Dear all, for this chapter, I have three song recommendations for you. For those who'd like to, start with "Saturn" by Sleeping at Last, and then follow it up with "Experience" by Ludovico Einaudi and "In the Rain" by David Russell. Enjoy! :)

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Willow sat in the cockpit, absentmindedly fiddling with a torn fingernail as Greez slowly prepared the ship for landing. Cal had just returned to the cockpit and took his seat next to Greez. Willow lifted her gaze. Cal focused on the console in front of him, his head slightly bowed, with his fiery red hair falling into his face.

She was glad that she had finally talked to him. Although neither of them had directly addressed the issue between them, that wasn't necessary. They understood each other well enough, and the atmosphere felt much lighter. She was still unsure how to behave around him, but she wanted to try to keep things as they were, just like when they first met.

Before Willow could lose herself in her thoughts, she caught sight of the new planet through the large glass windows of the cockpit. The ship slowed down, approaching the planet's atmosphere at a relaxed pace. For the first time, Willow took the time to admire the vastness of the galaxy. How could she have ignored it before? She didn't understand it herself. Before her eyes stretched nothing but deep black darkness, sparkling with a sea of stars.

Like a puppet on strings, Willow stood up from her seat and moved closer to the pilot's chairs. There, she positioned herself between Greez and Cal's chair, resting one hand on each armrest. This way, she was closer to the windows and could see more of the universe. Her eyes widened unconsciously as she realized that there was nothing for miles around.

"It's beautiful," she whispered, not taking her eyes off the stars.

Greez turned to her as the ship steadily flew towards the planet. Its almost white surface shone as brightly as she had always imagined the moon to be. Only, Ilum was not the moon. The way the bright colors were swallowed by the darkness was impressive. The contrast was stark and would evoke different feelings in everyone.
"You mean the planet?" the pilot asked. "Oh, yes-"

"No," she interrupted him. "I mean the universe. It's the first time I'm actually aware of it. This infinite vastness and the countless stars - I've only admired it from Earth. I often wondered what it must look like in the middle of it all. And now, I'm experiencing it. A privilege that people on Earth don't actually have, and yet here I am."

The sight made her sentimental. She felt tears welling in her eyes, but not out of sadness.

"Most people would be afraid of this infinity that is beyond their control. People think too much and need explanations for everything. In doing so, they rob themselves of the most beautiful wonders. Very few manage to just let wonders be wonders. They don't deserve this view. They wouldn't appreciate the pure beauty of the universe."

Willow's voice faded into the silence of the cockpit, her eyes still fixed on the sea of stars. It took a moment for her to return to the here and now. She felt Cal's gaze on her and tore herself away from the stars to look into the familiar green of his eyes. In his gaze was a warmth and calm that spoke a thousand words.

Slowly, she lifted her head to meet his eyes. He hadn't moved much, yet his entire posture radiated a soothing serenity. His eyes revealed what words could not express: understanding, respect, and something Willow could not name. A faint smile flickered across his lips, so fleeting that it could almost be missed, yet it reached his eyes, making him look warm and approachable.

Without saying a word, he gently let his hand sink onto hers, and a comforting warmth spread from her hand into her chest - a brief, almost unnoticed touch, yet the meaning was unmistakable. She was not alone.

"There really are no words for it," he finally whispered, without breaking the silence. His quiet words carried a weight that didn't crush her but felt like an embrace. The galaxy around them suddenly seemed even larger, even more vast - yet in that moment, she felt less lost than she ever had in her life.

A gentle smile crept onto her lips, and for a fleeting moment, her gaze brushed against his. When she lifted her eyes again, their faces were close together. When did we get so close? Willow swallowed. There was an indescribable warmth in Cal's gaze, intense yet restrained. Her breath caught, and her heart raced in her ears as she held his gaze. His eyes flickered softly to her lips, and a completely new feeling blossomed within Willow.

Before she had time to explore this unknown feeling, Greez spoke up again.
"You know," he began, and Willow abruptly turned her face in his direction. She felt the heat rush to her cheeks and hoped no one noticed.

"I've seen this a thousand times, and it never loses its charm. But you're right, many don't understand it. Most just want to get from point A to point B. It's nice to see it through your eyes, girl."

Willow smiled. Then she straightened up and placed her hands on the small headrests of the chairs. They broke through the atmosphere, and Greez initiated the landing.
Cere had not exaggerated in her description of the planet - Ilum was icy. Meters of snow covered the ground as the flakes continued to tumble down from the sky. It was almost a snowstorm, and it was difficult to see well under these conditions.

"Crazy," Willow whispered as she moved away from the pilot's chairs to let Cal stand up. Moments later, she took the now vacant seat. The snow unconsciously reminded her of Hogwarts.

Winter was particularly magical in the Highlands. Although it was bitterly cold, the sight of the snow-covered castle was a fair price to pay. And Hogsmeade - especially Hogsmeade - really came to life in winter. The little wizarding village helped romanticize the cold winter. Everything was beautifully decorated, the air smelled of cinnamon and pumpkins, mixed with a hint of heavenly baked goods. Willow had been there almost every weekend in winter with her friends, enjoying a delicious butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks. She especially missed the evenings by the fireplace in the common room. It was those moments when time seemed to stand still, and she was surrounded by nothing but peace and warmth. The storm raged outside, and the gusts gently rocked the ship. Will Cal be able to withstand the storm?

Then a feeling blossomed within her that she hadn't felt even once during her time with the crew. It was longing, tinged with a hint of homesickness. For the first time since her journey began, she missed home. What were her friends doing right now? After all, it was still January back home. Or was it already February? She wasn't sure. Absentmindedly, she placed a hand on her chest - where the photo was hidden beneath her corset. Time had passed far too quickly. In all the commotion, Willow had neglected to keep track of her watch. She glanced at her wrist - on Earth, it was just past twelve. Whether it was day or night, she couldn't say. Damn, Willow thought. She had forgotten to pay attention to the time.

She estimated that perhaps five or six days must have passed by now. But she could be completely off. Here, in this universe, her sense of time was entirely different. A heavy sigh escaped her lips. Just then, she heard quick footsteps on the metal floor of the Mantis. Curious, she turned in her seat.

It was Cal. He was striding purposefully toward the entrance door and came to a stop in front of it. Cere stepped to his side and began a conversation. Willow didn't hear what they were discussing. However, she sensed Cal's tension from afar. She briefly considered whether she should accompany him on this mission. But just as quickly as the thought had come, she dismissed it. This mission seemed particularly important to the Jedi, and thus it was something meant for Cal, and only Cal. She knew she could talk to him over comms during his absence. But still, it felt a little strange to her. Although she had once let him go on a mission alone, she had been busy enough then. But what was she supposed to do here? She certainly wouldn't go outside in this weather.

Then a thought ignited within her that she hadn't had before. She had already experienced Merrin and her magic, but Willow's own magic worked quite differently. Merrin's magic appeared aggressive and disastrous. While Willow could also create destruction with her magic, it wasn't as combative as Merrin's. She wondered how and if she could even support the crew in the long term. Sure, she would soon return to Hogwarts, but who knew how soon that would be? The combative aspect of her magic - excluding her ancient magic - was not nearly as effective as that of the young Night Sister.

Willow's gaze darted back to Cere and Cal. She watched as Cere held her own lightsaber in her hand. The two Jedi exchanged a few words, and Cere handed her weapon to Cal. He took it, examined it, then attached the lightsaber to his belt. He said a few more words to Cere before turning to the door. Willow watched as he fiddled with his poncho. The entrance door opened, and Cal was about to step outside. She jumped up from her seat and rushed to the door, driven by an inexplicable impulse.

Cal was almost off the ramp when she called his name.
"Cal!"

Surprised, he turned to face her. His red hair whipped wildly in the wind, and his eyes were slightly squinted - probably to keep the storming snow from flying into them.

For a moment, Willow said nothing. Overwhelmed by her emotions, she just looked into his eyes. Then she called out to him, "Be careful."

Her voice was nearly swallowed by the storm. She watched as a slight smile played on his lips.

"Always," he replied, and ran out into the thick snowstorm. Within seconds, he had disappeared from view.

A warm feeling began to grow inside Willow. It felt fiery - different from the warmth she had felt earlier. Why had she said that? Her heart beat faster as she thought of him venturing out into the storm. It had been just a sentence, barely more than a fleeting moment, but it echoed within her.

Cal had, in a way, given the perfect response. And Willow didn't understand why those simple words suddenly felt so heavy. They had slipped from her lips so effortlessly, yet something was different. But what?

The cold wind of the storm lashed into the warm ship like an icy wave. The fine hairs on Willow's arms stood up within seconds as the cold prickled her skin. The icy air smelled fresh, yet it felt like it was sending a thousand tiny needles into her lungs. But she didn't think of stepping aside or closing the door. Instead, it was Cere who closed the entrance. Absentmindedly, Willow watched as the metal wings slid shut in front of the door.

She stared at the now-closed entrance. It was strange. She felt strange. Knowing that Cal was out there facing that terrible storm and that she couldn't even see him - it unsettled her. A void was growing inside her, but she couldn't pinpoint its origin.

"Tea, Willow?"

Cere's gentle voice pulled her out of her thoughts. She blinked several times before finally moving away from the entrance.

"Uh," she nervously played with her fingernail. "Yes, please."

Cere nodded and went into the kitchen. Willow took a seat at the large dining table. She chewed thoughtfully on her lower lip while Cere placed two steaming cups on the table. She sat down next to Willow and slid her a cup. Willow felt Cere's gaze on her. Surely, she had noticed that Willow wasn't quite herself.

"You're worried," Cere stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

Willow frowned. Worry? Was that what she was feeling? She wrapped her fingers around the warm cup.
"But why?"

Her question was sincere. If this was worry, it felt different somehow. There had been plenty of times when she was concerned for her friends. But this wasn't the kind of worry she was used to.

"Feelings are complicated, Willow," Cere began, resting her forearms on the table. "The more you try to understand them, the harder you make it for yourself. Sometimes, you just have to let go and trust your instincts. That's the pure part of you, the part that matters. Stop questioning your feelings and start trusting them."

Willow watched the steam rising from their cups. Cere grabbed hers and took a sip of tea. Inside the ship, it was warm, and the hot liquid provided additional warmth. Willow couldn't help but wonder if Cal had already frozen to death out there. Hopefully, he wouldn't stay outside too long in this weather.

"I don't know if it's worry, Cere," Willow spoke so quietly she was almost whispering. "How can I learn to handle it if I don't even know what it is? Or why it's there?"

Cere's expression shifted. She seemed reserved as she looked into her cup. After a moment of silence, she spoke again.
"Try to leave your feelings unnamed. Don't label them, Willow. Doing so might confuse you. That's why the Jedi had their rules - to avoid these feelings." Cere sighed. "The important thing is to accept them. I didn't do that for a long time, and they ate me up inside. Don't make the same mistake I did."

Willow stared at the steaming cup of tea, her thoughts heavy with Cere's words. Acceptance - it sounded so simple, but inside her, a storm was raging - different from the one Cal was facing outside, but just as fierce. Feelings she couldn't name consumed her and made her mind spin. Why did she feel so intensely? What was it that bubbled up inside her whenever she thought of Cal? She tried to push the thought of him away, but it didn't work. Every time she tried to focus on something else, his image reappeared in her mind: his calm gaze, the gentle smile, the warmth in his lovely green eyes.

Cere was right - she needed to stop trying to analyze everything. But it wasn't in her nature to just let things happen. Her time at Hogwarts had taught her to question the world, to look for connections, and to solve problems with logic. But here, in the vastness of space, logic seemed to fail.

Cere sipped her tea and watched Willow closely.
"You know," she began softly, "it's not wrong to be confused. Feelings make us human - even if the Jedi believed otherwise for a long time."

Willow raised her eyes and looked at Cere thoughtfully.
"But what if I can't control them? What if they overwhelm me? What if I have another outburst?"

Cere smiled slightly.
"Then you have to learn to give them space without letting them take over. It's a balancing act. The Jedi often suppressed their feelings, fearing the chaos they could cause. But that was a mistake. Feelings aren't our enemy, Willow. They can strengthen us if we learn to understand them."

Willow nodded slowly.
"I understand what you're saying. But it's so hard. I..." her gaze darted uncertainly to Cere. "I just don't know what I feel."

Cere studied her for a while before quietly saying, "Maybe you're closer to the answer than you think. Sometimes it's not the words we lack, but the courage to accept the obvious."

Willow's heart tightened at those words. She thought of Cal again, of the moment when he had touched her hand, of the feeling of safety and closeness that had flooded her in that instant. Was it possible that she felt more for him than she was willing to admit?

Inside her, a realization was bubbling up, struggling to reach the surface - it wasn't mere concern that she felt for Cal. It was something deeper, something she had carried inside her for a long time but had never allowed herself to acknowledge. Her feelings for him were stronger than she had thought. The idea scared her. What if she lost him because of it?

Cere could see that Willow had reached some kind of realization and gently placed a hand on hers.
"Whatever you're feeling, it's okay. It doesn't have to be clear today, or tomorrow. Take your time."

Willow nodded silently, grateful for Cere's understanding. She gripped her cup tightly, as if seeking an anchor in the warmth of the tea for the flood of emotions raging inside her.

"Thank you, Cere," she finally murmured.
"I think..." she shrugged. "I just need to let it all sink in."

Cere smiled. "That's the first step."

The two fell into silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts, while outside the snowstorm raged on. Willow's mind was still circling around Cal, but she didn't feel as lost anymore. Yes, there was something between them. But whatever it was, she would have time to figure it out - step by step, without pressuring herself this time.

"I just hope he comes back soon," Willow finally whispered, her eyes fixed on the closed entrance.

Cere looked at her gently.
"He will. He knows how important it is to take care of himself. Trust him."

And somehow, despite all the confusion and the unresolved feelings, Willow did just that. If there was one thing she never had to question, it was Cal. Her trust in him was immense, and she knew he would make it. As if on cue, she heard his voice in her ear.

"I'm at the temple," he said.

Willow reached excitedly for her communicator. She could tell that Cal sounded a little out of breath.

"Are you okay?" she asked quickly, glancing at Cere - the older woman grinned into her tea before taking another sip.

"Yeah, yeah. It's just a little chilly out here."

"You really need warmer clothes. Ponchos won't keep you warm forever," Willow replied. Unavoidably, she thought back to their first time together on Zeffo.

"Then you haven't worn a good poncho, Lills. Mine are pretty good at keeping me warm," he said, and Willow could practically hear him grinning. Her own lips tugged upwards slightly.

"I'll check in once I have my crystal," he said.

She nodded, though he couldn't see it. "Okay. Talk to you later," she replied, and with a quiet crackle, the connection cut off.

Willow leaned back in her chair and ran her fingers over the scar in her eyebrow, her thoughts swirling around their conversation. She trusted him, she knew that, but there was something different about knowing he was out there, alone. The snowstorm, the cold - she wanted to protect him, but that wasn't her job. Cal could take care of himself, he had proven that more than once. Still, there was something in the air, a feeling she couldn't shake.

"He'll make it," Cere repeated softly, her deep brown eyes fixed on Willow.

"I know," Willow whispered. "I know."

Despite her words, she couldn't ignore the strange tug in her chest. It wasn't fear, but rather the sense that something had changed - within her, and between them. She knew she would have to face it eventually. It might take days or weeks before she truly understood what she felt for Cal. But one thing was certain: life as she had known it would never be the same.

Taking one final deep breath, she finished her tea, feeling the warmth of the cup still lingering between her hands. "Thank you, Cere," she said softly.

The older woman simply nodded and smiled knowingly, as if she already understood what Willow was still trying to grasp.

The journey was far from over. But step by step, with every new realization, Willow was getting closer to understanding the truth about her feelings - and what the future held for her.

Willow stood up, placed her cup in the empty sink, and returned to the cockpit. She stood by the large windows, her mind preoccupied with the fact that it had been some time since she last heard from Cal. A growing sense of unease began to settle in her chest. What if he was in trouble? But would he even need her help if he was? Probably not. Distracted, she kept picking at the ragged edge of her fingernail.

Once again, she wondered if her presence could really be of significance to the crew. Willow couldn't imagine it. The thought stung a little, especially since the team had really grown on her. And Cere's presence was important to her too. She had lost her own mentor years ago. Professor Fig had been so different from Cere. He had been like a father figure to her, with the added wisdom of his years. She missed him. What would he say if he knew what kind of adventure she was on now?

Her gaze focused on the storm outside. The fine flakes danced violently, carried by the storm's fierce winds. Cal had sounded calm when he arrived at the temple. His composed demeanor was something Willow admired time and again. She knew he wrestled with his own doubts and uncertainties - which made his courage and determination all the more fascinating to her.

The realization that she couldn't help him with his trial today hit her hard. She was so used to always being the helper. It surprised her to realize that her own path wasn't just about battles or missions. Here, in this universe, she was forced to redefine her role - as an independent person, not someone constantly supporting others. But... quiet doubts simmered within her once more. What if she returned to Hogwarts? What would happen to the connections she had made here? Who would she be at Hogwarts? She would never again be the person she had been before this great journey. Was that a good thing?

Lost in thought, she watched the falling snow. Perhaps she could discover her magic in a completely new way? In a way that would make her more useful here. It was definitely worth a try.

In the midst of her musings, she heard the familiar crackle in her ear. It was Cal.
"Cere, we need to get outta here. They've taken over Ilum."

Willow's head shot toward Cere. They exchanged a meaningful look before the ex-Jedi rushed to her seat in the cockpit.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"No. They spotted me," Cal panted. "And that's not all. They're mining Kyber crystals."

Willow's breath caught in her throat. That couldn't be good. Nervously, she drummed her fingers on the table.

"Captain, prepare for takeoff," Cere said as she stood and hurried into the cockpit. "I'm hacking into the Imperial comms; maybe I can find out more. Willow! Keep an eye on the radar. With any luck, we can spot enemy ships nearby before they overwhelm us."

Willow nodded and rose to take the co-pilot's seat. Cal's seat. Silently, she sent a prayer to the heavens, hoping he wouldn't get hurt out there. Greez's four hands moved deftly across the controls of the Mantis. Willow focused on the radar, her eyes glued to the small screen, her heart pounding wildly.

"No enemy ships in sight yet," she reported, not daring to look away.

Cere merely nodded, one hand pressed to her ear. Silence descended like a heavy blanket over the crew. While the others seemed frozen with tension, Willow's leg bounced up and down anxiously. Then she heard a startled sound from the older woman. Willow didn't have time to ask what had happened before Cere urgently called Cal.

"You're lighting up Imperial channels. They're sending everything they've got at you!"

Willow spun around in her seat in an instant, her thoughts racing so fast she couldn't grasp a single one.

"Are you all safe?" she heard Cal ask, the sound of blaster fire echoing in the background. Willow turned back to the radar. It was still clear.

"We're laying low, but the storm is clearing," Cere explained. "We won't have any cover soon."

"What about disguising the Mantis's signal?" The hope in Cal's voice was unmistakable. Willow knew it was typical of him to always believe in a solution. One day, that optimism might get him killed, she thought, smiling slightly.

"That trick only works if they're not expecting it," Cere replied thoughtfully.

The comm cut out, and worry for Cal grew in Willow's chest. She knew nothing would happen to him. Even if he got injured, BD's healing stims would keep him going until he made it back to the ship. Her eyes drifted to the snowy landscape outside. Was he out of the temple yet?

The fear and concern for Cal threatened to tear her apart from the inside. Merlin, calm down, Willow. What if he didn't make it? What if he was trapped in the temple? What if the Empire caught him? Her thoughts raced, crashing down on her like the relentless snowstorm outside until she could barely breathe.

She wanted it to stop - the fear, the helplessness, all of it. It was too much, too intense, as if it would crush her from within. If this was the price of carrying someone so deeply in her heart, she wasn't sure if she could pay it. It would destroy her; she felt it in every fiber of her being. Somehow, she had to find a way to control these feelings. Somehow, she had to soften them.

At that moment, Willow heard Cere gasp sharply. In an instant, Cere's hand was on her communicator again. "They've broken through and called reinforcements! Every Star Destroyer in the sector is on their way here! If they get here before you do-" Cere's voice trembled slightly, despite her effort to stay calm.

Willow felt the blood freeze in her veins. Her entire body tensed, as if her anxiety alone could protect them.

"No. We didn't come all this way to get captured. I'll be there," Cal's voice came through the communicator, resolute yet filled with an unsettling determination.

Willow's eyes remained glued to the radar when suddenly, a distant movement caught her attention. Between the last swirling flakes of the clearing storm, she saw a massive silhouette - an Imperial AT-AT, striding through the white expanse like a giant hunter. Her heart skipped a beat. The walker was still far off, but Cal would have to pass directly in its path to reach the ship. She knew he must be tired, exhausted even, and if he had to face that machine...

Without thinking, Willow dashed out of the cockpit. She heard Greez's surprised shouts but ignored them. She slammed her hand harder than intended on the button that would open the entry door. The icy wind whipped against her face as she sprinted down the Mantis's ramp. Her eyes frantically searched for the distant figure of Cal, which she could now make out through the thinning storm. He was close enough that she could still protect him - but only if she acted immediately.

The AT-AT stomped forward heavily, each of its steps reverberating ominously through the quiet, snow-covered landscape. A fire ignited in Willow's chest, a surge of power she hadn't felt this intensely in a long time. Her palms began to tingle, and the tips of her fingers glowed with that familiar blue hue as the warmth of her magic coursed through her veins. A single thought formed in her mind: Not this time. This time, I won't just stand by.

She raised her right hand, gripping her wand tightly, and focused. The icy air around her began to vibrate as the magic built up. At first, it was just a faint hum at the edges of her consciousness, but then it erupted from her like a storm, and the tip of her wand glowed bright blue. The bluish energy enveloped the AT-AT, making it tremble. The massive metal structure groaned under the pressure.

Willow could hear the rushing of blood in her ears as she concentrated her power on the monstrous machine. She felt the resistance, the weight of the walker, but she pushed her magic further, letting it flow in waves through the steel. The joints of the AT-AT creaked and bent as if an invisible hand was trying to snap them. A metallic screech tore through the air, and in a moment of absolute focus, Willow gathered all her energy into one final surge.

With a deafening crash, the walker's front leg broke. The gigantic machine wobbled, like a giant wounded beast, lost its balance, and toppled to the side. The ground shook as the AT-AT hit the snow, sending debris flying in all directions.

Willow was breathing heavily, her wand still raised as she looked at Walker lying on the ground. She had done it. Cal wouldn't have to fight this extra battle. A sense of triumph surged through her, but it was short-lived as her concern for Cal quickly returned. She stowed her wand and ran toward him.

In the distance, she saw him more clearly as he emerged from the white mist of the snowstorm, a silhouette that made her heart race. "Cal!" she called, raising a hand, waving as she ran over the crunching snow.

Cal stopped and looked over at her, visibly surprised to see her out here. His breath formed small clouds in the frigid air, and although he was clearly exhausted, that familiar smile was on his lips.

"What are you doing out here?" he asked, panting, as she finally reached him. "You should've stayed on the ship."

Willow shook her head, the adrenaline still coursing through her veins. "You didn't need to deal with that," she gestured to the destroyed AT-AT in the background, "on top of everything else."

Cal glanced over her shoulder, his eyes widening briefly as she rubbed her cold arms. "That... was you?"

A faint smile crossed Willow's chilled face. "I couldn't just wait around."

For a moment, he seemed speechless, rubbing the back of his neck. "Thank you. You cleared the way for me."

Willow felt warmth spreading inside her at his words. "We're a team," she said softly.

Cal nodded, his gaze softening as he stepped a bit closer to her. For a brief moment, they stood there, feeling the icy wind and the silence between them. Without thinking much about it, Willow took a step forward, and before she realized it, she had wrapped her arms around him. It was a spontaneous, instinctive gesture born out of relief that he was safe.

Cal hesitated only for a moment before wrapping his arms around her. It was a simple gesture, marked by trust and gratitude. They just held each other as the snow fell around them, needing the reassurance that they were both really here - alive, unharmed, together.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. The extra warmth enveloped them like a thick, warm blanket, shielding them from the icy frost. Willow could feel Cal's heartbeat beneath her cheek and closed her eyes, soaking in the moment. Her worries, her doubts, all of it seemed irrelevant for a moment. What mattered was the safety she found in his presence.

"I'm glad you're okay," she whispered, her voice barely more than a breath.

Cal gave her a light squeeze before slowly letting go. "Thanks to you," he replied with a gentle smile.

As they pulled away from each other, Willow felt her cheeks begin to glow slightly. She glanced away, trying to avoid Cal's gaze for a moment, and attempted to push down the sudden embarrassment. Why was she feeling nervous? It was just a hug, right?

Cal stood still for a moment, a hand resting on his ribs, as if feeling the lingering sensation of the embrace. A slight smile played on his lips, and when Willow looked back up at him, she saw that his ears had taken on a faint shade of red. He quickly turned slightly to the side, his gaze fixed on the snow, as if trying to distract himself.

Willow couldn't help but grin, her own insecurities forgotten for a moment. Maybe they weren't so different after all. A chill ran through her, and she rubbed her arms again vigorously. "Come on, Kestis. Or I'm going to freeze to death out here," she joked, jogging back toward the Mantis.

The entrance door groaned as it opened, allowing them into the warmth of the Mantis. The two of them stepped into the living area of the ship, and Willow let out a contented sigh. It was much more pleasant inside than out in the cold. The heavy door closed behind them, and the crew hurried out from the cockpit.

Cere let out a relieved sigh. "You did it," she said with a faint smile that barely concealed her exhaustion.

Willow felt a wave of relief wash over her as she realized they were safe. That Cal was safe. But at the same time, she noticed the weight in his words when he responded. "We did.I wouldn't be here without all of you," he began, his eyes wandering around the room. "I used to sit on Bracca, dreaming about storming Coruscant with survivors from the Jedi Council. Instead... the Order's hopes rest on a gambler, a fallen Jedi, and a failed Padawan. A bunch of screw-ups."

The words echoed heavily in the room. Greez, who was usually quick with a quip, nodded in agreement. "You can say that again," he grumbled.

Willow felt a pang in her chest. Cal saw himself as a failure? That wasn't the Cal she knew. But before she could say anything, BD-1 chirped in with a cheerful beep. Cal looked down at him and shook his head slightly, a gentle smile on his lips. "You can always count on BD," he said with a hint of pride. "He let Cordova wipe his memories so he could stay behind and guide us. But you're all willing to sacrifice everything... To keep going even when it seems impossible." He looked up at Greez and Cere, then his gaze landed on Willow - she could have lost herself in the green of his eyes for hours.

Cere held his gaze, her eyes full of understanding. "Failure is a part of the journey, Cal. It's not the end."

Willow nodded silently. She knew they all fought their own battles - both inner and outer - and that each of them was on a path that wasn't always clear.

Cal paused briefly, then bowed his head slightly. "I get that now. Thank you... All of you." His voice was quiet but filled with genuine gratitude.

A palpable sense of relief hung in the air, though it was short-lived. The silence that had settled over the crew was broken by Cere's voice.

"So, Cal, where to next?" she asked, turning everyone's attention to the holotable.

Willow watched as Cal looked over the various planets. She could see that he had already made his decision. A decision he had perhaps carried with him for some time.

"Dathomir, huh?" Cere raised an eyebrow slightly as she read the name of the planet aloud.

Cal nodded, taking a deep breath. "It's time I faced him," he said, his voice resolute but heavy. Willow had a sense of who he meant. And she felt pride as she heard him say it. He was ready to face his inner demons.

Cere nodded slowly, her eyes searching Cal's, and a look of understanding spread across her face. "Yes... You're ready to face the past."

Cal hesitated for a moment, then looked at her questioningly. "What about you and Trilla?"

Cere closed her eyes briefly, as if just hearing the name caused a wound to reopen. "I don't know if I'll ever be ready," she admitted, her voice barely more than a whisper. "You know what you need to do to start healing, and I'm so proud of youfor that. I have my own path."

There was a finality in her words that made Willow realize just how deep those wounds in Cere truly ran. She had her own battle to fight, one that might never end.

Cal seemed to understand that. With a gentle smile, he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Im here for you if you need me," he promised.

Cere looked at him, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Thank you, Cal."

The silence that followed was heavy but not uncomfortable. It was the kind of silence that comes after a difficult decision, when everyone knows that the next step is approaching.

"And now... off to Dathomir," Cal finally said, heading toward the cockpit.

Willow watched him go, feeling the faint tremble in her fingers that never disappeared when it came to Cal. Her heart felt heavy, yet strong. Whatever awaited them on Dathomir, she would be by his side. Even if she kept her distance in the future, he would never be far from her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

6.290 Words,

wow, this one is quite a big piece! i hope it wasn't too long. i'd love to hear your thoughts and/or opinions! :)

here's a little special, my thoughts while writing:

honestly, i think i've really given myself quite a challenge with Willow - and i'm only just realizing the full consequences now. it was intentional for Willow to be emotional and empathetic, but i didn't expect her to feel this intensely - just wow. i always thought that one's own characters couldn't possibly be difficult for the author, but i massively underestimated it. the last two chapters alone were quite the challenge - describing feelings, in all their variations and expressions, is really not easy. and even less so when it's Willow :')

soon, i won't have any pre-written chapters left, and the more intense the story (and emotions) get, the longer it's taking me to write each chapter. maybe i'll manage to catch up with my backlog, but if not, i might have to switch to weekly updates for now.

till the next one,

~Alice