CHAPTER 14 – Chiss Relations

Jag lay on his side, his head propped up on his hand. The vision lying before him was breathtaking. His heart's desire was resting next to him, her back exposed and a sheet covering her from the waist down. Her head was turned on the pillow to face him; her lips slightly parted in relaxed sleep. The breath passing her lips was powered by the slight rise and fall in her back.

A tendril of hair crossed Jaina's cheek, obscuring the smooth line of her face. Jag took a finger and brushed it back to join the rest of her auburn locks floating on the pillow. He took care to use a whisper of a touch, but despite his care Jaina's eyes flickered open. The knowledge of the previous night's passion dawned across her face in a tender smile directed at her lover. Jag's expression mirrored hers.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."

Jaina stretched her arms straight up, turning her head to face the pillow. After releasing her stretch, she rolled to face Jag, pulling her arm down across her chest in subconscious modesty.

"I don't mind. I have already slept more last night than the whole week previous."

Jag pulled the sheet up along her body. Jaina's eyes followed his hand. She was still looking down when he asked, "Are you feeling alright?"

Her eyes came up to meet his concerned stare. She considered the various layers of the question. Physically, she was fine; Jag had been more than a considerate lover. Emotionally, Jaina had never felt more complete or loved. It was as if last night had concluded the fusion of their souls. Jag's very being was now intertwined with her own, and she imagined neither of them would be the same again.

"I'm perfect." Her face radiated the love she felt for the man laying beside her.

In one smooth motion, Jag pulled Jaina over so she covered him, their bodies tangled between each other in a twist of sheets. With her hair cascading down to tease him, Jaina lowered her face to place a tender kiss on Jag's lips, but after the events of the night before tender did not happen. Pure passion passed from one mouth to the other.

Jag broke the kiss reluctantly, rolling Jaina back onto the bed. "If we go there I will never have the will power to make it out of this room."

He slid from under the covers as Jaina followed him with her eyes; a small seductive part came to her lips. Jag laughed at her, shaking his head. "Don't look at me like that."

Jaina grinned innocently at him. He leaned over and pecked a kiss on her nose. "You look like one of those angels from the moons of Iego."

Jaina felt a tingle at the back of her mind, like a fleeting memory. She pushed it away and broadened her smile. Jag straightened back up. "I'm going to take a shower. Do you need anything?"

Jaina shook her head from side to side against the pillow. Jag flashed her a final grin and disappeared into the refresher. The tingle returned again, this time with a vengeance, and Jaina recognized the onslaught of a vision.

As the angry pain coursed from her brain down through her body Jaina's finger's gripped the sheets in a battle to push back the assault. She lost awareness of her surroundings, her fingers splaying out, and her control of the Force skills disintegrated. Items on the bedstand rattled with the vibrations emanating from her mind. Jag's personal wristchrono danced across the stand until it fell off the edge landing on the floor.

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"You asked to see me?"

Anakin's voice came from the shadows of the doorway. Padme stood by the fireplace in the same room Anakin had declared his love. She turned around to face him, the light of the fire flickered in the background casting a strange aura around her. Before she could speak Anakin continued, spurred by the sight before him.

"You look like an angel from the moons of Iego."

Padme smiled as she recalled the last time he had told her that. He had been just a boy then, a young slave with no future.

"Angels are figments of pilots' imaginations. A dream to serve their boredom."

The corner of Anakin's mouth turned up. "You are definitely not a figment of my imagination. You are so real I could feel the softness of your skin even without a touch."

Padme moved toward him slowly as she spoke. "Do you remember the last time you said I looked like an angel?"

Anakin nodded as he approached her, looking down at her with an amorous glare.

"You said then that you would marry me…"

"I did."

Padme's face blushed. "How did you know it would be true all the way back then?"

Anakin started to respond, but then the truth behind her words hit him with their full force. Without a thought, he scooped Padme into his arms, pulling her feet off the ground, and then twirled her in a circle. He kissed her still holding her up.

"You wish it so?"

Padme's face beamed as she nodded and a single tear of happiness rolled down her cheek. "I will marry you Anakin Skywalker."

Anakin kissed her again and proceeded to spin her round and round until they were both dizzy with joy.

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The sound of the shower was the first sound that entered the fog of her mind. Jaina pulled the heels of her hands up and pressed them to her eyes in an attempt to push the pain away. She took a deep breath and released it, allowing the remaining pain to flow out with it, just like Mara had taught her years ago.

Jaina lay there, drawing on the Force to center her focus. She opened her eyes as she lifted her hands away. Her eyes focused on the slice on her right palm, a reminder from the previous evening's vision.

Jaina sat up in the bed and took some more cleansing breaths. She stretched out her hand and summoned Jag's dress shirt, laying on the floor since the previous night, to her grasp. Jaina slipped it on; enjoying the spicy scent of Jag lingering on it. The aroma pushed the last remnants of the painful vision from her mind.

"Well those are getting fun."

The refresher door slid open, and Jag stepped back into the room, clad only in a towel. "Did you say something?"

Jaina rolled over to face him. "Just babbling to myself. I tend to do that."

Jag raised an eyebrow at her before crossing the room to his pilot's bag. He pulled out a fresh change of clothes. By the time he faced her again Jaina was on her feet.

"You look much better in my shirt than I ever will." She blushed as she shuffled toward the refresher. Jag grinned at the sight of her. Jaina stopped at the door and glanced back at him over her shoulder. She blew him a kiss before stepping into the refresher. Her giggles filtered out as the door swooped close, and Jag felt the distinct touch of invisible lips on his.

Jag went about getting dressed. At the point where he was slipping on his shirt, the door comm came to life. Jag worked the buttons of his shirt as he exited the bedroom, shutting the bedroom door behind him. His work on the buttons was halfway done as he approached the door. He was surprised by the appearance of Kyp as the door slid open, but that emotion never made it beyond the depths of his strict barriers.

"Kyp, what can I do for you?"

Kyp pulled a bundle out of his Jedi robes and held it out to Jag. "I thought she might need these."

Jag quickly accepted the bundle and stepped back from the door. "Thanks, I guess we'll see you later at breakfast."

Kyp placed his hand in the doorframe before Jag could close it. Kyp was now quite sure that his arrival was not welcome despite the delivery.

"Is she alright?"

A flash of resentment emanated from Jag, but was squashed quickly. "Everything is fine."

It became apparent to Kyp that Jag was unaware of the visions, by the misinterpretation of the question. Not that the Jedi Master did not have concerns in that regards as well. If Jaina had chosen to hide the visions, then Kyp would not reveal them now, risking her wrath later. He would wait until they had a private moment to speak to Jaina.

Kyp bowed his head to Jag as he folded his hand back into his robe. "I apologize for the intrusion. I'll see you later."

Jag was already heading back to the bedroom as the door sealed shut. Back in the bedroom Jag paused thoughtfully in the doorway, listening to the sound of shower running. His eyes caught sight of the wristchrono his father had given to him in honor of his graduation from the Academy.

Jag strode across the room and picked it up from the floor. Glancing at it curiously, he wondered how it had ended up in that position. It was then that he noticed the cracking of the face, shattered into thousands of tiny shards, still held together by the strength of the material. Jag looked from the watch to the refresher door. Then a voice echoed in his mind. "Is she alright?" Suddenly the Jedi Master's words took on a whole new meaning.

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The sphere of Mon Calamari loomed before the two X-wings descending from the Star Destroyer Talion. The craft were on a slow approach vector when they were overtaken by an assortment of fighter craft in a tight formation. A feminine voice crackled though the comm's to both Jaina and Kyp on an open comm channel.

"Let's show Twin Suns One and Two how to do this right Jade's Dozen."

The formation stayed compact and uniform as it descended though the atmosphere. Both Kyp and Jaina admired the skill required to perform the precision maneuver. Jaina felt a twinge of regret from Kyp as the Dozen dropped out of sight into the cover of clouds.

Jaina keyed her comm, "You miss them?"

The feeling was gone. "Not for a second. I prefer torture at your hands any day."

Despite the levity in his voice, Jaina knew his banter was a way of dismissing her concern, so she did not push the matter. He had been unusually quiet since breakfast with the Fel family, not his usual cantankerous self. She knew they had things to discuss, but did not feel the vastness of space the appropriate setting. The pair flew in silence only conversing with Mon Calamari Control for the necessary clearances.

As the Twin Suns One and Two snubfighters settled into their respective berths, the pilots of the Dozen were already beginning to disperse. Kyp beat Jaina to the hangar floor so he crossed under his X-wing heading toward her. Just past Jaina he spotted Mara Jade Skywalker sauntering in their direction.

"How's the Dozen looking Master Durron?"

"Pretty sharp, Master Skywalker. Trandalya could tighten up a little on Glentaw; nothing new about that though. I hear you've been pretty good for discipline."

Mara came up beside her niece and pivoted around, dropping her arm around Jaina's shoulders. "You don't say. Appreciate the suggestion. Do you mind if I relieve you of escort duty for a couple of hours and steal away my niece?"

Kyp's answer was unusually subdued and reflective. "It would be a welcome change."

Jaina knew Kyp needed a break, but was stunned to feel a wave of relief wash off her partner. Although she could tell he tried to stifle the emotion, it was hard for even him to keep such things hidden in their close bond.

Mara squeezed her arm around Jaina while she spoke to Kyp. "Good. How about you get some good personal time and catch up with us sometime later?"

Kyp waved a hand at the two female Jedi before striding off across the hangar. Jaina followed Kyp with her eyes, reflecting that it was probably best they spent some time apart. Kyp's life was no longer his own, and though they were good friends, she was sure there were limits to his patience.

Jaina wondered how much Kyp had figured out about the previous night. She assumed he knew of the visions, just by their connection, and was grateful he had not mentioned them in front of Jag. Knowing that he found her at Jag's room, he probably had made assumptions about their evening, especially if he had been able to discern something from their shared bond. It was not the first or last time they would have to sort through issues. Jaina trusted they could work through anything.

Jaina watched as Drue Glentaw came out from behind on of the Dozen's B-wings and greeted Kyp. The female pilot and her former commander talked for a moment before heading out of the hangar together.

Mara had been quiet the whole time, observing her niece. Jaina's eyes finally turned to meet Mara's gaze. The former apprentice smiled at her former Master. A thousand thoughts crossed through Jaina's mind, every memory and question she wished to share with one of her closest confidants, and just as many emotions rolled through the Force. Mara smiled returned a knowing smile.

"I think we need to talk young lady."

Jaina did not reply, just blushed a little.

"You want to get lunch at my apartment? Luke's at a meeting with the Chief of State all day, so we won't be interrupted."

"Sure, I just need to stop by the medcenter first. Can I meet you there?"

"How about I walk with you?"

Jaina knew Mara was being protective, careful not to abuse the trust of Kyp or Luke in regards to her personal well-being. She also knew it was pointless to argue with Mara. "Let's go then."

The two women set out on the short walk from the hangar to the medcenter.

"So, has Cilghal discovered the reasons behind your mysterious headaches?"

Jaina eyed her aunt. "How do you know about them?"

Mara grinned at Jaina's indignance. "Let's see. Once your father found out about them, he chased down Cilghal in order to make sure you had followed through you're your appointment. Then he chased down your mother, your brother, then your uncle, and finally me when he couldn't find you or Kyp all day yesterday. Your mother claimed she had no idea what you were up to although I find that hard to believe by the look on her face. I believe General Antilles hid in meetings all day to avoid him as well."

Jaina furrowed her brows at the thought of her father torturing everyone around for her sake. "That would be my dad alright, as bad as a Wookie on the scent of fresh meat."

"Your father can't protect you in most situations, but he can make every attempt to control some things. Being a parent I can't fault him for that. Why don't you call him when you get back to the apartment? It will make him feel better."

"Why Aunt Mara, I think parenthood is making you soft."

"No, I just have a better appreciation for what your parents went through raising the three of you."

Jaina and Mara reached the medcenter and went through the automatic doors. "I'll call him as soon as I get back."

The pair took a quick turn down a secondary corridor. An animated voice could be heard coming from the end of the hall. As they approached Cilghal's laboratory, it only took Jaina a second to recognize it.

"Well, I guess I won't have to call him after all."

Mara chuckled as they passed through the outer waiting area and entered the medward.

Han Solo broke his drilling of the Jedi healer at the sight of them. "Jaina, I was just checking with Cilghal to see if there was any news of your condition."

Jaina protested as her father took her in his arms like she were still a three year old child. "Dad, I am sure Master Cilghal has more important things to do than be bothered by an overprotective father."

Cilghal intervened on Han's behalf as Jaina wiggled from his arms. "It is quite acceptable, Jaina. Your father is just concerned as is his right to be." The healer crossed the room to her patient as she spoke. Cilghal reached for the recording device on Jaina's temple and triggered a release. The device dropped into Cilghal's palm.

"Did you have any further episodes?"

"Two since putting the recorder on."

"Excellent, hopefully we should have some useful data."

Han and Mara listened intently. Han frowned as Jaina mentioned more incidences, and then commented, "I don't think Jaina would think it excellent after watching her go through one of those the other day."

The Mon Calamari native bobbed her head slowly in deference. "I apologize if you mistook my words as excitement over your predicament, but I merely…"

Jaina went from shooting her father an evil glare to interrupting the Jedi Master. "Don't worry Master Cilghal. No offense taken. I'm as eager to solve this puzzle as you are. Even if it means having more of these blasted headaches."

Cilghal sat down at a data terminal and inserted the small datachip she had removed from the recording device. A holoprojection of data coursed in front of her. Jaina, Mara and Han closed in behind Cilghal, who queried Jaina, "What time were your visions approximately?"

"I can tell you pretty close to the time about 1900 hours last night and 0830 this morning. I don't think they lasted long, and I remember noting roughly when they ended."

Cilghal nodded as she punched information into the terminal. The data stream of various brain waves in a multi-colored weaving and criss-crossing pattern scrolled across the projector until Cilghal halted at the appearance of a dramatic peak.

The streams went from slightly undulating wave patterns to extreme peaks and valleys, one barely discernible from the next. The start and stop of this pattern was abrupt at each end only lasting less than a minute.

Cilghal stared at the pattern with a look of intense concentration, then pressed some keys to manipulate the data. The waves stretched, as the view reflected an exaggeration of time for the benefit of analysis. The audience waited silently for Cilghal to render an opinion.

"My first impression would be that this brain wave activity mimics simple memory recall, only compacted into a tight time span."

Cilghal scrolled the data toward the second occurrence, slowing down where some wave patterns increased. Realizing they were not the same wave patterns she resumed her scan.

Han questioned the healer. "Was that another one?"

"No, just some increased sensory input, different from memory patterns."

Mara glanced at Jaina out of the corner of her eye as she felt a surge of discomfort from the younger Jedi. Jaina's face hid any visible signs of her inner turmoil. The data slowed and stopped as Cilghal recognized the second peak. The peaks were significantly larger on this event and covered more than a minute's time.

After surveying the data, Cilghal questioned Jaina. "Are they getting worse?"

Jaina thought for a moment and answered as truthfully as she could. "Not in any way that I can discern. I mean they hurt, but I couldn't say one hurt more than other of those two, although the first few were hardly noticeable. I don't have any recall of what happens during the time or the length, just the pain, the vision, and then pain again."

"I only have two events to compare so it's impossible to say from this alone, but based on this data and what you describe, I fear there is a distinct possibility the severity is intensifying. I would like to leave the monitoring device on for the time being to collect more data while I study this information today."

Jaina was not particularly thrilled that she still had no answers, but she also understood that allowing Cilghal to continue collecting data was the fastest way to resolve the matter.

"Whatever needs to be done to end these headaches is something I'll agree to."

Han piped in. "Do you think she should still fly?"

The Jedi healer pivoted in her chair to address him. "In this case I feel the Force is at work, my insight does not foresee these events endangering Lieutenant Colonel Solo. I don't have to render a decision until tomorrow morning at the latest when Jaina returns to duty. However, if they get much worse or are not resolved soon, that may be a possibility. General Antilles is aware of the situation. I report all medical anomalies to him as Jaina well knows."

Han put his hand on Jaina's shoulder in sympathy for her situation. Cilghal rose to cross the room and acquire a new datachip for the recorder. "Listen kiddo, I need to get going. I have a meeting to get to. Stop by and see your mother later. Let her know how you are doing."

"I will. Thanks Dad."

Han gave her shoulder a squeeze before acknowledging Cilghal and Mara with a nod and exiting the lab. Cilghal made quick work of securing the recorder to Jaina's right temple.

"All done. Will you please return after your next vision?"

"I will do that. The sooner we resolve this, the better. Thank you, Master Cilghal, for everything."

Jaina turned to Mara as the older woman spoke. "Ready for lunch. I'm starved."

"Sure, but I am going to need to go workout after all the food I have eaten in the last two days."

Mara raised on eyebrow at the remark before motioning toward the exit with a sweep of her arm. "Lead the way."

Jaina exited the lab with Mara following in her footsteps through the automatic door, which swished closed behind them. Once in the hall, the two women walked side by side. Jaina was silent with contemplation, caught up in the events of the day. Mara allowed the younger woman her private thoughts for a few moments before interrupting.

"So I understand you have been working toward improving Chiss-Jedi relations on my behalf?" A hint of mischief crossed her lips.

Jaina kept her gaze straight forward, fighting the heat of a blush on her cheeks. She had been prepared for the line of questioning, but thoughts of her encounter with Jag the previous night overwhelmed her Jedi barriers.

"That I have. It may be a long road to mend relations based on tales of your exploits on Nirauan."

Mara was suddenly reflective at the mention of the planet. It was there she came to understand what it meant to be a Jedi. The pain of the memory of her sacrifice there could not be eclipsed by the memory of her discovering love with Luke. "Yes, I put on a show worthy of my reputation."

Jaina chuckled. "So I was told."

Both women were quiet for a moment as they passed out of the medcenter crossing the paths of another group of officers. Once in the courtyard, free of prying ears, Jaina resumed the conversation.

"So, I suppose Uncle Luke asked you to check up on me."

"I can't deny that he expressed some concerns, but he didn't ask me to do that. Luke trusts you to take care of yourself. He would never have allowed you to become a Jedi Knight otherwise."

"Oh." Jaina reflected on the revelation.

The walk across the courtyard was brief. The two women passed through the doors to the building housing the Skywalker apartment in silence. Once inside the turbolift, Mara spoke.

"Actually, I just wanted to talk to you woman to woman as your friend, nothing else." Mara draped her arm over Jaina's shoulders, ushering her out of the lift. "No one was there for me when I first started my relationship with your uncle. I had to feel my way around. I know I'm not your mother, but sometimes it's easier to talk to a friend."

Mara stopped at the door to the Skywalker apartment and keyed it open. Jaina followed her aunt into the room. She had yet to speak. Mara motioned for Jaina to take a seat with an upward turned palm, taking one across from her. The older woman then continued.

"So is there anything you need to ask?"

Jaina knew where her aunt was headed with the conversation. She looked her former master in the eyes and shook her head side to side, trying to conceal the thoughts racing through her mind.

As Jaina's master, Mara had learned to read the young woman even when she had tried to block her. In that moment, she felt the glow of true love emanating from the barriers Jaina tried to erect. The truth passed between their eyes. Mara suddenly felt old; her niece was in love and growing into a woman. Then the feeling was eclipsed by the strength of emotion as Jaina opened up to her completely. Mara basked in the reminder of how it felt to be young and in love again.

A small uncharacteristic tear slipped from Mara's eye, persuaded to betray the depth of the feelings barraging her. In one swift move, Jaina crossed to Mara and kneeled before her. The two women grasped each other in a fierce hug. Tears flowed as they laughed at themselves. Jaina knew then she had someplace to turn when, not if, she needed a friend.

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End of Chapter 14
TKL/jj