Everything Broken: A Star Wars Story

Chapter 21: Broken Pieces

(alternate title: thank the stars for astromechs)

Kidara hated being alone.

The warmth of another person was a frequent comfort, having either Ahsoka or Obi-Wan within reach and willing to give in to her constant ache for contact.

Now, alone in the temple, far away from any person she considered comforting, she was alone.

She was placed on watch, unable to aid in Anakin and Ahsoka's search for revenge for their fallen friend, and Olson was still stationed on the resolute, deep in the outer rim. Every few days Kidara would get a new assignment from the council, something to keep her mind off Obi-Wan, but she had become a shell of the Jedi she once was. She rarely slept, the dark circles under her eyes a clear indication of her lack of rest, and was seldom seen in the refectory. She was beginning to look sick, her noticeably gaunt frame and slouched shoulders prominent as she walked down the halls of the temple.

She was given tasks to keep her mind occupied, such as working in the creche or assisting Anvi Amaar in the saber hall. It wasn't the same thrill as fighting in a war, but the constant distractions kept her sane.

Every time a council member would check on her progress as a padawan, she was forced to act like everything was fine, like Obi-Wan's death hadn't affected her the way it did.

"Of course, Master Shaak Ti, padawan Nouna has been progressing quite well, I believe they will be ready for a trial soon." She'd smile, the ever-growing ache in her chest worse than ever.

At night, though, she'd feel the tug of the bond between her and Ahsoka, and she'd really smile. Stars, she missed Ahsoka. She missed the stolen kisses they exchanged and the nights they'd spend together, letting their minds intertwine and growing stronger in the force, together. In the end, those nights made her heart ache even more.

"Kidara?" Kidara turned, her quick pace down the hall slowed to a near stop as she

recognized the voice. Bes tugged at her sleeve from behind her, Kidara immediately slowing to allow him to wrap his hand around her upper arm. "You seem troubled. Are you okay?"

Volin accompanied Bes, and Kidara vaguely remembered Volin finding her alone on the transport. It seemed so long ago.

"Hello Bes, Hello Volin." Kidara smiled. "I'm quite alright, thank you."

Bes didn't seem to buy it. "You forget how long we've been friends, Kidd." He tugged at her arm. "You forget how strong our bond is."

Kidara sighed. Bes was right, he could definitely feel every emotion she bled out through the force. She could keep whatever feelings she felt from the older masters, but Bes knew better. Even if he couldn't see Kidara physically, he could bore directly into her force signature, her soul.

"What's the matter, Kidara." Bes asked softly, his translucent-like blue eyes boring into her own.

"Bes," Volin spoke, his voice nearly an active lower than his partners. "Let's find somewhere better to talk about this."

Kidara nodded.

~*~

"I'm so sorry, Kidara." Bes spoke after everything Kidara had explained. "That's... I can't imagine losing any of my masters. I'm so sorry."

Kidara rubbed her eyes, Volin and Bes on either side of her. Volin pulled her into his side, which Kidara appreciated more than Volin would ever understand.

"So you and Tano, aye?" Volin ruffled the younger padawans' hair. "It was pretty clear, wasn't it Bes."

Kidara flushed. "Were we seriously that obvious?"

"Yes." Bes laughed. "Voilin and I once found you too asleep in the gardens."

"No!" Kidara smacked Volins arm. "You guys saw us too?!"

"Oh, Kidd, you've been head over heels for Ahsoka since you met her." Volin pulled her into a loose choke-hold. "All the padawans know."

"Noooooo," Kidara sulked, throwing her arm over her eyes. "How will I ever recover from such a crime?!"

"Seriously Kidd, I don't know why the council makes it such a big deal. Volin and I have been more than just friends for years now." Bes leaned over, laying in-between Kidaras legs. She ran her fingers through his short curly hair.

"I know, Bes." Kidara smiled. "I wonder why the council is so against us."

Volin undid Kidaras hair and began re-braiding it. "Maybe it's because you're so attached to her." He mumbled.

"I am. That's the problem."

The three stayed that way for a while, Kidara eventually falling asleep in Volins arms.

"Do you think she and Ahsoka will end up together?" Volin asked, picking Kidara up with her legs swung over his arm. "She seems a little broken about it."

Volin paused, searching for words as the two brought her back to her quarters.

"Right now, everything's broken." Volin spoke, glancing at Kidara's sleeping expression. "I think they'll figure it out."

~*~

Halfway across the galaxy, Olsons stirred in his bunk. He clutched his head in his hands, his eyes feeling like hyperspace trails as they rolled into the back of his head.

He felt like his brain was being pulled, like someone was trying to get into his head.

"Stop-" He grumbled, still half asleep. "Stop it." He sent a wave of 'stop, that's painful' through the bond.

The bond.

Olson sat up, his eyes flying open and his heart beating faster than normal.

He needed to comm Kidara, like, now.

He left his armor off and walked through the halls of the resolute, looking for a particular astromech he knew would be out and about during this hour.

"Scrappy." He whispered. "Where the kriff are you?"

The astromech flew out from a corridor, crashing into the opposite wall as its head spun to look at Olson.

"Kriff! Don't dent up the walls or the general might figure out I've got you!" Olson grabbed Scrappy by the sides of his central processing unit.

Olson adjusted the droid and checked for any serious dents before patting him on the head.

"Do you still have that comm-link buddy?"

(a/n: hello i am still here! lets ignore the fact that i wrote 20 chapters of "ashoka" and not "ahsoka", yes?)