You Set Me Free-Chapter 5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~``````
Danni cycled through each file of Yuuzhan Vong knowledge she had stored
away in her brain in search of a solution. She reviewed all her notes
concerning the modifications and anti-Vong inventions she had created over
the last several years. Nothing seemed to click. This dovin basal was
different from the ones on the Yuuzhan Vong ships, and she couldn't figure
out how to manipulate it to effect all of the others still lurking out in
space.
Even so, she would not give up. Danni Quee was not a quitter. Her mother had instilled that particular virtue in her at a young age, and it had served her well. It was especially useful when she was trapped on Helska 4 as she watched poor Miko Regalia be broken down by the Vong's torture. And it had helped her throughout this war. She'd been fortunate enough to create some very useful inventions that had saved millions of lives, but that wasn't enough for her. Right now lying in an oozing heap in front of her was a problem she simply had to solve, so she started her cycle all over again.
Every now and then she would hear Jacen chuckle from his seat on a sofa that had been placed off in a corner. It was probably because she talked to herself as she worked, or maybe it was her humming. Whatever the reason, she'd flashed him an embarrassed grin the first few times, but soon learned just to keep working.
Some time later, Dr. Ambross returned, his smile preceding him. He really was very attractive, Danni admitted, in a perfect, not-a-hair-out-of-place kind of way. However, he wasn't nearly as handsome as he thought he was. He had an offer for Danni.
"Have dinner with me, Danni," he proposed. "I've ordered us a delightful meal, and I know you must be famished." He grabbed her hand and looked boldly right into her eyes willing her to say yes.
Danni sensed the instant tension coming from the general vicinity of the sofa and she glanced over to see Jacen watching the scene with great interest even though his casual position appeared calm and collected.
D'vin sensed her hesitancy and tried another approach. "You wouldn't want me to dine alone, now would you?" His charm was smooth. She'd give him that much. She was almost tempted to say yes for one brief moment, but only because she was really hungry. However, she didn't even get a chance to answer.
"Dinner sounds great!" Jacen declared, walking up behind Danni and placing a possessive hand on her shoulder. "I'm starving!"
She glanced up at him and saw his big, phony smile. What was he playing at?
"Um-I-uh," the doctor stuttered, "I was prepared to feed only two, Danni and myself. I'm sure the galley can whip something up for you and bring it down here." He looked again to the petite woman sandwiched in between. "How about it, my dear? I'd love to hear more about the yammosk jamming techniques you discovered."
She felt Jacen press up against her back. "Hey, yeah," he interjected, "and then you could tell her about your family. Dr. Hegerty tells me your kids are beautiful. What are their names, again?"
Dr. Ambross's expression registered somewhere between total embarrassment and seething rage. Danni noticed his lip curl into a snarl before quickly spreading into another charming grin. "Perhaps I could, at that," he managed to say through clenched teeth.
"You have a family?" Danni asked. She was answered by both men in stereo.
"Yes, I do." "Yes, he does."
"Oh." She stepped out from the middle of the two men, realizing this showdown as some silly primal display to mark their territory. And she refused to be the 'territory'. "Well, D'vin while I appreciate your kind offer, I'm afraid I have to decline." She saw Jacen's almost imperceptible smirk of triumph and added, "This time." That wiped his face clean.
"Very well, then. Maybe another time."
"Perhaps," she replied with a warm smile. "But for now I'm going to stay here and keep working."
Dr. Ambross left soon after and was eventually followed by the other Imperial occupants of the lab. Now only Jacen and Danni remained. The young man sauntered over to the opposite side of the table from her and grinned that lopsided grin that reminded her of Han Solo.
"Alone at last," he teased.
She looked up from the datapad and glared at him. "What exactly were you trying to prove?" she demanded.
Not the reaction he had expected.
"Wh-what do you mean?" he stammered.
"You know perfectly well what I mean, Jacen Solo. You acted like I was some helpless creature who can't even think for myself," she fumed.
"Danni, I-I didn't mean to upset you," he explained. "I just wanted to protect you."
"From what? Did you honestly think I would go with him, especially when I'm right in the middle of such an important job? Do you think so little of me? I'm not a fool." Her cheeks were flushed and her lips pressed into a frown. She was mad.
Jacen had never seen this side of her before. "I know you're not a fool, and I would never doubt your sense of responsibility. You're one of the most dedicated people I know. Please, don't be angry, Danni. I'm sorry. I just. I just didn't like the advances he was making toward you. The man is married for Force sake!"
Danni softened when he revealed his concern. In fact, it was kind of flattering that he was defending her virtue. "Jacen, I'm not angry with you. I just wish you hadn't acted like some jealous boyfriend."
Boyfriend? he pondered. Is that what he had acted like?
"Well, you have to admit, the look on his face was priceless when I brought up his kids," Jacen snickered. "Definitely put a crimp in his style." He winked and she just stared at him shaking her head.
"Will you just go sit down so I can do my job?"
Jacen snapped to attention and gave her a mock salute. "Aye, aye, captain. Your wish is my command."
Danni groaned and rolled her eyes. "You're impossible." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~```
A loud clank jolted Jacen Solo from his sleep. He sat up straight and tried to orient himself. Slowly, he realized where he was--- on a couch in a lab on the Widowmaker--- and Danni was. He looked over to the examination table and found her right where he'd left her, only now she was fast asleep, her head resting on her arms and her long blond hair splayed across her shoulders. On the floor at the foot of her stool was her datapad, which he assumed was the source of the noise that had roused him.
He stood and stretched before walking over to her sleeping form. "Okay, sweetheart," he whispered, "time's up."
Jacen scooped her up into his arms and was surprised at how easy it was to lift her. She didn't wake as he shifted her around to get into a comfortable position. Using a bit of Force-inspired telekinesis, he lifted her datapad up and into his pocket. Now he was ready to go.
He made his way through the halls of the Imperial frigate and then back across the umbilical, which connected the two ships. As he walked, Danni snuggled in closer until he could hear her even breathing in his ear and feel her warm breath on his neck. Every few moments she would make little sounds of contentment in her sleep, and he found it rather unsettling. It made him think not so platonic types of thoughts about her, and the urge to kiss her was almost overwhelming.
Finally, he reached the Jade Shadow and his Uncle Luke was waiting for him.
"Looks like you've got your hands full," Luke said with a smile. "Need some help?"
"No, thanks. I've got it. I just need to get her to her room."
"Sure thing. But after you're finished tucking in sleeping beauty there, come back and see me. I have a few questions for you."
"Okay," Jacen replied over his shoulder. He was already on his way down the corridor that led to Danni's room. When he arrived at his destination, he again used the Force to open her door. Once inside he walked to her bed, ready to deposit his precious cargo onto it.
"Jacen?" she whispered in his ear.
"Yeah?" he replied, glad for the delay. He wasn't quite ready to let her out of his arms just yet.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you," she apologized softly, raising her head up to look at him, her eyes heavy with sleep.
"It's okay, Danni. I deserved it."
"No you didn't," she added, and then she placed a tender kiss on the side of his face. The warmth of her lips was like fire. She nestled comfortably back into the crook of his neck, and all he could do was simply stand there enjoying the feel of her in his arms. It felt natural. meant to be.
Inevitably, he realized, he couldn't stand there forever, so he gently laid her on the bed, slipped off her shoes, and covered her up. She opened her eyes again for just a second and smiled at him, a smile that melted his heart. He couldn't resist. He leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"Good night, Danni," he whispered lovingly, brushing back her hair.
"G'night," she mumbled.
Jacen turned out the light and left her sleeping soundly. As he made his way back to the common area, he found himself contemplating what Danni meant to him. She was a friend, for certain, and had been since they'd first met. He'd once had a crush on her, along with several other young Jedi males back when he was a teenager, but now he wasn't a kid anymore. He was a man, and Danni was a woman. an amazingly beautiful, intelligent, compassionate woman that he loved being around. Was it possible she saw him as something more now?
He sighed. Had his father had similar feelings about his mother all those years ago? Oh, he'd heard the stories, but never related them to himself. Had Han Solo ever made a fool of himself because he was jealous of another man gaining Leia's attention? Jacen snickered. How could he forget? He recalled the story of how his father had kidnapped his mother when he thought she was going to marry Prince Isolder of Hapes. To this day, Leia Solo could always get what she wanted from Han by saying three simple words- -- "Remember Dathomir, dear?"
Jacen wasn't sure about a lot of things in his life, like exactly what part he was to play in the Force as a Jedi, but he was certain about one thing. He knew that he wanted a loving relationship like the one his parents had. one that made him a better person. one that offered strength when he alone was weak. one that was a haven from the winds of life that tossed him to and fro. And he wanted to be that same rock for someone else.
Was it Danni?
His private time was over. Luke grinned as Jacen entered the large common area. "Get her all tucked in?"
"Yeah," Jacen answered with a slight blush. "She was exhausted." He plopped down on the sofa next to his uncle.
"So, Saba tells me you made a new friend." He tried not to laugh, but couldn't help it. Thinking of Jacen facing off against a smarmy Imperial over a woman was amusing.
"Oh, there's more," Jacen snorted. "I made a complete nerf of myself in front of her. So, am I going to get a lecture now?"
"No," Luke assured him. "Saba told me what a creep he is. Jedi are supposed to look out for one another, which is what you were doing for Danni, right?"
"Right," Jacen said sheepishly. He paused and Luke studied the silence. "Uncle Luke, can you explain something to me?"
"Sure, Jace. What is it?"
"Women."
Laughter filled the air as Luke Skywalker smacked his nephew on the back. "Jacen, I'm still trying to figure them out myself."
Even so, she would not give up. Danni Quee was not a quitter. Her mother had instilled that particular virtue in her at a young age, and it had served her well. It was especially useful when she was trapped on Helska 4 as she watched poor Miko Regalia be broken down by the Vong's torture. And it had helped her throughout this war. She'd been fortunate enough to create some very useful inventions that had saved millions of lives, but that wasn't enough for her. Right now lying in an oozing heap in front of her was a problem she simply had to solve, so she started her cycle all over again.
Every now and then she would hear Jacen chuckle from his seat on a sofa that had been placed off in a corner. It was probably because she talked to herself as she worked, or maybe it was her humming. Whatever the reason, she'd flashed him an embarrassed grin the first few times, but soon learned just to keep working.
Some time later, Dr. Ambross returned, his smile preceding him. He really was very attractive, Danni admitted, in a perfect, not-a-hair-out-of-place kind of way. However, he wasn't nearly as handsome as he thought he was. He had an offer for Danni.
"Have dinner with me, Danni," he proposed. "I've ordered us a delightful meal, and I know you must be famished." He grabbed her hand and looked boldly right into her eyes willing her to say yes.
Danni sensed the instant tension coming from the general vicinity of the sofa and she glanced over to see Jacen watching the scene with great interest even though his casual position appeared calm and collected.
D'vin sensed her hesitancy and tried another approach. "You wouldn't want me to dine alone, now would you?" His charm was smooth. She'd give him that much. She was almost tempted to say yes for one brief moment, but only because she was really hungry. However, she didn't even get a chance to answer.
"Dinner sounds great!" Jacen declared, walking up behind Danni and placing a possessive hand on her shoulder. "I'm starving!"
She glanced up at him and saw his big, phony smile. What was he playing at?
"Um-I-uh," the doctor stuttered, "I was prepared to feed only two, Danni and myself. I'm sure the galley can whip something up for you and bring it down here." He looked again to the petite woman sandwiched in between. "How about it, my dear? I'd love to hear more about the yammosk jamming techniques you discovered."
She felt Jacen press up against her back. "Hey, yeah," he interjected, "and then you could tell her about your family. Dr. Hegerty tells me your kids are beautiful. What are their names, again?"
Dr. Ambross's expression registered somewhere between total embarrassment and seething rage. Danni noticed his lip curl into a snarl before quickly spreading into another charming grin. "Perhaps I could, at that," he managed to say through clenched teeth.
"You have a family?" Danni asked. She was answered by both men in stereo.
"Yes, I do." "Yes, he does."
"Oh." She stepped out from the middle of the two men, realizing this showdown as some silly primal display to mark their territory. And she refused to be the 'territory'. "Well, D'vin while I appreciate your kind offer, I'm afraid I have to decline." She saw Jacen's almost imperceptible smirk of triumph and added, "This time." That wiped his face clean.
"Very well, then. Maybe another time."
"Perhaps," she replied with a warm smile. "But for now I'm going to stay here and keep working."
Dr. Ambross left soon after and was eventually followed by the other Imperial occupants of the lab. Now only Jacen and Danni remained. The young man sauntered over to the opposite side of the table from her and grinned that lopsided grin that reminded her of Han Solo.
"Alone at last," he teased.
She looked up from the datapad and glared at him. "What exactly were you trying to prove?" she demanded.
Not the reaction he had expected.
"Wh-what do you mean?" he stammered.
"You know perfectly well what I mean, Jacen Solo. You acted like I was some helpless creature who can't even think for myself," she fumed.
"Danni, I-I didn't mean to upset you," he explained. "I just wanted to protect you."
"From what? Did you honestly think I would go with him, especially when I'm right in the middle of such an important job? Do you think so little of me? I'm not a fool." Her cheeks were flushed and her lips pressed into a frown. She was mad.
Jacen had never seen this side of her before. "I know you're not a fool, and I would never doubt your sense of responsibility. You're one of the most dedicated people I know. Please, don't be angry, Danni. I'm sorry. I just. I just didn't like the advances he was making toward you. The man is married for Force sake!"
Danni softened when he revealed his concern. In fact, it was kind of flattering that he was defending her virtue. "Jacen, I'm not angry with you. I just wish you hadn't acted like some jealous boyfriend."
Boyfriend? he pondered. Is that what he had acted like?
"Well, you have to admit, the look on his face was priceless when I brought up his kids," Jacen snickered. "Definitely put a crimp in his style." He winked and she just stared at him shaking her head.
"Will you just go sit down so I can do my job?"
Jacen snapped to attention and gave her a mock salute. "Aye, aye, captain. Your wish is my command."
Danni groaned and rolled her eyes. "You're impossible." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~```
A loud clank jolted Jacen Solo from his sleep. He sat up straight and tried to orient himself. Slowly, he realized where he was--- on a couch in a lab on the Widowmaker--- and Danni was. He looked over to the examination table and found her right where he'd left her, only now she was fast asleep, her head resting on her arms and her long blond hair splayed across her shoulders. On the floor at the foot of her stool was her datapad, which he assumed was the source of the noise that had roused him.
He stood and stretched before walking over to her sleeping form. "Okay, sweetheart," he whispered, "time's up."
Jacen scooped her up into his arms and was surprised at how easy it was to lift her. She didn't wake as he shifted her around to get into a comfortable position. Using a bit of Force-inspired telekinesis, he lifted her datapad up and into his pocket. Now he was ready to go.
He made his way through the halls of the Imperial frigate and then back across the umbilical, which connected the two ships. As he walked, Danni snuggled in closer until he could hear her even breathing in his ear and feel her warm breath on his neck. Every few moments she would make little sounds of contentment in her sleep, and he found it rather unsettling. It made him think not so platonic types of thoughts about her, and the urge to kiss her was almost overwhelming.
Finally, he reached the Jade Shadow and his Uncle Luke was waiting for him.
"Looks like you've got your hands full," Luke said with a smile. "Need some help?"
"No, thanks. I've got it. I just need to get her to her room."
"Sure thing. But after you're finished tucking in sleeping beauty there, come back and see me. I have a few questions for you."
"Okay," Jacen replied over his shoulder. He was already on his way down the corridor that led to Danni's room. When he arrived at his destination, he again used the Force to open her door. Once inside he walked to her bed, ready to deposit his precious cargo onto it.
"Jacen?" she whispered in his ear.
"Yeah?" he replied, glad for the delay. He wasn't quite ready to let her out of his arms just yet.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you," she apologized softly, raising her head up to look at him, her eyes heavy with sleep.
"It's okay, Danni. I deserved it."
"No you didn't," she added, and then she placed a tender kiss on the side of his face. The warmth of her lips was like fire. She nestled comfortably back into the crook of his neck, and all he could do was simply stand there enjoying the feel of her in his arms. It felt natural. meant to be.
Inevitably, he realized, he couldn't stand there forever, so he gently laid her on the bed, slipped off her shoes, and covered her up. She opened her eyes again for just a second and smiled at him, a smile that melted his heart. He couldn't resist. He leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"Good night, Danni," he whispered lovingly, brushing back her hair.
"G'night," she mumbled.
Jacen turned out the light and left her sleeping soundly. As he made his way back to the common area, he found himself contemplating what Danni meant to him. She was a friend, for certain, and had been since they'd first met. He'd once had a crush on her, along with several other young Jedi males back when he was a teenager, but now he wasn't a kid anymore. He was a man, and Danni was a woman. an amazingly beautiful, intelligent, compassionate woman that he loved being around. Was it possible she saw him as something more now?
He sighed. Had his father had similar feelings about his mother all those years ago? Oh, he'd heard the stories, but never related them to himself. Had Han Solo ever made a fool of himself because he was jealous of another man gaining Leia's attention? Jacen snickered. How could he forget? He recalled the story of how his father had kidnapped his mother when he thought she was going to marry Prince Isolder of Hapes. To this day, Leia Solo could always get what she wanted from Han by saying three simple words- -- "Remember Dathomir, dear?"
Jacen wasn't sure about a lot of things in his life, like exactly what part he was to play in the Force as a Jedi, but he was certain about one thing. He knew that he wanted a loving relationship like the one his parents had. one that made him a better person. one that offered strength when he alone was weak. one that was a haven from the winds of life that tossed him to and fro. And he wanted to be that same rock for someone else.
Was it Danni?
His private time was over. Luke grinned as Jacen entered the large common area. "Get her all tucked in?"
"Yeah," Jacen answered with a slight blush. "She was exhausted." He plopped down on the sofa next to his uncle.
"So, Saba tells me you made a new friend." He tried not to laugh, but couldn't help it. Thinking of Jacen facing off against a smarmy Imperial over a woman was amusing.
"Oh, there's more," Jacen snorted. "I made a complete nerf of myself in front of her. So, am I going to get a lecture now?"
"No," Luke assured him. "Saba told me what a creep he is. Jedi are supposed to look out for one another, which is what you were doing for Danni, right?"
"Right," Jacen said sheepishly. He paused and Luke studied the silence. "Uncle Luke, can you explain something to me?"
"Sure, Jace. What is it?"
"Women."
Laughter filled the air as Luke Skywalker smacked his nephew on the back. "Jacen, I'm still trying to figure them out myself."
