A/N- Thank you everyone who's reviewed and given me such kind and encouraging comments on this fic. I've never really realized how much impact words have on my writing. You guys are the absolute best. I've decided to dedicate this chapter (which is one of my favorites, by the way!) to MaraJadeSkywalkerJedi, who I just realized put me on their favorite author's list. That made my day! :-D

Now, enough of my ramblings, onto the chapter!

Chapter Four

Jaina led a small brood of children through the dense jungle. Although the terrain of the mood had changed from what she had remembered from her youth, she knew that the group was going in the right direction. A young Rodian, Briunt, made sure of that. Jaina commonly compared Briunt to Jacen in her mind; both of them always exploring the jungle or finding some new creature.

Briunt said something in his native tongue that Jaina didn't understand. "Ciarra," she said to the young girl whose hand was grasping hers. "What did he say?"

"He said that we're almost there." She replied in a quiet voice. Jaina just stared at the child for a moment. She truly was beautiful with long chocolate colored curls that cascaded down her back and hazel eyes that matched the wildflowers that lined the path to the meadow. Her dark freckles stood out against her white skin, and her hands were abnormally tiny; especially for a seven-year-old child like she was.

Although she was being unusually quiet and seemed down on the outside, being around the children made her feel content...loved even. Every one of them was so eager to learn and was so full of life that it was refreshing.

Briunt ran ahead and pulled back the final branch that blocked their entrance to the meadow. Smiling at the children as they ran into the clearing, she followed the youngsters. As she made her way to the middle of the clearing and sat down in a comfortable cross-legged position, the children slowly began to trickle towards her and mirror her position.

"Today's going to be the same as usual everyone, but today's going to be an easy day." Jaina said, her voice gentle yet firm. "Just stretch out your senses as far as you can, if anything pique's your interest follow it through. Be sure to miss nothing, and also disturb nothing. Just let the Force do its bidding," she said. She watched them, one by one, begin to lie on their backs on the grass and serene looks crossed their features. Smiling softly, Jaina leaned back to rest against the ground to begin her own stretch of her senses.

The jungle moon of Yavin IV was alive and healing from its previous tangle with the Yuuzhan Vong shapers. The animals that had once inhabited the moon were still present, as were a handful of new ones. Jaina smiled to herself. 'Jacen would love to go exploring now.'

Letting that thought rest in the back of her mind, she continued to stretch her senses out even further, past the confines of the small moon. Raynar's bright and unique presence shone just past the atmosphere of Yavin IV; the blonde Alderaanian was obviously out on patrol. Just past him, she recognized the signatures of her parents, who weren't too far away. They seemed a bit preoccupied, so Jaina left them alone, and decided to touch her brother instead.

He, too, seemed a bit out of sorts. Brushing him gently with the Force, she received a similar reassuring touch in return. Jaina then continued on her scan of everything she could. Worlds were bustling with activity while others floated in space; children laughed and adults worked. Life continued as close to normal as it could, and Jaina felt a sense of fulfillment from that fact.

As she swept over the military base on Esseles, she felt the familiar presence that filled the void in her soul and soothed the ache in her heart. He was working, or at least in his office. Even in the security of his office, Jag seemed to be on edge and rather upset. Prodding further, Jaina began to sift through his thoughts, she noticed a distinct change in his attitude. Within a matter of minutes, he had gone from feeling rather troubled to a sentiment close to completeness.

'I guess I was right… he didn't care about me as much as he thought…' she thought to herself. Sighing deeply, she continued her train of thought. 'Well… it seems like he's happy now. And if he is, if he's truly happy, who am I to stand in the way of that?

And with that, Jaina began to retract her senses. She brought her feelings, thoughts, and concerns close to her; then slammed down her shields.

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Later that evening
Yavin IV

The famous Jedi Master Luke Skywalker sat behind the oversized desk. On his desk sat only two things; a small stack of datapads that were necessary for his upcoming meeting with the Jedi Council and the message Jag had sent for Jaina. Normally, by 0500 standard hours, he was at the small apartment in the temple that he called home. Ben and Mara were surely there, he had felt their presences there a long while ago.

But he had requested that Jaina visit him at her earliest convenience, which apparently hadn't been anytime during the day. She was so much like Leia, even if she didn't admit to it. Jaina had definitely inherited her mother's work ethic, which sometimes wasn't a good thing.

Hearing the door's opening brought Luke back to reality. His niece's small form stood in the doorway, her face serene. Luke felt a genuine smile forming on his face.

"Jaina," he said. "How are you doing this evening?"

She tipped head slightly, "Fine, Uncle Luke; and you?"

"Very well, thank you." He paused. "Jaina, I'm just going to cut straight to the chase with you."

"Much appreciated." She jokingly interjected.

"In another four standard days, Tenel Ka will be on Esseles for a conference. She's already requested security from the Glactic Alliance forces, but I'd feel much safer if she had a Jedi along with her. When we last spoke, she was inclined to agree."

"So I'm guessing you want me to run security for her?" Jaina asked. Luke nodded his head.

"Yes. She even requested you." Sighing deeply, Jaina agreed.

"Thank you Jaina. I'm sure she'll be delighted to hear the news." Luke said.

Obviously tired and weary, Jaina asked "Is there anything else, Uncle Luke?"

"Only this," he said, handing her the disc. "He said you'd know the codes for it." Standing up, he walked around his desk. Luke put one hand on his niece's shoulder and squeezed gently before exiting his office.

She read the label on it. 'To: Lieutenant Colonel Solo. From: Colonel Fel.' Not exactly sure what to do with it, she sat there staring at the offending material in her hands. 'How did he know I was here? And what could he possibly want to say to me?' she thought. 'Guess there's only one way to find out…'

Jaina moved to grab one of the empty datapads that she knew her uncle kept in the lower right drawer of his desk. Her right index finger pressed the button that granted her access to its disk drive, and she put the small device into it. She pushed the drive back in with the palm of her hand and rested her finger over the "power" button.

Her nose crinkled in disgust as a thought crossed her mind. 'Wait… why should I read this? He's obviously content with the arrangement, so why do I have to read this and possibly further upset myself? No, I'm not falling for his charm this time. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice… well; there won't be a second time.'

And with that thought, she threw the datapad on the desk and walked out of Luke's office, not sparing a second glance at it.

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A/N: I know... a bit of a "bad place" to leave off, but I like the way it just ended here. I don't know, I'm a bit twisted like that. Please review! I can't express how happy reviews make me, so please review. Also, if anyone wants to be a beta for my upcoming fic (it's still in its infancy, only one chapter has been written so far!), please e-mail me at Luckycharm8705@yahoo.com! Thanks!