Mayday's Office.

"Enter!" Mayday didn't recognise the knock, it wasn't Veetch or Hexx or Tank; he was in Bacta again. But things sounded differently in these quarters on Ord Mantell, awaiting orders. The last time he had been here, Hela was here too. He still thought about her, wishing it could have ended better. Wishing he could have trusted her.

"Sir?" Splicer poked his head around the door.

"Come in Splicer. What's the problem?"

"Problem?"

"You lads only come and see me in here if there's a problem. So spit it out."

"Not always sir."

"Okay. Let's rephrase that. Only if there's a problem you want me to know about then." Mayday raised an eyebrow in a question.

"I've been doing some research…. sir." He swallowed before he continued; this could go either way. He could either be in his Commander's good books or on a charge cleaning the freshers, or worse —again.

"On Hela. I've—"

Mayday tensed and straightened up.

"Stop right there, Trooper. That's a closed book."

"Just let me finish. I can show you what really happened. She was—"

"I saw what happened."

"No sir. You saw what everyone was supposed to see and made assumptions from that. The assumption being they were in a relationship."

Splicer was happy with the way that came out. He'd practised it with Hex.

"I don't understand."

"I think they played the host, Jymii Crane. And the audience believed it too."

"Why?"

"I don't know that sir but let me show you."

"Okay!" he sat back down, "Show me what you've got!"

Splicer came around with his datapad.

"This is a holo of Hela and Frey in their show, a scene where they meet and," he cleared his throat, "kiss for the first time. It was taken a month before the Holonet Tonight show."

Mayday watched closely, he knew this was acting. It was what she did.

"Then—This is the Holonet Tonight episode." He pulled them up on the screen, side by side. "See here? And here?"

"I'm not sure."

"Then this. I read his lips."

Mayday stared still not able to see it without feeling an urge to hit the man but he was transfixed with Hela kissing him.

"He says, 'Let's do it just as we practised. Just like Act 3, scene 5.'"

Splicer split the screen, "This is Act 3, scene 5." Then he merged the images.

Mayday watched again, eyes narrowed, the moves matched exactly.

"They were playing a scene from the show they're in?"

"Yeah. And a bit more but mainly."

"So she isn't with him?"

"Doesn't look like it. The only other images or mentions of them is the—ha-hem, gossip channels but nothing definite."

"But why?"

"Can't say as to why except—"

"Except what?"

Splicer tapped his datapad, "I've researched Frey. He has a clause in his contract. He must remain single. He had tried to get out of it through the courts but the potential compensation he would have to pay out to some Hutt would ruin him."

"Hutts don't normally go through the Courts."

"This one makes a habit of it."

"So why?"

"Not sure sir. But I checked further. He's married, has two children but it was on Ryloth so not recognised on Coruscant. His wife and family keep a low profile….sir."

"You have been busy."

"In my own time sir."

"So what do they get out of this?"

"For Frey it means it takes away any questions about his family and they can just go about their normal life."

"Hela?"

"I don't know. Although I suppose nobody will question who she's with because they think they know."

Mayday relaxed a little, unsure whether this made him feel better or worse. If Splicer was right. He'd accused and judged Hela, as guilty, unfairly. That didn't sit well with him. He leaned back in his chair feeling a little sick; he had made an assumption, assumed she was guilty, thought the worst because she was a natborn. What did that say about him?

Splicer watched his commanding officer, "Just thought you ought to know…..sir."

"Thank you, Splicer. Leave it with me." He said absently, as he saw the message from Cody come through on the Command Channel. He waited until the Splicer left before he picked up.

"Sir!" He was back in business, fully recovered.

"We're going to Sullust get your men ready."

"Yes sir!" The holo faded.

That was all he needed to know at the moment. He pushed the thoughts of Hela to one side he had a battle to plan for.

.

Hela's

"I'm sorry Hela but the GAR are adamant you can only do the concerts on Ord Mantell. They don't want to be responsible for your safety outside that area. It's too dangerous, they say."

Hela paced up and down in front of the hologram of the The Chief, trying to finalise the details of her latest concert, she turned to face hero "The Chancellor—"

"Agrees with them fully in this case—"

"As far as I know it's still a free Galaxy out there. I can do as I want—"

"Not in this case. You're known to be close to the Chancellor and while that gives you some leeway to do a lot more than some people. You also have a responsibility to him, as do I. You could be used—"

"Used?"

"By the Separatists."

"I would never let them. I— "

"You may not have a choice in the matter. If anything happened to you we would have to use Republic, that is GAR, resources to sort it out, whatever it was. You could be kidnapped, anything."

"Oh! I had never thought of it in that way."

The thought of clones risking their lives for something she did, pulled her up from her arguments. She wasn't that stupid.

"Now. Your list of entertainers who have volunteered, please. They need to be vetted."

Hela pulled up the list and sent it to her.

"It's on its way. Hope they're all good."

"I'm sure they will be."

.

Fleet Support Base.

Ord Mantell

Hela piloted the craft slowly down to land following the ATC instructions carefully; it was the first time she had completed a long journey since the start of the war but it had been uneventful.

Zur sat in the co-pilot seat, watching as she came into land. "Better than your sky car driving."

"I'm a perfectly safe driver, if a little on the fast side." She retorted

"That was a pleasant journey, thank you Hela." Frey had also accompanied her and was used to their bickering now. He sensed the underlying affection in all of it. The others were making their own way there, "Now, where do we get set up?"

Hela hovered the last few feet before dropping the landing struts and closing off the engines then lowered the ramp; she could see the clones working in the hangar looking at her shuttle. It was old and always attracted attention but she liked it. It didn't get used as much as she would like to now. Originally she had bought it so she could go back to Naboo without having to rely on public transport or hiring a craft; she still had property there despite having sold the large house. But she had not made many journeys back. Now it was even more difficult.

"It was Captain Block last time. I hope it still is. He was amazing, couldn't do enough for me. It's not the Opera House but he made it work."

She stood at the top of the ramp searching for the familiar clone; she saw him striding towards her with what looked like a squad behind him. She waved as she walked down.

"Captain Block. Good to see you!"

She noticed he had a new scar on his face, near his eye, a little like Mayday's but his was lower.

"Good to see you again Hela. Been too long. We've missed you."

She pointed at his face, "Have you had a few problems?"

"Just scratch." He said dismissively, "Dismantling and evacuating a RIMSOO. Clankers even tried to stop us from doing that."

"I take it they didn't."

"No way. They were our brothers in there."

"Good. So, are we set up?"

"It will be. We're just waiting for everyone to let us have their props. Some are being a little difficult."

"I'll talk to them. Who are we likely to get in the audience?"

"The usual— 91st, 101st, 13th Battalion, 21st Nova Corps, 501st, 41st Elite and a few stragglers."

"Galactic Marines, you've got your hands full."

"Business as usual, as they say."

"We'll try not to be too much of a problem."

"You are never a problem, unless of course….." he looked at Frey.

She leaned in closer, "I'll let you into a secret. But don't tell anyone. Don't believe everything you see on the Holonet. Me and Frey, it was a publicity stunt."

He smiled, not really understanding the concept of a publicity stunt but if they were coming here to do something for the clones, he would do something for her.

"My lips are sealed."

"Thanks. But a byproduct of that was we got more people interested in doing these concerts. Now let's see the stage."

.

Five hours later she was standing in the wings of the makeshift stage which had been improved on since last time. Frey was standing next to her.

"So this is the list of battalions and where they've fought. The 91st are here. I thought you may like to mention Ryloth, when you introduce yourself."

"I will. Aleena's parent's would be dead if it weren't for the clones."

Zur adjusted her red wig, combing it straight.

"The red suits you." Frey commented.

"Thought I'd avoid the white blonde one for a while."

"Good idea."

He checked his chrono, "Time to start."

Hela turned, "Zur?"

"Full house. Looks good to me— break a leg."

She smiled and walked out onto the stage; there was applause this time and it felt different, she knew more of them or had.

"Hello Ord Mantell. It's good to be back."

The applause was deafening now.

"And I have a few friends with me this time."

More applause.

Frey stood in the wings with Zur and listened.

"They like her a lot, don't they?"

"They do. No one else had even thought of this, when she first did it."

"She has never told me why."

"She knows a few Jedi, from the Battle of Naboo. She met some clones from there."

"That's a big jump to doing this. What…"

Zur ignored him, Hela had started singing the Operatic part of her opening number, the same one she used before, then she ripped off the skirt and burst into the pounding beat of the Glimmick part and the applause became almost deafening. There were shouts and whistles of appreciation.

"Not sure they're going to like me, or the duets we got planned."

"You'd be surprised."

Frey looked at the Falleen, not believing him.

.

Frey was surprised by the reception he received, especially when he thanked them for the defence of Ryloth. He and Hela then went on after the Mime artists, who only spoke one word, 'Roger', giving it different inflections, for different meanings. It was clever, it sounded like they were having a conversation. The clones had picked up on it straight away and it had gone down very well especially when they did the clankers versus Count Dooku. He had to admit that was a hard act to follow.

Now for their part. This was different. Frey started, it was part spoken part sang.

"Did you ever?"

Hela replied, with an exaggerated wink, "Not so much that you could notice."

"Well, could you estimate how many?"

"Eight or nine."

Frey looked shocked, "Will you do it anymore?"

"As soon as you walk out the door."

There was laughter from the clones.

"Well, I just wondered, did you ever?"

"All the time."

They walked around each other, watching each other like predators, then they started again,

"Could I fix you once more?"

"No, thanks, I just had one."

"Then how about a nice big?"

"Clone," someone in the audience shouted.

"That would be just fine."

"Is there any special way?"

"Oh, no, whatever you say."

"Well, I just wondered, have you ever?"

"All the time."

They circled each other again, going the other way now; the clones were clapping and muttering amongst themselves, wndeting what was going to happen next.

"Does he look like?"

"No, he's taller and more handsome."

"Yeah, but is he old?"

"Oh, no, he's young, and he's in his prime."

"Does your father know? I'll bet."

"Mm-mm, I haven't told him yet."

"I just wondered, do you ever?"

"All the time."

For the last time they circled each other to muted applause.

"But just for old times sake."

"No, that would be much harder."

"Oh, then how about?"

"Well, are you sure that you don't mind?"

"Hey, I know just the thing for us."

"No, I'm afraid I'll miss my bus."

"Well, I just wondered, have you ever?"

"All the time." [1]

Frey was surprised the clones were now laughing and clapping and nudging each other at the innuendos, they had picked up on.

They bowed and as Frey stood to get his breath, Hela continued speaking.

"Thank you boys, for the warm welcome. We weren't sure you would like that one."

There were some whistles.

"But that's all from us folks and there is something I know you like and it's your turn, as always."

She turned to the musicians and nodded. There were cheers as the clones recognised the tune. Frey took a step back for Hela to start.

She sang the first sentence as clear as a bell, as always.

"Okay boys you know the drill." They joined in with it, as they had before and then she let them continue, as they sang she called the other artists on stage. Each had volunteered for a reason, mainly because they had come from planets caught up in the conflict and appreciated what the Republic and clones were doing.

As the last verse was sung it was all clone voices.

Hela wiped away the tears.

Frey watched the clones, dumbfounded.

.

Bar

Ord Mantell

One hour after the end of the concert.

Zur leaned against the bar and watched as Frey walked back in. He pushed a glass towards him.

"Compliments of the bartender. He liked the duet, where you 'spoke the words.' He said."

Frey smelled it and knocked it back. It was a good bottle, from the top shelf

"Family okay?" Asked Zur. Frey had excused himself to make a call.

"Yes. Although the youngest has a fever. He seems to catch everything."

"Can't say I know much about younglings."

"No. There's always something and they're all different."

Frey looked at the young men sitting in the bar all chattering to one another; some looked really young. He was still getting used to seeing them all together and the fact that they all looked the same, well almost, and wondered how many of them would have the same chances as he did. He didn't think many of them would. From what he had heard they trained from birth for this war and selfishly he was thankful.

Hela was surrounded by a group that had a lot of blue on their armour; some had their fatigues on but not many.

"501st." Zur saw where he was looking, "she knows their General. Skywalker. She knew him when she was a child on Naboo."

"Oh."

Hela was laughing at what one of them said, the one with the goatee, Frey thought, although she was leaning over to listen to another one, who looked very serious and was reading a datapad. She was smiling at him.

"So ma'am. I understand that you have a four octave range?"

Hela was surprised at the question, she hadn't been getting many questions about her voice.

"The name's Hela, and yes. I do. How did you—"

"He looked it up, Hela. He looked you up. He spends more time with his nose in the Regs—"

"Surely I'm not in the Regs, am I?"

He laughed, "and the Holonet." He finished.

Hela turned to look at the other clone, who was indeed looking at his datapad.

"I'm Fives, this is—"

"Echo!" The one looking at his datapad answered, she noticed, her musical ear attuned to different levels of sound, his voice was slightly deeper, "we're with the 501st. We're—"

"ARC troopers."

"I can see that." Hela had seen the pauldron and different armour they wore, "Do you always finish each other's sentences?" she asked, looking from one to the other.

"It depends." This was Fives again.

"On what?" She pursued.

"On who's asking." Said Echo, smiling.

"I see. So what if it's an officer?"

"We're by the book." There were loud guffaws from his brothers, who surrounded them.

She turned to Echo, "So what did you find out about me?"

Echo launched into his subject; he was very thorough going from her childhood to date. Hela listened intently, as Fives, she thought it was, kept butting in. Echo then spoke about the Opera; he had a thorough understanding of it.

"So, have you got someone to escort you to your quarters?" Fives asked finally, an eyebrow arched.

"Yes Fives old boy, she has." Cody's deeper voice interrupted the conversation.

"Codeee!" Hela jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck. He automatically held her steady and grinned at her.

"Good to see you too."

Holding her arms, he let her slide slowly back down to the floor, steadying her, as her feet touched the ground.

"Are Ben and Ani here?" She asked but didn't see the few raised eyebrows and nudges amongst the 501st brothers, as she asked that question.

"No. They've had to report to the Council."

"Oh. And left you all the flimzi work to do, I assume."

"Not too much."

"Good."

"Go on, ask me then." He prompted her.

"What did you think of the show?"

"Great! I especially liked the mime artists and you of course. Very clever song at the end. Then the Dha Verde. Your pronunciation is spot on."

The surrounding clones were taking in every time part of this conversation.

"Good Teacher. Thank you. I'm glad you liked it. It was a bit of a gamble."

"But? There's always a but with you." He said it kindly. Dealing with Hela had taught him so much about dealing with civilians.

"I would have liked to take it on the road or at least to the medical stations but I've been vetoed on that. This is the only place I can come, they tell me."

"Who?"

"GAR High Command, confirmed by the Chancellor."

"Can't do much about that. Shall we go?"

"Yes." She downed her drink and tucked her arm in his.

"Goodnight Gentlemen!"

There were some comments made as they left the bar.

"You realise that the rumours are going to be rife in the barracks tonight." He said.

"But they won't be true will they?" She asked.

"No!" He smiled.

"Is there something else you're not telling me?"

"Yes!"

"Spill the beans." She stopped abruptly.

He turned towards her, "I'm going on a mission soon. I'll be out of contact."

"You always are? Can you tell me about it?"

"No!"

She turned and frowned at him.

"But here you are, your quarters."

"Thank you. Entirely unnecessary."

"Oh I don't know. Sleep well." Then Cody did something she rarely saw him do. He winked.

Hela was confused, she couldn't remember the last time he did that; she turned ready to open the door of her quarters.

"Hey."

She knew that voice.

.

A/N- [1] Did You Ever? Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra.