Fear and Love
Season 1
Episode 1

We always have a choice
Or at least I think we do
We can always use our voice
I thought this to be true
We can live in fear
Extend ourselves to love
We can fall below
Or lift ourselves above

Fear can stop you loving
Love can stop your fear
Fear can stop you loving
But it's not always that clear

I always try so hard
To share myself around
But now I'm closing up again
Drilling through the ground

Fear can stop you loving
Love can stop your fear
Fear can stop you loving
But it's not always that clear

I'd love to give myself away
But I find it hard to trust
I've got no map to find my way
Amongst these clouds of dust

Fear can stop you loving
Love can stop your fear
Fear can stop you loving
Love can stop your fear

Fear can stop you loving
Love can stop your fear
Fear can stop you loving

But it's not always that clear
But it's not always that clear
But it's not always that clear
But it's not always that clear

Fear and Love/Paul Godfrey, Ross Godfrey, Skye Edwards

Luke Skywalker's Office
Jedi Temple Complex, Senate City, Coruscant
40 ABY
Ten Years After The Yuuzhan Vong War

Luke Skywalker sat at his desk with his head in his hands. Why was it that Kyp Durron never had a simple problem?

He had spent the last hour listening to the younger master, discussing Kyp's 'problem'. Now, Kyp's 'problem' was waiting in Luke's outer office.

Raising his head and clearing his throat, he asked, "Alright… are you ready?"

He watched with fascination as the color drained from the other man's face at the prospect of what lay ahead.

"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. She's going to be really mad."

Luke gave Kyp a disbelieving look and then laughed. "Afraid of your apprentice?"

He was met with a defensive look and reply. "Given who she is and what I've just told you, wouldn't you be?"

Luke thought about this for a moment and then had to admit to himself that Kyp had a point. "Be that as it may, we need to begin."

Kyp nodded and then walked to the corner of the room. The farthest corner, Luke observed, from the door.

Leaning over to the inter-office comm on his desk, he called his assistant. "Celina, we're ready, you can show her in."

Luke stepped in front of his desk and leaned against the edge. A moment later the door opened and Kyp's 'problem' walked in and bowed respectfully.

"Master Skywalker. How may I be of service?"

Jysella Horn was a walking Greatest Hits compilation of the Terrik and Horn lines. From Mirax, Jysella had inherited black hair that looked like silk, a delicately beautiful face and a lean body. She had gotten Corran's Force sensitivity, piercing hazel eyes, and piloting skills. And of course, from Booster, she had been passed luck, bravado, and a vocabulary that had, on numerous occasions, made even retired Wraiths blush and her parents livid. Undoubtedly that final 'hit' was more a byproduct of spending her early formative years aboard her grandfather's pirate Star Destroyer rather than actual genetics.

"Jedi Horn, please have a seat."

She sat in the chair, back ramrod straight, and looked him in the eye, clearly not intimidated by the Grand Master. He was beginning to feel for Kyp. Luke hadn't spent a lot of time with her, but knew that this girl, woman, was a force to be reckoned with.

"Jysella, I've gone around and around in my mind about how to begin this conversation…"

She held his gaze, her self-confidence shining though the Force, and after a moment she raised her eyebrows and offered a suggestion; "Why don't you just come out with it?"

Luke smiled. "Okay. Master Durron and I have decided that it would be better for both of you if you were no longer his apprentice."

The only indication Luke caught that Jysella was bothered by this information was the length of time it took her to respond, roughly four seconds. Had Kyp not spent the last hour explaining what they would be up against, or how quick and clever Jysella was, or her absolute refusal thus far to see reason, he probably would have missed that sign.

"If there is a problem with my professional performance then I would appreciate you outlining my deficiencies so that I may address them."

Luke flicked his gaze to Kyp, then back to Jysella. "This has nothing to do with your performance. You have become an exemplary Jedi from what I've seen and been told."

"Then why would you feel the need to reassign me?"

Luke marveled at Jysella's fortitude. She clearly wasn't going to acknowledge the issue at hand before Luke did.

"You are being reassigned because of the personal…" he paused, looking for the right word, "situation."

His statement was met with silence, and he began to see why Kyp had come to him.

"Jysella, do understand how serious this is?"

Finally letting go of her cool demeanor, Jysella nearly yelled, "Of course I do! This is my life!"

From the corner, Kyp said, "It's my life, too."

Turning to acknowledge him for the first time, she continued; "Despite the way you're treating me, I am not a child. I am fully aware of the ramifications of this situation, which is part of why you didn't know how I felt until long after I was of legal age." Her voice lost a little of its edge as she continued. "And I'd really hoped that we could work this out on our own."

Luke heard Kyp take a deep breath, no doubt looking for calm. "Jella, there is nothing to work out. There can't be. I am twenty years older than you. You are my apprentice. This is Sithly unethical and if anyone finds out about this… what reputation I have managed to rehabilitate in the last ten years will be ruined, despite the fact that nothing has happened."

Master and apprentice stared at each other for a long moment before Luke finally broke in.

"What were you hoping to work out?"

Turning back to him, she answered, "Forgive me for being blunt, but I feel that's a topic for Kyp and I to address in private."

Undeterred, Luke continued, "Please, Jysella, I can't help you in this situation if you won't talk to me."

"Has it occurred to you that I don't want your help?"

He smiled slightly and wondered to himself if Jysella had just sounded more like Corran or Booster.

"Given your reaction just now… yes, but Kyp does."

She glared at Luke for another moment before turning her attention back to Kyp. "I guess I was wrong to think that you were mature enough to handle this like an adult. Do you think so little of me that you felt this was the right way to do this?"

Kyp opened his mouth immediately to answer but stopped before any sound came out. Luke watched in fascination as he stared at her for a moment, then turned away and growled in frustration.

Luke leaned over to key his comm, "Celina, I need you." Looking back up at the forlorn pair in his office, he sighed. "I was supposed to be at the Hapan Embassy an hour ago, we'll have to continue this tomorrow. In the meantime Jysella, Celina here is going to show you to a room."

Jysella nodded and rose, making her way to the door.

Just before she walked out Luke said, "And Jysella, I understand that you're angry, but I am involved, and I do want to help."

She glared at Luke, and then at Kyp, then stormed out of the room.

Several moments passed and when the silence was about to become unbearable Luke said, "Charming girl."

Kyp gave him an indignant look before replying, "Says the man who married Mara Jade."

Luke chuckled, then stood up, and walked over to a cabinet by the viewpane Kyp had turned to. Reaching into the cupboard, he pulled out a bottle and two glasses, filling a tumbler of whiskey for each of them, then handing one over.

"Things must be really bad if you're drinking."

Luke took a large swig and inhaled sharply after swallowing. "Kyp… I have never had to deal with anything like this before. I am totally out of my element. Dark side powers… human-hating aliens… hostile Imperials… any of those things I could help you with. But a romantic entanglement with an apprentice…"

"Whose father is going to dismember me."

"…if there's anything left after her grandfather gets done."

Kyp dropped his head. "Shavit."

"Has anything happened between you two?"

"No! Of course not." He deflated slightly before continuing. "Which somehow is making me feel worse. I have a deep and genuine bond with her. This would be bliss - a true gift from the Force if - she were twenty years older."

The two masters were quiet as they watched the sun setting in the distance.

Kyp sighed wistfully. "Who am I kidding? I'd take ten years older. But it has less to do with her age and more to do with my position in her life. Anyway… any thoughts of physical action have been by accident, and mostly due to her… imagination."

"She's been sending you mental prompts?" Luke was embarrassed and impressed at the same time, but then, Horns were renowned for being good at that sort of thing.

"Yeah… It's been a rough year."

Luke felt his jaw drop. "A year?"

"She told me she loved me when she came out of bacta after Sakiya. I figured she was delirious, or just emotional after coming so close to dying. I admit, I was emotional when she came out too… I almost lost her. But I didn't realize when she started professing her love that she meant that kind of love. Or maybe I just didn't want to realize it. Finally, several weeks later, we were alone again and she tried to seduce me. I spent so much time and energy trying to talk sense into her that I didn't realize for quite some time that I was in love with her too."

Luke could feel the agitation in Kyp, although the younger man was so adept at guarding his emotions, Luke would never have known the cause of the turmoil had Kyp not told him.

"Any interest in a sabbatical?"

Kyp nodded sadly. "Is that your gentle way of asking me to step down from the Council?"

"No, that was my gentle way of suggesting that you stay here on Coruscant for a while and re-group. Relax a little. Don't take any more missions for a while. I'm not going to ask you to step down, and I won't go to the Council unless I absolutely have to."

"Thank you. I appreciate all that you're doing. Or, trying to do."

"I know. But if it were anybody else, the first thing I would do to handle this situation is put it to the Council for advice. However… that would mean involving Corran, and I can't imagine that will help anyone at this point."

The two men stared out the window some more until Kyp said, "You're going to have to find her a new master."

"You've been telling us for ages she's ready to be knighted. Maybe we can use that; I could send her back to Ossus; pitch it as a means to see how she does on her own as prep for her promotion."

"Probably not a good idea. At least not immediately. She's going to need someone to talk to… to help her through this."

"Jacen?"

"He does seem to have a knack for dealing with Horns."

Luke chuckled. "That he does. In the meantime, having you both here at the Temple probably won't do either of you any good. Maybe you can stay with Jaina. She officially starts her new job as Leia's assistant tomorrow, and she opted not to live in the Temple. Han said she's got an extra room in her apartment. I'm sure she'd be happy to have you."

"I guess I could explain the situation and get her insight."

Luke snorted. "Yeah, because we Skywalker-Solos are so good in the relationship advice department." When Kyp didn't even smile at his joke he turned to study him, finally seeing how haggard the other man looked. "Kyp, how long has it been since you've gotten a decent night of sleep?"

"Since the night before we went to Sakiya."

Luke exhaled then placed a comforting hand on the other man's shoulder. "I wish you had come to me sooner."

"I thought she'd grow out of it, and I didn't want this to get out. I kept telling myself it was just a crush, that it would fade in time."

"What, other than Jysella's age and the fact that she's your apprentice, has held you back?"

Kyp rolled his eyes at Luke, then stared down into the glass in his hands. He shot the contents of the glass back then sucked a breath in before finally whispering, "Nothing."

Phelarion Embassy, Senate City, Coruscant
40 ABY
Ten Years After The Yuuzhan Vong War

Valin Horn stared into the eyes of his former mentor and listened intently to the advice Master Solo had to offer.

During the four years he had been apprenticed to Jacen, the older Jedi had taken the knowledge Valin already possessed at the end of the Yuuzhan Vong war and helped him hone it. He had been a decently skilled swordsman, but Jacen's instruction and their hours of practice had made Valin outstanding. Standing at Jacen's right hand during countless missions, watching him broker deal after deal, Valin learned the fine art of negotiation; when to utilize one's own empathy, or disregard personal feelings, had become second nature and had turned Valin into a gifted mediator. And Jacen's wisdom, patience, and love made him a better man.

The one thing Master Solo had not been able to help him perfect, or even utilize, was telekinesis; a talent that eluded most Horns, regardless of their raw strength in the Force. If that was what Valin would need to accomplish the feat that lay ahead, he'd go down in flames, and they both knew it.

"Alright Valin, I have complete faith in your abilities. You're well trained, with a lot of weapons at your disposal, and you're young and energetic."

Jacen turned the younger man away from him and placed his hands on Valin's shoulders, massaging lightly to loosen him up for what he was about to face; going in tense would be a detrimental mistake and they both knew it.

Taking a deep breath, Valin watched the scene unfolding before them and felt Jacen's encouraging pat as he leaned forward and continued dispensing last minute advice.

"Those are your targets. Now, go in gently, the recon didn't reveal much about who they are, or where they're from, so stay neutral; wait to see how they respond before you commit to a style, take your cues from them. Sometimes weaknesses are revealed early, sometimes you need to be patient. Take your time, there's no need to rush. You'll be on your own, but I'll monitor what's happening and step in if you get into any trouble."

They were both quiet for a moment, sizing up the opposition, before Jacen finally asked, "Any questions?"

"Yes, Master. Do you want the blonde or the redhead?"

"Definitely the blonde."

Valin eyed her again. "She looks a little bit like Tahiri."

Out of the corner of his eye, Valin saw the Jedi Master tilt his head slightly.

"Hmm… I hadn't noticed. Well, let's see whether or not your mission is successful before we start dividing up the spoils."

"Yes, Master."

"Oh, and Valin."

"Yes Master?"

"May the Force be with you."

"Oh yes, Master."

Tahiri Veila spotted Jacen and Valin across the room and excused herself from the guests she was chatting with. She had watched the two men talking and when she saw the direction Valin was headed in she chuckled. They were engaged in a game that had been one of their favorite pastimes when Valin was Jacen's apprentice. They referred to it as 'TK training', or 'picking things up with the Force' but Tahiri was one of the few who knew that the only things Valin was really interested in 'picking up' were ales bottles and women.

"You two up to your old tricks?" she asked, as she drew up next to Jacen, and wasn't surprised when his eyes never left their friend. "I see that, as usual, you're making him do all the heavy lifting."

Her shoulder was just a hair's breadth from Jacen's arm while she watched Valin work the two women, one of them throwing her head back, laughing, exposing her long neck, and shaking her fiery hair before running her fingers down Valin's arm.

"That didn't take him long. Of course, he did have a good teacher."

Jacen smiled but still didn't speak or look at her.

"So, which one did you put dibs on?"

He chuckled and finally turned, looking deep into Tahiri's eyes. "You know perfectly well I have no interest in either of them. I'm just offering my friend support."

As the last words left his mouth Jacen looked over Tahiri's head.

"Hello, Huff."

She cringed hearing the barely restrained hatred in Jacen's voice and, for the millionth time, thanked the gods that Huff was as Force blind as they come.

"Master Solo, always a pleasure. It was good of you to come. I know it means a lot to Tahiri to have some of her old friends here the first time she acts as official hostess for Phelarion."

Jacen turned back to Tahiri and smiled. "First time? I didn't realize this was going to be a regular thing for you? Do you have news for your old friends, Tahiri?"

"No Jace, I don't. And Huff, darling, didn't we agree to continue that discussion later?"

Looking directly at Tahiri, as though Jacen weren't there, Huff answered, "Of course. But you've done such a fine job tonight I was hoping any apprehension you had would be quelled and you'd reconsider my request that we make the role more official." Reaching down to take her hand, Huff brought it to his mouth and gently kissed the backs of her fingers. "And… in other aspects of my life."

She had to work to hide a visible reaction as Jacen's disgust came ripping through the Force, and was grateful when his next statement drew Huff's attention away from her.

"Well, this is a conversation you don't need me here for, and I did promise Tenel Ka I'd be back at the Hapan party before dinner."

That took Huff's attention off of her and back to Jacen.

"Please, do give the Queen Mother my regards. I am so looking forward to hearing her speak at the Senate Opening tomorrow."

Jacen tipped his head slightly at Huff. "Thank you for having me," then looked back at Tahiri. "I do hope to see you again soon."

Tahiri felt Huff place his arm around her shoulder and gently draw her closer as she watched Jacen turn to retrieve Valin.

She was only vaguely aware that Huff had begun to speak when he asked, "Does it still bother you, Darling?"

She used the Force to replay the question in her mind so she could answer.

"Does what bother me?"

"That such a close friend has such an issue with me?"

She took a deep resigned breath and sighed it out slowly before putting her hand on Huff's chest and turning her face to smile up at him.

"Jacen's issues have less to do with you than they do with me. He's not happy with a lot of the choices I've made. I understand, and I don't blame him. I just hope that one day he'll be able to see things from my perspective and forgive me."

"You don't think he'd go easier on you if I was someone else's grandson? Or wasn't labeled by some in the government as a neo-Imperial?"

Tahiri chuckled. "I can tell you, unequivocally, that given my relationship with Jacen it wouldn't matter who your grandfather was or what your political leanings were, he would feel the same."

Huff wrapped both arms around Tahiri's waist and leaned his forehead into hers. "Well, as unpopular as your choice may have been with the other Jedi, I'm glad you left the Order. Otherwise I may never have found you."

Tahiri tilted her face up slightly to receive his kiss and began running her hands up to his shoulders before pulling back.

"We should probably continue this when we don't have three hundred beings standing around us."

"See, the consummate hostess." Huff drawled. "You're a natural."

Laughing lightly Tahiri took a step backward, and, pulling Huff by the hand said, "Come on, Governor Tarkin, we have guests to entertain."