"It's insane enough to just see him there," Jaina cried. She hated crying. She hated it especially when she couldn't hide it from others. But he somehow made it okay. "I want to be there for my parents- for Mom especially, but . . ." She searched for the words.

"It's hard," he finished for her, simply because, sometimes, the best words are the simplest ones.

She nodded, lifting her shoulders as he brought his finger to softly tickle the skin of her neck. "It's hard. It's hard looking at him because all I can think about is talking to him again and he's going to have all these questions and we'll have to answer them- and then I'll have to tell him about Jacen. And I don't think Mom and Dad have started thinking that far yet."

"Relax for now, Jay. You don't even know if he'll be waking up soon. You still have time to breathe."

"That's all the advice you've got?" She playfully punched him in the stomach and he grimaced but smiled, capturing her fist in his much larger one. "You're supposed to help me. Tell me what to do to avoid the coming speeder crash."

"I don't think that's possible."

Jaina sighed. "That's what I was afraid of. So? What do I do?"

"Jaina, no insurmountable supply of wisdom could save you and your family from the speeder crash that's headed for you. It's like the motorized toy speeders that run on the ground. When one of them slips, there's no stopping it. You'll just have to suffer the crash and get it over with."

"You know, I came to you hoping for some wiser words and a solution to all my problems- not my next death sentence."

"I'm sorry." He kissed her cheek. "But, because of my eternal and infinite wisdom, I am obliged to be real with you."

"Yeah. That's why."

"Jay, I promise that I will be right here to support you, but I can't lie to you. You already know it as well as I do; there is no smooth path to take. It's going to be ugly and unpleasant, but you'll get over it."

She nodded shortly, slipping back into her own thoughts. "They fought all the time but Anakin always looked up to Jace. He never said it out loud but he wanted to be just like him. Since he could talk, he wanted to be just like Uncle Luke and when we were older that's what he thought Jacen was going to be. It made him jealous. He wanted to be Uncle Luke. He wanted to be Jacen.

"I don't think he ever fully realized what hopes and expectations we had stored in him. Or that Jacen envied him."

"Two brothers who were fighting for the same fate. I always believed it was Anakin's. Not to slight Jacen, but I think everyone did."

"I know. And Jacen knew. He came to terms with it in time. I guess I've always liked to believe that was why he named his big Star Destroyer after him. I know Caedus didn't name that ship. He probably resented it. But he knew that Anakin was supposed to be someone bigger than life. He was supposed to be the next Luke Skywalker on a level that neither of us could be. He accepted it. Maybe after Anakin was already dead, but he came to understand it. Funny thing that is, I guess. We both always felt like there was something wrong about Anakin's death. Besides our grief, it always felt like it was so wrong that he died. We both knew that wasn't supposed to be his fate. It was too wrong . . . Unfinished."

"So you believe that when he wakes up- he still has a full life ahead of him?"

"No one is guaranteed a full life. Anakin's was ripped from him, but I do believe that- however it happened- the Force allowed him to come back to life for that reason. And, yes, I do believe that my little brother still has lots to do for this galaxy. He's Luke Skywalker- and something of his own that goes beyond that we will never understand. Uncle Luke was counting on Anakin taking his place."

"And, maybe, now he will."


"Han?"

"Shhh." Han's hand came up to stroke her hair. "Go back to sleep."

"But-"

"Anakin is still sleeping. You should too."

With some hesitation, Leia settled back into his lap. "Han?"

"What is it, Princess?"

In a sleepy slur, she said, "I love you."

Han smiled. "I know."


"Master Cilghal?" Danni Quee crept down the silent halls, peering across each corridor. The Force buzzed softly ahead of her and her senses were slightly alarmed. "Master Cilghal, I have the reports from-" She interrupted herself with a hopeless sigh, turning to go back down the hall.

"She must not be down here," Seha Dorvald offered, glancing into the viewing panes of doors.

Danni smiled, amused. "The one time I need to speak with her and she isn't in her office."

"Her or Jedi Tekli."

"Hm." She started down the hall when she noticed one medroom door that was cracked open. "Oh! I wonder if she just has ysalamiri near her. She must be in that room."

Seha nodded in consideration, already moving to further open the door. "Master- Oh! Sithspawn!"

"Jedi Dorvald!"

"I'm sorry, Jedi Quee, but you've got to see this!"

"Seha, is Master Cilghal in there or not?"

"She isn't, Danni, but you should see who is."


Grand Master Skywalker's morning commute began very differently than he'd been imagining. His time was free for his own pleasure and he'd been planning on briefly making his usual rounds between different masters and apprentices then checking on his sister and nephew. Oh, who was he kidding? His brother-in-law required a caring eye too.

However, Luke didn't even get to enjoying a steaming mug of caf in his office in peace before matters of the Order required his attention. He'd just sat down with his mug, the caf maker running quietly on one wall. His comm rang and he patiently answered it. "Master Horn, how may I help you?"

"Luke, we've got problems." Corran's voice was urgent- as urgent as he would allow it to get-together and forewarning. "There's a rumor flying around the Order and the Council is in an uproar. They've set their own meeting."

"A rumor?" At once, Luke became concerned. He didn't like this sort of immaturity spreading throughout the Order. Every Jedi was entitled to uphold the expectations and decency of a Jedi, a standard that had remained for centuries since the original Order's beginning. The Council members' inclusion further upset Luke. He already didn't like the sounds of this. "Corran, what's going on?"

"Danni Quee and Seha Dorvald found Anakin's body."

In less than five minutes, Luke arrived at the Council room, a spacious area, but the room was packed with people. Boisterous noise filled the room as the people squabbled and argued in loud tones. Luke could have sworn aloud. To make himself heard, he amplified his voice with the Force, booming across the room, "Silence! This room is reserved for the Masters of the Council unless one is invited in. What are you all doing here?"

The room quickly emptied until only eleven remained. The Mon Cal Master Cilghal stood in the center of the room, her features the most alarmed and weary Luke had ever seen them- she looked so shocked. Everyone else stood around her, faces painted over with scattered looks.

"Master Horn said that you all organized a meeting?"

Quietly, Tionne confirmed, "Yes, Master."

"Well, where are the Solos? We always have them."

"Yes, Master, but we all thought it better if- we keep them out of this one."

Luke frowned. "My sister and niece may only be Knights but they are two of the most valuable and honored members of the Order. And the Council. You must have good reason for this decision."

"Actually, Grand Master," Kyle Katarn stepped forward. "We fear their reactions to a rumor that has cropped up. It pertains to your nephew."

Passive, Luke asked, "Which one? Both of them are gone, with the Force."

"That's what we find interesting," Master Hammer began. From behind him, Saba Sebatyne hissed, her tongue flicking between her pebbled lips. "Master Skywalker, Jedi Quee and Dorvald came to us claiming to have seen the body of Anakin Solo."

Octa Ramis burst, "But we know this is impossible! Was it not you, Master, that lit the flames of his funeral pyre on Hapes?"

"Yes, I did."

"Then, what more is there to discuss?"

"The problem is that Master Cilghal refuses to say anything about this," Hamner said, his eyes narrowed.

Appearing rather annoyed, Kam Solusar shook his head from where he sat with his wife. "What reason has Master Cilghal ever given us not to trust her, Hamner?"

"But shouldn't she have something to say about this? At the very least, a straightforward 'no' would suffice."

"I should think it hardly matters!" Kyp Durron was quick to object from the other side of the room, his eyes big and bright with an odd panic. "Whatever happens in the medward is a matter of doctor and patient confidentiality. Is it anyone's business to know who or what was in that room? For all we know, it was dark down there and Seha could have been looking at a dummy.

"Besides that," he added, "It's preposterous! Do you hear yourselves? Are you really concerned about a reported sighting of Anakin Solo's dead body in the medward?"

"Are you saying that Jedi Quee is not trustworthy?"

"Everyone, stop!" Luke held up a hand to bring order to the assembled group. "I am sure there is a good explanation to this-"

Cilghal caught his gaze. "The confidentiality of such scenarios is rendered meaningless in light of my obligation to the Council," she said. She was asking him. Luke wavered on his feet. "Perhaps, this is a meeting the Solos should attend."


AN: Another short chapter, but I hope everyone's still enjoying!