Chapter Eight
Jaina emerged from her quarters several minutes later, still as confused as ever. She tried her best to put Lehada's actions from her mind and focus on the task at hand. Jaina exited the ship, supplies in hand, and looked around her. Jacen was standing next to Ganner, his face fixed in concentration, as the older Jedi explained the last few details of where Jacen was headed and what he should look out for. Ganner looked up from the conversation and smiled.
"You all set?" he asked his partner, and she nodded. Hoisting her backpack onto her shoulders, she looked at her brother.
"You ok, Jace?" she asked, sending her brother warm thoughts.
"Yeah, I'm fine, Sis," he replied, shrugging and flashing her a half smile. Ever since his life had been hanging by a thread controlled by the Vong, Jaina was more protective of her twin. "It's no big deal."
"Let's hope not," Lehada chimed in, emerging from the ship. Jaina was careful not to make eye contact, but the Jedi seemed to be ignoring her himself. "Everything we ever seem to do ends up being a big deal."
Rhysode smirked at the young Jedi. "There are reasons for that," he muttered.
Lehada missed his inference and simply shook his head. "Nothing in life has ever been easy."
Jaina couldn't help but agree with the Jedi, no matter what her feelings inside were doing. Life had never been anything but hard for her. Living in constant fear for her life, she never seemed to truly enjoy herself. And now, when it looked like peace may be on the horizon, they had been attacked yet again. Jaina didn't think that she would ever rest. Nor did she find that fair.
But that was her duty, she supposed, as a Jedi. Being Force-sensitive lent certain responsibilities that she could not ignore. She had tried that once, and her life had nearly ended...
But that was in the past. Jaina could not dwell on it now. There was no need to. It was all over and done with and done with, and she had to move on.
"Well, I guess we're all set," she said. "Kamik-Ir is keeping watch on the ship. So we're off?"
"Be careful, Jaina," Jacen said, embracing his sister fiercely. 'I will, you too,' she thought back, squeezing her brother tightly. They had found it difficult to separate after the events with the Vong. Each was afraid they'd never see the other again.
"I'll take good care of her," Rhysode chimed in. "And remember, this is no big deal."
Jaina smiled at her brother, and glanced at Lehada. He winked at her, and her stomach flopped again. She didn't get it--she despised the man, yet something in her was attracted to him...
"May the Force be with you," she called out to the pair as they headed over the hill. Jacen waved in return, and Jaina caught up to Ganner, who had already started out in the opposite direction.
* * * * *
"Nice place," Ganner muttered, as he slashed aside another of the vines that was in their way. Each of the plants had shoots thicker than Jaina's thigh, with sharp thorns the size of her thumbs. They seemed to encounter these plants every ten minutes or so. It was the only thing that had slowed their progress so far.
"Yeah. Maybe we should consider vacationing here sometime," Jaina replied, leaping over the fallen vine.
"You wanna go on a vacation with me?" Ganner asked in mock-surprise. "Aren't we moving a little fast?"
Jaina smiled. It felt good to have Rhysode in his true flirtatious form. The Yuuzhan Vong too had sobered him, and it was nice to see that he was recovering.
They said little more over the next few hours, speaking only when necessary to warn the other of the "thorny crap" as Jaina had so gracefully nicknamed it. Only when they settled down to camp at dusk did the conversation begin.
"Now this is some good stuff," Jaina said, biting off a hunk of her ration cube as she sat on an overturned stump. "Just like home cooking."
Ganner threw back his head and gave a deep, full laugh. "Oh yeah," he replied. "Just like mom use to make." He pointed a finger at Jaina. "Speaking of mothers...how's Princess Leia doing?"
Jaina swallowed what was in her mouth and said softly, "Better."
Ganner nodded in solemn agreement. "Good," he said softly.
"It's been tough," Jaina continued, but not really sure why. "Ever since Anakin...it's been a struggle," she finished.
"It has been for all of us," Ganner mused, a deep frown furrowing his brow. Jaina studied his face in the firelight. He was handsome, that was certain. And in the light of dusk, his scar seemed to fade away, making for a very attractive man. Even with the scar, Jaina couldn't help but think the man was...good looking, to say the least. The scar, however, brought pain to Jaina's heart every time she saw it. It reminded her...
"Do you think of him a lot?" Ganner asked softly.
Jaina gave a quick smile, then sobered. "Every minute of every day." She looked up at the sky, which was filled with millions of tiny, flickering scars. "I feel him with me sometimes," she continued. "Not in the way Uncle Luke has told me, about how Obi-Wan Kenobi appeared to him...but I know he's there just the same."
Ganner smiled and reached out to take Jaina's hand. He didn't say anything for a few minutes, just allowed her to sit in silent remembrance of her slain little brother. When he did speak, Jaina was slightly surprised by his question. "And how are you?"
It took Jaina a moment to answer that. No one had ever really asked her how she was doing. It seemed it was always about her mother or her father. "I'm alright, I think," she said, giving a little smile. "Better."
Ganner contemplated her answer for a moment and then asked, "How's Kyp?"
Jaina was taken aback by his question. She stared at him, a look of annoyance on her face. "And where did that come from?" she demanded suddenly, her mood changed.
"Nowhere," Ganner returned, his eyes growing fiery. "Just curious."
"And why would you think I would know?" Jaina snapped back.
"Hang on there, sweetie. Don't get all defensive on me," he said, holding up his hands.
Jaina stood up quickly. "Do not 'sweetie' me," she growled.
"Ok, ok. Calm down, Solo. I didn't mean anything by it." His eyes softened. "I was just asking."
Jaina took a deep breath and returned to her stump. She didn't make eye contact with Ganner until he asked another question of her. "So, what about this Lehada character?"
Jaina knew that Rhysode had the most honest intentions with that question. He simply wanted to know her opinion of the young Jedi. What he didn't know was how her stomach flipped in both anger and....no, she wouldn't say it. Her stomach simply flipped in anger when she thought of him. She wouldn't admit to any other feelings being there. She wasn't even sure that they were.
"He's a character, alright," she muttered, looking up at the sky.
"I don't think I would trust him, myself," Ganner answered. "I've heard things."
Jaina knew exactly what these things were, but she was curious to find out Ganner's opinion on the matter. "What kinds of things?" she asked innocently.
"He's not a nice guy, that's for sure," Rhysode responded. "He...has his way with women, you'd say."
"Oh really," Jaina scoffed, slightly insulted but refusing to truly show it. "And most men don't?"
"Hey there, don't go insulting my gender," Ganner smiled. "Most nice men don't."
"So he's not nice," Jaina continued, her blood churning. She had known all of this, heard all of the stories about Lehada and his women, and yet for some reason, she had given in to him herself.
"You seem to be very concerned about Lehada's affairs," Ganner replied. "You have a thing for him?" Ganner asked jokingly.
Luckily, in the darkness, he couldn't see Jaina blush. "Not a thing," she said softly. There was nothing there, she kept telling herself. It was just a kiss, that was all. "Just curious."
"If I can put my two cents in," Ganner returned, "you'd be better off without that...scoundrel."
"Scoundrel, eh?" Jaina asked. "And what makes you think I can't handle the scoundrels?"
"Oh, you can handle them, alright. Handle them and a pack of rancors. That I'm sure of. It's just that...you deserve better," he finished, glancing at her.
"Oh, really?" Jaina said, raising an eyebrow. "Like who?"
Ganner shrugged. "Anyone but Lehada. Or Durron."
Jaina flew to her feet once again. "Why do you keep doing that?" she yelled, her cheeks flaming.
Ganner stood and replied, his voice just as loud, "I want to know why you get so defensive about him!"
Jaina's hands flew to her hips. "And what makes you think that it's any of your business?"
Ganner sighed and walked towards the fire. Throwing another piece of the "thorny crap" onto it, he turned and looked at the young woman. She was so beautiful when she was angry...
"You're right. It's not any of my business," he said quietly. "I shouldn't have asked."
"You shouldn't have," Jaina repeated. Maybe she would tell him about it someday...and maybe she wouldn't.
"It's just that...there were a lot of rumors floating around about what happened between you and him, and I'm just...curious I guess."
"Rumors," Jaina scoffed. "Don't believe everything you hear. Most of it's not true."
"And what is true?" Ganner prodded.
"Stop right there, Rhysode. You're not getting anything more out of me tonight." Jaina smiled mischievously. "Maybe I'll tell you someday. And then, only if you behave yourself."
"Behave myself?" Ganner repeated.
"Yeah," Jaina winked. "Stay in your sleeping bag tonight, ok? No funny business."
Ganner laughed and spread out his blanket. "I think I can handle that."
"You better. I know how hard I am to resist," Jaina purred, and then laughed loudly before settling in to sleep.
'She couldn't be closer to the truth,' Ganner thought to himself. He looked up at the stars, and then closed his eyes. 'Couldn't be closer.'