When he entered the lobby area just outside the Shedu Maad base's medical ward, his sister was so pale, Luke was sure she was going to faint. But her rocking, pacing, twitching and shaking persisted. He was already getting a headache from watching her and looked to Han to do something, but his brother-in-law was in his own state of shock. Unlike Leia, he sat, but he rocked back and forth, holding his head between both hands. Luke didn't know what to say, so he walked up to Leia and told her, "Jaina will be just fine," he assured them.

The two finally ceased their nervous habits. Leia straightened and gave him a quizzical look before turning to her husband. Han opened his arms to his wife and she willingly fell into his embrace. "It's not Jaina we're worried about," Han began to explain and Leia turned her face into his shoulder. He held her closer.

"What's happened?" Luke asked, but Leia and Han were both in their own little world.

"Is this real?" Leia asked her husband.

Han held her gaze, his eyes soft and gentle while he stroked her cheek with a thumb. "Do you want it to be?"

Leia didn't respond immediately. She gave a small nod as tears leaked from the corners of her eyes. "More than anything. I just don't know what to think about it."
Han nodded, leaving a tender kiss on her forehead.

"What's going on?" Luke asked again. "Jaina is okay, isn't she?"

Now sitting in Han's lap, Leia looked to her brother and nodded. "Cilghal assured us she'll be just fine. But something happened during her duel against Caedus. We aren't very sure what happened."

"Well, what do you mean you're not sure what happened? You said something happened-?"

"I-" Leia shook her head, but broke off. "I can't. I can't explain it, Luke." Her face broke into a joyful smile. "I don't know how it happened or if this is all just a dream, but something wonderful has happened and it's not something I can just tell you. I think it will be better to show you."

Luke noticed Han's grip around Leia tighten and she smiled faintly, resting her head against his shoulder. Luke had grown accustomed to the closeness they shared, how dramatically their relationship had shifted since Chewbacca's death and how they had recovered together, becoming so much closer than they had ever been. But now, Luke sensed a sort of closeness on a level they hadn't before reached. There was something going on- something the two knew about that Han was comforting her for. And for the umpteenth time in his life, Luke envied his two best friends.

Luke didn't know what to say. He didn't want to ask, 'but everything's okay, right?' because Jacen- or, his body- was dead and Luke could feel the war raging in his sister. Relief fighting grief a hundred times over. He tried to keep his own thoughts at relief that his niece would be just fine despite the injuries she'd sustained. He feared that if he thought too much about Caedus's demise, he would be too relieved. So, whenever his thoughts did turn that way, he chose to mourn Jacen who had died so shortly after Anakin.

Luke settled into a chair across the waiting area from Leia and Han. He watched them, watched their silent bonding as Han comforted Leia's fears and she held onto him because she knew he was breaking too. It was quiet for a long time before Tekli came out and told the Solos that they could see their daughter. Both were eager to, but Leia glanced at Luke and urged him to come with.

Jaina was reclining in a medbunk. Luke could have gasped aloud at the sight of his niece; most of her exposed flesh was covered in a quick-dry bacta gel and a brace was wrapped around her neck. Then, there was a line of stitching that ran close to her scalp that made Luke cringe. Her eyes were dark, swallowed by blue circles. And her face was so ashen and her lips so dry and cracked. But she offered him a faint smile as he followed her parents in.

Leia and Han both took a side of the med bed and stood right beside her. Leia took her hands and cried in relief that her daughter was okay. Han stroked her head, telling her over and over how grateful he was. But Luke could still tell how hard it was on them.

"Cilghal told us that you'll be able to make a full recovery and it shouldn't take very long," Leia told Jaina. "How do you feel right now?"

"I've been better," she quietly remarked. Leia nodded, holding both of her daughter's hands between her own and silently weeping over them.

Luke slowly came to his sister's side. He reached over and gently squeezed Jaina's shoulder. She sent him a reassuring touch back through the Force and he smiled for her sake.

"Mom," Jaina croaked and Leia leaned over her. "Yes, honey?" Jaina whispered something in her mother's ear and Leia's face returned to its pale palette.

Luke bit back a sigh.

Leia's glance flicked his way and Luke- having no idea what this could possibly be about- decided that all he could do was offer his support, so he tried to convey as much of it as he could when he held her gaze. Her gaze was so sad, though, and they turned to glass before she ducked her head again and quietly responded to Jaina. Then, Jaina spoke aloud. "It's okay. You can go without me. Go." She took her mother's hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "Check on him."

Leia shook her head, giving a sad laugh. "We don't even know if this is real!"

"I believe it's real. Is that not enough? If this is only some sad dream we're living, then that's nothing new. But if it's real-"

"I don't know that I want to think about if it's real," Leia admitted.

"Why not?"

She swallowed. "Because I don't think I can handle that."

Jaina quirked her lips. "Don't worry. We still have to get there, first."

Leia sat on that for a good several seconds before abruptly looking up at Han. He held his hand out to her, but she just threw herself into his arms. Naturally, he took her in.

Behind Luke, Tekli entered. She looked to the Solos and asked, "Would you like to see now? You can. If you want."

"Ready, Princess?" Han asked when Leia didn't come out of hiding in his chest. Softly she nodded. Han steered her for the door. On the way, Leia pulled Luke along and he cautiously followed.


A heavy silence hung across the room while Tekli finished wrapping up Tahiri's leg. Tahiri couldn't bear to look at Tekli, so her eyes watched the growing layers or bandages entomb her leg instead. She knew she ought to say something; Tekli was an old friend and she deserved Tahiri's recognition. Maybe, even an apology for discarding their friendship as she'd run off to chase Caedus's empty promises. Anyway, Tekli deserved something.

"Thank you," she managed. The Chadra-Fan did not look up right away, but Tahiri did see a smile grow on her mouth. "Dear friend," she smiled happily when she finally did look up, her work with the bandages finally done. "It's all I can do."

"But I appreciate it."

"Then, you are very welcome." She took out a small jar of a thick and sticky adhesive and began to apply it to the seams of the bandaged wrapping. "After all, you are a good friend, Tahiri."

She almost snorted aloud. "Hardly," she corrected.

"And why do you say that?"

Tahiri was left stunned. She blinked at Tekli. "What have I done in the last few years to call anyone a friend? I certainly haven't been much of a friend. I hurt my family. I betrayed them in the name of my dead love . . . I betrayed him too. By helping Caedus. All for what? I've broken trust with every friend I've ever had. Tekli, I haven't been much of a friend in years."

"Ah," the small creature considered. "But that isn't entirely your fault. Everyone knows that Caedus used you, that he used Anakin's name against you. The Solos know that. Master Skywalker and Ben both know that. The entire Order knows it. The entire Order knows what Anakin still means to you. That is why Caedus used him against you. It's not entirely your fault, Tahiri. You have been vulnerable to his name ever since he died. So, Caedus used that against you for his own purposes. Everyone knows that you weren't in your right mind while you were still under Caedus's influence, under the influence of Anakin's name.

"Besides all that, you're still my friend. Perhaps, you haven't always been a friend in these last years. But that isn't always the case. And when you are a friend, Tahiri, you are a good one."

Tahiri bit her cheek. "I'm still sorry."

Tekli nodded, getting up from her seat to put her jar away. "Good. Because then, you have a conscience. See this, Tahiri. I don't think you're all that bad of a person after all!"

Tahri couldn't stop her own laugh as she watched Tekli break into a grin. "Since when you did you get a sense of humor?" she demanded.

Tekli shrugged. "I've been told that laughter is the best medicine."

"And do you believe it?"

Tekli didn't hesitate before shaking her head. Her pointed ears folded over a little. "No; I believe love and kindness to be great for the soul, but I can't deny the works I've seen a little lightheartedness do."

Tahiri nodded in understanding.

"Tahiri?"

"Yes, Tekli?"

"Why are droid mechanics never lonely?"

Tahiri stiffened, but the smile that came to her own lips was inevitable. She rolled her eyes. "Because they're always making new friends."

"See?" Tekli grinned. "I've had Jacen's jokes stuck in my head all day. I've been waiting for the perfect moment to tell them, but I thought the Solos wouldn't appreciate that. I was a little worried you wouldn't like it."

"No," Tahiri shook her head. "I can handle it. After spending so much time with Caedus, I've become convinced that he is a body wholly separated from Jacen. Jacen must have died right after Anakin."

Tekli nodded sadly. "Yes, I think so. And that's what the Solos believe, too."

"How is Jaina? I'd heard that she was going to go after Caedus, but-"

"She did and she succeeded. Though, she's recovering from injuries. You know, she's here, too. If you need to talk to her."

"I don't know if I can do that yet."

"I understand. Though, I would suggest you gather up the courage. Once Leia gets wind that you're here, she won't waste any time before coming to see you."
Tahiri chuckled. "I can imagine. Though, I don't deserve her forgiveness."

Tekli shrugged. "Try telling her that. You know, you are a daughter to Han and Leia. And a sister to Jaina. They're going to forgive you without a second thought. The past will be forgotten in an instant. They've already forgiven you, Tahiri. They just want to help you."

"I take it they already know I'm back."

"They'll know in short time. Does that upset you?"

It didn't take Tahiri long to consider. She shook her head. "No. I miss them. And I think I owe them a long apology before they try to rope me back into the happy family picture."

"They need time to heal, too, Tahiri. They don't want to leave you by yourself to do that. They want you to be part of their family. So, let them and they'll help you. Then, they won't let anyone use Anakin's name against you ever again. They won't let anyone ever hurt you again."

Now, tears spilled down Tahiri's cheeks. With a smile, Tekli handed her a tissue. "How are Han and Leia?"

"As well as you could expect considering Jaina just killed Caedus. But I'm sure they would feel better if you talked to them."


"Something's happened," Leia told her brother. She could tell he didn't know what to make of that.

"Okay," he said with both fear and suspicion.

"And I need you."

He looked at her. "Lei, you know I'm always here."

"I know," she smiled faintly. "And that's why I'm bringing you with. I need you to help me. I need you to be with me."

"You have Han, too, you know."

"I know. But we both need you too."

Luke nodded in understanding. They hooked arms and Leia pulled him to her side, drawing Han against her other side. "Are you okay?"

She shrugged. "I don't know yet."

"Can I help?"

She shrugged. "Just- you'll see. I don't know what to do. Maybe, you'll be able to help once you see."

"But you won't tell me?"

All she could tell him was, "You'll see."


Tekli, Cilghal's apprentice, and assistant led them back to Cilghal's offices. The small Chadra-Fan was walking much faster than her usual pace, her short legs working up a sweat. The small creature had other tells, as well. Leia could sense her frantic mood and she knew it wasn't passing by Luke. Though his expression was as passive as ever, but he watched Tekli carefully.

Leia hardly had half a mind to watch her brother, however. She watched Tekli, hoping for some clue, some hint as to how the situation was. But all she had was Tekli's frantic nervousness and the way she seemed to become faster and faster the closer they came to Cilghal's medical ward rooms.

Her own heartbeat pounded harsher in her chest as her own anxiety consumed her. Once, she tried to hurry and copy Tekli in step, but Han held her back, trying to keep her anxieties at bay. "Relax," he muttered to her, though Leia could hear the panic in his own voice. In an odd way, it reassured her, then relaxed her just the slightest bit knowing Han was as tense as she was.

Tekli came to a dim hall where the first door's entry pad shone red with the words 'OCCUPIED'. She planted her hand flat against the pad and it dinged with the recognition of her print, then the door slid open for them. Tekli led the three in.

The room was wide and spacious, dim glowpanels lighting the area. A tall, heavy curtain hid half of the room where Leia knew the bed was. Where he was. Her heart skipped a few beats. Without realizing it right away, she clutched onto Han more tightly. From her other side, she felt Luke cast a curious, confused glance her way, but she didn't acknowledge it.

Cilghal stood beside the curtain, taking notes on a datapad. Her chin turned up sharply as Han, Leia, and Luke entered and she burst into a flurry of motion as she waved them in, pushed a cart out of the way, gave a direction to Tekli, then stepped forward to meet with the Solos.

Leia stepped forward to meet the Calamarian as well, preparing to spit out several questions at once, but quickly found them locked in her chest. She couldn't get any of them out. They were stuck there, lodged in the back of her throat. Cilghal smiled softly at her. "I can't tell you that I know what happened. I really don't. I only know that it is him."

Leia nodded. She'd already known that. As impossible as this was, she'd known right away that it was really him.

Now, she found her words. "Can we see him?"

Cilghal nodded. She reached up and pulled the curtain back, nodding the Solos and Luke forward.

Han's hand clamping on to hers, they approached the bed together. And there he was. There was her boy. Her baby boy who she hadn't seen in years. But he was here. He was hooked up to so many machines, but Leia only spared them a glance because one promised her that his heart was beating, pulsing with life. Another pronounced shallow breaths. But they were there and Leia rejoiced in it, tried to understand it.

His torn, burnt robes had been discarded, replaced by a pure white medical gown. Leia's gaze darted to his face. His hair was tangled and was filthy with dried mud and blood. His face was covered in soot, too, but either Tekli or Cilghal had wiped some of it off.

Leia fell into a chair at his side. She soaked in the image of her son there. She needed it to be real and tangible, so she thrust a hand through his hair and when she felt the stiff, greasy ends beneath her fingers, she began to sob over his body. She wished she could see his bright eyes, but Leia had to remind herself that this was him and that he was alive and it made her just content enough.

"I wish I could offer more reassuring promises," Cilghal said quietly as she crossed the room to the other side of the medbed. "However, I shouldn't."

Leia sucked in a breath.

"He's alive. Unfortunately, that's about all I can say. But I assure you, Jedi Solo, Tekli and I are doing everything we can."

"We trust you," Han said as he returned to his wife's side. Leia looked at him, almost startled by his words- or, rather, the fact that he was speaking at all. He came to sit with her but didn't meet her gaze. All he could look at was the body of his dead son lying before him. Leia understood so she let her own eyes return to the miracle sight before them.

Lying outside the tucked blankets, she found his hand and she took it to hold, pressing it against her cheek. It was warm with life; the feeling reassured her so, Leia broke out in more sobs.

"It's- Anakin," Luke managed. Leia had forgotten he was even there. She nodded, wiping at her tears with her free hand. "But how? Wh-?"

"He is gravely injured," Tekli spoke up as she stepped around Luke. "With the very same wounds I remember him having on Myrkr." Her hand hovered over his midsection for a moment before she peeled back the blankets to reveal his side which was heavily bandaged. "Amphistaff wounds to the side, thigh, broken ribs . . . " Tekli's brief report left Leia feeling queasy. Then she added, "And, of course, blood breath."

Leia frowned.

Tekli lightly tossed her small shoulders. "After a few years, Jaina started to talk more about the mission. She'd been watching Anakin until he-" She swallowed. "Died. She'd been watching him, dreading it. She'd seen what happened to him. Every injury. She told him he could hardly walk, but he couldn't stop either. He just kept going. He kept falling, but he kept running. I remember she said he threw up blood." She looked up and smiled softly at the parents. "But he couldn't stop."

Leia gave a bittersweet smile. "I knew he wouldn't make it easy."

Tekli shook her head in agreement. "No, he didn't."

Leia returned her full attention to her baby boy. A long tube was running through his mouth and it broke her heart, but she kept having to remind herself that he was alive. Soaking herself in the Force, she reveled in the familiar feel of her son on the Force. She wished she could help Han by letting him feel, too, but that kind of understanding was beyond him. So, she reached for his hand and put it on their son's head. When their gazes finally met again, he smiled at her. "We have him back, Han," she cried. "We have our little boy back."

Han softly kissed her forehead, then reached out to tousle their boy's hair.

Cilghal took in a loud breath. "Well, Tekli and I will leave you to have some time. I'll be checking on Jaina."

"Thank you, Master," Leia said to the Calamarian as she left with Tekli in tow.

"It's . . . Anakin," Luke marveled, still standing a distance away from the bed.

Leia smiled, running her hand from Anakin's hair to his cheek.

"How-?"

"I don't know," Leia laughed as Luke finally joined them. "All I care about is that it's real."

Luke could only nod. "It's just a lot at once."

Leia nodded. "We'll figure it out."

After a moment of quiet, Luke sighed. "Ben saw Tahiri."

Leia and Han both froze. "And?"

"And she's returned to the Order. She was shot by one of Tenel Ka's guards. She's here."

The Solos shared a look. "And how is she?" Leia asked cautiously.

Luke sat on the other side of the bed, stared at his nephew, and tried to make sense of it while he answered Leia. "Ben said she was feeling very guilty. She didn't believe that the Order would welcome her back. That we would."

"She feels remorse," Leia offered. "That means she really does want to come back."

"Which is good. Ben was trying to assure her that we would all welcome her back and that the past in the past and we won't fault her for what Caedus did to her. He told me he thinks she's afraid of facing us because of her guilt."

Leia melted in her seat. Han caught her eye and she nodded, knowing exactly what he was thinking because she was thinking it too. Han still said it aloud, though. "We should go talk to her. Soon." Leia nodded. She looked back down to Anakin. "We should." She cracked a little smile. "How is Tahiri going to take this?"

Glancing at the monitors hooked to his son, Han seemed to swallow a few words before starting again. "I don't know, sweetheart. I hardly know how to take this."

But his wife still sensed the unspoken there. She too risked a glance at the readouts. While each one of them still pronounced her long-dead son very much alive, Leia heeded Cilghal's warning. Anakin was gravely injured, mortally so, and a long recovery was ahead of him if he did make it.

Leia clenched her fists at that thought, forcing back her tears as she held her son's tangled hair back from his forehead and left a kiss there. Please come back to me, she silently begged, hoping to commune the message to her boy as she pressed her forehead to his. You have no idea how hard these years have been without you, my baby boy.