Ch 10 Christmas Chaos
John leaves the maintenance locker. The movie debacle plays over and over in his mind as he waits for the turbo. The doors slide open and Anakin comes striding out alone. This is the first chance John has had alone with Anakin and he is going to take it. "Hey I want to talk to you," John tells Anakin grabbing his arm.
"Later lover boy. I got work to do," Anakin pulls his arm from John's grip. John is through with being dismissed by someone his own age. John grabs Anakin by the back of the shirt and throws him into the wall. "Are you thermal?" Anakin utters turning to face John.
"Leave Kate alone. I am only telling you this once so you had better listen. Since you arrived she has been miserable so knock your shit off now." John states his peace without raising his voice but his tone indicates his anger.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Anakin fights back. "I am her brother. I only have her best interests at heart. You…you are some fly by night run of the mill guy. Kate is so far out of your league you can't even buy a ticket to see the game."
"Nice one Anakin," John claps sarcastically. "Got any more. Come on you have only spent…what…six hours total with me in the four days you have been here. Tell me how you know a damn things about me. "
Anakin does not have time for this but decides to get rid of John once and for all. "You know why she will never be with you John. Kate is a Jedi and Princess." Anakin sees John doesn't believe him. "Never told you huh. Maybe that's because she knows you couldn't cut it. Next time you see her ask about Alderaan." Anakin closes the space between him and John. "Jedi – Non Jedi relationships don't work. You all can try to suppress it but Kate is strong in the Force. She will become a Jedi whether any of you like it or not. If I had any doubts before this they are gone now. When I get done with Kate you will be a distant memory. Bye bye Johnny," Anakin waves his fingers in a farewell gesture to emphasize his point. John balls up his fist, draws back and pops him right in the eye. Anakin's head flies back. Anakin shakes his head stunned that John actually hit him.
"Leave Kate alone," John says quiet but icily. Anakin flies at john grabbing him around the middle slamming his into a wall. John brings down his right elbow between Anakin's shoulder blades as Anakin upper cuts him to the stomach. John brings his knee up into Anakin's groin. Anakin pushes off John. When he is far enough back Anakin kicks him in the stomach spinning John into the wall banging his forehead. John pushes off the wall going after Anakin again. Anakin swings but John ducks low landing a side punch to Anakin's ribcage. Anakin drops low leg swiping John. On his way down John grabs a fistful of Anakin's shirt. John brings his foot up to Anakin's chest flipping him over. Both boys fall to the ground trying to get the upper advantage to the fight. They roll several times before a pair of strong hands pull them apart.
"Break it up boys," Bones orders pulling John off of Anakin by the collar of his shirt. It takes a second for John to stop trying to get back down to Anakin. "John, at ease," Bones yells. The military term coming from the doctor snaps him to his senses. Bones extends a hand to Anakin. "So either of you want to tell me what brought you to fist-a-cuffs or should I guess." Both Anakin and John are not ready to tell Bones the fight is over Kate. "Didn't think so," Bones huffs reaching forward to examine Anakin's eye. McCoy casts a side long look at John. He looks to have fared better in the fight with only a cut over his left eyebrow. "Okay we are going to Sick Bay and then I am calling your parents." Bones takes an arm firmly in each hand leading them back to the turbo.
"Anakin," Jaina yells seeing her brother being led down the hall by the doctor. One look at her brother and Jaina knows what happened. John and Anakin had been gunning for each other all day. She needs to know why. "Haku apoya? (what happened?)," Jaina snaps in Huttese.
"Ji muna bukee wata dopeha wa dokoi (lover boy here started a fight)," Anakin hooks a thumb at John. Without being able to Force pin him to something we went Han Solo School and brawled it out. Jaina gives Anakin a disgusted look. "Goo whoma mi koo (he hit me first)," Anakin defends himself.
"Doiebanh cay da teshe apiua uba doth bmahh (obviously with that black eye you are sporting)," Jaina says reaching out to touch it.
"I am taking him to Sick Bay if you want to come?" Bones offers. "Mostly bumps and bruises but I want to make sure." Anakin tries to respond but Jaina silences him with a glance.
"Jot mi hanei tah (let me handle this)," Jaina says to Anakin. "Dr. McCoy I can treat my tauntaun headed brother on the Endeavor. Anakin will answer for his part in this conflict. Master Shan has requested our presence on the Endeavor. I will see to his medical needs and then we can meet with John's parents if that is required. Thank you," Jaina says politely taking Anakin's free arm as the turbo doors open.
"Just a minute darlin'. Anakin was hurt on my ship which means I am responsible for treating him. So again I ask you…do you want to accompany us to Sick Bay or not?" Bones keeps a pleasant tone even though he is irked by Jaina thinking she can do his job. He tries to remember that these kids are not normal sixteen year olds. Bones steps into the turbo releasing the boys. He holds the open button waiting for Jaina to decide what she is doing.
"Sith spawn," Jaina curses cuffing Anakin upside the head walking into the turbo. "Myrkr Ketea panbipa mah bayana (Myrkr mission leader my ass)."
.
SICK BAY
Just as McCoy had expected, the injuries were typical for a fight. Bumps and bruises will surface tomorrow in wonderful shades of purple and blue but for now they are just red spots. Bones sets the tricorder down, crosses his arms and stares at the two young men in front of him. "So ready to talk about how this started," both boys look around not answering. The doors to Sick Bay open with a hiss. Jack and Sam come in heading straight for John.
"What's going on Bones?" Jack demands not knowing what is wrong with his son but at a second glance figures it out. "Have you been fighting John?" Jack is almost speechless. Of his two sons, Ronin is the one who is typically in a fight. John tends to be the more level headed of the two.
"Well seems there was some kind of disagreement between our two young friends here," Bones reports. "Neither of them is hurt past bumps or bruises." McCoy gives the boys a final stern nod and walks away.
"Okay either of you read to tell me WHY were you two fighting?" Jack asks with his hands on his hips. Both boys look anywhere but him. "I asked you a question and I expect and answer," Jack thunders like a drill sergeant at new recruits.
Anakin is the first to speak. "We had a heated discussion on technology that got out of hand Sir," he lies.
"I can see that," Jack confirms looking at Anakin's black eye. "John is that true?" Jack sees that John has three butterfly stitches down the center of his left eyebrow.
"Yeah…that's it," John mutters finally making eye contact with his Dad.
"Yeah that's it?" Jack repeats incredulously.
"Yes sir it was over tech," John rephrases his answer for his father.
Jack shakes his head in disbelief. John is clearly lying to him. Jack will found out why later but deals with the situation the only way he can. "I'm NOT going to have fights break out on this ship understand. So you have two options. You either shake hands and make up or avoid each other understand!"
"Yeah dad," John says eager to get this over with and get back home.
"Yes sir I understand," Anakin extends his hand to John. "John I'm sorry." John can't believe the balls on this guy but shakes his hand anyways.
Jaina knows she has been here way to long. Master Shan wanted them on the Endeavor twenty minutes ago. "Sir I know that this discussion is far from being closed but Master Shan would like to deal directly with my brother now. With all due respect do you mind if we continue this later?" Jack nods and the two Solo's quickly leave Sick Bay.
Jack stares at his son. "Bones," Jack yells over his shoulder. "Can I borrow your office?"
"Be my guest," Bones gestures.
Jack gestures broadly to John in the direction of his office. John hops off the med bed in a huff but complies with his dad.
John slumps down in a chair in bones office. His mom takes a seat next to him. "John honey what happened this is not you," she soothes brushing the hair off his brow. She looks at his cut and winces. "Does it hurt?"
"Nawh mom. I'm good," John gives her a smile. John still loves the way his mom dotes on him when he is hurt or sick like a small child. Sam smiles back and squeezes his hand.
"So you want to tell me now why the head of security's son got in a school yard fight with a guest aboard the Enterprise?" Jack is trying to control his temper when speaking.
"Dad you don't know the whole story. It wasn't over tech?" John spats like he has a bad taste in his mouth. "I'm not that stupid to fight over a computer or shuttle or ship." John begins to pace the room. Jack can tell that John did not get whatever it is out of his system even having a fight. "I mean you do NOT know what they are like. They way they act all pretentious and crap."
"John stand still. Let me see," Jack orders walking across the room. John shoves his hands in his pockets and leans against the wall while Jack looks at his eye. "So Anakin got the worst of it I see," he says gruffly.
John answer the next question before Jack can ask it. "And before you ask… I threw the first punch. I started it." John expected his dad to react to this but Jack only nods.
"John," his mom says shocked. "Why did you throw the first punch?" John is so mad he isn't listening to his mom.
Jack can see the anger in his normally calm son. "Look I know it wasn't over tech or ships obviously so what was it son?" Jack sits down in a chair hoping his youngest son will talk.
John is not going to drag Kate into this but part of him wants to. She tried to break up with him. She is the reason John is in this mess but John settles on, "dad your are just going to have to trust me. It was worth punching that punk ass no matter what you decide to punish me with." John pauses before adding, "and I'd do it all over again if I had to."
John is stunned to hear the maturity in John's voice even if his actions were childish. "If it's worth getting punished over, I'd like to hear your reasoning then," Jack proposes leaning back in his chair.
John pushes off the wall pacing as he talks. "Because it was the right thing to do. I can't give you any more and I am sorry. You told me once to ignore things until I couldn't and the time came where I couldn't. I had my reasons. You know this isn't me. So trust that if I had to go there it was for the right reason." John looks to his dad to understand. Jack nods to Sam accepting his answer. Sam smiles at her son. "Can we just go home? This night was an epic failure. I just want to go to bed and forget today."
"Yeah let me go clear it with Bones," Sam says squeezing his hand before she leaves.
John slumps on the couch grabbing his side and groaning. Jack laughs shaking his head. "He got in a lucky punch," John jokes.
"You are so me when I was your age but better. I am not condoning the fight but I am proud of you John. It had to be over something damn important. We have Christmas pictures tomorrow," Jack raises and eyebrow.
John laughs and groans. "So are you going to talk mom down off her ledge when our Christmas picture has me black and blue?"
"Yes I will," Jack grins. He sees his wife waving from the middle of Sick Bay. "Sam, honey…we're good to go," Jack asks.
"Yep," Bones confirms setting down a PADD. "Just no more fighting John. It only creates paperwork Bones grumbles.
.
CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS
Jim is sitting going over reports at his desk. He loves the quiet of his quarters. The addition of four more people in his cabin was more than he planned for. Since the kids have not left the room until today, Jim has been living off the bridge and his private office trying to get some peace and quiet whenever possible. Jacen storms into the room settling his gaze on Jim. "Kate says you have the Holocron," Jacen announces. "You will give it back immediately do you understand me Jim. It is the property of the Jedi Council not some Captain with an ego the size of a super nova. You will return it to me. Get it now or else."
Kirk's temper spikes. He will not be given orders by anyone other than a superior officer. "Stand down young man," Kirk's voice bellows with authority. Jim sees Jacen's determined look falter as he marches up to him. "I have no idea what you are screaming about but it will stop now do YOU understand ME." Kirk gets into Jacen's face like a drill sergeant at the PT course. "You do NOT come on my ship and dictate demands. That will not be tolerated and if you continue to do so you will be asked to leave. Do YOU understand THAT?"
Kate enters the room seeing her Dad verbally dressing down Jacen. For the first time in a long time Jacen's confident persona dims. "What are you doing?" Kate states hotly trying to get between her dad and Jacen. This was a poor decision on Kate's part as Jim turns his anger on his daughter.
"Did you tell him about the Holocron," Jim thunders at Kate causing her to jump slightly. Kate knew he would be mad but not this mad. "Did you?" Jim lowers his volume speaking in an icy calm.
Kate can't form words. Her dad is close to being as mad as when she snuck aboard Zala Tsu's shuttle but his icy calm is terrifying her. She has never seen him like this. "The Holocron is Jedi property and you will release it," Jacen sorely misjudges Kirk's attention on Kate being an invitation to speak again.
"Jacen I am warning you. If you utter another word about the Holocron you will be off the ship in minutes. The Holocron is not up for discussion. It is the property of Star Fleet and thousands of light years from here at Federation Headquarters. If you think you can just walk on my ship and threaten me with demands…you are sadly mistaken Mr. Solo. "
Kate, desperate to stop the escalating conflict between her dad and Jacen, finally finds her voice. "Dad just give it to him," Kate pleads knowing Jim is bluffing. Jim does not break his stone cold stare from Jacen ignoring Kate.
"And you think Master Shan will agree with your actions," Jacen presses back but without as much challenge in his tone.
"Damn straight I do," Jim counters. Kate has to stop the fight before the situation spirals any farther out of control. Kate goes to the bottom desk drawer where she last saw the Holocron. Kate shuffles paper and clutter not finding it. "It is not here Kate. It is gone. I sent it back to Star Fleet safely off the ship," Kirk informs her. Kate sinks into his chair flabbergasted. Her mind races with the implications of his actions. The Holocron was always her ticket home. If things became unbearable here she had always planned to steal a shuttle, activate the gate, and go home. With the Holocron gone she can't. Kate sits dazed as Lauren bursts in the room. "I will not endanger this universe or my crew with an unknown alien device."
Lauren sizes up the situation immediately. Jaina was correct in finding her. Jacen may be a Jedi but Jim Kirk has a bad temper. A temper that Jacen won't be able to deal with easily when turned on him. "Jacen what the hell is going on," Lauren asks striding to deal with the two men. Kate sits and watches the drama play out in stunned silence.
"He has the Holocron. Your Holocron Master Shan and refuses to relinquish the device," Jacen sums up his side of the argument.
"Jacen…I told you what would happen if you mentioned the Holocron again. Lauren return to the Kirk's Endeavor and get the hell off my ship," Jim orders icily. "I told you not to test me son. I don't play games."
Kate panics at the thought of the Solo kids leaving. Her Dad's command forces her back to reality. Kate jumps up. "Mom, Dad has the Holocron but won't give it back."
"Stay out of this Kate," Jim warns. "You know I don't warn twice."
The situation is too far gone for Lauren to salvage. "Jacen go to the ship and wait with Jaina and Anakin for me to return. I will be there shortly. Kate go to your room," Lauren dictates. Jacen bows slightly leaving the room. Kate freezes in place not used to taking orders from her mom. Jacen's departure allows Jim to break his rigid stance. He begins to pace clenching his fists trying to control his rage. Without warning he turns and punches the wall leaving a dent. Kate jumps at the noise from the impact. Lauren sees Kate witnesses Jim lose control. His anger right now is not something Kate should be a part of. "Kate I said go to your room," Lauren says sharply watching Jim pace the room like a tiger.
"I don't have to listen to you," Kate snaps back turning the helpless anger she feels onto her mother.
Jim is past the point of reason. He strides over to Kate grabbing her upper arm. He spanks her once hard and half carries her to her bedroom door. "You will never use that tone again young lady with your mother. When she says move you do it or deal with me," he threatens releasing her in her bedroom. "Don't come out until I say so little girl or you won't sit down for a week." Jim closes the door to Kate's room. "I am in no mood to fight with you over this Lauren." Jim begins to pace the room again balling his fists. "The Jedi have tried once before to tear my ship apart for that thing and I won't let it happen again. Do you understand me?"
Lauren sends calming thoughts through the Force towards Jim without success. She decides to go old school. "Jim calm down and talk to me," Lauren quietly asks trying to get a hold of her husband's attention.
"Calm down!" Jim says allowing his voice to rise now that they are alone. "Did you just tell me to calm down when that prepubescent prick just stormed into MY house making demands?" Jim jabs a finger at the door for emphasis. He watches as Lauren approaches him reaching out to take his hand. "Don't Lauren," he warns pulling away from her touch and crossing the room. He turns his back to her as he speaks not wanting to look her in the eye. "I have put up with a lot from you and your precious Jedi order over the past few months. I will not endanger Kate or my universe Lauren. You have to leave now. Take the Solo kids and go. I am sorry but there is no other way."
Lauren crosses the room wrapping her arms around Jim's middle laying her head on his back. "Okay slow down and talk to me. You have the Holocron. The one that you told me on Deneva was destroyed." Lauren's voice is flat and neutral. "Jim where is it? Is it safe?"
Jim spins in her arms breaking free of her embrace. His anger is fading and the reality of him throwing the Endeavor off the Enterprise is sinking in. It was not a rash decision but the only logical one. Jim won't have three hostile Jedi aboard his ship. "Lauren I am truly sorry about how these events turned out but I can't risk having them here with Kate. I can't risk the safety of my ship and crew. You have to leave now. I will give you time to say good bye personally to Kate but not the Solo kids. She can speak to them via comm after you have departed."
Lauren ignores his words of good bye. "Jim I just need to know that it is safe and no one can get to the Holocron," Lauren repeats.
"Aren't you like telepathically linked to the damn thing? Why can't you tell if it is safe?" Jim asks confused as to why Lauren hasn't found it yet. After the Zala Tsu incident, Jim had transported it in a lead box to the warp core containment room. He was positive that even a Jedi could not survive that much radiation trying to retrieve it. He also programmed transporter override codes to stop anyone from beaming it out.
"Yeah if I used the Force; but you said the Force is not an option on the Enterprise. I am trying to play but your rules here Jim and re-establish the trust I broke. So I ask again…is it safe?"
"It is. No one can get to it and I mean no one except for me," Jim watches his wife's shoulder relax at his statement.
"Okay then problem solved right," she smiles wanly. "You're right. We can't risk opening a portal between us and Skyriver until the Vong have been defeated. If they aren't it is safer here." Jim is stunned that Lauren is giving up so easily.
"What's the catch babe?" Jim asks suspiciously. "Last time you did not give up so easily when we were discussing the Holocron on Deneva."
"No catch. I will not allow you or Kate to be hurt if I have to live with the death of my entire galaxy on my shoulders. That is not the Jedi or Federation way of thinking. Two people do not merit the deaths of trillions upon trillions but if I can't save the two people I love why try to save anyone?"
Jim rubs his face feeling the last of his anger and adrenaline wash from his body. "I almost ripped his head off before you came in Lauren. Kate is going to be devastated. I wish there was some way to fix this." Jim runs the scenario over and over in his mind for a viable solution that doesn't involve throwing his wife of the ship.
"Okay this is what we are going to do. I will deal with Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin," Lauren begins.
"Lauren I will not go back on my decision to make them leave the Enterprise. Understand that," Jim makes it clear that the Solo kids are not longer welcome on his ship.
"Don't worry Jim," Lauren says walking over to him. Jim watches her keeping his hands crossed over his chest. He doesn't know what she is planning but Lauren will not make him change his mind. She kisses him softly on his lips. "He won't remember your conversation with him at all but I need you to pretend it did not exist either. Can you do that?" Lauren moves closer as Jim encircles his arms around her waist.
"How are you going to do that?" he questions drawing her tight against his body.
"Trust me Jim," she kisses him reaching up to stroke his face.
"I do," Jim whispers enjoying his last embrace with his wife. Jim is a genius and can't figure out how to get around the fallout from the conflict with Jacen. Lauren places two fingers on Jim's temple beginning a Jedi Mind Wipe. She kisses him deeply wiping the past twenty minutes from his mind. She controls his body as he collapses to the ground. Lauren levitates him back into his chair resting his head on the desk. Hopefully he will believe that he fell asleep doing paperwork.
Lauren knocks on Kate's door. "Katie…honey it's mommy. Can I come in?" Lauren waits for Kate's invitation before entering. Kate is sobbing softly into a pillow. She brings her tear streaked face up to look at Lauren.
"Please make him change his mind. Please don't let him throw you guys off the ship," Kate sobs into her mom's shirt.
"Shhh," Lauren soothes Kate rocking her back and forth in her arms. She strokes her face and places two fingers on Kate's temple as she says, "don't worry sweet girl. I will take care of everything."
Lauren walks out seeing Jim still asleep at his desk. She sits on the couch waiting for him to wake up. Five minutes later he raises his head blinking his eyes. "Hey you when did get back?" Jim says rubbing his eyes. "Are the kids here? Place hasn't been this quiet since before Kate arrived," Jim jokes leaning back in his chair. He winces as he picks up his stylus. Flexing his hand several times he looks at Lauren. "Must have slept on my hand wrong," Jim guesses rubbing his knuckles.
"Where is everyone?" Kate asks yawning from her door.
"You look exhausted baby girl. Tonight no video games or telepresentor after 2130 hours got it," Jim points the stylus at his daughter squinting his eyes letting her know his firm tone doesn't indicate he is angry.
Lauren stands up from the couch. "I am going to go get the Solo's from the Endeavor. They are probably as exhausted as you are Kate."
"Wait I'll come," Kate sings happily. Any chance to get on the Endeavor is a chance she will take.
"No, stay here with you father," Lauren orders walking to the door.
"But I want to come," Kate protests following Lauren to the door.
"Kate… give your mom a break. Stay with me," Kirk mumbles still rubbing his hand.
Kate ignores her dad pressing her mom for an answer. "Why can't I come?"
Lauren turns around. "Didn't we just go through this twenty minutes ago," Lauren thinks. Maybe Kate has more of a defiant streak than she has seen so far. "Katie…Sweetie…I really need you to stay here."
Kate sets her jaw in a very Kirk like fashion. "No. This is my ship not yours. I can go where I want. I don't need your permission mom," Kate snips walking past her mom to the door.
"Whoa there young lady…what did you just say?" Kirk asks finally paying attention to Kate and Lauren's conversation. "Even IF your mom had planned on letting you go…you aren't now. Not after that attitude. You will never speak to your mom like that again do you understand me?" Kate's shoulders sulk along with the rest of her body. Before she can speak Kirk warns her, "Don't start unless you want me to finish. Take a seat. Your mom will be back soon." Kate furiously stomps to her room angry with her mom and dad. Kirk gets up walking to Lauren. "Don't be too long," he plants a kiss on her cheek before dropping to the couch flipping the TP on.
.
ENDEAVOR
Lauren mounts the ramp of the Endeavor sensing Jacen and the other Solo kids on board. She is fully prepared to do what she must. Lauren opens up to the Force. She does not wait for the Solo kids to speak. Reaching out with the Force she slams all three into the walls pinning them like flies to sticky paper. Jacen in her first target. "You fucking little prick. You do not fuck with my family," Lauren spats as Jacen tries to wiggle free from her Force grip.
"Master Shan what are you doing?" Jacen stares shocked as the Jedi Master approaches him like a predator. "Kirk has the Holocron," he pleads not understanding the line he crossed with Jim.
Lauren releases Jacen from the wall just far enough to slam him back knocking the air out of his lungs with a huff. "You do not fuck with my family. Do you hear me? Do you?" Lauren rages. "Who else knows about it?"
"Just us," Jacen answers indicating Anakin and Jaina behind her. Lauren slams him hard a third time against the wall seeking the truth. "The other kids. The ones from the Enterprise. Kate told everyone in the room when we were watching the movie." Jacen sees the shock on her face at the number of people who now know about the Holocron. "If Jim has it we can use it to end the war. Isn't that why we are here? To find something to end the war?"
"Shut the fuck up you dumb son of a bitch," Lauren warns. "You are not a Jedi Master yet or the keeper of the Holocron. You do not get to make decisions about its use."
"They didn't believe her Master Shan. We were watching a movie and they all thought Kate was lying," Anakin defends his brother's account of the situation trying to calm her down. Anakin doesn't feel the dark side of the Force emanating from Lauren but her actions are not those of a Jedi Knight.
Lauren hears but ignores Anakin Solo concentrating on Jacen. "You think the Holocron is meant to bring out because things get a little bad? If that was the case why with the fall of the Rakkan and Old Republic did no one ever use it? It has been hidden for over three millennium and you want to use it now against the Vong."
Jacen looks scared but determined as he speaks. "If it can help us win then yes."
"The Holocron is my responsibility. I make the decision on when it is to be used. Not you or the Jedi Council. The Universe is not ready to have it again," Lauren says reaching up to his temple. Jacen tries to pull back from her touch but is immobile. "Not now," Lauren whispers placing two fingers on Jacen's temple. After several seconds she releases him and he slumps to the deck.
"So you would sacrifice our galaxy for theirs," Anakin snaps seeing his brother's unconscious form on the floor.
Slowly Lauren walks toward Anakin. The anger is gone from her eyes but the determination to complete her mission burns bright. "Yes Anakin I would to save my family.
"Uh Master Shan…I uh," Anakin stalls for time hoping to come up with a plan.
Lauren cuts him off mid-sentence. "Look the one thing I learned here is duty does not come before family."
"I didn't suggest using it, I swear I," Anakin stammers as Lauren places two fingers to his temple dropping him into an unconscious sleep from the Force wipe.
Jaina is calmer than her brothers as Lauren approaches. "The Holocron knows the Jedi are human like everyone else. We make mistakes," she says to Jaina the only Solo left standing. "I don't know how but the Holocron will let the keeper know when it is time to be activated," Lauren explains. "Jaina I am sorry about this."
Jaina prepares herself to be Force wipes. "Do as you must Master Shan," Jaina returns Lauren's determined gaze.
"I will not let Kate or Jim get hurt. One day you will understand that saving one or two lives while sacrificing many is sometimes the only option," Lauren whispers Force wiping her. Jaina slumps to the deck as Lauren takes a seat waiting for the trio to awaken. She has made another terrible mistake but can't change it. Her actions may have condemned billions upon billions but the Holocron has not decreed it is time to be opened and used. Like all those chosen before her, Lauren knows the Holocron will tell her when it should be given back to the Universe. Jacen is the first to awaken from the Force wipe. Lauren gets up to help him stand. Jacen rubs the back of his head where he impacted the wall three times. Lauren feels bad that she hurt the young Jedi Knight but senses great power in him. If he had been a few years older, subduing him would not have been so easy.
"Are we almost done here," Anakin says sleepily from the floor. "I think I just fell asleep listening to you talk about shopping," he jokes. "Hope it is more fun than that tomorrow."
"Shopping is never fun," Jacen retorts with a grin.
Jaina blinks rapidly clearing her head. "That's because you boys have no sense of style at all. Women have to like it because other than that men you would be in nothing but sweatpants and sweat shirts."
Lauren smiles softly at the Jedi, happy the Force suggestion worked. She prayed the hostility she displayed would be replaced by something positive to look forward to. So far it seems to have worked. "Just remember don't say anything to Kate. I want it to be a surprise but we still have to get Jim on board with the idea. That is why we are here and not in his quarters."
"That should be easy enough," Anakin yawns. "He is a great guy and loves Kate more than anything. If we tell him how concerned Kate is about making sure Christmas is perfect he'll do it." Lauren stands up walking to the exit hatch. The Jedi kids follow her back to his quarters in silence.
.
CAPTAIN'S BEDROOM
The apartment is dead quiet. The Solo kids fell asleep as soon as they returned from the Endeavor. Lauren lies next to Jim in bed wearing one of his old t-shirts. She loves the scent of him on his clothes. "Jim," she whispers snuggling close to him with her head on his shoulder rubbing his chest.
"Yeah babe," he responds rubbing her back lazily from hip to shoulder with fingertips.
"Can we get off the Enterprise for a few hours tomorrow? Let's take the Endeavor and go Christmas shopping. Kate is stressing about buying presents. She has no idea how big a holiday Christmas was and wants to get you a few things."
The thought brings a smile to his face. "I haven't been shopping for Christmas in years. I mean I got a few things for Kate but not actually shopped."
"Good because before you say no I have to get some things for both of you," Lauren pauses knowing Jim may not like what she has to say. "After talking to Uhura at the tree decorating part, we may need to burn your presents if they are clothes for Kate," she teases.
Jim cocks an eyebrow playfully at his wife. "Well I do have duty tomorrow from 1800 hours to midnight but if I agree what do I get."
"The joy of spending all your hard earned money," Lauren answers happily.
Jim makes a smacking noise with his lips. "That does not sound like a good reason," he laughs rolling on his side to face Lauren. "Better come up with a more convincing reason to make me want to fly halfway across the sector."
"Convince you," she toys with him looking shocked. "I thought I ruled the roost here." Lauren kisses him gently.
"I am the Captain and need to make rational decisions not fly by night ones," Jim says huskily placing a hand on her cheek drawing her into another kiss.
"You are only the Captain outside these quarters," Lauren reaches down feeling him stiffen at her touch.
"Mmmm," he moans at her touch while nipping at her ear and neck.