Author Note: Hey. My apologies for the huge gap in postings. Contrary to popular belief, I did not drop of the face of the universe, nor did I forget Brock & Jaina. Thank you to those still interested in reading; I promise that no matter what, this story WILL be finished before I graduate. (5 months or sooner :) Hopefully this piece will tide you over momentarily. Thanks again! Enjoy!

JadaSkye

PERFECT STRANGERS: Part X

Jaina lie flat on her bed in the room she shared with Tenel Ka. Tenel was stretched out on her own bed, her injured leg surrounded by pillows. Jaina was still in disbelief. It had been nearly two days since it had happened, and two days since she'd even been inside the clinic. Luke had yet to connect the evidence they had found with anyone or anything besides Brock. Slade and Tobias had stayed an hour after the attack and surveyed the entire area where Jaina and Tenel had been hunted. They located the x-wing Brock had traveled to Yavin in and found the pieces of his knife and the huge rifle that had brought Tenel down. Luke confiscated the weapons and after confirming that the pieces contained Brock's fingerprints, he placed them on a shelf under a heavy translucent box.

Han and Leia had arrived late the night of the incident and the entire Solo family together was an emotional overload. Han was furious, feeling that the whole situation was his fault for not forbidding Jaina to see Brock in the first place. Jaina wept profusely in her father's embrace after convincing him not to march straight into the clinic to blow Brock's head off with a blaster rifle. But since then, she had been sober, and barely spoken a word to anyone.

There was so much to believe, and even more to cope with. Jaina was torn. She knew that the man who had attacked her was not the same one she had met in the garage on Coruscant three months earlier-- not the same man she had slowly begun to give her heart to. Something had made him snap. Something had torn him away from her, and it was hatred for that, more than anything else, that stabbed her heart every time her memory replayed the awful sequence.

But in the midst of loathing Brock's elusive captor, Jaina's heart burned with grief and loneliness. No matter who he was, or what he had become, Brock had taken a piece of her heart that could never be returned. Though Jaina tried her hardest to fill the hole with abhorrence for his entire species, she could not. Her anger was overcome by a deep longing for something she could no longer have. And whether she would ever have him again or not, she knew the truth-- and it was harder to accept than any event of the past two days.

"Tenel?" Jaina whispered quietly, staring at the ceiling.

"Yeah?"

Tears slipped out of Jaina's eyes and rolled down her temples into her hair. She sat up slowly and looked across the room at her best friend.

"Jaina, what is it?" Tenel asked worried, and angry that she couldn't move to comfort her friend.

Jaina wiped her eyes and then looked miserably at her injured roommate. "I'm so sorry." she whispered shakily.

"Jaina, we've had this conversation already. How many times do I have to tell you that this isn't your fault!"

"No, no, not about that." she continued. "This is something else. I'm sorry because-- I want to hate him. I want to hate him lying and breaking my heart and for trying to kill us both and—everything. "

"But you still love him."

Jaina's eyes widened. Tenel didn't look upset at all.

"You think I didn't know?" she continued. "Of course I know! You still want him. You still love him."

Jaina was frozen. "How did-- how did you know? And why aren't you angry?"

Tenel smiled at her. "Because I know you, Jay. I know he made you happy." she sighed. "The person who attacked us wasn't Brock, Jaina. That person was manufactured by some lunatic who was out to get you. The man who loves you is somewhere inside that comatose body in the infirmary, and from what you've told me, he's not one to falter in the face of adversity. Something tells me he'll fight his way out of this and come back to you." she paused. "I've seen the way he looks at you, my friend. You haven't lost him yet-- and apparently, he hasn't lost you either."

Jaina fell silent. She leaned back on her pillow and soaked in Tenel's words. He hadn't lost her. And no matter how much she wanted to hate him, she couldn't.

"Stang you, Brock Mitchell." she thought, tears stinging her eyes. "Stang you for kissing my soul and then breaking my heart. And stang you as well, Jaina Solo. For knowing all the while, and letting it happen."

Tristan packed a few items into her travel bag. "If you want something done right," she mumbled. "Never send a man do it." And that, she would never do again. Her latest creation had made it to Yavin IV and then disappeared. And she refused to have victory dangled in front of her face and then snatched away. She would hunt it down and seize it herself. Her fighter awaited her in the hangar of the Artemis. Without so much as another thought about Mycenae, Mitchell or the rest of the galaxy, Tristan set her course to fly straight into and through the heart of Luke Skywalker.

She strapped herself into the cockpit and grinned.

Yes, the end was finally in sight.

Hours later, Jaina trudged across the praxeum grounds to the med center. The day matched her mood, as it was gray, and quite dreary. She entered the clinic and Cilghal looked up from her work.

"Any changes?" Jaina asked.

"I'm afraid not." Cilghal replied with a sad smile.

Jaina sighed. Cilghal walked across the room and patted Jaina's shoulder. "Fear not, my friend." she said soothingly. "I am sure we will find some answers very soon. Will you be alright here alone?"

Jaina nodded. "I'll be fine. Go on, so you don't get caught out in the weather."

Cilghal smiled sadly again, gathered her small satchel and left the med center. A gust of wind blew in as the door closed. Jaina stood silently in the middle of the clinic, a few meters from Brock's bed. He still lay comatose, barely breathing. Jaina slowly walked across the room to him. She looked down at his bruised face and darkened eyes. Just the thought of the flashing emeralds beneath his lids, that had once held her gaze so warmly, and then glared at her so coldly, was enough to make her cry.

"How could you let this happen?" she whispered. "How could you do this to us?" She swiped at angry tears and turned away, furious with herself for losing her heart to such a monster.

Tristan stepped out of her spacecraft onto the surface of the far side of Yavin IV. A gust of wind whipped her smoky brown hair into her face. Vaguely remembering the Academy's layout, she started down a path toward the main temple. Had it really been ten years? It seemed she'd been there more recently...

As she walked, she tried to decide on how she would disguise herself once she reached civilization, but quickly realized that there was no reason for the masquerade. Nearly all of the students were under fifteen or had known Luke for less than five years. No one would recognize her. She grinned increased her pace as the gusty wind pushed her closer to the sound of young voices.

A light rain fell and refreshed the hard-working students of Yavin IV's Jedi praxeum. Tahiri and Anakin had been sparring for a good hour in front of the temple. Taking a break, they deactivated their sabers and soaked up the drizzling rain. Pushing damp, sweaty hair out of his eyes, Anakin turned just in time to see an unfamiliar young woman approaching the main temple. She looked quite lost.

"Excuse me," she called out timidly, halting a few feet in front of him. "Could I trouble you with a question?"

Anakin glanced at Tahiri and shrugged. "It's no trouble. What can I do for you?"

She glanced at the building behind him. "This is-- the Yavin IV Jedi Academy, I presume?"

"Yeah, you found us." he answered. "Are you looking for Luke Skywalker?"

"Oh yes. Is he available?"

"Yeah, usually. Come on, I'll take you. Be right back, Ri." Anakin looked back at the woman and then nodded in the direction of his uncle's whereabouts. "Come on, follow me."

Luke's 'office' door cracked open and his nephew entered, followed by an unfamiliar face with an unfamiliar, somewhat cloudy presence. Luke's guard went up instinctively, but even the Master had not anticipated what was to come.

"Hey, Uncle Luke, got someone here who wants to talk to you. What'd you say your name--"

Suddenly, the door slammed behind them and Anakin was silenced by some invisible force. His eyes flew wide with terror as he gasped for oxygen.

"Thanks, honey, I'll take it from here." she released him and he crumbled to the floor momentarily.

Luke's eyes widened and he stood from his chair. Anakin was alright, but he seemed frozen to the floor.

"Who are you, and what business do you have here?" Luke demanded of the intruder.

Tristan's eyes flew open and devious smile snaked across her face. "Why, Commander Skywalker." she purred. "You haven't changed a bit."

Luke opened his mouth to inquire further, but she interrupted his attempt.

"What's the matter, Luke? Have you forgotten me so quickly? It's only been what-- fifteen years?"

Luke stared hard into the strange woman. This would not be handled quickly. "Anakin, get out of here." he ordered.

"Anakin?" Tristan cooed, holding the young Jedi back. "Baby Anakin? From all those many years ago? My, what a handsome young man you've become!"

Anakin froze, puzzled. "What?"

"Oh, I don't expect you to remember." she turned to glare at Luke. "After all, you were no more than two years old."

Anakin glanced at his uncle, bewildered. Tristan continued, glaring at Luke.

"Fifteen years has found you a wife-- and a family. And me? Well, I've a little family of my own. As for a husband, well-- I had always hoped it would be you."

Luke's memory raced. Those eyes... a raging gray storm.

"Someone got a little anxious though. Too anxious to wait for his true love."

The eyes and the voice fell into place. Luke's mouth nearly fell open.

"Callista!" he gasped.

She snorted. "Callista was a weakling. I am a manifestation of all the power she never dared to seek. I am Admiral Tristan Lockhart, and before we are finished here, you will be begging me for mercy."

All three inhabitants of the room were momentarily frozen in a state of indecision and disbelief. "Anakin, out." Luke commanded gravely.

"Uncle Luke, I won't just leave you alone with--"

"I said out. Do not argue with me, just--"

"Oh, come on, let him stay." Tristan purred, finally igniting her saber. She directed the blade at Luke's chest. "At least one student should witness the destruction of the great Jedi Master Skywalker."

Luke's blood ran cold. Anakin, unsure of what to do, made a small move toward the door and Tristan whipped the weapon around to face him. It was just the break that Luke needed. Quickly he drew his own saber and ignited it inches from Tristan's body.

"Let him go." he warned her gravely.

She smiled, facing him. "Why, so he can run and get help? Really, Luke, I hoped you'd be brave enough to fight me alone."

Luke's eyes narrowed. "Your conflict is with me. Release him."

Tristan's lips curved into a smile. "You're cute when you're serious." she slowly redirected the blade to cross with Luke's. "Run along, Ani."

Anakin didn't wait for her to change her mind. He exited quietly and bolted to find his brother, while the two Jedi, beacons of dark and light, stood crouched to battle.

"Why are you here?" Luke growled. "Why did you come back?"

"To finish the job your niece's boyfriend was too feeble to complete." she shot back. "Plus, I always promised I would return. I keep my promises."

"The validity of your promises expired over ten years ago."

"That's not the point. The point is that I returned. I didn't forget my true love."

"I didn't either," he growled. "I married her."

"You married an ex-Imperial harlot."

"Judging by the shadow that followed you in, I'd say you became one." Luke snapped angrily. Tristan's eyes widened. Luke glared through her. "And if you dare to make another comment about my wife, I will level you right here with no remorse."

"So if you were to level me now, you would have remorse?" she countered. "That's a shame-- because I've been waiting fifteen years to destroy you."

With that, she swung her burgundy blade at the Jedi Master. He blocked her attack and held her sword down, the energy beams crackling at the connection. Luke's anger was quickly overcome by pity for the corrupted creature standing before him. Her life events were similar to Mara's, only reversed. He had loved this woman, and compassion compelled him to appeal to the sliver of light she had left inside.

"Don't do this, Callista." he warned. "You've forgotten yourself. You don't have to go on like this. Come on, let me help you."

"Cut the sympathy act, Skywalker." she snarled. "Your pacifism isn't doing a thing but wasting your oxygen, and you're going to need every bit of it to show me a decent fight."

She struck him again and he blocked her swing with his green-white blade.

"I don't want to fight you, Callista." he pressed, locking their blades at a standstill.

Angrily, Tristan broke the stalemate and hacked at her former lover, grazing his shoulder. He recoiled slightly, startled by the sting of her attack. His fingers brushed the severed sleeve of his tunic and Admiral Lockhart glared into him.

"You forget you aren't fighting Callista." she growled. "She's been dead for years."

Suddenly the room became frighteningly cold and the strong presence of evil sent a chill down Luke's spine. Callista's life force had been replaced by a frigid spirit, fueled by vengeance and pride. She had lost her last battle with the Dark Side. She was truly gone. Quickly, a sense of duty overcame his sympathy for the Imperial Admiral. His eyes narrowed and he reassumed his stance.

"Then you force me to avenge her murder."

Tristan barely heard his response before she attacked him again. Blow after blow, the energy blades crashed together, singeing furniture and driving the Jedi from one side of the room to the other. Tristan had the upper hand, for her combat skills combined with her surprise psychological attack had caught the Jedi Master off guard. But Luke was invariably strong under ill conditions, and defended himself and his domain almost effortlessly.

But the battle of light versus dark proved too strong and too hazardous for the office. Several pieces of furniture were slashed and burned before Luke managed to knock Tristan's saber from her grasp. But she summoned her powers without her sword and charged at Luke, driving both Jedi through the office's right side window and into the drizzling rain.

Luke quickly rolled over a few times before getting back on his feet and calling his saber to his hand. He was covered in mud and glass, and blood dripped from a gash on his cheek. His eyes fell on Tristan; she was equally injured, but her dark powers drove her to her feet. She assumed a fighting stance and ignited her saber. Only then did Luke notice the crowd, including Mara, that had gathered in the main courtyard, despite the rain. Tristan glanced at them and suppressed a grin. Perfect.

Mara broke through the students and advanced toward her husband, saber in hand. But as her magenta blade extended, Luke held up a hand and met his wife's eyes.

"Stay back, Mara." he ordered soberly.

"Excuse me!" she snapped, in disbelief.

"I know what you're thinking, love, but please trust me." he answered gravely. "This is something I have to handle myself."

An understanding passed between the pair, and after a moment, with painful reluctance, Mara deactivated her weapon and retreated, her eyes focused on the dark woman opposing her husband.

Luke knew what it had taken for Mara to withdraw herself and mentally kissed her. "Please keep everyone back." he added solemnly. "This is a personal matter."

END PART TEN