“She will, but I’m afraid for her.” “Mom, what are you saying?”
Leia looked Jaina straight in the eye. “You’re lucky we
don’t keep you from seeing Zekk. The more we think about it,
the more we are wondering what you see in him.”
“What he did was inexcusable,” Han said. “Jaina, we trust
your judgement, but keep in mind what he did. Like your mother
told you, he may not have shot that shuttle down, but he was
there and might as well have been the one to issue the command.”
Jaina stormed out. This was getting too much.
Han looked at Leia. Jaina was eighteen and very mature.
But she seemed to have poor judgement at the moment. “Let her
go. She’s upset and I can’t blame her.”
Leia reluctantly agreed. Jaina was in love. That much was
obvious, but why? “Han, why does Jaina want us to forgive Zekk?
I can sense she hasn’t done that herself.”
“Maybe she realizes it’s not forgiveness Zekk deserves.
Maybe it’s something else. I can’t excuse what he did, but you
have to remember how Kyp was when he was on the Dark Side.”
Leia still remembered the news of the supernova explosion
on Carida. Kyp had directly caused that while under the
influence of the Dark Side. “Kyp paid a dear price, too. I
remember the look in his eyes when Tionne was in that coma.
That’s what scares me. What if another Dr. Morrin comes along
and does that to Jaina? She might not be as lucky as Tionne.”
“It wasn’t luck that helped Tionne survive. It was inner
strength, something both Tionne and Jaina have a lot of. Kyp
just had bad luck.”
Leia shook her head. Her daughter’s judgement was
beginning to look a lot better. Maybe what Zekk needed was
guidance. Kyp had gotten it from Luke, whom he had felled.
Maybe someone could give it to Zekk as well. But who?
Certainly not Tenel Ka, who Leia knew wanted revenge for her
injuries and tragic loss. Then it occurred to her.
It was Jaina. Tenel Ka slipped into the tub back on Yavin. The warm
water helped her muscles relax as she lay back. Tears came to
her eyes. She heard a voice.
“It’s not easy, is it?”
“No, Mara, it’s not. How did you ever cope?”
“I just let myself go. I held a lot of pain in for so long
that I just exploded. Tenel Ka, this is not something you can
just shrug off. The pain lingers for quite some time. Don’t
fight it. If you need a shoulder to cry on or any assistance,
swallow your pride and ask someone for help.”
“Like right now?”
“Yes.” Mara drew Tenel Ka into her arms.
Tears ran down Tenel Ka’s cheeks. “I just don’t understand
why this had to happen.”
“You’re not supposed to understand. No one is. It’s just
the Forces of fate. Shh, don’t talk anymore and just let it all
out.” Mara stroked her back. “It’ll pass eventually.”
Tenel Ka cried herself to sleep. Mara carried her into the
bedroom and covered her up. Jacen came in.
“Aunt Mara, I’ve never seen her in such anguish. I can’t
blame her, but she’s always had a tough exterior. I don’t know
what to do to help her.”
“Be with her. She needs someone very close to her right
now.” Mara left.
Jacen lay down beside her. “It’ll be okay, honey.” He
opened her robe and stroked her body.
She tensed up under his touch as she woke up. “Oh, Jacen,
that feels so good. How do you know how to relax me?”
“Mom taught me how at an early age. She does that to Dad
all the time.”
Tenel Ka tried it on Jacen. “Like that?”
“Yes.” He pulled her close.
“Jacen, no offense, but you look terrible, too.”
“Nearly losing you didn’t help. When Dr. Gianna told me
you had miscarried, my heart broke. I had wanted that child as
much as you did.”
“That’s saying a lot. Thank you for being here for me.”
“It’s my pleasure. It’ll be okay. We’ll survive this.”
“Yes.” She held Jacen close. He had once again, used the
power of love to ease her pain. That, above all, was why she
loved him so much. He was to her like Luke had been to Mara.
Someone to love. Zekk was on Coruscant in his new apartment. He was no
longer in the underworld of Coruscant. He had a job in Imperial
City and was on his own. It felt great. He had never felt so
free in his life.
He owed it all to Jaina Solo. Jaina loved him a lot. And
he loved her. “Tenel Ka, what’s wrong?” Jacen was very concerned for her.
“I’m having nightmares. Jacen, maybe I’m going crazy, but
I keep having visions of Armageddon on Coruscant. I don’t know
why, but it frightens me.”
“With that damned ship lurking around, I can see why. But
what can we do?”
“Nothing. I’m afraid to tell anybody or they’ll think I’m
just recuperating from my injuries.”
“But you’re not doing that badly. That could have killed
you, but you survived and now are doing quite well. That should
stand for something. You’re looking really good, by the way.”
“Thank you, Jacen. You, too.”
Jacen wrapped his arms around Tenel Ka and she turned her
head around and kissed him. Mara sat in her office. She had experienced the same
dreams that Tenel Ka had. She wondered if she were going crazy,
but she didn’t have a husband to tell her she wasn’t. She felt
all alone, but she had her friends at the Academy. That was
important.
One of her students, the Dathomirian Tamith Kai, came in.
“Mara, what’s wrong?”
“I keep having horrible visions of Armageddon on Coruscant.
I just wonder if I’m losing it.”
“No, you’re not. Several of us have had the same vision.
It’s not crazy. With the Galactic Peacemaker lurking around,
you’d better watch out. That vision may come true.”
That would mean horrible consequences for the people Mara
knew almost as well as those at the Academy. Her sister-in-law,
Leia Organa Solo, and her family lived on Coruscant, as did many
of Mara’s friends. “I hope not.”
“How’s Tenel Ka? I heard about her loss.”
“Better than expected. She looks good, but she’s still in
pain. I can sense it. I want to console her, but I just fall
apart every time I think of her, lying on the ground in a coma.”
“I’m glad she’s okay, nonetheless. Are she and Jacen going
to try to conceive another kid?”
“That’s what they’re hoping, but Tenel Ka’s not in any mood
to try right now.”
“It’s never easy.”
Mara agreed. “Wait, how do you know?”
“I’ve been there myself.” Zekk walked in. Jaina turned away.
“Dammit, Jaina, don’t be like that.”
“Zekk, go away.”
Zekk left. Jaina buried her head in her hands. She wasn’t
feeling very good. She was very confused and now was in tears.
She had to wonder what she was thinking. Leia heard about the exchange. She wondered if maybe she
should talk with Jaina.
Han agreed. “She’s confused right now and probably needs a
little guidance. Though I still have my doubts about Zekk, I do
ask that you see things from both perspectives. Jaina needs
your help.”
Leia walked out, intending to provide it.
Han wasn’t sure how to take this, either. He couldn’t
imagine how Jaina felt. She ran into Zekk outside her door. “Zekk, c’mon. We need
to talk.”
Zekk listened as Leia lectured him severely. She wanted to
kill him, but at the same time she wanted to help him. “Jaina
really loves you, Zekk, but you have to understand she and Tenel
Ka are really good friends and your actions have really driven
her out of her mind. Tenel Ka is in dire pain and it hurts more
that someone close to her sister-in-law did it and no one seems
to care.”
“I care, Mrs. Solo. That’s why I’m here, talking to you
and not running off.”
“I know I was harsh on you, but you need it. I like
you–you’re a good influence on my daughter–but you are a
barbarian for what you did. The Dark Side of the Force is not
to be laughed at. It is very serious. I almost lost Mara to a
Nightsister using the Dark Side. Now, my daughter-in-law is
grieving over her loss. By the way, Zekk, just call me Leia.
Don’t need to be so formal.”
“I just didn’t think I deserved to use your first name.”
“When I saw you coming out of that shuttle, looking like
nothing was wrong, I thought that, but I think otherwise now.
Tenel Ka is not very happy with the New Republic awarding you
amnesty.”
“Jaina told me that was the case. Leia, I feel awful. I
don’t know what to say.”
“Just stay away from Tenel Ka for a while if you can help
it. Let her cool off, if she can. She will probably never
forgive you, but at least she’ll get to the point where she
doesn’t hate you anymore.”
“I won’t rush that. I honestly can’t blame her. Leia, can
I be perfectly honest here?”
“Sure.”
“I met Tenel Ka just before that last seizure hit her.
She’s such a charming young woman. I liked her a lot and, to be
honest again, was really hit hard when she went into the coma.”
“Zekk, don’t you see? That’s what Jaina is trying to tell
you. The Dark Side made you not care about who that was. Now
that you know, you forsaked the Dark Side. But you can’t do it
just like that. I know you’re feeling guilty, but it is not
helping the situation at all. It’ll get better.”
They said goodbye and Leia went on to Jaina’s apartment. “Mom, why is love so complicated?”
“Because it is. Jaina, why did you walk out on us, then
throw Zekk out?”
“I don’t know. I just felt ill at the time. I love Zekk
very much.”
“It’s okay to love someone, but you have to set limits. If
you really love him, you need to make sure he’s really away from
the Dark Side or he’ll break your heart and you’ll be in danger
of falling to the Dark Side yourself. We trust your judgement,
but please bear in mind that he did hurt your sister-in-law
badly. Mara says Tenel Ka probably will never forgive Zekk for
this.”
“She has every right to do that. But the choice is not so
clear to me.”
“I guess so.”
As Leia left, Jaina got on the phone with Zekk. “Zekk, I’m
sorry.”
Zekk came over and hugged her. “Jaina, you don’t need to
apologize. I was wrong.” Han sat on the holophone with Jacen.
“I can’t abide by that. Dad, why is Jaina so adamant in
defending him?”
“She’s in love. She wants to help him and I don’t see
anything wrong with that in particular.”
“I don’t, either. Do I have to forgive Zekk, too?”
“No. You don’t. Neither does Tenel Ka. I don’t agree
that he should get off so easily, but what’s done is done and
Tenel Ka is still alive. That doesn’t make it right, but it
does put things in perspective.”
“It’s not right, I’ll give you that.”
“How is she?”
“Falling apart at the seams. I’ve never seen her like this
before and it scares me.”
“You’ll have to accept that Tenel Ka won’t always show that
rough exterior of hers.”
“That’s what bothers me. She’s still trying to show it
now.” Jacen later got on the holophone with Zekk. He had no idea
why.
Zekk almost hung up, the look on Jacen’s face making things
worse, but he felt he deserved that. “Jacen, I don’t know what
to say.”
“Good, because I won’t listen.” Jacen hit the button and
terminated the call. Jaina was shocked, having just seen the call. “Zekk-”
“No, Jaina, don’t say anything, please. He said in that
little sentence all that could be said.”
“Zekk, please don’t expect sympathy from me.”
“I’m not. You’re good not to want to give it, either, but
I have to resolve this with Jacen. If he hates me for life, it
won’t be because I didn’t try.” Mara kept it to herself, but she felt that Jacen had
stepped out of line with that call. But this wasn’t Jacen’s
problem. It was Zekk’s. Finally, she spoke up. “Jacen, I
won’t even think of lecturing you on what you just did, but what
is the problem here? Is it more than just your wife?”
“And unborn child. Yes, it’s more than that. That was a
very close friend of mine–Zekk, that is–and he nearly killed the
one woman who understands me nearly as much as Mom or Jaina
does.”
Mara sighed. Jacen had a point. “You also know, then,
that he’s dating Jaina.”
“Doesn’t help a bit. I don’t know, though. Half of me
wants to kill him and half wants to forgive him.”
“Go between the two. Talk to him. This time, more than
one sentence.” “Zekk, you don’t understand how hurt Tenel Ka is right now.
You probably never will.”
“That’s right, but I can’t keep apologizing to you and her.
I don’t feel that’s in her best interest, sounding more like
patronizing.”
“Good point. You have to face up to this, though.
Especially with Jaina, who is very close friends with Tenel Ka.
She’s being pulled into the middle of this and she did nothing
wrong.”
“I’m not trying to pit her against her best friend. If you
believe nothing else, at least believe that. We have just
gotten close. I went with her from Brakiss’ ship because, deep
down, I really cared for her. I had no inkling I had nearly
killed a pregnant woman, nor did I know that the woman was your
wife.”
Tenel Ka came in. She almost shut off the connection, but
she didn’t feel right doing it. She left, not wanting to break
down again in front of Zekk. Secretly, she wasn’t sure a grudge
was the best thing to carry at this point.
Jacen nodded. Zekk said goodbye. Nothing else needed to
be said. Mara sat with Jacen. “Doesn’t that feel so much better?”
“Yeah, though I’m still angry.”
“I didn’t mean for you to try to abate your anger. I just
wanted you to discuss the situation with Zekk in a more calm
manner than you did before.” Leia sat with Zekk again. She actually felt sorry for him.
Weird that it was that way. “Zekk, Jacen needed that.”
“I know.” He buried his head in his hands. He had really
messed up this time. Tionne sat with her guitar in hand as Mara sat with her.
“Mara, how are you feeling?”
“Just fine, Tionne. I’m feeling a lot better.”
“Probably better than Tenel Ka right now. How’s she
feeling?”
“She won’t show it, but she’s in pain. All I can do is-”
“Just bear with me,” Tenel Ka said. She had just entered
the room. “I know I seem down, and I am, but Jacen’s helping me
cope.”
“No offense, but you don’t look so good.”
“I know, Tionne. The loss still hurts. I guess it’s
supposed to.”
“Don’t be like that. You just got unlucky. Don’t just
shrug the pain off; you’ll make it worse.”
“I guess I’m doing okay, though. It just sickens me that
Jacen and I had conceived a baby and someone ripped it from me.
Mara, I’m sure you know what that’s like.”
“Yes, I do. I also know how much it hurts. You’ll wake up
nights, out of your mind with grief, but you can help it pass by
using the relaxation technique Luke taught you. The pain will
eventually pass.”
“Thanks. You two have been almost as much help as Jacen in
helping me through this.”
“Don’t mention it. You are my nephew’s wife and a close
friend. How’s your head?”
“Fine, actually. I still have trouble balancing sometimes,
but Rillao’s been keeping an eye on me. Though I’m sure she’s
afraid she may have inflated my lung the wrong way, I appreciate
her concern for me. I don’t honestly think she did anything
wrong.”
“Rillao’s a caring woman. She was horrified when you had
that seizure. You really looked like you were already dead.
I’m glad you’re not.”
“I am, too. I don’t know. Maybe we’ll try again, but not
anytime soon.”
“Don’t rush. You probably should take some time to let
your body heal. You’re looking somewhat better, if it’s any
consolation.”
“Thanks. I just feel awful. I can’t keep from crying at
night, but Jacen’s been there to help me. Why does it hurt so
badly?”
“You were carrying a life inside you. That’s why, near as
I can figure out from my own experience.”
“That makes all too much sense. I guess life sometimes
isn’t fair.”
“True. Don’t worry about it too much. Just try to deal
with your loss. It’ll get easier, I promise.”
“Mara, not to change the subject, but have you been having
dreams about Coruscant?”
“If you mean total destruction, yes. Tenel Ka, are you
having them, too?”
“This is a fact. Mara, I thought I was going crazy. I’m
not, am I?”
“No, not unless several of us are going crazy as well. Oh,
god, I wish I could dismiss the dreams as delusions. But this
is serious.”
“What can we do?”
“I don’t know. We can’t tell the New Republic. I don’t
want a preemptive strike against the Galactic Peacemaker.
That’s not diplomatic. Declaring war like that will undo all we
have fought for, and some of us have died for. I just hope the
visions are wrong.”
“Me, too. You’re right; war is not an option.”
“I know you probably want revenge for your unborn child’s
sake.”
“Yes, but I know not to act on such wishes.”
“Good for you. It’s not easy to have such strength.
They’ll get them somehow. Hopefully, before we lose someone
else.”
Tenel Ka nodded. She walked out.
Tionne shook her head. Tenel Ka was just hiding her
feelings. She would later regret it. Someone already did. Jacen was beginning to see some
severe strain in Tenel Ka. She seemed really moody and kept to
herself. He wondered if he were about to see his marriage fall
apart over this. Certainly not a trivial reason, but it still
hurt. He had said nothing as he had walked out on her.
Arian walked out. “Jacen, what’s wrong?”
Jacen really admired Arian. He could see very well why she
was such good friends with Tenel Ka. “I don’t know. Arian,
losing that child has taken a toll on Tenel Ka. I can feel it.
She seems distant and depressed. I can understand, but it
scares me. What if we split up? I don’t want to lose her.”
“She loves you. She told me that. Jacen, I remember
talking with Teneniel after she lost her baby. She was the same
way. Isolder was there for her. You should be, too.”
“She hides herself too much.”
“Then use the Force. Touch her mind. Let her know that
you care.”
“I guess.” Jacen walked away. He needed some time to
himself. Arian walked in on Tenel Ka.
Tenel Ka looked up. “Arian.”
“You can’t just keep doing this. Jacen loves you. Can’t
you understand that?”
“I know. But I just can’t hold the tears in and I feel
like I must in his company.”
“You don’t have to do any such thing. Keeping your pain
inside just makes it worse. That’s how I was when Dad threw me
out. I spent the rest of the days he was alive being bitter and
spiteful. Mom probably told you that I didn’t go to his
funeral. I could never tell her why. Eventually, I did and now
regret having kept away.”
“I guess.” Tenel Ka broke down again.
Arian held her, softly stroking her hair. “That’s better.
Just let it all out. That helped so many others out.”
Tenel Ka eventually fell asleep. Arian covered her up.
Her heart broke for her best friend. No wonder Jacen kept away.
Tenel Ka was holding her pain in and keeping to herself, quite
the opposite from what she really needed to be.
“Tenel Ka?”
“Luke, is that you?”
The spirit of Luke showed up. “Yes. It’s me.”
“Well, it’s obvious I need help. My own husband is away
right now.”
“Can you honestly blame him? Tenel Ka, he loves you. He
knows you’re hurting and that you’re not letting him do anything
about it. You need someone right now.”
“I know that, but I just can’t face him.”
“Don’t want him to see you like this? How about after your
father died. Wasn’t he the one who comforted you? You were
like this then.”
Tenel Ka nodded her head. Tears were falling from her eyes
again. “Luke, this hurts.”
“Mara knows about that. At the very least, you should talk
with her. Arian’s right; you can’t keep to yourself the rest of
your life. And the pain won’t go away even then if that keeps
up.”
As Luke’s spirit disappeared, Tenel Ka lay back and fell
asleep. Mara came in and covered her up. A little while later, Tamith Kai walked in. “Tenel Ka,
there’s something I need to tell you. It might help.” Jacen walked around outside, using the Force to talk to the
creatures in the jungle. He wondered if doing some rock
climbing would help. But, there were no mountains within easy
reach of the area. Tenel Ka always used the Massassi Temple and
just climbed that, but it was probably too short and, besides
that, he didn’t know how to do it. He was very alone. He kept
having visions of his wife divorcing him, though he couldn’t
understand why.
Damaya came out. “Jacen,” she said, “care to talk about
it?”
“You might help indeed. Damaya, I’m worried about my
marriage to Tenel Ka.”
“Afraid Tenel Ka will leave you?”
“Yeah. Exactly.”
“I have never been married, but I know from talking with
Teneniel how painful a miscarriage is.”
“What can I do? From talking to Mara and Tionne, one might
think dealing with this is easy.”
Tionne appeared, shaking her head. “That’s because you
weren’t at the Academy yet. Mara lost it during a speech to the
Academy class that was here then. Luke sent her to Coruscant to
seek counseling. It helped her out.”
“Was Aunt Mara ever in danger of leaving Luke?”
“Yes, actually, she was. About midway through the
pregnancy, she and Luke had a bad falling-out. Mara actually
locked herself in the Alderaanian Consulate and wouldn’t come
out. She was really in pain and Luke had enough of it. I
stayed with her, but had a mild seizure. They said it was
nothing. Dr. Gianna attributed the seizure to strain from the
pregnancy on my healing body. I was okay, but Kyp was scared.”
“He got over it, though, if I heard correctly.”
“Yes. He didn’t even think about it until I went into
labor, then into cardiac arrest.”
“Back to the subject, though. What can I do?”
“Let Tenel Ka cool off. She was with Tamith Kai when I
last saw her,” Damaya said.
“What can she do?”
“She miscarried herself. She was in a bad rock-climbing
accident and got the wind knocked out of her. The baby died
immediately and Tamith Kai hadn’t even known she was pregnant.
Just like Tenel Ka.”
“She must’ve been devastated.”
“She was in such severe pain she tried to kill herself.”
“I didn’t know.”
“Only a couple of people did.”
All of a sudden, Tenel Ka ran out and into his arms.
“Jacen, I’m sorry,” was all she said before melting in his arms.
Damaya and Tionne left them alone. Tamith Kai remembered vividly what had happened. She,
Barukka, and Damaya had decided to go rock climbing one cool
day. There was a light breeze, but Tamith Kai had decided to do
the climb anyway. There had been a mild snowfall on top.
Tamith Kai had gotten geared up and started climbing.
About halfway up, she had lost her footing. She had been
feeling very dizzy of late and slipped. Damaya had tried to
grab a hold of her, but to no avail. Tamith Kai had fallen to
the ground and gotten the wind knocked out of her. She couldn’t
move, her back broken on impact.
Barukka had climbed down and run to her fallen friend’s
side. Then she had noticed a streak of blood at the woman’s
waist. Medics had run up and immobilized her, then taken her to
the hospital. Then they had determined she had been pregnant.
As Tamith Kai had laid there with a mask on her face, she had
concentrated on the Force and tried to break her neck. A nurse
had found her, sedated her, and thrown her in the psychiatric
area. Tamith Kai had been involuntarily committed.
But her friends, not to mention her husband, had helped her
heal.
Tamith Kai remembered her husband. He had been a very nice
man, with short red hair and dark green eyes. He had fallen
instantly in love with her, seeing her deep violet eyes as the
most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. Tears came to her eyes as
she remembered lying there, during the recent Hapan uprising,
shot in the stomach and looking at the body of her husband, shot
in the heart.
Now, she was a Jedi trainee, looking to turn her pathetic,
in her opinion, life around.
“What did you do to her,” Damaya asked her friend.
“I had a talk with her. She needed it.”
Tionne had a lot of respect for Tamith Kai, who had
comforted Tionne after Kyp had died. “Good for you. Jacen was
afraid for his marriage. Tenel Ka seemed so moody. I never
knew about your miscarriage.”
“It was stupid. I should never have gone climbing that
day. We caught a wind and I fell 10 meters to the ground. I
broke my back and then found out I had been pregnant. It was a
wonder I hadn’t been higher up and broken more than my back.
That’s why I walk so stiffly now. I still do rock-climbing, but
I can’t ever do so without apprehension. Damaya probably told
you I nearly committed suicide.”
“How?”
“Tried to use the Force to break my neck. It didn’t work
well and I was remanded to therapy after that.”
“Ouch. Well, Tenel Ka really appreciates that.”
“She also has made peace with Zekk. She’ll never forgive
him for this, but at least she doesn’t hate him, either. I made
her promise not to make Jacen do likewise. She agreed.” “Jacen, I’ve been a bitch lately and I’m sorry.”
“I just kept having these dreams of you and me getting a
divorce over this. I couldn’t stand it.”
“I doubt that would have really happened. Jacen, you’re
what I need right now. Maybe I couldn’t express that, but it’s
true. I’m not used to having such tragedy occur like this.
Mostly, right now, I need a shoulder to cry on.”
Jacen got the hint and held her. “I figured as much,” was
all he said. As she stood there in his arms, he softly stroked
the front of her body. It always cooled her down.
As she stopped crying, Jacen lay her down and massaged her.
He longed to touch her naked body once again, to caress her.
But not for now.
“Jacen?”
“Yes?”
“At some point, do you really want to try again?”
“I still would like to have children.”
“Now’s not the time, of course, but I would, too. We’re
ready for parenthood. When Mom said it, I knew it was so. Oh,
god, that feels so good.” Tenel Ka moaned as he continued
kneading her strong muscles. “I just feel so ill.”
Jacen softly stroked her legs. She stopped him, not ready
for the next step. But she didn’t quite say never to do it
again.
“Give me a little while to recover first and then we can do
it,” she said as she fell asleep. Admiral Tarkin sat on board the Galactic Peacemaker. He
was furious at Zekk for turning on him. He would soon have his
revenge. In the underworld of Coruscant, some of Zekk’s old friends
were walking around, living dirty lives. Some wished Zekk the
best, others were envious of his rise to the top on Coruscant.
All of a sudden, there were explosions all around. People
ran in all directions as there were massive fires and total
destruction. A whole squadron of troopers had infiltrated the
underworld and started detonating suicide bombs all over the
place. Soon there were no survivors. There had just been a
holocaust.
The tragic part was no one in the New Republic, for the
most part, would care. Zekk was furious when he heard about the destruction.
“Jaina, you mean no one noticed someone attacking the
underworld?”
“Unfortunately, yes. Zekk, I don’t mean to sound
insensitive, but much of the Council seems to not give a damn
about the underworld.”
“I’ve known that for some time. It’s sad it has to be that
way. I guess now it doesn’t matter.”
“It matters to you. I know those were your friends down
there. Maybe you won’t get much sympathy, but those were real
people down there. To me, that matters just as much as if a
holocaust occurred up here. Zekk, don’t do something you’re
going to regret.”
“I won’t. I’ve come too far to the Light Side of the Force
to give it up now.” He held Jaina. As usual, she felt so good
to get close to. At least he had her.
Leia shook her head. “Jaina, I’m afraid you’re right. Oh,
I wish it weren’t true.”
Zekk spoke up. “Those people just never gave themselves a
chance to leave their homes for nicer accommodations. It’s
unfortunate, but I’m afraid that there’s nothing we can do.”
“As far as I’m concerned the Galactic Peacemaker just
declared war.”
“The Council won’t go for it, though,” Jaina said.
Leia wished her daughter weren’t so cynical, but Jaina had
a point. That’s what hurt the most.
One exception was the Ambassador to Bakura, the lovely
Gaeriel Captison. “Zekk, I wish I could do something about
this. Those were real people down there. Maybe the Council as
a whole doesn’t give a damn, but you should find comfort,
however faint, that there are a few members of the Council who
do.”
“Thank you, Gaeriel. At least a few people care.”
“Unfortunately, our hands are tied.”
“That’s not very reassuring.”
“I wish I could do more. Something will come up, hopefully
before this happens again.” Mara shook her head. “Why does it have to be this way?”
“Because the Council sees the underworld as a bunch of
thugs who are nothing but trouble. No offense to Tenel Ka, but
that’s how many saw Dathomir when we first started diplomatic
relations with them.” Tenel Ka was part Dathomirian, from the
side of her mother, Queen Teneniel Djo Chume of Hapes, who had
been born and raised on Dathomir. “Some still see it that way.”
“There’s nothing we can do about that,” Tenel Ka said,
having just entered the room with the holophone. “Dathomir is
such a barren planet. I see why they have such a bad view of
it, but that doesn’t make their prejudices right. Jacen has
always told me that meeting Mom and me for the first time
diminished his prejudices against Dathomir.”
“Tenel Ka, you’re looking better. Not to change the
subject, but are you still hurting?”
“Yes. I guess it’s getting better, but I can’t get over
the pain very easily.”
“Your mother called here, on unrelated business, and was
wondering about you.”
“Even after she lost her second baby, I couldn’t imagine
how much it hurt.” An Imperial trooper had shot Teneniel in the
stomach during her second pregnancy, causing a catastrophic
miscarriage that required Teneniel to undergo a hysterectomy,
leaving her infertile. “Leia, I feel awful.”
“I’ll tell you the same thing I told Mara after her baby
died. Don’t try to keep that tough-woman image of yours to the
point that you hide all your emotions. It’ll come back and make
you feel worse down the road. If you feel like crying, just do
it. It’ll do nothing more than to help you deal with the pain.
Don’t hold it in.”
“Thanks, Leia.” She ran out. Mara said goodbye and ran
after her.
Leia could see Tenel Ka had already taken her advice.
Tears had been running down her cheeks as fast as she could run
out of the room. It almost brought tears to Leia’s own eyes to
see her daughter-in-law in such dire pain. Mara found her in the control room. “Tenel Ka, is there
something I can do?”
“Just your being here is good enough.”
Mara held her in her arms. “I can do that. You need
someone.”
Finally, she calmed down a little bit. “What can I do?”
“I wish I could tell you how to make it go away faster.”
“I feel like my heart has been torn out.”
“It’s a sinking feeling, losing a child. Tenel Ka, it’ll
be okay.”
“I know.” Tenel Ka stayed in Mara’s arms for a while, then
she decided to take a warm bath. Soaking in warm water was the
best therapy she could think of. The warmth soothed her muscles
and allowed her to relax. She slid into the tub and sighed.
Jacen came in. He put his hands down the front of her
body, stroking her stomach and chest. She moaned as he
continued. “Jacen, you don’t know how good that feels.”
Eventually, Tenel Ka slipped out of the tub. Jacen held
her in his arms. Soon, she lay down on the ground and looked
him in the eyes. He softly stroked her body, feeling the
tension leaving her. Soon, he had his clothes off. “Tenel Ka,
I think it’s time to try again.”
“It’s right, yes.” Tenel Ka softly rubbed between her
legs. “But please go easy. Just in case.”
“I will.” Jacen ran his lips up the length of her body, softly
kissing her breasts. Soon, he was on top of her and he pushed
himself inside. She gasped as he entered her. He pushed on with
his might. Her breathing quickened as her adrenaline started
pumping.
Jacen wasn’t sure if she was having orgasms or seizures;
her body was shaking so badly when he got off of her. “Hey, you
okay?”
“Yeah,” she said, breathing heavily. “I’m fine.” She
could hear her own heart racing as she calmed down. “Just fine.”
Jacen ran his hands down her front. He soon felt her inner
thighs. She reeled with his touch.
Tenel Ka wasn’t sure why now seemed right to try to
conceive a baby again, but it was right. Maybe they’d get
lucky. As he got off of her, she climbed on top of him and gave
him a massage, but she soon stopped as he gritted his teeth in
pain.
“Tenel Ka, watch it. That really hurt.”
“Sorry, Jacen, I forget my own strength sometimes.”
“I do, too. But those muscles of yours really feel good to
touch.” Jacen showed her how to do it right. It was much
better after that. “There you go.”
As she finished, she fell into the bed. They held each
other tight, feeling a newfound bond. “You think we just-?”
“Could be,” Jacen said. “But does it really matter right
now?”
“No.” She smiled with tears in her eyes. Soon, she
started laughing and they made love again. Jacen could feel a
world of tension leaving her body. Her leg muscles tightened
and relaxed as they continued. They soon fell asleep in each
other’s arms. Tenel Ka woke up with Mara standing over her. Jacen was
gone.
Mara tousled her hair. “You look a lot better this
morning. I came in to check on you.”
“Mara, I…think we may have gotten lucky again.”
“I hope you did.”
“Moreover, I have a newfound respect for him. He has held
himself together pretty well, while I’ve been crying my eyes
out. I shouldn’t have stayed to myself; he can help me.” A couple of weeks went by. Tenel Ka was walking around in
the jungle, preparing to do a little climbing, when she suddenly
passed out. Just like Tamith Kai, but at least she was on
ground.
Arian ran to her. “You okay?”
Tenel Ka nodded her head. “I think so.”
Rillao came out and carried her back to the infirmary. She
checked her out, then shook her head. “Tenel Ka, you probably
already knew this.”
“You mean-”
“You’re pregnant again. Congratulations.”
“I hope I don’t have to suffer what I did the last time.”
“Same here. Listen, you know what Dr. Gianna told you. I
want you back to Coruscant now.”
“No need to,” Dr. Gianna said. “I’m here on Yavin.” She
had come to visit her brother, Jaye Wilson. He and his wife,
Lana, were on Yavin training as Jedi Knights. “The Imperial
City Medical Center is in chaos right now. The holocaust in the
underworld has caused a major shake-up there. Tenel Ka, I’m
going to need to get you to another Medical Center. How does
Hapes sound? It’s your home planet.”
“Sounds really good. But why Hapes?”
“It is where I can keep an eye on you and still make sure
you receive top-notch medical care. I want you to live to raise
your child. Growing up without a mother is something no child
should have to do.”
Tenel Ka agreed. Jacen hugged Tenel Ka. “Mara, can you spare me?”
“Jacen, it’s not like you even had to ask. Of course I
can. Go to Hapes. We won’t need you two for a while anyway.
The Academy is moving along at a slow pace and we won’t pick it
up anytime soon.”
Jacen, Tenel Ka and Dr. Gianna boarded a shuttle for Hapes.
Dr. Gianna was happy for them. Teneniel greeted them at the main entrance. “Tenel Ka,
that’s great. Mara just told me.”
“There’s more,” Dr. Gianna said. “If I’m correct, your
daughter is carrying twins.”
Jacen was shocked. Tenel Ka was, too. “Why didn’t you
tell us,” Jacen asked.
“I didn’t know until I used a medical scanner en route.
Sorry.”
“This twin thing is a Skywalker tradition. First, Mom and
Uncle Luke are twins, Jaina and I are twins, then Aunt Mara
gives birth to twins. Now, my wife is pregnant with twins.
This is great. Tenel Ka, I hope you’re up to it.”
“I am. I’ve never been more ready for this than I am now.
This is exciting.”
“Teneniel, I’m staying with Tenel Ka,” Dr. Gianna said. “I
don’t trust strange doctors with my patients. After Tionne’s
ordeal when Jianna was born, I feel it is my duty to take care
of Tenel Ka.”
“Sounds good. I’m sure I can help convince the Medical
Center to take you on temporarily.”
“I hope so, because I’m taking her elsewhere if they
refuse. No sense in risking it.”
“I understand.” Tenel Ka concurred. Dr. Gianna set up a temporary office in the Hapan Palace.
She thought it would be easier to work from home. Would make
Tenel Ka more comfortable and put Teneniel and Jacen at ease. Jacen called home. “Mom, we’ve done it again. Tenel Ka is
pregnant again.”
“Oh, Jacen, that’s wonderful.”
“Even stranger. She’s carrying twins.”
“Just like I did. Tell her congratulations. Jacen, is she
doing okay?”
“She’s still waking up nights in tears, but she’s feeling a
lot better. This really took a lot out of her.”
“I know it did. Jacen, not to take his side, but-”
“I understand about Zekk. He has a good idea how much pain
she was in. And he did really save her life; Mara said that,
were it not for his quick action, Tenel Ka would probably have
died on Codru II-C. And that would have been even worse than
just losing the baby. I would have lost everything.”
“You really love her, don’t you?”
“Not a day goes by I don’t think about her at some time.
She’s so beautiful now and I love her so much. Meeting her on
Coruscant that first time made a difference in my life. I can
only hope Zekk makes Jaina that happy. Tenel Ka and I agree
that he doesn’t deserve our forgiveness, but he doesn’t deserve
our hatred, either. It’s time to at least put the bitterness
behind and at least try to accept Zekk dating my sister.”
“Jacen, I’m glad of that. Han and I feel the same way.”
“Teneniel is not so sure, but that’s her prerogative. I
can’t blame her either way.” Jacen really admired Teneniel; she
had been torn apart by her husband’s death and her daughter’s
painful loss, but she held herself well. Tenel Ka lay in her bedroom. “Mom, this feels so good.”
“I can still sense your pain, honey.”
“It’s hard to miss. But at least I have a second chance.”
“You’re lucky; I didn’t have that chance after the loss of
my second child.” Jornell looked at Admiral Tarkin like he had just lost his
mind. “What the hell did you attack the underworld of Coruscant
for? No one gives a damn about that place.”
“Zekk does. That’s his home, or did that choke-hold fry
your memory? Zekk won’t be able to stay away; he’ll come after
us and we’ll crush him. Hell, let’s-” He had a great idea.
Get Zekk where it would hurt the most. Jaina was in her apartment when there was a knock at the
door. A cloaked Jedi shot her. She quickly lost consciousness.
Zekk came in and saw her.
“Jaina, no.” He knew exactly who had done this to her.
Jaina moaned and opened her eyes.
“Zekk,” she whispered before she blacked out. Zekk carried
her to the Medical Center.
A doctor examined Jaina and found no internal organ damage.
That was good. They had not shot to kill. He put a mask on
Jaina’s face and submerged her in bacta. The burns healed
quickly.
Zekk called Leia. “Leia, your daughter’s in the medical
center.”
Leia gasped. “What happened?”
“She was shot. They say she’ll be okay.”
Leia ran to the Medical Center. “Zekk, do you know what
happened?”
A New Republic Police officer came up. “Yes, he does.
Zekk, you’re under arrest for the attempted murder of Jaina
Solo.”
“No, dammit! I didn’t do it.”
“Sure you didn’t. I’ve got evidence that puts you at the
scene of the crime.”
Leia was sure Zekk hadn’t done it. He loved Jaina too much. Jaina woke up. “Mom, what happened?”
“You got shot in the stomach. You’ll be okay, but Zekk has
been arrested for shooting you.”
“He didn’t do it. I swear he didn’t.”
“I was sure of that from the start. Jaina, just rest.
We’ll clear his name.” Jaina fell asleep. Mon Mothma and Leia sat with Zekk in Zekk’s holding cell.
“Leia, I didn’t do this.”
“Unlike that officer that arrested you, I believe you when
you say that. Zekk, what happened?”
“Jaina was supposed to show up for a date. I was going to
treat her to dinner to celebrate my promotion in my job.
Naturally, she offered to pay, but I talked her out of it. I
waited for an hour, but she didn’t show up. I called the
Medical Center when I found her. Tell me she’ll be alright.”
“She’ll do just fine. She woke up a little while ago. I
told her we’re working to clear your name. There’s something
else. There is evidence against you. They found your prints on
the gun that shot her. I wish I could say how they got there.”
“What kind of gun was it?”
“A low-power stun ray. That’s what’s puzzling. Why did
they want to just stun her?”
“Wait a second. When I was on the Galactic Peacemaker, I
used such a gun. I stunned Jornell with it when I helped Jaina
escape. I left the gun on the bridge.”
“I might’ve known,” Mon Mothma said. “Zekk, you were
framed in revenge for aiding Jaina’s escape.”
“Now what?”
“Was anybody with you before you went to pick up Jaina?”
“No. Damn, am I in trouble?”
“Yes. We’ll do our best to get you out of trouble, though.”
“Thank you.” Zekk had a friend in Jaina once again. Jaina knew Zekk
hadn’t shot her. He had been at work all day long and she had
been shot some time ago. The stun ray hadn’t done much damage.
She was his alibi and he loved her.
The arresting officer was skeptical, though. He was sure
Zekk had meant to kill Jaina to prove to the Empire what side he
was on.
Zekk walked into Jaina’s room. “Jaina, hey.”
“Zekk,” she said as a smile brightened her face.
“You know who shot you, don’t you?”
“Yes. Thank goodness that person is not you.”
“Jaina, let’s go to Yavin. For a while.”
“Tenel Ka and Jacen are there.” Jaina had not been made
aware of their situation, as the news had gotten lost in the
shuffle.
“Perhaps that’s more reason to go.” Leia thought it was a good idea. “Stay away until the heat
wears down a little.”
“Yes.” Zekk left the planet for Yavin. Jaina was with him. Han
and Leia were uneasy, but they figured Mara would keep them out
of trouble. Trouble such as that into which Jacen and Tenel Ka
had gotten a year and a half before their marriage. Augwynne,
Tenel Ka’s great-grandmother, had caught the two in a serious
embrace, close enough to having sex to cause concern. She had
straightened them out.
Now Tenel Ka was happily married to Jacen and pregnant with
twins.
The shuttle made it all the way to Yavin without
interruption. That was good.
Jaina remembered Tenel Ka’s recount of the horrible torture
session Jana Morrin had used on Mara after capturing her in
space. The session had caused such devastating harm to Mara
that she was now dependent on a pacemaker. Rhonna Tho had
attacked her with Force lightning about two months prior to that
incident. The barrage had damaged Mara’s heart, leaving it
susceptible to failing. Mara had almost died as a result of the
torture session by Jana. She was okay now.
The incident made the entire Jedi Academy group uneasy when
traveling in space. They always did it in groups and kept
oxygen lines in the main compartments of all Academy ships.
That way, if someone gassed the occupants, like Jana had done,
there would be less of a problem. “How could you let them go?” The arresting officer, a
Quarren, glared at Leia. “Do you just not care what happens to
your daughter?”
“She’s safe. Look, sir, I don’t think you understand.
Jaina has already said, without a doubt, that Zekk wasn’t the
one who shot her.”
“Sure. Did you ever think that she was covering up for
him.”
“Stop it!” Gaeriel looked at the two warring sides. “Both
of you need to cool off. Look, I was skeptical of Zekk, too.
This incident didn’t help that. But I do know that Zekk is
probably more civilized than you would like to believe.
“Leia, he’s just concerned for your daughter. It doesn’t
make it right, but you shouldn’t bite someone’s head off,
either.”