CHAPTER 37 - Together at Last

Hand-in-hand, Jacen and Jaina strolled across the hangar toward the Capla-class shuttle. Rane and Tahiri were carrying travel cases up the ramp as they approached. The two blondes shared a laugh, but they were too far away to tell about what. Jacen stopped and faced Jaina as the laughing couple disappeared into the belly of the shuttle.

"I really don't like leaving you."

Jaina took Jacen's other hand so she held both firmly. "I know, but I feel great. It's been a week since I came back. You have your own life; you can't put it on hold indefinitely." Jaina glanced down at her feet, which she could barely see sticking out past her tunic draped out over her protruding belly. "Not that you are doing your own thing really. Looking for Zekk is more like taking care of my life, just from afar."

Jacen squeezed her hands until Jaina looked back up into his matching brown eyes. "If there is a chance we can bring him back, I should try. He was my friend, too. If not, I want it to be safe for you to return as soon as possible, for your sake."

Jaina released one hand and slugged Jacen in the shoulder. "Liar, you just want to play with your niece."

"That too, but I don't want to do it while I am watching my back at the same time."

Jaina curled her lips into a grimace as she rubbed her belly. "The truth of the matter is my daughter is destined to be the target for all sorts of attacks, just being my child ensures that. Sometimes staying on Csilla forever seems like a good plan. I don't think there will ever be a time when I am not watching our backs."

Jacen chuckled. "Now you know how Mom and Dad felt all those years."

"More than you know."

"I have a good idea. Twin, remember?" Jaina's eyes sparkled as Jacen touched her in their bond. "We made it through okay. I actually feel sorry for the first fool who tries to kidnap your baby. Between you and Jag and those two Grandpas, the idiot won't know what hit him."

"Not to mention one mean uncle."

Jacen laughed. "And Mara."

"And Kyp." The mention of the Jedi Master altered the mood slightly. Jaina changed subjects quickly. "Do you have the messages for everyone?"

Jacen patted his pocket. "Right here."

"And you will check on Valin? Make sure someone is keeping up with his training."

"Got it covered. And I will give Dad the bottle of Corellian brandy you scammed off Soontir in that sabacc game last night." Jaina winked. "I'll talk to Wedge about Twin Suns, and make sure all your pilots are being looked after. Did I forget anything?"

"Check on Kyp, make sure he knows Jag and I miss him, make sure he knows I wouldn't be here if it weren't for him. I don't know how I will ever thank him enough."

"I think he knows."

The Fel family minus Rane walked down the ramp of the shuttle. Briaun was teary eyed; Syal fought back tears of her won. Jacen glanced over at them and frowned.

"I guess it's time to go."

"I guess so."

The twins fell into a comfortable embrace, physically and emotionally. Jaina's arms slipped around Jacen's mid section and squeezed as tight as they could, barring the swell of her baby. Her face was still buried in Jacen's chest when she whispered to him. "I'll miss you."

Jacen kissed the top of her head. "I'll miss you, too."

He backed out of the embrace and laid a hand on her stomach. "And you, too. We have become good friends already. I look forward to meeting you in person soon."

The regret in Jacen's voice caused a tear to trickle down Jaina's cheek. Jacen would have given almost anything to be there when the baby was born, but he was trying to think of the big picture by leaving. Jacen tore his eyes away before he started to cry in turn. He caught sight of Danni standing off to the side. He grinned at her.

"Last chance to change your mind."

Danni shook her head so her blonde curls bobbed around. "I'm staying. I wouldn't trade this chance for the world."

Jacen waved to the blonde scientist before placing his hand on Jaina's cheek. He smiled, then turned to make his way toward the shuttle, stopping only to shake Jag and Soontir's hands and hug Syal and Briaun before disappearing up the ramp.

Jag came over and wrapped his arms around Jaina while the shuttle eased up on its repulsors. She wiped a stray tear that fell as the shuttle broke the mag-barrier. Once the ship was out of sight, Jaina sagged into Jag's arms. She slapped a couple more tears away while lifting her chin so she could see his face. He was smiling down at her.

"It's no fair. We both have brothers leave, and you stand there looking like a rancor with a belly full of Gamorreans."

"I can't help it. Life is too good not to smile."

Jaina stuck out her lower lip. "Well, stop before I slap that grin off your face."

Jag's smile only grew bigger, so Jaina punched him in the solar plexus. The air rushed out of Jag's lungs with a humph. He rubbed the spot where her fist had made contact. "What was that for?"

Jaina glared at him. "Fixed your smile, didn't it?"

Jag was grinning again. "Not likely." Jaina wound up for a second strike, and Jag jumped away, holding his hands out defensively. "Whoa! Take it easy."

Jaina lowered her fist, eyeing him suspiciously. "Why are you so happy, Jagged Fel?"

"Well, you may think I am crazy for saying this, but I missed your wonderfully moody pregnant self."

"You may live to regret those words." Jaina pivoted on her heel to walk away.

Jag called after her. "I doubt it." When he realized she was making due haste for the exit, Jag trotted after her. "Wait up."

Jaina kept marching purposefully away. He caught her and matched her stride for stride while glancing down out of the corner of his eye. Jaina held her head up like royalty who could not be bothered to give him the time of day.

"I have a surprise for you."

Jaina stopped in her tracks. Slowly she cocked her head so she was staring up, one eyebrow arched inquisitively. "Yes?"

Jag grasped Jaina by the elbow and gently encouraged her toward a large auxiliary door at the back of the hangar. Jaina allowed herself to be led over until they were both at the door's controls. Syal, Soontir and Briaun had wandered up behind the couple. Jag keyed a code sequence into the pad, causing the seal on the door to open with a hiss.

Rising slowly, the door folded into the wall to reveal a small bay large enough for a couple of fighters. Sitting alone in the center was Jaina's voxyn adorned X-wing. At the sight of the snubfighter lit up only by a pair of technician's lamps, Jaina's eyes brightened, then she scurried inside the bay. Passing under the X-wing, she ran her fingertips along the ships's underside affectionately; the other hand rested on the curve of her belly.

Jag had stayed behind. He turned back to face his family with a slight twinkle in his eye. "Now, that is a beautiful sight."

Soontir kept a straight face as he replied. "I am a bit more partial to the TIE models myself…OOOMPF!" Syal had ribbed her husband with an elbow.

Jaina called across the bay. "Can I take her out for a spin?"

Jag's answer reflected a light note but had a firm undertone at the same time. "In a few months."

Jaina puffed out her lower lip before a sudden idea brightened her expression. She scampered out from under the ship, her eyes scanning for something on top. "Trick?"

A series of toots and whistles erupted from a dark corner as her call activated the astromech droid. The lights on its dome were the first things visible as the R2 unit emerged from the shadows. Jaina met Trick halfway. She knelt down and patted the droid in greeting. Trick rocked back and forth on his feet and beeped emphatically. Jaina read the interface before standing.

"Yeah, I'll take care of that as soon as I can muster up some tools." She motioned for the droid to follow as she walked toward the others.

Briaun queried Jag as Jaina approached with Trick rolling to and fro behind her, trilling all the way. "What is she going to take care of?"

Jag's eyes never left Jaina as she smiled at him. "The restraining bolt I would guess."

"You mean she would take it off? Then she won't be able to control that droid."

"Her family is peculiar about droids. It's almost like they think of the droids as part of the family. Threepio has not had a memory wipe as long as Jaina can remember."

Briaun snorted. "I would say they are peculiar."

Jaina was now standing before the little group. She eyed Jag's little sister. "You had better look closer to home before calling my family peculiar."

Briaun planted her hands on her hips indignantly. "Hey!"

Jaina mimicked Briaun's stance. "Hey what?"

Jag came between the two women like a referee. "Ladies, how about we agree that both are families are not normal and leave it at that."

Jaina chuckled. "I will be the first to admit my family is certifiable."

Briaun was quick with a retort. "Well, that is fine for you, but I thought every family had a least one holostar, the empire's best fighter pilot and a pack of kids who all aspire to have blue skin."

Jag playfully wrestled Jaina and Briaun under one arm a piece. Jaina practically collapsed into Jag's strength. His smart remark was lost on the tip of his tongue. Instead, Jag peered down at his wife, some concern, which he had been unable to shake over the last seven days since the defeat of the disease, reflected in his eyes. His tone had lost its good-natured lilt to a degree when he spoke.

"I think it is time to go home."

Briaun jumped out of her brother's embrace. "Yippee! I can't wait to get home after spending the last week in the city."

The family as a unit made their way for the exit of the auxiliary bay. Soontir took the chance to remind his daughter of an important fact. "You, young lady, will not be enjoying home for too long. When we get back, you need to think about packing. It's time for you to go back to the Academy."

"But…" Briaun's protest was stifled by the stern look cast in her direction by Soontir. She stomped off in a snit with her parents right on her heels.

Jaina walked with Jag over to the auxiliary doors until a series of beeps caught her attention. Jaina whispered into Jag's ear. "Trick can come with us, right?"

He nodded once.

"Come on, Trick. Let's blow this joint."

The droid tooted merrily as he rolled under the closing bay door. Together, Jag and Jaina headed after the others. She rested her arm around his waist; he draped an arm over her shoulder, pulling her close to him.

"Trick can play the holo of the wedding for your family when we get home."

"After you rest."

Jaina protested. "Watching a holo won't require any effort on my part."

"After you rest."

Jaina pulled away. "Jag Fel, you can't baby me. I haven't felt this good in I can't remember how long."

Jag pulled up and grabbed Jaina's hand so she had to face him. His green eyes bore into her defiant brown-eyed stare. "And I intend to keep it that way. This is the first day you have been out of the medward. You need to take it easy for at least a couple of weeks."

"But…"

Jag pressed the fingers of his unoccupied hand against Jaina's lips. "No. You cannot imagine the pain I felt when you died. I do not think I could make it through something like that again. I have not fully recovered myself, so if you will indulge my selfish request and please take it easy for me – and our baby." Jag felt no remorse for playing that card. "I want you completely healthy when it comes time to deliver, and I want to hold a healthy baby girl in my arms."

What Jag failed to realize at that moment was that Jaina did know his agony. She felt his pain as sure as it were her own. Force-blind people never fully grasped that concept, even ones as perceptive as Jag. Jaina still felt with every passing second the desperate cold dread that seeped out of Jag's very core. She was not the only one who needed to heal; Jag's wounds ran as deep as the ravages the sickness had inflicted on her body. By healing her body quickly, Jaina realized she would make great steps toward healing his soul.

Jaina rose up on her tiptoes and placed a kiss on Jag's lips. He accepted it eagerly, sweeping her into his arms, their bodies pressed as tight together as her swollen abdomen would allow. Jaina's hands palmed Jag's chest, the beating of his heart pulsed against the smoothness of her skin as Jag's tongue plundered her mouth. The pace of his heart quickened under her curling fingers as the urgency of the kiss intensified until Jaina had to pull away breathless.

Gazing up into Jag's green eyes, darkened by a need that had long gone unfulfilled, Jaina had to put forth some effort to speak and even then it was a husky whisper. "I promise to take it easy if you will kiss me like that a hundred times a day."

Jag tightened his arms around her waist. "It wouldn't be enough."

"What?" Her brown eyes darted back and forth in confusion.

"A hundred kisses a day." Immediately, Jag went to work on kiss number two.

The gathering of families and friends waiting anxiously for the Pulsar Skate's ramp to lower was a who's who of the Galactic Alliance. Leaders of the war effort like Wedge and Iella Antilles intermixed with scores of Jedi, all eagerly anticipating the ship's passengers to disembark. Leia stood back from it all, Han at her side.

The ramp ended its agonizingly slow descent, and three girls barreled down. At the lead, Jysella Horn practically leapt the last few feet, landing in her father's arms. The Antilles girls were only steps behind. Wedge caught Syal in a hug, spinning her around. Myri and Iella's reunion, although not as energetic, was no less enthusiastic. Mirax strolled down the ramp to join her husband and daughter just as Valin arrived in the opposite direction. The Horn family ended in a group hug much like the Antilles family next to them.

Leia watched as Mara and Luke exercised patience as only Jedi Masters could. Her brother's bridled excitement at the prospect of having his son back in his life sang through their twin bond. Mara's joy was no less palpable even though Leia shared no such connection with her sister-in-law.

Slowly more and more of the Jedi children and children of key members of the Galactic Alliance filtered down the ramp. Mara grasped Luke's hand at one point. Leia followed the couple's eyes to find Tionne standing at the top of the ramp with a reddish-blonde toddler in her arms. He was gripping her neck tightly; his steel-blue eyes wide open with wonder at the surrounding commotion.

Mara could no longer stand the agony of her empty arms and jogged up the ramp. Ben watched her closely. When Mara reached out to take her son from Tionne, the boy drew back causing Mara to falter. Luke was at her side, placing a comforting hand on his disheartened wife's shoulder, the other hand stretched out to caress his son's forehead, smoothing away a mass of bangs.

"Hello, Ben." The touch brought instant recognition and an animated twinkle flashed in the toddler's eyes.

Tionne spoke to the child. "Ben, do you want to say hello to your Mommy and Daddy?"

Ben looked from Tionne to Luke then finished his sweep at Mara. There was a hesitant nature to his words as if he were unsure of his reception. "Hello, Mommy. I missed you very much."

The words had been practiced, but they were precious all the same. The eloquence of the message's simplicity ripped at Mara's heart. Every memory she had missed came crashing down – his first words, his first steps, the tiny scar on his temple – forcing a flood of tears despite the tender smile on her lips. Ben was taken aback, fearful he had said the words all wrong, and turned to his father.

"Why is Mommy crying?"

Luke smiled. "Because she is happy."

A quizzical look flashed across Ben's face. "Why?"

"She is so happy it hurts."

Ben reflected on his father's statement as only a child can. "Can you make it stop?"

"No, but I bet you could if you gave her a hug."

The little boy practically fell into his mother's arms. The effect caused Mara to lavish kisses all over his sweet face. The tears flowed even more freely then. Finally, she pulled him to her chest and hugged Ben tight, rocking back and forth. He had managed to wrap his tiny arms around her neck in the process. Looking over Mara's shoulder at Luke, Ben remarked with the innocence of his age.

"It didn't work."

With that, both Mara and Luke broke into laughter. Between chuckles, Luke managed to respond to his bewildered son. "Yes, it did. If you look in your heart, you will feel her happiness."

While his son wrestled with the idea, rubbing his hand over his chest curiously, Luke motioned for Mara and Tionne to head back down the ramp with a flick of the head.

Leia and Han met them at the bottom. The reunion had been bittersweet to watch for Leia, and tears welled in her eyes. All at once she experienced Luke and Mara's joy, but also the painful void only her own children could fill. Luke seemed to sense as much and offered her a comforting brush as he greeted them.

"Ben, this is your Aunt Leia and Uncle Han. Can you say hello?"

Ben shook his head up and down tentatively, offering a timid smile.

Leia spoke to the child. "My, you have grown big and handsome."

Ben looked as if he would have ventured a response when the Antilles girls descended on the scene. Syal interrupted excitedly. "Ben, there is going to be a party. Do you want to come?"

Ben's eyes widened, but he looked to his mother for an answer. Myri pressed. "There's going to be cake."

The toddler's eyes lit up like fireflies. "Cake?"

"Uh-huh." The Antilles girls danced around excitedly.

Ben timidly gauged his mother's intentions. "Can we go, Mommy?"

Mara grinned. There was no way for her to resist the boy, at least not today, even though all she wanted to do was hide in her home and shower Ben with all the love and attention she had forsaken him. "Of course. We can all go."

The boy's shoulders visibly dropped in relief. He started to climb out of Mara's arms just as Wedge and Iella arrived at the group. Mara let him down reluctantly. Each Antilles girl grasped one of Ben's hands. The trio started to skip off toward the hangar exit where many others were heading for the party as well. Everyone turned to follow, when Wedge interrupted.

"I think all of you might want to wait up a minute. I have some news that will interest you."

Mara followed Ben with her eyes, watching as Syal scooped the boy up in her arms, obviously deciding that was the best way to overcome his shorter stride and get to the party quicker. Tionne offered a quick reassurance.

"The girls take great care of him; they treat Ben like a brother."

Just then Iella spotted Tycho hurrying across the hangar. "Wedge Antilles, is this about work? First Tycho is calling you on the comlink seconds after the girls arrive, and now he is heading this way. Don't you think we could all take a break and enjoy our children?"

Wedge grinned, eyeing Leia mischievously. "I think we should all enjoy our children today."

Tycho drew up before the gathering and addressed Wedge. "Any second now."

Wedge tipped his head in acknowledgement, then gazed out the hangar door. Everyone followed his eyes and saw the Capla-class shuttle break the mag-barrier. Leia about leapt out of her skin at the sight. She clutched Han's arm, so her nails dug crescents into the skin through the cloth of his shirt.

"It's Jacen!"

The shuttle eased into a berth while the group crossed the hangar floor. No sooner had the ramp touched down; Jacen bounded down and rushed to meet his mother, who was pattering his way. They crashed into a fierce embrace.

Some of Leia's heartache dissipated at the touch of her son. It would never truly leave, not with Anakin gone forever, but Jaina's presence would render it mostly healed. Jacen released his mother to greet his eager father in much the same manner with a little back-slapping for good measure. Luke and Mara hugged Jacen in turn while Han and Leia welcomed Tahiri and Rane, who had disembarked as well.

After everyone had finished with their welcomes, Wedge spoke for the group. "Where's Danni?"

Jacen answered. "She stayed on Csilla. Apparently the Chiss were so impressed with her; they offered her a position in the science directorate."

"She'll be sorely missed." Luke's opinion seemed to reflect the entire group's feeling on the matter as others nodded.

Tycho addressed Rane. "Lieutenant Fel, there are some matters of an official nature I need to discuss with you, if you have a moment."

Rane's gaze shot to Tahiri for the briefest of seconds, then back to Tycho. "Certainly."

"It won't take long. There's a party underway that I plan on attending. I assume you would like to go, too."

Rane tipped his head as he walked in the direction Tycho indicated. The Alderaanian winked at Wedge before turning to leave.

"Thanks, Tycho." Wedge faced his friends. "So how about that party?"

As a loose unit, everyone moved toward the hangar exit. Leia lagged behind, taking her son by the arm. "How is she?"

"Like a new woman."

"And the baby?"

"As far as the doctors could tell, the baby was not affected by the serum that cured them, but only time will tell."

Leia tipped her head thoughtfully. They walked in silence until reaching the exit. She finally asked the question on her mind after the events of the day. "When will Jag bring Jaina home?"

"I don't know, Mom, but I do know it's not time yet."

Leia sighed, then let her head fall against Jacen's shoulder as they exited the hangar together.

Jag parked the speeder in front of the Fel estate, then inhaled a deep breath. A lifetime worth of worry felt like it had lifted off his shoulders. The war was over; Jaina was cured; his baby was growing strong in her womb; life was good. He glanced over at Jaina sleeping peacefully in the passenger seat next to him. Gratefully, his mother and father had taken Briaun to the market to get supplies in his father's speeder, leaving Jag alone with Jaina for the first time.

Studying her profile, Jaina appeared serene and healthy like he remembered her. A hint of color blushed her cheeks. Her hair had been skillfully brushed off her face with curls cascading down her back. Her lips, slightly parted in sleep, were pink and moist.

Jag slipped off his restraints and leaned between the two seats. He brushed the back of his hand across Jaina's cheek, and her eyes fluttered open. Rolling her head toward Jag, Jaina kissed his knuckles, then smiled. Jag returned the act with one of his slight curves of the mouth.

"We are home."

"So soon?"

Jag clicked open her restraints. "You fell asleep the second we pulled out of the city."

Jaina shrugged off the belts. "I guess I was tired."

Jag did not respond. Instead, he popped the driver's door and jumped out, slamming it shut quickly so as to not lose too much heat to the outside. Jaina triggered the latch on the door. Before she could put her feet on the snow-covered ground, Jag was around to her side, offering a helpful hand. As Jaina exited the speeder, the full force of the icy air blasted her lungs. She hugged the parka closer and danced in place.

"Sithspit! It's cold."

Jag urged her toward the front door, carefully watching out for signs she would lose her balance on the slick ground. Once they got to the cleared path of the entranceway, Jag jogged up the steps to the door and keyed the access code. By the time Jaina slowly made her way up the steps to his side, the front door was open.

Jaina, then Jag, scurried through the opening into the warmth of the Fel family home. Jaina shrugged off her parka, handing it to Jag, who removed his own and placed both coats on a rack. They stood in the foyer for a silent couple of heartbeats, both absorbing the enormity of the moment.

Jaina finally spoke. "So, we're home."

"Yes, we are."

"What should we do? I haven't acted like a normal person in so long I wouldn't know where to start."

"You promised to rest. Later I am sure Mother has a great meal planned, especially since she dragged Father to the market. After that we can show them the holo of the wedding."

To Jag's amazement, Jaina did not protest his suggestion of further down time. He fully expected her to offer the sleep in the speeder as a sufficient amount of rest. She simply said, "Okay." Then she walked toward the stairs.

Jag imagined the staircase appeared daunting after weeks in bed, but Jaina started up, placing one foot above the other in a slow deliberate manner. He kept pace, but left Jaina to fight it out. Halfway up she paused and looked over.

"I hope Trick is making out alright with Briaun."

"I am sure they are getting along splendidly. He has probably already tried to weld her mouth shut."

Jaina smiled before taking a deep breath. She turned her eyes back up the flight of stairs. "I hate feeling like this."

"You'll be back to your old self in no time. Dr. Tarado still cannot believe how far you have come."

Jaina started back up the steps, a little slower this time. She used the railing to aid in the effort. The final five steps were painfully slow, but she ascended them without complaint.

"There," she panted as she patted her abdomen. "I forgot. Not only do I have to get back in shape, but I have to do it packing some extra pounds."

Jaina recovered sufficiently and made her way to the bedroom. She paused in the doorway to gape at the transformation. Jag eased behind her and slipped his hands to her waist.

"Mother had someone come in and redo it to her exact specifications this week. She thought the room needed a change."

Together they eyed Syal's handiwork. Gone was the young man's room. In its place was a room fit for a married couple. The curtains were a pleasant light yellow with widely spaced lavender and pale green striping in a crossing pattern. The new bed was larger than the old one with an intricate headboard that matched the new lightly stained dresser and wardrobe. The comforter on the bed was a pale green with various shapes and sizes of pillows in shades of green, yellow and lavender tossed along the top.

Jag finally broke the reverie. "Do you like it?"

Jaina spun in Jag's arms. "Oh, I love it. The colors are perfect."

Jag grinned. "I had a little help in that, but everything else was Mother's work. She said when you felt up to it, the two of you could work on decorating a nursery."

"I would love that. I think I will let her do all the choosing though. She has that impeccable taste like my mother. I would rather pick the color paint for my X-wing. How did she find time?"

Jag shrugged. "Having five kids and my father to look after made her real good at multi-tasking."

"Oh, so that's where you learned how to do that."

Vivid memories of a passionate encounter flashed in Jag's mind, igniting longings that had been silent for some time. Jag stifled them reluctantly as he bent over and kissed Jaina quickly. Then he scooped her up into his arms. A graceful sidestep later he had carried her into the bedroom and over to the bed. Jag deposited Jaina on the green comforter carefully.

"Time for you to rest."

Jaina scooted her head onto a pillow Jag was adjusting. She stared up at him with her big brown eyes, smiling sweetly but not offering a protest or resistance. It was enough to melt his resolve like a snowball in the desert. He draped a blanket across her body before pecking her on the forehead. Jag made a hasty retreat for the refresher. He stopped in the doorway.

"Do you need anything?"

Jaina shook her head side-to-side. Jag disappeared into the refresher and fell against the closing door. He struggled to keep a tight check on his barriers, blocking the lusty thoughts suddenly welling up at the urging of a simple memory. No amount of willpower was going to cure his problem; there was only one obvious solution.

After quickly undressing, Jag jumped into the shower and blasted himself with ice-cold water. The frigid droplets pummeling his skin did little to dispel the desirous heat he generated, which dredged up feelings of guilt. Although she was barely out of the medward, Jag wrestled with his need to lose himself in Jaina's arms. All he could think about was making love to her. He was at a loss as to why the need had sprung up so suddenly and with such fever.

Finally, the chill on his skin drowned the flames of passion, and Jag found himself in enough control to end the punishment. After emerging from the shower and toweling off, Jag stalled in the refresher, hoping that Jaina had fallen back to sleep. Finally, he figured enough time had passed and he keyed open the door to the refresher. Jag stepped into the room, wrapped only in a towel. He stopped in his tracks at Jaina's brown eyes, wide and brown and glistening up at him from the bed. He was immediately buffeted by concern for his wife, not the passion of moments before. His fear for her safety was one feeling he had absolutely no control over.

"Is everything okay? You should have called me." He crossed the room and eased his hip onto the bed. Jaina still did not speak; she just gazed up from under her brown lashes. Jag brushed his palm along her cheek, checking for unusual warmth.

Jaina turned her face and kissed his palm. She kept kissing him, laying a trail along his arm. Jag sucked in a breath with a shudder. The concern blew away in a fury of yearning that rolled in like a Csillan blizzard. Achieving the desired result, Jaina rolled back onto the pillow, but she was not satisfied with simply kissing him. Her hand drifted up in an agonizingly slow stretch until her fingertips traced a tantalizing path along the firm ridge of his chest muscles.

Jag watched her hand, unable to insist she stop tempting his lonely body. Jaina seemed to sense his burning need and added fuel to the fire by the desirous gleam in her eyes. Her smile was more of a seductive grin, her lips parted slightly, beckoning for him to enter. Jag leaned over until their faces were mere inches apart.

"I couldn't sleep."

"I see that."

Jag wrestled for control of the situation. She lowered her eyes to skim the contours of his chest. Her hand picked up where her eyes left off, her palm smoothing back up, rubbing along the ripples of his stomach, over the sleek fit of his skin across his chest and finishing with her index finger tracing along the pulse on his neck.

Jag grasped her hand, mixing his fingers into hers. He licked his lips. "I love you, Jaina."

She smiled. "Then show me how much."

At that moment, Jag lost all control, but at the same time he found his way back home where he belonged.

Kyp strode up to the doors leading into the large reception hall situated at the east end of the new Jedi Council complex. One door swung open allowing a pack of children to filter from the noisy room. A small black-haired boy ran straight into Kyp's hip. The child bounced back to stare up at the silver-maned Jedi. His mouth dropped open in surprise. Kyp was well-known among the Jedi children, and the boy recognized him immediately.

The youngster stammered. "I…I…I am s-s-sorry, Master Durron."

Kyp ruffled the boy's hair gently. "It's alright."

The boy eyed his friends hurrying down the breezeway. Kyp patted the boy on the back and sent him after his companions. "Go on, son."

The boy dipped his head respectfully and trotted off. Silence returned to the air as the laughter and shouts of the gang of children trickled around a corner. Kyp adjusted his tunic while taking a calming breath. Since Jaina's passing and return to the land of the living, Kyp had spent much of his time in meditation, trying to find some semblance of peace to his hapless existence.

So far the clarity of self-knowledge had eluded him. Now, Kyp was venturing into public after his self-imposed hermitage, while his insides tried to untie the painful knots of conflicted and tumultuous emotions. There was no avoiding the demands of his position. Kyp was a member of the Council, and such rank required his presence at this cheerful gathering to welcome home the children they had all fought to secure a future for, despite his desire to crawl in a hole and not come out until Jaina returned from the Unknown Regions. Only then would his lonely heart find a sense of direction; only she could give his life purpose.

Kyp braced his shoulders and stepped through the doors. The sheer volume of happiness overwhelmed the Jedi Master momentarily. He stood with his hand on the door, taking in the sights and sounds of laughing children bouncing around the feet of equally bliss-filled family members and friends. Before Kyp could muster his resolve to brave the joyous ranks, Valin darted across the room, dodging an assortment of children playing some sort of game that involved running from the child designated it.

"Master Durron! Master Durron! Guess who is back?"

A fleeting hope caused Kyp to release his tightly held barriers, reaching for his partner. He met the same nothingness he had felt since the day Jaina left for Csilla. Kyp's voice sounded more forlorn than he would have liked. "I don't know. Who?"

Valin practically jumped out of his skin. "Jacen!"

He may not have been Jaina, but Jacen had been with his twin until probably only a day ago. Any word from Csilla was the closest thing to Jaina Kyp might have for a long time. "Where is he?"

Valin waved for Kyp to follow with a sweep of a hand. "I'll show you."

Kyp's long strides caught the teenager quickly. The Jedi Master had to force himself to return the polite greetings of several party-goers he passed along his way. There was little time to do more than offer a brief hello, in order to keep up with the Horn boy. They caught Jacen just as he was parting company with Kenth who was being summoned over to a gathering of older Jedi.

"Hey, Jacen." Kyp raised his voice to catch the other Jedi's attention.

Jacen glanced Kyp's way. His smile was a perfect reminder of the grin Jaina liked to flash more often than not. "Hi, Kyp." Jacen fished a hand into the pocket of his jumpsuit. "I have something for you." Jacen pulled his hand out, clutching a datacard.

Kyp accepted the disk, fingering it between his thumb and forefinger. His eyes were drawn to the datacard; he examined it with an intensity others would never understand, hoping for a fleeting glimpse into Jaina's spirit. Jacen interrupted Kyp's reverie.

"Jaina recorded messages for all her loved ones."

Kyp's eyes shot up to meet Jacen's stare. The Jedi Master had never put himself in that category, but Jacen's words brought his relationship with Jaina into a new light. She loved him. It might have been like a brother, but Kyp had learned to take what he could get. It was more than he deserved really.

Valin interrupted Kyp's thoughts. "I got one, too." The apprentice waved a datacard of his own around. "I have a datapad you could use if you want to read it now."

"Thanks, I'll save it for some place more private." Kyp stuffed the datacard in his pants' pocket.

Valin continued, spouting news about Jaina. "Jaina told Jacen to make sure someone was looking out for me. I told him that you have been helping me when you could and that I have been flying with the Dozen."

Kyp looked from Valin to Jacen. "I do what I can. I don't want to undo any of Jaina's good work though."

Jacen responded, knowing the mind of his sister intimately. "Jaina knew you would watch out for him. Since she doesn't know when it will be safe to return, she asked if you or I could talk to Luke about finding Valin a temporary Master. She is concerned that he is extremely vulnerable at this point in his training. Any suggestions?"

Kyp peered at Valin out of the corner of his eye, then back at Jacen. "I'll do it." Jacen nodded once before Kyp faced Valin directly. "Is that okay with you, kid?"

Valin lifted off his heels in barely contained excitement. "Oh, man! Wait until my dad gets a load of this!"

The young man sprinted across the room without a thought for the other two men. Kyp muttered after the young man. "I bet your father will be beyond thrilled."

"Are you sure about this? She didn't mean for you to volunteer."

Kyp faced Jacen again after watching Valin interrupt his father's conversation and point in their direction. "Yes, she did. She was just giving me permission." Kyp paused. "So how is your sister other than she is cured?" He tried to sound casual; he was sure he failed miserably.

"The day we left she was going home from the medward. Jaina's probably trying to take over Vanguard Squadron today or challenging Jag to a sparring match."

Kyp chuckled, relief apparent in the easing of his features. "That good, huh?"

Jacen smiled wistfully. "Better."

"I am surprised you came back. I figured you would stay right through the blessed event. Or did the Chiss run you off?"

"No, I decided I could help Jaina more by coming back and finding Zekk than sitting around on that icicle of a planet. Man, is it cold there. Besides, I would be like a third engine on a TIE, useless. Jaina and Jag need this time more than anything. They are both healing, if you know what I mean?"

"I do." Kyp was referring to being the third engine not the point of the question, but Jacen never needed to know that fact. "So do you think you can find Zekk?"

Jacen's face grew long. "I have to try. I want Jaina to be able to bring her baby back to Naboo. That is what she really wants. This is the first time we have ever had a home. So I talked to Iella, and she is going to lend me all the resources available. I am meeting with her tomorrow morning, then I will head out as soon as I have a substantial lead."

Kyp stared at Jacen, but his eyes were sightless. His thoughts were a blank slate to Jacen, so the younger man waited patiently. Finally, Kyp returned to the here and now. "I want to go with you."

"But you just said you would be training Valin."

"What better way to learn than on a real Jedi assignment."

"It could be dangerous."

Kyp snorted. "And the last couple of years have been like a day at the spa?"

"What about the Dozen? It sounds like you are back in charge."

"They've survived without me for spells. We might be able to use them; you never know."

Jacen furrowed his brows. "Okay then, it's settled. We will talk to Uncle Luke in the morning and then head over to see Iella. We can make plans from there."

Kyp tipped his head in acknowledgement. "I better get my affairs in order. I am sure Drue will be none too pleased when I tell her that no sooner than I take over the Dozen, I hand them back over to her. She learned a lot from Mara while I flew with Twin Suns. This will be a good opportunity for Drue to grow her command abilities. She always seems to come through for me."

"Sounds like a good woman."

"She is." Kyp pursed his lips thoughtfully. "Until tomorrow morning then."

Jacen dipped his head in a respectful farewell before Kyp made a hasty exit. He planned to participate in the party, but first he had something important to do. Stopping by the Horn family, Kyp slid between Valin and his mother.

Corran addressed the Jedi Master. "I hear you decided to step into Jaina's shoes for a while."

Kyp was surprised to feel genuine warmth from Valin's father. He had figured there would be some protest on Corran's part. "I hope that is acceptable."

Mirax responded. "We think it's great you are taking Valin under your wing. I can't think of anyone more suited. You were actually there for most of Valin's work with Jaina anyway."

"I appreciate the vote of confidence." Kyp turned from Mirax to Valin. "Do you think I could borrow that datapad for a few minutes?"

Valin pulled the device from its hiding place under his tunic's belt. "Sure."

Kyp accepted the datapad. "I'll bring it right back. If you will excuse me."

Kyp smiled gratefully and walked off, popping the datacard into the receiver as he went. After punching a few keys, Jaina's message flashed on the screen. Kyp slipped out a back door, which opened to one of the new meditation gardens in the Jedi Council complex. He found a hoverpad floating near a bank of Alderaanian roses and climbed onto the cushioned seat. In this quiet place, Kyp entertained the contents of the message.

Dear Kyp,

I am sure you now of my cure; Jacen said he sent word. I am sorry if my apparent passing caused you heartache, but I am sure you handled it the best way you knew how. When I was coming back, you were there – you and so many others. I want to thank you, because I found a different strength from each person to draw from. With you I found your will, that part that separates you from others, that makes you special to me. Your will brought me back from the darkness on Hapes and again from the grasp of death. For that I am truly thankful.

There are many more reasons to thank you. I am sure I would not have enough time to list them all, nor do I think I could find a way to truly repay the debt I owe you. For this you will have my undying love and a piece of my heart forever. My life would be an empty void and my place in the galaxy a part of history if it were not for your sacrifices.

Thank you for taking Valin as your apprentice while I am gone (yes, I know that is what you have done). Please make sure he watches his guard on the weakside and don't forget the footwork. Be patient with him though. He tries too hard sometimes. Also, keep an eye on Jacen. If I were to venture a guess, you will be heading out with him to chase down Zekk. Jacen does not fully grasp what the dark side can do to a person and I want to keep it that way. Save Zekk if you can, remember what Uncle Luke did for you at your darkest hour. You turned out pretty all right; there is always hope.

I could go on and on, but I have so much to say and too little time. The little one inside me demands I eat more food. You would be hard pressed to recognize me with the belly I am developing. I could not climb into the cockpit of my X-wing if I tried.

Until we meet again, my dearest friend and partner. My heart yearns to feel the comforting touch in our bond. You are my strength. I could not have made it without you.

My love always,

Jaina

End of Chapter 37
TKL/h94