the Cause. the Creed. the Code.

3 Concede

Visiting Koboh, after everything that had happened, felt surreal to Hera. She tried to avoid looking at the rubbled mountains, stained with sulphuric steam as the Ghost flew past and towards the town. Once they landed, Mosey helped Kallus unload Jacen's sleepover things and brought them to a villa in town. Zeb carried Jacen on his shoulders and Chopper chatted quickly with a pit droid on the landing pad to find where Cal Kestis was: by the river just outside of town. She heard the cheers and splashing before she saw any of it. Kestis was somewhere, playing along the river. Hunter was floating lazily nearby in an inner tube while Tech and Crosshair were perched on a cliff face on the opposite side of the river, watching them all. On the shore was Greez in the shallows with BD-1 and Jaro; and Merrin, napping, reclined in the shade of an umbrella.

"I play with Jaro?" Jacen asked once he saw the other toddler.

"I have to talk to his father first," Hera explained patiently.

The little Zabrak met her boy's eyes immediately, his face cracked into a wide, gap-toothed smile as he waved at Zeb and Jacen, spraying water all over Greez. The grey-haired Latero chuckled at the sight of the new arrivals and plucked the boy out of the water and quickly towelled his bright halo of orange hair, careful not to press too hard on his horns.

"Good afternoon, General," Greez and Jaro greeted, then Jaro ran to his mother and curled up by her side. Roused from her sleep, the Nightsister sat up and turned towards Hera.

"Good afternoon, General," she greeted, her voice seemed relaxed despite the fact that Hera's presence meant her husband would be called away on a mission again. "Thank you for letting my husband come home this week. It is a school break for Kata as well."

"We're glad he was able to spend time with her," Hera said, hoping her speech didn't sound forced. "Do you mind calling him?"

Merrin's lips twisted into a smile, her cheeks sending deep crinkles under her eyes. She carefully swung her legs off the recliner and set her bare feet on the ground. She stood to call her husband from down the river.

"Merrin, I'll do it, you should rest," Greez cried as he got up and started to shout for the man instead. Merrin sat back down, hiding a laugh behind her hand. Merrin wore a deep red swimsuit that contrasted against her bright and pale skin. Hera noticed Merrin's deep grey tattoos were stretched over her swollen belly.

"Congratulations," Zeb called to Merrin, who beamed her a warm smile.

"Thank you," Merrin replied, her hand on her stomach, "it is a girl this time. We are still trying to decide on a name."

"Well, 'Garazeb' is actually a girl's name," Zeb joked. Jacen laughed with his uncle. Hera was grateful Zeb was the one to say it, she didn't want to entertain the idea that she might have left Koboh without asking, left to speculate due to an emotion she didn't want to name.

"Mommy, can I go play with Jacen?" Jaro asked.

Merrin's eyes glanced at Hera and the Nightsister said, "we have to ask your dad."

The whole river party— Omega, Kata, Wrecker, Kestis and one of Merrin's Raiders, Hera couldn't remember who, and Hunter— soon made their way to shore, bodies wet and gleaming in the afternoon light, smiles and laughter shared between them. They grabbed towels from Greez and BD-1 once they came ashore to dry themselves off. The calls of 'good afternoon, General," trickled in from all of them.

"Good afternoon, General Syndulla," Kestis greeted, towel on his shoulders, scars shining on his tanned skin. His eyes immediately lost the glee he had in the river once they fell on her. He knelt down and spoke gently with Jaro, "the adults are going to talk, why don't you show Jacen what you and Kata made today?"

Jaro's eyes were bright enough for both him and his father as he bounded up towards Hera, "General Syndulla, permission to... recess with Jacen?"

Hera could hear the rumble of Zeb's chest as he held back another laugh.

"Granted," she said with a wave, "Zeb, watch over them, please," she instructed as he lowered Jacen so he was level with the Zabrak boy.

With a wide smile, Jaro greeted Jacen as gently as he could. "Let's go to the saloon, yeah?"

Kata came by, hand in hand with Jaro and they walked to the saloon, with Zeb who carried Jacen carefully in his arms. Omega quickly followed them up the river banks and towards the town.

"The therapist you found, they want to meet now?" Kestis asked once the kids had disappeared beyond the riverbank and nekko stables.

"They've been fighting to liberate their planet from Imperial occupation. There's been success in their efforts, enough for them to feel comfortable to meet with us," Hera explained. She had to sympathise with him, her call was rather sudden, he must have expected more time with his daughter.

"Are you ready?" Hera asked.

Kestis towelled off his hair and pulled a slightly damp shirt over his head, then BD-1 climbed onto his back.

"I'm packed up and ready to leave any time," Kestis shrugged, though he didn't meet her eyes when she said it. Hera was somewhat relieved. The Raider spoke to him, they'd grab Kestis' things from the saloon and went quickly on their way. "How long will it take to get there again?"

"Half a day from here. He's letting us stay for dinner, after the consultation, and then another half day to get back," Hera explained.

"Cal," Merrin called, her hand gently brushing his hip. He turned, then got down on his knees to face her.

"Just two days, we knew we had to do this," Kestis sighed, he held her close.

"I know," Merrin replied, "holo me once you get there—"

"And before I go to bed and once we're off again, I know."

"This will be good for you, Cal," Merrin said. BD-1 gave a quiet, encouraging beep.

There was a slight beat before Kestis replied, "I know. I want to get better for you, Merrin."

"You are already the best for me," she whispered into his skin, "this is all for you." She pulled him into an embrace and Hera finally managed to look away. She crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her fingers as she counted down. She tried to focus at the nekko in the stables or listen for the chatter between Greez and Clone Force 99, anything to distract her mind from wandering and thinking she and Kanan could have had this.

"I'm ready when you are, sir," Kestis said after a long while. Hera turned back to look at him. His eyes weren't happy, but in the afternoon light they were still bright. They were green, and that was the best she could hope for.

A quick change of clothes and a chorus of 'goodbye' and 'see you in a few days' later, Cal Kestis and BD-1 were on the Ghost and in the galley while Jacen was in the saloon, in the garden or the game room, she wasn't sure. But Zeb and Clone Force 99 would watch him while she was away. No matter how many times she visited Koboh, it still felt surreal to her.

"To Krownest," Kallus said from Sabine's jumpseat. No one but Jacen was ever allowed to sit in the co-pilot seat. With a whirl, Chopper set the calculations for the jump. As the blue and white of hyperspace enveloped the ship, Hera finally felt some semblance of relief.