A/N: I know this chapter took a bit longer to get out. To be honest with you, I think it just didn't want to be written. Then once I started writing it, it rapidly became what I fondly call the Never Ending Chapter. Trust me, once you read it, you'll surely understand why.

But first, my thank yous. ~~~ - I updated as soon as it would be written!

Scott - Right now! :D

Jaina and Jag- Aww! Well thank you! I know, I'm sort of torturing poor Jag in this fic, but I promise in the end it should be all worth it! Plus if it wasn't complicated, we wouldn't have the fic now would we? :-P

MaraJadeSkywalkerJedi- Thank you so much! :D :D

Disclaimer: I don't own the toys, I just borrow them on a regular basis. Ooh, the characters too!

:::::::: Chapter Three

One Week Later

The landing gear of his Clawcraft made a soft thump, and then lowered as it settled itself. The drab gray duracrete floor was littered with mechanics, tech crews and other pilots who had already completed powering down their fighters. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his uncle entering the hangar, flanked by Tycho. The two people Jag had been purposely avoiding.

The canopy slowly opened, and Jag's gloved hands removed his helmet and left it in his seat. Trying to find any way to escape Wedge, he moved swiftly down the ladder.

Wedge saw Jag's expression change as soon as the Colonel had noticed his presence, and thus had hurried his pace a bit. By the time Jag had reached the bottom of the ladder, Wedge was only a few steps away. Close enough for Jag to hear his voice without any excuse.

"Colonel Fel, a moment of your time?" Wedge asked, using the tone he commonly used with his pilots.

Jag nodded his head. "Yes, sir," Jag said, picking up on the formality of the General's voice. Quietly, Jag followed Wedge and Tycho through the maze of people and into the corridor Jag knew led to Wedge's office. The trio walked in complete silence, neither one of the older men looking back to spare a glance at him.

The walk to the General's office wasn't long, and within a few moments they had arrived there. The door slid open to reveal a small yet eerily bright office. As Wedge walked around the desk, he motioned for Jag to have a seat in one of the chairs that was opposite the desk.

"Colonel Fel," Wedge started. "I'm sure that you are aware that the Hapan Queen Mother Tenel Ka will be on planet within the next forty-eight hours, am I correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"The Queen Mother herself has requested that we provide security of our own for her, as well as her normal security forces."

Jag cut in. "Won't that be insulting the Hapans, to question their ability to protect their own monarch?"

Wedge frowned. "But it's her security that's the problem. There is reason to believe that her bodyguards have committed acts of treason, and thus she feels that she cannot trust them." Wedge said. "But she also cannot rid herself of them; that would only cause more suspicions."

Jag nodded his head in understanding. "That is all fine and well, sir, but what does this have to do with me?"

The General allowed a smile to spread across his face. "Always cutting to the point, right Colonel?" He joked. "Well, we feel that it would be most appropriate if Spikes could run the security detail. Yours is one of the few squadrons we have that are also trained in ground combat as well as aerial. What do you think?"

Without the expression on his face changing, Jag spoke. "I agree, sir. Is there anything else, sir?" Jag asked, purposely keeping the formality in the conversation. Wedge frowned as he noticed his nephew's intentions.

"No, Colonel. You are dismissed." Jag rose, snapped off a salute to both General Antilles and Colonel Celchu, then walked to the door. As Jagged gave his back to Wedge, the older man began to notice the similarities between Jag and his father, Soontir. Jag had his father's broad shoulders, though not quite as massive, the same jet black hair and square jaw. But his eyes belonged to Syal, of that Wedge was sure.

Once the door slid shut behind the younger Chiss Colonel, Tycho moved forward and took up a relaxed position in the chair that Jag had just vacated. "He's not doing too well, Wedge. He's taking the entire situation with Jaina pretty hard it seems."

Wedge sighed heavily. "I know, but it's not our place to intervene. We can't just tell him where she is, we promised Jaina we wouldn't."

"But how far are you going to keep that promise? And at what cost? Jag's killing himself over it, that's more than obvious. Are you just going to let him keep doing this to himself?"

"There's nothing I can do, Tycho! My hands are tied. I can't tell Jagged where Jaina is, because she doesn't want him to know. But I'm not going to let him destroy himself either." Wedge said.

"So what's your plan?"

"I don't have one. He has to work this out on his own." Wedge responded.

::::::::

He still appeared cool, calm and collected on the outside; but on the inside, Jag's heart was in turmoil. He knew that he truly loved Jaina, for as corny as it sounded. And even though he had the looks and talent of a true flyboy, his heart was Jaina's. He was fully convinced that no one else could ever even come close to filling the place that Jaina had once taken up residence in his soul.

Jag left Wedge's office and headed towards his own at a rather quick pace. Although he was well aware that he wouldn't find complete solace there, it would be somewhat of a safe-haven from all the other little daily annoyances that were beginning to irritate him more than normal.

He didn't have an acceptable explanation for it, but his rationale was that Jaina helped him have patience with such trivialities. Without her there, he didn't have the calming presence as he was accustomed to.

The sound of the footsteps on the hard flooring had multiplied from one set to two. Stealing a glance behind him quickly, Jag recognized the face of Kyp Durron. He slowed his pace a bit to allow Kyp to catch up.

"Colonel Fel," he said. "How are you?"

Jag didn't spare the older man a glance. "Fine, and yourself?" He returned the question. Out of his peripheral vision, he saw Kyp nod.

"Pretty well." The Jedi Master paused for a moment. "I was wondering if you felt like joining myself for some simming?"

"The object of your affection kicked you out again, didn't she?"

Kyp sagged his shoulders. "Yep. You know, those death threats of hers never get old."

Jag smirked. "Who would have thought Anja would be able to get rid of you with only a single threat?"

Kyp glared at the taller man. "You've never been on the receiving end of her wrath."

"I've also never made her angry." Jag said, eyeing Kyp. He just kept his glare trained on the Chiss Colonel.

"So are you going to come sim or just stand here and mock me all day?" Kyp asked, exasperated.

"Yes. I will meet you at the sims in a few minutes, I just have some details to take care of first." Jag responded.

Kyp nodded once. "Then I'll be seeing you, Colonel." The Jedi Master spun on his heel and headed towards the sim room. His boots clicked on the tiled floor as he made his exit.

::::::::

Jag quickened his pace to his office. It was only a few more steps from where he had left Kyp, so it didn't take very long. Putting his hand over the panel next to the door, it slid open to reveal the inside.

The wall opposite the entryway was covered in floor to ceiling windows. To the left of them was Jag's desk and chair, along with a small cabinet. His desk was scattered with datapads, flimsies, and a few files; but the most important things were his holos. Only three sat on the desk, but that was all he needed. One was of his younger brother and sister, who still resided on Csillia. The one next to it was of his older, deceased, siblings and his parents. Also very important to him.

But in the middle of those two was one of him and Jaina. His arms were wrapped around her tiny frame, their hands linked together. Both of them had been in their flight suits since it was right after the final battle of the Yuuzhan Vong War. Their faces were worn and weary, but their smiles lit up the picture. Jag had sworn it was the first time he had ever seen her truly smile; her face without worry and her eyes without care.

They were peaceful, and everything was perfect.

Tearing his eyes away from the holo that was currently tearing his heart in two, he moved to the comm station and typed the frequency he knew to be Master Skywalker's.

He waited a few moments before the familiar sandy blonde hair of Jaina's uncle appeared.

"Jag," Master Skywalker said. "This is unexpected."

Nodding his head in agreement, Jag spoke. "I know, sir. But, if it's not too much trouble, I'd like to ask a favor of you."

Luke seemed interested. "I can't make any promises but if there's anything I can do, I promise to help."

Appreciative of the legendary Jedi Master's willingness to help him, Jag continued. "I know that Jaina doesn't want me knowing where she is, and to some level I respect her decision, but would you be able to send her a holo for me?"

Luke looked back at Jag. He knew that Jag had to have been feeling a wide variety of emotions relating to the situation between himself and Jaina, but at the very least he had managed to keep a level head. Although Luke hadn't particularly liked what Jag had done, he had to respect the man for his determination to talk to Jaina.

"I can't promise she'll see it, but I will give it to her." Luke guaranteed. Jag's shoulders visibly dropped with relief as the words registered in his mind.

"Thank you, sir. I'll transmit it as soon as it's recorded." With that, he saw Luke reach forward and end the transmission.

::::::::

After what seemed like an eternity, although it was only truly a few minutes, the holo was finished. Reading it to himself, Jag was pretty sure it expressed everything he hoped it would.

Jaina,

I know that 'sorry' would be a bit of a dense word to say right now, but it's what I'm trying to express. I also am aware that just because I apologize, that does not mean that you will forgive me. I can only hope that you would be so merciful.

You've done well covering your tracks and the loyalty of your friends and family is unparalleled. If it were not for the fact that Kyp has been telling me that you're all right physically, I'd have gone mad by now.

I know that my stupidity has been abundant in these last few months, and I cannot erase that. But I can apologize, which I do profusely. Whether or not you respond to this message is your choice, but know that I love you. I always have, and I always will.

Always yours,
Jagged Fel

And with that, Jag sent the message.

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A/N: You guys know the drill... please Review!