There was a strange stillness to the docking bay as the coralskipper drifted in through the force field, landing slowly. Eyes followed it, tracing over the familiar lines of the craft- a craft which brought up difficult memories for all. Eyes then turned to the organic docking ramp as it slowly lowered. What would come out?
Jaina stood directly in front of the ramp, her eyes following everyone else's. Jag stood behind her and he had an arm around her waist, supporting her. She wasn't sure if she could stand on her own legs, Jag was a comforting presence for which she was deeply grateful. She could feel his love and worry for her through the Force and she squeezed his hand in return comfort.
The tension in the bay was thick when three figures at last started to make their way down the ramp, slowly as the gravity in coralskippers was probably much different from the ship's.
But Jaina didn't see three figures- she only saw one. She only saw the brown hair dirty and long, a beard scraggly over a face that was hollowed with stress and hunger. She only saw brandy brown eyes to match her own and she slowly pulled herself away from Jag and took a step towards her twin.
That was all that was needed- Jacen loped down the rest of the ramp and covered the distance between them in a moment, pulling his sister into a tight hug, squeezing hard.
Jaina was crying, unbelieving that Jacen was back, when she hadn't known for so long- when she had been so afraid for him. And how he was there.
He set her down and she pulled back slightly, to hold his face in her hands and look at him. There was sadness and pain in his face, but also happiness. She grinned, tears still trickling down her face. "Welcome home, Jasa."
Their reunion was short lived. Wedge soon came over to claim Jacen and his compatriots, to take them to get cleaned up and for interviews. Jacen turned as he followed Wedge and gave Jaina a short wave. He couldn't help but notice a tall, dark haired man come up beside his sister and place a proprietary hand on her shoulder as she waved back, still smiling.
Later, Jacen stepped out of the shower in the quarters he had been assigned, grabbing a towel and drying himself off. The quarters were meant for an officer with a large bed and bathroom.
Jacen relished the feeling of being clean for the first time in years, along with putting on new, clean clothes. After years of rags, the brand new military issue were blissful.
General Antilles had said he would send someone for Jacen, when there was ato be a debriefing. As he sat down gingerly on the bed, the door chimed. He got up to answer it and was surprised to see that on the other side was the dark haried man he had seen in the cargo bay. Immediately Jacen's hackles rose.
"I'm here to bring you to the meeting with General Antilles." The man said, nodding at Jacen.
"And you are-?"
"Colonel Jagged Fel, Leader of Spike Squadron. But, call me Jag."
"I'm Jacen Solo," Jacen said, extending his hand and Jagged chuckled.
"I know who you are. I've heard all about you from my wife." Jagged motioned for Jacen to follow him down the corridor.
"Really? Only good things I hope." Jacen fell into step next to him
"Mostly. I've heard some horror stories as well."
"So who's your wife, then?" Jacen asked.
Jag hesitated for a moment, then opened his mouth to respond when he was interrupted.
"Jasa! Jag!" From down the corridor, Jaina came towards the two men. "I just came down here to get you," she said to her brother. She turned and playfully shoved Jag on the chest. "Tries to beat me to it?"
Jag shrugged. "I thought I should talk to him." He smiled down at Jaina and carefully brushed a lock of hair away from her face.
Jacen suddenly felt like he had been hit in the gut as he realized who had been telling Jag stories about him
"You're his wife." He said quietly.
Jaina stopped. She hadn't really thought about how she was going to tell Jacen about her marriage but now he knew. She had assumed he would be happy for her. But here he stood, glowering at her and Jag.
"Yeah. I am." She said, lamely. Being careful not to touch Jag, she turned and motioned down the corridor. "Come on. We'll be late for the meeting." The two followed her and they spent and uncomfortable turbo ride up the levels to the Command deck, where they entered they meeting room.
Wedge Antilles paced the front of the room, waiting for everyone to arrive. He looked up as the trio entered. Jacen came in behind Jaina and Jag, and Wedge was surprised to see a look of tension on Jaina's face. One would think after regaining her lost brother she would be happier.
As Gavin arrived, mumbling apologies for his tardiness. Wedge nodded. "Okay, let's begin."
The meeting passed quickly, as Wedge outlines the details of the end of the war for Jacen's benefit and imparted to the rest Jacen's limited knowledge of the Yuuzhan Vong. As it adjourned Jaina turned to Jacen.
"Can we go somewhere and talk?" She asked.
Jacen regarded his twin soberly, finally shrugging. "Sure."
"I, uh, think I'll go run some simulators." Jag interjected and Jaina nodded at him, smiling a little.
Jaina turned back to Jacen. "How about we go to my quarters? It's just down a level." Jacen dutifully followed her. The turbo lift ride again passed in silence.
Jaina's quarters were only a few steps from the lift, and she keyed in the security code. As they entered, Jacen looked around. The quarters were much larger than his own with a kitchen, large living room, a dining room, officer and a door leading off to what he surmised would be a large bedroom. The walls were filled with portholes looking out onto the surrounding space.
"These are a lot bigger than the quarters they gave me," Jacen commented.
"Well with Jag and I both squadron leaders..." Jaina let the sentence trail off and changed the subject. "Can I get you anything? Food, drink- " she grinned slyly at him, "whiskey?"
"You've got the good stuff?" Jacen asked.
Jaina nodded. "Dad gave us a bottle for our anniversary."
Jacen considered for a moment, then shook his head. "I haven't had alcohol in so long- real Correlian brandy would knock me right out."
Jaina motioned towards a large square couch. "Why don't we sit down then?"
They both sat but tension settled over them as neither knew quite what to say.
"When?" Jacen finally asked.
"Almost four years," Jaina said softly. Glancing around, she saw eveidence of she and Jag's life together: knickknacks and souvenirs for planets they'd visited together, gifts they had exchanged on birthdays, anniversaries and for no reason at all, reminders that they'd vowed to spend their lives together. Jacen, she realized, on the other hand, had just been dropped brusquely back into a galaxy he dimly remembered, with no possessions. He could be feeling very alone.
"When did you get married?" Jacen asked, shaking Jaina out of her reverie.
"About a year ago- we just celebrated our anniversary. Right after the war ended." She picked up a holo from a table next to the couch and showed it to him. Taken on their wedding day it pictured Jag lifting Jaina into the air, she in a long white gown with jewels in her ears and at her neck, her hands looped around Jag's neck. They were looking into each other's eyes and smiling.
"You look happy." Jacen commented, his eyes tracing the figures.
"I am happy."
Jacen looked up at his sister. "I wish I had been there."
"I wished you were." The twins looked at each other for a long moment before Jaina impulsively wrapped her arms around Jacen's neck and pulled him into a tight hug. She didn't cry this time, but felt a feeling of peace come over them.
Jacen pulled away and placed a kiss on her forehead. "If you're happy- I'm happy for you."
"Thanks. It feels good to have your blessing." Jaina took the holo back, running her fingers over it.
"Did you have much problem getting Dad's?" Jacen asked.
"Are you kidding? Jag is an imperial pilot from Corellia- arrogant and smug. He and Dad are exactly alike. Dad nearly killed Jag!" Jaina laughed. "The look on his face when Jag announced we were engaged..." she shook her head and laughed. "Priceless."
Jacen settled back as his sister updated them on their family's trials and joys over the past few years, beginning to feel like he really was back.
Sarra raced down the corridor of te ship, her heart thudding in her chest as she could hear her hunter's footsteps behind her. She got to Jacen's quarters and pounded on the door.
"Jacen! Let me in! Let me in! Jacen!!"
The footsteps drew closer, and slowed. She continued to bang on it but her breathing became ragged as they were closer and closer and....
A hand snaked out and grabbed her wrist before she pounded anymore, spinning her around.
"Now, now, what exactly are you running from?"The voice drawled as Sarra inhaled deeply, preparing to scream...