A/N: Woot! It's finally done! Certainly took long enough, eh? Anyway, this was one of those cases where I wasn't sure what I wanted to happen in the chapter (and school/midterms didn't help either). I know exactly were the story is going (with a detailed summary and all) but that didn't stop this chapter from being a bitch especially since I had to ask my parents about how Jax and Keilana should act as he is only newly born. Blah, perhaps it was wrong for someone who hasn't had any real experience with a newborn to make her character pregnant. Oh well, too late now. God, I'm glad I'm done.
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Daddy Dearest
She had only been a mother for a single week but to Keilana, it felt like an eternity had come and gone. Perhaps it was the lack of sleep seeing as Jax seemed to keep her up for hours on end only to let her sleep for one at a time. Ganner had tried to help but in the end it was pointless. There wasn't much a man could do to help a newborn baby besides changing him. That and the fact that he wasn't sleeping in her room. Alas, Keilana felt hopeless.
And tonight was nothing different. As if Jax's internal clock was in line with Coruscant itself, his protests started up again at four in the morning, exactly an hour after Keilana had fallen back to sleep. Waking up, Keilana almost screamed into her pillow before standing and dragging herself across the floor to Jax's crib.
What do you want this time, little man? She practically growled despite the smile on her face. She just couldn't bring herself to be angry with the child. As soon as she gathered the boy into her arms, his crying lessened and his kicking stopped. He rolled instinctively toward Keilana's breast, his lips searching blindly. She quickly adjusted her clothing to allow him to suckle as she moved to sit in the moonlight on her bed. The city outside was still bright, as it was day in and day out, and speeders were flying in a steady stream past her window.
It did not take long for the child to finish his feeding. However, as soon as he was burped, he seemed quite content to stay awake, his large brown eyes attempting to focus on different objects around the room. Though tired as she was, Keilana smiled.
Eventually those two large, dark orbs fell on Keilana and she smiled wider. Jax simply blinked and continued to stare. After a moment, Keilana had to acknowledge the fact that she would probably be up for quite awhile for she had never seen someone look less tired than Jax did at that exact moment. Sighing, she shifted the child slightly in her arms into a more comfortable position and stood up. Rocking him back and forth, Keilana walked to the fresher and filled a cup with water. She picked it up and swirled it around a bit but, thirsty as she was, she did not sip from it. Sighing, Keilana placed the cup on the sink and walked back to the main room, Jax blinking and unconsciously holding on to Keilana's shirt.
After a little while longer of wandering her room, attempting to tire her child, Keilana admitted defeat. He might not want to sleep, but she certainly did. So, laying Jax back in his bed, Keilana turned to her own and was asleep almost instantly, her heart silently crying for ignoring her son.
Sometime later, Keilana was woken up by a number of things. The light of the new day streamed in across her bed, the sun blindingly bright, and Jax was screaming. At the same time, the holocom beeped loudly, causing Jax's protests to rise to a new level.
Swearing rather boldly and with great imagery, Keilana stalked across the floor and picked up her son to soothe him. She just got him to suckle when the holocom's beeping grew louder and more insistent. Keilana could have sworn that her son growled against her breast, though it was quite impossible, as she moved to the station. Her finger itched to answer the hail, but she couldn't bring herself to do so. Nobody but the Jedi knew that she had borne a son and if this was a potential employer the sight of a child locked on her breast would kill her chances of a new job.
But you can't hunt, not anymore, Keilana muttered to herself, her eyes on the button. Clenching her fist and pulling it back toward her body, Keilana turned as someone knocked on her door. Pulling one of Jax's blankets from his bed to cover herself, Keilana went to answer the door, surprised to find Luke Skywalker on the other side. His cheeks instantly blushed pink as he looked at her.
I know you've seen it before, Master, Keilana half-growled, half-laughed as she stepped back to allow Luke in.
Perhaps I should come at a different time, Luke suggested, shifting uneasily from foot to foot. Keilana simply smiled, detached her son from her breast and handed the boy to Luke who looked quite stunned.
He doesn't bite, Keilana said as she covered herself with a shrug of her shoulder. Before long, Luke reached out to take the boy gently. After Keilana instructed him on how to burp the child, advising him to cover his shoulder with a blanket, she moved away and to her armoire. Luke turned away from Keilana, commenting on how she should answer her holocom. She growled that she was about to as she pulled on some trousers and a jacket over the clothes that she was wearing.
Striding across the floor to the station, Keilana casually pressed the button to answer it.
Sorry that took so— The words died on her lips as soon as she recognized the cold, dark eyes staring back at her. Nearly collapsing when her legs refused to support her any longer, Keilana leaned forward onto the chair in front of her and furrowed her brow, fighting the tears in her eyes. No, I felt you I felt you die
At those words, Luke turned to see who Keilana was talking to and nearly dropped the child in his arms in his surprise. He didn't recognize the uncovered eyes but he knew without a doubt who the man was.
Boba Fett knit his own brow and stared at his daughter, his eyes flashing with impatience. What the hell are you talking about, Keilana?
Fuck you, she muttered, her eyes turned to the floor at her feet.
Fett's eyes narrowed into two dark slits as he watched his daughter carefully. What did you say? You have to speak up, girl.
Gods fuck you! She screeched, her fingers digging into the back of the chair and her eyes narrowing. I hate you, you bastard, you God fucking bastard!
Her outburst sent Jax into a new set of furious crying as Luke took an involuntary step backwards. Fett's eyes widened in surprise, but whether it was from the screeching babe or the hate in Keilana's voice, it was impossible to tell.
he said after a moment of deafening silence, clearly shaken. Keilana had never outright yelled at him like that before. Keilana, calm down. I simply wanted to ask you—
Calm down? Keilana seethed. Jax's screams rose to a near painful state as Keilana's anger rolled off of her in waves. Luke found himself quite afraid of what she might do.
Luke said, stepping forward. Keilana spun to face him, her teeth bared.
Don't say a word, she growled before turning back to her father. What do you want, Dad.
For you to calm down, he said, almost paternally. Keilana was quite taken aback, as the expression on her face showed. And for you to shut down that racket in the background. What the hell is going on over there?
Keilana's face flickered into an expression of pure cruelty, one Luke did not like in the least bit, as she allowed a smile to creep across her face.
You're not the only one who gets to shock the hell out of someone this morning, she said as she stepped away from the station. Fett had furrowed his brow under the cloth wrap that covered his face as his eyes followed Keilana as far as they could.
What are you playing at, girl? He growled. Keilana ignored him as she plucked Jax out of Luke's arms.
I don't think this is a very good idea, Key, Luke said under his breath.
This is my family and these are my problems, Skywalker, Keilana growled before stepping away from him. Let me deal with them in my own way.
I just think you'll come to regret it, Luke said with a shake of his head, but it was too late for Keilana had just stepped back with in the range of the holocom.
she said in a sweetened voice that dripped with venom as she shifted Jax in her arms to give her father a better view. Fett's eyes grew wide, nearly wider than humanly possible, as he stared at the child. Dad, I would like for you to meet someone. This is my son, Jaxon, Jaxon Fett.
Luke was not sure he had even dreamed of the day that Boba Fett would be caught off his guard, but this was it. Not only was the older man surprised beyond words, he was almost visibly shaking.
That's right, Dad, Keilana said with the same sugary-venomous tone. You have a grandson and there is one more person to carry on your family's name.
You're fucking with me, aren't you, Fett said after a few more moments. He then stared to laugh, though the sound was anything but merry, and Keilana continued to smile her cruel smile as Jax continued to protest, his cries starting out soft. Keilana hefted the boy to her shoulder and started bouncing him slightly to calm him down.
Just look at him. One look at Jax and there is no mistake whose legacy he belongs to. There is no trace of that disgusting smuggler in him, only you and me. Only Fett.
Keilana's final statement quieted Fett's joyless laughter as he turned a hard stare at his daughter and the child in her arms.
So, what did you contact me for? Certainly it couldn't be for a friendly chat. Keilana arched one brow as Jax fell asleep against her shoulder. Her anger had subsided and was no longer rolling off of her, but the air in the room still crackled with frighteningly strong emotions.
I believe I got the answer to my question, Fett said, apparently stoic once again. There is no way you could have had time to find my ship with that. His eyes flickered to Jax and Keilana's anger grew.
Must I remind you that that' has a name and that it is yours?
Fett is a common enough name, Keilana, he growled. Keilana prickled with anger enough to wake her son and cause him to cry out loudly.
You're right, she said, her voice amazingly controlled for the amount of anger Luke felt break against the walls she had constructed. I haven't seen that God awful ship. And if Fett is a common enough name than, I'm sorry, you've reached the wrong number. Good-bye.
With that, Keilana turned off the holocom with enough dignity to appear civil. However, as soon as Fett's face flickered out, Keilana shrieked at the station, almost forgetting that she was holding her son, and lashed out at it with her bare foot, knocking the station to the floor. Then, crumbling to the carpet, Jax in her arms, she started to sob uncontrollably. Luke looked at her, quite unsure of what to do, when Kyp Durron showed up. He hadn't even bothered to knock. Stopping rather quickly, he glanced at Luke who shrugged and gestured toward Keilana.
Perhaps you can help her, Kyp, he said, rubbing his temple. I don't know if I have the will power to deal with her at the moment.
Kyp simply nodded and turned to Keilana. He gently pulled Jax from her grip as Luke disappeared into the hall and laid the boy back in his crib. Keilana sobbed louder but let him proceed without a fight. Then, as soon as the child was settled, Kyp kneeled on the floor next to Keilana and touched her shoulder. She instantly threw herself against his body, sobbing into his chest, and soaking his shirt through. Kyp patted her on the shoulder, not quite sure what to do.
Keilana said after a few minutes. She looked up at the kneeling Jedi and wiped a hand across her eyes.
Kyp, if you had a daughter and she told you that she had given birth to a son and that you were a grandfather, how would you react?
Well, first of all, I'd be surprised if I had a daughter and Oo, that's what happened. Kyp brushed a piece of hair out of Keilana's eyes as she nodded. Leaning up against him, Keilana straightened her legs out in front of her, practically forcing Kyp to sit down, which he did. I take that it didn't go well?
He thought I was joking at first, Keilana said as she stared at the carpet between her knees. Without really thinking about it, she started trailing lazy circles on Kyp's knee with her forefinger. Kyp looked down at the hand and grabbed it.
You can't do that, Keilana, he said, clenching his teeth. Placing Keilana's hand in her lap, he moved to stand up but Keilana grabbed his knee and stopped him from moving.
Just sit with me, Kyp, she said softly, her eyes still on the floor. I don't want to be left alone.
No, Keilana, he said, pushing her hand off of his leg and standing up. Keilana furrowed her brow and scrambled to her feet, blocking Kyp's progress to the door with her body. Sighing, he placed his hands on Keilana's shoulders and held her away from him. Don't do this to me, Keilana. Think about Ganner.
What about him? She asked, her eyes flashing.
He loves you.
Then where is he? You're the one who came here, not him.
Kyp shook his head but did not pull back. I was on my way down here anyway to ask when you wanted to start up your training again when your anger rolled through the Academy like a storm.
Keilana pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. Then why do you insist on being so close to me?
Kyp let go of her shoulders and stepped back a meter. Is that better?
Keilana didn't answer.
Look, I've got to get going. He said, running a hand through his hair. Feel better, okay?
Oh, that's a wonderful way to comfort someone. Keilana closed her arms over her chest and shifted her weight to one leg. Her gaze turned away from Kyp and focused on the wall over his shoulder. I'll see you around then.
Stepping forward, Kyp took Keilana's upper arms in his hands and placed a kiss on her forehead. Keilana's eyes slid shut and she leaned into him, if only slightly. At that exact moment the door opened and an unannounced visitor stepped into the room. With one look at the scene, his eyes widened and an ugly scowl crossed his handsome face.
What the hell is going on here? Ganner growled. With a funny little sound, Keilana jumped back and away from Kyp as he moved away from her.
Nothing but a little friendly comfort, Ganner, Kyp said without skipping a beat as he brushed past the taller man. Keilana nodded furiously as she took a step toward Ganner and put an arm around his waist. Burying her face in his shoulder, she started to sob once again, forgetting Kyp had ever been in her room.
Kyp shook his head and sighed as he stepped out of the room and started down the hall. Keilana, he decided, was definitely a piece of art. Whether he appreciated her in that sense or not, only time would tell.
Ganner turned to watch Kyp leave before turning back to Keilana. His arms were still at his side, as he was still upset with the woman crying against him. Gripping her shoulders, Ganner pulled Keilana off of him and forced her to look him in the eye.
Decide to have a little tryst with Kyp?
Keilana looked up at him with tear-clouded eyes and shook her head. It's not what it looked like, Ganner.
Those certainly are six overused words. What the hell was he doing here?
He is my Master, or at least he practically is. He came down to see when I wanted to continue my training—
And that involves a little kiss? What kind of training is he putting you through?
You didn't let me finish, she growled as she attempted to pull away from Ganner. He was too strong. Certainly you felt the emotions coming from me earlier.
That's why I'm here, Keilana. What happened?
Keilana pointed at the broken holocom station and whimpered as her father's painful words came back to her. Ganner furrowed his brow and shook his head, telling her that he didn't understand.
He's alive, Ganner.
Who is?
He is.
Yes, I think we've established that he's still alive, but who is he?
Keilana whimpered a bit louder, her lower lip trembling. Her gaze met Ganner's for a moment before falling to the floor. She almost followed when her legs threatened to give out.
My dad, she whispered, tears dripping down her cheeks. Ganner sucked in a quick breathe of air and let go of Keilana. That was all she needed to crumble to the floor, her head in her hands.
Your father Boba Fett is still alive?
Keilana nodded. He can't be killed.
But I thought you didn't you
Feel him die? Keilana said, looking back up at Ganner. He kneeled next to her resting his weight on his knees and toes as he cupped her face. Keilana turned away from him as if to hide her head in shame. I thought I did.
A wave of utmost despair rolled off of Keilana and Jax, feeling his mother's pain, woke up with a cry. Keilana moved to get him but with a squeeze of Ganner's hand, she stayed put. Instead, he stood up in one smooth motion and took two steps to the boy's crib. Picking him up gently and settling him in his arms, Ganner walked back to Keilana and settled down next to her once again. Jax was quiet almost immediately as he was settled into the cradle of Ganner's arms, his eyes sliding close. Smiling, Ganner ran a finger over the baby's cheek which Jax instinctively turned toward, his mouth opening. When Jax didn't find what he was looking for, he started fuss and wriggle about, his cries becoming sharp. Keilana chuckled through her tears and reached for the child.
It's not nice to tease him like that, Ganner, she said, adjusting her clothing as she held Jax against her. He immediately responded with a little grunt of enthusiasm as he started to suckle. Keilana wiped her hand across her eyes to rid them of tears as she looked up at Ganner. He was watching her son intently with a slightest of smiles on his lips. Looking up to meet her gaze, Ganner grinned and planted a kiss on the side of her mouth.
He's beautiful, Key.
Keilana nodded and grasped Ganner's hand in her own. I feel for the galaxy when he's grown though.
He's a Fett, Ganner. We have one of the most infamous names in the galaxy.
You're father is the one with the name, Ganner pointed out as he placed a hand on Keilana's knee. Keilana shrugged and fell silent. After a moment, however, she looked back up at Ganner and smiled.
A name doesn't have to be known to be who you are, Ganner. As much as I hate to admit it, I'm just like my father, just as he was like his. She sighed and lowered her gaze to her suckling son. If I can help it, Jax won't be like us, he won't be a killer. If I can help it, he will live a better life than the one I was forced into.
You can't be forced into a life you don't want to live, Key, Ganner said as he touched her cheek. She pulled away and focused on a spot over his shoulder.
When you are taught how to wield a gun from the moment you can walk and how to kill people from the instant you can understand, you don't have much choice in what you are going to do with your life. I didn't have a childhood. Every waking moment of my young life was spent in some training routine or another. When I was young my father would disguise his training in a game, but as I grew it became more and more obvious what I was supposed to do and supposed to learn. I didn't have a chance at another life and when I ran away, all I knew how to do was hunt and kill. Keilana sighed and met Ganner's gaze. Since coming here I've learned so much about other people. For the longest time, I thought that love was something that you had to earn, even the love of a parent. My father rarely expressed his love and, when he did, I would shy away because it was uncomfortable. I was never given the chance at a life other than bounty hunting.
Ganner was silent for a few moments. When he finally spoke, his voice was soft. Don't dwell on the past, Key. Think about the future that we are offering and the future you can give your son. You are young yet and you have a chance to live a new life. You can be a keeper of the peace in a whole new light. Granted, the pay is lousy, he grinned, but money isn't everything.
A smile danced across Keilana's lips. Yeah, well, I do have enough to last at least two life times. That's one of the things about bounty hunting that I really enjoyed; if you were good, then the pay was outstanding. And, Ganner, I was damn good.
Going on an ego trip, love? Ganner said with a chuckle. Keilana laughed as well as she detached Jax from her breast and proceeded to burp him.
No, just stating the truth. Anyone who wanted a private commission knew who to ask for and I was on the list. I was one of the elite' as the gutter hunters say.
Gutter hunters?
Bounty hunters who couldn't shoot a Corellian sewer rat from a meter away. They are the low-life and the scum of my profession and the ones who would do anything for a quick buck, even if it meant executing a young child. They have no morals.
Keilana set her jaw and removed the dirtied blanket from her shoulder as Jax fell asleep in her arms. There is a Code, Ganner, that some of us follow. It's like the Pirate's Code. There isn't anything written down, and the Code can be bent to its extreme without being broken, but still, it exists for some to follow if they so wish.
And you followed the Code?
To a certain degree, Keilana said as she stood up. The conversation was over and Ganner knew it would be foolish to try and pursue it. Instead, he stayed sitting where he was and watched Keilana put her son back in his crib. When she turned around, she did not move toward him nor did she move at all. Her gaze was settled on the floor in front of her, not seeing the carpet or anything else.
What will you do, Key, now that you know your father is still alive?
What can I do, Ganner? Keilana reached back to grip the edge of the crib and whispered, Absolutely nothing.
