Hangar Bay

Their hands stayed together until they were forced apart. It seemed they had less time together now than ever before; the number of missions he was running had increased recently.

She watched him lead his squad to their ship; the new recruit was with them. She couldn't remember his name and Mayday hadn't told her but he seemed nervous. He wasn't joking like the others were, their banter helping to distract them from whatever lay ahead.

She held onto Mayday's image as long as she could, he spoke with him. His lips mouthed — 'You'll be alright lad. Just do what I say. You can pilot on the way out.' Then they entered the ship, the ramp closed up and she watched them take off mentally checking off when the ship had last been serviced. Five rotations. Pending an attack and how many hyperspace jumps it did, it was good for another three.

She would make sure it was.

She winced, and ducked as she saw the hyperspace engines light up to engage, "Too early." She muttered, and turned away. If they continued to pilot it like that she would have to service it as soon as they came back.

If the base survived.

If they came back.

She walked back to Bil, shaking her head.

"You have to go up top." He interrupted her thoughts. "You concentrating today?" The Ugnaught asked, "Seeing as Mayday is on a mission."

"Yes, of course." Retorted Hela, irritated.

Bil stared at the sky, "He jumped to hyperspace too early."

"I know. I think it's the new guy. The others know better. I'll book it in for a check when they get back. As if we haven't got enough work. The caf machine in the Mess is on the blink, as well."

"That can wait. They can have Instacaf."

Hela grimaced at the thought, "Are you sure?"

She saw Finor hurrying towards them.

"The caf machine in the mess hall is broken. It's not heating up."

"We know." They answered in unison.

He looked between the two mechanics, "So when will it be done?"

Hela and Bil looked at each other.

"It's a round tuit." declared Bil.

"It's what?"

"A round tuit." Bil stated again.

Hela turned away to stifle a smile.

"We'll look at it, when we get around to it." Said Bil and walked away.

"Get around to it soon!' He growled and stormed off, "Wasting my time. Kriffing jokers!"

Hela watched as he walked away, it was unusual for him to lose his temper, "I think you upset him."

"It's only caf. Bil has spoken."

"I'll go look at it after we've done this."

Bil shrugged, he only drank his tea.

.

It took two days to get around to repairing the Caf machine and that was only because she thought someone was going to die through Caf withdrawal. The number of petty arguments rose ten fold during that time. She screwed on the back of the caf machine and turned on the water, running it through, till it was clear and steamed. It was hot enough now.

The mess hall doors swung open, and a squad entered; she packed away her tools.

"About kriffing time. I could murder a Caf."

Hela recognised the voice as coming from the new recruit —Pol— Bil had told her his name. She had a bone to pick with him.

"What the karking hell did you think you were doing?"

"Ma'am?" Pol asked, confused.

Her eyes flicked over to Mayday for a second; he was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed. He was almost smirking; he was keeping out of this, for the moment.

"Don't Ma'am me. I'm Hela and after that hyperspace jump you did, I've got to strip down the hyperdrive. Do you have a brain in there?" She pointed at his head, "Do you know how dangerous that manoeuvre was? You could have killed us."

"I —"

"No you probably don't. Some pilots leave their brains in a bucket on the ramps."

"Hela—" Mayday took a step forward.

"I'm not talking to you Commander." He raised an eyebrow and leaned back again, "I'm talking to this….nerf herder."

"Nerf—" he spluttered.

"You heard me. I can give you flying lessons, if you want. We can start with step one – this is the ramp."

"I can pilot a ship."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course."

"Well next time engage what brain you have before the hyperdrive and you may get somewhere and not kill us all."

Pol stormed off, red faced.

Hela took a deep breath, "Caf machine's working." She walked off.

.

"Hela okay?" Asked Finor, walking with Mayday, towards Donca's quarters to update her.

"Yeah she's fine. Why?" Finor often asked questions he knew the answer to and Mayday was expecting this.

"I heard she lost it today."

"Lost it?"

"With the new guy."

"Oh. No, that's just Hela."

"Are you sure she's okay?"

"Yeah. She was always like that. She's just getting back to normal."

"That's normal?"

"She expects people to know what they're doing, unless they say otherwise and ask for help."

"So we can expect more of this then."

"Can't guarantee it won't happen again."

"Perhaps you could have words with her."

"Words?"

"To ensure it doesn't happen again."

"I'll try."

"Try?"

"Yes. I'll tell her."

"To tone it down."

"I'll do that."

"Hmm. Perhaps she should see Donca again. When she's feeling better."

"I'll mention it to her."

.

Hela looked at the face in the mirror; sometimes she didn't recognise herself anymore. She tried to rub out the frown lines from between her eyes, with her middle finger but didn't succeed. Now she just looked sad. She needed to talk to Donca.

The door to her quarters opened and closed.

Mayday.

She heard him removing his armour, what was left of it, and putting his kit to one side; stacking the various pieces of armour just as he did in the war so he was ready to leave in the quickest time possible. Then the sound of him coming to join her.

He leant against her back, his chin resting on her shoulder; the familiar feel of his warmth, his arms slowly wrapping around her waist, followed by his hands slipping under her top to rest on her skin. She breathed in deeply at his touch. His lips felt soft against the scar on her neck; the feeling was only just coming back into that damaged area.

She cocked her head to one side.

He hummed.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Had better days."

"I can see that."

He moved off, rubbing her tense shoulders instead, kneading into the tight muscles.

"Want to talk about it?"

"Not really. Hmm that feels good."

Her shoulders relaxed under him.

"You were a bit harsh on him."

"I said, I don't want to talk about it."

She tensed up again, undoing his work.

"Copy that." His thumbs pressed deep into the muscles.

"Ow!"

"Very tense. Come on. Let's sort this back out." He pulled her over to the bed. She dragged off her top and lay face down.

Straggling her he started at the bottom of her spine and worked his way up.

"Hmmmm." She let out a low moan as he messaged the sore muscles in her back.

"What were you doing to get like this?"

"Using the harness."

"Jetpack might be easier."

"No way. Not getting in one of them."

She moaned again.

"We still need to talk."

"About jetpacks?"

He slapped her bottom, "You know what I mean."

"Do I?"

"You're not the star of the Galaxies Opera House now."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Her voice muffled by the pillow.

"Pol. He's young. Wanted to impress."

"Hmm. He could have impressed us into oblivion.

"But he didn't and you didn't have to go at him like you did."

"You like him don't you?" There was something in his voice and now she was thinking about what he said.

"Yes."

"You're right. Sorry."

"Not me you need to apologise to, although not for the hyperspace fuck up. He needs to learn."

"Just the way I handled it?"

"Yeah."

His hands slid underneath her, reaching her breasts and squeezing, "Have we finished talking about it?" Her voice was husky.

"Yes." He pinched her nipples, "These always feel so good, when I've been away."

Her breath hitched, "You were only gone two days."

"So? Still missed you."

Her arousal tightened in the pit of her stomach as he continued his massage; he always had that effect on her.

Pulling her up by the hips, he waited until she braced herself then pushed in slowly, rewarded by her whimpers. Controlling himself he moved slowly, trying different angles until he found the one that worked best for both of them and upped his rythm.

He groaned as he came and braced himself on one arm before he lowered them both down on the bed, he rested for a minute, getting his breath back and kissed on her cheek.

"You okay?"

"Hmm. Hmm."

He rolled to one side.

.

Mayday turned to look at the woman lying next to him, she was still asleep and he was fully relaxed, despite only returning from a mission the previous day. It was still an Intel gathering and supply run but you never knew what was going to happen on them; Tycho had been injured. The Rebels Intel was as inaccurate and as sparse as any he had used in the clone wars.

He made a mental note to look at verifying Intel, making it better.

He got up slowly trying not to disturb her; he ignored the urge to kiss her, fearing it would wake her. They had not had much sleep last night, talking, sex, more talking. He made a caf and sat back down on the bed again and drank it savouring the first taste of caf.

A minute later Hela followed him, naked, stretching and smiling. She poured a mug, walked over to him and sat in his lap. Soft, warm and fragrant.

He closed his eyes and smelled her.

He felt her settle down on him.

What was he to do?

He drained the caf.

A minute after that they were back in bed…

He let her take control and was thankful he kept in shape with his training. She'd wear him out otherwise.

Her hands, her breasts, her back side, her mouth — all felt so good.

He groaned as she lowered herself on him, his body responding to her as it always did, with vigour.

She adjusted to the position then he watched her take her own pleasure, as he drove upwards to take his.

Afterwards they fell back, gasping and panting.

Even better this time around.

She snuggled against his chest, spent, breathing hard; he held her there sensing her physical release, not just the sex but a kind of deep animal satisfaction and something else also. Something more.

He wrapped his arms around her; then he heard the small sigh, almost a whimper and he knew. She finally felt safe. She felt safe, warm, and protected with him. She was luxuriating in it and celebrating the fact she was able to feel it.

Hela had come back to him— totally.

And now he had to leave again.

The leaving had become more difficult but it had been their choice to remain with the Rebels, a decision made together.

"You're going again soon, aren't you?"

"Yes. A recce."

He felt her snuggle closer.

"How's the new boy really doing?"

"Hmm. He's not bad, I've seen worse."

"Worse? That doesn't sound good. I know he's not a great pilot. That hyperspace jump…"

"I know. Zak nearly had a heart attack." He adjusted himself closer against her, "He got better and he can shoot, so he's not totally useless but I think he's holding something back."

"Aren't we all? Especially when we first arrive."

"Hmm. Yes." He drew circles with his finger on her back, then rubbed the scar on the back of her neck where the chip had been taken out, it was less pronounced now.

She tried to move her neck away from him but didn't succeed.

"It's almost invisible now." He leaned around and kissed it, he knew she wore her hair in a specific way to disguise it. Her training as a performer was all about disguise; she would never lose that.

"I'm worried about Donca. I've not had a chance to see her for several days and I can see Finor is worried. He and Bil have been arguing."

"Arguing?"

"Bickering but with— more malice. Usually there is some humour in it."

"I think she's just having a bad episode. Go and see her. Finor won't mind."

"Are you sure?"

"Course." He pulled her closer.

Donca's story was hers to tell, not his.

.

Donca's Quarters

She knocked gently, not wishing to disturb her unnecessarily; she had asked Finor if she should see her. He appeared relieved she offered, saying she had been worse recently. She knew Finor and Mayday had been running the base and taking orders from Fulcrum.

She heard Donca say her name and took it for permission to enter; your quarters were sometimes the only place you had any privacy and no one entered without the resident's permission.

The room was dim and warm, warmer than she normally had it.

"Did I disturb you?"

"No. It's good to see you."

"How are you?" Hela asked, despite hearing the wheezing of her breathing and weakness of her breath.

"Getting better."

"Good. Shall I make tea?"

"That sounds good."

She wandered over to the small cooking area and heated up the water. Even from here she could hear the rattle as she breathed. She brewed the tea and brought them over to her friend, sitting down.

"So what's wrong?"

"Nothing." Hela sipped her tea.

"So what's the question then."

"I shouldn't be bothering you."

"I'm here and still your friend, so ask your question."

"Is it so bad that I feel so at home here."

Donca smiled, "I'm happy that you're settled but that's not what you mean is it?"

"It feels right being here. Doing what I'm doing."

"With Mayday?"

"Yes. But is it bad to feel happy at the same time? At the same time as we're fighting?"

"There's only one part that you're happy about isn't there? I hope."

"Yes. But—"

"Go on."

"There are things I could wish for but they could never happen."

"I told you once, you never totally lose the capacity to be happy and if that's for one thing then so be it."

She struggled with the last few words, a hacking cough taking over.

Hela poured some water and held her more upright, supporting her as she drank it.

"What exactly is wrong with you? And don't lie to me I can see you're getting worse and have been for months. Sometimes, like now, you can barely walk."

Donca pushed herself until she was sitting upright.

"It's genetic. Progressive. In my lungs."

"The cure? We can get it for you. Mayday would—"

"Not that easy."

"We'll find a way."

"It will need cloning facilities."

Hela closed her eyes; Kamino had been destroyed after the Galactic Empire came to power.

"And the Empire controls that."

"Yes."

"Mayday could lead a team. Find somewhere. Probably controlled by one of the crime gangs. There was a Doctor—"

"No!"

"Donca—"

"We are not wasting resources on me and that's an order."

"Donca, I'm sure—"

"No! Years ago, maybe, but it's too late now."

"What do you mean too late?"

Donca took a deep breath. It was always far worse telling someone else. Watching their reaction, being the cause of their pain and them knowing they can't do anything about it.

"There is nothing that can be done now. I'm too far gone."

A hard lump appeared in Hela's throat as she took in what the other woman said. She reached out and took Donca's hand; it felt small and bony in hers.

"It's not fair. The Empire shouldn't have that control. That power."

"I agree but when we're born we don't get a certificate saying life will be fair for you. You know that. You just have to deal with it."

"I–"

"Shh! Listen. I want Mayday to take over from me and you to back him up."

"Back him up?"

"Ground him if needed, or just be a pair of ears, someone to talk to. Just like Fin does for me."

She took a shuddering breath, "He knows. Now. Just sit with me. I'm tired. Tell me what you ve been working on."

Hela moved closer; Donca squeezed her hand and closed her eyes.

"We had to strip a hyperdrive processor." She spoke as quietly and calmly as could going through in detail what they did.

Finor closed the door behind him and Hela leaned against the wall after the door closed, still processing Donca's words. The lump came to her throat again and now she couldn't stop the tears rolling down her cheeks. She let them flow, realising how much the woman had done for her, Mayday, and N'ina and Ji. She had saved them.

She sniffled, wiped her face and walked to the Mess Hall. She needed to see Mayday before he left.

.

Hela drained the Ugnaught tea, now she wanted to drink water but she waited for the caffeine hit, as Bil cleaned the pot and readied it for the next hit. After lunch.

"I just need to finish the hyperdrive but I'll need some help manoeuvring the buffers back in, they were totally shot, not sure how exactly he managed it."

"Why do you need Bil?"

"The droid's on the blink."

"Again?"

"Again!"

She strapped her belt on and wandered towards the half dismantled ship; she sighed. This had been totally avoidable but that hadn't warranted her embarrassing the boy in front of everyone because that's what he looked like, young. She regretted that, no she admitted it, she was ashamed. She checked her com for his reply to her apology and offer to help with anything he was unsure of with the process to enter hyperspace and safe distances.

He hadn't replied.

She stopped walking, looking around for the odd, unusual noise she could barely hear. It was there. She still couldn't work out where it was coming from. Inside or out. She turned around and around, then thought it was outside and turned, walking towards it. No one else appeared to hear it. She headed towards the huge entrance. Nodding to people she knew; the force field was down for repair and technicians were working on it. If they couldn't do it, it was next on her and Bil's list to help with, with aid of Zak but he was with Mayday on this mission.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood up; the noise was still far off but definitely there. It felt oddly familiar.

She walked towards the noise; it was outside.

Looking at the sky, she shivered, it was chilly; the sky was virtually clear, with a few fluffy clouds floating by. She concentrated on the noise. It had stayed at the same level but now it was increasing which meant it was heading towards them, moving; it was a ship.

She had heard it before.

She turned and ran.

"Get inside!"

Heads turned towards her.

"Inside now. It's a Tie Fighter."

She was racing towards Bil.

"It's a Tie. We're under attack."

Bil finally reacted to what she said and raced to the wall to press the alarm; the screeching became louder and then the explosions, as it fired into the hanger before pulling away.

Cannon fire exploded along the ground in twin lines towards her.

Hela heard the sound of engines retreating.

She felt a wall of heat on her back.

Then it was as if all the oxygen had been sucked out of the air before she was flying through it, to hit a solid object and her world disappeared.