The Fountain Inn Dining Room

Valentia, Jelucan

"DALVEN!" Ganaire flew out of her seat and threw her arms around her oldest son. She was laughing and crying and…

"Ganaire?" Geth asked.

Thane had risen and held out his hand, which Geth shook while glancing back at Ganaire hugging Lieutenant Kyr…. Kyrell. Thane Kyrell. Dalven Kyrell. Ganaire…

"Ganaire Kyrell." Geth said as he stepped back from Thane and sat in a chair looking thunderstruck.

Thane approached Dalven and held out his hand, "Dalven." Dalven accepted his hand and shook lightly. Ganaire beamed at her two sons standing there together. She sat down and looked at Ciena who had a…strange…expression.

Dalven started to put it together. "General Pikson, is this the party you were meeting? Beeeeeeeecause….this is my family."

"Lieutenant Kyrell, please have a seat and join us. I'm here to meet Ganaire's son. I'm pretty sure I heard son – singular, but right now I'm not too certain about much."

Ganaire had a sudden and horrifying epiphany. In all her joy, in her daze of complete bliss, she became the single stupidest individual that ever walked any planet in the Galaxy.

"Oh my…Geth….I'm so sorry. Please, let me explain. Please." Ganaire's eyes were pleading, her expression desperate. Geth finally looked at her and saw her, his Gan, and his heart squeezed so tightly in his chest he had an internal moment of panic. High stress job, deadly Vader boy on the lamb, his target in operation Caree is marrying the dead, but not dead, defector who is the son of the woman he…

"Eh-hem. If you will excuse me, I need a moment of privacy. Order anything you'd like – it's being charged to my room. Um… Excuse me." Geth stood, military straight, turned and walked briskly toward the hallway entrance. Ganaire looked around the table at her sons and soon to be daughter with probably the most agonized expression any of them had displayed in the endless heavy conversations and revelations of the past few days.

"Mom?" Thane moved to sit next to her, Dalven on the other side. Ganaire just lowered her head and shook it quickly. Dalven noticed the tears starting to fall on her beige silk skirt. He looked up at Thane and the two knew exactly what the other was thinking. They both stood and walked quickly to the hallway door, which had an attendant that conveniently looked at his shoes when he saw the Kyrell boys' expressions. Geth's leg was disappearing in the last door on the right, and Dalven broke into a flat run to get there before the door shut. Thane followed.

Success! "General Pikson, sir!" Dalven practically shouted. Geth turned to see the one Kyrell boy doing what had to be a rather painful, though not quite perfect split, with his one foot blocking the sliding door.

"I got it, Dalven. You can stand up now." Thane had his hands on the door now.

"Um….brother…no, I don't think I can. I'm stuck." Thane, in spite of the gravity of the situation, busted out laughing.

"Oh yah, let's all laugh at Dalven who tried to help mom and got stuck!"

"In a SPLIT! Oh stars I hope there are cameras on this floor." Thane couldn't stop laughing.

"Thane, I'm going to kick your ass when…"

"Acrobatics class is over? A crane happens by? Oooo, oooo, I know - a Jedi levitates you from that impressive position?" Thane had tears streaming down his face. Then he got a look a Commander…-er General Pikson's expression. Not. Happy.

"Seriously brother, you really can't move at all? Tell me what to do?"

Dalven looked up at Thane pleading for help – he must be in pain. "Here, I'll hook my arms under yours and lift. Sound good?"

"Yah, let's try it." While it took a little time and several expletives were likely heard in every room on the hall, Dalven finally made it to a standing position, albeit legs not quite together. He "waddled" into the General's room. Thane followed.

"Seriously man, I'm sorry," Thane said.

"Later. We've got more pressing matters." Dalven replied, staring daggers at the General.

General Pikson stood staring at the two brothers, angst and confusion obvious in his face, posture, mannerisms – the man was seriously upset.

Thane stepped forward, "Please, General. My mom doesn't know everything. She wasn't intentionally deceiving you. She's an honest, loving person who met, in her words, an honest, loving man. She was so excited for you to meet us - I don't think her mind was on the complications beyond the normal family introduction nerves."

Geth's shoulders relaxed a little. "She clearly didn't know Lieutenant Kyrell was in town. I can see that for myself."

"That's correct, sir. Ciena and I forgot to tell her because the moment she got home she asked us to listen to this long story about my dad and the divorce and then meeting you. It was a little distracting. Sorry again, Dalven. We intended to tell her, I swear."

"Boys, I asked for privacy. Are you going to afford me this privacy or do I need to kick your asses out of my room?"

"You'll do no such thing, Geth. My boys have had enough beatings from their father, and I will not stand by and watch them get another - even if they are being complete and total Bantha asses! Boys! Get out of this man's room, now!" Both boys' mouths dropped in shock. Neither had ever heard their mother curse. "Go!" She pointed toward the door.

Thane was eyeing Geth with a vicious expression that said, "Hurt my mom and you'll pay for it!"

Dalven, as he left, threw out his contribution which was less than awesome: "Is your new potty mouth something we can credit the General with?" Thane grabbed Dalven out of the door and it slid closed.

"Privacy, Gan. Is this not something your family understands?"

"Maybe not as well as we should. But we corner the market on running. You just ran away from me, my beautiful, soon to be daughter-in-law, and my sons because we've run into a….a….hiccup."

"Excuse me? A hiccup? This is not a hiccup, Ganaire. This is a disaster. I'm afraid you don't understand." He wouldn't look at her now. He sat in his chair with the back to the door – and Ganaire..

"And you're perfectly okay with that." Her voice started to tighten and she knew she was an ugly crier. She would just have to face the music on that, too. "You are okay with….lea…ving me in…the….dark. That's it?" She was sobbing now, her words barely intelligible. She saw his head tilt down. He waved his hand for her to come over. She came around the chair and knelt on the floor in front of him.

"Will you tell me what you know?"

She nodded, wide eyed and eager to say or do whatever he asked as long as it wasn't leave. "As long as we are naked," she said without a hint of humor.

"What? Have you lost your mind?" His face was incredulous.

"No. A therapist at the center recommends discussing hard to resolve situations naked. That way no one can just walk out. You have to get dressed first to leave. It's a natural cool off opportunity."

Geth rubbed his forehead with his fingers. "That is not at all how I imagined this evening going. Not even the funnest part. Gan, I can't do it. No."

"Okay, how about a compromise? Just pants and skirt."

"Deal. You can't tell anyone I did this."

"Deal." Pants and skirt were on the floor.

"Now, What did you know."

"My son, who I thought was dead, shows up with Ciena near death. I learned troopers visited the Rees to say they were looking for her, but were leaving. We put her in the tank to heal. Then a unit of Imperials came with an injured soldier. With help from the Jedi, we got Ciena out of the Clinic before you arrived. Then I met you – and you kissed me and I felt alive for the first time in half my life. I knew your troopers left, and truly did not know why you were still here. I wasn't hiding my family from you – I had no idea you didn't know my last name. It embarrasses me that after…after our time together you don't know my last name. I still do not know how you knew my son before tonight. It seems as though you've met.

My son is a New Republic pilot, my other son is an Imperial Lieutenant. My husband, who severely beat my youngest son and was rough with my older son, left me and our divorce papers are filed. I'm extremely wealthy and don't care a thing about money except to keep my family safe and support the causes I care for.

Oh, I, um, I x-rayed a datapad you had that had Ciena's name on it. You left it on, lying on the reception table. This was before you kissed me. I wouldn't have after. I do feel really badly about doing it, it was wrong, but I was panicked after the tank craziness. And I didn't know you."

Geth tried to consider what she knew. "Are you aware I visited your home last night and met with the Rees, Ciena, Thane, Kendy, Grhan and Luke Skywalker?"

Ganaire looked genuinely surprised. "No. I had no idea."

"Did you know Dalven works with Nash Windrider?"

"I haven't heard from Dalven since Thane's funeral. I didn't know Thane was alive until the day before I met you. There's been so much to process. I tried, but to be truthful means I have to admit I was almost exclusively preoccupied with us. It sounds silly – it's only been a few days, but I thought… I thought we were…"

Geth was staring at her, wanting her to finish that thought. "Thought we were?"

She didn't continue. Just shrugged her shoulders – a tiny shrug - and looked at the floor.

Geth stood, so Ganaire stood, albeit a few steps back. Geth stepped closer, "Thought we were…"

He stepped closer and was now literally standing toe-to-toe with her, looking down. He put his fingers under her chin and gently lifted her head to capture her gaze. "Thought we were…"

She broke his gaze and looked back down.

"Falling in love?" he offered. She looked back up at him and nodded. Her eyes reminded Geth of a little girl. So vulnerable and insecure.

Her voice was hoarse. She whispered, "Yes."

"Ganaire, I'm not falling in love with you," he said. Her head was back down and he once again lifted it back up. "I am in love with you."

Ganaire threw her arms up around his neck and placed her cheek on his chest. "I love you, Geth. I know it. It was the easiest thing I've ever done in my life – falling head over heels in love with you."

He leaned down and gave her a sweet, soft, warm kiss. Not a passionate kiss that would add some clothing to the pile. Just a "we're together in this" kiss. Ganaire loved that kiss.

"Okay, we need to regroup here. There's more going on than you – or any of you – understand. Dalven is aware of some of it, but we need to gather everyone together, including the Jedi, and prepare for the arrival of Nash Windrider. He's coming in his enhanced TIE – a formidable machine – and he's a ferocious pilot. With the X-Wings and shuttle, we have a chance to stop him in the air."

"When will he be here?" Ganaire looked terrified.

"We estimate four days." Her expression relaxed some, though concern had set in.

"Will you excuse me for a few minutes?" he asked.

Ganaire nodded and stepped into her skirt. He was headed for the door. "You're pants!" Geth stopped short of the door, looked down, and before he could say anything Gan said, "See, it works!" Geth threw on his pants and left the room. He was relieved to find the Kyrell boys and Ciena at the table. They were eating. Good, something normal.

Geth took a seat. "Your mom is exhausted. She just filled me in on everything she has known and I did the same. We compared notes. I think we have a good idea of what needs to be covered between us all. The most important thing to know at this moment is Nash has left his post in his TIE and is heading to Jelucan. We believe he will be here in four days. It is our hope the Jedi, the X-wings and shuttle with pilots will all help intercept Nash.

Ciena looked petrified. Thane pulled her close to him and gave her a squeeze.

The mysterious activities Nash was involved in were his trainings under the tutelage of Darth Vader. Vader discovered some Force abilities in Nash. The most worrisome aspect is our lack of knowledge as to what these abilities might be. Ciena, I believe we now have our answer as to where the darkness was coming from. You were right to be fearful of him. Boys, your mom is going to rest for a while. This shock took a toll on her. You can head down and say goodnight to her if you'd like. I'm sure she'd appreciate seeing you.

"Wait, you mean she's not coming home with us?" Thane asked.

"I know she's your mom. I had a mom, too. What I need you to know is I love her. I love her very, very much. I won't allow a single hair on her beautiful head to be harmed. Right now, she wants to nap for a while and then we'll talk some more. I'll bring her home in the morning and maybe then we can all meet? All of the "kids" looked at each other and shrugged.

"Okay," Thane said. Dalven nodded in agreement. Ciena just smiled dreamily as if she was in the middle of a real-life holoromance. Even Nash wouldn't spoil this moment for her.

"Will you just tell her goodnight for us, and we'll see her in the morning?" Ciena said. Thane looked at her and he followed her cue. He said, "Tell her we love her." Dalven nodded.

Please finish your meals and have desserts. They're really spectacular. Enjoy this night. After tonight, things are going to get difficult."

Geth stood up, moved to shake the boys' hands and Ciena's, which were warmly received. Ciena was still smiling. Thane was neutral. Dalven looked like he was in pain.

"See you in the morning."