Disclaimer: These are George Lucas?s babies, thanks for letting me borrow them. He?s got all the rights to these characters, and I?m not earning any money off my stories.
Summary: This is a story about the Skywalker Family, following NJO: Rebirth. It ties into my previous story, Where the Past Lies, and has a few characters I made up along the way. I suggest you read those stories before reading this one, it?ll make much more sense.
Dramatis Personae
Mara Jade-Skywalker (Human Female) ? Coruscant
Luke Skywalker (Human Male) ?Tattoine
Anakin Solo (Human Male) ? Coruscant
Tahiri (Human Female) - Tattoine
Jacen Solo (Human Male) ? Coruscant
Ales Sundancer (Human Female) ? Hapes
Jaina Solo (Human Female) ? Coruscant
Kyp Durron (Human Male) ? Kessel
Leia Organa-Solo (Human Female) ? Alderrann
Han Solo (Human Male) ? Corellia
Aleese Jade (Human Female) ? Canlov
Part One
Mara Jade-Skywalker looked down at the small boy in her arms, gently sleeping. His small chest rose and fell with each breath, and his tiny eyelids fluttered.
?He?s beautiful Mara. I...don?t know what I would have done if I lost either of you.? Luke Skywalker smiled, as he walked into the room with a cup of Hot Chocolate. She turned up and faced him, smiling warmly.
?Well, your life might have gotten a lot more sleep.? She laughed. Turning her head slightly, she looked into the mirror. The devastating disease which had almost killed her, left her skin pale, and splotched, her hair thinner and her body weak. Fortunately, with the miracle of the Force, she was regaining all that was taken from her. Her hair was looking fuller, her skin brighter and her body was growing stronger by the day. When Luke looked at her, she saw in his eyes a rekindled hope, another chance, and more awe at the power of the Force than he?d ever had.
Laughing, he sat down beside her, taking a deep sip of his drink and then passing it to her for a sip of her own. ?I don?t think I?d trade you two for all the sleep in the world.?
?Good thing, cause, you may change your mind after a few more months.?
?You look beautiful, Mara.? He said, changing the subject.
?Hardly, Skywalker. I?m still a mess.? She smiled, but still reached up and kissed him passionately. ?But, thanks.?
?Knock Knock.? Jacen Solo called into the room.
?Come on in, Jacen.? Luke called out. Soon the Solo-clan entered the room, with a few attachments.
?See Mom, I told you, wrinkly and ugly.? Anakin grinned, walking over and looking at Ben. While his mouth spouted off insults, his eyes scanned the beauty of a new life.
?He?s beautiful Anakin. He looks just like you did. But, your uncle was nice enough not to make mention of how red and wrinkly you looked.? She laughed, and sat beside the bed, staring at the little one.
?Tahiri agrees with me.? He grinned even wider, his friend coming to stand beside him. She laughed and swatted him lightly, then whispered something in his ear and he turned red.
?Aunt Mara, he is a beautiful baby. He has your hair, and hopefully Uncle Luke?s patience.? Jacen joked, sitting down beside his mother.
?He?s great Aunt Mara. I?ll baby-sit any time you need me to.? Jaina offered. ?And so quiet.?
Han remained quiet, his eyes glazed over, a small smile caressing his lips. ?Yeah, good job kid.? Leia turned up to look at him, and smiled at her own recollections of the twins, and Anakin being born.
?Thanks all you guys. You?re lucky you caught him while he?s just waking up. You?ll see the Luke side of him when he?s about to break into tears, his eyes turn bright blue and looks so innocent, then there?s the planet-shattering wale?s.? Mara laughed. Luke poked her lightly and joined in the laughter.
?Mind if we join you, Master Skywalker?? a small voice said from the door.
?Come in Ales. Of course you can join us.? Luke called out, and Jacen jogged to the door to greet her. They smiled shyly at each other, and Jacen slowly guided her into the room. ?You remember Ales Sundancer, right??
?Of course. Few people can make Jacen blush like she can.? Mara laughed. ?Ben, this is Ales.? Mara introduced.
?May I offer you something to eat? We have a lot of food, and I know that I?m famished.? Luke said, standing up and heading to the kitchen. His quiet day at home, with his wife and son, was soon becoming a celebratory party. Quickly, he made up some sandwiches and put them out, as well as some drinks. Soon they were all eating, and Ben was circulating family members.
?Master Skywalker. I heard the news!? Kyp Durron said as Luke opened the door to him. The whole room turned to stare at him, having gone quiet. Luke smiled warmly and ushered Kyp inside. ?Congratulations Mara.?
?Thanks Kyp.? Mara smiled. The room began to talk again, only Jaina was left staring dully at Kyp.
?Jaina, look, it was you I was really looking for. I figured you?d be here.? Kyp said quietly, his eyes looking into hers pleadingly. ?Can we got to talk somewhere?quieter??
Jaina looked him up and down, and was certain she didn?t want to ruin the happy occasion by bursting into screams in this room, so she headed to the bedroom with him. He smiled as he shut the door behind him, then grew sullen again.
?Look, Jaina, I know it was wrong to lie to you?? He began
?You?re right. It was wrong. Any fleeting thought that you might be a bit of a Jedi, was proven incorrect. As far as I?m concerned, you?re some sort of Sith Lord, out to ruin the Jedi.?
Kyp stared at her gape jawed. ?Now, that?s not true. I made a few decisions, and I did what was necessary. I?d never ruin the Jedi, I?m fighting for them.? He said, stuttering.
?No, you?re killing them. You?re the reason the Jedi are hated in the galaxy. You?re the reason that my uncle was almost arrested, and you?re the reason that innocent Vong could be dead. You?re the reason I could get thrown out of Rogue Squadron, you?re not a Jedi. You?re anything but.? She said, and then turned to face the window, trying to calm herself.
?Jaina?? he whispered, having finally had someone say the words to him that most of the Jedi felt.
?You have the power and influence to do so much good Kyp, a lot of young Jedi follow you. You?re just leading the Jedi order to destruction. I don?t know if you realized it, but we all see it. Even the non-Jedi see it. Maybe my uncle is being less aggressive about the Vong, but he?s listening to the Force, and that?s what it tells him to do. You aren?t listening. You?re just?using the Force for your own needs. That?s wrong Kyp.? She said quietly.
Silently, he moved to the bed and sat on the edge. In the reflection of the window, Jaina could see his surprise and fright. ?I had no idea?I was just?doing what I felt was right.?
The quietness of his voice, the shuddering undertone and the fear emanating from him force Jaina to turn and sit next to him. ?Kyp, you need to change your ways. I know that Master Skywalker will help you, and forgive you. But you need to change, and change soon. We can?t let this go on any further. If you fall any closer to the Darkside, I?m going to have to do something rash. Trust me, that?s the last thing that I, or the rest of the universe needs.?
?I know, you?re right. You?re absolutely right. I?need your help.? He said as he turned to stare into her eyes. She smiled slightly and hugged him close. His eyes flooded with tears and he wept on her shoulder, muttering apologies and regrets.
?Welcome Home, Kyp.? Luke Skywalker said from the doorway. Kyp laughed lightly and stood up to shake his hand, and take him into a brotherly embrace.
?Thank you, Master Skywalker. I look forward to your, and your niece?s tutelage over the coming months.? He smiled, and Jaina stood up and walked with him to the next room.
?That was some Party.? Mara said, lying down on the bed, exhausted. Luke stood, cleaning up the last bits of the Solo re-grouping. Ben lay in his crib beside the bed, sleeping soundly. Luke laughed lightly and sat beside her.
?That?s my family, Mar. I love them to bits, but there are far too many of them sometimes.? He laughed. ?Ben was good though, so quiet. He must get that from me.?
?Right Skywalker.? She said, and threw a pillow at him. ?Anyways, what happened with Jaina and Kyp in there? I don?t think I?ve ever seen the two of them like that?.? She asked
?All it took was a good yelling at by Jaina to show him the error of his ways. He?s going to under go some more training with Jaina and myself, and hopefully we can bring the Jedi family back together.? He smiled and placed the pillow back beside Mara.
?Good. I wish we?d have thought of it sooner.? She smiled, and pulled him to lie beside her.
Han chuckled lightly as Jaina and Kyp sat in her bedroom, on her bed, reviewing their knowledge of the Jedi, their habits and their ways. It looked so different to have a girl, 16 years his junior teaching him the things he had years more experience in dealing with. She counselled him on his errors, recommended changes, and meditated with him. He seemed to admire her, a small glint of hope in his eyes as he studied her face and listened to her words. Quietly, he shut the door, leaving the two Jedi to train, practice spells that Han couldn?t dream of doing.
Glad that finally Han was gone, Kyp relaxed slightly. Every time he looked at Jaina, she grew more beautiful and smart. Her lips spoke words of encouragement, her hands touching his gently to emphasize a point, while her eyes bore into his. Sometimes, he would crack a joke just to watch her eyes light up, and her lips form into a warm smile. She sat there in front of him now, her legs delicately crossed, wondering how to tell him he was a moron, without completely sending him flying off the wall. He laughed lightly.
?Jaina, you?re such a kid sometimes. I know I was an idiot.? He said, while his hands longed to hold her close again, feel her slim body against his.
?I?m not a kid, Kyp. I?m 21, and fully able to run my own life, and keep on the light side of the Force.? She laughed.
?You?re right. You?ve?grown up before my very eyes.? He whispered, leaning forward to gently place his lips on hers.
Surprised, she felt her lips kiss him back gently, tasting his sweet breath. Quickly she realized what was happening and gently pushed him back. ?Kyp, you really shouldn?t.? She whispered.
Keeping his face near hers, he smelled her scent. ?Why shouldn?t I, Jaina? I respect you tremendously, and admire you. I think you?re beautiful, and I?ve already made it clear that I want to spend more time with you. I was wrong to ask you to be my apprentice, I thought it was the only way you would be with me as much as I wanted. I want to be with you all the time Jaina, as more than just a friend and apprentice. I want to hold you, and kiss you, and protect you from all the evils of the galaxy. I want to be yours, and you to be mine. I?ve wanted it since before you told me everything, since you proved to me you?re everything I want in a woman.?
?Kyp, you?re scaring me.? She whispered, her heart fluttering slightly. Directly in front of her, the heartthrob of the temple laid his heart open. His hands were shaking lightly, and his eyes begged her to give him a chance. Much to her amazement, her own hands were shaking, and her heart longed to have all he offered. Her mind fought it, screaming at all the wrong, ordering her to stop and run.
?I never want to scare you again Jaina. I?m so sorry for everything. I?m?I think I?m in love with you.? He admitted, as if to himself as much as her. He broke into a huge grin. ?Yes, I?m in love with you.? He laughed.
?Kyp, are you really?? she whispered, afraid of his answer.
?Yes, I am. I love you Jaina Solo. I love everything about you.? He said, grasping her shoulders gently. ?Please, Jaina. Give me a chance. I?ll show you I love you, and you?ll love me back. Please.?
She studied his face and smiled lightly, her mind quieting, and her heart beating rapidly. ?Alright, I?ll give you a chance.?
He let go of her, and backed away a bit, then jumped off the bed and rushed around the room, laughing. She soon joined in his laughter, feeling more relieved than she?d felt in a long time. He soon realized that he looked like an idiot jumping around and whooping. He sat down next to her and took his face in her hands, kissing her passionately. ?Oh Jaina, you?ve made me happier than any man in the Universe. I?ll be good to you, I promise. I?ll stay away from the Darkside, I?ll do you right.?
?What is going on in here?? Jacen said, bursting into the room, surprised by the telepathic hoots coming from the room. Jaina quickly stood up and blushed a deep red.
?Jacen?? she blushed.
Kyp stood up and hugged Jacen warmly, laughing, then rushed over to stand beside Jaina. ?She?s going to give me a chance Jacen.? He grinned.
Jacen, surprised by the situation, smiled. ?Ummm?.okay. Jaina?? he asked without words.
?We?re bringing him back to the light side Jacen.? She tried to explain. He laughed.
?I?m just glad you two are happy.? He said, and threw Jaina a smile, then shut the door. Kyp laughed again and pulled Jaina into his arms, still overwhelmed with everything.
?Thank you for trusting me Jaina, thank you for believing in me, and thank you thank you thank you.? He said, kissing her.