A/N: I realize it's been a long time since I've updated. I'm going to try and pick up the pace.

"You broke his nose?" Wedge shouted. "What the hell were you thinking?!"

"That man was a civilian, Colonel," Soontir growled. "No matter what he may have done to provoke you, what you did was completely inexcusable!"

"You're damn lucky I need you for the Csilla mission, otherwise you would have MPs on your tail so fast it would make your head spin! Never in all my time in the military have I ever heard of such unbecoming behavior from an officer of your rank! What sort of explanation could you possibly have?"

Jag looked between his father and his uncle. "I don't have one," he admitted.

"For crying out loud, Jag! Not even Solo would do something like this! Even someone as hotheaded as her would have more sense!" Wedge ranted. "I swear, the second you get back from this mission, your life is going to be a living hell."

"Why wait until then?" Soontir asked. "His ranking officer, Eprill, is quite capable of handling a squadron. Hand him over to the MPs now."

Jag lost what semblance of demeanor he had left and stared at his father. "You would not do that to me. I haven't seen Csilla in almost two years."

"And that is no one's fault but yours," snapped Soontir. Jag couldn't argue with that.

"No," Wedge said, "I'm going to send him. But I'm placing you under house arrest until you leave. Dismissed."

To the unknowing eye, Jag did not look like he had just attacked a civilian as he walked out of Wedge's office. In reality, however, he was very angry with himself, Kline, and Jaina. To be honest with himself, he was also confused. He could not justify his actions, but he knew that he would do the same thing all over again.

"Jag! Stop!"

Jag recognized Jaina's voice, but he did not stop. "Not now. It's late, I'm tired, and I want to go back to the barracks."

"Yes now."

"If you wish to lecture me, you missed your chance. I have already heard everything from General Antilles and my father."

The rage was apparent in Jaina's eyes as she said, "No, you aren't getting off that easily. Jag, if it hadn't been for him I would have died back on Bakura! I'm grateful to him for it! I'd have thought you would be, too. Unless this is all your way of saying you wish I had died?"

"Don't twist this to make me look like the bad guy."

"But you are! He never did anything to you!"

"You are as much to blame as I am."

"What?!"

"What do you mean by letting him buy you a drink?"

Jaina's expression turned to one of disbelief. "It was only a drink! If that bothered you, you should have said something to me instead of decking him!"

"I didn't think..."

"That much is obvious. That you attacked him isn't even what irks me the most. Why are you suddenly so possessive? You don't own me." Jag awkwardly avoided eye contact. Jaina propped her hands on her hips. "I know that General Antilles will send you on the Csilla mission, but I hope he sentences you to life in front of a firing squad."

"You can't mean that."

"I might." She turned on her heel and left him standing alone.

Despite efforts to keep the matter under wraps, rumors about what had happened were everywhere by the next morning. Jaina was just glad that her name had not yet been attached to any of them. Not surprisingly, Jag was nowhere to be found at breakfast. Jaina couldn't blame him for that. Upon setting foot inside, he would have been assaulted with questions from all sides by people trying to be the first to confirm the stories.

However, had that happened, Jaina would have felt no pity for him. Her blood was still boiling. The nerve of him! How dare he! He had acted as though she were nothing more than an object he had found and claimed for his own.

"Jaina!" It was Kyp. She ignored him and focused her attention on the shapeless sludge on her tray. Kyp sat next to her. "Jaina, what the hell happened?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Yes you do. Jaina, did Jag --" Kyp stared at her when she did not answer. "He did." Kyp's voice was breathless, disbelieving. Jaina turned to glare at him. "I don't know what you're talking about," she repeated, her voice firmer and carrying an edge. She took her tray and stood to go. Kyp followed her.

"Why did he do it?"

"He didn't do anything."

"I can't think of anything that would push a guy like Jag over the brink."

"That's because nothing can." She disposed of her tray and made a beeline out of the mess hall. Why won't he leave me alone? she thought. "I have to go to a briefing."

"The Csilla mission? That briefing isn't for another half an hour." Jaina paid no attention to him. When she reached the deserted room, Kyp followed her in and grabbed her elbow. "Let go of me," she snapped.

"Jaina."

"You know how these people talk. For all I know, they're saying Yoda is back from the dead, but it doesn't make it true."

"I don't listen to rumors. I heard it from Kline." Jaina stopped struggling and stared at him. "He didn't say much. I know you know. Tell me what happened."

"I wasn't there. I don't know anything."

"You do."

"I told you to let go of me, Kyp!"

A throat cleared behind them. They jerked around to see Vao Tsugaret standing by the door. "I thought I'd come early and avoid the rush. Am I interrupting something?"

Jaina shot a sideways glare at Kyp and said, "No, he was just leaving." To Kyp she said, "It's bad enough that you stick your nose in other people's business, but don't come bothering me about it." The look that he gave her clearly said that he knew she was involved somehow. Fortunately, he didn't push any farther. He released her arm and walked out.

Jag's orders were clear, and so far he had followed them. He had gone straight to the briefing and straight back to his quarters. Helmet under his left arm, he was now trying to ignore the murmurings to either side of the corridor as he proceeded to the hanger. Word had obviously gotten out.

Jaina was giving the pilots last minute instructions by her x-wing. When he had heard that she was going to be in charge of both the Twin Suns and Vanguard Squadron on this mission, Jag had been more than a little annoyed. Then again, he was not surprised and could not exactly blame Wedge for his decision.

"Remember. Get in, find what we're looking for, and get out. Any questions?" The pilots shook their heads. "All right. Let's move out."

Jag felt a tap on his shoulder and was surprised to see Jacen standing behind him. "Jaina told me what happened," he said bluntly. Jag did not respond. "Just for the record, I'm glad there's someone around here who is willing to stick up for my sister and protect her even when she doesn't think she needs protecting."

Jag stared at him for a moment, not entirely believing what he was hearing. "So, you're glad I did what I did?"

"Not completely, but you had the right idea. I must admit that I had a similar reaction when I found out he was here. Not to say I wanted to go and punch him, but I didn't want her to go with him."

"It's nice to know at least one person is on my side."

"Give Jaina some time. She'll come around. Trust me. Look at it this way. What does Kline have that you don't have?"

"A broken nose?"

"Cute, but shut up and listen. Jaina just needs a bit of time to cool off, that's all. After a while she'll realize just how much she actually needs you."

"I hope you're right."

"I'm always right. I'm a Jedi, aren't I?"

"Arrogant." Jacen laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. "Just promise me that my sister will be obsessed with you by the time you guys get back. And in the mean time, try to relax a little. After all, you're going home." He left Jag standing alone under his clawcraft. Jag climbed up the ladder, reflecting on Jacen's words.

Jaina gave the order to take off, and they were away.

"Home," Jag murmured.

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