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 34: Discussions
Luke and Mara sat in the front room talking.
"Jaina wasn't happy about the decision," Mara commented.
"She'll come around my dear MJ," Luke said, "I'm more worried about Ben."
"You sensed it too," Mara said. "It's like he's hiding something. It's not bad, but I still don't like it."
"Well, I guess we shouldn't worry about it too much. He can't keep anything a secret from Taylor and Jaina and if it was bad they'd tell us." About that time Mara was laughing.
"What?" Luke asked.
"You, not worry. That's hilarious Skywalker!"
Before Luke could retort the doorbell rang. "Saved by the bell, you're lucky. We'll continue this later."
"I can't wait," Mara bantered back.
Luke went to the door and let Kyp and Corran in.
"Thanks for coming guys. Corran, you'll help with the military forces for this operation. What do you have so far?"
"Wedge has control of the Rogues for now. They'll be stationed here split into air, ground and city forces. The XO will control the air forces, the second in command will control the ground forces and the commander will be with you," Corran explained.
"Can commander and that group be trusted? We only need people that we can trust," Luke queried.
"Well if you can't trust Sean, Ally, Jaina and Ben, I'd like to know who you could trust?"
"That should make Sean, Taylor, Ben, and Ally happy. What about Jag?" Mara asked.
"Well Jag's squad is on extended leave until more intelligence is gathered. Right now, he's directly under Wedge's command, so Wedge is stationing him with you all. Also while he's down there I plan on starting his training."
"Sounds good Corran, great work," Luke turned to Kyp. "Kyp…" he didn't answer. "Kyp!"
"Sorry Master, my mind was elsewhere."
"It's ok Kyp. And please this is an informal setting just Luke is fine. Now about the Jedi forces."
"Right. Well of course you, Mara, Corran, Ben, TJ, CJ, Ami, Jaina, Jacen and Leia will be there. Since Corran will be there so will Jysella and Valin. Also Jag, if you want to count him, since Corran will be training him. Tenel will be rotating between here, Hapes, and the New Jedi base. Ganner and I will be mainly here and help with the base some. Anakin and Tahiri will be helping Kam and Tionne transport students and set things up. That's all I have."
"Alright, sounds good to me. We'll have a meeting tomorrow to let everyone know. Thanks guys."
"Well I need to go see my family now," Corran said. "So, I'll be on my way." As he said this Luke felt a pang of jealousy come from Kyp.
"No problem, see you later."
"Well I guess I'll head out too," Kyp said as he began to stand.
"Actually if I could take another moment of your time."
"Sure Luke what is it?" Kyp asked.
"I've noticed you've been distracted lately. I've also felt jealousy from you when you're around certain others."
"It's nothing Luke," Kyp said.
"Kyp, don't give us that crap," Mara said.
"It's just that I see everyone with their husbands, wives, girlfriends and boyfriends. I see everyone with their families wishing I had what they have. Wondering if choices and things I did in my youth will keep me from experiencing a normal life," Kyp told them sounding depressed.
"Kyp, there isn't such a thing as a normal life," Luke said.
"Yeah, as a Jedi I'd thought you'd have that figured out by now," Mara commented.
"I just want what you two have, someone to share my life with, a family of my own."
"Kyp, one day you'll find someone and your past won't be a problem," Luke assured him.
"The thing is, I think I already found her," he said.
"So, the problem is?" Mara asked.
"The problem is that she doesn't know I even exist."
That's gotta be a first," Mara commented.
"I swear, for the few moments I actually spoke to her, it seems that she's taken lessons in sarcasm from Mara," Kyp said sourly.
'Mara, let me speak to Kyp alone,' Luke thought to her.
"Well, I need to make sure Rostek has settled in. See you guys later," Mara announced.
"Bye Mara."
"So," Luke said after she left, "about this girl…"
"I made a fool of myself when we met, she now doesn't know I exist. End of story."
"No Kyp, it's not the end. She must be special to have caught your attention," Luke said. "Now tell me about her."
"She is special," Kyp started. "It's like she's out of a dream. She's beautiful, no breathtaking. I can't even begin to explain how I felt."
"It's like," Luke said pausing for a moment to think. "It's like you can't breath. It seems that she's walked right out of a vision and that you could never be good enough for such an angel." He paused, pondering the correct words to use. "You wish for a chance but feel you'd make a fool of yourself if given it. Like you've known you're meant to be with her since you saw her, but feel she doesn't notice you. You'd give her anything but are afraid that she won't want a poor Jedi Master."
"That's exactly how I felt," Kyp said astonished. "I know it's stupid considering that I just met her and I don't have to worry about making a fool of myself, I've already done that."
"Kyp, give her and yourself a chance, you just might be surprised," Luke told him. "By the way, can I ask you a question?"
"You just did, but I'll give you another if I can ask you one," Kyp said smiling.
"Deal," Luke said, "who is it?"
"Jade Fel," Kyp stated quietly.
"Jag's sister, huh? Well keep one thing in mind then."
"What is it Luke?"
"Remember how Chiss-raised humans act. You remember how little emotion Jag showed before he and Jay got close, keep it in mind."
"Ok, now, how did you know how I felt?" Kyp asked.
"How do you think I felt when I first met Mara?"
Kyp just started laughing.
"What's so funny?"
"Well, Luke, I just don't think I've ever heard of Mara being described as angelic before. Especially when she's in assassin mode."
"No, I guess not. But Kyp," Luke added, "Keep in mind what I said."
"Yeah, I will. Thanks for the talk Luke."
"No problem Kyp, anytime." With that said Kyp left.
As soon as Kyp was gone Mara walked back in the room.
"An angel?" she said, curious.
"Yes, you're my angel," Luke said as he turned and smiled at her. "You were, and still are, there for me, through everything, no matter what."
All he go for a response was her arms around his neck and her lips against his.
Across the hall:
Jag showed his family where they'd be staying. His mom left shortly after that to meet the rest of Wedge's family. As soon as Neeja settled in he left to find Ben and Valin. They were going to show him their X-Wings.
So it just left Jag and Jade. Jag strode into Jade's room and plopped down on her bed. She kept unpacking and paid him no mind. He cleared his throat in an attempt to get her attention.
"Yes Jag, may I help you?" she asked sarcastically.
"Actually you can. Tell me exactly what went on in that conference room," he said.
"Well, there was this meeting…"
"You know what I mean," Jag told her, exasperated.
Jade just laughed at him and continued to unpacking.
Jag jumped off of the bed, slammed her travel bag shut and snatched the clothes out of her hands.
"Look Jade, I'm not in the mood to mess around," he said. "Now, I want answers."
"I swear, you're getting just like him," Jade snapped.
"Who?" Jag asked.
"The Baron himself."
Jag stood in shock for a moment. Then he quickly handed Jade her things.
"If that's how you feel. Now if you'll excuse me," he said, executing a deep, formal bow.
'Stupid,' Jade thought, 'out of everyone I could have compared him to.'
As Jag turned to walk away Jade reached out and stopped him.
"Jag, I'm sorry, that was incredibly rude. Here you are trying to help me talk things out and I insult you," she said, hugging him. "If anything, your time away, here with Wedge has made you the exact opposite."
"It's alright, I'll forgive you, as long as you tell me what happened," Jag said grinning.
"I think I've seen you smile more today then I have in years. What or who has happened to make you like this? I like it."
"It's Jaina, she's made me feel," he said. "Just being around her is intoxicating. (AN: Sorry I just had to do it J!) She means so much to me, and I'll tell you all about her after…"
"I tell you what happened," Jade finished for him. "Same old thing, guy hit on me, I blow him off, end of story."
"No Jade, I've seen you blow guys off and that wasn't it. What happened?"
"Yeah I guess I didn't break his hand, did I?" she said. "It's just that when he looked at me or smiled at me, it stirred up feelings I haven't felt since Jared's accident." She paused for a moment to collect her self and stop the tears from coming. Jag reached over and put an arm around her for reassurance, and then she continued. "It's like it didn't even register that I was your sister or the daughter of the famous movie star. It was the first time that a person didn't care, to him it didn't matter."
"So…" Jag prompted.
"So what?"
"So, give it a chance. It's been years Jade, just get to know him. Once you do, you'll see that he's a great guy."
"Alright, I'll think about it," she agreed. "Now about this girl…"
"Well you know that she is Jaina Solo, Lieutenant in Rogue Squadron," Jag said, grinning again.
"I know that! Solo…Solo…She's a Jedi Knight and Han and Leia Organa Solo's daughter."
"Yes and she's amazing, a wonderful pilot and all around great person."
"She must be good, that's the one that Uncle Wedge started."
"Yes. Wedge, Corran Horn, and I are the only ones that beat her regularly and those two have flown since before I was born."
"I love her so much Jade. Like I said, she's amazing, I screwed up so many times but she didn't care. I almost lost her, but we've put that behind us and are trying to forget it now."
"She sounds great Jag, don't lose her."
"Well, I've go to go, Sticks is here," he said as he started to leave.
"Wait," Jade said stopping him. "Who is Sticks and how do you know that they're here?"
"Sticks is Jaina's nickname. And as for how I know she's here…Well that's a long story…"
"That you will explain to me before you leave."
"It started a few months ago. We kept hearing each other's thoughts. Corran tested me and determined I was Force-Sensitive. So I decided to train secretly. Corran agreed to take me on as an apprentice. Sticks has been helping me learn how to control our telepathic communication."
"Whoa, that's a shock." She paused as if in thought, "Is there any possibility that Neeja and I are also?" she asked.
"Yes there is, but Neeja doesn't know yet and I'd like to tell him myself."
"Ok, So what all can you do?" Jade asked.
"I have strong healing powers. I can also absorb energy and do something called Alter Mind, but not as well as Corran can."
"Cool, well I'm sure Sticks is waiting for you," she said smiling.
"Yeah, I'm supposed to watch her and Corran spar," Jag informed her.
"Well, I'll probably finish here and explore some. See ya later."
"Bye."
"Well time to finish unpacking and do some thinking about this Kyp guy," she said to herself.
