Disclaimer: Once again, I own none of this, the characters the story
nothing.
Author's note: Thank you to all of the people who read this and reviewed both on ff.n and tf.n. Sorry about the wait, I hope this was worth it. Sticks where have you gone? I'm missing your reminders. Jedi-jainafel this chapter is for you. Thanks.
When Jaina woke an hour later, she was in one of the Falcon's bunks, and despite looking much newer than what she remembered, she recognized her surroundings immediately. Immediately she started to sit up, but, still groggy, she was stopped by a gentle hand.
Recognizing it as her mother's despite, the Rancors that seemed to be partying in her head, she groaned, "Mom? What happened? Am I okay?"
A bit shocked by how Jaina addressed her, it took Leia a moment to reply, but when she did her voice wasn't quite steady. In fact, is sounded as if she had recently been crying, although she was covering it well. "You went EV. We got you back on board the 'Falcon and then you passed out. We landed back on Bakura, but we didn't want to move you so, we left you here."
"Oh," Jaina groaned as she used the force to block her pounding headache. As she reached into the force, she began to widen her perception of the world around her as her aunt had taught her. To her surprise she felt waves of anguish pouring off of Leia.
Startled Jaina focused her force senses on Leia. "Are you all right? You don't feel so great." When Leia still didn't reply she tried another tactic, "Where's D-Han?" she quickly corrected herself trying not to make Leia feel awkward.
To her surprise Leia's features darkened even more. Catching her look, Jaina said definitively, "You two had a fight."
"How did you know?" Leia snapped, whipping around to face her.
But, Leia's fury didn't intimidate Jaina, "What were you fighting about this time?"
After a few moments of silence Jaina groaned and rolled over, "I forgot, I inherited my stubborn nature from you. I'm going to get some rest. Wake me up if you feel like talking."
Several minutes passed in silence, and then, "I saw Anakin Skywalker."
Jaina rolled back over to face her. Forcing herself not to be cold and emotionless, Jaina asked softly, "What did he say?"
"He wanted to apologize to me and to Han and for me to give Luke a message."
"Did you forgive him?"
"Of course not," Leia almost snarled, "After what he did to me, to Han, to my real father."
Seeing the problem and knowing it was futile to argue with her mother, Jaina tried different tactic. "Your father, huh? Bail Organa. I've heard stories about him since I was practically a baby." She felt Leia calm down a little at the mention of him. "You know," Jaina continued as if her thoughts were just wandering aimlessly, although in reality it was taking a lot of effort for her to stay on topic, "In all of the stories you told me about him, what always caught my attention was his kindness, his gentleness and how he always gave people a second chance."
"Yes," Leia whispered, "that was Father. He always gave people a chance, even people who had made a lot of mistakes, as long as they would try."
"So," Jaina responded gently, "don't you think that he would want you to do the same for Anakin Skywalker. Bail Organa would not love you any less for being his daughter, in fact, he probably knew your entire life."
Suddenly seeing how perceptive Jaina had been and how she had been backed into a corner, Leia froze, caught between resignation and anger.
Jaina continued undaunted, "I know you will forgive him, what you have to do is accept him." Jaina sighed in frustration when Leia didn't reply and decided to get to the root of the problem. "But first you have to accept yourself, accept that potential in yourself and understand it. You fear that part of you, but instead of acknowledging and controlling it, you remain angry at him instead because it's easier for you."
Leia rose in fury and indignation. "How dare you? You don't know anything about me."
"Yeah, but you don't know about me either," Jaina replied calmly.
Leia paused for a moment mid-rant and asked, "What's that supposed to mean?"
Jaina met Leia's eyes straight on. "Commander Skywalker told you that I was hiding something, I assume." Leia nodded curtly staying silent. "What I was hiding was the fact that I became what you fear most. I became, for a short time, not the granddaughter of Anakin Skywalker, but of Darth Vader."
Leia looked stunned and then for one moment horrified, but quickly her look turned calculating. "If you're trying to get me to accept that part of me, then why did you tell me that."
Fighting not to break into tears as she talked, the stress of the day and the conversation catching up with her, Jaina said bluntly. "Because I wanted you to see that just because someone has turned to the Dark side doesn't mean they are evil. I went to the Dark side because, yes, I wanted revenge, but also because I was devastated and hurt. Two people very close to me were killed and I didn't know how to function without them." Trying to hold back her sobs and blinking through tears, Jaina continued, "What I did, how I did it, that wasn't right, but I didn't do it just because I enjoyed death. I just wanted the threat, the enemy to be gone, just like you."
Her face almost deathly pale, Leia quickly sat. "I'm sorry, I didn't know." Jaina didn't respond. "It's just that I found out that one of the people I've hated most in my life, well I suddenly found out that he was my father."
"I'm not talking about Darth Vader, I'm talking about Anakin Skywalker. There is a difference, you know. We don't know much about the Jedi of old but we do know that Anakin Skywalker was said to be a great, kind Jedi. Besides your every action and emotion except for your hate is another defeat for Darth Vader. Regardless of all that none of this is Han's fault."
Leia seemed to calm a bit and rose out of her seat. "I think I understand now. It doesn't mean that I love him, Anakin Skywalker, but," she trailed off.
"Of course," Jaina answered with understanding.
"If you'll be okay here, I think I need to go talk to Luke."
To tired to do anything but nod in agreement, Jaina was shocked when Leia leaned over and kissed her on the cheek as she left and said, "Thank you, Jaina. Chewie will be around if you need him."
* * * * * * *
Jagged Fel was worried, as close to frantic or emotional as the Chiss trained pilot ever got. Six hours ago he had seen the news broadcast reporting a recent space battle. Still furious at Jaina, but worried nonetheless, he had commed Jaina almost immediately. He would never forget the heart stopping feeling of being unable to reach her. The city, crowded from the influx of refugees from the outlying Ssi-Ruk targeted areas, had slowed his progress considerably. Even as he continued comming Jaina, he struggled towards the suite shared by Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Leia Organa.
Jaina groaned as she woke up and all of her aches and pains floated back to her. She glanced at the chronometer noticing that only an hour had passed since she had fallen asleep after Leia had left. Some unknown instinct forced her to swing her legs over the edge of the bunk and make her way to a standing position on very wobbly legs. Unsteadily she walked out of the main cabin area and towards the lounge.
When she entered the room, she froze, seeing Chewbacca sitting on a large couch that was bolted to the 'Falcon's inner hull. She paused, momentarily soaking up his unique presence in the force, a warm comforting, strong presence that she had thought she would never feel again. She let the feel of it envelop her, but then came back to reality as she focused on the words Chewbacca had just growled out.
[ So, Little One, if you are the daughter of Han, then you too must be part of my honor family.]
Fighting the tears that threatened to spill down her face and her annoyance at having been so emotional lately, Jaina managed to get out. "Yes, you were like a favorite uncle to me and my brothers. I haven't seen you in a while. I really missed you."
As Chewie considered this for a moment, Jaina felt what little strength her rest had given her leave and she slumped, exhausted against the wall. Seeing her exhaustion Chewie walked over to Jaina and picked her up in his arms, gently cradling her as if she was just a small child.
[ Rest now, Jaina,] he growled out softly, [ You'll be safe here with me.]
Safe, in his protective arms, Jaina truly relaxed for the first time since she had received the terrible news of his death at Serndipal. Secure in his arms she fell into an exhausted slumber. Chewie gazed gently down at the small human girl in his arms. She looked so fragile, even for a human, yet he could see the indomitable strength of her spirit. Stroking her hair gently, the giant Wookie began to croon a traditional Wookie lullaby, not knowing that many years in the future he would croon that very same lullaby to a young Jaina Solo when she was angry or distressed.
* * * * * * * *
Jag pushed the great doors to the suite apart hurriedly, not bothering to knock and froze almost as soon as he did. He knew he should leave but, well he seemed to be frozen to the spot from the sight before him. Han and Leia in a position that could only be called compromising. Abruptly regaining control of his motor skills, Jag pivoted away from them to face the doors. Getting to tease Leia about the look of mortification on her face would have been priceless to Han, had he not known that Leia would make him regret it for a very long time.
So instead he said, "What do you want, Fel?"
"Where's Jaina?" Jag demanded tersely. "Is she okay? I couldn't raise her comm. link."
Noting Jag's frantic tone but wanting a little revenge, Han said tonelessly. "Well that's what happens to comm. links when they hit hard vacuum."
"What!" Jag snapped whirling to face them, but then immediately remembered and turned away.
Taking pity on him, Leia slapped Han lightly on the chest and then answered Jag. "She was in the middle of a large dogfight when she was faced to go EV because her x-wing exploded. She's fine," she emphasized quickly, "but she needs some rest. She's still on the 'Falcon. Chewie's there with her."
They barely heard Jag's hurried, "Thank you," as he rushed back out of the suite.
* * * * * * * *
Jag rushed up the Millennium Falcon's boarding ramp then stopped to catch his breath. Remembering what Leia had said, Jag approached more quietly, not wanting to disturb Jaina's rest. He stuck his head around the corner and glanced around the ship's lounge. The sight of Jaina sleeping peacefully brought a smile to his face and then his relief and happiness turned to shock as he recognized the Wookie, in whose arms Jaina was cradled.
The Wookie, Chewbacca, Jag knew, groaned a question at him. To Jag's confusion, he couldn't understand a word the Wookie had said. The noise, however, had woken Jaina. Instead of being angry as Jag had feared Jaina appeared to be only groggy.
"Hmm, Jag, 's that you?"
She didn't appear too interested in talking, but Jag didn't care. He was too glad to see her alive. Chewie groaned again, but this time Jaina answered. "He's my boyfriend, Chewie, and my wingmate."
She paused for a moment and then turned away from Jag to whisper in Chewie's ear. The Wookie nodded agreeing to Jaina's suggestion. On his way out of the room, he paused in front of Jag.
He gave a lengthy series of groans and growls, and then waited while Jaina translated. "Chewie says to tell you that if you ever hurt me, his honor daughter, in any way, that he would be forced to make you regret the day you were born, as well as disarming your threat potential." She giggled and then said seriously, "And, I think he meant that comment about disarming literally."
Jag looked seriously at Chewbacca and said, "Sir, I have no intention of ever hurting Jaina. In fact, I have every intention of protecting her for as long as she will allow me to."
Chewbacca gave what could only be a groan of approval, before thumping Jag so heartily on the back that Jag almost flew across the room.
After Chewie exited, they continued to stare at one another in silence. Finally Jag broke the silence. "You know, I meant what I said to Chewbacca and I'm sorry about for what I said about how you were acting. I was just afraid. I didn't want to loose you."
As Jaina tried to interrupt him, he pressed a finger to her lips. "This wasn't our fight and you seemed like you had forgotten about everything back home and that upset me. But I do understand why you wanted to protect as many Rebels as you could. That's one of the things that I love most about you."
Both of them froze at his confession. Jag had realized almost immediately upon seeing Jaina that there was something special about her, but it was after their first kiss that he realized he was really serious about Jaina.
Jaina, too, sat frozen. She had known Jag cared about her greatly and she returned that feeling, but this.Suddenly she smiled. The smile was so brilliant that it momentarily shocked Jag.
However, that was nothing compared to the shock he got when Jaina spoke. "I love you, too, Jag and I'm sorry for what I said earlier. You were right, as much as I enjoy getting to see Mom from a new perspective, I agree, I don't think we have the right to interfere with the past."
Amazed at what Jaina had said, Jag reached up to brush a lock of hair away from her face, at the same time leaning over to kiss her. Just as there lips were about to meet, a knock on the door frame interrupted them. Both jerked back in surprise and looked up to see a concerned if slightly sheepish Wedge Antilles standing there.
"Jaina, right," he asked, cheerfully.
"Uh, yeah," she replied cautiously.
"I'm Wedge Antilles, the leader of Rogue Squadron. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to come see you sooner, but Luke said that you were doing okay."
"Yeah, I'm feeling much better, now," she said shooting a smile at Jag.
Wedge was so excited as he continued speaking that he didn't even notice. "That was some pretty impressive flying you did out there. I could use several more pilots like you."
"Thanks, but I'm one of a kind," Jaina snapped back cockily, bringing a smile to both Wedge and Jag's faces.
"Well that's a shame," countered Wedge, "When do you think you'll be able to start simming with the rest of the squadron?"
At that Jaina's face darkened. "Wedge," she asked carefully, "would you mind giving Jag and I a while alone and I'll get back to you soon."
"Okay, Jaina, let me know. I want you back flying as soon as possible, though."
As soon as he left, Jaina turned to Jag, "We have a problem."
Jag groaned, "not another one."
"I know, I know, but this goes back to our previous discussion about what we should do now that we seem to be stuck here, in this time."
"What are you saying," asked Jag carefully not desiring a repeat of their previous fight.
"Well, I agree that we should try to minimize how much we change this time period, but my grandfather paid me a visit yesterday."
"Your Grandfather!!" Jag exclaimed. "Jaina are you telling me that Darth Vader is still alive."
Jaina laughed at Jag's shock and fear. "No of course not. Why would you think? Oh," she groaned, "Of course, you wouldn't know. Sometimes dead Jedi can appear to living Jedi who were close to them for one reason or another. Oh and it wasn't Darth Vader it was Anakin Skywalker."
He looked at her very skeptically for a moment as if he wasn't sure if she was sane or not. Finally he seemed to accept what she had said or at least forced himself to get past it. "So what did Anakin Skywalker have to say?"
"Several things actually," Jaina responded quietly, suddenly sad, "but the only relevant thing was that there was a reason we were here and certain things that we have to do before we can go back to our own time."
After she finished, she simply waited for Jag's reply. To her surprise, Jag didn't seem at all upset, just slightly disgruntled. "Well, Goddess, I suppose if a dead Sith Lord wishes it that way, then that's what we'll do."
Glancing at Jag, Jaina suddenly had an urge to kiss him, one she quickly followed up on. Smiling at her as they pulled apart, Jag asked, "What was that for?"
"Wedge interrupted us." She said simply, "And," she paused regretfully, "I should probably go. Wedge is probably expecting me in the sims."
"Just be sure and don't call him Wedge to his face," Jag called as she left.
* * * * * * * *
When Jaina entered the simulation room aboard the flag ship of Luke Skywalker's fleet, a Mon Calamari Star Cruiser, she immediately noticed the older technology in the simulation units.
Almost as soon as she entered the room, Wedge Antilles head popped out of one of the mock cockpit hatches. "I didn't expect you up her so soon, Jaina. Are you sure you're ready to go?" With a cocky grin, and a confident nod, Jaina left no doubt in his mind that she at least felt ready. "Excellent, right this way."
He lead her over to a near by empty x-wing simulator, popped the hatch and gestured for her to crawl in. "Be sure and strap in. This thing is as realistic as possible."
Smiling from ear to ear, excited to be flying again without the knowledge that the lives of many people hung in the balance, even if it was only simulated flight, Jaina almost started laughing in delight. Reigning herself in she focused back on her flying and was almost vaped as twin laser bolts streaked passed her.
Jerking her ship to the left and dropping down into a tight loop designed to bring her up behind her attacker, Jaina used the milliseconds of reprieve to fall deep into the flow of the force. However, as she had assumed, Wedge was too good of a pilot for that maneuver to work as intended. Sighing and focusing on her rear sensor displays where Wedge was trying to light her shields up with laser fire and, she noticed, was actually succeeding, much to Jaina's dismay.
For a brief moment Jaina felt a sense of helplessness and frustration like she had only felt at the beginning of her run through Lando's Asteroid belt when she was sixteen and in the moments before Anakin's death. Then, though as now, that feeling would do nothing to help her. Surveying the space around her, searching for anything to help her win this battle Jaina abruptly realized that the simulation placed them in the middle of deep space surrounded by nothingness. Wishing for a moment that she could simply deploy a shadow bomb as she usually would, Jaina began to form a plan.
* * * * * * * *
Wedge Antilles sat in his cockpit, spraying laser fire at the ship in front of him. Jaina had lasted longer, much longer than most people he had ever flown against. She had an almost uncanny ability to dodge shots or at least maneuver so that his lasers would inflict minimal damage. He sent another barrage of laser fire at her, this time at her two engines, hoping to slow her down and cut her maneuverability down enough to get a clean weapons lock. Wedge only allowed himself a brief moment of triumph as two of the engine's on Jaina's x-wing blinked out sending her x-wing into an uncontrollable multi-axis tumble.
To his surprise, Jaina overcompensated for the tumble and before he could fire, before he had even realized what she was doing, the girl's tumbling had leveled off. She was now behind him and was taking advantage of the situation, firing off rapid shots.
* * * * * * *
The flight officer on duty in the flight simulator room was stunned. To his knowledge, no one with the exception of Luke Skywalker had ever lasted this long against Commander Antilles. Quickly he pulled out his comm. link and summoned all the pilots he knew that liked a good bet. When he turned back to monitoring the simulated duel, he was shocked to still see the unknown pilot flying.
By the time the crowd of pilots had gathered their numbers had increased, everyone bringing a friend or two with them to watch in amazement at the spectacular flying they were witnessing. Soon the two pilots were pulling off such intricate, close-range, daring maneuvers that at times the two x- wings could hardly be distinguished from one another, and then as suddenly as it had begun it was over.
Wedge and Jaina had once again reversed positions and he had been inflicting heavy damage on Jaina's ship as they flashed through space. With one quick maneuver, Jaina found a whole in Wedge's shields and sent a proton torpedo streaking after his ship. After Wedge's ship exploded no one seemed to know what to do, least of all Jaina.
She had just shot down the legendary Wedge Antilles, granted in her time he had, had many, many more years of experience, but still she hadn't thought that it was possible. Yet, she had just done it. She wondered idly what her brothers, or even Kyp Durron would say if they were there.
Her shocked musings were interrupted as the hatch popped open and a hand appeared to help her out, accompanied by the sound of muted cheers. To Jaina's surprise the hand belonged to none other than Wedge.
"I was right!" He exclaimed cheerfully, not sounding the least bit disgruntled. "I knew you had potential. Come on I'll buy you a drink and we can exchange trade secrets."
Jaina was soon pulled off into the rest of the rambunctious crowd. As she was pulled along Jaina dimly noticed her uncle in the back of the crowd and accepted his shouted congratulations excitedly.
It was a few hours before she was able to retreat to an area of relative quiet. In the past few hours the aches and pains from her injuries had begun returning and now as she lay on a couch in a deserted pilot's lounge, she considered calling Jag to give her a hand in getting back planetside.
She caught a flash of a woman moving around in the back of the lounge from the corner of her eye. As she rose to a sitting position and fumbled through the baggy pockets of her flight suit for her comm. link, her danger sense suddenly started screaming. Jaina reacted instantly but was inevitably to slow. The last thing she saw before she lost consciousness was a flash of red that seemed very familiar.
Thank you all for reading, feedback is gratefully accepted.
Author's note: Thank you to all of the people who read this and reviewed both on ff.n and tf.n. Sorry about the wait, I hope this was worth it. Sticks where have you gone? I'm missing your reminders. Jedi-jainafel this chapter is for you. Thanks.
When Jaina woke an hour later, she was in one of the Falcon's bunks, and despite looking much newer than what she remembered, she recognized her surroundings immediately. Immediately she started to sit up, but, still groggy, she was stopped by a gentle hand.
Recognizing it as her mother's despite, the Rancors that seemed to be partying in her head, she groaned, "Mom? What happened? Am I okay?"
A bit shocked by how Jaina addressed her, it took Leia a moment to reply, but when she did her voice wasn't quite steady. In fact, is sounded as if she had recently been crying, although she was covering it well. "You went EV. We got you back on board the 'Falcon and then you passed out. We landed back on Bakura, but we didn't want to move you so, we left you here."
"Oh," Jaina groaned as she used the force to block her pounding headache. As she reached into the force, she began to widen her perception of the world around her as her aunt had taught her. To her surprise she felt waves of anguish pouring off of Leia.
Startled Jaina focused her force senses on Leia. "Are you all right? You don't feel so great." When Leia still didn't reply she tried another tactic, "Where's D-Han?" she quickly corrected herself trying not to make Leia feel awkward.
To her surprise Leia's features darkened even more. Catching her look, Jaina said definitively, "You two had a fight."
"How did you know?" Leia snapped, whipping around to face her.
But, Leia's fury didn't intimidate Jaina, "What were you fighting about this time?"
After a few moments of silence Jaina groaned and rolled over, "I forgot, I inherited my stubborn nature from you. I'm going to get some rest. Wake me up if you feel like talking."
Several minutes passed in silence, and then, "I saw Anakin Skywalker."
Jaina rolled back over to face her. Forcing herself not to be cold and emotionless, Jaina asked softly, "What did he say?"
"He wanted to apologize to me and to Han and for me to give Luke a message."
"Did you forgive him?"
"Of course not," Leia almost snarled, "After what he did to me, to Han, to my real father."
Seeing the problem and knowing it was futile to argue with her mother, Jaina tried different tactic. "Your father, huh? Bail Organa. I've heard stories about him since I was practically a baby." She felt Leia calm down a little at the mention of him. "You know," Jaina continued as if her thoughts were just wandering aimlessly, although in reality it was taking a lot of effort for her to stay on topic, "In all of the stories you told me about him, what always caught my attention was his kindness, his gentleness and how he always gave people a second chance."
"Yes," Leia whispered, "that was Father. He always gave people a chance, even people who had made a lot of mistakes, as long as they would try."
"So," Jaina responded gently, "don't you think that he would want you to do the same for Anakin Skywalker. Bail Organa would not love you any less for being his daughter, in fact, he probably knew your entire life."
Suddenly seeing how perceptive Jaina had been and how she had been backed into a corner, Leia froze, caught between resignation and anger.
Jaina continued undaunted, "I know you will forgive him, what you have to do is accept him." Jaina sighed in frustration when Leia didn't reply and decided to get to the root of the problem. "But first you have to accept yourself, accept that potential in yourself and understand it. You fear that part of you, but instead of acknowledging and controlling it, you remain angry at him instead because it's easier for you."
Leia rose in fury and indignation. "How dare you? You don't know anything about me."
"Yeah, but you don't know about me either," Jaina replied calmly.
Leia paused for a moment mid-rant and asked, "What's that supposed to mean?"
Jaina met Leia's eyes straight on. "Commander Skywalker told you that I was hiding something, I assume." Leia nodded curtly staying silent. "What I was hiding was the fact that I became what you fear most. I became, for a short time, not the granddaughter of Anakin Skywalker, but of Darth Vader."
Leia looked stunned and then for one moment horrified, but quickly her look turned calculating. "If you're trying to get me to accept that part of me, then why did you tell me that."
Fighting not to break into tears as she talked, the stress of the day and the conversation catching up with her, Jaina said bluntly. "Because I wanted you to see that just because someone has turned to the Dark side doesn't mean they are evil. I went to the Dark side because, yes, I wanted revenge, but also because I was devastated and hurt. Two people very close to me were killed and I didn't know how to function without them." Trying to hold back her sobs and blinking through tears, Jaina continued, "What I did, how I did it, that wasn't right, but I didn't do it just because I enjoyed death. I just wanted the threat, the enemy to be gone, just like you."
Her face almost deathly pale, Leia quickly sat. "I'm sorry, I didn't know." Jaina didn't respond. "It's just that I found out that one of the people I've hated most in my life, well I suddenly found out that he was my father."
"I'm not talking about Darth Vader, I'm talking about Anakin Skywalker. There is a difference, you know. We don't know much about the Jedi of old but we do know that Anakin Skywalker was said to be a great, kind Jedi. Besides your every action and emotion except for your hate is another defeat for Darth Vader. Regardless of all that none of this is Han's fault."
Leia seemed to calm a bit and rose out of her seat. "I think I understand now. It doesn't mean that I love him, Anakin Skywalker, but," she trailed off.
"Of course," Jaina answered with understanding.
"If you'll be okay here, I think I need to go talk to Luke."
To tired to do anything but nod in agreement, Jaina was shocked when Leia leaned over and kissed her on the cheek as she left and said, "Thank you, Jaina. Chewie will be around if you need him."
* * * * * * *
Jagged Fel was worried, as close to frantic or emotional as the Chiss trained pilot ever got. Six hours ago he had seen the news broadcast reporting a recent space battle. Still furious at Jaina, but worried nonetheless, he had commed Jaina almost immediately. He would never forget the heart stopping feeling of being unable to reach her. The city, crowded from the influx of refugees from the outlying Ssi-Ruk targeted areas, had slowed his progress considerably. Even as he continued comming Jaina, he struggled towards the suite shared by Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Leia Organa.
Jaina groaned as she woke up and all of her aches and pains floated back to her. She glanced at the chronometer noticing that only an hour had passed since she had fallen asleep after Leia had left. Some unknown instinct forced her to swing her legs over the edge of the bunk and make her way to a standing position on very wobbly legs. Unsteadily she walked out of the main cabin area and towards the lounge.
When she entered the room, she froze, seeing Chewbacca sitting on a large couch that was bolted to the 'Falcon's inner hull. She paused, momentarily soaking up his unique presence in the force, a warm comforting, strong presence that she had thought she would never feel again. She let the feel of it envelop her, but then came back to reality as she focused on the words Chewbacca had just growled out.
[ So, Little One, if you are the daughter of Han, then you too must be part of my honor family.]
Fighting the tears that threatened to spill down her face and her annoyance at having been so emotional lately, Jaina managed to get out. "Yes, you were like a favorite uncle to me and my brothers. I haven't seen you in a while. I really missed you."
As Chewie considered this for a moment, Jaina felt what little strength her rest had given her leave and she slumped, exhausted against the wall. Seeing her exhaustion Chewie walked over to Jaina and picked her up in his arms, gently cradling her as if she was just a small child.
[ Rest now, Jaina,] he growled out softly, [ You'll be safe here with me.]
Safe, in his protective arms, Jaina truly relaxed for the first time since she had received the terrible news of his death at Serndipal. Secure in his arms she fell into an exhausted slumber. Chewie gazed gently down at the small human girl in his arms. She looked so fragile, even for a human, yet he could see the indomitable strength of her spirit. Stroking her hair gently, the giant Wookie began to croon a traditional Wookie lullaby, not knowing that many years in the future he would croon that very same lullaby to a young Jaina Solo when she was angry or distressed.
* * * * * * * *
Jag pushed the great doors to the suite apart hurriedly, not bothering to knock and froze almost as soon as he did. He knew he should leave but, well he seemed to be frozen to the spot from the sight before him. Han and Leia in a position that could only be called compromising. Abruptly regaining control of his motor skills, Jag pivoted away from them to face the doors. Getting to tease Leia about the look of mortification on her face would have been priceless to Han, had he not known that Leia would make him regret it for a very long time.
So instead he said, "What do you want, Fel?"
"Where's Jaina?" Jag demanded tersely. "Is she okay? I couldn't raise her comm. link."
Noting Jag's frantic tone but wanting a little revenge, Han said tonelessly. "Well that's what happens to comm. links when they hit hard vacuum."
"What!" Jag snapped whirling to face them, but then immediately remembered and turned away.
Taking pity on him, Leia slapped Han lightly on the chest and then answered Jag. "She was in the middle of a large dogfight when she was faced to go EV because her x-wing exploded. She's fine," she emphasized quickly, "but she needs some rest. She's still on the 'Falcon. Chewie's there with her."
They barely heard Jag's hurried, "Thank you," as he rushed back out of the suite.
* * * * * * * *
Jag rushed up the Millennium Falcon's boarding ramp then stopped to catch his breath. Remembering what Leia had said, Jag approached more quietly, not wanting to disturb Jaina's rest. He stuck his head around the corner and glanced around the ship's lounge. The sight of Jaina sleeping peacefully brought a smile to his face and then his relief and happiness turned to shock as he recognized the Wookie, in whose arms Jaina was cradled.
The Wookie, Chewbacca, Jag knew, groaned a question at him. To Jag's confusion, he couldn't understand a word the Wookie had said. The noise, however, had woken Jaina. Instead of being angry as Jag had feared Jaina appeared to be only groggy.
"Hmm, Jag, 's that you?"
She didn't appear too interested in talking, but Jag didn't care. He was too glad to see her alive. Chewie groaned again, but this time Jaina answered. "He's my boyfriend, Chewie, and my wingmate."
She paused for a moment and then turned away from Jag to whisper in Chewie's ear. The Wookie nodded agreeing to Jaina's suggestion. On his way out of the room, he paused in front of Jag.
He gave a lengthy series of groans and growls, and then waited while Jaina translated. "Chewie says to tell you that if you ever hurt me, his honor daughter, in any way, that he would be forced to make you regret the day you were born, as well as disarming your threat potential." She giggled and then said seriously, "And, I think he meant that comment about disarming literally."
Jag looked seriously at Chewbacca and said, "Sir, I have no intention of ever hurting Jaina. In fact, I have every intention of protecting her for as long as she will allow me to."
Chewbacca gave what could only be a groan of approval, before thumping Jag so heartily on the back that Jag almost flew across the room.
After Chewie exited, they continued to stare at one another in silence. Finally Jag broke the silence. "You know, I meant what I said to Chewbacca and I'm sorry about for what I said about how you were acting. I was just afraid. I didn't want to loose you."
As Jaina tried to interrupt him, he pressed a finger to her lips. "This wasn't our fight and you seemed like you had forgotten about everything back home and that upset me. But I do understand why you wanted to protect as many Rebels as you could. That's one of the things that I love most about you."
Both of them froze at his confession. Jag had realized almost immediately upon seeing Jaina that there was something special about her, but it was after their first kiss that he realized he was really serious about Jaina.
Jaina, too, sat frozen. She had known Jag cared about her greatly and she returned that feeling, but this.Suddenly she smiled. The smile was so brilliant that it momentarily shocked Jag.
However, that was nothing compared to the shock he got when Jaina spoke. "I love you, too, Jag and I'm sorry for what I said earlier. You were right, as much as I enjoy getting to see Mom from a new perspective, I agree, I don't think we have the right to interfere with the past."
Amazed at what Jaina had said, Jag reached up to brush a lock of hair away from her face, at the same time leaning over to kiss her. Just as there lips were about to meet, a knock on the door frame interrupted them. Both jerked back in surprise and looked up to see a concerned if slightly sheepish Wedge Antilles standing there.
"Jaina, right," he asked, cheerfully.
"Uh, yeah," she replied cautiously.
"I'm Wedge Antilles, the leader of Rogue Squadron. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to come see you sooner, but Luke said that you were doing okay."
"Yeah, I'm feeling much better, now," she said shooting a smile at Jag.
Wedge was so excited as he continued speaking that he didn't even notice. "That was some pretty impressive flying you did out there. I could use several more pilots like you."
"Thanks, but I'm one of a kind," Jaina snapped back cockily, bringing a smile to both Wedge and Jag's faces.
"Well that's a shame," countered Wedge, "When do you think you'll be able to start simming with the rest of the squadron?"
At that Jaina's face darkened. "Wedge," she asked carefully, "would you mind giving Jag and I a while alone and I'll get back to you soon."
"Okay, Jaina, let me know. I want you back flying as soon as possible, though."
As soon as he left, Jaina turned to Jag, "We have a problem."
Jag groaned, "not another one."
"I know, I know, but this goes back to our previous discussion about what we should do now that we seem to be stuck here, in this time."
"What are you saying," asked Jag carefully not desiring a repeat of their previous fight.
"Well, I agree that we should try to minimize how much we change this time period, but my grandfather paid me a visit yesterday."
"Your Grandfather!!" Jag exclaimed. "Jaina are you telling me that Darth Vader is still alive."
Jaina laughed at Jag's shock and fear. "No of course not. Why would you think? Oh," she groaned, "Of course, you wouldn't know. Sometimes dead Jedi can appear to living Jedi who were close to them for one reason or another. Oh and it wasn't Darth Vader it was Anakin Skywalker."
He looked at her very skeptically for a moment as if he wasn't sure if she was sane or not. Finally he seemed to accept what she had said or at least forced himself to get past it. "So what did Anakin Skywalker have to say?"
"Several things actually," Jaina responded quietly, suddenly sad, "but the only relevant thing was that there was a reason we were here and certain things that we have to do before we can go back to our own time."
After she finished, she simply waited for Jag's reply. To her surprise, Jag didn't seem at all upset, just slightly disgruntled. "Well, Goddess, I suppose if a dead Sith Lord wishes it that way, then that's what we'll do."
Glancing at Jag, Jaina suddenly had an urge to kiss him, one she quickly followed up on. Smiling at her as they pulled apart, Jag asked, "What was that for?"
"Wedge interrupted us." She said simply, "And," she paused regretfully, "I should probably go. Wedge is probably expecting me in the sims."
"Just be sure and don't call him Wedge to his face," Jag called as she left.
* * * * * * * *
When Jaina entered the simulation room aboard the flag ship of Luke Skywalker's fleet, a Mon Calamari Star Cruiser, she immediately noticed the older technology in the simulation units.
Almost as soon as she entered the room, Wedge Antilles head popped out of one of the mock cockpit hatches. "I didn't expect you up her so soon, Jaina. Are you sure you're ready to go?" With a cocky grin, and a confident nod, Jaina left no doubt in his mind that she at least felt ready. "Excellent, right this way."
He lead her over to a near by empty x-wing simulator, popped the hatch and gestured for her to crawl in. "Be sure and strap in. This thing is as realistic as possible."
Smiling from ear to ear, excited to be flying again without the knowledge that the lives of many people hung in the balance, even if it was only simulated flight, Jaina almost started laughing in delight. Reigning herself in she focused back on her flying and was almost vaped as twin laser bolts streaked passed her.
Jerking her ship to the left and dropping down into a tight loop designed to bring her up behind her attacker, Jaina used the milliseconds of reprieve to fall deep into the flow of the force. However, as she had assumed, Wedge was too good of a pilot for that maneuver to work as intended. Sighing and focusing on her rear sensor displays where Wedge was trying to light her shields up with laser fire and, she noticed, was actually succeeding, much to Jaina's dismay.
For a brief moment Jaina felt a sense of helplessness and frustration like she had only felt at the beginning of her run through Lando's Asteroid belt when she was sixteen and in the moments before Anakin's death. Then, though as now, that feeling would do nothing to help her. Surveying the space around her, searching for anything to help her win this battle Jaina abruptly realized that the simulation placed them in the middle of deep space surrounded by nothingness. Wishing for a moment that she could simply deploy a shadow bomb as she usually would, Jaina began to form a plan.
* * * * * * * *
Wedge Antilles sat in his cockpit, spraying laser fire at the ship in front of him. Jaina had lasted longer, much longer than most people he had ever flown against. She had an almost uncanny ability to dodge shots or at least maneuver so that his lasers would inflict minimal damage. He sent another barrage of laser fire at her, this time at her two engines, hoping to slow her down and cut her maneuverability down enough to get a clean weapons lock. Wedge only allowed himself a brief moment of triumph as two of the engine's on Jaina's x-wing blinked out sending her x-wing into an uncontrollable multi-axis tumble.
To his surprise, Jaina overcompensated for the tumble and before he could fire, before he had even realized what she was doing, the girl's tumbling had leveled off. She was now behind him and was taking advantage of the situation, firing off rapid shots.
* * * * * * *
The flight officer on duty in the flight simulator room was stunned. To his knowledge, no one with the exception of Luke Skywalker had ever lasted this long against Commander Antilles. Quickly he pulled out his comm. link and summoned all the pilots he knew that liked a good bet. When he turned back to monitoring the simulated duel, he was shocked to still see the unknown pilot flying.
By the time the crowd of pilots had gathered their numbers had increased, everyone bringing a friend or two with them to watch in amazement at the spectacular flying they were witnessing. Soon the two pilots were pulling off such intricate, close-range, daring maneuvers that at times the two x- wings could hardly be distinguished from one another, and then as suddenly as it had begun it was over.
Wedge and Jaina had once again reversed positions and he had been inflicting heavy damage on Jaina's ship as they flashed through space. With one quick maneuver, Jaina found a whole in Wedge's shields and sent a proton torpedo streaking after his ship. After Wedge's ship exploded no one seemed to know what to do, least of all Jaina.
She had just shot down the legendary Wedge Antilles, granted in her time he had, had many, many more years of experience, but still she hadn't thought that it was possible. Yet, she had just done it. She wondered idly what her brothers, or even Kyp Durron would say if they were there.
Her shocked musings were interrupted as the hatch popped open and a hand appeared to help her out, accompanied by the sound of muted cheers. To Jaina's surprise the hand belonged to none other than Wedge.
"I was right!" He exclaimed cheerfully, not sounding the least bit disgruntled. "I knew you had potential. Come on I'll buy you a drink and we can exchange trade secrets."
Jaina was soon pulled off into the rest of the rambunctious crowd. As she was pulled along Jaina dimly noticed her uncle in the back of the crowd and accepted his shouted congratulations excitedly.
It was a few hours before she was able to retreat to an area of relative quiet. In the past few hours the aches and pains from her injuries had begun returning and now as she lay on a couch in a deserted pilot's lounge, she considered calling Jag to give her a hand in getting back planetside.
She caught a flash of a woman moving around in the back of the lounge from the corner of her eye. As she rose to a sitting position and fumbled through the baggy pockets of her flight suit for her comm. link, her danger sense suddenly started screaming. Jaina reacted instantly but was inevitably to slow. The last thing she saw before she lost consciousness was a flash of red that seemed very familiar.
Thank you all for reading, feedback is gratefully accepted.