Work Text:
Sequel to Choices
...
When they reached Lukas's ship they were met with the crew of the Ebon Hawk. Every single one had been carrying weapons which were raised when they saw Lukas's condition. Kavar and Zez-Kai Ell stiffened wondering if they would need to defend themselves. It would be difficult for Kavar given he was carrying Lukas.
The pilot, Rand if he remembered correctly however stepped forward and otdered, "Wait. They have Lukas. Is he okay?"
Kavar could feel his worry through the Force. He realized these allies truly cared about the man. It gave him a sense of comfort that they hadn't just seen Lukas as a means to an end. Even if they hadn't seen how exhausted Lukas was. If they had he hoped they wouldn't have allowed him to go face them.
Kavar replied truthfully, "Exhausted but we didn't hurt him. Zez-Kai Ell and I stopped Vrook from trying. He wanted to cut Lukas off from the Force again. He was still injured from the attack on Iziz. I did what I could for him."
Anger flashed across Rand's face then his face smoothed back over, "And what happened to Vrook? Should we be worried about him coming back to finish the job?"
"No," denied Kavar, "He wouldn't be able to cut Lukas off alone. Can we come in? Lukas needs to sleep off his exhaustion and heal."
There was a brief moment of hesitation before they allowed the two masters to enter. Glancing over each of the companions he noticed how misfit they were. Different species, planets of origin, and ability in the Force. He very much doubted that without Lukas they would have met.
In the ship they were led to front where the cockpit and medical bay were. A little unwillingly Kavar left Lukas in the care of Bao-Dur. Zez-Kai Ell had gone off on his own along with the others. This left him with Rand who was staring at Lukas with a somewhat fond expression.
Kavar said, "He pushes himself too hard. We could have waited for him to rest. I never wanted to hurt him."
Rand gestured for him to follow as he said, "At least you stopped that old man from destroying what happiness Lukas has built. The Force has brought some life back to his eyes."
"What do you mean?"
Asking that felt like he was lying. He had seen it for himself the moment Lukas returned. Blue eyes once so bright had been dulled to a grey.
They arrived in the cockpit and Rand collapsed into a chair. Kavar took the other chair feeling exhaustion enter his bones. He rubbed at his tired eyes.
Rand said, "The first time I saw him smile was when he found out you were alive."
"What?"
"Lukas flinched when we saw his trial," explained Rand, "He drew in on himself and I thought he would have told us all to leave. At the time it was just Bao-Dur, Lukas, myself and the old woman. Then the handmaiden appeared and we saw the list of surviving Jedi. Lukas's eyes became so lively. Only I and the old woman noticed."
Old woman? Lukas had mentioned someone else but they hadn't been able to sense her. Who was this person?
As if hearing his thoughts Rand's face and Force Presence grew dark as he said, "She is a fallen Jedi Master turned Sith who was betrayed by her apprentices. I'm not sure what you could even call her now."
So that was why Lukas asked for them not to hurt her. From Rand's expression he didn't like the woman. He wondered how many of the rew didn't like her. Kavar would withhold his judgment until they spoke face to face. He learned his lesson about jumping in without consideration. Without listening to what was trying to be said. He would not make the same mistake again. Not when he just got Lukas back.
Rand laughed suddenly startling Kavar, "Wait are you the padawan that brought Lukas into the Temple when he was a kid?"
Kavar flushed. He felt the heat rise up his neck and face. That had not been one of his finest moments.
Rand's laughter grew and he continued, "Oh by the Force! You were! Is it true that you spent two weeks trying to teach him Basic?"
"It is," grumbled Kavar, "He didn't speak until he joined us on our ship. I assumed he didn't understand us."
Rand simply shook his head, "Of course. I noticed how many languages he can speak and understand. He's practically on the level of a protocol droid. I heard him speak about you once in his sleep."
"You didn't try to wake him did you?"
Rand winced. So he had at least once tried to wake Lukas. Depending on what he had been dreaming of would determine the reaction. Kavar had once been flipped by the malnourished 100lbs sopping went kid and pinned.
Shaking his head Rand continued, "He called you his angel with a lightsaber."
Internally he groaned. Lukas had called him that to his face once and only once. It was right after he had gone on a rescue mission to save Lukas who had been captured by slavers. Due to his skill in combat and languages he would have made a valuable slave. Four Jedi Knights had been assigned to the mission. Unusual given that their main mission was rescue. Typically it would've only been a Knight Padawan team.
The reason they later found out was the suspected dark side user. When they had found Lukas it was obvious he was tortured and beaten. They wanted something from him and the youngling refused to give it up. Not for the first or last time Kavar was surprised by the strength of will in his eyes. Only Kavar has been allowed to touch him. Allowed to pick him up.
Lukas had mumbled incoherently for a long time. Even when they returned to their ship he had refused to be put back on the ground. Anytime someone tried to remove him from Kavar his grip would tighten and the mumbling would grow louder. Eventually he had simply waved the others off. It was useless to keep trying.
That was when Lukas said clear as day barely loud enough for him to hear, "Angel with a lightsaber."
That memory was not a fond one. He hated seeing Lukas injured and not being able to do anything. At the time his healing abilities were below average. In fact that was what had caused him to study even harder. If Lukas got hurt again he didn't want to be powerless to help.
"You really do care for him," Rand said suddenly breaking through his thoughts, "I thought Jedi were emotionless and had no attachments to anything. Especially Council members."
Kavar snorted, "That's Vrook and Atris. The rest of us do have feelings we just don't let them control us. Most of the time at least."
Silence fell between them for a few minutes then Rand broke it, "You can stay here. At least you can help Lukas in ways the rest of us can't."
Kavar looked back over at the man. Rand seemed to be lost within his own thoughts.
"I'll do my best," promised Kavar, "I just want to help him and to make up for past mistakes."