Chapter 25 - A New Beginning and an End
Anakin, Corran and Kyp were landing in the hidden docking bay of the small planetoid only moments after the other strike team had returned. They hadn't heard much about the mission to patrol Corellian holobeacons, except that it had been an ambush. As soon as Corran finished the landing sequence they all jumped out of the ship and ran over to the group of remaining strike team members.
Looking around and not finding Jacen, Anakin feared the worst. He pulled Tenel Ka aside and asked, "Tenel, where is Jacen. Don't tell me he's…"
"No, no," Tenel Ka smiled. "He ran off almost the instant he touched down. He's ok though. I think he just wanted to be alone."
"Any idea where he went?" Anakin asked.
"Yeah, I think he went off to his quarters. He was furious, but I think if he sleeps it off during the day he will be better when he wakes up."
Anakin allowed himself a sigh of relief.
* * *
Zekk had a knot in his stomach as he made his path through the halls. This was it, he told himself. This was his big chance with Jaina. He had waited years for this and had given up hope, but hope hadn't given up on him. Finally, Jaina realized his love and that she loved him in return.
But Zekk was nervous, what if she wanted to kiss him? He had dreamed of such things many times before, but had had little real practice. He stopped in his tracks. What if kissing wasn't the only thing she wanted? The knot in Zekk's stomach doubled, but he shook the thought away. She was a good girl, he reminded himself.
He continued walking, but the thought loomed at the back of his mind. What if she did, though. Zekk would be lying if he said he never thought about it, but surely she wouldn't, this was Jaina. He ignored it as best he could but still it kept popping up. Zekk refused to harp on the idea and decided he would face that hurdle when he came to it.
Zekk could see her doorway now. He was famished; he hadn't been able to eat since they had arrived back at the station some eight hours ago. Jaina had promised him a nice dinner that she would make herself, and he couldn't wait. Resisting the urge to run the final ten meters he walked as calmly as he could to the door and pushed the signal.
Almost instantly the doors opened and Jaina popped out with a big grin on her face. Zekk couldn't see much beyond the door because the lights were so dim, but he could make out a table with food and two candles.
"Wow," Zekk exclaimed as he gave Jaina a once over. "You look gorgeous."
Jaina blushed slightly but the darkness mostly hid it from Zekk. She was wearing a dress. Zekk couldn't believe it. Jaina hated dresses, but she had put one of for him. He felt special, like he was worth something.
"I might say the same about you," she said looking Zekk up and down. "You are quite handsome indeed," she said with a smile. Now it was Zekk's turn to blush, but he didn't have the aid of a dim room to hide it and Jaina giggled. "Come inside," she said as she reached out and grabbed his hand pulling him in and locking the door behind him.
"Kinda dark in here," Zekk commented looking around.
"That's the point, dummy," Jaina said as she led him to the table. "I apologize about the food." Jaina hung her head. "It's pathetic."
"Looks delicious," Zekk lied.
"You don't have to eat it," Jaina said. "I understand."
"No, really this looks great," Zekk said. Jaina cheered up and Zekk pulled a seat out for her. He then took his own seat and began eating. Putting something particularly chewy in his mouth he exclaimed, "Jaina this is great. I've never had such delicious nerf steaks before, how'd you get them this chewy."
Jaina looked like she was about to cry. "Those are mashed potatoes."
* * *
Jacen walked up to Danni in one of the many desolate and unpopulated hallways of the Jedi Base at this hour. "I know what you're doing," he whispered into her ear, "And you won't succeed."
Danni swallowed hard, but betrayed no other emotion. "I trusted you," Jacen continued.
"I won't say anything, Jacen," Danni said.
Considering this for a moment Jacen pressed himself up against Danni, pushing her into the wall. "I'm going to leave you now, to decide where your loyalties are." With one last foreboding stare he pushed away from her and walked away, leaving Danni trembling.
* * *
Zekk jumped from his seat and rushed to Jaina embracing her in a friendly hug. "Don't cry, Jaina. We can order out from now on," he said picking up her chin.
She looked into his eyes, "You promise?"
Zekk chuckled, "Yes, I promise."
Jaina's spirit's rose. "Well, I had planned for us to watch a movie after dinner. Do you want to go ahead and watch it now?"
"Sure," Zekk said.
Jaina jumped up, giddy as a little school girl and dragged her boy over to the couch. She sat him down and rushed to start the film. Then she returned to the couch and found a spot nestled next to Zekk and laid her head on his shoulder and he wrapped his arm round her.
"O che sciagùra d'essere senza coglioni," Zekk muttered.
"Huh?" Jaina asked.
"Nothing," Zekk replied.
The movie wasn't bad, in fact Zekk was kind of enjoying it, even if other things were on his mind at the moment. It was a holo-thriller about Emperor Palpatine. Though he was never alive at the same time as the emperor, Zekk still feared him, and so did everyone else. But the content of the movie wasn't what made it exciting.
Midway through the movie was when the frightening scenes were nearing the climax and Jaina was holding on to Zekk for dear life. He had never felt so close to Jaina in all his life. He pulled her closer with the arm he had around her, and he held her tight.
Slowly he became self conscious and when he turned to look at Jaina, he found her staring back. It was surreal but it was the moment he had oft dreamt of since meeting Jaina so many years ago. Her brown eyes were welcoming orbs of love.
Jaina stared at him now. She saw something inside him she hadn't noticed before. She wasn't sure what it was, but she knew that she loved him. Just then he tried a lopsided grin, in imitation of her father. It was a pathetic mockery, yet so cute. She giggled softly, never breaking eye contact.
Not looking away she fumbled around on the couch and, finding the remote, turned off the holo. She could have left it on; everything in the room had become insignificant and had long ago faded into background noise.
Oh no, Zekk thought, I'm going to kiss her.
Jaina felt his apprehension and backed away a bit, removing his arm from round her body. "What's wrong Zekk? Don't you want to kiss me?"
"Yes," he said quickly, "I want nothing more than to kiss you right now. It's just that… well… I've never kissed a girl."
"Oh," said Jaina, her face warming up again. She pulled herself back to sit right beside him and placed his arm around her again. "Well, don't worry Zekk. I can show you how it's done," she said with a smile that made Zekk's heart race.
Using his free hand he adjusted his collar. "Phew, it's hot in here."
"No, it's just you," Jaina said in her most flirtatious voice.
Zekk thought he would die of a heart attack; his pulse raced and the room only grew hotter. "I'm really burning up, Jaina," Zekk said adjusting his collar again.
"That's normal Zekk," Jaina said. She took his free hand and placed in on her chest. Zekk could feel her heat and heart beating; her pulse was racing too.
They both looked down at his hand still on her chest, and hers holding it there, though Zekk wasn't struggling to remove his hand. Jaina released his hand and he let it fall to her lap. Jaina reached her hands around his head and pulled him into her face.
Zekk's pulse ran even faster he feared his heart would explode, but when their lips met, his body was washed with wave after wave of soothing Force. His pulse slowed, but only slightly. His eyes closed and his breath stopped. Everything felt right in the universe.
Jaina was surprised. She had kissed boys before, but this was unlike anything she had even dreamed of. She felt him through her lips and the Force and she knew that he was the right man for her. She held him tighter not wanting to let go, but alas they had to breathe at some point.
Jaina let go of his head and leaned her head back a bit. "Not bad for your first kiss, huh?"
Zekk started to open his mouth in response, but instead laid Jaina back on the couch, kissing her the whole way down. Their emotions high, hormones bubbling; excitement increasing, hand wandering.
Jaina could feel Zekk on top of her, his hands rubbing her stomach through her clothing as they made out on her couch. Her hands roamed the vast expanse of his back pulling him closer and holding him tight.
Beep. Beep.
The kissing was reluctant to stop but Jaina had to answer the door. After a few beeps she pulled away from Zekk and said, "I have to see who it is." He sighed heavily, but rolled over to let her escape. She gave him a short firm kiss and then ran off to the door. "Sithspit," she said when she saw who it was. "It's my mother," she said to Zekk.
Keying the door she said, "Hi, Mother," in her best voice of innocence.
"Hello, dear, I just wanted to… Gosh it's dark in there," Leia pointed out.
"Yeah, ummm, I was just watching a movie." Jaina could feel herself starting to blush and she stopped it.
"Oh, okay… any way as I was saying, I just… you look perturbed, honey. Did I catch you at a bad time? Do you have company?" she asked as any nosy mother might.
"Yes, actually. Zekk was over here, we were watching a movie," Jaina answered.
"Oh, okay. Hi Zekk," she called out.
"Hello, Mrs. Solo," Zekk called back as he walked over to stand beside Jaina.
"Strange that your projector's off," Leia said but paid it no mind. "Anyway… as I was saying… You know Jaina, I can't believe you'd let your hair be disheveled like that when you have company…"
Jaina couldn't help blushing now and neither could Zekk. "Oh…" was all Leia managed. "Anyway, I just wanted to invite you to have dinner with your father and me tomorrow night. You are invited as well," she added to Zekk, who only blushed more.
"Sure thing," Jaina said hurrying her mother out. "We'll be there."
Before leaving Leia winked to Jaina and through the Force, He's cute, don't do anything I wouldn't do. Jaina just sighed and closed the door.
* * *
Danni walked down the sparsely populated halls with purpose. She knew exactly where she was going and exactly what she would find when she got there. When she arrived at her room of destination she keyed the pad and opened the door.
The room was dark and unoccupied. She crept slowly to the far wall of the room, towards the bed and cabinet. Unlocking the cabinet she peered inside and pulled out the villip that was hidden within.
"What are you doing with that," a deep male voice called out behind her. Danni turned quickly to see Jacen standing in the now open doorway staring at her. She stammered, unable to find her voice.
Jacen walked steadily towards her and she broke out into a run. She ran around him and through the door trying to escape. Jacen chased after her, but she was much faster than him and left him behind.
Danni rounded a corner and ran straight into Tahiri. They hit each other with great force and both fell over. Shaking it off Tahiri reached to the side to push herself back up, and her hand landed on something soft, round and living. She palmed it and looked at it as she sat up. A villip!
Tahiri looked to the woman that had dropped it… it was Danni.
"It's not what it looks like," said Danni.
"I think it is exactly what it looks like," Tahiri said as she pounced on Danni, restraining her until Jacen could catch up and help take Danni to the brig.
Anakin, Corran and Kyp were landing in the hidden docking bay of the small planetoid only moments after the other strike team had returned. They hadn't heard much about the mission to patrol Corellian holobeacons, except that it had been an ambush. As soon as Corran finished the landing sequence they all jumped out of the ship and ran over to the group of remaining strike team members.
Looking around and not finding Jacen, Anakin feared the worst. He pulled Tenel Ka aside and asked, "Tenel, where is Jacen. Don't tell me he's…"
"No, no," Tenel Ka smiled. "He ran off almost the instant he touched down. He's ok though. I think he just wanted to be alone."
"Any idea where he went?" Anakin asked.
"Yeah, I think he went off to his quarters. He was furious, but I think if he sleeps it off during the day he will be better when he wakes up."
Anakin allowed himself a sigh of relief.
* * *
Zekk had a knot in his stomach as he made his path through the halls. This was it, he told himself. This was his big chance with Jaina. He had waited years for this and had given up hope, but hope hadn't given up on him. Finally, Jaina realized his love and that she loved him in return.
But Zekk was nervous, what if she wanted to kiss him? He had dreamed of such things many times before, but had had little real practice. He stopped in his tracks. What if kissing wasn't the only thing she wanted? The knot in Zekk's stomach doubled, but he shook the thought away. She was a good girl, he reminded himself.
He continued walking, but the thought loomed at the back of his mind. What if she did, though. Zekk would be lying if he said he never thought about it, but surely she wouldn't, this was Jaina. He ignored it as best he could but still it kept popping up. Zekk refused to harp on the idea and decided he would face that hurdle when he came to it.
Zekk could see her doorway now. He was famished; he hadn't been able to eat since they had arrived back at the station some eight hours ago. Jaina had promised him a nice dinner that she would make herself, and he couldn't wait. Resisting the urge to run the final ten meters he walked as calmly as he could to the door and pushed the signal.
Almost instantly the doors opened and Jaina popped out with a big grin on her face. Zekk couldn't see much beyond the door because the lights were so dim, but he could make out a table with food and two candles.
"Wow," Zekk exclaimed as he gave Jaina a once over. "You look gorgeous."
Jaina blushed slightly but the darkness mostly hid it from Zekk. She was wearing a dress. Zekk couldn't believe it. Jaina hated dresses, but she had put one of for him. He felt special, like he was worth something.
"I might say the same about you," she said looking Zekk up and down. "You are quite handsome indeed," she said with a smile. Now it was Zekk's turn to blush, but he didn't have the aid of a dim room to hide it and Jaina giggled. "Come inside," she said as she reached out and grabbed his hand pulling him in and locking the door behind him.
"Kinda dark in here," Zekk commented looking around.
"That's the point, dummy," Jaina said as she led him to the table. "I apologize about the food." Jaina hung her head. "It's pathetic."
"Looks delicious," Zekk lied.
"You don't have to eat it," Jaina said. "I understand."
"No, really this looks great," Zekk said. Jaina cheered up and Zekk pulled a seat out for her. He then took his own seat and began eating. Putting something particularly chewy in his mouth he exclaimed, "Jaina this is great. I've never had such delicious nerf steaks before, how'd you get them this chewy."
Jaina looked like she was about to cry. "Those are mashed potatoes."
* * *
Jacen walked up to Danni in one of the many desolate and unpopulated hallways of the Jedi Base at this hour. "I know what you're doing," he whispered into her ear, "And you won't succeed."
Danni swallowed hard, but betrayed no other emotion. "I trusted you," Jacen continued.
"I won't say anything, Jacen," Danni said.
Considering this for a moment Jacen pressed himself up against Danni, pushing her into the wall. "I'm going to leave you now, to decide where your loyalties are." With one last foreboding stare he pushed away from her and walked away, leaving Danni trembling.
* * *
Zekk jumped from his seat and rushed to Jaina embracing her in a friendly hug. "Don't cry, Jaina. We can order out from now on," he said picking up her chin.
She looked into his eyes, "You promise?"
Zekk chuckled, "Yes, I promise."
Jaina's spirit's rose. "Well, I had planned for us to watch a movie after dinner. Do you want to go ahead and watch it now?"
"Sure," Zekk said.
Jaina jumped up, giddy as a little school girl and dragged her boy over to the couch. She sat him down and rushed to start the film. Then she returned to the couch and found a spot nestled next to Zekk and laid her head on his shoulder and he wrapped his arm round her.
"O che sciagùra d'essere senza coglioni," Zekk muttered.
"Huh?" Jaina asked.
"Nothing," Zekk replied.
The movie wasn't bad, in fact Zekk was kind of enjoying it, even if other things were on his mind at the moment. It was a holo-thriller about Emperor Palpatine. Though he was never alive at the same time as the emperor, Zekk still feared him, and so did everyone else. But the content of the movie wasn't what made it exciting.
Midway through the movie was when the frightening scenes were nearing the climax and Jaina was holding on to Zekk for dear life. He had never felt so close to Jaina in all his life. He pulled her closer with the arm he had around her, and he held her tight.
Slowly he became self conscious and when he turned to look at Jaina, he found her staring back. It was surreal but it was the moment he had oft dreamt of since meeting Jaina so many years ago. Her brown eyes were welcoming orbs of love.
Jaina stared at him now. She saw something inside him she hadn't noticed before. She wasn't sure what it was, but she knew that she loved him. Just then he tried a lopsided grin, in imitation of her father. It was a pathetic mockery, yet so cute. She giggled softly, never breaking eye contact.
Not looking away she fumbled around on the couch and, finding the remote, turned off the holo. She could have left it on; everything in the room had become insignificant and had long ago faded into background noise.
Oh no, Zekk thought, I'm going to kiss her.
Jaina felt his apprehension and backed away a bit, removing his arm from round her body. "What's wrong Zekk? Don't you want to kiss me?"
"Yes," he said quickly, "I want nothing more than to kiss you right now. It's just that… well… I've never kissed a girl."
"Oh," said Jaina, her face warming up again. She pulled herself back to sit right beside him and placed his arm around her again. "Well, don't worry Zekk. I can show you how it's done," she said with a smile that made Zekk's heart race.
Using his free hand he adjusted his collar. "Phew, it's hot in here."
"No, it's just you," Jaina said in her most flirtatious voice.
Zekk thought he would die of a heart attack; his pulse raced and the room only grew hotter. "I'm really burning up, Jaina," Zekk said adjusting his collar again.
"That's normal Zekk," Jaina said. She took his free hand and placed in on her chest. Zekk could feel her heat and heart beating; her pulse was racing too.
They both looked down at his hand still on her chest, and hers holding it there, though Zekk wasn't struggling to remove his hand. Jaina released his hand and he let it fall to her lap. Jaina reached her hands around his head and pulled him into her face.
Zekk's pulse ran even faster he feared his heart would explode, but when their lips met, his body was washed with wave after wave of soothing Force. His pulse slowed, but only slightly. His eyes closed and his breath stopped. Everything felt right in the universe.
Jaina was surprised. She had kissed boys before, but this was unlike anything she had even dreamed of. She felt him through her lips and the Force and she knew that he was the right man for her. She held him tighter not wanting to let go, but alas they had to breathe at some point.
Jaina let go of his head and leaned her head back a bit. "Not bad for your first kiss, huh?"
Zekk started to open his mouth in response, but instead laid Jaina back on the couch, kissing her the whole way down. Their emotions high, hormones bubbling; excitement increasing, hand wandering.
Jaina could feel Zekk on top of her, his hands rubbing her stomach through her clothing as they made out on her couch. Her hands roamed the vast expanse of his back pulling him closer and holding him tight.
Beep. Beep.
The kissing was reluctant to stop but Jaina had to answer the door. After a few beeps she pulled away from Zekk and said, "I have to see who it is." He sighed heavily, but rolled over to let her escape. She gave him a short firm kiss and then ran off to the door. "Sithspit," she said when she saw who it was. "It's my mother," she said to Zekk.
Keying the door she said, "Hi, Mother," in her best voice of innocence.
"Hello, dear, I just wanted to… Gosh it's dark in there," Leia pointed out.
"Yeah, ummm, I was just watching a movie." Jaina could feel herself starting to blush and she stopped it.
"Oh, okay… any way as I was saying, I just… you look perturbed, honey. Did I catch you at a bad time? Do you have company?" she asked as any nosy mother might.
"Yes, actually. Zekk was over here, we were watching a movie," Jaina answered.
"Oh, okay. Hi Zekk," she called out.
"Hello, Mrs. Solo," Zekk called back as he walked over to stand beside Jaina.
"Strange that your projector's off," Leia said but paid it no mind. "Anyway… as I was saying… You know Jaina, I can't believe you'd let your hair be disheveled like that when you have company…"
Jaina couldn't help blushing now and neither could Zekk. "Oh…" was all Leia managed. "Anyway, I just wanted to invite you to have dinner with your father and me tomorrow night. You are invited as well," she added to Zekk, who only blushed more.
"Sure thing," Jaina said hurrying her mother out. "We'll be there."
Before leaving Leia winked to Jaina and through the Force, He's cute, don't do anything I wouldn't do. Jaina just sighed and closed the door.
* * *
Danni walked down the sparsely populated halls with purpose. She knew exactly where she was going and exactly what she would find when she got there. When she arrived at her room of destination she keyed the pad and opened the door.
The room was dark and unoccupied. She crept slowly to the far wall of the room, towards the bed and cabinet. Unlocking the cabinet she peered inside and pulled out the villip that was hidden within.
"What are you doing with that," a deep male voice called out behind her. Danni turned quickly to see Jacen standing in the now open doorway staring at her. She stammered, unable to find her voice.
Jacen walked steadily towards her and she broke out into a run. She ran around him and through the door trying to escape. Jacen chased after her, but she was much faster than him and left him behind.
Danni rounded a corner and ran straight into Tahiri. They hit each other with great force and both fell over. Shaking it off Tahiri reached to the side to push herself back up, and her hand landed on something soft, round and living. She palmed it and looked at it as she sat up. A villip!
Tahiri looked to the woman that had dropped it… it was Danni.
"It's not what it looks like," said Danni.
"I think it is exactly what it looks like," Tahiri said as she pounced on Danni, restraining her until Jacen could catch up and help take Danni to the brig.