Old Friends Homecoming

Epilogue - What My Heart Wants

Lying on the beach, sunshine gleaming down on them both. Emi let her fingers trace the plains of the green chest of the Nautolan above her, Kit, who saved her, whom she loved. His deep black alien eyes were comforting and his smile was sweet as a rose. He was looking down at her only as the waves slowly rolled in, tickling their bodies, it made her giggle softly.

"Do you like it?" Kit whispered, caressing her cheek

"Of course I do,"

"I knew you would, you're prettiest of all and I want this moment to last,"

"Me too," she echoed like she had run out of words to say,

He bent his head down giving her a kiss and her body tingled. She was happy in the moment, but when she opened her eyes to look at him above when their lips parted, she saw someone standing there blocking the sun. The figure was Plo Koon with his arms around another figure in a long white nightgown, who looked just like her. A clone, Emi saw it now, she was with Plo and Kit, but both of them were oblivious to each other.

"I love you dear Emi always and I will return to you," Plo's voice reverberated over the horizon when he spoke,

Emi shut her eyes briefly and when she opened them again, she was now in Plo's arms, gazing at his masked face, his deep and gentle voice reassuring.

"I have faith in you until I die," his forehead touched hers, she closed her eyes again but when she opened them, she was once again lying on the shoreline back in the arms of Kit,

"I'm always here for you remember that," he whispered softly, before kissing her again, and even though she kissed him back she found herself unable to lose herself in the pleasure the kiss brought, for once again she was in Plo's arms watching Kit kiss the other her. Looking into Plo's eyes the only words she could ask herself were:

What have I done?

***

When Emi opened her eyes she saw the familiar glow of her childhood bedroom ceiling, blurry at first but slowly becoming unmistakable that she was where she thought she was. Kit and Plo were no longer there. It was only a dream, but it felt so real that it was beginning to plague her thoughts. The last thing she remembered before losing consciousness was seeing Kit swim to her in the abyss and then his lips were on hers, allowing her to breathe again, saving her from drowning and just before they even entered the water while it was still dark outside, she had admitted that she was completely in love with him. But did she love him as much as she loved Plo?

The sun shone through her window bringing a pleasant glow to the room. Emi sat up and saw that she was in her nightgown again. Someone had changed her out of her wet clothes and her lightsaber lay on the nightstand. Did he carry me all the way back to my house? She wondered and then the door slid open, it was Kit, he was dressed again in his robes.

"Emi! Thank goodness you're awake, I was so worried!" he rushed over and knelt at the bedside taking her hand in his,

"Kit... you saved me,"

"Of course I did, I couldn't let you drown," he placed his other hand on top, securing hers in place.

"We did it Kit,"

"Just like we always do," he winked,

"Thank you for saving me, I..." she paused feeling the awkwardness of the interaction arise, even though that kiss was to save her life, deep inside it felt like it was more than just a kiss of life.

He chuckled, "I hope you're not too flustered from me...kissing you,"

She shook her head, "No, I liked it, Kit. It's okay and we're okay. You did what you had to,"

Now it was Kit's turn to get bashful, "Well then, Emi Takori, now you're all over me,"

He was teasing her and she could feel it. He doesn't believe I like him, does he? She thought.

"Aside from that Emi are you sure you're okay? Yeah, I may have said a few things like I can't live without you and all. The truth is I just want you to be happy,"

When she didn't answer at first he released her and rose to his feet. "Here's the deal, how about you rest for now and I'll handle all the citizens and the Gungans since they should know they won't be getting their underwater homes back. Then tomorrow we can talk and stay here as long as you like,"

No answer, Kit smiled a little believing she was silent just to process everything. He started to leave the room but then Emi rose from the bed and hurried toward him. Before he could speak she pulled his head towards her and kissed him, right on his lips. Kit did not resist and kissed her back wrapping his arms around her waist. I love Kit, there's no denying it, she thought to herself.

When they moved apart she blushed, "I'm sorry, I just wanted to feel what that was like, one more time,"

He smiled "Oh you! So you knew all along how I really felt,"

He wasn't bothering to bring up the "what about Plo?" line, certainly he would have but never did. Perhaps he was giving her a sign but what was it? Her heart skipped a beat hearing his mutual feelings.

"Well if you're feeling better then how about we grab a bite and then after you're dressed will address your people together?"

Emi nodded smiling, "maybe we can visit those gardens later today too?"

"Whatever you like,"

They held hands and exited the bedroom where breakfast was waiting for them and Emi tried to take her mind off the dream. As long as she was with Kit, she didn't think about what happened in that dream. But when she returned later in the evening after a day of talks and strolls, her little commlink was beeping with a message.

Sitting on the bed she took it in both hands and her heart thudded again when she heard the familiar voice of Plo Koon.

"Emi, I hoped this would reach you soon. The Baran Do say our people have enough they need to rebuild. It has been difficult in supporting them but my old friend believes they can manage on their own now. I will be returning to Coruscant next week. I have missed you very much, dear Emi, perhaps we can start over when I return. I sincerely hope you are well. I wish I could tell you more but I must be going now, some families are still distraught. Be well, dear Emi, be well,"

When the message ended Emi listened carefully around the room to ensure no one overheard. Plo, he's coming back, oh Plo....she thought, her heart racing again returning to the dream. She wanted to stay on Naboo for a few more days before returning to Coruscant. With Kit's support, she was ready to accept the Council's orders. Best of all, she probably didn't have to tell them that Grievous tried to destroy her home.

But that was the easy part, the images of the dream flashed through her mind once again. Plo, Kit, and her own feelings. She thought of Plo excited to return and see her and then she thought of Kit in the other room meditating realizing the complex situation she had just got herself into.

What have I done?