Chapter 8

Jaina landed her ship carefully and climbed out of the cockpit, her small feet gently touching the ground. Tenel Ka landed beside hers, and sat in the ship for a few minutes, trying to sense Jacen. With only a small shiver, she climbed slowly out of the cockpit, her eyes burning with tears. She turned around, her body meeting Jaina's as they embraced in a long hug.

"I cannot believe he's gone..." Tenel Ka managed, not letting the tears leave her eyes.

"Don't worry, Tenel Ka, he's coming back. I promise..." Jaina comforted.

Jaina's vision began to blur with tears as three figures approached them. She let go of Tenel Ka, who stood trembling slightly, and acknowledged Luke and Zekk's presence.

"Master Luke, I..." Tenel Ka started, but was silenced by Luke with a quick lift of his hand. She stared at the ground, her hands clenched into tight fists. 'I know, Tenel Ka, I know...' Luke assured her as a tear slid down her pale face.

Luke motioned for the young man to come closer, and without hesitation he walked towards Luke. Zekk put an arm around Jaina's waist in a slight hug. Jaina wrapped both arms around his body, letting his presence soothe her as best as it could.

"Allow me to introduce you to the newest pilot here on Yavin. He will be leading a team of fighters into various battles, going by the name of Jagged Fel." Luke said.

A pilot who had arrived during the battled called his name, and the new pilot ran off to see what he was needed for.

Tenel Ka turned to walk away. "Tenel Ka?" Luke began.

"I am going to pack up my things." She said quietly.

Luke's heart sunk, he knew she felt responsible for Jacen, and he knew he could do nothing about it. He watched her walk through the doors, solemn and silent.

"I guess I should go pack as well," Zekk said. Luke nodded, and Zekk walked away. Jaina stood, staring into her uncle's face.

"Uncle Luke?" She asked. Luke lifted his chin to acknowledge her question. "If it's alright, I would like to stay here and join you team of fighter pilots." She said.

Luke had trouble finding the right words. "What about Han and Leia? Don't you want to go home?"

"There's nothing for me there. My place is here, I'm a pilot, Uncle Luke, not a politician." Luke nodded, and hugged his niece lovingly.

She ran off to send a message home, telling her parents about what had happened, and what she had decided to do. Not long after she sent the message, she heard a buzzing sound coming from the door. She opened it to see a tall, dark-haired Zekk holding a bag.

"I just came to say goodbye," Zekk said painfully.

Jaina wrapped her arms around his neck as he lifted her off the ground in a giant hug. "I'll never see you again, will I?" Jaina asked when he set her down.

"Who can say? I might drop in a time or two...but nothing is for certain." He replied. He grabbed her soft hands, rubbing them gently with his fingers. Jaina pushed back the hurting tears that so badly wanted to fall. He brought her hands to his lips, kissing them tenderly. "I love you, Jaina Solo." He whispered into her fingers.

Two tears fell from her eyes onto her cheeks. She watched his face as it came closer to hers, their lips meeting gingerly for a few short seconds. He pulled his head back, staring into her soft brown eyes. Jaina opened her mouth to say something to him, but Zekk gently put a finger to her lips to stop her. "It's okay," he said.

He placed one last kiss on her forehead, and turned around, walking quickly. Jaina's lips quivered, the words spilling gracefully off of them. "I love you too." was her whispered reply. She fell to her knees, leaning heavily against the doorframe, staring down the hall at the door that closed her off from her only love. "I always will..."