Wow I haven't posted on here in a while. Maybe if I got some more comments I'd be more motivated to finish this! Grrr. Ok sorry about that. Actually I'm almost done writing this story. It'll just take me a while to type out because of school and such. Also, I really miss the old happier Jacen so he is the Jacen that will be in my story. Not the moody angry guy. So thanks to all the people that read this. It's very encouraging. Here ya go.

Chapter 4

Tenel Ka sat on Allana's bed, trying to connect herself to the Force. She had not done this in quite some time and she found it to be quite difficult. She could not seem to let go of all of her doubt and fear. She still did not know who had kidnapped her daughter or where they had taken her. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to find Allana's presence in the Force. She gasped. She could feel Jacen again, comforting her through their connection that had been closed for so many years. She felt the calming energy flow up and down her entire body.

"Your highness."

Tenel Ka jumped at the voice. "Yes?"

"The Millennium Falcon has just been given clearance to land, miss," the serving girl said.

"Thank you." Tenel Ka tried to steady her breathing as she walked down the corridor to the landing field.

Tenel Ka stood alone on the landing platform as the Millennium Falcon came to rest before her. The hatch opened quickly and she watched as Jacen walked down onto the ground of her planet, his rucksack over his shoulder. He still had the same Solo swagger. She tried to remain stoic as he approached but she was unable to repress her emotions any longer. She ran into Jacen's arms. He smiled, feeling her head resting on his chest. She shook as she cried and Jacen rubbed her back and gently rocked her. She was surprised by her own display of emotion. She wanted to stop, to pull away from this man that she was not allowed to love, but she could not pull herself away. Tenel Ka lifted her head and looked into Jacen's eyes.

"Hi," he whispered.

"Hello, Jacen my friend."

He smiled at her and took her chin between his thumb and index finger. He tilted her face to meet his and kissed her lightly on the lips. Tenel Ka felt every feeling she had for him come rushing back. She passionately kissed him back, running her fingers up and down the back of his neck and through his hair. When they finally separated he grinned at her.

"Why are you smiling Jacen?"

"If that's the new standard Hapan greeting I should come here more often." He tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "I've missed you everyday."

She took his hand, lacing her fingers between his. "I have missed you also, Jacen." They began walking back into the palace. "Thank you for coming to quickly."

"I left as soon as I got your message."

Tenel Ka nodded. They were walking down the corridor to her private wing. Everyone they passed stared at the couple. Tenel Ka knew that soon everyone would figure out why Jacen Solo was there.

"Are you sure this is ok?" Jacen asked.

"I am no longer worried about public opinion of me. The only thing I am concerned about is finding our daughter." A servant woman opened the door for them that led into the queen mother's private quarters.

Jacen had only been in Tenel Ka's home a few times before and each time he was amazed. The huge, extravagant rooms did not match the Tenel Ka he knew. If it were up to her, she would lead a much simpler life. She offered him a drink and the two walked out onto the balcony overlooking the sea. Jacen sat on the cold stone floor and Tenel Ka joined him. "So what happened?"

"Allana has been having terrible nightmares recently. Every night she dreamt that a dark figure was coming to take her away. I foolishly dismissed these dreams as only that, dreams." Tenel Ka sighed. Jacen knew that recalled what had happened was hard for her but he encouraged her to go on. "Last night she woke up crying. I let her sleep with me so she would feel safe and protected. In the night someone came into my chamber. Just as I awoke to see who was there, I was struck on the side of my head. While I was unconscious they took Allana. When I woke up there was no sign that anyone had even been there."

Jacen could sense the guilt Tenel Ka was feeling. "I don't blame you for this, Tenel Ka. You have to believe that. You can't keep blaming yourself for something you couldn't have prevented."

She looked out across the great ocean, the breeze lightly blowing through her hair. "I am no so sure you are right, Jacen. If I had kept my senses sharp I could have prevented this. If I had sensed someone in the room earlier I could have stopped them."

Jacen put his arm around Tenel Ka's shoulders. She leaned into him, resting her head on his collarbone. "If you had fought back the could have hurt you or even killed you." The sun fell over the ocean, casting a spray of yellows, pinks, and reds over the sea. "So what do we do now? Do you have any idea who could have done this? Have you or Allana been threatened recently?"

"Every one of my suitors was angry to find out that I had a child. More than a few swore to get rid of her so that they could marry me and produce the next queen mother of Hapes."

"Would any of them be capable of doing something like this?"

"Yes, all of them have the resources."

"Well, I think that's where we should start. In the morning I'll pay some of them a visit." He stood and stretched. "I should head over to the guests' quarters and find a room. We both need to get some rest." Tenel Ka rose to stand next to him. He kissed her innocently on the cheek. "Goodnight." He walked back into her room and started for the door.

"Jacen, my friend." He turned to look at her. "Please stay with me."

"Tenel Ka, you know I can't."

"Why? What is your reason?"

"Look, I've accepted the fact that we will never be, could never be, really together. And every time I put my guard down and allow myself to love you I end up hurt. I just can't live my life like that, not anymore."

Tenel Ka tilted her head questioningly at him. "We have always been friends. Before we developed any stronger feelings we were great friends. Fact?"

"Yes."

"So then why can you not stay with me, only as a dear friend?"

Jacen paused. "I guess you do have a point. And I really don't like the idea of you being alone." He walked over to her. "But I need to make myself very clear. Under no circumstances are we to engage in any displays of affection."

Tenel Ka put her hand on her hip. "If I remember correctly, Jacen, you initiated the display of affection the previous time we shared a bed."

"Well it won't happen again. I will stay on my side this time." He walked around the bed and sat down on the side, pulling off his boots.

Tenel Ka nodded and walked into her changing room to put on her night clothes. Jacen quickly removed his shirt and pants, folding them and placing then on top of his boots. He slid in between the Hapan silk sheets, still wearing his underwear. This can not be like the last time, he told himself. He closed his eyes, hoping to fall asleep before she came back. Jacen heard the door open and silently cursed. He listened to Tenel Ka's bare feet on the stone floor as she walked to her vanity table to brush out her hair before bed. He rolled over and tried to peek at her with one eye open. She was wearing a nightgown made of the same silk as the sheets he was laying on. He watched her body move under the beautiful fabric. Jacen smiled and let his eyelids close.

Tenel Ka blushed. She had caught Jacen watching her in the mirror. She tried not to love him but it was impossible. She shook her head, remembering when she was younger, how she tried to block out nearly all emotions. The more recent past, however, had changed that. The death of her mother and the pain she felt when she thought Jacen was dead shook her to the core. For the first time in her life she could let herself really feel. She knew that her emotions only added to her strength. She climbed into bed next to an already snoring Jacen. After we bring our daughter home, she thought, I shall find a way to be with him. She closed her eyes, letting the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest lull her to sleep.