Disclaimer: As if! I own none of this it all belongs to George Lucas and
other assorted folks.
Author's note: Mariko-yes your review and everyone else's did make my day. And uh, I see you caught that extra large bit of foreshadowing I did.
Lady Leila-I'm sorry it took me so long to update. I meant to update several days ago, but I was delayed by reading the newest Harry Potter book from cover to cover.
Otter Moon-Thank you very much. I hope you continue to enjoy this.
BlackWings or Master Solo- Don't worry this story isn't over quite, yet.
Thrilled-I'll try to update sooner next time, I promise.
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To Jaina's surprise a knock sounded on the door to her quarters. She had just moved back to them that afternoon. Fortunately all of her injuries were healed, her doctors however, had insisted that she get more rest before she returned to duty. Her family had left an hour ago to let her do just that. Cautiously Jaina stretched out through the force to see who her visitor was. To her surprise and relief it was Wedge Antilles.
"Come in, Sir," Jaina called out, not moving. Not only was she a goddess, but she was also injured. Like any other good commander, Wedge would rather a soldier recover than stand on ceremony.
The door hissed open and he stepped inside. "How are you doing, Great One? Jag told me you were starting to feel better."
"I am, Sir. I'll be ready to return to duty tomorrow."
She saw his concerned gaze and knew he was worried about her health, but at the same time, she was one of his best squadron leaders. He couldn't afford for her to be out of the fighting, even now, especially now. "Has Jag been reporting our tactical status?"
"Yes, he said that the Vong have been massing forces in Correllian and Hutt space."
Wedge nodded seriously. "We've been consulting all the best tacticians: ours, Chiss and Imperial. We have forces pouring in from everywhere."
"This one is the important one isn't it," Jaina said.
"If we loose this one, that's all. The Vong win." Wedge grimaced, but continued, "We need you for this fight, Jaina. The fleet's being massed for this battle, well they're larger than the combined forces of the battle of the first and second Death Stars, the fall of Coruscant and Ebaq 9 combined. We might have to slug this one out, but I want as much of an edge as possible and that means I need Yun Harla. Any resources you need are yours." He sighed, not in defeat, but in sadness. "The losses on both sides of this fight are going to be astronomical, but I want it to mean something. I want it to mean freedom from the constant threat of the Vong."
Jaina's response, after only a moment or two of thought was concise and well thought out. "I want Sharr Latt and the Wraiths as well as Jag, Kyp and Tahiri Veihla. I'll want more Jedi soon. I'll let you know who exactly I need later."
"Thank you, Jaina."
"I'm not just a Goddess, General," Jaina said, no hint of cocky playfulness in her voice, she was deadly serious. "I'm also the Sword of the Jedi. I do what must be done."
Wedge nodded, seriously considering her words. What he didn't hear as he walked away was the end of Jaina's sentence. "Everything comes at a price, a price that must be paid and I don't know if I want to pay that price anymore."
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The next morning Jaina and her newly reunited band of conspirators were still going strong. Jag, most of the Wraiths, Twins Suns and Tahiri were already there. Wedge had explained the current tactical plan and was giving them the freedom to choose where they could do the most damage to the Vong.
"Let's use our_"
"No, that won't work."
"We should_"
The clamor of voices had grown hectic as Jaina watched her friends, acquaintances and colleagues throw ideas back and forth with the outrageous and rambunctious style that only this of people could possibly possess. As sshe leaned back in her seat, she caught Jag's eye. He was seated across the room from her and he had been quietly conferring with some of the more serious members of Twin Suns.
However, when he saw her watching him, he quietly excused himself and walked over to her. He squatted down next to her and followed her gaze to the scene of constructive and exuberant mayhem before them that was designed to focus the energy of battle warriors away from their fears to the fighting ahead of them.
Jag knew Jaina well. He might not have the force, but he could read her body language, her gestures, her expressions and look in to her eyes to read her inward thoughts and feelings. There was something bothering her, something this planning session couldn't solve or account for and he wanted to find out what it was.
"Do you want to get something to eat," he asked quietly, moving a hand to grasp Jaina's.
"We need to talk," answered Jaina curtly, forcing Jag to wonder how much she really wanted to have this conversation.
As they walked down the corridor, Jag felt a solemnity and fear in Jaina that he hadn't felt from her before. Although neither one said anything, both knew where they were going. It was a side effect of their years as a couple. Gently they sat down. They had taken refugee in a deserted hangar bay, not because they wished to their relationship from people, but simply because they wanted privacy.
"Jag," Jaina began but then stopped. She was so confused about this in her won mind that she didn't know how to explain it to him. It was different, very different from the image that she portrayed. It was amazing really how much of her life was a sham. She portrayed a Yuuzhan Vong goddess, but she was a mortal and capable of all of the fears and emotions that demanded. She was seen as a hardened warrior, a hero- The Sword of the Jedi- but really she was just a normal woman fighting as best as she could.
This was so much more though, she didn't want to lie about this, least of all to Jag. She had been fighting this war since she was sixteen and in all of those years, she had never considered quitting, leaving the fate of the galaxy in someone else's hands, but now she was.
She rose from where she was sitting, dropped her pose of Jedi calm and began pacing. "Have you ever considered what we would do after the war," she asked Jag.
They had never discussed their future, being required by their lifestyle to live in the moment. Too often pilots who explored dreams of the future, lost their focus and edge because of it and got killed themselves killed.
"Some," he admitted. "I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you." He chuckled lightly, "I don't know if I'll still want to pilot a starfighter after this war, but I do know that I'll still want to fly. I want to do something that won't require me to depend on my parent's wealth and I wan to do it with you." He paused and shot an appraising look at Jaina. "What about you?"
It would truly surprise him if she said yes, but then again this whole discussion was surprising him.
Ignoring his question, she asked another one of her own. "What about children?"
Now she was really shocking him, not that she hadn't answered his question, but that she would bring up that particular topic. He knew that despite Jaina's reconciliation with her mother and her acceptance of Elvere, the subject of her childhood and children was very sensitive for her. That's why he purposefully hadn't brought it up.
"Not really," he replied carefully, "but it's something I might be interested in one day. That is if you are," he added not wanting to seem to pressure her, she was acting oddly enough as it was.
Getting up, he caught her in his arms, and looked into her eyes. Many people had called them plain, but they had always mesmerized him. "Jaina," he asked softly, "Are you okay, Darling?"
The use of his private endearment calmed her immediately, but didn't fully alleviate her anxiety. Her voice, now muffled by his chest said, "This is it you know." She looked up at him. "We have to win this battle and we have to live through this, both of us, because I want our dreams to come true and I don't want to have a future without you. Because I want both of us to be there for a child now, not when it's several years old."
The room fell silent, to Jag it almost seemed as if all the beings and machinery had simply paused for one long extended moment. "Jaina," he questioned calmly, "Jaina are you serious, Darling?"
He was surprised, shocked actually. He would have been less surprised if Darth Vader had appeared wearing pink tutu and the Emperor was a kindly old man who helped old ladies cross the hover bridges.
"You can't fly," was the first thing out of his mouth after she nodded. He abruptly reconsidered, however, when Jaina's head snapped up.
"I have to," she said defiantly.
Jag took a step back from her, almost sensing the fight that was coming. "You don't have to do anything," he responded, "You can coordinate Twin Suns from one of the Star Destroyers."
"So I'm in less danger on a large floating target. Sometimes I think you don't any confidence in or respect for my abilities, Jagged," she said with biting sarcasm.
"I have confidence and respect for your abilities, but I don't want you or our child put in danger."
He forced himself to calm down slightly. Softly he continued, "This will probably be the most dangerous battle we'll ever see and I just want both of you to be safe."
Her comm. link beeped forestalling her reply. As she raised it to answer, she spun on her heel and began walking out. "This discussion isn't over, Jag," she tossed over her shoulder, not looking back.
Author's note: Mariko-yes your review and everyone else's did make my day. And uh, I see you caught that extra large bit of foreshadowing I did.
Lady Leila-I'm sorry it took me so long to update. I meant to update several days ago, but I was delayed by reading the newest Harry Potter book from cover to cover.
Otter Moon-Thank you very much. I hope you continue to enjoy this.
BlackWings or Master Solo- Don't worry this story isn't over quite, yet.
Thrilled-I'll try to update sooner next time, I promise.
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To Jaina's surprise a knock sounded on the door to her quarters. She had just moved back to them that afternoon. Fortunately all of her injuries were healed, her doctors however, had insisted that she get more rest before she returned to duty. Her family had left an hour ago to let her do just that. Cautiously Jaina stretched out through the force to see who her visitor was. To her surprise and relief it was Wedge Antilles.
"Come in, Sir," Jaina called out, not moving. Not only was she a goddess, but she was also injured. Like any other good commander, Wedge would rather a soldier recover than stand on ceremony.
The door hissed open and he stepped inside. "How are you doing, Great One? Jag told me you were starting to feel better."
"I am, Sir. I'll be ready to return to duty tomorrow."
She saw his concerned gaze and knew he was worried about her health, but at the same time, she was one of his best squadron leaders. He couldn't afford for her to be out of the fighting, even now, especially now. "Has Jag been reporting our tactical status?"
"Yes, he said that the Vong have been massing forces in Correllian and Hutt space."
Wedge nodded seriously. "We've been consulting all the best tacticians: ours, Chiss and Imperial. We have forces pouring in from everywhere."
"This one is the important one isn't it," Jaina said.
"If we loose this one, that's all. The Vong win." Wedge grimaced, but continued, "We need you for this fight, Jaina. The fleet's being massed for this battle, well they're larger than the combined forces of the battle of the first and second Death Stars, the fall of Coruscant and Ebaq 9 combined. We might have to slug this one out, but I want as much of an edge as possible and that means I need Yun Harla. Any resources you need are yours." He sighed, not in defeat, but in sadness. "The losses on both sides of this fight are going to be astronomical, but I want it to mean something. I want it to mean freedom from the constant threat of the Vong."
Jaina's response, after only a moment or two of thought was concise and well thought out. "I want Sharr Latt and the Wraiths as well as Jag, Kyp and Tahiri Veihla. I'll want more Jedi soon. I'll let you know who exactly I need later."
"Thank you, Jaina."
"I'm not just a Goddess, General," Jaina said, no hint of cocky playfulness in her voice, she was deadly serious. "I'm also the Sword of the Jedi. I do what must be done."
Wedge nodded, seriously considering her words. What he didn't hear as he walked away was the end of Jaina's sentence. "Everything comes at a price, a price that must be paid and I don't know if I want to pay that price anymore."
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The next morning Jaina and her newly reunited band of conspirators were still going strong. Jag, most of the Wraiths, Twins Suns and Tahiri were already there. Wedge had explained the current tactical plan and was giving them the freedom to choose where they could do the most damage to the Vong.
"Let's use our_"
"No, that won't work."
"We should_"
The clamor of voices had grown hectic as Jaina watched her friends, acquaintances and colleagues throw ideas back and forth with the outrageous and rambunctious style that only this of people could possibly possess. As sshe leaned back in her seat, she caught Jag's eye. He was seated across the room from her and he had been quietly conferring with some of the more serious members of Twin Suns.
However, when he saw her watching him, he quietly excused himself and walked over to her. He squatted down next to her and followed her gaze to the scene of constructive and exuberant mayhem before them that was designed to focus the energy of battle warriors away from their fears to the fighting ahead of them.
Jag knew Jaina well. He might not have the force, but he could read her body language, her gestures, her expressions and look in to her eyes to read her inward thoughts and feelings. There was something bothering her, something this planning session couldn't solve or account for and he wanted to find out what it was.
"Do you want to get something to eat," he asked quietly, moving a hand to grasp Jaina's.
"We need to talk," answered Jaina curtly, forcing Jag to wonder how much she really wanted to have this conversation.
As they walked down the corridor, Jag felt a solemnity and fear in Jaina that he hadn't felt from her before. Although neither one said anything, both knew where they were going. It was a side effect of their years as a couple. Gently they sat down. They had taken refugee in a deserted hangar bay, not because they wished to their relationship from people, but simply because they wanted privacy.
"Jag," Jaina began but then stopped. She was so confused about this in her won mind that she didn't know how to explain it to him. It was different, very different from the image that she portrayed. It was amazing really how much of her life was a sham. She portrayed a Yuuzhan Vong goddess, but she was a mortal and capable of all of the fears and emotions that demanded. She was seen as a hardened warrior, a hero- The Sword of the Jedi- but really she was just a normal woman fighting as best as she could.
This was so much more though, she didn't want to lie about this, least of all to Jag. She had been fighting this war since she was sixteen and in all of those years, she had never considered quitting, leaving the fate of the galaxy in someone else's hands, but now she was.
She rose from where she was sitting, dropped her pose of Jedi calm and began pacing. "Have you ever considered what we would do after the war," she asked Jag.
They had never discussed their future, being required by their lifestyle to live in the moment. Too often pilots who explored dreams of the future, lost their focus and edge because of it and got killed themselves killed.
"Some," he admitted. "I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you." He chuckled lightly, "I don't know if I'll still want to pilot a starfighter after this war, but I do know that I'll still want to fly. I want to do something that won't require me to depend on my parent's wealth and I wan to do it with you." He paused and shot an appraising look at Jaina. "What about you?"
It would truly surprise him if she said yes, but then again this whole discussion was surprising him.
Ignoring his question, she asked another one of her own. "What about children?"
Now she was really shocking him, not that she hadn't answered his question, but that she would bring up that particular topic. He knew that despite Jaina's reconciliation with her mother and her acceptance of Elvere, the subject of her childhood and children was very sensitive for her. That's why he purposefully hadn't brought it up.
"Not really," he replied carefully, "but it's something I might be interested in one day. That is if you are," he added not wanting to seem to pressure her, she was acting oddly enough as it was.
Getting up, he caught her in his arms, and looked into her eyes. Many people had called them plain, but they had always mesmerized him. "Jaina," he asked softly, "Are you okay, Darling?"
The use of his private endearment calmed her immediately, but didn't fully alleviate her anxiety. Her voice, now muffled by his chest said, "This is it you know." She looked up at him. "We have to win this battle and we have to live through this, both of us, because I want our dreams to come true and I don't want to have a future without you. Because I want both of us to be there for a child now, not when it's several years old."
The room fell silent, to Jag it almost seemed as if all the beings and machinery had simply paused for one long extended moment. "Jaina," he questioned calmly, "Jaina are you serious, Darling?"
He was surprised, shocked actually. He would have been less surprised if Darth Vader had appeared wearing pink tutu and the Emperor was a kindly old man who helped old ladies cross the hover bridges.
"You can't fly," was the first thing out of his mouth after she nodded. He abruptly reconsidered, however, when Jaina's head snapped up.
"I have to," she said defiantly.
Jag took a step back from her, almost sensing the fight that was coming. "You don't have to do anything," he responded, "You can coordinate Twin Suns from one of the Star Destroyers."
"So I'm in less danger on a large floating target. Sometimes I think you don't any confidence in or respect for my abilities, Jagged," she said with biting sarcasm.
"I have confidence and respect for your abilities, but I don't want you or our child put in danger."
He forced himself to calm down slightly. Softly he continued, "This will probably be the most dangerous battle we'll ever see and I just want both of you to be safe."
Her comm. link beeped forestalling her reply. As she raised it to answer, she spun on her heel and began walking out. "This discussion isn't over, Jag," she tossed over her shoulder, not looking back.