon. The suns have set, throwing dusk upon the sands, when Boba Fett comes over to them, expression sober. "Tuk just contacted me; it's time. The transport is ready."

Cobb clears his suddenly-dry throat and makes to stand. "Right."

Beside him, he can feel Ann rise. Watches the way her eyes seek her sister across the room- Jo actually had beaten Drash, once- so that the hunter can round up the others and herd them towards the exit. They're all coming with him- Ann, Jo, Trala, and Zart. He hadn't asked them to, but even the boy he'd met several weeks ago has become attached to him. And with the way dread is coiling in his belly, Cobb decides he's glad they wanted to be here. He's not sure that he could've ever done this alone. Waking up after the initial shoulder mod had been hard enough, and he'd had Jo and Taanti there with him then.

It's going to be fine. You know it will be, he tells himself, swallowing away the nervous lump in his throat. He's not alone.

And it's only his arm, shoulder-down, that he's losing. He's lucky. He is. If things had played out even the slightest bit different, the shot that rendered his shoulder useless in the first place could have taken out a more central part of him.

Fennec is the prime example of what that looks like. Cobb could have been her. But he wasn't- isn't- and, tonight, it really is only his arm that he has the misfortune to part with.

"Let's go get this over with."

Fett nods, and joins them on the walk out. There's a certain wisdom in knowing when words need not be spoken, when the time for them has passed and a silent presence is all that is needed. Cobb wonders, distantly, if he learned it from the Tuskens- or if Boba Fett has always been a quiet man. Either one could be true, and it doesn't matter which is.

The palace lobby fades into silence as they leave, half the inhabitants now removed from the room. That silence accompanies the Freetown entourage through the solemn sandstone halls; the Daimyo isn't the only one without words tonight.

Outside, the air has already begun cooling. It won't be long before the final traces of the suns' heat have vanished completely. But Cobb and his people won't be out to feel it- just as Fett promised, a landspeeder sits outside the gate, purring and ready to go. One of the Mods is behind the controls, tilting his head in a nod of greeting as they approach. As Ann and the others begin piling in, a hand settles on Cobb's shoulder.

He turns to meet Fett's gaze.

"Good luck, Marshal Vanth. Our blessing will travel with you."

Even with all of his recent luck, Cobb's still not quite developed his belief in deities. But he will accept the gotra's blessing- they're as high a power as one gets on Tatooine, and that's good enough for him. "Thank you."

Boba Fett smiles, squeezes his shoulder, and releases him. "Next time I see you, you better have more meat on your bones."

"I will," he promises with a small smile of his own. "You can count on it."

With those parting words, Cobb turns and climbs in beside Ann, settling himself as comfortable as can get. The driver revs the engine, dips his head to the Daimyo, and they're off. Yes, everything will work out just as it's meant to.