Good to have you back, General Kanan! came the call from the loyal men of the Rebellion aboard the new flagship.
Kanan acknowledged with goodwill as he supervised the transport of their captive to his secured holding cell, then went with the other officer's for his debriefing.
As the man who had delivered Vader to the Rebellion, the Dark Apprentice was seen as a hero, but his solitary attitude and aura of power were enough to ensure he was left alone... Ja-ni watched as he departed the ship and followed the junior officer and the guard to the quarters that had been assigned to him aboard the frigate.
Now that she was off of the ship and away from the Dark Apprentice, Ja-ni felt a sudden sense of panic. Whether it was the trauma of her kidnap at the hands of Boba Fett from such a ship or abuse Vader put her through, she suddenly did not want to be without the Dark Apprentice. Leaving things aboard the Scarlet Speedster she made her way through the busy base until she stood before the door to the Dark Apprentice's room. Her hand hesitated above the door before knocking and while she paused in doubt, the Dark Apprentice opened the door.
Ja-ni, are you alright? I sensed your confusion. The Dark Apprentice asked her.
We need to talk and discuss what's happened, how we feel and what we're going to do- what you're going to do, whether you're staying with the Rebellion. I can't just leave and I don't want you to either. These were the things that Ja-ni wanted to say, but when the door slid open and the Dark Apprentice stood before her, a look of concern on his rugged faced, Ja-ni lost control. All the grief of the past years, the love for him and the loss came flooding out of her, and like the first time she'd felt like this on the Scarlet Speedster, Ja-ni lunged forward and kissed him.
His arms rose to embrace her and she did not need the Force to see that they would be together. Suddenly he broke away and said to her, I'm not him.
Ja-ni answered his fears in her eyes, staring into his and counseling his soul. You are him, her eyes said as she leaned in and kissed him again. There was no doubt in her mind now that it really was him, simply because in her heart she did not want to believe anything else.
They spent the night together and they were left in peace to do so.
Afterwards, Ja-ni spoke softly. When you came for me and fought Vader, you were more powerful than anything I saw on your missions those years ago.
Years? It's only been six months. Replied the Dark Apprentice.
No it hasn't, Ja-ni answered as she sat up. Cale, it's been three years!
Three years? he echoed in disbelief. Swinging his legs from the bed Cale sat with his head in his hands. He always lies! Cale stated with surpressed fury. As he spoke the room seemed to vibrate and a deep rolling like distant thunder shook the room's furniture.
Cale, cautioned Ja-ni. She shook her head not understanding the growth in his power. What happened to you?
I thought my power has grown because it had to, because I needed it to escape Kamino and find you. Now, I think that the years I spent at one with the Force have strengthened me in ways I don't even fully understand yet. Cale Lestin sighed and Ja-ni felt his frustration.
Ja-ni's heart ached as she realised all he had endured to be with her, to come back to her. Perhaps Kanan will be able to help you? she suggested.
He gave no answer as she reached out and eased him back onto the bed, resting herself upon him, comforting him in her embrace.
Ja-ni, let's run away from all this. We'll go and we'll leave Vader and the Empire and the Rebellion behind and go somewhere where where they'll never find us. Said Cale Lestin.
But the Empire is spread out across the entire galaxy. Ja-ni replied.
Then we'll go beyond this galaxy, out into the unknown regions. Cale told her.
Ja-ni lifted her head from his chest and looked into his eyes. They'll always find us. Besides we can't leave the Rebellion now. There are things to be done, things that you could help accomplish. I'm only your pilot, but you're a powerful Jedi!
Am I? Or am I a Sith? I don't know the answer to that any more than I know if I'm really him. The Dark Apprentice told his lover.
Well, Ja-ni began soothingly. The first step is to stop referring to yourself as him. You are Cale Lestin. The Cale Lestin I knew was an apprentice Sith, but he turned away from that path and used his powers to become a Jedi. To hear Kanan talk about it, there have been very few Jedi as powerful as you. Ja-ni replied.