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 20: Revelations

Soon the convoy of ships landed on Corellia at Rostek Horn's private landing pad.

Jag hurried out of the ship with Jaina in his arms, trying not to jostle her around too much.  'We're almost there Sticks, hold on.'

"Have you got the bacta tank ready sir?" Jag asked him politely. 

"Yes, it's this way."

Jag followed and got everything set for Jaina.  As last time, he stayed by her side the whole time.

"Son," Rostek said, "you really should get some rest."

"No," he said firmly, "I'm not leaving her."

"By the way, who are you?  I don't think I've ever met you before."

"No sir, you haven't," he began, "I am Colonel Jagged Fel of the 181st Imperial Regiment.  My squad has been working closely with the Rogues for about two years now."

"And you know Jaina how?" Rostek asked curiously.

"She is my best friend.  We've been real close since the Battle of Ithor.  We've been through a lot together."

"Then I'm sure she would want you to get your rest."

"No, I told her that I would stay with her no matter what."

"Ok," Rostek said, finally conceding, "I'll get a bed put in here."

"Thank you."

With that Rostek left thinking that Jaina had someone special watching over her.  If all that he heard was true, this guy was perfect for her, and very protective too, he would protect her no matter what.

Later after Jaina came out of bacta:

Jag sat there watching Jaina as she slept, he wanted her to wake up so he could see her beautiful eyes and cute lopsided grin.  'Well Jag, you've definitely gone soft, haven't you?' he thought with a smile on his face.  'The thing is that I really don't care, as long as I'm with her, I don't mind being soft.'  All of a sudden he felt as if someone was watching, he turned to see who it was.

"Hello, Zekk," there was really something that he really didn't like about this guy.

"Jag, how do you know Jaina, and why did you call her 'Sticks'?"

"Well," he started, thinking that this isn't any of this guys business, "she's a member of the Rogues and her nickname is Sticks, everyone calls her that."

"DO WHAT?  When did this happen?  I can't believe she would give up the Jedi."

"Wow, hold on a minute, she didn't give up the Jedi.  She's just serving them like Corran Horn did.  There is nothing wrong with that.  Why does it bother you so much?"

"Corran Horn is an idiot, not embracing his heritage earlier, and now Jay's following in his footsteps.  And as for why does it bother me so much, I am very close to Jay, we used to date," he said with a  smile as he saw Jag's expression change.  "We are very close."

"Oh, well I need to go get a shower," he said as he got up to leave.  As he was leaving Jaina opened her eyes and saw him walking away.

"Hey Colonel, where are you off to?" she said smiling at him.

This made his heart ache, 'I can't believe that I'll never get a chance with her.  But if Zekk makes her happy, then I'm happy for her.'  "I'm going to get a shower and change of clothes.  I'll be back later." He bent down and kissed her lightly on the lips, then turned and walked away.

Jaina just sat there in shock, at what he had done and how upset he seemed, 'What's wrong with him I wonder?'

"Jaina, how are you?"

'That would be why.' "Hello Zekk.  What do you want?"

"I want to be friends again, and maybe one day be able to date once more."

"Zekk, it's out of the question, I've moved on with my life."

"Oh, you mean like wasting your time with the Rogues, or with that Imperial.  I thought that you of all people would have done better than that with your life."

"YOU'RE talking about me wasting my time, what have you been doing for the past few years.  And as for that Imperial, he is my best friend, so if you have a problem with him you can just leave."

"Fine, but not before I do this."  With that he walked over and grabbed Jaina and kissed her.  She tried to push him away, but she wasn't quick enough in her weekend state. 

Unfortunately, standing just outside the door Jag was a witness to all of this.  He saw the kiss but didn't stay long enough to see Jaina push him away and start yelling.  He felt as if his heart had been ripped out of his chest and had to get away.  He knew now that he had done the right thing.  He left the HoloCube with a single yellow rose, Jaina's favorite, outside the door for her. 

Soon he was in his cockpit in space, after he witnessed that scene he hurried to get clearance and get away as soon as possible.  He couldn't believe that he misjudged her affections so badly.  He could have sworn that she felt the same way about him.  Apparently he was gravely mistaken.  He wasn't sure of where to go.  For some reason what Padme had said stuck in his head, "You are welcome back anytime you can get away."  Even though the thought of Sticks and anything that had to do with her ripped his heart out right now he just felt that he should go to Naboo.  It was almost as if something was directing him there.  "Ok, I'll go and if it gets too bad then I'll just leave."  With that he was off.

Back in Jaina's room:

Ben felt her distress and got to her room as soon as he could.  He saw Zekk in there trying to put the moves on his cousin. 

"Get away from her, don't you think you've caused enough problems over the years?"

Ben was followed by Corran and Wedge.  Corran ran in and helped Ben throw Zekk out, while Wedge found a small HoloCube outside the door with a yellow rose.  He walked in and handed it to Jaina.

"Looks like this is for you.  Who knows that this is your favorite flower besides us?"

"Jag.  I wonder where he is, he was just going to get a shower and I thought he would be right back."

"Jaina, I hate to tell you this, but Jag just left," Corran informed her, knowing she wouldn't take this well.

"He didn't even tell me bye," she said almost crying.  "How could he do this to me."

"There must be a good reason, Jay.  Maybe the cube will tell you something."  Ben added gesturing towards the cube.

Jaina activated it and waited while it started up.  When the picture came up it showed Jag, but he was sad.  Her first thought was that something had happened to his family.  'Well, let's see what he has to say.'

"Jaina," already she knew this was serious, "I want to tell you how sorry I am for leaving so abruptly, hopefully after this message you will understand why."  She had no idea where this was going, but was soon about to find out.  "It's funny to think that two years ago I was grim and serious.  I hardly had any friends.  I became so serious and closed off after what happened to Valin and Zena.  I was so close to them, I didn't think I' ever be able to go on.  Then I made that stupid promise to myself; never get close to anyone else."  He paused, but then continued, "But you changed all of that Sticks.  I'd even refused to let myself get close to Neeja.  You helped me realize how stupid I'd been.  You helped me open up and do things I would've never done otherwise.  You and you happiness mean so much to me.  I realize though that your heart belongs to another, so I am  putting aside my feelings so you can be happy.  I love you so much Jaina, I think I always have, this hurts so much but I wish you all the happiness in the galaxy.  I am sorry to leave you like this and hope that one day you'll forgive me.  It just hurts so much to be near you right now.  Maybe one day we can become best friends again.  Until then I'll miss you very much.  Farewell my dear friend Sticks."

With that it was over.  Jaina just held the flower and mentally cried out for Jag.  All of the others could see her anguish.  She then tried to get out of bed.  'Maybe I can catch him.'  That was her last thought for a while, for as soon as she got out of bed, she collapsed from exhaustion, unable to chase after her one true love.