Chapter 2
Jacen quickly threw the things he had just recently unpacked back into his bag for the trip back to Coruscant. He scanned the room, trying to make sure everything he had brought to the Academy was safely packed in his bag. He saw Kalil, sleeping soundly, and snoring softly. What would their lightsaber students think happened to Jacen and Tenel Ka? He quickly wrote two notes on a pad of paper from Kalil's bag.
"Kalil-
Thank you for sharing your room with me. I'm glad to see that someone is taking good care of the animals. Don't forget that the crystal snake's cage needs fixing. You know how much trouble it would cause it if got out…
I'm sorry I didn't get to say goodbye, but a family emergency has come up. My mother was injured. She is fine, but something tells me I should go anyway. Thank you again.
-J"
"Moana, Gelda, Caleb and Kalil-
We are so sorry to leave without saying goodbye, but an emergency has come up on Coruscant…"
Jacen paused to think of what to write next, when someone softly knocked on the door. He set the note for Kalil down on Kalil's nightstand, and took the unfinished note and pen and his bag with him.
Tenel Ka stood at the door, her red hair illuminated by the hallway's blue-tinged light. "Are you ready to leave?" She had her duffel bag slung over her left shoulder, and her right hand was propped on her hip.
"Almost, I thought we should leave notes for the kids. They might worry."
"True. What have you written?"
They finished the note together-
"We want you all to know how much you've improved in the last three weeks. You will be excellent Jedi Knights, and skillful with your lightsabers. Whenever you need anything, do not hesitate to ask. Friends will always be there for each other, and we count each of you as a new friend. We hope to return soon.
~Tenel Ka and Jacen"
"Hold on, there's one more thing, I almost forgot." Jacen ducked back into the room and emerged with his duffel slightly more full than it had been.
"What did you get?"
"Umm… some clothes."
"I see."
*****
They quickly walked to the Rock Dragon, Tenel Ka's ship. As they were about the board, Luke, Mara, Ben and Galena walked up to them.
"We'll be coming to Coruscant with you, and leaving Galena in charge of the Academy." Luke said, holding the gurgling blue-eyed Ben.
"Will you make sure our lightsaber students get this?" Jacen held out the folded note.
"Yes, and have a safe journey." Galena waved and left.
Luke and Mara boarded Mara's ship and took off. Tenel Ka and Jacen followed close behind, and both ships made the jump to hyperspace.
******
Tenel Ka and Jacen went to bed in the two separate cabins in the Rock Dragon, and finally got their goodnight kiss. When Tenel Ka's alarm went off the next morning, Jacen knocked on the door loudly.
"Wake up! Something's wrong!"
She hopped out of bed, and ran to the door. She touched the panel and the door swished open. Running out into the hallway, she found herself in the dark, and Jacen was no where to be seen. She felt her way along the walls to the cockpit, and found that it too was dark, except for the blinking lights of the consoles.
"Jacen?" She looked around again, suddenly glad she had thought to bring her lightsaber.
"Surprise!" The lights flew on, exposing balloons and a ration bar with candles stuck in the top, resting on a table between the pilot and copilot chairs. "Happy birthday, Tenel Ka."
"How- how did you know?" He took her hand and led her to sit in the pilot's seat.
"Jaina told me." He gestured to the brown ration bar. "Sorry, it's all I could find in the kitchen."
"Why does it have candles in it?"
"It's a Corellian tradition- you blow them out and make a wish."
She looked at him incredulously.
"Go ahead! You don't want a waxy ration bar." She blew them out, and he cut the ration bar in half. He laughed, "Nice pajamas."
She always made it a point to change quickly in the morning, but when Jacen had said something was wrong, she didn't hesitate to come into the ship wearing her gray cotton tank top and pants. Her hair had been rumpled when she slept, and was pulled back into a ponytail. Jacen thought it strange to see her without her usual perfect appearance and braided hair. Though Tenel Ka was serious and usually solemn, she still found ways to surprise him.
"You too." Jacen was still wearing his sleep wear as well, though he had taken the time to comb his hair. They ate in silence for a few moments, listening to the hum of the hyperdrive engines. Jacen broke the silence and said, "I hope my mom and dad are safe."
"They are resourceful people. I am sure they're fine."
Jacen smiled, but he was still uncertain. "I almost forgot!" He reached under the portable table and brought out as long, flat package. "Your birthday present."
"You did not have to…"
"I wanted to."
She looked at it fondly. "I have not gotten a birthday present in years. My parents usually just send a message."
"Open it."
The brown, crinkly paper wrapping it was secured by what looked like a vine from the jungle, and a huge blossom was tucked in the vine. It had five enormous petals, each beginning in a bright gold and turning to fiery red as the color reached the edge.
Tenel Ka smiled slightly, and pulled the blossom from it's place. "It's beautiful. Where did you find it?"
"The jungle, actually. It reminded me of you."
Her smile grew slightly, and she untied the string. The paper that wrapped the present fell away to reveal a book, covered in a familiar looking lizard hide. It had been one of her own, from Dathomir, but it had ripped and she had thrown it away
"I threw this out weeks ago."
"I know. I was looking for something to cover the book in, and it seemed perfect."
Tenel Ka opened the book, only to find that it was filled with pictures of her, Jacen, Jaina, Lowie and Zekk in their years at the Academy. Inside, it said,
Happy 19th Birthday!
I know it's been a long time since we were at the Academy, but I stumbled across these holos recently, and they reminded me of how much fun we had. You are a wonderful person and I am proud to call you one of my best friends.
Love, Jacen.
"Thank you, Jacen," Tenel Ka said, "It's wonderful.". Before he could respond, the alarm sounded that the trip in hyperspace was over. The ship smoothly entered real space and the long lines of stars shortened themselves to tiny dots.
"We should get dressed." Jacen said.
They quickly dressed, and were hailed by traffic control. They docked near the Palace, and ran inside to the medical wing.
******