Title: Moments in Time
Author: Kailene
Timeframe: AU
Characters: Jag, OC's, Jaina
Summary: Little 'moments in time' in the life of the Solo-Fel family.
Notes: As usual, Star Wars and all characters, except the children, belong to George.
xxx
The X-wing and the Clawcraft circled slowly and unsteadily above the choppy, swirling water. Both pilots were weary from a day of battles but they did their best to stick together and to coordinate their attacks; neither willing to give in or accept defeat. They each kept a vigilant eye out for the enemy commander. They both knew that he was as smart as he was sneaky, and would strike when they both least expected.
The fast moving blanket of water struck from behind, knocking both unsuspecting ships into the water below and drenching their pilots. The enemy commander smiled triumphantly. The battle had been long and arduous, but now the pilots were just within his reach to capture.
"Surrender." The black haired man looked down at the drenched pilots, his guard still up, waiting for them to make a move.
He knew they would, they always did. This time, though, he would be ready. He would capture them both.
His hair and clothes were disheveled from the previous melee and fatigue had begun to settle in. He couldn't let his tiredness show. He knew they would seize upon any weakness and use it to their own advantage, and the battle would begin anew.
The downed pilots, huddled together as far from the commander as they could possibly get, looked at each other. A silent, unspoken decision passed between them. Defiant brown eyes and determined green ones turned and met the unwavering gaze of the man standing before them.
"No."
"Ah, so you think you're clever enough to escape?"
"You can't get both of us," the girl challenged boldly, "And…"
"then we'll get away," the other finished with barely a pause in between them.
Given their lineage, the commander had expected nothing less. He knew stubbornness, determination and craftiness were strong traits in both families.
"Well then, you leave me no choice but to bring out my secret weapon."
The first bit of uncertainty flashed briefly in their eyes, and he watched with pride as they tried to quickly formulate a new plan of escape as they scrutinized him. Reaching up, he grabbed his weapon of choice while at the same time extending his leg quickly behind him, catching the door with his foot and closing it.
The drenched and weary pilots immediately seized the opportunity and bound for the door. They were quick, but the enemy commander was quicker and had a longer reach. With a triumphant laugh, he unveiled his weapon of choice .
A thick, oversized, blue bath towel.
Kneeling swiftly, he wrapped it around his three-year-old twins, capturing them as the sounds of squeals and giggles filled the refresher.
"Got you!" Jag exclaimed. "Now, what should the commander of the enemy forces do with his prisoners, I wonder?"
He hugged them close, his fingers finding their sides so he could tickle them through the towel. The twins squirmed in his arms, their high pitched shrieks of laughter growing louder as Jag placed kisses on their cheeks.
He scooped them both up in his arms, releasing another series of giggles and squeals from his precious 'captives'. The sound was the sweetest music to Jag's ears.
Giving the 'fresher a cursory glance, he made a mental damage report as he opened the door and started down the hall towards their bedroom. Most of the water had stayed in the tub this time, and although he looked like he actually had gone into battle, this time he had stayed mostly dry.
He and Jaina had been spoiled when their oldest had been born. There was no denying Ciara's mischievous and precocious spirit. She certainly had inherited her personality traits from both sides of the family tree. But even she had never seemed to get into the trouble that the twins did on a daily basis.
When they were little, bathing them had been fairly easy. As easy as bathing force sensitive children actually goes. But as they got older, they realized they could affect things with the force, and it had gotten very difficult.
Jag's Corellian pride would not permit him to admit defeat, nor let him turn to the one person who could give him sound advice derived from life long experience.
Han Solo.
The idea of waging mock battles while bathing the twins had come to him one night in an act of desperation. Bringing some of their toy spaceships into the 'fresher with him, he told them that they could be the 'rebel pilots' and 'fly' the ships and he would be the enemy they had to evade. Jag knew that not only would it make bath time easier, it would also help build control and understanding of the force.
But for Jag personally, the idea had yielded unexpected results.
His time with his children was precious, something he never seemed to have enough of. Their bath time game was a time for him to leave the responsibilities of the galaxy at the door and let the little boy inside of him come out to play. More importantly, it was an opportunity to see the wonder of life from the innocent eyes of his children and to take pleasure in the little things that are so often forgotten.
* I've been putting together photo albums of my kids and started to feel a bit nostalgic at how fast their growing up. So these little 'moments in time' with Jag and his children are a result. The kids and their antics are based on my own three, and though my twins aren't force sensitive, there are days that I seriously question that. Not sure how long this is going to be yet, or where it's going, but it'll be fun to find out.