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| - “How you holding up, farmboy?” Mara plopped down on the couch beside Luke, her fiery tresses pulled into tail at the back of her head. She wore sweats and no makeup, and Luke thought she was simply radiant. One of his hands reached out for hers instinctively. She didn’t pull away, as she might have wanted to a few years before. She had finally become accustomed to their intimacy, and it warmed Luke from the inside out. “As well as can be expected. I miss Mother.” Mara’s chuckle was teasing. She punched him in the shoulder playfully. “You saw her three hours ago!” “I know,” he grinned to himself and looked down at his lap, a little embarrassed. “But I’ve gotten so used to having her live with us, it’s weird.” The thumb of her left hand, the one he still clasped, caressed his palm gently. “You can’t begrudge Leia this time with her. The two of them sharing quarters is best for everyone. Leia has a constant reminder that there’s someone who is going to love her unconditionally, and Padmé has the time with her daughter she’s always desired. Besides, you’ve had her for weeks now. Let Leia have a turn. She needs it so badly right now.” Luke nodded. He already knew these things, and knew it was right. “She needs more than that. We need to start her rehabilitation right away. She’s been out of the MedCenter for four days now, and we haven’t even talked about her stint with the dark side. The longer we wait, the worse it will be.” “She needs to rest, though,” Mara countered, more to play the devil’s advocate than anything. “She’s been through so much. And it might be better to wait until she patches things up with Han. She will be more inclined to let go of those dark emotions.” “But fixing this part of her might make it easier to make up with Han. She’ll be thinking more clearly, and not have a cloud of darkness hanging over her head,” Luke explained. “Not to mention she will have her priorities straightened. She needs to discover for herself where this new baby falls in that list.” Mara chewed her lower lip in deep thought. “How do you think the child will affect our family?” “I have no way of telling,” Luke muttered. “But I don’t like some of the possibilities. It was born out of violence and its first weeks of life were filled with hatred. That is not a good beginning for any child, especially a Force-sensitive one. It will be very strong in the Force, Mara. Moreso that the twins or Anakin, I would guess. They came from only one Force-sensitive parent, and from what I can tell, Cale Wilos’s strength is very great.” Mara’s face darkened at the suggestion. “Do you think Leia has considered this?” “I am sure she has.” “Is there anything we can do?” “Only wait, and try to raise it in the very best of atmospheres. We have to make sure it is nurtured in the ways of the Jedi. Anything to beat down any dark side tendencies that could be inherent in it,” Luke explained. It was clear he had been pondering this for some time. “We have to be careful.” Her responding sigh was wearied. “Let’s talk about something a little less unpleasant. The last time I talked to Wedge, he said the fleet should arrive at Contruum in less than ten standard hours.” That was definitely a good thing. Airen Cracken had finally pledged his open support, and made Contruum available to the rebels’ use. Now they were moving everything there and establishing that world as their new base of operations. It would be more easily defended than Mon Calamari, and maybe draw other wealthy Core worlds to the cause. This had, of course, incensed Fey’lya and his band back on Coruscant, but there was little to be done. They had no fleet. He was now little more than a figurehead. “That’s great. Now Fel and the Chiss can have a stable headquarters to begin building those shield strippers.” Mara’s head bobbed in agreement. “It’s going to be a long haul until they’re done.” “But the end result should be worth it,” Luke mused. “My only concern is that the Chiss might then turn on us.” Mara made no reply, but so connected were they in the Force Luke had no trouble recognizing her lack of trepidation. She was hiding something. She never did that. “What is it?” He didn’t have to elaborate. She knew what he meant. She shrugged uncomfortably. “It’s nothing. I don’t know anything yet, so I don’t want to say.” “Tell me,” he squeezed her hand, prodding. “All right, but you can’t say anything, because I’m not sure.” He silently agreed, and she pushed forward. “Well, I think our niece and a certain Chiss colonel have breached the gap between friendship, and, well…” “No,” he couldn’t believe it. “But she doesn’t even like him.” “How soon we forget, Skywalker,” the fingertips of her left hand trailed through his hair lovingly. “I didn’t like you either. And Leia and Han didn’t exactly get along, from what I hear.” That was a worrisome comparison. “Point taken. But what makes you think so?” “I just have a feeling. I was walking with her today and we passed him in the halls. Neither of them said anything, but the electricity was like Force lightning.” Luke shook his head, trying to process this. “They’re keeping it a secret then.” “For good reason. It could cause major problems for Fel in the CEDF if they knew he was consorting with one of the scummy rebels. It probably wouldn’t do anything for Jaina’s career, either,” Mara explained. “This isn’t something she should be doing,” Luke stated flatly. “We should say something. Well,” he amended, “you should say something. I don’t think she would appreciate a word from me.” “No, I think you’re wrong. I think this is perfect for our situation. If Fel falls in love with her, he’s not going to betray her after this is over. This is our safety net, Skywalker, to make sure we don’t get hoodwinked by the Chiss.” “Mara, we would be using our own niece. That doesn’t sit well with me.” Again, she shook her head in disagreement. “No again. We didn’t encourage a thing. We didn’t even know what was going on. They did this all on their own. Jaina is an adult and can make her own decisions. We’re just letting her make them. Anyways, if I were to tell her to stay away from him, that would be like dropping her right into his arms. She would rebel, in true teenage fashion. Let it be, farmboy.” He hated it when she was right. “I guess I see your point.” She smiled sweetly, and draped an arm across his shoulders, pulling him close. “You’re so cute when you admit you’re wrong.” He couldn’t help but smile back. “Which is any time we argue, I’ve come to find.” Her lips grazed his lightly. She pulled away, and her grin was devilish. “You know, we haven’t bee able to ‘argue’ properly since Padmé started staying with us…” He chuckled deep in his throat. “I have missed picking fights with you on the kitchen floor.” Her laughter matched his, emerald eyes twinkling. “Even though I always win?” “We’ll see about that.” He placed an expert kiss on the spot beneath her ear, the place he knew made her go weak in the knees. “Touché.”
* * * The sweet air of his home did wonders for Pash Cracken’s soul. He inhaled another deep breath as the top of his X-wing lifted away, then climbed briskly down the ladder. One of his wingmates, Jaina Solo, had already powered down and was waiting for him. “Orders?” she cocked an eyebrow at him. He took his time removing his gloves, pondering the enigma that was this girl. She was only seventeen years old, and yet managed to make him feel like no more than a green recruit on a daily basis. Wordlessly, he pulled a datacard from his pocket and handed it to her. It was her room assignment. She slid into her datapad and processed the information. “When’s our first patrol?” “We get 32 hours rest. I suggest you make use of it.” “Oh, I intend to,” she grinned at him. “I never thought I could be so sick of something as I am this color orange,” she plucked at her flight suit. Pash laughed in agreement. “Rogue life starting to wear on you already?” “I love it, but it’s a lot tougher than I originally thought,” she sighed. “I don’t think it would bother me if I didn’t have so many other things to do besides squadron business.” Pash had heard rumors about the state Leia Solo had been in when rescued, but wisely chose not to bring it up. “I understand. Just hang tight, you’ll be fine.” “Thanks,” she grinned weakly. It was at this point the third member of their shield trio, Anni Capstan, joined them on the landing platform the Rogues had been given on Contruum. She gestured at the sprawling barracks off to their right. “I’m going to catch some shuteye. Where’s my room?” Pash handed her a card like the one he had given Jaina. “Have fun.” She grinned at him from under black bangs. “I will. When do we report back?” “32 hours, be ready for patrol.” “Got it,” she saluted weakly and jogged off towards her new rooms. “What about you, Lieutenant?” he asked Solo. “I’m hungry. Is the mess open?” “It should be. This place was in use before we got here. Mind if I join you?” “Not at all.” They sauntered towards the domed building designated as a refectory. “So when are the Jedi going to make a stronger appearance in this war?” he questioned as they walked. Jaina shrugged. “They’re coming, slowly. Some of them disagree with Uncle Luke’s decision to leave the Republic, but they follow his lead.” “Is it uncomfortable, fighting people who can feel the Force just like you? I imagine it would be, for me.” She took a moment to ponder the question. “Not really. It just presents a new set of obstacles. But we’ve all been trained our whole lives to fight Sith. This isn’t much different, on some levels.” “I see,” he answered quietly. There was something bothering him about it all, and had been for some time, but he wasn’t sure how to put it to her. So finally he decided to just come out with it. “I don’t know if this makes any sense, but I’ve been wondering about it for a while. I know your uncle converted Lord Vader from the dark side before his death, but that was just one man, and a man with a very personal attachment to Master Skywalker. These Baci…are the Jedi going to try to convert them like that? Make a nation of Jedi?” He could tell from the gleam in her eye that she understood his fear. It was natural, in his opinion, for someone who knew next to nothing of the Force to be a little wary of the Jedi’s intention in this situation. If the Jedi took the Baci and made them into allies, they could effectively rule the galaxy with an iron fist. Nothing could stop them. He was sure Luke Skywalker had nothing of the sort in mind, but sometimes plans with the best of intentions tended to spiral out of control. “I really hadn’t thought about it,” Jaina admitted. “We’re so intent on defeating them, I don’t think anyone’s given much thought as to what happens afterwards.” Pash wasn’t sure if that made him feel better, or justified his fears. “Perhaps you should bring it up to Master Skywalker. A plan should be in affect long before the situation arises.” Jaina nodded thoughtfully. “Maybe I will.”
* * * “It’s a boy.” Leia glanced up at Cilghal, the Jedi healer who served her family in almost all their medical needs. She had recently taken up residence on the Pillory, and at the insistence of her family, Leia had made an appointment with the Mon Cal. Just to make sure everything was truly in order. “Are you sure?” Her bulbous, salmon-colored head bobbed in acknowledgement as she lifted a webbed hand from Leia’s abdomen. “I’m certain. And despite all, he seems healthy. I’d put you at around four weeks.” Leia sat up on the examining table, trying not to feel sick. “All right. Anything else?” Cilghal was typing at a datapad contemplatively. Finally she raised her eyes to face Leia. “It’s not Han’s, is it?” She swallowed hard. This was Cilghal. She could trust her. “No, it’s not. I was…raped while among the Baci.” It was the first time she had used the word, and it stuck her throat until it came out in a hoarse whisper. A wave of compassion swept over her from the Jedi. “Oh, Leia. I am so sorry.” There was no proper response for that, so Leia just gave her a tiny, empty smile. “Have you been…treated for any injuries in that area?” “I’m fine,” Leia assured her. “I was drugged, and subjected to Force persuasion, so there was no physical violence to speak of.” “I see.” There was an uncomfortable silence while the two women stared at each other, mutual disgust for one man passing through them both. “You will need therapy,” Cilghal said at last. “Luke is going to help me,” Leia told her hurriedly. “Even so, I am not sure a male can ever fully understand the emotional trauma that comes with being violated in that way,” Cilghal explained. “I would be happy to help you, Leia.” “Thank you, Cilghal, but I would rather not. I have Luke and Mara, and my children, and my mother,” her lips turned up of their own accord at the mention of Padmé. “I can do this. And for now, I don’t want this to be public. I ask for your discretion.” “Of course. Let me know if there is anything else I can do. I’ll need you to come back in two weeks for a follow-up on the baby, anyway.” “Fine,” she agreed, sliding off the table and pulling her cloak around her shoulders. She had taken to wearing Jedi robes, as nothing else seemed to suit her mood of late. Gowns just didn’t appeal to her. “And thank you.” “You’re more than welcome.” The former Chief of State left Cilghal’s offices and headed down the corridor to her own rooms, the ones she shared with her mother. The people she passed only gave her polite smiles and sometimes even salutes. Everyone was happy to have her home. If only they knew. She reached the door to her quarters and entered the access code, then stepped inside. As she hung her cloak on the hanger by the door she said, “I’m back, Mother. Cilghal said all is well with—” She turned around, and caught her breath. On the couch beside Padmé, sat Han. He looked haggard but determined, and his Force aura exuded anxiety on so many levels she couldn’t distinguish them. Padmé, in contrast, was completely unreadable. “Han,” Leia exhaled at last, blinking in surprise. She couldn’t believe he was really there. He stood slowly, looking much older than she remembered. “Leia.” “I’m going to go speak with Luke about something,” Padmé stood as well, heading for the door. She never paused, and Leia didn’t even try to stop her. She was grounded in one spot, frozen in time. “Don’t look at me like that, Princess,” he drawled at last in typical Han fashion. It was so normal, so classic, Leia could almost believe everything that had passed between them in the last two months had only been a very bad dream. “How am I looking at you?” she returned, still gaping at him, wide-eyed. “Like I just swallowed a Hutt.” She managed an amused smile. “I’m sorry. Can I get you anything?” she immediately hid behind a shield built of political experience. Han called it a sabacc face. She moved to the kitchenette and poured them each a glass of water, even before he answered. “Thanks,” he took it unenthusiastically, and immediately sat it on the counter. “So, uh, how’ve you been?” He winced at the ridiculousness of the question. “I’m sorry. I mean, you know, physically. Are you all right?” She detected genuine concern in the inquiry, and it gave her a measure of hope she had never before dreamed of. “I’m good, Han. And you?” “Miserable,” he answered immediately. “Leia, I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t know what to do. But one thing is really clear: I can’t keep living without you.” Her heart pounded so loud she was sure he could hear it, too. Tentatively, she reached out and laid a hand on his chest. “I miss you, too.” He took the hand and lifted it to his lips, kissing the palm. Her eyes fluttered closed at his touch, and she tried to quench the heady feeling rising inside her. “What are we going to do?” he asked her, and she was surprised to realize it was not a rhetorical question. He wanted an answer. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “Maybe we should take it one step at a time.” He nodded in agreement. “I can do that. I can. We’ve been through too much to let go now. I’m not going to let this take you from me, Leia. It took me a while to realize it, but I’ve had five days to do nothing but think. And I know, Princess, I know that I’ll never be happy without you.” Pure joy saturated her body and soul, like when the storm clouds part and the sun comes through at long last. “Oh, Han, I’ll do anything, everything to try to make this right again. I swear to you.” His hand continued to hold hers to his chest. She could feel the rhythm of his heart through his shirt, and it matched the crooked smile on his face. “Me too. It’s going to be hard, but I’m going to give it my all. We can make it work. This baby, we’ll call it mine. It’ll be raised as mine. The same as if we had adopted it.” Tears stung her eyes and slid down her cheeks. “I can’t believe you’re saying this. I had given up, Han.” He wiped the wetness off her face gently. “I love you, Princess.” There was a second of hesitation on both their parts, and then he leaned in and kissed her gently. It was glorious and beautiful, and Leia trembled with emotion in his arms. When he pulled away he said, “So are you ready to come home?” She laughed softly. “Home being where? Your quarters?” “Don’t really have quarters, been living on the Falcon,” he explained. “What do you say?” She looked down, staring at the broad plane of his chest. “If this is going to work, we need to go slow, Han. Take it a step at a time, remember? I don’t think either of us are really ready for a move like this.” His face fell, but she cupped it in one hand gently and smiled. “I love you Han, with all my heart and soul. I just think that in a situation like this, we should ease back into normalcy. Things have changed, we can’t pretend they haven’t. We need to find a balance before jumping back in and acting like we did before.” “Okay,” he seemed satisfied with her answer. “How about dinner tonight?” Her smile was a mile wide, “Dinner sounds wonderful.”
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