Jaina opened one eye and instantly regretted it. A small ray of light filtered in from the window, and it felt like someone was stabbing her in the eye with a lightsaber, sending an aching drumbeat through her skull. She tried to swallow, but her mouth felt dry and sticky with thick saliva. Her throat felt like sandpaper.

Jaina made an attempt to center herself and dull the pain, but the constant throbbing was too distracting. She really should spend more time practicing healing trances, she thought glumly. Or refrain from having mornings like these.

Jaina groaned and pushed herself into a sitting position, as the drumbeat grew louder and more insistent. It took her a minute to realize the noise wasn't just in her head, but coming from her door.

"Go away," Jaina moaned, the exertion making her feel like her brain would explode. She flopped back down into her bed, closing her eyes. She was pretty sure the Vong's Embrace of Pain had nothing on her current hangover.

After a few minutes passed- minutes of blessed silence- Jaina congratulated herself for getting rid of her unwanted guest. Then she heard the door open. She really should have known better. Kyp had never been good at taking hints. Or direct orders.

Jaina decided to ignore him, not having the energy to argue about his blatant disregard for her privacy. Especially when he pressed a cold glass of water into her hand, laughing quietly. Jaina opened one eye at him, sitting up to guzzle the cool refreshing water, before falling back into bed with a sigh.

"Looks like someone had a little too much to drink last night," Kyp said, teasingly.

"And who's fault is that," Jaina grumbled back.

Kyp held up his hands up in a gesture of innocence, "Hey, I tried to get you to stop after the first three shots, but it's no easy task reining in a Goddess."

Jaina sighed, "Ugh, I don't even remember. It's all a blur- and it hurts too much to think right now."

Kyp raised an eyebrow, and asked tentatively, "So… I'm guessing you don't remember the little visit you made when you got back to base, then?"

Jaina leaned up to take another long gulp of water, then cocked her head at Kyp in confusion.

"What do you mean that I made? Weren't you with me all night?"

"I was- at least until you gave me the slip. I wasn't sure where you went, until Jag commed me-"

Jaina sat up straight, trying to shake the cobwebs from her head.

Jag? She had seen Jag? What had happened last night?

And suddenly flashes of memories from last night started assaulting her mind. Going to Jag's room. Trying to seduce him. Him pushing her away. Repeatedly.

Had he told her he didn't want her?

She couldn't really remember it was all still too hazy. But she did remember angrily stomping out of his room. Even vaguely remembered Kyp finding her in an empty hallway when she inevitably got lost; helping her get back here and into bed.

And even though she didn't remember all the details, it was clear that she had thoroughly humiliated herself.

"Jag commed you last night? What did he say?" she asked weakly.

"He was his usual chatty self- so not much, "Kyp shrugged. "I don't know what happened, but you definitely got under his skin. He seemed- well slightly less in control than he usually is, I guess."

Jaina groaned, hiding her face in her hands. "Kyp, I think I screwed everything up. He's never gonna want to see me again."

Kyp sat down next to Jaina, putting a comforting hand on her back. He made soothing circles, as he worked to take away her physical discomfort with the Force.

That part was easy. But there was no Force technique he knew of that could get rid of the overwhelming anxiety she was radiating. At least not one that would work on someone as stubborn as Jaina Solo.

"I don't know, Jaina. He didn't seem mad- just really worried."

"Of course," Jaina mumbled. "Even if he doesn't want me, I'm sure he doesn't want me to end up dead in a ditch somewhere."

Kyp sighed, "He wanted me to tell him when you woke up. Said he needed to talk to you. Why don't I call him-"

Jaina sat up straight, eyes wide in panic. "No, absolutely not. Kyp, promise me you won't comm him."

She knew why Jag wanted to talk to her.

He would explain, calmly and rationally, how they could never work together. She was too much of a child. She didn't follow proper behavior, and a man like him could never be with someone like her. No hard feelings, back to being acquaintances.

She didn't think she could handle that conversation.

Kyp sighed again, then nodded reluctantly. Jaina closed her eyes in relief.

"Fine. But you are going to have to talk to him eventually," he started sternly, then found himself caving at the desolate expression on her face, "For now, let's just go down to the mess and get some food to soak up all that alcohol, hmm?"

Jaina nodded obediently, glad to have the moment of reckoning pushed back a little further. She winced as the vigorous movement caused a stab in the back of her aching skull. Kyp chuckled.

"But first, a quick healing trance. I'm pretty sure Goddesses don't get hangovers and we need to keep up appearances. Otherwise Wedge will kill us both."

Jaina finished a round-kick that knocked the first training droid flat on his back, then turned with a stroke that would have split the second droid in half, if she hadn't shut off her lightsaber at the last second.

"Interested in a more challenging sparring partner?" a female voice called teasingly.

Holding her pose for a beat, Jaina stepped back and attached her saber to her belt as she blew a stray pieces of hair out of her face.

Finally she turned around, to come face to face with the mischievous smirk of Alema Rar.

Jaina studied her carefully before she responded. She had never really spent much time with her, the Twi'lek had always been closer to Anakin. But Alema had been with them on the Mission to Myrkr. Flew now with Twin Suns. And Jaina found herself admiring the confident, outspoken young Jedi.

"Sure," Jaina answered gesturing for Alema to approach, before dropping into fighting stance.

Alema assumed position, and her eyes widened in a moment of surprise as Jaina immediately started a vicious attack. Spinning around her, looking for weak points. Alema quickly recovered her signature nonchalance, her eyes narrowing in concentration.

"Wow, someone's got some serious aggression to work out," she observed innocently.

Jaina said nothing and continued to bait Alema, making a quick jab at her right side.

Alema blocked it and spun, smiling dangerously, "Let me guess? Boy problems?"

Jaina paused, and then backed up into a defensive pose, eyeing Alema warily. Alema's smile widened.

"Well, I guess even Jedi royalty aren't immune to matters of the heart," Alema said flippantly.

When Jaina just gritted her teeth in answer, Alema continued impatiently, "Kidding. So sensitive. Seriously though, tell me everything. Who knows, I might even be able to help."

Jaina scoffed, "Why would I tell you anything? We're not exactly friends, you know."

"True," Alema acknowledged. "But do you really have anyone else here you can talk to? I mean who are you going to go to? Master Durron?"

Jaina considered what Alema said, and figured she had a point. She needed to talk to someone about it. And Alema might actually give good advice- she seemed to be very knowledgable when it came to the opposite sex.

"Unless this is about Master Durron?" Alema asked with a raised eyebrow, as Jaina stayed silent.

"No! Of course not. Why would you even think that?!"

"Please! Don't tell me you haven't noticed the way he looks at you. I mean he is kind of old, but definitely still easy on the eyes. And there is that whole bad boy thing he's got going-"

"Okay," Jaina laughed. "Please stop. It's not about Kyp. Although, I'll put in a good word for you since you seem so interested."

"Hmm. Zekk, then?"

"No," Jaina answered in exasperation. She was starting to get a little annoyed with this guessing game. "Zekk and I are just friends. That's it."

"Again, I would question if Zekk knows that, but I digress. So… if it's neither of them, it must be the intriguingly aloof Colonel Fel," Alema continued thoughtfully.

Jaina paused and dropped her stance completely to stare at the Twi'lek. Alema did the same, crossing her arms and smiling smugly.

"Okay," Jaina said slowly. "I'm actually a little bit scared that you seem to know so much about my love life. Are you stalking me?"

"I'm just very observant," Alema answered breezily. "So- lay it on me. What's the problem with tall, dark and clawcrafty?"

Jaina considered Alema for a moment. Admitting what was going on with Jag was basically the equivalent of admitting her Goddess act was just that- an act. And Iella had ben adamant that could not happen- they had no idea who was secretly a Vong informant.

But it was highly unlikely that Alema was a Vong spy. She hated the Vong more than anyone. And Jaina didn't have to worry about anyone listening in on their conversation. She and Alema were definitely alone- she had scanned the training room for bugs when she first got here. It had become a bit of a habit.

Weighing her options, Jaina decided it wouldn't be too risky. And Alema was right. Her only confidant right now was Kyp, and he had been less than helpful.

"Alema, you cannot tell anyone about this, got it?" Jaina said sternly, making her decision.

"Oooh, secret romance. This gets better and better," Alema answered, eyes gleaming.

"Well Goddesses don't exactly date mere pilots," Jaina answered wryly. "Seriously, this cannot get out."

"Well, it sounds like I already lost my chance in the pool, so you have my word," Alema zipped her lips theatrically. "Nothing leaves this room."

"Pool?"

"Yeah, the Rogues have a pool going- you know betting on when you and Jag are going to hook up. You didn't know?" Alema was momentarily distracted. "I wonder who would have won."

Jaina paused, then shook her head. She would unpack all the implications of her former squadron gambling on her romantic life later.

"Okay. Well, so Jag and I were kind of- seeing each other- for a little bit. But-"

"Wait, let me guess. He wanted you to do something really dirty and you freaked out? Those upright, Imperial types are always into some kinky stuff," Alema mused with relish.

"What?" Jaina stammered uncomfortably. "No- No, that's not it at all. The problem is- well every time we went further than just- you know kissing- he's stopped it. Like he's not interested? I think maybe- maybe he doesn't want me…"

Jaina looked down in embarrassment as her voice trailed off, wondering why she had thought to confide in Alema in the first place. It was just one more person who knew that she wasn't good enough for Jagged Fel.

"Oh, I see," Alema responded thoughtfully, then continued. "Well, that's easy enough to solve then. You just have to make him want you. Show him what he's missing."

Jaina rolled her eyes. "Right, so any suggestions on how I do that?"

Alema's head tilted for a minute, before she smiled in satisfaction. "Actually, yes. The Rogues are throwing a party tonight, some sort of last hoorah before we take on the Vong. Everyone's going to be there- General Antilles pretty much gave all the squadrons the night off. It's the perfect opportunity."

"Ok… reading your tracking data but still don't have a lock on your target."

"You are going to use the party to show Jagged Fel what he's missing. First, we dress you in something hot. So that he can't help but notice you."

Alema looked at Jaina's simple pilot suit with a critical eye, making Jaina squirm uneasily.

"I'm sure I have something you can borrow. Second," Alema continued, "you are going to completely ignore him. Give him the cold shoulder. Total Goddess treatment. And third- and this is the most important part- you are going to blatantly flirt with other men right in front of him."

Jaina looked unsure, "I don't know…"

Alema continued as if Jaina hadn't interrupted.

"Zekk and Kyp would probably be the best candidates. You're comfortable around them so it will come off as more credible. And we don't have to worry about their reaction. I'm sure it will be more than believable," she added with an evil smirk.

Jaina shot her a glare, and Alema just shrugged.

"Jag's probably heard about your history with Zekk and he must be at least a little bit threatened by your Force connection with Kyp. Plus, it doesn't hurt that they are both dashing, dark-haired pilots with green eyes," Alema paused to eye Jaina knowingly. "You clearly have a type, by the way."

Jaina ignored her last comment. "Are you sure this will work? I mean Jag's so- Jag."

Alema rolled her eyes. "Trust me, Jaina. Jealousy is a very powerful emotion. And no man- not even Jagged Fel- is immune to it. You do want to make him want you, right?"

'Yes," Jaina answered quickly. "I just- I don't know, this isn't really my style? I don't really know what I'm doing- or if I can even pull something like this off if I try."

"Do or do not, my young apprentice, there is no try," Alema said in a mockingly righteous tone. Then she giggled. "Besides, that's why you have me. I will walk you through it, every step of the way."

Alema grabbed Jaina's arm and started leading her to the door.

"First stop- a quick shopping trip to my closet!" Alema smiled excitedly. "This is going to be so much fun!"

So it might be OOC to have Jaina talk to Alema Rar about her love problems but i needed her to take bad advice from someone- and Alema Rar seemed like the right girl for the job! Also I kind of really like her and feel like she was under utilized in the books so here you go.

Also I know I promised jealous Jag and he wasn't in this chapter at all... but i promise it is coming :)

Read, Follow, Favorite, Review- Thank you!