21.
…Looking up, she saw a large piece of debris bearing down on her. She quickly raised her hands and tried to catch it with the Force, but she was too late, and it was too heavy…

Jaina startled awake, gasping for air, the cacophony of the machines the only sound filling the room. Sucking in deep breaths, she realized it had only been a dream, and she was still very much alive. Tidal waves of worry hit her senses, and she noticed Emry was propped up next to her, a terrified look on her face.

The din of the machines began to fade as her heart rate and breathing slowed. She gazed at Emry, using her presence to help calm her down. Emry gazed right back, her eyes searching Jaina's face for answers.

"Are you okay?" she worriedly asked. Jaina nodded. "Was it another vision?" Jaina shook her head.

"Just a dream," she replied. An involuntary shiver hit her as the image of the falling debris flashed through her mind. "I was in the building—" She stopped, deciding it wasn't worth scaring Emry any further. "I'm sorry if I woke you up."

"It's okay," Emry said. "I'm just glad it wasn't anything more than a dream." Jaina could feel the worry begin to drain from her, even though she was still watching her closely.

"Me too." She gave Emry a small smile. "I promise I'm okay though." Emry continued to eye her worriedly for another long moment, then seemed to accept that she was, indeed, okay.

"I'm sorry," she said, sighing.

Jaina frowned. "For what?"

"After everything that's happened, I'm a little—" she paused "—okay, more than a little on edge. I know you're fine now and everything is going to be okay, but—" she stopped, and Jaina could feel the worry and terror bubbling back up in her again.

"I'm terrified I'm going to lose you," Emry finished in a small voice.

Jaina reached up and gently cupped Emry's face in her hand. "I can't promise you that you won't." Emry's eyes widened and she quickly continued: "Just like you can't promise me that I won't lose you. What I can promise, is that I will do everything I can to make sure that doesn't happen. I will always fight for you. For us."

Emry was quiet for a moment, then nodded. "I can accept that. And I will promise you the same thing." Jaina smiled happily at her.

"I love you." The intense emotion behind Emry's words made Jaina's stomach do a backflip. Emry leaned up and kissed her, a long and deep kiss that sent her heart into overdrive. Everything else melted away as she fell into Emry's presence. She never would've realized the door had opened if Emry had not broken off the kiss and turned around.

She opened her eyes to see her mother and father standing just inside the door. The look on her mother's face was a mixture of surprise and amusement, while her father's was turning a nice shade of red. Her mother recovered first and made her way over to the bed. Jaina caught a whiff of something that smelled amazing, coming from the covered trays she was carrying.

"If I would've known you'd be here, Emry," her mother said, "I would've brought some for you."

Emry smiled at her. "It's okay. Thank you though." She turned back to Jaina, who couldn't hide her surprise at the exchange. She chuckled. "We really need to work on your ability to sense anyone else besides me."

Jaina, for once, couldn't think of anything to say and just blankly stared at her. Emry chuckled again. "I'll be back later." She gave Jaina a quick kiss, climbed out of the bed, and went to grab her things from Ahsoka's cot. Jaina watched her as she quickly put her boots on, grabbed her jacket and gun belt, and headed for the door, nodding goodbye to both her parents as she left.

Her father had finally joined her mother by the bed, and once Emry was gone, Jaina fixed them both with an astonished look. "How did you…?"

"We spent the last week in here with you," her mother said chuckling. "If Emry wasn't out on a mission with Bo, she was in here. It wasn't hard to figure out why." She started uncovering the trays as she talked and handed one to her father.

Jaina eyed the trays, starving and nervous at the same time. Doctor Larte had warned her to take it slow when she began eating real food again. Her body needed to get used to it, plus the machine that was attached to her midsection could only handle so much at once.

"Why?" she asked, as her mother handed her a tray. Her mother raised an eyebrow in question. "Why wasn't it hard to figure out?"

Her mother glanced at her father, who gave her a small smile. "Because she looks at you the same way your mother looked at me when we first got together." Her mother smiled warmly at him. "The same way she still does…at least sometimes." He grinned playfully, and her mother rolled her eyes.

It was silent for a moment as they began eating. "She loves you, you know," her mother said quietly.

"I know," Jaina replied evenly. She wasn't sure if this was a conversation she wanted to have with them right now, but it didn't appear that she had a choice.

"And you love her?" her father asked. There was something in his voice that gave her pause, and she couldn't quite tell what it was. She swallowed an urge to immediately go on the defensive, not wanting to start an argument.

"Yes," she said, at little more defensively than she would've liked. "Very much so."

He studied her for a moment then smiled. "Good." He went back to eating and Jaina watched him, shaking her head. "You'd better not screw it up," he said in between bites. "I like her…even if she isn't Mandalorian."

Jaina and her mother groaned at the same time, and her mother gave him an annoyed look. "Don't start," she said. He looked at her innocently, then shrugged.

Jaina had no idea what to think or feel. The people in front of her were definitely her parents, but they were not the same people she'd left all those years ago. They seemed happier, lighter—like a great weight had been lifted off of them. The constant tension she'd felt from them growing up was no longer there. She smiled at them both, feeling the last of the emotional weight she'd been holding onto fade away.

"So, how did you meet?" her mother asked. Jaina took another small bite and thought for a moment about where she should even start.

"That," she replied, "is an interesting story." She smirked, remembering that night on Akiva. "And it may or may not involve her pointing a blaster at my head." Her parents exchanged a surprised look, and Jaina took a deep breath, then dove right in.

Over the next few hours, she told them everything. All of it—good and bad—from the time she'd left Mandalore until now. They listened quietly, asked questions occasionally, but mostly just listened without any judgment. And for that, she was beyond grateful. She'd been terrified to tell them who she used to be, what she'd done in service to the Empire, afraid that they'd be disgusted with her, as she was with herself.

"You're not that person anymore," Ahsoka reminded her after she had apologized once again for who she'd become after she left. Her master had eventually joined them, bringing along Doctor Larte for another assessment. Doctor Larte had left after the assessment was over, but Ahsoka stayed, sitting quietly while Jaina continued to talk to her parents. It helped, having Ahsoka there, and gave her the strength she needed to get through it.

"I know," Jaina replied. "Thanks to you." She smiled at her master, who smiled back.

"To say we are grateful for what you've done for our daughter would be an understatement," her father said, looking sincerely at Ahsoka. "I don't know how we could ever repay you for taking her in and keeping her safe."

"It was my pleasure," Ahsoka said, inclining her head slightly. A thoughtful look crossed her face. "I've only come across a few like her since the end of the Clone Wars. They were all very young, and completely unaware of their connection to the Force. Their parents, however, knew. I'm curious, how young was she when you first noticed? And how did you know? What were the signs?"

Jaina looked at her parents, also curious to know. She felt like there was more to it than Bo-Katan had told her. Her mother and father exchanged looks, and it was her mother who spoke first.

"She was probably about two or three. It started with the drawings. Just like any child, she liked to draw, but when we'd ask her what the drawings were of, she would describe things, people, places she'd never seen and would've had no idea about. We quickly realized what she was drawing were images from our own memories, our own thoughts."

Jaina felt her eyes widen as her father chimed in: "She also seemed to be acutely aware of what anyone was feeling, all the time." He glanced at his daughter and gave her a small smile. "We couldn't hide anything from her. She'd always know if we were mad, happy, upset." He chuckled. "It was quite annoying."

Ahsoka nodded, a pensive look on her face. "The Force will usually start making itself known around that age, with one or two abilities becoming obvious. Did she do anything else?"

Her mother cocked her head, thinking. "Those are the two things I remember the most…oh, wait!" She snapped her fingers. "The toys!" She looked at her husband. "Remember the toys?" He nodded.

"We always knew," he said, "but we didn't really want to believe it until we saw, with our own eyes, the proof." He sighed. "When she started picking up her toys without actually touching them, we couldn't deny it any longer."

"And that's when you took me and left," Jaina said quietly. They both slowly turned and stared at her. "Bo told me."

"Yes," her mother said sadly. "That's when we took you and left. We couldn't trust anyone. There was so much infighting among the clans, and we couldn't risk someone turning you over to Saxon and the Empire." She glanced over at Ahsoka. "We'd heard what they did to the Jedi…we had no choice. We had to keep you safe."

Jaina nodded. "I know. I'm not mad, not anymore at least. I understand, now, why you did what you did. And I'm sorry, for doing the one thing you'd tried so hard to keep from happening."

Her mother got up and hugged her. "Remember what I said yesterday. It's all in the past now. You're here…safe and alive." She kissed her on the forehead and sat back down. "So, is it true? Are you a Jedi now?"

Jaina frowned. "Who told you that?"

"Rumors fly around this place pretty quick," her father said chuckling. "And Bo showed us some footage she took of the two of you," he said, nodding towards Ahsoka.

So that's why she had come out to watch them train. Jaina shook her head. "No, not a Jedi." She looked to Ahsoka for help, but she seemed content to let her try and explain this on her own. Her parents both frowned in confusion, and she sighed in defeat. "It's too hard to explain. I'm just…me."

"Well, you certainly looked like a Jedi from what we saw," her father said, and she thought she saw a hint of pride flash across his face. She smiled at him. "So, can we see it?" Her smile quickly vanished, turning to confusion, and he laughed. "Your lightsaber."

She frowned and quickly looked around the room. She hadn't even thought to look for it when she'd woken up, and now she had no idea where it was. She couldn't remember if she'd had it with her when she was brought out of the building or not. Panic started to rise in her chest as Ahsoka's stern warning about losing it echoed in her mind. She worriedly looked at her master, not wanting to admit she'd lost it.

Ahsoka had a smirk on her face, clearly feeling her panic, and she slowly pulled her arm out from behind her. Jaina breathed a massive sigh of relief when she saw her lightsaber lying in Ahsoka's palm. She stretched her hand out and floated it out of Ahsoka's hand and across the bed to her parents. There was no mistaking the pride on their faces as she gently set it down in front of her father.

He took it and her mother moved closer to him so they could look at it together. They turned it over in their hands, smiling as they traced the etching of their clan symbol. Her father looked up at her in surprise. "This is beskar."

Jaina nodded, smiling. "That was all Sabine. She had it made for me." She watched as they ran their hands over the metal, reveling in the pride and happiness she could feel emanating from them. Their reaction was better than she could have ever hoped for. She glanced over at Ahsoka, who smiled at her.

"Bo told me when I was young, you wanted me to grow up and become a warrior, just like you," she told them. "I know this isn't exactly what you had hoped for, but…"

Her mother looked up at her, and she could see the tears in her eyes. "It's more than we could have hoped for. It's perfect because it's you."

Jaina blinked back tears as her mother and father both got up and hugged her. "I love you," she said, squeezing them as tightly as she could.

"We love you too," her mother said. "We're so happy you're finally home." The machines began to protest, as did her abdomen, and her parents quickly released her.

"Well that's good," Jaina said, lying back down and motioning to the machines, "because you're stuck with me now.

The door slid open and Emry walked in, with Sabine and Bo-Katan trailing behind her. Sabine had a bottle of something in one hand and a stack of cups in her other. She grinned at Jaina as they all walked up to her bed.

"I believe a small celebration is in order," Bo-Katan said, as Sabine opened the bottle and began pouring everyone a drink. "One of our own has been returned to us and has proven that she is a true Mandalorian."

Jaina felt her face redden and lowered her eyes. She didn't think she deserved or warranted any sort of celebration. She felt her mother lay a hand on her arm and looked up at her.

"It doesn't matter what you did in the past," she said gently. "You were willing to sacrifice yourself to ensure our safety. To protect us. All of us. We may not have raised you to be a warrior, but you proved yourself as one the other day."

Jaina smiled faintly and gave her a small nod, accepting the cup Sabine was trying to hand her. She sniffed it, unsure of what it was Sabine was about to make them drink and wrinkled her nose.

"Water? Really?" She gave Sabine a cross look, and Sabine laughed and shrugged.

"Doctor's orders," she said. "No alcohol until further notice." Jaina rolled her eyes. She was going to have to speak with Doctor Larte about that little rule.

Bo-Katan raised her cup and everyone else followed suit. "To Jaina. May she continue to walk the path of the warrior—" she paused and inclined her head at Ahsoka "—and the Jedi."

Jaina glanced at Ahsoka, who inclined her head in return and then looked to Jaina's parents. "To allies," she said, smiling. "Old and new."

"To family," her father said, looking around the room. "May those bonds never be broken."

Everyone's eyes settled on Jaina and she swallowed nervously. She'd never done this before and had no idea what to say. Her mother nodded encouragingly, and she finally settled on something she thought was appropriate.

"To Mandalore. May it continue to survive and thrive long after we, and the Empire, are gone."

"To Mandalore" came the echoing replies from everyone as they raised their cups and drank. Sabine handed off the bottle and everyone dissolved into their own conversations. Emry came over and sat down next to her on the bed. Jaina smiled at her and took her hand, intertwining their fingers together.

"Well said," Emry said, kissing Jaina's hand.

"Thanks," Jaina replied. "So…what now?" Emry gave her a perplexed look. "The mission is over. My parents are back, safe, and sound. When are you planning on heading back to the Alliance?"

Emry looked away and Jaina braced herself for the answer. After a long moment, Emry looked back up at her. "I'm not." Jaina gawked at her, stunned.

"I wasn't trying to make you feel guilty," she said quickly, completely dumbfounded by Emry's response. "I know how much the Rebellion means to you; I would never ask you to leave it. Don't feel obligated to stay just because of me—"

Emry raised her hand cutting Jaina off. "I know you weren't trying to guilt me into staying, and I don't feel obligated to. I want to stay. I can fight the Empire here, just as much as I can anywhere else." She looked around the room, smiling at everyone engrossed in their conversations. "I have everything I need, right here."

Jaina looked around the room as well. Ahsoka was deep in conversation with Bo-Katan, and Sabine had Jaina's lightsaber in her hands, pointing to her artwork on it, undoubtedly explaining the nuances of each brushstroke to her parents. She smiled to herself, realizing Emry was right.

"So do I," she said, squeezing Emry's hand. "So do I."

The door slid open and Jaina felt her mother's presence enter the room, pulling her from her meditation.

"They're here."

She nodded and opened her eyes, looking up at her mother. "Is she leaving right now?"

"I think so," her mother said. "She said there was some pressing matter that needed her attention."

Jaina nodded again and glanced over at the crutches that were leaning against the bed. She stretched her hand out and pulled them to her. She slowly got to her feet, her mother hovering over her in case she needed any assistance.

"I still don't understand why you can't just meditate on a chair or the bed," her mother said, trying and failing to hide her exasperation.

"I like the ground better," Jaina replied, finally getting the crutches under her arms. She knew her mother thought she was just being difficult, but she couldn't help it. Meditating on the ground would always be what she'd prefer. Busted leg or not.

They slowly made their way out of Jaina's quarters and towards the landing pads. Jaina had only graduated to the crutches a few weeks ago, after spending more than a month confined to the bed in the medical facility. Doctor Larte had left not long after she'd woken up, her presence sorely needed in the Rebellion. She'd left Jaina with strict instructions and a promise that she'd be back.

She had indeed returned, a few weeks ago, and deemed Jaina's leg healed enough to take out of the contraption it was in. In its place was a thin cast of sorts, with metal pins that were strategically drilled into the bones, to keep them from moving around too much as they continued to heal. It was ugly, and she still couldn't move or use the leg at all, but she was finally allowed out of the bed, so long as she used the crutches.

Eager to heal as quickly as she could, Jaina swore that she'd do whatever Doctor Larte asked her to, and so far, she'd kept that promise. Doctor Larte told her she'd be back at least once a month, to check on her progress, until she fully healed. Jaina knew she didn't have to continue to check on her, considering how busy she was with the Rebellion, but she was grateful for it.

Her father joined them as they passed by the command center. "Bo's not coming?" her mother asked him. He shook his head.

"She's still tied up in that meeting," he replied. "She told me to tell her she's sorry, and that she sends her regards. And that she'll be in touch."

Her mother nodded, and they continued in silence, both of them matching Jaina's slow pace. They rounded the corner outside the walls of the base, and Jaina could now see everyone standing at the bottom of the ramp to General Syndulla's ship. Emry smiled at her as she approached, and Ahsoka broke off her conversation with the general as Jaina made her way up to them.

"Did you get the data packet I sent you?" Ahsoka asked her.

"I did," Jaina replied. "I'm not sure if I'll be able to find anything, but I'll take a look at it and let you know."

"Don't forget to use the encryption code I gave you," Ahsoka said. "It'll go straight to me and no one else."

"I won't, I promise," Jaina said. She saw her father beckon Ahsoka over, and Ahsoka quickly excused herself. Jaina turned to face General Syndulla.

"Thank you, again, for allowing Emry to stay," Jaina told her, respectfully inclining her head.

"We're not the Empire," Syndulla replied with a chuckle. "Anyone can come and go as they please." She smiled at them both and then gave Jaina a serious look. "Just know, should the day come that you decide to join us, the Rebellion will be more than happy to have you."

"Thank you," Jaina replied. "That means a lot." She glanced over at her parents, catching her mother's eye for a second before looking back at the general. "But right now, my place is here."

General Syndulla inclined her head and Jaina did the same. Ahsoka finished speaking with her parents and walked back up to them. "Ready to go?" she asked the general, who nodded. Emry gave General Syndulla a quick hug, and the general headed up the ramp and into her ship. Ahsoka turned to Jaina, and a sudden sadness struck her as she looked into her master's eyes.

"I'll be back in a few weeks with Doctor Larte, so long as I can take care of this issue before then," Ahsoka said, sensing Jaina's sadness and the reason behind it. "You remember the exercises I gave you?"

Jaina nodded. "I've already started practicing them."

"Good." She turned to Emry. "Make sure she keeps practicing." Emry grinned and nodded. Ahsoka gave her apprentice a pointed look. "I'll be checking on your progress with them when I return."

Jaina smirked at her. "Yes, Master." The ship fired up behind them, and it was time for Ahsoka to go. "Thank you," she said, bowing her head to Ahsoka.

"You're welcome," Ahsoka replied, inclining her head in return. "I'll see you in a few weeks."

Jaina smiled and watched her walk up the ramp into the ship. Emry stood with her as they watched the ship rise into the air, then grow smaller as it headed towards the upper atmosphere. Once it was out of sight, they turned around and walked over to her mother and father who were waiting for them.

"Welcome back," her father said warmly to Emry, and they all began walking back towards the base.

"Thank you," she replied. "It's good to be back."

"How's your Mando'a coming?" he asked. "Have you been practicing…" His voice trailed off as the two of them walked out of Jaina's earshot, forgetting that she was moving considerably slower than them. She heard her mother chuckle beside her.

"I'll keep an eye on him," she told her daughter. "Make sure he doesn't become too overbearing."

Jaina gave her mother a grateful look. "Thank you. I'd hate for Emry to immediately regret her decision to stay."

"I don't think she will," her mother said. She put her arm around Jaina's shoulders and gave her a small squeeze.

"Hurry up you two!" her father called. "The briefing is in ten minutes, and you know how your cousin gets when anyone is late."

"In this case, I don't think she'll mind," her mother called back. She looked at Jaina and smiled. "But he is right. Bo hates when anyone is late."

Jaina smiled back at her. "Well then, let's not keep her waiting." She quickened her pace as best she could. It was time to find out what the Empire's next move on Mandalore was going to be.