Chapter 10

Gracelin woke up with a horrible headache. How did I get home last night? The last thing she remembered was kissing Jacen. She got out of bed and stumbled into the kitchenette. She saw her mother, Mara, Jaina, and Kristea sitting at the table. "What happened last night?"

"That's what we were wondering." Nomi said. "Jacen came in last night saying something was wrong with you."

"I don't remember. " Gracelin said.

"I'm glad you're okay. I need to get going. Do you want a ride to work Nomi?" Mara asked.

"Yeah." She gave Gracelin a kiss. "You scared me last night. Don't do it again!"

"Yes ma'am."

"I'll go wake Luke." Mara said.

Once the two women were out of ear shot Gracelin sat with her two friends. "What happened last night?"

"I'm not completely sure. Jacen seems to think it had something to do with Bow being there." Jaina said.

"How did we get home?" Gracelin asked.

"Jacen carried you and we snuck back in through the balcony." Jaina glanced at Kristea then back at Gracelin. "Something weird happened last night."

"What?"

"Anytime Jacen would leave the room last night your pain would increase." Jaina sighed, "It's very strange. I've never seen anything like it. Luke and Mara want me to do some research on it."

"What does that mean?" Gracelin asked bit cautiously.

"I'm not sure. I don't even know what I'm looking for." Jaina answered.

After a bit of silence Gracelin spoke up. "Where's Jacen?"

Kristea smiled, "Come with us." She guided Gracelin back to her room. There in a rocking chair beside her bed, slept Jacen.

"He was there all night." Jaina said and then left.

Gracelin leaned against the frame of the door and starred at Jacen.

Kristea put her hand on Gracelin's shoulder. "You know what he told me last night?" Gracelin just shook her head. "He told me he was in love with you." Even though Kristea couldn't see it, she knew Gracelin was smiling and blushing. She turned and walked away.

Gracelin was left standing there. She walked over to beside the chair. She knelt down so they would be at eye level. She gently shook his knee. "Jacen, get up."

He opened his a little then shut them back. Then his eyes popped open and he took in a sharp breath. He quickly sat up and wrapped his arms around Gracelin. "I'm so happy you're okay."

His hug was at first tight around her as if he was making sure it wasn't a dream. Soon he loosened his grip but didn't let go. "I'm really glad you're okay." His voice and the repetition of the phrase, betrayed how worried he had been.

"Me, too." She didn't fully understand but she did know she didn't want him to let go.

But he did, he pulled back. "You scarred me."

"I didn't mean to."

"In know."

She sat back down on the floor. "What happened last night?"

"A story for another time. You're still tired and should get back to bed."

"I'm not tired."

"You're a horrible liar."

"I know." She chuckled as she tried to suppress a yawn.

Jacen stood up, "Let me help you." He offered his hand. She didn't hesitate in taking it. She could tell something had changed between them. Now they had a strange bond. That scarred Gracelin a bit. She wasn't sure whether to be excited, scarred, or upset.

Jacen pulled her to her feet. He could sense that, no matter how brave she acted, she was a little weak. Jaina came into the room. She saw Jacen trying to guide Gracelin to lie down. She quickly went to her other side to do the same.

Luke came in about then. "She needs someone to stay with her. Jaina?"

"I'm helping Aunt Mara today. I can't.

"If you don't need me, I'll stay." Jacen offered.

Luke was at first hesitant but knew she couldn't stay alone. "Okay, I'll try to finish early."

"Okay." Jacen walked with the others to the main door. When they were gone and far enough away that they couldn't mentally probe him, he went back.

Gracelin was lying in her bed with her arms crossed over her chest.

"What's wrong?" He asked with a grin on his face. He knew the answer.

"I'm not a child. I can take care of myself." She replied in a tone sounding very much like one used by a child.

"Well, apparently not." He chuckled a bit.

"It's not funny Jacen."

"I know. I'm sorry. But you really scared me last night." He sat beside her on the bed. "I was afraid I was going to lose you."

"Lose me?"

He took her hand. "Everything seems to be happening so fast but somehow I know," He looked into her eyes, "I love you."

Gracelin didn't even try to suppress her smile. He smiled at her. She pulled him close, only inches from her face. "I love you, too."

He leaned in and kissed her lips. He'd been so afraid that he'd never see those lips form a smile again; never taste their sweetness.

Gracelin suddenly got a strange feeling that what happened to her last night was very serious. She pulled away. "What happened last night?"

"When?" He knew she wouldn't drop the subject lightly.

"After you got me home."

"Well I'm not one hundred percent sure. Luke made Jaina and me leave." He paused for a moment. He took a hold of her hands. He started massaging them, "You stopped breathing. It wasn't very long, but it scared me none the less."

She hadn't realized that the situation was that bad. It took her a moment to accept that she might have died.

"All that matters is that you're okay now." He kissed her forehead. "I don't want anything to ever happen to you."

"Nothings going to."

"Because I'm not going to let it."

Gracelin smiled, she had never has someone act protective over her. She kissed him and pulled back out of breath.

"Um, I'm going to go take a shower. Oh, and please, no surprises."

Jacen chuckled, remembering the time her had 'surprised' her while she was taking a shower. "Okay, I promise."

She got up and headed to the refresher unit.

Jacen headed for the common room. He turned on the holonet and watched it for a while. After a while though the young Jedi was bored and began wondering around the room. He saw pictures of Nomi and what he assumed was Gracelin as a baby.

He was looking at a more recent picture of Gracelin when his thoughts were interrupted by the door pager. He was hesitant to answer but if he didn't, no one else would. He walked to the door and entered the necessary code. The door slide open to see the one person he thought he'd never see again.

"I thought I told you to never come around her." Jacen growled to Bow.

"I heard she was sick. I just came to check on my girl." Bow said nodding toward the wall where the 'fresher unit was.

"Your girl? That's not the way it was explained to me." Jacen said stepping forward a bit.

"That's right; you're the new guy in Gracelin Dathe's life."

"Yeah, I am."

"She's letting you stay here while she's showering? She's changed a lot since I was with her."

"You're right, she got smarter."

"Listen man; don't get your hopes up. She won't sleep with any guy."

The statement shocked Jacen. He wanted to hit the guy for even suggesting it. But he quickly remembered that he had to remain calm. He sent his anger into the Force. "That's not why I'm with her."

"Just let me see her."

"I can't let you see her." His voice was calm but strong.

"And why the hell, not?"

"She's busy with a shower." As if on queue they heard the water shut off. Perfect timing Gracey!

"Sounds like she's finished."

"I'm still not going to let you see her."

"What's the reason this time?" Bow then took a step in the house. As he did, Jacen felt pain emitting off of Gracelin. Then he heard a thud.

"Jacen!" Gracelin yelled.

Before Bow could react Jacen shoved him out of the door and locked it behind him. Jacen ran to the refresher unit door. The door opened and Jacen saw Gracelin, fully clothed, sitting on the floor. She was holding her side and gritting her teeth.

"Its okay, he's gone." Jacen sat beside her on the floor. As soon as he saw her eyes watering he picked her up and carried her up the stairs to her room. He laid her down and pulled a blanket over her. Her pain was going away now; there wasn't anything he could do. "Rest." He kissed her forehead and then walked to the door.

Gracelin sat up, "Jacen, come back." He walked over and sat on the bed beside her.

"You okay?" He asked as he tucked a blonde lock behind her ear. She looked down and said nothing. Jacen tilted her chin up so he could look in her eyes. He used his thumb to caress her cheek. "What's wrong?"

"I'm scared."

"You? Scared?"

"Don't play, Jacen. I'm serious."

"What are you afraid of?"

Before she answered Gracelin put her lips to his. She was the one to deepen the kiss, only, regrettably, coming up for air. Both tried to catch their breath; Jacen hadn't expected that.

She put her forehead to his. "Scared of loosing… that."

"You don't have to worry," he whispered back. He kissed her as if nothing else in the galaxy mattered.

The two were too caught up in each other to hear the speeder outside, the footsteps up the stairs, or their names being called from in the hallway.

A/N: Dont forget to review!