Anakin was standing outside, looking up at the sky over Yavin 4. Everything was so quiet and peaceful for once. He had just returned from a long and tough mission, and enjoyed that he could relax again. At least for a little while.
The Yuuzhan Vong was starting to give real trouble to the New Republic. It had only been a few weeks ago since Anakin had found himself rushing back to Yavin 4 to find out that Tahiri had been kidnapped. Tahiri. He couldn't believe how relieved he was when he found her again. It was at this time he knew. It was like he had always known but never wanted to admit it to her or himself. But this time it had been different. This time he couldn't hide it any longer.
Anakin smiled to himself of the thought. She, luckily, had feelings for him too. They had both discovered it in their first kiss. It had been the most beautiful thing ever happening to him. Admitting his feelings and knowing that she was safe once again. He wasn't going to let anything happen to her.
"Anakin?" A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.
He turned around and found Tahiri walking over to him.
"Are you alright?" she asked, concerned.
He nodded, "Yeah, I was just - err - Thinking."
"What were you thinking of?" Tahiri asked teasingly as Anakin scooped her into his arms.
"All of the things happening in my life right now."
Tahiri tilted her head and a smile appeared on her lips, "What things in your life?"
Anakin couldn't help but smile. He loved to see her smile. It always brightened up his world and everything around him. "All the weird things that has been going on lately. Both good and bad." She smiled at this, knowing that he was thinking the same as her, "I promise you, Tahiri, I'm never going to let anything or anyone imprison you like that ever again."
"That's a pretty determined statement, but I appreciate it," she said softly, "it's hard to decide who to trust and who we shouldn't trust these days." Anakin kissed the top of her head to make her relax a bit.
A chilling wind came from the east. They stood in their embrace for a long time, not wanting to let go. Suddenly Anakin felt something wet on his shoulder. He looked down to see what it was when he saw silent tears running down Tahiri's face.
"Hey, hey, what's wrong?" Anakin asked worriedly.
"I'm so sorry, Anakin," She answered quietly. "I don't want to trouble you with anything."
"You won't," He assured and looked into her wet eyes. He used his thumb to wipe the tears away.
She smiled slightly. "You are so sweet, you know. The best friend I could ever wish for. Maybe even more than a friend," He smiled, "I just can't help listening to what people say. Every girl at the academy talk about you, about your great accomplishments, and about what the future will bring to you. You are going to be the most powerful Jedi some day, Anakin, I'm sure of it!"
"Wait a minute," Anakin said, trying to understand what she was feeling. "Are you afraid one of those girls, I hardly know, will take me away from you?" She hesitated, and then nodded slightly. "Tahiri, look at me," He continued. She looked up. "I promise, with all of my heart, I will never leave you! Never! You mean more to me than anyone!" He reached down and to place a kiss to reassure her that he was telling the truth. She kissed him back, and the kiss grew tender.
Not too far away, stood Anakin's older sister, Jaina Solo. She smiled, her younger brother had finally found someone to care about.
She went inside again, and fell down on the bed. There was a knock on the door. She sat up, and a droid entered.
"Your brother is here to see you, miss," it said.
"Thank you, A4-V3," She answered, "Send him in, please."
"Yes, miss Jaina," The droid said and went out of the room again. A few seconds later, Jacen Solo entered the room.
"I can't believe you are still letting that droid ask you if it is alright for me to enter the room," Jacen said and sat down next to her. She laughed. "Mama told me to let you know that dinner is ready. Let Anakin know."
"She is back already?" Jaina asked. Jacen nodded with a smile. "you are not still angry with Anakin, because of what happened at the Battle of Fondor, are you?" Jacen had been starting to believe that the force could become a greater advantage to the Republic. At the battle of Fondor, many had lost their lives, because Corellians had been firing away without help from Anakin, who was there too, or Jacen. Anakin had been himself and Jacen for the casualties.
"No, he is my brother after all. Maybe it's time to forget about it."
Jaina smiled. "It's going to be great having the entire family for dinner. Wait a minute, is Papa going to be there."
"I doubt it. He has been working on the Falcon all day. Again."
Jaina sighed. "We all loved Chewie but there was nothing he could do. It has been so long now, isn't time for him to forgive Anakin!"
"You should ask him that." Jacen said and stood up. "Don't forget to tell Anakin and Tahiri." He walked out of the room, and Jaina got up too. She followed him out, but turned in the opposite direction of her twin, in the corridor.
She walked outside where she found Anakin and Tahiri looking at the sky. "That's really cute, you know." She laughed of how surprised they were to see her. "Mother has returned from her mission, and she has arranged a dinner for the family." She looked at Tahiri, "That of course, includes you."
Tahiri smiled. She always looked at the Solo's like her family. She had been friends with Anakin for so long, and since she was without parents, the Solo's had been treating her like a family member. Anakin looked down at her, "Why don't you go ahead?" She understood and walked inside.
Anakin sighed and looked at his sister. "I can't go, and you know it."
"This has got to stop, Anakin," Jaina walked over to him. She was surprised of how much taller than her, he really was. "You know you couldn't have done anything. If you had tried he might also have lost his son."
"Seems to me like he would want that more than loosing Chewie," Anakin answered.
"Don't say that!" Jaina almost yelled. "Just go tonight. Eat quickly have to. But just go. Not only for me, but for Mama too. She is hardly ever with her family, and this is the one time in a very long time that she can gather all of us." He thought about it for a while, then sighed and agreed. Jaina smiled at her brother, "Now go, I have something to do. I will see you at dinner," Anakin nodded and walked to the dining room.
Meanwhile Leia was trying to convince her husband to come to the dinner.
"Han you have got to get over your stubbornness! Are you going to stay mad at your son forever?" Leia practically yelled.
"Look, Princess, I don't expect you to understand the feeling of losing your best pal, who has been with you through ups and downs for a very long time!" Han said determined.
"I may understand that. But I think I would understand how you would feel if you had lost a son. A son, Han. If you don't get yourself together you might loose that too!" Leia tried. "We all miss Chewie terrible, you more than any. But think about your Anakin too, and not only yourself. He is fifteen years old, and he walks around thinking he is the reason his father lost his best friend! A friend of the entire family. How do you think he is feeling?"
Jaina walked out to her ship. It had been a while since she had worked on it. It might need a check soon, in case she had to go on a mission soon. She wasn't sure why she was here now, but something told her she just needed a walk before dinner. A person started to walk up behind Jaina. "If you are trying to scare me, it's not going to work." Jaina said.
"I would never try to scare the great, Jaina Solo. I see your Jedi powers have grown." The person said.
"I guess they have. Or maybe it's because you have tried to scare me so many times now that I'm starting to know when it's you," Jaina answered and turned around to face the person. Kyp Durron. Jaina had found him quite interesting for a time but sometimes he could seriously confuse her. Sometimes she doubted if he could be trusted.
"I'm hurt, Jaina," He said.
"What do you want, Kyp?" she asked.
"Nothing. Just to talk to you," He answered. Jaina rolled her eyes. "Have you seen they got a new fighter pilot? Jag something."
"Oh really?" Jaina asked. "Is he going on a mission or something, since you tell me?"
"No, he is too new. He seems like a great pilot though." This was a great example of why Jaina could doubt Kyp once in a while. His mood could change so fast. He could go from teasing to serious in a matter of seconds.
"I will have a look at him some day," Jaina said and started to walk away. "I will see you later, Kyp."
"You said it, fair Jaina," He grinned. This was what she meant. Jaina shook her head, and walked along, she wouldn't want to be late for dinner.
"Mama!" Leia walked over to her three children and hugged all of them twice. "Oh it's wonderful seeing the three of you together. That never happens. Has your uncle arrived yet?"
"He should be here soon." Jacen answered.
"Or about now," They all turned and saw Luke Skywalker walk in. He walked over to Leia and gave her a hug. "Great to see you again, Leia. How was the trip?"
"Great!" I'm really enjoying flying in my own spaceship." She had named it Alderaan after the place where she grew up.
After Luke came Han. He walked in slowly, purposely avoiding to look at Anakin. "Hey kid," He said to Luke, "How are you?"
"Fine, thank you," Luke answered, "It's good to see you again, Han." Han didn't say anything back.
During the dinner, Han avoided to say anything. It didn't quite make Leia happy, but she was glad that he was there. She decided that maybe it was time for him to join the conversation. "Han, what have you been doing while I was gone?" Leia asked him.
"Nothing much, working on the Falcon really. She was quite damaged." He answered in a very uncaring. Jaina glanced at Anakin; he was looking down on his plate.
"Look Papa, we all miss Chewie very much," Jacen said, hoping it would help his father. The only thing he got out of it was Jaina stepping on his toe. He send her a confused look and Jaina send one back telling him to shut up.
"Right," Han answered. "He was only in his young years. He could have lived for years." Then added quietly, "A young death."
Anakin stood up angrily and walked out.
"Oh nice going, Jacen!" Jaina said angrily.
"What!" Jacen said, "Papa was the one who said it!"
"Cut it out you two," Leia said, and the twins immediately shut up. She turned to Han, "Go talk to him. You can't keep doing this to him! I won't let you!"
Han didn't answer. He looked like he was thinking, or just trying to ignore what Leia said. "She is right, Han. He has been suffering enough. It has got to stop. I can see it in his training too, his lack of concentration. I'm sure, Tahiri, Jaina and Jacen have noticed too" He looked at the three kids, who all nodded.
There was a pause. Jaina and Jacen sighed and started eating again. After a while though, Han got up and walked out of the room.
"I hope he is going to search for, Anakin," Leia said.
He was. He walked outside where Anakin stood with his arms crossed over his chest, leaning against a tree. Han hesitated. Then finally swallowed his pride, for a while, and walked over there. "Beautiful night." He said and looked up.
Anakin looked at him surprised. He had expected Jaina, Tahiri or his mother to come look for him. These were the first words coming from Han, which had been meant for him, in the past many months. "I guess," he answered, not really sure where this is going.
There was a long break. Neither knew what to say. "Look kid," Han began. Anakin looked at the ground. "I guess I'm sorry. Chewie was a beloved friend to all to all of us. But I guess I can't keep blaming you. If you had stayed much longer there I think we both know what would have happened. And – I don't know what I would have done if that really happened."
"No, I'm sorry Papa," Anakin said, "It was my fault. If I had just waited a few seconds more, Chewie might have made it."
"We both know that's not true. I was just wondering, if there was any way you could forgive me?"
Anakin looked up at him, "I think I can, after all, I might be the only one in the galaxy who will ever hear you say something like that. What happened to my tough father?"
"He just returned," Han said, and smiled for the first time since before Chewbacca's death. He hugged Anakin, "So what is this between you and Tahiri."
Anakin smiled and shrugged. "Love hits you hard all of a sudden. Guess my rescue was the only thing to make us both realize." They started to walk back inside, "By the way, was the Falcon really that damaged?"
"Are you kidding!" Han asked. Anakin looked down in embarrassment, "It wasn't damaged that bad! You are fifteen Anakin, and you flew the Falcon by yourself, across the galaxy, and it hardly got a scratch. That's not bad at all," Han messed his son's hair with one hand. They laughed. Father and son were finally reunited once again.
A few days passed. Tahiri and Anakin enjoyed the time they finally had together. Leia was just thrilled that her son and husband had made up and moved on.
Jaina and Jacen sat on Jaina's bed once again, talking lightly. Suddenly Jacen stood up and ran a hand through his hair. "What's the matter?" Jaina asked her twin nervously.
"I have been asked to go on a mission to Myrkr." He said, hesitating a bit.
"Myrkr?" Jaina asked to be sure, "Are you crazy? That's in the middle of Yuuzahan Vong's territory!"
"I know."
"You can't go, Jacen. It's too dangerous! Who is leading this mission? I will go right up and tell that person that you can't go!"
"Jaina!" Jacen interrupted. "Let me finish. If I don't go, I will be leading other people into the danger I should be facing. I have tried this before. I can do it."
"Well, why am I not going?" She asked.
"You are," He answered simply, "Wouldn't want to fight without my twin. It has been a while since we did that."
"Well good! So who is leading the mission?"
Jacen hesitated, then finally answered, "Anakin."
Jaina fell on her back in the bed. She had been expecting this. "When are we leaving then?" she asked.
"In an hour."
"I will be ready!"
He smiled slightly and walked over and gave her a hug.
"I have to go and see if Anakin is ready." He started to walk over to the door.
"Mama, will kill us for leaving so soon," Jaina said.
"She will understand." He walked out, leaving Jaina to her thoughts, and to pack her necessary things.
There was a knock on Anakin's door. Tahiri and him turned to see who entered. Jacen walked in. "Anakin, are you ready?" He asked.
"Ready for what?" Tahiri asked looking at Anakin. He didn't answer right away. She looked at Jacen who was facing Anakin.
"You know what," Jacen said, "Never mind, I will just catch up with you later." He walked out again.
Tahiri turned to Anakin again. "Are you going to tell me what is going on?"
"I guess I don't have a choice," Anakin answered quietly. Tahiri shook her head and waited for him to tell. "Alright," He continued, "The Yuuzhan Vong is getting a greater enemy, you know that," she nodded and he continued. "I have been asked to lead a mission to Myrkr. I have to lead the strike of Jedi to find and destroy the source of the voxyn." Her face turned worried, "Jaina and Jacen will come along with me.
"Myrkr is in the middle of Yuuzhan Vong territory," Tahiri said to herself. Anakin sat down next to her and put an arm around her small shoulders. Fresh tears started to make their way down her face. "Promise me to be careful! You have to promise me!"
"I promise, Tahiri, I promise," He said and kissed the top of her head. He stood up. "I have to go now." He took a small bag from a corner and took a look back at Tahiri. She was standing up too.
She walked over to him. "Kiss me," She said. He smiled slightly and his lips met hers in a tender kiss. "I will miss you." She said when they broke apart.
"I will miss you too," He reassured. He held her tight in a hug, "I –I love you, Tahiri. I really do. Remember what I told you the other night; you mean more to me than anyone! Always remember that!"
"Oh Anakin," She said and squeezed him tighter, "I love you too!" They kissed again, before Anakin had to go.
Anakin met Jacen and Jaina in the great entrance hall, "Ready?" He asked.
"Ready," Jacen smiled at his brother. Han, Leia, Luke and Tahiri said goodbye and watched them fly away with the other Jedi. This including Kyp Durron..
"Ready?" Anakin asked the Jedi. With some trouble they had finally reached Myrkr. Now was their time to stop the Yuuzhan Vong's cloning. Anakin got ready to lead the strike force of Jedi.
"We're right behind you, Anakin," Jaina said. They started moving.
"We are here to destroy the source of the voxyn. The voxyn is a creature designed to hunt down Jedi, so watch your back! I'm not sure how many there is," Anakin warned and reminded. "Stay together! I'm not sure how many Jedi there will be needed to defeat the voxyn!" He added to Jacen quietly, "You ready to do the cohesive fighting unit, if necessary?"
"Keep everyone close together and I will," Jacen answered.
They moved further and further. Suddenly they could hear steps. Anakin made sign for everyone to stop. "Be ready to fight," He whispered quietly. All of the Jedi held their Lightsaber close.
"Here they come," Jaina whispered.
She was right. Enemy troops showed up. They were more than the Jedi. They had no choice but to fight, this was their mission and they all had the intention of completing it. They fought bravely. Jacen used the force to do the cohesive fighting unit. Suddenly a 1.8 meters tall 'creature' with the baseline of humanity, walked closer. It was the Yuuzhan Vong.
"Anakin let me handle him!" Jacen said.
"No! I will hold him back and you go find the source and destroy it!" Anakin answered.
"You can't hold him back by yourself! We can't use the cohesive fighting unit if I go!"
"I know, but you have to do it! The others are still here! They are all great Jedi!"
"They still have the troops to think about," Jacen continued.
"Jacen, we don't have much time! Go!" The Yuuzhan Vong walked closer to Anakin. Anakin got his lightsaber ready, and did the Yuuzhan Vong. Anakin was the first to attack, but the Yuuzhan Vong defended easily. Now he attacked first. Anakin had trouble defending, he had to gather all the force he could.
'He is stronger than I thought,' Anakin thought, 'He is fast too.' He tried to control his breath once again, but hardly had the change to before there was a new attack on him. 'Please hurry Jacen!' He thought. The battle between the two continued. Anakin had trouble keeping up, but he lasted. He could only gather a small amount of energy from the force, before he had to continue.
But the Yuuzhan Vong was still too fast. He moved like Anakin had never seen anyone do it. Somehow, Anakin didn't block the final strike. The Yuuzhan Vong's lightsaber went right through his stomach.
Anakin gasped. His face turned white with pain, and he slowly fell to the floor, only seeing the smile on the Yuuzhan Vong's face. He enjoyed the pain Anakin showed.
"ANAKIN!" he could hear Jaina yell in the background. He slowly faded into darkness.
Jaina saw the Yuuzhan Vong slowly move away from her brother. She ran over there and fell on her knees next to Anakin. "Please, no! Please!" She cried.
"Jaina?" Anakin said slowly and weak.
"I'm here. I'm here. Take it easy." She said, while trying to stop the tears running down her cheeks, "I got you, Anakin!"
"Tell everyone I love them," he coughed. Jaina hushed to make him stop talking but it didn't work, "That includes you Jaina, you were always there for me."
"I will always be, Anakin! Just be quiet, and you will get through this!" She took his hand. It was as cold as ice. She looked down at him. His eyes were screaming with pain. As much as she hated to admit it, he was not going to make it this time.
"Tell Tahiri, that I - " Anakin tried, "That I -"
"Love her higher than anyone," Jaina sobbed. Anakin nodded then closed his eyes. His hand hang lifeless in hers. Fresh tears started making their way down the tracks that had already been made. She leaned over her dead brother's body and cried. In between her sobs she said, "I will tell, Anakin, I promise. I will."
Jacen walked down a long hall. It was dark. Very dark. Suddenly he came to a huge circular room. It was dark too. Suddenly he heard someone laughing. He turned, making sure his lightsaber was ready at any moment he might need it. Then someone else started laughing.
"Are we confusing you, young Solo?" The first voice asked, still laughing. "What are you doing so far away from your home?" Jacen didn't answer. It was a trap, he knew it, and he was stuck, and couldn't get out.
"Oh poor poor, Solo," The second voice said with a laughter, "He doesn't even know what is going on in the other room, he just left behind." Jacen turned. What was he talking about?
"Oh you mean the little coincidence with his younger brother?" The first voice asked.
Jacen couldn't take it anymore, "What coincidence?" he yelled. He opened his lightsaber, which gave him a change to see who he was talking to. It wasn't a pleasant surprise he got. "Vergere and Nom Anor." He said quietly to himself. Next to them were troops. They must have been the leaders.
"So you remember our names," Vergere said with a smile. She had stopped laughing though.
"What has happened to Anakin?" Jacen asked angrily.
"So you haven't heard," Nom Anor laughed. "He died in combat, thinking he could defeat a Yuuzhan Vong. He was never as smart as people thought he was."
Jacen's inhaling became more rapid. He fell to his knees. All around him was laughter. Jacen felt the room turning. It was spinning in circles in front of his eyes. The sentence, 'He was never as smart as people thought he was,' kept repeating itself in his head.
His grab around his lightsaber fastened. He looked up. It was still spinning, faster and faster. He was breathing heavily. He ran, he didn't know where since the room was spinning before his eyes. He attacked. In the background he could hear the voice of nom Anor, "It's no use, Jacen Solo! You have lost this battle. Give up!"
"Never!" Jacen cried and continued. It was useless though. There was really nothing he could do. Not this time. Slowly he fell to the ground, and into darkness.
A/N: I finished! I can't believe I finally finished this chapter and get to start the story.
Just a small note from me: This is not an OneShot, more chapters to come, and I hope they will be done sooner than you know it. But for now I hope you enjoy this one.
This is my first Star Wars fanfiction ever! So be nice ;)
Christine
Review!