Old Friends Homecoming

Chapter 2 - The Longest Night

Emi Takori had retired to her small bedchamber in the lower levels of the Jedi Temple. It felt like eternity since she had last come down here. The narrow pitch black corridors were illuminated by only the moonlight through the round window at the end of the hall. Emi's chamber was right next to that window making the room almost too bright for her liking.

Emi walked silently to the door and entered the chamber and was greeted by a small cubicle of a room with a rectangular window covered with blinds. A small gray bed backed into the corner with a plain blanket and thick white pillow that was comfortable enough to sleep until late past dawn. But, the bed itself was not suited for Emi from her experience. She could barely remember the last time she slept in it; it was long before she was given the apartment across the city and the bed there was much softer and wider.

Across from the bed was a small shrine-like dresser that contained a small statue atop of it of a Jedi Master from the ancient order that Emi could not identify. It was mainly for force meditation purposes but Emi never used it, as she preferred to go to the temple's courtyards where it was more open and peaceful. The dresser also contained a hologram projector for communication purposes, and next to the bed was a small nightstand with a single lamp.

Emi sat down on the bed, the mattress was harder than the one back in her apartment. She suddenly felt like a child to be back in this room again; like her first night at the Jedi Temple when she was very young, she found herself gazing out the window looking at the city night lights, longing to go out there. Some of the Younglings along with her would sleepwalk and she could hear their footsteps in the corridors like light pitter-patters. It surprised her how young they all were; practically infants. Emi knew the Jedi of higher ranks had slept in a different area of the temple, but never had she asked the masters when she would get a better one, as she already felt too secluded where she started.

It was quiet and Emi removed her boots and lay on her back gazing at the plain gray ceiling. It was just like back on the Venator where she slept just before dreaming of General Grievous out to find her, and the kiss she gave to Plo Koon. I miss him already, she thought holding back tears. Who knew how long she would be able to keep this a secret? She did not know who would react the worst, but it was either Saesee Tiin or her former master Luminara. Emi tried to put her mind off of it, he'd want me to go on, and I should even if I don't see him again for a long time. Then she pulled the duvet up to her neck and tried to sleep.

Time went by, and Emi tossed and turned about in the bed. She felt like she should have expected she would not be able to sleep since it had been almost a decade or two since she had last slept in this bed. Her daily meditations were supposed to help clear her mind, but sometimes there was no avail. She also felt sweaty sleeping her day clothes as her favorite nightgown which was much cooler, she had kept away in her apartment. The thought of that nightgown made her wish she was in it right now; the last time she had worn it was when Plo Koon held her in his arms the night before they set course for Dorin. She kicked the duvet off of herself and sat up with her head down in frustration. I can't sleep, I want to but I can't. She sighed and hoped if she stayed awake for a little bit longer, her mind would eventually clear up and she would be able to sleep better.

Just then a soft beeping sound was heard in the room. Emi looked up to see it was coming from her comm link that sat on the night table next to her lightsaber. She reached and allowed the device to float into her hand with the force and answered.

"Yes?" She said, covering a yawn,

The voice that answered was deep that made her heart jump, "Ah, Emi, I thought I might get through to you. I hope this is not a bad time, as I hoped to see if you made it back to Couruscant all right,"

"M-Master...Plo....yes I did..." she paused and yawned again, "just trying to get some rest but, I can't sleep,"

"Would you like me to contact you later?"

"N-no, maybe I do need to talk to you right now," she stammered,

"Very well, right now it is just the crack of dawn on Dorin, my people are slowly recovering but there has been many to mourn for, but they still praise our efforts greatly. Did you have to report to the council?" Plo Koon asked,

"Yes, and well..... they didn't seem pleased at first that I had come along until I told them that you wanted me to come. But, the real shock was when I told them that I engaged Grievous for the purpose of protecting your people rather than for my own gain. However, it seems that regardless, they still think I need a break from the battlefield,"

Plo Koon's response was not imminent and Emi tried not panic as she covered a third yawn, until he answered, "Dear Emi, you should be proud of yourself for staying strong after all the fire they threw at you. For now there may be nothing you can do to prevent them from having you stay put for a while. I hope you have not forgotten your promise to me, I know you can thrive,"

If there was one thing Emi had not forgotten it was her promise to Plo Koon to continue forward with her life and duties should the two of them have to be briefly separated, "I haven't forgotten, and I'm going to do everything I can to go on,"

"Thank you dear Emi, I love you, and I may not be in contact for a while as will need to tend to my people and the damages will need to be repaired. But, if I do get a chance to speak with you then I will. For now, just do not worry about me. I doubt the Separatists will try anything again after what has happened here. I must go now, get some rest,"

Emi sighed quietly in understanding, "I....I love you too." She whispered and shut the comm link off. Then she crawled back under the covers and this time she slept peacefully.