Chapter Text
It was his fault.
Jaina glared across the table of the Rock Dragon, the beat-up Hapan cruiser from their youth. Tenel Ka had graciously loaned it to them when she took up Zekk’s idiotic offer to be a pair of Jedi babysitters for Allana. Nerfherder.
“Are you trying to develop some new skills or something? Last I heard, there isn’t a Jedi around who can shoot lasers from their eyes.” Zekk asked with a smirk while he sipped a cup of steaming caf. Jaina’s brow furrowed deeper.
“What powers do yedi have?” Allana asked between the two of them. Jaina turned her attention to the little girl. Allana was four now and in her question everything phase. Her red gold curls reminded her of Ben, and the nagging memory of not being there to see Ben’s development at this age nipped at her. She only had one baby cousin, and she missed his firsts.
“It’s the Force, sweetheart, the living force is in all of us. It’s in the trees and the grass, and the birds, and you and me. Even Zekk.” Jaina rolled her eyes at the man across from her. He stuck his tongue out in response. Allana considered that for a moment before opening her mouth again.
“Mommy has it. She practices with her lightsaber.” Allana thought carefully as she spoke. She sniffed a little, thinking of her mother. Zekk reached out in the Force as soon as he felt an impending tear. He sent the little girl calming, soothing thoughts to try to evade the oncoming meltdown. It worked; she wiped her eyes and kept talking. He let out a breath. Jaina tsked.
Sometimes you gotta let them ride through it.
Oh, you’re one to talk, Jay. You’re on overnight duty now, then.
The two bickered in the Force before tuning back in to what Allana was babbling about. She was explaining something vividly with her arms wide. “Mommy lifts rocks! And fights remotes!”
Zekk laughed at her enthusiasm. “We went to the academy with your mommy,” He smiled gently at the memory of Tenel Ka on Yavin 4. Of course, he had met her on Coruscant, the same ill-fated trip that got him tangled up in the Shadow Academy. Allana’s grey eyes were wide at the idea of the Jedi Academy. “Now, Allana, not every Jedi walks on the path of the light side. That’s what we’re here for. To protect you.” He explained. Allana’s shoulders slumped.
“The bad Yedi.” She murmured. Jaina reached out gently to comfort the girl, holding her hand. “Your mom and I used to fly this ship when we were on Yavin 4. We’d go on adventures, saving the galaxy as young Jedi knights.”
Jaina and Zekk spent the next hour recounting their youth with the little princess. They laughed and smiled tearfully at nudging memories of Anakin and Raynar. Life has certainly changed since Yavin 4. Jaina even recited one of Jacen’s poor jokes to a standing ovation from the little girl. Zekk talked about unity and how the academy gave him a place of home.
“Can we go?! I wanna see!” The child clapped her hands, grey eyes bright with enthusiasm and bubbling joy. Jaina could feel it reverberating in the force—no, in fact, she could feel it reverberating in the little pocket inside her heart—it couldn’t be…
Zekk felt her unease and began glancing around at the cabin of the Rock Dragon, afraid that some noble had gotten past their senses to kill Allana. His shoulders sank as his scan found nothing.
Jaina quickly buried her thoughts away, if not for her peace of mind, then for Allana’s safety. If the child didn’t know who her father was, it would keep an extra target off her back.
“There was a war, years ago. Yavin 4 didn’t make it. But we saved the Jedi we could. We’re going to Osuss. It once held Jedi for generations. You’ll like it there.” Zekk explained as he slid out of the cabin seating. “Which reminds me. Jaina, do you mind coming to help me check the navigator? That thing was on the fritz last time we touched it.”
Jaina gave him a look of confusion, but pulled herself to her feet anyway. She never understood how a kid who grew up on the streets was such a terrible liar. “We’ll be back. Don’t go around touching things.”
Jaina followed Zekk into the cockpit, latching the door behind her. She turned, hands on her hips. “What’s this all about?”
Zekk leaned against the wall on the side of the cockpit with crossed arms. “You don’t want us to go to Osuss.” He stated. Jaina’s eyes flashed.
“How did you even—” She hadn't felt him in their meld for some time now. She hadn’t felt him touch their slowly fading bond since at least landing on Hapes. Zekk opened his arms, raising them in caution.
“Slow down. I know you, and I know you felt something when she asked to go to Yavin 4.” He explained gently. Jaina stalked forward on the deck and sank into the pilot’s chair. Her pilot’s chair, she remembered wistfully, looking to the holos of the young Jedi knights displayed beside her.
“I know who Allana’s father is.” She whispered, glancing up into Zekk’s kind emerald eyes. A barrage of emotions tears through Jaina, but she mostly holds them down. Allana had a child’s force perception, not to mention her parents’ raw power—she likely could feel everything they felt if they weren’t careful.
Zekk sank into the co-pilot’s seat, dumbfounded. He can sense the name she isn’t speaking. Jacen. It all falls into place. “That bastard had a child and didn’t tell any of us.” He grumbled.
“Tenel Ka hid it from us, too.” Jaina pointed out, shaking her head. “It's bad enough Tenel Ka is a Jedi, one whiff of this and the target on their backs gets bigger.”
Zekk frowned. “And you think if we go to Osuss, everyone will sense what we just picked up?”
Jaina fiddled with a loose knob on the pilot dashboard, turning her mind to mechanics to shove away all the feelings at war inside her. She nodded. “I think it’s a possibility. The most important thing is to keep Allana safe until Tenel Ka says it’s time for her to go home. What other outposts do we have?”
Zekk combs through the navigator, trying to find a place. His hair falls in his eyes as he squints, reading the Rock Dragon’s old machinery. “I can't find a thing. Have you thought about Mon Calamari? Heard it’s beautiful this time of year.” He teased her. Jaina’s eyes widened as a plan hatched.
“No, wait. Not Mon Calamari, but what about Kashyyyk?” She asked, brows raised. Zekk’s grin widened. “Can I call Lowie?” He asked, sliding over to the com system as Jaina opened their navigator back up. She punched in the coordinates with a smile.
“Send a message.”
-
“Remember what we told you, Allana?” Jaina asked as they stood at the door to the boarding ramp of the Rock Dragon, ready to meet Lowie and their welcome committee. The little princess lifted her chin, steely grey eyes meeting Jaina’s.
“I don’t have a mommy ‘ight now.” The young girl felt a little conflict over the lie, as was to be expected. Jaina squeezed Allana’s hand gently.
“That’s right. It’s a fib, but it’s to protect you. You have your stun stick, too. We’re going to meet some very good friends, though, hopefully we don’t have to use it.” She said, trying not to think about Allana being Jacen’s daughter. Zekk held Allana’s other hand and crouched down on one knee to talk to her.
“I’ll tell you what, Allana. I don’t have a mommy either, haven’t for a long time. It doesn’t mean I’m weak or don’t know love. It makes me love even more.” He offered up to the little girl, trying to explain in a way she’d understand. Allana considered this, turning her grey eyes to his green ones. She placed both pudgy hands on Zekk’s cheeks, her curiosity instinctively reaching for him in the Force. He blinked, staring into her deep grey eyes, astounded by how much of Jacen he saw lurking in her under the coloring of her mother.
“You love a lot.” Allana giggled, her innocence flooding his senses and lifting the veil he often shielded his emotions with. Zekk pulled back, ruffling her hair.
“You stop that!” He teased, trying to deflect. Jaina stifled a laugh, opening the door of the ship. Outside the ship stood two very tall Wookiees who met them with smiling fangs and good-natured bone-crushing hugs.
Jaina escaped Lowie’s big arms first, ducking to avoid being crushed by Lumpy after. [And who is this?] Lowie asked with a glance at Allana, who hid behind Zekk’s tall body. Jaina noticed the spark of fear in the little girl and knelt beside her.
“Allana, I promise you Lowie and Lumpy are the best Wookiees I know.” She sent reassuring thoughts with her words to help calm the small mind beside her. Allana put her stun stick back in her jumper pocket and peered around Zekk’s tall boots.
“Hello,” Allana mumbled, mouth muffled by the fabric in front of her.
Lowie sat down, chuffing at the little girl. He opened his arms wide, a smile on his face. His fangs were visible, but he also sent out calming signals through the Force towards the bright light of Allana’s Force signature. The little girl stepped out and towards him, able to take in the Wookiee from her perspective now. Allana reached a hand out, grasping Lowie’s furry paw.
The streak above his eyes ruffled in surprise at Allana, and he looked to Jaina with a rumble in his throat. [Is she what I’m sensing?] Lowie asked. Zekk whistled under his breath, and Lumpy tilted his head in confusion. It was going to be difficult to hide Allana from other Jedi, which is precisely why Tenel Ka had hidden her since birth, along with the intricacies of Hapan politics.
“We’re keeping her safe. Not a word of her to anyone. If someone asks, she’s a Force-sensitive orphan we picked up.” Jaina explained, hoping Lumpy would understand as well as Lowie. The two wookiees nodded.
[Anything for you, Jaina. My father’s life debt will be repaid in full. Including protecting Allana.] Lumpy spoke warmly, squeezing Jaina’s hand in his paw and leading her towards the speeder that would take them up to the treetop houses. On the ride, Lumpy explained that there was an extra alcove guest home attached to his and Lowbacca’s parents' homes that they would be staying in for their trip.
“We’re up so high!” Allana giggled as she stared out the side of the speeder, seeing the trees below. Zekk smiled at her, and Jaina rubbed her eyes. It had been an exhausting day, or however long they’d been up for—she didn’t know at this point. “We’re up really, really high. And you don’t wanna fall, Allana, it’s a long way down.” She pointed out. Allana nodded, still enamored with the view of the city in the trees. Lowie parked them at a garage below the treehouses and pointed up at the space between the two homes.
[We’ll have a family dinner in a standard hour, so go freshen up.] Lowie said, hopping out of his speeder. Jaina hugged him again, head pressed against his ginger and brown fur.
“I missed you, furball,” She mumbled. Lowie had taken time from the order after his capture by the Chiss to return home and spend time with his family. She hadn't seen him for a few years now. The ginger-furred Wookiee rumbled in kind, patting Jaina’s head.
“How did you learn Wookiee?” Allana asked, her grey eyes wide and curious as the three humans walked up to their treehouse. Jaina smiled, “Let me tell you a story about my father…”
-
“Stang,” Jaina muttered as they entered the treehouse bedroom.
“Language.” Zekk chided beside her as Allana peered into the room behind them. Jaina groaned, running her hands through her hair.
It was a small guest home, with a Wookiee-sized dining table, two large chairs in the living room, and, unfortunately, only two bedrooms. One bed each.
“What’s wrong, Jaya?” The little girl asked, confused about the tension in the room. Zekk couldn’t help the wry grin across his face at their ‘situation’. There was no way she’d let him sleep in a wooden chair upright all night, even if he offered, and the Rock Dragon was too far away to bunk on.
“Nothing Allana. Nothing at all. Let’s get you ready for dinner.” Jaina deflected, taking her to the child's bedroom across the hall. They picked out a pair of fresh stockings and a beautiful purple dress.
“Mommy braids my hair,” Allana said as she shrugged on the dress, looking up at Jaina expectantly. She cringed. Of course, Tenel Ka braided her daughter’s hair like her mother had taught her. Jaina knew how to braid hair, had braided her hair multiple times through the years, but Tenel Ka’s braids were different, special with tassels and feathers, warrior braids.
“Of course. I can do that. Sit over here.” Jaina sat down on the bed and had Allana sit between her knees. She combed her fingers through the red gold strands, careful not to snag. Allana hummed contentedly.
“Is Zekk your consort?”
Jaina blanched at her niece’s question, stopping mid-braid. “Who in the galaxy told you that?” She asked, leaning over Allana’s shoulder. Allana turned her head, eyes still sparkling and innocent. She was definitely her brother’s child. And so entrenched in Hapan customs and culture.
“No one.” She replied, brows furrowing. “But he follows you, he listens to you, you’re a pair.” She listed off innocently enough. Jaina breathed a sigh of relief that she didn’t know the mature nature of a consort. You never knew with Hapans.
Jaina finished a set of four braids, with each tied in the middle to create a single tail, and laughed at the little girl. She turned her around by her shoulders.
“We’re just partners. Jedi partners. We’ve worked together for a long time, that’s all.” Jaina explained, rising off the bed. Allana pondered this for a moment and nodded with the wisdom of someone much older. “Partners.” She mumbled to herself.
Jaina reached her hand out, “Time for dinner with the boys.”
-
Dinner was interesting. Jaina had a pretty solid grasp on Wookiee, enough to follow the conversations at the table, but needed to stop and translate for Zekk and Allana often. Lowie’s parents had made a filling and hearty meal of soups, breads, and fruits for the humans, while they ate a meat stew with their meat a little closer to bleeding still.
[How long will this trip take?] Lumpy asked between bites of boffa. Jaina shrugged, unsure still. Essentially, they were waiting for Hapes to settle down, but who knew when that would be? They’d likely jump planets again in a week or two, at Tenel Ka’s request.
“We’re still waiting on official word; it may be a week or so. Again, thank you for letting us stay. I know it’s short notice.” Jaina explained to him. Lumpy shook his head.
[No apologies necessary. It’s good to have humans here again. The good kind. Send your father my regards, it’s been too long.] Lumpy flashed a smile.
Allana poked at her soup, taking small sips. She seemed confused at all the noises around her as the Wookiees conversed.
“Here, try it with the bread.” Zekk reached over, dipping a bit of Allana’s bread in the soup and holding it up to her. He had caught her from the corner of her eye, not eating, and knew he had to do something. They couldn’t live off the ration bars The Rock Dragon had; he was sure they were at least ten years old. The princess took a small bite, humming as the warm, crusty bread brought the rich taste of the soup to her taste buds.
“It’s good!” She exclaimed, ripping off a piece of bread and trying it herself. Jaina watched them from the corner of her eye, shocked at how Zekk was able to get her to start eating heartily.
The rest of the meal was in good spirits, and for a moment, Jaina felt the weight of the worries of the galaxy peel off her shoulders. A chill breeze rippled through the open windows of the treehouse, signaling full nightfall on the planet.
[Let me know if you need anything.] Lowie chuffed, hugging his dear friends as they gathered at the door to the guest home. [Goodnight, little one.] He knelt to hug Allana goodnight. The little girl giggled, throwing her arms around his neck.
“You’re soft!” She observed, running her hands through his ginger fur. Lowie rumbled low in his throat, an embarrassed noise.
Jaina smiled at the exchange, ruffling Allana’s hair. “Come on, bath time and bedtime. Night, Lowie!”
-
“Bath time?” Allana asked as Jaina led them into the guest home and towards her room. Zekk tapped Jaina’s shoulder. “I’ll go take a sanisteam,” He headed off to their shared room.
“Let’s get the gunk of the day off.” Jaina wrinkled her nose playfully at her niece, shooing her into the refresher. There was, as she suspected, a fairly large tub connected to the steam heater. “Sorry, we don’t have any bubbles, but let’s get you washed up.”
Allana inspected her as she drew the water in, checking the temperature to make sure it didn’t burn before helping her step up into the Wookiee-sized tub. Jaina undid the girl’s hair, washing it out gently. After helping her soap up, she wrapped Allana in a too-large towel to dry off. Jaina helped the little girl dress into a nightgown and wrung out her hair. As she ran the towel through red gold curls, her heart panged with the understanding that this was her niece. A part of her family, with wide grey eyes and a button nose. She had Leia’s nose, and it made Jaina want to weep. Her own brother had a child that he hid away from the galaxy, and it pained her to know she felt more of Allana in her bond with her brother than with him at this point.
Jaina could have told anyone sometime during their studies on Yavin 4 that Jacen and Tenel Ka would have had a child. But never did she think it would happen after war and destruction, and if Jaina did her math right, while she was lost in Killik space with her mind far too close to the man’s across the hall.
“Mommy reads me a bedtime story,” Allana said as Jaina pulled back the bedsheets and tucked her in. Jaina stifled a yawn. She wanted nothing more than to be in her bed—even if she was sharing it. She’d sleep on the floor at this point if she didn’t reckon Zekk would protest. Zekk and his stupid chivalry.
“I don’t have any bookchips, and it’s too late to go searching in your bags,” Jaina said apologetically, looking into sad grey eyes. She felt bad, inwardly cringing.
Allana pouted at Jaina’s deflection. She crossed her tiny arms. “I miss her.”
Oh, Stang it. Jaina hoped she hadn’t set off a meltdown. The last time she had dealt with one of those was with Anakin when they were children. By the Force, it made her sad. Anakin, who would never get to know his niece even if she were a secret right now. I hope you can see her, Ani. I hope you know she’s Jacen’s, despite everything he’s doing.
Allana sensed her sadness and frowned even more. Had she caused that feeling? Was she hurting Jaina? Her own emotions about her mother grew heavier. Her lower lip wobbled.
“Jaina, I can do bedtime duty, go take a sanisteam.” Zekk offered from the doorway. He waved at Allana, who waved back. Jaina turned to face him, surprised. She had expected Zekk to fall asleep. He was just as tired, she could tell from the bags under his eyes. “You’re exhausted. I can take care of this.” He assured her.
“I don’t have a book chip, and she wants a bedtime story.” Jaina frowned as she got up from her seated position on the child’s bed. “Goodnight, Allana, sleep tight.”
Allana kept her arms crossed as Jaina wished goodnight. “Will you tell a story?” She asked Zekk, looking up with big grey eyes. He smiled, sitting on the edge of her bed.
“Let me tell you the story of how Jaina and I met.”
-
By the end of his story, the little princess was fast asleep with a stuffed rancor under one arm. He turned off the lights and left one phosflea lamp in the corner as a nightlight. Zekk left her wooden door open just a crack, so that he or Jaina could easily slip in to grab her if necessary.
He walked back into the bedroom he was sharing with Jaina, noticing the lights were still on. He frowned. He had told her to take a sanisteam and go to bed, it would be just like Jaina to not follow his words—
Zekk chuckled to himself at the sight before him. Jaina lay sprawled out on their bed, her hair damp and a ratty Rogue Squadron tee covering her to her knees. She was fast asleep, soft noises coming from her mouth. Not quite a snore, but endearing nevertheless. A noise Zekk knew from her quite well over the years.
His cheeks flushed as memories of waking up in the Taat nest together brushed across his mind. Nothing had happened, and he was thankful for that—being intoxicated on membrosia was worse than pounding back the oldest of Whyren’s reserve. It would have been dishonest and distasteful to have initiated anything in that state of mind. But her body had felt soft under his arms, warm against his chest, and he could still smell the salt of her skin. Zekk shook his head. He was over her, he had told her as much on Tephron. He just missed the sensation of being next to someone, that’s all.
He turned off the phosflea lights in their room and peeled back the sheets to slip under. Jaina lay on top of them and grunted at the slight movement. He reached over, tucking her still-wet hair behind her ear. “Goodnight, Jaina,” Zekk whispered, rolling over onto his side to give her space. The bed being Wookiee-sized held no merit when Zekk was nearly the same height with similarly broad shoulders.
At some point in the night, Jaina felt a chill on the back of her neck, and she woke up with a start. Her first thought was that it was cold out. Being so high up in the treetops meant that the treehouses were often breezy, with open windows. Jaina blinked; her hands felt the quilt of the bed under her skin, which meant she had fallen asleep on top of the covers. She turned, facing Zekk’s sleeping form beside her. He had rolled over on his side, facing her with an arm outstretched towards her. Jaina rolled her eyes. That was exactly why she didn’t want to share the bed with him. Not that she didn’t trust him, he was her oldest friend after all. But despite his revelation on Tephron, she knew he was a cuddler. It didn’t mean anything, of course.
Her skin prickled again, and she glared at his form, wondering why he wasn’t feeling the apprehension she was. Jaina closed her eyes, reaching out in the Force to get a stock of what was nearby. She could sense Zekk, of course, and a glimpse of his emotional state through feelings of warmth, comfort, and love. She quickly moved on, not wanting to eavesdrop more than necessary. She could sense Allana, and oh no- stang it! Jaina rolled out of bed, creeping her way to the child’s room. She could sense emotional distress, and prayed it wasn’t someone kidnapping her.
She peered into the dim light of the room, seeing the small child fitfully shaking in the sheets. Jaina couldn’t see any danger in the room and couldn’t sense any other lifeforms. Allana was having a nightmare. Zekk wasn’t kidding when he said I was on overnight duty, Jaina thought as she stepped into the room and towards the bed. Kneeling next to her niece, Jaina reached out in the Force with calming thoughts. Allana sat up, tears running down her face.
“Jaina!” She cried out, wrapping her arms around her aunt. Jaina awkwardly held her to her chest. “Allana, it's okay. I’m here.”
The princess sniffled, tears wetting Jaina’s sleep shirt. She cried out again. Jaina lifted her and kissed her wet cheek. “What was the bad dream about?”
The four-year-old shook her head, struggling a little to get adjusted in Jaina’s arms. “Bad Jedi.” She mumbled. “I want mommy.”
Jaina frowned, not knowing what to say to the little girl. Of course, she missed Tenel Ka. She probably also missed the comforts of the palace and wasn’t ready for something like this. No one ever was. She was reminded of her kidnappings, and when Winter had taken them away, when things got dangerous again for the New Republic. One day she had Leia, the other day she didn’t, and it was hard. “The bad Jedi can’t hurt you here. Zekk and I are Jedi knights, remember? We’re here to protect you.”
Allana pondered this for a moment, but frowned. “Why are you not in my dreams?” She asked. In her mind, if Jaina was meant to protect her, then why not protect her in her dreams? The older woman’s brows furrowed. Had Jacen and her been like this? How does one answer that? The little girl didn’t wait for a response before mumbling, “Cold.”
Jaina led them down the hallway and to the adult bedroom. She hoped she wouldn’t regret this. Now running on fumes, she had to get some sleep. “You’re staying with us for the rest of the night. That way, you know we can protect you. I promise.”
With Allana in her arms, Jaina crept up to Zekk’s side of the bed and poked him unceremoniously in the shoulder. A green eye opened with a grunt. Before a curse rolled off his tongue, his bleary eyes made sense of the shape of Allana in her arms. He grunted again, sitting up. “Safe?” He asked gruffly, his voice low as he came out of the last clutches of sleep.
“Safe. But we have someone here who has been having bad dreams.” Jaina explained, bouncing Allana on her hip. The child pouted, tucking her head under Jaina’s with a yawn. Zekk reached out with his arms. “Alright, come here.” Jaina transferred her gently, then moved around to hop into the other side of the bed, this time under the sheets.
“Warm,” Allana mumbled against Zekk’s bare chest. She could sense the last traces of his dream, all the same comfort and love Jaina had previously. He ran his hand through her hair, rocking gently as she settled in his lap.
“We won’t let the bad Jedi get you, Allana, promise you.” He cooed, settling back against the pillows. Jaina lay down on her side, facing the unlikely pair. It surprised her how well Zekk was handling Allana. He was good with Ben, too, she supposed, but he hardly knew the kid since he spent most of his days under Jacen’s wing.
“Goodnight, Allana.” Jaina yawned, pulling the sheets up close. Allana wiggled as Zekk set her down between him and Jaina. He held her hand, settling back on his side to face her. It was a little squished, but manageable.
“Sleep tight. Don’t let the rancors bite.” He squeezed her hand and pulled the sheets up around her. Sandwiched between the two Jedi, the little girl immediately fell asleep feeling soft, warm, and protected.
“How do you do that?” Jaina whispered as she lay, facing Zekk. The older Jedi raised a dark brow.
“What do you mean?” He asked quietly, scooting closer to her and Allana’s sleeping form so he could hear her. Jaina gestured down at the snoozing child.
“Her. You know exactly what to say, to do. It’s infuriating to be honest.” She admitted, running a hand down Allana’s back to keep her asleep. Zekk shrugged sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.
“When I was a kid. Before I got off the space station rescue ship and met Peckhum, I was in the orphanage up there. I was older, so they had me checking on the babies. I guess I just learned.”
Jaina blinked in surprise. He had never told her that part. That made sense. He was comforting other orphans, and didn’t know his Force-sensitive empathy had helped. That and Zekk was already a naturally sensitive man, Jaina had observed that over the years.
“And you’re not half bad. Kids are hard. Trust me, I’ll screw up eventually.” He offered, closing his eyes and lying on his arm. Jaina felt her cheeks warm at the comment, then shook her head and closed her eyes.