The Sweetest Thing
Chapter 2, Post #1
Kyp Durron stared at the empty space beside him as he laid in bed. He'd known Sera had left awhile ago, about two previous hours before -- he'd been awake. He felt empty without her. Before Sera, Kyp never really had a serious relationship with anyone. He just hoped...
Don't think like that, Durron, he scolded himself, you said it yourself. She'll be okay, she'll come home.
But what if she doesn't?
While they were at the academy together, he'd always known Sera to be reckless. He was the same way, same character and whit. The first time he met her, she was talking to Tahiri in Tuskan and Kyp asked if she was raised by Tuskans, and Sera laughed in his face. Tahiri explained that Sera wasn't raised by tuskans, but Tahiri was and familiar with the language and was shocked how well Sera could pick up that language and every other alien language in the galaxy. He joked that she should have become a linguist instead of a Jedi, but Sera quipped it was more fun to be a Jedi because there was never be a dull moment.
Kyp smiled, remembering that first encounter and then suddenly frowned. What if what just happened a few hours ago was the last time he'd ever see Sera again?
I need to stop thinking like that, he thought, raking a hand through his dark black hair and got up, grabbing his clothes and got dressed. On his way to the fresher, he checked the chrono. 0700. Morning. Kyp perked up and grunted.
"Jaina and Jag should be back now," he mused aloud, "If they didn't get back sometime last night. Computer, can you locate Jaina Solo -- Jaina Fel and Jagged Fel?"
"Jaina Solo and Jagged Fel are in their parents quarters,"
Kyp rolled his eyes as he put on a different shirt, "Could you send the Solo's a message and tell them I'll be there in 30 minutes?"
"Affirmative."
~~
Jaina smiled, snuggling closer to Jag as they both slept in. They'd gotten back late this morning, sneaking into the apartment and into the guestroom. It was still early and her parents and Cherith were still asleep, so there was no point in waking up just yet.
"But we will eventually have to leave the bed, Jaina," Jag added, smirking, "We both need to eat breakfast,"
She shrugged, "Why eat? I'd rather to stay here..."
He laughed, "With twins on the way, you need to eat!"
Jaina looked at him curiously and smiled, "You want me to get all fat? Jag, I've been pregnant once and even though Cherith is 14 years old, it's amazing I was able to get my figure back...I'm still not sure how they managed to pull that one off,"
"I don't know either...Are you sure Cherith is our daughter?" he joked.
Jaina punched his elbow and looked at the chrono, "Oh, I guess we better get up now. Besides breakfast, I have to check on Twin Suns and with Colonel Darklighter if there was anything I missed while I was gone for a week,"
"Unbelievable. I was able to get to relax for one week and now, you're back in full Goddess/work mode,"
"The war isn't over, Jag and until it is, there's no rest for us," Jaina said, "But seriously, I need to get up now and get ready," As she turned to grab some clothes, Jag slipped an arm around her waist and kissed her neck. "Delaying is not helping, ya know?"
"You realize we never really had a honeymoon after we got married?"
She shrugged and kissed his cheek, "Another time, honey. Promise," and Jaina kissed him one last time before slipping out of bed and started to get dressed.
~~
Cherith walked quietly into the main room, grabbing herself some breakfast, not really noticing the small woman resting on the couch. She pulled out some juice and fruit and sat down at the counter. Everyone else was still asleep, she knew, but it was way too quiet for the 14 year old. Cherith hopped off her stool and turned on some light music. As she reached for the radio, she heard a moan coming from the couch. Cherith hmm¡¯d and turned on the radio anyway.
Another moan.
This being the second time hearing a moan from the couch, she reached for her own lightsaber as she stalked quietly towards the couch. A small quilted blanket rested on a small woman. She was old, Cherith could tell but still looked young too. As Cherith stalked closer, she stepped on a crack and the woman awoke, staring back at Cherith before screaming. Cherith screamed too and Han and Leia rushed out of their room as Jag and Jaina darted out from the guestroom.
Finally, Cherith closed her mouth and put her lightsaber away as Padme sat there, trembling and muttering Nubian curses.
Jaina moaned and looked at Jag, "Maybe we should have at least have given them a warning,"
"A warning?" Jag echoed, "I think that would have helped a lot. She almost killed Padme,"
Cherith shrugged, "I'm sorry. I just didn't know anyone was in here,"
"I didn't know either," Leia said and looked up at her daughter and Jag, "And someone neglected to tell their parents they'd arrived late and with a visitor,"
Jaina moaned again, "Sorry," she cried, "This wasn't the way I wanted things to go. First meetings usually include, 'hello, my name,' but not this! Jag and I got in late this morning, we were tired and I offered Padme the couch,"
Han rolled his eyes, "That's very nice, princess but you don't just bring strangers into our home,"
"I'm not a stranger!" Padme cried, "I belong here. I always have, I just never made the trip because I was scared," she looked at Leia and smiled. For a moment, as the woman stared at her, Leia felt this really familiar connection to Padme but didn't know why. "For more formal introduction, I'm Padme Naberrie...your mother."
tbc
The Sweetest Thing
Chapter 2, Post #2
"Mother?" Leia questioned and then started to laugh to herself. "Sorry miss, but you are not my mother..." Jaina rushed to her mom's side, in case she started to lose it. "My mother died a long time on Alderaan. I don't know who you are, but you're not her."
Padme nodded, "I never died on Alderaan, but I understand how you might think I did."
Jaina turned, looked at Padme and frowned, "Padme explained to me while we were on the shuttle that it was her handmaiden that took her place as your mother," she said to her mother.
"...Leia, the white shawl you have, I gave it to you. You always told people it was supposed to remind them you were a refugee from Alderaan but that shawl wasn't made there, sweetheart. My mother gave it to me, so I gave it to you," Padme noted.
"This is crazy..." Leia started again, "Jaina, call your Uncle Luke and aunt Mara and tell them we'd like to have a family breakfast," she turned to Padme and Jaina, "We have a lot to talk about,"
Padme was silent as she and Jaina exchanged pained glances. For many years, Padme wanted this little reunion with her daughter to be a happy one of tears, but the pain, Padme felt was one of sadness and regret.
As the current Solo clan gathered around the table, Jaina jumped upon hearing the
door comlink buzz. She rolled her eyes and started for the door...she knew it couldn't have her Uncle Luke and aunt Mara, since she really didn't get to com'ing them yet. Everyone she knew that needed to be there, was already there so that only left...
"Kyp!" she cried, flinging her arms around his neck, "It's good to see you. We were just about to have breakfast. Wanna join us?"
"I'd love to, Jaina...Listen, I have to talk to you later about Cherith and Sera."
She shrugged, "Cherith's been behaving herself, hasn't she?"
"She's too much of a Solo, that's the problem," he smiled as the Goddess led him into the main room. Cherith smiled at him too as he sat down beside her, but Jaina didn't sit down so quickly and com'd Luke and Mara.
"Good to see you, kid," Han greeted from across the table. Kyp noticed Padme sitting next to Leia but didn't say anything, as he knew her appearance would be soon explained. A minute later, Jaina sat down next to Jag and smiled at him. As a friend and a good observer, Kyp noticed things were different between then two of them. Jaina, especially, there was something different about her...
Jaina stood up again, but this time to announce something. "Everyone, I have really big news. As you may or may have noticed, Jag and I have been missing for the past week," she glanced and Jag and smiled, "We spent a week together, and well, on our last day there, we got married! And, I'm pregnant with twins!"
Cherith gaped, "Twins, mom? So soon?"
Jag shrugged, "I caught me off guard too, Cherith."
"Twins," she repeated and mumbled, "And I almost killed my grandmother,"
Kyp looked again to the woman sitting next to Leia. He panned back and forth between the two woman. Of course, he thought. Why didn't I see it before. They look so much alike. Next, he turned his gaze to Jaina and Jag. He felt something was different about Jaina, but twins, was the last thing he suspected.
"Mrs. Skywalker..." Kyp asked, the question directed to the older woman, "You're Luke and Leia's mother?"
Padme smiled, "I'm not a ghost, Mr..."
"Durron. Kyp Durron, Jedi Master,"
"Master Durron. Kyp Durron. You used to be a slave on Kessel right? You were the one, with the Sun Crusher?" Padme asked, unaware the room had become deftly silent.
He shrugged, "Yes ma'm, but I'm one of the good guys now. Well, by most people's standards anyway. Some people still don't like me, but that's to be expected,"
The table was silent for a moment before Luke, Mara and little Ben arrived. Ben wiggled in Mara's arms, and she let him down as he walked over to Jaina and hugged his cousin. "Hello Leia," Mara greeted as she and Luke grabbed two extra chairs. "What's to eat?"
Luke noticed Jag and Jaina at the table too. He hadn't heard from either of them during the whole week, but whatever their differences, it looked like they'd already worked them out. He turned to Leia and smiled, "What's the occasion for this breakfast?"
Leia glanced at Padme beside her and sighed, "Jaina's pregnant with twins," she said.
He nodded and smiled at his niece, oblivious to the small cry from Padme, his mother.
~~
Sera Fey`lina lowered her brown hood, more so it covered her face as she was led to the resistance's hideout. She didn't land her x-wing anywhere, but kept it hidden above the planet. If the Vong ever discovered her x-wing and stole it, she'd be stuck on Coruscant for a long time. The guard stopped walking and gestured for Sera to walk on by herself. She turned suspiciously to her navigator, "Ladies first? Is that the idea?"
He didn't reply, Sera only rolled her eyes, entering the alcove anyway. She was awestruck, staring at the many young men and women, working on counter tactics to weaken the Vong regime. She smiled to herself. Sera hadn't been involved with the Rebel Alliance when it first started, but she imagined, what she was seeing right in front was, was a lot like what they went through.
"Fey`lina," a voice asked, and she turned around to the voice. A young man wearing a full dark suit, about her height with green eyes and jet black hair greeted her.
Sera held out her hand to him and smiled, "Dark One, I presume?"
The man smiled, "Welcome Knight Fey`lina. We were told not too long ago you were coming. I hope we can provide you with the information you need,"
Sera's smile lessoned and drew her hand back, "I hope so too. You've heard the rumors, is there anything you can tell me?"
He shrugged, "The Vong didn't think the rumors were credible, at first. But then, more and more slaves started to talk and the Vong began to question themselves," he looked at Sera, "You're friends with Jaina Solo? You've seen her?"
"I have," Sera whispered, "I've also met her daughter...she's the other I'm here. I also need to know if the Vong know about the existence of Cherith Solo-Fel,"
"Did the Vong know she was pregnant before they ganged up and shot down her x-wing? I don't think so. As the Trickster Goddess, it was the perfect opportunity to finally get rid of her. They didn't know about Cherith. If they did, that attack would have come a lot sooner and would have been more like a capture,"
Sera raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms beneath her cloak, "Capture? Why capture?"
"The same reason they captured Tahiri Veila and twisted her memories to make her believe she was a Vong. A Jedi on their side would give them more of an upper hand on things, and the fact that Jaina is the daughter of Leia Solo and niece of Luke Skywalker, makes her one..."
"Of the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy, and her daughter, even more powerful," Sera finished, "Do you have anything to show me, Dark One?"
He smiled and led her to a holo projection of a jail, "This is one of the make shift jails, the Vong use for their slaves. We plan to hit it next week and free the slaves inside,"
She grunted and laughed, "Is that all you do around here? Hit jail cells to annoy the Vong? 'Cause, I gotta say, that's not much. You're a resistance. I mean, I know you want your presence known but something as small of an operation like this, it's pathetic!"
"The prisoners in this jail know about Vong technology and that's something we need...We don't have the resources your resistance have,"
"So, you have something bigger to work with? Can you show me?" Sera asked.
~~
Sera stared in awe at the half-built Vong ship. She was even more shocked to find the workers were human, Twi'lek's and various engineers. Sera turned to the Dark One, "You're building a Vong ship from scratch?! Where did you get the parts?"
The Dark One shrugged, "Stolen. Every time there's a skirmish and a Vong skip gets shot down, the Vong themselves rarely retrieve the skip because they knew they can always grow more. So, we steal them and use the parts to make the beauty that is our leviathan,"
"I take it you have someone on your team that understands Vong technology, otherwise your leviathan wouldn't be possible,"
"Of course," he paused and smiled again, "Do you have to return to Borealis right away, or can you stay for a refreshment?"
Sera smiled, "Thank you, Dark One, but someone special is waiting for me back there..."
He shrugged, "I'm not surprised. Whoever he is, he's a very lucky man. Colonel Darklighter neglected to tell me you were a very beautiful woman."
Sera smiled and blushed, "Dark One, I..."
"Taken," he said, "I know. Just a refreshment, Knight Fey`lina. I'm not asking for dinner,"
"I'd like to hear about what else you have up your sleeve, besides your leviathan...We can talk about that over some refreshments." Sera said, and gestured for him to lead the way.
tbc
The Sweetest Thing
Chapter 2, Post #3
"I'm sorry about Sera," Jaina started, "Do you know when she'll be back?" Kyp shrugged and tried not to seem worried. She always came back, she said. Jaina could feel he was worried about her and continued, "She didn't tell you the reason for this mission?"
He shrugged, "Classified. She wasn't even supposed to tell me, but she did,"
"And she went alone? No one to back her up?" Jaina cried.
Kyp waved his hand and huffed, "I don't want to talk about this anymore. Talking makes me want to grab an x-wing and go after her myself,"
She smirked, "I'm sure she knows to be careful,"
He smiled, eyeing Fel as he talked to his daughter about the past week's events. Kyp was sure he'd been mentioned somewhere in there, but he didn't want to pry. "What was the wedding like?"
"Beautiful, Kyp. We stayed at this Lake Retreat, Padme was there, er, Larissa was. That was her handmaiden name. She pampered me the whole week, but I never once suspected she was my grandmother. It was weird, having her there at the wedding. She was my maid of honor, can you believe it?"
"You were married at a Lake Retreat?" Kyp asked.
She shrugged, "It was on the balcony, overlooking the lake. It was really beautiful and romantic," she grinned, her eyes fluttering.
Kyp laughed, "Romantic? I never knew you had a feminine side, Jaina."
"Cute, Durron," she mumbled, "What's my daughter been up while I've been gone?"
"Just feelings. She has a crush on Valin Horn, Corran's son. And he has a crush on her, visa versa, and now Cherith doesn't know how to act around him," Kyp replied.
Jaina shrugged, "At least they know how they feel...I remember, when Jag and I were reunited on Hapes, we fought so much, always evading our feelings,"
Kyp grunted, "I think they both know how they feel. That's the problem...Anyway, you can ask Cherith for more details."
"She's your apprentice now, Kyp. You're her friend....Don't tell me, you don't know anything else about this because I know you must know something,"
"I do, but she's your daughter, Jaina. I'm only the teacher," he mused and suddenly became quiet again.
Jaina frowned, "You're really worried about her, aren't you?"
He shrugged, "How can I not be? Coruscant isn't Coruscant anymore..."
"Kyp, relax. She's been in the spy business for a long time. Sera will be fine," she said, "And she's a Jedi Knight, if anything happens, she'll take care of it. She's a tough woman,"
~~
"Padme?" a voice asked. It was a strong voice, she knew, but she didn't need to turn to know it was her son. But he didn't know that either. She turned and smiled at him.
"Master Skywalker, sorry for the intrusion..." Padme started but he smiled. His smile was like his father's, Padme noted. "I'm Padme Naberrie."
He smiled and shook her hand, "Odd, my niece felt the urge to bring home her own handmaiden. I thought she was spoiled enough as a Goddess,"
Padme laughed, "Jaina's not a spoiled girl. Every time, I'd try and get into a new dress, she'd leave the room and high heels, she hates them,"
"That's not too surprising. Jaina's never been very lady-like," Luke joked and looked at Padme. He'd arrived late for breakfast, so he didn't really know what was said earlier on about Padme. But he felt this very strong connection to her through the Force. "Are you staying here long?"
Padme shrugged, "I'd like to get an apartment nearby, if it's possible...I, I have family here. They'd hadn't seen me in a long time, especially my son. I had to give up when he was only a baby. He doesn't really remember me at all,"
Luke frowned, "I know what you mean. I never met my mother, never had the chance to get to know who she was. My sister, on the other hand, she was raised by her,"
Padme smiled slightly, "What does she remember of her?"
He shrugged and huffed, "Not much. Just feelings, sadness...She was very young when she died,"
Padme looked away and cried. She heard Ben's voice in her mind, telling her she had to tell him who she was. But if Leia didn't even accept her, how would Luke? Because, you're his mother, Padme, Ben replied. Luke heard his son's cries in the next room and searched for Mara, but she'd already left.
Luke stood up and smiled at Padme, "Sorry Padme, but my son needs me. If you'll excuse me,"
"Luke wait!" she cried, "Can I help? I know a Nubian lullaby if you can't get him to sleep?"
He smiled and they left the room together and went into the guestroom.
~~
Jaina glanced at the chrono and frowned, "Sithspit, I'm late. Colonel Darklighter's already in his office now...I need to check in with him and see if there was anything I missed while I was away. Can you take Cherith today and keep her occupied for a long time?"
"Back to work so quickly? Shouldn't you be taking it easy. You're expecting twins, Jaina..."
She rolled her eyes, "I know I am," she said, "but just because I am, that doesn't mean the universe stops for me," Jaina hopped down from her stool and grabbed her jacket, "Mom, I'm going to see Colonel Darklighter!"
"All right, honey," Leia replied from the bedroom.
~~
"Leia, you need to get over this," Han started, but Leia show him a glare again, "I...I really don't see what the problem is,"
Leia rolled her eyes and laughed, "The problem is, for my whole adult life, I believed the woman that took care of me was my mother. Luke maybe accepting of her, but Han, I..."
"You what?" he questioned.
"I feel cheated," Leia whispered, "I knew I was adopted since my teens. I knew the woman that raised me wasn't my mother, I knew that, but to have my real mother show up after all these years, a decade even...I'm not really sure how I feel about her,"
Han nodded and sat down beside Leia on the bed and patted her hand, "Jaina didn't know for a whole week the woman was related to her,"
Leia laughed again, but this time it was more light-hearted and less sarcastic. "I guess it caught us all off guard, a little bit,"
tbc
The Sweetest Thing
Chapter 2, Post #4
Padme smiled, watching her grandson sleep peacefully on the bed. She looked up at Luke and smiled...he had so much of his father in him. Padme remembered Anakin, her Ani months before he became Darth Vader. She'd always believed there was good in him, despite the fact he turned his back on the light and betrayed the Jedi. He was still human, still little Ani.
"That was a beautiful lullaby you sang," Luke commented, "I didn't understand any of the words but it was very beautiful,"
Padme shrugged, "My mother used to sing it to me and my sister when we were little. We always delayed going to sleep, wanting to stay up hours playing around...That lullaby was the only song that actually got us to sleep," she glanced at Ben and smiled, "It got him to sleep, too,"
"Yes, it did," Luke smiled and he glanced at Padme again, "Do you have any children, Padme?"
She jumped slightly and looked at him. "I used to. A long time ago, but I wasn't able to keep them, unfortunately...My son, he had the sweetest blue eyes like his father,"
Luke shrugged, oblivious to the comparison, "My sister had to part with her children when they were younger...."
"Yes, Jaina told me about that. She said she resented her mother for it," Padme blurted out and then sudennly wished she hadn't said anything to interrupt him, "She said since her mother wasn't able to be with her on her wedding day, if I would give her away,"
"You were there...What was it like? Their wedding, what was it?"
"Very beautiful. Thankfully, Jaina didn't trip on her heels. It was on the balcony of the retreat, overlooking the lake and mountains. After, they just stood there, holding each other,"
Luke smiled, "I wish I could have been there to perform the ceremony in the Jedi fashion. Mara and I went through it when we were married, Leia's wedding was more traditional and now, Jag and Jaina are expecting twins."
"Yes, Cherith was just gettting used to being an only child, now she has to worry about two more little ones," Padme glanced at the chrono and then at little Ben. She smirked at the boy, her son named his son after his teacher. The real Ben, the Ben she was knew, was a very good friend to her and a big comfort after she lost Anakin. "We'd better leave before he wakes up again. Let him sleep," Luke nodded and they both left the room together.
On the opposite side of the room, Han and Leia left their room. Leia stared at her mother and brother; she knew Luke had no idea the woman he was standing next to was his mother. Han cleared his throat and he kissed her forehead, "I'll be on the Falcon," he muttered and left the apartment.
"Padme..." Leia started, "I just wanted to say I'm sorry about before,"
She smiled, sitting down on the couch, "I'm sorry too..."
"What happened earlier?" Luke interrupted. Padme and Leia looked at Luke at the same time, and it was only then, Luke finally saw the close resemblance betweem them and knew. "Mother?" he whispered and Padme nodded yes. "What you said about your baby boy with blue eyes, you were talking about me?"
"...I know you have many questions but please, let me explain first...." Padme started.
"Which one of us is older?" Luke asked, not waiting for an explaination, "It's a question we've been debating for a long time,"
Padme smiled and laughed, "Which one of you is the older sibling? Luke..."
"Ha, I knew it!" he cried and Leia glared at him.
"Let her finish, Luke. Just because she said your name first doesn't mean you're the only sibling. Besides, I was the first to have children and traditionally, the elder one is the first to be married," Leia retorted.
Padme bit her lip, calling to Ben through the Force. Ben, what am I supposed to tell them? I don't know which was is older. You never told me!
You never told her, Obi-Wan? Qui-Gon broke in, I can't believe you never told her. You were responsible for the children, for her children and you never told her which one was older?
Luke's the older one. Tell him that. I helped you deliver them, remember?
Thank you, Master Jinn, she thought and smiled at her children, who were still debating which one was older. "Actually Leia, your brother was right. He is the older twin," Padme clarified.
~~
Sera Fey`lina smiled, sitting across from the Dark One over a glass of Corellian wine and some refreshments as he had promised. She'd been able to get out more information about the resistance, some stuff about the home- made world ship they were working on. "So, you're not the first leader of this resistance?"
He shrugged, "There have been about a total of three...The first one was a woman, she was quite good, resourceful and cunning. She was called the Dark Lady,"
"Excuse me, but what's with the title?"
"The title is a code name, Fey`lina. If the Vong knew who we were, we wouldn't be here. For safety reasons, leaders are randomly chosen through a lottery or a vote. Of course, there are nominations before hand,"
Sera smiled, "You're not going to tell me your real name are you, Dark One?"
He shrugged again and smirked, "No. If I did, I'd be severely punished and a new leader would be chosen...I made a sacrifice a long time ago to never reveal my identity to anyone. Not even my closest advisors, know my name,"
"That's a very tight grip, Dark One," Sera commented as she drank more wine, "Tell me more about what you know about Jaina and Cherith Fel,"
"News spreads very slowly at first, but over time, it spreads faster and faster. To answer your question, the Vong know about Jaina Solo's resurrection, however, they have no knowledge of her daughter, Cherith Fel,"
Sera frowned and sighed, standing up abruptly from the table, "Thank you, Dark One. You have been very gracious,"
The Dark One frowned and stood up, "Leaving so soon? Wouldn't you rather know more details about our operation, incase your government wishes to donate weapons or funds?"
"I'll tell them about what you're doing here, but there's nothing else I need to know about it. I know all I need to know," Sera said and bowed again, sweeping his mind using the Force.
The world ship will be ready to attack in less than a week, m'lord, he thought.
Sera flinched as she raised her head and smiled again at the Dark One, "Thank you again, Dark One. I'll call,"
~~
"Colonel Darklighter?" Jaina asked, knocking his door and peeking her head inside the office. Gavin raised his head and looked at Jaina, smiling and gesturing she come in. "I just wanted to stop by and see if there was anything I missed while I was gone...You did know I was missing for a week, right?"
"I went to Tyria's funeral, so yes, I realized you were gone because you didn't show up to give the eulogy,"
She shrugged and walked in, "Sorry about that. Jag and I, we've been having problems and he kidnapped me and...well, it's a really long story. But it has a happy ending. We got married and I'm pregnant with twins. Cherith is just thrilled she'd going to be an older sister,"
He laughed, "Thrilled? You're being sarcastic, right? Jag stopped by and told me she was terrified,"
Jaina moaned, "Or terrified. Truth is, I'm a little scared too. With the war still going on, I'm not sure if I'm ready to have more children. I remember when Ben was born. Uncle Luke and Aunt Mara barely got to see him during the first couple months, and now I'm going to have twins. What if the situation becomes really dangerous and I end up hiding my babies for years and I never get to see them?"
"Jaina, we all have fears about their children in this war. You're not the only one. I worry too about my girls and so does every other pilot on this base that's married with kids," he paused and looked away, "You have every reason to be worried, Jaina, especially when..."
"When what?" Jaina questioned, "What happened while I was gone?"
Gavin looked at her and sighed, "Especially when it's very possible the Vong might know you're alive and also might know about Cherith too,"
Jaina's eyes widened and she stumbled away, "What?! How's that possible? I only came back from the dead a week ago? How could they know so quickly I'm alive? No, there has to be a mistake in intelligence..."
He nodded, "I wish there were, Jaina, but rumors have been spreading on Coruscant that you're alive. The Vong didn't really pay attention too much to the rumors, but now, they're taking the rumors more seriously,"
"And Cherith? Do they know about her too?"
"They might, or they might not...Sera, she..." he said.
"You sent her to Coruscant," Jaina finished, "That's why she left. Sith, when is she due back?"
Gavin huffed, "We don't know when she's due back. Could be a week or more...Coruscant's a long way from Borealis,"
Jaina nodded and shook her head, "Does Kyp know why she's gone?"
"He knows she went to Coruscant, she told him, but he doesn't know why and you can't tell him." Jaina glared at him as he continued, "If Durron knew and took an x-wing to Coruscant, he'd risk Sera's cover and they'd both be killed,"
"Or she might die on Coruscant, or be dead already," Jaina snapped, "He loves her, Colonel. This mission is suicide..."
"It's not, dangerous yes, but not suicide," Gavin snapped, "If Sera runs into trouble, a team will be dispatched to pick her up,"
Jaina snorted and laughed sarcastically, "That's wishful thinking, sir, counting on the fact she won't be dead by the time you get there."
"Sera will be all right. She's been on missions like this before, espionage is not new to her. She knows what she's doing," he said coolly and Jaina huffed, "She'll be all right,"
"I hope she will be sir, but if she dies, I'm not going to be the one to tell Kyp the woman he loves is dead. That'll be your job," she retorted and left the office.
tbc
Chapter 2, Post #1
Kyp Durron stared at the empty space beside him as he laid in bed. He'd known Sera had left awhile ago, about two previous hours before -- he'd been awake. He felt empty without her. Before Sera, Kyp never really had a serious relationship with anyone. He just hoped...
Don't think like that, Durron, he scolded himself, you said it yourself. She'll be okay, she'll come home.
But what if she doesn't?
While they were at the academy together, he'd always known Sera to be reckless. He was the same way, same character and whit. The first time he met her, she was talking to Tahiri in Tuskan and Kyp asked if she was raised by Tuskans, and Sera laughed in his face. Tahiri explained that Sera wasn't raised by tuskans, but Tahiri was and familiar with the language and was shocked how well Sera could pick up that language and every other alien language in the galaxy. He joked that she should have become a linguist instead of a Jedi, but Sera quipped it was more fun to be a Jedi because there was never be a dull moment.
Kyp smiled, remembering that first encounter and then suddenly frowned. What if what just happened a few hours ago was the last time he'd ever see Sera again?
I need to stop thinking like that, he thought, raking a hand through his dark black hair and got up, grabbing his clothes and got dressed. On his way to the fresher, he checked the chrono. 0700. Morning. Kyp perked up and grunted.
"Jaina and Jag should be back now," he mused aloud, "If they didn't get back sometime last night. Computer, can you locate Jaina Solo -- Jaina Fel and Jagged Fel?"
"Jaina Solo and Jagged Fel are in their parents quarters,"
Kyp rolled his eyes as he put on a different shirt, "Could you send the Solo's a message and tell them I'll be there in 30 minutes?"
"Affirmative."
~~
Jaina smiled, snuggling closer to Jag as they both slept in. They'd gotten back late this morning, sneaking into the apartment and into the guestroom. It was still early and her parents and Cherith were still asleep, so there was no point in waking up just yet.
"But we will eventually have to leave the bed, Jaina," Jag added, smirking, "We both need to eat breakfast,"
She shrugged, "Why eat? I'd rather to stay here..."
He laughed, "With twins on the way, you need to eat!"
Jaina looked at him curiously and smiled, "You want me to get all fat? Jag, I've been pregnant once and even though Cherith is 14 years old, it's amazing I was able to get my figure back...I'm still not sure how they managed to pull that one off,"
"I don't know either...Are you sure Cherith is our daughter?" he joked.
Jaina punched his elbow and looked at the chrono, "Oh, I guess we better get up now. Besides breakfast, I have to check on Twin Suns and with Colonel Darklighter if there was anything I missed while I was gone for a week,"
"Unbelievable. I was able to get to relax for one week and now, you're back in full Goddess/work mode,"
"The war isn't over, Jag and until it is, there's no rest for us," Jaina said, "But seriously, I need to get up now and get ready," As she turned to grab some clothes, Jag slipped an arm around her waist and kissed her neck. "Delaying is not helping, ya know?"
"You realize we never really had a honeymoon after we got married?"
She shrugged and kissed his cheek, "Another time, honey. Promise," and Jaina kissed him one last time before slipping out of bed and started to get dressed.
~~
Cherith walked quietly into the main room, grabbing herself some breakfast, not really noticing the small woman resting on the couch. She pulled out some juice and fruit and sat down at the counter. Everyone else was still asleep, she knew, but it was way too quiet for the 14 year old. Cherith hopped off her stool and turned on some light music. As she reached for the radio, she heard a moan coming from the couch. Cherith hmm¡¯d and turned on the radio anyway.
Another moan.
This being the second time hearing a moan from the couch, she reached for her own lightsaber as she stalked quietly towards the couch. A small quilted blanket rested on a small woman. She was old, Cherith could tell but still looked young too. As Cherith stalked closer, she stepped on a crack and the woman awoke, staring back at Cherith before screaming. Cherith screamed too and Han and Leia rushed out of their room as Jag and Jaina darted out from the guestroom.
Finally, Cherith closed her mouth and put her lightsaber away as Padme sat there, trembling and muttering Nubian curses.
Jaina moaned and looked at Jag, "Maybe we should have at least have given them a warning,"
"A warning?" Jag echoed, "I think that would have helped a lot. She almost killed Padme,"
Cherith shrugged, "I'm sorry. I just didn't know anyone was in here,"
"I didn't know either," Leia said and looked up at her daughter and Jag, "And someone neglected to tell their parents they'd arrived late and with a visitor,"
Jaina moaned again, "Sorry," she cried, "This wasn't the way I wanted things to go. First meetings usually include, 'hello, my name,' but not this! Jag and I got in late this morning, we were tired and I offered Padme the couch,"
Han rolled his eyes, "That's very nice, princess but you don't just bring strangers into our home,"
"I'm not a stranger!" Padme cried, "I belong here. I always have, I just never made the trip because I was scared," she looked at Leia and smiled. For a moment, as the woman stared at her, Leia felt this really familiar connection to Padme but didn't know why. "For more formal introduction, I'm Padme Naberrie...your mother."
tbc
The Sweetest Thing
Chapter 2, Post #2
"Mother?" Leia questioned and then started to laugh to herself. "Sorry miss, but you are not my mother..." Jaina rushed to her mom's side, in case she started to lose it. "My mother died a long time on Alderaan. I don't know who you are, but you're not her."
Padme nodded, "I never died on Alderaan, but I understand how you might think I did."
Jaina turned, looked at Padme and frowned, "Padme explained to me while we were on the shuttle that it was her handmaiden that took her place as your mother," she said to her mother.
"...Leia, the white shawl you have, I gave it to you. You always told people it was supposed to remind them you were a refugee from Alderaan but that shawl wasn't made there, sweetheart. My mother gave it to me, so I gave it to you," Padme noted.
"This is crazy..." Leia started again, "Jaina, call your Uncle Luke and aunt Mara and tell them we'd like to have a family breakfast," she turned to Padme and Jaina, "We have a lot to talk about,"
Padme was silent as she and Jaina exchanged pained glances. For many years, Padme wanted this little reunion with her daughter to be a happy one of tears, but the pain, Padme felt was one of sadness and regret.
As the current Solo clan gathered around the table, Jaina jumped upon hearing the
door comlink buzz. She rolled her eyes and started for the door...she knew it couldn't have her Uncle Luke and aunt Mara, since she really didn't get to com'ing them yet. Everyone she knew that needed to be there, was already there so that only left...
"Kyp!" she cried, flinging her arms around his neck, "It's good to see you. We were just about to have breakfast. Wanna join us?"
"I'd love to, Jaina...Listen, I have to talk to you later about Cherith and Sera."
She shrugged, "Cherith's been behaving herself, hasn't she?"
"She's too much of a Solo, that's the problem," he smiled as the Goddess led him into the main room. Cherith smiled at him too as he sat down beside her, but Jaina didn't sit down so quickly and com'd Luke and Mara.
"Good to see you, kid," Han greeted from across the table. Kyp noticed Padme sitting next to Leia but didn't say anything, as he knew her appearance would be soon explained. A minute later, Jaina sat down next to Jag and smiled at him. As a friend and a good observer, Kyp noticed things were different between then two of them. Jaina, especially, there was something different about her...
Jaina stood up again, but this time to announce something. "Everyone, I have really big news. As you may or may have noticed, Jag and I have been missing for the past week," she glanced and Jag and smiled, "We spent a week together, and well, on our last day there, we got married! And, I'm pregnant with twins!"
Cherith gaped, "Twins, mom? So soon?"
Jag shrugged, "I caught me off guard too, Cherith."
"Twins," she repeated and mumbled, "And I almost killed my grandmother,"
Kyp looked again to the woman sitting next to Leia. He panned back and forth between the two woman. Of course, he thought. Why didn't I see it before. They look so much alike. Next, he turned his gaze to Jaina and Jag. He felt something was different about Jaina, but twins, was the last thing he suspected.
"Mrs. Skywalker..." Kyp asked, the question directed to the older woman, "You're Luke and Leia's mother?"
Padme smiled, "I'm not a ghost, Mr..."
"Durron. Kyp Durron, Jedi Master,"
"Master Durron. Kyp Durron. You used to be a slave on Kessel right? You were the one, with the Sun Crusher?" Padme asked, unaware the room had become deftly silent.
He shrugged, "Yes ma'm, but I'm one of the good guys now. Well, by most people's standards anyway. Some people still don't like me, but that's to be expected,"
The table was silent for a moment before Luke, Mara and little Ben arrived. Ben wiggled in Mara's arms, and she let him down as he walked over to Jaina and hugged his cousin. "Hello Leia," Mara greeted as she and Luke grabbed two extra chairs. "What's to eat?"
Luke noticed Jag and Jaina at the table too. He hadn't heard from either of them during the whole week, but whatever their differences, it looked like they'd already worked them out. He turned to Leia and smiled, "What's the occasion for this breakfast?"
Leia glanced at Padme beside her and sighed, "Jaina's pregnant with twins," she said.
He nodded and smiled at his niece, oblivious to the small cry from Padme, his mother.
~~
Sera Fey`lina lowered her brown hood, more so it covered her face as she was led to the resistance's hideout. She didn't land her x-wing anywhere, but kept it hidden above the planet. If the Vong ever discovered her x-wing and stole it, she'd be stuck on Coruscant for a long time. The guard stopped walking and gestured for Sera to walk on by herself. She turned suspiciously to her navigator, "Ladies first? Is that the idea?"
He didn't reply, Sera only rolled her eyes, entering the alcove anyway. She was awestruck, staring at the many young men and women, working on counter tactics to weaken the Vong regime. She smiled to herself. Sera hadn't been involved with the Rebel Alliance when it first started, but she imagined, what she was seeing right in front was, was a lot like what they went through.
"Fey`lina," a voice asked, and she turned around to the voice. A young man wearing a full dark suit, about her height with green eyes and jet black hair greeted her.
Sera held out her hand to him and smiled, "Dark One, I presume?"
The man smiled, "Welcome Knight Fey`lina. We were told not too long ago you were coming. I hope we can provide you with the information you need,"
Sera's smile lessoned and drew her hand back, "I hope so too. You've heard the rumors, is there anything you can tell me?"
He shrugged, "The Vong didn't think the rumors were credible, at first. But then, more and more slaves started to talk and the Vong began to question themselves," he looked at Sera, "You're friends with Jaina Solo? You've seen her?"
"I have," Sera whispered, "I've also met her daughter...she's the other I'm here. I also need to know if the Vong know about the existence of Cherith Solo-Fel,"
"Did the Vong know she was pregnant before they ganged up and shot down her x-wing? I don't think so. As the Trickster Goddess, it was the perfect opportunity to finally get rid of her. They didn't know about Cherith. If they did, that attack would have come a lot sooner and would have been more like a capture,"
Sera raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms beneath her cloak, "Capture? Why capture?"
"The same reason they captured Tahiri Veila and twisted her memories to make her believe she was a Vong. A Jedi on their side would give them more of an upper hand on things, and the fact that Jaina is the daughter of Leia Solo and niece of Luke Skywalker, makes her one..."
"Of the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy, and her daughter, even more powerful," Sera finished, "Do you have anything to show me, Dark One?"
He smiled and led her to a holo projection of a jail, "This is one of the make shift jails, the Vong use for their slaves. We plan to hit it next week and free the slaves inside,"
She grunted and laughed, "Is that all you do around here? Hit jail cells to annoy the Vong? 'Cause, I gotta say, that's not much. You're a resistance. I mean, I know you want your presence known but something as small of an operation like this, it's pathetic!"
"The prisoners in this jail know about Vong technology and that's something we need...We don't have the resources your resistance have,"
"So, you have something bigger to work with? Can you show me?" Sera asked.
~~
Sera stared in awe at the half-built Vong ship. She was even more shocked to find the workers were human, Twi'lek's and various engineers. Sera turned to the Dark One, "You're building a Vong ship from scratch?! Where did you get the parts?"
The Dark One shrugged, "Stolen. Every time there's a skirmish and a Vong skip gets shot down, the Vong themselves rarely retrieve the skip because they knew they can always grow more. So, we steal them and use the parts to make the beauty that is our leviathan,"
"I take it you have someone on your team that understands Vong technology, otherwise your leviathan wouldn't be possible,"
"Of course," he paused and smiled again, "Do you have to return to Borealis right away, or can you stay for a refreshment?"
Sera smiled, "Thank you, Dark One, but someone special is waiting for me back there..."
He shrugged, "I'm not surprised. Whoever he is, he's a very lucky man. Colonel Darklighter neglected to tell me you were a very beautiful woman."
Sera smiled and blushed, "Dark One, I..."
"Taken," he said, "I know. Just a refreshment, Knight Fey`lina. I'm not asking for dinner,"
"I'd like to hear about what else you have up your sleeve, besides your leviathan...We can talk about that over some refreshments." Sera said, and gestured for him to lead the way.
tbc
The Sweetest Thing
Chapter 2, Post #3
"I'm sorry about Sera," Jaina started, "Do you know when she'll be back?" Kyp shrugged and tried not to seem worried. She always came back, she said. Jaina could feel he was worried about her and continued, "She didn't tell you the reason for this mission?"
He shrugged, "Classified. She wasn't even supposed to tell me, but she did,"
"And she went alone? No one to back her up?" Jaina cried.
Kyp waved his hand and huffed, "I don't want to talk about this anymore. Talking makes me want to grab an x-wing and go after her myself,"
She smirked, "I'm sure she knows to be careful,"
He smiled, eyeing Fel as he talked to his daughter about the past week's events. Kyp was sure he'd been mentioned somewhere in there, but he didn't want to pry. "What was the wedding like?"
"Beautiful, Kyp. We stayed at this Lake Retreat, Padme was there, er, Larissa was. That was her handmaiden name. She pampered me the whole week, but I never once suspected she was my grandmother. It was weird, having her there at the wedding. She was my maid of honor, can you believe it?"
"You were married at a Lake Retreat?" Kyp asked.
She shrugged, "It was on the balcony, overlooking the lake. It was really beautiful and romantic," she grinned, her eyes fluttering.
Kyp laughed, "Romantic? I never knew you had a feminine side, Jaina."
"Cute, Durron," she mumbled, "What's my daughter been up while I've been gone?"
"Just feelings. She has a crush on Valin Horn, Corran's son. And he has a crush on her, visa versa, and now Cherith doesn't know how to act around him," Kyp replied.
Jaina shrugged, "At least they know how they feel...I remember, when Jag and I were reunited on Hapes, we fought so much, always evading our feelings,"
Kyp grunted, "I think they both know how they feel. That's the problem...Anyway, you can ask Cherith for more details."
"She's your apprentice now, Kyp. You're her friend....Don't tell me, you don't know anything else about this because I know you must know something,"
"I do, but she's your daughter, Jaina. I'm only the teacher," he mused and suddenly became quiet again.
Jaina frowned, "You're really worried about her, aren't you?"
He shrugged, "How can I not be? Coruscant isn't Coruscant anymore..."
"Kyp, relax. She's been in the spy business for a long time. Sera will be fine," she said, "And she's a Jedi Knight, if anything happens, she'll take care of it. She's a tough woman,"
~~
"Padme?" a voice asked. It was a strong voice, she knew, but she didn't need to turn to know it was her son. But he didn't know that either. She turned and smiled at him.
"Master Skywalker, sorry for the intrusion..." Padme started but he smiled. His smile was like his father's, Padme noted. "I'm Padme Naberrie."
He smiled and shook her hand, "Odd, my niece felt the urge to bring home her own handmaiden. I thought she was spoiled enough as a Goddess,"
Padme laughed, "Jaina's not a spoiled girl. Every time, I'd try and get into a new dress, she'd leave the room and high heels, she hates them,"
"That's not too surprising. Jaina's never been very lady-like," Luke joked and looked at Padme. He'd arrived late for breakfast, so he didn't really know what was said earlier on about Padme. But he felt this very strong connection to her through the Force. "Are you staying here long?"
Padme shrugged, "I'd like to get an apartment nearby, if it's possible...I, I have family here. They'd hadn't seen me in a long time, especially my son. I had to give up when he was only a baby. He doesn't really remember me at all,"
Luke frowned, "I know what you mean. I never met my mother, never had the chance to get to know who she was. My sister, on the other hand, she was raised by her,"
Padme smiled slightly, "What does she remember of her?"
He shrugged and huffed, "Not much. Just feelings, sadness...She was very young when she died,"
Padme looked away and cried. She heard Ben's voice in her mind, telling her she had to tell him who she was. But if Leia didn't even accept her, how would Luke? Because, you're his mother, Padme, Ben replied. Luke heard his son's cries in the next room and searched for Mara, but she'd already left.
Luke stood up and smiled at Padme, "Sorry Padme, but my son needs me. If you'll excuse me,"
"Luke wait!" she cried, "Can I help? I know a Nubian lullaby if you can't get him to sleep?"
He smiled and they left the room together and went into the guestroom.
~~
Jaina glanced at the chrono and frowned, "Sithspit, I'm late. Colonel Darklighter's already in his office now...I need to check in with him and see if there was anything I missed while I was away. Can you take Cherith today and keep her occupied for a long time?"
"Back to work so quickly? Shouldn't you be taking it easy. You're expecting twins, Jaina..."
She rolled her eyes, "I know I am," she said, "but just because I am, that doesn't mean the universe stops for me," Jaina hopped down from her stool and grabbed her jacket, "Mom, I'm going to see Colonel Darklighter!"
"All right, honey," Leia replied from the bedroom.
~~
"Leia, you need to get over this," Han started, but Leia show him a glare again, "I...I really don't see what the problem is,"
Leia rolled her eyes and laughed, "The problem is, for my whole adult life, I believed the woman that took care of me was my mother. Luke maybe accepting of her, but Han, I..."
"You what?" he questioned.
"I feel cheated," Leia whispered, "I knew I was adopted since my teens. I knew the woman that raised me wasn't my mother, I knew that, but to have my real mother show up after all these years, a decade even...I'm not really sure how I feel about her,"
Han nodded and sat down beside Leia on the bed and patted her hand, "Jaina didn't know for a whole week the woman was related to her,"
Leia laughed again, but this time it was more light-hearted and less sarcastic. "I guess it caught us all off guard, a little bit,"
tbc
The Sweetest Thing
Chapter 2, Post #4
Padme smiled, watching her grandson sleep peacefully on the bed. She looked up at Luke and smiled...he had so much of his father in him. Padme remembered Anakin, her Ani months before he became Darth Vader. She'd always believed there was good in him, despite the fact he turned his back on the light and betrayed the Jedi. He was still human, still little Ani.
"That was a beautiful lullaby you sang," Luke commented, "I didn't understand any of the words but it was very beautiful,"
Padme shrugged, "My mother used to sing it to me and my sister when we were little. We always delayed going to sleep, wanting to stay up hours playing around...That lullaby was the only song that actually got us to sleep," she glanced at Ben and smiled, "It got him to sleep, too,"
"Yes, it did," Luke smiled and he glanced at Padme again, "Do you have any children, Padme?"
She jumped slightly and looked at him. "I used to. A long time ago, but I wasn't able to keep them, unfortunately...My son, he had the sweetest blue eyes like his father,"
Luke shrugged, oblivious to the comparison, "My sister had to part with her children when they were younger...."
"Yes, Jaina told me about that. She said she resented her mother for it," Padme blurted out and then sudennly wished she hadn't said anything to interrupt him, "She said since her mother wasn't able to be with her on her wedding day, if I would give her away,"
"You were there...What was it like? Their wedding, what was it?"
"Very beautiful. Thankfully, Jaina didn't trip on her heels. It was on the balcony of the retreat, overlooking the lake and mountains. After, they just stood there, holding each other,"
Luke smiled, "I wish I could have been there to perform the ceremony in the Jedi fashion. Mara and I went through it when we were married, Leia's wedding was more traditional and now, Jag and Jaina are expecting twins."
"Yes, Cherith was just gettting used to being an only child, now she has to worry about two more little ones," Padme glanced at the chrono and then at little Ben. She smirked at the boy, her son named his son after his teacher. The real Ben, the Ben she was knew, was a very good friend to her and a big comfort after she lost Anakin. "We'd better leave before he wakes up again. Let him sleep," Luke nodded and they both left the room together.
On the opposite side of the room, Han and Leia left their room. Leia stared at her mother and brother; she knew Luke had no idea the woman he was standing next to was his mother. Han cleared his throat and he kissed her forehead, "I'll be on the Falcon," he muttered and left the apartment.
"Padme..." Leia started, "I just wanted to say I'm sorry about before,"
She smiled, sitting down on the couch, "I'm sorry too..."
"What happened earlier?" Luke interrupted. Padme and Leia looked at Luke at the same time, and it was only then, Luke finally saw the close resemblance betweem them and knew. "Mother?" he whispered and Padme nodded yes. "What you said about your baby boy with blue eyes, you were talking about me?"
"...I know you have many questions but please, let me explain first...." Padme started.
"Which one of us is older?" Luke asked, not waiting for an explaination, "It's a question we've been debating for a long time,"
Padme smiled and laughed, "Which one of you is the older sibling? Luke..."
"Ha, I knew it!" he cried and Leia glared at him.
"Let her finish, Luke. Just because she said your name first doesn't mean you're the only sibling. Besides, I was the first to have children and traditionally, the elder one is the first to be married," Leia retorted.
Padme bit her lip, calling to Ben through the Force. Ben, what am I supposed to tell them? I don't know which was is older. You never told me!
You never told her, Obi-Wan? Qui-Gon broke in, I can't believe you never told her. You were responsible for the children, for her children and you never told her which one was older?
Luke's the older one. Tell him that. I helped you deliver them, remember?
Thank you, Master Jinn, she thought and smiled at her children, who were still debating which one was older. "Actually Leia, your brother was right. He is the older twin," Padme clarified.
~~
Sera Fey`lina smiled, sitting across from the Dark One over a glass of Corellian wine and some refreshments as he had promised. She'd been able to get out more information about the resistance, some stuff about the home- made world ship they were working on. "So, you're not the first leader of this resistance?"
He shrugged, "There have been about a total of three...The first one was a woman, she was quite good, resourceful and cunning. She was called the Dark Lady,"
"Excuse me, but what's with the title?"
"The title is a code name, Fey`lina. If the Vong knew who we were, we wouldn't be here. For safety reasons, leaders are randomly chosen through a lottery or a vote. Of course, there are nominations before hand,"
Sera smiled, "You're not going to tell me your real name are you, Dark One?"
He shrugged again and smirked, "No. If I did, I'd be severely punished and a new leader would be chosen...I made a sacrifice a long time ago to never reveal my identity to anyone. Not even my closest advisors, know my name,"
"That's a very tight grip, Dark One," Sera commented as she drank more wine, "Tell me more about what you know about Jaina and Cherith Fel,"
"News spreads very slowly at first, but over time, it spreads faster and faster. To answer your question, the Vong know about Jaina Solo's resurrection, however, they have no knowledge of her daughter, Cherith Fel,"
Sera frowned and sighed, standing up abruptly from the table, "Thank you, Dark One. You have been very gracious,"
The Dark One frowned and stood up, "Leaving so soon? Wouldn't you rather know more details about our operation, incase your government wishes to donate weapons or funds?"
"I'll tell them about what you're doing here, but there's nothing else I need to know about it. I know all I need to know," Sera said and bowed again, sweeping his mind using the Force.
The world ship will be ready to attack in less than a week, m'lord, he thought.
Sera flinched as she raised her head and smiled again at the Dark One, "Thank you again, Dark One. I'll call,"
~~
"Colonel Darklighter?" Jaina asked, knocking his door and peeking her head inside the office. Gavin raised his head and looked at Jaina, smiling and gesturing she come in. "I just wanted to stop by and see if there was anything I missed while I was gone...You did know I was missing for a week, right?"
"I went to Tyria's funeral, so yes, I realized you were gone because you didn't show up to give the eulogy,"
She shrugged and walked in, "Sorry about that. Jag and I, we've been having problems and he kidnapped me and...well, it's a really long story. But it has a happy ending. We got married and I'm pregnant with twins. Cherith is just thrilled she'd going to be an older sister,"
He laughed, "Thrilled? You're being sarcastic, right? Jag stopped by and told me she was terrified,"
Jaina moaned, "Or terrified. Truth is, I'm a little scared too. With the war still going on, I'm not sure if I'm ready to have more children. I remember when Ben was born. Uncle Luke and Aunt Mara barely got to see him during the first couple months, and now I'm going to have twins. What if the situation becomes really dangerous and I end up hiding my babies for years and I never get to see them?"
"Jaina, we all have fears about their children in this war. You're not the only one. I worry too about my girls and so does every other pilot on this base that's married with kids," he paused and looked away, "You have every reason to be worried, Jaina, especially when..."
"When what?" Jaina questioned, "What happened while I was gone?"
Gavin looked at her and sighed, "Especially when it's very possible the Vong might know you're alive and also might know about Cherith too,"
Jaina's eyes widened and she stumbled away, "What?! How's that possible? I only came back from the dead a week ago? How could they know so quickly I'm alive? No, there has to be a mistake in intelligence..."
He nodded, "I wish there were, Jaina, but rumors have been spreading on Coruscant that you're alive. The Vong didn't really pay attention too much to the rumors, but now, they're taking the rumors more seriously,"
"And Cherith? Do they know about her too?"
"They might, or they might not...Sera, she..." he said.
"You sent her to Coruscant," Jaina finished, "That's why she left. Sith, when is she due back?"
Gavin huffed, "We don't know when she's due back. Could be a week or more...Coruscant's a long way from Borealis,"
Jaina nodded and shook her head, "Does Kyp know why she's gone?"
"He knows she went to Coruscant, she told him, but he doesn't know why and you can't tell him." Jaina glared at him as he continued, "If Durron knew and took an x-wing to Coruscant, he'd risk Sera's cover and they'd both be killed,"
"Or she might die on Coruscant, or be dead already," Jaina snapped, "He loves her, Colonel. This mission is suicide..."
"It's not, dangerous yes, but not suicide," Gavin snapped, "If Sera runs into trouble, a team will be dispatched to pick her up,"
Jaina snorted and laughed sarcastically, "That's wishful thinking, sir, counting on the fact she won't be dead by the time you get there."
"Sera will be all right. She's been on missions like this before, espionage is not new to her. She knows what she's doing," he said coolly and Jaina huffed, "She'll be all right,"
"I hope she will be sir, but if she dies, I'm not going to be the one to tell Kyp the woman he loves is dead. That'll be your job," she retorted and left the office.
tbc