A/N: Got it finished! Hope you enjoy! Reviews are greatly appreciated!

Taking Down the Fortress

Chapter 10

Jace's POV

"We're losing him!" someone yelled in the background, as a flat tone filled the room.

I stood next to the holo on my desk, shocked still. The words were still ringing in my ears. My son, my oldest boy, was dying…

When I'd asked Jayd to save my son, he'd said he'd try, that was it. He'd try. He ended the call with, "It's bad, just get here Jace," and the line had cut out.

Still stunned by the turn of events, I sat down heavily in my desk chair. I was overwhelmed with worry for my son. How had this happened? I spoke to Theron just a short time ago. He was fine and now he was dying…could be dead.

"Frack," I growled under my breath. Theron was not dead! He wasn't!

"Papa," a small voice said, tapping my cheek with a small hand, trying to get my attention. He'd sometimes slip and call me papa like his nephew, Shane. It made sense; the boys were being raised like brothers and were closer than many blood related siblings. Correcting himself, he called me again, "Daddy."

"Jett," I acknowledged him but didn't say anything else, still lost in my worries for his brother.

Sliding off my lap, I heard Jett shout, "Mama. S'ane," as he left the room.

My son seemed to be a magnet for disaster but even this seemed beyond him.

"Jace," Hayle said, standing in front of me. I was so consumed by my thoughts; I hadn't heard my wife come in. "What's wrong?"

Shaking my head, I tried to clear my thoughts before I answered, "It was Jayd."

Stepping closer, my wife sat down on the desk top in front of me. Resting a hand on my shoulder, she asked, "What did the doctor want?"

Looking up and meeting her eyes, "It's Theron."

Startled, she inhaled sharply and rested a hand on her pregnant belly. After a moment, she questioned, "What's happened?"

"I don't know," I admitted. Seeking comfort, I gripped her hand and slowly ran our joined hands over our unborn children. "Jayd didn't give me any details, only that Theron is gravely injured."

"Oh Jace," she said, tears filling her eyes.

This next part would be hard. Hayle had taken an emotionally damaged Theron, under her wing. She loved him too. "Before the call ended alarms started going off and someone shouted that he was crashing."

"No," Hayle denied, eyes filling with tears.

"His last words before the holo call ended," hesitating, I took a deep breath to steady myself, before finishing, "he told me to get there."

Leaning forward I rested my head on her baby bump, as Hayle started carding her fingers through my short hair, each of us seeking comfort in the other. This couldn't be happening again. I couldn't lose my son. Our time together has been too short. I've barely had a chance to get to know him.

"I've seen a lot of things, done a lot of things in my life, some I'm proud of, others not so much," I admitted to my wife, "the image that haunts my nightmares, finding Theron on the floor of his apartment. I was sure he was dead."

"Jace," she started but I interrupted her, shaking my head.

"I saw him," I whispered, turning into her touch and kissing the palm of her hand.

"Who?"

Taking a steadying breath before I answered, "Theron, Jayd called from the trauma room." I heard her inhale sharply at the news. The situation had to be very grave for Jayd not to find a holo with some privacy. Turning into her touch, I kissed the palm of her hand and took a steadying breath, before continuing, "He was intubated again, wires and tubes hooked up to him. But worse, he was so still, Theron is never still."

Tears streaked down Hayle's cheeks, "Why didn't he get Zane's permission? Why call you?"

"He said Zane was unconscious but he'd be fine," I answered, "It's Theron that's in critical condition."

Before she could say anything, another voice cut her off.

"What about my Daddy?"

My grandson walked into the room holding his younger uncle's small hand. The young boy was a walking miniature of Zane. He was tall for his age, with dark hair, blue eyes, and tanned complexion. And if he looked like Zane, he acted like his adopted father, Theron. The child was highly intelligent. Unfortunately, he used it to create mischief and he always managed to find trouble, just like his Dad. Ironically, these characteristics made it easy for him to pass as my son, or grandson, which was necessary for his continued safety. If Arcann or the Eternal Empire knew where he was, they could use him against Zane and Theron.

"Come here Shane," I beckoned him closer.

Pushing back from the desk, I sat back in the chair and made room for both hoys to climb up into my lap. "I got a holo call."

"From who?" asked Shane.

"Doctor Jayd."

Shane's eyes became large and fear filled and he bit his lower lip to keep from crying. I wrapped an arm around him and pulled him into my side, kissing the top of his dark hair. My grandson had lost a lot in his short life—his mother, biological grandparents, and for a time his biological father. It hurt him, even if he didn't remember them clearly. While he may understand why his fathers needed to be away and fight against the Eternal Empire, it didn't stop him from worrying about them, about losing them too. My heart ached for him and I did my best to fill the gaps in his life.

Not moving from my side, Shane questioned in a small voice, "Why'd he call?"

"T'eron hurt," Jett supplied solemnly.

Quickly looking from his uncle to me, Shane searched for confirmation, "Papa?"

"The doctor said," Jett added, pointing a tiny finger at the holo.

I shattered at my grandson's gasping breaths and tears streaking down his cheeks. "Hayle can you take Jett?"

"Come here baby," she called to our son, holding out her arms and taking him from lap.

"The doctor said," he said again, "On there."

"Shhh, I know baby," Hayle kissed a chubby cheek and grasping his pointing hand, gently lowering it, "Let Daddy talk to Shane."

Once he had my lap to himself, Shane turned and threw himself at me, wrapping his arms around me, and sobbing into the crook of my neck. "Shhhhh, it's okay," I said, rubbing his back.

Between his physical size and desire to act "grown up," it was sometimes so easy to forget Shane was just a young child. Not at this moment….right now I was holding a frightened little boy, terrified that he'd lose the only father he'd ever known. I comforted him the best I could. Soon the sobs turned to an occasional soft hiccup until he finally quieted down. Dropping back into my lap, he turned around and leaned back against my chest.

"Doctor Jayd is the very best doctor I know," looking down into my grandson's watery blue eyes, "he'll do everything in his power to help your daddy."

"Ok," he whispered, sinking back against my chest, "And Papi? How is he?"

I smiled at Shane's name for his biological father. When Zane had returned from the dead after escaping Arcann's clutches, Shane had needed a name for him that wouldn't cause confusion. Theron was already daddy and he called me papa. It was Shane's suggestion that he called Zane papi, and I'd admit, it fit the big man perfectly.

"Jayd said your papi was fine but he couldn't talk," I replied, "I don't know much more."

He just nodded in response.

Looking at Hayle holding Jett, I said, "I'm leaving on the next flight out. I told Jayd I'd be there as soon as possible."

"I understand," she answered, holding Jett a little tighter.

"I'd love if you could go with me but," I started, glancing at her swollen tummy. She was in the last stages of what had been a stressful pregnancy. The babies had been hard on her body this time. 'Babies' I still shook my head at the thought. It seemed like just yesterday I was a bachelor living alone. Now I was happily married to a wonderful woman, with two sons, a grandson and a set of twins on the way. Oh how fast life can change.

"We can't risk the twins," she finished.

"Brudders," Jett supplied, patting his mother's belly.

Shaking her head, Hayle said, "We don't know that Jett, maybe it will be sisters." We had chosen to wait and be surprised when they were born.

"No," he said, glancing up at his mother, "I want more brudders."

Smiling she teased, "With all the men around here, I need a couple of girls for support!" Tousling Jett's hair, "you already have Shane."

"Good big brudder," the little boy agreed, not understanding the complexity of their relationship. Reaching out, he tapped the older boy's foot.

Looking at the hand, Shane gave him a weak smile.

Wrinkling up his nose he finished, "No girls!"

"I'm a girl," Hayle argued with our son, looking serious.

"Not a real girl," he declared, shaking his head, "You're my mommy."

There was no stopping it, I erupted in laughter. Who could argue with little boy logic?

"Don't encourage him Jace," Hayle admonished, through her own laughter.

"I'm not," I managed to choke out, grinning, and "Just not sure where he gets this stuff."

"I'm funny!" Jett declared, joining in the hilarity.

Hayle tickled the child's stomach, "Yes, you are little man," making him squeal in delight.

Watching them and feeling Shane leaning against me, I was overwhelmed by the feeling of love swelling and filling my chest. After so many years alone, it was still amazing, I'm not sure what I'd done to be so blessed. I spent so many years, fighting and protecting the Republic, so other people could live the dream of home and family. After Satele left without a word, taking my heart and my son with her, I thought any chance I had was long gone. To be given a second chance, at this late date, was mind blowing.

I couldn't lose it...I couldn't lose my oldest son. Theron had only been in my life for such a short time. I'd lost so many years with him. Not my son...

"Jace?" Hayle asked, concern evident in her voice.

"I'm fine, just thinking," I answered, smiling at her.

Hayle smiled sadly at me, "Jayd will do all he can for our son."

"I know," I whispered, returning the smile, pleased to hear her accepting my son as her own. Hayle had always been happy to provide the love and support for Theron that for some reason his own mother wouldn't or couldn't.

"I can take care of the boys."

Before I could respond, I heard a small voice from my lap, "I want to go with papa."

"I don't know," I started, unwilling to put my grandson's life in danger.

"Please papa," he said, turning and looking at me with his large blue eyes. "I want to see my fathers."

"I...," still conflicted, running a hand through my hair. The idea of taking my grandson into a possible war zone, just seemed wrong but I understood his desire to see Zane and Theron.

"Please," eyes filling with tears. "I'll be good."

Sighing, I conceded, "I know you will."

"Thank you papa!" Shane said, throwing his arms around my neck, hugging me.

"I'll pack his bag," Hayle said, grinning. She knew I couldn't resist my grandson's charms. She set Jett on the floor and stood up kissing me on the head as she passed.

"Thank you," I said, as she walked out of the room, Jett trailing behind her.

"Come on S'ane," Jett stopped in the doorway and beckoned his nephew.

"Go help your nana," I told my grandson, as he released his hold on my neck and sat back.

Climbing down, he said, "I will papa," as he hurried from the room.

Leaning back in my chair, I buried my face in my hands, overwhelmed by my worry for Theron. I'd missed out on a good chunk of my son's life and the thought I could lose him, wore on me. What in the hells had happened?!

"Papa?"

Sitting up I was surprised to find Shane standing in front of me. "Shane?" I questioned, wondering what the little boy wanted.

"Thanks you," he whispered, hugging me tightly. "Love you." Releasing his hold, Shane ran back out the door.

Shaking my head, I smiled. And that was what it made all the worry and heartache worth it…the unconditional love of family.

After a moment I opened a drawer on my desk and pulled out a personal holo I kept for emergencies. It was unregistered and untraceable, perfect for a call like this. I keyed it up and waited for the recipient on the other end to answer.

"I was waiting for your call."

TBC

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