A/N- Well, this ficlet is slowly coming to a close. I can't say that it's turned out completely as I'd hoped or that I'm very satisfied with it, but I can say that I'm pretty darn proud of it thus far. And I'm also very happy with the few fans I've accquired since starting this fic. I can't express in words the immense amount of gratitude I feel towards you. And you also have no idea how much each and every one of you have inspired this fic. I thank you.

Nike's Zero- Thank you so much for your kind words. I must say, your last review brought a smile to my face because you expressed
exactly what I was hoping the reader would experience from that chapter. Thank you for that!

Jaina and Jag- Well.. you've got your more! ^_^ Though I'm not too sure this chapter will bring you the ending you want...

Marajadeskywalkerjedi- My awesome beta and faithful reviewer! I can't lie... I look forward to your reviews. You brought one of the biggest smiles to my face with your last review! When I started this fic it was purely for fun... never once did I think anyone would call me a good writer! And thank you so much for that compliment... you're the absolute best!

So, without anymore of my infamous ramblings, the fic!


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Chapter Five

Jaina stood patiently at one of the temple's few landing pads. Her hair was whipping around in her ponytail, and had it not been for the fact that her dress uniform fit her like a glove, Jaina's clothes would be as wild as her hair.

The cause of all the commotion, the small Hapan shuttle, was a mere twenty standard feet away from where the group of Jedi had congregated to see her. The extended landing gear made a soft thump as it met the asphalt that served as a makeshift landing pad. Jaina's nerves began to run amuck as she watched the ship's weight settle on its landing gear. The distinctive whine of the engines powering down only served as a prologue to Tenel Ka's entrance.

Wiping her palms one last time on the skirt of her uniform, Jaina assumed the appropriate position as Tenel Ka appeared at the top of the ramp. The bodyguards that were assigned to her filed down first, lining each side of the walkway. Master Skywalker took his place at the end of the line of Hapan guards.

Jaina felt almost nostalgic as she stared at her longtime friend. She had been forced to toss aside her traditional lizard-skin armor and was now clad in clothes that were more fitting for a princess of the Hapes Consortium. The sight made a smile creep across Jaina's features.

"Queen Mother Tenel Ka," Luke said, bowing respectfully in front of his former student. "Welcome back to Yavin IV. I trust your flight was uneventful?"

Tenel Ka tipped her head downward quickly. "Yes, it was." She said, opening her arms to embrace the aging Jedi Master.

It was then Jaina first noticed the prosthetic arm. The device was one Jaina remembered Tenel Ka hating, and had vehemently protested only a few years prior when her grandmother had attempted to have her fit for one. 'I guess things change,' Jaina thought, holding her rigid stance. Still staring at the Hapan Queen, Jaina was almost surprised as her friend's features assumed an expression close to surprise.

"Jaina, my friend." Tenel Ka said, moving to stand in front of her old comrade. Jaina began to bend the upper portion of her body in a respectful bow, but the warm yet firm hand of Tenel Ka stopped her. "I am not here for diplomatic reasons. I am here as a Jedi, and nothing more." Jaina smiled warmly at the woman before her.

"Well then let me welcome you back." A look of what Jaina would compare to relief swept though the stone-colored gaze of her friend. "Thank you, Jaina."

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Jag had organized his squadron so they stood at ease, but were still very attentive to say the least. Since it was composed of mostly Chiss, Colonel Fel stood out like a sore thumb.

He stood in front of them, his dress uniform in perfect condition and his shoes shining. His pale green gaze raked over his troops, searching for anything that might have been amiss. To the casual observer, nothing stood out of place. Their hair had been cut to regulation, their medals shiny and their fiery eyes focused on a point somewhere behind Jag. But Jag noticed the subtle errors.

"Five, your shoes are tied incorrectly. Ten, I want you to fix the buttons on your uniform." He said coldly. "I demand perfection. You hall have graduated from the Chiss Academy, and I expect no less of you than your instructors did. No less than what I expect of myself. Do I make myself clear?" Jag said, his voice rising in volume and intensity.

"Sir, yes sir!" The squadron called in unison.

"You will report back here in one standard hour, fully dressed and ready for the Queen Mother's arrival. And may the Maker help you if you show up this pitiful twice." He paused for a moment to let his words sink into their minds.

"Dismissed!"

The blue-skinned humanoids filed through the door and into the adjoining corridor until they were out of sight. Jag wiped a rough and calloused hand down his face as if he were trying to erase his troubles and concerns. In the pit of his stomach the feeling that something was wrong was wrecking havoc. Dismissing it as just nerves, Jag walked the familiar path towards his office.

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For the last six and a half standard hours that Jaina had been onboard the Discretion she had done nothing more than sit in the makeshift room that served as her quarters. Her feet had become numb from the cross-legged position she had been sitting in, and her legs felt stiff. But even with all of the discomfort she felt, she refused to find a more comfortable solution. Her only concern was with the device that sat on the opposite end of the cot.

It was small and shiny, and seemed relatively harmless. But the disc that was contained within that datapad both scared and angered Jaina. Although it had only been a few weeks since she had left Jag without a word, she had felt a bit more free and independent. It was a feeling that she hadn't had since before Anakin died all those years ago.

But the notion that she was missing something also plagued her. Jaina knew she missed Jag, but she had thought that this was what was best for all involved. Not having to worry about one less person made her soul seem lighter, and her life easier.

'But this is your chance, Jaina.' The voice in her head spoke. 'You both have been apart for a while; you've had time to think. He has too… and maybe he changed his mind. And even if he hasn't, you know that you still have the Academy. You have a home, a place to return to. Give it a chance.'

Making the decision to view the disc's contents, she reached forward and pulled the small device towards her. It rested on her lap while she fumbled with its buttons.

'Well… here's to you, sweetheart.' She thought as her finger rested on the button that would read the disc's contents.

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The silver door that separated Nalia from Jaina's quarters slid open to reveal the petite brunette sitting on the bed. The room looked as though it hadn't been touched, with the exception of the slightly rumpled sheets on the bed. Nalia felt Jaina's brown gaze settle on her, almost waiting for her to say something.

"I apologize for disturbing you, Jedi Solo, but it has been my direct orders to bring you to Her Highness." Nalia explained rather coldly. Jaina nodded her head once.

"So it is safe to assume that we're there?" Jaina asked.

"We are preparing to land."

"Then I guess we should take our leave." Jaina said, pushing the datapad onto the bed and standing up. Grabbing the jacket to her uniform, Jaina followed Nalia out of the room and to the ramp.

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Jag stood at the platform and watched the Hapan shuttle descend. His uncle had told him earlier that day that Jaina would be accompanying Tenel Ka as extra security. There were also rumors swirling that she was going to resume her previous position, but Jag had brushed those off claiming that it was only mere speculation and not a fact.

Behind Jag stood his squadron; each blue humanoid in their assigned position. They were quite a sight considering it wasn't a common situation for a Chiss unit to be assigned to a security detail; especially to someone who wasn't Chiss or a Chiss representative. As the ship settled onto the platform Jag began to scan the surrounding area. One particular piece of information he'd always held to be true was the fact that one of the most dangerous time for anyone in a position of power was around a large crowd. Describing the gathering at the platform as a "crowd" was simplifying it.

Jag's blood ran cold as he saw one suspicious character out of the corner of his eye. He had noticed the man before, but he had taken no particular note of him. But now he wasn't even paying attention to the shuttle landing or the ramp that was soon to be lowered. He was speaking into a small device that was in one hand, while the other was tightly clenched. For a moment, it appeared that he was speaking rather sternly to whomever was on the receiving end.

The ramp to the ship began to lower, and the first of Tenel Ka's royal bodyguards began to appear. If something was going to happen, Jag knew it'd be within the first few moments.

The man that had caught Jag's attention before had put on a pair of dark glasses, and began walking away rather quickly through the dense crowd of onlookers. The knot in Jag's stomach began to tighten, and he began to rely on instinct.

The ramp hit the floor. All of the bodyguards, including Jaina, and the Queen Mother were completely visible. The volume of the crowd began to increase until the roar was almost deafening. That was when Jag noticed it.

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A/N- Chapter Six is written on paper, it only has to be quickly re-edited and typed. So please R&R! You guys know how much I love those! ^_^