"Jaina, you can't do anything about it," Zekk said sympathetically, patting her shoulder. Jaina shoved his hand away.

"I can't Zekk, he's my brother. Surely you understand that. I have to do something!"

"Why can't you see? He's not your brother anymore. Jacen is gone. You're going to say that he's still in there, but damn it Jaina, he's hurting people! I know you've been down that path, but you can't save him." Concern burned in his brown eyes, and she could feel his good intentions. He was trying to help her, she knew it.

"Kyp…"

Zekk cut her off, "Brought you back, but this isn't the same. You were lost, hurt, and there was no one to help you. Jacen knows full well what he's doing. He is lost to us! I've been there, you've been there, and you know what happens when you embrace the darkness."

"So you want to abandon him?" she asked incredulously.

"Like I abandoned you? Jaina you know why I couldn't stay…" he pleaded.

"Stay out of my mind!" she shrieked, hurling up the mental shields she had been practicing.

Zekk suddenly felt cold. He reached out with the force, searching for Jaina's mind, her presence. But all he touched was himself, there was nothing. He turned bewildered to Jaina.

"How did you?"

"I blocked you out Zekk," Jaina snapped, tersely trying to focus on maintaining the block. She needed this, she needed to be strong, but most importantly, she needed to be herself. She couldn't let him mess with her mind or dissuade her.

"I'm sick of you using my mind against me. I'm sick of you knowing things about me that I don't want you to know. Get out of my mind Zekk and stay out!"

"Jaina, I know you're mad, but that's no reason to throw this gift away. We're the best team in the galaxy. Look at all we've done together."

"And I wouldn't change that Zekk," she said quickly. Truly she wouldn't. She and Zekk had always been friends, had always been close. The Joining had brought them closer, and they had been an effective team for sure.

"I want to be my own person, finish my own sentences…"

"This is about Jag isn't it?" he accused angrily.

"It doesn't matter. This is about me," she replied, "I'm going to find Jacen and bring him back."

"He'll kill you Jaina. You saw what he did to our…your mother," he said revising his choice of words at Jaina's glare.

"How could I forget? She's lying in a bacta tank, by the force! But He won't hurt me. Somewhere in there he's still Jacen."

"No Jaina! He's lost it, lost everything. He's not coming back. Tenal Ka is imprisoned, their daughter is dead." His frustration was growing evident as he shoved his hand through his hair.

"I know that Zekk! But I also know that I love my brother. I will do anything in my power to save him. And if he's too far gone, then…then…I'll do what I have to do!"

"Could you do that?" his voice grew quiet, brown eyes boring into hers. Jaina looked away.

"Could you Jaina? What happens when you can't? Because I guarantee you Jacen will not hesitate!"

"It won't matter," she said, "It won't come to that." But a pit was sinking in her stomach…what if it did come to that? How could she destroy a part of herself? Her best friend? Her twin?

"Jaina, this is suicide and you know it. I refuse to let you do this."

"You can't stop me Zekk. I know you care, and that you're only trying to look out for me, but I have to do this. I'll never be able to live with myself if I do nothing."

"It isn't your fault Jaina," Zekk said slowly.

"I should have been there for him. I wasn't and look what's happened. You can tell me it's not my fault, enough people already have, but I still feel responsible. I'm going after him Zekk. I have to."

"Then there's nothing I can do for you," he said, turning away.

"Please Zekk, don't be like that. I know what may happen, please don't storm away. Don't end it like this." Now it was her turn to plead. After all, he was her friend.

He turned slowly and looked her in the eye.

"I care about you Jaina Solo, you know how much. And you're leaving, probably never coming back. How am I supposed to feel?" Tears were welling up in his eyes.

Jaina walked forward and pulled him into a hug. "Don't think I never cared," she whispered.

"Be careful," he said, "And if it comes, don't hesitate."

"Stay safe Zekk. May the Force be with you always."

"And with you. You'll need it."

Jaina nodded. Zekk kissed her lightly on the cheek, and with one final squeeze moved away. They stared at one another for a moment, unsure of how to leave. Finally, Jaina smiled sorrowfully and turned away, blinking tears from her eyes. She knew what she had to do, now it was only a matter of doing it.

A familiar voice crackled in over the comm.

"Unidentified skip, you have entered a secure area. Identify yourself or you will be shot down. You have one chance to comply."

Jaina's insides froze and her breath caught in her chest at the sound of his voice. But still, she pulled herself together and composed herself.

"This is Jaina Solo, requesting permission to cross the blockade. Jedi business."

"Jaina and Zekk?" came the response on a private channel.

"Just Jaina," she said softly, "I need to get through Jag."

"Jaina, you know I can't let you do that. I'll be forced to open fire."

"I know. I'm not asking for any favors, I don't deserve that, not after what's happened. But I will get through this blockade. I have to. I'm going to find Jacen and bring him back." Her hands were sweating on the controls, this had to work.

"Jaina…"

"Save it Colonel. I've already heard it all."

Jag shoved his hand through his hair. Once Jaina's mind was made, that was the end of it. Hopefully, this wouldn't be the end of her. He had to convince her, he had to keep her out.

"I see Jedi Solo. Is this mission authorized by Master Skywalker?"

The long pause gave him his answer before Jaina said a word.

"This is a rescue mission Colonel. Unless you want another Sith Lord to rise, you will let me go. I don't have time for this," she snapped, anger evident.

"Is this mission authorized?" Jag repeated.

"I'm the only one…"

"Answer my question," he said firmly.

"Why? You already know the answer. I'm sorry Jag, for everything."

And suddenly her ship vanished. He looked at the radar, nothing. He slammed his hand into the console in frustration.

"Sir? Do we give pursuit?"

"She's long gone," Jag said, "We were looking at a force illusion the whole time. I should have known she was up to something."

"We have to report this," the officer said.

"I'll take care of it," Jag replied, already moving towards the communications bridge. As much as he hated to admit it, he still had feelings for the brown haired rebel. But right now, he cursed her Corellian stubbornness that he normally loved. Then he cursed himself for being such an idiot and playing into her hands. Her mission was suicide, anyone could see it, and that fact hit him painfully.