Chapter One
1.5 years later

Jacen Solo stumbled down the boarding ramp of his stolen shuttle. He hadn't made it to the bottom of the ramp before his mother tackled him. She clung to him, crying. Han, unable to wait, wrapped his arms around his son and wife.

After Leia and Han had let go, Luke and Mara greeted their nephew. Jacen clung to his aunt and uncle tightly.

After Mara released him, Jacen spoke.

"Where's Jaina?" He had been unable to find her presence. He couldn't imagine that his parents strayed away from their only daughter. He was sure she was there, just shielding for whatever reason.

Han and Leia exchanged looks. Leia finally responded.

"Jaina's on Csilla."

"Csilla?" Jacen responded in surprise.

"The Chiss capital planet," Leia explained.

"Why?" Jacen asked. He wasn't exactly sure how long he had been gone, but he doubted she had become a diplomat.

"I think we should go sit down. It's a long story," Han said, throwing an arm around Jacen's shoulder, "but first, you're going to the medcenter."

Two hours later, the Solos were aboard the Falcon on their way to Csilla. Jacen was seated at the holographic gaming table with a baffled look on his face.

"Jaina got married, had two kids, her husband disappeared and she's living with her in-laws in the Unknown Regions?" he asked slowly.

Leia nodded. She handed him several holos. She pointed to the first, an image of Jaina, dressed in a simple white dress, kissing a dark haired man.

"That's Jagged Fel, your brother-in-law. His fighter was snatched during the loss of Chandrilla over a yeah and a half ago," Leia explained. She shuffled through the stack of holos and laid five flat.

"The boy is Davin. He's three. The girl is Ani. She just turned one."

Jacen nodded as he absorbed the information. His nephew, Davin, had black hair and ice-blue eyes. Ani had short brown hair and green eyes. He was fairly certain that Ani was named after Jaina's fallen wingmate Anni Capstan, and their younger brother Anakin. He then furrowed his brow as a question occurred, "Wait. I thought Fel has been missing for over a year?"

Leia nodded sadly as she responded, "A few months before Ani was born."

Jacen swallowed. He couldn't imagine what his sister had gone through. It wasn't the same pain he had gone through during his captivity, but it had to have been difficult for her. He knew his sister. She wouldn't marry someone unless she felt strongly for him. She also wouldn't run away and hide from her problems. For her to run to Csilla...

"Why did she go to Csilla?"

"That's something she'll have to explain."

Jaina Solo Fel shifted from one foot to the other as she watched the Falcon make its landing. She had been waiting for days to see her twin. She had known he was alive for a week. He had reached out to her. Her mother had sent an overjoyed message three days ago announcing Jacen's healthy return and to say that they were on their way. When the Falcon had made contact with the Csillian control, she had rushed home to await her family's arrival.

Her breath stilled as the ramp lowered. She saw Jacen rush down the ramp. Her feet felt frozen to the ground. A sob escaped her mouth as one hand touched her throat. She could not believe that he was back.

Jacen walked towards her. His form blurred with tears. He started to reach for her-

-and was stopped by three-year-old Davin.

"You're making Mama cry!" the boy said sternly, arms crossed in front of his chest. He stood protectively in front of Jaina. She noted that Davin looked a lot like Jagged at that moment.

"It's okay, Davin," Syal Antilles Fel's voice called. "Remember what we told you earlier? This is your Uncle Jacen."

"He's making Mama cry," Davin stated, not budging from his spot in front of Jaina.

"Happy tears, Davin," Jaina explained, kneeling to talk to him. "Reach out and feel."

Davin closed his eyes and touched Jaina's face. She could feel him reaching out to her with the Force. He nodded a couple seconds later, satisfied. He stepped to the side. Jaina stood up and threw her arms around her brother, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Jasa," she cried, "I can't believe you're here."

"Me either," he choked out.

A few moments later, Jaina stepped back to look at him. He was underweight and his eyes were sunken. His hair was long and he had a scraggly beard. Jaina could see several scars marring his skin.

Jacen gave her a smirk, "I can't leave you alone."

"What?" Jaina responded in confusion.

"I leave and you get married and have two kids."

Jaina grinned slightly, "Yeah."

"I suppose I've met Davin. Where's Ani?" he asked.

Jaina gestured behind him. Davin was perched on Han's shoulders while Leia held Ani. Jaina took his hand and walked him over to the children.

Ani reached for Jaina as she approached. She was a shy child. She didn't allow many to hold her and was wary around strangers. Jaina plucked her from her mother's arms.

"Ani, this is your Uncle Jacen," she said. Ani furrowed her brow, and then to everyone's shock, she reached for him.

Jacen cautiously took his niece. She smiled at him and hugged him tightly. An odd smile crossed Jacen's face. He felt strangely at peace.

Jacen followed his sister through the greenhouse attached to the Fel mansion. Jaina was explaining that Syal had started growing a lot of their food at home after the war started. It was cheaper than paying for imports, she explained.

She led him to a trio of benches in the center. She sat down and motioned for him to join her.

"What do you think of the children?" Jaina asked quietly. She plucked a leaf off a small plant and slowly picked it apart.

"They're great," Jacen said with a grin, "I can't believe I'm an uncle."

"I still can't believe I'm their mother," Jaina responded.

"I'm sorry about what happened to your husband," Jacen said quietly after a moment.

"Thank you," she whispered. "He's not dead. I would know if he was dead."

"What exactly happened?" Jacen asked quietly , still speaking softly.

Jaina closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them, "It'd be easier to show you."

Jaina stood up and motioned for Jacen to follow. She led him back into the house and to her bedroom. She dropped to the floor and pulled a box out from under her bed. She pulled out a small datachip and player. She inserted the chip and thrust the player into Jacen's hands. She stood up and sat on the bed, staring at the wall. Jacen gave her a concerned look before pressing play.

"It's a gatherer. It collects ships, prisoners and refugees to be used as slaves," Jacen said when the recording ended.

"Slaves?" Jaina inhaled sharply, eyes looking sharp.

Jacen nodded glumly, "I'm sorry, Jaina."

Jaina closed her eyes again and leaned against the headboard.

"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. What else would they want with him?"

Jacen turned off the player, set it on the nightstand, and sat next to her. He gradually, tentatively reached out with the Force to Jaina. He met a wave of anguish, worry and mourning. He tried to send a wave of comfort to her, but it met a wall.

Jaina eyed him, "Thanks for trying."

Ani's giggles echoed through the house. She ran down the hallway, trailed by Jacen. Jacen caught up to her, scooped her up and tossed her in the air.

"Now, now, Miss Ani. It's time for bed," he told her. She grinned at him and hugged him with a giggle.

"Nu uh," she said, "No bed."

"Yes," he responded sternly. He carried her to the bedroom she shared with her brother. Jaina had told him that it used to be Jag's room. He plopped her down on her bed. Davin was already tucked into his bed. He was looking at one of his bookchips.

"What story will it be tonight?" Jacen asked.

"One about the Princess!" Ani squealed.

"You had a princess story last night, Ani," Davin said rolling his eyes.

"Is there something you want to hear, Davin?" Jacen asked.

"No," he said and turned back to his bookchip.

Jacen pursed his lips as he selected a story tablet. Davin was a mystery to him. He was more serious, similar to Jagged, he had heard. He rarely wanted to be read to, unless Jaina was there. Davin was protective of his mother and his sister.

Jacen sat on the bed and opened the tablet to read. Ani snuggled up against as Jacen began the tale of a princess who saved the day.

After Ani had fallen asleep, Jaina entered the room. She shook her head with a silent chuckle. She dropped a kiss on Ani's forehead and tucked a blanket around her.

"You keep doing part of my job," Jaina said as she moved to Davin's bed. He turned off his bookchip reader and set it aside. Jaina tucked him into bed and gave him a kiss.

Jacen left the room. He made his way through the hallway and then down the stairs. He could hear his parents talking in the den. He entered the room and sat down in one of the chairs.

"Jacen, what are your plans when your parents leave?" Syal asked.

"What do you mean?" he asked, slightly surprised. The past week had been relaxing. The memories of his captivity certainly haunted him, but being around family, especially his niece, had made it easier.

"Your father and I need to leave soon," Leia said, "I wasn't sure if you were ready to go back and Syal had a suggestion."

"Soontir and I would be more than happy to have you stay here for awhile. You can take the time you need to recover and Ani certainly seems to have taken to you," Syal explained.

Jacen was silent. He knew he wasn't ready to fight a war. He wasn't even sure about his role as a Jedi any more. So much had changed. He had been blocked from the Force by the creature Vergere. She had been killed shortly before his escape. Had she survived, he knew he would not have been able to escape his holding cell. He could still remember the refreshing feeling that had filled his veins when the Force came back to him.

"Jacen?" Syal's voice called gently.

He looked over at him and replied, "Yes, thank you. I accept."
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