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"I wish I were there to help your father," Aryn said.

"I wish I could help him too," Raynar said, taking his mother's hand a bit awkwardly. It felt strange at first, but he had come to realize in the past months how easy it was to lose the things and the people that you cared about. "I'm glad you're here, Mom," he said. "I didn't expect you to come out of hiding until we had found Dad."

Aryn Dro Thul stood tall, straightened her shoulders, and looked into Raynar's eyes. "Sometimes we simply have to face our worst fears," she said. 'ou've shown so much courage since your father disappeared. I'm very proud of you, you know."

Raynat sighed. "I guess facing our fears is a part of growing up."

His mother raised her eyebrows at him. "Maybe.

Even so, it never gets any easier."

With a contented smile, Leia Organa Solo gazed slowly around the meal table in the Solo family's quarters of the Imperial Palace. It was still hard to believe that her husband and three children were here at home, all at the same time.

She allowed herself to enjoy the moment, though it had taken a galactic crisis to bring them together.

"More nerf sausage, Master Jacen?" See-Threepio offered. "It is a particular Corellian favorite."

"Maybe just one," Jacen answered. Leia noted that Jacen was taller than she had remembered.

It amazed her to see how the twins and Anakin grew and changed each time they returned from their studies at the Jedi academy.

After serving Jacen, the gold protocol droid turned to Jaina. She held her hands over her plate, as if to protect it from Threepio's enthusiastic service. "Couldn't eat another bite," Jaina protested.

"Over here, Goldenrod," Hah said, holding out his plate for more.

"These are just like the ones Dewlanna used to make for me."

Anakin said, "I have a feeling you're all going to need your strength when you speak to the New Republic Senate tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" the twins asked in unison.

Leia said, "I've scheduled a special meeting of the New Republic Senate for tomorrow morning.

I'd like you and all of your friends there to present your findings. I think the whole galaxy needs to know what the Diversity Alliance has planned."

The New Republic senate chambers were full to overflowing. Jaina looked uncertainly through the door into the crowded room and then back at her mother. The Chief of State shrugged. "We had a vote coming up on several major issues, so I requested full attendance today. There are senators and delegates in there whom I haven't seen in months."

Jaina attempted a lopsided grin. "Must be something in the air, huh?"

She glanced around at her assembled friends, all of whom were aware of how important their words would be.

Tenel Ka said, "Perhaps they heard of our intention to discuss the Diversity Alliance."

"More than likely," Leia admitted. "I know you all understand how much is at stake here."

"If you want, I could try to loosen up the crowd with a joke." Jacen waggled his eyebrows. Leia turned toward him with a startled look and opened her mouth as if to speak. "Hey, I was just kidding," Jacen said, holding up his hands in a placating gesture. Lowie rumbled deep in his throat. "Okaymbad timing, I admit. It's just that we all seem so tight and edgy."

You're right," Jaina said, drawing a slow deep breath and letting the Force flow through her to relax her. A wave of calm clarity washed the worry from her mind. Around her, Lowie, Sirra, Tenel Ka, Zekk, Lusa, and Raynar were also using Jedi relaxation techniques. Her father and Chewbacca along with her uncle Luke, the Jedi historian Tionne, and Kur, the Twi'lek politician rescued from exile on Ryloth, had already taken their seats toward the front of the Senate chamber.

"Well then, what are we waiting for?" Jaina asked.

Much later, after they had told all their adventures and delivered their alarming news, it still wasn't over.

Jaina grew defensive as yet another representative stood up to take the floor.