BATTLE SCARS [✓]

× Chapter Forty Six: Whatever it Takes ×

Mal looked toward the door, spinning her hilt in her hand nervously and stopping when she felt it nearly falling out of her hands. She knew Cut was trying to do everything he could to protect his family, but Mal, being a Jedi and a keeper of the peace, felt that she should be the one protecting them, not him. He still has a family to live for.

"How you holdin' up?" Mal heard, looking from the door to see Rex approach, settling himself down on a chair nearby. "I'm...worried, Rex. I-I should be out there, helping him. I feel like I'm already failing my Master's teachings by standby and doing nothing."

"But..you are doing something.." Rex mumbled, nodding to the Twi'lek woman and her kids on the far end of the room. "You're protecting them. As much as I understand you for feeling helpless..remember what you told me. Don't feel like you're being benched."

Mal laughed softly, shaking her head while clipping her hilt back to her belt. "You know, its a bad idea to quote me. Because sometimes, I say the most dumbest things."

"Yeah, well...on this one, you make a lot of sense. I thought it was my duty to be a Captain, to get the job done, no matter what. And at times, its true. But, then I realized I can't help anyone else if I don't help myself first. And that's by getting better." Mal nodded, smiling over at them. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I just..feel like I could do more, you know?"

A loud bang interrupted their talk and Mal quickly stood up, grabbing her hilt from off her belt again. "Suu, stay back there. Keep your children safe. Rex, get in position."

"You got it." Suu had dragged her children to the farthest end of the room and Mal and Rex quickly hid by some shelves, their weapons held up high. They both heard grunts and groans and crashing and both of them looked to each other, knowing that Cut was trying his best to hold the droids off.

"Rex, Mal! They broke through!" They heard from downstairs, Mal tightening her grip around her lightsaber. "Get ready." Mal told Rex, looking past the shelf she was behind and towards the door. She heard heavy and persistent footsteps and knew it was the droids making their way up the steps. Mal inhaled sharply, hearing the footsteps stop. The door soon was smashed open and as if time went slow, Mal watched a few droids walk by, not taking notice of her and Rex and she ignited her lightsaber, slashing at the nearest droid.

The other droids took notice and started blasting at her. Mal knew she had to be careful not to deflect the blasts anywhere near Suu and her kids, so she dodged the shots, ignoring the pain shoot through her leg and taking down the droids. More droids started entering the room and Rex shot down the others before Mal could. "Rex, stay here! I'm going to help Cut!"

She limped down the stairs, yelping as she felt the pain in her leg grow more and more. When she got to the bottom of the stairs, she saw that the debris from the roof was on top of Cut. "Hold on, Cut."

With the force, she lifted the debris from off of him, lifting himself up from the ground and moving out of the way of the debris, allowing Mal to set it down. "You okay, Cut?" Mal asked, limping back towards the steps and slowly sitting down on them.

"Yeah. I'm fine, thanks. What about you?"

"I'll live. Probably need to change my bandages, but I'll live." Mal said, chuckling lightly. "Suu and your children are okay. I had to be careful not to get them hurt."

"You did a great job, kid. Whoever taught you should be proud. I know I am." Mal nodded, sighing as she looked at the debris. "I should probably help you with that before we leave tomorrow."

"No, you don't have to-"

"Nope, uh-uh. I'm not leaving you guys with this mess tomorrow. The least I could do is help." Mal insisted, raising an eyebrow. Cut looked from the teen to the debris before he sighed, shrugging. "If you insist.."
--

"Thanks again, Commander, for all your help. And for protecting my family. Both of you." Cut said, Rex and Mal turning to him and his family. "You're welcome. Anything for a family."

"Captain, are you going to turn in my husband?" Suu asked, Mal looking to the ground when she asked. "Ma'am, your husband is a deserter. And it is my duty as Captain to follow my orders."

Mal looked up at him, her eyes wide and her eyebrows furrowed.

"Rex, no!" Mal exclaimed, Rex looking to her also. "You can't do this to them. Regardless of whether he's a deserter or not, he hasn't done anything wrong!"

"Mal..I'm not going to turn him in.." Rex said, smiling at her. Mal rose an eyebrow, wiping her eyes as she did. "You aren't?"

"No, you're right. Cut may be a deserter, but he's no coward. He did what he was trained to do. To protect. Besides..I probably won't remember any of this anyway." Rex said, Mal chuckling and shaking her head.

"Thank you, Captain. Commander. You know, we have enough room if you two need to stay till you get back on your feet." Cut offered, Rex shaking his head.

"I appreciate the offer, Cut, but I've got a family elsewhere." Rex replied, looking to Mal and smiling at her then back at Cut. "Take care of yourself, Cut. And take care of your family."

"You too, Rex."

(Sorry this one was rushed, but I had to end this episode, so..forgive me for this one. The next chapter will be a little better. Promise.)