New chapter up. This one will have some interactions between Kia and Aric. Enjoy.

Jace went directly to Kia's apartment at the end of the day. It was late, almost midnight, and he was tired. All he wanted to do was fall asleep with Kia in his arms, but he wasn't sure if that was possible anymore.

Kia hadn't answered her holo all day and she hadn't returned to talk to him, either. He didn't know if she was even interested in seeing him right now, but he couldn't just go home. He needed to fight for the woman he loved. He couldn't do what he had done with Satele, just letting her walk away without argument. His interactions with Kia earlier in the day were too much like how things ended with Satele and that thought scared him.

The apartment was dark and, for a moment, he thought maybe Kia wasn't there, but when he entered her bedroom he found her lying in her bed, her back to him. He thought she was asleep, but she turned around and locked eyes with him. Jace didn't see any anger in them.

"Long day." Kia said. It wasn't a question. She looked so tired.

Jace sat down on the edge of the bed next to her. "One of the longest of my life."

"I'm sorry I walked out on you today. I was just finding your emotions a little hard to take in. I've had a hard time with my empathy since Mia disappeared, but that's no excuse to leave as I did." Kia sounded just as tired as Jace felt. "Undiluted hate has never been an easy emotion for me to handle and, I'm sorry to say it, but sometimes you have quite a bit of hate in you."

"I'm sorry for being so blunt. I was just…"

Kia smiled up at him. "You were being honest. You feel the way you feel. You've seen too much war and death in your life to simply disregard your beliefs and your feelings, even for me. I understand." She sat up and placed a hand on his cheek, much like he had done to her earlier in the day. "I don't like how the former Imperials are being treated, or your attitude towards it. I probably never will, but I understand. Can we just agree to disagree and move to the part where we hold each other until we fall asleep?"

Jace leaned in and kissed her gently. He was willing to do almost anything to prevent her from leaving a room in anger again. "Sounds like a plan."

One week later, Kia stood on her balcony, looking out over the bustling city. She was dressed in a more formal robe than usual, opting for a long, dress like, light green robe, rather than her tunic she usually wore. This outfit wasn't for battle. This outfit was for mourning.

She wasn't ready to give up on her sister, but she understood how the military worked. They couldn't keep her status as MIA indefinitely. This ceremony was to honor Mia's service to the Republic she loved and gave her life to protect. They were also granting her the rank of Colonel. Kia didn't understand the military's need to promote the dead, like a soldier would actually care what rank they are after their death. It was meant as a show of respect, but it still didn't make much sense to Kia.

Almost reluctantly, she left her balcony, closing the door behind her. She wished Jace could be there with her, but with Kia being the honorees twin sister, all eyes would be on her today, even with Jorgan in attendance. Not many people knew he had been married to his CO, but it was plainly obvious Kia was her sister.

Jace and Kia had decided to attend the service separately, so as not to give away their relationship. At that moment, Kia was beginning to think it would be worth the council finding out about them, if he could be there with her, holding her hand. He was attending and speaking at the service, of course, but it wasn't the same.

With a final deep breath and a quick recitation of the Jedi code to calm herself, she left her apartment and headed to the square, where the service was to be held. None of the masters from Tython would physically be in attendance, but they would be via holo. Kia was happy about that. Force sense was less sensitive over distances.

Kia didn't remember much about the world around her as she sat through the service. Jace spoke, as well as General Lussic, the new commander of special forces. Kia could see Aric Jorgan sitting a few seats over. His emotions were chaotic, to say the least, though you would never be able to tell from looking at him. The cathar was the pinnacle of calm on the outside.

The whole thing was harder than Kia had ever thought possible, but she maintained her composure. As soon as it was over, she slipped out to a quiet part of one of the side gardens next to the senate tower as the crowd dispersed. She kept running the Jedi code through her mind, trying desperately to control her emotions, to find some form of balance. She was half way through her fifth time through the code when she felt Jace approach.

She opened her eyes, just as he took her hand and led her into a shadowy corner of the garden, out of direct view. Once they were out of sight, he pulled her to him. As soon as she was secured in his arm, she began to tremble, the Jedi code forgotten. Kia simply let him hold her, not caring about anything else.

"It's alright." He said quietly. "Just breath."

After several minutes, Jace could feel Kia take a deep breath, letting it out slowly. She pulled away, straightening her robe. "I'm okay."

Jace looked at her skeptically. "Are you sure?"

Kia closed her eyes, taking another deep breath. "Yes. I just needed you." She opened her eyes and smiled at him. "And you came."

"You didn't need to be an empath to sense you were about to lose it during the ceremony. Or maybe, I just know you better than most."

Kia continued to look at Jace, but she seemed to almost be looking through him, past him. "Right now, I have a more pressing concern. If what I'm sensing is correct, Aric is about to get himself thrown out of the military...very publicly."

"You take care of your brother in law and I'll deal with the chancellor and the general." He paused for a few breaths, giving Kia a worried look. "You're sure you're okay?"

"No. But I think I will be."

Jace nodded, understanding her meaning, and they both headed towards the commotion coming from where the service had been held. They found the newly promoted commander of Havoc Squad arguing with Chancellor Saresh and General Lussic. They could tell the chancellor was losing her patience...not that she had much to begin with when it came to emotions.

"I'm just saying, Sir, I think declaring the Major KIA is being premature."

"It's been almost a year, Major. You're letting your personal feelings get in the way of reality. You can't let go." Lussic said calmly, his experience with being in command showing in his demeanor. "I know you were close, but…"

Jorgan almost growled and started to reply, but was interrupted when Kia placed a hand on the cathar's arm.

"Excuse me, Chancellor, General, can I borrow my brother in law for just a moment?" She asked, using the Force to nudge everyone to a calmer state.

"Of course, Master Jedi." Lussic said with a nod. "And I'm very sorry for your loss."

Kia smiled weakly at the general. He was being genuine with his sympathy and she appreciated it. Kia had found the new special forces commander to be just as iron willed as Garza, but just a tad less rigid. He reminded Kia of Jace at times.

"That's very kind of you, General. If you'll excuse us." Kia took Aric gently by the arm and pulled him away towards the speeders docking area, while Jace strolled up to take Jorgan's place. Once they were out of sight and sound of everyone, she stopped and turned him to face him.

"Do you honestly think you'll do anyone any good by getting yourself a psych discharge?"

Aric snorted, crossing his arms over his chest. "You don't believe Mia's dead anymore than I do."

"Yes, but I'm not going to go screaming it from the highest towers, either. The council would have me reporting back to Tython in a second. If you want to do what's best for everyone, Mia included, you'll stop fighting the brass and just do your job. If Mia's still alive, she's out there, probably somewhere Havoc Squad is likely to be sent. You're letting your emotions cloud your judgement."

Aric actually chuckled. "There's the Jedi in you. I was wondering when she'd come out."

Kia just rolled her eyes. "Come on." She took Aric by the arm again and headed towards the speeder dock. "We're getting a drink."

"I didn't know Jedi drank." Aric replied, allowing Kia to drag him along without argument.

"We normally don't, but right this minute, I need a drink...and so do you."

Without another word, they boarded a speeder and headed out into Coruscant.

To Be Continued