Waking up was hard to do. Especially since sleep had been almost non- existent during the last several days. He was awake but Jag found that he was having trouble opening his eyes. He was exhausted and would have gladly spent the rest of the day sleeping. He was usually not this lazy however the lack of rest he had on Drognan was finally hitting him and he couldn't find the energy to get up.

He hadn't moved from the bed since he fell asleep after Han Solo had visited him. Jag whispered a curse against the blankets beneath him and somehow found the strength to push himself up from the bed. His legs were a bit wobbly and he staggered briefly before he turned and sat down on the edge of the mattress. Glancing down at his wrist chrono, he cursed again. *Eleven-hundred. I can't believe I've been asleep since yesterday.*

Jag stifled a yawn then got up and walked over to the table next to the bed. The space between the table and the wall near the 'fresher was narrow and he had to sit down on the bed again just to use the small comm unit that rested there. He blinked a few times and rubbed his eyes, still trying to work the sleep out of them. He keyed up the channel for his uncle's office and hoped he wasn't too angry with him.

"Antilles here. Go ahead."

"It's Jagged, sir." The last word came out at the end of another yawn.

"Jag! So nice to hear from you!" His uncle's voice was laced with humour. "I hope you're feeling okay."

"Yes, sir. I'm fine. I just called to apologize for not meeting with you yesterday. I guess I was more tired than I thought I was. I laid down for a rest and I, well, I just woke up. I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize, Jag. I understand." A grin touched his lips. He imagined that his uncle didn't get angry too often. He didn't seem like the kind of man who had even an inkling of a temper. "I was a little bit concerned about you, though, and I came to check on you last night. I didn't want to wake you so I just let you sleep."

"Thank you, sir."

"Anytime. I hope you don't mind but I took your laundry while I was there and had it cleaned for you. One of the protocol droids should be bringing it over to you momentarily."

Jag stared at the comm in surprise. "You didn't have to do that, Uncle Wedge."

"I know, but you had just gotten back and you aren't familiar with the set- up of this place yet. Don't expect housekeeping services everyday, though."

He smiled. "I know how to wash my clothes, sir. I think I can manage."

Wedge laughed. "Good. Get washed up and stop by when you're able. There are a few things I want to talk to you about."

"I'll be there in twenty minutes."

"Take your time. See you then." Wedge clicked off and the comm went silent.

It took him a few more minutes before he finally decided that he had to move in order to get things done. Jag shook his head, let out a long yawn. Geez, I'm tired. It will take a few days to back on schedule. Perhaps it wasn't sleep that made him feel so weary. When he woke on Drognan with Jaina in his arms, life seemed simple and complete. He could have stayed that way forever. Now he was back to his daily routine and he never thought he'd actually dislike it. He did. He would give it all up for Jaina.

Jag went to the 'fresher, closed the door behind him and leaned heavily against it. He didn't need a shower at the moment but it was probably the only thing that could wake him up aside from a strong cup of caf. He undressed slowly, tossing his relatively clean clothes on the floor. Jag stared down at the pile and shook his head. *If Mother saw how untidy I was becoming, she'd forbid me from leaving home again. The Rebels are a bad influence on me.* Jag grinned, thinking of Jaina, and didn't think it quite so bad that she had an affect on him.

He was about to start the water when he heard the distant knock outside the 'fresher. *Uncle Wedge was right when he said the droid would be here momentarily.* Certainly not decent to answer it, Jag used the voice command for entry. "Open!" he hollered against the 'fresher door. "You can just place the laundry on the bed! Thank you!"

He was never one for cold showers. The shock of the water hitting his skin when he stepped into the shower nearly sent him running out again. His eyes widened and he let out a small gasp of surprise. Jag grimaced the entire time as he washed up and when he was finished, he shut the water off so fast he almost broke the faucet. He stood immobile for a moment even as the shivers crept along his spine.

Jag grabbed the nearest towel and quickly dried his hair and face. He then wrapped it around his waist and sighed disgustedly as he looked down at his appearance. The towel barely covered him and it didn't even go to his knees. Guessing that a Sullustan, an Ewok, or a being much shorter than himself had used this room last, he had to hold the towel in place while he walked over to the sink.

Clutching the towel with one hand, he ran the other one over his jaw, turning his head left to right while he looked in the mirror. Fortunately, he didn't have to shave again today. He leaned against the sink in an effort to support the towel then went about brushing his teeth and fixing his hair. He didn't bother to towel-dry his hair because he wanted to meet with Wedge as soon as possible. He had kept his uncle waiting for almost twenty-four hours. He scolded himself for being tardy, even if sleep was foremost on his mind.

He used up the last of his deodorant and made a mental note to ask his uncle where he could get some. Gripping the towel again he quickly cleaned the 'fresher and scooped his dirty clothes up with the other hand. Jag leaned a shoulder against the panel on the wall and the door rolled back.

Crossing the room, he stopped in front of the table and set his clothes down on the chair closest to him. He rummaged around in his backpack for clean undergarments, yawning again. Finding everything he needed, Jag turned around....

...and nearly fell backward when Jaina moved to stand in front of him. His belongings slipped from his hand, his grip on the towel suddenly became tight enough to cut off circulation. He didn't scare easily but Jaina's presence unnerved him. He hadn't even heard her, didn't even see her when he stepped out of the 'fresher.

"I didn't mean to startle you." she said, her tone light. She was dressed in a deep brown jumpsuit and boots, her hair pulled back away from her face. Her cheeks had a spot of colour to them, but from embarrassment or simply having been scrubbed clean Jag didn't know. He had a feeling that he was redder than her at the moment.

"I thought you were a droid bringing my laundry." Jag glanced briefly at the bed and noticed that his clean clothes were indeed laying there. He struggled to regain his composure and failed miserably. *It must be a Solo thing, he concluded, for they seem to be the only ones to have this affect on me.* Her arrival scared the pants off me. Literally. Jag brought his gaze back to hers, saw the hint of mischief in her brandy-brown eyes and knew that she wasn't going to let this opportunity pass her by.

"I got here at the same time the droid did. I took the laundry from him and decided to wait for you."

"Is something wrong?" He wished she would turn around, leave the room for a moment so he could get dressed. Instead, Jaina just stood there in front of him, her hands on her hips, a playful smile on her lips. He had the sudden desire to leave his uncle waiting for another few hours. He blushed and leaned back against the table, placing one hand behind him for support while the other continued to maintain his dignity.

"No, not really." She took a step closer and if he could have, Jag would have taken a step back. What was she doing? He needed to get dressed. "I came by because I think we should tell Wedge the truth. He should know that I was the one responsible for our unexpected stay on Drognan."

"I was thinking the same thing, actually. I was going to speak to you later about that." His breath was becoming tight in his throat. "I was just getting ready to go speak to him now."

"Good. I'll go with you." Jaina smiled and the beauty of it robbed him of speech. "Before we go, though, Jag, I need to have a word with you about something else."

"Oh? What's that?" He tried to sound casual, hoped that she couldn't hear the pounding of his heart. It took all the strength he had to stop himself from kissing her, from touching her. The conversation with her father the day before crossed his mind and he decided he didn't want to speak with Han Solo for a long time yet.

Jaina, however, had other plans.

She closed the gap between them, the sparkle in her eyes never wavering. Jag straightened in surprise as she reached out and placed her hands on his shoulders. His skin was still damp but Jaina didn't seem to mind. Her eyes followed her fingers as she began to trace the curve of his shoulders. Her hands smoothed over his skin with a slowness that stirred all the emotions he held for her. He loved this woman with a power that scared him. She had no idea how much of a spell she cast over him. Or, perhaps she did and she wanted to continue to enchant and excite him.

It seemed like long moments later when she finally answered him. "You told my dad that we kissed." Her fingers traced the length of his arms, the light touch sending a shiver through every fibre of his being.

A lump formed in his throat and it took every effort to force it down. "I didn't intend to tell him. It just slipped out."

"Really?" Her fingers drifted from his shoulders and began a journey down along his chest. He had trouble holding her gaze as her palms flattened against his stomach.

"Yes. Well, in all honesty, I don't think I could have lied to your father no matter what."

"I had a feeling you wouldn't be able to lie for me. You're terrible at it."

"That's a good thing I guess."

One hand glided over his skin and stopped to rest on the hand that was holding the towel up while the other rested on his other hip. The action drew her closer to him and he believed at that moment he had lost all coherent thought.

Jag's voice caught in his throat. "What are you doing?"

Jaina's smile was a combination of mischief and delight. "Punishing you for letting my dad find out what happened."

He leaned forward, bringing his free hand to rest atop hers. He could feel the heat of her skin through the towel. "Punishing me or torturing me?"

Her smile grew. "Well, I thought it would be punishment since you become uncomfortable when I do things like this and not only that, but my parents and your uncle are within walking distance of this room. Isn't that punishment enough for revealing our little secret?"

"In most cases, it would be, but I think this time I have to say that it's a pleasant kind of torture." He leaned in closer, could smell the sweet floral hint of soap on her skin and in her hair. He couldn't hold back another moment. He had to kiss her. If he didn't, he thought he would die.

Jaina took a step back from him, the smile on her face a perfect imitation of her father's. The roguish Solo smile. He hated it at this moment. Jag sighed, shaking his head. "I guess I am to be punished then."

She giggled, walking over the bed. He watched as Jaina picked up his flight suit and smoothed her hands over it to rid it of wrinkles. "We can't keep Wedge waiting any longer." She walked back over to him, bent to pick up the clothes he had dropped. Jag held back a breath as her knuckles moved against his leg as she stood up.

"You're doing that on purpose now."

"And I wasn't before?" she teased, handing him the clothes.

Jag accepted them and brushed passed her. Now that she knew many of strengths and weaknesses, he was putty in her hands. He would have a hard time keeping up his stoic appearance in front of her.

"Jag?"

"Yes?" He stopped at the 'fresher, half-turned to face her.

"I never had the chance to tell you this before. You have a cute butt."

His eyes widened in surprise. *I've never been told that before!* "That remains to be seen." he scoffed, trying to hide his embarrassment.

"It most certainly does."

He stared at her, stunned.

Jaina smiled her more innocent smile and blew him a kiss.

Jag laughed, bringing his hand up as if he caught the kiss and placed it on his lips. *I don't think anyone has every caught me off guard with such offbeat comments as that woman. That's one reason why I love her.*

*I love you, too.*

Jag blinked and stared at Jaina. "Did you say something?"

She shrugged and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Nope." She looked over and grinned.

It didn't take him long to get dressed. The flight suit was still warm from the drying cycle and it bore a crisp scent that reminded him of the woods behind his family's home. He gave his hair a quick brush then exited the 'fresher.

Jaina was standing again, holding his boots. Jag smiled his thanks and put them on. He picked up his comlink from the table near the bed, shoved his flight gloves into the side pocket on his pant leg. "Let me do the talking at first, okay? I think I should apologize to Uncle Wedge for deceiving him before we tell him everything that happened."

"You're not going to let it slip to him that we kissed are you?" Jaina passed him his utility belt.

Jag accepted it. "Ha, ha. No. I'm not going to tell him that. Unlike your father, I think Uncle Wedge would tease me about it." He glanced around the room, making sure he had all that he needed. "Ready?"

"You're not going like that." Jaina studied him, the smile returning to her lovely face.

"Like what?" He raised his hand to his hair and began straightening it again.

She shook her head and let out a little tsk, tsk. Jaina leaned up and pulled the zipper of his flight suit up to his neck then adjusted the collar. She smoothed her hands over the his shoulders and arms, again getting rid of any lingering wrinkles. "Very handsome, Colonel."

"Thank you, Lieutenant."

"You're welcome. Let's go." Jaina turned toward the door.

"Wait." He reached out and caught her hand.

Jaina turned to him. "Yes?"

"I need you to do something for me." He kept his tone light, not hinting at what he was going to ask her.

She looked at him perplexed. "What is it?"

Jag smiled and leaned closer to her face. "Kiss me." he breathed against her cheek. "That's an order."

Smiling, Jaina looked at him, raised a hand to trace his jaw line. "Yes, sir." she whispered and pressed her lips to his.