Repairing Beyond Ambition - Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order fanfic *EDITING*

Chapter 36

"We should let them know that the Ninth Sister is searching for us."

Altheeda nodded in agreement until he suddenly shook his head.

"On second thought, she'll be listening to their transmissions. She can find out on her own."

She sighed and gave him a look. His behaviour with Cere was rather off and it was getting slightly out of hand.

"Cal, it would be the right thing to check in with her. Just so she knows we're alive and can hear our voices."

"You can talk to her if you want." He shrugged.

Altheeda paused briefly, wanting to discuss the subject more but knew that she only had so much stamina left in the water and that it wasn't exactly the right time, yet she didn't want to let him off the hook either. He wordlessly began to swim ahead and she quickly caught up with him, clambering onto the soil and onto her feet. When she regained her energy, she decided to make contact with Cere and the Jedi turned to her direction when he heard the crackle in his ear from the comms.

"Cere, are you there?"

"Altheeda, how are you doing?"

"I just thought you should know that Ninth Sister is hunting us down."

"Be on your guard."

"Trust me, we are."

"How has Cal been?" She asked, causing him to roll his eyes when she mentioned his name.

"He's doing great. He always does."

"Good, you two look after each other."

"Take care, Cere."

They both heard the crackle of the line disconnecting then swiftly moved onwards with their journey up the Origin tree. Cal could still sense the confidence she had found within herself and the more he tuned into it, the more fascinated he became.

"You seem a lot more relaxed."

"Well, I had a chat with Cere last night and it took a lot of weight off my shoulders.

"What did you talk about?"

"I made sure she knew how upset I was about how she lied to us. After I got that out of the way, she just... opened up."

He pursed his lips but continued to listen to Altheeda.

"I was surprised that she did; it was interesting to see that side of her. Then I found myself opening up to her. I told her about Turner and what happened. I didn't realise how much it would help clear the air. Now, I feel like I can now be myself around her and Greez."

"I'm glad you managed to address those issues with her." He spoke solemnly.

"Don't you think you should do the same?"

He sighed, expecting the question but still reluctant to answer. He was still extremely disappointed in Cere and it was conflicting with his feelings towards what his purpose was to her. His anxiety and hostility was plaguing his mind and he was fully aware, but his control over it was slowly slipping from his weak grasp.

"She lied, knowing how gullible and vulnerable we were." Bitterness was thick in his voice.

"I know that."

"I'm still trying to decide if that's something I can forgive."

Altheeda nodded slowly and put her hands on her hips as she replied to him calmly.

"I totally respect how you're feeling. I do think at some point, you and Cere need to speak about this together. I'm not saying you have to do it straight away, I think you should do it when you feel ready to."