Private Back to that Day

[Valery Noble]

The Bastion

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Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers
Tag: Kahlil Noble

It was that time of the year again.

Several nights in a row, Valery had woken up late at night after some hellish nightmares that brought her back to that day. The day she thought she had lost him forever. But unlike previous years, the nightmares felt a lot more intense, and Kahlil knew this was happening to her too. But no amount of late-night supportive cuddling could really make up for what she was going through because it didn't address the issue at the source — her lingering fear, and the pain tied to memories she was trying to suppress, rather than move forward from.

A problem Valery has had before.

Now, they were on their way back to the classified location deep within former Empire space, hoping to confront that part of her past and perhaps, finally move on from it. But that didn't make the journey easier on her. She had been awfully quiet the entire trip, while she sat in the co-pilot chair with her elbows tucked in front of her, making her body language feel very drawn inwards. She was rubbing the sides of her arms, staring out of the window, and trying to stop the memories from appearing over and over again.

"Go! Vera's waiting!"

Valery shivered as if the cold rain that day washed all over her again, and forced her eyes shut for a moment. That memory was in the past, where it belonged, and he wouldn't leave her again.

He said he wouldn't.

He promised.

She felt her hands trembling, and drew in a shaky breath as she looked up, her dimmed fiery gaze finding the navigational computer between them. The reading was loud and clear — they were almost there.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"This isn't like you, you know."

He stepped into the room, giving a calm, gentle smile as he sat down beside her. He understood her feelings, better than anyone in this galaxy probably could. But.. It was still alarming to see, to say the least. And yet, he understood why. He pulled her close, gently petting her head, trying to give her some kind of comfort. He didn't regret his choice that day, not if it meant her death in place of his own.

"I won't be going anywhere like that. Not again."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

The Bastion

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers
Tag: Kahlil Noble

He understood her feelings better tham anybody.

Through their bond but even without it, Kahlil always understood what was going through her mind, and it showed when he sat down to pull her close. Without saying a word at first, Valery leaned into him and rested her head against his body while he gently patted her head and hugged her close. Just like last night, being close to him made her feel better, as it reminded her that he was still here and not planning to go anywhere.

"I know, it's just this time of year," Valery said after a soft sigh. "The nightmares, the memories... they bring back the worst days of my life so vividly." She looked up now to meet his gaze and tried her best to offer him a genuine smile.

"You better not go anywhere like that again," she said with an expression somewhere between a smirk and an emotional plea. "And uh, thank you for going here with me. It might not be easy but maybe it'll help me leave all of this behind, huh?"

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"I know."

Kahlil continued to stroke her head, smiling ever so gently. Their bond made it easy for him to truly know, but understanding was something else. How he felt knowing she was kidnapped was one thing, to think she was dead, to raise Vera alone while still having to be the Sword in the middle of the war. Understanding it, experiencing it, he hadn't. In a way, he hoped he wouldn't. It was a selfish thought for sure.

But he doubted he could handle the loss of her even half as well as she handled the loss of him.

"And hey, I promised I wouldn't leave again, right? I'm always going to choose being by your side."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

The Bastion

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers
Tag: Kahlil Noble

All of this reminded her of that day she met him on New Cov again. The support he offered even though they had only just met, and especially how he supported her. This and so much more is why she had fallen in love with him, and why she chose to marry him and start a family. The tension faded from her shoulders, her breathing steadied as she leaned into his embrace, and her eyes seemed to be full of life again, as her gaze met his own.

They'd get through this, and he was going to stay by her side — that's all that mattered to her.

"Thank you, love," Valery said before she leaned up and gently kissed his cheek. "I uh, managed to find the exact location where it happened too. The crash site of my shuttle is still there, so maybe a good place to start? Retrace our steps and find some closure before we see what else is up on this planet."

Beyond what happened and what she had been tasked to take out there, Valery knew surprisingly little about it.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"This is your closure, love. I'm not the one who needs it."

Nor did he exactly look forward to seeing the place he believed he died. Not that he was against it either. It was just.. A weird feeling, going there. Still, he smiled and nodded. "But yes, lets start there. At the crash."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

The Bastion

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers
Tag: Kahlil Noble

"I know, I know..." Valery said with a slightly embarrassed smile, "I just can't do this one without you." She felt a little bad now, for bringing him to the place where he had believed he died and had to give up on being with his family. Was she just being selfish to drag him along to confront something that really just bothered her? Or was that just part of being married? All of a sudden, she was doubting herself a little, and only his smile made her feel a bit more assured again.

The Bastion came down onto the planet, the ramp lowered, and Valery reached for his hand to squeeze it. Not as gently as when they'd go for walks — this one was for comfort and strength

"Alright, here goes."

She looked at him one more time before she stepped out into the grass, and noticed it again. The ship buried into the soil, in part torn apart by the fire, and in part destroyed by the anti-air weaponry that shot them down that day. Valery let out a soft sigh and began to walk towards it.

"When it just happened, I didn't really believe that it was going to be just it. We've both been through crashes before and other tough situations, so I never really thought this would lead to something worse. It's... a scary thought, hm? That every time we get in a dangerous situation, it really could be the last one."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"I try not to think about it, really."

Kahlil looked about, frowning at all the destruction. He hadn't actually seen it all himself, not like this. It was amazing she survived such a crash. He squeezed her hand, not once letting go. Not once letting her go. He was here for her, as he always would be. Didn't mean he was completely comfortable. His gaze traveled around, trying to find the spot where he died with a frown clear on his face.

"If I thought like that, I'd never fight. I'd never risk anything if it meant I might loose you and our family again."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

The Bastion

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers
Tag: Kahlil Noble

Valery wasn't letting go either, and the squeezing of her hand was just the bit of comfort she needed to keep walking forward. This crash site brought back vivid memories after all. It's where Rakaan had helped her out of the burning shuttle, and from where they began to try and get away. But as the scene suggested, destruction and death followed them. Bodies had long been removed from the area, but equipment and remains of blaster bolts hitting dirt and metal were everywhere.

It created a path to where the two Jedi had retreated.

"I know, and it's why I don't want to think that way either. When we go on missions, I always have that feeling that I'll see you home again soon. When I don't..." Well, it would be like the last time she crashed and was captured by Danton. No matter what, she couldn't ignore that feeling again.

"This is where Rakaan and I were pinned down," Valery said a moment later, as she stood at the spot where Kahlil had appeared not long after they got in trouble. Her hand began to shake a little, but she drew in a deep breath and turned to him again. "I'm so happy I didn't lose you here."

That's what she really wanted to hold onto. No matter how bad this had been, in the end they were still together. Valery then let out a shaky breath, stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him to just hold him for as long as he'd let her.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

He just held her, quietly looking around for a brief moment before letting his eyes close. He didn't dare let his mind linger on the thought. He didn't die, not really. And the time he lost he wouldn't get back, no matter how much he thought about it. Right now, he just wanted to hold her and push away those negative thoughts and emotions that clawed at his mind. The Force still held the echo of what he'd done.

Of what the Wellspring wanted of him.


".. I'm happy I wasn't lost."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

The Bastion

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers
Tag: Kahlil Noble

With her eyes closed and her arms tightly wrapped around him, almost uncomfortably so, she stood still for a long moment. The bad memories, the emotions that lingered — she was casting them out of her system. They were all in the past and couldn't hurt her anymore. He was with her, he was staying and they were so much stronger together now. So eventually, after she felt ready to open herself to the world around her again, she pulled back and smiled warmly.

"Me too, and I think we have our little guiding star to thank for it," she said with a happy, motherly kind of chuckle. "You should have seen her running into my bedroom at night. She was so... full of life again. She even tried to come along too because after I got dressed, I found her with her backpack strapped on by the door."

Valery let out a chuckle while some happy tears flooded her eyes. "I love you and the kids so much, and I'm glad we can even get through really hard times together." She looked up into his eyes, smiled much brighter, and finally stepped back to take one more look around. A last glance to move on from this place forever.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

He similarly tightened his hug around her. Feeling those emotions drift away from her was.. He had learned long ago to just let go of things when he had to. It's how he learned to escape his family, how to live as a Jedi. His fear and love for Valery, their children, that wasn't something he could simply let go of. He knew it, and he certainly understood the danger that made him to others when they were threatened.

And truthfully, he didn't care. As he held her, watched her pulled back and smiled, as Valery told her about Vera and her desire to try and help find him, there was no more doubt in his mind. He would protect them, before anything else.

"I'm glad too, love. No matter what happens, we'll always handle it together."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

The Bastion

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers
Tag: Kahlil Noble

Valery's smile brightened as they stood face-to-face and locked gazes. She then took hold of his hands, raising them between them, and gently let her thumbs brush over his fingers. This moment felt perfect to her. The pain of this place had faded into the background, and even though she'd always be worried about him going into danger, she felt confident that he wasn't going to leave her side again.

She could just... see it in his eyes. Being with her and being with the kids was the most important thing to him, and she felt the exact same way.

But Valery's smiled did not last very long, as a ship suddenly flew overhead, low to the ground and away from them. Then another followed, and another... all of them Tie-scouts. Her eyes widened, and she felt her hands trembling, not with sadness or fear, but anger. Were they still here? The people who nearly took him away from her?

Without realizing it, the grip on his hands had tightened.

"Love..."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil's gaze lingered on hers as he smiled. This moment, they needed it. But even they couldn't keep the moment for just themselves forever, could they? Anger flashed through their bond, and not just from her. The sound of Ties. He knew that sound well. The Sith, the Empire, Imperials of all kinds loved to use them. But there weren't supposed to be Imperials here. He didn't reply as he pulled his gaze from Valery and towards the incoming ships.

Then he lifted a hand up.

He didn't care if it gave them away. They were probably already being watched because they entered the system. The Force swelled under his guidance. His fingers curled into a fist before he slammed it down. And in response, the scouts followed suit. They suddenly dropped from the sky, crashing into the ground before them as they crackled and crumbled under the sheer weight Kahlil applied to them.

"I guess they didn't get the message last time."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

The Bastion

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers
Tag: Kahlil Noble

Valery stood frozen as anger flashed through their bond, but Kahlil was more than ready to take action. He raised a hand and summoned the Force to connect with the scouts. All at once, the tremendous power from their engines was not nearly enough to support them anymore, and they were forced against the ground under his strength. Valery watched the fireballs in the distance with widened eyes, and turned to him while she briefly chewed on her lower lip.

He really was something else when he had a reason to fight.

"I guess they didn't, but... what should we do? If they have scouts like that here, there must be a Hangar. Maybe a whole base." She paused and a thought flashed through their mind. These must have been the people he fought those years ago, or at least belong to the same group.

Only Kahlil would be able to see the way her muscles tightened. But Valery knew she couldn't lash out in anger, so she forced her thoughts away and looked up into his eyes. "I say we go finish what we started."

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"Agreed."

Kahlil glanced back towards the Bastion for a moment before nodding at it. "I got you a gift, which was supposed to be fun. But I think it'll be more useful now." With that in mind, he started walking back towards the ship with her hand still firmly in his. It didn't matter that people were now dead, they weren't going to be separated again as long as he could do so without them in danger.

Then, in the storage room, he revealed the surprise. A speeder. Her speeder.

"It took a bit to figure out, but turns out I can restore when something was somewhere, if I'm close enough to where it is and not completely exhausted."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Ex- Imperial Planet

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Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers
Tag: Kahlil Noble

"A gift?"

Wait, when did he get her a gift? She was pretty in tune with him because of their bond, so either he found some time while she was sleeping or he managed to do it while she was being kept busy. But what kind of gift could he have gotten her? Valery was very curious now and followed after him while she held onto his hand. Unless it was absolutely necessary, she wasn't letting go and she could feel that Kahlil thought the same way about it.

He didn't want to be separated from her again, not even a little bit if it wasn't necessary.

The two then made their way into the Bastion and reached the storage room where... Valery paused, stared at the speeder, and then to him. Had he really...?

"It took a bit to figure out, but turns out I can restore when something was somewhere, if I'm close enough to where it is and not completely exhausted."

Without saying a word, she just jumped him. Feet off the floor, legs wrapped around his waist and her arms around his neck. She hugged him tightly this way, and brought her lips to brush against his for a kiss that started gentle, but became just a little more passionate as she let it linger. When it finally broke, she looked him in the eyes and smiled warmly. "It's still a really fun gift, love. It's... the best, really. Thank you so much."

It wasn't really just about the speeder, but mostly the thought and effort that went into it. All in one day, she was feeling just overwhelmed with love. He had scored himself a lot of brownie points, and tonight he'd be able to redeem them. She had something special in mind for him now.

"Come on, jump on and hold ton ightly~" Valery teased after sitting down in her seat, and waiting for him to sit behind her. "Comfy?" she asked, as she readied herself to blast off.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil smiled softly as he watched her face light up. Even with the Imperial presence, she seemed really excited for it. Happy. It certainly made him happy. He returned the kiss, though not for long. As much as he wanted to, he couldn't ignore the fact there were enemies on this planet. Well, maybe he could just a little. He grinned as he squeezed her sides before eventually pulling her away.

"Fight first, then we can talk about your thanks."

He hopped onto the speeder with her, making sure to strap himself in just in case. Well, no, not in case. He knew for a fact she was about to blast off as fast as she could.

"Let's get going. They've been here too long."

Valery Noble

 

[Valery Noble]

Ex- Imperial Planet

​

Outfit: Factory Link | Wedding Ring
Appearance: Link
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers
Tag: Kahlil Noble

It was a good thing he returned the kiss and squeezed her sides a little, even though it tickled. She needed an outlet for all of her joy and excitement, and well, he was the absolute best outlet she had for that. But he was right — fight first and she could reward him later for this amazing surprise gift.

"Fine, but you're mine tonight."

She smiled innocently, hopped up on her bike and watched him settle as well. There was only one way to strap in on a speeder bike, and it was to tightly hold onto her waist. So even though they were on their way to a serious mission, she'd still have him nice and close to her. It made up for not being able to hold hands.

Then... she blasted off.

Her ponytail whipped into the wind, and perhaps his face, and her grin widened. At least for a moment, because after passing over a hill or two, she spotted a metal fence in the distance, as well as a facility further behind that with walls around it, and huge watchtowers keeping track of everything. But as she approached the fence, Valery wasn't slowing down at all. In fact, she began to speed up without even saying a word.

As soon as they got close enough, Valery tapped into the Force and blasted them up into the air to fly over the fence, and continue at maximum speed after landing. She loved it, "Saw that trick, babe?!" she called out over the winds. "But uh, look up ahead!" The place not only had walls and towers, but some AT-ST's were station as well, although currently not actively walking around.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

He just grinned in turn, though his was more nervous even as he tightened his grip around her waist. He could handle just about anything with ease, even this. But it didn't mean he wasn't at least a little nervous with Valery's need for speed. She certainly didn't disappoint. He let out a breath he was seeming to be holding once they hopped over the fence. Right. Action. Don't get mesmerized by her gremlin tactics.

As they swung by the ATSTs he raised his hand again. They weren't moving yet, and he was going to make sure they didn't move at all. The Force swelled under his control again before he ripped them down, outright destroying their legs as they collapsed in a heap on themselves. Shortly after, the alarm started to blare.

"Well, I think they know we're here."

Valery Noble