A Family Rebuilt

[General Dan]

"Is that what he said?"

Dan mulled it over, thinking about it for a while with a knowing smile.

"Well I guess there's worse things. She's been a faithful bride, at least. But I'm left thinking what's left for me, after all of that."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

She brushed his cheek with her lips before gently pulling away.

"You're left with a family."

Moving to sit on the bed once more, s'Il ran an open palm thoughtfully across the comforter.

After a few moments she looked back up to him.

"I invited Zem to travel with us."

[General Dan]

Dan had a resigned expression on his face.

"We're going to run out of room fast. Sounds like you're planning a farewell tour."

He smiled as he teased her. Her sentimentality was a lot like her penchant for collecting books and nick-nacks. She surrounded herself with those that she loved. He knew she still felt for Zem in a way that was entirely different. The old Jedi was harmless.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"Well no I -"

She suddenly gave a perplexed look.

"I just thought... "

His initial expression made her hesitate, and s'Il slid the rest of the way onto the bed, leaning back against the headboard.

"He's your friend too, you know," she finally got out.

[General Dan]

"You act like we're going to never see these people again."

Dan shrugged, and flopped down on the bed, looking sideways at her.

"I'm just not so ceremonial I guess. I'm thrilled we're going to make a start as a family, but we're not leaving our friends behind. They'll still be around. This war is almost over."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

s'Il was quiet as she digested his words. He was right in for the most part, but the Lupine saw nothing ceremonial in Zem accompanying them.

"I know that we'll see them again, I just thought it'd be nice.

"He said he wanted to go back to the distilling hut."

She knew that Dan would know exactly what she was referring to.

[General Dan]

"No."

Dan scowled at that.

"Going halfway across the galaxy for a liquor run? He can wait."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

The tone of his voice startled her, and s'Il turned a surprised look to him.

"I... don't think that's exactly the reason that he has for going."

His scowl concerned her, and she placed a hand on his arm.

[General Dan]

"I'm jealous and I want my family all to myself for once in a while."

Dan tempered his annoyance with a bit of earnestness.

"We're this close to to having all that we want, and its like everybody is trying to keep us from getting there at times."

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

"You're jealous... ?"

To hear that word leave his mouth caused the slightest of heartfelt grins to spread over her features, but she quickly replaced it with a look of thoughtfulness.

"If that is what you wish," she said slowly.

[General Dan]

"We'll have plenty of time to share with him later. For now, we owe it to ourselves to make it our own time."

Dan slid an arm under his companion.

"We owe it to Teagan as well. She needs to see what life we can give her, to its full potential."