Chapter Twenty

The wind was getting stronger outside, but Jaina didn't mind. She actually had a wish, deep inside, that that wind would simply pick her up and take her away. She was tired, tired of worrying, tired of making decisions, tired of fighting.

Jaina gazed out at the wilderness from the balcony of the suite she had been given. The forest was dense, and held millions of life forms, their Force-energy enough to knock Jaina over if she hadn't shrouded their presence. Jaina glanced to the east, toward the direction of the jail that held Ganner. She didn't feel right, standing here in the crisp, fresh air, with the wind ruffling her hair and blowing her robe...while he sat, alone and in pain, in a prison. But she didn't know what to do, and Jaina hoped the fresh air would help clear her mind.

"You all right, Jay?" Her brother came up behind her, and rested a hand lightly on her shoulder.

Jaina smiled and pulled her robe tighter as the wind gusted yet again. "I'm okay," she replied, resting her head on Jacen's shoulder. "Confused, but okay. You?"

"I'm as lost as you are," he answered, looking out into the woods himself. "What do you suppose is in there?" he asked. "There's so much life; the Force is so strong...it's hard to tell."

"I imagine it's quite like the woods of Endor," Jaina responded. "Full of energy."

"No ewoks, though," her brother chuckled.

Jaina sighed. "Jacen, what do we do now?" she questioned, changing the subject.

"I have no idea, Sis. Lehada...went to investigate some more. Went to see if anyone in town knew what was up. I doubt he'll find anything out though."

Jaina nodded. "We have to go straight to the top if we want answers. There's something going on, and it seems like only Steffman and Kilea Johannsen know about it. Otherwise, we probably would have gotten something by now."

"Well, Steffman is of no use. You've tried to get stuff out of him, and although he's come close to slipping, I think he's learned his lesson."

"So that leaves Kilea," Jaina responded. "She doesn't trust me...I don't think she'd ever tell me anything."

"It would be tough to get anything out of her...but she's the only one left. There are ways, if someone can get her to open up a little...to do a mind probe."

Jaina shuttered. "I hate the idea of having to do that to anyone."

"You wouldn't be able to--she'd never open up enough to let you in. I don't think I could do it either--purely for moral reasons. But I know someone with a pretty small conscience."

"Lehada," Jaina smiled. "Oh, I'm sure Mat could get her to open up. He's quite the charmer...until you get to know him."

Jacen smirked. "Yeah, and then he's just a pain in the ass."

Jaina laughed and nodded. "Okay then. When he comes back, we can give him his new assignment. I'm sure he'll be able to charm the pants off her."

"I hope you mean that figuratively, Jay," Jacen smiled.

"Well, he certainly thinks highly enough of himself to believe that he could do that both figuratively and literally."

"Whatever works," Jacen replied. He shrugged, and continued, "What about Ganner?"

Jaina felt her heart start to pound and tried to stop herself, but Jacen noticed. "Jaina? Why'd you get so flustered just then?"

She sighed. There was no sense in hiding it from her twin--she'd tried that before, and he'd been pretty upset. Plus, he was bound to find out about it soon enough. "He told me he loved me."

Jacen's eyes widened and he didn't speak for a moment. When he did, it wasn't what Jaina expected. "And what did you tell him?"

"Excuse me?" Jaina replied, shocked. "You're not going to threaten him, or me? No defensiveness for your sister?"

Jacen shrugged. "Jaina, you're a big girl now. You can take care of yourself. You took care of yourself with Kyp, and with Jag. I think you can make your own decisions, Sis."

"Yeah, but--"

"Plus, I kinda like the guy. So what did you tell him?"

Jaina got a lump in your throat. "Nothing. I said nothing."

"Oh," Jacen said softly.

"I didn't know what to say," she said quickly. "I mean, I've only spent two weeks with the guy, and then he goes and tells me he loves me. I know we've known each other forever, and he's always been a good friend...but hell, it's been two weeks and he told me he loved me!"

Jacen didn't say anything. He just smiled.

"What?" she demanded, her hands on her hips.

"You'll figure it out," he replied.

She punched him lightly on the shoulder. "You're no help."

"I know," he responded. "And speaking of help, no matter how you feel about the guy, we've still got to get him out of there."

"I know. But I don't know how."

Jacen thought for a moment. "Go talk to Steffman. See how...weak his mind is. You may be able to plant some thoughts in his head. If that doesn't work, well...we'll have to rely on Lehada's, um, work on Johannsen."

* * * * *

"Master Steffman will see you now," said the small, blue skinned aide. Jaina stood from her chair and bowed in thanks. She followed the aide through a door and entered Steffman's office.

"Lieutenant Lehada," the aide bowed to Steffman, and exited the room.

Steffman's office was sparsely decorated, with two maroon chairs and a large mahogany desk, behind which he sat. The floor was covered in some kind of gray carpet, and there was a large window with a view of the street below. Steffman had the curtains halfway drawn, but Jaina could see that the streets were nearly empty, even though it was only dusk.

"Ahh, Lieutenant. Please, sit," he motioned, and Jaina sat in the chair closest to his desk. "What can I do for you?"

"I've come to discuss the matter of the Jedi you are holding captive," she said firmly. Moving her hand ever so slightly under his desk and waving her fingers, she added, "I must insist that you release him."

Steffman considered her statement for a minute, as if confused. He shook his head. "I am afraid that I cannot do that," he replied slowly, considering each word.

This was going to be more difficult than Jaina thought. The mind tricks were not going to work. Time to try something else. "The conditions he is being held under are less then humane. His captors have a...dislike for the Jedi, and he is being treated poorly. When the Republic finds out that he has been treated in such a way, they will not be pleased. And don't forget about how the Jedi themselves may react."

Steffman frowned. "We do not want to make the Jedi upset," he said. "But my superior does not want the Jedi--running loose."

"Oh, I would never allow him to 'run loose'!" Jaina said, as if the mere suggestion was insane. "He would be under my supervision at all times! I can handle a Jedi--I've done it before. I won't allow him to get the better of me...again," she added, remembering the story she had told them. "I know now what to expect from him. Remember, I need him to be with me. That was my mission, and you know the importance of sticking with one's duty."

Steffman smiled. "Ahh, Lieutenant, that I do." He thought for a moment more. "But still, I am not sure that releasing him would be wise."

Time for drastic measures. Sometimes, the power that came with being a woman could work better than the power of a Jedi. Jaina stood up slowly, and rested her hands on his desk. Leaning forward, she said softly. "Trust me, sir, you have nothing to worry about. I'm on your side, remember?" She batted her eyes and leaned in close to his face. "I won't let him go anywhere without me. He'll be like my little pet." Jaina brushed his lips against his cheek, trying not to gag. "I promise. Don't you trust me?"

She could sense the fluttering in his brain and wasn't sure she wanted to know what he was thinking. He smiled. "Of course I trust you. It's him I don't. I'm not sure if you can handle him." He looked at her, and Jaina made her best pouty-face. "But, I suppose...I'll inform the guard that you will be down this evening to retrieve the Jedi."

"Oh thank you!" she mock-squealed, then 'regained' her composure. "You have my word that he will not leave my side."

"And if there is any trouble, he will be returned to the jail," Steffman added. "Any trouble at all."

"I understand," she replied, and shook his hand. "Thank you."

Steffman nodded, and Jaina turned to leave. Before she did, she turned and winked at the man, and she could sense his excitement.

'Yuck,' Jaina thought as she left. 'Men.'

I visited the site last night and logged on to my account, and realized that someone had removed me from their favorites list--and I can't blame them. I want to apologize for the length of time it has taken me to update my story. And I want to thank everyone who has been checking back to see if there has been an update, and for reading my story in general. Now, I won't promise when the next chapter will be up, because I've done that before and not been able to keep my promise. But I will promise that I will continue to work on and add to this story and try to make it as good as it can be. I hope that you enjoyed this latest chapter and I want to say 'thanks' again for reading it. I greatly appreciate it. Please review if you like/don't like what you see. And if you would like an email to be sent to you to let you know when I do get around to updating the next time, let me know either in your review or by email-- alliemunroe321@hotmail.com. Thanks!