I DO NOT OWN STAR WARS OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS

CHAPTER THREE: New Jedi Order

The family of Anakin Solo had seemed to adapt to the idea of having him back quickly. Luke was in the main hold of the Millennium Falcon with Anakin and Tahiri, discussing his return to the living. Han was in the pilot's seat, listening over the com while Leia made some caf. The nav-computer was reading only a few hours till re-emergence near Corouscant.

"Anakin, is it possible for anyone to come back from the dead?" Anakin knew Luke was wondering about Mara.

"No, my death was special in that I, meaning my spirit, did not die. My body died after my spirit had left it. If I had died using less of the Force than I had been I would be dead permanently. I believe that the only reason that I was able to come back was that my mind was clear of all thoughts except a pure idea, like saving my friends. I was told that if I had had any doubts that I would not have been able to channel that much Force and would be dead. Mara died from a poison when she was not expecting it. She died before she had a chance to take three more breaths."

"I see…"

Tahiri spoke up now. "Anakin, why didn't you tell us you were still alive? Shouldn't you have been able to show us some sign through the Force?"

Anakin smiled at this. "Actually, I did try. Multiple times at the beginning. When you suffered with the Vong inside you I was there, helping you. Do you remember, in that final meeting between your two selves, there was one other person pushing you together? I tried to help there. I helped break the Killik influence on you all. I was the one who gave Jacen the power to kill the Vong leader and heal Luke. Really, I have been trying to tell you all for so long that I was still here, but there was no way to directly communicate except through the flow of the Force."

Tahiri and Luke stared at Anakin. How powerful could he be to do all that? Anakin was with me, helping me, even in death? Luke said the obvious question.

"Anakin, if you did all that than wouldn't that make you lose concentration on the body you were making? Why would you stall your return just too help us with minor problems?"

"Uncle you're wrong; You, Tahiri, Mom, Dad, Jacen, Jaina, and every Jedi in this galaxy dieing is not a minor problem. If I had to wait two years more just to make sure you were safe than I would have, and I did. What would be the point of coming back to a world without Tahiri?"

Tahiri decided to invent a hundred new shades of red on the spot while Luke and Leia, who had shown up in the hatchway, laughed. She just sat there and couldn't look anyone in the eyes. Look at me! I'm 27 and blushing like I'm a teenager. Han's voice came over the com.

"Coming out of Hyperspace in just a few seconds. Hang on. And I don't mean for Tahiri to hang on to Anakin."

As Han switched off the com he could hear the laughter break out again. He smiled. It's been a long time since we had a good ol' genuine laugh in this ship. Too long. Maybe Jacen will come back when he sees Anakin? I can always hope. He pulled the lever to re-enter real-space and began his decent to the Jedi Temple. Somehow he knew that wasn't going to happen.

ANAKIN SOLO: Enroute to Courescant

The dark lord of the Sith was sulking. Jacen Solo lay down on his bunk in his quarters. How could my barrier have been broken? It has always been impossible to see or break. And out of the blue some new Force user comes and not only finds me, but smashes my barrier that keeps my thoughts where only I can see them. Who is it? Jacen had a feeling that he had felt this presence before. But I am the Lord of the Sith; I am more powerful than any sentient being in the universe. I shouldn't have feelings, I should know. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Sir, the medic would like to see you in the med-bay about your fall yesterday. I told him you were fine, but he insists." I guess it is time to teach these fools what true power is. Jacen Solo did a brisk march to the med-bay. When he saw the medic who had demanded his presence he immediately put him in a Force choke hold.

"You do not have any right to demand my presence anywhere. I am not as frail as you are, do not assume otherwise. If I need medical help, than I will seek it. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir!" The medic managed to squeak out from his position a meter off the floor suspended by an invisible hand.

"Good." Jacen did an about face and walked back to his quarters. The medic was dropped roughly to the floor as he left. When he entered his quarters again he sat in the middle of the floor and meditated on this new problem.

STEALTH X-WING: In station above Dantooine

Jaina Solo felt like her head was about to burst. So much was happening to the Sword of the Jedi. Her aunt was killed, her ex-boyfriend came back after she got him banished from his entire sector of space, and her feelings for her partner and her ex made everything spin. And Jacen… what's his problem? The guy is so messed up I can't even sense him in the Force, and I'm his twin! Jaina couldn't help but sigh. Life couldn't get much more confusing.

"Jaina? Are you OK?"

Sometimes working in a team sucks. "Yes, Jag, I was just fine. But now that we have blown our cover by using the com, I don't know if I am fine or about to kill something."

Ouch, not a smart move. Jag couldn't help but wince in anticipation of the chewing out he was going to get. So much for caring. His feelings were in no better shape than hers. Years abandoned on a planet had driven him to the point where he swore he would never forgive her, but after coming back and being assigned to work with her to end a great evil he couldn't help but have his old feelings emerge once again to his great regret. I once swore she would pay, but now I all can think of is how I can get her to say she's sorry so I can forgive her. I should be Jagged Fel, human prodigy on par with Chiss, a survivor, and I can't understand women. If this is love, I think I'd rather just never get it. Too late, though.

He is so going to die when we get back to HQ. HQ being a secure room in the basement of the Jedi Temple. Jaina sighed again and gave the orders to return to base. She switched on her personal com to get her messages before entering Hyperspace. As the stars turned from points to streaks she started listening uninterestedly to her messages.

"Jaina, this is Mom. I'm calling from the Falcon. Luke is with us and we are going to go visit Tahiri. Luke thinks that something impossible has happened. Han and I are skeptical, but if Luke is right it might change everything that's going on in our lives. I don't want to get your hopes up, but I'll call again if it is true. Love you."
Jaina had almost closed her eyes when she heard "Tahiri" but as the message went on she grew more and more intrigued. Something that could change everything? This is very interesting. What's the next message?

The next was just text from Jag. The time said that it was sent on the way from Courescant, so it was not, technically, a breach in protocol. I just wish he would stop and think before he speaks. She gave a short laugh. Ok, maybe he's better now than when he wouldn't talk at all.

"Jaina, I wish to tell you that I am worried about you. I know your family has gone through a lot, but I just want to tell you that you might be the Sword of the Jedi, but you can still talk to your friends about it. I know I might not be in that group, but don't keep your feelings inside. Even Chiss know that that is a Sith trait. No one wants to see that. Jag."

"Why that pompous idiot! What does he think I'm going to do? Go off and kill a bunch of random people just 'cause Aunt Mara died? Or maybe he thinks I'll go crazy from grief!"

Jaina stopped and took a few breaths. She just realized what she had just done. I… I just lost my temper. A Jedi should never lose their temper. What is wrong with me? Is Jag right? She figured she would just not mention this to him. I need to meditate on this. He might be right about these feelings. I need to tell someone. Maybe Mom. Oh, the next message!

"Jaina, Zekk here." Came over the com right as the next message was about to play. "This is a secure com, so Jag can't hear. You do know that you used the com first, right? Your elbow must have hit it or something, cause me and Jag heard the loudest sigh I've ever heard in my life. It sounded like an engine in the silence. He thought something was wrong so he called. If you ever expect to get together with the guy than you best apologize when we hit ground or kiss your chances good-bye. Don't call me back, I know you like the guy, just stow the pride for a sec and tell the guy that you're sorry for the yelling and the blaming. He could have chewed you out, you know? See ya at the Temple."

Oh damn… did I really just do that! How the hell does Zekk know I like Jag? Is it that obvious? No… it's the Killik thing. I guess I have some apologies to do when we hit ground. She hit play on her com.

"Jaina, this is Mom. I don't know how to tell you this over the com, but something amazing has happened. Get back to the Temple as soon as possible. You will not regret it. I wish I could say what happened, but you wouldn't believe me without seeing anyway, I didn't. It's the best thing to happen to our family in almost forever. Luke is even eating again. I love you, say hello to Jag and Zekk. Bye"

Jaina had never heard her Mom that happy since, well, since Anakin had died. What had happened to make Mom so happy? I guess I'll find out in a few hours.

"End of messages"

Jaina went into a trance to wake up in six hours. I hope it's something like them finding an end to evil or something… or a cure for unreturned love.

JEDI TEMPLE ON COURESCANT

Deep in the Temple's core was a room that was hardly ever used. It was really just there as a remembrance of the end of the Old Jedi Order at the end of the Clone Wars. It was a long room filled with large computers. A lone figure in a simple Jedi robe stood before one of the computers. After adjusting it slightly he walked out of the room. After locking the door behind him he continued his path up stairs and though halls, ignored by all the Jedi and padawans that passed him. The hooded man walked up to the doors that led to the Jedi Counsel Chambers and stepped through them. After closing the doors behind him he removed his hood. Only then did Anakin release his control over the light surrounding his body and became visible to the others in the room. Tahiri ran up to greet him.

"Anakin, did you set the signal?"

"Yes, every Jedi Master and Knight in the galaxy is being summoned here at the nearest possible time. I also recognized some of the faces passing me in the halls. I wanted to jump out and hug a few of my old friends, or say "Hey, how's it going?" and see the reactions on their faces. But I guess I'll just wait until they all get here. It might take a while if any are in a place where it would be hard to get back."

Luke nodded. He didn't think it would take even a few days. Ever since Mara's death many of the Masters had been expecting Luke to resign as the Grand Master of the Order. He knew that most of the Jedi would be thinking that this call would be about his pending resignation. Luke sighed. He knew that if Anakin was right and Jacen was now a Dark Lord then it would be only right that he put someone else in charge, if only temporarily. Leia and Han were sitting in some chairs watching their son, back from the dead, sitting next to a girl and acting like a nervous kid around his crush. Neither of them cared that he was 28 and she was 27, they still saw young love; the love of a couple of teens that was put on hold for 12 years. Maybe we'll live to be grand parents.

Leia's personal comlink started beeping. Leia picked it up, hoping it would be Jaina saying she was back, and turned it on.

"Leia Solo here."

"Mom, this is Jaina."

"Oh, Jaina. I'm so happy your back in system. Where are you?"

"We are inbound and prepped for landing in the Temple's lower docking bay. What's this amazing thing your messages kept telling me about? Is it what the Jedi beacon is about?"

"Um…" Leia glanced at Anakin, "actually I'll tell you when you land. Come up to the Counsel Chambers when you land, OK? See you soon."

Jaina sighed. Well, I guess I can wait a few more minutes. Maybe Tahiri got married to a Vong? Jaina gave a shudder that was anything but a joke.

"Alright team, we're cleared for landing. And Jag, before you go, I want to talk to you."

Here it comes. Well, maybe if I just agree and swallow my pride I can get through without too much bodily harm. And maybe after that I can go into business as a rancor dentist. The prospects of a private talk with Jaina were anything but inviting. I know, I'll tell her how much I appreciate her leadership and her courage and then tell her that I love her. Then during her ensuing shock I'll escape! OK, maybe all but the last part. Both Jag and Jaina had their plans for how the talk would go. The three X-Wings, black as space, came into the Temple's hanger bay. When they had landed Zekk high-tailed it out of there. With a quick good-bye to Jaina and Jag he ran for his quarters, expecting to have narrowly escaped another Jag/Jaina fight. Jaina walked over to Jag's fighter and as he came down from his cockpit he saw her motion him out towards the open hanger bay doors. If she pushes me off, at least I will have a good view as I fall to my death.

Jag walked up to Jaina, she had her back to him and her hands laced behind her back. She gazed out at the Courescant sunset. Jag was the first to speak.

"I'm sorry for breaking protocol, Jaina. The fault was mine and I accept full responsibility for it."

"Jag…" She hadn't expected an apology from him. Old cold heart Jag. It was my fault and we both know it, so why is he still apologizing?

"Jag, it wasn't your fault. Zekk told me in hyperspace. I had my elbow on the com button and broadcast a sigh to all waiting ears. I want to apologize for the way I talked after you spoke. I… I want you to know that I really appreciate you asking if I was OK."

Jag was stunned. She was apologizing to him? Well, this was new.

"Jaina, thank you. You know… I… I really admire your courage and leadership, especially at times like these."

Now Jaina was stunned. Jag said he admired her courage and leadership? Since when? He was always trying to undermine her authority in some way or another. Actually, he just corrects me when I'm wrong and I always nag at him for it.

"Thanks Jag. You know, I got that text from you in hyperspace on the way back. I want you to know that as I read it, it made me madder than a starving gundark. But after I was done and had thought about what you said I realized that you were right. I have too many emotions bottled up inside of me. And you are welcome in my small circle of friends anytime."

Jag smiled. "You know, that's probably the first time since I came back that you spoke like we used to speak together." Jag immediately regretted saying that as Jaina flinched.

"Jag, I don't know if time can be rolled back, but if there was ever one mistake I wanted to take back it would be when I broke your trust. I… I want to tell you that even if you never care for me like before again… I can't stop caring for you."

"Jaina, I swore while I was marooned on that planet you put me on that I would never care about you that way again."

Jaina felt her heart breaking.

"But I'd be lying to myself if I said I had followed through on that oath. I don't know anyone else who I care about more. Can we start over; go back to the end of the Vong wars. Hi, I am Jagged Fel, a hotshot know-it-all who's a demon in a Chiss Claw Craft."

"Hi, I'm Jaina Solo, a stuck up Jedi who happens to fly the pants off anyone in an X-Wing."

"It's very nice to see you again, after such a long time, Jaina."

"You too, Jag."

They continued to stand as the sun set. Jag took her hand in his as the bay doors closed for the night and led her to the mess hall. After a cup of caf they took a walk. Jaina and Jag couldn't think of a time that they had ever been happier.

Later that night, Jaina walked into her room and collapsed on her bed. She didn't bother to change for bed; she just curled up under a sheet and slept. After awhile two Jedi entered her room. Taking great care not to wake the sleeping Jedi, they just smiled.

"Should I wake her up?"

"No, I think she's dreaming a good dream. See, she is smiling like she hasn't in along time."

"Ah. She must have finally gotten back with Jag."

"What?"

"Oh, I've known for a long time that those two were meant for each other. Mother's intuition."

"Hm… I agree. Call it dead-guy's intuition. It's probably better that she just get some rest. I'll unveil myself to her with the rest of the Jedi. Tomorrow."

"Sounds like a plan, now go to bed."

"Aww… but Mom I'm 28 years old. Can't I stay up and listen to you and Dad tell old war stories like you old people do?"

"Haha, very funny. But will you be laughing when you get grounded and can't go see Tahiri for a week?"

"Night Mom." One figure ran from the room at a speed faster than even a Jedi could follow.

"Good night, son. And good night daughter." The remaining figure gave Jaina a kiss on the forehead and left the way she entered.