You Get Me ---Chapter 21
Sleep had never been so sweet, Jacen Solo mused as he stretched contentedly in his warm cocoon of a bed, refusing to open his eyes just yet. He was hoping to catch one last glimpse of the tiny, barefoot blonde who had starred in his dreams and blessed him with his best night of rest in ages. Languidly, he finally rolled over and glanced sleepy-eyed at the chrono on his nightstand.
"Sith!" he shouted nearly falling on his face as he stumbled out of bed. It was late...the latest he had slept in for quite some time. Most people were probably already having lunch and here he was just waking up. This was not good. He'd had a plan for the day, which involved finding Tahiri and getting his feelings right out in the open once and for all. Now that he knew for sure how he felt, he was anxious to find out Tahiri's sentiments, and even though he was a bit nervous about what she might say, he just couldn't wait any longer.
It was time for some action.
After throwing on some clothes, Jacen took off to find the girl he now realized had etched a permanent place in his heart. Unfortunately, she wasn't home when he got to her place. So he went to the next logical location, Camp Hope, figuring she would surely be there hard at work or chatting with E'marta, but still no Tahiri anywhere. By the time he finally made it back home, he had to start getting ready for the ball so that he wouldn't be late to his parents'. Leia insisted he go with her and Han.
Standing inside his parents' living room, Jacen tugged for the hundredth time at the uncomfortable collar of the white shirt his mother picked out for him to wear.
"Who made these things anyway? The Sith? This constant rubbing could drive a man insane!" Jacen complained as his mother came over and straightened his dark blue over-vest one more time.
"See!" Han said triumphantly, swatting him on the back. "I'm not the only one, Leia."
She playfully reached over to swat him and then continued fussing over her son. After a few more seconds of fidgeting, Leia stepped back to admire her efforts and clasped her hands together. The bright white of his shirt and deep blue of his vest contrasted perfectly with his bronzed skin and sun-streaked hair, a product of his selfless volunteer work at the refugee camp. His black pants fit just right and his black nerf-hide boots were polished to a shine.
"You are so handsome, honey," she declared with a motherly smile. "You remind me so much of your father. I bet you looked a lot like him at that age, dear," she said to Han.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, sweetheart. Can we just get going now? The sooner we get there, the sooner I can get back home and get out of this shirt." Jacen grinned at his father who was now fiercely yanking at his own collar in discomfort. "You know how I hate dressing up."
"Oh, okay. Just let me get my purse. I must have left it in our room."
Han watched as his wife left, and when he was certain Leia was out of earshot, he turned and whispered to his son. "Don't say I never did anything for you, kid. Just don't blow it tonight."
Jacen stared at his father, totally confused, but he didn't get a chance to ask Han to explain because Leia was back and Han was already headed out the door.
The melodious strains of a lyrical Hapan symphony were being skillfully performed by one of Mon Calamari's finest orchestras as Jacen, along with his parents, stepped into the huge, airy banquet hall. The décor was displayed in understated elegance... the rule of thumb for a people who claimed the likes of the legendary Admiral Ackbar. The room was awash in every shade of blue imaginable so that Jacen felt almost like he was underneath the sea instead of perched high on a cliff overlooking the ocean. This sprawling estate belonged to one of the wealthiest new members of the Galactic Alliance who had seen fit to offer it for such an honored occasion.
It was like a scene from one of the children's bedtime stories Winter used to tell him and his siblings when they were younger. He smiled at the memory. Anakin had always groaned at the one where the heroic prince rescued the helpless princess, and they magically overcame all obstacles to live happily ever after. Jaina, on the other hand, would try to change the plot so that the princess rescued the prince instead. And Jacen would simply sit and listen to the story unfold, enjoying the soft accent of Winter's soothing voice, and imagine himself as the prince who got the girl and the happy ending.
He surveyed the hall looking one more time for his particular princess, disappointed to see no sign of her yet. Instead, he noticed people of various species in all shapes, sizes and colors, talking and partaking of the food and drinks being passed around by the serving droids. The Hapan entourage had not yet arrived, but Jacen was not the least bit nervous about seeing Tenel Ka. Should she really ask him to marry her, he already knew what his answer would be. It had settled calmly into his soul as he worked at the camp the day before, the Force letting him know its will on this particular matter with no uncertainty.
And he liked that... liked certainty, simplicity, paths being clear and uncomplicated.
However, while he wasn't nervous about Tenel Ka, he was a bit worried about what Tahiri would say, so he searched anxiously for her once again. He caught sight of many friends and acquaintances. Jaina and Jag were there, Jag still choosing not to touch Jaina more than necessary in public. Jacen stifled a laugh. Jag would need to get over that and fast if he planned on sticking around with Jaina. Many Jedi and their significant others were mingling among the crowd--- Corran and Mirax, Kyp Durron, Kenth Hamner, Lowbacca, Cilghal. Even Danni Quee caught the eye of Jacen and a number of other males standing nearby. She always managed to look lovely, but tonight his attention was promised to another.
He just wished she would hurry up.
"Stupid shoes!" Tahiri swore under her breath adding a particularly vulgar Vong curse she hoped no one would understand nearly tripping over her feet for the third time since exiting the speeder. She continued to grumble, ignoring the few odd glances, and made her way into the banquet hall.
'I don't know what in the Force I was thinking agreeing to this,' she thought to herself. It went against every ounce of her stubborn pride to show up at this ceremony for the Hapan queen. Not that Tahiri had anything personal against Tenel Ka. In fact, there had been a time when Tahiri was younger that she admired and idolized the Hapan girl who was unbelievably strong and brave even after losing her arm. Even now, she couldn't bring herself to dislike the redhead—except for the fact that Tenel Ka was coming between her and any chance she had with Jacen.
Maybe it was due to some hidden desire for self-inflicted pain and disappointment that brought Tahiri to the banquet. Perhaps it was a sense of obligation to Leia and Han Solo for all they had done for her. Or maybe she simply wanted to see Jacen one last time before finally shutting him out of her life for good.
Plus, there was the dress.
Never could she have chosen a more perfect dress than Leia had. Tahiri reminded herself to thank the older woman for her thoughtfulness as soon as she saw her. Glancing down she admired the flowing hem that fluttered just above her knees; the fabric so unbelievably fluid as it shifted with her every move. The color was such an unusual blue—as pale as the full moon hanging above in the starry Mon Cal sky with just a hint of sparkle to catch and refract any light and transform the wearer into a living, breathing jewel. The instant Tahiri had slipped it over her head and let the silky fabric cascade luxuriously down her body; she had been thoroughly and utterly transformed.
No longer was she a scruffy, little ragamuffin in a nondescript flight suit. No...tonight Tahiri Veila looked and felt like ...a princess.
Han checked his chrono one more time wondering what was keeping Tahiri. He had gone out on a limb to set this evening up just right, but if she did not show, all of his hard work—and embarrassing shopping-- would be for nothing.
He glanced to his left. There was Jacen making small talk with Kenth and Cilghal and pulling on his collar... again. Straight ahead, Leia was chatting with Cal Omas, and for once Han was grateful not to be by her side forced to listen to all that bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo. Jaina and Jagged Fel were munching on some appetizers and sharing a laugh with Kyp Durron who looked unusually well groomed for a change. He'd have to compliment the kid later for cleaning up so well.
"Hi, Mr. Solo," came a voice from behind him.
Han spun around and a huge grin spread across his worn face. "Hey, Tahiri! You made it. I was beginning to think you'd chickened out on me." His smile faded instantly. "And what did I tell you about calling me 'mister'?" he teased.
"Sorry," she said, but Han brushed her apology aside and stepped back to take a good look at the girl. "You look great, kid!"
She smiled demurely. "Thanks, Mr.—um, Han," she replied awkwardly. "I'm still getting used to these shoes, though," she added sticking one foot out to study the fancy yet uncomfortable shoe.
'Good,' Han thought. 'Now to make sure Jacen sees her.' As she continued her diatribe about the evils of footwear, Han looked inconspicuously for his son. Jacen had moved away from his previous location, but Han finally spotted him enjoying a drink while listening to some government blowhard whose mouth was running a click a parsec. Han smiled proudly. Leia was right. Their son was a handsome devil, just like his old man. Yes, despite Han and Jacen's many disagreements over the years, it seemed lately as if they were growing closer...developing a less hostile relationship and Han liked it. And that's why tonight just had to be perfect.
There.
Jacen must have sensed Han looking and nodded in recognition. 'Good...good,' Han thought. Then it happened. Jacen saw her, and Han wished he had a holocam handy to capture the look on the boy's face. It was priceless.
Jacen had no clue what the man had been talking about because as soon as he saw Tahiri standing on the raised entry dais with his father, he didn't remember a single word that was spoken.
Tahiri.
She was an enchanting vision in her simple, glittering dress---an angel, if ever there was one. All it took was one glimpse and he knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that she was meant for him. Tahiri may have started out on a path with Anakin, but, for some reason, the Force had seen fit to bring them both to this place at this particular point in time, and who was he to try to change the will of the Force?
An overwhelming urgency engulfed Jacen. He had to get to her. In one swift gulp, he swallowed down the rest of his drink, thrust the empty glass into the overly verbose man's hand, and took off toward his destiny in a blue dress.
Han bit back a laugh as Jacen knocked back the remains of his drink, shoved the drained glass at the poor clod next to him, and started determinedly toward Han and Tahiri. He grinned and rubbed his hands together in satisfaction. Returning his attention to the still rambling Tahiri, he noticed she was oblivious to the attention she was receiving from not only Jacen but several others as well.
"...have to remember to thank your wife for sending this dress. I really like it," she concluded waiting for Han to respond.
"What?" Han muttered. He, of course, had not been listening to her, so lost in his own machinations for the evening. However, he recovered quickly. "Oh. yeah, yeah. Leia's around here somewhere. Hey, look. Here comes Jacen," he announced and then stepped aside so Tahiri could she his son approaching. Han studied the strange look on her face and couldn't quite decipher what it revealed, but he definitely recognized the desirous and resolute glint in Jacen's eyes.
It was all proceeding according to his plan.
Tahiri Veila prided herself on being tough. How could she not be after all the hardship she'd had in her life? So it surprised her when her knees started to wobble the minute she saw Jacen Solo heading her way. 'Is it possible,' she wondered, 'to faint just because a man looked so blasted handsome in dress clothes?'
He was smiling like his father as he weaved in and out through the throng, and she couldn't help but smile in return. Not that she wanted to, but somehow, Jacen was able to make her feel and do things she knew she shouldn't. That was dangerous and precisely the reason she absolutely had to keep her head tonight. His power over her had to be stopped before her heart was completely ripped to shreds. Willing her knees to stand firm, Tahiri braced herself as he stepped up on the dais and stopped right in front of her.
"Hey," he said with a quick, masculine perusal of the young woman in front of him. Only Han noticed how Jacen took in every inch of her from head to toe.
"Shoes," Jacen added casually. "You're wearing shoes."
'Brilliant,' Han thought sarcastically. 'Where'd the kid learn that lame pick-up line?'
Tahiri blushed. "Yeah, well, I figured I'd give them a try for such a special occasion."
Jacen suddenly seemed awkward and unsure. "They look...nice. You...look...nice," he stammered.
'Nice?' Han groaned inwardly and rolled his eyes. The boy had that over- sized, philosophical Jedi brain and all he could come up with was 'nice'? Sheesh! This was going to be harder than he anticipated.
"Thanks," Tahiri replied. "You look nice, too."
"Well, this collar is killing me!" Jacen exclaimed. "I can't wait to get this shirt off."
Han noticed the bright red blush that crept up Tahiri's neck and onto her face. Was she envisioning Jacen shirtless? He grinned.
"Are you complaining about that shirt again, Jacen?" Leia asked as she walked up to join the trio. "If you keep pulling at that thing, you'll stretch it out of shape."
"Sorry, Mom," Jacen apologized giving her a quick hug. "Still love me?"
"You know I do," she answered. Man, was she a pushover when it came to her kids, Han thought. Leia turned her gaze to Tahiri then. "Tahiri, you look so lovely tonight. That dress suits you so well."
Tahiri beamed with pride. "Thank you, Leia. And thanks for sending it over. I don't know what I would've done if it wasn't for you."
Han immediately noted the look of utter confusion on his wife's face and warning claxons blared in his head. Red alert! Red alert! He had to get her away before she ruined everything.
"But Tahiri, I didn't--," Leia began, but she was quickly interrupted by Han's firm hand on her elbow motioning her away.
"Look, honey. There's Luke and Mara waving us over. It must be important," he waved back at no one in particular.
Leia glanced around searching for her brother. "Where? I don't see them."
"Just come with me, sweetheart," Han said as he dragged her away from the younger couple.
She was cute, but she sure was trouble.
Jacen couldn't seem to take his eyes off of Tahiri and she couldn't seem to meet his gaze.
"So," he said.
"So," she replied shyly.
"Are you hungry? Thirsty? There's a ton of food in there," he said offering his arm.
Tahiri knew she should refuse and run the other way, but was helpless to resist. "Sure. That sounds good. I haven't eaten since this morning." So she looped her arm through his and they made their way to the food tables further into the great hall.
'Don't screw this up, Solo,' Jacen ordered himself. 'Don't seem so desperate. You might scare her. No, you have to ease into this... but get it done tonight!'
After loading up with a variety of delicacies to try, Jacen spoke first. "So, where have you been for the past two days?" He popped an unidentified crunchy object into his mouth and tried to appear casual so as not to give away the fact that he'd been miserable without her around. "I checked your apartment, the camp."
"You did?" Tahiri questioned in disbelief just as she took a bite of sweet amora fruit. She looked up at Jacen and quickly swallowed the rest.
Jacen bit back a chuckle. She didn't realize that a bit of fruit was stuck on the corner of her lip, so he decided to help her remove it. Reaching out his hand, he gently rubbed his thumb across her bottom lip and felt her surprised gasp of air brush across his finger as he did so. A sudden shock surged through his system at the sensations such a simple touch evoked. He swallowed hard.
"You, um, had a, uh...piece of...fruit on your...lip," he said, his husky voice betraying his utter lack of composure. He was quite thoroughly mesmerized by Tahiri's beautiful green eyes and the feel of her soft, velvet lips under his fingertip that he failed to realize he was still touching her until she had pulled back. "I...I missed you," he admitted, dropping his hand self-consciously back to his side. "At the camp, it just wasn't the same without you there. No one else laughs at my jokes the way you do. You're the only one who gets me—I mean, gets my jokes," he blundered.
'What is your problem, Solo?' he scolded inwardly. Only moments ago he had been so sure of himself and what he would say. Now he was babbling on like some idiot. Is this what his father had meant about all men making fools of themselves over a woman at some point in their lives?
What was he trying to say? Tahiri wondered. And that touch! What was that about? A jolt of awareness had sparked between them as soon as his finger touched her lip. It was undeniable. Part of her leaped at the possibilities his words and touch implied, but to read too much into them would only lead her to more heartbreak, so she fought against the hope swelling within. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand to make sure no more remnants of food remained.
"I've been ...around," she replied. "I had some things to do...places to go... you know. I just needed a break." 'Before I break,' she added in her mind.
Jacen's face fell along with his heart, if only for a moment, when he heard her words. 'I just needed a break,' she had said when what she probably meant was, 'I need a break from you, Jacen Solo.' Had he mistaken her smiles and looks? the tenderness he had begun to see reciprocated in her actions toward him? Yes, at first she had disliked him, resented him, found him to be a nuisance, but hadn't she changed that opinion after all the time they'd spent together?
Well, no matter. He was going to profess his feelings for her tonight one way or another.
Just then, a loud commotion diverted everyone's attention to the entry dais where a herald was announcing the arrival of the Hapan company. The large group of attendants and guards, all richly attired for the event, entered followed by the queen, resplendent in her gown of varying shades of violet and lavender, long red hair flowing in a halo of silky curls around her beautiful face. She appeared to be searching the crowd of onlookers, eyes scanning until she found who she was looking for.
Jacen felt startled when her gaze landed on him. She offered a slight smile, the only kind she ever gave, and whispered something into her bodyguard's ear. The woman nodded and returned to her post.
Tenel Ka made a brief pronouncement to declare her pleasure at being able to align and assist the Galactic Alliance in fighting to rid the galaxy of the threat the Yuuzhan Vong posed. It was short, efficient, and ended in applause from every corner of the banquet hall. Next, Cal Omas made a simple speech of his own, as befitted a head of state, and then declared the start of the ball. The orchestra began to play a lively tune, and couples took to the floor in droves, while those who were still busy eating moved off to the sides.
Jacen glanced back at Tahiri. "Do you want to dance?" he asked, setting his plate down on the table behind them. If he could get her out on the dance floor alone, maybe then he could tell her.
She looked slightly dismayed. "I don't think I know how," she replied. "I've never danced like this before...with a partner." He loved it when she acted a bit shy. It belied the fearless young woman she tried to portray.
"Well, I don't know how either, really, so we'll do what my dad always says to do in situations like this." He paused to grin and adjust his voice to match that of Han Solo. "Just act like you know what you're doing and nobody will know the difference." Then he offered her his hand.
Tahiri laughed. "That sounds like something your father would say," and she hesitantly put her hand in his.
They moved to the middle of the floor in between the other dancers and Jacen slid one hand behind her waist, savoring the feel of her bare back against his palm. When she looked up at him with that expression on her face—the one that said, 'please be careful with me'—he pulled her even closer, wanting nothing more than to do just that. She deserved to be cherished, and he wanted to be the one to do it.
Han Solo grinned from ear to ear as he watched his son dancing with Tahiri. There was something so right about those two together, he admitted happily. Too much sorrow and pain had infiltrated all of their lives for the past few years. It was time for some sweeter feelings...some goodness.
Force, was he getting soft in his old age!
He sighed. Oh, well. Better soft than old and cracked.
He glanced over at his wife whose attention was being usurped by some other political wannabe. In a moment, he returned his gaze to his son, and the bottom dropped out of his heart. Tenel Ka's behemoth of a bodyguard was interrupting Jacen and Tahiri, saying something to him so that his previous look of rapture turned to a frown of indifferent resolve. He said something to Tahiri, who nodded and looked turned out, and then he left her standing alone in the middle of the swaying crowd.
This was not good.