Wanderers 1. First Awakening. Chapter 5

[random_xtras]

Sadri wandered into the living room still dressed in the clothing she'd worn the day before and cocked an eye at David, who lay sprawled on one of the couches with Zach sitting on his chest, intently watching something on a data pad. Then she glanced toward the kitchen, from which soft sounds and good smells emanated.

She smiled at the little boy as he looked up, then supressed a yawn; she hadn't slept much the previous night; but with the handy Force tricks that she'd learned as a child, she'd been able to at least rest, and so was feeling functional.

Padding toward the kitchen, she noticed that Sonnejäger was cooking something.

"Good morning," she said as she reached into the cupboard for the largest caf cup she owned. "How was your night?"

He turned to look at her, his dark copper eyes gentle in his sculpted face as he stirred the bubbling stew. "Sad, but good. Caf?"

"Ah, that'd be great!" She held out the cup as he poured the dark, steamy liquid into it. Smiling, she brought it to her nose and sniffed. This was clearly very strong stuff. Sadri had the feeling she would need it.

"...and THEY DIDN'T KNOW THE CENTRAL DOGMA!"

Ramada's voice was loud and thickly accented, and Sal's hysterical laughter punctuated it as they swept into the room. Ramada looked fit to kill, and Sal was laughing so hard that tears were leaking down her face.

"I mean, come on. If you're CLONING people, would't you want to know WHAT PROTEINS A GENE WOULD ENCODE? ESPECIALLY if you're gonna twitch the template!"

Sadri stared for a second, and then smiled. "Did we have a good outing to Kamino, then?"

Sal stifled another peal of laughter and sat down at the kitchen table.

"Caf?" rumbled Sonnejäger, holding out the pot.

Ramada started and stared, her tricoloured eyes going wide. "Wow! Hi. Who...yes, please, I'll take caf...what?" The Indian woman looked from Sadri to Sal to Sonnejäger, and shook her head. "I can't believe that they can do what they do...."

She smiled as Sonnejäger poured her a large cup of caf and pulled it towards her. "Not Pepsi, but it'll do," she muttered. "So...hi. I'm Ramada, who are you?"

The big man's ears perked as he offered the caf pot to Sal. "I'm Sonnejäger." He poured carefully, then pulled the pot close to his body, enclosing it in the wings that were wrapped around his shoulders like a cloak as he studied Ramada intently.

"Nice to meet you," she said, her eyes slightly unfocused. "So, Sadri, did you know that these people are stupid?"

Sadri raised an eyebrow. "I've heard that they're cold and distant and very creepy looking - but never stupid. Elaborate."

Meanwhile, Sal was eyeing Sonnejäger with interest, gazing at the being's expansive wings as they shifted slightly over his shoulders.

"Heyya, Sal." Little hands patted the side of her leg, and she looked down to see two big golden eyes smiling up at her over a toothless grin lightly decorated with dried clam juice.

"Hi, Zach!" She smiled and lifted the boy into her lap. "Y' know, I'm surprised you remember me."

"You're my girlfriend." He paused in the act of taking the datapad out of the front of his pants waistband and frowned up at her. "Guys don't forget their girlfriends."

"Girlfriend?" rumbled Sonnejäger as he turned back to the stove and set the caf pot down.

"And the idiots didn't even...!" ranted Ramada, pounding her fist on the table.

"You're going to vake David up." The winged man looked at her with his ears back.

"I think I'm too old t'be yer girlfriend," said Sal, ruffling Zach's hair and chuckling.

Ramada looked at Sonnejäger as though she had only just realized he was in the room. "What's the matter with David? Is he hurt?"

"He drank nearly a whole bottle of Alderaanian vhisky last night vhile he vas vorrying about you." He turned back to the stove as the pot bubbled over and picked it up without using a hot mitt.

"Oh," said Ramada, glancing at Sadri as the blond Jedi winced and made a sympathetic sound. "Well, then I'll...where is he?"

"On the couch."

"What?" She got up and looked, then turned back to Sadri. "Excuse me."

"So what was she in a mood about?" asked Sadri. "Was she unable to do...whatever?"

"She did it," said Sal, leaning back and taking a long drink from her caf cup. "I've never seen someone work like that. She had the thing encoded and manufactured in about three hours. What was tickin' her off was that she actually had to do the conversions from DNA to RNA to protein in her head. 'pparently the Kaminoans don't know 'bout RNA."

Sadri made a face. "Even I know about RNA."

"Well, they're very particular about their methods, I suppose. You should have seen the look on her face when they asked her what she was talking about." Sal chuckled. "I thought she was gonna kill Ko Sai. It was amusing."

"Killing's not funny," said Zach, going up on his knees to look in the mug. "Can I have a drink?"

"Breakfast?" Sonnejäger asked without turning as he opened the plate cupboard.

"No, you're right," Sal said to Zach. "I's sorry I said that."

"I can get you something." Sadri got up and wormed her way past Sonnejäger to retrieve a cup. "Which do you want, Zach? I have juice, milk, and water here...."

"I can't just have some of Sal's?" asked the little boy, looking up with surprise.

"Who's hungry?" Sonnejäger tried again.

"I don't know if Mykayla would be alright with that," said Sal. "This stuff has so much caffiene in it, ye'd bounce right off the walls and through Sadri's window, and then we'd all be in trouble." She winked to let Zach know she was kidding, then looked around. "Where is she, anyway?"

"Asleep," said Sadri. "I think she had a late night." Then she turned to Sonnejäger. "Yes, please, I'd love breakfast."

He scooped her a bowlful of something she didn't recognize, but that smelled delicious.

"Thank you," she said with a smile.

"Is it stronger than whisky?" asked Zach. "'Cause that didn't hurt me the time Uncle David left it where I could get it when I was little." Then he flashed Sonnejäger a big grin. "Yes, please, Oom."

"What is that?" Sal frowned into the bowl over his head.

"Nerf stew," rumbled the cook, twitching his ears and looking toward the door.

"It's gotta be better than the swill they serve at the Temple cafeteria," said Sadri, shrugging as she leaned back against the kitchen window and took a bite. "Oh, wow. This is delicious! And Sal, if the kid can handle whisky, give him a little bit of your caf. Just be careful, Zach, it's hot."

"I'll heal." He put his elbows on the table and sipped carefully at the full cup. "Mmm!"

"Mercy, Zach, don't drink that awful stuff," said a soft, drowsy voice from the door.

"It's good!" he countered, grinning. "Tastes something like Aunty Mady's coffee."

Mykayla shuddered, then clung to the doorframe as she yawned hugely. "Oh dear, excuse me...."

"Is everything alright?" asked Sadri, sitting her bowl down on the counter and moving toward where the girl stood without crutches or shoes. "Do you need a hand?"

"Thank you." Mykayla took her arm and walked sowly beside her to the table, then groaned and rubbed her face. "Oww...."

"Mykey needs some green food," said Zach. "Or brocali. Do brocalis grow on this planet?"

His sister blinked at him, then sniffed and looked at the bowl that Sonnejäger set in front of her. "Thank you."

"Bitte." He twitched his ears, then swept them back as Zipporah started to fuss. "I can feed the baby."

Mykayla pulled her out of the sling and gently passed her over, then opened the disk on her belt and took out a nursing bottle, which she flipped a switch on. "Wait till it beeps." She handed it to him, then bowed her head over her meal.

Sadri eyeballed the bottle as she retrieved her bowl from the counter. "What is that?"

"Breastmilk from Zipporah's birth mother." Mykayla finished praying and took a spoonful of stew. "Mmm."

"Oh," said Sadri. "Wait. Won't you...run out?" She watched Sonnejäger put the steaming bottle into Zipporah's mouth and wondered how the baby could stand such burning heat.

Mykayla quirked one lilac brow at her and held the disk up. "This is an inter-dimensional portal that opens into a refrigerator in the Professor's storage room. Copelia refreshes the supply every day."

"Can I feed you, Sal?" piped Zach.

"Hm. Inter-dimensional portals. I honestly think that now I have seen everything." Sadri shook her head and turned her attention to her bowl.

"Of course you can," Sal said to Zach. Then she turned to the blond Jedi. "I think you're going to be pleased with what Ramada managed to make, Oboa." She opened her mouth for a spoonful of stew. "I know I am."

"She did it." Mykayla suddenly looked awake as she hung the disk back from her belt. "She did it!"

"Don't...don't...start...laughing," came a weak growl from the living room. "Please."

Sadri raised an eyebrow. "What exactly did she do?"

Sal chuckled as Zach spoonfed her another mouthful of nerf stew.

"Pi squad has a chance of being around for a long time now?" Mykayla looked to the dark-haired Newfie for confirmation.

Sadri stared. "She... she..."

Sal smiled. "That's right, Mykey. I gave it to my boys this mornin'."

"But...isn't there something that...wouldn't they know?" sputtered Sadri.

"Somehow I think that Ramada's a little better than that," Sal said with the air of a very pleased mother. Then she glanced at the chrono and gently set Zach on the table. "I'll see ye all later. The boys 'n I're goin' t' see the mud monster wrestlin'."

"What I did," Ramada said, reentering the kitchen, "was create a virus."

"A what?" Sadri's voice was concerned. "Isn't that bad?"

"Normally yes. But I based it on a virus back on our planet that rearranges the DNA of the host and spreads it to all cells of the body until you can't find an unaffected cell. Except this time it rearranges the DNA sequence controlling the cell cycle. Those idiots back on Kamino had simply quickened the cell cycle in the guys. I almost overlooked it, but I managed to worm it out of their chief scientist."

"That's...fascinating." Sadri blinked, then set her bowl down. "So what does that mean?"

"It means that given the right circumstances, you and Ven might have a chance." Ramada smiled conspiratorially.

"Is it that obvious?"

"No. I just know what it looks like."

Mykayla chuckled and scraped her own bowl, then pushed up and went around the table till she could hug her friend before using an empty chair to walk to the door. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

"Pray for Uncle David," called Zach, turning to watch her go.

"I am."

Sal gave Zach a peck on one plump cheek, then stood and grinned at Sonnejäger, who was rubbing Zipporah's back and humming to her. "I likes your wings, b'y."

"Danke." He flicked his ears uncertainly.

The little Newfoundlander chuckled, then gently slugged Ramada on the shoulder in passing. "See you later, Mada. Don't let Davie drink any more 'o that Alderaanian whisky. The stuff takes paint off."

"I'll try my best," said Ramada as the Canadian left the suite, a whirlwind of black hair and exuberant energy.

Sonnejäger watched her go, then swept his ears back and looked down at the baby.

Ramada grinnned at Sadri. "I've never felt this useful in my life," she said, reaching for the caf pot. "I'm glad I could do something...it's frightening what they do there. The coldness, the lack of...love."

The blond Jedi sighed. "Well, at least Pi will have a chance now."

"It might interest you to know that I've left the formula and techniques in Sal's hands. She's going to talk to the other training sargeants and spread this stuff around. I feel like I'm peddling a street drug." Ramada laughed. "But..."

Sadri changed tack immediately. "You interested in breakfast? Sonnejäger here has made some delicious nerf stew."

"What's in it?"

"Nerf meat und vegetables, vith some spices und clam juice," rumbled the winged man without looking up, though his ears were trained toward the women.

"Oh," said Ramada. "Meat."

Sadri tilted her head quizzically. "You're a vegetarian."

Ramada looked down. "Yes. I can...I can get something of my own, though...."

"Do you eat milk?" asked Sonnejäger, glancing toward the refrigeration unit.

"Yes, I do...." She sat down at the table and was startled when Zach crawled across the table and landed in her lap.

"Remember to eat, Ramada, you're worrying about someone else now," said Sadri gently.

"She doesn't worry about Uncle David," said Zach, watching as Sonnejäger wrapped a wing around Zipporah and went to the refrigerator. "Oh boy! Some of that yummy cooked milk you did last night! Aunty Mady'll like that. She likes sweet stuff that tastes like Pepsi."

"Vhut is Pepsi?" The winged man set a bowl of soft blue custard in front of Ramada.

"It's a cola," said Ramada, her eyes suddenly wistful. "A cold beverage that tastes like sweetened caf.... It's from my home world, and I miss it terribly." She picked up the spoon and dived into the bowl of stuff. "This is good. Thanks."

"Vould you like it varmed?" He held out his hand and twitched the fingers slightly, ears moving as Zach crowed in delight at the flame that suddenly danced in his palm.

Ramada's eyes went wide. "Yes...that'd be great." She laughed and handed him the bowl. "David is going to freak when he realizes what you can do."

Sonnejäger twitched his ears and handed it back. "He knows."

"It's even better warm," she noted, digging in again.

"No healing." Mykayla crutched in and slumped in the nearest chair dejectedly. "Why does he have to be so brick-headed?"

"It's the way he is," said Ramada. "I've come to accept it."

"Wait, your Mastor won't heal David?" Sadri frowned over the rim of her caf mug.

"David won't let Him." Mykayla rubbed her face, then took her baby back and tucked her in the sling. "I need to go shopping. I'm tired of washing my socks out every night."

"I'm sure that can be arranged," Sadri said. "Besides, this Temple gets real old, real fast. There's a skylink stop just outside that we can grab to the shopping districts. You want to come, Ramada?"

"I think I best stay here and take care of him," said the Indian woman, smiling in David's general direction.

"Okay...." Sadri started as her comlink chimed. "Hang on a second. Hello?" Her cheeks began to burn a deep red as she spoke to whoever was on the other end of the line.

Ramada looked at Mykayla. "Give you three guesses who's on the phone," she said with a grin. "And the first two don't count."

The younger girl's grin suddenly bloomed, big eyes dancing. "Oh, Father, please, please, please...!"

"Vhut are you asking for?" asked Sonnejäger softly.

Mykayla glanced at him, then closed her mouth, throat moving as she subvocalized.

"Ah." The winged man bowed his head.

Ramada snorted, but managed to recover by the time Sadri finished her comlink conversation.

"So that was Ven," the blond Jedi said quietly. "He and Scrat got tired of mud monsters, so they asked to meet us. I told them we wanted to shop, and they seem up for it.... I said we'd meet them down at that stop in about twenty minutes."

Ramada laughed. "I knew it," she said with a smile. "I didn't think you had the capacity to blush."

"We need to go as far away from the Temple as we can," said Mykayla softly.

"I'll vatch Zach." Sonnejäger gently lifted the toddler away from Ramada. "You vant to go flying?"

"Flying?" Zach paused in mid-wriggle and wrapped his arms around his new uncle's neck. "YEAH!"

Mykayla chuckled and crutched over to give her little brother a kiss, then came back and hugged Ramada, giving her the dimpled rogue grin that never failed to make David back up a step.

"Way to go, Mykayla," whispered Ramada. "And you have fun, Zach."

The lilac-haired girl chuckled and stuck her head in the fridge.

"Watch out for airspeeders," said Sadri. Ramada noted that the Jedi Knight's hands were shaking.

"I've lived here a long time." Sonnejäger smiled at her, then gave her a quick hug with one wing as he left the room.

"And you two," Ramada said to Sadri and Mykayla. "Make sure you get some photos of your time out, so I can wish I was there when you get back, okay?"

"That's your job, Sadri." Mykayla looked over her shoulder and closed the refrigerator door.

"Uh." Sadri hesitated, then seemed to get over herself and grinned. "Somehow I knew that holorecorder Mace got me would come in handy." She bounded across the living room and into her bedroom to change.

Ramada shook her head and laughed. This was proving to be rather entertaining.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Mykayla gave a little bounce with each exclamation, then giggled and caught herself as she wobbled.

Ramada snorted and scraped her bowl clean, then set her spoon down. "Who's the big guy, Sonnejäger? Where'd you find him?"

"Mace found him in the market." Mykayla danced across the room. "He's a Wüste Fee. People similar to Zippy's birth mother's."

"And you just let him take Zach?" Ramada quirked an eyebrow.

"Yes." Mykayla stopped and looked around, then started dancing again. "They're safe. What happened to your hair? Oh, and you know those DNA samples that you always wished you could see? The Professor's got some that he says he'll let you use."

"I cut it while we were gone," said Ramada. "I figured it was time I...let my old self go, you know? And that's awesome about those samples." She leaned back and noticed that Sadri had come out of her bedroom, wearing clothing that was most definitely not Jedi robes. The Indian woman grinned - she knew a woman dressing to impress - and nodded at the Jedi Knight.

"Nice outfit," she said. "The perfect ensemble for your double date."

Mykayla stopped short. "What do you mean, double date?"

"Shh," whispered Ramada. "Just go with it."

"But..." Mykayla bit#off her words and glanced at Sadri, the grin returning. "Let's go! I'm tired of these socks!"

Sadri was standing in front of the door. "I don't know. This doesn't seem like a good idea."

"Look," said Ramada, walking toward where she stood frozen. "You're in charge of us. We want to go shopping. You will comply. The fact that Ven is going to be there is something the Council really doesn't need to know." She smiled, showing off her brilliantly white teeth.

Sadri looked at the grinning biochemist, finger raised and mouth open as though to make a point. "Uh...you're right."

"I know I'm right," said Ramada, still smiling as Mykayla giggled and David growled in his sleep. "Now go before those boys show up on the Temple doorstep. I seriously wouldn't put it past 'em. Sal's told me stories."

"Nobody's going to see anything they shouldn't...." sang Mykayla, dancing again. "Let's go, let's go, let's go...."

Sadri couldn't help but burst out laughing as she and the lilac-haired girl exited the suite.

"Have fun!" called Ramada, waving from the doorway.

Mykayla danced all the way, not even stopping as they passed Yoda in the hall and he nodded to them with a wise smile on his wrinkled face.

Then she paused as they neared the door, her head turned toward where a couple stood talking in low voices. "Sadri?"

Her friend straightened. "Yes?"

Mykayla gestured with her chin, big eyes asking questions.

"Oh, Kit and Aayla? I don't know what's up with them." Sadri winked in Aayla's direction and the Twi'lek Jedi smiled. The Alderaanian smiled and shook her head, ushering Mykayla out the door. "It's everywhere. Jedi in love with other Jedi, and in denial that they're in love.... My situation is rarer."

"Silly rules." The smaller girl snorted, then started as a huge person with four arms nearly tromped on her. "Watch out!"

Sadri made a face at the being and helped Mykayla regain her balance. "Trust me, the stop isn't far away at all." She shielded her eyes from the sunlight. "Come on. Just be assertive and don't be afraid to shove."

There was a clang and a resounding yelp, and a tall reptilian creature walked away hissing and grumbling.

"Like that?" Mykayla tossed her hair back, fire smoldering in her eyes.

"Well done," Sadri said with a grin. "Now you're like a true Coruscanti."

The two young women made it the rest of the way to the stop unmolested.

"Zach didn't come?"

Mykayla started and looked up at the tall, dark-haired man in civilian attire and took a moment to recognize Ven. "Sadri, he's right here. No...Zach went flying with a friend. Was he supposed to?"

"Oh...I guess I forgot to mention that part." He turned and gave his brother an apologetic look, face warming to a rosey colour. "Yeah. Scrat was hoping to see him again."

"I figured," said Scrat, looking resolutely at his feet. "I could show the kid around this part of town."

"I'm sure we can meet up with him later," Sadri said with a smile. "Sorry about not seeing you guys. I was, uh...." She laughed. "Distracted."

Mykayla looked at the light jacket that Scrat was wearing, then consulted the stirring in her heart before nodding and opening her robe and gently removing the sling and its contents. "Could you carry Zipporah for me?"

"Oh. Um...." Ven scratched the back of his head. "Those aren't your Jedi robes.... Um...um...um...."

"No, they're not," Sadri said with a grin. "I figured it best that we keep a low profile."

"Um...they're different...." Ven's face darkened further. "I...I...I like them."

"O...okay." Scrat held out his arms. "But you're going to have to show me what to do." He considered for a moment and sank to one knee to be closer to Mykayla's level.

She nodded and carefully reached under his jacket to fasten the straps, then adjusted how the sleeping baby lay before grinning. "There. If you can stand the heat you can close your jacket, because she likes to be warm."

"O...okay," he said again, blinking and grinning tentitively in return before fastening it carefully.

"I...." Ven made a gesture of impatience and frustration. "You have to admit this is strange. I don't know what else to say. All I have to go on is Sal's word."

"Don't worry about it," said Sadri. "Let's just get on the bus and get out of here." She turned to Mykayla and Scrat. "You guys ready?"

"Yes." Mykayla moved back on her crutches, then frowned thoughtfully at the crowd. "Scrat, would it bother you if I leaned against your arm instead of these? It does't look like there's going to be much room."

"What do you mean?" He stood and looked down at her.

"Go like this." She crooked her arm. "Yes." She telescoped the crutches and looped her arm through his. "Ready, Sadri."

"Where are we going?" asked Ven.

"Shopping." Sadri smiled. "Mykayla needs some new socks." She placed her hand on Ven's shoulder. "And we're getting way away from here."

They jostled their way onto the bus, finding seats relatively easily amongst the crowds. "We're settling in for a bit of a ride," Sadri explained to Mykayla. "There are plazas that are right next to the Jedi Temple but we don't want to shop there."

"Nope," agreed the smaller girl, raising on her knees to be able to comfortably see over the back of her seat, then glancing down Scrat's jacket as Zipporah fussed and squirmed at the unfamiliar scent. "That's it, pat her bottom. That usually calms babies down." She turned back to Sadri. "I guess I should get some other things too."

"I've got the money." The blond Jedi nodded.

"Oh. You don't have to pay for any of it."

"It's fine." Sadri smiled. "Kind of ironic that the Council gives us monetary allowances and then declares we're not really supposed to own anything. So don't worry about it. And in case you're wondering where I got these? Well, I made them myself."

"Really?" asked Ven.

"I'm just that resourceful." The Jedi made a face at the soldier and grinned as he laughed.

Mykayla glanced around, then slipped something out of her sleeve and into Sadri's hand.

"Where'd you get this?" the Jedi asked, clearly amused.

Ven leaned over and looked. "I've never seen credit chips in that high of a denomination," he said quietly.

"My Master put it in my pocket when I got here." Mykayla rested an arm on the seatback and lay her cheek against it. "I think that's what David's been drinking with."

"Your Master?" Scrat turned so that he could be in the conversation.

"Yes."

"Another apprentice?" asked Ven.

Sadri smiled and shook her head. "No...this is... bigger than that. It's something...spiritual."

Mykayla giggled, then turned right way forward in her seat and leaned against Scrat. After a few moments the quiet soldier put an arm around her so that she didn't jostle with the movement of the bus.

"What happened?" Ven leaned forward.

"She fell asleep."

"Fell asleep? That fast?" He quirked an eyebrow. "Huh, and I thought nobody could beat Leeroy's record at diplomatic speeches."

"Or, you know, when I'm trying to give orders." Sadri looked at the lilac-haired girl. "It's something remarkable. It's...faith, but it's more than that, what Mykayla has. It's almost like unconditional love." She turned to look at Ven, and suddenly couldn't speak.

He quirked an eyebrow, making the tie on her tongue even harder to break, then glanced out the window and casually snuck a hand toward hers.

She smiled and took it in both of hers, squeezing it gently. "So," she said. "I hear you and the rest of the boys got hooked up with Ramada's serum."

He nodded without turning, though she saw his jaw work.

"Hey." She reached over and put her free hand on his chin to turn it.

He gasped softly, then squeezed her hand and gently rubbed her palm with his thumb. "I'm just thinking."

"About what?" She tilted her head, the smile never leaving her face.

"Lots of things," he said softly, lifting her hand and unconciously pressing the back of it to his chest.

Sadri inched closer to him, the proximity leaving her momentarily breathless. Then she composed herself to ask, "Like what?"

"Like." He leaned back against her, then started and turned toward her, his cheeks darkening just slightly as he offered her a shakey grin. "Like...we're real now. We're not just disposable throwaways. If...if we live through this war...some of us will live through this war."

"Ven, you were always real." Sadri's smile faltered and she bit her lip. "At least you were...you are...to me. And you did nothing to deserve the treatment you get from most people." Her voice gained strength. "None of you did anything to deserve it - to be treated like you weren't real." She leaned against him, brushing the fingers of her free hand through his hair.

He shivered, his eyes fixed on hers, then freed his hand to touch her face. "So we're real? We've got a chance to live through the war, but then what?" He glanced toward Scrat, then at the oblivious, bored passengers around them. "Can a...man...created in a tank live a normal life? What will we...what the #$+&??" He stared out the window as a golden and copper form swooped low and buzzed the bus. "What the #$+& was that?"

Sadri giggled. "Oh my...I think that that's Sonnejäger, with Zach!" She leaned over Ven to look out the window.

"Sonnejäger?" he repeated, his tongue tripping slightly over the word as he watched the winged man drop into sight again and then barrel roll away from their window. "I've never seen anything like him in...the...." He looked down at her. "Training manuels."

Sadri squeaked as his arms went around her and his cheek rested on her hair, then closed her eyes with a sigh and leaned against him. "He's from another galaxy. But he's been living here for awhile."

Ven sighed and held her a little more tightly. "You know what?"

"What?" She relaxed and lay her cheek against his arm.

"I don't care about tomorrow anymore. Even if we never get to do this again, we're doing it today."

She closed her eyes and kept the tears back, nodding. "Yeah. But...but...."

"Shh." He nuzzled her hair.

Sadri couldn't speak as the truth of his words sank into her. She'd known for ages that time was something they never had, but somehow, hearing how relaxed he felt at present - and how unconcerned he was with the future - hammered that point home.

"I have to know," she murmured, nestling more closely in his arms. "When Ramada offered you that serum - why did you take it?" She knew, of course, but she had to hear it from him.

"Simple." His voice was nearly a whisper. "I didn't want to leave you behind. I didn't want to possibly survive all of this and just...." She felt his breath brush the back of her neck and closed her eyes again as a shiver went down her spine. "But let's not worry about that now."

"Who said I'm worrying?" She gave a little laugh and made a face into the fabric of his sleeve. "I don't worry. I just ask questions that I expect to get answers to."

"Mm, hmm." He gently pushed her up so that they were face to face, his dark eyes soft as they gazed into her green ones.

Then his lips brushed hers and her mind went blank as her thoughts skittered away to hide in delighted dismay.


* * *


"Mykayla." Someone shook her gently. "Mykayla, wake up."

"Murph? What?" She blinked and looked up, then blushed slightly. "Oh. Sorry, Scrat."

Then she noticed the confusion on his face and sat up straight. "What is it?"

He snuck a peek over his shoulder, then turned back. "What are they doing??"

Mykayla frowned and got up on her knees to peek over the back of the seat, then gasped softly and ducked down to hide her face. "Oh, mercy! Yuck!" She giggled.

"What?" Scrat leaned down, voice a whisper.

"It's okay. They're only kissing." She squeezed her face up to try and hold in the giggles, hugging herself with delight.

"It looks like they're trying to eat each other...."

She sputtered, then shook her head. "No. Really, it's okay."

He looked down at her, face creased with uncertainty, then started as Sadri suddenly leaned over the back of the seat and poked at her.

"Good morning, Sunshine!" the blond Jedi said, a brilliant smile on her face. "Hope you had a good sleep, because we're almost there."

Mykayla squeaked and curled in a ball, trying to squirm away from the poking finger. "No! No! Scrat, help me!"

Sadri smiled, curling her poking finger around the rail on the back of the bus seat. "It was only a poke." She grinned and stood up. "But here we are...."

"It was three pokes!" Mykayla sat up and looked out the window, her eyes going round. "Wow, it reminds me of Chinatown...only with different kinds of people." She took the arm that Scrat bumped her with and stood up, watching as the other passengers disembarked.

A big insectoid paused to give her an evil look, then walked on muttering about saving money on snacks later, and she quirked an eyebrow. "Am I supposed to be scared?"

"I am," said Scrat.

Sadri eyeballed the creature and patted the one lightsaber she still wore, concealed in a hip pocket. "I wouldn't be. Anyway, this district is known as Doreo," she said in a tour-guide voice. "I don't know anything about it except that there is a very good boot repair shop around here."

"You don't buy anything?" asked Ven, clearly amused.

"All I need is fabric and needles and thread - and the Temple gets that in loads," she said. "Making your own clothes is cheaper and provides great stress relief. But boots can't exactly be made."

They ambled out of the skylink and found themselves in a huge, teeming plaza full of glittering store fronts that advertised shops selling a plethora of items from appliances to clothing to food.

"Can we get the socks first?" asked Mykayla, tugging gently on Scrat's arm as he planted his feet and rubbernecked.

"Sure." Sadri reached up and patted Ven's cheek as he did the same.

He blinked at her, then smiled and caught her hand in his. "What did you say?"

Sadri stifled a delighted shiver, then glanced absently at Mykayla as the lilac-haired girl hid her face in her hand and giggled.

"Socks, hm?" She looked around. "Well now that depends. Do you want to get funky socks from a specialty shop, or should we just go into that giant department store over there?"

"Just so long as they're socks." Mykayla stifled her laughter and tugged up her baggy pants to show the top of a plain white sock. "Though lavender, lilac, or mauve would be nice."

"Ah, let's go into that department store. Today is a day for new experiences!" Sadri rocked on her heels and grinned.

"You've seriously never been here?" Ven asked, unconciously pulling her closer.

"Apart from that boot shop, no." She grinned up at him, eyes shining.

"But you've lived here for...."

"Twenty-four years, yes. We Jedi are sheltered."

"Well, let's go see what a department store looks like." He turned and led her toward the huge building.

"Scrat." Mykayla tugged gently on his arm.

"Huh?" He looked down at her, one hand going to Zipporah. "Sorry."

She chuckled. "We're going to the department store."

"Oh. Okay." He started toward it, matching his strides to hers.

The crowds increased slightly as they reached the store, and the quiet soldier was soon walking slightly ahead of his small companion, using his body to sheild her.

"Do you see Sadri and Ven?" asked Mykayla as they reached the more open space of the store foyer.

"Yeah." He nodded and led her over to where the tall couple was looking into a pool bearing a sign that said, 'Pet Jellies'.

"...because I think I had one of those for breakfast," Ven was saying soberly as they walked over.

Sadri burst out laughing. "I was just about to say - they look like keinoberteiil clams. And I almost cooked a pot of those last night...." She squatted down to get a better look. "And people keep them as pets...." She stood and shook her head. "Oh, there you are! We stopped here when we realized you weren't right behind us. And found the clams for sale. As pets." She shivered.

"Those aren't pet jellies." Scrat frowned. "Sal had a jelly, till it got away or something and scared the keeper into fits. They're soft coloured, and look like moving snot."

"Sal's dog didn't like the jelly very much either," said Ven, squeezing Sadri's hand. "I remember she used to go and hide under Sal's bed whenever it was out."

"Eww," said Mykayla, frowning into the pool, then giggling as one of the balls farted a stream of bubbles. "Are you sure they're clams?"

"Clams don't do that." Sadri shuddered again as the flatulent creature suddenly spread out into something like a small oil slick.

"Eww!" said Mykayla again.

"Good day, gentlebeings." A chipper, smartly-dressed human man walked over and smiled at them. "These are baby racing jellies from Corellia. We just got the first shipment to ever leave the planet. Would one of you like to hold one?"

Sadri grinned. "Sure. In fact, I'd like to buy one."

"Um...alright," said the clerk. "Any preference?" He signaled to one of his staff to scoop one of the things from the pool.

Sadri shook her head and handed over her credchip for the transaction, her smile widening. "A jelly's a jelly. Thank you," she said to the being as he handed her a cup of water containing the black blob.

Grinning widely, she opened the cup, fished out the 'jelly', and popped it into her mouth, chewing slowly as though savouring the taste.

The clerk spluttered. "But those are...those are...."

"Keinoberteiil clams," said Sadri, finally swallowing. "I'm Alderaanian, and I'd know a clam when I taste one. You might want to check out your suppliers."

Mutely, the clerk handed her back her credchip.

"Have a nice day," said Ven as he followed the blond Jedi, who had ducked away to hide her laughter.

"Are you alright?" asked Scrat, looking down at Mykayla as she shook soundlessly, her face turning dark red.

She nodded, then heard a whoop from Sadri and lost it, filling the foyer with gales of mirth. "Eww!!!"

"What...." Scrat looked around, clearly confused. "What's going on?"

"What...what Sadri did is funny." Mykayla leaned on his arm and wiped her eyes on her sleeve. "So is the look that the man had on his face. It's like when Zach jumped on David and David cursed."

"Oh." His mouth twitched at the memory.

"Come on! We found the socks!" called Ven, sounding as though he was preoccupied with something.

Mykayla and Scrat exchanged a glance and headed toward his voice, the tiny Terran squeaking as they stepped on the moving walk.

"No. We have to be careful, Ven. I don't want to...."

"Nobody's here." He looked up at the ceiling as his brother and Mykayla came up to them. "And this is a blind spot for the cameras. Just a quick one."

"What are you doing?" asked Scrat.

Mykayla pulled him out of the isle. "Let's look at these things over here."

"But.... Um, this is women's underwear, and Sal said that a guy needs a #$+& good reason before he can look at them." Scrat's face reddened.

Mykayla blinked and looked around, then reddened herself and tugged him into the next isle. "Sorry about that."

"Ven, don't grab me there, it's ticklish! Ouch!"

"That hurt? I'm sorry." His eyes widened in concern as he drew back.

"It didn't hurt! I'm just ticklish!" Sadri looked at his expression and felt her heart turn to mush. "Baby wookie eyes, ugh."

"Huh?" He frowned slightly.

She sighed and wrapped her arms around him, laying her head on his shoulder. "You stink."

"Mmm." He pressed her close and nuzzled her cheek, rocking slightly on the balls of his feet. "You smell good."

"They're doing it again," said a confused voice from the next isle.

"It's really not anything bad, Scrat," said Mykayla. "It's common for couples who care for one another to do those things."

He looked at her doubtfully. "But...."

"Here." She tugged on his arm till he hunkered down, then gave him a quick peck on the mouth. "See? It's okay."

"What the heck was that??"

Mykayla turned to look around. "Sal? What are you doing here? I thought you were watching monster wrestling."

"I went t' get somethin' t' eat durin' intermission," said the Newfoundlander slowly. "These dopes is sellin' clam larvae as pets."

"Yeah. Sadri just ate one in front of the clerk." Mykayla's mouth twitched and she got out her crutches and shifted slightly so as to draw attention away from the bemused Scrat and the couple in the next isle.

"Did she?" Sal's eyebrows went up. "I guess I better go get some before they send 'em back." She cocked her head and watched as Scrat wandered off a ways. "Y' gave 'im yer first kiss."

"Yes." Mykayla's smile faded as she looked down at the floor. "He needs it more than I do."

"Tha's good," said the Newfoundlander softly. "It's a shame what they've been doin', so I tries to let them be normal guys from time t' time." She smiled. "Anyone who'll do somethin' like that for any of 'em is someone I consider a friend."

"You didn't just train them, did you?" Mykayla lifted her eyes to those of the slightly taller woman. "You're their mother."

"Tha's right." Sal nodded. "I made them Kaminoans let me into their facilities when they were...born. And I got to hold each and every one o' them...." Her eyes grew misty and her smile vanished briefly, but then returned. "It's important, y'know? Ye grows up without someone and ye'll never be normal. I feels like I did somethin' right."

Mykayla nodded, then wiped at a tear that ran down her cheek as she whispered. "God's crying for them."

Sal smiled. "I'd imagine. But I can't deny them their instinct, either. To not serve is as good as death for 'em. So we all tries our best t' do what we can. Give 'em a culture - and it's a darn good one fer that matter - and treat 'em as kind as we can." She sniffed. "I loves 'em all. I'm some proud of 'em."

Then she started slightly as Scrat came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "Hey, b'y." She leaned back and patted his hands. "Are ye havin' fun?"

"I don't know," he said seriously, glancing at Mykayla.

Sal chuckled, then turned and unzipped his jacket to see what was poking her in the back. "Aww! What is she?"

"She's my daughter," said Mykayla softly as the baby stirred and opened big eyes to frown at the Newfoundlander. "Her birth parents are Mutant and Schatten Fee. Would you like to hold her?"

"Yes, b'y!" Sal smiled widely.

"Scrat, can you kneel?" Mykayla looked up at him, then started and bit her lip, lowering her eyes as he did so.

"Mykey?" Sal looked at her.

She looked up with a smile, then carefully took the baby from the sling and offered her. "She likes to be warm, and she's very strong. Her name is Zipporah."

Sal took the child into her arms and held her close to her chest, looking into the little one's face. There wasn't much in the way of movement in it, but she was frowning intently as she stared at Sal, who immediately smiled.

"Well, ain't you cute," she said in a low, comforting voice. "She's the first baby I've held in about, oh, ten years." She smiled at Scrat, who was looking at the little one thoughtfully.

Zipporah made a tiny little sound and raised one eyebrow, ears perking forward.

"What...Sal?" Ven came around the far end of the isle. "Is something wrong?"

"Naw, nothin's wrong, Ven," she said, still looking at Zipporah. "Just mind where you decides to make out and all that, 'coz I sure as #&$+ am not gettin' involved with that."

Zipporah frowned again.

"He's silly," Sal said to the baby. "He was the last baby I held and he grew up to be silly." She smiled, then finally focused her attention on Ven. "There was an intermission at the wrestlin'. I got bored. Then I found Mykayla here." She tilted her head. "Why, should there be something wrong?"

"No." He ran a hand over his hair, then fidgeted with his tan jacket, looking uncomfortable in the garment. "Er...what's making out? You didn't teach us that one yet."

Mykayla giggled and hid her face on Scrat's sleeve.

Ven looked at her quizzically.

Sal went red, then composed herself. "Kissing with vigour," she said, chuckling.

"Oh." Ven frowned. "Don't worry, I wasn't doing that."

Sal laughed. "I don't care," she said. "Just don't ask me to cover your shebs when ye gets found out."

Then she glanced at her chrono and sighed. "I better be gettin' back to those two before they starts somethin' they can't finish. Was real good meetin' ye, Zippy. Maybe we'll visit again sometimes soon." Blue eyes glistening, she held the baby out, then blinked slightly when it was Scrat who took her and held her to his chest.

"Do you think you'll be able to come and visit?" asked Mykayla, watching as he tucked the tiny girl into the sling and awkwardly patted her bottom as she fussed and wriggled.

"I can do anything under the auspice of it being military work," said Sal. "I'm sure I can come by after th' match. And you be good," she told Ven with a decidedly maternal air.

"Yes, sir," he said, watching his brother bemusedly.

Sal snorted and shook her head, then winked at Mykayla and walked away, whistling a Newfoundlander folk song as she went.

Mykayla watched her go, then started as Sadri swooped around the end of the isle waving two packages of socks in assorted pale purples.

"Which of these do you like better?" she asked. Then she seemed to notice the awkward silence and stopped dead in her tracks. "What'd I miss?"

Ven dropped his voice and moved close. "Were we making out?"

"Sal was here to buy some clam larvae for lunch during intermission," said Mykayla brightly. "I guess that the monster wrestling venue isn't too far from here."

Sadri laughed. "No," she said in an undertone to Ven. "Because I wouldn't be caught dead doing that." Then she turned to Mykayla. "Really? Guess I was too absorbed in, ah...." She stared at the packages in her hands. "Socks."

Mykayla giggled, then took one of the bundles and looked at it. "Wow, this is ten pair. What's the difference between them?"

Sadri looked at the labels. "Just the colours. These are the smallest size they've got, so I think they'll be right for you."

"I'll take these." Mykayla decided, patting the package in her hands. "Now I need to get some underpants."

"We'll be over there," decided Ven suddenly.

Sadri chuckled and watched the two men head toward a section of the store that sold jewlery. "Something tells me that they don't want to peruse that particular isle."

"Scrat said that Sal told them that a man needed a very good reason before he could look at women's underwear." Mykayla pinked slightly as she crutched toward where the garments in question were displayed.

"I'm not surprised," said Sadri. "It's astonishing how naive they are about some things.... Although Sal seems to be full of good advice regarding things like that." Shaking her head, the blond Jedi looked around the section and lowered her voice to a whisper. "I have no idea how to help you in this regard."

"You make those too?" Mykayla quirked an eyebrow and studied packages, ignoring the singly hung garments festooned with trimmings.

"Yup." Sadri smiled.

"At home I took a petite or a small...I weigh eighty five pounds...." Mykayla studied the script on one package and repeated her weight in kilograms, then looked at her taller friend questioningly. "I can't read any of these."

"That's Aurebesh," said Sadri, still smiling as she took the package in question in her hands. "Thirty-eight and a half kilos.... Says here that you'll take a small. Aurebesh is, quite honestly, the silliest written language I've seen. It's too wishy-washy for my taste. Aldera is a nicer written language. You can never mistake the letters there."

"Is that the language that you wrote on the 'fresher wall with?" asked Mykayla, picking up the package that the blonde Jedi pointed out. "Or was that you? Something about 'remember to leave the ripe egg in Obi-Wan's speeder?"

"Yes." Sadris grin widened. "Although I learned Aurebesh like every other being on Coruscant, I learned Aldera when I got to go home for a year. I found the written part to be more intuitive, so I primarily use that. And it drives the Council nuts." Then she glanced questioningly at the smaller girl. "You speak it on Earth? I remember you telling Sonnejäger that you knew a language similar to his."

"I know German and some Dutch," said Mykayla, counting the pairs of pants in the clear package and then cocking an eye toward a tiny furry thing that had crept out from under the shelves. "Is that Coruscanti for a rat or a cockroach, or is that somebody?"

"You can never really tell," said Sadri. "So, do you understand the phrase Ich bin von Alderaan?"

"Ja." Mykayla watched the little creature head toward Sadri's boot and screwed her face up. "I think it's going to try climbing your leg."

Sadri closed her eyes momentarily, reaching into the Force. "It's a rat," she said after a moment of silence.

Mykayla giggled, then sucked in her breath and gave an ear-peircing shriek, following it with several more in quick succession.

Sadri looked at her in alarm, then realized what she was doing and started to scream as well, adding to the spectacle by attempting to climb up onto a pile of loose women's underwear on sale.

Clerks and security guards soon converged on the scene, asking questions and looking at the two girls with varying degrees of shock, concern, and amazement.

"Ma'am, what seems to be the..." One of the store clerks tried to console Sadri, who had managed to perch her six-foot-tall frame atop the sale pile while howling hysterically. "...Problem?"

She immediately stopped screeching and stepped off the bin. "Oh. There was a rat."

"Where?" He looked around.

"Going up your leg," said Mykayla from behind him.

The unfortunate Neimoidian jumped nearly two feet into the air, then came down dancing as Mykayla weebled on her crutches from suppressed laughter.

"See?" said Sadri, now completely calm. "A rat."

The clerk went red. "I...I apologize," he stammered, then fumbled with his communication device as he attempted to contain the rat with his feet.

One of the nearby security guards rolled his eyes, then walked toward the bumbling clerk and picked up the rat with his gloved hand. "I'll take care of this," he said in a rough, gravelly voice.

"That's okay." Sadri smiled and turned to look at Ven and Scrat as they ran up.

"What happened?" Ven demanded tersely.

Sadri made a little gesture for him to wait, then watched as Mykayla stamped her foot and said that she didn't think much of this store and then refused the clerk's offer of her order free.

Finally the poor man shuffled away, followed by his fellows and the chuckling security staff.

"Nothing," said Sadri. "We just decided we wanted to screech."

"Why?" Ven blinked.

"It was a rat," said Mykayla innocently. "That's the proper thing for a woman to do when faced with something creepy crawly." Then she glanced down and set her foot on another of the creatures, grimacing at the crunch.

"Really." Ven quirked an eyebrow. "You don't strike me as the...well...dainty type."

Sadri snickered. "We're not." A third creature came scuttling out behind some pantyhose and she followed it for a few paces before stopping it with a loud stomp. "What was it you'd say we were doing, Mykayla?"

"Calling attention to a terrible situation?" The lilac-haired girl hunkered down and peered under the shelves.

"Right."

Ven exchanged a glance with his brother, then watched as he crouched next to Mykayla and also peered beneath the shelving. "A terrible wrong? Finding rats in a department store is a terrible wrong?"

Sadri shrugged. "Generally, yes. These sorts of places are supposed to be rat-free. It's considered a sign of bad hygiene if vermin are running about." She smiled and stopped in front of him, eyes dancing as they looked into his. "And a place like Montifa's is supposed to be high class...."

His frown faded and he hesitantly held out his arms toward her. "This isle isn't covered by the camera either."

Sadri shook her head at him, but stepped forward and put her mouth to his.

"THERE'S A WHOLE NEST UNDER THERE!!!"

Mykayla's shriek made her start convulsively and she cringed inwardly as she felt her teeth close on Ven's lip.

He grunted in pain, then stepped back with his hand over his mouth. "Where?"

"Right there," said Scrat, one hand patting his hip where his blaster should have been.

"Eww...." Mykayla crutched out of the isle as fast as she could go. "Eww, eww, eww!"

Sadri looked around and noticed the same security guard who had dispatched the first rat coming their way again. "Sir," she said, waving him over, "We've found a whole nest of the...the...whatever."

Then turned her attention to Ven. "Are you okay? I'm so sorry!"

"I'm fine," he said absently, taking a step toward where Scrat hunkered.

"No, you're bleeding. Let me see that...." She put her hand over his mouth as though silencing him and concentrated on the Force. After a few seconds, she removed her hand. "Better?"

"Yes...wow." He kissed her on the cheek and then went over to investigate. "Oh, Sal would have a heyday with this. Can you tell what they're eating, Scrat?"

"No." The quieter clone looked around, then stood with a frown, one hand on the front of his jacket. "Where's Mykayla?"

"She went that way." Sadri reached back and caught her hair to keep it off the floor, then bent double and peered under the shelf herself. "Oh. My. Yuck!" She stood and walked the same way Scrat was headed.