Setting: Coruscant, four years after the Young Jedi Knights series. The twins are eighteen. (No spoilers as of yet.) permission for free, unedited distribution granted. All other rights must be granted via E-Mail. Copyright 1997.

Jaina bit her lip and straightened her gown. The door opened, and she shuffled slowly inside. Zekk had been sitting in the anteroom before her, but stood when she entered. He enclosed her hands in his and pressed his lips to hers.

She pulled away unconsciously. She didn't realize she had until Zekk's dark eyes probed her face.

"All right, honey, what's wrong? I know that look." He led her to the couch and sat next to her.

"Zekk...you know I love you, right? That I'd never, ever, hurt you on purpose?"

He nodded. "Honey, I know that. Now, why are you gnawing on your lip?"

"You're not going to like this."

"Jaina, I can take it. But I don't like seeing you in pain like this. You can tell me. Is it Jacen? Anakin? Your parents?"

Jaina looked away from the deep, probing eyes. All his concern was just making it harder. "I'm going to regret this," she muttered. Louder, she told him, "Okay, okay. We promised to be completely honest with each other."

Zekk smiled. "So what are you waiting for?" he chided her gently. He tipped her chin up. "Jaina honey, please. This is obviously painful for you."

"It is," she whispered. "Zekk--when you were away all those months, off working, I stayed here on Coruscant--"

He grinned. "Ah. Of course. Well, we can leave for Yavin immediately. I can--"

"No." Jaina spoke with all the calmness her Jedi training had instilled in her. "I'm not finished. Please don't make this harder."

He sat back and withdrew his hands from hers. "Continue then."

"I might as well tell you the whole story. I was in a cantina with Mom and Kinkin, and Mom's bodyguard, Jade, invited me to play sabacc. You know I can't pass up a game--"

Zekk's hands encased hers again. "Jaina, did he--"

"Zekk, stop it. Just stop!" Jaina snatched her hands away. "Let me finish!" He nodded numbly and she felt tears spring to her eyes. How could she do this to him? They'd been together for almost four years...

She took a deep breath and continued. "So we played sabacc. Of course I won. Be he...he kept flirting with me. Saying I looked pretty and stuff." She looked down. "I was just being friendly, but I guess he thought I was flirting too..." Zekk's expression darkened and he gripped her shoulder. "Jaina--"

Jaina glanced at the hand on her shoulder but allowed it to remain. "After the game, we started talking, about...everything. He...we...I...well, one thing led to another, and--"

Zekk stood up, and it was obvious what his thoughts were. "Jaina!"

"Zekk! Sit down. You didn't let me finish!" Jaina glared up at him. She had passed nervous and regretful and now was just exasperated.

He read her sense and obeyed meekly. "Sorry," he said.

"Now. What I was going to say was that one thing led to another and he...he kissed me. I didn't mean for it to happen." She paused, not wanting to go on.

"Is...is that it? One kiss?"

Jaina lowered her head and bit her lip. "There's more. This all happened about a month ago., I..." She swallowed and lowered her voice to a whisper. "I've been seeing him ever since. I'm sorry, it all happened so fast, and you'd been away for so long..."

Zekk cleared his throat. "It's okay, baby. Just tell him your Zekk's back, and--"

"Zekk." Jaina placed a hand on his arm and looked at him, telling him with her eyes that it was over.

"No," he breathed, his eyes widening in realization.

"I...I'm sorry, Zekk. It all happened so fast."

"Do you love him?" When she didn't answer, he grabbed her shoulders. "Do you?" Zekk had a wild look in his eyes, and Jaina became just the smallest bit afraid.

"You're hurting me..." She tried to squirm away, but her arms were pinned to her sides.

"Do you?" He shook her.

"I...yes...no...I don't know!" Jaina twisted free and backed away.

"Jaina, honey...you mean to tell me..."

She nodded, tears in her eyes.

"But you've only known him a month..."

"I know."

"You sure about this?"

Jaina nodded again. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

Zekk slammed a fist on a nearby table. She jumped. "Dammit, Jaina, You're just going to throw away FOUR YEARS??? For some smooth-talking gambler you've known for a MONTH?"

"Jade's not a gambler! You've no right to--"

"It's not fair!"

"Zekk! You're shouting."

"Of course I'm shouting! You--" Zekk's voice cracked and Jaina thought she saw a tear in the corner of his left eye. He pounded the table again. You--" He lunged for her. Jaina danced away, her eyes wide with surprise and confusion.

"Zekk, what're you DOING?!"

"I'll teach you to double-cross me, you--" He lunged again, and Jaina could feel a near-palpable dark side manifestation in the young man. This time, he caught the sleeve of her dress and pulled her toward him, trapping her between himself and the wall.

"Zekk, stop it, please!" Her free hand instinctively went to the spot on her hip where her lightsaber usually was kept, but felt nothing; the saber was at home, where she was in the process of fine-tuning it.

Zekk took hold of her collar and glared at her. A small choked sob escaped from Jaina's throat.

With that one small sound, Zekk crumbled. Tears fell from his eyes and ran down his cheeks. His hands started to beat the first things they contact, which were, unfortunately, Jaina's shoulders.

She tried to back away from him, but the wall blocked her retreat. The pain of Zekk's fists rained down on her. Trying to think clearly, she side-stepped the pummeling fists and ran for the door. Zekk pursued her and managed to bruise her back as badly as he had damaged her front. She finally escape to the outside hallway. The muffled sounds of crying and fist meeting durasteel were ringing in Jaina's ears as she fled to the turbolift.

Jacen's eyes flew open. His daily meditation had been disturbed by feelings of pain, fear, and confusion coming from his sister. He was in the anteroom before the feelings subsided, and he didn't stop when Threepio asked where he was going.

He met Jaina just outside the main living area. Her dress had been torn, her usually tidy hair was in tangles, and her face was streaked with tears. She wore an expression of utter shock.

"Jaya, it's okay, I'm here. What happened? and stop biting your lip; you're gnawing it raw."

He tried to hug her, but she inhaled sharply and pulled away. "Ow..."

"You--where do you hurt? Show me."

Jaina obediently unfastened her dress and revealed her shoulders to her brother. They were already starting to bruise.

Jacen gasped. "Blaster bolts, Jaina! Who did this to you? I'll kill him!" His hand went instinctively to his lightsaber.

"Jasa, don't." She shrugged her dress back on awkwardly. "Revenge isn't the way of the Jedi, and you've just become a Master as it is."

His hand dropped. "But sis, someone HURT you!"

"It was a reflex; I can see that now. He was just mad because I told him about Jade, and--"

Jacen's eyes widened. "ZEKK did this to you?!" Jaina nodded. "That boy is dead. No one harms you and gets away with it. Not Zekk, not anybody."

"Please, Jacen. Be reasonable. How would you feel if Tenel Ka told you what I just had to tell Zekk?" Jacen swallowed and Jaina knew her remark had hit home.

"Well, I wouldn't have HIT her!" he exclaimed.

"You were raised differently."

Jacen sighed. "I guess you're right, but I'm still not happy about this."

"I know. I'm scared too. But I have you, and Jade, and Kinkin...."

Jacen put an arm gently across his sister's shoulders. "Jaya, everything will be okay. But we have to tell someone."

Jaina sniffed, and for a moment, Jacen thought she was going to cry again. "If we tell someone, they'll just get mad at Zekk."

"Well, they should! Anyone who cares about you will be outraged when they hear this."

She bit her lip and tasted blood. Jacen handed her a moist cloth. Fresh tears welled up in her eyes. "Oh Jacen, what've I done? I didn't mean to break up with Zekk. I didn't set out to hurt him!"

"Shh, Jaya. I know, I know. But you--"

Jaina's comlink beeped. Her eyes widened. "Jacen, I--"

He nodded and wordlessly extracted the comlink from her pocket.

"Jaina's comlink, Jacen speaking...she's really not up to it right now--" He sighed. "Yes, I figured you'd feel it. Just a minute." Jacen covered the mouthpiece and looked at Jaina. "Sis? It's Jade. He felt the pain from you and wants to know what's going on."

Jaina nodded mutely and accepted the comlink. "Hi Jade," she whispered. "I--we can talk about it later, okay? Right now I just want to visit the med bay...no, no, it's not that serious. I'll see you tomorrow." Jaina bit her lip again, causing more blood to gush out. "I...I know. her forehead creased, and she listened intently to the rest of Jade's message. Then she sighed and thumbed off the comlink.

Jacen raised an eyebrow. "*What* do you know?"

She gulped. "He...he told me he loved me."

His eyes widened. He had yet to say those words to Tenel Ka, and they'd been together for well over three years. "I think he, uh, must really care about you," Jacen told his twin lamely.

"I don't know what to think, Jasa." Jaina sighed. She stood up. I'm going to the med bay, then to find Jade. You're right; he needs to be told."

Jacen smiled. "I'll be here if you need me. My comlink's always on." Jaina nodded, hugged her brother gingerly, and strode out of the room.

Only then did Jacen realize that his sister was wearing the same torn dress she had been wearing when she had been attacked. He went to find his parents; Jade wasn't the only one that needed to be told.

"I'll kill him!" Jade roared.

"Jade, you promised not to get mad!" Jaina turned to him imploringly.

"But Jaina, he HURT you!"

"I know. It was the dark side in him. He was frustrated. Jade, I've already forgiven him."

"You--" Jade took her hands in his and shook his head. "You're amazing, Jaina. You have a bigger heart than I could ever have."

Jaina smiled. "That's not true, Jade, and you know it. Your heart's just as big as mine." She moved her hand up to his chest. "I can feel it in here."

Jade smiled and covered her hand with his again. He kissed it and grinned down at her. She grinned back. "You mother's smile and your dad's grin, "he laughed. "Rolled into one perfect mouth."

She blushed. "Jade..."

His expression darkened. "But when that mouth is wearing a frown, I'm not happy. I know I promised not to get mad, so I won't hurt him, but something has to be done."

"Yes, by me. I can handle it."

"Jaina, honey...you just tried to, and look what happened."

"I wasn't prepared. I know what I can do to help him now. Jade, it was the dark side, not Zekk."

"But Jaina--"

"I can help him. I have to." She bit her lip. "I was all he had left..." Jaina began to cry. Jade gathered the trembling girl in his arms and rocked her gently. "Jaina, it'll be okay. really, honey. You'll be all right."

She sniffled and wiped her tears away with the back of her hand. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be so weepy..."

"You have every right to cry, sweetheart. You've had a rough day; four whole years are hard to give up."

Jaina gulped. "Thank you, Jade."

He smiled down at her. "I love you, Jaina."

He could feel he stiffen against him. "I...I know you do."

"Still can't say it?" Jade whispered gently.

She shook her head, her face still streaked with tears. "I'm sorry! I just can't!"

"That's fine. You don't have to. No pressure." Jade leaned down and touched his lips to hers. "I'm here. I don't need you to tell me you love me. You show me every day."

Jaina stared up at him. He smiled back down at her. "I can see it in your eyes, "he told her.

Her arms went around his waist, all thoughts of Zekk erased. Jade returned the hug, being careful not to harm her shoulders.

When she drew back, he asked her, "What was that for?"

She looked up into his smiling face. "Just because."

Jade smiled, then turned serious again. "So what're you going to do?"

Jaina bit her lip. "I'm...I don't know. I have to help him. The dark side is still strong in him."

He squeezed her hand and forced a smile. "If you think you have to, honey. I just want you to be happy."

She nodded. "I know. I know you don't want me to see him again, but I have to bring him back. I have to."

"I know you'll do it. I trust you."

"Jade, I have a bad feeling about this."

Jaina stood in front of Zekk's door two days later. She'd put off coming but knew she couldn't procrastinate any longer. The door opened. Zekk stepped out, and she could see deep, dark circles around his eyes.

She swallowed. "Let's go to the hangar bay. We can talk there."

Zekk nodded his agreement and they walked toward the turbolift. He knew that Jaina wanted to stay in public, where there were witnesses if she needed them. And she had always felt safe in the hangar bay.

There were only a few mechanics milling around when the couple arrived. Zekk and Jaina sat on some boxes of cargo near the turbolift.

"You're not going to like this," Jaina started. "But I want to help. Last time we met, I could feel the dark side in you. I want to help you fight it."

Zekk's expression remained unreadable. Jaina thought it was a great sabacc face. Finally, he smiled and spoke. "Jaina, I'm fine! I was just frustrated then." His voice was warm and friendly--almost too friendly, considering the circumstances. "Look, I'll prove it to you. Probe my mind."

Jaina looked at him, considering hat. She reached timidly for his temples. They'd done this many times in the past, but now, she thought, his mind felt different.

Her consciousness moved past the surface thoughts, past the memories, and past the doubts and fears. She stopped when she reached the cloudy sphere of his Jedi potential.

Calming her mind, Jaina reached out her consciousness and enveloped the potential spot with it.

A rush of empty, black coldness hit her like a blaster bolt. In an instant, she was forced out of Zekk's mind violently, and she found herself sprawled on the floor of the hangar bay.

He towered over her, his eyes glowing with an eerie inner light. "Jaina Solo," he clucked. "Did you really think you could defeat me all by yourself?"

Jaina's eyes widened, and she gasped. That wasn't Zekk's voice! "Palpatine," she breathed.

"Ah, a smart little girl," Palpatine rasped. "Just like your mother. But this time, I will be the victor; I shall have you as my prize!"

A hand shot out for her throat, but Jaina was quicker. She rolled away and ignited her lightsaber in one fluid motion, thankful that she had practiced that maneuver with Jacen over and over again.

But before she could bring her purple blade to bear, a red beam of energy blocked her movement of it. Jaina looked up and found two glowing yellow eyes close to her own. She brought her saber blade around again, keeping eye contact with the Palpatine incarnate. The eyes burned into her memory, and Jaina knew she'd never forget the nightmare she was facing. She circled his warily, trying to anticipate his next move.

"A smart one, I see," he rasped. But in this young body, I am undefeatable. You must succumb to the dark side, young Solo, or die. You are no match for me."

"Never," Jaina snarled. "I'll never turn."

"So you say, little Jedi, but your mind will soon change when your own twin has turned. I have foreseen it."

Anger swelled in Jaina and she tried to fight it off, determined not to cave in. The lightsabers hummed and clashed again and again. She was fighting in anger, and when she realized this, she began to gather feelings of anger and fear under her control.

"Never, Palpatine. I'll never be turned. And neither will Jacen. You may have Zekk now, but we'll release him soon. He knows what is right."

Palpatine growled, an ugly, carnal sound, and dropped the scarlet lightsaber. Jaina stared at him, reluctant to attack Zekk's body. She drew back slightly, hesitating. Could she strike down Zekk like this?

He didn't give her time to find out. Violet-white energy bolts flew from his fingers. Jaina raised her saber to block them, but her blade quickly absorbed them.

Energy gathered quickly around the blade, and started to surround the hilt. Palpatine's amber eyes glowed evilly as he continued to attack. When Jaina was forced to drop the saber, he merely cakcled and increased the power of his bolts.

She sank to her knees. The pain was agonizing, but she refused to cry out. She calmed herself enough to think clearly; she was going to die if she didn't. She tried to push away the bolts with the Force, but Palpatine laughed. That approach seemed to make him stronger.

Her consciousness faltered and then became clearer than ever. The bolts had stopped. Zekk's face was turned away from her, looking toward the turbolift entryway. Jacen was standing there.

Jaina half sat up. Was she hallucinating?

Jacen stepped forward confidently, the hilt of his lightsaber already in his hand. "Rest, Jaina," he said calmly. "I'll take care of this."

She struggled and stood. "No, Jacen, I'm okay."

Palpatine's eyes met Jacen's. "So, you come to help your sister. Admirable. It'll be helpful when you come to serve under me."

Jacen ignited his saber. Jaina caught his hand gesture and understood what he wanted her to do. She closed her eyes and *reached,* trying to locate Zekk's consciousness, not Palpatine's.

Around her, Jacen fought off the Emperor's energy bolts as well as he could. He had picked up Jaina's lightsaber and was wielding both, but they both knew it was only a matter of time before that ploy failed. She had to push the Emperor's consciousness out of Zekk's mind for good, and quickly.

Jaina found the thick mental cord that connected Zekk's mind to the Emperor's energy.

"Hurry," she could hear Jacen yelling. Then she was pushed *out* again, more violently this time.

"I'll have you both, you twin brats!" Palpatine roared. His bolts shot out to include Jaina. "Now you'll BOTH die!"

"Together! Now!" Jaina shrieked, ignoring the pain she was in. The twins both probed his mind, Jaina leading Jacen to the cord.

As one, Jacen and Jaina reached their minds out like mental lightsabers, severing the cord. Jacen pushed Palpatine's consciousness out while Jaina linked her own mind to Zekk's, keeping it firmly in his body. That was the last thing either one of the twins did before they both blacked out.

Jacen awakened in the medical bay. His parents were sitting on the edge of his bed, each holding one of his hands. He started to ask where Jaina was, but he spotted her in the bed next to his, talking solemnly with Uncle Luke and Jade. Zekk was lying beyond Jaina, his eyes still closed.

Jacen started to sit up. His mother pushed his chest gently back down to the cot. "Easy, now, dear. You're lucky that battle didn't kill you. You need rest."

He nodded. "Wha--what happened?"

His father nodded. "Fair question. I found the three of you sprawled out flat near some crates of cargo. Your lightsabers were all off your belts, which nearly gave me a heart attack. I called for your mother, and the med droids right away. We've been sitting here with you for about twelve standard hours now.

"Twelve hours!" Jaina cried. He struggled to sit up.

Then another thought occurred to him. "Hey, why's Uncle Luke here? He can't revoke my mastery can he? Just for defending Jaina?"

Jaina, Jade, and Luke broke their huddle and looked over at Jacen. Luke and Jaina grinned at each other.

Luke told him, "Actually, Jacen, I'm here to talk more to Jaina. She demonstrated remarkable skill in warding off that energy. I probed both your memories while you were unconscious and was impressed by both of you, especially Jaina. She took that energy twice and still managed to lead you to the cord and help get Palpatine out of Zekk's mind. She deserves to be a Jedi Master as much as you do. So I'm giving her the test."

Jacen grinned. "Hey, that's great, sis. I was wondering when you'd get the chance."

Jaina grinned back. "Thank, Jasa. If I could get up and hug you, I would."

He laughed. "Jaya, you're on the verge of becoming a Jedi Master and you still can't give a mental hug?"

"Oh yeah. In that case...." Jaina closed her eyes and reached her awareness out to Jacen. She met it halfway and their minds joined in a mental hug. They each retracted their minds and opened their eyes, smiling. It took Jacen a moment to realize they weren't the center of attention anymore; Zekk had just woken up.

Jacen immediately looked at his sister. She was pale and unsmiling. Jade was hugging her protectively. Luke sat on the edge of Zekk's cot.

"You've had quite a day," the Jedi Master remarked calmly. "Care to tell your version of it?"

Zekk didn't attempt to sit up. He closoed his eyes again. "Where am I?" he croaked. "What happened?"

"We'll tell you the whole story soon, son. Just tell us what you remember about your last conversation with Jaina."

Zekk nodded slowly. "Okay, well, I'd blacked out before, a couple days ago. The only thing I remember about this time is Jaina telling me she wanted to help me; something about the dark side. Then I woke up here. Why, what happened?"

Jacen and Jaina exchanged glances. "Palpatine took over your body and tried to kill us, " Jaina explained. She saw the horrified expression on the boy's face and hurried to continue. "We pushed him out though. And I'm even going to be tested for mastery. See, everything's fine now."

"No." Everyone turned to look at Jade, who had been completely silent while the family regrouped. "Zekk, I know you love Jaina. I love her too; I think it would be hard not to love her. And if the two of you want to get back together, I won't interfere. As long as Jaina's happy, I'm happy." Jade swallowed hard and looked at Zekk.

The boy was silent for many minutes. "Jade," he said finally. "You're a good man. You can give Jaina things that I can't. And now with this Palpatine thing, I have some problems I need to work out, problems that seem to hurt Jaina. I know Jaina will be happier with you. I wish you both the best of luck, and Jaina, I'll always love you and I'll always be here for you if you need me. Never forget that." He looked at the med droid hovering next to his cot. "Am I well enough to go?"

"Yes, Master Zekk. You have incurred only minor bruises and fatigue. You will recover more fully if you rest adequately."

Zekk sat up. "I'll never forget you, Jaina, " he whispered in her ear. He kissed her cheek and strode quickly out of the med bay.

Jacen looked at Jade and Jaina, then turned to his parents. "Can we, ah, get a repulsor chair so I can use the comm? Tenel Ka and Anakin on Yavin Four need to be told about this, and I need to get out of this stuffy medical bay."

Leia smiled at him. "Of course, dear." She winked to at him know she understood his intent.

When the brother and parents had left, Jaina reached out for Jade's hand. He took it and smiled at her.

"That was sweet of you to offer that, Jade. I know it must've been hard for you."

"As long as you're happy."

Jaina smiled and leaned against him. He placed an arm over her shoulders and pulled her closer. They stayed like that for endless moments. Finally, Jaina spoke.

"Jade?"

"Yes, Jaina?"

"I love you."