Chapter 17: Awakening

Anakin lay motionless on the bed. He had passed out nearly twelve hours before. The only time anyone had left his side was to check the hyperdrive time. The only way they knew that he was alive was that he was breathing and his presence in the Force was still strong.

No one noticed when Anakin opened his eye, everyone was asleep. Anakin looked around the room, his sister had fallen asleep lying on the bunk across from him with her head on Zekk's lap. Zekk in turn had fallen asleep propped up by the wall and a bed post. Jacen sat asleep in a corner with Tenel Ka asleep on his lap with her head on his shoulder. Looking at the door he noticed Lowie standing there with his eyes closed obviously sleeping.

Just then out of the corner of his eye he saw movement. Jaina had woken up and was looking at Anakin. When his gaze caught hers he smiled slightly. Jaina gasped then got up and hugged her brother. When she had moved Zekk woke up and soon everyone was awake.

"Anakin! You're awake! What happened? Why did you faint?" Jaina was bombarding Anakin with questions.

Zekk smiled and put his hands on Jaina's shoulders. "Jay, if you stop talking for a second maybe Anakin could explain." After Zekk said this everyone laughed and Jaina blushed. Anakin explained what happened and what Tahiri was going through. The entire group listened with mouths agape.

"You can't be serious!" Jaina said once her brother had finished his tale. Anakin just nodded his head.

"We have to get to Tahiri She's strong but I doubt she'll live through another beating." Anakin stated, his eyes now held a strange fire that no one had seen since he had last been with Tahiri.

"We'll find her. We're almost to the Degobah system now, soon we'll find her." Jacen said to no one in particular, but everyone nodded.