Shep walked into the hangar the next morning and was immediately greeted by clones. They escorted him to the log file room.

He walked in and sat down at the computer. Then he scrolled through the list of ships that departed earlier this week. One caught his eye.

“The Dark Angel. Alex Sega.”

The name registered familiarity.

“I like Alex!” he remembered Mel saying.

“Alex Sega,” he said with satisfaction. “That’s our ship.”

--

“I’ve got a name and a ship,” Shep said, walking into the house a few hours later. “Alex Sega, the Dark Angel.”

“Nice move, Shep,” Joel said with a grin. “Did you get the destination?”

“No, we’ll just have to put out a message to all ports to search for a “Dark Knight” ship registered under Alex Sega. Easy. I’m going out to do it right now. I’ll be back. Where’s Cara?”

“She hasn’t come downstairs yet,” Joel said, swallowing tightly. “Yet.”

“Ah. I’ll see you later, Joe.”

“Bye,” Joel said absently, looking up at the stairs, waiting for his wife.

--

“You guys really are brave,” I heard David saying. “Really, you are!”

“Are you married?” I heard a woman giggle.

“No…I’m single…” David’s voice said awkwardly. I laughed and peered out into the hallway.

“He’s all yours, ladies! He comes with snuggle sessions, a six-pack, and a nice package!”

I closed my door and giggled as I heard our rebel company burst into laughter. I giggled.

Wow. I stopped immediately and grinned. “That’s new.”

“I’m going to grab something to drink, I’ll be right back,” I heard David’s voice say as our company continued to laugh. I laid down on my back with contentment. I’m actually happy. For once, I’m happy.

I heard the door open and then laughter. “What the heck’s wrong with you?”

I felt the blood rush to my head as I looked at David upside down. He was laughing.

“Nothing. I’m just helping you market, that’s all,” I laughed, moving my head so I was looking at the ceiling. “I don’t see why you’re mad.”

“Mad? I’m not mad,” David grinned, walking over to me and poking my side.

No. No. No. No. I HATE being tickled! Why? Because I’m ticklish!

“I’m glad you’re not mad, then,” I said casually.

“Good. Because I know…” He poked my side again. “That you hate to see me upset, right?” He poked my side three times and I smiled.

“Exactly.”

“Right?”

“Exactly right,” I grinned.

“Good.”

“Glad that’s settled then.” I pushed myself up to lean on my elbow, looking at him with a raised eyebrow.

“You’re such an idiot,” he grinned, reaching over and tickling my side. “Marketing! You’re so weird!”

“I’m just helping out!” I laughed, turning on my side and swatting his hand away. “What’s wrong with helping out a friend?”

“Many things,” David growled, tickling my other exposed side. “Leave me and my package alone, got it?”

“I thought you wanted it delivered. I am your marketing agent after all,” I grinned, looking up him and grabbing his hands and pushing him away before he could tickle me again.

“Marketing agent! Mel Taris, I’m going to have your head,” he grinned, struggling to win the fight. I am a fighter. I don’t give up. And I usually win. I can beat up Kel in an instant.

“David, what the hell are you doing?” Alex’s voice asked with amusement. I looked at the door and Alex was leaning against the door, her face amused.

“Being a butt face,” I answered cheerfully while struggling to keep his hands away from my torso. “As usual.”
--

I grinned as I watched my little protégé fight with my best friend. They’re so cute together.

I shook my head and left their room just as David pounced on Mel and I heard her shriek in laughter. I walked into the back and grinned at my rebellious little group of company. “How’s it going back here?”

“Just great, Alex,” Michael responded, lifting his glass of brandy. “Wanna join us?”

“No, I’ve got to keep watch at the cockpit. Thanks, though. There’s more brandy in the back.”

“To Alex!” Michael cheered.

“To Alex!” the others cheered, throwing their glasses in the air and drinking it down heartily. I smiled.

“Thanks, guys.”

I turned on my heel and walked back down the hallway. I peered into the hallway and saw Mel struggling with David, growling while he laughed. Those guys are so cute! It makes me want to puke, they’re so cute together!

I walked into the cockpit and locked the door. I sat down and opened Mel’s datapad.

Mel. What an odd, yet familiar name.

I started at the next chapter.

‘I had to go back to the temple with Ryo and his master because Don wasn’t finished with his discussion with Senator Organa. Rather than walk home in all this weather Master Yi managed to catch a ride with the Jedi Council. They had reserved speeders. Ryo and I climbed into the one behind the Jedi Council. A nice old man was driving us to the Temple.

Joel and Master Coris were getting home another way, and he’s probably going to be severely punished. But then, kissing? I mean, come on.

Cara and Calan...I don’t care anymore. That stunt Calan pulled just tears it.

“I can’t wait until tomorrow,” I muttered, crossing my arms. I tried to block the sweet scent that was swirling about in the air.

“Why?” Ryo asked, inhaling deeply.

“Interrogating,” I replied with a wink. I held my breath. When I smell strong things I get a headache.

Ryo laughed, closing his eyes with a groan. “It smells so good in here.”

“It’s a special scent my family created,” the man answered as we wove through the Uscru District. “Made specially from Alderaan.” Ryo and I grinned at each other.

“We’re from Alderaan!”

“Really? Where?”

“Chianar,” I answered eagerly.

“Really? Me too!” The man answered. He smiled as he turned. “I’m Urdu.”

“Hi, Urdu. I’m Selaria, and this is Ryoruan,” I said politely.

“Nice to meet you. Jedi?”

“Almost,” Ryo grinned. We pulled up in front of the Temple and Ryo got out and helped me.

“Thanks,” I grinned, smiling at Urdu. He waved and drove off.

“Nice guy,” I said with approval. We had arrived before the others, so we walked into the Temple. I had recently discovered that Ryo’s quarters are right next to me and Don’s.

“But I can’t get over that scent,” Ryo said, inhaling the air as if it were still there.

“As soon as you in your stinky room I’m sure you will,” I teased. Ryo rolled his eyes. He inhaled again and stumbled slightly.

“Tipsy?”

“No...” Ryo said absently.

It was late and the Temple was quiet. We walked to the padawan/master hallway and approached my door. I paneled it open.

“Hey. I had fun tonight,” Ryo said brightly. “Thanks for the dances.”

“Sure, sure,” I grinned. “Remember. Tomorrow.”

“Interrogating.”

“Exactly!”

Ryo laughed and walked on with a wave. I grinned back, biting my lip. I paneled the door shut and sighed happily.

Ha ha...that was excellent! Plain excellent!
Thump.

I looked around in surprise. That was pretty loud. I peeked into my room and Don’s room, but no one was around.

I looked out in the hallway and noticed that Ryo’s door was still open. I closed my door and walked over to his. I walked inside.

“Ryo?!” I exclaimed in horror as I saw his body on the floor. “Whoa!”

I rushed over to him in panic. He had collapsed on the carpet floor next to the couch, knocking his head on the table. I reached down and turned his head over, wincing slightly at the cut.

Darned glass tables.

“Hey. Hey. Ryo? Ryo?” I asked with panic as I reached through the Force for his signature. None.

Oh...boy.

I raced over to the kitchen area and wet a few pieces of towel and placed Ryo’s head on that rather than the floor.

Come, on...come on...Don...

“Sela?”

“MASTER!” I shouted, jumping up like lightning and running into our room. “Ryo’s out!”

Don’s eyes darkened as he rushed into the room. I waited in our room in panic, inhaling deeply.

Inhaling.

The scent from the car! It must’ve been intoxicating! Ryo had been inhaling it so much, but I didn’t.

Did I? Was I going to faint any second?

“Sith spit! No pulse. Sela, go to the Procession Hallway and find the Jedi Council. Now! Hurry!”

Oh, it’s times like this when I wished I could fly.’

Why does that all sound so familiar? Maybe I was a waiter at the party. Maybe I should look through some files when we get to Coruscant. You know what? It’d be pretty damn nice to have a birthplace. Alex Sega, born in Coruscant. Not Alex Sega, woke up not knowing any of her past and running to Alderaan.

Yep, that’d be pretty damn nice.