Chapter 25 Zak's Vow

The next day, the younglings were tested by the Jedi; three of them, Orin's control group, showed promising results. After consulting with Breha and her party, however, it was decided that in the best interest to these younglings they would be fostered along with the rest of the younglings while being taught and trained by the Jedi.

Four days after their return from Belarid, Zak sat across from Anakin and his master in one of the common meditation rooms.

"Alright, Zak; let your palms meet mine." Anakin instructed.

Zak touched his palms to Anakin's and then closed his eyes and took a deep centering breath.

"That's it; just relax and let me in." Anakin told him, "Good."

Anakin's healing Force flowed through Zak and Zak let it come without resistance. It happened quickly as if the blanket covering him had suddenly been lifted away and the voice of the Force sounded in his mind as it always had. A smile appeared on his face and he opened his eyes to see Anakin smiling back at him. He looked to Obi-Wan and saw tears forming in his master's eyes mirroring those welling up in his own, "It worked!" He exclaimed.

"Yes, I think it did." Obi-Wan replied.

"Thank you, Master Anakin." Zak said gratefully.

"Well, I didn't do anything except wake your midi-chlorians up." Anakin told him.

"No, they were dead; Master Windu said they were dead." Zak disagreed.

"They were dormant, Zak; that's the only reason I could help you." Anakin insisted.

"No, that can't….oh, that's what they meant." Zak suddenly realized.

"Who?" Obi-Wan asked.

"The others; I dreamt about them on the way home the other day." Zak answered, "They said they wanted to thank me again and they said they gave me a gift; I didn't know what they meant until just now."

"Anakin, wasn't that when you told me that Zak's Force sense would return?" Obi-Wan asked.

"You know, I think…yes; it was just before we arrived on Coruscant." Anakin said.

"They must have been very grateful for what you did, Padawan. A precious gift has been returned to you." Obi-Wan told the boy.

"I know, Master." Zak answered seriously.

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Later, Declan came down to the quarters provided for Anakin and his family. More spacious than the single quarters he used when he came by himself, they allowed the twins to spread out.

Padme sat on the bed and Declan relaxed and focused, bringing the Force to him and reaching out though it to Padme.

"Yes, I can feel the baby; healthy, normal…do you want to know what it is?" Declan asked.

"No." Both of them said.

"Alright, I'll leave it at healthy and normal." Declan conceded.

"What about Padme?" Anakin asked anxiously.

"Well there is a slight problem…." Declan answered.

"Problem, what? What is it, Declan?" Anakin asked leaping up.

"A slight problem, Anakin; a small tear in the placenta, that's all." Declan said calmly. "We can fix it together."

"What would cause something like that?" Anakin asked.

"Probably your little adventure on Belarid. Don't look at me like that, Lady Skywalker, you are in the late stages of pregnancy; you should not have gone off rescuing anyone." Declan scolded.

"What does that mean? Is it going to cause her to lose the baby? Will it hurt her?" Anakin asked as he began to pace the room.

"No, Anakin, not if we fix it now." Declan answered reassuringly.

"We…but I…you mean…." Anakin stammered.

"Yes, you know how to do it and I know where; I will direct you." Declan said.

"Padme?" Anakin inquired.

"For pity's sake, Anakin; why are you asking me?" Padme asked.

Without another word, Anakin pulled a chair up next to Declan; within minutes, they had merged, not as seamlessly as he did with Obi-Wan, but well enough for Anakin to accomplish his task.

"There I believe that did it. I see no other problems, I suspect you will be greeting your new….baby in about six weeks." Declan predicted. "Without further complications, I might add."

Anakin plopped down in another chair, "Thank you, Declan." He said with great relief.

"My pleasure, I enjoyed working with you, Anakin….perhaps we could try it again." Declan replied and he stood up to leave.

"Perhaps." Anakin conceded.

"Declan, would you come to Naboo…when it's time?" Padme asked.

"Well, I…Anakin?" Declan requested.

"Please, Declan; it would be a great relief to have a healer with us." Anakin told him.

"Very well; I'm sure Master Kenobi will know when it's time; I will see you in…." Declan started.

"Six weeks." Padme finished. "Thank you, Declan."

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Zak sat on the exam table as ND25 removed the reinforcing sleeve, "Any pain?" It asked.

"No." Zak answered.

"Stiffness?" ND25 asked as it flexed the wrist.

"It's a little stiff." Zak admitted.

"Tsk…yes, that is normal; it will also still be weak, I will fit you with a support sleeve for now." ND25 said.

"Thank you." Zak answered.

"Yes, now let us see about your leg." It said, running its scanner down his casted leg. "Oh, yes; this has knitted nicely."

"Can the cast come off then?" Obi-Wan asked from his chair.

"Tsk….hmm….yes I believe so….if you are careful for a few days, Zak." ND25 replied.

"I will see that he is." Obi-Wan promised.

"Good, good; then I will remove this and replace it with a brace." ND25 answered.

"A brace? Why do have to wear a brace?" Zak protested.

"Tsk….your muscles have been weakened…..tsk….you will need to build them back up or your leg will not be able to support your weight…tsk….this would cause it to break again." ND25 told him.

"Oh, I don't think I want that." Zak decided.

"No, tsk…I did not think so." ND25 answered as it began to remove Zak's leg cast. "Did you bring his other boot with you?"

"Oh, yes, I have it right here. How long will he have to wear the brace?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Tsk…hmm…that is difficult to predict. It would depend on how long it takes him to build up his muscle strength; as he is a Jedi, I would say several days." ND25 replied, and then pulled the cast away, "There, is that better?"

Zak flexed his leg and winced, "It's sore." He said.

"Yes, it will be because it has been immobilized for almost two weeks. Massage will help along with light exercise. PT7 will be in to instruct you." ND25 replied, "I will go to find PT7 and bring back a leg brace and support sleeve and shall return in a few minutes. You may put his boot on so that PT7 can fit the brace, Master Kenobi."

Obi-Wan got up, walked over to the table and started to gently massage Zak's leg, "Does this help?" He asked.

"Yes, a little." Zak answered, "Master?"

"Hmm?" Obi-Wan responded as he continued to knead Zak's leg muscles.

"What will happen to Terak and my parents?" He asked.

Obi-Wan stopped what he was doing and looked at him, "Why do you want to know, Padawan?" He asked.

"Because they're my family." Zak answered.

Obi-Wan sighed, "Terak did a terrible thing when he pushed you off the outcrop and then left you there; he will probably be sent to Kessel. As for you parents, I do not know, but they will have to answer for protecting Terak and helping to bury some of the younglings." He told him.

"Oh, that's too bad." Zak said.

"Zak, he tried to kill you and your parents, if you can call them that, rejected you a long time ago." Obi-Wan replied.

"I know; but they didn't really know any better." Zak answered.

Obi-Wan shook his head and continued to work the muscles in Zak's leg, "You have a very forgiving nature, my apprentice; and that is a very good trait for a Jedi to have. If Terak shows any remorse or regret for what he did, then the courts may go easier on him. But I do not think that will happen, do you?" He told him.

"No, probably not; there is too much hate in him." Zak admitted, "But he is still my brother."

"Only by blood, Zak." Obi-Wan said.

"I know." Zak answered quietly as Obi-Wan slipped his right boot on.

ND25 returned accompanied by PT7, "Here put this on your wrist." ND instructed and handed him a pliable sleeve open on both ends, with a slit on the side of one end.

Zak looked at it for a moment, figured out his thumb should go through the slit and pulled it on, "It's tight." He said.

"Hmm... tsk…let me see." ND25 replied as it touched each of Zak fingers and then his thumb, "It is as it should be; if it were too loose, it would not help you. Wear this the rest of the day, take it off tonight and replace it for…hmm…tsk….hmm three hours, remove it for….hmm…two hours; replace it for an additional….hmm…three hours and then you may leave it off until the following day. The next day you should wear it for….tsk…two hours, remove for….hmm….three hours, replace it for….two hours, remove it for three, replace it for two and then remove it until the next day. On that day….Zak, you appear to be confused."

"Well, um, that's a lot to remember." Zak said.

"Oh…tsk…of course. I am sorry; I will prepare a data pad. Would that make it easier?" ND25 asked.

"Much easier, thank you." Zak answered.

While ND25 had been instructing Zak on the use of the support sleeve, PT7 had placed Zak's leg in the brace and made adjustments to make it fit properly, "Are you ready to try this, Zak?" It asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Zak replied.

"Good; first, bend your knee so that I can see….ah, yes that will do; now can you move your ankle? Yes, good, good. Raise your leg now, can you do that?" PT7 asked.

Zak raised his leg as high as he could, about three inches, "How's this?" He asked.

"Ah, good, very good for the first time. Now, before I let you stand, I must know if it is rubbing you. If so, we must correct this or you will develop blisters." PT7 instructed.

"A little, right here." Zak told it, pointing to the inside of his calf.

"Aha, yes I detect contact there;" PT7 replied, adjusting the strap there, "anywhere else?"

"No, I don't think so." Zak answered.

"Ah, good; then shall we begin?" PT7 asked.

"Yes, definitely." Zak said and started to slide off the table.

"Slowly, Zak; Master Kenobi, you may help him." PT7 instructed.

Obi-Wan took Zak's arm and helped him ease off the table, "Carefully, Padawan." He said.

"Put all your weight on your left leg first, Zak; and then gradually shift half of it to the right." PT7 told him, "Yes, good; keep an arm on Master Kenobi….ah…yes…good, very good."

"Can I take a step now?" Zak asked eagerly.

"Yes, hold on to Master Kenobi now." PT7 told him.

And so Zak took his first tentative step, followed by another and another until he had managed to walk all the way down the hallway and back again. He grinned happily at his master, "Can we go home now?" He asked.

"Yes, Padawan; we can go home now." Obi-Wan answered.

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The following day, brought two partings, Anakin and his family to Naboo; and Boba to Alderaan with the Queen and Gemma.

Obi-Wan embraced his brother and hugged both of his children, "Thank you, Anakin." He said.

"There is no need for thanks, Obi-Wan; you are my brother." Anakin replied, "Now remember, Padme is due in little more than a month. Come with Declan."

"I will; and may the Force be with you, brother." Obi-Wan answered.

"And may the Force be with you, Obi-Wan." Anakin said as he walked up the yacht's ramp with a child on each side.

"No more adventures, Padme." Obi-Wan said sternly.

"Yes, Master Obi-Wan." She answered with a mischievous smile, "Just don't get yourself into trouble and I won't have to." She gave him a peck on the cheek and then touched the top of Zak's head, "Take care of him, won't you, Zak?"

"Yes, Lady Padme." Zak answered.

"And don't forget; the baby is due in less than six weeks…" Padme began as she started up the ramp.

"Come with Declan; yes madam." Obi-Wan finished.

The ramp closed, the engines roared to life and Anakin raised the ship up and out; and then they were gone. Obi-Wan sighed and put a hand on Zak's shoulder as the ship disappeared.

"You miss him already, don't you?" Zak said.

"Yes, I have to admit I do." Obi-Wan replied.

"I do too." Zak said.

Not long after that, Zak stood beside Tantive IV. Bail Organa and the queen had already boarded with Gemma and waited as Boba said his farewell to Zak, "So, no more crutches." He said.

"Nope, no more crutches." Zak replied.

"And soon no more brace either?" Boba asked.

"That's right, soon, I hope." Zak answered.

"You don't suppose Master Kenobi would bring you to Alderaan sometime, do you?" Boba wondered.

Zak turned around and looked at Obi-Wan standing near the Jedi speeder waiting for him, "I don't know; anything's possible." He told him.

"Well, I hope he does; we could go exploring." Boba said. "Listen, I'd better get going; I shouldn't keep them waiting, him being the Chancellor and all."

"Oh, right; I'll see you soon and when I do, I will be doing flips again." Zak promised.

"Good, well, good bye Zak." Boba said, extending his hand.

Zak grasped his hand, "Good bye, Boba." He answered.

Then he was up the ramp, turning to wave before disappearing inside.

Zak sighed as Tantive IV disappeared and Obi-Wan put his hand on his shoulder, "You miss him already, don't you." He said.

"Yes." Zak answered.

"I do too." Obi-Wan replied.

"No you don't." Zak said, looking up at him.

"Well, yes I do….a little." Obi-Wan told him as he smiled.

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Within a week, Zak no longer wore the supportive sleeve on his arm, was walking well with the brace, and had started to remove the brace for short periods of time. Gradually, PT7 allowed him more time without the brace until, at last, he announced that Zak no longer needed it at all; and with a month, Zak had begun to practice acrobatic maneuvers and lightsaber techniques. While the nightmarish experience on Belarid had faded to the back of his mind, the memory of the others lingered on; and he vowed that he would never allow the atrocities that had happened there happen anywhere else. If he accomplished anything as a Jedi, it would be to that end.

The trial of his brother, Terak, and his parents; lasted little more than a few days; he was found guilty of attempted murder for his assault on Zak and, because he showed no remorse for what he had done, sentenced to twenty years in the prison colony of Kessel. His parents were found guilty of conspiracy for burying some of the murdered younglings and abetting Terak by hiding him after attacking Zak; they were sentenced to life in a farming prison colony near the Outer Rim. Doctor Orin's trial took place soon afterwards; charged with the inhumane and illegal experimentation on the Force sensitive Belaridian younglings, Orin was to be sent to Bespin to work for the remainder of his life in the tympana gas mines there.

"What are you thinking about, Padawan?" Obi-Wan asked as he came up behind his apprentice staring out into the darkening skyline.

"Nothing really; I just wish…." Zak trailed off.

"You just wish what?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Well, that things could have been different." Zak answered.

"I know; I do too." Obi-Wan said, putting a hand on his shoulder.

They stood there together, Master and Padawan, until the sunset had faded completely and the lights of Coruscant began to flicker on.

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Thank you all for sticking through this admittedly bizaare journey. I am grateful for each and every review from my faithful readers, Iluvewansmile, Jedi Master Arie Skywalker and JediDaughter1; and my new readers, oh I'm flying and Shannon246 and all those who are reading but have chosen not to leave a review. For those who are interested in further adventures, stay tuned; there are more stories ahead! Next up, Obi-Wan and Zak travel to Alderaan, where a learning experience in the mountains turns deadly when they encounter an illegal hunting party in "From the Heights". Again, thanks for reading!