From Scratch
Chapter 34
Flynn saw Jacen fall, saw the amphistaff turn on the Warrior, and looked up. The warriors on the hill were stunned, their leader defeated by a single Jedi, and slowly began to turn on one another to find the next leader among them. Flynn saw that they were well occupied before running to Jacen's side. He arrived just as Tenel Ka and Vola did, his eyes widening at the sight of his girlfriend.
Vola jumped at him, launching herself into his arms with a soft cry to be enfolded tightly in his arms. Both of them failed to notice Tenel Ka kneeling next to Jacen, her grey eyes holding worry. She saw the slashes on his cheek and looked up. "Flynn."
Flynn jumped, his gaze turning guiltily to Tenel Ka. "Yeah?"
"How long has he been poisoned?"
"Less than a minute."
She nodded once, placing her hand on Jacen's cheek. "I will not lose you now, Jacen Solo," she told him softly, her voice determined. "I have not married you to become your widow in less than a week."
His eyes fluttered but he didn't regain consciousness as Tenel Ka began sucking on his wound, drawing the poison out of his system with the help of the Force. She sucked, spat and sucked again, applying pressure to where she could see the red veins beginning to surface on his skin.
Vola and Flynn watched, subdued now that they remembered the situation instead of just each other. They could celebrate later, if Jacen didn't die on this god forsaken rock pile.
There was a sudden heave of the ground, the rumble of a rockslide forming, but Tenel Ka didn't look up from her task. Carefully, ignoring the distractions and trusting Flynn and Vola to warn her of any danger, she pulled the poison from Jacen's system.
The warriors were gone, the rockslide sending boulders bounding down the hill around the quartet, Flynn and Vola holding each other as Tenel Ka concentrated on her husband.
The earthquake continued for long minutes, the bounders smashing each other to pieces as the World Brain shouted its outrage at Jacen's injury to the world in the only way it could. The message was clear to Tenel Ka. If Jacen died, so would a part of this planet. Much as she didn't like Yuuzhan'tar, she couldn't allow either to happen.
It was almost twenty minutes later when she looked up, her own face pale, her lips stained with Jacen's blood. It took her a moment to realize it, but the rumblings of the world had ceased. She closed her eyes, allowing herself the luxury of relief for a second before looking to Flynn and Vola. Jacen would be alright.
It was light out by the time they returned to the camp and many of the former slaves and shamed ones had formed search parties. As they approached the camp, a hush settled over those who could see the quartet. Word of what had happened had somehow already spread to the masses and they slowly dropped to their knees as Tenel Ka passed. Jacen, carried by Tenel Ka and Flynn, had yet to regain consciousness, but the rumors were already rampant.
Vola looked around at what was left of her people. The roots from where the new race would arise. She shook her head and stepped into the lead. Many moved aside as they approached, but the companions looked neither left nor right. Exhausted by the ordeal, they arrive at their camp and turned their backs to the people.
Flynn quickly set about lashing together a make-shift litter out of their supplies. Tenel Ka had made it very clear before coming back to camp that they would be leaving immediately. They would not stay among those who would play partner to evil. Within an hour of returning, they were again on their way. Back towards the underground cities of survivors and familiar territory.
Tenel Ka's face was impassive as she watched Vola scout the terrain ahead for changes. Jacen would survive, the Yuuzhan Vong would survive and Yuuzhan'tar would survive. Their next obstacle would be getting home; an obstacle she looked forward to almost as much as she dreaded. Home meant going on the offence before they could denounce her choice in consort.
She shook her head fractionally, looking down into Jacen's pale, unconscious face and her gray eyes lit with a smile she didn't let cross her lips. Home was where Jacen Solo was; it was that simple.
Their trek back was quieter, slower going, but no one complained. Flynn and Vola spent long hours walking hand in hand, just relishing each other's touch, while Tenel Ka's worry slowly grew. Jacen had not yet regained consciousness and the hour was growing late. They stopped many times to rest, but continued to push on, determined to find the shelter they'd used the night they'd first come to this destroyed land. Vola and Flynn found it just as the moon appeared in the sky.
Tenel Ka, with their assistance, maneuvered Jacen into the area and out of the way of the elements.
Flynn moved to make a fire but Vola stalled him. "its warm tonight." she said softly, nodding to where Tenel Ka sat with Jacen, her hand gently stroking his still cheek. "Leave her to the darkness."
Flynn pulled the blankets from the remaining backpack and distributed them before taking up his weapon and moving to stand guard. "I'll take first watch."
Vola watched him go, sighing softly. Her days had been eventful, in a draining way, and she couldn't keep her eyes open. Within moments, Flynn and Tenel Ka were left alone.
Tenel Ka sat at Jacen's head and carefully moved it into her lap so she could brush his hair with her hand. She'd come to enjoy the feel of his hair through her fingers; a feel she didn't intend to give up any time soon. "Jacen." she said softly, searching his face for some sign of consciousness.
He gave none, his breathing didn't change, though it appeared to have grown deeper in the last hours, and his face didn't twitch. She could feel him, feeling his life force, his Force signature, but she couldn't reach him. She wasn't sure what was blocking the way, but nothing she did seemed to help. Tenel Ka did not like feeling helpless.
She looked up as Flynn crouched in front of her, his blaster in hand, his eyes serious.
"I wanted to kill him."
Tenel Ka looked at him impassively. "Would you have listened to anything he tried to say?" She seemed to know immediately what he was thinking about; and quite frankly, she did.
Flynn shook his head. "I know I wouldn't have, but..." he trailed off, looking down at Jacen's still figure. "He could have tried."
"He does not waste time when there is none to waste. You know this."
Flynn fingered the battered stock of his blaster, unable to meet her gaze. "I feel as if he tricked me into going into what nearly got him killed. Ya know? I mean, come on, Tenel Ka, if he dies it's on my conscience!"
"Why?"
His head snapped up at her soft question. "What do you mean why? He didn't have to go!"
"He did." she looked down into her husband's face, gently brushing his bangs off his forehead. "He had a job to finish other than help you rescue Vola. He had a promise to keep; a chapter to close. You cannot understand."
"No," he agreed, pushing to his feet, "but only 'cause you two won't explain it."
She didn't watch him walk away angrily, simply closed her eyes, and bowed her head. She would sleep lightly this night and guard her Jedi. He would come to no further harm and, when it was all said and done, they would return to their families together. It was the only acceptable outcome.
Pain. White light tinged with red... bursting vessels. Jacen fought against the sensations traveling through his system. His mind envisioned him trapped in the embrace of pain again, the organic torture device enclosing him completely as he fought against the sensations. Yet he knew he'd long since escaped that fate. He'd overcome it, for all he fought it now.
[i]Why are they doing this, why is she doing this?[/i] his questions filtered through slowly as he couldn't seem to comprehend where he was.
The lights were slow to disperse, the pain a steady companion even as the walls pealed back to reveal a familiar avian figure. Vergere.
"Jacen."
He stated at her uncomprehending. Where was he? "You're dead."
Her head twitched and her feathers ruffled as if in amusement. "Only in body, but you know this."
He fought to move, but found himself immobile. Whatever held his corporeal body in check, held his mental body in the same vice. He couldn't move. "I know it, but why are you here? Have you come to teach me the next lesson?"
"Do you need another lesson, Jacen Solo?" Vergere asked softly, looking at him with her dark, reflective eyes.
"You tell me." He replied, matching the similarities between the creature the shaper had been growing and the form in front of him. There were too many to catalogue. He would have shuddered if he could; the shaper's purpose had probably been to turn that [i]thing[/i] on Jacen himself. And Jacen would have fallen for it hoping it to be the real Vergere.
Her head moved again as she stepped closer. "Trust, Jacen Solo."
He stared at her mutely. She'd taught him to trust no one. Not her, not his sister, only himself and his own abilities. Was she changing the lesson now?
"No changes, Jacen Solo, modifications. You know how to trust yourself, the time has come to learn to trust others again."
"You taught me they can't be trusted."
"I taught you they don't know [i]how[/i] to be trusted. I taught you that everything is not what it seems."
He almost replied but caught himself. This was another of her decide and act lessons; it couldn't be anything else. "I have to decide who to trust."
Vergere smiled the rare smile. "You have been my greatest pupil, Jacen Solo, and I am proud to have helped guide you. It is not yet your time; awake and fulfill your destiny."
He almost laughed. His destiny had been entwined with another's; it was no longer the same as it had been when he'd last seen Vergere.
"Destiny's are not set in stone."
Tenel Ka awoke to the sound of a slight groan and her eyes flashed downward. Jacen was waking. She looked around to find Flynn still on watch, Vola curled up a few feet away and still sleeping. They were effectively alone. "Jacen."
His eyes were slow to open, his cheeks still pale as parchment and glowing slightly in the reflected light of the coming dawn. Tenel Ka noted he looked better than he had when she'd found him the day before. Not by much, but enough.
"Jacen."
His eyes finally opened, blurry and unfocused, their brown having dulled to almost dingy orange. "Tenel Ka."
She nodded once. "I am here."
His hand came up, obviously under great strain as it shook violently, and she clasped it tightly in her own. He smiled shakily, the strain lines reappearing around his eyes and lips. "I love you."
"And I you, Jacen Solo."
"Stay with me."
She leaned down so they were almost nose to nose, his hand tight against her heart. "For as long as I live."
His eyes slowly closed, a sigh passing his lips, as he fell into a healing sleep.
Tenel Ka straightened, moisture shimmering in her gray eyes. She hastily blinked it back. Jacen would live and he would recover. Relief spread through her heart and soul as she stared off into the distance, making plans to get off this planet. When he was well enough to travel under his own power, they would need a plan and she intended to have a few options for him.
Flynn, having glanced back to see her staring off into space, caught the shimmer of what appeared to be tears but blamed it on the lightening sky. Tenel Ka did not cry. He turned back to his watch, shaking off the feeling that something else was going to happen. Something that he wasn't going to like and couldn't prepare for. He watched the sun coming over the horizon and carefully controlled his thoughts. The Jedi were rubbing off on him.
They stayed in that alcove for several days as Jacen recovered his strength. Sleeping for twenty hours at a time over the course of four days, the other three rotated on watch. Flynn hunted for the necessary supplements to their diet, Vola often going with him to get some time alone. They'd discovered the magic of being alone together after being forcefully kept apart.
Tenel Ka, however, rarely left the alcove. Content to do her daily exercises, excluding her morning run, as close to Jacen as possible. She was always at his side when he awoke for the few minutes each day, long enough to feed him something before sleep reclaimed him. And Tenel Ka refused to let Vola or Flynn tend him. Jacen was her responsibility.
Finally, on the fifth morning, Tenel Ka allowed Jacen to sit up right, his color almost back to normal, the shine of health in his hair and eyes. His beard was scraggly as she couldn't shave him very well with one hand, but the sparkle of life was once again in his eyes. She offered him a bowl of soup that was kept simmering over the fire, searching his face for any lingering signs of exhaustion or illness.
She met his gaze as he smiled. "Do I pass?"
"Fact," she nodded once. "How do you feel?"
He accepted the soup, blowing on it gently to cool it down some before taking a sip. "Hungry." his eyes twinkled.
She arched an eyebrow. "I presume you do not mean for food. You have spent four days in slumber, I would suggest something less strenuous to begin your recovery."
He reached out, tugging on her arm to bring her down to her knees in front of him. "Thank you, Tenel Ka."
"You are my husband." her tone said she couldn't see why he was thanking her.
He smiled. "You stayed with me, helped anchor me. You saved me again when I wanted to give up. You are the reason I choose to live. Never, ever forget that. I love you."
He could see the tint of rose in her cheeks as she stared at him, her eyes showing her emotions the way her face never would. He noticed the lines at the side of her mouth, the muscles bunching slightly in the curve of her cheek. The little signs he'd missed even after so long. He reached up and kissed her softly. "I love you."
"And I you, husband."
"So when do we head back to drop off our guides?"
Tenel Ka settled herself next to him after pouring a second cup of the soup for herself. "As soon as you are able to travel."
"Tomorrow?"
"If you are able."
He took a long drink of the soup. "I think so. The longer I keep you here, the higher the price on my head."
"They cannot harm you." her face was deadpan, "You are now the Queen's consort."
"Only consort I hope."
She slanted a look at him. "I will have no other. I will take no other. This I swear to you. You belong to me, Jacen Solo, as I belong to you."
He grinned. "Good. Who's the chef? This stuff is pretty tasty."
"Flynn."
"I'll have to thank him then for keeping you fed."
Tenel Ka set her cup down between her knees. "He is not happy with you, Jacen."
"I know." his face became serious. "I misled him and used him for my own purposes when he thought they were his."
"You also saved my life man."
They looked up as Vola and Flynn stepped back into the alcove, a bundle of something strung around their necks. To Jacen, it looked like grass.
"I guess we're even then," Jacen studied the younger man carefully. Flynn looked as if he'd aged ten years since he'd seen him last.
Flynn shook his head. "No way. When you and Tenel Ka leave, Vola and I want to come with you. Then we're even."
"I do not think that wise, cousin."
"Why not?"
Tenel Ka looked from Flynn to Vola and back again. "We do not live as you do. The Hapan or Republic culture would come as a shock. I do not know if you could adapt. There are many who would take advantage of you."
"Because she's Yuuzhan Vong?"
"That is part of the problem." Tenel Ka informed him bluntly. "I believe she could be accepted by a small community."
"But?"
"Many would hunt her for her race. They would blame her for the crimes of others." Tenel Ka looked at Vola, "The universe does not forgive easily."
"But they forget." Flynn looked at Jacen. "Right, man?"
Jacen shrugged. "After many years, perhaps, but right now the wounds are too open. I know my family could accept her; they've seen good in the Yuuzhan Vong before. The Hapans wouldn't be so accepting and neither would any race that's been decimated by her people. I'm sorry, Vola, but many of these people won't see you as an individual. They'll see you as a way to avenge their families and loved ones. You have to know this before you make your choice."
Flynn looked down at his girl friend. "You wanted to leave, do you still want to?"
She nodded, sticking her chin out. "I have dealt with racism here and alienation among my people. If I prove myself to be something that the Yuuzhan Vong people were not, perhaps I will finally find acceptance. I want to see other worlds, to experience new things." she crossed her arms over her chest. "Flynn and I know of a few wrecks where we can find parts to replace the ones broken on your ship. We even know of a place where ships were once stored. Perhaps we can find a ship that is undamaged and a route to get it to the surface."
Jacen smiled. "You're braver than most, Vola. You're welcome to come with us to the new base on Mon Cal, but Tenel Ka and I have to make the trip to Hapes alone. Ta'a Chume probably wants my head by now."
"Mine as well, husband. I have obviously not learned as well as she would have liked."
He chuckled. "I bet you haven't."
Tenel Ka pointed to the soup. "Eat. We will begin our journey back to your village in the morning to collect what you can carry and replenish our supplies."
They settled to the ground, Jacen and Flynn exchanging looks as Vola began to ask questions about the Hapan worlds. When the men were alone, they'd discuss their issues. But only then. Until that happened, they'd be civil with the women's present and enjoy the last day of idleness before the real work began. Getting home.
Chapter 34
Flynn saw Jacen fall, saw the amphistaff turn on the Warrior, and looked up. The warriors on the hill were stunned, their leader defeated by a single Jedi, and slowly began to turn on one another to find the next leader among them. Flynn saw that they were well occupied before running to Jacen's side. He arrived just as Tenel Ka and Vola did, his eyes widening at the sight of his girlfriend.
Vola jumped at him, launching herself into his arms with a soft cry to be enfolded tightly in his arms. Both of them failed to notice Tenel Ka kneeling next to Jacen, her grey eyes holding worry. She saw the slashes on his cheek and looked up. "Flynn."
Flynn jumped, his gaze turning guiltily to Tenel Ka. "Yeah?"
"How long has he been poisoned?"
"Less than a minute."
She nodded once, placing her hand on Jacen's cheek. "I will not lose you now, Jacen Solo," she told him softly, her voice determined. "I have not married you to become your widow in less than a week."
His eyes fluttered but he didn't regain consciousness as Tenel Ka began sucking on his wound, drawing the poison out of his system with the help of the Force. She sucked, spat and sucked again, applying pressure to where she could see the red veins beginning to surface on his skin.
Vola and Flynn watched, subdued now that they remembered the situation instead of just each other. They could celebrate later, if Jacen didn't die on this god forsaken rock pile.
There was a sudden heave of the ground, the rumble of a rockslide forming, but Tenel Ka didn't look up from her task. Carefully, ignoring the distractions and trusting Flynn and Vola to warn her of any danger, she pulled the poison from Jacen's system.
The warriors were gone, the rockslide sending boulders bounding down the hill around the quartet, Flynn and Vola holding each other as Tenel Ka concentrated on her husband.
The earthquake continued for long minutes, the bounders smashing each other to pieces as the World Brain shouted its outrage at Jacen's injury to the world in the only way it could. The message was clear to Tenel Ka. If Jacen died, so would a part of this planet. Much as she didn't like Yuuzhan'tar, she couldn't allow either to happen.
It was almost twenty minutes later when she looked up, her own face pale, her lips stained with Jacen's blood. It took her a moment to realize it, but the rumblings of the world had ceased. She closed her eyes, allowing herself the luxury of relief for a second before looking to Flynn and Vola. Jacen would be alright.
It was light out by the time they returned to the camp and many of the former slaves and shamed ones had formed search parties. As they approached the camp, a hush settled over those who could see the quartet. Word of what had happened had somehow already spread to the masses and they slowly dropped to their knees as Tenel Ka passed. Jacen, carried by Tenel Ka and Flynn, had yet to regain consciousness, but the rumors were already rampant.
Vola looked around at what was left of her people. The roots from where the new race would arise. She shook her head and stepped into the lead. Many moved aside as they approached, but the companions looked neither left nor right. Exhausted by the ordeal, they arrive at their camp and turned their backs to the people.
Flynn quickly set about lashing together a make-shift litter out of their supplies. Tenel Ka had made it very clear before coming back to camp that they would be leaving immediately. They would not stay among those who would play partner to evil. Within an hour of returning, they were again on their way. Back towards the underground cities of survivors and familiar territory.
Tenel Ka's face was impassive as she watched Vola scout the terrain ahead for changes. Jacen would survive, the Yuuzhan Vong would survive and Yuuzhan'tar would survive. Their next obstacle would be getting home; an obstacle she looked forward to almost as much as she dreaded. Home meant going on the offence before they could denounce her choice in consort.
She shook her head fractionally, looking down into Jacen's pale, unconscious face and her gray eyes lit with a smile she didn't let cross her lips. Home was where Jacen Solo was; it was that simple.
Their trek back was quieter, slower going, but no one complained. Flynn and Vola spent long hours walking hand in hand, just relishing each other's touch, while Tenel Ka's worry slowly grew. Jacen had not yet regained consciousness and the hour was growing late. They stopped many times to rest, but continued to push on, determined to find the shelter they'd used the night they'd first come to this destroyed land. Vola and Flynn found it just as the moon appeared in the sky.
Tenel Ka, with their assistance, maneuvered Jacen into the area and out of the way of the elements.
Flynn moved to make a fire but Vola stalled him. "its warm tonight." she said softly, nodding to where Tenel Ka sat with Jacen, her hand gently stroking his still cheek. "Leave her to the darkness."
Flynn pulled the blankets from the remaining backpack and distributed them before taking up his weapon and moving to stand guard. "I'll take first watch."
Vola watched him go, sighing softly. Her days had been eventful, in a draining way, and she couldn't keep her eyes open. Within moments, Flynn and Tenel Ka were left alone.
Tenel Ka sat at Jacen's head and carefully moved it into her lap so she could brush his hair with her hand. She'd come to enjoy the feel of his hair through her fingers; a feel she didn't intend to give up any time soon. "Jacen." she said softly, searching his face for some sign of consciousness.
He gave none, his breathing didn't change, though it appeared to have grown deeper in the last hours, and his face didn't twitch. She could feel him, feeling his life force, his Force signature, but she couldn't reach him. She wasn't sure what was blocking the way, but nothing she did seemed to help. Tenel Ka did not like feeling helpless.
She looked up as Flynn crouched in front of her, his blaster in hand, his eyes serious.
"I wanted to kill him."
Tenel Ka looked at him impassively. "Would you have listened to anything he tried to say?" She seemed to know immediately what he was thinking about; and quite frankly, she did.
Flynn shook his head. "I know I wouldn't have, but..." he trailed off, looking down at Jacen's still figure. "He could have tried."
"He does not waste time when there is none to waste. You know this."
Flynn fingered the battered stock of his blaster, unable to meet her gaze. "I feel as if he tricked me into going into what nearly got him killed. Ya know? I mean, come on, Tenel Ka, if he dies it's on my conscience!"
"Why?"
His head snapped up at her soft question. "What do you mean why? He didn't have to go!"
"He did." she looked down into her husband's face, gently brushing his bangs off his forehead. "He had a job to finish other than help you rescue Vola. He had a promise to keep; a chapter to close. You cannot understand."
"No," he agreed, pushing to his feet, "but only 'cause you two won't explain it."
She didn't watch him walk away angrily, simply closed her eyes, and bowed her head. She would sleep lightly this night and guard her Jedi. He would come to no further harm and, when it was all said and done, they would return to their families together. It was the only acceptable outcome.
Pain. White light tinged with red... bursting vessels. Jacen fought against the sensations traveling through his system. His mind envisioned him trapped in the embrace of pain again, the organic torture device enclosing him completely as he fought against the sensations. Yet he knew he'd long since escaped that fate. He'd overcome it, for all he fought it now.
[i]Why are they doing this, why is she doing this?[/i] his questions filtered through slowly as he couldn't seem to comprehend where he was.
The lights were slow to disperse, the pain a steady companion even as the walls pealed back to reveal a familiar avian figure. Vergere.
"Jacen."
He stated at her uncomprehending. Where was he? "You're dead."
Her head twitched and her feathers ruffled as if in amusement. "Only in body, but you know this."
He fought to move, but found himself immobile. Whatever held his corporeal body in check, held his mental body in the same vice. He couldn't move. "I know it, but why are you here? Have you come to teach me the next lesson?"
"Do you need another lesson, Jacen Solo?" Vergere asked softly, looking at him with her dark, reflective eyes.
"You tell me." He replied, matching the similarities between the creature the shaper had been growing and the form in front of him. There were too many to catalogue. He would have shuddered if he could; the shaper's purpose had probably been to turn that [i]thing[/i] on Jacen himself. And Jacen would have fallen for it hoping it to be the real Vergere.
Her head moved again as she stepped closer. "Trust, Jacen Solo."
He stared at her mutely. She'd taught him to trust no one. Not her, not his sister, only himself and his own abilities. Was she changing the lesson now?
"No changes, Jacen Solo, modifications. You know how to trust yourself, the time has come to learn to trust others again."
"You taught me they can't be trusted."
"I taught you they don't know [i]how[/i] to be trusted. I taught you that everything is not what it seems."
He almost replied but caught himself. This was another of her decide and act lessons; it couldn't be anything else. "I have to decide who to trust."
Vergere smiled the rare smile. "You have been my greatest pupil, Jacen Solo, and I am proud to have helped guide you. It is not yet your time; awake and fulfill your destiny."
He almost laughed. His destiny had been entwined with another's; it was no longer the same as it had been when he'd last seen Vergere.
"Destiny's are not set in stone."
Tenel Ka awoke to the sound of a slight groan and her eyes flashed downward. Jacen was waking. She looked around to find Flynn still on watch, Vola curled up a few feet away and still sleeping. They were effectively alone. "Jacen."
His eyes were slow to open, his cheeks still pale as parchment and glowing slightly in the reflected light of the coming dawn. Tenel Ka noted he looked better than he had when she'd found him the day before. Not by much, but enough.
"Jacen."
His eyes finally opened, blurry and unfocused, their brown having dulled to almost dingy orange. "Tenel Ka."
She nodded once. "I am here."
His hand came up, obviously under great strain as it shook violently, and she clasped it tightly in her own. He smiled shakily, the strain lines reappearing around his eyes and lips. "I love you."
"And I you, Jacen Solo."
"Stay with me."
She leaned down so they were almost nose to nose, his hand tight against her heart. "For as long as I live."
His eyes slowly closed, a sigh passing his lips, as he fell into a healing sleep.
Tenel Ka straightened, moisture shimmering in her gray eyes. She hastily blinked it back. Jacen would live and he would recover. Relief spread through her heart and soul as she stared off into the distance, making plans to get off this planet. When he was well enough to travel under his own power, they would need a plan and she intended to have a few options for him.
Flynn, having glanced back to see her staring off into space, caught the shimmer of what appeared to be tears but blamed it on the lightening sky. Tenel Ka did not cry. He turned back to his watch, shaking off the feeling that something else was going to happen. Something that he wasn't going to like and couldn't prepare for. He watched the sun coming over the horizon and carefully controlled his thoughts. The Jedi were rubbing off on him.
They stayed in that alcove for several days as Jacen recovered his strength. Sleeping for twenty hours at a time over the course of four days, the other three rotated on watch. Flynn hunted for the necessary supplements to their diet, Vola often going with him to get some time alone. They'd discovered the magic of being alone together after being forcefully kept apart.
Tenel Ka, however, rarely left the alcove. Content to do her daily exercises, excluding her morning run, as close to Jacen as possible. She was always at his side when he awoke for the few minutes each day, long enough to feed him something before sleep reclaimed him. And Tenel Ka refused to let Vola or Flynn tend him. Jacen was her responsibility.
Finally, on the fifth morning, Tenel Ka allowed Jacen to sit up right, his color almost back to normal, the shine of health in his hair and eyes. His beard was scraggly as she couldn't shave him very well with one hand, but the sparkle of life was once again in his eyes. She offered him a bowl of soup that was kept simmering over the fire, searching his face for any lingering signs of exhaustion or illness.
She met his gaze as he smiled. "Do I pass?"
"Fact," she nodded once. "How do you feel?"
He accepted the soup, blowing on it gently to cool it down some before taking a sip. "Hungry." his eyes twinkled.
She arched an eyebrow. "I presume you do not mean for food. You have spent four days in slumber, I would suggest something less strenuous to begin your recovery."
He reached out, tugging on her arm to bring her down to her knees in front of him. "Thank you, Tenel Ka."
"You are my husband." her tone said she couldn't see why he was thanking her.
He smiled. "You stayed with me, helped anchor me. You saved me again when I wanted to give up. You are the reason I choose to live. Never, ever forget that. I love you."
He could see the tint of rose in her cheeks as she stared at him, her eyes showing her emotions the way her face never would. He noticed the lines at the side of her mouth, the muscles bunching slightly in the curve of her cheek. The little signs he'd missed even after so long. He reached up and kissed her softly. "I love you."
"And I you, husband."
"So when do we head back to drop off our guides?"
Tenel Ka settled herself next to him after pouring a second cup of the soup for herself. "As soon as you are able to travel."
"Tomorrow?"
"If you are able."
He took a long drink of the soup. "I think so. The longer I keep you here, the higher the price on my head."
"They cannot harm you." her face was deadpan, "You are now the Queen's consort."
"Only consort I hope."
She slanted a look at him. "I will have no other. I will take no other. This I swear to you. You belong to me, Jacen Solo, as I belong to you."
He grinned. "Good. Who's the chef? This stuff is pretty tasty."
"Flynn."
"I'll have to thank him then for keeping you fed."
Tenel Ka set her cup down between her knees. "He is not happy with you, Jacen."
"I know." his face became serious. "I misled him and used him for my own purposes when he thought they were his."
"You also saved my life man."
They looked up as Vola and Flynn stepped back into the alcove, a bundle of something strung around their necks. To Jacen, it looked like grass.
"I guess we're even then," Jacen studied the younger man carefully. Flynn looked as if he'd aged ten years since he'd seen him last.
Flynn shook his head. "No way. When you and Tenel Ka leave, Vola and I want to come with you. Then we're even."
"I do not think that wise, cousin."
"Why not?"
Tenel Ka looked from Flynn to Vola and back again. "We do not live as you do. The Hapan or Republic culture would come as a shock. I do not know if you could adapt. There are many who would take advantage of you."
"Because she's Yuuzhan Vong?"
"That is part of the problem." Tenel Ka informed him bluntly. "I believe she could be accepted by a small community."
"But?"
"Many would hunt her for her race. They would blame her for the crimes of others." Tenel Ka looked at Vola, "The universe does not forgive easily."
"But they forget." Flynn looked at Jacen. "Right, man?"
Jacen shrugged. "After many years, perhaps, but right now the wounds are too open. I know my family could accept her; they've seen good in the Yuuzhan Vong before. The Hapans wouldn't be so accepting and neither would any race that's been decimated by her people. I'm sorry, Vola, but many of these people won't see you as an individual. They'll see you as a way to avenge their families and loved ones. You have to know this before you make your choice."
Flynn looked down at his girl friend. "You wanted to leave, do you still want to?"
She nodded, sticking her chin out. "I have dealt with racism here and alienation among my people. If I prove myself to be something that the Yuuzhan Vong people were not, perhaps I will finally find acceptance. I want to see other worlds, to experience new things." she crossed her arms over her chest. "Flynn and I know of a few wrecks where we can find parts to replace the ones broken on your ship. We even know of a place where ships were once stored. Perhaps we can find a ship that is undamaged and a route to get it to the surface."
Jacen smiled. "You're braver than most, Vola. You're welcome to come with us to the new base on Mon Cal, but Tenel Ka and I have to make the trip to Hapes alone. Ta'a Chume probably wants my head by now."
"Mine as well, husband. I have obviously not learned as well as she would have liked."
He chuckled. "I bet you haven't."
Tenel Ka pointed to the soup. "Eat. We will begin our journey back to your village in the morning to collect what you can carry and replenish our supplies."
They settled to the ground, Jacen and Flynn exchanging looks as Vola began to ask questions about the Hapan worlds. When the men were alone, they'd discuss their issues. But only then. Until that happened, they'd be civil with the women's present and enjoy the last day of idleness before the real work began. Getting home.