The Blood We Pay

Chapter 10

A/N- Hey Everyone! Long time no post, right? It's all my fault, so you can hit me later.

Anyways, I'm trying to keep up with three different series right now and it's hard to do that and my school work (which at times is procrastinated in the process, but shhhh! Don't tell my teachers that!). Not that you can since none of you know who I am really (outside of the site anyways).

JediBettyBug- Thinking, huh? I'm glad my stories are somewhat stimulating. Ha, ha. Just kidding. Which bit? The Anakin Skywalker bit can be interesting but so can the J/J insinuations. Those weren't exactly by accident, but I won't say any more than that. =)

Okay, so I'm thinking about all my stories in balance. But for the most part I'm trying to get "Remember" and "Life's Song" off the ground completely so they can just write themselves (which is what happens when the stories are going well for me, they just flow naturally).

Until then postings might be a bit off and really random (I know I'm usually very patterned about my postings but right now the first term of college is about to end so I'm still sorting out final papers and all that evil stuff).

Oh! Oh! Yeah! Before I forget, I'm sorry if the Anakin Solo/Anakin Skywalker stuff gets uber confusing (because it is, since the two have the same name) but I'm trying my hardest not to get them mixed up. If there's anything that doesn't make sense (pronoun mix up between the two Anakins or that kind of thing) please tell me, otherwise I won't know. I do reread my work but I'm only human and I do miss occasional mistakes here and there.

Also, I have off Tuesday on account of Plan Day at my college (where all the upper classmen-meaning everyone but myself and the other freshman) make a sort of "thesis" type thing for the rest of their years at the college. It's in place of a core curriculum ( and you can decide what classes you want to take and all that fun stuff. It's all based around your plan/thesis thingie (I know, very descriptive of me, right?). I don't have to do that, so I have all day Tuesday to give the lovely gift of fan fiction to all of you (because I love my readers and I love writing fan fiction).

I hope everyone is enjoy the story! Please review, I know there are more readers out there, so if you're reading, I'd appreciate feedback! (After all I am procrastinating a paper so I can post this for you guys). Oh, and if you get the chance, please vote in the story poll at the top of my profile page (it lets me know what fan fics I should update soon- it may not seem important because I'm good at updating pretty often, but I do value your opinions and sometimes I'm not aware of whether or not I'm updating often enough).

Thanks,

-Don ^_^

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What most people consider isn't exactly what they want. It's never about what one wants, or needs. In most cases, Jaina Solo realized, it was about what one didn't want. Or what one didn't need at one time or another. Right now was, well, to say the least, a moment where Jaina knew exactly what she didn't want, and not what she did want. One was considerably easier to make up one's mind about than the other.

The other of course, being Jag Fel. Yes, Jag Fel. Jaina couldn't believe that a few months ago she would never had even thought twice about Jag Fel on any level, friend or otherwise. Now that the slick son of a sith, Jaina thought to herself, is under my skin, I can't push him away. No matter how hard I try, I can't make up any excuses. He won't listen.

Was Zekk any different? Well, not exactly, he might have taken a hit occasionally but for the most part… No, he wouldn't have listened. He would have gone right ahead with anything he'd planned for the start. Which was funny, seeing as Zekk never planned, period. Zekk.

That was the problem, really. Zekk was constantly on Jaina's mind in the beginning after he died, but then it just became a sore subject for her to even think about, not so much taboo as painful. Admitting that he wasn't coming back, pulling an Anakin and returning from whatever place people went when they went to the force, it wasn't going to happen. Jaina was now more or less convinced that Zekk had simply left her unhappily confused on purpose. It was like him to do that to her. After all, ever since they'd met, Zekk was always doing mysterious things and disappearing to random places then reappearing days, weeks, and sometimes months later. The same thing happened with the Shadow Academy. Zekk had been her friend as well as Jacen's, Tenel Ka, and Lowie's, and then he suddenly vanished without a trace only to emerge as the Darkest Knight of the Second Imperium.

Over and over Zekk had told her he didn't deserve her or to be forgiven. He wouldn't forgive himself long enough to listen to anything Jaina had to say. When he finally did, it was right before they had to leave on the mission to Mykyr, the mission that would end up taking Zekk's life. Maybe it was the force's doing that caused Jaina so much indecisiveness.

Zekk was gone. Zekk was gone and Jaina couldn't do a thing about it. He was gone where she couldn't chase after him in a Solo style rescue and then bring him back to where he belonged. And he belongs here, alive.

Does he? Of course he does! Maybe death was kinder. Death isn't kind, it's just easy. Zekk always did want the easy way out. Zekk isn't a sith. Isn't he, though? He wanted things to be easy, even when it came to you. But it never was, was it? Don't say that, he wouldn't leave me. Would he?

To this question Jaina found no answers. Not even from her own roiling mind had any form of response. All she knew was that Jag Fel was there to stay and would continue to prevent her from clinging to all that was left of Zekk… a memory.

Just like that, someone who had been more real to Jaina, who had made her life a little livelier, was reduced to a few memories over the years she'd known him and the last one was of their conversation before Mykyr. It wasn't the very last conversation they'd had, but it was the last one where Zekk had talked to Jaina about something important, about something more than a mission or even a lesson that Luke Skywalker had given them both, it was just a conversation about them.

"So what's this about, Zekk?" Jaina asked as they sat in the cafeteria. Zekk nearly choked on his food.

"Well, it's not really about anything, I just wanted to talk to you. Is that not okay?" He stared at her.

"I just thought you had something specific to talk about, I don't care if you want to just blabber away."

"Huh, and here I was about to say something important." Zekk muttered. Jaina's ears caught the undertone.

"Okay, spit it out. What's on your mind, Zekk?" Jaina's brandy eyes held Zekk's gaze, she wasn't about to let him run away now that he had her attention.

"I wanted to say I've been an idiot in the past and no matter how many times you told me you'd accept me for trying to be better, I didn't listen. So now I'm going to listen. I'm going to try for real this time. No more running away every time my past comes up, I'll be straight with you. So, um… I'll start by saying that I hated myself for betraying you since the Shadow Academy attacked Yavin 4, I don't think I can ever forgive myself for trying to hurt anyone, especially not you. I…" Zekk paused then focused his eyes on Jaina's eyes. "I don't know how far back my feelings go, but I know I don't like anyone as much as you. I've ignored it for the better of these years and now that it's beyond friendship, I can't keep avoiding it any more than I can avoid telling you about my past. How I feel about it anyways. So if you can accept me for being a moron, I'd like that." Zekk gave her a feeble smile. He wasn't sure how she'd react to his semi-confession.

"I've been trying to tell you for months I don't care, Zekk. What about 'I don't care,' don't you get?" She demanded. He smirked.

"I guess the whole thing."

"I accept you for being a moron. But you have to accept that I don't care. Deal?" She said holding her hand across the table, he nodded and grasped her hand.

"Deal."

Then just a few weeks later, it was over. Anything Jaina and Zekk had rebuilt from Zekk's withdrawal because of the Second Imperium, and his initial misgivings, it was all gone. Because Zekk was dead and the fact that someone else had begun to enter Jaina's life just when she was beginning to accept that fact, she just wasn't ready for it. No, she wouldn't ever be ready for that. I'll never not remember Zekk or not think that he should be here. Even with Jag, I feel like Zekk should be with me.

"Jaina?" She turned, her eyes were slightly red from keeping all her emotions back. No matter what, Jaina had promised herself she wouldn't break down again. Nothing was ever worth crying over… right? It should be that way: that I'm happy for what Zekk and I had, but right now, it feels like, well, nothing happened.

"Jay?" Jaina pulled away from the doorway as Jacen walked in. The bed creaked as he sat down.

"Jay, look at me." He said. Jaina continued to face the other direction. "Jaina, you've been avoiding Jag all day, is something-?" Jaina then abruptly faced her twin, eyes flaring.

"Yes, Jacen, something's wrong. It's me, alright? I'm what's wrong!" She snapped the words out and continued breathing heavily throughout her rant, though Jacen remained patiently silent, "I can't catch a break enough to think about what I want, or if I do want something. I don't even know any more. I feel like I don't even like who I am any more, or that I'm capable of being a Jedi. Jedi don't dwell on the past, so why am I?" She practically yelled the words, but Jacen didn't even flinch. He put his arms around his sister, sending his understanding through the force.

"Jay, it's okay." He said, still using the force to project calming feelings to her. "Nobody's saying you have to move on." He pulled away and placed a hand on her head. If anyone knew that Jaina did need someone to support her, even though she was the tougher of the twins, it was Jacen. Jaina had been insecure when the Shadow Academy kidnapped them and she was the same way now. This was something they both had to get through.

"What if it's me that wants to?" Jaina said, her hands flopping into her lap, "Jace, I don't know if I can." Jacen drew back with a broad grin on his face. She looked away from Jacen. He turned her shoulders so she'd look him in the eye.

"Hey, it's me, Jay," He said firmly, "Me. Have I ever doubted you? Whatever you want, I'll back you up." He fixed Jaina with a long stare before she met his eyes completely.

"Jace, I don't think I want to," She paused to consider her words, as much as she knew that it might be mistake or that she was passing up something that could possibly end up with her happier than she was now, Jaina was sure she didn't regret her decision, "I don't think I want to be with anyone right now." She sent images of her conversations with Jag and then shared her thoughts with Jace, though he'd already gotten a good feel for her thoughts because of their twin bond.

"Jag's not a bad guy," Jacen stated. Jaina shook her head, finally feeling more confident.

"No, he's not. But I don't think I'm okay with moving on. I don't think I'll ever be." Jaina said quietly.

Jacen watched Jaina's face as it became one of pained resolve, "Your call, Jay." Jaina drew in her breath and sighed. If anything she didn't want to feel guilty, she'd have to tell Jag too. At some point, before he misunderstood her.

I know how you feel about Zekk, Jay. You don't have to tell me. Jacen voiced in Jaina's head. She looked over at her brother, grateful for their twin bond. It saved the explanations that drove most siblings to the brink of insanity.

You're the best, Jace.

Don't forget it. He grinned at her and punched her arm before getting up. Jaina caught him with their bond and he turned.

I won't as long as you take care of yourself. Jaina arched an eyebrow.

Blackmailer.

I call it like I see it, Jace.

Yeah, and that's blackmail.

How about when you threatened to tell Mom and Dad that Zekk and I kissed in the kitchen if I didn't keep mum about you and Tenel Ka?

Jacen paused outwardly and in the twin bond. We're even. Jaina laughed and Jacen shot her a Solo grin before closing the door behind him. Jaina stood up. At the very least, she was going to be honest with Jag, as he'd been honest with her.

Mara pivoted and blocked the second lightsaber as it came around to cut her neck. Then she retaliated swiftly, kicking her second opponent to the side then slashing the first across his arm. Both opponents pushed themselves up and straightened. Clearly no one in this group of force users liked to play fair. Two against one, though it was something Mara could easily handle, still struck her as somewhat odd. It seemed more like a method of stalling than one of strategy to win in a combat. Mara gritted her teeth.

They were stalling. Even though Mara wouldn't put it past them to spare her completely, she wasn't about to push her luck with anything. She raised her lightsaber and went on the offensive, charging down the metal bridge between the platforms of the factory. She leapt into the air and landed between the two enemies. Without so much of a warning, she slashed forward then back and then kneeled and sliced at the legs. One of the enemies went down, but the other, the one with the sunset colored blade, regarded her calmly. With little or no effort on his part, the second opponent had deflected Mara's attack. Mara glanced at the second opponent. He was one the ground, blood seeping through onto the metal bridge.

"Emperor's Hand," The sunset blade holder said, "Your skills have grown rusty."

"Me?" Mara's lips curled at that comment. I may be a mother now, but I haven't lost any of my abilities. If he thinks he can scare me into submission, he's got something else coming. "If you could be a little less mundane about your comments, I'd be able to say the same about you."

The other laughed with a sharp and icy tone. "I amend my comment. You're just as fierce and foolish as you were many years ago. Would that suffice, Emperor's Hand? Or should I call you Mara Skywalker now?" The voice drawled and mocked on the word "Skywalker."

Mara's insides boiled. Clearly whoever this person was knew her past and knew how to get under her skin. Not only that, he'd managed to detract Mara's attention from Kyle. Mara raised her blade again and the other didn't even make a sign that he was going to respond.

"If you want to fight, Jade, I suggest you not leave your back open." Mara's eyes flicked to the side only to see for a fraction of a second the blade coming down on her arm and then the searing pain that followed. Mara couldn't be sure how much she actually imagined or felt, but the pain was enough that in all her years of acting as the Emperor's Hand, she was sure nothing was quite like this.

Mara then sucked in her breath and stood up, her free arm holding her lightsaber and she faced her opponents with a glint in her eyes. The pain fueled her energy that would have otherwise been depleted. "Don't," She seethed, "Stab a Jedi in the back." She used the force to push the second enemy off the platform then twisted around the other opponent, locking blades. Her other arm bled profusely and it was hard to tell if it was even still connected to her body because at the moment it was going completely numb.

Clang. The other opponent was back on the platform. He was bleeding from several places and Mara could feel the fury reverberating off of him. This was not going to be an easy battle. Not by a long shot. Mara's mouth curled into a smile at the notion.

"What do you mean?" Soontir Fel asked. Kirk leaned back and took a swig of his liquor, not looking at his friend for a moment.

"Exactly what I said, Soontir. How much does your alliance with the Jedi mean to you?" Kirk's eyes then met Soontir's red with conviction. Soontir regarded Kirk with a look of meaningful seriousness as well as sharpness.

"Do you mean to ask if I would betray them?" Soontir questioned, keeping his voice forcefully even. Kirk raised an eyebrow.

"Soontir, you're the same race that Thrawn was, don't act so surprised that I'd question your allegiance following the mess the Yuuzhan Vong left." Kirk folded his arms across his chest. "Don't get me wrong, I'd never ask you this without reason."

"And that would be?" Soontir replied almost too quickly and his voice dropped to a flat and emotionless tone.

Kirk's own face turned into a scowl. "Claus Neros."

Soontir leaned back with some surprise on his face, "Neros?" He then arched his brow, "Now what brought him up?"

"You've been hiding him." Kirk stated plainly and refilled his glass. He cast a furtive glance towards the door as he said those words. Kirk then reached for his lightsaber as a new presence entered the room.

"Am I that obvious?" Claus' cool voice asked with some cool amusement. Kirk's entire body stiffened.

"I assure you, Kirk, I had no knowledge that he was here." Soontir said, casting a frosty glare in Claus' direction. Kirk was now on his feet and his hand was curled around his lightsaber.

"I believe you. But your son did," Kirk lifted his gaze to regard both Claus and Soontir at the same time.

"Jag? How could Jag know anything about this?" Soontir asked, his voice losing its composure. Kirk remained stationary and his lightsaber was out in the open and his fingers ran over the on switch.

"Not Jag, Soontir," Kirk's mouth curled into a grimly wry smile, "Jag's too old to be influenced like that."

Soontir paled visibly, which was saying something as the Chiss Baron was already pale faced by nature. "Cem? Why on the stars would Cem do something like that?"

Kirk returned his gaze to Claus who was equally eyeing Kirk with distaste as well as bloodlust. "Maybe Claus can answer that for us."

"He was all too eager to listen to my offer. What's to lose, Fel, you've got another son." Claus said with a grin.

Soontir was then up faster than either Claus or Kirk could follow. Claus certainly didn't see Soontir draw his sword or he would have moved to dodge Soontir's attack. In a second the blade flashed twice and then Claus was on the ground, bleeding from his chest and neck. When Kirk finally looked over at his childhood friend, the sword was already back in its sheath. For using a sword that was intended for formal events and not battle, Soontir had done a good job of making the hits count. Then again, Kirk thought with grim admiration, Soontir wasn't the Baron for nothing.

Kirk wasn't about to take any risks however. He turned on his lightsaber with a snap-hiss and then flicked the blade to Claus' neck. He glared up at Kirk. Thumping echoed outside and then the doors opened with a bang. Dozens of Chiss soldiers armed and armor clad filled the room and pointed their blaster rifles at Claus.

"Arrest him," Soontir ordered, now back to his cold Baron Fel self. Kirk was also back in battle mode as well. The soldiers cuffed Claus and then surrounded him and marched him out of the room. Kirk turned off his lightsaber and looked over at Baron Fel.

"If it's any consolation, Cem's not at fault." Kirk stated, keeping his voice respectfully low. Soontir turned to look at Kirk for a moment.

"A traitor is a traitor in Chiss territory. I trust you to remember that, Master Dekim." Soontir's firm and coldly calculating voice rang throughout the room and lingered even when Baron Fel inclined his head to Kirk then strode out of the room.

"Orders, Sir?" One of the soldiers turned to face the high collared leader as they hid in the docking bay. The leader narrowed his eyes and then frowned.

"There's nothing we can do, pull back." The leader's words stung even his own lips as he spoke them. But the soldier saluted and went to distribute the new commands.

"Yes, Sir," He said in a low voice, so as to not alert the patrollers in the Chiss docking bay of their presence. The leader scowled deeply at the person now entering the docking bay. He fingered his blaster as the blonde haired man came in. But he had his orders. Taking care of the Jedi would have to wait.

"I don't see why you have to keep coming back here to talk to me." Jag turned his head to look over at Jaina. They were back in the cemetery and in front of Zekk's grave. It seemed the right place to tell Jag, if anything, Jaina hoped being here would help him to understand what she had to say.

"Listen, Jag," Jaina began but before she could say anything more Jag was already talking over her.

"It's okay, Jaina, I already know why you brought me here. It didn't take much time to figure it out," He glanced over at her, smiling wanly. "I'm just sorry I couldn't be the one to help you." He brushed his hair out of his face. "Whoever he was, Zekk made a mistake leaving you behind." He laughed a little and saw Jaina cough from the cold creeping in under her jacket.

"You shouldn't be out here any longer, Jaina," He pointed out and moved over to where Jaina was standing in front Zekk's grave. She shivered.

"Why did you give up so easily?" She asked without looking at him. "You knew I was going to tell you this and you just gave up, why?"

Jag sighed and then rubbed his forehead, "Maybe because I felt like I couldn't convince you otherwise. You're pretty stubborn, you know." He frowned good humoredly at Jaina.

Jaina had to smile at that. "Always have been. Why should I change now?" Jag's brow went up in confirmation.

"Why indeed." He then crouched down next to Zekk's headstone and hung his head. "I was hoping I would be able to tell Zekk I'd be the one to back you up from now on, but I guess you've got that covered on your own," Jag laughed, "Zekk probably knew that from the get-go. You're independent."

Jaina cocked her head to the side, "We all are in some ways, Jag. You, me, Zekk, my brothers, this whole galaxy tries to do things on its own, but in the end, we end up helping each other anyways because that's what the force wants."

"What do you think it wants?" Jag asked. Jaina shrugged.

"Aside from that, I really have no idea. Anakin might but even he's got to be confused," Jaina pushed herself to her feet. "But I do know that I want to find out who left that flower here the other day."

Jag blinked. "So that's why you came back?"

"More or less. I'm saying goodbye to this place for good. Zekk's dead and I don't think I should dwell on the past any more than I already have." Jag's eyes grew serious.

"And you're okay with that?" He continued to look at Jaina until she sighed then grinned confidently.

"Yeah, I am."

Luke turned his head away from watching his niece talk to Jag Fel and walked over to where Corran Horn was standing. He'd already finished placing the flowers on the small gravestone in the ground. Luke crossed over and joined Corran in staring at the name: VALIN HORN, then his birth-date and death-date.

"Sometimes I don't understand why it has to be the young," Luke said with a frown. Corran gritted his teeth.

"You of all people I thought would know that it's not always the young." Corran observed more coolly than Luke expected.

"There's not much left for us to do if they're all gone, Corran." Luke pointed out. Corran looked down at his son's grave with a sudden harshness.

"I have to say, Luke, you surprise me sometimes. Of all the Jedi to say we need the young to live on, when you haven't stuck out your neck since the rebellion," Corran commented with bitter conviction. Luke's face shifted but he remained calm, knowing that Corran was never unnecessarily cruel whether with words or with his fighting. It was something in his old friend that Luke respected greatly.

"Corran, I promise you that I won't allow anyone to hold back any longer. It was my fault Valin had to sacrifice himself."

Corran laughed hollowly as Luke continued, "I'm not even sure what Valin himself wanted his life to end, but he did what he thought was right. It's my fault for not telling him that sacrifice, no matter what it gains, isn't worth it."

"Heh," Corran laughed bitterly again, "That's funny coming from you, Luke. You've always made the greatest sacrifice of all."

Luke's face became one of surprise. He blinked, "Oh, and what's that?" Luke looked honestly confused as well as curious to the point where Corran shook his head.

"Your freedom to choose your own path," Corran then walked down the gravel road and onto the main path out of the cemetery. Luke placed his hand on Valin's headstone. It was hard to be proud when a life, especially one so short, was lost. Nothing was ever worth that. Of anything, Luke was sure of that statement.

He paused, sensing in the force Mara's presence. Something wasn't right. He couldn't get a hold of her long enough to contact her, which could mean only one thing.

Anakin was sitting on the edge of the camp when Tahiri woke up. His face was so contorted and the feelings she was getting from him were so convoluted and constricted that Tahiri was sure she could almost feel her own mind screaming to be released from the twisted mess. The whole idea of having a bond brought two people so close that it was impossible to ignore even the slightest feeling of anxiety or happiness the other person was feeling. This was abundantly true with Anakin and Tahiri.

She picked herself up and without making any noise, went over to where Anakin was seated. "Mind telling me why your anxiety woke me up?"

Anakin almost jumped at hearing her voice then recollected himself long enough to reply, "I'm just thinking." Tahiri sat down with a long sigh.

"With you, Anakin, it's never 'just thinking,'" She glanced sideways at him as she leaned back, "Come on, Hero Boy, let the rest of the world carry its own burden for a change."

He swallowed, a gesture that did not go unnoticed by Tahiri, "Anakin, what happened?" Tahiri was now genuinely concerned and had stopped joking around.

"Tahiri, tell me the truth," Anakin said, "Do you want to stay here with Jesse and find out about your parents?" He met her eyes, even though his voice was almost faltering at the idea of having to accept that Tahiri would want to give up everything else to go with Jesse and leave behind her new family.

Tahiri brushed the bangs off of Anakin's face and let her hand linger on his forehead for a moment before shaking her head. "I'm already happy with knowing what I do, Anakin."

He bit his lip, "But you could know who your parents were, the whole history, you can't ignore that it's something you want, Tahiri. I can feel that much." He hardened his stare. Tahiri laughed.

"You look so silly when you try to pretend you want me to go with Jesse," Tahiri grinned at Anakin's stunned expression.

Am I that bad at lying? He thought with confusion.

"Yes, Anakin, you are." Tahiri said, still laughing a little. Then she took one of his hands and intertwined her fingers with his. Anakin's still surprised expression brought more laughter on Tahiri's part before she grinned. "But I appreciate that you're trying to give me the chance to get my family history. It means a lot to me that you would try."

"Yeah, but it's not enough." Anakin argued. Tahiri groaned then shook her head.

"And I'm telling you it is," She pressed her head against his, for the fourth time that day stunning Anakin into silence.

"What about learning about Jesse?"

"Anakin,"

"You could finally find your biological family. Don't you think that's important?" He was stopped in midsentence because Tahiri was kissing him and then his mind went blank. Tahiri smirked as she pulled away.

"That was underhanded." Anakin pointed out. Tahiri stood up briskly.

"It was the only way to get you to stop worrying about it," She answered flatly.

"You weren't taking me seriously." Anakin frowned. Tahiri punched him in the arm. Anakin winced.

"Of course I was. You just weren't listening to what I had to say about the situation. You were so convinced you already knew what I was going to say that you wouldn't listen when I said I didn't want to leave."

Anakin's blue eyes went wide, "Tahiri, do you get that if you follow me, it might be years before we can even consider coming back to find Jesse and the other Veilas?"

She plopped back down on the log, "Yup and I'm fine with that. Are you?"

He nodded, "I just didn't want you to feel like you had to leave if you really wanted to stay here with Jesse."

"Anakin, Jesse might be my newly discovered brother, but he's not the one I've been best friends with for the past seven years," Tahiri felt something just then. It was an almost sad fear hidden beneath all the emotions Anakin had underneath his emotional walls. The feeling was something that Tahiri would have missed if Anakin hadn't let his guard down for a moment by accident just now. She reached over and touched his cheek. "I'm not going to leave you just because I think I might find something out about my family. I won't leave you alone. I promise."

Anakin stared at her, "You felt that?"

"For a second, yeah, I did," Tahiri touched his mind with hers. "Were you really that scared that I'd just up and leave you behind?"

He nodded, "It's happened before. People just leave. They move on, they drift away or they push you away when it suits them best."

Tahiri fixed Anakin with her green eyes, "But this is me, Anakin. Not just other people," Tahiri drew in her breath, "And frankly I don't understand how they could quickly judge you to the point where they can think you're not worth the effort."

Anakin smiled at that, "Well, you always were a little different than everyone else when it came to making friends."

"I hope to the force you didn't just figure that out just now, Anakin Solo." She raised an eyebrow at him and scowled. He laughed.

"No, I knew that right when we first met. You didn't even comment on where my name came from. I guessed it was because you hadn't heard of Anakin Skywalker, but you really just didn't care who was who."

"Well, yeah, what does it matter who your family is?" Tahiri said bluntly and folded her arms across her chest in defiance.

"It did to me at one point, but not so much now," Anakin's serene smile didn't go unnoticed by Tahiri because she regarded him curiously.

"What are you smiling about?" She furrowed her brow.

"You," Anakin glanced at her, pure enjoyment radiating from his entire body and into their bond. Tahiri blushed vibrantly.

Mara drove her lightsaber through the second opponent's sleeve, just missing his arm. The other one wound around the other side of Mara but she caught his blade on hers then knocked him down once again and caught his arm on her blade. He pulled back quickly, sending blood splattering all over the platform.

"That was foolish." Mara pointed out before returning to her fighting mode. She kicked out and flicked her lightsaber to cut the silent opponent who arrived first in the neck. The one with the sunset colored blade had recovered from his injury long enough to renew his attack. His energy sent Mara sprawling as he struck her in the shoulder opposite her injured one. He approached but Mara was already on her feet and they locked blades again, she pulled under his defenses and cut more of his robe. Then a loud creaking sound echoed. Mara looked around as the first opponent stood off the side, his eyes narrowed in concentration.

She looked up as the beam above them gave way and began to fall.

A/N- Cliff Hanger! ^-^ Please review and I'll give you cookies.