Forever and a Day! (Union)

[Jocelyn Jaeger]

By the Gods! How long had it been? Jocelyn's last memory of her mother was saying goodbye before she, Daddy and a number of troops went on a mission against the Empire. She wasn't even six years old then and now... now Jocelyn had grown up. She was ten now and had been found to be Force Sensitive. With the war between the Republic and Empire escalating and with no sign of her Mother and Father, the Jedi had offered to take her in and train her Force abilities. Despite being happy under the tutelage of Knight Lynmeira, Jocelyn's thoughts always returned to Mommy. Was she alive? Would she be proud of her? Would she even recognize who her little girl had become?

It had often caused periods of sadness in her heart and having lost friends since joining the Jedi, Jocelyn was desperate to find out what her Mother's fate was. It had taken her to the far reaches of the galaxy at one time before Suri Jaxx, a Jedi Apprentice had taken her home and despite being a teenager herself, had given the girl the stability she craved, even going so far as to reassure her that, when she left to join Lynmeira as her Padawan, she would keep an ear out for her Mother. It was a promise she'd kept to heart and it had finally paid off. Just days before, Suri had sent the youngster an excited holocall. Mommy had been found! She was alive and in reasonable shape. It was the best news ever! She'd begun to accept that she would not likely see her again but now she could barely sit still. Thank the Gods Suri and Lynmeira was so patient with her!

With Lynmeira's permission, Jocelyn was now back on Corellia where Suri had been kind enough to pay for Union and Jocelyn's respective shuttle rides. It didn't take Jocelyn long to return to the home Suri had set up at the new enclave and with Satkia's permission, Suri had set up a set of quarters just for them. Oooh! She could not wait as she paced impatiently in Suri's quarters, where Serah and Neema, Serah's pet psychotic jax, had tried unsuccessfully to calm her down.

"I'm going outside for a while... Maybe the air will help me relax..." she finally said before leaving. Neema quickly followed her trail, like she always did when Jocelyn came home, walking with her in the gardens to make sure she was okay.

[Union Jaeger]

Four years had passed since Union Angel Jaeger had gone off on a mission for the Republic. As it usually went for SpecOps and special forces, you were sometimes thrown into an undercover job that would take years without a single warning. It's why Union and Darc had not thought about having kids. As it were, Jocelyn came along anyway. Against the odds of survival, Jossie had been a fighter from the start. It was in her blood.

As Union's shuttle landed, she headed for the sight of the reunion following directions from her datapad. Her raven locks were pulled back into a bun, her body wrapped in the standard issue BDU's and her marching feet were tucked snug into a pair of combat boots. As she moved through Corellia towards the address, an overwhelming excitement grew in her heart. The long days, and sleepless nights that go with the type of mission she had been involved in could easily wear on anyone's heart. For Union, it wore down faster being away from her own flesh and blood for so long.

As the entrance to this abode came into view, the soldier tucked her datapad into the small clip on her belt next to the blasters strapped on her hips. You couldn't mistake Union for anything but a soldier. Even in civilian clothes you could see the passion of freedom fighting in her auburn eyes. Her strides came faster, nearly bursting into a double time march just to get to the entrance faster. Suddenly, a little form walked outside and headed into the gardens. Her heart leaped from her chest it seemed. Union knew that face. She stared into it for long hours into their midnight feedings when she was a newborn, stared long and hard as to watch her fall asleep so monsters wouldn't come from the closet to get her in the toddler stage.

"Jossie!!," she called out with excitement as she started bustling towards her.

[Union Jaeger]

Four years had passed since Union Angel Jaeger had gone off on a mission for the Republic. As it usually went for SpecOps and special forces, you were sometimes thrown into an undercover job that would take years without a single warning. It's why Union and Darc had not thought about having kids. As it were, Jocelyn came along anyway. Against the odds of survival, Jossie had been a fighter from the start. It was in her blood.

As Union's shuttle landed, she headed for the sight of the reunion following directions from her datapad. Her raven locks were pulled back into a bun, her body wrapped in the standard issue BDU's and her marching feet were tucked snug into a pair of combat boots. As she moved through Corellia towards the address, an overwhelming excitement grew in her heart. The long days, and sleepless nights that go with the type of mission she had been involved in could easily wear on anyone's heart. For Union, it wore down faster being away from her own flesh and blood for so long.

As the entrance to this abode came into view, the soldier tucked her datapad into the small clip on her belt next to the blasters strapped on her hips. You couldn't mistake Union for anything but a soldier. Even in civilian clothes you could see the passion of freedom fighting in her auburn eyes. Her strides came faster, nearly bursting into a double time march just to get to the entrance faster. Suddenly, a little form walked outside and headed into the gardens. Her heart leaped from her chest it seemed. Union knew that face. She stared into it for long hours into their midnight feedings when she was a newborn, stared long and hard as to watch her fall asleep so monsters wouldn't come from the closet to get her in the toddler stage.

"Jossie!!," she called out with excitement as she started bustling towards her.

[Jocelyn Jaeger]

That voice! That familiar, loving voice! It had not been so long that Jocelyn had forgotten. Blue eyes gazed up, her jaw agape. For a moment, the girl couldn't do anything but freeze. Her feet refused to move. It seemed to take a monumental effort for Jocelyn to even utter a word but finally, a smile grew. The same smile that she always had when Mother returned from her missions. Her feet finally decided to cooperate and move faster than little girls really should. The Force was powering them to propel her forward as she joyfully shouted out, "Mommy!" Before long, she had literally crash hugged her, like she had done so long ago, holding on tight and refusing to let go as tears formed in her eyes.

"Mommy! It is you isn't it?" she finally said. "It isn't just a dream is it?" Her ear was firmly planted on her mother's chest, right near her heart like it always was when they hugged. The little Padawan's chest heaved as she tried to stop crying. For so long, Jocelyn had always said to herself, 'A Jaeger girl doesn't cry!' yet that philosophy had gone straight out of the window. "I've missed you so much... I didn't know if you were ever coming home..."

When she finally pulled back, she looked up with her glassed blue eyes. Rubbing them dry for a moment, she then pulled her lips into her trademark smile and it wasn't long before the cheeky personality returned. "Heehee, you're tiny!"

[Union Jaeger]

Union fell to her knees wrapping her arms around her daughter holding her tight. Tears began dripping from her cheeks onto Jocelyn's sweet smelling hair. For a moment, the soldier was speechless and kept repeatedly kissing her youngling on the top of her head. Finally, words came formed from her lips.

"Oh my dearest, I've missed you! I'll always find my way back to you, lovie. Always," she said drying her tears. On the battlefield, Union could be as hard as she needed to be but here with her daughter nothing else mattered. She took in a big deep breath inhaling her daughter's scent before pulling back. The smile on her lips was the same one she'd been giving Jocelyn since the day Sarisa laid her in her arms.

With a chuckle to her tiny comment the mother of this beautiful child pulled her in again this time picking her up and spinning her around. "You are far from tiny. You've grown so much!! What have you been up to? Have you been back to the base at all?"

Union was on a lone mission. The other Devil Dogs had received the orders elsewhere, and Union had no way of knowing what had happneded to what once was her squad with Darc. Hell, she didn't even know where Darc was....

[Jocelyn Jaeger]

Jocelyn laughed with glee as she was picked up and swung around by her Mother. Oh how long she'd wanted that feeling of her strong arms spinning her around. Neema, Serah's psychotic jax watched the reunion before heading back to join Jocelyn's Jedi family, satisfied that the girl was happy once again.

As Mother asked if she'd been back on Telos recently, Jocelyn nodded, though didn't want to tell her mother that the reason she had initially gone was to find her, but she did speak to some of the Devil Dogs. "Yeah, the Dogs have mostly gone their seperate ways now. You and Daddy were the linchpins that held them together..." she said. "Auntie Isa is on Medical leave as a battle went wrong. She lost an eye in the battle. Uncle Tal is now the leader of the Republic Army, Auntie Madie has an important job too. Emma works in a hospital on Telos now. The Army life wasn't for her and Dad..."

Jocelyn's voice trailed a little. "Dad got into trouble. Big trouble. He told me that someone had threatened to hurt us and he went to hunt them down. He'd left without a word, but when he did come back, he told me he'd been in jail for murder. I didn't hear from him for three years and with you and Daddy gone and the others going to war, the Jedi offered me a chance to live with them as it was far away from the fighting and they said I was Force sensitive too, which meant I could train as a Jedi."

Jocelyn looked up at one of the windows where she saw Suri and Serah watching. They too had glazed eyes as they watched the reunion of mother and daughter. Jocelyn laughed and waved at them and they waved in return. "That's my Jedi sisters. Suri and Serah Jaxx. Suri's been like a second Mom to me, even though she's eight years older. She umm.... she came after me when I missed you so much I went to hunt for you..." Jocelyn looked down, feeling rather sheepish. "I'd lost a good friend and it hurt so bad I just wanted to find you so we could all be a family again.... but I got lost in space..."

[Union Jaeger]

When Union heard about the dismantling of her squad and the last of Darc's whereabouts, sparks of pain stabbed at her heart. Then she listened as her daughter explained that she had joined the Jedi Order. Union had never thought of having a Force sensitive child. In fact, Union and Darc's hopes were for Jocelyn to be the next High General. With all this that which broke her heart in this joyous moment was the thought that someone had to adopt her child into their home. Union wasn't there. She was a soldier and unfortunate for soldiers but your duty comes first. The woman couldn't ignore the fleeting thought of leaving the military after this long stay from her daughter.

Angel swallowed her pain, and smiled to her child. At least someone had cared for her. At least someone was caring enough to take her in and keep her safe. And if the Jedi Temple is where Jossie felt her heart belonged then so be it. Whatever made her daughter feel happy and fulfilled.

"Jossie, I am so sorry my duty has kept me from you for so long. I should have never left you like I did. I should have told the Republic to shove it and come home. I didn't know what type of mission it was until it seemed to late. I guess you don't really want to hear excuses. Just know I am here and I am sorry your father and I put you through this life."

Union kept her face calm even though she was cracking inside.

[Jocelyn Jaeger]

When Mother spoke of how sorry she felt for putting Jocelyn through all the things she had to endure, the little girl showed just how grown up she'd become, how the lessons Knight Lynmeira, Suri, Serah, Master Amalia and so many more had been taken to heart. "Don't feel sorry for me, Mommy." she said as she pulled her mother into another hug. "I'm not sorry for being here. I had some bad times, but I've had good times too. If you take a look on the Jedi side of things, they'll tell you the Force guides us on our paths for a reason. I wouldn't have believed it before but they were right, Mommy. And besides, I'm lucky. I may not have been raised with you and Daddy like I'd have wished, but at least I have a Mommy and Daddy." she pointed up to where the two girls had been. "My Jedi sisters, Suri and Serah. They have each other now, but go back a couple of years and while Serah had someone that resembled a Mommy in her life, they both lost their Mommy, their Daddy and all their extended family to slavers when they were babies. Serah was lucky. She had a Mommy figure in her life, but Suri endured so much that, when Master Satkia found her, she was still wearing clothes that fit me now and she was fifteen!" Jocelyn looked up. "Neither didn't know if the other was alive until Knight Kaie found Serah and brought her to the Jedi a year ago and you know... even for all they've endured, they're as lucky to have each other as I'm lucky to have you and Daddy. Not everyone is as lucky as we are really..."

Jocelyn finally got it now. The reunion with her Mommy had finally made her understand that, Jocelyn was lucky and that she was never alone, even if her parents weren't with her. As she looked back, she then reflected some of the same tenderness that had been shown to her when she was little by placing her thumbs under her Mother's eyes to catch the tears. "So no more tears Mommy. Please..?"

[Union Jaeger]

As her very mature 10 year old spoke to her like a true jedi, Union's heart swelled with pride. She knew the Jedi Order were lucky to have such a mature, strong student as Jossie had become. Listening to the hardships of her daughter's friends was tragic but hearing how her daughter saw the glass half full gave her comfort. A good sense of comfort. As Jocelyn dried her tears, the soldier grabbed her child's hand and pressed it to the side of her face.

"I am so proud of you, Jocelyn. You are so strong, and courageous," she said smiling. Her eyes looked back into the abode where her daughter's jedi sisters were dwelling. The SpecOps officer stood and took Jossie by the hand.

"Can I meet them? Your jedi family?"

[Jocelyn Jaeger]

When her Mother asked to meet her Jedi family, the girl bounced with glee. She'd hoped her Mother wanted to meet them and it didn't take her long to guide them into the compound and up the stairs to the room where Suri and Serah lived along with Neema. The door had been left open and it seemed that the girls had already set on having another guest for dinner tonight as Jocelyn called out to them.

"Suri! Serah! Come meet my Mom!"

Serah and the psychotic jax, Neema were the first to arrive, Neema giving the soldier Mom a sniff followed by a lot of frantic tail wagging and jumping while Serah waved happily before closing in to embrace Union for a moment to welcome her to the fold. "Hi Mrs Jaeger!" Serah said, her voice quiet but eager. "Welcome to the Corellian Enclave! I'm Serah!" Serah then looked down at Neema to introduce her. "And this is my pet psychotic jax, Neema. Heehee!"

Neema was excited. Boy was she excited! So much so that she was zooming back and forth from one end of the lounge area to the other, nearly knocking Suri over as she came in, greeting Union with a similar embrace, welcoming her like she was a member of their little family. Well, Union was in a way. As Suri and Serah had adopted little Jocelyn as family, her mother would be treated the same. "I'm Suri! Its great to finally meet you!" she said. A large smile formed on her face as she looked at mother and daughter. Apart from the eyes and hair, the two looked remarkably alike. "Now I can finally see the resemblance! You two look very much alike!"

Jocelyn continued to hold her mother's hand, smiling proudly as she watched the interaction. "These are my Jedi sisters! Knight Lynmeira had some duties back on Yavin Eight so couldn't come with me to meet you, but she told me to tell you that she hoped to meet you some day."

[Union Jaeger]

As Union entered the abode, she smiled brightly watching her excited daughter introduce her dear friends. She looked around and unbuttoned her BDU jacket revealing the New Republic issued army green t-shirt underneath and two necklaces. One was her dog tags. The other was the wedding gift from her husband a special gem found only on Velmor, her homeworld. She looked Jossie over when Suri mentioned their striking resemblance. With a smile and outstretched arms, she offered a hug. These girls had accepted her own daughter into their hearts and were now considered family.

"It is very nice to meet you, ladies. You can call me Angel. It's more apporpriate seeing as how my daughter calls you family," she said with a big grin. "Now Jossie hasn't been too much for you to handle, has she? She was always head strong..like her momma." She chuckled lightly. As her daughter mentioned Lynmeira, she nodded in agreement. "I should like to meet her very soon. It would be an honor."

As the soldier looked on her daughter interacting with these other girls, she was amazed at how Jocelyn had been a survivor from the womb. She had survived the horrendous beatings while Union was imprisoned and tortured, a chaotic birth in the barracks on base, and the instability that comes with being a child of the military. Yet here Jossie stood, strong and full of life. A mother couldn't be prouder.

"So when and how did you discover your force sensitivity? The Creed family hasn't had a force user in our family for seven generations. Now the Jaegers may be a different story. Your father always spoke little of his heritage."

[Jocelyn Jaeger]

Jocelyn was so happy she felt like she was on cloud nine as her mother greeted the girls with a warm hug. It all felt like a dream she just didn't want to wake up from. If Daddy were here, this would be perfect... she thought to herself as the question came to light about how Jocelyn found out she was Force Sensitive. How long had Jocelyn known? Near enough all her life in a way, but the circumstances were often dismissed as coincidence or thoughts of, maybe she did this or climbed into that. It wasn't until the Jedi came that it was confirmed that she could manipulate the Force and a lot of those strange occurrences could be attributed to this simple fact.

"It...it just seemed to fit with all the stories you and Auntie Isa used to tell me about how I seemed to get into places a baby should never be able to get into on her own. Auntie Isa once told me how she'd frantically searched for me when I was eighteen months and had found me in a tree that was to tall for me to have climbed by myself. She'd been looking for 'whomever the cruel...umm...sod was to have stuck her in the tree and walk off' for hours and was hopping mad about it. She didn't think it was actually me that did it with the Force's help...hehe."

The Jaxx sisters were well aware of the circumstances behind Jocelyn's birth and it was Suri that provided something intriguing to ponder. "If I may, there is a very real possibility that her connection travels even further back than that." she began. "Jocelyn explained to us how you had no idea of her existence until she was born and the circumstances in the months before. Its a very real possibility that she developed her connection in the womb as a means of protecting herself from the worst of the torture you received and she in turn may have given you some of the strength needed to escape your circumstances. Non-force sensitive mothers have been known to gain some sensitivity via their unborn child, but they have been due to dire situations similar to your own."

Jocelyn looked up, a small, knowing smile pulling on her lips. Deep down, the little girl wondered if that were true. Even if she didn't remember the circumstances, Jocelyn always had the thoughts and feelings of wanting to be close to her Mommy so she could protect her. Perhaps it did stem to the time in the womb rather than simple separation anxiety it had been written off as by doctors. "Sounds weird, but it also seems to make sense...doesn't it?" she said as she snuggled herself into her mother's waist.

As for how she'd been since the two stepped in to take care of Jocelyn. The sisters grinned at one another before Serah quipped, "She's been good for the most part since she's been with us. When Suri stepped in and took her under wing, before I arrived, she'd had a rough time dealing with the loss of one of our own, Chiara so was depressed and distressed."

Suri stuck her tongue out at Jocelyn before tickling her on the tummy, making her giggle and squirm before hiding behind her mother. "She's definitely not the distressed little girl she was when I picked her up from Telos a few weeks after she did a runner from Yavin a couple of years ago, that's for sure!" she said. "She's grown into a bright and intelligent young Padawan who comes to visit me every so often. Mostly when she and Lynmeira are on a flying visit to another destination as they're based at the Yavin temple."

Jocelyn looked up and nodded. "Yep! I'm fine now! I still miss Chiara, but I'm okay now. I've not ran away since..."