Chapter 2: I Cannot Sleep
Tossing and turning in her bed, Tenel Ka screamed in frustration into her pillow. She could not remember the last time she had gotten a full night of sleep. It had to have been at least a year. It had to have been before Jacen had been captured and killed. Even to this day, thoughts of her deceased friend still haunted Tenel Ka and drove her to tears. Jacen Solo had been more than a friend though; he was her first, her only, her true love. Tenel Ka's feelings towards him had rapidly become more and more intense and passionate as their relationship blossomed. Whether he felt the same about her or not; well that was another entirely different matter altogether.
The young woman's eyes fell upon a small collection of old holos. Taken at the old Jedi Academy on Yavin Four, they showcased her and her fellow Knights on their graduation day. Jacen, Jaina, Zekk, Lowbacca, Raynar and the younger Anakin and Tahiri. All had been carefree back then and they were smiling happily. Oh, how things had changed. And not all for the better. Jacen, Raynar and Anakin had been killed on that successful but costly mission to Myrkr. The loss of both her brothers had sent Jaina spiraling into the Dark Side. Were it not for the love and affection showered upon her by Kyp Durron, she may have been lost forever. As it were, the recently married couple had settled down on Mon Calamari. They were now the proud parents of a healthy baby girl, strong in the Force like her parents. While Tenel Ka certainly was happy for her friend, she privately wondered if she herself would ever love again.
Wiping tears from her eyes, Tenel Ka quickly got dressed. Not bothering to fix her hair, she took one last look at the holo of Jacen and left her bedroom. The observation deck was a place where she often came on nights when she could not sleep. The quiet calmness of nature filled her with peace and serenity. Looking to the spaceport, Tenel Ka frowned. Heading away from a dilapidated old shuttle on Docking BayThree was a young man who she was sure she'd seen before. Blinking twice in disbelief, she looked again but he was gone. Tenel Ka shrugged, owing it to a lack of sleep. She settled in and gazed at the stars.
Several hours passed. Tenel Ka awoke with a start at the sound of a bird chirping. She had slipped into a light sleep. It was very close to daybreak. The young Jedi sighed. Though she was not Queen Mother, and hoped she never would be, the stress of the Royal House still took its toll on her body and mind. Soon, it would be time to begin the day's activities. Tenel Ka slipped back down to her room to change into something more appropriate for public appearances.
As she headed for the refresher, she felt something amiss. She could not quite put her finger on it but it seemed there was another presence in the room. Footsteps sounded behind her. Just as Tenel Ka was about to turn around, a pair of muscular arms slipped around her neck. Reacting with lightning speed and the natural instinct of a Dathomiri warrior, she grabbed one arm and flipped her would-be assailant up over her head and down to the ground in front of her.
Tenel Ka gasped at the recognizable sight of trademark brown robes. It was a Jedi! Another surprise awaited her as the intruder offered her a well known lopsided half-grin. That could mean only one thing; he was also a Solo! Feeling weak in the knees, Tenel Ka barely registered his words as she slipped into unconsciousness.
"Hello my dearest Tenel Ka. I've finally come home, baby. And yes, this is indeed a fact."