Chapter Text
Chapter 2: Aftermath
Coruscant Guard HQ
Three hours later
PAIN.
Pain like nothing he has ever known, like his guts being slowly ripped out.
Commander Thorn sits alone, his head in his hands, his eyes burning with unshed tears.
He trembles with grief as his mind replays that moment again and again...
You crashing into the waitress droid, glasses flying everywhere...
The bottomless depths of pain in your eyes...
Screaming your name as you fall...
"We found her."
Thorn looks up, startled; he didn't hear Stone walk in.
"Is - is she...?"
Stone puts his hand on Thorn's shoulder.
"I'm sorry, vod, she's gone."
Thorn draws a trembling breath. All hope was gone now.
"Is - is there anything you need me to do -"
"No," Stone says. "Thire's taking care of the report. Is there anything I can do for you?"
Thorn's head falls back into his hands, the tears finally breaking through.
"I tried to stop her, Stone. I couldn't get to her fast enough."
Stone sits down beside him. "I know you did. This wasn't your fault."
Thorn's head snaps up instantly.
"It IS my fault, Stone! I did this to her. I might as well have pushed her off the damn platform myself," His voice is choked by sobs, face contorted with self-loathing. "Do you know what I was doing when she walked in? I had my tongue halfway down some Twi'lek's throat! How is it not my fault?" Thorn is shaking now, filled with rage at himself.
Stone's mouth falls open in shock.
"I didn't deserve her, Stone," Thorn seems to collapse into himself. "She was so much better than I am. She would never have done something like that to me."
Stone wished he could refute it, wished he could say something to ease his vod's guilt, but he couldn't. Because Thorn was right.
So Stone just squeezed Thorn's shoulder and sat with him until his tears finally stopped.
SEVERAL MONTHS LATER - SCIPIO
PAIN.
Blaster bolts rip through Thorn's chest, tearing holes through his flesh to burn his organs.
He falls to the durasteel platform, unable to breathe.
As his head falls to the side, he can just make out something, no, SOMEONE, moving toward him and he smiles...
You kneel beside him, taking his hand in both of yours...
"I love you, Thorn."
"I love you too.