Private Same Old Song and Dance

[Judah Dashiell]

LIANNA

After escaping Mek-Sha, the only logical place to go had been Lianna. Close on the trade route, the capital of the Empire of the Lost. Judah purposely steered them away from Mando and Sith territory. With his son having business in the area on Lothal, Empire of the Lost space was a little friendlier than the other two options. Given Azula Tindara seemed confused and disorientated at times, Judah thought it wise not to try to make it towards the Core. One didn't mess around with head injuries and it had been far too long already. Stims and whatever was in his first aid kit only held for so long.

Rightly separated, he underwent surgery for his shoulder - which was frankly something that should have happened nineteen years ago but decided to be stubborn. After was a short bacta dip to promote muscle healing, although it was going to be a road of support braces and hitting the gym to build strength back in his arm. Hopefully before Life Day and his annual fishing trip.

Fresh out of his dip, Judah grabbed a towel and tried to wipe his face off as the attendant hovered. One hand through the shaggy hair but the drips continued. Bacta had that disgusting smell that was going to cling to his skin no matter how many showers. It was taking a moment to orient himself. He still felt weak and he knew it would be several moments before one foot could go in front of another.

"Once I get some real clothes on, I'd like to see Azula."

 

[Azula Tindara]

The concussion has been the worst part of her injuries. The ankle would take two months to heal, but they had given her a specifically shaped boot to wear. The dose of bacta was now enough to aid healing without causing any side effects.

She was still lying in a medical trolley bed. There was not much to do for the bead I juries but to rest and have her healing encouraged by the drugs. She had been drifting in and out of sleep.

As she rose from a dream, a familiar presence drifted through her awareness. She was glad that she was lucid enough for those senses to be there without her needing to concentrate.

"Judah," she said as the door opened. She smiled and pulled herself back to sit upright, leaving space on the edge of the bed beside herself.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

Sheepish look crossed his face as he realized Azula Tindara had been asleep. Or at least trying to rest. He was well enough to leave - just regular follow ups now that his arm was braced and healing. Easy enough to do on his own schedule with doctors of his choosing, not that Lianna hadn't been hospitable.

"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you. I waited to pop in but still had horrible timing."

As the space was made for him in the bed, he lofted an eyebrow, yet continued to move closer to join her. Small smile touched his face. Carefully he sat on the edge, hoping not to jostle her around. The ankle still looked like it was going to take a bit to fully heal.

"Inviting me in your bed already? Azula you got to recover first. "

Back rested against the uncomfortable headboard and he leaned in closer. He placed a gentle kiss in her cheek before beginning I'm his questioning.

"Sorry I know I smell like bacta. How are you? How are you feeling? I can go home tonight and just follow up with my regular medical team."

 

[Azula Tindara]

"I'm alright, we should probably get a taxi together," she replied. Azula placed her hand flatnto his back, gently sliding it up and down.

"My head still spins if I move too much. I don't need to be here. Ankle isn't broken and I just need lots of sleep for the concussion."

She gave a small flex of her foot inside the plastic boot. It was stiff, but the painkillers took the edge off.

"We can go and rest. You can tell me about your new family whilst we're not being chased," she offered, not knowing that there was more on his mind to work through.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

"Of course we'll leave together. I'm not leaving you to the wolves, so to speak. Sounds like you're free to be released as well. I don't want to stay longer in this sector than we have to. I think we're fine, but I don't want to risk anything. Especially since you have a concussion. Doesn't seem wise in the slightest."

---

Safely aboard the Sirena, Judah had set course back for Celestia Station. It was close, closer than Joiol. With its advanced medical bay, Judah wasn't concerned that their road to recovery would have a bump in it. If anything arose they would be completely fine safely inside the station. Stars had turned to pinpricks and he could breathe again. For a long moment he suspected they would run into more trouble. Perhaps if they returned but Judah had no intentions.

Walking through the corridor, arm secure in his sling, Judah made his way back to the main cabin where Azula Tindara had her leg propped up, relaxing. The old salvager was trying to make sure she didn't move too much.

"We're safely underway. Next stop Celestia Station."

He came to sit on the edge of the bed next to her. He wasn't sure what to address first, the Force thing or the family. Family would be easier to navigate.

"So yes, a teenage son. Drunken one night stand. Don't remember a thing. When I first divorced I hit the booze a little hard when Makai would stay with Danger or his grandparents."

 

[Azula Tindara]

Azula slowly lowered the book she had been reading down to her side. It was a simple crime thriller she had picked up to pass the time. She hadn’t felt like any heavy reading.

She let out a small content sigh to know that they were on their way. The concussion brought phases of nausea and pain, but the medication was controlling it. Only time would heal it.

"It's all a bit hazy, that chase, but yeah..."

Azula wasn't sure what she should say. It was a situation she had never been in before.

"How did you find out? You're trying to make some kind of a relationship with him now? What's he like?"

 

[Judah Dashiell]

Judah was amused by the multiple questions being thrown his way all the sudden. That seemed to be fairly standard when he told others the news. Most were staying at surface level with the questioning and he was thankful, there were things he couldn't even answer yet. Hopefully Azula would keep it much of the same.

"Makai had genetic testing done to a eye condition. Apparently we have Hapan genetics and it makes for poor eyesight in the dark. Either way, they ran the material against a database and that's when Balun popped up. Jedi must have entered him when he was given up."

He paused then trying to figure out of the next bit of it.

"Trying to have a relationship is the operative word. He's seventeen so trying to tell him what to do is like trying to tell a nerf not to be stubborn. A good kid I think, just not raised how I would have preferred. My own fault there. It's trying to learn how much parenting he really needs."

 

[Azula Tindara]

Azula slowly nodded. This was a big revelation for him to be working through. She tried to put herself in his position, usually an easy task when she wanted to blend in. Azula struggled to even consider how it would have felt.

"That must have been a lot to take in, but I'm glad you're talking. That doesn't sound so bad."

"Jedi training must be good if you can even convince him he might need some parenting," Azula added lightly.

"He didn't grow up with the Silver Jedi. I... Don't know much about parenting and Makai turned out so well. I don't have any advice to give but if there's anything I can do for you, just say."

 

[Judah Dashiell]

"Jedi training must be good if you can even convince him he might need some parenting," Azula added lightly.

"That's the problem, I can't convince him." Judah wasn't sure how much he wanted to push. A good portion of him wanted Balun to learn things the hard way. It seemed that perhaps not offering advice until after the fact might be the better move.

"He didn't grow up with the Silver Jedi. I... Don't know much about parenting and Makai turned out so well. I don't have any advice to give but if there's anything I can do for you, just say."

"Yeah, its different when you raise them from birth. Thank you, though. I'll keep your offer in mind."

 

[Azula Tindara]

"I'm not exactly the expert on parenting, but if he's seventeen maybe it's good that he's talking to you?"

Azula placed her hand against Judah's back. She let it rest between his shoulder blades before stroking down and up and then across his shoulders.

"How did you actually make contact? He must have agreed and... And that's probably enough questions on that," Azula said.

She was curious about how it had all played out. It was a bit of a shock to her, but the new must have floored Judah. It was a very real thing, not a past event for idle curiousity.

"How's the healing going?"

 

[Judah Dashiell]

"How did you actually make contact? He must have agreed and... And that's probably enough questions on that," Azula said.

"Once I found out the news at PharmaTech, I hired an investigator to do the legwork. Kid was busy in the Tingel Arm with some new start-up government. Invited him out to Celestia Station and we spoke from there. Didn't go too well at first but such happens with such explosive news. He's come around quite a bit, and it will continue to be a learning process for both of us."

Head turned to look at Azula Tindara as she continued to rub between his shoulders.

"Okay. I'll need to brace it for a bit and hit the gym with some shoulder work - I'll follow up when we get to Celestia Station." Judah paused, looking her over. "You'll need to stay with me for a bit. I don't want you out there alone with a head injury."

 

[Azula Tindara]

"The gym?" he asked in surprise.

"Oh I suppose they'll know what to do with the rehab," Azula said immediately.

For just a fraction of a second she thought he had been planning to push himself too hard. He had never struck her as someone who struggled with their ego.

That, she supposed, had been her original problem when trying to manipulate him. He had been a better man than she had expected.

A barrier to a theft had turned out to be a blessing and life changing for her.

"I enjoyed our little bits of travel, but I don't think I'd mind staying on the station with you for a while at all," she admitted. "We can catch up on some shows?"

 

[Judah Dashiell]

"You know when I'm on my regular schedule I go to the gym twice or three times a week. Early in the morning."

The reason was incredibly odd ; he kept in shape in case he ever had to salvage again. Considering his diverse investments and vast worth, being creditless would be a feat. Yet keeping the ability to return to the work he started out with - literally doing all the heavy lifting - was important for him to maintain. Plus, it was good for fishing, not that he would ever admit out loud that part of having good muscle tone meant the ability to reel in more fish with ease.

"I enjoyed our little bits of travel, but I don't think I'd mind staying on the station with you for a while at all," she admitted. "We can catch up on some shows?"

"We could" Judah said slowly, as if testing the water. "Shouldn't you be recovering? I thought screens and focusing on things like the holovision would delay your progress? Or you have recovered enough to ease back into things? I'm sure I'll have to leave you for awhile each day, so at least you can catch up on sleep."

There was no way he could step foot on Celestia Station and not work. Even if he didn't want to, someone would find him.

"However, we can watch whatever you tell me to." A wry chuckle at his own lame observation.

 

[Azula Tindara]

Azula smiled back at him. It was nice to make light of things after what they had been through. And after Judah had so many life changing events to talk about.

"Eh Doctors," she said. "As long as I don't spend too long concentrating on reading or small screens and get rest I'm sure I will be fine."

"And... Now I am going to deploy double standards. I know you like the gym but make sure you... Listen to the doctors and physios and be careful."

She laughed softly. Her hand slid over his shoulder. There was enough muscle tone that he could survive taking it easy for a few weeks.

" What I'm saying is that it's okay for me to interpret their advice but not you," she joked.

" I guess you want to get back into the routine," she added more seriously.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

"Hmm...so I have to listen to the medical professionals while you just make your own rules? Seems like I'm getting the short end of the stick while you run around and do what you please."

His 'good arm' reached around her shoulders to draw her a little closer to his side. A difficult position sometimes for them to be in - Azula's horns sometimes made sitting together in close proximity difficult. Yawning, he rolled his eyes at her 'interpretation' of advice. Cherry picking seemed more like it. There was no reason to caution her now to follow advice but he would keep a close eye on Azula Tindara .

"Back to my routine? Yeah, a little. I probably won't be travelling around scouting unknown sites for awhile. More places that are well-known to be less hazardous to running into that kind of trouble. Still got all that work to do in Sith space but I've spent time in the Commonwealth, seems fairly under control."

Judah looked to her.

"Do you not want me getting back to work?"

 

[Azula Tindara]

"Oh I was thinking the gym routine," she said softly. She turned her head to place a kiss on Judah's cheek before meeting his gaze.

There was an old temptation to dig into through that gaze to understand what he was thinking. She set that aside. If she couldn't trust Judah then she wouldn't be able to learn to trust anyone.

"You can go back to your work when you feel ready. I don't want you thinking I want to change your whole routine."

"You've got a lot of people who care about you," she said.

One more now, she thought to herself.

"But can't change anything because of one jumped up local warlord taking an opportunistic crack at you."

 

[Judah Dashiell]

"Hmm...I wouldn't say 'a lot'. A few. Which is better than some, so I can't complain. Too many would just make things complicated anyway."

As for changing his routine, there wasn't much he could do except avoid the area for now. He had no desire to run into trouble in the short term. The only trouble he was looking forward to was dealing with heavy-handed governments, salvage supply issues, and ramping up his fleet of vessels to increase business out in the Commonwealth.

"No, I wouldn't change anything outright per se, but given the kids will need me with the granddaughter on the way, it will be wise to exercise caution for a little while. As I mentioned, lots of work to do in Sith space now that they have opened their borders. Not a big deal to avoid this area and Mek-sha."

He paused, wheels turning before he asked his next question.

"You ever think about moving in with me? Even part-time? Keep a few of your things in the drawer type situation."

Azula Tindara

 

[Azula Tindara]

The grandchildren were coming. He had been quick to tell her to try and escape alone. She hadn't entertained the idea, but she hadn't even thought of that. Makai and his wife welcoming their new arrival and dealing with the loss of Judah at the same time.

The thought drew her into silent reflection.

"You ever think about moving in with me? Even part-time? Keep a few of your things in the drawer type situation."

"Well that... That I'd like quite a lot," she said quietly.

Azula felt her breath catch in her throat. She had to consciously steady herself. She had kept herself from heartache for so long. Then, just as she felt she was moving somewhere with Judah, it had come to an end. It was hard to her to trust and hard to make herself vulnerable.

But the answer to the question came easily.

"I travel...quite light anyway, but yes. I think this..." she emphasised by giving his hand a squeeze. "...it's worth taking another step forwards. I miss you a lot. When we're apart."

 

[Judah Dashiell]

"I travel...quite light anyway, but yes. I think this..." she emphasised by giving his hand a squeeze. "...it's worth taking another step forwards. I miss you a lot. When we're apart."

"I miss you too, but, unfortunately I'll be working more picking up slack for Makai. He's told me he wants a couple months off from work so I'll be happy to step in once the grandkid is born. I shouldn't have to do too much for him beyond the day to day management of operations."

Judah squeezed her hand back and thought.

"So Joiol, I've been trying to stay on the family compound more. Plus I have a island home in the Commonwealth. That's in Sith Order space, been doing a lot of energy work there. Its a nice area despite what the perception is. I haven't stayed there often just mainly when I'm there for business."

"Feel free to critique the design choices I've made in the home. Well....Not really made per se. I hired a designer for most of it and filtered in family things from there."

 

[Azula Tindara]

"I suppose when I boasted about the languages I've learned I should have counted finance, wine and interior design to blend in and talk rich people things," she said.

The concussion had her feeling a little flat. It was as if she couldn't quite focus her thoughts and her emotions felt like they were being experienced through a faint haze.

She hated slow injuries that niggled for a long time. Azula could remember feeling invincible in her younger years on Nar Shaddaa.

"But unless you've had them build you a man cave with a microwave I don't think I'm be giving you any criticism."

"Your business is important, your family even more. You know I'm not here to change everything. Well, not completely."

Azula smiled and turned to kiss him on the cheek. She wasn't quite sure how to phrase what she meant. It was happening more often than she was used to.

"Everything is always a a bit of a change, but I hope you know what I mean."