You Get Me—Ch. 18
The ride home was a mere blur to Tahiri. Neither she nor Jacen spoke more than three words during the whole trip, mostly because Jaina talked enough for everyone. She was tremendously excited that Tenel Ka had arrived a whole day early and was oblivious that no one else seemed to be sharing her enthusiasm. Jag, never one to butt into anyone's personal lives, kept his mouth shut even though he did notice the silent torture the two backseat passengers were going through. He had seen the way Jacen and Tahiri looked at each other and knew that they had both helped each other heal more than any doctor ever could. However, his darling Jaina had not a clue.
At the suggestion that they all return together to greet the Hapan visitors, Tahiri vehemently objected.
"No!" she declared loudly from the backseat. "I—I couldn't possibly meet a queen looking like this," she added in explanation. "Just drop me off at my place. I'll be fine, really. I've been needing a night all to myself."
"Are you sure, Tahiri?" Jaina asked, turning around in her seat to look at the younger girl. "I know Tenel Ka would love to see you. And Jacen would love to have you there, wouldn't you, Jace?"
Jacen's head jerked up from its leaning against the window and he tried to hide his embarrassment. "Um--- yeah. Of course I'd like you there," he added lamely.
Tahiri raised one eyebrow in disbelief and looked away. "No. I'd rather be home alone tonight."
When they reached her building, she hastily exited the speeder before Jacen could even get out to walk her inside. Glancing back over her shoulder she called, "Thanks for the swimming lessons, Jacen. See you guys later!" and then she was gone.
Jacen did not know what to think--- or feel, for that matter. Tahiri's behavior had been erratic and frustrating, but he thought he understood why she might be so upset.
Tenel Ka.
Here-- early.
He sighed and tried to clear his mind so that he could focus on just what her arrival meant to him. Maybe she was simply here to pledge her system's help in the war effort. However, something told him that this visit would be the determining factor in their relationship somehow, and the weight of that thought frightened him. For so long he had pursued her, knowing that she did not return those feelings and, in deed, could not because they had simply been too young before. But now--- now they were both adults. Young adults, but adults nonetheless. The stakes were suddenly much higher.
Leia was waiting impatiently for them at the official diplomatic hangar along with Cal Omas and a few other Galactic Alliance dignitaries. Han was standing beside her pulling at the collar of his too stiff dress shirt, and C3PO was nearby babbling on about proper Hapan etiquette. As they approached his parents, Jacen noticed a flash of anger in his father's eyes at the mention of the word 'Hapan'. After all he and his family had suffered at the hands of the politically manipulative Hapans, Jacen knew Han thought there was no filthier word, but must have decided this time to keep his opinion to himself.
"Listen, Goldenrod," Han explained through a clenched jaw, "I think I've had enough experience with these people that I don't need a metal head like you telling me how to behave!"
"Han, please!" Leia scolded. "Oh, good! You're here," she exclaimed when she saw her children approaching, Jag in tow. Her smile instantly turned into a frown as she took in their beach attire. "You're not dressed," she stated simply.
"Sorry, Mom," Jaina apologized. "We ran out of time since we had to take Tahiri home first."
Leia switched her gaze to Jacen. "She didn't come? Didn't you invite her? She is practically one of the family."
Jacen shrugged innocently. "She said she preferred to stay home by herself tonight." Leia looked away and began rambling about something else, and Jacen looked despairingly over to his father. Han motioned Jacen over with a quick jerk of his head amidst all of the hub-bub.
"How's it going, kid?" Han asked his son quietly. "I take it you didn't tell her yet."
Jacen sighed. "Nope," and then he growled low in his throat and ran his hand back through his hair. "I tried, Dad. I really did, but we kept being interrupted every time I got the chance. I don't know--- maybe it's not meant to be. Maybe I was wrong about how I feel about her and this is the Force's way of keeping me from making a fool of myself."
Han's laughter surprised Jacen who glared at his father, now eye to eye. "Every man who is a real man has made a fool of himself at one time or another over a woman. It's one of our rites of passage into manhood. And uncertainty seems to come as a package deal with a female. Get used to it," he concluded with a thump on Jacen's back.
"Gee, Dad. Thanks."
"Hey, kid, there is always that kidnapping option, you know. I'm telling you, it works wonders," Han said with a loving yet teasing glance at his spitfire of a wife who was hastily trying to make Jaina and Jag more presentable.
Suddenly, the sound of an approaching ship coming in to land diverted everyone's attention upward. The landing craft was typical of most things Hapan—an elaborately designed vehicle, pure poetry in motion as it gently touched down amidst the other diplomatic ships docked nearby, dwarfing them in size and grandeur.
"Show offs," Jacen heard his father grumble. He stifled a chuckle and turned to watch as the ship settled in and prepared to present its passengers. A peculiar twinge churned in Jacen's stomach. Part of him wanted to run away as fast as he could and just remove himself from all of this craziness, but he knew he could not. So he stood tall and firm while this next scene in his unusual life started to play.
Slowly, the landing ramp lowered, and first to exit were a group of four armed Hapan guards--- women, of course, as Hapan culture dictated. However, the women did not appear the least bit soft and feminine. While they were undoubtedly beautiful in an exotic way, their powerful builds and fierce expressions left no doubt as to their effectiveness in a physical confrontation. Jacen fought back a shudder. They were a bit scary.
Next came more guards and then sixty-three officiates, each offering a greeting and small gift to Leia and Cal from each of the member worlds of the Consortium. Jacen heard his father grumbling again—something about Hapans bearing gifts—and tried to pay attention to what was happening. Finally, after that ceremony, a troupe of what appeared to be handmaidens, all equally as dangerous looking as the first set of guards, descended the ramp, dressed in the finest of Hapan finery and filling the hangar, which usually smelled of oil and all things metallic, with the scent of exotic perfumes and spices.
It was quite the spectacle.
One more guard exited the ship, looking more merciless than any of the others that had come before her, and Jacen assumed she must be Tenel Ka's personal bodyguard. He was right. She bowed and introduced herself as Iry'na before announcing the appearance of the Queen Mother--- Her Royal Highness, Tenel Ka.
At first, all Jacen could see was a pair of legs descending the ramp, and his heart pounded ridiculously. And then, she was there, at the bottom, in all of her royal glory. Never before had Tenel Ka looked more beautiful or more at peace in her own skin, Jacen noted. The royal life suited her. Her former Dathomirian attire had been traded for flowing robes in the most flattering shades of green, and her long, thick copper tresses were elaborately arrayed in a complex style of braids with some left flowing freely down her back. She noticed Jacen immediately, and offered a small smile, but protocol required her to greet those of highest rank first. Jacen was excited and petrified all at the same time. It seemed so strange to not be able to simply walk up to her and give her a hug or throw his arm around her and share a silly joke, try to get her to laugh.
No, things had changed—a lot.
As she made her way through all of the formal hellos, Jacen braced himself for his turn. Then all at once, there she was standing right in front of him, several inches shorter than him now, he noticed. Indeed, he had grown since last he'd seen her. Their eyes met and her familiar smile brought one to his face.
"Jacen Solo," she stated in her strong, alto voice.
"Tenel Ka," he replied. "It's been too long."
Her smile widened and she reached out to put her hand on his shoulder. "That is a fact," she said simply, her familiar saying bringing a chuckle to his lips. Then she seemed to remember who and where she was, and dropped her hand. "I hope to spend some time becoming reacquainted," she said with a curt nod before moving on to the next person.
And that was that.
No hugs. No terms of endearment. Just a plain old 'hello- it's good to see you' and then she was being whisked away to a private meeting with the government representatives, of which he was not one and so was not invited to attend.
Jacen stood there dumbfounded as the huge Hapan entourage exited the hangar. Han had stayed with his kids while Leia went to the meeting, and draped a comforting arm around his son's shoulders.
"That was short and sweet," Han offered sarcastically.
Jacen snorted. "It wasn't even sweet," he replied and then shook his head. "I don't know what I expected. Maybe I thought when I saw her again that suddenly it would all be clear to me."
"Not clear now?" Han asked.
"No, not so much," Jacen answered.
Han sympathized with his son. Figuring out females was a complicated endeavor. He had plenty of firsthand experience having had to convince Leia she couldn't live without him all those years ago, the presence of the Hapans drudging up those memories whether he wanted to be reminded or not. However, he had to admit, he was enjoying being Jacen's confidant. It was adding a new facet to their precarious relationship; one that he hoped continued to grow.
"What do you say we go get some dinner?" Han asked pulling Jacen in close to his side. "Food always helps me feel better. And besides, you need all the strength you can get when dealing with women."
Jacen chuckled and Han's heart melted.
"Food sounds good. Lead the way, old man."
"Hey, hey, hey!" Han exclaimed, giving Jacen a quick shove. "Watch your mouth, kid. I may be old, but I still got it where it counts." Han flashed his famous grin and was startled to see the exact same grin reflected on Jacen's face.