A Family Rebuilt

[Colonel Karrnage]

Karrnage was frank about it.

"Of course. I'm irreplacable to many of her plans and she will very much want to find me."

[Sanis Prent]

"Great."

I took another drink and rolled my eyes.

"We can forget being alone, even in Wild Space. She probably already knows we're here, and if that's the case, she'll know where we're headed next."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

s'Il remembered the passive transponder that had been discarded while they were still on Coruscant, and frowned.

"We will have to find a way to make you replaceable, then.

"But that aside," s'Il rose to her feet, "I think our business for the night is finished.

"Unless you have other questions."

[Colonel Karrnage]

"Very good then. I will continue my work briefly, and call it an evening. I look forward to the journey."

Karrnage rose from his seat, clicked his heels, and nodded sharply.

"Good evening."

[Sanis Prent]

I watched the formal salutation with a derisive smirk, and bowed in a ridiculously floral way, nearly touching my kneecaps with my forehead.

Rising again, I gave a laugh, and strolled out.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

s'Il was close on Sanis' heels, and making sure that the Cat's door was shut and locked, she fell into step beside him. She looked sidelong to him, bemused while giving a small chuckle.

"You don't need to be so completely lacking in social graces."

She noted with no real surprise that he still held the liquor in one hand.

[Sanis Prent]

I scoffed at her and took a drink.

"The guy is a total closet case, and you want me to emulate his mannerisms? Come on. I don't even know mannequins that stiff and out of place.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

The mental image of Sanis going about his daily activities in the same manner as Karrnage conducted himself was enough to make her give him an odd stare. It was like pulling away bits and pieces and substituting them with something so completely foreign that it made her almost laugh out loud.

"It would be an improvement," she teased.

[Sanis Prent]

I stopped in my tracks.

"Oh yeah?"

With one hand, I grabbed a bunch of my shirt and stuffed it methodically into my pants so that eventually, my shirt was tucked.

"There you go. Use your imagination for the rest."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Watching, s'Il lofted an eyebrow at him when he'd finished, and reaching forward she gave a gentle pat to his chest.

"Much better. See? Now you look a little more respectable."

[Sanis Prent]

"Why would I want to do that? Looking disreputable gives me the element of surprise. The way I figure, if I'm a hard guy and moving in on somebody, I'm going to find the best looking mark I can find and get him when he's never looking. I don't do that because I'm not a sucker."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Folding her arms over his chest, s'Il gave him a critical - albeit feigned - once over.

"Just make sure your 'best looking mark' is not a Jedi."

A grin cracked her facade however.

"Because if I recall, the last one caught on a little bit too easily."

[Sanis Prent]

I shrugged.

"Yeah, well what are the odds of that happening again? Besides, it all worked out in the end, on account of my winning personality."

Looking self-satisfied, I scratched my crotch.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Mortified at such an outward display of crudeness, s'Il's eyes widened before she looked away.

"I think it's time for me to go."

[Sanis Prent]

I sighed.

"Damn, yeah I guess. I can afford to get yelled at tonight. I've got a job again. I might need to visit the galley for a little something as a peace offering. I don't think Cirr's come out of the engine manifold in hours."

I looked at her, and smiled.

"But at least we'll be flying again soon."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

s'Il gave a nod.

"I'll discuss with Dan about when the soonest we may leave will be. It could be tomorrow, or it could be in a week."

She returned his smile then.

"Regardless of that however, I'll have the first of your payments to you by mid-morning tomorrow... "

A thought occurred to the Lupine, and she blinked.

"... you haven't given me a pirce yet."

[Sanis Prent]

"Oh, I don't know..."

I scratched the back of my head, looking down at the ground as I thought.

"Dangerous mission, all-pervasive enemy, far flung edges of space, and a high probability of betrayal. I forget what I normally charge for that."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Lofting her brow, she reached out to pat his cheek.

"I'm sure we'll come to an agreeable arrangement."

A gesture to the decanter he held.

"I can also throw in more of that if you so wish. It's not exactly the same as whatever other swill you normally enjoy, but I hope that it's an acceptable substitute."

[Sanis Prent]

I regarded the bottle, as if realizing it was there for the first time.

"Yeah, I was a little surprised. I take it you found my hiding spot and emptied the previous contents."

I took another drink, and smiled.

"Not bad at all. I don't think I'd put it out in front of Corellian Whisky, but it'll do for a nightcap."

My hand went up, and touched her hand as she patted my cheek. We shared a couple of very weird seconds, and I knew I had to break the standstill.

"I, uh, yeah. Cirr needs help."

I took a few unsure steps back, regained my poise, and smiled.

"Tomorrow, then."

I turned away from her and ran a hand through my hair. What the hell just happened?

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

s'Il too had been surprised, unsure of what it was that Sanis had intended by his action and the look in his eyes. It certainly wasn't unsettling; instead simply unexpected. Even given their previous conversation after he'd initially stormed out of the Cat it caught her off guard.

Her next words were mumbled as she too turned about, heading for the wide doorway that would take her from the hangar.

"Yes, tomorrow."

[Zem Vymes]

On the way back to Dan's quarters, Lok ran into a familiar face.

"Hey."

Zem looked at her as if he hadn't seen her in ages. His weathered demeanor lit up.

"Didn't know you were back."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Lost in her own thoughts, s'Il was startled by the sound of Zem's voice, and she looked up at him. The sight of him was a relief, and a smile broke her previously neutral features. It'd been a long enough while since the last time she'd seen him.

A brief embrace.

"Only just this morning," she answered airily, though her expression remained warm and inviting as she studied his face.

"I spent most of the day resting."

[Zem Vymes]

"Sounds well-earned."

Zem already had an inkling as to what she'd been up to previously on Coruscant, but certainly no details of any sort.

"Trouble on Coruscant has a way of sapping your strength."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Looping her arm with his as they walked, s'Il gave a far away look. Even before the Purge, when she'd been living there it seemed that the city-planet had a way to drain a person through simple activities.

"I think Coruscant in general has a way of doing that without the added help of finding trouble."

The Lupine couldn't help her distant smile at the memory.

"I haven't forgotten completely how it used to be."

[Zem Vymes]

"Well you were always a bit of a country girl, so I don't think you were quite cut out for the city in the first place."

He recalled the city on somewhat more fond terms than she did, which was understandable. He'd been raised as a Jedi from a very young age, while she had not.

"I'd ask about how things went, but I might be too old to know these days."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"Oh come now, you're not that old," she scoffed.

Being around him was always an odd feeling for her, as his smell and the sound of his voice never failed to take her back to the times that the two spent together. They were welcome memories, and she breathed in deeply.

[Zem Vymes]

"Maybe not."

Zem conceded, as the continued walking.

"I saw you left Teagan with Dan. She seemed to be happy about that."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

There was a silence as the Lupine hesitated at his last words. She'd never had a chance to tell him, though at the same time he'd never asked who Teagan's father was.

"She was."

For someone like Zem, s'Il knew that it wouldn't exactly be a difficult conclusion to make.

[Zem Vymes]

"Did you tell her he is her father?"

Zem himself had not been told, but it was no large effort for him to infer this truth. He knew s'Il's affection for the rogueish Rebel, and she was not one to lightly cast her affections.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"I did."

She blinked, looking to the walls as they made their way through winding corridors and hallways.

"Until a few days ago, he didn't know either.

"A bad decision on my part, but I thought it was for the best."

She had to wonder just what was going through Zem's thoughts, but she was loathe to pry.

"You were right you know, back on Talay all those years ago. Life does seem to find a way to go on."

[Zem Vymes]

Zem nodded, saying nothing initially.

"I want you to know that I never was sore over your choice. I wished it had been me, but I have nobody to blame but myself. Dan was good to be there for you."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Her gaze fell to the deck.

"I was lost for so long after you left; I buried myself in the cause so that I'd not have to think of you.

"But Dan was persistent, and I'm glad that he was."

They stepped into a lift, s'Il keeping her arm looped over his.

"We're leaving the fleet for a short while. I'm not sure where we're going; possibly Cathar, or Schwartzweld. Teagan deserves a family."

[Zem Vymes]

Zem looked at her, surprised to hear her say it, but also relieved.

"Dan agreed to it? I'm surprised. He's married to this cause, and I didn't think he could find it in his heart to take his hands off the controls."

He placed a big hand on her shoulder, and squeezed.

"Good for you. Go, and don't look back. You deserve to have that life."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"Actually, he was the one who brought it up."

She let a single laugh escape.

"Apparently he and Teagan had been plotting while I was away. I'd planned on asking to at the very least come back, but he was the one to recommend leaving."

Another few moments of silence as the lift took them upwards through the ships' levels.

"There are times," she started suddenly in a low voice, "... when I wish that it had been you too."

[Zem Vymes]

Zem averted his eyes.

"You don't need to be telling me this. I'll ask that you forget you said it."

He looked back at her.

"You've got a little girl who looks up to you like you're her universe, and she needs and deserves a family. I love you, and I love her, but I ain't the one, and that's the way it's got to be."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"Don't think I'm not happy; I love Dan with all my heart, and I love our daughter. Everything that happened, happened for a reason and it was what the Force willed."

The lift slowed to a stop, and the door opened.

"I'm not ungrateful in the least, please know that. I'm thankful to have you back in my life regardless of how things are changed

"I cried the night that you came back; not because of any sad memory, but because I felt that I'd regained something lost. I'll always love you.

"You know that."

[Zem Vymes]

Zem smiled a warm, heartfelt smile.

"And I you. We'll always have that bond, even if things change. I'm still glad to be your friend, and your confidant."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Releasing his arm, s'Il stepped from the lift alone.

"I've hired Sanis to transport us to wherever we may end up. Perhaps you could accompany us as well?"

[Zem Vymes]

"I think I might have one more trip in that rust bucket left inside me."

Zem's smile broadened.

"Prolong the magic a little. I'll go along, and put off saying goodbye a little longer. Besides, I think we owe it to ourselves to raid a certain cellar again."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

s'Il grinned at the thought.

"I would like that very much."

Stepping forward to halt the closing doors, she hugged him fiercely. It wasn't their final farewell yet, but she sitll wished for him to know that she cared for him dearly.

"Thank you," she whispered.

[Zem Vymes]

Zem reciprocated the embrace.

"Just remember to do right by that little girl. She's the last, most important responsibility you've got. She's got a wonderful Dama."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

A nod, and she stepped back to let the lift doors close. Her eyes stayed on his face as they shut, and s'Il found herself standing alone. There was a sense of finality to even this, and as she turned on her heel to walk the rest of the way to Dan's quarters in solitude, the Lupine felt an odd mix of joy and sorrow well up within her.

Joy at finally beginning a fresh existence with Dan and their little girl, and sorrow for what she knew was a closed chapter of the past.

She stopped at Dan's door, keying the entry code, and when it had opened, she stepped through. It was dark, and she stood for a few moments to allow her eye a chance to acclimate. There was a bundle of blankets on the couch, breathing softly in a steady rhythm. Without a sound the Lupine crossed the short distance to the plush leather sofa, and she crouched down, one hand going out to brush away tawny bangs from Teagan's face. The little girl slept on, and s'Il leaned forward to kiss her gently on the forehead before rising once more.

All was quiet, and she let her gaze fall on the door to Dan's bedroom; the door was only slightly ajar, and a muted glow showed around its' edges.

Moments later found her standing at the threshold, and pushing the door open just a little wider, she leaned against the doorframe.

Unsurprisingly Dan was still awake, and she smiled faintly. His back was to her, and she contently watched him in silence.

[General Dan]

"I've gotten my clearance with Command. They wanted to pass well wishes onto both of us, and would make the arrangements."

Dan closed down his terminal, and stood, a warm smile on his face.

"The reality of it's sinking in. I'm ecstatic."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

A relieved smile as she pushed away from the doorframe and came the rest of the way into the bedroom. As she walked, s'Il reached up to pull out the tie holding her hair up, and her blonde locks fell to rest far below her shoulders. she'd not cut her hair for many years, and it had grown to almost kiss the small of her back.

"I hired Sanis to transport us. He said that he can be ready to leave whenever we are."

[General Dan]

Dan's brow furrowed.

"You know we can ride in a lot more comfort than that old Corellian tramp freighter. Probably cheaper, too."

He didn't think much of the smuggler, even though he'd stopped loathing the man outright.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

His complaint was met with no real surprise.

"Maybe so, but your daughter adores Sanis and Cirr, and she would be heartbroken if they weren't the ones to take her to her new home."

Lowering her frame on the edge of his bed, she leaned down to unfasten her boots.

[General Dan]

"Well..."

He knew he was going to lose that argument. No big loss. He gave a disarming smile.

"...that'll be fine, then. I don't mind putting down a cot in the cargo hold again."

He thought about it, and continued.

"Is there enough room? I seem to recall you being a little bit of a packrat. How are you going to manage all of your stuff on a ship that big?"

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

In the action of pulling off her boot, she stopped and looked up at him.

"Again with this packrat business?"

The boot was kicked off, and she stood - though without the added benefit of soles, she had become minutely shorter.

s'Il reached an arm out to grab a hold of his sleeve and pull him close.

"Besides, there's no need for you to sleep on a cot. My bed is still on the Cat for the time being."

[General Dan]

Dan had a relieved smile.

"I keep forgetting that."

He wrapped his arms around her middle, and held her close.

"Suddenly its starting to seem almost like a good idea."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

The thought that she would soon be waking up every morning at his side, coupled with such close proximity to him, s'Il wound her arms up around his neck. After so long, after the years of limited time with one another...

"That's good to hear. I ran into Zem on the way back, and he was surprised that you're willing to step away from all of this."

A grin.

"I believe the words he used were 'married to the cause'."

[General Dan]

"Is that what he said?"

Dan mulled it over, thinking about it for a while with a knowing smile.

"Well I guess there's worse things. She's been a faithful bride, at least. But I'm left thinking what's left for me, after all of that."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She brushed his cheek with her lips before gently pulling away.

"You're left with a family."

Moving to sit on the bed once more, s'Il ran an open palm thoughtfully across the comforter.

After a few moments she looked back up to him.

"I invited Zem to travel with us."

[General Dan]

Dan had a resigned expression on his face.

"We're going to run out of room fast. Sounds like you're planning a farewell tour."

He smiled as he teased her. Her sentimentality was a lot like her penchant for collecting books and nick-nacks. She surrounded herself with those that she loved. He knew she still felt for Zem in a way that was entirely different. The old Jedi was harmless.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"Well no I -"

She suddenly gave a perplexed look.

"I just thought... "

His initial expression made her hesitate, and s'Il slid the rest of the way onto the bed, leaning back against the headboard.

"He's your friend too, you know," she finally got out.

[General Dan]

"You act like we're going to never see these people again."

Dan shrugged, and flopped down on the bed, looking sideways at her.

"I'm just not so ceremonial I guess. I'm thrilled we're going to make a start as a family, but we're not leaving our friends behind. They'll still be around. This war is almost over."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

s'Il was quiet as she digested his words. He was right in for the most part, but the Lupine saw nothing ceremonial in Zem accompanying them.

"I know that we'll see them again, I just thought it'd be nice.

"He said he wanted to go back to the distilling hut."

She knew that Dan would know exactly what she was referring to.

[General Dan]

"No."

Dan scowled at that.

"Going halfway across the galaxy for a liquor run? He can wait."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

The tone of his voice startled her, and s'Il turned a surprised look to him.

"I... don't think that's exactly the reason that he has for going."

His scowl concerned her, and she placed a hand on his arm.

[General Dan]

"I'm jealous and I want my family all to myself for once in a while."

Dan tempered his annoyance with a bit of earnestness.

"We're this close to to having all that we want, and its like everybody is trying to keep us from getting there at times."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"You're jealous... ?"

To hear that word leave his mouth caused the slightest of heartfelt grins to spread over her features, but she quickly replaced it with a look of thoughtfulness.

"If that is what you wish," she said slowly.

[General Dan]

"We'll have plenty of time to share with him later. For now, we owe it to ourselves to make it our own time."

Dan slid an arm under his companion.

"We owe it to Teagan as well. She needs to see what life we can give her, to its full potential."