Coruscant

"Did Jacen say why he wanted us to get the family together tonight?" Han asked Leia as he helped her set the table in their apartment.

"No." Leia shook her head while putting out the wine glasses. "He wouldn't even give me a hint. He just asked if the family could get together for dinner…everybody, and he wanted it to be tonight if possible. He had something important he wanted to discuss with us."

Han's expression became troubled. "That doesn't sound good. Do you think he's remembering what happened?"

"I don't know. Part of me wishes he did. I never believed he was truly Sith…just confused. I hate that so many years were taken from him." Leia shoulders slumped dejectedly; she couldn't help being upset over the loss of her son's memories. After Mark performed the memory rub he had told Han that Jacen's association with Lumiya took place over a matter of weeks and not the years they had feared. Six years were wiped away from her son's memory unnecessarily. She wanted to be mad at someone, but she couldn't. Han practically begged Mark to do the rub. And she was fairly certain the only reason Han was adamant about doing the procedure was because he knew she always feared one of her children would fall to the dark side just like her father.

Obviously sensing her distress, Han came over to Leia and laid a hand on her shoulder. "I wish we could go back and put back the good memories…but that's not possible. How do you think he'd feel if he knew he attacked three family members?"

She closed her eyes. "He would be horrified…but he would also know they forgave him."

Han pulled her into an embrace and kissed her on the top of her head. "It'll be alright. Luke said memory rubs are rarely permanent."

She looked him in the eye. "What will happen when he does remember?"

Han seemed to hesitate before he gave a shrug of his shoulders. "It may happen a decade from now or never. Hopefully he will have years of happy family memories that will overshadow any disturbing recollections. He would have to know that his family loved him enough to do things that went against their grain. Luke lied to the law enforcement personnel…the Jedi sent out false public announcements. You know that's not sitting well with your brother."

Leia sighed. "I know and that news of that Lumiya was the person who started the Hapan plague is disturbing." She glanced nervously over to Han. "You don't think he was involved with that, do you?"

Han bristled at the suggestion. "No! Why would he? I know Tenel Ka is a friend, but he knows she can take care of herself. Plus, if Tenel Ka had been on planet she probably would be dead herself." Han shook his head. "Jagged Fel had said that Lumiya was dealing with the Tof. They probably paid her to sabotage the leadership of the royals."

Leia gave a slow nod of the head. "You are probably right."

"I know I'm right," Han said tersely. He looked up at the wall chrono and frowned. "I'd wish they'd get here already. The smell of the food is driving me crazy."

Leia smiled as she heard his stomach rumble. She had to admit she was getting hungry also. The aroma of the six-course meal that was delivered from the Palace restaurant a little earlier was making her mouth water. If the kids didn't show up soon her and Han might start without them.

The front entry chime rang and See Threepio, the Solo's gold protocol droid, shuffled over to answer the door. "Master Anakin and Mistress Tahiri, please come in," the droid said as he ushered the guests inside.

Anakin entered the apartment with a grin. "What's the big news? Is Jaina pregnant?"

"What?" A wide-eyed Han Solo yelled.

"She's not pregnant," Tahiri chastised Anakin as she followed him into the apartment. The blond haired woman glared at her husband while crossing her arms across her chest. "Besides, you don't even know how serious those two are?"

Anakin gave a snicker. "Do you mean her and Commander Cardboard, Kyp or Zekk?"

"What?" Leia and Han responded in unison. That was the second time a child of theirs suggested Jaina had an ongoing romance with the older Kyp Durron.

Tahiri smacked Anakin on the shoulder then turned to Leia and Han. "He's joking. He heard what Jacen said about Kyp while recovering from his head injury on Myrkr."

"Oh," Leia said softly as he gave Han a furtive glance. It was decided on Myrkr that they wouldn't tell anybody else about Jacen's run in with the darkside. If they didn't already know…then they would never know. This meant Anakin and his family and the Skywalker's younger children would not be informed. Leia wasn't sure if it was the right decision or not. They just knew the less people who knew about the situation the better. And now that there was news that Lumiya was the reported assassin on Hapes…they definitely wanted to bury Jacen's association with the Sith as deep as possible.

Tahiri turned back to Anakin. "I told you that Jacen was the one with the news."

Anakin ran his hand through his dark brown hair as his blue eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh yeah, maybe he's going to announce that he finally got laid," Anakin said with a smirk.

"Anakin!" his mother chastised him. "Watch your language."

He laughed. "Mom, I got a babysitter for the kids so I wouldn't have to watch my language."

"Don't be discussing your brother's love life…"

"Or lack of," Anakin interrupted.

Leia scowled at her son. She didn't know when her quiet, shy little boy became the sarcastic smart mouth in the family but he did. Over the last ten years he became more and more like his father…cocky and satirical. And in doing so he slowly became Han's favorite child…even though he would never admit it. "Don't tease your brother or sister when they get here." Leia admonished Anakin.

Han chuckled at his son's comments. "I'm sure your brother hasn't had any problems with the ladies." He looked at Leia and gave her a smug grin. "After all he does have his father's dashing good looks."

Leia exhaled forcefully. "I don't know how you manage to get through the door with that big head of yours," Leia muttered as she finished setting the table.

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"So," Jag said to Jaina as they walked down the hallway toward the Solo's residence. "Did your parents say why they decided at the last minute to throw a dinner party and insisted that you attend?" Jag asked as he smoothed out the front of his civilian tunic. He had planned on taking Jaina out on a date tonight when she got the call from her parents.

Jaina shook her head. "No, other than Jacen asked for the get together."

Jag chuckled. "You don't think they are calling you in for an intervention?"

She gave him a perplexed look. "Whatever for? I don't drink in excess or do drugs."

Jagged Fel made a snickering sound. "Maybe it is a 'Don't date Imperials' intervention."

She smirked and gave him a playful push to the shoulder. "Please."

Jag gave her a toothy grin. "No I can see it now, everybody in a circle, teary eyed and clutching handwritten letters in their white knuckled fists," Jag continued while trying not to laugh. "You mother would go first. 'Jaina I love you. I remember when you were a little girl and almost kidnapped by Imperials. Back then I swore to protect you from all Imperial threats. But now I discover you are sleeping with the enemy. If you continue on this destructive lifestyle I will have no choice but to cut you out of my life.'" Jag finished with a chuckle.

"Knock it off." Jaina laughed. "My parents like you." She turned and gave him a coy look. "Besides, I don't think they know I am sleeping with the enemy."

Jag gave a snort. "That's right. According to your brother, I'm Commander Cardboard, and everybody knows cardboard doesn't possess genitalia."

Jaina started laughing again as they arrived to her parents' residence. She stood in front of their door trying to compose herself but was having difficultly doing so. She started laughing again. "Cardboard, genitalia…you need to stop joking." After a moment she managed to tame her expression to one more serious and somber. She turned to Jag and gave him a warning look. "And play nice with my father."

He smiled as he straightened his outfit. "I shall be on my best behavior…as always." He leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. "Only you see my playful side."

She ran her tongue over her bottom lip savoring his kiss. "That's the side of you I like best." She leaned back and gave his buttocks a glance. "Other than your backside. That's a sight to see." She gave him a playful slap on the derrière before she pushed the door chime of her parents' apartment.

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The door ringer chimed out again as See Threepio shuffled over to the door and ushered Jaina and her friend Jagged Fel into the home.

Leia had to smile when she saw her daughter and her date enter the apartment. Jaina was trying not to beam brightly, but Leia could sense her daughter's happiness. Despite Jag's cool exterior he must possess some exceptional inner qualities that captivated Jaina. Leia was surprised to see Jagged Fel wearing civilian clothing, albeit extremely neat and crisply pressed civilian attire. Jaina was also wearing a skirt and nice blouse and Leia wondered if she had ruined a date night for the two. When she asked Jaina over to dinner Commander Fel was already at her apartment visiting. Leia had assumed he was on Coruscant on official business, but now she wondered if the man piloted his Star Destroyer over to the Core just to see Jaina.

"Jagged, Anakin, Jaina come on over and get a drink," Han waved them over to his small bar in the living room. "Hopefully Jacen will be here soon so we can eat."

Jaina shook her head. "I think I'll pass on the alcohol Dad." She walked over to Leia who was getting a non-alcoholic drink for the pregnant Tahiri.

"Do you know what's going on?" Jaina whispered to her mother.

Leia shook her head. "No idea. I hope it is good news."

The door chimed again and all turned and stared at the front entrance expectantly. See Threepio opened the door and greeted the visitors. "Master Jacen, Queen Mother Tenel Ka Djo and Princess Allana please come in," the droid said in his annoying high-pitched voice.

Jacen walked in smiling cheerfully. Leia thought Jaina projected happiness in the Force, but the overwhelming feeling of joy radiating off of Jacen at this moment totally eclipsed it. Leia didn't know what brought on her son's blissful mood, but her heart warmed at the sight of him in such good spirits, especially after so many years of seeing him depressed and withdrawn.

"Hi," he said with a big smile. "I guess you are wondering why I asked to see you."

"It was sort of last minute," Han said as he finished pouring himself a drink. "But it is always good to see family."

"Good," Jacen said with a knowing smile. "Then you're going to love this." He picked up Princess Allana and turned to his parents. "Mom, Dad, I would like you to meet my daughter, Allana Djo Solo."

There was a crash as Leia dropped her glass. "What?"

Anakin stood with his mouth open before a wide smile spread across his face. "Stang! I was right! He did get laid," he whispered to Tahiri and was rewarded by an elbow to his side.

Jacen turned to Tenel Ka. "And I would like to officially present to you my wife, Tenel Ka Djo...,"he hesitated. "Solo?" he asked his wife.

She shook her head. "I think that would be pushing it on Hapes."

He laughed as he went up to her and gave her a gentle kiss. "Let's just say, Tenel Ka, my wife."

Tenel Ka gave the group an apologetic look. "I am sorry this had to be kept secret for so long. It was for Allana's safety. Please do not be mad at Jacen. He always wanted to tell you." She turned to Jacen who was holding their child. Tenel Ka smiled warmly before turning back to the Solo's. "Because of the changing political situation on Hapes we thought now was a good time to announce Jacen as my consort." She hesitated for a moment allowing the words time to register with the family. "Because Jacen was instrumental in the defeat of the assassin Lumiya he is seen as a hero on Hapes. Normally a non-Hapan mate would be deemed unacceptable, but heroes are often the exception."

Leia was staggered at the announcement. She was thrilled that Jacen was married and had a child. She was not happy that that she just found about it now…but most of all her mind wandered back to Lumiya, Jacen and the Hapan Plague. Now, it seems, Jacen had the motive-of-all-motives to take out the Hapan Royals. Could he and Lumiya be responsible for the virus outbreak? Leia immediately shook that thought out of her head. Her son was not involved…and that was that. She refused to entertain the thought further.

She looked at her granddaughter and joy filled her heart. Allana had her mother's hair and eyes, but everything else was pure Solo. She looked just like her father including their identical smiles. She stepped forward, hands reaching out, and tears running down her face. "Can I get a hug from my granddaughter?"