Chapter 28

The beauty of Coruscant had faded somewhat in his eyes, Jag thought as he stood on the bridge of the Valorous. Not that it had changed, it just seemed less impressive. That was fine with him. Jag didn't want to be impressed. He was here as an Imperial officer, not a tourist.

The Chimaera had jumped from Yaga Minor three standard days before, leaving instructions for the Valorous and the Roughshod to follow in a few days. They weren't to arrive until the day of the actual ceremony, making a show of force for the New Republic citizens. It was all pomp and circumstance, but that was okay with Jag. He had waited a long time for this day, for a time where he and Jaina could move freely about the galaxy without fear of repercussions. He wanted to be here to see it happen.

"General?" A communications officer hailed him from the pit below the command chair.

"Yes?"

"A transmission incoming for you, Sir."

"From whom?" Jag asked.

"I'm not sure, General, someone on the surface."

Jag rubbed a hand over his chin thoughtfully. Whoever it was, it couldn't hurt to hear from them. Besides, he was curious as to who the person was. "Patch them through."

Jag swiveled in his chair, turning to face the holoprojector on the other side of him. It crackled with static for a moment, then the image of a middle-aged woman with blond hair and sparkling green eyes appeared in the space above it. "Mother?" Jag managed, his jaw dropping as he recognized Syal Antilles Fel.

She smiled that holostar smile of hers. "Hello, Jagged. It's been a while."

"What...what are you doing here?" he asked finally, his mind not capable of wrapping itself fully around the concept.

"This is not an agreement just between the Empire and the New Republic, you know. The Ascendancy has been allied to the Remnant for years, and more recently with the Republic. To have the both of them align themselves together is a momentous occasion, joining the galaxy as one in a way we have never been before. Did you expect that the Ascendancy would not want an emissary here for the signing?"

Jag wasn't sure what to say. "So they just let you come?"

"We were invited, as a matter of fact," Syal declared.

"By whom?" Jag blurted.

Syal smiled slyly. "Jaina's mother."

Now Jag was really stunned. There had to be an ulterior motive. His eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Alright Mother, enough. What's really going on here?"

The famous actress grinned sweetly. "Leia and I have had a wonderful time talking about the two of you the past few days. We've come up with a wonderful idea."

Jag felt a pang of fear. "What have you done?" he snapped.

She smiled again, this time genuinely. "You know me well enough to know that I would never do anything that would influence your life negatively, Jagged."

"Tell me," he said stiffly.

Syal sighed. "Maybe I shouldn't have called. If I tell you it will ruin the surprise."

"I hate surprises."

Syal looked at him knowingly. "This is an important day for you Jagged, not just the galaxy. It's important for you and Jaina."

"Do you think I don't know that?" he asked, but not with enough venom to raise her ire.

"It's also important for what the two of you represent. Do you know that between you, you encompass all three factions of this galaxy? Jaina came from the Republic, you from the Chiss, and now both of you have joined the Empire. You were married as a symbol of the union of two nations the first time. Now your marriage represents the combining of our galaxy into one against the Yuuzhan Vong."

Anger swelled inside of him. "Why can't we just be married because we love each other?"

This time Syal's smile was sympathetic. "You can. In fact, that's the most important part. Do you know what next week is, Jagged?"

Jag thought for a moment. When he had it he felt like smacking himself. "Our anniversary," he choked.

"It is. You two were going to be married again officially next week anyway, if things had gone according to plan."

Jag slowly shook his head. "This isn't something you can force us to do."

"It's not something we're trying to force you to do. I know Leia wants this for political reasons, but you know I have no interest in those things. I want to see you two be happy. That marriage on Csilla was the saddest ceremony I've ever attended. Do you want to always think of your wedding day like that? This will be good for you both, Jag."

Jag didn't know what to say. Five months ago he had proposed to Jaina again, asking her to do the very thing his mother now suggested. But he didn't like the idea of doing it now just because their mothers wanted them to. It should be something they decided together, for no other reason than the fact that they loved each other. And it certainly wasn't something Jag could commit to without speaking to Jaina first.

"I don't know what to tell you," Jag stated finally. "I'll ask Jaina about it, at any rate."

"Oh, she already knows," Syal smiled.

"How?" Jag asked.

"Because Leia should be speaking to her about it right now."

Jag's eyes flicked to the viewport of the Valorous, his eyes following the long white line of the Roughshod that hung to his starboard flank. "I pity her."

Jaina slapped the button that cut the transmission angrily. What was wrong with her? If and when she and Jag renewed their vows, it would be their decision, not Leia or anyone else's. But it was all about the politics for her. The fact that Jaina might not want a huge billion-credit blowout with the whole galaxy watching didn't matter either. It was all about Leia.

Unable to contain her anger, Jaina lashed out at the holoprojector, sending the thing flying to the deck where it broke into a dozen pieces that scattered across the floor. The subordinate officers ducked and winced, some looking at her with fear in their eyes. In that moment Jaina saw herself the way they did. She was something to be feared, not because of who she was but because of what she was. They had done this all before, watched a Jedi rise swiftly through their ranks and become a power to be dreaded. Now they were doing it again, with Vader's granddaughter no less.

Horrified at the revelation, Jaina turned and left the bridge with hurried strides, the turbolift not closing fast enough for her. She covered her face with her hands, breathing hard. That wasn't like her. She had endured much from her mother, and had never reacted this way before. She was a Jedi for Force's sake! Anger was beneath her. What was going on with her? Something...something was off. She wasn't sure what, but something was affecting her. And if she had to guess, she thought it was the thing she had realized about herself in that dream. The thing that was different that she had never seen before. Jaina had been too frightened by what it might be to try to touch it again. Now she was even more afraid that she would have to.

The fear of doing so repulsed her, made her nauseas, and it was all she could do to hold her stomach long enough stumble to her quarters and vomit in the 'fresher. She wiped her face and gargled some water, then threw herself onto her bed. It had only been thirty-six hours since she had seen Jag last, but already she missed him so badly it was a physical ache. If only...if only what?

Carefully she stood, examining herself in the mirror. Nothing like this should have affected her so badly. It just wasn't like her.

Nevermind. She would overcome that part of her, the part that was changing her. She had to. She had done harder things, overcome greater threats. There would be time to for it after the ceremony.

Jaina wore her full dress uniform, epaulettes dangling over her shoulder and colored bars pinned to her chest. She marched three rows behind Pellaeon, her head held high and proud. She didn't expect her former compatriots to be overcome with joy at seeing her, and that was okay. She was proud of her decisions, and they could either deal with it or not. Either way, she didn't want to hear it.

She was beginning to think the parade hadn't been a good idea after all. No one seemed overly thrilled with their appearance, and the walk to the Senate Hall was tiring. Jaina scanned the crowd, hoping to glimpse any familiar faces. She didn't see any, so she kept her focus fixed on a point on the back of the Grand Admiral's jacket.

Jag was somewhere in the procession, she knew, but where was the question. He had arrived on-planet too late to be in the front with the other ranking officers, so she couldn't be sure where exactly he was.

The end of their trek loomed in the distance, and Jaina allowed herself a personal moment of relief. Not that anything easier lay ahead. No, this where the hard part began. If they were lucky it wouldn't last long, though. Pellaeon and Leia would sign the document they had drafted, would each say a few words, and hopefully they would be finished.

As the procession came to a stop and Pellaeon mounted the stairs Jaina let her posture relax considerably. She seemed to swelter in her wool uniform, and she tugged uncomfortably at the stiff collar. The action made her smile with memory. I really am my father's daughter.

On the podium with Pellaeon and Jaina's mother were various member's of the Senate and Moff Council, but her Uncle Luke was nowhere to be seen. That was somewhat surprising, but not extremely so. He had never taken to political functions well, but at a momentous occasion such as this she would have expected him to at least make an appearance.

Quickly bored by the proceedings, Jaina took the break to search for Jag. She craned her neck, trying to get a peak over the taller officers behind her. All she saw was a sea of solid decorated chests. Miffed, she turned back to the ceremony, folding her arms over chest. She yawned loudly, drawing stares from a few of the other generals around her. She just stared back, and they turned away.

Just as her mind began to wander, a voice that seemed to come from nowhere whispered in her ear. "Jaina."

Jaina turned, searching the crowd for the source of the voice. There, with the onlookers on the other side of the roped off street. Anakin stood in their midsts, a hood pulled over his head, but not low enough to where she couldn't see the electric sparkle of his blue eyes out of the depths of his cloak. He raised a hand, motioning her to him. Jaina looked around nervously. No one seemed to be paying any attention to her. Slowly she crept to the edge, leaning over the railing to where she could embrace her youngest sibling.

"Anakin," she breathed. "What's going on? Where is everyone?"

"Back at the apartment," he answered. "Aunt Mara just arrived on-planet, and said she had something to tell Uncle Luke. They were in a room a long time, and when they came out it looked like he had been crying. I don't know what's going on, but he wouldn't leave her to come today, even though Mom begged him. Me and Jacen didn't want to come without him, but I figured someone need to come tell you."

Jaina pondered his words a moment. "None of that sounds very good, Anakin."

"I know," he said.

Jaina looked around furtively. "Come on, let's go."

As she tried to jump over the railing he restrained her with a firm grip on her shoulders. "Now? Don't you need to stay?"

Jaina turned back to look at the podium. No one was paying any attention to her, and probably wouldn't. She waved off his concern. "They don't need me. Let's get out of here."

The first thing that hit Jaina was how bad Mara looked. Her eyes had bags under them, she seemed thinner, and her skin almost pasty. She was much different than the alive and vibrant woman she had seen only a few months before. Still, she was one of the most beautiful women Jaina could ever remember seeing, and her athleticism was still apparently superior. Luke and Mara both smiled as Jaina followed Anakin through the door, but only Luke rose to meet her. He embraced her fiercely, and she hugged him back. "How have you been, Jaina?" Luke asked. "We didn't really get to talk after the funeral."

Jaina shrugged, noncommittal. "I like where I am in my life," she said truthfully.

Luke managed a smile. "I'm glad." He took a deep breath, and Jaina could feel him draw on the Force. But before he could speak Mara spoke up for him.

"Aren't you supposed to be at the ceremony, Jaina?"

Jaina just smiled. "They won't miss me. How are you, Aunt Mara?"

Mara laughed without humor. "I suspect you have an inkling. Luke, go get Jacen and we'll tell them."

Luke nodded and went to do as she said. Jaina took a seat in a chair across from her aunt, and Anakin sat on the arm of her chair. "So where's this husband of yours I haven't had the pleasure of meeting?" Mara asked.

Jaina shrugged helplessly. "I couldn't tell you. At the ceremony, I guess."

Mara laughed. "Well don't you think that's something you should know?"

Jaina giggled. "Ah, he'll be all right. He'll comm if he needs me."

That brought a rousing bout of laughter, and that's how they were when Luke came back in with Jacen. Jacen gripped Jaina's hand briefly, but other than that they saved their greeting for later. Luke took a seat beside his wife, his demeanor solemn. "Mara, I think this is something you should tell."

Mara nodded. "After our little excursion to Tiras I went back to my usual business, but I began to feel like something was wrong. I kept getting sicker, like my body was failing me one system at a time. I started going into a healing trance every night, and that helped, but if for some reason I wasn't able to I was sick again the next morning. It never went away. I began to suspect something was seriously wrong, so I went to see Cilghal on Mon Calamari before I came here. We knew I had some sort of disease, but unlike usual she couldn't feel the virus in the Force. That's why we suspect I've been implanted with some sort of Vong bioweapon."

The silence was tense. Jaina's heart was breaking for her Uncle. Mara was his world. If they didn't find cure for her... No, she couldn't think like that. "So what are you going to do?"

Mara shook her head. "Keep up the healing trances until Cilghal can come up with a cure. That's the only defense I have."

"What about the rest of us? We were exposed to the same environment you were. Why aren't we sick?" Jacen asked.

Luke shifted in his seat. "She must have been hit with an amphistaff laced with this stuff, some sort of infectious thing that was autochthonic just to that weapon."

Mara and Luke exchanged a look. "And that's not all," Mara said slowly.

Jaina braced herself for the worst.

Mara took a deep breath. "I'm pregnant."

As the gathering dispersed, everyone going their own separate ways, Jag searched the crowd for his wife. If he had been a Jedi finding her would have been no problem; but as it was, he had to do it the old fashion way. As he shouldered his was through the crowd, a hand reached out from somewhere, taking hold of his left bicep. "Jag!"

Jag turned to stare into the face of his uncle. Jag gave him a tight smile. "Hello again...Uncle Wedge."

Wedge Antilles smiled broadly. "I thought that was you. How have you been, Jag? Did you know your parents and sister are on planet?"

"I know," Jag replied. "Mother contacted me this morning."

As small grimace overcame the General's features. "She asked you, then?"

Jag laughed shortly. "I guess I really was the last one to know. Have they set a date yet? Hired a caterer? Picked out Jaina's dress?"

Wedge smiled at the humorless jest. "Listen, Jag, that's why I wanted to talk to you. Where will you and Jaina be staying while you're here?"

Jag shrugged. "With the other officers in the Embassy, I guess. Or with her Uncle."

Wedge grinned broadly. "How would the two of you like to escape your meddling mothers and come stay with Iella and myself?"

Jag frowned. "Aren't Mother and Father staying with you?"

Wedge shook his head. "Nope. We offered, but Soontir wouldn't hear of it. Anyway, I doubt anyone will think to look for you with us, if you'll stay. Iella and the girls are so excited to meet you."

Jag hesitated. "Jaina still might want to stay with her Uncle. Hang on, I'll comm her and ask."

Jaina wasn't sure what to say. "Pregnant?" she stuttered.

Mara nodded. "That's why I need to stay here with you all for a while. If it was just me I'm protecting, I would be okay. But I have a child to defend, and I'll need Luke's help with that. I'm not so stubborn as to risk my child on a chance. I want certainty."

"We'll help any way we can, Aunt Mara," Anakin said staunchly.

About then Jaina's comm chirped. "Excuse me," Jaina said, pulling the small cylinder from her belt and retreating to the other side of the room. Glad for the chance to remove herself from the tension, she pulled the small device to her mouth. "Fel," she said softly.

"Hey, babe. Where are you?"

Jaina smiled lovingly at the sound of his voice. She suddenly felt a whole lot more appreciative of him and their time together. "At my uncle's. I left the ceremony early. What's up?"

"Well, I was wondering where you were wanting to stay tonight. I know you didn't want to go back to the Roughshod so soon."

Jaina looked over her shoulder at the area where he family sat. She wasn't sure could take the stress in this house. "The Embassy, I guess."

"I kind of have another option, if you want it."

"Sure."

"Wedge caught up with me after it was over, and offered to let us stay with him and his family. He said no one would look for us there."

Jaina smiled. "'No one' as in our mothers?"

"Ah, so you got the call too."

Jaina grimaced at the memory. "You know, hiding away for a while is starting to sound really good. You sure he won't mind?"

There was a pause and muffled sounds of conversation. When he came back he said, "Yeah, he's pretty insistent. So I'll see you there?"

"I shouldn't be much longer. I'll call if I am."

"Okay. I love you."

"I love you too."

The connection ended, and Jaina went back to stand behind the chair where she had formerly sat. "Aunt Mara, Uncle Luke, I know this is hard, but you both are so strong. And we'll all help any way we can. And you're having a baby! That's something to celebrate." She leaned forward, gripping both their hands. "If I can do anything, I mean anything, for you all, just let me know. But right now I have to go. Jag is waiting for me."

"Aren't you staying with us?" Luke questioned.

Jaina shook her head sadly. "The last thing you all need is the two of us hanging around and making a mess."

"Hey, when you live with Anakin you can deal with anything," Jacen joked, earning him a solid but playful punch on the shoulder.

"Seriously, Jaina, it would be no problem. This will always be your home," Luke said.

"It's not just me anymore, Uncle Luke. There's Jag, too. And he has family on Coruscant just like I do." At their perplexed expression she said, "Wedge. He's offered to let us stay with him and Iella."

They looked a little disappointed, but Jaina didn't have time to dwell on it. She had places to be and things to do, and staying in a place so full of depression wasn't going to help her progress.