AFTER THE FIRE
Chapter 9
Jarik had tolerated surgery well. He was exhausted and had to endure yet another bacta treatment, but his good humor had returned in short order. Four days after surgery, he was released and was able to travel back to the capital city. He had a long road of rehab ahead of him, but he retained his characteristic optimism. Of the four, Jarik was the least inclined to grumble about pain.
Han and Leia's joy at their son's homecoming and recovery was tempered with what they knew about Quall. If anything was going to hurt Jarik, it was that. They'd asked Jaina, Jacen and Anakin not to say anything to their youngest brother. They reluctantly agreed.
"Good thing your mom's a VIP, kiddo, or you'd be trotting off to therapy at the medcenter," Han said to him. They were sitting with the therapy droid, G56, who would be making every other day visits.
"Thanks Mom," Jarik called out, laughing.
"Nice to know my hard work yielded something," Leia laughed. "G56, it's nearly dinnertime for us."
"I shall return tomorrow. Have a pleasant evening," the droid said as it took its leave. Leia had cooked the dinner while Han and Jarik watched smashball.
"This smells really good," Jarik said, stifling a yawn. He was still terribly sore and his appetite had been weak, but that was likely to be temporary. "Hey, after dinner I gotta call Quall. I mean like, he won and all, I never got to congratulate him."
Han and Leia passed a look that was nearly imperceptible to anyone but them.
As Han was clearing the dishes (assuring his youngest son that once he was on his feet again he would definitely be required to participate in such tasks), his comm went off.
"Hey Dad." It was Anakin.
"What's going on?"
"I got the security footage from the prep area from the race."
"Who'd you bribe?"
"You don't wanna know. Actually, I just asked for it and they said they'd let me look it over."
"And?"
"It's...it's what I thought."
Han's heart sank. His youngest son was so eager to see his longtime friend, who apparently wasn't such a good friend after all.
"Thanks, kiddo. You headed back to Corellia?"
"Not tonight. Was wondering if I could bunk at your place."
"Sure."
"See you shortly."
Han put the last of the dishes in the washer. "Looks like Anakin's coming over for the night."
"Cool," Jarik said. "You said he's been working on my sled."
"Yeah, he has. I'll let him tell you about it."
"I gotta call Quall, though." He picked up his comm and punched in Quall's code. After several signals, it went to record. Jarik frowned. "That's weird. I don't think Quall's got a ladyfriend or anything. Ah well. He'll get back at me."
Leia was tempted to say, he already has. But she maintained radio silence. Han took her hand and led her to the bedroom.
"I don't know how Jarik's going to take this," Leia said sadly. "Quall's practically grown up in our place."
"I think it's gonna be hard. Jarik's got a big heart and he's pretty forgiving. But this might be too much even for him."
"Think we should be with the boys when Anakin shows him the holos?"
"I think we should be here if he needs us."
END
