Chapter Five

There was blood everywhere. Blood and fire. "You were the chosen one!" Jaina didn't understand. "It was said you would destroy the Sith, not JOIN them!" A flood of emotions that weren't hers flooded her mind. Betrayal, anger, hate, and fear. Fear of the fire that was slowly crawling up her back, and the fear for someone that was left up on a stone terrace next to a Naboo ship. Anger at Obi-Wan, he was going to let her burn to death. Then there was the Dark Side, cold and evil it clouded her vision and made decisions for her, before she could truly understand what was happening.

"Jaina!"

There was fire, crawling up her back and burning her hair. She screamed.

"Jaina!"

Thunder and lightning crashed outside the lodge, and rain spilled in through the open windows. Lurching up, Jaina felt the night chill around her. She also felt Zekk's bare arms holding her. He sat there beside her. She was shaking now, panic and fear still very prevalent in her mind. "There was fire, and I was by the side and...there was this man..." She wasn't making any sense, and she knew it.

"Shhh." Zekk held her so tight it was surprising. "It was just a dream. A dream."

Closing her eyes, she drew in ragged breaths. "It felt so real, the fire was on my back... I couldn't move." Hot tears swelled up in her eyes, and rolled down her cheeks.

"It's okay." Reaching down, Zekk gathered both her and her blankets up in his arms. "It must have been because you were lying on the hard floor." He carried her over to where he had been sleeping, and placed her in the warm corner. Laying down beside her he still held her close.

Wrapping her arm around his waist Jaina buried her face in his shoulder, still shaking.

Zekk drew the blankets around them. "It was just a dream. Shhhh..."

Sighing deeply, Jaina felt her heartbeat start to slow down to it's natural pace. "What would I do..." Her voice became faint, and she hoped she wasn't worrying Zekk too much. "You're my angel."

Soon she was asleep again, and she didn't feel her nightmares return, even though the summer storms did. Deep inside the abandoned resort Jaina and Zekk were quiet and safe away from the crashing thunder and hammering rain. Zekk was there to chase away all the nightmares, or demons, or whatever ghosts that were haunting her. In a combat situation Jaina could take care of herself, and they both knew it. But when it came down to personal demons, she didn't know what to make of them.

8 Hours Later .

Jaina woke up in cool sheets to the sounds of birds singing. She was in the shade, so the bright morning sunlight didn't invade her eyes. Still wearing her p.js, which consisted of a sleeveless shirt and loose fitting shorts, almost every bit of her skin felt the pleasant Naboo air. For some reason it was like drinking a cool drink of water after all she had drunk all day was rationed vitamin-drink. It was refreshing, and gave her an odd form of energy.

Looking up at the ancient stone ceiling, Jaina stretched. It was a beautiful sensation, her long legs feeling the coolness of the stone floor, and her arms brushing up against the cool wall, feeling the smooth sensation of the standard issue blankets beneath her.

Taking in a long breath of the morning air, Jaina sat up. There was only one thing missing, and that was the Jedi she had flown in with. Perhaps he had gone back to the ship to retrieve something? Standing up, Jaina kept a sheet loosely around her. The Naboo morning was somewhat crisp, even though she could still feel the scent of rain.

Avoiding several puddles, Jaina walked around to the far side of the retreat. On the east balcony of the lodge he stood there, looking out toward the morning. As soon as she got within six feet it was clear he was meditating, and Jaina turned away not wishing to disturb him.

"Don't leave." Zekk's voice was soft, but also distant. He wasn't fully taking himself away from his meditation. Zekk stood there in field trousers, but with a loose shirt. He was the exact model of military training, alert and sharp. His black hair came down around his shoulders, but in an orderly fashion and away from his face.

Jaina turned back, taking in another breath of the beautiful morning. "I'm sorry about last night, I've been having bizarre dreams lately."

Zekk blinked, turning around, his green eyes reflecting all the nature around him. "Don't worry about it, I couldn't sleep anyway."

Jaina walked up to him, sliding her arms around his waist. "Why couldn't you?"

Shrugging, Zekk looked out over the lake. "I haven't been able to for months now. And..." He paused, and Jaina could feel the unrest in him. "Jaina, who was in your dream? The last one you told me about had Anakin Skywalker in it."

With a slight cough, Jaina wondered if she should tell Zekk what she had dreamed about. He had gotten some sort of idea from the night before, when she had mumbled about it. However, would he think she had gone completely off the deep end if she went into detail? "There wasn't anyone really in the dream, I heard a voice- although I didn't recognize it actually. Mostly it was...emotions. It was as if I was re-living someone else's memories."

Zekk was silent for a millisecond, and Jaina had to wonder if he thought she actually had cracked-up. "Jaina...I was awake last night and...Someone was there."

Now it was Jaina's turn to wonder if Zekk was cracking up. "What do you mean?"

"I felt someone. Not physically, but I felt his presence. He was strong in the Force, but his emotions were...it was as if he shouted everything." Zekk's voice had gone lower, as if he was speaking a secret.

"Who?" Jaina walked around to stand in front of him. "Was it someone you met before? A former enemy?"

Shaking his head, Zekk took her hands in his own. "I didn't know him. But I told him to leave. He wasn't evil, but I could feel his power."

Jaina raised an eyebrow, the corner of her lips coming up slightly. "Are you saying I'm being haunted?" She chuckled, but it quickly died when she saw Zekk's somber expression.

Zekk nodded, his eyes becoming cold. "By your grandfather."

2b continued.