DAY EIGHT

(friday)

112923-407

STANGIT! I did it! He knows! And I think he's mad at me. He seemed really shocked. I thought for sure he would have figured it out. But he didn't. He said he's not mad, but I can just tell. Wish I hadn't made that promise...

Jaina's mind was light years away from the hyperdrive motivator she was working on. It had been two days since her coffee 'date' with Brock and now every time she looked at him, her conscience burned. He'd been so honest with her—and she hadn't even mentioned her name! She closed her eyes briefly. "It's not my fault!" she reasoned. "The subject just hasn't come up."

Nevertheless, she felt bad. She leaned back to look at her work and let the hydrospanner fall to the floor.

"Tired already, Sparks?"

Jaina jumped at his voice. How did he always manage to sneak up on her! "No! No, just—taking a break." She muttered.

He grinned and took a sip from his bottle of water. "Me too. Whatcha workin' on?"

"Hyperdrive. Take a look."

Brock dropped to his knees beside her, scanning her work. "Nice. Looks like you've done this before."

"Yeah, my dad's ship has issues, so I've worked on many a hyperdrive motivator."

Brock nodded. "What's your dad's ship?"

Jaina froze momentarily. Hello Opportunity. She swallowed hard. It was now or never.

"The Millenium Falcon."

Brock choked on his water. He coughed loudly for a minute.

"Are you okay?" she offered, lamely.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He recovered from his choking fit and then gave Jaina an incredulous look. He felt ridiculous. The resemblance was obvious.

Brock snorted. "You're Jaina Solo."

"Uh-huh."

"And your dad is—Han Solo."

"Yup."

Brock chuckled, bewildered. "And you didn't find this information important enough to mention—before now."

"You didn't ask." She answered innocently.

Brock rolled his eyes. "Vaping moffs, Jaina…"

"What? It's not a big deal!"

"Obviously it's not for you!"

"So you're gonna be mad at me now?"

"I'm not mad, I just wish you'd told me sooner!"

"Told you sooner! Brock, I've known you, what-- a week!"

"I know, but--"

"And if I had told you," she continued, "What would you have done differently? Honestly?"

Brock shook his head slowly and bent down to pick up the hydrospanner. "I don't know."

Jaina's eyes raked over his form. He was really shocked, and she could tell he felt like a fool. She lightly touched his arm.

"This doesn't change who I am to you!"

He snorted. "It might. Are you allowed to be out galavanting around with roughneck pilots?"

Her hands flew to her hips. "Excuse me, Captain," she answered in a tone edged with disgust. "I choose my own friends. Besides, what makes you think I'm not just a roughneck pilot myself?"

"You're not! You're Jaina Solo! You're a vaping Princess!"

Jaina's eyes grew angry and she put one finger in his chest.

"I could outfly you any day, Captain."

She jerked the spanner from his hand and brushed by him to return to her work. Brock closed his eyes briefly. This was not worth fighting about. He slid in front of the panel where the hyperdrive motivator was located and in front of Jaina's spanner. He put his hand over hers with a sigh.

"Look… I'll take you up on that dare sometime. Just do me a favor and don't—read my mind or anything, okay?"

Jaina lowered the spanner and bit her lip, still a little annoyed. "I wouldn't read your mind, Brock." She answered, indignant. "I can sense emotions, but I would never pry into your personal thoughts or memories without your permission."

"Can I have your word on that?"

Jaina thought quickly. Could she keep that kind of promise? She could. And she would.

"You have my word." she replied.

He smiled. "Thanks. Now I feel slightly less inferior."

Jaina was a little hurt. "I never meant to make you feel inferior. Really. I mean, you were so up front with me the other night, and I felt terrible when I realized you didn't know. It wasn't because I don't trust you, or because I didn't want to tell you, I just-- people tend to freak out if you're related to anyone whose last name is Skywalker."

Brock chuckled nervously, suddenly overcome by the realization that Jaina's grandfather was one of the most infamous Sith Lords in the galaxy and one of the greatest Jedi to ever live. He shook his head and smiled.

"It's okay, Sparks. I'm not going anywhere."

Jaina let a small smile slip. "Really?"

He smiled back. "Really."

"And you promise you're not going to treat me any differently or refer to me as Princess?"

Brock was more focused on the fact that she had grabbed his hand to get his attention than her actual words.

"No matter who or what you are," he answered with a grin. "You'll always be Sparks to me."

Brock and Jaina puttered around the garage all day; talking, working-- and flirting. Brock reveled in the look on her face when he winked at her, and took advantage of the times he could say anything to make her blush. His hopes of really going any further with her had been crucified with the mention of her father. But nevertheless, she was fun to flirt with and wonderful to behold—and it wasn't every day he got to show off a bit in front of a Jedi.

At the moment, he was staring intensely at the various mechanisms involving her sublight engine. He found one tiny oversight.

"You did good, Sparks. There's just one thing. Look here; see this?" Jaina leaned closer to him and further into the engine. "Yeah..."

"It's supposed to be--"

"Ouch!" Jaina yelped. She'd gotten too close to the radiator, which was still hot, and burned her hand. Brock was pretty sure he heard curses in three different languages. He looked at her puzzled, suppressing a chuckle.

"Sparks, are you laughing or crying?"

Jaina looked at him and grinned. "I don't know! But it hurts!"

Brock took her hand and tried to help her to calm down. But he had to force himself not to laugh at her. She was so cute! He gave her a moment to recover and then took her hand. His mouth formed a concerned, slightly confused smile.

"You okay?"

Jaina took a deep breath and grinned back. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Lemme see."

She opened her palm and the inside was red, but not blistered. He stroked her fingers and grinned smugly. "You have nice hands. You should be more careful."

Jaina's eyes narrowed. "You have a nice smile. You shouldn't say things to provoke the rearrangement of your teeth."

"There are lots of things I shouldn't do," Brock laughed, intrigued by her quick wit. "Like make a fool of myself in front of princesses." He paused so she could glare at him, then he smiled at her. "But obviously, I do them anyway because it makes my life more interesting. As do you. Why'd it take me so long to meet you anyway?"

"Because my dad was so overprotective for the longest time about me coming to work here alone." Jaina rolled her eyes. "Apparently I can protect myself from Dark Jedi and nightmarish creatures, but mechanics are an overwhelming threat to my well-being."

Brock grinned. "Hey, he's right. We mechanics are prowlers. I mean, hardcore scoundrels. If you were my daughter, I wouldn't let you come up here at all."

Jaina took a swing at Brock. He made a production out of being hit and pretended to faint. He sprawled beside the ship, tongue hanging out of his mouth. Jaina sank to her knees beside him. She flicked his nose and he opened his eyes.

"Ouch." he said without conviction. Jaina stared at him with a wry smile.

"You are too bold," She muttered with a grin. "But I think I like that about you."

"You like me?" he grinned back, rolling to his side and propping himself up.

Jaina pushed him back down with a sly grin. "You should be so lucky."

DAY TEN

(sunday)

120123-410

A nice surprise today. Very nice. That's putting it mildly. "Always in motion is the future." You're tellin' me! I don't know what to think now. I have this weird feeling that I haven't felt in a long time. A very long time. But it's different than before. Better. This can't be happening! But-- oh... I think I just lied to my father...

"So you have no idea who it is?" Jaina asked carrying supper to the table.

"Not really." Leia answered. "Luke only told me it was one of the younger pilots who was promoted to Rogue Squadron. Said he's a good guy with a past similar to his own and that he wants us to meet him. That's all I know."

Jaina sighed. Half of the Republic had been eaten dinner with her family. She didn't mind too much, except for the dressing up.

Fortunately, the brown pants and deep green halter tunic were comfortable. Half of her hair was pulled up in a clip, but a few strands had slid out and were now hanging in her face.

"He didn't give you a name or anything?" Jaina asked.

"Nope. Only what I told you." Leia answered again.

"He's probably thirty or somethin', Jaina." Anakin's voice interrupted as his face appeared in the doorway of the dining room. "You don't have a chance!" He laughed and disappeared before Jaina could find something to throw at him.

Jacen entered the room grinning, having overheard his brother. Jaina looked at him and rolled her eyes. "I swear, sometimes he's like a little clone of you!"

Jacen chuckled. "Yes, I've taught him well, haven't I?"

She rolled her eyes again and walked back into the kitchen.

Leia smiled at her daughter and then her son. "It's like having three of your father!" she said fastening the top button of Jacen's long-sleeved, hunter green shirt. "Mom..." he whined pulling away.

"What's wrong with having three of me?" Han asked entering the room. "Nothing, honey." Leia replied walking over to her husband. She traced her fingers over a pocket on his royal blue shirt and looked into his eyes. "You look very nice."

"So do you." he smiled.

Just as their lips touched, the doorbell rang. Leia sighed and smiled again at her husband. "I'll get it." Han said, giving her a quick hug. Leia rejoined her daughter in the kitchen.

Jaina pushed flyaway hair behind her ears. She heard her father open the door and greet her cousins, aunt, uncle, and the mysterious other. Her mother smiled at her.

"You look beautiful, honey. I'm going to go say hello. Come in when you like." She squeezed Jaina's arm and left the room. Jaina sighed and waited a moment before she walked in.

"Hi Jaya." Luke greeted his niece, with her childhood nickname. "C'mere, there's someone I'd like you to meet." Jaina observed the scene and the people in it. Nothing seemed different. There was her own family, Uncle Luke and Aunt Mara, eight year old Emily, four year old twins; Ben and Caleb and,

"Brock!"

Luke looked surprised. "You two-- know each other?"

"Sure we do." Brock grinned at her. "Sparks and I met at the garage."

Jaina was standing there dumbfounded, and her face broke a smile. "Yeah, the garage." she echoed.

Luke exchanged a look with his sister. She shrugged. Han eyed his daughter and the newcomer questioningly. Jaina would have some explaining to do later.

"Sparks?" Luke asked.

"Long story." Jaina answered, giving her father an innocent smile. "Shall we eat?"

"So you really didn't know I was coming?" Brock asked Jaina over his playing cards.

"Not a clue." she answered. "But I'm glad you did! So... how does it feel to be part of an elite fighter squadron?" She laid down her hand in hopes of a win.

"Oh, I don't know." Brock answered, rearranging his own cards. "I haven't really done much flying with them, so I don't have any stories to tell you. But no more about me," he said displaying his own hand to beat her. He pooled their cards together between them. "I want to talk about you. It would be nice to have an explanation for the past week and a half." Jaina sighed and then looked into his expectant eyes.

"Let's go for a walk. I'll tell you everything."

Despite her husband's poisonous looks, Leia agreed to let Brock and Jaina leave together. She was very impressed with the young man after their dinner conversation. He was so much like her husband, it was unbelievable. Han hated him for the same reason. Brock promised Leia they would return within the next hour.

It was about 21:35 when the couple reached the botanical garden atop the roof of the compound. Most of the roof was a huge greenhouse, which housed beautiful, exotic plants from all over the galaxy. Panels lined the ceiling to protect the plants from rough weather and pollution. Brock and Jaina walked through the garden to a door at the rear of the greenhouse that led to the outside edge of the roof. There, they leaned over the edge and gazed up and down at the city around them. After a moment of silence, Brock turned to Jaina and smiled. She smiled nervously back.

"So, where should I start?" she asked, pulling her Jedi robe tighter around herself.

"How about just your name? You full name." he answered.

Jaina smiled. "Captain Jaina Daye Solo; Jedi Knight."

Brock made a face. "Impressive title for someone who doesn't wish to be known by it."

"I prefer to be known by my actions, as I'm sure you understand, Captain."

Brock smiled. "I apologize. Continue, please."

After giving him a look, Jaina obliged. "I'll be twenty next year, well, Jacen and I will. I'm the oldest. Jacen's younger by three minutes, Anakin by three years." She paused. "I am—a fantastic pilot, a gambler, a lover of music, a pragmatic idealist-- and not so much an adventure seeker as an adventure finder."

Brock nodded, taking notes for later use. "How long have you been—a knight?"

Jaina sighed. "Since I was born, I think. The standards are a little higher when your uncle's The Master. I was forced to grow up pretty fast, so the responsibility comes pretty easily. Flying is my first love—I sometimes more of a priority than it should be—but training is my life now. I can take trials to officially be a Master when I'm twenty-one, so I might do that."

Brock whistled. "Sounds like you stay busy. Any time for a social life?"

Jaina stared him down playfully. "What are you asking?"

Brock shrugged. "Just wondering if there's a—"

"I've been single for almost two years, if that's what you're wondering." She interrupted.

Brock grinned, but was grateful to the night for covering his face. He glanced at her. "I thought you promised not to read my mind."

Jaina held his gaze a moment, a smile tugging at her lips. "You insult me, Captain."

There was a moment of slightly awkward silence, and then Brock asked,

"So…is that all?"

Jaina turned a bit defensive. "What else do you want me to tell you?"

"I don't know. I'm not you! What's interesting?"

"Lots of things—but where do I start? I asked you questions!"

"Is that what want me to do?"

"Well, yeah, I guess! Tell me what you're just dying to know."

"Okay." He paused, thinking. Jaina rolled her eyes. But his question caught her off guard.

"I'm gonna take a chance here." He began. "Since we're sort of on the subject, what do you hate most about the opposite sex?"

Jaina couldn't suppress a grin. "Seriously?"

Brock nodded.

Jaina laughed. "You are bold. And brave. Let me narrow it down."

Brock grinned and ran a hand through his hair.

After a moment of thought, Jaina answered. "Aside from lying, which is the obvious first choice—" she grinned at his reaction. "I'm going to go with the desperate need for control."

"Elaborate."

Jaina sighed. "My exes have all—had plans for me from the beginning that I had no desire to be a part of. I've had guys vying for my hand in marriage since I was twelve; it's ridiculous. I just don't understand the desire to rush into things like marriage and having kids. Especially with me. I'm not the easiest person to live with. Not to mention the fact that the moment anyone gets close to me, they become a target. I'd sort of be surprised if there even was a guy who could put up with me that long."

"So you make a point to stay out of deep, meaningful relationships."

Jaina whipped around to face him and glared viciously. "Your mouth is going to get you in trouble, Mitchell."

Brock threw up his hands. "I didn't mean it like that. I meant—you just surprised me, wanting to sort of-- play it safe on the surface. You seem so passionate about everything, I figured you felt the same way about-- love."

Jaina was silent for a moment, a little amazed by his ability to read her. Part of her said she was crazy for even discussing things like this with him. Another part wondered why she felt so comfortable doing so.

"I'm not so much cynical as I am realistic." She said slowly. "I don't want to spend the quiet moments of my life alone—but if I have to, I'll deal with it. I've been hurt so many times in my life, I guess I just instinctively prepare for the worst."

Brock was half listening, and completely paying attention. Jaina was amazing. He watched her facial expressions and the way her hair fell in front of her eyes as she spoke. He also noticed how her slender fingers traced the bricks that lined the edge of the building and the way her deep brown eyes sparkled in the darkness. She was beautiful, and he was infatuated.

Jaina noticed the faraway look in his eyes. She was suddenly overwhelmed by the urge to browse through his thoughts, but she wasn't about to break her promise, and her nerves wouldn't allow her to concentrate anyway.

She waved a hand in front of Brock's face. "Hello? Did you even hear a word I said?"

Brock snapped out of his reverie and smiled as he met her hand in the air. "I heard every word you said, Sparks. And I don't think you have anything to worry about."

Jaina smiled wryly. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"You're welcome. Even though you don't believe me."

"Oh, so now you can read my mind?" Jaina shot back, trying to ignore the fact that she had allowed him to weave his fingers through hers.

Brock shrugged. "No—it's just, the more I get to know you, the easier it is to see why the future you're dreading is not even a possibility."

Jaina was suddenly embarrassed by how much she enjoyed looking at him. She pulled her hand away from his and smoothed her windblown hair. Brock felt the awkwardness rising and seized the opportunity to change the subject.

"Enough about the future, there's no sense in growing up too fast. Tell me about your childhood."

Jaina told Brock about all the things she endured as a child; kidnappings, separations, being taught about the Force from an early age and being forced to use those skills to protect herself and her family. She told about flying with her dad and the trouble she always got into with her brothers. Brock listened intently, while pushing fantastic thoughts from his imagination. He trusted her to keep her promise, but if she decided to break it, he'd be in trouble.

"So, what do you think of me now, Captain Mitchell?" Jaina asked when she'd finished.

Brock stepped away from the wall and crossed his arms.

"I think—that you're the same person I met that first day in the garage. You're not necessarily the type of person I imagined you'd be. And that's not a good thing or a bad thing… it's just fascinating. You—are quite fascinating."

Jaina couldn't hide her smile. "So you're not going to stop talking to me because of my crazy family?"

"Everybody has crazy family, Sparks. But you are not 'The Solos' or 'The Skywalkers'. You're just Jaina, and that's all I'll ever expect you to be." He turned to face her, and she was already staring at him, an element of pleasant surprise on her face. "Were you not expecting me to say that? Was I supposed to be screaming and running away ten minutes ago?"

Jaina's smile emerged and Brock melted.

"No," She teased. "I figured you'd at least make it through tonight before you decided never to talk to me again."

Brock locked eyes with her. "Trust me, Sparks-- you couldn't get rid of me now if you wanted to." He grinned and it was contagious.

A moment later, Jaina turned her face back to the city, afraid of what might happen if she looked into Brock's eyes one minute longer. Something inside of her snapped when he smiled, burned when he touched her, melted when he winked at her. Her heart was softening, but her head would let her die before admitting it to anyone. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that the soft raindrops on her face barely interrupted her reverie.

Brock glanced at the lightning as it cracked across the sky, and then returned his attention his beautiful company, suddenly wondering what it would be like to kiss her. He blinked deliberately trying to draw some sense back into his head. "Maybe we should head back," he said, stepping away from the wall.

Jaina pulled her robe around herself. "Why? You afraid of a little thunderstorm?" she teased.

Brock rolled his eyes. "No, I would just hate to see you melt, Sugar-princess." He retorted with a sly grin. "Not to mention I don't want to give your father any reason to be mad at me on my first visit."

"I guess that's a good reason." She smiled and took his arm, heading back inside the compound.

ONE HOUR LATER...

"Jaina, come into the den. I wanna talk to you."

Jaina barely heard her father. She was still a little lightheaded from Brock's wonderful goodbye hug. They had never been that close before. And his arms were so strong. And his smile was just--

"Jaina!"

She snapped back to reality at the sound of her father's voice. "Coming, daddy." she called, hurrying into the den. Leia was seated in the self-conforming chair and Han motioned for Jaina to sit down on the couch. She did so silently. Han, for intimidation purposes, remained standing, but after a look from Leia, he too sat down and he looked directly at his daughter.

"So, do you just want to tell me, or do I have to pull it out of you?"

"I don't know. What do you want me to tell you?"

"Don't give me the innocent crap, Jaina!" Han exploded off the couch. "A twenty-five year old fighter pilot that I've never met before, comes sauntering into my house this afternoon. I find out that you've been seeing him behind my back, and I'm not supposed to be angry! And now, you can't figure out what I want you to tell me!"

"Han--" Leia said warningly.

"And who is Sparks!" he asked incredulously.

"Daddy! Let me explain--"Jaina sighed and closed her eyes briefly. "Okay. First of all, he's twenty-three, and I have not been 'seeing' him. He is not my boyfriend and he's not going to be!" She felt a little funny making that statement, but she ignored her feelings and focused on her explanation. "I met him a little over a week ago at the garage. I was working on the Gemini and his ship was parked next to mine. It was a gorgeous ship and while I was looking around, he popped out from underneath it and scared me half to death. We see each other at the garage sometimes and he helped me fix my molecular transmitter. He's a good mech and we're friends. That's all."

"Why did he call you Sparks?"

Jaina explained about the torch. Leia smiled. "Han, stop rolling your eyes. I think it's cute."

"It is not cute. You are not to see him anymore."

"Daddy!"

"That's the end of it! I was twenty-three once—and twenty-three year old guys like him don't make 'friends' with girls like you. You will not be going back to that garage alone."

"Han, stop it." Leia said rising from her chair. "You're not being reasonable. There is nothing wrong with that boy. I don't know why you're acting this way."

"I do." Jaina spoke up. She too stood and faced her father. "Daddy, just because Brock is not some Senator's son, doesn't mean he is an unsuitable—person to be around. I know I'm your only daughter and I'm supposed to be dignified and sophisticated and whatever, but that's not who I am and you know it!" She approached her father and looked into his eyes. "I'm nineteen years old, Daddy. You and Mom brought me up right-- now you have to trust me. I know you've never liked any of the guys I've made friends with--"

"That's not true." Han cut her off.

Jaina sighed. "Yes it is, and you don't like Brock either. You shouldn't judge him though-- because you're really a lot alike. You need to give him a chance."

The women looked expectantly at Han, and after a moment of unanimous silence, he spoke. "I do trust you, Jaina. But I won't have you going behind my back like this. I can--"

"I wasn't trying to go behind your back, Daddy."

"Let me finish. I don't expect you to tell me everything, but this is something important. When it comes to guys, I want to know who is influencing my daughter. I want you to be friends with good, upstanding men. Not garage scum."

Jaina and Leia looked disapprovingly at her him.

"And I'm not saying Brock is garage scum." he muttered. Jaina looked at him expectantly and Han sighed, then shrugged.

"I trust your judgment."

Jaina smiled and hugged her father. "Thanks, Dad. I love you."

"Yeah, I know." Han answered. "I love you too. But don't ever do this again."

END PART TWO