6 / Next Move Jedi: Remnants Kayden Lee Vaughn

6 / Next Move


The Shattered Moon


The Mantis touched down on the landing pad just outside the base on the Shattered Moon. Kata pushed the button to extend the ramp, then stole a glance through the cockpit shield. She could clearly see Koboh looming in the distance behind the thousands of moon chunks floating around them. Cal got up from the co-pilot's seat as Teelo opened the cockpit door.

"Smooth landing, Kata." They complimented, standing behind her in the pilot's seat.

"Thanks."

"Gear up, you two," Cal instructed. "It's cold out there."

"Copy that." Teelo replied before heading towards the back of the ship.

Kata headed to her own room and retrieved a hooded sweater that used to be white, but was now more of a faded grey and full of little tears, holes and burn marks from the years she'd had it. She really should've gotten herself a new one, but for some reason she felt sentimentally attached to it. Maybe because it was the softest item she owned. She pulled it on over her shirts, then strapped her shoulder holster over the top and threw her leather jacket back on, extending the sleeves to full length.

"Kata."

Cal's voice startled her slightly and she turned to see him lingering in her door, now wearing a fur-lined blue denim jacket of his that must've been one of his favourites since he wore it often. He'd leant it to her once, and it was warm. He closed her door behind him and approached her, holding out something, his expression serious. She took the object and realised it was some kind of memory chip.

"What's this for?"

"While Teelo and I are handling the array core, I need you to head inside Khri's lab and transfer her research onto this," He gestured to the chip. "Then destroy the original files."

Kata furrowed her brows.

"And you don't want Teelo to know about this because...?"

"Because the less anyone but us knows for now, the better."

She narrowed her eyes at him. She wondered why he wouldn't just come out and say he didn't trust Teelo, why he kept dancing around the subject with vague excuses. If she was honest, it was starting to annoy her. Teelo had done nothing for him to be so suspicious of them.

"Fine." She replied.

"Make sure you erase everything, we can't risk the Empire finding her research."

"Yeah, I got it, Cal."

Now Cal was narrowing his eyes at her tone. She seemed irritated, though he could guess why that was. They filed back out into the living room where Teelo was waiting for them, also rugged up in a black tactical jacket under their cloak.

"You two ready?" They asked.

"Yep, let's go." Cal replied, leading the way off the ship.

"boo-doop."

BD-1 hopped up onto Kata's back and the three Jedi made their way across the platform.

"Kata, you take BD and head that way to the lab," Cal gestured toward the zip line on their right. "We'll take the long way to the array."

"Alright."

"When you're done, head back to the ship and come pick us up. This moon is already unstable and the blast from the array probably won't help. We'll need to get clear fast, just in case."

"Got it."

Kata jumped up and grabbed hold of BD-1 and they careened down the zip line together. She tried to focus as they made their way towards the array, but all she could think about was the strange way Cal was acting. Why didn't he trust Teelo? Why was he keeping them in the dark? Why did the last three years suddenly mean nothing to him? BD had observed that maybe Cal was wary of repeating past mistakes, but she didn't think that was fair. She knew Teelo and they weren't a traitor.

Even the battle droids occasionally stopping her path weren't enough to distract her from her thoughts, feeling like she was running on auto-pilot as they progressed through the base. Before she ducked inside at the far end, she turned and looked around her at the sky. She had always thought the Shattered Moon was both pretty and tragic. She could imagine the destruction caused by whatever had hit it centuries ago, it was still obvious today. But there was a certain fascinating beauty in all those rocks floating in the moon's orbit, as if suspended in space and time. The Abyss that housed their home being the backdrop to it all only made it more captivating. Again, she hoped this wasn't the last time she would see it.

She disappeared inside the base and continued climbing. The array was inactive now, which made moving through the firing chamber easier, but she still felt very on edge sprinting through those tunnels. Eventually she reached the lift up to the central structure and made her way down to the lab beneath the array core. She was really hoping that Cal and Teelo would give her time to get clear before they started blowing things up.

"BD, find the central computer."

"boo-woo!"

BD-1 jumped onto the nearest console and began his investigations. Kata spied the workbench to her right as she entered and approached it slowly. She ran her fingers over the dusty surface and took a deep breath, feeling that same energy she had at the forest array; Dagan had been here, too. She wondered what had happened between him and Santari Khri. Cal had told her what he knew of their story, but she was certain there was more to it. She wished she had the time to learn.

"brrloop!"

"You find it?"

Kata moved over to the droid and inserted the memory chip into the console he was sitting on. She pulled up every file she could find relating to Khri's research on Koboh, the Shattered Moon, Koboh Matter, the arrays – anything she could find pertaining to Tanalorr at all. There was... a lot of it.

"There's a word for this kind of thoroughness, isn't there?"

"bap-wap!"

"Yeah, that's it."

Kata started transferring the files to the memory chip, wondering what Cal planned to do with it. She thought this information should be in the Archive on Tanalorr, but she had a feeling it wasn't going to end up there, not for a while at least, if at all. They were going to have to be very careful about who they trusted with what from now on, even more so than they already were. Eventually the transfer completed and she inserted the chip into BD-1 for safekeeping.

"Now we just have to erase everything."

"bllrrt boo-wop."

"Y'know what, you're right, that'll be faster."

Kata used the Force to pull a panel off the console's surface, then retrieved a thermal detonator from her belt pouch, hovering her thumb over the trigger.

"Get ready, BD." She warned.

He hopped up on her shoulder and she released the trigger as she dropped the detonator into the console and hoofed it out of the lab. She sprinted around the corner and grappled her way up to a platform above, crouching down to anchor herself to the floor just as the detonator went off inside. It was only a few seconds before she heard Cal's voice over the commlink.

"Kata, what was that? We heard an explosion."

"We're ok, just a contingency measure. We're all wrapped up down here."

"Alright, head back to the ship. We're almost at the core."

"Roger that."

Kata leapt and grappled and climbed her way back up and out through the top of the central structure, knowing there was a faster path she could take outside to get back down to the landing pad, though it was mostly suspended over thin air. Heights never really bothered her, though, and she had a pretty incredible view as they made their way down.

They reached the ship without any trouble and Kata situated herself in the pilot's seat and started the take-off sequence. It occurred to her that she had never flown the Mantis without Greez or Cal's watchful eyes in the co-pilot's seat, but she knew what to do. BD-1 could be her co-pilot today. She heard and felt the explosions ripping up the top of the array, looking up to see it just as she was bringing the ship around.

"Kata, the core is down." Cal said.

"Gonna need that pickup now, kiddo." Teelo added.

"On my way."

She pushed the throttle forward, being careful not to accelerate too much, and quickly reached the end of the base where she could see the two Jedi emerging from the exploding structure. She extended the ramp and opened the door, turning her head towards it and seeing Cal file in, then Teelo after him. Cal hit the door controls with his fist.

"Go!" He called to Kata.

She swung the ship around towards the Abyss and floored it, punching them between the floating rocks and away from the Shattered Moon.

"Nice flying, Kata." Teelo called.

Cal made his way into the co-pilot's seat, slightly out of breath, and looked at her.

"Well done, Kata," He praised. "Everything taken care of?"

"Yeah, we handled it." She replied flatly.

"Good."

He nodded and turned his attention to helping her fly. She glanced at him sideways, his expression focused once more with just a hint of distraction. She was suddenly feeling anxious at the thought of returning to Tanalorr, knowing what their next move would have to be. Destroying the arrays was the easy part, now the real work would begin.


Tanalorr


Cal and Teelo placed their compasses onto the table with the other five already there, an ominous silence falling over the room for a moment. They had joined Merrin and Greez in the conference room at the back of the Archive as soon as they had returned. Cal almost felt like he could breathe a bit easier knowing the arrays were down and all of the compasses were accounted for. He scrutinised each one of the cylindrical objects, trying to see if there was anything different about any of them that he would notice.

"That's all o' them, right?" Greez checked.

"bwoop."

"And none of them appear to have been tampered with?" Cal asked.

"Not as far as I can tell," Merrin replied. "Though, admittedly, I am no expert."

"I'll have Thal and Sister Ina have a look over them."

Kata remembered Thal, he was an inventor, and a lover of gadgets, like her. He and Sister Ina had been the leads on the compass project for years, since they had begun trying to replicate Khri's work. Not an easy task, by any stretch of the imagination, but over time they had managed to produce six more compasses to make the seven before them now. The only seven in existence, which meant the Empire hadn't gotten their hands on one, yet.

"Otherwise, these are to be kept locked away at all times, at least until we know who, or what we're dealing with." Cal instructed.

"Kata, your vision," Teelo began. "Did it give you any clues as to who might've betrayed us?"

"No, I wish it had been more helpful, but all I saw was faces, images. I don't know what any of it means."

"Which means we need to be extra vigilant and assume nothing," Cal added. "Everyone on Tanalorr is a potential suspect until we find out something more concrete."

"And the Jedi Council," Merrin inquired. "Should they be informed of this plot?"

Cal shook his head.

"Involving anyone else when we don't know who may have betrayed us will only serve to expose us further."

"You think the traitor could be amongst the Jedi, or the Council, even?" Teelo asked.

Cal looked at them, hesitating before answering very pointedly.

"We can't be sure of anything, or anyone."

"Do you think destroying the arrays and keeping the compasses out of enemy hands will be enough?" Kata wondered aloud.

"bwoo..."

"I hope so, Kata," Cal nodded. "But we can't leave anything to chance. Teelo, Greez, I want you to head to the docks and check with the Shipmaster. Check the records, every ship and its cargo that has been in and out of those docks in the last two months, be thorough."

"You got it." Teelo replied, already heading out of the room.

"Ah, geez, alright." Greez agreed reluctantly.

He was about to follow Teelo out of the room when Cal stopped him with a hand on his shoulder and nodded towards the door they'd just left through.

"Keep an eye on them." He instructed in a low voice.

Greez looked taken aback at first, but then nodded and left the room, the door closing behind him. Kata practically glared at Cal, feeling her blood start to boil a little. His unfounded suspicion was really starting to tick her off, and she could no longer hold her tongue.

"Cal, I know what you're thinking, and you're wrong," She stated. "Teelo isn't a traitor."

"It wouldn't be the first time they've hid something from us."

Cal's voice was resigned, as though he had already made up his mind who the traitor was, and it only served to anger Kata more.

"That was different," She practically snapped. "We were strangers to them. If you had been in their position, would you have told the truth outright?"

"Kata, I understand this may be hard for you to accept—" Merrin began.

"It's not hard for me to accept, it's impossible," Kata interrupted her. "It's not them. I don't know how I know, but I do."

"Your feelings are clouding your judgement, Kata." Cal said.

"And yours aren't?" She accused.

Cal turned towards her and the look on his face told her she'd crossed a line, but it was a line she was in the mood to step right over.

"They're the newest member of our crew," Cal's tone hardened. "They know all of our protocols, they have access to all of our records, the Archive, everything. And they just spent two weeks alone on Nar Shaddaa where they could have easily given the Empire access to their compass."

"You don't know that, you're jumping to conclusions." Kata pointed out.

"She is right, Cal," Merrin interjected. "Perhaps it is wiser to examine all of the facts first before we begin to accuse anyone."

Cal sighed, knowing they were both right, but unable to let go of his suspicions. Maybe he was only accusing Teelo because he had been here before and it all felt too familiar, or maybe there was something there. Either way, they didn't know anything for sure yet.

"You're right," He conceded, looking at Kata then turning to Merrin. "So how do we do that?"

"I suggest we begin with the Anchorites; they are the only ones on Tanalorr able to move around with freedom and anonymity. It is possible a traitor could hide amongst their ranks."

Cal sighed and hit the table in frustration.

"I hate that we're even having this conversation! Who here would want to sell Tanalorr out to the Empire?"

Merrin walked around the table to stand by his side and lay her hand on his shoulder.

"I do not know, but we cannot assume anything. We must keep our wits, there are too many depending on us."

Cal sighed again and Kata did feel for him. He must have been feeling an enormous weight on his shoulders now. The burden of hundreds of lives counting on him, on all of them, to figure this out and save them from a terrible fate they had no idea was looming over them. She felt it too, and it felt heavy.

"Alright, we start with the Anchorites."

"What do you want me to do?" Kata asked.

"I want you to talk to the other Padawans, see if anyone saw or heard anything unusual or suspicious. But be casual about it."

"Hey, it's me," She shrugged. "I got this."

"Take BD-1 with you," He instructed. "I don't want you wandering alone right now."

"bwa-boop."

BD-1 trotted across the table and hopped onto her back and Kata furrowed her brow at Cal, concerned by the last part of what he'd said. Surely he didn't think someone would be so bold as to try something out in the open? Or maybe he was just being overly cautious. Either way, Kata felt increasingly uneasy as she left the conference room and made her way through the Archive.

She walked between the towering rows of holobooks, stuffing her hands in her jacket pockets and avoiding eye contact with the people she passed, fixing her gaze to the floor. She suddenly felt as though she was surrounded by strangers; the faces of the people she had known for years were now unrecognisable. She could practically feel their eyes boring holes in the top of her head as she walked.

She made her way listlessly out into the square, hardly feeling the cool breeze or the heat of the sun. It was another beautiful day on Tanalorr, so why did she feel like it was the coldest, darkest night? She felt her head almost begin to spin as she looked around at the hundreds of people milling through the town, all of them going about their lives as though nothing was wrong. Because to them nothing was wrong, but to her, everything felt wrong now. Even the sun felt as though it was mocking her with its brilliance.

"Akuna?"

The Padawan almost jumped at the sound of Jynna's voice so close to her. She turned towards her, seeing the concern on her face.

"Are you ok?"

Kata forced her features into a smile.

"Yeah, I'm fine," She shrugged. "Just daydreaming, as usual."

"You sure? Cos I saw you headed to the docks this morning, you looked like you'd seen a ghost."

If only it were something so trivial, Kata thought to herself. She laughed and it sounded forced even to her.

"You think I'm scared of ghosts?" She teased.

"No, but I do think you're a terrible liar," Jynna's tone was serious. "Is something wrong?"

Kata's eyes darted between hers, having a loud internal debate with herself. She knew she had to be careful who she trusted with what information, but logically she also felt like Jynna - or any of the other Padawans her age for that matter - were some of the last people they had to be worried about. And she had seen Jynna in her vision, fighting, defending Tanalorr from the invaders. Surely that meant she wasn't involved, right? But she also felt the same about Teelo, and clearly Cal didn't agree. Maybe she was naive, or maybe he was paranoid, either way she needed to know who she could trust.

Kata turned her head toward the little droid perched on her right shoulder and he boop'd in approval. It was nice to know he seemed to be echoing her thoughts. Kata turned back to Jynna and nodded her head towards the alcove behind them near the Temple entrance and led her towards it. It was fairly secluded and no one should be able to see them unless they were spying. Kata kept debating on the walk over how much she should say and decided the less, the better. But Jynna was her friend and she trusted her, and maybe she could be helpful as an extra set of eyes and ears.

"What is it?" Jynna muttered in a low tone.

Kata hesitated before looking Jynna in the eyes.

"We're… friends, right? You'd consider us friends?" She asked, her voice also lowered, completely unsure of her response.

Jynna's face softened and she smiled sweetly.

"Yeah, we're friends, Kata."

The corner of Kata's mouth pulled up briefly, somewhat pleased at the admission.

"Can I trust you?"

"Of course."

Kata debated a few seconds longer, searching the other Padawan's face for signs of deception, then she sighed.

"I need to ask you something and it's gonna sound a little strange."

"Ok…"

"Have you noticed anyone in Haven acting weird lately?"

"Weird how?"

"Like, not themselves? Have you seen or heard anything unusual or suspicious, even?"

Jynna's eyes wandered as she thought for a moment.

"No, nothing comes to mind. Why, what's going on?"

Kata leaned in closer.

"I'm sorry, I can't tell you. But if you think of anything, or if you see or hear something, I need to know. It's important."

"Sure, but Kata…" Jynna reached out and took her hand gently. "Is everything ok?"

Kata didn't know how to answer that. It felt like the entire Galaxy was imploding around her and it was all she could do to not scream. She barely even registered that Jynna had taken her hand and she couldn't help her face falling.

"I hope so."

"woo…"

A moment of silence passed between them before Jynna tapped her finger under Kata's chin, causing her to lift her head.

"Hey, whatever it is, you're smart, I'm sure you'll figure it out."

Kata smiled genuinely, grateful for her reassurance and trust.

She spent most of the afternoon around the other Padawans, drifting in and out of classes, watching them, listening to their conversations, trying not to be noticed. It felt as though she suddenly became aware of every strange look, every glance in her direction in a way she never had. Had they always looked at her like that? Did they know something? She didn't see or overhear anything suspicious, and the paranoia was starting to make her head spin, when mercifully she heard Cal's voice over their commlink calling everyone together.

The Mantis crew reconvened at Haven's Edge as the sun was beginning to set, Teelo and Greez being the last to arrive, clearly weary from their investigations at the docks. After conducting their separate inquiries, all the six of them had discovered was that they had found nothing useful. Teelo and Greez reported nothing unusual about the ship records, Merrin and Cal didn't find anything out from the Anchorites, and Kata and BD-1 couldn't glean anything useful from her fellow Padawans either. Whoever it was behind this betrayal, they were being incredibly careful, and it had left them all perplexed. A thought occurred to Kata then that hadn't before and she decided to voice it.

"What if my warning was premature," The group turned their attention toward her. "What if the traitor has yet to make their move? All of our busying might only serve to make them more cautious."

"boo-bweep."

"Very astute Kata," Merrin praised her. "I am inclined to agree."

"You could be right," Cal nodded. "In any case, there's nothing more to be done for today, we should all get some rest. We'll come back to it fresh tomorrow."

There were no protests, fatigued as they all were from the long and difficult day. Kata knew how tired she was, having gallivanted all over two planets and one moon all day, and still exhausted from her restless night thanks to her premonition. Having had her fill of being around other people for the day, she eventually wandered away from the meeting and sought solitude on the cliffs outside Haven. The very same cliffs where they had buried Cere, Master Cordova and her Papa all those years ago. She sat, her legs dangling over the edge, watching the sun set over the ocean, her thoughts lost in both the past and the future. She kept going over the meeting in the Archive earlier that day, and the one in Haven's Edge not an hour past, feeling very ill at ease.

Cal was insistent that they carry on like nothing was wrong, for now, and to keep their eyes and ears open. But Kata didn't know how she could go on pretending like everything was ok when it was anything but. The turmoil she felt within was consuming her every thought and growing stronger by the moment. At times, she felt as though she couldn't even breathe, like this invisible weight on her shoulders was crushing her, suffocating her. Looking around at Haven, at the people carrying on blissfully unaware of the threat they faced was only making it worse.

"I had thought I might find you here."

Merrin's voice startled Kata from her trance, the Padawan turning to face her mentor.

"How did you know I was here?" She asked.

Merrin uncrossed her arms and wandered towards her.

"You always come to this spot when you seek solitude."

Kata gave her a small smile; Merrin knew her so well.

"May I join you?"

Kata nodded in approval and she turned back to face the horizon as the Nightsister sat next to her at the edge.

"What troubles you, child?"

Kata didn't know how to begin to answer that question; everything was troubling her. It would be easier to say what wasn't troubling her. She sighed, closing her eyes for a moment. Merrin sat patiently, as she always did, waiting for her to collect her thoughts. She studied Kata's face, noticing the way her features tensed and the way her shoulders stooped forward, defeated; it reminded her of Cal.

"I can't believe how quickly everything has changed," Kata began. "I used to feel so sure of things, but now I'm not sure of anything. I'm just not coping with all this... uncertainty. Two days ago, everything was perfect, and now..."

Kata sighed, her head dropping. Merrin placed a hand on her back in comfort.

"I understand, Kata."

"I don't know why I had this vision, or even if that's what it was. Cal was so quick to believe me, but I'm not even sure of what I saw."

"Do not doubt yourself," Merrin reminded her. "Cal trusts your judgement, as do I. The truth will reveal itself in time."

"And if it's too late by then?"

Kata looked up at Merrin, fear in her eyes.

"Then it will be too late," She replied simply. "But before then we will do everything in our power to protect those we can."

"But what if it's not enough?"

"If you spend too much time worrying about the things you cannot change, you will lose sight of the things you can change. You must let go of the illusion of control, Kata; perhaps we cannot stop the Empire from invading Tanalorr, but we must not let that stop us from doing what we can to defend our home and its people. We do that and they have already won."

Kata looked towards the ground, taking in Merrin's words.

"I do not understand much about the Jedi and their ways," The Nightsister continued. "But what I do understand is that you are smart enough to know the difference between a dream and a vision. You would not have come to us with this warning if you were not certain of what you saw. Have faith in yourself and your abilities, and they will not lead you astray."

Kata smiled and shuffled closer to the Nightsister, leaning into her ever-present warmth. Merrin put her arm around the young Jedi, holding her close in comfort and resting her head atop hers.

"Do not worry, sólnyshka," She assured in a soft voice. "No matter what happens, you will be safe. We will protect you."

Kata smiled briefly at the Dathomiri term, remembering the first time Merrin had called her that. She had asked what it meant and Merrin told her that it meant "sunshine". The memory did not comfort her long as her face fell once more.

"It's not me I'm worried about." She admitted.

Merrin pulled her in tighter and Kata could hear the sound of her two hearts beating steadily in her chest. The Nightsister reached down to take Kata's left hand in hers.

"I know, Kata."

After darkness had at last fallen on Tanalorr, Merrin opened the door to her room to find Cal already sitting on the side of their bed alone, leaned forward with a pensive look on his face and his blaster in his hands. A habit he had developed whenever he was brooding, something he tended to do often when things weren't going well. He must've heard her enter, but didn't stir from his current position. She sighed softly and crossed the room to join him, sitting on the bed beside him. She saw him turn his head towards her slightly in acknowledgement.

"I can't allow Tanalorr to fall to the Empire, Merrin," He said softly. "I can't fail, not this time."

"You have never failed us before." She reminded him.

"That's not true."

"It is true, from my point of view."

"I trusted the wrong friend once before, and it got Cere and Cordova killed."

"How many times must we go over this?" Merrin demanded. "Cal, you are not—"

"I'm not blaming myself," He interrupted, looking at her. "I did for a long time, but I don't, not anymore. I couldn't have stopped Bode from doing what he did, but he had us all fooled, Merrin. I won't allow the wool to be pulled over my eyes again, not by anyone."

Merrin's face softened, somewhat relieved to hear he had at least forgiven himself for what involvement he'd had in the events on Jedha. She understood his fear of repeating his past mistakes, but she wasn't yet convinced that was what was going on here.

"You are referring to Teelo." She stated.

Cal didn't respond and looked away from her, his expression hardening. He placed his blaster on the nightstand beside him.

"Are you so certain it's them?" She questioned.

"I'm not certain of anything anymore."

His voice was withdrawn and Merrin empathised with him. She knew how much burden he must be placing on himself under the circumstances – he and Kata had that flaw in common. She reached out and placed her right hand on his left knee in comfort.

"There are still some things of which we can be certain."

She saw the corner of his mouth pull up in that boyish smile she loved and he turned back towards her, his eyes full of adoration. She scooted closer to him and rested her left hand on his face, brushing her fingertips gently against the hair on his jaw. He reached out to grip her waist with both hands as she leaned in and their lips met. It was a passionate, familiar kiss that went on longer than either of them intended, such was usually the way with them. Eventually, Merrin broke away to speak.

"You have never let us down, Cal Kestis," She looked back up at him as he opened his deep green eyes. "And you will not start now. The only thing you can do is whatever you think is best, which is what you have always done. And I have always believed in you and supported you in that."

"I know," His reply was a murmur, his breath cool against her face. "You've always been the first to support me, even when you thought I was wrong, and I'm grateful. Truthfully, I know at times I haven't deserved your loyalty, both as a friend and as a partner."

Merrin chuckled once.

"You know, one of the Younglings asked me today if I am your wife."

Cal laughed.

"It does feel that way, even though we've never made it official."

"Perhaps we should, while we still have the chance." Merrin teased.

"If I asked," Cal wondered. "Would you?"

Merrin smiled cheekily.

"You will have to ask me to find out."

Cal grinned and laughed once more. He leaned forward to kiss her again, slightly distracted now by his thoughts. They had never really talked about making their partnership official in that sense, as neither of them saw the need for it. They knew what they meant to each other, and beyond that it didn't matter to them. Cal was simply grateful Merrin was still by his side after all they'd been through. He loved her with everything that he was, and by the grace of the Force, somehow she loved him, too.

"You should try to get some rest, Jedi." Merrin instructed, slightly breathless from their kiss.

"I will. There's something else I want to do first..."

Merrin didn't hesitate in pressing her mouth to his once more. She pushed him down on the bed and moulded her body to his, all too eager to grant his desire. She felt his strong arms wrap around her and a lustful sound left his mouth. She loved these moments with her Jedi the most; where they could simply be alone with one another and leave the worries of the day behind. She loved knowing the feelings and desires she could elicit from him with her touch and her words. She found herself thinking of another time – their first time – in a cave, during a storm... She knew she had been his first and only partner, though that was not the case for her. It had taken time and encouragement to get to the point they were at now, but it had been worth it. They were so compatible in every way that Merrin had all but forgotten how it felt to be with anyone else. It had been so easy for her to fall in love with Cal; he was so good to her, he had always been good to her. And she knew with every fibre of her being that he would never hurt her.

The feeling of their bodies together in complete harmony was a feeling she relished every time she was with him; her Jedi, her Cal. Nothing else in the Galaxy mattered in those moments. She felt the pace of her heartbeats quicken, the sounds of his desire and hers mingling together as their passion heightened. In the midst of their intimacy, Merrin broke away from him to whisper against his lips.

"I love you, Cal Kestis..."

"I know."

They both grinned, his breathless response a private joke between them. The Jedi captured the Nightsister's mouth once more, his hands gripping her smooth, tattooed skin firmly. He sighed with pleasure as he lost himself in the feeling of her. Nothing – he had found nothing in the Galaxy better than this, and he knew he never would. She was all he wanted, all he would ever want. He remembered thinking of her this way often, before they were ever together, even dreaming about it once or twice, and feeling such guilt and shame every time. There was no guilt or shame now; only ecstasy, only love.

Despite their enthusiastic stress-relieving activities, Cal was still unable to find sleep that night. He lay awake for what felt like hours, Merrin's steady breathing beside him the only sound in the room, a sound that usually brought him comfort. He found himself watching her sleep, his fingers stroking the gray skin on her back, gently so as not to wake her. He was envious of her ability to sleep no matter how dire things were, rarely kept awake by her thoughts and fears as he was.

Eventually she stirred slightly, her body shifting closer to his and her right hand reaching out to stroke the hair on his chest, her fingernails brushing gently over the thick scar left by Dagan Gera's lightsaber.

"You are still awake," She murmured. "I can practically hear you thinking."

Cal huffed a soft laugh.

"Sorry, got a lot on my mind." He replied in a low voice.

"Your thoughts will still be there tomorrow," She reminded. "Sleep, Cal. Do not make me put a spell on you."

Cal chuckled. It was silent again for several moments before Merrin spoke up.

"You are still brooding."

"Yep."

She sighed deeply, not a frustrated sound, but a contented one. She shuffled closer still to him, reaching her arm around his waist.

"You will brood yourself into an early grave if you do not rest."

"I was just thinking about how much simpler things were before," He lamented. "Back when it was just the five of us here, before the Path and the Hidden Jedi, all of it."

"Yes, it was simpler," She agreed. "But I would not trade our time here for anything, no matter how long it lasts."

Her words brought Cal an inexplicable sense of comfort. It was a reminder to him that no matter what happens, what they had done on Tanalorr, what they had accomplished, was bigger than just what they saw in front of them. It was unquantifiable.

He leaned his head against hers and closed his eyes with a deep sigh, finally able to find rest.