Disclaimer: Same old one, none of these characters belong to me. I am making no money off of this. If you have any questions, or want to see the complete disclaimer and list of characters, see the Prologue
A Complicated Friendship:
The Story of Jag Fel and Jaina Solo
Chapter 7: The Years of Separation
With that Jag headed off to rejoin his now active squadron. Jaina went in a different direction towards Corellia. Each thinking the other was mad at them and leaving them behind. In reality they were madder at themselves than the other person.
Aboard the Chimera:
"Colonel Fel, good to see you again." The Chiss Lieutenant said with a crisp salute.
"Yeah, good to see you too Lieutenant, at ease," he said half-heartedly. 'I wonder how much of myself is still on the "Errant Venture". Better get back to the task at hand, this is war. Hopefully sometime soon, I can just sit and think of what to do.' "What's the situation?" he asked.
"Well, we're being sent to intercept a group of Peace Brigaders, sir."
"Any news from General Fel yet on when to expect more help?" Jag asked.
"Not yet, it should be coming soon."
"Ok, well let's head out."
'Well, at least this is something to get my mind off of Sticks. Yeah right, everywhere I look there is something that reminds me of her. I've got to get back into space, if I can't be there to protect her in person, at least I can help stop the Peace Brigade.' He thought as he went to his fighter.
The Horn residence on Corellia:
"Sticks, how good it is to see you again!" Corran Horn exclaimed as he wrapped Jaina in a huge hug.
"Hey Corran, it's great to see you too. Nice place your granddad has here."
"So what's new in the galaxy?" He said grinning.
"I don't want to talk about it Corran," Jaina stated sternly.
"Ok, ok, if you change your mind, just let me know. I'm here for you girl."
"Thanks. I just need some time to think about things myself. But when I feel like talking you'll be the first one to know."
"Well, I'm gonna go unpack and rest a little while, I catch ya later."
"Ok, see you in a little bit Sticks." He said as she walked away. Then thought, 'Mara's right, I've got to get her to talk, this is tearing her apart whether she wants to admit it or not.'
About a year later:
For the two friends, days turned into weeks and weeks into months. Finally before they realized it those months had turned into a year. Both still thought of each other constantly, but could never muster up the courage to confront each other. A few times over the years they had bumped into each other, but only exchanged pleasantries. After those encounters, they would just cut themselves off emotionally from others for a few days.
Finally one day when Spike Squadron was in the middle of battle, Rogue Squadron had shown up.
As Jag departed his ship after they had landed, two Rogue members walked up to him and said, "Somebody in our Squad said that the 181st Squad is terrible and it must be because of the leadership." With that they just grinned and walked off. Of course, Jag knew it was a joke, after working more with the Rogues over the last year it had become a custom to joke around between the two squads. His next thought was, 'that sounds like something Sticks would say. Please let it be her!' "Well I wonder what idiot said something stupid like that." He said jokingly.
"Well, that's some way to talk about your cuz." A male voice from behind him said with sarcasm.
"Sean-Connor Antilles," he said as they shook hands and hugged, "it's great to see you again. It's been a while hasn't it?"
"Yeah, way too long."
"So, what's new in your life boy?" Jag asked.
"Well, same ol', same ol'. I miss Taylor a lot, but then she has her missions she has to go on too." As Sean said that he noticed Jag looking around the hanger. He then added, "She's not here if that's who you're looking for. Sticks is off training with Mara and Corran again. Mara works with her on Jedi skills and Corran with piloting."
"I don't want to talk about it," he stated firmly, "besides, who told you? It was your father wasn't it, I thought I asked Wedge not to tell anyone."
"You did and he didn't until I confronted him about it. I noticed that Jay's been kind of lost in space so to speak; I figured it had to be about you. Then I made some inquiries about you and found out you had been acting the same way. So, I put two and two together and asked my father about it."
"Well I still don't want to talk about it," he stated yet once again.
"I can understand," Sean said, "but just remember that when you need someone to talk, I'm here. Let's go grab some food."
"Sure."
A week later:
"Well," Wedge began telling Jag, "All of Rogue Squadron has been called back in for this mission."
"We're gonna need everyone we can get." He said purposely-missing Wedge's point.
"You can't avoid her forever Jag. You've got to talk to her."
"I just don't know if I'm ready yet."
"Jag, it's been a year, it's time to talk to her before it's too late."
"Ok, if it'll make you happy, I'll go see after the mission."
"Alright. Now go get 'um."
After the battle, Jag landed and immediately began searching for Jaina.
He stopped his cousin Sean. "Hey cuz you seen Sticks anywhere?"
"No, and they said her X-Wing hasn't reported in yet either." He replied with a grim look on his face.
Jag panicked, something not normal for him, and began frantically searching for Jaina. 'Where is she? If something happened to her, I'll never forgive myself for not straightening things out between us.'
Just then Jag saw his uncle walking towards him with a solemn expression on his face. As soon as Jag saw him, his heart sank. "Wedge, what's wrong?"
"Jag, you need to sit down," he said and motioned Sean over before he continued. Jag and Sean were close and he figured he would need someone in a minute. "Jag," he continued, "I'm afraid Sticks has been seriously injured."
