Unexpected

chapter thirty-two: regret

Lunchtime rolls around on Coruscant and Elara excuses herself from Senator Amidala's presence to make her way to the barracks. She's had the past few hours to think about the Citadel situation and, even if she's unhappy with staying put, she can't help feeling guilty for blaming Echo.

Upon her arrival at the mess hall, she spots the familiar group of clones at their usual table and smiles as she joins them.

"Ellie! I knew you'd take me up on my offer." Hardcase smiles. "Just because Fives and Echo are gone doesn't mean we can't have any fun."

Elara's smile drops. "They're gone? Already?"

Kix looks up from his tray to find a ghosted look in Elara's eyes.

"You didn't know?" Tup asks. "They left only a few minutes after you."

"No.." She looks down.

The men exchange concerned glances and quickly abandon their meals.

"I'm sure they'll be fine. They've got two Jedi with them." Kix points.

"As if those two need Jedi, they're a force to be reckoned with on their own." Jesse laughs softly, trying to lighten the mood.

"Yeah, you're probably right." Elara forces a small smile. "How long do you think they'll be gone?"

"No more than two days, tops." Dogma shrugs. "It's just a rescue mission."

Elara nods as she sits beside Hardcase. She keeps to herself as the other finish eating, replenishing themselves from their rigorous training. Her mind wanders, distracting her as the others stand from the table.

"Ellie?" Hardcase waves a hand in front of her, bringing her back to reality. "You alright vod'ika?"

She looks up at him with another forced smile. "Yeah! Fine."

He gives her a knowing look but she ignores it. The other squadrons begin to file out of the mess hall, en route back to the training facility. Dogma rushes his brothers to get going but the four of them are too concerned about Elara to hear any of his protests.

"Go on, we're right behind you." Kix shoos the insistant soldier away before turning his attention back to the girl.

Jesse, Tup, Kix, and Hardcase walk out of the mess hall with Elara but turn in the opposite direction of the training facility.

Elara furrows her eyebrows as she glances at the men. "Don't you have training?"

"Training? Nah, we finished this morning." Tup lies, earning a raised eyebrow from Elara.

"We train every day." Jesse groans. "We need a break."

"Please don't rat us out." Hardcase pokes his bottom lip out.

She stifles a laugh as she looks between the pouting men. "Well if you're all playing hookie, we'd better find somewhere to lay low."

The four smile widely as they head for their quarters, dragging Elara with them. Games, movies, and junk food fill the remainder of the day until Dogma crashes the party. Shortly after Dogma's patronizing speech to his brothers, Elara decides to head back to her quarters.

***

It's been an entire 24 hours since the stealth team left for the Citadel. 24 hours of guilt consiming Elara. Spending time with the others certainly helped ease her mind, but not for long.

She makes her way through the Senate building, behind Senator Amidala as they head for the Senate Chamber. Another meeting is being held concerning the fate of Mandalore and this so-called Death Watch.