CHAPTER 24 – Secrets Big and Small

The walk from the hangar to the debriefing room was agonizingly long. The hallway appeared to stretch out before Jaina like an endless path. Seemingly not soon enough, she arrived at the door, pausing before deciding to enter. Jaina took her hand first, splaying it over her abdomen and touched her child while she looked down. Then she reached for the keypad, activating the door.

Jaina entered the room, disappointed in the emptiness before her. In the silence of the vacant room, she recognized the hammering of her heart in anticipation of hearing news, whether it be good or bad. Her knees betrayed her resolve as the door slid shut, and she clutched the first chair available at the small table. Not once during the skirmish on the outskirts of the Mon Cal system had Jaina felt anything from Jag. She used that knowledge to bolster her hope.

Jaina guided her bone-tired body, housing an emotionally tortured soul, into the seat. Her head fell into her hands as she propped her elbows on the table. The growing baby and marauding Vong organisms had drained her body of its strength, while the turmoil of the last day had sapped the remaining of her inner fortitude. Jaina turned her focus inward to the one thing she held firm, her child. There, she found a little piece of Jag; part of his essence touched her soul. Jaina grasped it and held on for dear life.

Footsteps from behind startled Jaina from her moment of tranquility. She had not even heard the door open and close. Jaina picked up her head to address Tycho. "I am sorry…"

A hand on her shoulder caused Jaina to stumble over the words, and a brush of a familiar spicy scent made her freeze momentarily. The hand squeezed her shoulder, and Jaina cast her gaze upward into a sea of green. She leapt from her seat, buoyed by a newly discovered strength and flung her arms around the body she had desired to hold for over eight weeks. A strong pair of arms engulfed her slight form while Jaina collapsed into his strength.

Jag had to step back with one foot to counter the strength with which Jaina had thrust herself out of the seat, but that strength vanished once his arms folded around her. He clutched Jaina to him as she went all but limp in his arms. She felt so small to him. Jag buried his face into her hair and recalled the first sight he had of his wife minutes before.

Standing next to his uncle in an observation area overlooking the hangar, Jag watched as the voxyn adorned snubfighter settled into its berth. Jag noted the scoring along the fuselage from plasma fire.

"She's seen some action."

Wedge tipped his head. "Looks a little better than yours."

Jag did not respond as his eyes caught sight of Jaina easing out of the cockpit. Even from their relative distance, he could see the sag of her shoulders and pallor of her skin. "She looks tired."

Wedge tried to allay his nephew's concerns. "Everyone is stretched a little thin right now. The Vong have been active the last few weeks, and I am sure today's excitement didn't help."

Jag faced his uncle and raised a disbelieving eyebrow.

Wedge huffed. "All right, the truth of the matter is Jaina has been on a mission since you left. It's like she has set a timetable to finish this whole war, and nothing is going to deter her. She has pushed herself and the squadron harder than I would think possible. I spoke to Kyp about it last week, and he had the same concerns. Nothing he or I have said seems to get through. Maybe now that you're back, she'll take a breather."

Jag absorbed what his uncle said as he watched his wife wearily make the trek out of the hangar. Wedge put a hand on Jag's shoulder. "I'll give you a few minutes together before Tycho has to debrief her. Then you and I need to have a talk with Luke."

Jag tipped his head in acknowledgement before hurrying for the door.

Jag came back to the moment as he felt the sobs emanating from Jaina wrack her shoulders under his embrace. He brought a hand up to stroke her hair while he fought back tears of his own. Until that moment, he had been unaware of how difficult his own personal turmoil had been, a struggle between honor and duty versus love and family.

Jag reached between them and placed a hand on Jaina's chin, tilting it up so he could see her brown eyes. Tears streamed out unhindered. Her arms slid from his waist to his shoulders, coming to rest behind his neck. At the same time, Jag lowered his head down until their lips met, and he tasted the salt of her tears. The sweet taste of her mouth flared on his tongue as she opened to him.

The kiss was both tender and passionate, expressing every moment missed over the past eight weeks. Jag's hand moved to grasp her neck, his fingertips caressing her nape. He devoured her with his kisses like a starved man. Jaina pulled away first, her eyes now sparkling with an overabundance of joy. Her arms traversed down his body, searching for signs of anything amiss while relishing in the feel of him.

Jag smiled down at her. "I am fine."

Her face beamed excitedly when she found him whole. "I told everyone you would be back. Rane told me a Fel never makes a promise unless they intend to keep it."

"That is correct."

Jaina pulled away to arms' length. "Rane, he…"

Jag put a hand to her lips. "I know. I have seen Uncle Wedge already. I am sorry Rane got hurt, but I am grateful he was there."

Jaina's face reflected the solemn thoughts swimming in her head. She voiced her fear. "Did Zekk try something?"

Jag's face became stoic, not betraying his inner rage at the man who had threatened his happiness. He had a sense that Jaina needed his reassurance not the true depth of his tumultuous emotions. "Yes, but it's over."

Jaina understood the meaning of his words, and sadness consumed her at the loss of a friend. The only thing Jag could do was pull her back into his arms, confirming she was truly there next to him. Jaina buried her cheek in his chest content to listen to the beating of his heart, happy to lean on his strength after such a long time without it. Too quickly the door slid open. Jag heard his uncle's voice from behind him.

"Is it safe?"

The couple parted reluctantly, Jaina brushing a few stray tears away. Wedge stepped into the doorway. "I apologize, Jaina, but Tycho has a line of debriefs, and I really need to steal Jag away."

Jaina forced a smile. "I understand."

Jag brushed her cheek and set one last soft kiss on her lips before stepping away. Nothing needed to be said. He would come to her as soon as possible. Jag left the room, slipping past Tycho. He stole one last glance over his shoulder at Jaina before following Wedge down the hall to his office.

Luke and Mara Skywalker as well as Kyp were there, waiting for them to arrive. The Jedi all carried the same grim expression. Luke spoke first. "Colonel Fel, I am glad to see you are in one piece. I understand you believe you had a run-in with a Jedi Knight."

Jag's rage seethed below his usually steely demeanor, but it was hinted to all in the room. "Yes, it was Zekk."

Luke questioned Jag further. "What leads you to this conclusion?"

"It could have been the black haze that momentarily clouded my mind before I took the first hit, but the real clue was the Blackmoon emblem on the side of his X-wing as it flew past firing a few salvos into my engines."

Mara interjected her own thoughts, addressing Jag specifically. "I am afraid it was Zekk. We just needed confirmation from you. Kyp and I suspected something for a while, but neither of us foresaw this unfortunate turn of events."

Kyp nodded. "I suppose I could have openly voiced my suspicions to Luke, but all I had was circumstantial evidence. Between the events on Bimm and the incident on the Jade Shadow, it just didn't seem like enough to accuse a fellow Jedi of taking the plunge. Not that I am one to judge."

Mara consoled the Jedi Master, who had been berating himself all day. "You know as well as all of us, the Dark Side is difficult to sense.

Jag interrupted, drilling Kyp. "What happened on the Shadow?"

"Zekk put Jaina in a healing trance, but I felt something malicious about his intentions."

Jag addressed Kyp directly as if no one else was in the room. "I trusted you to protect her. To the Corellian hells with your Jedi code, you should have told me. I had my own run in with him as well. Between the two of us, we would have been able to stop him before this happened."

Kyp stiffened under the criticism. "You know I would do anything to protect Jaina. I would give my life for her."

Jag's eyes flashed with a rage none had ever known him capable of. "No, my brother almost did that. It's a good thing I asked him to back you up, but even that did not stop Zekk from almost making short work of me. Or isn't that what you have always wanted – me out of the way?"

Kyp flew at Jag so the two men were practically nose to nose. "I have only wanted Jaina's happiness, ever."

"Don't lie, Kyp. It stinks of the Dark Side."

There was so much tension in the room everyone was afraid to make a move. Mostly, those witnessing the exchange figured the two men better work their differences out on their own.

Kyp snarled. "It's not smart to mess with me, Jag."

"I'm not afraid of a Jedi. Bring it on. That will make two for the day."

Mara finally stepped between the two men forcing them apart. "Maybe you two should cool off and thank the Force everyone came out of this alive. Jaina does not need any additional grief from the two of you."

Luke meanwhile studied the two green-eyed men, somewhat stunned at the altercation. At the mention of Jaina, Kyp's reaction mirrored Jag's. Both men calmed immediately at the suggestion their actions could upset Jaina further. Kyp appeared to rein in his emotions first. He backed away reluctantly. Luke recognized the possibility there was something to his sister's suspicions concerning Kyp. For a Jedi Master, Luke sometimes wondered if he still was not just a naïve farmboy from Tatooine.

Jag turned to Mara. "There seems to have been a lack of communication on all our parts. Unfortunately my…" Jag caught himself, "…girlfriend and brother paid the price."

Luke added, "And yourself."

Jag's glare pierced Luke. "I can take care of myself; it's Jaina I worry about. If I had known he had laid a hand on her, I would have blown Zekk's X-wing into a million pieces instead of letting it crash land on that planet. Either way it's good riddance."

Kyp started at the proclamation. "You mean you didn't destroy his fighter before it entered the atmosphere?"

Still agitated, Jag glared at Kyp. "No, I destroyed his shields and engines. His cockpit was venting to space. I wasn't in that good of shape myself by that time. I figured the drop to the surface would send him to the hell he belongs in."

All were shocked to feel the genuine hate, now uninhibited, coming from Jag as he retold his experience. Jag watched as Kyp and Luke exchanged a disturbing look. Luke addressed Jag. "The problem is a Dark Jedi could possibly draw enough power to survive the crash."

Jag did not want to be accused of being remiss in his duties. "While we waited for the rescue shuttle, I had Spike Squadron run scans of the crash area for signs of life just to be sure. They found nothing."

Luke unfortunately had a rebuttal. "It's easy for a Jedi to dampen life signs to be undetectable." He addressed Wedge, who until now had stayed out of the conversation. "I am going to send a team of Jedi out to be sure."

Wedge nodded in agreement. "Understandable. Which of my pilots are you going to commandeer?"

Luke turned to Mara and Kyp, both nodded knowingly. "Kyp and Mara will go. It takes a former Dark Jedi to fight one, if he is still alive."

Jag jumped in. "What will you do about Jaina while Kyp is gone?" Jag may have had his differences with the Jedi Master, but he was not about to let it jeopardize his wife's safety.

Luke eyed the young colonel suspiciously. "We'll work out a rotation of Jedi until Kyp returns. He will only be gone for a couple days at the most. Besides, if Zekk is alive, he poses a bigger threat to Jaina than any Yuuzhan Vong holy war."

A hand stretched across the warm spot still resonating with the essence of its recently departed owner. She left it there for a moment before rolling over to occupy the space. The spicy scent of her husband filled her nostrils, and Jaina reveled in the smell.

Jaina smiled, her eyes still closed, as she recalled their first night back together. They never uttered a word; everything was shared in a silent lover's dance. Jag had renewed his intimate knowledge of every inch of her body. She had rejoiced in the essence of his love glowing in the Force. By the time each remembered the other completely, their minds and bodies were spent, and they collapsed into a blissful slumber in each other's arms.

Jaina rolled over on her back, rubbing a hand over her bare abdomen. She had intended to tell Jag right away about the baby, but all thought had left her brain at the sight of him entering the darkness of her bedroom.

"Today, my husband will learn he is a daddy." Her stomach growled as if responding. "And I suppose you are making me hungry. As long as my stomach can manage to hold it down, I'll try to oblige you."

Jaina knew she was tired, but it required every ounce of her strength to push herself up to a sitting position with her legs hanging over the side of the bed. Jaina rolled her head around as she worked the kinks out of her neck. Her body was unusually uncomfortable this morning.

To the best of her determination, it was due to the lack of time over the last two days to see Cilghal or practice a healing trance on her own. Jaina decided to get some breakfast and then pay the healer a visit, before the Jedi came looking for her. The Mon Cal native had understood, to a point, of Jaina's inability to keep a strict schedule, but she had no intentions of pushing her luck.

Jaina rose from the bed and was instantly overcome by a spinning sensation. The floor came crashing up to meet her in a hazy blur. Jaina tried to push up on her hands, but her body would have none of it. She rolled over on her left side and stretched out with the fingers of her right hand, calling on her comlink resting on the bedstand.

It danced on the stand's top before falling to the floor. The effort drained the vision from her eyes, and Jaina was certain she would pass out. Without lifting her head, she felt around until her hand found its objective. Fingering the comlink, Jaina slowly pulled it to her mouth.

Jaina stretched back on the bed, eased there by the comforting hands of Cilghal. She waited patiently as the Jedi Healer performed her usual exam, holding her breath in silent anticipation. Cilghal put away the scanner before addressing Jaina.

"The good news is this is not a sign of your illness progressing. The bad news is this is a complication that could affect your pregnancy."

Jaina tried to sit up, but met the downward resistance exerted by Cilghal's long arms. She deferred to the healer's judgment, unable to fight anyway. "Is something wrong with the baby?"

"No, but your blood sugar is low, too low. It could become a problem."

Jaina brought a hand to rest on her forehead. "I haven't been able to keep anything down lately, and yesterday kind of threw my whole schedule to the wind."

Cilghal chided Jaina. "You need to try harder, or I may have to reconsider my agreement with you. Right now, you are in no condition to fly." The healer reached into her bag, pulling out a hypospray gun. "I'll give you a nutrient injection and leave some for you to use since I can't count on you to make it to the lab two times a day. I'll remind you though, that if you had, we could have prevented this episode."

Jaina took the admonishing silently before turning her head to allow Cilghal better access to her neck. She blinked as the nutrient entered her artery. "That's a pleasant way to get fed."

Cilghal left the gun on the bedstand along with some nutrient vials. "You can inject it into your leg or arm if you prefer. This first shot will be more effective applied directly to your blood supply." Jaina already felt better as Cilghal began to pack away her medical equipment. "You should be good as new in a half hour or so."

About that time Jaina's comlink beeped. She sat up carefully and picked it up off the bedstand. "Solo, here."

Jag came over the comm in a hushed voice. "The squadron commanders' briefing is about to start."

"Thanks, I'm on my way."

Jaina swung her legs over the bed as she cursed. "Sithspit! I'm late." Cilghal rolled her bulbous eyes as Jaina rose on shaky legs. Jaina eyed the Jedi Master warily. "I'll be careful. I still have to wait until I can get a Jedi escort to take me, or any number of people will have my head. Speaking of which…"

Jaina flipped the frequency of her comlink as she made her way to the refresher, summoning a change of clothes to her hand as she went.

The briefing room was full, every squadron commander based on Mon Calamari was present for the weekly commanders' meeting, save one. Jag shifted in his chair to get a better look at the door, making sure he had not missed Jaina's entrance. He glanced over at his uncle, who checked his wristchrono before eyeing Jag.

Trying not to draw attention, Jag rose casually and made his way along the back of the room, then slid along the wall to the door. Once outside the briefing room, he activated his comlink, keying Jaina's personal frequency. It took an inordinate amount of time for her to respond.

"Solo, here."

"The squadron commanders' briefing is about to start."

"Thanks, I'm on my way."

Jag switched off the comlink and made his way back. He caught Wedge's attention and tipped his head curtly before slipping back in his seat. Wedge and Tycho killed a few minutes deep in conversation before Wedge decided he could not wait any longer. Tycho called the room to order, and pilots of varying species settled into their seats.

Jag half-listened as his uncle went through his standard opening report, reviewing Starfighter Command's operational status over the last week. Most of his attention was focused on the door. Jaina never missed meetings. She usually showed up in the nick of time, making a grand entrance befitting the Goddess she was, but she was religious about attending.

His thoughts spun around, devising various scenarios for her delay. Finally determining it was a futile effort, and only Jaina could answer his question, Jag decided to turn his consideration back to the briefing. Just then, Wedge changed the subject to next week's activities.

"All squadron commanders are requested to review their maintenance needs and submit a complete report to Tycho by the end of the day." There were disgruntled moans from around the room. "With the increase of activity over the last few weeks, the upkeep on the fighters has fallen behind. I need some ammunition to go to the brass and request more mechanics and supplies."

The grumblings turned to enthusiastic whistles. Wedge shook his head, amused how single-minded fighter pilots could be, even ones in charge. Keep their fighters flying, and they were deliriously happy. He motioned with his palms down for the crowd to contain their enthusiasm. Once the gathering settled, he resumed.

"On to serious business. Intel has provided us with information that suggests Coruscant has proven an inhospitable environment for the Yuuzhan Vong homeworld. The result is the increase in scouting patrols we are seeing recently. Suspicions are they are searching for a new planet to establish a home base. Analysts are currently compiling a list of likely planets…"

A voice broke from the doorway. "Naboo. They'll choose Naboo."

Everyone in the room turned to the sound and met the sight of Jaina leaning against the wall by the entrance. Her arms were slung across her chest in a casual nonchalance befitting her role. Wedge addressed the unexpected disruption.

"Nice of you to join us, Lieutenant Colonel Solo." Jaina tipped her head before flashing a Solo half-grin. "And you say Naboo because?"

"Because it will be."

Wedge studied Jaina for a moment, making sure she had not come straight from the tapcafe and was under the influence of Corellian brandy, before continuing. "I'll pass that bit of information on to Intel personally."

"I'm sure you will."

A few chuckles trickled out of the gathering. Jaina slipped into a seat by the door as Wedge turned his back to the room and proceeded with the rest of the briefing. Jaina's hand fell to her stomach as she thought about the words that had sprung from her mouth. She knew they were true; there was no doubt. The reason she knew came from deep within, from the place where her tentative recognition of the Vong in the Force resided.

Wedge's words broke through the haze of her thoughts. "…to that end, we predict a major offensive in the next few weeks, so expect an increase in sims and training to come shortly. If you need to rest your pilots, get your requests in now because by the end of next week all bets are off."

Kyp and Mara were finishing the post-flight checklist on the Jade Shadow when Luke strode into the cockpit. Mara tilted her head back to look into the blue eyes of her husband and soul mate. The reflection in his eyes was one of concern and worry. They sparkled for one moment as he flashed her a smile, then the twinkle faded back to the deep sea of blue riddled with some heavy burden. As Luke settled down on the edge of the navigator's seat behind the two pilots' chairs, Mara had a feeling she was about to be let in on his secret.

Luke cut right to the chase. "You didn't find anything did you?"

Mara shook her head in disappointment. Kyp finished powering down the shields and weapons systems, then spun in his chair. "Not anything to write home about. One downed X-wing in pretty bad shape. Jag pretty much left it a worthless scrap heap. He was right to assume it wouldn't make it."

Luke interrupted. "But no body."

Kyp frowned. "No."

Mara continued to offer more information. "There was one mining colony on the planet's far side. It wasn't the most hospitable environment, low gravity, lots of noxious gases. The colonists had been to the crash site and found nothing. We scoured the colony and found no sign of Zekk. They have not had any outbound flights recently, nor do they expect any for some time. All in all it was an utter failure."

Luke reached over and patted Mara's hand. She may not have been showing it, but his wife was doing a good job of concealing the inner rage fueled by the betrayal of one of their own. Most importantly though, she felt personally responsible for the events that had unfurled in her niece's life. Luke knew deep down the blame only rested on one man's shoulders, but only time would reveal that truth to Mara.

Luke sat tall in his chair again and addressed Kyp. "With that said. We need to talk."

The green-eyed Master gave no indication of concern at the suggestion. Only a year before the idea of Luke wishing to enter a discussion with him would have sent Kyp into a defensive mode automatically. He simply sat patiently waiting for Luke to broach the subject.

Luke inhaled deeply. "I am concerned about your relationship with Jaina."

Kyp grinned. It was forced but no one would know that. He had known this discussion was inevitable since he and Jag had squared off the day before. Kyp had prepared himself mentally and emotionally. There was no way he would allow Luke to separate him from Jaina, especially now that he felt his failure on her behalf so deeply. No matter what his feelings, Jaina came before all else. Somehow, Kyp knew that was the way it was supposed to be.

"Because of what happened yesterday?"

Luke glanced at Mara, then back to Kyp. "Yes, I am afraid you have developed feelings for her. Do you love her?"

"Yes."

Luke sat back in his chair, his mouth hanging open, unable to form words. Kyp knew better than to lie to two Jedi Masters. So he did not.

"I admit there was a time when I struggled with my feelings for her, but I have resolved them. You can't help but be drawn to her vibrancy in the Force, but there are too many differences between us. Jaina is a mere child, not even twenty. I'm in my thirties. Besides, she loves Jag. They are of the same mind; they belong together. He is the best thing that has ever happened to Jaina. My feelings are love like she was part of my family. I love her because she has accepted me despite my flaws. She has made me part of her family as well."

While Luke digested the confession, Mara dug deeper. "What about your partnership?"

"What about it?"

"That could put a strain on Jaina's relationship with Jag. He may not understand your bond."

The one corner of Kyp's mouth curled up. "Trust me; despite the appearance he gave yesterday, Jag has no doubt about his relationship with Jaina. He entrusted me with her safety; I failed. Things were said in the heat of the moment."

Luke nodded. "He did want you to stay with Jaina, instead of going on this mission."

Kyp grinned. "Now, is that the sign of a truly jealous man?"

"No, I suppose not."

Kyp rose. "So are you satisfied?"

Luke tipped his head.

"Then I'll take my leave. I am starved."

Kyp marched out of the cockpit, disappearing down the corridor heading for the exit.

Luke grabbed Mara's hand, tugging her out of the chair. Seconds later all his concerns were banished in a deep kiss. Even after all these years, her kisses left him breathless. He had to pull away first or suffer death by lack of oxygen. Mara traced an aimless path on his tunic with her finger as she looked into his eyes.

"So do you believe him?"

Luke stared out the cockpit at the sight of Kyp talking to one the Dozen's female pilots. Moments later the pair walked out of the hangar together. "He gave all the right answers, and I detected no deception on his part."

"But…"

Luke cast his gaze back to the green eyes of his wife. "You know as well as I do, there is more to it. However, there seems to be little I can do about it."

Mara ran her hands up Luke's chest until they rested on his shoulders. Her eyes twinkled. "I have a problem you can do something about."

"I bet you do."

Luke leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. Mara wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him tighter, so their bodies were one. A heartbeat later all thought of Kyp or Jaina was forgotten, the only thought left was the pure bliss of being in the arms of each other. Tomorrow would come soon enough.

Jaina twirled her fork in the mounder potato rice and prayed she could make it through dinner without losing what she had already reluctantly consumed. No combination of Jedi techniques had allowed her to overcome the overwhelming nausea she had suffered over the last two weeks, but she tried regardless.

Thankfully, dinner was winding down. Wedge and Jag had been excitedly discussing the potential gains from the inclusion of the cloaked fighters in the battle yet to come, and neither man had noticed her behavior so far. Jaina wished they would stop talking long enough to finish their meals and get on with the evening. Tonight, she would finally get the time alone with her husband to lay everything out on the table. Jaina wondered if some of her nausea was not simply due to nerves.

Finally, Iella rose and gathered her plate and Jag's bare plate beside her. Jaina started to gather her dishes, but before she could rise Iella spoke.

"Jaina, leave it please. Wedge will get the rest." Iella eyed her husband, signaling he needed to step into action and then left for the kitchen. Wedge stood, holding his plate in one hand and reached for Jaina's plate. He paused.

"Was your dinner okay?"

Jaina offered a polite smile. "Oh yes, I wasn't really hungry."

Wedge wrinkled his forehead as he picked up the plate. Then he disappeared into the kitchen, and Jaina felt a hand on her arm. She turned to see the concerned face of her husband.

"Are you feeling all right?"

Jaina rubbed her stomach, smiling nervously. "Just an upset stomach, nothing major."

He moved his hand to take hers. "You've been quiet all evening."

"I thought you didn't notice with all that banter about your new clawcraft."

Jag pursed his lips before speaking. "I did; I figured you were upset I accepted the dinner invitation because you would rather have spent the evening alone."

"No, it's nice to be somewhere other than the room together, and I enjoy spending time with your…our family."

Jag released her hand and rose. "Well, you really must feel bad if you stayed out of a whole conversation about tactics and flying, and you weren't even mad at me. Is that why you were late to the briefing today?"

"Partially."

"I'll go tell Iella and Wedge you're going back to your room. Give Kyp a call."

"No, I don't want to bother him when he just got back. I'll call someone else, but later."

"You're leaving. I insist."

He started to walk away, and Jaina jumped up to stop him. "No, Jag…" Her knees buckled, and Jag turned in time to see Jaina catch herself on the table.

He grasped an elbow to steady her. "Jaina?"

She cursed herself silently for not taking the nutrient injection before coming. "I'm fine. I stood too fast, that's all."

"No, something's wrong. What is it?"

Jaina looked up to see two green eyes questioning her, flooded with concern. "We'll talk when we get back to the room."

"No, you can tell me now."

Jaina peered past Jag as voices trickled out of the kitchen. Jag glanced behind him to the sound and then tugged his wife by the elbow, leading her to the study. Jaina was in no condition to resist and followed his lead, waiting silently as the door slid shut. Jag triggered the lock before turning to face her.

"Now talk."

Jaina tried to protest. "Jag, I don't think it's the right time or place…"

His glare silenced her. Jaina's heart thumped in her chest, and the baby began to sense the tension. She instinctively placed a hand over her abdomen, sending a soothing touch, which never managed to calm her own anxiety. Jaina had played this scene a million times in her head, but all thought fled her mind now that the time had finally come. The words blurted out.

"I am sick."

Jag's face softened. "I am sorry. Do you have the Ryloth flu that has been going around?"

His concern was genuine, but it was not how Jaina had pictured it. Words spurt out of her mouth in frustration. "No, I'm pregnant."

Her hand shot to her mouth; astonished she broke the news with all the sensitivity of a Wookie on the warpath. For the first time in their relationship, Jaina saw Jag truly stunned. He tripped over his own words.

"What? I mean, how? Are you sure?"

Jaina dropped her hands back to cover her unsettled child. "A baby. I suppose I could explain it with charts and diagrams, but after last night I think you know how. And yes, I'm sure."

"I thought you were protecting yourself against this eventuality."

Jaina did not like the tone he used to call their child an eventuality. "I did, but there were complications."

"Complications?" Jag actually appeared visibly upset, like she had a serious lapse in judgment and ruined all his carefully laid out plans.

"Yes, complications." Jaina paced across the room. "Remember when I fought Nom Anor on Bimmisaari, and I got that wound?"

"Yes, you had it checked out. Everything was fine."

"Well, I had this feeling all along that something was wrong, this strange sense that one thing or another was amiss. I thought that after a healing trance it would be better. It was, but the feeling always returned. When I got back to Mon Cal, I felt so awful that I scanned my body and found our baby. Cilghal confirmed the pregnancy and found something else."

She sucked in her breath. The words tumbled out faster and faster, the need to explain driving her on. "I found her because there are Vong nano-organisms in me that she can sense. The baby was fighting them. . Cilghal thinks the organisms may have compromised the birth control shots. That is why I became pregnant. Jag, I never intended for this to happen, but I won't forsake our child because she was not part of the plan."

A tear streamed down Jaina's cheek. Jag approached her and grabbed her by the arms forcefully. "You knew you were sick before I left, and you said nothing."

"I suspected something, but I didn't want to worry you needlessly. At that point, it was merely a hunch."

Jag's fingers dug into her arms, as his face grew red. Anger boiled off him in waves. "You promised never to keep anything from me, and at the first sign of trouble you break it. How am I ever going to trust you?"

Jaina shrugged her shoulders up to her ears as she brought her forearms up to break his vice grip. Tears welled in her eyes. The hope that had allowed her to carry on the last few weeks was squashed in a few seconds. Instead of being her salvation, Jag had forsaken her. He had become her judge and jury. The betrayal seared in her eyes.

"I never meant to betray your trust. I was afraid if I told you, it might make you do something foolish, like disobey your orders. How would you have felt being so far away not knowing? I was trying to save you the heartache, not hurt you. I wanted to tell you; I needed to tell you."

Then, the tumultuous exchange distressed her child, making Jaina clutch her stomach as she backed away. Jag turned away in frustration. It was all a bit too much to digest for him. Unable to stand the nightmare of her life any longer, symbolized ultimately by her husband turning away from her, Jaina triggered the door, causing Jag to turn back around.

Her hand continued to her mouth silencing a sob, before Jaina stumbled into the main room. Both Wedge and Iella, sitting on the couch, rose to greet their guest, suspecting the couple was exchanging a romantic moment in secret. The grin on Iella's face dropped as she saw the look in Jaina's eyes. She stepped forward.

"Jaina, is everything all right?"

Jaina shook her head, unable to speak, moving to the front door as she did. Wedge strode past his wife. "Jaina, shouldn't you wait for…"

It was too late. With Jedi speed, Jaina escaped through the door and disappeared down the hall. Wedge knew chasing a Jedi was a futile effort, so he walked over to the study and stepped into the room. Jag was seated in a chair, his head in his hands. He heard his uncle enter but refused to acknowledge him.

Jag had been mad for many reasons. He was mad about being called back to Csilla. He was mad at himself for not trying harder to shorten his time there. He was experiencing unadulterated fury at Zekk for trying to touch his wife, hurting his brother, and then attempting to kill him. He was truly enraged by the perceived betrayal of his trust on Kyp's part. Now Jaina dropped this bomb, and all he could think about was how mad he was she did not tell him sooner about her suspicions.

"Jag." He ignored his uncle. "Jag, Jaina's gone."

Jag looked up. "What?"

"Jaina's gone. She didn't wait for an escort." Suddenly, Jag's heart stopped, and his breath caught. He jumped out of his chair. In one moment, he realized he was not mad at her; he was mad at what was happening. He was mad at himself for being terrified – terrified of losing Jaina, terrified of becoming a father. In that moment of pure terror, he had channeled all his pent up anger and hurled it at the person closest to him, the easiest target.

He fumbled in his pocket for the comlink, switching it on as he fished it out. The tone coming back indicated Jaina's comlink was turned off. Jag flipped frequencies instantly and keyed it again.

"Durron, here."

"Kyp, I have a problem…"

Kyp followed Drue across the mess, weaving through various occupied tables until they reached a vacant table in a quiet corner. Drue set her plate down, and Kyp did likewise. Once they were both seated, she spoke.

"I'm glad I ran into you in the hangar. It's nice we have a chance to sit down to dinner alone."

Kyp smiled at Drue. She had become a constant in his life recently, always seeking him out. He actually did not mind the attention. Drue was the one person whose sole focus was him. He understood the hidden meaning of Drue's statement – alone could have been replaced with minus Jaina.

"Yes, it is nice."

Drue started slicing a piece of meat. "No luck with the Rogue Jedi?"

"No."

Drue looked up from her plate. "You don't want to talk about it?"

It was a fact Drue understood him well. "Not really."

"Okay then, would you mind using your lightsaber to cut this meat?"

Kyp grinned. Drue had an amazing sense of timing, with just the right amount of levity. He whipped out his lightsaber. "If you insist." He was just about to ignite the blade in jest, when his comlink beeped. Drue frowned in anticipation. "Durron, here."

Instead of Jaina, Jag's voice sounded. "Kyp, I have a problem."

Kyp turned his back to Drue. "Hold on."

He rose and stepped away from the table. Once out of earshot, he spoke again. "Go ahead."

"Jaina took off without an escort."

"Why would she do something like that?" Kyp was already reaching out into the Force, establishing a link with Jaina. A flurry of emotions buffeted him. Kyp did not need to hear the answer.

"We had a fight."

"I see. You weren't content wrestling with two Jedi." He was met with silence. Kyp rubbed his weary face, tired of the demands on his patience. "All right, I'll get her back."

Kyp started to determine a general direction to start.

"Kyp, there's more."

"Yes."

"She's not well."

Kyp, now worried, clicked off the comlink and shoved it in his pocket. When he turned back to Drue, she was doing an admirable job of keeping her feeling of resentment in check outwardly, but it seared through the Force to him nevertheless. Kyp forced a smile.

"Duty calls." He rested a hand on her.

Drue put her hand over his. "Go to her."

Jaina ran and ran until her legs could carry her no more. Her body, once buoyed by the adrenaline of her emotions, was beginning to fail her. As she slowed down and her thoughts began to find cohesion, Jaina recognized her surroundings. Somehow, she had ended up in the open-air marketplace just off the base.

Even at this late hour, it was a flurry of activity. Beings of various species and types milled around - some shopping, others enjoying the surrounding nightlife. A large Bothan bumped past her, knocking Jaina into a scaled Danjarine. The reptilian creature known for its aggressive tendencies leered down at Jaina until she stepped aside.

The gravity of her situation struck Jaina. She was alone and off the base. Now, she had not only endangered herself, she had endangered her child. Jaina spun wildly, faces and objects blurring by in a swirl of colors, looking for an escape vector.

A pair of hands on her shoulders brought Jaina to an abrupt halt, causing her to jump practically out of her skin. Jaina calmed at the sight of Kyp's familiar face. She collapsed into her savior, wrapping her arms around him. She clung to him like a lifeline. He wrapped Jaina in his arms so his robe almost completely concealed her form.

Sobs broke against his body in waves, until a flood of emotions rolled off her sweeping Kyp into the undertow of her life's tragic turn. Through their bond, without words, Jaina showed him the child growing inside her. She guided him to touch the fetus and the awareness of her affliction, the nano-organisms gnawing at her body, until it painfully became part of his reality.

Then, she let him see the harsh truth of her exchange with Jag earlier, her sense of betrayal, her loss of any hope she had held onto for the last few weeks. The truth held up before him was more than Kyp thought he could bear, but the wracking of the ravaged body clutching him reminded the Jedi of his own promises.

As Kyp wrestled with his emotions, he became aware of the various beings around him becoming overwhelmed by Jaina's sorrow. One woman next to him sunk to the ground, crying into her skirt. Kyp used his own powers to dampen Jaina's release. In that moment she collapsed completely into his arms, her body tired of its seemingly hopeless fight.

Kyp scooped her limp body into his arms. His flight out of the marketplace was marked by a mass of mindless sentients, their memories blurred in his passing.

It had taken Jag three attempts to get to Jaina's door unseen and enter the apartment. He made his way straight to the bedroom, desperate to see Jaina. Kyp rose from the bed, where he had been sitting next to her. She was curled on her side, her back to the Jedi Master.

Jag's intention was to go to her side. Kyp's firm grip on his arm halted that effort. The silver-maned Jedi yanked Jag out of the bedroom. The door to the room slid shut behind them.

"We need to talk, Fel."

Jag's bright green eyes met Kyp's lighter green eyes. "Can it wait?"

"No."

Kyp finally released Jag's arm, sensing the younger man would hear him out. The Jedi mask Kyp donned hid the underlying anger apparent in his words.

"You made a lot of big promises in your wedding vows that you better start backing up."

There was nothing in Kyp's words that Jag had not already berated himself with in the past hour. "I intend to."

When Kyp realized Jag had come to his own understanding, his tone immediately softened. "Then you need to know I will be here for you. I want nothing but happiness for you and Jaina. I need you to believe that."

Jag eyed Kyp somberly, then released his pent up frustration in a hiss of air. One hand came up to rest on Kyp's shoulder. "I do. You have been more than a good friend to me. I am sorry for what I said earlier. It was unforgivable."

Kyp placed a hand on Jag's shoulder in return. "I have done plenty of unforgivable things in my life as well, but your wife has seen fit to forgive me. I am just as sorry as you." Both men stood silently for a moment before releasing each other. In the silence a pact had been formed. "You need to know some things before you go in there. I forced her into a healing trance for a while. She needs it. When she showed me the baby earlier, she had her barriers down."

Jag interrupted. "You mean you didn't know?"

"No, I just found out." Kyp paused, not wanting to voice the words. "Jaina is sick, Jag - more so than she'll ever admit to herself, to you, to Cilghal, or me. She needs you more than ever."

"She needs both of us."

Kyp blinked knowingly. "There is a hypospray gun on the bedstand with some nutrient vials. Cilghal says if she can't get some food down, she needs another shot in the morning."

"I can manage that."

"I am going to speak to Wedge first thing about giving Twin Suns the day off. He tried to get Jaina to rest earlier, and she would have none of it. Maybe you can talk some sense into her. You two need to use the day and regroup."

"Thank you, Kyp."

"I'll be available if either of you need anything."

There was a brief silent exchange between the two men before Kyp walked to the door adjoining the two apartments. A few seconds later Jag was alone, left to face his future.

End of Chapter 24
TKL/h94/zr