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 27:

Getting Ready

Jag walked Jaina to her room after the meeting.

"What's going on in that head of yours Jag?" Jaina asked suspiciously.

"We're going out, please get ready, I'll be back in three hours to pick you up."

"THREE HOURS," she said as they arrived at her door.  "I don't have enough time.  I've got to do my hair and I've got to find something to wear and…" she was frantic by now.

During this, Jag gently grabbed Jaina by her shoulders and turned her to face him.  "Sticks, Jaina," he said kissing the top of her head, "calm down, you'll look beautiful."  Jaina blushed at this comment.  "Now go get ready.  Get Mara, Taylor, and Mrs. Padme to come help you.  I have to go get things ready, I'll be back later," he said kissing her cheek and leaving to organize things.

Jaina pulled out her comlink, "Mara, its Jaina.  Get Taylor and Grandma and get up here now.  I'll explain when you arrive."

"Ok, be there in five minutes."

Little did she know, but at the moment Jag was putting a call through to Padme.

"Amidala-Skywalker," she answered.

"Ms. Padme, it's Jag."

"Yes Jag, is something wrong?"

"No ma'am," he said, "I, or actually Jaina, needs your help."

"Yes, Mara already called me, what's going on?"

"Yeah, well," he started blushing, "I asked her out and she has three hours to get ready."

"Wow, Mara said she sounded frantic, no wonder. What do you need me to do?" she asked.

"Could you get a dress for her?"

"Ok, any preferences?" she asked smiling.

"Um, well," he began, blushing even more.  "Maybe a color she likes…"

Padme chuckled, "I've got it covered Jag."

"Thanks so much, Fel out."

Next he placed calls to Sean, Jacen, Anakin, Kyp, Ben, Luke, and Corran.  He told each of them to bring certain items and meet him in the hanger bay.

They met, and Luke decided to use the 'Jade's Hope' to transport everything to the spot Jag wanted use.

"Wow Jag, you're really trying to impress her, aren't you?" Anakin asked, smiling.

"No, he's trying to make life harder for us," Ben said jokingly.

"How do you plot that course Ben?" Sean asked.

"Well Sean-Conner," he said as Sean playfully slugged Ben.  Ben continued smiling, "what do you think Taylor, Tahiri, Tenel and Ally are going to say after they hear what Jag's done for Jaina?"

"They're finding out what it's like to have girlfriends who are best friends," Corran said grinning as he and Luke lost control of their laughter.

"Yeah," Luke added, "once it's out they'll all want the same or better, usually better."

"And trust me, Jay will tell," Ben added.

"Guys, really!" Jag said throwing his hands up in mock-defense.  "I'm just trying to surprise Sticks and give her a nice, relaxing evening."

"So, Jag," Jacen said walking to stand by Anakin, "What are your intentions towards our sister?"  They were joking but gave the impression of being serious.

"What…I…" Jag stuttered.  'I can't believe they asked me that!' he thought, 'I love her, I'd never…'

His thoughts were interrupted by laughter. 

"Guys, quit giving Jag such a hard time," Ben told them.

"Sorry…Jag…" Anakin said between laughs, "but…the look…on…your face."  This set the two off laughing again.

"Guys," Ben warned, "besides I already told him what would happen if her purposely hurt her."

"What?" Luke asked worried.

"Oh nothing much, just that he'd beat me until I couldn't be recognized."  Everyone just turned and looked at Ben as Jag continued.  "Then he said he'd send me to Han Solo."  This set everyone off laughing again.

Corran pointed at Ben and said after he'd calmed down some, "You are definitely your mother's son."

"Well, let's finish so Jag can go get cleaned up for the big date," Sean said.

"Yeah, that could take him a while," Ben said jokingly as they left.

In Jaina's room:

Jaina was frantic.  Mara and Taylor had just arrived and were waiting for Padme.

"So what exactly did we rush over here for?" Taylor asked.

"Jag asked me on a date!" she said in a panicked voice.

"And?" Mara asked.

"He's picking me up in a little over two hours!" she shouted.

"Jay," Taylor said, "it'll be ok."

"But I don't have anything to wear. And my hair!  It looks terrible!"

Just then Padme showed up.  She had a dress bag with her, a box and a make-up kit.

"Well, I think what you're wearing is taken care of," Mara said smiling, then asked, "What's in the box Padme?"

"Hair accessories and things to fix it with," she informed them.

"Well Jaina, that takes care of your hair," Taylor said smiling.

"T.J., this isn't funny.  I'll never be ready on time, my hair is a mop!" she said exasperated.  She sat on her bed with her head in her hands.  "Why did I agree to this?"

Taylor sat beside her cousin and put an arm around her.  "Because you love him, that's why."

"Jay," Mara said trying to get her attention.  "Jaina," she now lifted Jaina's head and forced her to look at them.  "You just sit there, calm down, and think about what a wonderful time you'll have with Jag.  Let us worry about your hair and make-up."

"I'm sorry, I've never done this before," Jaina said.

"Well trust me," Padme said, "we have.  Mara and Taylor can do your hair, I can do the make-up."

Jaina and Taylor just looked at Padme.

"What?" she asked.

"No offense Grandma," Taylor said, "but we've seen you in make-up before.  Neither Jaina or I like to wear it much but I do on dates occasionally.  So, I'll do the make-up."

"Well, I guess you take after your mother, Taylor," Padme said grinning, "definitely not afraid to voice your opinion."

"Hey," Mara said mock hurt.

"I'll just help Mara with your hair Jaina."

They got the box Padme brought and started working.  They curled, twisted, and sprayed over and over.  While they did this Taylor worked on her make-up.

"So," Taylor said, "What happened?"

"What are you talking about?" Jaina asked.

"You come here bruised and battered needing Sean and Kyp's help off the ship.  You came here depressed about Jag, worried he wouldn't understand, carrying vast emotional and physical wounds," Taylor said.  "What happened? Details, I want details."

"Yeah," Mara added, "What happened after Ben and I left?"

"Fine," Jaina said, knowing they wouldn't leave her alone until she told.  "Well, I got to the room and found Jag.  I tried to talk and he yelled at me to get out.  I left sobbing, which is when Mara and Ben showed up.  Ben talked to him then came to get me.  I went in and we began talking.  He told me why he'd left and asked why I came back to break his heart again.  He said, 'you made me feel Jaina, why are you gonna throw that in my face now?'  It broke my heart to see the great stoic Colonel Jagged Fel hurt.  I explained what happened with Zekk and we apologized."

"Is he a good kisser?" Taylor asked.

"WHAT?"

"You heard her," Padme said.

"Yeah, spill," Mara added, "you said you all apologized."

"Yeah, he is," Jaina said blushing.

"How did the bruises and injuries go away?" Mara wondered.

"Well, when I went to him after I explained about Zekk, I was able to walk with no problem."

"And the bruises?" Taylor asked.

"We went to lay on the grass and look at the stars.  I snuggled into his embrace and went to rest my head on his chest.  As I lay down, the bruises on my face got hit and I winced in pain.  He asked what was wrong and I told him, he felt so bad.  He started gently stroking my cheeks.  The pain started to go away, it felt good and relaxed me, I started to fall asleep.  He bent to kiss me and suddenly got startled.  He said the bruises were gone and we talked a bit about him being Force-Sensitive, then I fell asleep in his arms."

"AWE!!" Mara Taylor, and Padme said in unison.

"Ok Mom, I'm done with the make-up."

"We're almost…there done with the hair," Mara said triumphantly.

"Alright," Padme said, "let's get you dressed."

Jaina started to panic again, "what if I'm over dressed, or under dressed.  I don't really have anything dressy."

"I've got that covered," Padme said shooing Mara and Taylor out.  "We'll be out in a minute, you can see the outfit then."

"Ok, fine."

In Jag's room:

Jag was staying in a guest suite across the hall with Kyp, Sean and Corran for the time being.

"So Jag," Ben started, "What happened with you and Sticks after I left?"

Jag proceeded to tell them the whole story.  He told about them talking and getting emotional.  He then told about healing the bruises and just enjoying his time with Jaina.

"Wow," Luke said as everyone looked on in awe.

"Well my friend, it's time for you to get ready," Sean informed him.

As he left the room the others started talking.

"You know Luke, he reminds me of you and Mar," Corran said.

"I know," Luke said thoughtfully.

"Yeah," Kyp added, "but at least it only took them two years and not ten to realize it."

Jag then walked back after he finished dressing.

"Well, I'll see you guys later, wish me luck."

With that he left to go across the hall as the guys wished him luck on his way out.

He left and nervously walked across the hall.  'Why am I so nervous?' he thought.  'It's not like I've never been alone with her before.  But this is our first date and I want it to be perfect.'

He reached the door and knocked.  Taylor who was leaving to meet Sean met him.

"Hey Jag, she's upstairs with Grandma, they'll be down in a minute."

"Ok, thanks Taylor.  You going to meet Sean?"

"Yes, and please just call me T or T.J., only my grandmother, or my parents when they're mad, call me Taylor.  If you'll head to the front room, my mom is waiting for them."

"Ok, thanks Tay—TJ.  Have fun."

"You too," she said smiling.  "See you later."

Jag then walked to the front room where he found Mara contemplating things, sitting on the couch.

"Well Jag, you look handsome this evening."

"Thank you Mara."

"Come have a seat, she'll be down in a minute," she said motioning him over.  "So what do you have planned?"

Jag just smiled and said, "I'm sure Luke can tell you all about it."

Just then Padme walked in and cleared her throat.

"May I present Miss Jaina Solo," Padme said as Jag stood and Jaina came around the corner. 

His breath caught in his throat and all Jag could do was sit and stare.  'She's beautiful,' he thought.  She had on a pale yellow dress.  It had spaghetti straps and was floor length.  There was and Imperial waist with little red flowers that outlined the waist and bust.  It had a chiffon overlay that was also yellow; it split at the waist and continued to the floor (think Rose's red and black dress from 'Titanic').  Her hair was curled, spiral like with 2 big twists that started in the front (think Padme, Ep. II).

"Wow, Sticks…Jaina…it…uh…you look…Wow," he tried to say something but couldn't.  'She's and angel,' he thought to himself.

"Well Jag," Mara said grinning, "we've got you speechless don't we."

"Um, yes ma'am," he managed to mumble.

When Jaina looked up she saw Jag in his dress blues.  'He's so handsome.'

"Are you ready Sticks?" he asked calling her by her nickname.

"Sure, let's go," she said taking the arm he offered and they walked towards the door.

"I'll have her back later," Jag said.

"Ok, you guys have fun," Mara replied and with that they were gone.

Padme collapsed on the couch next to Mara.

"Well, that was quick," she said.

"Yeah," Mara replied.  They make such a cute couple.  Things will be bumpy the next few months, but they'll be alright."

"Yeah, they'll be just fine," Luke said as he walked in and sat beside Mara.  "Mom, we are about to have guest in a few hours."

"Who's coming?" she asked, "I need to get the rooms prepared."

"Wedge, Iella, and the girls.  I figured you could move Sean and Jag in with them, at least until his family gets here."

"Who is coming?  I need to get rooms prepared."

"Well only Corran, Luke and I know," Padme nodded her head.  "Wedge, Iella and the girls will be here today.  Han, Leia, Tenel, and Tahiri will be arriving tomorrow.  And soon Mirax, Valin, Jysella, Rostek and Jag's family will be joining us."

"Wow, that's a lot of people.  Let me leave you all to make sure rooms are prepared.  Goodnight."

"Goodnight Mom/Padme," they replied.

They sat in silence for a few moments.  Mara suddenly got up and looked out the window with a concerned look on her face.

Luke watched, worried, for a moment.  He got up and joined Mara, embracing her from behind, he wrapped his arms around her waist, intertwining he hands with hers and resting his chin on her shoulder.

"What's wrong, MJ?"

She smiled at his use of her old nickname for her.

"It just seems too peaceful for us to be in the middle of war.  Not that I mind of course."

"No offense, but I think Jaina, Jag, Jacen, and Anakin would disagree."

Of course, but I feel something worse is coming, not anytime soon, but sometime in the next year or two."

"MJ," he said lifting a hand to mess with her fiery hair, "don't ignore that feeling, but don't let it consume your thoughts.  Soon most of our family will be here, except CJ and Ami.  This is the biggest reunion in a long time."

"You're right," she said smiling, he could always find the good in any situation.

"What?" Luke asked.

"Huh…oh just thinking."

"About…"

Mara grinned, "Well farmboy, if you must know, about how you always know the right thing to say."

He moved her hair out of the way and whispered in her ear, "Only because I know you so well my love.  Let's get some rest, I think we're going to need it to get through the next few days."

They lay in bed in an embrace, not sleeping, just spending time together.  Luke looked down at Mara, she was snuggled up to his side, her head using his shoulder as a pillow.  'I love moments like these, even with war raging in the galaxy, it's so peaceful here,' he thought.  'I could stay like this forever.'

(//indicates talking to each other through the force//)

//I couldn't agree more,// Mara thought at him.  //Although, it might be hard to stay like this, I mean there's eating, personal hygiene, meetings.//  With a mental smirk she added, //Though I would love to see the senate's reaction if we showed up like this to a meeting.//

//My Mara, always practical,// he shot at her mentally.

She was about to give a playful retort but Luke caught her in a kiss.  //Well, Jedi, that's right and you'd better not forget it either.//  Luke just looked at her and smiled.

"I love you, MJ."

"I love you too, Farmboy."