*** Part Eight

Coruscant Intergalactic Spaceport

Just as Helaine had thought, Valin had woken her up at eight hundred hours. Which she supposed was good, because it was a half hour before they were to land. The time passed much too quickly for her, because she was returning to the real galaxy, where she would have to face her Master. It was hardly her fault that she ended up meeting her brother, but her reckless danger chasing was. She certainly could have handled things differently, probably consulted the Force more. But she hadn't wanted to.

Because if she had asked it simply what to do, it would have given her several possibilities. Ideas she should have come up with on her own. So in order to get a decent answer, she would have had to come to a decision herself. The decision she would have made may not have been answered favorably by the Force.

And now she was probably going to have to deal with that.

She sighed, just as Valin told everyone to fasten their safety restraints. Helaine pulled hers on, amazed that a half hour had already gone by. Jedi did not fidget, but she toyed nervously with her padawan braid, her heart racing as the ship broke Coruscant's atmosphere. She glanced over at Taren, who was sitting stiffly behind her, though he was tapping his foot.

All too soon Valin set the ship down softly in the docking bay, and everyone was heading toward the exit. Helaine looked to Taren again, fingering a folded piece of flimsy in her pocket. She had written a second letter the night before, with words far more incriminating to her position as a Jedi. But the first had just seemed too distant to give people who...had felt for her once. And, according to Taren, still did.

Helaine took a step toward him, then quickly stepped back. What if recieving it made things worse for her family? Not to mention that thought it was never said outloud, padawans were not supposed to write home. They weren't even supposed to think about it. Valin opened the hatch as the boarding ramp descended, and Helaine met Taren's eye. Taking a deep breath, she walked over to him, bowing at the waist. "Goodbye, Taren." She said, unable to think of anything eloquent to say.

Taren nodded, then awkwardly patted her arm. "Goodbye, Lainey." He looked away.

Unable to think of anything else to say, Helaine moved quickly out of the ship and down the boarding ramp. She immedietly saw Master Caine waiting for her, with Master Yoda at her side. Helaine bowed quickly. "Master Yoda, Master Caine."

Master Yoda nodded to her. "Glad to see you well, I am."

"Thank you, Master." Helaine said softly, knowing there would be more words from him later.

She turned to Master Caine, bracing herself. Her Master stepped forward. "I am glad as well, padawan." To her surprise, Master Caine embraced her, squeezing her tight.

Helaine returned the hug, closing her eyes. "Sorry I worried you, Master."

Master Caine released her. "We'll discuss it later."

She nodded, turning her gaze over to where Valin was caught in a crushing embrace by his mother. Nejaa stood by them, smiling when he caught Helaine's eye. "I trust you kept Valin in line, Lainey?"

Helaine shook her head. "I fear that is beyond my abilities as a mere padawan, Master Halcyon."

Nejaa adapted a stern look, though his eyes sparkled. "I'll have a talk with him." He winked at her. "And Nejaa is fine."

"Yes, Master Halcyon." Helaine said, then looked to Master Caine when she sensed amusement from her. She still looked as stoic as ever. Absentmindedly, her hand went to her pocket, once again fingering the piece of flimsy. Helaine sought out Taren then, noticing him watch the security officers escort the slavers out of the ship, before starting to head away from the ship. She hesitated, looking to Master Yod and Caine, before turning back to Taren. This was her last chance with her brother. Taking a deep breath, she turned back to the Jedi. "Excuse me, Masters."

Master Caine raised an eyebrow, while Master Yoda looked up at her quizically. Before they could object, Helaine took off after Taren. It didn't take long to catch up to him. "Taren?" She touched his shoulder.

Shocked, he turned around, smiling when he saw her. "Lainey."

Shifting her weight, Helaine fished her letter out of her pocket and handed it to him. "I wrote this for you, and yo..our parents."

Taren took it from her, staring at it in amazement for a moment. "Thank you." He touched her arm.

Helaine ran her fingers nervously through her hair, not knowing what else to say. "Fly safely home."

"I will," Taren promised, keeping eye contact with her. "You too." He hit his head. "I mean, to the Temple."

"I will," Helaine bit her lip, her chest tightening. Her last chance...she took a deep breath, and stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him. Taren stiffened at first, then moved his left arm around her, hugging her tight. Helaine rested her head against his shoulder, tears touching her eyes then moving down her cheeks. Embarrased as she was at her display of emotion, she didn't release Taren to wipe them away. Instead she clung to him, feeling that their time together had been too short. And how she wished she knew the right words to say.

Taren held her for an eternity's second, in which time passed quickly, but in slow motion. All too soon though, she had to pull away, and face her Master. She wiped her tears away with the back of her hand, looking up to meet Taren's gaze. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye," Taren returned, squeezing her shoulder.

Helaine tried to step away, but was rooted in her spot, unwilling to leave. He seemed just as reluctant to go as well, when the Force flowed between them, causing Taren to blink and rub at his neck. Helaine's mouth dropped slightly, for she had just recieved the impression that they would meet again.

***

At the far end of Docking Bay Thirteen, Danae Trillium laid her head on her husband's shoulder, impatiently watching the ship unload. For a moment fear gripped her, making her wonder if she would actually be able to recognize her daughter. It had been so many years...

Terrance's deep voice interrupted her thoughts. "There's our daughter."

Danae blinked, startled. "Where?"

He pointed toward the front of the ship where a small crowd of people had gathered. "She looks just like you." Terrance said, putting his arm around her as Danae finally spotted Helaine. She was standing with Lanelle Caine, and someone whom Danae couldn't see over the crowd. Like Terrance had said, Helaine had taken after her, in eyes and haircolor. Terrance squeezed her shoulder as Helaine broke away from the group, chasing after Taren. Danae felt tears threaten her eyes as first they talked, and then embraced.

She leaned against her husband's shoulder for support, amazed at how something so simple as a hug could affect her so deeply. At least her children had been able to know each other, if only for a small amount of time. Ever since she had given Helaine to the Jedi, she'd viewed the Force as a negative influence over her life. Before, it had held little to no meaning at all. At times like this, however, she thought that she could almost sense it.

Soon her children parted, and Helaine walked back to the Jedi, and out of their lives. Taren was quick in walking over to them, his right arm in a make shift sling. The moment he was within arms distance, Danae pulled him into a hug, cautious of his right arm. She squeezed him tight, then pulled back slightly to examine him, touching his cheek. "You're alright?"

Taren nodded. "Nothing a doctor can't fix."

Danae shook her head, stepping aside to allow Terrance to embrace their son. She had to smile slightly as they slapped eachother's back, and Terrance couldn't help but ruffle Taren's hair afterward. Instead of his usual whine, Taren just grinned as he smoothed his hair out. Terrance massaged Taren's left shoulder. "We best find you that doctor, son." He said, starting to lead the way toward their aircar. "On the way you can tell us all about your trip."

"Of course," Taren said as Terrance released his shoulder in favor of Danae's hand. He raised a sly eyebrow as Danae leaned her head against her husband's shoulder and met his eye.

Taren took a few discreet steps forward, as Terrance's left arm found her waist, pulling them to a stop. Danae moved both her arms around his neck, then noticed that a few of the buttons on his shirt were undone. Fighting the urge to do them up for him, she glanced hesitantly upwards, noting a challenge in his dark brown eyes. She was a perfectionist by nature, and had a habit of smoothing his hair and tidying his collars and clothing when they weren't straight. In response, he often left his collar up or buttons undoe just to see how long it would take her to notice.

Looking up, Danae held his gaze while moving her hands down his chest to his shirt, doing up the few buttons by feel. Just as she finished the last one, Terrance bent his head and softly kissed her lips. Danae closed her eyes, slowly moving her hands back around his neck and playing with the hair on the nape of his neck. Terrance's arms tightened around her, as he gently parted her lips to deepen the kiss. Vaguely aware of the crowded docking bay, Danae pulled away, her cheeks burning. "Terrance, really."

He just grinned in response, kissing her cheek before wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "It's okay to look now, Taren." He said to their son, who had stopped in his tracks keeping his gaze firmly forward.

Embarrased, Taren glanced back. "I take it you two kids are finished, then?"

Terrance nodded, resting his chin on Danae's shoulder. "For now."

"Good," Taren said, then fished in his pocket, pulling out a piece of flimsy. "Before I forget," he handed it over to Danae. "Helaine wrote this."

Danae slowly opened it, noticing a small holograph of Helaine and her Master enclosed inside. Her chest tightened as she handed it over to Terrance, and began to read the letter. Before she could get through the first few sentences, tears were streaming down her cheeks.

"Are you okay?" Terrance asked softly.

She nodded. "I just never thought we'd get our daughter back, even if only in a letter."

***

Helaine walked back to the Jedi, a nervous pit growing in her stomach. Becuase Jedi Padawans do not drag their feet, Helaine walked slowly, resolutely to her Master. She straightened her shoulders, trying to convince herself that she was more than willing to face the consequences of her actions. Upon reaching Masters Yoda and Caine, she bowed at the waist, much lower than usual. Master Caine nodded to her. "We will be leaving for the temple soon, Helaine."

"Yes, Master," Helaine answered softly, avoiding her Master's gaze. She found Valin's instead, whose hazel eyes were sympathetic.

He nudged her. "Catch you later, paddlehorn."

Helaine lifted her chin. "Force be with you, Valin," She intoned formally, then caught the sparkle in his eyes. "Someone has to be."

Valin smirked, then raised an eyebrow. "So the Coruscanti Jedi possesses wit."

"It is unfortunate that the Corellian does not," Helaine countered, stifling a smile.

He opened his mouth to speak, only to be interrupted by Master Caine. "We need to leave now, padawan."

"Yes, Master," Helaine said, nodding to her.

She turned back to Valin, slowly meeting his eyes again. He would be leaving for Corellia soon, and she wasn't likely to see him for another year. Helaine cocked her head slightly, wondering what to say. She'd leaned on Valin the entire trip, and had come to respect the Corellian ways a lot more. As much as she didn't want to admit it, she was going to miss him. Taking a deep breath, Helaine straightened her shoulders and offered him her hand. "See you next year, Valin."

Valin took her hand, but instead of shaking it, he pulled her to him for a hug. Surprised, it took Helaine a moment to get her arms around him. He bent down to whisper in her ear. "My offer still stands."

Helaine wondered what he meant for a moment, before remembering how he'd offered to find her a Corellian Jedi Master. She pulled away and smiled. "I'm good, thank you."

He winked at her. "Goodbye then."

"Bye." Helaine waved, watching him walk to his family, fighting back a pang of jealousy. She turned back toward her Master, but found Master Yoda standing behind her. He looked up at her, his head cocked to the side as he leaned on his stick.

"Become close to your brother you have."

Helaine could not deny it. She lowered her head. "I am sorry, Master."

Master Yoda pointed at her with his gimer stick. "Know why attachments are forbidden you do."

"I didn't know he was my brother, Master," Helaine said, closing her eyes for a second. "What would you have done?"

"Matters not what Master Yoda would do," Master Yoda replied, clasping his hands on his gimer stick and leaning on it. "Matters only what Padawan Trillium did." His expression softened for a moment, as his eyes grew far away. "Through the Force a Jedi can see the future, revealed only by our thoughts and choices. If Helaine Trillium does not choose for herself, cease to be Helaine Trillium, she will. And with Helaine Trillium goes her role in the future." He stepped forward. "Which cannot be replaced."

Helaine nodded. "Yes, Master Yoda," She said, catching only his basic meaning. It was said of Master Yoda that his words could be interpreted in a hundred different ways, all of which were correct. And all of which depended on the listener's level of understanding. In that way the great Jedi Master resembled the Force. Though it was viewed in perhaps a million different ways, each depending on an individual's ability to listen and be led.

Half the problems between the two Jedi Orders resulted from teaching how to be a true Jedi, not how to listen to the Force. The basics of usage of the Force was the same, as well as the path to the darkside. But where the Coruscant Jedi chose to avoid any strong emotion at all, such as love, the Corellians embraced it as a safeguard. It was the main difference between them, a seemingly thin line forged in durasteel.

Helaine had believed barely a week before that the Coruscant ways were correct, but now she didn't know if either Order was. She glanced back to where she had last seen Valin. Her lips compressed into a thin line as she wondered if she should be ashamed, or intrigued by the fact her own interpretations of the Force were consistently being challenged by a Corellian's.