Part 4

Several days later, after discussion after frustrating discussion with each of his family members, Gidden reached his own conclusion as he headed back for his apartments.

No one wanted to talk about Tana.

She was the family's secret, the one individual topic everyone avoided like the plague. It was like her actions had somehow brought a taint upon her, and no one wanted to even think about her lest they risk it happening to them. Even the guards spoke reluctantly, unwilling or perhaps ordered, to give him as little help as possible when it came to identifying the individuals that had been seen in her company. It hindered his investigation, cutting it off almost before it began, and the individuals who would speak with him gave him names and addresses - but none of those he'd visited had been mentally marked. None of them were Tana's assailants. And none of them would speak with him beyond giving their alibis despite his abilities.

It frustrated him to no end. He'd spent several hours with Layne and then with each of his parents and come up empty handed. He'd even tried speaking with Tanner, Scruffy and Jana but all to no avail. He'd been told that for the answers to his questions he'd have to speak with Tana. Tana. He was frustrated by that response alone because she was avoiding him. And avoiding him quite skillfully, he admitted reluctantly. He hadn't realized she was so -

"He'll never understand!"

Gidden was brought up short by the heartbroken statement as he passed Tana's chambers. Her voice was choked again and he was starting to wonder if she ever sounded like she hadn't been crying. Tana had never been much of a crybaby as a child and he wondered what had happened to change it. What had happened that she was perpetually sad?

The sound of his mother's voice was muffled, and he couldn't make out her words, but the first voice rang clearly through the room and into the corridor. He glanced over, seeing her door wasn't fully closed.

"Time? He needs time? Mother you don't understand! I tried today, don't you see? I tried and I couldn't." He could almost see the heartbroken expression on her face and it chewed at his gut, burning like a hot poker; branding him. "I couldn't do that to him, it's better he doesn't know!"

Tenel Ka's tone changed, and Gidden shrank back against the wall, eavesdropping shamelessly. He couldn't make out his mother's words without possibly giving himself away and so he stayed rooted to his spot, listening as Tana spoke about another man and his blood began to burn.

"He's been in and out of my life without regard for my feelings, he's toyed with me, made promises he never keeps, he... he..." She broke down, the soft sobbing so different from the wail of a child. This was the sobbing of a woman. A frustrated woman in the throes of unrequited love.

I'll kill him, Gidden found himself thinking, surprised by the ferocity of the thought and the burning need to protect her. I'll strangle him with my own two hands. How dare anyone toy with her emotions like that!

"I love him and he can't look at me the way I see him." Her broken words penetrated his anger, tearing at his heart strings and wreaking havoc with his senses. He clenched his hands into fists, mentally commanding himself to stay where he was. He didn't even hear his mother's voice murmur a response so consumed by emotion he was. Her next words almost send him careening into her room.

"I can't do that. Mother, what am I going to do? Seeing him again almost tore me in two!"

Gidden pushed to his feet and stalked away, wishing he had the name of the inconsiderate cad so that he could hunt him down and have a word or two with him. His blood was boiling, steaming, in a fashion he hadn't felt in a long time, his stomach seeming to have bottomed out at his feet while his heart was in his throat. He wanted to hurt someone, something. Preferably the man of whom Tana spoke.

He took a deep breath as he stepped into his own chambers and closed the door. He leaned against it, closing his eyes and taking another deep breath as he did. Control. The command came unbidden to his mind. Control. Right. After hearing Tana talk about some low-life jerk who was making her life miserable? He almost laughed.

Almost.

Was one of the men who'd attacked her the man she spoke of? A chill settled in the pit of his stomach. He hoped not. Men like that deserved to be locked away in a dungeon and forgotten His hands clenched and unclenched and he began to pace. "How could she be so stupid to fall for someone like that?"

His words were soft, tense. He'd gotten into the habit of talking to himself while on long, solo patrols; a habit that helped him find focus and control. Both of which were in short supply after Tana's outburst.

He should feel shame and embarrassment for eavesdropping on a private conversation, but he couldn't. Not when he'd found a piece of the puzzle as to why Tana was acting so strangely. Was she worried about his reaction, about his acceptance of her hidden love? His mother obviously knew what was happening, but, no matter how hard he'd pushed or pleaded, Tenel Ka had told him steadfastly that it was Tana's place to discuss her situation and no one else's.

"Why's it bother you so much, huh?" He asked himself, as he stalked into the 'fresher and looked at himself accusingly in the mirror. He framed his own expression with his hands, glaring darkly at his image. "Tana's a grown woman now, she can take care of herself. A grown woman." He trailed off, noting how tense he looked, almost like... like... He blinked. He'd seen the look on people's faces before and he almost laughed - would have - if he hadn't been so shocked by it. He looked like a spurned lover; a man consumed by jealousy

And he felt like one.

He stared at himself. "She's your sis... your... " the title caught in his throat. "You grew up with her, man, what are you thinking?" His reflection didn't answer, but his heart did. "I'm not." He turned away, unable to bear looking into his own reflection. His hands began to shake and he sternly commanded himself back into control. Tana was his... his... well, his adopted sibling, but that still made her family, didn't it?

He certainly wasn't feeling familial - brotherly - towards her right now. "You're jealous." His own words, and their shocked tone, didn't help his frame of mine. "Admit it, Gidden, you're jealous. Jealous of someone you didn't know existed stealing her attention and devotion from you."

"Why should I care? She's... she's beyond my reach anyway. It wouldn't be right... would it?" He groaned, sliding his fingers into his hair and gripping tightly. "Not right, but certainly not wrong; we've no blood relation. What am I thinking?" He tore his hands out of his hair and gesticulated wildly, pacing back and forth jerkily. "This is Tana!" He threw himself on one of the couches in the main area, his head thrown back as the trembling took him.

He understood, he finally understood the strange dreams, the prophecies; what the Force was trying to tell him.

And he rebelled against it. He fought it passionately, dread and elation warring for supremacy in his heart. I have to be wrong he thought frantically, his eyes glazed as he stared at the ceiling but didn't really see it. For the visions he'd been having, the dreams, even the jealousy made a horrible kind of sense.

Tana was his future.

Gidden locked himself in his rooms for the next two day, steadfastly refusing to see anyone, even Kalen or Allana, insisting he not be disturbed as he entered a deep meditative trance. He had to find balance, to find the counter point to his jealousy. He turned to the Force, losing himself in the wealth of knowledge and comfort.

It solved nothing.

Two days of enforced meditation did little to improve his state of mind or his understanding of the jealously that ripped through him like the dull edge of an un-powered blade. It did put into perspective his relationship with the young woman. Yes, she'd been raised as his sister and while technically wrong in the eyes of society, they were both of age, both free thinking adults without blood ties. The Force believed this to be a match, his match. For in Tana he would find that which had always lacked without her. Only, he hoped, it would deepen beyond understanding.

He also meditated briefly on the attack, focusing on the signatures, the marks, he could recall as clearly as if it had just happened. He focused on them, trying to locate them among the populace. He could only get impressions, vague locations, but they were nearby. Every single one of them was near the palace; it limited his search range.

Coming out of his trance, he immediately showered, ordered a meal and called for Tanner, hoping she would be able to aid him where Jana and Scruffy hadn't. She also didn't have the responsibility of a young child to care for. While he didn't think of her as expendable, she was certainly someone who could be spared in the event of tragic circumstances.

Tanner appeared shortly after his food had arrived and he motioned for her to join him. Her smile was teasing. "This wasn't that I had in mind for caf, Gidden."

He smiled back at her. "Call it a rain check. Help yourself; they always bring more than I can eat on my own."

She did so, but limited herself to a polite helping of fruit and a glass of water she sipped. "I was most intrigued by your message."

"I hoped you would be. I've a lead on Tana's attackers."

Her eyes widened in momentary surprise and then returned to normal. "I shouldn't be surprised, but I am. What did you need me for?"

Gidden's smile was almost sheepish. "I shouldn't say a lead, more like, a general location."

She arched her eyebrows. "I see."

Gidden took a bite of his breakfast, making sure to swallow before continuing. "They're all within five miles of the palace."

"A much narrower search cordon."

"Exactly." He pointed a finger at her. "One you're going to search."

"Alone?"

"Aren't you up to it?"

She chuckled. "I never said I wasn't. Who am I searching for?"

"Five young men."

"You don't think they'll still be together, do you?"

"I doubt it." Gidden's smile was faint. "In fact, my information leads me to believe they're each in a different quadrant around the palace."

"So they're watching us."

"Possibly." Gidden's concession indicated he wasn't overly concerned. "It's one reason for sending you out on your own, not only are you attractive but you're also trained to avoid the situation like the one Tana was in. Even caught unawares, I know you've got techniques to stay conscious."

Her return smile mirrored his. "How comforting."

Gidden grinned. "I don't expect you to end up like Tana. You've got years of experience on her - plus I think her attack wasn't just the case of another pretty face."

"You think it was revenge." It wasn't a question.

Gidden nodded, taking another bite and chewing thoughtfully. He took a sip of his caf to wash it down. "In think it's more than revenge."

Tanner chuckled softly. "Revenge is a pretty powerful motivator - I don't think you need more than that."

"Against a Princess who has scorned a would-be lover?" Gidden cocked his head at her. "What kind of shame and scandal would Tana have had to live with if they'd succeeded?"

Tanner sucked in a breath. "I see your point - but there's no gain."

Gidden's eyes darkened. "There would be if she carried a child. With the laws my parents have passed down, the men's lives would be spared until a paternity test could be completed with complete accuracy. During that time they would have a chance to marshal their defense, solidify their stories, in which I'm sure Tana would have been a willing participant." His tone was grim. "I'm also certain she knows each of them."

Tanner's eyes narrowed. "I should start with those she's been caught with then."

"Those?" Gidden echoed the comment in surprise. He couldn't help it. He'd been hoping the previous conversation, the previous revelation had been either a joke - or misinformation. "As in, more than one?"

Tanner winced. "Tana-"

"-will need to explain it." Gidden repeated the oft-heard rhetoric. He was starting to think it was a kind of mantra people said to avoid the subject. "I won't think it gossip, my friend, if you feel inclined to tell me."

"It's not inclination, Gidden." Tanner sighed. "All of us were made to take an oath by the Queen Mother. Until Tana speaks of it, our lips are sealed."

"How bad can it be?"

"That is for Tana to reveal. I've already said too much." Tanner pushed to her feet. "I know those whom I will seek out first. What kind of evidence are you looking for?"

"Whatever you can bring me."

Tanner noted the grim set of his lips. "You're a Jedi now, Gidden; these men must be given a fair trail."

Gidden lifted his gaze to meet hers. "The only reason they'll get one at all is because they didn't succeed."

Tanner blanched at the calm, banked fury in his eyes. The carefully controlled rage that was being funneled elsewhere, into the search. Into reserves he might need for later. She saluted and the bowed. "Ever your servant, Prince Gidden."

Gidden didn't answer as she disappeared and turned back to his meal.

Gidden crouched outside a small house the following evening, his vantage point carefully shielded and chosen to provide the optimum cover and surveillance.

Tanner had sent word that she'd been able to locate three of the individuals - they were all housed in close proximity to one another - but the fourth and fifth were on the other side of the Palace. She was currently keeping the three she'd located under watch with the intention of making contact the next morning. Her message had been terse and simple; she didn't have the luxury of more than a few words.

What her message hadn't said was which of the three she'd found. Of course, Gidden hadn't expected freebies, and with some effort he'd deduced which of the three Tanner would have been after. He'd spent the day avoiding himself, throwing his attention so completely into finding Tana's attackers he didn't have to examine why. He knew why; he just didn't want to admit it. His sense of loyalty, his sense of responsibility was over-developed and working in high gear. It let him ignore the underlying reasons for his actions.

And so he deliberately misconstrued it in his mind. He forced himself to believe he owed Tana. He owed her for the pain he'd caused, his perceived desertion. He owed her for the humiliation of her expulsion from an academy she should have been able to handle and the seclusion she'd suffered since. He owed her for the loss of her innocent outlook; she deserved to have her attackers brought to justice.

He'd watch and wait. He'd gathered the evidence he'd been able, listening carefully, concealing himself to hear the private conversation of others and slowly felt his anger simmering. Anger he carefully kept under control. Tana's attack had brought out several ugly facts he was having trouble assimilating and reconciling with the girl he remembered and the woman he'd come home to. One name kept popping up, spoken with vehemence and derision and always linked with Tana's.

Dennig.

He'd set out to find this young man whose name was tied in the worst of ways with his Tana's.

And found him he had. It hadn't taken much. While his face was known throughout the Hapan worlds, he had spent many long hours perfecting a Force disguise that would have fooled his mother; if she hadn't been a Jedi. Not expecting it, and certainly not looking for the former Chume'Da in the neighborhood surrounding the palace, those he spoke with were forthcoming with information.

Yes they knew Dennig, the old Palace gardener's son; of course they knew where he lived. And so he'd found his directions, carefully covering his tracks so that his disguise wouldn't be remembered, the conversation more of a dream than a memory. It was better that way; it would enable him to come and go frequently without being seen. Shadows had their uses.

His attention turned back to the home he was watching as a young man emerged from the front entrance. He was tall, standing just over six feet, with short curly blonde hair and broad shoulders. Gidden blinked. The man was so similar to himself in coloring and stature; they could have been blood relations. Was this Dennig?

The Force flickered in his mind, stirring memories at the proximity of one of Tana's attackers and his lips flattened into a firm line. If this was Dennig, than Tana knew her attacker for sure.

Another man, this one slightly smaller, but similar in coloring met the first man at the bottom of the steps. The Force flickered again as Gidden recognized a second of Tana's attackers. A cold knot had formed in the pit of his stomach. Was this why no one had wanted to tell him of Tana's escapades? Because the men who supposedly knew her were all similar to his own coloring? He hoped not, but even as he watched two more men of varying height, but all blonde with curly hair, met up with the first two.

Gidden kept his gaze on the first two that had met, moving slowly from shadow to shadow as the found men shared a laugh and back slapping. He caught the mention of having some fun, of catching a show, and his lips twisted. The group carried on, and he was now close enough to catch snippets of conversation.

"-the size of extra large moonglobes!"

"No kidding."

"Dennig's full of poodo."

The first man Gidden had seen stopped, looking back at the speaker. "At least I make my stories interesting."

"Like the one about the Princess?" The second one snickered. "We've all had a taste of her, man; you're not so special."

Gidden's blood ran cold at the direction of their conversation. He knew, knew with suddenly clarity that they spoke of Tana and, even as he stretched to catch every word, his fists clenched with a barely contained urge to jump out and flatten the lot of them. Only carefully maintained control, and years of discipline held him in check.

Dennig smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. "I'd have had her too if her father hadn't shown up. She was completely lost in what I was doing and loving every second. Jealous, Cul? I hear you barely got a kiss in before her bodyguards stopped you."

Cul flushed red as the others laughed. "At least I wasn't stupid enough to go back to the Palace gardens. You're lucky your dad only lost his Palace job and not his life."

Dennig's smile disappeared. "It wasn't worth it. That little priss is as stuck up as her sister; warm and willing though."

"And gullible." Cul interjected. "Call her beautiful and she would do anything. A shame she's such a bantha face."

"Bah." Dennig snorted, turning to move again. "What do her looks matter when she's got such talented hands?"

Gidden had heard enough. He stepped from the shadows, still maintaining his disguise. "Dennig?"

The man turned with a barely disguised smirk. "Who wants to know, blondie?"

Gidden's fist smashed into the other man's face, making Dennig's eyes cross as he sent him to the ground. He leapt for the second man, the one who'd been identified as Cul, his disguise dropping as he pulled Cul into a headlock. His eyes flashed as he looked at the other two who were making to move to Dennig's side. "Leave him or join his fate."

The men backed off, quickly identifying him and going pale. They scattered as Cul twisted to be free. Gidden squeezed. "Give me one reason, scum bag. Just one."

"But... you're a Jedi!"

"You know who I am then."

Cul managed to nod and Gidden could see his color becoming ashen.

"Good. Then know this. I heard your little bragging session. I expect some answers before I take you back to the palace to answer the charge of assault on a Princess."

"She was a will- willing -urk"

Gidden managed to retain his control, resisting the urge to break the other man's neck. "I saw your version of willing, slime ball. I saw what you and your buddies tried to do to my Tana."

"We didn't mean-"

Gidden squeezed off whatever weak protest the other man was going to venture. "I don't take being lied to very well. Who masterminded the attack on Tana?"

"D-Dennig."

Gidden crossed one off in his mind. "Why?"

Cul struggled for breath and Gidden could feel the cords of his throat muscles working against his forearm. He didn't loosen his hold, waiting for the man to straighten himself out. Cul swallowed hard again and Gidden squeezed, giving him incentive. "Why did you attack Tana?"

"She's a t-tease."

"The truth."

"I swear it's the tru-urk!"

"Don't swear to me. Don't lie to me. I want the truth; why?"

"She plays hard to get." Cul stuttered, stammering out his explanation. "She comes on strong and then backs away; Dennig almost had her one night. He wanted to know what it was li- urk!"

Gidden had heard enough lies. He reached down to his other hip and tapped his commlink. Two palace guards materialized out of the shadows. He'd known they'd been following him and, for once, was grateful for the trailing guards.

"My Prince?"

Gidden nodded to the prostrate form to his left. "Take him into custody for the attack on Princess Tana. This one too. I want them locked up for trial."

Cul nearly fell flat on his face as Gidden released him, barely managing to contain the hurt and jealousy that was gnawing at his gut. He had the strongest of urges, barely contained, to eliminate these men who had spoiled his sweet innocent Tana. Men who had used her, bettered against one another; competed to see who could get her to go further. Men who had tried to steal her innocence.

Gidden turned away, not trusting himself to help the guards as they collected their prisoners and slapped them into binders. Gidden walked away, his hands clenched at his sides, taking slow, deep breaths to keep his anger in careful check. How dare they? he demanded savagely, lashing out at a nearby fence and not seeing the crushed stone he left in his wake. How dare they presume to play with my Tana like that? My Tana? He stopped his train of thought. He supposed she was. He'd never really thought of her as his before, not like this, but he knew a part of him had always felt proprietary towards her.

Even as children, she'd always been his and she'd never complained. He simply hadn't considered the context - before now - as ownership. But she was his. She'd always been his; even in his dreams - especially in his dreams - and it had taken a long time to get out of the habit of calling her his. But now, the Force seeming to have forced his hand and drawn them back together, he wondered if that should have been indicative years ago. His anger slowly faded, the jealously and rage over the men's words cooling but not disappearing as he'd have hoped. He didn't slow his pace, but he did change his direction and headed back towards the palace.

Dennig and his little group had opened wounds; wounds that would take some answers to even begin to close. Answers only one person could give him.

He went looking for Tana.