Chapter Text
Broken Circle
The jungles of the moon of Yavin were hot and sticky, the humid air was repressing even to the hardiest of Jedi students and teachers. After nearly a three hour jog, Mara Jade-Skywalker was ready to call it a day. She entered the much cooler air of the stone temple, and then headed over to her two-year-old daughter, gathering her up into her arms and covering her with kisses as the girl giggled and squirmed. "Have you been a good girl, my little monster?" Mara asked, looking over at the Jedi student that had been caring for her daughter while she was out.
"She was very well behaved," the young Padawan answered Jade.
The little girl nodded earnestly in agreement. "See, momma? I made you a pitcher." She pointed to a flimsy covered in a mess of glue and colored bits of paper.
Mara picked it up and grinned. Her daughter loved to draw and create various works of 'art'. "Very good. We'll put it up on the wall, with all the others. In the meantime, I think you'd better clean up that big mess." She put her child down, watching as the little girl brushed up her table and carefully put the lids back on containers.
"She'll be old enough to start preliminary training soon," Luke said from behind his wife.
The red-head turned to face her husband. "Do you really think so?"
"Of course. The sooner the better." When he saw the hesitation in Mara's eyes, he frowned. "What's the matter? You don't agree?"
"No, I agree." She shook her head. "It's just that..."
"What?"
"Your niece and nephews are much older than our child. Don't you think you should start their training as well?"
Luke looked away, unable to meet his wife's eyes. "I know. I know."
"But you can't bring yourself to ask?"
"I can't take them away. They're all he has left."
Mara shut her eyes, sensing the familiar, intense grief that always swept through Luke whenever he thought about his sister. His feelings were so strong that sometimes it even overwhelmed Mara. She remembered seeing the holo-recordings of the dedication of the Kashyyyk Embassy, and the explosion that killed so many members of the New Republic Senate - as well as President Organa-Solo and Chewbacca, the heroic Wookiee that had been Luke's close friend. Han Solo had survived only because he was standing further back during the initial blast. Their three young children had been home with Leia's friend and aide, Winter, so they had been unharmed.
After Solo's lengthy recovery, and the many public memorials to the victims, Solo had taken his children and fled Coruscant, retreating with his guilt and his grief to an agricultural system in the Corporate Sector. There, he had purchased a small house with the compensation the New Republic offered him, and he had tried to create a new life for his children.
Luke and Mara had visited Han, Jacen, Jaina and Anakin several times during the past five years, but they had never lingered very long. Han had been polite, but very distant from Luke during those trips, and soon the Jedi had felt he was somehow interfering... and unwelcome.
"They're too strong in the Force to just ignore their training, Luke," Mara persisted gently.
"Last time we were there, I hinted at starting their training," Luke murmured softly. "I could sense Han's hostility, even though he tried to hide it. He just changed the subject." Luke sighed, and shook his head. "I can't push this. Try to understand."
"I do understand."
"I wish I did," Luke added sadly. "I should have sensed she was in danger..."
"Luke, you weren't even on Coruscant at the time," Mara shot back, growing weary of the same old argument. "You could not have known."
"She was my twin. I didn't even feel her death."
Mara opened her mouth to speak, and then quickly shut it. Again, it was more of the same. After five years, Mara had finally concluded that only Luke could come to terms with his sister's death, and in his own time.
Leia's body had never been found, not even a trace of material, blood or DNA. Everyone else on that platform had been accounted for, even Chewie's mangled and twisted body, and he had been standing next to the President during the explosion. Eyewitnesses had insisted that the Wookiee had seen the detonator before it went off, and had thrown the President off the platform. But the holo-recordings could not confirm this - they had only shown Chewbacca moving to intercept the bomb, and then chaos. The experts finally decided that Leia must have been standing directly on the bomb, and thus her body had been obliterated. If Luke had not felt her death, perhaps that was a mercy, for it could only mean she had died instantly, and not have felt any fear or pain.
"Momma..." Little Leia tugged at Mara's hand. "I'm done cleaning."
"Yes, you are, sweetheart." The ex-assassin bent over and embraced her child tightly. You could never tell when the moment you were living in would be your last.
Paricellan
Sitting nervously on a chair that was meant for a five-year old, Han looked over at the tall, thin teacher. She smiled briefly as she sat down at her desk. "I'm truly sorry, Captain," she began her prepared speech. "I realize raising three children all alone must be difficult. But Anakin is out of control in this classroom."
"What's he done now?" Han said, groaning inwardly. Of the three children, Anakin, now six, was the main mischief maker.
Jacen was exactly the opposite - he was so obedient, it sometimes worried Han. Perhaps the elder boy sensed how distraught his father had been after Leia's death, and had decided to become the model child for fear of losing his father. The twins were three years old when Leia died, and they remembered their mother, unlike Anakin, who'd only been a year old when the tragedy had occurred. And although Anakin was a handful, it was Jaina that worried Han the most. She missed her mother deeply, even more so than Jacen. Perhaps because she needed a woman in her life. Jaina's reaction to her mother's murder had been to withdraw from everyone in the beginning stages of her grief. Then she had turned to displays of anger and temper, getting in frequent fights with her brothers. Sometimes she even broke their toys out of revenge or spite. It worried Han to the point he had tried to take her to see a therapist, to no avail. The problems not only remained, they seemed to get worse with outside interference.
"The other children all love Anakin," Mrs. Starshine continued gently. "He's very popular with everyone in the class. Unfortunately, he's also disruptive. Today, for instance, he used his special... powers to levitate one of the boys to the ceiling."
Han sighed, and rubbed his tired eyes. He had tried, repeatedly, to lecture his children on never, ever using the Force. Not at home, and especially not in school. Apparently, his lecturing had fallen on three sets of very deaf ears. He knew his children used their powers behind his back at home, but using them in public was a far greater offense. "Did he say why he did it?"
"The boy was teasing one of the little girls in the classroom. I believe Anakin likes her."
That comment made Han open his eyes wide and stare at the older woman in disbelief. "He's six. He can't be thinking about girls!"
Mrs. Starshine gave a wan smile. "You'd be surprised, Captain."
"I'll talk to him - again."
"That would be a good start."
"A start? What else do you want me to do?" Han's voice rose in panic. "You can't be thinking of kicking him out of school!"
"Of course not. I just think, perhaps, that all three of your children would benefit from special schooling. One that helps them not only with basic learning skills, but teaches them about their powers. Doesn't your brother-in-law have something like that?"
Han stood up quickly, sending the tiny chair skidding out from behind his feet. "I'm not sending my children away," he snarled at the teacher. "If you can't handle Anakin, maybe the problem is with you. Did you ever think about that? Maybe I should complain about you, to your supervisor."
"I don't think the problem lies with me, Captain," she replied calmly. "I know Mr. Tracely is having difficulties with Jaina in his classroom."
"He's never said anything to me!"
"Mr. Tracely has been trying to deal with Jaina's problems on his own."
"What problems?"
Mrs. Starshine hesitated. "She's violent toward the other children. And she steals."
"Steals?!"
"Yes, I'm sorry to report this to you, but it's true. And if she's caught, she breaks into tears and makes promises that she won't do it again. Only, she does."
Shocked, Han wandered over to the large window, and looked out at the children playing in the grass. It was far from the first time since Leia's death that he felt overwhelmed by being a single father. He thought about Luke, whom he hadn't seen in over six months. My fault... again. Han knew he'd deliberately pushed his friend away after Leia and Chewie's deaths.
Han had told himself it was too painful to see Luke, and that he was nothing more than a reminder of what he'd lost. But that wasn't exactly true. The children were a daily reminder of Leia, and yet Han had not been able to let them out of his sight. When the time came, even leaving them at school had taken all his willpower. No... Luke was a different problem. He was a reminder of how much Han lacked as the father to three Force-strong children. If Luke took them away, he'd lose his children forever. They would see what a useless man their father was, and how much better at everything Luke was. Luke would take his place as their father, and Han would be left with no one. Luke was a Jedi Master - someone Han couldn't compete with, even on his best days. And since Leia died, his 'best' days were behind him, and only the thought of his children forced him out of bed in the morning.
"I'm sorry," he whispered aloud. "I'll talk to Jaina, too." He could see Mrs. Starshine's reflection in the window, her face sympathetic. Han Solo hated sympathy.
Anakin looked worriedly at the sturdy school building. "Do you think I'm in trouble?"
Jaina giggled, and gave her little brother a shove. "Of course you are. Dad's gonna be so mad at you for levitating that boy!" She looked down at Jacen, who was poking a beetle with a stick. "Don't you think Anakin's in big trouble?"
"I dunno," Jacen replied with a shrug. He tried to stay out of these fights, since he had enough of his own problems with Jaina.
"What do you think Dad'll do to me?" Anakin asked his sister.
"Probably feed you bugs for dinner... Jacen's bugs!"
Jacen looked up sharply, not even noticing Anakin's lower lip begin to tremble in fear. "He will not!"
"Yes, he will! Bug stew for a week! That's what'll happen when you get home, little brother."
"Dad will not kill my bugs!" Jacen cried out, clambering to his feet. "I won't let him."
"Like you'll have any choice," Jaina said with a smirk. Anakin started crying, and Jaina turned her teasing up a notch. "Then he'll make you drink mud water, to wash those bugs down. Bugs and mud go together, you know."
"I don't want to eat bugs!"
"Kids!" Han's voice called out as he approached them in long strides. "Time to go home."
"Dad, Jaina says you're gonna make me eat bugs."
Han sighed and looked over at his daughter, who had the grace to look slightly embarrassed. "Why would you tell Anakin that?"
"Cuz he's in trouble?"
"So are you, young lady, and I think you know why."
Young lady. Dad never called her that unless he was angry. "I didn't do anything," Jaina protested, deciding to take the offensive. "It wasn't my teacher that made you come all the way down to the school."
"We're not discussing this now, Jaina. But we're all having a nice long chat as soon as we get home."
"All?" Jacen protested. "I didn't do anything! Really!"
Han put his hand on Jacen's shoulder. "Not you, kiddo. You're not my problem." He herded his children toward the hovercraft, wondering how in the galaxy he was going to make them behave. Although he didn't have the Force abilities of his children, Han knew he hadn't been exactly a role model for good behavior as a boy. But his childhood was far different than his own children's, so they could hardly be compared. Han knew he'd spent the past five years desperately trying to make up for the loss of their mother, and to give his children the love and stability he'd never had. He still felt like a complete failure.
No one noticed the silent, ghostly apparition standing in the trees at the edge of the playground, watching the family as they headed to the vehicle.
Over the green and blue system of Paricellan, the agricultural world Han had chosen as his new home, Luke adjusted the controls of his wife's ship, the Jade's Fire. He looked over at Mara, busy at her own controls. "We've been given landing clearance," Luke informed her.
"Good." She turned and smiled. "In a few hours, we'll be seeing your family. I know you've missed them."
"They're your family, too," Luke pointed out.
"True," she said, nodding in agreement.
Luke turned to her. "I still can't push this, Mara."
"Luke, be reasonable. They need training. You know they need training. You have to push this, or we could all be sorry years down the road." When Luke turned his attention back to the approaching system without speaking, Mara continued, more gently. "I'm not suggesting you try to take them away. Maybe we could just start their training right here for a few weeks, and once Han sees how well it's going, we'll move them to Yavin. All of them, including Han."
"He would feel uncomfortable on Yavin," Luke replied quietly.
"Why? Because he's not a Jedi? That's stupid, Luke. He's part of this family, and I just don't see what possible difference it makes if he's the only non-Jedi on Yavin. It's not like anyone is going to tease him about it. It doesn't matter."
"No, not to us, it doesn't. You just don't know Han like I do. He'll think I'm replacing him as his children's father."
Mara felt like pounding the control panel, but wisely refrained. "You're their uncle! Han will still be their father."
"I know that."
"You need to reassure him you won't undermine his authority," Mara said firmly. "Tell him that nothing will be done without his approval, that you'll back him up when he needs to discipline his kids, and not make different suggestions. At least not in front of the children."
Luke sighed. He felt like he was in a losing situation from all fronts. "I'll try, Mara."
She smiled. "There is no try, Skywalker."
It had been a long evening, with many tears and promises to behave. Han wished he could believe them; after all, they were his kids, and a father should believe his own kids. When he considered it, maybe the problem was that they were his kids - as much Solo as Skywalker. Not exactly the best combination for obedient and polite behavior.
He put the last of the supper dishes in the recycler, then wiped down the tabletop. Although it was still early, Han was bone-tired. He turned to head to his own bedroom, and stopped short, deciding to watch the evening holo-news instead. He sank down into the sofa, and flipped on the unit, watching in boredom as the local newscast discussed recent weather and crop forecasts. Then another man discussed local school sports teams, a cause of great pride in this small town. It could have been last year's news for all the interest it held for Han.
His mind wandered to the past, and he realized, with deep regret, that he missed having adult friendships. Here, miles away from the nearest neighbor, he was isolated and alone with his children. At least the kids got out on a daily basis and interacted with other people. Han was totally alone, and lonely. And it was all of his own making. He could have chosen to remain on Coruscant, and continued to make a contribution to the government that Leia founded and was so proud of. She would have wanted that. And Chewie would be furious that Han had pushed away all his friends and family.
The highlights of Han's days were shopping for food and helping his kids with their homework. He'd considered hiring a sitter and going out to the local sporting events and concerts in an attempt to make a friendship. After five years, he even started to look at other women, and they had looked back. But something always held him back from asking for a date. Jaina would feel betrayed... Anakin had a part in a school play ... Jacen needed help with a science project. It was always something.
"Dad?"
Han jerked awake, rubbing his stiff neck. He'd fallen asleep watching the holo-news, and not for the first time. "What are you doing up so late, Anakin?"
"I'm thirsty... I need a drink."
"Alright," Han said, dragging himself off the sofa. "Come on, squirt."
Anakin followed his father into the kitchen, watching as Han poured him a glass of water. "Dad?"
"Yeah?"
"Grampa asked me to tell you something."
"Grampa?"
"Yeah, I see Grampa Skywalker sometimes. But this is the first time he's talked to me."
Grampa Skywalker? Han felt his heart drop. "What does this person look like?"
"Just an old guy. Tall and shiny. He's nice."
Nice. Oh, sure. "Shiny?"
"You know... shiny. Like Uncle Luke when he calls on the holocom."
"What did he want you to tell me?"
"That Uncle Luke was coming," Anakin said, breaking into a grin. "And that you're supposed to listen to him and not be stubborn."
Han gave a grunt and shook his head. If someone had to come back from the grave and give him orders, why couldn't it be Leia or Chewie? No, only Han's family was lucky enough to get otherworldly visits from reformed Sith Lords.
The sound of his kids tearing around the living room woke him up. Instantly, he remembered the conversation with Anakin about his grandfather.
The door buzzer sounded, and Han quickly sat up, wondering who was visiting so early. "Don't answer that..." Han yelled out to his kids, trying to remind them of yet another rule: Always let Dad answer the door.
"Uncle Luke! Aunt Mara!" Jaina's excited cries carried into Han's bedroom as he reached for his robe. So much for that rule. Didn't they ever listen to anything he said?
Han stumbled out of his room, rubbing his eyes. So it was Luke after all. Unable to help himself Han glanced around, looking for the ghost of Anakin Skywalker. Nothing was there, of course, and Han felt a sense of the absurd. Maybe Anakin had been dreaming, and Luke being here was just a coincidence.
"I was right, Dad!" Anakin yelled out. "Uncle Luke, Aunt Mara and cousin Leia did come."
Again, the pang at even the mention of her name. "I see," Han replied carefully, looking at the little girl in Luke's arms, struggling to get down and play with her older cousins. With reddish-blonde hair and blue eyes, she didn't resemble his Leia in the slightest, but Han still found himself wishing Luke would have chosen a different name for his first-born.
"Sorry for coming over so early," Luke said cautiously. "We actually got here late last night, but it was so late."
"We didn't want to wake the kids and get them all wound up," Mara continued hurriedly. "So, anyway, here we are. Surprised?"
"Not really."
"No?" Luke asked, raising his eyebrows. "Don't tell me you're getting 'feelings', too."
Han forced himself to smile. "No, I'm not."
"I told him you were coming!" Anakin said proudly.
"How would you know?" Jaina shot back to her little brother.
Anakin opened his mouth and was about to argue, when Han interrupted. "Go get ready for breakfast, kids." He turned to Luke. "Have you had breakfast, yet? I've gotta make the kids some, and they've got to get ready for school."
"Awwww, dad!" Jacen protested. "Uncle Luke's here! Do we have to go today?"
"It's just one day," Jaina added. "We hardly ever miss. Please?"
"Yes, you are going to school," Han said firmly, shaking his head. Just what he needed, more disruptions in his life.
"Listen," Mara said, smiling down at the eager children. "I promise we'll be here when you get home, and we adults have some important things to discuss today. School is too important to miss." She looked at Han. "I'll get them ready while you and Luke make breakfast. How does that sound?"
Han's eyes narrowed suspiciously at the over-friendly attitude of his sister-in-law. Something was up, and it wasn't like her to be so maternal, especially with his kids. Han turned his attention to Luke as they walked to the kitchen. "Something to discuss, huh? This sounds like something I'm not gonna like."
Remembering his son's words from his grandfather,"you're supposed to listen to him and not be stubborn", Han decided he would be damned if he'd listen to the advice of the ghost of Darth Vader.
Sitting at the breakfast table, Luke looked fondly at his niece and nephews as they finished up their food. "So, what have you kids been up to lately?"
"Anakin got in big trouble yesterday," Jaina replied, stuffing a big piece of bread in her mouth.
"You did too!" Anakin yelled back.
"No shouting at the table," Han said sternly as he poured Jacen a second glass of milk. "And don't talk with your mouth full, Jaina."
Mara shot Luke a concerned look across the table. "What kind of trouble?"
"It was nothing," Han replied shortly, wanting to change the subject.
"He levitated a boy all the way to the ceiling," Jaina answered, giggling.
"Really?" Mara asked, raising an eyebrow. "And how did you figure out how to do that?"
"I'm smart," Anakin replied proudly.
"That wasn't smart... that was stupid!" Jaina said smugly.
"Dad! Jaina called me stupid!"
"Your brother isn't stupid," Luke told his niece gently, jumping slightly as Han slammed the milk container down hard enough to slosh the liquid over the top.
Glaring at Luke, Han addressed his children, "Get your books and coats. I'm taking you to school. Now."
For a change the children obeyed without protesting, perhaps sensing their father's growing anger. "I can take them, Han," Mara volunteered. "Luke would like to talk to you."
Han turned his focus to Mara, speaking slowly, "I can take my own kids to school. I manage to do it every morning. Without assistance."
"Han, please," Luke said softly. "Mara only wants to help out."
"I don't need help." He turned and headed out the front door, his three children following quietly behind.
After the door shut, Mara turned to her husband. "That went well."
When Han returned, the house was very quiet. Luke was sitting on the sofa in the living area, watching a holo-show with the sound turned off. "Are you practicing lip reading?" Han muttered as he tossed his jacket aside.
Luke flicked off the unit. "No. I'm waiting for you."
"Where are Mara and... your daughter?"
"Her name's Leia," Luke said, standing up and facing his brother-in-law. "You never call her by her name."
"She sure has gotten big since the last time I saw her."
"Don't change the subject. You're good at that."
"At least you think I'm good at something."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Luke asked, keeping his voice even.
"You want to take my kids away from me. You think I'm a lousy father. Admit it."
Luke shook his head. "No, Han. I don't think you're a lousy father. You're raising the children to the best of your abilities, under very difficult circumstances." More difficult than they'd have to be, Luke thought, but didn't say.
"The best of my abilities," Han repeated. "I'm sure you don't think much of those abilities."
"I didn't say that. Don't put words in my mouth."
"Why are you here?" Han snapped. "Mara said you wanted to discuss something with me."
"Actually," Mara responded from the doorway, returning from a short walk outside with Leia. "We do have something important to discuss with you." She entered the room, placing her daughter on the floor. It looked fairly clean, considering that three children ran in and out constantly, and there were few hazards in the room. Mara had noted how spartan Han had kept the house. No knickknacks or vases or books. No pictures on the walls. Just the bare essentials. Only the children's rooms had any personality, with the boys' room divided into two sections - a very neat, orderly half that was Jacen's, and a messy half that belonged to Anakin. A strip of white tape dissected the very center of the room. Apparently, it represented an invisible wall, and Anakin had informed Mara he wasn't allowed to cross over into Jacen's side, except to exit the door. Jaina had her own room, and it was filled with holos of starships and galaxies yet to be visited. She desperately wanted to become a pilot, just like her father.
"So, let's discuss it," Han said tightly, his fists clenched at his sides.
Luke took a deep breath. "Your kids are very Force-strong, Han. Whether you want it or not, they are. They need to be properly trained to handle those skills."
"Anakin can't be allowed to levitate kids to the ceiling," Mara added.
"Don't you think I know that?" Han shouted, making Leia whimper and move closer to her mother's side. He lowered his voice. "I lectured them last night."
"What, exactly, did Jaina do?" Mara questioned.
Han struggled with his anger, and his embarrassment over Jaina's problems. "I handled it, okay? They're my kids, not yours."
"Han," Luke tried again, "We know they're your kids. But they need special training that regular schools can't offer. Mara and I can train them in the ways of the Force, and we have tutors for learning other subjects on Yav-"
"NO!" The little girl started crying, and Mara picked her up, trying to calm her. Ignoring them, Han continued, "You're not taking my kids to Yavin!"
"You're being unreasonable," Mara said, sighing.
"Unreasonable?" Han could barely contain his rage. "You want to take my kids... the only thing I have left in this galaxy... away from me, and I'm being unreasonable? Would you like it if I came flying over to Yavin and told you that you're not raising Le... your daughter the way I see fit? And told you I wanted to take her to Paricellan?"
"That's not what we're suggesting..."
"It sure as hell is!"
"This is stupid, Solo," Mara snapped. "Would you let us finish?"
"You're finished!" he roared. "Get outta my house, and stay away from my family! I don't need you, and my kids sure as kriff don't need you!"
"Han..." Luke pleaded, not wanting to leave, especially with the situation worse now than ever.
"Go! I told you - " The holocom unit sounded, and Han's eyes flicked over to the unit - it was the school calling. He hit the 'on' button, and snapped into the speaker, "Yes?"
"Captain Solo? This is Superintendent Juzuu. Can you come to the school immediately? There's been an accident."
Han felt lightheaded as he stared at the holocom. "Accident? Are they hurt? What's the matter?"
"No one is hurt, Captain, but I'd really rather discuss this with you face to face," the Superintendent replied curtly.
"I'm on my way," Han said, cutting the connection. He felt Luke put a hand on his shoulder.
"I can tell through the Force that they're not injured," Luke said gently. "Will you let me drive you there? I'll stay out of the way, I promise."
"Sure," Han mumbled distractedly. He headed for the door, muttering to himself aloud, "How could they have gotten into trouble so fast? I just left them twenty minutes ago."
Mara watched Han leave the house. "I think maybe the Force is giving us one last chance to convince him. Goddess, that man is stubborn."
Luke laughed, and kissed his wife and daughter. "Han's the only person I've ever been tempted to use a little Force-choke hold on." When he saw Mara's look of mock horror, he grinned. "But only hard enough to shut him up so he listens to me - not cut off his oxygen." When she put her hands on her hips and glared, Luke held up both his hands. "I'm teasing!"
Mara gave her husband a swat on his rear. "You'd better hurry, or he'll leave without you."
While Luke drove, Han stewed in silence. The Jedi Master decided it would be a good idea to allow his brother-in-law a chance to cool down before trying to broach the subject of training the children again.
At the school, Han jumped out of the land speeder before Luke had a chance to cut off the engine. Quickly, he followed Han, determined to only be an observer during these proceedings. Luke noted the entire school was empty; the children were all outside, playing in the open field as teachers stood around watching. The door to the school stood wide open, and Han came to an abrupt halt at the entrance. Luke peered past Han into the hallway, noting the dripping ceiling and the hallways covered in white foam that ran down the sides, forming puddles on the drenched floor.
"As Threepio would say," Luke whispered in awe. "Oh, dear me."
"You don't think..." Han trailed off, sounding horrified.
"Do you know where the office is located?"
Han turned to Luke and gave a snort. "I've probably worn a track in the carpet, I've been there so many times."
"Oh. I see."
They carefully made their way down the hallway and turned to the right, their boots making a loud squishing sound with each step. Anakin sat outside the Superintendent's office, swinging his legs back and forth as he kicked at the foamy puddles by his feet. He looked up at the approaching pair. "I didn't do it this time, dad," he informed his father quickly. "Jaina and Jacen are in the office with Mr. Juzuu."
Sighing, Han pressed the open button on the door. "It doesn't work anymore," Anakin supplied helpfully. "I think it shorted out. You have to push it real hard to make it open."
Han pushed, and the door reluctantly slid open, revealing three soaking wet people - Jacen, Jaina and Mr. Juzuu. Luke saw the Superintendent was a tall, thin man with a balding pate. His normally pale face was flushed, and he was radiating annoyance.
"Come on in, Captain Solo. Please, have a seat if you don't mind a wet backside." Mr. Juzuu motioned to a couple of dripping chairs - neither Han nor Luke made an effort to use them.
Jaina giggled at that comment, and Han cut her off with a glare. "What happened?"
"Perhaps I should let your children explain." The man looked sternly at Jacen. "Why don't you tell your father exactly what happened, Jacen?"
"J..Jacen?" Han stuttered out. Jacen had never, ever caused him problems.
"It's not my fault!" Jacen cried out, trying to keep the tears from falling.
Luke laughed, and quickly coughed to cover it up. "Sorry," he muttered under his breath. "That just sounded so... familiar."
"Who, may I ask, is this?" Mr. Juzuu asked, narrowing his already tiny eyes at the Jedi.
"This is Luke Skywalker, my brother-in-law," Han said by way of introduction, unable to tear his astounded gaze away from his son.
"Ah," the man nodded eagerly. "The Jedi. Good. Good. I'm glad you're here."
"Jacen," Han said firmly. "What happened here?"
"Well we have science first thing in the morning and the teacher took this big box out and when he took the lid off there were all these spiders in the case and he said we were going to look at these spiders through a microscope so I just had to do something." Jacen stopped and took a quick gulp of air.
"I don't understand," Han said dully.
"Dad! He was gonna KILL them! Every one of them! Just so we could look at them though the microscope! I couldn't, just COULDN'T let him kill them!"
Knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt he didn't want to hear this, he asked, "So...what did you do?"
"I used the Force... and I pushed the box over and then all the spiders ran out and then all the kids in class started screaming and trying to crawl on top of desks so the spiders wouldn't crawl on them and then Mr. Tracely tried to stomp on the spiders so I started to pick them up so he wouldn't stomp on them... and then..."
"And then?"
"And then the fire sprinklers all came on, but I didn't do that! I swear it!"
Han turned his attention to his very quiet daughter, who was in the same classroom as Jacen. "Jaina. What do you know about the fire sprinklers?" The girl squirmed in her wet clothes, looking down at the floor. "Jaina!" Han said, trying his best not to yell.
"I might have had something to do about that..." she said very quietly.
"Might have? Could you elaborate?"
"Well, the teacher once said the sprinklers would come on if they sensed heat, and I always wanted to see that happen..."
"So ... WHAT DID YOU DO?" Han yelled, unable to prevent the raising of his voice.
"I used the Force to create just a little bit of heat against the sensor," she replied, looking up with pleading eyes. "I didn't think all that would happen!" She waved her hand out toward the hallway, which now resembled a shallow, polluted stream.
Luke could no longer restrain himself, and he gave a loud snort of laughter.
"I don't see the humor here, Jedi Master Skywalker," Mr. Juzuu said dryly. He looked at Han. "I'm sorry, Captain, but this is the last straw. Your children have been nothing but a disruption in this school since the day they started. It's going to cost a small fortune to clean up this mess, but that won't be your concern. I'm expelling your children. Permanently. Find them a new school."
"You can't be serious!" Han protested. "I'll pay for the damages!"
"I'm very, very serious. Have a good day, sir." Standing up, the Superintendent stalked out of his dripping office, making loud splashes as he left.
Hapes
The Hapan zookeeper looked nervously at the exotic animal. The ysalamir in the cage was sluggish, and it was losing its gray fur. The keeper was certain he'd done everything right. The tree the strange beast lived upon had been uprooted and brought to Hapes, at great expense, along with the animal. The animal should be happy. It should live just fine, as long as it had its tree.
If the creature died, it was very likely the zookeeper would lose more than just his job.
Mara settled Leia into her bedroll, and looked over at Luke, who was staring out of the window at the night sky. Her thoughts turned to Han, who had been very subdued the entire day - he had not yelled at his children or demanded that Luke and Mara leave. Instead, he'd told them to use his bedroom, and that he'd sleep on the sofa. Neither Luke nor Mara had brought up the subject of Jedi training, and the day had passed in tense silence, since the children had been banished to their rooms - even Anakin, who'd protested it was unfair since he'd done nothing wrong on this particular day.
"The outside shed needs cleaning," Han had informed his youngest. "If you don't want to spend the day in your bedroom, you can do that instead."
Anakin had retreated to his room to play holo-games.
Mara stepped up behind her husband, putting her arm around his waist. "A credit for your thoughts?"
"I'm thinking how wrong this all seems. I want everyone together, Mara, not scattered across the galaxy. Things just feel... so broken since Leia died."
"She left a big, missing piece in the center of this family," Mara agreed. "I don't think Han has finished grieving for her, even after five years. Maybe he never will stop grieving, and I don't think Leia would want that. Endless grief is just as mentally and physically harmful as deep hatred."
"He lost two people he loved that day," Luke replied somberly. "His soulmate, and his loyal friend." Although Luke had lost his sister, he had not pushed his friends away after Leia's death. In fact, in the aftermath of her death, Mara had drawn closer to him, and they had finally admitted their love for one another during those trying times. Luke and Mara had married two years after Leia's passing. Han had declined to attend their wedding, much to Luke's dismay. Frustrated, he turned his face to Mara. "Why can't he accept our help?"
"He's afraid, Luke. He loves his children and he's holding onto them for dear life. He thinks we want to take away his last link to Leia."
"He has no idea how wrong he is," Luke said quietly. "He needs to see we want him inside of our family circle, not standing outside, looking in."
"Tell him that."
Han wasn't in the living area, but Luke had no trouble locating his presence. The old house had a wide porch, but since it lacked outside furniture, Han was sitting on the lower step, his elbows on his knees and his face buried in his hands. Carefully, but not too quietly, Luke sat down next to his long-time friend. Han straightened his shoulders and lowered his arms, staring out at the inky blackness of the night.
For a long while, neither man spoke. Finally Han said, "I thought I could handle it, Luke. I thought I could be a good father, but you and Mara are right. I guess I really am a bad father, and the thing is, I've tried to do what's right. I love my kids, I try to be fair and teach them right from wrong. But whatever I'm doing, I'm not doing it right." He spoke quietly, his voice emotionless, but Luke could feel the grief, defeat and self-recrimination in Han's senses. Luke remained quiet, allowing his friend to vent his feelings. "That school was the only one in the area, and unless you take them to Yavin, I'll have to sell the house and move, anyway." Han's voice choked up, and he was glad it was dark enough that Luke couldn't see his trembling hands or his flushed face. "You and Mara just take them, and I won't interfere with their Jedi training. I'd like to be able to visit them, sometimes, if it wouldn't cause you too much trouble."
Luke swallowed the lump in his tight throat before answering. "I'd be honored if you'd trust me and Mara to train your kids, but only on one condition."
"Condition? I suppose you don't want me to visit them, either," he said flatly.
"No, that's not it," Luke replied, trying to understand how his friend could feel so alienated from the very people that cared about him. "The condition is that you move to Yavin with your family. I want to train them, not raise them."
"But -"
"No buts. Being a father doesn't come with some magical instruction manual, and being a parent isn't easy - it's darn hard work. No one is a perfect parent, and I make my share of mistakes. I have one kid, and she's got two parents, but do you think Leia is perfect? That she never gets into trouble, or always listens to everything we tell her? Not a chance. I swear she loves to disobey just to get a reaction out of us. But she's happy and healthy, and she loves us. She's a good kid, even if she gives us gray hair and wrinkles. Those are my standards for being a good parent, Han. From where I'm sitting, I can see your kids are happy, healthy, kindhearted kids that know the difference between right and wrong, even if they test the limits you set for them, even when they cross the line and do things they know are wrong. That's what kids do, that's how they learn and grow. As adults, it's our duty to learn and grow with them. And I can clearly see that your kids love you. So, in my humble farmboy opinion, you're a good father. I'm not about to take your kids away from you and raise them. Raising them is your job, a job you started nine years ago, and one you'd better plan on finishing, because I'm not letting you off that easily."
Han turned and looked at Luke. "Nine years? The twins are only eight."
"The responsibilities start nine months before they actually enter the world, Han. When you make the decision to become a parent, you make a decision that affects the rest of your life. When you're dancing at their weddings, your job as a parent still won't be over. It never ends, until the day you die."
"I miss her, Luke," Han whispered, shutting his eyes against the ache in his heart. "Every day, every night. Every single minute. I miss her, and I miss Chewie, too."
"So do I," Luke agreed sadly. After a moment, he continued, "Do you agree to my condition? You'll move to Yavin?"
"I'll be in the way."
Luke gave a sigh of exasperation. "No, you won't be in the way. I'll make sure you have enough space for you and your family. You'll be doing exactly the same thing on Yavin that you do here, except maybe one thing extra."
"Extra? What's that?"
"We need supplies brought in to Yavin all the time, and I have to pay independent shippers a lot of credits to make those runs. If Mara or I would make all those runs, we'd be gone far too often, and none of my students have a fast freighter like the Falcon. I'd like you to make those supply runs. We have a lot of good pilots that will take turns co-piloting for you, and sometimes even I'll co-pilot for you. There are plenty of responsible Jedi on Yavin to watch the kids if we're both gone at the same time. How about it? Will you do that?"
"Are you really sure you want me on Yavin? I can be a real pain in the backside."
"A pain in the backside is an understatement, Han," Luke said with a grin. "Mara and I will be willing to lend a hand, pass on Jedi skills and teach Force control to your kids, but teaching them to be a pain in everyone's backside is your special gift to the galaxy."
They laughed, stood up and headed inside. Stopping at the door, Han turned around and looked out into the darkness one more time. "If you're listening, I'll have you know I'm not doing this because you told me to. Got that?" Han entered the house and shut the door.
The unseen, ethereal form of Anakin Skywalker smiled at his stubborn son-in-law. One problem down, one to go.
Hapes
Endless pain. Darkness. Cold. Luke, can you hear me? Never an answer. Only silence. Maddening silence. And a complete loss of Force feelings. Why had the Force deserted her?
Memories. Soft, milk-sweetened little kisses. The fuzz of baby hair. Longing. The gentle swell of her belly as she ran her hands over her stomach, sensing little minds, feeling little kicks. My babies. I want my babies. But only hardness filled her aching arms, not the softness of her babies. She wanted to scream in frustration, but nothing came out. No sound at all.
Memories. Hazel eyes, a gentle, deep laugh. That lopsided grin. Forever gone. Gone because of the noise of an explosion, the flash of heat, the roar of a Wookiee, all happening at once. The gentle caress, the shiver of pleasure at his sensual kisses. All gone. Han, I love you. No one was there to answer 'I know'. She wanted to sob, but no tears would come.
Yavin, three months later.
"Dad!" Anakin's excited voice called out through the apartment the family now called home.
Made up of five spacious rooms inside a secondary temple, the apartment walls were made from blocks of stone, cut and placed eons ago by the ancient race that built the many temples that sat clustered together in this vast jungle. Durasteel screens in the tall windows kept out the insects and allowed the filtered green-hued light into the rooms.
Luke and Mara had helped Han moved his furniture from his house on Paricellan, and everything was placed inside their new home. A local agent had been contracted to sell the farm house, and forward the proceeds when the sale was made. The only part about the new living arrangements that Han didn't care for was the lack of live holo-entertainment shows, especially sporting events. Somehow, watching a holo-recording of the event after the fact lost the excitement, since the odds were you'd already heard the outcome. Still, having actual adult contact made up for the missing holo-shows, and both the students and Jedi teachers treated Han as an equal - living up to Luke's promise that he wouldn't feel out of place.
The Corellian stepped out of his bedroom, and watched as his three children and Leia tore into the room. "You four are sure wound up." He looked over at Luke and Mara, who followed the children into the room. "What's goin' on?"
"We get to start using real lightsabers tomorrow!" the youngest replied, barely able to contain his joy.
"I love practicing the Force!" Jaina chimed in. "It's so much more fun than those boring regular lessons."
"In the first place, those boring lessons will come in real handy when you need to calculate a jump to lightspeed, or need to figure out a directional holo in a strange city," Han said, mildly chastising his daughter. "In the second place," he continued, looking worriedly at Luke. "REAL lightsabers? Already?"
"Daddy won't let me," Leia pouted, sticking out her lower lip, and looking accusingly at her traitorous father.
Luke laughed at both his daughter and his brother-in-law. "Those sabers will have safety settings, Han. They might leave a slight burn if they touch skin, but they don't have the power to cut off arms or heads. You worry too much."
"Yeah? I notice Leia won't be using one."
"She's only two!" Mara protested, trying to keep a straight face. At least Han had started calling their daughter by her name. It was just another small step toward his recovery. She sniffed the air. "I smell something good. Did you make enough for all of us?"
"Of course I did," Han returned with a wink. "But you gotta wash the dishes." He knew Mara could cook just fine ... but why bother when he already had plenty of food prepared for the entire family? It was very little extra effort to cook for three more people, and cooking dinner made Han feel like he was making a small contribution to the daily cycle. He was aware that the trips to pick up supplies were useful, and he finally was starting to enjoy flying again after years of avoiding the memories that always came when he entered the Falcon.
"Wash the dishes? That's why we have Threepio," Luke said, grinning. It had been fun to watch Han try to avoid the protocol droid since arriving on Yavin, so Luke went out of his way to send Threepio to find Han and relay messages during the day, rather than simply using the comlink. The Jedi Master sometimes wondered if he should feel guilty about being so sneaky and trying to get a rise out of Han, but it was too much fun to stop.
"Threepio sure does complain alot," Anakin said thoughtfully. "He says Yavin is too wet, and he keeps having to clean the rust out of his joints."
"I remember Tatooine was too sandy and dry for him," Luke reminisced.
"If Goldenrod didn't find something to complain about, he'd worry that everything was going too good and pop a circuit," Han the family sat down to their evening meal, Han felt a sense of peace settle over him for the first time in years. The bitter ache in his heart was slowing fading, and he could finally see there was a possibility for happiness in his future. He could think about Leia and Chewie without quite as much pain, and remember the past joy and good times.
Oddly, though, his dreams of her had become more frequent and vivid since moving to Yavin, but Han just put that down as a result of his renewed ties to his extended family and living on Yavin. He would have discussed this matter with his friend except for the fact that the dreams were rather erotic in nature. He knew that Luke would ask what the dreams were about, and Han just couldn't see himself describing that to Luke.
So it was left unsaid, and Han had no idea that Luke was having unsettling dreams about Leia, too. Dreams about her calling to him, asking for help. Since Luke couldn't help someone that had passed to the other side, he didn't say anything to Han for fear of upsetting his friend.
The three children discussed their intensifying dreams of their mother only with each other. They found it amazing how similar the dreams were - their mother whispering how much she loved them, giving them soft kisses on their forehead, stroking their hair. It was almost like she hadn't left them at all.
Hapes
The zookeeper knew he was doomed. The ysalamir was skin and bones, its eyes closed and runny. He'd done everything he could to keep the odd creature alive. An I.V. dripped nutrient fluids into its veins. It wasn't working - the creature would be dead in a few hours, and unless he left Hapes, and very quickly, he'd be dead, too.
Gathering up his courage, the zookeeper looked up at the terrible, living statue one last time and trembled in fear. Once beautiful and intelligent, the former President of the New Republic had been reduced to this, a gruesome monstrosity - a frozen, screaming, clawing image embeddded in carbonite. The cause of all of his nightmares. The cause of the ghost that wouldn't leave him in peace, even when he was awake. Only the zookeeper and a few very well paid guards knew what was hidden in this secure chamber. And, of course, the evil woman that had arranged, at such great expense and planning, this terrible revenge.
She was insane. Completely, utterly insane. Oh, it had been gradual, this slide to insanity. As the former ruler of the Hapes Consortium, Ta'a Chume could still appear to be in full control when she needed to be, when it was necessary. The zookeeper had often thought it was a very lucky thing that Ta'a Chume was not Force-strong. She would have made Palpatine appear normal. All because she hated the New Republic and the loss of her status. After all, it had been Leia Organa, acting as an Ambassador, that had first approached the Queen Mother about forming an alliance with the New Republic. Therefore, it was Organa's fault that her son married that uneducated, uncouth, savage who now ruled in her place. It was Organa's fault that Hapes was no longer independent. It was Organa's fault that Ta'a Chume was no longer Queen Mother.
It was all Leia Organa's fault, and Leia Organa was paying the price.
Hapes
Sometime around mid-afternoon, when the golden rays of the Hapan sun were just starting to slant through the leafy trees, the ysalamir breathed its last. By that time, the zookeeper was already on his small ship, setting his course for the relative safety of the New Republic. Only where to go? Who had the power to keep him safe from the wrath of one of the most powerful women in the galaxy? He looked nervously over his shoulder, hoping his ghost would stay behind, and not follow along.
Yavin, shortly after midnight, but during mid-afternoon Hapan time.
/LUKE! HEAR ME! HELP ME!/ The Jedi's eyes snapped open. /LUKE! PLEASE!/
Reaching out with the Force, Luke pushed his Force-sense outward. And for the first time in five long years, he felt his sister's living presence. "Mara," Luke shook his wife's shoulder. "Wake up!"
"Hmm? Luke?" She turned sleepy eyes toward him. "What's wrong?"
"Leia."
Mara sat up, her heart suddenly in her throat. Quickly she reached out mentally, sensing her daughter's warm Force-sense sleeping nearby. "Leia?"
"No," Luke replied joyfully, while belatedly realizing he'd frightened Mara. "My sister, Leia. She's alive."
"They're awake," Mara said as they approached the Solo apartment. "The children are upset." Little Leia was in Luke's arms, clinging to her father tightly, sensing the sudden tension in the air.
Mara pressed the buzzer, and a tired, very upset Han Solo answered the door instantly. "What's going on?" he asked in a low voice, his face tight. "All three of my kids woke up at the same time, screaming from some nightmare. I keep asking them what's wrong, and all they can do is cry and say they want their mommy." Han motioned them inside, and shut the door. "I tried to calm them down, but..." Han's voice choked up. "They keep asking for her. The twins haven't done that for four years now, and Anakin hardly ever did. I don't understand..."
Luke and Mara looked at each other with concern. "I'll stay with the children," Mara said, taking Leia from Luke. "You go talk to Han."
"Let's go in your room," Luke suggested, nodding toward Han's bedroom.
"Kid, I'm gettin' real nervous here," Han muttered as Luke took him by his arm and led him into his room, away from the children. "What's happening?"
Once they were alone, Luke looked over at his friend. "I don't know how to tell you this - "
"Just say it! Draggin' it out is killing me!"
"Leia's alive."
The color drained from Han's face, and he staggered slightly. Quickly Luke grabbed him and pushed him toward a chair. "Sit," he ordered. Han sat, too stunned to speak or even think about arguing.
"H...how?" Han looked up, confusion gripping his mind. "Where is she?"
"I can't tell where she is, but I suddenly felt her through the Force again. I was thinking I was sensing her a little bit before, and everyday it seemed to be getting stronger and stronger. But then, all at once, I could feel her just as clearly as I felt her before she... before the explosion." Luke sat down on the edge of Han's rumpled bed. "It was like she was hidden somehow, and now the curtain is gone. I know she's alive."
"Why didn't you say something before?"
"It was all so nebulous. I just couldn't be certain it was really her, and I didn't want to upset you, or get your hopes up."
Han looked down, rubbing his hands nervously. "I...I think, maybe, she was reaching out to me, too. But... but I'm not Force-sensitive, so I didn't think it was possible. And it was always when I was sound asleep." Han pondered that last statement. Had he been asleep during those moments when he could have sworn he felt her lips claiming his? When her soft, phantom hands touched his body? Now that he considered it, he wasn't so sure.
As if Luke read his mind, he said, "I thought I was dreaming, too, when she was calling for my help. But I don't think it was a dream, not now, anymore." Luke smiled gently at his friend's confusion and distress. "I think Force-sensitives can call to non-Force-sensitives, anyway. Didn't the witches on Dathomir speak to you through the Force, and show you visions?"
"Yeah," Han admitted reluctantly. That particular memory wasn't exactly a pleasant one - it had been invasive and horrifying. Exactly the opposite of what he felt during the "Leia dreams", as he'd come to think of them.
"Then you can understand what I'm talking about," Luke replied.
"How are we gonna find her, if you can't sense where she's at?" Han stood up suddenly, pacing his room, fear gripping his heart and soul. "We have to find her! I can't stand to think about her suffering."
"I can meditate, Han. If I reach out, I might be able to decipher where they're keeping her, and how they're doing it. That was how I located you and Leia on Bespin."
"Good. Go meditate, kid. And when you figure it out, don't you think for one second I'm not coming with you." Han's voice grew low and harsh. "And don't think whoever did this isn't gonna pay the ultimate price."
"We have to keep our heads," Luke insisted. "The laws will handle the justice. That's what we fought a war for."
"They killed Chewie and stole my wife for five years. Took her away from me and her children. The law can't do enough to punish them."
"We'll deal with that when the time comes," Luke replied, knowing it would take awhile for Han to think clearly. Luke wasn't too sure he didn't agree with his brother-in-law, anyway. No punishment would be harsh enough for this crime.
Hapes, a short while later.
"I'm not alone," Leia's mind thought, feeling her connection to the Force suddenly grow stronger. "Luke... can you hear me? Help me!"
/I can hear you, sister. Where are you?/
"Cold. I'm so cold. I hurt so badly. Luke, please..."
/Cold?/
The rush of ice cold steam, the sudden, agonizing pain of being flash frozen, unable to move, to scream. The endless blackness and silence. Clinging to sanity. It was so hard to cling, and she needed her brother to help her. She needed to hold her children. She needed the warmth and comfort that only her husband could offer. "Carbonite. I'm ... I'm so cold..."
/Where are you? Who did this?/
"I don't know... I don't know..." Leia wanted to cry, but the tears wouldn't come.