skywalker64089- Thanks. Don't worry, they'll talk eventually.

chimpo- :) Yep, Valin is lucky to have escaped alive.

Melissa- Yes, there are a lot of issues that people in this story need to straiten out.

InsaneJediGirl- Thanks!

Chapter 28

The sunset was brilliant as Jacen Solo walked through the gardens on Hapes. After every few steps he would pause to take in the beauty around him. There was so much life here.

Jacen had always had a special connection to living things. Back in his academy days he would quite often have several different pets living with him at one time. Being around living creatures had always reaffirmed him of life and the goodness in it. Now it just made him angry.

There was so much life and energy out here, and yet his beautiful wife was slowly wasting away inside the confines of the Fountain Palace. Life wasn't fair.

Jacen bent down to pick up a small pebble along the stone walkway. It was smooth and dark as ebony. Running the rock along his hands, Jacen thought about what had become of him in the last several months.

His whole life Jacen had been wary of the dark side. He knew about his heritage and the fact that evil ran through his veins. But Jacen had never dreamed that he would actually give into that temptation. Anakin was always the one who would sit and analyze his behavior; determining what was light and dark, not Jacen. But he knew things were different now. He had let the bubbling anger in.

Jacen couldn't help wondering what his sister would think of him now as he continued his walk. And Uncle Luke. Jacen didn't even want to think about how much pain he was probably causing his uncle.

Slowly Jacen came upon his favorite spot in all of Hapes. A beautiful sanctuary right in the middle of the gardens. It had flowing white curtains and inside it held a beautiful fountain and some of the most beautiful plant life Jacen had ever seen.

This was where he and Tenel Ka had first confirmed their love for each other. Their first time together still very vivid in his mind, Jacen sat down. This would always be their place. But now he was in it alone.

Sitting there with the sound of tinkling water in the background, Jacen began to break down. Soon his shoulders were wracking with sobs. What has happened to me?

It seemed like hours were passing as Jacen sat and cried. Through his tears, he poured everything out of his body. All of his fear and anger were now flowing freely around him. Falling to his knees, he cried out in despair. "Please. I can't lose my beautiful wife! By the Force, someone please help her!" The last part of his plea came out as a harsh roar.

Tearing at his hair, he sobbed once more. "Help me," he cried. And more softly, "I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry for what I've done." Although he had no idea who he was praying to or if anyone was actually listening, Jacen continued, "Please. Save Tenel Ka. She's my everything. Just take me- I'm the one who let in the Dark!"

He collapsed back onto the plush cushions where he had first laid with his wife. The tears were still flowing, but his prayers were silent now. Slowly his delirium lulled him to sleep where he dreamed of beauty and light.

When he finally woke it was apparent by the darkened sky that several more hours had passed. Rising to his feet, Jacen looked around as if he was a newborn; seeing the galaxy for the first time. Everything looked different. It felt strange at first, but then he realized why his world had seemed like it changed. Because he had changed. The darkness was a gone and a newfound purity was resonating off of his body.

Closing his eyes, he silently thanked the Force as well as whatever gods there might have been out there that had heard his cries. He was a Jedi once more.

Jacen took the walk back to the palace slowly so as to appreciate all that was around him. He was surrounded by life here, and a Jedi was sworn to protect life. How could he have turned his back on all of this? Did his anger justify his actions?

Once he reached the many palace steps, he began to rush up them two at a time. Running through the palace corridors, Jacen finally made his way into the royal bedroom. There was his wife; still lying in her coma.

Slowly once more, Jacen stepped over to his bedside and took Tenel Ka's cold hand in his. Kissing her palm, he sat down. Stroking her hand gently, he sent all of his love and strength to her.

Just as he was beginning to doze off once more, something changed. He felt a flutter in the Force. Jacen's eyes immediately flashed open and he glanced around.

She had moved. Tenel Ka's still and cold hand had just twitched in his grasp.

Now wide-awake, he leaned over her beautiful form and cried out. "Medic, I need assistance over here!"

The Queen Mother had two living personnel as well as a medical droid that were stationed to her room full time since she had slipped into her coma and they all came running at Jacen's call.

"Her hand. It moved in mine."

Motioning for the prince to move out of their way, the two women began to check all of the queen's vitals. One of the medics, a beautiful brunette woman, began to speak to the other in their native tongue.

The other woman nodded her head stiffly in agreement before she spoke in a highly accented basic. "You are right, Prince Consort. Her majesty has significantly improved, although we will need to continue keeping a steady watch over her until she has completely healed from her ailment."

The medical droid rolled towards Jacen and motioned for him to leave. "We will contact you when the queen wakes, but for now we need privacy," the brunette woman said.

Still confused and ecstatic over the news of his wife's improvement, Jacen simply nodded and followed the women's orders to leave his chambers.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of my readers!