Here and Gone: Conclusion

(Continued from Part Four)

~*~

Yesterday was something called "Thanksgiving" on a place called "Earth." It's a holiday where the inhabitants express their gratitude for the things that they are thankful for in their lives.  

 

Today, back home in the comfort and safety of my own room, I have many, MANY things to be thankful for.

 

Since being rescued, I am slowly getting pieces of the story and putting them together.

 

After we were taken...I don't know who on that pirate ship took mercy on little Lily and gave us the milk and mushed grain for her to eat, but they probably saved her life. She was so hungry and the little sips of water I could give her only made her mad.

I think we were there about a week.  The days all ran together and all my attempts to get out of that hold failed, but it got worse.  Much worse. 

Back on Coruscant, it seems that the authorities caught one of the pirate's operatives snooping around my speeder and they were able to learn that he was affiliated with Thalassian slavers.  It was the first real break in the case and it sounds bad to say, but I'm glad that sleemo was dumb enough to get caught.

 

When word got out that Lily was missing, Echo and Disco's friends descended on the Castle and they all helped out in one way or another.  Barb, Bikoura, Azlyn, Riku...even Cade came home (moons and stars I have missed him!) and every last of one of them rushed off to Thalassia to help find us. 

 

Obi stayed home with Rose and that may sound boring, but I am so very grateful to him for being there for her.

 

When they got to Thalassia, Barb was able to sense Lily in the Force.  I think Bik had a team on the ground and Azlyn had called in some favors, but Barb guided them to the auction house where we were both to be sold.

 

I can't even tell you how horrible those two days on Thalassia were.  They took Lily from me - both of us kicking and screaming about that - and locked me away from her.  I could hear her crying through the door, but they had me bound and gagged and I was totally powerless to help her.  I'd have given anything...DONE anything at that point.  I expected the usual propositions and "deals."  It's no big secret what men usually want from a girl like me and I'd have done it without a minute's hesitation if it would have kept her safe. 

 

On the day that we were to be put on the auction block, they turned the speakers on and I could hear what was happening in the main hall.  The bidding had just started when the first shots were fired.  I found out later that it was Echo, Barb and Bik fighting their way through the crowd to get to Lily.

 

Through all the chaos and screaming after that, one voice rose above all the others.  It was Disco and she sounded fierce.  Never let that mild-mannered sweetness fool you.  Mess with her kids and you'd better have made your peace with whatever gods you believe in.

 

The last thing I remember, before getting knocked unconscious by kriffing stun cuffs, was Echo calling my name. 

 

After that, I woke up on his ship and Azlyn was there with medical equipment and...we were safe. 

 

 

I don't think I'll ever be able to thank everyone enough for coming to find us. And I don't know what I ever did to deserve this wonderful family and these friends who would risk their lives for me, but I love them all and - in the spirit of the Earth Tradition - I give thanks for them.

 

 

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Blue's typist note:  High-fives to everyone who participated in this story line!  I'm not even kidding when I say I was on the edge of my seat during the big rescue scene (which was totally improv'd and AWESOME) and I really hope everyone had as much fun as I did.  <3