Chapter Two – Master and Student

The way I looked at the situation, I had two options.

One, I could never mention it again and hope everyone involved forgot about the incident.

Two, I could march right down there and give Kyp Durron a piece of my mind.

I needed to vent some serious anger, so I opted for number two. Ignoring the nervous looks from the poor souls unfortunate enough to pass me, I stormed down the corridor to Kyp's quarters. I began pounding on the door, furious, and barely withdrew my hand in time to keep from knocking on his face as he slid open the door.

"Why, hello, Goddess; you're looking particularly ravishing this evening, I must say! To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

Since I was sweaty, covered in grease and oil, had my hair sticking up in a way that reminded me painfully of Jacen, I didn't really appreciate these comments; I had come straight from experimenting with a damaged fighter.

"Lose the formalities, Nerf-herder. What did you think you were playing at back there?"

"I assume you are referring to you and the colonel's wager."

"You know perfectly well that's what I mean, you miserable heap of bantha fodder! What possessed you to suggest that, of all things?"

"If you mean the race itself, you can't pretend you were anything but enthusiastic about the idea of showing the world you were a better pilot than Jagged Fel. If, on the other hand, you meant the terms of the bet, all I can say is I'm disappointed he didn't collect."

I quickly glanced from side to side, making sure no one was nearby, then dropped my voice to a low hiss so we wouldn't be overheard. "Thank force he didn't! I don't think I've ever been so humiliated in my whole life."

Being the irritating creature that he is, Kyp just laughed. "I could have done a lot worse than that, Jaina. You should be grateful." He gave a false, deep-suffering sigh. "Honestly, you shouldn't use me as your scapegoat. It's not fair to unleash fury upon me just because you're upset that Fel didn't kiss you."

"What?" I screeched, cutting him off from any further martyrdom, and then once again glanced around nervously. Realizing this conversation could get very loud very quickly, I stepped inside and hit the controls to shut the door behind us.

"Tsk tsk, Jaina, this could start rumors."

"Shut up, Durron. I'm not going to tell and neither are you," I said, allowing the appropriate portion of menace trickle into the second half. I shoved a messy stack of papers out of the way and sat down on the top of his desk. I then crossed my arms stubbornly, making it clear I wouldn't leave until I got a satisfactory answer. "All right, where in your twisted little mind did that come from?"

He immediately faked indignation. "Hey, twisted, maybe, but little, I resent."

Not missing a beat, I whacked the ball back into his court with the reply, "With an ego that size, I'm amazed there's room for any mind at all. Now stop babbling and start talking."

"I'm just trying to give the two of you a shove in the right direction. The man's obviously smitten with you, and judging by your reaction whenever he walks into a room, along with how sensitive you are to his presence through the force, you're far from indifferent towards him. I'm simply attempting to make the two of you realise it."

For a minute I sat there, silent, in some bizarre form of shock. My brain kicked in, but it seemed to go in slow motion.

Yes, there was no denying that Jag Fel was far from ugly, but he wasn't by any means the most attractive man at the base. There were plenty of friendlier, unscarred men who would jump at a chance to date the famous- or in some cases, infamous- Jaina Solo. Me. Besides, with the Goddess scheme in full swing, I could hardly have a close connection with any mere mortals.

And yet, I had to admit there was something oddly intriguing about him. Maybe it was the fact that he didn't hold me in such high regard. I might be a Jedi, and I might be the daughter of a Princess, but to Colonel Jag Fel I would always be a scruffy, unruly mechanic with a distinctly disreputable character. To him, I wasn't an equal; I was a rogue. He seemed so mind-blowingly arrogant, and I couldn't help but enjoy baiting him. As I'd said before, he could be a lot of fun, whether he means to be or not. Partly it was great just to sense the exasperation he felt when he realised the conversation was slipping out of his control and becoming an argument. Still... my mind wandered back even further, to a formal ball back on Hapes. Then I had seen a new light in his eyes, something that was probably a surprise to him as well as me; that Jag was a whole different story...

'No,' I told myself firmly. 'Don't even go there, Jaina. Get your point across to Kyp, then get the Sith out of here and forget about the whole thing.'

Hoping the new sparkle in his eye wasn't due to him noticing my hesitation, I forced a bark of laughter. "I don't know where you get your delusions, laser-brain, but quit trying to play matchmaker, okay? When I need your help with my love life, I'll ask for it. And cut that out!" As I added the last part, he jumped, visibly. During my moment of silence, he'd been prodding at my mental boundaries, trying to see if I'd let anything slip. I threw up my shields full strength, and then shoved outwards, hard, sending him reeling backwards through the force.

He narrowed his eyes. "Fine. Some apprentice you are."

Although I knew it was childish, I just stuck my tongue out in response, then stood.

Kyp rolled his eyes. "All I can say is when he gives up on you and moves on to someone else, don't come crying to me."

I let out an involuntary, unladylike snort. "Don't lose any sleep waiting for it."

Little did I know at the time just how much sleep I would be losing.