The sisters surveyed the empty landing platform, perplexed.

"Kenobi wouldn't leave you behind, would he?" Rain queried.

"No! I'm sure he wouldn't," Mira insisted.

Then again, knowing the Jedi, that wouldn't be too much of a stretch. Well, we can't stand around here waiting to find out what's what.

She placed a hand on Mira's shoulder.

"Come on, let's go. We need to get another ship."

"But—"

Mira's words died in her throat. Rain found her point of focus and stopped dead, stunned. There stood Obi-Wan Kenobi, his white tunic singed and stained. He was breathing hard, his eyes flitting from one sister to the other. Mira stepped forward.

"It's okay," she reassured him, "She's not the enemy."

"Mira," Kenobi said, "Where's the ship?"

That can't be good.

"We were hoping you knew," Rain said.

Kenobi ran a hand wearily over his face.

"I imagine your General knows," he said.

"I thought he was fighting you."

"He was," Kenobi replied, "Until he nearly met his fate in the lava. After that, I didn't see him. I was a little...preoccupied."

"He didn't..." Rain stopped short, but Kenobi seemed to sense her meaning.

"He's not dead. A ghost certainly didn't steal Padme's ship."

Rain glanced around.

"Maybe Padme woke up."

"Padme would not abandon us," Kenobi said, a hint of fierceness in his voice.

I hate to admit it, but he's probably right.

She silently swore if she ever encountered Grievous again she'd pummel him.

"Right," she said, "Grievous and I came in a transport. We can—"

"I saw it," Kenobi cut her off, "It's completely destroyed."

Rain paused.

"Skywalker probably did that to keep Grievous from running off."

Guess it didn't work too well.

Mira turned to her older sister, clearly worried.

"Is there anything else?" she asked.

We're so screwed.

Rain was about to break the news to her twin when a sound reached her ears. It was unmistakable: the humming of Senator Amidala's star skiff engine. All three turned toward the noise, watching the ship descend.

It can't be...can it?

But when the ramp lowered, the figure standing in the opening was without a doubt General Grievous. He appeared very composed, his hands clasped behind his back, his golden eyes sweeping the platform. The figure behind him, however, seemed very out of sorts.

"Oh, help!" the protocol droid wailed, "We've been kidnapped! General Kenobi!"

Everyone ignored him. Grievous descended the ramp, heading straight for Rain. The former assassin allowed herself a smile.

"Callyn," the cyborg rasped, "I am most pleased to see you are well. Though it seems you are keeping some unsavory company."

Rain glanced at the protocol droid.

"So are you. I didn't expect to be seeing you again. Are you developing a conscience, General?"

"I told you, I value loyalty."

Rain's smile widened, "Of course, General."

She turned to her other two companions, not all too surprised to see that Mira had pulled back and Kenobi had drawn his lightsaber. Grievous' attention turned to the Jedi Master.

"Kenobi," he said, taking several long strides, "I am not a very forgiving soul, but due to recent circumstances, I find myself feeling uncharacteristically gracious toward your kind. You may rest assured that I have not forgotten your tresspasses, but if you will surrender yourself to my command, I will allow you to board my ship so that you may keep your pitiful life."

Kenobi seemed too drained to argue.

"Very gracious indeed," he agreed, though Rain could hear the distaste in his tone, "Though before I agree to your terms, might I inquire as to the whereabouts of the Senator who accompanied me here?"

At that, the protocol droid hurried forward.

"She is on board," he answered, "But her condition is grave. I tried to tell this-this—" He glanced at General Grievous before continuing. "—fiend, but he would not listen!"

Rain stepped forward.

"General, might I request a detour so that the Senator might receive necessary medical attention?"

Grievous contemplated her for a moment, then turned back to Kenobi.

"Where is the nearest medical station?"

"We cannot go to any medical station. The Empire is hunting you just as much as it is hunting us. I must contact the Grand Master to ascertain the nearest safe location."

"Do not assume because we share a common enemy that we are any less at odds," Grievous hissed.

Rain hesitated, wondering how to intervene.

I can't flat out tell him that he's wrong. That'll just make him angry.

She took a deep breath.

"General," she said, "Can I have a private audience with you?"

Grievous narrowed his eyes uncertainly, but obliged her anyway. The two of them stepped out of earshot of the others.

"We don't know whether or not our bases have all been compromised," Rain said softly so as not to be overheard, "Where would you have us go?"

"There are places unbeknownst to the Confederacy where we might hide," Grievous answered.

"But how close are they?"

Grievous paused, turning aside. Rain took the opportunity to press on.

"We could confer with the Jedi and weigh their options against ours, but whatever you think is the wisest course of action."

Grievous turned sharply, pacing away from her.

Um, okay?

"General Kenobi," the cyborg said, "I will permit you to contact your superiors, but any sort of trickery will not be tolerated."

Rain gave a sigh of relief, watching as the General stalked up the ramp, the protocol droid moseying behind him while muttering indignantly to Kenobi. Mira hung back, seemingly unsure of the whole situation. Kenobi paused, beckoning to her. She approached slowly, Kenobi laying a hand on her shoulder once she reached him.

"It will be all right," he assured her.

Rain came up behind them, extending a hand to her little sister. Mira took it, leaning in close to whisper in Rain's ear.

"How can you still call him General? How can you side with him? You and Kenobi could've subdued him. You still can!"

Rain's heart sank into her toes.

She doesn't understand.

"Mira," she sighed, "A lot's happened since I left the Jedi."

The ship rocked underfoot as it took off from the landing platform. Mira let go of Rain's hand.

"He killed so many good Jedi. How can you respect him?"

Rain glanced toward the cockpit, ensuring no one was listening in on their conversation.

"I don't," she insisted, "But I—I don't know how to explain it to you."

She recalled the time she was stranded on an ocean planet with the General, the time he had subtly praised her for saving his flagship, and the time he had wished her luck for finding Mira.

It's like there's two sides to him. A part of him can be reasonable. A part of him isn't all bad, and it seems to be coming out more and more. Maybe now that the war is over, now that we all have a common enemy, that part of him can grow.

"I know he's a prideful coward," she explained, "But...I think there's something more to him. Besides, we're on a temporary truce. We can't be pointing fingers."

Though I'm sure you'd like to, and I can understand perfectly. But I guess the last year of getting subservience knocked into my head actually did something. I'll have to fix that.

Mira seemed to want to protest, but at the sound of familiar clanking footsteps, she held her peace.

"So this is the sister of whom you spoke," Grievous said, fixing his eyes on Mira.

Rain peered around him, slightly confused.

"Who's piloting?"

Not Kenobi? Grievous wouldn't stand for that.

"The droid. It would seem that is all he is good for."

"C-3PO's a protocol droid," Mira spoke up, "He's fluent in over six million languages. He's very useful."

Grievous regarded her blankly.

"I see," he said, stifling a cough.

"And where are we headed?" Rain cut in.

"An isolated asteroid known as Polis Massa. The Jedi are awaiting us there. I pray for your sake that your council was wise, young Callyn."

"Don't worry, General," Rain reassured him cheerily, "I'll protect you."

The General merely scoffed before walking away. Rain turned back to Mira, her amused smile dying on her lips at her sister's expression. Her head was hung, her fists clenched.

"Excuse me," she muttered, brushing past Rain.

Rain wanted to apologize, but she hardly knew what she'd be apologizing for. She followed her little sister to the ship's medical bay where Padme was stretched out on a bed, Kenobi standing over her with a hand on her brow and a little blue and white astromech parked at the foot of the bed. At the sound of approaching footsteps, Kenobi turned to face the sisters.

"She's not doing well," he breathed.

Mira moved to the bedside, taking Padme's hand and squeezing it in hers. Kenobi's eyes fell on Rain.

"To be honest with you," he said, "I was expecting this, just not so late."

"Expecting what?"

"You," he said, "To realize your mistake."

Mira cast a worried glance between the Jedi Master and the former assassin. Rain's expression soured.

"Master Kenobi," she said coolly, derailing the conversation, "How fare the other Jedi? Did they manage to escape this New Empire's wrath?"

Mira and Kenobi exchanged a look.

"They had no warning," Kenobi said, his gaze falling.

"The clones started turning against the Jedi," Mira said, her voice trembling, "It happened everywhere. Aside from Master Yoda, we've seen and heard no one. We...we might be the only ones who survived."

Kenobi leaned against the wall for support.

"Anakin led an army against the Jedi Temple. We were there. We saw...the carnage."

He ran a hand over his face.

"Three of you?" Rain echoed, stunned, "That's all that's left?" Her gaze fell, then lifted. "What about Master Aayla?"

"We've heard nothing," Kenobi reiterated.

"Master Ti is dead too," Mira said, burying her face in her hands in order to hide the torrent of emotions on her face.

"I'm...I'm sorry," Rain said genuinely, still processing the information, "I won't lie to you. I wished many things against the Jedi, but never massacre. I'm so sorry."

The Jedi said nothing, and Rain felt the sudden urge to escape the crushing atmosphere in the room. She wandered aimlessly through the ship, feeling her anger slowly bubbling to the surface. Finally, she snapped and her fist collided with the wall. A stab of pain ran through her hand and she yanked her arm back, cradling her hand and biting her lip in an effort to keep back a scream of pain. She almost screamed anyway when a thunderous crash sounded right next to her. She turned to see Grievous' fist embedded in the wall, the interior caved in around it. The General withdrew his hand, straightening.

"It seems we share the same sentiment, young Callyn," he remarked.

Then why do you sound so bloody calm?

Rain let go of her hand, trying to ignore the throbbing pain.

"The last three years have been someone's cruel joke," she hissed, "We were killing each other for nothing. The Separatists, the Republic, we were all pawns."

"Yes," Grievous agreed, "I do not take this heinous manipulation lightly."

"We have to find a way to make Sidious pay," Rain determined, "He has the blood of millions on his hands, Count Dooku among them."

Grievous turned away, a sober look in his eyes.

"What are we even going to do?" Rain pressed, "We don't even have a side to fight on anymore. The Empire is going to either destroy or absorb our remaining forces."

I'm not going to be an assassin anymore, and you're...you're not going to be a General.

She couldn't imagine how hard it would be for him. Grievous had been fighting since the start of the war.

It's obvious that he saw his position as his whole identity. Now it's being ripped away from him.

Kenobi came running around the corner, dragging Rain out of her thoughts.

"Is everything all right?" he asked, "We heard a—"

His eyes fell on the large concave in the wall, the corners of his mouth turning down.

"Should I bother asking how that got there?" he queried.

"The wall happened to get in the way of the General's fist," Rain explained quietly, a gentle smile on her lips as she gestured to Grievous.

Kenobi arched an eyebrow, "I see. I'm going to inquire as to our estimated time of arrival. Perhaps you can not destroy the rest of the ship in the meantime?"

When they arrived on Polis Massa, Bail Organa arrived on the landing dock to greet them. Kenobi had insisted on carrying Padme himself, despite the twins' offers of help. When Organa saw his fellow Senator's state, he ran forward, placing a hand on her forehead.

"We'll take her to the medical centre," he said, "Quickly."

But when he saw Rain and Grievous descending the ramp, he stopped dead. He stabbed a finger at them, backing away.

"What are they doing here?"

"We've called a truce," Rain said, "We mean you no harm."

"Kenobi, you've brought the General of the Separatist armies and an assassin into our—"

"Senator," Kenobi cut him off, "I will explain everything later, but Senator Amidala needs medical attention now."

Organa's eyes jumped from Padme's quiet face to Rain's, then back again.

"All right," he relented, "Follow me."

Shortly after they entered the facility, the Jedi Grand Master himself stumbled across the party. Unlike Bail, he seemed unsurprised by the presence of former Separatists, or if he was, he was hiding it extremely well.

"Unusual company you have, Kenobi," he remarked, as casually as though he were commenting on the weather.

"Yes," Bail agreed.

Kenobi seemed taken aback by Yoda's matter-of-fact attitude.

"You're not surprised by this?"

"Strange allies we must expect during these times," Yoda pointed out.

Rain stepped forward.

"Well, not allies," she corrected, "We're just learning to tolerate each other at best."

"Padawan Callyn," Yoda addressed her, "A long time it has been since last I saw you."

An awkward pause followed as Rain was unsure what to say. Bail tapped Kenobi on the shoulder.

"The medical centre is this way."

He took the lead again. Yoda fell into step with the group, lagging somewhat with his hobbling gait. Rain glanced down at the little green creature, growing increasingly uncomfortable. Being around the Grand Master again reminded her of all the times she had been dragged before the council. Yoda was frequently silent during those sessions, but the way he would watch her as though she were transparent always put her off and made the experience that much worse. No doubt the other Jedi had construed the nine hundred year old creature's odd behavior and common crypticness as wisdom; Rain had thought it was just weird.

"So, this is the Jedi Grand Master," Grievous rasped, "It would seem we did not have the pleasure of crossing on the battlefield, but I must say I am disappointed now that I am seeing you in person."

"The same of you, I cannot say," Yoda said.

He probably wasn't expecting much to begin with.

But the Jedi Master's meaning seemed to escape Grievous.

Yoda continued, "A creation of my old apprentice, you are. Far from your former self, he took you. Not wholly yours, your mind is."

Aaaand there are the senseless riddles. Oh boy.

Grievous appeared to share her frustration.

"What are you babbling about, old fool?" he hissed, "Count Dooku perfected my capacity for killing Jedi!"

He turned suddenly, storming off.

C-3P0 muttered a startled, "Oh my."

"General!" Rain protested.

She halted, unsure as to whether she should follow the group or go after Grievous, but when she felt Mira's hand slide into hers, she chose the former.

"Twisted him, his anger has," Yoda said gravely.

Rain stared down at him.

"What do you know about his past?"

"Only what I can see with my eyes, padawan."

I wish he'd stop calling me that.

"Those are pretty good eyes then, considering they missed a galaxy-wide manipulation scheme," Rain said coolly.

She's felt Mira's grip on her hand tighten.

The Grand Master slowed, sorrow and guilt flooding his features.

Kenobi, despite being well in the lead, paused to call back, "You served Sidious' purposes just as we did, Rain, but you did it knowingly. What gives you the right to accuse the people you abandoned?"

Mira's hand squeezed Rain's even tighter.

"The truth she speaks," Yoda said suddenly, "Blinded, we were, by the dark side."

How typical. Blaming all your problems on the dark side. Good to see some things never change.

"There's nothing we can do about it now," Mira interjected, desperately trying to restore peace, "The war is lost. It's over."

"Hmm. Not over," Yoda corrected her, "Just beginning, the war is."

"What do you mean, Master?"

"He means there are those who won't sit idly by while Palpatine crowns himself Emperor over the entire galaxy," Rain answered.

"A long time it may take them," Yoda said, turning his head to look at Rain, "But come they will."

Rain said nothing and a silence fell over the group, though it was soon broken by the protocol droid.

"All this talk of war is making me quite uneasy," he remarked.

The astromech beeped something in reply.

Tough, Rain thought, War is our reality.

They reached the medical bay, quickly unloading Padme onto an operating table and clearing the area so the medical droids could do their work. A tense session of waiting followed. Rain began pacing back and forth, but in truth she was more concerned about whether or not Grievous would be returning to their company or not. She wanted to talk to him, if only for the reason of having an excuse not to be alone with the Jedi.

Where could he even have gone?

She knew it was silly, but she was worried about him being alone in this place. The people of Polis Massa, despite being isolated, had been affected by the war just like everyone else. There was no telling if they would take kindly to the former General of the Confederate armies being in their midst. But Rain couldn't bring herself to leave Mira's side. She had dreamed of this moment for so long, when they could be sisters again, and she was going to try to make the most of every minute.

She stopped her pacing, pressing closer to her twin again.

"I'm sorry about Master Ti," she murmured softly.

Mira nodded sullenly. Rain couldn't help thinking of the moment she had stood head to head with the Togruta Jedi.

"Do you blame yourself that I left?" she had asked.

"No," Shaak Ti replied.

"Well, you should."

I wonder if she took those words to heart, Rain thought, I wonder if she regretted her actions, like Aayla did. It wasn't really her fault that I left, not entirely anyway. It was...it was everything. I was destined for it, I suppose.

"How is she?" Rain heard Kenobi ask.

A medical droid had exited the operation room and was now hovering in front of the group of anxiously waiting people.

"Medically, she's completely healthy," the droid answered slowly, "For reasons we can't explain, we are losing her."

Rain's brows furrowed, her gaze shifting toward Padme.

What? How's that even possible?

Kenobi appeared just as disbelieving.

"She's dying?" he queried.

"We don't know why," the droid said, "But it seems she has lost the will to live."

"What?" Rain blurted, "What about the baby?"

"We need to operate quickly if we are to save them."

"Them?"

"She's carrying twins," the droid explained.

Rain glanced at Mira, then back at the droid, her face filled with shock.

"You can't just let her die," she breathed.

"I'm afraid there's nothing we can do."

A sudden rage spilled through Rain. She shook her head in an aggravated manner.

"No," she said, "She can't give up."

Before she quite knew what she was doing, she had pushed past the droid and strode over to the operating table. She heard Mira call to her, but it barely registered in her mind.

"You can't give up!" she shouted at the still unconscious Senator.

"Rain!" Kenobi snapped.

She heard his footsteps approaching, but she did not turn. She slammed a fist down on the operating table, startling the other medical staff in the room.

"Don't abandon your children!" she screamed, "Don't you dare!"

Then Kenobi was dragging her away, out the room and down the hall to a quiet corner. She glimpsed the surprised faces of Organa and her little sister before they disappeared from view. Kenobi kept a firm grip on her upper arms, staring her straight in the face.

"You need to calm down," he said firmly.

"She's a coward!" Rain spat.

"We both know this isn't really about Padme."

Rain tore free, turning her back on Kenobi.

"Yes, of course," she laughed bitterly, "You're the one who dragged me and Mira out of that hellhole we were born in. You should know the story."

"Rain—"

"Save it," she cut him off, "I've heard it all before. Though I have to admit I am curious about Skywalker's story."

Kenobi's eyebrows shot up, "Anakin?"

"He mentioned something about his mother on Mustafar. I don't believe I ever heard the tale."

Kenobi ran a hand over his face.

"Anakin was very close to his mother. She was a slave on Tatooine. I...do not know what happened to her. He would not tell me."

"It seems he didn't tell you a lot of things."

"Rain," Kenobi sighed, "Anakin's mother loved him, just as yours loved you."

Rain clenched her jaw, shaking her head insistently.

"A mother who loves her children wouldn't choose death over them."

Kenobi looked like he wanted to protest, but something past Rain drew his attention. She followed his line of sight to find Grievous standing there silently.

"I'm going back," Kenobi said suddenly, excusing himself.

Rain watched him go before turning back to Grievous.

"Um...how much of that did you hear?"

"You were speaking of your mother," the General replied easily.

Rain shifted uncomfortably, "Oh. She, uh, she was—"

"There is no need to reiterate the tale to me, young Callyn," the General interrupted, moving past her toward the medical bay, "I recall you already informed me of those past events."

"I did?"

Oh no. Don't tell me.

She silently cursed.

Heaven knows what else I said during my delirium!

They arrived back at the medical bay shortly, Mira running forward to take her sister's hand.

"Are you okay?" she asked quietly.

"Yes," Rain insisted, "Don't worry about me. How's the Senator?"

A sharp scream answered her question. Rain looked up to see one of the medical droids handing Kenobi a bundled newborn. Padme wearily stretched out a hand to caress her baby's face.

As Rain moved closer, she heard the Senator murmur the name, "Luke."

Then she threw back her head and screamed again. Another tiny pink form was brought forth and bundled up like the first. The medical droid said something Rain didn't understand. Luckily, Kenobi was able to translate.

"It's a girl."

Fraternal twins.

The droid hovered closer to Padme, giving her a good look at her newborn daughter.

"Leia," Padme said softly. As her words grew more strained, Rain found herself leaning in to better hear them. "There's good in him," she whispered, "I know. I know there's still..."

Her speech became increasingly broken, then ceased all together. When Rain reached through the force, she could feel the life draining from the Senator.

It was over.

Yoda sighed and turned away.

"What will we do now?" Rain heard her little sister ask.

What indeed? she wondered, but it was not just the fate of the children that weighed on her mind.

Where will I go from here? What am I supposed to do?

The question plagued her long into the night hours. She found herself staring at the underside of an upper bunk, her thoughts buzzing endlessly. Finally, she reached a conclusion.

After quietly creeping out of their sleeping quarters to ensure she didn't wake Mira, Rain set out in search of her General. She instead stumbled across Bail Organa speaking with one of the facility's residents. Rain waited until his conversation had ended before making herself known.

"Senator," she said, "I would've thought you'd be sleeping."

"And I you," Organa replied, "I asked the staff to wake me in case I could be of any assistance to them. Some refugees just arrived."

"I see. I, uh, wanted to apologize for...you know." Rain pointed to her head. Organa's eyes narrowed. "At the time, I was afraid I might've killed you. I was glad to see you're all right. How...how is Christophsis?"

Organa's face hardened.

"It was overrun by Separatist forces, just as I expected."

Rain's spirits sank.

"I...I wanted you to know that life was never cheap to me. I hate myself for the things I did. I hope you can understand that what I did to you, I did for the sake of my family."

"You made your choices, Callyn. There is no changing that now."

Rain suppressed a sigh.

He's never going to forgive. It's just as well, I guess. I don't want him to.

"Has anything been decided regarding the children?" she asked quietly.

"No, but if circumstances required it, I would be ready to give them a home."

"You're a good man, Senator Organa."

That probably doesn't mean much to him coming from me.

"One more thing," she added, "Do you know where General Grievous is?"

"I believe you'll find him out on the landing bay. Goodnight, padawan Callyn."

And with that, he left.

Rain found Grievous just where the Senator said he'd be, overlooking the dock with a quiet serenity that still surprised her.

"General." The pair of reptilian eyes turned toward her. "I was told I'd find you here. I was hoping to speak with you."

"What is it, young Callyn?"

"I know we stayed longer than you intended. I'm sorry." She paused. "I was just wondering what your plans were for when we leave. You said you knew some places where we might be able to hide. But...I don't particularly want to hide, and I don't want to stay here."

"What is your suggestion?"

"I...I think we should form our own group of elite, with you as its leader."

"And who would you propose to be among our elite?"

"Just you, and me, and Mira."

"Your sister."

"If she'll agree," Rain said, "I can't leave her behind."

"And if she refuses?"

The General's piercing eyes held hers. Rain swallowed.

"Let me wait till morning. Then I'll ask her."

Grievous turned away.

"Very well."

"Can I...stay with you?"

"If you wish."

Rain moved to the General's side, looking out over the landing bay. There were still a few people up and about, but other than that, it was silent as a grave. Rain drew a deep breath, feeling a cool breeze brush against her skin.

"I'm sorry," she said.

Grievous gave her a sidelong look.

"You've been fighting in the Clone Wars since the beginning. You were always sure of your purpose and allegiance, whereas I didn't really know whose side I was on."

"Young Callyn, I believe our motivations were much closer than you believe."

Rain looked at him in surprise, "What does that mean?"

"I was not always so steadfast in my allegiance to Sidious. I had another goal in mind."

"Which was?"

"Retribution."

"Against the Jedi," Rain finished, "But for what?"

Grievous turned away, saying nothing.

"I told you my back story," Rain pressed, "When do I get to know yours?"

But the General stubbornly remained silent.

Fair enough, Rain relented.

When morning came around, Rain found her little sister none too pleased after finding the bottom bunk in their quarters empty.

"Have you been up all night?" Mira demanded.

"No, no! Well...yes."

"Rain!"

"I couldn't sleep," Rain confessed, "I had a question for you."

"What is it?"

Rain hesitated, her mouth suddenly gone dry.

What if she says no?

"Grievous and I are forming a team of elite," she managed, "I...I want you to be a part of it."

Mira was silent for a moment. Rain could feel her heart hammering in her chest.

Whatever happens, we're still sisters. Still sisters.

"Rain, I'm not...elite."

"It doesn't matter," Rain insisted, "All you have to be is willing."

Mira hesitated. Rain felt her hopes plummet.

"You don't have to say yes," she said quietly, "If you want to stay with the Jedi, I'll stay too. I'm not leaving you again, I promise."

Mira gave a sad smile then, grasping both of Rain's hands in hers.

"Rain, it's okay," she said, "If you'll have me, then yes. I'll do it."

It took a moment for Rain to process her sister's words, but once the realization hit her she felt a burst of excitement. She threw her arms around Mira, squeezing her tightly before pulling away.

"I know things won't be the same," Rain said hurriedly, "And I know Grievous will take some getting used to—"

"Actually," Mira said suddenly, "There is one little thing that's been bothering me that I meant to talk to you about."

Rain heard the odd tone in Mira's voice and had an abrupt sense of foreboding.

"Yes?" she asked, silently bracing herself.

"Tell me you haven't been sleeping with Cad Bane."

Oh fu—