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Chapter 8: Tenel Ka and Jacen

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"Jacen, where are you taking me?" Tenel Ka asked as she was dragged farther and farther away from camp.

"Just a little farther Tenel." Jacen had found the perfect spot for what he had planned on a recent scavenger hunt for new animals left by the Vong.

After another five minutes of walking through Yavin IV's undergrowth Tenel Ka found herself surrounded by a pale light radiating from iridescent flowers. Tenel Ka, who was never one to lose her breath to shock, gasped as she entered the clearing.

"Jacen, this is truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen." She hugged Jacen and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"It still doesn't compare to your beauty." Jacen said. Tenel Ka looked down and blushed, but only slightly. "You are the most beautiful woman in the universe Tenel." He brought her close to him, then lifted her chin and gave her a quick kiss.

Tenel Ka smiled. "What are we doing this far from camp, Jacen? Is there a reason or is this just random?"

Jacen gave her the famous Solo grin that he had inherited from his father. "Maybe there's a reason, maybe there isn't." He continued to look down at her and smile. *She is so incredible*

"So are you, you know." She smiled her rare smile and tightened her grip around his neck. *Kiss me*

"As you wish," Jacen lifted Tenel Ka's lips to his and kissed her with a firey passion that told her how much he loved her. After a long moment Jacen pulled back and put his forehead on her's. All he could do was smile, the glow from the plant life played shadows on their faces. "I love you Tenel, with all my heart."

"As do I. I love you so much Jacen every moment I'm with you seems like magic." *That's because it is* She told herself. *He had been, for all I knew, dead and now he's alive in my arms*

Jacen took Tenel's hand and led her to the middle of the grassy clearing. He took a deep breath in a vain attempt to try and calm his nerves. *Now I get nervious* her quietly thought to himself.

Tenel Ka looked quizzically at Jacen. She knew he was nervious, but she wasn't sure exactly why. Then she got the sudden feeling that Jacen was about to do something that might forever change their lives. *What is he going to do? Man, now I'm getting nervious* Slowly her stomach was turning into a giant knot.

Jacen sat down onto a blanket he had placed there earlier that day and motioned for Tenel Ka to join him. She sat down and felt Jacen's arms go around her waist. Tenel Ka couldn't help, but smile. She felt the knot in her stomach start to dissolve. Jacen pulled her close to him and kissed her gently on the neck.

"Tenel, I love you more than anything, even life itself. I know we have been through some rough spots in our relationship yet we have always managed to come out of it with our heads held high," his voice dropped to little more thana whisper as he reached behind his back, "Would you do me the honor of being my wife?"

At that moment Jacen pulled out a small hunter green velvet box. When he opened it Tenel saw the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. The stone was a star emerald and the metal was pure Hapien silver. Tears began to well in Tenel Ka's eyes. All she could do was nod yes. When she nodded Jacen's smile could have rivaled the stars. Then he put the ring on her finger.

"Yes, Jacen Solo, I will marry you," Tenel Ka whispered chocked by the tears of pure joy that snaked their way down her face. She snuggled into Jacen's embrace. Jacen tightened his hold on Tenel Ka as he looked at her. Their eyes met and they could see straight into the depths of the other's soul. Slowly Jacen leaned his head down and captured her lips in a sweet, gental kiss. Tenel ka snaked her arms around his neck. The kiss deepened and when they separated they found themselves gasping for the second time that day.

Jacen laid down on the grass and put his arms behind his head. *I never knew that being engaged could feel this good* He felt Tenel Ka lay down next to him. She rolled on her side and looked at Jacen. She smiled her rare smile. Jacen put his arm around her shoulder and squeezed. Tenel snuggled into the crook of his arm and fell asleep. Jacen kissed her lightly ad fell asleep himself.