Chapter 24

That Time of Year

A/N- Update mania!! Seriously, People, this is great!! I'm excited and my creative juices are flowing like a carton of spilled milk. Yes, I DID use both milk and juice in one sentence, because I'm awesome like that. =) Ha, ha.

Anyways, get ready for some good action stuff! WOOOO!!!!

Again a fair warning about the review/hit count: NINE MORE CHAPTERS BEFORE I WILL ONLY SEND THE CHAPTER UPDATES TO THOSE READERS WHO HAVE ALREADY REVIEWED AND ONLY THOSE PEOPLE. NO LENIENCY WILL BE ALLOWED. (Sorry, Guys, it's getting ridiculous that everyone is just hitting and reading one chapter and not another or reading and never reviewing. I like to discuss my stories, so consider this my formal invitation to review/find more people to increase the hit count. The only way I won't enforce this is if there are more than five hits per chapter that I post and that the review count goes up before I post chapter 33 (and I'm not counting one person's reviews as acceptable).

If you're a consistently loyal reader (you guys know who you are and I appreciate all your feedback either via reviews or PMs) this will not affect you since I already know who you are and will be contacting you for your email in order to send you the updates should the hits and review counts not go up. Also, a special thanks to my unofficial beta, jediluver033, who has not stopped talking about my story since it started. You rule!!

Other loyal reviewers to whom I owe my thanks:

JediBettyBug

jason kent

Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for all the readers who are still keeping up with this series, but the only way for me to be able to tell what needs working on or what needs to be kept the way it is, is if you all review in detail. Even a simple "I liked (insert scene/character here) because (insert reason) would suffice." Be creative, People, this is the place for that kind of thing. I mean FFN's slogan is "Unleash Your Imagination." What are you waiting for? Go forth!!

… And now for the Feature Presentation.

-Don "QuixoticQuest" =)

Another Year
Has Come and Gone again
Look around
And think where have you been
Trace the Lines
On your face tonight
And don't forget
That this will pass in time

It's cold out this morning
You should be getting into bed
can't believe it's that time
Of year again

Curled up tight
A darker shade of white
Thinking back could be
here for a while

Its cold out this morning
And it's getting harder to pretend
can't believe it's that
time of year again

Can you believe the life you led?
Did you achieve the goals you set?
Did you lose your mind?
Well and then

Is there a reason you own them
It is a season that won't end
can't believe it's that
time of year again

Another year
Has come and gone again
Look around
and wonder what happened.

-"That Time of Year" by Sick Puppies

Luke fast walked through the hospital hallway and tried his best to keep the intense frown off his face so that he wouldn't be asked to leave by the doctors.

He stopped as soon as he saw who he'd been looking for. "Leia," He crossed over to his sister. "How is she?"

Leia shook her head, "She hasn't come out of the ICU."

Luke gritted his teeth and took to pacing before Leia grasped his arm and pulled him into the nearest vacant seat next to hers.

Luke finally calmed himself long enough to ask the question that had been tugging at him since Leia had called him an hour ago. "What happened?"

Leia shook her head, "She went into Jacen's room, and suddenly I felt something was wrong and when I came in…" Leia shook her head.

Luke's face grew severe, "She didn't try to-?" He felt Leia's initial response, "Oh, kriffing sith fuck!" Luke stood up abruptly and banged his fist on the wall.

One of the doctors came over to Luke, who glared in return. "Excuse me; are you the friend of Kirk Dekim?" The doctor asked and Luke's expression changed to one of confusion.

"Yes, why?" Luke tried to get a feel of what the doctor was getting at but had little success.

The doctor shifted, "Well, we're not sure how it happened… but," The doctor lowered his voice, "Mr. Dekim disappeared from the hospital last night."

Luke, to the extreme shock of the doctor, nodded, "Figures," He grunted. Kirk had never liked hospitals much. As Kirk often put it, "It was a waste of time to die by a disinfectant overdose."

"We're searching for him now, Master Skywalker," A more senior doctor said as she approached. Luke smiled to himself.

"Don't bother," He replied, waving his hand. If Kirk didn't want to be found, he wouldn't be. Luke could only guess what his old student was up to, running around Coruscant in nothing but a hospital gown, but that was Kirk Dekim for you: completely and utterly non-sensible.

"Master Skywalker?" The senior doctor and the other doctor were staring at Luke. Leia glanced at Luke curiously before returning her attention to the door to the ICU.

"Leave him be, Kirk Dekim is under my care, I'll make sure he gets proper treatment," Luke assured the doctors. If I can't get him to go to a regular hospital I'll just have to have Cilghal deal with him. The Mon Calamari Jedi healer was very good at getting even the most stubborn patients to listen.

"Er, yes, Master Skywalker," The senior doctor said with a strange look over at Leia, who shrugged. "As for the matter of Jaina Solo," The senior doctor then made her way over to Leia. "Her condition has stabled physically, but I do not think it is a good idea to let her leave the hospital for at least another six months."

Leia paled, "Six months? Jaina just left the hospital a month ago," Leia protested with her eyes flaring. Luke put a hand on his sister's shoulder and sent calming feelings through the force.

"We understand that this is stressful, Mrs. Solo," The senior doctor said with an incline of her head, "But we believe that Jaina is prone to continue to try to harm herself if she is not under constant watch."

Leia raised an eyebrow. Uh, oh. I have a bad feeling about this. Luke thought to himself. Never tell Leia how to raise her kids or tell her that she's doing it wrong. The doctor had just violated both taboos.

"My daughter will be under the care of her family as soon as she is physically able," Leia stated in her "no debate tone" used for when a particularly difficult politician wasn't moving on a position.

The doctor shifted visibly, "Yes, Mrs. Solo," The doctor inclined her head again and retreated and the male doctor's eyes suddenly went wide with recognition.

"That was Senator Leia Organa Solo," He whispered to his superior. The older doctor turned to look over her shoulder and then her eyes widened. She'd just tried to tell Leia Organa Solo, one of the most influential people in the galaxy, how to raise her kids. The female doctor wondered if the hospital would let her keep her job after this.

"I haven't seen you that forceful since Han was trying to convince you that you were in love with him," Luke mused. Leia grunted.

"Shut up, Luke, "She threw him a wry smile, "I didn't see you helping."

Luke shrugged, "And steal your thunder? Na, I'd like to live to see another year." He grinned at his sister, who couldn't help but let a small smile slip. "Where's Han?"

Leia sighed, "He left two days ago to find out who that ghost was that you two were looking for," She gave Luke a curious gaze, "He said something about finding a Merlin Genrick. Do you know who that is?"

Luke shrugged, "I only just researched that name and passed what I found to Han. Beats me what he's doing right now."

"Luke." Leia said sharply.

"It's the truth, Leia," Luke said firmly, "Han was approached by this ghost because the force wanted Han to figure this out."

"But is Han going to be okay on his own?"

Now it was Luke's turn to look strangely at Leia, "Come on, this is Han Solo we're talking about. He rescued you and me on multiple occasions."

Leia finally conceded, "Well, I guess you're right. But I'm still worried that he'll wander into something he can't handle on his own."

Luke shrugged, "We always pull each other out, it'll be fine." He then stood up and stretched. "I'm going to get a cup of caf, we might be here for a while," Without a word, Leia nodded. "Two cups coming right up." Luke then turned around and started down the hallway.

Kirk glanced around the corner as two people passed by. He'd had a time trying not to hurt himself when he removed the annoying IV from his arm. But Kirk had escaped from too many hospitals to not know how to remove an IV without a doctor's help. He'd even hated being taken to see Cilghal when he was at the Academy on Yavin 4.

Kirk grunted. His injuries weren't even serious. If Kirk didn't know any better he could have sworn the doctors were trying to figure out if there were more problems aside from the ones he'd been hospitalized for. That's why Kirk hated doctors: they were always trying to find more problems than there were originally.

There was a another reason, but Kirk didn't really want to think about it, though even if he didn't, it would come up anyways. It was Nina's birthday in two days after all. Every year Kirk would go over all the things he'd done wrong and thought about how he could fix them. No matter what path he took in his thoughts, his conclusion was always this: it was his fault that Nina died. It was his fault that he let Nina have sex that resulted in a birth that killed both Nina and the baby. Kirk wouldn't speak to another doctor after that. Nobody would ever change his thoughts about hospitals either.

Kirk sucked in his breath as the cold air touched his injuries. Some were left alone after bacta treatment, but still hurt. Kirk refused to have any anesthetics and now he was reaping the results.

Kirk turned the corner as soon as he sensed it was safe, and then bumped into the form of a running figure in body armor and a gray-black helmet with a black built in visor for the eyes, it was almost clone-trooper-esc in design except that the helmet was more angled and had teal streaks along the sides. The figure stumbled over Kirk, righted, and then fired three shots from a weapon Kirk couldn't place the name of, and then the figure turned to look at Kirk.

"Bit cold to be running around in your underwear, isn't it?" The voice wasn't abrasive or cold, it was if anything, warm and amused.

"It's not my underwear," Kirk replied, unable to believe he had to say that.

"I know it isn't," The armored figure said, and Kirk could almost feel whoever it was grinning at him. "You just escaped from that hospital, right?"

Kirk blinked, "How did you know?"

She shrugged, "I guessed. You don't look like a hospital type."

Kirk scrutinized the figure as much as he could, but he couldn't get a feel for who it was, if he even knew who it was in the first place. Kirk took one step forward and then his legs gave out. The figure caught him, moving Kirk's arm over the figure's heavily armored shoulders, "You need to take a break."

"I'm fine," Kirk said coolly.

"Right," The figure said and then proceeded to help Kirk walk. "We'll go to my hideout. They have medical supplies there."

"Hideout?" Kirk questioned absently, he wasn't thinking straight because of the pain that was shooting from his wounds.

"Yeah, I'm a bounty-hunter if you hadn't noticed," The figure then ducked behind a wall as New Republic soldiers ran by. Kirk looked over at the bounty hunter.

"What'd you do?" He asked.

The bounty hunter shrugged, "The usual, I stirred up some trouble, stole some goods, and made a run for it." Kirk thought about her words, for her saying 'usual' those crimes were actually pretty minor.

"What'd you do to yourself?" The bounty hunter asked. Kirk shrugged.

"Normal results from a Jedi mission," He said, again without thinking too much about his situation.

"A Jedi?" The bounty hunter repeated in amazement. "Well, well, we're in good company then."

"We?" Kirk said, but seconds later he got his answer. Two more armored figures stepped out of a building and waved the bounty hunter holding Kirk over.

"Who's he?" One of the other figures asked.

"A Jedi, Brookes, so be nice," The bounty hunter answered.

"Kriff it all, Render," Brookes replied hotly, "You had to go and bring a Jedi here?"

Kirk felt awkward, "If I'm not wanted, I can just leave, I won't say anything about meeting you guys." It was the truth, Kirk just wanted to get as far away from Coruscant as possible.

"No, you're staying. Brookes just has to get over himself," The bounty hunter glanced at Brookes and then helped Kirk through the building's crooked door and onto a torn, but otherwise comfy couch.

"Welcome to our home, Mr, Jedi," The bounty hunter said brightly. Brookes and the other armored figured removed their helmets to reveal two men. Brookes was a young man of thirty with brown hair, sharp green eyes and a scar on his neck. The other was around the same age but was a Chiss with brilliant red eyes. He regarded Kirk.

"It's okay, Brookes, this is Kirk Dekim, we can trust him." The Chiss gave a bow to Kirk and then stood silently by while the last member of the group, the bounty hunter who had helped Kirk, now faced him helmetless.

"I'm Natie Renders, well, it's actually Natasha, but I hate that name." The chestnut colored haired woman said, sticking out her hand. Her blue eyes shone brightly. "This is Brookes, my overprotective older brother, and Nokir Kel of the Chiss. We're bounty hunters."

Kirk stood up momentarily to raise his hand with his palm outwards on his chest and his last two fingers down in the Chiss form of greeting. Nokir responded in kind. Brookes nodded but still gave Kirk a suspicious gaze.

"Sorry about Brookes," Natie said to Kirk, he's had some run ins with some Jedi who didn't treat us all that well."

Kirk looked at Brooke, "Was Claus Neros one of them?"

Brookes stared at Kirk, "Yeah, how did you know?" The young man was still giving Kirk a suspicious look.

"Claus Neros and his Silver Blade Jedi aren't with the Jedi Order, they're as close to being dark Jedi without actually being labeled as dark Jedi." Kirk explained, and then closed his eyes as more pain shot through his body.

"What's wrong?" Natie asked, coming over.

"Just my body having a fit because I won't take care of myself," Kirk joked with a faint smile. Natie wasn't smiling though.

"You're seriously injured," She turned to Brookes, "Will you help him, Brookes?"

Brookes shifted uneasily but then nodded. "I believe that he's not with that Neros. But as soon as he's healed, he has to leave. We can't have Jedi in here." Brookes then went into the other room.

Natie smiled at Kirk, "He can be stubborn, but Brookes is a good guy at heart."

Kirk nodded, "I believe you." He then used the force to supress his pain. "Is he a doctor?"

Natie shrugged, "Once upon a time, yes. He was one of the protégées at his medical school but they kicked him out of the hospital because he refused to treat a Peace Brigade member."

Kirk's insides twisted. Just like the bias against James. Kirk put aside his comment for the moment, "So you all decided to be bounty hunters?"

"We formed to stop Peace Brigade members from killing and turning over people to the Vong. Nokir was almost turned over to them, but we busted him and a bunch of other captured Jedi out of a stronghold."

"We've been stealing from Brigade members since then," Brookes said as he came into the room, now wearing a clean collared shirt and doctor's overcoat. He walked over and began to inspect Kirk's injuries.

"I'll treat you, so come into the other room where I have all my supplies," Brookes said flatly. Kirk nodded and tried to push himself up, but Natie and Nokir took one side and helped Kirk along.

"No use in making it any worse," Natie said. Kirk was already almost unconscious from exhaustion so he didn't respond. He couldn't even keep a straight track of his current situation and flashes of his past that he was getting.

"Kirk, watch where you're swinging that lightsaber!" Thirteen year old Nina yelled. She grabbed Kirk's wrist. "You're going to kill somebody if you don't keep your grip in control."

"I'm holding it right!" Kirk yelled back. In his fifteen year old mind, Kirk always knew he was right.

"No, you're not," She chided, "That's why I'm telling you to stop moving so I can show you how to use it."

"I'm fine," He then pulled away and began to swing the lightsaber around and it slipping from his hands and cut a gash in his outstretched hand. Kirk dropped the lightsaber in shock and the blade clicked itself off.

"What happened?" Luke called as he came striding over.

"Nothing, Master," Kirk said in a huffy voice. Luke looked to Nina for an explanation.

"Kirk was swinging the lightsaber and he cut himself, Master Skywalker," Nina said honestly. Kirk glared at her then turned on his teacher.

"I'm older, I know how to use a lightsaber." Kirk insisted. Luke nodded.

"I'm sure you do," The Jedi Master answered soothingly, "But you can still learn from your peers while you train. It might help to prevent accidents like this one."

Kirk mumbled something under his breath and Luke laughed, "I might be an insufferable know it all, Kirk, but I am still more seasoned in my Jedi skills than you two are."

"Says who?" Kirk asked. To that, Luke had no answer. Kirk always asked the unanswerable questions.

"Kirk? Kirk?" A voice brought Kirk around. "He's awake, Brookes." Kirk moaned and opened his eyes to stare at Natie who was sitting in a chair next to the couch where Kirk was laid out with blankets.

"You look better," Brookes said in his impassive voice. Kirk wondered if that was just how Brookes was, or if he'd been different before the hospital kicked him out.

"I almost thought you wouldn't wake up," Natie said to the barely conscious Kirk who stared drearily around him and then back at Natie.

"Don't be dramatic, Natie, his injuries weren't serious." Brookes said with a frown. Natie pursed her lips at her brother and then scowled.

"Just because you have the emotional capacity of a trash can doesn't mean we all have to be that way, Brookes." Natie argued. Kirk silently found himself wishing he could be in quieter company. He had a huge headache and he was still sore from whatever procedure Brookes had given him.

"Fine, but leave me out of this," Brookes said, ending their argument that Kirk had tuned out of, "But don't come crying to me when it ends badly. Jedi always get caught up in death one way or another." Brookes then walked out of the room and into the med-room where Kirk was treated, slamming the door behind him.

Natie winced and then turned to Kirk, "Sorry about that. Brookes used to date a Jedi."

Kirk gave Natie a sympathetic look that he'd have directed at Brookes otherwise. "What happened to her?"

Natie shrugged, "I don't know the whole story since it was Brookes who was with her when she died."

Kirk's expression turned bitter, "Yuuzhan Vong?"

Natie nodded, "The same hospital that Brookes was kicked out of, failed to save her life." Kirk felt a pang at those words. Kirk knew better than to prejudge people, as a Jedi he could tell the true natures of the people around him. Brookes' had been shrouded in an unidentifiable grief when Kirk first used to the force to sense Brookes feelings.

"I understand," Kirk replied gently, meaning it. "I lost someone a long time ago." He wasn't really sure why he'd told Natie of all people this. He'd only just met her, what was now hours ago because of the medical treatment and she wasn't anyone that he'd normally have wanted to tell something like that to. She was too sincere and open hearted to be able to be anything more than a stopping point in Kirk's life. This wasn't a permanent place for him and these people would just become faces to Kirk. He didn't connect to people for a long time, that's just how things were.

"That's horrible," Natie said with an almost frightened look on her face. Kirk now wished he'd never said anything at all. "What happened to her?"

"I killed her," Kirk answered, once again his mind had spoken without his own volition.

"What do you mean?" Natie asked, Kirk definitely did not want to have this conversation, yet he was having it anyways.

"She died in childbirth and it was my fault she ended up in that situation." Kirk replied in the same impassively heavy tone that Brookes had used. This didn't go unnoticed by Natie. Without really thinking too much about his words Kirk continued, "Loving someone only causes pain. It's not worth it. Your brother's right."

Natie flinched, "You don't actually believe that, do you?" She asked.

"I do, and I have for a long time," Kirk answered sternly. Natie was obviously naïve. It was no wonder that Brookes didn't want her going too far. "You should listen to Brookes."

"Don't talk down to me, Kirk," She said, "I'm twenty five, I can take care of myself." Kirk shook his head with an exasperated sigh,

"I've been through a lot more than you or your brother," Kirk explained.

"What? You're not much older than I am." She said. "Why should you be able to tell me what to do?"

"I'm twenty eight, Natie, and no that's not that much older, but sometimes experiences aren't about age." Kirk looked at the door where Kirk sensed that Brookes was quietly listening to his conversation with Natie. "Your brother doesn't want you to get hurt."

"Who'd hurt me?" Natie asked, "You won't," She added confidently. Kirk shook his head.

"You don't know that. Just because someone tells you to trust them, that isn't always the end of it." Kirk frowned deeply so that his forehead creased. "It's usually the beginning."

"Well, I trust you, so are you just going to attack me to prove a point?" Natie asked, her own expression growing grim. Kirk sighed again.

"No, but if I was anyone else wandering around, all three of you could be dead," Kirk paused, "Or if I still was who I was ten years ago you guys would be dead right now, I wouldn't have hesitated. Most people don't."

Natie raised an eyebrow, "Kirk, I'm a bounty hunter, I know not to hesitate."

Kirk frowned, "So why didn't you shoot me?"

She gave him an amused look, "What, shoot an injured man while he's half conscious?" Natie laughed, "I'm a bounty hunter, not a murderer-" Suddenly her eyes flickered with the light of Kirk's newly built lightsaber, since he'd given the other one to James, this one was a dark blue.

"I'm telling you this for your own good, Natie," Kirk said without any emotion, his voice was cold and firm, "Don't trust me. The moment you do, you'll end up just like your brother said. I live alone and I work alone. Some Jedi would gladly accept you as a friend, but I'm not one of them." He then closed down his lightsaber and let his head sink back onto the pillow. Natie finally recovered from her shock to stare at Kirk.

"What happened to you?" She asked. "I've never met anyone so indifferently bitter."

Kirk laughed hollowly, "Then you haven't talked to very many people because I'm actually willing to warn people."

Natie folded her arms across her chest, "Huh, and I'm supposed to be grateful for that?"

Kirk shrugged, "Take it how you wish. But I'm leaving as soon as it's morning." The door to Brookes' room opened and he walked over to Kirk and placed a set of clothes comprised of plain loose trousers, a down flight jacket, and a brown tunic and black vest.

"Here, I had some spare civilian clothes," Brookes said, "The best way out of here is through the alleyway to the left, it leads straight to the lifts to the docking bay on the first level. No one goes down there so you can slip out unnoticed," Then as if as an afterthought Brookes said, "May the force be with you, Kirk." Then Brookes went back into his room and shut the door behind him.

Natie stared at Kirk who was obviously left out of the strangeness of what just happened. Nokir was standing off to the side and had heard the entire exchange as well. His expression was one of definite surprise.

"What?" Kirk finally ventured.

"Brookes has never lent his clothes to anyone," Natie said, shaking her head. "He must have heard what you'd said because he doesn't connect to anyone that easily."

Kirk gave a hard stare in Natie's direction, "Don't think much of it. I'm leaving."

Natie stopped herself from almost punching Kirk, "My brother shows some compassion for the first time in years and you're telling me not to think about it?" Natie asked incredulously. "Listen, Kirk, you have no idea what Brookes has been like since she died."

Kirk smiled wryly, "Actually, I have a pretty good idea," He glanced at the door to Brookes' room, "He's exactly like I was ten years ago. It'll pass."

"So he'll just become as isolated and bitter as you?" Natie said angrily. "What's comforting about that?"

"Natie," Nokir said, holding her arm.

"No, let him answer, Nokir," Natie insisted coldly, "Well, Kirk?"

"Life isn't about comfort," Kirk replied, "Not for a Jedi." Kirk said and then was silent.

Nokir continued to hold Natie's arm until she stopped breathing heavily and fuming. "How can you just give up? How can you live with being so unhappy?"

"Natie," Nokir cut in, "It is not your choice."

"Kirk?" Her voice was now a little more than a whisper, "Why did you give up?"

Kirk's eyes showed the obvious detachment that had been there for years, "You have your life ahead of you, Natie. Mine has already gone ahead of me and turned me into a hollow shell. It's not your responsibility to help someone like me. I know you're only trying to do the right thing, but it's not up to you what happens to me."

Natie's shoulder slumped in resign and she started away, letting Nokir's hand drop to his side. "Goodbye, Kirk." She said before going into the room next to her brother's and closing the door.

"I know you do not wish to hear this," Nokir said to Kirk, "But it is possible for you to fix what has happened in the past, Master Dekim."

Kirk blinked, "Nokir, I remember you," Kirk gave the Chiss a sober look, "You're one of the Chiss that helped me to raid those ships."

Nokir nodded, "It is hard to forget such a warrior when he destroys all in his path," The Chiss said, nodding towards Kirk.

"Then you know why someone like me shouldn't be around Natie," Kirk looked significantly at Nokir, "She's already been through enough with Brookes, she shouldn't have to hear what I've done."

"Your mistakes, are simply that, mistakes," Nokir answered with a hard stare, "You are a warrior, Master Dekim. No one expects your hands to be clean."

"Exactly," Kirk pointed out, "Natie is clean. I won't stay around her any longer than I have to."

"Natie has killed others herself, Master Dekim," The red eyes fixated on Kirk. "Do you honestly think a bounty hunter has no sense of what death is?"

Kirk opened his mouth and then shut it. "I'm not staying, Nokir. I'm a wanderer and I always will be. I'm sorry." Kirk inclined his head and raised his hand above his head in the Chiss form of apology.

"It is not to me that you must apologize," Nokir said with a shake of his dark haired head. "You are the one who deserves an apology for your pains."

Kirk nodded and inclined his head, "I thank you for your hospitality, Nokir of the Chiss."

"And I you, Kirk Dekim of the Jedi, " The Chiss then turned on his heel and was gone. Kirk pulled on the clothes and lay on the couch, staring up at the ceiling until morning came.

Anakin slowly took one last look around the grassy area. He had decided that it had been long enough since they'd come to the random as well as blissful planet to hide and now Anakin was sure that they needed to be on the move once more. Something in the back of his mind was troubling him. A warning bell had rung and he'd felt Jaina's pain followed by the sharp disturbance from somewhere else. In a distant part of the galaxy a threat lingered and Anakin knew that Xillanor was only the surface of that threat. It was possible that Xillanor wasn't even related to the threat Anakin felt.

All that Anakin knew was that he need to keep moving, no matter how far he went, or how long it would take them, Anakin wanted to keep everyone safe until he knew what exactly Xillanor was up to and more importantly, how to fight the mysterious bounty hunter: the same one that had killed Jacen and as a result, caused Anakin's entire family trouble and heartbreak. Jacen wasn't weak, so Anakin was almost soberly frightened of the chilly fact that this bounty hunter could easily eliminate a member of the Solo family.

Anakin frowned deeply at the sky before turning around to go back up the ramp where Tahiri was standing.

"What's wrong?" Tahiri asked.

"I'm getting a bad feeling from the force," He said in a low voice, "I'm not sure what it is though."

Tahiri nodded, "I feel it too."

Anakin shivered from the breeze passing by, "If you don't want to keep running, you should go back to Coruscant, where it's safe." Anakin said. Tahiri snorted.

"Are you kidding? What makes you think I'd do that?" She asked incredulously. He shrugged.

"I just thought I'd try to convince you to go while it's still an option," He offered. Tahiri sighed.

"We're in this together or not at all, Hero Boy," She replied with a slight amount of anger. Anakin nodded.

"What's really bothering you?" Tahiri asked.

"I don't know," He said, his agitation at the fact creeping into his voice, "The feeling that there's so much more to Xillanor and Jacen's death that I don't know about, it's frustrating and scary. I want to know what to do before it's too late and someone else gets hurt or dies because I couldn't figure out what's going on."

Tahiri nodded, "We'll figure it out then." She replied confidently but stopped when she sensed the extreme nerve wrecked feeling she was getting from Anakin.

"This isn't like you, Anakin," She said, concern etched onto her face. "You might lose face but you're never this unnerved."

He gritted his teeth, "That's because before now all of my family had been alive."

Tahiri knew Anakin's feeling well. She'd lost Sliven, but before he'd been killed Tahiri had been on pins and needles to help him.

"You two ready to go?" Adrock asked. The pilot had decided to tag along in his X-Wing. His interest in finding out about the attackers and Xillanor was peaked and now Adrock was as invested in the search as Anakin was.

"Yeah," Anakin said airily and turned and went into the cockpit, his eyes still unfocused and full of dread.

"What do you mean she's being held?" Leia demanded of the doctor standing before her. The doctor stared unflinchingly at Leia, who was just as tall as he was.

"Your daughter is unstable emotionally, she needs more care here," The doctor stated firmly, "Please understand, we're doing this for her own health."

"Excuse me, but I think I know better than you do how to take care of my daughter," Leia replied evenly.

"I'm sorry, this is hospital policy," The doctor said, "We can't release a patient who is prone to violence towards herself or anyone else."

Leia clenched her teeth, "Your policy?" She snapped. A hand touched her shoulder.

"Leia, let them take care of Jaina," Luke said gently.

After a moment Leia relented, "I'm going home." She stated and started off down the hall. Luke rounded on the doctor.

"Do you have any training on how to handle someone who's under that kind of stress?" He demanded. The doctor took a step back.

"Well, I-"

"Then I suggest you give your policy a little more thought, Doctor." Luke's voice was almost a growl. He turned on his heel and was gone.

"That's Luke Skywalker," Another doctor said in amazement, "You pissed off Luke Skywalker."

The other sighed, "Don't remind me."

Jaina moaned and opened her eyes. Her memory of the night before was fuzzy but she seemed to remember being in Jacen's room and then…. Yes, she'd gone and picked up his training lightsaber and then tried to stab herself to death. But Leia had come in before then and Jaina had passed out.

She turned and noticed the IV in her arm and without a single thought pulled it out.

Leia's head jerked around as she heard a commotion in the ICU ward. She turned around and bolted through the doors. As she entered she heard the loud continuous blare of the life monitor in Jaina's room.

"Jaina!" Leia cried before she was stopped by one of the doctors. "Jaina!"

A/N- Another cliffie! Hee! Good thing is that I'm updating again tonight (might be really late but I will). Please review!! =)

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