Here's the second chapter I promised. If someone by chance clicked on this one first, make sure you go back and read 18 before this one so you won't miss anything! I hope you like!

Chapter 19

By the time the girls awoke the next morning, Jag and Cem had already left to go to the military base, and after dining on a home cooked breakfast the three girls left to go meet them, with Wyn as their guide.

On the ride there, Jaina turned to Wyn and casually asked, "So do you go to military school also?"

Suppressing a grimace, Wyn replied, "No, I'm at the drama school."

"Following in your mother's footsteps?"

"Yeah, I guess. It's not that I don't want to be in flight school, it's just my parents won't let me."

Curious, Tahiri joined the conversation. "Why won't they let you if that is where you want to go?"

"It's complicated. I think my parents are just worried about losing their baby girl. Back before my brother and sister died my parents were perfectly fine with the idea of me following in their footsteps. I used to go simming with them when I was younger. I still do sometimes, and if I do say so myself, I'm pretty good. I've even shot down Jagged a few times."

"So your parents are afraid of losing another child? No offense, but I think that if they love you, then they should let you follow your own path, no matter where it may take you."

"I know. They have never tried to talk Jag or Cem out of joining the military, and on occasion my dad even still flys. I think they're just afraid of letting me grow up and proving myself; that I won't need them anymore."

Glancing over at the girl, Jaina said, "That is just part of growing up, distancing yourself from your parents some. They're never going to let you go, so you might want to let go some for them."

Wyn sat contemplating this for a moment. "Maybe," she finally said. Right about then the girls arrived at the air force base on Csillia. "Turn in over there," she instructed.

After taking the girls on a quick tour of the base, Wyn lead them to where they would meet up with Jag and Cem. "They'll be here in a minute."

The three girls had been waiting in the small conference room for less than five minutes when a pair of strong arms slipped around Jaina's waist from behind. Turning quickly, she looked up into the eyes of the man embracing her and smiled. Jag leaned down to give her a quick peck on the lips, which soon turned into more. The two would have continued to get lost in each others arms if it wasn't for the cat calls and laughs coming from the others in the room.

When the two finally broke apart, Tahiri jokingly said, "Good. I thought you two were going to pass out from lack of oxygen pretty soon."

Glancing at Tahiri out of the corner of his eye, Cem smirked and said, "I'd gladly pass out with you any day." With that he walked over to her and slipped his arm around her waist.

Slightly disgusted, Tahiri pulled away and snapped back, "I'd rather you choke."

"Oo, a feisty one. I like a woman with a little spunk in her."

"Good, now go find a different one-"

Stepping in between the two bickering teenagers, Jaina said, "Now children, lets play nice. Tahiri, when a boy pays you a compliment, you are supposed to graciously accept it." As she was speaking, Jaina could see Cem smirking out of the corner of her eye. She quickly turned and continued, "And you, when a girl is so obviously not interested, you are supposed to get lost." This time it was Tahiri's turn to smile.

Coming to Jaina's aid, Jag spoke up, "Ok now. What could we do for you ladies while you are here?"

"Well for starters you could come on a lunch date with us."

"Sounds tempting but-"

"No buts. Just give us an hour and we will be completely out of your hair, we promise."

"Ok, but just an hour. We still have plenty of work to do."

The group went off to find a quiet place where they could share the lunch that Syal had packed for the girls to take with them. After settling down at a small table in a corner of the mess hall, the group fell into a rhythm of polite conversation.

Suddenly Wyn looked up with a look on her face as if she had just remembered something. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a bottle of wine. "Look what I managed to sneak from Mom and Dad's stash."

Taking the bottle of expensive red wine out of the girl's hand, Jag said with a stern look, "Wyn, you're much to young to be drinking this." But then with a small grin he added, "The rest of us, on the other hand, can greatly enjoy it." Popping the top he began to pour the crimson liquid into cups for everyone else at the table. After handing the first one to Jaina, who graciously accepted, he reached across the table and said, "Here you go Tahiri."

Looking up from the plate of food that she had been unenthusiastically picking at, Tahiri froze. She looked at the glass of wine that Jag was offering her and then up at Jaina, finally bringing her gaze back to the drink. "Um, no thanks. I can't."

Taking the glass from Jag, Cem set it in front of her and said, "Sure you can. It's just one glass, it won't hurt you."

Turning to face the boy who had just sat down next to her, Tahiri hotly argued, "No, I can't."

With a bit of a laugh Wyn joked, "You can't drink alcohol. What, are you pregnant?"As soon as the words left her mouth she knew she had said something wrong. Jaina and Tahiri were staring at each other, as if they were communicating in a way that none of the rest of them could hear. "Oh my stars, are you pregnant?"

That final question broke Tahiri out of her reverie. Looking back at the rest of the group she sheepishly spoke, "Yes, yes I am. I didn't want to say anything because you guys barely know me. I didn't want you to get the wrong idea about me."

Hearing the pain in the girls voice, Jag placed his hand on her shoulder and said, "You could have told us, Tahiri. We're your friends; we're not going to judge you."

"I know. It's just hard, trying to decide who I can and can't trust."

The group sat in silence for a few seconds, until it was broken by Cem who very unsympathetically said, "I thought you didn't have a boyfriend."

This caused Tahiri to tear up, so she turned her head away, unwilling to let the others se her pain. "I don't," she spoke coldly.

"Well somebody had to have made that baby. Believe me, I know the way things work, but you obviously do too-"

Jaina had had enough. "Cem, leave her alone! You don't know anything about Tahiri or her past, so stay out of her life. You're not wanted!" With that Jaina pushed herself up from the table and left the room, leaving the others at the table slightly stunned.

Rising to go after her, Jag said, "You know she was right, Cem. You need to learn when to back off. Tahiri, I'm terribly sorry for my brother's behavior. He's sixteen but still has the maturity level of a six year old," and he too left the room.

Still a little shocked by Jaina's statement, Cem began, "Hey, Tahiri," but was stopped by the glare he received from his sister. The three sat at the table in silence.

For the second time Jag found himself chasing after Jaina who had once again abruptly left a meal. He was beginning to wonder if this was going to turn into a daily routine. "Hey Jaina, wait up."

At the sound of his voice Jaina slowed. "Jag, I'm sorry about blowing up at your brother back there. It's just that Tahiri has already been through so much and she is really hanging on to the edge of her sanity. I brought her with me on this trip to get her away from all of the stress and pressure, not to pile more on her. I just can't stand to see him treat her like that!"

"I know and I'm really sorry about what he said. Cem is just like that; there is no telling what might come out of his mouth. But if you get to know him he can be a really nice guy."

"Yeah, I know. And I guess I can't be the one to fight all of Tahiri's battles for her either. I should probably go apologize to her for making such a big deal out of something that she did not even say anything about."

The two walked along hand in hand in silence for a moment. Then Jaina smiled and said, "I almost forgot to tell you. I have a big surprise planned for us later tonight so be sure to be home before supper."

"You bet," he said as he leaned down for a single quick kiss.

There you go. I hope everyone enjoyed, and I will try to get the next chapter up as soon as I can. Please, please, please review; that's the only way a writer can get any better!

Comming up next time: Jaina's surprise!