Chapter 3

Allana brought herself up short by the large, reflective pool set back in the forest that had become her sanctuary. The speed of her flight had swept the tears from her eyes, leaving them clear, but not the thoughts from her mind. If anything, running from Ben had just made things worse.

Blast him anyway, reminding her about her responsibilities and all the reason why they couldn't be more than friends. Insufferable man.

She looked back over her shoulder to make sure she wasn't being followed, her senses stretched to their limits around her. She relaxed after a few moments. There were no human presence around her. She'd intended to go for a run, just not a Force assisted one, and her hair was now plastered to the sides of her face by the barest of moisture, clinging like cobwebs. She shrugged out of her top, wondering if Ben had finally taken a hint, but somehow doubting it.

He'd follow her; it was just a matter of time.

Pushing the thought from her mind as she slipped her top to hang on a nearby tree limb - one she'd used to hang a towel on many occasions - and then out of her pants. Underneath she'd worn her swimsuit - in anticipation of a cool dip after a long run - and hung her pants on the limb by her shirt.

She took two steps to edge of the pool, a hop to a nearby rock and then dove straight into the water, the coolness sending a shock straight to her toes. She surfaced, gasping for a new breath before she sank back beneath the surface and let her body adjust to the cool water.

She stretched out, letting her legs fall gracefully towards the bottom of the deep pool, her arms out-stretched at her sides. She sank, slowly, feeling her lungs contracting with the need to breathe. She ignored it, continuing to sink and enjoying the feeling of floating in free-fall, her hair stretching out through the water above her. Her lungs began to protest, becoming uncomfortable with holding their precious cache of air just as Allana felt her toes hit the bottom of the pool. She let her feet sink down, crouched and then sprang upwards in an explosion of motion and grace that sent her straight from the bottom to the surface in seconds.

She surfaced, taking in another deep breath and flinging her hair over her shoulder as she opened her eyes to scan the surrounding area. Nothing. No movement, no threats.

No Ben.

She felt a twinge, wondering if she'd driven him off when she really hadn't intended to. She wanted his company. Just not his questions. She sighed inwardly, frowning at her thoughts with a small shake of her head and inhaled again before slipping beneath the surface to repeat her long, slow descent to the bottom of the pool.

She kept her eyes open this time, but the light of the moon didn't penetrate further than the first few centimeters of the pool. She was encased in darkness, comfortable, isolated; alone. She relished the feeling, enjoyed it, welcomed it into her soul as she tried to capture it for all of the days in the future. A future when such a simple pleasure as enjoying her own company - or the company of her own choosing - was beyond her.

Would they be?

She didn't know and everything she knew of her mother's upbringing suggested that her distant family on Hapes would do everything in their power to ensure she remained isolated. She propelled herself back to the surface, springing gracefully free of the water's grasp before slumping back into the darkness.

"It's not worth killing yourself over."

She hid a smile; she'd known he'd come. "What took you so long?"

"You went the round-about way; I got lost."

Allana began to tread water, looking up to meet his gaze as he crouched on the rock where she'd fist dove in. "I don't believe that for a second."

Ben shrugged with an easy smile. "I figured you'd need some time to cool off. I'm sorry if what I said upset you."

Allana shrugged back, sitting halfway back and letting herself float on the surface as she watched him, using her hands to change her direction and steady herself. "It wasn't you; but I think you know that."

"I suspected," he corrected. He settled himself on the rock, unlacing one boot as she watched. "So what brought on that ugly accusation, huh?"

She sighed, wishing she could see his face better to gauge his reaction, but the shadows of the night, and the moon behind him, didn't make it likely. "Would you believe me if I said the truth?"

She felt more than saw his surprise. He dropped one boot and sock on the rock edge before beginning to work on the other. "What do you mean?"

"Dad told me tonight that a Hapan tutor is coming to see me - tomorrow."

"Don't they know what tomorrow is?"

She felt a flush of pleasure at Ben's annoyed tone. Annoyed because he knew the circumstance upset her. "Of course they do - that's what they chose it. As of tomorrow, they only have one year to ensure I don't make a fool of myself when I accept the crown."

"You make it sound like you would."

She splashed water at him with one hand, missing him but spraying the rock he was sitting on. "You think I won't? What do I really know about Hapan politics anyway?"

"More than anyone I've ever met - and that includes Hapan politicians," he told her honestly, dropping his bare feet into the pool and moving them around. His familiar pose - he never joined her for her late-night swims - relaxed her more than any words he could have spoken. Ben continued, leaning back on his hands and watching her. "How do they know you won't bring a change to Hapan politics or their system like your mother wanted to?"

She smiled faintly. "Maybe they're here to stop me."

"They could be assassins."

"I don't think so." Allana let her legs drop and slipped under the water for a half a minute, getting herself wet again and propelling herself towards the rock. She stopped in front of it, folding her arms over top each other and resting her head on her hands, looking up at him. Most of her body was still in the water, soothing her as the mass rippled and moved about her floating limbs. "Assassins don't normally announce themselves."

"Ah, but this one might be trying to gain your confidence before striking." Ben teased. "Though I admit, Hapans are usually sneakier than that."

She chuckled softly. "See? I doubt they're here to kill me - unless it's from boredom."

"Boredom?"

"From all the political drivel they're going to feed me."

They shared a grin and a laugh before a comfortable silence fell. One that didn't last as Ben finally spoke again.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Has telling you no ever stopped you before?"

She thought she saw him grin as a brief flash of white appeared on his face. "Nope."

"Then why would it stop you now?"

He shrugged, nudging her hip in the water with his foot. "Because you're not as talkative tonight as normal."

She snorted and grinned. "I'm never talkative."

"Except with me." He fell silent for a minute and then plunged ahead, shattering the easy air of camaraderie. "Do you want to be the Queen of Hapes, Allana?"

Her head snapped up and she slid back into the water in surprise, her body remembering to tread water before her brain consciously acknowledged her reaction. She stared at him in disbelief. "I was born to be Queen - what kind of a question is that?"

"An honest one." His tone was sober, almost grim. "You don't act like you want to be Queen."

Allana pushed away from the rock and the piercing look she could feel from him. She dove down, into the water, escaping the question and the possibilities - and his gaze. She didn't know the answer to Ben's question, didn't want to consider that she didn't have to be Queen because she'd known as long as she could remember that this was her destiny. This was what she'd been born to do regardless of her personal feelings.

She stayed under for several long moments, her powerful legs kicking towards the bottom. When she reached it she crouched and stopped, looking through the darkness for any sign that he'd followed her. She hadn't felt the impact of another body in the water, hadn't felt the pressure of water being moved beyond her own body. And shame struck her suddenly. She'd run from him; again. Twice in one night, all because he'd asked questions she didn't like.

It wasn't like her. She closed her eyes and propelled herself towards the surface, breaking it with a gasp. Ben hadn't moved; his feet were still dangling easily in the water as he'd waited for her to surface. "Feel better?"

She swam towards him easily and stopped just short of his perch. "I'm not myself tonight."

"It's the night before your life day. You've never been yourself; why should this year be any different?"

She grimaced at his accurate, easy evaluation. It was the one, maybe two, nights of the year she felt off kilter and completely powerless to control her own life and destiny. "I don't have an answer for you."

"To what, why you're acting strange?"

She shook her head once, solemnly. "No. I don't know if I want to be Queen."

"That's a start."

Allana planted her hands on the rock and hauled herself up, letting the water sluice off her body with a soft sigh as she climbed up next to him. She turned, seating herself, and letting her feet dangle in the water next to his. She stared out over the water as it calmed, broken occasionally by the sweep of his or her foot. "Have you ever felt like your life isn't your own, Ben?"

He snorted. "As the son of Skywalker?" His voice held a teasing note. "You know I have. Being the only son of a pair of galactic heroes that are still in the limelight isn't exactly an easy thing."

She managed not to blush. "Especially with all the women who throw themselves at you."

He laughed. "Women are nice, but they never like me for me."

"You're not exactly picky," she teased, elbowing him. "And you've never shown a preference beyond Jysella. I don't even know who you like and you're my best friend!"

"Maybe I like being single." He teased, elbowing her back and shooting her an unreadable look. "Or maybe the girl for me doesn't even realize it yet."

"Ha! If you thought there was a girl for you, you'd never let her out of your sights.

"And I haven't," he agreed amiably with a mysterious grin. "She's just a free spirit who doesn't seem to realize it."

Allana blinked, feeling the impact of those words far harder than she'd ever expected to. Her throat tightened and a squeezing sensation gripped her chest, like she couldn't breathe. She wondered, abstractly, if this was what it felt to have your heart broken, and - somehow - managed a coherent response. "And you haven't told me about her?"

"I haven't told anyone about her," he corrected, meeting her gaze, his far too serious for the light tone in his voice. He moved fractionally closer, as if to get a better view of her face.

She didn't have to pretend the hurt look on her face. She'd known all along that someone would eventually capture Ben's attention; she'd just hoped it would be after she left for Hapes. Something to spare her the heartache of watching his affections and attention be snatched up by a woman he really cared about. Her hand came up without thinking and a resounding SLAP! echoed across the water. "I would have thought you'd tell me; just not on the night before my life-day!"

The shock on his face barely registered as he fought to explain. "Allana, I-"

His voice was cut off as she threw herself back into the water to drown out his lies and excuses - and the ache in her chest that wouldn't go away. Would likely never go away. Ben was beyond her reach, more-so now than before, and she would not cry on his shoulder for it.

--

"Are you sure she's not home?"

Zekk chuckled, closing the door behind her and taking her coat. "She won't be home until midnight. She never is when she's out with Ben."

"That's less than an hour away." Jaina pointed out with a look. "Maybe we should go to my place."

Zekk hung his own jacket on a hook, "We won't be long; I just want your opinion on something. Make yourself comfortable."

Jaina did just that, stretching out on the couch to relax as Zekk headed for the kitchenette. He found the Brandy he kept for Jaina's visits and the small boxes he wanted her opinion on, snagged two glasses and then headed back out to the living room. She grinned as he set the glasses and the Brandy on the table.

"Planning on taking advantage of me?"

"When have I ever had to take advantage of you?"

"Never." She agreed, scooping up the Brandy and pouring two glasses so they were half-full. "At least, not unwillingly."

"Unless Jag was around."

"Ouch, you fight dirty."

"Whatever happened to him anyway?"

Jaina shrugged, settling back and taking a sip of her Brandy. "He didn't like being linked to a former joiner. Must not have been true love after all."

Zekk snorted. "You've turned into a cynic."

"Just a realist. Your daughter must have turned you into a optimist."

He shrugged, collecting the second glass and offering her one of the small boxes. "Could you take a look at this for me?"

She accepted it curiously. "What is it?"

"Allana's life day present."

"From you?"

He nodded. "I'd like your opinion."

Jaina carefully opened the box and gasped. Inside was a star sapphire set in a pendant of platinum with a thin box chain of the same. "This is gorgeous!"

"It's a locket - open it."

Jaina did. The pendant was in the shape of a star, the clasp carefully hidden on one of the tines, and Jaina smiled when she opened it. Zekk relaxed as her smiling face came up. "Zekk, this is thoughtful and beautiful. I know she'll love it."

Zekk managed to smile in return. Inside he'd placed pictures of both him and Tenel Ka. "Turn it over."

She did and he saw her get misty eyed as she read the inscription aloud. "Never forget where you came from. Are you trying to make me cry?" He chuckled softly as she blinked back tears and carefully closed the locket, placing it back in the small box. "Why wouldn't she love this?"

He shrugged, offering her a second box. "Because she might like this one better."

Jaina closed the first box and placed it on the table before opening the second box. Her eyes widened as she took in a second locket, done in emerald - a full emerald - with a heart engraved in the center. "These must have cost you a fortune."

"Well worth the price. Open it."

Jaina did and dropped it, her gaze flying to his in shock. "I-"

Zekk searched her gaze and, slowly, carefully, slid from his chair to kneel in front of her, his hands braced on either side of her knees. "I mean it."

"I- I don't know what to say."

He smiled faintly. "The usual answer to a propo-"

The front door slammed open, drawing their attention and cutting him off as Allana darted into the room. Her hair was still wet, her clothing damp and Zekk straightened when he saw the tell-tale sign of tears on his daughter's cheeks.

Allana stopped in the entry-way, looking from her father to Jaina and back, realizing she'd interrupted something serious. She flushed.

"Allana, wait!"

Zekk's gaze narrowed as Ben's voice drifted through the door. Allana slammed it and then darted away, her bedroom door slamming somewhere down the hall. Zekk looked back to Jaina and their gazes held and met as a knock sounded on the door. A heavy knock that sounded like the whole open-palm of one Ben Skywalker.

"Allana! Open up, let me explain!"

Jaina gently pushed Zekk back on his heels and placed the small box - with his completely unexpected and unconventional proposal - on the table before getting to her feet. "You handle Allana - I'll deal with my cousin."

"You sure?"

"She needs you; go."

He didn't need to be told again as he got to his feet, catching her hand in a grateful squeeze before his long strides took him out of the room. He heard Jaina's military voice come out as she ordered Ben to stop pounding on the door like a lunatic and then shut it out. He stopped outside Allana's bedroom door and knocked. "Sweetie?"

"Go away, dad."

His heart hurt at the pain he heard in her choked voice. "I can't."

He heard her moving around and then, slowly, the door was opened as if she realized he wasn't about to go away and nothing she said or did would make him. She stared up at him, her eyes slate gray with misery, tears lining her long lashes. She looked like his little girl again and, with a muted sob and trembling lip, threw herself into his arms.

Zekk wrapped her tightly in his arms, one hand gently stroking her still wet hair as she clung to him. She didn't sob, didn't cry the way she had as a child, but shook with silent, heart-wrenching tears that made him want to slay all her dragons. He ached because it was just one more sign that his little girl was gone and a young woman in her place.

"Ben's a callous jerk."

Zekk blinked at her muffled words. "You're not crying over him are you?"

Allana pulled away, dashing her tears from her cheeks. "I shouldn't be."

Zekk arched his eyebrows. "Need to talk about it?" The blush that stained her cheeks and the way she looked away, as if guilty of something she couldn't share, made his stomach churn. "Allana? Did he hurt you?"

"Not in the way you mean." She sighed miserably, stepping back into her room and waiting only for him to enter before closing the door. Jaina and Ben's muffled voices were blocked out completely as it latched behind him.

Allana sank down on the edge of her bed, leaning forward on her elbows and dangling her wrists limply between her knees. Her posture was so dejected; Zekk joined her immediately, wrapping an arm about her shoulders. "Want me to break his legs?"

"Would you?"

"In a heartbeat."

She managed a smile and placed her head on his shoulder. "Thank, dad. I know you don't like him, but-"

"Says who?"

She poked his side. "You flipped when you saw the flowers."

"I do not flip, young lady."

"Only sometimes." Her smile disappeared and she closed her eyes. "You didn't need to though. Ben told me tonight he's interested in someone."

Zekk resisted the urge to go throttle the son of Skywalker for botching up such an important revelation and hurting Allana in the process. He kept his touch gentle, his tone soothing as he continued to stroke her hair. "What happened?"

She looked up at him quizzically, frowning. "You're not mad?"

"Should I be?"

"I thought you'd... you'd flip when you found out I liked Ben."

Zekk managed not to blush and kept his tone light. "It's news only to you, sweetie. I've been there; I know the signs, remember? I was just hoping it wasn't Ben - or maybe you'd find someone else."

Allana shifted back to her dejected posture, hanging her head. "Why did he have to tell me tonight, of all nights? Couldn't he have waited for a few days?"

"What did he tell you?"

"That The girl he wanted didn't realize she wanted him yet; and that she was a free spirit. I don't know a single person like that and it hurts, dad. It hurts to think he's known and he deliberately waited until tonight to tell me." A tear slipped down her cheek and she brushed it away irritably. "What did I ever do to him to deserve that kind of... of malicious act?"

"Oh, honey." Zekk swept her into his arms and onto his lap, cradling her the way he'd used to when she was a child. She didn't fit on his lap as well anymore, but she still turned into him, absorbing his strength as he stroked her hair gently. He ached for her and her misunderstanding, because he knew that Allana didn't realize Ben had been talking about her. "Did you want me to get rid of him?"

"I don't ever want to see him again."

"Never?"

"Never." The word was choked.

Zekk hugged her tightly and slid her back to her bed. She turned her face away as he rose. "I'll go walk him out and then I'll be back."

Allana didn't so much as look at him as Zekk stepped back into the hallway and closed the door behind him. He squared his shoulders and took a deep breath wondering if he was going to regret his next actions for the rest of his life.