CHAPTER 23 – On the Defensive

Jaina's feet hit solid ground for the first time in over twelve hours, after finally completing the trip back to Mon Calamari in the cramped quarters of her X-wing's cockpit. It was a welcome feeling following a restless night. Sleep had eluded Jaina most of the trip as it had ever since Jag left. Even when she did sleep now the comforting dreams of Padme never came, just strange nightmares.

Jaina had not been able to drop into a healing trance the day before, caught in the search for Padme's home, nor during the flight back, fearful of being caught unaware if immediate action was required. She felt utterly miserable from head to toe.

Glancing over at Kyp, she flashed him a weary smile. Past him Valin and Octa were lowering out of their ships. Jaina moaned inwardly, dreading the looming details that would need to be addressed to settle in two new pilots. Octa would be fine; Valin, Jaina was sure, would be somewhat overwhelmed by the whole experience. Kyp joined her as Tycho approached from across the hangar.

"Welcome back. I hope your trip was uneventful."

"Thankfully, nothing out of the ordinary. I do have two new pilots to get settled before we debrief."

Tycho waved her off with a flip of his wrist. "The debrief can wait until this afternoon. I'll take care of the lucky additions. It's the least I can do for Corran."

Jaina grinned thankfully. "I could really use the sleep."

Kyp interrupted. "Don't you want to get something to eat first? You didn't eat before we left."

Jaina knew she should have been hungry, but the thought of food was unappealing in her current state. What she really desired was a hot shower and time in the sack, preferably in a healing trance. "It'll keep until later."

Jaina waved Valin and Octa over as the other Twin Suns pilots secured their ships and wandered out of the hangar. The two Jedi strode over step for step. "Valin, Octa, this is Colonel Celchu. He'll get you assigned to your quarters. Twin Suns won't fly today. It's 0800 now. SOP, on days like this, is a standard field nap followed by a squadron meeting at 1400. We'll sim after that. You are welcome to come to the Jedi sparring session later in the evening. Now if you excuse me, I have some place to be." Jaina addressed Tycho. "I'll report back at 1330 for my debrief if that suits you?"

Tycho nodded his agreement. Jaina spun on her heel and paraded out of the hangar with Kyp at her side. Tycho motioned for Octa and Valin, who looked shell shocked, to follow him. He chuckled as he headed for the Starfighter Command headquarters. "Welcome to Twin Suns, where the fun never stops."

Jaina leaned forward in the shower, her hand supporting her weight as the heated water beat down on her tired, aching muscles. Jaina felt certain that something was amiss after missing one day's healing trance. She was exceptionally tired, she felt nauseous and every bit of her ached, down to the very core of her bones.

Jaina became one with the Force, allowing her mind to delve into her body's inner workings. She sensed her heart pumping blood to her lungs, where it picked up oxygen and then traveled on to various organs. Following the flow passing along her body, she probed each part in turn. Jaina felt a wrongness deep within her.

She allowed her mind to seek it out and found part of her body fighting a furious battle with this unseen enemy, recognizing it for what it was – an invader. This part of her recognized the nano-organisms in the Force and they were not supposed to be there, but all too familiar. They were completely Vong. The bioweapon should have been invisible in Jaina's Force perception, but in this place deep inside her, some part of Jaina saw the Force in a broader, uninhibited sense. Limitations on the Force perception were not defined. Here the Force was shining brighter, stronger and pure.

Jaina snapped out of her trance and fell back against the wall of the shower, her arms wrapped around her body. Her breath was ragged as she turned off the water, then stumbled out into the cooler air of the refresher. Water marked her path as she wiped beads haphazardly with a towel in her flight into the bedroom. Jaina dropped the towel as she rummaged through her pilot bag for clothes. Jaina did not remember dressing as she rushed out of the front door of her quarters, water from her half-dried body soaked her jumpsuit. She was halfway down the corridor when Kyp's voice startled Jaina out of her panic.

"Jaina, where are you going?"

Jaina pivoted to see a sleepy-eyed Kyp with his head sticking out the door. Her hand came up to her head as she floundered for some sense to the spinning thoughts, throwing up a wall to block him from her mind. "Go back to bed, Kyp. I am just going to see Cilghal. I have a terrible headache and won't be able to sleep."

Kyp sensed her consternation, but took it for nothing more than frustration at being kept from her much needed rest. He had allowed Jaina in the past the freedom to move around the nearby buildings without a shadow at her insistence, able to follow her movements through their bond.

"The medward and back, right?"

Jaina nodded before running off, never giving Kyp time to think about it further. She arrived at Cilghal's laboratory minutes later. Cilghal started as Jaina rushed through the door clutching her stomach, then turned to greet her new visitor in the slow efficient manner of her species.

"Jaina, what brings you here?" A closer inspection of Jaina brought a touch of concern to her voice. "Is something wrong?"

The answer was apparent in the blanched white of her skin and the tears welling in her eyes. Jaina was hunched over holding herself, not in pain but rather desperation. Cilghal guided her to the exam room, directly off the lab. As the healer situated Jaina on the exam table, the door shut. Cilghal placed her webbed hand on Jaina's forehead and sent soothing thoughts to the distraught young woman.

In all the years the Master had known Jaina, she could not recall the Solo child being this out of sorts. Her emotions were boiling over uncontrollably. After a quiet minute, Cilghal determined Jaina had recovered enough composure to converse. She removed her hand, blinking her large eyelids slowly as she did, and waited for the pretty brunette to gather her thoughts.

"What seems to be the problem?"

Jaina stammered as she spoke, her words barely a whisper. "I found them inside me."

"You found what Jaina?"

"The Yuuzhan Vong organisms, she showed me." The terror emanating from Jaina was so unlike the Solo girl who had stared death in the face many times.

"Jaina, who showed you?"

Jaina stared up at Cilghal out of fear-widened eyes. "My baby."

The Master Jedi had trouble disguising the surprise on her face as her oversized eyes shot wide open. Rather than question the troubled woman further, Cilghal stepped forward and rested her hands on either side of Jaina's torso. Jaina watched as Cilghal's eyes glazed over seeking guidance from the Force, using it as a tool to probe Jaina' body.

It took only seconds for Cilghal to find the tiny life nestled in Jaina's womb, blazing in the Force like a beacon in a stormy Mon Calamari sea. She removed her hands as she addressed Jaina matter of factly.

"You are pregnant."

Jaina's hand came to her mouth as the healer confirmed what she knew in her heart. After a second she pulled her hands away. "Is she okay?" Jaina didn't know why, but she just knew it was a girl.

Cilghal nodded. "The baby appears healthy and strong in the Force. I am more concerned about what else it is you felt because I don't sense anything."

Cilghal reached for a scanner as she listened. "Ever since Bimmisaari, I have felt out of sorts. The doctor on the 'Roost found nothing as you know. Obviously, you found nothing. I would go into a healing trance for an hour or so every day, and I would feel great after."

Jaina grinned sheepishly at the disbelieving stare of the Jedi healer. "I know, I finally learned to get into a healing trance on my own. Anyway, yesterday was the first time I didn't have a chance to heal. I felt terrible by the time we got to Mon Cal. When I tried to scan myself, I found the baby…fighting the Vong organisms."

Jaina's eyes popped open wide in discovery. "I can sense them in the Force. I mean, the baby senses them, but I can feel them through her. Do you know what this means?"

Cilghal was not convinced. With a firm hand she forced Jaina back on the exam table. "Lie down so I can examine you."

Jaina complied with the weight of Cilghal's hand pressing her down. Jaina wrestled with the emotions swarming her brain as the Mon Calamari native ran an assortment of scanners across her body. Beyond the initial shock, there was joy competing with an overwhelming fear. In one short moment her life had turned upside down.

Jaina suddenly felt utterly alone. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She spoke to herself more than Cilghal as the healer continued her exam. "He won't even know. I have no way to tell him."

Cilghal stopped and looked down at Jaina questioningly. Jaina's watery eyes met Cilghal's concerned stare. "Is it presumptuous to assume Colonel Fel is the father?"

Jaina nodded through her tears and then sat up, feeling the desire to explain. "Master Cilghal, this is a closely guarded secret but I feel as my doctor you should know. Jag and I are married, only Kyp and Wedge know. My family doesn't even have the slightest clue."

Jaina glanced away as she sniffled. "I don't know how this happened. I kept up on the birth control shots. I haven't missed one. It was so important something like this didn't happen."

Cilghal pulled a stool next to the exam table. "I think I have an idea about that. You definitely have minor underlying abnormalities throughout your body. If there is some organism attacking your systems, it could have easily thrown off your hormones, which require a sensitive balance in order for the birth control shots to work. I need to take some blood and do some more tests to be sure." She paused for a moment, studying Jaina for a second. "It could take a while. Why don't you get some rest in a healing trance while I do some work?"

Jaina started to protest, but then realized there was more than her own life involved now. Jaina complied, lying back down on the table. Moments later, with the aid of Cilghal, Jaina was free from the frantic workings of her mind.

Danni Quee strolled into Cilghal's lab wondering what urgent matter had required her presence on such short notice. The healer was huddled over a datastation, working the keys. She straightened as Danni approached.

"Thank you for your expediency, Danni. There is something I would like you to have a look at." Cilghal motioned with her large hand to the microholoimager as she rose.

Danni followed the Jedi Healer to the device and waited for her to bring up an image. The display showed a blood sample magnified so the blood cells each were the size of a fist hanging in the air before the two. Red and white blood cells were easily identified. Cilghal's face, reflecting the strange light of the holo, showed her apparent confusion.

"I don't understand, they were here when I called you."

"What were they?"

"I believe they are a Yuuzhan Vong nano-organism designed to attack the body of a Jedi and be undetectable in the Force." Cilghal's eyes rolled in thought. "Perhaps this is why I didn't see them the first time I checked the patient's sample a few weeks ago. They could be designed to self-destruct outside of the patient's body. We will have to observe the next blood sample more closely."

Danni had worked with all sorts of Yuuzhan Vong technology and was shocked to hear the revelation. To her dismay, the possibility was not beyond the realm of plausible. Danni knew most of the Jedi; her immediate focus was a growing concern that it was one of her friends afflicted. "Who is the blood from?"

Cilghal bent her head thoughtfully for a moment before speaking. "I will need a moment." The healer strolled over to an exam room, disappearing inside. A minute later, the door opened and Cilghal summoned Danni over.

Danni could not disguise the shock falling across her face, when her eyes caught the tear stained face of Jaina Solo. Danni did not know Jaina as well as she knew Jacen, but she respected his twin for her tenacity in the war.

The young Jedi forced a smile as she spoke. "Hello, Danni." Jaina held out her arms as Cilghal prepared to draw more blood. "I'll trust Cilghal to fill you in on all the sordid details, but I must ask you to keep this to yourself."

Danni nodded, unable to find suitable words. Jaina sat quietly as her blood was drawn. When Cilghal finished she continued. "You can't even tell Jacen."

Danni was surprised to hear Jaina admit to a deception of her twin. She always imagined they were inseparable. She started to open her mouth to say something to that effect, and then thought better of it. She simply tipped her head in understanding; it was not her place to say otherwise.

Jaina turned to Cilghal. "Can we speak privately for a moment?"

Cilghal handed the vial to Danni. "If you wouldn't mind having a look by yourself, I'll be right out." Danni accepted the vial and exited the room. Cilghal faced Jaina who finally appeared to be gathering her wits about her; a sharp determination resonated around the Jedi Knight now.

"I realize why Danni needs to be involved but is there anyone else who needs to know before we go any further?"

Cilghal blinked slowly. "I don't foresee needing to involve anyone else, but that could change." She paused. "It is customary to report medical conditions affecting pilots to Starfighter Command."

"Would a pregnancy be included in that?"

Jaina anticipated Jaina's concerns. "Technically, only conditions that impair the ability to fly are required to be reported. Pregnancy alone, in the early stages, would not qualify." She walked right into Jaina's trap and recognized it the second she finished speaking.

Jaina heard the information she needed. "You said only conditions that impair the ability to fly are required to be reported. Right now my condition, in your words, was just an assortment of minor abnormalities. That alone should not affect my ability to fly either."

Cilghal's eyes roamed back and forth in thought. Technically, Jaina was right, but the illness combined with the pregnancy was an unknown combination. Her judgment suggested reporting her condition was the better option, but something in the Force told Cilghal holding off would be the wiser choice. Cilghal put her trust in the Force.

"You're pushing the limits of that rule." Jaina started to protest but Cilghal continued. "However, I will not report any of this until I know more about how the organism is affecting your body. I understand how important your position is in this war, but you have to recognize your time will run out sooner rather than later."

Jaina smiled gratefully as some of the tension left her shoulders. "Thank you."

"I am willing to make some concessions against my better judgment, but I have a few requirements. I want to see you everyday from now on. If I see any significant changes for the worse, I may rethink that plan."

Jaina nodded her acceptance, thankful for the temporary reprieve. "Do you need me any more?"

"No, you are free to go."

Jaina hopped down from the exam table. She actually felt refreshed and revitalized after her healing trance. Jaina decided to focus on the demands of the day to come as best she could. Time had become a precious commodity. Cilghal was right, there was a deadline on her goal now, but Jaina decided this war would be resolved one way or another before her child was brought into this universe.

Cilghal stopped Jaina before she reached the door. "Jaina, before this is all over, you may need someone to lean on. Maybe you should reconsider keeping this to yourself. There are so many people you could turn to – Kyp or your brother or your parents."

Jaina smiled. "Thank you, Cilghal, for your concern, but Jacen is busy doing important work with the battle melds, Mom and Dad are working on setting up the new government on Naboo and Kyp, well, I just wouldn't feel right telling him before Jag. I think my husband deserves to hear about this before anyone else. Jag will be back; he promised. Until then, I will be fine."

Valin Horn wiped the sweat off the back of his neck with a towel as he studied the flurry of lightsabers flying wildly between Jaina and Octa. Kyp had been summoned to a meeting of the Jedi Council, which was reconvening since most of the Council members had returned from Naboo, so Jaina had suggested the two new Jedi members of Twin Suns spar against her in a two-on-one match.

Valin reflected on his effort. He had stayed in the thick of it for some time, trading offensive stabs at his commander with Octa. Jaina had handled the pair of Jedi with an easy grace. She never seemed to work up a sweat, despite the match reaching well past thirty minutes. When she finally dispatched him, the move had been effortless. Valin had never seen it coming. Word among the Jedi was Jaina had become one of the premiere swordsman around, and he was inclined to agree.

Now, Octa pressed an attack against Jaina. Valin leaned forward in anticipation of one or the other grasping victory. Sometimes you could just tell a match was nearing its completion. At the moment, it appeared Octa would succeed. Octa threw a slashing blow, which Jaina should not have been able to block. To Valin's amazement, she never tried, but rather rolled away from the blow with a one-handed round off.

Once Jaina was upright again, she grinned at her befuddled opponent. "You're going to have to do better than that."

Octa believed she was up to the task and launched an immediate attack, thrusting straight in with her lightsaber. Jaina sidestepped, hooking her body around the lightsaber's path. Octa followed with a kick aimed at Jaina's mid-section. With inhuman speed, Jaina caught Octa's foot and with blazing force hurled Octa halfway across the room.

The female Jedi landed in a heap on the floor, the breath knocked out of her lungs. Jaina ran to Octa's side, followed by Valin. Jaina knelt down beside her fallen comrade. "Octa, are you alright? I'm so sorry."

Octa rolled over on her back, propping up on her elbows. She smiled half-heartedly. "I'm fine."

Jaina stood and held a hand out to Octa. "I guess I got carried away." Octa accepted the proffered hand, and Jaina tugged the woman to her feet. "Welcome to Twin Suns. If the Vong don't kill you, your squadron commander will."

Octa held out her hand, calling her lightsaber back to it. She grinned at Jaina. "You want to go again?"

Jaina laughed, admiring the other woman's spunk. "I think we are going to get along fine. Let's call it a day. We have the early patrol tomorrow."

Octa tipped her head. "Very well. I'll see you tomorrow." She eyed Valin. "You ready?"

Valin addressed Jaina. "I'll walk you back to your barracks, if that's alright?"

Jaina grinned. "I guess I am going down in the world. I go from a Master to an apprentice escorting me around. Kyp asked you to, right?"

Valin shrugged his shoulders. "Yes. After today, I have no doubts you could take care of yourself, but I suppose two is always better than one."

Jaina waved to Octa, who had decided to take her leave, then motioned with an open palm to the exit. "The company will be nice."

Despite the statement, Jaina walked in silence replaying the last part of the fight. She was so deep in thought; Jaina forgot Valin was next to her. After leaving the medward, the day had gone by in a blur, Jaina performing her duties on autopilot. To the outward eye, no one would have suspected the turmoil inside. During the sparring match, Jaina had found comfort in her communion with the Force. She felt alive and vibrant. All her concerns vanished until the kick leveled at her torso. The reality of the child growing within her and the ensuing responsibilities came rushing back. Some maternal instinct, Jaina never knew existed in her, reared its head, and her only goal was to protect that life.

Unfortunately, Octa was the unwitting victim in Jaina's personal awakening. At that moment Jaina realized the only thing that mattered was her child. Jaina would defeat this disease for the child. She would defeat the Vong so her child never had to live in fear. She would do all this alone until Jag kept his promise and returned to her. Nothing would stand in the way of achieving these goals. Her resolve was forged of durasteel.

A voice next to her broke Jaina's thoughts. "Lieutenant Colonel Solo, I wanted to thank you for accepting me in Twin Suns."

Jaina glanced over at the dark-haired young man, a handsome combination of his mother's beauty and father's dashing good looks. Jaina wondered what part of each parent the baby would have, maybe her brown hair and Jag's emerald green eyes. "You earned it."

Jaina stopped at the entrance to the commander's barracks and keyed in the code. Valin waited for Jaina to step through the door, before following. He was bolstered by the confidence in her words. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"I know I still have a lot to learn in addition to being a pilot, like working toward becoming a Jedi Knight, like you and my father."

Jaina nodded. "Yes, we all do." She realized she was becoming as sage as her former masters.

"Well, I'd like to…um, I want to ask you…What I am trying to say is would you allow me to be your apprentice?"

Jaina pulled up short of her door. Valin stopped beside her, patiently waiting for a sign. "I don't know Valin. That is a big responsibility, in addition to leading Twin Suns and handling my Trickster duties."

The young man did a good job of concealing his disappointment, but it was still there in his eyes. "I understand; it was worth a try."

Jaina uncomfortably pointed at her door a few steps away. "Well, I'm here. Thank you for the company."

"Sure, I'll see you in the morning, Lieutenant Colonel Solo."

Jaina walked over to the door and fled into the darkness of her room. As the door slid shut, Jaina fell against it. The question was unexpected to say the least, and it had frightened her. It was difficult enough to know Corran and Mirax had entrusted their son to her as a squadron commander. The thought of being responsible for his Jedi training was even more daunting.

Jaina clutched her hand over her stomach. It was then Jaina realized that her fear was based in the looming responsibility of becoming a parent and being completely responsible for another life not her own. This baby would be utterly defenseless and would rely on Jaina for everything it needed to survive. Valin's question shed a harsh light on that truth. Today Jaina had swallowed a larger dose of reality than even she could have imagined possible.

She whispered, "Jag, please come back to me soon."

Jaina opened the door and ran back down the hall. She caught Valin at the front door to the barracks. "Valin, wait!"

The young man stopped and twisted around to acknowledge her. He waited for Jaina to get to him. He was surprised to see her actually breathless.

"It would require complete faith and dedication on your part. My role in this war is pivotal, and it puts me in danger everyday – more so than simply being a pilot or squadron commander."

It took Valin a second to catch on, and then, his eyes lit up. "I would expect that."

"And I won't agree to anything until I get approval from Luke and the Council." Valin opened his mouth to reply but Jaina added more. "And your parents."

The dark haired boy grinned, and his brown eyes danced just like his father's did at times. "I don't think that will be a problem. Mom was the one who planted the idea in the first place."

Jaina grinned back. "I always did like your mother. She really knows what she is talking about." Jaina held out her hand. "Pending approval, congratulations Valin on becoming my first apprentice."

Valin accepted her outstretched hand and shook it once hard. "Congratulations on getting your first apprentice."

A couple hand-in-hand approached Jaina on the way down the tunnel to the Oceanview Outcropping. Jaina smiled politely at the pair as they passed. Love radiated between the man and woman, and the corner of Jaina's mouth turned up slightly. She was thankful the sphere was empty when she entered. Unlike the night of her wedding, the sun bounced freely off the ocean's waves below and brightened the sky above.

Jaina plopped down on the bench and leaned back, one hand protectively settled on her abdomen. Jaina and Kyp had stopped at the building housing the Council, while he attended to some Jedi business. The Ackbar Gardens, which sat adjacent to the Council headquarters, beckoned to her as she sat in the lobby. She knew Kyp would be upset at her for leaving the building when she had agreed to wait, but she went anyway.

The solitude and tranquility of the Outcropping were a welcome change from the last four weeks on Mon Calamari. Since returning, the days and nights had run together into an endless stream of engagements and skirmishes laced between escort runs with refugee convoys. The weeks had flown by thankfully, making the separation from Jag somewhat bearable to this point. Jaina was not even sure how much time they would have had together if he had returned from Csillia already.

Today had actually been free of excitement. The quiet was almost unsettling, and the pace left too much time for Jaina to reflect on everything happening in her life. So far, she had held the nano-organisms in check, using the growing awareness of her child to detect and fight them. With the help of Cilghal, Jaina had become proficient at what they termed power trances, to heal the parts of her body that succumbed to the advances of the organisms. Amazingly, the baby was unaffected, and Jaina was determined to keep it that way.

Through it all, Jaina remained strong, beating back the emotions ballooned by the ravages of the hormone fluctuations common with pregnancy. That was until she entered the sphere. The emotions flooded into her like the sunlight, piercing every fiber of her being. One lone tear rolled down her cheek. It was all Jaina would allow.

A hand on her shoulder caused Jaina to jump. She wiped the tear away before looking up. "Oh. Hi, Zekk."

His expression was one of concern. "Are you okay?"

Jaina turned and gazed out the transparisteel skin. She had been able to fight her own battle with those feelings, but Zekk's question could surely break down her walls. "Tough couple of weeks."

Zekk came around to take a seat next to her. He grasped her hand. "I know what you mean. It's one battle after another these days." Jaina nodded as she bit back tears. Zekk sent her a reassuring touch in the Force, breaking away at the dam. "Do you want to talk about it?"

She shook her head side to side. The reassurance and comfort Zekk offered made her miss everything about Jag more. Suddenly the loneliness was too much, and tears fell unhindered. Jaina did not remember Zekk's arms engulfing her; it was all a mindless blur. The whole episode was distorted and fuzzy as she sobbed in his arms. That was until the baby became agitated in their bond.

The unsettling of her child was enough to bring Jaina to her senses. She pulled away from Zekk, wiping her eyes. "I'm sorry. I don't know where that came from."

Zekk smiled as he smoothed the hair away from her face. "That's what friends are for. I'll be here if you need me."

Jaina smiled kindly "I'm glad I didn't lose your friendship over my…" Jaina paused, her eyes turned down. She looked back up to meet his green eyes waiting patiently. "Well, you know. You mean so much to me. I value what we have. The thought of not being able to talk to you after all I have lost already was unbearable. Thanks for being there for me, Zekk." Uncomfortable with the show of emotion, she stood abruptly. "I better go. Kyp will have my head if I am not waiting in the lobby when he gets out of his meeting." Jaina jogged up the ramp, leaving behind a grinning Zekk.

Two weeks later, Jaina was not surprised to see Zekk at her door. He had stopped by frequently in the two weeks since their encounter at the Outcropping, and always when Kyp was tied up with the Council. It seemed perfectly normal since Council meetings required Luke's presence, meaning Blackmoon Squadron would be planetside with little to do as well.

Jaina welcomed Zekk inside, inviting him to take a seat in the living room. Initially, he claimed to be checking on her mental status after he saw her crying at the Outcropping, but now each visit consisted of a small talk about squadron tactics or Jedi business. Sometimes Valin was there, and Zekk helped Jaina guide the young man through various training exercises. She had welcomed the renewed friendship, never sensing anything other than the old bond they had developed as students on Yavin 4. Jaina was grateful for the company.

Zekk fell into a chair, his usual cheery self. "No Valin today?" His good humor was really for the chance to be alone with Jaina for once.

"I sent him away early." She smiled. "Actually, I was getting as bored as he was with the focusing techniques."

Jaina plopped onto the couch, mimicking Zekk's posture. He sat up, his face serious. "I worry about you." This was the first time in days he had broached the subject, but it was also the first time in days they had been alone.

Jaina yawned. "I'm fine. Everyone is stretched a little thin these days."

Zekk grabbed the hand she used to wave his concerns off. "Jaina, you don't have to put your brave face on for me anymore. I can see the sadness in your eyes when you think no one is looking. I could be there for you all the time, like at the Outcropping."

Jaina squeezed his hand. "Thanks. You've been a great friend these last couple of weeks…"

"I can be more if you let me."

Jaina, shocked by the perceived sudden change in Zekk's outlook, tried to pull her hand away unsuccessfully. "I thought you understood that was out of the question."

"I know Jag left you, Jaina. It's okay. I'm willing to wait until you are completely over him. I just want you to know I am here for you."

With a sharp tug, Jaina freed her hand, stunned Zekk knew about Jag. "I guess I have given you the wrong impression. I am sad, not because I was left, but because I can't wait until he returns. Nothing has changed, Zekk."

Zekk put the power of the Force behind his words. "Jag Fel will never stay with a Jedi. Face the facts Jaina. He's not coming back. I have asked around; Vanguard Squadron is not scheduled to return. He's an Imperial. He filled your head with lies, then used you to get what he could before going home the conquering hero. Don't you see you were just a notch in his belt?"

The intensity of his words overwhelmed Jaina for a moment like a fog descending on her brain. She had to fight hard to see past them, to see the truth. The light of Jag's love nestled in her womb guided her out of the darkness. Free from the cloak of his dark control, Jaina stood and headed for the door. "I think you should leave."

The male Jedi rose and blocked her path. Jaina tried to back away as she came within inches of him. Zekk clutched her arms, pinning them to her side. "The sooner you accept it, the sooner we can get on with our lives."

Jaina felt the dark urging strangling her focus again. She shook her head, blinking it away. "Zekk, stop playing with my mind! What's wrong with you?"

His fingers dug into her arm. It would have been simple to fight him off, but Jaina hesitated for two reasons; a desire to protect her baby and a need to help her old friend find his way back from this terrible turn. She harnessed the good of the Force and sent it to him.

"Why don't we sit down and talk about this?"

Zekk stopped for a moment, his face not revealing a turn one way or the other. She waited anxiously holding her breath. Before Jaina realized what was happening, there was a feeling of complete horror from her child. Zekk had burrowed through Jaina's shields and invaded her most intimate thoughts, finding her unborn child with his probe. Jaina sent him flying with a blast of the Force, leaving him in a heap on the floor.

Zekk rose to his feet, visibly enraged. "There is nothing to talk about. Jag left you and left behind a little present I see. I can take care of everything. I'll make all your problems go away. Now forget him and focus on me, on us."

The dark wall was descending on her thoughts again as he moved closer. Jaina backed away until the back of her knees hit the couch. "That's not going to happen."

Throwing Jaina down on the couch, Zekk started shouting. "Listen to me…" Jaina sensed someone at her door as Zekk's voice grew sharper with each uttered word. "..you will forget…" Jaina keyed the door code with the Force. "…about that arrogant Imperial…" Rane was in the doorway. Jaina sent a summons for help out in the Force to all the Jedi nearby. "…Force-blind fighter jock."

Everything happened so fast; Jaina was at a loss despite her Jedi training. Here was a person she thought was a friend, turning into an indescribable monster before her eyes, threatening Jaina and her child. Rane stepped across the room just as Zekk grabbed Jaina's arm again to shake her. "He's not…" He broke in mid-sentence as Rane gripped the Jedi by the shoulder.

"Get your hands off her."

As soon as Rane spoke a spike of Force lightning coursed from Zekk, hurling Rane across the room, where he crashed into the opposing wall. Rane fell to the floor still glowing with energy from the strike. Jaina broke past Zekk, heading for Rane, but was stopped by a strong hand. "Don't go to him."

Rane was pushing himself up along the wall. He snarled through the pain. "I said, get your hands off her."

Zekk threw another bolt at Rane. Jaina hesitated to interfere, fearful for her baby, but cursing her own lack of action at the same time. Jag's brother fell to the floor again as Jaina screamed, batting his arm away so purple lightning ripped along the wall leaving a horrible blackened scar. "Stop Zekk! Stop!"

The Jedi snarled at Rane, now fully under the power of the dark currents within him. "I don't know what I regret more; missing your brother on Bimm or not killing you."

All of Jaina's fear fled at the revelation, and she stepped between Zekk and Rane, wishing her lightsaber was not all the way in her bedroom behind a closed door, but knowing now Zekk had to be stopped. She backed toward Rane as she spoke.

"I won't let you do this, Zekk. You need help."

Zekk's fingers crackled. Jaina prayed there was enough of his twisted love for her to prevent him from striking but feared he just might, hoping to hurt the baby. Suddenly the door slid open and Tahiri rushed in, her lightsaber ablaze. Zekk hurled lightning at her immediately, but she deflected the bolts easily. Tahiri came to a halt between Zekk and Jaina, who was still shielding Rane with her body. The blonde stared down her former friend, now a new enemy.

"Zekk, I don't know what happened, but the emotions you are projecting are wrong."

Zekk's eyes burned with a dark fire, his whole aura was ablaze. He turned his head at an unseen enemy, then turned back, staring past Tahiri to address Jaina. "This isn't over. Someday, somehow, I will make you mine." With that Zekk fled the room.

Jag willed the time to move faster as he sat confined in the cramped quarters of the cockpit of his new clawcraft. The nav computer was counting down with less than a minute to go until the reversion to realspace, where Vanguards would have to make one last course adjustment before beginning their last leg to Mon Calamari. The route to and from Csillia was a simple three-leg trip dictated by the composition of space between the origin and destination.

Jag was pleased with the performance of the new fighters to date. Even with the accelerated shake down period, very few glitches had been identified. It was a credit to the Chiss engineers and support crew that the newly designed clawcraft were able to depart Csillia in the eight-week time frame his father had agreed to. For a while, Jag had worried the ambitious schedule would overwhelm his pilots, and he had struggled with his desire to return to Jaina versus the well being of his men. During the eight weeks it had become apparent the members of Vanguard Squadron were equal to the task. The privilege of being included in the process was more that sufficient to bolster morale to new heights.

The timer beeped the last three seconds, bringing Jag's thoughts back into focus as the lines of hyperspace closed up to the points of individual stars. A quick check of the tactical display revealed all twelve clawcraft back in formation, fronted by the Chiss shuttle, returning with the new ships for specialized maintenance and support.

Jag keyed his comm as he followed the shuttle in its turn to the new heading. "This is Vanguard Lead. Any anomalies to report?"

Jag listened patiently as one by one the squadron reported in, most with nothing to note of import, a few listed minor unremarkable abnormalities. Satisfied the squadron could proceed on their last leg of the journey, he directed the squadron. "Prepare to make the last jump for Mon Cal. Input standard coordinates. Verify now."

Jag pressed a button to transmit coordinates to the rest of the ships. Twelve comm clicks responded. "Jump on my mark, three, two, one, mark."

As was standard procedure, the squadron jumped following the shuttle. Jag, as Lead, would enter hyperspace as soon as he was sure all members of Vanguard Squadron had made the jump. Jag watched as the balance of his squadron disappeared in a distortion of stars. He reached for the controls when a distinct impulse compelled him to halt his actions.

A heavy weight on his psyche dulled his senses momentarily. Jag jerked his hand back to the stick as an alarm blared followed by a sharp jolt of his fighter. He instantly recognized the impact of laser fire as his instincts took control of his body, shedding the dark haze. His clawcraft rolled in a spiraling dive as the shields came online. The flash of laser fire spewed past his cockpit followed by the blur of a snubfighter.

Jag's initial thought was he had stumbled unwittingly into a Peace Brigade ambush, but that idea was squashed when he recognized the distinct black crescent painted on the fuselage of the X-wing. This, combined with the dark compulsion that had flooded his mind, gave Jag all the insight he needed to recognize his foe.

He quickly evaluated the damage done to his ship before entering the dogfight. The harm done to his starboard engine would pose a significant problem, but Jag had a promise to keep to his wife. No Dark Jedi was going to prevent him from keeping it, especially when the man had selected to play on Jag's battlefield of choice. Jag raced head-on at the approaching snubfighter, drawing up his mental barriers to prepare for the fight of his life.

Jaina leaned against the wall in the waiting room of the medward, her arms crossed over her chest in a forced habit to prevent her hands from rubbing her abdomen nervously. There was still no outward indication of her pregnancy, her abdomen still flat at a little over eight weeks, but Jaina did not want to draw any suspicion or attention with her actions.

Tahiri, situated to her left, mirrored her posture, as both women observed the medical droids preparing Rane for another dunk in the bacta tank. It was apparent from where they stood the younger Fel brother was being uncooperative. He was pushing the droids away and gesturing emphatically despite the burns covering his body.

One of the droids left his side, heading toward the door to the waiting room. The female Jedi turned to watch the droid enter the room and approach them. Both women pushed away from the wall to place their weight squarely on each foot. The droid addressed Jaina.

"Lieutenant Colonel Solo. Lieutenant Fel insists on speaking to you before going in the bacta tank."

Jaina glanced at Tahiri, then motioned with an upturned palm for the droid to lead the way. Jaina followed. Rane saw her approaching and attempted to push himself to an upright position. She touched him gently on the shoulder to assist in his effort. Jaina grimaced as the blonde haired version of Jag gritted his teeth against the pain.

"I don't know if that was the bravest or stupidest thing I have ever seen today, Rane, but thank you all the same."

"I promised Jag I would keep an eye on you, and Fel's don't make promises unless they intend to keep them."

"I see. So that explains the lunch visits over the last few weeks. I thought you enjoyed my stunning personality."

Rane grinned. "That, too."

"Next time, call for help instead of taking on a Jedi."

Rane glanced down at his burnt extremities. "I'll take it under advisement."

"So there was something you wanted to tell me."

"Yes, I had stopped by your place to deliver a message. That's why I wanted to see you before they put me in the tank."

Jaina's heart pattered in anticipation, sensing Rane's excitement. "Is it about Jag?"

Rane practically beamed with the news. "He is on his way back. Vanguards should be here shortly, based on my information. Word trickled down through the pilots today. Apparently everyone is surprised they are returning. I have a feeling something big is about to happen."

It took every ounce of Jaina's will power to maintain her composure. She grabbed Rane's hand, the one with the fewest burns. "This is the best thing I could have hoped for after a day like today. Thank you."

Rane winked. "I thought you would like to know, but now I think I will go for that trip to the blissful peace of bacta for the second time in the last few weeks."

Jaina beamed at Rane with a genuine smile that had escaped her for weeks. She released his hand and backed away, signaling to the droids they could return to their patient. Jaina felt as though she was walking on air as she traveled the short distance back to the waiting room. She was not surprised to see Wedge there, his expression grim, standing next to Tahiri. Tahiri spoke before Wedge had a chance.

"How is he?"

Jaina practically burst with excitement in spite of the serious nature of the conversation. "Rane will be fine. I advised him against taking on a Jedi again."

Wedge interjected. "I suppose he came to tell you about Jag and stumbled into the whole mess."

Jaina nodded. Just then her uncle and Kyp entered the waiting room through the front door at a hurried pace. Kyp followed moments later at a jog. The former looked grim, and the latter appeared visibly unsettled. Luke decided to forego any formalities.

"Is everyone all right?"

Jaina responded. "We are all fine. Rane got the worst of it."

The male Jedi glanced through the observation window where Rane could be seen being lowered into the bacta tank, burns tracing across his body. Luke frowned, remembering the pain inflicted on him by similar injuries at the hands of the Emperor.

"That is good news, indeed."

Kyp interrupted. "I have had a bad feeling about Zekk for a while. I should have been more adamant about him not seeing Jaina."

Luke addressed the Jedi Master. "This is not your fault, Kyp. Both you and Mara had expressed your concerns to me, but the Dark Side is hard to detect. It is even harder to believe it would affect our friends who we have learned to trust. He was in my squadron, and I completely missed the signs."

Wedge questioned Luke, somewhat confused. "You mean this Jedi Zekk doesn't get his way with Jaina, and he goes all Sithy?"

Luke furrowed his brow for moment, twisting his lips in thought. "It's more complicated than that I suppose. There is a fine line between love and obsession. Zekk obviously could not discern the difference. Obsession, the need to possess, is a seed of the Dark Side, which Zekk has wrestled since he was trained at the Shadow Academy."

Jaina faced her uncle. "Zekk said he was the one who shot down Rane at Bimmisaari. I think he may have messed with my head as well. There were things he said today that were just like thoughts that floated in my head after Tahiri's abduction."

Kyp eyed Luke. Jaina caught the exchange, just as she caught the barely contained rage Kyp harnessed. There was something he was not telling her. Jaina knew Kyp had not liked Zekk, but now he had as much admitted to suspecting Zekk had dark intentions all along. The window to Kyp's mental state shut, leaving nothing but a warm reassuring presence from her partner as he reached for her hand. She took it gratefully.

Luke watched Kyp take his niece's hand and frowned. "And Mara just told me minutes ago about the exchange she caught between Jag and Zekk at the Ackbar Gardens."

Jaina's eyes widened. "What exchange?"

Guilt at exposing more truth than Jaina obviously knew washed across Luke's face. "Sorry, I thought you knew. Mara walked in on the two of them squared off like a bunch of tusk-cats fighting over a kill. Some time after that she and Kyp expressed their concern to me about Zekk. That apparently wasn't the first episode she witnessed…"

Luke paused, caught by the action of Kyp shaking his head out of Jaina's line of sight. Wedge witnessed the whole exchange and broke into the conversation. "So you are telling me this guy is pretty dangerous. Have you rounded him up?"

Luke's bleak expression did not offer any degree of comfort. "No, that's why we came to see Jaina. Zekk's X-wing is gone. We thought she might have an idea where he went."

Wedge blurted out his next question. "If Zekk is all torqued about Jaina not choosing him and he has already tried to kill Jag once, would he do something drastic like going after Jag again?"

Jaina never imagined the possibility until Wedge pointed it out, not even from Zekk, but he had said plainly in front of her - he had already tried once to kill Jag. Kyp sensed Jaina's sinking emotions and offered words he thought would bring her comfort.

"Jag's safe in the Unknown Regions. That's why Zekk thought he could worm his way back into your life." Kyp stopped abruptly when he caught the sick look on her face. "Jaina, what's wrong?"

Wedge answered for her. "Rane was at Jaina's apartment to give her the news. Jag is on his way home."

Both Masters exuded tension in their demeanors despite their best efforts against it. Jaina thought she was going to get sick for a moment, but steadied herself by sheer will. Luke questioned Wedge, unwilling to face his niece.

"Would Rane know the specifics of Jag's return trip for any reason?"

Jaina answered, her face pale. "Jag told me there is only one hyperspace route in and out of Csillia."

As she finished, Tycho entered the waiting room, summoning Wedge over. Jaina's head spun in a thousand directions as Kyp and Luke grilled her further about the little she did know. There were three legs. She did not know the specifics maybe they could contact Shawnkyr. Her focus was on Jag's uncle, who looked like a defeated man, his shoulders sagging and features showing their true age as he left Tycho and headed back in her direction.

Wedge stopped directly in front of Jaina, looking first to Luke and Kyp now behind her and then Tahiri. His eyes came to rest, staring directly into Jaina's questioning brown orbs. No one else would know how truly difficult this moment was for Wedge.

"Jaina, Vanguard Squadron is back on the Talion."

Words fell from Jaina's mouth, relieving Wedge of the awful burden. "Jag's not with them." Jaina suddenly felt dizzy. If not for Kyp's grasp on her hand, Jaina was sure she would have allowed the earth to swallow her at that very moment.

Wedge shook his head once. "Spike Squadron has already left for the last jump point, where he was seen last."

Not only were the words spinning in her head, the room was now spinning as Jaina seemingly lost control. In that moment, for the first time Jaina felt the baby inside her reach out tentatively, unsure of the chaos engulfing her body. It was all Jaina needed to anchor her resolve. She released Kyp's hand after giving it a thankful squeeze. As if doing so would reinforce her confidence, Jaina pulled herself up tall before addressing Wedge.

"Jag made me a promise, and Fel's don't make a promise unless they intend to keep it." She turned to Kyp and Luke, whose faces were drawn with concern. "I would know if something happened to him. I haven't felt anything. If Zekk thinks he can outfly…"

Her words halted as the base alarms blared. Everyone turned to Tycho across the room. He finished speaking into his comlink and crossed the distance to them. "We have another small Vong strike force at the outskirts of the system."

Wedge's brows furrowed. "They're getting braver and braver."

Jaina was already starting for the exit when Wedge realized what she was doing and halted her with a hand on her arm."

"Where are you going?"

She turned her head to face the general. "To my ship, sir." There was a silent exchange between their eyes. "I'll be fine. Besides, I would know if something happened. Jag is coming back to us."

Wedge let her go reluctantly. Jaina strode out of the room, never looking back. Tahiri, who had remained a quiet observer until then, was the first to speak. "Don't pull her off-line because of this. It will just give her time to think."

Wedge eyed the blonde Jedi. "You're probably right."

Any rebuttals intended by the other Jedi where summarily dismissed by the general as he spun on his heel to follow his pilot.

End of Chapter 23
TKL/h94