Wingman

by TKeiraLea

The epilogue J/J fans wanted at the end of Invincible.

2. Part Two

Part Two
three days later…

The starless darkness of the Transitory Mists loomed as a gloomy backdrop beyond the soft glow of the magcon emitters lining the Healing Seas' ceremonial bay. Most larger naval vessels had one, kept pristine for significant events such as receiving dignitaries or field promotions. This bay, though, bore witness to the ravages of war. Unseemly scorch marks pocked the durasteel walls; the chamber still stank of melted metal. And then there was the gathering of warriors standing in an informal array – some Jedi, their robes singed from battle; others uniformed officers, who appeared to not have seen a sanisteam in days . The deep weight of sorrow smothered them all.

Everyone had lost too much. Now, days after farewells had been made to all the other fallen comrades, the living remembered yet another life given back to the Force. In an unprecedented move, Kyp Durron presided over the ceremony. Leia was sure that was because her daughter had asked him specifically. There were very few people who Jaina could turn to, but the scruffy Jedi Master had been a steadfast mentor to his former apprentice, especially since Mara had died. His closing remarks sounded more like an expression of a true friend's loving remembrance, and Leia wondered if Kyp wasn't just channeling Jaina's thoughts on her behalf.

Leia glanced at her daughter, trying to see around the hood that concealed Jaina's features, but she remained hidden within the dark folds of brown fabric. For the last few days, since Zekk had been declared killed in action, Jaina had been an unreadable mask to Force-blind and Jedi alike. They had delayed the ceremony until she had been declared physically fit to attend, but even now, even being her mother, Leia was unsure how a perfectly whole person could have stood upright with so much emotional pain crushing her soul.

Yet Jaina did just that, the only sign of her fragile state the white knuckled grip she kept on the man at her side. Once, long ago, that support undoubtedly would have been Han. Later, Jacen had been the quiet comfort that buoyed her spirits in somber times. Now, it was Jagged Fel who acted as her anchor and shield.

Kyp finished speaking. Leia sensed the rising swell of emotional release into the Force that was customary for grieving Jedi. The moment of silence lengthened until the Force-blind became uncomfortable, glancing side to side or rocking around on the balls of their feet. Jedi were bonding, sharing their pain and then releasing it into the Force, and Leia wanted to have nothing to do with it.

Apparently, neither did Jaina. She stepped forward, then slowly reached out to the remembrance box hovering before Kyp.

"Miss you," she whispered, before nodding to the Jedi Master.

Kyp stepped aside, and in unison twelve Jedi Knights strode in two lines past Leia, past Jaina. The last pair motioned subtly with their hands, and the remembrance box drifted along between the processional. The Jedi escorted the remembrance box to the magcon barrier. Then, in a synchronous snap-hiss, the first five Jedi pairs ignited their lightsabers, creating a tunnel through which the box passed.

They've had too much practice at this, Leia thought, watching the box fuzz blue and pass effortlessly out into the vacuum of space.

No body…just a box…all alone… remember forever. Thank you. Those weren't Leia's thoughts, though, and her eyes snapped to Jaina, wondering if the walls had broken. She half-expected to see her daughter slumped on the ground, but she wasn't. Back still straight, Jaina pivoted, her damp brown eyes meeting Leia's for an instant before she and Jag moved for the exit.

"Come on," Han said.

Briefly, Leia wondered how she had gone through the whole ceremony without acknowledging he was there. Then she felt a tug on her hand, the one he had been clutching all along, and realized Han was so much a part of her she didn't need to.

Leading the way, Han zigged left, zagged right among a seemingly endless throng. It struck Leia that the orphaned boy who once ate a dinner centerpiece as salad had become a beloved and respected Jedi. Zekk had been a private man, a man of few words, but the assembled crowd demonstrated he had touched many lives.

"Excuse me" quickly changed to "Out of the way" and "Watch it" as Han fought forward. Everyone respected Jaina's space and made way for her and Jag before closing back, uniting in their sorrow. Her parents weren't so lucky.

Han wheeled suddenly, heading away from the main entrance. "I think we can catch them this way."

"The infirmary is the other side of the hangar." They slipped out a side door, Leia hustling to match his stride.

"Yes, but that security detachment will slow them down. They'll have to stick to the larger corridors and lifts."

He had a point. Jag, as the head of the Moff Council, was now constantly tailed by an elite unit of stormtroopers. Imperial excess at its best. Jaina, self-reliant as she was, had been given no option to decline when Luke had placed two Jedi Knights with her at all times. Leia was unsure if the real concern was the death threats from Caedus loyalists, the sudden appearance of a twin-worshipping Yuuzhan Vong faction, or an impending emotional collapse that might wreak havoc in the Force.

Twisting through back corridors, they caught sight of the white trooper armor marked with a red stripe down the legs and arms at a junction point ahead.

"That's them," Han said.

They rounded the corner, catching the retinue sooner than expected. The troopers stood at the ready, one noting their approach with a slight shift of his grip on the rifle held across his chest. The pair of Jedi waited in a silent pose, their stare aimed away. In the middle, Jaina was bent over, a hand placed on her ribs.

Han shouldered his way between the troopers to reach Jaina's side. "Hey, kid."

"Hi, Dad." Jaina slowly straightened. The artificial light in the corridor illuminated her face within the hood. Her lips tried to smile while her eyes blinked back a pool of tears. "Just a little tired."

Han glanced over at Leia, and she tipped her head. Jaina wasn't just tired physically; she was tired of being cooped up, of having nothing to do but replay the last months in vivid detail.

"Okay then," Han said, putting on his very best sabacc face. "I guess my plan's out of the question. Maybe when you're not so tired – "

"What plan?"

Still playing the worried father, Han looked from Jaina to Leia and back. "I just thought after all those rounds of Falcon Command you might like the real deal."

Jaina snagged Jag's hand. "Can we?"

"I cleared my whole afternoon, but if you're tired maybe you shouldn't push –"

"No. I'd love it."

Without another word the foursome changed course, heading toward the auxiliary bay where Han had been fixing the aging freighter for the past couple days. The Jedi led silently, and the troopers took up the rear. The lead trooper – an enormous man who appeared to have missed his calling as a smashball lineman – marched at Jag's side.

When they reached the base of the Millennium Falcon's boarding ramp the commanding trooper kept right on marching, as though he intended to stalk up the ramp. Before he had taken more than a single stride, though, Han had him by the arm.

"Just one minute, buddy."

"We need to clear the ship," the trooper responded in the typical filtered voice.

"You're not doing anything to my ship, pal," Han snarled, stepping in front of the burly man. "And didn't anyone teach you manners? Ever heard of asking a captain for permission to board his ship?".

The troopers's determination hesitated in a burst of respect-filled trepidation. "Trooper Aitch-Endor-Lekku-Four-Aught-Five requests permission to come aboard, sir."

Han crossed his arms.

The trooper turned to Jag. "Sir, I must protest the deviation from the schedule."

As Jag approached the formidable trooper, Leia beckoned Han to accompany their daughter up the ramp. Once they were inside, she turned to the pair of Jedi. "I'm sure my brother won't mind leaving Jaina in our hands."

The human Jedi seemed willing to concede, but the Rodian Jedi Bak wasn't as convinced. He raised a green hand to his mouth and activated the comlink. "Let's ask him, then."

Leia tried to keep an ear on Jag's hushed discussion with the trooper while trying to ascertain the finer points of the Rodian's garbled Basic. She did a poor job of following either, so instead she took a deep breath and reminded herself of the reason they were here. Jaina needed this, and there was nothing that would stop Leia from doing what was best for her daughter. She held onto that thought as Bak handed her the comlink.

"What's going on, Leia?" Luke asked.

"Jaina just needs some time away from everything. A short trip out on the Falcon would do her good. Don't worry, Han, Jag, and I have everything under control."

"That's a good idea. Just give Bak the details so they can be waiting when you get back to the Healing Seas."

"Not a problem. And thanks." Leia ended the transmission. She fished a datacard out of her pocket and handed it to Bak along with the comlink. "That should have everything."

No sooner had the pair of Jedi begun their bow of respect than Leia pivoted to check on Jag's progress. The squad of troopers was striding away, but the enormous one was staring down at her from Jag's side.

"He insists," Jag said apologetically.

"It's not worth the argument on a day like today." Leia started up the ramp. "Just stay out of the way, or my husband is likely to try out that fancy blaster he wears only on special occasions. Or I might use the Force to hurl you out the airlock. We can get protective that way." She led the trooper to a data station as far away from the cockpit as possible. "You're welcome to monitor things from here, if you like."

To his credit, the trooper was smart enough not to object.

Leia continued on toward the cockpit, a bit slower. "That could have gone better."

Jag matched her slow pace. "I handpicked the unit myself. There's nothing to worry about."

"I hope so. He's certainly not weak-minded enough to bother with a mind trick."

"He's big, but that's all he is. You could take him."

Leia frowned, suddenly worried today's plan was going to fall apart. "You're not suggesting I might have to?"

"Sorry. It was a joke. Just not a very good one." He stopped her with a slight touch to the shoulder. "Please, trust me?"

"It's not you I'm worried about, Jag. I'm just…" She shook the doubt away. "Never mind. This isn't about us."

The hum of warming engines reverberated through the floor. Their expressions brightened, and the two of them hurried toward the cockpit. There was something about the old freighter preparing for liftoff that always gave Leia a renewed burst of energy.

Leia and Jag ducked into the cockpit to see Jaina smash the console with her fist. "Dad, the high side port shield generator is showing a power fluctuation."

"Just a bad wire," Leia said simultaneously with her husband.

"Oh hey, Mom. I'll let you have your seat."

Leia gently pushed Jaina back into the co-pilot's seat before sitting behind Han. "You're the Falcon Command champion in the family. You earned it."

For just a moment an awkward pause filled the air, as if the ghosts of Jacen and Anakin had rushed in to dispute the point. Han exhaled loudly, banishing the memories to another moment, another day. "Want to take the old girl out?"

"Seriously?"

"Seriously." Han smiled. "She's all yours."

Jaina donned the headset and requested clearance while Jag strapped in behind her. Watching the small hands wrap around the controls and flip buttons, Leia couldn't help but remember a little brown-haired girl scampering into the Chief of State's office.

"Mom! Mom! Dad let me fly da Fawcon!"

"He did?"

"Just for a second. We weren't near anything she could hit."

The strained features of Jaina's face gave way to the carefree abandon a Solo heart knew only when flying. Leia felt her daughter soar along with the rising ship.

"Beautiful," Jag whispered.

"Hey, it's not like I've forgotten how to fly," Jaina snapped.

Everyone else laughed, even harder when Jaina's expression dawned with the realization that Jag hadn't been admiring her flying skills.

"It's good to see the old Jaina," Han said with a grin.

Once they were clear of the Healing Seas, Jaina spiraled the freighter a couple times, then focused on maneuvering through the large fleet toward open space. Everyone enjoyed the comfortable whir and occasional growl of protest from the ship as it angled from side to side in one graceful move after another. When they were safely clear, she asked, "So what's the plan?"

"Just fly casual," Han pointed a little starboard of their vector. "There's an interesting gravitational anomaly I heard some A-wing pilots talking about."

The Falcon roared into the Mists, her pilot undaunted by the opaque cloud of stellar gases. The passengers were content to let Jaina become lost in the act of flying.

Until the distinctive sound of a filtered voice burst over the intercom. "Unidentified mark at heading one-one-aught."

"What the kriff?" Han bellowed. "Who let that hairless Wampa on my ship?"

"I did," Leia said. She settled her hand on Han's shoulder, squeezing it gently. "Jag vouched for him."

"Well why the hell would he do something stupid like that?" Apparently her husband had forgotten that the offending party was sitting beside her.

"Han…"

"At least we know whose side the Wampa is on," Jaina remarked coolly, easing the ship in the direction of the unidentified vessel. "Right now I'm a little more concerned about our unexpected guest."

"Really, Jaina, perhaps it's best if we call this one –" The Falcon accelerated abruptly, slamming Han back in the pilot's seat. "–iiiinn." .

Their daughter looked determined. "We'll check it out first. I insist."

Ionized particles swirled among stellar gases, obscuring the target, but Jaina flew off instinct. Proximity alarms wailed, announcing an impending crash just as the bulk of a gleaming silver craft erupted from the Mists. The hailing channel squawked. An instant later the ship vanished beyond the viewport when the Falcon twirled up and away.

"You better get that," Leia said, pointing over Han's shoulder toward the flashing light.

He slapped on the pilot's headset. Han barely had acknowledged the hail when a voice barked so loud its muffled anger was audible to everyone in the cockpit. Whirling his finger in a silent instruction for Jaina to reverse course and close on the other ship, he replied blandly, "Acknowledged. Next time, try saying that to my face."

All eyes were trained on Han as he closed the feed.

"Do you know who that is, Dad?"

Leia cleared her throat. Han replied, "Let's just say your little flyby didn't do much to help Jag's cause."

The silver craft once again burst from the ever-shifting gases, but Jaina's eyes were glaring at her father. "What kind of an answer is that?"

The Falcon decelerated, pivoting to starboard on her axis. Even Han seemed a bit alarmed by their approach vector. "That ship is carrying a Chiss ambassador. The one they sent to meet with the new leader of the Imperial Moff Council. So do Jag a favor and don't hit it."

"A Chiss?"

Jaina reversed thrusters sharply, feathering the maneuvering jets. The freighter slipped within a meter of the other craft. With practiced ease the docking rings aligned. In a matter of minutes the two ships were beginning to equalize atmospheres.

No one had said a word the whole time. Finally Jaina turned away from the console. "Why am I starting to get the feeling the arrival of this ambassador wasn't a coincidence?"

"Good question." Han unbuckled his crash harness and rose. "Well, I'd better go see to our guests." He offered Leia a hand, then gave Jag a somber look. "Good luck, son."

Hurrying toward the docking ring, Leia almost felt sorry for the young man. Leaving him to deal with Jaina alone probably hadn't been fair. "Remember this is the Chiss ambassador you're speaking to, Han."

"I can remember a lot of things about this guy. Not one of them suggests he'd make a good diplomat –"

They arrived to find the Imperial trooper preparing to open the airlock. "Wait here until I report clear, sir."

Han threw his hands up in mock despair. "Do I get to make any decisions around here?"

"No."

A few impatient heartbeats later, the trooper stuck his head back through the hatch. "All clear. Permission to come aboard."

Han charged into the airlock. "Thanks for nothing."

Leia followed and emerged into a vat of testosterone. Han hadn't been this charged with dominant male aggression since… She pushed that thought aside quickly.

"What kind of foolish, hairbrained stunt was that back there, Solo?"

"Jealous because you don't have the skills to match it, Fel?"

"Oh, I do. With one eye and one hand tied behind my back."

Just when Leia figured she'd better put an end to the machismo before fisticuffs broke out, a tall blonde stepped forward. "Han Solo," she purred, all liquid charm, "you've aged better than a fine Corellian brandy."

Her aura demanded both men take notice, and a blissful silence graced the small receiving foyer. Seamlessly Syal Antilles Fel shifted from charming beauty to a mother who understood the loss of a child all too well. "Leia, I am so sorry."

The two women embraced. For a moment they shared sorrow and found comfort in each other's pain. Then they separated, and the past was pushed aside in favor of the future.

Syal glanced at the docking portal, then back to Leia. "Where is Jaina?"

"Right behind me." Jag stepped through the threshold, leading Jaina by the hand. He guided her to Leia's side and let go.

Wrapping her fingers into Leia's robes, Jaina watched Jag reunite with his parents in fierce hugs. Leia studied Jaina in turn. She had removed her robe, and the simple brown tunic seemed to swallow her. She kept her scarred cheek turned slightly away, and swept back behind an ear a stray lock, one that had slipped out of the bun meant to conceal all the damage to her hair. Jaina had stood toe to toe with the likes of Alema Rar, Boba Fett, even a Dark Lord of the Sith – yet her hand trembled visibly performing the simplest of acts. And why not? Jaina had prepared, trained, sweated blood for all those momentous events. This was something she'd let herself believe might never happen – certainly not any time soon.

Jag wrestled himself away from his proud parents and retreated to Jaina's side. "Mother, Father, may I present Jaina Solo."

Syal would have nothing of formality. She scooped Leia's shell-shocked daughter into her arms, kissing Jaina's forehead. Instantly Leia knew this had been the right choice, even as Jaina returned the sentiment reluctantly. Syal finally pulled back. She cupped Jaina's cheeks gently within her palms. "Isn't she beautiful, 'Tir?"

"Jag's messages haven't done her justice," the burly man replied. Jaina's expression softened, and everyone else's shoulders dropped a centimeter or two. Soontir reached over and keyed a control panel. "Come on out, child."

Syal brushed Jaina's arm as she turned to face the narrow corridor jutting out of the docking foyer. "She's been eager to finally –" A long-legged blonde bounded into the room and leapt into Jag's arms "– meet you."

"Jag! I can't believe we're here." Wyn bounced from his embrace. "Sorry, where are my manners. I'm Wyn. You must be Jaina."

"I am."

"Can I give you a hug?"

Jaina tried to smile. "Uh… sure."

Her lack of enthusiasm didn't stifle the taller blonde's heartfelt embrace. Abruptly Wyn pulled away. Her eyes were fixed on the towering trooper, who had snuck into the foyer during the commotion and now stood at attention at the airlock door. Then, equally abruptly, she laughed. "You look ridiculous."

"Uh… Thanks?"

"Behave, you two." Soontir motioned the trooper forward, until he had the soldier on his right and Wyn on his left. When Soontir gave a nod, the trooper tugged off his helmet, revealing a chiseled face marked with the lineage tattoos typical of the humans on Gandeal, a planet that had long been part of the Remnant. But there was something familiar about his sparkling blue eyes…

"I suppose Wyn has already managed to introduce herself," Soontir said. "So allow me to present Cem Fel, my son."

Leia had to focus to keep her mouth from flapping open. Not that anyone would have noticed; Han was projecting enough shock for the whole room. He shook his head in consternation. "You got this one exiled too, Fel? One for the Alliance, one for the Remnant. How… convenient."

Wincing, Leia put a hand on her husband's arm. For good measure, she shot Jag a beseeching look. "I'm sure there is a reasonable explanation."

Soontir stepped forward. "No, Solo, I'm afraid only the one son had the good fortune of being banned from Chiss space and denied the right to come home to his family."

"Father…"

Jag tried, but he was too late. The accusations flew between the two stubborn Corellian aces like a dogfight of deadly laserfire. The more Jag tried to intervene, the louder they got. Leia and Syal shared a helpless glance, forever bonded in a profound understanding of the concept of futility.

In the end, it wasn't Jag who silenced them.

"I'm sorry." Jaina rarely raised her voice, but there was always a conviction behind her words that demanded they be heard. She stood feet apart, hands out from her sides, unafraid to accept the pain her choices had caused. "I understand if you never forgive me for the wrong I did to your family. I hope someday I can find a way to repay you."

Jag rushed over to her, but his eyes remained fixed on the old Academy foes. "We are not going to discuss that. Certainly not right now. Father, we both know I would make the same decisions again. Han, I can assure you my exile is as real as it gets."

The truth of Jag's painful isolation from his family was palpable. Still, Leia knew the Fels hadn't been entirely forthcoming. "Yet your father is here to meet with you as an official representative of the very government that banished you."

Baron Fel crossed his arms. "The Chiss aren't much different from any other species. They value power. Thanks to the generosity of your brother, Jag has unwittingly become one of the most powerful men in the Remnant – a job, by the way, I wouldn't have wished on my worst enemy. Accordingly, the Ascendancy has begun to reconsider whether their official position toward my son is… wise."

"Do you mean Jag can go back?" Jaina's voice was a mix of excited relief and expectant apprehension.

Cem leaned into the conversation. "My brother defeated Alema Rar and has fought valiantly to end the chaos threatening our galaxy. He will undoubtedly be declared a hero upon his return."

"By some, yes. Not by others." Syal sighed. "I fear the politics of the Chiss would take months for us to explain, and would lead to nothing but terminal boredom for all involved. Can we spend what little time we have celebrating what brought our families together?

Leia smiled. "I think we would all like that."

Syal smiled back. "Perfect. We can't carry a lot of fresh provisions on the Starflare, but I've taken the liberty of preparing a meal."

At the promise of food, everyone inhaled.

"Endwa stew," Jaina said.

"Jag's favorite," Syal confirmed.

Jaina grinned. "My dad's, too."

The food was indeed excellent, and for the next hour they enjoyed the simple joy of family. The Fels laughed and teased one another with the same dry wit many in the Alliance had a hard time understanding from Jag. Deep down, Jag really was that man who had taken the liberty of slouching in Han Solo's chair. Jag and his siblings draped themselves over each other, hugged and wrestled playfully in between assisting their mother and father with the meal.

Jaina sat across from Leia, between her father and Jag. She seemed to quietly relish the relaxed atmosphere, but occasionally her eyes would lower, staying that way for a few seconds.

"Do you need to rest?" Leia asked her daughter softly while the friendly banter continued among the others.

"I'm fine." Jaina forced a smile. "Plenty of time for that in my bacta dip."

Leia frowned.

"Really, Mom. This is… nice." This time the smile was genuine.

"I would have to agree," Soontir proclaimed from the end of the table. Leia and Jaina found that all eyes were upon them. He rose and rifled through the galley cupboards, ending with a handful of tumblers and an etched bottle of dark amber liquid. "I'd like to propose a toast."

Soon all the tumblers were filled and glasses were raised. "To family," Soontir said, and downed a large swallow. Sharply exhaled breaths and coughing echoed from around the table.

"I gotta hand it to you, Fel. You brought the homeland's finest." Han held his drink up. "To Corellia."

This time their throats were partially numb and the shock of the burning beverage didn't register quite as much.

Jaina offered a toast next. "To our dear friend Zekk."

"To Zekk," Jag affirmed. He chugged a mouthful, finishing off his tumbler. He picked up his glass and Jaina's also. "I think that's enough, for both of us."

Everyone else groaned.

Cem rose, gathering his plate and utensils. "Technically, I'm on duty anyway."

With a sigh, Wyn followed him to the galley sink. "So am I."

Slowly, Jaina picked up her plate as Cem and Wyn made their way from the room. "I suppose the two actual politicians here need some private time to discuss business."

Jag stayed her with a hand on her forearm. "There are no secrets today."

She arched an eyebrow. "And Ewoks can fly."

"Lieutenant Kettch would be offended," Jag said.

Jaina looked pointedly from Jag to her mother and finally her father. "Apparently, in my current indisposed state, I'm gullible enough to fall for something like that."

"Father?" Jag implored Soontir.

"Yes, on to business. No more secrets." The Baron cleared his throat. "High Councilor Jagged Fel of the Imperial Moff Council, it is my honor to extend an invitation to you on behalf of the Chiss Ascendency."

"For the purpose of?"

"Restoring cooperation between the Chiss and the Empire, for the mutual benefit of all our peoples."

"I accept. My staff will begin negotiations for the particulars as soon as I return to the fleet."

No sooner had Jag and his father grasped forearms in a gesture of agreement than a sharp burst of heat emanated from Jaina's aura.

"That's it?" She stared at them, incredulous. "You expect me to believe they sent you all the way here for that?"

"No, the business could have all been done by communiqué," Soontir said matter-of-factly. "I came to see my son."

Syal, who had been silently scrutinizing the discussion, pivoted in her seat to face Jaina directly. "The truth is that we came because Jag asked. Because he needs our help."

"Oh." Jaina's scowl faded. "So you're staying?"

Soontir glanced at his wristchrono. "Actually, our departure window is closing rapidly."

Syal and Leia exchanged a silent agreement before the blonde met Jaina's curious gaze. "Jaina, we'd like you to come home with us."

Jaina said nothing. She didn't even blink. She simply turned her head, her brown eyes drilling into Jag's green ones. Everything on the table vibrated and shifted. Syal's eyes widened, returning to normal just as quickly. Doubt flickered in Leia's mind; perhaps this had been a mistake. Sending Jaina off to a world with no Jedi, no one familiar, nothing to do.

But there wouldn't be a constant barrage of pitying eyes everywhere Jaina went. Or the smothering presence of Luke in the convalescence suite. He was trying to do the right thing, things he hadn't done for Jacen, but somehow Leia knew it was all too raw. Painful emotions threatened to savage Luke and Jaina's delicate relationship if he pushed too hard. Knowing him, he would. And then there was the pressure from many circles to make Jaina a Jedi Master. Promoted for killing her own brother? Just hearing the idea might fracture her psyche irreparably.

Suddenly, Jaina was on her feet. Jag tried to take her hand, but she slapped his away. "Don't." Anger radiated in her glare. "I will not be maneuvered like some helpless weak fool."

"We're not maneuvering you, Jaina." Jag rose. "The weeks ahead are going to be daunting. Ceaseless negotiations. Fleet repairs. Endless work days."

"Don't mind me. I'll just be floating around in a bacta tank, whenever one becomes available."

"That's just it. You won't have to wait on Csilla. They have the resources to –"

"Have you gone mad? I'm not putting my fate in the hands of some kriffing Chiss!"

And that was the tipping point. The Chiss had been Jaina's enemy not more than a few years before; they had pitted Jaina against Jag. It would require an extreme act of faith for her to accept this plan. One she wasn't ready to give.

Jaina turned on her heel and stalked from the room.

Jag went after her. Leia caught him in a couple steps. "Wait."

"I have to do this, Leia."

"Yes, you do. But you need to tell her the whole truth."

"What more is there to say? This is the best option for Jaina's recovery." His face bore the weight of Jag's existence. Unending burden. Exhaustion. Desperation.

"And yours, Jag. She would do anything for you."

He wiped his palm across his face, and the battle-weary man had been replaced by the determined Jagged Fel everyone knew. "I know."

"Go." Leia sent him away with a wave of her hand. By the time she returned to the table, Leia barely had the strength to stand, and she practically flopped into the seat beside Han.

He patted her hand. "That went better than expected."

"Better?" Soontir huffed.

Han met his stare. "She'll go because she has nothing better to do. Well, let me rephrase that. She's too much her father's daughter. She's just lost her brother; she doesn't know what else to do."

Soontir didn't appear reassured. "Please know we will protect Jaina like one of our own. Her care will be the finest the Chiss have available."

"Correction," Syal smiled. "Jaina will be one of our own. I know it's not official, but as far as we're concerned, Jaina is part of this family. Is there anything else we should know?"

Han fished a datacard from his pocket. "Everything you need is here."

Soontir accepted it. "Encrypted, I assume."

Han winked. "Fire up that rusty brain of yours, you might even figure out the encryption key by the third guess."

"Give her some space," Leia said to Syal. "Even when she looks like she'll break, you have to let Jaina come to you. It will go against all your instincts as a mother."

Syal tipped her head appreciatively. "I'll do my best."

"That means no morning hugs, lunchtime cheek squeezes, or bedtime kisses, dear," Soontir chuckled.

Blushing, Syal crossed her arms in mock defiance. Han and Leia tried to offer more advice, but it just seemed all convoluted. Jaina was Jaina. What more was there to say?

Han thrust his finger up in the air. "Her hands. Give her something to do with her hands. She's always been the first one to jump in when things needed fixing."

Soontir stroked his black goatee. "Come to think of it, the garbage compressor could use a few good turns of the hydrospanner."

"'Tir!"

"No, that's good," Han countered. "Something like that is exactly what she needs to be doing."

"Anything besides malfunctioning household appliances you want to add to that list?" At the sound of Jaina's voice, everyone spun in their seats. Jaina stood side by side with Jag, holding his hand so tightly the whites of her knuckles showed. She smiled meekly. "So where do I stow my gear?"