First chapter = disclaimers
A/N – GAHHHH!!!! It has been eons since I last updated. Real Life has tremendously interfered with my writing. Apparently, I have gotten a life without realizing it.
Don't lose hope. I will finish this. See, it is almost done.
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A drizzling rain fell against the window pane as Jaina stared out of her mother's apartment. The first of the Jedi warriors had returned early that morning and had gone almost immediately into the various meetings now being held.
She, of course, was not needed for the proceedings, so she wasn't in attendance.
"Are you going to stand around moping all day? You know, in my day, Jedi did not mope," a cultured voice sounded from behind her.
Jaina turned to see Qui-Gon smiling at her.
"I thought you were in the meetings."
"I was, but Obi-Wan kicked me out. That whole general thing really gets to his head. Ordering around his poor, old Master like that."
Jaina laughed, "I thought he did that when he was your apprentice."
"Oh, sure, rub it in."
Jaina took a deep breath, "I captured a Jedi named Xanatos. Ani said that you knew him."
Qui-Gon's eyebrow rose, "Is that what he said? I didn't think understatement was in him."
Jaina suppressed her urge to roll her eyes. She swore that if she picked up her dictionary there would be a picture of Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon next to the word "evasive."
A soft chuckle interrupted her thoughts, "You realize that your face communicates your thoughts for you don't you?"
Jaina glared at him. Qui-Gon stared placidly back.
"You wouldn't be here if you didn't want to know about it," Jaina finally said to break the silence.
"Really? Perhaps I just want to interrogate you about your intentions towards my apprentice."
Jaina shook her head, "Well you'll have to get in line for that honor."
Qui-Gon sat down on the arm of the couch. "Very well, I must apologize for his behavior. I suppose I need to know how to make restitution to you and your family."
Jaina felt her mouth gape open as she stared at the Jedi in front of her, "What?"
Qui-Gon's smile turned bitter, "Xanatos was my apprentice. It was my failure as a teacher that led him to follow the dark path both in this and his previous existence."
Jaina rolled her eyes, "I don't know whether you're more of an egoist or a hypocrite. Xanatos got to make his own decisions in the past. And I don't see how you could call this current existence your fault at all. Besides, aren't you the one always yammering on to Obi-Wan about my grandfather? Get over yourself. You and Obi-Wan and Ani and whoever else has a guilt complex. Did you people beat yourselves with reeds in the old Order?"
Qui-Gon smiled, "It sounds simple the way you put it."
"It is simple because it is. Now, if you want to go do some good, go get rid of your guilt, and tell Xanatos to stuff his ego where the sun doesn't shine. Last I checked, he was the guilty party before, and now he is still the same person, even if he was influenced by Callista. When you're done, come back and be a useful Jedi leader instead of sniveling over your past mistakes."
Qui-Gon shook his head, "Well, since you put it that way, I think I might just go and visit my old apprentice. I think I need to tell him something."
Jaina smiled, "When you're done, you might want to tell your other apprentice that he needs to pick up some repentance roses for his girlfriend on his way back."
Qui-Gon looked confused, "What for?"
"Men!" Jaina laughed, "Because he didn't send me a message when he got back."
"But we went straight into meetings…"
"I know that, but I would disgrace my sex if I let him get by with such things."
"You know, I don't think Tahl was this demanding."
"That's only because she was busy castigating herself for thinking about you in such a fashion."
Qui-Gon smiled and backed out of the door, "I think I shall take my leave before you rant on my Order again."
Jaina waved goodbye and turned towards the window again. It looked like a long day.
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Anakin Skywalker slipped silently through the hallways of the new Senate complex. In a surprising move from the President of the New Republic, he had been pardoned. Apparently, public opinion had risen in his favor dramatically.
As the President was up for re-election, it had been deemed a good political move to simply dismiss the rest of Ani's legal proceedings.
Not, of course, that Ani was complaining about being used in such a fashion. Prison food was even worse than what Obi-Wan cooked, if such a thing were possible.
Ani turned down a corridor and slowed his pace. Just ahead of him lay his goal in haunting the complex.
"Anakin," Ani's voice interrupted the other man's thoughts.
Anakin looked up with a forced smile before he realized that it was Ani and not another well meaning person there to congratulate him. The smile faded, but his eyes held a more appreciative gleam.
"I hear they decided to let you go."
"You heard right, but that isn't why I'm here. Obi-Wan says you've been moping."
"My Master likes to go behind my back."
"He is sneaky that way. Want to share what's on your mind to a sympathetic ear?"
Anakin exhaled slowly and stared up at the ceiling, "You know I miss the old days when it was just you, me, Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, and Binks. It was all so simple then. So easy. Then, I almost get killed and get this wonderful 'gift' of being able to use the Force fully. Then I get shipped off and meet Lando, and my life just becomes one giant jumble of fights and decisions and everything."
Ani tilted his head to the side, "That isn't what is bothering you though."
A hoarse chuckled escaped from Anakin's lips, "No, it isn't, but it is relevant. I almost went to the darkside. Did you know that? One moment of thinking Tahiri was dead, and I was going to roast that Jedi with all the hate I could muster."
"But you didn't."
"No, but I would have. I'm wondering if maybe I didn't just make the wrong choice. Maybe I should never have tried to reconnect with my family. Maybe I should never have engaged in a relationship with Tahiri. I was a good Padawan. I was a good Jedi. Those words defined me through and through."
Ani shook his head slowly, "They still do, but that doesn't mean that you don't have room in your life for more. Love is always a risk. But it is a risk worth taking. Would you trade the happiness that Tahiri brings you for that simple security of being only a Jedi? No, you wouldn't. Just like I couldn't. Only, you had the smarts to walk away. I don't think you would have turned even if she had died."
Anakin frowned as he replied, "You might be right. But that brings up another question, am I ever going to be able to handle a relationship with Tahiri? I don't know how to be a true family man."
"I'll give you a hint, nobody does. Do you think that Han Solo knew how to be a husband let alone a father?"
Anakin smiled slightly, "The thought is somewhat amusing. Tell me, will it always feel strange knowing that I consider Obi-Wan more of my father than Han?"
Ani choked slightly, "Try having your father figure date your granddaughter. Then tell me how strange you feel."
Anakin grinned, "This whole talk has been about bringing me to my senses hasn't it?"
Ani nodded sagely, "You learn well, young Solo. It has only taken you four-hundred-thirty-eight times to realize the Kenobi always sends me to straighten your head out."
Anakin snorted, "I should get him for that. It is too annoying that he's always right like that."
Ani nodded more earnestly this time, "A capital idea, sir. You wouldn't happen to know any Gungans, would you?"
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