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This fic was originally posted on theforce.net, where I go by the screenname of SaberBlade. If you recognize this, don't worry, it isn't plagiarized; I'm simply reposting it here also.
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General Disclaimer: Star Wars belongs to George Lucas and the characters belong to their respective authors. Anything you don't recognize is mine; please respect my muse. I don't intend any infringement with this fic; it was created because I have an abiding love for Star Wars and a wish to share my interpretation of it with the world.
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Details:
Name: Whole
Time Frame: Post-NJO
Pairing: Kyp Durron and Jaina Solo
Rating: PG to PG-13
Post: Chapter 5 of ?
Story Status: Work in Progress
Notes: There is a prequel, Broken, which can be found both on this site and on theforce.net. I recommend reading it before this fic, though it isn't technically needed. This story starts a few hours after Broken ends.
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As always, reviews are appreciated.
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Han put a finger under his collar and tugged. "Damn formal outfit," he muttered. "Leia, honey, can't you tell them I'm just an upstart old smuggler and should be allowed to dress the part?"
Leia was fiddling with her hair, trying to finish pinning up the long braid. "Stop complaining, Han," she said, never taking her eyes from the mirror. "At least you're not in uniform."
That was true enough, Han reflected absently. He came forward, took the pin his wife was struggling with, and carefully managed to insert it properly, trailing his hand along the smooth plait as he finished. She was beautiful. Twenty, thirty years- he could never remember how many- and she was still the exquisite woman Luke had rescued. He couldn't take his eyes off their reflection in the mirror. Leia's delicate face, pale smooth skin now lightly lined with age, thick hair with a few white strands, still regal and serene, wearing a pale green gown- she looked every inch the princess she had been. He loomed large behind her, face craggy with the years, hair nearly all grey, hand large and scarred on her shoulder. Han always wound up feeling somehow clumsy and rough beside her.
"Thank you," Leia whispered. One small hand came up and covered his.
Swallowing sentiment aside, Han winked at her. "Ready now, Princess?"
She turned away and slipped under his arm. "Let's go," she said. She absently smoothed his collar and batted his hand away from it. "The twins will have beaten us there."
It was a long quiet ride to the Council rooms, but the High Council had yet to meet when they arrived. It didn't take long for Han to find his children, even in the milling crowd of Jedi and diplomats. Jacen was easy to find; his wife's bodyguards were rather more obvious that Leia's Noghri.
Jacen's beard never failed to make Han feel old. That his little boy was old enough to have a beard was somehow wrong. He also preferred not to think about the fact that his little boy was also a father now. Jacen stood with his wife, who, despite being Queen of Hapes, was clad in a simple Jedi robe. She held their son in her arm; Veren had his arms wrapped around his mother's neck, and was resting his head on her shoulder.
It was an odd feeling, being a grandfather.
Leia steered Han through the crowd towards them. Jaina was standing beside her twin, looking uncomfortable in her formal dress uniform. Han had to fight down at grin. Jaina looked like her mother had twenty years ago, but she had definitely taken more than the Solo name from his side of the family. Disliking dress uniforms was what he considered a very long-standing tradition from his side of the family.
Jacen looked up from the conversation first and stepped forward to hug his mother. "Mom, Dad, you're just in time."
Jaina sighed, glanced down at her uniform, and offered her father a handshake. "I'd hug you, but I doubt that's allowed," she said wryly. To Han's delight, she wriggled a finger under her collar and tugged it away from her throat. "Why do I put up with this?"
Leia glanced at Han, and he quickly turned his answer into another. "For the good of the holoreporters," he said instead.
She snorted, clearly unhappy. "I must be the only Jedi in here not wearing my robes."
Leia stepped forward diplomatically, smoothing down the stiff black uniform, straightening the rank pins, brushing Jaina's immaculately combed hair behind her shoulders. "You look nice, Jaina. Important."
"Great. So I'm important. Can't I be important in something comfortable?"
"Not in the military," Han informed her. She only glared at him. "So when's this party supposed to start?"
"In ten minutes," Tenel Ka supplied. Her grey eyes scanned the room swiftly. "The High Council members are starting to gather."
"Speaking of High Council members," Jacen said as Kyp Durron, a young Twi'lek girl behind him, wove his way to their small circle.
"Hey, kid," Han said, grinning.
Kyp glanced at him. "I'm almost forty, Han. I don't think that makes me a kid."
Han's grin spread. "I still call Luke a kid. Trust me, you're a kid."
Kyp knew better to argue. Instead, he turned to Jaina. "I need a favor," he began.
Jaina's eyes flicked to the Twi'lek, then back to Kyp. "Done," she said. "Don't worry about it."
"Thanks."
Had Han missed something? He glanced at his wife, but she looked just as confused.
Kyp's attention focused on Jacen. "Master Skywalker wants to see you," he said.
Jacen frowned. "But the meeting's about to start."
"Don't remind me. But he told me to bring you along."
"All right." Jacen's frown smoothed away, and he turned to his wife. "You'll be in the waiting room?"
She nodded. "I shall let Yther know you will be arriving late."
"Thanks." He kissed her forehead and tugged at his son's hair. "See you in a bit."
Kyp had waited through the exchange, then nodded. "This is Keshli Arranas, my apprentice," he said, introducing the Twi'lek who was desperately trying not to be nervous. "Keshli, various Solos."
Jaina smiled at the girl, who's lekku were twitching nervously. "I hope you don't mind waiting with us," she said.
"No, General Solo," Keshli whispered, looking at the ground.
"Which room are you going to be in afterwards?" Kyp asked Leia.
She told him, then added, "Tell Mara she's welcome to join us, if she wants."
"I will. Keshli, I'll come back for you after the meeting. Thanks, Goddess." He glanced at Jacen. "Ready?"
"Lead on."
The two men made their way through the crowd toward the large double doors at the end of the room, where most of the High Council was assembling. Han watched as Luke greeted Jacen and ushered him past the doors, followed by most of the Council members.
Leia had watched him disappear past the doors, and looked confused. "I wonder why Luke needs Jacen."
Tenel Ka shifted her son's weight. "Perhaps Master Skywalker wishes to consult with him," she suggested. "Veren and I will go to our waiting room; I am sure we will see you afterwards."
Leia nodded, and a smile sprung to her lips. "You get bigger every day," she told Veren, who was staring at her with wide brown eyes.
"Gramma," he said, and reached a tiny hand out.
Leia laughed and took his hand. "I'll see you after the meeting," she told him.
Apparently satisfied, Veren again buried his head against his mother's shoulder. Tenel Ka nodded to them and turned to make her way to her private waiting room, flanked by her bodyguards. The rest of the crowd was beginning to diminish, as diplomats hurried to their waiting rooms and Jedi crowded together around holoscreens to await the final words of the High Council.
"Well," Han said, and rubbed his hands together. "Can we go someplace where I can sit down and not worry about holocams?"
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Reviews make my day! Tell me what you think I did well or horribly. I appreciate constructive criticism and honest appraisals…
Thanks!
-Keth
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