The days passed uneventfully. Much to Jaina's pleasant surprise. Now, sitting here in one of the bays of the Pride of Selonia waiting for the 'Shadow to dock, she was getting restless. There was absolutely nothing to do around here.
She had seen Jag off about an hour ago. That was fast turning out to be the highlight of the day. They had exchanges a few hushed endearments, in low enough tones so that the others did not hear. Then they embraced briefly. Making it look as if it were just two good friends exchanging goodbyes while one went on an extended mission.
'Missions, I'd rather be out there with dad and Jag.' She thought to herself. But she was also resigned to the fact that she was also needed here. Her mom couldn't be everywhere at once and Tahiri needed to be watched. The sedative they had given her had to be discontinued several days earlier. The girl was docile most of the time. Whenever Jaina entered the room to take a turn at guard, Tahiri turned to face the wall. It was as if the blonde were too ashamed to face her.
Jaina heaved a sigh. A pinpoint of light presented itself outside. A voice in the control center came overhead. "Incoming, ten minutes out. Prepare to clear bay for depressurization." She reluctantly removed herself to the control center. 'At least some good will come of this.' She thought as the lift doors closed behind her.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
White ceiling. White walls. White floor. Tahiri was just getting ready to shift her focus to the white blanket that covered her when the door opened. Not that it bothered her, just the opposite in fact, it delighted her that someone else was coming to visit for a change. She smiled warmly as Tekli entered.
"Hi. I …" Her smile melted when she saw the man behind the healer. Her eyes turned into chlorinated ice and she hissed. "Keep him away. Don't let him touch me." Then she just screamed at the man. "Get out. I don't need your help!" She pressed herself into the corner at the head of the bed. Then she curled into a ball to sob.
Tekli turned to Jacen. "Perhaps you should come by later," the Chadra-fan murmured to him, "like when she's asleep." She added more quietly.
Jacen just simply nodded and stepped backward from the door letting it close in his face.
"What was that all about?" Jaina inquired.
Jacen gave her a strained smile. "I can only speculate but I think she might be seeing something of Anakin about me."
"Please Jasa, he's gone and there is nothing that you or I can do to change that."
"We both know that, but I fear that is something she is not ready to accept. It's driving her to the edge of madness…"
"No need to lecture me on that one bro." She tapped her temple. "I was there remember?"
He finally turned to face Jaina. Noticing for the first time that she was not in the sleeveless shirts that she used to prefer for freedom of movement. "Jaya, I … what happened to you?"
She gave a slightly bitter smile. "You were already "shown" bro. It's not like you to need a reminder. But there was something else troubling you that night, must have been enough to knock screws loose. Want to talk about it now?" she finally asked.
He gave her a long look. "I…"he began, but was interrupted by the doors to Tahiri's room opening. Tekli stepped out and allowed the doors to close before she spoke.
"She's now as she was when everything originally happened. There is just something that she is missing. I can't place it." She paused to breath. "She's sleeping now, if you'd like to see her that is."
Jacen said nothing, but nodded his head . Jaina looked from Tekli to Jacen. "Judging from her reaction to you I'd say you need an escort in there…"
"But it won't be you, Jaina you need rest. Go to bed now. Healer's orders." Tekli said before Jaina could protest. "I'll keep an eye on them."
The skeptical look on Jaina face was evident. A testament to how tired she truly was. Without another word to either of the rooms occupants, she left. Just before exiting the antechamber of the room she sent to Jacen, "Saved from sharing again Jasa, but we will take up our conversation later."
He heaved a sigh. "You have impeccable timing Tekli."
"You aren't ready to talk of your problems yet, I sensed your distress. When you're ready you'll share." She shrugged her shoulders. "I just hope you're right about this. If it doesn't help I want to take her back to Master Cighal, she is more capable than I."
"She wouldn't have sent you if she weren't confident of your abilities."
"Thank you, but enough wasting time. She won't be out long, you're wasting time."
He gave her a nod of appreciation before entering the treatment room. As with many of it's type, it was all white. She lay there in a light blue gown covered to her waist with a white blanket. As he moved closer he noted that she seemed to tense a little and she was sweating slightly. She was fighting the trance that Tekli had placed her in.
He heaved a sigh and closed the distance between them. 'It's now or never.' He thought as he closed the scant distance. His hands went to her temples as son as he sat on the edge of the bed. With a great mental push, he reinforced Tekli's trance and pushed his way into her dreams.