"She'll be fine." Maelle's words haunted her steps to MedBay. How many times had Adrina hammered into her to never make promises she couldn't keep?

And the truth was, Adrina may not be fine. The extent of her injuries, and the hospital ship so far away…. She knew it was a promise she couldn't keep, but she blurted it anyway. She would have said anything to assuage the devastation on Master Obi-Wan's face - an expression that only confirmed what she long suspected. And she needed to believe Adrina would be fine, too.

But Maelle's initial Force scan painted a grim picture of Adrina's health. Frankly, Maelle was surprised Adrina still breathed. Adrina suffered a brain edema, bilateral hemopneumothoraces, multiple rib fractures, two stab sounds, dozens of lacerations of varying severities, not to mention her broken nose and four broken fingers. The rough first aid, likely administered by Admiral Killian, undoubtedly saved Adrina's life.

So Maelle ran. She ran faster than she had ever run before. Every minute counted.

The meddroid began scans while Maelle hastily scrubbed and covered her robes.

Maelle had never felt so unprepared before. She had worked without Adrina before many times, but never on patients on the cusp of death - and never on a patient so close to her heart.

Adrina was like her older sister. Adrina was the reason Maelle chose to volunteer for the MedCorps. She never forgot her kindness when she was a small child. From that moment, Maelle decided she would be the steadying hand and calm in the storm for others in need. In fact, after the war, she hoped to return to her prior plans to specialize in pediatric care. Adrina frequently praised Maelle for her skill as a surgical assistant, but that was not her passion.

Now, however, she was glad of her steady hand and surgical experience. With her own training and limited supplies, Maelle could only stabilize Adrina. She would need medication for the edema, a thoracostomy, intubation, and a whole lot of bacta. Maelle ordered a round of antibiotics along with pain medication as a precaution. Adrina would need hours in the bacta tank on the hospital ship and likely further medical intervention for her injuries, but Maelle would do everything in her power.

Maelle began clearing the blood and grime on Adrina's chest in preparation for the thoracostomy when the door opened.

"Hey," Grief stuck his head in the room. "General Skywalker is out here demanding an update."

Maelle bit back a curse she picked up from the troopers. She gripped the scapel, poised above Adrina's chest. "You can tell him to take his demand and shove it-"

"I can't say that!"

"I'm busy!" Maelle snapped. She glanced up at the meddroid. "You go give Master Skywalker his update. And tell him to leave me alone until I'm done or I'll…. He'll regret it!." She felt a brief flicker of guilt for her short temper. Adrina was his sister, after all, but her own anxiety shortened her normally long fuse.

When the intubation and thoracostomy was complete and medication administered, Maelle began the long task of washing Adrina's body in preparation for the bacta patches.

"As strong as we are, our bodies are delicate." Adrina's words floated through Maelle's memory. Tears pricked her eyes. Adrina had always seemed to be the epitome of strength, yet even she was brought low.

I would be dead. Maelle shivered. Had their roles been reversed, Maelle knew she would not have the wits or strength to survive. She wasn't sure how Adrina had managed it, even.

Before she entered the MedCrops, lightsaber training was Maelle's weakest area. Her timidity and fear of hurting her opponent (or herself) always got the better of her. So when she entered the MedCorps, Maelle happily relegated her lightsaber to the role of 'just in case,' and hoped that time never came.

Washing Adrina's blood from her hands, Maelle regretted that decision. The bruises blooming under Adrina's skin indicated close quarter combat, however. And for that training, she needed a trooper. But who could she approach for special training? There was Fives and Echo, of course. They were highly skilled and she liked them. But she needed the patience of an experienced teacher.

Captain Rex.

Maelle didn't know Captain Rex well at all. In fact, they seldom conversed. But a kindness lurked beneath the gruff exterior and he listened when she spoke, unlike so many others. Although, she felt a strange pull to him, and when she treated his injuries from the commando droid, her entire body buzzed when she was near him. She didn't care for things she couldn't explain. Still…

Maelle considered her options. Captain Rex it was.

0

Cody and Rex hauled Aurra Sing's battered and unconscious body to the brig where Mace Windu waited, leaving Anakin and Obi-Wan with Boba Fett. They found Boba sitting in the corner of the cargo hold, arms crossed and shoulders hunched. Obi-Wan almost recognized his surly expression.

Looking at Boba, Obi-Wan's emotions warred amongst themselves. He felt anger towards Boba, that his actions inadvertently put Adrina in harm's way, that he treated human life so callously that he was willing to kill an entire star destroyer. But he also pitied Boba. Though undoubtedly in error, Boba was a lost child, trying to do what he thought was right, led astray by people he thought he could trust.

"I remember you," Boba spat. "Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"Yes." Obi-Wan nodded. "And this is my friend, Anakin Skywalker."

Boba's eyes flicked to Anakin. He pursed his lips. "I know."

Obi-Wan knelt so he was on Boba's eye level. "Are you hurt?" Obi-Wan asked gently. He ignored Anakin's grunt. "Your sister has been very worried about you."

Boba chewed the inside of his lip and looked away. "She's not my sister."

Anakin scoffed, whirling away. "I don't know why you're bothering to be nice to the kid," Anakin muttered. "He's a murderer."

Boba shot to his feet, arms rigid at his side. "I'm not a murderer! Mace Windu is the murderer. Not me. I just want justice!"

Obi-Wan held up his hands. "I understand. But you know what we must do."

Boba narrowed his eyes at Anakin, but nodded. "Yeah. The old man told me. I'm going to be locked up. I did terrible things. I know."

"Just for a little while," Obi-Wan said. "Once we reach Coruscant, you'll face a trial. And then whatever the courts decide."

Boba chewed his lip some more. "What about my…what about the healer? Is she going to be okay?"

Obi-Wan's throat constricted.

"You better hope she will be," Anakin growled. Boba scowled right back.

"We are hopeful," Obi-Wan said. "In fact, when she's awake I'm sure she would love to talk to you more. She's been looking for you for a long time."

Guilt flashed across Boba's face. He looked at his feet. "Maybe," he muttered.

"You take him to the brig," Anakin said. "I'm going to check on Adrina."

Obi-Wan swallowed a sigh. He'd rather go to MedBay himself, but he nodded.

I must do my duty.

"Go ahead. I'll be there when I can."

Anakin sprinted out of the ship.

Obi-Wan stood. "Let's go, Boba."

Obi-Wan hoped to gather more information from the boy and perhaps soften him towards Adrina, but Boba clammed up. By the time they reached the brig, Obi-Wan gave in to Boba's obvious desire for silence. Obi-Wan gave quiet instructions to the trooper on duty to keep Boba as far from Aurra Sing as possible.

Windu met Obi-Wan at Boba's cell. He noticed Adrina's lightsaber clipped to Windu's belt.

"Tell me what happened after Adrina was taken from the escape pod." Obi-Wan prompted softly.

Boba glared at Windu, but nodded. He recounted leaving Adrina with Castas while they laid the trap for Windu and Sing executed the nav officers. He recounted watching Bossk incapacitate and capture Killian and Ponds. He recounted, on the way back to Slave 1, watching Adrina bait Castas off the ledge to his death. He recounted recording the transmission and discovering Adrina having sent Bossk out of the airlock. He recounted Adrina's fight with Sing and, ultimately, him stunning Sing. Boba remained dispassionate until the end, when his voice finally broke.

Clever, resourceful Adrina. She really did rescue herself, in the end. Obi-Wan was thankful Admiral Killian remained to navigate them back to safety.

But the anger he felt towards Aurra Sing, towards her dead companions... Obi-Wan clenched his fists and breathed deeply, allowing his better sense to prevail once more.

"Let me have a moment with him," Windu said quietly, keeping his eyes on Boba.

Obi-Wan nodded. "I'll go check on Adrina. And the Admiral."

Windu's brow furrowed slightly, but he refrained from comment.

Obi-Wan felt Boba's eyes on him as he left his cell. He carefully avoided looking in Aurra's direction, lest fresh anger overtake him. Once the doors shut behind him, he broke into a jog, crossing the cruiser in record time. He slowed to a brisk walk as he neared MedBay.

Obi-Wan narrowly avoided a collision with Anakin, who was exiting an exam room. Anakin herded Obi-Wan away. "Maelle is still working," Anakin said.

"Ah."

Anakin raised an eyebrow at Obi-Wan's distinctly disappointed tone. "What's gotten into you, Obi-Wan?" Anakin kept his tone quiet.

"I'm not sure what you mean."

"This. All this." Anakin gestured vaguely at Obi-Wan. "You've the closest to panicking and irrational that I've seen you in a long time - possibly ever. Even Master Windu noticed." He pointed his thumb at the closed door at his back. "What's going on between you two?"

Obi-Wan sighed. He rubbed his eyes. "Anakin, are you sure you're getting enough sleep? You're talking nonsense."

Anakin pointed a finger at him. "Stop deflecting. There's nothing wrong with my perception. I think maybe there's something wrong with yours."

Obi-Wan shook his head. "We're friends. Nothing more."

"You're sure?"

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. "I'm quite sure, Anakin."

Anakin eyed him. "Alright then. If you're sure."

"I am." Obi-Wan peered around Anakin's shoulder at the door. "I'll come back later for an update, then." He reluctantly turned and began walking to the bridge.

Anakin sighed. "Obi-Wan, wait."

He paused, looking over his shoulder.

"Maelle sent the meddroid out. It said Adrina needs a night in the bacta tank, which we don't have. We'll have to wait for the rendezvous with the hospital ship in a few hours. Adrina has swelling in her brain, air and blood in her chest cavity, and both lungs are partially collapsed. She has a few fractured ribs; one nearly pierced her heart. A broken nose and four broken fingers. Maelle counted over two dozen lacerations of varying severity and a stab wound in her left thigh and abdomen. And a fractured ankle." Anakin clenched his fist and looked away, swallowing tears.

Obi-Wan paled. He ran a hand through his hair. His heart was running a marathon and his emotions began racing towards dangerous paths again. "Maelle said she would be fine," he whispered. "She said she would be fine. That sounds like…" It sounded like Adrina was a breath away from death.

"She is." Anakin swallowed hard. He cleared his throat. "Maelle is stabilizing her, but she's extremely critical. The droid assured me that while she's sedated she isn't in any pain."

"Good." Obi-Wan exhaled. He rubbed his temple. "And Admiral Killian?"

"He's fine. Barely a scratch, remarkably. He's debriefing with Ahsoka and Cody before heading for a long sleep."

"Good." Obi-Wan hesitated, eyes lingering on the closed door. Anakin raised an eyebrow. Obi-Wan forced his feet to propel him away from MedBay. Everything in his heart screamed at him to stay planted by the door, to never leave Adrina's side, that he was abandoning her in her direst hour.

Anakin was right. He was behaving irrationally. Maelle was doing everything in her power for Adrina. He could do nothing. He couldn't toss his other responsibilities to the side, no matter his own feelings.

He needed to meditate. He needed to do something to get his head in order.

Immediately.

0

Maelle successfully stabilized Adrina. The door hissed shut behind her. She peeled off her sterile cover and tossed it in the bin before turning to the computer with a sigh. "Hey, Grief, I'm going to finish Adrina's chart and then I'm headed to the brig." She'd rather remain to monitor Adrina, but Grief could monitor just as well, and she had duties. Adrina would give her a tongue lashing if she found out Maelle abandoned her duties for her sake.

Grief popped his head out of the stock room. "The brig? Why?"

Maelle frowned. "To check on the prisoners, of course."

"A meddroid was already down there," Grief said, stepping out of the stock room, glancing around. "There's no need for that."

Maelle crossed her arms. "Why do you sound so nervous?"

Grief rubbed the back of his neck. "Me? Nervous? I'm not nervous. Why would I be nervous?"

Her eyes narrowed.

"Look." Grief dropped his arm with a sigh. "Check the logs yourself. Meddroid went down, gave the bounty hunter a once over, kept her sedated. Boba Fett's fine. There's no need for you to go down there. I'll go down myself, if it makes you feel better. You stay here, with Healer Adrina. I know you want to."

Maelle glanced at the chrono. "Sing was sedated when they arrived. Did they take her vitals? Allow her food? Which sedative? Did they cross check with the original sedative?" Grief hesitated. "Never mind. I'll look for myself."

Grief gestured vaguely to the computer. "Check the chart."

"I will," she muttered, adjusting her green hair covering. "And I'll go myself." She trusted Grief with her life, but his reaction made her suspicious.

Grief muttered something under his breath and disappeared back into the stock room.

Maelle flew through the last of Adrina's chart and pulled up Aurra Sing's record. The droid did follow protocol whilst carrying out Master Skywalker's orders. However, Maelle questioned the ethics of the order.

"I'm headed to the brig," Maelle called over her shoulder, grabbing her medical bag on the way. Grief made an uneasy grunt of affirmation.

Captain Rex materialized at her side the moment she left MedBay. He tucked his helmet under his arm. Maelle paused. "Is everything alright, Captain? You look troubled."

"What? Yes, of course. Everything is fine."

Maelle smiled. "Good. Please excuse me; I'm needed in the brig."

He began walking with her, his long legs catching up with no difficulty. "I'll accompany you."

"That's really not necessary, Captain, but I appreciate the offer."

"Oh, it's no trouble at all," Captain Rex replied with ease. "Happy to do it."

Maelle shrugged, feigning indifference. She hadn't anticipated company; she didn't have any conversation points planned. But Captain Rex was a stoic man - something she appreciated about him. She tilted her head, studying him. Perhaps he wouldn't find her silence offensive. Maelle's gaze drifted to his gloved hand. How many fights those hands had won… "Fight me?"

Rex stumbled. "Sir?"

Maelle cursed her thoughtless tongue, forever blurting out the worst half of a thought to share. "I meant to say, can you train me to fight? With my hands."

Rex floundered. "Sure, I can, if that's what you want. But why?"

Maelle bit the inside of her cheek. She swiped angrily at the tear that dared escape her eye. "No particular reason."

She felt Rex assessing her. She avoided his gaze, but his soft question spoke to his perception. "How is Healer Adrina?"

Maelle sighed. "Stable, for now. But she's in a bad way. I can't be away long."

"Will she live?"

That was the question, wasn't it? Would Adrina survive?

Would any of them survive this dreadful war? Sometimes, in the dark of the night, Maelle doubted anyone would live to see the end of the war. What was the point of it all?

"If the hospital ship arrives when they say they will….I am optimistic."

"Good." Captain Rex nodded his head decisively.

Maelle paused at the entrance to the brig. "Thank you for escorting me, Captain. I won't keep you from your duties." She was proud of her clear sentences and even tone.

Captain Rex slipped his helmet back on his head. "I'm coming in with you. Sedated or not, you aren't going anywhere near Aurra Sing without m-" He cleared his throat. "Without security."

Maelle frowned. "I never said why I was going to the brig."

"Common sense," Captain Rex said smoothly. "You're good at your job."

Maelle didn't believe his excuse for a second, but didn't have time to argue. "Fine," she sighed. "Protect Grief. You can come in with me. But only if your presence doesn't interfere with my work." She swept into the brig.

"Yes, sir."

She could have sworn she heard a smile in his voice.

0

Maelle escorted Adrina onto the hospital ship's ambulance. Captain Rex appeared at her side as the ship lifted and left the hangar to dock at the hospital frigate. She appreciated his quiet, steady presence. Together they watched until the medical frigate jumped to hyperspace.

Maelle turned with a heavy sigh.

"Come with me," Captain Rex said. She obeyed.

Maelle followed him blindly down corridors and hallways, fighting the burning in her eyes. Captain Rex keyed open a door and led her through. She blinked. He had brought her to an empty rec room.

Captain Rex placed his helmet on a side bench. "So," Captain Rex folded his arms, legs firmly apart. He radiated authority. "Tell me about your combat training."

Maelle grimaced. "Truthfully? Not much. Basic lightsaber drills, standard Jedi training, you know. But I was destined for MedCorps early, so even lightsaber training was limited in comparison with padawans."

"So no combat training."

"A little," Maelle defended. "I'm competent with a blade, thank you very much. And I'm good at throwing knives."

Captain Rex raised an eyebrow. "Okay. Well. We are going to start with the basics of hand to hand. You have the advantage of sensing your opponent's next move, but that doesn't help you if you can't block it."

She had half a mind to tell Captain Rex that it had been a grueling day, but Adrina's battered body flashed across her mind and she paled. Maelle nodded. She shifted a few times on her feet. "Show me."

Captain Rex nodded his approval. "First, show me what you've got."

Maelle blinked.

Captain Rex gestured to himself. "Attack me."

Maelle balked. Already he discovered her biggest struggle.

"Attack me," Captain Rex said again. "Show me the fire I know you've got in there."

Maelle drew a deep breath and threw a punch. Captain Rex twisted out of the way, grabbing her wrist, and trapping her back against his chest. A strange heat pooled in her belly, every nerve on edge.

But as quickly as he grabbed her, he released her, taking several steps backwards. Maelle stared at his feet, not daring to meet his eyes lest he see straight through her.

"Good first effort," Captain Rex said finally. "First rule: don't be afraid to land a punch."

"What if I hurt you?"

Captain Rex snorted. "Then I deserve it for letting you punch me. If you hold back in practice, you condition yourself to hold back for when you fight a real enemy."

Maelle shoved a stray curl out of her eyes and nodded.

"You're tiny. Use it to your advantage."

"How?" She eyed Rex. All throughout puberty she patiently waited for her body to stretch taller, but she plateaued at five feet; Rex and the others stood a solid foot taller. She vaguely remembered her old instructor mentioning her petite frame could be an advantage in lightsaber combat, should she utilize it, but her thoughts always drifted to more interesting topics before the instruction registered.

Captain Rex grinned and Maelle felt her cheeks flush. "Let me show you."

For the next hour, Captain Rex put Maelle through the paces, first demonstrating then correcting. Occasionally, always first asking permission, Captain Rex would correct her form with his hands. By the end, Maelle dripped in sweat and felt more incompetent than before.

"Okay," Rex said, bouncing between his heels. "Let's try one more go before We finish today."

Maelle bent her knees and raised her fists, just as Captain Rex had been demonstrating. They circled once. Maelle jabbed once, the side of her fist grazing his cheek as he turned out of the way. In a flash of irritation, Maelle dropped down, sweeping her leg out and knocking him onto his back. He fell with a startled grunt.

Maelle stood over him with a broad grin. "You okay down there, Captain?" She felt powerful in that moment.

Captain Rex chuckled, letting his head fall back on the mat. "You got me there."

Maelle held her hand out to him. "I'm sorry I fought dirty."

"No," Captain Rex said. He accepted her hand and she pulled him up. "You did good. War is dirty business. Do whatever you have to do to win."

Maelle nodded. She tilted her head up at him. "Do you think maybe now that I've knocked you off your feet you can call me by my given name?"

Captain Rex rubbed the back of his neck, flushing slightly. "Yeah, I suppose that would be alright,…Maelle."

She gave a decisive nod. "Good." She glanced at her chrono. "I need to go get cleaned up for my shift. Thank you, C- Rex. Thank you, Rex."

"Anytime," he murmured to her retreating back.

0

Adrina awoke alone. She took a long minute to breathe deeply. A dull ache resonated in every inch of her, but she felt substantially better than the last time she remembered being conscious.

She blinked. Where was she? Her fingers curled into rough cloth. The room was dim and somewhere nearby a monitor periodically beeped. An intravenous line pierced her left hand. The familiar aroma of citrus sterilizer and cold registered.

Tears fell freely.

She was saved.

She was in a medical facility. Which facility, she wasn't certain.

But she was alive.

And she was saved.

She had a strange, comforting dream that Obi-Wan had held her close, nestled in his arms. If only it had been reality.

The lights brightened slightly when she, struggling, pushed up onto her forearms.

But if she was back on a Republic ship…. Boba.

Pushing through the pain, Adrina swung her legs over the side of the bed. Her head swam. Taking a moment to adjust, Adrina exhaled and let her sock feet touch the ground. Boba would be in the brig - nearly halfway across a star destroyer. She wasn't sure how she would manage the trek, but she would. She had to.

The door slid open. Adrina squinted against the bright hallway light.

"Oh!" The medic looked up from his datapad. He holstered it on his belt. "I didn't expect you to be awake."

Adrina frowned. She didn't recognize the medic. "Where am I?"

"Medical frigate 517. You arrived…" He glanced at the chrono on the wall. "About ten hours ago. I'm Leaf. Let me take your vitals."

Adrina's mouth fell open. "Ten hours," she repeated.

"Before that, I believe you were on the Negotiator for a few hours."

Obi-Wan. Perhaps that had not been merely a dream, then. She shook the thought from her head. Adrina licked her parched lips. "What happened?"

"How are you feeling?"

Adrina loathed being on the other side of the healer and patient dynamic. "Fine."

Leaf raised an eyebrow.

Adrina sighed. "A little achy," she amended. "Better than I was."

"I should hope so, after a few hours in the bacta tank." Leaf finished jotting down his notes. "Would you like the long version or the short?"

"Let me read my chart. It will save us both time, I promise."

He chuckled, but handed her the data pad. "I forgot you are a healer."

Adrina read through her file. She bit the inside of her cheek. She recognized Maelle's ever thorough charting. The extent of her injuries… she hadn't known she had come that close to death.

"I don't suppose you know what happened to Admiral Killian or Boba Fett?"

Leaf shook his head. "I'm afraid not. I can tell you, though, that neither were admitted to the hospital frigate. That's good news, right?"

Adrina nodded. She stared absently at the wall while Leaf checked the rest of her injuries and administered her next dose of pain medication through the IV. If neither Killian or Boba were on the hospital frigate with her, neither were injured, or at least not severely. That meant they would be nearing Coruscant, if not already there. Boba would face a speedy trial, given the scope of his crime. Tears pricked at her eyes. She clenched the bedsheet in her hands. There was so much she still wanted - needed - to say to Boba and she missed her best chance.

Leaf pronounced her much improved and asked, "Can I get you anything? You'll have food delivered here in a few minutes."

"I'd like to speak to Obi-Wan Kenobi or Anakin Skywalker."

Leaf shrugged. "That may be difficult to do, but I'll see what I can do."

"How long will I be here? I'm feeling better already."

"That's for the doc to decide," Leaf said. "I'll let him know you're up, though." He tapped the door frame in a farewell and Adrina was once again alone.

Adrina let out an exasperated exhale and ran a hand through her snarled hair.

The sooner she got to Coruscant, the better.

0

Anakin's hologram materialized in front of her. Relief flooded his face. "How do you feel? It sure is good to see your face. Obi-Wan will be sorry he missed you."

Adrina was sorry Obi-Wan wasn't there.

"Yeah!" Ahsoka butted in front of Anakin. "All the men have been asking about you, you know. Fives and Echo are even trying to write a song about the great Jedi Healer who took down three bounty hunters with wit alone."

Adrina rolled her eyes. "Well, you can tell them to stop exaggerating the truth."

"No can do." Anakin shook his head. "I'm afraid it's way past stopping them. Besides, it's kinda catchy."

Adrina pinched the bridge of her nose. "Fine. I'll tell them myself when I get back."

Anakin and Ahsoka exchanged a glance loaded with meaning that Adrina didn't understand. "And, uh, when might that be?" Ahsoka asked.

"I'll be on the next transport to Coruscant," Adrina said. "I'm to report to the Temple for a debrief before joining you wherever you may be at that time."

Ahsoka brightened. "So you're recovered, then?"

"Completely." She was still under orders to take it easy, but she was healed enough to resume her duties.

"Excellent!" Anakin clapped his hands together. "Ahsoka, go spread the good news."

Ahsoka snapped a salute. "Way ahead of you, Master. I know exactly who to start with." She darted off.

Anakin turned back to Adrina with a grin. He shook his head. "We've missed you, Rina. You have no idea."

"You have Maelle there with you. I'm sure it can't be that bad."

"No, of course. Maelle is excellent. She's really started coming out of her shell in a scary way, with you not being here. No, Maelle is taking care of everything admirably. But we miss you."

Adrina looked away to hide her blush. "Well, I'll be back soon."

"And not a moment too soon. Oh, by the way, when you're back, you're hitting the training ring with me and Rex. We're getting you in fighting condition. It was Maelle's idea, which is good because she's bound to do something just as stupid as you eventually."

"Said the pot to the kettle." Adrina rolled her eyes.

Anakin jutted a finger at her. "Yeah, but I didn't nearly get myself killed. I can fight."

"I think I did pretty good all things considered."

"Could have done a lot better, too." Anakin countered.

Stubbornness exacerbated by lingering fatigue prevented her from agreeing with Anakin, though she knew he was correct. The phantom paid in her chest reminded her of her own fragility and shortcomings.

"I'll let you get some rest. We can talk about the finer parts of your stupidity later."

"It wasn't stupidity," Adrina insisted. "That's your area of expertise."

"Exactly," Anakin grinned. "Get rest, Rina. We can talk more when you're back."

0

The justice system, Adrina noted, moved with alarming speed when it suited them. Adrina waited in the booth of the detention center, trying not to wrinkle her nose at the unpleasant stench the visitor before her left behind. After several minutes of waiting, an armed guard escorted Boba to the seat behind the glass.

Adrina broke the silence first. "It's good to see you, Boba. I'm sorry I couldn't get here sooner. I was only just released from the medical frigate."

Boba's defensive posture eased marginally.

"Are you alright?"

Boba hitched a shoulder. He eyed her. "Are you…."

"Don't worry about me," Adrina said softly. "I'm alive. Thank you."

Boba stared at his feet. "I didn't do anything."

"You saved my life."

"It was my fault in the first place. You don't have to pretend."

Adrina closed her eyes. She didn't need the Force to know his soul was crying out. "None of this was about killing Master Windu." Boba opened his mouth to protest, but Adrina cut him off. "It's about soothing the pain in your heart, and you believed killing Master Windu would do that."

"It will!"

"No," Adrina murmured. "It won't. Nothing, no matter how much you want it to, will bring Buir back to life. Continuing down this path will destroy you, Boba. I have seen it too many times."

"You know nothing."

Adrina sighed. She decided to change tactics. "I'd like to ask you two questions, Boba. You needn't answer."

Boba eyed her warily. Finally he nodded his head slowly.

"Why did Buir take the job on Kamino? Why-" Her voice broke. She cleared her throat. "Why did he flee to Geonosis?"

Boba frowned. After a heavy pause, Boba asked, "Why?"

"Because he told me he wanted a peaceful job, that he was done with bounty hunting."

"What does it matter, anyway?" Boba grumbled, turning away. Adrina caught the shimmer of tears in his eyes, the thickness of his voice.

Adrina licked her lips. "I suppose it doesn't matter. But I would like to know, regardless."

Boba crossed his arms and kicked the ground. She waited while Boba argued internally with himself. "Buir only told me he wanted to make the galaxy a better place. Safer. He said bad men were getting too powerful, even getting away with snatching children. Someone needed to do something about it. And he got me out of the deal."

A little piece of Adrina's heart cracked. Her buir had agreed to work for the Jedi because Jabba had taken her. Yet he abandoned her for her own work with the Jedi.

"He loved you very much," Adrina murmured.

"Anyway, we went to Geonosis because that's where Nute Gunray holed up. He-" Boba's jaw clenched. "He said we would be safer there, since the Jedi suspected him."

"When did he start bounty hunting again?"

Boba shrugged. "Dunno."

Boba knew. His shifting eyes and hunched shoulders spoke volumes. But Boba was done talking.

"You answered my questions. Now it's my turn to answer yours."

Boba's eyes snapped to her. He bit the inside of his cheek. After a long moment of indecision, he asked, "Will you visit me in prison?"

Adrina reached out her hand, palm to the glass. "Every chance I can."

Tentatively, he mirrored her move.

And a tear slipped down his cheek.

0

Obi-Wan maneuvered his fighter into the Jedi Temple hangar. Somewhere in the Temple, he sensed Adrina's presence, soothing his unaccountably frayed nerves. Ever since she'd been transferred to the medical frigate nearly two weeks prior, he'd been on edge and irritable. Anakin's continued pointed glances hadn't helped.

Adrina would be returning to the frontlines with the next supply ship and he had been recalled for an important Council session; he hoped their paths crossed before the supply ship left.

The Council Chamber doors opened. Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. Master Windu and Yoda stood at the window overlooking the city. "You called for me?"

Windu and Yoda moved to the holoprojector in the center of the room. "Master Kenobi, show you something we must."

"We have recovered surveillance footage of the massacre on Devaron."

Obi-Wan read the report on the massacre. The Separatist hadn't left a single survivor at the Temple of Eedit, not even Padawan Knox.

Yoda placed the disc in the projector and closed the windows. The surveillance hologram illuminated the room with its blue hue. Obi-Wan's blood ran cold. "Impossible," Obi-Wan breathed. "Darth Maul is dead. I killed him on Naboo."

"Correct, Master Kenobi," Yoda said. "A creature of the same species he is, from Dathomir."

Obi-Wan frowned. "Dathomir? Planet of the Witches? I was under the impression that Darth Maul's home world was Iridonia."

"Dathomir was the planet on which Maul was raised," Windu said. "Iridonia is where the rest of the males of the species dwell."

"Travel to Dathomir, you must. Find the source of this threat, you will."

Nightmares of that fateful day on Naboo still plagued Obi-Wan's nights from time to time; he did not relish his latest assignment. He would need Anakin with him as back-up and, if nothing else, to bring his body back to the Temple.

Obi-Wan bowed his head, silently submitting to the will of the Council. He bowed and left the Council Chamber. Surely he had time to visit the Halls of Healing before leaving for Dathomir.

Halfway there, he felt her approach. There, at the end of the hall. Obi-Wan's feet propelled him forward with a rapidity for which he would later scold himself.

Adrina's eyes met his and his soul quieted. A smile stretched across her face.

Obi-Wan moved closer. A startled squeak escaped her as his arms, acting on their own volition, enveloped her in a warm hug. "It's good to see you alive, my friend," Obi-Wan murmured into her hair. Emotion inexplicably clogged his throat.

Adrina wrapped her arms tightly around him. When he pulled back, she flashed him a wobbly smile. Her cheeks flushed. "I have it on good authority that I'm pretty difficult to kill."

"I'm glad of it. But we won't be testing that theory again." He held out her lightsaber. She accepted it with a rueful chuckle.

She was back where she belonged.