Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me they all belong to the wonderful George Lucas. However Jade Jinn Halcyon and Taylor are mine. I'm making no money off of this.
The Story of Jade Jinn Halcyon:
Chapter 1
'I've failed them, I'm so sorry. Padme, Taylor, Hal, and most of all Qui-Gon, I promised you I would protect them. I've failed miserably. I'll never be able to forgive myself. I just hope and pray that they don't find the children. Jade, I promised to protect you, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me.' Those were Obi-Wan's last thoughts before he was frozen in carbonite.
During Obi-Wan's Apprenticeship:
Obi-Wan came down the ramp right behind his Master, Qui-Gon Jinn. As they descended a young girl about Obi-Wan's age came up to them. When she lowered her hood it revealed fiery red hair and eyes of jade.
"My daughter," Qui-Gon said as he hugged her, "how have you and your mother been?"
"Just fine daddy. In fact mom's waiting for you inside the hanger bay."
"Ok, thank you. Obi-Wan…"
"Yes Master?"
"Well meet with the council later, go rest for right now."
"Yes, sir."
As Qui-Gon left Obi-Wan turned to the girl, picked her up and swung her around. "Taylor, I've missed you. What's the latest gossip?"
Taylor just smiled, in all the years she'd known him, the greeting was always the same. "Well you're going to be the gossip if you don't let go of me."
"Uh-oh, not another new boyfriend. What's his name and when do I need to speak to him?"
"Funny, you are such a big brother."
"Well, you, Qui-Gon and Serena are my family. I consider you my sister, so it's only natural that I act like a big brother. Who is he?"
She smiled, "You'll be happy, no new boyfriend yet. Just haven't found any interesting enough for me. So how have you been?"
"Good, I think we're heading to Corellia soon."
"OOH! I want to go! I haven't been home in the longest time!"
"You just want to go so you can see Valin Halcyon."
"Obi-Wan, you take it back now! That boy did nothing but torture the poodoo out of me. Why would I want to see him?"
Obi-Wan just smiled. 'You don't remember the connection that you had with him, very strong and undeniable.'
After the council meeting, Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and Taylor left for Corellia. They arrived on planet and were greeted by Neeja Halcyon.
"Neeja," Qui-Gon said, "it's so good to see you again. And Valin, my how you've grown since I last saw you."
"Yes, sir," Valin said skittishly.
"Qui-Gon, good to see you again also. How are Serena and Taylor?" Neeja asked.
"Well, Serena is staying busy, and as for Taylor, why don't you ask her yourself?"
As soon as the words came out of his mouth Taylor and Obi-Wan came down the ramp. Taylor looked at Valin and caught his gaze. They stood there for the longest time just looking at each other. The other three just looked on and thought, 'Yeah, they've got a bond.'
Years later:
As Obi-Wan waited with Taylor, they spoke of the past.
Yeah, I remember the time that we came to Corellia years ago. You denied that you had any connection with Valin. But look at you now," he said smiling, "now you're getting married to him."
"Yeah, but remember, it's not Valin anymore, it's Hal now." Obi-Wan just nodded. "I just wish that our fathers were here to see us now."
"Yeah, they both knew that this day would come. But they'll always be with you, don't ever forget that."
"Yeah, I know. I just wish that my father were here to give me away," she said sadly, tears starting to form.
"Look now, none of that. What, you don't want me to give you away?" he said mock hurt. Then he added, "Besides, I don't think that Qui-Gon would have wanted to give you away. You were his little girl."
"Yeah, you got that right, Obi," she said smiling.
Of in the distance, an apparition watched over the two. Qui-Gon thought to himself, 'Well at least if I can't be there, then Obi can. I'm glad they're still close. Watch over my little girl Obi, take good care of her.'
'Don't worry Master, I will.'
About 5 years later:
Obi-Wan finally arrived in the city of Otah-Gunga, on the Plant of Naboo. He hopped out of the bongo to see a very pregnant Taylor with her little boy Corran.
"Unkie Obi, Unkie Obi," the little boy yelled as he ran up to the man.
Obi-Wan just smiled and picked little Corran Horn. "Hello my little Jedi, have you been looking out for your mother for your father and I?"
"Yes sir."
He sat the boy down and let him run off, then walked to Taylor and gave her a hug. "Taylor you look wonderful."
"No I don't," she protested, "I look like a hutt."
"Ah, yes, but a very beautiful Hutt," he said trying to dodge the hit he knew was coming.
"So," he started to ask, "What's new?"
"Well, Padme has two people she would like you to meet," Taylor said laughing at the confusion on Obi-Wan's face.
"Well, let's go," he said as he picked Corran up.
Taylor led the way to the Gungan hospital.
"Taylor, what's wrong?" Obi-Wan asked worriedly.
"Just open up, you'll see," she said.
He reached out and felt a bright presence in the Force. He then reached out further and felt an even brighter presence, one that outshone the other greatly.
He hurried into the room that Padme was in, she smiled as he walked in.
"Padme, you had…"
"Yes Ben. Sabe, Rabe, please bring the children out."
The two handmaidens brought out the babies. First Rabe showed Ben the girl.
"Ben meet Leia."
"Hi Leia. Wow, she's beautiful Padme. She's got the dark hair and eyes just like you," he said. Then he turned to Corran, who was still in his arms, "What do you think, Buddy?"
Corran just made a face and all of the adults laughed.
"So, Taylor, when is Hal getting here? The twins look like they could come anytime now." Ben observed.
"Actually he's due to come in tonight. How are things out there?"
"Hold on a second. Sabe, could you take Corran to his play room please?"
"Yes Master Kenobi, not a problem," she said as she took Corran from his arms.
"I'm sorry, but I didn't want to go into detail with Corran here." Taylor nodded and he continued. "Things are not good at all. I'm afraid that if we keep the children together that Vader will have and easier time finding a group of Force-Strong children and their Jedi Knight parents."
"I dread what you are saying and I do not look forward to this conversation, but I knew that this day would come. My father entrusted my children and I into your care so I'll do what ever is needed."
"Thank you for trusting me Tay. This decision is hard enough, but knowing that you are backing me makes it a little easier. I know Hal and Padme won't be happy, but I hope they understand."
"I'm sure that they will. So, what's the plan Ben?"
"Yoda, Mace, and myself have meditated over this extensively and reached basically the same conclusions. Since we hid Padme from the day she found out she was pregnant we can hid her children easily. Since everyone already knows about Corran he will stay with you and Hal. He's strong, but not in a way that he will be easily found. His powers aren't as noticeable. The twins will have to be separated. We'll say that they died right after they were born due to complications. I'm sorry but this has to be done for their safety," he said as he noticed Taylor in tears. He reached out and gathered her into his arms the best he could considering her condition. She cried silently on his shoulder letting all of her frustrations against the universe out.
"I wish Qui-Gon were still here."
"I do too, Obi. But what are your reasons for that wish?" Taylor asked.
"I just feel as if I've failed him. I let Anakin turn to the darkside, I'm causing his grandchildren to be separated from their parents, and I'm causing his daughter, my best friend, the person who's been a sister to me since I can remember so much pain," he said with tears now forming in his eyes.
"Obi, you look at me," she said turning his face, forcing his eyes to meet hers. "He loved you like a son, he was always proud of you and I'm sure he still is. You have done everything you can to prevent this, things happen. Now you are doing what you can to protect his family like you promised you would. If that means splitting us up for the time being, then so be it. It's not the greatest choice, but we're all out of options. We will all meet up again one day."
"Will you ever be able to forgive me Taylor?" he said almost sobbing now.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi, I can't believe you just asked me that question. Of course, I know that this is for the best. I just ask for a few months with my children before they are taken from me. I'm sure Padme will want the same. But why should I forgive you when I don't blame you in the first place. These circumstances are beyond your control. We've grown up together, you've been like an older, overprotective, stubborn brother to me, I love you, how could I not forgive you?" she said wrapping him in a tight hug as he finished weeping.
"I'll give you a few months with the children Taylor. I need time to set things up, we can say that you were getting over the deaths of your children. And before you even ask, I don't care what the council says, if they say that they must leave the day after they are born, I'll defy them. It's the least I can do for you, Hal and Padme, having to endure so much. Plus, I'm the one in charge of this operation, so they'll have to go with my time table, won't they," he said smirking.
"Obi, you definitely learned a lot from Qui-Gon, more that you think," she said smiling. "And thank you for looking out for my children."
"No problem. I think Hal just arrived, we should talk over the final details with him and Padme."
"Yes, if you'll be so kind as to escort me sir, I'd appreciate it."
"Sure, mi lady, follow me."
In Padme's hospital room:
"You're sure this is the only way Ben," Hal asked one more time. He hated the thought of losing his children months after they were born. Ben nodded. "Well where will the children be placed?" he asked as Taylor comforted Padme, she was still sobbing at the idea of having to be separated from her children because of Ani.
"Well, Corran will stay with you and Taylor since everyone already knows of his existence, but not of his force abilities. They are strong, but not the type easily detected, unless you know what you are looking for. One of your twins and Luke will go to Tatooine. Luke will live with the Lars and the twin that goes will stay with me. I will train both of them as I see fit, in secret of course. Leia will go to Alderaan and live with Bail Organa. The other twin will go into hiding with Master Depa Billaba."
Padme then asked, "Why Tatooine? That's Ani's home world, don't you think that it will be one of the first places he looks?"
"I don't think so," Taylor said, trying to help Obi-Wan out. This was already hard enough for him, without all of these questions. "He hates Tatooine with a vengeance now, first because that is where he was a slave at, and now because of his mother. That would actually be the last place that I think he will look."
"I hope you are right Taylor, I don't want my little boy to fall into the hands of that monster the Emperor," Padme said heatedly.
"Oh, and you think that I would want my…" Taylor started to say before she gasped out in pain.
Hal jumped up and knelt by her side. "Sweetheart, are you ok?"
"No, I'm not freakin' ok, I think the twins are coming."
"Ok, Ben, help me get her to the other room they have prepared," Hal said helping Taylor up.
"Sure," Ben said, "Padme, we'll finish this discussion later."
"Ok."
Hal stayed with Taylor the whole time as she screamed and yelled about the pain she was going through. He concentrated and used some pain suppressant techniques that his father had taught him. They seemed to help her out so he continued to use them on her and himself after she had basically crushed his hand. Ben stayed in the nursery with Luke and Leia while they slept to shield them from the disturbance that Taylor was accidentally causing in the Force.
When it was all said and done the babies were taken to the nursery that Obi-Wan was ushered out of. He went to the room that Padme and Taylor were put in. As he arrived, he found Hal laying beside Taylor with his arms wrapped around her, she was exhausted and had fallen asleep. 'Come to think of it, I'm tired too. I think I'll sit down for a bit.'
Hours later:
Obi-Wan awoke to find little Corran pouncing on him.
"Leave it to Obi-Wan to fall asleep at a time like this," a male voice said jokingly.
"Uh, Master Windu, sir, I'm sorry…"
"It's ok Ben, we know how tiring it must be to block for two children so they could sleep," he said smiling. 'He would be a wonderful father, but he's depriving himself of that right to save these children. They, along with his word to Qui-Gon, mean everything to him. And I guess in a way that he will be raising children, just not his own,' Mace thought as he watched Obi-Wan interact with Corran.
"Hey," Hal said, "they're getting ready to bring in the girls."
Obi-Wan got up to meet the new editions to the Horn family. As they brought the children in Mace explained on some of the things they decided while Obi was asleep. "The children will have different last names. Luke's will be Skywalker and Leia's will be Organa. Corran already carries the last name Horn and since he will be staying it will remain the same. One of the twins will be Mara Jade and the other will be Jade Jinn Halcyon."
"That way it will be harder to establish a connection between them," Obi said.
"Right," Mace replied.
The twins were brought in and handed to Taylor and Hal. After they took turns holding their children they let Corran, with help, Mace, Padme and finally Obi have turns. First they passed Mara around to everyone. She had fiery red hair like her grandmother and mom, though her mom's was a bit darker now so she could hide more easily. Her eyes were typical of the Jade and Halcyon lines; green, though they leaned more towards the Jade family's bright emerald green color. After everyone had held her they put her in the crib with Luke and Leia. As soon as they placed her in there she seemed to go immediately to Luke. They then passed Jade around to everyone. The last person to hold her was Obi-Wan. He looked down at Jade; her hair was dark like her grandfather's, Qui-Gon. Although Hal's was dark also, the color was more Qui-Gon's than anything else. She was a beautiful little baby. Her spirit was also a lot like Qui-Gon's also, 'I can tell she's going to be a rebellious one when she gets older,' he thought. Then he looked at her eyes. Her eyes were not quite green, but not quite blue either. As soon as their gazes met, they froze. Obi and Jade were lost in each other's eyes, to Obi, it seemed like time itself had stopped.
Being totally lost in the gaze of the little one, Obi didn't hear Mace talking. "Jade needs to go with him to Tatooine."
"Why is that Mace?" Hal asked.
"They have a bond, though I can't tell what type it is. That and she is going to be a lot like Qui-Gon in spirit, I think Obi-Wan will be the only one able to handle her. Master Billaba will not be able to handle her."
"Ok, I trust you Mace," Taylor said.
Mace then went and gently shook Obi-Wan. "Obi…Obi."
"Huh…What…Oh, Mace, what happened?"
"You seem to have bonded with little Jade here," Mace informed him. "She will be sent with you to Tatooine along with Luke. I think you will be able to handle her better than Depa. She's got a lot of Qui-Gon's spirit, and Luke will remind Depa too much of Anakin's fall, I don't trust her to not show any prejudice towards him."
"Ok, sounds good," he said as he lay Jade in the crib with the others.
Throughout the next few weeks they continued to stay in the Gungan city. Obi-Wan and Mace helped out with the children, but Obi seemed to always help out with Jade. When she would start crying, or screaming at times, he seemed to be the only one to calm her down. Not even her mother or father had the same effect on her that Obi did. All too soon Obi-Wan had to leave to set up the safe havens.
"I'll contact you as soon as I can," he said as he picked up Jade, smiling. "Be sure to watch my girl here for me."
"Your girl?' Taylor said laughing. "I don't know what we are going to do without you Ben," she said calling him by the name he would be going by soon. "You're the only one she's comfortable with."
"She'll be ok," he said, going to a chair and sitting down. He looked directly into her eyes and spoke softly to her. "Jade, now you be a good little girl until I can return for you. Don't give them too much trouble now." He hated to leave her, and even though she was an infant, it seemed as though she didn't want him to leave either. She seemed to acknowledge him as he put her in the crib. He placed a hand gently on her head and put her into a light trance. He then bent and gave her a kiss on the forehead. He felt something was going to happen to him on this trip. "We will meet again, young Jade, no matter what happens," he whispered to her. He then got up and walked over to Taylor and gave her a hug.
"You be careful out there Ben."
"Yes ma'am," he said playfully. "I put Jade in a light trance so she would be ok until I got out of the system."
"Ok, thanks Ben, and seriously, be careful."
"I will." Having that said he turned and left, having already said bye to everyone else.
Taylor stood staring after him with tears in her eyes. Hal walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her from behind. "Everything will be alright, Sweetheart. You know if I didn't know how close you and Ben were and why, I would be jealous," he said chuckling. "He'll be ok."
"I hope so Hal, I just have a bad feeling about this."
A week later:
A week later they received a call from Ben saying he was returning. After they hung up Taylor rushed to the nursery sobbing. Hal ran after her, arrived shielding the children from their mother's emotions and trying to take all of her pain away.
"It'll be ok Taylor. Come on talk to me, baby," he said trying to sooth her.
"It's just that when Ben returns, he's going to take our babies from us Hal. I don't know if I can handle that. I want to hate him, for everything, but I can't. It's not his fault, I know it's not, none of it is, he's just doing what he thinks it best," she said between sobs.
Meanwhile in space:
Ben was surrounded. 'Well this is it,' he thought. 'Maybe if I give up now there will be a chance for escape.'
As they pulled him out of his ship he recognized a certain tall black figure. "Well, Well, if it isn't Obi-Wan Kenobi. Where exactly do you think you are going off to?" the figure questioned.
"It looks like nowhere right now, doesn't it Vader?" Ben spat out.
"Yes, yes, right you are. You know I could just kill you now, but I won't I'll make you suffer. And maybe one day when you are possibly set free, all you'll be able to do is think about how badly you failed. I have too much respect for you to kill you; after all I did once consider you a friend. Anyway, been nice knowing you Obi-Wan."
Soon Obi-Wan was being lowered into a carbon freeze chamber. As he was being lowered he thought, 'I've failed them, I'm so sorry. Padme, Taylor, Hal, and most of all Qui-Gon, I promised you I would protect them. I've failed miserably. I'll never be able to forgive myself. I just hope and pray that they don't find the children. Jade, I promised to protect you, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me.'
In Otah-Gunga:
All of a sudden Jade started screaming, waking the other children up. Then Taylor, Mace and Hal felt pail, as Jade continued to wail. As Padme, Taylor and Hal calmed the other children down, Mace tried to find out what was wrong with Jade. He reached into her mind to calm the young baby and found the bond she shared with Obi-Wan severed.
He turned to the others and stated, "Something has happened to Obi-Wan."
"What?!" Taylor shrieked as Hal came up to hold her.
"Some how her bond with Obi-Wan has been severed. I will have to take his place in hiding the children. We can't worry about him right now, we must go through with the plan. He wanted us to. I found a letter he left, it said he had a bad feeling about the mission and for me to take over if anything were to happen to him."
"I can't believe it, first I lose my father, then my children are being taken from me, now something as happened to Obi-Wan," that was all she could handle, she passed out.
Hal revived her as Mace got everything into his ship. The parents hugged their children bye, while crying. Jade was still crying, but not loudly. 'I wonder what kind of bond they had,' Mace thought. 'I hope she'll be able to get over this.'
Hal hung onto the two crying women as they all watched their children being taken away, left wondering if they would ever see them again.
