42

Clean, salty Pabu air whispered in through Saedii's open window. She breathed in deep, pulling it all the way into the bottom of her lungs – both lungs, now that her right had been repaired. No air had ever smelled better. No breath had ever felt nicer. For the first time in a while, Saedii was really glad to still be alive.

Her room in Phee's place hadn't been touched in the weeks she'd been away. It wasn't a huge room, but it had a large window with a view of the water. Light pink walls were lined in shelves filled with sea shells and driftwood and other relics of the sea. The moon-yo lula that Saedii had gotten from the Spring Tide Festival sat on the shelf directly above the bed, as if it had been waiting for her.

After rescuing Crosshair and Saedii from the desert, Phee had pulled the rest of the Batch from the mine. Saedii wasn't sure what had happened in there but the five of them had been damp and disheveled as they'd boarded.

What happened after that, Saedii hadn't been awake for. The pain meds Phee had given her knocked her out so effectively that she'd woken up inside of a surgery pod in Pabu's medical bay. From the little pieces of conversation she'd caught, somehow Tech and Phee had taken back the Marauder from the poachers who had stolen it.

The details didn't matter much to Saedii. All she cared about was that the ship had been returned and they were all safe. How they'd gotten there was inconsequential.

Saedii sat up in bed, sliding off the soft white blanket on top of her. A clean pair of sweats – a pair that actually fit, thanks to Phee – kept the ocean breeze at bay. They were soft on her skin. Like pajamas.

Memories of their arrival at Phee's house were spotty at best. She knew that Hunter had brought them all here to rest. Remembered him helping her up to her old room and getting her into bed. But after that, it was blank. She'd been too tired from her long days in the desert to do anything but sleep.

Warm scents of frying bacon and sitari cakes were wallowing in from under the door. Her stomach gave a sharp rumble at the smell.

Downstairs, several voices spoke softly over the popping of a griddle. A booming laughter announced Wrecker was awake, parked directly in front of the cooking island in the kitchen. A much quieter, softer laugh sounded in response. Omega.

After the hell of Ipsidon, the scene that greeter her was like a dream. At the cooking griddle, taking turns flipping sitari cakes and bacon, Echo and Phee were chatting amiably, while across from them, Wrecker watched with his mouth open. At the kitchen table, Tech and Hunter were both sipping on mugs of caff – Tech with his holopad in his lap, Hunter with his head tipped back, eyes closed as a cool breeze came in through the open balcony doors. Behind them, standing in the open doorway with some caff of his own, Crosshair watched the line of the horizon.

Saedii paused. There'd been a moment in the desert where she'd been sure she was going to die. Had wondered if every agonizing breath would be her last.

She'd never been happier to be wrong.

"Saedii!" Omega hopped down from the stool beside Wrecker. Her bare feet padded on the floor as she ran over, stopping to give her a very careful hug. "You're awake! How do you feel?"

"I feel great." Saedii ruffled Omega's hair then looked up at Phee. "Thanks to you."

Phee waved her off with a spatula. "You saved my ass on Talthera. I rescued you lot from Ipsidon. Consider us even."

Crosshair had turned back to watch. As Saedii's gaze slid his way, he gave a little nod. Accepting her thanks before she could even give it.

He wasn't getting off that easy.

He stiffened as she wrapped him into a hug, saying softly, "Thank you, Cross. You saved my life."

"Don't mention it," Cross said, arms hovering awkwardly in the air, like he wasn't sure what to do with a hug. After a moment, she let him go.

Echo poured a cup of caff and slid it across the counter towards her. "The medical droid said you'd be sore for a few days, but you should be good as new."

Oh, she was definitely sore. But sore was much better than drowning in her own blood.

"If you're not careful, you're going to wind up half metal like me," Echo teased.

Saedii blew on her mug. "Very funny."

"Phee and I got fresh eggs and fruit from the market this morning. Have you ever had szekka fruit before?" Omega followed behind her as Saedii moved to the table.

Hunter pulled out a seat for her. He looked so content with his mug and a full plate of food in front of him. A little smile on his face.

"It's really sweet. I think you'll like it," Omega continued, like Saedii was actively contributing to the conversation. "Do you want some?"

"Sure." Saedii took a long sip from her mug. Caff was what she really wanted right now. But she'd oblige her young friend.

The caff was hot and bitter against her tongue. But different than their usual on the Marauder or even Teth. Rich and sweet, with an undertone of something she couldn't place.

"What kind of caff is this?" Saedii asked Hunter.

He shrugged as Phee said, "One of the villagers grows caff beans on a nearby island. He dry roasts them with vanilla and arcana – a spice from his homeworld."

It was incredible. And not just because it was the first cup of caff she'd had in days. She'd never tasted anything like it.

Omega appeared at her elbow then, holding a plate with three slices of a fat juicy fruit shaped like a star. It was the same shade as a plum, though the smell that came off of it was sweeter. Less bitter.

The szekka fruit was strange. Like strawberries mixed with a grape, though far sweeter. And tougher to chew. Saedii could see why Omega liked it. She loved sweet things.

"It's good, right?"

"It's great." Saedii took another bite.

A flock of birds swept by Phee's open balcony doors, on their way to the ocean for a morning meal. The sky was clear – sunny and blue and bright. It made the water look like it was glowing – great swaths of teal and navy blue. All the way down by the water's edge, a small group of people were wading in the gentle waves.

Such a far cry from the wastes of Ipsidon. Saedii had never been more grateful for a view like that. She hadn't realized just how beautiful it was – water and greenery and buildings and people. By Crosshair's glazed expression as he watched, his thoughts were in line with hers.

Echo flipped a half dozen sitari cakes onto a massive platter. "Cakes are done."

"Finally!" Wrecker shot a hand out.

But Echo stopped him. "These aren't for you. Wait your turn."

"But I'm hungry!"

Tech gave a curt sigh. "Wrecker, you've already had seven."

Wrecker flushed in indignation. "Well, I'm still hungry!"

Phee pulled a massive mixing bowl from the cabinet and set it beside the griddle. "Don't worry, big guy. I'll make you some more."

Omega pulled out the seat beside Saedii as Echo laid the sitari cake-lidden plate at the center of the table. Cinnamon and sugar filled the air. It was like stepping into a bakery.

Wrecker watched enviously as Omega pulled a cake from the top and took a bite. Saedii grabbed one, too. Ignoring the weight of his eyes as she took a bite. It was still warm.

"You remember much from the past few days?" Hunter asked her as she finished her first sitari cake. Hesitant – almost like he didn't want to bring it up.

She gave a little shrug. "Most of it. I'm not quite sure how you guys got the ship back."

Hunter slid a look in Tech's direction. "Tech and Phee won it back over a game of dejarik."

"You're kidding."

"I wish that I was."

Saedii would have paid to see that. She could only imagine Hunter's face when Tech had told him thatplan. Or as he waited to see if their prized ship would be won or lost over a game.

"Phee's really good at dejarik," Omega reported. "Tech said that Phee has one of the most conniving and calculating minds he's ever seen."

Tech choked on his caff.

Phee's lips curled in amusement. "Did you now?"

"It was merely an independent observation," Tech stuttered. Then added quickly, "Pirates and thieves often have a knack for strategic games thanks to their experience evading law enforcement."

Hunter let out a very low sigh. Echo shook his head as he measured out a cup of flour.

But Phee just winked. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"After the game?" Saedii prompted, trying to get Hunter back on task.

"We came here. Got you and Cross the medical care you needed."

Crosshair gave a long-suffering sigh. "I'd hardly call that medical care. The droid was over twenty years old."

"The droid was up-to-date on all current medical procedures," Tech said.

"It gave me a double dose of sedative."

"Because you wouldn't rest," Wrecker said loudly. "I thought I was going to have to knock you out."

The look Crosshair slid him was icy. "I'd like to see you try."

Brief memories came to her then: the long ride to Pabu, a warm blanket over her shoulders, voices talking over her. And throughout it all, close enough to touch, Crosshair's form, slumped against the wall. Asleep.

Over the three days they'd spend on Ipsidon, he'd stayed by her. Hadn't left her side once even when things had been hard. Had given her all the water and stayed up all hours of the night, begging her to drink. Then, even when they'd made it to safety, he'd stayed close.

Loyalty was imbedded in every Clone. They each showed it in their own way.

This was how Crosshair had shown his.

"I'm fine," Crosshair said, noticing the play of emotion on her face.

"You were injured."

"Minor, compared to yours."

Saedii bit her lip. "You carried me and all you gear. For miles. In the heat. With broken ribs and –"

"Hey." Hunter reached out and rested his hand on top of hers around her mug. "He's alright. Both of you are. Everything worked out."

It had, but only barely. If Phee hadn't heard Crosshair's code – or, an even more nauseating thought, if Tech had never taught her those codes in the first place – then they might still be back in that desert. She and Crosshair might have already been dead.

A hand came down on her shoulder. When she looked up, Crosshair was there. Health and alive.

Quietly, so the others could hear, he said, "I'm alright, Saedii. We're both alright."

Saedii took in a slow breath. Nodding.

Hunter watched the draw of her lips. The tightening of her hands around her mug. He glanced up at the rest of the room, where Omega and Wrecker were laughing over a comment Phee made to Tech. Where Echo was beating sitari batter in his bowl.

Finally, he said, "I know you're eager to get back to Teth, but I think we should stay here for a while. Take a break. Rest a little."

She flinched at his tone – so soft and careful and wary. Like he was afraid she was going to snap at him. Or cry. She didn't know which was worse – that he feared her anger or anticipated her grief. On her shoulder, Crosshair's hand tightened comfortingly.

As much as she wanted to see Wolffe, she didn't have it in her to argue. "I...think I could use a break. Staying sounds nice."

"I'm glad you think so." Hunter's hand tightened on hers before he dropped it. Crosshair's stayed where it was.

"Have you...talked to Rex since we left Ipsidon?" she asked.

An image of Wolffe's face – reluctant, disappointed – flashed from the last time she'd seen him, in the cafeteria on Teth. When she'd promised that everything would be alright. That she'd only be gone a few days.

What was he going to do when he found out what happened?

"I did." Hunter's expression didn't give away much, but the way his hand tightened on his thigh spoke volumes. "He agreed we should take some time away."

She didn't want to ask, but she had to know. "Does Wolffe know?"

"He knows."

Kriffing great.

At least he'd have some time to cool down before they returned. Maybe some time apart would be good for him, too.

"You don't need to worry about him," Crosshair said with an edge. "He'll survive without you."

Saedii grabbed another sitari cake. It was good. Better than the ones they'd had on Teth. She took a small bite, enjoying the taste of food filling her belly after three days without.

"Hunter, if we're staying for a while, does that mean I can go for a boat ride with Lyanna?" Omega asked. Someone had put a little braid above her left ear, pulling the hair out of her eye. It was held in place with a shell barrette.

That hand on Hunter's thigh loosened. He nodded. "Of course you can, kid."

Omega's legs swung excitedly under the table.

"There's been someone asking about you too, Saedii," Phee said ominously.

Saedii frowned. She didn't know anyone here. Why would anyone be asking about her.

"Aren was curious to know when you were coming back."

Crosshair's hand dropped from her shoulder. "What does he want?"

"To apologize."

"Why?" A dark look passed Saedii's face. She didn't want to hear what Aren had to say.

"I'm not sure how Jedi do it, but that's what normal people do when they make a mistake."

Her scowl darkened. "He can shove his apology up his –"

A sharp clearing of a throat stopped her. When she looked up, Echo gave a very stern shake of his head. Wrecker guffawed.

Phee was deceptively innocuous as she said, "He must feel really bad about what happened. He's a good kid, you know. His dad raised him right. He must feel awful for what he said."

"He should feel bad," Echo insisted abruptly. "It was out of line."

"It was. That's why he should be allowed to apologize," Phee agreed.

"He should be face down in a ditch somewhere," Crosshair muttered.

Saedii looked to Hunter. "What do you think?"

Surprise flashed in his eyes. He blurted, "Uh...well, if you don't want to see him, you don't have to."

"Then I won't." Saedii took a very pleased sip from her mug.

Crosshair smirked.

"Maybe you'll change your mind in a few days." Phee turned back to the griddle, flipping the sitari cakes onto a waiting plate. Still steaming, she slid them in front of Wrecker.

"Alright!" He grabbed one right off the top and shoved it straight into his mouth.

And then promptly spit it out, eyes watering. Desperately, he grabbed a nearby glass of water and began to chug it.

Saedii and Hunter both exchanged a look. Trying hard not to laugh.

In that moment, Saedii suddenly realized just how badly she needed this. Not just because she'd come so close to dying, but because things had been tense for a while. With Wolffe coming back, her relationship with the Batch had felt strained. Tense.

Now, they'd get time to be a family again.