The Eternal Epilogue

[Revenchent]

Calico had missed her so very much. It was a dull ache in the back of his mind; always there, and not always welcome. His time in the Protectorate had caused nothing but grief. His service to the 'fellow man'--mongrels, using his kin as body shields against the Confederacy-- had amounted to nothing more than a fancy title. A title he did not need, nor did he want. Life was losing its purpose--except for the messages Zandra would send him. He couldn't always reply, but he often found himself reading them over in the dead of night.

The former Commando was not afraid to show his emotions. It was something his father, and his brother--the manda rest his soul-- had taught him. It was a sign of strength to let one's feelings be known. A sign of courage, and a show of humility. It humbled him; made him a better man and a better father. Now, his sons were grown. Many had passed on long before they deserved, and those that survived kept in close contact. While he showed his love for his sons, he hadn't shown it for Zandra. Not truly, and was it really love? The Echani haunted him, that much he knew.

His death had been a faked rather well. A border skirmish between the two nations resulted in his shuttle venting into space. What wasn't noticed, was the Belbulab leaving the ship's hangers in its dying moments. Calico had taken to the stars, and sent out a message for the woman who had become much a centerpoint in his life.

"Disregard whatever you hear. I survived, and I'd rather that stay quiet. Where are you, I want to see you, please?" It was a simple message, but it said what needed to be said.

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

The Gang was home on Caourasaunt again. One more 'successful' heist. Successful in that they made more credits than they spent. That was always a success. Now, Zandra was back home on Zax The Beautiful, the dead ship turned permanent residence. It was where she would go after every successful mission, until her contact gave her another tip.
She'd go home, hoping that when the doors of her ship slid open, she'd find him on her couch, sleeping in her bed, anywhere. But each time, as the rest of the crew went to Nameless to celebrate, Zandra came home to an empty ship.

This time was no different.
Until his message came in. The first message she'd gotten from him in a good while. She almost tripped over her own feet, hurrying to send a quick reply. He wanted to know where she was. Even more importantly, he wanted to see her.

The reply was one word.
"Home."

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

Nothing more needed to be said. Calico knew just where home was, and within moments, the Belbulab was in hyperspace. The center of the galaxy still belonged to the Sith, but Calico had forgotten his hatreds toward them. Not that he enjoyed their presence, but it wasn't his job to fight them anymore. He had more important obligations now, and someone was waiting back home. Home. That's what it was now, truly. He'd have to get the ship fixed.

A thousand thoughts flew through his mind as the shuttle set down in a spaceport nearby. The trip was one that he had made quite a few times now, and the familiar crosswalks and alleyways were almost welcoming as he strode through them. A heavy cloak was pulled over his head, and a lightsaber hung at his side. It was ancient, and bound in a wooden pommel. Numbers and names were carved into the hilt, and anyone looking onward would likely think him to be Sith. That was the idea, anyway.

The crowds parted for him as he approached the ship. A single deep breath was drawn in, and his hands balled down at his sides. "Zandra, I love you, run away with me. Zandra, let's go raise Bean somewhere...safer? Zandra, why are you calling the kid Bean?" He mumbled worriedly to himself. Not for the first time did he find himself missing his helmet. The entire set of armor was being repaired and recolored. It wouldn't do for him to be recognized.

The former Commando strode up to the steps, bit down into his lower lip, and stared at the door as if it were a fat Hutt. This was difficult. His heart thumped heavy against his chest, and it felt as if his insides were fluttering about their own accords. It had been months since they had seen each other in person. Hopefully he wouldn't blow it.

He opened the door as he had many times before, pulled back to the hood, and stared through the doorway. "Zan'ika?"

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

He was coming. He was coming. She wasn't alone anymore. No, not that she was alone ever, really. She had the crew. But that was more of a business relationship. Sure, they had fun, sure, she liked most of them. But it wasn't the same. She was still lonely.

Zandra Fenni was looking herself up and down in the mirror when Cal arrived. She didn't hear him. Her hand was over her stomach. Was she really getting fat? She couldn't tell. She'd had to live with herself these last few months, it was hard to notice the change. But Cal might. She was afraid of that.

Maybe I should cut my hair again. It's startin' to get long. It gets tangled now. Didn' use to do that.

She pulled at her hair, trying desperately to comb out the knots. Useless.

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

Theirs was a rather unorthodox romance. While force users shifted the balance of galactic power on a daily basis; while dynasties of powerful noble families were made, they met in a dirty old ship. There was no publicity, and despite Calico's fame, there would never be any. The Mandalorian loved it. When she didn't answer, he raised an eyebrow. His armored boots clanked against the floor as he strode inside, and his cloak was shifted off and fell to the floor.

The wooden lightsaber clanked against the light chestplate he wore over a sleeveless shirt. He was no armored juggernaut any longer, nor was he going to go out in public unprotected. His mouth opened to speak, and that was when he saw her. He caught a faint glimpse of the Echani in the adjacent room. The sight of her stopped him in his tracks--he could see the baby.

It wasn't much of a difference. Zandra was still an attractive woman, and his infatuation with her made that irrelevant in its own right. No, it was the realization that she was truly with child that almost made his heart stop. His child, no, their child. Calico found himself grinning a ridiculous grin. He strode up to her and, without awaiting any sort of reaction, came from behind and slipped his arms around her waist.

"Boo."

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Nah. I don't think I'll cut it. I kinda like this. I can just put it up. I'll let Thryykarr braid it for me.

She turned away from the mirror, facing the bed. And then she felt it. Someone was touching her. She forgot for a full moment about Cal. Instinct took over. Someone was touching her. Before she heard the 'boo' her hand was at her side, reaching for her blaster. Then she heard his voice.

"Oh! Cal, you damn idiot! Do not sneak up on me!"

She turned in his arms, facing him. He looked so... different. It was hard to put her finger on it. He looked so worn down. But he was smiling. That was already an improvement. She found it impossible to be mad at him.
She slipped her own arms around him, holding him to her, silent. She didn't need words now.

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

"Oh, but it's so fun!"

Calico fell silent. He held the slip of a woman close to his chest, and closed his eyes. The anxiety and discomfort abut the future dissipated completely from his heart at her touch. She and the baby were his purpose now, and that was good enough. Would Galaar approve?

There was no way of telling. Calico wished he were stronger, in a way. Even know, with the woman who had formed such a strong bond with him, the pain of his brother's passing cut through him like a lightsaber though plasteel. It wormed its way into his guts and twisted his very soul in its cruel touch. He couldn't fight back the grimace that came with it, and his arms tightened protectively around the Echani.

"I'm not going to fight anymore wars for anyone else. You and the baby are my first priority." He tilted his head down toward her, and brushed a calloused thumb across her cheek. "If...that's okay with you?"

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

What was he saying? Why was he looking at her like that? Her heart went wild, her face went hot. Why was he doing this to her? Didn't he know what this felt like for her? She was Zandra Fenni! Up and coming criminal! Why did only a few words from him make her so stupid and weak?

"O-oh."

Just 'oh'? Why just Oh? And why did he care so much about the baby? He still had his wife. What, did he think she'd forgotten? She kinda had her doubts that his wife would be fine and dandy with her husband hanging around his mistress and child. But she just couldn't bring herself to ask. Not right now. He was here. He was here and he was hers for now. And he wasn't going to run off and fight no more wars.For the moment, that was enough.

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

"Romantic." He teased. Calico fell silent after that. His expression devolved into something of neutrality, and for a moment, his eyes looked lost. It only occurred to him then just how many ways a bastard child their spawn would be. A union between the Mando'ade and the Echani was unheard of. Not to mention the unmarried status...

"We'll figure out what we need to do. I've been a soldier since they pulled me out of the cloning tubes...I'll adjust, and...I've split off in the Mandalorian custom. It was the most respectful thing I could do." Calico nodded at his own sense of certainty. He wouldn't let any doubt cloud his mind now. There was now room for anything negative; he needed to be positive. "And I know our kid is going to be a bit of a bridge between cultures, but we'll make it work. I'm...happy about him. It. I don't know."

The former Chieftain of Tal'verda lifted his shoulders in a slight shrug. He opened his mouth to say more, but stopped himself in the form of pressing a kiss upon her lips. It was deep, one of long held affection that needed to be shown.


[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Split off. Bridge. Customs. Happy.
He was happy?
It was true what he said. She knew her Mother would hate her for it, more than she already did. She'd never accept a child like this. None of her people would. No. No. They weren't her people. Not anymore. She'd left a long time ago. She was her own person. This child was her own child. It would be perfect in it's own way.

She embraced him, felt the hard bump of their growing child press against him. His lips were so warm, so welcome. She'd missed it.

"...Now what?"
She asked, pulling away after a good moment her deep gray eyes demanding an answer from him.

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

Good question.

For the first time in his life, Calico had no direction. There were no orders given to him; no legion of soldiers relying on him for their own future. His only obligation was to Zandra--no, their family. The Tal'verda clan was powerful, even famed after current events, but Zandra was his, and so was Bean.

Really need to give him a proper name.

He rocked them both back and forth in relative silence for a long moment. The seconds ticked by, and he slowly began to put the pieces to a possible picture together. There were so many roads to choose from; the problem was choosing the right one.

"We have a lot of options." He admitted. "I could pledge allegiance to Mandalore, and we could raise Bean among the clans...I've not been partial to my people's recent actions, but they would take us in."

Calico finally met her gaze. The look in her eyes melted his heart. The strong willed look to them could weave its way into any true Mandalorian man's affections. Even though he had forsaken his people as of late, the values and views had been instilled from birth. He would never shake them off.

"Or something else. I can help fix this up. I've wired a few hundred thousand credits--everything I could from my old job. We can do whatever you want, anything, I don't care. I don't have any obligations anymore and...I've been away for far too long."

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

The idea of going to Cal's people made her shiver. There was such a long standing rivalry, almost hate between her people and his. Even if they did take them in, she knew she'd never really be one of them. Cal would be happy, but she couldn't be.
And then, there was the idea of settling down. Maybe she could buy Nameless and run it herself. That would be an adventure. She didn't know how settling would work with her though. She was never really one to stay in one place for two long, and running a business was hard. Maybe someday, when she was a bit older though. Maybe she could be happy staying here some day.

And then there was her crew. She owed them. She was their captain. She couldn't just abandon them. They'd had so much fun. It was just getting started.

Oh. He didn't know though. He didn't know what she did for a living...

"...You should, err, meet my friends, I think. I've been... traveling with them."

'Traveling' was one word for it.

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

Friends, eh?

He canted his head to the right, and raised a brow. He had heard about friends in passing through her message, though he truly had no idea how she made a living. She never talked about it, and these friends were a bit of a mystery to him. "Who are they, anyway?" He asked quietly. A single hand slid almost unconsciously to caress the bump over her stomach. His smile widened at the faint touch, and a soft sigh escaped him.

"I'd like to meet them, if they're important to you...I suppose I need to find a job too, huh?" The former General snickered. How lovely she was in her own special way. He cast a quick look around, and suppressed a laugh. She was so messy--he loved it. "And....I'm fine with calling the kid Bean...but I think it should have a formal name too? Do we even know what gender it is?"

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Zandra got an idea at once. She doubted that he'd make a good theif. She doubted it so much. But, it wouldn't hurt to have an extra set of hands on board if things got rough (which they frequently did). She was pregnant, and she doubted the ships doc would be happy with her waving around a blaster and kicking teeth in for much longer. She was already starting to nag...
But if Cal came along...

"Name, eh? No. I dunno what it'll be. Doc says she can tell at 20 weeks. I don't think it's been that long yet. Maybe in a couple more weeks. You'll be the first I tell."

She glanced at her bed, grabbed his hand from her stomach and motioned for him to join her there. She wasn't tired really, but it was certainly more comfortable than standing awkwardly in front of her mirror.

"Do you got names in mind?"

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

Calico had no reason not to comply. He followed after the Echani, and set down on the edge of the bed. Names? Calico really hadn't thought about it. He stared at her for a long moment and seemingly drew a blank. Then, without warning, he snorted a loud, almost obnoxious laugh. "Not really no."

He didn't relinquish hold of her hand, and when the words came to him, he spoke with enthusiasm. It was almost childlike in way, as if he were getting an Akk dog pup for lifeday. "I don't know if it's a girl but...Galaar had a lover during the Clone Wars. A Jedi Knight named Jan. Maybe we could mix the names up, Jalaar, Jalaan.....I want to honor them,. If that's okay." His head tilted toward the Echani, and he looked almost pitiful in a way. Few could guess he had killed dozens with the look he gave her.

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

"Jalaar? Jalaan?"
she looked doubtful. Gave him a look as if he had just asked to name their child 'Sunshine' or 'Moondew'.

"How about if we have a boy, Galaar, and if it's a girl, Jan. We can... experiment. And I guess... if you're really set on honoring them both..."

She cleared her throat, pulling her legs up to her chest on the bed. This was awkward.

"I guess we can talk 'bout more if ya really wanted. Someday. Maybe."

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

Calico lifted his shoulders in a slight shrug. He wasn't raised traditionally, not in the common sense, and names were meant to have meaning. Sometimes that made them a bit silly. He snorted a quiet laugh at her expression, and shook his head slowly. "I never claimed to be good with names, Z. If you have any ideas, feel free to share."

He flashed the best smile he could muster, and draped an arm over her shoulder. They were going to be very odd parents; he could already tell. More names came to mind, but something far more...important needed to be said first. He was a bit anxious about it, but it needed to be know. "I don't regret this Zandra. It might have been an accident but...I'm glad you stuck with me. I'm glad we're in it together." He murmured quietly. His gaze had settled on her, that tired, haggard look on his face once more. Yet, beneath it was sincerity.

"And...whatever happens." He took a deep breath. "I like you, a lot. A whole lot. I uh...I think love is the right word, in basic. It's easier to say in Mando'a. Ni kar'taylir darasuum...heh."

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

Love.
Zandra didn't know what to say. It wasn't something she really knew. What was love? She'd never been in love. And she had no idea what he was saying to her in his language.

"Does that mean what I think it means?"

She lay her head against his shoulder. Affection wasn't exactly what she was good at. But she could try. So, They would be lovers then? The very idea made her feel a little nervous.

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]

 

[Revenchent]

Calico wasn't particularly sure what to say. His gaze drifted down to the floor, and for some reason, he found himself thinking about ship repairs. It was his normal way of dodging difficult questions. He simply wasn't there mentally. The light pressure on his shoulder grabbed his mind and ripped it back to reality. He stared at her sidelong, and felt a warmth in his chest that had long since been lost to him. His hand drifted down to wrap around her waist, and he opted simply to enjoy her company for the long moment.

"Depends on what you think it means. If it means that I'm going to be around so much you'll grow sick of me." He leaned forward, and pressed his lips gently to her brow. "Then yes....and what I said means I will know you forever....so I love you, in Mando'a. Heh..." A hand reached up to scratch at the back of his neck. He wasn't very good at this, not at all, but he would, at the very least, try.

"If that's too much, I understand." He muttered almost apologetically. His eyes drifted shut, and the seriousness of the situation fell over him like a thick blanket. It was, at the same time, comforting and warm. Perhaps they would have a future together. He found himself hoping as much.

[member="Zandra Fenni"]

 

[Zandra Tal'verda]

I love you. I love you.
Zandra nuzzled his shoulder, laced her fingers through his. She felt... something. She felt it so much that it hurt. And she didn't know what the word was for it. She'd been trying to figure it out, asking around. Now she knew what she was trying to say that she felt.
But she couldn't speak it. She was all show, no tell. If she loved him, she wanted to show him. Words meant nothing.

"What do we do? Run away together? You leave your wife, we have a little bastard kid of our own and live happily ever after?"

She was kinda nervous now. She had her honor too, in her own way. She didn't want to be labeled a home wrecker.

"You love me, right? So what we gunna do 'bout it?"

[member="Calico Tal'verda"]