16.
Jaina bolted upright, suddenly wide awake. One glance around the room told her she was still on Lothal, and not Mandalore as she had been in the vision. She put her head in her hands, replaying what she'd just seen. It had been her parents all right, of that she was certain. They were older, of course, but it was definitely them. The others, she wasn't so sure about.
She felt Emry stir next to her, and looked down, hoping she hadn't woken her up. She was still sleeping peacefully, and Jaina closed her eyes, feeling her now-familiar presence around her. She let the soothing effect of it flow over her, calming her frayed nerves. Her thoughts drifted, and she smiled to herself as the memory of yesterday came rushing back.
The day had been the best she'd ever had, between passing her test and finally getting to spend time with Emry. A rush of warmth surged through her as she recalled how it felt when she'd first kissed her, and then what had happened on the ship. General Syndulla had not been too pleased with either one of them for being gone so long, and Emry had apologized profusely once they got back.
They'd spent the rest of the evening trying to act normal around everyone, even though Jaina knew Emry was craving her touch just as badly as she craved Emry's. Thankfully, no one but Ahsoka seemed to notice. Jaina was finally able to excuse herself not long after dinner, feigning exhaustion from the day's activities. She didn't have to wait long before Emry joined her.
Her heartbeat quickened as she thought about what happened after that. It wasn't like she'd never been with anyone before. She had, plenty of times, but it was always after a night of drinking, where she just needed to forget about whatever terrible thing it was that she'd done that day. The alcohol also helped to dull her senses, so she didn't have to feel whatever the other person was feeling.
This had been the complete opposite experience. She wanted to feel everything, to get lost in the emotions of it all. And get lost she did. Every other time had always been a quick affair, only wanting to satisfy a need, and nothing more. This time, she was in no rush, and the difference had resulted in an experience she couldn't quite describe in either of the languages she was fluent in. She was pretty sure nothing in the galaxy could ever feel as good, both physically and emotionally.
"Jaina?" Emry's sleepy voice jolted her from her thoughts. She felt Emry's hand graze her back as she reached for her.
"Jaina?" Emry said again, her voice stronger and full of concern. Jaina could sense she was awake, or close to it, now. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Jaina said calmly, turning to look at her. "Everything's fine, go back to sleep. I didn't mean to wake you." She tried to give Emry a reassuring smile, but Emry saw right through her.
"Has anyone ever told you, you're a terrible liar?" she said, giving Jaina a slightly irritated look.
"Once or twice," Jaina replied, chuckling. She really didn't want to tell Emry about the vision, but she knew she wasn't going to let it go.
"I had a vision," she finally said. Emry looked at her, confused. "It's like a dream," Jaina explained, "but more real. They come through the Force, and they'll show me things that either have happened in the past or might happen in the future."
"So, what did this one show you?" Emry asked carefully. "The past or the future?"
"I—I'm not sure," Jaina replied, closing her eyes. She replayed the vision in her head again, but there was no way she could tell. Her parents were older, but that didn't mean anything. She hadn't seen them in years, of course, they were going to look older, just as she did.
"What was the vision about?" Emry tentatively asked. She must've sensed Jaina's hesitation, because she quickly added, in a small voice, "you don't have to tell me if you don't want to though."
"No, it's okay," Jaina replied, opening her eyes again and looking at Emry. "It was about my parents. I saw them, on Mandalore. With other members of my family that I've never seen before."
"How do you know they were other members of your family?" Emry cut in. Jaina gave her a sad smile.
"They were wearing the same symbol that's etched into my lightsaber," she said. Emry nodded her head in understanding.
"There were others from different clans there as well, wearing symbols I don't recognize. They were—" her voice caught in her throat as she got to the worst part of the vision. Emry reached over and gently took her hand.
"They were attacked," she finished. "A lot were killed, some were captured. Including—" she swallowed hard "—my parents. They were taken, along with a couple of others."
Emry's eyes widened in shock. "You saw all this?" she asked incredulously. Jaina nodded. "Do you know who took them?" Jaina nodded again, feeling familiar anger, mixed with a little fear, rise inside her.
"The Empire," she said bitterly.
"What would the Empire want with your parents?" Emry asked. This was the part Jaina didn't want to tell her about. It had been the Inquisitor who took them, and Jaina knew exactly why. It had taken nearly a year, but the Inquisitor had finally figured out a way to draw her out of hiding.
"Jaina," Emry said forcefully, pulling her out of her thoughts. Jaina gazed at her, and mentally chided herself. She had no reason to keep this from Emry anymore.
"Did anyone ever tell you why I was on Akiva when you first met me?" she quietly asked.
"No," Emry answered slowly, narrowing her eyes. Her expression then turned thoughtful. "I guess I never bothered to ask though. And now that you mention it—" she paused, cocking her head "—how did a former Imperial officer end up on a backwater world like that?"
Jaina smiled grimly and then proceeded to tell Emry everything, starting with what happened on Garel. Emry raptly listened as she talked. By the time she was finished, she felt much better. Emry, on the other hand, had just grown angrier, the more she heard.
"So that's why you think they were taken?" Emry asked after Jaina had explained that she'd seen the Inquisitor in her vision. "So, she can use them as bait, to find you?"
"Yes," she replied, keeping her voice calm. "But like I said, I have no idea if it's happened already, or if it's going to happen." She needed to find a way to calm Emry down, or neither one of them was going to get any more sleep tonight.
Emry laid back down and put her arms under her head, thinking. Jaina sat quietly next to her, giving her the time she needed to process what she'd told her. Finally, Emry turned her head and looked at her.
"So, what are you going to do?" she asked. Jaina detected a slight hint of trepidation in her voice.
"I'll talk to Sabine in the morning," Jaina replied, again keeping her tone calm. Emry's emotions were hovering between fear and anger, and Jaina knew how dangerous a combination that was.
"I'll see if she can contact her mother again and find out what's going on," she continued. "I'm not going to do anything until I have more information."
Emry nodded, and Jaina sensed some of the fear and anger fading away. She laid down next to her, putting her head on Emry's chest. Emry wrapped her arms around her and held her tightly, gently kissing the top of her head. They stayed like that for a long time, until Jaina felt the last bit of fear and anger leave Emry. She tilted her head up, to see if Emry was still awake.
She was, but only barely. Jaina smiled to herself and softly kissed her, before lying back down. She would worry about her vision tomorrow. For now, she was content to enjoy the little moments like this she had with Emry. She had a feeling it'd be a while before they happened again. She listened as Emry's breathing slowed, signaling she'd finally fallen asleep, and it wasn't long before Jaina joined her.
The rest of the night was mercifully vision-free. It didn't take long, however, after they finally got up the next morning, for the worry to start building. Jaina waited until Emry, Rex, and General Syndulla left to go run errands in the city before she pulled Ahsoka aside and told her about what she'd seen.
"We should see if Sabine has had any contact with her mother," Ahsoka said after Jaina had finished telling her. The concerned look on Ahsoka's face only added to Jaina's growing worry.
"I had the same thought," Jaina said. Just then, Sabine walked out of her room, and the two of them simultaneously turned and looked at her. She noticed Ahsoka and Jaina staring and frowned at them.
"What?" she asked. "Why are you both looking at me like that?" Ahsoka beckoned her over, and once she had joined them, Jaina again recounted her vision from the night before. Sabine's eyes grew wide as Jaina spoke, and Jaina could feel the worry flowing off of her.
"I haven't talked to my mother recently, but I'll call her right now," Sabine said. She immediately walked over to the holoprojector and keyed it on. They didn't have to wait long before Sabine's mother appeared, wearing the same vaguely annoyed look Jaina had seen the last time she saw Sabine speak to her.
"Yes?" her mother said, the vague annoyance on her face evident in her voice as well. Jaina couldn't help but wonder if this was how Sabine's mother always was.
"Has anything happened on Mandalore recently?" Sabine tentatively asked. "Have any of the clans been attacked by the Empire?"
"Sabine, you do realize we're at war with the Empire here, right?" her mother retorted. "They attack us all the time. Usually unsuccessfully," she added, a hint of pride in her voice.
"Okay, well, what about any recent successful attacks?" Sabine asked, and Jaina could sense she was growing frustrated. "Perhaps one where our people were killed, and some may have been captured?"
Jaina's heart sank as she watched Sabine's mother go from looking surprised to wary. She had been hoping what she'd seen had been in the future, giving them a chance to stop it. Based on her mother's reaction, however, it appeared that wasn't the case. Now the question was, how long ago had it occurred? And would there still be a chance for her to save her parents?
Sabine's mother didn't answer and instead looked over at someone or something out of the view of the holo. She gave a slight nod, then stepped to the side, allowing another figure to join her. Jaina felt her eyes widen when she saw her. She looked vaguely familiar, but Jaina couldn't place where or when she'd seen her. But there was no mistaking the symbol painted on the shoulders of her armor. It was the same one etched into Jaina's lightsaber.
"Why do you want to know?" the woman asked. Her tone was also wary. "More importantly," she continued, narrowing her eyes, "how did you know?"
Sabine bowed her head respectfully to the woman before speaking. "I think I know why that particular group was attacked, and why they took who they did. As for how I know," she lowered her head, "I—I can't tell you that."
Jaina cringed as she saw both Sabine's mother and the other woman instantly grow angry. She knew Sabine was just trying to protect her but now wasn't the time.
"Sabine," her mother said, the warning clear in her voice. "Whatever you know, you need to tell us. Now."
Sabine glanced over at Jaina and Ahsoka, her eyes pleading for them to tell her what to do. Jaina took a deep breath and stepped up beside Sabine.
"She knows because of me," Jaina said. The two women stared at her for a moment, their intense gaze making Jaina more than a little uncomfortable. Still, she stared right back, crossing her arms and refusing to let them intimidate her.
"And who are you?" the other woman asked scornfully.
"I'm the reason the Empire attacked that particular group," Jaina answered. "I'm the reason why they didn't just kill everyone. I know who they took, and I know why."
"And why should we believe anything you say? We don't know who you are," the woman responded.
"Because two of the people who were taken are my parents," Jaina replied, watching their reactions. She wasn't disappointed. Sabine's mother didn't even try to hide her surprise, and the other woman visibly took a step back, stunned.
"No, it can't be," she breathed, peering closer at the holo. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "What are your parent's names?"
"Leena and Hiram Kavos," Jaina answered. The woman's eyes widened again, and Jaina knew she believed her now.
"They thought you were dead," the woman said, shaking her head in disbelief.
"Not yet," Jaina said. "Although the Empire would certainly like me that way. That's why they took my parents. They're bait."
"That makes sense," the woman said contemplatively. Jaina was dying to find out who this woman was and how she was related to her and couldn't hold her curiosity back any longer.
"You clearly know who I am, but I honestly have no idea who you are," she said, slightly embarrassed.
"No, you wouldn't remember," she said, giving her a sad smile. "You would've been too young. Your mother is my cousin. My name is Bo-Katan."
Jaina nodded slowly, then switched gears. "Do you have any idea where the Empire took them?"
"Unfortunately, no," Bo-Katan replied, shaking her head. "It happened a couple of days ago, and we only learned of the attack when they failed to check-in. We assumed everyone had been killed, until we received a message informing us of their capture, along with a demand—for you. None of it made any sense until now."
Jaina frowned, thinking. She cast a sideways glance at Ahsoka, who was watching the whole exchange with her usual impassive look. She seemed content to let her apprentice figure this one out on her own. Quickly coming to a decision, Jaina looked back at Bo-Katan.
"Well, since the Empire wants me so badly, then that's exactly what we're going to give them," she said firmly. A hint of a smile tugged at the corners of Bo-Katan's lips as she nodded, then turned her head to quietly speak to Sabine's mother.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Sabine asked Jaina, while the other two women conversed on their own.
"If it'll get them to let my parents go, then yes," Jaina said, then she shrugged. "And I only said I'd let the Empire have me. I never said I wouldn't go without a fight."
"Okay, well, you're not going alone," Sabine said, crossing her arms defiantly. Jaina smiled. She knew Sabine would say that, and frankly, she was glad she did. Jaina glanced over at Ahsoka again, who gave her a slight nod, along with a faint smile, before turning and walking outside, keying her wrist comm as she did.
"How soon can you be here?" Bo-Katan asked, finishing her conversation with Sabine's mother.
"Within the next rotation," Sabine quickly replied. "And we'll be bringing some help if that's all right." Jaina gave her a curious look, which Sabine ignored.
Bo-Katan eyed her skeptically for a second, before giving her a nod of approval. "Your mother will send you the coordinates when you're en route." Sabine's mother nodded in acknowledgment. "Just be warned, the Empire has tried to blockade the planet, mostly unsuccessfully thanks to our continued attacks, but be prepared to encounter possible resistance when you arrive."
"Copy that," Sabine said. The holo abruptly cut off as Bo-Katan ended the transmission. Sabine immediately went back into her room without another word, leaving Jaina standing there alone. Unsure of what else to do, she wandered into her own room and sat down on the bed.
She was finally going home. However, not in the way she'd imagined it, and under the worst possible circumstances she could think of. The weight of her decision started to sink in, pressing down on her. There were so many things she needed to say to her parents, and she'd dreamt of the day she'd get to say them. Now, all she could think of, is if she'd even get the chance to.
She knew she should start packing at least some of the things she wanted to take with her, but instead, she just sat there, staring at the floor, unable to move. Eventually, the door opened and Emry walked in. Jaina didn't even bother looking up, afraid she might burst into tears if she looked at her.
Emry didn't say a word, and immediately walked over and sat down next to her, putting her arm around her. Jaina laid her head on Emry's shoulder, and they sat there quietly for a long moment before Emry finally spoke.
"Ahsoka filled us in on what's going on," she said. "You know you're not doing this alone." Jaina sighed. She wasn't surprised. She didn't want Emry anywhere near this, but she'd already known there was no way she'd be able to keep her or any of them out of this fight.
"I know," Jaina replied, finally raising her head and giving Emry a weak smile. Emry's eyes searched hers for a moment, then she leaned in and kissed her. Jaina eagerly returned the kiss, suddenly wanting nothing more than to just forget about everything and stay here with Emry forever.
She laid back and pulled Emry on top of her, kissing her deeply, needing to be as close to her as she possibly could. Somewhere in the back of her mind, the thought occurred to her that they didn't have time for this, but she pushed it aside. Emry had said it herself, they needed to make the most of the time they had together, and right now, she was going to do just that. She would put purpose ahead of her feelings later.
Everything else faded away as they threw themselves into the moment and each other. Emry's presence, normally a soothing beacon of calm for Jaina, was now a raging storm of intense need and emotion. It assailed her senses, ratcheting up her own need and desire to an even higher level. Within minutes, Jaina had completely forgotten about her vision, her parents, and her decision to turn herself in to the Empire.
The reality of the situation, however, wasn't going to be denied, and it wasn't long before they were both startled by a knock on the door. They froze, and before Jaina could say anything, Ahsoka's voice broke the silence.
"We're leaving in twenty minutes. The two of you need to be ready to go by then." Her voice was calm and Jaina couldn't hear or feel any frustration coming from her.
"Okay," she called in reply, "we will be." She sighed and laid back down on top of Emry, her head resting on her chest. Emry began to gently run her fingers up and down her back and Jaina sighed again, more heavily this time.
"I wish we could just stay right here, forever," she said softly.
"Me too," Emry replied. She kissed the top of Jaina's head. "But we can't." She didn't sound angry or upset, just matter-of-fact.
Jaina nodded. "Purpose before feelings," she mumbled. She didn't like it, but knowing Emry was on the same page when it came to something like this, made getting out of the bed a lot easier.
They quickly got dressed again and grabbed their things. Fifteen minutes later, she was seated in the back of one of the speeders, Emry right next to her, as they drove towards the city. It wasn't something she was used to, having someone unconditionally support her like Emry was. She had no idea how to even begin to express her gratitude, and only hoped she could make it up to her someday.
They parked the speeders on a side street and walked the rest of the way to the docking bay. Jaina slipped her hand into Emry's and held it as they walked, not caring in the slightest what the others might think. She had a feeling they already knew something was going on between them anyway, and, at the moment, she needed the comfort that Emry's touch brought.
Once they entered the bay, Emry left her to go assist General Syndulla. Jaina trailed behind the others, suddenly a little sad that she was leaving Lothal behind. It had become her home—the place where she'd found herself, her true self. Though, she couldn't help but smile a little as she remembered how different things had been, how different she had been when she'd first arrived.
Sabine noticed her lagging behind everyone else, watching them board the ship, and walked over to her. "So…you and Emry, huh?" she said, playfully jostling her arm a little.
"Yeah," Jaina replied, smiling and blushing slightly.
"I'm happy for you," Sabine said, looking back at the ship. Everyone else was now aboard. "And I can tell she makes you happy."
"She does," Jaina simply replied. They both gazed at the ship for a moment, before Sabine turned back to her.
"Good," she said. She motioned towards the ship. "Are you ready?"
"Yes," Jaina replied, nodding. "Let's go home."