Standard Disclaimer: George Lucas owns the expansive universe that is Star Wars, I only wish I did. This is a figment of my own creation twisting what already exists.

Chapter 12

In my meager twenty but certainly interesting years I have reached many a low time but this one definitely earned the medal. In short order I was nervously divested of not only my precious sidearm but just about everything else anyone could think of short of my clothing.

With all of the patience that I could muster, I allowed them to do so before I was dragged to my feet and both my hands and my ankles manacled. Looking around, I could see that my friends were being treated in precisely the same manner. Everything was placed within a bag and was taken by the captain of the large contingent and I didn't see it again. What I did see however was a battalion of ground-pounders and not a few X and A Wings flying by overhead circling us. A certain indication that there was more up in orbit.

Most likely, there was a Cruiser.

We were shoved into a prison transport not only complete with ysalamiri but also with a rather larger guard-force then was absolutely necessary in my honest opinion, but then again, we were the only ones that could tell for certain that we weren't going to try to escape. The prison transport was pretty depressing in and of itself, nothing to look at save for the same downcast expressions on all of my friends and teammates.

I bore it all with as much grace as I could given the whirling galaxy about me. At least I had dealt with the animals before so pretty much knew what to expect-, which is to say, that I allowed the loathsome creatures to reduce me to a useless pile of bones and flesh without a mind. I leaned against the wall behind me, swallowing down the nausea and fear as best I could. I didn't even know if we managed to escape that disastrous place with the book.

Not that it mattered, of course. We were all pretty much bantha fodder. Skywalker was off who knew where looking for us, probably Dantooine and there was no way that he could get there before the Republic threw the book-tape at us. Of course, that was provided that he wasn't convinced that we were all on the Dark Side to begin with anyway.

When we got to the Cruiser, we were all separated and still carefully under the influence of the ysalamiri, I was stripped, searched, my body placed under fluoroscopes and x rays- no Imperial inefficiency here!

When my captors had at long last determined that I didn't have anything on me, I was grudgingly allowed to dress once again in the gray jumpsuit of a prisoner and once more manacled led through the long corridors towards my cell.

The doors opened and without any preamble I was thrust in, stumbling, my dizziness making a hash out of my normally obedient legs. I fell forward into the room, barely managing to catch my fall with my manacled hands.

From this lowly position, I realized several things all at once. First off that the room I found myself within was anything but a cell, instead being a large office possessing of a desk and a view of the stars behind it. And second, that desk was anything but unoccupied. Third, and certainly not least of all, I could Feel that presence, as I could everything else yet again and… recognized it.

Quelling my thoughts beneath the Force, I took a deep breath and regained my feet. At least this confrontation was going to happen while I was in full control of my faculties.

The man who sat behind the desk never moved during any of this, merely regarded me grimly, saphired gaze blazing like the blade of a lightsaber and yet completely expressionless. Even when I stepped forward towards the desk, he never so much as blinked.

He had changed, I couldn't help but notice in the silence that extended throughout the room while he waited patiently. The sparkle of excitement was gone now, leaving behind it a grim continence that brooked no room for disobedience or even error. He was obviously most unhappy.

Almost by instinct I looked down to regard the desk before him only to notice that it was covered with all of the things that I and my merry little band had possessed. In fact, my trusty old pack was even there and with a start, I recognized the diary. They had saved it after all.

Just as I was noticing this, the door whooshed open behind me and Jetta was thrust in. It didn't take a Jedi to recognize that was what he had been waiting for, as no sooner then she had stepped up beside me then he finally, at long last began to move.

A slight wave of his hand and a tremor on the Force and our manacles dropped away. Then, he leaned forward somberly.

"I figured out you were coming here from the gentleman you visited," He told us finally. "He didn't seem to be particularly fond of me and he wasn't entirely lucid so I couldn't determine 'why' you came here, but we were lucky we could get the New Dawn out here before you," He continued calmly.

Jetta and I said nothing, merely awaited our fate.

"Despite our near brush on Corillia," He cast a look at me. "I had to admit that Wedge never would have helped you willingly if he didn't consider the cause a just one. So when you arrived, we waited until it seemed that you could utilize the aid," He stated.

Again, we said nothing as he looked from one of us to the other and the heavy silence grew.

"So," He continued at long last. "I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt for the moment and ask why you decided to turn half the known galaxy upside-down and inside-out," He declared grimly. "People have been hurt and some even killed over you," He said. "Why?"

Jetta and I exchanged a quick glance. This was more her area of expertise then mine.

"With all due respect Master Skywalker," Jetta told him every ounce the perfect Jedi. "The escalation of events was entirely unintentional," She said stepping forward. "We were simply looking for a book, a childhood memento of Dallayna's," She explained making me nearly wince.

Great. Just great. With typical Reklan value of privacy she was leaving me to tell Skywalker precisely why the book was so t'lacking important. Of course, the result was that it made me look entirely and completely reckless and all I could do was stand there and watch while the Jedi Master slowly looked from Jetta's earnest expression to regard me.

"Ms Greystar," He finally stated carefully, every single word a separate being, a separate entity, his gaze never leaving me. "Will you please excuse us?"

I fought the urge to tell Jetta my thoughts-, which were anything but lady-like as she nodded carefully.

"Yes Master, of course," She acquiesced.

Another brief look as she turned to leave. At least she had the decency to look apologetic. I, on the other hand was resisting the urge to throttle her while I stood there slowly watching my last traces of hope slowly fade away.

Once again, silence hung heavy throughout the room only this time it was colored with the faintest Feeling of Deep Trouble as I regarded the Jedi Master behind the desk and he regarded me. Through covert glances up towards him, I could tell that his saphired eyes were flashing with the closest kin of true fury that I can only imagine he had encountered in years.

As for myself, I could only stand with my head down, my hands clasped slightly before me as I awaited the inevitable for countless eternities as the silence continued slowly and stingily reeled out by time. Seconds ticked by…. Minutes… Hours…

During none of this did Skywalker even so much as blink as he regarded me. The Force tremored with calming techniques, positively vibrating with them. As for myself, for once deciding to be wise, I didn't move either while I silently and mentally kissed my life goodbye.

"In my darker days I would have had you killed," He stated finally making me start in surprise as the sound of his voice cut through the empty silence like a frozen vibroblade.

"In fact, even being a Master firmly on the Light Side of the Force, I still have to admit to a certain amount of…. Annoyance at the sheer level of wanton destruction, wasted resources and pure terror you've managed to leave behind you," He observed. "And," He continued leaning forward. "It was for frivolity?"

I didn't say a word, I didn't move. I knew this lecture in many forms and so knew that Jedi or not, he was only warming to his subject.

"In my day, I do have to admit that I was accused of being reckless, Dallayna Vokan but never, not even in one of my wilder days did I ever manage to create the sheer and absolute chaos and destruction that you have," His voice was even, measured and perfectly controlled. "And it was for a sentimental side trip?" He demanded his voice never growing even remotely louder as he rose to his feet and leaned over the desk to regard me.

"You know," He shook his head. "The thing that baffles me is that you are obviously aware of this fact and yet," He continued. "You. Did. It. Anyway."

I tried not to wince as he sat down wearily sighing.

"Well," He observed. "Force help me but I really don't know what to do with you Dallayna Vokan," He admitted defeat filling his voice ever so slightly. "I honestly don't," He shook his head again.

"As contrite as you are now, somehow I Know that you performed these actions fully aware of their affect and the results and looking at you I Know also that you would perform those actions again if given the same choice," He sighed.

"Well, I honestly don't know what to do with that," He confessed. "Honestly? I think it's our ill luck that your abilities are so strong since you obviously have no respect for them or for other people. If you had only Potential I would honestly refuse to train you, but as things stand now?"

Skywalker let his words fall away as he let his displeasure be known and again, I remained as silent as a statue. I was waiting for my opening and no sooner had I thought this then I was given one.

"So," He stated leaning back. "What do I do with you?" He asked more of himself then of me. "I can't train you, I can't destroy you, and I can't leave you alone to fall to the Dark Side. So, what do I do?"

Taking a deep breath, I took a small step forward.

"Com-Master Skywalker," I called his attention barely catching the verbal slip just in time. "May I sit?"

Surprised, he blinked. "Why?" He asked suspicious.

Another deep breath.

"Because Master Skywalker," I sighed wearily. "This is going to take a very. Long. Time."

Obviously curious, he waved to the chair vaguely and leaned forward onto the desk as I sat.

Breathe in… two… three… four… Breathe out… two… three… four…

And so, I finally told him the entirety of everything omitting absolutely nothing- well, almost absolutely nothing. I did manage to hold back the incidences concerning the Dark Force-Wielder and somehow managed to "forget" about the destruction of the Star Destroyer.

I did however, tell Skywalker about my upbringing in the Empire and of my father's position. I also told him how I had found the book at the age of eight and how overjoyed and filled with happiness I was to discover that my Feelings were real and that there was something called the Force.

I even told him about how I had always known what Lord Vader and the Emperor were and about how I had prepared myself for the Rebellion while I waited to grow up. And then, I went into long and excruciating detail of my year on Hoth dodging him and keeping my abilities secret from even my friends.

Then, I told him of the two years I spent on Rekla trying to desperately help and then to get home and all of the details as to how I had met Jetta. I even told him the embarrassing story about how I had found the pink monster and why it was even called that.

And finally, at long last, I ended by telling him about what I had discovered upon my return and all that had happened afterwards. I told him everything, every single last detail of every single step I took: I told him. I told him it all and by the time I finished, countless glasses of water had been consumed by myself and an entire night had passed and even with the aid of the Force to ease my fatigue, my voice had grown hoarse.

During none of this did Skywalker ever move or even speak allowing the entire tale to unfold before him patiently. Even when I got to the plans that had obviously been made for me in my youth and what I had determined from the talk of others and the various clues, he never so much as even raised an eyebrow. He merely sat listening.

And after it was all finished, after I had finally spoken my final words, he merely leaned back within the chair and regarded me thoughtfully as he digested what he had heard.

At last, at long last, he finally spoke.

"Firstly," He stated voice firm and even. "I do believe you. It would have been like him to have something like that hatching against the Emperor- and no," He added without my having to ask. "I don't think the Emperor knew. Ah," He cleared his throat gently. "Vader would have wanted a student waiting in the wings so to speak."

I myself said nothing, mostly because there was nothing to say.

"There are," He continued grimly. "Two things that you should know about though," He stated leaning forward. "First off," He began almost haltingly. "As a Jedi, by law, you're answerable only to a Jedi Master and in this case, it means me," He explained. "Only a Jedi Master can determine your punishment since as a Jedi you have absolutely nothing to do with the legal courts."

I felt my cheeks flush as I cleared my raw throat uncomfortably.

"Ah," I remarked trying not to wince. "Dully noted and an extremely important point," I nodded inwardly kicking myself.

Stupid-stupid-stupid!

Skywalker cleared his own throat the first glimmerings of emotion beginning to crack through his calm reserve as he shifted uncomfortably.

"Which brings us to the second point," He stated haltingly. "Which is one I'm almost reluctant to state," He admitted splaying his hands in near-surrender.

A moment hung heavy between us as he paused to collect his thoughts. I realized that I was on the edge of my chair and biting my lip but for once I didn't care in the least. Yet again, he cleared his throat almost uncomfortably before his eyes met mine again.

"During this entire matter, during any moment of it," He paused again. "Did you ever consider- just for a moment," He added gently. "That being a Jedi," His eyes met mine. "I could have just read the truth from the minds of either Teegran Othem or yourself?"

Silence extended during which I never even once moved. I sat still as a veritable statue. Seconds slowly ticked by… then minutes… then hours… I merely sat, never moving, my eyes carefully unfocused.

"M-Master Skywalker?" I finally hear my exhausted voice ask into the silence.

"Yes Dallayna?"

"Could this," I began haltingly. "Would it be too much to ask if," I took a deep breath. "This remain," I managed to get out. "Between us?" I asked trying not to bite my lip.

Somehow or another his eyes sparkled slightly, ever so slightly but I didn't even want to think about what made those eyes sparkle as he regarded me with an expression that seemed just a bit too expressionless.

"By all means," He acquiesced.

"I- thank you," I stated never meeting that gaze.

"You're welcome."

Silence again, only this time it was him who was waiting.

"Master Skywalker?"

"Yes?"

I took a deep breath.

"May I be excused now?"

A near expression almost- almost tugged at his lips but it was quickly quelled. I tried very hard not to think about what that expression might have tried to become. I really tried very hard not to think about what that near-expression might have tried to become.

"By all means."

"Thank you," I said rising to my feet.

Or at least that's what I tried to say but somewhere in the middle of the first syllable, my exhausted voice cracked into a near whisper.

Whether it was from overuse or from embarrassment I neither knew nor cared. I tried very hard not to think about that. In fact, in that moment, about the only thing that I did want to think about was that I needed a drink.

Actually, I needed several.

And for once?

I wasn't going to be clearing it from my system.

A/N: Hey all thanks for the great reviews. I can't wait to see more opinions. Only one more chapter to go after this. Sorry I haven't posted on time like before life has gotten in the way. Please keep reviewing and reading. I need to show the author what she is really capable of and you guys are the best proof ever.

Once I finish beating her over the head I will have a second and third story to follow this one. After the final chapter I will do an Authors Note chapter posting to let all you wonderful people know the new story is posted. Just a heads up the 2 stories following this one are both with our lovely Dale. This series has been one of my fav ever since my best friend placed them in my hands now the world is seeing what she created.

Enjoy!