The door slid open. Wil entered, finding Beridin standing in front of the far window.
He sighed. "Beridin, you can't be serious-"
"About what this time?" She cut him off rather quickly.
He stepped closer.
"About going off on your own- turning your back on us."
"It's not like that Wil." Her shoulders lowered.
There was a gap of silence. He scowled. "Then what is it?"
"I'm protecting you." She persisted. He opened his mouth to argue, but she continued. "From this point on- I'm a liability. To the Resistance, to Cotton, Ire, you-" Her head hung lower.
He caught her reflection just for a moment.
"... People get hurt where ever I go." She finished.
Wil shook his head. "After all we've been through... We can figure this out-"
"We don't have that luxury!" Her voice raised, she finally turned to face him.
"This isn't about me. It's about Ryloth now- It's about the future of this galaxy." She searched him. Her purple gaze softened him.
"Please understand." Her tone shifted with this request. The Clone didn't break eye contact with her. She could feel his concern for her, it was making this situation difficult.
He finally spoke.
"... I don't need protecting. I didn't have to stick with you, but I did. Because I believed in you Beridin, and everything you stood for. And because-"
He swallowed.
"-Because I care about you. And so does Cotton, and Ireleth. We're family now- and once you have that, you just don't let it go."
Beridin's face loosened as he began to approach her.
"I can't imagine what you're going through. But you don't have to do this alone." He stepped just a bit closer to her, enough to reach for her face. He took a thumb and wiped a single tear away.
Beridin's face twisted up again, and more tears followed. She rested her head against his chest, and before long they were wrapped up in each other's arms.
The silence lingered for too long. Then she raised her head, and pushed herself away.
"I care for you too." She told him with heavy, unexpected conviction. "But because of that, my fate cannot be your burden to bare."
She held herself.
"I'm sorry."
Wil's head hung.
"Hondo will be waiting for you at the docks."
Beridin folded her arms behind her. She watched as her friends approached from behind her. Captain Ohnaka stood next to her.
"Hello stowaways! I promise I'll make this trip quick and easy, then the rest is up to you."
Ireleth led the two Clones, turning to face Beridin.
She took a long look at her friend, before stepping forward and hugging her.
"This isn't the end." She whispered.
Beridin hugged her tighter. She smiled at the Zygerrian, who smiled back, before heading for the ship.
Cotton stepped up next, and saluted her. She did the same back. "'Till we meet again, General." He promised.
"I look forward to that day." She responded, and then wrapped her arms around him. He seemed taken aback, never one for hugs- but then to her surprise; hugged her in return.
"Good luck." He finished.
She watched him go. It was Wiltshire's turn now.
They both were silent, but then Wil began to speak, his voice shaky.
"Karkan ka rol. (Forward, to the sun.)" The Clone recited.
She could tell he was trying very hard to hide his sadness. It was making it hard for her to maintain her own composure.
"Arsian tae ji ann. (Onward, by the moon.)" She finished the repartee, almost feeling the weight behind their words, and everything it meant to all they had been through together.
He forced a smile, his eyes were glazy. The ache in her heart and him saying much more could cause her to change her mind. She decided instead, it'd be best to stop him from trying.
"Beridin I-"
And without much hesitancy following, she kissed him. He jumped at first, but then completely embraced her.
Though it didn't last very long.
"Alright, alright, lovebirds! I'm very sorry to split you up, but I run a tight schedule." Hondo, as he usually does, interrupted their moment.
Beridin slowly pulled away, and smiled softly.
"Thank you." She said just low enough for him to hear.
Wiltshire stared at her. She had taken his breath away.
"Come now, Captain."
The pirate pushed Wiltshire away from her, and even then he glanced over his shoulder, following Ireleth and Cotton towards the ship. Hondo then looked to Beridin.
"Thank you Hondo." She dipped her head.
"Thank you, Jedi. A favor is a friendship to me." He held out his hand. She shook it firmly. He then turned and followed the rest of the group.
"May the force be with you." She said under her breath. Watching as the ramp began to lift.
She caught a longing gaze from Wil, sad and distant. Her stomach tied itself in knots.
She stayed on the dock, until the ship disappeared into the foggy night sky.
