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Author	Topic: Fragile: An Anakin and Tahiri Story Ch 24 The Right Thing To Do
CanisBlack Registered: Dec '08	Date Posted: 10/22 11:14am Subject: Fragile: An Anakin and Tahiri Story replies
	You're analogy of Tahiri mirroring the fanbase is actually pretty good - and scarily accurate. Though I think, in my case at least, that I could have moved on - had the quality of the writing not dropped so much (for the rest of NJO the story telling dragged with the exception of a few really, really good books like the Jaina centered novel that took place right after Star by Star and, I hate to say it, "Traitor" as well. Frankly, the best books in the NJO series were the paperbacks, but I digress. Between the decline in quality and the way they decided to screw over the entirety of the next generation while shoving the old generation through an emotional meat grinder...yeah, I kinda lost interest in Star Wars EU. Oh yeah, I should probably comment on the story...Um...Could you not leave the fandom entirely? I wouldn't mind seeing how you spin some of the upcoming events with Anakin and Tahiri still alive. And I'd love to see everybody, even (or most especially) Jacen, get a happier ending.
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pregnantpadme Registered: Oct '04	Date Posted: 10/22 3:11pm Subject: Fragile: An Anakin and Tahiri Story replies
	CanisBlack posted: You're analogy of Tahiri mirroring the fanbase is actually pretty good - and scarily accurate. Though I think, in my case at least, that I could have moved on - had the quality of the writing not dropped so much (for the rest of NJO the story telling dragged with the exception of a few really, really good books like the Jaina centered novel that took place right after Star by Star and, I hate to say it, "Traitor" as well. Frankly, the best books in the NJO series were the paperbacks, but I digress. Between the decline in quality and the way they decided to screw over the entirety of the next generation while shoving the old generation through an emotional meat grinder...yeah, I kinda lost interest in Star Wars EU. Oh yeah, I should probably comment on the story...Um...Could you not leave the fandom entirely? I wouldn't mind seeing how you spin some of the upcoming events with Anakin and Tahiri still alive. And I'd love to see everybody, even (or most especially) Jacen, get a happier ending. HA! I actually took to skimming for just the pages with Tahiri's name... that's how pathetic I am. And yeah, the meat grinder analogy is true.. and then there was the that whole bug thing... which I have to jsut ignore or I'll go on a rant... and then there was the flow ho thing... which I have to pretend I didn't just think about or I'll go seriously bad. As far as sticking around... I'm afraid my imagination isn't going to be able to concoct any Anakin and Tahiri beyond this, of course, I never would have imagined I'd be able to create this six months ago, so what does that tell you? But no, I've got an original fic I owe someone, which is actually a take off of my other SW fan fic that I didnt' finish, which is a Jacen and Tahiri fic, funnily enough, which I lost my mojo for when Jacen went Sith because I jsut couldn't find it in myself to keep writing him as the mensch that I was writing him as when he became so twisted in profic. But I guess it isn't inconceivable that I won't one day go back and finish Fear and Love, it jsut won't be Anakin and Tahiri; it will be Jacen and Tahiri. No... I'm not sure I can do Jacen and Tahiri at this point... Sorry. -----signature----- Is Anakin still dead? Not in my new story: Fragile Oh, look... there's a link right there http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/30173930/p1/?69
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Master_Jaina1011 Registered: May '02	Date Posted: 10/22 9:35pm Subject: Fragile: An Anakin and Tahiri Story replies
	pregnantpadme posted: I think those are the two early NJO books he wrote (I just packed all my SW books up a couple of weeks ago and put them in a cupboard in the back of the garage because I’m about done with Fragile and I’ve decided I’m totally giving up on SW when this story is finished, so I can’t look to see if it was Stackpole or which books he wrote, but I’m pretty sure it was the Stackpole books and that they were the Darktide books, anyway, the point being… EVERYONE wanted Anakin to survive and be the big hero, and its funny, it’s not just Tahiri who can’t let go. Tahiri sort of mirriors the fan base. None of us are able to let go. We all want to see Anakin again. Only instead of trying to see him by letting Jacen manipulate us, we read fanfiction. Yes they were fanfiction books. and on the subject of you giving up on SW.... NOOOOO!!!! Um...please don't. It's difficult to see why pro fic did what they did. But even now I am concocting a post SBS AU (I am hoping that all the nice plot bunnies for SW, Criminal Mind and CSI:NY will try to leave me alone as the muse is getting confused. Oh hell...I am just gonna write. That's what the muse wants to do.) I can pm you with the premise of what I am thinking and I would love help with it. And now I am off to continue the story I have on here. Post LOTF but I digress....I know about busy schedules trust me. By the Lord's grace one of my co workers switched with me so I could have tomorrow off and I am no longer working a seven day work week. Thank the Lord. But don't give up. I know it would be hard to write J/T but your other story was just as good as this. I would like to see what else you will have up your sleeve. -----signature----- "Its not about the life you live, its about the legacy that you leave." I'm through accepting limits ''cause someone says they're so" Some things I cannot change But till I try, I'll never know! Kiss me goodbye I'm defying gravity
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pregnantpadme Registered: Oct '04	Date Posted: 10/23 5:43pm Subject: Fragile: An Anakin and Tahiri Story replies - Date Edited: 10/26 12:07am (3 edits total) Edited By: pregnantpadme
	Master_Jaina1011... My head is still spinning from reading your last post. Of course I'll look. At anything. Just PM it to me. I have nothing of my own up my sleeve... I'm wearing a sundress. No sleeves! Here is today's post, and I'll PM later, I'm off to a Halloween party and Darth Little Boy is going bad because he's all dressed up and has a party to go to. Fragile Chapter 20 Harmony Leia took in the sight before her in awe. This far corner at the back of Anakin’s hangar had been converted into a child’s dream world. There was a sand pit, grassy area, climbing structure, swing set and slide – all built by Anakin and his friends - for Will to play on. According to Jaina, who’d told Leia about the playground, the project had taken months to complete, not just because of the amount of time required to design and assemble everything, but because of the time it had taken Anakin to track down all of the materials. Apparently the commandos had friends in procurement, and Wedge seemed to turn a blind eye to anything Anakin did; using military funds and resources to build a park on a Super Star Destroyer was not unacceptable if it was for Wedge’s hold son. Though, as far as Leia could tell, there wasn’t anything that Anakin did that was unacceptable in Wedge’s eye. Of course if Leia were honest, she’d felt the same way for most of Anakin’s life. Taking a deep breath, Leia approached the playground tentatively, not knowing what to expect, not knowing why Tahiri had asked Leia to meet her here. She’d been surprised when Paloma had pulled her aside after the morning meeting—trying to be inconspicuous, Leia had later realized—and told her that Tahiri wished to see her. Leia had also later realized that Anakin hadn’t seen Paloma approach her and must not know what Tahiri was up to. That could mean one of two things: either Tahiri was up to no good, which Leia wouldn’t put past her, or Tahiri was going to attempt an apology, which would be interesting, to say the least. She was going to try to give the younger woman the benefit of the doubt. Jaina and Han had had nothing but glowing things to say about Tahiri in the last several days; had been nothing but generous in their descriptions of Tahiri as a wife and mother and in their recounts of her treatment of them. She appeared to want to set things right with Anakin’s family. Leia felt it was about time, but she wondered if that were even possible after all that had happened, wondered if Tahiri could even begin to appreciate the damage that she had caused. Leia supposed she was about to find out. “Hello, Tahiri.” Tahiri and Will both looked up from what looked to be machine parts they were bent over, and Tahiri offered her a small smile. Will’s was decidedly larger. “Gan-ma. Hi.” Leia was surprised by the child’s enthusiasm. She’d barely spent any time with him in the few days that she’d been on ship, had, in fact been startled that he’d even known who she was when Wedge had allowed Leia and the rest of the family back aboard. She had been further surprised when Iella informed her that Will recognized her from holos of the family Tahiri had kept in Will’s nursery since he’d been born. “Hello, Will.” Figuring it would be easier to talk to the boy, she continued to focus on him as she sat down on the faux grass. “What are you doing?” “Fissin id.” Will informed, gesturing to what might have once been a toy X-Wing. “Fix - ing it.” Tahiri corrected gently, then, turning to Leia, “We’re working on our consonants. And our mechanical engineering. Both are a little rough right now.” Leia smiled wistfully. “I think Anakin was a lot older than two before he got a handle on his consonants.” “I’m not sure he had a handle on them at eleven.” Tahiri chuckled. “Hard to practice when you don’t talk.” Leia chuckled with her. “True. Of course having the twins, and then you, to do all his talking for him made it easy.” “Well, he’s making up for it now. It’s getting hard to shut him up.” “So I’ve noticed. Would be difficult to run a squad if he was as quiet as he used to be though.” “Yeah.” They both fell silent, and Leia marveled at her grandson’s clearly inherited ability to work a miniature hydrospanner, then was casting about for something to say when Will spoke up again. “Coow-kie por Wiwl?” Tahiri was reaching into the bag sitting next to her when Leia said, “He sure eats a lot of those.” Then instantly regretted the comment. Tahiri sighed, handed Will the treat, then handed Leia the package and allowed her time to read the label – MEDICAL WAFER - before explaining. “Anakin’s system still hasn’t recovered fully from what the olbio leaves did. He doesn’t absorb nutrients the way he should. Four of these have a quarter of the vitamins and minerals he should get in a day, and they’re easily digestible and fairly high in calories, which Anakin needs to keep weight on. “When he first moved back in, after we’d broken up, he was eating them all day, couldn’t really eat much else. Will was teething at the time and they’d eat them together; sort of a father-son bonding thing. Anakin would lay on the couch with Will sitting on his stomach facing him and they feed them to each other. For some reason they don’t have all the same effects on Will that they do on Anakin, but it’s the closest thing Will’s ever had to a real cookie, and he doesn’t know the difference; I’m trying to keep it that way.” Leia felt a little bad for being judgmental, but was more concerned about Anakin’s health. “Is he going to get better? Will his system recover?” Tahiri sighed. “We don’t know. He’s come so far, and he doesn’t throw anything up anymore, which is good. The other major reason he still needs these is that they help regulate his blood sugar. He’s also on dialysis once every two weeks, because his kidneys haven’t completely healed. That’s where he is now actually, in the med center, having dialysis.” “Would cloned organs help?” “They would in the short term, but cloned organs degenerate quickly and he’d end being in the same place a few years from now, and a few years after that, repeating the process indefinitely, and the recovery from the transplants is hard on the body, so we’re putting it off, waiting to see if his organs regenerate. Healing trances have helped, but he wishes they’d do more, and faster.” “I had no idea.” “He’s embarrassed, hates that his body is weak; likes to pretend that he’s perfectly fine. And for the most part he is, it doesn’t really interfere with his day-to-day life that much anymore. Only a few people besides the medics really know the extent; the Holds, Paloma, the commandos, Valin.” “He never was one to like anyone seeing him vulnerable.” “No. But the whole squad’s on to him; they figured out fairly quickly that there was something going on and that it had to do with Mrykr, but none of them have ever said anything. They tease him about his ‘sweet tooth’ and then they all carry these cookies with them, always have them handy. If Anakin ever starts to look a little pale, or gets cranky, which is a sure sign that his blood sugar has plummeted, they pull out cookies. They claim that they have them for Will, or that they can’t get enough of the things themselves. But, they’re really for Anakin. I guess you could say we’re the most well nourished squad in the Fleet. And he lets the med droid test his blood in front of the squad now. They all ignore it, pretend they don’t see it happening, don’t say anything about.” Leia smiled at that, and was proud to hear that Anakin was so highly regarded. “They seem like a good group,” she commented, “The Lumbont pilots, I mean.” “They are. And they all think the world of Anakin. Every one of them would do anything for him; and Will and me as well. We’re really fortunate.” They were both quiet again, focused on Will, only talking to him as Tahiri handed him tools and laughed when he made noises that reminded Leia of Han’s less than appropriate comments while working on the Falcon; evidence that Will had spent time with Anakin while he was working on ships or droids of his own. Finally - when Leia couldn’t stand it anymore - she said, “So, you asked to see me?” Tahiri hesitated slightly, looked down at her hands, then finally looked Leia in the eye and said, “Yes; I did. I wanted to talk about what happened on Hapes. “There probably isn’t anything I can ever say that will really convey how sorry I am, or how ashamed I am for the way I acted, and I didn’t ask you here to make excuses for myself or justify my behavior. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about it, and now that I’m a mother, now that I have my own son, I’ve tried to imagine what it would be like if Will’s wife said some of the things to me that I said to you, and frankly - I can’t.” Tahiri looked down again and took a deep breath, then looked back up. “I don’t know if you’ll ever be able to forgive me, but I know that our not being able to be in the same room hurts Anakin deeply. Your son and your grandson are my life. I don’t want to see my husband suffer anymore, and I never had a family, I hate that I’m the reason my baby doesn’t know his, so I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make this better. “I also want you to know that I’m not apologizing for Anakin—he hasn’t asked me to do this, he doesn’t even know that I am doing this, his feelings and my feelings are two separate issues; I am doing it because I love him, but also because I’m deeply sorry. So if there is a way that we can fix this,” a tear slid down Tahiri’s face as she continued to meet Leia’s gaze and whispered, “I’d really like to try.” Leia starred at Tahiri for a long moment, not sure what to say, surprised by the maturity she was seeing in the girl - no, woman - and humbled by the fact that she was the one taking the first steps in reaching out. Suddenly, Leia saw her not as the shrieking, inconsolable harpy hurling insults at her and Jacen, but as the tiny imp holding her little boy’s hand at the academy, as the broken girl Anakin had carried aboard the Errant Venture after rescuing her from the Shapers on Yavin Four, as the teenager always at her son’s side on Eclipse, then as the pregnant, grieving woman on Hapes, and tried to imagine how terrified and lonely Tahiri must have felt, and found that she couldn’t. Even in her darkest hour, even after the destruction of Alderaan, Leia had never been alone. Finally she said, “you’re right, we should try, and not just for Anakin’s sake, but for our own. It’s not healthy for either one of us to carry this anger. Thank you for this. And I’m sorry too. I’m ashamed of the way I behaved as well. I was the adult. You needed us, you had no one to turn to and we should have protected you like Anakin asked us to, and instead I blamed you and I’m so sorry for that, Tahiri, I’m so sorry.” Leia barely got the last words out before she was crying too. Then, Leia did something she never would have imagined herself doing an hour ago; she slid across the grass to Tahiri, and wrapped her arms around the younger woman’s neck. Much to her surprise, Tahiri instantly threw her own arms around Leia in a tight embrace as she began to cry earnestly. “You’re a wonderful woman Tahiri, my son is a very fortunate man, and I’m sorry I allowed my grief to cloud my judgment of you.” “That’s okay,” Tahiri choked out, “I allowed a lot of things to cloud my judgment of you too.” “Let’s make a pact not to let it happen again.” Tahiri snorted a laugh. “Let’s try not to misplace Anakin again while we’re at it, should make things easier.” A deep voice startled them both, and Leia loosed her grip on Tahiri. “Do I really need to ask you not to strangle my wife?” Both women looked up to see Anakin approaching, and Leia felt lighter than she’d felt in years when she saw the smile on her son’s face as he sat down across from them and reached out to pull his little boy into his lap. “Hi dada.” “Hey, Will of the Force. What are Grandma and Mama doing to each other?” he asked, though his focus was right back on Leia and Tahiri as soon as he had Will in his arms. “Mama happy.” Will reported. Anakin kissed his cheek and then turned and smiled at Leia. “I can feel that. It looks like Grandma is happy too.” “I am. Hello Anakin.” “Hi mom. So, you’re not strangling my wife?” Despite his smile, he seemed to need verification. “No, I was thanking her for being a better woman than I am.” “Ah, wha’d she do now? Bring about galactic peace?” “Basically. We were just getting a few things straight.” “Reaching an understanding.” Tahiri added. And for the first time in a long time Leia felt something like hope. When Anakin’s smile broadened and he reached out to her, that feeling grew. When Leia moved over to sit beside him and felt him wrap an arm around her and squeeze her in a tight hug and whisper, “I’ve missed you, mom,” and then kiss her head, she thought her heart would burst. She had her son back. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Leia sat in a large meeting room aboard the Lusankya watching her son and daughter-in-law in wonder. They were really, really beginning to impress her. No, she realized, they did impress her. They reminded her of herself and the other young people who had spearheaded the rebellion against the Empire all those years ago. They were talented, brave, ambitious and full of the kind of drive and ideas that the older and more seasoned warriors present were too old and tired to execute themselves. Or too smart. Tahiri was in control - leading the meeting: briefing the Wraiths, who had only just arrived from who-knew-where; briefing the Yuuzhan Vong, who had just been transferred from the refugee vessel in Wedge’s fleet, and still made most of the people in the room uneasy; briefing the various squadron leaders chosen to participate in the attacks being plotted out. Tahiri was in her element. She’d been trained by the best. Iella and Winter stood by and watched, their pride evident, their confidence in Tahiri clear for all to see. They had the utmost faith in the plan she and Anakin had drawn up, and that faith bolstered everyone else’s willingness to go along. Which was a good thing because this plan was crazy. Leia wasn’t happy with Anakin and Tahiri’s desire for their early insertion. She didn’t like that they refused to postpone their attack until the start of the aerial assault, as Luke had originally requested. However, if their sources were correct, then Shimmra was really either a front for the actual leader of the Vong - a phenomenal bit of Intel if true – or was some how leading the enemy in conjunction with this Shamed One, Omini—an even more phenomenal revelation; and if either of them was capable of escaping Coruscant and therefore able to further the Vong’s war effort, then Anakin and Tahiri were right in this being their best option for success. More frightening, and further evidence that the Jedi were needed to pull this mission off, was Tahiri’s belief that either Omini or Shimmra, or both, could touch the Force. Tahiri’s sources hadn’t been able to provide conclusive evidence, and Leia couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something amiss about how her sources had come by this information to begin with, but what choice did the Jedi have but to act on it? Leia hated that once again her family was going to be at the heart of the most dangerous part of an already dangerous situation; wished that for once someone else’s family would – could - step up to the task, but had to concede that this is how she had raised her children; to step up, just as she and Han and Luke always had. Anakin and Tahiri had impressed her with numerous things over the past few days, not the least of which was with the conversation the three had had in Will’s playground. After the tearful apologies, after the hugs and forgiveness, Anakin had finally explained to his mother how it was that he had been left behind on the worldship. He told her about the warrior he’d been fighting as Jacen had jumped aboard the Flier, how the warrior had lunged forward in his last moments of life and ripped the mic off Anakin’s throat, making it impossible for Anakin to call Jaina for help. He’d told her how the concussions caused by the firefight between the team and the coralskippers overhead had rocked the ground, causing Anakin to lose his balance and fall into a pit of dead warriors; one of them with an ysalamari strapped to his back. He’d explained how he’d watched the strike team fly away, leaving him stranded, and how when he’d finally clawed his way out of the pit, far enough away from the ysalamari to touch the Force again, he’d called out to his brother and sister; they hadn’t heard or felt him, but he’d known that Tahiri had. Leia had felt sickened as she realized that that was why Tahiri had been so sure that Anakin wasn’t dead when the strike team had left the worldship; because she’d felt him calling out to her. No one had believed her of course, they had all insisted that in her grief she had imagined that she had felt Anakin; that she’d simply been in denial; refusing to accept that he was gone. Anakin then told Leia about how he’d hijacked a coralskipper and gotten off the worldship, only to realize within minutes that the ship was sick, dying; and then how he’d crashed on Myrkr. It was when he’d crashed on the planet, its endless olbio forests overrun with ysalamiri and acting like a massive jammer for Jedi senses, that he and Tahiri had lost contact. When he’d eventually made it off Myrkr, over a year later, he’d been so wounded, so disoriented and near death, that his presence in the Force was too murky for Tahiri to recognize, and, Anakin had said, in all honesty, after being cut off from the Force for so long, he wasn’t sure if he was actually reaching for her at that point, or just picturing her in his mind. Sometimes, he had said, towards the end, he wasn’t sure he remembered what Tahiri even looked or felt like. Anakin had surprised Leia when he’d said that as angry as he’d been at being left behind, he’d never really been angry with Jaina and Jacen for leaving him. He’d known all along that it had just been a horrible mistake, an awful set of circumstances, and that he'd known all along that they’d never have done it if they’d had the slightest idea that he’d been alive. His anger at them, and the rest of the family, had stemmed not from his siblings’ abandonment, but rather his anguish over not being able to protect Tahiri from what she had suffered in the wake of his ‘death’. Leia hadn’t been surprised when he said that his issue with Jacen now was really the same issue he’d had with Jacen prior to Mrykr; that Jacen was a self righteous pain in the ass, but that he’d be able to overlook that, as he had before, if Jacen wasn’t so awful to his wife. Leia wasn’t able to argue with Anakin on either of those points, so she left it alone. While Han, Leia and Jaina were rejoicing in the time they were being given to spend with Anakin and his family, Luke and Mara were more standoffish. Leia had long known that Luke’s issues with Tahiri were complicated. Having been the one to find her on Tatooine, his own childhood home, he’d always felt a connection to her. After she had been forced to choose permanently between her tribe and the Academy, when she no longer had the option of going back to Tatooine, his feelings of obligation and protectiveness became stronger than what he felt for any of his other students—though his frequent absences from the academy likely didn’t help convey to Tahiri any sense that he saw her as special. He’d already been harboring a tremendous amount of guilt over her capture on Yavin Four when he’d been hit with the double blow of Anakin’s ‘death’ and finding out that Tahiri was pregnant, at sixteen, with Anakin’s child. He later told Leia that he felt responsible for the pregnancy too, blamed himself for not keeping a closer eye on them. He felt he had failed Tahiri once again by not being more aware of what was happening between her and Anakin in the wake of her ordeal. Leia was relatively sure that Luke genuinely believed at the time that sending Tahiri to the Maw was in her best interest; that he was very specifically trying to do the right thing, to make up for not having done the right thing by Tahiri in the past. Tahiri hadn’t seen it that way. She thought Luke was banishing her to escape a living, breathing reminder of some of Luke’s worst decisions; a living, breathing reminder with a mouth, which she was not above using to tell him just how bad she thought some of those decisions had been. Mara, though trying to appear neutral, had nonetheless supported Luke in what Tahiri believed was Luke’s attempt to dump her off on Kam and Tionne. Luke and Mara had both been highly insulted by Tahiri’s resignation from the Order, feeling that the gesture was a giant ‘kriff off’. Luke and Mara felt she could have worked for Iella as long as she wanted to without having actually resigned. That, combined with what Tahiri considered their ‘blind support of every breath Jacen took’ in his side in the war of words and emotions between Tahiri and the rest of the family had made a difficult situation worse. In some ways, Leia thought the rift between Luke and Tahiri would require more to fix than the one between herself and Tahiri had done, because she was pretty sure that Tahiri was utterly oblivious to just how deeply Luke cared for her. Misguided as her brother could be at times—as his little stunt with asking Anakin to fly while Tahiri participated in the Jedi ground assault proved—his heart was in the right place. Still, all that aside, Leia wasn’t sure Luke and Mara would ever take any steps on their own to smooth things over with Anakin and Tahiri. More than likely, Luke would wait for them to go to him and ask to be reinstated as Knights of the Order. Leia couldn’t see that happening anytime soon. Anakin and Tahiri were really happy being pilots and Intel agents. Their upcoming four-day trek through Coruscant would be interesting; Luke and Mara and Jacen with Anakin and Tahiri and Jaina, a few Wraiths, and a handful of Yuuzhan Vong. Leia would love to be a flitterbug hovering close enough to hear some of those campfire talks. What kinds of conversation would take place at night? Or during the endless walking through Vongformed land? Leia wondered if she’d still have two sons and a brother when this was over; and if the Vong would have anything to do with it if she didn’t. Han, sitting beside her, brought her focus back to the meeting - he’d made some wisecrack, she was sure. She hadn’t heard what he’d actually said, but after nearly thirty-five years it hardly mattered – likely something to the tune of what a ridiculous plan this was and that the kids were crazy. Same old Han. Her husband had been nearly jubilant since the playground truce; following Anakin around with a swagger that only a proud father could pull off; basking in the reflection of his son’s popularity and brilliance, the heat of that brilliance warming him after too long. He was so happy to do anything he could just to be near Anakin, hand him a hydrospanner when he needed it, adjust a thruster if asked. Anything he could do for his son; he was there. He was even more delighted to finally get to spend time with Will. He seemed to be trying to make up for lost time; squeezing two years’ worth of being a grandfather into a few days. He’d carry their grandson around on his shoulders to where ever the child wanted to go, make as many sand castles as the kid wanted, push him on his swing until Han’s arm was numb. He read to him, chased him, spent a considerable amount of time explaining the finer points of the Falcon’s hyperdrive motivator to him. Anakin teased that Will stood as much chance of understanding that as anyone else in the family. And then there was Tahiri. Han was hardly above taking credit for being the one to hook Tahiri up with Iella, thereby being the architect of her brilliant Intel career. He obviously adored the young woman, always had, and was taking delight in finally being allowed to show that adoration openly. And the romantic in him couldn’t hide his joy in seeing first hand how much she and Anakin loved each other. He was also thrilled to be able to hang out with Wedge and Tycho again, to be accepted and approved of, to feel they respected him again and that the troubles that had created the chasm within the Solo family were being addressed and no longer threatening other relationships. At least not Han’s. He was pretty clear that Luke and Mara and Jacen were on their own. And, as if all that wasn’t powering his repulsors enough, there was Anakin’s squad, who, when not actually working, would sit for hours, enrapt, as Han entertained them with stories of his decades of death defying escapades. Several of them commented that they could clearly see where Anakin had come by his talent and his cockiness, and it surprised Leia to realize that her son had grown to be more like his father than she had ever imagined he would. Anakin was far more Solo than Skywalker, though why that should surprise her, she didn’t know. Chapter title Harmony by Elton John Pm's after Darth Little Boy's Halloween Party -----signature----- Is Anakin still dead? Not in my new story: Fragile Oh, look... there's a link right there http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/30173930/p1/?69
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TahiriSoloFan Registered: May '03	Date Posted: 10/23 6:54pm Subject: Fragile: An Anakin and Tahiri Story Chap 20 Harmony
	Way to go, Tahiri! Happy dance! I'm so glad she was able to break through the barriers and that Leia accepted her overtures. I can totally see Han in proud grandpa mode. Hopefully, Luke and Mara will decide to be more proactive and mend those fences too! -----signature----- Auntie & the Chickens ~ Keepin' hope alive A/T ~ Greater than the sum of their parts J/J ~ Unstoppable force vs. unmoveable object AKA ~Auntie ~ Chicken Wrangler Extraordinaire~ Joshua 1:9
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Master_Jaina1011 Registered: May '02	Date Posted: 10/23 7:15pm Subject: Fragile: An Anakin and Tahiri Story Chap 20 Harmony - Date Edited: 10/23 7:17pm (1 edits total) Edited By: Master_Jaina1011
	ohhhh looky here...I might be the first to reply!!! Oh nevermind...got too distracted by installing a ceiling fan. well uh.. second or third then. Now I have to say...I am proud of both Leia and Tahiri. It is sooo nice to see them make nice with each other. And the fact that Will knows Leia is grandma. I about melted! ok I did. Of course Will is the one to break the ice. I mean who cannot love the kid that A/T produced? The explaining of Anakin's health to Leia was great way for Tahiri to start into her apology. And I thought Leia was going for the high and mighty route. Even in her darkest hour, even after the destruction of Alderaan, Leia had never been alone. Which is true...Leia has always had some sort support group. Tahiri had no one. Oh my...I almost cried reading the rest. The heartfelt apology, them doing this so Anakin would be happy. And of course Will saying Mama happy. So kriffing cute. Anakin walking in and teasing the both of them and then... “I’ve missed you, mom,” and then kiss her head, she thought her heart would burst. She had her son back. Now that is when I starting tearing up. It was sooo...Star Wars. Perfect POV. For the second part...I love the fact Han is strutting around like a proud father and they are enjoying the company they had missed out on. I loved how she zoned out just to think of how Anakin survived and what he went through. I didn't really think Luke and Mara would be...so stand offish. I never really thought that Luke had a connection to Tahiri...I think he may feel guilt but doesn't he with all his Jedi students? I guess he does care more for her than meets the eye. Great way of showing that Luke! I love how Han is being the dutiful doting grandfather to Will. And how he think that he should make up for lost time. It was just nice to see most of the Solo sans Jacen get along. Though Leia still can't get it through her head why her sons are always at each others throats. Blind a mother's love can be sometimes. He was pretty clear that Luke and Mara and Jacen were on their own. And, as if all that wasn’t powering his repulsors enough, there was Anakin’s squad, who, when not actually working, would sit for hours, enrapt, as Han entertained them with stories of his decades of death defying escapades. Several of them commented that they could clearly see where Anakin had come by his talent and his cockiness, and it surprised Leia to realize that her son had grown to be more like his father than she had ever imagined he would. Anakin was far more Solo than Skywalker, though why that should surprise her, she didn’t know. Despite the obvious friendship between Luke and Han, its obvious that Han would rather have his son around and happy with his life than being unhappy being a Jedi. I think this life suits Tahiri and Anakin much more than being a Jedi. Being a Jedi can be cool but building that rapport and family that they have, even I wouldn't give that up. Yep Luke, Mara and Jacen are on their own till they get their heads out of their asses. And both Jaina and Anakin are far more Solo than Skywalker which is not surprising. All in all a great post and I am sad that I have to wait yet another week for another post. Have fun with the kids!!!! EDIT: Whoops on the above message. I meant yes Stackpoles books were the Dark Tide series and he really did love Anakin's character. Sometimes fanfiction and the books merge into one...wow I somehow need to get a life! -----signature----- "Its not about the life you live, its about the legacy that you leave." I'm through accepting limits ''cause someone says they're so" Some things I cannot change But till I try, I'll never know! Kiss me goodbye I'm defying gravity
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lost_lauries_grapes Registered: Jun '06	Date Posted: 10/23 9:34pm Subject: Fragile: An Anakin and Tahiri Story Chap 20 Harmony
	Huzzah! Bitch!Leia is gone! Grandpa Han is adorable. So kriffing adorable. Also: Preggers posted: Minus all grammatical and punctuation errors I can find. Because Laurie and her grapes and her German English teacher have me paranoid now. You'll be happy to hear that I didn't find any. Not that I actively look for such things. -----signature----- Enjoying Friggin' awesome Strawberry-Banana smoothie "The Hidden Harmony is better than the Obvious." --Heraclitus (6th century B.C.) "You don’t know the power of the cheese ball" - Darth Vader
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whateveritis12 Registered: Nov '08	Date Posted: 10/23 11:27pm Subject: Fragile: An Anakin and Tahiri Story Chap 20 Harmony
	You made a mistake when you said that Han and Leia were together for 35 years instead of 25. -----signature----- Seriously! A WOOKIE, with a LIGHTSABER. That's just overkill. Ben/Vestara bringing dark powers to the greatest force line Reading: Dark Tide: Onslaught, Legacy Tatooine arc Future: NJO books through Balance Point, Invasion, and Dark Lord Trilo
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Jade_eyes Registered: Aug '04	Date Posted: 10/24 3:32am Subject: Fragile: An Anakin and Tahiri Story Chap 20 Harmony
	Oh lovely lovely wonderful warm reconciliation scene. Your Leia POV was excellent. It had the warmth and honesty she's made of. The makeup of the actual team will be incredibly interesting indeed. I have a feeling it might be the literal opposite of Harmony LOL Luke might finally be able to clear the air with Tahiri during it but Jacen will probably continue to be a pain in the rump. -----signature----- "There was love all around, But I never heard it singing. No I never heard it at all, Till there was you."--Beatles Of & for my angel sweeties--Spock/Nyota, of course E-sib to Mira_Jade, aka Mira_Pilot Cheesecake Squggles!
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Melissa1991 Registered: Jul '09	Date Posted: 10/24 2:33pm Subject: Fragile: An Anakin and Tahiri Story Chap 20 Harmony
	I have just one word to say: wow! I'm ashamed that I haven't read this fic before ö -----signature----- Luke&Mara ~ Anakin&Tahiri ~ Jagged&Jaina ~ Wedge&Iella ~ Han&Leia~Tycho&Winter I'll stand by you (Anakin/Tahiri) http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/30556592/r30560096/
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Morgoth_The_Enemy Registered: Sep '03	Date Posted: 10/25 6:32am Subject: Fragile: An Anakin and Tahiri Story Chap 20 Harmony
	Morgoth Delurks Okay... so I've been with this fic a while now and all of a sudden I'm missing out on like four posts... I'm gonna go catch up. I've been loving it so far though! Morgoth -----signature----- That which is done out of love always takes place beyond good and evil FADA member My New Fic Homecoming is up!!! please read!!! see the link below! http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/27880392/p1/?0
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frankieskywalker Registered: Apr '06	Date Posted: 10/25 10:30am Subject: Fragile: An Anakin and Tahiri Story Chap 20 Harmony
	omg i dont know why it took me so long to post a reply yay leia and tahiri made up wonderful family moments dant wait for more dont leave i always love your stories -----signature----- and so the plot bunnies attack a whole in his heart http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=24122906&brd=10477 my second fic Your sightless eyes have seen too much http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/24195526/p1/?0
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star_writer24 Registered: Aug '06	Date Posted: 10/28 2:45pm Subject: Fragile: An Anakin and Tahiri Story Chap 20 Harmony - Date Edited: 10/28 3:12pm (3 edits total) Edited By: star_writer24
	SW_24 sneaks into the back abashedly (is that a word?) and posts really quick before she has to come up with some outrageous excuse for her absence the last few weeks...unfortunately she is unable to escape without notice... "ummm...alien abduction?" PP places her hands on her hips "ummm... piggy flu?" PP arches an eye brow... "Okay okay I admit it!...A certain movie is coming out next month." (SW_24's inner 14 year old squees "New Moon!" before she shuts her up with a glare and turns bright red in embarrassment) "Sorry about that," she apologizes..."as I was saying and I was rereading ahem... a certain novel to refresh my memory...sad I know...but true." Now on to the review... to start off with I think I promised I'd post this once you got it up... First off I have to say WOW! I never knew it was possible for me to dislike Jacen more than I already did...but you managed to do that! I also want to know what the heck Luke is thinking...I am totally with Anakin on almost pitying him, its hard to reconcile this man with the boy we first met in New Hope and Mara as well...what the heck is going on with them. One of the things I wanted clarification on was the significance of none of the family using the Force during the altercation between Jacen and Anakin. Was it because everyone is to caught up with their feeling or were they afraid if they started to use the Force things would get out of hand...or was your whole point that if they had been listening to the Force they wouldn't be having these problems in the first place...just thought this point was rather significant and could use some further explanation...if not now than later. Loved the following passage with A/T I thought it really showed how they are no longer just kids married and in love with a baby...but they are actually adults now, dealing with problems like adults...you handled this transition beautifully I thought here... and continue it when Tahiri later confronts Leia...see more below... The part that was worth talking about, that Anakin needed to get out, and that he’d need her help with, was his heartache over his belief that his family thought his wife and son were expendable, but that might need to wait. That was okay, when the time was right they’d discuss it, they’d gotten very good at discussing difficult things. Some of the hardest discussions they’d ever had; the ones that had propelled them forever and irrevocably into adulthood, were the ones that had taken place during those dark days after Anakin had forced Tahiri to tell him all that had happened on Hapes after Jaina and Jacen had returned without him. There had been moments during those days when she was certain Anakin would never forgive her for her part in what had happened with his family. She still wasn’t certain she’d ever really forgive herself; but, as a couple, they had worked through that time, and, ultimately come out the other end stronger - each accepting that their view of the other had been significantly idealized by youth and inexperience, each having to learn to accept the other’s faults and weaknesses, each finally realizing that they’d known the other’s faults and weaknesses all along, and that accepting them wasn’t as frightening as they’d thought, as damaging as they’d feared, because when all was said and done, they were still Anakin and Tahiri; they still loved each other no matter what, and they were still each other’s best friend. Anakin finally stopped banging his head against his arm, turned, and shuffled over to Tahiri, though he didn’t bother to look up, just turned and sat next to her with his back against the wall, then leaned over and rested his head in her lap. She cradled him, ran her fingers through his hair and kissed the top of his head, and waited. “Why?” he finally asked, heartache clear in his voice. She kissed him again. “I thought maybe, after last night, at least Jaina understood.” “I think she does. I think your father does. I think your mother might, even if she doesn’t want to admit it. I think the issue is that none of them like to be wrong, and they are so far down a certain path that they don’t know how to turn around and reach out to you. And I also think that they’ve spent their entire lives living a certain way, sacrificing themselves for the sake of the galaxy, and they don’t see us behaving exactly the way they do and don’t understand us.” “And Jacen?” “Is an ignorant bastard. I think he doesn’t have any idea how much what he says hurts you. I think he’s at a complete loss. And I think Luke and Mara are so focused on getting out of this war and getting back to their own son that they aren’t thinking of anything but that, which I completely understand, because everything I do is filtered through how I feel about our son.” “When did you become so understanding? Where’s my real wife?” Tahiri chuckled. “You mean the immature hothead ready to tear into anyone at the slightest hint of injustice or misstep?” Now it was Anakin’s turn to chuckle. “Yeah, that’s the one.” “You got her pregnant, you big dumb gundark.” Anakin’s arm shot up and he flexed his bicep and stated in a faux deep voice, “No birth control can stop my Super Solo Sperm.” “You better pray you’re wrong Hero-boy, or I’m cutting you off.” Again just really enjoyed this passage how they are so serious and yet able to flirt and show there adoration for eachother in the middle of a crises. I love how you made the fact that it was that the Skolos (that's what I am calling Anakin's fam from now on) acting as if its okay that Tahiri and Will are expendable is what is tearing Anakin up right now. Luke and Mara really have some issues that need to be addressed even Wedge can see that. I know you probably won't deal with that too much the rest of the story but it does give one pause. It seems like Luke is willing to sacrifice anyone and anything in other words passively killing them...as long as they don't have to act and aggressively kill the Vong... it's mind numbing how insane that it...and makes me want to drag Kyp into the story LOL to counter this strange psychosis. Reminds me of just how much Anakin and Kyp are alike which is also noted in the books...which get me to thinking about Jaina...but that's something else all together I suppose. Now onto the Tahiri/Leia Scene let me gather my thoughts and I'll be back in a moment... Of course if Leia were honest, she’d felt the same way for most of Anakin’s life. Okay this line was great… I like that this whole scene is about Leia finally being honest about a lot of things. This reflection she has of the playground is a great way to setup the scene. I think it’s really interesting how self righteous Leia still was when she considered the idea that Tahiri might want to apologize… she is still blind to her own faults at this point before they actually speak to each other and I think that really communicate just how much damage has truly been done here. I was so proud of Tahiri when she didn’t go off on Leia about the cookie comment but rather calmly explained things to her. And then I was proud of Leia for finding common ground by focusing the topic onto Anakin’s health. The truth was this whole scene was just done beautifully and sincerely… I think it’s in like my top three for favorite scenes in this story…and then of course Anakin has to come in and crack a joke…that’s Han coming out in him again. The other part of this chapter I really enjoyed was Leia’s insight into Luke and Tahiri’s relationship…I always felt like Luke had a special place for her in his heart as well and it was nice to see someone else explore this… The ironic part is Luke is well…Luke and is clueless as to how to fix it. I hope this get’s subtly explored a little more in the future as well. Great Job…Looking forward to the next posty. P.S. I am putting the finishing touches on that something something I was going to send you. -----signature----- If its A/T PM Me!
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pregnantpadme Registered: Oct '04	Date Posted: 10/30 1:46pm Subject: Fragile: An Anakin and Tahiri Story Chap 20 Harmony
	Happy Friday and Happy Halloween everyone. Betaboy is MIA. Seriously MIA. Haven’t seen or heard from him in a couple of days. Don’t really know what to make of that. So here are replies to your replies to keep you occupied. Also, I wanted to thank those of you who visited the Fear and Love thread, your enthusiasm has me seriously considering starting that up again, I just have to find a Beta and get my head around the amount of work its going to be. I also have to do a serious reedit, and I think I have to go back and rework the chapter numbering. I didn’t realize when I started it that the chapters would be so long… who knew I’d end up with Ch 2, part 6? Seriously… page 40, 990 posts and I’m on like chapter 4 I think. Plus the Interludes… The Kyp and Jysella Interlude is like 4 parts. It’s madness. I should just make each post a chapter. Anyway, I also have to finish Fragile before I can even look at Fear and Love seriously, because I am simply not capable of doing two things at once. But back to the here and now: if, for some reason I’m not able to get the next Fragile update up today, either because Betaboy doesn’t show, or because I have, and I’m not joking, six commitments I have to drag the kids to this weekend, I’m serious, six separate places we have to be in the next 40 hours, then I do have a little fun thing that I wrote for Anakin to tied you over. On that note: enjoy the replies and I’ll be back as soon as I can. TahiriSolFan AUNTIE! Way to go, Tahiri! Happy dance! I’m glad Tahiri made you dance! I'm so glad she was able to break through the barriers and that Leia accepted her overtures. I keep telling you guys I wouldn’t let her be a meanie forever. Where’s the faith in my ability to restore love? I can totally see Han in proud grandpa mode. He’s just an old softie. Hopefully, Luke and Mara will decide to be more proactive and mend those fences too! Well… we’ve got about 7 more chapters to go, so maybe there’ll be hope for them too. Thanks for continuing to hang out and read. Master_Jaina1011 cracks knuckles as always… ohhhh looky here...I might be the first to reply!!! Oh nevermind...got too distracted by installing a ceiling fan. well uh.. second or third then. End of season sale? Heat wave in the south? Oh well… second was still long before the PM’s went out. Now I have to say...I am proud of both Leia and Tahiri. It is sooo nice to see them make nice with each other. it was about time. I told you I’d have someone make up, eventually. And the fact that Will knows Leia is grandma. I about melted! ok I did. Was that because Will is cute… or was that something to do with why you needed that ceiling fan? Of course Will is the one to break the ice. I mean who cannot love the kid that A/T produced? My sentiments exactly. The kid is pretty adorable. The explaining of Anakin's health to Leia was great way for Tahiri to start into her apology. And I thought Leia was going for the high and mighty route. Remember those explanations… Which is true...Leia has always had some sort support group. Tahiri had no one. Anakin’s sentiments exactly. Oh my...I almost cried reading the rest. The heartfelt apology, them doing this so Anakin would be happy. And of course Will saying Mama happy. So kriffing cute. I love getting that reaction from you! Now that is when I starting tearing up. If you’d cried this much on Tatooine, your tribe shouldn’t have had to move around much in search of water… It was sooo...Star Wars. Perfect POV. High praise indeed! For the second part...I love the fact Han is strutting around like a proud father and they are enjoying the company they had missed out on. I loved how she zoned out just to think of how Anakin survived and what he went through. I’ve been trying to worm what he actually went through in somewhere… I didn't really think Luke and Mara would be...so stand offish. I never really thought that Luke had a connection to Tahiri...I think he may feel guilt but doesn't he with all his Jedi students? Yes… but Tahiri is special, for all of us, and she’s been through a lot. I guess he does care more for her than meets the eye. Great way of showing that Luke! Thank you. I love how Han is being the dutiful doting grandfather to Will. And how he think that he should make up for lost time. It was just nice to see most of the Solo sans Jacen get along. Though Leia still can't get it through her head why her sons are always at each others throats. Blind a mother's love can be sometimes. As a mother, who often has to referee, it is hard to say who is right, or deal with them when they have differences, even if I know one is right. And that’s just over who gets to control the remote or sit on which couch. I can’t imagine being in Leia’s shoes right now. Despite the obvious friendship between Luke and Han, its obvious that Han would rather have his son around and happy with his life than being unhappy being a Jedi. When shove comes to shake, as Mara says, you choose your kids over anyone else, or you’re scum. So yea, Han is going to go with A&T. That’s just the way it is. Unless, of course, your son has become a homicidal maniac who has just killed your sister-in-law. And even then, it’s gonna be tough. I think this life suits Tahiri and Anakin much more than being a Jedi. Being a Jedi can be cool but building that rapport and family that they have, even I wouldn't give that up. At this point in time, yes, being pilots and spies works better for them. It enables them to contribute to the war effort in a way that keeps them in one place so that they can raise Will. We’ll see what happens when the war is over. Or, rather, you can all think about that and spin off your own little plot bunnies.. because I’ll be off doing something else. Yep Luke, Mara and Jacen are on their own till they get their heads out of their asses. Now you’re channeling my Anakin. And both Jaina and Anakin are far more Solo than Skywalker which is not surprising. As I’m writing them, anyway. All in all a great post and I am sad that I have to wait yet another week for another post. I’m glad you liked it. And just think… when you’re reading this, the next post should only be hours away! Have fun with the kids!!!! We did! EDIT: Whoops on the above message. I meant yes Stackpoles books were the Dark Tide series and he really did love Anakin's character. Sometimes fanfiction and the books merge into one...wow I somehow need to get a life! Yes! I got that. And yes, fan and pro fic do bleed together for me too sometimes, likely because I often live in denial of what has been done in profic. But… that’s the very reason I got caught up in fan fic to begin with, to scrub pro fic from my mind. lost_lauries_grapes Huzzah! Bitch!Leia is gone! Woohoo! I told you I’d make people friendly eventually! Grandpa Han is adorable. So kriffing adorable. Thank you! He’s just an old softie! And fun to write that way, too. You'll be happy to hear that I didn't find any. Not that I actively look for such things. I was happy to know there were no glaring grammatical errors, though whateveritis did point out something else… so I’m going to drop down and address his issues. Well, the one I can address here. Thanks for the continued support. whateveritis12 Thanks for dropping in again. Always good to see you. You made a mistake when you said that Han and Leia were together for 35 years instead of 25. Since a) this is an AU, b) I’ve lengthened the length of the war, c) I’ve kept Anakin alive, and d) I’ve made Anakin older, I had to do some recalculating and, based on Anakin being born around 10.5 (Wookiepedia) ABY and my making him around 21 in this stage of the fic, then actually, Han and Leia have known each other for longer than 25 years, but, you are correct; even by my math they still haven’t known each other for 35 years. So, I’ll split the difference with you. I’ve gone back and changed the wording in that sentence and it now reads ‘after nearly 35 years’. Does that make it better? Thanks for reading that monster update. I know 4300 is a lot to ask readers to slog through. Jade_eyes Oh lovely lovely wonderful warm reconciliation scene. Your Leia POV was excellent. It had the warmth and honesty she's made of. Thank you very much, I’m glad you hung out long enough to give me time to get her there. She just needed time to cool here jets and give Tahiri a chance. The makeup of the actual team will be incredibly interesting indeed. I have a feeling it might be the literal opposite of Harmony LOL The team will leave a week from this next update, so you’ll get to see them in action soon. Luke might finally be able to clear the air with Tahiri during it but Jacen will probably continue to be a pain in the rump. You may be surprised by who steps up to the plate first. Or, you might not… or, you might be surprised by the baby steps that everyone takes. Or… you might not be surprised at all. Who knows? Melissa1991 If that is the year that you were born I’m going to cry! But really, welcome, and thanks for reading! It’s always nice to have new readers join the gang, especially when the swoop in with such praise. I have just one word to say: wow! You are welcome to say more! I won’t bite! But that will certainly do! I love that word, and thank you! I'm ashamed that I haven't read this fic before ö Don’t be ashamed! Just keep reading! I thrive on responses, and I took the liberty of adding you to the PM list, so if you don’t want to be on it, just shoot me a message and I’ll take you off. Morgoth_The_Enemy Hey there! We’ve cross lurked! How funny is that! And I’ve been so bummed that you haven’t been updating! I can’t wait to see what Ben does next now that Anakin finally woke up and he and Tahiri go talk to Ben again. But, back to my story! Morgoth Delurks Welcome! Okay... so I've been with this fic a while now and all of a sudden I'm missing out on like four posts... Get to reading my friend. I can’t wait to here what you think. I'm gonna go catch up. I've been loving it so far though! Glad to hear it. I hope to see you next week. frankieskywalker omg i dont know why it took me so long to post a reply Real life? It gets the best of us. yay leia and tahiri made up Finally, huh? wonderful family moments Thank you! dant wait for more I’m goning to assume that was supposed to be ‘cant’ wait for more… in which case, there should be more in a couple of hours. dont leave i always love your stories Ah… that comment was heard loud and clear, wasn’t it? I wish I could say that I could stay. But, alas, after this, there will be a departure, or at the very least a very long hiatus. Who knows? Maybe after the next book is released in March I’ll get inspired again and I’ll think of something new, although I have to say, I highly doubt it. In all my years reading SW and haunting the boards, I’ve only come up with four story ideas. One was Fear and Love, the epic Tahiri and Jacen, which will never be finished. One was a schmalty Jacen going bad two parter, which was just me working through why Jacen went bad. One was a Tahiri and Ben epic that my writing partner and I killed in the planning stages and will never see the light of day, and the fourth was Fragile. So, you can see, I’ve never been a prolific idea person, which is why I just don’t see myself coming up with anything else. Star_writer24 SW_24 sneaks into the back abashedly (is that a word?) and posts really quick before she has to come up with some outrageous excuse for her absence the last few weeks...unfortunately she is unable to escape without notice... I think you may very well have made up a word… but you’re in good company, I do it all the time. "ummm...alien abduction?" Given the fandom… that works. PP places her hands on her hips How did you know? "ummm... piggy flu?" Are you mocking me? PP arches an eye brow... That is what I do when I think I’m being mocked… "Okay okay I admit it!...A certain movie is coming out next month." (SW_24's inner 14 year old squees "New Moon!" before she shuts her up with a glare and turns bright red in embarrassment) "Sorry about that," she apologizes..."as I was saying and I was rereading ahem... a certain novel to refresh my memory...sad I know...but true." Oh… your are preaching to the choir! The only reason I don’t have to reread is that I read them all four times in a row… and then listened to them all on my iPod during my 2 hour each way commute to the parents twice a week for work in the weeks after I read them… so yeah, don’t actually have to read them again, and have fought reading them again anyway in preperation for thte movie because if I start reading them again I won’t be able to focus on Fragile. But I’m squeeing like a fifth grade girl waiting for the 22nd, and will be in the theater on that morning and praying that New Moon doesn’t suck the way Twilight did (in movie form, because, lets face it… as fun as the books were, the movie really did suck! But anyway… Now on to the review... Excatly! to start off with I think I promised I'd post this once you got it up... Yes you did. First off I have to say WOW! I never knew it was possible for me to dislike Jacen more than I already did I do try! Now lets see if I can redeem him in your eyes? ...but you managed to do that! I also want to know what the heck Luke is thinking...I am totally with Anakin on almost pitying him, its hard to reconcile this man with the boy we first met in New Hope and Mara as well...what the heck is going on with them. Are they, as Tahiri said, so caught up in trying to end the war and get back to their own son? One of the things I wanted clarification on was the significance of none of the family using the Force during the altercation between Jacen and Anakin. Was it because everyone is to caught up with their feeling or were they afraid if they started to use the Force things would get out of hand...or was your whole point that if they had been listening to the Force they wouldn't be having these problems in the first place...just thought this point was rather significant and could use some further explanation...if not now than later. I specifically left that open because I wanted to see what everyone else thought. I was interested in how the readers would interpret that, how they would see it in relation to their own take on the individual characters. Would the Tahiri and Anakin fans see it differently than the Jacen fans? Would anyone see it as the characters being so caught up in the moment that they would simply be too focused on Anakin and Jacen that the last thing they would be thinking of was their innate ability to use the Force to separate them? Would they specifically not use the Force because if anyone of them used it Anakin and Jacen would feel it and then key into that and use it to make the situation worse and things would get even uglier? Or, was it simply a method of letting Jaina let the readers see just how shocking and horrible the moment was? So I really wanted the reader to apply their own twist to it and see what the readers said. Frankly I was surprised I got so little reaction to it. Oh well. Loved the following passage with A/T I thought it really showed how they are no longer just kids married and in love with a baby...but they are actually adults now, dealing with problems like adults...you handled this transition beautifully I thought here... I’ve really been trying to show that even though the events that they’ve lived through have grown them, they are still, at heart, Anakin and Tahiri. I’m glad that came through. and continue it when Tahiri later confronts Leia...see more below... I skipped the recap, but yeah, I was trying, again to show that they are as connected as ever, and really get the circumstances that they are in. That they understand what they have given up, and the ways in which they have been forced to grow, that they understand that magnitude of what they are doing, because I think that will add weight to what they are about to do, the fact that they get it. Again just really enjoyed this passage how they are so serious and yet able to flirt and show there adoration for eachother in the middle of a crises. And the fact that with all that has happened, they are still able to enjoy themselves that way. Another poster took me to task for how disrespectful they were, and badly behaved, and the point I was trying to make was that even in the middle of all they are going through, they still need to enjoy life, they need to seek out and enjoy the small moments, because what else are they living for? What else are they fighting for but these small moments. Anakin and Tahiri have learned to rejoice in the small moments because that is all they have right now. If they can win the war, then they’ll have more of those moments and they will be longer, but right now, they need to appreciate all they have. I love how you made the fact that it was that the Skolos (that's what I am calling Anakin's fam from now on) As am I! acting as if its okay that Tahiri and Will are expendable is what is tearing Anakin up right now. He desperately wants his family to understand him, he always has, and that now extends to wanting them to love and accept his wife and son. And just like they didn’t understand or accept the way he used the Force, they don’t seem to be understanding or accepting the importance, the choice he’s made to put his wife and son, above the rest of his family. Luke and Mara really have some issues that need to be addressed even Wedge can see that. I know you probably won't deal with that too much the rest of the story It comes up… Luke and Anakin will take a walk eventually. but it does give one pause. It seems like Luke is willing to sacrifice anyone and anything in other words passively killing them...as long as they don't have to act and aggressively kill the Vong... it's mind numbing how insane that it...and makes me want to drag Kyp into the story LOL to counter this strange psychosis. Reminds me of just how much Anakin and Kyp are alike which is also noted in the books...which get me to thinking about Jaina...but that's something else all together I suppose. Didn’t Kyp used to complain that Luke never wanted to get his hands dirty? Now onto the Tahiri/Leia Scene let me gather my thoughts and I'll be back in a moment... Of course if Leia were honest, she’d felt the same way for most of Anakin’s life. Okay this line was great… I like that this whole scene is about Leia finally being honest about a lot of things. This reflection she has of the playground is a great way to setup the scene. Thank you! I hadn’t really thought of it that way. I think it’s really interesting how self righteous Leia still was when she considered the idea that Tahiri might want to apologize… she is still blind to her own faults at this point before they actually speak to each other and I think that really communicate just how much damage has truly been done here. She was feeling superior, still not wanting to take respondsibility for the fact that she was, in fact the one who got the ball rolling by saying that if Tahiri hadn’t told Anakin she was pregnant in the first place, he wouldn’t have been so distracted that he died. I was so proud of Tahiri when she didn’t go off on Leia about the cookie comment but rather calmly explained things to her. Tahiri was resigned. The one thing about Tahiri that I’ve always loved is that when she makes up her mind, she doesn’t waver. She decided that she was going to try to fix this, Anakin even told Han, in the Sim room, that if given the opportunity, Tahiri would try to fix this, this was the first chance Tahiri had and here she is, giving it her all. Even if Leia had rebuffed her attempt, Tahiri would have walked away feeling that at least she had tried. The interesting thing is a) how long would it have taken Anakin to find out that she tried, and how would he have reacted to Leia shooting her down? And then I was proud of Leia for finding common ground by focusing the topic onto Anakin’s health. For all her faults, she does love her son. The truth was this whole scene was just done beautifully and sincerely… The funny thing is that I was really afraid I didn’t write it well enough and that Tahiri hadn’t earned the forgiveness. I was afraid Leia gave in to easily. I think it’s in like my top three for favorite scenes in this story… Really??? I’d love to know your top two! and then of course Anakin has to come in and crack a joke…that’s Han coming out in him again. He is so like Han, at least, I’m trying to write him that way, because that’s how I think he should be written. The other part of this chapter I really enjoyed was Leia’s insight into Luke and Tahiri’s relationship…I always felt like Luke had a special place for her in his heart as well and it was nice to see someone else explore this… I’ve been re-re-re-reading the Junior Jedi Knights to the kids and the beginning of Promises and there is a scene at the beginning where Luke is talking to Tahiri about having to back to Tatooine to take her test with the tribe, and he innerlogues about Tahiri, its very sweet, and its what I was thinking of when I was writing that bit Leia was thinking about with Luke and Tahiri. The ironic part is Luke is well…Luke and is clueless as to how to fix it. I hope this get’s subtly explored a little more in the future as well. Anakin and Luke take a walk… Great Job…Looking forward to the next posty. Soon… P.S. I am putting the finishing touches on that something something I was going to send you. Still waiting. Oh… and going over that Secrets post. -----signature----- Is Anakin still dead? Not in my new story: Fragile Oh, look... there's a link right there http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/30173930/p1/?69
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pregnantpadme Registered: Oct '04	Date Posted: 10/30 10:56pm Subject: Fragile: An Anakin and Tahiri Story Friday Replies - Date Edited: 10/31 5:55pm (1 edits total) Edited By: pregnantpadme
	Check us out... It's still Friday! Pacific Standard Time... Fragile Chapter 21 Reluctantly Crouched At The Starting Line Anakin was trying really hard to put on a brave face, to be the strong man he knew he was supposed to be, but what he was watching was threatening to bring him to his knees. His wife, his precious wife, stood before him in the hall leading to their hangar, trying to hold herself together, as she prepared herself to say goodbye to their little boy. Through all the mission planning that had gone on, through all the plotting and rehashing and weapons checks and strategizing and alternate plans and contingency plans Anakin and Tahiri had deftly avoided discussing this moment. They’d pretended to themselves that rather than being home in time to feed Will dinner and give him a bath and tuck him at the end of the day, like usual, they’d just be away a little longer than normal. This mission would just be a little longer than most. They both acted as though there wasn’t any chance that this morning might be the last they’d ever spend with their son, or that they’d spend together as a family. They’d already been robbed of so much time, so they both tried to banish any comparisons to that long ago morning on Eclipse when they’d said goodbye to each other and pretended that Anakin was going to be home in a few days. Until last night. After making love, Anakin had made a big show of putting Tahiri’s nightgown back on her; dressing her, while they both laughed, like he would Will. When she asked him why he was putting her clothes back on her, after having made such a production of taking them off, he’d kissed her and told her he’d be right back. When he’d returned a few minutes later, Will cradled in his arms, Tahiri had stopped laughing, nodded her head, and begun to cry. Anakin laid Will down next to her, then slid into bed himself, pulling his wife and his son as close to himself as he could, well aware that this was exactly what he and Tahiri had done the night before he’d left for the voxyn mission. Will was just bigger and outside of Tahiri this time. He’d hoped that the gesture might take some of the sting out of saying goodbye now, that having Will between them, and finally talking about what they were about to do, in whispered tones so as not to wake their son, admitting that what they were embarking on was as dangerous a mission as anything they’d ever done and that they were scared, might make it easier for them to hold it together. It didn’t; they were both miserable and they both knew Will could feel it. Now Anakin watched as his son refused to release his hold on a fistful of Tahiri’s hair; instead, he twisted and twirled the flaxen strands through his fingers, a self-soothing habit he’d developed when only a few months old. He watched as Will refused to pull his head up from where he’d buried it in Tahiri’s neck, refused to allow Tahiri to pull his thumb from his mouth—another self soothing habit, though this one he only indulged in when overly tired or he could feel stress emanating off the grown-ups around him. The worst part of watching all of this was knowing that Tahiri didn’t want to be peeling their son off of herself and handing him over to Winter, who was waiting out in the hangar; Tahiri wanted to hold Will tightly and race back to their rooms; hide under the blankets and not come out until the coast was clear and this kriffing war was over. Anakin felt the same way. But neither one of them was going to do that. “Come here, buddy.” Anakin said gently, as he wedged an arm in between his wife and son and tried to pull Will over. “Dada wants some love too.” Will released his thumb from his mouth and wound that arm around Anakin’s neck, but still wouldn’t let go of Tahiri’s hair, so Anakin pulled them both to him, tucked his head down between both of their curly blonde heads, and opened himself to the Force. He wrapped them both in a tight bond of love, felt them both reach back, felt them weave the threads of light that they were through his own presence, and prayed he wasn’t lying when he whispered, “Mama and dada will be home soon.” “Mama dada wuv Wiwl.” Tahiri laughed gently through her tears. “Yes, angel.” She whispered as she stroked his head. “Mama and dada love you very much. You be a good boy for Winter and the guys while we’re gone, okay? And we’ll be back as soon as we can.” Before Will could respond a gentle throat clearing sounded ahead of them. Anakin had felt him coming and almost wanted to laugh. He couldn’t imagine who thought sending Jacen to find them was a good idea, but there he was. He actually felt sorry for his brother. But Anakin had to admit, something had changed in the last few days; a shift had taken place and the angry red and purple hues he always saw in the Force when his brother was near had lightened; had begun to fade to soft yellows and blues. Anakin suspected that it might have been brought about by the talk Han had had with Jacen after ‘the big breakfast’. Or, maybe it had something to do with the talk Leia had had with Jacen after ‘the big breakfast’. Or the talks Luke and Mara had with him. Or, maybe, it had something to do with another incident that Jag had filled Anakin in on. It involved lightsabers and one very pissed off petite brunette who had to be hauled away from her twin before cybernetic limb replacement was required. “Sorry to interrupt.” Jacen said quietly. “The Yuuzhan Vong are already on board and Face is getting antsy. He sent a few of us to look for you.” Tahiri chuckled as she turned and looked up. “And you were the unfortunate one who got sent in this direction?” Anakin was pleased to note that there was no venom in her voice. As angry as he’d been at all of them after he’d heard what had happened between her and his family on Hapes, Tahiri was the only one he had any sort of influence over. He had told her that they were adults now, parents, and that they needed to stop shooting their mouths off. She seemed to understand that what he really meant was that she needed to stop shooting her mouth off and he was relieved when she appeared to take his admonishment to heart without getting angry or defensive. She had gotten much better, and he was proud of her. “Yeah… sorry.” “It’s okay,” Anakin soothed, then he unleashed what he’d found to be the all purpose weapon against discomfort in adults; he nudged Will’s head with his chin and said, “Can you say ‘hi’ to Uncle Jacen?” Tahiri took Will back and started toward the hangar as Will smiled, albeit anemically for him, and said, “Hi, unka Ace-uhn.” “Hi Will,” Jacen returned as he fell in step beside Anakin and they followed Tahiri out. The vibe in Anakin’s hangar was a little morose. What had he expected? His parents and aunt and uncle were all there, Luke and Mara waiting to board the transport for Coruscant, Han and Leia saying their goodbyes. Jaina was standing with Jag and the Antilles; Jag would be flying with the Lumbonts under Paloma’s command. Anakin was very proud of Lomi. He’d had a feeling, once he’d gotten to know her, that she had the potential to be something great, that there was more there than just a nanny hidden behind her smile, even more there than just a friend. After Anakin and Tahiri had reconciled, the second time, while he was still trying to build his squad, he decided he wasn’t happy with Tahiri spending all day everyday in an office away from him. Anakin’s solution to that; teach her to fly an X-Wing and make her his XO. Tahiri had reservations, the most prominent of which was the fact that she already had a job that she really loved. There was also the fact that Iella depended heavily on Tahiri because she was Intel’s leading Yuuzhan Vong expert, and the Yuuzhan Vong weren’t surrendering on the condition they be brought to Iella and Winter; they were surrendering to Tahiri. Anakin’s solution to that had been to convince Iella to make his squad an Intel unit that answered to her as much as to Wedge and to let Tahiri fly with him part time while still covering her duties for Iella. It ended up being a lot of work for Tahiri, but one of the nice things about all those years of Jedi training was her ability to use short trances in lieu of actual sleep. Everything was looking great, everyone was happy, the squad was almost ready to start flying when, on a whim, Anakin threw Paloma into a simulator one day when he was working with Tahiri. And Paloma blew him away - literally and figuratively. Tahiri was furious at Anakin for poaching Paloma; she’d had a hell of a time with nannys. She got very few volunteers to look after her baby after the first nanny had been killed on Denon. Several others had left or had been asked to leave because they couldn’t handle Will’s Force sensitivity; it either scared them or they found it creepy – Tahiri had wanted to Force strangle the little brat who’d referred to Will as creepy – but even with all the difficulty before she’d found Paloma, at least she’d been on ship to keep a close eye on Will and whoever personnel had thrown at her to babysit that week. There was no way in hell she was leaving Will with a stranger so she and Paloma could go off flying with Anakin. She didn’t care if the commandos were there or not; their job was to keep their eyes open, their blasters set to kill, and to destroy anything that came near her son. They didn’t change diapers, fix bottles, or sing lullabyes. As usual, Anakin had a solution; make the squad larger than average and always leave one pilot on the Lusankya with the commandos to watch over Will. Once Tahiri had cooled off, she and Paloma had been highly amused by Anakin adding questions pertaining to whether a pilot liked children, or had any prior experience with children, to his interviewing process. He also essentially gave Will the final say in selecting his pilots. After they’d met all of Anakin’s other criteria, he placed each of the men and woman in an interrogation room, complete with one way observation glass, and watched to see what Will thought of them. It had bummed Anakin out a little when he’d had to cut a couple of pilots he really liked because Will had cried inconsolably from the moment Anakin had left the room. He’d ended up writing highly complementary evaluations for them though, and was pretty sure they were thriving in other squadrons. Anakin’s solutions ended up working nicely though. Even on days that Tahiri was in her Intel office and another pilot was with her and the security team to help with Will, Anakin still had a full squadron to back him in space, and usually Paloma was flying his wing. He took the same glee in watching Lomi take down pilot after pilot in sims as Tycho did watching Tahiri, and Anakin had the utmost faith in her ability to handle the squad during this mission; Lumbonts would be covering the Falcon when Han and Leia swooped in, undoubtedly just barely in time to pull their family out of the havoc they were planning on wreaking planetside. Some things were simply destined to be—and Anakin doubted anyone standing in his hangar as he, Jacen and Tahiri entered, would bother to pretend otherwise at this point. Anakin spotted the commandos and the Celchus in last-minute conversation with the Wraiths. Face was a god in Bram’s book; Face was what Bram wanted to be when he grew up. When the war was over and Will and Tahiri were no longer on Shimmra’s hit list, when Bram no longer spent his time killing Yuuzhan Vong and Vong-sympathizing when they tried to get at Anakin’s wife and son, then he would love to become a Wraith himself. Anakin hoped he'd get the oppurtunity. Anakin would be happy to sign those transfer orders when the time came. The guy deserved the honor and the prestige for all he’d done. Iella and Winter both noticed their arrival, and Anakin caught them excusing themselves from the groups they were talking to, watched as they began to make their way over to Tahiri and him, and felt Tahiri stiffen beside him. The rest of the group noticed them too. Face and Kell nodded and began to make their way to the transport as the commandos and the Lumbonts raised hands, chins, and arms in salute and filed out various doors to go busy themselves elsewhere. They’d all said their goodbyes last night. Jaina smiled over and took Jag’s hand and led him toward the boarding ramp for what Anakin assumed would be a private farewell. Luke and Mara hugged Han and Leia, and they, along with Jacen, turned away from the Solos and headed off themselves. Paloma was the first in the hangar to actually reach Anakin’s side. He hadn’t even seen her with the others, but she did have a way of sneaking up on him. It wasn’t a surprise that Valin was hot on her trail. “Hey, boss.” “Lomi.” Anakin had already given her all the instructions and pep talks she needed. She knew what she was supposed to do; she was supposed to shoot straight and fly fast and get her ass back home with all the rest of the kids in front of her, so he just reached out and wrapped his arms around her and planted a kiss on top of her big red head. “Keep her out of trouble, okay?” Paloma said, as she nodded toward Tahiri. “Uh…” Tahiri defended, “I’m not taking Valin with me, so I’m not going to need to be kept out of trouble.” “Yeah, like it’s my fault you’re a crash artist.” Valin teased. Then he put his arms around Tahiri and Will, leaned his cheek against hers and said, “Stay safe, I don’t want to have to break in new wing mate. As big a pain in the ass as you are, I’ve finally got you trained up the way I like.” Tahiri smiled and said, “Starfood.” Valin smiled too, then turned his head slightly and whispered something in Tahiri’s ear that Anakin didn’t hear but made her giggle. Then he stood back and cupped her face and got very serious. “I’ll see you soon, loudmouth,” he said, before reaching up and kissing her forehead. Valin took Paloma’s hand, pulled her away from Anakin and offered a lazy salute. “An ale on me for every bad guy you take down, sir.” Anakin saluted back just as lazily, “I don’t pay you that much, Horn.” “I look forward to working it off then,” he called as he turned and wrapped his arm around Paloma, who Anakin could feel, was crying. “I think that’s everyone.” Winter said gently. Anakin looked around and saw that, indeed, the hangar was clear, but for his parents and the Holds. He watched Tycho and Wedge each hug Tahiri, then he saluted them, smartly, like he was supposed to, and bit the corner of his lip as they saluted back and turned and marched away. Neither one of them were big on goodbyes and that was fine, Anakin was about spent anyway, and Tahiri was crying and holding Will so tightly against her chest that Anakin was pretty sure it was going to take everything he had to pry their son out of her arms. He hugged his dad and his mom and then Iella and Winter, but didn’t say anything to any of them—they’d already said it all, a hundred times before; then he turned to Tahiri and cupped her cheek. “We have to go, my love.” “I know.” “You need to say goodbye.” “I know,” she whispered as tears streaked down her face. For a crazy second he thought about telling her to stay, telling her not to go with him, to screw the plans. They didn’t need a translator, they didn’t need the Jeedai-who-was-shaped to galvanize the Shamed Ones; she should stay there and protect their son like she did when he’d gone to Myrkr, and in one of those rare crystal clear moments like that day they’d been arrested on Eriadu, she seemed to know exactly what was going through his mind and she said, “No.” Then she kissed Will’s head and pulled him away from her and said, “I love you.” And then pushed him into Winter’s arms and ran to the transport. Anakin sucked in a breath, startled at both the lightening fast speed at which all those thoughts had raced through his mind and at the fact that Tahiri had caught all of them, and at the emotion pouring off of her and Will, who was now crying too. He leaned over and took Will’s face in his hands, and kissed his forehead, then pulled back, and looked into his bright green eyes, Tahiri’s eyes, and said, “Daddy loves you too. I’ll bring mama home soon, I promise.” Then he turned and ran after Tahiri. Chapter title from The Distance by Cake -----signature----- Is Anakin still dead? Not in my new story: Fragile Oh, look... there's a link right there http://boards.theforce.net/beyond_the_saga/b10477/30173930/p1/?69
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