Coruscant—Jedi Temple

Jacen stood in front of his 'fresher sink gazing at his reflection in the mirror and wondering how things could have gotten so complicated. He ran a hand over his chin where rough stubble was already forming on his normally smooth face. He needed to shave, but he just didn't have the energy to do so this morning.

He dressed in a casual tunic and trousers and went to the kitchen to get something to eat. He looked at the chrono on the wall and was surprised when he saw it was closer to the midday than morning meal. He usually didn't sleep in late, but he didn't get much sleep last night. He not only was upset about the situation with him and Tenel Ka, but disturbing dreams haunted his slumber. He saw himself in strange places doing strange things. Occasionally he saw a familiar face—Tenel Ka, his mother, Aunt Mara, and his cousins. He didn't know if his memory was returning, if they were visions of the future or just ordinary everyday dreams.

He pulled out a container of blue milk from the cooling unit and drank directly from the bottle. His face scrunched up in disgust as the putrid contents hit his tongue. He ran to the kitchen sink and spit out the spoiled milk, then he shoved his head under the running spigot to rinse his mouth out with water.

"Yuck," he said in disgust. He looked at the 'use by' label and realized it was weeks past the expiration date. "I hope this isn't an indication of how my day is going to go today," he said sarcastically as he threw the bottle of rancid milk in the trash.

After Tenel Ka left the night before Jacen found himself falling into a deep funk. All he could think about was Tenel Ka and his daughter…and their fight. Their first fight…at least he thought it was their first fight.

This was all so confusing. He probably should go see Jaden. It wasn't normal to be so disorientated and depressed. He first lost six years of memories and then he found out most of those lost years were spent in a romantic relationship with the woman he had a crush on since he was a young teen.

"And by-the-way you have a daughter…surprise," he said in a low mocking tone.

He was starting to hate surprises. He also had a uneasy suspicion that people were not telling him something. So many things did not make sense. The biggest question he had was why didn't his Uncle Mark evacuate him to a medical facility after he received his head injury instead of calling in his son to treat him? Maybe if he got real medical help sooner he wouldn't have ended up with such profound memory loss.

Jacen sighed. He would worry about that later. Right now his big concern was his wife and daughter.

He hadn't heard from Tenel Ka since she left and he couldn't blame her. He probably shouldn't have asked the Queen of Hapes and the mother of his child to get out of his apartment after a passionate sexual encounter. Any other woman in the galaxy would be upset; the Queen Mother must be infuriated. He dreaded another confrontation with her…but at the same time he craved her company. Whenever he closed his eyes he could visualize her lying in his bed rewarding his bedroom performance with a lusty satisfied smile. Gods, he wanted to see that smile again. She was like a drug…and he was addicted. No wonder his pre-amnesia self was ready to agree to anything she wanted.

He shook his head. Not this time. If he didn't stand up to her he would find himself a kept man with half a life. He couldn't go back to the way it was…or the way she said it was like.

The front door chime startled him out of his musings. He turned toward the door and for a long moment all he could do was gaze at the entryway nervously. He reached out with the Force and sensed Tenel Ka and two other people.

"She's probably here to kill or castrate me," he muttered as he walked to the entrance. He didn't think he was ready for another discussion with her, but knowing Tenel Ka she would cut a hole in his door with her lightsaber if he didn't open up.

"Coming," he said as he palmed the button next to the doorjamb. As the door slid open his heart skipped a beat when he realized who was with her.

Tenel Ka and her guard waited at the entrance, but next to his wife stood a young girl with brilliant golden-red hair and lovely grey eyes. There was no mistaking her identity. This was Allana…this was his daughter.

A lump caught in his throat making speech difficult. "Come in," Jacen said anxiously as he stepped away from the door allowing them to enter. The Queen gave a nod to her guard who handed her a satchel before the door cycled shut locking him outside.

Jacen's heart pounded as he stared dumbstruck at his child. She was a perfect mix of her two parents. She had her mother's hair and eyes, but her facial features reminded him so much of Jaina when she was this age. She was adorable. He wanted to drop to his knees and hug her, but he wasn't sure if she even knew who he was. Before he could ask Tenel Ka what Allana knew, the small girl ran up to him and wrapped her arms around one leg. "Hello Jedi Solo!"

His mouth went dry as he bent down and lifted the small girl into his arms. "Hello Allana."

She rubbed a hand over his facial stubble. "You're scratchy."

He laughed warmly. "I shall shave for you, Princess."

He turned to his wife questioningly. He didn't know what decision she had made. Although he wanted to tell the child in his arms he was her father, he was certain the news should come from Tenel Ka.

The Queen smiled at Jacen and then stepped closer to him. "Allana."

The small girl turned to her mother's voice. "Yes."

Tenel Ka gently pushed a lock of hair out of her daughter's eyes and gave her a tender smile. "Do you remember when I told you I would introduce you to your father when you were old enough?"

Allana nodded.

Tenel Ka looked at Jacen and then back to her daughter. "Today's the day. Allana, Jedi Jacen Solo is your father."

The little girl turned to face Jacen. He gave her a nervous smile, not sure how Allana would react to the news.

"I knew it," she whispered and put her small arms around his neck and hugged him.

Tenel Ka frowned in confusion. "How did you know?"

Allana let go of Jacen and turned back to her mother. "Because you were always very happy when he visited." She turned back to Jacen. "And you were always happy to see us."

Tears welled up in his eyes as he gave his daughter a kiss on the cheek. He then stepped over to Tenel Ka and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. "Thank you for bringing her here."

"I should have done this long ago," She said having trouble containing her emotions. "I'm sorry for what you went through. I love you, Jacen."

He gave her a cocky grin. "I know."

She laughed softly knowing that was his father's response to Leia's original proclamation of love. "Solo men are impossible."

"But we're lovable." He turned back at his daughter and smiled so wide his face hurt. "You look just like your mother…you are beautiful." He then kissed her on the forehead.

Suddenly an image swam through his mind. It was of him holding a small baby and saying those exact words. He must have drifted off for a moment because the next thing he knew Tenel Ka was taking Allana out of his arms and was asking him if he was all right.

He put a hand to his forehead and then walked over to the couch to sit down. "Yes…at least I think I'm okay. I had a vision of me holding a baby with red hair saying the same words." He looked up to her. "I may be regaining my memories."

She sat down next to him, perching Allana on her lap. "I would not be surprised at all."

"Why do you say that?"

Her eyes lowered. "Because our animated discussion last night was very similar to one we had weeks before. I think finding out about your family triggered something inside you."

He nodded sadly. "Did we have that particular discussion often?" He asked trying to keep things vague so not to upset Allana.

Tenel Ka glanced up at Jacen, her eyes locking on his. "Yes, but last night was our final dialogue on the subject."

Jacen went cold inside, not knowing what she meant by that comment.

She reached into her side satchel and pulled out a datapad. She pushed some buttons and a holozine news report popped up. She handed the datapad to him so he could read the news.

"The Jedi released their news bulletin stating Jedi Jacen Solo and Jedi Mark Tantiss tracked Lumiya to Myrkr where she was… dispatched by Jedi Solo," She said softly. "That report came out approximately one hour after Hapan Law Enforcement had a press conference confirming Lumiya was the one who attempted to assassinate the Royal family with a nanovirus."

"She's the one who attacked the Royals?" Jacen said surprised. "I heard Jaden and Cilghal talking about the virus, but nobody mentioned Lumiya was involved."

"I received the preliminary report yesterday. I failed to mention it when I saw you last night because… I had other things on my mind during our visit" A wistful smile crossed her lips before she turned her attention back to the datapad he was holding. "The overall result is you are now perceived a hero on Hapes." She hesitated for a moment. "With your new found popularity, I think it may be an appropriate time to declare you as my consort."

His eyebrows rose. "Really? Does that mean we can be a family?"

"Yes." She gazed at him with sad apologetic eyes. "If you still want to be a family…with me, that is."

The anger he felt last night melted away and all he saw before him was the woman he loved for all of his adult life. She was regarding him expectantly with a strange disheartened look on her face and Jacen realized she truly feared losing him.

"Of course I want to be with you and Allana," he whispered softly. "I want to be a family."

A relieved smile blossomed across her face. "Thank you Jacen. Shall I make the announcement tonight?"

He shook his head. "No, we need to go see my parents first. I don't want them to find out I am a husband and a father from the HoloNet."

She nodded. "Is it possible to do it soon? The Hapan people are fickle when it comes to their heroes. We should act while your popularity is high."

Jacen stood. "Let me get a hold of them to see if they are in…maybe we can arrange a family gathering." He gazed at his daughter lovingly. "You have a lot of people who will love to meet you. Would you like to meet your grandparents?"

Her face fell as she looked at her mother worriedly. "They won't try to kill me? Will they?"

Jacen was surprised by the question, but then realized to a Hapan Royal that was a very legitimate concern.

"No Honey. Your father's parents will love and protect you just like your Grandfather Isolder."

She smiled and turned back to Jacen. "I want to meet my grandparents, Daddy."