Now don't get used to this. lol I just happened to get the next chapter done last night. It's a little short but I had to cut it off here because the next chapter starts a little drama/action. Enjoy!

~Sab

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The next week went by without any major disruptions, though Jaina missed Kyp's little pranks and his snarky attitude. Ever since the little incident with the locked hangar he had been a little more subdued and she didn't even want to think about what Jag had done to make him like that. Coran assured her this was normal and he would be back to his old ways in no time.

A small smile came to her face as she thought of the once brooding male specimen that owned her current mode of transportation. While they hadn't become best friends, he had definitely toned down his bipolar tendencies since that day. A few times she had sworn that she had observed a glint of amusement in his eyes when dealing with Kyp.

The more she watched the two friends, and the whole crew really, she saw just how much they cared about each other. And how much they depended on one another. It was little things that she hadn't noticed wrapped up in her own miseries at the time.

To most observers Tenel came across as cold and unfeeling, but she was actually the one who took care of all of them. She just wasn't obvious about it. Coran was the equivalent of their father figure. A few times she had noticed Jag go to him with a question and saw how the older man had suggested things in a way as to not make Jag feel inferior.

Jysella and Valin reminded her of Anakin and herself. It was almost hard to believe they were siblings since they got along so well, but every now and again she had witnessed a disagreement between them that would remind her of that.

A sense of melancholy started to fall on her and she shook her head, refusing to start feeling like that. She wasn't gone yet and she would enjoy what little time she had left with her friends.

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"His crew just picked up a shipment on Kuat, sire."

Zekk sat in front of the huge window that looked out over his hanger as he swirled the dark brown liquid in his glass with an almost relaxed grace. He took his time answering the man behind him, soaking in the anxiety he could almost feel coming off him in waves. Taking a sip he leaned his head back against the padded chair and watched the bustle on the floor below him.

It pained him to know that Solo's residence in his dungeon was having an impact on the work that was being done right now. He had never realized how important one man could be to his daily operations. The remaining mechanics had rushed in to try and take the seasoned man's job but weren't nearly as qualified as he was.

Sith, the absence of Jaina had been felt almost as much as her father's. Though that would never be corrected because once she was back where she belonged he would need a replacement for her anyway. There would be only one place where she was needed and it wasn't on the hangar floor.

Tiring of his own thoughts he decided to turn his attention back to the other occupant of his room.

"Was she with him?"

"The only females we saw were Tenel Ka and Jysella. He didn't have any new crew members listed on his check in either."

Downing the rest of his drink he turned his chair around to face the messenger that stood ramrod straight in front of his massive desk. He gave the man an intent look, trying not to show his satisfaction at the small shake that started in his body.

"Very good, Max. I trust that you are attempting to rectify that small issue."

"Yes sire. I have men working on it as we speak."

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Jaina wrestled with her mixed emotions about their scheduled docking at Corellia in a couple days. She was glad to finally be reaching her intended destination and getting one possible step closer to helping her family out. Surprisingly she had kept her anxiety and worry about them in check the last week and she knew it was because of the crew.

On the other hand, she almost dreaded leaving the ship. She knew once she stepped off it there was a very strong chance she wouldn't ever get back on.

She would miss the crew of course. Over the small amount of time she had been with them they had grown on her quite a bit and she didn't want to leave. There weren't many people she had left behind that she would consider friends and even growing up she hadn't been someone who made friends easily.

And she would miss Jag. They were just starting to get to the point where she didn't feel like he was trying to think of an excuse to leave the room if she entered. His more laid back attitude was very refreshing and she wasn't the only one to think so. Even Coran had mentioned something to her one night about his abrupt change. The tone he had used had almost been one of gratitude, but there was no way she could take credit for it. That would be ridiculous to think that.

They had one more small stop to make before Corellia and she was a little excited that Tenel and Jysella had asked her to go with them as they picked up supplies for the ship. Jag had something he wanted to pick up on Cato Neimoidia and of course there was no complaint from anyone else. It was a chance to stretch their land legs, so to speak and she could feel the excitement within the crew.

Jaina locked her emotions up for the moment and chose to concentrate on her current task instead. By the time she was done serving on his ship she was going to know how to service it better than Jag himself. In her short time here she had worked on almost every panel in the engine room and then some.

Burying herself in the wires and diodes in front of her she tried not to think about the green eyes she saw in her sleep almost every night and the man they belonged to.

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Somehow Jag had managed to keep his uncle's message from Kyp for the last few days. How, he didn't know but he had. Usually he told Kyp everything. Besides being his first officer he was also his best friend and he frequently used him as a sounding board. This though, he wasn't sure what to do with.

He had retrieved it from one of their hiding spots when they had visited Kuat, not telling anyone where he was going. Kyp probably had his suspicions but wouldn't say anything right now. He trusted Jag enough to know that if it was something serious enough he would tell him when the time was right.

The message had been brief but gave more questions than answers.

"We're mobilizing. Come home soon."

Five words that, Jag would only admit to himself, made him nervous. He wasn't one to shy away from a fight, especially one that needed to happen. For once though, he wasn't looking forward to engaging the enemy. There wasn't any one thing that was making him feel this, in fact he couldn't pinpoint why at all. He just knew that he wasn't in the mood for the battle that was sure to come soon.

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"Did he get the message?"

Wedge looked over at his young friend as he stepped through the door of his office. Luke had always had a boyish aura around him that worked in his favor over the years. He looked much younger than he actually was and this helped his enemies to underestimate him and give him an advantage. Though Wedge didn't look much older than him it was different for Skywalker.

Bringing himself back to the present, he nodded a few times and ran a hand through his hair.

"He picked it up about a week ago. Didn't send anything back, but since he's the only one who knows about that particular safe house besides us I'm confident he got it."

"Good. I'm going to take one of the squads out for a test run today. Make sure everyone remembers their stuff."

Wedge nodded absently and didn't notice the look Luke gave him before he left.

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Coran fought hard to keep from laughing as he watched the crew stroll down the small side street towards their hotel rooms. It wasn't often that Jag allowed them to stay on the planet they were visiting. He knew it was a security measure, but he had also noticed the slow change Jag was going through.

For the first time he could remember the young man he thought of like a sun was not a trussed up, grumpy space pirate. He was actually enjoying himself and though Coran was reluctant to call it a miracle it was damn close.

He also knew exactly who was to blame, or thank depending on how you looked at it. Jaina had affected all of them in some way but Jag seemed to be the most obvious one. It had definitely been fate when she had stepped into that bar on Coruscant.

Their fun continued throughout dinner, where Jag disappeared for a little while but everyone knew better than to say anything. They were to meet up with Wedge and the others soon and he would venture that Jag was simply letting his uncle know when to expect them.

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Iella tapped her fingers on the table impatiently for a solid five minutes before Wedge leaned over and silenced her restless digits.

"You're worse than Mara." He joked, earning a glare from his lovely wife.

"He should have contacted us by now."

"He will when he can. Jag is anything but stupid."

Suddenly, the comm unit beeped and Wedge chuckled at the speed his wife moved to get to it. He stood up slowly and followed her, leaning over her shoulder to read the message.

"Incoming."

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"Don't feel like joining them?" Jag asked softly as he took Kyp's vacant seat next to her. Jaina glanced at him quickly and gave him a small smile. No one had said anything when he had disappeared and she hadn't about been to ask where he went. She wasn't his keeper after all.

"No, I think it's much safer to watch them from a distance. Less chance of getting hurt."

Jag chuckled at her comment and tipped his head in agreement before he took a drink. They sat in silence for a few moments as they watched the crew play one of the many dart games setup around the bar.

"Cred for your thoughts." Jag spoke, jarring her from her thoughts. Her head turned to look at him fully and she watched him as he observed the display of antics across the room with a small smile on his face. Sith he was gorgeous when he smiled!

When she didn't answer right away he turned his head slightly and raised an eyebrow at her.

"Jaina?"

Shaking her head minutely she cleared her throat and took a drink to buy her a little time.

"I'm just going to miss all of you." After the words left her mouth she hoped her reply had been too quiet for him to hear. Of course it wasn't. Chancing a glance out of the corner of her eye she found him staring at her with a curious look on his face.

"All of us?" Jag asked, a smirk starting to form.

"Well, maybe not you." She threw back at him, earning a loud laugh from him that caused his crew to turn and look in their direction. Jaina was sure her face was bright red right now and she refused to look in their direction.

"They went back to their game. You can look up now."

Her eyes darted back up and saw that he was telling the truth and Jaina took a deep breath. Silence blanketed them again and Jaina realized it wasn't at all uncomfortable. She didn't feel the need to fill the space between them with words and was thankful for that small miracle.

"Just for the record though, I won't miss you much either." He commented quietly and when she turned to look at him in surprise she saw a small smile still lingering on his face.

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"He's on Cato Neimoidia sire."

Zekk didn't acknowledge the information as he continued to pour over the data pad in front of him. Finally, after a few minutes he spoke.

"Release the announcement in the morning. Make sure all the local governments get it and instruct them to repeat it for two hours."

The man nodded at him and left the room, not noticing the evil smirk that graced the King's face.

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