Epilogue

A white couch sat against the wall in the lobby of the Sliven Healing Center. The couch stood out against the bright red carpet. A young woman smiled at the young Rodian sitting on it. The woman's hair was cut short and held away from her face by a wide red headband. Araneya called one of the attendants to alert them of the new patient's arrival.

Araneya had helped Tahiri found the center on Ossus. Tahiri had created it specifically for helping victims of the Yuuzhan Vong war. The other Jedi helped her set it up. It started a year ago. Araneya had never fully recovered. She'd accepted that she never would be completely normal. However, she wanted to do something proactive with her time and began working as one of the receptionists. A droid was stationed with her, and a supervisor checked on her every hour.

"Good afternoon, Araneya," Tahiri greeted as she entered the lobby with Jacen Solo. He spent a lot of time at the center working with patients.

"Good afternoon," she greeted them. She asked, "Are you leaving for Corellia?"

Jacen nodded as he said, "Yes, though I doubt we'll make it in time."

"Are you sure you will be okay?" Tahiri asked with concern. " Tekli is staying here in my place. You can talk to her whenever you need to."

"I'll be fine. Have a good time," Araneya reassured her. Tahiri rarely left the center. She wanted to be available for anyone who needed her, especially Araneya. The two of them had formed a close friendship over time.

Tahiri smiled and said goodbye. She and Jacen were on their way to meet the newest member of the Solo-Fel family.

Arenya turned back to her computer screen. She began inputting a supply order. She worked for thirty minutes without interruption.

A loud crash distracted her. She looked up to see that a cleaning droid had knocked into a trashcan. She shrugged it off, and then looked down at the computer screen with some confusion.

Where was she at?

Maddie's Bar and Grill was one of the most popular restaurants on Cirrus. Nichos named the establishment for Stav's dead wife to honor their family. After the war ended, he had placed a marker on Stav's home planet for his family. He had returned to Cirrus and helped rebuild the planet.

"Hey, Nichos!" a local named Chi called out as he entered the restaurant.

Nichos greeted him with a nod. He pulled a glass out of the cabinet and filled with Chi's favorite ale. He was one of his many regulars.

"How's it going?" Chi asked as he took the glass gratefully.

"Good," he responded. "You?"

"Just got off work. That new medical facility is almost done. I installed the comm systems today," Chi said. The medical center was the first new large building to be completed on the planet.

"Good."

"It's slated to open at the end of the month. You know anyone looking for work?"

"I'll pass the word around," he answered. He could think of a couple customers who might be interested in a job.

Nichos continued cleaning glasses. He knew almost everyone who came in. He worked all the time. His other employees tried to get him to take time off, but he wouldn't. He had friends, but he felt more comfortable alone. Many of the other survivors felt that way. Trust had died during the war. You never knew if your neighbor was a Vong in disguise, or would sell you out to save their own lives. People were friendly enough in public, but behind closed doors relationships were harder.

Nichos placed the glass he was cleaning into the cabinet. He looked towards a plaque on the wall. The building was dedicated to Stav, Maddie and Abby and those who lose their lives on Yavin IV. It was a small gesture, but one he knew would be appreciated.

"You coming to the festival tonight?" Chi asked.

"What is it, exactly?"

"We used to have it here every year. It celebrated the formation of the last government. First time in ten years we're having it," he said. "There's going to be a bunch of locally cooked food, music and all sorts of stuff."

Nichos almost refused, but it sounded like an entertaining evening. It would help him integrate more with the local population. It would also push him a step closer to living. "Yeah, I'll be there."

Davin chased Ani down the beach on Corellia. They couldn't go into the water, but that didn't stop them from getting near the ocean. They loved being outside, which was no surprise given how much time they had spent inside during the war. Ani crashed into Jag's legs. She smiled up at him as he picked her up. He kissed her forehead. Davin caught up to Jag, giggling.

"Come on, you two. It's time to make dinner for your mother," he told them as he set Ani back on the ground. At six-years-old, she was too big to be carried. They walked up to the house. Jag grinned as the back patio door of their rented house opened and Jaina stepped out. She was carrying their newborn daughter, Rika, in her arms.

Jaina smiled warmly at him as he took the sleeping baby from her. "She just finished dinner."

"Mommy, are Grandma Leia and Grandpa Han coming to eat?" Ani asked. Han and Leia had a small house on Corellia. They considered it their permanent home, though they never stayed there for more than a month.

"They'll be here soon," Jaina said, "Go on inside, you two."

Davin and Ani slipped into the house in excitement. Jacen was also on his way. It had been months since the entire family was together. Jaina closed the door behind them. She turned and gave Jag a serious look, "General Rostek wants us back."

"The Vong are pressing their borders again," Jag stated. The war had ended a year and a half ago. After the success of Jag's operatives, the Alliance recruited the freed slaves to fight. Coruscant was taken back in six months. Tahiri, Jacen and Jaina had taken down Shimmra, Nom Anor and the warmaster. The Galactic Alliance had offered a peace treaty, but many of the Vong refused. Some had killed themselves. The Vong that had survived, mainly Shapers and non-warring castes, were transferred onto a planet in the Unknown Regions, forbidden to leave.

The Chiss, Empire and Galactic Alliance guarded the planet. There were some Vong still scattered throughout the galaxy, harassing others. Fighter squadrons had been sent out to deal with them. Jaina and Jag had been granted leave with the birth of their daughter. Technically, Jaina's had started seven months ago, at least regarding flying.

"Yes."

Jag shifted Rika slightly. She let out a content sigh. "Tough."

Loud laughter sounded through the door. He could hear Ani and Davin, along with the rest of his family. Syal, Soontir, Cem and Wyn were inside. He smiled softly at Jaina, and then Rika. He made a silent promise to his daughter that he wasn't going to miss an important moment of her life, as he had with Ani and Davin. Despite Jaina's reassurances, he never felt like he had made up for the time he had been gone. He had been told by countless of people that it wasn't his fault, but that didn't matter.

He had done his duty to the galaxy; all that mattered was the woman at his side and his three children. He was home.