ALL THE PRINCESSES WILL KICK YOUR ASS

Chapter 1

Jacen and Tenel Ka were lying bed, Jacen frantically studying for one of his comprehensive exams, Tenel Ka restlessly trying to find a comfortable position. She was now a week overdue and both parents were nervous wrecks. Jacen's having comps was doing nothing in the way of calming them.

Tenel Ka tried to do a meditation she'd learned in her Jedi training. It was hard to focus when one couldn't physically be comfortable.

"You think it's time?" Jacen asked, rather absently.

"I don't know. I don't have a lot of experience with this." Her tone was a bit abrupt. She knew Jacen had exams but dammit, she was pregnant and a week overdue. "I feel lousy, that's for certain."

"Like how?"

"I feel queasy. I'm trying to meditate it away."

"Want some Chora mint tea?" His mother had suffered from terrible morning sickness and she'd drunk this during her pregnancy.

"No. That just makes me feel sicker. Have you smelled it?"

"It's pretty nasty."

"I hate being pregnant when it's so hot!" It was the middle of what Han called Hotter Than Tatooine On A Bad Day.

"She's gonna get here sooner or later. I mean, you can't stay pregnant forever."

"That's what you think!"

"Hey, take it easy," Jacen said, reaching out one hand to rub her shoulder. He put his datapad down. "It'll be fine."

Tenel Ka once again began to cry. Jacen had seen her cry more in the last month than in the entire time he'd known her. It had started with an unannounced visit from the mother, father and grandmother. They hadn't bothered them since, but Jacen's senses told him they were just laying low till the birth. He'd shared this with his mother, and she said she'd take care of it. Jacen only imagined what Leia would do if they showed up again; she'd gone ballistic the last time she was around them, and Jacen very much doubted that she'd be restrained if his girlfriend's relatives showed up for the birth. The thought made him smile.

"What are you smiling about?" Tenel Ka demanded through tears.

"Just thinking about what my mom would do if your family showed up again."

That made Tenel Ka laugh. "She was all over 'em last time."

"She's saving the good stuff. And my dad never travels without his blaster."

That made Tenel Ka laugh. "I wonder if my father really did get the clap from a senator's daughter."

"I asked my mom about that. She said she'd only heard rumors, but it sure seemed to help shut 'em up." Both chuckled over the memory. "Leia Organa Solo's someone you don't want on your bad side. And I speak from experience." Jacen winced a little. He'd given his parents a few bad years in there, and he was pretty sure his parents had gotten much greyer from it.

"I don't want them showing up at the birth," Tenel Ka hissed.

Jacen now had her full attention. "Not much they could do if they did."

"How about kidnaping our daughter? Don't put it past them."

Jacen had had a small vision of that, but it had faded quickly.

"They might try. But you know we've got eight Drednought guards on at all times." They were largely invisible, which was the intent. But they were there. "Only reason they didn't take your family was 'cause my mom and dad told 'em to stand down. They don't like bringing out the heavy artillery the first round."

That made Tenel Ka smile and return to her usual calm. "Okay if I go watch some holovision?"

"Sure, but you know my dad's gonna watch the highlights from the smashball game."

"I can deal with something that brain dead." She tried easing herself off the bed. Jacen assisted her finally. "And I could use some asteria water."

"Want me to get you some?"

"I think I can handle an asteria water," Tenel Ka smiled, kissing him.

She knew that the baby would be there any day, but the Force kept telling her to be patient.

The Force was obviously never pregnant, she mused irritably.

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"Hi," Tenel Ka said to Han, who was stretched out on the sofa.

"Hey, c'mon and sit down. You okay?"

"I'm all right. I just feel terrible. I can't get comfortable."

"Leia always felt that way at the end. Perfectly normal. Can I get you something?"

"I've got my asteria water, thanks."

"Jacen still studying?"

"All the time."

Han thought back to his days at the Imperial Naval Academy. Nobody would have ever believed that he was an absolute grind as a student. People associated him with drinking and sabacc, and he was perfectly happy to have them keep that perception of him. When he did come out in an official capacity, people were stunned at how eloquent and intelligent he could be.

"I know the timing sucks, but he'll get a good position this way," Han assured her.

"I know, and I want him to do well. It's just that I'm sick of being pregnant."

"Boy, do I know that one," Leia commented as she entered the living room. She looked at Tenel Ka. "Let me guess. You can't get comfortable."

"Uh-huh."

"You'll have the baby very soon," Leia assured her. "How do you feel otherwise?"

"Kind of queasy."

"It'll be soon," Leia said, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"I'm tired but I can't get to sleep and when I do, then I have to wake up and use the 'fresher."

"I remember that one," Han said, smiling. Leia tossed a pillow at him.

"I just want this baby to born. Yesterday."

"You look like there's something else on your mind," Han said to her.

Tenel Ka hesitated. "It's my family. If you think they're not going to come around when she's born, you don't know them very well."

"Oh, I fully expect them to be there and causing trouble. Which is why we're bringing some extra Drednoughts when it's time," Leia assured her.

"I've had some bad dreams about them kidnaping her."

Han paused the holovision and Leia was silent. Leia spoke first.

"I've had that dream, too."

"Please, don't let them get her," Tenel Ka begged.

"Don't worry," Han told her. "We're bringing extra security and I've got my trusty blaster."

"And I have mine," Leia said. Tenel Ka had heard that Leia was able to handle weapons, but she'd never seen Leia wield one outside of her tongue, and that was sharp enough. Tenel Ka relaxed a little. Leia was the first person who'd ever sent her family packing with just words.

"Her mouth is her most dangerous weapon," Han said about Leia, and winked at her. Leia threw another small pillow at him.

"Thanks. I think I'll try to get some sleep now," Tenel Ka said, ponderously raising herself from the chair she'd sat in.

"Tell Jacen that if he's gonna pull an all nighter to get his ass out here instead of keeping you awake," Han called after her.

Tenel actually laughed. She had been an incredibly serious, nay, humorless child. That had changed when Jacen and she came together. Now, it was hard being around the Solos and not laughing.

And my daughter is going to always know laughter, Tenel Ka thought as she made her way back to the bedroom.

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