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 32: Proposals
Jacen was walking with Tenel in the gardens. He hoped she couldn't tell how nervous he was. He had on hand in his pocket fidgeting with the box he had for her.
"Jacen what is it? You seem so nervous."
'Crap, she's notice,' he thought. "Tenel, you remember that first, corny, terrible joke I told you when I first met you?"
"Jacen, that was years ago…"
"Yeah," he said, clearly disappointed, "I didn't think you…"
"I remember it like it was yesterday," she said, as he looked up shocked. "It was about the gornt who tried to cross the street. Why do you bring this up?"
"I remember when I first saw you that I thought you were the most beautiful girl ever, still do. I wanted to speak to you, but I was scared, so I figured I'd try to make you laugh. I was so happy when you wanted to be friends. Then there was the accident…"
"Jacen, let's not go through this again," she sighed.
"No, please let me finish," he pleaded. She motioned for him to continue. "When that happened, I felt terrible, I thought you hated me. I couldn't bear that. It was then that I realized how much you meant to me, how much I loved you." He dropped to one knee and pulled the box out of his pocket. "Tenel, you mean so much to me, when things get tough I think about the life I want with you. I want to start that life, hopefully taking the first step tonight," he paused as he opened the box. "I love you so much. Tenel Ka Chume Djo, will you marry me?"
Tenel just stood for a moment in shock. When she regained her bearings she looked into Jacen's deep brown eyes and spoke. "Jacen, ever since that first corny joke all of those years ago, I knew our destiny's were intertwined. Then after the accident I couldn't be mad at you. Everyone asked why, and even though I knew the answer I couldn't tell them. I was so afraid that you wouldn't want to be friends anymore because I was deformed."
"Never, how could you even think that? But why couldn't you be mad at me?"
"Because I knew that I had feeling for you and that one day we'd be in the exact same spot that we are now. I love you Jacen Solo and yes, I'll marry you."
Solo/Skywalker Suite:
Inside the adults had gathered to discuss events in the near future.
"Luke you've got to hide the twins, all of them, yourself and Leia included," Han stated.
"Good luck separating Jaina and Jag. Likewise with Ben and Ally, Sean and TJ and Jacen and Tenel," Mara mentioned.
"Well the Rogues are scheduled for down time, Gavin wants them to have a break," Wedge added. "Seeing how I've been reactivated as a general I can pull some strings to extend that leave."
"What about Jag?" Corran asked.
"I could probably get him assigned as extra security," Wedge said.
"And if he can't, I can," Iella added.
"Great so where will we be taken?" Leia asked.
Padme addressed this, "I have that under control. I spoke to Big Boss Binks, he said you may stay in Otah Gunga, that the Gungans will protect you as needed."
Just then Padme's comlink went off.
"Amidala."
"Yes, we have an incoming ship. It appears to be the Pulsar Skate."
"Allow them to land and contact Colonel Fel," Padme ordered.
In the Room:
Jag sat on a rock with Jaina on his lap. They were talking about his upcoming training and occasionally kissing.
As they broke from one of those occasional kissed Jag pulled Jaina close to him. Jaina could sense the sadness in him.
"Jag, what is it?"
"I just keep thinking about how I almost lost this happiness. How I almost threw it all away. I just keep thinking about what an idiot I was"
"Jag, don't…"Jaina pleaded.
"No Sticks, I was stupid. If I had only told you sooner then we wouldn't have gone through all of that heartache."
'Jag," Jaina said hugging him harder. "I love you," she said emphasizing every word. "Nothing is going to change that, nothing. Don't despair Jag, it leads to the Dark Side, I don't want to lost you to that."
"I'm sorry Sticks, I just wonder how different things would have been if I had told you when I first realized how much you mean to me. But as you said that's all behind us now," he added quickly.
"Right and nothing can break us apart now," she told him as she lay down, her head in his lap.
Jag got a strange sense of foreboding and was about to ask Jaina about it. That was until she cut off his train of thought with a question. "Just when exactly did you realize how you felt?"
"Oh, about a year to a Year and a half ago," Jag said wincing.
"You mean that you knew that long ago how you felt about me and you didn't tell me!" she began.
As she continued her ranting Jag leaned over and pulled her face up to his and kissed her. Just then his comlink went off and Jag pulled away muttering several curses. Jaina just laughed at his use of the same phrases she'd heard many times from her father.
"Fel here," Jag answered bitterly.
"Sir, Senator Amidala requests you presence at the landing bay."
"Sure, right away." He then turned to Jaina, "Come on Lieutenant, we'll continue this later."
"Of course Colonel," she replied smiling.
What they didn't notice as they left the room was the dark presence on the balcony.
'Enjoy this time while you can Jag Fel. Soon I'll come up with a plan to keep you out of Jaina's life for good," Zekk thought then left to think up a plan.
In the Landing Bay:
As they arrived at the bay Jag and Jaina still had no clue as to why they were there. A new ship arrived but it was just the Pulsar Skate. But since Wedge just arrived they thought that it must be important.
They walked up as the ramp lowered. Jag stood beside Wedge with Jaina on this other side.
"Uncle, do you know what's going on?"
"No, but here's Corran, maybe he can enlighten up," Wedge suggested.
"Don't even think about it," Corran warned, smiling. "Patience, you'll see." He walked past them to embrace his son and daughter. As they let go he turned to greet his grandfather. "Mara's with her children," he told Rostek as he shook his hand.
"Thank you," he said as he turned and walked towards Jaina.
"Jaina, it's good to see you looking better. And I see that you have that other problem all straightened out now," he said nodding towards Jag and smiling.
"Yes sir," Jaina said blushing. Rostek just chuckled and walked away.
Corran turned just in time to receive a kiss from Mirax. When they broke apart he whispered in her ear," Is the surprise here?"
"Yeah, on the way down now," she said looking towards the ship.
"Mom," Jag whispered, frozen in place.
Wedge looked at Jag for a moment, then to the woman approaching. "Syal," he said in disbelief. "Is it really you?"
She just nodded her head, not trusting her voice at the moment. With tears in her eyes she hugged them both as they embraced her. "Jag, Wedge, it's so great to see you both in one place finally. I can't believe it."
Jaina watched two more people descend from the ship. The lady was a younger version of Jag's mother, where as the young man had a striking resemblance to Jag. 'It must be Jade and Neeja,' she thought.
'Yes it is,' Jag thought at her. She could feel the happiness beaming from him.
He greeted his brother and sister hugging each then he motioned for Jaina to come over.
"Mom, Jade, Neeja this is Lieutenant Jaina Solo of Rogue Squadron, my girlfriend. Sticks, this is my mom Syal, sister Jade, and brother Neeja."
"Nice to finally meet you all. I've heard so much about you," Jaina stated. "And congratulations Neeja on making the 181st, it's quite and honor."
Thank you. I'm just glad that bantha-brained nerf-hearder finally told you how he felt, he was miserable while he was away."
"That's quite enough guys," Jag said mock sternly. "Come on, lets give Mom and Uncle Wedge some time to talk," Jag suggested.
"Later," Wedge said. "Right now we have an important meeting to attend. Let's go."
