The Other Solo

Chapter 13

Jaina takes a deep breath before exiting the Millenium Falcon but she can't control the trembling. Memories of the night she left Yavin 4 flashes in her mind with each step closer to the temple. It's morning now and the sky is crimson as the sun rises. Jaina can feel her heart pounding in her chest as she stands before the stairs up to the temple.

Poe is sitting on the top step and waves as they make their way towards him. Han and Chewie grunt in reply as they pass him.

"Hello..." Jaina huffs jogging up the stairs.

"Are you sure you want to go in?" He asks with concern.

Jaina simply nods and they walk in together. She gasps seeing the bodies strewn around the grand foyer. Poe holds her firmly against him as he knees buckle.

"I knew it was too soon..." Han grumbles kissing her temple gently. "Just tell us where to look and wait in the Falcon.

"No, no..." Jaina shakes her head. "I can do this."

She takes a deep breath swallowing her sorrow and starts down the hall. They walk in silence carefully stepping around the bodies. Jaina tries not to look at their faces as she passes.

"When we get back we have to tell Mother to send people here to clean up and properly bury them." She whispers to Han. He just nods in agreement and squeezes her shoulder.

After what seems an eternity they make it to the archival library. Gently Poe and Han clear the younglings bodies so they can move around the room easier while Chewie pushes up the heavy shelves of books. Jaina begins to look through the stacks of books and old scrolls.

A little while later, Han and Chewie move on to bury some of the Jedi and younglings leaving Poe and Jaina in the library.

Frustrated Jaina slams the book she was looking at closed. "This is going to take forever."

"Maybe you need a break." Poe offers.

Jaina shakes her head. "No we have to get this done."

She puts the book back on the shelf and wonders further into the library. Without thinking she finds herself in the back corner, their corner. The little fort of books still stands with a blanket draped over one stack. Taking a deep breath she crawls inside. Tears form in her eyes with the memory of little Ani's lifeless body lying in the middle of the fort. She curls into a ball crying, releasing all the sorrow she was feeling.

She hears footsteps approaching but can't stop the tears.

"Jaina?" Poe's voice is full of worry.

"I'm in here..." She whimpers.

He pushes the books aside and pulls her into his embrace. He rocks her back and forth rubbing her back as she sobs. When it seems her tears have all dried up she looks up at him embarrassed.

"I'm so sorry..." She says timidly.

"No need to be sorry." He smiles compassionately. "Why don't we take a break?"

Jaina follows him out the shattered windows and around the temple to his x-wing starfighter. Poe reaches in and grabs his knapsack before leading her to the force tree. They situate themselves against the tree in the shade. Jaina leans her head back and closes her eyes. She hears the calming shaking of the leaves as the wind pushes gently against them. She feels the slight vibration of the force moving around her and the tree. Poe tosses an apple into her lap causing Jaina to jump.

"Oh sorry..." Poe chuckles. " I didn't mean to startle you."

"No, just spacing out." Jaina replies wiping the apple on her shirt. She bites into the fresh fruit enjoying the sweet taste.

"I was just thinking about  when I was leaving for the academy, I didn't know when I would be able to come back so I came to the tree to say goodbye. It sounds crazy but I used to come down here all the time to talk to the tree." Poe says running his fingers through his hair.

Jaina smiles as he continues. "I was on the path over there when I saw you sitting right where you are now..."

"Really?" She asks.

"Yea, I just stood there watching you for awhile you were doing the same thing just now. You sat motionless with your eyes closed." Poe says kicking a small rock with his foot.

"Why didn't you talk to me?" Jaina elbows him playfully.

"You looked like you were meditating and I didn't want to disturb you." He shrugs and pushes dirt around with his foot not looking at her.

She can sense he's holding something back but she's not sure if she should push him.

"You're probably right. I used to meditate here a lot because I thought it would bring me closer to the force." She admits giggling. "Now that's a silly notion."

Poe smirks at her confession looking up from his feet. 

"There you are!" Han grumbles walking down the path. "I've been searching all over this damn place!"

"I'm sorry Papa. We had to take a little break." Jaina stands brushing any dirt from her pants, Poe follows suit.

Han frowns, "We have to go."

"What's wrong?" Jaina can sense the agitation and fear her father is feeling.

"New Alderaan is under attack."