Chapter Nine

Three nights later, Ayani sat in the pilot’s chair of her ship as the dark skies of Tatooine loomed before her. This was the third night she had not slept in her room. Dark circles formed under her eyes as she sat with a blanket pulled across her lap and her arms crossed. Every time she dozed off she'd have another nightmare. Flashes from her childhood, all of her worst memories playing out as though she was living them again.

Ayani. The voice washed over her mind, and she bolted out of her seat, looking around. She hadn't heard that voice in years. The voice of the only person to ever be kind to her. One of her victims. I told you all you did would come back to haunt you.

"Why come back to me now?" Ayani asked, her voice shaking.

How can you even think of turning such an innocent child to evil? She is as innocent as you were when you were at her age.

"Nova... Her parents…"

Her parents have nothing to do with this. Why take your wrath out on the child, when she is just like you were? Don't you remember the pain you went through, the horrors, the guilt, the rage? Do you really want that to happen to something so young, so pure?

Ayani closed her eyes and shook her head slowly.

For once, Ayani, do what is right. The voice faded from her mind as she sunk into the chair, her eyes drifting to the skies again.

* * * * *

It had been a full week since Jade had spoken to anyone besides herself and the unborn child growing in her belly. Through the hut she wandered, eating and bathing and sleeping emotionlessly and yet drowning in grief. Already she called the boy within her Ben. It helped her remember where he came from while still looking ahead. This helped with the pain.

Jade currently sat in her kitchen, staring at her half-eaten meal which was growing steadily colder and rubbing her hand in a circular motion over her tummy. She wasn’t showing yet, but she hadn’t started really showing with Nova until the pregnancy was nearly up. Ben’s appetite was as dead as her own, but she ate anyway. Whether she was hungry or not, they both needed the nourishment. Though several days earlier, for some unknown reason, she had nearly retched at the sight of a ration bar in the cabinet. She chalked it up to morning sickness.

“Life’s really quiet, isn’t it, Benny Bear?” she said affectionately. “Too quiet. Where is she, hmm?” She looked around her kitchen slowly. “She’s waiting to jump on me and my cub. I know it. She said she’s not done, and I believe her.”

She sighed to herself, trying to feel Ben’s brightness as it grew with each passing moment. Trying to lose herself in it.

“Obi, I’d give anything…”

* * * * *

Obi-Wan stirred where he laid, but his limbs were too stiff to allow much movement. Not to mention his weakened body. Despite Ayani’s extreme and often violent efforts, he spat out every scrap of food she gave him. Even without a mirror or hardly any light shining into his dank cell, he knew he’d lost a lot of weight. He didn’t dare imagine how horrible he must look.

He coughed weakly, his chest feeling thick with congestion. It was no mystery why that must be. After laying in a cold cell for a week with nothing to cover him besides the same pair of underwear he’d worn upon being captured, it was only a matter of time before he fell ill. He put the back of his hand to his forehead, but it was nearly impossible to determine if he had a fever or not with his hands being as chilly as they were.

“Oh, Jade,” he found himself lamenting for the millionth time. “I’d give anything…”

* * * * *

Jade paused, blinked, and stood from the table. She nearly knocked her plate to the floor as she pushed her way through the kitchen, through the living area, and out the door. The door slammed into the side of the hut as she stood in the light wind and sunlight, stretching her feelings out to the horizon. She pressed her very heart against the wind, against Ayani’s will.

“Was that you?” she asked. “Are you there? Answer me, love, if you hear this…”

* * * * *

Obi-Wan shook all over, as though being touched by a ghosts cold hand.

Answer me, love, if you hear this…

“Jade?” he called. “Jade! I’m here! Darling, can you hear me!?”

His cell door banged open, the walls creaking with the force of it. Dark hair swirled around a dark figure, then a sharp pain struck his neck. His veins coursed with liquid anti-force, keeping his cries confined to his cell once again.

“You’re delirious with a fever,” Ayani spat. “Go to sleep.”

“I felt her,” Obi-Wan croaked, looking up at Ayani who was faceless in the dark.

“You hallucinated.” Then, his door was shut and locked again.

“I did not,” he insisted. But his resolve, though strengthened with knowing Nova lived, was too far gone to truly believe this. “I felt her.”

* * * * *

Jade wilted, her face crumbling into fresh tears. She would have been all right had he not seemed so heartbreakingly near all of a sudden. And why would that be? He was dead. Most likely she had daydreamed in her grief and her imagination was vivid enough to make her believe he still lived.

“No,” she said, gasping as her breath hitched. “I felt him.” But she had no real faith with which to accept this.

* * * * *

Ayani turned her head back to the door that separated her from Kenobi's cell. She was going to have to keep on top of his drugs. If Jade found he was still alive, she would be here in a heart beat. Not to mention Kenobi would be filled with resolve to escape.

That's right, Ayani, keep your mind on your mission, she thought.

Since the voice of the long dead assassin had moved through her mind the night before, she had been thinking of nothing but her childhood. Ayani moved over to the couch and laid down on it, looking up at the ceiling. She was so tired, but she wouldn't allow herself to sleep. Sleep would only make her thoughts come to life.

Seven strode in, balking when he saw Ayani doing her best to relax. “You know, you’ve been kind of wandering around by yourself lately. Avoiding me… Don’t think I haven’t noticed. I mean, you don’t even come to bed.” He grinned. “And I’m irresistible, so it must be something wrong with you.”

Ayani gave a tired laugh and smiled. "I'm not avoiding you, per say... I've just been restless lately." She made room for him as he walked over and sat down on the couch. "Besides, you already know there is something wrong with me..." Ayani trailed off as she looked away from him.

“And there’s nothing wrong with me?” he asked playfully, jabbing her with his elbow. “Who among us is normal?”

"I guess there really isn't a definition of normal," she smiled at him. Ayani turned around on the couch and laid her head down in his lap and looked up at him. "How is Nova this morning?" she asked.

“Her same, sweet self,” he said, running his fingers through her hair and grinning down at her. “I think she trusts me enough to adjust fairly well to this new situation… But she misses her parents. Every once in a while, sometimes rather often, she’ll call to one of them and start whimpering when they don’t come. I just have to… hold her until it passes.”

Ayani was quiet for a moment, remembering all the times when she was little and had called to her parents, but they never came or just told her to be quiet. "She could see her father... but he's in no condition to see her. Besides, it may only make it worse on her," she said softly.

Seven nodded curtly. “And worse on him, I suppose… Or,” he chuckled, “worse on you. He’s weakened, but I think he’d kick you in the teeth if he saw you with Nova.”

"Which is why you'd be the one carrying her into the cell..." Ayani grinned up at Seven. "I don't think he'd kick you." She tilted her head slightly. "But I'd probably have to tape your mouth shut, wouldn't I? To keep you from being tempted to tell him anymore?"

Seven sighed. “I don’t know if I could handle that kind of pressure. I mean, what would be the point in showing him Nova only to take her right back?”

"I don't know, Feroz, I never had parents. I wouldn't know the kind of effect it would have on him," she said slightly harsh.

“Don’t play that with me,” he said back just as harshly, moving away from her to stand up again. “Just because your parents were never as caring as Obi-Wan and Jade doesn’t mean you can’t know how anguished they must be. That’s bantha fodder, Ayani. I won’t hear it.”

Ayani laughed cruelly as she sat up. "Okay, so you do know me better than I thought. But I really don't care about either Jade or Obi-Wan at this point."

“Again, that’s the difference between you and me.” With apparent frustration, Seven moved away from her. She’s earned her nightmares…

Ayani glared at Seven, catching his thoughts. "I know I've earned them, some of them at least," she spat. "I'm sure you have some of your own to deal with as well."

“Not the kind you have,” Seven said, shaking his head. “I have nightmares about people like you taking over the universe. It seems you have nightmares about people like Jade and Obi-Wan coming back to get the vengeance they deserve. It’s really not the same, dearest.”

"I don't want power over the universe." Ayani put her legs over the arm rest on the couch. "Just over certain Jedi, and I have that right now."

“But you still admit that you hunger for power,” Seven said. “Big scale, small scale… Same ends.” He shrugged. “Spoken like a true clone, I know.”

"What can I say? It's who I am." Ayani sighed and titled her head sideways, resting it on the back of the couch. She was about to say something else when she felt someone tug at her hair. She sat up and looked over the edge of the couch to see Nova standing there, smiling at her. Ayani reached down and pulled her up onto the couch, setting her down next to her.

“Hey, Nover,” Seven said, slowly moving back toward Ayani and the child. “Getting tired of this ship? We have been cooped up here for at least a week…” He looked questioningly at Ayani.

"What?" Ayani asked, cocking her head sideways. She knew what he wanted. He wanted her to let them to go outside, to go for a walk, get out of the ship. Ayani wanted to do the same but didn't want to seem overly anxious to get out.

“Let’s go somewhere,” he said softly. “This place is starting to get to all of us, even you. Maybe a change of scenery would help.”

“What about the prisoner?” she asked, eyeing him.

“I don’t think he’s going anywhere,” he said sourly. “What’s holding us back, honestly?”

Ayani looked at him for a moment then stood up and walked over to a cabinet. She dug around in it for a second before pulling out two blasters. She handed one to Seven.

"It's a rough planet, you need to be able to defend yourself." She eyed him for a second then turned to Nova. "Do you want to go outside?" she asked.

“Side!” she squeaked in her sweet, baby voice. “Pay!”

“Pay?” Seven teased. “For what? Drinks? If so, I’m in.”

Ayani tilted her head. "I think she means play." Ayani shook her head. "And if you want a drink that badly, I'll pay for one for you." She took Nova by the hand and helped the little girl off the couch. "If we're going, let’s go."

Seven grinned. “Ladies first.” Ayani balked a moment, then he added with a crestfallen sigh, “just go.”

Ayani tilted her head at him for a moment before walking down the ramp of the ship, Nova at her side.

"Where do you want to go?" Ayani asked, looking around the dirt streets.

“There’s gotta be someplace at least semi-family oriented that would be inviting for Nova,” he said, scanning the area. “I don’t wanna take her into a bar, that’s for certain…” He led the two females, keeping a close eye on them both as they weaved through the crowd.

“The Charred Bantha?” Seven questioned, reading a sign and wrinkling his nose. “Is that supposed to sound appetizing?”

Ayani read the sign. "I think so..." She glanced in the window and shook her head. "Definitely not taking her in there." The place was filthy and loud, just like every other place on the planet. "Maybe the Desert Diner?" Ayani questioned as they stopped in front of it.

Seven peeked in, then nodded to show he thought this was as good a choice as any. When they walked in, a smiling, bouncy Twi’lek asked them if they preferred smoking or non. Seven replied they preferred a smoke free environment, and they were led to a table in an uncrowded area. The same Twi’lek took their order, Seven asking for a big, juicy steak and a very alcoholic beverage.

“What?” he asked when Ayani stared blankly at him. “I’m a growing boy. I need my vitamins.”

The Twi’lek giggled, then turned to Ayani, freezing at the woman’s cold look. “And… for you, miss?”

"Salad, rare steak, and some Correlian rum."

The Twi'lek nodded and glanced down at Nova then back up. "And what about your daughter?"

Ayani's eyes went wide at the Twi'leks statement, she was about to say something when Seven spoke up.

“Juice!” he said, perhaps too loudly. “And, uh… Do you have something soft? Mashed up?”

“I think we could whip something up,” she said sweetly and then stepped away to take care of their order.

Ayani raised her eyebrow at him. "She thinks Nova is our kid." She glanced down at the child that had found a crayon and was scribbling on a piece of paper.

“All the better,” Seven said, sitting back in his chair. “If she thought we had, say… kidnapped her…” He gave her a pointed look. “We’d find ourselves up to our necks in all kinds of crap.”

Ayani rolled her eyes and was about to say something as the Twi'lek came back. She set their orders down in front of them. The chef had mashed up some potatoes for Nova, along with some vegetables.

After she left Ayani glanced at Nova. "Feroz, you better sit next to her. You know I spill everything on her if I feed her."

Seven smirked. “I’m not much better, but if it’ll make you feel better…” He traded places with her, stuffing a napkin at the front of Nova’s shirt and setting up a spot where she could be fed. After he’d fed her a few spoonfuls, he handed the utensil over to her.

“Are you sure that’s safe?” Ayani asked, gesturing at Nova with her fork.

“She can feed herself well enough,” he said. “I just wanted to make sure at least a little of it got in her mouth first.”

He turned to his own meal, digging in ravenously. “Freeze-dried crap… You can just kiss my cloned behind, Ayani. This steak beats the everloving hell out of that junk on your ship that you call food.”

"Sorry, I don't exactly have time to be a gourmet chef, nor do I even know how to cook," Ayani snapped, glaring at him as she cut a piece of her steak and ate it. She had to agree that it was extremely good, and she hadn't had anything good in a long time.

Ayani glanced up from her meal and looked at Seven, then to Nova who had just smeared some food on her face. She smiled slightly, her eyes going back to Seven.

You enjoy this, don't you? the voice of her old victim passed over her mind. It's something you've always wanted. A family, someone to love you, someone for you to love in return. You have that, Ayani. You have it here in front of you. Just say the words, and Seven will go away with you. You can put all of this behind you. Give the child back to her mother.

"Dammit, go away," Ayani hissed, closing her eyes and leaning back in her chair.

“Who me?” Seven asked, his words muffled by steak. He swallowed, nearly choking on the massive bite.

"No... just... never mind," Ayani said, not opening her eyes.

Seven watched her for a moment, then said, “going out didn’t help, did it?”

"It's just another fight I have to get through," Ayani said tiredly.

“Fight?” Seven said. “Aren’t you sick of that yet?” He paused, picking at his food with his fork. “I mean, why do you think I’m not a stormtrooper right now? I ran.”

"I can't run. It's different for me, Feroz. You were never caught up with the Empire; you just had to leave the Republic. They wouldn't have hunted you down..." Ayani shook her head.

“I’m surprised they didn’t,” he said. “Then again, what’s one renegade clone to them? A lot less than a renegade hunter… I know that it’s not that easy. But it’s about the same struggle to run as to do what you’re doing now. And I don’t just mean when it comes to Jade and Obi-Wan. But to yourself. I may not be telepathic, but I know when someone is suffering, and you are suffering, Ayani.”

Ayani regarded him slowly for a moment before looking away. "I'll overcome it. It's just a phase. The nightmares come and go." She looked down at her plate then to Seven. "Are you ready to go?"

“Yeah, I’ve lost my appetite,” he said. He used Nova’s makeshift bib to wipe her face, then picked her up. He reached into his belt for some credits and passed them to the Twi’lek waitress, muttering “keep the change” as they left.

They walked silently back to the ship, keeping a close eye on Nova as she ran a few feet ahead of them when they got back to the docking bay. They entered the ship, and Ayani closed the ramp, thoughts swarming through her head. She watched as Seven picked up Nova and set her down on the couch.

"I'm sorry," Ayani said softly, the words sounding foreign to her. Seven turned slowly towards her. "I'm sorry that I can't let you enjoy a simple few hours out without my problems coming up." She looked at him for a moment before turning away, opening the cabinet door and putting her blaster back.

“That’s…” For once he was without words, but he found them after a moment’s thought. “That’s the first time I’ve heard you say that. Though, that’s not quite what I wanted you to feel remorse about… Do you mean it?”

He was confused and happy and in awe and ashamed and so much more. Too many emotions to quantify and label, but he felt each one profoundly. Words that seemed to be nonexistent in Ayani’s vocabulary had just left her mouth. This was not an everyday occurrence, and he hardly knew how to act.

Ayani turned back towards Seven. "You've never heard me say it, because this is the first time. In my life." Ayani was surprised with herself. She had never felt the urge, or the need, to say those words. But for some reason, at that moment, she felt like she had to say them. That she owed them to him, and she felt like a small weight had been lifted off of her. "Yes, I do mean it."

Seven grinned broadly. “I accept your apology!” He swept her into his arms, twirling her around. Ayani was completely taken by surprise as her feet were lifted off the ground and Seven twirled her around the room. She smiled and laughed as he set her down and squeezed her tight.

“I could just…” He kissed her fiercely, then broke away with a heavy breath. “Do that. Ayani, you must know what this means to me…” He smiled, laughed a little at himself, and framed her face lovingly with his hands.

Ayani looked amused at Seven as he just beamed at her.

"You know, you're scaring me...." she teased.

He threw his head back and laughed. “Oh, that’s a new one...” He grabbed her again, pressing her into him. “Do you like me scary?” His eyebrows waggled comically.

Ayani burst out laughing. "I'm not sure." She glanced over at Nova who had fallen asleep on the couch, and she looked back at Seven, a playful look in her eyes. "Do you want me to like it? Because if you do, you'll have to convince me." Ayani smirked and winked before backing slowly away from the grinning Seven.

“I could do that, yeah,” Seven said, stepping slowly toward her, then lunging at her.

Ayani twisted out of the way and pressed her back up against the side of the ship as Seven stumbled into the cockpit. Ayani smirked and tried to look innocent as he came back out.

“Oh, so this is how it’s going to be?” he said, prowling toward her again.

He snarled mischievously and jumped for her again, bumping against the wall when she dodged him. He then whirled on her and flung his arms around her before she could move away, then planted a long kiss on her lips.

Ayani stroked his cheek as he pulled away from her, then she darted off and down the hall of the ship, turning quickly and entering her room and sliding to the side of the door, pressing herself up against it as Seven came in.

Seven balked when he entered, wondering if he’d followed her into the wrong room. He looked about for a moment.

“I could have sworn…”

As Seven turned around Ayani leapt at him, jumping into his arms, the force of her jump sending him backwards into the bed. They landed with a jangle of springs and an audible and palpable thud. Seven’s eyes were as wide as Tatooine’s twin suns as he looked up at Ayani.

“Rawr,” he said quietly, then chuckled softly. He ran his hands from her sides down to her hips.

"You're not the only one who can be rough," Ayani said, her eyes sparkling as she kissed his cheek, then his nose before rolling off him and laying on her back on the bed.

Seven sat up and quickly launched himself on top of her again, grinning winningly as she laughed beneath him. “Is that so?”

"Oh yes," Ayani brought her legs up and wrapped them around Seven's back, pulling him closer to her as she kissed him fiercely.

Seven sank into her kiss, groaning softly as his hands tangled in her dark hair. Even he hadn’t expected an apology from Ayani to have this sort of affect on him, but even these thoughts were far from him as she pulled him free of his clothes, kissing him madly. With a passionate whimper, something no one could have imagined coming from someone like Seven, he rolled onto his back again and gazed up at Ayani when she smiled down at him.

“Watch out,” he panted. “You run the risk of becoming an angel.”

"Angels would never dream of doing what I'm about to do to you," Ayani's voice was low as she shed the rest of her clothing. Without any warning, she was on top of Seven, their lips meeting in a furious fight.

When she descended on him again, they met as one, crying and laughing and experiencing love at its most volatile.

Chapter Ten

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