To much time to think was not usually a good thing. It normally meant that you were being lazy. But Jaina had to give herself some credit, as she was behind enemy lines at the moment.

She slowly and cautiously looked towards the ceiling. The infinite jaws of pain were screaming down at her, hungry for her pain once more. She couldn't tell how long it had been since it let her go, but she didn't care much. She had found the strength to lean against the wall, fending off the feeling in her stomach to throw up. Whatever food was in her stomach, she probably was going to need it. Her stomach grumbled, reminding her that there might not be anything to throw up anyway. She estimated a full week and a half without food, other than the bite of slime from the imperial rations that Jenos had given her and Jag.

Jag… she cried in her heart. She felt her bond with him slipping away. Whether it was due to her frail condition, or Jag's diminishing one, she couldn't tell.

Once again she felt her throat constrict, the bands around her arms and legs tighten. She wanted to cry out, fight, scream, anything…but she couldn't find the strength.

And she was caught up into the embrace once again…



"Do you see anything?"

"Nothing…"

"Get down quick! We don't know what else could be out there…."

"They're all dead. I doubt more will come following."

"What are you an idiot? GET DOWN!" Jacen resisted the urge to punch Jag in the face for the 7 billionth time and used his calming techniques to slow his racing heart. Just because they killed a few Vong doesn't mean that there weren't more coming. How many times had he told Jag, The Vong GLORY death…they WORSHIP pain…

Thankfully Jacen saw Jag finally turn back and head to the ally where Jacen and his dad were waiting.

Jag shot Jacen and look and turned to look back in the sunlight.

"There's nothing out there as far as I can tell. It looks like that party was out hunting alone."

Jacen followed Jag's gaze and his eyes landed on the great fortress, the living fortress where Jaina was being held. Sweat broke out ont his face and his legs became shaky as he felt her lifted into the embrace again. Slightly turning his gaze to Jag, he saw the concern for Jaina that was obvious in her boyfriend's eyes.

Surprisingly Jacen saw a tear resting in the crook of Jag's eyes, he wondered if Jag even knew it was there.

"I was going to ask you when we got back…" Jag said suddenly towards both Jacen and his father. "I wanted to ask your…" he hesitated, "approval?" Reaching down into his utility kit he pulled out a small, dirty cardboard box. Opening it he pulled out a velvet jewelry holder. Just the size for…

"Jag?" Jacen asked, not taking his eyes off the box. "What is that?" Jacen knew the answer already, and he had no idea how he was going to reply.

"An engagement ring…" Jag held up a beautiful white-gold band with a small purple amethyst crowning it and two smaller diamonds to the side.

"You're going to ask Jaina to marry you?" Han Solo's face was white and his looked as if he had just seen a ghost.

Jacen, still unable to reply, looked back to Jag's face. It turned as white as his fathers and Jag stuttered with embarrassment.

"Of course if you guys don't approve, that's perfectly fine, I mean we're in the middle of a war and I'm not exactly the ideal guy and Jaina's only 21 and…"

Jacen laid a hand on Jag's shoulder silencing him. Jag looked up and gave Jacen a feeble grin. Desperately trying to hold on to his idea, Jag looked hard into Jacen's eyes.

"I know I don't deserve her. I know that no one will ever be able to get up to that level. But I do know that I love her. I know that if I had a choice I would rather it be me who was being hurt right now. I care for your sister a great deal," He turned towards Han. "It's hard to give up your only daughter, but please. If you just once saw yourself in my footsteps, worshiping for the princess of your dreams, you'll let her marry me…" Turning back to Jacen he said one last sentence. "Think of it as my faith that she's still alive, and that she will be able to wear this ring one day."

Jacen looked deep into Jag's mind, searching for any trace of doubt, anger, sadness or betrayal. He found none. He turned towards his dad who was also deep in thought, and then back to Jag.

How am I going to get out of this one?