CHAPTER 31 / Farewell

ANSION

The second Cal and Merrin stepped off the Mantis to locate and remove the tracking device, Kata headed for the back of the ship, knowing this might be the only window she'd have to speak to Teelo alone. She walked back into their room to find them dressed in their usual clothes, pulling their armoured sleeve back over their right arm.

"Hey." She greeted.

"Hey." They returned.

She knew their time would be short, but she suddenly found herself unable to begin. She simply stood awkwardly as they fastened the straps on their sleeve. It wasn't that she didn't know what to say, just that she didn't know what to say first. The moment grew too long and Teelo looked up at her briefly, then back to what they were doing.

"You want to ask me about my scars." They guessed.

"I do," She admitted. "But I won't."

"You can ask, Kata, it's ok."

She hesitated, not wanting to bring up what were likely traumatic memories for them, but her morbid curiosity got the better of her.

"What happened?"

Teelo's eyes shifted to the ground, then back to hers.

"Mining accident, on Ryloth. A worker dropped a crate of pressurised canisters and one of them ruptured. I was standing too close, trying to warn a friend."

Kata's expression was pained, unable to imagine the horror of something like that. Little by little she was beginning to understand just how much they had suffered in their life.

"Your friend, did they...?"

"They didn't survive. I wouldn't have either if it weren't for Dr. Katar. She saved my arm and my life, but I couldn't save Syri."

Kata's face fell, feeling deeply for them.

"I'm so sorry. That must've been... awful."

She didn't know what other word to use to describe it.

"I don't actually remember the explosion itself. But everything that happened after... I'll remember that for the rest of my life. If it wasn't for Amai..."

Their voice trailed off and Kata saw their brows push together, a familiar pain on their face that she saw whenever they spoke about their past. A sombre silence hung in the air for a moment before she felt compelled to break it.

"I had no idea you... you've never mentioned it before."

"It's not something I like to talk about. Why d'you think I wear this?"

They held up their right arm, now covered in the black sleeve again. Kata shrugged.

"Just thought it was a fashion statement."

"Ha!" They cracked a smile. "That's fair, I guess."

The corner of her mouth pulled up briefly.

"Why do you? Cover it up, I mean?"

Teelo levelled their gaze with hers and jerked their head at her.

"Since you got your scar, how many people have you noticed staring at it before they look you in the eyes?"

"Everyone."

"Everyone. I got sick of people staring, so I covered it up. Now they look me in the eyes."

Kata nodded understandingly.

"Yeah, I get it. Wish I could do the same."

"Hey, for the record, it suits you. Makes you look badass."

Teelo smiled and Kata returned it, but her smile quickly faded and her eyes fell to the floor once more. She inhaled deeply, working up the courage to say what she really needed to.

"Teelo, I—"

"What happened back there, Kata?"

She looked up at their face and it was as serious as she had ever seen it.

"I don't know what happened back there..."

"'Cos whatever it was, it scared the shit out of me."

"It scared me, too," Her voice started to shake. "Every time I test my limits, every time I learn what I'm capable of, it scares me."

"Good, it should scare you. This power that you wield, and the way you can wield it, it's not something to be used lightly. It's a slippery slope and you know where it leads."

"I know. I-I didn't realise what I was doing—"

"This wasn't like what you told us about what happened with the Fifth Brother. This wasn't instinct, Kata, this was deliberate."

She didn't respond, knowing they were right, that she had done what she'd done to Jerserra on purpose. The way they were looking at her made her feel two inches tall and she hung her head in shame.

"I wanted to hurt her for what she did," She confessed. "And I wanted to stop her from hurting anyone else I love."

Teelo's blue eyes searched Kata's and their face softened as a small sigh left them.

"I understand that feeling," They empathised. "What we'll do, how far we'll go to protect the ones we love... that's the scariest thing of all."

Kata nodded in agreement. She had started to understand that herself lately. After losing her home, so many of her people and almost losing Cal, she'd found herself going to lengths she hadn't thought herself capable of to protect her family.

"But, Kata..." They continued, standing to approach her. "If you lose yourself trying to protect those you care about, then one day they'll turn around and realise they don't know you anymore. They'll look at you and see a stranger, and believe me when I say there is nothing worse in the galaxy."

She did believe them, knowing they were speaking from experience. She couldn't imagine how it must've felt for them, to be finally reunited with the one they loved most, only for them to be torn apart again in a cruel twist of fate.

"I lost control," She admitted. "I didn't mean for it to go so far, and I certainly didn't mean to hurt you. I'm so sorry, Teelo."

"It's ok, but I need you to promise me something."

She nodded emphatically and they leaned down to her level, their hands gripping her upper arms firmly.

"Promise me I will never look at you and see a stranger, because I would rather die."

Kata's whole demeanour softened at the obvious fear in their words. She looked into their eyes, seeing the pain and sadness in them so clearly.

"You won't, I promise."

She could see their eyes moving between hers, searching for something.

"I'm gonna hold you to that."

Kata's mouth pulled up slightly and Teelo released her, straightening up.

"Will you talk to Cal and Merrin?" She asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

"They don't need to know what happened. It can stay between us."

She gave them a grateful look.

"Thank you, Teelo," She said sincerely. "I'm sorry I—"

They held up a hand to stop her.

"It's already forgotten, we don't need to discuss it any further. And if you apologise to me again, I'm gonna hit you over the head."

Kata chuckled, knowing their threat was completely empty. They looked down at her with that warm smile she missed seeing on their face. She still found it hard to believe that the Teelo standing before her now and the one she'd seen on Onderon were the same person. She would catch a glimpse of it every now and then, in their aggression, their anger, but they were demons that so rarely showed their heads with Teelo. She knew it wasn't without effort; that they worked hard to keep that side of themself in the past. She felt inspired to one day be able to exercise that level of control over her own darkness.

DATHOMIR

There were congratulations all around as the triumphant team returned with the Abyss Compass in hand. At last it seemed as though the nightmare they had all been living was finally almost over, though many wouldn't feel like celebrating, given all they had lost. The two other freighters were still unaccounted for, and it had been more than two weeks now since Tanalorr was invaded. Now that they had the compass back and Jerserra was dealt with, they knew they couldn't wait any longer for the stragglers to make contact and had no choice but to presume they were either dead or captured.

Knowing this, the Mantis crew convened a council once more in the tomb of Kujet to discuss their plans for returning to Tanalorr. Greez, Mosey, Zee, Master Horos and Jynna soon joined them and Kata smiled at her fellow Padawan as she stood at her side. Teelo, Cal and Merrin placed the three remaining compasses in the centre of the table they were all gathered around.

"So, Jerserra is gone, we got the compass back and the Empire's research on it was destroyed along with the base on Ord Mantell…" Teelo surmised. "...Now what?"

Cal smiled.

"Well, that's simple: now we take the compasses back to Tanalorr and we stay there, for good."

His words hung heavy in the air as everyone in the room processed what that meant.

"Are you sure about this, Cal?" Master Horos asked. "Leaving the battle against the Empire behind?"

Cal nodded, feeling his resolve more clearly than he ever had.

"When we founded Haven, it was with the goal of providing a sanctuary for those who had nowhere else to go, but it was also with the intention to restore the Jedi to a point where we may one day stand against the Empire. But, in the end, it was our own complacency that exposed us and brought ruin to those we were trying to protect."

He hung his head as he thought about everyone they'd lost in their journey to reach this point.

"My recent brush with death has forced me to rethink my priorities. The fight against the Empire is not over, but it will not be won today, not by us. It's time for me to step back and put my family first," He looked at Merrin and they smiled at each other. "Our son deserves to have both of his parents in his life."

Kata looked around at their present company who hadn't been aware of Cal and Merrin's impending parenthood until that moment. Of course this would be the way he would tell them, just casually like it wasn't life-altering news. She saw the surprise and the joy on their faces and she couldn't help but smile herself.

"He deserves the life we never had, and we won't be the ones to take that from him."

"I respect that," Mosey piped up. "And I'm sure everyone else could, too."

"And I do believe congratulations are in order!" Zee added.

"Thank you, Zee," Cal replied sincerely. "It was an unexpected surprise that came at an admittedly terrible time, but we couldn't be more grateful."

"And we have made our decision, as future parents, to make this sacrifice for our family," Merrin interjected. "But by no means do we intend to make that decision for any of you."

"Whomever wishes to return to Tanalorr is welcome to, but with the understanding that there will be no coming back, not for any of us," Cal explained. "I urge you all to give it careful consideration before making your decisions. I'm not willing to risk any more lives, we've lost enough."

There were thoughtful nods and pensive expressions around the table. Kata looked at Teelo standing across from her, their eyes wandering before feeling her stare and looking up to give her a small smile. She returned the gesture, but a troublesome thought began to creep into her mind. Something hadn't been right with them since Ord Mantell, and she couldn't tell if it was just what'd happened with Jerserra, or if there was another reason.

On the flight back, they had relayed what they'd learned from Commander Rourke. Maven had been allied with him for at least two years, but Jerserra's involvement was far more recent. The Nightsister had snuck her way onto Tanalorr by disguising herself as a refugee and stowing away on the Mantis. Then she'd stolen Teelo's compass after they'd returned from Nar Shaddaa and Maven had been the one to bring it to Rourke, though even Cal hadn't been sure how she'd gotten off the planet and back without anyone's knowledge.

There were many details that still remained unclear, but with the research base destroyed and Maven, Jerserra and Commander Rourke all gone, they all knew there was little chance their questions would ever be answered. They would all have to find a way to accept that and move on with their lives now, though Kata was unsure if she ever could. Being the one who'd foreseen the fall of Haven put her in a unique position that she would've given anything not to be in. She couldn't help but go over it all in her head, wondering if there was anything more they could've done. She knew it was pointless, but it didn't stop her from wishing things could've been different.

The fact that her sleep had been clear from visions since Onderon had her equal parts relieved and restless. She had to hope that it was a good sign and, perhaps foolishly, that she'd never have another vision again. She thought back to her premonitions of the invasion and confrontation with Jerserra, remembering that voice she'd heard. It'd been almost familiar to her, though she couldn't put her finger on who it might've been. What was clear was that it'd felt like they were reaching out to her, trying to warn her. Maybe it was just another mystery she would never solve.

She turned to Jynna who was standing to her right and the other Padawan gave her a reserved smile. Kata knew they'd have to talk about Tanalorr, and she selfishly hoped that Jynna intended on returning, as she did. But she knew that no matter her desires, she couldn't stop Jynna from doing whatever she felt was right for her. The others had continued to converse while she'd been distracted with her thoughts, and now the group began to disband. She was about to follow them when Cal said her name and she turned.

"Can we talk a minute?" He asked.

"Sure."

Jynna followed the rest out, leaving Kata alone with Cal and Merrin. The Padawan pulled herself up to sit on the end of the table in front of them both.

"What's up?"

Merrin shuffled closer and Cal folded his arms and looked at her, his expression hard to decipher. Kata was picking up on a vibe that whatever they wanted to discuss with her was important, so she sat attentively, prepared to listen.

"I fear we've left too much unsaid these past weeks," Cal began. "With all that's happened, we haven't had a chance to talk about things."

"Well, there's been more than a few distractions." She pointed out.

Cal laughed once and Merrin smiled ruefully.

"You can say that again," He continued. "But I regret that we haven't been able to speak freely. There's been far too much on your shoulders lately, burdens you never should've had to bear. And I'm sorry, Kata, for all that's happened, for everything you've been through."

Hearing him say that to her made her instantly well up with tears. She had barely had a moment to be still and think about everything she'd been through since her first vision. She knew she would be processing it all for a long time, maybe for the rest of her life. But to hear someone she looked up to, as a mentor and a parental figure, apologise to her for what she'd been through meant more to her than she could express with words.

"I'm no stranger to misfortune," She tried to stop her voice shaking. "It's not the first time I've lost. Not the first time I've felt alone. Not the first time I've had to grow up too fast."

The way Cal's face scrunched in pain at the truth of her words wasn't helping her keep a hold on herself, so she kept talking before she could fall apart.

"But despite all that pain and everything we've lost, we still have each other. We're still here, still together and that's more than most have. It's more than I ever thought I'd have after..."

Cal's brow furrowed as he looked down at her. It was so easy for him to forget she was only sixteen – still a child, though she had been forced to become an adult far too soon. He hated that the galaxy had forced this pain and grief upon her. He lamented the position she'd been placed in at such a young age. It reminded him of his own youth – surviving the Purge and years in exile. Alone, scared, vulnerable, traumatised. He remembered it all too well. He'd remember it forever, as he knew she would.

"We know, Kata," Merrin stepped forward and laid her hand on the Padawan's arm. "And we are grateful for you. We would never have made it this far without you."

"Without you, we never would've saved as many lives as we did," Cal added. "We never would've gotten the compass back. Hell, I wouldn't even be standing here right now if it weren't for you saving me, twice."

Kata huffed a laugh.

"And how many times have you saved me? I think we can just call it even."

Cal nodded with a smile.

"My point is that you are the reason any of us are standing here today. You've faced horrors most people couldn't imagine. You've shown courage and wisdom beyond your years and we couldn't be prouder."

"And we also wanted to reassure you," Merrin interjected. "That having a child of our own will not change the way we feel about you."

"We know we're not your parents, that we can never replace them, nor has that ever been our goal. But the way we care for you and love you is no different than how we will for our son. Because we do love you, Kata, we hope you know that."

She couldn't stop the traitorous tears from spilling over her eyes now. Of course she knew it, she'd always known it. They hadn't needed to say as much – they had shown it.

"I do know it," She assured tearily. "And I love you guys, too. You mean everything to me."

She took a moment to compose herself, sniffling and wiping her eyes before she continued.

"My Mama and Papa are gone. They'll always have a place in my heart, but you've both been there for me when they couldn't. You, Greez, BD, Teelo – you're my family. And when your son arrives someday, he will be, too. And I can't wait for when that day comes."

Cal and Merrin both smiled wistfully at her, then they looked at each other. They looked like their hearts were about to tear in two and Kata suddenly realised why they might be saying all of this to her now.

"Why do I feel like you're telling me goodbye?" She asked.

They both turned back to her quickly, alarm on their faces.

"We're not," Cal assured her. "You'll always have a family and a home with us. But we don't expect you to come with us now."

"It is not our decision to make for you," Merrin explained. "We will not force you to return to Tanalorr with us if it is not your wish."

Her eyes darted between them, their words unfathomable to her. She hadn't even considered for a second that this was a choice; that she could choose not to go home with her family. She didn't know what other choice there was.

"No, I—" She started to protest.

"Kata, don't make a decision right now based on emotion," Cal interrupted. "Take some time to give it rational thought, to weigh the choice in front of you. You're so young, you have your whole life ahead of you – if you want to go out into the galaxy and live it, we won't stop you. So before you opt for exile simply because it's what's safe and familiar, make sure you figure out if it's what you really want."

His words stopped her short, making her think twice, as she was sure he'd intended. If she went with them, it would potentially be forever. There would be no more exploring the galaxy, no more fighting the Empire, no more living the life she'd come to love. But if she chose not to return home, she'd be alone, and that was more daunting to her right now than the prospect of permanent exile. She realised this was a choice, and maybe the hardest choice she'd ever have to make.

"Whatever you decide, Kata," Merrin's hand moved to her cheek, her soft brown eyes looking down at her lovingly. "We will support you, even if it is from afar."

She looked between them both, these people that had cared for her and guided her for the last seven years of her life. Who had taught her, trained her and shaped her into the person she'd become. They were like her parents, for all intents and purposes, even more than her birth parents had been in some ways. Her mother who'd been taken by the Empire and her father who'd been so determined not to lose her too, that she'd lost him instead.

She knew that no matter where in this galaxy she went, Cal and Merrin would always be there for her.

A sob escaped her mouth as she reached for them and they both put their arms around her. The warmth of their embrace made her feel comforted and safe like nothing else could. She couldn't bear the thought of having to say goodbye to them now after everything, but she would do as Cal asked and think it over.

The following morning saw many tearful farewells as people prepared to go their separate ways. Of the 123 survivors that remained, less than half of them had chosen to return to Tanalorr. The other half had decided on Koboh, either to return to Rambler's Reach and try to rebuild their lives, or to make their way elsewhere in the galaxy.

There was still no word from the two lost freighters, which meant that the people now on Dathomir and the six that made up the Mantis Crew were all that remained of Tanalorr. 1,240 people were officially declared either dead or presumed dead. Cal felt the weight of their loss now more than ever as they prepared to return home. He knew what would be waiting for them in Haven – the bodies they would have to burn, the people they would have to say goodbye to. He almost felt guilty for being so grateful that his family were not among them.

The loss was plainly visible all around him, in the faces of those who'd survived. The people who'd lost their partners, their friends, their siblings, their children. The people who'd been permanently disabled by the violence, like Jynna. The children who'd been orphaned, like the one he watched Merrin carefully pass to the woman in front of him now.

"This was his mother's," Merrin produced Nells' lightsaber and gave it to the dark-haired woman. "She would want him to have it."

"And so he shall." She replied.

"Please tell him one day, where he came from." Cal implored her.

"Don't worry; I'll make sure he knows."

"Thank you, Sabé. This is a noble thing you're doing."

"I don't think I could live with myself if I didn't take him in, given how close I was with his mother."

A sadness filled her eyes at the thought of Nells, a sadness that Cal shared. He was glad someone close to her was going to raise Porro, so that he would one day be able to hear stories about his mother from someone who knew her best.

"We would take him ourselves, but..." Cal turned to Merrin, taking her hand in his. "We already have one of our own on the way."

Sabé's brows rose in surprise.

"Merrin..." She said softly.

The Nightsister simply smiled at her knowingly.

"I'm happy for you both."

"Thank you." Merrin replied.

"And don't you worry about us, we'll be just fine, won't we Mala?"

Sabé looked down at the little girl standing beside her, who nodded her head with a tiny smile. Cal looked at Mala now, the Youngling who had rushed to him on the battlefield in Haven to tell him the others were trapped in the Temple with Master Gidun, the one he'd sent with Corr to the docks. Her hair was red, like his, like Nells... He was glad both of them had made it out, and that Sabé had been reunited with her daughter, though he knew that what they'd survived would change them forever.

Cal turned as he heard Mosey say his name to see the survivors from Rambler's Reach gathered together. Mosey went in for a hug which Cal gladly returned.

"Well, guess this is it." She said somewhat wistfully.

"Yeah, guess so," Cal agreed. "Where do you think you'll end up this time, Mosey?"

"Wherever the hunt takes me, Cal."

He smirked at her, knowing that wherever she went, she'd be just fine.

"You sure about going back to Koboh, Zee?" He asked the droid.

"I think so. As much as it disheartens me to never again see Tanalorr, I feel I will be able to do more good returning to Koboh."

"I understand, and I wish you well, all of you."

"Don't you worry 'bout us," Doma Dendra chimed in. "We're gon' be just fine. The Bedlam Raiders couldn't scare us away from our home and the Empire won't, neither."

"Besides, with you and yours out of the picture, the likelihood of the Empire bothering us again drops significantly," Moran pointed out. "So bon voyage, and good riddance."

Cal huffed a laugh and resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

"Hey, Cal, d'you think I could—?"

"If you're about to offer one of your signature hugs, Turgle, I would say yes, but I did just have abdominal surgery a week ago."

"Oh, right!"

Kata watched Cal interacting with the others from across the room, smiling wistfully to herself. She was glad the residents of the Reach were returning home, and that Sabé would be there to care for Porro and raise him as her own. She could understand why many who'd suffered the horrors of the Fall of Haven had chosen not to return. They'd all come to Tanalorr in the first place seeking refuge and safety, and the invasion had proven that nowhere was truly safe from the Empire.

Her attention was diverted as Jynna approached and they smiled at one another before Jynna's eyes were drawn towards the group Kata had just been observing.

"Sabé's taking Porro and Mala to Koboh, with the others." She explained.

"I'm glad," Jynna replied. "They deserve to find happiness. Everyone here does."

"Including you."

Jynna's grey eyes looked at her, perplexed. Kata turned towards her and took her hand, steeling herself for what she needed to say.

"I've made my choice," She began. "But you deserve to find happiness, too, and whatever you decide, I—"

"Kata..." The blonde Padawan reached up to cup Kata's face with her hand, smoothing her thumb against her cheek. "...Everything I need to be happy is right in front of me."

Kata couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. She bit her bottom lip in an effort to stop the emotion showing on her face.

"Are you sure?" She asked with a shaky voice.

Jynna nodded.

"Where you go, I go."

Kata exhaled in relief and closed the distance between them to kiss her tenderly. Her words were the reassurance she'd needed that no matter where she went, she would never be alone.

KOBOH

Being back on Koboh again after all that'd happened felt like being home. The Shattered Moon stood proudly in the sky and the late morning sun coupled with the light breeze felt amazing on Kata's skin. She took it all in, knowing this might be the last time she would ever see it. The three ships had stopped at a port not too far from Rambler's Reach to offload people, then Teelo planned to escort those returning to the Reach on the Rogue before the convoy would make that final jump back to Tanalorr. Greez soon waddled over, dusting his hands off.

"Ok, looks like we're all set." He announced.

"You sure you don't want to hang onto the Mantis, Greez?" Cal asked again.

"Nah, nah, I've got no use for it at my time o' life. You just take good care of my ship, ya hear? No more crashin' her into any Outer-Rim rocks!"

"Still not lettin' me forget that, huh?"

"Never in your life, Cal Kestis."

There was a short silence as Cal, Merrin and Kata all looked down at him sadly. They had all known this moment was coming, but now that the time came to say goodbye, none of them were prepared. Without a word between them, all three of them knelt down to pull the old Latero into a group hug with not even so much as a small grumble of protest from him. BD-1 lightened the moment, as usual, by jumping onto Greez's balding head to join in, making all of them chuckle. They all pulled away eventually and Cal caught Greez wiping a tear from his eye.

"You, uh... you all take care now, ya hear?"

"We will, Greez." Kata promised.

"boo-weep!"

"Oh, and uhh, just so we're clear; I wouldn't be mad if you named the kid after me. Just sayin'."

Cal chuckled.

"Greez is a pretty handsome name." He granted.

"I would not be opposed to naming him after the best pilot in the galaxy." Merrin added.

"Ahh, well now you're just tryna kiss my boots..." The Latero muttered, his cheeks starting to turn the lightest shade of pink. "I'm, uhh... I'm gonna miss you all. It's been... well, it's been unforgettable."

"Right back atcha, Greez." Cal returned his sentiment.

"Farewell, Greez Dritus." Merrin replied.

"boo-wa-woo..."

Greez hesitated a moment more before he turned and waddled away towards the Rogue. The three of them stood as Teelo approached and Cal turned to Kata.

"You sure you want to do this, kiddo?" He asked.

"I'm sure," She nodded confidently. "I know what I want, and what's most important to me. If this whole experience has taught me anything, it's that nothing lasts forever. Even when you can see the future, you still don't know what will happen tomorrow. But for right now, everything I need is right here, and I'm gonna hold onto that for as long as it lasts. More importantly, I want to be there to see your son grow up. I want to be a part of his life and be someone for him that I never had. Nothing matters more to me now."

Cal and Merrin both smiled at her widely.

"And he will be lucky to have you for his sister." Merrin said sincerely.

Kata smiled back, her eyes welling up again, but she choked her emotion down. She was ready to go home and be with her family. To enjoy peace with them for however long it would last. Tomorrow was a mystery, but at least today was certain. She knew that if she left them now, she would look back on that choice with regret. Cal was right – the war against the Empire wouldn't be won by them, and they'd lost enough trying to fight it.

The young Jedi's certainty was clear until the moment she turned to look up at Teelo. They had yet to say a word and one look at their face as their eyes met hers had her heart sinking in her chest.

"You're not coming with us, are you?" She realised.

Teelo's brows furrowed, the pain of their next words already showing on their face.

"No."

Cal's eyes flicked between Kata and Teelo, the look on her face making his heart ache.

"I'm sorry, I can't." They looked up at Cal and Merrin.

Their words were no surprise to Cal. They had been unusually quiet ever since the meeting on Dathomir two days before and it hadn't escaped his notice. He'd known this was coming – he'd seen it in their eyes.

"Look, thank you, all of you," They began. "What you've done for me, what you've given me... I don't have the words to tell you what it means to me. You've been the family I never thought I'd have again. You've made me into the Jedi I never thought I could be. You people saved me and I owe you a debt I can never repay."

"We didn't do that for you, Teelo," Cal reminded, taking a step forward. "We might've helped you get back on your feet, but it was you who took the steps. You don't owe us a thing."

"You're wrong," They shook their head, their blue eyes deep with emotion as they met his. "I never could've taken those steps without you. Your constant friendship, guidance and love are what pulled me from the hell I was living in. Before I met you all, I was a shadow of who I once was. I was lost, broken and filled with self-hatred and regret. The Empire did everything they could to break me and they almost succeeded, but now I stand so tall the Force itself couldn't make me bend. I've never been stronger than I am now and it's because of you – all of you."

"You are strong," Merrin said, also taking a step forward to lay her hand on their chest gently. "But we did not give you that – it was within you all along."

"Merrin's right," Cal agreed. "Your strength is your own. You're a survivor, Teelo, like us. More than that, you're a fighter, and we would never have expected you to follow us into exile. You have to walk your own path now, but wherever it leads you, just know that you'll always be family to us."

Teelo looked at him with such gratitude it was making him feel choked up.

"Thank you. I-I don't know how to—"

"Then don't." Merrin stated simply.

They laughed once through their nose at her straight-forwardness.

"Alright, then."

"Where will you go?" Cal asked.

Their eyes wandered upward as they seemed to stare beyond the stars.

"I think I'll stay with the others at the Reach for a while, help them rebuild."

"And then after that?"

They looked back at him contemplatively.

"The Rebel Alliance is going to need every Jedi they can get if they're gonna win this fight. You have your family to think of now, and I respect that, I do. You've both done enough for this galaxy and you deserve what peace you can find now. But I can't help but feel that my part in this fight isn't over yet. I've spent too much of my life since the Purge running from the Empire. I'm done running."

Cal smiled, feeling proud of them for how far they'd come.

"Then the Rebels will be lucky to have you, as we have been."

Their face softened at his words, knowing he was sincere in them. Merrin reached behind herself and presented something to them.

"Take this."

Teelo looked down and their eyes widened when they realised she held their compass.

"No, Merrin, I can't—"

"It is yours, and we have already discussed it," She interrupted their protests. "So you will take it, you will keep it safe, and you will use it to visit, when you can."

They hesitated for a long moment before they reached out and took the compass, staring at it like it was the most important object they'd ever held.

"And if the Empire invades again, we'll know it was you this time." Cal added lightly.

Teelo laughed, Cal's joke having broken the sorrowful tension. They attached the compass to the back of their belt.

"I won't let it fall into the wrong hands, even if I have to destroy it."

"We know you won't – we trust you with this, Teelo."

Their face contorted as they looked up at him and they did something that he wasn't expecting them to do. They stepped closer, gripped his shoulder firmly and pulled him into a hug. That was the first time they'd ever hugged him, the first time he'd ever seen them hug anyone besides Kata. He was caught off-guard for a second, but he soon returned their warm embrace. They weren't one to be physically affectionate really ever, and he knew why that was. So many people in their life had hurt them and used them, and he understood the significance of them extending this gesture to him.

"Thank you, brother." They murmured.

Cal drew in a shaky breath at the word. It was what Bode used to call him, for the brief time they'd known each other, and whether or not he'd ever meant it still wasn't clear. But when Teelo said it, he felt it and believed it. They were like a sibling to him, far more than Bode, more than maybe anyone else in his whole life. When they pulled back, Cal gripped the side of their neck and looked into their eyes.

"Thank you," He returned. "I'm still here because of you and I won't forget that."

They nodded at him and he released them, watching as they turned to Merrin and she stretched up to hug them as well. When they pulled back, she stopped to lay a gentle kiss on their right cheek.

"Take care of yourself," She instructed. "And do not be a stranger."

"I won't. Thank you, Merrin."

"Farewell, Teelo Niteva."

BD-1 took a few steps forward from where he stood between Merrin and Kata.

"bee-loo?"

"Hey, little buddy," Teelo replied warmly as they squatted down in front of him. "You'll watch out for them for me, won't you?"

"bwee-oop!"

"I know you will. There's no braver droid in the whole galaxy than you."

"bwooo..."

The Mirialukan smiled and petted his head affectionately. Cal remembered how it had taken Teelo time to warm to BD-1, not having had much meaningful interaction with droids before they'd met. But now it was clear they saw BD the way the rest of them did – as part of the family.

They stood slowly, finally turning to Kata. She hadn't said a word this whole time and when Cal looked at her now as her brown eyes looked up at Teelo, he could practically see her heart breaking. They stared at each other for a moment, exchanging a thousand words with their eyes alone. Teelo barely had to move their arms before Kata jumped up and threw herself into them.

She couldn't hold back her emotions any longer, sobbing loudly into Teelo's shoulder as they held her. She hadn't been prepared for this. She couldn't bear having to say goodbye to them. Not after all they'd been through together. She didn't want them to go, she wished they would stay. But she knew it would be a selfish thing for her to ask of them. So she clung to this final embrace, these final moments she had with them, not knowing when she would ever see them again.

Eventually, they reluctantly set her down on her feet and pulled back. She was still sobbing, but she wiped her face and looked up as they knelt down to her level. Their eyes were glassy and she could see how much emotion they were holding back. They pushed her hair back from her face and laid their huge green hand against her right cheek, their bright blue eyes looking directly into hers.

"I love you."

Their voice shook slightly and Kata heard the sincerity in their tone and knew they meant it. They had never said those words to her before, but they hadn't needed to. She knew they loved her, loved all of them like family. She managed to compose herself enough to speak.

"I love you, too."

She saw their face contort so subtly at her response. She could see and feel the pain they felt and she knew this goodbye was just as hard for them as it was for her. She remembered something then that they had maybe both forgotten and she unclipped Amai's saber from her belt and offered it to them wordlessly. They stared at the weapon for a moment before taking a deep shaky breath.

"Why don't you hold onto it?" They suggested. "It'll be safer with you than with me."

Kata was already a mess, but this was almost too much. This wasn't just any lightsaber – it was Amai's. The one person in the galaxy they'd ever loved more than her. She knew what it meant to them, and for them to leave it with her was a gesture of trust she wasn't sure she was worthy of. She hesitated before returning the weapon to her belt, still unable to speak, even to thank them.

"This is farewell, but not goodbye," Their voice was thick with emotion. "We'll see each other again soon, I promise."

Kata nodded quickly in response. She believed them, but when she looked at them, their eyes were studying her face like it was the last time they would ever see it. They reached up and Kata bowed her head so they could kiss the top of it tenderly.

Cal watched as a tear escaped Teelo's eye down their cheek and seeing them so emotional was threatening to draw tears from him as well. He knew they loved no one like they loved that girl. That the bond they shared as friends, as family, was one that only came along maybe a few times in a person's life. He knew this parting would wound them both, but that it was also for the best. Teelo needed to walk their own path now, as he and Merrin once had, and as Kata would too, someday.

With a shaky breath, Teelo finally stood and turned away to walk towards the Rogue, where Greez was waiting by the ramp. Cal could see tears on his cheeks from where he stood and the old Latero wiped them away hastily. Kata continued to sob as she watched them go and both Merrin and Cal moved to stand by her sides. The young Jedi put her arm around Merrin's waist and leaned into her and Cal rubbed her back gently in comfort.

Greez gave them one last wave which the three of them returned before he disappeared onto the ship. Cal saw Teelo hesitate for just a second as they started up the ramp and he called their name, causing them to turn.

"May the Force be with you."

The Mirialukan smiled wistfully and nodded once at him.

"And with you."

He couldn't deny his own sorrow at their parting. Teelo had been a true friend to them all, unwaveringly loyal to a fault. He'd seen them grow from someone who was completely lost, driven half-mad with profound grief and pain, distrusting of people and given up on themself into someone strong, fierce and brave who knew their value and had conquered suffering he couldn't imagine. They were a true Jedi Master, few of whom he had ever known more worthy of the title. He would miss them, but he knew in his heart that he would see them again. And that wherever their journey took them, they would never forget their family or their home.

Cal saw their sad blue eyes look between the four of them before they ducked into the ship and the door closed behind them. What remained of the Mantis crew stood together and watched as the Rogue Mercenary's engines fired up, the landing gear retracted and the ship sped towards the horizon.