Chapter 2

Closing in on the Distance

A/N- I'm in the process of trying to get the next chapter of "Remember" ready for posting, but because of the amount of work I have for college it might be a while. I appreciate your patience in waiting for all the updates for this series and the others.

Psalms chapter 34 verse 11: I'm glad you liked it. I give more explanation Hank in this chapter and that mystery is going to be explored even more in "Somewhere Out There" as well as this story.

Thanks for reading! =)

-Donny ^_^

"What do you mean he left?"

"I mean he up and left, what do you think I meant?"

Zekk wished he hadn't said that because Jaina's already infuriated expression grew steadily more livid as he attempted to stare her down.

"You mean to tell me my brother just up and disappeared off the face of the galaxy?" She folded her arms across her chest and Zekk had to sigh because he could see the pain in her eyes. She'd already lost one brother to recklessness and Zekk didn't want to see Anakin die any more than Jaina did.

He walked over and wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her hair. "I'm sure he's fine, Jaina. Tahiri said he was doing a covert mission of some kind."

"Again?" Jaina said, raising an eyebrow. "What the kriff is he doing now and why isn't Tahiri with him?

"I'm not sure," Zekk said, cupping his chin and noted how weird it felt to have a stubble there, it had come from Jaina telling him that he needed a new look since they were trying to be inconspicuous. Zekk resisted the urge to tell her that the stubble only made him look more conspicuous, but only because she was growing steadily more moody over the past week or so.

"It'd be nice to know what the kriff he's doing for a change," Jaina said with derisive snort. Then she looked over at the couch with distant eyes and Zekk knew that she was probably once again worrying about how Anakin was faring these days. It was difficult to tell since Zenoma Sekot was an uncharted moving planet that was constantly out of reach of the force due to its heavy force content. The planet itself was living and sentient, so the heaviness prevented anyone from sensing where it was.

It was both comforting and disturbing all at the same time. Jaina knew that while Anakin was off planet, he was in more danger than when he was on Sekot, but that didn't stop her from feeling relived when she could feel him through the force. In truth, she hadn't seen her brother for five and a half years since he was exiled by the Jedi Council and the Galactic Alliance. Anakin was on the top of the list of Jedi that the G.A. wanted to eliminate and Jaina never knew how close he was to being caught because she wasn't with him.

Her only comfort was that Tahiri was with him at all times. From what she heard from Tenel Ka, Tahiri rarely let Anakin go anywhere without her, even on Sekot. If she wasn't with him now, it could only mean that there was a serious reason why she wasn't allowed to go with him. She had to wonder if something had happened to her or if she was sick. A million possibilities ran through her mind before Zekk's light touch on her arm broke her reverie.

"Jay," He said with smile, "He's fine."

"I know," Jaina said. At the moment, she knew he was off planet because she could feel his presence, though only faintly. He was incredibly talented in the art of hiding his presence.

"Then what's wrong?" Zekk questioned. He hadn't seen her this off-put since she heard that her parents had to go into hiding as well. It had shaken both of them that heroes like Han and Leia were now considered enemies of the newly instated Galactic Alliance. Though Han and Leia's affiliation with Luke Skywalker dulled the shock because he was the head Jedi, it still stung.

"I'm not sure why Tahiri wouldn't go with Anakin," Jaina said, finally voicing the question that had been bothering her for a while now. She stopped, her eyes going wide and she blinked, "Wait, it couldn't be…" She shook her head. Zekk looked at her for a moment and then he too blinked.

"You're kidding," He said with a low whistle. He then looked at Jaina with a slight frown. "Are you sure there isn't something else you want to tell me?"

"Like what?" Jaina asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Maybe the fact that you've been moody and that you haven't been eating much lately," Zekk said.

"It's just an upset stomach," Jaina said with a wave of her hand. Zekk caught her wrist and stared hard into her eyes.

"Upset stomach, my butt," Zekk said with a snort and dropped her hand, "I may be slow on these things, but I think I'd be able to tell when my life partner is pregnant."

Jaina turned scarlet in the face, "Zekk!" She exclaimed. He grinned. She could still be so cute when she got embarrassed about the strangest things.

"Just stating a fact, Honey," Zekk said with a chuckle. Jaina glared at him and then crossed over to sit on the couch. Once again her stomach was acting up.

"Don't you dare call me that again or you're going to regret it," Jaina said. Even when she was feeling weak, Jaina could be formidable, even not more so.

"If you say so…. , Honey," Zekk replied with a mischievous smirk. Jaina's brow arched.

"You're asking for it, Buster," She gave him a dangerously threatening scowl. He just grinned obliviously.

"Honey," Jaina then tackled Zekk to the floor, pinning his arms to the floor and dug her elbow into his chest. He let a grimace show, but smiled despite it all. "What now, hmm?"

"I haven't decided yet," Jaina said truthfully and with an annoyed smirk of triumph. Zekk gave her a curious look and then shifted slightly, prying one of his arms loose so that he could lean on it, looking sideways at Jaina with adoring green eyes.

"As to what?"

"Whether or not I should kill you or…" Jaina trailed off, earning an arched brow from Zekk.

"Or?"

"Improvise."

"Huh," He said, looking intrigued as well as confused. "That's new and different. I think I like the latter."

"Of course you do," Jaina replied with laugh. Zekk frowned slightly as Jaina's smile evaporated due to the sudden pain coming from her queasy stomach again.

"Jay?"

"I'm fine," She assured him.

"Maybe you should rest," Zekk said, concern lit his frown as the strength pinning his arm down lightened. She shook her head and attempted to stand, only to fall back down to the floor. Zekk stood up, scooping her into his arms before she could object. "Okay, you're resting." Jaina scowled at him but then gave up as he carried her into their small bedroom. After tucking her in, Zekk walked out of their room and into the hallway, running a furtive hand through his hair.

"Something is wrong with Friend Jaina?" Zekk turned his head, his hand dropping from his head. He and Jaina had been invited to stay with Tenel Ka in her palace after Han and Leia were chased into hiding by the stormtroopers. They had been reluctant at first, but in the end, it seemed to be the best option for the time being.

He looked over at Tenel Ka and shook his head. "Do not lie to me, Friend Zekk," She said with a frown, "Jacen used to run his hand through his hair when he was stressed or thinking deeply about something serious."

Zekk sighed, "I guess nothing gets past you, huh?"

"We are Jedi, Friend Zekk," Tenel Ka said, "We are responsible for noticing everything around us."

Zekk hated when Tenel Ka made such astute observations, because they were usually unnervingly accurate down to the last detail.

"What is wrong with Friend Jaina?" Tenel Ka repeated when Zekk remained silent. He turned slightly red as he responded.

"She's pregnant," Zekk said. Tenel Ka's eyes lit up at his words.

"That is wonderful, Friend Zekk," Tenel Ka said. Then, seeing his expression, she frowned once more. "What is the matter? Are you not happy?"

Zekk shook his head, "No, I am happy. It's just that Jaina's been really sick lately." Tenel Ka smiled a knowing smile now.

"Then you should be with her now," She said with a nod towards the door to Jaina and Zekk's bedroom. "I will have a doctor sent in the morning." Tenel Ka then turned around as she felt something pulling on her nightgown.

"Mommy," Tenel Ka bent down and lifted Rose into her arms. The young girl looked shyly over at Zekk, who had to smile warmly at the curious eyes peering back at him. She nodded again to Zekk. He now knew why it was important for him to be with Jaina, especially at a time like this. Even if Jacen was gone, Tenel Ka still did her best to make sure that her children had a good family.

"Friend Zekk," He turned to look at Tenel Ka, who was now turning away. "You will be a good father."

He opened his mouth and then shut it. He didn't bother to ask how she knew that he was worried about that. Tenel Ka knew a lot of things. He smiled and then headed back inside.

Kirk watched with annoyance as yet another hour passed and Anakin still hadn't said a word to any of his companions. It wasn't going to be long before Kirk snapped because the younger Jedi was clearly troubled and wasn't going to let anyone in on his thoughts.

"Okay, that's it," Kirk said, slamming the data-pad he was reading down on the table. He crossed over to where Anakin sat in the pilot's chair. "Anakin, we need to talk."

Anakin turned his head, his blue eye narrowing in confusion as he replied, "Can it wait?"

"No," Kirk stated firmly, pointing a stiff finger at Anakin's face and then prodded him sharply in the nose. "You're worried about Tahiri and don't lie about it because we can all tell."

Anakin cast a glance over at Corran, who shrugged. He clearly wasn't informed of Kirk's plan to interrogate Anakin. But Anakin could feel through the force that Corran didn't disagree.

"Don't you think you're being stupid for not trusting us with your thoughts?" Kirk asked.

"Frankly, no I don't," Anakin said with an equal scowl as he folded his arms across his chest. "I'm entitled to keep whatever I want to, to myself."

"Sure, sure," Kirk said with an impatient wave of his hand, "But the success of our mission depends heavily on our ability to keep our emotions in check, which yours are clearly not."

Anakin opened his mouth and then shut it. Corran gave Anakin a look that clearly said that he agreed with Kirk and that Anakin was going to have to come clean.

Anakin sighed. He really wished he didn't have to mention anything about what he was really thinking about, but he didn't have much of a choice.

"Does this have to do with where we're going?" Kirk questioned, sensing and seeing on Anakin's face the misgiving and fear of what he was about to divulge. He took a deep breath and then nodded.

"Yes, it does," Anakin said as he flicked the switch on the dashboard to put the ship in auto-pilot. He leveled his eyes to look on his companions. He had chosen Kirk, Corran and Vua Rapuung because of their skills in covert missions and their ability to follow orders and work well as a unit. These past few months had been key in training them to work together and Anakin had spent time away from Tahiri in order to make it work. The more people that knew about the mission, the more danger they would be in once they left Sekot.

"Out with it," Corran said shortly. Anakin looked at his former teacher with a mixture of respect and annoyance. Corran could be extremely abrasive and harsh when he wanted to be and right now he was doing a good job of glaring Anakin down.

Anakin sighed, clasping his hands between his knees and bit his lip. "I didn't want to tell you guys until the last minute where we were going, but I think you ought to know now what you're getting into."

"You already warned us that there would be risks," Kirk pointed out.

"Life is no matter, we are warriors who serve the galaxy," Vua Rapuung said with a slight incline of his head. He had begun to master the human gestures over the past five years and he was just as close to Anakin as any of his friends and family. It was strange and comforting all at once.

"Just tell us, Anakin," Corran said in a softer tone. Anakin sighed and then met his friends' eyes.

"We're going to Mykyr to meet Jesse Veila," Anakin stated and Corran's brow went up in surprise.

"Why is that so dangerous? You've met the guy before. I mean, from what Tahiri's told me he's not the best companion to have around, but he's not anything like the people from the Galactic Alliance," Kirk nodded in agreement.

"No," Anakin said firmly, turning everyone's attention to him because of his grim and cold tone.

"No?" Corran repeated.

"No, it's because Jesse's not a threat that I'm going to see him," Anakin gave a weary sigh as he gripped his knees and let out a low sigh. His weary smile told his companions right away that what Anakin was about to disclose was to be kept from everyone else. "He's the only one who can help me to train my force fire."

Kirk opened his mouth to object but Corran held up his hand. Anakin continued, "Force fire is a talent meant for the Veila family. Only those from the family know how to use it and how to control the side effects."

Now Corran's voice cut in sharply, "Side-effects?"

Anakin smiled wryly, "Everything that is a gift, is also a curse, Corran."

"I know that," Corran snapped, running a hand through his hair and then he clenched a fist and pounded it into the wall. "Damn it, Anakin! Why didn't you say something before if there were side-effects. More importantly, why the kriff didn't you stop?" All eyes focused on Anakin, awaiting his answer while Corran paced, fuming all over the cockpit.

Anakin smiled once again, this time barely hiding the pain that was in his eyes, "Because it's the only way to stop Uldir."

"Stop Uldir? What do you mean, stop Uldir?" Corran demanded, returning from his pacing. "Are you insane, Anakin?"

"Could be," Anakin said, suddenly frowning, "But the point is that we're going to Mykyr because Jesse is the only one who knows about force fire. If I want to control it, then I need to talk to him."

"Why are we going then?" Kirk questioned. Anakin looked at his friend, deeply regretting that his honest would probably hurt more than his dishonesty in this case. "If Jesse's not a threat?"

"Jesse's not," Anakin said, "But I am."

"You are?" Corran's fist clenched and unclenched itself, "What the kriff are you saying, Anakin?"

"That I need you to see for yourselves why you have to leave me on Mykyr," Anakin stated. He then stood up and extended his arm before unbuttoning the sleeve and slid it slowly backwards. Corran's anger dissipated and Kirk could only look on in shocked silence. Even Vua Rapuung, who was the strongest of warriors and never showed any emotion towards battle wounds, looked fearful.

The skin was burned all the way around Anakin's forearm and up to his shoulder. In some places, the red turned into a grayish blue and bore a strange resemblance to the color of Vua Rapuung's skin, only Anakin's was clearly not natural and Anakin then pulled back his other sleeve to show his right arm. It was bandaged and Kirk could see red spots growing through the white bandages.

"What the kriff did you do?" Corran asked finally. Anakin pulling his sleeves back down and buttoned them with a grim, yet calm expression on his face.

"Force fire is generated through inner force energy," Anakin said slowly, "So it's hard to avoid burning yourself when the fire is coming from any pores in your body. Every time I breathe, it generates fire. That's how deeply intertwined it is to me right now."

Kirk looked over at Corran and then Rapuung spoke, "Then you are being noble by separating yourself from those you care about."

Anakin laughed hollowly, "You could say I'm being cruel to Jesse, because I'm putting him at risk by coming to Mykyr in this state."

It was now clear to all three companions why Anakin had brought them along. They weren't supposed to protect Anakin from anyone, they were supposed to protect others from Anakin. The truth was so surreal and strange that none of them could say anything more on the topic for a full twenty minutes.

Finally Kirk spoke, swallowing the rock that was forming in his throat, "Anakin, are you sure that Jesse can help you?"

Both Corran and Vua Rapuung's gazes rested on Anakin as they awaited his answer. "I'm not sure."

"What happens if he can't?" Corran asked, voicing the question that he honestly didn't want to ask.

Anakin turned away from them and then flicked the switch to turn off auto-pilot, "Get ready to land, we're almost at Mykyr." Corran frowned deeply, Kirk tried to shift away the shivers creeping into his skin and Vua Rapuung closed his eyes in silent meditation. They all had the answer the question in the backs of their minds, but none of them wanted to voice it.

Because the further they were away, the less they were have to think about what it meant.

"Dekim?" Han said. Hank frowned.

"Yeah, that's my name, what's it to you?" Hank crossed back behind the bar and began to wipe the counter down. Han took a deep breath, preparing himself for what might be a difficult response from Hank.

"I think I know a relative of yours," Han said slowly. Hank laughed hollowly and gave Han a bemused look.

He was clearly entertained by Han's comment because he chuckled as he responded in a gruff voice, "You're either crazy or haven't been around here much. I don't have any family left," Hank replied. "They're all dead."

Han opened his mouth and then shut it, confusion washing over him. Then was the name Dekim a fake name? Because Kirk sure didn't act like his past was fabricated and Han knew liars better than he knew the honest.

"I guess Dekim is a common name then," Han said, deciding to find out for himself what was going on. "For covering up false identities."

Hank stopped wiping down the bar and regarded Han silently for a moment. Hank's eyes grilled into Han's and the whole room fell silent as the two stared each other down. "What are you saying, Solo?"

"I'm saying either the guy I know is lying or you are," Han said. Hank's eyes flared and then he turned to nod at one of the guys sitting in the back. He got up and went to close the door to the bar, putting up the "Closed" sign. Hank then walked around the bar and sat down at one of the tables.

"Sit," He commanded and Han obliged. "Now tell me who this person you met is."

Han leaned back, his apprehension rising, but he kept it to himself for the moment. "His name is Kirk Dekim."

Hank's eyes went wide and he shook his head and then hung it, "That's impossible."

"Why?" Han asked. Hank's head came back up, the creases of pain were clear. Han now knew he'd tapped into one of the manager's old scars. It was clear as day.

"Because Kirk Dekim is dead."

A/N- Fin Chapter 2. Thanks for reading! =)