After knocking on his sister's door, Jacen received an answer of, "Come," from inside the room. So he opened the door and headed on in, where he found an expectant Jaina waiting.

"Well, the Quest has been refueled," Jacen explained. "So are you ready to go now?"

Jaina nodded. "I can't wait to see Jag and his family again." She then headed for the exit that her brother was partially blocking.

He moved out of the way to allow her to pass, but then extended his arm to prevent her from going any further.

"Oh," he said as he committed this action, "I almost forgot." He reached his other hand into his pocket and produced a couple of rings. Jaina cupped her hands and Jacen dropped the rings there, which she placed in her own pocket with a grateful smile to Jacen.

"You're the best brother ever, you know that?" Jaina said as she hugged Jacen and kissed him on the cheek.

"I know, I know," he said with sarcastic bravado. "So, c'mon, let's get you back to Mister Handsome and Dull for your wedding."

Jaina lightly punched her brother on the arm, but they laughed it off as they turned to leave and lock the room. They then headed down the corridor for the turbolift that would take them to the Jedi Temple's hangar bay.

Later, once they were in the corridor, not only were they greeted by their parents, aunt, and uncle, but also Garis Boric.

"Hey, Garis," Jacen said as he and Jaina approached the Solo Quest, which the aforementioned party where gathered before. "I wanna tell you again, thank you for helping Jaina and I through that experience sharing. I'm honestly not sure if we could have made it if it weren't for you; Jaina and I owe both owe you a great deal."

Garis nodded with an appreciative smile. "Well, if you feel as if you have a debt to pay, Jedi Solo-"

"Please, it's Jacen," he said with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"Jacen," Garis acknowledged with a nod. "If you don't mind, may I accompany you and your sister back to the Unknown Regions?"

"Uhh..." Jacen looked at his aunt and uncle.

"It's okay, Jacen," Luke said. "We've given Garis permission to go, if you agree, that is."

"Well, then," Jacen said as he redirected his attention to Garis. "I suppose you could accompany Jaina and I back to Csilla."

"Thank you," Garis said. He then followed the Solo twins up the lowered ramp of the Solo Quest.

.

After the Quest had fallen into hyperspace for the Unknown Regions from Denon, Jacen, Jaina, and Garis headed out of the cockpit. Jaina went to go and meditate, as she had learned from her brother's experiences, in Jacen's cabin, where she used his knowledge to open up one of the five foldout beds that wasn't the bed already laying out in the room. She sat there and began to calm herself and center herself in the Force.

Meanwhile, Jacen and Garis headed over to the galley, where the former poured himself and the latter a cup of caf each. They sat at one of the three tables in the galley and had their first sip of the steaming brew.

"Delicious," Garis complimented as he set the cup down. "And, again, thank you for allowing me to come with you and Jaina to the Unknown Regions, Jacen."

Jacen then set his own cup down on the table. "It's no problem, Garis. So, I suppose you came along because you wanted to talk to me. I got the distinct impression that you were kind of a big fan of mine."

"Something like that," Garis admitted. "Ever since I heard about the Jedi Order's philosophy of the Unifying Force, I had been greatly fascinated by this view. I felt that it was a more personally liberating ideal than that espoused by the likes of Master Durn back on Nam Chorios."

"Yes, I remember Master Durn's objections to this philosophy, just as I remembered the objections of most, if not all, of the other Force sects that I've visited in my travels," Jacen said. "You know, I don't recall you on Nam Chorios during my time there."

"That was because I was sequestered in one of the other Theran convents on Nam Chorios," Garis explained. "Interestingly enough, I was placed there before you had come to visit - when word got out that you were coming to Nam Chorios three years ago - and I was taken back to continue my training under Master Durn after you left."

"You don't think this was a coincidence," Jacen said. "Even by the will of the Force, you don't think this was a coincidence." It wasn't a question.

Garis shook his head. "If I may, I'd like to tell you a little more of my backstory than Master Skywalker may have told you."

Jacen waved. "Go right ahead."

"When I was old enough to realize that I had Force-potential," Garis began, "it was right when I had accidentally caused a minor Force-storm."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Jacen said. He knew that without the reflective abilities of Nam Chorios's native tsils, improper Force use could endanger others. "Was anyone hurt?"

"Thankfully, no," Garis said. "Just some small property damage that the Theran Listeners were willing to pay for. In exchange, however, I had to join them, if for no other reason than to shield my powers from causing anymore Force storms. There was also the option of me simply leaving Nam Chorios to join the Jedi Order or any of the other Force sects out there. But my parents were avid supporters of the Listeners, and I was highly interested in learning their ways, so I chose them.

"As I grew older, I became one of their star pupils. I pretty much mastered their ways and abilities, and impressed even some of my harshest tutors. I rose in their ranks and became one of the youngest Listeners at sixteen."

"Impressive," Jacen said with raised eyebrows.

"Yet, even with my successes," Garis continued, "I still felt that something was... missing. I didn't know what it was, but I knew that something was missing. And then I heard about the Jedi Order's philosophy of the Unifying Force after the Yuuzhan Vong War ended, and I realized what I was missing: fluidity. A chance to explore myself in ways that went beyond the rigid practices and standards that were expected in sects like the Listeners. And after I learned that you were the one who brought about this new ideology of the Force to the Jedi, you became one of my heroes."

Jacen blushed. "I'm flattered. But I take it that your masters and fellow Listeners didn't take well to how you wanted to pursue your life," he guessed.

"They didn't," Garis said. "I suppose that's why they separated me from you; so that I wouldn't be further influenced by your presence."

"But that didn't stop you from being exiled from the Listeners later on," Jacen said.

"I knew that it was against our laws to help my fellow Listener do what he did with his sister," Garis said. "And I knew that if I were to have helped him, who wishes to remain anonymous, out with his actions, I would have been exiled had we both been found out. But I couldn't in good conscious turn him down; he and his sister both wanted this badly, and I felt like it was the right thing to do. I was emboldened by the message which you gave that changed your Order, and that was what went through my mind that convinced me that I had to allow them to share their pain with each other.

"Of course, we were all caught later on, and my friend and I were both exiled for our blasphemy. But at the same time, it felt freeing to finally venture out and see the rest of the galaxy; and to be accepted as one of the Jedi."

"I'm glad you finally found your place here, Garis," Jacen said. "But tell me, why didn't you simply leave Nam Chorios for the Jedi once you heard about our new philosophy?"

"Because it was still my home," Garis said. "And I didn't know how I could leave without feeling torn up inside about leaving."

"Did you feel torn up when you finally did leave?"

"I did," Garis answered. "But at the same time, it felt so liberating. I don't miss the more restrictive rules and laws of the Listeners, but I do miss home, for all of its flaws in climate and those damn drochs. But I am learning to accept Denon as my new home, as the home of the Jedi Order, even if I'm to be sent off to missions across the galaxy. And it feels so much more freeing for it; and, what's more, the Masters Skywalker are both telling me that I'm doing well so far as an apprentice."

Jacen placed a hand on Garis's own. "I'm happy to hear that, Garis. I think you'll make a wonderful Knight one day; and maybe even a Master, too."

"I hope so, as well," Garis said. "And I'd be happy to be your apprentice so that you can become a Master one day, Jacen."

Jacen's eyes widened in surprise before he smoothly turned it into a harmlessly sarcastic reply. "Well, I'm not that kinda girl who's willing to fall head over heels like that, Garis."

Garis laughed. "I heard about how powerful you were, Jacen. About your ability to create chemicals and other substances from your own body. It's absolutely fascinating. You must show me one day so I can learn it, too."

"I suppose Master Mara told you about my ability?" Jacen asked.

Garis shook his head. "It was Master Luke who did."

Aunt Mara must have told Uncle Luke, Jacen thought. "And he suggested that you make this offer to me?"

"If you've decided to change your mind," Garis elaborated.

Jacen shook his head without hesitation. "I'm sorry, Garis, but like I told Master Mara, I'm not interested in becoming a Master. Even though I'll be more of a quote-unquote 'active Jedi,' I'm still interested in learning more about myself than anything else."

Garis sighed before looking down at his cooling cup of caf. "It's a shame, if you ask me," he said once he looked back up to Jacen. "It would have been refreshing to have better learned from you, especially after the teachers I've had in the Jedi Temple."

Jacen looked more carefully at Garis. "I thought Uncle Luke and Aunt Mara said you were doing well as an apprentice."

Garis nodded. "I am. But the likes of Masters Katarn and Hamner, who are more skeptical of the Unifying Force as our philosophy, are more critical of my adherence to it."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Jacen said. "But again, I'm simply not interested in taking on the role of Jedi Master, even for someone like you, Garis. At least... not now. I still have my doubts about my abilities and skills in the Force."

For a moment, Garis only looked blankly back at Jacen. Then he spoke. "Well, thank you for at least considering, Jacen." He then stood up, taking his cup of caf, and headed out of the galley toward the Solo Quest's guest cabin.

Jacen grimaced. "Look, Garis, if it's any consolation, I think you'll find the Master that will suit you. And you might even make a great Master yourself one day."

Jacen said this as Garis approached the threshold out of the galley. The younger man stopped when he heard those words and turned back to flash a small smile at Jacen. "I hope so, too, Jacen." And then he turned back and completed his exit.

Thus, Jacen was left sighing against his caf cup in a sort of regret for turning Garis down like that.

.

Several more jumps later, the Quest was now in the Unknown Regions. A few more jumps into that, the ship was hailed by a Zonama Sekotan star yacht.

In the pilot seat, alone with no one else with him, Jacen activated his comm's reply. "This is Captain Jacen Solo of the Solo Quest. How may I help you?"

"Jacen," the familiar voice of Danni Quee replied. "May I board your ship? We need to talk."

Jacen froze for a moment. He hoped against hope that what Danni just said didn't imply the age-old followup conversation that would most likely end in tears for one or both parties and neither seeing the other on good terms ever again.

"Sure, Danni," Jacen found himself saying. "Just dock as before."

After Danni docked her yacht's airlock with the Quest's, and she boarded the YT-1300 in her spacesuit, she was greeted not only by Jacen, but also Jaina and Garis, who seemed confused as to what was going on.

"Hi, Danni," Jacen said once the blonde scientist had her space helmet off. "You remember Jaina, right?"

"How could I forget? Hi, Jaina," Danni said with a friendly, if awkward, smile. "How've you been?"

"Eh, long story, but I'm fine now," Jaina understated. "How've you been doing, Danni?"

"Pretty well, I'd say," Danni said. Jacen could tell by the tone of her voice that was clearly uncomfortable with having Jaina and this other man she didn't know with her and Jacen.

"Oh, and this is Jedi apprentice Garis Boric," Jacen introduced. "He helped Jaina and I go through a very hard time. Garis, this is Danni Quee."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Garis said pleasantly as he stuck out his hand for Danni to shake.

"Likewise," Danni said as she engaged in the handshake.

"I recognized you from the mnemotherapy session that I witnessed Jacen and Jaina go through," Garis said. "He remembers you quite fondly, it seems."

"Thank you, Garis," Jacen said. "But I think Danni and I need to talk privately."

"My apologies," Garis said. "I'll take my leave." He turned and headed back to his guest cabin.

"I guess that means me, too?" Jaina asked her brother.

He gave her a kind grin. "Yes."

"Can't blame ya," Jaina said before she, too, took her leave. "It's been nice seeing you again, Danni."

"It's been nice seeing you again, too, Jaina," Danni acknowledged with a polite nod.

Once Jaina was gone, an awkward silence passed between Jacen and Danni, which included Danni clearing her throat and Jacen looking down at his boots to kick at a rock that wasn't there.

He sighed and looked back up to his lover in dread. "So... what was it that you wanted to talk to me about, Danni?"

Danni sighed like her lover. "I guess I'll just come right out and say it.

"I'm pregnant."

Jacen's eyes widened while the rest of his face remained the same, and the only thing that he could say was, "Oh."

Danni nodded. "I sensed that you were coming back here, so I took this yacht, by Magister Hal's permission, and I came to tell you."

"Oh," Jacen said, unsure of what else he could say.

"Jacen," Danni began, "I wanna let you know that I am perfectly capable of taking care of our baby on my own. So you don't have to stay with me on Zonama. You can continue exploring the galaxy as a Jedi and learn more about yourself. And you can even visit us from time to time, when you can. However, at any point, you're more than welcome to stay with me on Zonama to help raise our child. So, Jacen, what do you want to do now? Don't worry, take your time. We're in no rush."

Indeed, Jacen was slow and hesitant in his response. It was still settling in his mind that he was going to be a father, and he didn't know how to take it. Should he be happy about this? Or should he feel irresponsible and somehow ashamed? Yes, Danni did make herself clear that she could raise the child on her own, and that she wouldn't prevent him from seeing or visiting the child.

But somehow, a part of him also wanted to be with Danni and their offspring; to be on Zonama to raise the child and teach him or her the ways of the Force. That part of him was what was calling the other part of him, the one that wanted to explore more about himself and his relationship to the Force, as well as the Force itself, selfish. On the other hand, as he reminded himself for the second time, Danni did say that she could handle the child on her own...

And then the part of him that said that he was being selfish in preparing himself to turn Danni down said, What, first, you're turning down the position of Jedi Master, now you won't even take part in raising the child?

Ranks don't matter, the part in him that wanted to explore the Force replied. I learned that in my fight with Onimi. An apprentice can be just as powerful in the Force as a Master, if not more.

What about the skill, the honing of that power?

All Jedi are individuals unto themselves. How they learn themselves and how they connect with the Force will always be different, and rank cannot, and should not, be considered a real factor of power or even skill. With that thought, Jacen, for some reason, felt regret. He thought about Garis, and his dreams of being a Master. While the lad knew about the Unifying Force philosophy, Jacen wondered if Garis would ever truly comprehend how insignificant the titles that rank provided. Come to think of it, he wondered if Uncle Luke, Aunt Mara, and the other Masters on the Council would comprehend that...

Don't distract yourself from what really bothers you. You, who had managed to get the entire Jedi Order to shunt their traditions by the end of the last war, are now falling prey to the notions of galactic tradition of raising a family. Oh, yes, there are other factors, such as an instinctive desire to protect and raise your young. Yet, you're still torn up about what you should do, because you want to help Danni raise this child.

She offers only to help raise the child. Offers, not demands. If I agree to help her, I will only be pulled back from understanding who I really am, my relationship to the Force, and the Force itself. I can still visit the child from time to time, Danni isn't denying me that.

In spite of her stated patience, however, Danni blurted out, "Well? What's it going to be?"

Jacen sighed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. "I think I'll just visit."

"Suit yourself," Danni ultimately said. Her tone was objective, yet Jacen couldn't help but notice an undercurrent of resentment in her tone. The resentment seemed very similar to the attitude she displayed to him when they first met since the end of the war.

With that, she turned and headed back through the airlocks, closing and locking them up along the way. Jacen sighed again and looked to the floor for several minutes, even as the Sekotan yacht disengaged from the Quest and promptly launched for hyperspace.

And in the yacht, as it streaked through the blue tunnel of light-speed, it was only then that Danni began to cry.