Chapter Text
Kleya startled at the sound of boots outside. She had always known this moment would come. Panic and tension were written all over her posture. Restless, she wiped the thin sheen of sweat from her forehead. At the first blow against the door, she was already pressed against the wall.
The code gave her a flicker of hope. Then Cassian’s voice, calm but urgent:
“Luthen, Luthen. It’s me. It’s Cassian.”
Still, she greeted her former allies with her blaster raised. A biting smirk curled her lips as she took a step back, staring at the two figures in front of her.
“You. Of course. It had to be you.”
Without ceremony, she let them into the safehouse. Kleya stood on the brink of a nervous breakdown, so unlike her usual composed self. If Cassian had the decency to say nothing, the same could not be said for Vel Sartha.
“Would you rather we leave?”
Kleya sighed, shutting the door behind them. This was not the time to argue with her.
“You look terrible,” Vel added, unaware of just how far from normal Kleya truly was.
It was Cassian who sensed something was wrong. He leaned closer, urgency sharpening his voice.
“Where is Luthen?”
The little color left in Kleya’s face drained away. Vel noticed how sick she looked. Caught in dark memories and overwhelmed by a storm of uncontrollable emotion, she managed to say:
“He… Luthen is dead.”
Silence swallowed the words. Vel’s mocking expression vanished. Kleya braced her hands flat against the workbench to keep from collapsing. Vel had never seen her this shaken. She noticed the dark circles under her eyes and understood she was at the end of her strength, defeated by everything that had just happened.
“Are you sure? Kleya, we can—”
“No!” she cut in sharply, coldly.
She lifted her chin and met their gaze.
“I saw him… I did it.”
“What? Kleya, what are you talking about?!”
Stunned, Vel noticed the whitened knuckles where Kleya’s fingers clenched tight. There was a painful story behind this.
“Cassian,” Vel said quietly, placing a hand on his sleeve to silence him. “Let her speak.”
In other circumstances, Kleya might have been grateful for Vel’s intervention. As it was, she was already struggling just to draw air into her lungs.
She began at the beginning. The meeting with Lonni — their infiltrator inside the ISB. The information he had brought about the Empire’s superweapon. Then Luthen’s final order to her, after she relayed what Lonni had learned.
She explained how she had watched the body of the man who inspired both hatred and love in her be taken to the hospital by the Supervisor. How she had chosen to carry out her ultimate mission — making sure Luthen’s most vital intelligence would die with him.
By the time she finished, she was trembling… with determination.
She seized Cassian’s arm, almost hysterical.
“All the trails we’ve been following for years lead to this. Ghorman. Scarif. Jedha. Their obsession with kyber crystals — it’s all part of the same lie. All of it. It’s for the same weapon!”
She looked utterly lost beneath the questions from her former allies. Then she began pacing in tight circles. Vel felt a sudden urge to stop her before she wore a trench into the floor.
“…There’s an engineer. There’s a research facility. Galen Erso… Repeat it!” she demanded.
“Kleya—”
Cassian tried to steady her, but it had the opposite effect.
“It’s important! Repeat what I just told you!” she shouted, driven by desperate energy.
She turned to Vel, who had fallen silent, exchanging a glance with Cassian.
“You have to tell them… the Senator, everyone! Promise me. Galen Erso… it’s him…”
Kleya was out of breath. Her eyes burned with the intensity of her despair. A trembling sob escaped her as she buried her head in her hands.
“Luthen gave his life for this…”
“You’ll tell them yourself,” Vel replied calmly.
Kleya shook her head, as if the two rebels simply didn’t understand.
“No. My mission ends here.”
What is this madwoman saying? Vel thought, meeting Kleya’s resigned gaze.
Cassian stepped closer.
“We can’t stay here another second, Kleya.”
“No.”
“This is suicide. They’ll trace you soon. You can’t stay here,” Cassian insisted, frowning.
But Vel understood exactly what Kleya meant. She had never intended to run from the Empire.
“That’s what you’re looking for, then,” Vel said, folding her arms across her chest.
Kleya turned to her, lips pressed tight.
“Where exactly would you have me go?”
Vel shot her a sharp look. Cassian opened his mouth to answer, but Kleya cut him off with a hollow laugh.
“Yavin? No.”
The laugh rang false.
“I know about Yavin. I know everything there is to know about Yavin. I know what those people think of Luthen. That would be my sanctuary? My mission ends here. Now leave.”
“We’ll be safe there,” Cassian pressed, as Kleya turned away.
“Then report to them,” she shot back through another breaking sob. “Repeat everything I just told you…”
“We’re not leaving you here,” Cassian said firmly.
“Not a chance,” Vel added with a small shrug.
Stubborn woman, Vel thought. Kleya moved to turn away, but Vel caught her arm sharply.
“You’re coming with us,” she said — not asking permission.
Kleya pulled free and went to stand by the window, hiding the rawness of her emotions from them. Cassian cast a look at Vel as she stepped closer.
“Over there, you will be safe.”
“I promise,” Cassian added, moving slowly toward her as one would approach a wounded animal. He rested a careful hand on Kleya’s arm, and she lifted her head.
“We’ll tell them everything. Together.”
Kleya took a long moment before looking from Vel to Cassian.
“One day, you told me it was over for you.”
“Yeah. And you told me I was wrong.”
That was the final straw. She straightened abruptly, her voice sharpened by anger and resentment.
“You abandoned us here!”
Before Vel could intervene, Cassian’s tone rose.
“I made the right call. No one can live like that forever! Luthen knew it — he just couldn’t swallow his pride.”
He had barely finished when Kleya lunged at him, grabbing his jacket in a tight fist. Fury blazed in her dark eyes.
“Thank the galaxy he had that pride. He stayed here because of it. He stayed for what I just told you! He stayed to understand what was happening,” she spat, inches from Cassian’s face.
Vel stepped in. She seized Kleya firmly by the shoulders, pulling her away from him and turning her toward herself.
“Calm down,” she hissed.
Kleya clutched at Vel instead, tipping again toward hysteria.
“Then you have to explain it to them on Yavin!”
“Yes. Breathe, Kleya,” Vel murmured, trying to steady her.
She ran her hands gently along the other woman’s arms, grounding her, whispering reassurance. They would report everything to Yavin. Kleya stared at her with such intensity it struck Vel straight through the chest.
“You owe him that much.”
The anger drained from Kleya’s face. Vel tightened her grip slightly, anchoring her in the present. Once she’d calmed enough, Vel guided her back until she was leaning against the wall.
“Yavin… after everything we’ve lived through. That’s the saddest ending imaginable,” Kleya whispered, folding her arms.
“No,” Cassian corrected softly. “It’s not an ending. It’s a way to keep Luthen alive.”
“Those are big words…”
“You’ll be able to rest,” Vel said gently.
“I’ll be a prisoner.”
“You’ll be a hero.”
“You need to see the place you helped build with Luthen.”
“And you need to repeat what you told us,” Vel insisted quietly.
“I’m not leaving you here,” Cassian concluded.
“Pack your things,” Vel ordered.
Resolved not to give her a choice, Vel and Cassian began gathering what they could. Vel stayed close to Kleya, making sure she wouldn’t collapse. She watched her collect a few meager belongings.
“That’s all?” Vel asked.
Kleya’s face was closed off now, resolute.
“Yes…” she said, brushing past her.
Cassian handed her a blaster. Together they moved toward the exit.
A heavy thud echoed down the corridor at the same moment Cassian’s comm crackled to life.
“Cassian, an entire squad has entered the building—”
Vel grabbed Kleya’s arm and pulled her toward the apartment door.
“We move. We’ll talk later,” she said, leaving no room for argument.
All three of them held their weapons at the ready. In Kleya’s condition, they instinctively positioned themselves in front of her. Vel even had the audacity to slide her firmly behind her.
The worst part? Kleya barely seemed to notice.
Cassian stepped through the doorway first, prepared to take the greatest risk. He managed only a few steps before freezing, heart pounding.
“Don’t take another step! ISB! Stop! We have a warrant for your arrest!”
“Of course they do,” Vel muttered, dragging Kleya backward.
Cassian didn’t wait for them to finish speaking before retreating into the safehouse.
“Close the door,” Kleya told Vel.
“No. Absolutely not.”
“How many?”
“Too many!” Cassian answered, tense. “Get ready.”
Vel caught Kleya’s attention.
“Is there another exit?”
“It would take too long,” Kleya replied, voice steadier now under the surge of adrenaline. “We don’t have a choice. We control the choke point.”
At least Luthen’s assistant seemed to be pulling herself together.
The stormtroopers came fast. Blaster fire erupted from both sides, red bolts scorching walls and showering sparks. They wouldn’t hold for long. Kleya had no intention of being taken alive — but the information had to reach Mon Mothma.
“K2! Where are you?” Cassian shouted.
The only answer was a stun grenade skittering across the floor at their feet.
Kleya shoved Vel hard toward Cassian a split second before it detonated.
The blast hurled her into the wall. Stone cracked under the impact. Her head struck hard — and everything went black.
Vel blinked through the shockwave, vision blurred, ears ringing. She fumbled for her blaster. Cassian was the only one still upright, firing to cover them.
“Vel! VEL!” he shouted.
“I’m fine!” she rasped back.
Then she saw Kleya’s unmoving form.
She called her name again and again. No response.
“Damn it!” Vel growled.
Blaster fire rained down. Kleya was a perfect target. Vel vaulted over her body, firing precise shots that dropped two troopers. She rolled Kleya onto her back — breath. Pulse.
Alive.
And she intended to keep her that way.
Vel shielded her with her own body, returning fire. They were skilled — but outnumbered. Cassian still had no response from K2.
We’re done, she thought, heart hammering—
Until one soldier — then another — then several more were violently flung against the opposite wall with metallic shrieks.
Vel frowned.
“Cassian. I’ve cleared you a path.”
At the sight of K2, she exhaled sharply.
Cassian joined her as Vel knelt beside Kleya, turning her gently, one hand sliding beneath her neck.
“Hey,” she said softly.
Blood matted Kleya’s hair. Vel grimaced as her eyes fluttered weakly, a faint groan escaping her.
“Easy,” Vel murmured, firm but gentle hand settling on her shoulder. “Stay still, Marki.”
“Cassian, we must depart,” K2 stated.
Cassian nodded and bent to lift her, but Vel shook her head.
“We’re right behind you.”
Before he could argue, she slipped one arm beneath Kleya’s knees and another behind her back, lifting her despite the pained sound it drew from her. Kleya’s head fell against Vel’s chest.
They passed K2, who complained about the lack of gratitude. Vel was too tense for humor.
Only when the ship came into view did she allow herself to breathe. Once inside, she laid Kleya down as gently as she could on the cold floor.
“She needs to stay conscious,” Cassian said anxiously.
Vel met his eyes, steady.
“I’ll take care of her. Get us out of here before the Empire sends reinforcements.”
Cassian squeezed her shoulder before hurrying to the cockpit with K2.
Vel looked down at Kleya’s pale face, already darkening with bruises. Sweat and grime streaked her brow. She looked nothing like Luthen’s unshakable assistant.
Her eyes searched for something to focus on — and failed.
Vel grabbed the medkit.
“This will help,” she murmured.
Kleya’s gaze found her briefly before the effort became too much. Vel gently pressed a bacta compress to her forehead. Kleya grimaced, her neck tightening before she slackened again. Her head rolled slightly, revealing the full extent of the wound.
Vel worked carefully, attentive to every reaction. When she saw Kleya’s eyelids fluttering, struggling to stay open, she cupped her cheek.
“Kleya,” she called softly, leaning closer. “Stay with me, all right?”
Vel could feel her fighting to stay conscious. She didn’t dare give her painkillers — not yet. Kleya had to remain awake until they reached Yavin. Vel clasped her freezing hand tightly in hers.
“Come on, Marki,” she urged softly.
She shrugged off her jacket and laid it carefully over Kleya’s trembling body. It seemed Kleya was clinging to the sound of her voice — so Vel kept talking. She spoke about Yavin. About the routines there. What she liked. What she didn’t. She didn’t stop, alternating between quiet conversation and careful first aid.
Kleya’s breathing was heavy and uneven.
At last, they reached orbit over Yavin. K2 and Cassian were arguing like children in the cockpit. Vel tensed until Rebel fighters moved into escort formation. Only then did she exhale.
She bent close, squeezing Kleya’s hand.
“We’re here. Welcome to Yavin.”
When they landed, Cassian rushed back to them. Vel bristled at the wary looks from the soldiers she and Cassian had trained.
“She needs urgent medical attention!” Vel snapped. “She needs a doctor. Now.”
She helped Kleya sit up, holding her against her chest. The younger woman trembled violently from the effort.
“Get her to the infirmary.”
The general’s nod of approval brought visible relief. Two men hurried forward to assist. Vel couldn’t ignore the weak hand that clung to her forearm for one heartbeat longer before slipping away.
She watched, tight-throated, as Kleya was carried off the tarmac.
Then she and Cassian endured the disapproving stare of General Davits Draven. Honestly, Vel felt no regret. Without them, Kleya Marki would be dead — or in Imperial hands — and her crucial intelligence lost forever.
“We have critical information,” Vel said first.
“Information the Council will want to hear,” Cassian added.
The general sighed and motioned for them to follow.
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Inside the council chamber, Vel met the steady gaze of Mon Mothma. Relief flickered there — quickly replaced by severity. The senator was glad to see two of their best operatives alive. Now came the reckoning.
Vel let Cassian explain, watching the debate ignite.
“We found Kleya. At our old safehouse.”
“Who is this Kleya?” someone demanded.
“Luthen’s assistant,” Mon replied calmly.
“She had urgent and critical intelligence,” Cassian continued.
“Why isn’t she here?”
“She’s in the infirmary,” Draven answered.
“Is she all right?” Mon asked at once, unable to conceal her concern.
Vel grimaced, still shaken by Kleya’s physical and mental state.
“She’ll recover.”
Cassian’s tone remained pragmatic, but the senator’s eyes searched Vel’s face for confirmation.
Vel nodded.
“She’ll be fine.”
At least, she hoped so.
“We’re listening, Captain,” said Bail Organa.
As expected, tempers flared. Accusations flew. Mon tried to steady both sides. Vel had always admired her cousin’s composure and wisdom.
When Luthen’s name was dragged through the mud, Vel stiffened.
“Luthen gave his life for this?” someone challenged sharply.
Vel shifted her weight, fists clenched. Luthen had cost her more than she cared to admit — but he had fought for the galaxy’s future.
The argument ended only when Mon herself raised her voice. Finally, Bail turned to Vel and Cassian.
“In the meantime, Captain Andor, Sartha — you are grounded. Confined to quarters.”
Draven stepped forward to escort them, but Vel turned back toward the council.
“Permission to visit the infirmary?”
“Granted,” Mon answered immediately.
Vel left Cassian and Draven to their discussion and slipped quietly into the infirmary.
Kleya lay on a narrow cot, still pale, eyes hazy with pain. Her head tilted slightly when Vel approached, then she winced and looked away.
Vel waited while the nurse adjusted the IV line.
“How is she?” Vel asked quietly.
“Severe concussion. Two cracked ribs. Dehydration. Exhaustion.”
Vel swallowed hard.
“Not long,” the nurse warned gently. “She needs rest.”
Vel nodded and sat carefully on the edge of the bed.
They looked at one another.
As before, Kleya was the first to look away.
“Sorry about the welcome,” Vel murmured faintly. “Not exactly triumphant. Typical Cassian.”
Kleya didn’t answer. Only a tired breath escaped her.
The grief in her dark eyes was unmistakable. She didn’t need to ask.
“They’re struggling to believe it,” Vel said softly. “It’s… too big.”
She reached for Kleya’s hand.
“Cassian and I are doing everything we can. I promise you, Kleya.”
Exhausted, defeated, Kleya closed her eyes and swallowed. Vel squeezed her fingers in quiet reassurance.
“I’ll let you rest,” she whispered at last.
Kleya remained silent.
Vel offered a faint smile and left to rejoin Cassian and Wilmon.
Later, after speaking again with Mon and then Cassian, Vel — drained — made her way toward her yurt. Rain fell thick and relentless through the jungle canopy.
That was when she saw a familiar figure stumbling ahead in the downpour.
“Kleya?”
The young woman didn’t stop.
Vel quickened her pace and caught up, reaching out gently.
“Hey. It’s Vel.”
That was the moment it became too much.
Kleya broke.
The tears came without restraint, silent at first, then shaking through her entire body. Vel reacted instantly, shrugging off her parka and pulling it around Kleya’s shoulders.
“I don’t think it’ll make much difference,” she murmured, tugging the zipper up, “but it’s something.”
She drew the hood over Kleya’s head, then cupped her face in both hands.
“Come on. You can’t stay out in this downpour. Come here. I’ve got you.”
She slid an arm firmly around her waist and began guiding her forward. Kleya was barely steady on her feet. She never should have left the infirmary.
Vel’s yurt was closer.
Once inside, she immediately stripped off Kleya’s soaked jacket.
“Come here,” she said gently.
She wrapped her in a thick yellow blanket and carefully checked the bandaging around her head wound. Then she guided her to a chair. Kleya looked utterly defeated, her breathing shallow and uneven.
Vel hated how little fight remained in the woman who was usually so sharp, so controlled.
She prepared tea quickly and placed the warm cup into Kleya’s trembling hands.
“Drink. It’ll warm you up.”
Kleya obeyed without protest, surrendering herself entirely to Vel’s direction.
Vel sat opposite her, watching in silence.
“I don’t need to tell you it was reckless to leave the infirmary,” she said at last. “Honestly, Kleya — what were you expecting?”
“Nothing…” Kleya whispered.
Vel inhaled deeply to swallow her irritation. Anger would serve no purpose tonight.
“Drink,” she repeated more softly.
Kleya raised the cup with shaking hands.
Vel sighed.
“I’m sorry about Luthen. What you had to do for him… that must have been unbearable.”
Kleya lowered her eyes.
“I didn’t have a choice.”
“It gets exhausting, telling yourself that over and over, doesn’t it?”
Their gazes met — a fragile truce forged from shared sacrifice.
Kleya’s voice came distant, hollow.
“He always said… before you go anywhere, know how to get out. And I don’t even know anymore… where I am.”
Or who you are now, Vel thought.
She softened, offering a small, steady smile.
“I have friends everywhere,” she quoted gently. “You’re surrounded by friends here.”
Kleya’s lips trembled. She bit down hard to stop herself, tears bright in her eyes.
Vel stood and stepped toward her.
“Come here. You need this.”
She opened her arms.
Kleya hesitated — but her body betrayed her. She rose, and Vel wrapped her tightly in an embrace.
Kleya’s shoulders shook violently. Vel only held her closer —
Until a sharp hiss of pain broke from Kleya’s lips.
“Damn — sorry!”
Vel loosened her grip at once but didn’t let go entirely.
“It’s okay…”
It clearly wasn’t.
She guided Kleya gently to the bed and helped her sit. Kleya clung to the fabric of Vel’s sweater.
“Do I need to call someone?”
“No… it’s manageable again.”
“You don’t have to endure pain as penance, Kleya.”
Kleya closed her eyes.
Vel brushed her thumb along her cheek. The contact made Kleya’s eyes open again — wary, almost startled by the closeness.
Vel stroked her cheek once more.
“Hey. It’s okay. All right?”
Kleya seemed lost in the blue of Vel’s eyes for a long moment before she nodded.
Tomorrow she might regret being this pliant with Vel Sartha.
Tonight, she needed her.
Vel smiled softly.
“Good. Now you need to sleep.”
Kleya’s hand caught hers.
“The superweapon…”
“We’re handling it. Mon, Cassian — they won’t let Luthen’s death be meaningless. I swear it, Kleya.”
“That’s a lot of promises,” Kleya murmured weakly.
“Bed,” Vel said gently.
She helped her lie back. When Kleya tried to move, Vel stopped her.
“Ah. No. You stay still. Let me help.”
She knelt and unlaced her boots. Then she straightened.
“You can’t stay in these wet clothes.”
A faint flush rose to Kleya’s cheeks.
“I can—”
“No arguing, Marki.”
“Vel. I’m not helpless.”
“Would you rather go back to the infirmary?”
Vel waited.
Kleya surrendered with a small, defeated look.
“May I?” Vel asked quietly.
“You’ll do it anyway… won’t you?”
“Yes,” Vel replied simply, a hint of pride in her smile. “Don’t be dramatic. I’ve seen women naked before, remember?”
The air in the yurt shifted instantly.
Vel froze, hands resting lightly at the hem of Kleya’s tunic.
“Vel…” Kleya began.
Vel lifted a hand.
“No. Don’t.”
And Kleya fell silent.
Vel carefully pulled the soaked fabric over her head. Kleya tensed sharply from the pain, trying to curl inward, but Vel steadied her, holding her upright until the wave passed — doing her best not to think about the warmth of bare skin beneath her hands.
She slipped a clean shirt over Kleya’s head.
The tea’s warmth had faded; she was trembling again.
Vel helped her out of the rest of her damp clothing, movements efficient, gentle. Together, they pulled on dry trousers.
“And now?” Kleya asked quietly.
“Now you sleep. You regain your strength.”
“I don’t know if I can.”
“You can.”
Vel tucked the blankets carefully around her. She hesitated, then remained seated on the edge of the bed, feeling the light pressure of Kleya’s thigh against her own.
She brushed a stray lock of hair behind Kleya’s ear. The touch made her shiver.
They held each other’s gaze until Kleya’s eyelids finally drooped, surrendering to exhaustion.
Vel leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
Then she rose carefully, moving away without waking her.
“Vel…” came the faint, sleep-heavy whisper.
“…Thank you.”