/I'm going to call him. I'm going to call…oh I can't, no, yes I can. I'm going to have to face him eventually. / Jag sat in front of the comm. station, debating whether or not to call Soontir, after Syal, Leia, and Jaina had left.
"Hello, Father. I wanted to know if you'd like to see the rest of the base, or perhaps get some lunch, or something?" Jag asked Soontir awkwardly once Soontir's face appeared on the screen.
"Hello, Jagged. I have to admit, I admire your bravery for calling me after last night."
/I did not want to have this conversation by comm. / "I don't think it requires courage to call your father."
"After all you've done, it does."
"I am not addressing my executive officer at the moment, I am talking to my father. And if you would prefer not to have lunch, that's fine."
"Jagged, how about just a walk, Man to man. Besides, I think it's still a little early for lunch."
"Right, I'll see you in a few minutes."
"Right."
"…and dad, how about father to son?"
Soontir gave a small smile before cutting the comm.
/Well, one step down, only ten more to go. /
Five minutes later found Jag outside of his families quarters wait for Soontir.
Soontir opened the door and gestured for Jag to come in.
"I thought we were going to go on a walk."
"I think it would be better, for both of us to stay here."
"Um…sure."
They both sat down and waited in an uncomfortable silence, neither wanting to start. "So, Jagged how have you been? You've been gone a long time."
"Yes I have, and I'm fine. The New Republic isn't as bad as you made it out to be."
"No, I suppose it isn't. Old habits die hard, I guess."
"I suppose they do. So how are you? And Mother, Cem, and Wyn? I was too tired when they came over to really pay much attention."
"Well let's see, what's happened in the past few months… Cem was promoted to EXO, Wyn has changed her career plan AGAIN, now she wants to be an actor. She insists that she is to be an actor not an actress. Your mother is fine, she misses you. You could have called more often you know."
"I know, and I'm sorry. It's just been a little hectic lately…You still haven't answered my original question, how are you?"
"I am fine. I have not had much of a chance to speak with your uncle or aunt, how are they? Have you met their children?"
"They are fine, Wedge is as busy as ever but still has time to pull practical jokes on anyone he can. Iella is well, she's in charge of intelligence, but somehow still manages to make wonderful meals. I've met their children a few times, Syal and Myri are very enthusiastic. But I haven't seen them for a few months, not since Borleias when they left with Ben Skywalker and the other Jedi children."
"Borleais sounds like an interesting time for you."
/Damn, somehow I just new he was going to bring all this up. /
"It was…eventful, yes."
"While I may not have been here long I did have a chance to talk to Han Solo,"
"And you didn't kill each other!" Soontir shot him with a death glare that quickly shut Jag up. "Sorry."
"Yes I did, and he told me what's been going on lately, starting with Hapes."
/This is not going to be fun. /
"He said some interesting things."
"Really?"
"Stop it Jagged, I am not in the mood for games."
"Um…alright, then why don't you ask about what you want to know?"
"You know I believe that you've been spending too much time with these rebels and that incapable imposter, Jaina Solo."
"And you, father, have been spending too much time with those stuck up Chiss." Jag said before he could stop to think about it. /Kriff. / "I didn't mean that."
"Yes, you did." Soontir said in an unnaturally calm and low voice. "You wouldn't have said it if you didn't mean it."
"Father let me-"
"I'm here, Colonel Fel,"
/So much for father to son. /
"To not only check on you but to see if you are clinically sane enough to remain here. Task force or not I do have the power to send you home."
"Not if I resign."
"Why? To stay here in a suicide squadron? To stay here where Lieutenant Colonel Solo's poor commanding capabilities will surely end with either you, her, or the both of you dead."
"How could you possibly know whether or not Jaina is capable of commanding or not? You've never even seen her fly! Jaina happens to be the best Republic pilot around, better then you, and better then me if she were to open herself fully to the Force."
"You don't believe in all the hocus pocus." It was a statement not a question.
"How could you possibly know what I think? You were never home when I was growing up! And why shouldn't I believe in it, it was enough to bring down your entire hanger."
Soontir glared at him, which Jag returned before turning around heading back towards his quarters.
"Jagged, come back here, we haven't finished yet."
"Well I have." Jag reached his quarters and was about to shut the door when Soontir stuck his hand in the way preventing it from closing.
"Jagged." Jag new that cold 'no exceptions' voice and stare his father was giving him. He sighed and stepped out of his was allowing him in.
"She's not very neat, is she." Soontir said as he looked around the main room.
"Are you capable of saying anything but an insult? If not, you might as well leave."
"I still do not see why you are part of this whole thing. Jagged, you should be commanding YOUR squadron not hers."
"Shawnkyr is doing a superb job, she should by all rights have her own squadron anyway!"
"That is not the point! I want-"
"I don't care what you want! You're not here everyday seeing all the destruction and ciaos, I am. These people are fighter for their homes, for their galaxy, for their lives, and I intend to help them anyway I can and if that means remaining in Jaina's squadron then I will."
Soontir turned away staring out of the window before bringing up another topic that neither of them really want to discuss. "You should end this."
"What?" Jag truly did not understand where he was going with this.
"Your relationship with her, it's not a wise decision in war, especially not with your commanding officer. After this war is over you WILL have to return home, when you do you will be breaking not only your heart but hers." Soontir said allowing more emotion into his voice then normal. If Jag was anything like he was then he new what his answer was going to be, he only hoped he was wrong.
"I'm not coming back." Jag said softly looking at a holo that was taken right before Davin had died.
"Why, Jagged, you're giving up everything: your commission, your home, the Chiss, your family."
"Because I love her!" /Sweet Force, I love Jaina. /
"What did you say?" Soontir asked tiredly.
"I love her. I'm giving up one family to one day start another."
Soontir sighed and looked down at his hands before speaking again. "Jagged, are you sure you're ready for this? We're still in the middle of a war and nothing is certain."
"I know and I'm not saying that I'm going to run off and marry Jaina tomorrow, but one day, after all of this is over."
"Does she know how to feel?" Soontir asked after a moment.
"I don't know, but I like to think so."
"You mean you haven't told her."
"Hey, give me a break here, I'm new at this. That was the first time that I've ever admitted that I love her."
"Well it's a start, I suppose. And I suppose that I had better start treating her better. I do have to tell you though that I am not comfortable with your current living arrangements…"
"Or my current job, or my choice of girlfriend. Is there anything in my life that you approve of?"
"I approve of the man that you've grown into, even in the few months that you've been here. But it doesn't matter whether I approve or not, it's whether or not you think your doing the right thing."
"I know, it's just, well, sometimes you just want that reassurance, that peace of mind that your parents are behind you."
"We're always behind you son, no matter what. I love you, I didn't tell you that nearly enough when you were growing up." Soontir said drawing Jag up into an embrace.
"I love you too, dad."
"So how did Solo take it?" Soontir asked when they pulled apart.
"You know, just the usual; he threatened to have me incased in carbonite."
"You're going to need something for the dinner tonight." Syal said as she flipped threw another rack of gowns.
"I was just planning on wearing my dress uniform."
"Jaina, you're a goddess. You have to make an impression."
"Huh, fine. But I don't see why I can't just wear the one I wore at Hapes."
"Because people have all ready seen that dress. You're expected to have a different one." Syal leaned in so that only Jaina could hear and whispered; "Plus you want to make my son's mouth drop."
"Alright, alright, you've convinced me."
"Good, now…how about this one?"
"Ick."
"Umm…okay…let's see."
An hour and a half later they had yet to find a dress that Jaina would wear. "Jaina you've hardly said anything but 'ick' the whole day. Come on, just pick one you like."
"First of all I'm trying. Second I still want to wear my dress uniform, but if I have to wear a dress then I want to wear the right one."
"Fine, but if this takes too much longer I'm leaving." Wyn said leaning up against a wall.
"I still don't see why I can't wear the one from Hapes." Jaina mumbled as she walked towards the back of the store.
"What was that?"
"Nothing mom."
"Uh huh."
"Mothers." Jaina walked into the back room where the old dresses that people didn't want were kept.
She was rummaging threw them when something caught her eye. There was a dress that had gotten stuck in between two racks, when she pulled it out her breath caught in her throat.
Quickly went into the changing room and put it in on. After examining her self in the mirror she went in search of Syal and her mother.
"Mom?"
Leia turned around and gasped in delight, followed a moment later by Syal.
"It's perfect." Jaina smiled and went to change.
"Finally! Can we go eat now?" Wyn whined from where she was still leaning up against the wall.
"Try to go easy on them." Jag said as he and Jaina were casually walking down the corridor towards the sims.
"Why? After she woke me up, then practically insulted my squadron!"
"I never said NOT to beat them, I just meant not to beat them so quickly or badly."
"It's not my fault that we're better then them."
"You trained them."
"Only with help from you and Kyp."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, just don't beat them too badly."
"You're going to be in the simm as well you know."
"I know, I kno---here they come."
"Colonel Solo."
"Major Fel. Ready?"
"Whenever you are."
"After you."
The sim lasted only 10 minutes, with most of Moonraker squadron having been taken out with in minutes.
"You only won because of numbers." Cem said when she climbed out of the simulator.
"We have exactly the same number of people in my squadron as you do in yours."
"I could beat you anytime."
"Wanna bet?"
"You're on."
Two hours later…/Kriff she was good. /
/Yes, but you're better, you won! /
The hatch opened and Jag's head came into view, and he picked her up out of the simulator. "You won!"
"I know. Would you like to put me down?" Jaina asked still in Jag's arms.
"Right, sorry."
Laughing, Jaina kissed his cheek. "I don't mind, just not while we have an audience."
Twin Suns, Moonraker, Soontir, Tycho, Wedge, Han, Gavin, and various other people had gathered around to watch.
Han came up and gave Jaina a hug, as well as Wedge and Tycho. "Good job, kiddo."
"Thanks, dad."
"Congratulations, Jaina. You are an amazing pilot."
"Um…thank you, General Fel."
"Soontir, Soontir will work."
/Um…what happened to your dad? /
/Long story, I'm not sure I can even explain it. One moment he's yelling at me and the next he's talking about how he should start treating you like family. /
/Kriff, today has been just…wow. /
/You couldn't have done that much. Just shopping with our moms and simming. /
/You've never been shopping with your mother before, have you? /
/Well… /
/She's crazy! She can convince anyone to buy anything! And she shops at, like, hyperspeed. It's all you can do to keep up. /
"Are the two of you alright?" Soontir asked looking at both of them carefully.
"Huh? What?"
"You've been looking off into space for almost five minutes."
"Oh, right, sorry."
"It's a Force thing, like I said. You'll get used to it." Han said clapping a hand on his shoulder and leading him out of the room.
"Jaina, hey Jaina, wait up."
Jaina and Jag turned around to see Cem come running towards them. "I'll um…leave the two of you alone." Jag kissed Jaina's cheek and headed off in the other direction.
"Um…hey Cem, what's up?"
"I um…I wanted to apologize for my behavior for the past few hours. I had no right to judge you the way I did, I was…I was jealous of, of you and Jag…"
"Me and Jag? But…"
"Do you think that we could go somewhere more…private?"
"Sure…My office is just around the corner."
"That'll do." Jaina led Cem into her office and sat down on the corner of her desk.
"Okay, so how are you jealous of Jag and me? He's spending just as much time-"
"That's not it, guh…this is hard to say. There's a…this guy, back home…"
"Ohhh-that kind of jealous…" Upon seeing Cem's glare she put her hands up. "Right, shutting up now."
"Um…well his name is Kevin and he's in one of the three human families in Chiss space. He's what my dad would call a rebel, and he doesn't like him all that much. He's in a squadron and he's really good, and well we're kinda dating. But dad wouldn't approve, he's been really over protective ever since Cherith died."
"Cem that's great!…but bad."
"Yeah well, earlier today I over heard Dad talking, and he said that you and Jag hid your relationship…and well, how did you do it? I'm about to crack…every time I see him…I just…"
"I know…it's not easy, it was the hardest thing I had ever done…to be so close to him, and have to treat him as nothing more then just a pilot. It drove me crazy. We would take any opportunity we had to spend time with each other, from a conference room to the roof of a building. But that would leave us with not seeing each other for days. Some people did figure it out though, I think they figured it out before we did. Basically Uncle Wedge and my Aunt Mara."
"Uncle Wedge?"
"Well he's not technically my Uncle…he's yours…but I've known since I was born and he's my uncles best friend, so while growing up my brothers and I just called, and I still occasionally call him, Uncle Wedge."
"Oh. Well, what do think I should do?"
"Do you love him?"
"I…I guess, yes."
"Then you must do all that you can to keep that love. If he loves you then he'll do all he can. If your father truly loves you then he'll let you do what makes you happy, if not then you have to go against your father and everyone else…How old you?"
"Nineteen."
"See, you're old enough to know what you want."
"But I don't become legal age until twenty."
"Ah, but on Mon Calamari the legal age is eighteen. So-where exactly is this Kevin of yours?"
"He's up with the rest of the fleet."
"Is he going to be at the dinner…um…party…thing, you know I don't think I really know what it is."
"Neither do I." Cem said laughing. "But no, I don't think father is allowing him."
"Well if Kevin can't come to you, we'll just have to bring you to him."
"But-"
"Trust me, now come on. If your mom is making me get dressed up for Jag, then I'm making you get dressed up for Kevin."
"Dear, do you happen to now were Cem is….or Jaina for that matter?" Syal asked Jag over the comm.
"Sorry mom, they ran off together after the simms, and I haven't seen them since."
"Oh dear, I have Jaina's dress and the dinner is in three and a half hours."
"Exactly mom, three and a half hours, that's plenty of time…wait how exactly did you convince Jaina to wear a dress?"
"You'll see."
"I'll see…what does that mean?"
"Well I must go, comm. me if either Jaina or Cem show up there."
"Sure mom, I'll…"
Jaina and Cem walked in and through to the kitchen with out paying him any notice.
"Um…well I guess they're ba…"
Jaina and Cem then walked back out of the kitchen each holding a pastry. "Yeah, we know, we're headed over there now." Jaina quickly kissed his cheek and walked out the door.
"Well…"
"I know dear, I heard. Listen come pick Jaina up about 18:30. I'll see you then sweet heart."
"Um…okay." /Now what am I supposed to do? Hum let's see…I could get ready…nah…um I guess I could clean my office…no way… /
/There's a group of guys gathering outside of my parents apartment…why don't you go over there and check it out. /
/Pushy. /
/Hey you were the one that was broadcasting the fact that you're lost without me. /
/Just go and get ready…I'll see you in a little while. /
/Fine…but you should still g… /
/I'm going, I'm going. /
Jag made his way to Jaina's parent's apartment, which was only about a ten minute walk. When he got there he noticed that there was a very large crowd gathering including Han, Luke, Soontir, Wedge, Tycho, Gavin, Corran, and Kyp.
"Hey look! They've sent another one!" Kyp said as he noticed Jag had joined the group.
"What are y'all doing out here?"
"We have no clue. Our wives just sent us here."
"I'm not married." Jag and Kyp said at the same time.
"Fine our wives OR Jaina sent us here."
"Who all is over there anyway?" Wedge asked from his sitting position on the floor.
"Luke? Your our resident Jedi master."
"Kyp and Corran are Jedi too, but what ever. Lets see…There's Leia, Syal, Winter, Mirax, Iella, Danni, Tahiri, Cem, Wyn, Jaina, and Mara, who tells us to stop spying on them and go do something."
"That has to be even more crowded then here. That's what eleven women?"
"About that, anyway we have about three hours to kill. It'll only take us hum…lets say about fifteen minutes to get ready. It'll take them at least two and a half to get ready. We have to be there…well Jaina, Jag, Soontir, Wedge, Han, and Leia have to be there in about three and a half hours."
"Thanks for that Gavin…hum…lets see, we can each go home and sit for two hours or we can play sabbac, or we could watch gabali ball, or attempt to play it, or we could go to the bar."
"Our wives would kill us."
"We're not married." Jag and Kyp mumbled out again, and Jag swore that he heard Han say, 'Better not be.'
"I'm all for trying gabali ball."
"Hey Wedge, it's pretty much your base, where can we play?"
"Um well there's always the rec room…I guess we could always just take over the courtyard between the buildings."
"Works with me."
"Lets go." They all filed out of the corridor until it was only Han and Jag left.
"Come on kid, don't you want to play?"
"Um, well the Chiss aren't big on games, so I've only played once, and I came out of it with a broken arm."
"Kriff, when did that happen?"
"I was six, Cherith and I were playing against Davin…it didn't turn out very pretty, we all came back with at least one broken bone."
"Kriff, but hey don't worry, we'll teach you how to play."
/Why am I suddenly afraid. /
/Hey don't worry, your up against a bunch of old men…and three Jedi masters…I suggest you keep the three of them on different teams, or at least be in their team. /
/Stang, stay out of my head Solo. /
/Sorry, no can do, Jedi remember? /
/Yeah, yeah, yeah, what are y'all doing over there that's going to take three hours anyway? /
/You'll see. /
"Stop talking with my daughter kid and come on."
"How did you know that's what I was doing?"
"My brother-in-law is the head of the Jedi order, my wife is a Jedi, and I raised three Jedi children, I recognized the look."
"I knew that."
"Come on kid, lets go kick some butt."
Two hours later they broke up the game, with Han, Luke, Wedge, and Jag winning with 24 and Gavin, Kyp, Corran, Soontir, and Tycho losing with 18. Han, Luke, Jag, Wedge, and Soontir went back to the Solo apartment for a celebration drink before getting ready.
"I still don't see why this is necessary, or why Leia's making me wear my krffin uniform, I've been retired for almost twenty years!"
"The Chiss are really big on the formality thing, but I agree. Why are they making a dinner out of this?" Jag asked from where he was sitting on the kitchen counter.
"Doesn't make any sense to me, I think it's just the women's excuse to make us all get dressed up."
"I guess, what does the oh-so-wise Jedi master think?"
"Haha, very funny, and how am I supposed to know? If the Force told me about women I would have been married years ago."
"I thought you WERE married years ago and that the Force DID bring you together."
"Okay so that was a bad example."
"Whatever, it doesn't matter. All that does matter is that is if we don't pick up our wives-"
"Or girlfriends."
"on time we're dead."
"Oh Jaina you look worthy of a goddess."
"I feel like a doll, and just to let you know, that's a really lame line Winter."
"No matter how much you may look like Leia, you defiantly have Han's mouth." Winter said shaking her head.
Laughing Jaina got up and headed towards the kitchen.
"Where exactly do you think your going?" Syal asked from where she was helping Tahiri with her hair in the main room.
"To get something to eat?" Jaina asked looking like a five-year-old with their hand in the cookie jar.
"Uh uh uh…you don't want your stomach sticking out in that dress of yours."
"But I'm hungry…. and what do I care about that?"
"You may not, but my son will."
Scowling, "Fine." Jaina stomped out of the room mumbling something about being a goddess and doing what she wanted.
"What's gotten into her?" Leia asked walking into the room.
"Wouldn't let her eat anything."
"That girl eats enough as it is."
"I HEARD THAT!" Jaina yelled from the other room.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah."
"I swear I told our husbands to be here ten minutes ago."
"I'm not married." Jaina said coming back into the room with Cem.
"Neither am I."
"Give it a few years and you and Jag will be."
"And don't think that I don't know about Kevin, Cem."
As Jaina's Cheeks turned red Cem's mouth fell open. "How did you know about that!"
"Bad move, you just admitted it." Jaina whispered in her ear.
"You did the exact same thing." Leia said looking extremely amused at watching the hole exchange.
"Damn Jedi mothers…oops…sorry."
"The point is why didn't you tell us. I've seen the two of you together, you can hardly stop looking at each other. I started to suspect things when you came home a few months ago, you father was out of town, and I saw Kevin sneak in the back door."
"You did?" /Kriff I'm dead. /
"Yes, and I haven't told your father. You're an adult now and you can make your own choices, just be careful. But you should tell your father."
"Ha, are you crazy? You saw what happened with Cherith, there's no way he's going to except him."
"Just make sure that he doesn't catch you making out on a beach and you should be good."
"Speaking from personal experience?" Cem asked raising an eyebrow.
"Maybe…anyway it's not your father that you need to worry about, it's your brother."
Ding Dong.
/They have great timing don't they? Well at least it keeps me from having to answer…kriff, Jag, I hadn't though of him…ha, Han Solo caught him making out with his daughter, good move Jag. /
"Hey stop daydreaming Cem, the sooner we go the sooner you'll see Kevin."
"You're late." Leia said exiting the kitchen scowling at Han.
"Sorry your worship, but if we had been here when you weren't ready you would have yelled at us, when we get here after your ready you yell at us. It's hard to tell when you're going to be ready."
"You're just making excuses."
"So…hey where's Jaina?"
"You're changing the subject but she's in the kitchen with Cem."
"Ahh."
"Why did you want to know?"
"A father has to have a reason to know where his daughter is? Plus the kid over there looks a little lonely."
"You know it's going to get awfully confusing if you call both Luke and Jag 'kid'. An since when did you stop trying to separate them and start trying to get them together?"
He only shrugged before walking over to Jag. "Hey kid, Jaina's in the kitchen."
Jag turned around and smiled. "I know, sh-" He stopped abruptly as Cem walked out wearing a stunning blue shimmersilk dress that had a deep v-neck and low cut back with a pleated train. She had left her wavy blonde hair down framing her face. "Uh…wow…Cem…you look amazing!"
Cem laughed and blushed slightly. "Thanks, you look pretty good yourself." Cem stepped up close enough so that only Jag could hear what she said. "But wait until you see Jaina, she'll be out in a minute, she's stealing a cookie."
"Tattletale."
Cem stuck her tongue out at him and walked over to Syal just as Jaina walked out. Jag turned toward her and felt as if he had been knocked upside the head.
Jaina was wearing a floor length black halter-top gown that had a split on one side up till the knee. It had a soft draped neck and ruche waist that flattered Jaina's small frame perfectly. Her hair had been pulled back into an intricate design at the base of her neck leaving only a few wisps of hair framing her face. She walked up to him coming to his nose with her silver high heels on.
"I think that's the longest amount of time that my son has ever been speechless for." Soontir said from where he was letting Tycho in.
"Say something already kid, I think she's getting impatient." Han said openly grinning.
/Wow. /
/Does your vocabulary involve anything other then that word? /
/Wow. /
/'Parently not. /
"Why aren't they talking?" Han whispered to Leia as the conversation picked back up in the room and as Jaina and Jag continued to stare at one another.
"Shh. They are."
"But…oof." Leia elbowed him in the stomach before walking over to Syal.
/Come with me. /
/Wow. /
/Men. / Jaina led Jag into one of the spare bedrooms, despite their father's glares and locked the door.
"Are you ever going to say anything?" She said turning back to face him.
With out saying anything Jag walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her closer. He slowly leaned down and captured her lips in kissed that described all the emotions he was feeling.
When they pulled apart Jaina slowly opened her eyes and looked up at him. "I take it you approve."
"You look beautiful."
"So do you, what's that lovely shade of lipstick you wearing?" Jaina asked barely able to hold back the laughter.
"What…Jaina---"
"It's your own fault." Jaina flopped down on the bed in a fit of laughter.
"You kissed back."
"Hey, I'm not one turn down the opportunity."
Jag glared at her while working at his mouth to get the glitter off, Jaina stuck her tongue out at him and headed toward the door. Before she could get there Jag grabbed her wrist pulling her into another kiss. Completely forgetting about the door Jaina wrapped her arms around his neck while he rapped his arms around her waist mindful of her hair.
"Jag…Jag?" Jaina said pulling back.
"Yeah?" He mumbled while laying a trail of fiery kisses on her exposed shoulder.
"We uh we need to stop. Uhg… Both of our parents are out there…uh along with half a dozen Jedi. Uh… and we have the dinner."
"Kriff the people, kriff the war, kriff dinner."
"If either of our dads heard you say that you wouldn't live to see the next day." Jaina said pushing him away.
"But…"
Knock knock. "Jaina, sweetie we're about to leave." Leia said from the other side of the door.
"'K mom, why don't y'all go ahead, I still need to get a few things in order and Jag and I have to take a different transport anyway."
/Jaina? /
/Please mom. Trust me, everything's cool. /
"Alright sweetie, we'll see you there."
"Thanks, see you in a little while."
I still don't like leaving them there…alone."
"Han! They're practically married! They're both legal adults, have some faith in your daughter. She can handle herself, she may be in a dress, but she's still a Jedi, and if I know her then I'm sure she has some type of weapon on her, just like Mara does."
"It's not her I'm worried, it's him."
"Han!"
"What? He's a twenty-one year-old guy…why wouldn't I be worried? He's with a very attractive nineteen year old girl…in a room…alone."
"And they spend half the day together…in a room…alone. 'People who love each other spending time with each other, Gods what are the worlds coming too?' Come on Han that's sounds a little hokey, even for you. They're just like we were."
"That's what worries me."
Fifteen minutes later Jag and Jaina were making their way towards the docking bays. "Do we really have to do this?"
"Since when are you the one whining, that's my job."
"Since if we didn't have to go to this thing we would be back in our room right now."
"Again, if my father heard you..."
"I know I know, I'd be dead."
"Exactly, so if I were you I would stop saying things like that out loud, my father has spies everywhere."
"You're so comforting."
"I know."
"Come on, the goddess can't be late." Jag grabbed her hand and began to lead her through the corridors.
"Yes I can, I'm a goddess remember."
"How could I forget?"
Jaina punched him and they continued to walk in a comfortable silence until they reached a dark deserted hanger bay.
"Jag…what's going on? Why are all the lights off?" She turned to him, only to find that he had disappeared. "Jag?…Where di…"
The lights flipped on causing Jaina to go into a simi defensive position. A sleek black ship was in front of her, as well as Jag, Han, Leia, Luke, Mara, Wedge, Iella, Soontir, Syal, Cem, and Wyn.
"What…what is all of this?"
"A present…for you."
"But why?"
"Jaina your birthday was last week. So it's a present to you, from all of us."
"A…a ship? For me?" The ship was black matt and looked conspicuously like the Jade Shadow but only half the size.
"So you want to go inside?" Jag asked walking up next to her.
"Yeah." Jag led her up into the ship. Jaina could only stare. The layout was perfect, just like she'd always wanted. Someone must have found the doodles of ships in her room…
Mentally she checked off each thing, as she walked from the boarding ramp, to the back, and then ending up in the cockpit. /Smuggling hold, captains quarters, 'freshers, crews quarters, med bay, side hold, forward hold, main hold…../
"This, this is great, but what about my X-wing…what happens if…"
"This ship has more fire power then your x-wing, but it also has two ports that two separate fighters can attach to. When the fighters are attached they can be used to add extra fire power and speed. Also this ship can be controlled by remote, which has already been installed in your X-wing. It's also got a cloaking devise, the smallest ship to have one. And…" he opened a panel, exposing a hidden passage. "It leads from the captains, and crews quarters, to the cockpit, weapons closet, docking ring and a hidden room. Just in case you ever get hijacked or something."
"Wow."
"Is that all you can say?" Jag asked playfully.
"Shut up. Who designed this?"
"Mara, me and the kid." Han said entering the cockpit.
Jaina ran, as best she could, to him and hugged him with all her strength. "Thanks."
"Your welcome sweetheart. Happy birthday."
"Hey don't I get a thanks?" Jag said from where he was sitting in the pilots seat.
"You're in my seat."
"Some thanks."
Jaina smiled an evil smile and walking over to him and kissed him, despite the glare from her father.
"Ah hum, um I'll just, um got out here, then, I guess." Han stammered as Jag wrapped his hands round Jaina bringing her down into his lap.
"Thank you." Jaina murmured when they pulled apart.
"You're welcome. But I think your father hates me now."
"He might look like that on the outside, but if you could have felt the love and happiness coming from him, he would probably lose his reputation. Plus he was smiling practically the whole time."
"Practically?"
"Yes, and that IS a good thing. I think he must have finally gotten used to you."
"Good cause I'm not going anywhere."
"Better not be."
"I'm not, now come on, we've got to get going, we're late enough as it is."
"You had all of this planned out didn't you."
"Maybe---, plus you know you want to try this baby out."
Grinning she plopped down in the pilot seat and began the start up sequence. As she did she noticed that all of the petals and adjustments were in the exact right place for her, and that the switches were set up in a way that she could fly easily with our with out a co-pilot. /Trust the three people who know me best to put this together. /
"Twin lead, are you there goddess? Come in."
""Huh? What?"
"You zoned out there for a minute. We're ready for take off anytime you are."
"Hey Soontir?" Han called to the rest of the ship as he exited the cockpit.
"Yes?"
"Does Chiss training involve learning how to hold your breath?"
"Um…"
"Cause your son is demonstrating that talent at the moment."
"What…Oh----…well um…" Soontir said as he caught on to what Han was trying to say. "Hum…well your daughter must have a set of lungs on her if she's keeping up." He said openly smiling for the first time since arriving on Mon Cal.
"Oh trust me she does and in more ways then one, she's the only one around who can keep up with Tahiri."
"We're about to…take off…what's going on?" Jag asked walking into a room full of celebrated war heroes all looking as if they had been caught with their hands in the cookie jar.
"Nothing very interesting, it's just about yo-ug"
"Nothing, nothing, just some mumbo jumbo adult stuff." Soontir said covering Wyn's mouth with his hand.
"Um okay…if you say so dad. Oh…and in case you hadn't noticed, I am technically and adult. But, hey, what difference does that make? Wes is almost forty-two but he acts like he's seven. Anyway y'all better strap in, there's no telling what Jaina's going to do." He turned around and left for the cockpit with out saying another word.
"He's acting more like Jaina everyday."
"Gods help us, that all we need, TWO Jaina's!"
Jag guided Jaina up the steps to the balcony where the guests were waiting to hear from her. They reached the top of the stairs when Jaina just stopped and stared at the closed doors.
"Jaina?"
"I can't do this."
"Can't…or won't?"
Jaina slowly turned towards Jag with heavy eyes and looked up at him. "I can… I just can't. I don't know what to say. Someone else should be accepting all of this, not me. I haven't done anything to deserver this…honor."
"Don't deserve this? Jaina, I don't know of anyone who has worked or given more then you have in this war, and I can't think of a better person to this. Just trust what's in your heart, trust your instinct. You'll do fine." Jag pulled her up into an embrace and said so that only she could hear, "Just try to take after your mother and not your father in this case."
Jaina looked up at him and smiled, she gently pulled away from him and walked into position in front of the doors. Closing her eyes momentarily she gathered herself by taking a deep breath and letting everything go. /Well here goes nothing. / She signaled for the doors to open…
Soontir, Luke, Han, Syal, Iella, Mara, and Leia milled around with the other guests, waiting for the entrance and acceptance speech of the Goddess.
"What could be taking so long?" Han said, trying to get a better look of the guests.
"I'm sure she'll be here in a few minutes."
"You've been saying that for almost 10 minutes, Leia."
"Are they always like this?" Soontir asked Luke, as Han and Leia continued bickering.
"Yep."
"Great---"
"If all of you would stop talking, you'd notice that the doors are opening." Mara said in a matter of fact voice.
They all looked up to see the double doors opening and Jaina walking out to the ledge, flanked by Wedge and Jag. As she reached her destination, she was in full view of the crowd, and there was an audible gasp from below.
"She looks beautiful." Syal breathed out.
"Yeah, she really does."
"I'm am honored to have the privilege to officially welcome the Chiss task force to this fighting force." Jaina began after taking a deep breath.
"Good start." Han mumbled out to anyone in hearing range.
"Shhh." Leia said while elbowing him in the ribs.
"Well honored is and isn't exactly the right word. I am honored to be here yes, but I am not honored…am not happy to be welcoming new fresh innocent people into death. Because that's what this is, that's what we are living in. There is a saying that Chewie…that a dear friend of mine used to say, "There is absolutely no inevitability as long as there is a willingness to think." I didn't used to understand what that meant, but I think I do now. Every living thing…everything is capable of making a decision. These decisions make differences every day causing things to never be the same way twice. Some of these things are good, and some are not so good. This galaxy has now seen more and suffered more then it should have… "You do not 'suffer' if you decide 'that's the way it is' rather than 'why is it this way?' That is what we must now do, we must now stop asking ourselves why and start accepting that it just is. The past is the past, and there's nothing we can do about it, we must now ask ourselves, what are we going to do with the future? Do we give up or keep fighting. I don't know about you, but I'm not going to give up on this galaxy. We must now show a confused race, a misguided race the right path, but then, what is the right path? That is what all of us have to figure out, and so we thank the Chiss for helping us find the right path. I thank all of you for helping us. May the Force be with you."
"Hey, have you seen Jaina?"
"Sorry Cem, I haven't seen her since the politicians dragged her away."
"Well, can't you use that mind thing of yours to find her?"
"Don't have to, I'm right here." Jaina said practically fighting her way through the crowd around the food table.
"Have you-"
"Shh." Jaina jerked her head in Jags direction.
"Oh right…um…"
"Hey Jag, your dad has been asking about the schematics of my ship, why don't you go tell him about it." Jaina said as she pushed him in the direction of Soontir.
"You're just trying to get rid of me."
"Yes, and it's working."
"Fine, fine I'm going, I'm going."
"Did you get him?" Cem asked as soon as Jag was out of earshot.
"Course I did. Now come on your prince awaits."
"But what about my Dad or Jag?"
"Don't worry, they're talking about ships, that will keep them busy long enough for us to get out of here. If they get curious, your mom and I have a plan. I can assure you at least forty-five minutes. In about an hour make sure you come back here say a few things to your dad, mumble something about leaving, then the night is yours."
"How long did it take you to come up with this?"
"About 3 minutes."
"Right, so how are we getting out of here?"
"We're just walking out through the door."
"Oh, yeah, that makes sense."
"Well unless you had another idea, such as the window, which might I add will look highly suspicious, then yes it would." Cem and Jaina very casually walked through the hall and were only a few feet away when Soontir intercepted them.
"Where are you two going?"
"Fresher."
"There's a fresher back that way."
"Oh we know, but it'll be crowded. Don't worry about us, we'll be back in a few." They quickly and very undignified ran through the door giggling like school girls, but not before they heard Soontir comment, 'Why do women always have to go the fresher in pairs?'
They quickly made their way down the main corridor until Jaina randomly pulled Cem down another corridor.
"Your prince awaits." Jaina said pointing towards a closed door. "Don't worry about anything, everything going to be fine. Just remember to come back in about an hour." Jaina kissed her check before heading back down the corridor.
Cem took a deep breath and walked in to find Kevin sitting with his feet up on the table reading a data pad. She stood there for a moment and took in his appearance for a moment. He had sandy brown hair with bright green eyes making him look much like a young Luke Skywalker.
Cem coughed slightly to get his attention, he jumped up and his mouth fell open.
"Hi." Cem whispered while taking a few steps closer to him. "Aren't you going to say anything?" She said when he still didn't say anything. She stepped a little closer so that their feet were touching.
"You look…amazing."
Laughing slightly she moved closer to him and slipped her hands up under the hem of his shirt making small circles on his fine contours of his stomach. She reached up and kissed him softly, but before she could pull away he put his arms around her pulling her closer.
Her cupped her check with his hand as she wrapped her arms around his neck just enjoying the feel of him. When they pulled apart he tilted her face up to look at him.
"I've missed you."
"I've missed you too."
"How long do you have?"
"As long as you want."
"I was hoping you were going to say that."
Jaina walked back into the hall and caught Syal's eye and winked at her, she took the cue and smiled at her. They each headed off in a different direction with the task of distracting a different Fel. Jaina found him hanging around a corner with the old war hero's, looking very uncomfortable.
"Hey stranger." Jaina said putting her hand on his shoulder.
"Oh, hey."
"What are you doing over here?"
"Being embarrassed to death by our fathers and uncles. Oh, have you seen Cem? I've been meaning to talk to her."
"Nope, haven't seen her."
"But my dad said that you and she went to the fresher."
"Come on, I want to dance."
"I thought you didn't like dancing."
"I didn't say I didn't like dancing…I said that I hadn't found the right person to dance with yet."
"But…"
"Oh, just come on."
"Look at them over there." Leia said pointing to Jaina and Jag on the dance floor.
"They look wonderful together, don't they?" Syal said gazing at her son as he elegantly spun Jaina around the dance floor.
"How much do you want to bet that they'll be married in the next year or so?"
"Ha, nothing…I'd lose that bet."
"We could probably win some more credits off of Corran. I bet he'd take the bet." Mara said coming up next to them.
"I think Corran's wise to your games, Mara, and I don't think he'd ever take the bet."
"I'll bet you five credits that he will."
"You're on." All three of them went scampering away looking for Corran and completely forgetting the two people no longer occupying the dance floor.
Jag spun Jaina back into his arms so that she was pressed fully up against him. They stood there just staring into each others eyes in the middle of the dance floor as the music continued and other guests spun around them.
"Do you want to get out of here?" Jag asked after a long moment.
Jaina gave a grin worthy of her father before nodding. They inconspicuously made their way out of the hall. Once they were in the corridor Jaina took his hand seemingly knowing where she wanted to go.
"Are you sure you're not going to be missed?"
"I did my thing, I've worked enough for one day. Plus I want to spend some time with you. I haven't seen you practically all day."
"That's because first you ran off with our mothers, then you ran off with Cem. What caused her sudden turn around anyway? Last night she was cold, short, an ice queen, and now she's all warm, open, and she's excited about…something. Do you happen to know what?" Jag asked as Jaina led him into a dark room. "Wait, where are we?"
"You'll see." Jaina disappeared from his side and a moment later two of the walls seemed to open up to revel a breathtaking view of Mon Cal and the stars.
"Wow. Where are we, it's beautiful. How did you know it was here?"
"It's an observation room and believe it or not, I do know my way around a SSD, but your mom told me about it."
"Do you like her?"
"Your mom? I think she wonderful, she's like you in a lot of ways."
"She's also a lot like you."
"Really? Like what?" She asked stepping up to him.
"Well…" Jag said beginning to have a hard time breathing. "You're both strong willed, stubborn, smart, beautiful."
"Flattery will get you everywhere Jagged Fel."
Jag smiled and took a step closer to her, Jaina smiled back before taking a step away from him. She had made it only five steps before her back hit the window and Jags arms went around her blocking any exit. She looked up at him with her breathing erratically.
/Having trouble breathing goddess? /
/Oh just shut up and kiss me. /
/I'm here to oblige. /
Cem and Kevin made their way back onto the hall looking for Jaina. Cem spotted Syal and Soontir across the room and left Kevin by the food and headed over to her parents.
"Hey mom, have you seen Jaina?"
"Soontir could you please get me another drink, it's getting a little hot in here."
"Of course dear." Soontir excused himself and dragged Cem father into the crowd.
"Did you have fun?" Syal asked with a large unstrained smile.
Cem blushed but smiled nonetheless. "Yeah, um…where's Jaina? She said she would meet me in here."
"She did a little too good of a job distracting your brother, I haven't seen either of them in almost an hour."
"Oh, well we're just going to go ahead and go. If anyone asked just tell them that I went back to my quarters."
"Alright sweety…just be careful."
"I will, thanks mom." She gave Syal a quick worm hug before pulling Kevin out of the room with her. As they walked down the corridor they passed a closed door where they heard someone that sounded distinctly like Jaina. "Hey Jaina you might want to let him up for air soon…he was never good at holding his breath."
In response she got the mental image of her being sucked out into vacuum. She continued down the corridor laughing, with a very confused looking Kevin.
Soft and warm were the first two things Jaina felt when she woke up. She slowly opened her eyes only to close them again from the blinding light. As her eyes slowly adjusted to the light she noticed that not only was she not in her bed, she wasn't even in her room. /Wait where am I…the last place I remember being was…oh kriff! / Jaina shot up to see that she was laying halfway on Jag halfway on the conference room floor. /Oops. /
Jaina, still in her formal gown, slowly stood up and stared out of the view port at Mon Calamari. /It's beautiful, if only everything could stay this way. Damn the war, damn the Vong, damn everything to the nine Correlian hells. / Jaina jumped slightly as she felt a pair of strong arms go around her waist. She looked up to see Jag staring out the view port. The light shone through that it captured his eyes in such a way that she found herself losing herself in them. After a moment he looked down and smiled.
"Hey."
"Hey yourself. What are you thinking about." Jag asked, rubbing comforting patterns on her back.
"Just the war, and how much trouble we're going to get in."
"I wonder why no one was looking for us last night…or how we're going to get back down without people knowing."
"Well…um…"
"Wait…no, that wouldn't work."
"What wouldn't work?"
"We could always call Kyp."
"Ha! Do you know how much grief we would get? Plus I've got a better idea."
"What?"
"You stay here."
"But…Jaina!" Jaina ran out the door and headed towards the quarters. She didn't have any problems avoiding anyone coming her way considering it was still early, even among the Chiss. She headed down the corridors to where she felt a familiar presence.
She walked up to a door where she rang the comm., several mumbled curses could be heard until the door opened. "This better be good…oh, Jaina what are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing…could I come in?" Mara moved to allow Jaina into where a very sleepy Jedi master was walking in wearing only a pair of sleeping pants.
"What the…oh, hi Jaina, what are you doing here?"
"And at such an ungodly hour?"
"Well Jag and I kinda fell asleep last night and we just woke up. So we were thinking because you're here that we could just catch a ride back down with y'all…wait why are y'all here?"
"Farmboy over here has an early meeting and they offered that we could just stay the night to save time. And for a ride why don't you just take your own ship?"
"My own ship…wow…that's cool. You mean it's still here?"
"Yeah, your parents figured that you were…well, in the middle of something, and that you would leave later, so they took a transport back down."
"Oh, well I better go and get Jag before they notice we're not on base. Thanks aunt Mara, I'll see ya later." Jaina walked out the door and back down the corridor.
"Well that was interesting…Farmboy?" Mara turned around to see that Luke had fallen back asleep on the couch, and rolled her eyes. "Men."
When Jag and Jaina made it back to their quarters it was 0700 and the base was just beginning to awaken. "Great, now we have to go to work." Jaina flopped down on the bed and buried her face in a pillow.
"Jaina-"
"Gah!" Jaina reached over and grabbed her annoyingly beeping comm link. "Goddess."
"Jain-, I--ust-nt-et-Dad-is---t---f-r-blo--"
"Whoa, Kyp, can you say that again? Are you alright? You sound like your running."
"I'm-run-ng-to-ut-of-'s-Dad."
"What? What about my dad? What's wrong with your comm. link?"
/Nothing, I'm jamming yours so Soontir can't call Jag, and it's not your dad it's Jags. Soontir has been on a rampage yelling something about his daughter not in her room. /
/Oh kriff! Cem you didn't. /
/Apparently she did. Anyway meet me in the docking bay. /
/Why the docking bay? /
/Cem's not on planet, where else would Soontir go? /
/Good point, I'll be right there. /
"Jag."
"What's wrong?"
"Oh nothing, nothing…um why don't you go take a shower or run simms with the squadron."
"Why…?"
"Nothings wrong…Kyp and I just need to take care of some…Jedi business. Trust me."
"Alright…but only if you promise to have dinner with me tonight."
"Always. I gotta go. Bye." Jaina ran out the door and towards the docking bay. She ran at full speed, running into several people including Wedge and Iella Antilles. She got to the docking bays just in time to see Kyp cut off Soontir in the doorway.
"Soontir? Soontir you need to calm down."
"Jaina where is she?" Soontir said barley controlling his anger.
"I don't know. She said something about having things to do things to do this morning and that she would meet me for lunch."
/Jaina what are you doing? You know where Cem is, just tell him. /
/I'm trying to save Kevin's life. /
"Look Cem is a…"
"Cem? Who said anything about Cem? She's up with the fleet running sims with her squadron…she told us that last night."
"The who are you talking about/Kyp you're a dead man. /
/oops /
"Wyn!…She's missing, I can't find her anywhere!"/Kriff/ "Okay, okay just calm down. Lets go and get Jag, my parents, Uncle Luke, and Wedge couldn't hurt either and we'll see if anyone knows where she is."
"Can't you just…feel where she is!" Soontir said in almost hysterics.
"Calm down, you need to calm down."
"My little girl…"
"Kyp go and get my dad and Uncle Luke."
"Right."
/Jag/
/Yeah/
/I need you in Docking bay H. /
/What's wrong/
/Um…Wyn's missing and your dad's having a mental break down. /
/Kriff, I'm on my way. /
A few minutes later Jag, Kyp, Han and Luke came running through the door to find both Jaina and Soontir on the floor with Jaina trying to calm Soontir down.
/Help. /
"What's goin' on?" Han asked in a still half sleep.
"Wyn's missing."
"My little girl…my little girl."
"That's all he's said for five minutes."
"Dad?" Jag asked kneeling down in front of him.
"She's gone."
"We'll get her back."
"How? We don't even know where to start looking."
"Don't worry about that…we have our resources."
"Jag?" Jaina called somewhat hesitantly from a few feet away.
"Yeah?" Jag stepped over towards her letting Han, Kyp, and Luke to take care of Soontir.
"Is he going to be okay?"
"I've never seen him like this. But I guess after losing two children, he can't face the prospect of losing another."
"Well…" At the moment the doors came swinging open and Syal came running in holding a piece of flimsi. She ran straight towards Soontir and held on to him with all her strength while whispering something in his ear.
Soontir slowly stood pulling her with him, he had an unreadable mask on but there was no denying the fear and rage in his eyes.
"The Peace Brigade has her."
End Chapter 16