𝔸𝕞𝕠𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤 » 𝕆𝕓𝕚-𝕎𝕒𝕟 𝕂𝕖𝕟𝕠𝕓𝕚

Chapter 20

Azels grits her teeth, she is only thankful he didn't say his name.

"I am doing this for him," she growls. "I'm out of patience, Organa." She peeks over her shoulder at him and finds he is watching her with the patience she is out of. "It's been a year of nothing. All this running around on missions make no sense when we know where the Death Star is at all times. These people--" she gestures to the base at large, "are wasting time." She draws back to run her fingers over her face and into her hair, tugging none-too-gently at the darkening strands, and holding on tightly. The lack of consistent sun exposure really makes a difference in color, she barely recognizes herself these days.

"I have to save him," she whispers, and it comes out more broken than she ever intended.

Bail places a hand on her shoulder, but she turns and drops her forehead to his chest instead. His arms wrap around her and she is reminded of the very first time she did this. It wasn't long after losing Obi-Wan, and she couldn't find guidance through the Force or Master Yoda, so she went back to Alderaan. He was peeved at first about her taking a ship under false pretenses, but Bail Organa is a forgiving man--more than Azel feels she deserves.

The best help he could offer was within the Rebellion, which is how she, Arrin, and Han ended up here. The boys found their place quickly, but Azel couldn't. Bail was always there, trying to help her, still with more kindness than she deserves. She avoided him for as long as she could, but he kept trying to talk to her, be her friend, it was irritating.

He pushed her and pushed her since then, getting under her skin, seeing her pain despite all the walls she put up to everyone, including Arrin. She hated him for it, she made it clear. He was pushing her one night, nothing unusual, telling her things he notices, telling her about his own past and what helped him, and she jabbed at him harsher than normal. She remembers the look on his face, one of surprise but resolution. He walked up to her and pulled her into a hug. Azel tried pushing him away but it was only half-hearted because she immediately started crying. It's my fault, she cried over and over.

Since then, she could say they are friends. She doesn't fight him anymore, she accepts Bail trying to get through to her on the basis of what it is: genuine compassion. Something she's been needing without even realizing it. It might not be the Jedi or Force-related guidance that she needs for the bigger, physical problems at hand, but it helps keep her from lashing out at strangers... for the most part.

She found an ally in him, amongst the idiots of the Rebel Base. He is one of the few that tolerate her impatience and attitude. Arrin does, but he is so starstruck with the Rebels that it's hard for her to talk to him these days. Han is just a kid and at a separate facility where the kids train, so it's rare when she sees him.

Bail on the other hand understands. He is essentially her best friend at the moment.

So dropping her head to his chest feeling defeated is nothing new.

"You will," is what he responds with. "We will," he concludes.

He pulls back and holds Azel at her shoulders to level his eyes with hers. "I worry for you," he admits.

"Why?"

"I fear this path is only going to consume you."

"It's a little late for that," she whispers.

"Senator Organa." The pair look over to see General Draven asking for him. "Sorry to interrupt," he shoots Azel a look that makes her think he's not sorry in the slightest. "But you're needed in the war room."

Bail nods. "I'll be right there." The man nods and leaves.

"Come by this evening, before the mission that you know nothing about." It's teasing, but Azel knows there's an underlying disappointment in the words.